TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - August kicks off with a multi-layered wave of excitement at the cinema. With something for every taste, some of the best films to see in cinema this August span vastly.
Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated, mysterious horror Weapons, and don’t miss the nostalgic return of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in Freakier Friday. And really, who could resist Austin Butler’s magnetic charm set against the gritty backdrop of ‘90s New York in Caught Stealing?
Citing various sources, here are the 10 best films to see in cinema this August:
1. Weapons
Zach Cregger’s horror success didn’t end with Barbarian (2022). Now, he returns with one of the best films to see in cinema this August, Weapons. This chilling, mysterious thriller brings a premise of 17 children from the same class who simultaneously wake up, leave their homes, and vanish into the night. As panic spreads and suspicion turns inward, many grieving parents point the finger at one person: their teacher (Julia Garner).
2. Freakier Friday
Few films have rivaled the 1973 classic Freaky Friday when it comes to body-swap comedies—except, perhaps, its beloved 2003 reboot. Now, Freakier Friday takes things up a notch. Lindsay Lohan returns, but this time as the mom, caught in a chaotic body-swap scenario with her daughter, stepdaughter, and, of course, Jamie Lee Curtis, unleashing a quadruple body-swapping.
3. The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun returns with a modern twist, this time starring Liam Neeson as the clueless but well-meaning cop, rebooting the legacy made famous by Leslie Nielsen. While Neeson’s known for his action roles, he leans into absurdity here with surprising charm. Even better, the film’s producer Seth MacFarlane has remarked that Liam Neeson may be the only 21st-century actor capable of bringing to life what Leslie Nielsen once did.
4. Caught Stealing
Adapted from Charlie Huston’s novel, Caught Stealing stars Austin Butler as Hank Thompson, a baseball-loving bartender who unwittingly stumbles into New York’s violent underworld after being asked to pet-sit for a neighbor. These gangsters are after something from him, though he hasn’t the faintest clue what or why.
5. The Roses
Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman reimagine the dysfunctional married couple of the 36-year-old film The War of the Roses as Theo and Ivy. Depicting a picture-perfect marriage, with a brightful career and lovely kids, it all turns downward as Theo loses his architect job while Ivy’s chef career takes off.
6. The Thursday Murder Club
Based on the Richard Osman bestseller, The Thursday Murder Club is widely regarded as one of the best films to see in cinema this August. This cozy crime novel is brought to the big screen with an all-star British and Irish cast, including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. As the retirees see their peaceful days take a dark turn, their once-lighthearted hobby of solving murder cases suddenly becomes a very real investigation.
7. The Bad Guys 2
DreamWorks’ animated heist crew is back, but this time, they are no longer outcasts. Despite so, the newfound hero status of Mr Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr Snake (Marc Maron), Ms Tarantula (Awkwafina), Mr Shark (Craig Robinson), and Mr Piranha (Anthony Ramos) doesn’t go as smoothly as they hoped, especially when a new villainous crew emerges: The Bad Girls. Faced with an even bigger moral dilemma, the gang struggles to stay on the right side of the law—all while delivering the same sharp humor fans loved in the original.
8. It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley’s only album, Grace, remains a timeless testament to unrealized potential that defined what a future icon could be. In It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, director Amy Berg explores the brief, luminous life of the legendary musician, who tragically drowned at just 30 years old. The film delves into the complexities of the man behind the music, reflecting on both his creative brilliance and the haunting ironies of a life cut short.
9. Materialists
The romantic comedy Materialists centers on a charmingly tangled love triangle involving a professional matchmaker (Dakota Johnson), a struggling theater actor (Chris Evans), and a smooth-talking private equity broker (Pedro Pascal). Set against the backdrop of contemporary New York City, the film blends sharp wit with emotional depth, offering a socially attuned romantic drama that reflects on how we live now.
10. Together
Body horror has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and Together stands out as one of its most striking new entries. Starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, the film follows a 10-year old pair who move to a quiet small town, only for things to take a disturbing turn after a day of hiking. What begins as a psychological unraveling soon spirals into a grotesque tale of emotional enmeshment manifested through a chilling, physical fusion.
Whether you're into laugh-out-loud comedies or chilling horrors, these best films to see in cinema this August are unlikely to disappoint. But if you’re seeking more spine-tingling options, let’s discover the scariest horror movies on Netflix.
TIMEOUT | MOVIE INSIDER | BBC
Editor’s Choice: Coming This August: International Films to Catch in Indonesian Theaters
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