Canceling a streaming service is a quick and relatively easy way to save money in any given month. While the default can be cancel netflix, we want to make sure you make the right choice. Of course, if you go this route, you can get two of our favorite streaming services in its place.
The big deal, though, is FOMO — the fear of missing out on an amazing new show or movie. What if Netflix had a must-watch show or movie in the next few weeks that keeps you away from cooler conversations and group chats?
That’s why we take a deep dive into what best streaming services offer in August 2022 and give our recommendation for which streamer(s) to cut.
As we do every month, we break down what’s new on netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV Plusand Disney+. We won’t go into the things they already have, because it’s impossible to guess what you have (and haven’t) already watched.
Peacock and Paramount More are streaming services on the rise, but not worth considering for this list because they’re just not as widespread. We also skip Amazon First videoas it is less of a standalone service and more of a Prime membership benefit.
Should we cancel Apple TV Plus in August 2022?
Apple TV Plus delivered on its promise of quality over quantity. Recently, TG Global Editor Mark Spoonauer found his favorite show of the year on Apple TV Plus.
Apple TV Plus is one of the cheapest streaming services on the market at $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99 per month (opens in a new tab). For that low price, you can see a truly excellent sight, like the aforementioned Blackbird and the underrated Trying. But what does Apple TV Plus do for us this month?
The first is Luck (August 5), Apple’s first 3D animated feature from its partnership with Skydance Animation. It follows an unlucky girl who finds the land of luck, where she encounters mythical creatures and may be able to turn the tide.
Comes next Five Days at the Memorial (August 12), which hails from writer/producer/director John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) and Carlton Cuse (Lost). The disaster thriller is set in a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan has a new series showcasing her wicked humor. In black comedy Bad Sisters (August 19), she is one of five sisters who have sworn to always protect each other. When one person is abused by a cruel husband, the others band together and plot to kill him.
The end of the month brings the third and final season of View (August 26), which stars Jason Momoa in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by blindness. The warrior Baba Voss is called upon from self-imposed exile in the forest to protect his tribe from a devastating new weapon on sight.
My recommendation: Apple’s lineup of new titles looks compelling, and a subscription only costs about as much as a latte.
Should you cancel HBO Max in August 2022?
We named HBO Max as the best streaming service, but its somewhat high price tag ($15 for a regular subscription, $10 for an ad-free subscription) may put it on the budget chopping block. It really depends on what it is first.
The month started off strong with the arrival of a slew of films from independent studio A24, including Amy, Ex Machina, Room and the Spectacular Now.
August also brings new seasons of fan-favorite reality shows: Sweet Life: Los Angeles season 2 (August 4), Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Detroit Lions (August 9) and House of Ho season 2 (August 25).
But the big first is Dragon House (21st of August), the highly anticipated prequel series to Game of Thrones. It focuses on the Targaryens, with the first season chronicling a succession fight. Hundreds of years before Daenerys was born, her ancestors were also fighting for the Iron Throne. And they had several dragons!
My recommendation: House of the Dragon could be huge, and the A24 movies are a nice bonus you might want to keep HBO Max this month.
- If you’re ready for more House of the Dragon and more, sign up for HBO Max (opens in a new tab)
Should we cancel Netflix in August 2022?
July was a big month for Netflix, with the releases of Stranger Things 4 Volume 2, The Gray Man and Resident Evil — which is why we recommended not canceling the service. So how’s August going?
The month begins, as usual, with a slew of movies flooding the service. But we’re more excited for Sam Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.
The first big new Netflix show is The Sandman (August 5), the long-awaited adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s beloved comics. Tom Sturridge plays Dream/Morpheus, while Game of Thrones alum Gwendoline Christie is Lucifer Morningstar.
Then comes the third and final season of Locke and Key (August 10)the supernatural fantasy series about siblings who have the ability to unlock magical doors.
At Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever season 3 (August 12) reunites with Devi in an official relationship with Paxton Hall-Yoshida, but her romantic woes aren’t quite over yet.
And as August draws to a close, Sell the OC (August 24) lets you indulge in luxury real estate and workplace disputes. It’s a spinoff of the hit Selling Sunset, so you can expect a lot of drama.
