Cinema is often declared dead, with dire warnings of a dying art form and the lack of quality in recent years. However, 2025 shattered all those expectations with an array of masterpieces that left this writer wondering if filmmakers, actors, writers, and directors are still out there to tell stories of lasting power and quality.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the promise of another great year is palpable. Several films have already generated excitement, with some having the potential to become all-timers. While it's impossible to match the quality of 2025, a few titles from the upcoming calendar are definitely worth noting.
Gus Van Sant returns to form with "Dead Man's Wire," a powerful crime drama about class and outlaw justice, based on a true-life hostage situation in 1977. The director has faced criticism in recent years, but his past works like "Drugstore Cowboy" and "My Own Private Idaho" have secured his place as an indie godfather.
In contrast, Sam Raimi takes on a new project with the thrilling "Send Help," starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. The film combines elements of horror and survival, promising to be a shut-up-and-take-my-money kind of experience.
Alexander Skarsgård stars alongside Harry Melling in the romantic BDSM drama "Pillion." This one appears to be an adorable love story about every sub's right to good domination.
Sam Rockwell is back on track with "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die," a sci-fi comedy-thriller that blends elements of "12 Monkeys" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once." The director, Gore Verbinski, has been absent from the screen since 2016's "A Cure for Wellness."
Andrew Stanton takes on a massive project with "In the Blink of an Eye," which stars Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs. The film spans thousands of years, exploring the entire history of the world.
Maggie Gyllenhaal brings her unique vision to "The Bride!", a reimagining of "The Bride of Frankenstein." With one of the best trailers ever seen, this promises to be another powerhouse performance from Jessie Buckley and a work of striking vision.
In the sci-fi genre, David Robert Mitchell's "Flowervale Street" appears to be a freakout about a family in the '80s noticing strange occurrences on their street. The film stars Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
A bold move in the DC Comics Universe is coming with "Clayface," a body horror comic book movie written by Mike Flanagan. This could mark a new direction for superhero films, bringing originality and hope for something groundbreaking.
Finally, Jeremy Strong takes on the role of Zuckerberg in the sequel to "The Social Network," directed by Aaron Sorkin. A return to form for the masterful director is a welcome prospect.
2026 has all the makings of an epic year, with several high-profile films on the horizon that could prove to be timeless classics. While it's impossible to match 2025, anticipation is already building, and this writer can't wait to see what these visionaries bring to the table.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the promise of another great year is palpable. Several films have already generated excitement, with some having the potential to become all-timers. While it's impossible to match the quality of 2025, a few titles from the upcoming calendar are definitely worth noting.
Gus Van Sant returns to form with "Dead Man's Wire," a powerful crime drama about class and outlaw justice, based on a true-life hostage situation in 1977. The director has faced criticism in recent years, but his past works like "Drugstore Cowboy" and "My Own Private Idaho" have secured his place as an indie godfather.
In contrast, Sam Raimi takes on a new project with the thrilling "Send Help," starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. The film combines elements of horror and survival, promising to be a shut-up-and-take-my-money kind of experience.
Alexander Skarsgård stars alongside Harry Melling in the romantic BDSM drama "Pillion." This one appears to be an adorable love story about every sub's right to good domination.
Sam Rockwell is back on track with "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die," a sci-fi comedy-thriller that blends elements of "12 Monkeys" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once." The director, Gore Verbinski, has been absent from the screen since 2016's "A Cure for Wellness."
Andrew Stanton takes on a massive project with "In the Blink of an Eye," which stars Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs. The film spans thousands of years, exploring the entire history of the world.
Maggie Gyllenhaal brings her unique vision to "The Bride!", a reimagining of "The Bride of Frankenstein." With one of the best trailers ever seen, this promises to be another powerhouse performance from Jessie Buckley and a work of striking vision.
In the sci-fi genre, David Robert Mitchell's "Flowervale Street" appears to be a freakout about a family in the '80s noticing strange occurrences on their street. The film stars Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
A bold move in the DC Comics Universe is coming with "Clayface," a body horror comic book movie written by Mike Flanagan. This could mark a new direction for superhero films, bringing originality and hope for something groundbreaking.
Finally, Jeremy Strong takes on the role of Zuckerberg in the sequel to "The Social Network," directed by Aaron Sorkin. A return to form for the masterful director is a welcome prospect.
2026 has all the makings of an epic year, with several high-profile films on the horizon that could prove to be timeless classics. While it's impossible to match 2025, anticipation is already building, and this writer can't wait to see what these visionaries bring to the table.
, i mean we just saw some amazing stuff in 2025 like "Dead Man's Wire" and "Pillion" that's literally breaking my heart 
, can't wait to see what gus van sant, sam raimi and gore verbinski have got in store for us 
, and the fact that we're getting more original superhero movies like "Clayface" is giving me LIFE 
And a romantic BDSM drama about dominatrix? 
I'm here for it! Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling are already making my heart skip a beat. 
Bring it on!
... meanwhile, sam rockwell is back on track with a sci-fi comedy-thriller that blends the best of '12 monkeys' and 'everything everywhere all at once'. AND andrew stanton's taking on a massive project about world history... it's gonna be epic, i can feel it! 
. I mean, can't we go back to good old-fashioned cheeseburgers or veggie burgers that don't feel like they're trying too hard to be something they're not? 
and i'm kinda intrigued by alexander skarsgård and harry melling together... not sure if its gonna be a rom-com or some weird bdsms drama lol, but i love the vibes they're giving off 
. We've been here before, where some "masterpiece" turns out to be just another blockbuster cash-grab. I mean, Gus Van Sant's return to form? Please, he was never gone 
. Sam Raimi and his "Send Help"? More like a tired old horror rehash, if you ask me 
. And don't even get me started on the romantic BDSM drama 
.
. And that DC Comics movie, "Clayface"? Sounds intriguing, could be the spark we need for some originality 
.
. But then again, it's Sam Raimi, so maybe I'll surprise myself and actually enjoy it 
. On the flip side, Alexander Skarsgård being in a romantic BDSM drama? That just feels like a recipe for disaster...or at least a really weird date movie 
Gus Van Sant is back with a powerful crime drama that's gonna blow us away 
plus Alexander Skarsgård in a romantic BDSM drama is literally giving me all the feels 
and don't even get me started on Andrew Stanton's massive project 
it's gonna be SO cool to see Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs bring history to life 
, Gus Van Sant's return to form looks real 
!
gus van sant's "dead man's wire" sounds like a game changer, and rachel mcadams in sam raimi's "send help"? 
and jeremy strong as zuckerberg in the sequel to "the social network"? that's some next level acting right there 
. Gus Van Sant's "Dead Man's Wire" and Alexander Skarsgård in "Pillion" sound like total bangers to me. And can we talk about Sam Raimi's "Send Help"? 
. Bring on 2026 and let's get this movie party started! 
.
! Gus Van Sant is back with some real grit in "Dead Man's Wire" – I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? 
And Sam Raimi is still got it with that "Send Help" thrill ride 
.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing some serious magic to her reimagining of "The Bride!" and Jessie Buckley better bring her A-game, or else... 
And I'm low-key excited about the new Zuckerberg flick, even if Jeremy Strong is already an awesome actor 
so I'm expecting some serious Oscar buzz 
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are my faves, so I'm in for that