Netflix’s July 2025 Lineup Reviewed. What to Watch and What to Skip

Netflix’s lineup this July is a mix of sequels, thrillers, offbeat international shows, nostalgic comedies, and a few things that probably shouldn’t have been made. Some are worth your full attention. Some are background noise. And a few? Just skip ‘em.

Let’s break it down.

✅ Top Picks, Absolutely Worth Watching

The Old Guard 2 (July 2)

Charlize Theron is back, and if you liked the first one, this sequel is better in almost every way. The story picks up with the immortal mercenaries wrestling with their purpose in a world that keeps getting messier. Fight choreography? Top-tier. The action feels weighty, not cartoonish. And there’s a surprising amount of heart layered into the character arcs.

It’s rare for a Netflix action sequel to get this much right. It looks expensive, feels purposeful, and doesn’t insult your intelligence.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Watch if you like: Extraction, John Wick, X-Men (the good ones)

UNTAMED (Debuted July 17)

Set in Yosemite, this one’s for slow-burn thriller fans. Eric Bana plays a grief-stricken investigator pulled into a missing persons case that spirals into something bigger. The cinematography is what hooks you first, foggy trails, eerie forests, and wide-open tension.

The pacing is deliberate. Some might call it slow. But if you’re into psychological drama that builds over time, UNTAMED pays off.

Watch if you like: Sharp Objects, Wind River, Mare of Easttown

Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25)

Let’s be honest, this could’ve been a disaster. But it’s not. Sandler brings back the signature Gilmore charm and dials up the nostalgia in a smart, self-aware way. There’s actual story development here, not just recycled bits. Bonus: appearances from real PGA stars and a surprising emotional moment near the end.

It’s goofy, yeah, but it earns your laughter instead of begging for it.

Watch if you like: The original, Grown Ups, Ted Lasso (lighter side)

Trainwreck: P.I. Moms (Mid-July)

This docuseries will pull you in whether you want it to or not. It follows a group of suburban moms turned amateur investigators solving cold cases. It sounds ridiculous, and it sort of is, but that’s why it works. It knows it’s sensational, and it leans into it with flair.

The pacing is addictively fast, the editing is sharp, and the emotional stakes hit harder than expected.

Watch if you like: Don’t F**k With Cats, Tiger King, Murdaugh Murders

To Kill a Monkey (July 18)

A Nigerian crime drama that doesn’t look or feel like anything else on Netflix. It tackles cybercrime, corruption, and loyalty with a grounded sense of place. The dialogue is tight. The tension builds smartly. And the performances, especially the lead, bring serious weight.

This one deserves more attention than it’s getting.

Watch if you like: Gangs of Lagos, Narcos, City of God

🎯 Worth a Look (If the Genre Grabs You)

My Melody & Kuromi (July 24)

This is pure nostalgia. It’s a soft, pastel-colored stop-motion anime based on the Sanrio characters. Great for young kids or fans of vintage anime vibes. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but it’s sweet and lovingly made.

Watch if you like: Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma and Kaoru, Pokémon: Concierge

Catalog (July 17)

A quiet Egyptian dramedy about a widower trying to raise his daughter using advice videos left by his late wife. It’s subtle, occasionally slow, but undeniably heartfelt. You’ll feel the emotional pull even if the pacing asks for patience.

Watch if you like: After Life, A Man Called Otto, This Is Us

Too Much (July 10)

Lena Dunham’s new rom-com follows a woman escaping heartbreak by moving to London. It’s quirky, self-aware, and occasionally insightful, but not particularly memorable. It plays things safe and leans heavily on its lead’s charm.

Watch if you like: Love Life, Fleabag (light version), Girls

❌ Skip These Unless You’re Bored (Or Curious)

Brick (July 10)

The premise is decent, a man stuck in his smart home while a digital assistant slowly turns sinister, but it peaks halfway through. The tension fizzles out, and the ending feels rushed. Not terrible. Just forgettable.

Skip unless you’re into: Black Mirror, but with less punch

Madea’s Destination Wedding (July 11)

Same old Tyler Perry formula. Loud characters, chaotic weddings, big monologues. If you love Madea, you’ll get a few laughs. If you’re over the schtick, this isn’t the movie that’ll change your mind.

Skip unless: You never miss a Madea movie

Ziam (July 9)

Zombie apocalypse meets Muay Thai. That sounds wild, and it is, but it never quite finds a tone. Campy action flick fans might enjoy it as a guilty pleasure. But the plot is flimsy and the novelty wears off fast.

Skip unless you’re into: Sharknado–level absurdity

📺 Returning Heavyweights

• Squid Game: Final Season
  Still gripping. Still emotionally brutal. The ending? No spoilers, but expect more social commentary, more twists, and a few jaw-droppers.

• The Sandman: Season 2 (Vol. 1)
  Bigger, darker, more visually ambitious. If you were on the fence about Season 1, this one might win you over.

🎧 Also Worth Checking Out

• Vir Das: Fool Volume
  An Indian stand-up special that blends comedy with personal storytelling. Vir’s delivery is sharp, honest, and biting in all the right places.

• All the Sharks / Attack on London
  Solid documentary picks. If you like nature docs or high-stakes true crime, both are worth at least one episode.

🎬 Quick Watch Guide

🎉 Final Verdict

Netflix’s July 2025 lineup doesn’t feel bloated or gimmicky. There are clear winners, and a few obvious skips, but overall, it’s a better-than-average month. Whether you want big-budget action, slow-burn thrillers, or clever documentaries, there’s something that’ll stick.

Pick 2-3 of the top-tier ones, clear your queue, and dig in. You won’t be disappointed.