Long-awaited sequels to The Devil Wears Prada and Practical Magic, a romantic drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, and the cinematic spectacle that will be Wuthering Heights are among the most exciting new releases coming in 2026.
Hamnet
Arriving in Irish cinemas on Friday, January 9, Hamnet is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s critically lauded 2020 novel, which imagines the grief shared by William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway at the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet. Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, who has just won Best Actress at the Critics Choice Awards for her performance, Buckley pays special tribute to the film’s director in her acceptance speech: “Chloe Zhao, you have reminded me of the power of telling a story and the journey that you can go on to touch the deepest parts of what it is to be alive, thank you.”
People We Meet on Vacation
Landing on Netflix this weekend, the film adaptation of Emily Henry’s novel, People We Meet On Vacation, stars Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, and Sarah Catherine Hook. Poppy’s a free spirit. Alex loves a plan. After years of summer vacations, these polar-opposite pals wonder if they could be a perfect romantic match.
The History of Sound
Set for release on January 23, The History of Sound is set in 1917, as Lionel — a young, talented music student — meets David at the Boston Conservatory, where they bond over a deep love of folk music. Years later, Lionel receives a letter from David, leading to an impromptu journey through the backwoods of Maine to collect traditional songs. This unexpected reunion, ensuing love affair, and the music they collect and preserve, will shape the course of Lionel’s life far beyond his own awareness.
The Moment
This A24 project directed by Aidan Zamiri lands on January 30, based on an original idea by the inimitable Charli XCX. The blurb reads: “A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.” Think Spice World high drama meets brat green room antics. Rachel Sennott, Kylie Jenner and Alexander Skarsgård are among the listed cast members.
The Chronology of Water
Hitting cinemas on February 6, The Chronology of Water is the directorial feature debut from Oscar-nominated actor Kristen Stewart, adapted from the acclaimed memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch. Starring Imogen Poots, the film paints a a portrait of Lidia, brought up in an environment torn apart by violence and alcohol, who escapes through competitive swimming, sexual experimentation, toxic relationships and addiction, before finding her voice and her unexpected freedom through writing.
Send Help
A survival horror thriller about two colleagues who become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash, Send Help stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it’s a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. In cinemas January 30.
Wuthering Heights
Arriving at the perfect time this Valentine’s weekend, Emerald Fennel’s Wuthering Heights has already drummed up more than its fair share of excitement. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, with a soundtrack from Charli XCX, the film is on track to fling Emily Brontë’s sacred cow of literature into a whole new era.
The Bride
Maggie Gyllenhaal stars and directs The Bride, with Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale co-starring. In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. An exciting spin on Bride of Frankenstein, it’s set for release on March 6.
The Drama
Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, The Drama is an A24 film that follows a happily engaged couple as they’re put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. Coming April 3.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Twenty years on from the original (AKA the Best Film Ever Made) hit our screens (lives were changed), The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a go, and Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci all returning for it. The gang’s all here. According to Variety, the sequel “follows Priestly as she navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing and as she faces off against Blunt’s character, now a high-powered executive for a luxury group with advertising dollars that Priestly desperately needs.” Coming this May.
Practical Magic 2
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Arriving just in time to catapult us into the autumn season on September 18, Practical Magic 2 reunites Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as the Owens sisters, and both Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing will be reprising their roles as Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny, the matriarchs who took in Sally and Gillian after their parents died. Joey King joins the cast as one of Sally’s daughters, and reports say that Maisie Williams will also take on a role. As for the plot, it’s still largely under wraps, but seeing that glorious house back on our screens would genuinely be enough for me.
Verity
An Amazon adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s thriller of the same name, Verity should be arriving in cinemas at the start of October, with snaps being shared of stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett filming on location in New York. Anne Hathaway is also attached. The story centers on Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin who accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling thriller author Verity Crawford (Hathaway), has hired Ashleigh to complete the remaining books in a successful series that his wife is unable to finish after a mysterious accident.
The Social Reckoning
Fifteen years on from the release of The Social Network, a “companion piece” (ie, not necessarily a sequel) has been confirmed. The Social Reckoning draws from the true story behind The Facebook Files, a series of 2021 articles published by Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. Young Facebook engineer Frances Haugen (Anora’s Mikey Madison) contacts Horwitz (The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White) to help blow the whistle on Facebook’s dark secrets, exposing the platform’s spread of misinformation, connection to the events of January 6, and harmful effects on teenagers’ mental health.
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