A new year is here, and with it comes a huge array of must-see cinema. As we usher in 2026, the big screen is already buzzing with excitement. Here’s a look at the most awaited blockbuster movies releasing in theaters this January.
9 South Indian films to watch in January 2026
1. Jan Naygan
- Mould: Thalapathy Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamita Baiju, Priyamani, Prakash Raj, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Narayan
- Director: H. Vinoth
- Language: tamil
- Runtime: 3 hours 6 minutes
- Style: political action drama
- Release date: 9 January 2026
As if an era is coming to an end, Thalapathy Vijay is all set to hit the theaters with his final cinematic appearance, opposite Jana Nayakan. The political action drama tells the story of a man who becomes a symbol of resistance after he stands up against public injustice.
With old enemies returning to settle scores, the former police officer must juggle between becoming a reluctant leader and serving as a catalyst for a young girl struggling with her own fears.
2. Sixth Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies
- Mould: Mammootty (cameo), Roshan Mathew, Arjun Ashokan, Vishaak Nair, Ishan Shaukat, Siddique, Lakshmi Menon, Rafi, Carmen S Mathew, Dartangan Sabu
- Director: Advaith Nair
- Language: Malayalam
- Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Style: action comedy
- Release date: 22 January 2026
Chhath Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies is the story of a group of misfits who form a wrestling group in Fort Kochi. As the story unfolds, the film focuses on their rivalry and hilarious fights, which eventually lead them to bigger challenges.
The film is touted to be the first WWE-inspired film in Malayalam cinema, in which Mammootty is expected to have a small role.
3. Nari Nari Naduma Murari
- Mould: Sharwanand, Sanyukta, Sakshi Vaidya, Shri Vishnu
- Director: Ram Abbaraju
- Language: telugu
- Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Style: comedy drama
- Release date: 14 January 2026
Naari Naari Naduma Murari is a comedy-drama that narrates the life of a young man who plans to marry his love and colleague. However, things change when his ex-girlfriend returns to his life as his boss.
Caught between his former and current lovers, he goes through many moments filled with ridiculous misunderstandings and chaos.
4. Bhartha Mahasayulaku Vignyapati
- Mould: Ravi Teja, Aashika Ranganath, Dimple Hayathi, Sunil, Vennela Kishore, Satya
- Director: Kishore Tirumala
- Language: telugu
- Runtime: tba
- Style: family romantic comedy
- Release date: 13 January 2026
Bharatha Mahasayulaku Vignyapati tells the story of Rama Satyanarayana, a husband who struggles with love, marriage and responsibility as he finds himself torn between two women.
As he becomes more involved with the two, Ram faces many funny but challenging moments where he must balance modern dating advice with societal expectations.
5. Parashakti
- Mould: Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharva Murali, Dev Ramnath, Prithvi Rajan, Guru Somasundaram, Basil Joseph, Papri Ghosh, Rana Daggubati
- Director: Sudha Kongara
- Language: tamil
- Runtime: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Style: political historical drama
- Release date: 10 January 2026
Parashakti is set in 1960s Madras, where civil disobedience is at its peak. Amidst challenging times, two brothers with opposite ideologies must deal with social turmoil and unite against a common enemy.
What follows is a story of brotherhood and resilience as they stand up against injustice.
6. Anaganaga Oka Raju
- Mould: Naveen Polishetty, Meenakshi Chaudhary
- Director: Mari
- Language: telugu
- Runtime: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Style: romantic comedy
- Release date: 14 January 2026
Anaganaga Oka Raju is an upcoming Telugu-language romantic comedy starring Naveen Polishetty and Meenakshi Choudhary in the lead roles. Directed by Maari, the film features the Chhichhore actor in a quirky and fun avatar.
More details about the film have not been officially announced by the makers yet.
7. Valathu Vasathe Kallan
- Mould: Biju Menon, Joju George, Lena, KR Gokul, Irshad Ali, Vaishnavi Raj, Niranjana Anup, Shyamaprasad
- Director: jeetu joseph
- Language: Malayalam
- Runtime: tba
- Style: crime drama thriller
- Release date: 30 January 2026
Valathu Vasathe Kallan is an upcoming crime drama thriller directed by Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph. The film tells the story of a man whose life spins out of control, prompting a police officer to launch an important investigation.
As the officer digs deeper, the web of deception and lies unravels, and the truth remains shrouded in mystery.
8. Man Shankara Var Prasad Guru
- Mould: Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa, VTV Ganesh, Venkatesh Daggubati (extended cameo)
- Director: Anil Ravipudi
- Language: telugu
- Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes
- Style: comedy action drama
- Release date: 12 January 2026
Mana Shankar Var Prasad Garu is a comedy-action drama scheduled to release during Sankranthi. The film is expected to be a complete family entertainer, with Chiranjeevi playing a character who has to stop a corporate scam and deliver justice.
With Venkatesh Daggubati appearing in an extended cameo, the title pays homage to Chiranjeevi’s original name, Konidela Sivasankar Varaprasad.
9. Raja Saab
- Mould: Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malvika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agarwal, Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirkani, Vennela Kishore
- Director: Maruthi
- Language: telugu
- Style: romantic fantasy horror comedy
- Release date: 9 January 2026
Raja Saab is a romantic fantasy horror comedy starring Prabhas in the lead role. Directed by Maruthi, the film tells the story of a young man who plans to sell his grandfather’s ancestral mansion to acquire wealth.
However, things take a turn for the worse when he is forced to confront the evil spirit of his grandfather, who haunts the mansion. The story unfolds comically as he attempts to escape the supernatural chaos.
These are some of the top South Indian releases confirmed for January 2026. Many other films in different languages are also lined up for release during this month.
Also read: Jana Nayagan’s Raavan Mawanda: Thalapathy Vijay exudes ultimate bravery in Anirudh Ravichander’s viral track