2026 is the year of comebacks: 12 beloved characters returning to our screens
Words by Alanya Smith
Photos: Getty
We all love a sequel. Returning to the worlds of our favourite TV programmes and films feels like a joy we never knew possible, where we’re given a chance to experience great stories on screen for another time. When it may have been decades since the last time we enjoyed our favourite shows, having them return through sequels and reboots can take us back to the initial excitement we once felt. 2026 is set to be a year defined by sequels, and we can’t wait.
Rumours for upcoming comebacks from our favourite characters include a fourth addition to the world of Austin Powers, a third instalment of the Robert Downey Jr Sherlock Holmes adventures and even X. While nothing has been confirmed, it’s exciting to know what trailers we could see leaked across the year.
These are some of the greatest returning films and TV programmes that will be back on screens in 2026:
1. The Devil Wears Prada 2
Gird your loins (if you can), the queen of fashion, Miranda Priestly, will be gracing the runway for a final time. Filming has begun for the sequel to our favourite fashion romcom, with Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt reuniting on our screens.
Release Date: 1 May
2. The Night Manager, season 2
In 2016, we were gripped by the tension of seeing Tom Hiddleston acting as an undercover spy to take down an arms dealer, played by Hugh Laurie. In 2026, The Night Manager will return to ensure even more crime and mayhem.
Release Date: 1 January
3. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew
For everyone who grew up with the Narnia chronicles and hoped to find a magical world at the back of their wardrobe, a new chapter awaits. Barbie director Greta Gerwig is creating an origin story to the classic novel-turned-film, with Meryl Streep set to feature as the titular lion leader Aslan.
Release Date: 26 November
4. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Return To Sunnydale
When we first visited the world of vampires, werewolves and witches in this cult classic TV programme, it was 1997. Over 25 years later, we can return to the world of teenage vampire slayers with the original cast, including main character Sarah Michelle Gellar. Chloé Zhao, director of Hamnet, has confirmed that a pilot has been filmed as a sequel to the original supernatural story.
Release Date: To be confirmed
5. Toy Story 5
It feels like just yesterday we saw our favourite cowboy and astronaut come to life in the Pixar toybox of unforgettable animated characters. Fast forward from 1995 to today – four movies and a Buzz Lightyear origin story spinoff later – the gang of toys are back together.
Release Date: 12 June
6. Practical Magic 2
When the first Practical Magic film sparked our love for witchcraft and midnight margaritas in 1998, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock were near the start of their breakthrough careers. This year, the A-listers will reunite as sisters to share some much-needed heartwarming magic on screen.
Release Date: 18 September
7. Euphoria, season 3
When we first saw this group of teenagers in 2019, the world was gripped by the romance, drama and deceit. The highly anticipated third season will follow the lives of the teenagers after high school, with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Alexa Demie confirmed to return.
Release Date: April
8. Ted Lasso, season 4
In Ted Lasso’s world, you don’t have to understand the rules of football to fall for this struggling underdog team. The latest instalment is likely to coincide with the football World Cup in June, hosted in Lasso’s home pitch in the USA.
Release Date: April-June
9. The Mummy 4
1999’s The Mummy will make a fourth return with leading stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz confirmed to return to the world of mummy-fighting and Egyptology. The chemistry of these two will be enough to keep us asking for a fifth in no time.
10. Mamma Mia 3
ABBA, Greek sunsets and summer romances. Need we say any more? The third return to the movie musical has been highly anticipated, with new celebrity cast members speculated every week. From Sabrina Carpenter to Patrick Dempsey, we can’t wait to see what the return to the island has in store.
11. The Princess Diaries 3
This film? A third? Shut. Up. Anne Hathaway has confirmed rumours that production is in the works for a third return to the land of Genovia, where we’ll be able to see the everyday girl turned Queen in a new reign for creating great family films.
12. Line of Duty, season 7
This spring, filming will begin for the undercover police drama that has been shocking us with its controversial twists and celebrity cast members since 2012. The latest series finale saw 17 million of us tune in, but who will be the newest cast member to join the team tackling police corruption?
If that’s not enough, 2027 promises even more sequels for us to savour. Keep an eye out for Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum, season 3 of The Last Of Us and season 4 of The White Lotus.
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