Summer is here, which means plenty of time for movie watching. Major streaming services are adding some notable new releases this month to keep you cool while the air conditioning is cranking, and we've compiled a hand-picked list of the best films recently added to Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount+, and other platforms this month.
June's highlights include a pair of Netflix romantic comedies, a Glen Powell thriller that went unnoticed earlier in the year, a hit Pixar original, an indie horror film, and, finally, the streaming debut of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Below you'll find our pick of the best new movies available to watch online this month.
«Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure / Bogus Journey / Face the Music»
Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves in Bill & Ted's Excellent Journey (Orion Pictures)
Prime Video – June 1
Few films can match the joy of the Bill & Ted trilogy. The first film, 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, is a groovy time-travel flick in which two teenage heavy metal fans (Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter) find themselves embroiled in a plot to save humanity. (George Carlin is charming as Rufus, their guide through space.) The sequel, 1991's Bill & Ted's Excellent Journey, raised the bar even higher: British director Pete Hewitt pushed the visuals to extremes of surrealism, and the script, written by franchise veterans Chris Mathewson and Ed Solomon, included everything from aliens to cybernetic doppelgangers.
The third film, technically a sequel to the trilogy, was released nearly 30 years later and takes on a different, more contemplative tone, as Bill and Ted's teenage daughters are tasked with an equally important mission. If for some reason you haven't seen the third film—which is understandable, as its theatrical release was largely canceled (it was released in August 2020, during the first months of the pandemic)—now is the time to watch it. The other films are also worth rewatching. It's a great trilogy that doesn't get the attention it deserves. In other words, these films are damn good.
«Masters of the Universe (1987)»
«Masters of the Universe (Cannon Group)
Prime Video – June 1
With a new big-budget film from Amazon MGM Studios hitting theaters this week, why not revisit the original attempt at a He-Man feature? Based on the beloved Mattel series and produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan's Cannon Group, Masters of the Universe starred Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and a dedicated Frank Langella as Skeletor. (Don't Google director Gary Goddard. You've been warned.) Masters of the Universe had a notoriously rocky production: Cannon went bankrupt during production, meaning the third act ends quietly rather than spectacularly (and much of the film takes place in modern-day Los Angeles rather than the elaborate fantasy world of Eternia).
It's not that Masters of the Universe is without its charm; Lundgren plays the warrior convincingly, and the cast, which includes Courteney Cox, Billy Barty, and Meg Foster, seems to be having a blast. The music, by Bill Conti, composer of Rocky, is also quite good. Listen, it might not all sound harmonious. But sometimes you like your pizza with a lot of cheese, right?
«The Last Duel»
Matt Damon in The Last Duel (20th Century Studios)
Paramount+ – June 1
Ridley Scott's The Last Duel suffered a remarkable setback. It was in development at 20th Century Fox shortly before the sale of the studio's assets to Disney. At the time, it was unclear whether Disney would take on the film, given its dark subject matter, historical context, and large budget (rumored to exceed $100 million). Disney eventually went ahead with production, which began in early 2020 (before the pandemic delayed it for several months), but when the film was released in the fall of 2021, their interest in the project seemed halfhearted at best. It was released around the same time as Scott's other, more polished film, House of Gucci, which was also considered a more likely Oscar contender; press for it was almost nonexistent, and the buzz was practically nonexistent. Even after all these years, The Last Duel hasn't been re-evaluated, which is a shame, because it's undoubtedly one of Scott's best films. It's definitely in the top five. Based on a nonfiction book (The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jaeger), the film tells the story of the alleged rape of a young woman (Jodie Comer) by a squire (Adam Driver).
The titular battle unfolds between a knight and the woman's husband, a knight and the squire's former friend (played by Matt Damon). Ben Affleck also appears as the Count, in one of his finest performances. What makes The Last Duel unique is that it consists of three chapters, told from three opposing points of view (ending with the "truth," Comer's), each written by a different writer—Damon, Affleck, and the brilliant Nicole Holofcener. Filled with breathtaking action, stunning cinematography, and occasionally shocking violence, the film is also one of Scott's funniest and most humane films. It's a new classic. At least for those brave enough to see it that way.
