As the peak of summer hits, temperatures begin to creep to an all time high. On those days when you just want to stay inside, don’t feel too bad, because EnVi has your back! From romantic comedies to superhero action, we have curated an engaging list of August releases that will have you glued to your seat — and beating the sweltering heat.
Butterfly: August 13
Nearly ten years after its original print release, BOOM! Studio’s graphic novel “Butterfly” by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett will make its screen debut, coming to Prime Video on August 13. Leading the six-episode series is Daniel Dae Kim, who also serves as an executive producer on the project alongside his 3AD partner, John Cheng. The development of “Butterfly” marks the second major endeavor for Kim’s self-founded production company, 3AD, following the production of the ABC medical drama, “The Good Doctor,” which first aired in 2017.
“‘Butterfly’ is a character-driven spy thriller that explores complex dynamics within the treacherous world of global espionage,” BOOM! Studios explained in a press release. The action-packed series centers on David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), an enigmatic and highly unpredictable former U.S. intelligence operative living in South Korea. After the consequences of an impossible decision from his past come back to haunt his mind, further conflict arises when he finds himself being pursued by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a deadly and sociopathic young agent assigned to kill him.
Other members of the global cast include Park Hae-soo, Kim Ji-hoon, Kim Tae-hee, Charles Parnell, Sean Dulake, Piper Perabo, Louis Landau, and Nayoon Kim, who will play recurring roles. Additional guest roles will be delivered by Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa.
Eyes of Wakanda: August 1
Following the release of the film Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, the animated series Eyes of Wakanda leads the television sector in Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series, created and directed by Todd Harris, is described as an anthology adjacent format, and it follows the Hatut Zaraze, Wakandan warriors, as they carry out dangerous missions around the world throughout history to retrieve vibranium artifacts.
A special first look at the series was given during the Annecy Animation Festival in France. It was followed by a Q&A session from Harris, where he gave insight into the historical research that went on behind the scenes. The first episode of Eyes of Wakanda begins in 1260 B.C. and focuses on Noni (voiced by Winnie Harlow), a besmirched Dora Milaje turned Wakandan secret agent who is on the hunt for a thief known as Lion (voiced by Cress Williams). The series’ antagonist, Lion, is a former Wakandan soldier turned pirate captain who plans to build his own kingdom with stolen Wakandan technology.
Each of the four 30-minute episodes is set to feature a new agent and antagonist in different time periods.
Additional members of the ensemble cast include Patricia Belcher (Good Luck Charlie), Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield (Greenleaf), Jacques Colimon (The Society), Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams (The Boondocks), Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint (House of the Dragon), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess and the Frog).
Exit 8: August 29
This next one is for our video game lovers. During the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Japanese psychological horror film Exit 8 made its screen debut during the Midnight Screenings section — and subsequently received an eight-minute standing ovation. This achievement is significant, as the premise for the film revolves around an independently developed adventure game from Japan.
After only nine months of development, the walking simulator style game “The Exit 8,” created by KOTAKE CREATE, was initially released on Steam, but was later added to other gaming platforms like Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Prior to its Cannes Film Festival debut, it was announced that the original game had garnered over 1.4 million downloads worldwide.
The live-action adaptation, directed and written by Genki Kawamura (“If Cats Disappeared from the World”), features Arashi member Kazunari Ninomiya as the ‘Lost Man,’ a character who must escape the clutches of an eerily empty subway passageway. Aside from the ‘Walking Man’ (Yamato Kochi), the only source of guidance is an information sign that has four rules: do not overlook any anomalies; if you find an anomaly, turn back immediately; if you do not find any anomalies, do not turn back; and go out from Exit 8.
What happens if the ‘Lost Man’ doesn’t adhere to these rules? Well, he is promptly sent back to the beginning of the loop, forced to make sense of the vague mandates all over again.
Accompanying cast members who hold undisclosed roles include Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu. On August 29, Exit 8 will premiere in Japanese theaters, followed by an international theatrical release starting in Australia and New Zealand.
