This July welcomes an exciting array of monsters, mutts, and Marvel to your home theater. Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are offering up documentaries, summer blockbusters, and animated children’s series to keep you both entertained and informed.
We’ve rounded up some suggestions on titles you don’t want to miss, including a few titles that we think are ideal summer fare. Enjoy our top picks and read on for a complete list of everything coming to these three services in July.
Best July 2021 Disney+ releases
“Monsters at Work,” July 7
A spinoff of the beloved Disney Pixar film “Monsters, Inc.,” “Monsters at Work” picks up where that story left off with characters both new and old. Though Billy Crystal and John Goodman will return to voice Mike and Sully, the focus here is on the young up-and-comers of the Monsters Inc. world, namely Ben Feldman’s Tyler Tuskmon who dreams of becoming a terrifying monster. Hijinks ensue when Tuskmon is assigned to maintenance and must adapt to a changing world that doesn’t seek to scare, but amuse.
“Black Widow,” July 9
One of the most anticipated movies of the summer heralds the beginning of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will be over two years since the last film, “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” was released in theaters, and while Marvel fans have enjoyed the small-screen offerings on Disney+, many are eager to return to movie-length stories. A prequel starring original Avenger Black Widow, this film is a much-deserved solo story that looks to pack plenty of action, family dynamics, and allusions and references to the greater MCU. “Black Widow” is being released on Disney Premier Access and in theaters simultaneously; either way, don’t forget to stay for the credits.
“SharkFest,” July 9
National Geographic kicks off this year’s Sharkfest with a one-hour special, “Shark Beach With Chris Hemsworth,” in which the title alone is enough to draw viewers in. Through the month on Disney+, new specials will be added, including “The Croc That Ate Jaws” and “Shark Attack: The Paige Winter Story.” Don’t be scared though: as a famous mayor once said, “It’s a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time.”
“Turner & Hooch,” July 21
Another notable piece of Disney filmdom history is coming to the small screen in a slightly different form as “Turner & Hooch” is rebooted into a series. Josh Peck stars as Scott Turner, the son of Tom Hanks' character from the movie, and just like his dad, he’s a tight-laced cop who gets paired with a slobbering, rule-breaking dog. We expect similar entertaining antics to the film although likely with a slightly more family-friendly tone.
“Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Loki,” July 21
The third entry into this Marvel documentary series comes one week after the sixth and final episode of “Loki”. Just like “Assembled” did for “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series and all its inspirations and allusions. Expect some fascinating interviews and maybe a few hints and reveals at what might come next.
“Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life,” July 28
The famed chipmunks Chip and Dale return to the small screen in this kid-oriented reboot that's a little different than previous iterations and appearances. Colorful and chaotically animated, this series is non-verbal and aimed at younger audiences. What’s more, each episode will comprise three shorts that are seven minutes in length, ideal for those with shorter attention spans.
“Jungle Cruise,” July 30
Disney loves to mine its own properties to spin off and reboot - as this list has identified - and here once again Disney is looking to a theme park ride to spur a franchise. “Jungle Cruise,” a live action adventure starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, comes to both Disney+ and theaters simultaneously, aiming to be the next “Pirates of the Carribean.” We anticipate charm, shambolic action and some exciting visual set pieces.
Best July 2021 Hulu releases
“Stray,” July 1
This unique film garnered a lot of attention on the award circuit for its heart, intimacy, and perspective. Indeed, this documentary - or dog-umentary - follows Zeytin, a stray pup on the streets of Istanbul, employing the animal’s gaze to look back at humanity. A fascinating account of the world from a viewpoint that we hardly consider, it’s equally thought-provoking and calming.
“Open Water” and “47 Meters Down”,” July 1 and July 10
July certainly seems like the perfect month to enjoy some films about menacing sharks and the young attractive actors trying to avoid them. Hulu welcomes a pair of some of the better underwater monster movies in “Open Water” and “47 Meters Down.” Both films are rather similar: “Open Water” finds a couple treading water after being left behind by their scuba-diving group while “47 Meters Down” finds two sisters trapped in a cage that snapped from their boat amid shark-infested waters. Don’t expect a bloody body count and instead embrace these psychologically-chilling films with unseen terrors.
