My Most Anticipated Releases for the Rest of 2026
- Alex Raileanu
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Let's just dive into this. There's a lot to cover. Here's a top 10 list. Expect a description of why I am excited, promotional materials (if any available), and release date. Once you are done, let me know yours!
The Invite directed by Olivia Wilde
Release: July 10, 2026
Why: I love the cast. It is just so eclectic. I feel like I never have seen these people in a room before and never will see these people in a room again after this. Seth Rogen is one of my favorite comedians. It seems punchy. There is a lot left to be revealed. I'm a little hesitant of Olivia Wilde's directing after Don't Worry Darling, but this seems vastly different from her previous work. Rashida Jones was a writer on this, so that is exciting.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass directed by David Wain
Release: July 10, 2026
Why: Zoey Deutch is incredible in comedy, especially when she is the leading lady. Some that come to mind are Buffaloed, Zombieland: Double Tap, and Set it Up. When they tried to do the whole Teen YA distopia or something strictly serious, it dims her sparkle. This is looks so sparkly it's almost as if the Trolls movies threw up on it. Also this is just a silly concept.
I Want Your Sex directed by Gregg Araki
Release: July 31, 2026
Why: I haven't seen much of Araki's work, but one I loved and another...not so much. I didn't love Kaboom. I think it was the ongoing and interesting sci-fi plot being muddled by his typical style. I just think Araki's work and style fits a grainy camera much better, which Kaboom did not have, but I love this cast. If you can't tell, I love an interesting cast and casting choices. I am looking forward to Charli xcx's, likely brief, role, but there's many more like Mason Gooding Jr., Daveed Diggs, and how could one forget Johnny Knoxville. I am going to repeat this again and again. The humor seems strong in this one and I think it is going to be one of those anxiety inducing films we have become familiar with in the mainstream mainly due to the Safdies and Emma Seligman, but we will see.
The Dog Stars directed by Ridley Scott
Release:
Why: My theater already put up a large poster with Jacob Elordi's face on it and although he is a pretty man, I think he is an even better actor. I think he is a new Robert Pattinson. Their career trajectory with absurd teen movies to high art is very similar in my opinion. We got a Ridley Scott sci-fi, so we are back in his domain. I said the same thing with Disclosure Day and Spielberg , which was disappointing, but I think there will be something good here. I will at least check it out, regardless of what the critics say. I love a good dystopian movie. This will likely be my last movie in the U.S. for a while. I'm sure my Mom will want to see it, so I currently I'm not sure if I will be dragging her there, or if she will be dragging me there.
Idiots directed by Macon Blair
Release: August 28, 2026
Why: Road Trip Movie. Comedic powerhouses (cough Dave Franco, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Nicholas Braun, and Peter Dinklage). THAT trailer. I'm sold.
Primetime directed by Lance Oppenheim
Release: September 11, 2026
Why: When this trailer dropped, much like the real life event but obviously not to that great extent, it was a major cultural moment. There was a shift. People always are so invested in Robert Pattinson, especially when his character has a weird voice. He has been in a solid movie already this year (The Drama) with more solid movies to come (Dune: Part Three, The Odyssey). Clearly, he was booked and he has so much talent to go around. Additionally, I loved the joke on the internet about Skyler Gisondo playing a fake child, which is a very silly concept. Oppenheim directed Some Kind of Heaven, which has the most gorgeous cinematography. I hope it continues over in this.
Whalefall directed by Brian Duffield
Release: October 16, 2026
Why: I love bottle movies so much. Additionally, I think Austin Abrams deserves to be such a star. His acting is incredible. Weapons he obviously did amazing, but The Line? PERFECT. Also he is paired with Josh Brolin again which I think is just fun! Duffield has been the screenwriter for some wild, varied work. He did The Babysitter, Underwater, Love and Monsters, and more. He wrote and directed Spontaneous, which although isn't perfect, it is charming.
Clayface directed by James Watkins
Release: October 23, 2026
Why: I love DC Comics. I have really been enjoying their characters. I think they have some fascinating stories. I believe it is supposed to really lean into the body horror, which I am excited for. This is the same director of Eden Lake and the remake of Speak No Evil, so Watkins is comfortable showing the uncomfortable onscreen. Lastly, that title card was AWESOME.
Werwulf directed by Robert Eggers
Release: December 25, 2026
Why: Another Eggers classic horror Christmas release. I'm not as excited as this one as I was for Nosferatu. I'm really biased towards Vampires because of my Romanian ethnicity. I am curious on how easily the modern audience will be able to understand it. I don't think he should restrain his work out of fear of poor intellect. It's just a thought. I still think it will be thrilling. I am also hesitant because it has a few of the same cast members from Nosferatu and I think it might begin to feel like Aaron Taylor-Johnson's or Lily-Rose Depp's monster movie rather than Eggers. But...who knows!
The Debut directed by Jesse Eisenberg
Release: TBD Fall
Why: I have expressed my thoughts on A Real Pain written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg in my last post. Check it out if you haven't. But I already loved Jesse Eisenberg finding out he wrote MUSIC for this film. I'm on the edge of my seat. I am looking forward to how this film tackles the absence of the invisible labor of the mother. There was a slight clue with it in the line asking if dinner's ready, but I'm really hoping this film delves into that with Mona's character. I want nothing but good things all of the time for Halle Bailey and her beautiful voice, so I am excited to see her on screen.
Honorable Mention: Trailers I'm Happy Will Be Going Away Eventually...Hopefully...
Maybe you will get some of my thoughts on these as they release. I might miss some of these when I am abroad. But regardless, I am looking forward to them.
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