Project Hail Mary

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.

rated pg-13 for some thematic material and suggestive references.

“Filled with suspense and humor punctuated by moments of breathtaking beauty (one shot literally made me gasp) this is a strong contender for one of the best films of 2026… it’s pure spectacle and a pop sci-fi masterpiece.” – Sean Farrell, AFPL Journal

“Project Hail Mary is a movie that believes it’s possible to save the world. It dares to hope. And that’s more beautiful than all the stars in the sky.” – Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence

“It will lift up and squeeze your heart, crack you up with laughter, and give you a sense of hope and wonder in a way that few movies have been able to inspire. Lord & Miller have created something truly magical, and we’ll be talking about this one for decades to come.” – Ethan Anderton, /Film

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action.

“It’s an entertaining trip to a galaxy far, far away that proves there’s still cinematic life in this universe.” – Lou Thomas, NME

“A definite crowd-pleaser for Star Wars fans and fans of the Mandalorian TV series. The Mandalorian and Grogu delivers exactly what it promises… with some well-pulled heartstrings in all the right places.” – John Kirk, Original Cin

“The film’s relative modesty comes as something of a relief. Freed from the burden of canonical responsibility, it’s flighty fun; a Western-y space mission that’s commenced and neatly wrapped up inside of two hours.” – Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post

Disclosure Day

If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to… Disclosure Day.

Rated PG-13 for action / violence, some bloody images, and strong language.

“The finale proves surprisingly emotional, eliciting a mix of awe, worry, and ultimately hope reminiscent of the way I felt at the end of his earlier work Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” – Sean Farrell, AFPL Journal

“A movie that reminds viewers that blockbusters can be morally and thematically complex while they’re entertaining the hell out of you.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“Such is the ultimate effect of Disclosure Day, a great film from our greatest director that feels guaranteed to only get better the more people discuss it and mull over its intentions.” – Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch

The Sheep Detectives

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The local cop Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.

Rated PG for thematic material, some violent content, and brief language.

“[An] absolute delight… [it all] comes together to take what could have been a slight amusement and make it one of the best movies of the year so far. Full of charm, with an amiable sense of humor, and a heart the size of a sheep, it’s nearly impossible not to be won over.” – Sean Farrell, AFPL Journal

“From the first act straight through to the third, the film engages on a level far higher than it needs to. Which is what happens when you put real craft behind a premise that could have coasted on novelty.” – Thom Ernst, Original Cin

“Not only is The Sheep Detectives delightful, but it’s funny and emotionally complex and, dare I say, unusually deferential toward the noble sheep, frequently cast as brain-dead losers in cinema’s barnyards (Shaun notwithstanding).” – Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner is a family comedy that follows the misadventures of Nate Wilcox (Nate Bargatze), whose wife Katie (Mandy Moore) lands a once-in-a-lifetime deal on Shark Tank that takes her on a prolonged business trip – and now the lifelong breadwinner has to fend for his family as a first-time stay-at-home dad. With three young daughters and little experience handling their day-to-day needs, Nate finds out quickly that running the household is the toughest gig he’s ever had.

Rated PG for some mild suggestive references.

“Silly, sincere and safe for the entire family, The Breadwinner is Mr. Mom for the smartphone generation.” – Thelma Adams, AARP

“Bargatze proves himself a savvy writer and performer here; he doesn’t hog all the laugh lines for himself, but instead often plays straight man to his three daughters… It’s the girls who ultimately make this comedy sing.” – Glenn Kenny, New York Times

“Nate Bargatze proves why he is such a successful comedian in The Breadwinner, a very relatable comedy that is perfect for families.” – Tessa Smith, Moviefone

Hokum

When novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past.

Rated R for some violent / disturbing content, and language.

“What could have easily been an overstuffed confluence of ideas – a haunted house, a ghost, a witch, a murder, oh my! – comes together so effectively because of McCarthy’s masterful command of what scares audiences.” – Monica Castillo, The Playlist

“Uncertainty is a genre trope this director is particularly gifted at manipulating. So many horror films are incoherent due to a lack of good writing; if anything in McCarthy’s script isn’t fully clear, it’s in the same manner that life itself fails to make sense.” – Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle

“The film’s simple premise is supported by smart plotting, nimble editing and evocative sound, and lands with frightening force. An engagingly frigid performance by Scott furthers the film’s keen ability to conjure overwhelming anxiety from its many punchy jump scares, combining to make Hokum an exceptionally chilling horror film.” – Robert Daniels, Screen Daily

Keeper

Liz and Malcolm travel to a secluded cabin for a romantic anniversary getaway. However, Malcolm unexpectedly returns to the city, leaving Liz alone in the cabin, where she soon confronts a sinister presence and the cabin’s chilling past.

Rated R for some violent content / gore, language, and some sexual references.

