The Best Films Coming to UK Cinemas 2026

The end of 2025 is approaching, and the UK film landscape once again shifts its focus to the horizon. And what a spectacular horizon 2026 promises to be.

After a 2025 that felt like a bridge between the old and new eras of filmmaking, 2026 arrives not with a whisper, but with a colossal bang. From franchise heavyweights and much-anticipated literary adaptations to high-concept sci-fi thrillers, the next twelve months look set to remind us exactly why the big screen experience remains utterly unbeatable. Get your calendars ready, because 2026 is going to be a year for the ages.

Release dates correct as of publishing.

The new year kicks off with a chilling dose of high-stakes horror and disaster. While the first week often remains quiet, January 9th sees two major releases vying for our attention. One is SOULM8TE, the latest from the James Wan stable, which promises a terrifying update to the ‘evil doll’ trope, swapping a child’s toy for a sentient partner-bot that goes rather horribly wrong. Alongside this, we have the Gerard Butler-led sequel, Greenland 2: Migration, which delivers more comet-dodging family drama. Butler excels in this kind of earnest, gritty survival action, and the promise of a global trek for safety is sure to draw a sizable crowd.

The horror continues a week later on January 16th with the eagerly awaited continuation of the post-apocalyptic saga, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s return to the franchise has generated immense buzz, and this second part in the new trilogy is expected to deepen the mythology of the Rage Virus, all while delivering the raw, kinetic terror we’ve come to expect. It’s arguably the most significant horror event of the early year.

February, usually the quiet month for big-hitters, provides a fascinating split. For genre fans, February 27th sees the release of Scream 7, which aims to further cement the franchise’s legacy in a post-modern age. However, February 13th brings a starkly different, but equally compelling, offering: a new cinematic adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this retelling promises to inject gothic romance with a modern-day star power. It’s the perfect counter-programming for Valentine’s Day, swapping jump scares for tempestuous Yorkshire moors drama. This is one for those of us who appreciate the enduring power of a beautifully shot, emotionally brutal drama on a grand scale.

March and April offer a dazzling mix of auteur-driven science fiction and beloved animated fare. March 20th brings the Ryan Gosling vehicle Project Hail Mary, adapted from Andy Weir’s smash-hit novel. This is big-ticket sci-fi, with Gosling as an astronaut who wakes up with amnesia and is tasked with saving humanity. Given the success of Weir’s The Martian, expectations are stratospheric. It’s exactly the kind of smart, high-stakes original concept we need in the multiplexes, promising both intellectual puzzles and spectacle. Before that, March 6th introduces a fresh take on classic horror with The Bride!, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s reimagining of the Frankenstein mythos.

April 3rd delivers a family-friendly juggernaut with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Following the phenomenal success of the last outing, this sequel will take Mario and Luigi’s adventures into outer space. It’s guaranteed to be a colourful, exuberant experience that’ll dominate the Easter holiday period. Later that month, April 24th sees the long-anticipated arrival of Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic. This has all the hallmarks of a prestige picture, chronicling the life of one of music’s biggest and most complex figures. It will be fascinating to see how the film handles the King of Pop’s legendary career and controversial life, and it’s a definite contender for awards buzz come the end of the year.

The summer months of May, June, and July are traditionally reserved for the biggest tentpole releases, and 2026 is no exception. May 22nd belongs entirely to a galaxy far, far away with The Mandalorian & Grogu. The Disney+ sensation jumps to the cinema screen, and this promises to be the kind of sweeping, epic Star Wars adventure that’s best experienced with a packed, cheering crowd.

June 19th brings Pixar back into the fold with Toy Story 5. While the narrative well might seem dry to some, Pixar has an uncanny ability to craft emotionally resonant stories, and the return of Woody and Buzz will be a generational event. It’s a guaranteed box office smash and a must-see for audiences of all ages.

The real summer cinematic event, however, arrives on July 17th. The Odyssey, the latest project from the inimitable Christopher Nolan, hits cinemas. An adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features an astonishing ensemble cast. Nolan tackling a mythic action epic on this scale, with his characteristic non-linear structure and IMAX obsession, is arguably the most exciting proposition of the entire year. Expect philosophical depth, stunning visuals, and a runtime that demands an early dinner reservation. Just a fortnight later, on July 31st, Sony unleashes its webslinger once more with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will inevitably swing in to dominate the remainder of the summer holidays.

As the year winds down, the sheer scale of the final quarter releases is breathtaking. The horror genre gets another look-in with the September 18th release of a new Resident Evil instalment, a series that always performs well with UK audiences eager for a dose of video game-inspired mayhem.

However, the final, undeniable, earth-shattering cinematic event of 2026 is set for December 18th: Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel’s penultimate film in the current saga promises to be the culmination of years of storytelling, a true global cinematic moment that will dominate headlines and box office charts in the lead-up to Christmas. For those of us who prefer their entertainment less overtly heroic, there’s also the promise of a sequel to the Dune trilogy’s conclusion, with the third film in the saga tentatively scheduled for the same month.

From the intimacy of a British-produced thriller like Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo to the sheer maximalist spectacle of the superhero blockbusters, 2026 is a year where there truly is something for everyone. This line-up demonstrates a confidence in the cinematic experience that is infectious. Grab your popcorn, settle into your seats, and prepare for twelve months of unforgettable film. The best seats in the house await.