Most Anticipated New Movies Releasing In March 2026: The Complete Guide

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies Coming Out in March 2026

March 2026 Movie Release Calendar Overview

March 2026 features a balanced mix of:

• Science fiction epics

• Horror-comedy sequels

• Literary adaptations

• Crime sagas

• Family animation

• Action thrillers

Major studios including Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and other production banners are anchoring the month with theatrical exclusives expected to generate significant box office traction.

1. Hoppers (March 6, 2026)

Genre: Family / Comedy / Animation / Sci-Fi Director: Daniel Chong

Synopsis of Hoppers

Pixar Animation Studios is set to dive back into original storytelling with Hoppers, a film that explores the intersection of high-concept technology and the natural world. Directed by Daniel Chong—the visionary creator behind the beloved We Bare Bears—the film follows Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), a tech-savvy young girl who utilizes experimental consciousness-transfer technology. By "hopping" her mind into a robotic animal, she enters a hidden world that humans were never meant to see.

The film's secondary protagonist, a "regal beaver" named King George (Bobby Moynihan), provides the heart of the story. As Mabel navigates the animal kingdom, she uncovers an impending ecological and technological threat orchestrated by Mayor Jerry Generazzo, voiced by the charismatic Jon Hamm.

The voice cast is further bolstered by Hollywood royalty, including Meryl Streep as the "Insect Queen," signaling that Hoppers is not just a children’s comedy but a sophisticated sci-fi parable about our relationship with the environment. Early buzz suggests Pixar is utilizing a new rendering technique to differentiate the "robotic" and "organic" textures within the film.

Star-Studded Voice Cast of Hoppers

• Piper Curda as Mabel

• Bobby Moynihan as King George

• Jon Hamm

• Kathy Najimy

• Aparna Nancherla

• Meryl Streep

• Dave Franco

With animation continuing to dominate family box office returns globally, Hoppers could appeal to both children and adults thanks to its philosophical undertones and high-profile cast.

2. The Bride! (March 6, 2026)

Genre: Drama / Romance / Sci-Fi Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Synopsis of The Bride!

Marking her second directorial effort after the critically acclaimed The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal takes on a gothic reimagining of the Frankenstein mythos with The Bride!. Set against the gritty, atmospheric backdrop of 1930s Chicago, the film departs from traditional horror tropes to focus on the psychological and romantic awakening of a resurrected woman. Jessie Buckley stars as "The Bride," a role that promises to be as transformative as it is haunting.

Opposite Buckley is Christian Bale, taking on the role of Frankenstein’s Monster. Bale, known for his physical commitment to roles, portrays a "lonely" version of the creature who seeks out the brilliant Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening) to create a soulmate.

The film’s aesthetic is expected to blend the "monster movie" era of Universal Pictures with the sharp, modern sensibility of a period drama. With a supporting cast featuring Penélope Cruz and Peter Sarsgaard, The Bride! is already being discussed as a potential awards contender for late 2026.

Notable Cast of The Bride!

• Jessie Buckley

• Christian Bale

• Annette Bening

• Penélope Cruz

Gothic reinterpretations have gained renewed popularity in recent years, and The Bride! is positioned as both a character-driven drama and visually rich period piece.

3. Project Hail Mary (March 20, 2026)

Genre: Sci-Fi / Adventure / Drama Directors: Christopher Miller & Phil Lord

Synopsis of Project Hail Mary

Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian, Project Hail Mary is perhaps the most anticipated hard-science fiction film of the decade. Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there or why his fellow crewmates are dead. He soon discovers that he is Earth’s last hope to stop an extinction-level event caused by a solar-dimming phenomenon.

Directed by the dynamic duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film is expected to balance the humor of Weir’s writing with the isolation of deep space. Sandra Hüller (coming off her Oscar-nominated turn in Anatomy of a Fall) joins the cast as Eva Stratt, the woman who orchestrated the desperate mission.

