Share and Follow
Although February might not initially spring to mind as a prime time for cinematic releases, it has surprisingly delivered numerous remarkable films over the years.
Several movies debuting in February have cemented their status as some of the most acclaimed films in cinema history.
In celebration of February’s contributions to the film industry, Watch With Us has compiled a list of the top five movies that premiered during this month.
These selections include films that have not only achieved popularity upon release but also continued to resonate with audiences through the years.
Conversely, January has often been perceived as a repository for films that studios lack confidence in, making it rare for a January release to achieve significant acclaim or longevity. Watch With Us delved into this trend to uncover noteworthy exceptions.
5. ‘Donnie Brasco’ (1997)
There were a lot of great true crime movies in the ’90s, but Donnie Brasco has been overshadowed by most of them. This film is based on the account of FBI Agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp), the man who adopted the Donnie Brasco alias to gain the confidence of mob associate Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero (Al Pacino).
Pistone is so good at playing the role of Donnie that he quickly moves up in the crime family. He also genuinely befriends Lefty and starts acting more and more like a mobster. As Donnie’s persona bleeds into his real life, Pistone is forced to face the possibility that his investigation may get Lefty killed, and that’s not something he’s willing to do.
Donnie Brasco is available for rent and purchase on Prime Video.
4. ‘Dark City’ (1998)
Just over a year before The Matrix blew everyone’s minds, the similarly themed Dark City beat the Wachowskis to the punch. At the time of its release, there was nothing quite like Dark City, and film critic Roger Ebert was so impressed that he recorded a DVD commentary for it. The story follows John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), a man stripped of his identity who finds himself framed for murder in a city he can barely recognize.
Stephen King is famous for writing novels that have redefined the horror genre, from Carrie to The Shining and dozens more, but he’s also widely known as a devoted cinephile. The horror novelist loves movies of all kinds, and he’s quick to tweet his latest musings about current films, like Weapons. On Monday, September 8, […]
Jennifer Connelly plays John’s wife, Emma Murdoch, but John isn’t sure who he can trust. He’s the only one who seems to realize that it’s always night in the city, and enigmatic strangers have the ability to bend reality around them while reshaping the city and its inhabitants. Somehow, John is immune to the strangers’ powers, and that makes him dangerous to them.
Dark City is streaming on Tubi.
3. ‘Get Out’ (2017)
Next year will be the 10th anniversary of Get Out, which was the last time that anyone thought of Jordan Peele as strictly a comedic talent. For his directorial debut, Peele wrote a horror story that deeply resonated with audiences and led to his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Daniel Kaluuya stars as Chris Washington, a Black man who is in a relationship with Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), a young white woman who comes from a wealthy family. There’s something very unsettling about the way Rose’s family warmly receives Chris that disturbs him, but he can’t quite put his finger on what it is. When Chris is told by a guest to “get out,” he doesn’t recognize those words as a warning. By the time Chris realizes just how much danger he’s in, it’s already too late.
Get Out is streaming on HBO Max.
From Get Out to Nope, Jordan Peele has been involved in quite a few TV and movie projects through his production company, Monkeypaw Productions. Peele started his career in sketch comedy as a cast member on Fox’s MAD TV series. He branched out with Keegan-Michael Key, whom he frequently collaborated with on a number of […]
2. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is the only Best Picture winner on this list, and it really is that good. This film redefined thrillers for the ’90s and featured one of the most terrifying screen villains ever: Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Both Hopkins and his costar, Jodie Foster, won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
Foster plays Clarice Starling, a young FBI agent who reluctantly approaches Lecter for help analyzing an elusive serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who holds his victims captive. But there’s always a price for Lecter’s favors, and he’s a master manipulator who can get into anyone’s head. Let’s just say there’s a reason he’s called “Hannibal the cannibal,” and it’s always a mistake to underestimate what he can do, even when trapped behind bars.
The Silence of the Lambs will stream on Prime Video on March 1.
1. ‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)
Groundhog Day may not be a Best Picture winner, but it’s the ultimate February film and the best movie ever released in the second month of the year. Don’t believe us? The film’s 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes score backs up that claim. Given the premise of the film, it’s also the longest February ever, as Phil Connors (Bill Murray) finds himself reliving Groundhog Day over and over again for what seems like an eternity.
Groundhog Day star Stephen Tobolowsky kept a low profile as he was spotted more than 30 years after the classic comedy’s release. Tobolowsky, 74, was photographed keeping it casual as he grabbed breakfast to go from a Los Angeles café on Sunday, July 13. The noted character actor gave an unforgettable performance as obnoxious insurance […]
It’s both a blessing and a curse for Phil, who gets to indulge his every whim before he realizes that there is no escape. Even when he comes to have romantic feelings for his producer, Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell), she’s doomed to forget his feelings for her every time the day resets. That may sound tragic, but this is an incredibly life-affirming film that makes the world feel like a better place.
Groundhog Day is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.