Upcoming Sci-Fi Shows & Movies of 2026: Release Dates, New Seasons & What to Watch

2026 already feels busy on the TV side, and we’re only at the very start of the year. New sci-fi shows are lining up fast, with big franchises returning, long-delayed seasons finally arriving, and a few bold new ideas trying to make their mark. Some of these will come and go quietly, but others have real potential to dominate conversations for months. This is the part of the year where the tone gets set, where sci-fi reminds us why the small screen has become such an important place for the genre to grow.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (January 15)

I get why some fans are nervous about the younger cast and possible teen drama, but the 32nd-century setting changes everything. Add Holly Hunter to the mix, and this feels like a show that could surprise people.

Paradise Season 2 (February 23)

Is one I’ve been waiting for. Season one was one of the best shows of 2025 for me, and now it feels like we’re finally about to dig deep into the bunker mystery. Less teasing, more answers hopefully!

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 (February 27)

This show is simple. Big monsters, bigger chaos. The first season proved this world works on TV, and I’m more than ready for another round of Godzilla and Kong.

Invincible Season 4 (March 2026)

Could be a major shift for the series. The creators keep hinting that Mark Grayson is heading toward a full Omni-Man transformation. If they commit to that, this season could be great.

The Boys Season 5 (April 8)

This needs to end strong. The Butcher vs. Homelander conflict has been building for years, and anything less than a brutal, final showdown would feel wrong.

Lanterns (Summer 2026)

This show feels like a smart reset for DC. A seasoned Hal Jordan training John Stewart sounds grounded, which is something this universe really needs.

X-Men ’97 Season 2 (Mid-2026)

This show already proved that nostalgia doesn’t have to be shallow. Bringing in Apocalypse raises the stakes, and I’m excited to see how dark and mature it gets.

The Big Sci-Fi Shows Still Waiting on a Release Date

Some of the most exciting shows don’t even have dates yet. Neuromancer has been in the works for decades, and I really hope Apple TV leans into the weirdness. Blade Runner 2099, with Michelle Yeoh as a replicant, feels like perfect casting. Spider-Noir with Nicolas Cage as a 1930s detective Spider-Man sounds strange in the best way. Dead City Season 3 is coming, and Daryl Dixon Season 4 (final season) is also on my radar, promising to continue and wrap up their long-running storylines in exciting ways. Dark Matter Season 2 is also coming in 2026, though it doesn’t have a release date yet.

On the Star Wars side, Maul: Shadow Lord is an easy win for me. Maul training a new apprentice is exactly the kind of focused story I want. And Silo Season 3 promising answers about the silo’s origins has me fully locked in.

All of this makes one thing clear: sci-fi TV in 2026 IS NOT slowing down. If anything, it feels like it’s building momentum, and that momentum carries straight into the movies.

The Sci-Fi Movies That Could Define 2026

The movie lineup feels just as packed, but also riskier. Bigger budgets. Bigger swings.

Mercy (January 23)

Opens the year with a cool idea: a detective judged by an AI system. Chris Pratt fits the role, but reactions to the trailer are split. Some people love it. Others already hate it. For me, this one depends entirely on execution.

Project Hail Mary (March 20)

This movie is one of my most anticipated films of the year. I loved the book, and Ryan Gosling feels like perfect casting. My only concern is runtime. That story is long and complex. Still, the CinemaCon reactions give me hope.

The Dog Stars (March 27)

This movie feels quietly unsettling. A post-apocalyptic survival story directed by Ridley Scott doesn’t need much more selling than that. If it leans into isolation and mood, this could be special.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 3)

Somehow makes complete sense. Sending Mario into space feels natural, and adding Brie Larson as Rosalina makes it even more exciting. This one looks fun first, emotional second .. and that’s fine.

Mortal Kombat II (May 8)

Looks like pure chaos. Karl Urban as Johnny Cage defending Earthrealm from alien forces sounds ridiculous in the right way!!

The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22)

Feels like the safest bet of the year. These characters already work, people love them, and Star Wars returning to theaters through them just feels right.

Masters of the Universe (June 5)

I’m cautiously hopeful with this one. A more faithful Eternia, Travis Knight directing, and Idris Elba joining the cast all point in the right direction.

Disclosure Day (June 12)

This movie is one of the more mysterious projects. Spielberg doing UFO sci-fi again matters. Emily Blunt playing a weather presenter who communicates with aliens live on air is strange, but interesting. I’m in.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26)

This one looks different from typical superhero movies. An interstellar revenge journey across alien worlds already sets it apart.

December is stacked. Avengers: Doomsday (December 18) bringing back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom feels like Marvel going all in. And Dune: Part Three (December 18) finally ending Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy is something I’ve been waiting years for. I wouldn’t be shocked if one of these moves dates, but either way, it’s a massive finish to the year.

Why 2026 Feels Worth the Hype

Looking at everything together, 2026 does not feel perfect .. and that’s a good thing! Some of these projects will hit big. Others won’t. But the variety is what matters.

We’re getting risks, weird ideas, long-awaited adaptations, and finales that actually feel earned. Exploring new worlds, sometimes getting lost in them, is exactly why sci-fi works.

And if even half of these land the way they should, 2026 is going to be a year we talk about for a long time.