Blab Entertainment
July 2026 Movie Release Calendar: Evil Dead Burn, Moana, The Odyssey, and More
The summer of 2026 begins with a punchy mix of blockbusters and indie gems slated for U.S. theaters on July 10, 17, 24, and 31. The schedule packs a horror sequel, a Disney live‑action musical, a Christopher Nolan‑produced IMAX epic, and a handful of limited‑release dramas and comedies.
July 10 sees three titles hit the box office. Warner Bros. Pictures rolls out the sixth entry in the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Burn, directed and co‑written by Sébastien Vaniček. Produced by Rob Tapert and series creator Sam Raimi, the film follows a grieving woman who discovers that her late husband’s in‑laws have turned into Deadites in a remote home. The picture carries an R rating and will open nationwide.
The same day, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures debuts its live‑action remake of Moana. Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the film stars Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Catherine Lagaʻaia in her feature‑film debut as the titular Polynesian heroine. The musical adventure chronicles Moana’s voyage beyond her island’s reef to find Maui and restore a lost relic.
Also on July 10, Sony Pictures Classics releases the comedy Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, written and directed by David Wain with Ken Marino. The R‑rated film stars Zoey Deutch and Jon Hamm as a hairdresser whose marriage is put to the test by a “celebrity pass” scheme.
The next wave arrives on July 17. The Odyssey, shot entirely with IMAX cameras and produced by Christopher Nolan, is distributed by Warner Bros. The action‑fantasy follows legendary Greek king Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, featuring a star‑studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and Anne Hathaway. The film is rated R.
That same weekend also opens several limited‑release titles. Cut Off brings Jonah Hill and Bette Midler together in a drama, while The Bay delivers a shark‑thriller with an ensemble cast. Neither film carries a rating.
July 24 offers a cluster of limited releases. Motor City sets its story in 1970s Detroit, following a working‑class romance tangled with gangster intrigue; the film is rated R. Her Private Hell is a sci‑fi thriller that unfolds in a mist‑enveloped metropolis as a young woman searches for her father; it too is rated R. Other titles that day—Gangland, Night Nurse, The Isolate Thief, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Horsegirls, and The Kidnapping of Arabella—do not carry a rating.
The calendar’s final entry comes on July 31 with Spider Man: A Brand New Day. Starring Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bernthal, and Zendaya, the superhero film follows a Spider‑Man who has lost his memory but remains devoted to protecting his city. The movie is rated PG‑13.
This July lineup underscores a broader trend: studios pair high‑profile tentpoles with a slate of genre‑specific projects. The inclusion of a major horror sequel, a Disney live‑action adaptation, and a Christopher Nolan‑produced IMAX feature illustrates the enduring appetite for marquee releases during the summer season. At the same time, the limited‑release slate offers independent dramas, thrillers, and comedies that cater to niche audiences.
The schedule also aligns with the United States’ 250th anniversary, a milestone that has prompted several studios to spotlight patriotic or historically themed projects. While the films span a wide range of genres, they collectively showcase the diversity of the 2026 summer lineup and the strategic release planning used by major studios to capture audience attention during a historically significant year.
Industry observers note that the mix of wide and limited releases may influence box‑office performance and streaming availability in the coming months. As the summer unfolds, analysts will watch how the high‑budget titles perform against the backdrop of the limited‑release offerings and whether the 250th‑anniversary context drives additional marketing or audience interest.
Overall, the July 2026 film schedule presents a robust array of entertainment options—from horror and adventure to drama and superhero action—highlighting the continued dynamism of the U.S. film market during a landmark year.
July 10 sees three titles hit the box office. Warner Bros. Pictures rolls out the sixth entry in the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Burn, directed and co‑written by Sébastien Vaniček. Produced by Rob Tapert and series creator Sam Raimi, the film follows a grieving woman who discovers that her late husband’s in‑laws have turned into Deadites in a remote home. The picture carries an R rating and will open nationwide.
The same day, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures debuts its live‑action remake of Moana. Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the film stars Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Catherine Lagaʻaia in her feature‑film debut as the titular Polynesian heroine. The musical adventure chronicles Moana’s voyage beyond her island’s reef to find Maui and restore a lost relic.
Also on July 10, Sony Pictures Classics releases the comedy Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, written and directed by David Wain with Ken Marino. The R‑rated film stars Zoey Deutch and Jon Hamm as a hairdresser whose marriage is put to the test by a “celebrity pass” scheme.
The next wave arrives on July 17. The Odyssey, shot entirely with IMAX cameras and produced by Christopher Nolan, is distributed by Warner Bros. The action‑fantasy follows legendary Greek king Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, featuring a star‑studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and Anne Hathaway. The film is rated R.
That same weekend also opens several limited‑release titles. Cut Off brings Jonah Hill and Bette Midler together in a drama, while The Bay delivers a shark‑thriller with an ensemble cast. Neither film carries a rating.
July 24 offers a cluster of limited releases. Motor City sets its story in 1970s Detroit, following a working‑class romance tangled with gangster intrigue; the film is rated R. Her Private Hell is a sci‑fi thriller that unfolds in a mist‑enveloped metropolis as a young woman searches for her father; it too is rated R. Other titles that day—Gangland, Night Nurse, The Isolate Thief, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Horsegirls, and The Kidnapping of Arabella—do not carry a rating.
The calendar’s final entry comes on July 31 with Spider Man: A Brand New Day. Starring Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bernthal, and Zendaya, the superhero film follows a Spider‑Man who has lost his memory but remains devoted to protecting his city. The movie is rated PG‑13.
This July lineup underscores a broader trend: studios pair high‑profile tentpoles with a slate of genre‑specific projects. The inclusion of a major horror sequel, a Disney live‑action adaptation, and a Christopher Nolan‑produced IMAX feature illustrates the enduring appetite for marquee releases during the summer season. At the same time, the limited‑release slate offers independent dramas, thrillers, and comedies that cater to niche audiences.
The schedule also aligns with the United States’ 250th anniversary, a milestone that has prompted several studios to spotlight patriotic or historically themed projects. While the films span a wide range of genres, they collectively showcase the diversity of the 2026 summer lineup and the strategic release planning used by major studios to capture audience attention during a historically significant year.
Industry observers note that the mix of wide and limited releases may influence box‑office performance and streaming availability in the coming months. As the summer unfolds, analysts will watch how the high‑budget titles perform against the backdrop of the limited‑release offerings and whether the 250th‑anniversary context drives additional marketing or audience interest.
Overall, the July 2026 film schedule presents a robust array of entertainment options—from horror and adventure to drama and superhero action—highlighting the continued dynamism of the U.S. film market during a landmark year.
