10 Biggest Movie Sequels Set for Release in 2027

As 2026 draws to a close, moviegoers are preparing to turn the page on a remarkable year at the cinema. The past 12 months have delivered major films ranging from “The Odyssey” to “You Can See Everything,” and several of the year’s most anticipated releases have yet to arrive. Even so, 2027 is already making a strong case for itself, with a lineup packed with major movie sequels.

In other words, the next year is shaping up to be a major franchise season. Marvel and DC are both bringing important chapters of their cinematic universes to theaters, while some of animation’s most popular series are also returning. The slate includes two highly anticipated horror follow-ups, another MonsterVerse showdown, the latest installment in a hit video game adaptation, and a long-awaited comedy sequel. Here are the biggest movie sequels coming in 2027.

Fans have been waiting a long time for the third chapter in the acclaimed “Spider-Verse” saga. Originally announced for March 2024, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” is now scheduled to arrive more than three years later, on June 18, 2027, unless another delay intervenes. “Across the Spider-Verse” left Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) facing a hostile version of himself in a parallel universe. At the same time, he was being hunted by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac) and searching for a way to stop the Spot (Jason Schwartzman).

Of the three superhero sequels featured here, this is arguably the most eagerly anticipated. The first two “Spider-Verse” movies were widely praised for expanding the possibilities of big-screen animation with their distinctive visual style. Their storytelling and action were equally impressive, but the films’ extraordinary audiovisual presentation remains a major part of their appeal. That is what audiences will be watching closely when “Beyond” finally reaches theaters.

“We’re chugging away in the edit room with the team, and it’s coming together really well,” co-writer Christopher Miller told Empire in a July 2026 interview. Miller and his longtime writing partner Phil Lord also explained that the film is being designed for IMAX’s expanded 1.43:1 aspect ratio. “Everyone on the crew is so good at what they do,” Lord said. “You just sit around, marvel at all these brilliant artists, and then we get to work with these great filmmakers, sit in a room all day, and just try to make everything incrementally better together.”

The franchise that helped establish Blumhouse has spent the past five years out of the spotlight, but it is set to return in 2027. The eighth “Paranormal Activity” movie is simply titled “Paranormal Activity,” suggesting a potential reset for the found-footage horror series that became a cultural phenomenon after its debut in 2007.

The previous attempt to revive the brand was 2021’s “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” which followed “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” by six years. “Next of Kin” did little to restore the franchise’s momentum. Its canceled theatrical release and move to streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic did not help, although the series had already struggled to match the impact of its earliest installments.

This time, the franchise is returning without the subtitles used by several recent entries and with producers Jason Blum, Oren Peli, and James Wan involved. The trio has helped drive the success of the “Insidious” franchise in recent years. Wan is a major figure in theatrical horror, even though he is new to this particular series, and his involvement could give the reboot a fresh spark. The film will also return viewers to the house from the original movie, signaling an effort to reconnect with the series’ roots. “Paranormal Activity” is scheduled to open in theaters on May 21, 2027.

Sonic’s appeal is hardly a mystery. Children love the blue speedster with an attitude, and the character’s long-running popularity has carried him from Sega games to a successful movie franchise. Still, the idea of four big-budget “Sonic the Hedgehog” films would have sounded absurd a decade ago. The character’s infamous first CGI design nearly sent the series down a very different path, one that might have ended with a single box-office failure.

Instead, the first three “Sonic” movies have become reliable box-office performers and entertaining family adventures. They may not be revolutionary, but they know exactly how to deliver fast-moving fun. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” remains the strongest entry so far, blending plenty of ’90s nostalgia with a colorful action story. The fourth film is expected to continue that approach while introducing two important video game characters: the longtime villain Metal Sonic and the pink hedgehog Amy Rose (Kristen Bell), both of whom debuted in the 1993 game “Sonic CD.”

“Sonic the Hedgehog 4” probably will not reinvent the franchise, but another lively adventure could be enough to keep the series moving at full speed. The movie is currently scheduled for release on March 19, 2027.

The wait for “Avengers: Doomsday” has dominated much of the conversation around Marvel’s next major event, but that film is only the first half of a two-part “Avengers” story. “Avengers: Secret Wars” is currently set for release on December 17, 2027. The film’s central story will depend heavily on the events of “Doomsday,” meaning many of its biggest details are likely to remain unknown until that movie arrives in December.

Kevin Feige has repeatedly hinted that the 2027 installment could mark a significant transformation for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “‘Endgame,’ literally, was about endings,” the Marvel Studios president said last year at a press event covered by Variety. “‘Secret Wars’ is about beginnings.” Later, Feige avoided formally calling the movie a reboot but acknowledged that the concept was not far off. “Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline — we’re thinking along those lines.”

Earlier this year, Feige wrote the foreword for a new edition of the “Secret Wars” comic. “All the stories of the past remain true, but now all things are possible,” he wrote. He also suggested that the MCU adaptation would carry that idea into a different medium, saying, “We hope to carry that inspiration forward into a new medium.” The specifics remain uncertain, but the clues point to “Secret Wars” serving as a major turning point for the MCU, potentially moving the franchise beyond its multiverse era. “Doomsday” should provide a clearer picture of Marvel’s next direction.

The third main chapter in John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s horror trilogy is scheduled to arrive on July 30, 2027. The series’ 2024 prequel, “A Quiet Place: Day One,” is not included in that count. With the first two films earning strong reviews and impressive audiences, “A Quiet Place Part III” is already positioned as one of the biggest horror releases of 2027.

Krasinski is returning to write and direct, while Blunt will reprise her role as Evelyn Abbott. Cillian Murphy is also back after appearing in “A Quiet Place Part II,” and Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe will return as Regan and Marcus Abbott. The new cast members include Jack O’Connell, Katy O’Brian, and Jason Clarke.

