Summer Movie Guide 2026: The Biggest Films Hitting Theaters from May to August

Summer 2026 Movie Preview: Sequels, Adaptations, and a Few Wild Cards

The summer movie season is officially here, and 2026 is delivering one of the most exciting slates in recent memory. From the highly anticipated Devil Wears Prada 2 — bringing back Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway — to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey with Matt Damon and Tom Holland, this summer has something for everyone. The Associated Press released their comprehensive summer movie guide, and we've broken down everything you need to know.

May: The Season Kicks Off Big

May is already proving to be a powerhouse month. Devil Wears Prada 2 explores how the fashion and media landscape has shifted since the first film, with Miranda Priestly navigating a world transformed by social media and digital disruption. Mortal Kombat II is delivering hard with fans calling it the best video game movie ever. And The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has already crossed the $1 billion mark, becoming the first film of 2026 to hit that milestone.

Also hitting theaters: The Sheep Detectives, an animated film that's been quietly building buzz, and Project Hail Mary — the sci-fi adaptation that IndieWire named among the best movies of 2026 so far.

June Through August: It Only Gets Bigger

June brings the mid-summer heavy hitters, including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, which is positioned as the crown jewel of the summer. The IMAX-shot Bronze Age epic featuring Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson alongside Damon and Holland is expected to dominate the box office.

July sees a mix of original stories and franchise entries, while August rounds out the season with a combination of late-summer crowd-pleasers and early awards-season contenders. The AP guide notes that this summer's lineup is notable for its diversity — big franchises coexist with bold original films, giving audiences real choices every weekend.

Whether you're a sequel person, an original-story purist, or somewhere in between, summer 2026 has you covered. The only problem? Finding time to see everything.