Coming-of-age comedies are a crowded genre, but every so often one arrives that genuinely earns its place among the greats. Brian, one of the most talked-about films of early 2026, is being called one of the funniest movies of the year so far — and the buzz appears to be well-deserved.
The film stars Ben Wang, and based on critical reception, it’s shaping up to be a standout entry in the coming-of-age space. The review from Collider, written by Senior Film Editor Ross Bonaime, describes it as a “stellar” achievement in the genre — high praise from a Tomatometer-approved critic and member of both the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association.
With 2026 still in its early months, landing the label of one of the year’s funniest films is no small thing. Here’s what we know about Brian and why it’s generating this kind of attention.
What Brian Is and Why It’s Getting Attention
The film is a coming-of-age story — a genre that lives or dies on the authenticity of its central performance and the sharpness of its writing. When those elements click, the result can be genuinely memorable. When they don’t, you get something forgettable and formulaic.
By all accounts, Brian gets it right. The Collider review, published on March 20, 2026, positions the film as a rare example of the genre firing on all cylinders — funny, human, and grounded in a way that resonates beyond its immediate premise.
Ben Wang, who leads the film, has been building a profile in recent years, and this appears to be a significant step forward for him. A coming-of-age story lives in its lead performance, and Wang’s work here seems to be central to what makes the film land.
What Makes a Great Coming-of-Age Comedy
It’s worth stepping back to understand what separates a genuinely great coming-of-age comedy from the dozens that arrive and disappear each year. The best ones tend to share a few qualities:
- A central character you actually root for — not just someone you observe, but someone whose awkwardness, ambition, or confusion feels real
- Comedy that comes from character, not situation — the jokes grow from who people are, not just what happens to them
- Emotional honesty — the film doesn’t flinch from the harder feelings underneath the laughs
- A distinct voice — something that makes it feel like this story, not a recycled version of every other story like it
Critics suggest Brian delivers on these fronts. Being singled out as one of the funniest films of 2026 so early in the year suggests it’s not just competent — it’s doing something that sticks.
Key Facts About the Film and Its Review
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Brian |
| Lead Actor | Ben Wang |
| Genre | Coming-of-Age Comedy |
| Review Publication | Collider |
| Reviewer | Ross Bonaime (Senior Film Editor) |
| Review Published | March 20, 2026 |
| Critical Descriptor | “Stellar,” “one of the funniest movies of 2026 so far” |
| Reviewer Credentials | Tomatometer-approved, WDCAFCA member, Critics Choice Association member |
Why Ben Wang’s Performance Matters Here
Ben Wang is the kind of performer who has been steadily building toward a moment like this. Coming-of-age films demand a specific kind of vulnerability from their leads — you have to be willing to look confused, embarrassed, and genuinely lost on screen, and make that feel authentic rather than performed.
The film’s title — Brian — suggests an intimacy with its central character. This isn’t a story about a concept or a situation. It’s a story about a specific person, which raises the stakes for the lead actor considerably. When a film bets that hard on a single character, the performance either carries it or sinks it.
Given the critical response, Wang appears to have carried it.
Where This Film Lands in the 2026 Landscape
Early 2026 has been a competitive stretch for film releases, which makes the timing of this review meaningful. When a critic with the credentials of Ross Bonaime — someone whose opinion is tracked by Rotten Tomatoes and who writes for one of the most widely-read film publications in the country — calls something one of the year’s funniest films in March, it sets a benchmark.
It also signals something worth paying attention to. Films that generate this kind of early critical warmth often build momentum through awards conversations, wider releases, and audience word-of-mouth as the year progresses.
Brian appears to be exactly that kind of film — the kind that starts as a critics’ favorite and earns a broader audience over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the movie Brian about?
Brian is a coming-of-age comedy starring Ben Wang. Based on the critical framing, it follows a central character through the kind of formative, often funny experiences that define the genre.
Who stars in Brian?
The film stars Ben Wang in the lead role.
Who reviewed Brian for Collider?
The review was written by Ross Bonaime, Senior Film Editor at Collider, a Tomatometer-approved critic and member of the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association.
When was the Collider review of Brian published?
The review was published on March 20, 2026.
Is Brian worth watching?
According to the Collider review, yes — it is described as “stellar” and one of the funniest movies of 2026 so far, which is significant praise from a credentialed film critic this early in the year.
Where can I watch Brian?
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