10 Must-Watch Movies Coming Out In August 2026
July has come and gone with record-breaking box office hits like The Odyssey (2026), and now, with August finally here, we're slowly gearing closer to the spooky season with salt air at the end of the summer. There aren't as many huge films this month, but there are a lot more quieter gems that could undoubtedly be sleeper hits to thrust us into the more cozier seasons.
August movies are full of a lot more horror than before; we've got a rom-com, and even one more kids movie to end the summer with. As the weather continues to be way too hot everywhere, the movie theater remains the best place to get AC. Here are all the movies you can look forward to all month long.
August 7
If you've ever listened to the ice cream truck's music and wondered, that actually sounds a little creepy (and annoying), you aren't alone. Someone else out there believes in the horrors behind it, making Ice Cream Man a horror movie that's not to be missed if you're a fan of the genre.
Directed by actor Eli Roth, who's behind films like Thanksgiving, it's sure to traumatize the inner child in you and ruin the concept of an ice cream truck forever. The poster alone looks wildly creepy, and if the director's past credits are any indication, this one has potential to be a solid winner for the horror community.
August 7
We'll always be seated for some kind of a rom-com, especially if it gets a theatrical release, and that's the case with One Night Only starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Presumably, the movie is supposed to be like The Purge, but in this universe, characters are forbidden from having sex apart from one night of the year.
The premise sounds wildly absurd, and it can be a total flop, but two pretty people in a rom-com is something that I'll always take. In addition, there's still plenty of potential for something with a more unique plot, and their chemistry already looks endearing from the trailer.
August 7
Wherever Gillian Anderson goes, we'll follow. Seated at the theaters before the credits even begin because The X-Files (1993) star is that iconic. But she isn't alone in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Starring alongside Hannah Einbinder, Patrick Fischler, Eva Victor, Zach Cherry, and more, it's sure to be one of the most gloriously campy movies of the year. Pun intended, yes.
The official synopsis reads: "A director making a slasher sequel becomes obsessed with casting the original film's 'final girl,' leading both women into psychological and sexual chaos." And if that doesn't sound like a guaranteed hit with this cast, then I don't know what does. We're in for a bumpy ride that's sure to start us off with plenty of conversations in August.
August 14
The year 2026 belongs to Anne Hathaway, and she's back for another movie this summer, as we continue to bask in the glory of seeing her prowess everywhere. This time, she stars alongside Ewan McGregor, so yes, please. The End of Oak Street seems to be about a cosmic event that'll bring dinosaurs to the mix with humans, and as another movie that sounds wildly absurd, it could very well be tremendous.
The trailers make it seem like something most adult audiences could handle outside of the horrors on this list, and this one already looks riveting from the trailers. If nothing else, seeing the queen of Genovia and Obi-Wan Kenobi paired up is a dream for me, personally.
August 14
As summer comes to an end, kids get one more movie before they're back in school, and that's Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie. Typically, the Paw Patrol movies tend to provide plenty of entertainment, and they can easily result in a fun time in theaters to give kids something to look forward to. (And maybe parents can nap through them, who knows.)
There are a few dinosaur movies coming out this month, but this one really is the safest one for kids. It'd certainly help if kids are fans of Paw Patrol, but even if they aren't, these movies tend to make it easy for people to just jump in and enjoy the ride regardless of how much they've seen.
August 21
As the title, Insidious: Out of the Further, suggests, this chapter will follow a mother who can travel to The Further and also bring back what lives there to the real world. The Insidious films are typically big in the horror community and not at all scaredy-cat friendly, so this one already looks sinister based on the trailers alone.
It's unclear how the film will perform compared to the others we've had in the past, but generally, these movies are still something that'll be worth checking out for fans of the genre. 2026 thus far has been big with newer directors making headlines for the genre, so who knows how this film can be with Jacob Chase at the helm.
August 21
The moment I watched Dominic Sessa in The Holdovers (2023), it was clear that there's something special about his acting chops. He feels like a man out of time, which is why he's so perfect to embody someone as legendary as the renowned Anthony Bourdain in Tony. The A24 film is set to follow Bourdain while he's new to the industry, and that alone sounds promising.
Biopics are always on the more challenging end when it comes to creating a film that honors someone, but if nothing else, we can be positive that Sessa's performance will be incredible. Based on what we've seen from him, he's sure to honor Bourdain with nuance, layers, and care.
August 28
Unlike Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, Buddy certainly isn't one to take your kids to. This isn't Barney & Friends (1992), nor is it safe enough for people who might be scaredy-cats. If you don't love slasher movies, stay far away. The film will presumably be about kids who get trapped with their favorite unicorn only to learn that he's much darker than they know.
The month of August is certainly big on horror, and it'll be really interesting to see what movie takes the cake as the best one. With different sub-genres within the horror space, it's already fascinating to see how many different things are coming, and Buddy definitely looks like it could be bonkers in a great way.
August 28
The once-shelved Coyote vs. Acme is finally releasing in August, and while there aren't early reviews, various early social sentiments from critics are already praising the film. If you loved any variation of the Looney Tunes (1929) growing up, it's hard to imagine not having an appreciation for the Road Runner, Wile E.
With a fantastic cast featuring John Cena, Will Forte, Luis Guzmán, Lana Condor, and more, the film has so much potential to be as exceptional as the original Space Jam (1996). More than anything, if you're someone who values creativity and filmmaking as a whole, this specific movie is the one to go to the theaters for in order to ensure that executives see how people are willing to go out of their way to support artistry. Its release is also a hopeful reminder that no one's work should ever be shelved, and it's gratifying that we finally get to see it.
August 28
The end of the month also comes with a dystopian sci-fi that sounds like it could be perfect for fans of The Last of Us (2023). The official synopsis for The Dog Stars reads: "In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus wipes out humanity. Survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Protagonist Hig, a pilot, survived the flu but lost his wife."
Starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, Josh Brolin and more, the Ridley Scott-directed feature could be an early contender for the awards circuit. It seems gritty and dark judging by the trailers, and knowing what each of these actors is capable of as well as Scott's vision, The Dog Stars has great potential for an excellent film that most frequent movie-goers can enjoy.
