Biggest Movie Franchises Hitting Theaters in 2026
popular film franchises 2026
2026 is shaping up to be dominated by established animated franchises, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and high-profile biopics, with Toy Story 5, Avengers: Doomsday, and the Michael Jackson biopic leading the conversation.
Animated sequels like Super Mario Bros 2 and Minions 3 are expected to perform strongly despite franchise fatigue, with the Mario sequel projected to match or exceed the first film's $1.33B haul.
Video game adaptations and ongoing franchises like Dune are also positioned to grow, suggesting established IPs will continue to drive box office success.
Top Franchises to Watch
- Toy Story 5 Expected to continue the franchise's successful streak despite fatigue concerns
- Super Mario Bros 2 Projected to match or exceed the first film's $1.33B performance
- Minions 3 Predicted to make $100M less than Despicable Me 4 but still earn significantly
- Avengers: Doomsday Considered a guaranteed billion-dollar earner
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day Projected as a massive hit, though potentially lower than the last entry
- Michael (Jackson biopic) Compared to Queen's $900M success with even greater cultural reach
Anticipate the continued dominance of established animated franchises and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2026, alongside potential breakthroughs from video game adaptations and a biographical film about Michael Jackson.
Animated Powerhouses Reign
Toy Story 5 is expected to be a major success, defying franchise fatigue. "Toy Story 5 is going to far exceed the negative expectations of this sub; maybe it won't be a breakout hit, but it will continue the streak of 3 and 4."
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will likely replicate its predecessor's success. "Super Mario Bros 2 ($1.33B): It will make the same amount or slightly more than the first one."
Minions 3 continues to be a strong contender, despite potential fatigue. "Minions 3 is the same case as Toy Story 5, the franchise is already very tired and will make $100 million less than the last Despicable Me 4, but even so, THAT'S A LOT."
MCU's Enduring Influence
Avengers: Doomsday is highly anticipated to be a top earner. "Avengers: Doomsday is guaranteed to hit a billion."
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is also projected for significant box office success. "Spiderman: Brand New Day. Will be lower than the last entry but still a massive hit."
The MCU's overall strength is expected to persist. "MCU will get only stronger I think."
Emerging Contenders
The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has significant box office potential. "I think Michael will be that big. There is no historical figure who can make that amount, there is no one as popular outside of Queen, and if Queen made $900 million, why wouldn't the person who changed popular culture forever?"
Dune is poised to solidify its place as a successful franchise. "The first thought that came to my head after reading your title was Dune, then I saw you mention it at the end of your post."
Video game adaptations are increasingly seen as a source for new franchises. "I think Video Game movies will start to get pretty good and we'll see a proliferation of them throughout the decade."
Is the increasing reliance on established IPs and sequels a concerning trend for original filmmaking?
Key takeaways
- Toy Story 5 expected to exceed negative expectations and continue franchise streak
- Super Mario Bros 2 projected around $1.33B, matching first film
- Avengers: Doomsday anticipated to hit a billion dollars
- Michael Jackson biopic could reach $900M based on Queen comparison
- Video game adaptations expected to proliferate throughout the decade
- MCU overall strength expected to continue growing
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating franchise fatigue resistance in animated sequels
- Dismissing the MCU's continued box office dominance
- Overlooking the potential of biopics featuring iconic musicians
Quick tips
- Watch for video game adaptations as a growing franchise category throughout the decade
- Track how established animated franchises perform against negative expectations
- Consider biopics about iconic musicians as serious box office contenders
FAQ
Will Toy Story 5 be a box office success in 2026?
Yes, Toy Story 5 is expected to exceed negative expectations and continue the success streak of the third and fourth films, even if it doesn't break out as a massive hit.
How much will Super Mario Bros 2 make at the box office?
Super Mario Bros 2 is projected to make around $1.33 billion, matching or slightly exceeding the first film's performance.
Is Avengers: Doomsday guaranteed to be a big hit?
Avengers: Doomsday is highly anticipated and expected to hit a billion dollars at the box office, reinforcing the MCU's continued strength.
Could the Michael Jackson biopic be a major success?
The Michael Jackson biopic has significant potential, with comparisons to the Queen biopic suggesting it could reach $900 million given Jackson's global popularity and cultural impact.
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