Few Things, Endless Discoveries

Movies in theaters this week (22 January 2026)

Cinemas across Dubai and the other Emirates offer a diverse line-up for the week around Thursday, January 22, 2026. While ticket prices vary by screening type and cinema chain, general admission typically starts from AED 50–60, with higher prices for IMAX, Dolby, and other premium formats. Film schedules differ between Vox, Roxy, Reel, Novo, and Star Cinemas, so booking in advance through their apps or hotlines is strongly recommended.

January remains one of the most comfortable months in Dubai. Around January 22, average daytime temperatures are close to 23–24 °C, with evening lows around 13–15 °C. Rainfall is uncommon, though evenings can feel slightly cool or breezy, making light layers a practical choice for late screenings.

Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies

The film is set in a small town where reputation determines power and violence often replaces dialogue. Three brothers, long feared for their reckless behavior, begin to understand that their lifestyle is slowly destroying both their family and the community around them. Determined to change, they attempt to step away from crime and rebuild their lives. However, the arrival of a strict and disciplined police officer disrupts this fragile transition. Old rivalries, unresolved betrayals, and deep-rooted pride force the brothers to confront whether redemption is truly possible or whether their past will inevitably define their future. The story combines intense action with emotional depth, focusing on family loyalty and moral responsibility.

Project Y

Project Y follows a group of highly skilled criminals brought together for a meticulously planned museum heist. Each member has a specific role, and the operation relies on absolute precision and trust. As the plan unfolds, hidden motives and personal conflicts begin to surface, slowly destabilizing the group. What starts as a technical crime story transforms into a psychological thriller driven by ambition, greed, and betrayal. The film emphasizes how human emotion can undermine even the most carefully designed systems, using sleek visuals and rising tension to explore moral compromise.

Megadeth: Behind the Mask

This documentary offers an intimate look at the legendary heavy metal band Megadeth, combining powerful concert footage with candid behind-the-scenes moments. It traces the band’s long journey through creative evolution, internal conflict, and relentless touring. Beyond music, the film explores leadership struggles, personal sacrifices, and the psychological cost of sustaining artistic relevance for decades. It presents the band not only as performers, but as individuals shaped by ambition, discipline, and constant pressure.

Mercy

Set in a near future where artificial intelligence controls the justice system, Mercy centers on a detective accused of murder by an automated algorithm. Confined within a high-tech interrogation chamber, he must defend himself against a system that claims perfect objectivity. As the AI reconstructs his memories and actions, truth becomes increasingly distorted. The film questions the dangers of removing human judgment from moral decisions and explores whether justice can exist without empathy, accountability, and error.

Return to Silent Hill

Haunted by loss, a man returns to the fog-covered town of Silent Hill after believing he has received a message from his missing partner. As he ventures deeper into the abandoned streets, reality begins to fracture into disturbing visions shaped by guilt and trauma. The town itself becomes a reflection of his inner suffering. The film focuses on psychological horror and atmosphere, building dread through sound, imagery, and emotional tension rather than constant shock.

H Is for Hawk

After the sudden death of her father, a writer withdraws from society and chooses to train a wild goshawk despite having no experience. The intense discipline required to bond with the bird mirrors her struggle with grief and isolation. Through patience and failure, she slowly begins to heal. The film is a quiet, introspective exploration of loss, control, and the fragile relationship between humans and nature.

The Testament of Ann Lee

Set in the eighteenth century, this historical drama portrays the life of Ann Lee, a religious leader persecuted for her beliefs. Forced into exile, she builds a community while facing social rejection and spiritual doubt. The film presents faith as both a source of strength and a burden, examining the cost of conviction in a rigid society. Its restrained tone emphasizes endurance, sacrifice, and moral resilience.

In Cold Light

A former assassin attempts to live quietly after leaving the criminal world behind. When his family is threatened, he is pulled back into violence and forced to confront his past. Each decision deepens his internal conflict, revealing that escape from a life of brutality is rarely clean. The film focuses on inevitability, regret, and the emotional consequences of survival.

Clika

Clika follows a young Mexican-American woman pursuing a music career while struggling with a sense of cultural disconnection. Returning to her community forces her to confront the tension between ambition and authenticity. Music becomes a tool for self-discovery rather than escape. The film explores identity, belonging, and creative truth through performance and personal struggle.

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story

This documentary tells the true story of Ben Kjar, a wrestler born with a severe facial condition who refuses to be defined by limitation. The film follows his journey through injury, doubt, and competition, capturing moments of vulnerability and strength. More than a sports story, it examines resilience, confidence, and redefining success.

Dooba Dooba

A mysterious song spreads rapidly across the internet, linked to a series of disturbing deaths. Told through digital fragments and found footage, the film reflects modern fears surrounding viral content and unseen influence. As curiosity turns into obsession, the boundary between entertainment and danger disappears, creating a slow-burning and unsettling horror experience.

Magellan

This black-and-white historical epic recounts the final expedition of Ferdinand Magellan through the perspective of those who followed him. Rather than glorifying exploration, the film emphasizes exhaustion, disillusionment, and moral conflict. Long, meditative scenes highlight the physical and ethical cost of ambition, questioning legacy and power.

Border 2

Set during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, Border 2 follows soldiers stationed at the frontier under extreme conditions. The narrative moves between quiet reflection and sudden violence, focusing on camaraderie, fear, and sacrifice. The film humanizes war by emphasizing personal stories over large-scale spectacle.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Jake Sully and his family encounter a new Na’vi clan shaped by fire, ritual, and destruction. Grief from past losses fuels rising tension, turning Pandora into a battleground of ideology and survival. The film expands the world’s mythology while exploring how trauma and vengeance reshape identity.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Decades after the original outbreak, survivors of the Rage virus discover a hidden structure believed to hold answers to humanity’s collapse. Instead, they encounter a dangerous blend of infection, belief, and fanaticism. The film merges survival horror with existential dread, pushing the franchise into darker psychological territory.

Zootopia 2

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return as partners when a new threat disrupts Zootopia’s fragile harmony. Their investigation reveals deeper fears and systemic mistrust within the city. Balancing humor with social commentary, the sequel expands the emotional and political complexity of the world.

Practical tips

Weekday screenings are generally quieter than weekend evenings, so mid-afternoon shows on Thursday, January 22, or early-morning screenings on Friday, January 23, are likely to be less crowded. Public transport such as the Dubai Metro and RTA buses connects major malls including Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, and Deira City Centre, though most services end around midnight, so return travel should be planned in advance. Parking at popular cinemas can fill up quickly during evening shows, so arriving at least 30 minutes early is advisable, and keeping a digital copy of your ticket ready can save time.

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