We’re deep into 2025, but there’s still plenty more sci-fi movie releases on the way. The landscape feels abundant with new ideas, returning franchises, and book adaptations all set to hit our screens later this year. And it doesn’t stop there, as we've got a full slate of big sci-fi titles with 2026 release dates, reaching as far out as December next year.
From Tron: Ares to The Mandalorian and Grogu, new twists on existing franchises are making monumental returns to cinemas and streaming platforms alike. And while we’ve already been treated to iconic movies like Mickey 17 and Superman this year, there’s still plenty more where that came from. Arguably, some of the biggest sci-fi movies of the year, which coincidentally are also sci-fi titles, are still yet to be released.
As we take a look at what 2025 has left to offer and look further to 2026, there are some strong contenders looking to earn a spot in our best sci-fi movies of all time list. Fortunately, we’ve gathered up everything you need to know — including release dates, cast lists, plot synopses, and more — so you can mark your calendar accordingly.
Most of the titles below will be cinema-first, but there are still titles that will head directly to streamers or turn up late. So, be sure to check out our guide to the best streaming deals for 2025. Right, let’s see what the future holds for sci-fi cinema.
Tron: Ares (Oct. 10, 2025)
- Release Date: October 10, 2025
- Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson, Evan Peters
Tron is back with a standalone sequel to Tron: Legacy. As per its official description, Tron: Ares will follow a program called Ares (Jared Leto), who is sent from the digital world to the real world on a dangerous mission. It marks humankind's first encounter with AI in the real world, so expect the unexpected.
Disney’s latest entry into the sci-fi cinema landscape, having delighted with Pixar's Elio and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there are some incredible actors onboard to spearhead the newest Tron with Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Evan Peters, along with Jeff Bridges who will be reprising his role as Kevin Flynn from the previous movies.
Bugonia (October 24, 2025)
- Release Date: October 24, 2025 (Limited release), October 31, 2025 (Full release)
- Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverstone, Cedric Dumornay
Director Yorgos Lanthimos is no stranger to working with Emma Stone, and for his next movie, he's reviving their bond. This time round, it's for Bugonia, a sci-fi flick following two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap the CEO of a major company.
Why? Because they think she's an alien who is about to destroy Earth. It sort of already exists, though not in English, as this is based on the South Korean film Save the Green Planet! However, for this take, the gender swap of the central character sees Emma Stone cast as the female CEO.
We don't know much else, other than that Jesse Plemons is on board as Teddy, one of the conspiracists, and his mother is played by Alicia Silverstone. We also know that it looks absolutely mad and received a standing ovation at its Venice Film Festival debut.
Predator: Badlands (Nov. 7, 2025)
- Release Date: November 7, 2025
- Cast: Elle Fanning, TBA
While we've collated the Predator movies ranked, worst to best, this new installment is set to be something the franchise has never seen before. It brings back returning Prey director, Dan Trachtenberg, and he's not done shaking up the film series, as this time he's focusing on the Predator as the main character in Predator: Badlands.
Speaking to Empire, he revealed: "The creature is front and center, leading the charge. He's still badass, but there's something there that touches you emotionally, too. Creating a character you can connect with, but are also super-intimidated by, has been challenging. But exciting."
Considering how well he did with Prey, we're incredibly excited to see what he does with Badlands. Plot details are unknown at this point, and only one cast announcement has been made, with The Great's Elle Fanning on board — we'll keep you updated when we hear more.
The Running Man (Nov. 14, 2025)
- Release Date: November 14, 2025
- Cast: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Katy M. O’Brian, Lee Pace
No, you're not imagining things — The Running Man already exists. In 1982, Stephen King released the book of the same name (under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), and in 1987, they made a film of it. Now, in 2025, Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy director Edgar Wright is bringing it back. As per the official description, "In 2025, a game show called The Running Man has people chased by murderous Hunters across the world to win money."
In 1987, The Running Man was Arnold Schwarzenegger. This time around, it's Glenn Powell starring as Ben Richards, who volunteers to be 2025's The Running Man for the deadly show. If he wins, he gets a cash prize that he can use to help his family and his sick child. And if he loses, well, he's dead.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (Dec. 19, 2025)
- Release Date: December 19, 2025
- Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Oona Chaplin
While fans of Avatar waited 13 years for the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, there won't be such a long wait for the next in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, which drops in December this year.
To be fair, director James Cameron made it very clear after Avatar's success that this day was always going to come, and there's already Avatar 4 and 5 reportedly in various stages of production for 2029 and 2031 release dates.
In Avatar: Fire and Ash, different cultures are explored, including the 'Ash People' — a fiery version of Na'vi, but other than that, the plot remains firmly under lock and key. What we do know is that for the third movie, the original cast will be returning to reprise their roles — that's Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver, to name but a few. Joining the cast in new roles are David Thewlis and Oona Chaplin.
Mercy (Jan. 23, 2026)
- Release date: January 23, 2026
- Cast: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis
Surprisingly, given it’s the first entry of 2026 and was originally scheduled for a 2025 release, we know very little about Mercy. In a twisted reality, much like 2022’s sci-fi thriller Minority Report, a detective (Chris Pratt) finds himself accused of murdering his wife and is forced to prove his innocence in front of the Mercy Capital Court.
The futuristic justice system is powered by artificial intelligence, and he’s only got a certain amount of time to reach the threshold necessary to be cleared of the violent crime. Fortunately, the accused detective has played an integral role in developing said court system and so aims to use his knowledge to crack the case before he’s punished. Lots of action and lots of futuristic tech incoming.
