Spoiler Warning: Beware of minor spoilers for some of the productions below.
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Although we might still be recovering from a night of partying, fireworks, and maybe a little too much champagne (alright, prosecco), I think the beginning of the year is a great moment to look ahead. There are bound to be some fun entertainment experiences lying in wait between now and Christmas, after all!
By the way, is that the first time you’ve heard someone mention Christmas 2026?
As I do every year at this time, I’m going to preview a few films, video games, and television programmes that I’m personally looking forward to over the next twelve months.
My usual caveats apply! Everything we’re going to look at today is the subjective, not objective, opinion of just one person. If I highlight something you think sounds awful, or miss out one of your favourites… *that’s okay*! There’s plenty of room for polite discussion and differences of opinion, and I’m in no way trying to claim that these are somehow “the only” things to look forward to as the year gets underway.
Secondly, it’s possible that some or all of these will miss their intended release or broadcast dates, and they could even be cancelled entirely. Such things have been known to happen in the world of entertainment, unfortunately. But at time of writing, all of these are either on the schedule for 2026 or at least heavily rumoured to be out this year.
I’ve chosen eight films, eight television programmes, and eight video games that I’m looking forward to as this new year begins! So without any further ado… let’s take a look at my selections.
Film #1:
Coyote vs. Acme
After years of using Acme Corporation’s products without much success, Wile E. Coyote sues them! That’s the premise of this “cartoon characters in the real world” film, and it’s giving me Who Framed Roger Rabbit vibes. I think the premise alone sounds like a ton of fun, and I’m genuinely excited to see what the finished product will be like.
There are reasons to be sceptical, though, unfortunately. Coyote vs. Acme was originally filmed all the way back in 2022, but Warner Bros. Discovery cancelled it in 2023, and it seemed for a time as if the completed film wouldn’t see a release. The likes of Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount+ all submitted bids, but none were willing to pay the reported $70 million that Warner Bros. Discovery was asking. That’s enough to give me pause, but a distributor was belatedly found and a release this summer is now on the cards. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping for some wacky, cartoony fun.
Film #2:
The Mandalorian and Grogu
I’m not the world’s biggest fan of The Mandalorian, to be honest with you. And if, as has been reported, this film represents a cut-down version of one of The Mandalorian’s already very short seasons… that doesn’t sound great. As someone who hasn’t seen all of the various Star Wars spin-off shows on Disney+, I’m also a bit concerned about this film being the culmination of multiple story arcs that I’m not caught up with or invested in.
However! With all that being said, a brand-new Star Wars film is always going to pique my curiosity, and although I wasn’t *wild* about The Mandalorian, the show has had its moments, and I’m at least interested in seeing where the characters will end up as their adventures apparently come to an end. Some Star Wars projects that I didn’t have high expectations for – The Last Jedi and The Book of Boba Fett, for example – ended up being surprisingly good fun, so there’s potential in The Mandalorian and Grogu. This is also Star Wars’ first trip to the cinema since 2019.
Check out my review of Season 2 of The Mandalorian by clicking or tapping here.
Film #3:
The Magic Faraway Tree
I was a huge Enid Blyton fan as a kid. Several of her books have been brought to the big and small screens over the years, and I’m especially interested to see what this adaptation of The Magic Faraway Tree will look like. The film boasts an all-star cast, featuring Andrew Garfield, Michael Palin, Rebecca Ferguson, Claire Foy, and Lenny Henry, and from what I glimpsed in the trailer, it looks like it’s captured the whimsy of the original book.
The Magic Faraway Tree is definitely a kids’ film, so set your expectations appropriately! And I can absolutely see this not being to everyone’s taste. But as someone who remembers the original books with great fondness, I shall be tuning in to see Dame Washalot, the Saucepan Man, Moonface, and the others when The Magic Faraway Tree premieres.
Film #4:
Disclosure Day
This is a last-minute addition to my list based on nothing but the “vibe” I got from the trailer! Disclosure Day’s plot is still under wraps, but it’s Steven Spielberg’s first film in four years, and his first sci-fi film since 2018’s Ready Player One. The picture will star Emily Blunt and Colin Firth, among others, and has something to do with a UFO conspiracy.
