Anne Hathaway is having a landmark year in 2026. With five major films releasing, a third pregnancy announcement, and widespread critical acclaim, the Oscar-winning actress is enjoying one of the most successful phases of her career. From her breakthrough role in The Princess Diaries to her iconic performance in The Devil Wears Prada, and now her highly anticipated return in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Hathaway continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This article explores everything you need to know about Anne Hathaway in 2026, including her upcoming movies, personal life, fascinating connection to William Shakespeare, and complete career journey.
Who Is Anne Hathaway?
Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress born on November 12, 1982 in Brooklyn, New York. She is a highly acclaimed performer who has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. As of 2026, she is 43 years old and shows no signs of slowing down.
Her films have grossed over $6.8 billion worldwide, making her one of the most commercially successful actresses of her generation. In 2015, she was among the world’s highest-paid actresses, and in 2024, she was included on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
Hathaway began her career with the television series Get Real (1999–2000) before achieving worldwide fame as the lead in her film debut, The Princess Diaries (2001). She received her first Academy Award nomination for Rachel Getting Married (2008) and won her first Oscar for Les Misérables (2012) , where she portrayed Fantine. Her ability to seamlessly transition between comedy, drama, and musical roles has made her one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actresses.
Beyond acting, Hathaway is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for gender equality and women’s rights. She has been vocal about issues such as paid parental leave, equal pay, and ending child marriage. Her philanthropic work has earned her widespread respect and admiration.
Anne Hathaway’s 2026 Movies: A Remarkable Year
2026 marks a record in Hathaway’s career with five major film releases. This unprecedented volume of work demonstrates her incredible work ethic and continued relevance in Hollywood. Here is a detailed overview of all her projects:
Mother Mary (April 2026)
This psychological thriller, written and directed by David Lowery, was released in April 2026. Hathaway plays a global pop star named Mother Mary, who is reunited with her costume designer (played by Michaela Coel) with disastrous results. The film explores themes of fame, identity, and the dark side of celebrity culture.
For this role, Hathaway released her first-ever official single titled “Burial, which was co-written by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, and George Daniel. The album Mother Mary: Greatest Hits features seven songs and was released on streaming platforms on April 17, 2026. Critics have noted her powerful vocal performance, with some speculating she could be in the running for a Grammy Award, which would bring her closer to achieving the coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status. This marks a significant milestone in her career, as she has never released original music before.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 2026)
This highly anticipated sequel was released on May 1, 2026. Hathaway reprises her iconic role as Andy Sachs, reuniting with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. The film picks up 20 years after the original, with Andy now working as an investigative journalist who is recruited by Runway magazine to help reverse its fortunes after a PR nightmare.
The film has been both a critical and commercial success, grossing nearly $700 million to date. Fans have praised the chemistry between the original cast members, and the film has been lauded for its sharp commentary on the changing media landscape. Hathaway has expressed her joy at returning to the role that made her a household name, noting that playing Andy Sachs again felt like “coming home.”
• The Odyssey (July 2026)
This is one of the year’s most anticipated films. Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey is an epic adaptation of Homer’s classic poem. Hathaway plays Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus (played by Matt Damon). The film also features Tom Holland as their son.
Hathaway has described working with Nolan again, after The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Interstellar (2014), as a “homecoming”. She credited her happy marriage for inspiring her performance, noting that “in a time when so many marriages were made for political convenience, the two of them chose each other.” The film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. Critics are already praising her performance as one of the film’s highlights, with strong Oscar buzz. The film’s epic scale and Nolan’s visionary direction have generated immense anticipation among moviegoers.
The End of Oak Street (August 2026)
This dystopian sci-fi film is directed by David Robert Mitchell and stars Hathaway alongside Ewan McGregor as suburban parents whose street is transported to a mysterious location by a cosmic anomaly. The film explores themes of isolation, survival, and the fragility of suburban life. It is scheduled for release on August 15, 2026.
• Verity (October 2026)
Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover, this thriller features Hathaway as the titular character Verity Crawford, a successful author who enlists a writer to help complete her series after an accident. The film has generated massive buzz due to the popularity of the source material. Hathaway’s portrayal of the complex and morally ambiguous Verity has already been praised by early reviewers. The film is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.
• Alone at Dawn (Future Release)
Hathaway also has a sixth film in post-production. She stars alongside Adam Driver in this war drama, which tells the true story of John A. Chapman, a combat controller posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The film is expected to be released in 2027.
Anne Hathaway’s Personal Life: Husband and Children
Anne Hathaway has always maintained a relatively private personal life, but she has shared some intimate details with her fans over the years.
Husband: Adam Shulman
Anne Hathaway’s husband is Adam Shulman, an actor and producer. The couple began dating in 2008 and got married on September 29, 2012 at a private ceremony in Big Sur, California. They have been together for over 18 years and are considered one of Hollywood’s most stable and grounded couples.
Hathaway has spoken about how her happy marriage with Shulman inspired her performance as Penelope in The Odyssey. She noted that her real-life experience of a loving, committed relationship helped her bring authenticity to the role.
Children: Jonathan and Jack
The couple has two sons together:
• Jonathan was born in 2016, making him 10 years old in 2026.
• Jack was born in 2019, making him 6 years old in 2026.
