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Can you smell that? It’s the scent of a new month upon us – and with it, August brings a few more weeks of new movies and TV shows to stream at home.
This week’s must-watch list focuses primarily on four of the world’s top streaming services, three of which – Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV Plus – each have a few new releases coming out. If you’re a subscriber to any of the aforementioned three, you’ll definitely be getting your month’s worth over the next few days. But if you’re not, a new HBO documentary that recently debuted on Max might just tempt you.
But we digress. Here are the seven best new movies and series to watch during the first weekend of August. Enjoy!
The Umbrella Academy season 4 (Netflix)
“Come on, come all to this tragic affair…” Ah, there’s no song like My Chemical Romance’s “The End” to announce the beginning of, well, the end of a popular Netflix series. And that’s exactly the melody that’s playing over The Umbrella Academy Official season 4 trailer ahead of the final chapter of one of Netflix’s best series.
That’s right, The Umbrella Academy rides off into the sunset this weekend after four seasons of mixed quality. So, is the fourth and final installment worth watching? I suspect that Brellies worldwide will be tuning in, if only to see how the superhero series ends. For an idea of whether it’s a stormy conclusion to the five-year hit series, check out my spoiler-light review of The Umbrella Academy season 4. Oh, and if you’ve already watched it in one sitting, I’m sure you have some big questions you want answered, so check out my article explaining The Umbrella Academy the end of season 4 to unravel such lingering mysteries.
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Love is Blind UK (Netflix)
As a reality TV fan, I first heard that in March 2024 Love is blind When I went to the UK I was very excited. Love is blind is one of my top guilty pleasure shows on Netflix and had me hooked when the first series aired in 2020, although I’ve found the most recent seasons haven’t held my attention. So I’m hopeful that the UK remake will breathe new life into the show with some fresh relationship drama and heated confrontations.
The social experiment sees single men and women talk to each other in pods without seeing each other. They then see each other for the first time when they decide to get engaged, based purely on their conversations. At the end of the program, we will see if they say yes or no at the altar. Whether you believe love is blind or not, one thing is for sure: this scandalous twist on a dating show is addictive to watch with all the tears, tantrums and love triangles.
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
The Instigators (Apple TV Plus)
While Apple TV Plus is widely regarded as a sci-fi TV show utopia, I’m looking forward to seeing Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in the new buddy comedy film The instigators. Damon and Affleck play unlikely partners Rory and Cobby, who pull off a heist together.
Apple TV Plus consistently hits the nail on the head when it comes to high-quality content (check out our guide to the best Apple TV Plus movies for proof of that), so I’m excited to see how the streamer ventures into the uncharted waters of comedy thrillers. I’m sure it’ll pay off!
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
Yo Gabba Gabba Land! (Apple TV Plus)
Yo Gabba GabbaLand! is Apple’s latest family-friendly offering, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to keep the kids entertained on the weekend. In this series, beloved characters Muno, Foofa, Plex, Brobee and Toodee, and magician Kammy Kam blend early childhood milestones with play and popular music.
It’s colorful, fun, and age-appropriate. If you think it looks familiar, that’s because it’s a reboot of the original Daytime Emmy Award-winning series Yo Gabba Gabba!, which can be viewed at YouTube. There are over 1,000 videos featuring songs and special guests like Jack Black! One to add to our guide to the best Apple TV Plus shows? Don’t rule it out.
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Industry season 3 (Max)
It’s been two years since we last saw the young graduates working at fictional London investment firm Pierpoint & Co. Industry, also called one of the best Max shows, but it won’t be long before season 3 of the HBO drama begins House of the Dragon season 2 primetime spot on Max on Sunday 11 August. Expect all of the show’s main characters to return, including Yasmin (Marisa Abela), Robert (Harry Lawtey), Harper (Myha’la) and Eric (Ken Leung), as well as new faces – the biggest being Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) who will replace eccentric billionaire Jesse Bloom from Season 2 as the new CEO of a green technology company.
I really enjoyed the first two seasons of this fast-paced, stylish series, mainly because of its courage to tackle a subject that would make most people glaze over. It’s similar to the financial drama Billions but aimed at a younger audience who like to watch programs like Euphoria, so you can expect to find references to real stories from Wall Street that have made headlines in recent years, such as the GameStop short squeeze, mixed in with a lot of debauchery. Say it with me now: “buy the dip, short the Vix and…” well, you know the rest (or better yet, go find out for yourself if you don’t).
Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
In summary: Who killed Lyric and Elizabeth? (Max)
If you need a new true crime series to watch, Summary: Who killed Lyric and Elizabeth? is a three-part docuseries that focuses on the haunting 2012 double abduction of two cousins who disappeared in Iowa. The shocking story is brought to life by first-time filmmaker and former news photographer who worked on the case, Dylan Sire.
I am not familiar with this case, so I am interested in watching it, especially since someone who knows the case well directed the docuseries. The bodies of both children were found 24 miles from their home, and as of 2024, the case is still open and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation continues to review tips and potential leads.
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
The Mallorca Files season 3 (Prime Video)
If you’ve been perusing the list of everything new on Prime Video in August 2024, you’ve probably noticed that the lighthearted crime drama Mallorca files returned to Amazon’s main streamer today (August 8). Unlike the other two returning series on this list, the show is more of a quirky, feel-good viewing experience – so don’t expect a dark, gritty crime series like Line of duty or Blue lights. You won’t find much debauchery here indeed (switch to Max to watch Industry (if you’re looking for something more exciting).
I haven’t seen the previous two seasons of the show, which don’t have Rotten Tomatoes scores, so you won’t find it on our list of the best Prime Video shows , but judging by the limited number of reviews online, it was relatively well-received, with many noting it as one of the BBC’s most popular daytime viewers. Watching the trailer, I think one of the biggest draws is the stunningly sunny Spanish backdrop, which I can’t get enough of in films like The Talented Mr. Ripley (not the neo-noir Netflix TV adaptation).
Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
For more streaming recommendations, check out our guides on the best Netflix movies , best Disney Plus shows , best Paramount Plus movies , and best Hulu shows .