I’ve enjoyed a number of Spielberg’s films over the years – which shouldn’t be a surprise; he’s still one of the best filmmakers around. And Disclosure Day is reminding me more than a little of Spielberg’s own E.T., which is a film I fondly remember from my childhood. Disclosure Day might be taking a less whimsical and more, for want of a better term, “grown-up” approach to the genre, but that’s okay. The trailer was genuinely gripping, and Disclosure Day has definitely launched its way onto this list!
Film #5:
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
I’ll be honest: I barely played the first Super Mario Galaxy, and I couldn’t get on with its “spherical levels” idea, so when Nintendo announced that the follow-up to the absolutely excellent Super Mario Bros. Movie would be based on those games… I was underwhelmed. However, the first film was so darn good that I’m willing to push any scepticism aside and see what Nintendo and Illumination have been cooking! Who knows, it’s possible that the film format will suit the Mario Galaxy story better than either of the games did!
The trailer for the film looked great, and going on another adventure with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Bowser just seems like it’s gonna be a lot of fun. So despite my ambivalence to its source material, I’m genuinely looking forward to this one.
Check out my review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie by clicking or tapping here.
Film #6:
Project Hail Mary
I like what I’ve seen of Project Hail Mary so far. I’m getting a bit of an Armageddon-meets-Interstellar-meets-2001: A Space Odyssey vibe. If that even makes sense! The film looks interesting and potentially quite funny, or at least with some moments of light-heartedness to balance out heavier themes of Earth and humanity being close to extinction. I’m curious to see where Project Hail Mary will go, and which side – comedy or serious messaging – the film will come down on.
I’m always going to be interested in new sci-fi properties, especially in an entertainment landscape drowning in sequels, spin-offs, and franchises. So I hope Project Hail Mary can be something a bit different, taking a familiar starting point but doing its own thing with it. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller also directed 2014’s The Lego Movie, which I really enjoyed, so that’s another reason for optimism.
Film #7:
The Odyssey
The Odyssey promises to be an epic retelling of the classic Ancient Greek tale, as Odysseus makes his way back home from the Trojan War. Christopher Nolan, the film’s director, has previously directed such hits as The Dark Knight, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer, winning an Academy Award for the latter. This adaptation of The Odyssey features some big names in its cast, such as Eliot Page, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, and Matt Damon.
I suppose my only real concern with The Odyssey is that there’s quite a lot of story to cram into the runtime of a single film. I’ve been critical in the past of films being unnecessarily lengthened or split into multiple parts, but maybe The Odyssey is one story that could’ve benefitted from a longer runtime. We’ll have to wait and see!
Film #8:
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
I thought that 28 Years Later was okay in 2025, but it wasn’t a patch on the sheer terror of the original film. Something about the “naked zombies” ended up being almost… comical, rather than threatening. But having seen the first half of this sequel, which ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, I don’t want to miss out on the conclusion.
The trailer seemed to tease a possible breakthrough in dealing with the rage virus, which could be really interesting if handled well. There’s definitely scope to take another look at this world and the decades-long aftermath of its apocalypse. I wouldn’t say I’m incredibly excited for The Bone Temple, but I’m… curious.
Check out my review of 28 Years Later by clicking or tapping here.
Video Game #1:
Squadron 42
At time of writing, Squadron 42 is slated for a 2026 release. But, as with everything related to the mismanaged clusterfuck they call Star Citizen, I’ll believe it when I see it! Squadron 42 is the single-player campaign from the makers of Star Citizen, and I’m always going to be interested in a new sci-fi universe and a large-scale “space game.” Squadron 42 also features an all-star cast, with the likes of Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, John Rhys-Davies, Gillian Anderson, and Andy Serkis all featuring in some capacity.
Star Citizen gets plenty of criticism for its bloated budget, ridiculous microtransactions, and the pathetically poor way the project has been managed. And I’m not disagreeing with any of that! But… at the end of the day, I want to play a good, enjoyable space game. If Squadron 42 lives up to the hype – assuming it *ever* makes it to release – I’m still gonna be interested in that. Will 2026 be the year? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Video Game #2:
Control: Resonant
A last-minute addition to this list, after Exodus missed out on a 2026 release, is the sequel to 2019’s Control. I absolutely adored my time with Control, and it’s one of the finest third-person action/adventure titles of the past decade. I was really curious to see what would come next after the story came to an end, and to be honest with you… I’m kind of disappointed to see protagonist Jessie being replaced with her brother Dylan for the sequel.
