July sees the release of massive blockbusters The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day at the cinema. But if they don’t take your fancy, you might be looking to see what the streaming services have on offer for you to watch at home this month.
You’re in luck as the must-see streaming debuts of the month include a “powerful” drama with Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis and yet another shark thriller, because you can never have too many shark thrillers.
Digital Spy has scoured the streaming services, including Netflix and Prime Video, to pick out the five best movies debuting in the UK this month. So get the popcorn in, sit back and enjoy.
Wicked: For Good
Universal
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are back as Elphaba and Glinda in the epic conclusion to the two-part adaptation of the hit musical. Even if you know where the story is going, Wicked: For Good will still likely leave viewers in tears.
Following the events of the first movie, Elphaba is living in exile while Glinda revels in her new-found popularity in Emerald City. But as a mob rises against the so-called Wicked Witch, Glinda must shun her fame to reunite with Elphaba and protect the future of Oz.
Streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW (with Cinema membership) from 10 July.
Anemone
Courtesy of Focus Features
How do you make a British drama starring Sean Bean better? By teaming him up with acting legend Daniel Day-Lewis in his first movie role since 2017, which he also co-wrote with his son Ronan Day-Lewis who directed Anemone.
Set in Northern England, Anemone sees a man head out on a journey into the woods to reunite with his estranged brother, leading to them confronting their complicated past. Empire called it “a powerful story about father and sons, told by a father and son”, so expect deep emotions and exceptional performances.
Streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW (with Cinema membership) from 12 July.
Heartstopper Forever
Netflix
Nick and Charlie’s story comes to an end in Heartstopper Forever, the eagerly-awaited feature-length finale to the celebrated Netflix series. Kit Connor and Joe Locke reprise their roles, alongside the likes of Yasmin Finney, William Gao and more, with Anna Maxwell Martin taking over from Olivia Colman as Nick’s mother.
The movie sees the beloved couple facing the reality of a long-distance relationship as Nick prepares to leave for university. With their relationship facing its biggest challenge yet, their friends are also navigating the highs and lows of first love. Can it ever really be forever?
Streaming on Netflix from 17 July.
72 Hours
Netflix
If you’re after something a bit more light-hearted this month, Kevin Hart is back on Netflix in new comedy 72 Hours which was directed by Tim Story, the man behind the likes of Barbershop, Ride Along and Think Like a Man.
Hart stars as a 40-year-old executive who hopes to save his failing career by joining a group of Gen Zers (Mason Gooding, Marcello Hernández, Ben Marshall and Kam Patterson) on a wild three-day bachelor party. “Kevin [and] the crew – Marcello, Mason, Ben and Kam – are a dynamic team that you just cannot miss,” Story told Tudum.
Streaming on Netflix from 24 July.
The Devil’s Mouth
Prime Video
We love a shark thriller, and Prime Video has another new offering for us this month in the form of The Devil’s Mouth, with Kathryn Newton, Lana Condor, Nico Hiraga and Gavin Casalegno among those set to become the latest actors to be eaten by a shark on screen.
The thriller follows a group of five friends on one last adventure along Thailand’s coast before they have to go back to the real world. They sign up for a guided swim in a remote cave system known as The Devil’s Mouth. What could go wrong? Add a shark into the equation and a lot can go wrong, actually.
Streaming on Prime Video from 29 July.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.