We have known for some time that 2026 was going to be a banger year for movies, but it hasn’t even been four months, and we already have some great movies that entertained millions and millions of people. From Project Hail Mary‘s brilliance to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s mass appeal, the theatrical experience has been pretty good this year, and it shows in the numbers, as this is the best first quarter for theatrical earnings since the pandemic. So, here are the 10 best movies of 2026 that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Project Hail Mary (In Theaters)
Project Hail Mary is an epic sci-fi adventure film co-directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name, the 2026 film follows Ryland Grace as he wakes up from a coma with no memories and discovers that he is in space. He soon discovers that it is up to him to save the world. Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (In Theaters)
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an animated adventure comedy film co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel. Based on Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise, the 2026 sequel film follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they leave the Mushroom Kingdom to travel into space to save Princess Peach’s sister. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson.
Send Help (Rent on Prime Video)
Send Help is a survival horror thriller film directed by Sam Raimi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Damian Shannon. The 2026 film follows Linda Liddle, a meek woman whose boss, Bradley Preston, constantly bullies and demeans. Things take a turn when they find themselves on a deserted island after a plane crash, and their roles reverse as Linda is adept at surviving on the island while Bradley is not. Send Help Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Edyll Ismail, and Dennis Haysbert.
Exit 8 (In Theaters)
Exit 8 is a Japanese mystery psychological horror film directed by Genki Kawamura, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kentaro Hirase. Based on the 2023 video game The Exit 8 developed by Kotake Create, the 2026 film follows a young man as he finds himself trapped in an endless subway tunnel and desperately tries to find the exit. Exit 8 stars Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, and Nana Komatsu.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Nia DaCosta from a screenplay by Alex Garland. The 2026 film is the fourth installment in the 28 Years Later film franchise, and it follows Spike as he is taken in by Jimmy Crystal and his satanic cult while Dr. Kelson is working on a discovery that has the potential to change the entire world. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (Netflix)
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is a British crime drama film directed by Tom Harper from a screenplay by Steven Knight. The 2026 film serves as a sequel to the British TV series Peaky Blinders, and it is set during World War II. It follows Tommy Shelby as he returns from his self-imposed exile to save his son, Duke Shelby, from doing something he can’t undo. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man stars Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle, Barry Keoghan, and Stephen Graham.
The Rip (Netflix)
The Rip is an action thriller film written and directed by Joe Carnahan. The 2026 film is set in Miami, and it revolves around a group of Miami police officers as they find millions in cash during a seemingly routine search of a house. As time passes, doubt begins to creep in, putting all of their lives in danger. The Rip stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (Rent on Prime Video)
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is a sci-fi comedy film directed by Gore Verbinski from a screenplay by Matthew Robinson. The 2026 film is set in Los Angeles, and it follows an eccentric man claiming to be from the future as he tries to recruit people from a diner to save the world. Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die stars Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chaudhry, and Juno Temple.
War Machine (Netflix)
War Machine is a military sci-fi action film directed by Patrick Hughes, who also co-wrote the screenplay with James Beaufort. The 2026 film revolves around a team of US Army men and women during the US Army Ranger selection exam, but their test turns into a fight for survival after an extraterrestrial killing machine begins hunting them. War Machine stars Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Daniel Webber.
Hoppers (In Theaters)
Hoppers is an animated sci-fi comedy film directed by Daniel Chong from a screenplay by Jesse Andrews. The 2026 film follows Mabel, a college student who loves animals, but things take a turn when she transfers her mind to a robotic beaver in order to communicate with animals to save them from human destruction. The voice cast of Hoppers includes Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco.