New movies are ready to enthral and entertain you throughout 2026 – and this year is wasting no time in giving us unmissable films to check out.
Admittedly, things are a little on the slow side release-wise in the US, with Greenland 2: Migration and Primate being the only notable releases this weekend (January 9-11). Meanwhile, international cinephiles in have also got some new flicks to watch at their local multiplex or independent theater, including award winner Hamnet.
New movies: January
Hamnet
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Release date: out now (US and UK); January 15 (Australia)
After making its initial theatrical debut in the US late last year, this award-winning period drama, which primarily focuses on Shakespeare’s wife Agnes, has landed in UK cinemas.
Led by tour de force performances from Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, Hamnet tells the tale of William Shakespeare and his wife, and the tragic events that inspired the former’s timeless classic play ‘Hamlet’. Directed by multi-award winner Chloe Zhao, Hamnet is more than worthy of the gongs it’s picked up on the 2026 awards circuit thus far. See it ASAP.
Greenland 2: Migration
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Release date: out now (worldwide)
An incredibly topical release given current world events surrounding the autonomous Danish territory. The sequel to the 2020 Gerard Butler-starring disaster film has – as expected – been met with a mixed critical reception, with the flick currently sitting at 56% on RT.
Still, if you’re after an easy watch to pass the time this weekend, Greenland 2: Migration fits the bill. Set a decade after its predecessor, it reunites us with the Garrity family as they leave the safety of their Greenland-based bunker to embark on a perilous journey in search of a new home.
Primate
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Release date: out now (US); January 22 (Australia); January 30 (UK)
2026 hasn’t made us wait long for its first horror movie. This Lionsgate-funded endeavor, which stars Johnny Sequoyah and Jessica Alexander among others, is Cujo in all but name. Sure, it features a chimpanzee, rather than a dog, that *ahem* goes ape after being bitten by a rabid animal, but it doesn’t seem to do anything unusual throughout its 90-minute runtime.
Surprisingly, though, Primate currently holds a 78% RT critical score, so maybe I’m being too harsh on it…
It Was Just An Accident
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Release date: out now (worldwide)
A mystery thriller-drama that critics have raved about since its October 2025 launch stateside (it’s currently sat at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes (RT)), It Was Just An Accident is leading the foreign film charge during this year’s awards season.
The Jafar Panahi-directed film tells the tale of Vahid, a mechanic who unexpectedly encounters the man who may have tortured him in prison. So, Vahid does whatever right-minded person would do: kidnap said individual in order to seek retribution. Things quickly spiral out of control from there. One for film purists and general audiences alike to stick on their ‘must-see’ list.
Christy
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Release date: out now (worldwide)
A sports biopic that’s finally out in Australia, Christy sees Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney portray former professional boxer Christy Martin. Christy chronicles the titular ring-based athlete’s rise through the rankings in the 1990s and apparently culminate in her husband’s failed attempt to murder her in 2010.
Christy currently holds 67% critical and 96% audience ratings on RT but, as we know from one of last year’s biggest duds in The Smashing Machine, good reviews for sports biopics don’t always translate into box office success. And, given Christy debuted with one of the worst box-office takings of 2025, it’s not been as successful as people might have hoped.
No Other Choice
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Release date: out now (US); January 15 (Australia); January 23 (UK)
Fresh from playing Front Man in Squid Game on Netflix, No Other Choice sees Lee Byung-hun portray Yoo Man-su, a paper industry expert who’s struggling to find work. Desperate for cash and to prove his worth to his judgmental family, Yoo does what any law-abiding citizen would do in his situation: kill off the competition.
One of the best-rated films of the year so far – No Other Choice holds 98% critical and 93% audience scores on RT – this satirical black comedy thriller is one of 2026’s new movies you won’t want to miss, especially if you loved Parasite.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
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Release date: January 14 (UK); January 15 (Australia; January 16 (US)
The much anticipated sequel to last year’s 28 Years Later flick, The Bone Temple will continue the story that its forebear began to tell.
