The Best [Insert Word(s) Here] Of 2026

So, the original plan here was just to do a rundown of my favorite movies of the year thus far. But then I saw a handful of other writers/podcasters/fellas do that. And it’s pretty boring.

I have a list, you have a list, we all have a list. And don’t worry. There’ll still be a full ranking at the end of the year with write-ups and Letterboxd screenshots and various pablum. And I’m sure there’ll be more rankings as we go, because this is a weekly newsletter and my creativity has limits. Sometimes, you just gotta put some numbers on things, write something relatively amusing (maybe?), and call it a week.

Anyway, instead of all that, here’s an in-no-real-order breakdown of the Bests of the year. Some are serious, some … less so. Either way, it’s a holiday weekend, which means the beach more movies.

The Best Cry

The best movies make you emotional. Ecstatic, furious, exhausted. And even sometimes devastated. It’s been a strong year so far for movies that are trying to make you cry, from arthouse Blue Heron to sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary to beloved sequel Toy Story 5. And yet, they all pale in comparison to The Sheep Detectives, which could best be described as Knives Out mixed with a childhood fable mixed with emotional terrorism.

There’s a little Winter Lamb, who’s so goddamn precious that it’s actually infuriating, as well as a very resonant, pretty dark story about loss and memory. I think it earns its tears, and somehow a movie written by a Chernobyl writer centered on (as the title goes) sheep detectives is one of the better new movies I’ve watched this year.

Btw, here’s a review from my sister, Hannah: Sheep detectives [is my favorite] bc little teeny tiny one apple tall baby winter lamb.

The Best Color

Although I didn’t love the movie as much as others (more on that later), I Love Boosters should be a shoo-in for Best Costume Design when we get to awards season. The sci-fi action comedy from expert hat wearer Boots Riley looks as good as any other movie this year and is a beautiful nighmare/dreamscape that takes place on Earth and also its own fantabulous reality.

In just two movies, Riley has shown that he has as good an eye as any other director and that he’s willing to take huge swings to make things look good when so much else is cookie-cutter carbon copies of each other. One day, Riley’s going to make a masterpiece, and it’s going to look good as hell.

The Best Michael Jackson Movie

It’s too bad there was no Michael Jackson movie that came out this year. No siree. Making a Michael Jackson biopic (and completely bypassing all of the scandals and fucked-up history) would be a dumb idea. And it definitely shouldn’t make a lot of money and bring out all of his ridiculous defenders.

If that happened, that would all be pretty evil and gross.

The Best Performance In A Not-Very-Good Movie

I gotta be honest. I like Emily Blunt, but I don’t understand the adoration for her Disclosure Day performance. Like, it was good, sure. It’s Emily Blunt. But it’s certainly not better (or even close) to her work in Edge of Tomorrow, Sicario, A Quiet Place, The Devil Wears Prada or Oppenheimer.

Disclosure Day is a movie that ultimately didn’t work for me, which I like less and less. And it’s one of many movies that didn’t come together, at least in my opinion. Other slight-to-major disappointments include How to Make a Killing, Wuthering Heights, Pizza Movie, Undertone and Magellan. There are many others that I didn’t like … but I can’t say I expected to like stuff like Masters of the Universe or You, Me & Tuscany.

With that said, there are usually good performances in projects that don’t come together, such as Lili Reinhart in the fun-idea-that-doesn’t-come-together Forbidden Fruits. The horror-witch-comedy set in a mall falls apart, especially in the final act, but you can’t say Reinhart didn’t try her best to hold it all together. Sometimes, it doesn’t work. That’s okay.

The Best Trailer Of The Year (So Far)

I mean, hell yeah.

…

Oh, wait. This one’s cool, too.

Movies are fun.

The Best Ill-Conceived Sequel

There are plenty of sequels that have no reason to exist, from The Devil Wears Prada 2 to the much-beloved latest addition to the Toy Story franchise. And my favorite so far is pretty clearly Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, which knows exactly what it is and does no more and no less.

