Everything Coming To Netflix In February 2019

In today's world, there are three certainties: death, taxes, and Netflix posting an absolute truckload of new content every single month. February 2019 will be no different, with substantial updates in every major genre, along with originals... lots and lots of originals. Of course, this is to be expected considering the billions upon billions of dollars the streaming titan spends on original content every year. But even in the shortest month, we'll have no fewer than 39 Netflix original movies, TV shows, reality series, documentaries, kids' programming, and comedy specials dropping. They include foreign language offerings, full seasons of continuing and debuting series, and at least a couple movies that could easily have cleaned up at the box office — so yeah, it's going to be a pretty good month.

We'll get to the latest licensed content that February will have to offer in a bit, but first, let's dig into all those originals.

The Mandarin language film Dear Ex, from Taiwan, has been collecting awards all over Asia, and Netflix put their stamp on it for streaming in all markets starting the first of the month. Described as a "melancholy comedy," the film follows a young man who loses his father to cancer, only to get caught up in a conflict between his mother and his late dad's secret gay lover; presumably, many melancholy chuckles ensue.

Screenwriter and co-director Mag Hsu is a respected television writer in Taiwan, and film festival critics have called her picture "an important and lovingly realized [film] from storytelling and performance perspectives." Check it out for yourself on February 1.

British kids' series Free Rein has streamed two seasons and a Christmas special on Netflix, and the show is coming back around with a Valentine's Day special for February. The story of 15-year old American Zoe (Jaylon Barren) who forges a friendship with a mysterious horse while visiting an English farm, the show has picked up several awards, including a pair of Daytime Emmys, for children's programming. The V-Day special is sure to please the little ones, especially if they happen to be really into horses; it's available for streaming on February 1.

Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black) produced and stars in Russian Doll, a series about a woman forced to relive the night of a big party over and over again, an experience which is always rudely interrupted by her death. Forget the obvious similarity to Happy Death Day; the always-entertaining Lyonne told The Hollywood Reporter that the story is her "autobiography wrapped in a mind-bending concept... I'm 100 percent in there and most definitely the architect of the whole thing."

Also, the series' extra-crazy trailer hints at a development that could take the story in some strange new directions, and writer/director Leslye Headland explained to THR that she, Lyonne, and co-producer Amy Poehler "pitched Netflix three seasons of the most bonkers, heartfelt, passionate, this-is-what-we-truly-feel-like-is-our-story-to-tell idea... And they said, 'Great, the more of that the better... Here are the resources and the support — take off.'" This show not only sports a deadpan sense of humor, but has the potential to get very interesting very quickly, and the first season drops on February 1.

Based on the Isidora Chacón novel Yo, Bruja, the new Colombian teen series Siempra Bruja (Always a Witch) stars young Afro-Colombian actress Angely Gaviria as a witch from the 17th century who manages to evade a stake-burning by traveling in time to the present day. She must deal with plenty of fish-out-of-water awkwardness while trying to return to her time to save the man she loves; unfortunately, a mysterious adversary seems to be trying to thwart that attempt. This one looks like a lot of fun, and you can check it out on February 1.

True and the Rainbow Kingdom has given the young ones two seasons of good-hearted life lessons on Netflix, and February will bring the Valentine's Day special True: Happy Hearts Day. The show's fearless young protagonist and her best friend Bartleby the cat are all about helping out the colorful residents of the Rainbow Kingdom with their everyday problems, sometimes with an assist from the Wishing Tree; it's all very whimsical and very, very cute. The special will be available for your little guy or gal's holiday enjoyment on February 1.

The third feature from Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy reunites him with that amazing film's lead actors Jake Gyllenhall and Rene Russo, along with Toni Collette (Hereditary), Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things), and the great John Malkovich. It's the story of a Soho art gallery owner and a vicious critic who come into possession of the works of an artist whose recent death is shrouded in mystery... and they soon wish they hadn't.

The flick's absolutely insane trailer promises a mind-bending ride, a committed performance from Gyllenhaal, and more profoundly creepy imagery than you can shake a paint brush at. GIlroy flopped with his second feature Roman J. Israel, Esq., but perhaps that shouldn't be held against him; Nightcrawler was a scarily assured debut, and Velvet Buzzsaw  — his first foray into flat-out horror —looks not so much like a return to form as a major statement. The fact that it's dropping on Netflix is kind of mind-boggling, but here we are; we might have the next Bird Box on our hands here, and you can give it a watch on February 1.

