Photo:
"Dew Drop Diaries," photo courtesy of Netflix
It’s officially summer in the northwest and sunny skies are in the forecast, at least for now. When your kids (and you) are tired and hot from playing outside and need a little downtime, Netflix and Disney+ have plenty of options for a summertime chill break.
Summertime is the season of blockbusters and action entertainment, and the July Netflix and Disney+ lineup is no exception. Highlights include a new season of the fantasy adventure, “The Dragon Prince,” and a futuristic animated anthology, “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.”
Read on for the best new shows and movies you won’t want to miss!
Netflix
July 1: “The Karate Kid” (1984), “The Karate Kid Part 2” (1986), “The Karate Kid Part 3” (1989) – Enjoy some nostalgia and introduce your kids to the awesomeness of Mr. Miyagi as you watch underdog Daniel LaRusso kick and punch his way to victory. All three movies are rated PG.
July 3: “Little Angel” (Volume 3) – Join cute little Baby John and his family and sing along to classic nursery rhymes and new songs about everything from Halloween to movie night to wanting to be an astronaut. This show is aimed at the littlest viewers and is sure to keep them singing and smiling.
July 6: “Wake Up, Carlo!” (Season 1) – After falling into a magical sleep for 22 years, Carlo finally awakes up to a very different world. All this friends have turned into serious adults! Thanks to his positivity, free-spirt and insatiable love of cookies, Carlo still manages to have fun and inspire others to do that same. This fun animated series is originally from Brazil.
July 10: “StoryBots: Answer Time” (Season 2) – The bots are back and ready to answer more tough questions in this animated kids series. By breaking down big questions into answers kids can understand, the StoryBots help kids expand their understanding of the world around them.
July 10: “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” (2017) – Look out world, there’s a new superhero in town! Well, sort of. Two best friends who love to goof off and make comic books– George and Harold– manage to hypnotize their principal into believing he is the ridiculous superhero, Captain Underpants. Based on the popular kids books, this movie is sure to entertain. Rated PG.
July 13: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022) – Puss is back in this epic movie sequel. Down to the last of his 9 lives, Puss in Boots must decide if he can live the life of a lap cat. But when adventure calls, Puss in Boots finds himself facing danger once again. This movie has plenty of laughs for kids and adults alike. Rated PG.
July 13: “Sonic Prime” (Season 2) – In this animated series based on the SEGA video game character, Sonic and his friends find themselves on another fast paced adventure. Watch Sonic and his friends fight to save the world from the evil villain, Dr. Eggman.
July 19: “The Deepest Breath” (2023) – Think you can hold your breath for a long time? You might change your mind after watching this documentary (which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival) about the amazing, and dangerous, world of freediving. Rated PG.
July 20: “Supa Team 4” (Season 1) – Follow the adventures of four teenage girls who are recruited to become secret agents to save their home, a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia. This animated kids series is from South Africa.
July 24: “Dew Drop Diaries” (Season 1) – This DreamWorks Animation series follows a group of three-inch tall fairies, known as Dew Drops, in the fairy world. Each of these tiny fairies-in-training has been assigned to a human family to secretly help with tasks, from cleaning up messes to making sure a lost tooth makes it under a child’s pillow.
July 27: “The Dragon Prince” (Season 5) – Have a fan of fantasy in your house? If so, you are going to want to mark your calendars for this one. Two human princes forge an alliance with an elfin assassin in this exciting fantasy adventure as they try to bring peace to their lands. Dragons, elves, magic and a grumpy Glow Toad make this show a must-watch for my young teens.
July 28: “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie” (2023) – Based on the popular animated series, this full-length film follows teenager Marinette who becomes superhero, Ladybug (complete with magical powers). Along with fellow superhero, Cat Noir, Ladybug swings all over Paris saving the city she loves from disaster. Rated PG.
