From teenage coming-of-age comedies to superhero blockbusters and slow-burn foreign films, this February is filled with flicks for every taste
The month has already kicked off with the action-thriller Argylle, showcasing the globe-trotting spy, Elly Conway, played by Bryce Dallas Howard. The film boasts a star-studded cast, from the dashing Henry Cavill to pop star Dua Lipa, hard-hitter John Cena, and the legend Samuel L. Jackson.
As the month goes on, several major blockbusters are still set to arrive.
With flicks for every taste this February, mark your calendars and read on for a curated list of the most anticipated movies this month.
Lisa Frankenstein
Set to hit the screens on February 7, Lisa Frankenstein (Universal Pictures International) is described as a unique “coming of rage” story.
Directed by Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin Williams) and written by Diablo Cody (“Jennifer’s Body”), the story follows misunderstood teenager Lisa (Kathryn Newton of Freaky and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), whose high school crush (Cole Sprouse) is an unexpectedly attractive zombie. Filipina actress Liza Soberano also makes her forays into Hollywood as the main actress’s stepsister Taffy.
Inspired by the gothic novel “Frankenstein” by English writer Mary Shelley, the new rendition is set against the neon lights of the 1980s, now following a teenage romance as they embark on a series of whimsically macabre adventures in search of love, happiness, and a handful of misplaced body parts.
Mean Girls
Since the original “Mean Girls” was released in 2004, the film has remained an iconic comedy. Now in 2024, the modern classic is making a comeback—now in musical form.
The film takes from a screenplay by comedic actress Tina Fey. The storyline stays largely the same, although with a fresh cast: New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is caught in the chaos of social ladder cliques, in conflict with “The Plastics” and Regina George (Reneé Rapp), the cunning queen bee. The teen musical is set to be released in theaters on February 7.
The Taste of Things
Previously titled The Pot-au-Feu, this French historical romantic drama is set to be released in theaters this February. The title was directed by acclaimed Vietnamese filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, who was awarded the Best Director prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Produced by Curiousa Films, “The Taste of Things” imagines a prequel to Marcel Rouff’s novel, The Life and Passion of Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet.
Set against the backdrop of 1885, the narrative explores the nuances of the relationship between chef Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel) and his partner in the kitchen for two decades, Eugenie (Juliette Binoche). Despite how their professional partnership blossoms into a unique romance, Eugenie asserts her independence, resolutely declining Dodin’s proposals of marriage.
The highly-reviewed film is lauded for its sensual allure and pleasure, offering a cinematic experience of the complexities of both love and cuisine. Film dates are yet to be announced.
Madame Web
If you’ve been looking for something to do this Valentine’s Day, booking tickets for Madame Web (Columbia Pictures) might just be the way to go.
Set to be released on February 14, “Madame Web” tells a Marvel standalone origin story of one of the cinematic universe’s most mysterious heroines, Cassandra Webb, played by Dakota Johnson. The “Fifty Shades of Grey” star plays a paramedic in Manhattan gifted with the ability to see the future.
Directed by prolific TV director S.J. Clarkson (known for Marvel’s The Defenders and Collateral), “Madame Web” is a gripping addition to Sony’s Spider-Man universe. Penned by Morbius writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, the film introduces characters familiar to Marvel fans, including Sydney Sweeney as Julia Carpenter, Celeste O’Connor as Mattie Franklin, Isabela Merced as Anya Corazon, and Tahar Rahim portraying the formidable villain Ezekiel Sims.
The suspense-driven thriller promises a ride through a world where the present is perilous, the future is uncertain, and the line between hero and villain blurs in unexpected ways.
Bob Marley: One Love
We all know the good feelings and good vibes Rastaman Bob Marley brings through his music. But what is the story behind the lyrics?
In this biopic by director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, Monsters and Men), and writers Terence Winter (The Wolf of Wall Street), Frank E. Flowers (Shooting Stars), and Zach Baylin (also King Richard), we get to know the man behind the music.
Following the life of Bob Marley, played by British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (Barbie, One Night in Miami), we follow the legend and his life in the mid-1970s. Following a failed assassination attempt, Marley continues to play his scheduled gig at the Smile Jamaica concert, then continues to London to record his album “Exodus” known for his classic songs like “Waiting in Vain” and “Three Little Birds.”
The film was partly produced with members of the Marley family for authenticity.
From his humble beginnings to superstardom, and how he rose above the adversity in-between, this musical biopic, set to be released on February 14, gives homage to the man who started a musical movement for peace.
Dune: Part Two
When Dune was released last 2021, the film ended on a cliffhanger, as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) first meets Chani (Zendaya) after a series of mysterious visions.
The much-awaited part two follows the ongoing intergalactic politics and war on spice. Together with the dessert Fremen, they continue the war for revenge against the House Harkonnen, the centuries-old enemies of House Atreides.
Both gifted and cursed with the sight to see the future and the fate of the universe, Atreides grapples with the responsibility of the fictional desert planet Arrakis. As we look forward to how the desert planet is conveyed in the cinematic universe, we’re expecting to finally see Chalamet riding on the sandworms.
Taking from the epic science fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert, “Dune: Part Two” is set to be the second of three films. The sequel introduces new cast members such as Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and Christopher Walken as Shaddam IV, the Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe.
The film is set to be released on February 28, promising an epic end to this month of blockbusters.
