CinemaCon 2026 Day Two Brings Warner Bros. Surprises, Neon Buzz, and Major Star Power

CinemaCon 2026 kept its momentum rolling on Tuesday as exhibitors, studio executives, and filmmakers packed Caesars Palace for another full day of presentations, panels, interviews, and major reveals. FlickDirect was there throughout the day to cover the biggest moments as they happened. For continuing updates, interviews, and exclusive coverage, visit FlickDirect’s CinemaCon hub.

The day began with Cinema United’s annual State of the Industry presentation, where President and CEO Michael O’Leary once again emphasized the importance of longer theatrical windows, studio-exhibitor unity, and a continued commitment to the big-screen experience.

MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin also addressed attendees, touching on one of the most talked-about topics in entertainment right now: artificial intelligence. Rivkin acknowledged both the risks and opportunities AI presents, saying the industry should approach the technology as a creative tool rather than a replacement for human storytelling.

Neon then took the stage with a focused presentation spotlighting five upcoming films: Hokum, Leviticus, I Love Boosters, A Place in Hell, and Hope. Actor Adam Scott appeared in person to discuss Hokum before debuting a new trailer for attendees.

Director Boots Riley and star LaKeith Stanfield also appeared to introduce footage from I Love Boosters, while Neon previewed A Place in Hell, starring Michelle Williams and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The presentation gave exhibitors a broad look at the studio’s diverse slate.

Later in the day, FlickDirect spoke with DNEG CEO Namit Malhotra and actor-producer Yash about their ambitious two-part epic Ramayana. The 3D footage shown during the presentation was visually stunning, and FlickDirect’s full interview will debut next week on the FlickDirect YouTube channel.

FlickDirect also sat down with Fathom Entertainment CEO Ray Nutt for its annual conversation about the company’s upcoming theatrical slate. In addition to discussing classic film re-releases, Nutt highlighted two upcoming releases: Jimmy, starring K.J. Apa, and Laika Studios’ Wildwood.

The evening belonged to Warner Bros., which delivered one of the convention’s biggest studio presentations. Warner Bros. Co-CEOs Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca opened by highlighting the studio’s recent box office strength, noting that Warner Bros. generated $4.4 billion globally in 2025 from just 11 releases. They also reaffirmed their commitment to theatrical distribution, with 14 releases planned this year and 18 slated for 2027.

Warner Bros. also introduced its new Warner Bros. Clockwork label, signaling an expanded effort to support a broader range of projects moving forward.

One of the night’s major highlights was the appearance of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Tom Cruise, who came out to discuss their upcoming collaboration, Digger. The duo’s appearance drew a strong reaction from the crowd.

Warner Bros. also previewed a wide range of upcoming titles, including The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and Keanu Reeves’ upcoming film Shiver.

New Line Cinema then shifted the tone toward horror, showcasing Evil Dead Burn, The Mummy, and Mortal Kombat II, each of which generated strong reactions inside the Colosseum.

DC Studios also had a major presence, with presentations for Supergirl and Clayface. Supergirl director Craig Gillespie was joined on stage by stars Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa for a lively conversation moderated by Patton Oswalt, followed by an exclusive scene screening.

To close the night, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman took the stage to discuss Practical Magic 2, before J.J. Abrams made a surprise appearance to introduce his new film The Great Beyond, starring Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Day Two of CinemaCon 2026 delivered a strong mix of industry insight, exclusive footage, and major celebrity moments, giving theater owners and film fans plenty to be excited about as the week continues.