You've probably seen the headlines. Zootopia 2 is breaking every record in the book, recently crossing the $1.7 billion mark to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. It’s huge. But if you think that’s the only thing worth seeing this January, you're missing out on a weird, eclectic, and honestly kind of brilliant month for cinema.
Most people look at the box office and see a sea of sequels. It's easy to get cynical. "Another Avatar? Another 28 Years Later?" Sure. But look closer. Between the massive tentpoles like Avatar: Fire and Ash and the quiet, crushing dramas hitting streaming, we’re actually in a bit of a golden age for variety.
Whether you want to sit in a dark room with a bucket of popcorn or curl up on your couch, here are the top 10 movies right now that actually matter.
The Blockbusters Ruling the Big Screen
The theatrical landscape in early 2026 is dominated by two things: James Cameron’s blue aliens and a bunch of animals solving crimes. It sounds reductive, but the numbers don't lie.
1. Zootopia 2
It’s the king of the world right now. Basically, Disney hit the jackpot by leaning into the "buddy cop" dynamic between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde while adding Ke Huy Quan as a mysterious new reptile. What most people get wrong is thinking this is just a kids' movie. It’s actually been pulling in massive adult audiences in China—nearly $620 million there alone—because of how it handles themes of urban life and luck. It just passed Inside Out 2 to take the all-time animation crown. It's ubiquitous.
2. Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron doesn’t miss. Even in its fifth week, Fire and Ash is still pulling in millions every weekend. This time, we’re seeing the "Ash People," a more aggressive clan of Na'vi, and the visuals are, predictably, melting everyone's brains. It’s sitting at around $367 million domestically as of mid-January. If you haven't seen it in IMAX yet, honestly, what are you doing?
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3. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Danny Boyle and Cillian Murphy returned to the franchise that redefined zombies, and it’s surprisingly bleak. It just opened to about $15 million domestically, which is solid for a gritty R-rated horror sequel. It feels less like a typical action movie and more like a high-stress survival drama. The "Bone Temple" refers to a specific, terrifying location in the post-apocalyptic North of England that will probably give you nightmares.
The Streaming Hits You Can’t Ignore
Not everyone wants to go out when it's freezing. Netflix and Max are currently battling for your Sunday night with some heavy hitters.
4. The Rip (Netflix)
This is the big one on Netflix right now. Directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by the Ben Affleck/Matt Damon powerhouse, it’s a sweaty, intense crime thriller set in Miami. Think Training Day vibes but updated for 2026. It stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck themselves—their first big on-screen reunion in a while—and it’s currently sitting at the #1 spot on the platform.
5. The Smashing Machine (Max/A24)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is finally doing a "real" acting role, and the critics are losing it. This is a biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr, directed by Benny Safdie. Gone is the jungle-outfit-wearing, smiling Rock. He’s unrecognizable here. It’s a brutal look at addiction and the physical toll of combat sports. It just landed on Max and is essential viewing if you want to see an actor reinvent themselves.
6. People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix)
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is this adaptation of the Emily Henry novel. It’s the ultimate comfort watch. If you’ve spent the last three movies watching people get eaten by zombies or Na'vi, you probably need this. It’s been hovering in the Netflix Top 10 since its January 9th release.
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Critical Darlings and Awards Season Sleeper Hits
January is also "dump month" for bad movies, but it's also when the prestige dramas finally go wide.
7. Marty Supreme (A24)
Timothée Chalamet as a professional ping-pong player. It sounds like a joke, but under Josh Safdie’s direction, it’s a chaotic, stylish blast. It’s currently a "holdover" hit, still pulling in a couple million a week because the word-of-mouth is so strong. It’s weird, it’s fast, and it’s very A24.
8. The Housemaid (Lionsgate)
This one has been a surprise. It’s a psychological thriller that has managed to cross $100 million domestically. It’s a remake, but it has enough of its own DNA to feel fresh. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife, and it’s one of those movies where you’ll be arguing about the ending for three days.
9. Magellan
If you like Metacritic scores, this is your winner. Starring Gael García Bernal, it’s a historical epic about the first voyage across the Pacific. It has an 89 Metascore, which is basically unheard of for a January release. It’s gorgeous, but fair warning: it’s long. It’s the kind of movie you see on the biggest screen possible to appreciate the cinematography.
10. We Bury the Dead
A late entry into the "must-watch" list. It’s a grief-stricken horror-thriller that has been doing surprisingly well in limited release. It’s about a woman looking for her husband’s body after a catastrophic event, only to find something much worse. It’s currently one of the highest-rated films on Metacritic for the year.
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What Really Matters When Choosing a Movie
Look, the "top 10" is always a mix of what's popular and what's actually good. Right now, the delta between those two things is smaller than usual.
If you want a theatrical experience, go see Avatar or Zootopia 2. The sheer scale is what theaters were built for. If you're looking for prestige, The Smashing Machine on Max is the clear frontrunner for "Best Performance of the Year" conversations.
One thing people often overlook is the re-release market. Fathom Events has been killing it lately with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers re-release, which actually cracked the top 5 box office charts last weekend. Sometimes the "top movie right now" is actually a 20-year-old masterpiece.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Listings: If you want to catch Magellan or Marty Supreme, do it this week. These smaller "prestige" films tend to lose screens fast once the February rom-coms start rolling in.
- Update Your Watchlists: Add The Rip to your Netflix queue before your coworkers spoil the twist.
- Prepare for the Oscars: Most of the movies on this list—specifically The Smashing Machine and Magellan—will be major players in the awards cycle. Watching them now saves you from the "I've never heard of that" feeling come March.
The movie landscape is moving fast. Zootopia 2 might be the biggest, but it's definitely not the only story in town. Choose your vibe, grab your snacks, and get watching.