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January used to be a quiet month for streaming. Not anymore.
In 2026, the year kicks off with a surprisingly strong slate of movies across the best streaming services, including Netflix, Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, and niche genre streamers. From prestige dramas and buzzy documentaries to franchise rewatches, cult favorites, and action-heavy comfort viewing, January’s lineup looks less like a post-holiday cooldown and more like a strategic content drop aimed at keeping subscribers locked in.
Here’s what’s worth watching in January.
January’s Biggest New Streaming Premieres
Several of the month’s most talked-about releases arrive directly on streaming, bypassing or following limited theatrical runs and leaning into star power and buzz.
The Smashing Machine (Jan. 23 on Max) – Dwayne Johnson steps far outside blockbuster mode in this gritty biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine has already generated serious awards chatter, and its arrival on Max positions it as one of January’s most prestige-driven releases.
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If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Jan. 30 on Max) – After earning strong festival buzz and critical acclaim during its 2025 theatrical run, Mary Bronstein’s psychologically intense drama arrives on streaming, giving a wider audience a chance to catch Rose Byrne’s award-winning performance that quickly became one of the year’s most celebrated turns.
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Tron: Ares (Jan. 7 on Disney+) – After a mixed critical reception and a disappointing theatrical run last fall, the long-delayed Tron: Ares moves to streaming, giving audiences a second chance to catch the franchise’s latest entry as its AI-driven story finally lands where many sci-fi films now find their largest audience.
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Bugonia (Peacock) – Yorgos Lanthimos’ English-language remake of the cult Korean film Save the Green Planet! lands on Peacock, offering something genuinely weird for viewers tired of safe choices.
Franchise Rewatches Are Everywhere in January
January is peak rewatch season, and streaming services are leaning into it hard.
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James Bond Movie Collection (Netflix, Jan. 15) – Netflix drops a large portion of the Bond catalog at once, making it one of the month’s biggest nostalgia plays.
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John Wick Chapters 1–3 (Max, Jan. 1) – Perfect timing for action fans looking to revisit the franchise before future spinoffs and sequels.
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The Indiana Jones Saga (Disney+, Jan. 1) – Few franchises scream “January comfort viewing” louder than Indiana Jones. All four films arrive together for easy marathon viewing.
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Mission: Impossible Movies (Prime Video, Jan. 1) – Tom Cruise’s high-stakes action series lands as a complete package, ideal for long winter nights.
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The Hunger Games Series (Peacock, Jan. 14) – The full saga returns just as interest in the franchise remains high following recent prequels.
Comedy Classics and Cult Favorites Get a January Boost
January streaming isn’t just about prestige or spectacle. It’s also about familiarity. Max opens the month with a trio of Mel Brooks classics:
- Blazing Saddles (Jan. 1)
- History of the World: Part 1 (Jan. 1)
- Spaceballs (Jan. 1)
These evergreen comedies thrive on repeat viewing and remain among the most rewatched titles across platforms.
The comedy slate continues with documentaries focusing on two comedy legions:
Together, they form a loose celebration of comedy icons, pairing nostalgia with behind-the-scenes insight.
Sci-Fi, Action, and Survival Stories Dominate the Month
Winter streaming tends to favor high-stakes stories, and January 2026 leans heavily into sci-fi and survival-driven films. Here are some classic and recent pop culture mainstays hitting streamers this month:
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The Abyss (Hulu, Jan. 1)
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28 Weeks Later (Hulu, Jan. 1)
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10 Cloverfield Lane (Paramount+, Jan. 1)
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Twisters (Peacock, Jan. 15)
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Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Disney+, Jan. 22)
Netflix’s January Lineup Balances New Releases and Comfort Picks
Netflix’s January strategy blends new originals with reliable crowd-pleasers.
Genre Streamers Deliver for Horror Fans
January doesn’t ignore horror audiences.
- Bone Tomahawk (Shudder) brings brutal Western horror back into circulation.
- The Toxic Avenger (Screambox) taps cult-film nostalgia.
- Hellboy (Netflix) rounds out the month with comic-book fantasy.
These releases ensure genre fans aren’t left out of the January rush.