The production has utilized state-of-the-art "Volume" technology to recreate the gravity-defying physics of the ship, the Hail Mary. Fans are particularly excited to see how the directors handle "Rocky," a fan-favorite character from the book that requires groundbreaking visual effects and sound design.

Cast Highlights of Project Hail Mary

• Ryan Gosling

• Sandra Hüller

• Ken Leung

• Milana Vayntrub

The combination of humor, science accuracy, and emotional storytelling could replicate the commercial and critical success of previous space epics.

4. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (March 20, 2026)

Genre: Horror / Comedy Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Synopsis of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

The 2019 cult hit Ready or Not introduced audiences to Samara Weaving’s Grace, a bride forced to play a lethal game of hide-and-seek with her new in-laws. In the sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, the stakes are raised as the "Le Domas" family legacy continues to haunt those who crossed them. Radio Silence (the directing duo of Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett) returns to helm the project, ensuring the same blend of gruesome kills and satirical wit that made the first film a success.

Samara Weaving returns as Grace MacCaulley, but the story expands to include a new cast of targets and tormentors, including Kathryn Newton and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Set several years after the original massacre, the sequel explores the broader "pact" the family made with the devil. With Elijah Wood joining the cast in a mysterious lawyer role, the film is expected to dive deeper into the occult lore of the series while maintaining its breakneck pace.

Cast of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

• Samara Weaving

• Kathryn Newton

• Elijah Wood

• Sarah Michelle Gellar

Horror-comedies remain profitable mid-budget ventures, often generating strong ROI globally.

5. They Will Kill You (March 27, 2026)

Genre: Horror / Thriller Director: Kirill Sokolov

Synopsis of They Will Kill You

From the producers of IT and The Flash, They Will Kill You is a high-concept horror thriller that turns the domestic "housekeeper" trope into a nightmare. Zazie Beetz stars as a woman who takes a job in a prestigious, high-security New York City high-rise. What begins as a lucrative opportunity quickly descends into paranoia as she realizes the residents belong to a clandestine community with a sinister agenda—one that may involve ritualistic disappearances.

Director Kirill Sokolov, known for his violent and darkly comedic Why Don’t You Just Die!, brings a stylized visual flair to the project. The film features an eclectic ensemble cast including Patricia Arquette and Tom Felton. Industry insiders suggest the film is a "social horror" piece, using the NYC luxury real estate market as a metaphor for the predatory nature of the elite.

Cast of They Will Kill You

• Zazie Beetz

• Patricia Arquette

• Heather Graham

• Tom Felton

Urban horror narratives continue to resonate strongly with younger audiences.

6. Reminders of Him (March 5, 2026)

Genre: Drama / Romance Director: Vanessa Caswill

Synopsis of Reminders of Him

Colleen Hoover’s dominance over the publishing world continues as her hit novel Reminders of Him arrives on the big screen. The story follows Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe), who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake. Her goal is to reunite with her four-year-old daughter, but the walls are closing in as the people in her daughter's life are determined to keep her away.

Tyriq Withers plays Ledger Ward, the local bar owner and the only person who provides Kenna with a glimmer of hope. The film is directed by Vanessa Caswill, who has a reputation for capturing raw, intimate human emotions. With a cast that includes Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford, Reminders of Him is positioned as the definitive "tear-jerker" of the season, capitalizing on the massive "BookTok" audience that has turned Hoover’s novels into global phenomena.

Cast of Reminders of Him

• Maika Monroe

• Tyriq Withers

• Rudy Pankow

• Lauren Graham

• Bradley Whitford

Romantic literary adaptations consistently perform well among young adult demographics.

7. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (March 6, 2026)

Genre: Crime / Drama Director: Tom Harper

Synopsis of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

The long-awaited conclusion to the Shelby saga arrives not on television, but in a cinematic event titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Set during World War II, the film sees Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) returning from self-imposed exile to Birmingham. As the city faces the Blitz, Tommy must navigate the dual threats of fascist infiltrators and the internal crumbling of the Shelby empire.

