RELATED:The 7 Best New Movies to Watch on Netflix in July 2021
The Harry Potter Franchise
Directors:Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, and David Yates
Writers:Steve Kloves and Michael Goldenberg
Cast:Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, and many more
You know these movies – they’re great! There’s a bit of a shuffle going on with theHarry Potterfranchise in terms of where it’s streaming, and that will persist for the next few years due to a complicated deal between Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal. But the long and short of it is if theHarry Pottermovies aren’t streaming on HBO Max, they’re likely streaming on Peacock – and that’s the case in July. This is one of the best, most successful film franchises of all time and is unique in that the films actually mature alongside the characters.Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsis a kids’ movie because it’s about kids, whereasHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeis a moody, darker teen movie because, well, it’s about teens. These are great comfort watches pretty much anytime.
The Hunger Games Franchise
Directors:Gary Ross and Francis Lawrence
Writers:Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray, Simon Beaufoy, Michael Arndt, Peter Craig, and Danny Strong
Cast:Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, and Jena Malone
If you’re in the mood for a good YA binge, you’re able to’t go wrong withThe Hunger Games. The smash-hit first film sets the tone in a really dramatic way, as directorGary Rosssteered this dystopian sci-fi series into mature territory rather than gunning for younger viewers.Catching Firemay be the best of the bunch as it toes the line between blockbuster, thriller, and romantic drama supremely well, but the two-partMockingjayfinale is a solid dystopian tale that feels quite different as the games are left behind.
Do the Right Thing
Director/Writer: Spike Lee
Cast: Spike Lee, Ossie Davis, Danny Aiello, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosie Perez, and Samuel L. Jackson
If you’re in the mood to watch a film that’s a bit more challenging but will stay with you long after the credits roll, check outSpike Lee’s seminal 1989 filmDo the Right Thing. Set on a hot summer day in Brooklyn, the film chronicling simmering racial tensions between African American and Italian American residents. What begins as a comedic and colorful story turns dark and tragic, as Lee brilliantly captures how quickly casual racism can turn deadly. This one caused controversy when it was released, but has aged tremendously well and still sadly feels relevant today.
Erin Brockovich
Director:Steven Soderbergh
Writer:Susannah Grant
Cast:Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, and Aaron Eckhart
If you want to watch a somewhat inspirational drama that also wonJulia Robertsan Oscar, check outErin Brockovich. The film numerous Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director (whichSteven Soderberghlost to himself forTraffic), and still holds up as a compelling and character-driven true-story drama. As the title suggests it focuses on Erin Brockovich, who in 1993 was an unemployed single mother of three who started working for a lawyer, only to become involved in a major case against PG&E over its culpability in groundwater contamination. Brockovich fights tooth and nail for people who have been wronged, and while the premise sounds a bit like a Lifetime Original Movie, Soderbergh serves the material by keeping the characters grounded in sincere emotion.
Director:Justin Lin
Writer:Chris Morgan
Cast:Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, and Ludacris
If you love theFast & Furiousfranchise, you knowFast Fiveis one of the best installments. And if you’ve never seen aFast & Furiousmovie, thenFast Fiveis the perfect entry point. This 2011 film moves the action to Rio where Dom and his crew are involved in a big heist, moving the franchise away from being so car-driven and towards something more blockbuster-y. Hot on Dom’s trail is Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs, which is howDwayne Johnsonenters the fold. This one’s tons of fun.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Director/Writer:Guillermo del Toro
Cast:Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Hurt
If you’re into fantasy movies, you have to watchHellboy II: The Golden Army. You don’t need to have seen the first film to enjoy this sequel, which finds directorGuillermo del Toroflexing his fantasy muscles in a big way. The story is chock-full of fantastical creatures as an ancient prince resurfaces and attempts to raise a long-dormant Golden Army that would allow him to rule the world. Standing in his way is Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and his ragtag team of supernatural crime-fighting figures – although they’re fighting their own internal, emotional battles as well. The film blends humor, horror, action, and fantasy into a perfect concoction, and will make you mad all over again that we never got to seeGuillermo del Toro’s version ofThe Hobbit.
Role Models
Director:David Wain
Writers:David Wain, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, and Timothy Dowling
Cast:Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Elizabeth Banks, Ken Jeong, and Joe Lo Truglio
If you just want to laugh, check outRole Models. This 2008 comedy starsPaul RuddandSeann William Scottas salesmen for an energy drink who, after a mishap, are forced into community service. They join a big-brother big-sister program, where they’re mismatched with a couple of kids who introduce them to the world of LARP. There’s a lot of laugh-out-loud comedy here but also a lot of heart, as filmmakerDavid Waincurbs his more absurdist tendencies (but not all of them) to craft something a bit more commercial than, say, the brilliant insanity ofWet Hot American Summer.
