Date: January 24, 2026 Topic: Movie Reviews & Analytics
The box office this month has been a battlefield. While Hollywood brought its biggest gun, Indian cinema saw a massive Sankranti clash between two icons. Here are the three most successful and talked-about movies of the month.
1. Avatar: Fire and Ash
The Global Phenomenon
James Cameron’s third entry into the Avatar saga continues to be the unstoppable force of the season. Released in mid-December, it has stayed at #1 throughout January, crushing all competition globally.
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💰 Budget: $350–$400 Million (Estimated)
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🎭 Main Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin (as the villain Varang).
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⭐ Rating:
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IMDb: 7.9/10
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Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Fresh
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🗣️ Audience Reaction:
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The Good: Visuals are being called “god-tier,” specifically the new volcanic biomes. The darker tone and the introduction of the “Ash People” have been praised for raising the stakes.
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The Bad: Some criticize the 3h 18m runtime as exhausting.
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Verdict: A theatrical essential. You simply cannot watch this at home.
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2. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu
The Sankranti Winner (India)
Megastar Chiranjeevi has proven once again why he is the “Boss” of the box office. Released on January 12, this action-comedy entertainer has emerged as the clear winner of the Sankranti festival race, beating out fierce competition.
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💰 Budget: ₹200 Crore
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🎭 Main Cast: Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh Daggubati, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa.
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⭐ Rating:
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Critics: 3/5 (Mixed)
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Box Office Status: Blockbuster (Crossed ₹245 Cr in first week)
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🗣️ Audience Reaction:
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The Good: Fans are loving the vintage comedic timing of Chiranjeevi and his chemistry with Venkatesh. It’s seen as a perfect “family entertainer.”
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The Bad: The screenplay is being called routine and predictable by younger audiences.
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Verdict: A nostalgic treat for fans of commercial Telugu cinema.
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3. The Raja Saab
The Hype Monster
Released on January 9, this Prabhas-starrer had the biggest opening of the year for an Indian film. While reviews have been polarizing, the sheer scale of the release and the star power involved puts it firmly in the top 3.
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🎭 Main Cast: Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal.
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⭐ Rating:
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IMDb: 5.4/10
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Critics: 2.5/5
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🗣️ Audience Reaction:
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The Good: Prabhas’s screen presence and the horror-comedy concept were appreciated by his die-hard fans. The VFX in the horror sequences is a highlight.
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The Bad: The screenplay has been heavily criticized for being disjointed. Many felt the comedy didn’t land as expected.
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Verdict: A massive financial opener, but a divisive film for the general audience.
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🚨 Just Released (Honorable Mention): Border 2
Release Date: January 23, 2026 While it’s too early to declare it the “winner” of the month, Sunny Deol’s return to the battlefield released yesterday and is currently seeing massive footfalls in North India. Initial reports suggest “mixed” reviews but an electric atmosphere in theaters.
