LOS ANGELES, CA — Hollywood's biggest stars take center stage this fall. Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Mahershala Ali, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Andrew Garfield and Robert Pattinson are stepping into roles infused with magic, danger, high emotion and blockbuster energy.
With star wattage this dazzling, studios are rolling out some of their most ambitious releases of the year — a slate built for big audiences, big moments and big box‑office impact.
From the enchantment and generational drama of "Practical Magic 2" to the survival‑driven intensity of "Heart of the Beast," from the sharp satire of "Digger" to the moral tension of "The Social Reckoning," and the faith‑driven action thriller of "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," these are the buzziest and most anticipated movies of fall 2026.
Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman; directed by Susanne Bier
"Practical Magic 2" follows the Owens family as a new disturbance pushes them beyond the familiar borders of coastal Massachusetts. Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock), determined to keep magic at the edges of her daughters' lives, is forced to confront its return when Kylie (Joey King) begins exhibiting abilities tied to the family's earliest lineage. Gillian (Nicole Kidman) joins Sally as the family travels to the UK, where older coven ties and ancestral records come into play.
The story shifts from domestic interiors to landscapes shaped by inherited history, with Susanne Bier focusing on ritual, responsibility, and the resurfacing of long‑dormant forces. The narrative centers on Kylie's emerging abilities and the family's attempt to understand the origins they once kept at a distance.
"Practical Magic 2" is in theaters Sept. 11.
Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell, Cosmo Jarvis; directed by Paul Greengrass
Paul Greengrass turns his visceral, vérité‑infused filmmaking toward one of the most explosive chapters in English history in "The Uprising," a dramatization of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. Andrew Garfield stars as a ploughman whose clash with a tax collector sparks a rebellion that spreads across England, drawing ordinary citizens into a fight against the ruling council of young King Richard II. Jamie Bell appears as radical priest John Ball, and Cosmo Jarvis as rebel leader Wat Tyler, rounding out a cast that traces the movement's surge toward London and the confrontation that follows.
Greengrass, whose work on "United 93" and the "Bourne" films helped define a modern style of urgent, immersive cinema, brings his signature immediacy to the uprising's progression, depicting the volatility of a society pushed past its limits.
"The Uprising" is in theaters Sept. 11.
Liam Neeson, Zachary Levi, Annet Mahendru; directed by Guy Moshe
"The Fix" follows a team of former CIA operatives (Liam Neeson, Zachary Levi, and Annet Mahendru) pulled back into action when a new job surfaces: an unsanctioned mission in Tehran built around a high‑risk rescue and a buried score tied to their failed operation in Afghanistan — a chance at redemption they can't afford to miss.
Developed from a story by former CIA Intelligence Special Operations Group officer Bazzel Baz, the film draws on real‑world expertise from ex–special forces and intelligence personnel, grounding its cast and creative team in the hard edges of a true action thriller.
"The Fix" is in theaters Sept. 11.
Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher; directed by Will Lovelace & Dylan Southern
When Oasis returned to the stage in 2025, the reunion landed with the kind of cultural force only a band of their stature could generate. "Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger" follows that moment from the inside, with directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern shaping a documentary built around rehearsal sessions, backstage footage, and the first joint interview between Liam and Noel Gallagher in more than fifteen years. Structured by Steven Knight — the screenwriter behind the acclaimed "Locke" — the film traces the brothers' return to performing together after a long separation, capturing the lead‑up to the band's reunion tour.
"Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger" is in theaters September 11.
Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser; directed by Zach Cregger
Zach Cregger's "Resident Evil" reimagines the Raccoon City outbreak through a grounded survival‑horror framework, following Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier whose routine delivery run collapses into a fight for his life as a viral catastrophe overtakes the city. Working from a script co‑written with Shay Hatten, Cregger introduces a new storyline within the franchise while drawing on elements from Capcom's original game. Abrams leads a cast that includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser, centering the outbreak's escalation on Bryan's attempt to navigate the chaos. Positioned as the second reboot of the long‑running series, "Resident Evil" marks the franchise's latest theatrical entry.
"Resident Evil" is in theaters Sept. 18.
Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour; directed by Steve Cox & Matthew Walker
Aardman's latest feature returns to Mossy Bottom Farm with "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom," a Halloween‑set adventure that begins when the Farmer's pumpkin patch is destroyed and strange activity is spotted in the woods beyond the farm. Shaun, Bitzer, and the flock set out to investigate, pulling the story into a mystery involving a creature roaming the forest.
Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, the film features the series' signature slapstick comedy, a score by Natalie Holt, and Aardman's handcrafted stop‑motion style. Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour reprise their roles, joined by new characters introduced into the Mossy Bottom world. Produced by Aardman Animations and released by StudioCanal, the film marks the studio's third Shaun feature.
"Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom" is in theaters Sept. 18.
Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe, Julia Jones; directed by Padraic McKinley
Set in Oregon in 1933, "The Weight" follows Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke), a father separated from his daughter and forced into a brutal work camp where survival is uncertain. When the warden offers him a chance at release, Murphy is tasked with escorting a group of prisoners through remote wilderness to transport the warden's gold, a job that places him among men he cannot trust.
Hawke plays Murphy with a measured stillness, while Russell Crowe appears as Warden Clancy, whose authority drives the mission forward. Directed by Padraic McKinley, the film centers on Murphy's effort to navigate the terrain and the volatile group he must lead.
"The Weight" is in theaters Sept. 18.
Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Anna Lambe; directed by David Ayer
"Heart of the Beast" follows Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and Odin, a retired combat dog, after their aircraft goes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Injured and isolated, Belmont must navigate severe terrain and hostile conditions while relying on Odin for protection and support. Directed by David Ayer from Cameron Alexander's 2017 Black List script, the film centers on the pair's effort to survive long enough to reach safety as predators and the elements close in. J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe appear in supporting roles connected to Belmont's life before the crash.
"Heart of the Beast" is in theaters Sept. 25.
Mahershala Ali, Giancarlo Esposito; directed by Bassam Tariq
"Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" follows Latif (Mahershala Ali), a contract killer and newly single father whose latest job collides with the urgent realities of caring for his infant child. After his wife's sudden death, he's left navigating grief, faith, and survival while taking on an assignment tied to a radical Houston pastor.
Director Bassam Tariq grounds the thriller in domestic stakes, tracing how violence, responsibility, and devotion intersect as Latif tries to protect the fragile life he's building for his family.
"Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" is in theaters Sept. 25.
Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo; directed by Lance Oppenheim
"Primetime" dramatizes the real events surrounding NBC's "To Catch a Predator" and the fallout from the Murphy, Texas sting — the operation at the center of Luke Dittrich's Esquire investigation. Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson), the host whose on‑camera confrontations turned sting operations into primetime television, pushes his team toward increasingly volatile setups as he tries to sustain the show's momentum. Andie Bender (Merritt Wever), his producer, works to keep the production steady amid growing ethical and logistical strain, while Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo), an aspiring actor hired as a decoy, becomes a focal point for the human cost of the show's escalating ambitions.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film renders mid‑2000s network news with a stylized unease, tracing how the pursuit of spectacle and exposure shaped the decisions behind the Murphy sting and its aftermath.
"Primetime" is in theaters Sept. 25.
H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco; directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado
"Forgotten Island" is a 2026 DreamWorks Animation feature set in the 1990s Philippines, following best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) as they are transported through a portal to Nakali, a mystical island rooted in Filipino mythology. The longer they remain, the more the island erases their memories, including those of their friendship.
Directed and written by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film incorporates creatures from Philippine folklore such as Batibat, Tiyanak, and Manananggal, with Dave Franco voicing Raww, a werewolf‑aspin created for the film. The story centers on Jo and Raissa's attempt to return home before their memories entirely disappear, framing the danger of Nakali around the bond the two girls are fighting to preserve.
"Forgotten Island" is in theaters Sept. 25.
Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller; directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu
"Digger" is a satirical black comedy centered on Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise), a wealthy oil tycoon whose actions have triggered a global crisis. As the consequences escalate, Rockwell races to prove he can avert the disaster he set in motion.
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu from a screenplay by Iñárritu, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris, and Nicolás Giacobone, the film features Riz Ahmed as Ganesh, a scientist and assistant to the President, and Sandra Hüller as Emma Rockwell, Digger's sister.
"Digger" is in theaters Oct. 2.
Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett; directed by Michael Showalter
"Verity" centers on Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), a bestselling author whose sudden incapacitation leaves her unfinished book series in need of a replacement. Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a writer brought in to complete the work, arrives at the Crawford home and discovers a hidden manuscript that reads like a confession, pulling her deeper into Verity's private world.