Hathaway has been open about her struggles with infertility and conception, noting in a previous announcement that “it was not a straight line to either of my pregnancies.” She has spoken about the importance of supporting women who struggle with fertility issues.
Hathaway has been open about her struggles with infertility and conception, noting in a previous announcement that “it was not a straight line to either of my pregnancies.” She has spoken about the importance of supporting women who struggle with fertility issues.
• Third Pregnancy (2026)
In June 2026, Hathaway announced she is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman. She referred to the baby as her “buzzer beater” and expressed surprise that they were able to conceive at this stage in her life.
The announcement was made via a video on her Instagram page, with the song “Baby, I’m Yours” playing in the background. She has received an outpouring of love and support from fans and fellow celebrities alike. This pregnancy comes during one of the busiest years of her career, with five major film releases and extensive promotion tours. Her ability to balance such a demanding career with family life has made her a role model for many working mothers.
Anne Hathaway’s Connection to William Shakespeare
The actress has a fascinating historical connection. She was reportedly named after the wife of William Shakespeare, who was also named Anne Hathaway.
• The Historical Anne Hathaway
The historical Anne Hathaway (1556-1623) was the wife of William Shakespeare. She married Shakespeare in November 1582 while pregnant with their first child. She was 26 years old at the time, while Shakespeare was only 18. They had three children together: Susanna (1583), and twins Hamnet and Judith (1585).
The Hathaway family home in Shottery, near Stratford-upon-Avon, is now a major tourist attraction. Very little is known about her personality beyond a few references in legal documents, but she has been the subject of much speculation by historians.
• The Eerie Connection
Internet users have pointed out a strange coincidence: Anne Hathaway’s husband, Adam Shulman, reportedly bears a resemblance to portraits of William Shakespeare. This has led to viral social media discussions about the actress’s “eerie connection” to the Shakespeare family. Some fans have even joked that Shulman could be a reincarnation of the famous playwright.
Anne Hathaway’s Songs and Music Career
While primarily an actress, Hathaway has also made significant contributions to music:
Les Misérables (2012)
She famously performed “I Dreamed a Dream” as Fantine in Les Misérables, a role that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance of the song was hailed as one of the most powerful moments in the film and is widely regarded as one of the best musical performances in cinema history.
• Mother Mary (2026)
Hathaway released her first-ever official single, “Burial” for Mother Mary, co-written by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, and George Daniel. The full album Mother Mary: Greatest Hits was released on April 17, 2026. The album features seven songs that showcase Hathaway’s vocal range and emotional depth.
• Other Musical Performances
She also performed multiple songs for Ella Enchanted (2004) , including “Somebody to Love” and “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart.” She sang a brief song in The Princess Diaries 2 and performed several songs in the animated film Rio (2011). Hathaway trained as a soprano and sang with the All-Eastern U.S. High School Honors Chorus at Carnegie Hall between 1998 and 1999.
Anne Hathaway’s Age and Early Life
How Old Is Anne Hathaway?
Anne Hathaway was born on November 12, 1982, making her 43 years old in 2026.
• Early Life
She grew up in Millburn, New Jersey, after the family moved there when she was six years old. She was raised Roman Catholic and briefly wanted to become a nun but left the church at age 15 after learning her older brother was gay.
She attended Vassar College as an English major and political science minor before transferring to New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Hathaway spent several semesters studying and never regretted not completing her degree, as she enjoyed being with others who were trying to grow up.
• Acting Debut
At age 15, after watching her mother perform in Les Misérables, Hathaway knew she wanted to act. She made her screen debut in the television series Get Real (1999-2000) and made her film debut in The Princess Diaries (2001)
Career Milestones
• The Princess Diaries (2001) – Breakthrough role as Mia Thermopolis.
• The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) – Continued her success.
• The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – Starred alongside Meryl Streep.
• Rachel Getting Married (2008) – First Academy Award nomination.
Major Achievements
• Les Misérables (2012) – Won Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – Starred as Selina Kyle / Catwoman.
• Interstellar (2014) – Reunited with Christopher Nolan.
• The Intern (2015) – Box office success with Robert De Niro.
• Ocean’s 8 (2018) – Part of all-female ensemble cast.
• The Idea of You (2024) – Recent romantic drama.
Awards
• Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress, Les Misérables)
• Golden Globe Award
• BAFTA Award
• Primetime Emmy Award (for guest voice role on The Simpsons)
Anne Hathaway’s Philanthropy and Advocacy
Beyond acting, Anne Hathaway is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, appointed in 2016. She advocates for gender equality, women’s rights, and paid parental leave. She has delivered powerful speeches at the United Nations and has been recognized for her humanitarian work.
She has also been involved in organizations such as:
• The Equal Justice Initiative
• The Girl Effect
• The Creative Coalition
Anne Hathaway’s career in 2026 is nothing short of extraordinary. With five major film releases, a third pregnancy, and continued philanthropic work, she remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved and respected figures. From her iconic roles to her powerful performances, Hathaway has proven time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
Her ability to balance a demanding career with family life, while maintaining her advocacy work for women’s rights, makes her a true role model for millions of people around the world. As she enters the next chapter of her life and career, Anne Hathaway continues to inspire and captivate audiences with her talent, grace, and authenticity.
