There’s nothing better than going out with a friend or two, buying a large popcorn and an ice-cold slushy, and sitting down in front of the big screen to catch one of the latest and most anticipated movies of the year.
2026 is a big year for film, with everything from huge blockbusters directed by and starring the world’s best to indie films from rising talents in cinema and fun kids’ entertainment. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most exciting movies on our radar this year.
Keep an eye out as we’ll be updating this guide throughout the year!
March
Project Hail Mary
Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) star in this sci-fi thriller based on the 2021 hard science fiction novel by Andy Weir.
Already receiving rave reviews from critics and early screenings, the film follows a teacher and former biologist, Ryland Grace, who finds himself aboard a spacecraft with no memory of how he got there, but with the fate of the world in his hands.
As his memories slowly return, he uses his scientific training to help him complete his mission.
When: Project Hail Mary opened in theatres on 20 March 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor cinemas nationwide
April
The Drama
Directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) and produced by Ari Aster (Midsommar, Bugonia, Hereditary) The Drama is an initially unassuming romance featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, that turns audience expectations on their heads. In the days leading up to their nuptials, a couple is thrown into crisis when one of them reveals a secret about themselves that changes the opinions of those who thought they knew them well.
When: The Drama opens in theatres on 3 April 2026
Where to watch: Select Ster Kinekor cinemas nationwide
Michael
This highly anticipated biopic gives fans an intimate look into pop sensation, Michael Jackson’s, life.
The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and features Michael Jackson’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the role of Michael. The cast also features Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Kat Graham, Miles Teller, Larenz Tate, Kendrick Sampson and more.
When: Michael opens in theatres on 24 April 2026
Where to watch: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro cinemas and IMAX locations nationwide
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is back in all her fierceness for The Devil Wears Prada 2. In this sequel to the iconic fashion flick of the 2000s, Priestly struggles against former assistant turned rival executive, Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), for advertising revenue in a world where print media is becoming scarcer.
Expect to see returning favourite Anne Hathaway, reprising her role as Andrea ‘Andy’ Sachs as well as Stanley Tucci as Nigel. New faces Simone Ashley and Sydney Sweeney have also been added to the cast.
When: The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in theatres on 30 April 2026
Where to watch: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas nationwide
May
The Sheep Detectives
This family-friendly movie strikes the balance between adventure, comedy and mystery with an all-star cast featuring Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun (Succession), Molly Gordon (The Bear, Shiva Baby) and voice acting by Emma Thompson, Bryan Cranston, Regina Hall, Nicolas Galitzine (Bottoms, Red, White and Royal Blue) and plenty more.
George is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
When: The Sheep Detectives opens in theatres on 8 May 2026
Where to watch: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas nationwide
Obsession
This independent surprise horror hit has taken the world completely by storm, having already become one of the most lucrative films of the year already grossing over 220 million dollars on an estimated budget of under 1 million dollars.
After breaking the mysterious ‘One Wish Willow’ to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Director Curry Barker developed the film as an extension of his viral horror short films on YouTube.
When: Obsession opens in theatres on 15 May 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Jon Favreau directs this new Star Wars instalment filmed for IMAX. In it, the Mandalorian and Grogu embark on thrilling missions. The film features voices by Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White and Sigourney Weaver.
When: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theatres on 22 May 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
Backrooms
Horror lovers are in for a treat with this horror/sci-fi release by A24. After a therapist’s patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality in the basement of a furniture showroom, she must venture into the unknown to save him.
The film features Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange) and Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World).
When: Backrooms opens in theatres on 29 May 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas
June
Scary Movie
The iconic Wayans brothers’ parody film series is back with its original cast including Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Regina Hall and Shawn Wayans, along with some newcomers.
Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, the Core Four are back in the killer’s crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe.
When: Scary Movie opens in theatres on 5 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas
Masters of the Universe
Based on the beloved franchise featuring characters such as He-Man and Skeletor, Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine. Camila Mendes (Riverdale, Do Revenge), Idris Elba, Kristen Wiig and more.
