Sequels have long been big business in Hollywood, and recent years have only strengthened the industry’s reliance on recognizable brands and ongoing cinematic universes. 2026 seems like it will be no exception. With long-gestating follow-ups, unexpected returns to dormant franchises, and new chapters in massive sagas, the year is packed with projects that carry high anticipation and considerable risk.
Many of the following titles arrive with passionate fan bases, iconic casts, and filmmakers aiming to expand cinematic universes. Whether it ultimately brings triumphs, disappointments, or something in between, next year is shaping up to be one of the most interesting times for sequels in recent box-office history. Below are 15 of the biggest and most noteworthy sequels currently planned for release next year, along with what audiences might be able to expect from each one.
15
‘Minions 3’ (July 1)
Very few serious cinema lovers are asking for a third Minions movie (or, to be more accurate, a seventh movie in the Despicable Me universe). But you know who is asking? Kids. Lots and lots of kids. Illumination’s Minions franchise has proven to be one of the most reliable box-office performers around. To date, the six movies featuring the chaotic little yellow sidekicks have grossed a combined total of more than $5.5 billion worldwide, and they’re seemingly incapable of losing momentum. So, while parents might dread more of the banana-loving scamps, their return was inevitable.
Minions 3 might not be one of the most anticipated sequels of the year for film nerds, but if it follows in its predecessors’ footsteps, it will be one of the biggest hits with families.
Little is known about the plot of Minions 3, although it’s rumored to be titled Minions & Monsters and to perhaps involve the Minions becoming content creators. It’s probably fair game to assume more world-dominating hijinx, pratfalls, and a few sweet emotional beats. The Minions’ nonsense babble and visual chaos have their charms when done well, but it is repetitive and excruciating in the wrong hands. It remains to be seen whether this will be more in line with the silliness of Minions or a dire retread like Despicable Me 4. Minions 3 might not be one of the most anticipated sequels of the year for film nerds, but if it follows in its predecessors’ footsteps, it will be one of the biggest hits with families.
14
‘Focker In-Law’ (November 25)
It’s hard to believe it was 25 years ago that Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro first teamed up for Meet the Parents. That film was a hilarious hit thanks to the anti-chemistry of its leads, and it led to the sequels Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers. It’s been 15 years since Jack Byrnes and Greg Focker last squared off, and Focker In-Law picks up with Greg and Pam’s own son entering adulthood, with Greg now on the opposite side of the overbearing-parent dynamic.
The original films found humor in discomfort and anxieties about family roles, expectations, and the generational gap. While the trilogy ran out of steam fairly quickly, it’s possible that the series could gain some new energy by pitting Greg and Jack in a new situation, with a younger generation to give them heartburn. If nothing else, the Focker family is growing to include a heck of a cast, with Superman’s Skyler Gisondo and Wicked’s Ariana Grande taking center stage. If the screenplay captures the awkwardness that made the earlier movies work, Focker-in-Law could be the rare legacy comedy sequel that actually works.
13
‘Practical Magic 2’ (September 18)
While not a blockbuster by any means, 1998’s Practical Magic developed a loyal following over the years. The belated sequel will bring back Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the witchcraft-practicing Owens sisters, now older and more experienced in balancing love, magic, and responsibility. Although the plot hasn’t been revealed, the film is said to be based on the novel The Book of Magic, a sequel to the original novel, and could expand the lore of the family’s magical lineage, exploring new generational challenges and a potentially dangerous supernatural threat.
The film arrives at a time of renewed popularity for supernatural media, and Warner Bros. likely smelled a potential hit when another spooky-funny sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, was a smash. Of course, Kidman and Bullock’s stars have only grown brighter since 1998, with both actresses now Academy Award winners. Don’t be surprised to see this one be a sleeper hit in the run-up to Halloween.
12
‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ (January 16)
Fans of Danny Boyle’s zombie-adjacent franchise had to be patient for nearly 20 years following 2007’s 28 Weeks Later. The wait for a follow-up to last year’s 28 Years Later is much, much shorter. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will hit theaters just a little more than six months after its predecessor’s release. Nia DaCosta picks up directorial duties this time, and the story promises to be a direct follow-up to last summer’s legacy sequel, continuing the story of young Spike (Alfie Williams) after he runs into the dangerous gang The Jimmies in post-apocalyptic Britain. Expect more of Ralph Fiennes’ mysterious Dr. Felson as well as a return of Cillian Murphy to the franchise for the first time since 2002.
28 Years Later wasn’t a massive success, but it brought in $150 million globally and was beloved by critics. Boyle’s return to the franchise was a scary and surprisingly tender coming-of-age story. Audiences might be curious to see what respected horror director DaCosta does with the franchise and whether she runs with the emotional tone of the last film or delves into darker, scarier corners of this series’ dystopian world.
11
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ (May 1)
Two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became an iconic workplace comedy, the sequel will find Andy and Miranda in a dramatically changed fashion landscape. Streaming culture, social media influencers, and a collapsing print industry seem like they might create fertile ground for satire, and if there’s any franchise poised to dissect that world, it’s this one. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep are both returning, giving audiences another opportunity to revel in their prickly relationship once again. Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci will also be back.
