The Criterion Collection at the beginning of the year published its traditional overview of the most anticipated pictures of 2026. The list turned out characteristic of the publication: alongside Hollywood giants stand auteur projects, many French and international productions, literary adaptations and experiments. By the end of October, some of the films have already been released, while others have taken on clearer contours. Here is the expanded picture.
Major Hollywood Events
Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey” became the main event of the summer. The film was released on 17 July 2026. Matt Damon plays Odysseus, Anne Hathaway — Penelope, Tom Holland — Telemachus. The cast also includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and others. The picture was shot entirely on 70-mm IMAX cameras and became the most expensive of the director's career. By October, its worldwide box office had exceeded 1,5 billion dollars, and Damon's performance is being actively discussed in the context of the coming awards season.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's “The Bride!” was released in March. It is a loose interpretation of “The Bride of Frankenstein,” with the action moved to Chicago of the 1930s. Jessie Buckley in the lead role (and several others), Christian Bale — as Frankenstein's creature. The film turned out eccentric, musical and feminist, with elements of gangster drama. Reviews were divided: some praised the boldness and energy, others found the picture chaotic. At the box office it did not meet expectations.
Emerald Fennell's “Wuthering Heights” premiered in February. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the lead roles. The director made an overtly stylized, sensual and at times provocative version. Critics noted the visual boldness and the chemistry of the performers, but purists of the novel remained displeased with the liberties taken. The picture became one of the most discussed releases of the first half of the year.
“The Adventures of Cliff Booth” — David Fincher's project based on a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino. Brad Pitt returns to the role of the stuntman from “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Filming and post-production went on throughout the year, with release expected closer to the end of 2026 or at the beginning of the next.
Steven Spielberg's “Disclosure Day” — the director's return to science fiction about first contact with aliens. The project long remained in the shadows, but by autumn information about it began to appear actively.
Alejandro González Iñárritu's “The Digger” with Tom Cruise was released in early October. It is a comedy of “catastrophic proportions.” Cruise in an unusual register for himself, alongside him — a strong ensemble (including Riz Ahmed and others).
Separately, it is worth mentioning the projects that Criterion traditionally keeps in view: the continuation of work on Terrence Malick's film about Jesus, new projects by Jia Zhangke, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Payal Kapadia.
What this says about the 2026 year
The year turned out to be transitional. On the one hand — the return of large, technically ambitious forms (Nolan, Spielberg, Iñárritu). On the other — a strong interest in literary reinterpretations (“The Odyssey,” “Wuthering Heights,” “The Bride!”) and in European auteur cinema, which actively attracts Hollywood and international directors.
Many of the pictures that made it onto Criterion's January list have by October either already been released, or received dates, or acquired a more concrete status. All that remains is to follow the autumn and winter releases — they are the ones that may determine how the film year will ultimately be remembered.
The list contains many French projects: Jim Jarmusch is shooting a “women's” film, Ryusuke Hamaguchi is working on “Suddenly” with Virginie Efira, and Asghar Farhadi — on “Parallel Stories” with Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Deneuve.
Ulrike Ottinger is preparing a comedic version of the legend of Countess Bathory with Isabelle Huppert, and Kirill Serebrennikov is shooting “Après” with Ludivine Sagnier and Louis Garrel.
Among other projects — Luca Guadagnino's “Artificial” about Sam Altman with Andrew Garfield, as well as works by Pedro Almodóvar, Lisandro Alonso and Na Hong-jin.
Many films are being shot in France by authors from other countries, which underscores the global interest in European cinema.
The list shows how the 2026 year combines blockbusters with auteur cinema, classical retellings and topical themes.
Tickets for Nolan's “The Odyssey” are already almost sold out for IMAX screenings, which speaks to high audience interest.
This is not simply a list of premieres, but a reflection of trends: a return to large forms, literary adaptations and social themes.
For viewers seeking variety — from epic adventures to intimate dramas — the 2026 year looks especially rich.
It remains to be seen which of these projects will live up to expectations and become the events of the year.
