*This content was translated by AI.
[Editor’s Note] The preview prepared by Star News in 2026, taking over the disease year, is planned for the 2026 New Year
Last year, not a single 10 million movies were born in theaters. In the New Year of 2026, everyone was busy for a new start, and we took a look at the theater in 2026.
New works by various directors will also visit theaters next year. Although the number of Korean films has decreased compared to previous years, if you look closely, you can see the expected films that will capture the audience's heart.
First, CJ ENM will release the sequel "Ode to My Father" for the first time in 12 years. "Ode to My Father" depicts the conflict and reconciliation of the generation of parents and children in a rapidly changing Korean society from the 1970s to the 2000s through his father "Se-min" (Lee Sung-min) who has lived only for his family and his son "Se-ju" (Kang Ha-neul) who led the democratization movement in the 1980s. Director Yoon Je-kyun will direct and Lee Sung-min and Kang Ha-neul will meet the audience in the lead role.
It will then release "Sil Paradise" directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyun-sung, followed by "Taza: The Song of Belzebub," a sequel to "Taza." Byun Yo-han will star and Choi Kook-hee will direct. It also seeks diversity with "30 Reasons You Shouldn't Quit Film" (Project 30), a collection of short stories by directors Ye Jong.
Lotte Entertainment has quite a rich lineup. There are a total of six films, including "Gyeongju Travel" (director Kim Mi-jo) starring Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, "Resurrection Man" (director Baek Jong-yeol), "Wild Things" (director Son Jae-gon) by Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-gu, Park Ji-hyun and Oh Jung-se, "Junggan Ranch" (director Kim Ji-hyun) by Ryu Seung-ryong and Park Hae-joon, "To the Land of Happiness" (Director Lim Sang-soo) by Choi Min-sik and "Heartman" (director Choi Won-seop) by Kwon Sang-.
PlusM also prepared several movies. Starting with Han So-hee's "Project Y" (director Lee Hwan), Na Hong-jin's "Hope" starring Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, Woo Do-hwan, Jang Dong-gun, Lee Hye-ri's "Tropical Night" (director Kim Pan-soo), "Pig Village" joined by Ma Dong-seok and Lee Sang-yong, Yeom Jung-ah, Cha Cha Joo-young, Kim Hye-yoon's "Land" (director Han Dong-wook), and Kim Nam-gil, Park Bo-gum's "Dream Judo Wondo" (director Jang Hoon).
Showbox has a spectacular lineup. Director Yeon Sang-ho's new film and top actor Jun Ji-hyun's return to the screen for the first time in 11 years, "Collective," is considered the most popular film in the theater in 2026. "Collective" is a work about the struggle of isolated survivors against the evolving infected in an unpredictable form inside a building blocked by an unidentified infection, and stars Gu Dong-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-bin, and Go Soo along with Jeon Ji-hyun.
The historical drama "The Man Who Lives with the King," directed by Jang Hang-joon and starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon and Yoo Ji-tae, also attracts a lot of attention. In addition, the horror film "Salmokji" (director Lee Sang-min), starring Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, and Kim Joon-han, and the psychological thriller "Heavy Snow" (director Hong Eui-jeong, Park Sun-woo) by Kim Yoon-seok and Gu Dong-hwan are also prepared.
NEW will meet the audience with Ryu Seung-wan's "Humint" (Jo In-sung, Park Jung-min), which is scheduled to be released during the Lunar New Year holiday, and By4M is preparing to release the movie "Number One," directed by Kim Tae-yong and played by Choi Woo-sik.
Not only Korean movies but also foreign movie lineups are spectacular. As such, the theater in 2026 has not only curious movies but also works that raise expectations just by their name. Although the theater industry is in a slump these days, attention is focused on whether various works can attract audiences to make another 10 million movies.
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*This content was translated by AI.
