It’s deep summer The heat is intense, the humidity is relentless, and spending time outdoors can feel like a bad idea. Unless you have SPF 500 sunscreen and personal air conditioning, the smartest move may be staying inside. Fortunately, August brings plenty of great movies and TV shows to stream. Here are the best new releases and returning favorites to watch right now.
August streaming highlights include Avatar: The Last Airbender, as all-new adventures return to Paramount+. The beloved animated series continues to follow its heroes as adults, forcing them to confront new responsibilities and threats. Watch the cast of the fan-favorite animated series discuss the latest chapter. Meanwhile, Heartstopper Forever arrives on Netflix with an emotional story about teenage romance, friendship, and the challenges of impending adulthood.
For viewers craving suspense and horror, Japan’s liminal-space thriller Exit 8 offers an unnerving escape, while the live-action horror lineup on Shudder delivers plenty of atmosphere. Anime fans can also stream Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Castle on Crunchyroll, an action-packed blockbuster from one of Japan’s most successful animated franchises. And when the heat becomes too much, Mortal Kombat II and Masters of the Universe provide exactly the kind of high-energy entertainment that lets you turn off your brain and enjoy the ride.
Here are WIRED’s picks for the best movies and shows to stream right now.
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Only the Avatar can master all four elements. But Aang, the latest heir to the Avatar mantle, disappeared when the world needed him most. After spending decades frozen in suspended animation, he is awakened by the waterbender Katara and her warrior brother, Sokka. Joined by earthbender Toph and former firebending enemy Zuko, Team Avatar sets out to restore balance to a changing world.
Now adults, the heroes face a challenge more complicated than defeating a single enemy: rebuilding a fractured world while confronting the consequences of Aang’s disappearance. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover Taga, an ancient airbender who has remained suspended for centuries. As the group searches for forgotten Avatar relics and hopes to restore airbending, they must uncover why Taga was frozen—and whether he can truly be trusted.
A direct continuation of Nickelodeon’s beloved 2005 animated series, this feature-length adventure offers a more mature story designed to grow alongside the original audience. With sweeping action, emotional character development, and some of the most impressive animation of the year, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender is a must-watch for longtime fans. Even without a wide theatrical release, this new Avatar adventure makes a strong impression on the small screen.
Heartstopper Forever
One of the most popular comic book adaptations of recent years, Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper comes to an emotional conclusion in Heartstopper Forever. The final movie continues the love story of Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke), whose relationship has endured self-doubt, coming-out challenges, and mental health struggles throughout high school.
As Nick prepares to leave for university, the couple must decide whether their relationship can survive the distance and uncertainty of adulthood. Their friends face major changes, too, as Elle (Yasmine Finney) and Tao (William Gao) reconsider their future after graduation. Tender, heartfelt, and full of the awkward joy that made the series so popular, Heartstopper Forever is a moving celebration of young love and growing up. Keep some tissues nearby.
Mortal Kombat II
It may not be the most sophisticated blockbuster, but Mortal Kombat II is exactly the kind of wildly entertaining action movie that makes for perfect summer streaming. Following the 2021 cinematic reboot of the long-running fighting-game franchise, the sequel shifts its focus to washed-up action star Johnny Cage (Karl Urban).
To become one of Earthrealm’s defenders, Cage must prove he has more to offer than his movie-star image. Director Simon McQuoid leans into the franchise’s eccentric fantasy mythology while delivering brutal fight scenes, elaborate action sequences, and plenty of unexpected comedy. Fans of the games will find the familiar violence and larger-than-life characters they expect, while newcomers can simply enjoy the chaotic fun.
Masters of the Universe
When Eternia comes under attack, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth for his own protection. Far from his homeworld, he becomes an eccentric outsider working a dead-end job while insisting that the fantasy world he came from is real. His ordinary life changes when Teela (Camila Mendes), an old friend from Eternia, finds him and brings him back into the fight.
Back on Eternia, Adam must reclaim his identity and stand against Skeletor’s forces. Blending fantasy adventure, superhero spectacle, and fish-out-of-water comedy, Masters of the Universe is a colorful choice for viewers looking for a big, escapist movie to stream during the hottest days of summer.
Source: www.wired.com