5 best Netflix shows to watch (and 2 to skip) in August 2023

Another month of new Netflix releases is upon us, and it’s the last full month of summer. August 2023 boasts some of the biggest releases of the summer so far, including titles you won’t want to stop binge-watching. Luckily, with the number of great shows coming, you won’t have to.

In July, Netflix debuted the final part of The Witcher season 3 while also kicking off The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 with a bang. When we last left Mickey in part 1, his life was on the line as his latest case reached its highest stakes yet. August brings the culmination of season 2.

But not every new Netflix show coming in the final month of summer is worth rushing to watch as soon as it premieres on the streamer. There are some shows that will be popular but won’t be for everyone, and those are the shows most viewers should be choosy about.

Best Netflix shows to watch August 2023

Let’s get into which Netflix shows are the ones to definitely watch in August 2023 and which shows aren’t an immediate priority, beginning with The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 part 2.

The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 part 2

Watch! If you watched The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 part 1, then there’s no way you’re missing part 2. Maybe you even abstained from watching part 1 in order to be able to watch the full season as a whole. At any rate, part 2 releases on Aug. 3 and answers all of our questions about Lisa’s murder trial. Did she do it? Is she really innocent? We can’t wait to find out!

Heartstopper season 2

Watch! Heartsopper fans have been waiting since April 2022 for the follow-up season to the Emmy Award-winning Netflix teen romantic dramedy series. After its breakout season, Netflix quickly renewed Heartstopper for two more seasons. Finally, season 2 arrives on Aug. 3 and reunites us with Charlie, Nick, and their friends for more life-changing coming-of-age adventures.

Zombieverse

Skip! There’s plenty of zombie movies and shows out there to watch, and perhaps you’ve watched them all and are looking for something new. Well, on Aug. 8, Netflix debuts Zombieverse, a Korean reality series that turns Seoul into a “zombie universe” in which contestants must battle for survival. For some viewers, it will be fun, but if it’s not your thing, feel free to skip.

Painkiller

Watch! Have you been watching for the next Netflix limited series to dive right into? It’s been a minute since a limited series hit on the streamer, but on Aug. 10, one of the summer’s biggest new titles arrives. The six-episode scripted limited series Painkiller centers itself in the American opioid crisis and stars Matthew Broderick and Uzo Aduba. Don’t miss this one!

The Chosen One

Skip! The new Mark Millar series The Chosen One premieres on Aug. 16, and fans of teen-skewing fantasy dramas will surely be watching all six episodes. In the series, a 12 year old survives an accident and discovers he’s obtained Jesus-like powers. Obviously, this kind of story and series won’t be for every viewer, so for those not on board, this isn’t your chosen one.

The Upshaws part 4

Watch! You know you need some laughs, and with comedy series (on Netflix especially) being so few and far between, there’s no better time to watch new episodes of The Upshaws. Part 4 of the hilarious family sitcom drops on Aug. 17, and if you haven’t given this show a chance, it’s one of the most underrated sitcoms to watch on Netflix.

One Piece

Watch! The highly anticipated live-action adaption of the fan-favorite manga series closes out the month of Netflix new releases on Aug. 31. One Piece will be one of the most talked about and most popular Netflix shows in August (and going into September). Whether you’re familiar with the series or not, it’s worth checking out purely based on the hype around the show.

If Netflix movies are more your style, check out our list of the 51 best Netflix movies to watch and the 20 to skip right now!

What Netflix shows will you be watching and skipping in August 2023?