Honestly, the January movie slump is supposed to be real. You know the vibe—studios dumping their "not-quite-right" projects into the frozen wasteland of the post-holiday calendar. But walking into a theater this week feels different. It’s January 18, 2026, and the marquee looks surprisingly... good?
Maybe it’s because we’re finally seeing the fallout of some massive creative gambles. We’ve got high-concept horror, sequels that actually have something to say, and a few weird experiments that honestly have no business being in a multiplex. If you’re standing in front of the ticket kiosk wondering if you should drop $18 on a seat, here is the ground truth on movies out in movie theatres right now.
The Horror King of January: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
If you saw last year’s 28 Years Later, you know Nia DaCosta and Alex Garland aren’t playing around. This sequel, The Bone Temple, just hit theaters on Friday, and it’s already the talk of the lobby.
It’s gritty. It’s loud. And Ralph Fiennes is doing things as Dr. Ian Kelson that will make you rethink his entire filmography.
The story picks up the threads from the 2025 film, but it shifts the focus to the "inhumanity of survivors." Basically, the zombies—the infected—are just the background noise now. The real terror is coming from a cult-like group led by Jack O’Connell’s character, Jimmy Crystal. Cillian Murphy is back too, reprising Jim, which gives it that "full circle" emotional weight that most horror sequels lack.
Word of mouth is strong on this one. It’s currently sitting with a high critical score on the Tomatometer, and for once, the audience seems to agree. It’s a 110-minute sprint that doesn’t let you breathe.
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Sci-Fi That Makes You Sweat: Mercy and Greenland 2
If you prefer your stress to be more "existential dread" and less "zombie teeth," you’ve got two big options.
First, there’s Greenland 2: Migration. Gerard Butler is back as John Garrity, and let’s be real, nobody plays "exhausted dad trying to save his family" better than Butler. They’ve left the bunker and are trekking across a frozen Europe. It’s a disaster movie, sure, but it feels more grounded than the CGI-fests we usually get. It’s been out for a week and is holding steady at the box office because it’s just solid, meat-and-potatoes cinema.
Then there’s Mercy.
This one is weird in the best way.
- The Hook: Chris Pratt plays a guy accused of killing his wife.
- The Twist: He’s being tried by an AI judge he helped create.
- The Stakes: He has 90 minutes to prove he’s innocent or he’s executed.
Rebecca Ferguson plays the AI judge, and the movie basically takes place in real-time. It’s directed by Timur Bekmambetov, so expect some of that signature kinetic visual style. It’s "high-concept" in a way that feels very 2026.
The Viral Wildcard: Primate
We have to talk about Primate. This thing came out on the 9th and is still pulling in weirdly high numbers. It’s a horror-thriller from Johannes Roberts (the guy who did 47 Meters Down), and while the marketing was a bit vague, the actual movie is a brutal, R-rated survival flick.
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It stars Troy Kotsur and Kevin McNally, and it’s been the surprise hit of the month. It’s one of those movies where you’re better off knowing as little as possible before you go in. Just know that it’s intense and definitely not for kids.
For the Cinephiles: A Private Life and Hamnet
Not everyone wants to watch the world end. If you’re looking for something that requires a bit more brainpower and a lot more tissues, A Private Life is your best bet.
Jodie Foster plays Lilian Steiner, a psychiatrist investigating the death of one of her patients. It’s a French black comedy-mystery-thriller hybrid that premiered at Cannes last year. It’s sharp, it’s cynical, and Foster is—as always—flawless.
Then there’s Hamnet. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. If those names don't sell you, the story will. It’s about William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, and the death of their son, Hamnet, which eventually inspired Hamlet. It’s visually stunning and heartbreaking. It’s the kind of movie that wins Oscars, and since we’re right in the middle of awards season, this is the one to see if you want to be "in the know."
The Re-Release Strategy: Lord of the Rings
This is a fun trend. AMC and other chains are doing "Event" screenings this weekend. Today, January 18, is actually the day they’re doing a limited re-release of The Return of the King.
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If you’ve never seen the 4-hour-and-27-minute extended edition on a massive screen, now is the time. It’s a bit of a marathon, but there’s something special about sitting in a dark room with a hundred other people crying when Aragorn says, "My friends, you bow to no one."
What Most People Get Wrong About January Movies
There’s this lingering myth that movies out in movie theatres right now are just the "trash" that didn't make the Christmas cut. That’s just not true anymore.
Streaming has changed the game. Studios now use January to launch "mid-budget" genre films that might get lost in the summer blockbuster noise. A movie like Send Help (the Sam Raimi survival thriller coming out next week) or The Moment (the Charli XCX mockumentary) wouldn't have had a chance ten years ago. Now, they’re the main event.
The "dump month" is dead. Long live the January sleeper hit.
Actionable Tips for Your Movie Night
- Check the Runtime: The Bone Temple is a brisk 1h 50m, but A Private Life and Hamnet demand more of your afternoon. Plan your snacks accordingly.
- VOD vs. Theatres: Some films like Killer Whale and The Confession just hit VOD. Don't drive to the theater for those unless you're looking for an excuse to buy popcorn.
- The "Markiplier" Factor: Keep an eye out for Iron Lung at the end of the month. Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) directed and stars in it, and the hype is massive. If you want a seat on opening night, you probably need to book it now.
- Re-release Alerts: These Lord of the Rings screenings sell out fast because they’re usually "one-day-only" events. Check your local theater’s "Coming Soon" or "Events" tab rather than just the main listings.
The best way to support the industry is to actually show up. Whether it's a zombie sequel or a Shakespearean tragedy, the big screen is still the only place where these stories really land. Go see 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple for the thrill, but stay for something like A Private Life if you want to remember why we love the movies in the first place.