Welcome to the League!

Inspired by the Vulture Movie Fantasy League, we are launching the first-ever Knock on Wood Movie Fantasy League, which will encompass films currently scheduled for release between April 1 and September 30, 2026.

Each player has 100 imaginary dollars to go towards your team of new release films. A dollar amount has been assigned to each upcoming theatrical film based on earnings potential. No streaming-exclusive films are included. Your “team” must be comprised of exactly eight films, and you cannot exceed your imaginary $100. You can, however, be under $100 if you so choose.

There are two major ways to earn points: through box office performance and critical reception. You can check out the numerical specifics below, but essentially, you get points for every million dollars earned, plus bonuses for ending up at No. 1 on the domestic box office (keyword domestic, meaning US and Canada only…the same goes for dollars earned) and in the top 10. The critical performance of a film is just as important, with Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, Letterboxd, and IMDB scores all taken into account. Points from critical performance will only be awarded once, after two box office weekends, to ensure that they stabilize.

Choose your strategy carefully, or play purely based on vibes (as I tend to do with games like this!). Only one entry per person is allowed. If you have any questions, you can reach me at franchiseparadiso@gmail.com.

Draft your team at the end of this page. I encourage you to do your own research for the most well-rounded, educated guesses, but it is certainly not necessary. Good luck, and don’t forget to subscribe to our email list for semi-weekly updates, beginning the second week of April!

Scoring Categories

Box Office Performance

  • Every $1 million earned: 1 point
  • Passes $25 million: 10 point bonus
  • Passes $50 million: 15 point bonus
  • Passes $75 million: 15 point bonus
  • Passes $100 million: 20 point bonus
  • Passes $125 million: 15 point bonus
  • Passes $150 million: 15 point bonus
  • Passes $175 million: 15 point bonus
  • Passes $200 million: 25 point bonus
  • Passes $300 million: 35 point bonus
  • Passes $400 million: 45 point bonus
  • Reaches No. 1 at the domestic box office: 20 points per week spent at No. 1
  • 5 bonus points for every week spent in the domestic top 10

Critical Performance

  • MetaCritic
    • 0-19: -5 points
    • 20-39: 0 points
    • 40-49: 10 points
    • 50-59: 20 points
    • 60-69: 25 points
    • 70-79: 40 points
    • 80-89: 50 points
    • 90-100: 100 points
  • Letterboxd
    • 3.5 or higher: 5 points
    • 4.0 or higher: 10 points
    • 15 points if it appears in the Letterboxd Top 500
  • Rotten Tomatoes
    • Critics
      • 75% or higher: 5 points
      • 90% or higher: 10 points
    • Audience
      • 75% or higher: 5 points
      • 90% or higher: 10 points
  • IMDB
    • 6.5 or higher: 5 points
    • 7.0 or higher: 10 points
    • 7.5 or higher: 15 points
    • 8.0 or higher: 20 points

The Movies

The Odyssey ($70)

The biggest new release anyone will be talking about this summer, The Odyssey is an extremely expensive pick for a reason. Christopher Nolan has rapidly become one of the most influential filmmakers working right now, and his mission of adapting arguably one of the single most famous pieces of literature in human history was never going to be anything less than titanic. With one of the best ensembles ever assembled on the big screen, Nolan is sure to deliver a blockbuster, a critical success, and an awards play, all rolled into one exciting picture. Those who draft it will no doubt reap many rewards, but at the cost of an inability to draft any other heavy hitters. In theaters July 17.

Toy Story 5 ($60)

They thought that Toy Story 3 was the perfect ending, and any continuation would be folly. Then Toy Story 4 came along and dominated the box office and the hearts of the audience. Will Toy Story 5 follow the same path? The original (living) cast is all back, and once again, the filmmakers at Pixar are examining very real issues that are facing today’s youth. Plus, it’s Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton’s first Toy Story film! In theaters June 19.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($50)

Who knew that the Super Mario franchise could be so fruitful on the big screen in the 2020s? The Galaxy Movie’s 2023 predecessor made over a billion at the box office, so it stands to reason that Galaxy, with another prime spring release date, will perform similarly well. In theaters April 1.

