BEST OF THE YEAR
The best of the year, one format at a time
Short, opinionated lists of the year's best new movies, TV shows, anime, games and books. Each pick says where and when it came out, why it made the list and what might put you off, and every list names the reviews and listings we checked.
Best of 2026
- The best movies of 2026 so far8 picks, including Project Hail Mary · The Odyssey · Hoppers · 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- The best TV shows of 2026 so far8 picks, including The Pitt · A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms · Widow's Bay · Hacks
- The best anime of 2026 so far8 picks, including Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 · Witch Hat Atelier · Daemons of the Shadow Realm · A Hundred Scenes of Awajima
- The best video games of 2026 so far9 picks, including Mina the Hollower · Forza Horizon 6 · Resident Evil Requiem · Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
- The best books of 2026 so far8 picks, including Kin · John of John · London Falling · Yesteryear
How these lists work
We publish each year's lists in the autumn and keep updating them until the year is over, so a late release can still make the cut. The date at the top of each list says when it was last checked. Nothing on these lists is sponsored.
Looking for something older? The If you liked guides start from a favourite and suggest what to try next, and Pick for me suggests one title at a time from every guide on the site.