My Movie/TV Series Reviews so far in 2026 and What I’m Looking Forward to Seeing
If you know me, you know I love movies and TV series. Below are some of the biggest movies and television series from January through July 2026 that I’ve seen so far. These are the projects critics couldn’t stop talking about, audiences couldn’t stop watching, and I couldn’t stop thinking about. They’re in the order in which they hit screens. For each one, I’ve included the Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb scores, a quick overview, box office numbers, a pros and cons list, and my own take.
1. Wonder Man (Disney+) – January 28, 2026
What it is: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams, a struggling actor and stuntman who lands a role in a superhero reboot before unexpectedly gaining real superpowers.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% Critics | 87–88% Audience
IMDb: 7.5/10
Pros
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a charismatic performance.
Refreshing blend of comedy, drama, and superhero action.
A unique behind-the-scenes Hollywood setting.
One of Marvel’s strongest-reviewed Disney+ series.
Cons
Slow opening episodes.
Smaller scale than many MCU projects.
Didn’t receive the audience attention it deserved.
My Take: This had the chance to be one of the MCU’s biggest surprises. Simon spends the entire series going after a dream that almost keeps slipping away from him. Even though Disney/Marvel Studios canceled it, I like that it’s stepping away from the typical superhero formula and leaning into Hollywood satire while still telling a character-driven story. If they balance the comedy with genuine heart, this could become one of the MCU’s most refreshing series.
2. Daredevil: Born Again – Season 2 (Disney+) – March 4, 2026
What it is: Matt Murdock returns to Hell’s Kitchen to face Wilson Fisk in what many consider a major improvement over Season One.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% Critics | 86% Audience
IMDb: 8.1/10
Pros
Outstanding fight choreography.
Charlie Cox gives another excellent performance.
Strong courtroom drama.
Kingpin remains one of Marvel’s greatest villains.
Cons
A few pacing issues.
Some supporting characters deserve more development.
My Take: Season 1 put Matt Murdock back where he belongs. Season 2 raises the stakes even higher—more courtroom drama, brutal action, and deeper character development. Season 2 sets the gold standard for Marvel television.
3. Project Hail Mary (Theaters) – March 20, 2026
What it is: Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes up alone with amnesia on humanity’s final mission to survive.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Critics | 95% Audience
IMDb: 8.3/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $80.5 million domestically
Domestic Total: $344.1 million
Worldwide Total: $684.0 million
Pros
Ryan Gosling’s career-best performance.
Emotionally powerful story.
Incredible visual effects.
Beautiful friendship at its core.
Cons
Dense scientific dialogue.
The pacing is slow.
My Take: This is probably my most anticipated original movie. There’s a scene where Ryland Grace realizes that the mission was never really about him. It’s about a sacrifice bigger than himself. The book is emotional, funny, and incredibly smart. If the director captures the friendship at the heart of the story while keeping the science accessible, I think this could become a modern sci-fi classic.
4. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Disney+) – April 6, 2026
What it is: An animated Star Wars series recording Darth Maul’s criminal empire between The Clone Wars and Rebels.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Critics | 93% Audience
IMDb: 8.5/10
Pros
Gorgeous animation.
Fantastic character development.
Dark, mature storytelling.
One of Star Wars’ best-written villains.
Cons
Very dark in tone.
Less accessible for casual Star Wars fans.
My Take: Hatred, survival, and obsession continue to drive Maul’s story, making him one of Star Wars’ most fascinating. This series gave me exactly what I wanted by exploring his criminal empire between The Clone Wars and Rebels while embracing a darker, more mature tone. It finally gave Maul the spotlight he deserved and showed just how tragic his pursuit of power had become. The final act with Darth Vader was a huge surprise and easily the greatest reveal.
5. Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (Theaters) – May 22, 2026
What it is: Din Djarin and Grogu make the jump from Disney+ to theaters.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 60% Critics | 89% Audience
IMDb: 7.0/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $81.7 million domestically
Domestic Total: $177.7 million
Worldwide Total: $345.0 million
Pros
Wonderful father-son dynamic.
Gorgeous visuals.
Crowd-pleasing adventure.
Grogu remains irresistible.
Cons
Plays things very safe.
Feels closer to a long TV episode than an epic movie.
Predictable story.
My Take: Din Djarin and Grogu command the big screen once again. They make every major moment resonate because of the emotional bond they’ve built over the years. Even though the movie felt like an extended episode rather than a true cinematic event, their relationship drives the story. They carry the film with heart, reminding viewers why these characters became so beloved in the first place, even if the adventure doesn’t redefine Star Wars.
