Introduction
2027 is shaping up to be one of the most stacked years for cinema in recent memory — the finale of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, a new Batman, the next chapter of Star Wars, and long-awaited returns from beloved franchises across every genre. Here’s our countdown of the 25 films generating the most buzz for the year ahead, ranked from #1 to #25.
Genre, Platform
- Genre: All (Action, Animation, Horror, Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy)
- Platform: Theatrical releases across studios
1. Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027)
The culmination of nearly a decade of MCU storytelling since Avengers: Endgame, reuniting directors Anthony and Joe Russo with an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr. and Vanessa Kirby. Expected to close out the Multiverse Saga entirely, unite characters across the MCU’s various phases, and reshape the franchise’s next era, this holds the top spot as 2027’s single most anticipated release — arguably the most significant superhero film event since Endgame itself.
2. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (June 20, 2027)
The long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed animated trilogy, resolving the cliffhanger left by Across the Spider-Verse and closing out one of the most critically beloved superhero sagas in any medium. With directors Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson returning alongside stars Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, and Brian Tyree Henry, this has been one of the most eagerly awaited animated releases for years following its repeated delays.
3. The Batman: Part II (February 18, 2028 — pushed from its original 2027 date)
Matt Reeves’ sequel has faced repeated delays — from October 2026 to October 2027 and now February 2028 — but remains one of the most anticipated superhero films in development, with Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell, and Jeffrey Wright returning alongside new additions Sebastian Stan as Harvey Dent/Two-Face and Scarlett Johansson as Gilda Dent. The wait has only intensified anticipation for Reeves’ continuation of his grounded, crime-drama take on Gotham.
4. Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (December 2027)
Andy Serkis directs and returns as Gollum in this Aragorn-focused story set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, with Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen also returning. It’s the first live-action Middle-earth film since the trilogies concluded, making it a major event for Tolkien fans regardless of its smaller, character-focused scope.
5. The Great Beyond (October 1, 2027)
J.J. Abrams’ first directorial effort since The Rise of Skywalker (2019), starring Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega in an original sci-fi fantasy. Abrams stepping away from franchise filmmaking for an original concept — and getting a two-week 70mm IMAX rollout — has made this one of the year’s most-watched original blockbuster bets.
6. Star Wars: Starfighter (May 28, 2027)
Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) directs this new chapter of the Star Wars saga, following a solitary pilot pulled into a mission that could reshape the future of the Force, starring Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. It notably breaks a 50-year-old franchise rule, according to early reports, making it one of the more unpredictable entries on the Star Wars release calendar in years.
7. The Simpsons Movie 2 (September 2027)
Following the surprise success of the original 2007 film, Springfield’s first family returns to the big screen nearly two decades later. The long gap between films has only heightened curiosity about how the franchise translates to a modern theatrical release.
8. The Conjuring: First Communion (September 2027)
The horror franchise’s next mainline entry, continuing the Warrens’ case files. As one of the most consistently profitable horror franchises in history, each new Conjuring installment remains a reliable event for genre audiences.
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 (August 2027)
The critically acclaimed animated reboot gets its sequel, continuing the Turtles’ modern animated era. The first film’s distinctive art style and genuine critical acclaim have set high expectations for round two.
10. A Quiet Place Part III (July 28, 2027)
Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy return, with John Krasinski back in the director’s chair for the next terrifying installment. The franchise’s reliably tense, high-concept horror has made every new entry a must-see for genre fans.
11. Man of Tomorrow (July 7, 2027)
James Gunn’s follow-up to Superman (2025), reuniting David Corenswet as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane for the next chapter of DC Studios’ new era. With Gunn’s first Superman film already reinvigorating the character for a new generation, this sequel carries real momentum.
12. Untitled Marvel July 2027 Film (July 2027)
Marvel Studios’ next chapter following the Multiverse Saga’s conclusion, with details still under wraps. Its mystery status alone has fans speculating about what direction the MCU takes once Secret Wars resets the board later in the year.
13. Minecraft Sequel (July 2027)
Following the blockbuster success of the first live-action Minecraft film, the franchise returns for another big-screen adventure. Given how strongly the first film overperformed at the box office, expectations are high for this one to be an even bigger event.
14. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Live-Action) (June 2027)
Following the box-office success of the first live-action How to Train Your Dragon adaptation, the franchise continues its shift from animation to live action, promising to bring Hiccup and Toothless’s next chapter to life with the same visual ambition.
