January 2026 is traditionally a quieter month at the box office, but this year brings a nice mix of theatrical releases and major streaming drops. Survival thrillers, psychological dramas, and Marvel’s most meta series yet are leading the pack. Here’s your complete preview of the biggest upcoming movies and series hitting screens in January 2026.
Greenland 2: Migration (Theatrical – January 9, 2026)
The most anticipated theatrical release of the month is Greenland 2: Migration, the sequel to the 2020 pandemic-era disaster hit starring Gerard Butler.
Quick Plot Tease (Spoiler-Free) Five years after the comet disaster, the Garrity family (Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis) must leave their Greenland bunker and cross a frozen, ruined Europe to reach a rumored safe zone. Expect brutal weather, desperate survivors, new threats, and high-stakes family survival.
Cast & Crew
- Gerard Butler – John Garrity
- Morena Baccarin – Allison Garrity
- Roman Griffin Davis – Nathan Garrity
- Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (same as the original)
Why It’s a Big Deal The first film earned $165 million worldwide during COVID restrictions. With normal theaters and sequel interest, Greenland 2 could open in the $25–35 million range domestically. Strong action and family drama make it the clear leader for January’s box office.
Mercy (Theatrical – January 9, 2026)
Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in this sci-fi thriller from Universal.
Quick Plot Tease A family on the run after a mysterious pandemic finds refuge in an underground bunker – but the real danger might be inside. Expect claustrophobic tension, moral dilemmas, and Pratt in full action mode.
Cast & Crew
- Chris Pratt
- Rebecca Ferguson
- Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)
Why Watch Pratt’s star power + Ferguson’s intensity + sci-fi mystery = solid January counter-programming. Early buzz suggests it could surprise like A Quiet Place did in a slow month.
Wonder Man – All Episodes Premiere (Disney+ – January 27, 2026)
Marvel Studios starts 2026 with its most unique series yet.
Quick Plot Tease Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon Williams, a struggling Hollywood actor who gains ionic powers after a freak accident. He becomes a stuntman by day and superhero by night – all while navigating fame and the MCU world.
Cast & Crew
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II – Simon Williams / Wonder Man
- Ben Kingsley – Trevor Slattery (returning from Iron Man 3 & Shang-Chi)
- Demetrius Grosse, Lauren Glazier, Josh Gad
- Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi)
Why It’s Huge All 10 episodes drop at once – perfect binge for the last weekend of January. The satirical Hollywood angle + Marvel action makes it stand out from typical MCU fare.
Other January 2026 Highlights
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (January 16) – Danny Boyle returns with rage virus sequel
- Return to Silent Hill (January 16) – horror game adaptation
- Iron Lung (limited) – Markiplier’s deep-sea horror
- Primate (limited) – creature feature
January 2026 Box Office & Streaming Outlook
Theatrical: Greenland 2 and Mercy lead a quieter month – both have potential to surprise. Streaming: Wonder Man is the biggest event – Disney+ subscribers will be locked in for the last weekend of January.
Which January release are you most excited for? Comment below!
