You're probably staring at your TV right now, thumb hovering over the remote, wondering why it feels like there’s nothing to watch despite paying for five different subscriptions. Honestly, January is always weird. We’re all in that post-holiday slump where we want something "new" but usually end up rewatching The Office for the ninth time.
But here’s the thing: the "January dumping ground" myth is dead.
In 2026, the big studios aren't just tossing their leftovers onto Netflix or Max anymore. This week is actually packed, provided you know where to look. We’ve got Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reuniting, Glen Powell running for his life, and a long-delayed sci-fi sequel finally hitting living rooms.
Let’s get into what new movies are out on streaming right now so you can stop scrolling and actually start watching.
The Big Heavy Hitters: Netflix and Paramount+ Are Dominating
If you haven’t heard the buzz about The Rip, you might be living under a rock. Or you just haven't opened Netflix since yesterday. This is Joe Carnahan’s new crime thriller, and it’s basically the flagship release for the service this month.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are back together, but don't expect Good Will Hunting vibes. This is a gritty, sweat-soaked heist movie. It’s loud. It’s intense. It’s exactly what you need to wake up your brain after a long Tuesday at work. It officially drops January 16, so clear your Friday night.
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Glen Powell’s Dystopian Sprint
Over on Paramount+, the big talk is The Running Man.
Yeah, it’s a Stephen King adaptation, but directed by Edgar Wright. If you’re expecting the 80s Schwarzenegger camp, think again. Glen Powell is in full movie-star mode here, and the satire is sharp enough to cut. It’s fast-paced, stylish, and honestly, Powell is proving he can carry just about anything these days.
What Most People Miss: The Second-Life Hits
One of the biggest mistakes people make when looking for what new movies are out on streaming is ignoring the "theatrical pivots." These are movies that maybe didn't set the box office on fire last fall but are absolutely crushing it on small screens.
- Tron: Ares (Disney+): It finally landed on January 7. After a lukewarm theatrical run, it’s finding a massive audience on Disney+. The visuals are stunning on a 4K OLED, even if the plot is a bit... well, it’s Tron.
- Stone Cold Fox (Netflix): This one slipped out of theaters fast. It’s a mid-budget action thriller starring Krysten Ritter and Kiefer Sutherland. It’s "popcorn cinema" at its finest—short, punchy, and doesn't ask too much of you.
- Bugonia (Peacock): If you want something genuinely "out there," Yorgos Lanthimos (the guy behind Poor Things) has his remake of Save the Green Planet! on Peacock. It’s weird. Like, "did I just watch that?" weird. But it's brilliant.
The "Comfort Watch" Wave: Nostalgia Marathons
Sometimes the best "new" thing is an old thing you can finally watch in one place. January 2026 seems to be the month of the "Saga Drop."
Netflix just dumped a massive chunk of the James Bond collection on January 15. If you want to lose a whole weekend to 007, now is your chance. Meanwhile, Disney+ added the entire Indiana Jones saga at the start of the month.
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Max is leaning into the classics too. They’ve got a Mel Brooks triple-feature going right now: Blazing Saddles, History of the World: Part 1, and Spaceballs. Honestly, Spaceballs still holds up better than half the comedies released in the last five years.
Coming This Weekend (January 16–18)
If you're planning your weekend binge, here is the specific breakdown of what's hitting the servers:
Hulu is dropping Twinless on January 16. It stars Dylan O'Brien playing twins in a dark comedy-drama about a support group for people who lost their siblings. It’s getting a lot of "hidden gem" buzz from the critics who saw it early.
Netflix also brings Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza back into rotation on the 16th. It’s not "new" new, but if you missed it during its original run, it’s the perfect counter-programming to the high-octane action movies filling up the rest of the homepage.
Max is getting The Smashing Machine on January 23, but keep an eye out for early "prestige" drops this week. This is the Mark Kerr biopic starring Dwayne Johnson. It’s the first time The Rock has actually acted—like, really acted—in years. Benny Safdie directed it, so expect it to be uncomfortable and raw.
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Why Your "What to Watch" List Is Always Wrong
The problem with most "New on Streaming" lists is they include everything. You don't need to know about the 14th season of a Swedish reality show unless you're into that.
The real value right now is in the PVOD (Premium Video on Demand) market. Movies like Wicked: For Good and Predator: Badlands are available to rent or buy right now. If you’re willing to shell out twenty bucks, you can see the biggest movies of late 2025 without leaving your couch.
Quick Verdict: What should you actually watch?
- For Action: The Rip (Netflix) or The Running Man (Paramount+).
- For Weirdness: Bugonia (Peacock).
- For Drama: Rental Family (PVOD/Rental) — Brendan Fraser is incredible in this.
- For Sci-Fi: Tron: Ares (Disney+).
Practical Next Steps for Your Watchlist
Stop adding things to a "Save for Later" list that you know you'll never look at. Instead, try this: pick one movie from the "Second-Life" category above. These are usually the most rewarding because they have lower expectations but high production value.
If you’re a Netflix subscriber, check your settings to ensure you’re getting "New Release" notifications for your specific genres; their algorithm often buries the good stuff like Licorice Pizza under a mountain of "Trending" reality TV.
Lastly, if you haven't checked out Shudder lately, they just added Bone Tomahawk and 28 Days Later. If you want a horror night, that’s your winning ticket.
Start with The Rip on Friday night. It’s the closest thing we’ve had to a classic 90s thriller in years, and seeing Affleck and Damon bounce off each other never gets old.