From docos on Jaws and Billy Joel to Happy Gilmore 2: the best shows to stream in July
From quality docos on Jaws and Billy Joel to the return of Happy Gilmore, Dexter and The Summer I Turned Pretty, there’s something for everyone.
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From a 50th birthday celebration of a cinema classic to a fond farewell to a hit teen romance and a killer who seemingly can’t die, there’s streaming to suit all tastes in July
APPLE TV+
FOUNDATION
JULY 11
After the writers and actors strikes and budgeting issues, the third season of the sci-fi series has been a long time coming, but it looks as epic as the trailblazing Isaac Asimov books from which it was adapted. Set 152 years after the events of the second season it continues the story of a band of exiles trying to rebuild civilisation. Threatening the fragile alliance of the Empire and the Foundation is the arrival of a terrifying war lord known as The Mule (Pilou Asbaek, channelling his nasty, deranged agent of chaos Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones), who can control minds to “convert enemies into allies, hate into love” and is hellbent in ruling the universe.
THE WILD ONES
JULY 11
In what’s shaping up as a mash-up of a David Attenborough nature doco and a Bear Grylls adventure, three wildlife experts venture to some of the world’s least accessible locations to track and protect some of the planet’s most endangered species. Wildlife and camera trap expert Declan Burley and ecological storyteller and wildlife cinematographer Vianet Djenguet – under the watchful eye of former Royal Marines Commando Aldo Kane – visit Malaysia, Mongolia, Armenia, Indonesia, Canada, and Gabon, using hi-tech cameras to capture rare footage of elusive species, including the Malayan tiger, Gobi bear, Caucasian leopard, Javan rhino, North Atlantic right whale, and Western lowland gorilla.
ALSO SHOWING
Snoopy Presents: A Simmer Musical – July 18
BINGE
THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER
JULY 1
More than two decades after the original, made-for-TV fantasy adventure film starring ER’s Noah Wyle as a time-travelling protector of magical artefacts, which was spun off into a TV series that ran for four seasons from 2014-2017, comes this reboot. Creator Dean Devlin is on board once more, with Callum McGovern starring as a new Librarian who has travelled from the past but is now stuck in the present. When he inadvertently unleashes magic on the modern world, he has to enlist a crack team of eclectic heroes to clean up the mess.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BAKE OFF
JULY 29
Comedian Tom Walker takes over from the late, great Cal Wilson to join Natalie Tran as co-host when the ever-reliable and relatable baking reality show returns for an eighth season. Judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchase will also be back to critique the culinary creations of 12 amateur bakers from around the country as they tackle 30 challenges across ten weeks. This season will also feature a special Earth Week episode – dedicated to sustainability and championing green initiatives – in which bakers will craft raw cakes and edible terrariums.
ALSO SHOWING
The Couple Next Door Season 2 – 16
DISNEY+
JAWS@50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY
JULY 11
It kept traumatised viewers out of the water for years, broke box office records and redefined cinema and still stands up a stone-cold classic five decades later. As Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece turns 50, the genius himself opens up on its famously troubled production – thanks to an unpredictable animatronic shark nicknamed Bruce and relentless weather delays – and how he thought the movie would end his career. Also featured are cast, crew and a who’s who of filmmakers and superfans including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, George Lucas, Jordan Peele reflecting on how Jaws influenced their careers.
WASHINGTON BLACK
JULY 23
This eight-part, coming-of-age drama is adapted from the 2018 Booker Prize short-listed bestseller of the same name and executive produced by Emmy-winning This Is Us actor Sterling K. Brown, who also stars. It follows the story of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy born in to slavery on a Barbados sugar plantation. When he’s forced to flee after a life-threatening incident, his brilliant mind and curious nature – helped by a kindly explorer and engineer – will take him on an adventure around the world and help him dream of a future he once thought was impossible.
ALSO SHOWING
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Reunion Special – July 1
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires – July 11
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 17 – July 16
MAX
BACK TO THE FRONTIER
JULY 10
In one of those “better-them-than-me” scenarios, three American families head back to the 1880s prairie to get a taste of life in the Wild West. The devastation is almost palpable as the teenagers are made to give up their make-up, jewellery and devices while their parents aim to teach them the values of humility, hard work and simple pleasures. With the knowledge that one in three families failed on the land back in the day, the parents and children swap their modern comforts for handwashing clothes, sharing beds, milking cows and drop dunnies.
AND SO IT GOES
JULY 19
From the Emmy-winning producers of illuminating documentaries on Jane Fonda and Steven Spielberg comes this warts-and-all, two-part portrait of six-time-Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Joel. Through revealing interviews with the Piano Man and those who know him well, as well as never-before-seen performances, home movies and photos, it traces his life as he rose from humble working-class Long Island to become one of the most successful and beloved singer-songwriters of his generation.
