Welcome to TechRadar's new movies article. In this guide, you'll find a round-up of the biggest films that are set to grace a cinema screen near you this January and February.
This weekend (January 16-18) sees four new movies head to theaters – well, depending on where you live, anyway. Predictably, the much-anticipated horror sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple leads the charge, but there's other genre fare for cinephiles to enjoy if zombie flicks aren't your idea of a good time.
New movies: January
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Release date: out now (worldwide)
The follow-up to last year's 28 Years Later flick, The Bone Temple will continue the story that its forebear began to tell. Based on its 94% critical Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score, it's viewed as the better of the two flicks, too.
This time, the focus shifts to Ralph Fiennes' Doctor Kelson, who makes a startling discovery about those infected by the ever-evolving Rage virus. Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) crosses paths with the menacing Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) and his cult-like followers, which results in its own nightmare scenario for the young lad. One of January's new movies that, depending on how successful it is, could finally reunite us with franchise star Cillian Murphy in a potential threequel.
Hamnet
![HAMNET - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters This Thanksgiving - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xYcgQMxQwmk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Release date: out now (worldwide)
After making its initial theatrical debut in the US late last year, this award-winning period drama, which primarily focuses on Shakespeare's wife Agnes, is out now in the UK and Australia.
Led by tour de force performances from Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, Hamnet tells the tale of William Shakespeare and his wife, and the tragic events that inspired the former's timeless classic play 'Hamlet'. Directed by multi-award winner Chloe Zhao, Hamnet is more than worthy of the gongs it's picked up on the 2026 awards circuit thus far. See it ASAP.
Rental Family
Release date: out now (worldwide)
Before he reprises his breakout role as Rick O'Connell in The Mummy 4, Brendan Fraser continues to enthral audiences on his overdue comeback tour in Rental Family.
The Searchlight Pictures flick sees Fraser play Philip Vanderploeg, a struggling US actor who's hired by the titular firm to portray stand-in family members and friends for strangers. Cue a tender tale as Vanderploeg learns what it means to be human and that there's more to life than just work. With 87% critical and 96% audience scores on RT, Rental Family is yet another example of Fraser's natural acting capabilities and deserved leading man status.
Primate
Release date: out now (US); January 22 (Australia); January 30 (UK)
2026 hasn't made us wait long for its first horror movie. This Lionsgate-funded endeavor, which stars Johnny Sequoyah and Jessica Alexander among others, is Cujo in all but name. Sure, it features a chimpanzee, rather than a dog, that *ahem* goes ape after being bitten by a rabid animal, but it doesn't seem to do anything unusual throughout its 90-minute runtime.
Surprisingly, though, Primate currently holds 79% critical and 72% audience scores on RT, so maybe I'm being too harsh on it...
Marty Supreme
Release date: out now (US and UK); January 22 (Australia)
Considered by many to be Timothée Chalamet's next chance to win a Best Actor Academy Award – he's already secured a Critics' Choice gong for this film – this Josh Safdie-directed sports drama, which currently holds a 93% RT critical score, was the last A24 movie released in 2025 apart from Australia, which it'll soon premiere in.
In it, Chalamet plays US table tennis player Marty Mauser, an individual loosely inspired by real-life ping pong champion Marty Reisman, who'll stop at nothing in the pursuit of greatness. Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Okonma, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, and Abel Ferrera are among its ensemble cast.
The Secret Agent
Release date: out now (US); January 22 (Australia); February 20 (UK)
Recognized as a terrific thriller with some notable 2026 awards already under its belt, The Secret Agent is another Neon-produced film whose popularity is only likely to increase as this year's Academy Awards ceremony approaches.
Wagner Moura stars as Armando Solimões, a former professor caught up amid the movie's fictionalized retelling of the real-life Brazilian military dictatorship of the 1970s. However, as he travels to the city where his son is based, Armando soon learns he can't escape his violent past. A flick that, with a near-perfect RT critical score, is not to be missed.
Mercy
Release date: January 22 (Australia); January 23 (US and UK)
Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson team up for this Amazon MGM Studios sci-fi flick that, in my view, has the makings of being another effects-heavy dud along the lines of Prime Video's abject War of the Worlds remake.
Pratt plays Detective Chris Raven, who's put on trial after he's accused of murdering his own wife. The twist? Raven has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to a highly-advanced artificial intelligence judge (Ferguson) he once championed, otherwise it's game over.
No Other Choice
Release date: out now (US and Australia); January 23 (UK)
Fresh from playing Front Man in Squid Game on Netflix, No Other Choice sees Lee Byung-hun portray Yoo Man-su, a paper industry expert who's struggling to find work. Desperate for cash and to prove his worth to his judgmental family, Yoo does what any law-abiding citizen would do in his situation: kill off the competition.
One of the best-rated films of the year so far – No Other Choice holds 98% critical and 95% audience scores on RT – this satirical black comedy thriller is one of 2026's new movies you won't want to miss, especially if you loved Parasite.
The History of Sound
Release date: out now (US and Australia); January 23 (UK)
The second Paul Mescal-starring film to drop this month – in the UK and Australia, anyway – The History of Sound tells the tale of Lionel (Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor), who develop a deep bond over their shared love for folk music.
Following their first encounter at Boston Conservatory, the pair embark on a cross-state trip years later to collect traditional songs. Audiences have enjoyed this queer love story more (89% on RT) than critics (69%) have, so why not decide which camp you fall into when one of January's new movies is released where you live?
H is for Hawk
Release date: January 23 (US and UK); TBC (Australia)
Based on Helen Macdonald's 2014 memoir namesake, H is for Hawk stars Clare Foy as the writer and naturalist, who formed a close bond with a goshawk following the death of her father.
