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Hamilton Disney.jpg

What's Streaming This Month? 'Hamilton'! Beyoncé! And... Peacock?

By Tori Preston | TV | July 2, 2020 |

By Tori Preston | TV | July 2, 2020 |


Hamilton Disney.jpg

This month yet another streaming platform joins the fray, while Disney+ finally gives you a reason to be happy you forgot to cancel your subscription after The Mandalorian ended — and speaking of cancelling subscriptions, don’t forget that your Quibi free trial is running out! Haha, get it? It’s funny because we’ve already forgotten what Quibi even is.

DISNEY+
Look, Disney may be an evil-ish mega corp but it’s also about to deliver what may prove to be the only good things that’ll happen in all of 2020. First up, on July 3rd the studio is releasing the long-awaited Hamilton movie, recorded with the original cast when they were wrapping up their Broadway run, meaning all of us can finally kinda-sorta be in the room where it happened (obligatory song reference: check!). Rather than making us wait to see it in theaters after years of just singing our hearts out to the soundtrack while in our showers, they decided to throw us a bone and drop it exclusively on Disney+ — officially paving the way for Lin-Manuel to pen Baby Yoda’s teen angst ballads when The Mandolorian finally takes my advice and pivots to being a true space opera. AHEM.

Then at the other end of the month — July 31st, to be exact — there’s a new celebrity-studded Muppet Show iteration called Muppets Now launching. But more importantly: Beyoncé is dropping Black Is King, a new visual album inspired by the lessons of The Lion King (remember when she voiced Nala last summer? Yeah. This looks better.).


Peacock
The big news this month should have been the launch of NBC’s standalone streaming service, if that #Hamilfilm hadn’t blown that entirely out of the water. So, what’s the deal with Peacock? It launches on July 15, and there’s a few tiers of service to choose from (a free plan with ads, a premium plan without ads for $4.99 per month, and if you’re an Xfinity customer you may get the premium plan for free anyway?). Otherwise, it sounds sort of like HBO Max only… less. HBO Min, let’s say. There’s a catalogue of movies and TV shows, which aren’t all actually tied to NBC, and then there are some originals to choose from. Some of them, like an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World starring Alden Ehrenreich and Harry Lloyd, look suitably aspirational. Some of them, like the sequel event Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, look suitably comfortable. And some, like the David Schwimmer comedy Intelligence, look… fine? Here’s a handy roundup of all the trailers for Peacock’s new shows, so you can decide for yourself:


HBO Max

To be fair, even HBO Max is kinda “HBO Min” this month. For originals, the platform has picked up a shelved TBS cartoon and made it its own: JG Quintel’s Close Enough (July 9), a surreal comedy about a disillusioned young family who live with… Jason Mantzoukas?


Then there’s Expecting Amy (July 9), a three-part docuseries about Amy Schumer preparing for motherhood, and House of Ho (July 16), a “docusoap” series about a wealthy Texas family that’s basically a real-life Crazy Rich Asians apparently.


Apple TV+

On July 10th America’s favorite disappointed dad, Tom Hanks, is dropping a new WWII movie: Greyhound, about a Navy captain transporting supplies across the Atlantic while fightin’ NAZIS. Hanks stars, naturally, but he also wrote it!

Also on July 10th is the launch of Little Voice, a new series about being twentysomething and struggling to make a living off music in NYC, which means it could also be about working part time at Duane Reade I suppose. Sara Bareilles (“Waitress”) has penned the original songs for the series, which stars Brittany O’Grady (Black Christmas).


Hulu

Like Disney and Apple, Hulu’s big title for the month also happens to be a movie: Palm Springs (July 10th), a time-loop rom-com starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti that ticks basically my one romance box (“make it sci-fi”).


Amazon Prime

It’s all about returning series, as Amazon launches the third season of Absentia (July 17) and the second season of Hanna (July 3).


Netflix

The big news for most people would probably be the launch of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries reboot (July 1), or The Baby-Sitters Club (July 3), or the highly anticipated return of The Umbrella Academy (July 31), after what turned out to be a better first season than anyone expected. Or maybe it’s Cursed (July 17), an Arthurian legend reimagining from Frank Miller that might scratch our lingering Witcher itch… or might just be terrible.

