Mr. Magazine™ Data Signals What New Magazine Growth Means for 2026

For years, I have gauged my belief in the health of print not by endless debates about its “future,” but by the steady fall and rise of new magazine launches. Note that I deliberately say the status of print, not its future. As long as we have humans, we are going to have print. End of discussion. And for those who know my writing and analysis, you already know my view: it is only a magazine if it is ink on paper.

That is why it was genuinely satisfying to find the debut issue of Hoffman Media’s The Supper Club with Lydia Menzies waiting in my mailbox, followed shortly by the first issue of Roads & Kingdoms, a magazine dedicated to the late chef Anthony Bourdain, arriving on Christmas Eve. There is still something deeply meaningful about holding a thoughtfully produced publication in your hands, turning pages, absorbing design, photography and storytelling in a way screens simply cannot replicate.

Those two titles were part of a much larger story. In total, 69 new magazines launched in 2025, representing an increase over 2024, as the accompanying chart illustrates. In a media environment often dominated by headlines about contraction and consolidation, this upward movement quietly signals confidence, creativity and continued investment in print.

Notably, the 2025 launches included Art Bar, Bonnie Christine’s Pattern, Southlands, Outlander, Permanent Record, The Street and Heartbeat. These titles span culture, lifestyle, design, food and storytelling, reflecting how publishers continue to carve out passionate niche audiences rather than chasing mass scale.

For communications leaders, marketers and media partners looking ahead to 2026, this data matters. New magazine launches signal not nostalgia, but opportunity. They reflect sustained advertiser interest, engaged readership communities and a belief that premium storytelling still commands attention and trust. Print remains a powerful brand environment, especially when paired thoughtfully with digital platforms and experiential extensions.

The takeaway is simple: print is not disappearing. It is evolving, diversifying and reaffirming its place in the media ecosystem. If 2025 showed renewed momentum in new launches, 2026 may well continue that trajectory, rewarding those who understand how to leverage print’s credibility, intimacy and lasting impact.