Finding something to watch shouldn't feel like a part-time job. Honestly, by the time Friday night rolls around, most of us just want to collapse into the couch and press play without scrolling through an endless grid of posters. If you’ve been wondering what new movies are streaming this weekend, we’ve got you. The mid-January slate for 2026 is surprisingly heavy on star power, especially with Netflix finally dropping its first massive original of the year.
This week is all about high-stakes heists, unsettling psychological thrillers, and a few prestige carry-overs that you might’ve missed in theaters last fall.
The Heavy Hitter: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in "The Rip"
It’s been a minute since we’ve seen the Boston duo really dig into a gritty, no-nonsense thriller together. The Rip arrives on Netflix this Friday, January 16, and it’s basically the streamer’s biggest play of the month. Directed by Joe Carnahan—the guy behind The Grey and Smokin' Aces—this movie doesn't feel like your typical "straight-to-streaming" fluff.
The plot? Think heat-soaked, high-tension crime.
Affleck and Damon play two guys caught in a heist that goes sideways in the worst possible way. It’s got that tactile, sweaty 1970s thriller vibe but set in a modern, unforgiving urban landscape. If you liked The Town or Triple Frontier, this is likely going to be your highlight.
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Hulu’s Dark Horse: "Twinless"
If you're in the mood for something that’ll make your skin crawl just a little bit, Hulu is dropping Twinless on January 16. This one stars Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney. It’s a weirdly specific premise: two men who both lost their twin brothers meet in a support group and form a bond.
But, because it’s a thriller, that bond turns toxic fast.
The movie explores grief in a way that’s genuinely uncomfortable. You've got Lauren Graham in the mix too, which adds a layer of groundedness to the whole thing. It’s less about jump scares and more about that slow-burn realization that the person you’re talking to might be completely unhinged.
Max and the Prestige Factor
While HBO Max is largely focused on the premiere of the new Game of Thrones prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms this Sunday, they aren't leaving movie fans out in the cold.
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If you missed A Big Bold Beautiful Journey during its brief theatrical run last year, it hits Max this weekend. It’s a romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. They play strangers who meet at a wedding and end up on a surreal road trip where they can literally revisit their own memories.
It’s a bit "out there," but Robbie and Farrell have incredible chemistry. It’s the kind of movie that makes you think about your own "what ifs" without being too depressing about it.
Other Notable New Arrivals
- Licorice Pizza (Netflix): Paul Thomas Anderson’s sun-drenched 70s coming-of-age story returns to Netflix on January 16. It’s perfect if you want something vibey and low-stakes.
- Assassin’s Creed (Max): Starting January 17, the Michael Fassbender-led video game adaptation lands on Max. Look, it’s not The Godfather, but if you want to see some cool parkour and Marion Cotillard looking intense, it’s a solid Saturday afternoon watch.
- 007 Spectre (Netflix): Daniel Craig’s second-to-last outing as Bond arrived on the platform on January 15. If you’re doing a James Bond marathon, now is the time to catch up.
Why January Isn't a "Dump Month" Anymore
For a long time, the industry treated January as the place where bad movies went to die. That’s changed. Streamers now use this window to drop major originals while the box office is still recovering from the December holiday rush.
When looking at what new movies are streaming this weekend, the variety is actually better than what you’ll find in most multiplexes right now. You have the choice between a massive A-list action flick, an indie-style psychological drama, and a high-concept rom-com.
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Quick Checklist for Your Weekend Watchlist
- Netflix: Priority 1 is The Rip. If you have kids or just want nostalgia, check the James Bond collection they just refreshed.
- Hulu: Go for Twinless if you want a thriller that’s a bit "indie" and character-driven.
- Max: Watch A Big Bold Beautiful Journey for something light but visually stunning.
- Peacock: If you haven't seen Twisters (2024), it just landed on the platform yesterday (Jan 15). It’s big, loud, and incredibly fun.
The best way to tackle the weekend is to pick your "main event" movie for Friday night—probably The Rip for most—and then use Saturday to catch up on the prestige stuff like A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. By Sunday, you’ll be ready for the big TV premieres, but the movie slate this week is more than enough to keep you occupied.
Keep an eye on the expiration dates for older titles too. Confessions of a Shopaholic and Donnie Darko are both leaving Netflix this weekend, so if you’ve been meaning to revisit those, it’s now or never.
To get the most out of your streaming subscriptions this weekend, start by updating your "My List" with The Rip on Netflix and Twinless on Hulu so you don't lose them in the algorithm shuffle. If you're planning a movie night with friends, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey on Max is the safest bet for a crowd-pleaser that still feels like a "real" movie.