2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years for movie sequels in recent memory. With major franchises returning to theaters and studios doubling down on proven IP, the global box office is expected to be dominated by follow-ups, reboots, and franchise continuations.
The biggest movie sequels releasing in 2026 include Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Messiah, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Supergirl, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. These films are among the most anticipated releases of the year and are already generating massive buzz among fans and industry analysts.
From superhero blockbusters and sci-fi epics to horror and animated favorites, 2026 offers something for every type of moviegoer. Studios like Marvel, DC, Pixar, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. are all bringing major franchises back to the big screen, signaling a year driven by spectacle, nostalgia, and high-stakes storytelling.
Below, we’ve ranked the most anticipated movie sequels of 2026 based on hype, franchise impact, and box-office potential.
Top 9 Most Anticipated Sequels of 2026
9. Scary Movie 6
Release date: June 12, 2026
Cast: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans
Studio: Miramax
Returning to theatres after an absence of 13 years, the Scary Movie franchise is the need of the hour (considering how dour things are in the real world). The sixth movie of the long running franchise sees the return of all of the original cast as they once again make fun of other recent movies in the cultural zeitgeist. Parody films have fallen off the cliff recently (in terms of quality), so here’s to hoping that Scary Movie 6 manages to turn around this genre, for the better.
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8. Toy Story 5
Release date: June 19, 2026
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Everyone and their mother agrees that the ending of Toy Story 3 was perfect and Disney should have stopped there altogether. However, we live in a time where corporations milk every franchise until it is well and truly dead, and thus, impending upon us is the upcoming release of Toy Story 5. Thankfully, with Pixar at the helm, we can expect a good movie (even if it doesn't come close to the genius of Part 3). Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return once more as Buzz and Woody, with the villain now being a computer tablet. Here’s to hoping this one is better than Part 4.
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7. Mortal Kombat II
Release date: May 8, 2026
Cast: Lewis Tan, Ludi Lin, Karl Urban, Mehcad Brooks, Hiroyuki Sanada, Adeline Rudolph
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
2021’s Mortal Kombat finally did justice to the long-running video game franchise, after two adaptations from the 90s introduced unbearable levels of camp and cringe to the game adaptations. Raiden, Scorpio,n and the rest return for the second outing here with stakes significantly higher than the first rodeo. While Lewis Tan’s Cole Young was the focus of the first Mortal Kombat, it is Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage who is the protagonist this time around. In the upcoming film, Cage and the rest reluctantly join forces to save the world and the realms from the wrath of Shao Kahn and his demonic hordes.
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6. Scream 7
Release date: February 27, 2026
Cast: Neve Campbell, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, David Arquette
Studio: Spyglass Media Group / Paramount Pictures
Scream, the highly revered slasher franchise from the 90s, refuses to die, offering up a new installment once every few years. The latest is Scream 7, which once again sees Sydney (Neve Campbell) and her daughter terrorized by the serial killer known only as Ghostface. Courteney Cox is also back as Gale Weathers (she is the only cast member to be a part of all 7 films), and to our surprise, the film also heralds the return of David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Scott Foley (all of whom died in the previous movies). Thus, Scream 7 is shaping up to be an exciting film that we can't wait to see and review.
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5. Supergirl
Release date: June 26, 2026
Cast: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Momoa, David Krumholtz, David Corenswet
Studio: DC Studios / Warner Bros.
A spinoff/follow-up to last summer’s Superman, 2026’s Supergirl is one of the two DC films releasing this year. Directed by Craig Gillispie, the film sees Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El traverse across the multiverse to battle an ancient enemy with a crazy bounty hunter in hot pursuit. The anticipation for this Supergirl is so-so, considering the fact that audiences just saw another Supergirl in 2023’s The Flash. However, this could work in the film’s favor as an awesome final product can blindside audiences upon release (in a good way). As James Gunn slowly builds out his DC universe, expect Supergirl to feature in more projects going forward.
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4. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Release date: November 20, 2026
Cast: Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Mckenna Grace
Studio: Color Force / Lionsgate
A sequel to 2023’s Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated entries in the Hunger Games franchise. The focus this time around is on the young Haymitch Abernathy as he struggles to survive the 50th Hunger Games. Not only does the film include the younger versions of most of the cast from the original films, but it also heralds the return of Katniss and Peeta to the franchise. How the makers manage to fit this into the narrative is a bit of a mystery, but we will be seated, first day, first show, to see what Francis Lawrence has to offer in the sixth film of the long-running franchise.
3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
best movie sequels 2026
Release date: July 31, 2026
Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink,
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Marvel Studios
The fourth entry in Tom Holland-Marvel’s Spider-Man Saga sees Peter Parker return to his basics after the memory-wiping hijinks of No Way Home. Joining him along for the ride is his former love interest, MJ (Zendaya), as well as Marvel heavyweights Hulk (Ruffalo) and the Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Helmed by Daniel Deston Cretton (Shang Chi), Brand New Day aims to infuse some new life into the Spider-Man franchise, five years after the last installment, and is sure to be a hit when it finally releases this summer.
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2. Dune: Messiah
best movie sequels 2026
Release date: December 18, 2026 (industry reporting)
Cast & full credits not yet officially listed in primary sources
Studio: Legendary Pictures / Warner Bros.
Almost as highly anticipated as the last entry on this list, the final installment in Dennis Villeneuve's epic trilogy hits theatres the same day as Doomsday. Based on the second book by Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah sees Paul Atredis come to grips with the limits of his reign as unexpected events force him to confront his own mortality. Following the epic success of Dune 2, Messiah sees the return of all of the original cast as well as Robert Pattinson in the role of the nefarious Scytale. The film is expected to be awesome and is sure to set the box office on fire upon release.
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1. Avengers: Doomsday
best movie sequels 2026
Release date: December 18, 2026 (industry reporting)
Cast (reported but not fully released): Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans … other ensemble cast details TBA*
Studio: Marvel Studios / Disney
Full official cast & details not yet published.
Quite possibly, the most anticipated sequel for all of 2026 is Avengers: Doomsday. Aiming to resurrect Marvel to its former glory after a slew of misfires in recent memory, Doomsday heralds the return of both Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans to the Marvel roster. Downey now plays Doom (as opposed to Iron Man), and the inclusion of the OG X-Men to the film means we are in for a multiversal treat. Expect Doomsday to knock your socks off when it arriveson December 18, as audiences once again flock to the theatres to see if Marvel has made yet another stinker or if it is really back like the ‘old times’.
Final Thoughts: Biggest Sequels to Watch in 2026
Thus, these are (in our humble opinion) the best sequels to watch in 2026. If we missed any awesome sequels in the list above, feel free to let us know in the comments below.
What are the biggest movie sequels releasing in 2026?
Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Messiah, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Supergirl, and Scream 7 lead the list.
Is Avengers: Doomsday releasing in 2026?
Yes, the film is currently scheduled for December 2026.
Which Marvel movies release in 2026?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are the biggest confirmed Marvel titles.
Will Dune: Messiah be the final movie?
Director Denis Villeneuve has suggested it will conclude Paul Atreides’ story arc.
