I typically watch about 400 movies every single year, and I've been professionally writing about TV and film for well over a decade, so trust me when I tell you that the following movies are some of the best and most underrated of 2026 so far. Whether you're a casual watcher or someone who tries to log every single new release on Letterboxd, this list is for you.
FYI: There are obviously a ton of incredible non-English films from this year (La Bola Negra! Erupcja! The Furious!), but for this specific article, I'm solely focusing on movies where English is the primary language.
Also, some of the following films may have premiered internationally or at festivals in 2025, but they all hit theaters in the US in 2026, so that's what I'm counting. Enjoy!
1.
Blue Film is a heavy, provocative, and intimate movie about a camboy who's hired to spend the night with a total stranger. A lotttttt starts to unfold, and it's way more wild than sexy, but you'll be hooked. Also, Kieron Moore (from Netflix's Boots) stars as the sex worker, and he's so, so, so captivating. A true star.
What it's about: "Fetish camboy Aaron Eagle agrees to spend the night with an anonymous client, only to discover a disturbing tie to his past."
Who's in it: Reed Birney and Kieron Moore
2.
The Sheep Detectives is a family murder-mystery comedy that has no business being as good as it is. Every single famous person is in it, like Hugh Jackman (who gets killed) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (who voices one of his sheep and tries to solve the murder). It's surprisingly really touching and will probably make you cry.
What it's about: "Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it."
Who's in it: Hugh Jackman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Emma Thompson, Molly Gordon, Patrick Stewart, Nicholas Braun, Brett Goldstein, Nicholas Galitzine, Regina Hall, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Bella Ramsey, and Hong Chau
3.
Wasteman is a British prison film that follows two inmates who share a cell. David Jonsson (who will win an Oscar one day, mark my words) and Tom Blyth are so bewitching that you'll literally be left on the edge of your seat. Also, if you care, you get to see Tom's penis in it for, like, .3 seconds, so there's that, too.
What it's about: "Follows parolee Taylor whose fresh-start hopes are jeopardized by cellmate Dee's arrival. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances."
Who's in it: David Jonsson and Tom Blyth
4.
Tuner is a cool, cool, cool crime thriller starring Leo Woodall (hot!!!!) and Dustin Hoffman (icon!!!!). Basically, Leo plays a piano tuner with heightened hearing, and he gets roped into using that ability to crack safes. This movie is further proof that Leo is one of the best "young" actors (I'm 35, sue me) working today, and if you don't agree, then you're either dumb or have been living under a rock.
What it's about: "A talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis discovers an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down."
Who's in it: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, and Tovah Feldshuh
5.
Tony is a biographical coming-of-age story about the beginnings of Anthony Bourdain (played by Dominic Sessa from The Holdovers). The film is centered around his first restaurant job as a 19-year-old, which Bourdain later wrote about in his bestselling memoir Kitchen Confidential. The whole thing is so freaking charming and fun. It also helps that daddy Antonio Banderas is also in it, and he's so suave and delicious that I could eat him with a spoon.
What it's about: "A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life."
Who's in it: Dominic Sessa, Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall, and Antonio Banderas
6.
Is God Is is an intimate, dark movie about twin sisters who try to get revenge on their estranged father. This one is HEAVY, so you've been warned. It's actually adapted from a popular 2018 play of the same name, and it stars Broadway royalty Kara Young, in addition to theeeee Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown.
What it's about: "Two sisters embark on an epic quest for revenge, confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths."
Who's in it: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, and Sterling K. Brown
7.
Maddie's Secret is a satirical dramedy from the hilarious, unhinged mind of John Early. A lot of you may not fully understand what this movie says and does, but those who do will love it.
What it's about: "A food influencer secretly struggles with bulimia as she navigates online fame, close friendships, and a painful past."
Who's in it: John Early, Kate Berlant, Kristen Johnston, Vanessa Bayer, Pat Regan, and Chris Bauer
8.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is a sci-fi comedy where Sam Rockwell travels back in time to save the world (with help from Juno Temple and Haley Lu Richardson!). It's fun, a little gory, and very anti-AI, so you'll like it.
What it's about: "A man from the future arrives at a diner in Los Angeles where he must recruit the precise combination of disgruntled patrons to join him on a one-night quest to save the world from the terminal threat of a rogue artificial intelligence."
Who's in it: Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, Juno Temple, Michael Peña, and Zazie Beetz
9.
Leviticus is a supernatural horror film about identity and acceptance, and whewwwwwww it will make you question everything. It may be a bit heavy on the metaphors, but it's also tender and terrifying, so I highly recommend.
What it's about: "Two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other."
Who's in it: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, and Mia Wasikowska
10.
Crime 101 is easily one of the best heist movies of the last decade, but try going into it knowing as little as possible. All I'll tell you is that this movie is twisty and twisted and stars everyone from Chris Hemsworth to Halle Berry to Mark Ruffalo. I'm obsessed.
