A new year means new takes. In this special After the Frame episode, we kick off 2026 by looking ahead, locking in our boldest predictions for the movies, franchises, and industry trends that will define the year.

We start in full 2026 Preview mode, running through Over/Under predictions on everything from billion-dollar movies and superhero critical scores to streaming shakeups and sequel performance. From there, we each plant a Prediction Lock we’re not allowed to walk back, debate which franchises we’re buying or fading, and call our early Oscar long shots.

We then hit our 2026 categories: the most anticipated movies of the year, box office winners and flops, underdogs, breakout actors, directors with the most at stake, potential franchise revivals (or final nails in the coffin), and the movies we’re irrationally excited, or weirdly skeptical, about. We close the preview with final bold predictions and New Year’s resolutions, including the takes we fully expect to get cooked for online.

To wrap things up, we pivot to a quick review of Primate, an early-year horror release that leans hard into absurdity and gore. Even if it’s not everyone’s lane, it sparks a conversation about niche appeal, January releases, and why committing fully to a wild premise can still make for an entertaining watch.

It’s a forward-looking episode packed with confident takes, questionable bets, and at least one movie destined to age poorly.