Tom Holland is poised to be the biggest star of 2026 (here's why)

The actor's entire career has been building to this.

Opening Night Welcome And Screening: Last Call (Short) + In Camera
Opening Night Welcome And Screening: Last Call (Short) + In Camera | Euan Cherry/GettyImages

Tom Holland has had a fascinating career. He is simultaneously a world famous movie star, and an actor who has been greatly underutilized. He's led several box office smashes, yet is still considered to be a gamble as a leading man. He's underrated or overrated depending on who you ask.

The two halves of Holland's career, however, are set to collide in 2026. The actor is going to star in two blockbusters in the span of a single month, and they will solidify whether or not has the goods to become a defining star of his generation. We'll just say the odds are looking good.

Tom Holland will headline two July releases

Tom Holland
Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: No Way Home" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals | Emma McIntyre/GettyImages

The first film is untitled, but every sign points to it being a critical breakthrough for Holland. He will headline the new release from Christopher Nolan, which is slated for release on July 17, 2026. The British actor will appear alongside Matt Damon, and World of Reel alleges that the plot will resemble the 1983 action film Blue Thunder.

Holland, who has struggled to find consistently rewarding parts over the last decade, told Good Morning America that getting the phone call from Nolan was surreal. "All I can say is that I’m incredibly excited," he noted. "And obviously honored, but that’s all I can say because, to be honest, that’s all I know."

Holland claims the next Spider-Man is 'crazy'

Then, a mind bogglingly short time later, Holland will reprise the character that made him a superstar. He will headline Spider-Man 4 alongside his real-life girlfriend (and fellow superstar Zendaya). There haven't been many details about the film released, but Holland has stated that he recently read a new draft of the screenplay, and feels as though it's in great shape.

"All I can tell you is that it's happening," he said during the same GMA interview. "The idea is crazy. It's a little different to anything we've done before, but I think the fans are gonna really respond to it."