Category: 2026 Movie “Reviews”

Scream 7 “Review”

Release date: February 27, 2026 (USA)

Director: Kevin Williamson

Prequel: Scream VI

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 54m

Screenplay: Kevin Williamson, Guy Busick

I had to get ahead of spoilers, seeing the awful critic scores and word of mouth….I won’t waste your time!

This franchise needs to be buried. Like the recent reboot sequel “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” This franchise has become stale. I hope that batch of Popcorn was good because you’ll get nothing from this 7th edition of the scream/stab? franchise.

3/10 Stream it or skip it, don’t waste your time if you’re getting into the franchise, and hopefully, for those watching from the start, you’re ready to move on or got something out of this. I saw 3 trailers before Scream 7 started that hit that dark horror want, and 1 obvious one hit nostalgia.

It’s been 3 years since Scream 6, and I couldn’t care less about the characters anymore. Meanwhile, Scary Movie 6 releases June 12th this year, and with a 13-year gap, I’m so ready for this franchise’s return. Watch the trailer and tell me you weren’t entertained by some of the appearances from recent horror movies over the past decade.

For the other two trailers, The Undertone tapped into audio for the scares. Playing off the surround sound speakers, which I’m very excited to see explored. I feel like horror movies don’t tap into sound at the theatre, focusing on the jump scare or a creepy setup. Watch the trailer’s ending to see what I mean. Lastly, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy looks to be a dark, disturbing tale.

If you’re still into checking out Scream 7, I hope you get something out of the 2-hour viewing time. There’s a mid-credit scene that I read up about as I was ready to leave the movie. I’m glad I took the family to watch Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, as that second viewing solidly is a 9/10 for me :D.

Checking out Scream 7 this weekend? Love to hear your thoughts. Did I place some upcoming horror titles on your radar? Love to hear your thoughts when Undertone drops on March 13th and then The Mummy in April.

Appreciate you coming by, Popped for your movie “Review.” Hopefully, you had a better time than I. There was 1 kill I thought was cool. Otherwise, nothing special, and I was generally bored.

But until next time, fellow moviegoers – Happy Movie Watching 😀

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Cold Storage “Review”

Release date: February 13, 2026 (USA)

Director: Jonny Campbell

Screenplay: David Koepp

Producers: David Koepp, Gavin Polone

Running time: 1h 39m

Distributed by: StudioCanal, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Imagem Filmes

Liam Neeson’s Naked Gun Energy, meets Zombieland – Good times await with Cold Storage!

The naked gun of horror I wrote down as first thoughts :P. Bringing random fun to this film that entertains zombie film enjoyers along with those looking for something a little alien and supernatural.

Liam Neeson (Playing Robert Quinn) seals and contains an extremely deadly alien substance that communicates with it’s host to kill themselves, infect others and explodes the hosts core from deep within! 😉 Enjoy that visual :D.

We have Joe Keery from recent huge franchise “Stranger Things” working at a self-storage company along with his co-worker Naomi Williams (Played by Georgina Campbell). The thing about this storage company…. the virus was contained within here many years prior, before the place shut down and land sold to the general public after government abandoned it.

Can the three save humanity from this virus getting loose and affecting the planet :O? You’ll have to check it out and find out. I had a solid good time with this one getting a Popped score of 7.5/10. Good campy fun horror. Doesn’t take itself serious, sit back with some popcorn and have a gory good time.

With that fellow movie-goers is the finale of this weeks batch of 4. I’m all caught up with Critical Role so with 30 minutes to go before the next episode goes live. It’s a time to make some dinner and settle in :D.

Thanks for coming by Popped everyone. Greatly appreciate you all and look forward to seeing you all. Next Time 😀

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Scarlet “Review”

Release date: February 6, 2026 (USA)

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Distributed by: Toho Co., Ltd., Sony Pictures

Producers: Yuichiro Saito, Nozomu Takahashi, Toshimi Tanio

Running time: 1h 52m

MPAA rating: PG-13

Saw this advertised all 2025 winter with a December release – Missed the memo of it’s delay to Feb2026!