The Finnish detective series Bordertown was picked up for international distribution by Netflix after its debut season, which went on to strike a chord with streaming audiences with its dark, compelling storytelling and deft blend of family drama and crime procedural. Fans of shows like The Killing and True Detective with an appreciation for international flavor will find Bordertown (not to be confused with the slightly less heady Fox animated series) to be a treat; when the first episode of season 1 aired on Finnish television, it was watched by over a million viewers (that's roughly a fifth of the entire country's population). If you haven't checked out the first batch of episodes, you may want to catch up before season 2 drops on February 2.

Korean comedy-drama series Romance is a Bonus Book stars Lee Jong-suk as a star writer who becomes the youngest ever editor in chief at a prestigious publishing company; all is going well until he gets caught up in the troubles of a former copywriter for the firm who is down on her luck and out of a job. Fans of rom-coms should find something to like here, just don't call it "bingeworthy"; in a slight departure from their regular model, Netflix will stream the first episode on February 2, with additional hourlong episodes following every Saturday.

If you've yet to check out the cooking series Nailed It!, you should probably do so if you enjoy watching beleaguered bakers who are in way over their heads doing their level best to recreate elaborate masterpieces. The results are sometimes a bit... lacking, and that's all part of the show's charm. As part of an effort to expand some of their original properties into international markets, Netflix will be presenting ¡Nailed It! México, which transposes the original's concept to south of the border with the help of genial hosts Omar Chaparro and Anna Ruiz. Slumping cakes? Fondant fails? Occasional unlikely triumphs through determination and/or sheer blind luck? Some things are equally fun in any language, which you can see for yourself when ¡Nailed It! México premieres on February 8.

Writer/director Julio Medem's Spanish language The Tree of Blood follows a young couple as they travel to an idyllic family farmhouse to begin building their own family history. But as each of their individual histories are revealed to contain painful secrets, they uncover truths that could forever alter their relationship. The romantic thriller stars Spanish heavyweights Ursula Corberó and Álvaro Cervantes; you can explore Medem's peculiar brand of sex-tinged fatalism when The Tree of Blood makes its debut on February 8.

Playwright turned screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney picked up a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for co-scripting the 2016 Best Picture winner Moonlight. For his next trick, he's giving us High Flying Bird, a fictionalized account of the efforts of a sports agent (André Holland) to salvage the careers of his clients in the wake of the real-life 2011 NBA lockout. The exceptional cast also includes Zachary Quinto (of the Star Trek reboot series), Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), and veteran character actor Bill Duke, perhaps still best-known for his role in the 1987 classic Predator. Oh, and in the director's chair is Steven Soderbergh, whose recent successes include Magic Mike, Logan Lucky, and the iPhone-shot psychological thriller Unsane. The sports drama is scoring big time with critics; you can give it a shot when it premieres on February 8.

The modern reboot of the classic Norman Lear TV series One Day at a Time has racked up nothing but accolades since its 2017 debut, having scored multiple awards among a slew of nominations for each of its first two seasons. Lead actress Justina Machado in particular has been singled out for her warm portrayal of a newly single Cuban-American mother helping her brood navigate life's peaks and valleys; the show's second season received unanimous critical acclaim, and the topical yet heartfelt series only seems to be picking up steam. It should also be noted that its authentic portrayal of Latin-American LGBTQ characters is not something we see on television on a regular basis, making it all the more vital viewing. The third season will drop in bulk on February 8.

The animated kids' series The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants proved to be a hit among the little ones in its first season. Based on the children's book series by Dav Pilkey and its well-received big-screen adaptation, the DreamWorks Animation-produced series follows the adventures of a pair of prank-happy young comic book artists and their greatest creation: their school principal Mr. Krupp, whose transformation into the tighty-whitey-wearing Captain Underpants was facilitated by a slight case of brainwashing. The series makes its return for a second season on February 8.

The docuseries Remastered examines the unexplained and/or tragic deaths of music icons, with previous entries focusing on the events surrounding the demises of such luminaries as Bob Marley, Chilean folk singer Victor Jara, Johnny Cash, and Run-D.M.C. DJ Jam Master Jay. This latest installment will feature an exploration of the life, times, and death of iconic soul singer Sam Cooke, whose involvement with the civil rights movement of the 1960s set him on a dangerous path and may have been a factor in his death at 33. The monthly series has proved to be compelling viewing thus far, and Cooke's story is an interesting and important one; take a deep dive into his troubled life when Remastered makes its return on February 8.

The Spanish drama series Unauthorized Living focuses on the leader of a powerful Galician crime cartel who keeps up a front as a legitimate businessman. But he has more problems than those of the sort that would typically arise from such a double life: he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a plight which he attempts to keep a secret from his family and associates as he engages in a search for a successor to lead his dirty organization. Will he eventually go completely straight, pulling a sort of reverse Breaking Bad? It's a premise ripe for drama, and the first season will be ready for queuing on February 8. 

