The 9 best movies new to Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu: August 2022

August is almost here! Wow! This month’s crop of new movies being added to streaming includes such beloved favorites as Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Alex Garland’s cerebral sci-fi debut Ex Machina, Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost DogAnd much more.

Below are nine top movies available for streaming on August 20, 2022.

Constantine

Warner Bros. Pictures

Pre-DC Universe DC movie, this supernatural neonoir is starring pre-John Wick Keanu Reynolds as a rather dour John Constantine. It is very similar to an old detective thriller, but with supernatural elements. Constantine This is an entertaining, campy comedy with great actors (Reeves, Tilda Swainton and Peter Stormare are all there), and plenty of silly visual gags. —Pete Volk

ConstantineIt is streaming on Netflix.

Ex Machina

Image: A24

Domhnall Gleeson stars in Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex MachinaCaleb is a young programer who won the opportunity to spend one week at Nathan’s luxurious, isolated compound as a tech CEO. Upon arrival, Caleb agrees to become the key participant of Nathan’s latest venture: a Turing test to gauge the intelligence of Ava (Alicia Vikander), an advanced humanoid robot. This sci-fi thriller probes the interplay of power, gender and consciousness. Ex MachinaThis film is remarkable and ranks among the top sci-fi movies of 2010. —Toussaint Egan

Ex MachinaYou can stream it on HBO Max.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Lionsgate Films

This terrific crime drama from Jim Jarmusch follows a hitman (Forest Whitaker) nicknamed “Ghost Dog” who sees himself as a modern-day samurai and lives by the code in HagakureAlso called: The Book of the Samurai). While living in a modern American setting, he doesn’t use modern technology (he communicates through pigeons) and is mysterious even to those he works with. Ghost Dog, who is being hired to kill a criminal but saves the life of an innocent witness, is taken out.

Whitaker is terrific in the leading role, and Jarmusch’s script and direction are pitch-perfect. However, Ghost Dog really soars because of the score — the first movie soundtrack to be produced by the RZA. –PV

Ghost Dog: Way of the SamuraiYou can stream it on HBO Max.

Locke

Lionsgate Home Entertainment

The car is the only vehicle that can carry this contained thriller. Locke Tom Hardy follows Ivan Locke, a construction foreman as he drives between Birmingham and London just before the start of a major project. Locke (married with children) learns from the woman he has an affair that she is going to have their baby. While driving across the country, Locke tries to keep up with his family by juggling conversations over the telephone with business associates as well as relatives. Hardy’s performance is a masterpiece. He is the only actor to be seen on screen. Locke Steven Knight has achieved remarkable filmmaking feats with his economical films.Peaky Blinders). —PV

LockeYou can stream it on HBO Max.

Man on Fire

Image from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

I can’t speak highly enough about Man on Fire. The 2004 film starring Denzel Washington as a former CIA agent turned bodyguard for a 9-year-old girl in Mexico City found Tony Scott at the peak of his abilities, delivering a brutal, explosive, and emotional action thriller about a man’s quest for redemption and his surrogate love for his charge. The film features intense violence and action, as well as a stunning score by Harry Gregson Williams and Lisa Gerrard. It also has a beautiful ending. Man on FireIt is truly electrifying to watch. —TE

Man on FireHulu allows you to stream it.

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy

Image: Sony Pictures

Netflix and Hulu now have access to three of Marvel’s greatest movies. You heard me.

With Sam Raimi’s latest Marvel movie out and new Spider-Man movies appearing left and right, we’ve talked quite a bit at Polygon about our love of his original trilogy of Spider-Man movies. With excellent use of Raimi’s horror background, a great cast with terrific villainous performances, and a strong moral center, it’s hard to beat.

I’ll happily join the masses in praising the first two movies, which are both excellent, but I’d like to take a moment to praise the third entry. It’s messy, sure, but in a really fascinating way (if you can get past the third act or all the Topher Grace as Venom stuff). It is Spider-Man 3, the successes of the first two movies get to Peter’s head, leaving him as an inadequate Spidey and, most importantly, a very shitty boyfriend to Mary-Jane. This movie is a lot about being a partner in the present, which Peter does not succeed at. If you’re one of the many people who thinks this movie is simply a blight on the franchise, I encourage you to give it another go. And hey, even if you still don’t like it, the other two movies are now right there for you to boot up on Netflix at any time. —PV

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.

Thief

Warner Home Video

James Caan, the late great James CaanGodfather stars in Michael Mann’s 1981 neo-noir heist thriller ThiefFrank is an excon and professional safecracker who wants to get straight and start his family. Frank gets denied his part in his latest heist and is forced to take an assignment from Mob to make ends meet. A beautiful soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, stunning nighttime cinematography from Donald Thorin and a memorable and emotional performance by Caan complete the show. ThiefThis is a stunning achievement and an honor to be considered one of the most respected directors in today’s industry. End of blurb. —TE

ThiefPrime Video allows you to stream it.