Sometimes the hardest part of movie night is actually deciding what to watch. There are so many movies on different streaming services and in theaters that scrolling through them can take longer than the movie itself.
Luckily, 2026 has given us plenty of options. Some of the biggest movies of the year have been huge hits in theaters, while others have become popular after being released on streaming services. Whether you are looking for something funny, romantic, action-packed or just something new, there is a lot to choose from.
Here are some of the movies that have been getting attention this year and deserve a spot on your watchlist.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
One of the biggest movies of the year is Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker, the movie continues the story of one of the most popular superheroes.
There was already a lot of excitement surrounding the movie before it was released. Spider-Man has been a fan favorite for years, and the previous movies starring Holland were also huge hits.
The movie has lived up to the hype at the box office. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has made more than $2.4 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie worldwide so far in 2026.
For anyone looking for an action movie with plenty happening throughout, this is an easy one to add to the list. It is also a good option for a movie night with friends, especially for Marvel fans.
The Odyssey
For something completely different, The Odyssey has also been one of the biggest movies of 2026.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie is based on Homer’s famous story about Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan War. The cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland.
The movie has made more than $1.7 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest theatrical releases of the year.
With action, adventure and mythology, The Odyssey is a good option for anyone wanting something a little different. It is also the type of movie that can be especially fun to see in a theater because of how big the story and visuals are.
Toy Story 5
For a little nostalgia, Toy Story 5 brought Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the toys back to the big screen this year.
For anyone who grew up watching the original Toy Story movies, seeing these characters again is a fun reminder of some of the movies many people grew up with. The newest movie continues the story while introducing a new challenge involving technology and the way kids play.
Toy Story 5 has made more than $1.1 billion worldwide, making it another major hit this year.
This is a good choice for a family movie night or for anyone wanting something familiar. It could also be the perfect excuse to rewatch the first four movies before watching the newest one.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Another animated movie that has been a major hit this year is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario and his friends returned to theaters for another adventure. This time, the movie takes inspiration from the popular Super Mario Galaxy games.
The movie has made more than $1 billion worldwide.
Unlike some of the more serious movies on this list, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an easy choice when the goal is simply to have fun. It is colorful, entertaining and does not require knowing everything about the games to enjoy it.
It is also a good option for a group because there is something for both kids and adults.
Project Hail Mary
Looking for something that will keep you guessing? Project Hail Mary is another movie worth adding to the list.
The science-fiction movie stars Ryan Gosling and is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling book. It follows a man who wakes up alone on a spaceship and has to figure out what happened and why he is there.
The story eventually becomes much bigger than just one person trying to survive. He discovers that his mission could have an impact on the future of Earth.
The movie has made more than $680 million worldwide.
With science fiction, humor and plenty of twists, Project Hail Mary is a good choice for anyone wanting something different from the usual superhero or animated movie.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Fashion and drama are back with The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The sequel brings back Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci and returns to the world of Runwaymagazine.
The original The Devil Wears Prada is still a popular movie years after its release, so the return of these characters created plenty of excitement. The sequel has also been one of the biggest movies of the year, earning more than $690 million worldwide.
Anyone who has never seen the original should probably start there before watching the sequel. For everyone else, a movie night with both movies could be the perfect plan.
With fashion, comedy and drama all mixed together, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is another movie to add to the list.
Michael
Another major movie from this year is Michael, which tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and career.
The movie stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael and focuses on different parts of the singer’s life. It became another major box-office hit, making more than $1 billion worldwide.
Movies based on real people can be an interesting way to learn more about their lives and careers. For anyone who enjoys music or biographical movies, Michael is worth checking out.
Not Every Movie Requires a Theater Trip
While some of the biggest movies of the year have been released in theaters, sometimes the best movie night is one that happens at home.
There are plenty of movies on streaming services that have become popular this year. Netflix, in particular, has had several movies that have gotten people talking.
One of those is People We Meet on Vacation.
People We Meet on Vacation
For anyone who loves a good romantic comedy, People We Meet on Vacation should be on the watchlist.
The Netflix movie is based on Emily Henry’s bestselling book and stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. It follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends who are very different but have spent years going on vacation together.
As the two continue their yearly trips, they start to wonder if their friendship could become something more.
The movie became a huge hit for Netflix. It reached No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 English Film list and had more than 40 million views.
The movie is an easy choice for a girls’ night, a date night or just a night when staying home sounds better than going to the theater.
And for anyone who read the book, watching the movie also gives you a chance to compare the story and characters to how you pictured them while reading.
Voicemails for Isabelle
Another Netflix movie to check out is Voicemails for Isabelle.
The movie stars Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson and follows Jill, who begins leaving voicemails for her sister. After the phone number is reassigned, Wes starts receiving the messages instead.
The two eventually develop a connection, turning the story into a romantic comedy with a more emotional side.
Compared to People We Meet on Vacation, this one has a little more of an emotional storyline. It is a good option for anyone looking for something that is not just a typical romantic comedy.
Since it is on Netflix, there is also no need to leave the house or spend money on a movie ticket.
With so many movies released this year, there are plenty of options depending on what kind of movie night is happening.
For action, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a good choice. The Odyssey is an option for adventure, while Toy Story 5 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are good choices for something fun and nostalgic. If you are watching with friends or family, these are also easy movies to pick since there is a little something for everyone.
For science fiction, Project Hail Mary offers something different. If fashion and drama are more your thing, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is an easy pick. And for anyone interested in music, Michael brings a famous story to the big screen.
For a movie night at home, People We Meet on Vacation and Voicemails for Isabelle are both options available on Netflix. Sometimes staying home and finding a movie on Netflix is exactly what you need, especially when you just want to relax and not have to leave the house.
The best part about this year’s movies is that there is no shortage of choices. Whether the plan is to go to the theater, have a movie night with friends or stay home and watch something on Netflix, there is always something new to add to the watchlist. There are movies for pretty much every type of movie fan, whether you want something funny, emotional, exciting or just something easy to watch.
So next time the question is, “What should we watch tonight?” hopefully the answer is a little easier. With so many movies to choose from, there is always something worth adding to the watchlist. Now all that is left to do is grab some snacks, get comfortable and decide what to watch.
