2026 has already served up a number of terrific movies on the silver screen, and with the second half of the year just around the corner, box offices are already licking their lips when it comes to draining our pockets of hard-earned cash. With a number of cinematic delights still set to air, we take a look at our favourite movies of 2026…
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
A 7-month gap between movies is a refreshing rarity these days, and so, with the eerie feel of one of 2025’s biggest box-office hits still fresh in our nostrils, this blockbuster warmed up our Winter thanks to the immense performance of Ralph Fiennes and THAT Iron Maiden scene, and the soul-curling devilishness of Jack O’Connell, of ‘Skins‘ fame.
Marty Supreme
Another cinematic peak at the turn of the year, Timothee Chalamet served up a career-peak in this ping-pong blockbuster, which saw the birth of one of the most complex characters in modern movie history. Love him or loathe him, Chalamet’s portrayal of Marty was near flawless throughout in this utterly enthralling classic.
Sports biopics can often flop on the big screen, but thanks to Pierce Brosnan in his steely showing as Brendan Ingle, and Amir El-Masry‘s show-stopping confidence as ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, this one was a real knockout. Packing a punch from Round One, Nas’ larger-than-life persona was expertly crafted for the big screen.
Another stellar sports adaptation, Saipan documented the infamous bust-up between then-Ireland coach Mick McCarthy, and legendary Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, on the eve of 2002’s World Cup tournament in Japan and South Korea. Candid, explosive, and confrontational, this was the one football fans really craved.
No Other Choice
Deliciously dark and sharply comedic, Lee Byung-Hun (Squid Game) excels in this subtitled-Korean flick with a real ‘Parasite’ feel about it. A true jewel in the crown of Asian cinema, the movie is a cynical movie about how modernisation dehumanises and destroys people, who will cannibalise each other given half a chance.
Ryan Gosling headlines this sci-fi drama about a science teacher turned astronaut who discovers he’s the only hope for a long-shot mission to save the world. A smart, moving, and very satisfying sci-fi adventure with real heart, this is a film that reminds you that science fiction works best when humans are at the centre.
The Drama
Praised for its provocative, taboo-tackling premise, critics were quick to highlight the stellar, highly uncomfortable performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as a recently engaged couple whose wedding preparations unravel. Unpredictable, and highly emotional, this one is arguably 2026’s biggest dark horse.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Our favourite Italian plumbers returned in 2026, fresh off the success of their 2023 original, starring all our favourite Mario World characters, including Bowser (Jack Black), and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen). This time, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) team up to, once again, save a damsel in distress.
Michael
Starring Jafaar Jackson, the nephew of MJ himself, ‘Michael’ tells the story of The King of Pop’s rise to fame, from his time as a child performer with The Jackson 5 in the 1970s, to his smashing releases like Off The Wall and Thriller, culminating in his final Victory tour with The Jacksons.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
A sure-fire hit from the expanded Star Wars universe, Disney+ posterboys Mando and Grogu made the move to the big screen, in this movie adaptation of their hugely popular series. Directed by Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal once again reprises his role, accompanied by the cutest sidekick in TV history.
Do you agree with our selection of movies? Wanna shout out those hidden gems you think we might have missed? Why not head over to our CULTR Instagram page to start the debate!
