As we count down the days until the first of January, it’s time for my annual peek into the crystal ball to see what science fiction is coming out over the next twelve months. Don’t take anything on this list as gospel, because publishing is a tricky business and dates do get shifted around. That being said, here’s what I’m looking forward to.

January

19th – Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Season 1) – An idea that has been suggested and rumoured for at least two decades finally arrives on the small screen. It’s set in the 32nd century, but with a mix of young newcomers and Trek veterans involved, I’m optimistic that this show can bring something new to the Trek canon.

February

Nothing that I’m aware of.

March

3rd – Jitterbug, by Gareth L. Powell – ‘ve had a mixed experience with Powell’s latest novels, but standalone space operas are always a thing to be welcomed. I’ve got an ARC of this one, so expect a review somewhen before publication day.

13th – Angus McSix and the All-Seeing Astral Eye – There’s a new lead singer in town (and a new drummer, and a new guitarist), but power metal’s most stupid band are back for some brainless yet undeniably catchy songs, and I am here for it.

20th – Project Hail Mary – The big-screen adaptation of Andy Weir’s most recent novel sees Ryan Gosling take the lead as an amnesiac who must save the world. I really enjoyed the book, so maybe I’ll see this one in the cinema.

24th – Planetside #5: Blindside, by Michael Mammay – I haven’t read Darkside yet, but this series is one of the reasons I’m a blogger, and I am happy to see that Carl Butler’s saga isn’t over just yet.

26th – Children of Time #4: Children of Strife, by Adrian Tchaikovsky – Another Tchaikovsky sci fi is always a cause for celebration, and this return to Portia’s descendants is high up my priority list.

April

8th – The Boys (Season 5) – In all honesty, this show has probably gone on for too long, but the confirmed final season means we get one more outing for sweary heroes, horrible villains, and more gore than you could work out what to do with.

14th – The Captive’s War #2: The Faith of Beasts, by James S. A. Corey – I had a mixed reaction to the start of Corey’s new space opera, but now that the groundwork has been laid, I look forward to seeing what comes next.

28th – Star Trek: Picard: To Defy Fate, by Dayton Ward – I’m slowly playing catch-up with the Picard novels, but the combination of this one being set after the events of the final season, and featuring Wesley Crusher, has me intrigued. I hope to get to this one sooner rather than later.

May

5th – Squad Kill, by Jack Campbell – This standalone marks another diversion from Campbell’s Lost Fleet universe, and the synopsis hints at a slightly more humourous approach to military SF. I’ll be interested to see how Campbell handles the change of style.

22nd – Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu – For the first time since the Rise of SKywalker, a new Star Wars film heads for the silver screen. As the less than imaginative name suggests, this one follows on from The Mandalorian. I expect a trip to the cinema will be in order.

June

25th – Green City Wars, by Adrian Tchaikovsky – Another Tchaikovsky novel? You bet it is. This one looks set to be a dystopia involving uplifted animals. Do I know any details? No. But it’s Tchaikovsky, so I’m in.

July

Nothing that I’m aware of.

August

13th – Preaching to the Choir, by Adrian Tchaikovsky – The first of two Tchaikovsky novellas for 2026, this is a standalone that doesn’t sound very science fiction, but likely more along gothic horror lines. Nevertheless, you never know with Tchaikovsky’s sorter work, so I’m including it here.

September

1st – Elder Race #2: Engines of Reason, by Adrian Tchaikovsky – I don’t think many people had a sequel to Elder Race on their 2026 bingo, but here it is to cap off a year of Tchaikovsky. the original was one of the best approaches to science fantasy I’ve ever read, so it will be fascinating to see how Tchaikovsky builds on that incredibly strong original.

October

Nothing that I’m aware of.

November

19th – Unknown Title, by Stephen Baxter – This is floating around Amazon at present without any details. It might not be real, but it fits Baxter’s release schedule, so I’ve got my fingers crossed.

December

8th – Frontlines: Evolutions: Cygnus, by Marko Kloos – Since I got the first two books in this series for Christmas, it’s only fair that I read them in time to get to the third.

18th – Dune: Part Three – Once again, I’m behind on things, having not seen Part Two. But since this looks set to essentially adapt Dune Messiah (with a more market-friendly title), I’m going to have to sort that out.

TBA

Warhammer 40,000: Apostle, by David Annandale – Annandale returns to the grimdark future with a story of the Word Bearers. Despite my general antipathy towards Chaos Space Marines, Annandale has good form when it comes to the more nebulous side of the galaxy, so I look forward to reading this new standalone.

Warhammer 40,000: Death Rider, by Rhuairidh James – I thought I’d had my fill of Krieg novels, but then along comes James and adds cavalry to the mix. The promise of a non-Krieg commissar as the main character also has me interested. If James’s short fiction is anything to go by, this one has all the ingredients of a winner.

As usual, I’m sure I’ve overlooked or forgotten something. If there’s anything you’re interested in that’s not on my list, let me know in the comments.