Exciting Sci-Fi Movies Coming in 2026: Must-Watch Releases

Ryan Gosling in “Project Hail Mary”

Universal Pictures

This year, the promising green buds of recovery have flourished in the film industry. Expect tighter scripts, lower-budget projects—which allow studios to take more risks—and an overall more enjoyable movie-watching experience.

Mark your calendars for January 16th, as 28 Years Later: Temple of Bones will finally realize its long-awaited potential, arriving in 2025. Cillian Murphy returns, reprising his role from the original 28 Days Later, while Jack O’Connell’s acrobatic murder cult “The Jimmy’s” makes an intriguing appearance.

Nia DaCosta will take the director’s helm, a much-deserved opportunity after the struggles faced with Marvels. The screenplay, penned by Alex Garland, is poised to set the stage for DaCosta’s resurgence.

February sees the release of the remarkable science fiction film Do Your Best, Have Fun, and Don’t Die, starring Sam Rockwell as a time traveler who takes hostages in a Los Angeles diner to alter the fate of the world.

Gore Verbinski returns with a new project, following mixed reviews for his last film, Remedies for Health. Fans of his unique style have high hopes for this dynamic and adventurous narrative.

Anticipation builds for Guillermo del Toro’s latest work, Frankenstein, slated for release on March 6, featuring Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut with Jesse Buckley and Christian Bale in leading roles.

Bride of Frankenstein, a fresh take on James Whale’s 1935 classic, offers a modern twist as the duo embarks on a thrilling escapade reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde.

For genre enthusiasts, Project Hail Mary, launching on March 20, promises to be an unmissable treat. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a science teacher who awakens in a spaceship with no recollection of his identity, just as the sun faces extinction.


This year promises tighter scripts, cheaper projects, and a more enjoyable movie-watching experience.

In The Dog Stars, directed by Ridley Scott and featuring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, survival becomes paramount in a post-influenza pandemic world as the characters grapple with a mysterious radio signal that may bring hope.

Furthermore, Steven Spielberg has an awaiting UFO film lined up for a June 6th release, showcasing his storytelling prowess alongside screenwriter David Cope. Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colin Firth, the teaser for this much-anticipated film is now available online.

In I Love Booster, Demi Moore leads an ensemble cast in a satirical sci-fi narrative about the implications of fast fashion, a follow-up to the acclaimed Sorry to Bother You directed by Boots Riley.

Flower Veil Street, set to release on August 14, is penned and directed by David Robert Mitchell. This thriller stars Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor as a couple in the 1980s facing bizarre occurrences within their neighborhood—following up on Mitchell’s cult hit, It Follows.

The much-anticipated follow-up to Na Hong-jin’s 2016 Voice of Lamentation centers around a ghostly tiger, unveiling twists amid extraterrestrial elements including Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.

As we move toward December 18th, die-hard sci-fi fans await Dune: Part 3, the continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s captivating visuals of Frank Herbert’s legendary novel series.

Reflecting on Dune Messiah, this next chapter promises a blend of profound inner dialogue and complex themes. Fingers crossed, Villeneuve delivers another cinematic masterpiece.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Top New Sci-Fi Shows of 2026: Must-Watch Titles Like ‘Fallout’ and ‘Neuromancer’

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Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) in Fallout Season 2

Amazon MGM Studios

As the new year unfolds, it brings exciting opportunities for change and reinvention. This is the perfect time to explore the best sci-fi and science-related television shows set to premiere in 2026, showcasing groundbreaking series that launched last year. Notably, the second season of Fallout on Amazon Prime Video, airing mid-December, stands out as a must-watch.

Set against a retro-futuristic America, the series dives into a world where generations of humanity live in radiation-resistant bunkers designed by the shadowy Vault-Tec corporation. In the previous season, former vault dweller Lucy (inhabited by Ella Purnell) navigates the surface in search of her missing father, encountering unexpected allies and adversaries. This season, she embarks on a new adventure accompanied by Ghoul (played by Walton Goggins), a visually striking radioactive gunman. What could be more entertaining?