The Break is a Belgian series which follows the attempt of a veteran police detective to escape from his demons by returning to his peaceful, relatively murder-free hometown. But things take a turn for the worse when a body is discovered which at first appears to be a suicide; the clues, however, lead our protagonist in a more sinister direction. The first season was well-received by critics who appreciated its bleak cinematography and snappy, well-written dialogue; the noir-ish drama makes its return with season 2 on February 9.

Daily Show alum Hasan Minhaj made a splash with the first season of his insightful political comedy series Patriot Act, in which he explores topics relevant to today's society through the filter of his singularly unique comedic sensibility. Each episode focuses on a single topic, which Minhaj delves into through a combination of standup, interviews, and on location segments; he intends to push buttons, as evidenced by the fact that the first-season episode "Saudi Arabia" ruffled more than a few feathers in that country and was eventually pulled from Netflix there. Minhaj's cutting yet thoughtful brand of political humor is perhaps something we can all use more of right now, and season 2 of Patriot Act will give us just that when it drops on February 10.

Do you enjoy Chinese food? Heck, who doesn't? Season 1 of the culinary series Flavorful Origins will take a look at the cuisine of the Chaoshan region, exploring the unique ingredients used in its creation and even diving into the stories of the chefs behind the iconic dishes. Part cooking show, part travelogue, part history, all deliciousness, Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan Cuisine will be available for streaming on February 10.

Just in time for Valentine's Day comes the Canadian reality series Dating Around, each episode of which follows one single guy or gal as they embark on a series of five first dates. Their objective is simple: to find a partner whom they match up well enough to go out with a second time. The first original dating series to hit the streamer promises "an honest and compelling look at the real world of dating," so if you end up with those V-Day blues — or, alternatively, if you and your significant other want to gain a new appreciation for just how good you have it — then check out Dating Around when it releases on February 14.

He may not be a household name, but writer and comedian Larry Charles infiltrated the mainstream through his work on five seasons of Seinfeld, and he also teamed with Sacha Baron Cohen, taking the director's chair on the feature films Borat, Brüno, and The Dictator. In his docuseries Larry Charles' Dangerous World of Comedy, he'll set out to locales around the world — some of them not exactly the safest of places — to explore how humor can be found wherever one cares to look, even in countries where the very act of producing comedy can be downright, well, dangerous. 

In a statement, Charles had this to say about his series and the involvement of the streaming giant: "I am grateful to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to tell this honest and harrowing and heartbreaking story of comedy in the face of war and violence and death. Comedy as a tool of rebuilding, as an instrument of healing and as a weapon of truth. From Somalia to Iraq to right here in the United States, comedy is essential to our survival." Charles is co-producing the series along with Avengers: Infinity War directors Joe and Anthony Russo; you can discover what he finds on his travels when the first batch of episodes drops on February 15.

The Breaker Upperers is a comedy film from New Zealand, so let's just get this out of the way: yes, Taiki Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) is involved as an executive producer, and directors Sami and Jackie van Beek came into his orbit when they appeared as actors in his features What We Do in the Shadows and Eagle vs. Shark. The pair also star as cynical friends who go into business breaking up couples for profit, only for tension to arise when one of them suddenly discovers her moral compass. The film scored with critics when it made the festival rounds, and it'll likely score with you when it hits the small screen on February 15.

Animated series The Dragon Prince is set in a rich fantasy world where humans, elves, and yes, dragons share an uneasy existence. Season 1 was widely praised by critics for its animation and bold storytelling style, combining humor with complex character and plot elements to make for a unique viewing experience. Not just for the kiddies, the show features fully fleshed out characters of both sexes and many races (including the elves), with healthy doses of action to go along with the drama. Co-creator Aaron Ehasz was head writer on Avatar: The Last Airbender and also worked on the beloved animated series Futurama, which should give you some idea of The Dragon Prince's sensibility; the story continues with the second season on February 15.

Based on a Dark Horse comic book series created by Gerard Way, the original series The Umbrella Academy follows a group of children with otherworldly powers who were all born simultaneously on the same day in 1989, to mothers whose pregnancies were, shall we say, unexpected. Brought together in their teen years by a mysterious billionaire, the group is forced apart by circumstance, but their survivors must regroup upon their benefactor's death in an attempt to get to the bottom of the events surrounding his passing, as well as their own unlikely existence. The show counts Ellen Page, Mary J. Blige, and Colm Feore among its cast; you can check out the trailer here, and get yourself ready for superpowered intrigue when the first season drops on February 15.

