A dramatic month, ending on a comedic note to break your heart then lift your spirits (no pun intended). Whether you got a laugh from Spider-Man: Homecoming, a scare from It Comes at Night or your heart broken and burst by Dunkirk and The Big Sick.

Maudie (04/08)

Directed by: Aisling Walsh

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke, Kari Matchett, Gabrielle Rose, Zachary Bennett, Billy MacLellan

Synopsis: An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community. 

Why You Should See It: If ever there was a safe bet, as far as English acting goes, it’s Sally Hawkins. Whether it’s Happy-Go-Lucky, Made in Dagenham or Paddington, Hawkins is always a bright light in any film and a pure joy to watch on screen.

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A Ghost Story (11/08)

Directed by: David Lowery

Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Kesha, Brea Grant, Will Oldham

Synopsis: In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife. 

Why You Should See It: The reunion of Affleck, Mara and Lowery after the under the radar drama Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. A strange story but one that is poised to stick with you and the praising response it’s received, doesn’t hurt either.

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Detroit (25/08)

Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow

Starring: John Boyega, Will Poulter, Jack Reynor, John Krasinski, Anthony Mackie, Hannah Murray, Kaitlyn Dever, Jacob Latimore, Jason Mitchell

Synopsis: Amidst the chaos of the Detroit Rebellion, with the city under curfew and as the Michigan National Guard patrolled the streets, three young African American men were murdered at the Algiers Motel. 

Why You Should See It: The first feature for Bigelow since Zero Dark Thirty and prepared to be the third in a line of hard hitting dramas, a retelling of almost unbelievable yet incredibly historically important events. This is a film that walks a line of audience members leaving cinemas underwhelmed or emotionally drained.

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Logan Lucky (25/08)

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Riley Keough, Sebastian Stan, Seth MacFarlane, Hilary Swank, Katherine Waterson

Synopsis: Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina. 

Why You Should See It: A film whose plot does not need much explaining; a bad idea with bad intentions and a bunch of well meaning criminals, what could possibly go wrong? Other than everything, of course. A great cast with a talented director headed back to the big screen for the first time in 4 years, if you don’t count the cinematic screening of HBO’s Behind the Candelabra.

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Rough Night (25/08)

Directed by: Lucia Aniello

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glaser, Zoë Kravitz, Demi Moore, Colton Haynes, Ty Burrell

Synopsis: Things go terribly wrong for a group of girlfriends who hire a male stripper for a bachelorette party in Miami. 

Why You Should See It: Although the story may be horribly clichéd, apart from the gender of its participants, the blend of comedic talent is enough to make this film incredibly appealing. The negative buzz would unsurprisingly make some viewers hesitant but this will most likely be one that you’ll either find hilarious or unfunny, it’s a risk but one worth taking for the combination of fantastic comedians and actresses.

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And that’s the top 5 rounded up, but whether you agree or you’d rather go see Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, The Emoji Movie, The Dark Tower or American Made. There’s plenty of variety this month at the UK box office so enjoy!