2026 Movie Sequels: The 16 Most Anticipated of the Year

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2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for movies, especially when it comes to sequels! We can look forward to the fifth Toy Story film, the sixth Scary Movie, and the seventh Scream, plus more from the Angry Birds franchise. It feels like every popular series is getting another installment, and that’s on top of all the remakes, reboots, and adaptations already planned. It’s going to be a record-breaking year for new releases!

With so many sequels coming out, it makes you wonder: are they worth it? Are studios just trying to make a quick buck, or will these movies actually give us the fun we’re looking for? As a fan of good sequels, I think some of the 2026 releases actually seem promising. We’ve all seen sequels ruin a good thing (remember Mean Girls 2?), so here’s a ranking of the 16 most anticipated sequels of 2026, based on how much enjoyment they’re likely to deliver.

16
‘The Strangers – Chapter 3’ – Feb. 6

Let’s be honest, life is stressful enough right now, so another horror movie about home invasions just doesn’t feel appealing. The Strangers – Chapter 3 is coming soon, and while it will likely please dedicated fans of the series (this is the fifth Strangers film and the third in the recent trilogy), those of us looking for something uplifting in 2026 might prefer a more cheerful option.

15
‘Scream 7’ – Feb. 27

2026 is shaping up to be a scary year for horror fans, and Scream 7 is ready to deliver. Coming just three weeks after The Strangers – Chapter 3, this new installment will feature a fresh killer targeting the iconic Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). While it won’t include Jenna Ortega or Melissa Barrera, who played the Carpenter sisters in the previous two films, Courteney Cox will be back as Gale Weathers. Still, another Ghostface isn’t exactly cheerful news, which is why Scream 7 doesn’t rank very high on the list of anticipated releases.

14
‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ – March 20

Fans of scary movies are likely excited about Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, but it’s one of many horror films this year. It involves a group of dangerous people hunting a woman and her sister, and while it stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, do we really need another violent thriller like this? It will probably please existing Ready or Not fans and those who enjoyed the ending of Send Help, but most viewers will likely find it more frightening than fun – a contrast to the next movie we’ll be discussing.

13
‘Scary Movie 6’ – June 12


Dimension Films

Get ready for Scary Movie 6, which aims to be a funny spoof of horror films! With Regina Hall and Anna Faris back as Brenda and Cindy, it’s been 13 years since the last installment packed as much parody into under 90 minutes. Plus, three of the Wayans brothers—the team behind White Chicks—are starring, so there’s a good reason to check it out. Hopefully, this movie will offer some much-needed laughs and remind us that humor can help us get through tough times.

12
‘Mortal Kombat II’ – May 8

The Mortal Kombat movies aren’t exactly famous for being cinematic achievements, but this new one has Karl Urban – best known as Billy Butcher from The Boys – playing the iconic fighter Johnny Cage. Think of it as Billy Butcher in a fighting tournament where the fate of Earth is on the line! This Mortal Kombat II appears to be a more accurate adaptation of the video game than the original, almost like a fresh start. It probably won’t be as frightening as previous installments, but it promises to be a fun, action-packed ride, especially with Urban’s signature attitude. Hopefully, it will score better on Rotten Tomatoes than the notoriously bad Mortal Kombat: Annihilation from 1997, which only managed a 4% rating. That previous film was a complete knockout – and not in a good way!

11
‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ – Dec. 23


Sony Pictures Releasing

It’s understandable if you missed The Angry Birds Movie 2, but get ready – your kids will likely want to see The Angry Birds Movie 3, and it’s all thanks to MrBeast! The popular YouTuber will voice a new bird character, joining a cast that includes Lily James, Keke Palmer, Walker Scobell, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Jason Sudeikis, Marcello Hernandez, and Rachel Bloom.

You might think we’ve seen enough movies about birds and pigs becoming friends, but with so much conflict in the world affecting even personal relationships, there’s still value in the message. The previous films were smart and funny, so this new one should easily bring a smile to your face.

10
‘Minions 3’ – July 1


Illumination’s Minions

Few things are funnier than a group of angry birds, but the Minions come pretty close. These little yellow characters first became popular in the Despicable Me movies, and they’re back with a new film, Minions 3. Some believe the final title might be Minions and Monsters, suggesting the movie will join the current trend of monster-themed films – we’ll find out for sure when the trailer airs during the Super Bowl. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for kids (and their parents!), at least for a while – around 90 minutes, to be exact.

9
‘Focker In-Law’ – Nov. 25


Universal Pictures

Get ready for another chapter in the Meet the Parents saga! Focker In-Law will be the fourth Focker movie, and if all goes according to plan, we’ll have been watching Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, and Blythe Danner navigate this family for a full 26 years by the time it comes out.

It’s still uncertain if Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand will reprise their roles as Bernie and Roz Focker, but Ariana Grande is joining the cast as a new character, Olivia Jones, and that’s exciting news! Everyone knows Ariana Grande is a talented singer, but she’s also proven to be very funny, especially during her time on Saturday Night Live. Seeing her in this significant role after Wicked, alongside such comedic veterans in the Meet the Parents universe, promises a really fun sequel. Only one other movie series, which began with Robin Williams in 1995, could potentially offer a similar level of entertainment.

8
‘Jumanji 4’ – Dec. 11


Sony Pictures Releasing

Whether you consider this the third or fourth Jumanji movie, it’s expected to be the last one – which is disappointing, given how enjoyable it’s been to see the imaginative board game come to life on screen. The recent Jumanji films changed things up by having players get pulled into the game and take on exciting new forms with stars like Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. But the next film will bring things full circle, bringing the game back into the real world.

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The possibility of another Jumanji film was hinted at after the credits of Jumanji: The Next Level. In that scene, a repairman played by Lamorne Morris touched a game console and ostriches were then seen running past a diner. Fans are hoping the next movie will be similar to the original and include appearances by Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, and Bonnie Hunt, bringing a nostalgic thrill for those who grew up with the first film. It seems a chaotic adventure with runaway animals is once again on the horizon…

7
‘Dune: Part Three’ – Dec. 18


Warner Bros. Pictures

It’s hard to imagine giant sandworms captivating audiences in Dune: Part Three, but Timothée Chalamet is sure to deliver. This film is expected to be Denis Villeneuve’s final installment in the Dune series before he directs the next James Bond movie, Bond 26, making it a must-see for fans of the franchise.

The third Dune film is going all out, featuring a fantastic cast including Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson as the villain, Scytale. While Dune: Part Three might not be the most cheerful movie, it’s expected to solidify the trilogy as a remarkable example of adapting a book to the big screen, similar to the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings film series. This accomplishment will likely please audiences, though it might not generate quite as much excitement as the next film on our list.

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2026-02-05 20:10