After watching almost everything that released in 2025, one thing became very clear. This year felt empty. Not terrible, not disastrous, just forgettable. If you remove Kantara Chapter 1 from the picture, there are barely two or three films that actually stayed in the mind. Most movies came and went without leaving any real impact. Strangely enough, the only film that consistently scored high on perfection metrics across platforms was Mocktail, and that alone says a lot about the overall state of the year.
Because of that, all attention naturally shifts to 2026. Not because expectations are sky high, but because the lineup at least looks promising on paper. There are bigger names, bigger releases, and a sense that the industry is finally trying to course-correct.
January begins with Prabhas’ The Raja Saab, releasing on the 9th. This film was supposed to come out earlier but got delayed. It is being promoted as a horror comedy, though from what has been shown so far, it does not fully commit to either horror or comedy. Still, it feels fair to reserve judgment until release. If there is one Prabhas film that actually feels exciting in 2026, it is Fauji, not this one.
On January 23, Border 2 arrives during the Republic Day weekend. Sunny Deol returns, but this time with a younger cast alongside him. Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty are all part of the team. The idea seems to be mixing nostalgia with a new generation. Whether the film has real substance or is just playing safe patriotism will become clearer once the trailer drops.
February 6 brings Vadh 2. The first Vadh was genuinely strong, with controlled writing and a story that unfolded patiently. If the sequel respects that tone, it could work well. A week later, on February 13, Shahid Kapoor teams up again with Vishal Bhardwaj for O Romeo. This does not look like a typical Bhardwaj film and seems more commercial in nature. Still, given what they achieved with Haider and Kaminey, curiosity is inevitable.
Around the same time, Kartik Aaryan and Anurag Basu’s Aashiqui 3 finally releases, although the official title is still not locked. The project was delayed because the plot reportedly felt too similar to Saiyaara. Whether the hype survives that delay remains to be seen.
March becomes crowded very quickly. On March 4, Main Meri Patni Aur Woh 2 releases, this time starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Sara Ali Khan. The familiar love triangle returns, but with reversed dynamics. On March 13, Sunny Deol appears again in Gabru. Very little is known about the film, so expectations remain neutral.
March 19 marks the release of Toxic, one of the most anticipated films of the year. This is Yash’s first film after KGF Chapter 2. Reports suggest that he personally chose the story and that this will not follow his usual mass formula. A brief glimpse already hints at a darker and more atmospheric setting. The real hype will begin once the teaser and trailer arrive.
On March 26, Nani’s Paradise releases. A short teaser surprised many viewers, and that unpredictability works in the film’s favor. Just a day later, Ram Charan arrives with Peddi. A dance clip has already revealed his look and the general vibe, but the full picture is still awaited.
April starts on a strong note. On April 2, Akshay Kumar reunites with Priyadarshan for Bhoot Bangla. The cast alone created excitement, with Tabu and Paresh Rawal returning to the horror comedy space. Expectations are cautiously positive. The very next day, April 3, Awarapan 2 releases. Logic may be stretched, but nostalgia is clearly the driving force here.
April 10 sees Dharma Productions’ Chaand Mera Dil, starring Lakshya and Ananya Panday. Not much is known beyond it being a romantic drama. On April 17, the spy universe expands again with Alpha. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari lead the film, with Bobby Deol as the antagonist. There have been reports of major script changes, and Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly declined a cameo. Whether the film sticks to its release date is still uncertain.
May 15 brings VVAN, a folk horror film produced by TVF and Balaji and directed by the team behind Panchayat. Sidharth Malhotra plays the lead. The rural setting and genre combination sound interesting, though clarity will come only after footage is released.
June 5 sees Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan and directed by David Dhawan. Expectations here are low. Family collaborations do not always inspire confidence. June 25 is tentatively marked for Dragon, starring Jr NTR and directed by Prashanth Neel, although there is still confusion around the film’s status.
August 14 sets up a major box office clash. Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla faces off against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. Neither side seems willing to move, so the clash looks inevitable.
September 4 brings Mirzapur The Movie. Characters long considered dead return, timelines bend, and the franchise attempts a cinematic reboot. Plot armor officially becomes part of the universe.
October 2 sees the release of Drishyam 3. Both the Malayalam and Hindi versions are expected around the same time. If the past is any indication, the Hindi version will closely follow the original, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Diwali on November 6 belongs to Ramayana Part One. Massive budget, large scale visuals, and extremely high expectations surround this project. It is easily one of the most anticipated Indian films in recent years.
December 24 closes the year with Shaktishalini, the only Maddock horror comedy universe film scheduled for 2026.
Beyond confirmed dates, several projects are expected next year without fixed release schedules. These include Shah Rukh Khan’s King, Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar, Dhamaal 4, Jailer 2, Fauji, Battle of Galwan, Force 3, Jai Hanuman, Mahakaali, and multiple series planned for Netflix and Prime Video.
In the end, 2026 is not guaranteed to be extraordinary. But compared to the emptiness of 2025, it at least feels alive. That alone feels like a step forward.
