A new month means new Netflix releases — just in time for the holiday weekend, too. You can binge the reboot of "Unsolved Mysteries," capped off with a double-feature of the rom-com "Desperados" and Japanese-American horror film "Ju-On: Origins," all by the time you're nursing that Independence Day hangover.
Later this month, I'm really excited for some of nonfiction films and series coming to the streaming platform, ranging from a documentary about a beloved astrologist who mysteriously disappeared from public life, to a docuseries about seven young adults with autism who are entering the dating world, to another installment of "Last Chance U."
"Unsolved Mysteries," July 1
True crime fans, take note: "Unsolved Mysteries" is back. The original series, which originated from a series of missing-persons specials in 1985, set the groundwork for the genre and also mobilized a generation of armchair detectives; breaking from the format of other news broadcasts, "Unsolved Mysteries" urged viewers to call in with tips and informed theories.
This reboot fuses elements from the original series with "contemporary, immersive, character-driven storytelling." Episodes cover the experiences of everyday people who become involved in the unimaginable — from unexplained disappearances to paranormal encounters. Like its predecessor, Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" will rely on viewers to call in with tips in response to the clues presented by detectives, journalists, and family members.
"Desperados," July 3
Whom among us has not sent a cringeworthy drunken message? In this Netflix original film, that experience serves as the catalyst for an international girls' trip, after a young woman (Nasim Pedrad) and her two best friends (Anna Camp and Sarah Burns) fly to Mexico to delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend. Upon arrival, they run into a former flame (Lamorne Morris), who joins up with the group.
"Ju-On: Origins," July 3
The "Ju-On" (translated to "The Grudge") horror franchise never dies! Most of the 10 installments by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Shimizu center on a particular kind of curse that develops when a person dies encumbered with rage; that curse continues to "live" and manifest where the person died, thus endangering other people.
In "Ju-On: Origins" a paranormal researcher becomes obsessed with the search for one of these cursed locations — a home where something terrible happened long ago to a mother and her child.
"Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado," July 8
"We grew up with him," Lin-Manuel Miranda says of Walter Mercado in the trailer for this Netflix documentary. "I can't think of an English-language astrologer that would command the attention of billions of households."
With 120 million viewers at his peak, astrologist Walter Mercado was a beloved enigma. With a closet that would make Liberace green with envy and words of encouragement for everyone (including Scorpios), he had a decades-long career until he suddenly vanished from the public eye. This Netflix original documentary investigates where he went.
"Stateless," July 8
In this television series created by Cate Blanchett, Elise McCredie and Tony Ayres, four strangers — a troubled woman, an anguished refugee, a bureaucrat and a struggling dad — cross paths at an Australian immigration detention center.
"Japan Sinks: 2020," July 9
This anime series is based on the 1973 disaster novel of the same name by Japanese writer Sakyo Komatsu. Starring voice actors Reina Ueda, Tomo Muranaka, Yuko Sasaki, it follows one family whose resolve is put to the test after a series of catastrophic earthquakes devastate Japan, putting them in peril.
"The Old Guard," July 10
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka, "The Old Guard" follows a unique groupe of covert group of mercenaries — led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron) — who possess immortality and have fought to protect the world for centuries.
The team is recruited to take on an emergency mission, but their powers are soon revealed and, obviously, there are some less than savory people who would like to profit. That's when Andy enlists Nile (Kiki Layne), the newest warrior to join the group's ranks, to help eliminate the threat.
"Skin Decision: Before and After," July 15
In this intimate, feel-good reality series, skin and beauty expert Nurse Jamie and plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian help clients feel more comfortable in their own skin through transformative cosmetic procedures.
"Fatal Affair," July 16
In this Netflix film — which has some serious "Fatal Attraction" vibes — Ellie (Nia Long) meets an old flame, David (Omar Epps) for a drink. However, a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues when that drink escalates into an obsession that jeopardizes her already-rocky marriage with her husband Marcus (Stephen Bishop).
"Boca a Boca (Kissing Game)," July 17
This six-part series created by filmmaker Esmir Filho is set in a Brazilian cattle-ranching town where an outbreak of a contagious infection that is transmitted by kissing shakes up the area's youth and alters the typically sluggish everyday life of the community. The series was announced in 2019, but, you know, feels pretty timely right now in the midst of our own global pandemic.
"The Last Dance," July 19
If you missed this 10-part ESPN special recently or just want to watch it again, Netflix has swooped in to provide. The series was filmed during Michael Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls — 1997-98 —and his quest for a sixth NBA title. The team allowed a documentary crew to follow the players and coaches throughout the season and into the playoffs, where they defeated the Utah Jazz in the Finals.
Coach Phil Jackson dubbed the time period "The Last Dance," an inspiring season that, per Netflix's description, "was marked 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."
"Street Food: Latin America," July 21
Netflix's "Street Food" is back for a second season, shifting its focus from the vendors and community culinary institutions of Asia to those of Latin America. The newest installment will explore the vibrant street food culture of six cities: Oaxaca, Mexico; Salvador, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Colombia; and La Paz, Bolivia.
