What to Stream: 'Splitsville,' J. Cole, 'Puppy Bowl,' Keke Palmer, Nick
Jonas and Nioh 3
[February 02, 2026]
The goofy and wry relationship comedy “Splitsville” landing on Hulu and
fresh albums by J. Cole and Nick Jonas are some of the new television,
films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as
selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Keke Palmer
starring in a TV adaptation of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie “The ’Burbs” for
Peacock, gamers getting fast and bloody samurai action with Nioh 3 and
Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer” returning for Season 4.
New movies to stream from Feb. 2-8
— One of last year’s funniest original movies, the goofy and wry
relationship comedy “Splitsville,” is streaming on Hulu starting
Thursday. Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, the duo behind “The
Climb” bring the audience along on a metaphorical ( and literal ) roller
coaster a comedy about open relationships, divorce and human mistakes,
in which they star opposite Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. In his
review, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote that, “though there are
elaborately choreographed long takes that smack of contemporary
moviemaking, ‘Splitsville’ belongs more to a screwball tradition
stretching back to the 1930s,” adding “the performer here who would have
been most at home in that bygone comedy heyday is Johnson.”
— Also coming to Hulu, on Thursday, is James L. Brooks’ “Ella McCay,” a
starry political dramedy with Emma Mackey playing an ambitious and
idealistic lieutenant governor who has to take over for her boss. The
film was a major flop with audiences and critics during its theatrical
run. The AP’s Jocelyn Noveck, in her review, called it “bafflingly
disjointed, uneven, unfunny and illogical,” adding that Mackey is the
only reason to watch the film.
— Filmmaker Rory Kennedy (“Downfall: The Case Against Boeing”) tells the
story of Judit Polgár, the Hungarian girl who dreamed of conquering
men’s chess and defeat champion Garry Kasparov, in “Queen of Chess.” The
documentary just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival but will
already be available to stream on Netflix on Thursday.
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
New music to stream from Feb. 2-8
— Nick Jonas, the youngest of the Jonas Brothers trio and fresh off a
successful stadium run with his siblings, will release his first solo
album in just under five years on Friday, Feb. 6 titled “Sunday Best.”
The first taste arrived in the form of lead single “Gut Punch.” It is
smooth adult pop — as is his bread and butter — easy listening for those
in need of a love song.
— Also on tap: the innovative rapper and producer J. Cole returns with
his seventh studio album, “The Fall-Off.” Some fans theorize it may be
his final record — and with good reason. The music video for “Disc 2
Track 2,” released in January, begins with a note from Cole describing
that he knew “in my heart I would one day get to the finish line.” That
track recalls Nas’ 2001 hit “Rewind,” which may offer a tease as to what
the album may sound like: a love letter to hip-hop, and the career it
has given Cole.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
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This combination of album covers shows "Sunday Best" by Nick Jonas,
left, and "The Fall-Off" by J. Cole. (Republic Records/ via AP,
left, and Cole World Inc./Interscope via AP)
 New series to stream from Feb.
2-8
— It may be cold outside, but there’s a heatwave on Bravo as the
reality series “Summer House” returns for a 10th season. The show
features Manhattanites sharing a shore house in the Hamptons,
although recent seasons have also followed the gang when they’re
back in New York during the week. It streams on Peacock beginning
Wednesday.
— Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer” is back for Season 4 beginning
Thursday. Based on novels by Michael Connelly, the series follows
talented Los Angeles attorney Mickey Haller (played by Manuel
García-Rulfo) as he takes on high-profile defendants. This season
Haller is the one who needs a strong defense when he’s falsely
accused of murder.
— “Puppy Bowl,” the annual TV event promoting animal adoption airs
its 22nd iteration on Sunday, Feb. 8. “Puppy Bowl XXII” will
simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max and
discovery+. Another call-to-action special, The “Great American
Rescue Bowl” also takes place Sunday. This one highlights both
adoptable dogs and cats and will be available on Great American Pure
Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+.
— Keke Palmer stars in a TV adaptation of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie
“The 'Burbs” for Peacock. All eight-episodes drop Sunday, Feb. 8.
Palmer and Jack Whitehall play a couple who move to suburbia with
their new baby to live a nice, quiet life. The neighborhood seems
less idyllic once the wife becomes fixated on one of her neighbors,
whom she connects with a decades-long missing person case.
— Alicia Rancilio
New video games to play from Feb. 2-8
— Koei Tecmo’s Nioh series has built a cult audience among gamers
who like their samurai action fast and bloody. Nioh 3, from
Tokyo-based developer Team Ninja, adds some twists. Tokugawa
Takechiyo is about to be appointed shogun when his jealous brother
unleashes a horde of yōkai — ghouls, demons and other supernatural
creatures drawn from Japanese folklore. Takechiyo can fight back
with brute-force samurai skills, or switch to more acrobatic ninja
tactics, all in a vast open world that promises more freedom than
previous installments. Take up arms Friday, Feb. 6, on PlayStation 5
or PC.
— Lou Kesten
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