New Shows Streaming This Week (2/1/21), Including “Earwig and the Witch” and ‘Malcolm & Marie’
Studio Ghibli’s first CG film, “Earwig and the Witch,” debuts on HBO Max this Friday, February 5. The film follows an orphan who discovers a world of spells and potions while living with a selfish witch.
HBO Max subscribers can also binge on HBO Max’s four “Batman” movies and the animated “Batman: The Brave and The Bold” to kick off February. The streamer is also debuting a new reality show, “Haute Dog,” which features three dog groomers competing for “Best in Show” and a $10K prize.
Coming to Netflix on Friday is “Malcolm & Marie.” In the steamy new Netflix drama, Zendaya and John David Washington play passionate, but tortured lovers.
Netflix will also debut a new animated show, “Kid Cosmic,” about a young boy who longs to be a superhero. When he discovers the 5 Cosmic Stones of Power in a wrecked spaceship, he fulfills his dream. Created by Craig McCracken of “Powerpuff Girls” fame, the show is illustrated in a “retro 2D” style.
Here’s a look at what’s premiering this week:
Monday, Feb. 1
- “Just William” (Acorn) Based on the classic comedy by Richmal Crompton, this BBC series follows a mischievous 11-year-old William Brown and his band of adventurous “outlaws” in 1950s England.
- “Batman,” “Batman Forever,” “Batman Returns,” “Batman” and “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” (HBO Max) Bruce Wayne’s alter ego, alongside the best tech gadgets ever, protects Gotham City.
- “Inception” (Netflix) The sci-fi drama, directed by Christopher Nolan, is mind-bending. Leo DiCaprio plays a thief with the ability to enter peoples’ dreams and steal their secrets.
- “American Hustle” (Tubi) Christian Bale and Amy Adams star as con artists in the tacky 1970s, inspired by the FBI Abscam sting operation.
- “Moulin Rouge” (Amazon Prime Video) A lush jukebox musical drama starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. She’s an actress and courtesan, he’s an English poet who falls for her in 1900 Paris.
- “The Big Lebowski” (Peacock) The Coen Bros film stars John Goodman and Jeff Bridges as two wacky friends who get involved in a convoluted mystery, a la the Bogart classic “The Big Sleep.”
Tuesday, Feb. 2
- “Kid Cosmic” (Netflix) A young boy who fantasizes about being a superhero — when a strange discovery makes his dream come true.
- “The School That Tried to End Racism: Complete Season 1” (Hulu)
- “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (TCM) Lana Turner and John Garfield star as the ultimately doomed lovers in this excellent, nuanced film noir, based on the James M. Cain novel.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
- “All My Friends Are Dead” (Netflix) A New Year’s Eve party goes horribly wrong.
- “Firefly Lane” (Netflix) Two youngsters meet and stay friends for 30 years.
- “Fake Famous” (HBO-HBO Max) The doc looks at fame and influence on social media through a staged experiment.
- “Modern Family, Season 1-11” (Peacock/Hulu) The Pritchetts and Dunphys travel a long familial journey together in the sitcom hit.
Thursday Feb. 4
- “The Murders” (Sundance Now) The series revolves around Kate Jameson (Jessica Lucas, “Gotham”), a rookie homicide detective in Vancouver whose negligence results in a fellow officer’s death. Now, she’s seeking redemption in her investigations.
- “Haute Dog” (HBO Max) New dog-grooming reality show.
- “In The Heat of the Night” (TCM) The Sidney Poitier-Rod Steiger drama is set in the Deep South in 1968, where racial tension is enflamed. Poitier delivers one of his finest performances. “They call me Mr. Tibbs!”
Friday Feb. 5
- “Malcolm & Marie” (Netflix) A passionate couple discovers their eruptions fuel more than good sex. It also can reveal more than they want to share.
- “Earwig and the Witch” HBO Max) In Studio Ghibli’s first CG film, a headstrong orphan discovers a world of spells and potions.
- “My Music Story: Yoshiki” (Disney+) The globally-acclaimed Japanese rock star performs reimagined versions of two Disney classics: “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King,” along with his own compositions. The show includes behind-the-scenes look at his recording process.
- “In Other Words” (HBO-HBO Max) A romcom about a tech geek who creates a matchmaking app — then tests it out.
- “Bliss” (Amazon Prime Video) A talented painter will stop at nothing to complete her masterpiece.
- “Antebellum” (Hulu) A modern-day black woman gets trapped on a Southern plantation and has to escape.