The sequel to the hide-and-seek horror movie probably didn’t need to be made. But the simple ideas of building out the world a little more and adding in Kathryn Newton as Samara Weaving’s traumatized sister are great complements. It’s gory, harsh and gross, and at its best when it throws its ideas at the wall and sees what sticks. I had a great time with this one, despite knowing that I’ll probably never need to watch it again.

The Best Scare

At the time of writing this, Obsession has made over $371 million, which is frankly ludicrous for a fucked-up horror movie with a budget around $750,000. But, sometimes good things happen. Either way, it’s not like you need me to tell you that Obsession is very good and you should watch it. And yes, the best scare of the year comes from Inde Navarrette standing in the corner of the room (rightfully) losing her mind over Bear’s evil wish.

To be honest, I had trouble sleeping after watching Obsession as it was so viscerally nasty (in the best of ways) and so beautifully mean. It’s absurd the movie has done this well, and it gives me hope for the future of the industry.

The Best Song On ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’

Okay, so this isn’t … a movie. But I have nowhere else to write about this incredible album and Olivia Rodrigo. In a year with a lot of really great new music, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” has taken over my life in a way that few albums have. The only recent equivalents are probably Punisher, Charm, The Record and IGOR.

There’s something so simple about a concept album showing the arc of romance into a breakup, and I’ve already had moments with every song on the album. Kinda crazy for an artist so young to put together a record of 13 incredible songs that blend into one another in such a cohesive way.

I’ve already had a handful of favorites, from “begged” to “expectations” to “less” to “purple.” And at the moment, “u + me = <3” can’t get out of my goddamn head.

Excellent song, phenomenal album. Will listen to this all an ungodly amount of times.

The Best Movie You Haven’t Heard Of (Probably?)

I already wrote a post back in April called “The Best New Movie You Haven’t Seen.” That was about Redux Redux, a sci-fi action thriller about how many times you can murder someone, and now I’m recommending Tuner, a heist action movie about a piano tuner (with some special talents) that’s a little bit Michael Mann and a little bit Whiplash.

It stars Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu and Dustin Hoffman and is a great time, despite getting to some pretty terrifying places.

I was really impressed by director Daniel Roher’s work here, especially when you consider that he comes from the documentary world with Oscar-winning Navalny.

The Best Stuff I’ve Already Written About

I’ve already written many, many words about The Drama, Rachel McAdams and Backrooms, so we don’t need to do that all again. Either way, phenomenal across the board.

It’s been a hell of a movie year, when I haven’t even yet mentioned Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a movie I made sure to see multiple times in the theater.

The Best Movie Of The Year (So Far)

So, this is a new one. Since I saw The Invite over the weekend and haven’t had a chance to write about it yet. But I was blown away by Olivia Wilde’s new dramedy, a treatise on marriage, love and what’s wrong with everyone. Booksmart is a very fun updated Superbad riff and Don’t Worry Darling is a structural mess with a very good eye, but I never thought Wilde had something like The Invite in her.

Structured like a play but shot like a down-to-the-wire thriller, The Invite is a simple story of two neighboring couples hanging out and is one of the funniest/strangest/most joyful experiences I’ve had in a theater this year.

I can’t recommend this one more. Shoutout to the core four: Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton for my favorite movie of the year (so far). Also, Wilde may be my pick for Best Actress at the moment.

Well, I guess that depends on if Inde Navarrette is being slotted in lead or supporting. I guess we have the rest of the year to figure that all out.

BONUS: The Best Thing Jake Richards Wanted To Write About

I Love Boosters is a live-action cartoon in the best way possible. It is absolutely gorgeous visually, and I’m not just talking about Lakeith Stanfield in his various suits. It draws you in with the premise of an all-female heist movie that’s actually good (sorry, Oceans 8), and then keeps your attention by turning into a surrealist political commentary about class solidarity. Boots Riley, if you see this, please give me the number for your hat guy.