While 2025 already has some big blockbusters planned, many of the biggest ongoing franchises will take the year off and return in 2026 or later. There are many exciting sequels set for 2025, such as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Other big franchises are expected to return with reboots, like James Gunn's Superman. Despite the arrival of these eye-catching cinematic events, fans of certain franchises face long waits.
The Hollywood strikes of 2023 have delayed the development of major franchises across all sectors, and the film industry is still feeling the effects. There are many franchises that were supposed to return in 2025, but have now been delayed for at least another year. Fast and Furious, Scream and many other franchises are now forcing their fans to wait a little longer.
10
Planet of the Apes
Next film to be announced
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sent the franchise in an entirely new direction, leaving Caesar's story behind and moving forward into the future. The new era of Planet of the Apes the franchise could be another trilogy, focusing more on Noa and potentially the human Mae. The sequel will likely arrive in 2027and there are suggestions that it could just be the second part of a new trilogy, although it's too early to be sure of any details.
There are many other big franchises that delivered films in 2024 and will take time off in 2025, including Dune, Ghostbusters and the Monstroverse.
Since Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was released in 2024, it's no surprise that there won't be another film in 2025. There are plenty of other big franchises that delivered films in 2024 and will have a break in 2025. Denis Villeneuve's follow-up to his Dune duology is still a few years away, the Ghostbusters franchise is working on another sequel, and the Monstroverse franchise is also taking a break after Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire.
9
Toy Story
Toy Story 5 Release Date: June 19, 2026
Many Pixar fans thought the Toy Story the franchise would end with the fourth film, but that's also what people thought Toy Story 3. Instead, Pixar's biggest franchise will get even bigger with the release of Toy Story 5 in 2026, with studio mainstay Andrew Stanton returning to direct. Toy Story 4 was released in 2019, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see Woody and Buzz back on screen.
2025 will see Pixar release the sci-fi adventure Elioand Funnels will be released in 2026 before Toy Story 5.
Toy Story isn't the only major Pixar franchise with a new film on the horizon, as Incredibles 3 has also been officially confirmed. Before any of these franchises return, Pixar has two original films on the way. 2025 will see the release of the sci-fi adventure Elioand Funnels will be released in 2026 before Toy Story 5. Toy Story 4 ends with Woody and Buzz going in different directions, so it will be interesting to see how the sequel follows their stories.
8
Scream
Scream 7 Release Date: February 27, 2026
The reset of Scream and Scream VI was released in consecutive years, but fans of the slasher franchise are being forced to wait a little longer for the next sequel, Shout 7. The two most recent Scream The films bring back classic characters from the beginning of the franchise, but there are also some new faces that offer the opportunity to tell new stories. There was a lot of drama behind the scenes before Scream 7, and this is reflected in the cast.
There was a lot of drama behind the scenes before Scream 7, and this is reflected in the cast.
Melissa Barrera was controversially fired before Scream 7, and Jenna Ortega also left the franchise under suspicious circumstances, with some sources claiming she grew tired of a pay dispute. This is the reason Neve Campbell gave for not being involved in Scream VI, although she will be back for the next sequel. It remains to be seen exactly how all these casting changes will influence the story.
7
The Avengers
Avengers: Doomsday Release Date: May 1, 2026
Although the MCU has a few projects planned for 2025, including the Fantastic Four restart and Captain America: Brave New World, the Avengers the franchise won't return until 2026. Despite this long wait, there's already a lot of excitement building for Avengers: Judgment Day. The announcement that Doctor Doom would finally be coming to the MCU was exciting enough for some fans, but the added bonus that the role would be played by Robert Downey Jr.
The latest Avengers: Judgment Day the news is that Chris Evans will also return to the franchise, although he will not play Captain America again. Just like with Robert Downey Jr.'s casting, this is a small but interesting detail and has caused a flurry of fan theories. These theories will likely continue to rise throughout 2025 as more information is revealed and the other Marvel films provide more clues about the direction of Phase 6.
6
Fast and Furious
Untitled Fast X sequel release date: 2026
Although the next Fast and Furious The film was originally planned for release in 2025, but was delayed as a result of the Hollywood strikes that took place in 2023. Fast 11 – as some fans are referring to the untitled sequel – now appears set for a 2026 release, although the exact date has not been confirmed. Since Fast ends on a cliffhanger, this long wait is particularly hard to bear for fans of the franchise.
