10 Shows to Watch in July: From 'The Hawk' to a New 'Little House on the Prairie' Adaptation

BBC Culture critic Caryn James has picked the 10 standout shows of July 2026. The list spans a wide range, from a bold blend of comedy and golf to a new period-drama adaptation.

1. Elle (Prime Video, July 1). Produced by Reese Witherspoon, this 'Legally Blonde' prequel follows Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) as she moves from Bel Air to Seattle in 1995, standing out as a pink vision amid the grunge scene. Witherspoon says she drew inspiration from Netflix's 'Wednesday.'

2. Little House on the Prairie (Netflix, July 9). A new adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved book series. It follows the Ingalls family as they migrate from Wisconsin to Kansas in 1868, diverging from the classic with a more sympathetic portrayal of the Osage people.

3. The Five Star Weekend (Peacock, July 9). Jennifer Garner plays a widowed writer who brings together four friends from different chapters of her life on Nantucket. Chloe Sevigny, Regina Hall, and Gemma Chan also star.

4. The Westies (MGM+, July 12). A J.K. Simmons-led crime drama set among the Irish mafia in 1980s New York.

5. Ride or Die (Prime Video, July 15). An action comedy starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham in a 'Thelma & Louise' vein, with Bill Nighy as a menacing boss.

6. The Hawk (Netflix, July 16). Will Ferrell's golf comedy. Starring Molly Shannon, Jimmy Tatro, and Luke Wilson; the story of a 2004 champion golfer's comeback.

7. Heartstopper Forever (Netflix, July 17). A feature-length finale that closes out Nick and Charlie's story.

8. Lucky (Apple TV, July 15). A crime thriller led by Anya Taylor-Joy, supported by Annette Bening and Timothy Olyphant.

9. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max, July 23-24). The newest spin-off in 'The Big Bang Theory' universe; Kevin Sussman's character Stuart finds himself stranded in an alternate universe.

10. Furious (Hulu / Disney+, July 27). A psychological thriller led by Emmy Rossum; Lola Petticrew plays the mysterious serial killer.

With these 10 offerings streaming by the end of July, there's plenty on the menu for anyone craving nostalgia or fresh new voices.