«Hoppers»
Piper Curda in Hoppers (Disney/Pixar)
Disney+ – June 3
Strange, hilarious, and unexpectedly politically charged, Hoppers is Pixar's funniest and also one of its sweetest films. The story centers on Mabel (Piper Curda), a college student and animal lover who infiltrates a secret program where scientists transfer their consciousness into robotic animals to understand how their societies function. Soon, Piper, disguised as a robotic beaver, befriends a mammal king named George (Bobby Moynihan) and sparks an animal rebellion against the greedy mayor (Jon Hamm), who wants to demolish a beaver dam to build an overpass.
Director Daniel Chong, who worked at Pixar before leaving to create the wildly successful Cartoon Network series We the Bears, has a natural talent for creating lovable, charming characters and placing them in situations he calls "comedic first." It's all very funny, but Hoppers often veers off course where you expect it—a hilarious moment gives way to an unexpected burst of poignancy, then returns to its starting point again. The voice cast is superb, the animation style, which combines cartoonish exaggeration with painterly backdrops, is incredibly appealing, and the whole project feels both like it pushes the boundaries of what a Pixar film can be and fits seamlessly into his unrivaled filmography. In other words, it damn Okay. Do you understand?
«The Murder of Rachel Nickell»
«The Killing of Rachel Nickell (Netflix)
Netflix – June 4
Let's get straight to the synopsis: "In 1992, a young mother was murdered in broad daylight in London's Wimbledon Park, leaving her two-year-old child as the only witness." Directed by BAFTA-nominated director Lucy Bowden, the documentary "examines the infamous, decades-long police investigation," using "exclusive archival footage, eyewitness accounts from family members, and leading forensic experts," and seeks to uncover "how a flawed, highly publicized investigation led to the prosecution of the wrong man, before a stunning breakthrough reignites the family's fight for justice more than a decade later.".
«The Guardian»
Tatiana Maslany in The Guardian (Neon)
Hulu – June 5
Osgood Perkins' third film for NEON (at least until his new film comes out this fall) is certainly his strangest and most in keeping with his style before Long Legs—a sinister and haunting, slow-burning horror film balancing everyday trauma with supernatural menace. Tatiana Maslany plays Liz, a young woman who goes with her boyfriend (Rossif Sutherland) to his country house in the woods. There, utterly terrifying things begin to happen. Liz begins to question not only her relationship but her sanity as a weekend getaway takes a turn for the worse.
«"The Keeper" was filmed during the making of "Ape"—when production was halted due to strikes, Perkins sought to keep the production going and hired a Canadian cast and crew. As such, it's a charming transitional film, in which Perkins returns to his more esoteric instincts after a couple of unexpectedly commercial hits. If you're a fan of Perkins's early work or just want to see something truly creepy with some of the most unique creature designs in recent memory, you should check out "The Keeper.".
«Mexico 86»
«Mexico 86 (Netflix)
Netflix – June 5
Netflix's new film "tells the untold story of Martin de la Torre, a Mexican official whose dedication and passion for soccer led him to Mexico's second stint hosting one of the world's most important sporting events. But he never imagined that to do so, he would have to break countless rules and constantly teeter on the brink of a red card," reads the official synopsis. Diego Luna stars in "Mexico 86" and serves as executive producer of this true-life drama "full of humor, irreverence, and Mexican ingenuity." Karla Souza, Daniel Jiménez Cacho, Álvaro Guerrero, and Memo Villegas also star in Gabriel Ripstein's film, which will at least get you ready for this summer's World Cup in Los Angeles.
«Office Romance»
Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein in "Office Romance" (Photo: Ana Carballosa/Netflix)
Netflix – June 5
Jennifer Lopez, known for Netflix's "Mother" and "Atlas" (where she finds herself inside a giant mechanical suit), returns to the streaming platform in a romantic comedy starring Brett Goldstein of "Ted Lasso" fame. Goldstein also produced and co-wrote "Office Romance" (along with Joe Kelly), which Netflix describes as "a charming and irreverent romantic comedy about a secret office romance and the trouble two workaholics get into when they start thinking with their hearts." The surprisingly stellar supporting cast includes Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, Tony Hale, Amy Sedaris, Jodie Whittaker, and Edward James Olmos, who starred with Lopez in "Selena" nearly 30 years ago (!), reprising his role as her father. "Office Romance" is directed by Ol Parker, who directed "Mamma Mia! Ride Again!" and "Ticket to Paradise".
