Best 5 New Movies on Netflix (February 2026): Parents Guide & Safety Review

​The best new movies on Netflix for February 2026 include the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, the star-studded The Thursday Murder Club, and the gritty thriller The Rip. While some offer family-friendly adventure, others are strictly for mature audiences, requiring careful parental navigation of age ratings and themes.

​At-a-Glance: February 2026 Top Picks

Movie Title Advertisement	Official Rating	Expert Age	Intensity	Violence/Language/Nudity Advertisement
How to Train Your Dragon	PG	7+	6/10	Mod / Low / None
The Thursday Murder Club Advertisement	PG-13	11+	4/10	Low / Mod / None
The Rip	R	16+	9/10 Advertisement	High / High / Low
Queen of Chess	TV-14	10+	5/10	None / Low / None
Happy Gilmore 2	PG-13	13+	3/10	Low / High / Low

1. How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action)

​The Hook: A stunning, grounded reimagining of the beloved 2010 animated classic that brings Berk to life with breathtaking realism.

​The Plot & Parental Perspective

​Following the same narrative arc as the original, this live-action adaptation explores the unlikely friendship between Hiccup, a young Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon. The shift to live-action adds a layer of visceral weight to the dragon-slaying culture of the Vikings. Parents should note that while the story is familiar, the “realism” makes the peril feel more immediate. The themes of father-son expectations and breaking toxic traditions remain the core emotional heartbeat.

​Content Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

• ​Violence and Scares: The dragon battles are more intense than the animated version. Expect loud roars, fire-breathing, and moments where characters are in genuine danger of falling or being burned. The “Red Death” dragon at the climax is a legitimate jump-scare trigger for younger toddlers.
• ​Language and Dialogue: Very clean. Minimal name-calling (“useless,” “fishbone”).
• ​Developmental Consideration: 7-year-olds will find the action thrilling; however, those under 5 may find the “scary” dragons too realistic compared to the “cuddly” animated versions.

​Conversation Starter

​”Hiccup changed his mind about dragons even though everyone he knew told him they were monsters. When is it okay to disagree with what everyone else thinks is true?”

​2. The Thursday Murder Club

​The Hook: A cozy mystery that proves you’re never too old for an adventure or a crime scene.

​The Plot & Parental Perspective

​Based on Richard Osman’s bestseller, four unlikely friends in a retirement village spend their time investigating unsolved murders. It’s a witty, British-style “whodunnit” that balances humor with reflections on aging, grief, and the importance of friendship. For kids, this is a great introduction to the mystery genre without the trauma of a slasher film.

​Content Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

• ​Violence and Scares: While the film is about murder, the violence is mostly discussed rather than shown. You’ll see crime scene photos (blood is minimal) and some tense standoffs, but it remains “cozy.”
• ​Language and Dialogue: Moderate British slang and some “PG-13” level profanity.
• ​Developmental Consideration: Best for tweens (11+) who have the attention span for a plot-heavy mystery. Younger kids will likely find the pacing slow.

​Why You SHOULD Let Your Kids Watch

​It humanizes the elderly in a way few modern films do. It’s a fantastic bridge for kids to connect with their grandparents over a shared viewing.

​3. The Rip

​The Hook: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite in a high-octane police thriller that asks how much your soul is worth.

​The Plot & Parental Perspective

​Two Miami narcotics officers find a stash of millions during a bust. Instead of turning it in, they keep it, triggering a domino effect of betrayal and violence. This is not for kids. It’s a deep dive into moral corruption and the thin line between hero and villain. It serves as a stark contrast to the “Crime 101” style of calculated theft, focusing instead on the chaos of greed.

​Content Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

• ​Violence and Scares: High. Brutal shootouts, realistic injuries, and a sense of “The Rip” trigger warnings regarding police corruption and betrayal.
• ​Language and Dialogue: Constant, aggressive profanity (F-bombs in almost every scene).
• ​Developmental Consideration: Keep this restricted to older teens (16+). The cynicism of the film might be too much for younger viewers who still view authority figures as purely “good.”

​Conversation Starter

​”If you found a million dollars that no one was looking for, what is the first thing that would stop you from taking it? Is it the fear of getting caught, or something else?”

​4. Queen of Chess

​The Hook: The true story of Judit Polgár, the girl who broke the glass ceiling of the grandmaster world.

​The Plot & Parental Perspective

​This documentary tracks the rise of the greatest female chess player of all time. It explores her upbringing essentially a “homeschool experiment” by her father and her battles against world champions like Garry Kasparov. It’s a high-impact educational film that focuses on perseverance, genius, and gender equality.

​Content Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

• ​Violence/Language: None. Very safe for all ages.
• ​Mature Themes: Discussion of the “unethical” nature of her father’s rigid training methods. This is a great “Parenting & Media” talking point regarding high-pressure parenting.

​Why You SHOULD Let Your Kids Watch

​It’s the ultimate “girl power” movie for 2026. It proves that with enough discipline, anyone can compete at the highest level, regardless of gender.

​5. Happy Gilmore 2

​The Hook: Adam Sandler returns to the green, proving that the “subway” is still the best place for a sandwich and a fight.

​The Plot & Parental Perspective

​Decades after his first victory, Happy is back on the senior tour. The movie leans heavily into nostalgia, but also deals with Happy finding his place in a modern world that has moved on. It’s a typical Sandler comedy silly, loud, and heart-centered.

​Content Breakdown: The Nitty-Gritty

• ​Violence and Scares: Slapstick violence. People getting hit with golf balls or getting into “funny” fistfights.
• ​Language and Dialogue: Expect typical Sandler-esque humor plenty of “A-holes,” “D-bags,” and creative insults.
• ​Developmental Consideration: Teens will love the humor; parents will love the nostalgia. Safe for 13+ who understand that Happy’s anger is a comedic trope, not a behavioral model.

​When searching for a detailed parents review for Netflix 2026, it’s vital to look for “trigger warnings” beyond just the rating. Whether it’s the is How to Train Your Dragon (2026) too scary for toddlers debate or the The Rip streaming age limit, our goal is to provide the “Trust Factor.”

• ​ Full Review of The Rip (2026)