Summer of 2026 movie guide

After a spring that gave us successes like Project Hail Mary, the Michael Jackson smash and The Devil Wears Prada 2, 2026 is already shaping up to be a huge movie year. Now, summer begins, and I don't think there's a film this season that doesn't feature either Anne Hathaway (five films), Zendaya (four) or Tom Holland (the star of the summer's two biggest releases) — or, in some cases, all three. 

The funniest movie of the year may be Scary Movie, the scariest film may be Obsession and with the same faces popping up everywhere, it's not looking easy to keep the movies straight, let alone figure out which ones are actually worth seeing.

No worries, here's your handy dandy summer film roundup so you can mark your calendars.

 1. Spielberg and Nolan

Disclosure Day — June 12, 2026
Spielberg is back for another encounter where humanity confronts proof of extraterrestrial life in a large-scale science fiction event film. Fingers crossed.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Josh O'Connor

The Odyssey — July 17, 2026
Christopher Nolan adapts Homer's epic tale of Odysseus's long journey home after the Trojan War. Expectations are high despite a literally dark trailer.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Actors: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson

2. IPs and Franchises

Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026
They're back! Peter Parker begins a new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the events of No Way Home. Likely contender for biggest film of the summer and year.
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Actors: Tom Holland, Zendaya

Toy Story 5 — June 19, 2026
They're back! Woody, Buzz and the gang return for Pixar's latest installment in its flagship animated franchise. They have a good concept this time. And Taylor Swift.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Actors: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen

The Mandalorian and Grogu - In theaters now

They're back! The Star Wars TV show becomes a film no one asked for with Din Djarin and Grogu embarking on a new mission. 
Director: Jon Favreau
Actors: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White

Minions & Monsters — July 1, 2026
They're back! A new family animated adventure from Universal featuring an ensemble of colorful characters.

Moana — July 10, 2026
They're back! Disney reimagines its animated hit in live action.
Director: Thomas Kail
Actors: Dwayne Johnson, Catherine Laga'aia

Supergirl — June 26, 2026
Fresh from last summer's Superman, Kara Zor-El and Krypto take center stage in a key swing from DC Studios' cinematic universe. Based on the trailer, it looks like a lot of CGI, things blowing up, and about a thousand moments of Kara reminding you she's a badass, not Helen Slater.
Director: Craig Gillespie
Actors: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa

Masters of the Universe — June 5, 2026
Did the toys come first or the cartoon show, and did we really care that much about He-Man? The high-dollar film that looks most likely to be the major bust of the summer is getting buzz about its fun take on 1980s nostalgia and lighthearted fun. I'm not sure that I believe all that, but I'll see a sneak preview Monday and share the word.
Director: Travis Knight
Actors: Nicholas Galitzine, Alison Brie, Camila Mendes

3. Comedies

Scary Movie — June 5, 2026
The long-running spoof franchise returns with a new send-up of modern horror and pop culture. Given the past years, this looks to be a gem in the franchise and a big hit.

Actors: Damon Wayans Jr, Heidi Gardner

Power Ballad — June 5, 2026
John Carney's (Once, Sing Street) wheelhouse goes mainstream. A music-driven comedy-drama set in Dublin that explores the transformative power of song — and has a great one too.

Director: John Carney 
Actors: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas

The Breadwinner — In theaters now

With a Nate Rate price and a good-lookin' comedian in his comedic prime, we get a contemporary version of Mr. Mom. I'd see a full film about his George Washington, but not sure about this familiar fluff for me, and family films are more of a streaming thing. We'll see how this does with special pricing and sheer star power.

Actors:  Nate Bargatze, Will Forte

The Invite — June 26, 2026
A married couple's dinner with their adventurous neighbors spirals into an increasingly chaotic and uncomfortable night.
Director: Olivia Wilde
Actors: Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton, Olivia Wilde

One Night Only — August 7, 2026
In a world where sex is legal for only one day each year, two strangers meet and spark an unexpected romance.
Director: Will Gluck
Actors: Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Molly Ringwald

4. Alternates 

The Death of Robin Hood — June 19, 2026
An aging and battle-worn Robin Hood confronts his legacy in a darker take on the legendary outlaw. Perfect setup for Wolverine to make an Oscar push.
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Actors: Hugh Jackman

Tony — August 7, 2026
A young Anthony Bourdain comes of age while working in the chaotic restaurant kitchens of Provincetown.
Director: Matt Johnson
Actors: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Leo Woodall, Emilia Jones

5. Thrillers

The End of Oak Street — August 14, 2026

Every month, a new Anne Hathaway movie, scary! A suburban family finds their neighborhood mysteriously transported into an unknown realm.
Director: David Robert Mitchell
Actors: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella

The Dog Stars — August 28, 2026
In a post-pandemic world, a survivor searches for hope amid the ruins of civilization.
Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce,  Allison Janney

6. Scary Films, Horror

Obsession — In theaters now
A micro-budget horror film becomes a breakout commercial phenomenon and one of the year's surprise hits.
Director: Curry Barker

Backrooms — In theaters now
An adaptation of the viral internet horror phenomenon follows characters trapped in a terrifying labyrinth of endless spaces.
Director: Kane Parsons
Actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass

Leviticus — June 19, 2026
Neon grabbed this at Sundance last year, despite being or because it is a supernatural horror film. It must be scary good.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma — August 7, 2026
A queer horror story from Cannes that follows a group of young people at a summer camp with deadly secrets.
Director: Jane Schoenbrun
Actors: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson