August is filled with birthday celebrations, a long weekend and plenty of things to do. If you prefer to stay in, these shows – from thrilling dramas to light-hearted series – will keep you occupied and entertained.
Apple TV+:
Pachinko, Season 2
Billed as one of the best K-drama series this month, season two of Pachinko, Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel adaptation, continues the story of a Korean family led by the matriarch Kim Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung). In the new season’s trailer, Sunja (Lee Min-ho) must make risky decisions to ensure her family’s survival during World War II. The story then shifts to 1989, when Solomon’s grandson (Jin Ha), struggles with issues relating to his inheritance. Expect twists and turns, and unexpected pitfalls. Premieres Aug 23
The Instigators
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck reunite in this action comedy for the first time since Oppenheimer. For the sake of his son, Rory (Damon) partners with ex-con Cobby (Affleck) to steal ill-gotten gains from a corrupt mayor (Ron Perlman). When the fundraiser goes awry, the police, bureaucrats, and vengeful crime bosses attack. Even Rory’s therapist Donna Rivera (Hong Chau) gets caught up in the chaos of Rory and Affleck’s escape. Premieres Aug 9
Disney+:
The Tyrant
An error of judgment could mean the difference between life and death in this gripping series. The South Korean government’s top-secret bioenhancer is stolen and exposed by US intelligence agencies who demand all samples be turned over, and the project be stopped because they had been left in the dark. Agents from both countries must work together to retrieve samples when a covert handover is ambushed. Premieres Aug 14
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes
This movie opened to rave reviews and topped box offices in May this year. The epic franchise transports us to life several generations into a future where humans have resigned themselves to living in the shadows, and the apes live harmoniously above them after Caesar’s reign. One young ape is forced to question everything he has known about his past as a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire and makes decisions that will change the course of the future for apes and humans. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes stars Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy. Premieres Aug 2
HBO GO:
The Exorcist: Believer
After losing his pregnant wife to a Haitian earthquake 12 years ago, Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett). When she and her friend Katherine (Olivia Marcum) disappear and return three days later with no memory of what happened, Victor is forced to confront the worst of evil – as well as search for only one person alive who has witnessed such an event: Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), the mother of teenager Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), who was possessed by the devil in The Exorcist (1973). Premieres Aug 17
City Of God: The Fight Rages On
City Of God was a groundbreaking Brazilian crime movie in 2002. In this six-episode City Of God: The Fight Rages On, Paulo Lins’ literary work continues two decades after the film’s events. It follows the story of its protagonists and includes flashbacks from the film to reconstruct their memories. Some of the film’s cast are back and reprising their former roles, including Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket, who is joined by Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Marcos Palmeira, Andreia Horta, and Edson Oliveira. Premieres Aug 26
Netflix:
Terminator Zero
If you love the Terminator franchise, this anime is a must-watch. Not much of the plot has been given away except that like the original film, a warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels to 1997 to protect – not the mother of John Connor, leader of the worldwide human Resistance) – but an AI scientist who is being hunted by an unfeeling and indestructible cyborg. The English-dubbed version features the voices of Timothy Olyphant, Rosario Dawson, Andre Holland, Sonoya Mizuno and Ann Dowd. Premieres Aug 29
Emily In Paris: Season 4, Part 1
Emily in Paris Season 3 ended on a very dramatic note with Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) learning that her flirt buddy/neighbour/chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) was expecting a baby with his on-and-off-again girlfriend. The good news is Emily is ready to make bold choices to get all that she wants in the city – and a man – as she updates her language-learning app and heads to new European destinations, from the French Alps to Rome’s piazzas. Emily’s new world plays out in two parts of 10 episodes each, this month and next month. Premieres Aug 15
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder
This six-parter, bsed on Holly Jackson’s popular trilogy, will test your detective skills. Five years have passed since Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies) mysteriously disappeared, and the residents of English town Little Kilton believed her boyfriend, Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni), killed her before killing himself. Young Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Emma Myers) is determined to discover the truth about Andie’s disappearance. As old secrets refuse to stay buried, she puts herself and possibly her family at risk by trying to solve the closed murder case. Premieres Aug 1
Prime Video:
Jackpot!
In California, winning the Grand Lottery is a dangerous affair as anyone can claim the multi-billion-dollar jackpot if he or she can kill the winner before sundown. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she finds herself with the winning ticket. She reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters. However, Noel must compete with Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who is also determined to get Katie’s commission. Jackpot! is directed by Paul Feig and written by Rob Yescombe. Premieres Aug 15
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, Season 2
Sauron returns in the second season of The Rings of Power. Having been expelled by Galadriel, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his cunning and creativity to rebuild his strength and create the Rings of Power that will bind Middle-earth’s citizens to his sinister plan. This season expands on the first’s epic scope and ambition, plunging even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a dark world. Across the land, friendships are fraying, kingdoms are crumbling, and the forces of good struggle to hold on. Premieres Aug 29
Original published date: Aug 1, 2024