«Lorne»
Peacock - June 5
If for some reason you've been missing Saturday Night Live-related material after the flurry of documentaries marking the show's 50th anniversary, here's another! Directed by Morgan Neville (who oversaw the official SNL documentary series for Peacock and NBC), Lorne Michaels celebrates the elusive genius behind the most influential comedy series of all time. Michaels, a Canadian comedian and counterculture figure, created and directed the show, which quickly gained popularity thanks to its unique personality and cast of rising stars. But for as long as Saturday Night Live existed, critics complained that the show was outdated, unfunny, and irrelevant.
«"Lorne" gracefully charts the major stages of Michaels's life while maintaining the man's inner mystery (almost nothing is revealed about his personal life or family). It also features engaging animated sequences created by "Saturday TV Funhouse" genius Robert Smigel. "Lorne" is a delight from start to finish, even if you don't get a deeper understanding of the man's personality after the credits roll. He probably would have liked it that way.
«Strangers: Chapter 3»
«"Strangers - Chapter 3" (Lionsgate)
Starz – June 6
The Stranger trilogy of remakes, filmed in a dizzying 52 days and released over several years, finally concludes ingloriously with the third film. If you've ever wondered about the masked robbers from the original 2008 film, here are all the details, meticulously laid out, as we follow Madelaine Petsch as she faces a final showdown with her tormentors. It's unclear who exactly is left in this new series of films, all directed by the underrated Renny Harlin, but if you've read this far, why not check out the final installment, right? Right ?
«"Scarlet"»
«"Scarlet" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Netflix – June 6
Mamoru Hosoda is one of the world's greatest living animation directors, having helmed several modern classics, such as 2009's Summer Wars, 2018's Mirai, and most recently, 2021's Belle. In his latest effort, Scarlet, Hosoda highlights the soft psychedelia of his earlier films, reimagining William Shakespeare's classic Hamlet for a whole new era. Scarlet (voiced by Mana Ashida in the original Japanese version and Erin Yvette in the English dub) is a princess in 16th-century Denmark who is murdered and journeys to a phantasmagorical underworld, vowing revenge on those who killed her father (and, of course, herself). It's a space where timelines intertwine freely (she meets and befriends a paramedic from modern-day Japan), and where Scarlet struggles with both a literal compass and a moral one.
(When we spoke with Hosoda earlier this year, he said he was inspired by questions about how to break the cycle of revenge, both on a personal and intergenerational level.) The animation style Hosoda uses in Scarlet also blends old and new, fusing traditional 2D animation techniques with cutting-edge computer animation. It's unlike anything you've likely seen before. How often can you say that?
«Earth, Wind, and Fire (Being Heavenly Against the Weight of the World)»
Earth Wind and Fire (Getty Images)
HBO Max – June 7
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, a founding member of the famed hip-hop group The Roots and a member of the staff on Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show," has become one of the most compelling documentarians of recent years. Between "Summer of Soul" (about the 1969 Harlem cultural festival) and documentaries on Sly and the Family Stone and the music of "Saturday Night Live," Questlove has brought his encyclopedic knowledge of music history and passion to a whole new format, and he's doing it brilliantly.
His latest film, "Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World)," focuses on the Grammy Award-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire and "explores their evolution, rise and fall, and relevance from the 1970s to the present day, exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual meaning behind their message and music." Under Questlove's direction, the quintessential music documentary quickly became one of the most anticipated films of the summer. Enjoy!
