Amazon MGM's 2026 theatrical slate includes 'highlander' and 'spaceballs: the new one'

At a glance:

• Amazon MGM Studios plans up to 14 theatrical releases in 2026, extending runs to 45 days.
• Highlights include highlander starring henry cavill (apr 2027) and spaceballs: the new one (apr 23, 2027).
• Early titles such as the sheep detectives (may 8, 2026) and masters of the universe (jun 5, 2026) already show strong trailer engagement.

Upcoming 2026 releases

Amazon MGM Studios has mapped out a busy 2026 calendar, beginning with the sheep detectives on may 8, 2026. The trailer has amassed 20 million YouTube views and generated largely positive commentary, positioning the family‑friendly comedy as a potential box‑office driver.

The second slot belongs to masters of the universe on june 5, 2026. Director travis knight will bring the classic Mattel toy line and animated series to the big screen, featuring nicholas galitzine, camila mendes, and idris elba. The nostalgic angle is aimed at both children and their parents who grew up with the franchise.

A September 4, 2026 release, how to rob a bank, adds a heist‑comedy flavor with a cast that includes nicholas hoult, zoë kravitz, anna sawai, pete davidson, and john c. reilly. October 2, 2026 sees verity, adapted from colleen hoover’s bestseller, followed later in the year by i play rocky, a peter farrelly‑directed biopic starring sylvester stallone that dramatizes the making of the 1976 classic rocky.

Strategy and performance

Earlier this year Amazon MGM pledged to release up to 14 films in theaters over the next year and to keep them in circulation for as long as 45 days—a stark shift from its prior model of limited, short‑run titles. The new approach appears to be paying dividends. Head of domestic theatrical distribution kevin wilson highlighted the results: “four months. four films. over $670 million at the box office. and we have nine more on the way.”

Wilson emphasized that the goal is impact, not sheer volume: “we are building films that give audiences a reason to leave the house. films with scale. ambition.” The slate mixes legacy sequels, literary adaptations, and original concepts, aiming to draw diverse audience segments and sustain longer theatrical windows.

2027 outlook and untitled projects

The 2027 portion of the schedule kicks off with the beekeeper 2 on january 15, 2027, starring jason statham. the thomas crown affair follows on march 5, 2027, directed by and starring michael b. jordan.

A marquee highlight arrives on april 23, 2027: spaceballs: the new one, a sequel to mel brooks’s 1987 cult classic. The ensemble includes rick moranis, josh gad, keke palmer, lewis pullman, daphne zuniga, bill pullman, and mel brooks himself, promising a blend of nostalgia and fresh comedy.

Also slated for april 2027 is highlander, featuring henry cavill and based on the 1986 cult film. Other projects listed without firm dates are the chosen: crucifixion, a colt is my passport, your mother your mother your mother, and highlander (re‑mentioned), indicating a pipeline that continues to blend established IP with new storytelling.

What this means for the industry

Amazon MGM’s aggressive theatrical push signals a broader trend among streaming‑heavy studios to re‑invest in cinema as a revenue engine and brand builder. By extending run times and stacking releases across genres, the studio hopes to capture both blockbuster‑level earnings and the long‑tail value of niche audiences. The performance of early titles like the sheep detectives and masters of the universe will serve as bellwethers for the viability of this hybrid distribution model.

Analysts will watch box‑office receipts, streaming subscriber impacts, and the ability of Amazon MGM to sustain a 45‑day window without cannibalising its own streaming catalogue. If successful, the strategy could reshape how other major players schedule releases, balancing theatrical prestige with the convenience of on‑demand platforms.