This time around, the focus is shifted to Ralph Fiennes’ Doctor Kelson, who makes a startling discovery about those infected by the ever-evolving Rage virus. Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) crosses paths with the menacing Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his cult-like followers, which results in its own nightmare scenario for the young lad. One of January’s new movies that, depending on how successful it is, will finally reunite us with franchise star Cillian Murphy in a potential threequel.
The History of Sound
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Release date: out now (US); January 15 (Australia); January 23 (UK)
The second Paul Mescal-starring film to drop this month – in the UK and Australia, anyway – The History of Sound tells the tale of Lionel (Mescal) and David (Josh O’Connor), who develop a deep bond over their shared love for folk music.
Following their first encounter at Boston Conservatory, the pair embark on a cross-state trip years later to collect traditional songs. Audiences have enjoyed this queer love story more (89% on RT) than critics (69%) have, so why not decide which camp you fall into when one of January’s new movies is released where you live?
Rental Family
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Release date: out now (US and Australia); January 16 (UK)
Before he reprises his breakout role as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy 4, Brendan Fraser continues to enthral audiences on his overdue comeback tour in Rental Family.
The Searchlight Pictures flick sees Fraser play Philip Vanderploeg, a struggling US actor who’s hired by the titular firm to portray stand-in family members and friends for strangers. Cue a tender tale as Vanderploeg learns what it means to be human and that there’s more to life than just work. With 88% critical and 96% audience scores on RT, Rental Family is yet another example of Fraser’s natural acting capabilities and deserved leading man status.
Marty Supreme
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Release date: out now (US and UK); January 22 (Australia)
Considered by many to be Timothée Chalamet’s next chance to win a Best Actor Academy Award – he’s already secured a Critics’ Choice gong for this film – this Josh Safdie-directed sports drama, which currently holds a 94% RT critical score, was the last A24 movie released in 2025 apart from Australia, which it’ll soon premiere in.
In it, Chalamet plays US table tennis player Marty Mauser, an individual loosely inspired by real-life ping pong champion Marty Reisman, who’ll stop at nothing in the pursuit of greatness. Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Okonma, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Abel Ferrera are among its ensemble cast.
Mercy
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Release date: January 22 (Australia); January 23 (US and UK)
Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson team up for this Amazon MGM Studios sci-fi flick that, in my view, has the makings of being another effects-heavy dud along the lines of Prime Video’s abject War of the Worlds remake.
Pratt plays Detective Chris Raven, who’s put on trial after he’s accused of murdering his own wife. The twist? Raven has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to a highly-advanced artificial intelligence judge (Ferguson) he once championed, otherwise it’s game over.
H is for Hawk
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Release date: January 23 (US and UK); TBC (Australia)
Based on Helen Macdonald’s 2014 memoir namesake, H is for Hawk stars Clare Foy as the writer and naturalist, who formed a close bond with a goshawk following the death of her father.
With a mostly positive critical rating on RT – as of January 9, it’s sat on 75% – H is for Hawk appears to be a soaring and emotional film that’s worth seeing, even if it doesn’t pull up any trees at the worldwide box office.
Blue Moon
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Release date: out now (US and UK); January 29 (Australia)
An Ethan Hawke-starring flick that’s gone down well with fans (77% on RT) and critics (90%) alike and earned its fair share of award nominations, Blue Moon sees the aforementioned A-lister play legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart.
On the eve of the opening night of the ground-breaking hit musical ‘Oklahoma!’, which his former collaborator Richard Rodgers created, Hart is forced to face his shattered self-confidence and reflect on his own career in Sardi’s bar. Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott also star.
Is This Thing On?
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Release date: out now (US); January 30 (UK); February 5 (Australia)
The latest feature directed by Bradley Cooper, Is This Thing On? is a comedy-drama stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as Alex and Tess. Reaching an amicable end of their lengthy marriage, Alex finds solace and company in the New York comedy scene, while Tess confronts the sacrifices she made to wed her former beau.
Critics and fans are in full agreement over Is This Thing On?, with its 85% and 89% RT ratings bearing testament to its entertaining and heartfelt tale.
Want more new movies recommendations? Our new Netflix movies, new HBO Max movies, new Prime Video movies, and new Disney+ movies lists are full of streaming-based suggestions for a night at home instead.
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