«"I am Frankelda"»
«"I Am Frankelda" (Netflix)
Netflix – June 12
The first feature-length animated film made entirely in Mexico using stop-motion, "I Am Frankelda" is the work of director brothers Arturo and Roy Ambriz. The film is based on the animated series "Frankelda's Ghost Book," which was co-produced by Cartoon Network and premiered on HBO Max in 2021. In that series, the story was told from the perspective of Frankelda (voiced by Mireya Mendoza), a character based on Mary Shelley, and for the feature-length film, the brothers decided to make her the main character.
Set in 1866, it serves as a prequel to the animated series. The protagonist, a young woman, becomes Frankelda. An aspiring writer, she realizes that her works bear a real-life resemblance to a world just beneath our own. She ultimately journeys into the supernatural realm to help the world she's already imagined, forever changed by the experience. Filled with vibrant animation, stunning cinematography, and captivating characters, it's a true masterpiece, easy to immerse yourself in again and again.
«How to Get Rich»
«How to Get Rich (Source: A24)
HBO Max – June 19
In this 2026 black comedy, Glen Powell grows thinner and angrier as the illegitimate child of a wealthy family who realizes he can inherit his fortune by murdering the rest of his family. Written and directed by Emily the Criminal director John Patton Ford, How to Make a Living is inspired by the 1949 film Kind Hearts and Coronets but adapted for the modern era, with plenty of darkly comedic moments. The film also stars Margaret Qualley, Ed Harris, Jessica Henwick, and Bill Camp.
«Voice Messages for Isabelle»
Zoey Deutch in Voice Messages for Isabel (Netflix)
Netflix – June 19
It's another Zoey Deutch romantic comedy on Netflix, only this time it's a little sad! In "Voice Messages for Isabelle," the charming "Set It Up" actress plays an aspiring chef whose sister and best friend suddenly die. Trying to cope with her grief, she continues calling her sister's number and leaving voicemails as if she were alive. But it turns out the number has been forwarded to a stranger, played by Nick Robinson, who is captivated by Deutch's messages. The film is funny and charming, but it sweetly focuses on Isabelle's relationship with her sister, offering something different from what's typically seen in similar films and giving Deutch a chance to showcase her dramatic talent.
«Avatar: Fire and Ash»
Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios).
Disney+ – June 24
The third—and so far final—film in James Cameron's Avatar saga, Avatar: Fire and Ash, at times feels less like a third film and more like the second half of 2022's Avatar: The Way of Water. That's because it was originally conceived as such before being split into two parts. This doesn't diminish the raw power of Avatar: Fire and Ash, but it does offer insight into why it may have made less money than the first two films (which nonetheless remain among the most successful films of all time).
In this installment, we meet a murderous new villain: Varang (Oona Chaplin), a member of the Fire Tribe bent on burning Pandora. (She has a very Bonnie-and-Clyde-like relationship with the resurrected Quaritch, played by Stephen Lang.) There are more touching moments with space whales, more unexpected deaths, more epic battles, and the kind of action sequences that only Cameron could have conceived and designed (one of our favorites is a near-death rescue inside a human settlement on Pandora that feels like an updated version of a Star Wars trench attack). Fire and Ash is darker and less ethereal than The Path of Water, but it's just as captivating, only more gripping and tense. We hope Cameron never stops making films like this.
«In the Hands of Dante»
Oscar Isaac and Gal Gadot in In the Hands of Dante (Photo: Dreamcrew)
Netflix – June 24
This movie could go either way. Directed by Julian Schnabel, the artist and filmmaker behind The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it's based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches. The plot follows the manuscript of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, which falls into the hands of a modern-day New York mob boss (and writer, you guessed it, named Nick Tosches). The film, written by Schnabel and Louise Kugelberg, takes place in various time periods and features a truly insane cast, including (but not limited to) Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa.
The trailer is vaguely reminiscent of Cloud Atlas, the film that premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. in September last year , was only recently acquired by Netflix, suggesting it wasn't anyone's first choice. At the very least, In Dante's Hand will be a fascinating rarity, undoubtedly full of perplexing moments that will spark endless discussions on Letterboxd and in the lobby of your favorite arthouse cinema. And sometimes that's enough.
