VOTE: What Are The BEST Movies Of 2026 So Far?
Giphy Images.We're about 3/4ths through the year right now and approaching contender release time, so it's time to reflect on what I think the 10 best movies of 2026 are and have you guys vote on it as well. I'll start with some movies that aren't quite honorable mentions but options I think more people should watch.
HEART OF THE BEAST
After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces veteran James Belmont and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements.
Dir. David Ayer (End of Watch, Fury) | Starring: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons
I was hesitant on this one but, at its core, this is a pure, no frills survival thriller. And from a technical standpoint, it crushes. Beautiful landscapes (the DP and location scouts were doing Kobe/shaq numbers in New Zealand), great action and real stakes that you can feel vs a lot of green screen attempts in the genre.
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POWER BALLAD
Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves.
Dir. John Carney (Sing Street) | Starring: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas
This is a super charming movie with a ton of heart. Rudd delivers everything you already love him for plus some pretty great dramatic moments. Good story, catchy music and a great time. Also, great date movie if you're looking for one.
Available to rent
COYOTE VS ACME
After enduring years of malfunctioning products, Wile E. Coyote teams up with a local personal injury attorney to take on ACME, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters.
Dir. Dave Green (TMNT Out of the Shadows) | Starring: Will Forte, John Cena
I didn't know what to expect after the canceled release but the hybrid look works great, they play the hits with the slapstick humor, there’s plenty of laughs and the concept is super fun. Then, at the end of it, you get a really earnest message about the value of effort in the face of failure.
Available to rent
ONSLAUGHT
When a rogue squad of genetically engineered super soldiers break loose in the desert, a badass Army sniper must unleash hell to protect her young daughter.
Dir. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs Kong) | Starring: Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Eric Wareheim
This movie is a love letter to the 80s action movies of James Cameron and John Carpenter. It's a retro concept with a great vibe and awesome action. I imagine it will have a great second life on streaming.
Available to rent
HONORABLE MENTIONS
HOPE
A mysterious discovery is made on the outskirts of the remote harbor town. The residents find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before.
Dir. Na Hong-jin (The Wailing) | Starring: Hwang Jung-Min, Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander
One of the most all-over-the-place experiences I’ve had in a movie. You go from scary monster scenes to a 10 minute Tim Robinson-esque aside. From Resident Evil video game camera angle chases to uncle Eddie characters. From some of the coolest practical set work of the year to CGI beasts built on a PlayStation 2 graphics engine. I think it’s a big time “buy in” movie. I had fun, scratched my head a lot and can’t make sense of the final landing point. But I’ll be damned if I don’t wanna see it again.
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THE WEIGHT
Desperate to save what is left of his family, during the height of the Great Depression, a battle-scarred veteran is hired to help smuggle a fortune in gold across 100 miles of impenetrable wilderness.
Dir. Padraic McKinley (The Good Lord Bird (now doing Sicario 3 too) | Starring: Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe
'Sorcerer' with a dash of 'Three Kings' and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a classic story that's shot beautifully and is anchored by a really strong Hawke performance. There are some really strong supporting roles as well (George Burgess should play a heavy in every movie moving forward) which impressed the hell out of me.
Not available yet
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY
A forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.
Dir. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi, Wonderman) | Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya
Story-wise, this is nothing you haven't seen before. The hero sacrifices his personal happiness for the safety of the ones he loves + a misunderstood person does bad things for a good reason. It's familiar, but it's not presented in a way that feels stale. It intersects these two stories in a phenomenal dance that finishes off with a very solid third act. What takes it to another level is that this is, to me, the best Holland has been in the role and by far the most Zendaya has been allowed to actually act (she crushes). Sadie Sink also established herself as the best live-action Jean Grey within minutes.
Available to rent
THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD
Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, Robin Hood finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance at salvation.
Dir. Michael Sarnoski (Pig) | Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgard
'The Northman' meets 'Unforgiven'. Jackman is awesome in what is a really nuanced and difficult role. Comer, as always, is incredible and is BORN for these period pieces. Murray Bartlett and Bill Skarsgard are so transformed that they're practically unrecognizable. Visually, Sarnoski and Scola just get it. 35mm film, real locations in Northern Ireland, fields, mud, mist. It all adds this tactile feel that is so often missing from movies now. An absolutely stunning movie visually.
Available to rent
CRIME 101
A meticulous jewel thief risks his flawless record against an equally obsessive detective and a volatile rival, while an underestimated insurance broker turns accomplice after decades of professional disrespect.
Dir. Bart Layton (American Animals) | Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan
The marketing and trailers really let this one down because what was made to look like a streamer-level action movie is really an atmospheric, layered slow-burn. You basically watch 3 character perspectives have their balloons inflated to the point of popping at the same time as they intersect and its awesome. Great cinematography, complimentary music for a LA heist movie, certainly cliche at points but not in a way that makes you roll your eyes. Really enjoyed it and never felt the 2:20 runtime at all.
Streaming on PRIME VIDEO
TOP-10
10. PRIMETIME
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In 2006, To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history.
