October 2026 Film Rankings: Every New Movie I Saw, Ranked Worst to Best
During October 2026, I watched 15 new movies in theaters using my Regal Unlimited subscription. Here's my ranking of every movie I saw this month, from worst to best.
If you missed it, check out my September 2026 movie rankings where I reviewed Resident Evil, Forgotten Island, and other theatrical releases.
Warning: there are minor spoilers ahead.
15. Other Mommy ★★⯪☆☆
Since its trailer debuted this summer, Other Mommy has been one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2026. As a huge fan of Coraline, I was immediately drawn to its similarly unsettling premise, but unfortunately, the finished product did little to justify my excitement. Perhaps the marketing campaign was simply too effective, as many of the film's best moments had already been revealed in the trailer. Director Rob Savage reportedly promised 50 jump scares, but I certainly didn't feel as though I'd experienced anything close to that number. There are some genuinely creepy moments, and the climax takes an interesting turn, but the narrative itself feels surprisingly bland. Perhaps my expectations were simply too high, but in a year that has already delivered some brilliant horror films, including Obsession, it's difficult not to feel disappointed. What initially promised to be one of the year's most disturbing theatrical experiences ultimately became one of its most forgettable.
14. Street Fighter ★★★☆☆
Street Fighter feels like the kind of fan-service film that will be a treat for longtime fans of the video game franchise, but come across as cheesy or borderline ridiculous to those unfamiliar with the source material. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. It's not a bad film by any means, but I found myself struggling to connect with the story and its characters, as effective narrative moments were overshadowed by silly dialogue and over-the-top sequences. Even so, one aspect I genuinely enjoyed was the way the film transitioned between live-action and anime-style sequences. It was a unique stylistic choice that provided a distinct visual identity and added an intriguing layer to the storytelling. Ultimately, there's some creativity and entertainment to appreciate here, but much of the film's charm seems dependent on having an existing attachment to the franchise. As the Gen Zers might say, "It was mid, bruh."
13. Digger ★★★☆☆
12. The Social Reckoning ★★★☆☆
This film proved particularly difficult for me to review. Released in 2010, The Social Network is widely regarded as a modern classic, but unfortunately, I entered The Social Reckoning having never seen its predecessor. Nevertheless, the opening scene immediately grabbed my attention, delivering one of the most compelling introductions of any film released in 2026. What followed, however, did considerably less to maintain my interest. The narrative explores Facebook's evolution into Meta, the development of algorithms designed to cater to individual preferences, and the tendency of millions to accept information found on social media without questioning its credibility. These are undoubtedly important subjects, but they're also issues that have been discussed extensively in recent years. The film remains entertaining throughout and raises some worthwhile questions about the influence of social media on modern society, but even with my relatively limited knowledge of the subject, I left the theater feeling as though I hadn't learned much that I didn't already know. Ultimately, The Social Reckoning felt more like a reminder of problems we're already familiar with than a revealing examination of them.
11. Whalefall ★★★☆☆
If you saw Austin Abrams in Resident Evil last month and thought he couldn't possibly appear in a more visually disgusting movie this year, October's Whalefall decided to throw its hat into the proverbial ring. Narratively speaking, the film made an excellent choice in alternating between our protagonist's time in the belly of the beast and memories of his father, whom he had originally set out to find. These flashbacks provided a much-needed reprieve from the dark, claustrophobic environment inside the whale, while also adding some emotional depth to an otherwise straightforward survival story. The problem for me is that the film requires a considerable suspension of disbelief, and these types of survival thrillers typically don't prove to be very interesting. Once the initial shock of the premise wears off, the entire narrative essentially boils down to whether the protagonist will live or die, without much else to keep us invested along the way. There's certainly some impressive filmmaking and genuinely unsettling imagery on display, but the novelty of the situation can only carry this story so far.
10. You Can See Everything ★★★☆☆
You Can See Everything. And with Regal Unlimited, I do. All jokes aside, a quick glance at IMDb revealed an astonishing 9.4/10 rating, which was more than enough to convince me to make a trip to the theater. Unfortunately, while the film had its merits, I left feeling that my expectations had been set far too high. The documentary-style approach was unique, and the subject matter was intriguing enough to initially capture my attention, particularly since I was unfamiliar with Elizabeth Holmes going in. However, when you're asking audiences to sit through nearly three hours of storytelling, there needs to be something that makes the eventual payoff feel worthwhile. There were amusing moments and insightful revelations, but as I found myself repeatedly checking the clock, I began to wonder whether a greater sense of urgency could've made the entire experience considerably more impactful. In the end, You Can See Everything left me wishing I could have seen a little less.
9. Angel and the Badman ★★★⯪☆
Admittedly, I have never seen the 1947 classic that inspired this remake nearly eight decades later, but Angel and the Badman (2026) proved to be a surprisingly enjoyable film. Westerns aren't typically my preferred genre, so I entered the theater with modest expectations, only to discover a charming story that struck an effective balance between humor, drama, and character development. Despite the genre's reputation for violence, the film maintains an almost family-friendly atmosphere, avoiding the grim tone that often accompanies modern interpretations. Perhaps most importantly, there's something refreshing about a straightforward narrative. It does little to reinvent the wheel, or leave audiences contemplating a deeper meaning, but not every movie needs to deliver some profound message. Sometimes, an engaging story, likable characters, and a few good laughs are more than enough. Ultimately, Angel and the Badman provided an enjoyable theatrical experience and proved considerably more entertaining than several of October's bigger-name productions.
