The 10 Movies We’re Most Excited for in 2026

Cinema is set to blaze in 2026, and while Hollywood cranks out its usual parade of sequels and superheroes in spandex, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the films that promise to be the most enthralling.

Of course, we’re always keeping tabs on the homegrown talent as well. From Dallas directors to iconic Texas talent, the state’s influence is woven into the fabric of some of the year’s most anticipated films. It’s a cinematic landscape where the spirit of Texas, whether overt or subtle, adds a certain grit and poetry to the proceedings.

So, ready the popcorn and settle in as we look at the 10 films that have us buzzing for 2026.

Wuthering Heights (Feb. 13)

After the divisive, decadent trip of Saltburn, Emerald Fennell is sharpening her teeth on a gothic classic. But this won’t be your high school English teacher’s Wuthering Heights. Fennell’s vision, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is reportedly a twisted, modern take on the Brontë novel, promising to lean into the story’s inherent darkness and cruelty. The film’s rebellious, unapologetic spirit evokes the future of filmmaking — Charli XCX being tasked with the soundtrack is a testament to that. In a world of safe adaptations, Fennell is taking a literary masterpiece and making it dangerous again. It’s a bold move, and one we can’t help but admire.

Mother Mary (spring)

Dallas’ own David Lowery has a knack for crafting films that feel like whispered secrets, intimate and vast all at once. After praying at the altar of pop music with the film’s first trailer, we’re ready for his latest, Mother Mary. Lowery, who gave us the haunting beauty of A Ghost Story and the earthy epic The Green Knight, returns with a melodic drama starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. While details are still draped in his signature mystique, we know it involves the relationship between a musician and a fashion designer. With Lowery at the helm, expect a film that’s less about the glitz of fame and more about the soul-stirring notes that compose a life. It’s a Dallas filmmaker painting on a global canvas, and we’re here for every brushstroke.

The Adventures of Cliff Booth (summer)

Quentin Tarantino is handing over the keys to his candy-apple red Coupe de Ville, and David Fincher is getting behind the wheel. A follow-up to Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, this film continues the story of Brad Pitt’s impossibly cool stuntman. It also finds a North Texas connection in the one and only Peter Weller, a UNT alumnus and forever RoboCop, joining the cast. Weller is a true Renaissance man, an actor and art historian who understands this era of Hollywood. His casting feels like a perfect, inspired choice. We’ve missed his commanding presence in major movies, and seeing him in this world feels like a form of justice.

Disclosure Day (Jun. 12)

Steven Spielberg and science fiction. Those four words are enough to get any film lover’s heart racing. The man who made us look to the skies with wonder and terror is back with Disclosure Day. Spielberg’s films have shaped the cinematic language we all speak, and his return to the genre he helped define feels like an event. It promises mystery, spectacle and that signature touch of humanism that makes his work endure.

The Odyssey (Jul. 17)

Christopher Nolan is taking on Homer, and the sheer audacity is breathtaking. IMAX tickets were sold a year in advance, and the prologue sparked online debates — this is cinema as a heavyweight cultural event. This interpretation of one of literature’s most influential works rightfully aspires to grand ambition and demands the largest screen possible. The Odyssey is a statement about the power of the theatrical experience. It’s a bold, massive undertaking that true cinephiles are already clearing their calendars for.

Street Fighter (Oct. 16)

Anyone who spent their allowance on quarters at a local arcade or watched the delightfully goofy ’90s adaptation knows Street Fighter‘s electric, punk-rock energy well. The trailer for this new adaptation looks to have bottled that wild spirit, embracing the weirdness with a confident swagger. It’s a massive dose of nostalgia for a generation of people who grew up trying to pull off a Hadouken on a sticky joystick. Sometimes, the connection isn’t in the setting, but in the shared memory.

Madden (Nov. 26)

John Madden’s voice was the Sunday soundtrack for generations of football fans — a rumbling, jovial narration that made every play feel monumental. This biopic, starring the endlessly watchable Nicolas Cage, promises a look at the man behind the telestrator. For Dallas Cowboys fans, Madden’s connection runs deep. He was the voice of their ‘90s dynasty, calling their Super Bowl triumphs with unmatched enthusiasm. He championed legends like Larry Allen, a man he rightfully considered one of the greatest to ever play the game. Madden isn’t just a football movie; it’s a slice of Americana with a Texas-sized serving of nostalgia.

Dune: Part Three (Dec. 18)

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune saga is the new benchmark for brainy, beautiful blockbusters. Part Two was an all-timer, a masterclass in large-scale storytelling. Now, as we journey back to Arrakis for Villeneuve’s alleged conclusion, the pressure is immense. The film is slated to go head-to-head with Avengers: Doomsday, creating a potential “Dunesday” showdown at the box office. For anyone who appreciates a good rivalry and a story with grit and grandeur, this is the sci-fi event of the year. We’re just hoping it’s more Return of the King, rather than Godfather Part III.

The Weight (TBA)

Austin’s favorite philosopher-poet, Ethan Hawke, continues his prolific run with The Weight. The film follows a disparate group of pioneers whose paths collide on a treacherous journey across the unsettled American frontier, exploring themes of faith, survival and destiny. After a packed 2025, Hawke steps into this historical epic, a genre that suits his thoughtful intensity. Hawke embodies a distinct Texas spirit — intellectual yet unpretentious, with a hint of outlaw charm. He’s an artist who constantly searches for truth, whether in a Richard Linklater conversation or a gritty period piece. The Weight looks to be a heavy-hitter, and having a Texas titan like Hawke at its center gives it a gravitas we can’t wait to witness.

The Rivals of Amziah King (TBA)

All right, all right, all right. Matthew McConaughey returns to his roots in this film, which premiered at SXSW in 2025, capturing the honeyed, complicated spirit of small-town life. While not officially on the 2026 slate yet, the buzz is too strong to ignore, and we’re betting it gets a proper release this year. McConaughey is at his best when he’s wrestling with the soul of a place, and early reviews suggest The Rivals of Amziah King is pure cinematic poetry. It feels like a homecoming, a story steeped in the very soil that shaped its star.