Best Movies to Stream Now: February’s Releases & Hidden Gems

February continues to deliver for home viewers, with a surprisingly robust slate of new releases hitting premium video on demand platforms. From Best Picture contenders to unexpected camp hits and even a killer chimp flick, there’s something for everyone. And if you can’t locate something to watch on this list, well, maybe it’s time to step away from the screen.

A Shakespearean Heartbreak: Poor Things

Chloe Zhao’s eight-time Oscar nominee, Poor Things, remains a frontrunner for Best Actress, with Jessie Buckley delivering a heartbreaking performance as Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). The film explores the profound grief experienced when their son, Hamnet, dies suddenly, and how that pain ultimately fuels the creation of one of Shakespeare’s most enduring plays. The trailer offers a glimpse into the film’s visually striking and emotionally resonant world. Whereas divisive among critics, Poor Things has quickly become an essential watch of 2025, prompting viewers to grapple with its complex themes of art, loss, and healing.

Camp Perfection: Housemaid

Based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel, Housemaid has become an unexpected box office sensation, grossing over $360 million worldwide on a relatively modest budget. The film taps into a craving for well-executed camp, starring Sydney Sweeney as a housemaid who enters a dangerous game of deception and desire within a wealthy household, alongside Brandon Sklenar and Amanda Seyfried. The official trailer showcases the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and darkly comedic tone. A sequel is already in development, signaling the franchise potential of this surprise hit.

A Quiet Study in Tension: Benny’s Summer

Premiering at Cannes in May 2025, Benny’s Summer, directed by Charlie Polinger, has garnered critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of pre-teen dynamics. The film centers on Ben (Everett Blunck), a 12-year-old attending water polo camp, who finds himself targeted by bullies after standing up for a classmate. The trailer hints at the film’s unsettling atmosphere and empathetic approach to its subject matter. Kayo Martin’s breakthrough performance earned him an Independent Spirit Award this week, further solidifying the film’s status as a standout debut.

Manic Energy and Table Tennis: Marty

Josh Safdie’s Marty, a nine-time Oscar nominee and potential Best Actor winner for Timothée Chalamet, is a mesmerizing exploration of ambition, obsession, and the search for meaning. The film follows Marty Mauser, a table tennis player determined to reach the world championship level, as he encounters a fading star (Gwyneth Paltrow) and a ruthless businessman (Kevin O’Leary). The trailer captures the film’s frenetic energy and darkly comedic sensibility, reminiscent of Safdie’s previous work, Uncut Gems. It’s a film that vibrates with life, demanding attention and sparking conversation.

Finding Your Voice: The Comeback Trail

Loosely based on the true story of comedian John Bishop, The Comeback Trail stars Will Arnett as Alex, a man navigating a divorce who unexpectedly discovers a talent for stand-up comedy. Laura Dern co-stars as his estranged wife, Tess. The trailer showcases the film’s tender and relatable portrayal of midlife reinvention. Arnett’s performance has been widely praised as a career highlight, adding another layer of depth to this smart and heartwarming dramedy.

A Rabid Threat: Primal Instinct

Johannes Roberts’ Primal Instinct delivers a lean and mean dose of creature-feature thrills. The film centers on Ben, a chimpanzee raised as a family pet, who is bitten by a rabid mongoose, unleashing a terrifying rampage. The trailer offers a glimpse into the film’s intense action sequences and suspenseful atmosphere. A surprisingly solid hit for Paramount, Primal Instinct marks one of the first 2026 theatrical releases to quickly transition to PVOD.

Continuing the Outbreak: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Despite receiving rave reviews comparable to its predecessor, 2023’s 28 Years Later, Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has underperformed at the box office, likely due to challenging weather conditions across much of the country. Miya Mizuno’s work as a stills photographer on the film is featured prominently in promotional materials. The film, as Film-Forward notes, continues the story begun by Danny Boyle, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams reprising their roles. The production design, led by Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl, explored how clothing conveys emotion in a post-apocalyptic world, as detailed in Vogue’s deep dive into the film’s costumes. The future of the trilogy remains uncertain, making this installment a crucial piece of the puzzle for fans.

The Statham Standard: The Retrieval

Jason Statham’s annual action offering, The Retrieval, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, delivers the expected thrills and spills. Statham plays a retired assassin forced back into action to protect a young girl (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) while confronting the agency that once employed him. The trailer showcases the film’s explosive action sequences and Statham’s signature stoicism. While it may not reach the heights of The Beekeeper, The Retrieval provides a solid dose of escapist entertainment.

A Harrowing True Story: Hind

Kaouther Ben Hania’s Hind is a deeply moving docudrama based on the true story of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old girl trapped in the Gaza Strip during a conflict. The film incorporates recordings of Hind’s actual voice alongside actors portraying the emergency responders who desperately tried to save her. The trailer offers a glimpse into the film’s harrowing and emotionally resonant narrative. Nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, Hind is a powerful and unforgettable cinematic experience.