Get ready, movie buffs! The long-range forecast for early 2026 is here, and it's looking like a mix of thrills, chills, and action-packed adventures. Let's dive into what's predicted to hit the big screen in the first quarter of 2026.
Primate: A January Horror Flick
First up, we have Primate, a horror film from Paramount, directed by Johannes Roberts, known for movies like 47 Meters Down and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. The movie promises a classic 'man vs. nature' showdown with a family's pet chimpanzee turning violent after a rabid animal bite.
The big question is: Will it scare up big bucks? The forecast predicts a domestic opening weekend range of $5 million to $10 million. While that might seem modest, it's worth noting that January releases can be unpredictable. To put things in perspective, M3GAN (2023) opened at a whopping $30.4 million and raked in $95.1 million domestically. Even Scream (2022) managed a $30 million opening. However, Primate may not have the same marketing buzz or franchise recognition. If it hits the higher end of the range, it could perform similarly to The Boy (2016), which opened at $10.7 million. Positive word-of-mouth could boost it further, potentially joining the ranks of other original January horror films like Night Swim ($11.7 million), The Forest ($12.7 million), or Escape Room ($18.2 million).
Greenland 2: Migration: Action-Packed Sequel
Next, we have Greenland 2: Migration, a sequel starring Gerard Butler, set to bring some action to the January film slate. The first Greenland was released during the pandemic and didn't have a theatrical release in North America. The forecast projects an opening weekend range of $10 million to $20 million.
To gauge its potential, we can look at similar adult-oriented action thrillers released in January. Plane (2023) opened at $10.2 million, while Den of Thieves (2018) hit $15.2 million, and Den of Thieves: Pantera (2025) opened at $15 million. Other January action films to consider include Flight Risk ($11.5 million), starring Mark Wahlberg, and The Commuter ($13.7 million), starring Liam Neeson, along with The Beekeeper ($16.5 million), starring Jason Statham.
But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think sequels always live up to the hype? Or can they sometimes surpass the original?
Tracking Updates [As Of 12/5/25]
Here's a quick peek at some other films expected to release around the same time:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2: Predicted opening range of $35 million – $45 million (Universal)
- Ella McCay: Predicted opening range of $3 million – $5 million (20th Century Studios / Disney)
- Hamnet (Expansion): Predicted opening range of $3 million – $5 million (Focus Features / Universal)
- David: Predicted opening range of $15 million – $20 million (Angel Studios)
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants: Predicted opening range of $25 million – $35 million (Paramount)
- The Housemaid: Predicted opening range of $25 million – $35 million (Lionsgate)
- Avatar: Fire and Ash: Predicted opening range of $100 million – $120 million (20th Century Studios / Disney)
- Anaconda: Predicted opening range of $20 million – $30 million (Sony)
- Marty Supreme: Predicted opening range of $8 million – $12 million (A24)
- Song Sung Blue: Predicted opening range of $10 million – $15 million (Focus Features)
And this is the part most people miss... The film industry is constantly evolving, and these forecasts are just educated guesses. What factors do you think will most influence the success of these films? Let me know in the comments below!