15. Shrek 5 (June 2027)
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz return to their iconic roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, joined by Zendaya as their daughter Felicia, and Marcello Hernandez and Skyler Gisondo as her brothers Fergus and Farkle. A new generation of the Shrek family taking center stage has fans of the original trilogy especially curious to see how the franchise evolves.
16. The Legend of Zelda (May 28, 2027)
Wes Ball (the Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes trilogies) directs the long-awaited live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s iconic video game franchise, starring Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. It’s one of the most closely watched gaming adaptations ever attempted, given the franchise’s decades-long fanbase and Nintendo’s traditionally cautious approach to film adaptations.
17. Star Wars: Episode IV Re-Release (April 2027)
A theatrical re-release of the original A New Hope, timed to build anticipation ahead of the franchise’s next big chapter, Starfighter, later in the year — giving longtime fans a nostalgic big-screen return before the saga moves forward.
18. The Thomas Crown Affair (March 5, 2027)
Michael B. Jordan directs and stars in the third take on this classic heist-romance property, alongside Aubrey Plaza. Jordan stepping behind the camera for a modern reinterpretation of the 1968/1999 heist classic has drawn attention as a major expansion of his directorial ambitions beyond the Creed franchise.
19. Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (March 2027)
The MonsterVerse continues its crossover era with another giant monster showdown, following the box-office success of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. With the franchise’s shared-universe formula proving reliably profitable, this entry is expected to push the Titan mythology even further.
20. Remain (February 2027)
M. Night Shyamalan directs this adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, blending Shyamalan’s signature tension with Sparks’s romantic drama sensibilities — an unusual genre pairing that’s driving curiosity about how it’ll turn out.
21. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (February 12, 2027)
Greta Gerwig takes on C.S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy series for Netflix, adapting the prequel novel that explains Narnia’s origins. Following her success with Barbie and Little Women, expectations are sky-high for how she’ll reinterpret this classic material for a new generation.
22. Ice Age: Boiling Point (February 5, 2027)
The beloved animated franchise returns with its original voice cast, including Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, and Simon Pegg. After years away, nostalgia is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here for longtime fans of Scrat and the herd.
23. The Beekeeper 2 (January 2027)
Jason Statham returns for round two of brutal, stylish vigilante action, this time with Timo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes for Us) directing. The first film’s cult success and Statham’s reliable action-star draw make this a near-guaranteed genre crowd-pleaser.
24. Children of Blood and Bone (January 15, 2027)
Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King, The Old Guard) directs this adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling West African-inspired YA fantasy novel, starring Thuso Mbedu. It’s one of the most anticipated book-to-film adaptations in years, with fans of the novel eager to see its richly imagined magic system brought to life on screen.
25. Pendulum (January 1, 2027)
A psychological thriller from director Mark Heyman (writer of Black Swan) starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Phoebe Dynevor. Produced by Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures, the film kicks off the year with an indie-adjacent mystery that’s generating quiet buzz thanks to its pedigree behind the camera.
Why This Year Matters
- Franchise finales collide — Secret Wars and The Batman Part II (whenever it lands) represent the culmination of years of build-up in their respective universes.
- Beloved IPs return to form — Shrek, The Simpsons, Ice Age, and Narnia all mark major comebacks for franchises that shaped a generation.
- Gaming adaptations go big-budget — The Legend of Zelda is one of the most significant video game adaptations ever attempted.
- New auteur-driven blockbusters — Shawn Levy’s Starfighter, Michael B. Jordan’s directorial ambitions, and J.J. Abrams’ return all bring fresh creative voices to major franchises.
Recommendations — Catch Up Before 2027
- Avengers: Doomsday (2026) — essential viewing before Secret Wars closes out the saga.
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) — rewatch before Beyond the Spider-Verse finally continues the story.
- Superman (2025) — catch James Gunn’s DC Universe opener before Man of Tomorrow.
- The Batman (2022) — revisit Matt Reeves’ original before Part II eventually arrives.
- The Hobbit trilogy — for context going into The Hunt for Gollum.
Conclusion
Release dates will inevitably shift as production realities set in — as The Batman: Part II‘s repeated delays already show — but 2027 is stacked with era-defining franchise moments, ambitious adaptations, and genuine creative risks from major directors. Whether you’re counting down to Secret Wars or The Legend of Zelda, there’s no shortage of reasons to keep an eye on the year ahead.