The Big Picture · Discussion · Roundtable
January 6, 2026/ 143 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
Back from the holidays, Sean and Amanda check the box office (Avatar past $1B, a Sydney Sweeney trash hit) and the pre-Globes awards race, then count down their most-anticipated films of 2026: 13 apiece, best last. Reheated favorites, auteur horror, a Robert Pattinson year, and an honorable-mentions list covering international titles, the horror wave, rom-coms, and the year's big IP.
117 films across 9 segments.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
Back from breakthe holiday in a few movies
The film both hosts discussed most over the break, a genuine flashpoint that broke A24 containment the way 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' did. People wanted to relitigate it for 30 minutes at parties; the dog got more outrage than the ending.
Amanda's pick for the film that best described her break, cited after she had a full AI meltdown at a CVS phone tree trying to get her kid antibiotics on New Year's Eve. 'Thank you to Mary Bronstein for seeing Amanda this year.'
Sean's answer for the movie that best described his break: floating through life, not worried about a paycheck, hanging with loved ones. And now, welcome back to hell.
Holiday box officeAvatar past a billion, Disney's year, and a Sydney Sweeney trash hit
Over $1B in 18 days, $770M international, on pace for maybe 1.6-1.7B. If it gets there, four of the ten highest-grossing films worldwide are James Cameron's. Filmmakers (Michael Mann among them) keep naming it a favorite; the hosts found it a touch iterative next to the second one.
$1.6B after six weekends, now the No. 3 animated release ever, past 'Frozen II.' Part of a monster Disney year alongside 'Lilo & Stitch,' three Marvel movies, and 'Fire and Ash.'
Cited as the No. 2 animated film of all time.
The No. 1 animated film worldwide, primarily on overseas money. Sean started it on HBO Max and turned it off, missing the references.
$92M worldwide in three weekends, bigger than 'Marty.' A Sydney Sweeney beach-read adaptation the hosts think isn't good but that proves the Colleen Hoover blueprint: adapt a popular book with hot young people. Amanda had an okay time; Sean had notes.
$56M in nine days domestically before international, already A24's No. 3 all-time behind 'Everything Everywhere' and 'Civil War.' Chalamet sold the fuck out of a two-and-a-half-hour period piece.
Among the holiday releases the show covered.
Among the holiday releases the show covered.
The Colleen Hoover adaptation the hosts still regret not seeing together; more McKenna Grace on the way.
January 16 release, framed as the first major studio movie to compete with Avatar for young male audiences after a clear month.
Cited alongside 'Scream 7' as the February competition once Avatar's runway ends.
February release, part of the complicated post-Avatar stretch.
Awards season check-inNational Society of Film Critics + Critics' Choice, before the Globes
Won Best Picture at the National Society of Film Critics (57 points, in a landslide over 'Sinners' and 'The Secret Agent') and Critics' Choice, plus NYFCC, LAFCA, and NBR. Only Schindler's List, L.A. Confidential, and The Social Network previously swept those four. PTA won director at both.
NSFC runner-up for picture; won cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw), and at Critics' Choice took casting/ensemble (Francine Maisler), score, and young actor (Miles Caton). Coogler took original screenplay.
Kléber Mendonça Filho's film keeps winning: NSFC best film not in English (by one point) and Critics' Choice foreign language. A critics' movie by a former critic; Sean's takeaway of the weekend was how strong it is, with talk of Tânia Maria sneaking into supporting actress.
Ethan Hawke won NSFC best actor; Robert Kaplow's script also cited. Richard Linklater tied for runner-up in director (with 'Nouvelle Vague').
Cited among Linklater's two films in the NSFC director runner-up spot.
Kathleen Chalfant won NSFC best actress (45 points), a classic critics'-body move.
Renate Reinsve was an NSFC actress runner-up; Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas placed in supporting actress; Stellan Skarsgard in supporting actor. The hosts think Lilleaas is coming.
Jessie Buckley's best-actress win is treated as the only truly locked race; her absence from the NSFC list read as an inevitability move. The film itself is a bit critically divisive.