ALSO SHOWING
Dear Ms: A Revolution In Print – July 3
Batman Ninja Vs Yakuza League – July 3
Superman Through the Years – July 8
NETFLIX
THE SANDMAN
JULY 3
The trippy first season adapted from Neil Gaiman’s (before he was cancelled for accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies) trailblazing graphic novels after decades of failed attempts was one of the unexpected joys of 2022. Tom Sturridge returns as Lord Morpheus – aka Dream – in a second and final season that will be broken into two parts, with the second block released on July 24. The action kicks off a few weeks after the events of the first season with Dream rebuilding his kingdom and reckoning with monsters, demons and his immortal Endless siblings as he wrestles with the consequences of past misdeeds.
HAPPY GILMORE 2
JULY 25
Nearly thirty years after the hit comedy was released in cinemas, Adam Sandler is back as the ice-hockey-stick swinging golfer with anger management issues. This time, Gilmore returns to the course to raise $300K to put his daughter through ballet school and once again becomes the talk of the pro circuit. Ben Stiller is along for the ride alongside a who’s who of golf stars, with plenty of callbacks to the original, including Breaking Bad star Lavell Crawford as the (also one-handed) son of Happy’s late mentor Chubbs and, of course, Christopher McDonald as his old nemesis, Shooter McGavin,
ALSO SHOWING
The Old Guard 2 – July 2
Tour de France: Unchained Season 3 – July 2
Too Much – July 10
Glass Heart – July 31
PARAMOUNT+
DEXTER: RESURRECTION
JULY 11
In stark contrast to his many victims, Michael C. Hall’s Dexter Morgan apparently just can’t die. Since the original series about the Miami forensic technician who murders those he believes deserve it wrapped up after eight series in 2013 with a truly terrible finale, there’s been a do-over with 2022’s New Blood and last year’s prequel series, Original Sin. This new effort kicks off a few weeks after the end of New Blood, when Dexter took a bullet to the chest courtesy of his own son. He then follows him to New York City to make things right between them, with his own murderous past threatening to catch up with him. David Zayas returns as his former colleague Angel Batista, and Uma Thurman, Neil Patrick Harris and Peter Dinklage are also confirmed to appear.
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS
JULY 17
With a fourth season already in production and fifth and final season just announced, Strange New Worlds has proved to be one of the more engaging and enduring recent spin-offs in the sci-fi franchise that will turn 60 next year. Set on the USS Enterprise during the decade before the original series and including younger versions of beloved characters including Spock and Uhura, the third season continues the adventures of Captain Pike (Anson Mount) as they seek new civilisations and lifeforms – and a particularly threatening new villain.
ALSO SHOWING
Super Duper Bunny League – July 9
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado – July 4
The Smurfs Season 4 – July 9
Teen Mom UK: Next Generation Season 3 – July 10
PRIME VIDEO
BALLARD
JULY 9
Maggie Q stars as Detective Renee Ballard in this latest entry into the Bosch universe, adapted from Michael Connelly’s best-selling crime thrillers. Banished to the “ass-end of the LAPD” to lead the new and underfunded cold case division – made up of reserves and volunteers – she’s desperate to prove herself so she can get back to working homicide. With the help of the now retired Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) and her new team, she investigates crimes that go back decades and point to a possible serial killer as well as uncovering a conspiracy within the police department.
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY
JULY 16
After the first two seasons adapted from Jenny Han’s best-selling trilogy went absolutely gangbusters, they have dialled the feels and angst up to eleven for the eagerly anticipated 11-episode finale. With Belly now in college and looking forward to spending summer with her soulmate Jeremiah – and wedding bells in the air – a series of events bring her first love Conrad (his brother) back into her life. Expect more brooding stares, heart-to-hearts, ocean sunsets, tears and swooning – all set to that killer soundtrack – as Belly decides which brother truly has her heart.
ALSO SHOWING
Simple Plan: The Kids In the Crowd – July 8
One Night In Idaho: The College Murders – July 11
The Chosen: Last Supper Season 5 – July 13
STAN
THE INSTITUTE
JULY 14
Adaptations of Steven King books have been a bit hit and miss of late – this year’s The Monkey and the coming The Life Of Chuck nailed it, last year’s ‘Salem’s Lot, not so much. This one looks as creepy as all get-out – think the X-Men meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with Mary-Louise Parker going full Nurse Ratchet as the boss of a secret facility that conducts experiments on abducted children who have strange supernatural abilities. Ben Barnes also stars as a former cop trying to outrun his past who becomes entangled with the strange going-on at the institute.
TWISTED METAL
JULY 31
In the first season of the post-apocalyptic action comedy based on the video game of the same name, Anthony Mackie’s amnesiac delivery driver was given a mission to cross a blasted America to deliver a mysterious package, meeting all manner of whackos and weirdos – and a psychopathic clown – on the way. The second season promises more nutjobs on wheels, as the killers, vigilantes and joy-riders are invited to participate in a demolition derby tournament with the promise of making the winner’s greatest wish come true. “Everybody’s a villain this season because we’re in a tournament,” says Captain America star Mackie.
ALSO SHOWING
The Carters: Hurts To Love You – July 2
Such Brave Girls Season 2 – July 4
Sin City Gigolo: A Murder In Las Vegas – July 20
The Accidental President – July 27
Originally published as From docos on Jaws and Billy Joel to Happy Gilmore 2: the best shows to stream in July
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