Most Exciting Bollywood Movies Releasing in 2026

If there’s one thing 2026 makes clear, it’s that Bollywood isn’t playing it safe, it’s playing wide. The upcoming slate stretches across genres, tones, and audiences: nostalgic sequels, politically charged dramas, regional crossovers, supernatural spectacles, and star-led tentpoles all competing for attention.  

It’s a year where familiar franchises return alongside experimental storytelling, and box-office certainty sits right next to creative risk. Whether these films revive old magic or redefine it remains to be seen, but 2026 won’t be short on conversation. 

Here’s a closer look at where Bollywood films are headed in 2026: 

Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos  

When: January 16

Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos follows a wildly enthusiastic but clearly unqualified spy whose missions spiral into chaos instead of heroics. Marking Vir Das’s directorial debut, the film leans into meta humour and genre parody, with Aamir Khan and Imran Khan reuniting on screen years after Delhi Belly. The tone is intentionally self-aware, poking fun at Bollywood spy tropes rather than glorifying them. The film promises comedy driven by confusion, ego, and very questionable decision-making. 

Mardaani 3  

When: January 30 

Fresh off her National Film Award win for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2025), Rani Mukerji is back into one of her most defining roles as senior police inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the film promises to be promising turn for the franchise. The makers have described this chapter as ‘dark, deadly, and brutal’, signalling a more uncompromising narrative than before.  

O Romeo  

When: February 13 

O’ Romeo brings Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor back together for a dark thriller. Reportedly inspired by the life of gangster Hussain Ustara and loosely based on Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the film traces the rise of the underworld in post-independence era in Mumbai. The cast includes Nana Patekar and Avinash Tiwary, with Disha Patani in a special appearance.

Tu Yaa Main 

When: February 13 

Tu Yaa Main pairs Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor in a sharp, new-age survival romance directed by Bejoy Nambiar. The film follows two influencers from completely different worlds who come together for a collaboration driven by curiosity, clout, and undeniable chemistry. What begins as a carefree adventure quickly spirals into a fight for survival when they find themselves stranded in a remote location. Blending romance, adrenaline, and danger, this film flips the idea of a traditional Valentine’s watch into a tense experience. 

Do Deewane Sheher Mai

When: February 20 

Do Deewane Sheher Mein pairs Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur in a contemporary romance shaped by self-doubt and quiet longing. Set between Mumbai and the mountains, the Bhansali Productions film follows two emotionally awkward millennials finding connection in unexpected pauses. Rooted in soulful music and visual nostalgia, it leans into love that feels lived-in rather than dramatic. 

Pati Patni Aur Woh Do  

When: March 4 

Pati Patni Aur Woh 2 brings Ayushmann Khurrana back to familiar comic chaos in this sequel to the 2019 hit. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film keeps its plot tightly under wraps but promises a fresh spin on modern relationships and marital misadventures. With a new cast mix including Sara Ali Khan, Vamika Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh, it’s set to release around Holi.

Toxic: A Fairytale For Adults

When: March 19 

This film is a period gangster action thriller set in 1980s Goa, where beautiful beaches hide a brutal criminal underworld. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film follows two rival families locked in a violent battle for control over the arms and drug trade. Yash leads the cast as Raya, a pivotal figure whose shifting loyalties and ambition alter the balance of power. Stylish, dark, and emotionally charged, Toxic treats crime as a dangerous ecosystem shaped by greed, loyalty, and consequence,less glamour, more menace. 

Dhurandhar 2   

When: March 19 

Riding high on the explosive impact of its first chapter, Dhurandhar 2 is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most closely watched releases. Slated for March 19, the sequel digs into the shadowy past of Ranveer Singh’s Hamza, whose real identity as Jaskirat Singh Rangi was revealed in the final moments of the original. Directed once again by Aditya Dhar, the film is expected to push deeper into the same territory: intense, unapologetically violent, and rooted in real-world echoes, leaving audiences divided on where the story is headed next. 

Chand Mera Dil 

When: April 10 

Dharma Productions’ Chand Mera Dil marks the studio’s another major release following its partnership with Adar Poonawalla. Directed by Vivek Soni, the romantic drama stars Ananya Panday and Lakshya in a story that leans heavily into passion, youth, and emotional intensity. Set against the backdrop of university life, the film traces the intersecting journeys of engineering students as they juggle ambition, friendship, and self-discovery. Early posters hint at a sweeping romance, drawing equal parts curiosity and cautious optimism ahead of its release.  