6. Disclosure Day (Theaters) – June 12, 2026
What it is: Steven Spielberg explores humanity’s response to discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% Critics | 70% Audience
IMDb: 6.8/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $44.5 million domestically
Domestic Total: $116.4 million
Worldwide Total: $239.4 million
Pros
Spielberg’s trademark wonder.
Great performances.
Thought-provoking ideas.
Strong first two acts.
Cons
Uneven pacing.
Divisive ending.
My Take: Disclosure Day grips audiences as one of the year’s most interesting sci-fi thrillers. Its belief immediately sets it apart from most modern blockbusters, and it explores its central mystery without leaning on cheap twists. Spielberg keeps enough wonder and tension to keep viewers engaged despite uneven pacing. The film earns attention as one of 2026’s biggest sleeper hits and secures its place as a unique, worthwhile experience.
7. The Death of Robin Hood (Theaters) – June 19, 2026
What it is: Hugh Jackman plays an aging Robin Hood reflecting on a violent life.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% Critics | 56% Audience
IMDb: 6.2/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $2.9 million domestically
Domestic Total: $5.3 million
Worldwide Total: $6.9 million
Pros
Hugh Jackman’s performance.
Beautiful cinematography.
Mature themes.
Powerful ending.
Cons
Slow pacing.
Extremely bleak.
Lacks the adventure associated with Robin Hood.
My Take: The Death of Robin Hood gives a different look at one of fiction’s most familiar heroes through his most unique tale. The film confronts the cost of the life Robin chose instead of celebrating the legend. Hugh Jackman commands the screen with a powerful performance that elevates the material and shapes a thoughtful character study of legacy, regret, and redemption. The emotional weight lingers long after the credits roll, rewarding those who embrace its challenging journey.
8. Toy Story 5 (Theaters) – June 19, 2026
What it is: Woody and Buzz battle for Bonnie’s attention against a talking tablet named Lilypad.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% Critics | 94% Audience
IMDb: 7.6/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $159.7 million domestically
Domestic Total: $455.4 million
Worldwide Total: $1.031 billion
Pros
Heartfelt emotional moments.
Funny.
Smart commentary on technology.
Excellent voice performances.
Cons
Doesn’t quite match Toy Story 3.
Some jokes feel obvious.
My Take:
I went into Toy Story 5 with cautious optimism, and Pixar repaid that faith by delivering another return to these characters. The film delivers a timely story about childhood, technology, and competing distractions while reminding us that relationships matter more than screens. It doesn’t reach the emotional heights of Toy Story 3, but it earns its place as a sequel worth having and one I’m glad arrived.
9. The Odyssey (Theaters) – July 17, 2026
What it is: Christopher Nolan adapts Homer’s legendary epic.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% Critics | 97% Audience
IMDb: 8.5/10
Box Office
Opening Weekend: $123.5 million domestically
Domestic Total: $344.5 million
Worldwide Total: $707.2 million
Pros
Spectacular direction.
Incredible visuals.
Emotional performances.
Epic scale with intimate storytelling.
Cons
Long runtime.
Dense mythology may challenge newcomers.
My Take: Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite directors working today, and his latest film meets and even surpasses the enormous expectations surrounding this epic poem. He creates a breathtaking film and grounds it in the humanity of Odysseus’ journey. Every barrier strengthens his longing for home, family, and purpose, turning this into more than an epic adventure. Nolan balances scale and emotion masterfully, delivering one of his finest films and, in my view, one of the best movies of 2026 so far.
10. Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (Theaters/Paramount+) – July 24, 2026
What it is: Set 13 years after the Hundred Year War, the animated film reunites an adult Aang with Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko. When Aang discovers another surviving airbender named Tagah, Team Avatar begins a search for a legendary staff that may hold the power to restore the Air Nomads.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% Critics | 99% Audience
IMDb: 8.0/10
Box Office
Received a limited, awards-qualifying theatrical release from July 24–30.
Played in select theaters alongside its Paramount+ release.
Sources did not widely record box office totals because of the film’s extremely limited theatrical run.
Pros
Beautiful animation that honors the original series.
Successfully reunites the original Team Avatar.
Balances action, humor, and emotional storytelling.
Explores Aang’s responsibility as both the Avatar and the last surviving member of his culture.
Introduces an intriguing new chapter in the Avatar world.
