A list curated by The Associated Press of what’s coming to streaming services, music platforms, movies and television in the United States. Dates may vary in other countries.
CINEMA
— Multiverses are in fashion. Following its theatrical release in May, “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” arrives on Disney+ Wednesday. In this film, Benedict Cumberbatch reprises the Marvel persona of the mystic arts and deals with some of the fallout from recent events in the MCU, particularly regarding Wanda Maximoff (Elizbeth Olsen). Directed by Sam Raimi, the film bears some of the hallmarks of the horror-comedy from the “Evil Dead” director. Reviewing it, AP film critic Lindsey Bahr said that all the juggling of the plot “feels a bit like a spinning wheel.” But “Doctor Strange” isn’t the only multiverse movie available at home right now. One of the year’s biggest hits, the brilliant existential blender “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” starring Michelle Yeoh, is currently available for digital rental.
— In another universe, “The Man From Toronto” would have been theatrically released by Sony Pictures. But the action comedy starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson has been postponed during the pandemic and has been sold to Netflix, where it premieres on Friday, June 24. Patrick Hughes, who directed “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” directs the buddy comedy with Hart as a regular guy who steps into the life of Harrelson’s hitman when they mistakenly book into the same Airbnb.
— If you haven’t seen it yet, “RRR,” arguably the movie of the summer, is available on Netflix, where the international sensation regularly ranks among the streaming service’s most-watched movies. The Indian blockbuster, directed by SS Rajamouli, is a three-hour Telugu show set in 1920s colonial India about a pair of revolutionaries (played by Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao Jr.) who come together in an outrageous rescue mission with some truly mind-blowing action scenes. The dizzying and extravagant heights of “RRR” far exceed the verve of most Hollywood flicks.
—Jake Coyle
MUSIC
— Cool new rocker Soccer Mommy is back with “Sometimes, Forever,” an album of weirdness and weird awesomeness. Sophie Allison, the main songwriter, has joined forces with producer Daniel Lopatin of Oneohtrix Point Never for an album of songs full of layers and textures. “Shotgun,” the lead single, is a sparkling, propulsive love song for a couple with only ice cream and cold beer on hand. “The only things we really need,” the artist sings. Cheers for that.
— French Montana celebrates its sixth studio album, “Montega”. His first single, “Alcatraz,” mentions J.Lo, Kay Flock, Joe Rogan, Dr. Dre, James Harden, Nelly, DaBaby, Steve Jobs, and Yo Gotti. French Montana’s latest studio album, “They Got Amnesia,” reached No. 23 on the Billboard US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart and No. 59 on the US Billboard 200 chart. French Montana hopes to improve on that with singles like “Drive By” featuring Baby Face Ray and “Blue Chills,” in which he sings, “The version of me in your mind is not my responsibility.”
— Country star Luke Combs releases his new album, “Growin’ Up,” on Friday, June 24, which opens with the regretful lament “Tomorrow Me,” about a lover somewhat concerned the next morning about what will happen that night . Produced by Combs, Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, “Growin’ Up” is Combs’ third studio album after 2019’s “What You See is What You Get” and “This One’s For You.” The new disc consists of 12 songs, including the current single “Doin’ This,” a sweet ode to musicians who don’t work for fame or fortune.
—Mark Kennedy
TV
— Mark Twain, meets Jon Stewart. The former “Daily Show” host, political gadfly and activist receives the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a special broadcast Tuesday on PBS. Dave Chappelle, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver are among the companions who greet him at the pre-recorded ceremony, while Bruce Springsteen offers a musical tribute. There are plenty of jokes and fond comments about Stewart, along with reflections on his contributions. Chappelle tells him, “It’s a miracle to watch you work. You are a cure for what ails this country.”
— In “Gordita Chronicles,” the pursuit of the American dream isn’t all that dreamy for a young woman uprooted from Santo Domingo by her father’s job move to Miami in the 1980s. The 10-episode coming-of-age comedy, which premieres in its entirety Thursday on HBO Max, stars Olivia Goncalves as Cucu “Gordita” Castelli, with Juan Javier Cárdenas and Diana-Maria Riva as her parents and Savannah Nicole Ruiz as her older sister. Eva Longoria directed the pilot episode and is an executive producer on the series.
— The so-called awards season is endless, as the Daytime Emmys and BET attest. Nominees for the Daytime Emmys, airing Friday, June 24 on CBS, include dramas “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives.” Hosting the ceremony will be Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner of “Entertainment Tonight,” and Tamron Hall, Natalie Morales and Jerry O’Connell will be among the presenters. The top nominees for the 2022 BET Awards (Sunday, June 26) include Doja Cat, Ari Lennox, and Drake. Taraji P. Henson will host the ceremony, which recognizes the achievements of the black community in music, television, film and sports. Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive a lifetime achievement award.
— Lynn Elber
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