CCNY Goes To The Movies
Written by Atticus Pleasant & Mir Ahmed
The age of cinema has returned, and the 2026 summer season made a big point of proving it. Earning the highest box office sales on average since 2013 (Welk, 2026), it is abundantly clear that bodies have filled up seats this year. Even if it was just through movie dates or last-minute hangouts, money went into the upkeep of theaters like AMC, Regal, Alamo Drafthouse, etc.
Despite the successes of the summer 2026 film season, there’s no need to stop there. Many more beautiful pieces are on their way and already in theaters, waiting for you all to return to what can become your second home.
For now, we are handing off the title "film critic" to the students, giving them the chance to talk about their experiences. If you missed it, don't worry; CCNY went to the movies and is back with the inside scoop.
Student Reviews
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Student Reviews 〰️
Scene from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. [Sony Pictures], 2026.
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY:
(dir. Destin Daniel Cretton)
KRISHA: “This movie is a show that, no matter if you’re a superhero or a normal twenty-something year old, you never have to be truly alone.”
BENJAMIN S.: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day felt like the first traditional Spider-Man film in ages. It was nice to see a return to formula.”
Scene from Obsession. [Focus Features], 2026.
OBSESSION:
(dir. Curry Barker)
DESTINY: “It explores witchcraft well and how a selfish wish can make someone a completely different person. With the small budget they had, they did a very good job at conveying the story.”
SARAH A.: “The dynamics set up between Ian, Bear, Sarah, and Nikki were so interconnected and could have been much better if they communicated.”
Scene from The Odyssey. [Universal Pictures], 2026.
THE ODYSSEY:
(dir. Christopher Nolan)
DAVID: “Many characters were one-dimensional and cardboard-y instead of fully developed, and the humor lacked dimension. But Robert Pattinson was a great plus!”
Atticus Reviews
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Atticus Reviews 〰️
OBSESSION:
Student Average: 3.97
Follows the consequences of a bad wish in a way that makes you happy you still have your mental and physical autonomy. Real bloody, not for the squeamish crowd, but worth the watch nonetheless!
THE ODYSSEY:
Student Average: 3.9
Three hours of the book you had to read in high school, but this has Matt Damon. Grab your popcorn, hit your nearest theater, bring a friend to experience it with you, and learn how the theaters are following Zeus’s law.
SPIDERMAN:
Student Average: 4.05
About time we welcomed some of the new characters lingering around the city! Built relationships for comic lovers and took fan service to a whole new level. Don’t miss out on this one if you’re looking for a superhero movie with meaning.
Movies to watch out for
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Movies to watch out for 〰️
Scene from The Debut—[A24], 2026.
THE DEBUT (dir. Jesse Eisenberg):
100% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Mona (Julianne Moore; The Big Lebowski) searches for meaning through a community theater. Neurotic theater director Jerry (Paul Giamatti; The Holdovers) clings to her, and the film takes a sharp turn from comedy to psychodrama as Mona and Jerry are forced to confront their own insufficiencies.
Releasing December 11th, 2026
Scene from Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother. [Amazon MGM Studios], 2026.
YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER (dir. Bassam Tariq) 100% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Latif (Mahershala Ali; Moonlight) is a Muslim contract assassin in Houston, now taking care of his two children after the unexpected passing of his wife. Forced to revisit his past, Latif must find a way to honor his family while also leaving the hitman business in one piece.
Releasing October 9th, 2026
Scene from Wild Horse Nine. [Searchlight Pictures], 2026.
WILD HORSE NINE: (dir. Martin McDonagh)
91% on Rotten Tomatoes!
CIA partners Chris (John Malkovich; Being John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell; Jojo Rabbit) are sent to Chile on a mission. Chris, already dying from cancer, battles his conscience over the atrocities he has committed in his career. Lee, caught in the middle, is now forced to prove his loyalty to Chris or do the job he’s assigned and “take him out.”
Releasing November 6th, 2026