My recommendation: The Sandman seems to do justice to Gaiman’s iconic work, while Never Have I Ever is one of the best shows on Netflix. Still, that may not be enough for the price.
Should Hulu be canceled in August 2022?
Hulu (from $6.99 per month (opens in a new tab)) may not be as big as its Disney Plus corporate sibling, but it has a lot to offer. Only the murders in the building are currently airing, as are the next day episodes of The Bachelorette.
Hulu’s August schedule looks stacked and starts strong with Reservations Dogs (August 3), one of the best shows to watch everywhere. Season 2 sees the town recover from a hurricane, while Elora and Jackie continue their adventure on the road.
Comes next Prey (August 5), a prequel film to the Predator films. It is set in 1719, when a Comanche Nation warrior hunts a creature that turns out to be a highly evolved aline.
Hulu is well known as the home of many great true crime documentaries and dramas. The docuseries Children of the subway (August 13) tells the story of Faye Yager, a vigilante who hid hundreds of allegedly abused mothers and children. But maybe she wasn’t the saint she seemed.
Two very different genres of documentaries come out on the same day. Welcome to Wrexham (August 25) follows Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after they buy a struggling football team in North Wales.
Mike (August 25) explores the wild, tragic and controversial life and career of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
At the end of August, Steve Carell headlines a new drama, The Patient (August 30). He plays a therapist who is kidnapped by a patient who asks for help to curb his murderous urges.
My recommendation: Hulu has some great new releases coming out in August, along with more episodes of ongoing series.
Should Disney Plus be canceled in August 2022?
Last month, we recommended canceling Disney Plus because its lineup was lackluster. But the month of August seems to be turning the tide for the service.
First, the streaming debut of Light year (August 3), the spin-off film from Pixar’s Toy Story. Chris Evans voices the Space Guards protagonist, who ultimately inspired the toy Andy cherishes.
Shortly after, L.EGO Star Wars: Summer Vacation (August 5) sends Finn, Rey, Poe, Rose, Chewie, BB-8, R2-D2 and C-3PO on a space cruise – but things go horribly wrong.
The original shorts of I am Groot (August 10) follow the glory days of Baby Groot growing up and getting into trouble among the stars.
The first very big premiere of August is She-Hulk: Lawyer (August 17). Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who goes green and gains power just like her cousin Bruce Banner.
Disney Plus closes out the month with the second big debut, Andor (August 31). Diego Luna reprises his role as Rogue One in this prequel about Cassian Andor’s journey to join the rebellion.
My recommendation: Marvel and Star Wars fans have some juicy new series to watch, though the two big releases are towards the end of the month.
Streaming Services in August: Highlights This Month
| Service | Notable shows and movies | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV Plus | Watch Season 3, Five Days at Memorial, Bad Sisters | $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99 |
| Disney+ | She-Hulk, Andor, Lightyear | $7.99 / £7.99 / AU$11.99 |
| HBO Max | House of the Dragon, A24 films | $9.99 with ads, $14.99 without ads |
| netflix | The Sandman, Never Have I Ever season 3, Locke and Key season 3 | $15.49 / £10.99 / AU$16.99 for Standard |
| Hulu | Reservation dogs, welcome to Wrexham, the patient | $6.99 with ads, $12.99 without ads |
The two streaming services I’m cutting this month are:
August is a time when many people have to tighten their budget, whether they spend more for the end of summer holidays or back to school. If you’re in this boat, you can get away with canceling two streaming services: Netflix and Disney Plus.
Netflix’s August lineup looks pretty good, don’t get me wrong. The Sandman looks intriguing, Never Have I Ever is one of my favorite shows, and Selling the OC is my kind of guilty pleasure. But they don’t really justify paying more than $15. I can gorge myself on these three shows in September.
As for Disney Plus, She-Hulk and Andor are two of the biggest releases of the year. But both come out towards the end of the month, and the service doesn’t have any major current series with weekly episodes. If you cancel Disney Plus in August and then resubscribe in September, you’ll only have missed three episodes of She-Hulk (only a third of the season). And Andor airs on August 31, so you just have to wait a day to see the first two episodes.