As the new year kicks off, entertainment enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in January 2026, particularly on the television front. While the month promises a relatively quiet slate for theatrical films beyond a couple of holdover sci-fi releases from the previous year, streaming platforms are delivering a robust lineup of new series and movies. According to a recent roundup from Us Weekly, five standout titles are poised to dominate viewing schedules, blending genres from spy thrillers to superhero comedies and epic fantasies. This mix highlights Hollywood's ongoing pivot toward prestige TV and franchise extensions, offering viewers diverse options to kickstart the year.
Leading the pack is HBO Max's highly anticipated spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set to premiere on January 18. Based on George R.R. Martin's novellas, the series unfolds 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, transporting audiences to the gritty world of Westeros with a focus on chivalric adventures. Peter Claffey stars as Ser Duncan the Tall, known affectionately as Dunk, a lowborn knight navigating a realm rife with political intrigue and social barriers. "Game of Thrones fans have been eagerly awaiting the next spinoff prequel series," Us Weekly reports, emphasizing the excitement surrounding this chapter in Martin's expansive universe.
Dunk's story begins with him drawing the attention of a young Prince Aegon Targaryen, played by Dexter Sol Ansell, who conceals his royal identity by going by Egg. The duo's budding partnership faces immediate peril, as Dunk must first survive a trial by combat against some of the realm's fiercest warriors. This setup promises the high-stakes drama and moral complexities that defined the original series, while exploring themes of class disparity and loyalty in a prequel era untouched by the Iron Throne's later upheavals. For fans still reeling from the 2019 finale of Game of Thrones, this release marks a significant return to Martin's lore, potentially reigniting interest in the franchise amid ongoing projects like House of the Dragon.
Shifting gears to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney+ will launch Wonder Man on January 27, introducing a lesser-known hero with a fresh, meta twist. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II portrays Simon Williams, an aspiring actor who gains superhuman powers and dreams of headlining a blockbuster remake of an existing Wonder Man film. In the comics, Wonder Man is a C-list Avenger with ionic energy abilities, but this adaptation leans into Hollywood satire, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Ben Kingsley reprises his role as Trevor Slattery, the faux Mandarin from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, seeking a comeback by befriending the rising star Simon.
"If you’ve never heard of Marvel’s Wonder Man, it’s probably because he’s a C-list hero at best who is only known for his stints on the Avengers," Us Weekly notes, underscoring the series' aim to elevate the character's profile. Kingsley's involvement adds layers of humor and self-awareness, as Trevor recognizes Simon's potential and latches on for his own redemption arc. This project arrives at a time when Marvel is expanding its Disney+ offerings post-Avengers: Endgame, with recent series like Agatha All Along experimenting with unconventional storytelling. Viewers can expect a blend of action, comedy, and industry insider jokes, potentially broadening Wonder Man's appeal beyond comic book purists.
Another Disney+ highlight, Tron: Ares, streams starting January 7, bringing the cyberpunk franchise into a new era dominated by artificial intelligence themes. Jared Leto leads as Ares, a digital enforcer created by Evan Peters' Julian Dillinger alongside Jodie Turner-Smith's Athena. The plot revolves around their 29-minute forays into the real world, tasked with pursuing Greta Lee's Eve Kim, an ENCOM executive believed to hold the key to permanent digital-to-physical transitions. However, Ares develops a fascination with humanity, rebelling against his creator and becoming Eve's unlikely ally.
Jeff Bridges returns as Kevin Flynn from the original 1982 Tron, stealing scenes in a film that balances nostalgic callbacks with forward-looking sci-fi. "If you’ve ever wanted to see Jeff Bridges steal a movie out from under everyone, the original Tron star does make his return," Us Weekly highlights, pointing to Bridges' enduring charisma. Originally slated for a 2025 theatrical release, Tron: Ares faced delays but now fits into January's streaming surge. This installment explores ethical dilemmas around AI autonomy, echoing real-world debates on technology's role in society, especially as advancements in virtual reality continue to blur digital boundaries.
On the thriller side, Prime Video revives The Night Manager for its second season on January 11, a decade after the acclaimed 2016 miniseries. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Jonathan Pine, the ex-military hotel manager turned intelligence asset, now emerging from retirement to confront lingering threats from the arms trade. The first season saw Pine, coerced by Olivia Colman's Angela Burr, infiltrating the circle of arms dealer Richard Roper, played by Hugh Laurie. Season 2 picks up with Pine suspecting that one of Roper's former allies, Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), is receiving covert British government support for his dealings in Colombia.
Camila Morrone joins as Roxana Bolaños, a distrustful figure entangled in the intrigue who questions Pine's motives. "A decade is a long time between seasons, but Tom Hiddleston’s been busy making movies and two seasons of Loki," Us Weekly observes, attributing the delay to Hiddleston's packed schedule. The series, adapted from John le Carré's novel, has long been praised for its tense espionage narrative and stellar ensemble. This revival taps into ongoing global concerns about arms proliferation and governmental complicity, offering a timely lens on international shadowy dealings.
Finally, rounding out the TV-heavy month is the sci-fi horror film Ash, now available on Hulu following a subdued 2025 theatrical run. Eiza González stars as Riya Ortiz, an astronaut awakening on a derelict space station with her crew deceased and her memories fragmented. Aaron Paul co-stars as Brion Cargyle, who arrives claiming to be her rescuer in response to a distress signal, but Riya's paranoia mounts as recollections surface, casting doubt on his true intentions.
"Ash is a sci-fi/horror movie that flew way under the radar during its brief theatrical release last year. But for a low-budget flick, it’s got some real style as well as star power from its two leads," Us Weekly praises, noting the film's atmospheric tension despite its modest origins. The story builds to a claustrophobic confrontation, where survival hinges on unraveling deception in the void of space. Amid a landscape dominated by big-budget blockbusters, Ash represents the indie spirit in genre filmmaking, reminiscent of earlier hits like Moon or Europa Report.
January 2026's lineup underscores streaming services' dominance in post-pandemic entertainment, with platforms like Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Hulu competing for subscriber attention through exclusive content. The emphasis on sequels and spinoffs— from Tron to The Night Manager—reflects studios' reliance on established IP to mitigate financial risks, a trend accelerated by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Yet, newcomers like Wonder Man and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms inject fresh narratives, potentially cultivating new fanbases.
Critics and fans alike are buzzing about how these releases might influence viewing habits, especially as cord-cutting continues to rise. For instance, the Game of Thrones prequel could boost HBO Max subscriptions, while Marvel's meta approach in Wonder Man might appeal to a younger, TikTok-savvy audience. As awards season ramps up later in the year, early 2026 titles like The Night Manager season 2 position actors such as Hiddleston for renewed acclaim.
Looking ahead, this month's offerings set the stage for a packed spring, with more Marvel projects and fantasy epics on the horizon. Viewers are encouraged to mark their calendars: Tron: Ares on January 7, The Night Manager on January 11, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on January 18, and Wonder Man on January 27, alongside Ash already streaming. In a fragmented media landscape, these selections promise something for every taste, from pulse-pounding action to introspective horror.
Whether you're a die-hard fantasy devotee or a casual sci-fi buff, January 2026 delivers escapism in spades. As streaming wars evolve, such curated lineups remind us why television—and its cinematic cousins—remain cultural cornerstones, fostering communal discussions and shared anticipation in an increasingly digital age.