Cons
The story occasionally feels rushed.
Its short runtime limits some character development.
Several members of Team Avatar do not receive enough screen time.
The absence of characters such as Suki is noticeable.
The new voice cast may take time for longtime fans to accept.
My Take: Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender provided a nostalgic yet fresh return to its world. Seeing Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko again was nostalgic but not reliant on it. The animation, action, and story's humor, hope, and depth remain strong. Aang’s quest to reclaim lost culture highlights themes of grief, responsibility, and identity. The film moves quickly and could have allowed more character development, but it remains a worthy sequel to my favorite animated series. It doesn’t fully recapture the original's magic but reminded me of its significance.
10. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Theaters) – July 31, 2026
What it is: Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film returns Peter Parker to a grounded, street-level story.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 90–91% Critics | 98% Audience
IMDb: 8.2/10
Box Office
Thursday Previews: $72 million
Opening Weekend: Final total not yet available
Pros
Tom Holland’s most emotional Spider-Man
Grounded story & heartfelt moments
Great chemistry w/ Zendaya & Batalon
Awesome action, low CGI
Standout supporting roles by Sadie Sink and Jon Bernthal
Cons
Slow middle act
Side characters underdeveloped
Runtime trimmed
My Take: Spider-Man: Brand New Day delivers exactly what I wanted. After the multiversal chaos of No Way Home, Peter Parker thrives in a grounded, street-level story. The film lets Peter shoulder the full weight of responsibility, loss, and sacrifice without leaning on nostalgia or spectacle. Tom Holland gives his strongest performance yet, securing this as one of the best Spider-Man films in years.
11. Batman: Caped Crusader – Season 2 (Prime Video) – July 31, 2026
What it is: Batman returns in Matt Reeves’ noir-inspired animated universe.
The Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
IMDb: 7.2/10
Pros
Gorgeous noir animation.
Excellent detective storytelling.
Strong moral themes.
Great voice acting.
Cons
Slower pace than typical superhero animation.
Some episodes feel more procedural.
My Take: Season 2 expands confidently on everything that made the first season work. It keeps the noir atmosphere exceptional, gives Gotham’s rogues even deeper development, and pushes Bruce Wayne to grow as both detective and hero. The series shows that Batman reaches his peak when he solves crimes as often as he fights criminals. The result is another mature and thoughtful season that stands among the strongest Batman adaptations in recent memory.
Where We Stand
Over the past seven months, I’ve watched eleven movies and TV shows, gathering plenty of story ideas along the way. 2026 has shown me that the stories that stick with us aren’t always the loudest or flashiest. They’re the ones centered around sacrifice, hope, redemption, perseverance, and the desire to find our way home. I’ve seen this in a blind lawyer fighting for justice in Hell’s Kitchen, an astronaut giving everything for humanity, Peter Parker carrying the weight of responsibility, and Odysseus refusing to give up his journey home. Each of these stories has, in its own way, pointed me toward the greatest story ever told.
Looking Forward
Here are some projects that I’m looking forward to seeing:
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
The Hunger Games excels at questions of power, sacrifice, and hope. Haymitch’s story adds emotional weight, and I hope this film deepens his arc and reminds us why Panem remains hauntingly relevant.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 3 (November 11)
Middle-earth is a favorite because it shows that ordinary people can be brave in the face of impossible situations. If Season 3 builds toward the War of the Last Alliance while emphasizing hope, humility, and perseverance, it might be the series’ best yet.
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18)
This movie is what I’ve been waiting to see for years. Uniting the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men against Doctor Doom could be Marvel’s top event since Endgame. I hope it shows that Marvel stories succeed because of characters’ costly choices, not just cameos.
Dune: Part Three (December 18)
Denis Villeneuve has yet to miss. If the first two films explored power and destiny, this one can examine their consequences. I expect stunning visuals and a look at how Paul’s journey challenges us on leadership and sacrifice, and the danger of relying on human rulers.
Final Thoughts
If the first half of 2026 reminded me why I love stories, the second half has the potential to remind me why I keep coming back to theaters. Whether it’s superheroes, Star Wars, fantasy, or science fiction, these stories always pull me in and ask bigger questions about sacrifice, justice, hope, redemption, and what it truly means to come home. Those are the stories that stay with me long after the credits roll, and they’re the ones I’m most excited to experience before the year comes to an end.
What were your favorite movies or TV shows from the first half of 2026? I’d love to hear them in the comments.
