The summer movie season of 2026 is shaping up to be a wild ride, with a mix of familiar franchises and fresh faces at the box office. While some movies are sure bets, others are more of a gamble, leaving theater owners and audiences alike wondering which films will reign supreme and which will bomb. Here's a look at some of the big titles remaining on the summer movie schedule and my predictions for their box office performance.
The End of Oak Street (August 14)
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Anne Hathaway
Director: David Robert Mitchell
David Robert Mitchell, known for cult favorites like It Follows and Under the Silver Lake, is returning with a big-budget family adventure. The movie follows a suburban neighborhood that appears to be transported into a Lost World-like dinosaur-heavy environment. While it's hard to know whether this J.J. Abrams-produced original will be a breath of fresh air or another Warner Bros. oddity, it looks like a must-see. Personally, I think it will be a moderate success, attracting a mix of family audiences and curious moviegoers.
Box Office Guess: $79 million
Evil Dead Burn (July 10)
Stars: Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan
Director: Sébastien Vaniček
Sam Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy is a near-perfect horror series, and now it's being used as a testing ground for new horror auteurs. Evil Dead Burn looks to continue the series' evolution, focusing on the gnarlier, meaner side of the franchise. It's a slam-bang horror ride, released at a time when audiences may be hungry for something particularly intense. I predict it will be a solid hit, appealing to both long-time fans and new audiences.
Box Office Guess: $80 million
Insidious: Out of the Further (August 21)
Stars: Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea
Director: Jacob Chase
The sixth Insidious movie is a franchise entry that feels perfectly timed to grab late-summer business. It follows a young mother who can visit the netherworld known as the Further, bringing demons back into our world. While it won't follow the same family led by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, it's a fresh take on the franchise. I think it will be a strong performer, attracting fans of the series and horror enthusiasts alike.
Box Office Guess: $85 million
Disclosure Day (June 12)
Stars: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth
Director: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg returns to the summer blockbuster game with his first splashy sci-fi movie in years. Disclosure Day is a visually dazzling piece that never loses sight of its human touch. While it may be loopiness could throw off some audiences, I think it will be a hit, attracting fans of Spielberg's work and sci-fi enthusiasts.
Box Office Guess: $151 million
Supergirl (June 26)
Stars: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa
Director: Craig Gillespie
DC cinematic overlord James Gunn is revitalizing the Supergirl character on the big screen. The movie is a companion piece to last summer's Superman, and it's a risky move to follow it immediately. However, the original comic is so terrific that I can't help but hope for the best. It doesn't hurt that Supergirl gets almost all of July to herself, so I predict it will be a moderate success.
Box Office Guess: $200 million
Moana (July 10)
Stars: Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui
Director: Thomas Kail
Disney is remaking Moana, and while it's only a decade old, it had a sequel in theaters in 2024. The timing of the remake is a little weird, but little kids are absolutely hypnotized by Moana and their parents love her too. I think it will be a hit, but I wonder if it will go that full Lion King distance.
Box Office Guess: $290 million
Minions & Monsters (July 3)
Stars: Allison Janney, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg
Director: Pierre Coffin
Minions movies are a sure bet at the box office, and Minions & Monsters is no exception. The only possible impediment is the absence of Gru, whose presence in the last Minions movie likely goosed its series-best grosses. However, the Minions are a beloved franchise, and this movie will surely make some money. I predict it will be a moderate success.
Box Office Guess: $300 million
The Odyssey (July 17)
Stars: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong'o, etc.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan has a track record of turning big-budget movies into blockbusters. The Odyssey is a fantasy-adventure movie that Nolan will direct more like a historical drama. While some may fuss about the races of its actors, I think it will be a hit, attracting fans of Nolan's work and big-budget spectacle.
Box Office Guess: $465 million
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31)
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo
Director: Dustin Daniel Cretton
Tom Holland's Spider-Man reached a high-water mark with Spider-Man: No Way Home. This new movie sees him living life as an anonymous crime fighter after casting a spell designed to make the world forget about him. It's hard to judge how high this will go as a box office phenomenon, but I think it will be a hit, attracting fans of the character and summer audiences.
Box Office Guess: $500 million
Toy Story 5 (June 19)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Joan Cusack, Tim Allen
Director: Andrew Stanton
Pixar's Toy Story franchise has a perfect record so far, and Toy Story 5 looks to continue that streak. The movie pits our old friends the toys against tech encroaching on kids' attention. It's an irresistible hook, and I think it will be a massive hit, attracting families and fans of the franchise.
Box Office Guess: $530 million
In conclusion, the summer movie season of 2026 is shaping up to be a mix of familiar franchises and fresh faces at the box office. While some movies are sure bets, others are more of a gamble. However, with a mix of horror, sci-fi, and family-friendly fare, there's something for everyone this summer.
