Summer is the best time to explore all the delicious streaming services and the feasts they have to offer. With new content constantly releasing this season, you might be left wondering which is the best streaming choice for the next few months. I’m here to help with that.

Here are nine new shows and movies that make Apple TV+ the perfect summer streaming service.

9

Murderbot

These days, there are numerous sci-fi and fantasy books that deserve their own TV series, so I’m stoked this one made the cut. Murderbot is a fantastic, humorously heartfelt sci-fi show centered on the evolution and experiences of a sarcastic, socially awkward, paranoid robot who’s always grumpy.

Based on the best-selling book series of the same name, Murderbot is a self-hacking security construct who is both put out and horrified by human emotion. However, when it’s assigned to accompany a group of humans on a dangerous mission, it can’t help but feel drawn to them and the effects they experience.

While completing a dangerous assignment, Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård) finds itself faced with the challenge of hiding its gift of free will. Frankly, it’s annoyed by and paranoid about having to do so. It doesn’t want to be there, and, even though it was built to obey humans, in its opinion, “humans are idiots.” It would rather spend its time doing what it loves: watching futuristic soap operas and figuring out its place in the vast universe… you know, like any human does.

I can’t imagine anyone other than Skarsgård in this role. He brings such innocence and genuineness to his character that we can’t help but become attached to what’s happening to and for him.

Murderbot releases new episodes weekly through July 11.

8

Stick

Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson) was destined for golf greatness and was, in fact, on its precipice. Then, he had an on-course meltdown that derailed his career, and that was the end of his glory days… or was it?

As a down-on-his-luck former golf pro, Pryce now works in sales, peddling high-priced golf equipment to the putting public. He’s barely keeping his head above water when, one day, he spots a young prodigy and sees an opportunity to revive his career by becoming a coach.

Santi (Peter Dager) is a troubled teen who hits a golf ball like a catapult launches boulders, hard and with precision. He’s a shoo-in for greatness, and Pryce knows it. There’s just one problem: He needs some help so he can help Santi. Enter Mitts (Mark Maron), an eccentric but charismatic club pro and Pryce’s best friend.

A heartwarming, feel-good comedy, Stick explores themes of redemption and second chances. Even if you’re not a fan of golf, you’ll still enjoy this show. It might even equip you with a whole new perspective on the game and how it works in the lives of those who love it, even in the face of personal and professional struggles.

Stick is currently streaming, and you can catch new episodes every Wednesday through July 23.

7

Echo Valley

A slow-burn psychological thriller for those rainy summer days? Yes, please!

In Echo Valley, Julianne Moore stars as Kate, a former competitive rider turned horse trainer who’s quietly grieving in rural Pennsylvania. When her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) appears at her doorstep late one night, covered in blood, Kate’s routine is shattered.

This mother-daughter relationship is already complicated and strained, so when Claire admits to doing something terrible, things begin to spiral out of control.

Echo Valley is created by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), so it’s safe to say you should expect plenty of emotional twists and turns involving those characters who exist in moral gray areas. Adding to the intrigue is Domhnall Gleeson showing up as a mysterious presence from Claire’s past.

6

Not a Box

Fans of animated series and parents with kids to occupy this summer will love Not a Box, an adorable series inviting viewers to find and connect with their limitless imaginations.

Inspired by the New York Times award-winning children’s picture book of the same name, bright-eyed bunny Riley (Isabel Birch) encourages viewers to get creative with just one cardboard box. In that box, Riley imagines all kinds of magical worlds full of new friends and fantastic adventures.

Riley is motivated by a memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister. At that moment, she was able to capture the thrill of pretend that feels so real, it actually becomes real. Through play, a child is transported to a world where anything is possible, and that’s what TV shows (and movies) do for all of us.

Apple TV+ boasts an exciting slate of recent offerings for kids and families on their platform, many of which are based on best-selling book series or inspired by award-winning short films.

All eight episodes of Not a Box are available to stream.

Related

10 Great Animated Shows For Adults You Shouldn’t Miss

You should check out these adult animated shows that might’ve flown under your radar.

5

Smoke

Smoke is inspired by legendary arsonist John Leonard Orr, also known as Firebug, and the podcast of the same name. It looks to be a gripping crime drama, which, to me, equals a perfect summer stream.

