This week offers a diverse lineup of pop culture events for Canadian audiences, spanning film, television, music, and digital media. From a terrifying new horror release to a landmark tech anniversary, here are the key highlights to mark on your calendar from January 9 to 15, 2026.
Cinematic Chills and Indigenous Hoops
The week kicks off with a major horror release. The film Primate arrives in theatres on January 9. Directed and co-written by Johannes Roberts, the movie tells the story of a family's pet chimpanzee that contracts rabies and turns violently on its owner and her friends. Roberts has cited the classic 1981 film Cujo as his direct inspiration, a movie he first saw at age 13 and has long admired. He describes Primate as his "true homage" to that film. The cast features Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur.
On the television front, the docuseries Hoop Nations continues its run on APTN, having premiered on January 6. This 13-episode series shines a light on Indigenous basketball players as they compete in tournaments, striving to reach the next level in their sport. As one player notes in the trailer, "Basketball is just, like, what I eat, sleep, and breathe … It’s my life." Producer Lori Louis emphasizes that the show explores basketball as a unifying and healing force within communities, stating it supports "health and wellness across all Nations."
Music, Wellness, and a Tech Milestone
Country music star Zach Bryan remains a dominant force, with a new album titled With Heaven on Top releasing on January 9. This follows a prolific period for the singer-songwriter, which included his 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene, the extensive Quittin’ Time Tour, and a live album from that tour called 24. To support his latest work, Bryan will launch the With Heaven On Tour, a 40-date international trek marking his biggest global tour to date. The tour, covering North America and Europe, begins on March 7.
In the podcast realm, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launches his first audio series, Reset Your Health with Jamie Oliver, on Audible starting January 8. The six-episode podcast features Oliver and a leading expert tackling a different health topic in each installment, such as gut health and memory protection. The official description promises "latest, science-backed advice and hacks" to help listeners live happier, healthier lives, focusing on sustainable benefits rather than perfection.
The week also marks a pivotal moment in technology history. On January 9, 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Dressed in his signature black mock turtleneck and jeans, Jobs introduced the device as a "revolutionary product" that would change everything. It distinguished itself from existing smartphones with its touch screen, sophisticated camera, and accessible internet. Apple sold 6.1 million units of the first-generation iPhone before it was discontinued in July 2008.
A Week of Diverse Entertainment
From the edge-of-your-seat terror of Primate to the inspiring stories in Hoop Nations, this week's pop culture slate offers something for every taste. Zach Bryan's continued musical evolution and Jamie Oliver's foray into podcasting provide fresh content, while the iPhone anniversary reminds us of how quickly technology reshapes our daily lives. Canadian audiences have a full week of engaging entertainment and reflection ahead.
