Space as a premonition: The most anticipated films of 2026
In the coming year, the number of large-scale film premieres is deafening. From the "Ave Maria Project", another film adaptation of the next space bestseller by the author of "The Martian" Andy Weier to "The Mandalorian and the Grog", a widescreen sequel to the popular series on the "Star Wars" universe — all of them are already causing a stir among fans of space cinema worlds. However, they also threaten to be bypassed by the scale of Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey," whose premiere tickets have long been sold out, although the film is released only in July. Russian cinematographers will also delight viewers with sequels of their favorite films and TV series, such as "The King and the Fool" and "The Serf." Izvestia tells about the most interesting premieres of 2026.
Cheburashka 2
The first Cheburashka was extremely successful in entering the chakra of nostalgia for Soviet culture and became the rental champion of all time with almost 7 billion rubles of box office receipts. So the creators of the second part, on the one hand, were told by God himself to take up the sequel, and on the other, the idea looked rather dangerous. In order to preserve their reputation, they had to, if not surpass, then at least maintain their height, otherwise audience disappointment was inevitable. So there is no doubt that the entire team of creators of the sequel tried not out of fear, but out of conscience.
In the second part, Cheburashka's friend and colleague, Gena, the gardener, is in trouble: bureaucrats are going to take away his house for the construction of an entertainment center. Cheburashka and the kind children, as always, come to the rescue. The audience can expect additional computer effects, a lot of fresh gags for elementary school age — kicks and falls into a puddle are guaranteed! — and a shock dose of the breathtaking landscapes of the Russian Caucasus: this time the heroes are waiting for long walks in the mountains. You can find out today how successful Cheburashka was as an ambassador of domestic tourism.
"The King and the fool. Forever"
The TV series "The King and the Fool" in 2024 not only demonstrated fairly high ratings, but also revived the public's interest in the work of the punk band. Such success simply had to be consolidated — so in February, a full-length film dedicated to the same fabulous universe of "The King and the Fool" and continuing the events of the series will be released on big screens. This time, the punk fairy tale is in trouble: it is about to be captured by the dead, raised from their graves by an evil Necromancer. The pot invites the very real Andrey Knyazev into the world of legends, and now the two of them have to save not just one princess, but the whole world from fairy-tale monsters.
A shot from the movie "The King and the Fool. Forever"
The roles of the Pot and the Prince are still played by Konstantin Plotnikov and Vlad Konoplev: it would be a real sacrilege to change the actors who demonstrated such an accurate fit into the image. In the role of a Necromancer is 25—year-old Ilya Grishin with a completely infernal appearance, which in this case promises a lot. His main henchman named Sid (an unobtrusive reference to Sid Vicious) The singer of Jane Air, Anton Lissov, played, who performed a cover of the song "Dead Anarchist" with his band. So there will be a musical punk extravaganza on the screen one way or another. In general, hoi!
"The Ave Maria Project"
Astronaut Ryeland Grace wakes up aboard a ship drifting in outer space and discovers that there are no other people on board, and he himself categorically does not remember how he found himself in outer space. Little by little, however, his memory returns to him: he turns out to be one of the participants in the most important space program, on which the future of the Sun and, consequently, the entire Solar system, including billions of earthlings, depends ...
An image from the film "Ave Maria Project"
The previous film adaptation of Andy Weier's science fiction novel "The Martian" received seven Oscar nominations, restored Ridley Scott's reputation, which had been shaken due to the previous failure, and brought Matt Damon the Golden Globe for Best Actor. The creators of the Ave Maria Project, an adaptation of Weier's second novel, are upping the ante: the director will be Phil Lord, who worked as a producer on two films in the Spider-Man franchise, and therefore knows a lot about large-scale action. It looks like there will be less melodrama in the new film, and more action. Starring Ryan Gosling: with his charisma, even a Golden Globe nomination would be superfluous.
"The Mandalorian and the Grog"
The sequel to the super-popular series "The Mandalorian" on the big screen will be the first full-length film in the "Star Wars" universe since 2019, which means that the worldwide brotherhood of fans of the star saga will in any case be waiting for the release of the picture with understandable impatience. Already, after analyzing a few teasers, fans of a galaxy far, far away assure that the picture promises to be very dynamic, and the level of filming will be even higher than in the series.
