What to watch in July before the spoilers hit

After three terrific June releases—Squid Game, The Bear, and Panchayat—we are set to have a bunch of fantastic offerings across genres and platforms. There’s globe-trotting action with ‘Heads of State’ and ‘The Old Guard 2’, a gripping investigative deep dive in ‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case’, and high-stakes cyber espionage with ‘Special Ops S2’. For those craving nostalgia, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ promises a return to the greens with Adam Sandler, while the third season of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ readies fans for a bittersweet farewell to Cousins Beach. There’s also ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’, a tender, layered family drama about second chances at love, and ‘Vir Das: Fool Volume’, where the comedian returns to what he does best with fearless, laugh-out-loud standup. 

Whether you’re in the mood for action, romance, thrillers, or comedy, July’s line-up promises something for every kind of binge, making it a month to block your calendars and settle in for stories worth staying in for.

Heads of State

Get ready to see Priyanka Chopra Jonas as MI6 agent Noel Bisset in Heads of State, where a fiery public rivalry between UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and US President Will Derringer (John Cena) threatens to fracture their countries’ alliance—until a deadly conspiracy forces them onto the same side. When an unknown enemy targets them, Clarke and Derringer are thrust into a wild, multinational run, relying on each other and Bisset’s sharp instincts to survive. From high-speed chases through bustling city skylines to covert infiltrations of global criminal cells, Heads of State promises a globe-trotting action-adventure packed with sharp banter, uneasy alliances, and a race to stop a conspiracy that could destabilise the free world.

When to watch: July 2 on Amazon Prime Video

The Old Guard 2

Charlize Theron returns as Andromache of Scythia (Andy) in the highly anticipated sequel, reuniting her team of immortal warriors for a mission that could decide the fate of the world. This time, the stakes are higher than ever: Andy is grappling with her newfound mortality, making every fight potentially her last, while the team navigates shifting alliances and old wounds. With a new threat emerging that could destroy everything they’ve protected for centuries, the sequel is set to explore deeper themes of loyalty, vengeance, and what it truly means to protect humanity when you can no longer outrun death. 

When to watch: July 2 on Netflix

The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case

Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and based on journalist Anirudhya Mitra’s book Ninety Days, this gripping series revisits one of India’s most shocking tragedies—the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in a suicide bombing on May 21, 1991. The show goes beyond the blast itself, chronicling the intense 90-day manhunt led by D R Kaarthikeyan (played by Amit Sial) as the Special Investigation Team races against time to track down the perpetrators linked to the LTTE. With a stellar ensemble cast including Sahil Vaid, Bhagavathi Perumal, and Danish Iqbal as CBI and NSG officers, the series promises a meticulous, edge-of-your-seat investigation as it unravels the conspiracy, challenges, and political complexities surrounding the case. Expect a taut, investigative drama grounded in real events, shedding light on the relentless pursuit of justice during one of the most pivotal moments in India’s modern history.

When to watch: July 4 on Sony Liv

Special Ops S2

India’s favourite espionage thriller returns with Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) and his elite team facing a threat unlike any before—a massive cyber-attack that could cripple the nation’s digital backbone, including its vast UPI ecosystem. As Special Ops 2 dives into the dark underbelly of artificial intelligence and tech warfare, the line between ally and enemy blurs, with betrayal and hidden agendas adding to the tension. Familiar faces return alongside new powerhouses, including Tahir Raj Bhasin and Prakash Raj, raising the stakes as Himmat races against time to stop a faceless enemy. With high production value, international locations, and a storyline rooted in real-world cyber-terrorism threats, expect a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller that blends intense action with the emotional stakes that have defined the franchise. 

When to watch: July 11 on JioHotstar

Happy Gilmore 2 

Nearly 30 years after his unlikely golf triumph, Adam Sandler returns as the foul-mouthed, hockey-turned-golf legend Happy Gilmore—this time swinging clubs to finance his daughter’s ballet school tuition. The sequel reunites key original cast members—Julie Bowen (Virginia), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Ben Stiller (Hal L.), and Kevin Nealon—alongside Sandler’s real-life family (Sunny and Sadie Sandler) and a host of newcomers. Along with taking viewers down memory lane as Gilmore resumes his rivalry with McGavin, one will get to see a fresh story arc on fatherhood, along with star-studded cameos that include Eminem and Post Malone, as well as golf legends like Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, and Brooks Koepka. 

When to watch: July 25 on Netflix

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3

The beloved coming-of-age drama returns for its final and most emotional season yet, with an extended 11-episode run that will carry viewers through the end of summer. Adapting the final book in Jenny Han’s trilogy, We’ll Always Have Summer, this season will see Belly (Lola Tung) navigating the sun-soaked days and stormy feelings at Cousins Beach as she faces the ultimate choice between brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Expect heartbreak, healing, laughter, and tears as friendships are tested, family bonds are strengthened, and first loves reach their breaking points. With its signature style of breezy nostalgia, tender romance, and coming-of-age reflections, Season 3 promises to give fans a bittersweet, satisfying farewell to Cousins Beach, closing the chapter on Belly’s unforgettable summers and the love triangle that has kept viewers hooked.

When to watch: July 16 on Amazon Prime Video 

Aap Jaisa Koi

What happens when a quiet 42-year-old man unlocks a part of himself he never knew existed—and begins to rewrite the rules of his own life? Aap Jaisa Koi brings audiences a heartwarming family drama that celebrates connection, companionship, and the beauty of discovering ‘Barabari Wala Pyaar’ in the most unexpected circumstances.

Set across the distinct worlds of Jamshedpur and Kolkata, the film follows Shrirenu Tripathi (R. Madhavan), a man shaped by habit and tradition, as he begins to re-examine long-held beliefs about masculinity, companionship, and emotional expression. In Madhu Bose (Fatima Sana Shaikh), a spirited woman who refuses to shrink herself to fit societal moulds, he finds not just a romantic partner but a mirror to his conditioning. As the two navigate family expectations, emotional baggage, and the weight of societal norms, Aap Jaisa Koi becomes a story not just about romance, but about reclaiming agency, embracing vulnerability, and discovering that sometimes, the greatest love stories begin when you finally choose yourself.

When to watch: July 11 on Netflix    

Vir Das Fool Volume    

Actor-comedian Vir Das returns to what he does best—sharp, fearless standup—with his brand-new special Fool Volume. In the first look poster shared by Netflix India, Das holds a mic in one hand and an electric lamp in the other—a nod to his signature style of blending sharp wit with illuminating takes on the absurdities of everyday life. Known for his global hits such as Vir Das: Abroad Understanding (2017), Vir Das: Losing It (2018), and the Emmy-winning Vir Das: Landing (2022), Das promises to push the envelope yet again, delivering biting observations, personal anecdotes, and laugh-out-loud takes on culture, politics, and life’s many contradictions. 

When to watch: July 18 on Netflix

Lead image: Netflix
 

Also read: Here’s what to watch in June before the spoilers hit

Also read: What to watch in May—before the spoilers hit