10 Movies We’re Looking Forward To: February 2018

2018 kicked off in pretty strong fashion, all things considered. Though the first month of the year was still marked by its share of forgettable fare, films like horror sequel Insidious: The Last Key and Liam Neeson action vehicle The Commuter ” the former of which currently stands as the highest-grossing domestic release of 2018 ” found their audiences. Likewise, the much-lauded Paddington 2 delighted audiences in North America as much as it has overseas, and Steven Spielberg’s The Post entered wide release just in time to land Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress contender Meryl Streep.As we shift into February, moviegoers will be confronted with an even promising crop of releases at their local theater, ranging from Oscar-nominated foreign films to the first of three entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe arriving this year. With so much to get to, let’s not waste any more time building suspense. Here, as always, are the 10 films we’re looking forward to in February 2018.This Page: Winchester, A Fantastic Woman and The 15:17 to Paris

Winchester (Release Date: February 2)

Don’t let the title fool you. This isn’t the big-screen adaptation of The CW’s Supernatural. Rather, this Winchester centers on the heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (Helen Mirren), who believes she has been cursed by the victims of the guns her family has sold over the years. To evade these spirits, she sets out to build a new mansion, which may be haunted.

Based on the real-life Winchester Mystery House, the film appears poised to handle several weighty issues such as guilt and corporate responsibility through the lens of a taut horror thrill ride. Directors Peter and Michael Spierig are coming off of the success of Jigsaw ” which earned more than $100 million worldwide against a $10 million production budget ” so fans of their distinct style will want to check out Winchester this month.

Check out the latest trailer for Winchester.

A Fantastic Woman (Release Date: February 2)

Foreign films sadly don’t usually receive wide releases in North America, but at least A Fantastic Woman is beginning a limited run this month, likely due in part to its recent Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film has been a favorite this awards season, as it represents Chile’s submission for consideration.

In director Sebastián Lelio’s film, Daniela Vega plays Marina, a transgender woman who finds her life thrown upside down when her lover suddenly passes away. Marina must then contend with her beloved’s family, fighting for her place among his loved one and the freedom to be herself. In only her second screen appearance, Vega has earned widespread critical acclaim, making the film a must-see.

Check out the latest trailer for A Fantastic Woman.

The 15:17 to Paris (Release Date: February 9)

Few filmmakers are as prolific as Clint Eastwood, and in his latest string of releases, the director has been committed to bringing inspiring real-life stories to the big screen. To that end, The 15:17 to Paris is no exception. Based on the eponymous autobiography by Jeffrey E. Stern, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos, the film is a gripping account of the 2015 attack on a train en route to Paris.

However, The 15:17 to Paris is more than just another Eastwood film about a true story. In the film, Stone, Sadler and Skarlatos all play themselves, reliving the incident and sharing their tale with the world. In other filmmaker’s hands, the thought of three non-actors anchoring this film might give one pause, but with one of Eastwood’s caliber at the helm, we’re confident the final product will surprise.

Check out the latest trailer for The 15:17 to Paris.

Peter Rabbit (Release Date: February 9)

Combining live-action footage with computer-animated characters is nothing new, but we’re certain that even the most avid fans of Beatrix Potter’s stories have never seen Peter Rabbit like this. Will Gluck (Easy A) directs this adventure comedy, with James Corden as the voice of Peter Rabbit and a live-action cast that includes Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne.

With its “Feel It Still”-led marketing and an apparent modern sensibility, some fans of Potter’s work have criticized Peter Rabbit for betraying its spirit. However, we all know that trailers can be misleading, and the talent involved bears a wait-and-see approach with this one. Especially coming on the heels of the similarly styled live-action/animated hybrid Paddington 2, we’re curious to see how Peter Rabbit stacks up.

Check out the latest trailer for Peter Rabbit.

Black Panther (Release Date: February 16)

Following the character’s stellar introduction in Captain America: Civil War, fans soon became hyped to see what star Chadwick Boseman and director Ryan Coogler (Creed) would bring to the Wakandan warrior king’s first solo outing. By all accounts, Black Panther is among the most thrilling Marvel Studios films to date. Considering it’s the 18th entry in the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, that’s saying a lot.

