As February draws to a close, streaming service Peacock is offering viewers a compelling selection of films to cap off the month, with entertainment outlet Us Weekly highlighting three standout movies for binge-watching over the weekend of February 28 to March 1. According to the publication's 'Watch With Us' section, these picks cater to a broad audience, ranging from epic survival dramas to intricate crime stories. The recommendations come at a time when Peacock continues to bolster its library, recently adding titles like Wes Anderson's Asteroid City and horror entries such as Black Phone 2, as noted in related Us Weekly articles from early 2026.
Leading the list is The Revenant (2015), directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, which Us Weekly describes as "one of the best films on the streamer" and the picture that earned Leonardo DiCaprio his long-awaited Best Actor Oscar. The film, based on the real-life ordeal of 19th-century fur trapper Hugh Glass, portrays DiCaprio's character surviving a brutal bear mauling and betrayal in the unforgiving American wilderness. "The story takes some liberties with Glass’ account, and John S. Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) intentionally leaves him to die after murdering the only person Glass still loves," the article explains, emphasizing the narrative's blend of historical inspiration and dramatic invention.
Us Weekly points out a timely re-release aspect, noting that The Revenant is "playing in a few IMAX theaters this weekend for a late 10th anniversary celebration." This event underscores the film's enduring visual impact, with Iñárritu's direction allowing "the natural beauty of the film’s settings to come through, and it really does look like a window to the past of the nation." Filmed in harsh conditions across Alberta, Canada, and Argentina, the movie's production was notoriously grueling, involving natural lighting and minimal digital effects to heighten authenticity. DiCaprio's performance, which included eating raw bison liver and enduring near-freezing temperatures, has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike since its debut at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
While the streaming version on Peacock offers accessibility for home viewers, the IMAX screenings—limited to select theaters in major cities like Los Angeles and New York—provide an enhanced experience for those seeking the film's immersive scale. Box office data from its initial run shows The Revenant grossed over $532 million worldwide on a $135 million budget, according to studio reports from Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film's themes of survival and revenge resonate in today's context of environmental storytelling, drawing parallels to ongoing discussions about indigenous histories and frontier myths in American cinema.
Shifting to a more intimate generational tale, the second recommendation is The Place Beyond the Pines (2013), a crime drama directed by Derek Cianfrance. Us Weekly characterizes it as an "underrated drama" that traces the intersecting lives of an outlaw biker and a principled cop. Ryan Gosling stars as Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stunt rider turned bank robber desperate to support his infant son and ex-lover Romina, played by Eva Mendes. "Luke wants to provide for his ex-lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), and their young son, Jason. But all he knows how to do is commit crimes and rob banks," the publication summarizes.
The story then pivots to Bradley Cooper's Avery Cross, a rookie officer grappling with departmental corruption following a fateful encounter with Luke. Years later, the sons of these men—Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen)—form an unlikely friendship, unaware of their fathers' violent history. "Neither of the teenagers realizes that their fathers have met before, but the secrets of the past won’t stay buried forever. Someone has to answer for their sins, even if it means the teens won’t be able to outrun the sins of their respective fathers," Us Weekly quotes from its review.
Filmed in Schenectady, New York, the movie draws from real-life inspirations of small-town Americana and cycles of crime, with Cianfrance collaborating closely with his leads to develop authentic character arcs. Gosling, who co-produced, performed his own motorcycle stunts, adding realism to Luke's high-risk lifestyle. Critically, the film holds an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its ambitious three-act structure but occasionally critiqued for its sprawling narrative. Its availability on Peacock aligns with the platform's push toward prestige dramas, following additions like the Coen Brothers' catalog earlier in the year.
Completing the trio is Queen & Slim (2019), a romantic thriller directed by Melina Matsoukas in her feature debut. Described by Us Weekly as a "romantic crime story," the film follows two strangers, Ernest “Slim” Hines (Daniel Kaluuya) and Angela “Queen” Johnson (Jodie Turner-Smith), whose disastrous blind date escalates into a nationwide manhunt after a traffic stop turns deadly. "When the officer shoots Queen, the pair fight for their lives and leave him dead in their wake," the article recounts, framing their flight as an unintended path to folk-hero status.
On the run, the couple navigates a landscape of racial tension and fleeting alliances, with their story sparking polarized reactions—admiration from some communities and pursuit by law enforcement. "They can’t go home, but their options for escape are rapidly dwindling. As much as some people admire them, there’s always someone willing to turn them over to the police," Us Weekly notes. The screenplay, penned by Lena Waithe and James Frey, was inspired by contemporary issues of police brutality and Black love, drawing loose parallels to Bonnie and Clyde archetypes but grounded in modern social commentary.
Shot across locations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida, Queen & Slim premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and earned $50 million at the box office against a $20 million budget, per distributor Universal Pictures. Kaluuya and Turner-Smith's chemistry was a highlight, with Turner-Smith earning a Critics' Choice nomination for her breakout role. The film's streaming debut on Peacock coincides with renewed interest in socially charged narratives, especially amid ongoing national conversations about justice reform.
These selections reflect Peacock's strategy to diversify its offerings, blending Oscar winners, indie darlings, and timely dramas to retain subscribers in a competitive market. As of February 2026, Peacock reports over 30 million paid subscribers, up from previous quarters, according to NBCUniversal earnings calls. Us Weekly's editor, who oversees the 'Watch With Us' column, emphasized in the article that "Peacock is closing out February with a strong batch of movies that should appeal to a wide variety of film lovers." This curation comes after the platform's January horror lineup, which featured Black Phone 2, indicating a monthly thematic rotation to keep content fresh.
Viewers planning their weekend watches should note that all three films are available exclusively on Peacock's standard and premium tiers, with no additional rental fees. For those attending the The Revenant IMAX events, tickets are available through Fandango, starting at $15 per screening in participating venues. Broader industry trends show streaming services like Peacock increasingly leveraging anniversary re-releases and algorithmic recommendations to boost engagement, as evidenced by a 15% uptick in weekend viewing hours reported by Nielsen for similar promotions last year.
While Us Weekly's picks focus on narrative depth and star power, other outlets like Variety have echoed praise for these titles in recent retrospectives. For instance, a January 2026 Variety piece on Peacock's library singled out The Revenant for its technical achievements, winning Oscars for cinematography and directing. No major discrepancies appear in coverage, though some critics, such as those from The Hollywood Reporter, have debated Queen & Slim's tonal shifts between romance and tension.
Looking ahead, Peacock's March slate promises more blockbusters, including anticipated sequels and originals, potentially building on this momentum. As streaming wars intensify with rivals like Netflix and Disney+, selections like these underscore Peacock's niche in quality cinema. For film enthusiasts in Appleton and beyond, this weekend offers a prime opportunity to dive into stories of resilience, legacy, and rebellion from the comfort of home—or, in one case, a theater seat.
In an era where home entertainment dominates, Us Weekly's recommendations serve as a guidepost for discerning viewers, reminding us that great storytelling transcends screens. Whether revisiting DiCaprio's frozen odyssey or discovering the intertwined fates in The Place Beyond the Pines, these films invite reflection on human endurance and consequence.