Right now, the box office is basically a tug-of-war between high-budget spectacles that won’t quit and a wave of new, slightly weirder January releases. If you’ve walked into a multiplex this week, you probably noticed that James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash is still looming over everything like a big blue cloud. It's been out since December, but the legs on that thing are honestly ridiculous. People just keep going back for the visuals.
But look, there's more to life than Pandora.
If you're asking what movies are in the theaters now, you're likely standing in front of a kiosk or scrolling through an app trying to decide if it's worth the $18 ticket plus the small fortune for popcorn. We are currently in that "January dumping ground" season, but 2026 is actually defying that trope with some genuinely cool stuff. From rabid primates to Shakespearean dramas, the variety is kinda wild.
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The Heavy Hitters Still Dominating the Screen
It's hard to ignore the giants. Even though we’re a few weeks into the new year, the holiday holdovers are still hogging the IMAX and Dolby screens.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is the big one. It’s holding steady at the top spot because, well, it’s James Cameron. It’s the third film in the franchise, and it introduces the "Ash People," which adds a darker tone than the previous movies. Honestly, even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the story, seeing it on a massive screen is still the closest thing to a theme park ride you can get for the price of a movie ticket.
Then you’ve got Zootopia 2. Disney really leaned into the nostalgia for this one, and it’s paying off. It’s sitting comfortably in the top three because parents have basically nowhere else to take their kids right now. It's fun, it's colorful, and it has enough "adult" humor to keep you from falling asleep in the darkened theater.
What's New This Week? The January "Wild Cards"
This is where things get interesting. January is usually where studios put the movies they don't know how to market, but this year has some standout titles that are actually pulling numbers.
- Primate: This is a Paramount release that has been the surprise of the month. It’s basically a thriller about a rabid killer chimpanzee. It sounds like a B-movie, and in some ways it is, but the tension is real. It pulled in over $11 million in its opening weekend, which is huge for a movie like this.
- Greenland 2: Migration: Gerard Butler is back doing what he does best: surviving things. This sequel picks up after the comet strike from the first movie. It’s less "disaster porn" and more of a gritty survival odyssey as the family tries to find a new home in a shattered world. If you liked the first one, this is a no-brainer.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: This just hit theaters (wide release Jan 16). Nia DaCosta is directing, and it’s a direct follow-up to the 2025 sequel. It's bleak, it's terrifying, and it's proof that the "fast zombie" genre still has some life left in it.
The Critics' Darlings and Award Hopefuls
If you’re not in the mood for explosions or killer monkeys, there are a few "prestige" films floating around. These are the ones people talk about during Oscar season while sipping expensive coffee.
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Hamnet is the big one here. Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, it’s a historical drama about the death of William Shakespeare’s son. It’s beautiful, it’s sad, and it’s the kind of movie that makes you feel "refined" for watching it. It’s been out for a few weeks but is still holding on in limited release.
There’s also Marty Supreme, an A24 flick starring Timothée Chalamet. It’s a fictionalized take on a professional ping-pong player in the 1950s. It’s stylish as hell, which is exactly what you expect from A24. It’s doing surprisingly well at the box office, proving that people will show up for Chalamet no matter what sport he’s playing.
Why Some Movies Are Harder to Find Than Others
You might notice that a movie like Dead Man’s Wire (starring Bill Skarsgård and Al Pacino) has a great "per-theater average" but is only playing in a handful of places. This is the "limited release" trap. Studios often put these movies in New York and LA first to build buzz before they go wide.
Check your local indie theater for these. Sometimes the best thing playing isn't at the AMC; it's at that one theater with the slightly uncomfortable seats and the local beer on tap.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Your Friday Night
- For Thrills: Primate or 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
- For the Family: Zootopia 2 or The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
- For a Date: Marty Supreme or maybe Greenland 2 if you both like stress.
- For the Visuals: Avatar: Fire and Ash (if you haven't seen it three times already).
Actionable Next Steps for Moviegoers
Don't just show up and hope for the best. To get the most out of what movies are in the theaters now, follow these steps:
- Check the "Per-Theater" Stats: If a movie has a high per-theater average but low total gross (like No Other Choice or A Private Life), it usually means it's a critical hit that just hasn't gone wide yet. See it now so you can brag about it later.
- Check for Re-Releases: Believe it or not, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is doing a limited re-release right now (Fellowship Jan 16, Two Towers Jan 17, Return of the King Jan 18). Seeing those on a big screen is a literal bucket-list item.
- Verify Showtimes Online: Because it’s January, theaters often cut mid-week matinees for smaller films. Always check a site like Fandango or Atom Tickets before you drive out.
- Look for "Early Access" Screenings: Some movies, like Mercy (starring Chris Pratt), often have sneak previews on Thursday nights before the official Friday launch.
The box office is healthier than people think. Even if the big blockbusters are taking up most of the oxygen, the smaller, weirder films are what make the theater experience worth the effort this month. Go see something weird. Support the killer chimp movie. You might just have a better time than you expect.