From the downtown-girl fall of 2022 to 2023’s Barbenheimer to the Brat summer of ’24, it is undeniable that the media that we love shapes our cultural landscape.
This summer kicked off with a renaissance of independent filmmaking in side-by-side horror sensations “Obsession” and “Backrooms,” a record-breaking third album by Olivia Rodrigo and massive blockbusters bringing audiences back to the theaters. An eventful season for movies and music alike, here are our picks for reliving the summer of 2026.
“You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” — Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo kicked off summer 2026 with drop-dead bangers.
Rodrigo’s third studio album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” broke streaming records with its arrival on June 12, continuing her unparalleled streak of generation-defining pop albums. Its storytelling marks a coming-of-age both literally and sound-wise, documenting the rise and fall of a relationship and all the mind games that come with it, while straying slightly from her pop-rock origins as Rodrigo navigates through her early 20s.
Released at the crack of summer, this album arrived just in time for me to speed through my hometown blasting “stupid song” with the windows down, chant the lyrics to “expectations” with my friends and scream cathartically to “the cure.” Coming up as a strong contender for Album of the Year, there is no doubt that “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” is one of the defining sounds of the summer.
Like a maggot in a brain, “Girl So in Love” has wormed its way into our hearts.
-Birka Chen
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” — Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures
The friendly neighborhood web-slinger is back, but this time, he’s on his own.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” swung into theaters on July 31, picking up four years after the events of 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Peter Parker, played by franchise veteran Tom Holland, is living in the aftermath of being forgotten by everyone who knew him. Parker must navigate his lonely new reality while grappling with his evolving powers, as he confronts a mysterious new threat to New York. Holland is joined by returning stars Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, while new franchise additions include Sadie Sink and Jon Bernthal.
As the now fourth installment in Holland’s Spider-Man saga, “Brand New Day” offers a fresh take on a more grounded and vulnerable Spider-Man that the multiverse-driven previous installment may not have fully captured, allowing for a return to the heart of Spider-Man’s character. Clearly, moviegoers agreed, as “Brand New Day” has been a huge box office success, and has now become one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Although Peter Parker was forgotten by the world, “Brand New Day” isn’t likely to be forgotten by audiences anytime soon.
–Abby Michaelides
“X-Men ‘97 — Season 2” — Marvel Studios
Mutants are back in style, and they’re bringing the apocalypse with them.
The second season of X-Men ’97 sliced its way onto Disney+ July 1, picking up right after the events of Season one, with the X-Men lost in three different points in time as their greatest enemy, Apocalypse, rises to power across timelines.
After an X-cellent first season, the return of Marvel’s premier mutant team was an exciting event. Season 1 was a breakout hit for Marvel Animation, receiving accolades from both critics and, most importantly, the fans, bringing the X-Men back into the spotlight. With the team scattered across time and Apocalypse threatening the future of mutant kind, Season 2 had plenty of stakes that made its first season so impactful. But with Marvel teasing its inclusion in “Avengers: Doomsday,” the return of the animated X-Men signals the return of the team into the ever-expanding cinematic universe.
The X-Men have always been more than another super team; their stories explore prejudice and what it means to be accepted. Season 2 continues that tradition while still having something to say after years of being on the creative backburner; audiences are x-static to see the X-Men again.
–Uziel Puente
“Obsession” — Focus Features
Bear with her.
Released in theaters on May 15, “Obsession” was the breakout directorial hit for Curry Barker, known for his sketch comedy channel on YouTube. The film follows Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a hopeless romantic who uses a “One Wish Willow” to make his crush, Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, obsessed with him. His dream comes true but becomes a nightmare when Nikki becomes obsessed.
What makes “Obsession” a worthwhile watch is not just its horror, but its roots. Barker is a part of a new generation of filmmakers who have their roots online before jumping to theaters. After its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film was at the center of a massive bidding war before its 15 million dollar purchase by Focus Features. Its success has shown Hollywood that audiences are willing to pay to see creators they saw on YouTube on the big screen, opening a door of possibilities for internet filmmakers.
“Obsession” is the newest in the YouTuber-to-Hollywood hit trend, with Markiplier’s “Iron Lung” and KanePixels’ “Backrooms” earlier this year receiving massive acclaim. If films like “Obsession” continue to be successes, the next generation of filmmakers may already be on your homepage.
-Uziel Puente
“The Odyssey” — Universal Pictures
Christopher Nolan takes audiences way beyond high-school English class in his painting of Homer’s classic epic tale.
Across a runtime of nearly three hours, “The Odyssey” tells the story of a hero’s homecoming journey focused on one man’s internal turmoil while battling monsters and people alike. A familiar story to many, the film is brought to 2026 by Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus. “The Odyssey” by legendary director Christopher Nolan has no doubt been one of the most anticipated films of the year, living up to its colossal hype with its acclaimed release on July 17.
“The Odyssey” was shot entirely in IMAX 70mm film, a feat never to be done before in a full-length feature — showings have sold out months in advance as film buffs around the world have taken quite the odyssey to see it in one of the few theaters screening it in its original 70mm format. Audiences and critics praise its epic rumbling visuals and unique score by Ludwig Göransson, as well as the sheer scope of the film being a work of filmmaking magic. Inevitable of a movie of this popularity, “The Odyssey” has sparked conversation as to whether it truly captures the spirit of Homer’s poem despite being an undoubtedly Nolan-esque tale — or, whether this even matters in today’s moviegoing landscape.
Nonetheless, witnessing crowds back in theaters for “The Odyssey” is something ought-to-see.
-Birka Chen
