Scary Movie 6, The Odyssey lead summer movie preview 2026: must-see films this season

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• Early June: Spoofs, He-Men and New Faces
  • Scary Movie 6 — A new meta comedy
  • Masters of the Universe — He-Man reimagined
• Mid-June to Late June: Big-Name Directors and Live-Action Magic
  • Moana — Disney live-action adaption
  • Disclosure Day — Spielberg tackles aliens again
  • Toy Story 5 — Old friends vs. new tech
  • Supergirl — A darker, cosmic quest
• July: Family Hits and Epic Retellings
  • Minions and Monsters — Animated prequel caper
  • The Odyssey — Nolan’s take on a classic
  • Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Peter Parker faces change
• August: Horror, Romantic Comedy, and Returning Road Warriors
  • The Ice Cream Man — Summer horror with a twist
  • One Night Only — A dystopian rom-com
  • Super Troopers 3 — Back to absurd policing
  • The End of Oak Street — Sci-fi suburban survival
  • Coyote vs. Acme — From shelved project to courtroom comedy
  • The Wrong Girls — Kristen Stewart in a stoner comedy
• Late Summer Streaming and Disney Nostalgia
  • Camp Rock 3 — A musical reunion on screen
• Standouts to Watch: Directors, Stars and Trends

Summer 2026 promises a mix of throwback fun and fresh ideas on the big screen. From rebooted franchises that tug at millennial nostalgia to bold original comedies and tense sci-fi, the season is stacked for every taste. Here’s a journalist’s roundup of the titles to watch and why they matter.

Early June: Spoofs, He-Men and New Faces

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• Scary Movie 6 — A new meta comedy

  This long-running parody series returns with more pop culture jabs and familiar faces. Expect the film to lampoon recent hits while bringing back franchise regulars like Anna Faris and Regina Hall. (Theaters, June 5)

• Masters of the Universe — He-Man reimagined

  Fans are buzzing over a modern take on the classic toy-world epic. Nicholas Galitzine stars as the muscle-bound hero fighting Jared Leto’s Skeletor. The cast also includes Camila Mendes, Idris Elba and Allison Brie. (Theaters, June 5)

Mid-June to Late June: Big-Name Directors and Live-Action Magic

• Moana — Disney live-action adaption

  Disney brings the oceanic adventure to life with Dwayne Johnson reprising Maui. Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes the lead as the heroic Moana. (Theaters, June 10)

• Disclosure Day — Spielberg tackles aliens again

  Steven Spielberg returns to extraterrestrial themes with a mystery set on a future date when humanity could learn the truth. Emily Blunt and Colin Firth headline. (Theaters, June 12)

• Toy Story 5 — Old friends vs. new tech

  The beloved toys face obsolescence when a high-tech tablet threatens playtime. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voice Woody and Buzz once more as the gang fights to stay relevant. (Theaters, June 19)

• Supergirl — A darker, cosmic quest

  Milly Alcock leads as a hardened Supergirl on a vengeance-fueled trek across space, accompanied by her canine ally Krypto. (Theaters, June 26)

July: Family Hits and Epic Retellings

• Minions and Monsters — Animated prequel caper

  The Minions return to 1920s Hollywood for a madcap attempt to make a monster picture. New voice talent includes Jesse Eisenberg and Zoey Deutch. (Theaters, July 1)

• The Odyssey — Nolan’s take on a classic

  Christopher Nolan adapts the ancient epic with an ensemble cast. Expect awards-season buzz from stars like Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Zendaya. (Theaters, July 17)

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Peter Parker faces change

  Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, grappling with solo street-level crime and relationship shifts as friends move forward without him. (Theaters, July 31)

August: Horror, Romantic Comedy, and Returning Road Warriors

• The Ice Cream Man — Summer horror with a twist

  Eli Roth delivers a chilling summer shocker. A small town unravels after an ice cream vendor’s treats trigger horrific events. (Theaters, August 6)

• One Night Only — A dystopian rom-com

  This inventive rom-com sets two strangers on collision course in an alternate New York where one night’s rules change everything. Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner star. (Theaters, August 7)

• Super Troopers 3 — Back to absurd policing

  The rambunctious highway patrol is reunited for new pranks and schemes. Expect the series’ signature silliness, now with more chaotic family ties. (Theaters, August 7)

• The End of Oak Street — Sci-fi suburban survival

  Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor lead a fight for survival after a cosmic event displaces their neighborhood. (Theaters, August 14)

• Coyote vs. Acme — From shelved project to courtroom comedy

  After a hiatus, the live-action/animated hybrid returns. Will Forte anchors a cast that includes John Cena and Lana Condor in a legal-battle story rooted in cartoon chaos. (Theaters, August 28)

• The Wrong Girls — Kristen Stewart in a stoner comedy

  Kristen Stewart stars in this offbeat comedy from director Dylan Meyer. Two aimless women discover telepathic powers after trying an experimental drug. (Theaters, August 14)

Late Summer Streaming and Disney Nostalgia

• Camp Rock 3 — A musical reunion on screen

  Fifteen years after the original, the camp returns. Joe Jonas and his brothers come back to mentor a new generation chasing pop stardom. New music and surprise cameos are expected. (Disney+, August, date TBD)

Standouts to Watch: Directors, Stars and Trends

• Directors returning to big themes: Spielberg revisits aliens while Nolan adapts mythic material.

• Nostalgia sells: Franchises like Toy Story and legacy comedies aim to capture millennial audiences.

• Original voices: New rom-coms and comedies give emerging stars and creators room to surprise.