Despite a rough ride on Wall Street this year, Netflix is still the streamer to beat. The streaming giant has kicked off the spring/summer strong already with original content like The Pentaverate, Cobra Kai, Operation Mincemeat, and Stranger Things Season 4 on the lead up to Memorial Day. But with official summer blockbuster season upon us, what else is Netflix cooking up for the summer streaming BBQ?
Mr. Good: Cop Or Crook – June 3, 2022
True Crime Documentary
Little is known about direction doc filmmakers are taking with Mr. Good: Cop or Crook. What is known is that the true crime docuseries follows Eirik Jensen, Norway’s top cop who was convicted for corruption and sentenced to 21 years in prison after being suspected of drug trafficking. The documentary will follow the investigation beginning in 2014 and ending with Jensen’s subsequent trial in 2017.
While documentaries do not generate as much buzz as hits like Stranger Things (with the exception of Apple’s Prehistoric Planet), there’s quite a bit of excitement surrounding this release given the publicity it received in both Europe and the U.S. at the time. It will be interesting to see where the filmmakers go with it given many followers of true crime already know how this ended for Jensen.
Hustle – June 8, 2022
Comedy, Drama
Ever since Uncut Gems was released in 2019, Adam Sandler has been on a bit of a comeback tour. In 2021 Netflix extended its relationship with Sandler in a $250 million deal for another 4 movies, a deal that gave Sandler creative control over his projects, allowing him to focus on projects he is passionate about.
One of those projects is June’s Hustle, a comedy-drama that follows a down-on-his luck basketball scout as he tries to prove an extraordinary player he’s found abroad is worthy of the NBA.
Given that it is listed by Netflix as a comedy-drama, will viewers get something like a Coach Carter or something more along the lines of The Longest Yard? Either way, it’s exciting to see Sandler’s recent push into more serious and thought-provoking films.
Peaky Blinders, Season 6 – June 10, 2022
Crime Drama
What’s there to say that hasn’t been said about the popular British drama, Peaky Blinders? Set in 1919 Birmingham, England, it’s a gripping and well-scripted gangster epic about organized crime in England in the 20th century.
The sixth season comes to American audiences via Netflix on June 10th with all five previous seasons already available to stream.
Halftime – June 14, 2022
Documentary
With megastar Jennifer Lopez as the focal point, Halftime is another Netflix documentary many are looking forward to this summer. The film is an intimate look at how Lopez has grown as a musical artist with her performance at the Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show serving as a crucial moment in the narrative.
The series will examine milestones in her career as well as big moments from her personal life, a powerful and inspiring behind-the-scenes to both the craft and the person.
Directed by Amanda Mitchell (30 Days) and premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8th, Halftime will begin streaming on Netflix on June 14th.
Spiderhead – June 17, 2022
Sci-Fi, Action
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), Spiderhead follows two felons in a dystopian society of the future where the incarcerated are experimented on with emotion-altering drugs, imprisoned with little hope of escape.
This one has a ton of star wattage including Chris Hemsworth (Avengers), Miles Teller (Fantastic Four), and Jurnee Smollet (Lovecraft Country). The film is based on George Saunder’s short story “Escape from the Spiderhead” and head to Netflix on June 17th.
Resident Evil (Series) – July 14, 2022
Horror, Action
In this series based on the horror games and films, it’s three decades after the initial discovery of the T-Virus. The story follows Jade Wesker (Ella Balinska) in 2036 as she fights for survival in a world overrun by zombies and blood-thirsty creatures. Jade is haunted by her past in Racoon City and seeks to unravel the secrets of the Umbrella Corporation to which her father has ties.
With such brand recognition, the RE series should serve to draw many streamers to Netflix this summer, pulling in horror fans and fans of horror games like The Evil Dead and Left for Dead. The odds are in its favor as the RE films have been one of the rare properties that have successfully made the transition from console to Hollywood.
The Gray Man – July 22, 2022
The Gray Man may be the most anticipated Netflix release of the summer. The movie stars Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Billy Bob Thornton, and Bridgerton fave Regé-Jean Page. Directed by the Russo brothers (Avengers: Endgame), The Gray Man is an assassin thriller following one of the CIA’s most skilled operatives (Gosling) who finds himself with a bounty on his head. Targeted by an old mustachioed colleague (Evans), he must fight to stay one step ahead of those who wish him dead.
Even if this one is a dud, which is highly unlikely, it still has enough star power to snag streamers. The film is a veritable parade of hotties and favorites of various fandoms, and that alone should make The Gray Man a successful summer blockbuster.
Netflix Honorable Mentions
- Love & Anarchy (season 2) – June 16, 2022
- Spriggan – June 18, 2022
- The Sea Beast – July 8, 2022
- Dangerous Liaisons – July 8, 2022
- Persuasion – July 15, 2022
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