The Best Things Still Coming in 2026: Games, Movies and TV Shows to Get Excited About

Summer has passed, but 2026 is nowhere near over, especially in the entertainment sector. The last four months of the year have been notorious for epic releases, and this year is no different. So, if you’re like me and have been wondering what games, movies, and television series you need to mark your calendar for as the year comes to a close—look no further. Here are the games, movies, and TV shows you should be excited about in the upcoming months.

Games

Marvel’s Wolverine — September 15

This PlayStation exclusive by Insomniac Games has been a long time coming ever since the studio’s success with its Spider-Man games. This game will take place in the same universe as its Spider-Man games, but as far as we know, there is no crossover (yet). It does look like there will be a heavy Jean Grey presence, which, if you’ve seen the newest Spider-Man movie, seems to be something they have in common, at least.

Silent Hill: Townfall — September 24

Unlike the typical Silent Hill story, this game takes place in a small Scottish town named St. Amelia, and to make it even more interesting, it’s set in 1996. Townfall is presented in first person, so as your character, Simon Ordell, explores the creepy town with his retro, portable TV used to detect dangers, it’ll feel a bit more personal.

Gears of War: E-Day — October 6

A familiar franchise set in an unfamiliar time, this newest release of the iconic third-person shooter takes place 14 years before the original game. E-Day stands for Emergence Day—the moment an alien race known as the Locust Horde launches a surprise attack on the planet Sera. Although the setting is a bit unfamiliar, the two leads are not, as it follows a young Marcus Fenix and his childhood friend, Dominic Santiago. Honestly—who doesn’t love a good backstory?

Phantom Blade Zero — October 29

Phantom Blade Zero is a hack-and-slash action RPG where you play as an assassin in a dark martial arts underworld. Initially, it will only release on PlayStation and PC, but as a timed console exclusive, after one year it will release on other platforms.

Grand Theft Auto VI — November 19

Hands down, this is likely the biggest release in the gaming world for the entire year. Taking players back to Vice City, the GTA version of Miami, this story will follow two protagonists this time around, and for once, one of them will be a woman. Yep, that’s right: for the first time, GTA has a female protagonist, and honestly—I think it’s a great way to expand their player pool. I mean, I’m certainly going to give it a try.

Movies

Resident Evil — September 18

Director Zach Cregger went into this film with a clear goal: to make a film that captures what it’s like to play a Resident Evil game. It is a brand-new story that follows a medical courier named Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, who, of course, ends up in a survival-type situation. But in this film, there won’t be endless ammo, and Bryan will have to manage what he has wisely.

Godzilla Minus Zero — November 6

Taking place two years after the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, this film is sure to be a sequel worth watching. Although, if you’re a Godzilla fan and aren’t familiar with the style of the first film, just know he’s lacking a bit of the heroic, protective instincts you’re probably used to with this giant reptile.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping — November 20

Right around Thanksgiving, one of the biggest films of the year hits theaters, and it’s none other than this long-awaited Hunger Games prequel. Well, maybe not so long-awaited, given that the novel was released in March 2025 and we are already getting the film not even two years later—but for those of us who read the novel last year, it feels like it.

This prequel takes place a few decades before the events of the original Hunger Games, and it follows a teenage Haymitch as he faces a special Quarter Quell version of the Games—and by special, I mean double the tributes.

Focker-in-Law — November 25

This is the fourth installment in the Meet the Fockers franchise, and if you feel like it’s been a while since the third was released—it has—16 years, in fact. This time around, Ben Stiller, who plays Greg, is no longer vying for the approval of his father-in-law, played by Robert De Niro, but rather, he is the one disapproving of his son’s choice of partner. And his son’s partner is none other than Ariana Grande. An interesting mix when it comes to the cast, for sure, but it should make for a pretty entertaining and nostalgic watch.

