Best Movies to Stream Right Now include Oscar contenders Emma Stone’s pitch-black comedy is already breaking Peacock records

The best movies to stream right now this January include Oscar contenders, blockbuster thrillers, and Emma Stone‘s pitch-black comedy that’s finding massive success on Peacock. From Dwayne Johnson‘s transformative drama to Jared Leto‘s digital thriller, streaming platforms are loaded with critically acclaimed films worth your time in 2026.

Oscar Contenders Dominating January Streaming

January 2026 marks a turning point for awards season content, with two major A24 films making their streaming debut on HBO Max this month. The Smashing Machine delivers Dwayne Johnson‘s most transformative performance yet, playing real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr opposite director Benny Safdie‘s signature style.

Rose Byrne‘s powerhouse turn in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You has thrust her into the best actress conversation after winning honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review. The film arrives on HBO Max January 30 as one of the platform’s biggest awards bets for 2026.

Emma Stone’s Pitch-Black Comedy Conquers Streaming

Bugonia, the latest collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, has become one of Peacock‘s streaming success stories. The surreal sci-fi comedy debuted on the platform in late December and features Jesse Plemons as a conspiracy theorist who kidnaps Stone‘s sinister pharmaceutical CEO under the impression that she’s an alien.

Despite earning only $40 million at the worldwide box office, Variety named Bugonia the fourth best movie of 2025. Film critic Owen Gleiberman praised the film as “a violent, hate-fueled, thrillingly warped act of cinematic screw-tightening” with performances that “keep deepening their characters.” January offers the first full month of easy access for viewers discovering this twisted gem.

Blockbuster Thrillers and Action Films Headline Releases

Title	Platform	Release Date	Key Star
Tron: Ares	Disney+	January 7	Jared Leto
The Rip	Netflix	January 16	Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
The Wrecking Crew	Prime Video	January 28	Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa
The Smashing Machine	HBO Max	January 23	Dwayne Johnson

Tron: Ares struggled at the box office with only $142 million globally, but director Joachim Rønning‘s digital thriller is built for the streaming experience. The film centers on two rival corporations determined to bring digital creations into the real world, with returning star Jeff Bridges anchoring the ensemble.

The Rip reunites Damon and Affleck in a Joe Carnahan-directed action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a stash house, only to see everything spiral into chaos. Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, and Sasha Calle round out the supporting cast.

What’s New on Netflix, Hulu, and Other Platforms This January?

Netflix kicks off 2026 with the rom-com adaptation People We Meet on Vacation (January 9), based on the bestselling novel that’s sold over 2 million copies. The streaming service also brings back Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Oscar-nominated Licorice Pizza on January 16 alongside theatrical releases like Licorice Pizza.

Hulu brings Twinless on January 16, a twisty comedy from Sundance breakout James Sweeney that pairs him with Dylan O’Brien as two strangers who meet at a bereavement support group. Prime Video delivers both comedy and action, with Preparation for the Next Life on January 30 and The Wrecking Crew on January 28 showcasing the platform’s range.

“Lanthimos’s wild and woolly kidnap drama is a violent, hate-fueled, thrillingly warped act of cinematic screw-tightening.”

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety Film Critic

Should you spend January catching up on 2025 releases or diving into fresh content?

January traditionally serves as a dump month for theatrical releases, but this year rewards both approaches equally. Oscar season has already begun, meaning films like One Battle After Another, Frankenstein, and Sinners are now available on HBO Max and Netflix for those wanting to get ahead on awards conversation.

At the same time, fresh streaming originals and day-and-date theatrical releases ensure plenty of new content arrives this month. The key is choosing based on your mood: go for prestige and awards contention with The Smashing Machine and Bugonia, or grab pulse-pounding action with Tron: Ares and The Rip.

Sources

• Variety – Comprehensive January 2026 streaming guide with release dates and reviews
• Decider – New Netflix releases and rankings for January 2026
• TheWrap – Top 21 new movies streaming in January 2026 across all platforms