Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Wondering what your favorite streaming services are adding to their offerings each month? Decider’s got you covered. Stay tuned for our reports on everything coming to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, Starz, Sundance Now, and more, plus a look at the top titles from all of them.
July is finally here and the summer has never been sweeter. As hundreds of titles are sent your way from your favorite platforms, it can be hard to know where to begin – what’s worth watching? Am I about to sit through a flop? Is my favorite movie ever going to hit streaming? Luckily, we’re here to help. The four big players – Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO – are in a fight to win you over on that couch, and while it might be competitive for them, it just means more top-notch content for you. Netflix is offering up recent hits like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Lion, and The Void, while Hulu is armed with quality comedies like Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and The First Wives Club. Are you ready to return to Westeros? Well, lucky for you, Game of Thrones is back on HBO July 16.
Whether you’re ready to laugh, craving a cry, or simply need a thrilling escape, there are more than enough movies and shows to suit every mood that may overtake you this month. Here are the worthiest titles coming to streaming this July.
NETFLIX
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, and an all-star ensemble cast, this Star Wars spin-off takes the franchise in an uncharted, darker direction, and it does it in an extraordinary manner. Rogue One acts as a prequel to Star Wars: A New Hope and follows the team of rebels who embark on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star and save the universe as they know it. Well-acted, stunningly shot, and frankly thrilling, the flick will please Star Wars fans and franchise-virgin audiences alike.
[Stream Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Netflix July 18]
Lion (2016)
Nominated for a handful of Academy Awards this year, the riveting Lion tells the story of a 5-year-old boy named Saroo who is separated from his family across India after getting lost on a train and adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his family and return home. This beautiful, uplifting tale gifts us with truly compelling performances from Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and newcomer Sunny Pawar, and will allow you to experience the full range of human emotions (and finish with a smile).
[Stream Lion on Netflix July 9]
To The Bone (2017) *Netflix Original Film
Starring Lily Collins as a young woman suffering from anorexia with seemingly no cure in sight. During her struggles, she meets an unconventional doctor who finally challenges her to confront her condition, change her life, and improve her relationships along the way. Also starring Keanu Reeves and Carrie Preston, To The Bone is already drawing controversy for its subject matter, but only time can tell what its effects will be.
[Stream To The Bone on Netflix July 14]
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Paul Thomas Anderson‘s strange and wonderful Punch-Drunk Love gives us what is perhaps the best performance Adam Sandler has ever delivered (sorry, Sandy Wexler). The film follows a lonely small-business owner looking for meaning in his quiet life who sees his world change when he falls in love with Lena (Emily Watson), a lovely Englishwoman whose endearing qualities begin to give him a new outlook on everything. Featuring a unique soundtrack and perfect bully performance from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Punch-Drunk Love is truly one-of-a-kind.
[Stream Punch-Drunk Love on Netflix]
The Void (2017)
This innovative horror film did not get nearly enough buzz during its release, but it’s sure to find new life on streaming. Essentially a love letter to the incredibly-executed endeavors of John Carpenter, The Void depicts a terrifying sequence of events in a barebones hospital as each of the individuals present become increasingly insane. Their fearless (not really) leader, a cop named Carter, tries to get to the bottom of things, and instead finds a gateway to evil in the basement of the building. Filled with the gory body horror and creature feature conventions horror fans know and love, The Void earns its place among the ranks of the best horror flicks of the last ten years.
[Stream The Void on Netflix July 6]
HULU
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
With The House on its way into theaters, Will Ferrell fans are bound to have their love for the funnyman sparked again, and there’s no better way to do it than with Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The uproarious combination of goofball humor and satire offers a clever take on the world of NASCAR and turns the sports flick formula on its head in a totally delightful way.
[Stream Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on Hulu July 12]
Melancholia (2011)
Before Kirsten Dunst was tackling the Southern Gothic in The Beguiled, she was dealing in more existential matters in Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia. The beautifully expansive film follows two sisters (Dunst and Trier’s muse Charlotte Gainsbourg) as they navigate their tumultuous relationship in the midst of a world-ending event. Visually stunning and bound to throw you into an existential crisis of your own, Melancholia is something to behold.
[Stream Melancholia on Hulu July 12]
The First Wives Club (1996)
Starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton, this spin on the revenge comedy finds three spurned ex-wives reunited by the death of a close friend. Tired of being bogged down by the men who wronged them, they decide to get even. Packed with snappy one-liners and delightful performances, The First Wives Club will have you singing “You Don’t Own Me” all summer long. There’s truly never a bad time to watch this classic comedy, and if you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a treat.
[Stream The First Wives Club on Hulu]
Braveheart (1992)
A wild feat of storytelling, epic war film Braveheart stars Mel Gibson (who also directed the film!) as Scottish independence fighter William Wallace. The massive film follows Wallace and his comrades as they fight in the First War of Scottish Independence, and it’s truly gripping. Thought-provoking and unexpectedly moving, Braveheart is a sweeping, modern drama classic.