What it's about: "A meticulous jewel thief risks his flawless record against an equally obsessive detective and a volatile rival, while an underestimated insurance broker turns accomplice after decades of professional disrespect."
Who's in it: Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte
11.
Goat is an animated sports movie that's basically a mix of Zootopia and Space Jam. It's heartwarming, empowering, and the animation is reallllllllly cool, so I promise you'll like it, whether you're 8 or 80.
What it's about: "A small goat with big dreams gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball, a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world."
Who's in it: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, Sherry Cola, and Stephen Curry
12.
Dead Man's Wire is a crime thriller from Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant. It's based on a real-life hostage takeover in Indianapolis in the late '70s, and holyyyyyy crap. It's a travesty that this movie grossed less than $4 million at the worldwide box office, but do yourself a favor and check it out.
What it's about: "On Feb. 8, 1977, disgruntled real-estate developer Tony Kiritsis takes mortgage broker Richard Hall hostage, keeping him tied up in his apartment with a sawed-off shotgun pointed at his chest."
Who's in it: Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino
13.
Stop! That! Train! is a gay, campy, and unhinged satirical comedy. It's a parody of those old-school disaster movies, except this one takes place on a high-speed bullet train and stars a bunch of famous drag queens. If you're a fan of Airplane! or the Naked Gun series, then you'll love this. Also, Adam Shankman directed it, and he literally made Hairspray, which is a perfect film, so enough said.
What it's about: "Two train stewardess BFFs switch from a dull railway to the luxurious Glamazonian Express. During a massive storm, they must work with snooty first-class crew and President Gagwell to prevent disaster in LA."
Who's in it: RuPaul Charles, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Rachel Bloom, Chris Parnell, and Sarah Michelle Gellar
14.
Marty, Life Is Short is a documentary about Martin Short, and if you're even remotely into celebs or pop culture or comedy, then you'll be hooked. It includes interviews with everyone from Catherine O'Hara to Steve Martin, and you'll probably laugh just as much as you'll cry.
What it's about: "The definitive documentary on comedian Martin Short, exploring his career across film, television, theater, and comedy."
Who's in it: Martin Short, Steve Martin, Catherine O'Hara, John Mulaney, Andrea Martin, and Eugene Levy
15.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is a satirical psychological mindf*ck where Hannah Einbinder plays a filmmaker who's hired to reboot a slasher franchise. Gillian Anderson plays the final girl from the first installment, and everything gets very unhinged and gay and bloody after they meet.
What it's about: "A director making a slasher sequel becomes obsessed with casting the original film's 'final girl,' leading both women into psychological and sexual chaos."
Who's in it: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sarah Sherman, Eva Victor, and Zach Cherry
16.
I Love Boosters is an inventive and unhinged crime comedy from Boots Riley. If you've seen his other major movie Sorry to Bother You, then you have a ~tiny~ idea of what you're in store for, but I promise that nothing will prepare you for what happens in this anti-capitalism exposé.
What it's about: "A group of shoplifters takes aim at a cutthroat fashion maven by stealing her clothes and reselling them at a lower price, what they call 'fashion-forward philanthropy.'"
Who's in it: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, and Eiza González
17.
Pillion is a dark rom-drama in which Alexander Skarsgård plays a leather dom biker daddy. Consider this your crash course into BDSM culture, including some full-frontal nudity and the main cast wrestling in verrrrry tight singlets. Surprisingly, this film also has some really tender and touching moments, too, so be prepared to experience a full range of emotions.
What it's about: "A directionless man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive."
Who's in it: Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling
18.
I Want Your Sex is an erotic comedy thriller that makes me soooo happy to be alive when Gregg Araki is making movies. I was a closeted kid in the '90s and inhaled his ~very~ sexy and NSFW movies like The Living End, Totally F***ed Up, and The Doom Generation — in addition to his canceled-too-soon TV show Now Apocalypse in 2019 – and this new movie doesn't disappoint. You're welcum.
What it's about: "When fresh-faced Elliot lands an exciting job for renowned artist, icon, and provocateur Erika Tracy, his fantasies come true as Erika taps him to become her sexual muse."
Who's in it: Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, Charli XCX, and Daveed Diggs
And finally...
19.
You, Me & Tuscany is a very stereotypical rom-com, and even though there's nothing groundbreaking about the film, it ~will~ make you want to travel the world and kiss hot guys, so that's why it's on this list. Like, I ate up everyyyyy second, and I desperately need 10 more sequels. Also, hello to Regé-Jean Page. I'm single! Call me!!!
What it's about: "When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner's fiancé, she discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life."
Who's in it: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page
Do you have any other favorite movies from 2026? Feel free to share them in the comments!
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