As the NFL season winds down and the Super Bowl looms, streaming services are rolling out a diverse slate of new releases to keep viewers entertained. Forget the typical Valentine’s Day fare; this month’s offerings span everything from sharp divorce comedies and heartwarming political dramas to gripping documentaries and even some freaky folk horror. Whether you’re after a laugh, a cry, or a good old-fashioned thrill, there’s something new hitting your favourite platforms.
Here’s a look at 10 notable new movies you can stream right now, offering a welcome escape from the usual romantic fluff.
New Releases on Streaming Platforms
‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’
This poignant coming-of-age story, based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, transports viewers to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1980. The film centres on eight-year-old Bobo, portrayed by Lexi Venter, as she navigates the complexities of growing up during the twilight of white minority rule. Caught between her mother’s (Embeth Davidtz) fierce determination to protect their family and farm, and the aspirations of her Black friends seeking to reclaim their ancestral land, Bobo’s journey is one of identity and belonging.
- Where to watch: Netflix
‘Eleanor the Great’
Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with this moving drama starring the formidable June Squibb as Eleanor, a 94-year-old woman who relocates to New York City following the passing of her closest friend. A misunderstanding at a local Jewish community centre leads Eleanor to claim her deceased friend’s harrowing Holocaust survivor story as her own. This lie soon snowballs, unexpectedly forging a bond between Eleanor and a young journalist, played by Erin Kellyman.
- Where to watch: Netflix
‘Ella McCay’
Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks is back in the director’s chair for the first time in fifteen years with this uplifting political dramedy. Emma Mackey stars as a bright and idealistic lieutenant governor who unexpectedly ascends to the top job when her boss, played by Albert Brooks, is tapped for a Cabinet position in Washington. However, her new role is soon complicated by a series of family challenges and a brewing scandal.
- Where to watch: Hulu
‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’
This dark comedy offers a darkly humorous look at a therapist’s life unravelling. Rose Byrne, a nominee for best actress, plays the protagonist whose already stressful existence is amplified when her ceiling collapses while her husband is away on business. This incident is merely the prelude to a series of increasingly bizarre and trying circumstances, including a move to a hotel with her unwell daughter and the development of a passive-aggressive dynamic with her own therapist, portrayed by Conan O’Brien.
- Where to watch: HBO Max
‘Mother of Flies’
The Adams filmmaking family, known for their distinctive work on “Hellbender,” returns with a more unsettling and freaky brand of folk horror. The narrative follows a young, terminally ill girl (Zelda Adams) who, with conventional medicine failing her, seeks out a forest witch (Toby Poser). The witch employs dark magic in an attempt to cheat death, but this endeavour comes at a significant and chilling cost in this richly crafted and artful scary film.
- Where to watch: Shudder
‘The Queen of Chess’
Fans of “The Queen’s Gambit” will find much to appreciate in this new Netflix documentary. The film shines a spotlight on Judit Polgár, a Hungarian prodigy who defied expectations in the male-dominated world of chess. It delves into her remarkable success and chronicles her intense matches against legendary grandmaster Garry Kasparov, beginning in 1994.
- Where to watch: Netflix
‘Relationship Goals’
This romantic comedy, with a subtle religious undertone, features Kelly Rowland as a driven morning show producer on the cusp of a major career advancement. The stakes are raised when her company brings in her ex-partner, played by Method Man, as a rival showrunner. The former couple is forced to collaborate on a segment focusing on a pastor’s Bible-themed self-help book about relationships.
- Where to watch: Prime Video
‘Splitsville’
This unconventional divorce comedy is a refreshing departure from typical Valentine’s Day viewing. The film kicks off when a peculiar situation prompts Ashley (Adria Arjona) to initiate a divorce from her husband, Carey (Kyle Marvin). Carey then turns to his married friends, Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (director Michael Angelo Corvino), discovering their open marriage and inadvertently entangling himself in a complicated romantic entanglement.
- Where to watch: Hulu
‘Tin Soldier’
This action drama boasts an impressive ensemble cast, headlined by Jamie Foxx as a charismatic yet dangerous cult leader. As he orchestrates a Waco-style standoff with authorities, a former soldier (Scott Eastwood) with ties to the group is deployed to infiltrate and dismantle the operation. The film also features notable performances from Robert De Niro, John Leguizamo, and Rita Ora.
- Where to watch: Hulu
‘The Wrecking Crew’
Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa convincingly portray brothers in this entertaining action flick, complete with a believable and often bickering bromance. The muscular duo play estranged siblings from Hawaii who reunite after a decade apart. Their reunion is spurred by the investigation into their private-eye father’s death, leading them to uncover a criminal conspiracy, engage in battles with ninjas, and leave a path of destruction in their wake.
- Where to watch: Prime Video
