The new year always brings a fresh wave of streaming content, and January 2026 is packed with premieres, returning favorites, and blockbuster movies across every major platform. While some streamers ease into the year, others are starting 2026 strong with high-profile originals, long-awaited new seasons, and deep libraries of fan‑favorite films. Here’s a clear look at what to expect on streaming this January.
Big Picture: What January 2026 Looks Like for Streaming
January 2026 is a month of franchise power and prestige TV. Netflix leans into global series and major returns like Bridgerton, HBO Max delivers epic fantasy and acclaimed originals, Disney+ expands its Marvel and sci‑fi universes, and Apple TV+ continues its reputation for high-quality dramas. Meanwhile, Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock round things out with major catalog drops and buzzy exclusives.
Netflix: Global Hits and Major Returns
Netflix kicks off the year with one of its strongest January slates in recent memory.
Highlights include:
- Bridgerton (Season 4, Part 1) – The return of Netflix’s Regency-era juggernaut is the platform’s biggest January event.
- His & Hers – A high-profile new drama starring Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson.
- The Rip – A crime thriller film starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
- People We Meet on Vacation – A romantic film adaptation of the popular novel.
- New seasons of international hits like Love Is Blind: Germany, The Queen of Flow, and Alpha Males.
Netflix also adds a massive library of movies on January 1, including Dune, District 9, Erin Brockovich, Despicable Me, and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, making it an especially strong month for film fans.
Prime Video: Big Movies and Prestige Series
Prime Video blends blockbuster films with anticipated TV returns.
Notable releases:
- The Night Manager (Season 2) – One of the most anticipated TV sequels of the year.
- Kung Fu Panda 4 – Arrives early in the month.
- The Wrecking Crew – A new 2026 action film.
- Beast Games (Season 2) – The hit competition series returns.
Prime also adds an enormous lineup of classics and modern favorites, from Forrest Gump and Love Actually to Mission: Impossible films and Zombieland: Double Tap.
Hulu: TV Powerhouse Energy
Hulu continues to dominate with next-day TV, reality hits, and prestige originals.
January standouts:
- FX’s The Beauty – A major new sci‑fi drama series.
- The Rookie (Season 8) and Will Trent (Season 4) premieres.
- Animal Control (Season 4) and Tell Me Lies (Season 3).
- Film additions like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Hacksaw Ridge.
Hulu’s deep catalog additions throughout the month make it a strong choice for binge-watchers and reality TV fans.
HBO Max: Fantasy, Auteur Films, and Acclaimed Originals
HBO Max delivers one of the most critically exciting January lineups.
Key releases include:
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – The long-awaited Game of Thrones prequel.
- The Pitt (Season 2) – Noah Wyle’s acclaimed medical drama returns.
- Industry (Season 4) – One of HBO’s sharpest dramas.
- Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man! – A special celebrating the comedy legend.
The platform also adds a massive collection of classic films and A24 favorites, making January a cinephile’s dream.
Disney+: Franchises Front and Center
Disney+ leans heavily into its biggest brands.
Major additions:
- Tron: Ares – One of the most talked-about sci‑fi releases of the year.
- Wonder Man – A new Marvel series expanding the MCU.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 2) – Weekly episodes throughout the month.
- The complete Indiana Jones original trilogy arrives January 1.
Family-friendly series, Disney Jr. content, and nature documentaries round out the slate.
Apple TV+: Prestige Continues
Apple TV+ keeps its quality-over-quantity strategy intact.
January premieres:
- Tehran (Season 3)
- Hijack (Season 2)
- Drops of God (Season 2)
- Shrinking (Season 3) – One of Apple’s most beloved comedies returns.
Paramount+, Peacock, and More
- Paramount+ launches Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, new original crime series, and a huge movie library drop on January 1.
- Peacock debuts The Traitors (Season 4), new originals like Ponies, and blockbuster films including Twisters and The Hunger Games franchise.
- Live events like the Golden Globes, Grammy Awards, and Critics Choice Awards stream across multiple platforms.
Final Takeaway
January 2026 proves that streaming no longer slows down after the holidays. With fantasy epics, returning prestige dramas, Marvel expansions, and massive movie libraries hitting all at once, there’s something new to watch nearly every day of the month.
Whether you’re diving into Bridgerton, exploring Westeros again, or catching up on award-season films, January is setting the tone for a huge year in streaming.
