2026 is poised to be an excellent year for sci-fi movies. This genre consistently brings audiences to new worlds with advanced technology, aliens, and so much more, and there will be no shortage of opportunities to experience some fresh and familiar characters over the next year.
The hyped lineup of 2026 sci-fi movies boasts new films from master filmmakers like Steve Spielberg and Ridley Scott, new entries in major franchises like Star Wars and Hunger Games, book adaptations starring Ryan Gosling and Jacob Elordi, and other original tales. If even some of them are as good as expected, 2026 could be the best year ever for sci-fi.
So, if you’re a fan of this genre, there are a lot of movies and release dates to keep an eye out for all year long.
We Bury The Dead
- Release Date: January 2, 2026
While more often considered horror, zombie movies like We Bury the Dead are certainly of the sci-fi genre too. This one stars Daisy Ridley as a woman searching for her husband after a military experiment causes a zombie apocalypse. Early reviews are already in, giving it a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, so We Bury the Dead can start the year off strong.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Release Date: January 16, 2026
Continuing the zombie movie trend, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is next out the gate. Continuing the storylines introduced in 28 Years Later, it has a larger focus on Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) while Spike (Alife Williams) is welcomed into Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal’s cult.
Mercy
- Release Date: January 23, 2026
Chris Pratt is no stranger to sci-fi, and he’s returning to the genre with a Minority Report-esque film called Mercy. Set in the near future of 2029, it follows Pratt’s character as he has to prove his innocence to an AI judge (played by Rebecca Ferguson) in the murder investigation of his wife.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die
- Release Date: February 13, 2026
Director Gore Verbinski returns in 2026 with an action-comedy directly tied to sci-fi through its premise. Sam Rockwell plays a time traveler who comes to Los Angeles in hopes of recruiting people to stop a rogue artificial intelligence. The cast also includes Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Juno Temple, and more.
The Bride!
- Release Date: March 6, 2026
A new take on Mary Shelley’s iconic novel, The Bride! is firmly in the monster movie genre, but that also exists directly within sci-fi. It’s directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and stars Jessie Buckley as the Bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s monster.
Hoppers
- Release Date: March 6, 2026
Pixar is going back to the sci-fi genre after Elio, Lightyear, and WALL-E for a new tale, Hoppers. The movie focuses on a teenager who uses technology to transform into a robotic beaver and blend in with the nearby wildlife, which is at risk of having its habitat destroyed by a construction company.
Project Hail Mary
- Release Date: March 20, 2026
One of the most exciting upcoming sci-fi book adaptations, Project Hail Mary is based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel. It puts Ryan Gosling in the lead role of a man with lost memories in space on a mission to prevent Earth’s destruction. And if that’s not enough, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creatives behind Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and 21 & 22 Jump Street, are directing.
Mortal Kombat II
- Release Date: May 8, 2026
The Mortal Kombat franchise was meant to return in 2025, but after Warner Bros.’s record year, the studio pushed Mortal Kombat II to 2026. The sequel features many returning characters from the first film, with Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage the biggest new addition as Earthrealm looks to fight off another Shao Kahn invasion.
The Mandalorian And Grogu
- Release Date: May 22, 2026
Lucasfilm’s streaming series phenomenon is heading to the big screen, as Jon Favreau directs The Mandalorian and Grogu. The first Star Wars movie in seven years brings back Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin alongside Grogu a.k.a. Baby Yoda for a new galactic adventure.
Masters Of The Universe
- Release Date: June 5, 2026
Mattel’s iconic piece of IP gets a fresh new look in 2026 thanks to Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe relaunch. Starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, the movie is directed by Bumblebee‘s Travis Knight and also features Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, and more as part of its cast.
