"I Watched It Seven Times in the Cinema": Guardian Readers' Favorite Films of 2026

After Guardian editors selected the best films of the first half of 2026, they asked readers to share their magical cinematic moments from the first six months of the year. The recurring themes and surprising choices in the messages received paint a striking collective portrait.

The Secret Agent — Kleber Mendonça Filho's film captivated Liz, writing from London, from the very first frame with its strange opening scene set at a gas station in rural Brazil. Ghirotti, a corrupt corporate executive trying to corner the fugitive academic Armando, is a villain who sends shivers down the audience's spine.

Backrooms — This low-budget experiment, shot with endless yellow corridors and fluorescent lighting, is one of the most talked-about indies of the first half of the year. In one reader's words, "I watched it seven times in the cinema" — one of the rare works that successfully transitioned from a YouTube short film to a feature.

The Ballad of Wallis Island — A small-scale, warm, and music-filled island story; for many readers, the 'little miracle' film of the year. Some said they wanted to hug a stranger after leaving the cinema.

Sinners — Ryan Coogler's vampire-music hybrid film transformed into a living experience in IMAX theaters. Readers particularly cite the blues sequence as the year's boldest set-piece.

Bring Her Back — Danny and Michael Philippou brothers' second film after 'Talk to Me' not only met but exceeded expectations for horror fans. "I don't remember the last time I saw a cinema so silent," wrote a reader from Manchester.

The list goes on with titles such as 'Sentimental Value,' which resonated at Cannes with its 'Anora' courage, Werner Herzog's new documentary, Payal Kapadia's new work, and readers' surprise favorite 'Friendship.' Returning to the cinema seems to be evolving from a celebrated discourse into a concrete habit each year — at least for Guardian readers, the first half of 2026 is proof of this.