The new year kicks off with a packed entertainment lineup, as January 2026 brings a mix of big-screen releases and highly anticipated streaming titles.
From creature features and animated adventures in cinemas to romance, action, and high-stakes thrillers on Netflix and Prime Video, here’s what to catch in the first month of 2026.
In Cinemas: January 2026 Releases
January 8
- “Anaconda” (Columbia Pictures) – Jack Black and Paul Rudd star as lifelong friends attempting to remake a classic film in the Amazon. Chaos ensues when a real giant anaconda turns their movie set into a deadly battleground.
- “SOULM8TE” (Universal Pictures) – A sci-fi thriller following a widower who creates a human-like AI soulmate, only to unleash unforeseen danger.
January 14
- “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” (Columbia Pictures) – A sequel expanding Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s universe, focusing on moral collapse and world-altering consequences.
- “The History of Sound” (Universal Pictures, Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusive) – A heartfelt story of two folk music lovers reconnecting in rural Maine, exploring tradition, music, and love.
- “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Paramount Pictures) – SpongeBob dives deeper into the ocean for his biggest adventure yet.
January 21
- “Primate” (Paramount Pictures) – A tropical vacation turns terrifying as friends face a primal threat.
- “The Legend of Hei 2” (Encore Films) – The animated sequel follows Xiaohei as he confronts new enemies and tests his growth.
January 28
- “Mercy” (Columbia Pictures) – In a near future, a detective has 90 minutes to convince an AI judge of his innocence before his fate is sealed.
Streaming on Netflix: January 2026 Highlights
Romance & Drama
- “Love from 9 to 5” (January 1) – Office politics and romance collide as two rivals compete for the top spot.
- “People We Meet on Vacation” (January 9) – Best friends revisit shared holidays and confront unresolved feelings.
- “The Boyfriend: Season 2” (January 13) – New romances bloom in snowy Hokkaido.
- “Bridgerton: Season 4 Part 1” (January 29) – Benedict Bridgerton’s views on love are challenged by a mysterious Lady in Silver.
- “Can This Love Be Translated?” (January 16) – A celebrity and her interpreter navigate romance across language barriers.
Series & Specials
- Stranger Things 5: The Finale (January 1) – Hawkins faces lockdown and Vecna one last time.
- Marcello Hernández: American Boy (January 7) – The SNL comedian shares stories about family and growing up Latino.
- Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials” (January 15) – A classic whodunit unfolds after a murder at a country house.
- “Free Bert” (January 22) – A messy dad and his outspoken family navigate a prestigious new school.
- “WWE” on Netflix – SmackDown (January 3), NXT (January 7), and Royal Rumble (January 31), plus weekly historic moments and live events.
Other must-watch titles: Land of Sin (Jan 2), Unlocked: A Jail Experiment Season 2 (Jan 7), HIS & HERS (Jan 8), Love Through a Prism (Jan 15), WWE: Unreal Season 2 (Jan 20), Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart (Jan 21), Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (Jan 22), Finding Her Edge (Jan 22).
Prime Video: January 2026 Highlights
Movies
- “She Rides Shotgun” (Jan 2) – Taron Egerton stars as a father on the run to protect his estranged daughter from a dangerous criminal gang.
- “Sigue Mi Voz (Follow My Voice)” (Jan 2) – A woman confined to her home wonders if she can fall for a radio host she’s never met.
- “Der Tiger” (January 2) – A German Tiger tank crew faces the psychological horrors of war during a secret mission.
- “Preparation for the Next Life” (January 19) – An Uyghur woman navigates NYC’s underground kitchens and a fateful encounter with a soldier.
- “The Wrecking Crew” (January 28) – Half-brothers reunite to uncover family secrets in this action-comedy set in Hawaii.
Series
- “Spring Fever” (January 5) – A rom-com about a closed-off teacher and her determined admirer in a rural town.
- “The Darwin Incident” (January 6) – A half-human, half-chimpanzee teenager navigates high school while an eco-terrorist group targets him.
- “Beast Games Season 2” (January 7) – 100 strongest competitors vs. 100 smartest minds battle for a $5M prize.
- “The Night Manager Season 2” (January 11) – Jonathan Pine returns to confront a Colombian arms conspiracy while navigating shifting allegiances.
- “Steal” (January 21) – A thrilling heist unfolds as an ordinary office worker is forced to steal billions with dangerous consequences.
—With Rosette Adel
