The Top Films of 2026 That We've Already Experienced

      We aim not to inundate you, but while you’re exploring our top 50 films of 2025, some remarkable cinema is on the horizon for 2026. Before we unveil our 100 most-anticipated titles (which are yet to debut), we’re showcasing 35 (and more) films from this year’s festival circuit that have either confirmed release dates for 2026 or are pending confirmation from their distributors. Additionally, there are a few films pursuing distribution that we hope will premiere in the coming 12 months, as highlighted here.

      Please note that we have excluded any films that had 2025 awards-qualifying screenings from this feature. However, we recommend checking out Sirāt, Pillion, A Poet, The Love That Remains, The Chronology of Water, Below the Clouds, Sound of Falling, Palestine 36, and others expected in early 2026.

      Obex (Albert Birney; Jan. 9)

      While films like David Cronenberg’s Videodrome and Steven Lisberger’s TRON have delved into the thrilling yet fearful aspects of humanity’s connection to screens since the early ‘80s, there is a renewed interest in this theme as screens proliferate in our lives. Last year at the Sundance Film Festival, Jane Schoebruen examined the identity-forming bonds with media and the eventual nostalgia that curdles in I Saw the TV Glow. This year, OBEX sees Albert Birney follow up Strawberry Mansion with another creative and lo-fi venture, this time with a sharper focus. Although our protagonist is glued to a screen around the clock, the film offers a heartfelt exploration of how entertainment can serve as comfort to the loneliest individuals. – Jordan R. (full review)

      A Useful Ghost (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke; Jan. 16)

      Ghosts and spirits have historically been used to elicit cinematic fright, seen in films from The Innocents to Poltergeist to The Ring. However, a more recent array of films has focused on the tangible emotional impacts these apparitions can have on the living. In this way, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s directorial debut A Useful Ghost acts as a spiritual relative to works like Uncle Boonmee and A Ghost Story, presenting a peculiar, serene, and humorous examination of what life would look like if ghosts were an accepted part of reality, along with their insights on the social and political issues facing contemporary Thailand amid industrialization. – Jordan R. (full review)

      Seeds (Brittany Shyne; Jan. 16)

      Drawing inspiration from Gordon Park’s black-and-white photos of the New Deal Era, cinematographer Brittany Shyne’s impactful debut feature Seeds presents a glimpse into the fading lifestyle of Black farmers in the American South. Its laid-back style primarily mirrors the rhythms of life captured in a vérité approach, occasionally disrupted when the camera’s presence is acknowledged. – John F. (full review)

      Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (Gore Verbinski; Feb. 13)

      I didn’t realize how much I missed Gore Verbinski until I witnessed the utterly wild climax of his latest film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, during the final secret screening at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. I won’t spoil just how outrageous this film gets; even if I did, I’m not sure you would believe it. – Eric V. (full review)

      Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie (Matt Johnson; Feb. 13)

      The year’s most entertaining and unpredictable film is about two men, an RV, and their ambition to perform at the Rivoli. Matt Johnson and Jay McCarroll’s cinematic adaptation of their cult-classic web (and subsequently cable) series is easily accessible for newcomers, sprinkling enough humor throughout that everyone will find something amusing, whether it’s a specific film reference or an offhand remark from a passerby. A testament to low-budget/mockumentary filmmaking and sheer audacity, it’s an experience that must be seen to be believed. – Devan S.

      What Does That Nature Say to You (Hong Sangsoo; Feb. 27)

      The last time Hong Sangsoo didn’t feature in a Berlinale program, Childish Gambino’s “This is America” topped the charts and Green Book was on its way to winning the Oscar over Roma. (2019 aside, it’s been back to the Obama years since his name wasn't included.) In just six years, the festival has seen three different creative directors, endured a global pandemic, and struggled under its own political commitments. This illustrates that while some things transform, others remain constant. Hong continues to challenge critics and provide comfort to his fans. If, like me, you belong to the latter, you will likely appreciate What Does That Nature Say to You, the director’s latest comedic melodrama, the closest he has come to