A month of spies, wistful sighs and samurais

There is something for everyone on streaming platforms this February. From epic historical dramas to spy comedies to in-depth biopics, viewers should be able to find something to love. Speaking of which, yes, there is a greatlooking romantic comedy. We are approaching Valentine’s Day, after all.

‘Argylle’

Writer/director Matthew Vaughn (“Kingsman,” “KickAss”) is the master of extremely quirky action films, and “Argylle” looks like his best one yet: A sheltered spy novelist and dedicated cat mom (Bryce Dallas Howard) finds out the plots of her books actually play out in real life.

She’s sucked into a world of superspies who include John Cena (“Peacemaker”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“Secret Invasion”). A fish-out-of-water story mixed with over-the-top action pieces and high-speed chases, “Argylle” is a delightfully ridiculous story about the blurred lines between fiction and reality.

Watch it: Action film. Premieres Friday, Feb. 2, on Apple TV+.

‘Genius: MLK/X’

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, two of the greatest civil rights advocates of the last century, took polar-opposite stances in their fight against white supremacy. Disney+ looks at both in the latest installment of its “Genius” anthology.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“Elvis”) plays King, with Aaron Pierre (“The Lion King”) portraying the more militant X. The series will follow the path both men took in the struggle for freedom, while also detailing the tense relationship they had over their opposing methodologies.

Watch it: Docuseries. First two episodes premiere Friday, Feb. 2, on Disney+.

‘Players’

Love is a game, and some people play to win. Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”) stars as Mack, a New York sportswriter who brings a game master’s analysis to the love lives of her friends. When the city’s most eligible bachelor (Tom Ellis) walks into her life, she decides to pull out every play in the book to land him. Judging by the trailer, Rodriguez and Ellis have incredible chemistry, with Rodriguez dominating scenes as a crafty romance coach.

Trish Sie (“Pitch Perfect 3”) directs.

Watch it: Romantic comedy. Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 14, on Netflix.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’

Netflix continues its trend of live-action adaptations of classic animated series with “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Like the original cartoon, it takes place in a world where some people have the ability to manipulate (“bend”) the elements of air, water, earth and fire. Aang (Gordon Cormier) is the last of the airbenders, awakening after a century-long frozen sleep to stop the imperialist

Fire Nation.

The recent critical success of the Japanese manga series “One Piece” offers some high hope for this series, and show runner Albert Kim brings plenty of fantasy experience from his time on the “Sleepy Hollow” television show.

Watch it: Fantasy series. All episodes premiere Feb. 22 on Netflix.

‘Shogun’

James Clavell’s epic historical novel comes to life in this new Hulu series. In the final years of Sengoku-period Japan, English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is shipwrecked shortly before the pivotal Battle

of Sekigahara.

As the battle approaches, he watches the actions of Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a powerful lord barely holding his own above political intrigue, and Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), an unmatched samurai whose disreputable past follows her.

The sweeping series has been in development since 2018, delayed by both COVID and the scope of the story. Filmed in the United Kingdom and Japan, it looks absolutely stunning.

Watch it: Historical series. First two episodes premiere Feb. 27 on Hulu.

K.C. Bailey/Netflix Gina Rodriguez as Mack, left, and Tom Ellis as Nick in the romantic comedy “Players,” set in New York City.