However! This is still the sequel to a fantastic game, and it would be silly to render judgment without even trying it. So I will do my best to go into Control: Resonant with an open mind. The game seems to be more focused on melee combat than the original, which could be interesting, and having a new character to control could mean we get to explore a different set of powers and upgrades. I just hope it won’t feel like a typical video game-y “reset” of the player character just to run through the whole process of gaining and evolving the exact same powers all over again.
Video Game #3:
007: First Light
A James Bond video game… made by the people who created the Hitman series? That sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, 007: First Light is happening, and from what I’ve seen, the game looks pretty darn good. It’s an original story following a young James Bond on one of his first big missions, and it looks like it has, well, everything you might want. Flash cars, gadgets, stealth, gunplay, and a compelling story.
I don’t want to get over-hyped, but I have pretty high hopes for this one. Story aside, the only thing that might spoil it would be a rushed, buggy, or just generally under-baked launch. I’m really keeping my fingers crossed, and while I won’t be pre-ordering, if First Light gets good reviews, I may very well be tempted to pick it up as soon as it’s out.
Video Game #4:
Star Trek: Voyager – Across The Unknown
I’m a bit of a Star Trek fan, as you may know, and Voyager is one of my favourite parts of the franchise. I played the demo version of Across The Unknown back in 2025, and I think if you set the right expectations and don’t go into the game expecting a high-budget, “AAA” type of experience, there’s going to be a lot of fun to be had here. This game won’t appeal to non-Trekkies, really – not even to folks who like these kinds of management/base-building types of titles. But that’s okay. Not every game is gonna be right for everyone!
What I like most about Across The Unknown is how the game gives you the chance to potentially have a very different journey through the Delta Quadrant than the one we saw in the show. There are these inflection points, where decisions need to be taken, and it’s possible to make different choices to the ones made by Janeway and the crew. Depending on how well that’s handled, and how many of these decisions there are… that’s a really fun and interesting idea, and could give the game a ton of replayability.
Check out my thoughts on the demo version by clicking or tapping here.
Video Game #5:
Forza Horizon 6
Before I had to cancel my Game Pass subscription, Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5 were both among my most-played games. So I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the next entry in the series. Add in a fun-looking Japanese setting, and I think you’ve got the recipe for another fantastic open-world arcade racing title. The Forza Horizon games have been great fun, and I love just how many different vehicles and race types there are, with practically the entire open world being part of at least a handful of different races.
The only downer on Forza Horizon 6, really, is that this is a game I’d have played on Game Pass, but now I’ll have to buy it outright. I’ll definitely be checking out the reviews first, to make sure it lives up to its predecessors – and maybe waiting for it to go on sale, too. I’m not exactly short of racing games at the moment, and I still haven’t played last year’s Tokyo Xtreme Racer, which is also set in Japan. So this one’s definitely on my wishlist, but it’s also in a strange “wait and see” zone!
Check out my review of Forza Horizon 5 by clicking or tapping here.
Video Game #6:
The Blood of Dawnwalker
An open-world fantasy game created by some of the folks who worked on The Witcher. That’s the one-line pitch, but there’s more! The Blood of Dawnwalker is set in medieval Europe, and sees the player character take on the role of a half-human, half-vampire, with a range of vampiric powers to take advantage of. The game’s main story seems to involve trying to save your family, but details are still under wraps.
I liked what I saw from The Blood of Dawnwalker’s trailer a few months ago, and I hope that new studio Rebel Wolves have taken their time to really get this game right. I’m always up for trying out a new fantasy world, especially with so many sequels and spin-offs out there. It’s rare for a new studio to put together an ambitious project like this… and I really hope that the finished game will be worth waiting for.
Video Game #7:
Nivalis
Nivalis’ developers describe the game as a “slice-of-life” simulator set in a cyberpunk city. But… would it be unfair to suggest that this could be a “cozy game?” I’m definitely getting that impression from what I’ve seen of Nivalis so far. You can run a business, decorate your apartment, befriend NPCs… everything about that screams “cozy” to me! And I love stories and games set in a small island of calm or safety in a dangerous world. Nivalis could really scratch that itch for me.
