Disney+ July 2026 Releases: 10 Must-Watch Movies and Shows Dropping Soon

Published 06/30/2026, 1:56 PM EDT

Credits: Instagram / X-Men 97 / @xmenofficial via Instagram/ Production: Marvel Studios Animation/ Distribution: Disney Platform Distribution

Disney+ continues to build strong momentum as June 2026 wrapped up a diverse slate of entertainment, including notable releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, the animated fantasy series Dragon Striker, and returning hits such as The Bear Season 5. The platform delivered a balanced mix of blockbuster films, gripping series, and family-friendly content that kept subscribers engaged throughout the month.

As July arrives, Disney+ is once again ready to raise the bar with another exciting lineup. Known for consistently delivering quality storytelling across Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and original productions, these 10 upcoming titles are already shaping up to be must-watch additions.

1. Abandoned (July 1)

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Abandoned is a gripping Spanish-language Hulu Original mystery-drama that blends emotional family storytelling with an intricate decades-spanning investigation. Set between 1984 and the present day in Barcelona, Spain, the series begins when three young children are discovered abandoned at a busy train station with no clue about their identities. Raised by two compassionate educators, they grow into adults haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding their past. Forty years later, their search for their biological family uncovers long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel everything they thought they knew.

Exploring themes of identity, belonging, trauma, resilience, and the lasting consequences of hidden truths, Abandoned delivers an emotionally rich narrative alongside a suspenseful mystery.

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Fans of slow-burn European thrillers such as The Snow Girl and Dark will appreciate its atmospheric storytelling, dual timelines, and psychologically driven characters, making it one of July's most compelling new series to stream.

2. X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (July 1)

Picking up immediately after the shocking Season 1 finale, Marvel Animation's X-Men '97 Season 2 throws the X-Men into chaos after the destruction of Asteroid M leaves the team scattered across three different timelines. In Ancient Egypt, Magneto, Professor X, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler encounter a young En Sabah Nur before he becomes Apocalypse, raising the question of whether destiny can truly be rewritten. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Jean Grey find themselves in a dystopian future ruled by Apocalypse, where they reunite with their time-traveling son, Cable.

Back in the 1990s, Bishop and Forge race to bring the team home as anti-mutant tensions continue to rise. Drawing inspiration from iconic comic storylines like Age of Apocalypse, the season explores grief, fate, prejudice, and Apocalypse's chilling philosophy of "survival of the fittest." Bigger, darker, and more ambitious than its predecessor, Season 2 promises spectacular action alongside emotionally charged storytelling that longtime Marvel fans would not want to miss.

3. The Simpsons: Simpsley (July 3)

Instead of another adventure in Springfield, The Simpsons: Simpsley takes the long-running animated series in a bold new direction. This standalone Disney+ special draws inspiration from The Talented Mr. Ripley, transforming Marge Bouvier into a cunning anti-hero entangled in a web of lies, greed, and stolen identities. The story unfolds on the glamorous Italian Riviera, where Marge is sent to persuade the wealthy Seymour Skinner to return home. After experiencing his lavish lifestyle, however, she becomes determined to claim it for herself.

Her carefully crafted scheme is complicated by Homer Simpsley, Skinner's hilariously lazy houseguest, whose constant presence threatens to unravel every plan. Blending psychological thriller elements with The Simpsons' signature humor, the special explores identity, class envy, ambition, reinvention, and moral ambiguity. Its noir-inspired visual style, sophisticated storytelling, and refreshingly unconventional take on Marge make Simpsley one of the franchise's most inventive and memorable standalone specials in years.

4. Attack of the Samurai Sharks (July 5)

Among July's standout documentaries, Attack of the Samurai Sharks offers a fascinating blend of archaeology, forensic science, and marine biology. Produced as part of National Geographic's Sharkfest 2026, the feature follows researchers investigating a 3,000-year-old human skeleton discovered in Japan bearing mysterious injuries that initially resemble fatal sword wounds. As scientists analyze the remains using advanced forensic techniques and compare them with modern shark attack data, the documentary gradually uncovers evidence suggesting the victim may represent the earliest known shark attack in human history.

Rather than relying on conventional underwater encounters, it unfolds like a gripping historical mystery, combining ancient history with cutting-edge scientific research. Interviews with renowned experts, including marine biologist Dr. Gavin Naylor, bioarchaeologist Dr. Alyssa White, and Japanese researchers Kirin Sekito and Masato Nakatsukasa, add credibility and depth to the investigation. Detective story mixed with a wildlife documentary, it is an engaging watch for history buffs, science enthusiasts, and Sharkfest fans alike.

5. Great White Gauntlet (July 5)

Another standout documentary arriving as part of National Geographic's Sharkfest 2026 is Great White Gauntlet, an immersive exploration of one of the world's most dangerous marine ecosystems. The film follows a team of leading Australian shark researchers as they travel to the waters surrounding Greenly Island, where an unusual surge in great white shark activity has transformed the region into a fierce battleground between apex predators and thriving seal colonies. Battling rough seas and unpredictable conditions, the scientists attempt to attach a specialized camera to a great white shark, capturing unprecedented footage from the predator's own perspective.

Along the way, the documentary examines hunting strategies, predator-prey relationships, and the challenges of conducting marine research in extreme environments. Featuring insights from experts including Dr. Lauren Meyer, Dr. Charlie Huveneers, and Dr. Adam Barnett, Great White Gauntlet combines breathtaking cinematography with cutting-edge science, delivering an adrenaline-filled wildlife documentary unlike traditional shark specials.

