There have been quite a few major releases the last few weeks. So, instead of doing full reviews for each, let’s catch up on 2026 by doing mini-reviews for a handful of noteworthy films and TV shows currently doing the rounds.
Michael (2026)
Hollywood has been churning out musical biopics so fast, that it won’t be long until we have to watch “Rebecca Black – The Movie”. While it’s always fun for music fans to see their favourite artist recreated on screen, few of these films are contributing anything worthwhile to cinema. If Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), a now 20 year old comedy, is still managing to lampoon every new music biopic, you have to wonder just how stale the genre has become. This brings us to Michael (2026), a fairly uninspired speed run through (the first half) of Michael Jackson’s career. Even with Jaafar Jackson’s excellent performance, as well as spectacular musical sequences and recreations of famous music videos, Michael’s story has very little to offer. The best musical biopics find ways to deliver a greater meaning, such as What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993) being about domestic violence, and Walk the Line (2005) being a love story. Michael starts off well by setting up a strong story theme, but it forgets to develop that theme. Once the credits roll, what you’re left with is beautifully made and musically enjoyable, yet is a narratively empty shell. However, it’s made close to $900 million so let’s hope the inevitable sequel will be about something.
4.5/10
Best way to watch it: A concert film might be more satisfying.
The Boys – Season Five (2026)
Back when The Boys first debuted in 2019, it was the shot in the arm Television desperately needed. Games of Thrones (2011 – 2019) was ending on a very disappointing note, so the world was clamouring for a new show to take the stage. With its darkly comedic tone, harsh criticism of American politics, Hollywood, media, social conventions, and its utterly jaw dropping mature content, The Boys took the world by storm. Thus, it’s ironic that a show known for pointing out the absurdity of modern existence has now become a part of that absurdity. The final season shows our (heroes?) led by Butcher (Karl Urban), Hughie (Jack Quaid) and Starlight (Erin Moriarty) work to take down the would-be superpowered dictator Homelander (Anthony Starr) once and for all. After spinning its wheels to no end in Season Four, Season Five starts off strong by pumping some much needed momentum back into the action. Unfortunately, it’s not long before we’re just spinning wheels again, resulting in a fairly rushed sprint to the end. On its own terms, the finale stays true to everything we’ve always wanted from the show, and is an appropriate ending, but it would’ve been far more satisfying if the build up kept on task. Here’s to another lacklustre finish. Which show is next?
6/10
Best way to watch it: Read cliffs notes and then just watch the finale.
Invincible – Season Four (2026)
If there’s anyone who’s still doubtful about whether or not animated shows can stand shoulder to shoulder with live-action shows, they are probably one of the 10 people who haven’t checked out Invincible (2021 – Current). Season Four picks up not long after Mark Grayson’s (Steven Yeun) and Atom Eve’s (Gillian Jacobs) brutal confrontation with Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). The story covers Nolan Grayson’s (J.K. Simmons) returns, as he recruits Mark, his little brother Oliver (Christian Convery) and a host of other warriors to start the war against the fascist race known as The Viltrumites. However, this will not be an easy battle to win, as Viltrumite leader, Grand Regent Thragg (Lee Pace) is a foe unlike any they’ve faced before. Despite Invincible’s (now very well documented) inconsistencies and flaws in the artwork and animation, the character development, thematic storytelling and emotional resonance remain as affecting as ever. If you can handle the absolutely stomach churning violence, Invincible remains in the top tier of what TV has to offer.
8.5/10
Best way to watch it: On an empty stomach.
Off Campus – Season One (2026)
Seemingly overnight, Hockey Romance (as in, steamy love stories involving Hockey players) has become a global phenomenon in the world of literature. Novels such as Ice Breaker, Heated Rivalry and The Deal have been topping bestseller lists for a while now, keeping their readers hooked with plenty of sexual tension. Heated Rivalry (2025) became an equally successful TV series last year, and now The Deal has been adapted into Amazon Prime’s Off Campus (2026). While the two shows have been repeatedly compared against each other, they are completely different beasts, despite their mutual presence of sex and hockey. Off Campus follows the story of college student Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), and her relationship with Briar University’s star Hockey player, Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli). While Off Campus can be predictable, it’s still a cute, charming and entertaining ride, populated by likeable, well performed characters. At its best, Off Campus successfully captures what it was like to be young, hormonal, uncertain, and supportive of your peers.
8/10
Best way to watch it: Watch parties with your college age cousin.
I Swear (2025)
Films about the lives of people suffering with disabilities is nothing new, but it has become contentious in recent years. If not handled carefully, the film in question may seem reductive in its analysis. In the worst cases, the performance of the actor portraying the disability may come across as over the top, or offensive. So there was definitely some nervousness going into I Swear (2025), the biographical drama about Tourettes sufferer and activist John Davidson. Set from the early 1980s to now, the story unpacks his upbringing in Galashiels Scotland, during a time when so little was known or understood about Tourettes Syndrome. Despite being marketed as somewhat of a dark comedy, I Swear pulls no punches in showing us Davidson’s heartbreakingly difficult life, eventually driving him to be a force for education about his condition. With a flawless performance from Robert Aramayo as Davidson, I Swear delivers a deeply emotional journey which may also (like Davidson himself) become a force for education and awareness for Tourettes Syndrome.
9/10
Best way to watch it: Perfect movie outing with Mum and Dad.
Obsession (2026)
It’s very easy to look back at famous movie scenes and talk about how ‘iconic’, ‘memorable’ or ‘groundbreaking’ they were. With enough time, anything can feel important, monumental, or historic. However, you have to wonder, did those famous movie moments feel immediately iconic the first time they were seen? Did Vito Corleone’s “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”, or Tyler Durden’s “don’t talk about Fight Club” strike a chord straight away, or did they need time? Well, in the case of Curry Barker’s Obsession (2026), we can assuredly point to many moments that will definitely be remembered forever. A horror film unlike any other, Obsession tells the story of Bear (Michael Johnston), a young man who has an intense (possibly unrequited) crush on his friend, Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette). On a whim, Bear makes a wish that Nikki would love him more than anyone else in the world, not expecting that the wish would come true. Unfortunately, for all involved, the results are uncomfortable, disastrous, and utterly terrifying. What makes Obsession such a rousing success is how it cleverly defines who is good, who is evil, who is the predator, and who is the victim. The answers are not what you’d expect, and will have you thinking for days.
10/10
Best way to watch it: Packed cinema, filled with lots of couples on dates.
Masters of the Universe (2026)
Practically no one under the age of 45 has any nostalgic connection or love for the Masters of the Universe cartoon show. While it was a massive global phenomenon in the 1980s, it hasn’t really converted many new fans like other older franchises. This hasn’t stopped Hollywood from wanting to reignite the property, as a new feature film has been in various stages of development for decades. Director Travis Knight has finally done the impossible, bringing the (iconic?) He-Man and his crazy cast of friends and enemies to the big screen. The story follows Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) as he struggles to return to the magical realm of Eternia, intending to liberate it from the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto). With its massive budget, eye-popping action sequences, and irreverent tone, Masters of the Universe is a romp in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, it does feel like it’s come 10 years too late, as it would’ve felt far more enjoyable if released alongside the Marvel films it’s trying so desperately to emulate. Instead of feeling fresh, exciting and bold, it just feels tired.
5/10
Best way to watch it: In 1987.
