To be honest, February is the perfect month for watching movies. It’s cold out, it gets dark early and we challenge you to come up with a better way to spend that time. Not to mention, Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity for the classic movie date.
Lucky for you, February is offering up a little something for everyone. Check out some of these upcoming releases.
“Miss Bala” (February 1)
In the dangerous world of cross-border crime, Gloria will need all of her wit and strength to survive and save her friend.
Based on the 2011 Spanish-language film of the same name, “Miss Bala” stars Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Anthony Mackie (“Avengers: Infinity War”) and Ismael Cruz Cordova and is directed by the incomparable Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”, “Lords of Dogtown”).
A female-led action film starring one of the brightest Latina stars in Hollywood? Sign me up!
“Velvet Buzzsaw” (February 1)
What happens when greed gets in the way of the authentic pursuit of art? Well, in “Velvet Buzzsaw,” the art and the supernatural join forces to seek revenge.
“Velvet Buzzsaw” premiered to much fanfare at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 27. No need to rush out to the theaters for this one. “Velvet Buzzsaw” will be available on Netflix on February 1.
“Velvet Buzzsaw” is helmed by writer and director Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler”, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”) and boasts a great cast with Jake Gyllenhaal, Billy Magnussen and Toni Collette.
Get a little culture in; it won’t kill you… probably.
“What Men Want” (February 8)
Don’t worry. February delivers on that desperately needed rom-com for Valentine’s Day date night.
In this contemporary reimagining of the 2000 Mel Gibson classic, an ambitious woman is shut out by the male sports agents in her profession. The tables turn when she develops the ability to hear men’s thoughts.
Taraji P. Henson leads a strong comedy cast including Wendi McLendon-Covey, Max Greenfield, Kellan Lutz and many other famous faces. The film is directed by Adam Shankman (“A Walk to Remember”).
“The Prodigy” (February 8)
Miles is a prodigy. A young man with signs of genius intellect, but also evidence of more disturbing and sinister (perhaps supernatural) behaviors. His mother must grapple with her maternal desire to protect her son and her fear of what he is capable of.
“The Prodigy” stars Taylor Schilling (“Orange is the New Black”) and Jackson Robert Scott (“IT”) as Miles. Director Nicholas McCarthy brings his horror pedigree to the production and it’s looking pretty spooky.
February is dark and cold, so settle in for a movie that will send chills up your spine.
“Cold Pursuit” (February 8)
Speaking of chilly weather, how about a Liam Neeson romp in the snow?
The simple life of a snowplow driver is turned upside down when his son dies under mysterious circumstances. Convinced that a gang of local drug dealers are responsible, a desperate father sets out on a path of revenge.
“Cold Pursuit” is based on the 2014 Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance,” with the original director, Hans Petter Moland, returning to the story. The cast is, in a word, kickass: It features Liam Neeson (“Taken”, “The Commuter”), Emmy Rossum (“Shameless”), Julia Jones (“Wind River”) and Laura Dern (“Jurassic Park”).
“Cold Pursuit” has the makings of a stellar action film. Can’t wait to see it!
“LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” (February 8)
It’s been five years since everything was awesome. The LEGO citizens are facing a new threat: space invaders that are wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. It’s up to Emmet Brickowski to save the day.
Original cast members Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett and Nick Offerman are joined by Tiffany Haddish and more star power cameos than you can shake a LEGO at. With Mike Mitchell (“Trolls”) at the helm, “LEGO Movie 2” is going to be hella colorful and tons of fun.
I love the LEGO cinematic universe and look forward to another inventive and, frankly, awesome addition!
“Happy Death Day 2 U” (February 13)
Are you part of one of those edgy couples? Or do you bitterly refer to Valentine’s Day as Singles Awareness Day on social media? Either way, we’ve got the perfect anti-Valentine’s film for you.
2017’s “Happy Death Day” opened to a mere ripple but has slowly gained recognition for being the fun and snarky slasher flick that it is. In this sequel, Tree Gelbman is back and she’s trapped in the loop of her death day… again. She soon discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than what lies ahead.
“Happy Death Day 2 U” stars Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard and is helmed by writer and director Christopher Landon (“Happy Death Day”, “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse”).
“Alita: Battle Angel” (February 14)
Gotta send some love to a Texan! “Alita: Battle Angel” is the latest from director Robert Rodriguez (“El Mariachi”), with a screenplay from Hollywood gold mine James Cameron (“Titanic”, “Avatar”). The film stars Rosa Salazar, Mahershala Ali and Eiza Gonzalez.
In a distant future, one young embarks on a journey to discover who she is and, on the way, she just might save the world.
One of the first big CGI fests of the year, let’s see what “Alita” has got!
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (February 22)
How cute are these movies, I ask you?! “How to Train Your Dragon” was an instant success in 2010 and here we are, almost 10 years and two other movies later with “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”
In this epic conclusion, Hiccup discovers that his dragon, Toothless, isn’t the only Night Fury and must seek a secret dragon haven before the evil Grimmel finds it first.
The film stars Jay Baruchel, America Ferrara, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler and Kit Harington. From start to finish, director Dean DeBlois remains committed to the franchise. Don’t miss this one!
Which of these titles are you most looking forward to? Anything that we missed? Let us know!
Featured image credit: Photo courtesy of Netflix Media Center
Caitlin is a lean, mean writing machine based in Austin, TX. Her love of film began when she was shown “Rosemary’s Baby” way too early in life. Bylines include The Financial Diet and Film Inquiry. Caitlin is a member of the Online Association of Female Film Critics and the Women Film Critics Circle.