This week brings a diverse lineup of films to theaters and Netflix, including sequels, true-crime thrillers, and animated adventures. Highlights feature the zombie franchise continuation '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' and a reunion project from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in 'The Rip'. Releases span January 12 to 18, 2026, offering options for various tastes from horror to family fare.
The week of January 12 to 18, 2026, sees several notable films hitting screens. Leading the pack is '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple', rated R, which arrives in theaters on January 16. This fourth entry in the '28 Days Later' series follows Spike, played by Alfie Williams, as he joins a gang led by Jack O’Connell's character on a violent spree, while Ralph Fiennes portrays Dr. Kelson forming an unexpected bond with an undead figure, potentially altering the world. Directed and written by Alex Garland, it was filmed alongside its predecessor, with a third installment in development.
Also debuting in theaters on January 16 is 'Dead Man’s Wire', a 2025 release based on the 1977 true events involving Tony Kiritsis, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård. The story depicts Kiritsis taking a mortgage company president hostage using a sawed-off shotgun rigged with a dead man's wire to demand respect and owed money. Two-time Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant directs, drawing partly from the 2018 documentary 'Dead Man’s Line'.
On Netflix, 'The Rip' premieres the same day. This 2026 action thriller stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who also produce, alongside Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler. Directed by Joe Carnahan of 'Smokin’ Aces' fame, it follows Miami police discovering $20 million in a stash house, leading to betrayal and escalating danger from outsiders.
Other releases include 'All You Need is Kill', a time-loop alien invasion tale co-directed by Kenichiro Akimoto, based on the novel behind 'Edge of Tomorrow'; the mystery horror 'Night Patrol' with Justin Long, which premiered at 2025 Fantastic Fest; PG-rated animated 'Charlie the Wonderdog' voiced by Owen Wilson; PG-13 sports drama 'Signing Tony Raymond' featuring former NFL players; R-rated 'A Private Life' starring Jodie Foster, who earned a 2026 Lumiere Awards nomination; and documentary-style 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', Tunisia's Oscar shortlisted entry about a real Gaza emergency call, with an all-Palestinian cast.
These films provide a mix of genres, from high-stakes action to poignant real-life stories, catering to broad audiences.