Moana ($50)

Unfortunately, live-action Disney remakes continue to be massive moneymakers, and with every one that releases, originality dies a slower death. Regardless, we are here to draft, and a (shot-for-shot?) remake of Moana is sure to hit, especially with the current generation that does not even remember ten years ago, when the original film was in theaters. Against my better judgment, this film does intrigue me. In theaters July 10.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day ($50)

Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton returns to the theatrical MCU with a splashy fourth entry in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man saga.

Disclosure Day ($40)

Description here

Minions & Monsters ($40)

Description here

Michael ($40)

Description here

The Mandalorian and Grogu ($40)

Description here

The Devil Wears Prada 2 ($40)

Description here

Supergirl ($35)

Description here

Resident Evil ($30)

Description here

Masters of the Universe ($25)

Description here

The Drama ($25)

Description here

Jackass 5 ($20)

Description here

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy ($20)

Description here

Insidious: The Bleeding World ($20)

Description here

Mortal Kombat II ($20)

Description here

Scary Movie 6 ($20)

Description here

The Dog Stars ($20)

Description here

Evil Dead Burn ($20)

Description here

Cut Off ($15)

Description here

I Love Boosters ($15)

Description here

Cliffhanger ($15)

Description here

The End of Oak Street ($15)

Description here

The Sheep Detectives ($15)

Description here

Animal Farm ($15)

Angel Studios has proven itself to be an unexpected juggernaut, and along with George Orwell’s indelible material, Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm boasts an extremely impressive voice cast (which includes Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, and Woody Harrelson). If the studio’s 2025 animated release, David, is any indication, Animal Farm will be an unsurprising success. In theaters May 1.

Coyote vs. Acme ($15)

Infamously shelved by Warner Bros. as a tax write-off but then purchased by Ketchup Entertainment, Coyote vs. Acme is a meta…legal comedy?! Will Forte plays Kevin Avery, a billboard lawyer who represents the iconic Wile E. Coyote in a lawsuit against the Acme corporation, whose devices continue to fail in catching his nemesis, the Road Runner. This received rave reviews from people who were able to see it immediately after the write-off. In theaters August 28.

One Night Only ($15)

As proven by Anyone But You just a few short years ago, the mid-budget rom-com has endured as a powerful box office object. One Night Only has the same director (Will Gluck, who specializes in popcorn fare like this) and features young stars Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Maya Hawke, and Este Haim, along with Molly Ringwald and LeVar Burton. In theaters August 7.

Young Washington ($15)

Another Angel Studios film, Young Washington features William Franklyn-Miller as the titular youthful President. I would expect an extremely sanitized, very patriotic biopic that has very little to say but a lot of time to not say it. In theaters (obviously) July 3.

The Breadwinner ($15)

I will admit to not being a huge fan of Nate Bargatze’s stand-up, but this comedy looks like it could be pretty fun; Bargatze plays Nate Wilcox, an incompetent father who must step up to be a stay-at-home dad when his wife (Mandy Moore) lands a deal on Star Tank. It appears to be goofy and silly (per Bargatze’s schtick), but it’s also directed by Eric Appel, who made his directorial debut in 2022 with the stellar Weird: The Al Yankovic Story after a long career in internet comedy and commercials. In theaters May 29.

Practical Magic 2 ($15)

I have never seen the original Practical Magic, so I’m flying pretty blind here, but a legacy sequel from one of the oldest movie studios with a prominent returning cast and some exciting additions (including Joey King, Xolo Maridueña, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace) is bound to hit. In theaters September 11.

You, Me & Tuscany ($15)

The fifth film from Kat Coiro, who primarily works in television, You, Me & Tuscany stars two exceedingly beautiful people: Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) as Anna, a free-spirited young cook, and Regé-Jean Page as Michael, the cousin of the owner of a Tuscan villa that Anna begins to squat in (simple, right?). The official description labels this rom-com
As one that brings its characters into “a whole new world of adventure, lies, and love,” so do with that what you will. In theaters April 10.

Cut Off ($15)

The return of the theatrical studio comedy! Directed by Jonah Hill, Cut Off stars Hill and Kristen Wiig as two wealthy siblings who are forced to support themselves after their parents (you guessed) cut them off. Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Camila Cabello, and Weapons breakout star Cary Christopher. In theaters July 17.