Moreover, Hollywood’s recent efforts at diversity on film ” specifically in the superhero genre, as typified by the runaway success of last year’s Wonder Woman ” will almost certainly pay off at the box office. Already, Black Panther is shattering records, and the fact that its impressive cast is comprised almost entirely of men and women of color will hopefully send a message to the studio system that audiences are craving better representation on the big screen.

Check out the latest trailer for Black Panther.

Early Man (Release Date: February 16)

Ask anyone familiar with Aardman’s filmography, and you’ll likely be bombarded with praise regarding the studio’s consistently strong big-screen output. To date, Aardman has released six feature-length projects ” most notably, Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit ” with nary a false move among them. So, needless to say, hopes are high for Early Man.

With this stop-motion animated film, director Nick Park (who helmed both of the aforementioned Aardman hits) explores the dawn of time through the eyes of Dug (Eddie Redmayne), a caveman who must unite his tribe against a ruthless leader (Tom Hiddleston). Aardman films have a distinct way of delivering the perfect combination of humor, heart and adventure. We expect Early Man to continue that trend.

Check out the latest trailer for Early Man.

Loveless (Release Date: February 16)

A Fantastic Woman isn’t the only Oscar-nominated foreign film hitting limited release this month. Moviegoers trying to catch up with this year’s Academy Awards nominees will also have the chance to track down a screening of Loveless, the latest drama from Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev (who also directed another Oscar nominee, 2014’s Leviathan).

Loveless follows an estranged couple (Maryana Spivak and Aleksey Rozin) who must band together to find their missing son (Matvey Novikov). The buzz surrounding the film has only intensified since it claimed the Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, and with mere weeks to go until Oscar night, the chances of Loveless walking away a winner seem high indeed.

Check out the latest trailer for Loveless.

Annihilation (Release Date: February 23)

After his directorial debut with 2015 sci-fi thriller Ex Machina, Alex Garland left the world waiting with bated breath to see what he would tackle as his sophomore project. Ultimately, he lined up another genre film for his follow-up, adapting Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 novel Annihilation (the first in his Southern Reach trilogy) for the screen.

The story follows a group of women who set off on an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, with the leader (Natalie Portman) keen on investigating the disappearance of her husband (Ex Machina alum Oscar Isaac). With a supporting cast that also includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotny, Annihilation could have all the makings of another unforgettable entry in the burgeoning filmography of writer/director Garland.

Check out the latest trailer for Annihilation.

Every Day (Release Date: February 23)

This film adaptation of David Levithan’s 2012 YA fantasy romance might not be targeted for as broad a swath of moviegoers as some other releases on our list. Yet, for its target audience, Every Day might be one to watch, especially considering it comes from the director of award-winning TV movie Grey Gardens and the writer of 2015 indie hit Me, Earl and the Dying Girl.

Every Day stars Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys) as a teenage girl who falls in love with a soul who wakes up in a different body every single day. Naturally, romantic complications ensue, and the coruple finds themselves struggling to keep their love alive against all odds. Whether Every Day can make the most of its intriguing premise remains to be seen, but the potential is certainly there.

Check out the latest trailer for Every Day.

Game Night (Release Date: February 23)

Between their writing and directing work, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein have managed to build a strong momentum. After making their feature directorial debut with the Vacation reboot in 2015, the duo transitioned into writing Spider-Man: Homecoming and are lined up to direct Warner Bros.’ upcoming Flashpoint film. Before they enter the Speed Force though, they’re spending Game Night with us.

This R-rated crime comedy follows an ensemble cast ” led by Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams ” who find their regular evening of fun exploding into a crime-filled murder mystery. Moviegoers looking for some laughs might be in good hands with this film, as it also features some supporting players as Kyle Chandler, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury.

Check out the latest trailer for Game Night.

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Whether you’re seeking the grand spectacle of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the chills and thrills of a real-life horror story, February has you covered. Of course, Black Panther‘s box office performance will probably be the big story this month, but we’re just as curious to see if Winchester and Annihilation live up to all the pre-release hype. March, after all, brings the heaviest-hitters yet this year. So be sure to catch up on all this month’s release before your local theater is overrun with even more must-see films.

Once again, here are the 10 films to check out in February:

February 2: Winchester, A Fantastic Woman

February 9: The 15:17 to Paris, Peter Rabbit

February 16: Black Panther, Early Man, Loveless

February 23: Annihilation, Every Day, Game Night