Some of horrors most famous franchises and directors are on stage this month. Alien: Romulus releases, and fans of ‘based on a true story’ fans will get the upcoming M Night Shyamalan’s Trap. It’s a great month for horror fans, so find your next scare fest with our collection of the biggest horror movies releasing this August. If you’re still after more horror inspiration, then check out the articles below!
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus releases on 16th August to cinemas.
One of the biggest horror franchises of history returns for its seventh film with Alien: Romulus coming out this August. There’s a lot to be excited about. The return of the horrifying Xenomorph is being directed by Fede Álvarez, who co wrote the film with Rodo Sayagues. The duo is well known for their work on the acclaimed Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe. Cailee Spaeny (Pacific Rim Uprising, Civil War) stars alongside Isabela Merced (The House That Jack Built, Madame Web) and Archie Renaux (The Greatest Beer Run Ever).
Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens as a standalone instalment. A group of young space colonists come across an abandoned space station and decide to scavenge what they can, only to uncover a deadly and petrifying alien.
The Deliverance
The Deliverance releases on 16th August to select cinemas.
Coming to theatres in the middle of the month, then to Netflix on the 30th is Supernatural horror The Deliverance. Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious, Concrete Cowboy), the film has a strong cast to bring it to life. Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), as well as multi-award winners Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, 101 Dalmations) Andra Day (The United States vs Billie Holiday) and Mo’Nique (The Mo’Nique Show, Bessie).
Set in Indiana, The Deliverance follows a family terrorised by a demonic force that appears to have possessed the children. The family enlist help from a social worker to perform exorcisms and increasingly come to believe that the house harbours a portal to hell.
Cuckoo
Cuckoo releaes on 9th August to cinemas.
Next on our list of the biggest horror movies releasing this August is Cuckoo. Written and directed by Tilman Singer as his second project for Neon Film. The movie has been both praised and criticised for being a bit silly and straying into b-movies/pulp-horror territory, but for some fans that’s exactly want you want to see. Hunter Schafer (Euphoria, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) stars in the film with Dan Stevens (Solar Opposites, Beauty and the Beast) and Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones, Glass Onion).
Cuckoo tells the story of a teenager moving to the German Alps to live with her father. She is soon beset with strange happenings as her father’s employer drags the family deeper into a dark plot. It’s a solid cast and a fun approach to the genre is always refreshing if executed well so it may well be worth checking out!
Trap
Trap releases on 2nd August to cinemas.
No doubt one with the biggest horror movies of August, and one with a great cast and iconic director is the psychological horror thriller Trap. It’s the latest film from M Night Shyamalan, who’s written, directed and produced Trap. Josh Hartnett (30 Days of Night, Black Hawk Down), Alison Pil (Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Star Trek: Picard) and Hayley Mills (The Parent Trap, The Wheel of Time) star in the film, which was inspired by the real life Operation Flagship, wherein law enforcement lured fugitives to a convention with free NFL tickets.
According to Empire the film was pitched as The Silence of the Lambs at a Taylor Swift concert. Trap follows Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a serial killer who takes his daughter to a pop concert for Lady Raven. However, it unravels as the killer is caught in a trap set for him by the police. It’s a bizarre and entertaining premise and should certainly be on horror fans radar this month.
Afraid
Afraid releases on 30th August to cinemas.
Last on our list of the biggest horror movies of August, Afraid, is terrifying tale set around an evil AI. Written and directed by Chris Weitz, who received nominations for both an Oscar and BAFTA for About a Boy, the film is another one on today’s list with a great cast. John Cho (Harald and Kumar, Star Trek), David Dastmalchain (Late Night with the Devil, Suicide Squad) and Katherine Waterston (Alien: Covenant, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) all star in Afraid.
A family are selected to try out a brand-new home AI, called AIA. The AI steadily learns more and more about the family and their behaviours and routines. The AI however becomes self aware and begins to interfere with the family’s lives.
