With the cold weather that's inevitably going to be sticking around for a while, cosying up on the sofa or in your local cinema is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours this February. Luckily, there are plenty of new releases to suit everyone, regardless of taste, from the animated sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish to romcom Your Place or Mine. Here are the best new films to watch this February:
1. Magic Mike's Last Dance
Channing Tatum returns for the third instalment in the Magic Mike franchise. In this upcoming comedy, Mike sets off for London with a wealthy socialite who gives him an offer he can't refuse. What will happen if Mike accepts the offer? Expect plenty of laughs and sexy dance numbers. Magic Mike's Last Dance can be seen in cinemas from 10th February.
2. The Whale
Nominated for several awards, including three Oscars, The Whale was one of the standout films of 2022, and will finally land in UK cinemas in February. Brendan Fraser was met with a standing ovation when The Whale was shown at the BFI London Film Festival in October for his moving portrayal of an obese and reclusive teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter (played by Sadie Sink). Head down to your local cinema from the 3rd of February to see The Whale.
3. Women Talking
Directed by Sarah Polley and adapted from Miriam Toews' 2018 novel of the same name, Women Talking is another film that wowed critics and audiences at the BFI London Film Festival last year. It centres on a group of women in an isolated religious community who decide whether they should "do nothing" after a series of sexual assaults. The all-star cast includes Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand and Ben Whishaw.
4. What's Love Got to Do with It?
Lily James stars in this cross-cultural romantic comedy from director Shekhar Kapur. It's written by Jemima Khan and is inspired by her own experiences of marrying a Muslim man and living in Pakistan as a young adult. The film examines different ways of finding love in today's world, from swiping on a dating app to entering an arranged marriage. What's Love Got to Do with It? will be released on the 24th February in cinemas across the country.
5. She Is Love
Sam Riley and Haley Bennett are at the forefront of this British romantic drama, which captures the awkwardness of coming face to face with an ex after being apart for several years. She Is Love is directed by BIFA-nominated filmmaker Jamie Adams and has a running time of 82 minutes – a rare occurrence for theatrical releases which usually last for about 2 hours. She Is Love is in cinemas and on digital platforms on 3rd February.
6. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
The wait is nearly over! It's been 12 years since the Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots, and the sequel will finally be released in cinemas. After finding out that he has used eight of his nine lives, Puss in Boots sets off on a journey to find the 'Last Wish' – but will he get there before Goldi and the Three Bears Crime Family and Jack Horner? The film features the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Olivia Colman, Florence Pugh and Ray Winstone.
7. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
It may seem like a kid's film, but Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an adorable and heartfelt animation with witty dialogue and a central character audiences can connect with. Marcel is a shell who lives alone with his grandma and pet lint as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy until they are discovered by a documentary filmmaker and Marcel is given the chance to find his family.
And on streaming services…
8. Your Place or Mine
Released on Amazon Prime, Somebody I Used to Know is another romcom that's perfect for Valentine's Day. It's directed by Dave Franco and centres on a workaholic TV producer (Alison Brie) who is forced to return to her hometown when things at work don't go quite the way she planned. Here she reunites with her ex Sean (Jay Ellis) – who turns out to be engaged to someone else. You can see Somebody I Used to Know on Prime from 10th February.
Other films out this February include Knock at the Cabin, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Epic Tails and The Son.
