We’re halfway through 2026, and what a year it’s been for cinema. I think I’m mostly happy with everything I’ve watched.
On my Letterboxd, I have 26 movies in my favourites of the year list, which means I’ve enjoyed my time at the cinema. There have been big blockbuster spectacles, intimate character dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and a few films that completely caught me by surprise.
This isn’t a ranking of what I think are objectively the best films of the year. That’s a whole different story. These are simply the movies I’ve enjoyed the most. The ones that entertained me, surprised me, stuck with me long after the credits rolled, and reminded me why I love going to the cinema.
10. Michael
I don’t think anyone has had as much of an impact on my life as Michael Jackson. I’m not just talking about his music, but also his love for short films. I grew up listening to his music every day, so there was no way I wasn’t going to love this movie. Some call it sanitised, others say it’s a terrible film, and I say I absolutely adored it.
What impressed me most was the balance between the spectacular musical performances and the quieter, more personal moments. Whether you’ve been a lifelong fan of Michael Jackson’s music or simply appreciate a well-made biopic, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
9. Send Help
Leave it to Sam Raimi to make a survival thriller feel both intense and wildly entertaining. When I first watched this, I thought it was good, but the more I go back to it, the more I love it. It was one of the first movies I watched in the cinema this year, so that might be one of the reasons it stuck with me.
The film is carried by phenomenal performances from Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. It’s been a while since we got a film that really felt like a Sam Raimi movie. The film constantly keeps you guessing, balancing suspense with Raimi’s signature style and visual flair. It’s a reminder that you don’t always need giant set pieces to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Sometimes all you need are great characters, a dangerous situation, and a filmmaker who knows exactly how to build tension.
8. GOAT
The first of three animated films on my list, and it really has been a fantastic year for animation so far. GOAT is the biggest original surprise of the year for me. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do, but there’s just something special about sports movies.
It wasn’t just the animation style that won me over. The characters made me fall in love with this world. The film isn’t flawless, but it gets a lot right. It explores legacy, identity, and the personal cost of success, making it far more than just another sports movie. It’s also really funny.
7. Toy Story 5
I’ll admit it, I wasn’t convinced Toy Story 5 needed to exist. Then I watched it. Once again, Pixar proves that these characters still have stories worth telling. Rather than trying to recreate the magic of the previous films, this latest adventure explores change, technology, and what it means to find your place in an ever-evolving world.
It delivers plenty of laughs, heartfelt moments, and another reminder that nobody blends emotion and animation quite like Pixar. The fact that the film focuses more on Jessie makes it feel fresh and gives the character a more prominent role in the franchise. Hopefully, we get only one more of these films. By then, Bonnie’s story should be over.
6. Power Ballad
What can I say? I love musical films. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are amazing together. Music is at the heart of Power Ballad, but this isn’t your typical feel-good rock movie. Instead, it’s a charming, character-driven story that explores friendship, creativity, and the unexpected ways music can bring people together or tear them apart.
The performances are fantastic, the soundtrack is memorable, and there’s an authenticity to the relationships that makes everything feel believable. By the time the credits rolled, I had a smile on my face and a few of the songs stuck in my head.
5. Tuner
Tuner was one of the biggest surprises of my year. I wasn’t even planning on watching it until I saw someone on TikTok talking about it. Thirty minutes in, I knew this movie would end up in my top 10. It starts off as an ordinary drama before transitioning into what I can only describe as a musical thriller.
It quickly evolves into something far more layered, with twists that never feel forced and characters whose motivations continually shift as the story unfolds. The tension builds steadily throughout, keeping you invested from beginning to end, and the payoff is well worth the journey. It feels like Baby Driver, but without the action.
4. Rental Family
Sometimes the quieter films leave the biggest impression. I only watched this movie because of Brendan Fraser, but then I fell in love with it because of the rest of the cast. Inspired by Japan’s real-life rental family industry, Rental Family tells a deeply personal story about loneliness, connection, and the families we choose rather than the ones we’re born into.
Rather than relying on big dramatic moments, the film trusts its characters to carry the emotional weight, and that decision pays off beautifully. I found myself thinking about this one long after I left the cinema. I know it was released in some countries at the end of 2025, but we only got it this year, so it belongs on the list.
3. Obsession
I watched Obsession right before finishing this article because I couldn’t get to the cinema any earlier. Few horror films have managed to get under my skin quite like this one. It made me feel uneasy, yet I couldn’t look away. I was hooked even before Inde Navarrette delivered one of the best performances of the year.
I’ve said it before, I’m not really a horror guy, but this is once again one of those movies that redefines the genre and makes me fall in love with it. Curry Barker had an incredible vision, and he executed it to perfection without needing a massive Hollywood budget behind him. I’m not trying to review the movie here, but I hope everyone reading this goes to watch it.
2. Minions & Monsters
This was easily one of the most enjoyable cinema experiences I’ve had all year. If you love cinema and the history of the film industry, then you have to watch this movie. I never would’ve guessed that a Minions movie would become my second favourite film of the year. I mean, half the movie is just them talking gibberish.
The film is a love letter to Hollywood, and hopefully it inspires a new generation of filmmakers and film lovers. It’s everything you’d expect from a Minions movie when it comes to the humour, and everything you’d expect from a well-written indie drama when it comes to the story. It’s a must-watch for everyone.
1. Project Hail Mary
If you’ve followed my reviews this year, this choice probably won’t surprise you. Project Hail Mary is everything I wanted it to be and more. It’s smart without becoming inaccessible, emotional without feeling manipulative, and packed with the kind of scientific wonder that makes great science fiction so compelling.
Ryan Gosling delivers one of my favourite performances of the year, but what truly elevates the film is its heart. At its core, this is a story about hope, friendship, and humanity’s determination to survive against impossible odds. It’s thrilling, funny, surprisingly emotional, and endlessly imaginative.
For me, nothing has topped Project Hail Mary so far. It’s not only my favourite movie of the year, but also one of my favourite cinema experiences in recent memory.
Just outside my top 10 are Gary (From the Bear), Disclosure Day, Punisher: One Last Kill, The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act, and I Can Only Imagine 2.
