Must-see films and TV series in June

June is just around the corner and with it, summer. Even though the warm season makes us prefer days at the beach and afternoons in the park, cinema and TV series don’t stop, offering us moments of entertainment to recharge. There’s something for everyone: from animation lovers to action fans, from the return of great sagas to revivals of classics. And then lots and lots of sports. Let’s discover together the must-see titles of the month.

Dogville - in theaters from June 2

It’s not exactly the title to kick off a carefree summer, but it’s impossible not to mention the re-release of three of the most significant works by the master of angst Lars Von Trier. It starts on June 2 with the return to theaters of Dogville, a claustrophobic nightmare starring Nicole Kidman, who becomes the victim of a town’s abuse. Following that, Dancer in the Dark, starring music icon Björk, and Breaking the Waves, with Emily Watson, will also return to cinemas.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - on Sky Italia from June 2

It’s really true that you can’t get rid of zombies. The world of The Walking Dead proves it. Joining the TV universe created by Frank Darabont is the new spin-off Daryl Dixon, played by veteran Norman Reedus. He becomes the main character in a story that takes him to France, searching for answers in the heart of a devastated country. There, Daryl meets young Laurent, played by Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, who asks him to take him to safety. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, previously unreleased in Italy, arrives in June with both of its two seasons.

Il baracchino - on Prime Video from June 3

Over the years, Italian comedians have become true rockstars. A new chance to see them together is in the series Il baracchino. Or rather, to hear them. The Prime Video show is an animated work featuring the voices of Lillo Petrolo, Luca Ravenna, Edoardo Ferrario, Daniele Tinti, Stefano Rapone, Frank Matano, Michela Giraud, Pilar Fogliati, and Pietro Sermonti. The story focuses on the Baracchino of the title, a former comedy temple now in ruins, which the owner tries to revive.

Stick - on AppleTV+ from June 4

Among various sports-themed titles, it kicks off on June 4 with Stick, a series created by Jason Keller starring Owen Wilson. The story follows a former pro golfer who, after a failed marriage and being fired from a sporting goods store, begins coaching a young golf prodigy named Santi.

Ballerina - in theaters from June 12

While the return of the John Wick saga with a fifth installment seems increasingly certain, in theaters from June 12 comes the action series spin-off starring Ana De Armas. The Cuban actress leads Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman and set between the events of the third and fourth films with Keanu Reeves. De Armas plays Rooney, a ballerina who becomes a killer after her family is murdered.

Echo Valley - on AppleTV+ from June 13

A star-studded cast for Echo Valley, a thriller arriving on AppleTV+ from June 13. Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, Kyle MacLachlan, Domhnall Gleeson, and Fiona Shaw star in the film directed by Michael Pearce and written by Brad Ingelsby. Echo Valley tells the story of horse trainer Kate, who will protect her daughter at all costs after she shows up one evening covered in someone else’s blood. 

How to Train Your Dragon - in theaters from June 13 

Although Disney’s Snow White had signaled the fall of animated movie live-action remakes, the box office of Lilo & Stitch is proving there's still an audience for such ventures. Time will tell if the same fate awaits How to Train Your Dragon, a remake of the 2010 DreamWorks title, once again helmed by writer-director Dean DeBlois. The story once again follows Viking Hiccup and his unlikely friendship with the dragon Toothless. 

28 Years Later - in theaters from June 18

Danny Boyle returns to one of his most famous sagas. 28 Years Later is the third film following the original 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007), the latter directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. In this installment, roughly three decades have passed since the rage virus leaked from a bioweapons lab, leaving only a few survivors. Some found refuge on a distant island, but when one ventures back to the mainland, they uncover wonders and horrors born from the virus. 

We Were Liars - on Prime Video from June 18 

Cadence Sinclair Eastman is part of a close-knit group of friends called “The Liars”, but everything changes after a life-altering accident, as those around her seem to be hiding a secret. With a mix of summer adventures, aristocracy, and mystery, We Were Liars is an eight-episode series debuting on Prime Video. 

Elio - in theaters from June 18 

Summer isn’t complete without a classic animated film. This year, the task falls to Elio, a new Disney Pixar title directed by Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, and Adrian Molina. The titular character is an eleven-year-old boy who doesn’t quite fit in and is mistaken by aliens for Earth’s galactic ambassador. The Italian voice cast includes Alessandra Mastronardi, Adriano Giannini, Neri Marcorè, and singer Lucio Corsi. 

Olympo - on Netflix from June 20

Spanish teen dramas on Netflix are a staple. In June, it’s time for Olympo, a sports-themed show set in the elite training center Pirineos. The story follows Amaia, the captain of the synchronized swimming national team, who has always been the best—until her best friend Núria surpasses her. But Núria isn’t the only one improving rapidly; other athletes are too. Amaia starts to wonder what’s going on, leading to the question: how much is one willing to sacrifice for sport? 

Hurry Up Tomorrow - in theaters from June 23 

While the album Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd came out in January, the eponymous film hits theaters on June 23, starring the Canadian singer himself, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Reza Fahim and director Trey Edward Shults. The story follows a sleep-deprived musician who meets a mysterious woman, played by Jenna Ortega, who takes him on an introspective journey. The cast also features Barry Keoghan from Saltburn.

Ironheart - Disney+ (June 24) 

Despite the box-office flop of Thunderbolt*, the MCU continues its storylines, and before the arrival of the Fantastic Four, the Ironheart series arrives on Disney+ from June 24. It centers on the MIT student Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne. After being expelled, she returns home with a technologically advanced suit reminiscent of Iron Man’s, which she uses to combat the magic of The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos. 

F1 - The Movie - in theaters from June 25 

As we've seen, cinema and sports often intersect. In June, they do so in grand style with F1 - The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 champion who retired due to an accident but is ready to return to the track. Fun fact: several scenes were shot during actual Grand Prix weekends. 

Countdown - on Prime Video from June 25 

Jensen Ackles, known for the cult series Supernatural, stars in Prime Video’s original series Countdown, debuting on the platform on June 25. He plays police detective Mark Meachum, recruited by a secret task force to investigate the murder of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent. The investigation soon unravels a conspiracy and a countdown to save an entire city. 

The Bear 4 - on Disney+ from June 26

No introduction needed. Just know that on June 26, the most acclaimed series of recent years returns to Disney+. The Bear 4 will once again focus on managing the new restaurant run by Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and their ongoing pursuit of excellence. 

M3gan 2.0 - in theaters from June 26 

In 2022, the horror film M3gan became a media sensation, so it was no surprise that Blumhouse Productions aimed to turn it into a franchise. The robotic doll at the center of the story was designed to keep children company and protect them—even through unorthodox means. That was the premise in the first film. In the sequel, M3gan’s capabilities are repurposed into a military robot named Amelia, who, gaining increasing self-awareness, ends up rebelling against her creators. The only way to stop her seems to be pitting her against the original M3gan. 

Smoke - on AppleTV+ from June 27

After the film Tetris and the series Black Bird, Taron Egerton returns to AppleTV+ with the show Smoke, created by Dennis Lehane. It’s a crime drama inspired by real events, following a tormented detective investigating a series of arson attacks. The cast also includes Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and John Leguizamo.

Squid Game 3 - on Netflix from June 27 

Despite generating less excitement than the first season, Squid Game returned for a second season in December 2024. From winter to the height of summer, the deadliest game on the platform continues on June 27 on Netflix, with its final challenge. Protagonist Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, is still determined to bring down the infernal machine created by the Front Man, portrayed by actor Lee Byung-hun.