8 New Movies You'll Want to Watch This Month

By Sharon Clott Kanter
Updated Jan 04, 2016 @ 6:15 pm

January is a slow month for mega movies. Instead, what you get is a mix of films to hold everyone over for a little while—from spoofs to thrillers to comedies to patriotic sagas to something for the kids—until the year really gets underway. Scroll down to see what’s worth watching in the first month of 2016.

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The Forest

TheForestReal/Facebook

January 8
Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer heads into Japan’s Aokigahara Forest—a known location where people go to commit suicide—to find her twin sister. Chicago Fire (and Lady Gaga’s leading man) Taylor Kinney co-stars in this super-scary supernatural thriller.

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13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

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January 15
The true story of six soldiers who defended the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012 is brought to the screen through the eyes of Transformers and Armageddon (and movie explosion master) Michael Bay.

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The Fifth Wave

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January 22
With Hunger Games over, let's all welcome the new apocalyptic YA novel-turned-mega-movie, The Fifth Wave. Based on Rick Yancey’s series, the sci-fi thriller tells the story of Cassie Sullivan (Chloë Grace Moretz), who is seeking out her little brother before a fifth wave of alien attacks hits.

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Dirty Grandpa

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January 22
This straight-up silly spring break comedy stars Robert DeNiro as the titular Dirty Grandpa, who convinces/tricks his grandson Jason (Zac Efron) into driving to Daytona Beach just before he’s about to get married. You're guaranteed to see Efron shirtless. Often.

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The Finest Hours

Disney Enterprises, Inc.

January 29
Set in 1952, this drama tells the true story of a Coast Guard rescue off the coast of Cape Cod that seemed impossible. (Seemed is the keyword here.) Look for a lineup of sexy men steering this ship, including Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana, and Ben Foster.

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Jane Got a Gun

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January 29
Did The Hateful Eight whet your appetite for westerns? Then try this one, in which Natalie Portman stars as the gun slinging Jane Hammond out to protect her family after her husband is killed. Turns out, there’s only one person who she can turn to for help—her ex (Joel Edgerton). 

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Kung Fu Panda 3

Atlaspix / Alamy Stock Photo

January 29
Po (Jack Black) returns in this third installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. This time, he visits a village and goes on to train them in his skill. Also, keep an ear out for the voice of Kate Hudson, who joins the cast as Mei Mei, a panda who is supposed to marry Po.

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Fifty Shades of Black

January 29
Fans of E.L. James’s erotic novels and movies will certainly get a kick out of this spoof starring Marlon Wayans (who also co-wrote the movie) as Christian Black and Adult Swim’s Kali Hawk as his “submissive,” Hannah.

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By Sharon Clott Kanter