Following 2025’s record-breaking slate of 18+ releases, the IMAX movies 2026 lineup continues the momentum with 20 major blockbusters set to dominate premium screens across the MENA region.
Premium Large Format (PLF) screens continue to redefine the cinematic landscape across the MENA region, becoming a key growth engine for both exhibitors and advertisers. Within Motivate Val Morgan’s circuit, PLF auditoria—spanning IMAX, Dolby, ScreenX, 4DX, and VOX MAX—have established themselves as the most powerful platforms for audience engagement and box-office performance. While these experience screens account for a smaller share of total screens, their impact is disproportionately large, consistently delivering higher occupancy rates and premium ticket yields. The UAE alone, a bellwether for regional cinema trends, generated AED 800 million (USD 218M) in box-office revenue in 2024, underscoring the region’s enduring appetite for big-screen entertainment and elevated viewing experiences.
This appetite for immersion is reflected in audience behavior across the GCC. A recent study by Fandango indicated that 77% of moviegoers watched at least one film in a premium format last year, with 88% of frequent cinemagoers doing so—a pattern mirrored locally in the MENA market.
According to insights from Motivate Val Morgan’s cinema advertising and reporting platforms—CinePlan and CineMeasure—experience screen admissions rose to 5.1 million in 2025, with IMAX contributing 1 million admissions across 17 screens. That represents over 20% of total experience traffic, reflecting a 13.8% overall rise and an impressive 19% year-on-year growth in IMAX attendance, underscoring the region’s growing preference for premium formats.
Demographically, PLF audiences in the region are defined by youth, loyalty, and spending power. Gen Z and young millennials continue to lead attendance, drawn by the immersive and shareable nature of formats like IMAX. Higher-income moviegoers and family audiences further fuel this growth, particularly during tentpole releases, where PLF screens routinely outperform standard ones across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. For these viewers, cinema is an event, an escape, and an experience worth paying extra for.
As 2026 approaches, IMAX is set for another blockbuster-packed year, delivering unforgettable visual and audio experiences across the region. Here’s a look at the top IMAX movie releases coming in 2026:
Mercy
In a near-future world ruled by artificial intelligence, Chris Pratt stars as a detective accused of murdering his wife. With just 90 minutes to prove his innocence before an advanced A.I. judge—played by Rebecca Ferguson—decides his fate, Mercy delivers a pulse-racing mix of emotion, suspense, and sci-fi spectacle. In theaters January 22, 2026.
The Bride
Set in 1930s Chicago, The Bride reimagines the classic monster tale with a bold, modern twist. When Frankenstein and Dr. Euphronius bring a murdered woman back to life, their creation—the Bride—ignites a storm of passion, chaos, and rebellion. Blending gothic romance with social revolution, The Bride promises a visually stunning and emotionally charged cinematic experience. In theaters March 5, 2026.
Project Hail Mary
Alone in the vastness of space, Ryan Gosling stars as an astronaut on a mission to save Earth from an unprecedented catastrophe. Project Hail Mary combines heart-pounding adventure with high-stakes science as he battles isolation, danger, and the fate of the planet itself. In theaters March 19, 2026.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Details are still under wraps, but The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to take the beloved franchise to new heights. Following the blockbuster success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this cosmic adventure promises even bigger worlds, dazzling animation, and out-of-this-world fun for fans of all ages. In theaters April 2, 2026.
Michael
Michael brings the extraordinary life of Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop, to the big screen. From his meteoric rise to global superstardom to the personal battles behind the spotlight, the film captures the music, magic, and mystery of one of history’s most influential entertainers. A cinematic celebration of talent, ambition, and legacy. In theaters April 23, 2026.
Mortal Kombat II
The fight for Earthrealm continues in Mortal Kombat II, as fan-favorite champions return—now joined by the iconic Johnny Cage—to face their greatest challenge yet. With Shao Kahn’s dark rule threatening the fate of the realms, alliances are tested and battles reach new levels of intensity. Brutal, action-packed, and visually explosive, Mortal Kombat II promises the ultimate showdown for fans and newcomers alike. In theaters May 7, 2026.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
The galaxy’s favorite duo returns in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin now journeys alongside his small but powerful apprentice, Grogu, in a brand-new adventure set in the Star Wars universe. Packed with heart, action, and cinematic scale, this next chapter promises to be a must-see event for fans across the galaxy. In theaters May 21, 2026.
Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 returns with everyone’s favorite toys—Buzz, Woody, and Jessie—facing a whole new world of challenges. This time, the gang must navigate the modern obsessions of today’s kids: electronics, screens, and digital distractions. Packed with humor, heart, and unforgettable adventures, Toy Story 5 promises to delight audiences of all ages. In theaters June 18, 2026.
Supergirl
Supergirl tells the untold story of Kara Zor-El, exploring her darker origins before she finally arrives on Earth. This reimagined take dives deep into her journey, blending action, emotion, and heroism as she discovers her place in a world that needs her most. In theaters June 25, 2026.
Minions 3
Minions 3 brings back the mischievous, lovable yellow characters audiences have adored for years. While the plot is still under wraps, fans can expect the signature chaos, humor, and heart that have made the Minions and Despicable Me franchise a global phenomenon. In theaters July 2, 2026.
Moana (Live Action)
The beloved adventure sails back to the big screen in live-action with Moana. This reimagining of the 2016 Disney classic brings the daring wayfinder and her epic journey to life with stunning visuals, music, and heart, inviting audiences of all ages to rediscover the magic of the ocean. In theaters July 9, 2026.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey brings Homer’s epic tale to life, following Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters legendary creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and Circe, facing trials that test his courage, cunning, and resolve. A sweeping adventure of heroism and myth, The Odyssey promises a visually stunning and unforgettable cinematic voyage. In theaters July 16, 2026.
Flowervale Street
Flowervale Street takes audiences back to the 1980s, where a seemingly ordinary family begins to notice strange and unsettling events unfolding in their neighborhood. Blending mystery, suspense, and a touch of retro charm, the film promises an engaging ride filled with surprises and twists. In theaters August 13, 2026.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil plunges audiences into a relentless survival nightmare as a hapless courier is sent to deliver a package to a remote hospital. What begins as a routine task quickly turns deadly when he becomes trapped in the middle of a viral outbreak, facing hordes of mutated creatures and fighting for his life at every turn. In theaters September 17, 2026.
Untitled Innarritu/Tom Cruise Movie
In 2026, Tom Cruise returns to the big screen outside of his Mission: Impossible and Top Gun franchises with an exciting new collaboration. Teaming up with acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu (The Revenant), the untitled film is described as a bold big-screen black comedy, promising a fresh and unexpected side of the superstar. In theaters October 1, 2026.
Street Fighter
Street Fighter brings together fan-favorite warriors Ryu and Ken when Chun-Li enlists them for the high-stakes World Warrior Tournament. As a hidden conspiracy unfolds, the fighters are forced to confront not only formidable opponents but also their own pasts, with the fate of the tournament—and perhaps more—hanging in the balance. In theaters October 15, 2026.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes audiences back 24 years before Katniss’ story, to the fateful morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. The film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he faces the deadly arena for the first time, offering a gripping look at Panem’s dark history and the origins of its most notorious traditions. In theaters November 19, 2026.
Narnia
Greta Gerwig returns to theaters in 2026 with her highly anticipated adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. Following the massive success of Barbie (2023), the director of Little Women and Lady Bird brings her visionary touch to this beloved fantasy series. One of the few Netflix films set for a theatrical release, Narnia promises epic adventure, stunning visuals, and a fresh take on the magical world fans have cherished for generations. In theaters November 26, 2026.
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday marks Marvel Studios’ sole IMAX release of 2026, bringing Earth’s mightiest heroes together for their most ambitious battle yet. While plot details remain under wraps, the film promises epic team-ups with otherworldly superheroes as they confront the fearsome Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Packed with action, spectacle, and high-stakes drama, Avengers: Doomsday is set to be a must-see event. In theaters December 17, 2026.
Dune: Part Three
Dune: Part Three continues the epic saga of Muad’dib, the heir to unparalleled power, as he executes an ancient plan to forge a superbeing ruler among men—grounded on Arrakis, not in the heavens. Combining sweeping visuals, intricate world-building, and the high-stakes drama fans expect, the film promises a grand conclusion to the legendary Dune trilogy. In theaters December 17, 2026.
2026 is set to be a milestone year for IMAX in the MENA region. With studios investing heavily in the format, audiences can expect a year of visually ambitious storytelling. From epic franchises to bold new releases, IMAX will continue to offer the most immersive way to experience cinema — where every frame feels larger, sharper, and closer than ever
Disclaimer: Release dates of IMAX movies 2026 are based on current information and are subject to change. Distributors may adjust theatrical release schedules in the MENA region to account for Ramadan, Eid holidays, and other cultural and seasonal considerations.
Sources: IMAX, CinePlan and CineMeasure, UAE Media Council, Fandango, ScreenDaily
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