With the holiday rush winding down, there’s a backlog of movies flooding South African cinemas this January, particularly ones that will likely be strong Oscar contenders like Nosferatu, Anora and A Real Pain. After the success of holiday movies like Wicked, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic The Hedgehog 3, there’s still plenty left for audiences to check out in the theatres throughout January. Here are all the movies showing in South African cinemas this month.
If staying at home and cozying up to a good video game is your plan for January, make sure you also check out all the minor and major video game releases this month.
All Movies in South African Cinemas This January 2025
Here’s a list of movies that are already currently showing in cinema chains like Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro, with some leftovers from December:
- We Live in Time
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3
- Mufasa: The Lion King
- Moana 2
- Wicked
- Gladiator 2
- Cellar Door
- Babygirl
- Coup de Chance
- Werewolves
- Canary Black
- Red One
- Kraven The Hunter
- Weekend in Taipei
- Conclave
- Venom: The Last Dance
- Here
- Heretic
- Baby John
Here are all the new movies arriving in cinemas across South Africa this month. Check your local cinema for show times and availability.
A Complete Unknown (Biopic, Drama / 13 D L P V) – 10 January
In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (Action / 16 L V) – 10 January
Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. return in the sequel to 2018’s action-heist hit Den of Thieves. In Den of Thieves: Pantera, Big Nick is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie, who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.
Game Changer (Thriller / TBA) – 10 January
An honest IAS officer’s fight against a corrupt political system through fair and transparent elections.
Luther: Never Too Much (Music / TBA) – 17 January
The film follows Luther Vandross’ nearly 40 years in the entertainment industry and highlights his career highs as well as battles with negative media attention focused on his weight and sexuality. Footage from his performances and archived interviews, as well as interviews with his associates are included. The film’s subtitle is taken from one of Vandross’ best known songs.
Wolf Man (Horror / 16 L V) – 17 January
A man must protect himself and his family when they are being stalked, terrorized, and haunted by a deadly werewolf at night during a full moon. But as the night stretches on, the man begins to behave strangely.
Nosferatu (Horror / 16 L N S SV V) – 17 January
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Better Man (Biopic, Drama, Musical / TBA) – 24 January
Tells the life story of pop singer Robbie Williams, but with Williams portrayed as a chimpanzee because, as he puts it, he always felt “less evolved” than other people.
A Real Pain (Comedy, Drama / 13 D L V) – 24 January
Mismatched cousins David and Benji tour Poland to honor their grandmother. Their adventure becomes complicated as old tensions resurface while exploring their family history.
The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (Animated / PG L PPS V) – 24 January
Due to a series of antics at the bubblegum factory, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig discover a secret alien plot to take over the Earth via mind-control. The duo must work together to stop the aliens, while trying to avoid driving each other insane.
Marked Men: Rule + Shaw (Romance / TBA) – 24 January
Shaw has love Rule since she saw him, but Rule doesn’t see her as a suitable match, but a night of drinking and secrets leads them to question if they can be together without ruining their relationship… or each other.
Anora (Drama, Comedy / 18 D L N P S SV V) – 31 January
Ani is a young Uzbek-American stripper from Brighton Beach, a Russophone enclave in New York City. As she is somewhat conversant in Russian, her boss fixes her up with Russian-speaking clients. After meeting Vanya, the son of a Russian oligarch, a romance kindles that, in addition to his desire to avoid deportation, leads to their elopement. Their fairytale marriage is threatened when Vanya’s parents travel to New York intending to force an annulment.
Companion (Mystery, Romance, Thriller / 16 L S SV V) – 31 January
A billionaire’s death sets off a chain of events for Iris and her friends during a weekend trip to his lakeside estate.
Flight Risk (Action, Thriller / 16 IAT L V) – 31 January
An FBI agent takes an informant to be testified when he is accused of getting involved with a mob boss, only to discover that the pilot who is transporting them is also a hitman that had been sent to assassinate the informant. After they subdue him, they’re forced to fly together after discovering that there are others attempting to eliminate them.
Maria (Drama, Biopic / 16 D L SV V) – 31 January
Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, as she confronts her identity and life.
