Happy new week, fellow travelers of strange worlds and impossible futures! We’ve got an absolutely stacked week ahead—from zombie idol anime hitting the big screen to the long-awaited return of everyone’s favorite Chicago wizard. Whether you’re in the mood for body horror commentary, cozy goblin romance, or a journey back to that fog-shrouded town we all love to dread, this week has something for every flavor of fandom. Let’s dive in!
Movies & Series
Monday, January 19
Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (Only in theaters)
Franchouchou takes the stage one more time—and this time it’s intergalactic! The beloved zombie idol group from the hit anime series returns in their theatrical debut, bringing their unique blend of comedy, heart, and undead musical mayhem to North American theaters for one night only. If you’ve ever wanted to see zombie girls pursuing their dreams among the stars, this is your moment—grab those tickets before they’re gone!
Wednesday, January 21
The Beauty Season 1 (Hulu)
Ryan Murphy brings his signature blend of glamour and horror to this sci-fi series based on the acclaimed comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. When a sexually transmitted “treatment” grants people perfect beauty—with lethal side effects—FBI agents played by Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall must unravel the mystery as supermodels start dying in gruesome ways. With a star-studded cast including Anthony Ramos, Ashton Kutcher, and Bella Hadid, this commentary on “Ozempic culture” and our obsession with physical transformation promises to be as timely as it is terrifying.
Thursday, January 22
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (Netflix)
Studio Colorido reimagines Japan’s oldest folk tale for the streaming age in this gorgeous animated musical. When 17-year-old Iroha discovers a mysterious girl in a glowing telephone pole (yes, really), she becomes entangled in a world where virtual reality, streaming culture, and ancient legend collide. With music from legendary vocaloid producers including Ryo of Supercell and a runtime of over two hours, this is the kind of lush, inventive anime that Netflix does best.
Friday, January 23
Mercy (Only in theaters)
In a future where AI dispenses justice, Chris Pratt plays a detective accused of murdering his wife—with only 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI judge (a chilling Rebecca Ferguson) he once championed. This sleek sci-fi thriller from director Timur Bekmambetov was filmed for IMAX and promises a tense, contained courtroom drama with dystopian stakes.
Mother of Flies (Shudder)
The Adams Family—the filmmaking trio behind Hellbender and Hell Hole—returns with their most personal film yet. When a young woman facing a deadly diagnosis seeks dark magic from a mysterious recluse in the woods, she discovers that every cure has its cost. Winner of Fantasia’s Best Film award and currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, this folk horror gem channels real experiences with mortality into a celebration of life wrapped in occult dread.
Return to Silent Hill (Only in theaters)
Twenty years after the original film, director Christophe Gans returns to that fog-shrouded nightmare town. Based on the beloved Silent Hill 2 video game, this adaptation follows a man searching for his deceased wife in a place where reality itself seems diseased. With composer Akira Yamaoka returning to score and every monster portrayed by professional dancers in practical prosthetics, this is the Silent Hill film fans have been waiting for.
Books
Tuesday, January 20
Twelve Months by Jim Butcher
Ace
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The wait is over, Dresden fans. The eighteenth novel in The Dresden Files arrives, and for the first time in series history, it spans an entire year rather than Harry’s usual worst-weekend-ever format. After the devastating Battle of Chicago, Harry must face his grief, a dying brother, and—oh yes—his upcoming arranged marriage to vampire Lara Raith. Publishers Weekly calls it “some of the best writing of Butcher’s career.”
A Heart So Green by Lyra Selene
Orbit
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The internationally bestselling Fair Folk trilogy reaches its epic conclusion. As the veil between the human and fae realms threatens to collapse, Fia and Irian must face off against the terrifying swan princess in a finale that promises all the dark romance and Celtic-inspired magic that made readers fall in love with this series.
A Hole in the Sky by Peter F. Hamilton
Angry Robot
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The master of space opera returns with the first book in the Arkship Trilogy, finally available in print after years as an audio exclusive. On a generation ship where humans are “Cycled” at 65 to preserve resources, sixteen-year-old Hazel discovers that the delicate balance of life aboard is about to be upended. Classic Hamilton with a coming-of-age twist.
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
Bramble
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In this stunning debut, poetry is magic and women are forbidden to read. Wei Yin enters a blood-soaked imperial court as a concubine, but survival demands she become dangerous—even if it means mastering the forbidden art of literomancy. Loosely inspired by Tang Dynasty China, this romantasy has already earned starred reviews for its “gleaming prose” and intricate court politics.
How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
Orbit
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What if cottagecore and goblincore fell in love? When a halfling and a goblin both inherit the same cottage, they make a bet: whoever is driven out first forfeits their claim. Cozy fantasy romance at its most charming, this debut is perfect for fans of The Honey Witch and anyone who’s ever wanted to see forced proximity with a side of mushroom foraging.
Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher
Tor
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Hugo Award-winner T. Kingfisher’s very first novella—originally self-published over a decade ago—finally gets the gorgeous hardcover treatment it deserves. When a troop of hapless goblins lands behind enemy lines, their sergeant must get them home through a forest of elves, trolls, and that most terrifying creature: a human being. Funny, sweet, and the perfect gateway to Kingfisher’s unique brand of cozy chaos.
The Friend of the Family by Dean Koontz
Thomas & Mercer
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Koontz delivers a moving Depression-era tale about Alida, a girl liberated from a carnival sideshow who discovers her mysterious purpose when taken in by a loving family. Part supernatural thriller, part meditation on found family, this promises to be a tearjerker with the master’s trademark blend of darkness and hope.
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James
Berkley
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The author of The Broken Girls returns with a haunted house story that’s being compared to “It meets The Haunting of Hill House.” When the Esmie siblings are called back to their childhood home by the ghost of their long-missing brother, they must finally confront what happened the day Ben hid during hide-and-seek and was never seen again.
Eminence Front by Rebecca Rowland
CLASH Books
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When a winter storm strands the residents of a New England street, they’re unprepared for what the snow brings: an ancient curse and an entity that knows their sins. Praised by Paul Tremblay for its “well-drawn cast of characters,” this polyphonic horror novel blends King-style community horror with cosmic dread.
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Ballantine
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A magical train that only appears to lost souls. A grieving songwriter. A mysterious artist. Wonders like meadow-filled boarding cars and bars where whales swim through pink clouds. This Ghibli-esque fantasy follows two adrift people who find themselves on a journey through wonder—and danger—in a story Booklist calls “a sparklingly creative spectacle.”
A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora
Peachtree Teen
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Think Arcane meets Iron Widow. In a world where radiance—an electricity-like magic—powers industry, Josephine Haven’s fiery nature gets her banished to a remote outpost under a standoffish former golden boy. As she uncovers the dark truths behind the magical industrial revolution, she must decide how far she’ll go to spark change.
If All the Stars Go Dark by S.G. Prince
Godwin Books
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This queer YA space opera follows eighteen-year-old Keller, newly recruited to the Legion’s most elite unit—and immediately paired with a pilot who wants nothing to do with him. As they investigate a mysterious visionary who can predict catastrophes, enemies become allies in a sweeping adventure about grief, survival, and fragile hope.
The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus
Ballantine
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A young widow returns to the Cornish village where she was found as a child, washed up from the sea and unable to speak. Now she discovers she’s at the center of a legend claiming she’s the daughter of sea spirits. Part historical fiction, part folklore-drenched mystery, this debut is perfect for fans of Poldark and du Maurier.
George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett
William Morrow
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A stressed-out Londoner accidentally spirals back to 1300 and finds himself tossed in a dungeon—until he becomes entangled in the legend of Saint George and the dragon. Publishers Weekly calls this queer medieval adventure “great fun,” and yes, the second half gets significantly more dragon-heavy.
Destiny of the Diamond Princess by Sherri Winston
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
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For her twelfth birthday, Zahara-Grace takes a DNA test and discovers her biological grandfather is the king of a small African country—and she may be the key to unlocking an ancient curse. This middle-grade adventure from the Walter Award-winning author delves into African history and myth while exploring the nuances of adoption and belonging.
The Twice-Wanted Witch by Katie Hallahan
Orbit
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The McKenna Ellerbeck series continues with more demons, more witches, and more romantic complications. When McKenna’s friend faces a magical trial led by her ex-boyfriend Bastien, she volunteers to represent her—only for Bastien to go missing, leaving a trail of mystifying secrets. Queer urban fantasy with action and heart.
Sauuti Terrors Short Stories edited by Eugen Bacon, Stephen Embleton, and Cheryl S. Ntumy
Flame Tree Publishing
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Return to the groundbreaking Afrocentric Sauutiverse in this anthology featuring stories of the doomed, the damned, and the cunning across five planets orbiting a binary star. Featuring five-time Bram Stoker Award winner Linda D. Addison and a host of African and diaspora writers, this is dark science fiction at its most inventive.
To Leave a Warrior Behind: The Life and Stories of Charles R. Saunders by Jon Tattrie
McClelland & Stewart
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The “Father of Sword & Soul”—creator of Imaro and the writer who directly challenged Tarzan and Conan with Black heroes steeped in African myth—finally gets the biography he deserves. Part life story, part preservation of largely forgotten epic works, this is essential reading for anyone who loves heroic fantasy and wants to know its full history.
What a week! Whether you’re finally getting your Dresden fix, diving into the fog of Silent Hill, or cozying up with goblins and halflings, there’s a healthy dose of magic for everyone.
