The Hill family, high school athletes, new adoptive parents, and a starship crew are among the popular characters returning in must-see TV shows in July. They are joined by mutant superheroes, survivors of a zombie apocalypse, and a massive subterranean society. From Arlen, Texas, to the USSEnterprise, here are the seven streaming series you should catch up on before they continue this month
X-Men ’97 (Disney+)
What it is: Based on the titular Marvel Comics characters, X-Men ’97is a cartoon superhero show that continues their story from the popular 1990s adaptation X-Men: The Animated Series. The core team includes Wolverine, Rogue, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Morph, Storm, Gambit, Jubilee, Beast, and Bishop, now led by their former nemesis, Magneto. The first three episodes of the revival’s second season premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday, July 1
Why you should watch it: As fans await the full introduction of the X-Men in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, this resurrection of the classic animated series is enough to excite viewers of all ages with its soapy superhero drama and thrilling fight sequences. The Emmy-nominated show somehow feels both nostalgic and new as it adapts comic plotlines going back as far as 50 years that still resonate with their timeless themes
Where to watch:Disney+ (subscription, Season 1)Commitment: Approx. 5.5 hours (for Season 1), or approx. 33 hours with X-Men: The Animated SeriesSeasons 1-5 included
Silo (Apple TV)
What it is: Adapting Hugh Howey’s Silotrilogy of novels, this dystopian science fiction series stars Dune’s Rebecca Ferguson as an engineer investigating the truth about the strictly regulated underground bunker where she and 10,000 others reside hundreds of years in the future. The show’s cast also includes Tim Robbins, Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Steve Zahn, and Common. SiloSeason 3 premieres on Apple TV on Friday, July 3
Why you should watch it: What seems like a familiar premise is made fresh through its exceptional execution, from its smart writing and talented cast to its incredible production design and world-building. And the Emmy-nominated series has actually increased its Tomatometer score with each season, including the latest. With a fourth and final season already greenlit, now’s the best time to catch up with this engrossing sci-fi mystery
Where to watch:Apple TV (subscription, Seasons 1-2)Commitment: Approx. 16.5 hours (for Seasons 1-2)
Trying (Apple TV)
What it is:Esther Smith and Rafe Spall lead this British comedy series co-produced by the BBC. The duo plays a couple unable to conceive a child, and the first three seasons follow their attempt to adopt a pair of siblings and adjust to becoming new parents. The fourth season jumps ahead six years in time to depict the four as a well-established family unit. TryingSeason 5, which maintains that new setting, premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday, July 8
Why you should watch it: Going on five seasons, Tryingcontinues to find hilarity in the adoption process and family life in general, and its universal premise allows it to feel relatable to American audiences as much as those in the UK. Smith and Spall have great chemistry, and the inclusion of Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton in the first two seasons was a brilliant casting decision. Supporting players Darren Boyd and Siân Brooke are also outstanding
Where to watch:Apple TV (subscription, Seasons 1-4)Commitment: Approx. 15.5 hours (for Seasons 1-4)
All American (The CW)
What it is: Inspired by the life of former NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger, All Americanis about a poor kid from South Los Angeles recruited to play football for Beverly Hills High School. Daniel Ezra starred for most of the show’s run as the renamed Spencer James, while Nathaniel McIntyre later took over as lead as BHHS’s new quarterback, who has transferred from Oakland. The series’ eighth and final season premieres on The CW on Monday, July 13
Why you should watch it: Part Friday Night Lights, part Bel-Air(the Fresh Princereboot), All Americanis one of the many great shows that have been thankfully saved by streaming deals on the side. The acclaimed drama deservedly found a new audience on Netflix, which hosts each season after its conclusion on network television — not only keeping it going through the last decade but also producing a spin-off with All American: Homecoming. It’s all been worth it
Where to watch:Netflix (subscription, Seasons 1-7); buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Google PlayCommitment: Approx. 83 hours (for Seasons 1-7)
King of the Hill (Hulu)
What it is: Before going their separate ways for cubicle comedy with the movie Office Spaceand the TV series The Office, respectively, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels co-created this long-running animated sitcom about a blue-collar family in a fictional Texas town. King of the Hillaired for 13 seasons on Fox and then was revived by Judge and Daniels 15 years after being canceled. Season 15 will premiere in full on Hulu on Monday, July 20, with 10 new episodes
Why you should watch it: The explanation above tells you all you need to know about this show’s value. Its creators are comedy geniuses, it was successful enough to last 259 episodes in its initial broadcast run, and its fanbase is substantial enough for Disney to bring it back for more of its amusing observations about working-class American life. Also, it’s one of the rare series to beat The Simpsonsfor the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program in the 1990s
Where to watch:Disney+ and Hulu (subscription, Seasons 1-14)Commitment: Approx. 103 hours (for Seasons 1-14)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
What it is: One of many Star TrekTV shows released over the last 60 years, this one is more specifically a spin-off of Star Trek: Discoveryand technically a prequel to the original series. Star Trek: Strange New Worldsfollows the episodic adventures of the second captain of the starship Enterprise, Christopher Pike, and his crew, as they boldly go where no one has gone before. Season 4 premieres on Paramount+ on Thursday, July 23
Why you should watch it:Star Trek: Strange New Worldsis consistently rated by critics as one of the top five best series in the franchise and is ranked the number one new Star Trekshow of the last 30 years. It even tops all the other shows by Tomatometer score. While the recent output of spin-offs could have diluted the brand’s legacy, this one alone could be considered the greatest reason for Paramount to keep it going. Plus, it’s a good starting point for new fans
Where to watch:Paramount+ (subscription, Seasons 1-3); buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google PlayCommitment: Approx. 26 hours (for Seasons 1-3)
The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC)
What it is: More than just one of the handful of spin-offs of the hit TV series The Walking Dead, this one is also a sequel, as it continues to follow the flagship show’s characters Negan and Maggie, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, respectively. The plot brings them to New York City, where they search for Maggie’s son while still fending off zombies. The third season of The Walking Dead: Dead City premieres on AMC on Sunday, July 26
Why you should watch it: While it’s up for debate whether The Walking Dead: Dead Cityis the better of the two currently ongoing spinoffs (the other being The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon), both are proof that the franchise has a lot of life left, more than 15 years after the original comic book adaptation debuted on our TV screens. Morgan and Cohan remain fan favorites, for good reason, but their familiarity is balanced well by the fresh settings
Where to watch:Netflix and AMC+ (subscription, Seasons 1-2); buy at Fandango at HomeCommitment: Approx. 10 hours (for Seasons 1-2); or approx. 144 hours with the original Walking Dead series included
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