Project Hail Mary (Mar. 20, 2026)
- Release Date: March 20, 2026
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Liz Kingsman, Sanda Hüller
Probably our most anticipated sci-fi movie on this list, Project Hail Mary is based on the book by Andy Weir aka the guy who wrote The Martian. Yeah, you can see why we're excited now, right?
Having recently read Project Hail Mary, I’m incredibly intrigued to see how it translates onto the big screen. Heads up, don’t even watch the trailer if you don’t want to ruin the book. It spoils a very big plot point.
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a science teacher and former biologist who is approached to save Earth after an unknown entity causes the Sun to lose its brightness, threatening a world-ending catastrophe. As he finds himself in space alone and afflicted by amnesia, in true vibes of Interstellar and Moon, Ryland must keep his mission on track while living in isolation. It’s a little hard to save Earth when you’ve got your own mortality staring you in the face. We're super hyped for this one.
The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026)
- Release Date: May 22, 2026
- Cast: Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Sigourney Weaver, Jonny Coyne
Din Djarin and Grogu are embarking on their next adventure, and this time they're heading to the big screen, leading Lucasfilm’s movie slate for 2026. While you may be waiting for The Mandalorian season 4, instead, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a feature-length movie standing in its place, though the plot currently remains firmly under wraps (and the trailer gave very little away).
There’s plenty to pick up from when we look at where The Mandalorian season 3 left us, but what we do know for sure is that Director Jon Favreau is back at it alongside Dave Filoni. There are also new characters in the shape of Sigourney Weaver as a Rebel and Jeremy Allen White joining as the voice of Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba. The life of a lone bounty hunter isn’t so lonely when you’ve got your apprentice Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, keeping you company.
Masters of the Universe (Jun. 5, 2026)
- Release Date: June 5, 2026
- Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, Morena Baccarin
The Masters of the Universe first hit the big screen way back in 1987, with the big man Dolph Lundgren donning the iconic tiny pants of He-Man. Now Hollywood is taking another swing at it, though they've been taking their sweet time. Reportedly in development since 2007, there’s been a lot of rumored He-Man castings and director swaps, but it all finally kicked off in 2024.
For 2026, He-Man returns to Eternia, his home planet, to defeat the evil Skeletor after being reunited with his magical Power Sword. Instead of Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, though, it’s Nicholas Galitzine and Jared Leto alongside other big castings you’ll recognise from other superhero franchises.
Supergirl (Jun. 26, 2026)
- Release Date: June 26, 2026
- Cast: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa, David Krumholtz
Another movie that’s suffered a tumultuous start is Supergirl. After first being introduced in The Flash in 2023, the plans for a standalone Supergirl got all mixed up in the DC Studios leadership change, which resulted in James Gunn and Peter Safran being appointed as co-CEOs. But now it’s back on track, adapting the 2021-22 comic book miniseries, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Whilst that was the movie’s original title, the extra part got dropped; Superman was just Superman after all.
Just as Marvel has the MCU, DC Comics is now steering its DCEU into the DCU, and Supergirl, the second movie after Superman, will be part of the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate.
Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, is celebrating her 21st birthday with a trip. Unlike any average human being who may take a flight for a long weekend, Supergirl is traveling the galaxy with her dog, Krypto, until she meets a young girl and witnesses a tragedy that sets her on a murderous quest for revenge.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Jul. 31, 2026)
- Release Date: July 31, 2026
- Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Sadie Sink
It feels like a seriously long time since we got a Spider-Man movie (if you’re not counting the animated Spider-Verse titles), and for Tom Holland’s version of Spidey, it actually has been a long time. The first three Holland Spider-Man movies came out with only two years in between. Now, five years on, Peter Parker is finally coming back for a Brand New Day, the first in what is planned to be a whole new trilogy for the web slinger.
This time around, Peter is supposed to be focusing on his college years, but unfortunately, as a superhero, there’s always an opportunity to suit up. And none more so than when he’s called to protect the people he loves the most.
Plot details are pretty light on this one, but after his mind-wiping shenanigans in the last movie, we're expecting the b**** who's been to space to have some more grounded adventures. You know, just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
Avengers Doomsday (Dec. 18, 2026)
- Release Date: December 18, 2026
- Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Pedro Pascal, Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby
If we’re talking about long time gaps between franchise movies, how about Avengers? We saw the Avengers culminate in Endgame back in 2019, and while the title feels conclusive, it’s not over (nothing is over!). I can’t quite believe I’m saying it’ll have been 7 years since we had an Avengers movie, but the drought will end in December 2026, when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters..
Doomsday will center around a new villain, Doctor Doom, who you may well recognize from other MCU movies as Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr., taking on a new face after Iron Man’s demise.
The Avengers movies are always big ensemble affairs when it comes to the cast, but this time, Marvel is really going all out. We've got original Avengers, New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wakandans, and X-Men all teaming up in one MCU movie. Apparently, it takes a lot of heat to go up against Doom.
Dune: Part Three (Dec. 18, 2026)
- Release Date: December 18, 2026
- Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa
Frank Herbert’s Dune novel was the basis of the two movies that came before this, but with more source material needed, Part Three moves onto Herbert’s Dune Messiah for the final instalment to this epic sci-fi saga. Production kicked off in July with the main cast confirmed to return, but despite strong rumors around Robert Pattinson becoming the new villain Scytale, there’s no confirmation… yet.
Paul ‘Muad’Dib’ Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) has led his people and hopes to readjust humanity’s position into a more viable and abundant future, but there are other conspiracies in place set out to see him fail.
Like the previous two parts, it’s a huge undertaking, but with director Denis Villeneuve continuing to spearhead the project, there are great plans to craft a darker Maud’Dib and add this title to his collection of his best sci-fi films.
