Netflix’s slate of original movies and shows is looking particularly strong this week. The world’s biggest streaming service is always rolling out new exclusives for subscribers to watch, and the next seven days offer a little something for everybody.
For me, there’s only one highlight: “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.” This is the new show from “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee, and it takes the humor from McGee's acclaimed comedy and mixes it with a dark mystery. Meanwhile, Madea fans will be pleased as Tyler Perry offers up a new spin-off focused on brother Joe (also played by Perry), and don’t forget the finale of “Star Search” is on the horizon, which talented act will win the top prize?
I’ve rounded up the top Netflix exclusive movies and shows this week to save you the hassle of combing through the platform’s “what’s new” section. No need to thank me!
‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” for months, and after all that waiting, this week sees the new show from “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee arrive on Netflix. The show blends McGee’s acclaimed, very Northern Irish sense of humor with a mystery-focused plot that's packed with twists and turns. While it might be less of a comfort watch than “Derry Girls,” it might just be even more bingeable.
The eight-episode show focuses on three lifelong friends, Saorise (Roisin Gallagher), Sinéad Keenan (Robyn) and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), reunited following the death of an estranged member of their childhood gang. But when the funeral wake kicks off a dark mystery and an adolescent secret threatens to spill out, the trio must embark on a wild adventure across Ireland (and beyond) as they attempt to figure out who's behind it all.
Watch "How to Get from Heaven to Belfast" on Netflix from Feb. 12
‘Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip'
On a personal level, I don’t have high expectations for “Joe’s College Road Trip,” but I have little doubt that millions of Netflix viewers will find it a hoot. Tyler Perry’s stable of streaming movies might not appeal to critics (or me), but they have a habit of ranking high in the Netflix top 10, and “Joe’s College Road Trip” looks likely to walk the same path. After all, it’s a spin-off from Perry’s enduringly popular Madea franchise, this time following brother Joe.
Perry’s fingerprints are all over this project; not only does he write and direct, but he’s also starring as the eponymous Joe, and don’t worry, there’s a cameo from Madea as well. The outrageous comedy sees Joe (Perry) take his young grandson B.J. (Jermaine Harris) on a wild cross-country road trip to teach him some (questionable) life lessons ahead of starting college.
Watch "Joe's College Road Trip" on Netflix from Feb. 13
‘Star Search’
Netflix’s revival of talent competition “Star Search” broadcasts its finale this week. The return of “Star Search,” which debuted in 1983 (and was brought back on CBS in 2003), is part of Netflix’s push into live broadcasting. Of course, before the final, there’s the not-so-small matter of the second semi-final, which will air today (February 11) and confirm the field for the glitzy final. Each act is hoping to book their place in the main event.
If you haven't been watching “Star Search” over the past few weeks, it’s a variety show where contestants display their unique talents (from street dancing to gospel-singing, magical illusions to musical comedy). Viewers at home get to vote along using their remote. The 2026 spin on the formula is hosted by Anthony Anderson, with a panel of judges giving feedback. The judges in this version are Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen.
Watch "Star Search" finale episode on Netflix on Feb. 17
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