Anne Hathaway marked the release of her fifth film of 2026, the psychological thriller Verity, by posting an Instagram video where she jokingly vanishes into a puff of smoke. The Oscar-winning actress is now stepping away from the spotlight to begin maternity leave ahead of welcoming her third child.
Anne Hathaway Vanishes in Instagram Video After Verity Release
As her latest film hit theaters nationwide, Anne Hathaway vanished into a plume of smoke in a cheeky social media post marking the end of promotional events for five different movies released this year.
The 43-year-old Oscar winner shared a video on Instagram showing herself getting ready while talking about heading to the premiere. Right as she mentions the release schedule, an animated burst of smoke appears on screen, leaving one of her team members asking where she went.
Faux news headlines then flash across the screen, declaring that the actress had simply evaporated and vanished. Hathaway capped off the clip by thanking fans for their support during an incredible, unforgettable year, adding the message, Zendaya, Tom, Rob, Florence — bring it home!
to wish other stars well with their upcoming projects.
Box Office Success and a Packed 2026 Film Slate
The theatrical run concluded with Verity opening at No. 1 at the box office with an estimated $32.7 million. Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, the psychological thriller follows struggling ghostwriter Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson, who moves in with injured novelist Verity Crawford, portrayed by Hathaway, and her husband Jeremy, played by Josh Hartnett. The story also features the mysterious death of Verity’s young daughter, Harper, played by Sienna Kulovitz.
Hathaway’s staggering schedule across 2026 featured a diverse array of genres and characters:
- Mother Mary: A pop star amid an identity crisis, released in April.
- The Devil Wears Prada 2: A comedy-drama sequel reuniting Hathaway with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci as Andy Sachs navigates magazine publishing, released in May.
- The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation featuring a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson, where Hathaway played queen Penelope of Ithaca, released in July.
- The End of Oak Street: An ensemble film starring alongside Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, and Christian Convery about a family displaced by a cosmic event, released in August.
- Verity: A suspense thriller, released in October.
Balancing Back-to-Back Press Tours While Expecting a Baby
Managing five simultaneous press tours while pregnant brought unique logistical hurdles. She is already mom to sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, 6.
Reflecting on her schedule, Hathaway told the Hollywood Reporter that when she first received her calendar for the year from the film studios, she thought she was being punked. She admitted she initially worried that having five films out at once would be too much exposure for audiences, noting she wouldn’t blame people for getting sick of her face.
“These guys have carried me through this press tour. There’s a whole team of people behind this fabulous rock wall. I’m so cared for and looked after, and I wish everybody who was expecting had the same level of support that I do.”
Anne Hathaway, via Yahoo
Stepping Away From the Spotlight for Maternity Leave
She noted that her schedule will now revolve entirely around her kids, allowing her to enjoy self-indulgent activities like going to a yoga class.
However, the break has a definite expiration date. Hathaway is scheduled to join Tom Cruise on track in March 2027 to begin filming the recently announced Days of Thunder sequel.
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