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Here Are Some of the Most Highly Anticipated Movies of 2026…

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Melinda Mendez Student Contributor, University of California - Davis
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the soon-to-be-released movie, Wuthering Heights. Thanks to the large press tour, the movie has gained a lot of attention and anticipation. Based on the novel by Emily Brontë, this gothic romance, published in 1847, follows two protagonists who are in a passionate yet destructive relationship. The story includes themes revolving around revenge, social class, obsession and the complexity of love. The movie is set to release on Friday, February 13, and is a great choice for anyone looking to spend their Valentine’s weekend watching a classic and tragic love story.

Turning to a completely different genre, the next movie on my list is horror-thriller Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. After surviving the first movie, Grace now must survive another conflict — a fight for the throne between four rival families, this time alongside her sister. This thrilling film is set to release on March 20th.

Ten years after the first movie’s debut, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to be released on May 1st. The story continues with notorious editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly, now struggling against her ex-assistant, Emily, who is suddenly her editorial rival. Fans are excited to see the cast and be immersed in the aesthetic again, a nostalgia that can be expected to make some 2010s fashion trends return this spring.

Returning to classic literature, Christopher Nolan is adapting Homer’s Greek epic, The Odyssey, into his next feature film. If you aren’t up to date with your ancient Greek, this story centers around Odysseus — King of Ithaca — and his challenging, tragedy-filled return home after the Trojan War. The film is shot with the impressive IMAX 70mm cameras, and is set to be released on July 17th, 2026.  

The fourth installment of the Spider-Man series, featuring Tom Holland as the titular hero, is set to be released this summer, on July 31st. While much hasn’t been officially released by Marvel Studios or Columbia Pictures so far, we know that this movie will have a “tonal shift” from the previous installments of the series. The plot is said to take a more personal focus on Peter Parker as he enters a “new chapter” of life. The franchise has a large fanbase and is a cultural phenomenon, so regardless of what direction this movie takes, our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is bound to bring many viewers into the theatres.  

The Hunger Games movie series continues with its 6th movie, set to be released on November 20th. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is adapted from the 5th book of The Hunger Games series. This movie serves as a prequel to the original trilogy, which takes place during the 74th Hunger Games. In it, 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy is selected into the 50th Hunger Games. The film focuses on his history and why he is so cynical later in life. When watching this movie, look out for themes like propaganda, manipulation, authoritarianism, illusion and rebellion.  

Predicted to release December 18th, 2026. Dune: Part Three will conclude the Dune trilogy directed by Denis Villeneuve. Based on the novel Dune Messiah, written by Frank Herbert in 1969, protagonist Paul Atreides must make a journey to Arrakis, a dangerous planet where people must source “spice,” a precious substance that enhances abilities, and fulfill his “terrible purpose.” Filming for this movie just wrapped up, so there are still many unknown facts about the film, but it is said to leap forward several years, featuring Paul Atreides ruling as an emperor.

2026 is already a year of greatly anticipated movies — moviegoers are in for a treat with great stories, talented actors, and visionary directors coming together to bring another world to theatres once again!

Melinda Mendez is a Cinema and Digital Media major at UCD. She enjoys writing all sorts of genres. Her favorite genres are poems, narratives, and reviews. She currently working on a research paper exploring the future of the western cinema industry under current and possible future sociological and technological influences. On campus she is involved in the Theatre and Dance department and works at a Performing Arts center as a stagehand. For Her Campus, she is on the video team helping record and plan long form videos as well as writing articles for students to enjoy.