CinemaCon 2026: Hollywood Unveils Exciting Line-Up of Upcoming Films

Fri Apr 17 2026 18:36:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

From new tales of 'Avengers' to Tom Cruise's return in 'Top Gun 3', CinemaCon 2026 showcased a thrilling array of upcoming movies, highlighting both iconic franchises and original stories.

CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas offered a first look at many highly-anticipated films, including 'Avengers: Doomsday', which features Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, and the return of Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun 3'. Other highlights included AI technology resurrecting Val Kilmer for a role, Ariana Grande stepping into comedy with her new film, and new installments from beloved franchises such as 'Jumanji' and 'Toy Story'.

CinemaCon 2026: Hollywood Unveils Exciting Line-Up of Upcoming Films

Some of the most hotly anticipated films of the next couple of years were previewed at the annual gathering of the cinema industry, CinemaCon, in Las Vegas this week. The event gives fans and cinema owners a glimpse of the biggest movies coming down the tracks, with footage and trailers screened there - often before they're posted online.

A-list stars and directors were present to showcase what to expect. From the Avengers to Ariana Grande to an AI Val Kilmer, here are some of the main films and what we learned.

Doomsday is nigh

Disney showcased the first proper trailer for the long-awaited next Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as the new masked villain, Doctor Doom. The film will bring together a host of Marvel characters old and new, including a thrilling fight between Gambit and Shang-Chi, and a warning from Professor Xavier, played by Patrick Stewart.

Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers in what Evans described as a film that necessitates his character's return.

Tom Cruise back in the Top Gun hot seat

Paramount announced that Tom Cruise is officially returning for Top Gun 3. The follow-up is currently in development, building on the success of Top Gun: Maverick, which earned $1.5bn at the global box office.

Ariana Grande meets the parents (and grandparents)

In her first comedic role since her Oscar-nominated performance, Ariana Grande stars in Focker In-Law. This sequel showcases the next generation as her character becomes involved with Ben Stiller's son in the franchise that began with 2000's Meet The Parents.

Christopher Nolan unveils footage from The Odyssey

Nolan returns this year with The Odyssey, an adaptation of the ancient Greek poem starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya. Nolan teased parts of the film's narrative, focusing on the Trojan Horse.

Chalamet and Zendaya return for 'action-packed' Dune: Part III

The stars of Dune, including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa, introduced a seven-minute opening scene, describing the upcoming Dune: Part III as more action-packed and emotional.

Val Kilmer resurrected by AI

In a unique twist, Val Kilmer's performance as a Catholic priest in As Deep As The Grave was created using AI, showcasing both technological advances and ethical concerns regarding AI's role in filmmaking.

James Bond will return 'when the time is right'

Amazon MGM Studios updated fans on the James Bond franchise's future, noting they are taking a careful approach to casting the next Bond.

Fourth Paddington film confirmed

A fourth installment in the beloved Paddington series was confirmed, with renowned comedy writers attached to the project.

A reckoning comes in Sorkin's Social Network sequel

Sixteen years after The Social Network, a sequel titled The Social Reckoning will explore recent Facebook controversies, directed by Aaron Sorkin and starring a talented cast.

Rick Moranis out of retirement for Spaceballs sequel

Mel Brooks announced a sequel to his 1987 classic parody, Spaceballs: The New One, bringing back original cast members and the long-retired Rick Moranis.

Sequels, More Sequels

The conference also highlighted the fifth installment of Toy Story, alongside exciting previews for upcoming films from other major franchises, illustrating Hollywood's ongoing fondness for sequels and cherished characters.