Yucatan is a comedy feature from Mexico with a Dirty Rotten Scoundrels-like premise: two con artists who target their wealthy prey on cruise ships are in hot competition, until they agree to stay out of each others' way. Unfortunately for them, fate conspires to bring them into each others' orbit once again, and comedic hijinks ensue. The flick features plenty of fun in the sun in exotic locales — perfect for these dog days of winter — and its gonzo comic sensibility includes elements of rom-coms, buddy comedies, and even animation. The feature hits Netflix on February 15.

This violent period piece from Korea explores the rise of a petty crook from Busan who ups his dirty game by diving into the Asian narcotics trade of the 1970's. Eventually, he becomes — you guessed it — a drug king of sorts, struggling to hold his place atop his organization while pouring a steady stream of contraband into Japan and keeping up a front as a benevolent community leader. Song Kang-ho (The Host) and Bae Doona (Sense8) star; the gritty feature will be available for viewing on February 21.

Chef's Table is a docuseries for those with a serious passion for all things culinary, created by David Gelb, who made a splash with his award-winning 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Each episode follows the daily life of one renowned chef, and in the show's five previous volumes we've gotten a look at the pinnacle of cuisine in Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Indonesia, and the United States, to name a few. The first episode of Volume 6 will focus on South Carolina's Sean Brock, who was won worldwide recognition for his elevation Southern cuisine; the entire volume will drop on February 21.

Firebrand is a Bollywood piece from executive producer Priyanka Chopra and award-winning director Aruna Raje, the story of a lawyer and an architect whose relationship is fraught with drama. Raje describes it as "a contemporary story about relationships and the highs and lows people deal with in their lives," which really doesn't tell us much, but the talent on board — including leads Usha Jadhav and Girish Kulkarni, both well-regarded Bollywood actors — make this one worth a look. You can add it to your queue on February 22.

Paddleton is the sophomore feature from director Alex Lehmann (Blue Jay), and stars co-writer Mark Duplass (Creep) alongside Ray Romano as odd couple neighbors who develop an unlikely friendship. Their bond is quickly put to the test, however, when one of them receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. The flick absolutely wowed critics on the festival circuit, with Romano's performance in particular being singled out for praise; one critic called it "a revelation, and not just because he's so funny." If quirky comedies that pack a solid emotional punch are up your alley, you'll definitely want to check out Paddleton when it makes its streaming debut on February 22.

There's a little more than meets the eye to the French drama Paris is Us, the story of a young Parisian who returns to her home city to reflect on her life after narrowly escaping death in a plane crash. The trailer promises a blurring of the lines between fantasy and reality, as our heroine begins to draw parallels between her traumatic recent past and events in the world at large, which registers to her as a "sinking ship." The Kickstarter-funded project was shot between 2014 and 2017 before being picked up by Netflix, and its location filming took place amidst the backdrop of such events as the Charlie Hedbo shooting. Paris has not been resting easy as of late, and this incorporates some real-world tension into its rather trippy narrative; you can check it out on February 22.

The five-episode Irish miniseries Rebellion focused on a small group of characters dealing with life in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rebellion, and it aired on Sundance TV before being picked up for a second season by Netflix. Season 2 will continue to expand the historical drama's story; the streamer will be releasing its episodes in bulk on February 22.

Suburra is a gritty Italian crime series centered on a seaside town near Rome, which various interested parties have designs on turning into a gambling resort. Coming into conflict with each other over these plans are a prominent Roman family, a slew of corrupt politicians, the Catholic church, and the Mafia; the series' first season drew favorable comparisons with The Wire, and was widely praised for its stark tone and thriller-esque pacing. Profane, sexy, and violent, it's been called "the kind of show that grabs your attention and doesn't let go" — perfect for binge-watching, if you ask us. Season 2 premieres on February 22.

The British cooking show The Big Family Cooking Showdown is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Two teams of three family members apiece are pitted against each other in a series of challenges, vying for the right to advance through preliminary, semi-final, and final rounds to claim the championship. The family dynamics on display are what set this offering apart from other such cooking competitions, and the extreme British-ness of it all contributes to making it a fun watch. Check out the series' second season when it debuts on February 22.

The Spanish release The Photographer of Mauthausen is inspired by the true story of Francesc Boix, a photographer who not only survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, but used his camera to document their conditions, managing to conceal his negatives over the course of his captivity. Director Mar Taragona described his film to Variety as a picture with the act of documentation at its heart, a meditation on how simply bearing witness to tragedy and brutality can bring justice. "What the Nazis did was all documented, despite all that they burned. And it's chilling to see," he said. "Most of all, seeing how naturally the Nazis themselves assumed their role." It's a topic that unfortunately has never stopped having contemporary relevance through all the decades following World War II, making The Photographer of Mauthausen an art film that should be required viewing. It drops on Netflix on February 22.

