2023 has been a big year for movies and some of the year’s top anticipated releases are coming in August. If you want to go to the theater, you have choices ranging in all kinds of genres. Tastes for R-rated vampire killing, intense racing for the family, and a superhero origin story can expect to be satisfied. The bar has been set high so far with Across the Spider-Verse, John Wick 4, Air, and more. We will see next month if any of these releases can reach the accomplishments of other films released in the first half of the year.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem – August 2
While Across the Spider-Verse dominates animated movies in 2023, this August might see the only real competitor. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem delivers a stylish animated twist to the characters for the big screen with a comic book-like look that blends 2D and 3D animation. For people wanting something flashy on the biggest screen possible, seeing the heroic and relatable teen turtles in this kind of spectacle will fill that need.
While many had issues with the recent live-action movies, Mutant Mayhem will lean heavily into a coming-of-age story as these young turtles balance living their lives and being heroes in the shadows. They have a more Gen Z feeling as they take selfies of themselves cutting watermelons and talk in a relatable way for younger audiences. As much fun they have with their phones and impressive weapon skills, a full squad of other mutants wants to turn the world into a mutant haven, ridding it of humans. That’s where the turtles come in.
The Meg 2: The Trench – August 4
Fans of The Meg should be excited to see Jason Statham back in the water to fight another megalodon in The Meg 2: The Trench. With a new director, Ben Wheatley (In the Earth), we are getting a more over-the-top and violent movie that maintains its PG-13 rating for parents willing to let their kids see a bit of blood. The whole family will enjoy a wider range of creatures this time, from more megalodons to a Kraken and more.
The sequel will open its jaws to newcomers and fans of the first film. For those who saw the previous film, you will reunite with Statham, Page Kennedy as DJ, Cliff Curtis as James ‘Mac’ Mackreides, and Shuya Sophia Cai as Meiying. Regardless, we are coming for the leading action star fighting multiple megalodons and other creatures. This absurdity will take its Fast & Furious personality to new heights as we see more creative ways the filmmakers let these creatures create carnage. Disrupting beach parties full of food for hungry prehistoric animals and Statham stopping a megalodon from eating him with his foot pressed against its face only show a glimpse into the fun madness to come.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter – August 11
Horror fans, it is time to get ready for some Dracula action as one of the top anticipated movies in August 2023 will feature the king of vampires. In an unconventional adaptation, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is based on a single chapter of Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. A Russian ship carries a mysterious crate, which has something that soon gets hungry for animals and then moves on to humans. As vampires have taken to the shadows in recent years, this violent, scary take will bring back the viciousness of the mythical monsters. The trailer shows a brutal take on the chapter that will satisfy the bloodlust of the vampire and the audience.Â
Gran Turismo – August 11
Video game adaptions are everywhere, but director Neil Blomkamp (District 9) and writers Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard) are going in a wildly different direction from the likes of Uncharted and Arcane. Unlike most adaptions of games, this is about a real-life gamer who went from a Gran Turismo fan to becoming a real race car driver. While some video game adaptions have required knowledge of the game, this looks to satisfy enthusiasts of cars, racing, and Gran Turismo with high-stake races that could lead to a winner or someone dying in a crash.
Gran Turismo will aim to deliver what it feels like to hop into these powerful vehicles. By using real cars, we will get a similar feel in the theater as Top Gun: Maverick‘s usage of fighter jets that the military use. The power of the cars will heighten the thrill of the races as we root for this gamer-turned-racing star.
Heart of Stone – August 11
Netflix holds one of the biggest, most anticipated movies in August 2023 with Heart of Stone. If you enjoyed watching Gal Gadot beat on baddies in Wonder Woman and other action flicks, then this is for you. She is an intelligence agent trying to stop a hacker from getting ahold of valuable items, including weapons. Even from the trailers, Gadot shows that her experience in action films has prepared her for motorcycle riding, parachuting, and fighting her way through problems with a weapon or her bare hands.
With Netflix’s experience with spy thrillers and action movies, Heart of Stone will fit right in. Unlike the more comedic Red Notice, which Gadot also starred in, we will have a more serious take on a spy action movie. If you ever wanted Gadot to star in Mission: Impossible, this might be just the thing as she uses her mind and strength to defeat this world-threatening hacker.
Strays – August 18
It feels like not enough raunchy R-rated comedies release anymore. While No Hard Feelings gives people that style of humor, Strays will deliver this in a doggie bag. A dog becomes a stray and befriends other strays. Soon, he realizes the treatment by his owner was not normal and actually abuse, so he gets ready for revenge with his friends. On this journey away from home, we get raunchy humor that is usually never seen in dog-leading films. Prepare for a treat with these naughty dogs performing R-rated actions on the big screen.
Blue Beetle – August 18
So as not to be confusing, The Flash rebooted the DCEU for James Gunn’s DCU. The first new DCU character will be Blue Beetle in a standalone film. From what we have seen before, it will balance its charming characters, daring foes, and a young guy learning how to become a superhero in a thrilling origin story. For superhero fans, it should be your number one out of every one of the top anticipated movies in August 2023.Â
In this film, an alien item turns a young Jamie Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) into a superhero. As Jamie gets used to his powerful suit that covers his body when activated, he flies through the atmosphere, nearly killing himself, and accidentally slices a bus in half. Things are tricky for the young superhero, but they get even worse when the bad guys take aim at him and his family.
