New Movies From Disney Releasing 2026
Please note: Release Dates correct as of publication. As we stand on the precipice of another cinematic year, the House of Mouse has unveiled a slate for 2026 that feels remarkably different from the franchise-heavy schedules of recent memory. While the heavy hitters and the billion-dollar sequels are certainly present, there is a refreshing sense of creative risk-taking appearing across the Disney, 20th Century, and Searchlight banners. From high-concept survival thrillers to long-awaited returns to iconic worlds, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where the multiplex offers a genuine variety of spectacle and substance.Send HelpU.S Release Date: January 30th, 2026(no mention of a UK release date yet, for shame!)The year kicks off with a double-bill of tension from 20th Century Studios that suggests Disney is keen to lean back into adult-oriented, genre-driven storytelling. In late January, we are treated to Send Help, a survival thriller that marks a significant return to form for director Sam Raimi. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the film follows two colleagues who find themselves the sole survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. Knowing Raimi’s penchant for visceral tension and dark wit, this is easily one of my most anticipated starts to the year.Psycho KillerUK Release Date (limited): February 20th, 2026Closely following in February is Psycho Killer, a project that has been whispered about in horror circles for some time. Directed by Gavin Polone, it presents a gritty investigation as a police officer hunts down "The Satanic Slasher," the man responsible for her husband’s murder. It is encouraging to see Disney-owned studios embracing the darker corners of the genre so early in the calendar.HoppersUK Release Date: March 6th, 2026As we move into the spring, Pixar enters the fray with Hoppers in March. This original IP sounds like a wonderfully eccentric departure for the studio. The plot involves a young girl transferring her consciousness into a robotic beaver to infiltrate the animal kingdom and protect it from a real estate developer. With a voice cast featuring Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan, it sounds like the kind of imaginative, heart-driven adventure Pixar excels at when they aren't tied to an existing franchise.Ready or Not 2: Here I ComeUK Release Date: April 10th, 2026Speaking of existing franchises, March also sees the return of Samara Weaving in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. The 2019 original was a masterclass in modern horror-comedy, and the prospect of seeing Grace back in the fray—this time joined by Kathryn Newton and the legendary Sarah Michelle Gellar—is enough to make any genre fan giddy.The Devil Wears Prada 2UK Release Date: May 1st, 2026May 2026 looks set to be the month that defines the first half of the year. First, we have the unexpected but utterly welcome The Devil Wears Prada 2. Returning to the cutthroat world of high fashion with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt is a bold move, but in an era where legacy sequels are king, this feels like a genuine event.Star Wars: The Mandalorian & GroguUK Release Date: May 22nd, 2026However, the true box office titan of the spring arrives on May 22nd: The Mandalorian & Grogu. After three seasons of defining the cultural landscape on the small screen, Din Djarin and his tiny apprentice finally make the leap to the cinema. Under the direction of Jon Favreau, this isn't just a Star Wars film; it’s a test of whether the "Mando-verse" can translate its intimate, Western-inspired storytelling into a grand theatrical spectacle.Toy Story 5UK Release Date: June 19th, 2026The summer blockbusters continue with a one-two punch of animated and live-action heavyweights. June brings Toy Story 5, a sequel that many (including myself) initially questioned after the poetic ending of the fourth film. Yet, the premise of the toys facing off against a digital threat—electronics and tablets competing for a child's attention—is a stroke of genius that feels incredibly relevant to the modern parent.Moana (Live Action) UK Release Date: July 10th, 2026In July, the live-action reimagining of Moana arrives. While the animated original still feels fresh in our minds, the casting of Catherine Laga’aia alongside the returning Dwayne Johnson as Maui promises a lush, musical spectacle that will undoubtedly dominate the school holidays. Following this, the cult comedy crowd gets a treat in August with Super Troopers 3: Winter Soldiers. The Broken Lizard team has a unique, irreverent energy that provides a perfect palate cleanser for the summer’s bigger productions.The Dog StarsUK Release Date: August 28th, 2026As we transition into autumn, the tone shifts toward prestigious, high-stakes drama. Ridley Scott, who seems to have more energy in his eighties than most directors have in their thirties, brings us The Dog Stars in late August. Starring Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley, this adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel is exactly the kind of gritty, character-focused sci-fi that thrives in Scott’s hands.WhalefallUK Release Date: 16th October, 2016October offers perhaps the most intriguing premise of the entire year: Whalefall. Directed by Brian Duffield and starring Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin, the film depicts a diver who is swallowed by a sperm whale and has only one hour to escape before his oxygen runs out. It sounds like a claustrophobic nightmare in the best possible way, a high-concept survival story that reminds me of The Martian but with a far more aquatic, terrifying twist.HexedU.S Release Date: November 25th, 2026(No UK Release Date as of yet)November sees Disney Animation return to its roots with Hexed, an original musical that looks to be the big family draw for the festive season. While details remain somewhat under wraps, the story of an awkward teen discovering magical powers alongside his mother suggests a blend of contemporary relatability and classic Disney wonder.Avengers: DoomsdayUK Release Date: 18th December, 2026Finally, the year concludes with what is arguably the most significant cinematic event of the decade so far: Avengers: Doomsday. With Robert Downey Jr. returning to the fold—this time as the villainous Doctor Doom—the stakes for the Marvel Cinematic Universe have never been higher. Directed by the Russo Brothers, this is the film that is expected to reshape the MCU and bring back the ensemble magic that made the Infinity Saga so unforgettable.Looking at this 2026 slate, it is clear that Disney is attempting to strike a difficult balance. They are giving us the comfort of Woody, Buzz, and the Avengers, but they are also handing the keys to Sam Raimi, Ridley Scott, and Brian Duffield to tell original, often darker stories.As a critic, I am often wary of the "franchise fatigue" narrative; there is something about this specific line-up that feels revitalising. It isn't just about the brands; it’s about the filmmakers and the variety of genres on display. Whether it’s surviving a plane crash, infiltrating a colony of beavers, or witnessing the return of the world’s most iconic superhero-turned-villain, 2026 at the cinema looks set to be a year of genuine discovery.
