If you walked into a theater this morning, you probably saw a lot of blue people.
James Cameron is doing it again. Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently sitting on top of the box office like it owns the place, crossing the $1.2 billion mark globally as of this week. It’s been number one for four straight weekends. Honestly, at this point, betting against Cameron feels like betting against the sun rising.
But there’s more happening in the dark than just Pandora. The January movie slate is actually surprisingly weird right now. We’ve got a mix of massive sequels, indie darlings finally hitting their stride, and a sudden surge in "low-stakes" thrillers that people seem to be devouring.
The Big Screen Heavyweights
While Avatar is the 800-pound gorilla, Zootopia 2 is holding its own in the number two spot. It’s already cleared $1.7 billion globally. Think about that for a second. An animated sequel about a bunny and a fox is outperforming almost every live-action film from the last year. It’s a monster hit in China specifically, where it’s basically become a cultural phenomenon all over again.
Then there’s the newcomers.
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Primate, the new sci-fi thriller from Paramount, just opened to about $11 million. It’s not breaking records, but it’s doing better than the "experts" predicted. People are calling it a "Monday Mystery Movie" success story. It’s got that gritty, mid-budget feel that we haven't seen much of lately.
The Survival Sequel You Didn't Know You Needed
Remember the movie Greenland from back in 2020? The one where Gerard Butler tries to save his family from a comet? Well, the sequel, Greenland 2: Migration, just hit theaters on January 9.
It’s exactly what you’d expect: Gerard Butler being an everyman, keeping his Scottish accent, and trying to survive a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It’s comfort food for disaster movie fans. People are showing up for it because, let's be real, watching a family navigate a destroyed world is a great way to forget about your own Monday morning emails.
What’s Killing It on Streaming Right Now?
If you aren't in the mood for sticky floors and $15 popcorn, the streaming giants are in a full-blown arms race this month.
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Netflix just dropped The Rip on January 16. It’s a Miami-based crime thriller starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Yes, the boys are back together. Joe Carnahan directed it, so it’s loud, fast, and very "heat-soaked." It’s currently the most-watched movie on the platform, and for good reason—the chemistry between those two is still bulletproof.
Over on Max, the vibe is a bit different. They’re leaning into prestige. The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr, is the big talk. This isn't the "Jungle Cruise" version of The Rock. It’s Benny Safdie directing, so it’s raw, ugly, and already generating Oscar buzz. It’s the kind of performance that makes you realize he actually can act when he isn't wearing a khaki shirt in a forest.
Streaming Quick Hits:
- Tron: Ares: After a rocky theatrical run, it just landed on Disney+. It's finding a much bigger audience there. Sci-fi often does.
- Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story: This Netflix documentary is terrifying people. It’s about the Ruby Franke case. It’s dark, it’s trending, and it’s definitely not a "popcorn" watch.
- Bugonia: Yorgos Lanthimos (the guy behind Poor Things) has this weird remake of a Korean cult film on Peacock. If you like your movies "genuinely strange," this is the one.
The Trends We Can’t Ignore
There is a massive shift happening in how we watch movies in 2026. Have you noticed the "No AI" labels yet?
It’s becoming a thing. Some filmmakers are actually marketing their movies as "Generative AI-Free" to appeal to audiences who are tired of the plastic, digital look. On the flip side, you have studios like the one Natasha Lyonne is involved with that are pushing for "ethical AI" in production. It’s a weird tug-of-war.
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Also, Horror is still king. Small-budget horror movies are outperforming big-budget dramas nearly every week. People want that communal "scream together" experience. Plus, re-releases are huge. This month, Netflix dropped a huge chunk of the James Bond catalog, and Disney+ put up all the Indiana Jones movies. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug, and the streamers are the main suppliers.
What to Watch This Weekend
If you’re trying to figure out where to spend your time, here’s the breakdown.
If you want the "big" experience, go see Avatar: Fire and Ash in IMAX. It’s meant for the biggest screen possible. If you want a thriller that’ll make you stay off your phone, find a screening of The Housemaid. It’s a Lionsgate release that’s been a massive sleeper hit, crossing $200 million worldwide mostly through word of mouth.
For the home bodies, The Rip on Netflix is the easiest recommendation. It’s Damon, Affleck, and a pile of stolen cash. You can’t really lose there.
Actionable Insights for Movie Fans:
- Check for IMAX Screenings Early: Avatar is hogging the premium screens. If you want a good seat for a weekend show, you still have to book 2-3 days in advance.
- Look for the "A24" Stamp: Marty Supreme is currently in theaters and is set to become A24’s highest-grossing film ever. If you like Timothée Chalamet (and who doesn't?), this is your play.
- Audit Your Subscriptions: Between Peacock getting the Yorgos Lanthimos exclusives and Max grabbing the Safdie brothers' work, the "Best" streaming service changes monthly. If you only have Netflix, you’re missing the weirdest stuff.
- Follow the Critics on Letterboxd: The gap between "Rotten Tomatoes" scores and what people actually like is widening. Check the community reviews for Primate before you buy a ticket; it’s a "love it or hate it" kind of film.
The industry is in a weird spot, but "whats in movies right now" is actually more diverse than it's been in years. We have the $2 billion sequels, but we also have the gritty biopics and the strange, experimental remakes. Pick your poison.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. It’s hitting theaters on January 16 and is expected to be the first major horror hit of the year. Cillian Murphy is producing, and the buzz is that it’s just as bleak as the original. Don't say I didn't warn you.