There are some exciting movies to watch, like thriller Fatal Affair (July 16) starring Nia Long and Omar Epps, or The Old Guard (July 10), starring Charlize Theron as an immortal mercenary and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood:

Yes, any of those could be the most exciting thing on offer from Netflix this month… if Warrior Nun (July 2) hadn’t beaten them all to the punch. WARRIOR! NUN! A show about demon hunting nuns! I’m in love already.


Coming Soon (Originals in BOLD)

ARASHI’s Diary -Voyage- ep 9 &10 — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
As the new coronavirus’s spread impacts the world, the five members of Arashi explore what they can do to inspire Japan and their international fans.


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Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt: Season 2 — NETFLIX FAMILY
Chico Bon Bon and his Fix-It Force crew are on call to solve any problem, from heating up a cold cup of cocoa to rescuing a sandwich from a safe.

Deadwind: Season 2 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Corruption and murder collide as Helsinki detectives Sofia Karppi and Sakari Nurmi scour the city for the rumored connection.

Say I Do — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Dream weddings really do come true as experts Jeremiah Brent, Thai Nguyen and Gabriele Bertaccini help couples pull off their perfect celebration.

Under the Riccione Sun — NETFLIX FILM
While vacationing on the beaches of Riccione, a group of teens become friends and help each other manage romantic relationships and summer crushes.

Unsolved Mysteries — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
The iconic series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES is back! Fusing signature elements from the original series with contemporary immersive, character-driven storytelling, the new episodes are rooted in the experiences of ordinary people who have lived the unthinkable — from the trauma of a loved one’s unexplained disappearance or horrific death, to the shock of a bizarre paranormal encounter. Alongside detectives and journalists, family members offer clues, present theories, and identify suspects, hoping one viewer holds the key to solving the mystery. From the creators of the original docuseries, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions, and 21 Laps Entertainment, the producers of Stranger Things.

#Anne Frank - Parallel Stories
A Bridge Too Far
A Thousand Words
A Touch of Green: Season 1
A Walk to Remember
Abby Hatcher: Season 1
Airplane!
Ali
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Charlotte’s Web
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Cleo & Cuquin: Season 2
Cloud Atlas
David Foster: Off the Record
Definitely, Maybe
Delta Farce
Donnie Brasco
Double Jeopardy
Fiddler on the Roof
Frida
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Killing Hasselhoff
Kingdom: Season 1-3
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
Mean Streets
Million Dollar Baby
Paranormal Activity
Patriots Day
Poltergeist
Quest for Camelot
Red Riding Hood (2011)
Schindler’s List
Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepy Hollow
Spaceballs
Splice
Stand and Deliver
Stardust
Starsky & Hutch
Sucker Punch
Swordfish
The Art of War
The Devil’s Advocate
The F**k-It List
The Firm
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part III
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
The Town
The Witches
This Christmas
Total Recall (1990)
Trotro
Winchester


Avail. 7/2/20

Thiago Ventura: POKAS — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
In a rollicking special, Thiago Ventura jokes about life in the hood, politics and more, explaining how actions speak louder than words.

Warrior Nun — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
After waking up in a morgue, an orphaned teen discovers she now possesses superpowers as the chosen Halo-Bearer for a secret sect of demon-hunting nuns.


Avail. 7/3/20

The Baby-Sitters Club — NETFLIX FAMILY
Netflix’s new series THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB is based on the best-selling book series, that follows the friendship and adventures of Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace), Mary Anne Spier (Malia Baker), Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada), Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph), and Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez) as the middle-schoolers start their babysitting business in the town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut. Rounding out the cast, Alicia Silverstone plays Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer, the selfless single-mother of Kristy Thomas and love interest of all around good guy Watson Brewer, played by Mark Feuerstein. Ann M. Martin, the beloved series author and producer on the new series, was the first to conceive the idea of these inspiring young girls with different backgrounds, personalities and opinions that were brought together by a business venture they conceived and bonded through the friendships they forged. The adaptation of the contemporary dramedy that continues to champion friendship, female empowerment and entrepreneurship was led by Rachel Shukert (Glow) as showrunner and Lucia Aniello (Broad City) as executive producer.

Cable Girls: Final Season: Part 2 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
When Lidia’s biggest rival uses a prison camp to enact revenge, Lidia and her friends become even more defiant in their fight against Franco’s regime.

