Cover Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, and Zendaya as Athena in Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey’, this year’s most anticipated blockbuster (Image: courtesy of Universal Pictures and Everett Collection)
Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, and Zendaya as Athena in Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey’, this year’s most anticipated blockbuster (Image: courtesy of Universal Pictures and Everett Collection)
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This year's biggest blockbuster, ‘The Odyssey’, arrives in theatres today. But if you’re not a Nolan fan, there are plenty of other movies to watch this summer, from ‘Toy Story 5’ to ‘Moana’
There is no better plan than heading to the cinema to dodge the summer heat. Whether you are craving nostalgic family blockbusters or pulse-pounding thrillers, the box office is serving up something spectacular for everyone. We are finally getting Disney’s highly anticipated Moana live-action adaptation, alongside epic cinematic journeys like The Odyssey by Christopher Nolan. If that was not enough, animation royalty returns to the big screen with Toy Story 5, while horror fans can dial into the deeply unsettling internet-lore phenomenon, The Backrooms.
Which premiere are you booking tickets for first?
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1. Colony
Above The trailer of ‘Colony’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Released on May 28, this dystopian sci-fi thriller is generating immense industry buzz as one of the summer’s most thought-provoking cinematic offerings. The film follows a fractured group of survivors navigating a desolate, resource-scarce planet while confronting the psychological toll of isolation and hidden internal betrayals. Developed by an award-winning independent production team celebrated for elevating low-budget speculative fiction into high-art cinema, the film relies on immersive world-building and stark visual storytelling rather than heavy computer-generated effects, promising a claustrophobic, intense masterclass in survivalist tension.
2. The Backrooms
Above The trailer of ‘The Backrooms’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Released on June 6, this psychological horror feature marks a groundbreaking moment in independent cinema as it adapts a highly popular online viral concept into a major theatrical event. Produced by horror powerhouse studio A24 and directed by teenage internet sensation Kane Parsons, the film tracks a research team that accidentally clips through reality into an endless, unsettling labyrinth of empty, yellow-hued office spaces. Masterfully expanding upon the original digital short series, this surrealist nightmare leverages liminal-space aesthetics to deliver a deeply sophisticated, atmospheric masterclass in psychological terror.
3. The Furious
Above The trailer of ‘The Furious’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Coming to the cinema on June 12, this thriller is helmed by Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In action director and stunt coordinator Kenji Tanigaki and Trivisa producer Jevons Au. Bringing together five martial arts masters, the film delivers a masterclass in visceral choreography. The star-studded cast features action heavyweights Tse Miu (The New Legend of Shaolin), Lin He-deng (Mortal Kombat), Yang Enyou (Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman), Li Wei (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and Yayan Ruhian (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum). This gritty, Category III feature promises a breathless adrenaline rush.
4. Supergirl
Above The trailer of ‘Supergirl’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Set for release on June 24, this high-flying comic book adaptation brings DC Studios’ Kara Zor-El to the forefront of summer cinema. Based on Tom King’s critically acclaimed comic book, the feature film presents a far more hardened, battle-weary iteration of the titular heroine than previous screen adaptations have shown. Backed by a stellar, award-winning visual effects department and an inventive creative team, the blockbuster explores themes of survival, alienation and identity, offering a sophisticated, visually spectacular presentation of the superhero genre for modern global audiences.
5. Toy Story 5
Above The trailer of ‘Toy Story 5’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Arriving in theatres on June 25, Pixar Animation Studios’ legendary franchise returns to the big screen under the direction of veteran filmmaker Andrew Stanton. This highly anticipated fifth installment follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the beloved ensemble as they face a formidable new challenge: competing with the addictive, modern distraction of electronic devices for their child’s attention. Crafted by an Oscar-winning creative team, the production promises to deliver the signature blend of poignant philosophy, technical brilliance and multi-generational wit that cemented Pixar as Hollywood royalty.
6. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Above The trailer of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Swinging into cinemas on July 30, Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures deliver a highly anticipated soft reboot of the web-slinging hero’s individual narrative arc. This latest installment finds Peter Parker navigating a drastically altered reality where his secret identity is once again hidden, forcing him to rebuild his life from scratch in a gritty New York setting. The film introduces classic comic book adversaries to the current cinematic timeline, promising a grounded, emotionally resonant and action-packed summer spectacle.
7. Moana
Above The trailer of ‘Moana’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Splashing into theatres on July 9, Disney’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation brings the vibrant world of Motunui to life with spectacular realism. Directed by Thomas Kail and produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical blockbuster features Dwayne Johnson reprising his beloved role as the demigod Maui, alongside newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia in the titular role.
This reimagined epic leverages cutting-edge marine visual effects and beautifully refreshed musical arrangements, promising a grand, emotionally charged cinematic journey that honours the cultural storytelling and adventurous spirit of the iconic original animated masterpiece.
8. The Odyssey
Above The trailer of ‘The Odyssey’, one of the 2026 summer movies
Premiering on July 16, Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic juggernaut is set to be the definitive event of the summer movie season. This sweeping, high-concept psychological epic reinterprets classic themes of long journeys and shifting perspectives, utilising the director’s signature non-linear storytelling structures and a preference for massive, practical special effects over digital manipulation.
Crafted by Nolan’s frequent Oscar-winning collaborators, including top-tier cinematographers and composers, the mystery-shrouded blockbuster promises an intellectually demanding, visually overwhelming, and deeply immersive experience that completely redefines the boundaries of modern theatrical exhibition.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