Plot details remain under wraps. However, seven years will separate “A Quiet Place Part II” from the new film, so the story is expected to move significantly forward in the franchise timeline — a practical choice given the ages of the younger cast members. The film is also intended to serve as the true conclusion to the central trilogy. Noah Jupe told Radio Times in August that it “pretty well bookends the series.”

Nearly two decades after the last proper “Shrek” film, the beloved ogre and his friends are returning to theaters. “Shrek 5” is scheduled for release on June 30, 2027. “Shrek 2” co-director Conrad Vernon, who also voiced the Gingerbread Man, is directing alongside Walt Dohrn. Dohrn worked as a writer and artist on the earlier films before directing the “Trolls” movies. The screenplay comes from Darren Lemke, a writer on “Shrek Forever After,” and David Lindsay-Abaire, who wrote the book and lyrics for “Shrek the Musical.”

Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all set to return, joined by Zendaya, Skyler Gisondo, and Marcello Hernández, who will voice Shrek and Fiona’s children. The story jumps forward to account for the 17 years since “Shrek Forever After,” which explains why the ogre couple’s children are being voiced as older characters. The first trailer for “Shrek 5,” released earlier this year, draws heavily on the spirit of “Shrek 2.” Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and their family travel to another fairy-tale kingdom called “Further, Further Away,” where trouble is sure to follow.

The “Shrek” franchise has produced its share of weaker sequels, but the first two films remain modern animation classics. More recently, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” was celebrated as a standout achievement. That history, combined with the return of the original voice cast and several promising newcomers, gives “Shrek 5” a strong foundation.

Mel Brooks is 100 years old, yet the comedy legend is returning to the screen in 2027 with “Spaceballs: The New One,” a sequel to his 1987 parody of “Star Wars.” Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, and Daphne Zuniga are all returning, while Brooks is stepping aside as director. Josh Greenbaum, who helmed “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” is taking over behind the camera. Josh Gad, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit wrote the script, with Gad also appearing in the film. Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman lead the new additions to the cast.

Based on the material released by Amazon MGM Studios, the new comedy will take aim at the Disney era of “Star Wars.” “Somehow, Dark Helmet has returned,” the official synopsis begins, riffing on the much-mocked line from “The Rise of Skywalker.” It continues: “With Lone Starr in hiding, Queen Vespa on the throne, and the Schwartz stretched thinner than a franchise releasing TV episodes theatrically, the only hope for the galaxy is Vespa’s undisciplined son, Prince Starburst, and a mysterious Palace advisor named Destiny. Together, they must find Lone Starr, Yogurt, and any other iconic legacy characters fans are demanding.”

The past decade has given “Spaceballs” plenty of new material to spoof, but the sequel will also have to stand out in a culture already filled with jokes about the world’s most famous science-fiction franchise. The original broke new ground, while later years brought “Family Guy” parodies, Glup Shitto memes, and widespread criticism of the sequel trilogy. “Spaceballs: The New One” will have to cut through that crowded landscape when it arrives on April 23, 2027.

James Gunn’s “Superman” may still feel new, but the DCU is already moving toward its sequel. “Man of Tomorrow” is scheduled to open on July 9, 2027. David Corenswet’s debut as the Man of Steel earned strong reviews and performed well at the box office, giving the expanding DC Universe a promising launch. The Paramount/Warner Bros. merger has introduced some uncertainty around the franchise, but Gunn and his team remain on course, with plenty of reasons to anticipate the next chapter.

Much of the first film’s cast will return, including Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Gathegi’s Mister Terrific was one of the previous film’s standout characters, while Luthor is expected to wear his iconic warsuit in the sequel. The villain will also join forces with Superman to protect Earth from Brainiac, who will be played by Lars Eidinger.

The sequel’s already crowded lineup will expand further with Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart from “Lanterns,” Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, and Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes from “Blue Beetle.” Balancing so many heroes and supporting characters will be one of Gunn’s biggest challenges, particularly while keeping Superman at the center of the story. If the film manages that balance, it could be more than entertaining — it could be spectacular.

Adam Wingard, who directed the previous two “Godzilla x Kong” films, has left the series. Grant Sputore is taking over for “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” which is scheduled to arrive on March 26, 2027. Dan Stevens will reprise his role from 2024’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” The new cast includes Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O’Connell, the late Sam Neill in one of his final screen appearances, Delroy Lindo, and Matthew Modine.

Official plot details are still scarce, although rumors have pointed to the possible return of classic Toho creatures, including SpaceGodzilla. “Supernova” will also follow the acclaimed “Godzilla Minus One,” raising the bar for the next big-screen kaiju adventure. Toho’s recent movies may have attracted more critical praise, but the MonsterVerse remains active, with “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” developing a third season and no indication that the Godzilla and Kong franchise is slowing down.

The peak of “Frozen” mania may have passed, but the Disney franchise remains one of the studio’s biggest properties. The first two films earned more than $2.7 billion worldwide combined, and “Frozen III” is expected to add significantly to that total when it arrives on November 24, 2027, just ahead of the holidays.

Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff will return as Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff. The story will reportedly involve Anna and Kristoff’s royal wedding, although Disney’s presentation at D23 teased that the celebration would be interrupted by a new threat. Menzel also revealed at the event that the characters will venture beyond their home of Arendelle.

“There’s a reason the movie is coming out in 2027,” Gad told People in 2025. “And that is because no one wants to rush this. Everyone wants this to not just be a sequel or a money grab. They want this to be absolutely worthy of the story we set out to make in 2013.” Audiences will find out whether the third film justifies the long wait when “Frozen III” premieres next fall.