More Movies

  • Fall 2 ($10) – a sequel bound to leave its audience in chilling suspense. In theaters August 7.
  • Mother Mary ($10) – The Green Knight director David Lowery returns with a psychosexual musical drama starring Anne Hathaway. In theaters April 17.
  • Super Troopers 3 ($10) – they just keep on making these, huh? In theaters August 7.
  • The Invite ($10) – the biggest hit from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, this comedy stars Olivia Wilde (also directing) and Seth Rogen as a struggling couple invited by neighbors to an orgy. In theaters June 26.
  • Animal Friends ($10) – a celebrity all-star voice cast will likely be a big draw for this live-action/animated hybrid adventure. In theaters June 5.
  • Power Ballad ($10) – Sing Street director Josh Carney blazes back on the theatrical scene with a punchy musical comedy starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. In theaters June 5.
  • Air Bud Returns ($10) – need I say more? In theaters August 21.
  • Backrooms ($10) – A24’s youngest-ever filmmaker, Kane Parsons, directs a feature-length adaptation of his popular YouTube horror series. In theaters May 29.
  • Hokum ($10) – from Irish director Damian McCarthy, this horror film stars Adam Scott as an author whose rental house might be haunted. In theaters May 1.
  • The Death of Robin Hood ($6) – a film that could not be more geared towards me, Michael Sarnoski’s adaptation of Robin Hood’s Death stars Hugh Jackman as an aged Robin reckoning with his past. In theaters June 16.
  • Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma ($6) – a slasher from I Saw the TV Glow visionary Jane Schoenbrun, this film stars Hannah Einbinder as a queer filmmaker hired to direct a new entry in a long-running horror franchise. In theaters August 7.
  • Mutiny ($6) – another Jason Statham action movie. In the summer, no less. The money prints itself. In theaters August 21.
  • Passenger ($6) – Norwegian filmmaker André Øvredal directs this new horror film starring Melissa Leo. In theaters May 22.
  • The Third Parent ($6) – the latest film based on an internet Creepypasta, this stars Rob Lowe and Crispin Glover. In theaters August 7.
  • In the Grey ($6) – Guy Ritchie brings several collaborators back to the big screen with this action heist about (surprise!) an elite team of agents. In theaters May 15.
  • Over Your Dead Body ($6) – this is a special one. Jorma Taccone’s remake of the 2021 film The Trip stars Samara Weaving and Jason Segel as a couple who tries to reconnect before discovering that they are planning to kill the other. In theaters April 24.
  • Obsession ($6) – after several festival premieres dating back to last fall, Curry Barker’s supernatural horror film follows Bear (Michael Johnston) as a hopeless romantic who uses a magical device to win his crush’s heart, only to realize that it may not actually be for the best. In theaters May 15.
  • Spa Weekend ($4)  – a comedy starring Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Anna Faris, and Michelle Buteau. In theaters September 4.
  • How to Rob a Bank ($4) – a crew of bank robbers has been using social media to document heists that they have pulled off, leading to pursuit from the police in director David Leitch’s action comedy. In theaters September 4.
  • The Rivals of Amziah King ($4) – Angelina LookingGlass stars as Kateri, whose life takes a tragic turn as she loses her mother and leaves foster care. She reunites with her former foster parent, Amziah (Matthew McConaughey), and he becomes her mentor, revealing hidden skills when a devastating situation arises. In theaters August 14.
  • Forgotten Island ($4) – we know very little about this DreamWorks Animation film, but it follows best friends Jo and Raissa as they find themselves stranded in the fantastic world of Nakali. In theaters September 25.
  • Girls Like Girls ($4) – written and directed by pop star Hayley Kiyoko, adapted from her book and titled after her song, this coming-of-age romance is sure to stun and amaze…but perhaps with a more niche crowd. In theaters June 19.
  • 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank ($4) – a heist comedy co-starring Liam Neeson. At risk of repeating myself, the money should print itself! In theaters April 17.
  • Rolling Loud ($4) – inspired by a true story, this comedy is the story of an overprotective father who attempts to bond with his 13-year-old son by sneaking him into the Rolling Loud hip-hop music festival in Miami. In theaters September 18.
  • Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass ($4) – another Sundance comedy standout, this comedy is about what happens when a bride-to-be (Zoey Deutch) finds out her fiancé has used his celebrity hall pass, and she makes an epic journey to Hollywood to even the scales. In theaters July 10.

Even More Movies

Enter Your Picks

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Special thanks to Heath Lynch and Foster Harlfinger for their advisory and contributions.