Cover Zendaya kicks off 2026 with ‘The Drama’ alongside Robert Pattinson (Photo: A24/Pioneer Films)
Zendaya kicks off 2026 with ‘The Drama’ alongside Robert Pattinson (Photo: A24/Pioneer Films)
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2026 is shaping up to be Zendaya’s biggest year yet
This year is shaping up to be a landmark year for Zendaya, with an unprecedented slate of projects that span blockbuster franchises, auteur-driven cinema and highly anticipated television. Here are the upcoming Zendaya movies and series to watch for in 2026.
From A24’s provocative indie The Drama and Christopher Nolan’s star-studded The Odyssey to the Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the sweeping, desert-bound epic conclusion of Dune: Part Three and the return of her HBO hit series Euphoria, Zendaya continues to demonstrate her range and versatility as one of Hollywood’s most compelling leading women.
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‘The Drama’ (April 3, 2026)
Above Save the date! Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are engaged in next month’s ‘The Drama’
The first Zendaya film of 2026 is The Drama, a black comedy romance in which she stars opposite Robert Pattinson—with whom she is set to appear in two more films later this year. The trailer is pure A24—indie, cerebral and unconventional. It begins like a deceptively light-hearted rom-com, with Zendaya’s Emma Harwood and Pattinson’s Charlie Thompson immersed in pre-wedding bliss. That is, until a startling confession from Emma abruptly shifts the tone into something far darker and more unpredictable.
The twist itself remains under wraps, prompting widespread speculation of what the actress did. The intrigue has only heightened anticipation, with audiences eager to uncover the secret at the heart of the film. And with their proven range and magnetic screen presence, Zendaya and Pattinson are perfectly cast as a young couple navigating a decidedly unhinged path to the altar.
See more: The Evolution of Robert Pattinson: 8 of His Best Movies To Watch
‘Euphoria’ season 3 (April 12, 2026)
Above Season three of ‘Euphoria’ is returning in April
Zendaya is set to dominate this year with not just four movies but also the long-awaited return of her highly acclaimed series, Euphoria, for a third season. The trailer, released earlier this January, has been dissected frame-by-frame by fans and media outlets as soon as it dropped—proving the enduring appeal of the show.
In season three, we check in with the characters after a five-year time jump. Rue is stuck in Mexico, working to pay off her debt, while Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie is an OnlyFans girl and is engaged to Jacob Elordi’s Nate. Also returning this season are Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie and Maude Apatow. They may be out of high school, but these are still the kids your parents warned you about.
Stars joining Zendaya and the returning ensemble this season include Natasha Lyonne, Marshawn Lynch, Eli Roth, Rosalía and Sharon Stone.
‘The Odyssey’ (July 17, 2026)
Above Christopher Nolan puts the epic in Greek epic in the upcoming ‘The Odyssey’ starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya
Zendaya’s first summer blockbuster movie of 2026—and her first of two projects with Tom Holland this year—is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, where she’ll be playing the goddess Athena. She joins a star-studded cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Holland as Telemachus. Also in the film are Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Samantha Morton and rapper Travis Scott.
With a stellar cast and shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem is shaping up to be the movie event of the year. And if the cyclops and the Trojan Horse in the trailer are any indication, it doesn’t look like the film will be shying away from the more mythical aspects of the story. Zendaya’s Athena doesn’t appear in the trailer, but early images of the goddess standing alongside Odysseus are available online.
See more: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’: Everything you need to know about his next big film
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (July 31, 2026)
Above Zendaya and Tom Holland reunite for ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
In July, Zendaya will be reprising her role as MJ Watson opposite real-life boyfriend—or rumoured husband—Tom Holland in the fourth Spider-Man instalment. The MCU superhero blockbuster film lands in cinemas just two weeks after their first joint project of 2026, Chris Nolan’s The Odyssey.
The recently released Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer reveals that the upcoming film picks up where Spider-Man: No Way Home left off—Peter Parker’s girlfriend, MJ, and best friend, Ned, like the rest of the planet, have no memory of him. The trailer also hints that MJ may have a new love interest. Whether or not she and Peter will reunite remains uncertain.
Other new developments in Spidey’s world include the big-screen debut of Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher, the long-awaited team-up with Mark Ruffalo’s The Hulk/Bruce Banner and the return of Michael Mando’s Scorpion. Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Sadie Sink’s mystery role, with Jean Grey emerging as the odds-on favourite among fans. Audiences can also look forward to a fresh take on Spider-Man’s abilities, including the possible introduction of organic web-shooters.
Dune: Part Three (December 18, 2026)
Above Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Zendaya’s Chani remains the beating heart of ‘Dune’
Zendaya will end the year with yet another blockbuster movie when she returns as Chani in Dune: Part Three, the epic conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster adaptation of the Dune novels. Based on Frank Herbert’s second book in the series, Dune Messiah, the highly anticipated threequel features a 17-year time jump.
Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides has led the Fremen on a holy war and is now emperor of the universe. Villeneuve has revealed in interviews that the film will have a different tone from the first two, but that the love story between Paul and Chani remains the beating heart of the film. Indeed, the trailer opens with a quiet moment between the two, as they discuss their children’s names.
Dune 3 also sees the return of Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson and Jason Momoa. Florence Pugh is also back as Princess Irulan and plotting against her emperor husband. Anya Taylor-Joy, who had a cameo in Dune: Part Two, will have a much more substantial screentime as Paul’s powerful and loyal sister Alia. Meanwhile, Zendaya’s The Drama and The Odyssey co-star Robert Pattinson joins the cast as the villainous Scytale.
See more: Peak red carpet method dressing, from ‘Dune’ to ‘Wicked’: which TV series or movie cast did it best?
With four films and the highly anticipated return of Euphoria, Zendaya’s 2026 line-up promises blockbuster action, star-studded casts and career-defining roles. From The Drama to Dune: Part Three, Zendaya’s fans have plenty to look forward to this year from one of today’s most engaging actresses.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
