10 New Netflix Movies to Watch In August

Don’t know which new film to stream in August? Netflix has a string of new releases slated for your screen this month, from thrilling murder mysteries and summer romances to a hilarious canine story with a unique premise.

There are also a couple of foreign films with varying tropes, from musicals to poignant storylines, in store for you to explore and add to your watch list in August. Here’s all you need to know.

1

Thursday Murder Club

Based on the 2020 novel by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club is a murder mystery with a star-studded cast, featuring Pierce Brosnan (James Bond film series), Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi), and Celia Imrie (Bridget Jones film series). The plot, with a group of pensioners solving cold cases at the center, thickens when a real, live whodunit falls into their laps. The group works towards solving the murder of a property developer in a retirement village.

The film is directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone). The Thursday Murder Club has three sequels, with a fifth book slated to release this year.

2

My Oxford Year

My Oxford Year is a whirlwind romance tale set in the halls of the University of Oxford. It tells the story of Anna (Purple Hearts‘ Sofia Carson), an ambitious woman who sets sail from New York to the UK to pursue her lifelong dream. While studying at Oxford, she meets a charming and fun-loving Jamie (Queen Charlotte’s Corey Mylchreest) and they strike up a life-changing romance that alters everything.

My Oxford Year is based on a novel of the same name by Julia Whelan, which was adapted by Allison Burnett’s original screenplay, and directed by BAFTA winner Iain Morris.

3

Songs From the Hole

For a unique film, try Songs from the Hole, a documentary-visual album that uses mixed-media storytelling to tell the story of James “JJ’88” Jacobs. At 15, JJ’88 was incarcerated and struggled with healing, going on to compose songs while behind bars that capture the essence of his ordeal. Songs from the Hole documents his journey through animation, lyrical entries, narration, and dreams.

The film also contains 13 original tracks from the Songs from the Hole EP, written and recorded by JJ’88. The documentary originally premiered at SXSW 2024, going on to win several accolades.

4

Night Always Comes

Night Always Comes is a fast-paced crime thriller based on the novel, The Night Always Comes, by Willy Vlautin. The movie shows Lynette (The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Vanessa Kirby), a desperate woman on the verge of eviction in the Pacific Northwest, who does everything in her power to raise $25,000 in one night. How the night progresses, with a fast-approaching deadline and Lynette’s family’s safety on the line, is the main source of action in this intense film that also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh.

5

Fall for Me

Fall for Me is a steamy German romance film set on the scenic island of Majorca. The story revolves around Lilli, who travels to the island to visit her sister Valeria. She finds out her sister has been engaged to a charming man but remains cautious of him. Meanwhile, Lilli finds herself entangled with a mysterious club manager, Tom, who may not be all he seems. Lilli throws caution to the wind despite her nature, and has to figure out a dark secret before it’s too late.

Fall for Me is a summer watch with the complete package of sunny vibes, stunning locations, and a romance story with twists and turns.

6

Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II- The Ashes of Rage

The Ashes of Rage is the stunning sequel to the Netflix movie, Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, which was released in November last year. If you haven’t seen it, Phantom explores the journey of two young women who enter a feudal harem and encounter a supernatural force, while Ashes picks up after an intense showdown, this time set in the inner chambers of Ôoku (quarters of women connected to the reigning shōgun).

Although The Ashes of Rage was theatrically released in Japan, it will premiere worldwide for streaming on Netflix. This is the second film in a trilogy of Mononoke movies.

7

Abandoned Man

A foreign release you don’t want to miss out on this month is Abandoned Man (Metruk Adam), a Turkish drama about Baran, a man with a broken past. After being released from prison for a crime he did not commit, Baran is faced with building a new life while confronting his demons. He grapples with loss and takes care of his niece, Lidya, while trying to set up a repair shop.

Abandoned Man explores themes of family, second chances, and forgiveness through a powerful and emotional narrative.

8

Fixed

Fixed is an adult comedy animation film with a ridiculous plot that will have you hooked in seconds. Bull (voiced by The Out-Laws’ Adam Devine), a mutt, learns that his owners are planning to neuter him, so he gathers his friendly group of neighborhood dogs to go all out for a night of fun. Bull also wishes to confess his love for his show dog neighbor, Honey (voiced by Agatha All Along’s Kathryn Hahn), with the looming anxiety of his fate hovering over his head.

Fixed features quirky 2D animation and a canine protagonist whose human-like characteristics make him funnier. The film’s comedic tone is inspired by films like Dumb and Dumber, Young Frankenstein, and The Party, with direction from Emmy-winner Genndy Tartakovsky (Primal).

9

One Hit Wonder

Romance meets music in One Hit Wonder, a Filipino romance story about two singers who are trying to make it big in a demanding industry. Lorina and Entoy, two aspiring musicians, chase stardom in the 1990s Philippines, falling in love on and off the stage. The film joins Netflix’s recent releases of original Filipino content, including Sosyal Climbers, a rom-com released earlier this year, and Kontrabida Academy, a comedy film planned for a future release date.

10

An Honest Life

Based on the novel of the same name by Joakim Zander, An Honest Life is a Swedish thriller about an uninspired law student, Simon. When he goes to the city of Lund with expectations of a new chapter in his life, Simon meets Max, a young anarchist woman, during a violent protest, and falls in love. However, Simon soon finds himself caught in the web of a criminal network, with Max tying him down. Simon realizes that it may be too late to escape the mess he finds himself in.

An Honest Life premiered on July 31st, and explores themes of anarchy, classism, betrayal, and deceit.

If you want to stay updated on Netflix’s latest releases, be sure to enable notifications for the web and mobile apps. You can also use Netflix’s Tudum blog to scope new and upcoming releases or find titles that are similar to films or shows you’ve streamed.