Best new movies and series arriving on NOW in June 2023

Every month, a new slate of titles is added to NOW’s library of films and TV shows—and Lillian Crawford picks the very best among them to watch. For the full list of everything arriving on the platform, scroll down.

Top Picks: TV

The Idol (from June 5)

Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the new series from Sam Levinson has been the subject of hype and controversy. The show follows pop star Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, as she attempts to craft her subversive image with the help of cult-leader Tedros, played by Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd. It’s a messy series, moving between Jocelyn’s haphazard entourage including Rachel Sennott, Jane Adams, Hank Azaria, and Dan Levy, and the sexual tensions of her new relationship. With new episodes released each week, no one knows where things will end up.

Forced Out (from June 7)

Released during Pride Month, this documentary from Sky investigates those who were discharged from the Army, Navy, and RAF on the grounds of sexuality. It was illegal to be gay in the UK Armed Forces until 2000, despite decriminalization in the 1960s, with those who were discriminated against having their stories told here for the first time. The documentary will be released to coincide with the publication of a government review into the treatment of non-heterosexual members of the Armed Forces, revealing the fight for the regulations to be changed and the lasting damage that this law has wrought.

And Just Like That… (from June 22)

The second series of the hit spin-off to Sex and the City is arriving on NOW at the end of June, with Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis reprising their iconic roles as Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York Goldenblatt respectively. With new horizons and explorations of race, sexuality, and gender which were often criticized in the original series driving the show, the three women continue to take on the challenges of the modern world in their fifties. It’s also been revealed that there will be a reappearance of the fourth member of the original quartet, Kim Cattrall’s Samantha, making this a series not to be missed.

Movies

Bros (from June 1)

While reviews for Bros were mixed upon release, there’s a lot to be enjoyed in this gay romcom from Nicholas Stoller and Billy Eichner. The film follows Eichner as a podcast host and curator of a new LGBTQ+ history museum based in Manhattan as he prepares the museum for its grand opening whilst navigating the trials of tribulations of romance. Eichner stars alongside Luke Macfarlane who both give sweet and often hilarious performances as the central couple. Perfect Pride Month viewing.

The Lost King (from June 16)

The latest film from beloved British director Stephen Frears tells the story of Philippa Langley who became instrumental in the rediscovery of the resting place of King Richard III. Killed during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, the controversial monarch’s skeleton had long been thought lost until it was unearthed in a car park in Leicester in 2012. It’s rather standard British biopic fare, but elevated by charming turns from Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pope.

The Woman King (from June 30)

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, whose work includes the beautiful Love & Basketball (2000), this historical picture tells the story of an all-female unit of warriors called the Agojie in the West African kingdom of Dahomey. With a powerhouse performance from Viola Davis alongside Thuso Mbedu, Lasahana Lynch, and John Boyega, the film is a rousing epic about the group as they brave for war. It’s a powerful film about a period and landscape seldom seen in Western cinema, making it a must-see.