The 2026 movie calendar is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory, with theaters seeing renewed excitement from audiences. After several years of uneven box office performance, recent releases like Project Hail Mary and Obsession have helped bring viewers back in large numbers. Studios are also reviving older franchises and re-releasing classics, making the cinema experience feel more active again, especially heading into the summer season.
This upcoming summer lineup feels especially close to the golden age of blockbuster movie seasons. Big superhero releases are returning to the spotlight, led by Supergirl, which opens the summer alongside Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Alongside them, audiences will also get horror films, action comedies, live-action remakes, and large-scale epics, creating a wide mix of genres aimed at all types of moviegoers.
Here is your look at the best movies hitting the box office all summer 2026.
Supergirl
Director: Craig Gillespie
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Supergirl kicks off the summer blockbuster season as part of the new DC universe led by James Gunn. Milly Alcock returns as Kara Zor-El, following her appearance in Superman. The film is based on the Woman of Tomorrow storyline and introduces Jason Momoa as Lobo.
The story follows Supergirl on a more emotional and brutal journey compared to traditional superhero films, blending space adventure with personal struggle. With Krypto returning and a darker tone expected, this film is positioned as a major reset for the DC brand.
Jackass: Best and Last
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Release Date: June 26, 2026
The Jackass crew returns for what is being promoted as their final film together. After decades of stunts, pranks, and chaos, the team reunites for one last extreme comedy adventure.
Expect dangerous stunts, painful challenges, and over-the-top humor that stays true to the franchise’s identity. This installment marks the official end of a 25-year run of Jackass films and TV content.
The Invite
Director: Olivia Wilde
Release Date: June 26, 2026
A24 delivers a tense and unusual comedy-drama about a couple who gets drawn into a mysterious dinner party hosted by their neighbors. What begins as a simple invitation slowly turns into something far more unsettling.
Starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, the film mixes awkward humor with psychological tension. Early festival reactions suggest strong performances and unpredictable storytelling.
Moana (Live Action)
Director: Thomas Kail
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Disney brings its animated hit Moana into live-action form. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, while Catherine Laga’aia plays Moana in this new adaptation.
The film retells the ocean adventure with upgraded visuals and expanded musical sequences. Lin-Manuel Miranda returns to help shape the soundtrack, making it a major family release for summer.
The Odyssey
Director: Christopher Nolan
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Christopher Nolan adapts Homer’s legendary epic into a massive cinematic event. The film features a star-heavy cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, and more.
It follows a modern cinematic retelling of Odysseus’ journey home after war, combining mythology with Nolan’s signature scale and realism. It is already one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Evil Dead Burn
Director: Sébastien Vaniček
Release Date: July 24, 2026
The Evil Dead franchise returns with its sixth installment, continuing its tradition of extreme horror and supernatural chaos. This time, the story centers on a family dealing with a devastating tragedy that unleashes evil forces.
Expect heavy gore, possession horror, and nonstop tension. The film is designed for hardcore horror fans looking for intense scares.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man in a world where nobody remembers Peter Parker. He now faces new villains while rebuilding his life from scratch.
The film introduces new characters and brings back familiar faces like Zendaya and Jon Bernthal. It is expected to connect into the wider Marvel storyline moving toward future Avengers events.
Super Troopers 3
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Release Date: August 7, 2026
The comedy cult franchise returns with another chaotic police story. The original team reunites for one final mission involving crime, confusion, and absurd investigations.
Known for its slapstick humor and improvisation, the film continues the series’ legacy while introducing new characters to freshen things up.
Ice Cream Man
Director: Eli Roth
Release Date: August 7, 2026
A disturbing horror film from Eli Roth about a mysterious ice cream vendor whose arrival triggers violent and supernatural events in a small town.
The story quickly escalates into chaos as children become dangerous and the town loses control. The film leans heavily into graphic horror and shock value.
Insidious: Out of the Further
Director: Jacob Chase
Release Date: August 21, 2026
The Insidious universe expands with a new chapter that continues the terrifying story of The Further. A new protagonist experiences disturbing supernatural events that blur reality and nightmares.
The film builds on established mythology while introducing fresh horror elements and new characters.
The Dog Stars
Director: Ridley Scott
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Ridley Scott directs this post-apocalyptic survival film based on the novel of the same name. Jacob Elordi plays a man trying to survive in a world devastated by a pandemic.
The story focuses on survival, isolation, and hope, with strong supporting performances from Josh Brolin and others.
Coyote vs. Acme
Director: Dave Green
Release Date: August 28, 2026
A long-delayed animated live-action hybrid finally arrives in theaters. The film follows Wile E. Coyote as he takes legal action against the Acme Corporation.
The movie mixes comedy, courtroom drama, and classic Looney Tunes-style chaos.
How to Rob a Bank
Director: David Leitch
Release Date: September 4, 2026
A modern heist comedy about criminals who film and share their robberies online. The police soon begin tracking them through their digital footprint.
Starring Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz, the film blends action, humor, and commentary on internet fame.
By Any Means
Director: Elegance Bratton
Release Date: September 4, 2026
A crime thriller based on real events where an FBI agent teams up with a mob hitman to solve civil rights-related murders.
The film explores justice, morality, and corruption in a tense investigative storyline.
Resident Evil
Director: Zach Cregger
Release Date: September 18, 2026
A reboot of the Resident Evil franchise focusing on survival horror rather than action-heavy storytelling. A courier becomes trapped during a viral outbreak that turns people into monsters.
The film aims to return the series to its horror roots with a more grounded and terrifying tone.
Overall, summer 2026 is shaping up to be a packed and diverse movie season. With a mix of established franchises, new original ideas, and major directors involved, theaters are expected to see strong attendance as audiences return for big-screen experiences across all genres.
