Honestly, the January "dump month" reputation is dying a slow death. Usually, this is where studios leave their creative disasters to wither away, but January 2026 feels... different. It’s weirdly busy. We have a massive James Cameron epic still breathing down everyone's necks, a zombie sequel that actually has a brain, and a table-tennis biopic starring Timothée Chalamet. If you’re standing in a lobby staring at the digital posters and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone.
Current movies out in the theater right now are a chaotic mix of holdover blockbusters from the holidays and gritty new releases trying to find their footing.
The Big Heavyweights Still Dominating the Screen
You can’t talk about the box office right now without mentioning Avatar: Fire and Ash. It’s been out for a month, and yet, it’s still the thing everyone is seeing. It just crossed the $360 million mark domestically. People are going back for second and third viewings because, let's be real, James Cameron knows how to make a screen look like a window into another world. If you haven't seen it in IMAX yet, you’re basically missing half the movie.
Then there’s Zootopia 2. Disney really leaned into the nostalgia for the first one, and it paid off. It’s hovering around $390 million total. It’s the safe bet for families, and honestly, the animation tech is so crisp it makes the first movie look like a PS2 game.
But if you’re looking for something that isn't a bright blue alien or a talking fox, the options get a lot more interesting.
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The New Blood: Zombies and Ping-Pong
This past weekend saw the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Now, look. I know what you’re thinking. Another sequel? Really? But Nia DaCosta directed this one, and Alex Garland wrote it. It’s not just "zombies run fast again." It’s a post-apocalyptic mood piece that feels heavy. Ralph Fiennes plays Dr. Ian Kelson, and he brings this Shakespearean weight to a world that's been falling apart for nearly three decades.
It almost took the number one spot from Avatar this week, bringing in about $13 million. That’s a massive win for an R-rated horror-thriller in the dead of winter.
Marty Supreme is Finally Here
A24 finally gave Marty Supreme a wide release. If you’ve been following the hype, you know Timothée Chalamet is playing Marty Mauser, the table-tennis pro. It sounds like a joke on paper. Ping-pong? Really? But it’s got that Uncut Gems energy. It’s frantic. It’s stylish. It’s currently sitting at about $80 million total and climbing. It’s the "cool" movie to see right now if you want to talk about something other than CGI at brunch.
What’s Dropping This Coming Friday?
If none of those tickle your fancy, the January 23rd slate is actually pretty stacked.
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- Mercy: This is a big one. Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson in a sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Pratt plays a detective accused of a crime he didn't commit in a future where crime is basically a spectator sport. It was shot specifically for IMAX, so if you're a tech nerd, this is your target.
- Return to Silent Hill: Video game movies are on a hot streak, and Christophe Gans is returning to the franchise he started. It’s based on Silent Hill 2, which most fans agree is the best story in the series. Expect a lot of fog and things that go bump in the night.
- H Is For Hawk: On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have Claire Foy in a biographical drama about a woman training a hawk to cope with grief. It’s the "cry in the dark" movie of the week.
The Weird Mid-Budget Survival of 2026
Something strange is happening with current movies out in the theater. The "middle" is coming back. For years, we only had $200 million sequels or $5 million indies. Now, movies like The Housemaid (Lionsgate) and Primate (Paramount) are actually making money.
The Housemaid just hit $100 million. It’s a psychological thriller that people are actually showing up for. Primate is a "natural horror" flick about a pet chimpanzee gone wrong, and while it’s a bit of a B-movie, it’s pulling in solid numbers from the horror crowd.
There’s also a weird trend of re-releases. Fathom Events put The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers back in theaters for a bit, and it actually cracked the top five for a minute. People just want to see the Battle of Helm’s Deep on a big screen again. I don't blame them.
A Quick Look at the Numbers (Don't Blink)
The domestic box office for mid-January looks something like this:
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- Avatar: Fire and Ash – Still pulling in roughly $13.3 million a weekend.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – Debuted strong with $13 million.
- Zootopia 2 – Holding steady at $8.7 million.
- The Housemaid – Respectable $8.5 million.
- Marty Supreme – Rounding out the top five with $5.4 million.
Is It Worth the Ticket Price?
Look, movie tickets aren't getting cheaper. If you’re going to drop $20 on a ticket and another $15 on popcorn, you want to make sure the movie doesn't suck.
If you want a spectacle, see Avatar or wait for Mercy on Friday.
If you want to be scared and actually think about the movie afterward, 28 Years Later is the clear winner.
If you’re feeling artsy, Marty Supreme is the vibe.
One thing to avoid? Probably Greenland 2: Migration unless you’re a die-hard Gerard Butler fan. It’s struggling. The budget was huge, and the audience just isn't showing up. It feels a bit like a movie that belongs on a plane rather than a cinema screen.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip
- Check the Screen Type: Don't see Mercy or Avatar on a standard screen if you can help it. These are "format" movies. Find the Dolby Cinema or IMAX.
- Matinee is Your Friend: January is a great time for morning shows. They're usually empty, and you save enough for a drink.
- Support the Weird Stuff: If you want more movies like Marty Supreme, you have to go see them in the first two weeks. Studios watch those numbers like hawks.
The cinematic landscape in early 2026 is surprisingly healthy. We’re seeing a mix of high-concept sci-fi, auteur-driven drama, and the occasional killer ape movie. It’s a good time to be a fan. Grab some tickets for 28 Years Later before the spoilers for the "Bone Temple" twist start hitting your social feed, because trust me, you don't want that ruined for you.
Keep an eye out for Sam Raimi’s Send Help coming on January 30th too. It's a plane-crash survival thriller with Rachel McAdams, and the early buzz says it's absolutely brutal. January isn't just for trash anymore.
To make the most of your theater experience this week, check your local listings for "Fan Event" screenings of Return to Silent Hill—many theaters are offering limited-edition posters for the Thursday night previews. If you're planning a family outing, verify if your theater is still running the Zootopia 2 sensory-friendly screenings, as those typically wrap up by the end of the month. Finally, for those tracking the awards race, keep an eye on Marty Supreme; its per-theater average suggests it will be expanding to even more screens by next Friday.