Neon’s Tuesday CinemaCon presentation fully lived up to the studio’s reputation as a rising force in independent cinema. Chief Distribution Officer Alyssa Federoff and EVP of Distribution Sam Yan took the stage to unveil a slate that was equal parts daring, crowd-pleasing, and genuinely surprising. With 57 Academy Award nominations, 11 wins, and consistent box office growth, Federoff declared Neon was built to last.
GODZILLA MINUS ZERO
This upcoming kaiju film was directed by Takashi Yamazaki and is the first Japanese film to be a native IMAX production. During the CinemaCon presentation, Yamazaki took the stage to express heartfelt gratitude to exhibitors, crediting the theatrical community with making the original film an unprecedented success. He shared two story details. The new film is a direct sequel to Godzilla Minus One, and the story continues to follow the Shikishima family as they face an even deeper despair than in the first film. Yamzaki asked, “When fate is an overwhelming and inescapable force, how do people fight that?”
The presentation concluded with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and a first-ever look at the new film, and the exhibitors seemed blown away by the sheer scale of the film.
Godzilla Minus Zero roars exclusively in theaters nationwide on November 6, 2026.
HOKUM
The horror film is directed by Damian McCarthy and stars Adam Scott.
Scott took the Dolby Coliseum stage and recalled his childhood obsession with The Shining, Poltergeist, and An American Werewolf in London. Scott described discovering writer-director Damian McCarthy’s previous film Oddity as the first time in years he’d encountered that rare “intangible third rail” that activates an audience’s imagination long after the credits roll.
A brand new trailer was screened at CinemaCon, and even Scott had not seen the finished cut. What was revealed dripped with elements of The Shining and The Blair Witch Project. The room buzzed with anticipation.
Hokum opens May 1, 2026.
I LOVE BOOSTERS
This Boots Riley-directed comedy stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore.
Riley and Stanfield, who received CinemaCon’s Star of the Year Award, took the stage to explain to exhibitors why this film should be in all their theaters. There was already buzz about this film beyond the walls of the Dolby Colosseum. Riley shared that this film is based on the 2006 song “I Love Boosters!” from his hip-hop group The Coup.
Riley continued, “I started being interested in this world that is somewhat on the fringes of fashion, but actually is one of the motors of it.”
Essentially, boosters boost. Set cultural trends, and those trends are absorbed, repackaged, and sold by the fashion industry.”
He and Stanfield queued up a video message from Palmer to introduce an exclusive scene and new trailer for the CinemaCon audience. What the crowd received was visually stunning, bold, monochromatic sets and wild camera work with humor and heart to spare.
Riley told exhibitors his current college tour is selling out, and students are showing up in monochrome outfits as an act of solidarity with the film. Make sure you have it in your theaters.
I Love Boosters opens May 22, 2026.
LEVITICUS
This Queer horror story is the feature directorial debut of Adrian Chiarella and stars Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, and Nicholas Hope.
The film’s title references the biblical book used by conservative religious folks to condemn homosexuality. This roots the horror in the extremes of religion. The footage shown at CinemaCon surrounded the premise of what if the monster wore the face of the person you love. The crowd was tense but intrigued.
Leviticus opens in theaters June 19, 2026.
A PLACE IN HELL
This dramatic, workplace thriller is directed by Chloe Domont and stars Michelle Williams, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Andrew Scott, Danny Huston, Arturo Castro, Rob Yang, Kyle Mooney, Dani Oliveros, and Esther McGregor.
This reveal was the feather in Neon’s cap. And, a Christmas Day opening signifies strong confidence in this film. Williams and Edgar-Jones appeared via a prerecorded message to introduce the footage shown at CinemaCon. The trailer set up the premise of the story. Williams’ character, an attorney on the verge of making partner, is slowly derailed by the ambitions of Edgar-Jones. The rivalry spirals out of control. The standout moment from the footage was when a fully activated Edgar-Jones delivered this threat, “I’m not just going to replace you, Rebecca. I’m going to destroy your fucking life.” The room exploded.
A Place in Hell opens Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
HOPE
This Korean sci-fi thriller is directed by Na Hong-Jin and stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon (HoYeon), Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton. A sizzle reel was shown at CinemaCon. And the crowd was made anxious by the scale and stunning imagery of a terrifying mystery unfolding.
The US release date is to be confirmed.
Neon’s CinemaCon presentation reflected its vision. Every film announced shares a commitment to originality, distinct voices, and stories that are made for the cinematic experience.
“The industry cannot survive on tentpoles alone,” Federoff stated boldly.
From the IMAX spectacle of Godzilla Minus Zero to the intimate horror of Hokum, from Boots Riley’s capitalist satire to Adrian Chiarella’s devastating queer debut, Neon’s programming is ambitious and creative in each genre. CinemaCon has a way of reminding you why you fell in love with going to the movies in the first place. Neon’s 2026 is guaranteed to renew your inner cinephile.