UK cinema from now to summer 2026, the big hitters, the sleepers, and the ones that sadly might faceplant. 4 min read.
Buckle up - the UK cinema slate from now through summer 2026 is insanely packed. From franchise tentpoles and animated mainstays to auteur pics and possible flops, here’s a shirt-and-punchy look at what matters (and what might not).
PS - What about Melania - lowest rated film on IMDB. Ever. Whoops.
🎥 EARLY 2026 - FEB-MAR: Big Openers + Hidden Gems
What’s exciting
- Project Hail Mary - Ryan Gosling leads this adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi hit. If theatres still crave smart space drama, this is it.
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (3 Apr) - Family animation with genuine box office pedigree; bright visuals and nostalgia.
- Animal Friends (1 May) - Ryan Reynolds & Jason Momoa in a noisy, fun ensemble. Easy crowd-pleaser if you’re in a light-hearted mood.
What’s… so-so
- Scream 7 (27 Feb)- Expect familiarity, not reinvention. Franchise fatigue is real.
- Romantic/arthouse candidates like The Love That Remains or A Private Life have niche pull - great on their terms, minimal wide-audience impact.
Undercards to watch
- One Last Deal - Danny Dyer in a football-agent drama? This might be either unironically great or impressively grim.
- Power Ballad - John Carney’s musical comedy potentially punching above its weight if the tunes stick.
☀️ SPRING → SUMMER 2026 - BLOCKBUSTERS DOMINATE
In the “I’ll be there opening night” category
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 (1 May) - A sequel decades in the making. Nostalgia plus Emily Blunt/Hathaway + Meryl? Studio insurance policy.
- Mortal Kombat II (15 May) - If you loved the first, expect more visceral punch. Otherwise: average.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (22 May) - Disney plays it safe with a fan-friendly series-to-film adaptation.
- Toy Story 5 (19 Jun) - Biggest true family tentpole. Pixar rarely misses here.
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (26 Jun) - DC’s slate gets existential - could be the surprise of summer.
Summer punchouts + potential flops
- The Odyssey (17 Jul) - Christopher Nolan always gets eyeballs, but this one risks feeling too… Nolan. Big, thoughtful - but not always crowd-comforting.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (31 Jul) - Marvel fatigue is real; this needs innovation, not iteration.
- Mega Minions / Moana (Live-Action) - Safe family dollars, low critical ambition.
📈 MID-SIZED & ARTISTIC
- British indie releases and film festival darlings (The Bride, The Magic Faraway Tree) offer compelling alternatives if blockbusters aren’t your vibe.
- Expect a modest awards buzz around The Drama with Zendaya and Pattinson (early April).
🧐 WHAT LOOKS DUBIOUS
Overcrowded release windows - May & June especially feel jammed, meaning hardcore films might get crushed by marketing noise.
Franchise fatigue rising - sequels and cinematic universe entries now vie for attention with little tonal differentiation, a ticket-buyer red flag.
Blockbuster risk vs reward - mid-tier action (like Mortal Kombat II) may not scale beyond core fans. The big winners will be:
- Nostalgia (Toy Story, Devil Wears Prada 2)
- Major franchises (Star Wars, Spider-Man)
- Directors with audience trust (Nolan)
🎯 FINAL TAKE
If you’re planning cinema outings over the next six months in the UK:
🎟️ Must-See Big Screens
- Toy Story 5, Project Hail Mary, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, The Odyssey
🍿 Fun, Popcorn-Friendly
- Animal Friends, Supergirl, Mortal Kombat II
🎨 Worth a Look for Grit or Art
- Indie/arthouse fare, plus John Carney’s Power Ballad
💤 Proceed With Caution
- Sequels that feel like churn (Scream 7, mid-rank horror or franchise filler)