The summer movie season is almost upon us, and 2026’s slate of blockbusters is pretty darn impressive. We’ll see Marvel and DC once again doing battle, the first Star Wars movie on the big screen in seven years, the return of everybody’s favorite talking toys and Steven Spielberg dipping back into the sci-fi genre. There are plenty of movies on the horizon that look worth forking out for a movie theater ticket (and maybe even some overpriced popcorn as well).
The Tom’s Guide team has pored over the summer movies 2026 slate to give you a full guide to the biggest movies hitting the multiplex over the next few months. The summer months are typically when studios drop their biggest releases of the year, and 2026 is shaping up to be no exception. So, if you want to beat the seasonal heat by escaping to an air-conditioned theater, here are all the movies you’ll want to see this summer.
May 22
‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’
After three seasons of adventures over on Disney+, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his adorable pal Baby Yoda Grogu are headlining Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first new Star Wars movie since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” — and it sure seems like it’s going to kick off the summer movie season in style. The film takes place after the fall of the Empire, when Imperial warlords still threaten parts of the galaxy far, far away, and sees our titular bounty hunter and his apprentice being recruited by the New Republic for what’s been described as “their most thrilling mission yet.” Show me The Way … to the cinema! — Martin Shore
- ‘I Love Boosters’
- ‘Corporate Retreat’
May 29
‘Backrooms’
Kane Parsons was 16 years old when he uploaded “The Backrooms (Found Footage)” in January 2022. The video quickly became a viral sensation on YouTube, helping fuel the internet’s obsession with liminal spaces. Now, he’s directing the upcoming “Backrooms” feature film in collaboration with A24. The story follows a therapist named Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), who is forced to venture into the unsettling, yellow-walled dimension of the Backrooms after one of her patients, Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), disappears into a strange doorway found in the basement of his furniture showroom. Even from the trailers alone, the film radiates an existential sense of unease. — Alix Blackburn
- ‘The Breadwinner’
- ‘Pressure’
June 4
‘The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act’
This Australian adult-animated web series has a big following. Maybe that’s why its final episodes are getting the theatrical release treatment. The series follows a group of humans — Pomni, Jax, Ragatha, Gangle, Kinger, and Zooble — who are trapped inside a madness-inducing, circus-themed virtual reality simulation, overseen by a ringmaster AI named Caine. Eventually, you’ll be able to watch episodes 8 and 9 (the final episode) on YouTube, but if you need to see them on the big screen, you’ll be able to starting on June 4. — Malcolm McMillan
June 5
‘Masters of the Universe’
Travis Knight’s live-action “Masters of the Universe” is poised to bring the He-Man universe back to our screens. Here, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) has been stuck on Earth and separated from the Sword of Power for well over a decade. When he finally tracks it down, it brings him back to his home planet of Eternia, which he discovers is under the rule of the nefarious Skeletor (Jared Leto). Thus, he bands together with some of his closest allies, like Man-at-Arms (Idris Elba) and Teela (Camila Mendes), and embraces his destiny as the most powerful man in the universe, using his power to save his family and his world. — Martin Shore
‘Scary Movie’
The “Scary Movie” franchise returns this summer to spoof modern (and classic) horror and poke fun at the tropes of the genre. Though for a series that revels in lampooning genre cliches, it’s followed the current trend of removing the number from its name, “Scary Movie 6” is simply called “Scary Movie.” This sixth installment sees the original series helmers, the Wayans, return to the fold, alongside fan-favorite stars Anna Faris and Regina Hall. Movies already confirmed to be spoofed in this latest “Scary Movie” include “Get Out,” “Sinners,” “Weapons,” “The Substance,” “Smile, “Heart Eyes,” and, of course, the “Scream” series. — Rory Mellon
- ‘Power Ballad’
- ‘Carolina Caroline’
June 12
‘Disclosure Day’
We’ve already had one fantastic movie about not being alone in the universe this year, and we could be set for another one. Yes, Steven Spielberg is making a new sci-fi movie with David Koepp, the guy who also penned the script for “Jurassic Park,” and frankly, that alone convinces me that I have to see “Disclosure Day.” Add in the fact that this is a story about humanity not being alone in the universe, and the fact that Spielberg has assembled an all-star cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo. Throw in all those intriguing trailers, and I can’t shake the feeling that “Disclosure Day” might be another must-see summer release. — Martin Shore
June 19
‘Toy Story 5’
