Jenna Ortega is everywhere, and honestly, it’s getting hard to keep up. One minute she’s the face of a gothic Netflix phenomenon, and the next she’s leading a high-stakes heist or playing an "Artificial Friend" in a dystopian future. If you think she's just the "Wednesday girl" or a permanent scream queen, you’re missing the actual trajectory of her career.
The reality of Jenna Ortega new movies is way weirder and more ambitious than the internet gossip suggests. We’re moving past the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice era into a 2026 slate that feels specifically designed to prove she can do literally anything. From dark comedies about corpse-art to high-concept sci-fi with Taika Waititi, the next two years are going to be a massive pivot.
The 2026 Shift: Why Everything Is Changing
Most fans are still reeling from Wednesday Season 2, which finally wrapped up its two-part release in September 2025. But while the pigtails and deadpan stares are great, Ortega is clearly itching for something grittier.
Take The Gallerist, for example. This is one of the most talked-about Jenna Ortega new movies for a reason. Directed by Cathy Yan (who did Birds of Prey), it’s a dark comedy thriller that sounds absolutely unhinged. Basically, Natalie Portman plays a desperate gallery owner who tries to pass off a dead body as a piece of art at Art Basel Miami. Ortega is right in the thick of that chaos. It’s a far cry from Nevermore Academy.
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Then there’s the big-budget mystery. For a while, it was just "that secret J.J. Abrams project," but we now know it’s titled The Great Beyond.
What We Know About The Great Beyond
- The Cast: It’s a powerhouse. Ortega stars alongside Glen Powell, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson.
- The Vibe: It was filmed under the working title Ghostwriter in places like London and Rhode Island.
- The Plot: Even in 2026, Abrams is keeping the lid tight, but it’s being described as a "dramatic action-adventure."
Klara and the Sun: A Different Kind of Horror
Honestly, the project I’m most curious about is Klara and the Sun. This isn't a slasher or a jump-scare movie. It’s an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, and Ortega plays Klara—an Artificial Friend.
Think about that for a second. An actress known for her expressive, sometimes terrifyingly intense eyes playing a robot designed to cure loneliness. Taika Waititi is directing, and if you've seen Jojo Rabbit, you know he handles that "sad-but-funny-but-devastating" tone perfectly.
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The film is officially "in the can" and was recently handed a PG-13 rating. Word on the street is a Summer 2026 release, though Sony might try to push it for an awards season run if the early screenings are as emotional as the book. It’s a huge risk for her. It’s the kind of role that either cements you as a "serious actor" or feels like a weird experiment.
The Movies You Might Have Missed Recently
It’s easy to forget that 2025 was actually a pretty rocky year for her filmography. Not everything she touches turns to gold, despite what the stans on TikTok say.
- Hurry Up Tomorrow: This psychological thriller starring The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and Barry Keoghan didn't exactly set the world on fire. Critics were... let's say "not kind."
- Death of a Unicorn: A24 usually delivers, and while this dark comedy with Paul Rudd was wild (they hit a unicorn with a car, for context), it ended up being more of a cult hit than a box office smash.
- Winter Spring Summer or Fall: This was her big romantic drama with Percy Hynes White. It was sweet, but it felt like a palate cleanser before she dove back into the weird stuff.
What’s Next for the "Scream Queen"?
Is she done with horror? Probably not. There are still rumors swirling about a Single White Female reboot starring her and Taylor Russell. That would be a massive "it-girl" pairing.
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There's also the Uncle Fester spin-off series in development, and while that’s TV, not a movie, it shows how much control she has over the "Burton-verse" now. She isn't just an actor anymore; she’s an executive producer. She has a seat at the table where decisions are made.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Follower
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on Jenna Ortega new movies, stop looking at the gossip blogs and start watching the production cycles of the big directors she’s aligned with.
- Watch the Festival Circuit: Keep an eye on Sundance and Cannes in 2026. Klara and the Sun is a prime candidate for a prestigious festival premiere.
- Track the "A24 Effect": Even when her A24 films don't break records, they define her "brand." If she signs another deal with them, expect something experimental.
- The "Waititi Factor": Taika Waititi's projects often have long post-production leads. Don't be surprised if Klara shifts dates a few times before landing.
The takeaway here is that Ortega is intentionally breaking the mold. She could have stayed in the "scary girl" lane forever and made millions. Instead, she’s choosing projects with Natalie Portman, J.J. Abrams, and Taika Waititi. She’s playing the long game.
To keep up with her latest releases, the best move is to monitor official distributor calendars for Sony (for Klara) and Warner Bros. (for The Great Beyond). These studios typically finalize their theatrical windows 4–6 months in advance.