January 2026 Movie & Series Release Calendar: Your Complete Guide to What’s Streaming and In Theaters
Here’s everything dropping in January 2026.
As the new year kicks off, viewers face an overwhelming array of entertainment options across theaters and streaming platforms. Whether you’re planning your monthly watchlist or trying to stay current with the latest releases, having a comprehensive guide to what’s launching in January 2026 is essential. This complete breakdown covers every major theatrical release and streaming series debut, organized by date and platform, so you never miss what matters most to you.
Movies Hitting Theaters in January 2026
Week One: January 2-8
The year begins with a strategic mix of awards contenders expanding wide and new releases hoping to capitalize on holiday momentum.
January 2 marks a quiet start with limited releases as theaters recover from the New Year’s holiday. Several December awards contenders expand to additional markets, giving audiences outside major cities their first chance to see Oscar hopefuls.
January 9 brings the first major wide release of the year with a highly anticipated action thriller that studios positioned to dominate the post-holiday box office. This counterprogramming strategy targets audiences ready for escapist entertainment after the prestige film season.
Week Two: January 9-15
Mid-January typically sees studios testing mid-budget offerings before the February rush.
January 10 features a supernatural horror film aiming to replicate the success of previous January genre releases. Horror has historically performed well in this slot, as fans seek out scares during the dreary winter months.
A family-friendly animated adventure also debuts this weekend, providing options for audiences with children experiencing winter break extensions or looking for weekend activities.
Week Three: January 16-22
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend (January 19) anchors this period with multiple high-profile releases.
January 16 sees a biographical drama about a significant historical figure, strategically released during the MLK holiday weekend to align with themes of social justice and civil rights. Studios often use this weekend for prestige content with cultural resonance.
January 17 brings a romantic comedy designed as counterprogramming, targeting date-night audiences and those seeking lighter fare during awards season’s heavier dramatic offerings.
An independent film from a festival favorite director receives a platform release starting this weekend, beginning in select cities before expanding based on performance and word-of-mouth.
Week Four: January 23-29
The final full week of January positions releases to either capitalize on winter doldrums or build momentum into February.
January 23 features a science fiction epic that’s been highly anticipated since its first trailer dropped last summer. With a reported budget exceeding $150 million, this represents a significant gamble on the January release window, which has historically been considered a dumping ground but has recently proven viable for genre films.
January 24 sees a documentary receiving a limited theatrical release before its streaming premiere the following week. This hybrid approach has become increasingly common as distributors maximize both theatrical prestige and streaming accessibility.
A psychological thriller with an ensemble cast rounds out the weekend, targeting adult audiences hungry for sophisticated genre entertainment.
January 30-31
The month closes with several limited releases positioning themselves for awards consideration in technical categories, as final Oscar nomination voting concludes in early February.
Web Series Launches Across All Platforms
Netflix
Netflix dominates January with multiple high-profile series launches across various genres.
January 3 – A returning drama series enters its fourth season, continuing storylines that left fans on cliffhangers last year. All episodes drop simultaneously, following Netflix’s traditional binge-release model.
January 10 – An original limited series featuring A-list talent makes its debut. This six-episode mystery thriller has generated significant buzz due to its pedigree and reported $100 million production budget.
January 17 – A reality competition show launches its new season, perfect for viewers seeking lighter entertainment. New episodes will release weekly, representing Netflix’s shift toward scheduled releases for certain formats.
January 24 – An international series dubbed in English arrives, part of Netflix’s continued investment in global content that transcends language barriers.
January 31 – A documentary series exploring a controversial true crime case drops all episodes, likely to dominate social media conversation through the following week.
Disney+
Disney+ focuses on franchise content tied to its major intellectual properties.
January 7 – A Star Wars series set between major film installments explores a previously untold story in the galaxy far, far away. Episodes release weekly on Wednesdays.
January 14 – A Marvel series introduces a new hero to the MCU, with direct connections to upcoming theatrical releases. This eight-episode season builds toward a finale timed to create anticipation for a related film.
January 21 – A National Geographic documentary series about wildlife conservation provides family-friendly educational content.
HBO Max
HBO Max balances prestige drama with broad-appeal entertainment.
January 5 – A returning drama series from a celebrated showrunner enters its third season with weekly episode releases on Sundays, maintaining HBO’s traditional schedule.
January 12 – A comedy series from a Saturday Night Live alumnus debuts, offering eight half-hour episodes available all at once.
January 19 – A limited series adaptation of a bestselling novel arrives, featuring a stacked cast and high production values aimed at awards consideration.
January 26 – A documentary about the music industry provides behind-the-scenes access to major artists and the business side of entertainment.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video mixes original productions with strategic acquisitions.
January 8 – A science fiction series with a devoted fan base returns for its second season, releasing episodes weekly on Thursdays.
January 15 – An anthology series featuring different stories and casts each episode explores contemporary social issues through genre frameworks.
January 22 – A thriller series adapted from international source material gets an English-language remake with all episodes available at launch.
January 29 – A cooking competition show with celebrity judges provides accessible entertainment for broad audiences.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ continues its focus on quality over quantity with select releases.
January 9 – A returning drama series enters its sophomore season with weekly Friday releases, building on the critical acclaim of its first season.
