As the pace of work eases and out-of-office replies multiply, the slow summer months offer more free time to engage with the year’s most anticipated screen releases. Across major streaming platforms and theatrical releases, this season’s titles span edge-of-seat thrillers, franchise revivals, and a handful of high-profile returns. With global audiences increasingly fragmented, these standout projects aim to capture attention with strong narratives, A-list talent, and timely themes.
From twisted thrillers to adrenaline-fueled reboots, this season’s watchlist is stacked with binge-worthy content.
F1 THE MOVIE (IN CINEMAS, JUNE 26)
Set against the backdrop of modern Formula 1 racing, this film marks a rare on-screen return for Brad Pitt in a sports drama that blends real-world teams and circuits with a fictional narrative. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former star driver forced out of the sport in the 1990s after a near-fatal crash. Decades later, he’s convinced to return, this time as a mentor to a rising rookie (played by Damson Idris) in a struggling team. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film merges high production values with real F1 environments, setting a new benchmark for sports cinema.
DEPARTMENT Q (NETFLIX)
Adapted from the popular Danish novels, Department Q follows Carl Morck, a former homicide detective returning to the force after a traumatic incident left his partner paralyzed. Demoted to the cold case division, Carl is assigned a long-dormant file that soon consumes his professional and personal life. Taut and deliberately paced, it’s a series you’ll want to binge.
ECHO VALLEY (APPLE TV+)
This Apple TV+ psychological thriller stars Julianne Moore as a mother living a quiet life in rural Pennsylvania until her daughter (played by Sydney Sweeney) arrives unexpectedly, covered in blood and visibly distressed. As the narrative unfolds, the story explores themes of maternal instinct, secrecy, and personal boundaries. With restrained direction and a strong central performance, Echo Valley positions itself as one of the season’s most emotionally charged dramas.
STRAW (NETFLIX)
A single mother, already struggling to navigate daily life, becomes embroiled in a sequence of escalating events that lead her into a situation she neither sought nor fully understands. As suspicion begins to mount and her surroundings grow increasingly hostile, the story shifts into a subtle but tense examination of social perception and systemic indifference. Straw opts for understated tension over spectacle, offering a measured exploration of modern vulnerability.
SQUID GAME SEASON 3 (NETFLIX, JUNE 27)
It’s back. And yes, the games are bloodier, the stakes are nastier, and the moral ambiguity is thicker than ever. With Seong Gi-hun diving deeper into the underworld that ruined his life, Squid Game Season 3 promises to up the psychological tension while introducing new characters who’ll probably regret signing that dotted line.
JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH (IN CINEMAS JULY 2)
The latest addition to the Jurassic World franchise takes a more focused approach, following a covert team led by Zora Bennett on a mission to retrieve dinosaur DNA from the original Jurassic Park island. The genetic material is sought for its potential medical applications, but the expedition quickly uncovers a decades-old secret buried beneath the surface. With a new cast and a more contained narrative, Rebirth aims to revitalize the series by balancing action with corporate and ethical intrigue.
WEDNESDAY SEASON 2 (NETFLIX, AUGUST 6)
The second season of Wednesday sees the titular character back at Nevermore Academy, this time navigating more complex supernatural challenges and personal discoveries. With a focus on her developing psychic abilities and a deepening mystery tied to her family’s history, the series continues to blend gothic elements with modern storytelling. The addition of Lady Gaga as Rosaline Rotwood, a new teacher at Nevermore, is expected to expand both the cast dynamic and the show’s cultural footprint.
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