Honestly, it feels like Jessica Biel has been everywhere lately, yet somehow still under the radar. It’s a weird paradox. You see her on a red carpet in a shimmering gold Lanvin gown—looking incredible at the Critics Choice Awards just a few weeks ago—and then you realize she’s quietly building an empire behind the scenes. If you’ve been looking for the next Jessica Biel new film or series to obsess over, 2026 is basically the year she stops being "Justin Timberlake's wife" to the casual observer and starts being the undisputed queen of the high-stakes thriller.
She’s moving away from the indie drama world of The Book of Love and diving headfirst into massive, big-budget spectacles and gritty spy craft.
The Matchbox Movie: John Cena, Fast Cars, and a Massive Gamble
Let’s talk about the big one. Matchbox.
Yeah, the toy cars.
I know what you’re thinking—is this another Barbie? Or is it a Battleship situation? Most people assume a toy-based movie is just a cash grab, but look at the talent attached. We’ve got Sam Hargrave directing. This is the guy who did Extraction. He knows how to film a car chase that makes your teeth rattle.
Biel is starring alongside John Cena, and while her specific role is still being kept under a pretty tight lock and key by Apple Original Films, the vibe is "high-stakes cross-continental adventure." They’ve been filming all over the place—Budapest, Casablanca, even the dunes of Merzouga.
Why this isn't just a "Toy Movie"
- The Sam Hargrave Factor: He doesn't do boring. Expect practical stunts, not just CGI fluff.
- The "Corey Stoll" Connection: Biel is reuniting with her The Better Sister co-star here. Their chemistry is already proven.
- The Plot: It follows a former soldier named Sean (Cena) who gets framed after a mission. It’s basically The A-Team meets Fast & Furious but with a sleeker, Apple-funded polish.
If you're tracking the Jessica Biel new film cycle, Matchbox is the one that will likely dominate the summer 2026 box office. It’s her biggest "popcorn" movie since The A-Team or Total Recall, and frankly, it's about time she got back into the action lane.
👉 See also: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
The Ambler Warning: The Gender-Flipped Spy Thriller
While Matchbox is the big theatrical play, The Ambler Warning is where Biel is going to flex those The Sinner acting muscles again.
This project is a big deal because it’s the first fruit of her new "first-look" deal with Paramount Television Studios. If you're a fan of Robert Ludlum (the guy who wrote the Jason Bourne books), you know the name. But here’s the twist: in the original 2005 novel, the lead is a guy named Hal Ambler.
In this adaptation, it’s Erica Ambler, played by Biel.
The story is total nightmare fuel. Erica is a CIA case officer who wakes up in a supermax prison for the world’s deadliest spies. She has zero memory of how she got there and a devastating injury. She has to piece together her identity while trying to stop a domestic terror attack. It’s gritty. It’s paranoid. It’s exactly what Biel does best.
"We are so excited to be partnering with Paramount... 'The Ambler Warning' is just the beginning," Biel mentioned recently regarding her production company, Iron Ocean.
What Happened to "The Better Sister"?
If you missed it, The Better Sister hit Prime Video in mid-2025. It’s the bridge between her "true crime" era (Candy) and her new "action-spy" era. If you haven't seen it yet, go back and watch it before the 2026 projects drop.
✨ Don't miss: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
She plays Chloe, a high-powered media exec whose husband (Corey Stoll) gets murdered. Her estranged, messy sister Nicky (played by Elizabeth Banks) comes back into the picture, and things get... dark. It’s based on the Alafair Burke novel, and honestly, the way it handles sisterhood is pretty brutal.
The 7th Heaven Reboot: The Elephant in the Room
We have to mention this because it’s blowing up on TikTok and Facebook right now.
Biel is executive producing a 7th Heaven reboot for 2026.
But don't expect a nostalgia trip with the Camdens. This isn't about bringing back the old cast. Thank god, considering all the real-world scandals involving Stephen Collins. Instead, Biel is pushing for a "completely diverse family" with zero original cast members returning.
It’s a smart move. It keeps the "family values" brand but scrubs away the 90s preachiness and replaces it with modern realities—mental health, social media, and immigrant experiences.
The Sci-Fi Pivot: Ursa Major
There is also Ursa Major. This one has been in the works for a minute. Biel stepped in to replace Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
🔗 Read more: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
She plays a mother named Charlie, stranded on an Earth-like planet with her daughter (Xochitl Gomez). They’re being hunted by "relentless" groups while a massive storm approaches. It sounds a bit like A Quiet Place meets Interstellar. It’s another example of her picking roles that are physically demanding but emotionally heavy.
What to Watch and When (2025-2026)
| Project | Type | Release Window | Why Watch? |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Better Sister | Limited Series | Out Now (Prime) | Prime-time soap meets gritty murder mystery. |
| Matchbox | Feature Film | Summer 2026 | Pure adrenaline. John Cena + Sam Hargrave stunts. |
| The Ambler Warning | TV Series | Late 2026 (Expected) | Female Bourne Identity vibes. |
| 7th Heaven Reboot | TV Series | 2026 | Produced by Biel; a total reimagining of the classic. |
| Ursa Major | Feature Film | TBD | Sci-fi survival. Think The Last of Us in space. |
How Biel is Changing the "Actress" Blueprint
Most actors get stuck. You're either a "TV person" or a "Movie person." Biel basically said "no thanks" to that. By running Iron Ocean Productions with Michelle Purple, she isn't waiting for the phone to ring. She's buying the books, hiring the writers, and casting herself in the roles that actually matter.
She’s leaning into the "unreliable narrator" trope that worked so well for her in The Sinner. Whether it's a spy with amnesia in The Ambler Warning or a grieving widow with secrets in The Better Sister, she’s found her niche in the "high-stakes woman on the edge" category.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up with the Jessica Biel new film cycle without getting lost in the rumor mill, here’s what you should actually do:
- Stream The Better Sister on Prime Video. It sets the tone for her 2026 projects.
- Keep an eye on Apple TV+ announcements. That’s where Matchbox will likely land first for streaming after its theatrical run.
- Don't expect a 7th Heaven cameo. She’s producing it to fix the legacy, not to revisit her "Mary Camden" days.
- Follow Iron Ocean's updates. Most of her news breaks through production trade deals rather than celebrity gossip sites.
Biel is playing the long game. She’s gone from the "girl next door" to a formidable producer-actor who is effectively controlling the narrative of her own career. 2026 is going to be a massive year for her—just don't expect it to look anything like the 90s.