Supergirl looking surprised in Superman
By
Zoe Miskelly
Published 1 minute ago
Zoë Miskelly is an editor for Screen Rant's Superheroes team, and has covered Marvel, DC, and other superhero franchises in comic, movie, and show form for 8 years. Zoë's love of superheroes and all things Marvel & DC started out in childhood, and has blossomed into a career getting to talk about some of the biggest and best movies and shows of all time, having previously focused on comics while working at WhatCulture.
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2026's Marvel and DC movie roster features a number of films that have been the subject of considerable audience excitement for some time now - and some films that don't quite fall into this category, though they are promising projects on many levels. The superhero genre is one of the biggest in all of moviedom, thanks to a decade or two of colossal success for a range of films that come under this umbrella.
While recent history has seen some more mixed results for even the MCU - as evidenced by the lackluster box office results of some of 2025's film releases garnered - the genre still has a clear appeal, and some enormous fanbases who eagerly await this world's next releases. Given 2026's superhero movie lineup, the year seems set to deliver on this fan excitement in a major way - though not all of these films are as subject to fan hype as others.
Batman: Knightfall Part 1
Azrael fights Bane dressed as Batman in DC Comics' Knightfall
Though it's certainly exciting to see DC bring one of the franchise's most iconic comic stories to life in the form of Batman: Knightfall, the film does have a few factors that put it below 2026's other superhero movies in terms of hype - namely, that it's not seemingly connected to any larger universes, and that it will be split into two parts, meaning we may only get the first half of Knightfall in 2026.
That said, the fact Batman: Knightfall is the upcoming 2026 superhero movie with the least current hype bodes pretty well for both Marvel and DC in this year. The story of Bane becoming one of Batman's most potent villains is one that has withstood the test of time for good reason, and the action and drama packed into every page of the Knightfall comic story means the animated movie is sure to be a treat when it does release.
Clayface
Clayface attempts to smash a captured Batman in DC comics
In many ways, Clayface is the most exciting superhero movie currently announced for 2026, as it's also arguably the most experimental movie in the genre releasing this year. Exploring the origin story of a comicbook villain isn't unheard of territory, of course - as Joker, Joker: Folie à Deux, and even Catwoman can attest to - but making said villain origin story into a body horror movie certainly is more unconventional.
With the teases about what to expect from Clayface repeatedly underlining the intention for the movie to be a body horror film in the same vein as the likes of The Fly or The Substance, there's a lot of fresh ground for the story to tread.
Ultimately, seeing the film's protagonist have their body turned into the fleshy clay that the villain is known for seems sure to get a big reaction from audiences while also showing us an underrated Batman villain in a whole new light. However, Clayface generally being less of a central figure in DC's lore means the character's solo movie debut isn't the DCU's biggest 2026 film in terms of pre-emptive hype.
Supergirl
Milly Alcock as Supergirl in the Superman movie
Supergirl being the DCU movie audiences are already most excited for isn't a surprising concept, given Superman's success naturally teed viewers up to get hype for the story of Kal-El's Kryptonian cousin. Similarly, since Supergirl appears for an interesting story tease in the ending of Superman - which sees Kara showing up drunk to collect Krypto and disappear off seemingly back into space - the stage is very much set for Supergirl's impending release.
With the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic that the movie reportedly draws from containing epic sci-fi spectacles, dramatic fights, and a fascinating look into the psyche of Supergirl and how the loss of Krypton has affected her, it certainly seems the DCU Supergirl movie will be able to fully capitalize on the excitement that's built up for the film - even if there is arguably more hype for some other 2026 superhero movies.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland unmasked and bleeding in Spider-Man: No Way Home
The consistent success of Marvel's Spider-Man movies - and the particular level of success Spider-Man's MCU trilogy enjoyed from 2017-2021 - gives Spider-Man: Brand New Day some big metaphorical boots to fill when it comes to following up on the life and times of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time. Helpfully, the latest set photos and teases of Spider-Man: Brand New Day's story promise suitably big things for the fourth MCU Spider-Man film.
With Spider-Man: Brand New Day set to include not just the beloved web-swinger, but also the likes of the Hulk and the Punisher, it seems clear there are some major story moments on the way for Peter Parker, and that the first film to explore a more "classic" Spider-Man story for the MCU - with an older Peter stepping out on his own after Spider-Man: No Way Home - won't be pulling any punches.
Avengers: Doomsday
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark aka Iron Man in Avengers Endgame© Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / © Marvel Studios / courtesy Everett Collection
After 7 years away from the big screen, the Avengers series will be returning in major style. Avengers: Doomsday's cast reveals have already promised us that characters from every corner of the franchise's lore are set to appear in the film, with this roster seemingly set to face off against Robert Downey Jr. in his new role as Doctor Doom, the film's primary antagonist.
Of course, given the Avengers film series is one of the biggest movie series of all time, the impending arrival of Avengers: Doomsday is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2026 altogether - both for fans who are anticipating the MCU's next Avengers: Endgame, and for those who are more nervous about what to expect from this vital next chapter in the franchise.
Whatever happens in Avengers: Doomsday, it's sure to bring major changes for the MCU, and could well do the same for Fox's X-Men universe based on the actors that are set to appear in the December 2026 film. As such, the sheer scope and scale of Avengers: Doomsday ensures it's bigger than anything else Marvel or DC are scheduled to release in 2026 - something the first Avengers: Doomsday trailer is sure to underline when it releases just weeks from now.
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