January is traditionally one of the quietest months at the box office, but 2026 is shaping up to be a bit more exciting than usual. With the holiday rush fading, theaters will focus on survival thrillers, horror sequels, and smaller releases that could surprise. Two films stand out as the clear leaders: Greenland 2: Migration (January 9) and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (January 16). Here’s everything you need to know about the month ahead.
Greenland 2: Migration – The Big Disaster Sequel (January 9)
Gerard Butler returns as John Garrity in this direct follow-up to the 2020 comet-strike survival hit. The first film grossed $165 million worldwide during the pandemic – now the stakes are even higher.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free) Five years after the comet disaster, the Garrity family has survived in a Greenland bunker. But safety is temporary. They must leave and cross a frozen, ruined Europe to find a new safe zone. Expect brutal weather, desperate survivors, and new threats in a post-apocalyptic world.
Cast & Crew
- Gerard Butler as John Garrity
- Morena Baccarin as Allison Garrity
- Roman Griffin Davis as Nathan Garrity
- Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (same as the first film)
- Filmed in Iceland for authentic frozen landscapes
Box Office Expectations The original opened to $12.7 million domestically in a pandemic-limited market. With normal conditions and sequel interest, Greenland 2 could open in the $25–35 million range. Strong word-of-mouth and January’s lack of competition should give it good legs.
Why It Could Surprise Disaster movies perform well in early year – audiences love high-stakes survival. Butler’s action-hero draw and the first film’s solid fanbase make this a strong contender for January’s top spot.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – Danny Boyle’s Zombie Sequel (January 16)
The legendary zombie franchise returns with a fresh chapter 28 years after the rage virus outbreak. Directed by Danny Boyle (who helmed the original) and written by Alex Garland.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free) Set 28 years after the rage virus devastated the UK, the story follows survivors in a quarantined Britain. New characters face evolved threats from the infected – and possibly something even worse. The film promises a darker, more grounded tone than recent zombie films.
Cast & Crew
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Jodie Comer
- Ralph Fiennes
- Jack O’Connell
- Directed by Danny Boyle
- Written by Alex Garland
Box Office Expectations The original 28 Days Later (2002) was a low-budget indie hit ($82 million worldwide). The sequel could open in the $20–30 million range domestically. Strong reviews and Boyle/Garland’s reputation should drive word-of-mouth.
Why It Could Surprise Zombie fatigue is real, but this franchise has cult status. Boyle’s return and a fresh story could make it a sleeper hit – especially if reviews praise its intensity.
Other January 2026 Releases to Watch
- Mercy (January 9) – Chris Pratt & Rebecca Ferguson sci-fi thriller
- Return to Silent Hill (January 16) – Horror game adaptation
- Iron Lung (limited) – Markiplier’s indie horror
- Primate (limited) – Creature feature
January 2026 Box Office Outlook
January is usually slow, but Greenland 2 and 28 Years Later give it two solid genre leads. Both have strong casts, proven directors, and built-in fanbases. If reviews are solid, one (or both) could become surprise early-year hits.
Which January release are you most excited for? Drop your thoughts below!