The Apple TV+ action thriller follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Edgerton) as he begrudgingly teams up with police detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett). Together, they must track down two serial arsonists terrorizing the Pacific Northwest. They soon learn, though, that their race to stop them is only fueling a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.

Get ready to explore some heavily blurred lines between duty, delusion, and the moral complexities of investigating these arsonists with this show, and expect pure adrenaline.

Smoke debuts its two-episode premiere on Friday, June 27, and will release new episodes weekly through August 15.

4

The Wild Ones

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Apple TV+ does many things well, but it’s top-notch at producing some of the most gorgeously filmed, intriguing, and educational documentaries on television today. Each is gorgeous to observe and utterly fascinating to absorb.

The Wild Ones is the streaming service’s newest documentary adventure series. It follows an elite trio of wildlife experts as they embark on high-stakes expeditions across the globe to track and protect the planet’s most endangered species.

These experts are entering the unknown, literally. In fact, they confirm in the trailer that more people have been in space than have been in the places they’ll be entering during their six epic expeditions.

With so many documentaries that inform and entertain, this is one you won’t want to miss.

3

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical

I’m typically not one for musicals—at all—but you can bet I’ll be watching this one. Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical is all about preserving the things you love and why that effort is worth it.

This summer, take a little time to celebrate the joy and magic of summer camp. Charlie Brown loves camp and is determined to make his final year special, but Sally, a first-timer, is nervous and skeptical. As everyone settles in, Snoopy and Woodstock discover a treasure map that takes them on a nearby adventure.

While they’re away, the Peanuts gang learns their beloved camp is shutting down, which especially saddens Charlie Brown. However, when Snoopy and Woodstock return with news of what’s in the treasure chest (instruments and old photos of summer camp concerts), the gang decides to use the treasure to host their own concert and thereby save the camp.

Here’s why I’m excited: A Summer Musical features original music by Emmy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, composer, and New York Times best-selling author Ben Folds.

2

Chief of War

I’ll watch Jason Momoa in anything, especially something historical in nature or full of action. He brings an inherent strength and wisdom to each of his roles, and he enhances any action by committing to smart maneuvers and sheer animalistic nature. He embodies the story he’s portraying.

Chief of War is based on the real-life story of a Hawaiian warrior named Ka’iana and is told from an indigenous perspective. Set in pre-colonial Hawaii in the late 18th century, we follow Ka’iana as he struggles to unify the four warring kingdoms of his homeland while facing the existential threat of Western colonization.

The show is co-created and executive produced by Momoa, so he’s serious about this, and he should be; it involves his native land. Look for this historical dramatization to be supremely authentic: Momoa brought in cultural advisors to every department to ensure authenticity—even building war ships using historical techniques.

You’ll experience the beauty of the Hawaiian islands in all their glory, prior to colonization, while witnessing the spiritual, powerfully enigmatic energies flowing throughout what’s sure to be one big, bloody battle. This one will, no doubt, secure Apple TV+’s status as the perfect summer streaming service.

Chief of War will premiere its first two episodes on August 1, then new episodes will be released weekly through September 19.

1

Highest 2 Lowest

From Director Spike Lee comes a neo-noir crime thriller that’s sure to be a hit. Apple Original film Highest 2 Lowest is an American-language reinterpretation of the 1963 Japanese film High and Low, which is loosely based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom.

Washington stars as a powerful music mogul who’s widely known for having “the best ears in the business.” When he’s targeted with a ransom plot, he finds himself facing a life-or-death moral dilemma when he’s forced to fight for his family and his legacy. To be honest, given Denzel’s cinematic stunt history, we kind of all know how that’s going to work out already, don’t we? What I can’t wait to see is what kind of action, inherent knowledge, and mental kung fu Washington drops on us.

Highest 2 Lowest marks the fifth reunion for Lee and Washington in their professional relationship. While I haven’t seen the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, something tells me Lee and Washington will present us with quite a robust work of art played out in New York City.

Apple TV+ has set viewers up for one righteous summer with its lineup of new content, and more is on the way. Until then, check out the shows above and enjoy your perfect summer streaming experience!