Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is currently in the middle of what might be the most pivotal stretch of his entire career. For a long time, the formula was simple: show up, be the biggest guy in the room, save the world, and collect a massive paycheck. It worked. But lately, things have shifted. We aren't just seeing "The Rock" anymore; we’re seeing Dwayne Johnson, the actor, trying to reclaim his spot at the top of the mountain while simultaneously proving he can actually act in the traditional sense.
If you've been tracking the Rock's new movies, you know the schedule for 2026 is looking absolutely packed. We’re talking about a massive swing from gritty A24 dramas to billion-dollar Disney sequels. It’s a lot to keep track of, honestly. Some of these projects have been in the works for years, while others are surprise pivots following the weird, messy shakeup over at DC Studios.
The Massive Pivot: The Smashing Machine
Let’s talk about the movie everyone is whispering about for the 2026 awards circuit. The Smashing Machine is not your typical Dwayne Johnson film. There are no jungle environments. No helicopters. No witty banter with Kevin Hart.
Basically, Johnson is playing Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter who struggled with a brutal addiction to painkillers during the "no-holds-barred" era of the UFC. This is an A24 production directed by Benny Safdie. If you saw Uncut Gems, you know Safdie doesn't do "comfortable." He does high-anxiety, raw, and ugly.
Johnson reportedly went through a massive physical transformation for this, using prosthetics designed by Kazu Hiro to look more like the real Kerr. The movie actually premiered late in 2025 but is hitting major streaming platforms like Prime Video and HBO Max right now in early 2026. The buzz is real. Critics are saying it’s the first time we’ve seen him disappear into a role since maybe Southland Tales, but with much better execution. It’s a huge risk for his brand, but the payoff seems to be a newfound respect from the "serious" film community.
Returning to the Ocean: Moana (Live-Action)
While The Smashing Machine handles the grit, Disney is handling the gold. Mark your calendars for July 10, 2026. That is the official release date for the live-action remake of Moana.
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This one is interesting because it’s coming so hot on the heels of Moana 2, which absolutely dominated the box office at the end of 2024. Usually, Disney waits a decade or two for these remakes. Not this time. Johnson is back as Maui, and this time he’s not just a voice; he’s in the full traditional regalia, tattoos and all.
- The Cast: Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia is playing Moana.
- The Vibe: Expect a more grounded (but still magical) take on the Polynesian wayfinding lore.
- The Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hits will be there, but there’s talk of updated arrangements to fit the live-action scale.
Honestly, the pressure on this one is immense. Remakes are hit-or-miss, but with the Rock’s personal connection to his Polynesian heritage, he’s treating this as a legacy project rather than just another gig.
Jumanji 3: The Next-Next Level?
We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time. The "Untitled Jumanji Sequel" (effectively Jumanji 3 or 4, depending on how you count the original Robin Williams classic) is officially slated for December 11, 2026.
The core four—Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan—are all expected back. The ending of the last movie teased the game's characters entering the real world, much like the 1995 original. If they actually go that route, it changes the entire dynamic of the franchise. No more "avatars" in the jungle; it’s the avatars in the suburbs. It’s the kind of big-budget holiday spectacle that has become the Rock's bread and butter.
The Fast and Furious "Hobbs" Situation
This is where things get a bit murky. After the surprise cameo at the end of Fast X, everyone thought we were getting a solo "Hobbs & Reyes" movie immediately.
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Well, the timeline shifted. With Fast 11 (the supposed grand finale) being pushed around the schedule, the standalone Hobbs movie is currently floating. While some rumors suggested a 2026 release, the production schedule for his other projects makes that look tight. The most likely scenario? We see Hobbs return in the main Fast X sequel in 2026 or 2027 to wrap up the Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa) storyline.
There is also constant chatter about Hobbs & Shaw 2. Jason Statham and Johnson have supposedly buried the hatchet, but finding a gap in both their schedules is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube in the dark. It’s on the board, but don't hold your breath for a 2026 release.
What About the Red One Sequel?
Red One was a weird experiment. It cost a fortune—some reports say over $250 million—and did okay in theaters but apparently exploded once it hit Amazon MGM’s streaming service.
Is there a sequel? There’s no official green light yet. However, the producers have hinted that they built "The E.L.F." (Enforcement, Logistics, and Fortification) as a multi-holiday universe. We might see Callum Drift (Johnson) returning to save Easter or Halloween next. If it happens, it won't be until 2027 at the earliest.
Why the Rock's Strategy is Changing
You’ve probably noticed a pattern. For a while, Johnson was the "franchise savior." He jumped into G.I. Joe, Fast & Furious, and Journey 2. Then came the Black Adam era, which... didn't go as planned.
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After the DC hierarchy failed to change, Johnson seems to have recalibrated. He’s going back to what works (Disney, Jumanji, Fast) while taking big artistic swings (The Smashing Machine). It’s a "one for them, one for me" strategy.
Summary of Release Dates
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is the current roadmap for the most anticipated projects:
- The Smashing Machine: Late 2025 theatrical / January 2026 Streaming.
- Moana (Live-Action): July 10, 2026.
- Jumanji 3: December 11, 2026.
- Fast X: Part 2: Expected late 2026 or 2027.
If you’re planning your cinema trips, the summer of 2026 is going to be dominated by that Moana remake. It's the safe bet for the biggest family movie of the year. For the fans who want to see if the Rock can actually win an Oscar, keep an eye on the streaming numbers and critic reviews for The Smashing Machine—it's already generating more conversation than his last three action movies combined.
To get the most out of this upcoming slate, keep an eye on the official Seven Bucks Productions social channels. They usually drop the "first look" images months before the trailers hit, especially for the Disney projects. Also, if you haven't seen the original Moana or the first two Jumanji reboots recently, now is the time for a rewatch before the 2026 marketing blitz begins.