As the Northern Hemisphere summer kicks into gear, it’s not just the various movie studios that are bringing out their blockbuster heavyweights. The streaming services are upping their entertainment offering too. Below you’ll find our top picks from Disney+ (South Africa) in June, with the caveat that region availability and release date is subject to change.
Secret Invasion (Limited Series)
Disney+ is dialing back the release of its Marvel Cinematic Universe shows and movies, so relish 6-part series Secret Invasion, based on the comic arc of the same name.
Set in the present day MCU, and putting the emphasis on espionage thrills à la Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to Earth and uncovers a conspiracy where a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls have taken over positions of power around the world. Returning characters include Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle), while newcomers are characters played by Olivia Colman and Emilia Clarke.
Weekly episodes of Secret Invasion start from 21 June.
P.S. Still on matters of superheroes, June on Disney+ also sees the addition of a documentary about Stan Lee, and feature on the making of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Avatar: The Way of Water (Film)
James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water comes to the small screen this month, so more viewers can experience the jaw-dropping visual spectacle offered by the sci-fi epic, set on the alien planet of Pandora. Taking place more than a decade after the events of the first film (the most successful of all time), The Way of Water continues the story of the Sully family, and their struggles as humans return to Pandora with new devious plans for conquest. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. If you enjoyed the first Avatar, you’ll love this one too.
Avatar: The Way of Water starts streaming from 7 June, and releases with bonus content on the making of the film.
Saint X (Series)
You can scratch your mystery crime thriller itch with Saint X, based on the novel of the same name. Told via multiple timelines, the series explores how a young woman’s mysterious death during an idyllic Caribbean vacation creates a traumatic ripple effect spanning years. Ultimately, it pulls her sister (Alycia Debnam-Carey as an adult) into a dangerous pursuit of the truth.
Stream all eight episodes of Saint X from 7 June.
Flamin’ Hot (Film)
If you enjoyed Tetris and Air (we did!), you may want to watch comedy biopic Flamin’ Hot. Eva Longoria directs this true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to create Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the snack that revolutionised the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon in the early 1990s.
Watch Flamin’ Hot from 9 June.
The Full Monty (Limited Series)
It’s the follow-up you probably never expected. The original Full Monty gang (including Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy and Tom Wilkinson) is back 25 years after the events of the smash-hit British comedy. Our working class heroes may be older, but they’re not necessarily wiser. In this comedy drama they navigate post-industrial Sheffield and its crumbling healthcare, education and employment sectors, exploring how communal effort can still triumph over adversity.
All eight episodes of the The Full Monty series will be available from 14 June.
The Last Duel (Film)
Lovers of historical epics will probably want to line up The Last Duel. Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven’s Ridley Scott directs this thought-provoking drama set in 14th Century France. Based on actual events, the film explores the events surrounding France’s last sanctioned duel to the death – between noblemen Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), two friends turned bitter rivals. The situation comes to a head when Carrouges’ wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer) steps forward with claims that Le Gris assaulted her, leading to trial by combat.
Watch The Last Duel from 14 June.
Antlers (Film)
Horror film Antlers is a good few years old now, but we’re always up for an impactful creature feature, especially when it comes with names like Guillermo del Toro and David Goyer attached. Here, a small-town Oregon teacher (Keri Russell) and her brother (Jesse Plemons), the local sheriff, discover that a young student (Jeremy T. Thomas) is harboring a secret. Except it’s not parental neglect. It’s tied to local legends of the ravenous wendigo.
Watch Antlers from 21 June.