Zendaya Is Primed To Be One of 2026’s Main Characters

Ever since audiences first got to know her on Shake It Up, Zendaya has been famous in one form or another for half of her life. Over the years, her career has continued to reach new heights, but 2026 is proving to be on a whole other level. Personally, she started the year with news that she supposedly had already married her long-time boyfriend, Tom Holland. Career-wise, it’s packed with not one, not two, but four new movies and a TV show for the year.

​It’s not just multiple projects in one year, but original movies, franchise staples, and certified blockbusters that are widely expected to be among the biggest movies of 2026. Add to that the return of one of Zendaya’s most well-known TV roles, and it’s understandable that she’s eyeing taking a step back from the public spotlight after her whirlwind of the year is over (though it won’t be for long, as she has Shrek 5 coming in June 2027). Below, see Zendaya’s jam-packed 2026 release schedule and why you’ll be seeing her name in the headlines.

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The Drama – Action Vs. Intention

Zendaya’s first major project of 2026 is the A24 dark comedy The Drama, which is her first collaboration with Robert Pattinson. The film follows British expat and museum curator Charlie (Pattinson) and literary editor Emma (Zendaya), who meet in a café and quickly fall in love. The movie fast-forwards a couple of years to them already engaged with their wedding fast approaching. All seems well, that is, until, a game of  “What’s the Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done? ” with their friends, Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) sends Charlie and Emma’s relationship spiraling.

Even if the movie has barely been in theaters, the film has already sparked discourse on social media, and it’s not out of the question for The Drama to be one of the most talked-about movies of 2026, given the way it tackles its heavy subject matter. And of course, we can’t talk about Zendaya without mentioning her method dressing, which was out in full force for The Drama. She even sported a “Team Edward” t-shirt when she surprised moviegoers at a London cinema.

Euphoria Season 3 – Where’s My Money Rue

Aside from Shake It Up, Euphoria is Zendaya’s most popular TV series, with her lead role as Rue earning her two Emmys. And after a long four-year wait, the show is finally back with its third season premiering on April 12. Set years after season two, season three finds Rue, Maddy, Nate, and the rest as adults as they deal with their own problems. Given how Euphoria has become one of HBO’s most popular shows this decade, we have a feeling season three is going to get a lot of people talking.  

The Odyssey – A Greek Epic

A few months later, July to be exact, Zendaya returns to the big screen as part of the star-studded ensemble cast of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated new movie, The Odyssey. The film is an adaptation of Homer’s famous Greek epic, the Odyssey, and stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca. It chronicles his long and dangerous journey home after the Trojan War and the many obstacles along the way as he attempts to reunite with his wife, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway.

Zendaya will play Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and handicraft, with her role in the story being that of protecting Odysseus on his journey. With the movie’s subject matter, A-list cast, and Nolan’s pedigree, expect The Odyssey to be the talk of the town later this year.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Spider-Man Is Back

July is going to be a busy month for Zendaya because just a couple of weeks after The Odyssey comes to cinemas, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be released. Following Dr. Strange’s spell at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the movie finds Peter Parker/Spider-Man four years later still fighting crime but doing so anonymously.

The world doesn’t know who he is, including his best friend Ned and girlfriend MJ. But as the responsibilities of being Spider-Man start to mount, Parker goes through unexpected changes and deals with a new enemy. Seeing Zendaya work once more with Tom Holland (they’re also part of the cast of The Odyssey) and play their popular characters will be a treat.

Dune: Part Three – The End Is Coming

Closing out Zendaya’s eventful 2026 is Dune: Part Three in December, the third and potentially final movie in the Dune cinematic franchise. An adaptation of Dune Messiah, the movie finds Paul Atreides at the height of his power as he faces pushback, coups, and plots for the destructive holy war he spread across the galaxy. The epic conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy will see Zendaya reprise her role as Chani, as we’ll see what she’s been up to since leaving Paul at the end of the second film.