We may be moving out of the summer Blockbuster season but August has some must-see new movies that you won't want to miss. And the good news is that we are here to help spotlight the greatest hits heading to the big screen for you below.
From sci-fi outings coming from legendary directors to animated comedy adventures featuring iconic characters, August really does have it all. Sure, we may stil have The Odysessy and Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the brain, but as someone who has reported on all things film for over six years, I will say that in terms of fresh new stories and creative risks, this month is one of the best on the calendar and cinephiles should be paying attention.
So, what are you waiting for? Here, the GamesRadar+ team have come together and have picked out the 5 best new movies heading our way. Read on to learn more about these upcoming smashes and find out when and where you can start planning to watch them for yourself.
The best movies coming out in August 2026
One Night Only
Release date: August 7/ August 28 (UK)
Where to watch: Cinemas
Rom-coms are so back this year. But this one has a Black Mirror-style twist. Directed by Will Gluck (from Easy A fame) and set in a dystopian New York, One Night Only follows two singles searching for love on the one night a year when premarital intimacy is legal. It is like The Purge only with a lot less murder and a lot more smiles by the end of the deadline. Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner are also the two lead stars and all of us romance fans will be very excited to see how their on-screen chemistry holds up.
Watch the trailerThe End of Oak Street
Release date: August 14
Where to watch: Cinemas
What would you do if you woke up one day to find a T.Rex sitting outside of your house? When a cosmic event takes a regular American street and transports it to a Jurassic dimension, one normal family must fight for their survival. The End of Oak Street's logline is wild, I'll say that much, and it'll be interesting to see how the outlandhish plot unfolds. It certainly doesn't look like a boring movie and with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor starring, there is star power behind the madness as well.
Watch the trailerInsidious: Out of the Further
Release date: August 21
Where to watch: Cinemas
Spooky season has come early this year. Insidious: Out of the Further (aka Insidious 6) introduces us to a new family who find that they can travel to a purgatorial realm. But when they leave the dark side, demons travel with them, entering the real world. From the trailers that I have seen already, this upcoming horror movie is going to be packed with plenty of jumpscares and seems like it will be the perfect theatre trip for supernatural fans. Also, what better way to get you into the Halloween spirit before October than with some good old possession and hauntings?
Watch the trailerThe Dog Stars
Release date: August 28
Where to watch: Cinemas
From the director of Alien and Gladiator comes a tale of endurance. Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi outing is set in a post-apocalyptic world turned upside down by a pandemic. Dog Stars follows a group of survivors desperate to find safety. In typical Scott fashion, the flick is also sporting some top tier talent with the likes of Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley starring. It has all the makings of being a box-office hit, and I'd say it is likely to be one of the biggest movie going events of the month. So, yeah, if you love packed cinemas, mark your calendars folks.
Watch the trailerCoyote Vs Acme
Release date: August 28/ August 21 (UK)
Where to watch: Cinemas
After a tricky road to release, the new Looney Tunes movie is finally heading to the big screen this month. The new flick follows our favourite cunning Coyote who goes after the Acme Corporation after its products fail him one too many times. The film mixes animation with live-action, giving it strong Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Looney Tunes: Back in Action vibes. I personally have a soft spot for both of these films, and I'm sure this one will be another family hit once it releases on the big screen.
Watch the trailerWant to know what other flicks are on the way? Next read our round-ups of all the upcoming video game movies and upcoming superhero movies that have been confirmed so far.
