I’ve been seeing a lot of “26 Most Anticipated Books of 2026” or “26 Top Shows to Watch for in 2026”. And I want to do it, too.

Today, I’m going through the 26 books, movies, and shows that I’m looking forward to this year, and explaining why I’m excited about each one. Ready to dive in?

Books I Want to Read

Let’s start with book releases I’m heavily invested in and interested in. Some will be continuations of series I’ve started and have been waiting for. Others are just by authors I love to read. And a few will be books that caught my attention just by the cover or synopses.

‘The Knave and the Moon’ by Rachel Gillig

Expected September 2026

This is definitely my most anticipated book release this year. I won’t even deny or compare it. The Knight and the Moth was my favorite read in 2025, and I’ve already pre-ordered my copy for 2026.

I will probably drop every book I’m considering reading to read this the day it comes in the mail. I did it to read the first book, and I don’t think it’ll be different. I miss Bartholomew so much.

‘After the End’ Kickstarter Campaign Books

Expected Summer 2026

Now, I know the e-books are currently available, but I am still waiting for the paperbacks I supported the Kickstarter for. So, I’m counting it as a 2026 release with a caveat.

In case you missed it, a group of authors put together 8 dystopian romances last year on Kickstarter. And it reached its goal very quickly. (I was obviously one of those Backers.)

Anyway, I’m very excited to get my paperbacks later this year. Specifically, I am ready to get my hands on First by Ali Hazelwood because if she writes it, I’m going to read it. (That said, I’m excited for the others, too.)

‘The Gilded Blade’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Expected July 2026

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes (to nobody’s surprise), so I am excited for the next book set within the Inheritance Games universe. It’s the third in The Grandest Game series, and I cannot wait to continue this story.

I’m not yet completely caught up on the series, but I did read the first book in this spin-off of The Inheritance Games. And let me tell you, I have no idea where this is going to go, but I’m buckled up for a wild ride.

‘Toe to Toe’ by Falon Ballard

Expected March 2026

Just like with Ali Hazelwood and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, if Falon Ballard writes it, I’m going to read it. And I’m definitely going to find a way to get my hands on this book as soon as I can once it’s released.

Toe to Toe is a ballet romance, and I’m 100% sold just from that alone. I loved growing up dancing, so when I saw she’d written this, it made its way to the top of my TBR.

‘Fever Dream’ by Elsie Silver

Expected May 2026

Have I only read one Elsie Silver book? Yes. Did it make me love cowboy romances? Yes. And am I going to be down bad for this book when it releases? Most likely.

I am currently working on reading Elsie’s Chestnut Springs series, but I’d drop those to pick up this first book in her new series, Emerald Lake. When it releases, expect me to be in line at a bookstore, spending money I should be saving.

‘Love Song’ by Elle Kennedy

Expected March 2026

I have so many Elle Kennedy books on my TBR – and several I’ve also finished – but I’m adding another. The moment I found out she was releasing a new book, I had it on my to-buy list.

All I really know about the book is it’s linked to The Off-Campus series, following the next generation. That said, it’s not part of her Campus Diaries series. No matter, though, I’m ready for it.

‘Chasing the Fire’ by Paisley Hope

Expected April 2026

I’m both excited and sad that this book is almost here. Excited because I love Paisley Hope’s writing, the entire cast of characters in the Silver Pines Ranch series, and the covers for the series. But I’m sad because this is the finale.

But my excitement overrides everything because we’re finally getting Olivia’s love story! I loved her in the earlier books, and I can’t wait to get my hands on her book.

Paisley: on the off-chance you’re reading this, please give us more books! I love them!

‘The Escape Game’ by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Expected April 2026

I only recently found out this book was coming out, but I am already down for it. If there’s something you should know about me, escape rooms just catch my attention right away. It’s a shame I’ve yet to do one in real life.

Anyway… Marissa Meyer (a favorite author of mine) and Tamara Moss (whom I’ve yet to read) teamed up with a young adult thriller based around a death on a escape room game show. And I can’t wait to find out what happened.

