With Sundance behind us and events such as the Oscars, SXSW, and the Berlin International Film Festival coming up next month, February could have seemed relatively barren compared to the release schedules surrounding it. That said, this month has no shortage of entertaining films and must-see theatrical releases on the docket, starting with M. Night Shyamalan’s highly anticipated adaptation “Knock at the Cabin.” Channing Tatum returns for his last stint as Mike Lane, with Steven Soderbergh returning to director “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” following his absence from the sequel, and elsewhere there are some festival favorites such as “Return to Seoul” getting wider releases and the first Marvel film of the year.
“Knock at the Cabin”
M. Night Shyamalan returns for his latest film following 2021’s “Old” with “Knock at the Cabin.” Based on the novel “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul G. Tremblay, this is only the second Shyamalan film to receive an R rating aside from “The Happening.” Our critic wrote that “It’s a movie that reminds us why Shyamalan is one of contemporary cinema’s greatest alchemists and a prime example of a filmmaker at his best and boldest.” Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rupert Grint, Kristen Cui, and Abby Quinn star.
Release Date: In theaters February 3 via Universal Pictures.
“80 for Brady”
Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno, and Lily Tomlin star in “80 for Brady” which follows four longtime friends as they try and make their way to the 2017 Superbowl in order to see Tom Brady play. Brady also acts as an executive producer, though the main joy is in seeing the four stars lead this sports comedy written by Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern. Kyle Marvin directs.
Release Date: In theaters February 3 via Paramount Pictures.
“Magic Mike’s Last Dance”
Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum reteam for “Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” the final note to the trilogy series. Following Tatum’s Mike Lane after a failed business deal, the series picks up on his story after he decides to make the trek to London for one last hurrah with a wealthy socialite played by Salma Hayek. Jemelia George, Juliette Motamed, and Ayub Khan Din also star.
Release Date: In theaters February 10 via Warner Bros. Pictures.
“Your Place or Mine”
Written and directed by Aline Brosh McKenna (“27 Dresses,” “The Devil Wears Prada,”) “Your Place or Mine,” the latest original film for Netflix, looks to emulate classic romantic comedies Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher star as two longtime best friends who, after swapping homes for a week, begin to reevaluate what it is they’re both looking for. Jesse Williams, Rachel Bloom, and Steve Zahn also star.
Release Date: Available to stream February 10 on Netflix.
“Sharper”
Apple TV+’s latest project brings a wealth of talent with the likes of Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan in this crime thriller from Benjamin Caron. Following a young man who is looking for revenge against his family for not accepting him while conning rich people for his own gain, the psychological thriller, written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, this is Caron’s first solo project after directing three episodes of last years “Andor.” Justice Smith, John Lithgow, and Briana Middleton also star.
Release Date: In select theaters February 10, then available to stream February 17 via Apple TV+.
“Marlowe”
Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger star in the neo-noir thriller “Marlowe,” directed by Neil Jordan (“Greta,” “Byzantium.”) Based on the 2014 novel “The Black-Eyed Blonde” and adapted for the screen by William Monahan (“The Tender Bar,” “The Departed”) the film is set in the 1930s and follows Philip Marlowe (played by Neeson), who has been hired to find the ex-lover of an heiress. Jessica Lange, Danny Huston, Alan Cumming, and Adewale Akinnouoye–Agbaje also star.
Release Date: In theaters February 15 via Open Road Films.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”
The Marvel machine returns for its first film of the new year with “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Paul Rudd returns as the titular hero, but it’s Jonathan Majors’s appearance that has us keeping our hopes high for this output, his first appearance as the mastermind villain Kang the Conqueror, who first appeared on Disney+’s “Loki.” Peyton Reed returns to direct with a script by Jeff Loveness.
Release Date: In theaters February 17 via Marvel Studios.
“Emily”
Actress Frances O’Connor makes her directorial debut with “Emily,” a partially fictionalized account of Emily Brontë and her relationship with her sister, Charlotte Brontë, as she nears death. “Sex Education’s” Emma Mackey stars alongside Oliver Jackson–Cohen, Fionn Whitehead, and Alexandra Dowling. Our critic wrote, “With “Emily,” Frances O’Connor has crafted a first film that feels like the work of an accomplished master.”
Release Date: In theaters February 17 via Bleecker Street.
“Return to Seoul”
Following its Oscar-qualifying run in 2022, “Return to Seoul” arrives for a wider release this month. It might not have nabbed a nomination for Best International Film, but it’s a staggering accomplishment from filmmaker Davy Chou and the film’s star, first-time actress Ji-Min Park. Park stars as Freddie, a young woman who travels from France to South Korea, where she was born, to look for her biological parents. Our critic wrote “”Return to Seoul” begins as an intimately off-the-cuff stranger-in-strange-land story and becomes a sprawling epic of personal discovery. It’s one of the best films of the year.”
Release Date: In theaters February 17 via Sony Pictures Classics.
“Cocaine Bear”
Elizabeth Banks directs one of the bizarrely on the nose named films of the year “Cocaine Bear,” based on a script by Jimmy Warden. The film follows – you guessed it – a black bear who has consumed a significant amount of cocaine and then embarks on a violent rampage as a group of locals and tourists face it down. The film’s ensemble is impressive, starring Keri Russell, Brooklynn Prince, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Matthew Rhys, and Ray Liotta. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller produced.
Release Date: In theaters February 24 via Universal Pictures.
“Luther: The Fallen Son”
Idris Elba returns to one of his most iconic characters in “Luther: The Fallen Son,” a spinoff of the BBC One series. Directed by Jamie Payne and written by original series writer Neil Cross, the film follows the disgraced detective Luther as he attempts to break out of prison in order to find the serial killer who’s been terrorizing London. Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis also star.
Release Date: In select theaters February 24, then available to stream on March 10 via Netflix.
“Of An Age”
Set in 1999, “Of An Age” follows an 18-year-old amateur ballroom dancer who finds themselves in a 24-hour romance with a friend’s older brother. Directed by Goran Stolevski, the romantic drama stars Elias Anton and Thom Green as the central relationship. This coming-of-age film demonstrates the director’s range following last year’s harrowing horror film “You Won’t Be Alone.”
Release Date: In select theaters February 24 via Focus Features.