“Summer of Soul,” July 2
Directed by Questlove, this invigorating and revealing documentary follows the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which became known as Black Woodstock. The lively concert featured many notable and beloved musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and B.B. King. The documentary blends interviews with never-before-seen clips and performances culled from over 40 hours of footage and makes for a fun summer evening.
“Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar,” July 9
This absurd and entertaining comedy is the perfect summer drink of a movie, a colorful and silly adventure with two folksy, unassuming women at the center. Annie Mumolo and Kristin Wiig star as the titular Midwest friends who take to gaudy central Florida for some much needed relaxation. While there, they stumble upon a disenchanted henchman (Jamie Dornan) who is tasked with destroying the coastal city for his cold-hearted boss, and who turns out to be just as goofy and warm-hearted as they are. Don’t think too much about this one, just sit back and enjoy.
“American Horror Stories: Two-Episode Limited Series Premiere,” July 15
A spinoff of the long-running series of almost the same name, “American Horror Stories” is a limited anthology show, with scary and isolated one-hour episodes. The first two stories drop together for the premiere and fans will recognize some of the same cast members from the main series. There will be seven episodes in all - leading into the 10th season of “AHS” - that tackle some popular haunting myths and lore.
“McCartney 3,2,1: Documentary Series Premiere,” July 16
Another musical documentary takes a different form and focus in “McCartney: 3, 2, 1.” In this six-episode series, Paul McCartnery chats at length and in great detail with music producer Paul Rubin about the entirety of his musical career, one that spans some 50 years. There is sure to be some fascinating insight and thoughtful commentary that music fans are sure to love.
Best July 2021 Amazon Prime releases
“Only Lovers Left Alive”, July 1
This 2013 Jim Jarmusch film is an engrossing, thoughtful, and indeed strange story about two vampires. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston play the titular duo who have navigated the world for centuries and find the modern world troubling. Reconnecting after time apart, their peaceful lives are upended when a youthful, reckless family member enters the picture. If you’re not familiar with the works of Jarmsuch, you’re in for a treat - it just might not be what you’re expecting.
“The Tomorrow War – Amazon Original Movie,” July 2
Another major summer action blockbuster, this spectacle stars Chris Pratt as a soldier who is recruited by an army from the future to join the war against an invading species. It already seems like it’s pulling from many other popular sci-fi films, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be tons of fun. We’re especially excited to see J.K. Simmmon who, from the trailer, looks like he means serious business.
“Luxe Listing Sydney – Amazon Original Series: Season 1,” July 9
For the reality show fans among us, Amazon welcomes an original series from Australia that adds to the growing genre of realtor agency TV series. This offering brings viewers to the rich and dramatic world of listings in Sydney. We’re not sure how many emotions will play into the show like “Selling Sunset” and others, but we’re definitely into seeing stunning houses and beautiful vistas.
“Making the Cut – Amazon Original Series: Season 2,” July 16
One more reality show, Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn return for the second season of the competitive series “Making the Cut”. Ten aspiring designers from around the world will be challenged to employ their craft and create unique, stylish, and ground-breaking looks and brands.
“The Pursuit of Love – Amazon Original Series: Season 1,” July 30
This new series from the BBC looks to be some wicked fun as it follows a passionate young woman from an upper-class British family seeking to meet her match. Starring Lily James, the period comedy/drama boasts plenty of wit and charm, incredible costumes, and way more than a hint of sensuality. It also features the fantastic Andrew Scott - and he dances. We’re all in!