Manhattan (1979)
One of prolific director Woody Allen‘s first classics, Manhattan centers on a neurotic 40-something writer involved with a 17-year-old student. As if things weren’t complicated enough, he soon begins dating his best friend’s ex-mistress, and emotions on all fronts are thrown into a tailspin. Romantic, bittersweet, and beautifully directed, Manhattan is a prime example of why Allen is so acclaimed.
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
The Salesman (2016) *Amazon Original Film
Asghar Farhadi’s film follows a young Iranian couple performing Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman on stage when forced to leave their apartment due to a construction project. At the new residence, a traumatic event occurs and changes the course of their lives forever. Acted with fierce emotion and filled with thought-provoking messages, this absorbing film will stick with you for days. This harrowing drama took home the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film this year, and after viewing, there won’t be a doubt in your mind about why.
[Stream The Salesman on Prime Video July 6]
Mr. Robot: Season 2
Perhaps the best show to come from USA, Mr. Robot‘s second season packs just as big a punch as the first. Season 2 of the unique drama again follows hacker Elliot (Rami Malek) as he and the rest of ‘fsociety’ handle the aftermath of what they’ve done to Evil Corp and he’s finally faced to confront his mental health issues. Whether you missed this last season during its run on television or just ready for a rewatch, this dark, challenging series is bound to get you hooked.
[Stream Mr. Robot: Season 2 on Prime Video July 13]
The Last Tycoon: Season 1 *Amazon Original Series
The latest Amazon Original series stars Lily Collins, Matt Bomer, Kelsey Grammer, and a slew of other wildly talented performers and tells the story of Monroe Stahr, Hollywood’s first big studio executive in the 1930s, and his struggle for power against his former mentor Pat Brady as they navigate the Nazi regime. Collins is experiencing something of a streaming renaissance, and it’s way too fun to watch her finally get the attention she deserves.
[Stream The Last Tycoon: Season 1 on Prime Video July 28]
Up in the Air (2009)
George Clooney stars in this unique dramedy as Ryan Bingham, a man who largely lives out of his suitcase as he travels around the country for work. When he encounters a new love interest (Vera Farmiga) and an eager new hire (Anna Kendrick), however, he’s forced to reexamine his way of life. Pitch Perfect‘s Kendrick saw her career breakthrough in this flick from Jason Reitman, and watching her hold her own opposite Clooney is a joy. Funny, sad, and moving in all the right ways, Up in the Air is a marvel of a movie.
[Stream Up in the Air on Prime Video]
Miss Sloane (2016)
Has Jessica Chastain ever failed us? That’s an easy one – no. The queen of the screen continues her success streak as she leads this fresh political thriller. Chastain stars as a formidable Washington D.C. lobbyist who finds herself faced with the most challenging adversary she’s ever encountered. As the stakes grow higher, she’s forced to decide just how far she’ll go to emerge victorious. Supported by an outstanding cast including Michael Stuhlbarg, Christine Baranski, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, this layered, underrated film will likely earn its rightful place among your favorite political thrillers.
[Stream Miss Sloane on Prime Video July 19]
HBO
Game of Thrones: Season 7
That’s right – winter is finally here. Jon, Daenerys, Arya, Sansa, and all your faves are back for a new season of Game of Thrones, and it does not look pretty. The war with the White Walkers is imminent, and as our once-distant characters grow closer to the truth, there’s bound to be some crazy twists and turns. If you’re a little fuzzy on where we left off, be sure to check out our Season 7 storyline guide.
[Stream Game of Thrones: Season 7 on HBO July 16]
Loving (2016)
Helmed by Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Midnight Special), this beautiful drama is based on the true story that led to the Supreme Court’s historic 1967 decision overturning laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Loving follows Richard and Mildred Loving as they endure the legal battle of a lifetime to protect their love. Rising stars Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga deliver raw, honest performances, and their on-screen chemistry is enough to melt any heart. More timely than it should be nowadays, Loving is a stunning lesson for us all.
Tour De Pharmacy *HBO Original
If you loved 7 Days in Hell, then Tour De Pharmacy is bound to be right up your alley. Andy Samberg is back for another hilarious take on the sports flick, and this time, he’s got even more celebrity cameos behind him as he bikes his way to victory. That’s right. John Cena, Jeff Goldblum, Maya Rudolph, Orlando Bloom, and a TON more are all on board for this ridiculous short. Don’t miss it.
[Stream Tour De Pharmacy on HBO July 8]
The Dark Knight (2008)
The second installment of Christopher Nolan‘s gritty Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight essentially changed the superhero movie game. Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) comes up against his most fearsome foe yet in the Joker (Heath Ledger), a havoc-wreaking maniac with no real motive behind his murderous acts. What ensues makes for a top-notch film – and not just a superhero one. Ledger was awarded a posthumous Oscar for his work as the Joker, and his breathtakingly unhinged performance speaks for itself.
[Stream The Dark Knight on HBO]
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards, Hacksaw Ridge features a career-best performance from Andrew Garfield, who plays Desmond Doss, a pacifist soldier who refused to carry a weapon while fighting in World War II. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film sends an important message about the value of staying true to yourself, even when up against the greatest odds you can imagine.