Dune: Part Three — December 18

Making up the first part of a day we have all decided to call Dunesday, this film will conclude Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy. Taking place 17 years after the last film, this story will follow Paul Atreides while he is at the height of his power after taking control of the Imperium. As for the cast, it is even more stacked than the prior films—besides the return of Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, Jason Momoa will also return (despite the fact that his character died), plus Robert Pattinson will join them, playing the villain known as Scytale. All I can say is…Pattinson has really changed it up from the sparkling vampire we once knew and loved.

Avengers: Doomsday — December 18

Dunesday, if you hadn’t guessed, refers to the dual release on December 18 that is sure to break the box office—with Dune: Part Three hitting theaters on the same day as the newest Avengers film. And honestly, I’m not trying to stir the pot or anything, but—this is probably the biggest film in the past decade—so I am not sure if Dune really stands a chance.

If you don’t believe me, simply Google the cast list—literally everyone ‘returns in Avengers: Doomsday.’ It is going to be a multiverse explosion, and once again, Marvel is doing something no other franchise has managed to do successfully—it’s merging multiple film universes into one, from the OG X-Men, the new Fantastic Four, the Avengers, possibly Deadpool, and who knows who else. Even though the released cast list includes 31 huge named actors, I have a feeling some of their biggest names have been left off—because, I mean, c’mon, it’s Marvel—they can’t do a film like this without a few epic surprises.

Jumanji: Open World — December 25

Christmas Day has always been a big day at the box office, and of course, this year is no different. Jack Black, Dwayne Johnson, and Kevin Hart return in this adventure comedy for the fourth time. It’s a bit unexpected to have a fourth film, but hey, I’m not complaining. Although it is being said that it will be the final film in this Jumanji franchise, so let’s hope they give us a worthy finale.

TV Shows

Carrie — October 7 — Prime Video

This eight-episode series, produced by Mike Flanagan, adapts a classic novel, but it does so in a modern world. It will follow Carrie as she faces bullying in the age of social media while also coming to terms with her newfound telekinetic abilities. It’s a horror, of course, just in time for spooky season.

VisionQuest — October 14 — Disney+

Recently introduced at D23, this new series will conclude a three-part MCU story arc that many of us didn’t realize was happening. WandaVision started a chain of events that eventually led to the events in Agatha All Along, and apparently to this new series that follows White Vision. At the end of WandaVision, White Vision was introduced and given the memories from the artificial Vision Wanda created—but then he flew off, and we never knew what happened. Well, this is the story of what happened next.

Crystal Lake — October 15 — Peacock

To ramp up spooky season even further, Peacock is releasing this Friday the 13th prequel that follows Pamela Voorhees and tells the story of how she eventually becomes the killer fans know her as. Linda Cardellini is the star, and honestly, that’s enough for me to be interested—because, I mean, it’s not like Jason will be in it (at least I hope not).

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 — November 11 — Prime Video

This third season is said to be the darkest one yet. Set five years after the fall of Eregion, Middle-earth is now a full-on war zone as Sauron’s armies attempt to conquer it. From the looks of it, this might be the moment Sauron finally forges the One Ring (yes, that one).

Blade Runner 2099 — November 25 — Prime Video

Prime Video has decided to make November its month because, just weeks after they release The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, they will drop this nostalgic return to the world of Blade Runner. This eight-episode series is set 50 years after the events of Blade Runner 2049, and it will follow a fugitive named Cora who eventually takes on the identity of a Blade Runner.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — December 25 — HBO

After enjoying the holiday and seeing Jumanji in theaters, what better way to spend your Christmas evening than watching the new remake of what I believe to be the biggest book series of all time?

HBO has some massive shoes to fill with this one, and not only that, but it’s going to be an extensive project. Season 1, which consists of eight episodes in total, only covers Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, and in case you’ve forgotten, there are seven years. So, if all goes well, we will be able to follow this series for the next decade. Honestly, as an OG fan, it’s both exciting and scary at the same time. It is such a precious franchise that is close to many of our hearts, and I think it is going to be hard to accept a new version… But I am sure all of us will watch regardless.

There you have it. For anyone who was feeling a little blue that summer has passed, hopefully this list has lifted your spirits a bit as you look towards the rest of 2026. I know it has for me! Dunesday, here we come!