Mid-Year Movie Freak Out 2026

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today, I'm sharing my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out 2026!  You can check out my 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 list, if you feel so inclined.  If anyone would like to link up with me and share their Mid-Year Movie Freak Out, I'd love to see your answers to the questions.  By the way, the titles are linked to my Letterboxd review or their Letterboxd page (and all of these are first time watches).  Without further ado, here we go:

1. Best movie you've watched so far in 2026.

Project Hail Mary (2026) - I was really nervous about this one, but it was amazing! I'm so glad I got to see it in the theater! I'm looking forward to rewatching it a hundred times.

2. Best sequel you've watched so far in 2026.

Psych 2: Lassie Come Home (2020) - I haven't watched many sequels for the first time this year, but I recently got into the tv show Psych and got hooked.  I've only watched the fist two movies so far, but the second one was the best of the two.  I was delighted to see that one thing on Lassiter's list of 93 items was to tape Galavant.  I miss that show!  Also, loved seeing God's Comma bit again and Shawn's new nickname for Gus, "Bill Poopingtons," was a diabolical one!

3. New release you haven't seen yet, but want to.

How to Make a Killing (2026) - I love Kind Hearts and Coronets (1946) and this modern remake of that story looks like it could be fun.  I missed it in the theater, so I hope I can see it soon.  Maybe I'll rewatch the original movie first.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026) - The original movie was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see this one.  This was another I missed when it was released in theaters.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

The End of Oak Street - I was sold on the first teaser!

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House - I loved the original series and I can't wait to see everyone back again for this movie!  I hope it will be available in the U.S. and that it will be released in theaters.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - I was really surprised by how much I loved the original novel this is based on.  It's right up there with Catching Fire for me and I've got very high expectations for the adaptation!

Other Mommy - I loved Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, so I need this adaptation to be just as awesome.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Spider-Man/ Peter Parker is a favorite character of mine, so of course I'm excited!

Whalefall - The book from Daniel Kraus was great and I've got high hopes for the adaptation!  I think I'll be even more on edge watching it than just reading it!  I'm ready to be even more traumatized.

5. Biggest disappointment.

Fear Street: Prom Night (2025) - I really enjoyed Fear Street: 1994, Fear Street: 1978, and Fear Street: 1666, but this just didn't have what made those movies so much fun.  I hope they don't give up on is overall series though because I would still totally watch more.

6. Biggest surprise.

Hamnet (2025) - I wasn't expecting a whole lot given that I wasn't really a fan of Maggie O'Farrell's original novel, but I totally get why Jessie Buckley has won so many awards for her performance as Agnes.  This was definitely a case of preferred the movie adaptation to the book by far.

7. Favorite new actors or director.

Obsession (2025) - I wasn't at all familiar with either of the two leads in this movie going in but both were excellent.  Inde Navarrette as Nikki is easily the standout of the entire film.  I wouldn't be surprised if this leads to a lot more opportunity for her, and for this film to be the first in a series of anthology films about the One Wish Willow.

8. Newest favorite character.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) - I was so close to putting Rocky from Project Hail Mary, but I thought I'd spotlight another character from another movie altogether.  Marcel is the best, and the whole movie was just delightful and creative.

9. Movie that made you cry.

The Sheep Detectives (2026) - And I wasn't expecting that at all! This was so much fun and had a lot of heart.  I really need to read the book it's based on one of these days.  I wouldn't say no to more of these movies. I feel the same way about this as I do Knives Out which is another thing I wasn't expecting. 

10. Movie that made you happy.

Rental Family (2025) - I wish I had the chance to see this one in theaters because it was perfect.  I'm glad Brendan Fraser is doing well because he deserves it.

11. Best book to film adaptation?

Project Hail Mary (2026) - I loved how they adapted Andy Weir's novel.  Ryan Gosling was excellent as Ryland Grace and Rocky, the character I was most worried about going into the adaptation, stole the whole show.

12. Best book to tv adaptation?

The Count of Monte Cristo (2025) - I love the original novel and this miniseries adaptation did a great job of bringing it to life.  Sam Claflin was wonderful in the role of Edmond/ The Count.  I'm glad Masterpiece on PBS gave me the opportunity to watch this!

Runner Up: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022) - I've been on a bit of an Agatha Christie kick lately, but I wasn't at all familiar with the original novel that inspired this miniseries adaptation.  That said, I'm absolutely going to have to read the novel because I loved this.  Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton made a great team, the production values were high, and the sense of humor really worked for me.

13. Movie the made you laugh.

Hoppers (2026) - This is a top of the line Pixar movie for me and it's hilarious.  Titus!Jerry is one of the best Pixar villains in my book.

14. Movie that scared you.

Hokum (2026) - I've really enjoyed Damian McCarthy's work with Oddity and Caveat, so I was really excited for this one and it didn't disappoint.  I can't wait to see what ever he does next, and I hope Adam Scott will do even more horror, sci-fi, or fantasy in the future.

15. Best 2026 release so far?

Project Hail Mary (2026) - I go to the movies a lot and have seen some great movies this year, but this one takes the cake!

16. Best hidden gem.

Night of the Demon (1957) - I saw this on Svengoolie last month and absolutely loved it.  I had no expectations for it whatsoever, but the atmosphere and the ending were brilliant.  By the way, it was aired on Svengoolie under an alternate title, Curse of the Demon.

And that's a wrap for my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out 2026!  If you'd like to play along, share your link with me so I can see your responses!  Have you seen any of these?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!