Zendaya’s 2026 Power Move: Breaking Free from Franchises for Her Biggest Year Yet

Zendaya has already proved she can anchor a mega-franchise. 2026 looks like the year she shows she does not need one. Between TV and four very different movies, she is basically running the release calendar — and the mix is interesting enough that it might finally end the whole franchise-only narrative around her.

What Zendaya has on deck in 2026

Yes, Euphoria season 3 is finally due back next year. On top of that, she has four theatrical releases — two original one-offs and two big franchise swings. Here is the lineup:

• The Drama (April): A rom-com from Kristoffer Borgli where Zendaya stars opposite Robert Pattinson. It follows a couple whose wedding goes sideways when one person learns the other’s big truth the day before the ceremony. Produced by Square Peg; directed by Kristoffer Borgli.
• The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan’s take on the classic, with Zendaya playing Athena in a stacked ensemble that includes her fiance. Backed by Universal Pictures; directed by Christopher Nolan. Expect this in the year’s most-hyped tier, easily.
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day: She is back as MJ for Marvel Studios, with Destin Daniel Cretton directing.
• Dune: Part Three: She returns as Chani under Denis Villeneuve, with Legendary Pictures producing.

Does she actually need franchises anymore?

If she wants them, sure. But the slate says she does not have to. Two originals — one a sharp-sounding Borgli relationship comedy, one a Nolan event film — is a flex that most actors never get in the same year. Whether she leaves franchises behind in 2026 is her call; the point is she can.

Why she could be 2026’s top box office draw

If you are playing the numbers game, the math is friendly. Her last non-franchise lead pulled in a little over $96 million worldwide (per The Numbers), and this time she is paired with Robert Pattinson on The Drama. Even if that is the smallest of the bunch, it is going up against three juggernauts.

Oppenheimer nearly hit $1 billion on a $100 million budget (per The Numbers), so a Nolan epic like The Odyssey has a real shot at crossing the billion mark if the movie lands. Spider-Man: No Way Home made $1.9 billion (per The Numbers). Brand New Day probably will not match that without the Tobey/Andrew nostalgia storm, but it does not have to to be massive. Dune: Part Two did $715 million worldwide, and Part Three has a decent chance of edging higher. Add it all up and it is not hard to see her ending the year as the highest-grossing actress.

One more wrinkle: Hancock 2 is suddenly in the conversation

Before the modern superhero wave took over, Will Smith’s 2008 antihero movie Hancock quietly became a fan favorite despite mixed reviews. Now, a sequel idea is back in play — and Zendaya’s name came up from Smith himself during a chat on xQc’s Twitch stream.

'There’s a really cool 'Hancock 2' idea. We haven’t even talked about it. I’m going to give you one little piece. Zendaya [is] being approached for a role.'

The clip floating around on Feb 19, 2025 even name-drops Michael B. Jordan in the caption, though Smith’s on-stream quote specifically mentioned Zendaya. Nothing is confirmed, but if the sequel actually happens, a Smith/Zendaya pairing would be an easy sell. She is bankable, charismatic, and can toggle between blockbuster and prestige without breaking a sweat.

The takeaway

Four movies, one buzzy TV return, and at least one potential superhero curveball hovering. 2026 looks like the year Zendaya stops being labeled a franchise player and just becomes the player. Which project are you most curious about: Borgli’s The Drama, Nolan’s The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, or Dune: Part Three?