A New Season of ‘How to With John Wilson,’ Plus Everything You Need to Stream on Max This July
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It’s a big season at the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max. June 2023 marked Max’s first full month as “Max,” after changing its name from HBO Max on May 23, a little over three years after it first launched. (Get a Max 7-day free trial through Prime Video HERE.)
So how does Max look so far? So far it looks a lot like HBO Max but with a lot more House Hunters International episodes. Which isn’t a bad thing, really, especially since that means there’s a familiar assortment of returning series, intriguing-looking debuts, and a flood of movies old and new.
First things first: Watch all of these shows and films for free with a subscription to Max. A Max subscription costs just $9.99/month. Go ad-free with the Max no-ads package for just $15.99/month (in line with pricing for Netflix or the popular $13.99 Disney Bundle).
July is quietly a big month for indie cinema at Max, thanks to a high-profile series form stalwart Steven Soderbergh and the return of Project Greenlight. July also sees the beginning of the end for one of HBO and Max’s most winningly odd series and the return of Shark Week. But it’s a musical event that kicks the month off.
What should you watch on HBO Max, a.k.a., Max, this month? Read on.
Brandi Carlile: In the Canyon Haze — Live from Laurel Canyon (July 1)
This new concert film from Brandi Carlile both revisits her own work and pays tribute to its setting, home to many influential singer/songwriters. David Bowie isn’t one of them, but the set includes her own take on one of his classic songs.
The Skeleton Twins (July 1)
It’s now no secret that Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig have a lot of range as performers. Wiig and Hader co-star as siblings navigating crises and their own faltering wills to live in this darkly comic drama.
King Kong (1933) (July 1)
July’s batch of new movies includes this game-changing blockbuster from 1933. If you’ve never seen the original, check it out. It’s stranger and darker than you might suspect and its effects are still wondrous.
Full Circle (July 13)
Director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Ed Solomon (Men in Black) must have enjoyed working tougher on the fun thriller No Sudden Move. This new series is Soderbergh’s first TV project since Mosaic (also scripted by Solomon) and uses an expansive cast that includes everyone from Dennis Quaid to Zazie Beetz to explore the story of a kidnapping gone wrong.
Project Greenlight (July 13)
Gray Matter (July 13)
The let’s-make-a-movie reality series returns with a new season focusing on female filmmakers that features Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani, and Gina Prince-Blythewood as mentors. What’s more, if you want to check out winner Meko Winbush’s feature debut, Gray Matter, you won’t have to wait long. It arrives on the service the same day as the series.
Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge (July 16)
Arriving just ahead of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, this reality series challenges designers to remodel a real-life dreamhouse fit for the iconic doll. Model and designer Ashley Graham hosts.
Shark Week (July 23)
Max has yet to unveil exactly what shows will be part of Shark Week this year but it’s a safe bet that there will be sharks aplenty for this annual tradition.
How to With John Wilson: Season Three Premiere (July 28)
Part documentary, part video essay, part filmed diary, this unclassifiable series returns for a third and final season that finds host John Wilson offering advice on how to navigate the world. Sort of.
The Golden Boy (July 24)
This new Fernando Villena-directed documentary series revisits the life of Oscar De La Hoya. Featuring frank interviews with De La Hoya, it revisits both the ups and downs of a tumultuous life and career.
Harley Quinn: Season 4 Premiere (July 27)
Both delightfully profane and oddly touching, this animated series explores the life and relationships of one of Batman’s most colorful and complex foes. Kayley Cuoco returns as the voice of Harley alongside Lake Bell as Poison Ivy.