What to catch at the theatres this August

August is set to be a thrilling month at the movies, with a diverse line-up of new releases that promise to entertain and engage audiences. From gripping psychological thrillers and nostalgic sequels to vibrant concert films and whimsical adventures, this month’s offerings cover a wide range of genres and styles. Whether you’re looking for intense drama, heartwarming stories, or high-octane action, there’s something to look forward to in theaters. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated films hitting the big screen this August.

Mothers’ Instinct [August 2nd]

In the 1960s, an affluent American suburbia – complete with white picket fences and era appropriate flick up bobs – serves as the backdrop for the close friendship between neighbours Alice (Jessica Chastain) and Celine (Anne Hathaway). Their bond provides a respite from the mundane routines of domesticity. However, when a tragedy strikes, their relationship begins to fracture, becoming strained under the weight of guilt, grief, and paranoia. This English-language remake of the 2018 Brussels-set film delves into these complex emotions, offering a gripping narrative that explores the unraveling of their once strong connection.

Trap [August 2nd]

“Trap” is a 2024 American psychological thriller film crafted by M. Night Shyamalan, who takes on the roles of writer, director, and co-producer. The film delves into the psychological tension of a father-daughter relationship under the shadow of imminent danger, exploring themes of evasion and confrontation in a high-stakes setting.

The movie stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill. It follows the intense story of Cooper, a serial killer known as ‘The Butcher’, who finds himself attending a concert with his teenage daughter Riley. As they enjoy the performance by pop star Lady Raven, Cooper realises the event is a carefully orchestrated trap set by the police to capture him.

Gadar 2 [August 4th]

“Gadar 2” (Rebellion 2; subtitled onscreen as ‘The Katha Continues’) is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language period action drama directed and produced by Anil Sharma, with a screenplay by Shaktimaan Talwar. A sequel to the 2001 blockbuster *Gadar: Ek Prem Katha*, the film stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma, who reprise their iconic roles. Set against the backdrop of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the story follows Tara Singh as he embarks on a perilous journey back to Pakistan to rescue his imprisoned son, Charanjeet “Jeete” Singh. The film blends high-octane action with emotional drama, exploring themes of courage, family, and patriotism.

It Ends with Us [August 9th]

“It Ends with Us”, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, is a romantic drama featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni as the central characters, Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid. The film, like the book, follows Lily as she relocates to Boston to open a flower shop. There, she meets Ryle, a charismatic neurosurgeon, and the two form a deep connection. As Lily navigates the emotional fallout from the death of her abusive father, she finds herself falling in love with Ryle. However, their passionate romance soon begins to mirror the troubling dynamics of her parents’ relationship. The situation becomes even more complicated when Lily’s former love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), reenters her life. The story explores themes of love, trauma, and the complexity of relationships.

BLACKPINK World Tour Born Pink in Cinemas [August 9th]

As BLACKPINK nears their 8th debut anniversary, excitement is mounting for the release of their highly anticipated concert film, “BLACKPINK World Tour Born Pink in Cinemas”. Scheduled for a global release across 110 countries, this cinematic event will offer 92 minutes of electrifying footage from BLACKPINK’s ‘Born Pink’ finale concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome, filmed in September of the previous year. Fans can expect spectacular visuals and exclusive rearranged versions of their hit songs, providing a chance to relive the high-energy atmosphere of the live performance. *Born Pink* aims to bring the thrilling ambiance of the tour to theatres worldwide, turning every screening into a BLACKPINK celebration.

Borderlands [August 9th]

Based on the best-selling video game franchise, this action-adventure film follows a team of misfits on a mission to rescue a girl with the key to unimaginable power. Set on the vibrant planet of Pandora, the story features an older Lilith (Cate Blanchett) teaming up with Roland (Kevin Hart), Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Claptrap (Jack Black). Together, they face alien monsters, bandits, and mercenaries in a high-octane adventure filled with action and colourful characters.

Stree 2 [August 15th]

Directed by Amar Kaushik, “Stree 2” reunites the beloved cast of Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurrana, and Abhishek Banerjee. Following the success of the 2018 horror comedy blockbuster “Stree”, the sequel delves into a new ghostly threat terrorising the village of Chanderi during festival season. Continuing from the cliffhanger of the first film, “Stree 2” explores the origins and motivations of the enigmatic female spirit who abducts men. The film blends humour and horror as it introduces new characters, including a folklore expert who claims to know how to end Stree’s terror permanently. With its mix of suspense and comedic relief, “Stree 2″promises to engage both new and returning fans with its fresh and intriguing storyline.

Khel Khel Mein [August 15th]

Comedy aficionado, Akshay Kumar is joined in the ensemble cast by Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal and Fardeen Khan. The family entertainer set to release on Independence Day is a comedy of errors concerning three couples gathering for dinner.

Harold and the Purple Crayon [August 15th]

“Harold and the Purple Crayon” is an American live-action/animated fantasy comedy film directed by Carlos Saldanha. Based on the beloved 1955 children’s book by Crockett Johnson, the film stars Zachary Levi as Harold, with Lil Rel Howery, Jemaine Clement, Tanya Reynolds, and Zooey Deschanel in supporting roles. In this sequel, Harold, having grown up with his magical purple crayon, accidentally steps out of the book’s pages and into the real world. Now facing real-life challenges, Harold must navigate his new environment alongside new friends Moose and Mel, while dealing with the consequences of his boundless imagination. The film combines whimsical adventure with comedic moments as Harold learns about life beyond the pages of his book.

The Crow [August 23rd]

“The Crow” makes a long-awaited return to screens, 30 years after Alex Proyas’s 1994 original. After 15 years in development hell, the reboot of this 1989 graphic novel by James O’Barr is set to debut offering a contemporary take on the dark revenge tale. The film revisits the story of soulmates Eric Draven and Shelly Webster, who are brutally murdered when Shelly’s dark past catches up with them. Given a chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Draven returns from the dead to seek bloody vengeance against his killers, navigating both the worlds of the living and the dead. While the reboot is expected to stay true to the original plot, featuring Draven’s quest for revenge with the help of a mystical crow, it will also deliver a modern refresh of the story. The film aims to combine the gothic elements of the 1994 movie with updated twists, offering a new spin on the classic tale of vengeance.

Blink Twice [August 23rd]

*Blink Twice* is an upcoming American thriller directed by Zoë Kravitz in her directorial debut. Starring Channing Tatum as tech billionaire Slater King and Naomi Ackie as cocktail waitress Frida, the film follows an unexpected twist in a luxury vacation. After meeting at a fundraising gala, Slater invites Frida to join him and his friends on a dream getaway to his private island. What begins as a paradise of wild nights and sun-soaked days soon takes a dark turn. As unsettling events unfold, Frida begins to question her reality and the true nature of the island. To survive, she must unravel the island’s sinister secrets and escape the increasingly dangerous situation.