If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or YouTube lately, you’ve probably seen them. Those slick, moody trailers featuring a bearded Robert Pattinson and a deeply intense Kristen Stewart, usually titled Twilight: The New Dawn or Twilight 6: Resurrection. They look real. They feel real. They’ve got millions of fans screaming in the comments about a 2026 release date.
But here’s the cold, hard truth: there is no new Twilight movie coming out. At least, not in the way you think. Those trailers are "concept" edits—cleverly stitched-together clips from the actors' other projects like The Batman or Spencer. If you’re waiting for Edward and Bella to hit the silver screen again this year, you’re going to be waiting forever. However, that doesn’t mean the franchise is dead. Far from it. While the "movie" is a myth, there is something very real brewing in the shadows that is actually happening.
When does the new Twilight movie come out? The reality of the Netflix reboot
Since we've established that a sixth live-action movie isn't on the calendar, let's talk about what is actually in the works. Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns dropped a bit of a bombshell a while back, confirming that the next era of Forks isn't live-action at all.
It’s an animated series.
And honestly? It’s probably the smartest move they could’ve made. Netflix officially gave the green light to Midnight Sun, an animated adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s 2020 novel. For anyone who didn't spend 2020 reading the 600-page doorstopper, Midnight Sun is essentially the first Twilight book but told entirely from Edward Cullen’s perspective. It’s darker, much more internal, and—let’s be real—a lot more brooding.
As of early 2026, we don't have a specific "day" to circle on the calendar. Animation takes a massive amount of time compared to filming actors in the woods. While there were some whispers about an October 2025 launch to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the first book, we're now firmly into 2026 without a firm premiere. Most industry insiders and production timelines suggest a late 2026 or early 2027 release date on Netflix.
Why the movie rumors just won't die
The internet has a very hard time letting go. You've probably seen the "leaks" claiming Robert Pattinson is finally ready to put the contacts back in. You haven't seen an official confirmation because there isn't one. Pattinson has moved on to The Batman Part II and prestigious projects with directors like Christopher Nolan.
Then you have Kristen Stewart. Interestingly, while she isn't signed on for a new movie, she actually mentioned at the 2026 Palm Beach Film Festival that she’d be down to direct a Twilight remake. She wasn't talking about playing Bella again; she was talking about a total creative overhaul.
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"I would love to readapt—yeah, sure, I'll do the remake. I'm doing it, I'm committed," she joked (sorta) during a Q&A. While that’s not a production start date, it shows that the original cast still feels the pull of that universe, even if they aren't looking to wear the wigs again.
What we know about the Midnight Sun series
Since the "movie" is currently off the table, all eyes are on the Netflix show. Sinead Daly (Raised by Wolves, Tell Me Lies) is spearheading the project as the writer and executive producer.
Here is the breakdown of what is actually confirmed for the series:
- The Format: High-end animation. This allows for the "sparkle" and the supernatural speed to look a lot more natural than the CGI did in 2008.
- The Plot: It follows the events of the first book. Expect more of Edward’s "internal monologue" about how much Bella’s blood smells like... well, you know.
- The Voice Cast: This is the big mystery. There is zero word on whether Rob or Kristen will return to voice their characters. Most people expect a fresh cast to give the series its own identity.
- Stephenie Meyer’s Involvement: She’s executive producing. This isn't some rogue spin-off; it’s coming straight from the source.
Will there ever be a Twilight 6?
The short answer is: probably not. Stephenie Meyer hasn't written a sixth book in the main saga. Breaking Dawn was the end. She has mentioned she has ideas for stories involving Renesmee and Leah Clearwater, but those haven't materialized into novels yet. Without a book, Lionsgate is unlikely to greenlight a massive $100 million live-action sequel, especially when the original cast has reached "A-list indie" status and would cost a fortune to bring back.
The "New Dawn" or "Legacy" titles you see on YouTube are just fan fiction. They're fun to watch, but they aren't real.
Why animation is the "new movie" for Twilight
Some fans are bummed it isn't live-action, but think about it. Twilight is a period piece now. The blue-tinted 2008 aesthetic is iconic. Trying to recreate that with 40-year-old actors playing 17-year-olds would be... weird. Animation solves the "forever young" problem that vampires have.
Plus, the budget for an animated series on Netflix allows for the kind of action sequences that the original movies—especially the first one—simply couldn't afford. Imagine the baseball scene or the James hunt with the fluid motion of modern anime-style animation. It could actually be better than the movies.
Actionable steps for the fandom
- Mute the "Trailer" accounts: If you see a video titled "Twilight 6 Official Trailer 2026" and it has a "Concept" disclaimer in the tiny font at the bottom, don't share it as news.
- Watch the Netflix "Coming Soon" tab: That is where the Midnight Sun announcement will first appear.
- Read the book: If you want to know the plot of the next project, go buy Midnight Sun. It's literally the script for what's coming next.
- Follow Sinead Daly: She’s the showrunner. If there’s a casting leak or a production update, it’ll likely trace back to her or the trades like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Keep your expectations in check. The "new movie" is a show, and that show is still a ways off. But hey, in the world of the Cullens, what’s another year or two of waiting when you’ve got an eternity?
Check back on Netflix’s official newsroom (Tudum) around October—that's usually when they like to drop the big "spooky season" announcements. Until then, you can always go back and watch the original saga on whatever streaming service currently has the rights (they move every three months, let's be real).