January 9, 2026 – 8 New Horror Movies Released This Week

A killer chimp, a family curse, a tense drive, and more are the subjects of this week’s new releases!

Table of Contents

This week’s highlight is Primate, a new animal-attack movie from director Johannes Roberts. Also of note is Death Name, a new Tubi Original that looks like it could be a lot of fun. Also, if you missed Predator: Badlands, you can now watch it at home (for premium prices). But that’s not all! Check below for trailers, descriptions, and links to watch all of this week’s new horror/thriller releases. And take a look at our New and Upcoming Horror Movies tracker for even more!

New In Theaters

Primate

Primate was directed by Johannes Roberts (The Strangers: Prey at Night, 47 Meters Down).

For viewers who enjoy: animal-attack movies, killer chimpanzees

A chimpanzee named Ben has become a member of Lucy’s family after the death of her mother (who taught Ben sign language). When Lucy returns home to visit her sister and father, Ben is bitten by a rabid mongoose. As Ben loses his mind to rabies, Lucy and her friends become targets for his pain and anger.

New on Free Streaming

Death Name

Amy Keum (The Kill Room, Honor Society) stars in Death Name.

For viewers who enjoy: Tubi Originals, generational curses, supernatural horror

Sophie Park wants to learn more about her Korean heritage, but when she speaks her Korean name she unlocks a curse that has haunted her family for generations.

New on Subscription Streaming

Self-Help

Director Erik Bloomquist also directed the slasher Founder’s Day (2023). Bloomquist also appears in Self-Help in a supporting role.

For viewers who enjoy: movies about cults, psychological thrillers, family trauma

Olivia visits her estranged mother to find that she’s married the leader of a cult. Now Olivia, who has issues with decision-making, will have to trust herself and her own instincts as the dangers of the cult become apparent.

New Digital Rentals

Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands is currently available at premium VOD prices.

For viewers who enjoy: action, science fiction, monsters

A young predator (or a “yautja” for Predator aficionados) vows to kill an unkillable beast to prove his strength. While on the hunt, he teams up with a Weyland-Yutani synth, and the two of them search for the ultimate prey together.

Sleepwalker

Hayden Panettiere stars in Sleepwalker.

For viewers who enjoy: psychological thrillers, trauma-induced nightmares

A mother trying to cope with the loss of her daughter suffers sleepwalking episodes that become increasingly disturbing.

Hallow Road

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys are excellent as parents Maddie and Frank.

For viewers who enjoy: drama, tense thrillers, suspense

Maddie and Frank receive a frantic call from their daughter Alice late one night. She’s been in a car wreck, and someone is seriously hurt. The parents stay on the phone with Alice as they drive out to help her, but there’s more to Alice’s story than she’s telling.

Blood Totem

Blood Totem is from director Robert Conway (Hellhounds, Buried Alive).

For viewers who enjoy: horror Westerns, supernatural horror

A rescue mission sent into Apache territory encounters a demonic force tied to an ancient totem.

The Bosk

The Bosk is from writer/director Joe Lujan (My Little Nightmare).

For viewers who enjoy: predator and prey, “lost in the woods” movies, survival horror

A woman stranded in the woods is hunted by something (or someone).

Meet The Author

Chris has a degree in film studies at Temple University’s campus in Tokyo, Japan. He is a renowned expert on horror cinema.