Honestly, if you think Taraji P. Henson is just waiting around for the next Empire spinoff, you haven't been paying attention. She's busy. Like, "signing multi-year deals with major studios while starring in Netflix blockbusters" busy. After the whirlwind of The Color Purple, there was this weird lull in the gossip columns where people wondered if she was taking a break. Nope. She was just loading the clip.
The reality of Taraji P. Henson new movies in 2026 is that she’s shifted from being just an "actor for hire" to a full-blown mogul. She’s calling the shots through TPH Entertainment. We're seeing her lean back into her partnership with Tyler Perry, but with a grit we haven't seen since Acrimony. If you missed her 2025 run, you're already behind, but the 2026 slate is where things get really interesting.
Why "Straw" Changed the Game for Her
Let's talk about Straw. It hit Netflix in June 2025 and basically set the internet on fire. If you haven't seen it, it’s a psychological crime drama directed by Tyler Perry. Taraji plays Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mom who basically gets pushed past her breaking point. It’s heavy. It’s a "miserableness" marathon according to some critics, but Taraji's performance?
Unreal.
She brings this frantic, cornered-animal energy to Janiyah that reminds you why she has an Oscar nod. The movie follows Janiyah as she loses her car, her job, and eventually her mind. It’s not a "happy" Tyler Perry movie where a rich guy saves the day. There’s no Wesley Deeds coming to the rescue here. It’s raw. It actually landed her a nomination for Outstanding Actress at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, which are coming up in February.
The 2026 Slate: 'Tis So Sweet and Beyond
The big thing everyone is looking forward to right now is 'Tis So Sweet. This one is a bit of a pivot. It’s part of that big faith-based deal between Tyler Perry, DeVon Franklin, and Netflix.
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- The Vibe: It’s inspired by the true story of Lenore Lindsey, a baker from Chicago who went viral.
- The Cast: Taraji is starring alongside Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (you probably know him as Joey Bada$$).
- The Status: Production kicked off in Atlanta late last year, and it’s slated for a 2026 release.
What’s cool about this project is that it isn't just a "church movie." It’s about community and resilience. It feels more grounded than some of the high-octane thrillers she’s done lately. It’s also being produced through her shingle, TPH Entertainment, which means she has a seat at the table for the creative decisions.
Taraji’s Massive Pivot to Production
You might have seen the news about her deal with Fox Entertainment Studios. This is huge. She signed a multi-year, first-look deal to develop scripted and unscripted content.
She's not just acting anymore.
Under TPH Entertainment, she and Jamila Jordan-Theus (her head of development) are looking for "authentic voices." This means we’re going to see a lot of Taraji P. Henson new movies and shows where she might stay behind the camera. It’s a return to the Fox family where she dominated as Cookie Lyon, but this time she’s the boss of the whole production, not just the star of the show.
There's also been persistent buzz about a movie called Finding Joy. A trailer popped up late in 2025, and it looks like another collaboration with Tyler Perry. It’s about a broken community rising up after a loss. It’s definitely leaning into that "inspirational drama" territory that performs so well on streaming platforms.
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The Broadway Detour
Okay, so it’s not a movie, but you can't talk about her 2026 schedule without mentioning Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. Taraji is making her Broadway debut this spring at the Barrymore Theatre.
She’s playing Bertha Holly.
It’s an August Wilson play directed by the legend Debbie Allen. She’s starring opposite Cedric the Entertainer. Previews start March 30, 2026. If you're in New York, that’s the ticket to get. It shows her range—going from a Netflix thriller to a Pulitzer-winning stage play is a flex most actors can't pull off.
What’s the Real Deal with the "Best Man" Rumors?
People keep asking about The Best Man Wedding. There’s been talk for a while about her joining the ensemble for a final-final goodbye to those characters. While Denzel Washington’s A Journal for Jordan (which she was also linked to in some reports) took up a lot of the conversation, the Best Man project remains one of those "in development" things that fans are desperate for.
Honestly? Don't hold your breath for it in the first half of 2026. Her schedule is packed with the Broadway run and the Netflix release of 'Tis So Sweet.
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The Reality of Her "First-Look" Deals
Here is the nuance people miss: When an actor signs a "two-picture deal" with Netflix or a "first-look deal" with Fox, it doesn't mean we get ten movies tomorrow. It means she’s building a pipeline.
She’s looking for longevity.
She’s been very vocal about the pay gap in Hollywood and how Black actresses are often underpaid. By becoming a producer on almost all her new movies, Taraji P. Henson is ensuring she gets a piece of the backend. She’s protecting her brand.
What to Watch First
If you want to catch up, here is the immediate checklist:
- Watch "Straw" on Netflix. It's her most polarizing and powerful work in years.
- Keep an eye out for "'Tis So Sweet". Expected to drop mid-2026.
- Check the 2026 NAACP Image Awards. Seeing if she takes home the trophy for Straw will tell us a lot about her momentum for the next awards season.
Taraji isn't slowing down; she's just getting more selective. She’s picking roles that challenge her—like the Broadway stint—and projects that empower her—like the Fox production deal. It's a masterclass in how to manage a career after a massive TV hit.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep your notifications on for Netflix’s 2026 film slate announcements, as that is where 'Tis So Sweet will likely get its firm premiere date. You can also track the Broadway box office starting in April to see how her transition to the stage is being received by the critics.