Planning your 2026 watch list just got easier. This year brings an incredible lineup of blockbuster movies and must-watch TV shows, from Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday in December to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in May, plus the final season of Euphoria and the return of Toy Story. Knowing the release dates and scheduling helps you mark your calendar and never miss a premiere.
Whether you're counting down to Supergirl's big-screen debut in June, waiting for The Boys' final season in April, or planning a theater trip for Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary in March, staying on top of 2026's entertainment calendar means you're always ready. From streaming drops to theatrical releases, this guide covers everything you need to know about when and where to watch this year's biggest titles.
You know that feeling when you hear about an amazing movie or show, get super excited, then completely forget when it's actually coming out? That happens to me all the time. 2026 is packed with so many incredible releases that keeping track feels like a full-time job.
The good news is that this year's release dates and scheduling are finally settling into place. Studios have learned their lesson from previous years and are locking in dates earlier, giving us plenty of time to plan our viewing schedules. From superhero blockbusters to beloved franchises returning after years away, something is dropping almost every week. If you want a deeper look at what makes these titles special, check out our guide to the most anticipated movies and shows of 2026 you should watch.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about when to watch the most anticipated movies and shows of 2026.
Spring Kicks Off With Serious Heat
March and April are going to drain your wallet fast. These two months pack more star power and franchise blockbusters than most entire years used to have.
Project Hail Mary lands in theaters on March 13, and I'm already preparing myself emotionally. Ryan Gosling stars in this sci-fi thriller about a lone astronaut trying to save Earth from extinction. Director Phil Lord brings the same energy that made The Lego Movie unforgettable, which means you should expect something special.
April brings The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 1. After the first film crushed box office records, Nintendo and Illumination are taking Mario to space. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black all return, and honestly, the teaser alone gave me goosebumps.
Michael, the long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic, arrives April 18. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this one has been in development forever. The release dates and scheduling kept shifting, but it's finally locked in for spring.
Summer Belongs to Franchises
If you thought spring was intense, summer 2026 will empty your savings account. May through August delivers franchise sequel after franchise sequel, and theaters will be absolutely packed.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hittheaters May 22. This marks the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019, and director Dave Filoni is bringing everything fans loved about the Disney+ show to the big screen. Grogu merchandise alone will probably fund Disney for the next decade.
June gets wild with three major releases. Scary Movie 6 arrives June 12, bringing the Wayans brothers back to the franchise they created. Shawn and Marlon co-wrote this one, which means we're getting that original absurd humor we all miss.
Toy Story 5 drops June 19, because apparently, Pixar decided three perfect endings weren't enough. Andrew Stanton directs this time, and the plot focuses on toys competing with kids' tech gadgets. Tim Allen returns as Buzz, and knowing Pixar, I'll probably cry at least twice.
Supergirl closes out June on the 26th. Milly Alcock from House of the Dragon plays Kara Zor-El in James Gunn's DC Universe reboot. She travels the galaxy with Krypto the Superdog, and the early buzz suggests this could be something really special.
Blockbusters Keep Coming Through Fall
July and August continue the summer movie madness with even more highly anticipated titles that have been on fans' radar for years.
The Odyssey arrives July 17 from director Christopher Nolan. After Oppenheimer dominated awards season, Nolan tackles Homer's epic poem with his signature visual style. The cast remains under wraps, but knowing Nolan, expect something ambitious.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters July 25. The MCU's Spider-Man franchise keeps growing, and this one explores new territory for Peter Parker. Tom Holland returns, and the release dates and scheduling align perfectly with the wider Marvel plans.
August brings Coyote vs. Acme on August 22, the film that almost got shelved completely. Fan outcry saved this hybrid live-action/animation movie, and Warner Bros. finally gave it a proper theatrical release. John Cena stars alongside animated Looney Tunes characters.
Marvel Takes Over the Holidays
The final months of 2026 belong to Marvel, which is exactly what Disney wants as the holiday season approaches.
Avengers: Doomsday releases December 18, just in time for Christmas. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU, but this time as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. The Russo Brothers direct again, bringing back the team that made Endgame such a phenomenon.
This film represents the next major chapter in Marvel's storytelling. After several years of building up the multiverse concept through various shows and movies, Doomsday brings everything together. Expect this to be the biggest theatrical event of the entire year.
TV Shows Fill Every Gap
While movies get most of the attention, 2026's TV release dates and scheduling are equally impressive. Streaming services and networks are dropping major shows almost weekly.
Euphoria finally returns April 12 on HBO after a three-year wait. Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney come back, and creator Sam Levinson confirmed a five-year time jump. The show's production delays frustrated fans, but knowing HBO's track record, the wait will probably be worth it.