6. Doctor on the Edge: Final Episode (July 7)

Based on the popular webtoon Endurance Doctor, Doctor on the Edge is a South Korean medical romance series that blends heartfelt drama, comedy, and healing, whose final episode is set to arrive on July 7. Spanning 12 episodes, the story unfolds on the remote fishing island of Pyeondongdo, where elite plastic surgeon Do Ji-ui is assigned to complete his mandatory public health service. Accustomed to a luxurious city lifestyle, he struggles to adapt to the island's close-knit community, especially since he harbors a deep fear of the ocean.

His outlook gradually changes after meeting Yuk Ha-ri, a compassionate nurse who left a prestigious mainland hospital while carrying emotional scars of her own. Both navigate medical emergencies, eccentric residents, and personal hardships that challenge their beliefs about success and happiness. Through its engaging premise, the series explores themes of healing, resilience, community, and overcoming trauma, showing how unexpected places and meaningful relationships can transform even the most guarded hearts into compassionate healers.

7. Project Runway (Season 22) (July 10)

Making its streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu, Project Runway Season 22 brings one of television's most iconic fashion competitions to an even wider audience. Hosted by Heidi Klum, the reality series follows 22 talented designers as they compete in New York City, tackling demanding weekly challenges that test their creativity, technical skills, and ability to thrive under intense time pressure. Each episode culminates in a runway presentation, where the weakest designer is eliminated until one finalist earns the opportunity to showcase a collection at New York Fashion Week.

Beyond the high-stakes competition, the season shines with an impressive lineup of fashion and entertainment stars. Mentor Christian Siriano returns alongside judges Nina Garcia and Law Roach, while Tyra Banks joins as a recurring judge. Guest appearances from Ciara, Ice Spice, Iman, Winnie Harlow, Kiernan Shipka, and other notable personalities make this one of the franchise's biggest and most star-studded seasons yet.

8. Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (July 17)

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland is the fifth installment in the Disney franchise and a direct sequel to The Rise of Red, continuing the fallout of time travel gone wrong. The story follows Red and Chloe after they alter history to redeem the Queen of Hearts and save Cinderella, only to discover their actions have fractured the timeline. In present-day Wonderland, now hosting the Kingdom Cup Games, a new threat emerges: Maddox Hatter, who seizes control of chaos in the altered reality and kidnaps the Queen of Hearts while attempting to weaponize a stolen time-traveling pocket watch.

Forced to confront the consequences of their choices, Red and Chloe assemble a new generation of VKs and AKs to restore balance. The film explores themes of unintended consequences, destiny versus free will, and the fragile nature of “happily ever after,” showing how even heroic decisions can create deeper chaos. Packed with musical spectacle, it expands the Disney universe while celebrating found family and unlikely alliances.

9. Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston (July 23)

A catastrophic moment in ancient history is reimagined in Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston as a real-time survival investigation, blending archaeology with cinematic storytelling and forensic science. It is hosted and produced by Tom Hiddleston himself, guiding viewers through modern excavation sites and the final hours of Pompeii in 79 A.D. as Mount Vesuvius erupts. The series unfolds minute by minute through multiple perspectives, including a young apprentice, Julia Felix, and a Praetorian Guard stationed near Herculaneum, reconstructing whether escape was truly possible.

If you loved the pacing, timeline manipulation, and atmospheric tension of Loki, this brings that same creative energy to a real historical mystery. Hiddleston delivers the narrative with curiosity, gravitas, and emotional precision, turning archaeological evidence into a gripping survival thriller. Rather than portraying instant destruction, the series reframes Pompeii as a chain of human choices under extreme pressure.

10. The Devil Wears Prada 2 (July 29)

A sleek return to the glossy battlefield of fashion journalism arrives with The Devil Wears Prada 2, produced by 20th Century Studios and streaming exclusively on Disney+ after its theatrical run. Two decades after the original, Andy Sachs now thrives as a sharp hard-news reporter until industry collapse wipes out her newsroom, pulling her back into the high-glam orbit she once escaped. Across the city’s glass towers and Milan’s fashion corridors, Miranda Priestly confronts a crumbling print empire as Runway fights to survive the digital tide.

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In a corporate sleight of hand, Andy is installed as Features Editor without Miranda’s approval, reigniting their razor-edged dynamic. As legacy fractures under modern media pressure, Andy and Emily Charlton form an unlikely alliance to engineer a private buyout, turning ambition, loyalty, and control into competing currencies. The iconic ensemble returns with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, their chemistry still razor-sharp and magnetic. New voices like Simone Ashley, Kenneth Branagh, and Lucy Liu deepen the world of power-dressed ambition and corporate glamour.

Disney+ is set to strengthen its summer slate with these 10 compelling releases this July 2026, showcasing everything from blockbuster storytelling to intimate documentaries. The selection reflects a wide creative spectrum and global appeal. Strong performances, inventive concepts, and established franchises make this collection a standout moment in the platform’s entertainment calendar.

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Which of these releases stands out to you the most? Let us know in the comments.

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Monika Khatai

106 articles

Monika Khatai is an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. She completed her Computer Science degree in 2024 and spent a year working in digital marketing, but deep down, she never truly felt like she fit in. Just like Maddy Perez, she knew who she was from a very young age, and that certainty led her to pursue a career in writing.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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