Directed by Michael Showalter, the film follows Lowen's growing unease inside the house as Verity's husband, Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), becomes increasingly central to the tension surrounding the manuscript and Verity's condition. Volker Bertelmann provides the score, shaping the film's atmosphere as Lowen pieces together the truth behind what she has found.
"Verity" is in theaters Oct. 2.
Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong; written and directed by Aaron Sorkin
"The Social Reckoning" dramatizes the events surrounding the Facebook Files, centering on Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), the former Facebook employee who disclosed internal documents detailing the company's practices. The film follows Haugen's decision to work with reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), whose coverage brought the documents into public view.
Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the story traces their collaboration as they navigate the risks of releasing information that would become a major tech‑industry whistleblower case. Jeremy Strong portrays Mark Zuckerberg, whose role as Facebook's chief executive shapes the stakes of the revelations.
"The Social Reckoning" is in theaters Oct. 9.
Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Shue; directed by Brian Duffield
"Whalefall" follows Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams), a young diver who ventures into the waters off the California coast to retrieve the remains of his late father (Josh Brolin). The dive turns catastrophic when Jay is swallowed by a massive sperm whale, leaving him trapped in the creature's belly with only an hour of oxygen and the survival lessons his father taught him. Directed by Brian Duffield and adapted from Daniel Kraus's novel, the film blends claustrophobic tension with an emotional father‑son story.
"Whalefall" is in theaters Oct. 16, 2026.
Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella; directed by James Watkins
"Clayface" follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), a rising Hollywood actor whose career collapses after he is brutally disfigured in an attack. Desperate to restore his face and reclaim the life he has lost, Hagen turns to Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie), a fringe scientist whose experimental treatment initially repairs the damage before triggering a horrifying transformation that renders his body unstable and clay-like. As Hagen's condition worsens, Detective John Borelli (Max Minghella) investigates the violent fallout surrounding the actor's mutation. Directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film marks the third entry in the DC Universe's Chapter One slate.
"Clayface" is in theaters Oct. 23.
Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang; directed by Kitao Sakurai
Set in 1993, "Street Fighter" follows Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) and Ryu (Andrew Koji), estranged brothers‑in‑training whose rivalry is interrupted when Chun‑Li (Callina Liang) draws them into the World Warrior Tournament — a globe‑spanning competition hiding a deeper conspiracy. As fighters from across the world converge, the tournament's shadowy architect, M. Bison (David Dastmalchian), rises as a threat whose reach extends far beyond the ring, while figures like Akuma and Guile crash into the story with the force of living legend.
Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the film blends martial‑arts spectacle with a kinetic, wuxia‑inflected style: bodies bending physics, neon slicing through the frame, every strike carrying the weight of old grudges and new betrayals. The result is a martial‑arts epic that channels the franchise's core appeal — the sincerity, the spectacle, and the belief that a single fight can change everything.
"Street Fighter" is in theaters Oct. 16.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali; directed by Travis Knight
Based on Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis's novel, "Wildwood" follows Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a Portland teenager who enters the Impassable Wilderness after her baby brother is carried off by a murder of crows. Joined by her classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay), she discovers a hidden realm of talking animals, bandits and fractured leadership, where Alexandra (Carey Mulligan), a grieving governess, threatens to plunge the forest into war. Directed by Travis Knight, the film marks LAIKA's most ambitious stop‑motion project yet.
"Wildwood" is in theaters Oct. 23, 2026.
Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Mia Tharia; directed by Taika Waititi
In "Klara and the Sun," Jenna Ortega plays Klara, a solar‑powered Artificial Friend created to offer companionship in a society where isolation has quietly become the norm. When she is brought home by Josie (Mia Tharia), a teenager living with a precarious illness, Klara becomes a watchful presence in a household defined by uncertainty, the guarded resolve of Josie's mother (Amy Adams) and the emotional fault lines that shape their lives. As Josie's condition worsens, Klara's unwavering devotion pushes her toward a plan that tests the boundaries between programmed purpose and something closer to belief.
Taika Waititi directs from a script he co‑wrote with Dahvi Waller, adapting Kazuo Ishiguro's novel into an intimate sci‑fi drama.
"Klara and the Sun" is in theaters Oct. 23, 2026.
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