Movies to watch in January, from 'Night Swim' to the 'Mean Girls' musical
A musical retelling of a cult classic, a biblical parody and more

It's a brand new year, which brings a new crop of movies to the big screen and streaming services. Nostalgia carries over as a theme from last year's film releases, with more Y2K cult classics and an action-movie staple debuting this January. These are a few of the notable new movies coming out this month.
'Night Swim' (Jan. 5)
First, we're kicking off the 2024 movie season with "Night Swim," a horror debut written and produced by Bryce McGuire, who Collider predicts will become "a rising star in the horror genre." The newest crop of horror filmmakers "are arguably bigger stars than the movies they make," Collider noted. McGuire is set to join the club that includes terror masterminds like Mike Flanagan and Jordan Peele.
Based on his 2014 short film of the same, McGuire is partnering with Atomic Monster ("Malignant") and Blumhouse Productions ("M3GAN") to produce the film, which stars Wyatt Russell from "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." The story follows the Waller family as they move into a new home with a swimming pool in the backyard. Ian Waller (Russell) hopes the pool will help him rehabilitate a recent injury while giving his family a fresh start. "But a dark secret in the home's past will unleash a malevolent force that will drag the family under into the depths of inescapable terror," Movie Insider wrote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Society of the Snow' (Jan. 5)
The 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes has inspired numerous books and documentaries, including 1993's "Alive," a Hollywood retelling starring Ethan Hawke early in his career. In Netflix's forthcoming "Society of the Snow" ("La Sociedad de la Nieve"), Spanish director J.A. Bayona is reclaiming the real-life tragedy that befell a rugby team on board, "with authenticity and chilling realism, with emotion but without sensationalism," The Hollywood Reporter mused.
The movie is based on a 2009 book by Uruguayan journalist Pablo Vierci and was made after "extensive consultation with both survivors and the families of those who perished in the snow," Hollywood Reporter noted.
'The Book of Clarence' (Jan. 12)
LaKeith Stanfield is set to reunite with director Jeymes Samuel ("The Harder They Fall") for "The Book of Clarence," a dark parody of Hollywood biblical epics. Like his hip-hop western debut, Samuel's latest puts a diverse spin on the genre. Stanfield stars as Clarence, the eponymous lead, a Jerusalem local in 29 A.D. who is inspired by the rising influence of Jesus Christ. He decides to join the Messiah game and starts faking miracles for financial gain. His grift goes swimmingly until the Roman empire arrives.
Despite referencing biblical staples like Jesus and Mary Magdalene, Samuel told Vanity Fair that the film would "tell a Bible story about an everyman." Jay-Z, a producer for the film, said the story was about how a young man "finds his faith through love and through wanting to become somebody in the world," which is "the story of everybody."
'Mean Girls: The Musical' (Jan. 12)
Get in, losers: We're going to see the "Mean Girls" movie. The film adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical based on Tina Fey's 2004 classic is one of the year's most anticipated releases. Singer-songwriter Renee Rapp returns to her Broadway role as resident queen bee Regina George. Angourie Rice ("Spider-Man: Far From Home") plays Cady Heron, the new girl in town. Fey and fellow SNL alum Tim Meadows are back, respectively, as math teacher Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall from the original film.
While the premise of the musical is the same as the original, the trailer promises that the film won't be "your mother's 'Mean Girls.'" Fans of the cult classic might come for the nostalgia, but they'll stay for the musical numbers.
'The Beekeeper' (Jan. 12)
Speaking of nostalgia, Jason Statham is back in all his action-hero glory with "The Beekeeper," a thriller from director David Ayer ("Training Day") and writer Kurt Wimmer ("Salt"). After a phishing scam leads to the suicide of his neighbor, Mr. Clay (Statham), a former operative for a secret organization called Beekeepers, goes on a path of revenge against the company responsible for his death.
The pressure is on as Ayer "desperately" needs his new film to "break a 10-year streak" of a downturn in his career trajectory, Cooper Hood opined on Screen Rant. "Considering the promise that David Ayer's movies showed early in his career, 'The Beekeeper' arrives at a pivotal moment."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.
-
5 costly cartoons about Liberation Day tariffs
Cartoons Artists take on the auto industry, 401(k) plans, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Whipped ricotta and asparagus bruschetta recipe
The Week Recommends This creamy irresistible dish is springtime on toast
By The Week UK Published
-
The Sentebale row: a blow for Prince Harry
Talking Point Duke of Sussex made 'devastating' decision to stand down as Aids charity's patron, following 'power struggle' between its trustees and new chair
By The Week UK Published
-
Movies to watch in April, including 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'The Legend of Ochi'
The Week Recommends An all-timer video game gets a wacky adaption, Ryan Coogler makes a vampire flick and a new fantasy puts practical effects back in the spotlight
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Inside the contested birth years of generations
The Explainer Battles over where Gen Z ends and Gens Alpha and Beta begin remain ongoing
By David Faris Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
7 ways to drink spectacularly across the United States this spring
The Week Recommends A bar for every springtime occasion
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Adolescence and the toxic online world: what's the solution?
Talking Point The hit Netflix show is a window into the manosphere, red pills and incels
By The Week UK Published
-
6 welcoming recipes for cooking and baking during your spring days
The Week Recommends You want it flavorful, and you want it exciting
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Spring's best new cookbooks, from pizza to pastries
The Week Recommends Pizza, an array of brownies and Cantonese-American mash-ups are on the menu
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Eephus and The Day the Earth Blew Up
feature Small-town baseballers play their final game and Porky and Daffy return to the big screen
By The Week US Published