Entertainment fans have plenty of new content to choose from this week as streaming platforms add fresh movies, television shows, music releases and video games.
Among the notable additions recommended by entertainment journalists: a new season of a popular drama series, a young adult romance show and an environmentally-focused survival game.
The biographical film about Michael Jackson is making its home debut for $24.99 starting June 9 on major platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video and YouTube, even as it continues earning nearly $900 million at movie theaters. The film by Antoine Fuqua features Jaafar Jackson in the lead role and received approval from Jackson’s estate, with estate executors serving as producers. According to film writer Jake Coyle’s review for The Associated Press, the movie “slides a sequin glove over the pop star’s tarnished legacy, shrouding Michael Jackson’s complications with a conventional biopic that, if you cover your ears, sounds great.”
Kate Hudson’s Academy Award-nominated role in “Song Sung Blue” arrives on Netflix starting June 13. Hudson portrays Claire Sardina, part of a Neil Diamond tribute duo from Milwaukee, appearing alongside Hugh Jackman in what Mark Kennedy described in his review as “big-hearted but misguided.”
Following the resolution of the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni regarding the troubled production of “It Ends With Us,” the romantic drama becomes available on Hulu June 9. Kennedy’s review noted the film was “uneven” in trying to “balance the realities of domestic violence inside a rom-com and a female-empowerment movie.”
Abbas Kiarostami’s acclaimed “Where is the Friend’s House” joins Kanopy’s catalog on June 12. Greta Gerwig described it as “a perfect film” during a conversation with The Criterion Channel.
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo releases her third studio effort “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” moving away from the four-letter album titles of her previous works “SOUR” and “GUTS.” The collection showcases her evolution as an artist who combines emotional depth with ’80s-influenced guitar sounds, featuring standout tracks like the Cure-inspired “Drop Dead” and “The Cure,” which includes what may be a contender for best bridge of the year.
Festival enthusiasts who prefer staying home can catch Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival streaming on Disney+ and Hulu from Thursday through Friday, featuring performances by The Strokes, Noah Kahan, Skrillex, RÜFÜS DU SOL and other major acts.
Four-time Grammy winner Keith Urban ventures into yacht rock territory with “Flow State,” arriving Friday with 10 cover songs including Bread’s “The Guitar Man” featuring John Mayer and Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel” with Little Big Town. The album’s only original composition, “We Go Back” with Michael McDonald, complements the West Coast-influenced collection.
Rapper Rick Ross drops “Set in Stone” Friday, a 19-track release that remains largely under wraps. The preview single “Minks in Miami,” created with French Montana and Max B and sampling Rare Earth’s 1971 classic “I Just Want to Celebrate,” suggests the full album will deliver quality content.
Prime Video expands its young adult programming with “Every Year After,” an eight-episode adaptation of Carley Fortune’s novel launching Wednesday. The series follows Percy (Sadie Soverall) and Sam (Matt Cornett), childhood friends whose romantic relationship ended due to complications before a family tragedy brings them back together, reigniting past emotions.
“Sweet Magnolias” returns for season five on Netflix Thursday, June 11, continuing the story of lifelong friends played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Heather Headley and Brooke Elliott as they handle relationships, parenthood and professional challenges in their small South Carolina community.
Gamers can explore “Solarpunk” starting Monday, June 8, a survival title from German developer Cyberwave that emphasizes creating sustainable civilization using renewable energy from sun, wind and water sources. Players build communities on floating sky islands and construct airships for inter-island travel, offering a more peaceful alternative to typical dystopian gaming experiences. The cooperative game launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 and PC platforms.
Basketball fans can experience “NBA The Run” beginning Tuesday, June 9, a 3-on-3 street basketball game from debut developer Play By Play Studios that recreates classic arcade action reminiscent of “NBA Jam.” The game features 32 professional players including Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, with courts spanning from New York to Beijing and gameplay including spectacular dunks and potentially flaming basketballs. The title releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
