5 New Movies You Can’t Afford To Miss In Theaters (February 2026)

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As a big movie fan, I’ve noticed a pattern – the start of the year can be a little slow. It seems like when it’s cold and snowy out, especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest, fewer people go to the theaters. Because of that, studios often release films they’re not entirely sure about during January, February, and March. It’s kind of become known as a time for less-anticipated releases, and honestly, it can be a bit of a gamble for us moviegoers!

Just because a movie comes out in February doesn’t mean it’s poorly made. If a studio isn’t sure a film will be popular, it simply means it might appeal to a smaller, more specific group of movie lovers. Luckily, there are several potentially excellent films coming out this February for those who really appreciate cinema.

Wuthering Heights

February 13

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Emerald Fennell’s new film, Wuthering Heights, featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is expected to be a hit. Based on Emily Brontë’s famous novel, the movie brings to life a story that was shocking when it was first published, but is now considered a timeless classic.

Emerald Fennell, the director of Saltburn, is now releasing Wuthering Heights. Jacob Elordi starred in Saltburn, and Margot Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, produced both films. Based on the trailer, the new movie seems likely to spark similar debates as the original novel, and it appears Robbie, Elordi, and Fennell aren’t avoiding the story’s more intense themes.

Netflix reportedly made a $150 million offer for the film, but Emerald Fennell preferred a traditional cinema release and ultimately chose to work with LuckyChap and Warner Bros.

Crime 101

February 13

Bart Layton, the director of American Animals, brings us Crime 101, a new crime thriller starring Chris Hemsworth, Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo. While the title might not grab you, the film – based on a story by Don Winslow – looks set to deliver a gripping experience reminiscent of classic crime films like Heat and Chinatown.

In this film, Chris Hemsworth steps away from his typical superhero roles to play a skilled jewel thief. He teams up with an insurance broker, played by Halle Berry, to attempt a daring heist. Hot on their trail is a Los Angeles detective portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, with Monica Barbaro, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte also appearing in the movie.

Although Crime 101 brings Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo back together, Ruffalo wasn’t the first actor considered for the detective part. Pedro Pascal was initially in negotiations for the role, but he decided to star in Fantastic Four: First Steps instead.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die

February 13

After a decade away from directing, Gore Verbinski returns with Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, a truly original story. The film follows Sam Rockwell as a time traveler who journeys to present-day Los Angeles with the mission of preventing artificial intelligence from ending the world.

The trailer for Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die highlights the film’s quirky comedy and director Gore Verbinski’s distinctive style – a style he’s known for from movies like Mousehunt and Pirates of the Caribbean. The film debuted at Fantastic Fest to positive reviews, currently holding a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics have even compared its creativity to that of the Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Cold Storage

February 13

Despite a strong script from acclaimed writer David Koepp and a talented cast including Joe Keery, Liam Neeson, and Georgina Campbell, the movie Cold Storage hasn’t quite found its audience. This might be because the director, Jonny Campbell, is relatively new to feature films, with only one previous credit: the 2006 comedy Alien Autopsy, which didn’t get a wide release.

I recently watched Cold Storage and it was a blast! It’s a really fun horror comedy about two employees at a self-storage place – Kerry and Campbell – who have no idea their building is actually on top of an old military base. Things get crazy when an alien fungus breaks loose from below, and it looks like it’s going to get pretty intense. It’s up to these two, just trying to get by on minimum wage, to save everyone, and they end up teaming up with a bioterrorism expert. It’s a wild ride!

Scream 7

February 27

After a difficult production process, the newest installment in the Scream series, Scream 7, is set to be released in theaters. Initially, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who directed Scream VI, were slated to direct, but they left the project to work on the 2024 film Abigail. Christopher Landon was then hired as the director, though problems continued to arise.

The release of Scream 7 faced setbacks, initially due to the 2023 strikes. Then, actress Melissa Barrera, who had starred in the previous two Scream films, was let go after publicly supporting Palestine. Shortly after, her co-star Jenna Ortega also left the project. Following these changes, director Christopher Landon departed, and Kevin Williamson, the original creator of Scream, stepped in to co-write and direct the movie.

Patrick Dempsey isn’t the only familiar face coming back for Scream 7. Neve Campbell, who’s been in almost all of the Scream movies, will return, as will Courteney Cox, a star in every film so far. Surprisingly, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Scott Foley are also reprising their roles, even though their characters were killed off in previous installments.

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2026-01-31 21:29