Do you ever peruse the “New & Popular” section on Netflix? Sometimes I do, but not to see what’s new or popular. I can figure that out from the “New on Netflix” and “Top 10” movie and TV shows sections on the Home page.
Rather, I like to peek at what’s coming and hit the “Remind Me” bell for titles that look interesting. When I did that recently, I noticed something curious: all of the horror that’s due out in August.
Which makes sense. Spooky season is right around the corner. I always think it officially starts in September, but unofficially when does it start? After Memorial Day?
Or maybe June, when Lowe’s revealed its first Halloween merchandise drop for the year. (As did some other retailers.) And let’s not forget that was the month we were gifted horror movies like A Quiet Place: Day One and The Watchers from M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, Ishana.
July also saw a lot of new horror movies hit theaters, including MaXXXine, Longlegs, and The Beast Within. Historically, we expect horror offerings to ramp up in September and October, and this year will be no different. Beetlejuice 2, Never Let Go, Heretic, Nightbitch, Smile 2, Terrifier 3, and Salem’s Lot are all generating a lot of buzz.
In addition to M. Knight Shyamalan’s Trap, Alien: Romulus and Blink Twice are two other anticipated August theatrical releases. But Netflix is dropping so much horror in August, that I can’t help but wonder, “What will September and October bring? Will we be able to handle it all?”
We’ll find out soon enough, but for now, let’s explore the August offerings.
Save the Date: August 19
On August 1, Netflix kicked off the month with Tarot, a stinker of a supernatural horror movie that’s finding love on the streamer. It’s currently in the Top 10 movies on Netflix. (Both audiences and critics who saw it in theaters didn’t like it. Here’s how its ratings panned out: 4.8/10 on IMDb, 19% Tomatometer and 59% Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 36% Metacritic score. However, 66% of Google users liked it.)
Pearl, the second installment in the X franchise, releases on August 16. It was a hit with both critics and audiences alike after it was released in theaters. It scored 7/10 on IMDb, 92% Tomatometer and 83% Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, 75% Metacritic score, and an 85% Google user score. I fully anticipate it to quickly find its way into Netflix’s Top 10 movies once it becomes available.
But August 19 is the day with the biggest windfall of titles dropping on Netflix, which includes several AMC series.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and Fear the Walking Dead bring the zombies. If you’ve enjoyed the Paris 2024 Olympics and want to spend more time in the City of Lights, except post-zombie apocalypse, I highly recommend Daryl Dixon. Ooh la la!
Two series inspired by Anne Rice’s works will also premiere on Netflix on August 19: Interview with the Vampire and the Mayfair Witches. (And not that it’s horror, but if you like witches, Discovery of Witches is also coming to Netflix on August 19.)
The Deliverance, a horror movie “inspired by terrifying true events,” closes out August’s offerings. It will release in select theaters on August 16 before quickly becoming available on Netflix on August 30.
On top of its “based on a true story” origins, it’s generating massive interest because of who’s involved. In addition to being produced and directed by Lee Daniels (who won an Oscar for Precious), it’s packed with star power, including Glen Close (an eight-time Oscar nominee, including for Fatal Attraction), Omar Epps (Love & Basketball, This Is Us), Mo’Nique (The Parkers, Precious), and Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday). The Deliverance is another one I won’t be one bit surprised to see in Netflix’s Top 10 movies when it comes out.
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Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I’m just counting down the days till Turner Classic starts its annual horror film ‘festival’ in October. I live for that month’s programing.
Okay, I don’t know how I missed this comment earlier. You and a friend of mind in Wisconsin always remind me about TCM’s October movies. Since we don’t have cable anymore, I forget. BUT we do have MAX and now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m hoping they’ll have a section for their festival under the Turner hub. {insert crossed fingers here} lol
You could sign up for one of those streaming services that offers TCM’s channel live, but just for October! Then cancel the subscription. We have YouTubeTV.
Okay, you proved why it’s so helpful to share, Maria. I never would’ve thought to get something just for a month. I also didn’t know YouTubeTV has that kind of a channel!!! This is SUCH a good idea. THANK YOU!!!
YouTubeTV is like basic cable. You can add on more if you like: HBO, etc., and if you don’t want them, you can remove them pretty easily. It has a bottomless DVR, but it will hold things only for 9 months. Sometimes there are programs you can’t watch due to steaming rights. It happens sometimes even on TCM. You can delete/hide channels you don’t watch, which is nice, and you can rearrange them (easier via computer) so your favorite channels are on top. Sign up on the first morning of October and then unsubscribe on November 1st? That way you get to watch all the Turner Classic goodies for October. I think there are other services that also offer live streaming TV that includes TCM. And you already have some access via Max.
Fantastic info, Maria! Sometimes I get a message while I’m watching a YouTube about sign up for a week free trial. I think they had one for a month or 3 months or something once upon a time because of something else I signed up for, but I didn’t do it. But if I see that free trial message again during October time, I’ll check it out. I’m so grateful to you for this great idea!