The best movies new to Netflix, Max, Prime, and Hulu this August

As a lifelong cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the magical world of cinema, I can confidently say that Tim Burton’s early works, particularly “Beetlejuice,” have left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. His unique blend of humor, horror, and visual storytelling is a testament to his artistic genius.

Ah, August is here at last, marking the approach of the final chapters in our summer story as we prepare for the captivating arrival of autumn. This month promises an array of thrilling premieres that have me buzzing with anticipation! For instance, M. Night Shyamalan’s spine-tingling horror offering, “Trap,” is on my radar, along with the highly-anticipated video game adaptation, “Borderlands.”

If you’re searching for top-notch movies to stream at home this August, relax. We’ve already sifted through the options, so you don’t have to. We’ve prepared a list of the best new movies hitting streaming services this month. It includes a classic comedy featuring the iconic Leslie Nielsen, the debut of the latest Planet of the Apes franchise installment on streaming platforms, a timeless masterpiece by Paul Thomas Anderson, and many more exciting titles!

Here are the movies new to streaming services you should watch this month.

Editor’s pick: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

Watch Here: Prime Video

Some comedies are amusing due to an intricate mix of a flawless script and perfectly chosen performers, making them seem like a rare, once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that couldn’t be replicated. On the other hand, there are comedies where some of the funniest individuals in the industry happened to be companions, managed to persuade a studio to finance their film, and it seems as though almost everything they say is side-splittingly funny. “The Naked Gun” fits squarely into this latter group.

Written by David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Pat Proft, “The Naked Gun” is a witty spoof of police dramas, featuring a range of absurdities such as a gathering of America’s most formidable adversaries, an assassination attempt on the queen, and even some unexpected scenes from O.J. Simpson, then primarily recognized for his fame in football. The film abounds with preposterous and uproarious humor, but it is Leslie Nielson’s brilliantly dry comedic performance that truly makes it shine, cementing him as one of comedy’s all-time greats. -Austen Goslin

New on Netflix

The Deer King

Genre: Imaginative journey of exploration

“Originating from several former Studio Ghibli artists, ‘The Deer King’ is an animated adaptation of a fantasy novel series, evoking a mature take on the theme of ‘Princess Mononoke’. This anime saga feels like it was crafted with older viewers in mind.”

From our colleague Tasha Robinson’s recommendation of the movie:

The visual style is equally opulent and majestic. Dramatic scenes such as the mine escape interchange with slower, meticulously crafted sequences depicting everyday life for people who are far from the conflict and can live beyond it. It’s a captivating film: At its peak, it surpasses other anime fantasies of recent decades in terms of complexity, vision, and mature themes, and it is visually stunning. Even when it falters, it’s due to an excess of ambition rather than a lack thereof.

New on Hulu

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Genre: Sci-fi action
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand

Over the past few decades, the prequel series of the Planet of the Apes movies has been both widely loved and underrated. The finale of the story, War for the Planet of the Apes, released in 2019, seemed to bring Caesar’s tale to an end and wrap up the series nicely. However, this year’s new installment has turned out to be a delightful continuation that many didn’t expect.

In contrast to the previous two films that primarily focused on gritty war stories between humans and apes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a captivating adventure movie. The narrative revolves around Noa (Owen Teague), a young ape whose tribe is taken by an ape ruler named Proximus (Kevin Durand). Joined by companions such as Caesar’s disciple (Peter Macon) and a young human (Freya Allen), Noa embarks on a journey across the post-human world, seeking to rescue his kin. Packed with action, humor, and heartwarming moments, this film is visually stunning. If Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes represents the direction for the series, then I eagerly look forward to its continued evolution. —AG

New on Max

Beetlejuice

Genre: Comedy horror
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton

As a longtime fan of Tim Burton’s unique style and twisted humor, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming sequel to “Beetlejuice” this September! Having grown up watching the original film multiple times, I vividly remember its eerie charm and delightful spookiness that has stayed with me over the years. It’s not every day that we get to revisit a classic that left such an indelible mark on our childhood imaginations. So, if you’re looking for some creepy, crawly fun this summer, I highly recommend giving the original “Beetlejuice” another watch before diving into its much-anticipated sequel.

The movie starred Michael Keaton as its trickster protagonist, serving as Burton’s sequel to his initial directorial work “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and a significant milestone for the 29-year-old director at the time. Burton’s unique style is evident throughout the film, with distorted, otherworldly hallways reminiscent of German Expressionism, chilling color lighting similar to giallo horror, and the bizarrely unsettling and humorous stop-motion claymation effects appearing in numerous scenes.

The remarkable commercial and critical acclaim of Tim Burton’s second movie paved the way for almost a decade of exceptional films from him, including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and others. If you’re seeking a comedy horror film brimming with distinctive visual style and an abundance of humor, or if you’re new to Tim Burton and wish to grasp his artistic flair, Beetlejuice is an excellent choice… I swear, isn’t he standing right behind me? —TE (Paraphrased)

New on Prime Video

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Genre: Sci-fi horror
Director: Don Siegel
Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates

Today, it’s surprisingly chilling to rewatch the 1956 film version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” The timeless science fiction tale about a town being replaced by alien duplicates is unsettling in itself, but the film’s real horror stems from the earliest reactions to the pod-people taking over. Witnessing the fear on people’s faces as they recognize that the person before them is no longer their beloved friend or soulmate is a unique kind of terror that continues to resonate nearly 70 years later. —AG

New on Criterion Channel

Magnolia

Genre: Drama
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore

Paul Thomas Anderson’s ensemble drama, “Magnolia,” showcases an exceptionally intense version of the concept known as “six degrees of separation” within the cinematic world. Featuring a vast array of talented actors such as Tom Cruise, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore, this film is a powerful exploration of comedy and tragedy that revolves around the lives of several individuals whose stories intertwine in surprising and coincidental ways. It delves into their heartaches, disillusionments, and personal triumphs as they navigate through their shared experiences.

Paul Thomas Anderson capitalized on the positive reputation he gained from his groundbreaking film “Boogie Nights” and used it as a foundation to produce an intricate and emotionally intense movie about love and life in the San Fernando Valley. This film, unlike anything else Anderson has made before or since, is both perplexing and unashamedly sincere. Additionally, it boasts a stunning score by Jon Brion and features several musical performances by Aimee Mann, whose music significantly influenced Anderson during scriptwriting. If you haven’t watched “Magnolia” yet, I strongly encourage you to find the time to watch it at least once. —TE

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2024-08-03 15:19