Weekend Watchlist: July’s Grand Finale
Box Office Highlights of July
July wrapped up with three blockbuster contenders poised to echo the 2025 box‑office crown. Jurassic World Rebirth thrashes the dinosaur‑centric franchise, Superman revamps the Cape‑Bearer saga, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps reboots the iconic team in an exciting sophomore episode.
August’s Opening Reel
August launches with a fresh take on a beloved classic: The Naked Gun now starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. For a dose of slapstick comedy, stream the original Naked Gun for free on a FAST service such as Pluto TV.
Free Movie Picks for This Weekend
- Stream the original Naked Gun on Pluto TV
- Explore other free titles on weekend streaming platforms
Recommended Guides
- New movies to stream
- Top Netflix films
- Best Hulu releases
- Amazon Prime Video must‑watch titles
- HBO Max favorites
- Disney+ hits
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Fresh take on The Naked Gun franchise
The Naked Gun reboot kicks off this weekend, and early buzz has been encouraging. Critics praise the renewed absurdities, signalling a hopeful box‑office future for the series. If you missed the original, revisit the 1988 classic: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Key moments from the original film
- Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is the bumbling cop from the TV show.
- Partner Norberg (O. J. Simpson) is shot during a botched drug bust.
- Drebin has 24 hours to exonerate his colleague and prevent a jail sentence.
- Chaos ensues—profits, slapstick, and a memorable comedic style.
Stream The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! on Pluto TV this weekend.
The Fighter (2010)
The Fighter: A Rhythmic Portrait of Boxing
In the ring of life, “head, body, head, body” is more than a jab; it is the heartbeat of The Fighter. Fans nod in a Boston accent, knowing the film’s core is the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward, a low‑grade loser from Lowell, Massachusetts.
Micky’s Trip: From Punch to Presence
Despite the ropes, Ward’s day is governed by two forces:
- Dicky (Christian Bale) – his half‑brother, a drug‑addicted camp coach.
- Alice (Melissa Leo) – his mother and manager, a terminal manager.
After a disastrous fight, War‑desires to live aside from the family. His girlfriend (Amy Adams) offers a break recommendation, and Micky follows it to find success. Yet he can’t fully vacuum the family and attempts to coerce them into his fresh stance.
A Story of Underdogs, Built to Upscale
The classic underdog formula in boxing films is overused. However, The Fighter elevates the familiar story with Oscar‑winning performance that adds an extra layer of statement.
Stream The Fighter on Tubi.
Baby Driver (2017)
Baby Driver: A Slick Blend of Rhythm and Road
Edgar Wright pushes his filmmaking prowess beyond the comedic corners of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy into an adrenaline‑charged showcase. The latest feature demonstrates Wright’s skill in choreographing intricate action sequences.
Meet Baby (Ansel Elgort)
- Baby is a cutting‑edge getaway driver enlisted by the criminal mastermind Doc (Kevin Spacey).
- He combats an ear ringing problem by constantly listening to music, turning sound into a driving weapon.
Music, Driving, and a Life Beyond Crime
Baby’s reality revolves around melodies and motor skills, which makes his encounter with Debora (Lily James) feel like a vote for a different future. Debora, the well‑hearted waitress, falls for Baby, and he finally envisions a life detached from the shadows of crime.
Now and Then?
To escape Doc and his henchmen, Baby must pick the perfect song for the final drive. The choice will dictate how he crosses the finish line—whether he drives away with a funky beat or a syncopated rhythm.
