Movies to watch in January 2026 include a shocking Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunion, all five Indiana Jones films, and anime releases you won’t find anywhere else

January 2026 is shaping up to be an unmissable month for film enthusiasts everywhere. From gripping thrillers featuring A-list stars to beloved franchise returns on streaming, there’s something exceptional waiting for every viewer this January. Whether you’re settling in for a Netflix night or hunting down theatrical releases, 2026 kicks off strong.

Hollywood A-Listers Deliver High-Stakes Thrills With The Rip

Netflix drops one of January’s biggest releases on January 16 with The Rip, a genuine event film that reunites Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Directed by Joe Carnahan, who helmed action classics like Narc, this isn’t a quiet prestige drama. Instead, The Rip plunges viewers into Miami where two detectives stumble upon millions in cash and immediately spiral into corruption and suspicion. The chemistry between Damon and Affleck carries real weight, and the supporting cast including Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor elevates the material significantly. This is premium thriller filmmaking designed for the biggest possible streaming audience.

The film promises exactly what viewers crave from January releases: star power, tension, and consequences. Carnahan‘s direction emphasizes character-driven moments alongside explosive set pieces, making it feel like a theatrical action saga that happens to live on a streaming platform. For anyone who loved the dynamics of Affleck and Damon together previously, this represents something genuinely fresh.

Indiana Jones Complete Saga Finally Arrives on Disney+

Starting January 1, something remarkable happens for Indiana Jones fans: all five films stream on Disney+ simultaneously. This includes the original trilogy that defined adventure cinema—Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade—plus Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the recent Dial of Destiny. Having them consolidated in one location eliminates the frustration fans experienced when licensing scattered these classics across different services.

This represents perfect timing for new viewers discovering Dr. Jones for the first time, or longtime devotees rewatching these films in sequence. The quality and adventure spectacle of these movies remains timeless, and streaming them in January creates natural motivation to dive into an extended marathon session. Disney+ subscribers suddenly gain access to decades of blockbuster entertainment without leaving the platform.

Film	Platform	Availability
The Rip	Netflix	January 16, 2026
Raiders of the Lost Ark	Disney+	January 1, 2026
Temple of Doom	Disney+	January 1, 2026
The Last Crusade	Disney+	January 1, 2026
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull	Disney+	January 1, 2026
Dial of Destiny	Disney+	Already Available

Anime Renaissance Explodes With New Winter 2026 Lineup

The winter anime season doesn’t disappoint when January arrives. Jujutsu Kaisen kicks off its Culling Game arc on January 8 with a studio still firing on all cylinders after two successful seasons. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End returns for its second season with the charm that captivated millions globally. Oshi No Ko enters its third season as the idol anime phenomenon continues expanding its fanbase with new mysteries and performance moments.

Beyond these heavy hitters, January 2026 brings Hell’s Paradise, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and a slate of other productions that prove anime remains one of entertainment’s most dynamic mediums. Whether you’re chasing action, character drama, romantic tension, or artistic experimentation, this winter season delivers across all preferences and experience levels.

Streaming Platforms Battle for January Dominance

Netflix leads the charge with The Rip plus People We Meet on Vacation joining its library, while Disney+ controls the conversation with Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny. Hulu adds films like 28 Weeks Later on January 1, creating legitimate options across services. This fragmentation means viewers aren’t forced toward a single platform—real entertainment freedom exists this month. You pick your preferred streaming home and find something worthwhile immediately.

The quality disparity between streaming giants has narrowed significantly, and January showcases this leveling. Netflix attracts cinephiles with The Rip‘s theatrical scope, while Disney+ dominates with nostalgia-driven franchises. Classic films and anime content spread across services, ensuring every subscriber finds their perfect January watch regardless of existing subscriptions.

Why January 2026 Beats Every Other Month?

Few calendar windows offer the diversity that January 2026 delivers. You get world-class actors in original Netflix productions, legendary blockbusters returning to streaming, and an entire anime season launching simultaneously. This convergence happens rarely because studios typically stagger releases throughout the year to maintain consistent viewership. January throws that strategy aside with genuine confidence in its offerings. The month refuses to compete with itself through dilution—instead, it offers authentic variety that satisfies contradictory tastes within single households.

“2026 kicks off strong for entertainment, with streaming services pulling out their biggest releases right away,” industry analysts note. “Competition for viewing hours means quality increases when multiple platforms launch major content simultaneously.”

— Entertainment Industry Sources, Streaming Analysis 2026

Sources

• Mashable – Comprehensive streaming releases for January 2026
• Netflix Official – The Rip release announcement and details
• Disney+ – Indiana Jones saga streaming launch confirmation