We’re well into February 2026, and as per usual, HBO Max has welcomed another batch of new movies to the platform. If you’re trying to plan your viewing for the rest of the month but weren’t sure what to pick from the huge list of stuff that’s new to HBO Max in February 2026, allow me to step in.
I’ve already scrolled through everything that’s new to one of the best streaming services on the market this month and picked out a handful of movies to stream on HBO Max to pay attention to. All five of my picks have earned a minimum of 90% or higher on the review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, which is usually a pretty strong indicator that a given movie’s worth a watch.
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‘Boys Go to Jupiter’
Boys Go to Jupiter Trailer #1 (2025) – YouTube
If labels like “surreal,” “bizarre,” and “absurd” (all quotes pulled from the trailer above) pique your interest, then Julian Glander’s adult, animated coming-of-age tale might well be the movie for you.
In this quirky independent feature, we meet Floridian suburban teenager Billy 5000 (voiced by Jack Corbett). Our rise-and-grind protagonist is hustling hard for “Grubster,” a food delivery app, trying to make $5,000. En route to his goal, he meets a variety of strange characters, including a creature he names Donut. Critics make it clear that “Boys Go to Jupiter” won’t be for everyone, but if you’re operating on its wavelength, it could well be the watch for you.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Watch “Boys Go to Jupiter” on HBO Max now
‘Paddington 2’
Paddington Is Back | PADDINGTON 2 Official Trailer – YouTube
If you somehow haven’t experienced one of the greatest films of the modern era (I am being completely serious), then you’ll be able to do just that come the end of the month at HBO Max. “Paddington 2” is a perfect movie; just ask Nicolas Cage in “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”
Having settled into life with the Brown family in the first feature, Paul King’s 2017 “Paddington” sequel sees the beloved British bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) on a very important quest. Ahead of his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, Paddington is determined to find the perfect present, and when he stumbles upon a peculiar pop-up book in Mr Gruber’s antiques shop, he sets out to earn the cash necessary to buy it — but when that same book’s stolen, it falls to him to unmask the thief. “Paddington 2” is whimsical, heartfelt, and just an utter gem of a film, and I will never pass up an opportunity to recommend it.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Watch “Paddington 2” on HBO Max from Feb. 27
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‘The Shape of Water’
THE SHAPE OF WATER | Official Trailer | FOX Searchlight – YouTube
If Netflix‘s “Frankenstein” left you wanting more Guillermo del Toro movies, at the end of last year, then you’ll want to make time for his Best Picture-winning 2017 sci-fi drama, “The Shape of Water,” which came to HBO Max at the start of the month.
It follows Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute woman who works as a cleaner at a high-security government facility in 1960s Baltimore. Her simple life is changed forever when she stumbles upon the laboratory’s hidden secret: an amphibious humanoid creature (played by Doug Jones) who had been captured and whisked away from South America. In this enchanting fantasy romance, we watch as Elisa forms a unique connection with the creature and steps in to try to help change its fate.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch “The Shape of Water” on HBO Max now
‘The Spectacular Now’
Pitched on Rotten Tomatoes as “an adroit, sensitive film that avoids typical coming-of-age story trappings,” James Ponsoldt’s adaptation of Tim Tharp’s novel “The Spectacular Now” is a romantic comedy movie about the connection between two high school seniors that you may want on your radar this February.
Here, we meet hard-partying Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), an “effortless charmer” who unexpectedly falls for and bonds with Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley), the “good girl” at school, and follows as they navigate the uncertainty and highs/lows of their young lives.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch “The Spectacular Now” on HBO Max now
‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI | Official Red Band Trailer | FOX Searchlight – YouTube
If you’re in the mood for a hard-hitting (yet surprisingly funny) watch, Martin McDonagh’s acclaimed crime drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” should be on your radar. It’s a rich and engaging watch that earned rave reviews for its performances, especially the Oscar-winning turns from McDormand and Sam Rockwell, and definitely one you’ll want on your HBO Max watchlist this month.
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” introduces us to grieving mother Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), who resides in the fictional, titular Missouri town. Seven months after the rape and murder of her teenage daughter, an angry Mildred calls out the local police and the lack of any progress in the investigation by renting three billboards from a local advertising agency.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” on HBO Max now
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