As streaming services continue to shape entertainment consumption in 2026, Netflix is gearing up for a February lineup that emphasizes returning original series while sprinkling in a selection of notable films from past decades. According to a recent article in Us Weekly, the platform is adding fewer original movies this month but is bolstering its catalog with intriguing older titles, including the 1995 romantic comedy The American President, the 2021 horror thriller The Black Phone, and the indie black comedy Bunny. These additions come at a time when subscribers are eagerly anticipating high-profile series returns like The Night Agent and The Lincoln Lawyer, as well as the debut of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
The February timing aligns with the cultural focus on romance and lighter fare, often associated with Valentine's Day. Us Weekly highlights The American President as a perfect fit for the season, describing it as "one of my favorite rom-coms ever." Directed by the late Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin, the film stars Michael Douglas as President Andrew "Andy" Shepherd, a widowed leader navigating the challenges of dating environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade, played by Annette Bening. The plot revolves around their secret romance amid the scrutiny of the White House, with Shepherd's role as "the most photographed person in the country" complicating their efforts to keep things private.
Released in 1995, The American President captures a bygone era of political filmmaking, portraying leaders as "honorable figures" in what the Us Weekly piece calls a "wish-fulfillment fantasy where political leaders are honorable figures, and people really mean what they say." The supporting cast includes Martin Sheen, who later gained fame in The West Wing, and Michael J. Fox in a standout performance. Reiner's direction, combined with Sorkin's "smart and sassy script," makes politics appear "sexy," according to the article, though it notes the film's lesser recognition compared to contemporaries like Sleepless in Seattle or My Best Friend's Wedding. Douglas and Bening's "warm rapport" is credited with drawing audiences into the couple's dilemma, especially as public opinion polls threaten their relationship.
Netflix has made The American President available for streaming immediately, allowing viewers to access it ahead of the month's romantic peak. This addition reflects Netflix's strategy of licensing classic films to complement its original content, particularly during months with lighter new-release schedules. The film's themes of love intersecting with public duty resonate in today's media landscape, where real-world political figures often face similar personal scrutiny.
Shifting to the horror genre, The Black Phone arrives on Netflix on February 12, offering a chilling contrast to the month's lighter offerings. The 2021 film, directed by Scott Derrickson, follows young Finney Shaw, portrayed by Mason Thames, who is abducted by a serial killer known as The Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke. Confined in a soundproofed basement, Finney's lifeline becomes a disconnected rotary phone that mysteriously rings, connecting him to the spirits of The Grabber's previous victims. Each call provides cryptic advice to aid his escape, building suspense around whether these ghostly interventions can thwart a murderer who has evaded capture for years.
Us Weekly praises the film's innovative premise, noting that it "makes full use of its innovative gimmick" and creates "genuine suspense" in anticipating each phone call. Derrickson, a veteran in horror, draws on realistic terror rather than overt supernatural elements in the original, which the article contrasts with its 2025 sequel, Black Phone 2. That follow-up, a summer hit, reportedly underperformed by transforming The Grabber into a more fantastical entity, diminishing the grounded fear of the first film. Hawke's portrayal is highlighted for its "matter-of-fact" menace, evoking real-life horrors reminiscent of cases featured on shows like Unsolved Mysteries.
The addition of The Black Phone to Netflix's February slate underscores the platform's effort to diversify its horror offerings, especially following the sequel's theatrical success. With a runtime that keeps the tension taut, the movie appeals to fans of psychological thrillers, and its February 12 streaming debut positions it as a mid-month scare for viewers seeking thrills amid winter downtime.
Rounding out the trio is Bunny, an indie black comedy set to stream on February 13. Directed and co-written by Ben Jacobson, who also stars as the titular character's neighbor and best friend Dino, the film centers on Mo Stark's Bunny, a harried New Yorker facing a chaotic birthday. According to Us Weekly, Bunny's day spirals with his wife suggesting a threesome involving her friend, persistent nagging from his landlady, and an accidental ingestion of weed by his father-in-law—supplied by Dino—that leads to unintended complications. The narrative peaks with Bunny's inadvertent involvement in a man's death, forcing him to dispose of the body before police arrive.
Despite its dark elements of "murder, prostitution and drugs," Bunny is framed as a comedy, blending humor with a "day-in-the-life" portrayal of urban struggle. The article describes it as an "oddly sweet" story of community support in New York's East Village, capturing the neighborhood's gritty verisimilitude on a sweltering day. Jacobson's style draws comparisons to filmmakers Sean Baker and the Safdie brothers, emphasizing authentic, low-stakes lives that nonetheless leave a lasting impression. As a 2025 release, Bunny represents the kind of underrated indie fare that Netflix often elevates through its global reach.
Netflix's February 2026 movie additions occur against a backdrop of the streamer's evolving content strategy. While original films are scarcer this month, the platform is compensating with a robust lineup of series, as noted in related Us Weekly coverage of new arrivals across services like Prime Video and HBO Max. This approach allows Netflix to maintain subscriber engagement without the high costs of new productions, leveraging licensed content to fill gaps.
Industry observers point to the timing of these releases as deliberate, with romantic and suspenseful titles catering to seasonal moods. For instance, The American President's immediate availability ties into Valentine's Day promotions, while The Black Phone and Bunny offer escapism for those preferring edgier narratives. No official Netflix statements were available on the selections, but the Us Weekly article suggests these films were chosen for their enduring appeal and ability to draw in diverse audiences.
Broader implications for Netflix include sustaining viewership amid competition from other streamers. The return of popular series like The Night Agent—which has built a loyal following since its debut—pairs well with these movies, potentially boosting overall platform hours watched. Analysts have noted that February historically sees spikes in streaming due to post-holiday lulls, making strategic content drops crucial.
Looking ahead, Netflix's full February schedule, as outlined in Us Weekly, promises a mix of genres to keep subscribers hooked through the end of winter. With The Black Phone and Bunny debuting mid-month, viewers have ample time to explore The American President first. As the entertainment landscape shifts toward on-demand viewing, these additions highlight how classic and niche films continue to play a vital role in modern streaming ecosystems.
In the end, February 2026 on Netflix blends nostalgia, terror, and quirky humor, offering something for every taste. Whether revisiting '90s romance or diving into recent indies, the month's movies underscore the platform's commitment to varied storytelling, even as series dominate the spotlight.