More shows and movies to watch on Disney+ in July 2021
July 2
- “Breaking Bobby Bones” (S1)
- “Disney Junior Mickey Mouse”
- “Mixed-Up Adventures” (S1)
- “Disney Raven’s Home” (S4)
- “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” (S3)
- “Ep. Lush And Wild Puerto Rico”
- “The Sandlot”
- “The Sandlot 2”
- “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 208”
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 110”
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society: Episode 102”
July 7
- “Loki Episode 5”
- “Marvel Studios Legends”
July 9
- “Disney Junior Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Party Palace Pals” (S1)
- “Flicka”
- “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (S3) Ep. The Great Smoky Mountains”
- “Miraculous World: Shanghai, The Legend Of Ladydragon”
- “Orca Vs. Great White”
- “Rogue Shark”
- “When Sharks Attack”
- “World’s Biggest Bull Shark”
- “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 209”
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society: Episode 103”
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 111”
July 14
- “Loki: Finale”
- “Monsters At Work: Episode 102”
July 16
- “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” (S3)
- “Meet Spidey And His Amazing Friends” (Shorts) (S1)
- “Shark Attack Files” (S1)
- “Shark Gangs”
- “We Bought A Zoo”
- “When Sharks Attack” (S7)
- “World’s Deadliest Sharks”
- “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 210”
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society: Episode 104”
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 112”
July 21
- “Behind The Attraction”
- “Monsters At Work: Episode 103”
July 23
- “Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse” (S1)
- “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” (S3)
- “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
- “Shark Attack Files” (S1)
- “Walking With Dinosaurs” (2013)
- “Playing With Sharks”
- “Stuntman”
- “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 211”
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society”
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 113”
July 28
- “Turning The Tables With Robin Roberts”
- “The Wonderful World Of Mickey Mouse: Batch 2 Premiere
- “Monsters At Work: Episode 104 “The Big Wazowskis”
- “Turner & Hooch: Episode 102 “A Good Day To Dog Hard”
July 30
- “Disney Junior T.O.T.S.” (S2)
- “Disney Sydney To The Max” (S3)
- “Garfield”
- “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” (S3)”
- “Built For Mars: The Perseverance Rover”
- “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 212”
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society: Episode 106”
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 114”
More shows and movies to watch on Hulu in July 2021
July 1
- “The Mighty Ones: Complete Season 2”
- “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Complete Season 7”
- “127 Hour”
- “28 Days Later”
- “28 Weeks Later”
- “68 Kill”
- “78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene”
- “A Ciambra”
- “The Adventures of Hercules”
- “Almost Human”
- “Alpha & Omega: Legend Of The Saw Toothed”
- “American Gun”
- “An Acceptable Loss”
- “Australia”
- “Bad Teacher”
- “Band Aid”
- “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest”
- “Beetlejuice”
- “The Best Man”
- “Better Living Through Chemistry”
- “Big Fish”
- “Bitter Harvest”
- “Blue Sky”
- “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- “Breakdown”
- “Bruno”
- “Caddyshack”
- “Caddyshack II”
- “Candyman 3: Day of the Dead”
- “Carnage Park”
- “Caveman”
- “Chaplin”
- “Chuck”
- “The Chumscrubber”
- “Citizen Jane: Battle for the City”
- “Cliffhanger”
- “The Condemned”
- “Confessions Of A Shopaholic”
- “The Conversation”
- “Coyote Ugly”
- “The Cured”
- “Dangerous Minds”
- “Dealin’ With Idiots”
- “Dealt”
- “Dear White People”
- “Donnybrook”
- “Dumb & Dumber”
- “Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd”
- “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me”
- “Eliminators”
- “Enemy at the Gates”
- “The Face of Love”
- “Factotum”
- “Fargo”
- “The Feels”
- “Fired Up!”
- “Foxfire”
- “Frank Serpico”
- “Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell”
- “Free To Run”
- “From Paris with Love”
- “Galaxy Quest”
- “The Gift”
- “Gimme the Loot”
- “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
- “Gorp”
- “Graduation”
- “Grandma”
- “Hellions”
- “Hideaway”
- “House of the Dead”
- “House of the Dead 2”
- “The House That Jack Built”
- “Housesitter”