A shot from the movie "The Mandalorian and the Grog"
The film takes place after the fall of the Empire, during a difficult transition period, when the newly created republic is trying its best to maintain a fragile peace. Dean Jarin and Groga will face difficult space missions, dangerous battles in space using state—of-the-art weapons, and a confrontation with the undefeated forces of the Empire - all on an epic full-screen scale. Director Jon Favreau, who shot the film versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King, has successfully proven his unsurpassed ability to combine animated characters with live actors on the screen. The premiere is promised in May. May the force be with us!
"The Odyssey"
After Christopher Nolan's epic biopic Oppenheimer won seven Academy Awards three years ago, including the award for best Film, studios stopped looking at the director's gigantomania as a weakness of genius, seeing it as a hope for future success and box office receipts. The director got carte blanche - and immediately took advantage of it, swinging at our giant Homer. There is already talk that the painting will surpass Oppenheimer in scope — and it's not hard to believe, because where is the story of the secret physicist, and where is the journey of the king of Ithaca through the entire Ecumene.
A shot from the movie "Odyssey"
Matt Damon got the role of Odysseus — an unusual choice, but Nolan certainly knows what he's doing. However, Damon will be supported by a whole galaxy of stars: Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, John Leguizamo and many, many others participate in the film. On his way to Ithaca, Odysseus will have to escape from treacherous sirens, survive a meeting with Scylla and Charybdis, be captured by the nymph Callipso and blind the cyclops Polyphemus. In short, it will be a grandiose spectacle. The premiere of "Odyssey" is scheduled for July, and it will certainly be the biggest event of the season, even against the backdrop of stellar movie epics.
"Dune 3"
The third and final part of Denis Villeneuve's trilogy based on the books by Frank Herbert is devoted to the events of the final novel of the Dune Messiah saga. Emperor Paul Atreides becomes the ruler of the Galaxy, and after 12 years on the throne, he is forced to face the hatred of competitors on a daily basis and figure out conspirators in his entourage. The Bene Gesserit Order, the Space Guild, and the Tleilaxu genetic engineers wish the Emperor harm at the same time. Princess Irulan, with whom Atreides entered into a dynastic marriage, is also involved in the conspiracy, as is Paul's sister Alia. Clouds are gathering over the emperor…
An image from the movie "Dune: Part Two"
The creators of "Dune" promise to make the final part of the trilogy even more ambitious and exciting than the previous films. And also more gloomy: according to the hints leaked to the press, the finale of the second part with millions of dead in the holy war will seem like an easy sight compared to the apocalypse that is being prepared for the audience in the finale of the saga. There are impressive additions to the cast: Timothy Chalamet, in particular, will be joined by Robert Pattinson. Two internationally recognized beauties in one shot: the audience will undoubtedly be delighted, no matter what the fate of the Dune Empire has in store.
"Serf 3"
As the years go by, the majors still continue to be rude to others and consider themselves the center of the world. So, it is necessary to re-educate! This time, the process of humanizing the arrogant part of the population will take place in the era of Peter the Great, which means that the educated will have plenty of strong emotions! Moreover, now the moral foundations will have to be hammered not into young ignoramuses, but into a fully grown, respectable Vyazemsky family. The couple, played by Pavel Priluchny and Kristina Asmus, are on the verge of divorce, and neither is going to give in. Ex-major Grisha (Milos Bikovic) will have to put a lot of effort into making the Vyazemskys come to their senses and realize the importance of family values.
A shot from the movie "Serf 3"
The Serf franchise has become perhaps the most popular Russian product on the international film market: seven countries have purchased the rights to its film adaptation. There, as in Russia, it proved its box—office appeal, which means that in the homeland of the idea, it's time to return to the topic of introducing the mind into excessively gilded brains through various not-so-golden body parts. Moreover, the topic of education does not lose its relevance either at the state or at the family level. The idea of hammering in family values using Peter's methods will certainly appeal to many — from divorced women to parents of rebellious teenagers. The main thing is to do it with the humor characteristic of the creators of the "Serf". No matter what happens to the Vyazemskys, everyone will be amused and no one will be offended.
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