Best films arriving later this year: Thrillers and dystopias

Jessica Parker • September 8, 2026 • 5 min read

Best films arriving later this year, including thrillers, dystopias and the Practical Magic sequel.

A man on a film set with dramatic lighting, facing a cinematographer. Photo: Maksim Romashkin/Pexels

Witches, thrillers and dystopias dominate the film releases lined up for the second half of 2026. The first half of the year offered a heavy slate of sequels and adaptations, but the schedule for the rest of the year promises a mix of literary adaptations and high-profile sequels.

Practical Magic returns to the screen

Australian audiences will get their first look at the Practical Magic sequel on September 10. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as the Owens sisters in the film, which sees the family curse continuing to threaten their lineage. Maisie Williams and Joey King join the cast for the return to the supernatural world.

The project marks the return of the Owens women to the screen almost 30 years after the original film. The sequel focuses on the sisters attempting to undo the generations-old curse that has plagued their family history. The film promises a blend of the original’s whimsical atmosphere with a darker, more complex narrative regarding the family’s magical legacy.

High-profile adaptations arrive in October

October brings a heavy slate of adaptations based on popular literature and real-world events. Colleen Hoover’s novel Verity arrives on October 1, featuring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. The story follows a struggling writer tasked with ghostwriting the remaining books in a bestselling series, with the trailer hinting at a tense narrative.

This adaptation looks into the psychological thriller genre, centering on the intense relationship between the protagonist and the reclusive bestselling author whose manuscripts she must complete. The source material explores themes of betrayal and manipulation, with the visual presentation aiming to amplify the tension found within the text.

The Social Reckoning takes a different approach, adapting the true story of Frances Haugen. The film, described as a companion to The Social Network, follows the Facebook engineer who leaked internal documents to The Wall Street Journal in 2021. Mikey Madison, Jeremy Strong and Jeremy Allen White lead the cast.

This cinematic exploration provides a deep dive into the internal conflicts faced by tech whistleblowers, illustrating the high stakes involved in exposing corporate malpractice. By framing the narrative around the personal and professional toll on the individuals involved, the film contextualizes the broader implications of the data leaks for global society.

On October 15, the story of Jane Austen’s Persuasion hits Australian cinemas. Director Georgia Oakley brings the novel to life with a screenplay by Diana Reid. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles star as the Dashwood sisters, with the film expected to feature period-accurate costumes and settings.

The production emphasizes the emotional resonance of Austen’s final novel, highlighting themes of second chances and enduring love against the backdrop of a rapidly changing social environment. The casting of Edgar-Jones and Creed-Miles is expected to bring a modern intensity to the historical setting, while the attention to detail in production design aims to transport viewers directly to the Regency era.

Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun arrives on October 22. Taika Waititi directs the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend waiting in a store to be chosen. Jenna Ortega stars in the lead role.

The film adaptation of this Nobel Prize-winning story expands on the observational nature of the Artificial Friend, exploring Klara’s unique perspective on human emotions and societal class structures. Through her journey, the narrative questions the boundaries between sentience and programming, offering a poignant look at what it means to love and be loved in a fragmented world.

Robert Pattinson takes on the role of Chris Hansen in Primetime. The film explores the making of the show To Catch a Predator and the moral complexities of its sting operations. The project has already received positive reviews ahead of its release.

Beyond the sensationalist elements of the original broadcast, the film examines the ethical gray areas of vigilante justice and the psychological toll on both the perpetrators and the broadcasters. Pattinson’s performance is anticipated to capture the nuance of a man caught between entertainment and moral responsibility.

Sequels and original films in November

Starring Robert Pattinson as host Chris Hansen, Primetime follows the making of the show To Catch a Predator. Based on true events, the show was infamous for its sting operations to catch suspected child predators. The film will likely explore the moral complexities of the original show and has already had rave reviews.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Australian release date: November 19

Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest film release from the Panem universe, this time taking us back in time to the 50th Hunger Games (also known as the Second Quarter Quell). Set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, it follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he competes in the arena. It also has an all-star cast, with Jesse Plemons starring as a young Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman and Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow.

Australian release date: November 19

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three is set almost two decades after the events of Dune: Part Two. It follows Emperor Paul Atreides as he faces the fallout from his ascension to power. Favourites Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson and Jason Momoa will be reprising their roles, with Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy joining the Dune universe.

Written and directed by Chris Rock, A24’s Misty Green follows an actress fighting for her comeback after her career stalls. Starring Rosalind Eleazar, Daniel Kaluuya, Anna Kendrick and Adam Driver, it’s tender and funny in a way only Chris Rock can nail.

Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, A24 has just announced You Can See Everything. Labelled a documentary, it’s set 34 days before notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes is sent to prison. There’s no release date set for Australia, but it’s looking like an October U.S. release.