The best films of 2026… so far!

As I settled into my seat at the cinema, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. The summer blockbuster season is in full swing, and I'm still trying to catch my breath from the cinematic experiences that have left me reeling. NME's guide to the most unmissable movies of 2026 so far has been a godsend, and I'm excited to share my thoughts on the films that have stolen the show so far.

The halftime scores are in, and it's clear that this year's crop of films has been a wild ride. From the surreal and stomach-churning sequel to last year's 28 Days Later to the lean, mean cat-and-mouse thriller that is Apex, the films that have made it onto NME's list are evidence of the diversity and innovation of the industry.

One of the most striking things about this year's crop of films is the way they've managed to balance tone and genre. Take, for example, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta, this sequel to last year's 28 Days Later is a masterclass in blending the surreal and the grotesque. With Ralph Fiennes dancing maniacally to Iron Maiden's The Number Of The Beast, it's clear that this film is not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of what we expect from a zombie movie.

Similarly, Apex Director Baltasar Kormákur has managed to create a lean, mean thriller that's packed with tension and suspense. With Charlize Theron showing off her action chops as a rock climber fighting for her life in the outback, and Taron Egerton delivering a seriously creepy performance as the local weirdo hunting her down, it's clear that this film is not to be missed.

Another standout film on NME's list is Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons. This clever, creepy psych-horror combines Lynchian surrealism with the kind of chaotic found footage first popularized by early aughts phenomenon The Blair Witch Project. Adapted from Parsons' cult web anthology, itself based on a viral meme, this is Gen-Z filmmaking at its freshest and finest.

Finally, I want to mention Broken English, a feature-length documentary about Marianne Faithfull that uses a playful framing device, the fictional The Ministry of Not Forgetting, led by Tilda Swinton, to explore a fitful but fascinating career. Though Faithfull is frequently seen using an oxygen tube in her interviews, she's still a regal presence who knows exactly how to burnish her legacy.

• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is directed by Nia DaCosta and stars Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell.
• Apex is directed by Baltasar Kormákur and stars Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton.
• Backrooms is directed by Kane Parsons and is a psych-horror film.
• Broken English is a documentary about Marianne Faithfull, directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.

As I reflect on the films that have made it onto NME's list, I'm excited to see what's next for these talented filmmakers. Will Nia DaCosta continue to push the boundaries of what we expect from a zombie movie? Will Baltasar Kormákur deliver another lean, mean thriller? And will Kane Parsons continue to innovate and experiment with the Gen-Z filmmaking style?As I left the cinema, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the rest of the year. The summer blockbuster season may be heating up, but with films like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Apex, Backrooms, and Broken English leading the charge, I'm confident that 2026 is shaping up to be a year for the ages.