The new year is almost here, and before we start thinking Star Wars, The Avengersor Christopher Nolanlet’s slow down a bit. While the rest of 2026 is obviously full of very exciting, very big movies, the next three months have some interesting, intriguing, and highly anticipated films as well. There will be plenty to hold our interest before the more traditional blockbuster-filled months.

Like what, exactly? Below are our 10 most anticipated genre films released from January to the end of March.

10. Night Patrol (January 16)

Justin Long, Jermaine Fowler, CM Punk, and more star as Los Angeles police officers who find themselves dealing with some unnatural things in the middle of a gang war. We hear things are going to be pretty wild and it’s going to be a really good time.

9. mercy (January 23)

When he’s framed for his wife’s murder, Chris Pratt must use an advanced law enforcement AI he invented to prove his innocence in a short amount of time. The trailers are cool, so we hope to get a ride.

8. Hoppers (March 6)

Anytime Pixar releases a movie, you have to watch out, and its first release in 2026 (the other Toy Story 5) is the hilarious-looking story of a woman who puts her consciousness into an animal and mistakenly convinces them to try and catch up with humanity.

7. Send Help (January 30)

The legendary Sam Raimi returns to the genre that made him famous in this gritty-looking thriller about two co-workers marooned on an island together. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star, and we’re praying for a little Raimi magic.

6. Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (February 13)

Sam Rockwell stars in this visually stunning time travel story about a man sent into the past to try to save the future. Or something like that. It sounds crazy, and we can’t wait.

5. Ready or Not 2: Here I Am (March 27)

We loved the 2019 film Radio Silence about a woman caught in the middle of a family’s sick game, and now we’re counting the days to its follow-up, which returns to the story after the events of the first one. Add a bunch of new actors to the mix, and it could be as special as the original.

4. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (January 16)

Nia DaCosta’s follow-up to last year’s excellent Danny Boyle sequel appears to have taken the 28 years franchise in some brave new areas. Plus, the buzz is so good about it, Sony has already greenlit its sequel.

3. The Bride! (March 6)

The year 2025 brings us a good one Frankenstein movie, and we think 2026 will do the same. Maggie Gyllenhaal is back in the director’s chair with this punk rock take on the classic monster story from the female point of view. said Hamnet Jessie Buckley and Batman himself, Christian Bale, star as the creatures.

2. Scream 7 (February 27)

It’s a pity Scream 7 does not directly follow the story set up by the previous two Yelling movies, but we are still holding out hope. Neve Campbell returns in an expanded role, and franchise co-creator Kevin Williamson directs for the first time in the series. Both suggest good things. Again, each one Yelling The film brings its own unique surprises, so we don’t expect anything else from it.

1. Hail Mary Project (March 20)

For the first time in over a decade, Phil Lord and Chris Miller are directing a new film, and it looks special. It is based on the book by The Martian author Andy Weir; Ryan Gosling stars as a man trying to save the world in deep space. In order to do this, he needs to be with an alien. If the movie is half as awesome as the book, this one will be an all-timer.

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