Welcome to June, summer has arrived and this month is packed with new hit TV shows and movie releases, including thrilling book adaptations spanning romance, action, tearjerkers, and gothic tales. Revisit favorite franchises, actors we’ve grown to love (and love to hate), and dive into new stories as we unravel all the cinematic gems to start out your summer binging!

TV

This month, the small screen is pumping out the big-time favorites, so be sure to catch up on your backlog! Once you’re done, there’s plenty of new and exciting drama to keep you captivated.

The Acolyte  

As avid Star Wars fans, we revel in the escapism and excitement the series brings. Get ready for “The Acolyte,” a new Star Wars Original series premiering June 4 on Disney+, taking us back to the end of the High Republic era with a thrilling Jedi investigation into a series of crimes. Don’t miss the two-episode premiere and immerse yourself in a new chapter of the Star Wars saga!

Presumed Innocent

Jake Gyllenhaal, who we know all too well, stars as Rusty Sabich, prosecutor who may soon be prosecuted. Presumed Innocent is a gripping limited series based on the bestselling novel by Scott Turow. Premiering June 12 on Apple TV+, this eight-part adaptation dives into the complexities of a murder case that upends the Chicago Attorneys’ office.

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Bridgerton: Season 3 Part 2

Beloved by fans worldwide, both the Bridgerton series and its books have captured our hearts with their charm and intrigue. Excitement abounds as Bridgerton Season 3: Part 1, consisting of four episodes, is now streaming on Netflix, inviting us to explore whether our minds or hearts guide us. Don’t miss the continuation with Part 2, releasing on June 13, promising to resolve the cliffhanger and reveal the tension surrounding Penelope and Colin.

Movies

June did NOT skimp on the new movie releases. Some of our favorite actors, directors, and novels are coming together to bring us the hottest new movies — just in time for summer vacation!

Hit Man 

Inspired by a true story, a professor (Glen Powell) discovers his talent as a fake hit man and falls for a client (Adria Arjona), sparking one of our favorite romantic tropes of covering up a lie when love strikes unexpectedly. From Richard Linklater, HIT MAN hits select theaters in May and streams on Netflix starting June 7.

A Quiet Place: Day One 

In A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel to the series, Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) finds herself in a dystopian New York City besieged by alien creatures that hunt using ultrasonic sound. As she fights for survival, Sam begins to unravel the chilling origins of the deadly invasion that has plunged the world into silence.

Am I Ok?

Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a 32-year-old woman living in Los Angeles, discovers that her unsuccessful dates with men are due to the fact that she doesn’t actually like men. With support from her lifelong best friend Jane, she embarks on a journey to come out and navigate dating women in her 30s. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2022, and will be available on HBO Max starting June 6!

The Watchers

Adapted from A. M. Shine’s novel, The Watchers is an American supernatural gothic horror film directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and produced by father M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré, the film follows Mina, an artist who becomes stranded in an expansive Irish forest with three strangers, hunted each night by mysterious creatures.

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Tuesday

All you have to do is watch the trailer and read the comment section to see how this movie offers such a tender yet cathartic take on grief and the fragility of life. The premise of a talking parrot might not seem like it would hold such power yet the mother-daughter bond portrayed (Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lola Petticrew) amidst the grappling of grief is sure to be a heart-wrenching film for parents and fantasy movie lovers alike.

Blackwater Lane

One night, a woman drives past a stranded motorist, only to discover later that he has been murdered and becomes convinced that she is the killer’s next target. Directed by Jeff Celentano, the film stars Dermot Mulroney, Maggie Grace, and Minka Kelly. The screenplay is based on the book The Breakdown by B.A. Paris, known for its suspenseful narrative and psychological twists.

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