Why January Has Become a Streaming Power Month
What’s happening here isn’t accidental.
January now functions as a retention month. After holiday subscriptions spike, platforms load the calendar with familiar franchises, prestige titles, and easy rewatches to keep viewers engaged. The result is a month that rewards browsing, marathoning, and rediscovery rather than chasing the next viral hit.
For viewers, that means January has quietly become one of the best months to explore streaming libraries without feeling overwhelmed.
The Bottom Line
January 2026 proves that streaming’s slow season no longer exists. With major premieres, full franchise drops, and comfort-viewing staples landing across every major platform, the new year opens with one of the most well-rounded movie slates in months.
If you’re looking to settle in, revisit favorites, or finally catch up on buzzy releases, January’s streaming lineup has you covered.
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21 Comments
The decision to release If I Had Legs I’d Kick You on Max after its theatrical run could indicate a shift in how prestige films are distributed, favoring a hybrid model that includes both theater and streaming releases.
With the James Bond Movie Collection and The Indiana Jones Saga becoming available, it seems like January will be a great month for fans of classic franchises, offering them a chance to revisit beloved films.
The mix of action, drama, and franchise rewatches in January suggests that streaming services are trying to cater to diverse viewer preferences, from those seeking new, original content to others looking for familiar comfort viewing.
The inclusion of The Smashing Machine on Max, starring Dwayne Johnson, is a significant release, especially given its awards chatter and gritty biopic style, which might attract a different audience to the platform.
The John Wick trilogy arriving on HBO Max on January 1 is perfectly timed, considering the action-packed nature of the films and the upcoming spinoffs and sequels, which will likely generate renewed interest in the franchise.
January’s lineup, including Tron: Ares and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, shows a mix of blockbuster franchises and critically acclaimed dramas, which could appeal to a wide range of audiences and keep them subscribed to their respective platforms.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, with Rose Byrne’s award-winning performance, is one of the most talked-about streaming releases in January, and its psychological intensity is something I’m looking forward to experiencing on Max.
I’m skeptical about the timing of The Smashing Machine’s release on Max, considering its awards potential and whether a streaming release might impact its Oscar chances.
However, the exposure on a major streaming platform could also boost its visibility among voters and the general public.
The psychological intensity of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, coupled with Rose Byrne’s performance, makes it a compelling watch, and its arrival on Max is one of the highlights of January’s streaming releases.
It’s notable that January, typically a quiet month, is now packed with significant releases, indicating a change in the content distribution strategy of streaming platforms to maintain a consistent flow of engaging content throughout the year.
The combination of new releases like The Smashing Machine and re-releases such as the Indiana Jones Saga in January underscores the competitive nature of the streaming market, where services vie for subscriber attention with a wide array of content.
The John Wick trilogy’s availability on HBO Max from January 1 will likely satisfy action fans and serve as a precursor to upcoming franchise expansions, potentially generating a new wave of interest in the series.
The variety of new releases and re-releases in January, such as The Smashing Machine and the John Wick trilogy, indicates a strategic effort by streaming services to maintain viewer engagement post-holiday season.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, a remake of Save the Green Planet!, offers a unique viewing experience, and its arrival on Peacock might cater to viewers looking for something unconventional and thought-provoking.
Given the release of Tron: Ares on Disney+, I’m curious to see if the film’s performance will improve in a streaming context, especially considering the mixed reception it received in theaters.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Bugonia, with its unique premise, will be received by audiences on Peacock, and whether it will find its niche among viewers seeking unconventional storytelling.
It’s interesting that January is considered peak rewatch season, and streaming services are capitalizing on this by releasing large collections like the James Bond Movie Collection on Netflix and The Indiana Jones Saga on Disney+.
This strategy could be a clever move to retain subscribers by offering content that is familiar and beloved, alongside new releases.
I’m excited to see Tron: Ares finally land on Disney+, as its AI-driven story seems like a perfect fit for streaming, and I’m curious to know if it will fare better with audiences now.
The release of Bugonia on Peacock stands out due to its unique premise, and I wonder if it will attract a significant following or remain a niche favorite among viewers who enjoy offbeat films.