July is going to be a pretty tough month for Netflixers everywhere. We’re losing some real classics: Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey (the original!), The Perfect Storm, and quite a few others. Total bummer.
Luckily, there’s a silver lining here. July actually has one of the most impressive lineups of new arrivals we’ve seen. Among them, here are 9 you need to look out for:
Back to the Future
(All three!)
Available Now
With all the hubbub and nonsense over hoverboards these days, we’re excited to announce that the franchise that started it all is on Netflix! Subscribers will be able to watch all three installments of the classic American film series. And just in case you need a lively description: An average-but-probably-slightly-troubled American high schooler and his crazy-but-brilliant scientist friend travel back (and forward) through the space time continuum to fuck up history, but then fix it. Wow, that actually sounds a lot like Rick and Morty. Weird.
Beverly Hills Cop 1 & 2
Available Now
Known by many as one of Eddie Murphy’s breakout roles and filmed during one of the most prolific eras of American comedy, the Beverly Hills Cop films are considered by many to be a perfect example of comedic scriptwriting. But even if you’re not studying to be a famous screenwriter some day, this movie series is some of the most brilliant work from one of America’s most beloved comedians.
Gladiator
Available Now
Are you not entertained?! This critically acclaimed and completely badass Roman gladiator film tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Roman-general-turned-slave-turned-historic-gladiator, as he rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena while avenging his murdered wife and son. Russel Crowe is excellent in his role as Maximus, whose charming grit and steadfast perseverance really make the film both compelling and fun to watch. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely a must-watch.
Lethal Weapon 1-4
Available Now
The 80s and 90s were a very special time for cop drama action films, and among them the Lethal Weapon series is that of legend. The films star Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, a pair of hard-ass L.A.P.D. homicide detectives just trying to make the world a better place. Stellar comedic writing, incredible plot lines (number 3 is kind of “meh” but whatever), excellent real-life action sequences (no CGI!), and hysterical haircuts combine to make this one of the best American action movies of all time.
Marco Polo: Season 2
Available Now
Marco Polo returns to Netflix for a second season in July. A story full of greed, sex (naturally), betrayal, and drama, Marco Polo takes viewers on a journey through the famed adventures of the famous explorer as he makes his way through Kublai Khan’s court in 13th Century China. It’s kind of like a Mongolian Game of Thrones. The critically acclaimed first season ended with a bang, and we expect Season 2 to be no different.
The Big Short
July 6
Just a warning: The Big Short will make you absolutely furious. An incredible cast of A-list celebrities—Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, and Marisa Tomei, to name a few—come together to tell the 100 percent true story of how four people predicted, capitalized on, and made complete jerks of the big banks for their overwhelming greed and lack of concern for American citizens in the months leading up to the 2008 housing crisis.
Rolling Papers
July 12
An incredible documentary that highlights the emergence of weed-centric journalism and media in the immediate wake of Colorado’s legalization of the drug, Rolling Papers is something that will interest writers, smokers, and everyone who likes serendipitous stories of triumph and success during an emerging economic market.
Ghostheads
July 15
The GhostBusters films aren’t just an incredible series of American sci-fi comedy films, they’re legitimate cult classics with devout fans all over the world. With chapters of “ghostbusters” in every major city—each with their own patches, suits, etc.—Ghostheads is a fan-funded documentary that offers an in-depth explanation and insider’s look into the incredible sub-culture that still revolves around the classic films, over 30 years after their original release dates.
Stranger Things: Season 1
July 15
Harkening back to the supernatural sci-fi classics of the 1980s, Stranger Things is a Netflix Original debuting this July. Set in a small Indiana town in 1983, Stranger Things is the story of a young boy who apparently vanishes into thin air, and his family, friends, and community who search for answers. Unfortunately, the more rocks they overturn, the more terrifying their predicament becomes. We’re really excited to see how this one pans out. If Netflix’s other recent originals are any indication of the production quality, we’re willing to bet it’s going to be top-shelf.
