If you’re anything like me, you probably spend more time scrolling through your watch list than actually watching movies. It's a curse. But honestly, the lineup for new movies on Fandango at Home this January is making that choice a whole lot harder. We are finally seeing some of the late 2025 heavy hitters trickle down to digital, and if you haven't been to a theater lately, your living room is about to get very busy.
The Big Digital Drops You Shouldn't Skip
Let’s talk about Rental Family. If you haven't heard the buzz, this is the one starring Brendan Fraser as a down-and-out actor in Tokyo who gets hired by a "rental family" agency. It’s directed by Hikari—who did incredible work on Beef and Tokyo Vice—and it hit the service for digital purchase and rental on January 13, 2026. It’s quirky, it's heart-wrenching, and it’s exactly the kind of mid-budget adult drama we don't get enough of lately.
Then there’s Song Sung Blue. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson playing Neil Diamond tribute artists? Sign me up. This one also landed on January 13. It’s based on a real-life documentary from 2008, and it has that gritty-but-hopeful vibe that writer-director Craig Brewer (of Hustle & Flow fame) is known for.
Horror Fans are Eating Good
If you prefer your movies with a side of "don't look under the bed," Dust Bunny is finally here. Bryan Fuller, the mastermind behind the Hannibal TV series, directed this one. It stars Mads Mikkelsen—who is basically Fuller's muse at this point—as a hitman protecting a kid from a monster she thinks ate her family. It’s stylized, weird, and available for VOD rental right now.
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Why Fandango at Home is Looking Better Lately
Look, the streaming world is a mess. Prices are up, libraries are shrinking, and everything is spread across ten different apps. That's why I've been leaning back into the "buy or rent" model.
- No monthly fee: You only pay for what you actually want to watch.
- The "Lists" feature: Their organization is actually decent compared to some of the big streamers.
- Early Access: You get movies way before they hit "free" streaming services.
There’s a massive "Disastertainment" sale happening right now too. If you go see Greenland 2: Migration in theaters, you can actually snag a code for $80 off a 15-film disaster movie bundle. It’s a pretty specific niche, but if you like watching the world end, it’s a steal.
The 28 Years Later Hype
The big talk of the month is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. While the new film is hitting theaters on January 16, Fandango at Home is running a promo where buying a theater ticket gets you the original 28 Days Later for just $7.99. It’s a great way to catch up on the lore before seeing the new one.
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Honestly, the digital release of 28 Years Later will likely be the biggest thing on the platform come late February or March, so keep your eyes peeled for that pre-order button.
What Most People Get Wrong About VOD
Most people think they have to wait months for "theatrical" movies to come home. That’s just not true anymore. The "theatrical window" is basically a suggestion now. For example, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is expected to hit digital shelves around January 20. That is a massive turnaround time.
If a movie isn't a billion-dollar Marvel hit, it's usually on your TV within 30 to 45 days. Sometimes less if the box office is soft.
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Hidden Gems to Look For
- Maldoror: A dark crime thriller that just dropped on January 16.
- Kina & Yuk: An adventure film that's great if you have kids who are tired of re-watching Frozen.
- Trifole: Coming January 27, this looks like a beautiful, smaller drama about family and secrets.
Making the Most of Your Digital Library
If you're jumping into the new movies on Fandango at Home, don't just click "rent" on the first thing you see. Check the "Deals" tab. They almost always have a "100 Movies Under $10" or "Epic Recent Releases" section.
Also, a pro tip: if you use a Roku or a high-end 4K TV, make sure you're checking for the "UHD" tag. Fandango at Home’s bitrates for 4K are actually quite high compared to standard Netflix streaming, so the picture quality is noticeably sharper if you have the bandwidth to support it.
How to Stay Ahead of the Next Big Release
The best way to manage your watch list is to use the "Wishlist" feature for movies still in theaters. The app will actually ping you the second they become available for home viewing.
- Open the Fandango at Home app.
- Search for an upcoming title like Scream 7 or Project Hail Mary.
- Hit the "Add to Wishlist" heart icon.
- Wait for the notification that it's ready to rent.
It beats checking the news every morning. Right now, the focus is clearly on the post-holiday backlog, but with the spring blockbusters around the corner, the digital schedule is only going to get more crowded. Keep an eye on the "Premium New Releases" section for the stuff that's still technically in theaters but available for a higher rental price—it's usually the best way to skip the sticky theater floors.
Go check your "My Offers" tab in your account settings. Many users have a "20% off your next rental" coupon sitting there that expires at the end of the month. Use it on something like Rental Family or Song Sung Blue before it vanishes.