Dir. Lance Oppenheim (Ren Faire) | Starring: Robert Pattinson, Merritt Weaver, Skyler Gisondo
This movie is everything I had hoped for. Instead of being a biopic on Hansen, it's really a concise, sometimes hallucinogenic look into a small stretch of the show's history. And while some people took this as some sort of pro-pedo movie, I never felt that way at all. I feel like they are portrayed as vile, scum of the earth people but the bigger thesis is on ego and how you can do a good thing for bad reasons.
Not available yet
9. 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE
As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal's gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world.
Dir. Nia DaCosta (Candyman) | Starring: Ralph Feinnes, Jack O'Connell
Nia DaCosta took the reins of a very distinctive filmmaker in Boyle and was able to not only replicate his style when it mattered but put her own mark on it as well. The cast was incredible. Feinnes and O’Connell do an amazing dance with each of them drawing you in with totally different types of charisma. I don’t think it has quite the same A/V flare as its predecessor, but the story and characters are elevated to a point where it doesn’t matter. It’s gruesome and thoughtful at the same time.
Available to rent
8. THE SHEEP DETECTIVES
Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it.
Dir. Kyle Balda (MInions) | Starring: Hugh Jackman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
I had pretty low expectations for this movie but I was blown away but how much I loved it. A delightful, charming story that combines what makes a movie like 'Paddington' work but puts it in the world of a great whodunnit.
Streaming on PRIME VIDEO
7. TONY
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A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.
Dir. Matt Johnson (Blackberry) | Starring: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones
I won't claim to be a Bourdain super-fan, but I enjoyed this a lot. It's more of a great, coming-of-age story that happens to be about Bourdain than a traditional biopic. Some great laughs, killer performances and solid music choices throughout.
Available to rent
6. THE DRAMA
A happily-engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
Dir. Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) | Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
I think this is one of the most misunderstood movies of the year. People hated it because you can't root for anyone but that's what I love about it. It’s funny, really well acted and it’s a story that makes you reflect on which character in the story YOU are.
Streaming on HBO MAX
5. THE FURIOUS
A father fights fiercely against ruthless kidnappers to save his abducted daughter.
Dir. Kenji Tanigaki (Enter the Fat Dragon) | Starring: Xie Miao, Joe Taslim
You have 5 actors that come from very distinct styles of martial arts all colliding in one giant, non-stop fight. What's so impressive about that is this is that all of these styles are like languages. The point of contact between them is like a translation. How do you translate a distinct, heavy style like Judo to a fluid dance like Wushu? They find a way in this movie and it is glorious. One of the best fight movies of the century.
Available to Rent + Streaming on Starz
4. PROJECT HAIL MARY
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A science teacher wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth's sun, and realizes that an unexpected friendship may be the key.
Dir. Lord & Miller (21 Jump Street) | Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rocky
An awesome story with a killer performance from Gosling (who is "solo" for most of the run time) great production value, and probably the best soundtrack of the year. I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't like this movie to some degree.
Streaming on PRIME VIDEO
3. THE DEBUT
When an unassuming housewife is unexpectedly cast in a community theater production, she loses herself in the role under the spell of a strong-willed director.
Dir. Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain) | Starring: Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti
Every facet that made Eisenberg's 'A Real Pain' work is improved upon. The script is tighter. The laughs are louder and more frequent. The actors are given free reign to do what they do best. This movie is a gem. Moore and Giamatti are operating at the peak of their powers and deliver something really special. To the point that they were getting mid-movie applause within the theater. They are both a 100% lock for oscar noms and I have them at the top of the leaderboard for their respective categories so far.
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2. THE INVITE
Joe and Angela's marriage is on the rocks. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors over for dinner, the evening takes an unexpected turn.
Dir. Olivia Wilde | Starring: Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Ed Norton
Some of the best laughs I've had in theaters in a while. The big star of this movie is the screenplay. Rashida Jones and Will McCormack's work feels like an organic conversation but sets up some INCREDIBLE jokes. That helps this concept, which is insane, feel feasible. The quartet of actors are also incredible. Rogen gives a very retro performance, Wilde is amazing, Cruz has still got it to an extreme degree and Norton switches lanes from drama to comedy with incredible touch. Also, credit to Wilde for this amazing directorial rebound. This is sharp, looks beautiful and finds it's way to an ending I found very satisfying.
Available to rent
1. The Odyssey
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After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
Dir. Christopher Nolan | Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway
It's everything I wanted and more. Giant scale filmmaking. Fantasy brought to life in a truly page-to-screen way. Production design, music and screenwriting all working together to create some of the best epic storytelling ever put to movies. I think my only complaint is that I wish it was longer. In the first act, things are a little jumpy and lack Nolan/Lame’s typical editorial sharpness which I assume was a result of trimming things down. Overall an exceptional movie with one of Nolan’s stronger endings from a story perspective. I don’t think I could put it in Nolan’s S-Tier with Oppenheimer, but it’s firmly in the tier after that.
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As a note, there are a few more movies I have seen ('Fjord', 'Wild Horse Nine') I've seen while making this list which WILL be on by the end of the year.
Anyway, right? Wrong? You tell me. Or go ahead and vote below.