After releasing their zany sci-fi adventure “Hoppers” earlier in the year, Pixar is bringing Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the “Toy Story” gang back to our screens for another adventure that will surely be the family movie of the summer. While they’ve already weathered plenty of challenges over the years — jealousy, a toy collector trying to steal away one of their friends, and almost being destroyed, to name but a few — here, the toys just might face their biggest trial to date. In “Toy Story 5,” it’s toys vs. tech, as they grapple with 8-year-old Bonnie’s new obsession: a fancy frog-themed tablet called Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee). — Martin Shore
- ‘The Death of Robin Hood’
June 26
‘Supergirl’
If we learned anything from “John Wick,” it’s that you should never harm someone’s dog, and judging by the “Supergirl” trailer, I’m betting characters from the DC Universe are about to learn this same lesson. After her brief appearance at the end of “Superman” last summer, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) is stepping into the spotlight for her own adventure. Directed by Craig Gillespie, “Supergirl” will see the titular hero embarking on “an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice” (as Warner Bros. puts it) after crossing paths with an unexpected enemy that strikes a little too close to home and harms her faithful pooch pal, Krypto. — Martin Shore
‘Jackass: Best and Last’
Johnny Knoxville and his gang of loveable burnouts return for one last “Jackass” movie. And it’s a good thing, too. Knoxville has been open about the fact that any more serious injuries and it could be lights out. So, it’s for the best that the “Jackass” crew quit while they’re ahead. Alongside Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Danger Ehren all return, with the ranks bolstered by new faces introduced in “Jackass Forever.” It’s also been noted that this fifth entry will mix newly filmed stunts with previously unseen archive footage from the prior “Jackass” projects (some includes Bam Margera). It’s set to be a real farewell celebration of this entertainingly stupid stunt-comedy franchise. — Rory Mellon
July 1
‘Minions & Monsters’
This summer, we’re getting the third installment in the “Minions” prequel movie series, which has become a franchise almost as big as the mainline “Despicable Me” films. In this one, we’re going back even further in time than the first “Minions” movie; specifically, back to 1920s Hollywood, where the Minions have decided to try to make a monster movie. If you’re looking for a fun time at the movies, this animated feature will surely do the trick. — Malcolm McMillan
July 3
‘Young Washington’
I probably don’t need to explain who George Washington was. The first President of the U.S. is a notable figure, even to those outside of America. But his younger years, before leading the Continental Army, are perhaps less well-known. In “Young Washington,” William Franklyn-Miller stars as the young Virginian soldier fighting in the British Army during the French and Indian War, where he made a name for himself as a military leader. — Malcolm McMillan
July 10
‘Moana’
Disney’s remakes continue this summer with “Moana” being converted from animation to live-action. The musical-adventure isn’t even a decade old, but with “Moana 2” grossing more than a billion dollars, and the original an ever-present in the Disney+ charts, it’s no surprise that Disney has opted to remake the 2016 family favorite next. The movie will retell the same story as Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) embarks on an ocean voyage to restore prosperity to her people. Along the way, she meets demigod Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the character in the original. Soundtracked to toe-tapping tunes, including “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” 2026’s Moana is sure to make a splash this summer — Rory Mellon
‘Evil Dead Burn’
As a horror fan, my hype levels are through the roof for “Evil Dead Burn,” the upcoming sixth instalment in the franchise and the third standalone entry following the 2013 reboot and 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise.” This new film is directed and co-written by Sébastien Vaniček, who has stated in interviews that he intends to bring a “French twist” to the franchise, emphasizing high-tension, visceral horror. Moving away from the city setting, “Evil Dead Burn” returns to a more secluded environment. It centers around a family gathering in a remote house following the death of a mother’s son. But this mourning period quickly descends into a family reunion from hell as the Necronomicon (the Book of the Dead) is unleashed, and family members are gradually transformed into Deadites. — Alix Blackburn
July 17
‘The Odyssey’
Christopher Nolan’s movies are as hotly anticipated as Taylor Swift’s albums — and often just as divisive (and ultra successful). “The Odyssey” has already sparked internet warfare over everything from the modern dialogue (“daddy”) to the aggressively greige aesthetic, but that hasn’t stopped the hype machine from going full steam ahead. Based on Homer’s epic poem, the film follows Matt Damon’s Odysseus on his monster-filled trek home after the Trojan War, with Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron along for the ride. Whether it ends up a masterpiece or a glorified IMAX mood board, I’ll be one of the millions who will eagerly take in the fate of Odysseus. — Kelly Woo
