These are the new shows and movies I’m pumped to stream in August
These are the new shows and movies I’m pumped to stream in August
A stacked murder mystery cast, a human-dog tearjerker, and a James Gunn series… August’s looking real good.
There’s a ton hitting the streamers this month, and August might be one of the strongest lineups we’ve seen in a while. There’s another big Prime Video action comedy I can’t wait to watch (they’ve been on fire lately), plus a new James Gunn series I’ll definitely be checking out after loving “Superman.” And while my taste usually leans more comedy, this month’s picks range from high-seas revenge stories to true-crime thrillers to sci-fi prequels from one of the most famous horror franchises ever. So if you’re looking for something fresh to stream, here are the shows and movies I’m seriously pumped about in August.
Top title on each streamer for the month of August, 2025:
‘Limitless: Live Better Now’ | Series | Disney+
Back when I was working in reality TV development, this is exactly the kind of show we’d have been pitching to networks. I love a great physical and mental challenge — and then you throw in a star like Chris Hemsworth? Yes please. “Limitless: Live Better Now” drops Friday, Aug. 15 on Disney+, and this new version sends Hemsworth into three extreme experiments designed to boost brainpower, mental strength, and longevity. Whether he’s scaling a 600-foot frozen cliff or getting put through brutal Special Forces training, this one checks all the boxes.
Limitless with Chris Hemsworth
Chris is on a mission to live better for longer. With the help of top scientists, he takes on six epic challenges to test mind and body to the max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 | Series | HBO Max
This is James Gunn’s second massive release in just a few months following the hit “Superman,” which I absolutely loved. Now he’s back on the small screen with “Peacemaker” Season 2, and I’m all in. The new season kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 21, on HBO Max, with episodes dropping weekly at 9 p.m. ET. This time around, Peacemaker stumbles into an alternate world that seems perfect… until it forces him to confront everything he’s been running from. Gunn wrote every episode and directed the premiere, and it’s shaping up to be just as sharp, unhinged, and unexpectedly emotional as the first season.
Peacemaker
The continuing story of Peacemaker, a vainglorious superhero/supervillain who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill. After a miraculous recovery from his duel with Bloodsport, Peacemaker soon discovers that his freedom comes at a price.
‘Nautilus’ | Series | AMC+
I’ve always loved a good revenge story, and “Nautilus” goes full steam ahead. It’s a wild twist on “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” with Shazad Latif playing Captain Nemo — not as a myth, but as a pissed-off prince who steals a prototype submarine and sets out for treasure and vengeance. The vibe is gritty and adventurous, with a ragtag crew, underwater showdowns, and a ruthless enemy chasing them down. If you’re into high-seas drama with a sci-fi edge, this is definitely worth diving into. It finishes up with the Season Finale on August 17.
Nautilus
The origin story of the iconic Captain Nemo: an Indian Prince robbed of his birthright and family, a prisoner of the East India Mercantile Company and a man bent on revenge against the forces that have taken everything from him.
‘The Phoenician Scheme’ | Movie | Peacock
One of the best things about Peacock is how it picks up these big movies (if they’re from Universal) and drops them straight to streaming… perfect for someone like me who sees a lot in theaters (shout out to Regal Unlimited), but still manages to miss a few. That’s exactly what happened with “The Phoenician Scheme,” which just started streaming July 25. I caught last month’s “Drop” the same way! This one’s a Wes Anderson film with a twistier, more globetrotting vibe than usual. Benicio del Toro plays a ruthless European tycoon who survives an assassination attempt, then ends up on a wild international trip with his estranged daughter (Mia Threapleton) and her oddball tutor (Michael Cera). Can’t wait!
The Phoenician Scheme
Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
‘Platonic’ Season 2 | Series | Apple TV+
I love both Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, and Season 1 of “Platonic” had me at friendship. It’s honestly so refreshing to see a guy and girl just… be friends, without all the “will they/won’t they” drama. The dynamic between these two is chaotic in the best way, and I’m super excited to see what kind of messes they stumble into in Season 2. The new season premieres Wednesday, Aug. 6 on Apple TV+, and it sounds like things are only getting messier — with weddings, work crises, and new relationships all crashing into their not-so-stable midlife lives. Plus, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, and Beck Bennett are popping in as guest stars? Count me in.
Platonic
A platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife reconnect after a long rift. The duo’s friendship becomes more consuming—and destabilizes their lives in a hilarious way.
‘Alien: Earth’ | Series | Hulu
I love this universe, so I’m pretty pumped they’re finally turning “Alien” into a full-blown TV series. “Alien: Earth” is set just two years before the original 1979 film, and it’s the first time the franchise has made the jump to TV — exclusively on Hulu. The story kicks off when a corporate research ship crashes to Earth, unleashing a deadly threat that’s been kept under wraps. A ragtag group of soldiers and a half-human, half-robot named Wendy are all that stands between survival and global disaster. It’s dark, dystopian, and looks like it’s going to be just as intense as the movies. The two-episode premiere lands Tuesday, August 12.
Alien: Earth
When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.
‘The Thursday Murder Club’ | Movie | Netflix
I love a murder mystery comedy (easily one of my favorite genres) and with a cast this stacked, I’m seriously excited for “The Thursday Murder Club.” Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie? Say less. Based on Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, this one follows a group of retirees who casually solve cold cases for fun… until a murder happens at their own retirement home and suddenly the mystery gets a little too real. It’s directed by Chris Columbus and drops Thursday, Aug. 28 on Netflix. Can’t wait to see this group crack jokes and crack the case (sorry, I had to).
The Thursday Murder Club
A group of senior sleuths passionate about solving cold cases get plunged into a real-life murder mystery in this comic crime caper.
‘The Friend’ | Movie | Paramount+
As a dog owner myself (though let’s be honest, my dog sees me as her “adopted” dad — my wife already had her when I came into the picture), I’m a total sucker for a human-dog bonding movie. That’s why I’m really excited to see “The Friend,” which drops Sunday, Aug. 25 on Paramount+. Naomi Watts plays Iris, a New York writer whose quiet life gets flipped upside down when her late mentor (played by Bill Murray) leaves her his Great Dane. At first, she’s overwhelmed, but the two slowly form a bond that takes her on a much deeper emotional journey. It’s about grief, healing, and connection, and yeah… I’m probably going to cry.
The Friend
New York City writer Iris finds her comfortable, solitary life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor bequeaths her a Great Dane named Apollo. The huge dog immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with Apollo, she begins to come to terms with her past, and her own creative inner life.
‘The Pickup’ | Movie | Prime Video
Action comedies are one of my favorite genres, and Prime Video is absolutely owning this lane right now. I just watched “Heads of State” and “Deep Cover,” and both were really funny — so I’m already hyped for “The Pickup,” which drops Wednesday, Aug. 6. Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson team up as armored-truck drivers who get ambushed by a crew of serious criminals, led by Keke Palmer’s character Zoe. She’s a mastermind with way bigger plans than just grabbing a few stacks of cash. What starts as a routine pickup turns into a wild casino-level heist, and these two can’t stop bickering long enough to figure out if they’re hostages or accidental accomplices. Chaos, banter, and explosions with comedy legends? Let’s go!
The Pickup
A routine cash pickup takes a wild turn when mismatched armored truck drivers Russell and Travis are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by savvy mastermind Zoe.