Adolpho Veloso won the Critics' Choice cinematography award and came second at NSFC; a live battle with 'Sinners.'
Jacob Elordi won Critics' Choice supporting actor; the film also took production design, costumes, and hair/makeup. Evidence, the hosts say, that Normies really like Frankenstein; a lock for six-plus nominations.
Amy Madigan's Critics' Choice supporting-actress win is the Marisa Tomei / Joan Plowright 'last chance' slot; the hosts don't think it changes the race but expect her nominated.
Won Critics' Choice best comedy, prompting a can-you-even-fill-out-five-comedies debate.
Took Critics' Choice editing and sound; a strong below-the-line contender.
Won Critics' Choice best animated feature; stay tuned.
Won best stunt design (Wade Eastwood). Sean revisited it over the break and it didn't go well.
NSFC best non-fiction film and the pick to win the category, if voters will sit through five hours; the hosts think it's hard to turn away from.
The 26 most anticipated movies of 2026 13 apiece, Amanda then Sean, best last
Her No. 1. Christopher Nolan puts every movie star in one film: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita, Zendaya, Charlize, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Mia Goth, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous. Blocking out July 14-24. Homer, undefeated for 3,000 years.
His No. 1, elevated by the December trailer and Universal's six-month runway. Likely the last major Spielberg blockbuster, an alien-invasion drama: Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russell. David Koepp scripts. A big-budget movie from a visionary director at scale, the kind Sean wants more of.
Her No. 2. Ryan Gosling alone in space, from Lord & Miller and another Andy Weir novel. Amanda's seen the trailer 45,000 times; it doesn't feel as magical as the first, but if it's 'The Martian' reheated, she'll have a great time.
His No. 2. Villeneuve's last villain movie before Bond, slated opposite 'Avengers: Doomsday' (one assumes Dune stands down, or bumps to Thanksgiving). Parts one and two were the rare spectacle IP that lived up to expectations; hopes for more Florence Pugh.
Her No. 3, 'the real social reckoning.' Luca Guadagnino's Sam Altman movie, written by Simon Rich. Andrew Garfield as Altman in fleece vests (costumes reportedly by Jonathan Anderson), with Yura Borisov, Cooper Hoffman, Monica Barbaro. A coin-flip: could be great, could flop.
His No. 3, and a movie he's desperate to be good. David Fincher directs Tarantino's script, a quasi-sequel to 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' on Netflix. The novelization's Cliff is sillier and more freewheeling; Fincher's hands make the whole thing feel unusual. If good, it powers July.
Her No. 4. Kristoffer Borgli directs Robert Pattinson and Zendaya through a fake engagement announcement in the Boston Globe. She loved the trailer, loves Zendaya, and rates Pattinson her No. 2 movie star.
His No. 4. Joel Coen solo, a gothic mystery shot in Scotland starring Josh O'Connor, Frances McDormand, Leslie Manville, Damian Lewis. Carter Burwell and Bruno Delbonnel back from 'The Tragedy of Macbeth.' Contemporary or period, no one's sure.
Her No. 5. Tony Gilroy writing and directing an original again, apparently about a cellist: Pedro Pascal, David Harbour, Ava Victor, Olivia Wilde, Searchlight. She trusts Gilroy every time.
His No. 5. James Gray back to his roots (echoes of 'Little Odessa'): two brothers, the American dream, a Russian-mafia scheme. Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller. Sean regrets leaving Gray off '25 for 25.'
Her No. 6, grabbed off Sean's international list. Lee Chang-dong's first feature since 'Burning' (eight years), a love quadrangle. Worth clearing a slot for on its own.
His No. 6. Zach Cregger writing and directing the video-game adaptation and, it sounds, getting to do whatever he wants. Sean's in the bag for him; could be the best horror movie of the year.
Her No. 7. She goes where Greta Gerwig goes, even to Narnia. Carey Mulligan, Emma Mackey, Daniel Craig (as Aslan?), music by Mark Ronson. Starting with the prequel that features Aslan's creation of the world.
His No. 7. Jane Schoenbrunn's riff on a hardcore camp slasher, after 'We're All Going to the World's Fair' and 'I Saw the TV Glow.' Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. Another serious director taking a swing at horror.
