5 Best Movies That Have Just Come To Netflix In January 2026

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January 2026 has brought a lot of great movies to Netflix, making it hard to choose the best new additions. Over the years, Netflix has become a home for many classic and popular films, both as exclusive releases and after they’ve finished playing in theaters.

With Netflix being so popular, new movies are added every month – and January 2026 is no exception. Many great films became available then, but a few really stood out due to their quality and positive reputation.

District 9

The sci-fi film District 9 became available on Netflix on January 1, 2026. Presented as a fake documentary, complete with interviews, security footage, and news reports, the movie offers a thought-provoking look at what it means to be human, using science fiction as a way to examine this complex idea.

Many sci-fi stories feature aliens that look almost human, with just a few cosmetic differences. However, the movie District 9 takes a different approach. Its aliens look more like insects or squids, and the story focuses on how poorly they are treated. This mistreatment is partially justified by some characters within the film because of how different the aliens appear.

Interestingly, the alien characters demonstrate more compassion than most of the humans in the film, even though they are mistreated and subjected to harmful experiments by government agents. The movie effectively explores classic science fiction themes while still delivering a thrilling action-packed story.

Green Room

Even though Green Room came out in 2016, it’s still a remarkably tense and gripping thriller today. It definitely earns its R rating and remains a must-see for anyone who enjoys dark, intense horror.

The movie Green Room follows a punk band who unknowingly book a show at a bar run by neo-Nazis. When a violent crime occurs, the band finds themselves the targets of the bar’s patrons, who want to eliminate all witnesses. The film then becomes a fast-paced and increasingly violent struggle for survival, earning critical praise even though it didn’t perform well at the box office.

Dawn Of The Dead

Given its status as a classic and one of the most recognizable zombie films ever made, it was almost inevitable that Dawn of the Dead would be remade. The original, released in 1978, remains a landmark story about a zombie outbreak.

It was surprising, though, that the 2004 remake also became popular, considering how difficult it was to follow up such a beloved original film.

Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, written by James Gunn, is an interesting film because both directors later became famous for their work on DC superhero movies. It’s easy to see how their combined skills create strong action sequences, and it explains why Snyder’s 2021 film, Army of the Dead, feels similar in its approach to zombies.

Hellboy

Netflix started January with a hidden gem: the 2004 Hellboy movie. While the 2019 reboot received mixed reviews, the original is still considered a great adaptation of the comic book and a strong entry in the superhero and paranormal genres. It’s been available on the platform since the beginning of the month.

Hellboy tells the story of a unique character who was taken in by a scientist during World War II. He grows up to become a vital part of the U.S. Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, working alongside a team of allies who play important roles in the film.

Hellboy stands out as an action-packed and visually stylish comic book movie that also offers a surprisingly empathetic look at supernatural beings. It delivers a heartwarming message: no one is inherently evil, and everyone has the power to choose goodness and fight for what’s right.

12 Years A Slave

The film 12 Years A Slave is based on the true story of Solomon Northrup, who documented his life in a memoir written in 1853. The movie depicts how Northrup, a free man living in New York, was kidnapped, drugged, and sold into slavery in New Orleans, where he endured years of hardship.

Recognized for its quality and importance, particularly Chiwetel Ejiofor’s powerful performance, the film was chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress in the United States National Film Registry in 2023.

The powerful film 12 Years a Slave has deservedly won many awards for its heartbreaking and important portrayal of slavery, giving voice to stories that are often forgotten. Although it’s a difficult film to watch, the 2013 release is highly recommended, and its availability on Netflix will hopefully allow a wider audience to see it.

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2026-01-12 16:29