US Trends

what is the number 1 movie in 2026 so far

As of early July 2026, the number 1 movie in 2026 so far at the U.S. box office is Toy Story 5 , which opened with a franchise-record $160 million domestically and remained in the top spot through its second weekend with $70 million more. In terms of best-reviewed or “top” movie by critics, many lists put Project Hail Mary at the top of their 2026 (so far) rankings.

Box office number 1: Toy Story 5

Why it’s the top movie by revenue

  • Record opening : Toy Story 5 earned about $160 million in its first U.S. weekend, the biggest opening any film has had in 2026 so far and the best in the Toy Story franchise.
  • Still #1 in week two : It held the number 1 position in its second weekend, adding another $70 million domestically, while new releases like Supergirl and Minions & Monsters underperformed or failed to overtake it.

That makes it the clear leader when you define “number 1” as the biggest earner in 2026 so far.

Critics’ favorite so far: Project Hail Mary

If you’re asking for the best movie of 2026 so far (by review quality and critical acclaim), multiple outlets rank:

  • Project Hail Mary as the top film of the year so far, often described as a standout sci‑fi adaptation with strong performances and storytelling.
  • Other strong contenders in 2026 lists include Obsession and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple , but these sit behind Project Hail Mary in the published rankings.

Netflix side note: War Machine

For streaming, Netflix data up to mid‑March 2026 labeled War Machine as 2026’s biggest movie on Netflix so far in terms of viewership, though this is separate from theatrical box office.

Bottom line:

  • If “number 1” means highest box office : Toy Story 5.
  • If “number 1” means best-reviewed : Project Hail Mary.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.