Showmax is bringing an exciting lineup of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films this award season, featuring Oscar-nominated performances, Emmy-winning productions, and box-office smashes. Here are five must-watch titles you won’t want to miss.
1. Night Swim | Streaming from 6 February
From horror masterminds James Wan (The Conjuring) and Jason Blum (Get Out), Night Swim is a supernatural thriller that debuted at #1 at the US box office.
Ray Waller, a former baseball player forced into early retirement by illness, moves his family into a new home with a backyard pool—unaware of the sinister force lurking beneath the water’s surface.
Starring Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Oscar nominee Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Night Swim is packed with suspense. The Los Angeles Times calls it “deliciously sadistic.”
2. Despicable Me 4 | Streaming from 20 February
One of 2024’s biggest box-office hits, Despicable Me 4 sees Gru, Lucy, and their daughters welcome a new family member—Gru Jr.—while facing off against their latest nemesis, Maxime Le Mal.
With an all-star voice cast, including Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, and Sofia Vergara, this animated comedy is perfect for the whole family. The screenplay is co-written by The White Lotus creator Mike White.
3. Alex Edelman: Just For Us | Streaming from 19 February
Winner of the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, this HBO comedy special is based on Edelman’s Tony-nominated Broadway show.
Edelman hilariously recounts his experience infiltrating a white nationalist meeting, blending sharp wit with social commentary. The Washington Post calls it “perfection.”
4. She Came to Me | Streaming from 17 February
This romantic comedy stars Peter Dinklage, Anne Hathaway, and Marisa Tomei in a story about a composer, a psychiatrist, and a tugboat captain whose lives unexpectedly collide.
Written and directed by Sundance winner Rebecca Miller, the film also features Bruce Springsteen’s Addicted to Romance, nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
5. Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple | Streaming from 26 February
This HBO documentary, a Grammy nominee for Best Music Film, chronicles the life of rock legend Stevie Van Zandt—from performing with Bruce Springsteen to starring in The Sopranos.
With interviews from Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Bono, the film has a 90% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian calls it “a sprawling biography of one of rock’s most likable veterans.”
Bonus: Award winning and Blockbuster Hits
The Color Purple
More than a film, The Color Purple is a powerful, music-filled experience. This latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows Celie, a Black woman overcoming hardship through sisterhood.
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), the film embraces its Broadway roots, blending stunning visuals with soul-stirring music. Fantasia Barrino shines in her film debut as Celie, earning BAFTA and Golden Globe nods. Danielle Brooks (OITNB) delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Sofia, alongside Taraji P. Henson (Empire) as Shug Avery.
With an 81% Rotten Tomatoes rating and nine Black Reel Awards, including Outstanding Ensemble, The Color Purple is a must-watch. Streaming on Showmax this February.
Joker
Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, is a gripping psychological thriller that gives a new twist to the superhero genre. The film takes place in a troubled, crime-filled Gotham City and follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian who slowly loses his grip on reality and transforms into the notorious Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers an unforgettable performance as Arthur Fleck, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The movie also received 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. With its eerie score and stunning visuals, Joker is a must-watch for those who love deep character stories and psychological drama.
With everything from new blockbusters to all-time classics, Showmax is packed with must-watch entertainment this February. What are you streaming first? Head to www.showmax.com/ng or download the Showmax app to sign up and start streaming.
