The Best New Movies to Watch in Theaters This Weekend

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Ugh, it’s the weekend, which means new movies are out! I can practically smell the buttery popcorn and feel that first sip of icy soda already – I’m so excited!

This weekend, starting Friday, January 23, 2026, the movie theater has something for everyone! You can see a scary new horror film inspired by a well-known video game, a thrilling sci-fi movie with a major star, and a moving drama based on real events.

As a moviegoer, I’m happy to report that beyond the brand new films hitting screens this weekend, there’s still a good selection of recent releases you can catch in theaters if you missed them the first time around.

Looking for a fun outing? Check out the list below to find the best new movies playing in theaters this weekend. Don’t forget to confirm showtimes and availability at your local cinema.

Don’t feel like going out this weekend? You can still enjoy new movies – we’ve got a list of what’s streaming at home right here.

This Weekend’s New Movie Releases in Theaters

Return to Silent Hill

Inspired by the popular Silent Hill video games, Return to Silent Hill tells the story of James, who is drawn back to the unsettling town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter, following his wife’s death. This horror movie is rated R.

Return to Silent Hill is in theaters Friday, January 23.

Mercy

In this PG-13 sci-fi thriller, Chris Pratt plays a detective who has just 90 minutes to clear his name after being accused of his wife’s murder. The catch? He’s judged by a powerful AI, and his life is on the line. Rebecca Ferguson also stars in this fast-paced, futuristic action movie.

Mercy is in theaters Friday, January 23.

H Is for Hawk

This touching drama, based on a true story, stars Claire Foy as a woman coping with the loss of her father. She finds an unlikely connection and begins to train a wild hawk, offering her a path towards healing. The movie is rated PG-13.

H Is for Hawk is in theaters Friday, January 23.

New Movies Still in Theaters This Weekend

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Following the success of the 2025 film 28 Years Later, the story continues in The Bone Temple. This new installment follows young Spike as he gets involved with a dangerous group, while Dr. Kelson uncovers a groundbreaking truth about the Rage virus that has wrecked the United Kingdom. This horror film is rated R.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was released in theaters on January 16.

Primate

This R-rated horror film features Ben, a chimpanzee kept as a pet, who turns violently against a group of teenagers on vacation after being attacked by an unknown animal. It’s a throwback to classic animal attack and slasher movies.

Primate was released in theaters on January 9.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

The third Avatar movie brings back Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their children as they confront a dangerous new enemy: a Na’vi tribe working with the human organization, the RDA, and the returning Colonel Quaritch. This PG-13 sci-fi adventure stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, and others.

Avatar: Fire and Ash was released in theaters on December 19, 2025.

The Housemaid

This R-rated psychological thriller, based on the 2022 novel of the same name, stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. It follows a young woman who takes a live-in job caring for a wealthy family that appears perfect, but she soon uncovers disturbing secrets.

The Housemaid was released in theaters on December 19, 2025.

Zootopia 2

Judy Hopps, a bunny police officer, and her partner, Nick Wilde, a fox, are back to solve a new mystery in the city! This family-friendly sequel to the popular 2016 Disney animated film, Zootopia, centers around a strange new reptile. It’s rated PG.

Zootopia 2 was released in theaters on November 26, 2025.

9 Movies That Got Delayed From Their 2026 Release Dates

Shrek 5

The next Shrek movie, originally planned for release in July 2026, will now arrive in theaters on June 30, 2027. The film has been delayed twice, first to December 2026, and now to 2027. Thankfully, the original voice actors – Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey – are all returning. The delay is likely due to wanting to avoid competition with other big movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part 3 later in the year. Some also speculate the extra time will allow the animators to refine the character designs, potentially addressing any fan concerns, similar to what happened with Sonic the Hedgehog.

Frozen III

Currently, Frozen III is scheduled to be released on November 24, 2027. However, the release date has changed—it was originally planned for November 2026. The film’s release was officially delayed in 2024. In 2025, Kristen Bell, who stars in the movie, mentioned that production would start shortly, explaining that Disney’s careful approach to the script is the reason their films are so successful.

The Batman – Part II

The next Batman movie, a sequel to the 2022 film, has faced several delays and is now set to release on October 1, 2027. Originally planned for October 2026, the movie—previously called The Batman – Part II—was pushed back a year because finishing the script took longer than expected. The delays were partly due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes. The script was completed in the summer of 2025, and filming is scheduled to start this spring.

Untitled Rey Star Wars Film

A new Star Wars movie focusing on Rey, a character from the recent Disney sequels, was first revealed at a Star Wars event in Europe in spring 2023. It was originally planned to come out on December 18, 2026, but in November 2024, Disney removed it from the release schedule, and a new date hasn’t been set. The film is reportedly still being developed and will follow Rey as she establishes a new Jedi Order after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Untitled Jordan Peele Film

Jordan Peele’s next movie, currently without a title, was initially planned for release in the fall of 2026, but Universal Pictures has removed it from their schedule. As of late 2025, production hasn’t started, and no information about the cast or plot has been revealed. Though still in development, the film is expected to be a horror-thriller. Peele mentioned in 2024 that he hopes it will be his best movie yet.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2

The next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, a sequel to 2023’s Mutant Mayhem, was originally planned for release on October 9, 2026. But in May 2025, Paramount Pictures announced it would be delayed until September 17, 2027. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 will feature the turtles battling Shredder.

Untitled Disney Movie

In late 2025, Disney removed two upcoming, unnamed movies from its release schedule. One was originally planned for September 11, 2026, and the other for November 6, 2026. Disney hasn’t shared any details about these projects, and they are no longer listed on the studio’s 2026 calendar.

Ice Age: Boiling Point

The next Ice Age movie, Boiling Point, is now scheduled to premiere on February 5, 2027. Originally, it was planned for release in December 2026, but the date was moved in August 2025 after the release of Avengers: Doomsday was also set for December 2026. Boiling Point will be the sixth film in the Ice Age series, and it will be released more than ten years after the previous installment, Ice Age: Collision Course.

Untitled Marvel Studios Film

In May 2025, Marvel Studios delayed an unnamed film that was originally scheduled for release on February 13, 2026. It’s unknown which movie was affected or if filming had started. As of now, the only Marvel Cinematic Universe films planned for 2026 are Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July and Avengers: Doomsday in December.

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2026-01-23 17:58