The final week of 2025 and the first week of 2026 are set to deliver a spectacular entertainment feast for Indian audiences. A diverse mix of over twenty major releases is scheduled to hit both theatres and streaming platforms, offering everything from big-budget Hollywood and Bollywood projects to a rich array of regional cinema and international web series.
Theatrical Releases: A Cinematic Carnival Across Languages
The big screen experience is getting a significant boost with premieres across multiple languages. Two major Hollywood films are leading the charge. The thriller 'The Housemaid', featuring stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, will debut alongside the animated family adventure 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Search for SquarePants'.
In the Hindi film sphere, the spotlight is firmly on 'Ikkis', starring Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat. This war drama marks the poignant and posthumous final screen appearance of the legendary Dharmendra, who portrays Brigadier ML Khetarpal. Another notable Hindi release is 'Azad Bharath', with Shreyas Talpade stepping into the role of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Kannada action film '45' will also reach a wider audience with its dubbed Hindi version.
Regional cinema is exploding with new titles. Telugu audiences have the busiest schedule with eight new films:
- Psych Siddhartha
- Sahakutumbaanaam
- Vanara
- Nilakanta (The Essence of Karma)
- Alcohol
- Vinara O Vema
- Gatha Vaibhavam
- Madham
Marathi theatres will welcome four releases: Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam, Magic, Rappata, and Maanus Naavaacha Vaadal. Tamil cinema adds four new stories: Anali, Sirai, Dear Radhi, and Kaakaa. Kannada screens get five films: Theertharoopa Thandeyavarige, Koragajja, Shivaleela, Majestic 2, and Jaganmathe Akkamahadevi. The Gujarati film 'Bicharo Bachelor' completes the theatrical lineup.
Streaming Surge: Netflix, Prime Video Kickstart 2026
The first week of January 2026 is equally packed for OTT enthusiasts, with Netflix offering a particularly robust slate. On January 1, the platform will premiere the second season of 'Dr Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish', the workplace romance 'Love from 9 to 5', and the Korean reality show 'My Korean Boyfriend'. It will also debut two English limited series, 'Run Away' and 'Time Flies'.
Also on New Year's Day, the Telugu film 'Mowgli 2025' will begin streaming on ETV Win, just three years after its theatrical run. January 2 sees Netflix expanding its international catalog with the Swedish-Finnish crime thriller 'Land of Sin' and the Japanese thriller 'Your Turn to Kill Season 1'.
Other platforms are joining the fray. The Spanish teen drama 'Follow My Voice' will release simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video. Sports-themed film 'Love Beyond Wicket' is scheduled for January 2 on JioHotstar.
Recent Theatrical Hits Arrive on OTT
Several films that recently played in cinemas are making their digital debut. The Malayalam movie 'Ekō' will start streaming on Netflix from December 31, 2025. Furthermore, the Hindi film 'Haq', starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam, is set for its OTT release on January 2, 2026 on Netflix, providing a second chance for viewers who missed it in theatres.
This deluge of content marks one of the most exciting transitional periods in recent entertainment, offering Indian audiences a wide spectrum of choices to celebrate the New Year. From poignant final performances to high-energy animated adventures and gripping international series, there is something for every taste on both the big screen and at home.