Disney +
July 2: National Geographic is kicking off SharkFest 2023 with 10 shows all about sharks. SharkFest will span four weeks and contain over 22 hours of original programming. Can you hear the “Jaws” theme song yet? Start celebrating these monsters of the sea on July 2 with the following shows:
- “Bull Shark Bandits”
- “Shark Eat Shark”
- “Saved from a Shark”
- “When Sharks Attack 360” (six-episode series)
- “Return of the White Shark”
- “Bull Shark Vs. Hammerhead”
- “Shark Below Zero”
- “Sharkano: Hawaii”
- “When Sharks Attack… And Why” (eight-episode series)
- “Sharks Vs. Dolphins: Bahamas Battleground”
July 5: “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” – This action-packed animated anthology features ten stories by creators from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Get ready for an unforgettable ride into Africa’s future, presenting visions of the continent as never-before seen. These bold visions of the future feature advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters.
July 5: “Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes” (Season 1, 5 episodes) – Kiya and her two best friends (Jay and Motsie) live in the South-African-inspired Kimoja City. Through the use of their crystal-charged power, they work together until harmony is restored to their city. Preschoolers will love the high-energy dance and martial arts skills featured in this fun animated series.
July 7: Sharks aren’t the only thing Disney is celebrating. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of Disney! To celebrate, several classic Disney animations are available for viewing:
- “Aquamania” (1961). Goofy encounters an octopus while trying to teach his son to water ski.
- “Bath Day” (1946). Minnie Mouse gives her cat Figaro a bath, who then heads out to have his own adventure.
- “Building a Building” (1933). Mickey operates a steam shovel on a busy construction site, where Minnie sells box lunches.
- “Figaro and Frankie” (1947). Minnie’s cat, Figaro, is trying to take a cat nap, but the canary (Frankie) insists on singing.
- “Goofy Gymnastics” (1949). Goofy attempts to get in shape using gymnastics equipment.
- “The Skeleton Dance” (1929). A lively quartet of graveyard skeletons come out to play and dance the night away, set to macabre music.
July 12: “Bluey” (10 new episodes) – Bluey is back! Join the enthusiastic Blue Heeler who loves to play and turns everyday family life into unforgettable adventures.
July 19: “Hailey’s on It!” (Season 1, 5 episodes) – Follow the adventures of the resourceful, though risk-averse, teenager Hailey as she works to complete every item on her list to save the world. This animated show will entertain and inspire as Hailey works through challenges, from performing a musical to realizing her complex and changing feelings toward her best friend, Scott.
July 19: “Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” (Season 5, 6 episodes) – Still looking for more Ladybug adventures? Join Marinette as she changes into Ladybug, the superhero who protects her home city of Paris, along with the mysterious Cat Noir.
July 19: “SuperKitties” (Season 1, 4 episodes) – This Disney Junior show for the littlest fans follows the adventures of kitties Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy. Not only are they super cute and cuddly, they are also brave, smart, strong and kind. And oh yeah, superheroes!
July 19: “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (Seasons 20-22) – Since 1989 we’ve been watching people fall into pools and drop cakes at weddings, while laughing out loud with the live studio audience. Sit back and enjoy some classic family fun.
July 26: “Me & Mickey Shorts” (Season 2, 10 episodes) – Disney’s preschool audience will love watching Mickey Mouse engage in a variety of activities, from drawing to learning colors and shapes.
July 26: “Mickey Mouse Funhouse” (Season 2, 5 episodes) – Join Mickey and his friends as they go on adventures at the Funhouse (which gives off some strong "Pee-Wee’s Playhouse" vibes). This show is meant for Disney+ youngest audiences, and is packed full of adventure and laughs.
July 26: “Pretty Freekin Scary” (Season 1, 7 episodes) – This new live-action series follows the life, then death, then life again of fourteen-year-old Frankie Ripp. After an unfortunate accident, Frankie must now navigate middle school life with her new Underworld guardians, Pretty and Scary. As if middle school isn’t crazy enough!
July 28: “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse: Steamboat Silly” – This is the final episode of the popular show “Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” and is part of Disney’s 100-year anniversary. In this silly adventure, Mickey and his friends must stop hundreds of old film reel versions of Mickey from wreaking havoc all over town.
Ongoing series: “Secret Invasion” – Nick Fury is back and trying to save the Marvel Universe once again. Like most Marvel shows, this is best for the tween and teen crowd and is rated TV-14. Catch one episode each week on July 5, 12, 19 and 26 (finale).
