The best movies new to streaming this July (2025)

July is finally here, and the release calendar for summer movies is really heating up! We’ve got Longlegs, Twisters, and to look forward to, not to mention all the exciting recent releases coming to streaming and VOD this month, like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Bikeriders, Thelma, and more! If you’re looking for some great flicks to watch from the comfort of your own home in between this month’s biggest releases, though, we’ve got you. We’ve pulled together the best movies new to Netflix, Hulu, Max, and more this July for you to stream.

This month, we’ve got a stone-cold Steven Soderbergh classic starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, the new animated fantasy from Studio Ghibli successor Studio Ponoc, a sci-fi manga adaptation about a doe-eyed cyborg from Robert Rodriguez, and a whole lot more.

Here are the movies new to streaming services you should watch this month.

Editor’s pick: Out of Sight

The best movies new to streaming this July (1) Image: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Where to watch: Criterion Channel
Genre: Crime comedy
Director: Steven Soderbergh

Jennifer Lopez has attempted a bit of a movie star comeback over the past few years. After her critically acclaimed turn as resident den mother Ramona Vega in Hustlers, Lopez has starred in bad rom-coms (Marry Me, Shotgun Wedding), bad action movies (The Mother, Atlas), and bad bizarre vanity projects (This Is Me... Now: A Love Story). We have to go back to when Lopez was a legitimate movie star. We have to go back to Out of Sight.

Undoubtedly the sexiest movie in Steven Soderbergh’s oeuvre, Out of Sight adapts an excellent Elmore Leonard novel (as if there is any other kind) about Jack Foley, a career bank robber (George Clooney), and U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco (Lopez). After Foley breaks out of jail, the two share a moment and an instant connection, and the rest of the movie follows their cat-and-mouse game as she chases him for work and they chase each other for pleasure.

Clooney and Lopez’s chemistry is absolutely scintillating, and it’s a master class in putting two extremely attractive, charismatic people on screen and letting them do their thing. Out of Sight also has great supporting players for them, too — Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, Luis Guzmán, Nancy Allen, Viola Davis, and even cameos from Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson. This was the first of many collaborations between Clooney and Soderbergh, and a high point in Lopez’s film career that has yet to be matched. —Pete Volk

New on Netflix

The Imaginary

The best movies new to streaming this July (2) Image: Studio Ponoc/Netflix

Genre: Fantasy
Director: Yoshiyuki Momose
Cast: Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando

Studio Ponoc, the Japanese anime production company formed by Studio Ghibli veteran Yoshiaki Nishimura (producer of When Marnie Was There and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya), returns to full-length feature filmmaking for the first time since 2017 with the fantasy adventure The Imaginary. It’s the third major film this year about imaginary friends, and easily the best of them. Its lyrical playtime sequences loosely tap into Calvin & Hobbes energy, as imaginary friend Rudger and his creator, a young girl named Amanda, go soaring through her imagination.

But it also has a bit of a Toy Story 2/Inside Out vibe, as Rudger gets angsty over what happens to him when Amanda grows up and forgets him — and then winds up having to navigate existence without her earlier than he expected. It’s filmmaking in the Ghibli mode, with one major exception — a villain with a real sense of menace to go with his sunny smirking disposition. More for kids than adults, but a great one for generations to watch together, and worth noting for fans of expansive anime visual showcases. —Tasha Robinson

New on Hulu

Alita: Battle Angel

The best movies new to streaming this July (3) Image: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Sci-fi action
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly

I know Alita: Battle Angel became a bit of a meme, but I’m here to tell you it unironically rules and is an absolute joy to watch. The Robert Rodriguez-directed adaptation of the hit manga takes place in the year 2563, in the run-down, crime-ridden slums of the last known city on Earth. Meanwhile, the social elite live safe and pampered in a floating city that hovers above the surface of the planet, separating them from the less fortunate citizens below. The movie follows an amnesiac cyborg named Alita who has incredible powers, and fights to defy the underlings of the fascist government that prey on the people trapped on Earth.