Desperados — NETFLIX FILM
A panicked young woman (Nasim Pedrad) and her two best friends (Anna Camp & Sarah Burns) fly to Mexico to delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend. On arrival, they run into her former beau (Lamorne Morris), who soon gets caught up in their frantic scheme.

JU-ON: Origins — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
A paranormal researcher searches obsessively for a cursed home where something terrible happened to a mother and her child long ago.

Southern Survival — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The BattlBox crew tests out a variety of products designed to help people survive dangerous situations, including fires, explosions and intruders.


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ONLY


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A Kid from Coney Island


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Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax


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The Long Dumb Road

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Astrologer Walter Mercado, with 120 million viewers at his peak, was sui generis: a peacock in macho culture, a naive biz whiz, a courier of hope.

Stateless — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
At an Australian immigration detention center, four strangers — a troubled woman, an anguished refugee, a bureaucrat and a struggling dad — cross paths.

Was It Love? — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
When four very different men appear in her life, a single mother who hasn’t dated in years begins to rediscover love — and herself.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: Season 1


Avail. 7/9/20

Japan Sinks: 2020 — NETFLIX ANIME
After catastrophic earthquakes devastate Japan, one family’s resolve is tested on a journey of survival through the sinking archipelago.

The Protector: Season 4 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Vizier and the Immortals rule over modern Istanbul, Hakan travels to the past to stop a war, and Zeynep undergoes a powerful transformation.


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The Claudia Kishi Club — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Asian American creatives pay passionate tribute to the iconic, stereotype-busting “Baby-Sitters Club” character in this heartfelt documentary short.

Down to Earth with Zac Efron — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
In this travel show, actor Zac Efron journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien in search of healthy, sustainable ways to live.

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in Space — NETFLIX FAMILY
Best friends George and Harold — along with their classmates and tyrannical principal — are recruited for a mysterious mission in outer space.

Hello Ninja: Season 3 — NETFLIX FAMILY
In their third season, the adventure-loving ninjas learn new katas, meet Wesley’s cousin, Gen, and visit Baa-chan’s hometown of Osaka, Japan.

O Crush Perfeito (Dating Around: Brazil) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
In this reality show, six singles meet five different blind dates at trendy hot spots in São Paulo. Who will they choose for a second date?

The Old Guard — NETFLIX FILM
Led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (Kiki Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (LOVE & BASKETBALL, BEYOND THE LIGHTS), THE OLD GUARD is a gritty, grounded, action-packed story that shows living forever is harder than it looks.

The Twelve — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Twelve ordinary citizens on jury duty must decide the fate of a respected headmistress accused of two murders.


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Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
Urzila Carlson keeps the laughs coming with thoughts on “The Biggest Loser,” sex tapes and boxed wine in a stand-up special from Melbourne, Australia.


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Dark Desire — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Married Alma spends a fateful weekend away from home that ignites passion, ends in tragedy and leads her to question the truth about those close to her.

Gli Infedeli (The Players) — NETFLIX FILM
From campy lies to sexy surprises, this collection of vignettes captures the follies of several men as they fumble with fidelity and relationships.

Skin Decision: Before and After — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
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Sunny Bunnies: Season 1-2


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Fatal Affair — NETFLIX FILM
Ellie (Nia Long) tries to mend her marriage with her husband Marcus (Stephen Bishop) after a brief encounter with an old friend, David (Omar Epps), only to find that David is more dangerous and unstable than she’d realized. FATAL AFFAIR is directed by Peter Sullivan.

Indian Matchmaking — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Matchmaker Sima Taparia guides clients in the U.S. and India in the arranged marriage process, offering an inside look at the custom in a modern era.

MILF — NETFLIX FILM
Three best friends in their 40s start relationships with younger men while on vacation.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)


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Boca a Boca (Kissing Game) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
In a Brazilian cattle-ranching town, adolescents panic when they’re threatened by the outbreak of a contagious infection transmitted by kissing.

Cursed — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Cursed is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a humble mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther. Cursed is a coming-of-age story whose themes are familiar to our own time: the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.

