This month African streamer Showmax is offsetting the Southern Hemisphere’s winter chill with a hearty mix of new and returning series, movies and documentaries. You can find the full August release schedule here, while below are our must-watch picks.

Series

Just like last month, Showmax’s series offering is big on fan-favourites coming back. This includes medical drama New Amsterdam (binge the fifth and final season from 1 August); heartstring-tugging A Million Little Things (watch the final, fifth season from 7 August); groundbreaking comedy A Black Lady Sketch Show S4 (binge from 9 August); and acclaimed sports biography Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty S2, which sees new episode drops every Monday from 7 August.

Of the brand new international series, we’re most excited for Peacock’s Based on a True Story, a dark comedy thriller from the makers of The Boys, Ozark and Russian Doll. Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina star in this satirical tale of a financially struggling married couple who seize a unique opportunity to capitalise on America’s obsession with true crime. Although, their plan could make them the target of a serial killer.

Watch the eight-episode Based on a True Story from 7 August, with new episodes every Monday.

On the local series front, there’s docu-drama and Showmax Original Unfollowed, which unpacks the phenomenon of social media-driven Cancel Culture and its impact in South Africa. Hosted by Newzroom Afrika’s Thembikile Mrototo, each of the eight episodes of Unfollowed will focus on a different South African celebrity, including singer Lady Zamar, influencer Mahalia, poet Ntsiki Mazwai, media personality Phat Joe, comedian Tol Ass Mo, and actress Zoe Mthiyane.

Watch Unfollowed on Wednesdays from 23 August.

Films

It’s another bumper month for new movies on Showmax, making it a challenge to shortlist our favourites.

If you want to watch smash-hit evil AI doll movie M3GAN, that’s coming to Showmax on 21 August, along with sharp Gen Z whodunnit Bodies Bodies Bodies on 17 August.

Although, still on the horror front, we recommend another surprise box office success, the intense and engrossing The Black Phone. Based on the short story by Joe Hill (AKA Stephen King’s son), The Black Phone centres on the escape efforts of 13-year-old Finney (Mason Thames), who is abducted by a sadistic child murderer (a chilling Ethan Hawke). Fortunately, Finney has assistance in the form of the killer’s previous victims, who speak to him through a disconnected phone.

Watch The Black Phone from 14 August.

In terms of South African movies, our pick of the month is 1960, which earned the title of Best South African Feature Film at the 2022 Durban International Film Festival. Set simultaneously in the present day and 1960s Apartheid South Africa, the film centres on jazz singer Lindi, who is drawn back into her past when the remains of a missing policeman are discovered after 60 years. Zandile Madliwa stars as young Lindi, while soapie veteran Ivy Nkutha portrays the older Lindi.

Watch 1960 on Showmax from 3 August.

In the mood for romance? Well, there’s the Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel action romcom Shotgun Wedding (7 August) as well as emotionally fraught drama After Ever Happy (10 August), the fourth film in the popular After series.

For something off the “more watched” path, though, check out film festival darling 7 Days. Ravi (Karan Soni) and Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) find themselves on a pre-arranged date set up by their old-fashioned Indian parents. They’re just discovering that they have almost nothing in common when the COVID-19 lockdown traps them inside for a week … together.

Catch 7 Days from 31 August.

Our final movie pick for the month of August is offbeat animated adventure Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. From A24, the mockumentary, which mixes stop-motion and live-action footage, follows Marcel, a tiny shell who lives with his grandmother, Connie, and who works with a filmmaker to find his long-lost family. Nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year’s Oscars, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On has won 37 awards, and has a 98% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Watch Marcel the Shell with Shoes On from 31 August.

Documentaries

It’s a great month for brave, bold, record-shattering women. Along with a documentary on the Williams sisters, there’s feature-length The Fastest Woman on Earth. Filmed over seven years, starting in 2013, The Fastest Woman on Earth chronicles the life of professional racer and TV personality Jessi Combs – more specifically her efforts to beat a 43-year-old land speed record. It’s a dream with great risk, and greater cost.

Watch The Fastest Woman on Earth from 23 August.