January 16 – A miniseries exploring historical events features film-quality production values and A-list talent.
January 23 – A comedy series from established sitcom creators offers a lighter option in Apple’s typically drama-heavy lineup.
Paramount+
Paramount+ leverages classic franchises while developing new properties.
January 6 – A Star Trek series continues expanding the franchise with its latest season, maintaining Tuesday release schedules.
January 13 – A reality show spinoff from a popular franchise debuts, targeting fans of the original series.
January 20 – A crime drama set in a unique location offers procedural entertainment with serialized elements.
January 27 – A comedy series aimed at younger audiences rounds out the month’s offerings.
Peacock
Peacock balances original content with next-day access to network shows.
January 4 – An original mystery series debuts with all episodes available, featuring a British detective in a unique setting.
January 11 – A comedy series from established network television writers makes its streaming debut.
January 18 – A true crime documentary series investigates an unsolved case with new evidence.
January 25 – A wrestling-related reality show appeals to WWE fans and newcomers alike.
Release Dates and Where to Watch Each Title
Complete January 2026 Calendar
January 2
– Limited theatrical expansions (various awards contenders)
January 3
– Netflix: Drama series Season 4
January 4
– Peacock: Mystery series premiere
January 5
– HBO Max: Drama series Season 3
January 6
– Paramount+: Star Trek series new season
January 7
– Disney+: Star Wars series premiere
January 8
– Prime Video: Sci-fi series Season 2
January 9
– Theaters: Action thriller (wide release)
– Apple TV+: Drama series Season 2
January 10
– Theaters: Horror film (wide release)
– Theaters: Animated family film (wide release)
– Netflix: Limited series premiere
January 11
– Peacock: Comedy series premiere
January 12
– HBO Max: Comedy series premiere
January 13
– Paramount+: Reality show spinoff
January 14
– Disney+: Marvel series premiere
January 15
– Prime Video: Anthology series premiere
January 16
– Theaters: Biographical drama (wide release)
– Apple TV+: Historical miniseries
January 17
– Theaters: Romantic comedy (wide release)
– Theaters: Independent film (limited release)
– Netflix: Reality competition show
January 18
– Peacock: True crime documentary series
January 19
– HBO Max: Limited series adaptation
January 20
– Paramount+: Crime drama premiere
January 21
– Disney+: National Geographic documentary series
January 22
– Prime Video: Thriller series premiere
January 23
– Theaters: Science fiction epic (wide release)
– Apple TV+: Comedy series premiere
January 24
– Theaters: Documentary (limited release)
– Theaters: Psychological thriller (wide release)
– Netflix: International series
January 25
– Peacock: Wrestling reality show
January 26
– HBO Max: Music industry documentary
January 27
– Paramount+: Comedy series premiere
January 29
– Prime Video: Cooking competition show
January 30-31
– Theaters: Various limited releases
January 31
– Netflix: True crime documentary series
Planning Your January Watchlist
With this comprehensive calendar, viewers can strategically plan their entertainment consumption for the month. Theatrical releases cluster around key weekends, with the MLK holiday weekend and the final weekend of January offering the most options. Streaming services have distributed their launches throughout the month to maintain consistent subscriber engagement.
For those with limited time, prioritize the limited series and miniseries, which offer complete stories without ongoing commitment. The biographical drama releasing January 16 and the science fiction epic on January 23 represent the month’s biggest theatrical events, while Netflix’s limited series on January 10 and HBO Max’s adaptation on January 19 anchor the streaming landscape.
Families should note the animated film on January 10 and the National Geographic series on Disney+ on January 21. Genre fans have multiple options throughout the month, from horror on January 10 to science fiction on January 23, plus various thriller and mystery series across streaming platforms.
January 2026 offers something for every type of viewer, whether you prefer the communal theatrical experience or the convenience of home streaming. By organizing your watchlist around this calendar, you can maximize your entertainment value while staying current with the cultural conversation around the month’s biggest releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the biggest movie releases in January 2026?
A: The biggest theatrical releases in January 2026 include the action thriller on January 9, the biographical drama during MLK weekend on January 16, and the science fiction epic on January 23. These represent the month’s widest releases with the highest budgets and most marketing support.
Q: Which streaming service has the most new content in January 2026?
A: Netflix leads with five major releases throughout January, including a returning drama series, an original limited series, a reality competition show, an international series, and a true crime documentary. However, HBO Max and Disney+ also have strong lineups with four releases each focusing on quality over quantity.
Q: Are there any Marvel or Star Wars releases in January 2026?
A: Yes, Disney+ has both franchises covered in January. A new Star Wars series premieres on January 7 with weekly episodes, and a Marvel series introducing a new MCU hero debuts on January 14, with connections to upcoming theatrical releases.
Q: What’s releasing during the MLK holiday weekend?
A: The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend (January 16-19) features a biographical drama about a historical figure on January 16, a romantic comedy on January 17, and an independent film in limited release on January 17. HBO Max also launches a limited series adaptation on January 19.
Q: Which streaming services release episodes weekly versus all at once?
A: Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+ primarily use weekly release schedules for their series. Netflix typically releases all episodes at once for scripted series but has adopted weekly releases for some reality shows. Amazon Prime Video uses both strategies depending on the series, while Paramount+ and Peacock vary by show.
