5 Upcoming Sci-Fi Movies That Should Be Bigger Than The Next Star Wars Film

by

Star Wars will be back in cinemas in 2026, but it might not perform as well as other science fiction movies currently in development. Since 2019, new Star Wars content has only been available on Disney+. Although The Rise of Skywalker was a billion-dollar success, Lucasfilm has found it difficult to create a brand new film, even after announcing plans for several sequels.

After a seven-year wait, a new Star Wars movie is coming to theaters! Din Djarin and Grogu, known from three seasons of Disney+’s The Mandalorian, are making their big-screen debut in a film simply titled The Mandalorian and Grogu. While the full story is still a secret, the first trailer offers a sneak peek at the exciting adventures to come.

Although many people love Mando and Grogu, they aren’t widely recognized by those who don’t typically watch Star Wars shows. The Mandalorian and Grogu is expected to be popular, particularly with fans of Grogu’s playful antics, but five other science fiction films have the potential to be even more successful.

Ryan Reynolds Heads To Space In Project Hail Mary

Before appearing in the 2027 Star Wars: Starfighter film, Ryan Reynolds will be in space for the 2026 movie Project Hail Mary. He plays Ryland Grace, a scientist who wakes up by himself on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he discovers he’s on a vital mission with a quickly approaching deadline.

While Project Hail Mary features a strong cast, including Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, what truly makes the film special is the creative team behind it and the story it’s based on. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for films like Jump Street, The Lego Movie, and as producers of the Spider-Verse movies, bring a unique vision to the project.

The movie is based on a novel by Andy Weir, the author of the popular book The Martian. The film version of The Martian was a huge success, earning over $630.6 million globally. With skilled directors and a creative story from a gifted science fiction writer, Project Hail Mary has the potential to be even more successful than Weir’s previous adaptation.

Steven Spielberg Returns To The Sci-fi Genre With His Untitled UFO Movie

Collin Xavier/Abaca Press/INSTARimages

Steven Spielberg is a master of science fiction movies. His film Close Encounters of the Third Kind continues to influence how aliens are depicted in movies and television, and E.T. is still a hugely popular sci-fi adventure. More recently, Ready Player One proved he can still deliver exciting and captivating blockbusters.

The famous director is making a new movie about UFOs and aliens, scheduled to come out on June 12, 2026. Not much is known about the film yet, and it’s shrouded in secrecy – a tactic that may be intentional on the director’s part.

The screenplay for Spielberg’s latest movie is by David Koepp, a frequent collaborator, and the film boasts a fantastic cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Wyatt Russell, and Eve Hewson. While the exact plot is still a mystery, it’s likely to be another visually impressive science fiction film.

Dune: Part 3 Ends Denis Villeneuve’s Captivating Trilogy

Widely considered a landmark science fiction story, Dune is now receiving acclaimed film adaptations that honor its reputation. Director Denis Villeneuve has brilliantly recreated the world of Arrakis, immersing viewers in its harsh landscape and complex galactic politics. The strong performances from actors like Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya further enhance the experience.

The first Dune movie earned $410.6 million globally, even though it was released on HBO Max at the same time as its theatrical debut. The sequel performed even better, bringing in $714.8 million. Beyond their financial success, both Dune films were highly acclaimed by critics and received numerous Academy Award nominations, including a nomination for Best Picture.

The third Dune movie is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 18, 2026. Although it might compete with the new Avengers film, it’s expected to be very successful. It would be fitting if Dune: Part 3 earned more at the box office than The Mandalorian and Grogu, considering how much the Star Wars franchise was inspired by the original Dune novels.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Continues Peter Parker’s Story After No Way Home

While superhero movies haven’t been performing as strongly at the box office recently, Spider-Man remains a consistently popular character. Both the Spider-Verse films and the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies have been huge hits with audiences worldwide. The last two Spider-Man films each earned over $1 billion, and No Way Home even surpassed $1.9 billion.

Following the ending of the last film, where Peter Parker made everyone forget him, fans are eager to see what happens to his character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The anticipation for the upcoming story, potentially titled Brand New Day, increased when it was revealed that Tom Holland would be joined by Jon Bernthal as The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk.

2026 looks promising for superhero fans, with films like Supergirl, Clayface, and Doomsday expected to be huge successes. Spider-Man 4 could be the biggest hit of them all, given the character’s continued popularity. While Doomsday will be a strong contender at the box office, Spider-Man 4 is predicted to earn more than the next Star Wars movie.

Avatar: Fire & Ash Should Dominate The Box Office Again

Most experts agree that Avatar: Fire and Ash will likely be a bigger international success than The Mandalorian and Grogu. The original Avatar remains the highest-grossing film ever, and its sequel, The Way of Water, earned over $2.3 billion worldwide. James Cameron consistently creates impressive cinematic events, and Fire and Ash is expected to follow suit.

The big question now is just how successful the new movie will be. While Way of Water didn’t quite match the numbers of the first Avatar film – which is a feat almost no movie can achieve, except Avengers: Endgame – it could still be huge. Even if Avatar 3 earns a little less than the 2022 sequel, it’s likely to be a major success and potentially the year’s biggest film, especially if it outperforms Ne Zha 2.

While many recent Star Wars movies, including The Force Awakens, haven’t performed as well at the box office as the first two Avatar films, it’s unlikely that The Mandalorian and Grogu will surpass Fire and Ash, even with Grogu’s popularity.

Read More

2025-10-26 00:10