Is the theatrical experience truly staging a comeback? CinemaCon attendees in Las Vegas certainly seem to think so, and the data backs them up: 2026 box office returns are surging well ahead of last year’s figures. Following a strong showing from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. took the stage on Tuesday with an ambitious presentation. Building on a massive 2025 that saw the studio rake in over $4 billion globally—driven by hits like A Minecraft Movie and Superman—the studio is clearly showing no signs of slowing down.
Beyond announcing the stellar ensemble for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and revealing a fresh sci-fi project from Weapons director Zach Cregger, WB teased footage for Supergirl, Mortal Kombat 2, and the upcoming Evil Dead entry. The most electric reactions, however, were reserved for glimpses of Dune: Part Three and Tom Cruise’s transformative turn in Digger.
Dune: Part Three
The first seven minutes of the trilogy’s epic finale left the CinemaCon audience spellbound. The footage showcased a massive Fremen assault on colossal cannons—a sequence described by IGN as a planetary-scale Saving Private Ryan landing. Critics from IndieWire and The Playlist lauded the spectacle, with some suggesting Disney should rethink the December 18 release date for Avengers Doomsday to avoid the direct competition.
Denis Villeneuve described the final chapter as a visceral, action-heavy thriller grounded in the “broken love story” between Paul Atreides and Chani. Timothée Chalamet teased a haunting evolution for his character, describing Paul as the “all-powerful dark emperor of the universe.”
Digger
Tom Cruise’s radical transformation for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger served as the presentation’s biggest surprise. Completely unrecognizable as a bloated, bald oil tycoon whose reckless drilling triggers a global disaster, Cruise delivered a performance that Deadline called “ecstatic,” fueling early whispers of a Best Actor Oscar campaign. With visual flair that critics say ranks among Iñárritu’s best, the film is slated for an October 2 release.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Warner Bros. confirmed a high-profile cast including Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Lee Pace, and Kate Winslet for Andy Serkis’ upcoming feature, with Jamie Dornan stepping into the boots of Aragorn. A brief, atmospheric clip showed Gollum in his element, muttering in the shadows of a cave. Expect this return to Middle-earth on December 17, 2027.
Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest
The studio officially titled its upcoming Game of Thrones feature Aegon’s Conquest. The film will chronicle the Targaryen founder’s brutal subjugation of the Seven Kingdoms, occurring three centuries before the events of the hit HBO series. While it lacks a firm release date, it is a centerpiece of the studio’s 2027-and-beyond pipeline.
Mortal Kombat II
A scene featuring Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage provided some levity, showing the reluctant action star facing off against Baraka. Though he claims his stunt doubles handle the heavy lifting, Cage manages to get the upper hand in a way that suggests the sequel leans into humor more than the grittier first installment. The film arrives on May 8.
Supergirl
Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl spinoff, starring Milly Alcock, looks to offer a distinct, high-energy departure from the main DC slate. The footage presented highlighted Kara’s resilience as she recharges her powers following a hazardous stint on a planet orbiting a red sun. Debuting June 26, the film is already being praised for its refreshing, vibrant tone.
Evil Dead Burn
Director Sébastien Vaniček is bringing a gnarly, gore-soaked vision to the franchise with Evil Dead Burn. The preview was described as deeply unsettling, featuring a surprising presence of oversized supernatural wildlife. Fans of the series won’t have long to wait, as it hits theaters July 24, with more entries like Evil Dead Wrath planned for the future.
The End of Oak Street and The Great Beyond
Bad Robot is producing two distinct sci-fi entries for the studio: David Robert Mitchell’s The End of Oak Street (August 14) and J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond (November 13). While the former has already piqued interest with its initial trailer, Abrams’ project remains largely under wraps despite featuring a star-studded cast including Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega.
Clayface
A look at the horror-thriller featuring the classic Batman rogue sparked debate among attendees. While some identified body-horror influences, others noted the bright aesthetic, keeping viewers guessing about the true tone of this October 23 release.
A Massive Slate Ahead
The presentation concluded with a rapid-fire look at the studio’s expansive future, including a Superman sequel, M. Night Shyamalan’s Remain, Practical Magic 2, and the return of The Batman and Ocean’s Eleven franchises. Between a new Keanu Reeves-led shark thriller and the next Final Destination, Warner Bros. is clearly betting on a diverse and crowded theatrical calendar for the years to come.
Source: Polygon
