Major Movie Releases This Week in USA: January 2026 Highlights for NRI Audiences
USA – January 9, 2026 – The new year brings an exciting mix of Hollywood blockbusters and Bollywood releases to theaters across the United States. For the NRI community, this week’s lineup features high-octane action, survival thrillers, romantic comedies, and patriotic dramas – many with screenings in major cities like New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, and Illinois.
Whether you’re craving edge-of-your-seat disaster epics, heartfelt rom-coms, or inspiring war stories timed perfectly around Republic Day, there’s plenty to choose from. Here’s a roundup of the biggest movie releases hitting US theaters starting January 9, 2026:
Hollywood Highlights
- Greenland 2: Migration Genre: Action / Thriller / Disaster Starring: Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin Director: Ric Roman WaughGerard Butler returns in this gripping sequel to the 2020 hit, as a family battles for survival in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world. Expect intense action and emotional family drama – a top pick for fans of large-scale thrillers.
- Primate Genre: Horror / Thriller Starring: Ensemble cast Director: Johannes RobertsA chaotic creature-feature horror about a rampaging primate turning a vacation deadly. With practical effects and non-stop tension, it’s perfect for horror enthusiasts looking for a wild ride.
- People We Meet on Vacation (Limited Theatrical + Netflix Streaming) Genre: Romantic Comedy Starring: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Jameela Jamil Director: Brett HaleyAdapted from Emily Henry’s bestseller, this feel-good rom-com follows best friends on a vacation that sparks romance. Available on Netflix from January 9 with select US theatrical screenings – ideal for light-hearted date nights.
Bollywood & Indian Cinema Releases in USA
This week coincides with patriotic fervor, with major Hindi films getting wide releases in NRI hotspots:
- Border 2 (Releasing around Republic Day weekend) Genre: War / Action / Patriotic Drama Starring: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty Director: Anurag SinghThe highly anticipated sequel to the iconic 1997 war film Border. Inspired by real events from the 1971 Indo-Pak War, it promises high patriotism, powerful performances, and massive action sequences. A must-watch for desi audiences celebrating India’s military heroes.
- Rahu Ketu Genre: Fantasy Comedy Starring: Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Shalini Pandey Director: Vipul VigA hilarious reunion of the Fukrey duo in a chaotic adventure involving magic, mafia, and mischief. Family-friendly laughs guaranteed.
- Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos Genre: Comedy / Spy Thriller Starring: Imran Khan (comeback!), ensemble castImran Khan returns after a long hiatus in this quirky spy comedy backed by Aamir Khan Productions. Expect fun, twists, and nostalgia.
Other notable Indian releases include potential screenings of Ikkis (war biopic starring Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda) and regional titles expanding to US markets.
Streaming Picks for Home Viewing
- People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix – Perfect rom-com escape.
- Catch up on recent hits or await more January drops.
This week’s diverse slate blends Hollywood spectacle with Bollywood emotion, making it a great time for NRI families to head to theaters. Many cinemas like AMC, Regal, and independent desi theaters offer Hindi films with English subtitles.