The film serves as a bridge between the old guard and the new generation of the Peaky Blinders. Barry Keoghan and Rebecca Ferguson join the cast in undisclosed but pivotal roles, while series regulars like Sophie Rundle (Ada Shelby) return to provide emotional continuity. Director Tom Harper, who helmed episodes in the show's first season, returns to bring a cinematic scale to the industrial grit of Birmingham. The film is expected to explore the "immortality" of Tommy’s legacy—whether he can ever truly escape the violence that defined him.

Cast of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

• Cillian Murphy

• Stephen Graham

• Sophie Rundle

• Rebecca Ferguson

• Barry Keoghan

With Peaky Blinders enjoying massive global streaming popularity, this cinematic continuation could draw both loyal fans and new audiences.

8. Forbidden Fruits (March 27, 2026)

Genre: Horror / Comedy Director: Meredith Alloway

Synopsis of Forbidden Fruits

Produced by Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body, Juno), Forbidden Fruits is a sharp-tongued horror comedy that satirizes influencer culture and Gen Z social dynamics. The film follows a group of friends—played by Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, and Victoria Pedretti—who find themselves in a surreal and deadly situation during a weekend getaway.

True to Diablo Cody’s style, the dialogue is expected to be fast, witty, and filled with pop-culture references. The film explores themes of envy and "the female gaze" within the context of a supernatural threat. With Emma Chamberlain making a notable acting appearance, the film is heavily marketed toward younger audiences, promising a vibrant, neon-soaked aesthetic that contrasts with its dark, "forbidden" plot.

9. The Pout-Pout Fish (March 20, 2026)

Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure Director: Ricard Cussó

Synopsis of The Pout-Pout Fish

Bringing the beloved children’s book series to life, The Pout-Pout Fish is a visual feast designed for the youngest moviegoers. Nick Offerman lends his iconic baritone to the title character, a fish who believes he is destined to be sad because of his "pout-pout face." The story follows his journey across the ocean as he meets a variety of colorful sea creatures who teach him that happiness is a choice.

The film is produced by Nadine Bates and directed by Ricard Cussó, utilizing a soft, "storybook" animation style that departs from the hyper-realism often seen in modern 3D films. With a supporting voice cast including Miranda Otto and Jordin Sparks, the film aims to be the primary family choice for the late March window, offering positive messages about emotional intelligence and self-acceptance.

Voice Cast Includes:

• Nick Offerman

• Amy Sedaris

• Jordin Sparks

Family-friendly content remains a reliable theatrical performer, especially during school breaks.

10. Protector (March 6, 2026)

Genre: Action / Thriller Director: Adrian Grünberg

Synopsis of Protector

Milla Jovovich returns to her action-hero roots in Protector, a gritty, "one-woman-army" thriller directed by Adrian Grünberg (Rambo: Last Blood). Jovovich plays Nikki, a retired war hero whose quiet life is shattered when a ruthless criminal syndicate abducts her daughter. The film is described as a high-octane "ticking clock" narrative, as Nikki must use her specialized military training to navigate the urban underworld.

Unlike the sci-fi spectacle of Resident Evil, Protector is grounded in realism, focusing on hand-to-hand combat and tactical choreography. Matthew Modine stars as a high-ranking colonel who may have ties to Nikki’s past. For fans of the John Wick or Taken franchises, Protector offers a visceral, relentless experience that highlights Jovovich’s enduring status as an action icon.

Supporting Cast of Protector:

• Matthew Modine

• D.B. Sweeney

• Michael Stahl-David

Female-led action films continue gaining traction, reflecting broader industry shifts toward diversified representation.

Conclusion

March 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark month for the film industry. With a heavy emphasis on strong female leads—seen in The Bride!, Protector, and Reminders of Him—and the return of massive fan-favorite IPs like Peaky Blinders and Project Hail Mary, the box office is expected to see a significant surge. This month proves that cinema is leaning into diverse storytelling, balancing the whimsy of animation with the dark depths of psychological horror and the intellectual rigor of hard science fiction.