Hollywood Touts Its Upcoming Films at CinemaCon 2026
Hollywood heavy hitters showcased their coming attractions for the year ahead and beyond at CinemaCon 2026, the world’s largest trade show for the motion picture theater industry, an annual event in Las Vegas, defiant of economy woes and worries about box office revenue in a post-pandemic reality. CinemaCon managing director Mitch Neuhauser assured that “people are coming back, studios are making films that are diverse for all cultures, genders, ages; it’s an exciting time, a rebirth of the industry.”
Paramount kicked off its presentation with a short movie homage to cinema directed by Jon M. Chu, before teasing future releases like Heart of the Beast starring Brad Pitt; West-African novel adaptation Children of Blood and Bone; plus Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol with Johnny Depp taking on the Dickensian Scrooge; and Billie Eilish’s 3D concert film, which the music sensation directed with James Cameron.
Universal served up the convention’s most heartfelt moment when Steven Spielberg made his inaugural appearance and received the MPA America250 Award from the Motion Picture Association, recognizing his profound and enduring impact on American storytelling.
“This award is deeply meaningful — made all the more special by the fact that it commemorates the 250th anniversary of our country and also because it comes from an organization that is dedicated to preserving the creative freedoms that allow all storytellers to dream uncensored,” said Spielberg, who later had a conversation with actor Colman Domingo about his upcoming movie, Disclosure Day.
Fellow visionary director Christopher Nolan promoted The Odyssey, while Robert De Niro joined Ben Stiller to tease the fourth installment in the Meet the Parents franchise, Fawker In-Law, which also features Ariana Grande.
Neon highlighted newly acquired South Korean sci-fi thriller Hope, set to premiere in competition at next month’s Cannes Film Festival; director Boots Riley’s rambunctious comedy I Love Boosters and suspense legal drama A Place in Hell starring Michelle Williams and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Warner Bros. Studios’ presentation was led by Golden Globe winners Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in support of Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy ending Dune: Part Three; they were also joined on stage by co-star Jason Momoa who pulled double duty by also promoting Supergirl with Milly Alcock. Tom Cruise and director Alejandro González Iñárritu revealed ambitious comedy Digger, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman celebrated reuniting for Practical Magic 2 and J. J. Abrams presented the trailer for his latest directorial effort The Great Beyond.
Amazon/MGM delivered a primarily action-packed slate, from a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair starring and directed by Michael B. Jordan, to colorful crime comedy How to Rob a Bank, plus a sequel to Mel Brooks’ 1987 comedy Spaceballs: The New One and drama I Play Rocky, detailing Sylvester Stallone’s career breakthrough in the 1970’s.
Sony Pictures’ presentation included Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Tom Holland (who briefly appeared via hologram) returning as the web-slinger; plus the animated Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, while Aaron Sorkin teased The Social Reckoning, his follow up to 2010’s The Social Network. Sisters Dakota & Elle Fanning sent a video message touting their first ever on-screen collaboration, World War II drama The Nightingale, while Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart were Sony’s only big-name actors to hit the stage, to preview Jumanji: Open World.
Sony Pictures Classics, Angel Studios, StudioCanal and Black Bear got to showcase their titles alongside the major studios, with the latter hosting the opening night party. “We want our films to have the greatest possible impact on audiences, and the theatrical experience has always been the gold standard in that regard,” said Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman.
Disney closed out the festivities with presentation highlights including a first time joint appearance at CinemaCon by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, returning to voice Woody and Buzz in Pixar’s Toy Story 5; a preview of The Mandalorian and Grogu continuing George Lucas’ Star Wars legacy; the live action Moana and of course, Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans reclaiming their Marvel thrones on stage, with peak excitement and high hopes for the months ahead on the big screen.