2026 has been an explosive year at the movies, with Spider-Man and The Odyssey raking in billions and a slew of other movies that have rightly put to bed any notion that cinemas were on the downturn. People want spectacle and transportive, immersive stories on the biggest screens possible. But it isn’t just the massive hits that are helping keep cinemas alive. While there has been no shortage of summer blockbuster hits for general audiences, some of the best movies of the year may have passed you by. Spanning a wide variety of genres and styles, here are five wonderful films that you should add to your 2026 watchlist.
‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ dir. Nia DaCosta
Ralph Fiennes gives a career-best performance in this gnarly sequel to Danny Boyle’s continuation of the 28 Days Later franchise. The Bone Temple is a dark middle chapter that explores the conflicts between faith, humanism, life, and death. It is a thematically rich, visually stunning, and thrilling. Nia DaCosta makes this movie her own, with a distinctive tone and style that fits the franchise well and still feels fresh.
A third chapter is in the works with Cillian Murphy reprising his role from the original 2002 film, so be sure to get these movies on your radar in time to enjoy the conclusion of this amazing story in theaters. Watching the original 28 Days Later is strongly encouraged, while the 2025 predecessor, 28 Years Later, is essential viewing to follow The Bone Temple‘s narrative.
If you like: The Last of Us, this is the movie for you.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is streaming on Netflix as of August 2026 and available on VOD/DVD/Blu-ray.
‘I Love Boosters’ dir. Boots Riley
Following his 2018 feature debut, Sorry To Bother You, Boots Riley returns to the big screen with a surreal, colorful whirlwind of a movie. Keke Palmer (Nope), Taylour Paige (Welcome to Derry), and Naomi Ackie (Mickey 17) run a shoplifting racket in the Bay Area and are thrust into a spectacular conflict with an evil fashion magnate played by Demi Moore (The Substance).
Riley’s delightfully unsubtle critiques of capitalism blend with his zany style perfectly. I Love Boosters is packed with Looney-Tunes-esque gags and bizarre, funny, creative practical effects. It is a feast for the eyes and the ears, with the Tune-Yards propulsive music keeping the movie at a fun rhythm. Riley is perhaps the most politically and stylistically audacious filmmaker on the scene. This sophomore feature proves he still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
If you like: Hustlers or Set it Off, this is the movie for you.
I Love Boosters is available on VOD and will be released on physical media September 22, 2026.
‘The Invite’ dir. Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde shines as both director and star of this clever, gorgeously shot comedy about a married couple inviting their mysterious neighbors to a dinner party that takes unexpected turns. Wilde is joined by Seth Rogen (The Studio) as her husband, while Ed Norton (25th Hour) and Penelope Cruz (Ferrari) portray the neighboring couple. The character dynamics are hilarious and discomforting in this intimate film that takes place entirely in one beautifully decorated apartment.
The Invite is one of the best looking, sharpest movies of the year. Wilde crafts her strongest directorial effort yet and a career-best performance.
If you like: The Office “Dinner Party” episode, this is the movie for you.
The Invite is available on Premium VOD.
‘The Furious’ dir. Kenji Tanigaki
An instant classic in the martial-arts genre. This Hong Kong produced English-language action thriller follows two men out to rescue a child and seek vengeance on a shadowy human trafficking operation. The Furious is the most rip-roaring, fist-pumping movie of the year. Choreographed with remarkable mastery and executed flawlessly by the cast, led by Xie Miao and Joe Taslim (The Raid, another marital-arts masterpiece).
The Furious serves up an endless barrage of flying fists and kicks and hammers. This kind of movie is not for everyone, but if it sounds appealing, there is no world where action fans leave feeling anything other than pure euphoria.
If you like: John Wick, this is the movie for you.
The Furious is available on VOD and physical media.
‘The Sheep Detectives’ dir. Kyle Balda
In the spirit of what Chris Noonan and George Miller did with Babe, The Sheep Detectives delivers a sentimental, funny story that is family-friendly and agreeable enough that parents will love it as much as kids. If a heart beats in your chest, The Sheep Detectives will make you laugh and cry.
A stellar voice cast rounds out The Sheep Detectives, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus (VEEP) and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), and an ensemble of live-action performances including Hong Chau (The Menu), Nicholas Braun (Succession), and Hugh Jackman (Logan). This is a sincere and beautiful movie that respects its audience enough to know that kids deserve intelligent, well-crafted stories. The Sheep Detectives is a much-needed antidote in an ever increasing age of “brainrot” content aimed at children; a thoughtful, funny film that the whole family can enjoy.
If you like: Babe or Charlotte’s Web, this is the movie for you.
