January 2026 Preview: Exclusive Sneak Peeks at 7 Thrilling Movies You Need to See

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As 2026 approaches, movie lovers have a lot to look forward to with new films coming out in January. While many enjoy seeing award-contending movies in December, January brings fresh cinematic experiences and gets us closer to the releases we’ve been eagerly awaiting.

7
‘We Bury the Dead’ – Jan. 2

I first really noticed Daisy Ridley as Rey in the Star Wars sequels, but she’s been steadily making a name for herself in action films for a while now. I enjoyed seeing her in movies like Chaos Walking, Magpie, and Cleaner – they felt a bit more grounded and really showed off her action chops. While Star Wars had some pretty intense villains, her new movie, We Bury the Dead, seems like it’s going to throw some truly terrifying challenges her way – it looks like she’s facing some of the biggest on-screen threats of her career!

Naomi Ridley plays a woman frantically searching for her husband following a disastrous military experiment that caused widespread death. The situation becomes even more terrifying when she discovers some of the bodies she’s looking through are starting to reanimate.

6
‘Dead Man’s Wire’ – Jan. 9

The impressive cast of Dead Man’s Wire – including [names of actors] and Myha’la – is a great reason to see the film. Plus, it’s the director’s first movie in five years! But the story itself is also compelling: it’s based on the true events surrounding the hostage situation perpetrated by Tony Kiritsis.

I remember hearing about this crazy case from the 70s! This guy, Kiritsis – played by Skarsgård – was facing foreclosure and things just spiraled out of control. He actually held his realtor, Richard O. Hall (Montgomery), hostage, and unbelievably, rigged a shotgun to his own head! What made it even more bizarre was that he’d call the local radio station during the whole thing, giving updates on what was happening. It was a really public hostage situation, and honestly, pretty shocking.

5
‘Greenland 2: Migration’ – Jan. 9

I was really surprised by how well Greenland did! It came out in 2020, but ended up being released for streaming instead of in theaters because of the pandemic. Even though people weren’t able to see Gerard Butler trying to save his family from an apocalypse on the big screen, the story really connected with viewers. That strong response is why we’re getting Greenland 2: Migration now – it’s great to see a film like that get a sequel!

The new movie picks up five years later, with John Garrity (Gerard Butler) leading his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin) and son Nathan (Roman Griffin Davis) out of their safe haven to start a new life. Both Butler and Baccarin reprise their roles, and the original director also returns.

4
‘Primate’ – Jan. 9

Director Brian Roberts has become known for taking simple ideas and turning them into surprisingly scary movies, like 47 Meters Down, 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, and The Strangers: Prey at Night. His films build tension relentlessly, starting with a basic concept and escalating into genuine horror. His latest, Primate, might be his most terrifying yet, exploring the dangers of keeping chimpanzees as pets and why some animals are best left in the wild.

In an exclusive interview with MovieWeb, director Roberts described the film as uniquely terrifying, saying he’s never experienced a movie that elicits such visceral reactions from an audience. He believes it’s best experienced in a theater, where the audience’s reactions become part of the film’s soundscape. Star Johnny Sequoyah agreed, calling Primate genuinely scary, surprisingly funny, and completely original. She shared that she was so frightened while watching the film – even watching herself perform – that she almost fell out of her seat! Despite being intense and frightening, she described it as a thrilling and enjoyable ride you won’t want to end.

Sequoyah further added what makes Primate the perfect experience that’s worth leaving your house for:

Primate is a film best seen in a theater – it’s the kind of movie that draws you into the experience alongside everyone else in the audience. People really react – they scream, laugh, and cheer – and it feels like a shared adventure where you’re all on the edge of your seats. It’s a powerful reminder of what makes going to the movies special. Some films thrive on a communal atmosphere, and Primate is definitely one of them – the energy of the crowd enhances the movie itself, making it a truly immersive experience.

3
’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ – Jan. 16

After years of anticipation, the sequel 28 Years Later was released in theaters earlier this year, and it exceeded expectations. What made the film particularly exciting was the knowledge that it’s just the beginning of a planned three-movie series, with the ending hinting at even greater scares to come in the next installment.

The upcoming movie continues the story of Spike (Alfie Williams) as he struggles to survive in a dangerous world. It will also explore the threat of Jimmy, a villain hinted at in the previous film through the discovery of bodies bearing the marks of his cruelty. The sequel features a new director, and the script, titled Bone Temple, has been written by a new writer.

2
‘Mercy’ – Jan. 23

Honestly, it feels like every day brings a new scary story about AI. And this latest one? It might just be the most unsettling thing I’ve seen all year. It really highlights how concerning this technology can be.

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In the near future, detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) is accused of his wife’s murder and put on trial by an AI judge. He has just 90 minutes to use all available technology to prove his innocence, or his fate will be decided. The film, Mercy, feels like a fast-paced blend of Minority Report and Dredd, condensed into a 90-minute thriller, and is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker behind Night Watch and Wanted.

1
‘Send Help’ – Jan. 30

Sam Raimi is known for iconic horror films like the Evil Dead trilogy and innovative movies such as Drag Me to Hell, The Gift, and Boogeyman. More recently, he’s focused on superhero projects like the Spider-Man trilogy and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, alongside producing other films. Send Help is Raimi’s return to horror after 2009’s The Possession, and early looks suggest it’s a genuinely exciting project.

Send Help tells the story of a quiet employee and her demanding boss who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. As they struggle to survive, their relationship dramatically changes, and it’s uncertain if they’ll both be able to escape.

Producer Zainab Azizi exclusively tells MovieWeb about Send Help:

Send Help isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience that truly draws you in. Director Sam expertly uses the screen to make you feel every moment of the characters’ desperate struggle for survival – it’s both thrilling and deeply affecting. The film is surprisingly funny, disturbing, and emotional, and it’s best enjoyed with an audience. It’s the kind of movie that creates a shared experience, leaving you and everyone else wondering what you just witnessed long after the credits roll.

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2025-12-29 18:38