So… Cyberpunk 2077 meets Animal Crossing, then? Maybe. The game’s visual style might take some getting used to for me; there’s a combination of blocky, voxel-style environments with characters who look a bit more realistic. But I like the idea of running a business, setting up a home, and just living a life in this kind of totally different world.
Video Game #8:
Cat Isle
A cute cozy game, with beautiful pixel art… and it’s all about cats? Where do I sign up?! Seriously, this just looks adorable; a cozy game with building and management elements where kitty cats are the stars. I love cats, I love games about cats, and I enjoy a good cozy game, too. So Cat Isle could be just what I’m looking for in 2026!
Domke Games is an indie developer, and I like to try to support indie games where I can. That doesn’t mean Cat Isle will get a free pass, and I’m sure this title won’t be right for everyone. But it looks like the kind of cute game I could see myself playing for a few minutes a day… or really losing myself in for ages, depending on how it shakes out.
Television Show #1:
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
To be blunt, even as a big Trekkie, I’m not sure whether Starfleet Academy is gonna be “my thing.” The show seems to be going down a serialised route, with a “big galactic threat,” a villain with a mysterious connection to a main character, and all of the repetition and hammy performances that go with that kind of thing. Additionally, there seems to be quite a focus on what you might call “teen drama,” with that side of things taking precedence over the likes of exploration. Both of those things give me pause.
But… this is still a brand-new Star Trek series. It’s based on a concept that even Gene Roddenberry himself was kicking around back in the ’60s and ’70s. And… it could very well be the *last* new Star Trek series of this current streaming era, now that the Skydance takeover has been finalised. So I will do my best to support Starfleet Academy when it premieres later this month… and I’ll try not to judge it too harshly. Not every show – even Star Trek shows – are right for every viewer, and if Starfleet Academy succeeds at bringing new eyes to the franchise, that can only be a positive thing in my book.
You can see a more detailed look at the upcoming show by clicking or tapping here.
Television Show #2:
Dasher
Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas? Jokes aside, I’m really interested to see this holiday special from Disney+ later in the year. It’s going to be a single animated production, probably shorter than a feature film would be, and… well, it’s all about Dasher, one of Santa Claus’ reindeer. Dasher is based on a children’s book, and it depicts the titular reindeer running away from a life at the circus and meeting the jolly man in the red suit for the first time.
The Polar Express is a great example of this kind of kids’ book being adapted into a wonderful animated picture, and if Dasher is even in the same ballpark, I’ll have a great time with it. I know it’s early, and Christmas is literally eleven months and twenty-four days away! But I wanted to put this one on my list so I don’t forget about it by the time the holidays roll around again. And you know me… I love Christmas!
Television Show #3:
3 Body Problem
Season 2
3 Body Problem was my pick for TV Show of the Year back in 2024, and I was concerned for a while that there wouldn’t be a continuation of this compelling and wonderful story. But thankfully there is – albeit a belated one. 3 Body Problem’s second season probably won’t land until later in the year, but I’m really hoping for great things as the San-Ti get closer and Earth’s defenders are forced to step up to the plate. The series ended with multiple storylines on cliffhangers… so there’s a lot to do to pick up those dangling narrative threads!
3 Body Problem really is the best kind of grown-up sci-fi, with philosophical themes, complex physics and mathematical problems, and a great cast of characters to boot. There was controversy when the show’s first season moved the main story out of China – where the original books were set – and gave it more of a multinational, multicultural flavour. And I get that. But what we got was genuinely fantastic TV that had me riveted and desperate for more. I can’t wait to pick up this story later in the year.
You can read my review of 3 Body Problem’s first season by clicking or tapping here.
Television Show #4:
Spider-Noir
I mistakenly thought we’d see Spider-Noir in 2025, but the show is, instead, coming this year. Starring Nicolas Cage as an older Spider-Man from a different timeline, the show promises a “film noir” inspiration and visual style. There will even be a black-and-white version of Spider-Noir, if you want to go for that real ’30s hard-boiled feel.
To be honest, I just love the idea of Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man, and that this will be a completely different version of the superhero. Spider-Noir will be set in a world inspired by New York City in the ’20s and ’30s, with Spider-Man – or Ben Reilly, to use his real name – working as a private detective. I’m not the world’s biggest superhero or comic book person, as you may know… but in a genre drowning in sequels and sameyness, Spider-Noir looks like it could be something different.
