Summer television is finally in full swing, so all the big networks and movie studios are rolling out some of their most entertaining content of the year. With several fan favorites preparing to say goodbye, July brings the final chapters of series like The Bear, Survival of the Thickest, and All American, giving audiences one last chance to spend time with characters they’ve followed for years. Moviegoers also have plenty to anticipate, including Tim Story’s comedy 72 Hours starring Kevin Hart and Teyana Taylor. Whether you’re planning a weekend binge or looking for your next trip to the theater, here are the films and television premieres featuring Black talent worth adding to your watchlist this month.

The Bear, June 25 (FX/Hulu)
Carmy, Sydney, and Richie are back in the kitchen one last time. The fifth and final season of The Bear premieres with all eight episodes available immediately, bringing FX’s award-winning drama to a close. Since its debut, the series has become one of television’s biggest success stories, thanks in large part to standout performances from Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, and more. If the previous finale taught us anything, expect another emotionally charged ride before service officially ends.

Survival of the Thickest, July 2 (Netflix)
Michelle Buteau wraps up Survival of the Thickest with a third and final season celebrating friendship, romance, and self-discovery. Inspired by her bestselling essay collection, the comedy once again follows Mavis Beaumont as she navigates love and career on her own terms. This season also marks a milestone behind the camera, with Buteau making her directorial debut. Wanda Sykes, Ice-T, Garcelle Beauvais, D.L. Hughley, and Peppermint are among the many guest stars stopping by before the series signs off.

All American, July 13 (The CW)
Nearly eight years after introducing audiences to Spencer James, All American begins its final season with a two-hour premiere. Inspired by the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, the drama became one of television’s biggest streaming success stories after finding a second life on Netflix. Michael Evans Behling, Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, and Osy Ikhile return, while original stars Daniel Ezra and Samantha Logan are also set to appear as the story reaches its conclusion.

Ride or Die, July 15 (Prime Video)
Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham team up for an action-comedy built around one outrageous revelation. Debbie believes she knows everything about her longtime best friend until she discovers Judith has been living as an international assassin. What follows is a high-speed chase stretching across Europe as the pair evade criminals and authorities alike. Created by Tessa Coates, Ride or Die looks like a fun summer binge with all eight episodes arriving on premiere day.

72 Hours, July 24 (Netflix)
Kevin Hart reunites with director Tim Story for 72 Hours, a comedy built around one accidental group text. Hart stars as a struggling executive who sees an unexpected opportunity to revive his career after winding up at a bachelor party full of twenty-somethings. Marcello Hernández, Mason Gooding, Kam Patterson, Teyana Taylor, Andy Garcia, and Zach Cherry round out the cast. If you’re looking for something light before summer winds down, this one should deliver plenty of laughs.

Diarra From Detroit, July 29 (Paramount+)
Diarra Kilpatrick’s wildly unpredictable comedy returns with another mystery only Diarra could stumble into. Season 2 begins with what should have been a simple furniture pickup before quickly spiraling into murder, secret societies, gang rivalries, and a treasure hunt through Detroit. Kilpatrick once again writes and stars in one of television’s most original comedies. Paramount+ kicks things off with a two-episode premiere before rolling out new installments each week.

Fightland, July 31 (Starz)
Boxing, revenge, and organized crime collide in Fightland, STARZ’s newest drama from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Howard Charles stars as Duke Kilroy, a former heavyweight champion who returns to London after eight years in prison searching for answers about his brother’s murder. Nicholas Pinnock and Deborah Ayorinde co-star in a series promising plenty of twists inside and outside the ring. New episodes will debut weekly following the premiere.
Read the original article on Essence.

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