January. It’s that time of year when the festive cheer has been packed away, the weather is resolutely grey, and the cinematic landscape, traditionally, becomes a dumping ground for the films studios have little faith in. It’s the ‘January curse,’ where the high-quality prestige pictures have just finished their December award-qualifying runs and the summer blockbusters are months away. But for those of us who live and breathe cinema, the first month of 2026 is set to break that mould entirely, offering a phenomenal slate of must-see releases that demand we shake off the New Year’s lethargy and head straight to the picture house.
If 2025 was a year of gentle recovery for the industry, January 2026 is poised to be a month of confident statement-making. We’ve got high-octane sequels, much-anticipated literary adaptations, and a sprinkling of the best in independent genre cinema. This is less of a post-Christmas slump and more of a starting pistol for a year of genuinely thrilling releases.
The first massive date circled in red on my calendar is Friday, January 16th, which sees the arrival of a sequel that has been talked about for what feels like an eternity: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The third chapter in one of the most beloved British horror franchises, this instalment promises to take the terrifying ‘Infected’ narrative into a startling new direction. While details are, quite rightly, being kept under lock and key, the pedigree of the creative team suggests a return to the visceral, heart-stopping tension that made the originals modern classics. This is a film you simply must see on the biggest, loudest screen you can find. It’s the kind of cinema that seizes you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final credit rolls.
Another high-stakes sequel is landing just a week earlier on January 9th. For those who enjoy their adrenaline rushes with a side of global disaster, Greenland 2: Migration continues the journey of the Garrity family as they navigate a ravaged world. The original was a surprisingly intimate and grounded take on the cataclysm genre, focusing on human connection over special effects spectacle, and the migration element in this follow-up suggests a wider scope and an even more emotionally resonant story. It’s a sure-fire bet for anyone needing their fix of large-scale action drama early in the year.
The January 23rd slot is reserved for genre devotees with the UK release of Return to Silent Hill. The atmospheric dread of the classic Konami source material has always translated well to the big screen, and with the new team promising a deep dive back into the psychological horror that made the games so compelling, this is a film that could truly define the month’s horror output. It’s one for the cinephiles who appreciate atmosphere and genuine terror over simple jump scares.
The first month of the year is also when many of the big US festivals and late 2025 releases finally make their way across the Atlantic, meaning we in the UK often get treated to films that are already attracting serious awards chatter. The clear heavyweight champion in this category is Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Hamnet, arriving on January 9th.
This film, which looks at the life of William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes Hathaway, and the devastating loss of their son, has generated immense buzz. Starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, Zhao’s signature contemplative, visually stunning filmmaking style is expected to be a perfect match for the deeply emotional and historical material. This is cinema as art—a profound exploration of grief, creation, and enduring love. It promises to be a gorgeous, moving picture that will likely be dominating the conversation right up until the BAFTAs.
Adding to the prestige line-up, the latter half of the month brings Mercy on January 23rd. While details are still emerging, this major studio fantasy-drama is tipped as a visual masterpiece, bringing together a stellar cast for a tale that looks to be part mythological epic, part contemporary character study. Expect grand scale and complex themes—the perfect counterpoint to the January gloom.
What makes a cinema calendar truly great is the depth of its offerings, and January 2026 is rich with fascinating smaller titles. Kicking off the month on January 1st, alongside the intriguing release of Saipan, is Song Sung Blue, a title that suggests a more intimate, perhaps British-centric drama. New Year’s Day releases often carry a quiet confidence, and this could well be the unassuming gem that catches everyone by surprise.
For the genre enthusiasts, the AI horror picture SOULM8TE on January 9th looks set to tap into modern anxieties. Following a man who acquires an Artificial Intelligence android that goes lethally wrong, this is a James Wan-produced thriller that promises to be a slick, sharp exploration of loss and technology. It’s exactly the kind of smart, scary genre picture that flourishes early in the year.
Meanwhile, the documentary landscape is well-represented, with Altitude Film Distribution bringing the important The Voice of Hind Rajab to cinemas on January 16th. These releases are often the most urgent and thought-provoking, and this one looks certain to offer a powerful, essential viewing experience that shines a light on vital global issues. We also see the arthouse distributor MUBI bringing the critically acclaimed No Other Choice on the 23rd, ensuring that there is no shortage of challenging and diverse international cinema for those who seek it.
Finally, a nostalgic treat: January 16th also sees a limited re-release of a stone-cold classic, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. There is simply no substitute for seeing Peter Jackson’s sprawling epic on the big screen, where it belongs. It’s a welcome reminder of the shared, immersive joy of the cinema experience.
In short, 2026 is starting with a bang. This January, don’t stay in. From the high drama of Hamnet to the terrifying spectacle of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the UK film slate is bursting with reasons to grab a ticket. Get out there and support the big screen—you won’t regret it.
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