Angelina Jolie Returns to Action Films While Maintaining Humanitarian Focus
LOS ANGELES, 26 January 2026 – Academy Award-winning actress and director Angelina Jolie is navigating a pivotal year, marked by a highly anticipated return to the action genre and continued, high-profile humanitarian advocacy. The 50-year-old star has commenced production on the thriller Sunny, her first major action role in five years, while simultaneously using her platform to draw attention to international crises, most recently with a visit to the Egypt-Gaza border.
A Gritty Cinematic Comeback
Jolie’s new film, Sunny, is described as a dark, character-driven thriller that reimagines classic mafia tropes. Directed by Eva Sørhaug (Tokyo Vice), the story follows a fierce, street-smart mother who must orchestrate an escape for herself and her two sons from a violent drug kingpin after a catastrophic event. Jolie also serves as a producer on the project, which is expected for release in late 2026 or early 2027.
Producers have praised her early work on the film. Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures called Jolie “a tour-de-force,” adding that audiences “are going to be shocked by what she brings with this riveting character.” The film is currently in production, with filming reported in New York’s Hudson Valley through late January.
Humanitarian Mission at the Rafah Border
Just weeks before the Sunny announcement, Jolie travelled to Rafah, Egypt, on 2 January 2026 to visit the border crossing with Gaza. In her capacity as a former special envoy for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), she met with injured Palestinians, humanitarian workers from the Red Crescent, and aid truck drivers. The visit underscored her long-standing commitment to refugee and human rights issues, following a similar mission to Kherson, Ukraine, in late 2025.
Jolie has been an outspoken critic of the conflict in Gaza, having previously condemned “the deliberate bombing of a trapped population” and called for a humanitarian ceasefire.
Upcoming Projects: 2026-2027 Slate
Jolie’s schedule remains densely packed with diverse film projects spanning multiple genres, showcasing her range as both an actress and a director.
| Project | Role | Status / Release |
|---|---|---|
| Couture | Actor (as filmmaker Maxine Walker) | Release scheduled for 18 February 2026 |
| Sunny | Actor & Producer | In production; Late 2026 / Early 2027 release |
| Maria (2024) | Actor (as Maria Callas) | Released; earned Golden Globe nomination |
| Without Blood (2024/2025) | Director, Writer, Producer | Released |
| Maleficent 3 | Actor | In pre-production |
| Maude v Maude | Actor & Producer (with Halle Berry) | In pre-production |
| Every Note Played | Actor (opposite Christoph Waltz) | In pre-production |
| Anxious People | Actor | In pre-production |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Angelina Jolie’s last action film?
Jolie’s last major action projects were in 2021: she played the warrior Thena in Marvel’s Eternals and a smokejumper in Those Who Wish Me Dead.
What humanitarian work is she known for?
Angelina Jolie served as a Goodwill Ambassador and later Special Envoy for the UNHCR for over two decades, visiting refugee crises in more than 30 countries. She founded several charities, including the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).
Has she directed any films?
Yes, Jolie is an accomplished director. Her credits include In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), By the Sea (2015), First They Killed My Father (2017), and most recently, Without Blood (2024).
What awards has she won?
Jolie has won an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, among numerous other honours. In 2013, she received the Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.