I think if watched without being awake since 4am and working I’d of enjoyed this more. Honestly this “review” is more like that of Zootopia where I may need to re-watch it. From my experience and falling asleep during the middle it was an okay movie. Woke up to learn all the interesting connections with these two characters.

What lost me was the story change that I had created in my mind compared to the film I was watching. From a fascinating intro with Scarlet and he father. Setting her up on this quest for avenging him. To this futuristic young man appearing and changing the game. I wanted more of the intro but again maybe there’s more that I missed from the middle. I did enjoy the intro and the ending was enough to understand the purpose to the film.

It’s okay. But for those that did stay awake. What did you think? From me here at Popped – 6/10*. I’ve still yet to see Arco as it’s not released where I’m from. Which is wild for that to be nominated for an Oscar over Demon Slayer & Ne Zha 2 and not having a wide release :S. I’ll get into that nearer to the Oscars though….

Thank you for that quick “review” of Scarlet as we catch up with this weeks batch of 4 :D. See you in the next one coming right up – Cold Storage!

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Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die “Review”

Release date: February 13, 2026 (USA)

Director: Gore Verbinski

Screenplay: Matthew Robinson

Producers: Gore Verbinski, Oly Obst, Denise Chamian, Robert Kulzer, Erwin Stoff

Production companies: Blind Wink Productions, Constantin Film, 3 Arts Entertainment

Running time: 2h 15m

5 minutes shorter than Crime 101 but vastly my type of movie being the first 2026 to enter my top 10 list 😀

Sam Rockwell (Playing Homme Du) a man announcing himself to be from the future! To an audience of patrons at an LA diner, searching for a crew of unlikely heroes in hope to help him save humanity.

This movie is totally wild and tells a tale in my favorite style (Like that of Weapons), having an over arching story with back and forth reveals to our heroes throughout to introduce them throughout the intro of the film. Loved the cast and characters in GLHFDD. It’s solidly a great movie. For me personally that ending got the 9, even if a little weaker of a 9 it’s the first movie of 2026 going onto my list :D.

Michael Pena (Playing a substitute school teacher – Mark) along with his partner and colleague Janet (Played by Zazie Beetz) had the most stand out scene for me personally that I loved! Setting the tone and creepiness of the world being established.

This movie gets bonkers and honestly just grab some popcorn and check it out. While many checked out Crime 101 over this feature. I feel once GFHFDD hits digital/streaming the audience that resonates with it will fall in love as a niche movie to live on :D.

Ingrid was awesome also with a great story (Played by Haley Lu Richardson). There’s many good stories here but the story I’d love to hear is from yourselves. Did you check it out? Curious? Love to hear from you in the comments below.

9/10 – Lock it in for my top 10 list for early 2026. Let’s see how long it stays in for the year :D.

That’s our second of four movies in this weeks batch. Thanks for coming by Popped for movie “Reviews”. Not sure if there’s anything I’ll check out this weekend? However Scream is around the corner, WoW Expansion 😀 & Project Hail Mary which I’m very excited for! THEN MARIO GALAXY YA-HOO :D.

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Crime 101 “Review”

Release date: February 13, 2026 (USA)

Director: Bart Layton

Producers: Chris Hemsworth, Bart Layton, Dimitri Doganis · See more

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 2h 20m

Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Releasing International

I have my office back! Let’s catch up on last weekends batch of “Reviews”.

To “Rapid Fire” this batch of “reviews” to catch up :D.

Chris Hemsworth (Playing Mike Davis) a master thief, with Halle Berry’s character (Sharon Combs) an insurance broker, join forces for a big heist. Meanwhile Mark Ruffalo plays a detective, that’s pursuing the criminal that’s committed non violent heists all along the 101 freeway in California, in attempts to prevent a multi-million dollar crime! Non violent being the key to our other character Ormon (Played by Barry Keoghan).

