‘I saw it seven times in the cinema’: readers’ favourite films of 2026 so far
On the back of our editors’ choices of the year’s finest, we asked you to share your magical movie moments from the first half of 2026
The Secret Agent
The film that had me gripped right from its ridiculous and bizarre first scene at a Brazilian country road petrol station was The Secret Agent by Kleber Mendonça Filho. The gorgeous Armando is on the run from a corrupt private company official, who wants to steal his academic expertise for his own financial gain. It’s a deal that Armando knows will sully his academic reputation but by refusing to do so, he ends up with a target on his back from the resentful Ghirotti, who sent chills up my spine. This is a stunning movie. Liz, London
Disclosure Day
My favourite so far of 2026 is Disclosure Day. The film isn’t only about aliens, it’s also about truth, trust, empathy and how people react when their worldview is challenged. Philip Dodd, 40, Walsall
Song Sung Blue
Song Sung Blue wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I thought it would be a fun, but slightly cheesy, romp about a Neil Diamond tribute act, but the story was so genuinely shocking that I’ve yet to see anything this year that’s topped it. The performances were superb and, given some of the darker scenes, there was also some much needed levity. But, most importantly, it felt like it was made to entertain its audience, not to win an Oscar. Helena Bortkiewicz, 59, Brighton
The Bride!
The Bride! was both exhilarating and frustrating in equal measure, but it’s good to see a film-maker going for it. One thing that isn’t doubted is Jessie Buckley’s brilliant performance. She makes you care for a character that in other hands would become one dimensional without emotion or the anger she brings to the role. There are wonderful musical moments, it is genuinely funny in places and shows that Maggie Gyllenhaal is a director to keep an eye out for. Paul Clarke, 57, Taplow
Backrooms
Backrooms (directed by Kane Parsons) is my favourite film of 2026 so far. My husband and I saw it during opening week at Laugarásbíó cinema in Reykjavík, Iceland, since we were on vacation there, which made for a fun viewing experience in a quality cinema. You cannot beat the acting combo of Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve in the leading roles, and I’m happy to see big names appearing in horror films, especially when it’s a director’s debut. The production design was incredible; they built more than 30,000 sq ft of sets, which is impressive in this age of CGI and green screens. The slow creep of dread was perfectly paced, and combined with the soundtrack it gave me a deep sense of unease watching something that wasn’t quite right yet also rather familiar to me as a former retail worker. It’s an unsettling and unusual movie by an innovative young director with a bright future. We’re in a new golden age of horror, and I am here for it! Sylvia Rowe, 58, Jackson, Tennessee, US
Hamnet
I’d say Hamnet is my favourite film of 2026 so far. The performance of the actors was very strong and believable. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of grief and loss was gut-wrenching. The desperation, the stillness. I do think that Paul Mescal’s performance should be more praised, because he did a fantastic job. The scene where that actor is messing up his lines and Paul does it instead really brought me to tears. English isn’t my first language and I do struggle with some of Shakespeare’s work. For the first time, I understood it. Felt it. Jade, 22, Paris, France
The Drama
The Drama. What a succinct, striking and compelling tale of alcohol-fuelled folly, carried by four engaging performances. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson might have taken up most of the column inches, but it was Alana Haim who delivered my performance of the year so far. Portraying a character who locked a child in a closet and abandoned them, Haim somehow remains watchable throughout. There wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t enthralled by where the story might go, and the hope that this couple could somehow find redemption remained constant. Not Alana’s character, however. I don’t ever want to meet her again. Having written this I am now off to listen to the soundtrack again. Paul, 53, Northamptonshire
Nouvelle Vague
I love how Nouvelle Vague is completely self-aware of the ambitiousness of its Godard homage, but in true Richard Linklater style it tells the most profound, warm story through hilarious, delightful moments. This is such an entertaining look at the world of film-making and the origins of the French New Wave. Moteur Raoul! Sarah, Dublin
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Mandalorian and Grogu was a perfect return to family fun in the cinema: a lot of heart, adventure and unapologetic fun. I saw it with my teenage son who loved it too. We went back with another friend two days later and his two teenage kids who were also ecstatic about the film. I can’t understand all the criticism reviewers heaped on this piece of perfect entertainment! Jim Melin, 56, Göteborg, Sweden
Project Hail Mary
I think purely for an enjoyable cinematic experience, Project Hail Mary is my fave so far. Rocky was such an engaging character, Ryan Gosling was fab and Greig Fraser’s cinematography was sublime. I saw it twice at the cinema. Cathy, Sydney, Australia
Obsession
I’ve now seen Obsession seven times, more than any other film this year. The more packed the cinema, the more fun it is to watch, as you get to hear everyone’s reactions: the “I’m not sure I’m supposed to laugh at this” laughs, the shocks, the whimpers, the gasps, the outbursts and the tears. I can’t remember the last film at the cinema that created this much of a visceral reaction in the audience. The last two or three times I’ve seen it have been as much about enjoying the audience reaction as watching the film. It’s also hilarious in its timing and techniques. This movie is relentless until the end credits start rolling – you’re suspended in tense anticipation every second. Scott Muller, 57, Mittagong, NSW
Tuner
Tuner is probably the sweetest violent crime drama you’ll see this year. It moves along at a breezy pace, and like the easy jazz soundtrack it rarely hits the beats you’d expect. Daniel Roher is more than happy to take a few left turns in his plotting, but Tuner never feels flabby, ticking along nicely until its surprisingly tender finale. Great to see Leo Woodall taking his next steps into the Hollywood firmament. He’s secured the crown from Tom Hardy as our nation’s foremost full-lipped cherubic leading man who looks as if he could comfortably break your arm. John, London
The Rivals of Amziah King
Matthew McConaughey leads a southern fried mystery-thriller that practically defies further categorisation. Beginning as the tale of an Alabama beekeeper, the film is packed full of left field screwball moments (complete with extended musical performances) before settling down to become a revenge thriller. The second feature of writer-director Andrew Patterson, it makes him a film-maker to watch. Patterson’s film evokes the kinetic unpredictability of Paul Thomas Anderson’s earlier works and I cannot wait to see what he does next. It’ll be a long time until another film like this one comes along. Kristian Connelly, Fitzroy, Australia
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
I’ve been a fan of this Canadian cult TV series (based on a webseries of the same name) for a few years now. It follows two friends, Matt and Jay, as they enact one insane scheme after another with the ultimate goal of booking a show at the Rivoli, a local music venue, all without actually writing any music or promoting themselves in the traditional way. It combines scripted comedy, guerilla film-making and hidden camera stunts, as well as frequently parodying popular media both new and old. Much of it is filmed on the streets of Toronto and involves members of the general public resulting in plenty of hilarious and authentic reactions to the chaotic behaviour of the two leads. The movie takes this concept and expertly translates it to a feature length story that sees the characters unwittingly travelling back in time to 2008 and their efforts to find their way home. I’ve seen it three times now and still there are moments where I genuinely have no idea how they made it. Best of all, it exists independently from its previous iterations making it a perfect entry point for audiences unfamiliar with the series. Seb, Australia
The Sheep Detectives
The Sheep Detectives is by far the best film I have seen in a long time. I love a whodunnit and this is a great spin on that genre. It is a movie for all ages and has humour and charm. In an age when movies are dominated by horror, violence and sex, it was great to see a film that could just tell a story without all those things (which are often used as fillers for lack of a good story). Let’s be honest, the world feels a bit dark right now … so I’d rather see a feelgood movie like The Sheep Detectives over more darkness. Lisa, New Jersey, US