This NERD's Most Anticipated Movies of 2026 - PART 1
- Chase Gifford
- 3 minutes ago
- 6 min read
It’s not often that I can start off a most anticipated list having already seen a couple of the movies. But it’s been a weird start to the year and I’ve been sick. And I haven’t felt like doing much of anything. But I must persevere. (It’s a head cold and I’m acting like it’s going to kill me)
Movies are important to me and have been for most of my life. So talking about what exactly I’m looking forward to seems only natural. This is probably the twentieth time I’ve done this and I’m likely the fifty-millionth person this year alone so points for originality. But I will get to the point. I made a list of my most anticipated movies of 2026 and here is that list as promised. I know you’re so excited.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - January 16
The continuation of one of the best horrors of 2025, this time Candyman director, Nia DaCosta takes the reins. All the promise of what was left undone in part 1 is realized in The Bone Temple and it absolutely delivers. It delves into the insanity of the Jimmy Crystal cult and proves that the infected are far from the worst things roaming the English countryside. It is incredibly violent and graphic. But much like part 1, The Bone Temple possesses a soul found mostly in the presence of Dr. Kelson and surprisingly, his new experiment, the formidable and horrendous, Samson. And much like the first, it ends promising so much is still ahead for the survivors of this chapter with new but potentially familiar characters making a triumphant return. I am ready for Part 3.
The RIP - January 16
Joe Carnahan, director of NARC (highly underrated), The A-Team, Smokin’ Aces (again, criminally underrated), and perhaps my favorite of his, The Grey, returns with his latest crime caper, The RIP. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star alongside a stellar supporting cast. There is an undeniable familiarity to this story. It has a level of predictability to it but for all that it pulls from other crime thrillers, it more than makes up for with great performances, an exciting premise, and bursts of visceral, unforgiving violence. I’m a sucker for a good crime drama. Bad cops, good bad guys. The twists and rampant betrayal is like catnip. Throw in some good ol’ fashion shoot ‘em ups and you have my attention. So I may be an easy audience but I would argue that’s not such a bad thing.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die - February 23
I was so curious about this one. Thankfully my curiosity paid off because I can finally say Verbinski is back to form! This is a stellar, original, breath of fresh air. Sam Rockwell is extraordinary as always as is the supporting cast. It’s zany, weird, off kilter, and a bit insane and because of this its fearlessness shines through. It’s one of my favorite films of the year. It will likely make my top ten of 2026. Find this one however you can.
The Bride - March 6
The Bride! is messy, incoherent at times, ridiculous in spurts but overall this is a bold, fascinating new perspective born from a story in 1818 near Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It’s a mixed bag but I can’t deny I was hooked for most of the runtime. The cast is brilliant, the set design is gorgeous, and the cinematography feels purposely turbulent mirroring the turmoil left in the wake of Frankenstein and his beautiful, burgeoning Bride!
Project Hail Mary - March 20
I have seen this. I'm not sure what I can say here. I will say it's going to end up on a lot of top ten lists come December. Mine included. I can't wait to tell you more. See it on the biggest screen possible.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come - March 20
The first is bloody fun and this looks to be more of the same on a bigger scale. I suspect it will be more ridiculous and as a result even more entertaining. Samara Weaving is one of the reigning scream queens of this generation and this promises to further solidify her place in the genre. I’m looking for more of that twisted, dark comedy preceding some seriously gory violence. Hell even the violence in the first was funny when people just started popping like giant pimples. I think we’re in for a more formidable Grace this time around and now that her sister is involved, she has something more to live for. All the more motivation to kill you with, my dear.
They Will Kill You - March 27
My only wish for this one beyond it being a surprise hit, is that it was being released on the same day as Ready or Not 2. Having a similar vibe, a double-feature could have been really cool. Still, I will being seeing this with bells on. It looks so unabashedly violent and gory and reveling in the absurdity of the whole thing. From the first time I saw the trailer I was in. It just looks like a blast. Zazie Beets kicking ass in serious Kill Bill fashion wasn't on my bingo card at the beginning of the new year. It definitely is now. March 20th I'm seeing Ready or Not 2. March 27th, They Will Kill You. I can't wait!
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy - April 17
I’ve heard bad things already. The word “vile” has been thrown around supposedly causing producer James Wan to leave. Still, rumors can be a sour precursor to something amazing. Who knows where the truth lies and the falsities begin especially in this industry. After the half-hearted attempt with Tom Cruise’s The Mummy and the promise of a fourth Brendan Fraser led Mummy adventure still years away, I’m curious to see what they do with the property in full blown horror mode. And having seen the trailer now and seeing the direction they’re taking it, I’m hopeful for something under the radar bursting forth with amazing word of mouth.
Scary Movie 6 - June 5
The return of irreverent, downright offensive comedy. Finally! All of the Scary Movies are funny in their own right but the first two are gold and the upcoming sixth addition marks the return of the Wayans family to bring it back to grace, and horribly offensive, amazingly crude glory. With the old school cast returning, this promises to be the talk of the town come premier day. To the newer generations that weren’t alive for the first two in their hey day, shut your offended mouths up and learn to laugh because if this delivers like I’m hoping, it will hurt every single one of your feelings. I can only hope.
Disclosure Day - June 12
Spielberg returns with an event film for the first time since 2018’s Ready Player One. And it looks to be from the same bag he pulled from for War of the Worlds, E.T., and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. A look to the sky with wonder and danger at every corner. It’s all so exciting! And with a stellar cast, I have only the highest of hopes for another Spielberg classic.
Supergirl - June 26
Superman proved James Gunn is the man for the job. And Supergirl looks to prove it a second time. Albeit with a different director, I’m sure Gunn has been close by every step of the way. Milly Alcock looks like the perfect person to bring to life the tenacious and snarky Kara Zor-El but also the caped hero capable of truly amazing things. Looking a bit too Guardians of the Galaxy at times, if it does mirror that movie it picked a great movie to pull from. For the boy scout that Superman is, this is for the rebellious among us.
The Odyssey - July 17
Nolan. Damon. Homer. It has all the makings of the next great adventure masterpiece. With rumors of a staggering 3+ hour runtime, it would appear Nolan and company are going all out for this one. With new IMAX tech invented for this movie, with its stellar cast and Nolan’s affinity for practical effects, The Odyssey should be the event of the summer. And for all the historically accurate nuts out there, shhh!! No one cares.
PART 2 COMING SOON
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