Killer Chimps, Post-Apocalyptic Thrills and More: 87 Best Movies of 2026, Plus 17 to Watch

A List That Keeps Changing

The selection considers films that have already made an impression as well as titles still on the calendar or generating attention at events such as the Sundance Film Festival. It is meant to shift over the course of the year, moving from anticipated releases toward favorites.

That means the lineup can look very different by December than it did in January. The appeal, as the introduction puts it, is having films to look forward to even when not every one will deliver.

Horror And Post-Apocalyptic Action

Primate offers a B-movie slasher built around Ben, a chimpanzee whose on-screen violence makes for an entertaining experience. The film delivers the premise it promises. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple continues the story from 28 Years Later. Nia DaCosta directs, Alex Garland returns as screenwriter, and Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell lead the film amid post-apocalyptic turmoil.

Crime And Island Survival

In The Rip, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play police officers drawn into a case involving a stash house full of money. The crime thriller follows the team as its members try to determine who may be corrupt; Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins and Teyana Taylor also appear.

Send Help marks Sam Raimi’s return to an original horror story. Rachel McAdams plays a Survivor enthusiast stranded on an island with her unpleasant boss, played by Dylan O’Brien.

Brothers On The Run

The Wrecking Crew stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged brothers who reunite in Hawaii after their father’s mysterious death. Their investigation leads into a mix of comedy and violent action.

The film aims for a buddy-action-comedy tone, and its stars play a pair of self-assured men. The story’s mix of jokes and physical mayhem makes it a straightforward crowd-pleaser.