Her No. 8, also lifted from Sean's international list. Cristian Mungiu (of 'R.M.N.') directs Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a couple ostracized in a remote Norwegian town, a spiritual sequel about alienation and immigration. Neon.
His No. 8. Nicolas Winding Refn returns to cinema (finally off streaming TV), 'an edgy, hypnotic, unhinged thriller with lots of glitter, sex, and violence.' Sophie Thatcher, Havana Rose Liu, Charles Melton, Diego Calva. A CR movie if there ever was one.
Her No. 9. The Charli XCX A24 feature; the pick that launched a full Charli XCX Letterboxd holiday report. January 30 release.
His No. 9. Jeremy Saulnier back to the horror-action of 'Blue Ruin' and 'Green Room' for A24: Corey Michael Smith, Chase Sui Wonders, Sophie Wilde. Sidecar pick: 'Enemies,' Henry Dunham's Ari Aster-produced A24 thriller with Jeremy Allen White and Austin Butler. He needs A24 to get evil again.
Her No. 10. John Patton Ford's follow-up to 'Emily the Criminal,' a soft riff on 'Kind Hearts and Coronets': Glen Powell disinherited and taking revenge on his family, with Margaret Qualley. Maybe Powell wants to be Alec Guinness.
His No. 10, a complete emotional unknown. M. Night Shyamalan directs Jake Gyllenhaal as a depressed Cape Cod architect, opposite Phoebe Dynevor; story by Nicholas Sparks. Shot on VistaVision, October 23 ghost story.
Her No. 11. Ruben Ostlund's plane satire (the follow-up to 'Triangle of Sadness') with Keanu Reeves, Daniel Bruhl, Samantha Morton, Nicholas Braun, and, most important, Kirsten Dunst. She goes where Kirsten goes.
His No. 11. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directs Tom Cruise in an original film, which barely happens anymore. Sean's not a huge Inarritu fan and hopes it isn't too goofy; likely a Venice premiere. He's really here for what Cruise can do.
Her No. 12. Joe Carnahan's Miami narcotics-heist movie with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon staring at each other deciding if they're good guys or bad guys. Netflix, January 16. Moms and dads can have fun too.
His No. 12. Lance Oppenheim's first narrative feature (A24), set in the 'To Catch a Predator' world with Robert Pattinson as a Chris Hansen-like figure. Sidecar: 'Ink,' Danny Boyle's younger-Rupert-Murdoch film with Guy Pearce, Jack O'Connell, and Claire Foy.
Her No. 13, a three-film tie of beloved things being reheated. 'The most rewatchable movie of all time' (salute, Bill Simmons). She just needs it not to be embarrassing.
Part of her No. 13 tie. Aaron Sorkin writing and directing a Facebook movie without Jesse Eisenberg's Zuckerberg, following her No. 1 on '25 for 25.' Two Jeremys and a Mikey. She's nervous but doubts it can sully the original.
The last of her No. 13 tie. Georgia Oakley directs Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor, Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne, Caitríona Balfe as Mrs. Dashwood, George MacKay as Edward. The Emma Thompson version is a cortex for her.
His No. 13, sharing Amanda's unease. Maggie Gyllenhaal's follow-up to 'The Lost Daughter': Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale in a black-and-white 'Bride of Frankenstein' riff. Put off by the trailer and the bad production scuttlebutt; it's in the 'Mickey 17' spot at the same Warner Bros.
Honorable mentions the international slate and the deep cuts
Henry Dunham's follow-up to 'Standoff at Sparrow Creek,' produced by Ari Aster for A24: a detective's battle of wits with a fugitive contract killer. Jeremy Allen White, Austin Butler, Anna Sawai.
Danny Boyle's film about a younger Rupert Murdoch, played by Guy Pearce, with Jack O'Connell and Claire Foy. Studiocanal; started shooting in October, so maybe 2026. Boyle's born to make sharp biopic snapshots (see 'Steve Jobs').
Na Hong-jin's first film since 'The Wailing.' Sean won't spoil the logline; he thinks it's out this year.
