12 Movies to Watch in August 2026, From ‘One Night Only’ to ‘The Dog Stars’

August’s theatrical calendar includes romantic comedies, franchise horror, family animation, original science fiction and one long-awaited Looney Tunes comeback.

August is traditionally treated as the bridge between Hollywood’s summer blockbusters and the beginning of the fall movie season. This year, however, the month still carries a crowded theatrical schedule spanning major studio releases, independent horror, action films and several projects built around recognizable filmmakers and stars.

The current North American calendar includes new releases from Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, Searchlight, Neon and 20th Century Studios. Release dates remain subject to change.

1. ‘One Night Only’ — August 7

Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner lead Will Gluck’s high-concept romantic comedy about Allie and Owen, two strangers who meet in a fictionalized New York City where single people are legally permitted to have sex only one night each year.

The unusual premise gives the film an immediate marketing hook, while Barbaro and Turner’s pairing makes it one of the month’s most visible star-driven comedies. Universal will release the film exclusively in theaters.

2. ‘Super Troopers 3’ — August 7

The Broken Lizard team returns for the third installment of its cult comedy franchise.

Jay Chandrasekhar directs and stars alongside Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske. The story follows the officers as a chaotic engagement involving Farva and Thorny’s sister overlaps with an investigation into a new drug ring. Brian Cox, Chace Crawford, Hannah Simone and Andrew Dismukes are among the supporting cast.

3. ‘Ice Cream Man’ — August 7

Eli Roth turns an idyllic summer town into a blood-soaked nightmare in Ice Cream Man.

The horror film follows a community descending into chaos after children consume treats distributed by a mysterious ice cream vendor and begin attacking the adults around them. Roth directs from a screenplay co-written with Noah Belson, with Ari Millen playing the title character. 

4. ‘The End of Oak Street’ — August 14

Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor confront dinosaurs in suburbia in the latest film from It Follows director David Robert Mitchell.

After a cosmic event removes Oak Street from its familiar surroundings and transports the entire neighborhood somewhere unknown, the Platt family must remain together while navigating an increasingly dangerous new environment. Maisy Stella and Christian Convery play the family’s children, while J.J. Abrams is among the producers. 

5. ‘PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie’ — August 14

The PAW Patrol franchise combines rescue missions with dinosaurs in its third theatrical feature.

After a storm strands the pups on an uncharted island, they meet the dinosaur expert Rex and discover that Mayor Humdinger is attempting to exploit the island’s natural resources. His mining operation triggers a dormant volcano, forcing the team into a series of prehistoric rescues. 

6. ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’ — August 14

Matthew McConaughey returns to a leading theatrical role as Amziah King, an Oklahoma beekeeper, bluegrass musician and local business owner.

When his estranged foster daughter returns, Amziah sees an opportunity to rebuild their relationship and establish a family business. Those plans are threatened by rivals within the region’s unexpectedly ruthless honey industry. Andrew Patterson directs a cast that also includes Angelina LookingGlass, Cole Sprouse, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori and Kurt Russell.

7. ‘Insidious: Out of the Further’ — August 21

The Insidious universe returns with a new family and a dangerous expansion of its supernatural mythology.

Amelia Eve plays Gemma, a mother who discovers that she can travel into the Further. Her ability becomes considerably more dangerous when she realizes she can also bring its inhabitants back into the living world. Lin Shaye reprises her role as Elise Rainier, while Jacob Chase directs from his own screenplay. 

8. ‘It Ends’ — August 21

Four recent college graduates take a late-night drive and accidentally enter a road that appears to have no ending.

Alexander Ullom’s feature debut turns a simple road-trip premise into an existential horror story as the friends confront strange forces surrounding the endless two-lane highway. Neon is giving the previously festival-screened film a wide theatrical release.

9. ‘Mutiny’ — August 21

Jason Statham heads to sea for another large-scale action thriller.

Statham plays Cole Reed, who boards a cargo ship while attempting to avenge the murder of his employer and becomes entangled in a wider international conspiracy. Plane director Jean-François Richet directs the Lionsgate release, which also stars Annabelle Wallis, Jason Wong, Roland Møller and Adrian Lester.

10. ‘Buddy’ — August 28

A beloved children’s television character becomes the center of a deeply unsettling horror film in Buddy.

The story follows a group of children trapped inside the colorful world of a seemingly wholesome television program. When one child refuses to participate, the cheerful environment begins breaking apart. Casper Kelly directs Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon and Patton Oswalt. 

11. ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ — August 28

After years of uncertainty surrounding its future, Coyote vs. Acme is finally reaching theaters.

The live-action and animated comedy follows Wile E. Coyote as he hires a lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation after enduring years of defective products during his pursuit of the Road Runner. Dave Green directs, with Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor and P.J. Byrne leading the human cast. Ketchup Entertainment is handling the theatrical release.

12. ‘The Dog Stars’ — August 28

Ridley Scott returns to post-apocalyptic science fiction with an adaptation of Peter Heller’s novel The Dog Stars.

Jacob Elordi plays Hig, a pilot living in an isolated compound with a survivalist named Bangley, played by Josh Brolin. A mysterious radio transmission persuades Hig to leave their protected existence in search of other survivors and the possibility of rebuilding a more human life.

Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney complete the ensemble. The film will also be presented in IMAX.

August does not revolve around one dominant genre or franchise. Its most prominent releases range from a theatrical Looney Tunes rescue mission and a Ridley Scott epic to an original romantic comedy, a dinosaur survival film and multiple forms of horror.

That variety gives the month several opportunities to produce unexpected breakouts before festivals and awards contenders begin taking over the conversation in September.

Joanthan P. Moustakas

Jonathan P. Moustakas founded The Cinema Group in 2020 during the challenges of the pandemic, after losing the vital ability to find community in theaters and escape through the captivating magic of cinema. Feeling profoundly cut off from the vibrant film community he cherished, he sought to create a welcoming home for dedicated cinema fans while providing engaging, daily curated content that resonates with their passions. Years later, The Cinema Group has blossomed from a small collective of loyal fans into a thriving brand that reaches millions of audiences every month across a diverse array of platforms and mediums.

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