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As Valentine’s Day approaches, the influx of romantic comedies and relationship thrillers emerges.

With the transition from January to February, expect to see sweet treats and love stories at the cinema. In Amazon’s latest offering, “You’re Cordially Invited,” Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon find themselves crashing each other’s wedding celebrations. This is just one of several films available for streaming, perfect for when you’re in the mood to grab the Apple TV or Roku remote and indulge. On the theatrical front, Sophie Thatcher channels her inner strength as a deadly AI girlfriend in “Companion,” and the beloved Sherlock Holmes world is getting an innovative twist with the new TV medical drama “Watson.” There’s plenty to enjoy, especially as Chappell Roan prepares to hit the stage at the Grammy Awards this Sunday night. (Get ready, Pink Pony Club. Let’s go!)

Now, on to the (generally) entertaining picks:

Watch Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon Clash in ‘You’re Cordially Invited’

Let’s be honest: “You’re Cordially Invited” is best for dedicated fans of Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon or those who have a deep fondness for “Islands in the Stream” played on repeat. (It’s still a classic, don’t get me wrong!) In this film, Ferrell embodies a doting father, while Witherspoon plays a loving big sister. When both their loved ones book the same wedding venue, chaos ensues as they attempt to sabotage each other’s festivities, resulting in a comedic mess of matrimonial mishaps. (Check out my ★½ review for more insights.)

Fortunately, streaming this weekend offers a wealth of more appealing film options. I’ve compiled a list of 15 noteworthy new releases, including Oscar-contenders (“A Different Man” and “A Real Pain”), prominent theatrical films (“Gladiator II” and “Saturday Night”), and original features (“Unstoppable” and “Back in Action”).

Watch Out for Sophie Thatcher’s AI Girlfriend in ‘Companion’

AI technology is making headlines— it might even be in your pocket. It has also made its mark in the horror genre, acting as a modern-day lethal teddy bear (“M3GAN”), a menacing Alexa (“Afraid”), or a sinister partner (“Companion”). In the latter, while Sophie Thatcher’s character starts off trapped in a toxic relationship with Jack Quaid, she evolves into a hero, facing horrifying circumstances. Thatcher shared with my colleague Brendan Morrow about how she identified with her character’s struggles: “I resonated with her worries, her insecurities, and her intense drive to appease others. It’s something I’ve experienced in my relationships, both personally and professionally.”

“Companion” is just one film in a year filled with thrilling horrors. Don’t miss my curated list of 25 horror flicks to check out in 2025, featuring next week’s romantic comedy slasher “Heart Eyes,” several adaptations of “Frankenstein,” and Ryan Coogler’s period vampire project “Sinners,” which just dropped an exciting new trailer.

Check Out the New Sherlock Holmes/’House’ Hybrid ‘Watson’

Following the genius of Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock,” my expectations are quite high for updates to the Sherlock Holmes lore. The pilot episode of CBS’s “Watson” (now available on Paramount+) attempts a different take by spotlighting John Watson (Morris Chestnut) as a physician dealing with peculiar medical conditions. Television critic Kelly Lawler commented on the “Elementary”-meets-“House” feel in her ★½ review, highlighting her disappointment: “I anticipated formulaic episodes with charming doctors and plenty of convoluted medical jargon, yet I found myself completely unengaged and confused.”

In this Sherlockian scenario, there’s also a Moriarty: actor Randall Park takes on the role of the series’ villain and noted to TV correspondent Bryan Alexander how this role was refreshing for him. “I’m usually associated with nice, friendly characters,” Park explains. “So receiving this call was both unexpected and delightful.”

If you have thoughts, questions, or even some recommendations for me, feel free to connect with me on social media: I’m @briantruitt on Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads.