Must-see films and TV series in August Smurf ice cream, crime ice cream or rom-com ice cream?
As the holidays begin, cinema and TV series don’t stop. On the contrary, this August is particularly exciting with its movie releases, including horror films ready to shock like Zach Cregger’s Weapons and highly anticipated sequels like Freaky Friday, even crazier this time with icons Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Streaming platforms are stepping up as well, and we’re already expecting a bloody summer to the sound of Lady Gaga with the arrival of the first part of Wednesday 2 on Netflix.
So here are all the must-watch titles this month, in theaters and on streaming.
My Oxford Year – on Netflix from August 1
Sofia Carson is now the queen of Netflix rom-coms. The actress, after the recent The Wish List, returns on August 1 with My Oxford Year, based on the novel by Julia Whelan published in 2018. Alongside her is Corey Mylchreest, the young King George in the spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. The title already gives away the plot: the story of a student whose encounter with a young man with a mysterious past changes her life.
Eyes of Wakanda – on Disney+ from August 1
A new Marvel series is ready to land on Disney+: Eyes of Wakanda is the show produced by Ryan Coogler of Black Panther (and the recent hit Sinners), split into four episodes, focusing on the adventures of the Wakandan warriors from the secret organization Hatut Zeraze. The series marks the first production of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Six.
Chief of War – on AppleTV+ from August 1
Jason Momoa leads a predominantly Polynesian cast in the nine-episode series Chief of War on AppleTV+, a new tale about the unification and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands at the end of the 18th century.
Freaky Friday: Even Freakier – in theaters from August 6
Although it will be impossible to match the iconic impact of the 2003 film, more than twenty years later Freaky Friday: Even Freakier hits theaters, a sequel to the movie starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, who once again deal with body-swapping.
Wednesday 2 – on Netflix from August 6
After a launch event in Rome with Tim Burton and Ghali and a surprise appearance by the director at the Giffoni Film Festival hand-in-hand with Monica Bellucci, the hit series Wednesday returns to Netflix on August 6, once again starring Jenna Ortega. According to the filmmaker, the season will continue to explore the dysfunctional relationships of the Addams family, spiced with a dark mystery.
The Pickup – on Prime Video from August 6
Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer star in the original Prime Video movie The Pickup, an action comedy that takes an unexpected turn when two security guards with opposing personalities fall into an ambush set by a cunning criminal and must figure out how to survive.
Weapons – in theaters from August 6
Summer 2025 is marked by horror. While July ends with the Australian film Bring Her Back, on August 6 Weapons hits theaters, a film directed by Zach Cregger following his unique 2022 horror Barbarian. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, and Benedict Wong, the story follows a class of children who mysteriously vanish - except for one.
Alien: Earth – on Disney+ from August 13
For the first time, the Alien saga, launched by Ridley Scott in 1979, becomes a series. It does so on Disney+ with Alien: Earth, a prequel set two years before the events involving protagonist Ripley, where the spaceship Maginot crashes on Earth and a young woman, together with a group of soldiers, finds herself face to face with the planet’s first great threat.
Night Always Comes – on Netflix from August 15
If you’re missing the Fantastic Four, Netflix brings you Night Always Comes starring Vanessa Kirby, the new Sue Storm of the MCU. This time, the actress plays a woman willing to do anything to ensure a better future for herself and her brother, even if it means facing her own past.
The Map That Leads to You - on Prime Video from August 20
After recently seeing Madelyn Cline in the reboot/sequel I Know What You Did, the actress returns in August with a Prime Video film, The Map That Leads to You, the story of protagonist Heather who embarks on a European journey that brings her closer to Jack, played by KJ Apa, a charming young man with whom she immediately clicks. Directed by Lasse Hallström, who also directed Chocolat and Dear John.
Nobody 2 - in theaters from August 21
Nobody, a 2021 action film starring Bob Odenkirk, became an unexpected hit. The film, which came with no big expectations, quickly turned into one of the most entertaining action flicks of recent years. Its success led to a sequel. Nobody 2 sees Odenkirk return as Hutch Mansell, who is trying to enjoy a family vacation that doesn’t go quite as planned. Playing the villain is a wild Sharon Stone.
Hostage - on Netflix from August 21
Julie Delpy joins Suranne Jones in the Netflix original Hostage, available from August 21. This thriller miniseries created by Matt Charman centers around an international summit between French and British leaders that spirals out of control after a kidnapping. The show will be released in five episodes.
Warfare - Time of War - in theaters from August 21
Most of us probably never want to experience living in constant danger. But for some, it happens - and some choose it. That’s what happened to Ray Mendoza and his Navy SEAL unit in 2006. Warfare - Time of War tells the story of a true event that happened to the director during his time in Iraq, portrayed in the film as if it’s happening in real-time. The cast includes Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, and Cosmo Jarvis. Co-directed by Alex Garland.
The Bad Guys 2 - in theaters from August 21
Their first film didn’t make them very famous, but it’s definitely worth catching up on the bold and wacky adventures of The Bad Guys, the animated film from DreamWorks returning to theaters with its sequel on August 21. This time, the gang of former criminals must try to win over people who still doubt they’ve changed - all while getting caught up in a scheme that won’t help their new “good guy” image.
The Roses - in theaters from August 27
It’s not just Freaky Friday: Even Freakier bringing laughs in August. Hitting theaters too is The Roses, a film adaptation of Warren Adler’s novel and a remake of the 1989 movie originally starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. This time, their roles are taken on by Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, in a story of a marriage that takes a hilarious and dangerous turn.
Every Damn Fantasy Football - on Netflix from August 27
Ready to field your team? Giacomo Ferrara, Silvia D’Amico, Francesco Russo, Enrico Borello, Antonio Bannò, and Caterina Guzzanti are. Every Damn Fantasy Football is the Netflix film arriving on August 27 that explores just how far one might go to achieve victory.
Caught Stealing - in theaters from August 27
Many expected it to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but Darren Aronofsky’s new film will hit theaters directly on August 27. Caught Stealing is a star-studded movie featuring Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, and Vincent D’Onofrio. It tells the story of Hank Thompson, a former baseball player on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The Smurfs - in theaters from August 27
Every now and then, The Smurfs return to the big screen with a new film. It happens again in 2025 with the animated movie directed by Chris Miller, who also helmed the first Puss in Boots. This time, Papa Smurf is kidnapped and his friends must escape to the real world, while Gargamel teams up with his sorcerer brother Razamella to take over the world. In the original version, Rihanna voices Smurfette.
The Thursday Murder Club - on Netflix from August 28
The cast names alone make you want to join The Thursday Murder Club. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie star in this Netflix original based on the bestselling novel by Richard Osman. The story follows four unstoppable retirees who pass the time by investigating unsolved murder cases - until one day, a fresh case lands right in their laps.
