Fun
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Nostalgic
Intense
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Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s summertime! Typically, you’d use this time to grab a cool drink and work on your tan, but with the slew of amazing shows and movies that are about to hit your favorite streaming services, you may be tempted to spend this summer vacation indoors. It’s a brand new month, which means Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and HBO Now have added a whole new list of movies and shows for you to obsess over. Get ready to fall in love this July.
Whether you’re craving cinematic classics, blockbuster hits, innovative new comedies, heart-pounding dramatic originals, or anything in between, there’s something for every streamer throughout this month. We know that you’re busy and don’t have time to sort through the hundreds of titles, so we decided to do some of the hard work for you. Below is our curated list of the must-watch movies and shows coming to each platform. Here’s what you need to be watching when you’re not soaking up some poolside sun:
NETFLIX
Back to the Future Parts I-III
This July, get ready to go back … to the future! The Back to the Future trilogy has just hit Netflix which means you can say goodbye to your weekend plans. You have adventures to go on with Marty and Doc. Just try not to sleep with your mom. Roads? Where you’re going you don’t need roads.
[Where to watch Back to the Future]
[Where to watch Back to the Future Part II]
[Where to watch Back to the Future Part III]
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Murtaugh may be too old for this, but you’re not. The entire Lethal Weapon franchise, from the original to Lethal Weapon 4, is coming to Netflix. If you’re looking for an amazing ‘80s action movie featuring a Australian renegade cop who doesn’t play by the rules, then get ready for a movie binge night.
[Where to watch Lethal Weapon]
The Big Short (2015)
In the mood for an Oscar-winning look at economics? That’s very specific, but Netflix has you covered. This Best Adapted Screenplay winner and much talked about film is coming to Netflix on July 6. With a star-studded cast that includes Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt, this movie about the financial crisis of 2007-2008 tries to entertain as well as inform.
[Watch The Big Short on Netflix July 6]
Stranger Things: Season One *Netflix Original
Block out some time to binge. If this new Netflix Original series is as mysterious and expertly crafted as it appears to be, then we’re already hooked. Starring Winona Ryder, this drama follows what happens in a small Indiana town when a young boy vanishes into thin air. Spooky right? Dig into the eight hour event this summer.
[Watch Stranger Things on Netflix July 15]
BoJack Horseman: Season Three *Netflix Original
Back in the ‘90s he was in a famous TV show, but in 2016, this depressed horse superstar is more preoccupied with his endless cycle of self-sabotage and self-hatred. He’s BoJack, and he’s back on Netflix this month. End your summer on one of the most intelligent and funniest portrayal of mental illness to exist on television, and get ready for all the animal puns.
[Watch BoJack Horseman on Netflix July 22]
HULU
The Aviator (2004)
Want to see Leonardo DiCaprio briefly become an eccentric and obsessive compulsive billionaire obsessed with planes? Of course you do. DiCaprio beautifully captures the difficult figure of Howard Hughes in this Martin Scorsese masterpiece. Get out your celebrity bingo card while you watch; there are a lot of famous people playing other famous people in this watch.
In the Loop (2009)
Love Veep? The get ready to fall in love with its cinematic grandfather. Directed by Veep creator Armando Iannucchi, this film was one of the inspirations for the hit HBO comedy and has that same satirical black comedy you know and love. Starring Peter Capaldi and James Gandolfini, this movie focuses on the UK and the US both launching a war on the Middle East.
River’s Edge (1986)
Get ready to embrace Keanu Reeves at his best and most emo. This tale of intense teenage angst and facing the consequences of your mistakes is not on Hulu. Also starring Crispin Glover, this movie will make you wonder what you and your dumb teenage friends would do if you encountered a dead body.
Difficult People: Season 2 Premiere *Hulu Original
Julie and Billy are back and as bitter as ever. While everyone around them gets older and moves on with their lives, these two comedians would much rather make fun of the rest of the world than make an effort to fit into it. With new episodes every Tuesday, this is the bitter, self-obsessed watch we already know we’re obsessed with.
[Watch Difficult People on Hulu starting July 12]
East Los High: Season 4 Premiere *Hulu Original
Looking for a new high school drama to obsessively binge? This Hulu original is a good pick, and it’s coming back this July for a fourth season. The series follows a group of Latino teens as they navigate typical teen issues — peer pressure, violence, secrets, the complicated world of sex. Basically, anything that isn’t actual school.