July 24
‘Her Private Hell’
It might be a stretch to call “Her Private Hell” one of the biggest movies of the summer, but in terms of my personal anticipation levels, the first feature film from “Drive” director Nicolas Winding Refn in a decade is right up near the top. Per NWR tradition, expect a horror-thriller that favors stunning style over narrative substance, but I’m confident that few movies this year will cram in as many gorgeous visuals. Sophie Thatcher plays a troubled woman searching for her father in a mist-engulfed futuristic metropolis. Along the way, she encounters an American GI (Charles Melton) trying to rescue his daughter from Hell itself. I’m so seated! — Rory Mellon
July 31
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
The Marvel Cinematic Universe might be well beyond its heyday (unless December’s “Avengers: Doomsday” can right the ship), but Marvel fatigue has certainly not spread to Spider-Man. The webhead remains very popular, and “Brand New Day” is expected to see Tom Holland’s Peter Parker star in a more grounded Spidey story. Following the events of “No Way Home,” the world has forgotten Parker’s existence, freeing him up to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man we know and love. But with new threats on the horizon, “Brand New Day” will see Parker web-launched into an epic adventure to save New York City. — Rory Mellon
August 7
‘One Night Only’
Every media outlet under the sun has already dubbed this rom-com “The Purge but for sex.” (For whoever came up with the title, “The Urge” was right there.) Basically, there is only one night a year when premarital sex is legal, and Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner are two single New Yorkers who crave more than a mere hook-up. Yes, the premise raises approximately 500 logistical questions, but director Will Gluck seems less interested in explaining the rules than in throwing two absurdly attractive people into a wild, yearning-filled odyssey across Manhattan. And in a summer overflowing with sequels, spinoffs and other IP extensions, a fun, lighthearted rom-com could be a refreshing change of pace. — Kelly Woo
‘Fall 2’
When I first heard that survival thriller “Fall” was getting a sequel, I thought it was a joke. So did much of the internet. Many film fans pondered if the protagonist of the first movie would somehow get stuck in a life-or-death situation again. Fortunately, “Fall 2” is seemingly more of a standalone follow-up, with only a loose connection to the original (one of the sequel’s lead characters is related to Hunter from the first “Fall”). The precarious position this time around is a plank walk on Taipei’s Mount Kwan-in. This daredevil excursion becomes even more anxiety-inducing when two friends are stranded 2,000 feet in the air after a rockslide. — Rory Mellon
- ‘Ice Cream Man’
- ‘Super Troopers 3’
August 14
‘The End of Oak Street’
“The End of Oak Street” is a sci-fi survival thriller whose plot was kept hidden for nearly two years until its first teaser. I’m one of those people who believes this is a secret “Cloverfield” movie, given how secretive the studio has been, and there are so many signs you can’t ignore. But even if it’s not connected to that iconic universe, I’m still very excited for what “The End of Oak Street” has in store this summer. After a mysterious cosmic event, the entire street — including the houses and the people — is physically uprooted from reality and transported to a prehistoric world. A family, played by Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, must navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings with their children while being hunted by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. — Alix Blackburn
August 21
‘Insidious: Out of the Further’
“Insidious” is one of my favorite horror franchises, so you can imagine my excitement when the new film got its first trailer. But this isn’t like the other movies because “Insidious: Out of the Further” has a more “bleeding” aesthetic, with a narrative focused on the idea of the Further physically manifesting in our world, rather than remaining a separate dark dimension. A woman (Amelia Eve), able to cross into The Further, begins bringing back entities that should remain trapped. When one particularly powerful presence escapes into the real world, she teams up with others connected to the phenomenon to track it down before it spreads further and destabilises both realms. — Alix Blackburn
- ‘Mutiny’
- ‘Spa Weekend’
August 28
‘The Dog Stars’
Based on a 2012 novel of the same name, this post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie is set up to be one of the biggest movies of the summer. It stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a civilian pilot living with his dog in a world that was ravaged by a flu pandemic. One of the last remaining people on Earth, he’s living alongside Bangley (Josh Brolin), a former Marine, as the two try to survive the harsh new world that exists following the collapse of civilization. Directed by Ridley Scott, “The Dog Stars” also stars Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong and Guy Pearce. It’s a loaded call sheet with an incredible director, so hopefully that’s a recipe for success. — Malcolm McMillan
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