2026
2026 is upon us, and this seriously looks like it’s going to be a great year at the movies. This is the year of the sequel and the fan service and IP. Now, on the surface, that doesn’t sound so good. Most people want to hear about original projects by directors they know and love. But those movies are so hit and miss that you often get flicks that are just completely forgettable. Like Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola last year. Or Killers of the Flower Moon by Scorcese two years ago. And let’s not even get started on the Coen Brothers who haven’t made a memorable film in about a decade (and aren’t even working together anymore,) or Wes Anderson, whose movies have gone off the reservation. No, there’s something to be said about nostalgia and connecting to other movies from the past, and IPs that are already established, for characters that we already love. Nearly every movie on this list does that.
So let’s start out by talking about the one movie on the list that doesn’t. Just to get it out of the way. The Odyssey. It’s probably the single movie this year that has the most acclaim behind it. Now, of course, this is not based on an original property, but on Homer’s epic story, and so there is IP behind it. But these aren’t characters we’ve seen on screen before in any capacity. This will be a new world brought to us by none other than Christopher Nolan. And let’s be honest… that’s the reason why everyone’s so excited about it. Nolan. The guy who tackles all sorts of nerd-genre movies, often sci-fi related or mystery related or both. His most recent movie, Oppenheimer, was a drama that cleaned up during the Oscars. And now with the Odyssey, he’s tackling fantasy. This movie definitely has everyone’s interest, and for good reason.
Next up is another fantasy. And this one has been very long awaited. A Masters of the Universe live action movie. Now, if we’re putting these in order of most anticipated movies, this one is probably first on the list. I’ve been waiting for a movie on this series for ages. In fact the only thing I’d prefer more is probably a Thundercats movie. But these are just for nostalgia reasons, and taking me back to childhood. The trailer looks fun, but I have no idea how good the movie will actually be.
So now let’s get to the sequels. There are three of them on the list. Three sequels and two Marvel movies. For the three sequels, we’re looking at Mortal Kombat 2, Ready or Not 2, and Violent Night 2. All B movies in a sense. Whereas the Odyssey is high prestige elite and epic fantasy, these three sequels are anything but. They are all pretty much based on guilty pleasure films.
Ready or Not 2 comes out first. This is a March release. One thing that makes no sense at all is that a movie that looks very similar, called They Will Kill You starring Zazie Beats comes out a week or so later. Spread the wealth guys. But with regards to Ready or Not 2, the first movie was the surprise hit of the horror world. Not since Get Out was there such a cool, smart scary movie. It took the mansion murder concept to a whole new level, combining video-game / Clue ideas (everybody got their own unique weapon,) with game ideas (it was a family who made their money on board games.) There were even spirits involved. It took the classic book, “The Most Dangerous Game,” and set it in a mansion. The result was a perfect fit. It’s gonna be hard to beat that, and I’m not really expecting the sequel to do so. At this point, I really just want to see where the story goes next.
Mortal Kombat 2
Ready of Not 2
Violent Night 2
The Odyssey
Spider Man: Brand New Day
Avengers: Doomsday
Masters of the Universe
The Mandolorian and Grogu
Moana (Live Action)
The Adventures of Cliff Booth
And also
Street Fighter