Happy New Year! As the holiday decorations come down, the excitement at the cinema is just starting. January 2026 is kicking off the year with a bang, offering everything from heart-pounding horror to colorful animated adventures.
In our guide, The Ultimate January 2026 Watchlist: 10 Movies You Can’t Miss This Month, we’ve rounded up the must-watch films hitting theaters and streaming platforms. Whether you want to solve a mystery with Sydney Sweeney or go on an underwater quest with SpongeBob, we have the perfect movie for you. Let’s dive into the best films of the month!
1. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Release: January 16, 2026
This is the big event for horror fans. Directed by Nia DaCosta, this sequel to the 2025 revival takes the “Rage Virus” to a terrifying new level. The story shifts focus from the infected to the “inhumanity of survivors,” exploring a world where the living are scarier than the monsters.
The Legend Reintroduced
The biggest news? Cillian Murphy officially returns as Jim! His appearance in the finale sets the stage for a massive third film. Meanwhile, we follow young Spike as he is drafted into a disturbing cult led by the psychopathic Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). It is a “weird and deranged” nightmare that is the crown jewel of January 2026 horror releases.
2. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Release: January 2, 2026
Are you ready, kids? SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends are embarking on their biggest cinematic event yet. In this all-new adventure, the gang sets sail to find the legendary Flying Dutchman in the deepest parts of the ocean.
Family Fun at the Cinema
With a cast that includes the legendary Mark Hamill, this film is designed to be a “can’t-miss” event for all ages. It’s the perfect way to start the year with laughter and bright, colorful animation. For anyone looking for family animated movies 2026, this underwater quest is at the top of the list.
Infographic Concept: The January Movie Mood Map
A visual chart showing movies categorized by “Vibe”—from Scared (28 Years Later) and Laughing (SpongeBob) to Intense (The Rip).
Alt Text: The Ultimate January 2026 Watchlist: 10 Movies You Can’t Miss This Month Mood Guide.
3. The Rip (Netflix Original)
Release: January 16, 2026
Real-life best friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for the first time since Good Will Hunting for this gritty 24-hour thriller on Netflix. Directed by Joe Carnahan, it takes cues from classic ’70s cop dramas.
A Tense Police Crisis
The story follows a Miami police unit whose lives are shattered by an explosive discovery. As tensions rise and officers grow suspicious of one another, the film explores themes of trust and betrayal. This is the must-watch Netflix thriller of January 2026, also starring Steven Yeun and Sasha Calle.
4. Greenland: Migration
Release: January 9, 2026
Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return for the sequel to the hit disaster film Greenland. After surviving the comet strike in a bunker, the Garrity family must finally step out into a world forever reshaped by devastation.
A Perilous Survival Odyssey
The family must embark on a dangerous journey across the frozen wasteland of Europe to find a new permanent home. It is a gripping, emotionally charged sci-fi survival sequel that focuses on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of an apocalypse.
Quick Takeaways
- Biggest Sequel: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple brings back Cillian Murphy.
- Best for Kids: The SpongeBob Movie is the month’s top family choice.
- Star Power: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team up on Netflix in The Rip.
- Thriller of the Month: Sydney Sweeney leads the twisted mystery The Housemaid.
- Patriotic Heroism: Ikkis tells the true story of India’s youngest war hero.
5. The Housemaid
Release: January 2, 2026
Directed by Paul Feig, this psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. Based on a bestselling book, it offers a “glossy, twisted, and unapologetically wild” look at the secrets hidden within a wealthy suburban home.
Suburban Secrets
Sweeney plays a struggling woman who finds work as a housemaid for a rich couple, but she soon realizes the “perfect” family has preposterous and dark secrets. It’s the ultimate guilty-pleasure thriller for January 2026, thriving on shock and spectacle.
6. Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos
Release: January 15, 2026
This Indian comedy-drama stars Vir Das as a wannabe international spy. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Goa, the film promises humor, sentiment, and mass entertainment for the festive holidays.
The Big Comeback
A major talking point of this film is the return of actor Imran Khan after a long hiatus. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, this Bollywood comedy release 2026 is expected to be a major crowd-puller during the Sankranti festival season.
7. Ikkis
Release: January 1, 2026
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is a patriotic biopic based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. It stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role.
A Tribute to Bravery
The film is extra emotional as it marks the final movie role of the legendary Dharmendra. It is a powerful story of courage and sacrifice that is the perfect way to start the year with a sense of pride and inspiration.
Conclusion: A Blockbuster Start to 2026
As we’ve seen in The Ultimate January 2026 Watchlist: 10 Movies You Can’t Miss This Month, the new year is wasting no time delivering high-quality entertainment. From the apocalyptic tension of The Bone Temple to the high-stakes cop drama of The Rip, January is a month of legends returning and new stories beginning. Whether you’re heading to the multiplex or settling in on the couch, 2026 is already shaping up to be a historic year for movie lovers.
Which Movie is on Top of Your List?
Are you team SpongeBob or team Cillian Murphy this month? Tell us in the comments! And don’t forget to share this watchlist with your favorite movie buddies!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Cillian Murphy in the new 28 Years Later movie? Yes! He reprises his role as Jim in the finale of The Bone Temple to set up the third film.
2. When does The Rip release on Netflix? The Rip, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, premieres worldwide on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
3. What is the plot of Greenland 2? Greenland: Migration follows the Garrity family as they leave their bunker to find a new home in a devastated world.
4. Is Happy Patel suitable for families? Yes, it is a Bollywood comedy-drama designed for mass entertainment during the festival holidays.
5. What happened to the movie SOULM8TE? As of late December 2025, SOULM8TE was pulled from its original January release schedule as the studio seeks a new distributor.
References & Citations:
1. Financial Express: Most Awaited Hollywood Releases of 2026
2. Wikipedia: 28 Years Later – The Bone Temple Plot & Cast
3. Gadgets 360: The Rip Netflix Release Date & Details
4. India Today: The Housemaid Reviews & Release Info