If you walked into a multiplex right now, you’d probably notice something weird. The holiday heavyweights—the ones that usually hog every screen—are actually starting to sweat. Avatar: Fire and Ash is still a monster, obviously. It’s sitting at the top of the box office for its fourth straight week, but the vibe in the lobby is shifting. People are moving away from the big blue aliens and toward some seriously gritty horror and indie expansions. Honestly, it’s a great time to be a moviegoer because the "January dumping ground" myth is basically dead this year.
Right now, the big question of what movies are in theaters now isn't just about what's playing, but what's actually worth the $18 ticket. Between the surprise success of Primate and the impending arrival of the next 28 Years Later chapter, the marquee is looking crowded.
The Big Winners: What’s Dominating the Box Office
It’s January 15, 2026, and the box office charts look like a battle between James Cameron’s ego and a bunch of monkeys. Avatar: Fire and Ash is still the king, pulling in massive numbers, but Zootopia 2 is right on its heels. Disney’s sequel has been a slow-burn juggernaut since November, proving that parents will never, ever stop paying for talking animals.
But let’s talk about the movie everyone is actually texting their friends about: Primate.
Paramount released this natural horror flick on January 9, and it’s already outperforming expectations. It stars Johnny Sequoyah and Troy Kotsur in a story about a family pet chimpanzee named Ben that… well, let’s just say things go south in Hawaii. It’s directed by Johannes Roberts, who knows exactly how to make you jump out of your skin. It’s sitting at number one for new January releases right now.
Then you have Greenland 2: Migration.
Gerard Butler is back, and if you liked the first one, you know the drill. It’s an adventure-thriller that’s more "human drama" than just "things blowing up." It opened alongside Primate and is currently holding steady in the top ten.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash (The 20th Century Studios giant that won't die)
- Zootopia 2 (The animated beast still pulling in families)
- The Housemaid (Lionsgate's thriller that's been a solid December holdover)
- Marty Supreme (A24’s latest, which is finally finding its niche audience)
Fresh on the Marquee: New Releases for January 16
If you’re heading to the theater tomorrow, the lineup is changing significantly. We are seeing a massive shift toward horror and prestige drama.
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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
This is the one. Sony is dropping the sequel to 28 Years Later, directed by Nia DaCosta. This isn't just another zombie flick. It features Ralph Fiennes as a doctor who makes a world-altering discovery, and Cillian Murphy is actually back as Jim. People have been waiting decades for this kind of continuation. It’s expected to take a huge bite out of the box office this weekend.
A Private Life
Jodie Foster is starring in this French black comedy mystery. She plays Lilian Steiner, a psychiatrist convinced one of her patients was murdered. It’s getting a limited release, but if you live in a major city, it’s the "smart" movie of the week.
Charlie the Wonderdog
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, we have this Viva Pictures animation. Owen Wilson voices the lead. It’s the primary choice for families who have already seen Zootopia 2 three times and just need ninety minutes of peace.
What Movies Are in Theaters Now: The Horror Resurgence
Horror is absolutely carrying the month. Beyond Primate, we have We Bury the Dead starring Daisy Ridley. It’s been in theaters since the 2nd and has managed to stay relevant through word-of-mouth. It’s a survival thriller that feels a lot more grounded than your typical slasher.
Next week, things get even weirder. Return to Silent Hill is slated for January 23. Directed by Christophe Gans, this one is a direct adaptation of the Silent Hill 2 game. Jeremy Irvine plays James, and the early buzz suggests the creature designs are genuinely nightmare-inducing.
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If you want something a bit more "literary," H Is for Hawk also drops on the 23rd. Claire Foy plays Helen Macdonald in this adaptation of the famous memoir. It’s a biographical drama about grief and, surprisingly, a very stubborn hawk. It’s the kind of movie that wins awards but makes you cry in public.
The Indie Standouts and Limited Runs
You shouldn't overlook the smaller screens in the building. The Chronology of Water, Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut, just expanded its theatrical run. It’s a psychological drama starring Imogen Poots as a swimmer trying to escape a toxic home life. It’s raw, it’s messy, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from Stewart’s creative vision.
Then there's The Moment, an A24 mockumentary starring Charli XCX. She plays a fictionalized version of herself, and the cast is surprisingly stacked: Alexander Skarsgård, Rachel Sennott, and even Rosanna Arquette show up. It’s a weird, satirical look at pop stardom that’s currently playing in select theaters before a wider push later this month.
A Quick Look at the Current Leaderboard
If you're trying to decide what's worth your time, here is how the critics and the "math" are stacking up:
- The Critical Darling: The Chronology of Water. It’s a tough watch but incredibly well-made.
- The Crowd Pleaser: Avatar: Fire and Ash. Visually, nothing else touches it.
- The Surprise Hit: Primate. It's a "natural horror" film that actually has a heart.
- The "Wait for Streaming?": Rental Family. Brendan Fraser is great, but early reviews call the film "glib" and "pointless." Maybe save that for a home rental.
The International and Re-release Scene
Don’t ignore the re-releases. This week, specifically on January 15, we are seeing the 10th-anniversary return of the Tamil blockbuster Theri in select theaters. This is a massive deal for Vijay fans, especially since his final film Jana Nayagan got delayed.
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Also, for the fantasy nerds, a lot of theaters are currently running the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a special event. The Fellowship of the Ring starts tomorrow, followed by the others over the weekend. Seeing those on a big screen again is a different experience entirely.
What to Expect by the End of the Month
The month wraps up with some heavy hitters. Sam Raimi’s Send Help lands on January 30. It’s a survival horror starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. Anytime Raimi touches horror, the industry stops and looks. We also have Iron Lung, the sci-fi horror from Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), which has been teased for ages and is finally hitting the wide circuit.
Basically, if you’re bored, it’s your own fault. The theater is currently a mix of high-concept sci-fi, brutal horror, and prestige dramas.
Actionable Insights for Moviegoers:
- Book Ahead for "28 Years Later": This is going to sell out opening night. If you want a good seat for the 16th, buy the ticket now.
- Check Your Local Indie House: Movies like The Chronology of Water and A Private Life aren't in every AMC, so you'll need to look at the smaller venues.
- Morning Matinees for "Avatar": If you still haven't seen the Fire and Ash spectacle, go on a Tuesday morning. The crowds are finally thinning out, and you might actually get the center seat.
- Follow the Rating: Primate and 28 Years Later are both Rated R for a reason. Don't be the person who brings a toddler to a movie about a killer chimp.
Check your local listings for specific showtimes as mid-week schedules often shift to accommodate new Friday openers. If you're looking for the best experience, seek out an IMAX screen for Avatar before it loses those premium formats to the new horror releases coming this weekend.