The summer of 2026 saw some big surprises when it came to the film industry. Many films studios expected to be big hits were absolute disasters, while some independent films hit it big at the box office.
With the summer coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at all the biggest releases and see which ones lived up to the hype and which ones crumbled under the weight of better films.
Only films released after the end of the 2025-2026 academic year will be included.
10. "Supergirl"
"Supergirl," the DCU’s cinematic follow up to James Gunn’s 2025 "Superman," crashed and burned at the summer box office, and it’s not hard to see why. While "Superman" clumsily tried to be optimistic and hopeful, "Supergirl" was depressing with no hope in sight. The only good thing about this movie was Jason Momoa’s, Lobo, who, honestly, had no reason to be there.
The film was based on Tom King’s “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” but missed the central point of Supergirl finding what it means to be a hero. Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El had no heroic qualities. She spends the entire film caring about her own desires, and the mission never becomes about the good of others. The pacing was all over the place, and much of the movie was a CGI eye-sore, with some of the worst cinematography and fight choreography put to cinema.
9. "Moana"
"Moana" was an interesting film to say the least. It is a live-action remake of an animated film that will be a decade old in November 2026. "Moana"
was entertaining not because of its own merits, but rather because the original is a great film.
Catherine Laga’aia gives an exceptional performance as Moana, giving heart and soul to a corporate cash grab of a film. Despite the awful wig, Dwayne Johnson does a great job once again as Maui, and the two leads have great chemistry. However, between the horrifying CGI chicken, drab landscape and scene-for-scene recreation, there’s no need to watch this one when you can just watch the original.
8. "Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu"
"Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu" felt like season four of "The Mandalorian" condensed into two-hours because Lucasfilm hadn’t released a movie since 2019, and the Mandalorian and Grogu were the most popular characters they had. Grogu was as cute and funny as he’s always been, and the Anzellans stole the show with their humor.
However, none of this was enough to save the film from being a mildly entertaining but ultimately forgettable relic of the summer of 2026. It was mostly entertaining, but it definitely did not reach the heights of the original "Star Wars" trilogy or even the first two seasons of "The Mandalorian."
7. "Masters of the Universe"
Based on an 80's toy line with a tie-in cartoon and movie, "Masters of the Universe" unsurprisingly bombed at the box office but was still one of the most fun movies released this summer and a nice throwback to some classic summer blockbusters. The CGI set pieces were actually good, and the film contained some strong action sequences.
What makes "Masters of the Universe" worth your time is that it’s fun. It’s a classic good versus evil story with some great comedic moments. Nicholas Galitizine makes an endearing and funny Adam/He-Man, and the supporting cast is equally great. It’s not the deepest movie you’ll ever watch, but sometimes a good popcorn movie you can just enjoy for the sake of it is all you need.
6. "Disclosure Day"
The latest release from Steven Spielberg, "Disclosure Day," was an entertaining film and a fun ride. However, despite being two-and-a-half hours, it could have added an extra thirty minutes to show some of the repercussions of the film.
The plot was suspenseful and tense. Most of the characters didn’t really stand out but were all watchable. Emily Blunt’s Margaret Fairchild added much of the fun and personality to the film while Wyatt Russell, in his small role as Jackson, stole every scene he was in. It’s not Spielberg’s best film, but "Disclosure Day" is still an enjoyable watch and a worthy addition to his overall filmography.
5. "Backrooms"
One of the surprise indie horror hits of the summer, "Backrooms," was a really weird film in the best ways possible. Kane Parsons delivers a film that is simultaneously suspenseful and intriguing. You know the backrooms are dangerous and yet you still want to go deeper.
The film shows no interest in defining the backrooms and instead chooses to explore how the characters deal with everything they see inside, which is far creepier and more compelling. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve both create interesting characters as Clark and Mary, respectively. Watching their psychological trauma, combined with the exploration of the backrooms, makes for a highly unsettling experience.
4. "The Odyssey"
Christopher Nolan’s epic and much anticipated release following the highly successful, "Oppenheimer," "The Odyssey," was a mixed bag. Due to Nolan’s commitment to practical effects, the sequences of Odysseus’ actual odyssey were intense and highly compelling. Matt Damon also did a solid job grounding the film as Odysseus, and the rest of the cast were all fine in their roles.
However, "The Odyssey" felt like it was missing the colors of ancient Greece. The characters felt emotionally distant and hard to get attached to, and the score felt repetitive. Nolan’s choices to remove much of the mythology from the story and to turn Odysseus from an arrogant war hero into a veteran with PTSD fundamentally altered the story — not always for the better. Despite these issues, "The Odyssey" gets a high place on this list because Nolan still knows how to make a well-crafted, mostly entertaining cinematic experience worth seeing on the big screen.
3. "Toy Story 5"
Unsurprisingly, "Toy Story 5" hit it big at the box office this summer, grossing over $1 billion. Despite being the fifth movie in the franchise, it was actually one of the most heartwarming and endearing films to be released. It’s a film that emphasizes the importance of real connection and friendship in an age where technology seems to have eradicated such.
Some might be surprised with the choice to make Jessie the lead toy, but it works for the film and creates a strong emotional arc for Jessie as she tries to find her place among the technology. Nothing will ever top the original "Toy Story" trilogy, but "Toy Story 5" recaptures the magic that Pixar had in its heyday and feels like a blanket of nostalgia reminding you of all the toys and friends that got you through your childhood.
2. "Obsession"
The biggest surprise hit of the summer, "Obsession" is a deeply unsettling but oddly funny horror film. It wasn’t necessarily scary in the traditional sense, but the psychological horror behind the character’s decisions, especially Bear's (Michael Johnston), will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.
Inde Navarette shines as Nikki and keeps you compelled throughout the whole movie, never letting up the intensity this character requires for one second. The movie has a dark humor and progressively goes off the rails but always keeps you enthralled. An original film in an era of franchises and sequels, "Obsession" completely lives up to the hype and proves that audiences are hungry for strong, original films.
1. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day"
The biggest movie of the summer, having currently grossed over $2 billion, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," is exactly what the title indicates: a fresh start. In his previous films, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has been far too reliant on the other
characters of the MCU to the point where he’s never really felt like Spider-Man. This movie changes all of that. He’s a street-level superhero and the other Marvel heroes included are mostly what you expect Spider-Man to be dealing with.
This film has the best action sequences ever seen in a Spider-Man movie along with vibrant, gorgeous cinematography. Holland’s chemistry with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is a highlight of the film and the emotional journey of Peter Parker is deeply heartbreaking yet hopeful. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" captures what makes Peter Parker/Spider-Man such a beloved character and reminds you that the best heroes aren’t great because they stop bad guys, but because they inspire hope and goodness.