Best Movies to Watch in Cinemas This January in the Netherlands
Rachel McAdams is Linda Liddle in Send Help—a survivor’s harrowing descent into madness and survival on a deserted island.
January 2026 Movie Highlights
January in the Netherlands is a great month for cinema. Cold nights, packed screenings, and a mix of big Hollywood drops, genre sequels, indie discoveries, and festival favorites. Dutch cinemas usually screen films in original language with Dutch subtitles, and you’ll find a good balance between mainstream chains and arthouse venues.
If you’re into documentaries and festival gems, check the films we mentioned in our guide to IDFA 2025, they often return to Dutch cinemas in January.
Where to Watch These Films
The top Dutch cinemas screening these January releases include:
Mainstream chains
Pathé De Munt (Amsterdam)
Pathé Arena (Amsterdam)
Pathé Rotterdam Schouwburgplein
Kinepolis Utrecht Jaarbeurs
Vue Eindhoven
Arthouse cinemas
Eye Filmmuseum (Amsterdam)
FilmHallen (Amsterdam)
Het Ketelhuis (Amsterdam)
Lab111 (Amsterdam)
KINO Rotterdam
LantarenVenster Rotterdam
Filmhuis Den Haag
Louis Hartlooper Complex (Utrecht)
Now let’s go film by film.
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The Full List: Movies You Can’t Miss in January 2026
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Release: 16 January 2026
Genre: Horror / Post-apocalyptic
The 28 Days Later universe expands again, darker, bigger, and more brutal. Directed by Nia DaCosta with a story by Alex Garland, this is the major horror event of the month. Expect fast-paced survival, political undertones, and high tension.
SOULM8TE
Release: 2 January 2026
Genre: Sci-fi Horror
This M3GAN spin-off brings a creepy AI doll with advanced emotional learning, which, naturally, turns into chaos. Stylish and unsettling, SOULM8TE is perfect for horror fans looking for something slick and modern.
Greenland 2: Migration
Release: 8 January 2026
Genre: Disaster / Action
Gerard Butler returns for a new round of global catastrophe. Expect tense family drama mixed with big disaster sequences. A solid pick if you want a cinematic adrenaline rush.
Mutiny
Release: 9 January 2026
Genre: Thriller / Action
A high-stakes maritime thriller where a naval crew’s loyalty is pushed to the limit during a mission gone wrong. As tensions escalate and alliances crumble, the line between obedience and rebellion vanishes in a fight for survival. With explosive action, political intrigue, and relentless suspense, Mutiny is a must-see for thriller fans.
Primate
Release: 22 January 2026
Genre: Horror
Creature-horror fans get something fun and intense with Primate. Expect atmospheric scares and a mix of psychological and physical tension.
Send Help
Release: 29 January 2026
Genre: Dark Comedy Thriller
Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, this survival-comedy-thriller blends humor with disaster tension. One of the more unique releases of the month.
The Moment
Release: 30 January 2026 (festival to theatrical)
Genre: Mockumentary / Satire / Music
Starring Charli XCX, this film blends pop culture, fame, satire, and documentary style. Expect something chaotic, stylish, and very A24-coded. A great pick for anyone who loves indie film and contemporary pop culture.
If you're into festival cinema, this pairs well with films highlighted in our IDFA 2025 guide.
Mercy
Release: Late January 2026
Genre: Sci-fi Thriller
A more cerebral sci-fi option, Mercy plays with philosophical themes and is great if you prefer slower, more atmospheric filmmaking.
IDFA Films Returning to Cinemas
Many IDFA titles return to Dutch cinemas in January through the IDFA Extended circuit.
It’s Never Over: Jeff Buckley
Eye Filmmuseum and Filmhuis Den Haag
2000 Meters to Andriivka
LantarenVenster + Het Ketelhuis
House of Hope
Louis Hartlooper Complex (Utrecht)
For deeper festival coverage, explore our full guide to IDFA 2025, it helps spotlight the documentaries that continue circulating in January.
If you’re staying in the Netherlands this January, cinema is one of the best ways to experience the season. Warm seats, big screens, and a mix of blockbuster chaos and indie gems. If you like horror, satire, disaster, or documentary calm, there’s always something new showing across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague.
Stay curious, explore what’s screening near you, and use Outhere to keep discovering culture, films, and the moments that make winter in the Netherlands worth going out for.
FAQ
Which cinemas are best for indie films?
Eye Filmmuseum, FilmHallen, Lab111, KINO Rotterdam, and Filmhuis Den Haag.
Which cinemas show the most mainstream films?
Pathé and Kinepolis have the widest selection and biggest screens.
Do Dutch cinemas use English or Dutch?
Most films are shown in the original language with Dutch subtitles.
Are IDFA films still available?
Yes — many documentaries return in January in selected cinemas.
Is January a big movie month in the Netherlands?
Yes, especially for horror, thrillers, and festival films transitioning to European distribution.
