The 10 best movies of the year (so far)
We’re just past the midpoint of 2026. The popular thing for critics to do these days is to give a rundown of the best films of the year so far. Throughout my career, I’ve rejected this exercise, because the “best so far” list may look nothing like my official annual 10 best list. Granted, anything that received four stars from me will find a definite place on that 10 best list; it’s the 3½-star movies that concern me.
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My brain shouts at me: “What about the rest of the movies this year? Don’t they get a say? How can I judge without seeing those?”
However, all the cool kids are doing it, so I must follow suit and provide you a “year so far” list. Peer pressure and all that jazz, you know. But, to quote Isabella Rossellini in “Death Becomes Her”: “Now a warning!”
This is a numerically unranked list. I’m starting with the three movies I’ve given four stars to, because they’re guaranteed inclusion in my end of the year ranking of the best films. Then, I’ll list seven movies that I think deserve your attention.
Here are the best movies I’ve seen this year … so far!
Project Hail Mary
My first four-star review of 2026 was for a movie I didn’t think I’d enjoy at all. I’m not the biggest fan of sci-fi movies or Ryan Gosling. But, hey girl! I loved every minute of this charming, heartwarming, and sweet tale of a former teacher who bonds with an alien named Rocky. Sandra Hüller brings a spiky bite to the proceedings as the person who sends Gosling into space looking for a cure to save a dying Earth. Despite being a puppet, this Rocky has the eye of the tiger. (Now on Prime Video)
Disclosure Day
While we’re on the subject of aliens: The guy who brought us “Close Encounters” and the movie that inspired “Mac and Me” (“E.T.,” that is) came through with this divisive story of hope. Can the truth about life on other planets bring peace to this bitter Earth? Steven Spielberg thinks it can. While that idea may be naïve, and goes against my preference for aliens who destroy our wretched planet, I believed him. At least I did while watching this movie, my second four-star review of 2026.
Blue Heron
If I were your bookie — and I’m from New Jersey so I’d be a good one — I’d tell you to bet on this film to top my end of year list. Sophy Romvari’s quietly devastating memory play is the best movie of the year so far. Since I saw it at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, I’ve been haunted by this tale of a family dealing with a troubled son. Romvari’s technique for telling this empathic story is impressive and original, and she gets great performances from her cast. Toss me five bucks and I’ll give you 9/2 odds on this four-star movie.
The Sheep Detectives
This delightful family-friendly feature involving talking sheep is my go-to response to people who ask me to recommend something different. They look at me as if I’ve lost my mind, and to be fair, I felt the same way when I heard that Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Julia Louis-Dreyfus were starring in what sounded like “Babe: A Knives Out Mystery.” But this movie has honest reflections on death, funny moments, and scenes you won’t believe you cried over. It’s the most fun I’ve had at the movies in ages. When was the last time you walked out of the theater feeling really good? (Now on Prime Video)
Pillion
Cinema’s first “dom com” is a funny, tender, and poignant romantic comedy about a submissive who finds the dominating daddy of his dreams. Alexander Skarsgård is Ray, the man of the hour, a tall Tom of Finland drawing brought to life to teach nerdy Colin (Harry Melling) lessons in love, sex, and deciding what he needs in a relationship. Refreshingly explicit and surprisingly nonjudgmental, director Harry Lighton’s adaptation of the 2020 novella “Box Hill” is the rare rom com that works. (Now on HBO Max)
Leviticus
A tender gay romance is here as well, but it’s the secret heart beating under an infuriating and unnerving horror film. Two Australian teenagers, played by Stacy Clausen and Joe Bird, are subjected to a terrifying religious ritual that curses them. In a hat tip to “It Follows,” the curse takes the guise of an unrelenting ghost with murderous intent. Except in “Leviticus,” the specter takes the form of the victim’s romantic partner. The result sows distrust and fear. Writer-director Adrian Chiarella isn’t afraid to call out religion’s role in demonizing LGBTQ people who just want to love who they love.
K-Pops!
Not to be confused with “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” this live action musical stars Grammy winning co-writer and director Anderson .Paak in his movie debut. He plays BJ, an immature songwriter who discovers he has a teenage son, Tae Young (Soul Rasheed), with his former lover, Yeji (Jee Young Han). Because his father was Korean, BJ has citizenship in South Korea and gets a job playing drums on a hilariously brutal K-Pop competition show. Tae Young is one of the contestants, which helps BJ bond with him. This adorable, candy-colored musical has a lot of heart and soul, plus some good music. (Now on Netflix)
Is God Is
Here’s another directing debut that deserves to be seen. Playwright Aleshea Harris adapts her award-winning off-Broadway play about twin sisters seeking revenge against the father (an evil Sterling K. Brown) who nearly killed them when they were children. Their mother, Ruby (Vivica A. Fox), was the target of his violence; he set her ablaze in a fire that spread to his kids. Now grown, Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) are shocked to find that Ruby survived, and even more shocked by her demand that they track down and murder their father. The performances here are superb, and Harris’s direction deftly handles the tonal shifts of this Southern gothic story tinged with Greek tragedy. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before. (Now on MGM+, Amazon Prime)
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
Vince Vaughn shines in this cross between “Back to the Future” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The two Nicks of the title are both Vaughn, who plays a hit man sent back in time to stop a version of himself from causing the death of his best friend and colleague, Quick Draw Mike (James Marsden). Mike’s been having an affair with Nick’s wife, Alice (Eiza González), for starters. Imagine my surprise when writer-director BenDavid Grabinski stops the film’s action so the three characters can have an honest conversation about what led to this love triangle. That’s just one of the many treats this movie doles out to the unsuspecting viewer. (Now on Hulu)
The Christophers
Michaela Coel and a career-best Ian McKellen star in this two-hander about artistic merit, greed, and hero worship. McKellen is Julian, a has-been painter whose valuable series of work called “The Christophers” was never completed. Coel is Lori, the art forger hired by his greedy children (James Corden and “Baby Reindeer”’s Jessica Gunning) to complete the set so they can sell it after the terminally ill Julian dies. Coel and McKellen are front and center here, and director Steven Soderbergh gets stellar work from both of them. A great movie for adults who enjoy a captivating, talky character study.
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