New year, new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. And at the movies, the slate of films being released this month will fit the needs of any New Year's resolutions: If you're looking to travel more, why not start at the cinema with an international entry out of Europe? If your plan is to focus on a passion, take inspiration from Christian Bale solving old timey crimes or Jennifer Lopez fighting pirates to save her wedding. And if you need motivation to unplug, look no further than M3GAN the murderous doll.
As you're setting your calendar, don't forget the nominations for the 95th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, ahead of the ceremony itself on Sunday, March 12.
In the meantime, read on for more on January's must-see movies.
M3GAN
Not since Chucky has a killer doll had such a chokehold on popular culture. In M3GAN, a roboticist (Get Out's Allison Williams) become the caretaker for her orphaned niece and provides the young girl with a life-like android designed to protect her from harm. Of course, "M3GAN" develops a mind of her own — and some killer dance moves — and wreaks havoc in the latest offering from Blumhouse.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 6.
The Old Way
Nicolas Cage is in his Wild West era. Not to be confused with Butcher's Crossing — the Cage-starring Western that premiered at TIFF last year — The Old Way stars the Oscar-winner as a gunslinger who is driven from retirement when his wife is murdered and seeks vengeance with his young daughter by his side.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 6.
The Pale Blue Eye
Based on the novel of the same name, this Gothic thriller from writer-director Scott Cooper stars Oscar-winner Christian Bale stars as Augustus Landor, a detective investigating a series of grisly murders in the early 1830s. While on the case, he finds an unlikely ally in a young Edgar Allan Poe (played by Harry Potter actor Harry Melling).
Watch it: On Netflix Jan. 6.
House Party
Reginald Hudlin's 1990 comedy classic about two best friends experiencing one truly wild night is getting a remake courtesy of LeBron James. This time, the titular house party is even bigger as best buds (played by Jacob Latimore and Tosin Cole) throw a rager at the mansion of King James himself, with cameos from Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi, and Lil Wayne.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 13.
Saint Omer
French documentarian Alice Diop makes her narrative film debut with Saint Omer, inspired by a true crime. In the film, an academic observes the trial of a young woman who committed an unthinkable act, and finds herself confronting her own traumas as the trial progresses. Saint Omer has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Oscars.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 13.
Alice, Darling
Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick stars in this drama as a woman whose vacation with two of her closest friends (played by Kaniehtiio Horn and Wunmi Mosaku) forces her to confront the fact that her boyfriend is psychologically abusive, as she finds her way back to herself. Alice, Darling marks the directorial debut of Mary Nighy from a script by Alanna Francis.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 20.
When You Finish Saving The World
Jesse Eisenberg, an Oscar nominee for The Social Network, makes his feature directorial debut with this coming-of-age dramedy about a single mother (Oscar winner Julianne Moore) and her teenage son (Finn Wolfhard) looking for connection outside their family unit while struggling to still connect with one another.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 20.
Close
Close, the second feature from Belgian director Lukas Dhont, won Grand Prix at last year's Cannes Film Festival. The drama centers on two teenage boys whose affectionate relationship is torn apart first by society and then by tragedy. Close is among the 15 features shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Oscars.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 27.
One Fine Morning
Mia Hansen-Løve, the French filmmaker behind Bergman Island and Le père de mes enfants, is back with a Paris-set take starring Lea Seydoux as a widowed single mom struggling to take care of her ailing father who strikes up a romance with a married man who was once a friend of her husband.
Watch it: In theaters Jan. 27.
Shotgun Wedding
Jennifer Lopez returned to the romantic comedy genre with last year's Marry Me and now stars in this rom-com with a twist: She and Josh Duhamel play a soon-to-be married couple on their destination wedding, dealing with the usual wedding woes. The twist is that their island nuptials are attacked by pirates, and the couple must fight to not only save their wedding but the lives of everyone they love. Lenny Kravitz, Cheech Marin, and Jennifer Coolidge round out the cast.
Watch it: On Prime Video Jan. 27.
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