First of all, happy long weekend! Unless you’re celebrating with family or watching any number of classic holiday-centric blockbusters (Independence Day, Jaws, Sandlot), maybe you’d rather indulge in a good series instead. And at the end of June, some great options were presented Netflix US subscribers, like it I will find you and Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s second season already has some great new options as we head into July.
This long weekend brings three picks that I rank from good to best. One is a cult-hit ensemble series making a long-awaited return to the mid-2000s platform, another is sending off a cute, heartwarming comedy in style, and a third is gearing up for a pretty significant national birthday. Turn on the air conditioning, fill a plate and settle down.
3
Heroes (Seasons 1-4)
In the mid-2000s, the superhero phenomenon is finally making a comeback
Back in 2006, when this NBC phenomenon hit the airwaves, I and the entire country seemed to be chanting “Save the cheerleader, save the world!” In this groundbreaking supernatural science fiction series, HeroesThe hook is irresistible — after a global solar eclipse, ordinary people scattered across the globe awaken to the realization that they have extraordinary abilities and slowly realize that their destiny lies in preventing a nuclear disaster as prophesied by a comic book artist. Are you interested?
Created by Tim Kring, the show stars the cheerleader (who is undefeated), Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere, Scream VI), nurse Peter Petrelli (open-eyed,This is Us Milo Ventimiglia) and fan favorite Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka, Hawaii Five-0), with Zachary Quinto (Star Trek‘s Spock) is hellfire as power-stealing villain Sylar.
Heroes It’s earned 14 Emmy nominations, one for visual effects, and while its critical reception waned after season one (Rotten Tomatoes has a 52% overall), it’s poised to get a much-deserved Netflix hit. All four seasons (77 episodes) hit Netflix on July 1.
2
Survival of the Thickest (last season)
Mavis takes her final, incredible bow
If you’re a fan of fast-paced, cleverly written workplace dramas that combine fashion, female friendships, and a strong message of body positivity (think Emily in Paris meets To crack), followed by the critically acclaimed Netflix series Survival of the Fittest will be in place. Heading into its third and final season, it follows new one-size-fits-all black stylist Mavis Beaumont (creator and star Michelle Buteau) as she begins to rebuild her life and career as a fashion designer in New York after she catches her boyfriend cheating on her.
Adapted from Buteau’s 2020 collection of essays and co-created with Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (Like a Boss), the A24 comedy revolves around the lives, friendships and careers of Mavis (Buteau), her best friend and art teacher Khalil (All).Trigger Warning‘s Tone Bell) and Mavis’ Italian boyfriend Luca (BodkinMarouane Zotti).
This third and final season — eight episodes out July 2 on Netflix — begins as Mavis makes the leap from stylist to full-fledged designer and even considers motherhood. The season even ends with guest turns from Wanda Sykes, Ice-T and Ashley Graham. The second season of the show is 100% perfect on Rotten Tomatoes and there are high hopes for the last hurray.
1
The American Experience
A fascinating look at America’s founding gamble
Coming just in time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence on July 4th, The American Experience is a sprawling five-part documentary that explores nation-building not as a dull history lesson, but as a risky bet based on a bold question: can a country ruled by its kingless people actually govern itself?
The beautifully produced and directed series directed by Brian Knappenberger (the Turning point docs) takes viewers from the American Revolution through the drafting of the constitution and follows through to the end of George Washington’s presidency, while not avoiding some challenges and dark moments along the way.
Combining archival footage, live-action reenactments — Martin Sheen even voices George Washington — and stunningly two-way interviews with the likes of Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence, Kamala Harris, Al Gore, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, the series favors substance over fluff. Executive produced by Tom Hanks, TThe American Experience It premiered on June 24 with a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Summer shows
New Netflix titles are starting to trickle in, and whether you’re into drama, thrillers, old classics, or documentaries, it’s shaping up to be another good summer. I’ll keep throwing out weekly suggestions until the cows come home, but if nothing here bothers you, just go for it How-To Geek’s streaming section and our team of fun-loving writers will take it from there.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8 a month
- Synchronous streams
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Two or four
- Live TV
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no
- Price
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Starting at $8 per month
