With the freezing winter season on its way, there’s no better plan than sitting down with some popcorn and watching one of the year’s most anticipated movies.
With everything from massive blockbusters to indie darlings and kids’ favourites, there’s something for everyone at the cinema in 2026. Here are some of our most hotly anticipated movies of 2026.
Keep an eye out as we’ll be updating this guide throughout the year.
Forgotten Island
Forgotten Island is an original animated fantasy adventure from DreamWorks Animation, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and marking the studio’s 50th animated feature. Set in the 1990s, the story follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, who stumble through a portal on their last night together before high school graduation sends them down separate paths.
The portal leads to Nakali, a magical island rooted in Philippine mythology and populated by shapeshifters, demons and witches drawn from Filipino folklore. The film also features Dave Franco as a well-meaning weredog named Raww and Tony winner Lea Salonga as the Manananggal, one of the island’s most feared creatures.
Crawford and Mercado, longtime collaborators at DreamWorks since Kung Fu Panda 2, based the project partly on their own friendship, and it marks Mercado’s directorial debut. Jo and Raissa discover that returning home may cost them the memories of their entire friendship, raising the emotional stakes beyond a typical animated adventure.
The film’s official trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Forgotten Island is scheduled to release on 25 September 2026
Where to watch: Bookings are almost open on Ster-Kinekor
Resident Evil
The latest film adaptation of the fan-favourite video game franchise, acclaimed writer-director Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Weapons) continues his run of quality horror films with Resident Evil. The film stars many emerging Hollywood talents in Austin Abrams (Euphoria, Weapons), Zach Cherry (Severance), and Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country).
Bryan, a medical courier, is in the process of making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital when an outbreak forces him to fight for survival.
The film follows a version of the events of Resident Evil 2, one of the most beloved games in the series, albeit with an entirely new story. The 2026 horror movie is the latest addition to the recent renaissance of video game adaptations in film and television, following in the footsteps of The Last of Us, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Fallout. The creepy trailer is available now on YouTube.
When: Resident Evil is scheduled to release on 25 September 2026
Where to watch: Bookings are almost open on Ster-Kinekor
Avengers: Endgame (Re-release)
In the lead-up to the next era of Marvel films, Avengers: Endgame is being re-released to South African audiences this September. A historic movie that served as the end of an era of cinema and, at one point, held the record as the highest-grossing film of all time, this is perhaps the last time viewers can witness the film in a true theatre experience.
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe.
Endgame features Marvel’s biggest ensemble cast to date, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, and many more.
When: Re-releases in select SK theatres on 25 September 2026
Where to watch: Tickets available exclusively at Ster-Kinekor cinemas
Digger
Directed by the Oscar-winning visionary Alejandro G. Iñárritu, best known for Birdman and The Revenant, this latest film is a comedy of “catastrophic proportions” starring Tom Cruise. Beyond that, we don’t know much.
The most powerful man in the world races to prove he is humanity’s saviour before the disaster he unleashed destroys everything.
The cast is filled with some fan favourites, including Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, and Emma D’Arcy. The movie’s very strange and intriguing “teaser trailer” (which, for some reason, features clips from most of Cruise’s previous films) is out now on YouTube.
When: Opens in theatres on 2 October 2026
Where to watch: Set for release at Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide
The Social Reckoning
The much-anticipated sequel to the Facebook origin story The Social Network follows the true story of Facebook engineer Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), who blows the whistle on the trillion-dollar corporation’s darker secrets. The cast also includes Jeremy Allen White as a Wall Street Journal reporter and an older Mark Zuckerberg, now played by Jeremy Strong.
Aaron Sorkin, the writer of the original film (which won three Academy Awards), returns as the film’s writer-director. After The Social Network uncovered many of the scandals that plagued Facebook’s formative years, The Social Reckoning dives even deeper into the terrifying true story of what the company has become over the years.
The film’s trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Opens in theatres on 9 October 2026
Where to watch: Likely for release at Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide
Clayface
In what has been a landmark year for horror films, with overnight successes including Obsession and Backrooms, DC Studios is moving beyond the superhero genre with this year’s Clayface.
Rising Hollywood star Matt Hagen descends into a horrifying, revenge-filled monster when scientific ambition strips him of his identity and humanity.
Releasing a week before Halloween, the movie is set to be the horror watch of the spooky season. The very unsettling teaser trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Opens in theatres on 23 October 2026
Where to watch: Likely for release at Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The latest addition to the Hunger Games film series goes back 24 years before Katniss’ first games to character Haymitch’s (Katniss’ mentor played by Woody Harrelson in the original movies) youth.
The film follows Haymitch’s participation in the second quarter quell, which saw twice as many tributes from each district selected to participate in the infamous Hunger Games.
The cast features newcomer Joseph Zada as Haymitch, alongside stars such as McKenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close and more.
The trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Opens on 20 November 2026
Where to watch: Set to be released at Ster-Kinekor & IMAX cinemas
Dune: Part Three
The third and final part of Denis Villeneuve’s film series of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novels (this time based on Dune Messiah) is out this December.
With the first two Dune films earning both critical acclaim and fan favour, fans will not want to miss the conclusion to this epic franchise. The third film sees Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) ascend to power and explores the implications of his rule as Emperor, as well as the dangers of unchecked power.
The film’s latest trailer is out now on YouTube.
When: Opens on 18 December 2026
Where: Confirmed for screenings at IMAX locations & Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide
Avengers: Doomsday
The first Avengers instalment in nearly a decade, Doomsday first gained traction when a promotional video showcased the incredible cast, including returns by Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Robert Downey Jr. The film promises another otherworldly unification of Marvel’s biggest heroes, some old and some new, with Downey playing the villainous Doctor Doom.
With little information about the film’s plot beyond teasers for major characters, the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest blockbuster (and its planned sequel, Secret Wars in 2027) remains a mystery.
The official trailer has been released on YouTube.
When: 18 December 2026
Where to watch: Likely for release at Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide
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