Upcoming January 2025 Movie Releases to Watch

The year 2024 ended on a fairly positive note for theaters, with the domestic box office pulling in over $8.5 billion, down a modest 4% from the previous year. This recovery was driven in part by a growing theatrical slate—the most robust since 2019—and the success of high-profile titles like Inside Out 2 ($652.9M), Deadpool & Wolverine ($636.7M), and Wicked ($432.9M). As 2025 begins, studios and exhibitors alike are optimistic that this post-pandemic surge will continue, with January providing a handful of new releases to complement the holdovers from late 2024.

It’s worth noting that the month of January is known for a box office lull, traditionally positioned as a recovery period after the holiday blockbuster season. That said, the cinematic landscape in January 2025 looks more intriguing than usual. While the industry awaits the first major tentpole of the year—Captain America: Brave New World—scheduled for February, there are still several notable wide releases on the horizon. From Leigh Whannell’s reimagining of a classic Universal monster to a Mark Wahlberg action vehicle and an animated adaptation of the beloved Dog Man graphic novels, there’s plenty for moviegoers to put on their radar.

Below is an extensive look at the key January theatrical releases, followed by a curated guide to some of the top highlights arriving on streaming platforms throughout the month. Whether you’re venturing out to your local cineplex or curling up at home with the latest streaming exclusives, January 2025 has something to keep every film fan entertained.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (Lionsgate) – January 10

Why You Should Pay Attention
The first action-oriented release of the year arrives in the form of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. It’s an unexpected sequel to the 2018 crime thriller Den of Thieves, which introduced audiences to a gritty cat-and-mouse game between a group of elite LA county sheriffs and a gang of clever bank robbers. That film opened to a respectable $15.2 million domestically, ultimately earning $44.9M in the U.S. and $80.5M worldwide. Over time, it gained a cult following in the streaming space, where its mix of intense shootouts and macho camaraderie resonated with action enthusiasts.

Synopsis and Setting
The sequel sees Gerard Butler’s tough LAPD crew traveling to Europe in an attempt to thwart a high-stakes diamond heist. The involvement of a new, international backdrop promises more elaborate set pieces and an expanded cast of foes. The idea of criminals operating on a global scale also raises the stakes. Expect tense firefights, gritty detective work, and unrelenting alpha vibes as the law tries to keep pace with cunning underworld figures.

Box Office Prospects
Historically, January can be a tricky month for action flicks, but Den of Thieves fans have been waiting for news about a follow-up for years, and Lionsgate hopes to benefit from that pent-up demand. With 2023’s Plane—another Gerard Butler vehicle—opening at $10.2M and finishing with $32.1M domestically, Pantera has a solid chance of at least matching those numbers. Butler’s films frequently draw a reliable male-skewing audience, and Pantera’s mid-January release date faces little immediate competition from fresh, big-budget action blockbusters.

Competitive Landscape
This year’s first major tentpole, Captain America: Brave New World, doesn’t drop until February, and fall/winter 2024 action hits (like Gladiator II) are winding down their theatrical runs. That leaves a window for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera to gain traction among genre fans eager for new content.

Wolf Man (Universal Pictures / Blumhouse) – January 17

Leigh Whannell’s Modern Monster

After The Invisible Man became a surprise smash in early 2020—opening to $28.2M and amassing $70.4M despite pandemic shutdowns—director Leigh Whannell returns with another fresh spin on the Universal Monsters mythos. This time, the focus is on Wolf Man, a reimagining of the 1941 classic starring Lon Chaney Jr. The original Wolf Man story established many modern werewolf tropes and remains one of Universal’s most iconic horror properties.

Plot & Cast

Starring Christopher Abbott as Blake, a husband and father living in San Francisco, Wolf Man sees Blake inherit a remote childhood home in rural Oregon. Joined by his wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their young daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth), he finds that the family’s stay at the old homestead gradually warps into an unsettling, primal experience. While specifics of the transformation and the nature of the curse remain under wraps, Whannell’s track record suggests a grounded yet deeply claustrophobic approach to horror, blending intimate character arcs with jarring, intense scares.

