With the summer blockbuster season winding down, the great news for studios is that the overall grosses are 10% higher than in 2025 (and 3% more than in 2023, the high-water mark for the post-COVID years). The not-so-great news is that a slew of surefire hits (Disney’s Moana, Universal’s Minions and Monsters, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Supergirl) either outright bombed or severely underperformed. If it wasn’t for the huge cultural and financial impact of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Toy Story 5, many would believe this summer to be a disaster when it comes to tentpole releases. While August is typically the month where studios release titles they deemed unworthy of a prime May-July slot, this month still boasts quite a few would-be hits and a plethora of options as you head to your local Showplace Cinemas or AMC Theaters location.
Super Troopers 3 (August 7) – The Broken Lizard team is back for more inappropriately hilarious hijinks! This time around, Thorney (Jay Chandrasekhar) attempts to break the engagement between his sister and Farva (Kevin Heffernan) while also taking out a criminal drug ring. Veteran actor Brian Cox and the rest of the Vermont State Troopers you know and love return, with Chandrasekhar once again directing.
One Night Only (August 7) – In this incredibly high-concept rom-com, two New Yorkers look for love and connection during the only night of the year when sex is legal. Callum Turner (Eternity, The Boys in the Boat) and Monica Babaro (A Complete Unknown, Top Gun: Maverick) star in this Will Gluck (Anyone But You, Easy A) directed comedy, which co-stars Maya Hawke (Netflix’s Stranger Things), 80s icon Molly Ringwald, and SNL’s Ben Marshall.
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (August 14) – Taking cute, animated, and gainfully employed puppies and putting them on a faraway island filled with dinosaurs is a child’s dream (and a parent’s nightmare) come true. Cal Brunker returns to the series to helm this moderately anticipated sequel, which boasts the curious voice talents of Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg.
The End of Oak Street (August 14) – Speaking of dinosaurs, this sci-fi/action thriller directed by David Robert Mitchell (It Follows, Under the Silver Lake) tells the tale of a family that awakes to find that their entire neighborhood has been transported somewhere during the prehistoric era. Oscar-caliber actors Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor star, with J.J. Abrams producing (which tells you all you need to know about the mysterious spectacle of this film).
Insidious: Out of the Further (August 21) – Except for series favorite Lin Shaye reprising her role as parapsychologist Elise Rainier and super producer Jason Blum producing, the sixth movie brings new blood to this familiar cinematic universe. In this installment, a mother discovers that she can bring lives back from The Further. Jacob Chase (Come Play) directs.
Tony (August 21) – Dominic Sessa (The Leftovers) stars as the title character, a glimpse into the life of a young Anthony Bourdain during a pivotal summer learning how to become a chef in Provincetown. Matt Johnson (Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, Blackberry) directs, with Emilia Jones (CODA), Leo Woodall (Tuner), and living legend Antonio Banderas co-starring.
Mutiny (August 21) – Your semi-annual Jason Statham fix is here! This time around, he takes on an international syndicate after his boss is murdered in front of him. Veteran action director Jean-François Richet (Plane, Assault on Precinct 13) guides Statham through this dangerous high-seas adventure, which is sure to deliver for hardcore action fans.
Coyote vs. Acme (August 28) – Despite Warner Bros. Discovery’s best efforts to shelve this live-action/animation hybrid (which was completed and ready for release in 2023), it’s finally here thanks to a new distributor. The story revolves around Wile E. Coyote’s lawsuit against the ACME Corporation, and his relationship with his human lawyer (Will Forte). John Cena and Lana Condor (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) co-star, with Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) directing.
The Dog Stars (August 28) – Legendary producer/director Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator) departs from his usual level of spectacle to tell the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a pilot who must roam a post-apocalyptic world after a virus wipes out humanity. Co-starring with Elordi are Margaret Qualley (The Substance), Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist, Memento), and Oscar winner Allison Janney (I, Tonya, The Help).
Henderson resident Dr. McManus Woodend is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Southern Indiana and has worked in film, television and commercials for more than 20 years. To see some of his work, visit www.mcmanuswoodend.com.
