10 Most Exciting Sequels Set to Be Released in 2026

10 Most Exciting Sequels Set to Be Released in 2026

A lot of “sequels” in 2026 won’t just be more of the same, because franchises are leaning into bigger swings and bolder resets.

Some are expanding their worlds so dramatically that they almost feel like brand-new adventures with familiar faces.

Others are returning because audiences can’t quit the characters, especially when the story ended on a cliffhanger that still stings.

There’s also a noticeable trend toward finales, with several long-running favorites aiming to go out with maximum chaos.

Release plans can always change, but the excitement is already building for these next chapters slated for 2026.

If you love the feeling of counting down to a comeback, these are the follow-ups worth putting on your watchlist now.

1. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — April 3, 2026

After the first film proved the Mushroom Kingdom can dominate the big screen, the next step is going cosmic in a big way.

Moving into a “galaxy” setting opens the door for wilder worlds, gravity-bending set pieces, and a constant stream of visual surprises.

Fans are hoping this chapter leans into inventive power-ups, bigger boss battles, and that joyful Nintendo weirdness the games do so well.

It’s also the kind of sequel that can deepen the friendships without losing the fast, goofy momentum that made the original feel rewatchable.

If the filmmakers embrace the series’ playful side, it could be a candy-colored space adventure that still lands real emotional beats.

Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or just here for the fun, this is one 2026 sequel that screams “make it a movie night.”

2. Toy Story 5 — June 19, 2026

Few franchises can return without feeling unnecessary, but this one keeps finding new ways to explore what growing up actually means.

The toys’ world has always mirrored ours, so adding modern tech anxieties could make the story feel surprisingly relevant and sharp.

A new chapter also gives Pixar room to balance nostalgia with fresh characters, which is the secret sauce behind the best sequels.

People come back for the comfort of Woody-and-friends energy, but they stay for the emotional gut-punch that hits when you least expect it.

If the plot leans into how kids’ attention is changing, it could spark a conversation while still delivering laughs and adventure.

Expect the tissues to be nearby, because 2026 might bring another bittersweet reminder that nothing stays the same forever.

3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026

After a universe-shaking era, a smaller and more personal storyline can feel like the most exciting kind of reset.

A “new day” approach hints at fresh conflicts, new relationships, and the kind of street-level pressure that makes Peter Parker relatable.

Fans love when Spidey is scraping by, making messy choices, and still trying to do the right thing when it would be easier not to.

The best sequels don’t just escalate the spectacle, because they also deepen the hero’s identity and consequences.

This entry has a chance to introduce new villains and new emotional stakes without needing constant multiverse fireworks.

If it nails that balance, it could be a 2026 crowd-pleaser that feels both classic and newly energized.

4. Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026

When the Marvel machine is firing on all cylinders, an Avengers movie becomes less of a film and more of a cultural event.

The title alone suggests high stakes, big consequences, and the kind of crossover energy that turns casual viewers into opening-weekend planners.

Audiences are hungry for a team-up that feels urgent again, especially if it unites newer heroes with familiar faces in meaningful ways.

A strong sequel moment usually comes from smart character pairings, where personalities clash and alliances form under pressure.

If the story emphasizes strategy, sacrifice, and real fallout, it can restore that “anything can happen” tension people miss.

Even if you’ve stepped back from the MCU, 2026’s big team-up could be the one that pulls you right back in.

5. Jumanji 4 — December 11, 2026

Instead of repeating the same jokes, the fun of this series comes from watching it reinvent its own rules every time it returns.

Another trip into the game world means new levels, new dangers, and new ways for the characters to get hilariously out of their depth.

The franchise also thrives on cast chemistry, because the body-swap style performances let everyone show off unexpected comedic range.

A fourth installment has the chance to raise the emotional stakes while still delivering the popcorn-friendly chaos people show up for.

If the writers push the adventure forward rather than just referencing old bits, it can feel like a true continuation.

For anyone who wants a 2026 sequel that’s light, loud, and crowd-pleasing, this one is built for group-watch energy.

6. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — January 16, 2026

The rage-virus universe is expanding again, and this chapter looks built to crank dread and scale at the same time.

Because it follows the events of 28 Years Later, it can lean into the “what’s left of society” question instead of retreading outbreak basics.

A sequel this deep into the timeline has room for bolder worldbuilding, including new factions, new rules, and nastier moral compromises.

The title alone suggests something unsettling and symbolic, which is exactly what fans want from horror that tries to mean something.

If the filmmakers keep the tone grounded while escalating the danger, it could deliver both scares and that lingering, post-credits unease.

With its U.S. date set for January 16, 2026, it’s an early-year release that could dominate conversations right out of the gate.

7. Scream 7 — February 27, 2026

The Ghostface formula stays fresh when it mixes nostalgia with real suspense, and this entry is positioned to do exactly that.

Bringing familiar faces back into the chaos matters because the franchise works best when history and trauma are part of the mystery.

A seventh movie also has the advantage of knowing what audiences expect, which makes it easier to subvert those expectations at the perfect moment.

Horror sequels are at their best when they’re fun and genuinely tense, and this series has proven it can still deliver both.

If the kill scenes are inventive while the whodunit remains airtight, it can be the kind of crowd movie people see with friends on opening weekend.

8. Minions 3 — July 1, 2026

Illumination’s tiny chaos agents have a habit of turning simple jokes into global obsessions, and a third solo outing is basically guaranteed mayhem.

Because the Minions comedy is physical and fast, this sequel has endless room for new set pieces that play like animated slapstick on turbo mode.

A 2026 release also means it can tap into prime summer-movie energy, which is when families want something loud, silly, and easy to love.

If the story connects more cleanly to the broader Despicable Me world, it can satisfy kids who just want laughs and adults who like the franchise lore.

These movies always live or die by rhythm, so a tight, joke-dense script will be the difference between “cute” and “can’t stop quoting it.”

It’s currently dated for July 1, 2026, which puts it right in the middle of peak blockbuster season.

9. Violent Night 2 — December 4, 2026

Holiday action gets nastier when it’s wrapped in twinkly lights, and the first movie proved that contrast is weirdly satisfying.

A sequel can go bigger without losing the core appeal, which is watching a battle-hardened Santa turn Christmas cheer into pure survival mode.

The real hook is that it’s not just gore for shock value, because the tone is knowingly ridiculous in a way that makes the violence feel like a dark comedy stunt.

If the sequel adds smarter villains and wilder set pieces, it could become a yearly “rewatch with friends” tradition the way some people replay classic Christmas movies.

Audiences who like irreverent sequels will appreciate anything that commits fully to the premise instead of winking and backing away from it.

Universal has it set for December 4, 2026, which practically dares you to make it your first holiday-season outing.

10. Dune: Part Three — December 18, 2026

Denis Villeneuve’s desert epic has been building toward a heavier, darker payoff, and the next film is where that weight really lands.

Because the story moves into Messiah territory, it can explore what power costs after the cheering stops and the consequences start multiplying.

Sequels in this world feel “prestige” because every element is treated seriously, from the politics to the prophecy to the sheer scale of the visuals.

A third installment also tends to be the one where alliances fracture and character choices become irreversible, which is exactly what makes it compelling.

If it preserves the spectacle while tightening the emotional stakes, it could be the kind of sci-fi sequel that wins both box office and awards-season attention.