With a host of reboots coming in the next few years, these iconic characters and cast members from the 2000s will be returning to the big screen. Movie reboots have become increasingly commonplace in the modern cinematic landscape. Be they outright reboots or legacy movie sequels that reignite beloved franchises, most modern movies are linked to those from the past.

In fact, there are several remakes that people wish were not happening, though there are always those that surprise audiences with sheer quality, too. The point is: reboots, remakes, and sequels of older movies are here to stay in the coming years. 2026 and 2027 will include many more, allowing several iconic casts and characters from 2000s movies to return to the big screen.

Gollum, Frodo, & Gandalf (Probably Aragorn, Too)

Perhaps one of the biggest movies scheduled for 2027 is the story of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The movie is set to be directed by Andy Serkis and tell the story of, well, the hunt for Gollum that takes place towards the beginning of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The hunt in question comes after Bilbo’s 111th birthday party, during the time in which Gandalf leaves Frodo in the Shire. Of course, Serkis will reprise his role as Gollum from the original trilogy, with Ian McKellen recently confirming that both Gandalf and Frodo will be in the movie. Finally, Aragorn is also expected to play a part.

The Devil Who Wore Prada

A movie set for release in May 2026 is The Devil Wears Prada 2. All of the major cast members from the first movie are expected to return, most notably Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly. The “devil” who wore Prada will lead the upcoming sequel two decades after the first movie was released.

Alongside Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt will return as Andrea and Emily, respectively. Stanley Tucci is also reprising his role as Nigel Kipling. the Devil Wears Prada 2 will be released on May 1, 2026, bringing back the characters from the now-iconic 2000s film.

The X-Men

December 2026 will see the release of Avengers: Doomsday, the next major event movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film will unite the Avengers with The Fantastic Four and a host of iconic characters from the 2000s: the X-Men. The first X-Men movie was released in 2000, with several major actors confirmed for a return 26 years later.

Ian McKellen marks his second appearance on this list with his return as Magneto, alongside Patrick Stewart as Professor X. Alongside these two veteran actors, Alan Cumming, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, and Rebecca Romijn will come back as Nightcrawler, Cyclops, Beast, and Mystique, respectively.

Shrek

Originally set for a December 2026 release before being pushed back to June 2027, Shrek 5 is on the horizon. Obviously, this will see the return of Shrek, voiced once more by Mike Myers. Shrek 5‘s teaser trailer caused some controversy, but the lovable green ogre is still set for a cinematic resurgence 17 years after Shrek Forever After.

Also confirmed for Shrek 5 are Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. The iconic 2000s trio will return in 2027, likely alongside Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, though his role has not yet been confirmed.

Jesus

From ogres to divine figures, Jesus is set for a cinematic resurgence in 2027. Mel Gibson is returning to direct two movie sequels to The Pᴀssion of the Christ. тιтled The Resurrection of the Christ: Part 1 and Part 2, the films will be released on Good Friday 2027 and Ascension Day 2027, respectively.

Naturally, the focus of the movie will be on Jesus Christ after the events of the first film, with the sequel centering on his life after resurrection. The star of the first movie, Jim Caviezel, is expected to return as Jesus Christ for both sequels, likely with de-aging technology utilized to bridge the over-20-year gap between the original film and its successors.

The Fockers

In July 2025, it was confirmed that a fourth Meet the Parents film was in development. Set for release in November 2026, the film is тιтled Focker In-Law and is the first in the series since 2010’s Little Fockers. The тιтular family members will return in Meet the Parents 4‘s cast, bringing back more iconic 2000s characters.

Ben Stiller will reprise his role as Greg Focker, as will Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes. Alongside this central duo is Blythe Danner as Dina, Jack’s wife. Jack and Dina’s daughter, Pam, will be in the film, played once more by Teri Polo, with her ex-boyfriend Kevin (Owen Wilson) also set for a return.

These iconic Fockers, or Focker-adjacents, will be joined by Skyler Gisondo and Ariana Grande in Focker In-Law.

The Killer

Scary Movie 6 was recently confirmed for release in June 2026, bringing back actors like Anna Faris and Regina Hall. Alongside these actors, Dave Sheridan is expected to return as Doofy Gilmore. Doofy was the man behind the Ghostface mask in 2000’s Scary Movie, with the long-awaited sequel bringing him back for another round of parody madness.

Jim

2025 saw the release of 28 Years Later, the sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later from the 2000s. This film was sH๏τ back-to-back with a fourth movie, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. This film will see the return of a major character from the 2002 original: Jim.

Jim was played by Cillian Murphy in the original movie, yet did not appear in either 28 Weeks Later or 28 Years Later. However, director Danny Boyle has confirmed that Murphy will appear in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, scheduled to be released in January 2026, bringing back an iconic early-2000s character.

The Ice Age Trio

Ice Age 6 is currently scheduled to release in December 2026, though it may move dates to avoid compeтιтion with Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three​​​​​​. Nonetheless, a sixth film in the franchise is coming, with stars Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary reprising their roles as Manny, Sid, and Diego, respectively.

Queen Latifah will also return as Ellie, as will Simon Pegg as Buck. The first Ice Age film was released in 2002 and was popular enough to spawn the now-six-movie franchise. This is largely due to its iconic characters, who will all be back on the big screen in the next few years.

Danny Ocean

The final iconic 2000s character set to return in the near future is Danny Ocean. Played by George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen, Danny Ocean is perhaps the actor’s most iconic role. Ocean’s Eleven was released in 2001, with a new sequel set to be in the works: Ocean’s Fourteen.

Clooney confirmed to have read a script for Ocean’s Fourteen, one that he liked. Brad Pitt stated the same and is expected to return alongside Clooney as Robert “Rusty” Ryan, Ocean’s close friend. With Ocean’s Fourteen seemingly taking off, Danny Ocean marks the last in a long list of iconic 2000s characters set to return to theaters in the next few years.