These Are the Best Films and TV Shows Dropping in February

In terms of entertainment offerings, the first month of 2018 seemed somewhat underwhelming, with a lack of A-list works hitting both the small and large screen. With that, the second month of the year provides a considerable amount of more fruitful treats including the horror film Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built starring Helen Mirren, the latest Marvel superhero extravaganza, Black Panther and the sci-fi thriller Annihilation, brought to you by the mind behind Ex Machina.

Over on the small screen, streaming giant Netflix doesn’t seem to be slowing down with its original content, bringing to viewers the tech dystopian noir series Altered Carbon and the reality show that places rapper Snoop Dogg as a football coach, Coach Snoop. Check out the list below for some of the must-see releases to the more under the radar films and TV shows to look forward to in February.

Films

Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built – February 2

Based on a true story of a hunted mansion, Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built sees Helen Mirren as Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester gun fortune. To keep the ghosts of those who were killed by her company’s firearms at bay, Mirren continues to build an ever-expanding mansion. The Michael- and Peter Spierig-helmed film hits theaters on Februray 2.

Before We Vanish – February 2

Brought to you by the creative mind of Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Before We Vanish tells the story of aliens coming down to Earth to posses the bodies of humans before initiating an apocalyptic invasion. This foreign beauty hits the big screen on February 2.

The 15:17 to Paris – February 9

Clint Eastwood brings the true story of the 2015 Thalys terrorist train attack to the cineplexes this month. Revisiting the attacks that occurred to three American passengers, The 15:17 to Paris is the action drama you don’t want to miss this month.

Black Panther – February 16

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther finally gets its first stand-alone film thanks to Marvel. Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther returns home to Wakanda to battle Michael Jordan’s rebellious Killmonger.

Honor Up – February 16

Helmed by Dame Dash and executively produced by Kanye West, Honor Up stars Dash along the likes of Cam’ron, Murda Mook, Smoke DZA and Stacey Dash. Being called an “epic, explosive crime saga,” the crime drama Honor Up makes its way to theaters on February 16.

Annihilation – February 23

This upcoming sci-fi drama is sure to please. Written and directed by Alex Garland of Ex Machina fame — Garland also worked on the screenplays for 28 Days Later and Sunshine — the film follows the disappearance of a biologist’s (Natalie Portman) husband. She then decides to sign up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. Based off of the award-winning novel by Jeff VanderMeer, the film also stars Oscar Isaac and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Beast of Burden – February 23

Forever known for playing Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe breaks out of his magical chains in the indie flick Beast of Burden to play a drug mule who is forced to chose his allegiance between the cartels, the DEA and his dying wife. Watch the trilling ride come to life on screens this February 23.

Mute – February 23

Source Code and Moon director Duncan Jones offers up his latest project Mute, a movie about a mute bartender who goes against the city’s gangster to find out what happened to his missing partner. Set in Berlin, 40 years from today, the film will be a dystopian look on society. Alexander Skarsgård, Paul Rudd and Sam Rockwell round out the cast. Mute hits Netflix at the end of the month.

Game Night – February 23

Game Night is the black comedy starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler and Billy Magnussen as a group of friends. Gathering for their usual games night, it all goes awry when someone dies. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as the night progresses.

The Cured – February 28

Produced by and starring Ellen Page, The Cured is a modern take on the zombie genre, having already made its premiere during TIFF. The Cured follows a handful of characters who survived a zombie plague that ravaged Europe and how they are dealing with the aftermath. The Children of Men-esque film hits theaters on February 28.

TV

Altered Carbon – February 1

Based off of Richard K. Morgan’s sci-fi novel of the same name, Altered Carbon is the tech dystopian noir series that sees humans consciousness being able to transfer from one body to another. After being murdered, Earth’s richest man, Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), hires an ex-soldier, played by Joel Kinnaman, to track down Bancroft’s own death. Altered Carbon will debut on Netflix February 2.

Coach Snoop – February 2

Another offering from streaming giant Netflix, the reality TV show Coach Snoop sees the iconic rapper in charge of a youth football league. Watch as Snoop guides and nurtures the spirits of his young admirers. The first season of Coach Snoop lands on Netflix February 2.

Seven Seconds – February 23

Veena Sud of The Killing fame returns with her upcoming American anthological crime drama Seven Seconds, which explores the human stories behind the headlines. Hitting Netflix at the end of the month, Seven Seconds follows the accidental killing of a black Jersey City teen by a white cop.