Sometimes, all you really need to know about a show is right there in the title. Canadian comedy series Workin' Moms follows the tribulations of a quartet of women who find themselves struggling with relationships, the logistics of childcare, and... well, just about everything else when their maternity leaves are up and it's time to get back to work. Creator and star Catherine Reitman has appeared on American television in such venerable comedy series as Family Guy, American Dad!, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; check out the fruits of her labor (no pun intended) when Workin' Moms' first season premieres on Netflix on February 22.

We'll have to wait until the end of the month for this special treat, but Netflix will be giving us a second collection of choice episodes of game show institution Jeopardy! in February. For decades now, endlessly genial and witty host Alex Trebek has presided over the famous game board, gently needled contestants, and served up Daily Doubles galore, and you can now get your fix via streaming rather than waiting for new episodes to air in syndication. The answer is "February 28." The question: "When does Jeopardy! Collection 2 stream on Netflix?"

There are a few choice selections for horror fans coming your way in February, most notably the wicked first installment of the long-running Final Destination series and the entirety of the Jaws franchise, from Steven Spielberg's benchmark-setting original to Jaws: The Revenge, a feature that regularly winds up in discussion of the worst films of all time. (It's unintentionally hilarious, which many would argue is really the best form of hilarity). Also on tap are the well-received 2017 thriller Personal Shopper, Eli Roth's iconic provocation Hostel, and the undersea disaster flick Black Sea; release dates are below.

• February 1
• Final Destination (2000)
• Hostel (2005)
• Jaws (1975)
• Jaws 2 (1978)
• Jaws 3 (1983)
• Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
• Personal Shopper (2017)
• February 16
• Black Sea (2014)

Only a pair of new drama offerings are making their way to Netflix this month, but they're both well worth a watch. 2016's The Edge of Seventeen features burgeoning stars Hailee Steinfeld (Bumblebee) and Haley Lu Richardson (Split) in a thoughtful coming-of-age drama; 2009's The Soloist stars Tony St- er, Robert Downey, Jr. as a newspaper columnist who becomes unlikely friends with a prodigally talented violinist portrayed by Jamie Foxx.

• February 1
• The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
• February 6
• The Soloist (2009)

A number of beloved comedies will be available for streaming starting this month, including the warm Hugh Grant vehicle About a Boy, the first three American Pie flicks, Steve Carell's breakout film The 40-Year Old Virgin, and the thoughtful comedy-drama Our Idiot Brother. See below for release dates.

• February 1
• About a Boy (2002)
• American Pie (1999)
• American Pie 2 (2001)
• American Wedding (2003)
• Billy Elliot (2002)
• Hairspray (2007)
• February 16
• The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
• February 26
• Our Idiot Brother (2011)
• February 28
• The Rebound (2009)

The lone true documentary offering on tap this month is Studio 54, an insider's look at the infamous New York dance club which gave birth to a million celebrity-based legends of wanton debauchery (of which the vast majority are probably true) and gave us at least one kickass disco tune (Chic's "Le Freak," the original version of which was written as a dis to an obstinate bouncer at the club). Also included here is the docudrama series Unsolved: Tupac & Biggie, which stars Marcc Rose and Wavyy Jonez, respectively, as the late rap icons; while it's technically a scripted series with documentary elements, we just didn't want Studio 54 to feel lonely.

• February 16
• Studio 54 (2018)
• February 27
• Unsolved: Tupac & Biggie (2019)

A trio of family features are coming your way this month, starting with Beverly Hills Chihuahua, the Raja Gosnell-directed flick that offers exactly what its title promises. There's also the Winona Ryder-led 1994 adaptation of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women, along with the 2014 sequel A Dolphin Tale 2. 

• February 3
• Disney's Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
• February 11
• Little Women (1994)
• February 25
• Dolphin Tale 2 (2014)

Finally, Netflix is premiering three new original comedy specials in February. Ray Romano returns to New York's famed Comedy Cellar (where he got his start) after 23 years to deliver a new standup set in Right Here, Around the Corner; Kevin Hart examines the contributions of African Americans through his uniquely cracked lens in Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History; and the hilarious Ken Jeong delivers a Valentine's Day set of silliness in the awesomely titled You Complete Me, Ho. Release dates are below.

• February 5
• Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner
• February 8
• Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History
• February 14
• Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho