What’s New to Stream on Netflix for August 2021

Crossing the Streams is a series of columns spotlighting all the offerings hitting the big streaming services each month. This time we’re checking out the new Netflix arrivals for August 2021 including sports documentaries, French eco-horror, and more!

Netflix Pick of the Month for August 2021

Eco horror is a niche subgenre that’s changed quite a bit over the years for reasons both good (no more animal abuse!) and bad (let’s use crappy CG!). But the right filmmaker can still make it work and deliver the goods. Director Just Philippot is unproven on that front so far. Yet judging by the premise and trailer at least, The Swarm (premiering on August 6th) looks like it might just be a winner. The movie sees a woman start an edible locust business. But when they get a taste of her blood, her entrepreneurial efforts take a deadly turn. The trailer does a good job of not spoiling things, meaning it’s unclear if they become bloodthirsty — or if she becomes deranged — but I am all in for some disturbing animal attack antics from France.

Something for the Sports Fans

The creators of Netflix’s wildly popular true-crime documentary series Wild Wild Country return with something new: a five-part doc series exploring stories from the world of sports that have never been told in this much detail. Interviews, archival footage, and new insights promise some engaging deep-dives in the vein of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series.

Untold: Malice at the Palace (premiering on August 10th) tackles the infamous brawl that occurred on November 19, 2004, during a game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. An on-court rubbing escalated when a “fan” threw a beer at a player, who then rushed into the stands to return the favor. Soon the entire place erupted into chaos. Injuries, suspensions, and media drubbings followed. The documentary features new interviews with those involved. They include a dumbass “fan” who walked onto the court and threw up hands against Ron Artest. And then went on to play the victim. Fans have always been the absolute worst.

Untold: Deal With the Devil (premiering on August 17th) explores the world of female boxing with a sharp focus on Christy Martin. She entered the sport and became a champion. But her rise was followed by a terrifying fall. Drug addiction, domestic violence, and attempted murder are all part of the story that followed. The doc features a new interview with Martin. Plus interviews with others, including the man who became her trainer, her lover… and her abuser. It’s a pretty engrossing tale about the collision between determination, ego, and adversity.

Untold: Crime and Penalties (premiering on August 31st) tackles the world of hockey in the form of a minor league team straight out of the movies. A seventeen-year-old boy took control of a little nothing team, and he shaped it into a combination of his two loves: professional wrestling and The Mighty Ducks. The end result was about what you’d expect. Chaos, violence, and FBI involvement followed even as the team was finding fans and success. Fans of Slap Shot will want to give this wild story a watch.

More New Netflix Movies

Netflix is releasing a ton of new series, seasons, and documentaries this month, but they have a handful of movies, too (in addition to The Swarm). The Kissing Booth 3 (premiering on August 11th) continues the apparently popular tale of Elle Evans and the boys who love her, and while I’ve seen neither of the previous entries they’ve clearly struck a nerve with young viewers. Their success hopefully bodes well for other YA features on the streamer including the eventual sequel to The Half of It that I think we all need and deserve.

Jason Momoa has the big screen locked up with future Aquaman movies (probably…honestly, who knows what DC’s doing at any given moment). But his most interesting work is on the small screen. Apple has his post-apocalyptic series, HBO has his fantasy one, and Netflix has an action movie called Sweet Girl (premiering on August 20th). He plays a man whose wife dies from a preventable illness and leaves him craving revenge. But when bad guys come calling, he’s forced into protection mode for what’s left of his family. I’ll be happy if it’s as least as good as Braven.

The Oldest New Arrival

Netflix isn’t known for its older content. And by older I of course mean pre-2000. So it’s always special when they bring “ancient” movies onto the service. They usually add a few new ones per month, mostly from the ’90s. Once in a while, they reach even further back — all the way to the ’80s! Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) is this month’s oldest new arrival, and while it’s no hidden gem it is still an absolute blast of comical teenage angst and hijinks. Matthew Broderick is a cool little bastard. And the shenanigans that John Hughes unleashes are still every bit as entertaining as you recall. If you haven’t seen this movie in a while it’s well worth a rewatch.

The Complete Netflix List for August 2021

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