Screen time – August 2023 –

Summer is already coming to an end, but while there is at least another month of sunshine and heat to enjoy, film and TV production companies are doing everything they can to get you back inside to see the latest and most exciting movies and shows. As this is the case, August 2023 has some really exciting movies coming to theaters and some promising shows on streamers to boot, so to get a whiff of what’s to come, let’s dive into the latest installment of Screen Time.

But before we do, another quick reminder. We based our picks on a UK release calendar, so be sure to check locally for accurate entries, dates and times.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem – Aug. 2

The animation renaissance is in full swing. Ever since Spider-Verse tried to redefine what an animated film could be, we have seen production companies get creative with their styles as well, and the latest film bought into this is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. This film brings an incredibly stacked cast and seems to tell the story of a younger version of the turtle brothers as they are tasked with saving New York City from a horde of mutant monsters.

Meg 2: The Trench – Aug. 4

Jason Statham is back and looks to go deep beneath the waves to take on more monster sharks. This sequel to The Meg, known simply as Meg 2: The Trench, sees humanity facing a group of colossal sharks and other seafaring creatures, all after a research effort in the Mariana Trench that went horribly wrong. Needless to say, if you enjoy seeing Statham fight giant great whites, this film will provide that and more.

Haunted Mansion – Aug. 11

It’s a bit of a unicorn these days, but yes, Haunted Mansion is a new cinematic Disney IP. This film is a major adaptation of the famous amusement park attraction and sees an impressive cast, including Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Winona Ryder, Danny DeVito, LaKeith Stanfield and more, all featuring ghost hunters and ghouls, battling for control of a creepy mansion.

The final voyage of the Demeter – Aug. 11

Have you ever wondered how Dracula managed to get from Carpathia all the way to London? The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a horror film that seems to adapt a unique chapter of Bram Stoker’s famous novel as it tells the gruesome story of what the crew of the Demeter schooner encountered during their journey with a certain undead vampire on board.

Heart of Stone [Netflix] – August 11

Netflix’s big movie of the month sees Gal Gadot starring as a member of a shadow intelligence agency tasked with preventing a hacker from stealing a deadly and valuable weapon. Heart of Stone is this very big budget action film, which also stars Jamie Dornan and Matthias Schweighöfer alongside the Wonder Woman star.

Gran Turismo : August 11

Sony continues its efforts to bring its big franchises to the big screen this month, as Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo gets the filming treatment. In this story, a young sim racer is promoted to the big leagues, all with the help of his trainer, played by David Harbour. Also starring Orlando Bloom, this film is all about going from gamer to racer.

Blue Beetle – Aug. 18

Despite DC’s woes, this August will bring us another live-screen adaptation of this comic book universe. Blue Beetle shows what happens when an alien relic chooses a teenager as its host, giving him access to powerful armor. With Xolo Maridueña of Cobra Kai leading the cast, this film will be one of the last films in the DC Extended Universe, all before the way is opened to the DC Universe formed by James Gunn.

Strays – Aug. 18

Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Sofia Vergara, Isla Fisher and a host of other famous stars lend their voices to a series of vengeful stray dogs. Need we say more? Strays is a film that explores how a group of dogs seek revenge on a cruel owner who decided to abandon his loving canine companion.

Ahsoka [Disney+] – August 23

The one of only two TV series we highlight in this installment of Screen Time. Disney + ‘s Ahsoka sees fans return to A Galaxy Far, Far Away for an adventure starring Rosario Dawson as Anakin Skywalker’s famed former Jedi Knight and Padawan, as she seeks to protect those in peril following the fall of the Empire, while discovering a nefarious new plot that seeks to pave the way to a new galactic order.

One Piece [Netflix] – August 31

While everything seems to have a live screen adaptation these days, the incredibly famous and long-running anime, One Piece, is only just joining this fray. The show’s first season will kick off the journeys of Monkey D. Luffy, Nami, Zoro and the rest of the pirate crew as they explore a fantastic world of endless oceans in hopes of finding the ultimate treasure called the Pirate King.

Although August has plenty to see, if you’re wondering what September has in store for film and TV fans, you can be sure to join us in a month to explore just that.