Paramount+has been slinging out the hits this year with releases likeDexter: Original Sin,Happy Face, andMobLand, to name a few. Lucky for us, they continue to add quality content to their mountain of entertainment.
The streamer has finally confirmed what’s in store for the end of summer, including continued new episodes of summer blockbuster dramasDexter: ResurrectionandStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, new seasons of popular series, some exclusive docuseries and films—even a slew of sports. Here are nine select, new titles arriving on Paramount+ in August, in order by date.
Starring
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson
That’s right, super fans! Now you’re able to binge almost the entireHunger Gamesfilm franchise in one place.The Hunger Games,Catching Fire,Mockingjay Part 1, andMockingjay Part 2are among Paramount+’s August arrivals.
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces one teenage boy and girl from each of its 12 districts to compete to the death in what they call The Hunger Games.
When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place, she relies on her sharp instincts as she’s pitted against others who are highly trained. She becomes the beloved rebel as she makes impossible choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
The fifth film in the franchise,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, will not be coming to Paramount+. Instead, it will stream exclusively on Peacock due to Lionsgate’s streaming contract with the platform, but that date is TBD.
Runtime
1 hour 51 minutes
Based on a story written by author Louis Kornfeld,The Infernal Machine(2022) is an intriguing slow-burn of a psychological thriller with one reason to watch: Guy Pearce.
Pearce is Bruce Cogburn, a reclusive and controversial author of the famed bookThe Infernal Machine. After living in self-imposed isolation for 25 years due to his book being blamed as the cause of a university massacre, Cogburn is drawn out of hiding when he starts receiving letters from an obsessive fan. When he calls the fan and leaves increasingly threatening messages that demand the letters stop, his paranoia and alcohol intake begin to consume him. What ensues from here on out is a dangerous labyrinth as Cogburn is forced to confront his past and ultimately reveal the truth behind his only book.
Pearce wholeheartedly embodies the rage and vulnerability of the film’s main character in his impressive performance, and that’s what makes this film worth the watch.
12
~ 30 minutes per episode
Anthony Mackie is back as John Doe and continues fighting a literal bunch of maniacs inTwisted Metal,Season Two, the hit action series based on the PlayStation game of the same name.
Following the events of the season one finale, John Doe and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) find themselves entering the deadly Twisted Metal tournament, a sinister demolition derby hosted by a mysterious man known as Calypso (Anthony Carrigan). As they try to survive an onslaught of dangerous new foes and familiar faces alike—including the creepy, murderous clown Sweet Tooth (Joe Seanoa), things get complicated for John when he reunites with his long-lost sister, the vigilante known as Dollface (Tiana Okoye).
10
~ 45 minutes per episode
True crime fans, listen up! Paramount+ is unveiling its latest true crime docuseries,Murder 360,which focuses its lens on shockingly unbelievable cases while digging into the experiences of the victims’ families, lawyers, and investigators who work to secure justice for the deceased.
Murder 360is a gripping exploration of the top 10 most twisted murder cases, which combines rare footage, expert insights, and personal interviews to reveal each crime’s massive scope. Just watching the trailer made my heart drop as a killer calmly and casually walks officers through his horrible crime.
Cases involve a nine-year-old girl named Elizabeth Olten, who vanished without a trace, as well as the story of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner, a married couple on their honeymoon who were murdered in the Utah wilderness. You’ll travel all over the country with these cases. If you love real-life docuseries,Murder 360belongs on your list ofmust-watch true crime documentaries.
1 hour 35 minutes
Based on true events, theSeptember 5film chronicles the Munich massacre of 1972 from the perspective of the ABC News Sports crew and their event coverage. This one moment reshaped journalism forever.
At the 1972 Munich Olympics, members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage in the Olympic Village by the Palestinian militant group Black September.September 5offers an up-close-and-personal look at how ABC’s broadcasting team covered the unfolding tragedy, calmly and carefully shifting from sports coverage to live news reporting of the hostage situation.
September 5stars Peter Sarsgaard in a compelling performance as this suspenseful narrative unfolds. The film’s use of archival footage and media commentary that occurred during the actual crisis contributes to its authenticity and impact of a story you won’t soon forget.
1 hour 37 minutes
It’s Valentine’s Day, and there’s a killer on the loose. This one goes after couples.
A unique mix of horror, romance, and comedy,Heart Eyesfollows The HEK, or the Heart Eyes Killer, a masked maniac with glowing red eyes in the shape of hearts. Every Valentine’s Day, he appears to slaughter happy, unsuspecting couples. When a cynical ad executive and her hopelessly romantic colleague become The HEK’s next target, they offer up a different reaction and fight back, ending the reign of terror.
Heart Eyesis said to feature a hefty amount of gore, which, personally, I love in horror movies and gritty crime dramas, so already, I’m in. It also reportedly delivers on the laughs, sweet kills, and memorable moments full of thrills, which are all also indicative of a good gritty crime drama.
1 hour 33 minutes
Video game adaptations are hot right now (I’m still waiting forGod of War), andRebirth: Home Sweet Homeis the latest coal to be thrown on that fire. Based on the Thai video game franchiseHome Sweet Home, this supernatural horror movie follows a cop who is thrust into an alternate realm after dying in a mass shooting.
Jake (William Moseley) awakens to find himself in The Hindrance, a purgatorial realm between life and death. After learning that his death was part of a ritual to open the Gates of Hell, and that he is the prophesied Keeper, he is destined to prevent the apocalypse.
With the help of a mysterious monk, Jake races against time to return to the living realm and save his wife and daughter, who are trapped in a city overrun by a demonically possessed crowd. In doing so, he must also stop an evil occultist from fully opening the Gates of Hell.
2 hours 3 minutes
Based on the bestselling novel,The Friendis a story of friendship, love, and healing after grief. More importantly, it’s about the healing power of animals—in this case, a Great Dane. In addition to the handsome K-9 beast, the film also stars Naomi Watts and Bill Murray.
When her closest friend and mentor (Murray) dies and bequeaths to her his beloved Great Dane, Apollo, New York City writer Iris (Watts) finds her comfy, solitary life thrown into complete disarray. As a former mom to a Great Dane, I can totally vouch for the disarray part.
Apollo’s size and clumsiness immediately create practical problems for Iris, who faces destroyed furniture, eviction notices, and a deepening existential crisis. As she unexpectedly bonds with Apollo, though, she finds herself healing as she confronts her past and her own inherent creativity.
4
I love a good historical docuseries.Liberation: D-Day to Berlinfocuses on the liberation of Western Europe during World War II.
Specifically, the series follows the period from the Normandy landings (D-Day) to the fall of Berlin.
You’ll experience the liberation of Western Europe through colorized and restored footage, both of which help bring this historic turning point back to vivid life.Liberation: D-Day to Berlinalso features testimony revealing the true cost paid by the Allies and civilians to free Belgium and the Netherlands from Nazi occupation.
Paramount Plus
Battle dystopian worlds inThe Hunger GamesandTwisted Metalor get lost inMurder 360and more on Paramount+.
If these titles aren’t calling your name, check out the full list ofeverything arriving on Paramount+ in August. Whatever your taste, this mountain of entertainment has something special just for you.
