August Movie Calendar Looks Gloomy
The August lineup for theaters is thinner than usual. Though the summer season stretches from the first May weekend to Labor Day, studios often skip the last few weeks of August.
Big Titles Still Arrive
Despite the lean schedule, audiences still seek major releases. This month, four large‑budget movies are on the board:
- The Naked Gun
- The Bad Guys 2
- Weapons
- Freakier Friday
Because cinephiles crave a richer selection, three hidden gems appear in August.
Oscar‑Winning Directors Deliver New Features
Spike Lee and Ron Howard, each a two‑time Oscar winner, unveil fresh projects that promise distinct storytelling angles.
A Documentarian Tells a Tragic Tale
A sensational nonfiction filmmaker covers the heartbreaking life of a recording artist, offering a powerful perspective on music history.
Discover More Streaming Guides
Find the best new titles to stream on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as top picks available on each platform.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (2025)
Jeff Buckley’s Tragic Story
1994 Debut: Grace
At 27, Jeff Buckley released his first studio album, Grace. The record earned universal praise, and his chilling cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” ranks among the greatest albums ever made.
1997 Tragedy
Grace was Buckley’s only album. His life ended abruptly in 1997, cutting short a promising career and leaving a void in the music world.
Amy Berg’s Documentary: It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley
Key Elements
- Explores Leonard Cohen’s life, from a complicated upbringing to becoming a master artist.
- Features unseen footage of Buckley.
- Includes intimate interviews with Buckley’s mother and former girlfriends.
- Serves as a heartfelt tribute to an artist taken too soon.
Release Date
“It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” opens in theaters on August 8.
Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
bSpike Lee & Denzel Washington Spotlight New Film
bHighest 2 Lowest Just Released
An unexpected partnership between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington is gaining momentum, yet the buzz around their fifth feature has barely broken into mainstream chatter. With the theatrical window set to close in a mere three weeks, the film’s box‑office prospects are likely to be modest.
bDavid King & the Ransom Riddle
Washington portrays David King, a music magnate who confronts a serious dilemma found in a harrowing ransom plot. The ensemble cast includes Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, + ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice, bringing a diverse mix of talent to the schedule.
bHigh & Low Reinvented
Lee and Washington’s latest venture reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s iconic 1963 Japanese masterpiece, High & Low. Despite a muted marketing campaign, a Lee film in our collection is preferable to none from the Academy‑winning director.
bRelease Timeline
- August 15 — theatrical opening
- September 5 — streaming debut on Apple TV+
Keep an eye on the Apple TV+ schedule, as “Highest 2 Lowest” ends its theater stint shortly after the release.
Eden (2025)
New U.S. Release Gives Ron Howard’s Eden a Fresh Start
After premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, Eden slipped months without a U.S. distributor. That delay pushed back the film’s expected debut. With Vertical now holding the U.S. rights, the movie will hit theaters later this month.
High‑Profile Cast Sparks Studio Interest
- Jude Law as the husband who seeks solitude
- Vanessa Kirby as the wife who shares his instinct for isolation
- Sarah Sweeney as the audacious newcomer who threatens the island’s peace
- Daniel Brühl as the companion who follows Sweeney’s motives
- Ana de Armas as the enigmatic baroness who adds a layer of intrigue
Plot Twist: The Island’s Inhabitants Turn Out to Be the Real Menace
Howard’s thriller starts with a couple (Law and Kirby) who relocate to the Galápagos Islands for a quiet life. Their idyll is quickly disrupted by another pair (Sweeney and Brühl) and a baroness (de Armas). While the initial expectation is that the island’s dangers would pose the threat, the real danger emerges from the people who are on the island.
