Favorite First-Time Watches of March 2026
As y’all know, one of my favorite things to do is recommend movies to people. Bonus if I can put a movie on your radar that you have not heard of. So, here are some movies I watched this past March to put on your radar. Not as fertile as February, but here are four movies to recommend to y’all.
Pillion (2026) – Harry Lighton
Harry Lighton’s feature film debut is about a relationship within the world of a dom/submissive relationship. Colin (Harry Melling) is a shy man who meets Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), a dominant, seeking a new submissive to join his biker gang.
It’s an incredibly nuanced film about finding out who you are and what you like, personal growth in a relationship that is not destined to last. Incredibly impressive for a first-time filmmaker. Also, for people who didn’t get enough out of Heated Rivalry, check this movie out. From what I have heard, this gives the audience more.
Three on a Match (1932) – Mervyn LeRoy
Criterion had a series of pre-Hays Code films from Mervyn LeRoy. I love his films, Random Harvest and The Gold Diggers of 1933.
So, check those out if you haven’t. But I was struck by this film. It’s amazing to see how dark and sexual films were before America became prudish and lame for 30 years.
It’s a whopping 63 minutes. Starring a young Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart in supporting roles. It follows three girls who went to school together, and they run into each other 10 years later with unfortunate consequences.
If you have an hour to spare, check this one out.
Project Hail Mary (2026) – Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
From the author of The Martian and the directors of the 21 Jump Street movies, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and The Lego Movie. Finally, their first directorial effort in 12 years. Thanks to being fired from the Solo: A Star Wars Story film.
The spectacle of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the heart of Interstellar, and more humorous than The Martian. It’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best performances.
I’d argue that one flaw is that it’s a little long, but it feels rare to get a movie like this anymore, so they must be celebrated, and this one is worth celebrating.
Fascination (1979) – Jean Rollin
Another Criterion series, this time Jean Rollin’s films about erotic vampires. Scantily clad women who lure men to their place to feed off of them. Many of them have a similar blueprint. I found some to be better than others, particularly Fascination and Lips of Blood.
A runaway criminal takes two women hostage in their chateau. As night falls, a group of women comes to the house for more than just a sleepover.
Of all of Rollin’s erotic horror films, this has some of the most indelible imagery, including the poster, which captures the film's most striking image.
