From edge-of-seat action films and the latest releases from legendary directors, to much-anticipated shows coming to the small screen, discover MR PORTER’s picks of the film and TV releases not to miss this month.

A crime thriller with a sizzling cast – including Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith and Liev Schreiber – the plot follows a former baseball star (Butler) suddenly plunged into the gangster underbelly of 1990s New York. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, The Whale, The Wrestler) and adapted by Charlie Huston from his novel of the same name, it’s one to catch on the big screen.

In cinemas from 29 August

Based on Richard Osman’s debut 2020 novel, an ensemble lineup comes together to bring this murder mystery – being investigated by a group of older amateur sleuths – to life. Featuring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays and Richard E Grant.

On Netflix from 28 August

The iconic duo of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite for this neo-noir crime drama, a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High And Low. Washington plays a titan music mogul targeted by a ransom plot – alongside a cast that includes Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky and, making her film debut, Ice Spice.

In cinemas from 22 August

Another literary adaptation coming to the small screen this summer is an eight-part series based on Esi Edugyan’s bestselling book. Set in the 19th century, it follows the globe-traversing adventures of 11-year-old George Washington “Wash” Black, who flees the Barbados sugar plantation where he was born after a shocking death. Starring Sterling K Brown, Ernest Kinglsey Jr, Rupert Graves and Tom Ellis.

On Hulu/Disney+ now

The cult sci-fi franchise heads to the small screen for the first time, as a prequel to the original 1979 film. Set two years earlier, the action is led by Sydney Chandler as Wendy (the first hybrid robot-human), who, along with a rag-tag group of soldiers, makes a fateful discovery when the mysterious deep space research vessel crash lands on Earth. Created by Noah Hawley and exec-produced by Ridley Scott, it promises something for fans old and new.

On Hulu/Disney+ from 12 August

Brad Pitt takes the wheel as a former Formula One star who comes out of retirement to mentor a new racing prodigy (Damson Idris). From Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski and screenwriter Ehren Kruger, with footage filmed trackside at Grand Prix events, you’ll catch glimpses of real-life racers including Sir Lewis Hamilton (who also acts as a producer), Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lando Norris, George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.

In cinemas now

This feel-good sports comedy stars Owen Wilson as a former pro golfer turned down-on-his-luck salesman, who decides to hedge his future on coaching a troubled teenage prodigy.

On Apple TV+ now

Celine Song’s semi-autobiographical feature film debut Past Lives, which starred Greta Lee, entranced audiences and critics alike in 2023. Her next outing is already garnering great anticipation: Materialists is a romantic comedy about an elite New York matchmaker who falls into a toxic love triangle, featuring an all-star cast – Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans.

In cinemas now

Concluding Phase Five of the MCU, Chinaka Hodge’s six-part series follows on from the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams returns home to Chicago, having been expelled from MIT, where she becomes entangled with The Hood (Anthony Ramos) and embarks on adventure that means technology and magic collide.

On Disney+ now

Inspired by the podcast Firebug, this miniseries stars Jurnee Smollett and Taron Egerton as a police detective and arson investigator who begrudgingly work together to track down two serial arsonists.

On Apple TV+ now

A stellar cast fronts the latest outing of the Jurassic World franchise – Scarlett Johansson leads with Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey – as the events pick up five years on from Jurassic World Dominion. With dinosaurs only able to survive in a few isolated environments on Earth, an expedition sets off to extract DNA from three of the most colossal prehistoric creatures in an attempt to achieve a life-saving medical breakthrough for humankind.

In cinemas now

The much-anticipated upcoming Superman outing launches the new era of the DC Universe. Written and directed by James Gunn, it sees David Corenswet take on the iconic titular role, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

In cinemas now

Set in May 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal (surely the busiest man in Hollywood right now) helm Ari Aster’s western as the sheriff and mayor of a small New Mexico town in a standoff with each other. Turmoil ensues with neighbours turning on each other, played out by a cast that includes Emma Stone, Austin Butler and Luke Grimes.

In cinemas now