The Best Films of 2026…So Far

It is time once again to connect at the halfway point of the year and see what the best offerings cinema has had to offer. 2026 has quietly been one of the more surprising years in recent memory — box office returned to pre-covid numbers, Gen Z is finally going to the movies, and new sub-genres have dethroned the capes. Before the big July splash that will be The Odyssey and Spider-Man, let’s dive into what I believe are the 10 best movies released in 2026 through the first half of the year.

#10. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

Vastly more impressive and entertaining than Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of Elvis. This footage is incredible and will immerse you no matter how much you’re actually into the King of Rock. I was legitimately considering taking a stroll through some of Elvis’ contributions in acting, that’s how jaw dropping this remastered footage is coupled with Baz’s patented style.

#9. Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice

What do you get with a double dose of vintage Vince Vaughn, James Marsden’s late-era charming man renaissance, and John Wick levels of action? A really great time at the movies. This is the kind of mid-budget, no-pretense fun that Hollywood used to make in its sleep, and I’m thrilled someone remembered how.

#8. Send Help

Sam Raimi’s return to horror thriller emulates Drag Me to Hell more so than Evil Dead, with a Survivor/Lost tinge for good measure. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien are having the times of their lives being absolutely nasty to each other on a deserted island. I love a movie where there’s not a single morally good character in sight — making the devilish hi-jinx all the more savory.

#7. The Drama

The less said about The Drama, the better. Zendaya takes a huge swing with a movie that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before, and it pays off in ways I’m still not fully able to articulate. Robert Pattinson is truly hysterical here — the first of what’s shaping up to be a fascinating run of releases for him this year.

#6. I Love Boosters

It’s been far too long since the last Boots Riley joint, and I hope we get another one soon because I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. Keke Palmer and the cast are hilarious and charming in an “eat the rich” Looney Tunes-esque romp that explodes with color unlike any other live-action film out there.

#5. Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie

After deliberating for a long time and accepting that the TV show this movie is a sequel to isn’t really acquirable in America, I swallowed my pride and found the best comedy film of the year. I’ll be seated for anything Matt Johnson makes moving forward. I genuinely have no idea how this movie is even legal with some of the things they were able to get in this riot of a movie.

#4. Obsession

This is by far the film I’ve thought about the most this year. I watch every horror movie ever released (my wife is obsessed with them) the fact I’m seldom ever scared by any of them. This one however had a few legitimately effective sequences that spooked the hell out of me. Inde Navarrette gives an iconic breakthrough performance, though the rest of the cast gives off a real “CW show actor” vibe which slightly drags down the experience for me (ironic given Inde’s acting background).

#3. Backrooms

I knew absolutely nothing about the YouTube series this is based on, and I still don’t today. Absolutely loved the movie and every choice it makes. The creature effects still live in my mind rent free. It makes me sick about my own life that a 20-year-old made something this good. I guess the Youtuber era is in full force now.

#2. Project Hail Mary

Lord and Miller take their first dive into “serious” territory with an extremely charming and faithful adaptation of Andy Weir’s fantastic novel. I would’ve liked to see them take a few more liberties of their own, but with source material this detailed and beloved, if it ain’t broke… The casting is pitch perfect, especially my forever boy Ryan Gosling — great to see him carrying such a massive leading vehicle that was finanically successful for once. The puppetry is so good you’ll have no idea you’re watching puppets on screen, and I for one say “Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!” to the Best Supporting Actor campaign Amazon/MGM are already teasing.

#1. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

It took me two watches to understand the brilliance of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later (2025), but that wasn’t the case with Nia DaCosta’s immediate follow-up here. Literally and figuratively speaking, this movie is so fucking metal. I nearly wept as a die hard Iron Maiden fan from that scene alone. So much depth, fun, terror, humor, and love — I think it’s Nia’s best film, and I really hope we get to finish this 28 Years trilogy despite however the financials shake out. You know something is truly great when it instantly becomes a cult hit.