Box Office & Horror Competition

January can serve as fertile ground for horror, especially when there aren’t many genre competitors. Universal’s faith in Whannell—coupled with Blumhouse’s knack for marketing event horror—positions Wolf Man as the month’s major spookfest. Expect studio synergy with the legacy of the Universal Monsters brand, plus the success of Blumhouse hits like The Black Phone ($90.1M domestic) reinforcing the potential for robust opening weekend numbers.

Flight Risk (Lionsgate) – January 24

Star Power and Directorial Pedigree
Mark Wahlberg headlines Flight Risk, an action-thriller directed by Mel Gibson—his first stint behind the camera since Hacksaw Ridge (2016), which opened to $15.1M and went on to a $67.2M domestic total. Flight Risk pairs Wahlberg’s character, a pilot, with an Air Marshal played by Michelle Dockery and a fugitive portrayed by Topher Grace, as they navigate a fraught mission in the sky.

Scheduling and Audience Appeal
Originally slated for October 2024, Flight Risk shifts to a late-January window that might work to its advantage. With Lionsgate also releasing Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in early January, the studio aims to stagger action titles to avoid self-competition. By the time Flight Risk opens, Pantera will have been in theaters for two weeks—enough time for the box office to cycle out potential audience overlap.

Looking Ahead
February’s wave of superhero tentpoles and romantic comedies (thanks to the Valentine’s Day lead-up) could overshadow smaller January action entries. But Flight Risk may benefit from being one of the last major wide-release action flicks before Marvel mania commences with Captain America: Brave New World. If it earns positive word of mouth, it could maintain a steady climb through the usually quiet weeks that bridge January and February.

Companion (Warner Bros.) – January 31

Plot & Style

Billed as a genre-blurring experience from the creative team behind Barbarian, Companion channels the intensity and unpredictability that turned Barbarian into a sleeper horror sensation. Companion merges romance, drama, and an unsettling atmosphere—perhaps reminiscent of Her, but layered with the more harrowing elements found in offbeat horror-thrillers.

Cast & Creative Team

The cast includes Sophie Thatcher (whose credits include Heretic and The Boogeyman), Jack Quaid, and Lukas Gage. This ensemble suggests a blend of rising stars known for tackling edgy material. The intriguing tagline—“Text 978-878-5683 to Find Your Companion today”—hints at a marketing campaign that leans heavily on audience engagement and cryptic teasers.

Early Word & Audience Potential

While details on the plot remain scarce, the involvement of the Barbarian team sets fan expectations high. Provided the marketing leans into the bizarre “love story with a twist” concept, Companion could become a buzzy alternative to standard January fare. With a late-January release, it should receive at least a week of breathing room before the competition escalates in February.

Dog Man (Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation) – January 31

Beloved Children’s Series Comes to the Big Screen
Dav Pilkey, the creative mind behind the wildly popular Captain Underpants, launched the Dog Man graphic novel series in 2016. Since then, the franchise has sold over 60 million copies, delighting young readers with its humor, imaginative visuals, and heartwarming messages. Now, DreamWorks Animation is bringing Dog Man to theaters, anticipating the same kind of multigenerational interest that made Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) a mild box office hit.

Plot & Characters
The film follows a police dog and his human officer partner who are both injured on the job. A life-saving surgery fuses them together, creating the half-human, half-canine hero known as Dog Man. The storyline sees Dog Man attempting to impress his chief, voiced by Lil Rel Howery, while battling the nefarious feline villain, Petey the Cat (voiced by Pete Davidson). The comedic flair and action-packed set pieces evoke DreamWorks’ signature style, as seen in franchises like How to Train Your Dragon.

Why It Could Stand Out
Despite its late-January bow, Dog Man might attract families still looking for animated entertainment after the holiday season. With no major animated rivals arriving until later in the quarter, it can carve out a comfortable niche—particularly if positive word of mouth resonates with schools and families familiar with the Dog Man books.