Almost two decades after crashing down to Earth, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet of Eternia against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe.
When: Masters of the Universe opens in theatres on 5 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas
Disclosure Day
This Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi film stars Josh O’Connor (Challengers, La Chimera, Wake Up Dead Man) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Oppenheimer) who try to expose the truth about alien life forms to the world, but face dangerous pushback from the government.
When: Disclosure Day opens in theatres on 12 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
Toy Story 5
The fifth instalment of the popular film series about sentient childhood toys sees the toy crew encounter a new foe: technology. The story takes a cue from real life, introducing a technological device that threatens to leave the toys abandoned and obsolete.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return to voice Woody and Buzz Lightyear respectively, with the rest of the toy cast being voiced by other all-stars including Craig Robinson, Greta Lee, Joan Cusack, Keanu Reeves and more.
When: Toy Story 5 opens in theatres on 19 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas on Disney+
Minions & Monsters
Gru’s yellow companions are back for another adventure. This is the story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.
When: Minions & Monsters opens in theatres on 19 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
Supergirl
Catch a super heroine favourite on the big screen. When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.
When: Supergirl opens in theatres on 25 June 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
July
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is award-winning director, Christopher Nolan’s (Interstellar, The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer), latest blockbuster epic. The movie features an a-list cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, Anne Hataway, Mia Goth, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and more.
The film follows the Greek hero Odysseus after the Trojan War, as he faces a dangerous 10-year voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way.
The mythic action epic has been shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theatres everywhere.
When: The Odyssey opens in theatres on 17 July 2026
Where to watch: Set to be released in IMAX cinemas nationwide
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
The third in the Sony Pictures Spider-Man franchise films finally arrives in cinemas this winter. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a college-aged ‘Spider-Man’ (Tom Holland) has to navigate life in a world where Peter Parker no longer exists.
He lives on his own with no family and friends to speak of, working fulltime as a superhero. As he tries to reconnect with the friends he once knew as Peter Parker before any trace of him was erased from his world, a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats Spider-Man’s ever faced.
When: Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens in theatres on 31 July 2026
Where to watch: Confirmed for release at Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas nationwide
October
Street Fighter
Street Fighter is a film adaptation of the iconic video game, filmed for IMAX.
Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu and Ken Masters are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury.
But they discover a deadly conspiracy during the tournament that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past.
When: Street Fighter opens in theatres on 16 October 2026
Where: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
November
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The latest addition to the Hunger Games film series goes back 24 years before Katniss’ first games to character Haymitch’s (Katniss’ mentor played by Woody Harrelson in the original movies) youth.
The film follows Haymitch’s participation in the second quarter quell, which saw double the tributes from each district be selected to participate in the infamous Hunger Games.
The cast features newcomer Joseph Zada as Haymitch, alongside stars such as McKenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close and more.
When: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in cinemas on 20 November 2026
Where to watch: Select Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and IMAX cinemas
December
Dune: Part Three
The third and final part of Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation of Brian Herbert’s epic novel, Dune Messiah, is out this December.
With the first two Dune films earning both critical acclaim and fan favour, you will not want to miss this epic conclusion! The third film sees Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) ascend to power and explores the implications of his rule as Emperor and the dangers of unchecked power.
When: Dune: Part Three opens in theatres on 18 December 2026
Where: Confirmed for screenings at IMAX locations, Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas nationwide
Avengers: Doomsday
Following the record-breaking Avengers: Endgame released in 2019, Marvel studios is bringing the latest in the Avengers franchise with Avengers: Doomsday.
In the film, the X-Men, Avengers and Fantastic Four join forces to deal with a problem that has detrimental effects on the multiverse. The main villain in the film is Victor von Doom, who has been confirmed to be played by Robert Downey Jr., best known for his role as the beloved Iron Man character.
When: Avengers: Doomsday opens in theatres on 18 December 2026
Where: Confirmed for screenings at Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas nationwide
