Top Upcoming John Cena Movies to Watch to Catch Up on the WWE Star’s Growing Hollywood Career

Published 03/30/2026, 1:06 PM EDT

John Cena did not simply exit the ring; he choreographed a farewell worthy of his own mythology. After more than two decades as a defining figure in WWE, Cena concluded his in-ring career in December 2025 following a global farewell tour. That run included marquee stops at the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and a final WrestleMania in Las Vegas, before he closed with a symbolic loss to Gunther on December 13 during Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Even as John Cena stays tied to WWE, he is building an ambitious film slate that points to a strong Hollywood takeover.

1. Coyote vs. Acme

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

John Cena steps into a sharply different role in Coyote vs. Acme, a movie first dropped by Warner Bros. in 2023, blending live-action and animation in a satirical legal comedy. The film reimagines the long-suffering Wile E. Coyote as a plaintiff finally seeking justice against the Acme Corporation after years of disastrous gadget failures. What begins as a comedic lawsuit gradually exposes a deeper corporate scheme known as Project Sisyphus.

Cena portrays Buddy Crane, the calculating lead attorney defending Acme, whose courtroom presence is both intimidating and theatrically ruthless. Opposite him, Will Forte plays a struggling lawyer representing Wile E. Coyote, while Lana Condor and Luis Guzmán add depth to the eccentric legal world. Eric Bauza voices multiple characters, and the film is scheduled for theatrical release on August 28, 2026.

2. Matchbox: The Movie

John Cena takes the driver’s seat in Matchbox: The Movie, a globetrotting action-adventure inspired by the iconic Mattel toy line. The story follows a group of childhood friends whose lives are abruptly disrupted when their former leader reappears, pulling them into a dangerous international mission. What begins as a reunion quickly escalates into a race against time to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

Liv Morgan Returns and Instantly Becomes the X-Factor in WWE’s Hottest Faction

Cena plays Sean, the long-absent friend whose return hides a covert identity as an undercover CIA operative. His presence adds tension and intrigue as alliances are tested under pressure. The ensemble cast includes Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Arturo Castro, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, and Randeep Hooda, with the film set for a global release on Apple TV+ on October 9, 2026.

3. Little Brother

John Cena leans fully into comedy with Little Brother, a character-driven story that thrives on absurdity and emotional friction. The film follows a man whose carefully structured life begins to unravel when his so-called 'little brother' suddenly reappears. The twist, of course, is that this brother is anything but little, bringing chaos, humor, and unresolved history in equal measure.

Cena plays the titular 'little brother,' an eccentric and physically imposing presence whose return disrupts everything in sight. His performance is expected to balance offbeat humor with surprising warmth, especially opposite Eric André’s overwhelmed lead character. Michelle Monaghan adds further depth to the dynamic, with the film slated for release on Netflix sometime in 2026.

4. One Attempt Remaining

John Cena appears in One Attempt Remaining as proof that romance, like cryptocurrency, can appreciate under the most improbable circumstances. The film reunites a long-separated pair who discover that their past indiscretions now carry a rather lucrative consequence. Unfortunately, memory proves less reliable than the market, and the clock offers little sympathy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Cena plays one-half of the central ex-couple opposite Jennifer Garner, bringing a mix of urgency and reluctant charm to the partnership. Their uneasy reunion drives the narrative, while Kate McKinnon, Aimee Carrero, and Yara Shahidi round out the ensemble with comedic and emotional support. The film is currently in production for Netflix and is expected to arrive in late 2026.

With this, John Cena's evolving slate highlights his versatility, from playing a ruthless corporate lawyer and an undercover CIA agent to portraying one-half of a chaotic ex-couple and an eccentric, scene-stealing 'little brother.' These varied roles signal a performer actively redefining his screen identity. With Peacemaker Season 2 taking over Saturn TV Awards, it is an especially exciting time to watch him carve out a dynamic and unpredictable Hollywood path.

John Cena's 'Peacemaker' Beats 2026's 2 Biggest Returning TV Shows for Saturn Award 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Are you excited for John Cena's new era as an actor? Let us know in the comments!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Iffat Siddiqui

880 articles

Iffat is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. A word wizard, she had the sorting hat smoke at the seams owing to her excellence in everything Hollywood and cinema until it finally declared that she belonged to the Royals, specifically Meghan Markle. Boasting over 300 articles (and counting), each one tastefully infused with the right mix of facts, wit, opinion, and essentially everything to make a perfect pop culture piece, she is the epitome of a trustworthy entertainment journalist.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK