As the sun sets on 2025 and 2026 rises, we have a whole new crop of art to look forward to. From retellings of iconic Greek myths and Shakespeare plays to sinister pills and monsters, there is no shortage of outlandish and enticing ideas waiting for people in every medium. Here are some of the most anticipated books, albums, movies, video games, and TV shows of 2026, all compiled here for your convenience.
Books
How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder – Nina McConigley
Following her critically-acclaimed short story collection Cowboys and East Indians, author and playwright comes storming back onto the stage with How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, a murder mystery hiding a much more dramatic and tragic story under the surface. The novel follows a pair of sisters, Georgie and Agatha, who move in with their extended family in 1986d, until the two decide to commit a horrific crime that is somehow caused by…British colonizers. A powerful and angsty coming-of-age tale disguised as a crime thriller, McConigley’s sophomore work is not to be missed.
Nine Goblins: A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief – T. Kingfisher
From one of the most prolific fantasy writers working today comes a tale of propaganda, hatred, and community among one of the most universally frowned-upon monsters in fiction: the goblin. Nine Goblins follows a band of goblin warriors trapped behind enemy lines, and they must escape in a thrilling comedy-of-errors that balances a hilarious and dramatic tone brilliantly. T. Kingfisher at once tears apart government propaganda and redeems the image of the green monster in another novel sure to hit audiences like a wooden club.
Albums
The Romantic – Bruno Mars
The fifth studio album from legendary R&B musician Bruno Mars is just on the horizon. With only one single released so far, The Romantic is being set up as a much more fun album. In fact, Mars said in an Instagram voice note that he picked which song to release as the first single because “rule number one is PARTY!” The aforementioned single, “I Just Might,” supports this, being a funky bass-and-keyboard-heavy song about hitting the dance floor with a prospective girl. All we know is, if it’s anywhere near as brilliant as the albums that have preceded it, nightclubs will be blasting it for years to come.
The Mountain – Gorillaz
Gorillaz have always been a weird spot in music; at once classic rock, techno, pop, and alt, Blur veteran Damon Albarn has never quite settled on a niche for who he and his gang of virtual hooligans want to be as musicians. The denial to conform is still prevalent in the singles from their up-and-coming release, The Mountain. Seeming more to follow the smooth and psychedelic techno of Plastic Beach than the upbeat alt of Demon Days, songs like “The Hardest Thing” and “Damascus” are downbeat and casual, with surprisingly ominous lyrics like “I went to the liquor store/and they took all my money/I stared into the mirror there/and begged a man to love me,” from “The God of Lying.” The features are also as insane as to be expected: Omar Souleyman, IDLES, and even a posthumous Dennis Hopper feature! Just that alone makes it a must-listen.
Movies
The Odyssey – Christopher Nolan
Fresh off of his Best Director Oscar win, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan is returning with another adaptation, this time set 800 years in the past instead of just 80. Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Elliot Page, The Odyssey promises to be a gritty and powerful retelling of Homer’s iconic story. Not much has been revealed about it yet, but judging from the trailer and stills, the score and cinematography are as excellent as audiences have come to expect. And with the tragedy waiting until August to release, Nolan is truly a god at letting the anticipation build.
The Bride! – Maggie Gyllenhaal
Seemingly the Priscilla to Frankenstein’s Elvis, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s second film is a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s horror classic from the point of view of a created female instead of a male, similar to Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things. Jessie Buckley stars as the titular bride fresh off of possibly her biggest critical and commercial success yet, Hamnet, and she promises another brilliant performance from the trailers. From the few glimpses we’ve gotten, the makeup and costuming look beautiful, and Christian Bale is a promising prospect as Frankenstein. The Bride! is sure to be one of the most visually and artistically stunning films of 2026.
Video Games
Romeo is a Dead Man – Grasshopper Manufacture
Have you ever read Romeo & Juliet and thought “hmm, not enough futuristic blood?” Look no further, because the newest release from sci-fi/action developers Grasshopper Manufacture is just that. Romeo is a Dead Man is a Shakespearean shoot-em-up adventure following Romeo Stargazer as he is a FBI agent barely saved from death, who must try to repair the timeline while also searching for his missing girlfriend, Juliet (you may have heard of her). Director Goichi Suda, famous for his ultra-violent action thrillers, promises twists, turns, and a sci-fi weapon system never seen in gaming. Make sure to pre-order if you want to experience all the guts and glory for yourself.
GTA VI – Rockstar
Yes, yes. It might actually be happening this year. After over a decade of waiting since GTA V, and more delays than you can count on one hand, Rockstar has confirmed the release date of the long awaited sixth installment in their classic series as November of 2026. While the previous games in the series have been much more solo gameplay, GTA VI seems more like a co-op experience, allowing for much more diverse and intuitive play than we’ve seen so far. Boasting a hilarious and diverse cast of characters, GTA VI is sure to be a highlight of this year’s entertainment scene (provided it actually comes out this year as promised).
TV Shows
Futurama S.14 – R. Scott Gemmill
The second revival of the classic sci-fi sitcom continues with its 14th season, coming sometime later this year. Matt Groening’s space themed follow-up to The Simpsons started airing on FOX in 1999, then transferred over to Comedy Central in 2008 with four 4-episode movies, and finally it came to Hulu in 2022 for two new seasons. Season 13 fully aired in 2025, coming to decently high reviews on par with the rest of the show. The new 14th season promises more hilarious futuristic adventures and a significant rise in animation quality from the beginning of the show. The world could always use more crass space adventures, a fact Matt Groening knows intimately. The world could always use more crass space adventures, a fact Matt Groening knows intimately.
The Beauty – Ryan Murphy
From the creator of the immensely popular American Horror Story and Monster series comes another horror experience, this time similarly fantastical (and disgusting) as the former. The Beauty has a straightforward plot: a “treatment” that makes you extremely attractive on the outside, but has devastating effects on the inside of your body. Similar to The Substance, Ryan Murphy’s new show is a body horror series starring Evan Peters as an FBI agent investigating the treatment and Anthony Ramos as an assassin working for the “Corporation” (whatever that could mean). Streaming on Hulu later this month, be sure to tune in if you like high-concept sci-fi and plot-relevant gore.
