December 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most stacked single months of the year, headlined by a theatrical collision nobody saw coming: two of the biggest franchises in movies, opening on the exact same day. Here’s everything confirmed for the month, in release order.
Violent Night 2 — December 4
David Harbour returns as the brawling, foul-mouthed Santa Claus for another holiday rescue mission, joined by Jared Harris and Kristen Bell. The first film’s surprise-hit formula — equal parts slasher-action and genuinely sincere Christmas-movie heart — gets a sequel built on the same mix.
Dunesday: Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three — December 18
This is the month’s biggest story by far. “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part Three” both open on December 18, 2026 — a head-to-head date fans have already nicknamed “Dunesday.” Warner Bros. has reportedly shown no intention of moving Dune off the date despite the direct competition, and both studios appear to be treating it as a genuine box-office showdown rather than a scheduling accident either side is likely to blink on. Several studios reportedly considered moving off December 18 earlier in the year before both ultimately held their ground, a sign of just how confident each side is in its own audience turning out regardless of the other film in theaters that same weekend.
“Avengers: Doomsday” continues the two-part Avengers saga that’s been building across the MCU’s recent slate, uniting a large ensemble against Doctor Doom. “Dune: Part Three” closes out Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels, following the first two films’ sweeping, deliberate style. Having spent a decade-plus building the Marvel universe and two films building Arrakis, both franchises are arriving at their respective climaxes on literally the same afternoon — for context on how we got here, see our breakdown of the Avengers: Doomsday trailer.
Our take: this is less a conflict either studio is likely to lose outright and more a split-the-weekend situation — Doomsday’s broader four-quadrant pull against Dune’s older, more dedicated sci-fi audience probably means both films clear respectable numbers rather than one flatly crushing the other. For a deeper look at how the two releases stack up, SlashFilm’s full “Dunesday” guide breaks down both films’ competing marketing pushes.
The Angry Birds Movie 3 — December 23
The animated franchise returns for a third entry, taking the family-friendly pre-Christmas slot the series has carved out for itself. Expect the same flock of birds, pigs, and slapstick chaos that’s carried the series through two prior films and a mobile-game empire.
King — December 24
Shah Rukh Khan headlines “King,” an action drama from director Siddharth Anand, reuniting the pair after “Pathaan.” The film also marks the feature debut of Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan, alongside Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, and Jaideep Ahlawat. The plot follows a deadly assassin navigating the underworld while juggling high-stakes personal and romantic conflict — squarely in the stylish, globe-trotting action territory Anand built with “Pathaan” and “War.”
Werwulf — December 25
Robert Eggers follows “Nosferatu” with another folk-horror period piece, this time built around werewolf mythology and reportedly written partly in Middle English — a very Eggers level of commitment to historical texture. Given his track record with “The Witch” and “Nosferatu,” this is shaping up to be the month’s most distinctive awards-adjacent horror release, counter-programmed directly against the big holiday blockbusters.
What to Prioritize This December
If you only make it to theaters once this month, December 18 is non-negotiable one way or the other — whichever of Doomsday or Dune you pick, you’ll be watching one of the year’s two biggest theatrical events. For the rest of 2026’s biggest remaining releases and a longer look ahead, see our most anticipated movies of 2027 roundup, which picks up right where this list leaves off.
For the year’s best family-friendly watches so far, see our Best Animated & Family Movies of 2026 roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three really releasing the same day?
Yes. Both films are scheduled for December 18, 2026, a date fans have nicknamed “Dunesday.” As of now, neither studio has moved off that date.
When does Shah Rukh Khan’s King release?
“King” releases December 24, 2026, directed by Siddharth Anand and also starring Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan.
What horror movie is releasing in December 2026?
Robert Eggers’ “Werwulf,” a folk-horror film following “Nosferatu,” releases December 25, 2026.
