Six new movies and four television series highlight 2026's entertainment landscape, leaning heavily on sequels, prequels, and franchise extensions for familiar storytelling. These releases, spanning horror, romance, superhero epics, and dramas, promise a mix of comfort and controversy. Published in early 2026, the list underscores the industry's preference for established narratives amid evolving viewer tastes.
The entertainment industry kicks off 2026 with a lineup that emphasizes familiarity through sequels, adaptations, and franchise continuations. Among the movies, '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple', releasing on 16 January, continues the rage virus zombie saga started in 2002's '28 Days Later'. Directed by Nia DaCosta with a script by Alex Garland, it features Ralph Fiennes as Dr Ian Kelson, who encounters an intelligent 'alpha' zombie, and young Spike, played by Alfie Williams, facing a cult inspired by Jimmy Savile.
Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' arrives on 11 February, reimagining Emily Brontë's Gothic romance with Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. The adaptation has sparked debate over casting choices, including Robbie's age and Heathcliff's portrayal, plus a modern Charli XCX soundtrack and stylized erotic elements not in the original novel.
In May, 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' reunites Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as Andy, and Emily Blunt as Emily, adapting Lauren Weisberger's sequel novel. The story explores shifts in the declining magazine industry, with Andy and Miranda collaborating more equally, and Blunt's character now in a powerful role. Stanley Tucci returns, joined by Kenneth Branagh.
June brings DC's 'Supergirl', starring Milly Alcock as a cynical Kara Zor-El based on the 2022 comic 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow'. She travels off-planet with her dog Krypto and aids Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, in avenging her father's death.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' in July adapts Homer's epic with Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, fending off suitors like Robert Pattinson's Antinous. The cast includes Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, and Mia Goth.
Marvel's 'Avengers: Doomsday' closes the year in December, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Robert Downey Jr. plays Dr Victor Von Doom via the Multiverse, uniting Avengers from 'Thunderbolts', Fantastic Four, and X-Men.
On television, HBO's 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' debuts in January, a prequel to 'Game of Thrones' set 90 years prior, following knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and boy Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) in George R.R. Martin's Westeros.
'The Pitt' season 2, also January, continues Noah Wyle's medical drama over a Fourth of July weekend at Pittsburgh's ER, building on season 1's real-time 15-hour shift praised for accuracy.
Amazon's 'The Boys' season 5 on 8 April wraps the satirical superhero series, pitting Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) against Homelander (Antony Starr) in a world of corporate-controlled heroes.
HBO's 'Euphoria' season 3 in April advances five years, with Zendaya's Rue in Mexico, Jules at art school, and others like Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) engaged, exploring raw teen-to-adult transitions.
These selections, available on platforms like Showmax in South Africa, reflect a year betting on proven formulas for audience engagement.
