With some strong competition now battling for eyeballs, ShowMax has a lot to prove over the coming months. The streaming service has just revealed their latest releases for movies and series come February, and there’s a number of nice additions.

On the movie side there are a few that grabbed our attention. None more so than Watchman, based on Alan Moore’s amazing graphic novel. In this Zack Snyder (300, Man of Steel) directed movie, a group of mostly retired American superheroes investigate the murder of one of their own before uncovering an elaborate and deadly conspiracy. Although the ending differs from the comic and reviews of the movie were mixed, it’s still a romp and comes highly recommended. It will be released on 3 Feb.

Apocalypto, written and directed by Mel Gibson, is a trip and certainly brought some strange South American jungle vibes to the big screen. As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices, so expect a lot of blood. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood, Beatdown) flees to avoid his fate. It’s landing on 19 Feb.

If even more action is what’s needed, Death Race starring Jason Statham (Snatch), should provide a shot of adrenaline. Ex-con Jensen is forced by the warden of a notorious prison to compete in our post-industrial world's most popular sport: a car race in which inmates must brutalise and kill one another on the road to victory. Coming 15 Feb.

Double Jeopardy is much older than the movies mentioned above, but it’s a smart thriller with strong performances from Tommy Lee Jones (MIB) and Ashley Judd (Missing). A woman framed for her husband's murder suspects he is still alive; as she has already been tried for the crime, she can't be re-prosecuted if she finds and kills him. Planned release date: 5 Feb.

On the series side, the one that stands out is of course Scrubs, with seasons 1-9 available come 1 Feb. It takes place in the world of Sacred Heart Hospital, with intern John "J.D" Dorian (Zach Braff, Garden State) learning the ways of medicine, friendship and life. Scrubs has provided us with many things over the years, but certainly one of the best bromances ever, thanks to the evergreen love between JD and Turk (Donald Faison). 

SERIES

Bosch S1

Based on Michael Connelly's best-selling novels, an LAPD homicide detective works to solve the murder of a 13-year-old boy while standing trial in federal court for the murder of a serial killer. This Emmy-nominated series is one of the first original series produced by Amazon Studios.

Cast: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

Blue S1

Blue is a mother with a secret life. She'll do anything to keep it from her son. But her past has other plans.

Cast: Julia Stiles, Uriah Shelton, Brooklyn Lowe

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Nashville S2

A fading country music star comes into conflict with a rising young star.

Cast: Connie Britton, Clare Bowen, Hayden Panettiere

Planned Release Date: 15 Feb

Aquarius S1

A gritty drama set in the 1960s about a cop who goes undercover to track Charles Manson and the Manson Family before their infamous murder spree.

Cast: Emma Dumont, Claire Holt, David Duchovny

Planned Release Date: 26 Feb

The Knick S1

A look at the professional and personal lives of the staff at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital during the early part of the 20th century.

Cast: Clive Owen, André Holland, Jeremy Bobb

Planned Release Date: 17 Feb

MOVIES

Step Up 2: The Streets

Romantic sparks occur between two dance students from different backgrounds at the Maryland School of the Arts.

Cast: Robert Hoffman, Briana Evigan, Cassie Ventura and a guest appearance from Channing Tatum

Planned Release Date: 1 Feb

Last Castle

A court-martialed general rallies together 1200 inmates to rise against the corrupt system that put him away.

Cast: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo

Planned Release Date: 3 Feb

50/50

Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan, Anna Kendrick. From the Producers of Superbad.

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

Why Did I Get Married?

A film about the trials of marriage, and what happens to one family when a sexy young temptress arrives on the scene.

Cast: Tyler Perry. Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba. Written and Directed by Tyler Perry.

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Autumn in New York

Romantic drama about an aging playboy who falls for a sweet, but terminally ill, young woman.

Cast: Richard Gere, Winona Ryder, Anthony LaPaglia

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Failure to Launch

A thirty-something slacker suspects his parents of setting him up with his dream girl so he'll finally vacate their home.

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Bates

Planned Release Date: 10 Feb

She’s Out of My League

An average Joe meets the perfect woman, but his lack of confidence and the influence of his friends and family begin to pick away at the relationship.

Cast: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller

Planned Release Date: 10 Feb

Jane Eyre

After some childhood trauma, the secretly iron-willed young Jane becomes the new governess at the brooding Rochester Estate. With the seemingly dangerous master of the house, Jane manages to find happiness.
Cast: William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anna Paquin. Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte.