Unlike many comedy sequels, this one has room to grow because the original characters were never caricatures; they were complicated, flawed, and deeply human. The exploration of the price of success and the tension between independence and mentorship remains meaningful. If the writing and performances are as sharp as they were 20 years ago, this could be entertaining counter-programming to the onslaught of summer blockbusters.
10
‘Evil Dead Burn’ (July 24)
There’s very little known about just what’s awaiting audiences with Evil Dead Burn. Like 2023’s Evil Dead Rise, it’s expected to stand apart from Sam Raimi’s original trilogy and the other films. It’s directed by Sébastian Vaniček, whose French horror movie Infested was a cult hit. As with the 2012 Evil Dead remake and Evil Dead Rise, Bruce Campbell is a producer but not expected to star. Other than that, who knows?
But that’s part of the fun. The Evil Dead movies exploded out of the “cabin in the woods” template the moment Ash went back to the Middle Ages in Army of Darkness, and Evil Dead Rise proved the formula was perfectly malleable so long as there was an isolated location and sympathetic characters for the Deadites to torment. Will this be another bit of gruesome fun like its predecessor, a raw and brutal horror film like the remake, or a return to Raimi’s slapstick-inspired splatterfests? The fun is in finding out, and if Evil Dead Burn delights audiences, there’s already another film in development from The Last Stop in Yuma County’s Francis Gilluppi.
9
‘The Social Reckoning’ (October 8)
The Social Network was one of the masterpieces of the 2010s, capturing the birth of Facebook with sharp writing, smart direction, and a cold understanding of ambition. With Facebook’s role in global politics, privacy scandals, and social fragmentation in recent years, the sequel will arrive at a moment where the consequences of early tech idealism are impossible to ignore.
David Fincher hands the reins over to The Social Network’s writer, Aaron Sorkin, who also penned this sequel about the 2021 Facebook whistleblower scandal. Jeremy Strong also steps in for Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg; Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, Bill Burr, Betty Gilpin, and Billy Magnussen round out the cast. While Fincher’s terse, meticulous direction will be hard to top, Sorkin has also proven himself capable of telling smart, talky stories about powerful, flawed people. With the role of social media continuously being relitigated and examined, The Social Reckoning could be a timely drama.
8
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ (November 20)
Suzanne Collins’ return to Panem continues with Sunrise on the Reaping, a sequel to 2023’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and a prequel to The Hunger Games. The story will follow the origins of District resistance decades before Katniss, with a focus on a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada. Expect more dark political commentary and dystopian tragedy as the series explores life under a cruel authoritarian regime.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was a hit, and young adult dystopia always seems to be a dependable genre. Sunrise on the Reaping is directed by Francis Lawrence, the series’ longtime guide, who’s also hot off the critically acclaimed Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk. If Sunrise on the Reaping maintains the franchise’s emphasis on character-driven moral conflict, it could once again strike a chord with audiences.
7
‘Scream 7’ (February 27)
There’s been a lot of danger throughout the 30-year Scream franchise, but can anything top the chaotic behind-the-scenes drama of Scream 7? Greenlit just as Scream VI became one of the highest-grossing and most beloved films in the franchise, it quickly seemed like it might be curtains for the franchise before cameras even rolled. Radio Silence directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin decided not to return and were replaced by Happy Death Day director Chris Landon. Shortly after that, star Melissa Barrera was fired over pro-Palestine social media posts, and co-star Jenna Ortega soon followed; Landon himself then left. With the latest entries built around Barrera and Ortega, it seemed like the franchise had been slashed just as it was resurging.
But Scream 7 pivoted. Producers ponied up the dough for Neve Campbell to return as Sidney, and Campbell announced shortly afterward that Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream for Wes Craven, would direct this entry. It promises to be a Scream homecoming. In addition to Campbell, Courteney Cox will once again appear as Gale Weathers. Most intriguingly, both Matthew Lillard and David Arquette, whose characters have both met grisly ends, are also appearing in mysterious, unrevealed roles. It looks like Ghostface might have a horrific homecoming in store for this seventh entry.
6
‘Toy Story 5’ (June 19)
Toy Story 5 seems like a bad idea. But that’s okay — that’s what everyone initially said about Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4, too. Pixar somehow keeps finding ways to keep its flagship franchise relevant and packed with plenty of humor and heart. Every entry has found new adventures for Woody, Buzz, and the gang, as well as the perfect ending. At this point, it’s foolish to bet against the Toy Story franchise.
Director Andrew Stanton, who brought to life Pixar masterpieces Finding Nemo and WALL-E, has said this story will tackle the toys dealing with electronics, including a potty-training gadget voiced by Conan O’ Brien. There’s also the little matter of Woody reuniting with his old pals after riding off into the sunset with Bo Peep in the last film. The Toy Story series has always excelled when its characters confront their own purpose and obsolescence, and if Pixar’s track record with these characters holds, it could make audiences laugh and cry for a fifth time.
