2026: The Year of Zendaya – Movies and TV Shows Confirmed for Release
Zendaya is one of Hollywood’s A-listers whose career started as a childhood star and has since ascended into the adult spotlight. 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Zendaya fans; that said, here are all the confirmed projects Zendaya will play a role in.
Euphoria
Release Date: April 2026
8 Episodes
For those of you who have watched Euphoria, various cinematic themes interplay in the show: mental health, drugs, and sexuality come together to explore intense emotions that all teenagers have experienced.
Euphoria’s return
During the London HBO Max presentation on December 3, 2025, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson affirmed that Zendaya will return as Rue. She is no longer a teenager but a recovering drug addict and alcoholic facing the consequences of her actions, while the rest of the gang faces problems new and old amidst a five-year time skip.
Plot
“We basically pick up Rue south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie (Martha Kelly), trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off.”
New cast
Although rumor has it that South African sensation Tyla is to join Euphoria’s third season, there has been only speculation.
Influencer and actress Trisha Paytas and singer Rosalía are among the fresh new faces on the set of Euphoria.
Cast who are not returning
Barbie Ferreira (Kat Hernandez) will not be returning, and her former co-star Austin Abrams’ status (Ethan) has not been confirmed.
Algee Smith and Storm Reid, Cassie’s ex-boyfriend and Rue’s younger sister, respectively, are not confirmed to be in the third season of the controversial teen series.
Fezco, played by Angus Cloud, who sadly passed away on 31st July 2023, will not be recast.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Release Date: 31 July 2026
Plot
After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Peter Parker maintains his title as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and dons a new blue suit.
But swinging above the streets of New York doesn’t stop the weight of the loss of his aunt, best friend, and love interest, MJ (Zendaya).
New antagonists, i.e., fan favorite The Punisher (played by Jon Bernthal) and Sinister Six member Scorpion (Michael Mando), will enter the fray.
Will Spider-Man be able to make it out in one piece, or will he crumble under the loneliness of his superhero lifestyle?
Dune: Part Three
Release Date: December 18th, 2026
Plot
Dune is a political saga that explores life in a time where simply being human is not enough. The story is set on the planet Arrakis, where a love story between two members of opposing factions, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya), must navigate a harsh desert ecosystem where everyone wants to get their hands on a rare drug by the name of ‘spice.’
Dune: Part Three takes place after the events of the sequel and will provide a follow-up to Paul Atreides’ decision to incite war amongst factions.
It is based on a second book in the series, Dune Messiah, by Frank Herbert.
The Odyssey
Release Date: July 17th, 2026
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie adaptation of the poem by the same name. The journey of Odysseus, a famous Greek king of Ithaca, will unfold as he faces mythical enemies and forges alliances with other prominent Greek mythos characters while navigating life after the Trojan War.
Plot
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a highly anticipated film, especially as his previous production, Oppenheimer (2023), despite criticism, achieved widespread critical success and 194 wins across multiple categories.
Additionally, Lupita Nyong’o stans will have a great watch, as it has been confirmed that the actress of Kenyan descent has snagged a role in Nolan’s upcoming rendition of The Odyssey.
Shrek 5
Release Date: December 23rd, 2026
Whatever happened to Shrek?
Shrek will be the latest addition to the comedic movie series that debuted in 2001. Shrek has been a successful franchise over the years, coming back periodically over the decades and keeping humor alive.
After the Shrek Forever After (2010) movie, the hype went into remission. Only Puss in Boots spin-offs kept the Shrek flame alive.
Plot
After a bittersweet ending for the movie’s villain, Rumpelstiltskin, it felt like Fiona and her beau had their happy ending. Three beautiful children, an annoying extended family, and a somewhat happy marriage.
But the same way time passed in our world, so did it in the Shrek-verse. Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia, Shrek’s children, are all grown up, and it seems that Felicia, voiced by Zendaya, has a lot to say about Shrek’s new return and the land of Far Far Away.
The Drama
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Plot
With the plot under wraps. Little is known about the storyline. The Drama will follow Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s characters in this dark romantic comedy, documenting their life as a big event lurks ominously as their wedding day draws near.
A24’s The Drama is written and directed by Kristofer Borgli.
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