Alpha  

When: April 17  

YRF Spy Universe’s first female-led action film, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh, Alpha is directed by Shiv Rawail. With recent Spy Universe films underperforming, Alpha is positioned as a crucial course-corrector and one of 2026’s most closely watched releases. 

Raja Shivaji  

When: May 1 

Raja Shivaji marks Riteish Deshmukh’s Hindi directorial debut as the film traces early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, focusing on his transformation from a defiant young rebel into the leader who reshaped history. Riteish also steps into the titular role, supported by a star cast including Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh. Designed for a Marathi–Hindi audience, Raja Shivaji is positioning itself as one of the year’s most ambitious historical dramas.  

Bhooth Bangla 

When: May 15 

Bhooth Bangla marks the long-awaited reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, returning to the horror-comedy space that once defined a generation. The film taps into the eerie humour that made Bhool Bhulaiyaa a cult favourite. It also reunites Akshay with Tabu after 25 years since Hera Pheri, adding a layer of nostalgia without leaning on it. Backed by a strong ensemble including Paresh Rawal, Jisshu Sengupta, Mithila Palkar, and Wamiqa Gabbi, the film promises comedy driven by timing, character, and chaos. 

Vvan: Force of the Forest 

When: Expected May 15 

Vvan pairs Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia for the first time, stepping into a folk thriller that blends mythology, mystery, and survival. Sidharth plays an enigmatic lone traveller navigating a hostile forest, marking a clear shift into darker, more atmospheric territory. Tamannaah’s character, introduced through a striking visual of her entering the woods barefoot with a diya, hints at a deep-rooted connection to folklore and the land itself. Directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Kumar Mishra, Vvan positions itself as a myth-led adventure where the forest isn’t just a setting, it’s the story. 

Cocktail 2  

When: June 11 

Cocktail 2 returns to the emotional messiness of modern relationships, this time through a fresh set of characters navigating love, friendship, and heartbreak in a very current world. Written by Luv Ranjan and directed by Homi Adajania, the sequel stars Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon. With the makers keeping the plot tightly under wraps, the film banks on anticipation, nostalgia, and a contemporary take on romance rather than retelling the past. 

Love and War  

When: August 14 

It feels like life circling back for Ranbir Kapoor as he reunites with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the filmmaker who launched him with Saawariya in 2007. The epic marks first time Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal share the screen together. Set against a wartime backdrop, the film reportedly centres on a tense love triangle between two army officers and Bhatt’s character, blending romance, rivalry, and emotional conflict. Initially slated for a March 2026 release, the film has been pushed to latter half of the year, only heightening anticipation around this high-stakes collaboration.  

Gorkha 

When: Likely August 15 

Based on the extraordinary life of Major General Ian Cardozo of the 5th Gorkha Rifles, the film traces the journey of one of the Indian Army’s most decorated officers. Directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, the story focuses on resilience, leadership, and the grit that defines military service beyond the battlefield. Akshay Kumar headlines the film alongside Abhinay Raj Singh and Abhishek Chouksey, anchoring a narrative rooted in real courage rather than cinematic heroics.  

Drishyam 3  

When: October 2 

 Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam 3, the final chapter of the acclaimed franchise. A remake of the Mohanlal-led Malayalam original, the film releases on October 2, 2026, a date deeply tied to the series’ plot. Tabu and Shriya Saran reprise their roles, as the story moves toward a long-awaited reckoning that closes the Salgaonkar chapter once and for all. 

Ramayana  

When: November 8 

Ramayana revisits the ancient Indian epic as the film brings Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi together for the first time as Rama and Sita. Their marriage and subsequent exile sets off a journey shaped by duty, separation, and moral resolve. Backed by an expansive cast featuring Yash, Ravi Dubey, Vivek Oberoi, and Lara Dutta, the film aims to position itself as a defining theatrical event rather than just a story telling version.  

King 

When: Expected later 2026  

King sees Shah Rukh Khan step into the role of a feared underworld don mentoring a young woman, played by Suhana Khan, as she learns to survive a violent criminal world. Told across dual timelines, the film pits a younger SRK against Raghav Juyal and an older SRK against Abhishek Bachchan. Also starring Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji and Arshad Warsi, the film is slated for a late-2026 theatrical release and is already being positioned as a major event film.