The Hottest Movies in Theaters This Summer (2026)
From Toy Story 5 to Nolan's Odyssey, the 2026 summer slate is loaded. Here is what is playing now and what is still to come, with dates worth circling.
Summer is the deep end of the movie calendar, and 2026 is no exception. Pixar brought back its biggest franchise, the DC Universe planted a flag, Disney's live-action machine rolls on, and Christopher Nolan is about to drop the season's heavyweight. Here is the slate worth your ticket money, split into what is playing right now and what is still on the way.
Playing now
Toy Story 5
Released June 17, Pixar's return to Woody, Buzz, and the gang is the family tentpole of the summer. After more than a decade of sequels and spinoffs, the fifth mainline entry is the kind of guaranteed draw that anchors a whole season at the box office. If you are ranking Pixar, this one immediately enters the conversation: see where the studio's run stands in our Pixar movies ranked tier list.
Supergirl
Out June 24, this is a major swing for the new DC Universe, putting Kara Zor-El front and center on the big screen. For anyone tracking how the rebooted DC slate stacks up against what came before, it is an important data point. Compare it against the back catalog in our DC movies ranked tier list.
Still to come
Moana
Disney's live-action reimagining of Moana sails into theaters July 8. The animated original was a modern Disney high point, so the live-action version arrives with both built-in goodwill and high expectations. It is the next big test of Disney's ongoing live-action strategy.
The Odyssey
The headliner. Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic opens July 17 in IMAX 70mm, shot entirely on IMAX film cameras and led by Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside a stacked ensemble. It is the must-see-on-the-biggest-screen event of the summer. We broke down everything to expect in our full Odyssey preview.
Tip: the season's two format-defining releases, The Odyssey and any large-format animated tentpole, play best on premium screens. For the Nolan, an IMAX 70mm film screen is worth the drive.
Turn a summer of movies into a ranking
By Labor Day you will have opinions about all of these, and probably strong ones. Instead of arguing in circles, settle it: rank your summer in Shortlist with quick head-to-head comparisons, then share the list with friends. New to ranking? Start with our guide to making a movie tier list.
Frequently asked
What are the biggest movies in theaters in summer 2026?
The summer 2026 slate includes Toy Story 5 (June 17), Supergirl (June 24), Disney's live-action Moana (July 8), and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (July 17), among many others.
When does The Odyssey come out?
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey opens July 17, 2026, in IMAX 70mm and standard formats worldwide.
What is the best way to rank the movies I see this summer?
Shortlist lets you rank movies with quick head-to-head comparisons instead of star ratings, then share your list. It is a free iOS app.
What is your summer 2026 top five?
Rank every summer release head to head on Shortlist and see how your slate stacks up against the community.
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