The list of best releases of the month aims to provide perspective on the number of series released every week and keep viewers updated on the productions they might be missing. Since no one can keep up with the hundreds of new seasons released on all platforms, the selection highlights the 10 premieres that deserve more attention. The list does not always reward the most popular titles, so it can also serve as recommendations on what to watch.
July was marked by fantasy series and returns of successful productions, including “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Foundation,” “Sandman,” and the anime “Dan Da Dan,” not to mention the release of a new spin-off of “Dexter.” Check out all the titles that stood out.
📺 STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS | Paramount+
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“Strange New Worlds” is a prelude to the original “Star Trek” — or “Jornada nas Estrelas” in Brazil. Although it is a recent production, its concept is over 60 years old and predates the launch of the classic series itself. The production originated from the rejected 1964 pilot, which introduced Spock, Captain Pike, and Number One, characters that were part of that first version, which was ultimately rejected. Only Spock remained in the second pilot, which was approved in 1966 with Captain Kirk commanding the Enterprise. Despite being discarded, viewers could see a preview of the original crew in a two-part flashback episode that became iconic in 1966, featuring recycled scenes from the rejected pilot. The appearance generated great fascination and much speculation among fans about the lost adventures of the Enterprise. Until, in 2019, the producers of “Star Trek: Discovery” decided to rescue those characters in a special appearance, causing trekkers to go crazy. Soon after, a campaign spread across social media demanding a new series focused on Pike, Spock, and Number One, which eventually materialized through the hands of writers Akiva Goldsman (creator of “Titans”), Alex Kurtzman (screenwriter of the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot), and Jenny Lumet (creator of “Clarice”).
The main actors are Anson Mount (“Inhumans”) as Pike, Ethan Peck (“The Sky at Night”) as Spock, and Rebecca Romijn (“X-Men”) as Una (Number 1). However, the series also introduces younger versions of Uhura (the classic character played by Nichelle Nichols in the 1966 “Star Trek”), nurse Christine Chapel (originally portrayed by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, wife of “Star Trek” creator, since 1966), and Captain Kirk himself (eternized by William Shatner) in a recurring role, played respectively by Celia Rose Gooding (from the Broadway production “Jagged Little Pill”), Jess Bush (“Playing for Keeps”) and Paul Wesley (“The Vampire Diaries”).
There is still Babs Olusanmokun (“Black Mirror”) in the role of Dr. M’Benga, the medical officer who appeared in two episodes of “Star Trek” in the 1960s, and a curious new addition: Christina Chong (“Tom & Jerry – The Movie”) as La’an Noonien-Singh, a descendant of the famous villain Khan. To complete the lineup, the second season introduced another classic character: engineer Montgomery Scott, “Scotty,” played by Martin Quinn (“The Lovers”), who is the first Scottish actor to portray the character, previously played by James Doohan in the original series and by Simon Pegg in the recent films.
The third season follows this crew facing the consequences of their encounter with the Gorn, which ended the second season and added Scotty to the story. The new episodes also resume the relationship between Spock (Ethan Peck) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush), despite their breakup in the last season, when Chapel left for a medical archaeology program. Another novelty is the introduction of the Holodeck, a futuristic technology that would only officially appear decades later in the franchise’s chronology. The virtual space is depicted with the classic look seen in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in the 1980s. The themes of the season reinforce the atmosphere of tribute to the classic 1960s series, mixing a variety of genres such as action, mystery, and comedy in self-contained episodes that present complete weekly stories—just like the original version of “Star Trek.”
📺 FOUNDATION | Apple TV+
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A superproduction returns in its third season, raising its epic scale even further. Developed by writers David S. Goyer (“Batman: The Dark Knight”) and Josh Friedman (“Avatar: The Way of Water”), this adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s classic trilogy focuses on the fall of the Galactic Empire, the most powerful civilization in the universe. In the story, mathematician Hari Seldon (played by Jared Harris, from “Chernobyl”) develops a formula that predicts the days of the Empire are numbered. He discovers that the current form of government will collapse, plunging humanity into an age of darkness, where all knowledge will be lost and mankind will revert to barbarism. This discovery turns him into an enemy of the Empire and gives rise to a group known as The Foundation, created to preserve human knowledge from the inevitable apocalypse.