“Part of what makes Perkins’ film so refreshing is the way it prioritizes its visceral effect on an audience over a desire to bend that story into a modern relationship parable. As clever as so many contemporary horror movies are, they often write toward theme rather than shooting toward immediacy.” – Jesse Hassenger, The Guardian

“Despite its beasties, Keeper is not a monster movie, but is instead a scathing look at an idea inherent in human relationships, particularly romantic ones.” – Bill Bria, /Film

“A surreal, endlessly creepy exploration of love and desire, with a terrific turn from Tatiana Maslany, makes for an exciting and unpredictable departure in Osgood Perkins’ oeuvre.” – Barry Levitt, Empire

Power Ballad

When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Rated R for language throughout and some drug use.

“Carney has offered a sharp, hopeful crowdpleaser that strikes the right notes.” – John Fink, The Film Stage

“What makes Power Ballad a terrific film is how much we believe this story.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“It’s an earnest mash note to the power of music that resists over-sentimentalizing its sacrifices, or overstating its rewards.” – Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter

Exit 8

Based on the global hit eponymous video game created by Kotake Create, the movie follows a man (Kazunari Ninomiya) trapped in an endless sterile subway passageway as he sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. Will he ever reach his goal and escape this infinite corridor?

Rated PG-13 for some bloody images and terror.

“Exit 8 is a pip and as fun to watch as it is to mull over.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“Writer-director Genki Kawamura keeps his camera angles tight, the better to maintain tension at a boil, and makes the most of his minimal and repetitive set. Fans of the Canadian horror classic Cube should enjoy.” – Chris Knight, Original Cin

“Exit 8 isn’t just one of the best video game adaptations. It might actually be the best so far.” – William Bibbiani, The Wrap

Tuner

A talented piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.

Rated R for language throughout, some violence, drug use, and brief nudity.

“As good as crime cinema gets, and one of 2026’s biggest surprises—and undisputed highlights.” – Nick Schager, The Daily Beast

“It’s a thrill to watch this kind of original, adult movie that are all too rare these days, and Roher hits all the right notes with this move into narrative filmmaking.” – Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune

“Tuner is a small film, but one that will leave a big impact. It truly is one of the most delightful surprises of the fall and deserves to be seen on a big screen with the loudest sound possible.” – Graeme Guttman, Screen Rant

Cold Storage

When a mutating, highly contagious fungus escapes a sealed facility, two young employees – joined by a grizzled bioterror operative – must survive the wildest night shift ever to save humanity from extinction.

Rated R for violent content, gore, and language.

“Cold Storage makes horror-comedy look as easy and appealing as it’s supposed to be.” – Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

“A clever, funny, suspenseful, interestingly cynical science-fiction horror movie with a great collection of monsters — courtesy of make-up geniuses Dave and Lou Elsey — and a cast whose enthusiasm is, appropriately, infectious.” – Kim Newman, Empire

“That Cold Storage hews closer to comedy doesn’t lessen the unnerving sensation of watching its horror unfold. Funny as the film is, the speed with which a biological agent can spread—when the powers that be find the very notion laughable—still makes one squirm in their seat.” – Andrew Crump, AV Club

Orwell: 2+2=5

1949. George Orwell finishes what will be his last but most important novel, 1984. Orwell: 2+2=5 delves deep into Orwell’s final months and visionary works to explore the roots of the vital and troubling concepts he revealed to the world in his dystopian masterpiece.

Not Rated. Contains some violent content and brief graphic nudity.

“…Peck makes a compelling argument here that should set off major alarm bells for those who aren’t already concerned.” – Sean Farrell, AFPL Journal

“Densely packed, the movie is a whirlwind of ideas and images, by turns heady, enlivening, disturbing and near-exhausting. It’s a work of visceral urgency from Peck, who’s best known for his 2017 documentary I Am Not Your Negro, about James Baldwin.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“Perhaps the saddest, most effective thing about Orwell: 2+2=5 is that it all seems so obvious. The evidence, the crimes, the lies––all of it. So many of these despots lack any nuance or fortitude. Raoul Peck remains a steadfast beacon of truth. In this time when fiction is fact, we need as many of him as we can get.” – Dan Mecca, The Film Stage

Carolina Caroline

A young woman joins a charming con man on the run, leaving a trail of crime and passion as they hustle through the Southeast in search of her estranged mother.

Not Rated. Contains violence, strong language, sexual content, and smoking.

“Rehmeier has found a way to traverse different genres while maintaining an authentic, honest mix of comedy and drama. He’s unafraid to go for the big laugh, regardless of subject matter, yet knows when to hit the emotion hard.” – Jared Mobarak, The Film Stage

“Crime simply hasn’t felt this hot, or this exciting, in quite some time.” – Alex Papaioannou, Next Best Picture

“The story of a small-town girl falling for a career criminal and going on a cross-country crime spree with him is one we’ve certainly seen before, but Carolina Caroline provides its own spin on the subject that makes it well worth checking out.” – Eric Goldman, IGN

Hungry

After becoming lost in the Louisiana swamplands, a group of holidaymakers must fight for their lives against a rampaging hippo on the loose.

Not Rated. Contains bloody violence, terror, and language.

