Movies and series not to be missed this January The new year kicks off with a bang on small and big screens
2026 has arrived, bringing with it a sea of films and TV series. It all begins, of course, with the most eagerly awaited finale of the start of the new year: the final episode that closes the most important Netflix phenomenon in the platform’s history, Stranger Things, which arrives in streaming on January 1 to inaugurate a 2026 dedicated to entertainment. Then come some long-awaited returns such as Bridgerton and The Night Manager, alongside new releases, from the sequel to 28 Years Later directed by Nia DaCosta to the film we will hear a lot about during awards season, namely Hamnet by Chloé Zhao.
Here, then, are the best cinema and streaming releases of January 2026.
Father Mother Sister Brother - in theaters from January 7
The much-discussed Golden Lion winner at the most recent Venice Film Festival arrives in theaters on January 7, 2026. Father Mother Sister Brother is the chapter-based work by Jim Jarmusch that explores family relationships with tenderness and humor through three episodes with a bittersweet aftertaste.
Les Échos du passé - in theaters from January 7
With her second feature film, Mascha Schilinski won over the Cannes Film Festival and secured a place among the most interesting European voices of 2025. Her Les Échos du passé unfolds within the folds of time, telling a story that moves back and forth between generations while always inhabiting the same space. A work that is both a journey and a strong emotional bond with its characters. One of the best directing achievements of the past year.
Her Truth - on Netflix from January 8
All of Netflix’s 2026 miniseries will have to measure themselves against the success achieved by Adolescence the previous year. The first to try to capture the audience’s attention is Her Truth, created by William Oldroyd, which tells the story of a murder case seen from various perspectives. The cast includes Tessa Thompson as a journalist and Jon Bernthal as a detective.
People We Meet on Vacation: A Love on Vacation - on Netflix from January 9
Based on the novel by Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation – A Love on Vacation is shaping up to be the new romantic pastime for Netflix subscribers. The book - and therefore the film - follows the story of Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, two friends whose travels will put their relationship at risk.
The Night Manager 2 - on Prime Video from January 11
The Night Manager returns with a second season, with Tom Hiddleston reprising the role of Jonathan Pine. The story is set eight years after the events of the previous season, with the protagonist now working as a low-profile MI6 agent in London and leading a more or less quiet life. Everything will change, however, when he learns of an arms-trafficking organization run by Colombian Teddy Dos Santos, played by Diego Calva of Babylon.
Palestine 36 - in theaters from January 14
Palestine 36 is a period film written and directed by Annemarie Jacir and set in Mandatory Palestine in 1936, a time when cities and villages began to rise up against the control of British colonial authorities. The film premiered worldwide at the Toronto International Film Festival and attempts to reconstruct a fundamental period in the history of the Levant region.
28 Years Later: The Temple of Bones - in theaters from January 14
After the explosive return of the 28 Days Later saga in 2025, marked by the release of 28 Years Later directed by Danny Boyle, the film series set in a zombie-ravaged world continues under the direction of Nia DaCosta with the sequel 28 Years Later – The Temple of Bones. Returning is Dr. Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, along with the young Spike portrayed by Alfie Williams, who will find himself plunged into a nightmare after encountering Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O’Connell.
The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie - on Netflix from January 15
Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, and Martin Freeman star in the miniseries The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie, based on the detective novel by the British writer published in 1929. The mystery unfolds in the 1920s during a single night in a country house, where laughter is abruptly silenced by a sudden murder that brings long-hidden truths back to the surface.
The Rip: Dirty Money - on Netflix from January 16
The inseparable duo Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunite in the cast of The Rip – Dirty Money, available on Netflix from January 16. The thriller focuses on a group of police officers and the discovery of an enormous sum of money that could shatter the trust among colleagues.
Steal: The Heist - on Prime Video from January 21
Six episodes for Steal – The Heist, the miniseries starring Sophie Turner of Game of Thrones. An employee finds herself at the center of the action when, on an ordinary day at pension fund investment firm Lochmill Capital, a gang of thieves storms the offices and forces the staff to carry out their orders.
Hamnet - in theaters from January 21
The poignant new film by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet, arrives in theaters on January 21, ready to strike straight at the soul and to show just how powerful and healing the force of art can be. The film stars Jesse Buckley and Paul Mescal, the latter playing William Shakespeare, who - together with his wife - is forced to confront one of the most devastating pains a human being can experience: the death of a child.
The Beauty - on Disney+ from January 22
Ryan Murphy tries again. One of the most prolific authors and producers in Hollywood, the creator of Glee and the recent All’s Fair, arrives on Disney+ with the series The Beauty, based on the graphic novel by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. The story unfolds in the world of high fashion, where several top models begin to die under horrifying circumstances. Two FBI agents are sent to Paris to uncover what is happening, until they come across a shadowy tech billionaire who has secretly created a miracle drug called The Beauty.
Gourou - in theaters from January 28
It always happens this way: the more one publicly claims to be a certain way, the more likely it is that they are actually the opposite. This is what happens in Gourou, directed by Yann Gozlan and starring Pierre Niney, Marion Barbeau, and Anthony Bajon. The film focuses on the rise of a personal development guru who is revealed to have a toxic personality.
The wrecking crew - on Prime Video from January 28
Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista form the new comedy-action duo in The wrecking crew, available on Prime Video from January 28. The half-brothers reunite after the mysterious death of their father, which sends them in search of the truth and uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy their family.
Wonder Man - on Disney+ from January 28
Quietly, and without much fanfare, a new Marvel series arrives on Disney+ on January 28 with all its episodes. It is Wonder Man, the story of Simon Williams, an aspiring Hollywood actor, and his encounter with director Von Kovak, who is working on a remake of a superhero film.
Shrinking 3 - on Apple TV+ from January 28
After closing the year with the explosive Pluribus, Apple TV+’s January 2026 continues with several returning series. From the second season of Hijack to the third of Tehran. But the standout is above all the third season of the dramedy Shrinking, created by Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, and Jason Segel, which affectionately and humorously explores the world of therapists.
Send Help - in theaters from January 28
Sam Raimi ventures into the survival genre, choosing Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as his leads. Send Help is a dark comedy in which two colleagues, once rivals, must work together when they find themselves alone on a deserted island following a plane crash.
Dreams - in theaters from January 28
Michel Franco is back to shake things up. The Mexican director arrives in theaters with Dreams, screened at the most recent Berlin Film Festival, once again directing Jessica Chastain, who previously collaborated with him on Memory. In the film, the actress plays Jennifer McCarthy, a philanthropist whose life changes with the arrival of dancer Fernando, portrayed by Isaac Hernández.
Bridgerton 4 - on Netflix from January 29
Bridgerton returns to Netflix with its fourth season, and this time it is Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, who finds love. The young man is captivated by a mysterious Lady in Silver during a society event, unaware that behind the mask is the maid Sophie Baek, played by newcomer Yerin Ha. This season, the series will tackle the issue of social class differences, without abandoning the romantic spirit that defines it. Unfortunately, Bridgerton will once again be split into two parts: the first arrives on Netflix on January 29, while the second will be released on the platform from February 26.
