2026’s Sleeper Hits: Movies You Won’t Want to Miss
Movies such as Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, expected to take centrestage at the box office in 2026, won’t be the only ones getting all the attention. Lesser-known gems, like a hidden treasure chest overflowing with unique stories and fresh perspectives, will offer the thrill of discovery for film enthusiasts.
Primate, January 9, 2026
January doesn’t usually boast the best lineup of movie releases, yet Primate could be the exception, or perhaps I mean the standout. This thriller is a story of a young woman, named Johnny Sequoyah, who’s on a tropical vacation with her group of friends. However, things take a chilling turn when her family’s adopted chimp, previously acting as a member of their family, gets bitten by an infected animal and starts behaving erratically. Expect a creepy trailer and a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes to convince everyone of Primate’s potential as a must-watch movie.
Return to Silent Hill, January 23, 2026
With the return of director Christopher Gans, fans of the horror genre have something to be excited about. The movie is a sequenceto a cult-classic, starring Jeremy Irvine as a man returning to the eerie and haunted town of Silent Hill, hoping to reconnect with his lost love. As he delves deeper into the corrupted part of the town, he starts questioning what is real and what’s just an illusion. The success of recent video-adaptations in the horror genre makes Return to Silent Hill a project not to be missed, which could attract horror enthusiasts as well.
Primate and Return to Silent Hill could be a winning combination, yet we cannot forget the other sleeper hits like. The fact that Primate is a story told from an entirely different perspective makes it far more intriguing.
Hokum, May 1, 2026
Directed by Damian McCarthy, Hokum revolves around a man traveling to Ireland to scatter the ashes of his parents. However, upon his arrival, he discovers that the Inn he is staying at may be haunted by a witch. Hokum is a creepy tale with a folk-horror twist that will give viewers chills down their spines. Directed by Damian McCarthy, the film promises a unique and captivating experience. The marketing strategy employed by Hokum’s distributor NEON, has undoubtedly contributed to the film’s recent spike in popularity.
Flowervale Street, August 14, 2026
Not a lot is known about Flowervale Street, but what we do know makes it stand out. The film is a captivating thriller set in the 1980s about a family seeing mysterious happenings in their neighbourhood. Given how the film promises a different experience altogether, compared to the blockbusters you see every year, which makes it an intriguing film.
Hokum is a compelling story about a man who gets caught up in something beyond his control, while Flowervale Street makes it evident that a little bit of magic makes life a lot more interesting.
Practical Magic 2, September 18, 2026
With Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest reuniting, fans of the Practical Magic series have something to look forward to. As the second installment of the series, this film promises a captivating story built on a strong foundation. Fans of the cult classic are already anticipating its release with bated breath.
Practical Magic 2 proves that magic makes the world what it truly is today. With magic at its core, the film takes you on a journey where the line between reality and fantasy blurs.
Verity, October 2, 2026
Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, Verity follows a writer whose new assignment appears to be more sinister than initially expected. As the writer embarks on this challenging task, she uncovers unsettling secrets buried deep within the text. With a star-studded cast and a captivating storyline, Verity has all the ingredients of a hit film.
Verity could turn out to be the film that you will never want to give up on. With every twist and every turn of the story, the viewer will be left questioning their own understanding of reality, a reminder that the line between truth and fiction is very blurred indeed.
Whalefall, October 16, 2026
Whalefall is an exhilarating thriller about a scuba diver who gets trapped inside a whale’s belly after embarking on a search for his father’s underwater remains. With an intricate plot and a fascinating storyline, Whalefall promises a thrilling experience unlike any other.
Whalefall takes us through a breathtaking journey to the depths of the ocean, giving us an insight into a world that very few have experienced firsthand, and perhaps this could turn out to be the film that sets a new standard for all sorts of mystery-packed films out there.
The Backrooms, 2026
Inspired by a popular web series, The Backrooms is a haunting sci-fi horror film that unravels the mysterious events unfolding within a strange dimension. With a cast of critically acclaimed actors, this thriller is gearing up to be one of the top performers of 2026.
The Backrooms sets the tone for something thrilling, a film that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you questioning all that you thought you knew.
However, the true winners of the year might not be the box office hitblockbusters, but the lesser-told stories of movies that surprise everyone. With Primate, Return to Silent Hill, Practical Magic 2, Verity and others, you won’t be disappointed if you stick around for the lesser-seen masterpieces that promise an experience unlike any other you’ve seen before.
