July is turning out to be a red-hot month for Netflix. The streaming giant is rolling out a packed lineup of new originals, spanning gritty crime, emotional drama, supernatural horror, and big-budget fantasy. Whether you’re into fast-paced thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedies, or introspective anime, this month’s slate has something ready to steal your weekend. Let’s count down the 10 best Netflix originals dropping this July—from promising newcomers to highly anticipated sequels.
10. Marked
Direct from South Africa, Marked is a crime drama with heavy emotional stakes. It tells the story of Babalwa, a retired cop who has no choice but to become a criminal when her daughter’s life depends on it. With time almost up to pay for a life-or-death operation, she orchestrates a heist that might save it all or destroy it all. Produced by Stan Rogers and directed by Akin Omotoso, with a strong cast of Lerato Mvelase and Desmond Dube, this six-part series combines raw emotion and high-stakes action.
9. Leanne
Need a feel-good marathon? Leanne delivers cozy laughs and heart in equal proportions. Based on comedian Leanne Morgan’s life and stand-up, the series tracks a woman through divorce after decades of matrimony. With her family supporting her (in their offbeat ways), she’s learning to rebuild and rediscover herself. With guidance from comedy pros Susan McMartin and Chuck Lorre, and a bountiful 16-episode first season, Leanne is a comfort-watch gem.
8. Glass Heart
In Glass Heart, redemption comes in the form of music. This Japanese drama, adapted from a novel by Mio Wakagi, features Yu Miyazaki as a drummer who gets kicked out of her band and discovers a new life with a young and rising band fronted by Takeru Satoh. It’s one of artistic rebirth, marked by highs and lows, and electrifying performances that may just have you cheering for the underdog—and getting a few songs into your playlist.
7. Trigger
If you’re craving a pulse-pounding K-drama, Trigger delivers. Set in a South Korea suddenly awash in illegal firearms, the series follows two men caught in the chaos. Kim Nam Gil headlines in what’s already being called one of his most intense performances to date. With a gripping premise, explosive action, and real-world stakes, Trigger is perfect for those who like their thrillers sharp and socially charged.
6. Untamed
Mystery and wildness meet in Untamed, a six-part limited series within the epic landscape of Yosemite National Park. When the sudden and inexplicable death of a woman puts her into the crosshairs of federal investigators, all hell breaks loose as secrets start to unravel in a world where civilization’s rules do not reign. Starring Eric Bana, Sam Neill, and Rosemarie DeWitt, and featuring creative minds behind The Revenant and American Primeval guiding the narrative, this six-part thriller is raw, haunting, and made for binge-watching.
5. Too Much
Rom-coms are alive and kicking in Too Much, the newest from Lena Dunham and the Notting Hill team. Megan Stalter stars as a newly dumped New Yorker who relocates to London in search of a new beginning—and finds herself falling for an eccentric musician, played by Will Sharpe. Emily Ratajkowski completes the cast, and Too Much is sweet, cringeworthy, and heartfelt—the messy love affair that somehow feels refreshingly authentic.
4. Under a Dark Sun
This mystery-tinged French drama combines depth of feeling with a slow-burning sense of suspense. Isabelle Adjani stars as a woman with a haunted past who is suspected of murdering the new boss at her workplace, before discovering he could be her father, whom she never knew. Inheritance, identity, and old family wounds are at stake here, so Under a Dark Sun goes for prolonged suspense. If you like complex storylines and atmospheric European noir, this might be your secret gem of the month.
3. The Summer Hikaru Died
Eerie, emotional anime fans are not going to want to miss The Summer Hikaru Died. Adapted from the manga by Mokumokuren, this horror slice-of-life film delves into mourning, friendship, and something darker. In the aftermath of a deadly accident, Hikaru returns—but he is not the same. When Yoshiki has trouble accepting what his best friend is now like, their quiet village becomes sinister. It’s weird, slow-burning, and quietly heartbreaking.
2. The Old Guard 2
Charlize Theron returns as Andy, the eternally regenerating warrior we initially encountered in The Old Guard. Times have changed, though—Andy’s not immortal anymore, and a new menace is on the horizon. Rejoining her squad, she’ll need to battle once more for humanity’s destiny. Prepare for world-traveling action, close-knit fight choreo, and higher emotional stakes in this much-anticipated follow-up that aims to capitalize on the first film’s success.
1. The Sandman: Season 2
It’s been almost three years, but The Sandman is back—and bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than ever. Tom Sturridge returns as Dream, joined by a stacked ensemble cast that includes Gwendoline Christie and Stephen Fry. This season draws from some of Neil Gaiman’s most beloved story arcs—Season of Mists, Brief Lives, and The Kindly Ones—expecting high fantasy, rich mythology, and visually stunning narrative. With 12 episodes released throughout July (plus a bonus treat), The Sandman is the centerpiece of Netflix’s summer schedule.
July 2025 is proof that Netflix still knows how to put on a show. From supernatural drama to heartfelt comedy and genre-bending originals, there’s no shortage of great content to dive into. Whatever your vibe this month, you’re bound to find something worth watching—and maybe even worth rewatching.