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January 2026 is starting the year with an explosion of entertainment across all mediums. Whether you’re a cinephile, binge-watcher, or gamer, this month has something special waiting for you. From Sam Raimi’s survival thriller to the return of beloved TV series and major gaming updates, here’s your complete guide to what’s dropping this month.
Movies: Theatrical Releases & Streaming Debuts
January traditionally serves as a dumping ground for studios, but 2026 is breaking that mold with an impressive slate of releases that range from blockbuster sequels to intimate dramas.
Major Theatrical Releases
Greenland 2: Migration (January 9) kicks off the month with Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin returning to their post-apocalyptic survival saga. Picking up after the comet disaster from the first film, the Garrity family must navigate a frozen European wasteland to find a new home. Director Ric Roman Waugh brings back the tension-filled action that made the original a surprise hit.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (January 16) continues Danny Boyle’s zombie saga with director Nia DaCosta at the helm. Set decades after the original outbreak, this sequel promises to expand the horrifying world while potentially bringing back Cillian Murphy in a surprise cameo, though he’s confirmed as a producer.
Return to Silent Hill (January 23) brings the iconic horror franchise back to theaters after 20 years. Director Christophe Gans returns with a faithful adaptation of the beloved video game Silent Hill 2, starring Jeremy Irvine as James Sunderland, who receives a mysterious letter from his deceased love Mary that draws him back to the fog-shrouded town. The film features practical effects with dancers and acrobats in prosthetic makeup bringing the franchise’s nightmarish creatures to life, plus an original score from Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka.
Send Help (January 30) reunites director Sam Raimi with his horror-thriller roots. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star as stranded colleagues who must overcome their strained relationship to survive on a deserted island after a plane crash. Expect Raimi’s signature blend of tension and dark humor.
Netflix Originals
People We Meet on Vacation (January 9) adapts Emily Henry’s bestselling romance novel about best friends Poppy (Emily Bader) and Tom Blyth who spend summer vacations together and begin questioning if there’s something more to their relationship.
The Rip (January 16) brings Matt Damon and Ben Affleck together both in front of and behind the camera for this gritty crime thriller directed by Joe Carnahan. When Miami cops discover millions in cash in a stash house, trust begins to crumble as outside forces learn about the massive seizure.
TV Shows: New Premieres & Returning Favorites
January’s television landscape is packed with high-profile returns and intriguing new series across every platform.
New Series
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (January 18, HBO) takes viewers back to Westeros roughly 100 years before Game of Thrones. This prequel follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, offering a more lighthearted and character-driven story compared to House of the Dragon.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (January 15, Paramount+) boldly goes where no Trek series has gone before, focusing on cadets navigating both their personal challenges and rigorous training to reach the highest ranks of Starfleet.
The Beauty (January 21, FX) brings a horrifying twist to the concept of beauty with this Ryan Murphy-created series starring Jeremy Pope. When a sexually transmitted disease makes people unnaturally beautiful before killing them, society faces both temptation and terror.
Wonder Man (January 27, Disney+) launches Marvel’s 2026 slate with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as actor Simon Williams, who has superpowers but must keep them secret to land the role of Wonder Man in a Hollywood remake. Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery in this meta exploration of superhero storytelling.
Can’t-Miss Returns
Bridgerton Season 4 (January 29, Netflix) shifts focus to Benedict Bridgerton, who meets a mysterious “Lady in Silver” at the season’s masquerade ball. Based on Julia Quinn’s third novel, this adaptation promises all the Regency romance fans crave. The season will be released in two parts, with the second dropping February 26.
The Pitt Season 2 (January 8, HBO) continues following Dr. Martin Best’s medical drama in this Pittsburgh hospital series that won over critics in its first season.
Industry Season 4 (January 11, HBO) dives back into the high-stakes world of London finance with more cutthroat ambition and moral compromises.
Shrinking Season 3 (January 28, Apple TV+) brings back Jason Segel and Harrison Ford for more therapeutic breakthroughs and personal growth in this critically acclaimed comedy-drama.
Currently Streaming: What to Watch Right Now
If you’re all caught up on January’s new releases or just want something proven to binge, these five shows are dominating streaming platforms right now and are absolutely worth your time:
Fallout Season 2 (Prime Video) continues its weekly release schedule through February 4, taking Lucy and the Ghoul to New Vegas in this Emmy-winning post-apocalyptic video game adaptation. The series has amassed over 100 million viewers worldwide and earned a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score for its second season, which premiered in December and introduced the iconic New Vegas location from the games.
The Night Manager Season 2 (January 11, Prime Video) marks the long-awaited return of this Emmy and Golden Globe-winning spy thriller after nearly a decade. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Jonathan Pine, now living under the alias Alex Goodwin as a low-level MI6 officer.
His & Hers (Netflix) is the streaming service’s newest hit thriller. Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal star as estranged spouses a news reporter and detective who both investigate the same murder while suspecting each other. This six-episode limited series based on Alice Feeney’s novel has been beating even Stranger Things on the streaming charts since its January 8 premiere, earning praise for its twisty narrative and riveting performances.
Video Games: From Updates to awaited Sequels
While January is typically a quieter month for gaming, 2026 is starting strong with significant releases and updates across all platforms.
The Big Headlines
Hytale Early Access (January 13) finally arrives after years of anticipation. This sandbox adventure game from Hypixel Studios promises to blend Minecraft-style creativity with deeper RPG elements and has already surged to massive viewership on Twitch.
Code Vein 2 (January 29) brings anime-inspired souls-like action back to consoles and PC. This sequel serves as a soft reboot with new characters and setting, promising improved boss battles, deeper customization, and a more open world structure compared to the 2019 original.
Notable Releases
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (January 15, PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, PC) finally gets its English localization 18 months after its Japanese release. The thirteenth entry in this long-running RPG series continues the franchise’s tradition of deep storytelling and strategic combat.
Highguard (January 26) closed out The Game Awards 2025 with a bang. This PVP raid shooter comes from developers behind Titanfall and Apex Legends, featuring a unique art style and tight-looking gameplay mechanics.
Indie Gems to Watch
Pathologic 3 (January 9) brings narrative-driven survival horror back to PC, continuing the cult classic series known for its oppressive atmosphere and difficult moral choices.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (January 20) is a hand-drawn metroidvania from French indie developer Douze Dixièmes that impressed audiences with its vibrant artwork and fluid platforming.
Cairn (January 29, PS5 and PC) is a survival climbing adventure from The Game Bakers where you control professional climber Aava attempting to summit the unconquered Mount Kami. The game features realistic climbing mechanics with individual limb control, stamina management, and survival elements like foraging and equipment management.
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