The critically acclaimed Fallout is just one of many bunker-based dramas slated for 2026. On February 23, Hulu/Disney+ will launch the second season of Paradise, featuring Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent residing in an underground city built to safeguard the elite from impending apocalypse. After solving the murder of U.S. President Cal Bradford and discovering survivors, he sets off on a journey back to Chicago in search of his estranged wife.

Later this year, the much-anticipated third season of Silo (Apple TV+) will air, which delves into the dark mysteries surrounding the toxic surface world, leaving viewers wanting more. If you enjoy gripping and conspiratorial narratives, this series is not to be missed.

Another intriguing dystopian tale is Dreamland (BBC iPlayer). Set in 2039, it follows Chance, a resident of the British seaside town of Margate, who turns to crime amidst widespread climate change and social inequality. When her community becomes entangled in a government rejuvenation initiative, Chance finds herself in love with Frankie, a woman with connections to the powers that be, revealing a deeper conspiracy.


In Star City, engineers and intelligence professionals work tirelessly to achieve the historic landing of the first humans on the moon.

Fans can look forward to the highly anticipated television adaptation of The Testaments (Hulu/Disney+), a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, also penned by Margaret Atwood. Premiering in April, it follows a new generation of women navigating freedom while being trained by Gilead’s elite.

In addition to dramatic narratives, the sci-fi genre offers exciting new adventures. Premiering on January 15th, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+) takes us into the 32nd century, chronicling the experiences of a group of Starfleet cadets as they develop friendships and rivalries while training to become future officers. Featuring a talented Gen Z cast alongside stars like Holly Hunter, Tatiana Maslany, and Paul Giamatti, this series promises to be fun for families. Moreover, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to return for its penultimate fourth season early this year.

Following the success of Andor, which set high standards for live-action Star Wars storytelling, fans anticipate the release of season 2 of Star Wars: Ahsoka on Disney+. Though unconfirmed, more animated adventures will soon unfold, such as Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, focusing on the Sith Lord as he rebuilds his crime syndicate following events from The Clone Wars, and Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, continuing the journey of Jedi Ethan and Kara.

For Marvel enthusiasts, while Vision Quest is rumored to premiere at the end of 2026, the series will feature the resurrected android superhero Vision, aiming to regain his memory post-WandaVision, alongside familiar faces like Ultron.

If you prefer small-scale robot dramas, be sure to look for Ann Droid (BBC iPlayer), a comedy by Diane Morgan, where she portrays Linda, a social robot designed to partner with the elderly in healthcare. Unexpected friendships blossom as Linda helps solve problems for her reluctant companion, Sue (Sue Johnston). With an impressive cast, this series is expected in 2026.

Fans of sci-fi comedy will also eagerly await the second season of Murderbot (Apple TV+), anticipated to premiere by year-end.

Delving into different realms of artificial intelligence, the adaptation of William Gibson’s seminal cyberpunk novel Neuromancer (Apple TV+) is set to captivate audiences. Following hacker Case (Callum Turner) as he navigates a dangerous futuristic Tokyo after losing his ability to access the virtual reality world, the series is positioned to explore high-stakes conspiracies.

Neuromancer is one of two Cyberpunk-themed series on the horizon, the other being Blade Runner 2099 (Amazon Prime Video). While details remain scarce, we know that Michelle Yeoh will star as a replicant nearing the end of her life in this highly anticipated series.

For technology enthusiasts, check out Altruists and Boldness. Altruists (Netflix) is a limited series due in late 2026 that chronicles the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX alongside the complicated romance between its founder Sam Bankman-Fried and partner Caroline Ellison, while Boldness (AMC) follows CEO Duncan (Billy Magnussen) battling power struggles in Silicon Valley without any real-world parallels.

Let’s venture beyond Earth, with excitement building for Star City (Apple TV+), a spin-off of the acclaimed alternate history series For All Mankind, which returns for its fifth season in 2026. This new series will spotlight the Soviet perspective during the space race, depicting the efforts of astronauts, engineers, and secret agents striving to land the first Russians on the moon.

