Ariana Grande is basically living in a movie trailer right now. Honestly, after spending years draped in pink tulle as Glinda, nobody would've blamed her for taking a five-year nap. But that’s not what’s happening. At all.
If you’ve been tracking the ariana grande upcoming movies list, you know the vibe has shifted from "pop star doing a cameo" to "Oscar-nominated actress picking projects that actually require grit." We’re past the Wicked era—or at least the filming part of it—and the slate she has lined up for 2026 and beyond is, frankly, a bit chaotic in the best way possible.
The Thanksgiving Pivot: Focker In-Law
You probably didn't have "Ariana Grande joins the Meet the Parents cinematic universe" on your 2026 bingo card. I sure didn't. Yet, here we are.
Universal Pictures has slotted Focker In-Law for a November 25, 2026 release. It’s the fifth film in the franchise, and while some people on Reddit are already calling it a "lame project" to follow something as massive as Wicked, the casting is unhinged enough to work. We’re talking Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller back together, but this time, Ariana is the one shaking up the family tree.
She’s playing the fiancée of Greg and Pam’s son (played by Skyler Gisondo). Her character? A "ball-busting" triathlete who is apparently "all wrong" for him. Ariana actually told People she was doing burpees and high knees with Robert De Niro to prep for the role. Just let that mental image sink in for a second.
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That "Multitudes" Project and Dr. Seuss
Ariana has been teasing a mysterious project that she says "contains multitudes." She told Variety recently that it’s something she can't talk about yet, but it inspires her deeply.
While we wait for her to drop that DM, we do have one confirmed voice role that feels very "on brand" for her post-Oz energy. She’s voicing a character in the animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! alongside Josh Gad. It’s directed by Jon M. Chu, which makes sense given their Wicked bond. It’s slated for 2028, so we have a while to wait for that one.
The Horror Factor: AHS Season 13
It’s not a movie, but it’s arguably her most anticipated screen return since Scream Queens. Ariana is officially joining the cast of American Horror Story Season 13, set to premiere in October 2026.
She’s sharing the screen with the OGs: Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Jessica Lange. After the heavy-duty singing she did for Glinda, seeing her go back to something dark and potentially campy is what the fans are actually screaming for.
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The West End Reunion You Actually Care About
Technically, this isn't a "movie," but for anyone searching for her next big performance, this is the one.
On January 14, 2026, Ariana and Jonathan Bailey (her Wicked co-star) finally stopped being coy and confirmed they’re starring in a West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.
They posted a photo at the Art Institute of Chicago in front of the actual Seurat painting that inspired the show.
- Role: Ariana is playing Dot.
- Location: Barbican Theatre, London.
- Timing: Summer 2027.
- Director: The legendary Marianne Elliott.
It’s a massive flex. Dot is a vocally and emotionally demanding role originally played by Bernadette Peters. By choosing this over a generic rom-com, Ariana is basically telling the industry she’s an actor first, pop star second now.
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What’s the Strategy Here?
Looking at the ariana grande upcoming movies and TV shows, the strategy is clearly "variety." She isn't just playing "the singer."
- The Blockbuster Comedy: Focker In-Law (2026) – Proves she can do broad, mainstream humor.
- The Prestige Drama/Horror: American Horror Story (2026) – Keeps her edge and cult-favorite status.
- The High-Art Stage Production: Sunday in the Park with George (2027) – Solidifies her as a legitimate theatrical powerhouse.
- The Animated Feature: Oh, the Places You'll Go! (2028) – Keeps her in the family-friendly, billion-dollar-franchise loop.
Moving Beyond the "Wicked" Shadow
The biggest hurdle for any star who does a massive two-part musical is being typecast. Wicked: For Good just wrapped up its theater run in late 2025, and the "Glindification" of Ariana’s brand was everywhere.
The move to a "ball-busting triathlete" in a Ben Stiller comedy is the perfect palate cleanser. It’s messy. It’s physical. It’s not "pink."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Watchers:
- Keep an eye on November 2026. That’s when we’ll see if her Wicked momentum translates to a non-musical box office hit with Focker In-Law.
- Set alerts for May 2026. That’s when tickets for the London West End show go on sale. Given her fan base, they will disappear in seconds.
- Expect more "theatrical" roles. Her recent interviews suggest she’s done with the "pop star" cycle for a bit, especially after her Eternal Sunshine tour wraps up in early 2026.
Ariana is playing a long game now. She’s not just looking for a hit; she’s looking for a career that rivals the longevity of the people she’s currently co-starring with—the De Niros and the Langes of the world.