After the cataclysmic events of the previous season, the galaxy is on the brink of upheaval: the balance of power between the Galactic Empire, ruled by the clone dynasty of the Day/Dawn/Dusk brothers, and the growing Foundation begins to collapse. The new cycle of episodes finally highlights an iconic character long awaited by fans: The Mule, a mysterious mutant with psychic abilities capable of subjugating entire planets, portrayed with intensity by Pilou Asbæk (“Game of Thrones”). The Mule emerges as the greatest threat ever seen: an unpredictable conqueror who was not accounted for in Seldon’s psychohistory, putting into question the entire century-long plan of the protagonist, whose presence still guides the narrative, whether through flashbacks or digital consciousness.
This season expands the visual and narrative scope: from the imperial throne on Trantor, where the new Emperor (Brother Day, played by Lee Pace, of “Guardians of the Galaxy”) deals with paranoia and the fragility of his empire fragmenting, to the far reaches of the Stellar Edge, where the Foundation’s colonies face moral dilemmas in arming themselves for war, the production showcases majestic sets—entire cities created in CGI with realism—without losing sight of the human drama. Lou Llobell and Leah Harvey return as Gaal and Salvor, respectively, now fighting side by side to interpret the last insights left by Seldon about the Second Empire. There is a palpable sense of urgency, with episodes full of political twists and space battles worthy of cinema, with immersive sound design and Bear McCreary’s symphonic score enhancing the tension.
The dialogues remain dense and philosophical—discussing fate versus free will, faith versus reason—honoring Asimov’s material while freely adapting events to surprise even those who have read the books. Critical reception so far indicates this season as the best of the series: the political complexity has reached a level comparable to “Game of Thrones,” while the narrative lines converge in a satisfying way.
📺 SANDMAN | Netflix
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The second and final season follows Dream on a journey full of trials, forcing him to confront gods and monsters, revisit Hell, and face the consequences of past choices. Inspired by Neil Gaiman’s comics, the series increases the challenges of its protagonist, who must save both his own kingdom and the awakened world while dealing with the effects of his past mistakes.
The narrative adapts central arcs such as “Foggy Season,” “Brief Lives,” and “The Kind Ones,” as well as includes special chapters, such as “The Song of Orpheus” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” According to showrunner Allan Heinberg, the proposal was
gather all the remaining stories
Original comics centered on the protagonist Dream. Therefore, story arcs in which he is not the focus were ignored. With this, the series ends with 11 episodes divided into two parts, six chapters in the first volume and five in the second, plus a bonus episode scheduled for the end of July.
Despite the official justification, the early end generated speculation. The impact of allegations of sexual abuse against Neil Gaiman, although denied by the author, affected other productions such as “Good Omens” and “Anansi Boys” on Prime Video.
📺 DEXTER: RESURRECTION | Paramount+
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The most disturbing anti-hero on television returns in a new series following the shocking events of “Dexter: New Blood” (2021). The premise surprises by revealing that Dexter Morgan—once again played by Michael C. Hall—barely survived the gunshot fired by his own son at the end of the previous revival. Now, weeks later, the former forensic expert wakes up in the hospital, with young Harrison missing without a trace, and with the visit of Angel Batista (David Zayas), former police colleague from Miami. Batista, who discovered that Dexter was the famous “Bay Harbor Killer,” confronts the protagonist, who decides to flee once again, choosing New York as his new hideout.
The new New York setting gives the franchise an unprecedented atmosphere, taking Dexter out of his comfort zone. Stripped of identity and surrounded by millions of inhabitants, he must adapt his deadly code to an impersonal urban environment. The series explores this displacement: scenes of Dexter wandering anonymously through the neon-lit nights of Manhattan contrast with the sunny past of Miami. News of a new serial killer in the city—whose methods dangerously resemble Dexter’s “Dark Passenger” style—draws the protagonist back into the game.
Under the supervision of showrunner Clyde Phillips, who led the classic seasons of “Dexter,” “Resurrection” follows the protagonist on a new journey to find his son so he won’t follow his path. What he finds, however, is a kind of league of serial killers, portrayed by Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill”), Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), Krysten Ritter (“Jessica Jones”), Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”), and David Dastmalchian (“The Suicide Squad”). Dexter is introduced to the group by an eccentric millionaire, played by Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), who claims to be proud of finding the best killers in each field.
📺 DAN DA DAN | Netflix and Crunchyroll
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The second season of the anime puts Okarun face to face with one of the most intense confrontations in the series, as he faces the Mau-Olhado. Based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, published by Shonen Jump+ since 2021, the anime follows Momo, a student from a family of mediums, and Okarun, a classmate passionate about the occult. The two disagree about what exists beyond the material world, until they discover together that both ghosts and aliens are real. From then on, Momo awakens hidden powers while Okarun is cursed, and both must unite to face paranormal entities, space invasions, and curses that threaten humanity.
Displayed in cinemas last week, the beginning of the “Evil Eye” arc dives into Jiji’s drama, Momo’s childhood friend, possessed by a demonic entity that increases the danger and forces the group to rethink the boundaries between good and evil, reality and the supernatural. The relationship of terror, self-acceptance, and friendship serves as the central theme and facilitates dialogue with a young audience, without abandoning traditional elements of shonen: choreographed fights, rising tension, and nonsense humor.
The character design created by Science SARU stands out for the balance between tradition and graphic innovation. Bold lines, use of vibrant colors, and distortion effects express the escalation of conflict and moments of demonic possession. The production invests in action sequences with a dynamic rhythm, integrating CGI with traditional animation techniques, and explores settings ranging from detailed school environments to visually delirious spaces, reinforcing the contrast between the everyday and the extraordinary.
The direction remains with Fuga Yamashiro, now with Abel Gongora as co-director, and maintains the continuity of the original team, including Kensuke Ushio for the soundtrack and Hiroshi Seko for the series composition.
📺 BALLARD | Prime Video
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The police universe created by author Michael Connelly gains a new chapter with Ballard, a series based on “Bosch,” set in contemporary Los Angeles. The protagonist is Detective Renée Ballard, played by Maggie Q (“Nikita”), a character from Connelly’s novels who takes charge of the newly created and underfunded Cold Case Division of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
In the plot, Ballard leads a team of volunteers and counts on the support of her mentor, retired detective Harry Bosch, once again portrayed by Titus Welliver in a special appearance, to investigate old crimes that have remained unsolved for decades. By reopening neglected investigations, she discovers the actions of a serial killer whose deaths had not been linked by the police. Alongside her team, Ballard must face personal traumas, professional obstacles, and constant threats to uncover the truth.
In addition to Maggie Q, the cast includes Courtney Taylor (“Real Husbands of Hollywood”), John Carroll Lynch (“American Horror Story”), Michael Mosley (“Ozark”), Rebecca Field (“Assassins of the White House”), Victoria Moroles (“Teen Wolf”), Amy Hill (“Lilo & Stitch”), Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”), Noah Bean (“12 Monkeys”), Alain Uy (“Helstrom”) and Hector Hugo (“Snowfall”).
📺 WAR CHIEF | Apple TV+
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The historical miniseries, starring and co-created by Jason Momoa (“Aquaman”), tells the story of Ka’iana, a warrior who was responsible for uniting the Hawaiian tribes at the end of the 18th century, amid the arrival of Western colonizers. In addition to his leading role, Momoa contributes as a writer, executive producer, and director of the final episode, reinforcing his dedication to the project.
The cast includes names such as Luciane Buchanan (“The Night Agent”), Temuera Morrison (“Aquaman”), Te Ao o Hinepehinga (“Breakwater”), Cliff Curtis (“Megatubarão”), James Udom (“Echo 3”) and Te Kohe Tuhaka (“Love and Monsters”), highlighting Polynesian representation in a project that aims to portray the struggles and dilemmas of the native peoples of Hawaii in the face of European threat.
Inspired by historical events, the series follows Ka‘iana’s effort to unite the Hawaiian islands, facing battles and political challenges that marked the process of cultural resistance of the archipelago. The creation is signed by Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett (“Danger on the Mountain”), with a script by Doug Jung (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”) and direction by Justin Chon (“Pachinko”) in the initial episodes. The soundtrack is one of the highlights of the production, signed by composer Hans Zimmer (“Dune”).