Other space-centric highlights include the potential launch of the second season of Doctor Who in December and Three-Body Problem, an ambitious adaptation of Cixin Liu’s epic series about humanity’s preparation for an alien invasion set 400 years in the future.

For those who seek gripping narratives, Beauty (FX/Disney+) features FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) as they become engrossed in the world of high fashion while investigating tragic deaths of supermodels. The series grapples with themes of transformation, premiering on January 22nd—a significant moment for physical reinvention.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Eterenaut: A Must-Watch Post-Apocalyptic Drama That Will Captivate You

El Etanata. Ricardo Darín as Juan Salvo in El Eternauta. cr. Mariano Landette / Netflix ?? 2025

Juan Salvo (Ricardo Darín) Faces the Deadly Snowfall in Buenos Aires

Mariano Landette/Netflix

Forever
Netflix

Creating impactful art comes down to specificity. While this notion might undermine broader statements, it’s a guiding principle for me. The focus isn’t on appealing to the lowest common denominator; rather, it’s about the unique elements of artists that resonate and captivate audiences.

Perhaps that explains the surge of TV apocalypse narratives. Forever offers a refreshing perspective. This new Netflix series is inspired by a beloved comic book series from 1957, crafted by the renowned Argentinian writer Hector German Oesterheld.

The show draws upon themes from Oesterheld’s 1969 story reboot, echoing his growing anti-imperialist sentiments. This narrative, intertwined with the realities of violence linked to the Argentine military dictatorship, deserves greater recognition globally.

On a summer evening in Buenos Aires, Juan Salvo (Ricardo Darín) and his friends congregate in a basement for a game of Traco. Amidst laughter and whiskey, they experience an unusual phenomenon: the snow that has only fallen thrice in Buenos Aires’s recorded history turns lethal, killing anyone who touches it almost immediately.

Trapped indoors, Juan is uncertain about the fate of his ex-wife Elena (Carla Peterson) and daughter Clara (Mora Fiss). Dressed in a waterproof suit and gas mask, he braves the treacherous streets as panic rises in the community, igniting debates on resource sharing among survivors.

This narrative is rooted in genuine violence and delusions, yet it deserves greater fame.

Though I haven’t read the original comics due to limited availability in the UK, the modern adaptations seem effective. A notable update involves the protagonist’s backstory as a soldier from the 1982 Falklands War, enriching his role as a leader among survivors while his unresolved trauma contributes to the haunting visions he faces.

The storyline of Forever echoes that of many apocalyptic dramas, albeit with distinct nuances that elevate it within the genre. The Spanish series maintains authenticity by preserving its Argentine context rather than setting the drama in the typically overused NYC or London backdrop, making room for unique elements ranging from architecture to societal issues.

Before watching, I was unaware of Argentina’s history and how Oesterheld and his four daughters (two of whom were pregnant) vanished during the 1977 military dictatorship. The significance of this new series sheds light on the families affected during that tragic time. An Updated Search suggests that he may have been connected to other families due to his missing grandchildren’s plight. This tragic backdrop imbues the adaptation with depth, far surpassing its peers.

Some weaknesses in Forever do exist: the pacing of the initial three episodes feels sluggish and the treatment of female characters is somewhat lacking. Nonetheless, it remains a deeply engaging survival drama, with the narrative complexity increasing in the latter half. Plus, here’s a pleasant surprise—the series has been renewed for a second season following its sleeper success on Netflix.

I Also Recommend:

The Mist
Directed by Frank Darabont
When a mysterious fog envelops the town of Bridgeton, residents are forced to either stay indoors or confront a deadly threat. This Stephen King adaptation offers a surprising twist with a new ending.

I’m Still Here
Directed by Walter Salles
Elsa Sanchez, the widow of comic book writer Hector German Oesterheld, seeks justice against the Argentine military regime. Her journey parallels Eunice Paiva’s story, captured in this remarkable film about her husband’s assassination under a Brazilian dictatorship.

Bethan Ackerley is a sub-editor at New Scientist. She has a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and all things eerie. Follow her at @inkerley

The Art and Science of Crafting Science Fiction

Engage in science fiction writing this weekend, focusing on the creation of new worlds and innovative artworks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com