CinemaCon, the premier annual gathering for film exhibitors, has officially kicked off in Las Vegas, and Sony Pictures made an immediate statement. The studio pulled back the curtain on a massive slate, including an animated Bloodborne adaptation and the official title and premise for the third Jumanji installment. The presentation also offered glimpses into Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Beyond the Spider-Verse, the latest Resident Evil reboot, the Facebook-focused sequel The Social Reckoning, Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, a new mecha project from the director of Godzilla Minus One, and a highly anticipated update on the upcoming The Legend of Zelda live-action film.
As is customary at CinemaCon, much of the footage was reserved exclusively for industry insiders. However, the projects that garnered the most fervent buzz were Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil and the long-gestating Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Resident Evil
Director Zach Cregger has consistently emphasized his commitment to stripping the Resident Evil franchise back to its roots, mirroring the tension and tone of the original games. The footage showcased a stark, grounded opening: protagonist Austin Abrams experiences a vehicular breakdown in a frozen wasteland, leading him to a derelict residence. His frantic plea for help—admitting he is in a “seriously fucked up situation”—quickly gives way to a barrage of visceral horror. Reports indicate a relentless sequence featuring a horde of zombies swarming rooftops and splattering with intense, practical-effect-heavy violence. Cregger noted that he aimed to replicate the signature “resource management” and claustrophobic pacing that defined the video game series.
According to early screening reports, the 90-minute film is a relentless, high-octane experience, frequently described as a horror-centric counterpart to Mad Max: Fury Road. Resident Evil is slated for release on September 18.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Sony has shifted the release date for the third chapter of the Spider-Verse trilogy one week earlier, accompanied by new visuals confirming the film’s unique, tall aspect ratio designed specifically for IMAX. The presentation received glowing praise, with critics describing the footage as “beautifully composed,” witty, and well worth the wait ahead of its June 18, 2027 debut.
The Legend of Zelda
Production has officially wrapped on the live-action The Legend of Zelda film, arriving May 7, 2027. Despite the massive scale of the project, director Wes Ball has managed an impressive feat of secrecy; aside from confirming the leads for Link and Zelda, the rest of the ensemble cast remains shrouded in mystery.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Sony offered an extended look at the fourth Tom Holland-led Spider-Man outing, set for a July 31 release. The footage featured a pivotal scene where Peter Parker attempts to reconnect with MJ and Ned, only to find them completely unaware of his identity. Notably, the fight sequences displayed a grit and graininess reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s early 2000s trilogy, opting for a grounded, tactile aesthetic that contrasts sharply with modern, digital-heavy spectacles.
Jumanji: Open World
The third entry in the rebooted Jumanji series, Jumanji: Open World, confirmed that the narrative will see the game characters thrust into the real world. Director Jake Kasdan maintains the established chemistry of his lead trio—Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart—in a sequel that promises to lean heavily into the franchise’s successful formula. The film hits theaters this Christmas.
Grandgear
While details remain scarce, the reveal of Grandgear generated palpable excitement. Serving as the English-language debut for Godzilla Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki, the film will delve into the realm of kaiju and mecha. Production is expected to begin shortly, with a wide release scheduled for February 18, 2028.
The Social Reckoning
Perhaps the most unexpected sequel of the year, The Social Reckoning follows up on the 2010 cultural landmark The Social Network. With Aaron Sorkin moving into the director’s chair and Jeremy Strong stepping in to portray Mark Zuckerberg, the shift in tone is significant. Early reactions describe Strong’s performance as deeply unsettling and “inspired,” with the trailer footage standing out as one of the highlights of the Sony presentation. The film is set for an October 9 release.
Klara and the Sun
Taika Waititi’s adaptation of the Kazuo Ishiguro novel features Jenna Ortega as an AI companion. The footage teased a distinct “1950s retro-futurist” aesthetic, oscillating between charming, whimsical moments and the more somber, prestige-drama sensibilities associated with Ishiguro’s work. The film is scheduled to arrive on October 23.
Insidious: Out of the Further
Sony shared the first trailer for the sixth installment in the Insidious horror franchise. The preview leans heavily into unsettling body horror—specifically targeting dental phobias. Out of the Further premieres in theaters on August 21.
Source: Polygon
