2026 has already proven that cinema is far from dead, and movies can still feel like an event! I’ve watched almost every major release so far, and sitting in those theaters, I could feel the difference in how each of these films not only impacted me, but also the crowd sitting in a dimly lit theater.
The movies in question had some of the highest domestic openings (via The Numbers), but what makes this ranking interesting isn’t the numbers because I’ve aligned it based on the story’s impact, quality, and whether it truly moved me! So, without further ado, here are the highest openers of 2026 so far, ranked!
8. Scream 7
A still from Scream 7 | Credits: Paramount Pictures
With a new Ghostface killer storyline, we see Sidney Prescott and the ones close to her being targeted, especially her daughter. I remember being completely pulled in during the first act, but as it went on, the film started to feel formulaic. Nonetheless, it had a huge opening weekend of $63 million. I wouldn’t place it anywhere near the top of this list, but Scream 7 was a fun experience, though I expected a bit more.
7. Wuthering Heights
The Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie starrer follows the intense and obsessive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine. However, it felt like the name Wuthering Heights was only used to cash in on the book’s popularity because it did not nearly have the depth with which Emily Brontë wrote it.
But it was a Valentine’s week release and performed well in theaters, pulling in $32.8 million after its release. Its box office figures are impressive, and it did spark up a lot of conversation due to the controversy, but I simply couldn’t get myself to be invested or enthusiastic about the movie.
6. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
A still from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Credits: Universal Pictures
Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a sensory overload, and I mean that in a good way. We follow Mario, Luigi, and their allies as they all venture beyond their usual world into outer space and face off with Bowser and his son.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best shared viewing experiences I’ve had at the theaters, and I’m not surprised to see that the movie opened with $131.7 million. But I didn’t feel like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie stayed with me after I walked out, and I would’ve preferred some more emotional weight than the spectacle.
5. GOAT
A still from GOAT | Credits: Sony Pictures Animation
GOAT surprised me more than I expected because, on paper, it is a simple story of an underestimated goat who gets to play in a high-intensity sport with faster animals. But the film slowly begins to lean into themes of self-worth and identity, and it does so quite beautifully.
As a Stranger Things fan, I was so happy to see that Caleb McLaughlin’s (voice of Will Harris) movie hit $27.2 million at the opening. It might not be as massive as some of the other debuts on this list, but it does have a lot of heart!
4. The Devil Wears Prada 2
A still from The Devil Wears Prada 2 | Credits: 20th Century Studios
I was so looking forward to watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theaters, and I wasn’t let down! There was this feeling of warm familiarity that washed over me when I saw Andy Sachs again. Her return to Runway magazine in a drastically changed media landscape was refreshing, and I enjoyed the dynamic between her and Miranda as well.
The movie exceeded my expectations and opened to $76.7 million, which is a massive leap from the original movie, and I could see why it became such a box-office juggernaut.
3. Michael
A still from Michael | Credits: Lionsgate
Though critics completely obliterated Michael, the audience’s love for him was louder than any rating or review. The Michael Jackson biopic followed his early days in the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global icon.
Jaafar Jackson was great, but I personally loved Juliano Valdi’s performance way more! He was so adorable and convincing as young Jackson; it was unreal! The $97.2 million opening figure reflects the King of Pop’s star power as viewers flocked to theaters to experience his magic again!
2. Hoppers
A still from Hoppers | Credits: Pixar Animation Studios
In all honesty, Hoppers’ premise sounded like a weird animated version of Avatar at first, but by the end of the movie, I was so emotionally invested that you couldn’t pay me to leave the theater. The story centers on Mabel, whose consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver so she can communicate with animals and eventually protect their habitat.
Hoppers had an opening of $45.3 million, which is a great number for an original animated film with no prequels and pre-existing franchise connections. The humor of this movie landed perfectly for me, plus the pacing never dragged, and that’s precisely why it’s so high up on this list!
1. Project Hail Mary
Ryan Gosling in Project Hail Mary | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary gave me one of the best cinematic experiences ever. It’s a film that’s both massive in scale and in its philosophy, which is what I admire the most about this Ryan Gosling starrer. He plays Ryland Grace, a school teacher who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory, and slowly learns that he’s on a mission to save Earth!
His bond with Rocky was the film’s most amazing aspect! Project Hail Mary had a huge opening of $80.5 million, and I was so happy to see that a movie that actually deserves all the love and appreciation was doing well at the box office! Most would agree with me when I say that this sci-fi feature is the best one we’ve had in 2026 so far!
Here’s an overview of the rankings:
TitleDomestic Opening(via The Numbers) Worldwide Box Office (via The Numbers)(as of May 7, 2026)Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer | Popcornmeter) (as of May 7, 2026)Where to watch(USA)8. Scream 7$63.6M $213.9 M 31% | 75% Prime Video (rent and buy) 7. Wuthering Heights$32.8M $241.7 M57% | 76% HBO Max 6. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie$131.7M $897.8 M 42% | 86% Still in theaters 5. GOAT$27.2M $193 M 84% | 93% Prime Video (rent and buy) 4. The Devil Wears Prada 2$76.7M $239.4 M79% | 86% Still in theaters 3. Michael$97.2M $434.8 M 39% | 97% Still in theaters 2. Hoppers$45.3M $380.1 M 94% | 93% Prime Video (rent and buy) 1. Project Hail Mary$80.5M $639.4 M 94% | 95% Still in theaters
Looking at 2026 so far, it’s clear that big openings don’t always mean lasting impact. If this list proves anything, it’s that both spectacle and substance have found their way into this year! So, which one of these movies did you enjoy the most? Let us know!
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