January's Must-Watch: Unpacking the Hottest Movies, TV Shows, and Streaming Content of the Month

As the calendar flips to a fresh new year, January often brings with it colder weather and the perfect excuse to curl up indoors with a steady stream of captivating entertainment. Far from being a quiet post-holiday lull, January 2026 has delivered an impressive slate of movies, TV shows, and streaming content that has audiences buzzing and glued to their screens. This month has proven to be a strategic battleground for content providers, showcasing a diverse range of genres and narratives designed to kick off the year with a bang. Let's dive into the must-watch trends that have defined January's entertainment landscape.

The Shifting Streaming Landscape: A New Record for Viewership

Before we delve into specific titles, it's worth noting the impressive strides streaming services have made. According to Nielsen, streaming viewership reached an all-time high in December 2025, capturing a staggering 47.5% of total U.S. television viewing. [1, 2] This record was buoyed by an unprecedented Christmas Day, which saw 55.1 billion viewing minutes, driven significantly by NFL games on Netflix and Prime Video, alongside the highly anticipated release of new Stranger Things episodes. [1, 2] Key players like Netflix (9.0%), Prime Video (4.3%), Paramount Streaming (2.5%), and The Roku Channel (3.0%) all achieved their highest ever shares of TV viewership. [2] YouTube, meanwhile, maintained its position as the top streaming platform, commanding 12.7% of all TV viewership. [3] This data underscores a powerful trend: January is no longer a 'dumping ground' for less-hyped releases but a period of strategic content drops aimed at retaining and growing subscriber bases. [4, 5]

Big Screen Buzz: Theatrical Releases Making Waves

While streaming dominates much of the conversation, the theatrical experience continues to draw audiences, even in the colder months. January 2026 saw some notable contenders making their mark at the box office:

*Mercy*

One of the biggest surprises of the month was the action thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. This Amazon MGM Studios release managed to unseat Avatar: Fire and Ash from its lengthy reign at the top of the U.S. box office, taking the number one spot for the weekend of January 23-25 with an estimated $11.1 million. [6, 7] This achievement is particularly impressive considering it happened during a period hampered by severe winter weather across many regions. [6, 7]

*Send Help*

Horror maestro Sam Raimi returned to his roots with the survival thriller Send Help, hitting theaters on January 30th. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, the film generated considerable excitement among cinephiles, with its Rotten Tomatoes score released in late January. [9, 11]

*28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*

Fans of the post-apocalyptic zombie genre had reason to rejoice with the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta, this film continues the saga that began over two decades ago, picking up directly from its predecessor. [4, 12]

Streaming Cinematic Events: Blockbusters at Your Fingertips

For those who prefer the comfort of home, streaming services rolled out their own cinematic heavy hitters:

*The Rip* (Netflix)

Netflix kicked off 2026 with a bang, dropping the gritty crime thriller The Rip, which reunites real-life friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck both in front of and behind the camera. This film, directed by Joe Carnahan, follows Miami cops who stumble upon millions in hidden cash, leading to a tense breakdown of trust. It's already being hailed as Netflix's first strong original movie of the year. [13]

*People We Meet on Vacation* (Netflix)

Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel got the Netflix treatment with the adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation, which premiered on January 9th. This rom-com explores the dynamic between best friends Poppy and Alex as they question the nature of their relationship during annual summer vacations.

*The Smashing Machine* (Max)

Dwayne Johnson stepped outside his usual blockbuster fare for The Smashing Machine, a gritty biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr, directed by Benny Safdie. Arriving on Max on January 23rd, this prestige drama has already generated significant awards buzz, showcasing a different side of the action star. [4]

Franchise Rewatches & Comfort Viewing

January also proved to be prime rewatch season, with several beloved franchises making their way to streaming platforms: the complete Indiana Jones Saga landed on Disney+, the full Mission: Impossible Movies collection became available on Prime Video, and a large portion of the James Bond Movie Collection hit Netflix, offering perfect material for long winter nights.

Television Triumphs: New Series and Returning Fan Favorites

Television and episodic streaming content truly dominated the conversation this January, with a wealth of new stories and eagerly awaited returns.

Highly Anticipated New Series

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO, January 18): This Game of Thrones prequel takes viewers back to Westeros about a century before the original series, following Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, promising a more lighthearted, character-driven narrative.
• His & Hers (Netflix, January 8): Starring Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson, this psychological thriller follows a detective and a news anchor who become suspicious of each other while investigating a local murder.
• Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+, January 15): Boldly going where no Trek series has gone before, this new installment focuses on Starfleet cadets navigating personal challenges and rigorous training.
• The Beauty (FX/Hulu, January 21): From the mind of Ryan Murphy, this horror series presents a terrifying premise: a sexually transmitted disease that makes people unnaturally beautiful before killing them.
• Wonder Man (Disney+, January 27): Marvel kicked off its 2026 slate with this series starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as actor Simon Williams, a superhero who must keep his powers secret to land a Hollywood role.

Returning Favorites Making a Splash

• Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 (Netflix, January 29): The Regency-era romance returned, with all eyes on Benedict Bridgerton as he embarks on his search for a wife, based on Julia Quinn's third novel.
• The Pitt Season 2 (HBO Max, January 8): The Emmy-winning medical drama, praised for its real-time format, returned for its second season, continuing to follow the dedicated staff of Pittsburgh's Trauma Medical Center.
• Industry Season 4 (HBO, January 11): The high-stakes finance drama continued to explore the intense world of young graduates in London's financial sector.
• The Traitors Season 4 (Peacock, January 8): The hit reality competition welcomed a new slate of celebrities, including Donna Kelce and Mark Ballas, all vying for the prize in a game of deception and strategy.
• Hijack Season 2 (Apple TV, January 14): Idris Elba returned as Sam Nelson, facing a new crisis aboard a Berlin underground train.
• Shrinking Season 3 (Apple TV, January 28): The beloved comedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford continued its run, following a grieving therapist who breaks the rules of his profession.

Conclusion: A Rich Tapestry of Entertainment Awaits

January 2026 has set a high bar for the rest of the year, demonstrating a vibrant and dynamic entertainment landscape. From theatrical thrillers like Mercy and critically acclaimed streaming films like The Rip to expansive television sagas such as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and returning fan favorites like Bridgerton and The Pitt, there's truly something for every taste. The continued growth and strategic content drops from streaming platforms further solidify their role as dominant forces in how we consume entertainment. So, grab your snacks, settle in, and explore the rich tapestry of stories that January has brought to our screens. Happy watching!

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Sources

1. advanced-television.com
2. nielsen.com
3. barrettmedia.com
4. military.com
5. plataformamedia.com
6. youtube.com
7. boxofficepro.com
8. screenrant.com

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Featured image by Brett Jordan on Unsplash