But beyond all that plot, Alita’s just a terrifically enjoyable movie. There are killer action set-pieces, weird vibey CGI that makes it look like a unique hybrid of live action and cartoon, and a super dangerous in-universe sport that’s basically Rollerball. It’s a bizarre, messy combination that doesn’t really make the most of its source material, but does make for a fascinating action blockbuster that’s weirder than any big-budget movie released since, and it’s well worth your time. —Austen Goslin

New on Max

Twister

The best movies new to streaming this July (4) Image: Warner Home Video

Genre: Disaster thriller
Director: Jan de Bont
Cast: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz

There’s no easier way to date a film than by making cutting-edge special effects its primary selling point, but sometimes it works out. Upon its 1996 release, Twister’s dedication to realistically rendering one of the most terrifying weather events on the planet was all anyone talked about, to the point that a few years later Universal Studios opened a “ride” meant to impress upon guests how well nature’s fury can be replicated.

To its credit: Twister still looks great. But it feels great too. Director Jan de Bont spent much of the late ’90s swapping scripts with Steven Spielberg, and while Twister lacks the sort of richness Spielberg is known for, there’s still plenty of heart. Yeah, the main attraction is a bunch of computer-generated tornadoes, but the film’s ragtag group of weirdo storm chasers is what keeps you, and the emotional spine of former partners (played by Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton) realizing they do not want to go through with their divorce gives the spectacle just enough heart, too. A sequel is around the corner, so now’s a great time to catch up with a ’90s classic. —Joshua Rivera

New on Prime Video

Evil Dead Rise

The best movies new to streaming this July (5) Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Genre: Supernatural horror
Director: Lee Cronin
Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies

Did you enjoy The Last of Us Part 2? If your answer is anything close to “yes,” I got another question: Did you “enjoy” the boss fight with the Rat King Infected in the Seattle hospital basement? If you did, then I have some good news for you: The climax of Lee Cronin’s stand-alone sequel to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise has a confrontation on par with that one that’s just as intense, gnarly, and utterly horrifying. For anyone else, Evil Dead Rise is still a wickedly gory and satisfying horror film worth experiencing.

The film centers on Beth, the estranged sister of a struggling mother of three, who is forced to defend her nieces’ and nephew’s lives from her sister after she’s possessed by a malevolent spirit. Evil Dead Rise drips with as much atmosphere and tension as it does blood and bile, with gripping camera work and sickening practical special effects that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll. —Toussaint Egan

New on Kanopy

Anatomy of a Fall

The best movies new to streaming this July (6) Image: Neon

Genre: Legal drama
Director: Justine Triet
Cast: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner

One of 2023’s most-discussed movies didn’t make a huge splash at the box office, but it lingered in theaters for months, quietly building a reputation on word of mouth alone, while racking up awards and placements on year-end Best of 2023 lists. Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall starts with what seems like a straightforward thriller premise — a famous author (Sandra Hüller) loses her husband when he falls from a window, and is later accused of murdering him. But the film winds up being a complicated window into the nuances of relationships, with plenty of juicy ambiguities and reveals worth discussing. It’s been widely compared to a Hitchcock thriller, but it’s both slower and more thoughtful than his work, adding layer after layer to the story as Triet gives viewers plenty to argue about. —Tasha Robinson

  1. Polygon
  2. What to Watch
  3. Best movies of 2024
  4. Best TV of 2024
  5. Best anime of 2024
  6. Best movies on Netflix
The best movies new to streaming this July (2025)

FAQs

What's the best movie going on right now? ›

Check out the 10 best movies in theaters right now:
  • Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
  • Green Border.
  • Ghostlight.
  • Janet Planet.
  • The Fall Guy.
  • Challengers.
  • Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
6 days ago

What to stream in July 2024? ›

The 25 Best New Movies Streaming in July 2024
  • “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold and John Ashton in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (Credit: Netflix) ...
  • “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ...
  • “Space Cadet” ...
  • “Back to Black” ...
  • “The Imaginary” ...
  • “Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black” ...
  • “Arcadian” ...
  • “Trolls Band Together”
6 days ago

What to watch on the 4th of July weekend? ›

Friends and family of all ages will enjoy watching sports classics like “The Sandlot” and “A League of Their Own.” If you're ready to immerse yourself in some high-octane action, you can't go wrong with patriotic classics like “Forrest Gump” and “Top Gun.”