Television Show #5:
Silo
Season 3
Silo – like 3 Body Problem above – has been one of the best sci-fi shows of the last few years. And talk about a cliffhanger! Season 2 ended in explosive fashion, and I cannot wait to see what will happen next for Juliette and her friends – in both of the titular silos. It felt like we were getting close to unravelling at least part of the mysteries: who created these silos, why, and why is the air outside deadly to breathe? Some of the characters have the answers already… but we don’t.
Filming for Seasons 3 and 4 of Silo have already wrapped, and I’m hopeful that there won’t be as long of a wait before Season 4 rolls around. In any case, I’m really looking forward to picking up this fun and engaging story again after a long break.
Check out my review of Silo Season 2 by clicking or tapping here.
Television Show #6:
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Season 3
I know The Rings of Power hasn’t been to everyone’s taste, and there have been some issues with the series to say the least. But I haven’t hated what I’ve seen so far, even if some storylines are admittedly stronger than others, and I’m definitely curious to see where the action will go next. Season 2 moved key storylines along, and we’re uncovering mysteries, moving characters around, and clearly building up to something big.
I’m hopeful for more of the “bromance” between Elrond the Elf and Durin the Dwarf this time, as I felt that was something Season 2 didn’t give us enough of. And after one character’s identity felt a bit obvious and telegraphed last time, I hope we might get a few more twists and turns this season, or at least story points that don’t feel like they’re spinning their wheels. I first fell in love with Tolkien’s world as a geeky little kid, reading The Hobbit with my dad. Any adventure that takes me back to Middle-earth is one I’m interested in and hopeful for.
Click or tap here to read my review of the show’s second season.
Television Show #7:
Neuromancer
The 1984 novel Neuromancer is, according to some folks, *the* seminal work of the cyberpunk genre. So this adaptation is a long time in the making, then! The original novel – which, admittedly, I have not read – is hailed as one of the early defining works of what we now call cyberpunk, and is also responsible for popularising the term “hacker.” I’m really curious to see what this adaptation will look like.
As I said above, there aren’t a lot of new sci-fi or fantasy properties to get excited about at the moment, so this adaptation of one of the most important works of its genre could be something fun and different in 2026. At least part of Neuromancer is set in Japan, and filming for the series took place in Tokyo. I’m not sure which streamer this will debut on, though; it was originally slated for Apple TV+, but it’s produced by Skydance Television, which now owns Paramount+. I guess we’ll have to see later in the year.
Television Show #8:
Crystal Lake
Based on the film Friday the 13th (and its sequels and spin-offs) comes this prequel. I’m not the world’s biggest Friday the 13th fan, but I thought the first film, at least, was good for what it was. I like the inclusion of Linda Cardellini, formerly of Freaks and Geeks and ER, in a major role, as I’ve always thought she was an underrated performer. And stepping back to before the events of the first film in the series could turn Crystal Lake into an entertaining horror/slasher show.
There are plenty of great horror TV shows, but what we haven’t seen as many of are slasher TV shows; I think there’s an open question as to how well Friday the 13th’s format will work with a longer runtime. Still, I’ll be curious to check out Crystal Lake and see what the series has to offer.
So that’s it!
We’ve talked about eight films, eight games, and eight TV programmes that I’m looking forward to in 2026.
2025 brought us some solid entertainment experiences, and you can click or tap here to check out my annual End-of-Year Awards for some of my personal favourites! I’m cautiously optimistic about 2026’s prospects; there seem to be some interesting new ideas on the horizon, as well as some continuations or expansions of existing franchises to look forward to.
Once again, let me wish you a very Happy New Year! Whatever you’ve got planned for this year, and whatever you might be looking forward to, entertainment-wise, I hope it all goes well for you and yours. Tomorrow, I’ll be making a few predictions for the year’s entertainment landscape, so be sure to join me for that! And later this month, I’ll be checking out the two-part premiere of Starfleet Academy, among other things. See you soon!
All titles discussed above are the copyrights of their respective studio, developer, broadcaster, distributor, publisher, etc. At time of writing, all titles discussed above were scheduled or heavily rumoured to have a 2026 broadcast/release date, but that may change. This article contains the thoughts and opinions of one person only and is not intended to cause any offence.
Trekking with Dennis 