From BTS to Marvel's Avengers, here are 7 of the biggest comebacks this 2026

2026 has only just begun, but it's already shaping up to be a massive year for pop culture.

From global superstars to blockbuster franchises, some of the biggest names are returning to the spotlight after a long wait. No doubt, these highly anticipated comebacks are set to become defining cultural moments.

K-pop giants BTS and Blackpink return to dominate

Kicking the year off strong is BTS, whose announcement of their world tour made waves around the globe. The members of the legendary South Korean group have completed their mandatory military service and are set to end their four-year hiatus with a new group album in March.

On Wednesday, BTS officially announced their world tour, which will kick off in April, with stops in 34 regions and across five continents. There are 79 shows so far with more tour dates to be announced.

BTS debuted in 2013 under BigHit Music, and rose to fame with hits like "Fake Love," "DNA," and "Idol," and later dominating the US market with "Dynamite" and "Butter." The trailblazing group has set multiple records, and boasts five Grammy nominations under their name.

Following BTS' announcement, Blackpink came out with exciting news of their own: they're finally making a comeback with a mini-album called "Deadline," which is the title of their ongoing world tour. 

The EP comes out on February 27 at 12 p.m. Philippine time. Their latest single "Jump" dropped in July last year.

Arguably the biggest girl group in K-pop in present times, Blackpink is known for hits like "Kill This Love," "BOOMBAYAH," "How You Like That," and "Shut Down." They debuted in 2016 under YG Entertainment.

Bruno Mars to release new album after 10 years

It's hard to believe that Bruno Mars hasn't released an album in 10 years, but it's a fact. Not counting his Silk Sonic project with Anderson .Paak, the hitmaker's last album was "24K Magic" in 2016.

His music, however, is timeless — from angsty ballads like "Grenade" and "Talking to the Moon" to fun bops like "That's What I Like" and "Finesse," Bruno can turn anything he touches into gold. Case in point: his collaborations, "Die With A Smile" with Lady Gaga and "APT." with Rosé, went on to become mega-hits.

That said, everyone's looking forward to what Bruno will have in store for the world with his upcoming new album "The Romantic." It is scheduled for release in February 27.

Earlier this month, he already released his first single, "I Just Might."

The Avengers assemble after 7 years

The Avengers are making a return to the big screen! The Marvel Cinematic Universe's heroes, old and new, are assembling to fight a familiar face: Robert Downey Jr., who's playing the big villain, Dr. Doom.

"Avengers: Doomsday," which will be released seven years after the 2019 blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," is already shaping up to be the biggest movie event of the year. As early as December, the Russo Brothers have been releasing teasers and dropping revelations, particularly who to expect in the film, like Chris Evans' Captain America and Chris Hemsworth's Thor.

Excitingly, Marvel is bringing the OG X-Men stars along to the adventure: Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Ian McKellen's Magneto, and James Marsden's Cyclops.

The latest teaser revealed the Wakandans and The Fantastic Four meeting in Wakanda.

"Avengers: Doomsday" will premiere on December 18.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' brings players back to Vice City

"Grand Theft Auto" is coming out with a new installment after 13 years.

Rockstar Games sparked anticipation following the announcement of "Grand Theft Auto VI," which will be set in Miami-inspired Vice City. Based on the trailer, it's full of fast cars, parties, and beach-side city views.

The video game franchise, created by David Jones and Mike Dailly, started all the way back in 1997, with the last installment releasing in 2013. There's no doubt that gamers will be tuning in for the new game's release — assuming it does get released. Rockstar Games has already delayed it a few times.

As per the company's latest announcement, "Grand Theft Auto VI" will launch on November 19.

'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 introduces the Culling Game

One of the most popular anime series of all time, with a Guinness World Record of "most in-demand animated TV show," "Jujutsu Kaisen" is finally back after two years of waiting.

After the intense and heart-wrenching second season, the show returned with Season 3, which premiered with an hour-long episode earlier this January.

Season 3 is all about the Culling Game, which puts Okkotsu Yuuta back in the spotlight — and it's bound to be even more intense than the Shibuya Incident.

Created by Gege Akutami, "Jujutsu Kaisen" follows Itadori Yuuji in his quest to defeat Sukuna, the King of Curses.

Christopher Nolan returns with epic

After the critically-acclaimed "Oppenheimer," based on the life story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan has set his sights on Homer.

The famous director has gathered a stellar lineup of Hollywood actors, led by Matt Damon, to adapt Homer's epic "Odyssey." Damon stars as Odysseus, who journeys to return home to his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and son Telemachus (Tom Holland).

The casting has been making waves the past year or so, as the lineup also includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and many more.

"The Odyssey" is set for an international theatrical release on July 15.

Among Nolan's works are "Inception" (2010), "Interstellar" (2014), "Dunkirk" (2017), and the Batman movies starring Christian Bale.

'Euphoria' continues after 4-year hiatus

"Euphoria," the series that birthed a new generation of superstars, not to mention persisting memes, is finally getting a continuation!

After four years, Season 3 is arriving on HBO, and the characters are still making messes, five years after high school. Most notably, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) is on OnlyFans and engaged to Nate (Jacob Elordi), and Rue (Zendaya) has found herself involved with drug cartels.

Sweeney and Elordi are among the cast members who shot to fame thanks to "Euphoria." Sweeney went on to star in the rom-com "Anyone But You" with Glenn Powell, and most recently, "The Housemaid" with Amanda Seyfried.

Elordi meanwhile showed off his range by playing Elvis Presley in "Priscilla" and Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's adaptation. He is set to play Heathcliff in the upcoming film "Wuthering Waves" by Emerald Fennell.

Zendaya, of course, was already famous thanks to her Disney and Spider-Man days. Meanwhile, Hunter Schafer has been making waves in modeling and fashion events.

Fans are already looking forward to the return of these stars to the storyline of "Euphoria," which deals with love, drugs, and social media — and of course, whether we'll get more iconic lines like "B-tch, you better be joking" and "Is this f-cking show about us?"

"Euphoria" Season 3 is set to be released on April 12. —JCB, GMA Integrated News