Somewhere Somehow: August 8
From IDOLFACTORY, home of Thailand’s first mainstream GL series GAP, comes an equally heartwarming and chaotic love story. Based on the web novel of the same name by Mon Maw, the upcoming Thai romantic comedy Somewhere, Somehow, illustrates the oh-so-complicated connection between Kee (Fay Kunyaphat Na Nakorn) and Peem (May Yada Watcharamusik), whose differing personalities make for consistent and unnecessary angst.
In school, Kee was known as a tsundere who would not break her cool exterior for anyone except her secret crush. Despite being pursued by various other girls, Kee only has eyes for Peem, the resident nice girl, who, through a series of friendly gestures, slowly but surely breaks down Kee’s stronghold. From Kee’s perspective, her crush’s advances come off as nothing more than a social nicety, but everyone around her is insisting the opposite. Is it possible that her romantic feelings for Peem aren’t one-sided after all?
After examining the situation through a different lens and gaining courage, Kee decides to confess to Peem, who enthusiastically reciprocates. As they finish out their last year of high school and navigate their budding relationship, the future seems like smooth sailing — until they are forced to break up and go their separate ways. Things seem like they may be over for good, but fate has other plans. After nearly a decade, the pair crosses paths once more, but this time as boss and employee.
Additional members of the supporting cast include Looknam Orntara Poolsak, Heng Asavarid Pinitkanjanapun, Namneung Milin Watinthanakit, Jane Kunjiranut Intarasin, Satchan Sawitchaya Kajonrungsilp, Victor Chatchawit Techarukpong, and Kaimook Warattaya Deesomlert. Somewhere, Somehow will be available for global streaming via IDOLFACTORY’s official YouTube channel on August 8th.
My Oxford Year: August 1
For her second film of the year, Sofia Carson explores what life and love have to offer across the pond. Inspired by the novel of the same name, the upcoming romantic comedy My Oxford Year follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson), an ambitious American student who is headed to England for a one-year study abroad program.
Anna’s allotted time at the prestigious Oxford University was meant to be nothing more than a way to fulfill a childhood dream before she returns to New York for an incoming position at Goldman Sachs, but an unexpected encounter causes a hitch in her plans. On the first day of classes, Anna finds herself smitten with Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest), who is not just any local — he is her poetry professor. Learning of her limited time in Oxford, and not wanting their palpable chemistry to go to waste, Jamie engages with Anna as a means of ‘fun’ — or so he thought.
Additional actors that will be starring along Carson and Mylchreest include, Dougray Scott, Catherine McCormack, Harry Trevalydwyn, Esmé Kingdom, Nikhil Parmar, Poppy Gilbert, Romina Cocca, Yadier Fernández, Nia Anisah, and Hugh Coles.
Ne Zha 2: August 22
Ready to experience the biggest animated blockbuster of the year? Well, now is your chance. On July 9, 2025, headlines broke regarding a collaboration between the indie film distributor A24 and China’s state-backed distributor CMC Pictures. The surprise collaboration would bring an English-language version of Ne Zha 2 to screens across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Since its release during the Chinese Lunar New Year in January, Ne Zha 2 has earned a whopping 2.2 billion dollars at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing animated film and surpassing both Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (2024) and its predecessor, Ne Zha (2019).
The upcoming English-dubbed release is set to feature Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh in a lead voice role, alongside Crystal Lee, Vincent Rodriquez III, and Aleks Le. Additional members of the voice acting cast have not been disclosed at this time. Written and directed by Yang Yu (also known as Jiaozi), the fantasy adventure film series draws inspiration from the Ming Dynasty novel “Investiture of the Gods” and features the rebellious deity Ne Zha, who grapples with internal conflict as he tries to transcend a prophecy that foretells his destruction of the world.
Shine: August 2
After leading the widely popular action BL series KinnPorsche in 2022, Thai actors Mile Phakphum Romsaithong and Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat reignite their fiery chemistry for the much-anticipated romantic comedy series, Shine.
The development of the series was first announced in January 2024 during a joint press conference between BeOnCloud and Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, with the original narrative set to exist in the same period as the mystery thriller film Man Suang (2023). After careful deliberation, Shine’s script was later revised to reflect the era of resistance that occurred in Thailand during the 60s and 70s.
