The best movies and shows coming to Netflix in February

Check out Eliza Janssen’s highlights of what’s coming to Netflix New Zealand soon, followed by the full release schedule.

Top Picks: TV

One Day (February 8)

Back in 2011, Anne Hathaway starred in a feature-length version of David Nicholls’ melancholy romance novel, and got some meh reviews for her unconvincing Bri’ish accent. Now Netflix has got a legitimate UK team behind an episodic adaptation of the novel, again covering the tumultuous, on-again-off-again love story of university student Emma and Dexter. Each episode meets the pair on the same day of a different year, following how they and their initial attraction change with the cruel passing of time. Perhaps one you should have tissues on hand for, especially around Valentine’s Day.

The Vince Staples Show (February 15)

Here’s a funny, surreal show from a successful American rapper to fill that Atlanta-shaped hole in your heart. Vince Staples has it all as the ringleader of his own comedy series: the guy has bars, style, and is sharp as hell when it comes to comedy. The trailer for his not-so-autobiographical show features random bursts of violence, ridiculousness, and crime in the name of Queen Latifah (a worthy reason to fire a gun at the ceiling, we reckon). Rap fans should 100% tune in.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (February 22)

Alright, ALRIGHT: everybody stop yelling at me for a minute. I’m just saying…Netflix’s adaptation of a beloved American anime series looks, so far, much like the widely loathed M. Night Shyamalan movie did. I’m sorry! Stop throwing things! Hopefully a ginormous budget, culturally-sensitive casting and aesthetics, and even at the very least the corrected pronunciation of character names should push this epic reimagining beyond the doldrums of that film. Expect many, many more seasons down the track if this first chapter pans out as the streamer expects it to.

Top Picks: Movies + Specials

Orion and the Dark (February 2)

A little boy who’s afraid of the dark finds out that ‘The Dark’ is, in fact, a far friendlier figure than he’d expected in this sweet-looking family film. I have a greater fear, though: the movie’s script is written by Charlie Kaufman, whose entire filmography has thus far been full of very adult, anxiety-inducing hang-ups and neuroses. Do we want to plonk our sweet, innocent young ones in front of a movie that might subliminally give them castration anxiety or mommy issues? Jk, I’m sure Kaufman can tone down his particular mental fixations and deliver a lovely animated film.

Einstein and the Bomb (February 16)

Netflix is obviously programming this historical documentary to complement the Oscars success of Oppenheimer, which recently swept the Academy’s nominations and will (perhaps? probably?) win Best Picture to boot. Alfred Einstein makes a rousing impact in that fictionalised film, acting as a Cassandra-type figure whose thinking looms over the deathly decisions of Robert Oppenheimer. So watching the real guy, weighing up the very real consequences of his theories in this feature-length portrait, could be a great way to deepen your understanding of the Nolan blockbuster.

All titles arriving on Netflix New Zealand in February

February 2

Despicable Me 3
Home Alone
Home Alone: Lost in New York
Let’s Talk About CHU
Orion and the Dark

February 5

Dee & Friends in Oz

February 7

The Devil Wears Prada
Love Never Lies Poland: Season 2 Part 2
Luz: The Light of the Heart
Raël: The Alien Prophet

February 8

One Day

February 9

Alpha Males: Season 2
Ashes
Bhakshak
A Killer Paradox
Lover, Stalker, Killer

February 13

Kill Me If You Dare
Sunderland ‘Til I Die: Season 3
Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All

February 14

Good Morning, Veronica: Season 3
The Heartbreak Agency
Love is Blind: Season 6
Players
A Soweto Love Story

February 15

AlRawabi School for Girls: Season 2
House of Ninjas
Killing Eve: Seasons 1-4
Little Nicholas: Life of a Scoundrel
NCIS: Seasons 10-14
Ready, Set, Love
The Vince Staples Show