Marty's Most Anticipated Films of 2026
We’re only a few weeks into 2026 and all I can think about is how many great movies are scheduled to be released this year. The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three, The Drama, Mother Mary, and The Bride! are already the talk of the town - aka film twitter. These five are most definitely at the top of my watchlist, but here are a few others you may have not heard about that you should want to keep an eye out for:
#5 MY EX-FRIEND’S WEDDING
Dir. Kay Cannon
On the eve of their former best friend’s wedding, four of their childhood friends receive a drunken voicemail from her, confessing that she believes she is making a mistake. The four friends then decide to stop the wedding. Starring Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls), Megan Stalter (Hacks) Ariana DeBose (Argyle) Chloe Fineman (Megalopolis)
I was late to the party when it comes to Cannon’s debut Blockers, which I can now officially say is the funniest film of 2018. Leslie Mann and John Cena’s chemistry is what you pray for in a slapstick comedy. And to be honest, I’m freaking out a bit knowing that two of my favorite divas - Amanda Seyfried and Meg Stalter - will be starring in a comedy together. I know deep in my heart there are going to be creating the campiest dynamic of the decade.
An official release date has not been announced, but the film is said to be finishing up post-production and will release sometime later this year.
#4 PRIMETIME
Dir. Lance Oppenheim
A journalist takes on an underworld of crime and changes television forever. The film stars Robert Pattinson (Good Time), Phoebe Bridgers (I Saw the TV Glow), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Sean Bridgers (Bones and All), Skyler Gisondo (Superman).
Oppenheim’s transition from documentary to narrative is very exciting to me. His film Some Kind of Heaven documented an area that I thought I was all too familiar with only for him to unearth so much more. It is rumored the film will depict how Chris Hansen turned one investigative report into the infamous show To Catch A Predator.
An official release date has not been announced, but the film is said to be finishing up post-production and will release sometime later this year.
#3 THE WRONG GIRLS
Dir. Dylan Meyer
Two aimless young women inadvertently gain telepathic abilities after ingesting an experimental drug, pitting them against dangerous rivals pursuing the same powerful substance. Starring Kristen Stewart (Spencer), Alia Shawkat (Search Party), Seth Rogen (Superbad), LaKeith Stanfield (Uncut Gems).
Very little is known about this film but director Dylan Meyer’s feature debut is most certainly going to be a showstopper with a cast like that. Stewart is not acknowledged enough for her comedy chops and I’m excited to see her devour this absurdist concept.
An official release date has not been announced, but the film is said to be finishing up post-production and will release sometime later this year.
#2 PANIC CAREFULLY
Dir. Sam Esmail
Described as a paranoid thriller about a hunt for a cyber-terrorist in the vein of Mr. Robot and The Silence of the Lambs. The film stars Julia Roberts (Notting Hill), Elizabeth Olsen (His Three Daughters), Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables), & Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway).
Cyber thrillers like The Net, Kimi, & Blade Runner are my bread and butter. And you know when Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts link up you known it means serious business. Together the two created one of the best Amazon Prime shows Homecoming and an intriguing Netflix film Leave the World Behind. Another one of Esmail’s collaborators is his trusted cinematographer, Tod Campbell who worked on the entirety of Mr. Robot and every Esmail project since, it’s a strong bet that the film will have some of the most dynamic camerawork of the year. I am itching to get more updates on this film.
An official release date has not been announced, but the film is said to be finishing up post-production and will release sometime later this year.
#1 HER PRIVATE HELL
Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn
An edgy, hypnotic and unhinged thriller based on an original story that promises “lots of glitter, sex, and violence.” The film stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets), Charles Melton (May December), Diego Calva (Babylon), & Havana Rose Liu (Tuner). With a cast and hush-hush premise like that how could you not be excited.
A decade after the dazzling Neon Demon (a film I’ve watched more times than I can count), Refn returns to the big screen. He’s worked on a couple shows and a few shorts over the last ten years, but his neon hedonistic wonderlands deserve to be seen on the largest screen possible. Many of his detractors say his films are too slow or tend to favor style over substance, which in my opinion feels like a very narrow way of looking at art. Refn is exhilarating and always delivers a feast for the eyes.
An official release date has not been announced, however rumors suggest the film is circling a Cannes or Venice premiere.