Every month, all the major streaming services add a host of newly acquired (or just plain new) shows, movies, and documentaries into their ever-rotating libraries. So what’s a dedicated reader to watch? Well, whatever you want, of course, but the name of this website is Literary Hub, so we sort of have an angle. To that end, here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month. Have fun.

NEW:

Relationship Goals
Prime Video, February 4

Literary bona fides: Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex by Pastor Michael Todd (2020)

Kelly Rowland and Method Man (Cliff Smith) star in this rom com based on (and also apparently starring) the bestselling advice book.

The Artful Dodger (Season 2)
Hulu, February 10

Literary bona fides: based on characters from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist (1838)

The kid from Love Actually is back as the titual Jack Dawkins (and David Thewlis is back as Fagin) in the second season of The Artful Dodger, a sequel-of-sorts to Dickens’ classic.

Cross (Season 2)
Prime Video, February 11

Literary bona fides: based on James Patterson’s Alex Cross series (1993-present)

Aldis Hodge is back as DC homicide detective/forensic psychologist Alex Cross in Prime’s relatively boilerplate adaptation of Patterson’s sprawling crime series. In season 2, he “faces a ruthless vigilante targeting America’s corrupt billionaire magnates.” Hopefully the vigilante will win!

56 Days
Prime Video, February 18

Literary bona fides: based on 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard (2021)

An erotic thriller based on Howard’s book, in which two people hit it off and quickly shack up together (it’s COVID) after meeting by chance—but neither may be who they say they are, and either may be the one who eventually gets murdered.

Portobello
HBO Max, February 20

Literary bona fides: based on Lettere a Francesca by Enzo Tortora (2016)

An Italian miniseries based on the true story—and published letters—of Enzo Tortora, host of a popular Friday night variety show that ran from 1977 to 1983, when Tortora was arrested and unjustly convicted of being a member of the Camorra.

The Last Thing He Told Me (Season 2)
Apple TV, February 20

Literary bona fides: based on The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (2026)

From our 2026 film & TV preview: Despite mixed reviews for the first season, Apple is steaming ahead with The Last Thing He Told Me, with a second season based on Dave’s newly released sequel, set five years after the events of the first book, in which Owen returns to threaten Hannah and Bailey’s newly settled life.

Kiss of the Spider Woman (streaming service debut)
Hulu, February 27

Literary bona fides: based on the 1992 stage musical, which was based on Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig (1976)

No one went to see this movie, despite the Jennifer Lopez of it all—maybe people will watch it at home?

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THROWBACK:

National Velvet (1944)
HBO Max, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on National Velvet by Enid Bagnold (1935)

The movie that made Elizabeth Taylor a star (at twelve years old, no less) also happens to be a charming, timeless classic.

Hook (1991)
Prime Video, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie (1911)

Speaking of charming: Spielberg’s sort-of-sequel to the neverending legend of Peter Pan is probably responsible for all Millennials’ storytelling tastes. Rip it apart and stitch it back together and we’re yours. Also: Robin Williams as Peter, Dustin Hoffman as Hook, Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, the great Bob Hoskins as Smee? Come on.

Malcolm X (1992)
HBO Max, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley (1965)

No one else could have done it like Denzel (or Spike Lee). An epic film that does justice to an epic book.

Emma (1996)
Paramount+, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on Emma by Jane Austen (1816)

We all know that Emma is the best Jane Austen novel, but which is the best adaptation? Well, it’s probably Clueless, but the banter-forward 1996 Gwyneth Paltrow version is a close second: Toni Collette is so good as Harriet Smith, and Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley, and Alan Cumming as Mr. Elton. Plus it’s pretty lovely to look at, especially as the snow continues to press in all around.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Netflix, February 1

Literary bona fides: concerning bookshop owners falling in love on the nascent internet

The absolute cutest harbinger of doom there ever was.

The Virgin Suicides (2000)
Paramount+, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (1993)

Sure, the book is better than the movie, but the movie is pretty damn good. Why not have both?

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Paramount+, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)

On a very different plane, but ditto.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Starz, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (2003)

Might as well start prepping for the impending sequel now…

The Last King Of Scotland (2006)
Hulu, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden (1998)

Worth watching for Forest Whitaker’s performance alone.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Prime Video, February 1

Literary bona fides: based on the characters invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Something is probably wrong with me, but I’ve always loved the madcap, inaccurate Guy Ritchie Holmes. For entertainment, you could do worse.