Must-Watch Blockbuster Movies This Season

The 2026 summer movie season has commenced with a diverse slate of releases, ranging from high-profile sequels and franchise expansions to concert films and genre experiments. While the summer season technically begins on Memorial Day weekend, several major titles arrived in early May to set the tone for the blockbuster period.

According to reporting from Rolling Stone, the season opened on May 1, 2026, with the release of Hokum and the highly anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2. These early entries precede other May releases, including Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft, which premiered on May 8, 2026.

The Return of the Fashion Industry

The Devil Wears Prada 2 serves as a sequel to the 2006 romantic comedy. The production reunites original cast members Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. The film also sees the return of original director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna.

The sequel expands its ensemble with several new additions to the cast. Joining the returning veterans are Lady Gaga, Donatella Versace, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, Kenneth Branagh, and Rachel Bloom.

Mid-Summer and Franchise Highlights

As the season progresses toward the peak summer months, several major productions are scheduled for release. IMDb lists The Odyssey as one of the most anticipated films of the year, with a scheduled release date of July 17, 2026.

The summer window is heavily populated by franchise entries. Rolling Stone identifies several key titles that audiences are anticipating, including:

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• Supergirl
• Moana
• The Mandalorian and Grogu

Beyond these specific titles, the 2026 summer landscape is characterized by a wide variety of cinematic styles. The season includes a Star Wars spin-off, a concert film directed by James Cameron, and a farewell project from the Jackass group.

Genre Diversity in the 2026 Slate

The current blockbuster season is not limited to franchise intellectual property. Rolling Stone notes that the upcoming months will feature a blend of unconventional projects, including oddball character studies and an anti-capitalism satire.

The slate also includes a significant amount of horror content, as well as a few sex comedies and a selection of arthouse films, providing a broader range of options for theater-goers throughout the season leading up to Labor Day.

While the focus remains on the summer window, the broader 2026 calendar continues with major releases into the winter. IMDb identifies Avengers: Doomsday as a primary highlight for the end of the year, with an expected release date of December 18, 2026.