Planned Release Date: 10 Feb

Beastly

A modern-day take on the "Beauty and the Beast" tale where a New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen

Planned Release Date: 12 Feb

Eagle Eye

Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations

Cast: Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monagham, Rosario Dawson

Planned Release Date: 17 Feb

Primal Fear

An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.

Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton

Planned Release Date: 19 Feb

Passengers

A grief counsellor working with a group of plane-crash survivors finds herself at the root of a mystery when her clients begin to disappear.

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, David Morse

Planned Release Date: 22 Feb

Midnight Meat Train

Leon is a photographer whose obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable.

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones

Planned Release Date: 24 Feb

Man of the Year

A comedian who hosts a news satire program decides to run for president, and a computerised voting machine malfunction gets him elected.

Cast: Robin Williams, Laura Linney, Lewis Black

Planned Release Date: 26 Feb

Making the Rules

After cutting her hand, a workaholic chef is forced to do nothing for the summer. As the heat rises she faces daily boredom with her husband and the temptation of an ex-boyfriend.

Cast: Jaime Pressly, Robin Thicke

Planned Release Date: 26 Feb

LOCAL ADDITIONS

Bruilof

This is a lifestyle programme about South Africa's world-class wedding industry, trends and venues to help couples plan their perfect wedding day.

Planned Release Date: 10 Feb

SkeemSaam S1-2

SkeemSaam features a variety of stories about the journey to manhood. The local drama series examines the plight of today’s male children and the tough challenges they face.

Planned Release Date: 12 Feb

Shakespeare in Mzansi

This three-part miniseries is based on Shakespearean plays (Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew and Death of the Queen) and reimagines them in a contemporary setting.

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

SakkieLangarm S1-3

Kick off your shoes and move the coffee table away in your living room and watch our country's Afrikaans music masters compete in competitions.

Planned Release Date: 24 Feb 

TrippeTrappe, Trone S1

A South-African music TV series from kykNet where presenter Amanda Strydom travels to foreign countries.

Planned Release Date: 24 Feb

Straatpraat S1

A successful street talk show from KykNET.

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Reik Na Die Sterre S1

An SA programme where singers perform in a variety of genres and musical styles.

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Gums and Noses

A copywriter at an advertising agency uses cocaine to keep his creative juices flowing.

Planned Release Date: 8 Feb

Nooi Van My Hart

A local romcom musical from 1959.

Planned Release Date: 12 Feb

Vang Vir My ‘n Droom

Robbie, son of a game ranger, has a very special relationship with a tame cheetah.

Planned Release Date: 12 Feb

Heart and Soul

A 2012 Short film about Doctor Christiaan Barnard’s efforts in science.

Planned Release Date: 3 Feb

Agter Die Mynhoop S1

A storytelling series of the people’s lives in Reiger Park.

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

Boerboel De Wet

A local Afrikaans movie about a private detective.

Planned Release Date: 15 Feb

Magic is Alive My Friend

A local movie from 1985.

Planned Release Date: 15 Feb

40 Dae deur die Delta AKA Blou S1

A local music documentary

Planned Release Date: 1 Feb

Eendag Op 'n Reëndag

A Romantic Afrikaans movie,

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

Jonken Afrikaans S1

A local series that explore what it means to grow up in South Africa.

Planned Release Date: 19 Feb

Wat’s Die Storie? S1-5

Planned Release Date: 17 Feb

Mzansi (SABC) S1

Mzansi starts out as a mystery and becomes the saga of two powerful men and their families.

Planned Release Date: 17 Feb

Malunde

A black boy and a white soldier bond in South Africa, starring Ian Roberts.

Planned Release Date: 22 Feb

South Africa Chronicles

Planned Release Date: 24 Feb

KIDS ADDITIONS

Power Rangers Time Force

The Power Rangers travel back to the future… and then back to the present… then back to the past… then back to the present… then to the future again… It’s awesome.

Planned Release Date: 5 Feb

Power Rangers Ninja Storm

In 2013, Power Rangers completed its 20 year run. Two decades of butt kicking doesn’t come without a fare share of ninjas! Featuring everything from bee weapons to ancient ninja electric guitars, after this season, you really will have seen it all.

Planned Release Date: 12 Feb

Planet Hulk

Another Marvel animation is added starring the legendary Hulk. However, instead of taking up his anger issues on Earth, he takes on an outer-space battle with the Red King.

Planned Release Date: 26 Feb