Look, we all knew James Cameron wasn't going to let go of the crown without a fight. Avatar: Fire and Ash has been parked at the top of the box office for a full month now, and honestly, the blue people fatigue is starting to set in for some of us. But this weekend—January 16 through 18, 2026—the vibe in theaters is finally shifting. It’s not just about big-budget sequels anymore. We’ve got a weirdly perfect mix of gritty horror, prestige dramas, and some 20th-anniversary nostalgia that might actually pull you away from Pandora.
Whether you're looking for a reason to eat overpriced popcorn or you're specifically hunting for movies playing this weekend, the schedule is surprisingly packed for mid-January. Usually, this is the "dump month" where studios hide their losers. Not this year.
The Heavy Hitter: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
If you saw last year’s 28 Years Later, you know the franchise finally found its teeth again. This weekend, Sony is dropping the sequel, The Bone Temple, and it’s looking to topple the Na'vi. It’s a bold move. Nia DaCosta is taking over the director's chair from Danny Boyle, and while her track record with sequels is... let's say "complicated" (looking at you, The Marvels), early tracking suggests a $15M to $20M opening.
Ralph Fiennes is back as Dr. Ian Kelson, and Jack O’Connell is basically solidifying his spot as the new king of survival horror. The plot? It's dark. Like, "don't bring your kids" dark. We’re following Spike—played by Alfie Williams—as he gets tangled up with a gang of killers. It’s a post-apocalyptic nightmare that feels a lot more grounded than the CGI-heavy spectacle of Avatar. If you want tension that makes your stomach knot up, this is your pick.
🔗 Read more: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne: Why His Performance Still Holds Up in 2026
Prestige and Pain: Hamnet and A Private Life
For the folks who want to feel something other than terror, Hamnet is finally going wide. It’s based on Maggie O'Farrell's massive bestseller, and the casting is basically a "who's who" of people who are very good at crying on camera. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley? It’s almost unfair. They play William Shakespeare and Agnes Hathaway dealing with the loss of their son. It’s a period piece, but it doesn't feel stuffy. It feels raw.
Then there’s A Private Life. Not to be confused with the 2018 movie of the same name, this one stars Jodie Foster as a psychiatrist investigating the "accidental" death of her patient. It’s a French-language thriller (Vie privée) that premiered at Cannes, and it’s getting a limited release through Sony Pictures Classics. Honestly, seeing Foster in a cold, calculated mystery again is exactly what the January box office needed.
The "I Just Want to Have Fun" Options
Not everything has to be a meditation on grief or a zombie apocalypse. Movies playing this weekend also include some lighter—and weirder—fare:
💡 You might also like: Chris Robinson and The Bold and the Beautiful: What Really Happened to Jack Hamilton
- Charlie the Wonderdog: Owen Wilson is voicing a dog that gets abducted by aliens and comes back with superpowers. It’s exactly what it sounds like. If you have kids or you just want to turn your brain off for 95 minutes, Viva Pictures is putting this out wide.
- Night Patrol: This is a weird horror-thriller hybrid from IFC Films. It’s got Justin Long and CM Punk. Yes, that CM Punk. It follows an LAPD officer who realizes the local task force is hiding something supernatural in the projects. It’s getting mixed reviews, but it’s definitely a "watch with friends" kind of movie.
- Madagascar 20th Anniversary: Feel old yet? The original Madagascar is back in theaters for a limited run. It’s been two decades since we first met Alex and Marty. Seeing it on a big screen again is a trip.
Middle-earth is Calling (Again)
Fathom Events is doing something pretty cool this weekend too. They are bringing back the Extended Editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But here is the hook: Peter Jackson recorded brand-new introductions for these screenings.
Friday is The Fellowship of the Ring, Saturday is The Two Towers, and Sunday is The Return of the King. These aren't the theatrical cuts; they’re the long ones. We're talking nearly four hours for Return of the King. Bring a cushion. Or a diaper. Presales have already topped $5 million, which is insane for a re-release. People still love Hobbits.
What’s Actually Worth Your Cash?
Let's be real. January is a gamble. If you want the "event" experience, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the clear winner. It’s the movie everyone will be talking about on Monday.
📖 Related: Chase From Paw Patrol: Why This German Shepherd Is Actually a Big Deal
However, if you’re a fan of Gus Van Sant, Dead Man's Wire is expanding this weekend. It stars Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis, the guy who famously wired a shotgun to his banker’s neck in 1977. It’s a weird, gritty true-crime story that feels like a throwback to 70s cinema. Between that and Hamnet, the "quality" seekers have plenty of options.
Actionable Weekend Plan:
- Check local listings for LOTR: These are Fathom Events, so they usually only play at one or two specific times per day. Don't just show up and expect a 7:00 PM showing.
- Book 28 Years Later early: Horror sequels tend to front-load their audiences. Friday night will be packed with franchise fans.
- Look for "A Private Life" in indie houses: If you aren't in a major city, you might have to hunt for this one, but Jodie Foster's performance is being cited as a late-career high.
The box office is finally waking up. After a December dominated by blue aliens and singing puppets, the variety of movies playing this weekend is a breath of fresh air. Grab some popcorn, silence your phone, and enjoy the show.