Honestly, walking into a cinema right now feels like a weird, beautiful glitch in the Matrix. You’ve got zombies from the early 2000s, Hobbits from the turn of the millennium, and James Cameron’s blue aliens still somehow holding onto the box office like their lives depend on it. If you're wondering what movies are playing in theatre this weekend, the short answer is: a little bit of everything, but mostly things that want to make you jump or cry.
It’s January 17, 2026. Usually, this is the "dump month" where studios hide their tax write-offs, but this year is actually kind of stacked. We’ve moved past the holiday rush, yet the heavy hitters like Avatar: Fire and Ash are still lingering in the premium large-format rooms, refusing to budge. But the real story today isn't the blockbusters you’ve already seen—it’s the new blood and the legendary returns.
The Big New Player: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
The biggest headline for anyone checking what movies are playing in theatre this morning is undoubtedly 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Sony has officially unleashed the second chapter of this new trilogy, and it’s a bit of a pivot. Nia DaCosta has taken the director's chair from Danny Boyle, and she’s brought a much more claustrophobic, intense vibe to the Rage Virus world.
Ralph Fiennes is back as Dr. Ian Kelson. He’s joined by Jack O’Connell and Cillian Murphy, who is finally getting more than just a "blink and you'll miss it" cameo. The buzz from the Thursday night previews suggests this one is way more violent than the first 28 Years Later that dropped last year. If you’re into "elevated" horror that actually remembers to be scary, this is your pick. Just don't go in expecting a lighthearted romp; the "Bone Temple" in the title isn't a metaphor for something nice.
Why the Lord of the Rings Re-release Is Dominating
This is the part that’s actually kind of wild. Fathom Events is currently running a massive 25th-anniversary re-release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Specifically, today—Saturday, January 17—is the day for The Two Towers.
People aren't just showing up for the nostalgia; they’re showing up because these are the Extended Editions. We’re talking nearly four hours of Middle-earth. Reports are coming in that these re-releases are actually out-grossing some of the brand-new wide releases like We Bury the Dead.
If you want to see the Battle of Helm’s Deep on a screen the size of a barn, you basically have to go today. Fathom doesn't usually keep these windows open for long, and with Peter Jackson providing new filmed introductions for each screening, it’s a total event for the "Ring-ers."
Current Box Office Top 5 (The Survivors)
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – The new king of the weekend.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash – Still here. Still blue. Still making money in its fifth week.
- The Housemaid – A psychological thriller that’s been the surprise word-of-mouth hit of the winter.
- Marty Supreme – Josh Safdie’s latest A24 venture starring Timothée Chalamet. It’s weird, fast-paced, and very "New York."
- Zootopia 2 – Keeping the kids (and the parents who need a break) occupied.
Horror and Sci-Fi Are Having a Moment
Beyond the zombies, there’s some weirdly specific genre stuff happening. Sam Raimi’s Send Help is hovering on the horizon for late January, but right now, horror fans are flocking to Primate. Directed by Johannes Roberts, it’s a "natural horror" flick about a killer chimp. Yeah, you read that right. It’s basically Cujo but with a primate in Hawaii, and Troy Kotsur is in it, which gives it a weirdly high-brow edge for a movie about a rabid monkey.
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Then there's Greenland 2: Migration. Gerard Butler is back, and honestly, the man knows his lane. It’s a survival thriller that picks up right where the first one left off—the Garrity family leaving their bunker to find a frozen wasteland. It’s not "prestige" cinema, but for a Saturday afternoon with a large popcorn? It hits the spot.
The "Prestige" Corner: Hamnet and The Chronology of Water
If you aren't in the mood for monsters or asteroids, Focus Features just expanded Hamnet into more theaters. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, it’s a heart-wrencher about William Shakespeare’s son. It’s beautiful, slow, and will probably sweep the technical categories at the Oscars next month.
Also, keep an eye out for Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water. It’s playing in a limited "expansion" phase right now. It stars Imogen Poots and is based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir. It’s raw. It’s experimental. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s the kind of movie people will be talking about on Film Twitter for the next three years.
Practical Advice for Your Movie Trip
If you're heading out to see what movies are playing in theatre today, a few things have changed in the 2026 cinema landscape:
- Check the Runtime: Between Lord of the Rings (4 hours) and Avatar 3 (3+ hours), you need to plan your day. Don't book a dinner reservation too close to your showtime.
- The "Event" Pricing: Be aware that the Lord of the Rings screenings are often priced as "special events," so your AMC Stubs or Regal Unlimited might have a small upcharge or not apply at all.
- IMAX vs. Standard: If you’re seeing 28 Years Later, go for the standard screen or Dolby. It was shot to look gritty. If you’re seeing Avatar, IMAX is basically mandatory.
What’s Next: The Actionable Plan
Instead of just scrolling through an app, here is how you should actually handle your movie-going this weekend.
First, check if your local theater is participating in the Fathom re-release. If The Two Towers is playing, that is a rare "once-in-a-decade" theatrical experience you shouldn't skip. If you've already had your fill of Hobbits, prioritize 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple before the spoilers regarding Cillian Murphy's character start leaking all over TikTok.
For a family outing, Zootopia 2 is the safest bet, but don't sleep on The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants if it's still playing near you—it's surprisingly funny for adults too. Whatever you choose, book your tickets early. The "January lulls" are a thing of the past, and theaters are actually hitting capacity again.