Other January 2025 Release Highlights

While the above titles represent the most prominent wide releases, the month’s cinematic menu also includes indie dramas, award-season expansions, and a variety of streaming debuts. In the previous year, January often served as a platform for studios to re-release or expand Oscar contenders. For 2025, look out for potential expansions of late-2024 hits like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King, which continue to dominate multiplexes nationwide.

Streaming in January 2025: Where to Find Even More Gems

Even if you prefer to catch up on movies from the comfort of home, there’s no shortage of captivating titles arriving on streaming platforms this month. Below are some notable highlights:

Criterion Channel

Nicole Kidman Retrospective: A mini-collection celebrating Kidman’s most adventurous roles, including Eyes Wide Shut and Portrait of a Lady.
Surveillance Cinema: This curated series examines how films have depicted surveillance society from the 1930s to today, spanning everything from Modern Times to A Scanner Darkly.
RaMell Ross’ “Hale County This Morning, This Evening”: A thoughtful, poetic documentary that sets the stage for Ross’ ongoing exploration of everyday lives (and complements his 2025 contender, Nickel Boys).

Disney+

Indiana Jones Quadrilogy: The first four Indiana Jones films arrive, including the often-debated Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, giving fans a chance to revisit Indy’s adventures before marathoning the latest installment, Dial of Destiny, from 2023.

Film Movement Plus

“Asia-Pol” (1966): A vintage spy-thriller co-produced by Japan’s Nikkatsu and the Hong Kong-based Shaw Brothers, featuring Jimmy Wang Yu as a secret agent tangled in a cross-continental plot of stolen gold and yakuza.
“Girl’s Blood”: A rare “erotic action drama” about an underground female MMA fight club—a distinctly off-the-wall offering you likely won’t find elsewhere.

Hulu

Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain”: A Sundance darling now poised for Oscar recognition, this introspective comedy-drama follows two cousins seeking family roots in Poland. Kieran Culkin co-stars in a role that’s already drawn supporting actor buzz.

Amazon Prime Video

“A Quiet Place: Day One”: Michael Sarnoski (Pig) directs the prequel that introduces new characters—led by Lupita Nyong’o—experiencing the alien invasion from a fresh vantage point. The film has drawn praise for its claustrophobic atmosphere and emotional authenticity.

Netflix

“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”: The beloved claymation duo returns in a comedic caper that pits them against a cunning group of sentient garden gnomes and a familiar foe, Feathers McGraw. Expect the trademark Aardman humor and heart.
Cameron Diaz’s “Back in Action”: Cameron Diaz breaks her acting hiatus in this action-comedy, though details remain limited. Anticipation is high for a potentially spirited comeback.

MUBI

“Close Your Eyes” (2023): Master filmmaker Victor Erice returns with a deeply personal, meditative work about a retired director seeking closure on a long-abandoned project. The film explores how cinema can preserve life’s fleeting moments, even when reality has moved on.

Peacock

“The Wolf Man” (1941): Revisit the original Universal Monster classic and compare it to Leigh Whannell’s contemporary version in theaters this month.
“Alien,” “Fargo,” “Nymphomaniac”: A small but potent roster of cinema essentials—sci-fi terror, Midwestern mayhem, and an unabashedly provocative epic, all at your fingertips.

OVID

“Plan 75”: A quietly devastating Japanese drama envisioning a future in which citizens over 74 can trade their “overstaying” in exchange for a payout. It’s a haunting exploration of dignity, isolation, and the moral limitations of a society that sees the elderly as burdens.

Conclusion

January 2025 may lack the marquee superhero blockbusters or sprawling tentpole releases that define the summer and holiday corridors, but it’s hardly a dull month. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, Wolf Man, Flight Risk, Companion, and Dog Man collectively showcase a range of genres—from gritty crime action and heart-pounding horror to quirky animation. Meanwhile, holdovers from December 2024 will continue to bolster theaters until major franchises roar back in early February.

On the streaming side, every major platform is rolling out curated classics, under-the-radar indies, and new exclusives poised to stoke critical and popular interest. Whether you’re looking for high-octane thrills on the big screen or niche arthouse experiences you can queue up at home, January 2025 promises a robust spread of cinematic offerings to ensure no movie lover goes hungry.