You've probably heard the old industry myth that January is a "dumping ground" for bad movies. Studios used to take their biggest tax write-offs and weirdest experiments and just toss them into the winter cold to die. But honestly, walking into a cinema on Saturday, January 17, 2026, feels nothing like that. The vibe has shifted.
Today is actually one of the busiest theater days we’ve seen in a while, mostly because the "holiday" blockbusters are showing insane legs and a few new R-rated swings are actually connecting with audiences. If you're wondering what movies are showing today in theaters, you’re basically choosing between a legacy horror sequel, a massive sci-fi epic that won’t quit, and a very specific kind of nostalgia trip that has people camping out for IMAX seats.
The Big Heavy Hitters: What Everyone Is Seeing Right Now
If you want the "water cooler" movie, the one that’s dominating the group chats, it is definitely 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
It opened yesterday, and the numbers are already looking huge. Nia DaCosta took the reins for this one, and she didn't play it safe. It’s gritty. It's fast. Ralph Fiennes plays a doctor named Kelson who is dealing with a version of the infected that makes the original 2002 film look like a petting zoo. People are specifically talking about Alfie Williams’ performance—it’s intense.
Then there is the blue elephant in the room. Avatar: Fire and Ash is still vacuuming up cash. It’s been out since December, but James Cameron has this weird spell over the box office where people go see it for the third or fourth time just to look at the water effects.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: Wide release, high intensity horror.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash: The 3D king, still holding the #1 spot in many cities.
- Zootopia 2: The go-to for families today. It’s been out a month, but it’s still the only thing keeping kids quiet for two hours.
The Fathom Event Everyone Is Texting About
Here is the weirdest part about today's schedule. If you look at your local AMC or Regal app, you’re going to see a 25-year-old movie at the top of the "Today Only" list.
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Fathom Events is doing this massive "2026 Event" marathon. Yesterday was The Fellowship of the Ring. Today, Saturday the 17th, is all about The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition).
It’s almost four hours long. 3 hours and 51 minutes, to be exact. I talked to a theater manager this morning who said the 2:00 PM showing sold out faster than the new Marvel trailers. There is something about seeing the Battle of Helm's Deep on a 40-foot screen that just hits different, even in 2026. If you want to catch this, you basically have to book it now because it’s a one-day-only re-release.
New Releases and Hidden Gems
Not everyone wants zombies or hobbits. If you’re looking for something that feels a bit more "prestige" or just plain different, there are three mid-budget movies that actually deserve the ticket price.
Dead Man’s Wire is the big "grown-up" movie of the weekend. It’s a Gus Van Sant film starring Bill Skarsgård and Al Pacino. It's based on that wild true story from 1977 about the Indianapolis kidnapping. Skarsgård is doing something very different here—less Pennywise, more desperate entrepreneur. It expanded to wide release yesterday, so it should be at most major multiplexes today.
Then there’s Hamnet.
Directed by Chloé Zhao.
It’s beautiful.
It’s also a total tear-jerker.
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It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, and it’s essentially a fictionalized look at Shakespeare’s family life. It’s been cleaning up at the festivals (it won the TIFF People's Choice Award), and it finally hit wide release this weekend. If you’re on a date and want to look smart, this is the one.
The "Wildcard" Options
For the niche crowds, check your local listings for All You Need Is Kill. No, it’s not the Tom Cruise movie again—this is the new anime adaptation from GKIDS. It’s got a very specific, high-octane visual style that’s getting a lot of love on Letterboxd right now.
And for the kids (or the parents who’ve seen Zootopia 2 six times), Charlie the Wonderdog is the new animated face in town. It’s about a dog abducted by aliens who gets superpowers. It’s silly, it’s colorful, and it’s about 95 minutes, which is the perfect length for a Saturday afternoon.
Why Today Is Different for Moviegoers
The theater experience in 2026 has kind of split into two worlds. You have the "Events"—the Avatars and the Lord of the Rings marathons—where the screen size is the whole point. Then you have the "Vibes," like The Housemaid or Marty Supreme, which are still hanging onto a few screens in their fifth or sixth weeks.
The Housemaid (from Lionsgate) has been a surprise hit this winter. It’s a thriller that has benefitted a lot from word-of-mouth. People are still showing up for it because the twists are apparently "unspoilable."
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What Most People Get Wrong About January Showtimes
A lot of people think that if a movie isn't "New" this week, it’s not worth seeing. But in the current landscape, the best experiences are often the ones in their second or third week of "Expansion."
Greenland 2: Migration is a perfect example. It came out on the 9th, but it’s actually more available today because theaters added more screens once they realized Gerard Butler still has that "everyman" draw. It’s a solid, 7-out-of-10 popcorn flick. It won't change your life, but it’ll make you forget about your chores for two hours.
Quick Guide to Choosing Your Movie Today:
- For the Thrill-Seekers: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple or Night Patrol.
- For the Nostalgic: The Two Towers (Extended Edition).
- For the "Serious" Film Fan: Dead Man’s Wire or Hamnet.
- For the Sci-Fi Nerd: Greenland 2: Migration.
- For the "I Just Want to Laugh" Crowd: Charlie the Wonderdog or Zootopia 2.
Practical Next Steps for Your Saturday Night
If you're planning on heading out, do yourself a favor and check the runtime for The Two Towers before you commit; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Also, keep in mind that many theaters are still running "Holiday Pricing" for the big 3D features, so that Avatar ticket might be a bit pricier than the indie drama next door.
Check your local theater app (AMC, Regal, or Cinemark) specifically for "Event Cinema" filters if you want the LOTR tickets. Most of those showtimes are midday or early evening to accommodate the four-hour length. If you're going for 28 Years Later, aim for a late-night showing—the atmosphere in a dark, crowded theater for a zombie flick is still the best way to see it.
Make sure to look for "Premium Large Format" (PLF) or Dolby Cinema for The Bone Temple and Avatar. The sound design on the new Nia DaCosta film is apparently half the experience, and you lose that on a standard small-hall screen. Grab your tickets early; Saturdays in January aren't as quiet as they used to be.