You know that feeling when you're standing in the lobby, staring at the digital posters, and honestly having no clue if the $18 ticket is a total gamble? January is usually the "graveyard" for Hollywood, but 2026 is feeling... different. Kinda weird, actually. We've got a zombie sequel from a visionary director, a true crime story starring a Skarsgård, and some hobbits making a massive comeback.
It’s a lot.
If you’re looking for new movies in theatres this weekend, specifically the window of January 16–18, the selection is surprisingly heavy on "prestige" vibes rather than the usual cheap horror flicks we get this time of year. Let’s break down what’s hitting the big screen and whether you should bother with the overpriced popcorn.
The Big One: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Honestly, did anyone think we’d still be talking about the Cillian Murphy zombie-verse two decades later? Nia DaCosta (who you might know from The Marvels or Candyman) is taking the reins here, and it’s a direct follow-up to last year's Danny Boyle revival.
The plot is a bit of a trip.
Ralph Fiennes plays Dr. Kelson, and without spoiling too much, he stumbles onto something in the British wasteland that basically resets everything we thought we knew about the infection. It’s not just "running from fast zombies" anymore. It’s more of a psychological power struggle. Jack O’Connell and Erin Kellyman are in the mix too, so the acting caliber is way higher than your standard jump-scare fest.
If you like your horror with a side of "existential dread," this is your pick for the weekend.
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The "Wait, That Really Happened?" Pick: Dead Man’s Wire
Bill Skarsgård is everywhere lately, but Dead Man’s Wire might be his most unsettling role yet—and it’s based on a true story from the late 70s.
He plays Tony Kiritsis.
The name might not ring a bell if you aren't a true crime junkie, but in 1977, this guy walked into a mortgage company office, wired a sawed-off shotgun to the CEO’s neck with a "dead man's wire" (if the cops shot Tony, the gun would go off automatically), and paraded him through the streets of Indianapolis.
Why watch it?
- Al Pacino is in this. Seriously.
- The tension is claustrophobic.
- It’s directed by Gus Van Sant, so it’s going to look gorgeous and feel very, very indie.
It’s opening wide this weekend after a limited run, and the buzz is all about Skarsgård’s performance. He’s got that "unhinged but sympathetic" thing down to a science.
For the Lit-Nerds: Hamnet
If you’re not in the mood for zombies or hostage situations, Hamnet is the weekend’s big emotional heavy hitter. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's massive bestseller, it stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
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Yes, the internet's favorite duo.
The story focuses on Agnes (Buckley), the wife of a certain famous playwright (Mescal), as they deal with the loss of their young son, Hamnet. It’s the event that eventually inspired Hamlet. It’s heartbreaking, lush, and definitely a "bring your own tissues" kind of experience. Focus Features is pushing this one hard for awards season, and for good reason.
The Big Screen Returns: Middle-earth and Madagascar
Sometimes the best thing to watch isn't actually "new."
Fathom Events is doing something pretty cool this weekend. They are bringing the Extended Editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy back to theatres for the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring.
- Jan 16: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended)
- Jan 17: The Two Towers (Extended)
- Jan 18: The Return of the King (Extended)
Seeing these in D-BOX or 4K on a massive screen is a totally different beast than watching them on your couch for the 50th time. Also, if you have kids (or just miss the 2000s), Universal is re-releasing the original Madagascar in select theatres.
Move it, move it. Or don't. Your call.
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Under the Radar: Night Patrol and A Private Life
For the genre fans who want something a bit grittier, Night Patrol is hitting theatres through RLJE Films. It stars Justin Long and Dermot Mulroney in a horror-thriller about a precinct that realizes their city is being hunted by something... not human. It’s been getting mixed reviews, mostly for being a bit "extra," but it’s perfect if you want a popcorn flick that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Then there’s A Private Life (Vie Privée).
Jodie Foster stars as a psychiatrist who starts her own investigation when a patient dies under weird circumstances. It’s a French-language co-production, so expect subtitles, but Foster is reportedly incredible in it. It's playing in limited release (mostly boutique cinemas), so check your local listings before you head out.
Planning Your Weekend: Actionable Tips
Don't just wing it. January crowds are weirdly unpredictable.
- Check the Runtime: The Lord of the Rings extended versions are nearly 4 hours long. Empty your bladder. Buy the large soda at your own risk.
- Streaming vs. Cinema: The Rip (the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck heist movie) is also out this weekend, but it is on Netflix, not in theatres. Don't drive to the AMC looking for it!
- Matinee Advantage: Since most of these are heavy dramas or long epics, hitting a 1:00 PM showing will save you about $6 per ticket and keep you away from the rowdy Friday night crowds.
- The "Bone Temple" Factor: If you haven't seen 2025’s 28 Years Later, you might be a little lost. Catch up on streaming first so you actually understand why Ralph Fiennes is so stressed out.
The box office this weekend is likely going to be a toss-up between the staying power of Avatar: Fire and Ash and the debut of 28 Years Later. Honestly, it's just nice to have options that aren't just "Generic Action Sequel #4." Whether you want the emotional weight of Hamnet or the historical intensity of Dead Man's Wire, the cinema is actually a decent place to be this weekend.