‘Red God’ by Pierce Brown

Expected July 2026

We don’t have a cover yet. There’s no description yet. All we know is that it’s going to be the last in the Red Rising series. But Goodreads says it’s expected in July this year.

So, I’m putting it on my list in the hope that it’s true. I’ve been putting off reading the second part of the series because it’s a heavy series for me, plus I didn’t want to finish book six years before the finale came out and forgot everything. So, fingers crossed it’s this year.

Movies I’m Looking Forward To

Next is movies. And I’ll admit, this was just as easy as finding books to be excited about. Maybe even easier. I’m also putting these in order by how excited I am for them. So, let’s just get into it.

‘Supergirl’

Expected June 26, 2026

Yeah, I said it. I’m more excited for Supergirl to come out than Doomsday, and even The Odyssey (which will surprise people who really know me).

I have been a Supergirl fan since I was a kid. I got more into it with The CW’s Supergirl show because of Melissa Benoist, but my excitement is even bigger than when that came out.

Milly Alcock is one of my favorite actresses right now, and I cannot wait to see this version of the character. It doesn’t help that I’m going in mostly blind to the plotline. (And we get to see Krypto again.)

‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

Expected November 20, 2026

I cannot explain how excited I am for this movie. I was just as excited when the original Hunger Games movies came out, and again when Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out.

Anything Suzanne Collins writes, I’m going to love. Anything adapted from her writing, I’m going to love. And with the message we’re going to get from this movie – a message that is highly relevant to today’s society – I’m going to be watching closely to every moment of the movie.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Expected July 31, 2026

If you know me, you’ll understand why I’m more excited for Spider-Man than Doomsday. When I first started watching the MCU, I jumped in with Civil War because it was the first time Spider-Man joined the universe.

Do I know anything about this movie? Only that Sadie Sink is going to be in it, too. But that’s all I really know. I’ve been avoiding most of the released photos of the set, as well as any possible leaks and trailers that come about. I want to go in as blind as I can for this movie.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Expected December 18, 2026

Speaking of going into movies blind, I have managed to avoid as many spoilers as possible for this movie. One of my friends spoiled one character coming in based on the trailer, but other than that, I’m avoiding as much as possible.

Every time I see a spoiler warning for Doomsday, I scroll. I don’t care what people have to say – I don’t want to hear the theories. They’ve started ruining the MCU movies for me, so if I go in as blind as possible, I’ll actually be able to enjoy the movie.

‘The Odyssey’

Expected July 17, 2026

This July is going to be a packed movie month for me. And I’m going to be honest – I’m worried my expectations for this movie are going to be too high.

I liked The Odyssey when I read it in high school, and that love was reignited with the musical Epic in the last few years. So, of course, when this movie was announced, I was excited. My friends knew as soon as they saw the announcement that I was going to talk about it.

The only thing that scares me is that it’s a Christopher Nolan film, and I have a hit-or-miss track with his films. However, with the cast and story, I’m hoping that my expectations will be met.

‘Send Help’

Expected January 30, 2026

As I write this, it’s about a week from being released. But I’m actually very interested in watching this movie. I liked the cast, but I wasn’t sold until I sat down and actually watched the trailer instead of skipping it.

It looks so interesting, and this might redeem Sam Raimi’s movies for me after Multiverse of Madness. I have no idea how this movie is going to end, but I’m 100% interested in watching it.

‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’

Expected March 27, 2026

When this movie was announced, I didn’t really care about it. Then I saw the cast grow, and I was fully on board.

We’ve got the original movie’s final girl, Samara Weaving, returning. Then we’re adding both Kathryn Newton and Sarah Michelle Gellar – two actresses I love to see. And also Elijah Wood? I have to see it just because of the case.

Shows I’m Excited For

Rounding out this list, I have 10 shows that I’m excited to continue or tune in to for the first time in 2026. I’m going to just get into them since there are so many.

‘The Hunting Party’ Season 2

Already Airing

By the time this comes out, we’ll be at least 3 episodes into season 2. Last year, when it premiered with the first season, I was hooked. I wrote a whole post about it. And then I waited and waited for an announcement.

