January 2026 will be a slow month of movies in theaters, but there will still be some interesting movies to enjoy. 2025 was a great year for movies, with various hits across different genres and a couple of surprises (both good and bad). To close 2025, theaters welcomed Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Marty Supreme, among others, throughout December.
January is usually a slow month when it comes to theatrical releases, so it’s not surprising that 2026 is starting with a short list of movies. However, there are some interesting movies ready to hit theaters in January, such as a highly anticipated horror sequel, Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut, a new entry in a popular horror franchise, and more.
Primate
Primate Will Be Released On January 9, 2026
Primate is a natural horror movie directed by Johannes Roberts. Primate follows Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah), who returns home to Hawaii for summer break and reunites with her father, her sister, and their pet chimpanzee, Ben. Lucy and her friends decide to throw a party, but unbeknownst to them, Ben is bitten by a rabid animal.
Ben is no longer the gentle chimpanzee they knew, so Lucy and company must barricade themselves and work together to find a way to outsmart Ben and survive, as they also have no way of calling for help. Also starring in Primate are Jessica Alexander, Kae Alexander, and Troy Kotsur.
The Chronology of Water
The Chronology of Water Will Be Released On January 9, 2026
The Chronology of Water is a biographical psychological drama movie directed by Kristen Stewart in her feature film directorial debut. Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 book of the same name, The Chronology of Water is the story of Lidia Yuknavitch (Imogen Poots), a swimmer and Olympic hopeful who accepts a college swimming scholarship in Texas to escape her abusive home.
However, Lidia loses the scholarship, and she relocates, but her personal struggles and substance-use disorder continue, forcing her to re-evaluate her life and try new paths in different areas of her life. Also starring in The Chronology of Water are Thora Birch, Tim Sturridge, and Jim Belushi, among others.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Will Be Released On January 16, 2026
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a post-apocalyptic horror movie directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. A sequel to 28 Years Later, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple sees Spike (Alfie Williams) being inducted into the gang of killers of Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a discovery that could alter the world.
Also starring in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple are Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, and Cillian Murphy, who reprises his role as Jim from 28 Days Later.
A Private Life
A Private Life Will Be Released On January 16, 2026
A Private Life is a French black comedy mystery thriller movie directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. A Private Life tells the story of Lilian Steiner (Jodie Foster), a renowned psychiatrist. Steiner sets out to investigate the death of one of her patients, as she’s sure she was murdered.
Also starring in A Private Life are Daniel Auteuil, Virginie Efira, Mathieu Amalric, Vincent Lacoste, and Luana Bajrami. A Private Life had its world premiere at the out-of-competition section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Return to Silent Hill
Return to Silent Hill Will Be Released On January 23, 2026
The Silent Hill franchise is still alive, and it’s getting a new movie in 2026 with Return to Silent Hill. Directed by Christophe Gans, Return to Silent Hill follows James (Jeremy Irvine), who, after being separated from his soulmate, receives a mysterious letter that leads him back to the town of Silent Hill with hopes of finding her.
However, the town has changed due to the presence of a malevolent force, and James comes across terrifying creatures. Also starring in Return to Silent Hill are Hannah Emily Anderson and Evi Templeton. Return to Silent Hill is based on Konami’s Silent Hill 2 video game.
H Is For Hawk
H Is For Hawk Will Be Released On January 23, 2026
H Is For Hawk is a biographical drama movie directed by Philippa Lowthorpe and based on Helen Macdonald’s 2014 memoir. H Is For Hawk follows Helen (Claire Foy), who, after losing her father, finds herself saved by an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel.
Also starring in H Is For Hawk are Brendan Gleeson, Sam Spruell, Josh Dylan, and Denise Gough. H Is For Hawk had its premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival.
Send Help
Send Help Will Be Released On January 30, 2026
Send Help is a survival thriller directed by Sam Raimi. Send Help is the story of Linda (Rachel McAdams), who works for Bradley (Dylan O’Brien). While on a business trip, their plane crashes, and Linda and Bradley are the only survivors.
With Bradley injured and unable to walk, and Linda being a lot smarter, their roles flip, and now Linda is in charge, and they must find a way to survive, deal with each other, and find a way out. Also starring in Send Help are Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel, and Chris Pang.
The Moment
The Moment Will Be Released On January 30, 2026
The Moment is a mockumentary directed by Aidan Zamiri and starring Charlie XCX as a fictionalized version of herself. The Moment follows XCX as a rising pop star navigating fame, the music industry, and the pressure that comes with being a global star, while preparing for her arena tour debut.
Also starring in The Moment are Rosanna Arquette, Alexander Skarsgård, Kate Berlant, Jamie Demetriou, Rachel Sennott, and more. The Moment will premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.