Quick notes: – Crime 101 was a fine movie. Keeping me entertained but felt extremely long. It’s a worthy watch but don’t go in tired haha. I had to lock in to keep awake. Everyone does a good job. Has some nice action and interesting cinematography as the voice over plays throughout various scenes.

Has some good elements to be a Popcorn Heist/Detective movie. Just sadly slow and rather long. A weak 7 or 6.5 for me personally here at Popped :D.

It’s been a minute since GOAT but I’ve finally returned to the office to type up this recent batch of “reviews”. March 1st is approaching which I’m excited for RT to open up applications :D. Oscars are coming on the 15th. It’s time to lock in and catch up. Even if the salt to the wound of animation nominees is still feeling rather fresh.

See you for the next “Review” with my first 9 :O of 2026 😉 see you there :D.

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Goat “Review”

Release date: February 13, 2026 (USA)

Directors: Tyree Dillihay, Adam Rosette

Producers: Stephen Curry, Rodney Rothman, Erick Peyton, Adam Rosenberg, Michelle Raimo

Executive producers: Fonda Snyder, Rick Mischel

Running time: 1h 40m

MPAA rating: PG

First hearing about Goat I wanted Spider verse 3 – In the end. They won me over and I had a Goat time!

Has Goat brought back Laughs per Minute? Because I laughed SO much in this feature!

Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things anyone :O) is back in the spotlight as the voice of Will Harris – Our Goat of the movie! Setting the stage 10 years prior with his love for the Thorns team and his idol Jett Fillmore. Will dreams big to be apart of the team and bring home the Claw for his home town.

Stephen Curry is not only a Producer on this movie but is also the voice actor for Lenny Williamson – The Giraffe with the long neck :D. Goat has a great assortment of characters. I wish we got to learn more about them but they all do get to shine even though I wanted more :D.

Great soundtrack that I look forward to listening again. This is solidly in the 8’s for me personally for Popped. Wish there was more games shown or extra scenes diving into our side characters. Despite wanting more this was so fun!

Goat offers a good time for fans of the game, Animation, Music, or even those wanting a good laugh. This is worth seeing in movie theatres and I’m excited to hear more from the audience over the weekend.

8/10 – Roots Run Deep!

Going to check out Goat or now interested after hearing the above? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Stay tuned over the Weekend/Week for upcoming “Reviews”.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die | Crime 101 | Cold Storage | Scarlet | Wuthering Heights?

Until then though, happy movie going fellow movie goers 😀

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Whistle “Review”

Release date: February 6, 2026 (USA)

Director: Corin Hardy

Running time: 1h 37m

Producers: David Gross, Macdara Kelleher, Whitney Brown, John Keville

MPAA rating: R

Distributed by: Elevation Pictures

Ancient Death Whistle…. Sign me up 😀

Once again Shudder comes to the big screen with a worthy theatrical release – Whistle!

It’s a fine to weak 7 good movie which had several elements I enjoyed watching this feature. Yea the story could of had a better wrap up but that’s the fun with these smaller indie movies. You’re not sure what direction they’ll take.

Bring ear plugs if you’re wanting to preserve your hearing or care about that :P. The movie gets incredibly loud. Concepts of death and the loose rules established were fun. Loved that Nick Frost was apart of this title :D. Gave me homage feelings to Shaun of the Dead :D.

Currently, the movie is sitting at a 6/10 on RT & IMDb. Why this is getting less attention than Primate baffles me, but I’ve only heard from others how awful Primate was, with some exceptions to its sound design. Whistle does have a pool utilized, but they also have an actual world established. Shout-outs to the fair scenes, as those maze designs and costumes were very cool. Sky Yang’s character, Rel, had Nightwing vibes, which was very cool!