With a mostly positive critical rating on RT – as of January 16, it's sat on 75% – H is for Hawk appears to be a soaring and emotional film that's worth seeing, even if it doesn't pull up any trees at the worldwide box office.
Blue Moon
Release date: out now (US and UK); January 29 (Australia)
An Ethan Hawke-starring flick that's gone down well with fans (77% on RT) and critics (90%) alike and earned its fair share of award nominations, Blue Moon sees the aforementioned A-lister play legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart.
On the eve of the opening night of the ground-breaking hit musical 'Oklahoma!', which his former collaborator Richard Rodgers created, Hart is forced to face his shattered self-confidence and reflect on his own career in Sardi's bar. Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott also star.
Is This Thing On?
Release date: out now (US); January 30 (UK); February 5 (Australia)
The latest feature directed by Bradley Cooper, Is This Thing On? is a comedy-drama stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as Alex and Tess. Reaching an amicable end of their lengthy marriage, Alex finds solace and company in the New York comedy scene, while Tess confronts the sacrifices she made to wed her former beau.
Critics and fans are in full agreement over Is This Thing On?, with its 86% and 84% RT ratings bearing testament to its entertaining and heartfelt tale.
Send Help
Release date: out now (Australia); January 30 (US); February 6 (UK)
Sam Raimi occupies the director's chair once more with Send Help, a dark comedy thriller that looks like a miniaturized version of The Lord of the Flies.
The 20th Century Studios film sees Rachel McAdams play Linda, who finds herself marooned on a remote island with her misogynistic boss (Dylan O'Brien) when the latter's private jet crash lands in stormy weather. Cue a battle of wills between the work-place enemies as they attempt to help the other survive and, ultimately, try to be rescued.
The Moment
Release date: January 30 (US); February 20 (UK); March 5 (Australia)
Brat summer is out and satirical winter is in. From acclaimed indie studio A24, The Moment stars pop sensation Charlie XCX, who portrays a fictional version of herself as she prepares for her arena tour debut, and navigates the pressures of fame and an industry that's very much set in its ways.
The Moment won't appeal to everyone, but I'll be shocked if Charlie XCX fans don't turn this one into one of the biggest surprises of 2026.
New movies: February
The Strangers – Chapter 3
Release date: February 5 (Australia); February 6 (US and UK)
The final installment of this middling mystery-thriller film series, The Strangers – Chapter 3 will conclude Maya's multi-movie battle to defeat those pesky masked killers once and for all.
There's bound to be another sting or two in the tail for this franchise's protagonist before its final credits roll. Considering it hasn't always provided value for money, though, The Strangers' final outing might be another mixed bag for viewers.
Crime 101
Release date: February 12 (Australia); February 13 (US and UK)
Marvel actors Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry join forces for Crime 101, a forthcoming Amazon MGM Studios/Sony Pictures venture that both studios will hope to be one of early 2026's hit new movies.
In this movie adaptation of Don Winslow's novella namesake, Hemsworth plays a jewel thief named Mike, who teams up with Berry's disillusioned insurance broker Sharon to pull off the heist of a lifetime. Hot on the pair's heels is police detective Lou Lubesnick, who draws ever nearer to tracking down Mike and putting a stop to his unlawful activities. Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out its starry supporting cast.
Wuthering Heights
Release date: February 12 (Australia); February 13 (US and UK)
Looking for something a little more romantic for this year's Valentine's Day weekend? Let Emerald Fennell's reimagining of Emily Bronte's classic story Wuthering Heights appeal to your senses and sensibilities.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi play Cathy and Hetahcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another leads to – as the above trailer teases – all manner of steamy moments and lust-filled imagery. Will it take its place among the very best adaptations of Bronte's legendary literary tale? We'll find out in mid-February.
Goat
Release date: February 13 (US and UK); March 12 (Australia)
The second of two new movies coming to most nations from Sony Pictures in the second month of 2026, Goat is the studio's next animated feature that'll highlight its eye-popping, imaginative visuals.
Stranger Things alum Caleb McLaughlin voices Will, a small teenage, anthropomorphic goat with big dreams on becoming a world-famous roarball player. When he lands a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfil said dream, Will, well, will have to prove size doesn't matter when compared to dedication for your craft and a love of the game. A quintessential sporting underdog story that families will likely lap up.
The Testament of Ann Lee
Release date: out now (US): February 20 (UK); February 26 (Australia)
Searchlight Pictures' biographical musical drama has earned more praise from critics (89% on RT) compared to regular theater goers (63%) in the US, so its eventual arrival on British and Australian shores will ultimately determine how successful it is.
Nonetheless, the Amanda Seyfried-led movie is worth catching if you're a fan of films inspired by true events. Indeed, Seyfried stars as the founder of a sect known as The Shakers, which preached gender and social equality in a time period where such notions were unheard of. That story synopsis may sound dry, but The Testament of Ann Lee is anything but.
Scream 7
Release date: February 26 (Australia); February 27 (US and UK)
Horror nostalgia is very much in vogue right now, and the continual success of the re-energized Scream movie franchise is proof of that.
The seventh (!) installment in the slasher film series, this year's entry reunites us with Neve Campbell's Sidney, who's forced to keep her daughter safe from yet another Ghostface killer. Another franchise veteran in Courtney Cox, plus recent starlets in Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown, are also part of its extensive cast. However, recent franchise fronters Jenna Ortega and Melissa Berrera aren't back for more, which will disappoint fans of the two most recent Scream films.
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