As 2026 begins, the Tollywood film industry is entering one of its most significant and interesting phases in recent years. After the turbulence of 2025, which saw disappointing box office returns, escalating production costs, and growing concerns about audience reception to films regardless of genre or star power, the industry seems poised for a resurgence. The lineup of Telugu films slated for release in 2026 has garnered considerable attention, focusing on solid content, diverse genres to entertain audiences, star power, and pan-India appeal. This year is crucial not only for filmmakers but also for exhibitors and cinema enthusiasts.
The 2026 lineup is remarkably balanced, featuring a great mix of big-budget, star-studded films, issue-based dramas, and daring experimental ventures. Tollywood filmmakers are striving to offer something for everyone – from mass entertainers to intense character-driven dramas and high-budget magnum opuses. Besides the Sankranthi releases, the summer and mid-year releases are also packed with major projects.
However, delays related to content shooting, VFX work, or post-production remain a possibility for any of the official dates mentioned below. Below is a month-by-month and theme-based list of Telugu movies in 2026, which have been officially announced, and whose status can be verified based on reports or trade insights.
January 2026: Sankranti Festival – The Last Box-Office War
Sankranti is yet the same and still the most important festival season for Telugu cinema. With longer vacations and family audiences as well as a lot of walk-ins at the theaters, filmmakers like to cash in on this window. But with a bunch of big releases also comes fierce competition for screens, shows and audiences.
The Raja Saab (January 9, 2026)
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab is a horror-comedy fantasy that presents Prabhas in a lighter, more playful role after a series of action-heavy and intense films. The plot centers around a royal successor who is IMFed to this strange haunted palace and with supernatural-romantic-comical touches and moments! With Sanjay Dutt set to essay a powerful antagonist, the film will also feature Malavika Mohanan in her Telugu debut along with Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, and other popular comedians.
The movie has been conceived as a pan-India release and will be dubbed in Hindi and other languages. Thaman S’s music and rich sets, top-notch VFX are major attractions. Promotions so far have raised the expectations, particularly about Prabhas’ rugged new avatar and the film’s unusual genre mix.
Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu (January 12, 2026)
Megastar Chiranjeevi collaborates with director Anil Ravipudi for action comedy family drama film. Ravipudi, famed for his high-octane blockbusters, brings his brand of entertainment and emotion to the film. Nayanthara is the heroine and her mere presence brings star value considering her strong screen presence. Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is a family entertainer, which has mass action, comedy and socially relevant issues with the package that suits perfect for Sankranti release across ages. Huge expectations are riding on this one since it is the first-time association of Chiranjeevi and Ravipudi, and trade pundits already started predicting good opening day figures.
Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi (BMW) January 13, 2026
Thirumala Kishore directed this romantic comedy featuring Ravi Teja. The modern-day relationships with the backdrop of traditional values is a subject which has been greatly Personalised and would strike a chord with family audiences. The film will star Ashika Ranganath and Dimple Hayathi as the leading ladies, while Bheems Ceciroleo’s music is expected to offer a few peppy numbers.
A man known for rapid-fire dialogues and impeccable timing, Ravi Teja would be hoping that his comic timing justifies his cartoonish characterization as he gets back to the comforts of his home territory with this mid-budget commercial entertainer lined up as a festive crowd-puller.
Nari Nari Naduma Murari (January 14–15, 2026)
Sharwanand in a fun rom-com against the rustic Godavari backdrops. Also featuring Samyuktha Menon and Sakshi Vaidya, the film will be a blend of humour, romance and family-friendly drama. A casual in tone, it aims at the family to provide clean holiday entertainment.
Anaganaga Oka Raju (14 January 2026)
Naveen Polishetty is back with Maari, the debutant director of a quirky rom-com. Starring Meenakshi Chaudhary as the leading lady, the film is expected to have ample wit, humour driven out of situations and characters we can all relate with. Naveen has been finding a fair amount of fan following among the younger lot which also makes this one of the more youth-centric Sankranti releases.
Besides, a couple of low-budgeted Telugu films and dubbed movies are likely to enter the Sankranti race adding more heat to it.
March–April 2026: Summer Releases Gain Momentum
Traditionally, films endowed with strong emotional depth and word of mouth work well in the summer season.
Peddi (RC16) (March 27, 2026)
Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi is an action drama based on sports featuring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. With a rural setting, the movie has three strong themes of ambition, resilience and social struggle woven into its narrative.
The film’s emotional heft, as well as its filmic scope, is enhanced by music from A.R. Rahman. Ram Charan physical makeover and very hard work for the role itself has generated much buzz. Trade analysts believe Peddi will cater to masses and classes.
The Paradise (Late March 2026)
Srikanth Odela, celebrated for his grounded story telling, directs this high octane drama with Nani in the lead. The movie seems to offer a hard-hitting story with intense emotional battles and poignant performances. There seems that Nani role will change the face of his carrier, is going to be one of the toughest for him! This is why Telugu movies in 2026 have given it a priority in the list.
Mid-2026: Big-Scale Action and Epic Narratives
Mid-year sees the arrival of pan-India action films, along with historical grandeur eyeing a huge theatrical impact.
Dragon (NTR–Neel) (Targeted for Mid-2026)
One of the most anticipated Telugu movies in 2026, Dragon marks Jr NTR’s maiden project with director Prashanth Neel. Structured like a high-octane action-adventure periodic, the film is full of intense stunt sequences and grand visuals backed by a powerful BGM. Jr NTR has completely transformed himself and Rukmini Vasanth plays an important role. The film is likely to be released in multiple languages, aiming at domestic and overseas markets.
Swayambhu (Early–Mid 2026)
Starring Nikhil Siddhartha, Swayambhu is a historical action drama centered on warrior themes and ancient conflicts. The visual scale and mythological references of the film are designed to appeal to audiences drawn to epic narratives.
Late 2026 and Beyond: Ambitious and Experimental Projects
Fauzi (Mid/Late 2026)
Prabhas pairs up with director Hanu Raghavapudi for Fauzi, which is said to be a periodic drama or an unusual love story. The project is interesting for the fact that Hanu Raghavapudi who is known for unique and emotionally rich story telling style is directing it.
Vishwambhara (2026)
Vishwambhara, Chiranjeevi-Kasarla Shyam’s socio-fantasy mythological entertainer directed by Vassishta showcases rich visuals and epic mythology associated with it with an ensemble cast that includes Trisha and Ashika Ranganath. The movie hopes to mesh classic story telling with contemporary film aesthetics.
More top Stories in Telugu Movies in 2026
Other than the as-yet confirmed releases, there are some projects at different stages of production with stars like Vijay Deverakonda, Naga Chaitanya and other mid level actors. High-scale collaborations like Mahesh Babu’s movie with S.S. Rajamouli is going slow owing to the staggering scales of production and may release at a later date.
The pan-India trend, strategy on OTT and Audience’s Outlook
The trend that began in the previous few years is now stronger than ever in 2026, with almost all big-ticket movies conceived as pan-India projects. At the same time, OTT platforms still have an important say in things, and many movies are being sold for digital even before release of the movie. This kind of hybrid films is breaking barriers for Telugu content to expand beyond the reachability of Telugu-speaking territories.
Final Thoughts
Telugu Movies in 2026 looks set for a bright year filled with variety, both of the massive star-driven-blockbuster-spectacular and content backed films. Amidst a packed Sankranti scrap and some summer holiday goldrushes and big-budget extravaganzas, this year is from Tollywood’s side an attempt to find that lost formula and win in confidence with the audience. With the combination of quality, promotions and release timings falling in places for our movies, 2026 may prove to be a promising year for Telugu cinema again.