In 1969 Bangkok, Trin (Apo Nattawin), a respectable economist, crosses paths with the blithe hippie Thawa (Mile Phakphum), causing the once unequivocal perception he had on life to become obsolete. Despite their drastically different backgrounds, the pair develop a special bond, uplifting each other in a time of uncertainty. After coming into contact with Mondira (Nok Sinjai Plengpanich), a widow who is the epitome of extravagance, Trin and Thawa find themselves navigating through both political and personal strife.
Supporting cast members include Son Yuke Songpaisan, Kob Pimolrat Pisolyabutra, Punpun Sutatta Udomsilp, Oab Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang, Peter Deriy, Mio Athens Werapatanakul, Bump Pawat Akkradetsskul, Euro Yotsawat Tawapee, and JJay Patiphan Fueangfunuwat. The eight-episode series premieres on August 2nd and will be available for global streaming via WeTV (also known as Tencent Video).
Final Draft: August 12
Are you a fan of the South Korean reality series Physical 100? If so, you’ll be delighted to learn about this next one. During the 2025 Next on Netflix event, an array of live-action Japanese content was announced, including four unscripted series: Offline Love, Badly in Love, Welcome, Now Get Lost and Final Draft. The latter has drawn significant attention, as it will become the first Japanese-produced survival series to air globally on Netflix.
Making up the ranks of hopeful contestants are 25 former athletes who hold expertise in a variety of athletic sports, including baseball, water polo, soccer, and martial arts. These athletes, some of whom had to put their dreams on hold and others who retired by choice, are back in the spotlight to flaunt their undying skills and compete for a hefty monetary prize of 30 million yen (approximately 200,000 USD). The prize money that the winner receives will go towards the start of a brand new career.
The lineup for Final Draft consists of a healthy mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars. A few of the stand-out contenders are former baseball player Yoshio Itoi, who has been dubbed ‘Superman’ due to his exceptional athletic ability, and Olympic gold medalist Eri Tosaka, who initially announced her retirement from wrestling in 2022. Other prominent contestants joining the series include former water polo player Atushi Arai, high school baseball prodigy Yuya Shozui, comedian and former American football player Koji Tokuda and three-division boxing champion Hozumi Hasegawa. As viewers watch the athletes compete in a series of demanding competitions, the realities of the emotional and physical sacrifices they have made and will make during their professional journey become all the more apparent.
Twelve: August 23
If you are obsessed with the action fantasy series Moving, you will surely love this next pick. From director Kang Dae-gyu comes the fantasy superhero drama Twelve, which centers around 12 zodiac-inspired angels whose main duty is to protect the Korean Peninsula from evil spirits. Following a fierce battle and the sacrifice of the four angels that symbolized the cow, rabbit, sheep, and chicken, the evil spirits that once wreaked havoc on mankind have been sealed away in the Gate of Hell, never to be heard from again. Despite the eradication of evil, the eight surviving angels made the decision to remain on earth, where they carry out their lives disguised as humans. For thousands of years, peace endures — until the seal that once held strong begins to break, revealing an even greater evil.
Ushering in the star-studded line-up is Ma Dong-seok (a.k.a Don Lee), who portrays Tae-san, the leader of the angels who symbolizes the tiger. Additional angels and their representative animals include Won Seung (Seo In-guk), the monkey; Mir (Lee Joo-bin), the dragon; Don Yi (Go Kyu-pil), the pig; Bang Wool (Regina Lei), the snake; Gang-ji (Kang Mina), the dog; Jwi-dol (Sung Yoo-bin), the rat; and Mal Sook (Ahn Ji-hye), the horse. Rounding out the cast are Sung Dong-il, who plays the role of Ma-rok, a human with god-gifted special abilities who acts as a ‘manager’ for the angels, and the antagonistic spirit O-gwi, played by Park Hyung-sik. The eight-episode series is set to premiere on August 23 via Disney+ or Hulu, based on your region.
Ready to add more promising movies and shows to your ever growing watch-list? Check out our July Premiere Picks here!
