Look, I'm not saying August is a cinematic wasteland. I'm just saying it's usually the month where studios dump the stuff they're not sure about, or the weird little indie films finally make it to your couch. It's a messy, unpredictable time. Which, honestly? Makes it kind of my jam. The streaming services are rolling out a bunch of stuff this month, a real hodgepodge of horror sequels, A24 fantasy, and Genndy Tartakovsky going… well, going full Genndy. After sifting through the noise, I've pulled out my top picks for what you actually need to watch. And yeah, I've got some other things you should check out, too.
So grab a cold one, or a hot one, or whatever you need. We've got work to do.
Top 10 New Streamers for August
The Monkey (Hulu, August 7)
You had me at Osgood Perkins. You really did. The man gave us The Blackcoat's Daughter, which is a quiet, atmospheric masterpiece. Now he's tackling a Stephen King short story about a demonic toy monkey that bangs cymbals — no, wait, a drum, apparently. The trailer, with James Wan producing, is pure nightmare fuel. This looks like a film that's both cruelly clever and has a sick sense of humor. It's got that '80s B-movie vibe, and I'm all in. It's a fantastic new trip from the writer/director of Longlegs. Just, don't leave your old toys in the attic, for god's sake.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (HBO Max, August 1)
Fourteen years. It's been fourteen years since we saw a Final Destination flick. Was it worth the wait? Maybe. The series' original boogeyman, Death itself, is back, and this time, it's got a mean streak. The reviews suggest the kills are more vicious, more personal. It's a fantastic jumping-on point for new fans, and the faithful are well taken care of. Jon Watts from Spider-Man: No Way Home co-wrote this, and it looks like a blast. A glorious, gory, Rube Goldberg machine of death. I laughed. I sighed. I checked my watch. And I'm ready to watch it again.
Freaky Tales (HBO Max, August 8)
I caught this at Sundance earlier this year, and man, what a ride. A madcap 1987 Oakland-set anthology told in four loosely connected chapters. There's a punk vs. Nazi turf war, a rap battle, Pedro Pascal as a world-weary enforcer, and a whole lot of weird. It's all over the map, a collision of tones that doesn't always land, but when it does? It's electric. It feels like a comic book brought to life. A very, very bloody comic book. Don't expect Pulp Fiction. Expect glorious chaos.
Clown in a Cornfield (Shudder, August 8)
This one has “future cult classic” written all over it. Based on the Adam Cesare novel, this slasher subverts your expectations with a few clever plot twists. It's about a town where the adults decide to murder the “disobedient” teenagers. I mean, what could go wrong? It's a solid slasher for beginners. The killer's shoes squeak, for Christ's sake. It's a nice change of pace from the grim, gritty stuff. I'm not saying it's high art, but it's a hell of a lot of fun.
The Legend of Ochi (HBO Max, August 15)
A24 doing a family fantasy film? I'll admit I was skeptical. But this looks like a charming throwback to '80s adventure movies like The Neverending Story. It's got impressive puppetry, not an ounce of CGI manipulation, they say. And Willem Dafoe in the mix? Yes, please. He's the raging fury at the film's center. It's consistently impressive to simply look at. While the story might be a bit thin, the visual flourishes and the palpable love for practical effects make it one to watch.
Fixed (Netflix, August 13)
Genndy Tartakovsky. R-rated comedy. A dog discovers he's going to be neutered and goes on one last adventure with his buddies. What was that? Seriously. This is the guy who gave us Samurai Jack and Hotel Transylvania. Now he's making a raunchy, adult animated comedy that premiered at Annecy International Film Festival. It's a blend of outrageous humor and sharp animation, with an unexpectedly heartfelt story about friendship and identity. I'm intrigued. And slightly disturbed.
Conclave (Prime Video, August 9)
Ralph Fiennes in a political thriller set inside the Vatican as the cardinals elect a new Pope. You can't go wrong with this premise. The movie is a crackling, fast-moving thriller about ambition and manipulation. It's smart, provocative, and beautifully shot. The final twist might be a bit much, but the performances and dialogue crackle like electricity.
Eenie Meenie (Hulu, August 22)
A heist thriller with a solid cast including Samara Weaving? I'm in. Weaving is a talent, and this looks like a lean, mean genre flick. Sometimes you just want a straightforward, high-stakes thriller that doesn't reinvent the wheel. And sometimes, that's exactly what you get.
The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix, August 28)
Based on the popular novel, this one looks like a pleasant, cozy mystery. Not my usual speed, but sometimes you just need to slow down and let some British pensioners solve a murder. I'm a sucker for a good whodunit, and the cast here is top-notch.
The Pickup (Prime Video, August 6)
A heist movie starring Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson. What a combo. Look, it's not going to be Heat, but there's a good chance it'll be a fun, harmless action-comedy. Sometimes that's all you need. Sometimes that's all you get.
What to Watch Next: 10 Other Recommendations
Since we're here and you're still reading, let's talk about a few other films I've got on my radar. These are not on streaming yet, but they're out there, and they're worth tracking down.
28 Years Later
Danny Boyle is back to the well. We're going back to the zombie virus, or “infected,” or whatever. Let's just say I've got high hopes. The original was a game changer, and the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, was… well, we don't talk about that one.
M3GAN 2.0
A sequel to the delightfully unhinged first film. The first one had some sharp satire, this one apparently leans more into the sci-fi action. It's a fun popcorn flick.
Wolf Man
Leigh Whannell is at the helm. That's all you need to know. The man gave us The Invisible Man. This will be good.
Predator: Badlands
The Predator franchise, a series that has seen some nonsense, is back. I'm always hopeful, and Prey was surprisingly great. Let's see if they can catch lightning in a bottle twice.
Death of a Unicorn
This one looks bizarre. A creature feature where horned horses act like oversized raptors. It's messy, it tries to say too much, but it's a lot of fun.
The Gorge
A high-concept sci-fi romance starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller. I'm there.
Ash
Sci-fi horror with a killer premise: a woman wakes up alone in a space station and her crew has been murdered. This feels like a classic Alien-style thriller waiting to happen.
Until Dawn
An adaptation of the popular horror video game. The game was a blast. Let's hope the film can capture that same energy and dread.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro. Oscar Isaac. Jacob Elordi. Need I say more?
Weapons
Zach Cregger's follow-up to Barbarian. It's a horror film with a star-studded cast and a lot of buzz. I'm ready to be terrified.
So there you have it. August isn't just about endless summer reruns. It's a mixed bag of genre films, festival darlings, and some truly weird stuff. Dive in. You might be surprised.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to rewatch the original Final Destination just to feel something.