[Watch East Los High on Hulu July 15]
RELATED: What’s New on Hulu July 2016: ‘Difficult People,’ ‘The Aviator,’ Comedy Gems, and More
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Hannibal: Season Three
Are you hungry for another cult binge? The final season of Hannibal is coming to Prime Video is all of its gory and disturbing deliciousness. Who knew that murder and cannibalism could be so addicting to watch? Or attractive?
[Watch Hannibal on Amazon Prime Video July 5]
The Shining (1980)
Ready to get scared this summer? This Stephen King adaptation and classic Kubrick film is sure to leave you sleeping with the light on. Just remember to pace yourself. If you start writing REDRUM in the mirror, you may need to lay off this watch.
Star Trek Movies
In June, Netflix’s collection of Star Trek movies expired, but you don’t have to be without your Trekkie fix for long. The entire collection is coming to Prime Video and Hulu this month. Between this addition and Amazon’s acquisition of Doctor Who, the streaming service is really establishing its nerdy roots.
[Where to watch Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]
Best in Show (2000)
Looking for a quirky cult comedy to enjoy this weekend? Then it’s time to check out this painfully awkward gem that satirizes the ridiculousness of dog shows. Best in Show is one of those rare movies that makes good use of the overused mockumentary format. Cuddle up with your furry bestie, and get ready to play a game of guess the early 2000s actor.
Mr. Robot Season Two
The second season of last year’s surprise summer hit is finally premiering this month, and thanks to Amazon, new episodes will be available for digital purchase. Season One left us with so many questions: Who is Elliot really? Who exactly is Mr. Robot? And what’s the deal with F Society? Don your Mr. Robot mask, and get to hacking. This is one summer show you won’t want to miss.
[Watch Mr. Robot on Amazon Video July 14]
RELATED: What’s New on Amazon Prime Video July 2016: ‘The Shining,’ ‘Hannibal,’ ‘Kill Bill,’ and More
HBO NOW
The Neverending Story (1984)
Looking for some magic to add to your life this summer? Of course you are. There are few kids movies that as timeless, sweet, inspiring, and trippy as this ’80s classic about the enchantment of storytelling. Tune in for the nostalgia factor but keep watching to hear that addicting theme song. You know the one.
[Watch The Neverending Story on HBO NOW and HBO Go on July 1]
The Night Of *HBO Original Series
Get excited for your new summer streaming obsession. From the creative minds of Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Moneyball) and Richard Price (The Color of Money, American Gangster), this British American mini-series explores the police investigation and legal proceedings following a complicated New York murder case. Does anything go better than summertime and murder? We don’t think so.
[Stream The Night Of on HBO NOW and HBO Go on July 10]
Straight Outta Compton (2015)
It’s time for a history lesson on the early ’90s rap scene. F. Gary Gray’s biographical drama chronicles the rise and fall of Compton, California’s rap pioneers, N.W.A. This film is enthralling, energizing, and made even more meaningful by the fact that founding member Ice Cube’s real life son, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., portrays the young version of his father.
[Watch Straight Outta Compton on HBO NOW and HBO Go on July 16]
Ballers: Season 2 *HBO Original
This month, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is coming back to HBO, and it’s about time. This comedy series follows a former football pro as he tries to find as much success as a financial manager as he once did on the field. Created by Stephen Levinson (Entourage, Boardwalk Empire) this is one series that promises to be a lot of fun.
[Watch Ballers on HBO Go and HBO Now July 17]
Vice Principals: Series Premiere *HBO Original
Missing some prime HBO comedy in your life? Don’t worry, this network has you covered. rom the creators of Eastbound & Down, this dark comedy tells the story of a high school and the two people who almost run it: the vice principals, played by McBride and Justified’s Walton Goggins. Between its low stakes, high drama premise and that Bill Murray appearance we saw in the trailer, we’re already in.
[Watch Vice Principals on HBO Go and HBO Now July 17]
RELATED: Here’s Everything New on HBO Now July 2016: Blockbuster Hits, ‘Ballers,’ HBO Originals, and More
