Honestly, walking into a lobby right now feels a bit like a fever dream. January is usually where movies go to die—the "dump month" where studios hide the projects they don't quite believe in. But look at the marquee. Between Nia DaCosta resurrecting the most terrifying virus in cinema history and Gerard Butler fighting the end of the world (again), movies playing now in theater are actually putting up a fight against our living room couches.
It's weird. We've got massive sci-fi epics like Galactic Odyssey still pulling numbers, side-by-side with niche horror and some very high-stakes sequels.
If you're standing in front of a ticket kiosk right now wondering where to drop your twenty bucks, you've got options. Some are great. Some are... well, they're definitely movies. Let's break down what’s actually worth the popcorn.
The Big Hitters: What’s Dominating the Box Office
You can't talk about the current lineup without mentioning 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
Nia DaCosta took the reins for this one, and the vibe is heavy. It's been roughly twenty-four years since Danny Boyle’s original flick changed how we look at "zombies" (or "the infected," if you're a purist), and this chapter feels like a return to form. It’s gritty. It’s loud. Ralph Fiennes shows up and reminds everyone why he’s one of the best to ever do it.
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Then there’s Greenland 2: Migration.
Look, we all know the drill with Gerard Butler. He’s the king of the "competent dad in a crisis" genre. This sequel picks up exactly where the first one left off—the Garrity family emerging from their bunker into a world that looks like a burnt piece of toast. It’s surprisingly emotional for a disaster movie.
Current Top Earners (Rough Estimates)
- Galactic Odyssey: Still the king. It’s crossed the $300 million mark and isn't slowing down.
- The Family Reunion: A total dark horse comedy that’s hitting that $220 million sweet spot.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: Raking in solid numbers for an R-rated horror, especially with a strong opening weekend.
- Primate: This one is weirdly sticky at the box office, holding onto its audience better than most expected.
The Horror Renaissance (or Obsession?)
Is it just me, or is everyone in the mood to be scared lately?
Primate is the one everyone is whispering about in the hallways. Directed by Johannes Roberts, it’s a tight, 89-minute R-rated scream-fest. It doesn't overstay its welcome. Sometimes you just want to see Kevin McNally and Troy Kotsur deal with something terrifying in a confined space.
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On the other end of the spectrum, we have Return to Silent Hill.
Christophe Gans is back. If you remember the 2006 version, you know he nails the aesthetic even if the plot gets a bit... twisty. This one stars Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson. It’s got that foggy, oppressive atmosphere that makes you want to check your own backseat when you leave the theater. It's playing wide right now, so it's easy to find a screening.
The "Wait, That's in Theaters?" Category
Every now and then, a movie slips through the cracks that makes you do a double-take.
- Dead Man’s Wire: A true-crime drama with Al Pacino and Bill Skarsgård. Yeah, you read 그 right. It’s directed by Gus Van Sant, so it’s got that indie-prestige feel but with a "Big Movie" cast.
- Marty Supreme: A24 is doing its thing here. It’s long—two and a half hours—and stars Timothée Chalamet in a world of professional ping-pong. It sounds ridiculous. It kind of is. But it’s also weirdly beautiful.
- The Housemaid: A psychological thriller that’s been hovering in the top five for a few weeks now.
The Nostalgia Trap: Anniversary Re-Releases
Theaters have realized that we’ll pay money to see things we already own on 4K Blu-ray.
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Right now, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is cycling through limited engagements. Seeing The Return of the King on a screen the size of a house is still an experience that a 65-inch OLED can’t touch. There’s also a 20th-anniversary run for Madagascar. If you have kids—or you just really miss 2005—it’s there.
What to Skip and What to Book
If you’re looking for a "safe bet" for a date night or a solo outing, Galactic Odyssey is the high-production-value choice. It’s the closest thing to a "classic" blockbuster we’ve had in months.
However, if you want something that’ll actually make you feel something (mostly dread), 28 Years Later is the winner. It’s cinematic. It’s mean. It’s exactly what the theater experience was made for.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check Local Listings: Use an aggregator like Fandango or Atom Tickets specifically for "Early Access" screenings. Movies like Send Help (the new Sam Raimi flick) are doing sneak previews this weekend.
- Verify the Format: If you're seeing Galactic Odyssey, find the biggest IMAX screen within a 50-mile radius. The cinematography by Jane Smith's team is wasted on a standard digital projection.
- Book the Re-releases Early: The Lord of the Rings 2026 events are selling out faster than the new releases in many cities. If you want those middle-row seats, you need to grab them at least 48 hours in advance.
The cinema isn't dead; it’s just a little more crowded than we expected for a random Tuesday in January. Go see something loud.