Highest-rated new to Netflix movies in Feb. 2026
- “The American President: A romantic drama about a budding relationship between POTUS and a Washington lobbyist.
Stream it on Netflix now - “Zero Dark Thirty”: An award-winning political thriller about the decade-long manhunt for Osama bin Laden.
Stream it on Netflix now - “Ex Machina”: A well-crafted sci-fi thriller from the writer of “28 Days Later” and “Civil War.”
Stream it on Netflix now - “How to Train Your Dragon 2”: An animated sequel set in a fantasy land inhabited by Vikings and dragons.
Stream it on Netflix now - “Hell or High Water”: A crime thriller about two bank robbers trying to evade a Texas ranger nearing retirement.
Stream it on Netflix now
Netflix has a tradition of kicking off a new month by adding a load of movies to its already sizeable library. While more choice is never a bad thing, it can lead to a mean case of decision paralysis. After all, I can’t be the only one who sometimes spends more time scrolling Netflix trying to pick a movie to watch than actually, you know, streaming films.
But fear not, I come with a solution to help you avoid wasting precious movie-watching time endlessly scrolling through Netflix’s library. I’ve combed through the streaming service’s February 2026 slate and found the five highest-rated movies just added to the platform (based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores). Even better, I’ve already each of these movies, so I can personally attest to their quality, so don’t just take Rotten Tomatoes’ word.
These are the highest-rated movies that have just arrived on Netflix this month, and in a happy coincidence, they cover multiple genres (though with a general leaning towards thrillers). There should be at least one new to Netflix pick that appeals to you in this roundup.
‘The American President’ (1995)
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Last month, the entire film industry was shocked by the tragic death of Rob Reiner, and what better way to celebrate the director’s life than by enjoying some of his best movies. One of his perhaps more forgotten efforts in 1995’s “The American President,” but it deserves to be remembered. This romantic comedy stars Michael Douglas and Annette Bening, and centers on a U.S. President attempting to find love, while also leading the free world.
Douglas plays Andrew Shephard, a popular Democratic president, who is nearing the end of his first term. To ensure his successful reelection, he’s attempting to pass a crime control bill. At the same time, he meets and falls in love with Sydney Ellen Wade (Bening), an environmental lobbyist, who wants Shephard to support an environmental bill. The problem is that the President might only have the political clout left to get one bill passed.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch “The American President” on Netflix now
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ (2012)
Jessica Chastain might have won an Oscar for her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” but I always argue that the American actress delivered the performance of her career in “Zero Dark Thirty.”
This gripping thriller explores the almost decade-long manhunt for terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. While much of the drama plays out in boardrooms and military bunkers, its more action-oriented third act is a highlight. But what stands out the most is Chastain’s committed performance as a CIA analyst driven to the point of obsession.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (the filmmaker behind “The Hurt Locker” and Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite”), Chastain’s Maya is a fictional character, but inspired by real people who led the mission to locate and eliminate bin Laden. Set over nearly a decade, Maya refuses to give up the hunt, and the movie culminates in a tense operation to bring bin Laden to justice.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Watch “Zero Dark Thirty” on Netflix now
‘Ex Machina’ (2014)
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Anybody who caught “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” in theaters over the past few weeks knows that Alex Garland is one of the finest screenwriters working in Hollywood right now. But he’s not just a master at penning a great script; he’s also a fantastic director, too. 2014’s “Ex Machina” marked Garland’s directorial debut, and it’s a gripping sci-fi thriller with a twisting narrative that also offers a thoughtful edge, asking some difficult questions about what it means to be human.
Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) is a programmer at tech conglomerate Blue Book, invited to spend a week at the luxurious but isolated home of CEO Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). However, the trip is actually a cover for a different purpose. Nathan wants Caleb to interact with an advanced A.I. system, housed within a humanoid robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander). As Caleb gets to know Ava, he bonds with Nathan’s creation, leading to dark consequences.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch “Ex Machina” on Netflix now
‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ (2014)
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“How to Train Your Dragon 2” is a great example of a sequel done right. It takes the family-friendly fantasy of the already-enjoyable first movie and raises the stakes and spectacle. Set in a Viking world where dragons roam the land, it once again centers on young Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and his best pal, Toothless, the last remaining Night Fury dragon. After the events of the first “How to Train Your Dragon,” Vikings and dragons live in peace, but as you can probably guess, new challenges are on the horizon.
For starters, Hiccup’s father (Gerard Butler), the clan’s chief, wants him to take over the reins as the village leader. And there’s then the small matter of a mysterious new dragon rider who turns out to be Hiccup’s long-lost mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett). Plus, there’s a ruthless dragon hunter, named Drago (Djimon Hounsou), on the scene with plans for world domination. Universal has confirmed it’ll be turning this sequel into a live-action movie (due for a theatrical release in 2027), so now is a great time to watch the animated original.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch “How to Train Your Dragon 2” on Netflix now
‘Hell or High Water’ (2016)
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Before taking over the television world with the enduringly popular “Yellowstone” universe, Taylor Sheridan was busy writing some of the best thriller movies of the 21st century. Yes, Sheridan is one very talented creative. After penning 2015’s excellent “Sicario,” Sheridan wrote the western-themed thriller “Hell or High Water,” and it’s a movie that quickly grabs your attention and refuses to let go until the final, bittersweet moments.
Toby (Chris Pine) and brother Tanner (Ben Foster) are bank robbers, committing a spree of heists across the state of Texas. While Toby expertly plans the crimes, Tanner is a loose cannon, causing friction between the pair. Believing their robberies are justified after the bank cruelly forecloses on their family ranch, they soon cross paths with a Texas Ranger, Marcus (Bridges), who is just a week from retirement. It’s a gripping “cops vs. robbers” tale.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch “Hell or High Water” on Netflix now
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