Written by: Maya Paddon
Summer 2026 is jam-packed with some major cinematic blockbusters releasing throughout the next few months. Read more to learn about the top five films to check out during the summer months!
1. Disclosure Day
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo
Spielberg’s 35th feature film is a sci-fi thriller in which humanity must face the consequences posed by alien life forms. His first film since 2022’s The Fabelmans, Disclosure Day will depict the supposed ‘day’ in which global government systems reveal key information about extraterrestrial activity. This will mark Spielberg's return to the sci-fi genre, which he has already explored through massive blockbusters like 1982’s E.T. and 1993’s Jurassic Park.
2. Toy Story 5
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Rated: PG
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee
The beloved Pixar franchise is set to continue with its fifth film, which will follow the fan-favourite characters resisting the impacts of new technologies prevalent in children’s lives. The toys will join forces to prevent Bonnie, their kid, from becoming addicted to her new iPad named Lilypad.
The movie is also set to include a brand new Taylor Swift song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You” ; news that was just recently revealed after numerous ‘easter eggs’ were spotted on billboards and across social media platforms.
3. The Odyssey
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Rated: PG-13/R
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
Christopher Nolan returns with his 13th directorial feature to share the centuries-old Greek epic. It follows Odysseus, King of Ithaca, on his intense journey home after the Trojan War.
Additionally, the film was shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras, becoming the first movie to do so. With a stacked cast composed of not only the above names, but also Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliott Page, and even a cameo from rapper Travis Scott, the film is expected to be a major success both financially and in the pop culture universe.
4. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon
Tom Holland and Zendaya are set to have a massive July with both The Odyssey and the new Spider-Man movie set to release just two weeks apart. Picking up a few years after No Way Home, Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film will follow an adult Peter Parker as he secretly fights crime throughout New York. He will experience a genetic mutation that causes physical transformations while also navigating violence around the city.
5. The Dog Stars
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Rating: R
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley
Based on a book with the same title, The Dog Stars will follow a group of people living in a post-apocalyptic environment after a widespread pandemic wipes out the vast majority of humanity. Jacob Elordi will star as the protagonist, Hig, a pilot, supported by Josh Brolin as a stoic ex-marine, and Margaret Qualley as a medic and Hig’s love interest. The sci-fi thriller marks Ridley Scott’s return to directing since 2024’s Gladiator II.
Still looking for some movies to enjoy in the summer months? Here are a few bonus ones to check out:
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: June 26, 2026
Enola Holmes 3: July 1, 2026 - Netflix
Minions & Monsters: July 1, 2026
Moana (live-action): July 10, 2026
One Night Only: August 7, 2026
The End of Oak Street: August 14, 2026 - AppleTV+