The Boys drops its final season starting April 8 on Prime Video. Butcher, Hughie, and the gang get two episodes on premiere day, then weekly releases follow. Supernatural fans will love that Jared Padalecki joins the cast alongside Jensen Ackles for one last hurrah.
Bridgerton Season 4 started dropping in late January, with Part B coming on February 26. Netflix split the season again, which some fans love, and others hate. Either way, the Regency drama continues dominating streaming numbers.
Daredevil: Born Again arrives March 24 on Disney+. Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock, along with Vincent D'Onofrio as Kingpin. Marvel's grittier corner of their universe gets a proper streaming series after years of uncertainty.
Network TV Holds Strong
Broadcast television isn't backing down in 2026. Networks are still delivering comfort shows that millions watch every week.
Scrubs returns February 25 on ABC as a full reboot. New characters, new hospital, but the same heart that made the original beloved. Zach Braff addressed whether original cast members might appear, keeping fans guessing.
Survivor Season 50 also premieres February 25 on CBS. This milestone season celebrates five decades of the reality competition that changed television. Jeff Probst promises something special for longtime fans.
NCIS continues its incredible run with Season 23B starting February 24. The franchise shows no signs of slowing down, with NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins also returning the same night. CBS owns Monday evenings completely.
Streaming Services Battle for Attention
Every major streaming platform loadeditsr 2026 calendars with exclusive content designed to keep subscribers hooked year-round.
Netflix will bring One Piece Season 2 sometime in 2026, though the exact date remains unannounced. The live-action anime adaptation surprised everyone with its quality, and fans are hungry for more Straw Hat Pirates adventures.
Ted Lasso Season 4 arrives on Apple TV+ this summer. Jason Sudeikis returns to Richmond FC after the supposedly final Season 3. Apple clearly wouldn't let the show end while it remains their biggest hit.
House of the Dragon Season 4 drops on HBO Max in summer 2026. The Game of Thrones prequel keeps expanding the Targaryen civil war story, and each season raises the stakes higher.
Amazon Prime Video will offer Fallout Season 2 at some point this year. The video game adaptation became one of 2025's surprise hits, and the production ramped up quickly to meet demand.
How to Track Everything
With so many release dates and scheduling changes happening constantly, staying updated requires some strategy. I bookmark a few reliable entertainment sites and check them weekly.
Studios sometimes shift dates based on competition or production delays. What's scheduled for May might move to June if another blockbuster claims that weekend first. Marvel and DC particularly like adjusting their calendars to avoid direct competition.
Streaming services tend to announce dates closer to actual premieres. They want to build hype in a shorter window, keeping shows trending on social media right before they drop.
Follow official social media accounts for your most anticipated titles. Studios announce date changes there first, often before entertainment news sites catch on.
Theater vs. Streaming Decisions
Some 2026 releases require tough choices about where to watch. Do you catch Supergirl opening weekend in theaters, or wait for it to hit streaming in a few months?
Big visual spectacles like The Odyssey and Avengers: Doomsday demand the theatrical experience. Christopher Nolan films especially benefit from IMAX screens and surround sound systems that home setups can't match.
Smaller character-driven films work fine on streaming. You might enjoy watching them at home, where you can pause for snacks or bathroom breaks without missing anything. For help deciding which releases deserve your theater budget, our breakdown of the 2026 movie calendar and what's actually worth your time offers honest recommendations.
TV shows obviously stay in your living room, though some networks are experimenting with theatrical events for season premieres and finales. It's worth checking if your favorite show offers any special viewing experiences.
The Year Ahead Looks Incredible
2026 offers something for everyone. Superhero fans get multiple Marvel and DC releases. Animation lovers have Pixar, Nintendo, and more. Drama enthusiasts can binge premium cable series.
The release dates and scheduling spread content throughout the year beautifully. There's rarely a dry spell longer than two weeks without something major dropping.
I've already started planning which theater trips are must-sees and which shows I'll binge when they complete their seasons. My calendar has more entertainment marked than actual life events, which probably says something about my priorities. If you're still building your watch list, don't miss our complete rundown of the most anticipated movies and shows of 2026 you can't miss.
Your 2026 viewing schedule is about to get packed. Whether you're team theaters or team streaming, this year delivers more quality entertainment than we've seen in ages. Mark those calendars, set those reminders, and get ready for twelve months of incredible content.
The best part is we're only in February. Ninety percent of this year's entertainment still lies ahead, waiting to surprise us, move us, or just give us a great escape from reality for a coupleof hours. That's what makes tracking release dates and scheduling so exciting - you're mapping out a year of adventures before they even begin.