I never saw the announcement, but one day, I just randomly got the trailer for season two and got so excited. Am I mad about one cast member not returning? Yes. But I’m loving the new season. And I can’t wait for the episode with Liz Gillies (she’s in the trailer – it’s not a spoiler).

‘Lanterns’

Expected Mid-2026

We don’t have a set premiere date for the 8-episode show, but I’m so excited already. After the reboot of the DC universe, I’ve been ready for anything James Gunn gives us.

Lanterns, for me, is a redemption for the Green Lantern Corps after the horrible Ryan Reynolds-led movie. Just from the premise, it looks like it’s going to be different than how I’ve seen the characters before, and I’m excited to see it. (Bonus points: Nathan Fillion is set to return as Guy!)

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

Already Airing

As of writing this, the first episode is out. And by the time this post is out, the second will be airing. And let me tell you, I’ll be tuning in every week for this.

I know very little about this show and the story that inspired it, and I fully plan on going in blind. All I have are the trailers to go on, but it’s a Game of Thrones show, so I’m down. Fingers crossed it’s as good as House of the Dragon.

‘Wonder Man’

Expected January 27, 2026

Trevor is back! I had absolutely no idea this show was even coming until the trailer dropped one day while I was at work. And I watched it with a coworker over my lunch the same day. We both agreed we’d be watching this.

I don’t really know anything about the character Wonder Man, nor do I know much about the show’s story. However, I’m fully excited to just be thrown into the deep end. I’m excited for more lesser-known heroes getting the spotlight.

‘One Piece’ Season 2

Expected March 10, 2026

I’m going to be completely honest, I’m probably not going to sit through all of the One Piece anime at this moment. One day, I will, but not in the direct future.

That said, I’m going to be sitting down for every single episode of the Netflix adaptation. I love the cast because of their interactions with each other. And it helps that the first season was just so fun. (Also, we’re already confirmed to be getting a third season.)

‘Finding Her Edge’

Expected January 22, 2026

I don’t know anything about this series or the book it’s based on. But am I excited to watch it and then grab the book? Absolutely, I am.

From the IMDb synopsis, it looks like a fake relationship love story that also has family drama. Even if the synopsis is missing something, just from that alone, it sounds like it’s going to fill the void in my heart that was left behind by the cancellations of Spinning Out and Zero Chill.

‘Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials’

Already Airing

When I first heard about this miniseries, I was extremely excited. And I still am. That said, I’m a little sad that it’s only three episodes. But I’m still going to sit down and watch all three in the hopes that they all hit.

The main cast of the miniseries is amazing, and the supporting cast is just as good. I probably got the most excited when I saw Mia McKenna-Bruce as the leading lady because I’ve been wanting to see her in more since Vampire Academy.

‘Bridgerton’ Season 4

Expected January 29, 2026

As excited as I am for Benedict’s season to finally get here, I’m tempering my expectations after season 3’s aesthetic and fumbling of a relationship I loved in the books. I’m also not happy they stuck with the two-part breaking of the episodes. I’d rather follow weekly than this split.

That said, I absolutely loved An Offer from a Gentleman. It was one of my favorites from the book series, which I finished in less than 48 hours. It’s a Cinderella retelling of sorts, and might be my second favorite of the whole series. So, here’s to hoping it’s a step up from last season for me.

‘Spider-Man Noir’

Expected sometime this Year

The only thing we know about this show’s release date is that it’s expected to come out this year on MGM+. So, as excited as I am for a story following this character, it’s lower on the list.

In case you don’t know much about the character, Spider-Man Noir is a private investigator and superhero in an alternate universe from what we know of Spider-Man. The world itself is based on 1930s New York. You can see the character in the animated Spider-Verse movies.

‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’

Expected Fall 2026

I have yet to watch any of the other Monster shows from Ryan Murphy, but I love the mystery of the Borden House murders. I’ve seen several true crime and unsolved mystery podcasts about this crime, and it’s one of the most intriguing to me.

If this does come out this year, I will 100% be tuning in. And who knows, maybe this will make me want to watch the other Monsters seasons.

This was my list of 26 most anticipated releases of 2026. Did I miss your most anticipated? And what are you looking forward to most?