Who is streaming Independence Day? ›

Watch Independence Day | Disney+

What is the #1 movie on Netflix? ›

Global Top 10
#Films (English)Weeks in Top 10
1Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F1
2A Family Affair2
3Trigger Warning3
4Paw Patrol: The Movie9
6 more rows

What's a good movie for me to watch right now? ›

Top 20 New Movies to Stream Right Now
  • 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' (2024) (NEW!) Rating: R. ...
  • 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' (2024) (NEW!) Rating: R. ...
  • 'Hit Man' (2024) Rating: R. ...
  • 'The Fall Guy' (2024) Rating: PG-13. ...
  • 'IF' (2024) Rating: PG. ...
  • 'Civil War' (2024) Rating: R. ...
  • 'Monkey Man' (2024) Rating: R. ...
  • 'Dune: Part Two' (2024)
6 days ago

What's coming to Netflix in July 2024? ›

Netflix has plenty of action films as well as summer ones in its July 2024 slate, such as the Back to the Future trilogy as well as the first two Bad Boys films. Toby Maguire's take on the web-slinging Spider-Man will also be available to stream at the beginning of the month.

What's a good movie for Independence Day? ›

'1776′ (1972)

The movie is a musical take on the founding of America and includes Benjamin Franklin (Howard da Silva), John Adams (William Daniels) and Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard). It's a fun movie that your whole family will love.

Why is the Fourth of July so popular? ›

This day is very significant in American history. It marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted (July 4, 1776) and the United States officially became its own nation. American citizens celebrate America's birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbecues and other festive activities.

How can I celebrate 4th of July at home? ›

Here are some fun ways to celebrate American's independence right from the comforts of your home:
  1. Wear red, white, and blue. Such a simple way to feel festive! ...
  2. Have an all-American cookout feast. ...
  3. Play Independence Day games. ...
  4. Watch a family-friendly patriotic movie. ...
  5. Step outside to watch some fireworks (or do your own).
Jul 2, 2024

What happens on 4 of July? ›

Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

What actually happened on July 4th? ›

This Day in History: July 4

The Declaration of Independence, adopted this day in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, called for the American colonies to secede from Great Britain, a proclamation now commemorated by a U.S. national holiday.

Does Netflix have the movie Independence Day? ›

Nope. Independence Day isn't currently streaming on Netflix.

What is the most trending movie right now? ›

Trending Movies
  • Inside Out 2.
  • Despicable Me 4.
  • A Quiet Place: Day One.
  • Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
  • Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1.
  • Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
  • Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

What is the top 1 movie? ›

All Time Worldwide Box Office
RankYearMovie
12009Avatar
22019Avengers: Endgame
32022Avatar: The Way of Water
41997Titanic
76 more rows

What is the top 10 on Netflix right now? ›

For Netflix fans, check out the 10 most popular shows on Netflix right now.
  1. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) 55% 6.6/10.
  2. A Family Affair (2024) 43% 5.4/10. ...
  3. Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021) 50% 6.1/10. ...
  4. Warcraft (2016) 32% ...
  5. Minions (2015) 56% ...
  6. Trigger Warning (2024) 4.6/10. ...
  7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) 46% ...
  8. Shrek (2001) 84% ...
22 hours ago

What movie should we watch tonight? ›

What to watch tonight... TOP MOVIES!
  • American Beauty. 19992h 2mR. 8.3 (1.2M) Rate. ...
  • Café de Flore. 20112hNot Rated. 7.3 (17K) Rate. ...
  • The Intouchables. 20111h 52mR. 8.5 (937K) Rate. ...
  • We Need to Talk About Kevin. 20111h 52mR. ...
  • Ed Wood. 19942h 7mR. ...
  • Mary and Max. 20091h 32mNot Rated. ...
  • Transamerica. 20051h 43mR. ...
  • Big Fish. 20032h 5mPG-13.

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