Zendaya’s career is going from strength to strength, and she already has a bumper 2026 lined up. Since rising to prominence with her roles in Euphoria and the Spider-Man franchise, Zendaya has branched out into other big-budget movies, making her one of Hollywood’s most prominent young stars in recent years.
2026 could be the biggest year of her career so far, as many of her big franchises make a comeback and she joins some exciting new projects. There’s a chance it could get even bigger, since Zendaya is reportedly in talks to star in Will Smith’s Hancock sequel, and she has been cast in an A24 romcom with Robert Pattinson. These projects may or may not come out in 2026, but next year will be huge for Zendaya either way. While all her projects are worth looking forward to, some are especially exciting.
5
Euphoria Season 3
Euphoria Has Taken A Long Break Between Seasons
There was a three-year break between seasons 1 and 2 of Euphoria, and season 3 has taken even longer. While there were some rumors that the show was going to die a quiet death, Zendaya is returning to lead the cast once again in 2026. Her performance as Rue has already scored her two Primetime Emmy Awards, and she will be key to the show’s success again.
Euphoria season 3 has just started filming, although the story details are still unclear.
Euphoria season 3 has just started filming, although the story details are still unclear. It remains to be seen how the four-year wait between seasons will affect the characters. Season 2 ended with Rue caught between relapse and redemption, while her relationship with Jules also reaches breaking point. Season 3 has a lot of room to explore, and with Marshawn Lynch, Rosaliá and more big names joining the cast, anything is possible.
4
Shrek 5
Zendaya Has Recently Been Announced As Shrek And Fiona’s Daughter
It’s been 15 years since Shrek Forever After looked like it wrapped up the DreamWorks franchise, but the success of the Puss in Boots spinoffs has led to the development of Shrek 5. A recent teaser trailer offers a first look at some divisive character redesigns in line with the animation style of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The trailer also announces Zendaya’s role as one of Shrek and Fiona’s children.
The Shrek Franchise’s Critical Reputation | ||
Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Audience Score |
Shrek (2001) | 88% | 90% |
Shrek 2 (2004) | 89% | 69% |
Shrek the Third (2007) | 41% | 52% |
Shrek Forever After (2010) | 58% | 54% |
Since so much time has passed since the last Shrek movie, it’s hard to tell how the story could shape up, but the teaser trailer has a few clues. With Zendaya’s character seemingly a teenager or young adult, Shrek 5 could be about how Shrek and Fiona handle parenthood as their children grow up. The other two children are nowhere to be seen in the first trailer, but this doesn’t mean they won’t also feature in Shrek 5. While the internet debates the sequel’s new look, the good news is that Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy are all returning.
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Spider-Man 4
No Way Home Wasn’t The End For Tom Holland’s Spider-Man
Spider-Man: No Way Home left the door open for more sequels in the future, and Spider-Man 4 has now been confirmed. It’s already one of the most exciting releases that the MCU has lined up, acting as a marker between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Filming is set to begin later in 2025.
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While the plot details of Spider-Man 4 are still under wraps, there are plenty of exciting possibilities. There are some suggestions that it could be a team-up movie with Daredevil, or that Kingpin will feature as the main villain. Other possible villains include Doctor Doom, Tom Hardy’s Venom or the entire Sinister Six. Zendaya looks certain to return as MJ, despite her and Ned having their memories wiped to forget Spider-Man’s true identity in No Way Home.
2
Dune: Messiah
Denis Villeneuve’s Sequel Is Picking Up Pace
A few months ago, Denis Villeneuve suggested that he would take a break before Dune: Messiah, perhaps working on another movie to break up his franchise. However, this has changed in recent months, and Dune: Messiah could get a 2026 release date. Zendaya will almost certainly be involved as Chani once again, with Timothée Chalamet starring as Paul Atreides.
While a 2026 release is a possibility, there’s also a chance that Dune: Messiah could come out later.
The third movie in the sci-fi franchise will follow Paul as emperor, facing threats from those close to him and different factions across the galaxy. Dune: Messiah will be Villeneuve’s last movie in the franchise, and it wraps up Paul’s story. After Messiah, Frank Herbert’s books get even weirder, so it remains to be seen if another director will continue the story.
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The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s Epic Boasts An Incredible Ensemble Cast
After the blockbuster success of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey is already building plenty of hype. Although 2025 has only just begun, it’s fair to say that The Odyssey is one of 2026’s most exciting movies, as Nolan’s rare eye for cinematic spectacle seems perfect for an ancient mythological epic.
The Odyssey will undoubtedly be a momentous cinematic event.
The Odyssey will undoubtedly be a momentous cinematic event, as one of the 21st century’s greatest directors tackles a foundational story of world literature. The incredible ensemble cast is another reason to be excited. Zendaya is joined by a healthy mix of Nolan regulars like Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, while there are other exciting newcomers like Tom Holland and Charlize Theron. Zendaya’s role is still a mystery, but that doesn’t make The Odyssey any less exciting.