10 most essential streaming releases for August 2024
Most of the northern hemisphere is winding down for a well-earned summer break this month, and that goes for TV and film studios, too. Aside from the Venice Film Festival, which is mostly an event for industry insiders, there are few brand-new releases streaming this month.
Netflix and Amazon Prime are uploading dozens of syndicated cinematic classics and easy-to-watch movies for lazy summer days, while other streaming platforms are keeping most of their big guns in reserve for the autumn. That being said, there are a few nuggets to look out for, the most important of which we’ve listed below.
Whether it’s the fourth season premiere of Steve Martin’s fictional true-crime comedy Only Murders in the Building or Jeff Goldblum’s turn as a modern-day Zeus, there’s still plenty of original programming worth checking out. Not to mention an array of superb independent movies on the specialist platform Mubi, and the odd forgotten cinematic gem working its way onto the small screen for the first time.
August might not be the busiest month for big series and film releases, but it can be just the right time to discover a new favourite show or cult classic if we look in the right places.
The 10 streaming releases to watch this month:
American Graffiti (Prime Video) – August 1st
George Lucas’s work is often reduced to the magnificence of his biggest productions. The mind behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones is more than just a blockbuster merchant, though. His wonderful piece American Graffiti, starring Ron Howard, among others, is one of his finer efforts and deserves the renewed attention it will no doubt receive when landing on Amazon Prime this month.
A classic movie based on the idyllic cruising scene of the early 1960s, the picture is absolutely dripping with nostalgia. That feeling extends beyond the backdrop of rock and roll classics to the young cast of Howard, Harrison Ford, and Richard Dreyfuss. A return to our streaming screens means this Lucas project is being given the ample room it deserves for a welcomed reappraisal. You’ll find what’s under the hood is well worth revving up.
La Chimera (Mubi) – August 1st
After the success of Challengers, Josh O’Connor is the name to note of the moment. But his spirit truly shines through in Alice Rohrwacher’s period piece La Chimera. Starring the actor as a British looter caught up in an international network of stolen artwork, O’Connor’s comedic timing is matched by his softness and heart for a tender watch. Alongside Isabella Rossellini, the new superstar and seasoned legend make this film something truly special.
The film was selected for the 2023 Palme d’Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival and has already been raking in awards around the film festival circuit. Powered by a genuinely gripping plotline but filmed with stunning artistic flair, it’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is entertaining.
On the Road (Mubi) – August 1st
Jack Kerouac’s 1957 text is one of the all time great American novels. It’s an essential read for literature lovers and one of the foundational texts that the Beat movement and the generations of writers they inspired are built on. But even beyond books, the impact of Kerouac and his crowd spills over into art, music and film, especially in this 2012 film adaptation.
Adaptations of classic books are tricky. Sometimes, a text is too meaty and too nuanced to be adequately translated into a neat two-hour flick. But Walter Salles managed it as On The Road captures the freedom, confusion and adventurous spirit of the source text. Starring Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley as the double act of Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise, who represent the real-life figures of Neal Cassady and Kerouac himself, their chemistry carries this story with lush cinematography to match.
Robot Dreams (Mubi) – August 16th
Don’t let this film fool you. What appears to be a fun little animated movie on the surface is an emotional rollercoaster of a masterpiece. Without a single word uttered throughout the whole film, the story of a lonely dog needs nothing more than a beautiful score to reduce even the coldest of hearts to tears.
It’s a tale of friendship, letting go and care. In New York City in the 1980s, Dog buys himself a robot companion who transforms his life into one of confidence and joy. But when the two get separated, the film asks the question of how hard you should cling to someone or whether letting go is the key to happiness. There won’t be a dry eye in the room by the time this beautifully made cartoon hits its finale.
The Falling (Mubi) – August 16th
Florence Pugh is now a bonafide star. With roles in Dune, Oppenheimer, Little Women and Midsommar, she’s raking up an incredibly impressive resume with work alongside some of the world’s biggest directors. But it all began in 2014 when the then-unknown actor was cast in Carol Morley’s mystery drama.
The film centres on two best friends, Lydia and Abbie, played by Maisie Williams and Pugh. Through a series of dark and twisted goings on, their all-girls school is hit with a plague of fainting fits. The gothic drama is what first introduced Pugh’s star power to the world, thanks to her gripping performance here. The role would have been no easy undertaking for even an established actor, so for this to be Pugh’s feature film debut, it’s like witnessing her path to greatness be paved.
Gangs of London, Seasons 1-2 (Netflix) – August 19th
If you’ve ever found yourself wearing a flat cap and shaving the sides of your head beyond the ear, then chances are you will love the Peaky Blinders-adjacent brilliance of Gangs of London. While the former was based on the gruesome period between the two World Wars, this series focuses mainly on the battles raging around London’s underworld in the modern day.
The series begins with the assassination of Finn Wallace, the city’s most powerful crime boss, sparking a brutal power struggle. Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole leads as Finn’s heir, determined to uncover his father’s killer while navigating dangerous alliances and rival factions. It’s a tale as old as crime and delivers heaps of intense confrontations, quick wit and everything in between. It’s a must-see piece of television.
Pachinko, Season 2 (Apple TV) – August 23rd
Based on Min Jin Lee’s acclaimed novel, Pachinko returns for a highly-anticipated second season. The series continues to follow the multi-generational story of a Korean family living in Japan. The first edition of the story was a foundational tale, delivering backstory and intrigue at every turn. Season two delves deeper into the complexities of identity, resilience, and the immigrant experience against the backdrop of historical turmoil.
The stellar cast, including Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Min-ho, and Jin Ha, looks set to bring nuanced performances that capture the struggle of their characters and the emotional bond they all share because of it. Visually stunning and emotionally rich, Pachinko intertwines personal and political narratives, offering a profound reflection on family and survival.
Only Murders in the Building, Season 4 (Hulu / Disney+) – August 27th
The beloved mystery-comedy series returns for its fourth season this month. With ten more episodes coming, there will be plenty more antics for Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez’s true-crime-obsessed characters to fall into, with Meryl Streep also returning.
Ever since the show, created by Steve Martin, first aired in 2021, it’s gained both critical acclaim and commercial success. It has been nominated for almost every TV prize a show can pick up, making it one of the most successful shows in recent history. A year on since the release of the third season, this new instalment has been highly anticipated, but the wait is finally over as it lands on Hulu and Disney+ in late August.
KAOS (Netflix) – August 29th
There is something about the words “Jeff Goldblum” and “Greek mythology” that, though rarely uttered together, feel totally intrinsic. KAOS is the new series bringing those two phrases together in a darkly comedic series from Netflix and End of the F**king World creator Charlie Covell.
The show promises to explore the usual themes of Greek mythology: power, revenge and love all through a modern lens. Boasting sharp writing, innovative storytelling, and irreverent humour, KAOS looks set to be a refreshing new addition to Netflix, offering both a new perspective on familiar stories and a critical reflection on today’s societal issues.
Crossing (Mubi) – August 30th
Identity in all it’s forms merge in Levan Akin’s stunning film, Crossing. Mzia Arabuli, Lucas Kankava and Deniz Dumanlı star in this emotive piece about a retired teacher attempting to find her estranged trans niece in Istanbul, Turkey. When she meets a lawyer fighting for trans rights this story about family is widened into an astonishing consideration of belonging.
Crossing is one of those films that leaves you thinking about it for hours, days, weeks and even months after. It poses so many questions and handles big topics with distinct intimacy and care. Just as the president of GLAAD recently called for more stories about the trans community to fill our screens, Crossing answers that beautifully.
