What’s Coming to Netflix This Month

Once again, Netflix is blessing our screens with some new original movies and TV shows as well as some classics. The site has also rounded up some old and new romantic comedies just in time for Valentine’s Day, so get your Ben and Jerry’s and your tissues ready. Here’s what looks good this month.

Honestly, there isn’t a lot of new content coming your way in terms of TV shows. Except for the new series “Russian Doll” and “The Umbrella Academy,” most of the series are just premiering a new season, which can be just as exciting as starting a new series.

Returning with new seasons this month are “Suburra” (season two), “Chef’s Table” (season six), and “One Day at a Time” (season three). Although I personally haven’t watched any of these series, I hear great things about all of them and the fact that they have new seasons out is a good sign, so I highly recommend.  

Moving on to “Russian Doll” however, I am intrigued. Firstly, its executive producer is Amy Poehler, so I have high hopes. Second, it plays off the idea of a perpetually repeating day, a trope most well remembered in “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. The series will follow a woman, played by Natasha Lyonne, who repeatedly attends the same party then dies at the end, only to wake up in the morning perfectly fine. This idea is one I really enjoy and I am interested to see what direction “Russian Doll” will go in, especially with a female protagonist. It seems to be receiving stellar reviews so this may be one that I get the popcorn out for.

Now, we move on to movies. Netflix has decided to bring some of my personal favorite films to their site including, “Pretty in Pink,” “The Edge of Seventeen,” “Liar, Liar” and “The Five-Year Engagement.” They have also produced more original films that I hope are better than “The Kissing Booth.”

The film “Velvet Buzzsaw,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalia Dyer and John Malkovich, among others, serves as a critique on the elite art world. After an obscure artist dies, three elitists snap up the artist’s work, resulting in a supernatural force enacting its revenge on those who put greed before art.

Apparently, the film begins as a satire of the art world, but by the end of the film it has morphed into the likes of an old-school horror film. It seems to be getting mixed reviews so although the plotline seems interesting, watch with caution.  

The other Netflix original film being released this month is “High Flying Bird,” a sport drama film starring André Holland, Zazie Beetz and Bill Duke. The film follows an NBA rookie and his agent as they try to break through the league’s corrupt power structure after a fictional lockout puts both of their careers at risk. Importantly, this film is really not about basketball, but about putting power back in the hands of the players instead of the small minority of white billionaires.

In terms of non-Netflix originals, many classics will be coming to the streaming service like the “American Pie” movies, the “Jaws” movies, “Apollo 13,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Our Idiot Brother.”

Other newcomers include: “Blow,” a 2001 flick starring Johnny Depp set during the 1970s international drug boom; “Safe House,” a 2012 action thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington; “Life,” yet another thriller film with Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as Rebecca Ferguson, which is set in space and follows three astronauts as they try to survive against the alien lifeform that they had set out to find; and “The Legend of Tarzan,” a live-action remake of the beloved Disney film “Tarzan.” The film I’m most excited to see come to Netflix is Jordan Peele’s “Get Out.” Despite the fact that I am a wimp when it comes to horror movies, I will still make it my mission to see this movie, even if I’m up all night after watching.

And finally, what you’ve all been waiting for: the romantic-comedies. As February is the month of hearts and all things icky, it seemed only right to tell you what rom-coms will be gracing your computer screen this month. First up is “Hairspray,” which I personally consider a rom-com because the main thing driving the plot forward is Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky’s forbidden relationship. I just really enjoy this movie for both the humor and for Amanda Bynes’ presence. We stand a queen.

“Mamma Mia,” Amy Schumer’s “I Feel Pretty,” and “Isn’t It Romantic” will also be coming to Netflix later this month. I am very eager to see “Isn’t It Romantic” because I love Rebel Wilson, and fortunately I will not have to wait long after its release to see it. “Isn’t It Romantic” releases in theaters on Feb. 13 and will be on Netflix only a few weeks later on Feb. 24.

So, find a comfy spot, grab some food and your friends and settle in to binge-watch some great films from the comfort of your dorm. Thank you, Netflix.