Not everyone goes to picnics and fireworks celebrations this Fourth of July weekend — and even if you do, you can’t do this all weekend. With Friday being the Fourth and most people enjoying a long three-day weekend, there’s plenty of time to catch up on the hottest shows and movies available right now.
Perfect July 4th Themed Movies
Independence Day (Netflix/Hulu) – What could be more perfect for the Fourth than this classic alien invasion blockbuster? Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum save the world while Bill Pullman delivers one of cinema’s greatest presidential speeches.
Born on the Fourth of July (Netflix) – Tom Cruise stars in this powerful Vietnam War drama about a veteran’s journey from patriotic Marine to anti-war activist.
Air Force One (Netflix) – Harrison Ford plays the ultimate action president fighting hijackers aboard the presidential plane.
Jaws (Peacock) – Steven Spielberg’s summer classic is available through July 14, perfect for holiday weekend viewing.
Red Dawn (Max) – The foreign invasion thriller about American resistance fighters.
Trending Now: The Global Phenomenon
Squid Game Season 3 premiered on June 27 and is available now on Netflix, wrapping up the record-breaking series. All three seasons are available for the ultimate Korean thriller marathon. The final season brought the deadly games to a close in spectacular fashion, making it perfect timing to catch up on the complete series.
New Content Available This Weekend
The Bear Season 4 arrived last week on Hulu and Disney+, dropping all 10 episodes at once. The Emmy-winning series follows Carmy, Sydney and Richie as they push to take their restaurant to the next level, and critics are calling it a return to form after season three’s mixed reception.
The Old Guard 2 dropped recently on Netflix, continuing Charlize Theron’s immortal warrior saga with fresh action sequences perfect for action fans.
Sinners makes its streaming debut on HBO Max tomorrow on July 4, bringing Michael B. Jordan’s hit movie to streaming with perfect holiday timing.
Hidden Gems You Might Have Missed
Animal Kingdom is available on Netflix and has been climbing the charts. This gritty crime drama about a dysfunctional Southern California family running criminal enterprises stars Ellen Barkin and ran for six seasons from 2016-2022. Fans of Shameless would enjoy this series — it’s got the same mix of family dysfunction and criminal activity, but with a California beach setting.
Mr. Robot just landed on Netflix today, bringing all four seasons of the acclaimed cyberthriller. Rami Malek stars as a hacker fighting corporate America, and it’s considered one of the best dramas of the past decade. If you missed it during its original run, this is your chance.
Top Documentaries Streaming Now
Blackfish remains one of the most powerful documentaries available on Prime Video, examining the impact of keeping killer whales in captivity. The film sparked major conversations about SeaWorld’s practices when it premiered.
The Mortician on Max explores the morally questionable practices of a 1980s funeral home, while Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story on Prime Video offers an intimate look at the billionaire filmmaker’s journey.
Must-Watch Series on Max and Prime
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 is available on Hulu, bringing back Nicole Kidman in the psychological thriller about a wellness retreat with dark secrets.
Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service offers endless binge-watching on Hulu and Disney+, plus it’s free on Tubi. This 2025 reality series shows a new side of Gordon Ramsay and is perfect for weekend viewing. Ramsay fans can also catch new episodes of Next Level Chef with fresh episodes available.
Prime Video offers The Summer I Turned Pretty for binge-watching, plus Fallout continues to be one of the most popular series on the platform.
Weekend Viewing Strategy
Whether you’re cooling off from the heat or taking a break between festivities, this holiday weekend offers plenty of quality streaming options across all major platforms to keep you entertained.
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