«"Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert"»
«EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon/Universal)
Paramount+ – June 24
While working on his 2022 film Elvis, Baz Luhrmann discovered a treasure trove of previously unseen Elvis Presley footage hidden in a Kansas salt mine—material from Elvis: That's the Way It Is and Elvis on Tour, as well as footage from a 1957 Hawaiian performance. Luhrmann was shocked and delighted by the discovery, but the footage was silent. Over the next two years, Luhrmann and his team restored the footage and synchronized it with existing audio sources. Thus, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert was born.
The director insisted it wasn't quite a documentary, nor was it quite a concert film. "Our goal is to create something new in the Elvis canon," Luhrmann said shortly before the film's release. EPiC debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall to rave reviews, was acquired by NEON and Universal, and was released earlier this year, grossing over $23.5 million worldwide. Not bad for a pile of footage trapped in a salt mine and in danger of being lost forever. Luckily, Luhrmann had the passion to save it. Now we can all enjoy this seemingly forgotten Elvis footage that looks and sounds like a million dollars—or at least like a million peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
«Forbidden Fruits»
IFC/Shudder
Shudder – June 26
In 2026, the horror genre is in its heyday. From the sequel "Scream 7," which reached a franchise-record $214 million, to low-budget blockbusters like "Behind the Scenes" and "Obsession," the franchise is at its peak this year. And "Forbidden Fruit," released by IFC and Shudder this spring after its SXSW premiere, is certainly worth checking out. Written and directed by Meredith Alloway and based on the play by Lily Houghton, "Forbidden Fruit" follows a group of bitchy (or maybe..., witch's ?) young women in the style of "Mean Girls" working at a Free People-type store in a nondescript mall in Texas. When the girls ( Sabbath ?), played by the highly energetic Lili Reinhart, Alexandra Shipp, and Victoria Pedretti, introduce a new girl (Lola Tung) to the group, the balance of power shifts, and the dynamic becomes truly deadly. The film was produced by Diablo Cody, and you can feel the DNA of Cody's "Jennifer's Body" coursing through the daring veins of "Forbidden Fruit." Haters be damned, this is a future midnight movie classic.
«"Little Brother"»
John Cena and Eric Andre in Little Brother (Netflix)
Netflix – June 26
Streaming services have become a safe space for the kind of offbeat, high-concept comedies that used to be a regular feature in theaters. (There's Something About Mary grossed $370 million in 1998.) Films like 2024's Brothers, starring Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage, and this year's F*cked Up, starring Mark Wahlberg and Paul Waterhouse, have proven that you can still laugh as hard at raunchy jokes and crude humor as you did at the turn of the millennium. Even if this time you'll be laughing while folding your clothes. Little Brother is built on a brilliant premise: Eric Andre, a loser who reenters the life of his older brother, played by John Cena.
But this isn't the case with blood relatives. Or even with adopted children. Instead, Andre—his younger brother , like in the social program years ago. Cena's wife (Michelle Moynahan) understands him, but soon their life descends into chaos. Frankly, the trailer made us laugh, and given the excellent supporting cast (including Christopher Meloni, Ego Nwodim, and Sherry Cola) and talented actors (like cinematographer Brandon Trost and composer Dan Dean), we're more than ready to meet this "little brother.".
«Subtext»
Nina Kiri "Undertone" (Courtesy of Sundance Institute/Dustin Rabin).
HBO Max – June 26
«"Behind the Scenes" may have been A24's horror hit this year, but "Subtext," which relies on a creepy, minimalist aesthetic, was also a big success, grossing $22 million on a reported budget of under $500,000. Not bad. In "Subtext," Nina Kiry plays Evie, a woman confined to her childhood home caring for her ailing mother. While there, she records episodes of her creepy podcast, which, oddly enough, eerily echo events she experiences in her own life. "Subtext" isn't at all The film concludes successfully, but it has enough powerful supernatural menace and unusual sound design to make it worthwhile. We should commend ambitious, low-budget genre projects, even if they don't quite succeed, because the attempt was made—not just to create something cool, but to truly push the genre in new directions. Headphones are optional, but highly recommended.
The article "The 21 Best New Movies Available to Stream Right Now" first appeared on TheWrap.