We’re entering the time of year where I spend about as much time in movie theaters as restaurants. I love the quiet, ritualistic stroll out from a reclined seat to the sidewalk before skulking into a booth to debrief on what you just watched.
My favorite version of this in 2026 happened on a chilly Saturday in April. Biz Sherbert met me at Demo last minute for drinks before catching Blue Heron, a small Canadian family drama we both knew little about. Ninety minutes later I was wiping away tears throughout director Sophy Romvari’s Q&A at IFC. Biz and I turned the corner from Carmine down to Bedford and settled into Zimmi’s for pasta, pork trotters and our thoughts on what knocked us out in the theater.
Most of my favorite movies from the first eight months of the year have been small miracles like Blue Heron. Intimate, surprising, scrappily budgeted. Few are true Oscar contenders. I’ll be updating the city guides next week for paid subscribers. But for now, as I gear up to spend fall in New York, here’s an NYC-specific movie and dining primer for you in the form of:
My favorite new films from the year so far
My top restaurants to hit after a great (or disappointing) watch
My most anticipated screenings at next month’s New York Film Festival, an annual tradition that I recommend to everyone I know
Best of 2026 so far
1. Blue Heron | Sophy Romvari
I’ll be pleasantly surprised if anything unseats this at No. 1. Streaming on Criterion.
2. The Invite | Olivia Wilde
I basically feel the opposite about this movie from everything stated in this Vulture review.
3. Fjord | Cristian Mungiu
No one comes out of this story unscathed, in the kind of harsh, probing social commentary I’ll eat up every time.
4. Maddie’s Secret | John Early
Such a wildly ambitious and successful swing. Sometimes when I’m cooking I’ll think to myself, “I just wanted to make my husband dinner, and now I’m in post-production.”
5. The History of Concrete | John Wilson
John Wilson, modern genius.
6. Fatherland | Paweł Pawlikowski
Fucking gorgeous. Sandra Hüller forever.
7. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma | Jane Schoenbrun
At one point in this movie Hannah Einbinder tells Gillian Anderson, “We’re living in the golden age of gummy candy.” Incredible stuff.
8. Miroirs No. 3 | Christian Petzold
I think the entire budget of this movie was spent in 20 minutes on production of The Odyssey, but it’s packed with beauty and complexity.
9. The Odyssey | Christopher Nolan
Would rank higher if they used this playlist.
10. Erupcja | Pete Ohs
Endlessly charming.
11. Everytime | Sandra Wollner
Spooky Austrian Aftersun (non-derogatory).
12. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie | Matt Johnson
This is just not really my kind of humor, but The Hangover bit is one of my favorite scenes all year.
13. The Drama | Kristoffer Borgli
I remain haunted by the idea that anyone in Boston has achieved this level of considered interior design.
14. Project Hail Mary | Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
I enjoyed The Beatles needle drop.
15. Send Help | Sam Raimi
Among the least believable “let’s make this beautiful woman schlubby” attempts I’ve seen. What a ride.
16. I Want Your Sex | Gregg Araki
More movies should be this mean and biting.
17. The Moment | Aidan Zamiri
Kylie Jenner for best supporting actress?
18. Tony | Matt Johnson
19. Paper Tiger | James Gray
Just fine. Won’t think about either much ever again?
20. Man on the Run | Morgan Neville
The best part of this doc is its compelling case for Ram.
21. Reminders of Him | Vanessa Caswill
Turns out I’m an absolute sucker for any Colleen Hoover adaptation. I’m scared of how high Verity will rank here at the end of the year.
22. Voicemails for Isabelle | Leah McKendrick
The best version of Netflix rom-com slop in a while. And a hilarious depiction of modern Austin and SF.
Where to eat and argue after a great movie
Here’s what I’m looking for in a post-movie restaurant: Good lighting, great food — sure — but a place where the food and the space aren’t really an overbearing star of the show, a dim hint of low-key music, and a place you can linger a while.
What I’m most excited to see at NYFF
These are the screenings I’ll be snatching up first:
All of a Sudden | Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Club Kid | Jordan Firstman
Minotaur | Andrey Zvyagintsev
Behemoth! | Tony Gilroy
The Man I Love | Ira Sachs
The Devils | Ken Russell
The Debut | Jesse Eisenberg
Once Upon a Time in Harlem | William Greaves and David Greaves
South of Tehran | Kleber Mendonça Filho
La Gradiva | Marine Atlan