May 2026 Movies Collection
What are the best movies that have released from Jan–Apr?
Project Hail Mary ★
Mar 20Sci-Fi95% RT$320M domesticPhil Lord and Chris Miller turned Andy Weir's novel into one of the best sci-fi films in years. Ryan Gosling is magnetic, the alien friendship is genuinely moving, and it nails the "science as problem-solving" tone that made The Martian great. Gosling's highest-rated film on both the Tomatometer and Popcornmeter. An instant classic.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Jan 16Horror/Sci-Fi93% RTNia DaCosta directs Alex Garland's script with unflinching brutality. Ralph Fiennes is terrifying, Jack O'Connell commands the screen, and the infected sequences are genuinely harrowing. Set a new franchise record on Rotten Tomatoes and was called "the first great movie of 2026."
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ★
Apr 1Animation82% RT$404M domesticThe highest-grossing film of 2026 so far. Illumination's Nintendo sequel captures the magic of the beloved Wii game with gorgeous cosmic visuals and a surprisingly emotional arc. Three straight weeks at #1. A crowd-pleaser that earned its massive numbers.
Crime 101
Feb 13Crime/Thriller$37M domesticA '70s-style LA crime thriller with Chris Hemsworth as a meticulous jewel thief and Barry Keoghan as a psychotic stick-up man. Amazon MGM swung for the fences on an original IP and it paid off — tight, stylish, and genuinely tense.
GOAT
Feb 13Animation/Sports Comedy81% RT$103M domesticSony's animated sports comedy scored the best opening for an original animated film since Elemental. Sharp humor, vibrant animation, and a story that connects with both kids and adults. An unexpected hit.
Send Help
Jan 30Horror/Comedy$65M domesticSam Raimi returns to horror-comedy with Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien stranded on an island where the power dynamics flip in terrifying ways. Raimi's signature frenetic energy is back and it's glorious.
Hoppers ★
Mar 6Animation$165M domesticDisney/Pixar's latest original concept. Charming, visually inventive, and a solid family film even if it doesn't reach the heights of peak Pixar. The box office proves audiences still show up for original animated stories.
The Drama
Apr 3Drama82% RTA24Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in an A24 drama. The pairing alone makes it worth seeing, and while it's more restrained than expected, both leads deliver. Opened to $14.4M — strong for an A24 original.
Scream 7
Feb 27Horror/Slasher$122M domesticBest horror debut of 2026 at $63.6M opening weekend. The franchise keeps finding ways to reinvent itself. Not as sharp as the 2022 requel, but it delivers the kills, the meta commentary, and the whodunit in satisfying fashion.
Michael ★
Apr 24Musical Biopic39% RT / 97% audience$195M domesticThe biggest critic-audience split of the year. Critics say Antoine Fuqua's MJ biopic is style over substance that dodges the hard questions. Audiences say Jaafar Jackson's performance is transcendent and it's the closest thing to a concert you can get. Either way, $195M domestic speaks for itself.
Wuthering Heights
Feb 13Romance/Drama59% RT$84M domesticVisually stunning, and the $84M gross proves there's still an audience for literary adaptations. But 59% on RT tells the real story — it looks better than it feels. The source material deserved a sharper script.
Reminders of Him
Mar 13Romance/Drama56% RT / 88% audience$49M domesticThe best-reviewed Colleen Hoover adaptation yet — which says more about the previous ones than this one. It works as comfort-food cinema for the target audience. Critics remain split.
May 2026 Movies To-Do
What are the best movies that will come out May–Dec?
The Odyssey ★
Jul 17Epic/ActionChristopher NolanIMAXNolan adapts Homer's epic with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, and Anne Hathaway. Shot entirely on IMAX cameras. $250M budget. This is the movie event of the year.
Avengers: Doomsday ★
Dec 18SuperheroRusso BrothersThe Russo brothers return to direct. Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Vanessa Kirby join the MCU. Whether the MCU can recapture its Endgame magic is the biggest question in Hollywood right now.
Dune: Part Three ★
Dec 25Sci-Fi/EpicDenis VilleneuveVilleneuve adapts Dune Messiah. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Florence Pugh. After two critically acclaimed films, this is potentially the trilogy closer of the decade.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day ★
Jul 31SuperheroMCUTom Holland's fourth standalone Spidey. Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, and Mark Ruffalo join the cast. After No Way Home's multiverse reset, this reportedly goes back to street-level storytelling. The MCU's biggest draw returns.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Nov 20Sci-Fi/ActionLionsgateYoung Haymitch Abernathy competes in the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell. 24 years before the original, with double the tributes and double the stakes. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes proved prequels can work for this franchise.
The Mandalorian & Grogu ★
May 22Sci-Fi/ActionStar WarsStar Wars returns to theaters after a seven-year absence. Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and a Martin Scorsese voice cameo. Tracking for an $80M+ 4-day Memorial Day opening. This is a litmus test for the franchise's theatrical future.
Backrooms
May 29Horror/Sci-FiA24Kane Parsons' viral YouTube concept becomes a full A24 film. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass. Early test screenings were very positive. Predicted to hit 84% on RT. This could be 2026's sleeper horror hit.
Toy Story 5
Jun 19AnimationPixarWoody and Buzz face a new challenge as kids replace toys with gadgets. The premise alone is a goldmine for Pixar's brand of emotional storytelling. The question is whether we need this after Toy Story 4's perfect ending.
Supergirl
Jun 26SuperheroJames Gunn / DCUMilly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. Based on Tom King's comic miniseries. James Gunn's DCU is on a roll after Superman — this will prove whether that success was a fluke or the start of something real.
Masters of the Universe
Jun 5Action/AdventureAmazon MGMNicholas Galitzine as He-Man, with Alison Brie, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, and Kristen Wiig. Travis Knight (Bumblebee, Kubo) directs — his track record says trust the vision even if the IP feels risky.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 ★
May 1Comedy/Drama79% RT$91M domesticAlready out and performing well. Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly navigates tech-era workplace politics. 79% Fresh — critics say it offers more than just nostalgia. Not essential, but entertaining.
Practical Magic 2
Sep 11Fantasy/ComedySandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and the original cast return alongside Joey King and Maisie Williams. The original has a massive cult following that's only grown. Perfect fall comfort viewing.
Resident Evil (2026 Reboot)
Sep 18HorrorZach CreggerThe Barbarian director reboots Resident Evil with a darker, more horror-focused approach. Could finally be the faithful adaptation fans have been waiting for. The pedigree is there.
Make Your Own Movie Tier List
Rank these films yourself with ME-DB's free tier list maker. Track what you've watched and build your watchlist — no sign-up needed to try.
Try This Tier List →How We Rank
Ranking the Collection
Released films (Jan–Apr) are ranked on critical reception, audience response, cultural impact, and box office performance.
Ranking the To-Do
Upcoming May–Dec films are ranked on anticipation factors: director pedigree, cast, trailer quality, and franchise momentum.
S Tier = exceptional, must-see regardless of genre preference
A Tier = excellent, highly recommended
B Tier = good, worth your time if the premise appeals to you
C Tier = decent, has strengths but notable weaknesses
What Changed from Last Month
This is the first edition! Check back in June when The Mandalorian & Grogu, Backrooms, Toy Story 5, Masters of the Universe, and Supergirl will move from the to-do list to the collection tier.
