10 Upcoming Movie Sequels, Ranked by Anticipation

What makes the upcoming slate especially interesting is how varied it is. Just look at this year alone. There are long-awaited follow-ups to critically acclaimed blockbusters, risky legacy films carrying enormous expectations, and a few projects that feel capable of completely redefining their franchises if they're lucky enough to stick the landing. So, whether driven by nostalgia, curiosity, or sheer cinematic chaos, let's look at some upcoming movie sequels audiences are excited to see.

10 'Practical Magic 2' (2026)

More than two decades after Practical Magic quietly evolved from box office disappointment into beloved cult favorite, the Owens sisters are finally making their triumphant return. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are reprising their roles, with the sequel reportedly revolving around the resurfacing of the family's centuries-old curse. And considering how deeply the original has embedded itself into pop culture, the announcement alone was enough to send half the internet directly into candlelit witchcore mode.

Naturally, part of the anticipation stems from how beautifully the original film has aged. What was once dismissed as a mere "chick-flick" is now celebrated for its warm atmosphere, sisterhood themes, and chaotic feminine energy—also not forgetting the iconic wigs. The challenge, of course, is recapturing that specific charm without over-modernizing it into a generic fantasy. Sure, the trailer's visuals have left some fans worried, but if the sequel can tap back into the original's sincerity, Practical Magic 2 could become one of the rare legacy sequels that actually hit its mark.

A sequel to The Social Network already sounds dangerous enough, but the reported direction of The Social Reckoning makes it even more intriguing. While the plot specifics remain under wraps, this "companion project" is expected to follow Facebook's 2021 whistleblower scandal, with Jeremy Strong taking over the role as an older Mark Zuckerberg.

The biggest source of anticipation is simple: the first movie somehow became more relevant with time. Aaron Sorkin's razor-sharp dialogue and David Fincher's icy direction turned Facebook's creation into something almost Shakespearean, and audiences are understandably curious whether lightning can strike twice. There's also a fascinating tonal shift to consider. The original captured ambition and innovation, while a sequel would likely have to wrestle with power, influence, and societal fallout instead. That's a much messier story to tell—which honestly makes it even more compelling.

8 'A Quiet Place Part III' (2027)

With A Quiet Place: Day One expanding the franchise outward, A Quiet Place Part III is set to bring the main Abbott family back into focus. And while details are still relatively scarce, one can only look at where Part II ended—with humanity finally beginning to understand the creatures' weaknesses. As such, the next film feels poised to shift from pure survival horror into something larger (and potentially more hopeful).

Naturally, the anticipation is building with how consistently strong this franchise has been. The original film transformed silence into one of modern horror's most effective weapons, with the sequel/prequels proving the concept wasn't just a one-hit gimmick. There's still genuine tension baked into the premise, and audiences remain invested in these characters in a way many horror franchises struggle to achieve.

7 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse' (2027)

After Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ended on one of the boldest cliffhangers in modern Marvel films, anticipation for Beyond the Spider-Verse immediately shot into overdrive. The upcoming third film is expected to conclude Miles Morales' (Shameik Moore) multiversal story, picking up with Miles stranded in an alternate universe while Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) assembles a team to find him.

Part of the excitement is how these films genuinely push animation forward in real time. Every Spider-Verse installment somehow finds new ways to experiment visually, while still delivering deeply emotional storytelling underneath all the spectacle. As such, audiences aren't just waiting for plot resolution—they're also waiting to see what the filmmakers attempt next stylistically. There's also the pressure of sticking the landing after such an ambitious setup, but if any franchise has earned audience trust at this point, it's probably this one.

6 'The Mummy 4' (2027)

Unlike many modern blockbusters, The Mummy films managed to balance action, horror, comedy, and romance with a breezy confidence that now feels oddly rare. It's an enduring classic that many fans often return to as their comfort watch. And finally, after years of speculation (and hard-core manifesting), Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are officially making their return to the franchise for its fourth installment.

The excitement largely comes from nostalgia done right. Fans don't necessarily want a darker reboot or a hyper-serious cinematic expansion—they just want another fun adventure with charmingly chaotic energy and maybe a few CGI scarabs for old time's sake. If we got anything from the disastrous 2017 reboot, it was how it effectively strengthened appreciation for the Fraser-era films. Sure, the plot of the upcoming flick still remains under wraps, but we have hope that it will satisfy our long-lived desires.

