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 have 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 19 best movies of 2026 that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Toy Story 5 (In Theaters)
Toy Story 5 is an animated adventure comedy-drama film directed by Andrew Stanton, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kenna Harris. The 2026 film is the fifth installment in the Toy Story franchise, and it follows Jessie as she teams up with Woody and Buzz Lightyear to deal with Lilypad, a tablet that has now become Bonnie’s favorite toy. The voice cast of Toy Story 5 includes Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Scarlett Spears, Greta Lee, and Shelby Rabara.
Backrooms (In Theaters)
Backrooms is a sci-fi psychological horror film directed by Kane Parsons from a screenplay by Will Soodik. Based on Parsons’ web series and the internet creepypasta, the 2026 film follows Clark, a troubled furniture store owner who discovers a seemingly endless dimension through his store’s basement and soon decides to explore it. Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.
Masters of the Universe (In Theaters)
Masters of the Universe is a sword-and-sorcery superhero film directed by Travis Knight from a screenplay co-written by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callahan. Based on Mattel’s media franchise, the 2026 film follows Prince Adam of Eternia as he is sent to Earth and must return to his homeland to save it from the evil Skeletor. Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba.
Disclosure Day (In Theaters)
Disclosure Day is a sci-fi thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by David Koepp. The 2026 film follows Daniel, a cybersecurity expert, and Margaret, a meteorologist, as they get embroiled in a deadly conspiracy involving a secret government agency and aliens. Disclosure Day stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo.
The Furious (In Theaters)
The Furious is a Chinese action film directed by Kenji Tanigaki from a screenplay co-written by Mak Tin-shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan-sin, and Frank Hui. The 2026 film is set in Southeast Asia, and it follows a father whose young daughter was kidnapped by traffickers. He soon teams up with a journalist looking for his kidnapped wife, and together they go on a bloody rampage to save the ones they love. The Furious stars Xie Miao, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Jeeja Yanin, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, and Yayan Ruhian.
Obsession (In Theaters)
Obsession is a supernatural horror film written and directed by Curry Baker. The 2026 film follows Bear, a young music store employee who buys a supernatural gift and wishes for his crush to love him, but things take a disturbing turn when she slowly becomes obsessed with him. Obsession stars Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter.
The Sheep Detective (In Theaters)
The Sheep Detective is a mystery comedy film directed by Kyle Balda from a screenplay by Craig Mazin. Based on Leonie Swann’s 2005 novel Three Bags Full, the 2026 film follows a flock of sheep as they work together to solve the murder of their shepherd, who used to read murder mystery novels to them. The Sheep Detective stars Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Bryan Cranston.
Mortal Kombat II (Rent on Prime Video)
Mortal Kombat II is a martial arts fantasy action film directed by Simon McQuoid from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater. Based on the Mortal Kombat video game franchise by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the 2026 sequel film sees washed-up actor Johnny Cage joining the Earthrealm fighters to compete in the interdimensional competition so that they can stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn from taking over the world. Mortal Kombat II stars Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, and Tati Gabrielle.
The Drama (Rent on Prime Video)
The Drama is a romantic dark comedy-drama film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. The 2026 film follows Charlie and Emma, a happily engaged couple, as they prepare for their wedding, but a shocking admission from Emma about her past leaves their relationship and their upcoming wedding up in the air. The Drama stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters.
Project Hail Mary (Rent on Prime Video)
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 (Rent on Prime Video)
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 (Hulu & 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 (Rent on Prime Video)
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 (Rent on Prime Video)
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.