Pedro Pascal's 2026 Comeback Is Officially Underway

It's been a strange year so far for Pedro Pascal. Heading into 2026, fans were excited to see the actor star in two of the year's biggest movies. However, the first proved to be an underwhelming theatrical performer, thanks in no small part to the unlikely viral success of horror favorites Backrooms and Obsession. The Mandalorian and Grogu was intended to be the must-watch transition to the big screen for Pascal's titular Star Wars bounty hunter. Instead, it made just $345 million against a reported budget of $165 million.

Mixed reviews from critics and the failure to dominate at the box office make The Mandalorian and Grogu one of the biggest blockbuster disappointments of the year. However, it is very unlikely that Pascal's second film of 2026 will be just as disappointing. Following his debut as Reed Richards in 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pascal will rejoin Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which directors Joe and Anthony Russo have promised to be a "complete reinvention" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It's just over two months until the clock strikes Doomsday and, following the disappointment of Mandalorian and Grogu, it looks as if Pascal is getting back on track just in time. Following its premiere at the 64th New York Film Festival on October 2, Pascal's second film of the year, Behemoth!, has earned rave reviews from those lucky enough to be present. At the time of writing, Behemoth! boasts a strong 85% average rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes. A synopsis for the film reads:

"A gifted cellist, Alex Serian (Pedro Pascal), returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road. Music, which has been the constant, all-consuming river of his life, begins to carry Alex on an adventure that will change him forever."

What Have Critics Said About 'Behemoth!'?

An 85% score suggests Behemoth! could be Pascal's best movie in quite some time, with critics glowing in their praise of the film. "The film is playful. It’s not a symphony -- it’s a scherzo," wrote Variety's Owen Gleiberman, with Deadline's Peter Hammond describing the film as "a gorgeous and glorious tribute to those who make the music that help make movies like this one so much richer." Some are even predicting Pascal as a contender for the Best Actor trophy come 2027's Oscars night, but there's plenty of campaigning to be done before that.