New Movies and Series Streaming in February 2023 You Won’t Want to Miss

Is it even possible to start a new month without giving you our top picks for the new movies and series that will be available on streaming services? The answer is no. We’re here to help you wade through the saturated ocean of content out there so you can cut straight to some must-see titles. Keep reading for our list of the new films and shows streaming in February that you won’t want to miss, along with the noteworthy performances in each.

Films

True Spirit

How many messages of encouragement and inspiration can you pack into one trailer? The new preview for True Spirit puts that query to the test. “The world can be a difficult place, but it’s also really, really beautiful,” comes early in the trailer. Later on, we hear the same character utter, “I think there’s bravery in admitting that you’re not OK.” Then there’s the messaging that “you are only as big as the dreams you dare to live.” From this roundup of some of the motivational themes that can be found in its trailer, you may be quick to write off True Spirit as just a hokey, feel-good film. But you’d be wrong. The upcoming Netflix feature tells the incredible true story of a 16-year-old Australian named Jessica Watson and her mission to set the record for being the world’s youngest solo sailor. Teagan Croft depicts the teenager during her 210-day voyage by sailboat, and you can catch Anna Paquin playing Jessica’s mother Julie. Also, keep an eye out for names like Cliff Curtis and Josh Lawson when True Spirit drops on Netflix come February 3.

Your Place or Mine

It doesn’t get much better than rom com royalty uniting for their first film together in the genre. In Your Place or Mine, Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon respectively star as Peter and Debbie, two best friends who swap homes for a week. The catch? Their 20-year friendship started with a hook-up the night they first met, and their decision to trade spaces reveals that there may still be some romantic feelings at play. In bringing to life his more-than-meets-the-eye “cool guy” New Yorker character, Kutcher also had the opportunity to fulfill a longtime goal. “Through the years, with every romantic comedy that I thought about doing, I would always ask if Reese was available,” he told Netflix. “I’ve wanted to work with her my entire career.” We’re excited to see what happens when the long-sought-after collaboration comes to fruition, including seeing Witherspoon’s take on her role as a single mom living with her son in Los Angeles. Wesley Kimmel — nephew of the late-night host who instantly comes to mind — plays said offspring, and that’s not where the impressive names on the Your Place or Mine cast list end. You can also catch performances from the likes of Tig Notaro, Steve Zahn, Zoë Chao, Jesse Williams and Rachel Bloom when Netflix debuts the rom com on February 10.

Somebody I Used to Know

You’ll have to forgive the fact that there are two romantic comedies on this list, considering these picks are for the month that houses Valentine’s Day. Plus, how could we pass up the second feature in which Dave Franco directs his real-life wife Alison Brie? We’re not saying they’re the new John Krasinski / Emily Blunt power couple, but we’re not saying they’re not. Franco and Brie co-wrote Somebody I Used to Know, which tells the tale of Ally (Brie), a workaholic TV producer. She returns to the comfort of her hometown after experiencing a major professional setback and reconnects with her first love, Sean (Jay Ellis), whom she’d left behind. Ally starts questioning some of her life choices — and how they’ve shaped her — which only escalates when she finds out Sean is engaged to a woman named Cassidy (Kiersey Clemons). Haley Joel Osment, Danny Pudi, Julie Hagerty and Amy Sedaris fill out the impressive cast of Somebody I Used to Know, and you can catch all the performances when the film premieres on Prime Video come February 10.

Series

Dear Edward

Make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand if you choose to watch the first series on our list of February picks because Dear Edward promises to be a tear-jerker. Apple TV+ calls it a “heartbreaking, life-affirming and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection and the examination of what makes us human.” The onscreen adaption of Ann Napolitano’s bestselling novel centers on Edward Adler (Colin O’Brien), a 12-year-old who survives a plane crash that claims the lives of his family members and every other passenger onboard their commercial flight. Viewers can take in Edward’s journey of trying to make sense of life after the tragedy, alongside others affected by it, such as his aunt (Taylor Schilling). Unexpected friendships, relationships and communities are formed along the way in a series that suggests hope can exist even in the midst of grief. Besides O’Brien and Schilling, Connie Britton can also be seen in the upcoming drama, which Apple TV+ will premiere on February 3.

My Dad the Bounty Hunter

If an upcoming, animated action-comedy series inspired by the early works of Stephen Spielberg is out there, it’s making our list. The creators of My Dad the Bounty Hunter — Everett Downing and Patrick Harpin — listed titles like E.T. to point to movies centered on kids that can be enjoyed by people of any age. The series’ trailer gives some Incredibles-meets-Star Wars vibes as it previews how siblings Lisa (Priah Ferguson) and Sean (Jecobi Swain), stow away to join their dad (Laz Alonso) on his latest work trip, only to discover that he’s a galactic bounty hunter. During the unexpected space adventure that ensues, the two try to help their father catch his toughest fugitive to date. And they have to do it all in time to make it home before their mom (Yvonne Orji) finds out. Besides keeping an ear out for voice performances from those already mentioned, you can also take in the work of actors like Yvette Nicole Brown, Rob Riggle and Jamie Chung when My Dad the Bounty Hunter comes to Netflix on February 9.

Hello Tomorrow!

This upcoming dramedy for Apple TV+ takes place in a retro-future world. You read that right — it has all the looks of the ‘50s but with technology we don’t yet have in 2023. The uniquely conceptualized series follows a crew of traveling salesmen peddling timeshares on the moon. Billy Crudup stars as Jack, a talented member of the group whose unwavering faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires both his customers and co-workers. But Jack may become dangerously lost in his dream for the future as things begin to unravel. The upcoming series also stars names like Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Hank Azaria and Jacki Weaver. You can catch all these performances and more when Apple TV+ debuts Hello Tomorrow! come February 17.

From an inspiring film based on a true story to a sci-fi series about selling lunar timeshares, our picks should leave you with a variety of new movies and series to screen on streamers during the month of February without being overwhelmed by the sheer weight of options. Can you imagine it any other way?

Looking to get your big break? Sign up or login to Casting Networks and land your next acting role today!

Related articles:
On the Verge: Amanda Jaros
My Casting Story: Taylor Storm on ‘Sodium Day’
My Casting Story: Catherine Lidstone on ‘The Chosen’