Otherwise, the story is based around this Whistle that once heard or blown on. Death will be called and seek you. I won’t spoil the causes, and all but again the deaths were a lot of fun, a majority of the time. Which is where it gets that weaker 7 rating for me personally.

So what about yourselves? Going to check out Whistle? Already seen it? Love to hear your thoughts down below in the comments.

Greatly appreciate you for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”, stay tuned for more awesome movies coming up in the month of February. Hoping good things from GOAT. Good Luck Have Fun Don’t Die and maybe some other random surprises along the way.

Until next time though fellow moviegoers – Happy Movie Going 😀

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Send Help “Review”

Release date: January 30, 2026 (USA)

Director: Sam Raimi

Screenplay: Mark Swift, Damian Shannon

Producers: Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi

Cinematography: Bill Pope

MPAA rating: R

Finally got to see Send Help, 1 scene could have looked good in 3D, but 2D was the way 😀

A strong balance between the usage of horror & comedy. Without spoilers, though. Is this Scary Movie or Scream? Does this parody the genre or take itself somewhat seriously? Depending on the line you find yourself in. That ending / last 30 minutes is going to either get you to a 9/10 or take some hits, bringing you into the 8’s.

Personally, I’m at 8.5/10, possibly 8, but in this ballpark. Without spoilers, this could have been a 9 in the bag and onto my top 10 list for 2026 thus far. It’s still the best movie of 2026 thus far that I’ve seen, but I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Shall we discuss the movie and set this up for y’all :D?

Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle (From Account?), a huge fan & lover of the Survivor TV Show. She also has this overbearing boss who doesn’t appreciate her work, her talents, or the commitment and dedication she’s given to the company, which the boss’s father built for him to inherit. The boss in question? Bradley Preston (Played by Dylan O’Brien) a total jerk and awful boss that’s going to find out how much Linda will have to offer in his survival.

Yes! His survival! Stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes en route to a business meeting. It’s a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.

Plenty of setup to create throwbacks and bowties. Even if there are a few layers of mystery to discover and reflect upon after the movie. It’s a great watch, and I’ll look forward to checking it out again at some point with the misses :D.

Thank you for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. What did you think of Send Help? Love to hear in the comments and with that I’m off to bed before I continue the battle in Oathsworn Session 14 in 6 hours :D. Night all or good morning for those waking up to this :D.

Until next time though, happy moviegoing fellow moviegoers 😀

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Iron Lung “Review”

Release date: January 30, 2026 (USA)

Director: Markiplier

Starring: Mark Fischbach; Caroline Rose Kaplan; Seán McLoughlin; David Szymanski; Troy Baker; Elsie Lovelock; Isaac McKee

Producers: Will Hyde, Jeff Guerrero, Amy Nelson

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 2h 7m

Didn’t know this was based on a video game…maybe should have done some research!

I went in, not seeing a single trailer of this movie. Markiplier’s name was enough and sold. I came out wishing I had more context for the story. Let’s discuss, shall we?

Let’s start with my headliner sentence and work from there. If this were an exclusive title on a streaming platform. I’d subscribe to see this movie. Iron Lung is a high-quality, low-budget movie that stars Markiplier, not just directed by himself. Markiplier is now in my mind, an actor, not just youtuber. He delivers an excellent performance throughout this movie and really holds the movie up, being that he’s our focus for 95% of the time.

I’d honestly consider this an Oscar nomination for costume and hair, harken back to Substance. For such a low-budget title, they did an excellent job with every design in this movie. I won’t spoil, just wanting to paint a picture :D.

It’s an extremely dark movie so don’t get too cozy or you may drift off like I did. But then something will occur. You’ll be locked in and they middle will pull you out and into a ride for the finale. Yes without context of the story I did find this rather long. But I was so intrigued I had to keep with it. Wanting to know the mystery and reveals to pay off.

