The 16 most exciting films and series coming to Netflix this summer

Summer 2020 may seem a little different, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a ton to look forward to.

Whether you’re cueing up a weekend binge or a movie for date night, Netflix has a May through August lineup stacked with entertainment for streaming at home. 

From Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani in romantic comedy The Lovebirds to the reunion of The Office‘s Greg Daniels and Steve Carell in the intergalactic comedy Space Force, here are the series and films we’re most looking forward to. (Fair warning: A good number of these picks don’t have release dates just yet. So, keep your eyes peeled and your queues ready all summer long.)

 

Image: netflix / mashable

Hollywood 

Executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this limited series follows starry-eyed actors and filmmakers trying to make it in post-World War II Hollywood. A critical look at the entertainment industry’s historically biased atmosphere — one that still prevents marginalized artists from gaining influence and opportunity today — Hollywood promises powerful drama and a meaningful application of revisionist history. Performances by Darren Criss, Jeremy Pope, Samara Weaving, Jim Parsons, and more.

How to watch: Hollywood premieres on Netflix May 1. 

Dead to Me Season 2 

The bonkers world of Dead to Me is back for another onslaught of twists and turns. Creator and showrunner Liz Feldman returns to shepherd Jen and Judy (once again played by the masterful Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini) into a Season 2 that promises answers — or at least more confusion — about the untimely demises of Ted and Steve (James Marsden) and the uncertain future of off-duty detective Nick (Brandon Scott), who definitely knows too much.

How to watch: Dead to Me Season 2 premieres on Netflix May 8.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend

Everyone’s favorite former captive-turned-positivity personified is back with her own interactive special. In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend, viewers guide Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) through a series of choices with big consequences. Weddings! Action scenes! Something about a robot war! Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Carol Kane, and Jon Hamm return alongside Unbreakable newcomer Daniel Radcliffe. 

How to watch: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend premieres on Netflix May 12.

Space Force 

The Office’s Greg Daniels and Steve Carell reunite for Space Force, an intergalactic workplace comedy centered on the sixth branch of the armed forces. We don’t know a ton about this one yet, but we’ve got and high hopes. Performances by John Malkovich, Diana Silvers, Ben Schwartz, Tawny Newsome, Noah Emmerich, and Jimmy O. Yang.

How to watch: Space Force premieres on Netflix May 29. 

The Baby-Sitters Club

Return to Stoneybrook with Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace), Mary-Anne Spier (Malia Baker), Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada), Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph), and Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez) in Netflix’s reboot of The Baby-Sitters Club. Based on the beloved novels by Ann M. Martin, this revival promises the drama and heart of the original under the guidance of GLOW’s Rachel Shukert. Featuring Alicia Silverstone as Kristy’s mom Elizabeth and Mark Feuerstein as her stepdad Watson.

How to watch: The Baby-Sitters Club premieres on Netflix this summer. 

Queer Eye Season 5

The world needs the power of the Fab Five now more than ever. In the fifth season of Netflix’s beloved lifestyle makeover show, stars Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France head to the City of Brotherly Love to help a new batch of Philadelphia-based heroes find their best selves.

How to watch: Queer Eye Season 5 premieres on Netflix this summer.

The Politician Season 2

Ryan Murphy will once again depart reality with Season 2 of The Politician, expected this summer. Assuming we pick up where the series left off in September, that means Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) is up against state senate leader Dede Standish (Judith Light) for her spot in local government, with McAfee (Laura Dreyfuss), James (Theo Germaine), Astrid (Lucy Boynton), Alice (Julia Schlaepfer), and Skye (Rahne Jones) by his side.

How to watch: The Politician Season 2 premieres on Netflix this summer. 

Dating Around Season 2 

What would summer be without another dose of Netflix reality? The streaming platform’s first ever dating show, Dating Around, is set to return for a Season 2 in the coming months, with a new cast of eligible singles out for a night on the town.

How to watch: Dating Around Season 2 premieres on Netflix this summer.

 

Image: netflix / mashable

All Day and a Night

From Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole, the story of Jahkor Abraham Lincoln (Ashton Sanders) examines what it takes to break a generational cycle. Set in the volatile world of Oakland’s gang scene, All Day and a Night undertakes a journey of self-discovery that appears both poignant and painful.

How to watch: All Day and a Night premieres on Netflix May 1.

The Half Of It 

Brace yourself for another of Netflix’s charming, teen misadventures. The Half Of It follows Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) as she works to help shy jock Paul (Daniel Diemer) win over the girl of his dreams, Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), with love letters and well-worded texts — only to discover she likes Aster too. 

How to watch: The Half of It premieres on Netflix May 1.

Becoming

Documentarian Nadia Hallgren paints an intimate portrait of Michelle Obama in Becoming. Chronicling former First Lady’s 34-city tour surrounding the release of her memoir, the film offers a glimpse at Obama’s life after the White House, and what it means to continue building her legacy.

How to watch: Becoming premieres on Netflix May 6.

Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics

Gather round the streaming hearth to hear trippy tales of metaphysical misadventure in Donick Cary’s Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics. Comedians, actors, and musicians — like Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Sarah Silverman, Rosie Perez, A$AP Rocky, and more — share their experiences with hallucinogens through reenactments and animations that examine the highs and low of spiritual drug use.

How to watch: Have a Good Trip premieres on Netflix May 11.

The Wrong Missy

Lauren Lapkus enjoys the starring comedic role she deserves as the titular “wrong Missy.” When Tim Morris (David Spade) accidentally texts the wrong contact and invites a bad blind date (Lapkus) to his company retreat, all hell breaks loose. Obviously.

How to watch: The Wrong Missy premieres on Netflix May 13. 

The Lovebirds

Some extremely excellent casting couples up Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani in The Lovebirds, a romantic comedy-meets-murder mystery featuring a high-speed chase and some really comfy looking disguises. When our leading couple becomes entangled in a vehicular homicide, they must find the killer or answer for someone else’s crimes. Yikes! 

How to watch: The Lovebirds premieres on Netflix May 22.

Athlete A

The Indianapolis Star‘s 2016 investigation into Larry Nassar was just the beginning of its team’s exposé on abuse in gymnastics. Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (known for An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power), Athlete A chronicles these journalists’ efforts to shed light on the predation that shook the Olympic world. 

How to watch: Athlete A premieres on Netflix June 24.

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado

Directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch offer a loving portrait of an icon in this documentary on Walter Mercado. The famed Puerto Rican astrologer and psychic welcomes viewers into his home during the last months of his life as he examines his legacy and what comes in the hereafter. 

How to watch: Mucho Mucho Amor premieres on Netflix July 8.