The 10 best movies to watch on Netflix this August
Every week, Netflix plays a little game of musical chairs when titles vanish into thin air while new ones burst through the saloon doors like gunslingers at noon. But when the new month rolls in? That’s when the streamer really puts on a show.
July strutted like a film festival on steroids, with cinematic chaos and blockbusters rubbing elbows, and just as many goodbyes as hellos. But then came August, kicking down the door with popcorn in one hand and plot twists in the other. While viewers might’ve signed up for a casual scroll, they walked into a full-blown movie marathon. Although it isn’t easy to keep up with Netflix, that’s where Best of Netflix swings in. Consider this your trusty compass in the whirlpool of ‘Just Added’, ‘Trending Now’, and ‘Leaving Soon’.
With August already stretching its legs, the month still has some serious screen time in store. And what way to power through than with stories that slap, stir, and straight-up leave you reeling? From films that punch you right in the feels to ones that toss you into nostalgia’s arms, we’ve lined up the ten best movies to watch on Netflix this month.
If your August marathon was in neutral, this could be your ignition key. Just press play and let the magic take you on a ride.
The 10 best movies on Netflix this August
Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
If you’re into comedies that stand the test of time, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray, should be on your watchlist. The 1990s classic tells the story of a weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But things start to get interesting when he is forced to relive February 2nd repeatedly, unable to free the shackles of an unexpected time loop.
Murray’s portrayal of Phil Connors and his transition from cynicism to betterment is a cinematic highlight. Despite being conceived on a unique premise, the plot as well as associated tropes have deeply ingrained themselves in popular culture and spawned many tributes. Groundhog Day masterfully explores the themes of personal growth, emphasising the importance of human connection. From iconic scenes to unforgettable dialogue, this 1993 movie packs a heartwarming punch of comedy, drama, and self-discovery.
Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975)
Netflix has given viewers several reasons to stay glued to their homepage this August, and Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking shark tale, Jaws, is surely one of them. Based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel, Jaws tells the story of police chief Martin Brody, who joins forces with a marine biologist and a professional shark hunter in order to stop the rampage of a man-eating great white at a New England summer resort town.
From commercial to streaming success, Jaws has been timeless. In case you want to make this a franchise marathon, Netflix has added the sequels as well, marking 50 years of the blockbuster.
Blow (Ted Demme, 2001)
Another crime drama that deserves to be on your attention this month is Blow. Directed by Ted Demme, the 2001 biographical flick is based on Bruce Porter’s 1993 book, Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All. The film is based on the real stories of US drug kingpin George Jung and his international network.
Although it’s one of the underrated titles streaming on Netflix, Blow really (if you’ll excuse the sort of pun) blew up as a modern crime classic on DVD. All the more reason to follow up on what all the rave reviews are about.
Happy as Lazzaro (Alice Rohrwacher, 2018)
If you want to watch something that leaves you reeling long after the credits roll, Happy as Lazzaro should be it. The 2018 Italian drama revolves around a meeting between Lazzaro and Tancredi, a guileless young peasant whose kindness is often misconstrued as naivety and a noble with an imagination that’s both a blessing and a curse.
Happy as Lazzaro is unlike anything you’ve seen before. It doesn’t just make you see; it insists that you lend an ear, too. The film explores the themes of class, privilege, and exploitation while seamlessly blending elements of realism, fantasy, comedy, and drama. From storytelling to direction, the film is aesthetically breathtaking in more ways than one.
Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, 1993)
Once you get comfy with Steven Spielberg’s brand of thriller, you’re bound to crave more, which Netflix totally gets. So, if the Jaws marathon still leaves you hungry, take a trip down to Jurassic Park, the movie that redefined the thriller genre. It was the ultimate springboard for conjuring a groundbreaking standard for visual effects, bringing dinosaurs to life in a way that was unprecedented at the time.
Jurassic Park is one of those Hollywood stories that needs no introduction. It beautifully tackles the themes of playing God, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of respecting nature. It’s one of the few movies that became a cultural phenomenon. Plus, more than one Jurassic Park title is available on Netflix. So, don’t hold back a franchise re-run.
Y Tu Mamá También (Alfonso Cuarón, 2001)
Alfonso Cuarón has breathed life into many such narratives that refuse to succumb to the influx of the contemporary cinematic landscape. One such tale is Y Tu Mamá También. The coming-of-age comedy-drama follows two teenagers, Julio and Tenoch, on their road trip with an older woman, Luisa. The narrative takes viewers on a road trip with multidimensional and complex characters to tell a one-of-a-kind story of friendship, identity and sexual awakening.
Simultaneously, it offers a poignant social commentary on Mexican society, politics, and culture, providing a nuanced POV of class, privilege, and social inequality. Then there’s Cuarón’s stylistic and stunning visuals, which add a layer of depth to the story. But even with juxtapositions, the film is armed with balanced humour and drama that feels easy and thought-provoking. So if you were a fan of Challengers and looking for more of the same, check this out to see where it started.
The Departed (Martin Scorsese, 2006)
Netflix’s August list is overloaded with blockbusters with substance, and it just dropped the Martin Scorsese Oscar-winning film, The Departed, to give you another page-turner in the realm of crime dramas. The 2006 film serves as the English-language remake of Internal Affairs and is based loosely on the Boston Winter Hill Gang.
The Departed walks a tightrope, delving into institutional failures in the face of deceptive frameworks, offering a story where criminals play cops and cops play criminals. Full of unforeseen twists and turns, the narrative consistently sets viewers on the edge of their seats. And even after two long decades, it remains incredibly culturally relevant today.
Us (Jordan Peele, 2019)
There are many pedigrees of horror, but nothing chills the spine more than a psychological one. So, if you want a terrific nail-biter this August, watch Lupita Nyong’o in Us. The 2019 film is conceived with an intriguing original premise—it follows Adelaide Wilson and her family, who must rise above the attacks of a group of notorious doppelgangers, ‘The Tethered’. The crux is groundbreaking and unsettling, considered a rather fresh take on the genre.
The use of doppelgangers represents the darker sides of human nature and the aftermath of social neglect. Jordan Peele does an excellent job with the visuals to create tension and suspense, but the biggest takeaways are his voice and perspective, making Us a standout film in the cultural landscape.
Past Lives (Celine Song, 2023)
There is something irresistibly captivating about the long-gone, and nobody captures yearning better on camera than Celine Song’s Past Lives. The romantic drama follows two childhood friends of over 24 years, exploring the nature of their friendship as they grow apart to live different lives. The Oscar-nominated film has been one of the most poignant offerings of contemporary cinema.
The visual play is a work of genius. Past Lives uses the art of distinction and difference through invisible lines, providing viewers with two moving perspectives. It explores the concepts of identity and love in the face of the most natural constant: time. It’s thought-provoking, hard-hitting, and emotionally resonant.
Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller, 2015)
The post-apocalyptic genre has many flagbearers in Tinseltown, but Mad Max: Fury Road has always been a class apart. Iconic set pieces, high-octane action sequences, stunning stunts, and the luscious colour grading, every aspect of the film is unforgettable. From a strong female lead to a powerful thematic crux, Fury Road is one of the most memorable rollouts of the last decade.
The post-apocalyptic world is vividly realised via its stunning production design and out-of-this-world cinematography. The film instils hope in a world gone mad, so if you’re still searching for “what to watch”, choose pulse-pounding comfort with this blockbuster.