There’s no shortage of wonderful films these days, and there are plenty of great new examples of a wonderful film releasing in January. Whether you’re a regular at the local multiplex or boutique theatre, or prefer watching films at home by renting or streaming the latest titles online, you have something to look forward to.
If you’ve lost track of what’s releasing amidst all the award season buzz or you’re simply curious about what’s in theatres this month, as well as what’s landing on streaming and VOD (video on demand — renting or buying on your platform of choice), these are all the films we’ll be watching throughout January.
Not keen on a movie runtime? Check out our guide to all the TV shows hitting streaming this month instead.
“Predator: Badlands”
“Predator: Badlands,” the first live-action “Predator” film from franchise custodian Dan Trachtenberg, hit theatres in November 2025 and is now available to rent or buy at home. The film, Trachentberg’s third since 2022’s “Prey”, stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as young Yautja hunter Dek, who travels to the most dangerous planet in the universe and meets the enigmatic Thia (Elle Fanning), who offers to help him hunt a deadly creature that all hunters fear.
Available on VOD and Digital now.
“People We Meet on Vacation”
Netflix’s first major film of 2026, “People We Meet on Vacation” is a globe-trotting story about friendship and entangled feelings between bookish Alex (Tom Blyth) and outgoing Poppy (Emily Bader), longtime friends who reunite every summer to travel together. After time apart, the two reunite for another trip that forces them to confront their unspoken feelings for each other.
Streaming on Netflix now.
“Eleanor the Great”
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great”, follows Eleanor Morgenstein (played by a sprightly June Squibb), a 94-year-old woman who moves from Florida to New York City after the death of her roommate, Bessie. What follows is a story of grief and memorialising those we’ve lost, sparked by Eleanor sharing Bessie’s story as a Holocaust survivor — a story that takes on a life of its own.
Available on VOD and Digital from January 14.
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
The fourth entry in the Rage saga is a direct sequel to Danny Boyle’s hauntingly memorable “28 Years Later”, one of the most divisive science fiction films of the decade. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”, on the other hand, is directed by Nia DaCosta and picks up immediately after its predecessor’s ending, with Spike (Alfie Williams) being inducted into the gang of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connor) and his gang of tracksuit-clad killers while Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) continues his studies of the Rage Virus, making a discovery that could change everything.
In theatres from January 15.
“Hamnet”
Directed by the award-winning Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet” is a feature film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name. It follows the highs and lows of the relationship between Agnes Hathaway (Jessie Buckley, who’s won at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes for the role) and legendary playwright William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), which is deeply shaken by the death of their son Hamnet — an event that would inspire Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy “Hamlet”.
In theatres January 15.
“The Rip”
Longtime friends and collaborators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck will reunite on screen in “The Rip”, a Netflix action film inspired by the true experiences of officers in the Miami Police Department — when a squad of officers uncovers a stash of $24 million and decides to split it among themselves, only to be hunted by outside forces while slowly turning on one another.
Streaming on Netflix January 16.
“Marty Supreme”
The latest award season frontrunning feather in the cinematic cap of industry darling Timothée Chalamet comes from director Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”). In this unconventional sports underdog story, Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a scrappy New York salesman with a dream to make it big…in professional ping pong. And, if you live in Sydney or Melbourne, you can see it in glorious 70mm.
In theatres January 22.
“Primate”
First there was Cujo — now meet Ben. A new addition to the horror subgenre of beloved household pets turning murderous, “Primate” centres on a family on a tropical holiday that comes under attack when their own pet chimpanzee, Ben, is bitten by something and quickly swaps cuddles for kills. Good old fashioned gory fun ensues.
In theatres January 22.
“The Secret Agent”
A standout at film festivals throughout 2025 and recent winner in award season, “The Secret Agent” is a slow-burning political thriller directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. Set during the political upheaval of a brutal military dictatorship in 1970s Brazil, the film stars Wagner Moura (“Narcos”) as Marcelo, a man attempting to escape authoritarianism and retreat to a coastal town in the hope of reconnecting with his family, while being pursued by forces from his past.
In theatres January 22.
“Caught Stealing”
Darren Aronofsky’s star-studded gangster movie is finally releasing this month on streaming. In “Caught Stealing”, Austin Butler stars as bartender Hank, who, along with his girlfriend Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), takes on a catsitting job for his punk neighbour Russ (Matt Smith). In doing so, he unwittingly gets caught in the middle of a war between Russian, Puerto Rican and Hebrew gangsters over a stash worth millions of dollars.
Streaming on Prime Video January 26.
“Send Help”
Power dynamics are at the heart of “Send Help”, the new sunbaked, bloodstained thriller from horror legend Sam Raimi. Combining “Misery,” “Lord of the Flies” and a dash of “Horrible Bosses”, the film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda, a meek employee stranded on a desert island after a plane crash with her arrogant boss, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien). In the office, he was about to fire her; now, injured and dependent on her, his survival may depend on whether they can work together — unless they kill each other first.
In theatres January 29.
“Blue Moon”
March 31, 1943. Theatre lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) has just watched “Oklahoma!”, the first production by his former collaborator Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) with a new partner, become a smash hit. Over the course of one night and several whiskeys, Hart laments his shattered self-confidence, yearns after a woman with eyes for another (Margaret Qualley), and faces his inner demons with the help of a thoughtful bartender (Bobby Cannavale).