July offers one of the busiest release calendars of the year, with major Hollywood blockbusters, acclaimed dramas, horror sequels, family entertainment, and streaming premieres all arriving within a few weeks. From Tom Holland and Zendaya returning to the spotlight to Christopher Nolan’s most ambitious film yet, here are 10 releases worth adding to your watchlist.
1. Evil Dead Burn
The Evil Dead franchise continues its revival following the success of Evil Dead Rise in 2023.
Directed by Sébastian Vaniček, Evil Dead Burn follows a grieving young widow, played by Souheila Yacoub, who visits her late husband’s family after his sudden death. What begins as an uncomfortable family gathering quickly descends into chaos when the relatives transform into terrifying Deadites.
Vaniček describes the film as a standalone story that welcomes newcomers while staying true to the franchise’s signature mix of horror, violence and dark humour.
International release: 8 to 10 July.
2. The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan returns with what could become the biggest production of his career.
His adaptation of Homer’s timeless epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary king struggling to return home after the Trojan War. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, while an all-star cast featuring Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o joins the journey.
The nearly three-hour film is also the first feature shot entirely on 70mm IMAX film, continuing Nolan’s pursuit of large-scale cinematic storytelling.
International release: 15 to 17 July.
3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland returns for his fourth outing as Spider-Man, opening a fresh chapter for Peter Parker.
Following the events of No Way Home, Peter finds himself completely alone after Doctor Strange’s spell erased everyone’s memory of him. Director Destin Daniel Cretton takes over the franchise as Peter faces adulthood while confronting powerful new enemies, including the Hulk, the Punisher and a deadly group of assassins.
The film also launches a planned new Spider-Man trilogy.
International release: 29 to 31 July.
4. Enola Holmes 3
Millie Bobby Brown returns as the sharp-witted detective for another mystery.
This time Enola is preparing to marry Lord Tewkesbury, played by Louis Partridge, before everything changes when Sherlock Holmes disappears. Joined by Watson and her mother, Enola embarks on another fast-paced investigation that blends mystery, humour and Victorian history.
Writer Jack Thorne says the third chapter explores Enola’s transition into adulthood while examining Britain’s colonial past.
Streaming on Netflix from 1 July.
5. Minions & Monsters
The Minions leave supervillains behind for a trip to 1920s Hollywood in the latest animated adventure.
Inspired by silent-era comedy, the lovable yellow characters decide to produce their own monster movie, leading them to a mysterious island where real creatures await.
Director Pierre Coffin says silent-film legends remain the biggest influence behind the Minions’ universal appeal.
International release: 1 to 3 July.
6. Moana
Disney revisits one of its newest animated successes with a live-action adaptation.
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui alongside a new cast, while director Thomas Kail promises fresh dialogue, new humour and a different interpretation of the beloved adventure rather than a scene-for-scene remake.
International release: 8 to 10 July.
7. Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
David Wain delivers another offbeat comedy built around a familiar pop culture joke.
After her boyfriend uses his so-called celebrity pass with his favourite actress, Gail heads to Los Angeles hoping to seduce Jon Hamm in revenge. The comedy features appearances from Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Henry Winkler and several other familiar faces.
US release: 10 July.
8. Remake
Documentarian Ross McElwee presents his most personal film yet.
Years after chronicling his family life on camera, McElwee revisits decades of footage following the tragic death of his son Adrian from a drug overdose. The documentary reflects on grief, family, mental health and memory through intimate home videos collected across a lifetime.
US release: 10 July.
9. Reading Lolita in Tehran
Based on Azar Nafisi’s bestselling memoir, this drama follows a literature professor who secretly teaches banned Western novels in post-revolutionary Iran.
Golshifteh Farahani leads the cast in a story about resilience, education and freedom, as a small group of women find hope through books despite increasing political repression.
US release: 10 July.
10. Her Private Hell
Nicolas Winding Refn returns to cinema for the first time since The Neon Demon.
Blending psychological horror, science fiction and neo-noir, the film stars Sophie Thatcher as an actress living in a futuristic city haunted by a supernatural killer. Charles Melton co-stars in a parallel storyline inspired by classic crime fiction and graphic novels.
Early reactions describe it as one of Refn’s boldest and most visually striking films.
US release: 10 July.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the cinema or updating your streaming queue, July offers something for every kind of movie fan. Big-budget spectacles sit alongside intimate dramas, horror returns with fresh scares, and familiar franchises continue their stories, making this one of the strongest release months of the year.