8. Klara and the Sun ★★★⯪☆
Here, we enter the strange, experimental portion of October's theatrical releases. Where exactly do I place Klara and the Sun, a film centered around Jenna Ortega's portrayal of an Artificial Friend? The trailer immediately captured my attention, promising an unconventional story, and the finished product certainly delivered on that front. Interestingly enough, Klara and the Sun and Wildwood arrived in theaters on the same weekend, making the similarities between their respective antagonists, particularly their origins and motivations, all the more intriguing. Admittedly, I haven't read the source material, so I can't speak to how faithfully the film adapts the novel or what creative liberties might've been taken along the way. Nonetheless, there's something fascinating about a story that explores the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence, especially as the distinction between the two becomes increasingly blurred. While the film never felt particularly revelatory, its unusual premise and thought-provoking subject matter made for a worthwhile cinematic experience.
7. Wicker ★★★⯪☆
It's important to understand exactly what you're signing up for when you walk into a film like Wicker. The premise alone is enough to raise a few eyebrows: Peter Dinklage creates a wicker husband for a lonely fisherwoman, only for her unusual companion to quickly become the object of desire among the women of a quaint, old-fashioned English village. What follows is perhaps the closest thing to smut that I've seen on the big screen in quite some time. And yet, as ridiculous as the entire concept sounds, there's something undeniably entertaining about watching it unfold. The film becomes increasingly bizarre as the narrative progresses, making it nearly impossible to predict what strange development might come next. It's the kind of guilty pleasure that I could easily justify rating considerably higher based purely on enjoyment, even if I'm not entirely convinced it deserves such praise from a more objective standpoint. Ultimately, however, if the purpose of cinema is to entertain, it's difficult to argue with how invested I was here.
6. A Talent for Murder ★★★⯪☆
After a long break from attending Regal's Monday Mystery Movies, I returned on October 12th to check out A Talent for Murder, a fictionalized psychological thriller centered on American novelist Patricia Highsmith. Unlike Angel and the Badman, this film certainly left me with plenty to contemplate, particularly following its open-ended conclusion. The suspenseful narrative follows Highsmith and Edward Ridgeway as they collaborate on one final installment in her celebrated Ripley series, although their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as the story unfolds. Beneath its dry humor, the film explores several intriguing themes, including manipulation and deception, power and control, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. I would also be remiss not to mention that Helen Mirren is brilliant in the lead role, earning well-deserved praise from critics. Admittedly, I wouldn't consider this a personal favorite, nor is it something I'm particularly eager to revisit, but its compelling performances and psychological complexity earn it a place among October's better releases.
5. Sense and Sensibility ★★★⯪☆
4. Portrait of an Artist: Stephen Curry ★★★★☆
Impossible to rate this film in an unbiased fashion? Check. I've been a Warriors fan since the 2011–12 season, when Monta Ellis was shipped to Milwaukee and the franchise seemed to be in total disarray. In fact, I've owned a Steph Curry jersey since those early days, long before anyone could have anticipated what was to come. What ensued was nothing short of remarkable, as the Warriors established themselves as a modern NBA dynasty, securing four championships between 2015 and 2022. For me, Portrait of an Artist: Stephen Curry felt less like a film and more like a celebration of a legendary career. Admittedly, there wasn't a tremendous amount of depth here, and the stock footage used to highlight other artists, including actors and musicians, occasionally made the documentary feel like a school presentation. However, the IMAX format worked wonders, particularly during the sequence surrounding Curry's 4,000th career three-pointer against the Sacramento Kings. The visuals were stunning, creating the sensation of actually being inside Chase Center for one of the defining moments of his illustrious career. As Paul McCartney almost sang in the Beatles' 1970 classic Let It Be: "Sink a three, sink a three, sink a three, sink a three, he will be the answer, Steph Curry."
3. Wildwood ★★★★☆
The sheer amount of time, patience, and artistry required to produce a two-hour stop-motion animated film is almost enough to earn Wildwood a spot in October's top three by itself. Visually stunning from beginning to end, the film is a remarkable technical achievement, but fortunately, there's considerably more to appreciate than the craftsmanship behind each frame. The imaginative world beyond Portland, Oregon, feels expansive and immersive, creating a genuine sense of adventure that occasionally gives way to something far more unsettling. As previously mentioned, one of the story's central elements bears a striking resemblance to Klara and the Sun, although I found Wildwood to be the more rewarding cinematic experience. Despite its lengthy runtime, the film maintains a surprisingly effective pace, taking audiences from a shocking opening sequence to a climactic final battle without losing momentum. A genuinely epic undertaking that deserves recognition as one of the year's most impressive animated features.
2. Clayface ★★★★⯪
One of the biggest surprises of October came in the form of Clayface, a film whose disturbing imagery and unexpected shock value propelled it toward the very top of my rankings. Admittedly, I'm considerably more familiar with the Marvel universe than DC, although I've always associated the latter with darker, grittier storytelling. What I hadn't fully appreciated, however, was that the character at the center of this particular story is framed as a villain rather than a hero. Consequently, Clayface feels remarkably different from your typical superhero movie, following a morally complicated protagonist whose descent into increasingly disturbing circumstances makes it difficult to know whether we're supposed to sympathize with him or fear him. Some of the film's most grotesque sequences are difficult to watch, but that discomfort ultimately becomes one of its greatest strengths. Rather than relying on the spectacle and humor that often define comic book adaptations, the narrative leans heavily into psychological and body horror, creating an experience that feels genuinely unsettling and unpredictable.
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