7 Family Movies to Stream in August That Will Keep Everyone Entertained

  • Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
  • Updated Aug 16, 2024
7 Family Movies to Stream in August That Will Keep Everyone Entertained

It's August, and that means it's back-to-school time. The long, lazy days of summer are gone, replaced by the memorable hustle and bustle of new routines and the excitement of fresh beginnings. 

Parents and children alike are shopping for school supplies, packing lunches, and setting alarms for those early wake-up calls. They're also preparing for soccer practice, after-school clubs, and, of course, homework assignments. Hopefully, they're making new friends, too.

But when the weekend rolls around, those same families are looking to unwind and enjoy some quality time together, often by gathering around the TV for a cozy movie night.

The major streaming platforms have plenty to offer this month. 

Here are seven new, great movies streaming in August.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Erik Isakson

  • Ainsley McGregor Mysteries

    1. The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case For The Winemaker (Great American Pure Flix)

    A former criminologist living in small-town Texas comes out of retirement when a popular townsman is murdered. This mystery is based on the bestselling novel by Candace Havens and tells the story of Ainsley McGregor, who moves from Chicago to Sweet River, Texas, to open a craft market when tragedy strikes her hometown. It is Great American Family's first venture into the mystery movie series -- and an impressive one. Candace Cameron Bure stars in the lead role. 

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/PureFlix

  • Despicable Me 4

    2. Despicable Me 4 (Home Video)

    Gru, our favorite bad guy-turned-good guy, goes into hiding when an old nemesis, the dangerous villain Maxime, breaks out of prison and vows to get revenge. With the Minions' hilarious help, Gru and his family take on new names and new job titles. (Gru's new identity is "Chet Cunningham," a supposed solar panel dealer.) Of course, little goes as planned. Despicable Me 4 features the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Will Ferrell and continues the redemptive story arc that began with the first film. Rated PG for action and rude humor. Available on premium video on demand, with the lower-priced standard video on demand coming later. 

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Illumination

  • The Lorax

    3. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (Netflix)

    A 12-year-old boy living in a fantastical land with fake vegetation is given the last remaining real-world seed. This animated movie is based on the book by Dr. Seuss and follows the boy's journey to plant the seed and restore nature to his barren world. It's a captivating tale that deepens our appreciation for one of God's greatest blessings -- nature -- and inspires us to be faithful tenants. It was the 11th-highest-grossing movie of 2012. Rated PG for brief, mild language. (For what it's worth: I've never noticed any bad words.)

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Universal Pictures

  • Young Woman and the Sea

    4. Young Woman and the Sea (Disney Plus)

    A young woman defies societal expectations in the 1920s by becoming the first woman to swim across the English Channel. This uplifting film is based on the true story of Gertrude Ederle (Daisy Ridley), an American competitive swimmer who overcame sexism to swim the 21 miles from France to England. She also won an Olympic gold medal. Rated PG for thematic elements, some language and partial nudity. (We briefly see a man's backside from a distance.) Clearplay offers a filter. 

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Walt Disney Studios

  • Migration

    5. Migration (Netflix, Aug. 19)

    A Mallard father overcomes his fear of migration and leads his family out on the first journey of their lives. This charming animated film follows the story of four ducks -- dad Mack, mom Pam, and their two kids, son Dax and daughter Gwen -- who get lost in New York City during their inaugural migration south but meet a parrot who pledges to help them find their way. Migration is a family-centric film about courage and sacrifice and stars Kumail Nanjiani as Mack, Elizabeth Banks as Pam, Danny DeVito as Dan and Awkwafina as a pigeon named Chump. Rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor.

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Illumination

  • The Engagement Plan

    6. The Engagement Plan (Great American Pure Flix)

    A young man's elaborately planned proposal gets sidetracked when his girlfriend insists they visit her family's farm instead. The man, out of his element in the countryside, faces challenges from her skeptical family and an interfering ex-boyfriend, putting their relationship and his proposal in jeopardy. This romantic comedy streams on Great American Pure Flix beginning Aug. 29 and stars Jack Schumacher,  Emily Topper, Ted McGinley, and Faith Ford. 

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Pure Flix

  • Secret World of Sound

    7. Secret World of Sound (Netflix)

    Legendary British broadcaster David Attenborough narrates this fascinating three-part nature documentary series, which explores the extraordinary ways animals use sound to survive, communicate, and thrive in their environments. From the silent flight of owls to the complex songs of lyrebirds, the series uses cutting-edge audio technology to reveal the hidden symphony of the natural world. (Did you know a lion's roar can travel five miles?) It's a celebration of the wonders of God's creation. 

    Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Netflix

    Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.