Ask me about the story. You’ll get this: Convicts are granted an option. To have their freedom by going (Like a submarine) deep into the oceans of blood to explore/find (Something). Or be sentenced to prison instead. Looking at the Google overview, it says: “Survivors of the apocalypse launch an expedition to a barren moon with an ocean of blood.” I think doing some research with limited spoilers would be recommended for this title. It feels like an incredible adaptation of a video game. I just don’t have the accuracy for context. So far, 93% on RT. So, fans of Markiplier & the video game are very happy with this.

Personally, without that context, I’m giving Iron Lung a Popped score of 6.5 or weak 7/10. It’s a fine movie with plenty of good factors baked in. Without more story & lore explained/established throughout, I found this long after the initial intro, before the latter half picking up with awesome music and again, incredible acting from Markiplier and the costume designs.

Iron Lung is going to be an awesome streaming movie. It’s a high-quality production within low-budget confines, which will be thoroughly enjoyed in theatres for fans and those in the know. Now it’s time for me to watch a lets play and dive into the lore before watching it again.

It’s been a minute but I’m back and with an interesting title at that. Thanks for coming to Popped for your movie “reviews”. Did you check out Iron Lung? Interested to check it out? Or even doing some research now before your visit to the theatre. Love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Stay tuned for Sunday night / Monday for my Send Help “Review”. Wasn’t able to attend last night, but on Sunday, I’ll be checking it out. Heard lots of positive feedback thus far. So excited to jump in :D.

Until next time, though, fellow moviegoers. Happy movie going :D.

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Mercy “Review”

Release date: January 23, 2026 (USA)

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Starring: Chris Pratt; Rebecca Ferguson; Kali Reis; Annabelle Wallis; Chris Sullivan; Kylie Rogers

Producers: Timur Bekmambetov, Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon

Running time: 1h 41m

Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Releasing International

Mercy – A guilty pleasure movie? Well, I had a good time at least 😀

Saw 19% on RT and, well, let’s get to it shall we :D.

I honestly had a really good time in this movie. Throw your hate for A.I aside if you’re watching this movie, as maybe that’s why the RT is that low? You’re not going into Mercy for Oscar-winning acting. It’s a popcorn movie that was entertaining and had great music. 7.5 from me at Popped.

Interested to hear more? Let’s continue.

Chris Pratt plays Detective Chris Raven, who awakens at the start, strapped to this chair. His (If you recall Minority Report, then you get the idea of this movie) judge, jury & executioner, Mercy is the A.I program Judge Maddox (Played by Rebecca Ferguson), which uses advanced technology to predict whether you’re guilty of a crime. In Chris’s situation, being guilty of killing his wife.

It’s an hour and 40-minute movie that moves the pacing along well. Keeps you engaged and even has breadcrumbs of a detective mystery to solve, leading to Chris’s execution before the 90-minute timer runs out. Is Chris guilty or innocent? If innocent who killed his wife? Go watch Mercy to find out :D.

I was going to say something, but that’d be a spoiler, so I’ll say the movie can be predictable if you’re following the breadcrumbs. But that’s what kept it from the 8 for me personally. Again, maybe a guilty pleasure movie for me, haha. Someone hated this movie, and others may not like their cup of tea. It’s a movie that’s for sure. A movie for someone like me? That’s true to be. Otherwise, a bump along the journey that is January, as we await the nominations for the Oscars! In just under 3 hours from this going live.

Love to hear your thoughts on Mercy in the comments below. Is this your marmite? You either love it or hated it. Maybe somewhere in-between. I wouldn’t be mad watching this movie again. But maybe only the 1 additional watch for quite some time :D.

Thanks for coming by, Popped for your movie “Reviews”. By time I awake, the nominations will be live for the Oscars and I’m excited…..I’m probably going to be disappointed.. 😛 that Ne Zha 2 wasn’t nominated for best animated feature of 2025.

Until then, though, happy movie-going fellow moviegoers. Good Luck & Have Fun, may your Oscar hopes and hopefuls be in the nomination by the time we all wake up :D.

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