Since Fast ends on a cliffhanger, this long wait is particularly hard to bear for fans of the franchise.
Fast 11 will be the last film in the main series of Fast and Furious franchisealthough there are still some spinoffs in the works. There have been reports of a spin-off focusing on the franchise's female characters for a few years now, and Dwayne Johnson has stated that he is excited about the idea of Hobbs & Reyes, a spinoff that would combine his character with Jason Momoa's flamboyant villain from Fast X. Johnson and Momoa will appear in 2026 Quick 11, and Gal Gadot is also expected to return.
5
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Release Date: November 20, 2026
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Birds and Snakes brought back the immensely successful young adult franchise after eight years of dormancy, and is set to continue with another sequel in 2026. Sunrise at Harvest film has been confirmed though the book will not be released until March 2025. Suzanne Collins has revealed enough plot details to excite fans of the original trilogy.
Sunrise at Harvest takes place 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games history.
Sunrise at Harvest takes place 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games story, and follows the second Quarter Quell in the Games. This means that fans will finally be able to see a young Haymitch Abernathy competing in an unusual edition of the Hunger Games with twice as many participants as usual. Casting the right actor to play the role of Woody Harrelson will be the film's first big challenge, but fans will have to wait until the end of 2026 to see the results.
4
Batman
The Batman – Part II Release date: October 2, 2026
Robert Pattinson's first film as Batman was a huge success in 2022, both financially and critically. In this context, four years seems like a long time to wait for the sequel, especially since Batman gives some hints about the future of the franchise. Batman – Part II appears to be the second film in a trilogy, although not much else is known about the sequel at this time.
A popular theory about Batman – Part II is that the provocation of the first film about the Joker, played by Barry Keoghan, will be worth it.
Although Batman left more than two years ago, the franchise remained relevant with the spinoff series The penguin, which was as well received as the film. The penguin prepare the Batman sequel in some interesting ways, with Oz Cobb solidifying his power and several other villains being teased. A popular theory about Batman – Part II is that the provocation of the first film about the Joker, played by Barry Keoghan, will be worth it.
3
James Bond
Next film to be announced
Daniel Craig took his bow as James Bond in 2021 There's no time to die, and there is still no concrete news about who will succeed him as 007 in the next era of the franchise. In the franchise's 62-year history, there has never been a period of more than six years without a film. This record could be at risk if the news doesn't start arriving soon. There will be no James Bond film in 2025, and 2026 might also be too soon.
The cast for Bond 26 It's taking longer than some fans predicted, but it's a decision that will likely come under intense scrutiny after Daniel Craig put his stamp on the character. Craig is often listed as one of the best Bonds, alongside Sean Connery, so his successor will need to fit the bill. Once the mystery actor is officially announced, other places could start to fall into place, such as new cast updates and plot details.
2
Super Mario
Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 Release Date: April 3, 2026
There was only one Super Mario Bros. film so far, but it already appears to have a lot of franchise potential. With a box office gross of US$1.36 billion, it was almost certain that The Super Mario Bros. movie there would be a sequel, but there are many characters who could also have their own spinoffsdepending on how the franchise chooses to develop. Hollywood's video game adaptation curse finally appears to be ending, and Super Mario Bros. can benefit.
Mario fans will be excited to see some more popular characters make their big screen debut, with Yoshi, Princess Daisy, and Waluigi among the most likely additions.
The Super Mario Bros. movie will be in theaters in 2026, and the extensive backlog of Super Mario Games mean there are dozens of possible stories. Mario fans will be excited to see some more popular characters make their big screen debut, with Yoshi, Princess Daisy, and Waluigi among the most likely additions. If there are more fun characters and locations, another billion dollars could be at stake.
1
Star Wars
Mandalorian and Grogu release date: May 22, 2026
It's been 5 years since Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, but fans still have a long wait until the franchise returns to the big screen. There have been several Disney+ shows in the years since to keep the franchise alive, and one of the most successful shows is providing the foundation for the next film. The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled for release in summer 2026.
After The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next Star Wars it looks like the film will focus on Daisy Ridley's character, Rey.
There are several nearby Star Wars films on the horizon, although many previously announced projects now appear to be in limbo. After The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next Star Wars It looks like the film will focus on Daisy Ridley's character Rey, and this could be the first in a new trilogy. Hopefully, Star Wars films will return in the coming years because many interesting ideas have been proposed with big names attached to directing.