It is that weird, slushy part of January where the sun sets at 5:00 PM and the air feels like a personal insult. Honestly, if you've been staring at your living room walls for three days straight, you probably just want a reason to sit in the dark and eat popcorn for two hours. Good news: the January 2026 box office is actually doing something interesting for a change.
Usually, this is the "dumping ground" month for studios. They throw out the movies they don't know how to sell and hope for the best. But right now? We’ve got a massive zombie sequel actually dethroning James Cameron, a Gerard Butler survival epic, and some really heavy-hitting dramas that might actually win an Oscar or two.
If you’re wondering what movies are currently out in theaters, here is the actual, no-fluff rundown of what you can go see tonight.
The Big One: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
This just landed yesterday, January 16, and it’s already the talk of the industry. Nia DaCosta took the reins for this one, and while Cillian Murphy is mostly producing, he’s apparently lurking around in there somewhere.
Basically, the story follows Dr. Ian Kelson (played by the legendary Ralph Fiennes) and a kid named Spike who gets mixed up with some seriously nasty people led by Jack O’Connell. It isn't just about the "Rage Virus" anymore. It's more about how humans treat each other when the world has stayed broken for nearly three decades.
The movie pulled in $5.6 million on its opening Friday alone. People are calling it a "boneyard" of hope, and honestly, it’s a lot bleaker than the trailers let on. If you like your horror with a side of deep, existential dread, this is your winner.
The Blockbuster Holdovers
Believe it or not, Avatar: Fire and Ash is still hanging out in the top three. It’s been out for over a month, but people still want to see blue people on the big screen. It just got bumped to the #2 spot by the zombies, but it's still pulling in millions.
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Then you have Greenland 2: Migration. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin are back, and they’ve finally left the bunker. Europe is a frozen wasteland now. It’s a classic "run for your life" movie, but Ric Roman Waugh knows how to make you actually care about the family. It's sort of a comfort watch if your idea of comfort is watching the world end.
Other Wide Releases to Keep an Eye On
- Night Patrol: This one stars Justin Long and Dermot Mulroney. It’s a gritty LAPD thriller with a "horrific secret" twist. Think Training Day but with a touch of supernatural creepiness.
- Charlie the Wonderdog: If you have kids and they’re driving you crazy, this is the one. Owen Wilson voices a dog that gets abducted by aliens and gets superpowers. It’s exactly what it sounds like.
- Hamnet: This is the "prestige" pick. Chloé Zhao directed it, and Jessie Buckley is getting massive buzz for playing Agnes Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife). It’s about grief and the loss of their son. Bring tissues. Like, a whole box of them.
The "I've Seen Everything" List
If you're a regular at the cinema and feel like you've seen it all, there are some limited releases and expansions happening right now.
Dead Man's Wire just expanded into more theaters. It’s a true-crime story from 1977 about Tony Kiritsis, starring Dacre Montgomery and—get this—Al Pacino. It's directed by Gus Van Sant, so it’s got that specific, moody vibe he’s famous for.
Also, Sony Pictures Classics is rolling out A Private Life (not to be confused with the 2018 movie). This one stars Jodie Foster as a psychiatrist investigating the murder of her own patient. It’s a French-inspired black comedy thriller, and Foster is apparently incredible in it.
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A Quick Note on What's Coming Next Week
If none of that sounds good, you only have to wait a few days. Next Friday (January 23), we get Return to Silent Hill. This is a direct sequel to the first movie, directed by Christophe Gans again. Jeremy Irvine is James, and he’s going back to the foggy town to find his soulmate.
We also get Mercy, a sci-fi thriller with Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. So, the "dry spell" of January is officially over.
Why Some Movies Are Harder to Find
You might notice that certain films, like the A24 mockumentary The Moment starring Charli XCX, aren't playing at your local mall yet. That's because it’s slated for January 30.
A lot of the "Oscar bait" movies do a slow roll. They start in New York and LA, build up some Twitter (or X, whatever) hype, and then move to the suburbs. If you’re in a smaller town, you might have to wait an extra week for things like H Is For Hawk.
What You Should Actually Go See
Honestly? It depends on your mood.
If you want to feel the adrenaline: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
If you want to cry and feel smart: Hamnet.
If you just want to turn your brain off: Greenland 2: Migration.
The box office is weirdly healthy right now. Usually, by mid-January, we're all just waiting for February, but Nia DaCosta and Ralph Fiennes have given us a reason to actually leave the house.
Actionable Insight: Check your local listings for "Early Access" or "Fan Events" on Wednesday nights. A lot of theaters are doing sneak previews for Return to Silent Hill and Mercy a full 48 hours before the official release to drum up word-of-mouth. Also, if you’re seeing The Bone Temple, try to find an IMAX screen; the sound design in the forest scenes is apparently terrifying when it's loud.
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Grab your tickets early if you're going this Saturday night—MLK weekend usually means the theaters are packed with people who have Monday off.