"Love on the Spectrum," July 22
In this heartfelt docuseries, filmmakers highlight the ways in which finding love for young adults on the autism spectrum can be a complicated, intimidating experience. The show follows seven singles as they take their first steps into the world of dating, with the help of their families as well as experts, who provide the participants with practical advice for navigating the confusing world of seeking romance.
"Last Chance U: Laney," July 28
"Last Chance U," Netflix's Emmy-nominated series, returns for a fifth season and takes viewers to Laney College in the heart of Oakland, California. There, producer and executive producer (who was also behind the critically- acclaimed "Cheer") Greg Whiteley spotlights the school's junior college football program, who clinched the state and national championships in 2018. Can they keep up their momentum in the 2019 season and remain "Laney Built" amid injuries, stress and personal demons?
Here's the full list of what is coming to Netflix this month:
July 1
"#Anne Frank" Parallel Stories"
"Abby Hatcher: Season 1"
"Airplane!"
"Ali"
"The Art of War"
"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm"
"A Bridge Too Far"
"Charlotte's Web"
"Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt" Season 2
"Clash of the Titans"
"Cleo & Cuquin" Season 2
"Cloud Atlas"
"David Foster: Off the Record"
"Deadwind" Season 2
"Definitely, Maybe"
"Delta Farce"
"The Devil's Advocate"
"Donnie Brasco"
"Double Jeopardy"
"Fiddler on the Roof"
"The Firm"
"Frida"
"The F**k-It List"
"I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry"
"The Karate Kid"
"The Karate Kid Part II"
"The Karate Kid Part III"
"Killing Hasselhoff"
"Kingdom" Season 1-3
"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events"
"Mean Streets"
"Million Dollar Baby"
"The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!"
"Paranormal Activity"
"Patriots Day"
"Poltergeist"
"Quest for Camelot"
"Red Riding Hood"
"Say I Do"
"Schindler's List"
"Sleepless in Seattle"
"Sleepy Hollow"
"Spaceballs"
"Splice"
"Stand and Deliver"
"Stardust"
"Starsky & Hutch"
"Sucker Punch"
"Swordfish"
"The Town"
"The Witches"
"This Christmas"
"A Thousand Words"
"Total Recall"
"A Touch of Green" Season 1
"Trotro"
"Under the Riccione Sun"
"Unsolved Mysteries"
"A Walk to Remember"
"Winchester"
July 2
"Thiago Ventura: POKAS"
"Warrior Nun"
July 3
"The Baby-Sitters Club"
"Cable Girls: Final Season, Part 2"
"Desperados"
"JU-ON: Origins"
"Southern Survival"
July 5
"ONLY"
July 6
"A Kid from Coney Island"
July 7
"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax"
July 8
"The Long Dumb Road"
"Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado"
"Stateless"
"Was It Love"
"Yu-Gi-Oh!: Season 1"
July 9
"Japan Sinks: 2020"
"The Protector" Season 4
July 10
"The Claudia Kishi Club"
"Down to Earth with Zac Efron"
"The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in Space"
"Hello Ninja" Season 3
"O Crush Perfeito" ("Dating Around: Brazil")
"The Old Guard"
"The Twelve
July 14
"The Business of Drugs"
"On est ensemble"
"Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser"
July 15
"Dark Desire"
"Gli Infedli"
"Skin Decision: Before and After"
"Sunny Bunnies" Season 1-2
July 16
"Fatal Affair"
"Indian Matchmaking"
"MILF"
July 17
"Boca a Boca (Kissing Game)"
"Cursed"
"Funan"
July 18
"Gigantosaurus" Season 1
"The Notebook"
July 19
"The Last Dance"
July 20
"How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)" Season 2
"Ip Man 4: The Finale"
"Jack Whitehall: I'm Only Joking"
"Street Food: Latin America"
July 22
"Open Road Films (II)/Photofest"
"Fear City: New York vs The Mafia"
"Love on the Spectrum"
"Norsemen" Season 3
"Signs"
"61"
"Spotlight"
July 23
"The Larva Island Movie"
July 24
"¡A cantar! (Sing On! Spain)"
"Animal Crackers"
"Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing"
"In the Dark" Season 2
"The Kissing Booth 2"
"Ofrenda a la tormenta"
July 26
"Chuck Hodes"
"Banana Split"
"Shameless" Season 10
July 28
"Jeopardy!" Collection 6
"Last Chance U: Laney"
July 29
"The Hater"
"Inside the World's Toughest Prisons" Season 4
July 30
"Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie"
"Transformers: War For Cybertron Trilogy"
July 31
"Get Even"
"Latte and the Magic Waterstone"
"Seriously Single"
"The Speed Cubers"
"Sugar Rush: Extra Sweet"
"The Umbrella Academy" Season 2
"Vis a vis: El Oasis (Locked Up)"
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