5 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' (2026)

Following the universe-altering ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to push Peter Parker (Tom Holland) into unfamiliar territory: complete anonymity. With the world forgetting who he is, the next installment reportedly aims for a more grounded, street-level direction, with Peter now committed to being a full-time friendly neighborhood hero. That said, he also happens to be dealing with a surprising evolution of his own powers.

In many ways, the anticipation rides high with the sheer storytelling potential of a reset. For the first time in years, Peter feels truly alone—no social safety net, no Stark technology, and no public support system in sight. Fans are eager to see the character stripped back to basics in a way the MCU hasn't fully explored yet. And let's not forget how excited we are to see the likes of the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) enter his world—not to mention any surprising cameos that are set to occur.

4 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (2026)

Following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Lionsgate is heading back to Panem with Sunrise on the Reaping, adapting Suzanne Collins' newest prequel novel centered on a young Haymitch Abernathy's (Joseph Zada) Hunger Games. Given how beloved the character became throughout the original series of books (and films), the idea of finally learning more of his story immediately sparked major interest among longtime fans, especially since it has always carried an undercurrent of tragedy.

Woody Harrelson's performance hinted at years of buried pain, with Haymitch's cynicism and alcoholism often placed at the forefront. For audiences, this would mean one would already be aware that this won't exactly be a triumphant underdog story. There's also growing confidence in the franchise's ability to handle dark and dreary material, whether it be political or social. As such, if handled well, this could easily become one of the series' most emotionally devastating chapters. And that's not even considering the excitement building for its iconic ensemble cast.

3 'The Batman: Part II' (2027)

Matt Reeves' The Batman Part II remains one of the most anticipated superhero sequels simply because the first film established such a distinct identity. Robert Pattinson's version of Bruce Wayne was younger, more isolated, and emotionally raw than many previous interpretations. Meanwhile, Reeves leaned heavily into noir detective storytelling instead of pure action spectacle. The sequel is expected to continue exploring Gotham's corruption, exciting audiences as we are set to once again immerse ourselves in its grimy and haunting world.

Fans are also intensely curious about the new ensemble that's set to appear, especially with Reeves' recent little hints of the cast. Between Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Charles Dance, and Bryan Tyree Henry, these new additions solidify the intention of a slow but purposeful expansion into this narrative universe. For some, this may seem like its following in the footsteps of other overcrowded superhero flicks, but if we've learned anything about Reeves' projects, it's to trust the vision and its process.

2 'Dune: Part 3' (2026)

Denis Villeneuve's upcoming third Dune film is set to adapt Dune Messiah, continuing Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) story after the seismic events of Dune: Part Two. But rather than simply escalating the action, this sequel will supposedly focus on the consequences of Paul's rise to power, exploring how messianic worship and political control begin consuming both him and the surrounding galaxy. So if Part Two felt like the triumphant rise, Dune: Part Three will definitely be a whole lot darker.

And that tonal shift is exactly why anticipation is so intense. Villeneuve has already proven he can translate Frank Herbert's dense world-building into breathtaking cinema, but this installment presents a much trickier challenge because it intentionally deconstructs the very hero audiences have been rooting for. Yet, there's something exciting about a blockbuster franchise willing to become more morally uncomfortable. Plus, given the sheer epic scale of the last two films, viewers are understandably eager to see just how Villeneuve will go the extra mile.

1 'Avengers: Doomsday' (2026)

After years of uneven post-Endgame momentum, Avengers: Doomsday feels like Marvel's attempt to fully reset the cultural conversation around the MCU. Directed by the Russo Brothers, this film will notably feature the long-awaited arrival of Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) as a central threat, alongside a surprisingly sprawling ensemble of new and old heroes (hello OG X-Men cast). Of course, this sets enormous expectations before audiences even know the full scope of the story. Between multiversal fallout, legacy character returns, and the possibility of major franchise-shifting events, Marvel clearly wants this to feel huge.

And that's exactly why anticipation is through the roof. Love it or hate it, there's still something undeniably exciting about the MCU when it operates in full event-mode. No other franchise has brought together years of storytelling into one giant successful cinematic collision. There's also curiosity surrounding whether Marvel can genuinely recapture the emotional investment audiences had during the Infinity Saga era. As such, the stakes feel unusually high—not just for the characters, but for the future of the franchise itself.