The fireworks are coming from our #SessionsFamily this July. We've got a slew of exciting new films and shows that will spark your day. Whether you're a theater kid, a Southern belle, or a real big fan of Raylan Givens, there's something for everyone in our nation's favorite month.
Release date: July 6, 2023
How to watch: BET+; trailer
Why to watch: BET+ picked up the distribution rights to this "Die Hard in a courthouse" action thriller in May. Naturi Naughton (last seen in Power Book II: Ghost) has to channel her inner John McClane as Judge Jaeda King, who is sentencing Jason Mitchell (The Chi) to the death penalty when his brother (played by Lance Gross) hijacks the courthouse. This is the first film under director Wes Miller (A Day to Die) and his producing partner's newly formed Blacklight Entertainment, which was created to provide opportunities for people of color and underrepresented talent in front of and behind the camera. Yippee kay yay!
Release date: July 14, 2023
How to watch: In theaters; trailer
Why to watch: Theater kids rejoice! Theater Camp is coming to (movie) theaters July 14. After a rousing reception at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Searchlight picked up the distribution rights to the Molly Gordon/Ben Platt starring film for a cool $8mm. The mockumentary from Nick Lieberman and Gordon (who was most recently seen romancing Carmy in season 2 of The Bear) sees Gordon and Platt play lifelong best friends who are summer camp instructors at a rundown camp in upstate NY. When Jimmy Tatro's tech bro takes over the property, the camp attendees and staff work together to stage a masterpiece a la Waiting For Guffman to keep the camp alive. Gordon and the Tony Award-winning Platt (Dear Evan Hansen) are real life best friends so expect a lot of great chemistry, along with their talented ensemble cast of The Bear's Ayo Edibiri, Noah Galvin, Patti Harrison and Amy Sedaris.
Release date: July 18, 2023
How to watch: FX and Hulu; trailer
Why to watch: "We dug coal together." While we won't see the return of Walton Goggins, Timothy Olyphant is back to don his trademark cowboy hat and grimace as beleaguered U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Moving the setting from the original series' Kentucky to urban Detroit, Givens crosses paths with a sociopath played by Boyd Holbrook (Narcos) running a criminal enterprise in the Motor City. With the excellent, Oscar and Emmy-nominated Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard, Lovecraft Country) playing Holbrook's formidable lawyer, Raylan has his work cut out for him. Based on Elmore Leonard's book, the revival will premiere with two episodes. New episodes drop every Tuesdays on FX, as well as streaming the next day on Hulu.
Release date: July 20, 2023
How to watch: Netflix
Why to watch: Sweet Magnolias returns for its third season exploring a group of lifelong best friends in the fictional South Carolina town of Serenity. Returning cast members Joanna Garcia Swisher, Heather Headley and Brooke Elliott juggle family, love and careers in this lovely, uplifting show about friendships and the need for a shoulder to cry on during life's many hardships. Margaritas generally help as well. All ten episodes of Sweet Magnolias will be available to stream on Netflix beginning July 20.
How to watch: TruTV; trailer
Why to watch: The fourth season of the hilarious Tacoma FD returns to TruTV on July 20 (think Reno 911 but with firefighters). Created by members of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe (Super Troopers), Tacoma FD is set in one of the wettest places in the country. Without a whole lot of fires to put out, the firehouse crew engage in a whole lot of shenanigans instead. Returning cast members include Broken Lizard's Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme, Marcus Henderson, Gabriel Hogan, Hassie Harrison and new cast member Chris Avila (Booksmart).
Release date: July 27, 2023
How to watch: Paramount+; trailer
Why to watch: Filming under the nom de plume "Electric Love," Zoey 102 is the sequel to the popular show Zoey 101, which aired on Nickelodeon for four seasons. Unlike the series, Zoey 102 is an original film that will stream on Paramount+. Jamie Lynn Spears returns as Zoey, who is now in her 20s and still figuring out life and love. The film's plot sees the entire Pacific Coast Academy crew return to Malibu for Logan (Matthew Underwood) and Quinn's (Erin Sanders) wedding where sparks will undoubtedly fly for Zoey and her friends. Reno 911's Thomas Lennon joins the cast as Zoey's demanding new boss.
Release date: July 28, 2023
How to watch: AppleTV+; trailer
Why to watch: If you're too young to remember the Beanie Babies craze of the 90s, fear not. The new original film from AppleTV+ will catch you up on the fascinating rise, and subsequent fall, of one of the wildest toy phenomenons of the century. A beardless Zach Galifianakis stars as the real-life entrepreneur Ty Warner who helped make the tiny animal plushies an unusual but successful investment strategy. He's aided by Succession standout Sarah Snook, actor/director Elizabeth Banks, and Geraldine Viswanathan (who will also be seen in another upcoming #SessionsFamily film Drive Away Dolls). Based on the book The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute, the film is directed by Kristin Gore (yes, he's her father) and her husband Damian Kulash (lead singer of music video maestros OK Go).