Netflix is keeping its summer momentum alive with a fresh slate of movies and television series, and if the past week’s lineup is any indication, there’s no shortage of variety—or excitement—on the world’s biggest streaming platform. From gripping crime dramas and high-octane action to the return of beloved creators, August 2025 is shaping up to be a banner month for Netflix subscribers.
On August 15, 2025, Netflix rolled out several new movies and TV series, giving fans plenty to binge as the weekend arrived. Among the most anticipated premieres was Night Always Comes, a gritty crime drama thriller directed by Benjamin Caron. Starring Vanessa Kirby, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Zack Gottsagen, the film adapts Willy Vlautin’s best-selling novel and runs for 108 minutes of tense, emotional storytelling. As reported by What’s on Netflix, the movie centers on Lynette, a determined but flawed anti-heroine who plunges into Portland’s criminal underworld in a desperate, one-night quest to gather enough money to save her family from eviction.
Though Night Always Comes has generated plenty of buzz, critics have been divided. According to The Guardian, "Night Always Comes tries to be both seat-edge action thriller and searing social issue drama and while Caron is able to squeeze suspense out of the early, frenetic moments, there’s not enough emotional weight to the more human final act." The film currently holds a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a mix of praise and criticism. Despite the lukewarm critical reception, Vanessa Kirby’s performance—fresh off her turn in Fantastic Four—has helped draw viewers eager for a grounded and intense drama.
But that’s not all that hit the streamer this week. Netflix also added the first two seasons of Quantum Leap, the continuation of the classic sci-fi series. With 31 episodes and a TV-PG rating, the show picks up three decades after the original, following physicist Ben Song and his team as they reopen the time-travel experiment that once consumed Sam Beckett. The revival, starring Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, and Mason Alexander Park, was cut short after just two seasons due to a surprise cancellation. Still, What’s on Netflix notes it’s worth a watch—especially since the licensing deal is short and the show will only be available for streaming for six months. Fans of the original have been urged to catch up before it disappears again.
Action aficionados also have reason to celebrate. Kandahar (2023), starring Gerard Butler alongside Tom Rhys Harries and Farhad Bagheri, surged in popularity after landing on Netflix. The film, described as a "popcorn action movie in every sense," follows an undercover CIA operative trapped in hostile Afghan territory after his mission is exposed. Accompanied by his translator, he must battle enemy combatants to reach an extraction point in Kandahar. While critics were less than kind when it first hit theaters two years ago, Kandahar has become a fan-favorite on streaming, rounding out the top three most-watched movies in the US this week. According to the official synopsis, "An undercover CIA operative gets stuck in hostile territory in Afghanistan after his mission is exposed. Accompanied by his translator, he must fight enemy combatants as he tries to reach an extraction point in Kandahar."
Beyond these headline-grabbing titles, Netflix’s weekly haul included a whopping 10 new movies and 14 new TV series, spanning languages and genres. Among the new films were Deive Leonardo – Before & After (Portuguese), Fixed (English), Jim Jefferies: Two Limb Policy (English), Marry Me (English), and the animated Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage (Japanese). TV fans could dive into everything from the reality series Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser to international dramas like In the Mud (Spanish) and The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies (Korean).
So, what are viewers actually watching? According to What’s on Netflix, the most popular movies in the US for the week ending August 15 are KPop Demon Hunters (which continues to dominate charts nationwide), Happy Gilmore 2, and Kandahar. Other notable entries include Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Gods of Egypt, Marry Me, and My Oxford Year. On the television side, Wednesday remains the undisputed champion, followed by The Hunting Wives and UNTAMED. Rounding out the top ten are shows like Sullivan’s Crossing, Perfect Match, and Leanne.
But perhaps the most exciting news for fans of smart comedy and heartfelt storytelling is the return of Dan Levy. Ever since Schitt’s Creek wrapped in 2020, viewers have been eager to see what the Emmy-winning creator would tackle next. The wait is almost over: as reported on August 16, 2025, Levy is producing and starring in a new Netflix series called Big Mistakes, a family crime comedy about two siblings who find themselves blackmailed into the world of organized crime. Levy stars alongside Taylor Ortega and Laurie Metcalf, with Jack Innanen, Boran Kuzum, and Abby Quinn also joining the ensemble. The project is co-created with Rachel Sennott, who will serve as executive producer.
Levy’s enthusiasm for the series is palpable. In a statement released by Netflix and quoted by Out, he said, "I’m so excited to be bringing this truly chaotic family story to life with Netflix. I’m thrilled with the team we’re building both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Taylor Ortega is going to become a household name, and it’s been my life’s mission to get to call Laurie Metcalf 'mother.' Looking forward to getting to share this with everyone." Currently in production, Big Mistakes does not yet have a release date, but anticipation is already running high among fans and critics alike.
This latest project is part of Levy’s overall deal with Netflix, signed after Schitt’s Creek became a runaway success on the platform. Levy previously wrote, directed, and starred in the romantic drama Good Grief (2023), which featured Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, and Luke Evans. With Big Mistakes, Levy aims to blend sharp comedy with the tension of a crime caper, promising viewers a fresh take on the family sitcom.
Netflix’s August schedule shows no signs of slowing down. Upcoming releases include a new season of With Love, Meghan and a controversial film exploring the Gabby Petito case. For those in the mood for nostalgia, seven of the Fast and Furious movies are set to hit the platform this weekend, offering a marathon-worthy binge for fans of high-speed action.
It’s clear that Netflix is doubling down on its commitment to deliver something for everyone, from high-stakes thrillers and sci-fi reboots to comedies from TV’s brightest minds. Whether you’re in the mood for a tense night in Portland’s criminal underbelly, a leap through time, or a laugh-out-loud crime comedy, the streamer’s new releases are keeping viewers glued to their screens—and eagerly awaiting what’s next.