📺 WASHINGTON BLACK | Disney+
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The miniseries adapts the bestseller by Esi Edugyan about George Washington “Wash” Black, a gifted boy born into slavery on a sugar plantation in Barbados in the 19th century. Created by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (“The Twilight Zone”), the production combines children’s adventure, adult drama, and historical reflection as it explores the protagonist’s coming of age in a society marked by oppression and inequality.
The plot starts with a traumatic event that forces Wash to flee the plantation where he is enslaved. The escape aboard a flying balloon marks the beginning of a journey full of adventures, leading him to search for new meanings of family, freedom, and love in different countries and cultures – from the heat of the Caribbean to the cold of the Arctic.
The protagonist is played by Eddie Karanja (“Sandman”) in childhood and by Ernest Kingsley Jr. (“Sandman”) in adulthood. Christopher “Titch” Wilde, portrayed by Tom Ellis (“Lucifer”), becomes the boy’s mentor and pushes him beyond the limits of the plantation. Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”) brings to life Medwin Harris, a refugee who protects Wash and other members of the black community when he arrives in Halifax, Canada.
The cast also includes Iola Evans (“Choose or Die”) as Tanna Goff, who faces the dilemma of being mixed-race and passing as white, in addition to being part of Wash’s romantic arc. Rupert Graves (“Sherlock”), Billy Boyd (“The Lord of the Rings”), Edward Bluemel (“My Lady Jane”), and Sharon Duncan-Brewster (“Sex Education”) complete the cast of characters who cross the protagonist’s path.
📺 Unbreakable | Netflix
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The suspense miniseries transforms Yosemite National Park in the USA into a stage for a dark mystery. The story follows agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana, from “Black Panther”), a ranger haunted by personal traumas, who suspects that the death of a woman after a cliff fall was not accidental. The suspicion that the case was not an accident throws Turner into an investigation full of dangers and hidden secrets in the park.
What was this mysterious woman running from? This is the question at the heart of the story created by Mark L. Smith, award-winning screenwriter of “The Revenant” (2015) and Elle Smith (“The King of the Swamp”). In a way, the investigation is the ideal challenge for Turner, a troubled actor haunted by an unsolved case, who feels much more comfortable in the woods than in contact with other people or the modern world. However, the situation is exactly the opposite for his partner, Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago, from “La Brea”), a rookie forest ranger more accustomed to city life than to the wildness of Yosemite.
The investigation reveals that the postcard-like landscape has its own dark side, from an improvised village of tents to an dishonest wildlife officer (played by Wilson Bethel, from “Daredevil: Born Again”) with whom he has a history. In addition to starring, Bana is also an executive producer of the six-episode drama, along with the two screenwriters and filmmaker John Wells (“Shameless”). The cast also includes Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park”) as a veteran ranger and Rosemarie DeWitt (“Little Fires Everywhere”).
“Unbreakable” is the second series by Mark L. Smith on Netflix. The first, released in January, was called… “Unbreakable Land.” Coincidence or lazy translation?
📺 THE INSTITUTE | MGM+
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Inspired by Stephen King’s homonymous novel, the miniseries takes the viewer to an isolated facility where children with special abilities are kept under surveillance. After losing his parents, young Luke Ellis wakes up in a windowless room that faithfully replicates the environment of his home, only to discover that he is surrounded by other children, all captured under the same mysterious circumstances. They are subjected to experiments and tests under the strict supervision of the Institute’s director, in an atmosphere reminiscent of the secret experiences already explored in “Stranger Things.”
While trying to understand the limits of their powers and ways to escape, the story crosses with the path of Tim, a former police officer who tries to rebuild his life in a nearby city. The events that connect Tim to the Institute develop in parallel, creating a narrative marked by suspense, fate, and mystery.
The cast includes Joe Freeman, son of Martin Freeman (“Black Panther”), in the role of Luke Ellis, Mary-Louise Parker (“Weeds”) as the director of the Institute, and Ben Barnes (“Daredevil”) portraying Tim. The script is written by Benjamin Cavell (“The Stand”) and the direction is by Jack Bender (“Origin”), both also executive producers.
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