(This article was first published in the March print edition of the Hendersonian.)
The Academy Awards will take center stage for most of March, leaving a small batch of offerings to duke it out for box-office supremacy in the hopes of getting an early hit before the summer season begins. The good news is that revenues are up when compared to this time last year, but there have been no breakout domestic hits thus far in 2026. Here are some titles to keep track of before you head out to your closest Showplace Cinemas and AMC Theaters location, and as always, be sure to check out the up-to-the-minute listings for showtimes.
Hoppers (March 6) – Walt Disney and Pixar are yet again looking for an original hit to ease the production of more sequels and live-action remakes. Audiences will decide if this tale about a young woman who places her consciousness inside an animal avatar to learn about their inner world may be a bit of a stretch for younger viewers, but it may capitalize on an Avatar-like appeal for older kids and adults. As usual, the voice cast for this animated feature is stacked, including Meryl Streep, Jon Hamm, Dave Franco, and at least four SNL alumni. Daniel Chong makes his feature directorial debut.
The Bride! (March 6) – While you can’t really consider this genre-bending drama/horror/romance a direct adaptation of Mary Shelly’s novel (or Bride of Frankenstein for that matter), writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal assembles a freakishly amazing cast that includes Oscar winners Christian Bale, Annette Bening, and Penelope Cruz, and Oscar nominees Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessie Buckley (who stars as the title character). The story revolves around Frankenstein’s Monster (Bale), who asks Dr. Euphronius to bring a murdered woman back to life in 1930s Chicago, setting off a firestorm of radical social change. Warner Bros. Discovery is hoping this continues its streak of good luck with a big opening weekend and staying power for weeks to come.
Undertone (March 13) – Every podcaster’s worst fear comes true when the host of a paranormal podcast is mysteriously sent terrifying recordings. A24 picked up this low-budget horror feature after a successful screening at last year’s Fantastic Fest. The film stars a cast of up-and-coming stars like Nina Kiri (Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale) and Adam DiMarco (HBO’s The White Lotus) and is the feature debut for writer/director Ian Tuason.
Reminders of Him (March 13) – Finally, a drama-free adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel! Maika Monroe (Longlegs, It Follows) stars as a woman recently released from prison who attempts to reconnect with her daughter in the hopes of creating a brighter future for them both. Vanessa Casswill (Love at First Sight) directs, with Jennifer Robertson (Ginny & Georgia, Schitt’s Creek), Bradley Whitford (Get Out), Tyriq Withers (HIM), and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) co-starring.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (March 20) – Final Girl extraordinaire Samara Weaving is back for another round of aristocratic carnage in this sequel to 2019’s sleeper hit! This time, she teams up with her sister (Kathryn Newton) to outrun four rival families who compete for clandestine power. Shawn Hatosy (HBO’s The Pitt), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Scooby-Doo, Cruel Intentions), and legendary writer/director David Cronenberg co-star, with the duo formally known as Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) returning as co-directors.
Project Hail Mary (March 20) – A science teacher awakens to find himself alone on a spaceship light-years away from Earth on a mission to save the world from a substance that is killing the sun. Who is this science teacher? None other than Ryan Gosling! Also signing up for the mission are international stars Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Milana Vayntrub (The AT&T Commercials), and Ken Leung (Old, ABC’s Lost). Helming the project are co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The LEGO Movie). Amazon MGM is hoping you won’t wait for this one to hit Amazon Prime and see it on the largest screen possible.
They Will Kill You (March 27) – A woman unknowingly takes a job as a housekeeper in an upscale high-rise, unaware of the building’s mysterious past in this action/comedy/horror starring Zazie Beats (Joker, Deadpool 2). Populating the high-rise are Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette (Boyhood, True Romance), Heather Graham (The Hangover, Boogie Nights), Myha’la (Bodies Bodies Bodies, HBO’s Industry), and Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton. Kirill Sokolov (No Looking Back, Why Don’t You Just Die!) co-writes and directs.
Henderson resident Dr. McManus Woodend is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Southern Indiana and has worked in film, television and commercials for more than 20 years. To see some of his work, visit www.mcmanuswoodend.com.