NEON CinemaCon 2026 Recap: ‘Hope,’ ‘Leviticus,’ ‘I Love Boosters’ and More Define a Bold Theatrical Slate

NEON came to CinemaCon 2026 with something to prove.

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

While other studios leaned into franchise familiarity, NEON doubled down on bold storytelling, genre risk-taking, and filmmaker-driven projects that felt designed for audiences looking for something different on the big screen. From psychological horror to sci-fi spectacle and socially charged comedy, their presentation painted a clear picture of a studio fully committed to theatrical experiences that push boundaries.

The presentation kicked off with a sizzle reel highlighting both past successes and what is shaping up to be one of NEON’s most diverse upcoming slates.

HOKUM Sets the Tone with Psychological Horror

NEON wasted no time diving into new footage, starting with Hokum, a horror-driven story led by Adam Scott.

The newly revealed trailer reportedly follows Scott as a troubled horror novelist who travels to a remote inn, only to find himself caught in a deeply unsettling situation after a staff member mysteriously disappears. As the tension builds, his character begins experiencing disturbing visions, blurring the line between reality and something far more sinister.

A chilling voiceover drives the tone home, suggesting that demons may be far more real than people are willing to admit. The footage leans heavily into isolation, paranoia, and psychological dread, with Scott’s character desperately trying to escape whatever presence is haunting him.

Hokum arrives in theaters May 1, 2026.

I LOVE BOOSTERS Brings Chaos, Color, and Commentary

From horror to high-energy satire, NEON shifted gears with I Love Boosters from Boots Riley, delivering one of the most visually vibrant and socially charged presentations of the panel.

Riley described the film as an attempt to create visceral, ride-like experiences for audiences, and the footage shown reportedly lives up to that vision. The exclusive look introduced Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige as a group navigating a chaotic and stylized world of fashion, theft, and rebellion.

In one standout moment, Palmer’s character watches a message from Demi Moore’s ruthless fashion mogul, sparking a larger conflict centered around stolen designs and power within the industry. The footage leans into humor and absurdity, including a scene where Palmer’s character awkwardly attempts to walk out of a store weighed down by stolen clothes.

The tone is bold, colorful, and unapologetically loud, with LaKeith Stanfield also appearing in a mysterious role tied to Palmer’s past.

I Love Boosters hits theaters May 22, 2026.

A PLACE IN HELL Delivers Tension-Driven Thriller Energy

NEON continued its strong showing with A Place in Hell, a thriller that reportedly drew comparisons to films like Fatal Attraction and Single White Female.

Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Michelle Williams, the story centers on a high-powered attorney whose life begins to unravel when her maternity leave replacement starts to blur professional and personal boundaries.

Footage shown during the presentation teased a slow-burn escalation of tension, with power dynamics shifting in increasingly unsettling ways. The chemistry between the two leads appears to drive the film, setting up what could be one of NEON’s most intense character-driven releases.

A Place in Hell is set to release in theaters Christmas 2026.

LEVITICUS Emerges as a Breakout Horror Contender

One of the most talked-about titles from NEON’s lineup, Leviticus, brought a darker and more emotionally layered kind of horror to the stage.

Fresh off its Sundance buzz, the film reportedly blends psychological terror with a deeply personal story. It follows two teenage boys in a conservative community who are subjected to a conversion therapy ritual that goes horribly wrong, unleashing a malevolent entity tied to their deepest desires.

The footage shown is described as provocative, terrifying, and deeply unsettling, with a focus on identity, control, and survival. Backed by producers of Talk to Me, the film looks poised to resonate both as a horror experience and a powerful narrative.

Leviticus arrives in theaters June 19, 2026.

HOPE Closes the Show with Massive Sci-Fi Spectacle

NEON closed its presentation with what may be its biggest swing yet, Hope, a sci-fi horror epic from Na Hong-jin.

The footage shown reportedly left a strong impression, blending large-scale destruction with intense creature-driven horror. Set in a remote harbor town near the DMZ, the story begins with what appears to be a localized incident before spiraling into a full-scale survival scenario involving mysterious creatures and a looming extraterrestrial threat.

Scenes described include massive alien-like entities, towering humanoid creatures, and large-scale destruction across both rural and urban environments. At one point, a massive object is seen crashing into Earth’s atmosphere, while other moments showcase chaotic encounters between humans and creatures reminiscent of something between A Quiet Place and Alien.

With a cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Hoyeon, Hope is already being positioned as a major theatrical event.

The film is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival before releasing in theaters in September 2026.

Final Thoughts

NEON’s CinemaCon 2026 presentation made one thing clear. This is a studio that is not chasing trends. It is creating its own lane.

From intimate psychological horror to large-scale sci-fi spectacle, the lineup reflects a commitment to bold storytelling and theatrical experiences that demand to be seen on the big screen. While other studios focused on familiarity, NEON leaned into originality, and in doing so, delivered one of the most distinctive presentations of the event.

Stay locked in with us at CritiX as we continue breaking down everything coming out of CinemaCon 2026.