The Most Anticipated Movies of January 2026

The cinematic landscape of 2026 begins with a diverse selection of high profile releases ranging from survival sequels to romantic adaptations. January serves as a launching pad for several major studio productions and highly anticipated streaming titles that aim to draw audiences back to screens after the holiday season. Viewers can expect a mix of intense horror and gripping crime thrillers alongside lighthearted stories from acclaimed directors. This selection of films highlights the variety of genres that will define the early part of the movie calendar for the year.

‘Greenland 2: Migration’ (2026)

Lionsgate brings the survival saga back to theaters on January 9, 2026 with ‘Greenland 2 Migration’ featuring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin. This sequel follows the Garrity family as they leave their Greenland bunker to travel across a frozen and decimated European landscape. Director Ric Roman Waugh returns to helm the project which explores the challenges of finding a new home in a post apocalyptic world. The story continues the intense journey established in the first film while introducing new threats in the aftermath of the comet impact.

‘People We Meet on Vacation’ (2026)

‘People We Meet on Vacation’ arrives on Netflix on January 9, 2026 as an adaptation of the best selling novel by Emily Henry. Director Brett Haley tells the story of two polar opposite best friends played by Emily Bader and Tom Blyth who reunite for a final summer trip. Their annual tradition of vacationing together faces a turning point as they confront long standing feelings and the potential for a romantic future. The film features a supporting cast that includes Sarah Catherine Hook and Jameela Jamil to round out this anticipated romantic comedy.

’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ (2026)

Director Nia DaCosta leads the second installment of the new horror trilogy with ’28 Years Later The Bone Temple’ releasing on January 16, 2026. This film serves as a direct sequel to the 2025 revival and stars Ralph Fiennes alongside Jack O’Connell and Alfie Williams. The plot expands the lore of the rage virus by examining the state of humanity decades after the initial outbreak first depicted in the original 2002 movie. While Cillian Murphy remains a producer on the project his potential appearance on screen has generated significant interest among franchise fans.

‘The Rip’ (2026)

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for the high stakes crime thriller ‘The Rip’ which debuts on Netflix on January 16, 2026. Directed by Joe Carnahan the story centers on a group of Miami police officers who find a massive amount of cash in a secluded stash house. Conflict arises within the team as greed and outside pressures threaten to destroy their trust and professional lives. This project marks another major collaboration for the longtime creative partners and highlights the tension of a heist gone wrong.

‘Send Help’ (2026)

‘Send Help’ is a psychological survival thriller directed by Sam Raimi that is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 30, 2026. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star as coworkers who find themselves the only survivors of a devastating plane crash on a remote island. The survivors must overcome their personal animosity and the harsh environment to stay alive in this intense character study. Raimi brings his signature tension and visual style to this story of isolation and human endurance in extreme circumstances.

Tell us which of these January 2026 releases you are most excited to watch in the comments.