“James Nunn’s ferocious, wildly crowd-pleasing Hungry treats its killer hippo with the reverence (and brutality) she deserves.” – Chad Collins, Dread Central

“Hungry succeeds as a lean creature-feature proud of its B-movie heritage, and a killer hippo is unusual enough to feel fresh in a subgenre crowded with sharks, spiders and at least one chimpanzee.” – Maitland McDonagh, Maitland on Movies

“With Hungry, James Nunn delivers a clever, atmospheric, highly entertaining survival thriller that understands exactly how to manipulate audience assumptions while delivering plenty of swamp-soaked mayhem along the way.” – Debbie Lynn Elias, Behind the Lens

Heads or Tails

After a deadly rodeo and a stolen kiss, Rosa and her cowboy lover flee across the Italian wilderness, pursued by Buffalo Bill and the story he refuses to rewrite.

Not Rated. Contains violence, sexual material, language, and smoking.

“A love letter to Spaghetti Westerns, Heads or Tails is a gorgeous fantasy of love and dreams in a timeless genre.” – Joonatan Itkonen, Region Free

“John Ford’s seminal The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance famously claimed that ‘when the legend becomes fact, print the legend’. Heads or Tails plays beautifully in the liminal space between the two.” – Grant Watson, Fiction Machine

“Heads or Tails is a beautiful, beautifully acted, weird, sharply funny revisionist western taking on two cinematic traditions with the kind of knives-out bravura that contemporary cinema needs more of.” – Sarah Marrs, Lainey Gossip

Death Does Not Exist

After a failed armed attack on wealthy landowners, Hélène abandons her companions and flees into the forest. Manon, one of her friends and accomplices, returns to haunt her. Hélène has to revisit her convictions and choices, in a valley where metamorphoses and great upheavals disrupt the natural order of things.

Not Rated. Contains strong bloody violence, language, and thematic content.

“Anchored by its stunning handmade images, Death Does Not Exist is one of the year’s most visually striking films.” – Courtney Small, That Shelf

“With his minimalist, hand-drawn animation, Dufour-Laperrière blurs boundaries between individuals and backgrounds to produce haunting, porous tableaux in which only movement and action expose character.” – Isaac Feldberg, RogerEbert.com

“With stunning visuals and a strong perspective, Death Does Not Exist is a powerful experience. With an excellent score to go with the experimental direction from Dufour-Laperrière, the film washes over you.” – Alan French, Sunshine State Cineplex

Peacock

At MyCompanion, the cultured and confident Matthias is available – for a reasonable fee – to fill any social role you desire, from ‘the perfect son’ to the ‘enlightened boyfriend’, or even ‘pilot dad’ to impress your classmates at Bring Your Parent to School Day. But while Matthias is at the top of his professional game, his personal life begins to crumble as he detaches from his own identity and burrows deeper into his fictitious lives.

Not Rated. Contains mild violence, nudity, sexual material, and strong language.

“Albert Schuch’s absurdist turn is the core strength of Peacock. You laugh at him and are moved by his character’s crises as well.” – Namrata Joshi, The New Indian Express

“A provocative, funny and profoundly moving satire. A smart, biting and outrageously funny study of human nature.” – Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru

“Peacock is an instant satiric and absurdist classic with a brilliantly deadpan performance by Albrecht Schuch. His is a masterful turn, precise yet seemingly cuckoo. And Schuch’s final scene is priceless, hilarious and, ultimately, devastating.” – Frank J. Avella, The Contending

Pools

Kennedy has one day to get her shit together or get kicked out of school for good. Instead of buckling down, she rallies a ragtag crew for a midnight pool-hopping adventure through the lavish estates of her college town. But under the surface, Kennedy is searching for answers to the questions tearing her up inside in the wake of her father’s death. As the secrets spill, this wild escape becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.

Not Rated. Contains language, sexual references, mild comic violence, thematic material, drug use, and smoking.

“Vibrant, silly, and unwaveringly vulnerable, Pools is an invigorating party movie whose non-stop reverie uplifts its protagonist’s downcast spirit.” – Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

“We’ve seen coming-of-age dramas many times over, so Pools is not revolutionary in that sense, but the blending of genres and the top-of-the-line young cast are what make this film special.” – Jason Delgado, Film Threat

“Pools is a deep and reflective take on the coming-of-age genre. It’s thoughtful, beautifully shot, emotionally honest, and anchored by another impressive performance from Odessa A’zion.” – Romey Norton, InSession Film

Mockbuster

A struggling filmmaker’s opportunity collides with chaos and compromise when Sharknado’s notorious studio, The Asylum, invites him to direct a “mockbuster”. With six days, a micro budget, and mounting pressure, Mockbuster is a comedic, behind-the-scenes documentary exploring the balance between low-budget filmmaking and creative ambition.

Not Rated. Contains strong language and mature content.

“There are a lot of smart lessons to take away from the charming and playful Mockbuster, but the main one is this: It’s not easy to make any movie, even a bad one.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“Ironically, he succeeds in making quite a good film; a companionable reflection on artistic aspirations, compromise and on-set camaraderie, all — true to The Asylum’s spirit — in a solid 90 minutes.” – Phil Hoad, The Guardian

“Mockbuster is about never giving up, despite impossible odds, costume mistakes, organizing camera insurance, and figuring out how to entertain the masses with pocket change.” – Kent Hill, Film Threat

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