5 iconic movies celebrating big anniversaries in February 2026 (and where to stream them)

Have you heard of the term “Dumpuary?” » In Hollywood, Dumpuary refers to films released in January and February that studios no longer want to deal with. If the film becomes a success, even better, but expectations are low. Streaming movies on services like Netflix has alleviated some of the symptoms of Dumpuary, but you’ll still find a random horror or action picture that makes you question the ethics of cinema.

This item is Dumpuary’s kryptonite. February has several iconic films celebrating milestone anniversaries. One of these historic releases belongs to the legendary Martin Scorsese. Another groundbreaking film, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Check out the rest of our top picks and where to watch them.

5

Deadpool (February 12, 2016 – 10 years old)

Given the character’s popularity, it’s shocking to learn that Fox didn’t want to make dead Pool. It took a positive reaction to leaked test footage for the studio to finally give Ryan Reynolds the green light to play the “Merc with a Mouth.” The film directed by Tim Miller dead Pool introduces audiences to Wade Wilson (Reynolds), the wise-cracking mercenary who turns into a mutant after an evil scientist’s experiment gives him accelerated healing and a disfigured body.

In true Wade fashion, he finds himself a new costume, deadly swords and a new name, Deadpool. Reynolds, an actor who has made a career playing sarcastic and witty characters, was born to play a foul-mouthed antihero. Unlike many superhero adventures that came before it, dead Pool embraced its graphic nature: profanity, sex and lots of violence. Turns out audiences love all three, which helped dead Pool became the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time.

dead Pool

Release date

February 9, 2016

Runtime

108 minutes

Director

Tim Miller

Writers

Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Geoff Johns, Rob Liefeld, Len Wein, Dave Cockrum

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  Ryan Reynolds

  Wade Wilson/Deadpool

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4

Happy Gilmore (February 16, 1996 – 30 years old)

For countless millennials, Adam Sandler is a god who provided their childhood with iconic characters. 30 years ago, Sandler forever changed the sport of golf with his sports comedy, Merry Gilmore. Sandler plays the title character, a hot-tempered aspiring hockey player who lacks the skills to play at the next level. When he needs money to save his grandmother’s house, Happy turns to an unlikely sport: golf. He can’t chip or putt, but Happy can drive the ball further than anyone who picks up a club.

Once Happy unexpectedly wins a spot on the PGA Tour, the film exudes comic brilliance, from his interactions with Chubbs (Carl Weathers) and conversations with Hal (Ben Stiller) to his boisterous attitude and unorthodox swing. Happy’s best moments come when he faces Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), the best player on the circuit and a perfect villain. Remember this, shooter: Grizzly Adams did have a beard.

Merry Gilmore

Release date

February 16, 1996

Runtime

92 minutes

Director

Denis Dugan

Writers

Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy

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  Adam Sandler

  Merry Gilmore

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  Christopher McDonald

  Shooter McGavin

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  Julie Bowen

  Virginie Venit

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3

Trainspotting (February 23, 1996 – 30 years old)

It seems strange to credit a film for successfully injecting sick humor into a story about drug use, but I don’t know how else to describe it. Trainspotting. Based on the cult novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting follows Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his eccentric friends – including Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Begbie (Robert Carlyle) and Tommy (Kevin McKidd) – as they navigate heroin addiction in Edinburgh. No matter how hard Renton tries to break free from his disastrous life, drugs (and his friends) always pull him back. In some cases, that means getting dirty and swimming in the world’s most disgusting toilet.

Trainspotting The secret weapon is director Danny Boyle. Boyle’s eclectic soundtrack of punk and pop reinforces the film’s grittiness and chaos. The film’s frenetic pace never slows, with the highs and lows of a drug-like adrenaline rush. Trainspotting is a dark film, but the stellar casting and ambitious direction elevate the dark material. Trainspotting is the hardest movie on the list to stream, so your best bet is to rent or buy it on YouTube.

Trainspotting

Release date

August 9, 1996

Runtime

94 minutes

Director

Danny Boyle

Writers

John Hodge, Irvine Welsh

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  Johnny Lee Miller

  sick boy

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2

The Silence of the Lambs (February 14, 1991 – 35 years old)

The movie that will change your perspective on Tom Petty American girl East The silence of the lambs, Jonathan Demme’s groundbreaking psychological thriller based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. Jodie Foster plays Clarice Starling, a young FBI intern recruited to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a genius psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer stuck in a hospital for the criminally insane. Starling hopes that Dr. Lecter can help her catch her own killer, “Buffalo Bill”, who skins his female victims.

In just 16 minutes of screen time, Hopkins gives one of the most famous performances in cinematic history. With every word, Lecter sends chills down your spine. It’s the perfect balance of horror and thriller, supported by a mysterious story with more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie book. For Oscar fans, The silence of the lambs is one of three films to win the Big Five: best film, best actor, best actress, best director and best adapted screenplay.

The silence of the lambs

Release date

February 14, 1991

Runtime

119 minutes

Director

Jonathan Demme

Writers

Ted Tally, Thomas Harris

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  Jodie Foster

  Clarisse Étourneau

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  Anthony Hopkins

  Dr. Hannibal Lecter

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  Scott Glenn

  Jack Crawford

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1

Taxi driver (February 8, 1976 – 50 years old)

Most films struggle to make it onto a “best films” list. by Scorsese Taxi driver doesn’t have this problem. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Taxi driver has strong claims for Scorsese’s best film, Robert De Niro’s best performance, best film of the last 50 years, best film of the 1970s, best New York film, and, finally, best film ever made. Again, these lists are subjective, but they would lose credibility without Taxi driver inclusion.

Travis Bickle (De Niro) is a former war veteran and insomniac who drives a taxi at night in New York. The more Travis drives the taxi, the more his mental health deteriorates, while his worldview becomes polluted by ideas of violence and narcissism. Feeling he must rid the world of evil, Travis plans to assassinate a prominent politician. Taxi driver is unapologetically tense, as the audience watches a man lose his mind over the course of 114 minutes. This isn’t a date night movie, but I guarantee it’s a better option than the movie Travis chose for his night with Betsy (Cybill Shepherd).

Taxi driver

Release date

February 9, 1976

Runtime

114 minutes

Director

Martin Scorsese

Writers

Paul Schrader

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  Robert DeNiro

  Travis Bickle

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If you need more inspiration, check out a list of movies coming to Netflix in 2026, which includes Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Plus, don’t miss a crazy but true documentary about a secret mall apartment.