As January comes to a close, movie lovers have the perfect opportunity to dive into the latest releases and look ahead to exciting films on the horizon. The New Times has compiled a list of movies that hit the screens in January, as well as upcoming releases you won’t want to miss. Here’s the roundup: ALSO READ: Must-watch African movie gems for your weekend Le Jardinier This French film, released this month, stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as Leo. The story follows Serge Shuster, a presidential advisor who finds himself on the government's secret hit list. With danger closing in and his family’s safety at stake, all hope seems lost. The film explores how Leo steps in to help Serge navigate this deadly situation and fight for survival. Back in Action Starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, this film follows former CIA spies Emily and Matt, who are forced back into the world of espionage after their secret identities are exposed. The movie premiered in January and is now available in theatres and on streaming platforms. Den Of Thieves This new movie released this January, features Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. It's the second part of a series, with the first movie released in 2018. The story follows Lawman Big Nick O'Brien as he gets caught up in the dangerous world of diamond thieves while chasing the criminal Donnie Wilson in Europe. ALSO READ: Movie corner: Five must-watch films this weekend How to Train Your Dragon The first How to Train Your Dragon movie came out in 2010. It’s an animated film about a young Viking who breaks all the rules by befriending a dragon he was supposed to kill. He names the dragon Toothless, and together, they work to stop the chaos threatening both of their worlds. Now, a new version of the story will be released as a live-action film on June 13. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part Two You’ve probably seen or heard about Mission Impossible, starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. This upcoming movie is the eighth installment in the series and the direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. It will hit theatres on May 21. Captain America: Brave New World If you have watched Captain America starring Chris Evans, this is the fourth installment and it is produced by Marvel studios, it stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, who takes on the mantle of Captain America. The film follows Sam as he navigates an international crisis sparked by U.S. President Thaddeus Ross. To prevent chaos, Sam must uncover the truth behind a sinister global conspiracy before it’s too late. The film will be released on February 14. Avatar: Fire and Ash The third installment in James Cameron’s iconic ‘Avatar’ series, is set to premiere on December 19. With returning stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. Known for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, Cameron is expected to deliver another breathtaking cinematic experience that deepens the emotional and cultural complexities of the Avatar universe.
