What’s Coming to Theaters Fall 2026

As fall begins, a whole new wave of films is preparing to drop in theaters and rake in the big bucks. Unlike the summer blockbusters that are often high-energy comedies or action films, fall films are not as high-energy and are supposed to be more emotionally rich and sophisticated. Dramas are a common occurrence in this season of the film industry, as are horror films because of Halloween’s presence in fall. Sometimes, these fall films don’t reach audiences the same way as their summer counterparts, so this article will serve to prepare readers for what September, October and November have to offer theatergoers.

“Practical Magic 2” released on Sept. 11, 2026. Serving as a legacy sequel to 1998’s “Practical Magic,” this film reunites the witchy Owens sisters (played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) and sees the pair travel to England in order to end a curse that threatens their family. This film may appeal to older audiences that grew up with the initial film but can also serve as an introduction point to new fans. Legacy sequels are typically able to draw in decent box office numbers, but they need a strong story to secure success. Upon its release, “Practical Magic 2” has been somewhat divisive as moviegoers have both loved and disliked the film, but it may be worth a watch with its witchy ties to Halloween.

“Forgotten Island,” releasing Sept. 25, 2026. From DreamWorks Animation, “Forgotten Island” follows two teenagers (voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano) who are whisked away to a distant, magical island. The two best friends must traverse the island and relive the defining memories of their friendship in order to return home. From what I’ve gathered from trailers and teaser footage, “Forgotten Island” is worth seeing in theaters for its animation alone. DreamWorks is often cited as one of the best animation studios in the United States, and this film may prove why this sentiment is common. However, don’t let this film’s status as an animated film fool you, as this doesn’t necessarily mean this film was designed with only children in mind. The film's messaging on friendships and memory is likely something that will appeal to some adult audiences as well.

“Other Mommy,” releasing Oct. 9, 2026. I would be remiss if I were to gloss over this gem. First hearing about it through the trailers that played before a viewing of “The Odyssey,” “Other Mommy” caught my attention for two reasons. One, the concept of the film; this is a horror film that is built on a similar premise as 2009’s animated feature “Coraline,” in which a young girl is being haunted by a doppelganger of her mother. Secondly, I don’t think I can take it seriously with a name like “Other Mommy.” The film stars Jessica Chastain, and though I don’t think it will be a critical hit, may attract viewers because of how much attention and meme-ability the trailer proved the concept has.

“Clayface,” “Klara and the Sun” and “Wildwood,” releasing Oct. 23, 2026. These three films, though sharing a release date, couldn’t be any more different from one another. “Clayface” is a DC supervillain and horror-esque origin story for one of Batman’s rivals, while “Klara and the Sun” is a perky film about an android companion (played by Jenna Ortega) discovering humanity. Finally, “Wildwood” is a stop-motion animated film created by Laika Studios. It follows a young girl who explores an enchanted forest in the hopes of finding her lost baby brother. The difference in tone and style among these three films would surely make for an entertaining weekend movie marathon.

While these aren't all the films releasing this fall, these are the ones that have reason to be on peoples’ radars. There’s a lot of creativity and artistry in this season’s cinematic offerings, and there’s no better way to support said artistry than by visiting the movie theater a time or two.