From blockbusters to rom-coms and a clutch of films vying for the top honours this awards season, there’s plenty of choice out there for Kiwi movie-lovers this month. For those keen on a trip to the cinemas, there’s a sequel to 2019 Sea Shanty dramedy Fisherman’s Friends (February 23), M. Night Shayamalan’s latest thriller (February 2’s Knock at the Cabin), twisted horror Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (February 16) and the return of James Cameron’s Titanic to mark its 25th anniversary (February 9). Meanwhile, Netflix’s line-up includes high school comedy Dear David (February 9), Japanese horror Re/Member (February 14) and Jennifer Coolidge, David Harbour and Anthony Mackie joining forces for comedy We Have a Ghost (February 24). Elsewhere, Prime Video boasts star-studded black comedy The Estate (February 3) and the Dave Franco-directed rom-com Somebody I Used to Know (February 10), Disney+ has acclaimed drama Bruiser (February 24), while Israeli historical drama Image of Victory (February 8), Nicolas Cage-headlining western The Old Way (February 22) and Mel Gibson thriller On the Line (February 23) are among the titles heading for an online rental service near you. However, after looking through the schedules, Stuff to Watch has come up with this list of the 12 movies we believe are most worth checking out (and where you can watch them), as well as one so bad, it might have to be seen to be believed. READ MORE: Nominated for four Bafta Awards, this acclaimed British drama focuses on Sophie (Frankie Corio), an 11-year-old Scottish girl treasuring rare time together with her loving and idealistic father Calum (Paul Mescal) at a Turkish resort on the eve of his 31st birthday. 
* Shotgun Wedding: Even JLo and JCool can't save this simply awful action-comedy
* The Whale: An immersive, haunting, harrowing portrait of love and loss
* Armageddon Time: Charming, thought-provoking coming-of-age tale well worth seeking out
Aftersun (February 23, Cinemas)
“For all that Aftersun can be described as gentle, contemplative and even beautiful, it’s also the kind of film that feels as if it’s teetering on the edge of a cliff,” wrote The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 16, Cinemas)
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe launches with Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly’s characters accidentally opening access to the Quantum Realm.
Newcomers include Bill Murray, while the trailer has also promised to introduce Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), after a variant of the character appeared in Disney+’s Loki. Kang is set to be a major player in movies to come.
Cocaine Bear (February 23, Cinemas)
Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Alden Ehrenreich and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in this comedy thriller based on the bizarre true-life 1985 story about an American black bear that ingested a duffel bag full of cocaine.
It also features one of the final performances by Ray Liotta.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance (February 9, Cinemas)
Channing Tatum’s Mike Lane takes to the stage once again when a business deal that went bust leaves him broke and bartending in Florida.
Steven Soderbergh also returns for this third instalment, while Salma Hayek has a key role.
Missing (February 23, Cinemas)
Like 2018’s Searching, this is a thriller told entirely through screens.
A Wrinkle in Time’s Storm Reid plays June Allen, a teenager who tries to find her mother (Nia Long) after she disappears while vacationing in Colombia with her new boyfriend (Ken Leung).
“Adopting its predecessor’s template, the film mines and manipulates the tools on a computer desktop to tell a pulsating and alarming story,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye.
Sharper (February 17, Apple TV+)
Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith and John Lithgow join forces for this thriller of secrets and lies, set amongst New York City's bedrooms, boardrooms and bar rooms.
Directed by Andor’s Benjamin Caron, the plot revolves around a young man (Stan) out to exact revenge on his family and gain the wealth he believes he deserves by conning other rich people.
The Son (February 9, Cinemas)
Like his last film The Father, Florian Zeller’s latest work has already been described as “bold, incisive and harrowing”.
Hugh Jackman and Vanessa Kirby are the couple facing a crisis when the former’s teenage son from a previous relationship comes to live with them. Suffering from severe depression, it’s an extra strain on a household who have just experienced the joy of a much smaller new addition. An adaptation of Zeller’s internationally acclaimed 2019 play.
“A bold, harrowing and unflinchingly sobering film that is admittedly not for every taste, but an unavoidably intelligent piece of filmmaking for mature viewers,” wrote Observer’s Rex Reed.
True Spirit (February 3, Netflix)
Kiwis Cliff Curtis and Anna Paquin team up with Australian newcomer Teagan Croft for this dramatisation of the amazing true story of Gold Coast teen Jessica Watson’s attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.
Born to New Zealand parents, the 16-year-old’s 2009 journey was expected to take eight months, as she covered an estimated distance of 23,000 nautical miles.
The Whale (February 2, Cinemas)
Former The Mummy star Brendan Fraser returns to the spotlight with this drama about a reclusive English professor struggling with self-acceptance and personal relationships. Mother! director Darren Aronofsky is the one calling the shots for Samuel D. Hunter’s adaptation of his own 2012 play.
“A searing, moving experience,” wrote Seattle Times’ Soren Andersen.
What’s Love Got to Do with It? (February 16, Cinemas)
Lily James, Shazad Latif, Asim Chaudhry and Emma Thompson are part of the ensemble assembled for this London and Lahore-set cross-cultural romcom about a documentary film-maker who attempts to capture her childhood neighbour’s attempts to secure an arranged marriage. Elizabeth’s Shekhar Kapur directs.
“Gives both heart and funny bone the attention they deserve,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Rechtshaffen.
Women Talking (February 16, Cinemas)
Sarah Polley’s adaptation of Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel of the same name, this drama focuses on a group of women in an isolated religious community who have gathered together to make a decision that will affect all their lives. The wondrous cast includes Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand, Rooney Mara and Claire Foy.
“A powerful, moving tribute to quiet strength – and, unexpectedly, to hope,” wrote Seattle Times’ Moira MacDonald.
Your Place or Mine (February 10, Netflix)
Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher team up for this rom-com about two friends who swap houses for a week. He agrees to look after her son, while she chases a lifelong dream.
A film that also marks the directorial debut of The Devil Wears Prada, We Bought a Zoo and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna.
The One to Avoid
Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (February 10, Rentals)
Ray Winstone and New Zealand duo Russell Crowe and Marton Csokas lend their not insignificant screen presences to this early 19th Century-set biopic of the eponymous gifted young boxer (Matt Hookings, who also wrote the screenplay) who fought his way to becoming the champion of England.
“About as subtle as a blow to the kidneys,” wrote The Times Tom Shone, while The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw believed that “despite the film’s historical interest, it plays like a Carry On film without the gags, and the way it is shot makes it look like a coffee commercial”.