Funan


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Gigantosaurus: Season 1
The Notebook


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The Last Dance
In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls began their quest to win a sixth NBA title in eight years. But despite all Jordan had achieved since his sensational debut 13 years earlier, “The Last Dance,” as coach Phil Jackson called it, would be shadowed by tension with the club’s front office and the overwhelming sense that this was the last time the world would ever see the greatest player of all time, and his extraordinary teammates, in full flight.


Avail. 7/20/20

Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love — NETFLIX FAMILY
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How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 2 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
As Moritz and the MyDrugs crew ramp up their hustle, the online drug shop grows more successful — and even more dangerous.

Ip Man 4: The Finale

Jack Whitehall: I’m Only Joking — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
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Street Food: Latin America — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
From the creators of CHEF’S TABLE, the hit series STREET FOOD returns for a new culinary adventure. The newest installment will travel to six countries in Latin America and explore the vibrant street food culture of Oaxaca, Mexico; Salvador, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Colombia; and La Paz, Bolivia. Each episode highlights the stories of perseverance and culture that bring life to each country’s cuisine.


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61

Fear City: New York vs The Mafia — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
This docuseries chronicles how the feds took down the five mafia empires of New York City at the height of their powers during the 1980s.

Love on the Spectrum — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Finding love can be hard for anyone. For young adults on the autism spectrum, exploring the unpredictable world of dating can be even more complicated.

Norsemen: Season 3 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
This season of the Norwegian Viking comedy goes back in time to tell the story that led to Season 1. Don’t worry, there is still plenty of pillaging and plundering.

The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion

Signs — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
When a young woman’s murder shows similarities to a decade-old cold case, a new police commander must break the silence permeating an Owl Mountain town.

Spotlight


Avail. 7/23/20

The Larva Island Movie — NETFLIX FAMILY
The island adventures of silly larva buddies Yellow and Red get a feature-length treatment, taking their slapstick fun to the next level.


Avail. 7/24/20

¡A cantar! (Sing On! Spain) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
In this new singing contest, players face off on some of the biggest hits, and the jackpot of up to 30,000 euros grows every time they hit the right note.

Animal Crackers — NETFLIX FILM
A family inherits a neglected circus … along with a magical box of animal crackers that turn whoever eats one into a real, live animal.

Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing — NETFLIX FAMILY
When a musical dragon with a beautiful voice hypnotizes the dragons and people of Huttsgalor, the Rescue Riders have to find a way to break the spell.

In the Dark: Season 2

The Kissing Booth 2 — NETFLIX FILM
In this sequel, high school senior Elle juggles a long-distance relationship, college apps and a new friendship that could change everything.

Ofrenda a la tormenta — NETFLIX FILM
Amaia investigates several suspicious infant deaths and horrific rituals. Meanwhile, people around her risk grave danger. Part 3 in the Baztan Trilogy.


Avail. 7/26/20

Banana Split
Shameless (U.S.): Shameless: Season 10


Avail. 7/28/20

Jeopardy!: Collection 6

Last Chance U: Laney — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Netflix’s critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated series Last Chance U returns for Season 5 in a brand new setting to give viewers a raw, authentic look at the junior college football program at Laney College in the heart of Oakland, CA. After clinching the title of state and national champions in 2018, the Laney Eagles have a hard season to follow and a lot to prove. Going into his eighth season and having built the program from the ground up, powerhouse head coach John Beam must fight to rally the team amidst countless setbacks. Season 5 brings intensity both on and off the field as players battle injuries, stress, and personal demons while finding much needed support in the community and taking pride in their scrappy mentality and motto “Laney Built.”


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The Hater — NETFLIX FILM
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Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons: Season 4 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
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Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie

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Four teen enemies band together to exact revenge on their bullies until they get blamed for a crime they didn’t commit. Will they get mad — or get even?

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Sugar Rush: Extra Sweet — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Four teams of brilliant bakers battle it out for sugary success as they race against each other and the clock over three rounds of competition. This season the challenges are harder, the creations are more spectacular and the rewards are even sweeter. Hosted by Hunter March, judges Candace Nelson & Adriano Zumbo return for the Extra Sweet season.

The Umbrella Academy: Season 2 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The super-powered Hargreeves siblings return for Season 2.

Vis a vis: El Oasis (Locked Up) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
After years of stealing jewelry, Zulema and Macarena recruit four other women for a final heist worth millions, to take place at a narco family wedding.



Header Image Source: Disney