So, it's January. The holiday tinsel is in the trash, your bank account is probably screaming from all those December gifts, and the weather is, frankly, miserable. Historically, this is when Hollywood dumps the movies they don't know what to do with—the cinematic equivalent of that weird fruitcake nobody wants. But 2026 is actually looking... surprisingly decent?
We’ve moved past the "dump month" era. Kind of.
If you're looking for movies coming out in Jan, you’re actually getting a weirdly high-quality mix of psychological horror, survival thrillers, and some genuinely experimental stuff that probably shouldn't work but somehow does. From Gerard Butler fighting a frozen wasteland to Kristen Stewart making her directorial debut, the schedule is packed. Let's get into what's actually worth your $15 and two hours of life.
The Big Heavy Hitters: Survival and Sequels
First up, we have to talk about Greenland 2: Migration. Remember the first one? It was actually a lot better than it had any right to be. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin are back as the Garrity family, and honestly, they just can't catch a break. It hits theaters on January 9, 2026. This time, they’re crawling out of their Greenland bunker into a world that is basically a giant ice cube. They’re trekking across Europe to find a new home, and if you like watching people try to survive impossible odds while looking very tired, this is your jam.
Then there’s the one everyone is whispering about: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
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This lands on January 16. Nia DaCosta is directing, which is a cool pivot from the Danny Boyle/Alex Garland era, though Garland did write the script. Cillian Murphy is producing and supposedly has a cameo, but the real focus is on Ralph Fiennes as a doctor who finds something that might actually fix the world—or end it faster. It’s gritty. It’s bleak. It’s exactly what you want from a zombie-adjacent franchise that actually has a brain.
Indie Gems and Directorial Debuts
If you’re tired of sequels, you've gotta keep an eye on The Chronology of Water.
This is Kristen Stewart’s first time behind the camera for a feature, and it’s based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir. It’s a psychological drama starring Imogen Poots as a swimmer trying to escape a pretty rough home life. It’s getting a theater expansion on January 9. It’s the kind of movie that feels raw and a bit messy in a way that feels very human.
Speaking of human, A Private Life (also out Jan 16) brings Jodie Foster into a French black comedy mystery. She’s playing a psychiatrist investigating the death of her patient. It’s sharp, it’s dry, and it’s a nice break from the "explosions and monsters" vibe of the rest of the month.
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The Weird and the Wonderful
- The Moment (Jan 30): Charli XCX stars as a fictionalized version of herself in a mockumentary. It’s very meta, very A24 (obviously), and focuses on the crushing weight of being a global pop star.
- Primate (Jan 9): Natural horror. A pet chimpanzee named Ben goes rogue in Hawaii. It’s basically Cujo but with a primate. Expect some "holy crap" moments.
- Return to Silent Hill (Jan 23): Based on the Silent Hill 2 game. James (Jeremy Irvine) goes looking for his lost love in the fog. Expect Pyramid Head and a lot of psychological trauma.
The Streaming Landscape: Stay on Your Couch
You don't even have to leave the house to see some of the best movies coming out in Jan. Netflix is leaning hard into the "January chill" vibe.
People We Meet on Vacation dropped on January 9. If you’ve read the Emily Henry book, you know the drill: two best friends, one week, lots of tension. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a warm blanket. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, The Rip (Jan 16) stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They play Miami cops who find a stash of cash and—shocker—start turning on each other. It’s classic noir-thriller territory, but with Damon and Affleck, the chemistry is always there.
Then there's Send Help, which is Sam Raimi’s new survival horror. It’s coming to theaters January 30 but will likely hit digital fast. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are stranded on an island after a plane crash. Since it’s Raimi, don’t expect a peaceful Cast Away vibe. Expect it to get weird and probably a little bit gross.
Why This January Feels Different
For a long time, studios just used this month to burn off their tax write-offs. But looking at this list, there's a real shift. We’re seeing big names like Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson in Mercy (Jan 23), which is an IMAX-level sci-fi thriller about a cop accused of murder who has 90 minutes to prove his innocence.
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That’s not a "dump" movie. That’s a blockbuster.
Maybe it’s because the summer slots are so crowded, or maybe because we’ve realized that people are bored in January and actually want to see something good. Either way, the "January Slump" is officially dead. You’ve got high-concept sci-fi, prestige drama, and enough horror to keep you awake until February.
Your January Movie Checklist
- The Must-Watch: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Even if you aren't a horror fan, the pedigree here is too high to ignore.
- The Date Night: People We Meet on Vacation. It’s safe, it’s cute, and you can watch it in your pajamas.
- The Wild Card: The Moment. Whether you love or hate Charli XCX, a mockumentary about pop stardom in 2026 is bound to be a conversation starter.
- The "Check Your Brain at the Door" Choice: Greenland 2. Sometimes you just want to see Gerard Butler look stressed while things freeze.
How to Navigate Your Watchlist
If you're planning your month, prioritize the theatrical releases like Silent Hill and 28 Years Later early, as January movies tend to have shorter theatrical windows before hitting VOD. Check your local listings for the limited expansions of The Chronology of Water if you want something with more "Oscar-bait" energy. For the streamers, keep an eye on Netflix on Friday mornings; that’s when their big hitters like The Rip are going to dominate the "Top 10" list.
Stop scrolling through the same three apps and actually commit to a release date for once. There’s actually stuff worth watching this time around.
Go buy your tickets for The Bone Temple now before the good seats are gone. If you're staying in, make sure your Netflix subscription is active by the 16th for the Damon/Affleck reunion. Check back in February when the rom-coms take over.