Home entertainment has never been more important than during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s not safe yet to venture out to enjoy films, plays, concerts or sporting events as part of a big crowd. So sitting at home on the couch, with snacks at the ready, pets snoozing nearby and unlimited bathroom breaks, is a pretty good alternative.
But with so many streaming services out there offering everything from classic sitcoms and big-screen movies to cooking shows and reality TV, it can be difficult to find the best offerings among so many titles.
Here’s a look at some of the best of what’s new on two of the biggest streaming options — Hulu and Netflix — in February 2021.
Hulu
Relax with the ‘Family’
Need some comfort TV at this most uncomfortable time? All 11 seasons of the quirky family sitcom “Modern Family” are coming to Hulu — and to Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service — on Feb. 3.
Settle in — there are 250 episodes following the diverse and lively Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan as they forge family ties in a mockumentary format.
Visiting ‘Nomadland’
Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand has another shot at a gold statuette. McDormand plays a grieving woman who takes to the American open road in “Nomadland,” already a big winner at film festivals.
It’ll premiere on Hulu on Feb. 19. — the same day it hits U.S. movie theaters.
‘Holiday’ time
Prepare to get chills as you watch Andra Day portray Billie Holiday in the Hulu original movie “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” which debuts Feb. 26. The film tells the true story of the legendary jazz singer whose struggles with drug addiction — as well as the political undercurrent of her lynching ballad, “Strange Fruit” — put her in direct conflict with the U.S. government.
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Other noteworthy programming coming to Hulu in February includes:
- Go inside the glamorous and sometimes troubled life of pop singer Britney Spears with “Framing Britney Spears,” a documentary from The New York Times that premieres on Feb. 5.
- Kids and gamers may want to rev up for “Sonic the Hedgehog,” the 2020 film adaptation of the hit video game, coming to Hulu on Feb. 18.
Other movies coming to Hulu in February include:
- “Mars Attacks!” (1996) — available Feb. 1
- “Antebellum” (2020) — available Feb. 5
- “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997) — available Feb. 28
To learn more about the Hulu originals debuting in February or download Hulu’s complete schedule for the month, visit Hulu’s Schedule page.
Netflix
Bake it off
Baking proved a comfort to many as the pandemic wore on, and so too did “The Great British Bake Off.” Now, a past winner of the competitive series, Nadiya Hussain, has cooked up her own eight-episode food series, Netflix original “Nadiya Bakes,” in which she stirs up everything from hot cross buns to strawberry shortcake cupcakes.
The new series becomes available Feb. 12.
Join ‘The Crew’
If there’s a NASCAR fan in your home, drive them over to Netflix’s new original series “The Crew.” The comedy stars Kevin James as a NASCAR crew chief who must shift gears when a new owner brings modern innovations to the garage.
The series debuts Feb. 15.
Mom-daughter drama
Those who loved the sassy mother-daughter relationship of the much-acclaimed TV series “Gilmore Girls” will feel right at home with the new Netflix original series “Ginny and Georgia.” Like the Gilmores, these two are a free-spirited young mom and her much more mature teen daughter, trading witty one-liners while dealing with more serious life issues.
“Ginny and Georgia” premieres on Feb. 24.
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Other noteworthy programming coming to Netflix in February includes:
- On Feb. 6, actor Bill Pullman returns as detective Harry Ambrose for the third season of the USA Network series “The Sinner.”
- On Feb. 10, the first season of a true-crime series and new Netflix original, “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel,” dives into the unsettling details of the 2013 Elisa Lam disappearance.
Movies coming to Netflix in February include:
- “Eat Pray Love” (2010) — available Feb. 1
- “Inception” (2010) — available Feb. 1
- “Malcolm & Marie” (Netflix original) — available Feb. 5
For a complete list of programs coming to Netflix in February, visit its “New on Netflix” page.
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