The 17 Best Movies of 2026 (So Far)

Summary: The best movies of 2026 are already making waves, and young directors are leading the charge. Filmmakers in their early twenties are creating massive box-office hits with budgets under $1 million. Many of these popular new movies are surreal horror films that explore the loneliness and anxiety of living your whole life online.

Beyond these spooky hits, the year's best films include a funny movie about cryptocurrency addiction, a smelly zombie B-movie with scratch-and-sniff cards, and powerful documentaries about real-life struggles. Even as budgets shrink, original stories are thriving on the big screen.

Source: Esquire URL: esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a71460181/2026-best-movies/ (opens in new tab)