- “I Daniel Blake”
- “I Do…Until I Don’t”
- “I Remember You”
- “Ice Age”
- “In The Cut”
- “Indignation”
- “Intermission”
- “Intolerable Cruelty”
- “Johnny English”
- “Knowing”
- “The Ladies Man”
- “Last Days Here”
- “Let’s be Evil”
- “Manic”
- “The Mask”
- “Maximum Risk”
- “Mercury Rising”
- “Morning Glory”
- “Mystic Pizza”
- “The Natural”
- “Ode to Joy”
- “Open Range”
- “Open Water 2: Adrift”
- “Passage to Mars”
- “Personal Shopper”
- “The Polar Express”
- “Rabid Dogs”
- “Rebel in the Rye”
- “Reno 911!: Miami : The Movie”
- “Revolutionary Road”
- “Robocop”
- “Robocop 2”
- “Robocop 3”
- “Rookie of the Year”
- “Seabiscuit”
- “Shelley”
- “Sightseers”
- “Sleeping With The Enemy”
- “Sleepwalkers”
- “Soldier Boyz”
- “Something’s Gotta Give”
- “Somewhere”
- “Sorority Row”
- “Space Jam”
- “Stand by Me”
- “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”
- “Star Trek: First Contact”
- “Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift”
- “The Stepfather”
- “Stonewall”
- “Sunshine”
- “Super Troopers”
- “Sweet Virginia”
- “Taffin”
- “Take Every Wave”
- “Take Shelter”
- “Taken”
- “The Terminator”
- “They Came Together”
- “Thunderheart”
- “Timeline”
- “Tooth Fairy”
- “Twisted”
- “Underworld”
- “Underworld Awakening”
- “Underworld Evolution”
- “Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans”
- “Universal Soldier”
- “The Unknown Girl”
- “Walking Tall”
- “Whip It”
- “White Nights”
- “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”
- “Wolves”
July 2
- “Bill & Ted Face the Music”
July 3
- “Flower of Evil: Complete Season ”
- “I’ll Go To You When The Weather Is Fine: Complete Season ”
- “More Than Friends: Complete Season ”
- “Dreamcatcher”
July 4
July 8
- “My Wife and Kids: Complete Series”
- “Murdoch Mysteries: Complete Season 13”
- “Papillon”
July 9
- “This Way Up: Complete Season 2”
- “Grown-ish: Season 4 Premiere”
- “In a World…”
- “Moffie”
July 12
- “Love Island UK: Season 7 Premiere”
July 14
- “Cleopatra in Space: Complete Season 1”
- “Cleopatra en el Espacio: Complete Season 1”
- “My All-American”
July 15
- “20,000 Days on Earth”
- “A Field In England”
- “The Act of Killing”
- “Amira & Sam”
- “Borgman”
- “Bullhead”
- “Cheap Thrills”
- “The Complex: Lockdown”
- “The Congress”
- “The Connection”
- “Enforcement”
- “Exit Plan”
- “The Final Member”
- “The FP”
- “I Declare War”
- “The Keeping Room”
- “Men & Chicken”
- “Mood Indigo”
- “Pieta”
- “R100”
- “Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made”
- “Wrong”
July 17
- “Horimiya: Complete Season 1” (Dubbed) (Funimation)
July 22
- “Olympic Dreams featuring Jonas Brothers: Special”
July 26
July 29
More shows and movies to watch on Amazon Prime in July 2021
July 1
- “30 Days Of Night”
- “30 Minutes Or Less”
- “Abduction”
- “Absence Of Malice”
- “Across The Universe”
- “The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland”
- “Alien”
- “An Education”
- “Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid”
- “The Animal”
- “Awakenings”
- “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest”
- “Big Fish”
- “Burlesque”
- “Crimson Tide”
- “The Family Stone”
- “Fat Albert”
- “Frozen River”
- “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
- “Green Lantern”
- “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”
- “Hellboy”
- “I, Robot”
- “The International”
- “Irrational Man”
- “Jack And Jill”
- “Julie & Julia”
- “The Lady In The Van”
- “The Last King Of Scotland”
- “Madelin”
- “Marie Antoinette”
- “The Mask Of Zorro”
- “The Messengers”
- “Midnight In Paris”
- “Money Train”
- “Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist”
- “Not Another Teen Movie”
- “On The Waterfront”
- “Open Season”
- “Patton”
- “Philadelphia”
- “Phone Booth”
- “Premonition”
- “Ramona And Beezus”
- “Rear Window”
- “Riding In Cars With Boys”
- “School Daze”
- “Snatch”
- “The Stepfather”
- “To Rome With Love”
- “Underworld: Evolution”
- “Vertigo”
- “When A Stranger Calls”
- “The Wild Thornberrys Movie”
- “Your Highness”
- “American Experience: JFK”
- “An Ordinary Woman: Season 1”
- “BBQ with Franklin: Season 1”
- “Cold Case Files Classic: Season 1”
- “Follow the Money: Season 1”
- “How The States Got Their Shapes: Season “
- Indian Summers: Season 1”
- “Professor T: Season 1”
- “Relative Race: Season 3”
- “The Art of Crime: Season 1”
- “The Yogi Bear Show: Seasons 1”
July 5
July 9
July 15
- “El Cid – Amazon Original Series: Season 2”
July 16
- “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day”
Anthony Marcusa is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
