20 Best Movies Of 2026 (So Far)

19. H Is For Hawk

Based on naturalist Helen MacDonald's 2014 memoir of the same name, H is for Hawk follows the writer (Claire Foy) as she grieves the sudden passing of her father (Brendan Gleeson) through the art of falconry.

Amplified by its striking honesty and gripping flight sequences, Phillipa Lowthorpe's adaptation of MacDonald's bestseller soars with its profundity and effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings without resorting to forced sentimentality or overworn tropes.

With Foy's commanding portrayal at its centre, H is for Hawk works because of how real and honest it seems; the grief is lived-in, but MacDonald's life outside of it is also painted in vivid brush strokes, especially as it relates to her late, loving father and her demanding but rewarding relationship with the falcon that gives her a second chance. 

A moving hymn to nature, mourning, human connection and joy, H is for Hawk is a beautiful thing, flying high with rich emotion and hope.