The new Albert Serra feature, after the bullfighting doc 'Afternoons of Solitude' and 'Pacifiction.'
A World War II movie told from the meteorologist's chair: Andrew Scott gives Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) the D-Day weather report. Kerry Condon co-stars.
Andrew Haigh's new film, from a Colm Tóibín short story, with Evan Moss-Bachrach. Sounds like people sad in winter, which, same.
Another Colleen Hoover adaptation, directed by Michael Showalter, with Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett. Looks insane; if we're doing this, really do it.
Sam Esmail's undated Warner Bros. movie with Julia Roberts; feels like it's happening this year.
A new Werner Herzog movie about twins, played by Rooney Mara and Kate Mara. Probably Telluride.
Fernando Meirelles' Netflix con thriller with Denzel Washington, Robert Pattinson, Daisy Edgar-Jones. A bank guard, a teller, and a master thief in a game of double-crosses.
David Robert Mitchell's dinosaur sci-fi with Anne Hathaway, anticipated for 47 years.
A documentary premiering at Sundance from John Wilson, of the beloved HBO series.
A Martin McDonagh movie, reportedly with Sam Rockwell; a 'Seven Psychopaths' plus 'Three Billboards' reunion.
Ridley Scott's film, moved from March to October, with Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong. Money in them hills.
Brad Bird's long-gestating animated film, finally happening at Netflix.
The 2026 horror waveauteurs asking 'what's my horror movie?'
Curry Barker's film, which played festivals in the fall and was picked up by Focus; thought to be great.
Sam Raimi's new movie, out January 30 (something for everyone that day).
The sixth 'Evil Dead' film; could be good.
A horror movie starring Jessica Chastain, directed by Rob Savage ('Host'). Amanda was disappointed it's a horror movie and not just a movie about her life.
A new version of the Mummy, coming soon.
A very small-budget A24 horror movie Sean has already seen, thought to be playing Sundance.
Kane Parsons' creepypasta adaptation for A24. Really good teaser.
Cited (a.k.a. Amanda Dobbins, per Sean); she's more of an Elizabethan psycho.
Now is the time to get on board, after 'Terrifier 3.'
Kyle Edward Ball's follow-up to 'Skinamarink' (Sean's favorite film of 2022) for A24. Looks really interesting.
Cited in the horror-wave rundown.
Rom-com watchAmanda surveys the land
The week's Emily Henry adaptation, on Netflix, with Emily Bader and Tom Blythe. Henry writes rom-coms that keep going (lots of sex, then love).
A Will Gluck movie ('Easy A,' 'Friends with Benefits') with Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro. Molly Ringwald, LeVar Burton, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, Este Haim. Original 'Father of the Bride' or Nancy Meyers?
A Netflix black-and-white romantic comedy loosely inspired by the French film 'I Am Not an Easy Man': a male chauvinist in an alternate world of reversed power dynamics. Sacha Baron Cohen, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Fiona Shaw.
A John Carney movie (June) with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, about an aging rock star. Sean saw an extended CinemaCon teaser; looked fine. 'Once' and 'Sing Street' are great; the rest, mixed.
Olivia Wilde directs Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton: a couple in a rough patch gets invited to the neighbors' weekly orgies. A swinger comedy. Huge year for Wilde.
Gregg Araki's new movie with Olivia Wilde opposite Cooper Hoffman.
The big IP slatethe biggest movies of the year, promised reviews and all
Robert Downey Jr. back as Doctor Doom (of Latveria), with the Fox X-Men (James Marsden, Patrick Stewart), Thor, Shuri. Sean is bored of being disappointed and shitting on these; he wants it to be fun. Not even all the Avengers movies are good ('Age of Ultron' isn't).
Peter starts over: friends off to college and made to forget him, MJ moved on. John Bernthal as the Punisher, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, Michael Mando as Scorpion. Amanda loved 'No Way Home' and wept.
Here comes the iPad: a character named Lily Pad, a frog-themed smart tablet representing modern screen time. Honestly a good idea.
One of two DC (just-U) movies cited.
