7 New Movies That Will Become Your Next Sci-Fi Obsession in 2026

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2026 promises to be a fantastic year for science fiction movies. Over the next twelve months, we’ll see a wide range of new films, from huge, well-known franchises to completely fresh, original stories. Though details are still emerging, it’s clear that next year will offer something for every sci-fi fan looking for an immersive escape.

Next year promises a lot of exciting science fiction movies! Legendary directors like Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott are returning to the genre, and popular franchises such as Star Wars and Dune are also making a comeback. With so many options coming soon, viewers are sure to find their next favorite film.

Mercy Imagines a New Brand of Justice in a Not-Too-Distant Future

Starting off the sci-fi releases in January 2026 is Mercy, a new film starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. Pratt plays Detective Chris Raven, who strongly supports using a new AI system to judge criminals. This system gives defendants resources and a short time to prove they’re innocent, or they face immediate execution. When Raven himself is accused of murder—the murder of his wife—he has just ninety minutes to clear his name, or he’ll be judged and punished by the very AI he championed.

While the January release date suggests the studio isn’t entirely confident, the story of Mercy seems intriguing enough to draw viewers to the cinema. The film taps into the current public interest in artificial intelligence, specifically by imagining how AI could be used within the justice system.

Disclosure Day Is Steven Spielberg’s Epic Return to Sci-Fi

Steven Spielberg’s new science fiction movie, Disclosure Day, will be released in theaters on June 12th. The first trailer is intentionally vague, hinting at big secrets to be revealed. The film tackles the question of whether we are alone in the universe and if the world is ready for the answer. It stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Wyatt Russell, and Colman Domingo.

Steven Spielberg’s films have consistently redefined science fiction, with classics like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. While his more recent sci-fi movie, Ready Player One, sparked debate, his upcoming film, Disclosure Day, has the potential to be one of his greatest works in the genre. Shrouded in secrecy and hinting at significant revelations, Disclosure Day could be the biggest sci-fi event of next year.

Dune: Part Three Continues Denis Villeneuve’s Sci-Fi Epic

Denis Villeneuve is continuing the story of Dune with a third film, picking up after Timothée Chalamet’s character overthrows the Emperor. Dune: Part Three, scheduled for release on December 18th, will be based on Frank Herbert’s novel Dune: Messiah. The movie will explore the dark side of Paul’s reign and the devastating consequences of his actions, including a massive genocide. The film will also star Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson.

The first two Dune movies have been praised as some of the decade’s best science fiction epics, and Part Three promises to be even more impressive. The new film will explore the vastness of Herbert’s fictional universe in incredible detail. Though the franchise may continue beyond it, Dune: Part Three will serve as a strong conclusion to what is already considered one of the greatest sci-fi trilogies ever made.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Brings Star Wars Back to the Big Screen

On May 22nd, Star Wars returned to movie theaters for the first time since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. The new film continues the story of The Mandalorian and follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu as they undertake a mission for the New Republic. The galaxy is becoming more dangerous due to rising threats from Imperial warlords. This story takes place roughly ten years after Return of the Jedi and about twenty years before The Force Awakens.

Despite some lingering fan skepticism about The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, director Jon Favreau has repeatedly shown he can create exciting, heartwarming, and funny blockbusters. This film is expected to kick off a promising new chapter for the Star Wars franchise, which plans to release more theatrical films soon, including Star Wars: Starfighter directed by Sean Levy and starring Ryan Gosling.

All You Need Is Kill Revisits an Underrated Sci-Fi Story

Scheduled for release on January 16th, the new anime film, based on the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and with character designs by Yoshitoshi Abe, tells the story of a war between humans and aliens. Two soldiers are stuck in a time loop, and they may be the key to winning the conflict. This story was previously adapted as the live-action film Edge of Tomorrow starring Tom Cruise.

As a huge fan of Edge of Tomorrow, I’ve always felt it only kind of captured the spirit of the original manga. But this new anime, based on All You Need Is Kill, feels like it’s really going to do the story justice. From what I’ve seen, it’s promising incredible animation, non-stop action, and a genuinely moving story. Honestly, I think it has the potential to be the biggest sci-fi hit of 2026 – I’m really excited!

The Dog Stars Is Ridley Scott’s Next Foray Into Sci-Fi

A new sci-fi movie, The Dog Stars, is coming soon! It’s based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name and stars Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin as two people who must work together when aliens invade Earth after a devastating virus wipes out most of humanity. Margaret Qualley, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce also star in the film, which will be released on March 27th.

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Ridley Scott is a visionary director who has had a huge impact on science fiction cinema. His film Alien essentially created a new type of sci-fi movie, blending the genres of horror and monster movies. Blade Runner stood out for its deeply human story set in a futuristic world filled with robots. Now, Scott is back with a new sci-fi film, hoping to create another groundbreaking story.

Project Hail Mary Adapts The Martian Author’s Next Great Novel

The new sci-fi movie, Project Hail Mary, is based on the popular novel of the same name. It hits theaters on March 20th and tells the story of Ryland Grace, a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or his mission. As he explores the empty ship, trying to figure things out, he discovers he’s not the only one on board.

As someone who absolutely loved The Martian, I went into Project Hail Mary with high hopes, and honestly, it seems like it’s aiming for the same level of greatness. It’s a really intriguing mystery, and it’s great to see Ryan Gosling back in space – he’s consistently delivered in underrated sci-fi like First Man and Blade Runner 2049. If the movie captures the magic of the book, we could be looking at the next huge sci-fi hit.

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2025-12-25 19:14