By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
With 2025 in the books, 2026 will look to be even better, starting with an assortment of horror films in January that will have adrenaline junkies chomping at the bit. There will also be a few dramas and action flicks worth taking note of, but for those seeking more family-oriented options or comedies or romances, then you’ll have to wait until next month. Let’s take a look at the month’s biggest theatrical releases.
January 2nd
Why not start the year off with an apocalyptic zombie film? “We Bury the Dead” is a new horror flick starring Daisy Ridley, who is desperately trying to establish an acting career post “Star Wars.” Australian filmmaker Zak Hilditch is looking to present a fresh take on the oversaturated zombie market, but unfortunately his creativity falls into a grave of boredom. Best to pay your respects elsewhere.
January 9th
Up next, another horror film. “Primate” is a modern attempt at the age-old monster movie type of style, but the premise is so ridiculously unrealistic, it is hard to imagine this will be worth seeing. It’s set in Hawaii, a state in which owning a chimpanzee is illegal and is also the only state in which there are no rabid animals. This film ignores both these facts, so your best bet will be to ignore the movie in turn.
Finally, here comes a film outside of the horror genre, although it is a sequel that nobody wanted. “Greenland 2: Migration” is the action/sci-fi follow up to the 2020 disaster film, featuring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin returning to their respective roles to once again survive the out-of-whack elements. Look, it didn’t work the first time so don’t count on it working this time.
Leave it to Angel Studios to provide filmgoers with the best option this week. “I Was a Stranger” is a new drama inspired by the millions of stories from real immigrants, specifically from Syria, of people seeking safety from their war-torn county. This film follows five strangers whose lives intersect at a critical, life and death juncture. With Angel’s strong reputation and commitment to storytelling, this should be a no-brainer.
January 16th
The moment of dread is upon us as the sequel to last year’s most disappointing horror film enters theaters. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” seeks a box office rebound as Nia DaCosta takes over the directorial duties for Danny Boyle. However, this is the director responsible for “The Marvels,” one of the worst films ever created for the MCU, so do not expect a sudden influx of quality.
After making its rounds and picking up a bunch of praise in the film festival circuit throughout 2025, “Dead Man’s Wire” finally gets a theatrical release on this day. With two-time Oscar nominated director Gus Van Sant helming this production, and Bill Skarsgård in the lead role alongside the likes of Al Pacino and Colman Domingo, this period true crime drama could be one of better films this month.
January 23rd
If you want a big budget action film, then “Mercy” looks to be your only option this month. This is a sci-fi thriller with an interesting concept of an A.I. program specifically designed to analyze all evidence in a murder case and administer guilt, allowing the accused only 90 minutes to prove their innocence. Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson headline this production, but with a mediocre director, it’s best to wait for reviews before committing.
Next up is a drama that will try pulling on the heartstrings and is reminiscent of 2024’s “The Friend.” Instead of a dog, however, “H Is for Hawk” features a companionship with you guessed it, a hawk. Even though Claire Foy and Brendan Gleeson are two talented actors who star in this production, this film has the potential to be cloyingly predictable.
January 30th
The month ends the way it begins, with a horror film. “Send Help” seems to be more of the psychological type of horror as two work colleagues find themselves on a deserted island as the only survivors of a plane crash. It stars the always good Rachel McAdams along with Dylan O’Brien, and their opposing characters may be the perfect mix for this twisted tale. This film is directed by one of the genre’s legends, Sam Raimi, so you should expect it to be a wild ride at the very least.
