Honestly, walking into a lobby right now feels a little weird. We are currently in that strange January pocket where the massive Christmas blockbusters are starting to lose their steam, and the studios are throwing everything else at the wall to see what sticks. You've got your "prestige" dramas that are hunting for Oscars, a few leftover sequels, and then the "January movies"—you know the ones. The low-budget horrors and the weirdly specific thrillers that usually wouldn't stand a chance in June.
But here’s the thing: some of the current movies in theaters now are actually better than they have any right to be.
If you haven't been to a screening since Wicked or Gladiator II blew the doors off in late 2024, the board has shifted. Most of the conversation right now is centered on whether a CGI chimpanzee can actually make you cry or if a remake of a 1941 monster classic can still be scary in 2026. Let's get into what is actually playing and whether you should bother with the $15 popcorn.
The Big New Releases (The Stuff People Are Talking About)
The marquee is currently dominated by a few fresh faces that just landed this weekend. If you’re looking for something brand new, these are your primary targets.
Wolf Man (Universal/Blumhouse)
Leigh Whannell is basically the only person I trust with a reboot these days. After what he did with The Invisible Man back in 2020, people had high hopes for this. It’s not just a guy in a furry suit howling at the moon. It stars Christopher Abbott—who is usually busy doing incredible indie work—and Julia Garner. The premise is stripped back: a family inherits a remote home, something attacks them, and they’re trapped. It’s claustrophobic. It’s sweaty. It’s actually pretty mean. If you want "classic horror but updated," this is the one.
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One of Them Days (Sony)
This is the buddy comedy everyone’s seeing for the cast alone. Keke Palmer and SZA? It’s basically a guaranteed good time. The plot is simple—they’re roommates who need rent money fast because a boyfriend blew the cash—and it feels like those classic 90s comedies where everything goes wrong in a single day. It’s currently neck-and-neck at the box office with the older holdovers, mostly because the chemistry between the leads is so natural.
Better Man
This is the weirdest movie out right now. Seriously. It’s a biopic of British pop star Robbie Williams, but he is portrayed as a CGI monkey. Why? Because that’s how he felt about himself—like a performing animal. Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman, is behind this. It’s a gamble that shouldn't work, but it’s oddly moving. It's definitely the most "creative" thing you’ll see among the current movies in theaters now.
The Survivors: Holdovers Still Kicking
Some movies refuse to leave. You’ve probably seen the posters for these for months, but they’re still pulling in crowds because, frankly, they’re safe bets for families or groups.
- Mufasa: The Lion King: This thing is a juggernaut. It’s been out since December and it’s still hovering near the #1 spot. Barry Jenkins directed it, which gave it a lot more heart than people expected from a prequel.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Shadow the Hedgehog has a lot of fans. If you have kids or a weirdly deep knowledge of Sega lore, you’ve likely already seen this, but it’s still a dominant force in the afternoon time slots.
- Nosferatu: Robert Eggers’ take on the vampire legend is still lingering in theaters. It’s gorgeous, dark, and probably too intense for a first date, but if you like gothic atmosphere, go.
Why January Movies Get a Bad Rap (And Why They Shouldn't)
There’s this long-standing myth that January is a "dumping ground."
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Studios used to take the movies they didn't believe in and bury them here. While that still happens sometimes—looking at you, Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare—the landscape has changed. Because streaming has made everyone so picky, a movie actually has to be something to get a theatrical release now.
We’re seeing a trend of "Elevated Genre" films. Wolf Man isn't just a jump-scare fest; it’s a psychological drama about a failing marriage. September 5, which just expanded, is a tense thriller about the 1972 Munich Olympics that feels incredibly relevant to how we consume news today. There is genuine craft in the lineup right now.
What’s Coming Next Week?
If none of that sounds like your cup of tea, the rotation changes fast. On January 24th, we’re getting:
- Flight Risk: This is Mel Gibson’s return to directing, starring Mark Wahlberg as a pilot who is definitely not who he says he is. It looks like a high-concept "one-location" thriller.
- Presence: Steven Soderbergh shot a ghost story entirely from the perspective of the ghost. Early reviews say it's innovative, though maybe a bit gimmicky for some.
- The Brutalist: A three-and-a-half-hour epic from A24 starring Adrien Brody. This is the "big" cinema choice for people who want to feel like they’ve really experienced something.
Is it Worth the Trip?
Kinda depends on what you value. Honestly, the theater experience right now is less about the "event" and more about the variety. You aren't going to see a billion-dollar Marvel movie this week. Instead, you get to see Keke Palmer being hilarious, a monkey singing pop songs, or a very scary wolf.
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If you’re planning a trip this weekend, check the "Limited" or "Expansion" listings at your local indie house. Movies like The Last Showgirl (Pamela Anderson’s big comeback) are slowly spreading to more screens and offer a totally different vibe than the big multiplex offerings.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check the Runtime: The Brutalist is almost 4 hours long; make sure your theater has a scheduled intermission (some do, some don't).
- Look for PLF Screens: If you’re seeing Wolf Man, find a Dolby Cinema or IMAX screen. The sound design is a huge part of the tension, and your home speakers won't do it justice.
- The "One of Them Days" Factor: This is a crowd movie. It’s way better in a packed house where everyone is laughing than it is on a Tuesday morning alone.
- Verify Showtimes: Many of these smaller January releases have fewer showtimes than the big holiday holdovers, so don't just show up and expect a screening every 30 minutes.
The theater industry in 2026 is leaning hard into these mid-budget, high-concept stories. It’s a good time to be a fan of "weird" movies, even if the "safe" hits are still hogging a few screens.