If the 2025 film slate was a cereal, it’d be Lucky Charms. Breakout hits such as “Weapons” and “F1: The Movie” were the hearts, horseshoes and tasty red balloons that make going to the cinema worth every bite. However, for every marshmallow, there are 10 oddly shaped, cat food-esque pieces that leave a bad taste in our mouths – also referred to as “The Running Man” (2025). But if 2026 was a cereal, it’d be Captain Crunch Berries, serving up spoonful after spoonful of “oops! All bangers,” with star-studded productions and theatrical releases that are looking to be quite a scream.
“Wuthering Heights” – Warner Bros.
Wuthering Heights (2026), starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, will take to theaters in February 2026. Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie take the screen on Valentine’s Day as Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw in a new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s, “Wuthering Heights.” Directed by Emerald Fennell, the movie follows a gothic tale of desire, obsession, class conflict and vengeance. Heathcliff, a mysterious orphan, is taken in by the Earnshaw family as a young boy, where he is initially met with cruelty but soon forms a deep bond with Catherine Earnshaw and begins to rise within the family. Following the death of Mr. Earnshaw, he is reduced to a commoner and abused, particularly by the resentful Hindley Earnshaw. When Catherine becomes engaged to another, Heathcliff, having endured enough, runs away, only to return years later with vast wealth and vengeance.
The trailer revealed Fenell’s more provocative vision which seems to deviate in some aspects from the source material and was met with some backlash. However, it also showcased striking cinematography, intense emotion and an inspired-by approach that many fans defend for its exploration of themes implied by the novel, but often overlooked.
Eager anticipation continues to build surrounding the release, as audiences await Fenell’s bold reimagining of this classic. Ultimately, whether contested or applauded, “Wuthering Heights” promises to reignite the raw intensity, darkness and emotional conflict that define Brontë’s novel.
— Kirpa Chawla
“Project Hail Mary” – Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary (2026) features Ryan Gosling, bewildered as he navigates a spaceship far from home. Image courtesy of Pascal Pictures.
“Project Hail Mary” is a movie that demands to be seen on the big screen.
Based on Andy Weir’s 2021 science fiction novel by the same name, “Project Hail Mary” is set to release on March 20, 2026. The film follows former schoolteacher Ryland Grace, played by Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling, who wakes up on a spacecraft with no memories and must piece together his past. As he starts to remember, Grace realizes that his mission carries more weight than he previously thought, and it extends far beyond his own survival.
“Project Hail Mary” promises the novel’s blend of detailed science, sharp humor and hopeful vulnerability. It seeks to recreate the critical and box office success achieved by the 2015 movie adaptation of Weir’s novel “The Martian,” which has become a modern science fiction classic. Similar to “The Martian,” “Project Hail Mary” is a largely solo character-driven story, but unlike it, “Project Hail Mary” focuses more on mystery and self-discovery than the survival aspect.
“Project Hail Mary” has the potential to redefine audience expectations for modern science fiction. As it leans into themes of perseverance and unlikely connections, the film is sure to surprise audiences beyond just a visual spectacle.
— Abby Michaelides
“Iron Lung” – Markiplier Studios WIP
We’re all one in the blood.
Slated for a Jan. 30, 2026, release, “Iron Lung” is a psychological horror written and directed by Mark Fischbach, better known as content creator Markiplier. Based on the cult indie horror game of the same name, the film follows an unnamed criminal, played by Fischbach, who is forced into exploring an ocean of blood beneath an alien moon.
Rather than relying on jump scares, “Iron Lung” leans into a cerebral horror using the dread-inducing atmosphere to create its scares, and the games’ minimalist approach to create a psychological viewing experience. The plot unfolds almost entirely within a submarine, using sound design and the cramped space to its advantage to create a sense of helplessness.
As the first of Fischbach’s film-making endeavors, his subscriber-base is eager to see if this film is the beginning of creator-driven, theatrically released horror films, or if movie goers will hit “unsubscribe.”
— Uziel Puente
“Scream 7” – Paramount Pictures
The Scream series returns with Scream 7 (2026), where a new Ghostface killer hunts down Sidney, played by Neve Campbell, and her family after a long period of safety. Image courtesy via Paramount Pictures.
Horror fans might have another favorite scary movie on their hands.
“Scream 7,” the next installment in the slasher series created by Kevin Williams, arrives on Feb. 27. Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, the original “Scream” star, after a notable absence from previous film “Scream VI.” The upcoming film follows Sidney Prescott and her daughter when a new iteration of iconic masked killer Ghostface emerges.
Some wonder how the franchise will continue after the departure of previous stars Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera. Perhaps to make up for the loss of two stars, one of the earliest “Scream” killers, Matthew Lillard, is slated to appear—a highly anticipated comeback for devoted fans. Lillard’s only other credit in the “Scream” franchise is from the first film in 1996. Longtime staple of the films, Courteney Cox, also returns as reporter Gale Weathers.
It is yet to be seen how the beloved “Scream” series will continue, revealing which characters make it out alive and who’s hiding behind the Ghostface mask this time around. The past six installments have reaffirmed to audiences that no one is safe.
— Rebekah Field
“Send Help” – 20th Century Studios
Send Help (2026) navigates a troubled relationship between a woman and her boss when they must work together to survive on a deserted island. Image courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
With both returning franchises and original IP, winter 2026 brings in a chilling season for scary movies.
Set to release on Jan. 30, “Send Help” is a horror-thriller survival film directed by Sam Raimi and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. When an office worker, played by Rachel McAdams, is stranded on an island with her obnoxious boss, played by Dylan O’Brien, the two must learn to survive in a place where their greatest danger might just be each other.
While audiences are familiar with the survival trope, “Send Help” brings a refreshing and humorous character dynamic that hits close to home. McAdams delivers an expectedly spectacular performance as the resourceful Linda, while O’Brien plays Bradley, the egotistical, patronizing boss, to a tee. The film’s bright island backdrop is soon to be the witness of bloodcurdling screams and graphic gore as the two engage in a bloody power struggle.
As an original film, “Send Help” is a welcome addition to an industry lineup recently dominated by remakes, reboots and franchises. Releasing in theaters soon, “Send Help” is sure to make a thrilling moviegoing experience.
— Birka Chen
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Featured Image Courtesy of Pascal Pictures
