Here’s Everything Coming to CBC Gem in August 2025: Comedy Specials, Cult Favourites, and Award-Winning Films

August is heating up on CBC Gem. If staying indoors is part of your summer plan, you’re in luck.

The platform’s newest lineup gives you plenty of reasons to stay glued to your screen. Expect everything from stand-up comedy and cult TV favorites to award-winning indie films. There’s something for every type of viewer this August 2025.

Must-See CBC Gem Originals

FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2025: Jokes, Jokes, Jokes
Streaming now, this powerful eight-part comedy series features a lineup of Canada’s sharpest comics—including Chris Robinson, Lisa Berry, and Hoodo Hersi—sharing stand-up that blends truth, humour, and cultural commentary. Each digital short explores family, freedom, identity, and resilience through a uniquely Canadian lens.

Plan B (Season 3) – August 8
The third season of the emotional time-travel anthology stars Abigail Walker, a grieving mother trying to prevent her daughter’s suicide by altering the past—only to face deeper consequences. Each twist tests the boundaries of love, control, and fate.

The New Wave of Standup (Season 6) – August 29
Filmed at Vancouver’s JFL NorthWest Festival, this new season features 14 rising comedians, each delivering their own 10-minute special. It is a fast, funny, and fierce look at Canada’s next big names in comedy.

Short Film Face Off (Season 18) – August 30
Canada’s favourite short film competition returns, showcasing original work from filmmakers across the country in a friendly contest format.

Returning Favourites and Cult Classics

Portlandia (Seasons 5–8) – Weekly drops from August 1 to August 22
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein return as the oddball residents of Portland, Oregon. This satirical sketch show delivers absurdist humour, quirky characters, and offbeat charm. New seasons land every Friday.

Friday Night Lights (Seasons 3–5) – August 1, 15, and 29
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose. The heartfelt Texas high school football drama continues with more emotional moments and small-town life lessons.

Mary Kills People (Seasons 2–3) – August 15 and 29
Catch up on the gritty, thought-provoking Canadian drama about an ER doctor who helps terminally ill patients end their lives on their own terms.

Movie Highlights

Lady Bird – August 22
Greta Gerwig’s coming-of-age indie gem arrives on CBC Gem. Starring Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, this Academy Award-nominated film explores identity, mother-daughter relationships, and the bittersweet chaos of adolescence.

The Royal Hotel – August 29
Starring Julia Garner, this Australian psychological drama follows two women backpackers who get caught in a tense and unsettling outback town while working in a remote bar.

More Titles to Watch Out For

Colin from Accounts (Season 2) – August 1
Chateau DIY (Season 8) – August 1
The Affair (Season 4) – August 22
Amandaland (Season 1) – August 22
Motherland (Seasons 1–3) – August 8
Big Zuu and AJ Tracey’s Rich Flavours – August 8
Absolutely Canadian Documentaries (Various dates)

Whether you are into high-stakes drama, indie film gems, or quirky cult TV, CBC Gem’s August lineup proves it is a standout platform for both Canadian stories and international favourites.

Which August CBC Gem title are you most excited to stream—Lady Bird, FreeUp!, or Friday Night Lights? Let us know in the comments.

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