2026 Has Alredy Been an Amazing Year for Movies

Maybe it's just the movie fan in me, but I can't remember the last time I looked at a theater schedule and thought, "I want to see almost everything." For the first time since the pandemic turned Hollywood upside down, it feels like movies are back in a big way.

For years we've heard the same conversation. "Movie theaters are dying." "Streaming is the future." "Hollywood has run out of ideas." And while there have certainly been some great films over the past few years, 2026 feels different. It feels like there's real momentum again.

What's been most exciting isn't just that we've gotten a handful of good movies—it's that we've gotten great movies across almost every genre.

Early in the year, science fiction fans were treated to the incredible Project Hail Mary, a film that reminded audiences why big, intelligent sci-fi adventures belong on the biggest screen possible. It wasn't just another effects showcase. It had heart, humor, and one of the year's most satisfying stories.

Animation has been on a roll, too. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued Nintendo's winning streak, proving once again that video game movies can actually be...well...good. Better than good, actually. It captured the fun and imagination that fans hoped for while introducing a whole new generation to Mario's universe.

Then came Toy Story 5.

I'll admit it—I wasn't sure we needed another Toy Story. After Toy Story 3, I thought Pixar had wrapped things up pretty well, yet they still made Toy Story 4. But somehow they found another story worth telling. It reminded us why Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang have meant so much to audiences for nearly three decades.

And then there's The Odyssey.

Big, ambitious, epic filmmaking has felt increasingly rare over the last several years. Seeing a classic story brought to life on such a massive scale reminded me why theaters exist in the first place. Some movies just aren't meant to be watched while folding laundry at home. Chistopher Nolan swung for the fences with The Odyssey, and he hot the ball out of the stadium. Go see this movie on the big screen.

Over the weekend the biggest movie opening ever happened. Spider-Man: Brand New Day delivered exactly what fans wanted: heart, humor, exciting action, and a reminder that superhero movies still work when the focus stays on great characters instead of simply setting up the next dozen sequels. Great actors playing characters we love doing cool stuff will always bring box office gold.

But here's what I think has made 2026 really special. It hasn't just been about the giant franchises. Some of the year's biggest surprises have come from smaller films, especially in horror. Obsession and Backrooms became breakout successes not because they had enormous budgets, but because they had fresh ideas, memorable scares, and audiences eager to discover something new. People, twenty somethings in particular, wanted to have a shared moviegoing experience with these films made by people who are their age. The success of these films proves that you don't need a $250 million budget to make an impact—you just need a great concept and strong execution, and an audience that wants to be scared. That's encouraging not only for horror fans but for anyone who wants Hollywood to keep taking creative risks.

Honestly, the best part is that we're not even finished with 2026. The second half of the year still has plenty to look forward to. I'm already counting down the days until Digger, one of the more intriguing original films on the horizon with a must see performance from Tom Cruise. Then there's Avengers: Doomsday, which has the chance to be the biggest superhero event in years if it sticks the landing. And for science fiction fans, Dune 3 promises to continue one of the most visually stunning and ambitious franchises of the modern era. For the first time in a long time, it feels like every few weeks there's another movie worth getting excited about.

The pandemic didn't kill moviegoing, but it definitely changed it. Studios became more cautious, release schedules were constantly shifting, and streaming often overshadowed theatrical releases. For a while, it seemed like every discussion about movies centered on declining ticket sales instead of the films themselves. This year, the conversation has finally changed. People are recommending movies to each other again. They're avoiding spoilers, buying advance tickets, debating favorites online, and making plans to see films together. Going to the movies has started feeling like an event again rather than just another entertainment option.

Will every movie be a classic? Of course not. But that's never been the point.

The point is that 2026 has reminded us what it's like to be genuinely excited about going to the theater. Between smart science fiction, emotional animated films, massive historical epics, crowd-pleasing superhero adventures, and inventive low-budget horror hits, there's been something for just about everyone. After several uneven years, Hollywood finally seems to have found its rhythm again. And if the rest of the release calendar lives up to the promise of Digger, Avengers: Doomsday, and Dune 3, we may end up looking back on 2026 as not just the best movie year since the pandemic—but one of the best blockbuster years in a very long time.

I’m excited. As Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel used to say, “I’ll see you at the movies”.

RD

RD is the founder and Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches "Obsession"

My wife and I sat down last weekend and finally saw "Obsession". I figured it was time when RD told me how much he liked the movie. I'm going to do a review today, but it will be as spoiler free as possible. Please read ahead if you're thinking about seeing this movie because nothing will be exposed today.

I first heard about the movie right after I saw "Backrooms". I saw some posters for it at the theater I went to, but I never gave it much thought. It wasn't until I was looking for other movies to watch similar to "Backrooms" did "Obsession" really pop on my radar. I do think that the only true comparison for both of these movies is, they're in the horror genre, and both are directed by young kids who got their start on YouTube. Other than that, these are two different, and very good movies. That’s the first thing I want to say about "Obsession", this is a very scary and very well made movie. I do think it is scarier than "Backrooms". Where "Backrooms" is more creepy, "Obsession" is way more gory and has many more jump scares, which I have found that I have begun to like in certain horror movies. But you can tell with both movies that these young kids have a deft hand and should be making movies for a very long time. They have both proved that they belong and they will be around for as long as they want to make movies. The follow ups will tell a lot, but they have come out of the gate swinging.

What I liked about "Obsession" so much was how quickly they get into it. There's a little backstory just so we know the characters and why they are on the paths they're on. But when the male lead makes the wish, about 15-20 minutes into the movie, we are off and running. That was another thing I found I really enjoyed about this movie, the casting. I hadn't heard of anyone who was in the movie, except for Andy Richter, and he has a very minor part. The four main leads are young, working actors, but I wouldn't have been able to pick them out of a lineup before seeing this movie. Megan Lawless plays Sarah, and Cooper Tomlinson plays Ian. They're friends with our two main characters, Bear, played by Michael Johnston, and Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette. Sarah and Ian are co stars, but they do a ton with the time they have on screen. Ian is the life of the party and just wants to have a good time. He never takes anything too seriously, but when he does it may be a little too late. Sarah wants to be an artist and she has a crush on the male lead, which feels like it is not reciprocated. She has a wonderful scene with Nikki at a party that is at times funny and terrifying. Bear is a total pushover. He is meek and cowardly and stays that way pretty much throughout the movie. I grew to despise his actions, which I believe is the point, as the movie went on. And Nikki, she is thrust into a world that she wants nothing to do with, but it is out of her control. Navarrette gives a star turning performance. She should be considered for every award. The stuff she is able to do with facial expressions alone is haunting and so well done. She absolutely owned this movie and I'm certain she is going to get so much more work from this. The way she slips back and forth between two characters is mesmerizing. She has all the talent in the world and  she showed that in this performance. It is one for the ages. I was blown away by her work.

And the story, oh man does it get pretty crazy. The way the movie escalates all the way to the conclusion was a sight to behold. The movie heightens at a fast pace, but it is still able to tell the story that it wants to. I couldn't believe the stuff I was watching and I was on the edge of my couch for the entirety of the movie. I also appreciated that they put jokes in there from time to time just to cut the tension and ease up just a hair before scaring the hell out of me in the very next scene. The scene between Bear and Nikki at the nice restaurant is a masterful play of just how creepy vibes can get when something feels off.

"Obsession" is totally worth the hype. There's so much more I want to say, but I also want people to see it for themselves and draw their own conclusions. I want to hear what others think about the movie, and mainly, about the final scene and the stuff going on over the end credits. I highly recommend watching this movie. It is a good, scary and quality time wherever you may watch it. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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