Looking at the 2026 release calendar, what stands out is how considered it feels. Many of the films drawing attention this year are being shaped by directors with a clear point of view, working from material that already carries weight. There’s a noticeable lean toward literature, character and mood, even within large franchises. The films below are the ones building momentum, for their ambition, their creative teams and the conversations they’re likely to bring.
1. The Chronology of Water
Director: Kristen Stewart
Behind the scenes of The Chronology of Water (2025/2026), directed by Kristen Stewart and starring Imogen Poots.
Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, The Chronology of Water marks Kristen Stewart’s highly anticipated feature directorial debut. The film is expected to be raw, poetic and formally daring, reflecting the book’s exploration of trauma, identity and artistic survival. It is already positioned as one of the most personal and intimate films of the year.
2. Wuthering Heights
Director: Emerald Fennell
A close-up still from Wuthering Heights (2026), directed by Emerald Fennell.
Emerald Fennell brings a bold new vision to Emily Brontë’s classic novel. Known for her sharp psychological storytelling, Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is expected to lean into the novel’s darkness, obsession and emotional volatility rather than only romantic nostalgia. The film is anchored by Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, reuniting the director with actors who worked with her on Saltburn and other projects.
3. The Moment
Director: Aidan Zamiri
A still from The Moment (2026), starring Charli XCX.
The Moment is an original mockumentary-style film from A24 that marks a striking turn in Charli XCX’s creative journey. Based on an idea she developed with director Aidan Zamiri and co-writer Bertie Brandes, the film follows a fictionalised version of Charli as a rising pop star grappling with the pressures of fame, industry expectations and the emotional toll of preparing for her first arena tour.
4. The Drama
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
The Drama (2026), directed by Kristoffer Borgli.
Kristoffer Borgli continues his dissection of modern intimacy and emotional imbalance with The Drama, a relationship-focused film that reportedly stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Both actors are among the most influential performers of their generation: Zendaya has moved seamlessly between blockbuster franchises and prestige television, while Pattinson has spent the last decade reshaping his career through auteur-led cinema. Borgli, best known for Sick of Myself and Dream Scenario, has built a reputation for turning social discomfort into sharp narrative tension.
5. The Devil Wears Prada 2
Director: David Frankel
A still from The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026), directed by David Frankel.
David Frankel returns to direct the sequel to one of the most enduring fashion films of the 21st century. The Devil Wears Prada 2 will reunite Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, whose performances helped turn the original film into a cultural reference point far beyond cinema. The sequel is expected to explore how power, relevance and authority function in a fashion industry transformed by social media, digital publishing and influencer culture.
6. Dune: Part Three
Director: Denis Villeneuve
