Russell Crowe’s Prolific January: From Sundance Thrillers to Streaming Hits
PARIS, 29 January 2026 – The first month of 2026 has proven to be a remarkably active period for Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, with multiple projects making headlines. From a critically acclaimed premiere at the Sundance Film Festival to a streaming chart-topper and first looks at future films, Crowe’s cinematic presence is being felt across multiple fronts.
Sundance Success with ‘The Weight’
The focal point of Crowe’s recent activity is the Sundance Film Festival, where the Depression-era thriller The Weight premiered on 26 January. Co-starring Ethan Hawke, the film is set in 1933 Oregon and follows an unjustly incarcerated widower (Hawke) who is tempted by a brutal work camp warden (Crowe) with a dangerous mission to transport gold across the wilderness. Early reviews have praised the film as a tense, effective survival tale and “pure gold,” marking a successful festival outing for the actor.
Streaming Chart Dominance
While new projects debut, older ones continue to find audiences. Crowe’s 2025 historical drama Nuremberg, in which he portrays a paunchy Hermann Göring, has become a pay-per-view streaming hit. Reports indicate it is climbing charts on platforms like Prime Video just two months after its cinematic debut, even challenging other popular originals. Furthermore, his 2024 crime thriller Sleeping Dogs has seen a significant resurgence in viewership on Paramount+ in the United States this month.
First Looks at Future Projects
Crowe has also teased audiences with glimpses of upcoming work. He shared a striking first poster and look for Bear Country, a new crime thriller described as a tale of “mystery, mayhem, murder…and meditation.” The film reunites him with Derrick Borte, director of Unhinged. Additionally, confirmation has come that Crowe will star alongside Henry Cavill in Chad Stahelski’s reboot of Highlander, taking on a mentor role akin to Sean Connery’s in the original.
Key Facts & Recent Projects
| Project | Status / Note |
|---|---|
| The Weight (with Ethan Hawke) | Premiered at Sundance Film Festival, 26 January 2026. |
| Nuremberg (2025) | PVOD & streaming hit in January 2026 charts. |
| Bear Country | First look poster revealed in January 2026. |
| Highlander Reboot | Confirmed role alongside Henry Cavill. |
| Sleeping Dogs (2024) | Experienced streaming surge on Paramount+ (U.S.), January 2026. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Russell Crowe’s new movie at Sundance?
Crowe’s latest film is The Weight, a 1930s-set survival thriller co-starring Ethan Hawke. It premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on 26 January to positive reviews.
Is Russell Crowe in the new Highlander movie?
Yes, it has been confirmed that Russell Crowe will star in the Highlander reboot directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick). He will play a mentor figure to Henry Cavill’s lead character.
Which Russell Crowe movie is popular on streaming right now?
As of January 2026, his 2025 World War II courtroom drama Nuremberg is performing strongly on pay-per-view streaming services. His 2024 film Sleeping Dogs is also seeing high viewership on Paramount+.