AURAX RADIO - 2026-films-and-tv-to-watch

AURAX RADIO

"Where Sound Lives"

4 min read

By Aurax Desk | Decenber 30, 2025

The entertainment industry is preparing for a particularly full year in 2026, with a robust schedule of high-profile films and television series slated for release. Audiences can expect a mix of blockbuster tentpoles, adaptations, franchise continuations, and new original storytelling in both cinema and episodic formats.

On the big screen, one of the year’s most anticipated films is The Odyssey, a large-scale adaptation of Homer’s famed epic directed by Christopher Nolan. The film is positioned for a mid-summer theatrical run and has drawn early attention for its expansive production. Animation features strongly with the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie sequel, aimed at spring box office audiences, joining a slate that also includes reboots and franchise entries such as Masters of the Universe and new superhero installments in the Marvel and DC universes. High-concept genre fare, action thrillers, and adaptations are spread throughout the calendar, reflecting studios’ strategies to balance established properties with fresh material.

Television in 2026 is similarly active, with a broad array of new series and returning favorites across major streaming platforms and networks. The fantasy genre remains strong with the return of House of the Dragon for its third season on HBO Max, continuing its exploration of dynastic conflict and high fantasy drama in the Game of Thrones universe. A related spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, dramatizing an earlier era in Westerosi history, is also set to premiere, expanding the franchise landscape for dedicated fans.

Netflix is planning several high-profile television events, including the second season of its live-action adaptation of One Piece, following the Straw Hat crew’s journey into the fabled Grand Line, and the fourth season of the romantic drama Bridgerton, rolling out in two parts early in the year. Limited series like His & Hers, a mystery thriller based on the novel by Alice Feeney, are scheduled to debut in January, offering suspense and character-driven drama to streaming audiences.

Other notable new television projects include Vanished, a mystery drama set to premiere on MGM+ in February, starring Kaley Cuoco and Sam Claflin, and Steal, a crime thriller on Amazon Prime Video that centers on an office worker caught up in a major heist, with Sophie Turner leading the cast. British television also contributes to the year’s lineup with historical mystery series Young Sherlock, exploring an early chapter in the famed detective’s life, and Climax, a South Korean noir-influenced political survival drama with domestic and international appeal.

2026 will also see established series return or conclude their runs. Long-running dramas like Outlander wrap up with their final season, while family and period favorites such as All Creatures Great and Small and procedural dramas like Will Trent continue with new episodes early in the year. Reality and unscripted formats—including The Traitors and other established competition series—are also part of broadcasters’ schedules, providing variety for audiences seeking both narrative and reality-based content.

Overall, the 2026 entertainment calendar is defined by its combination of cinematic spectacle and diverse television offerings. With major franchise films targeting theatrical audiences and an expansive range of series across platforms, the year is positioned to deliver broad cultural impact and sustained audience engagement across screens large and small.

Key 2026 Films to Watch