Will 2026 in film be a little kinder than 2025? That is the $33 billion question the film industry is asking itself right now.
While 2025 saw a healthy stream of franchise hits and global revenues showed resilience, the year has been plagued by a worrying problem: inconsistency.
We saw several high-profile blockbusters, particularly from established superhero universes, significantly underperform, leading to substantial losses for major studios.
Beyond the sequels, great critically-acclaimed films struggled to get general audiences into seats, proving that, more than ever, unless a film is tied to major, recognised IP, its success is far from guaranteed.
This has led to a very messy end to the year, with a barrage of releases postponed and some months, like October, hitting three-decade lows.
But as the calendar flips, 2026 is lining up to be the year where studios truly double down on proven success, throwing an absolute mountain of sequels, reboots, and certified A-list talent at the problem.
From The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to Scream 7, it looks like the industry is betting on familiarity to bring back consistent audience turnout.
We’ve checked the UK schedule on IMDB to see what’s coming in the new year - here are our picks of the films hitting the screens next year, complete with all the major stars and directors set to define the year.
17. Sense and Sensibility (September 25)
A major new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, focusing on the Dashwood sisters' pursuit of love in 19th-century England. The film is helmed by director Greta Gerwig (Barbie, Little Women), who is known for her successful adaptations of female-led literary works and is set to star Daisy Edgar-Jones (pictured). | Monica Schipper
18. Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (October 31)
This stop-motion feature, released as a Sky Original film in the UK, is the third feature film for the globally loved character, marking 30 years since Shaun’s debut in Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave. Plot: The film sees the clumsy Farmer trash the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch, leading Shaun to turn MAD SCIENTIST to fix the problem. With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming Mossingham Woods, the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun family adventure. | Aardman/Sky
19. The Cat In The Hat (November 6)
This animated version of the beloved Dr. Seuss classic is being positioned as the "doorway" into a new animated Seuss universe by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Co-directed and co-written by Alessandro Carloni (Kung Fu Panda 3) and Erica Rivinoja (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), the film promises a return to the original book's whimsical spirit and surreal humour. The stellar voice cast is led by Bill Hader as the mischievous Cat. | Warner Bros. Pictures