A failed actor turns to crime, disfigured and able to look like anyone. Sean's in.
The Michael Jackson biopic, bumped out of the holidays, now April.
Mentioned 45 times; Amanda's son is deep in the Grogu of it all.
The live-action version; Amanda introduced the animated one to her kids at Thanksgiving.
April release, following 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' (an A-plus hit in Amanda's house). Rosalina voiced by Brie Larson.
Travis Knight ('Bumblebee') directs Amazon's $100M He-Man, all practical effects: Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Camila Mendes as Teela. Sean's childhood; Amanda felt like an alien.
A sequel to the too-serious first film; part of the arch, agro gag-comedy IP energy with Masters of the Universe and Street Fighter.
Cited alongside 'Mortal Kombat 2' and 'Masters of the Universe' as the is-this-serious-or-not stunt-casting trio.
In the big-IP rundown.
The new Pixar movie; Amanda's son seemed interested.
Your box office right there, alongside 'The Odyssey' and 'Dune 3.'
Is this really happening?the maybe-2026 movies nobody can confirm
Terrence Malick's long-shot story of Jesus Christ, shot years ago, with Géza Röhrig ('Marty Supreme') as Jesus. Some say they've seen parts; no one really knows.
Screened at Santa Barbara 14 months ago and then vanished; Griffin Newman went and enjoyed it. Definitely made, latest unknown.
The Trey Parker / Matt Stone / Kendrick Lamar movie, dated twice by Paramount and now off the schedule. A musical? A movie about slavery? Nobody knows.
Tom Ford's adaptation of Anne Rice's novel about 18th-century Italian opera and the castrati: Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Owen Cooper, allegedly Adele. Sounds very Tom Ford.
Also mentioned raised along the way
Charli XCX's holiday Letterboxd Paddington in PeruCape FearPaddington 2FargoThe AviatorInland EmpireNow You See Me: Now You Don't21 Jump Street22 Jump StreetRush Hour 2Ballad of a Small PlayerSomething's Gotta Give
Back-from-break viewing Star WarsThe Empire Strikes BackReturn of the JediStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom MenaceHoney, I Shrunk the KidsHoney, I Blew Up the KidFrozen IIFrozenM3GAN
In passing Once Upon a Time in HollywoodRaiders of the Lost ArkIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullIndiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyThe Lost DaughterBride of FrankensteinMickey 17The TownHeatTriple FrontierThe GreyEmily the CriminalKind Hearts and CoronetsTwistersTrapThe NotebookForce MajeurePlayThe SquareTriangle of SadnessWake Up Dead ManRebel RidgeBlue RuinGreen RoomMay DecemberSaturday NightTalk to MeThe Standoff at Sparrow CreekR.M.N.DriveOnly God ForgivesWe're All Going to the World's FairI Saw the TV GlowSleepaway CampBurningPoetryLittle OdessaTwo LoversThe Tragedy of MacbethAfter the HuntThe MartianDuneDune: Part TwoSteve Jobs28 Years LaterPredatorsThe Bourne LegacyDuplicityThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & SnakesDon't Worry DarlingBabylonThe TripNe ZhaWhere the Crawdads SingMinions: The Rise of GruNurembergThe WailingAfternoons of SolitudePacifictionCloseHostTerrifier 3SkinamarinkEasy AFriends with BenefitsFather of the BrideI Am Not an Easy ManOnceSing StreetThe Super Mario Bros. MovieSeven PsychopathsThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriBumblebeeAvengers: Infinity WarAvengers: EndgameAvengers: Age of UltronThunderboltsDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessSpider-Man: No Way HomeSpider-Man: Far From HomeThe Amazing Spider-Man 2MoanaLittle WomenThe Wizard of Oz
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV The MandalorianAndorThe West WingTo Catch a PredatorRen FaireCopenhagen CowboyToo Old to Die YoungShogunThe StudioHow To with John WilsonHe-Man and the Masters of the UniverseShe-Ra: Princess of PowerCowboy Bebop
Web / other video Actors on Actors
Video games Resident EvilMortal KombatStreet FighterSuper Mario
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