Best Horror of January 2026: Sam Raimi’s New Thriller, Ralph Fiennes in ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ a Killer Chimpanzee and More
by William Earl · VarietyWelcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the executive digital director of Variety and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast. Please drop me a line at wearl@variety.com if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive.
Marquee Madness
Image Credit: Sony Pictures “Primate” (In theaters Jan. 9 via Paramount Pictures) — This lean and nasty-looking thriller concerns a family whose normally loving and docile pet chimpanzee becomes out of control when he’s bitten and gets rabies while dad is out of town. Johannes Roberts’ film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the titular antagonist is a performance from an actor versus CGI, which gives it some serious gravitas for a killer animal flick.
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” (In theaters Jan. 16 via Sony Pictures Releasing) — Just months after the release of the stylish hit “28 Years Later,” Nia DaCosta helms this direct sequel which focuses on Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Ian Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s wild Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, who was introduced as a bonkers cult leader at the end of the last film. Early reactions have also been strong for this installment.
“Send Help” (In theaters Jan. 30 via 20th Century Studios) — Sam Raimi’s newest thriller pairs Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as feuding co-workers who are the sole survivors of a plane crash and must survive together on a deserted island. Previews of the film, penned by “Freddy vs. Jason” duo Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, look to be filled with twists and dark humor.
Off the Beaten Path
Image Credit: Courtesy of Shudder “We Bury the Dead” (In theaters Jan. 2 via Vertical) — Zak Hilditch’s nuanced take on a zombie movie is carried by star Daisy Ridley, a woman desperately trying to find her husband as the dead rise. Great production design and a chilling soundscape amp up the tension.
“Self-Help” (Debuts on Screambox on Jan. 6) — A young woman tries to rescue her mother from a wellness cult and its creepy guru in “Founders Day” director Erik Bloomquist’s newest feature.
“Sleepwalker” (In theaters Jan. 9 via Brainstorm Media) — Hayden Panettiere stars as a grieving mother haunted by visions of her abusive husband, who was put in a coma by the same accident that killed her daughter. Brandon Auman wrote and directed this psychological thriller, which plays effectively with scares shrouded in darkness.
“Night Patrol” (In theaters Jan. 16 via RLJE Films) — Ryan Prows’ vampire cop thriller is a genre mashup that brings bloodsuckers to the streets of L.A. With a unique cast led by Jermaine Fowler and Justin Long, and featuring a blend of rappers and character actors in supporting roles, “Night Patrol” also makes room to touch on some real-life social issues.
“Savage Flowers” (Debuts on Screambox on Jan. 20) — Brad Watson directed this apocalyptic tale of children who are carriers of a global virus, and a young girl who ends up at a makeshift orphanage and must survive the sinister girls around her.
“Return to Silent Hill” (In theaters Jan. 23 via Cineverse) — The first new “Silent Hill” movie since 2012 is an adaptation of the video game franchise favorite “Silent Hill 2,” and early footage looks devoted to the vibe of the game. Christophe Gans, who helmed the first film in 2006, returns to direct this new chapter.
“Mother of Flies” (Debuts on Shudder on Jan. 23) — The Adams family’s latest stylish creation is a dark tale about a young woman with cancer (Zelda Adams), who searches for a cure from a witch (Toby Poser). Lots of evil imagery and unexpected twists on magical lore follow.
Killer Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of FX “The Hillside Strangler” (Premiering Jan. 18 on MGM+) — This four-part true-crime docuseries covers the disturbing real-life murders of young women that took place in L.A. from October 1977 to February 1978.
“The Beauty” (Premiering Jan. 21 on FX) — Ryan Murphy’s newest series has a wild concept: An STD causes its carriers to have a gorgeous appearance, but also has more insidious implications. Based on the graphic novel from Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the cast includes Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher and Rebecca Hall.
Bloodcurdling Books
Image Credit: Courtesy of Gallery Books “The Bloody Brick Road” by Maude Royer (Released on Jan. 6 via Gallery Books) — Move over, “Wicked.” A wild new take on “The Wizard of Oz” is coming, and it’s a gruesome Canadian serial killer mystery filled with easter eggs.
“A Box Full of Darkness” by Simone St. James (Released on Jan. 20 via Berkley) — The “Sun Down Motel” author returns with this haunted house story about a group of siblings who are beckoned to return to their creepy childhood home by the ghost of their brother. Spirits and spooky situations abound in this cozy tome.
“The Final Score” by Don Winslow (Released on Jan. 27 via William Morrow) — It’s not horror, but genre fans will still love Winslow’s latest collection of taut and thrilling crime stories. Take our patron saint Stephen King’s word for it, as he calls “The Final Score” the “best crime fiction I’ve read in twenty years.”
Frightening Festivals
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fantasia Film Festival Sundance Film Festival (Jan. 22 — Feb. 1 in Park City, Utah; click here for tickets) — The fest’s final year in Utah is set to deliver strong horror picks in its Midnight section, including A24’s audio-led podcast thriller “Undertone,” “Too Many Cooks” mastermind Casper Kelly’s “Buddy” and haunting queer love story “Leviticus.”