Strangers Things And House Of Gucci Hit Streamers 7/01/2022

Welcome to the definitive guide of the freshest titles new to streaming this weekend, July 1st, 2022. Whether you’re looking for a full weekend binge or just a little inspiration for movie night, STW has you covered with picks for the best new shows and films being released this weekend across all platforms. This month it’s Stranger Things Season 4 Part 2, House of Gucci, and more!

1. Stranger Things, Season 4, Part 2 (Netflix)

Netflix knows many Americans will need a break from the BBQ this Fourth July, and they scheduled content accordingly. Just in time for a holiday weekend binge, Netflix will release the second half of Season 4 of Stranger Things on Friday, July 1st.

Part 2 comes after Part 1 hit on Memorial Day Weekend (Netflix loves a summer weekend binge) with super-sized episodes that still weren’t enough to satisfy super fans.

Part 1 also traced the character arc of Max (Sadie Sink) to the sweet tune of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” a UK hit in the 1980’s, and now, thanks to ST, a US hit in 2022.

Bush’s epic indie hit also soundtracks the trailer for Part 2 which is light on any clear answers about where things are headed. But if hints dropped by cast member Noah Schnapp can be trusted, Part 2 of Season 4 might offer a lot of shakeups, including perhaps a couple of deaths. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

2. Independence Day (Hulu)

Nabbing this 1996 blockbuster for the month of July should’ve been a no-brainer for any of the streaming services. And it looks like Hulu was lucky enough to come out on top of whatever Fourth of July streaming rights bidding war might have surrounded Independence Day.

For those unfamiliar with the film, the story follows several separate plot lines and characters on the lead up to Fourth of July weekend in America as several alien spacecraft have made their homes above the world’s largest cities. The cast of characters include Bill Pullman as the Commander-In-Chief while Will Smith is a Navy pilot with big aspirations and Vivica Fox is his stripper fiancé.

Playing one of the best versions of himself, Jeff Goldblum helps save the day as David Levinson, a NYC TV employee who has a keen eye for decoding alien communication. And Randy Quaid also shows up as the best version of himself as family man in a RV (much like his Christmas Vacation character Cousin Eddie only smarter) Russell Case.

Separate and then together, it’s up to this group of strangers to save America and earth from the alien entities hovering above.

Welcome to earf. Streaming on Hulu on July 1st.

3. House of Gucci (Prime Video)

House of Gucci was nominated for both Razzies and Oscars, so the quality of the Ridley Scott opus depends greatly on who you talk to. Despite Jared Leto’s over-the-top and Razzie-worthy performance, the film still has a lot working in its favor, including the aforementioned Scott.

Add in a captivating performance from Lady Gaga plus Adam Driver who makes every project he’s in better by simply existing, and you’ve got a recipe for a great night of streaming.

Top all that with a truly compelling story of true crime involving one of the wealthiest families on the planet, and House of Gucci is a can’t-miss, even if only to try to work out exactly what part of Italy Gaga et all are supposed to be from with these oddball accents.

House of Gucci is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video beginning July 2nd.

4. Girl in the Picture (Netflix)

Nobody does true crime quite like Netflix, and this week the streamer drops another A+ entry with The Girl in the Picture.

From Skye Borgman, the director behind the award-winning Abducted in Plain Sight, this documentary film tracks the events surrounding a woman who was found dying by a road who left behind a son, a man claiming to be her husband, and a mystery that unfolds like a nightmare.

The Girl in the Picture begins streaming on Netflix on July 6th.

5. Armageddon (Peacock)

For those who didn’t get their “Impending Disaster/Healthy Dose of Patriotism” itch scratched by a rewatch of Independence Day, Peacock is here to save the day with a later entry into the genre, 1998’s Armageddon.

While the film does not revolve around any sort of American military-based holiday, there are still American flags aplenty to check all the necessary patriotism boxes. It also differs from Independence Day in that it’s not aliens who pose a threat to life on planet earth but a giant asteroid on a collision course with the third planet from the sun.

As NASA realizes what’s headed our way, Billy Bob Thornton and the powers that be decide that for whatever reason, the only hope humanity has is a handful of roughneck oil riggers including Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. After some hesitance, Bruce and the gang suit up to perform their patriotic duties and save the world.

Cue the “Star Spangled Banner” and prepare to salute. Armageddon begins streaming on Peacock on July 1st.