2026 Box Office Preview: How Major Franchises Like Scream 7, Minions 3, and Jumanji 3 Are Shaping the Movie Year

The 2026 Box Office: A Year Dominated by Major Franchise Sequels

From horror comebacks to family-friendly hits, studios are betting big on established series like Scream, Minions, and Jumanji to draw audiences next year.

The 2026 movie release calendar is shaping up to be a victory lap for major Hollywood franchises. Studios are leaning heavily on proven brands with built-in audiences, scheduling a dense lineup of sequels, reboots, and three-quels. This strategy highlights an industry-wide focus on minimizing risk in a competitive market. Key titles driving this trend include the long-awaited Scream 7, the animated surefire hit Minions 3, the video game adaptation Mortal Kombat II, and the action-adventure finale Jumanji 3. For moviegoers, 2026 offers a mix of nostalgic returns and the next chapters of modern blockbuster series.

The Franchise Films Leading the 2026 Charge

Here is a closer look at four of the most anticipated franchise films scheduled for 2026:

Scream 7 (Release Date: February 27, 2026)
The "Scream" franchise makes a major comeback with its seventh installment. This film marks a significant return for original star Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, who was absent from the previous movie. The story follows Sidney, who has built a new life, only for a new Ghostface killer to emerge and target her daughter. Original director and writer Kevin Williamson returns to helm the film. The cast also sees the return of Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers.

Minions 3 (Release Date: July 1, 2026)
The wildly successful "Despicable Me" universe continues with "Minions 3." This film is the direct sequel to "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and the seventh overall film in the franchise. Pierre Coffin returns to direct the animated comedy, with Brian Lynch writing the screenplay. As with previous Illumination releases, the film is expected to have a major theatrical run before moving to streaming platforms as part of Universal's deal with Peacock and Netflix.

Mortal Kombat II (Release Date: May 8, 2026)
The sequel to the 2021 video game adaptation "Mortal Kombat" enters the ring in May 2026. The film was notably moved from an October 2025 release date to its current slot. A key addition to the cast is Karl Urban, who joins the film as the fan-favorite character Johnny Cage. The film will continue to adapt the lore of the iconic fighting game series for the big screen.

Jumanji 3 (Release Date: December 11, 2026)
Sony Pictures has officially greenlit a third film in the modern "Jumanji" series, scheduled as a holiday season blockbuster. The film is described as the fourth and final installment in the current Jumanji franchise and a direct sequel to "Jumanji: The Next Level". The core cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, is in talks to return. Director Jake Kasdan is also expected to return.

Why Franchises Dominate the Modern Box Office

The heavy reliance on franchises is a calculated business model. Sequels and established properties come with a pre-sold audience, reducing marketing costs and providing a more predictable revenue stream compared to original films. The financial success of the previous films in these series makes them safe bets for studios.

For instance, the previous "Jumanji" reboot films, "Welcome to the Jungle" and "The Next Level," earned a combined total of over $1.76 billion at the global box office**. Similarly, the "Despicable Me" franchise, which includes the "Minions" films, is nearing the **$5 billion mark globally. These numbers demonstrate the powerful draw of these characters and stories, making further investments a logical decision.

Beyond the Big Four: The Wider 2026 Franchise Landscape

The franchise wave in 2026 extends far beyond these four examples. The calendar is packed with other major sequels and franchise extensions aiming to capture audience attention throughout the year.

Major Franchise Films Across 2026:

· Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 3): The sequel to the massively successful "Super Mario Bros. Movie," with Mario venturing into space.
· Toy Story 5 (June 19): Pixar returns to its flagship series with Woody, Buzz, and the gang facing new challenges.
· Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31): Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in the next Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man film.
· Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22): The hit Disney+ series makes the jump to the big screen with a feature film.
· The Odyssey (July 17): A new epic from director Christopher Nolan, though not a sequel, it is a major blockbuster event based on classic mythology.
· Dune: Part Three (December 18): Denis Villeneuve concludes his epic adaptation of the sci-fi novels.

The Big Picture for Moviegoers

For audiences, the 2026 slate offers both comfort and spectacle. These films represent a chance to revisit beloved characters and worlds, often with the original stars and creative teams returning to deliver a sense of continuity and conclusion. The strategy is clear: in an era of endless entertainment options, familiar brands are powerful tools to draw people back to theaters.

While original films and directorial passion projects are still being made, the centerpiece of Hollywood's annual plan is overwhelmingly built on the backbone of existing franchises. The performance of these sequels—particularly the star-driven "Jumanji 3" and the resurgent "Scream 7"—will be a key indicator of the enduring strength of franchise cinema and its role in the future of the film industry.