A new wave of Showmax movie releases is starting as another month comes to a close. With the release of action comedies in July 2023, including The Swearing Jar, Showmax hopes to make us laugh. Halloween Ends will also be a good choice for horror fans looking for the next spine-tingling experience.
Showmax is getting a ton of new movies and TV shows. Many of the films and television shows may be new to you or old favorites that you want to watch again, even though not everything is brand-new. If action or romance films are your thing, July is the month for you because those genres make up the majority of the additions.
When it is hot outside, you can keep cool by watching your favorite shows or movies on Showmax. This month, see hotly anticipated international films starring Harry Styles in Do not Worry Darling and Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween Ends.
Every month, Showmax continues to promote diverse original content, and there is something to suit every taste. Showmax has plenty to keep you entertained through July and beyond, from highly rated romance to Oscar-winning fantasy and action to the latest seasons of local favorites to a Showmax Original reality show that will have people talking across South Africa.
Check out our list of the top Showmax original movies coming in July 2023 the next time you are looking for something new to watch.
Violent Night (3 July)
It is Christmas Eve in Violent Night, and Santa Claus (David Harbour) is exhausted by a world filled with too much greed and not enough Christmas spirit. Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell), his ex-wife Linda (Alexis Louder), and their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady) are en route to a yearly family holiday gathering.
They will spend the holiday with Jason’s insanely wealthy mother, Gertrude Lightstone (Beverly D’Angelo), as well as his nasty sister (Edi Patterson) and her family.
A criminal mastermind known as “Mr. Scrooge” (John Leguizamo) infiltrates with his gang of goons with the intention of stealing $300 million from Gertrude’s vault just as Santa is about to deliver gifts and takes a break to sample some fine liquor alongside his cookies.
But the money seems to have disappeared, and the Lightstones have been kidnapped. However, because Trudy is a true believer, Santa summons long-buried strength and courage to battle those on the “Naughty” list and, hopefully, save the day.
On Christmas Eve, a group of mercenaries breaks into the compound of a wealthy family. They do not expect Santa Claus (David Harbour) to interfere with their plan while holding the family hostage. Santa then begins a mission to save the hostages.
He must use his hidden combat abilities to save the family and deliver all of the Christmas presents on time. A holy but hostile night of gifts, guns, and gore ensues. “David Harbour’s slick new action film combines slaughter and sleighbells,” the London Evening Standard reported.
Halloween Ends (6 July)
One of the most successful horror franchises of all time reaches its epic, terrifying conclusion as Laurie Strode squares off against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers, for the final time in Halloween Ends.
Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is working four years after the events of 2021’s Halloween kills to free herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man is charged with killing a boy he was watching, it starts a chain reaction of terror that forces Laurie to face the evil she can not control for good.
The final installment of the horror franchise follows Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in her final battle against infamous serial killer Michael Myers (Nick Castle). Myers is still an important part of Laurie’s life four years after his last sighting.
As she works on her memoir, she decides to let go of her traumatic past and approach life in a new way. The city is rocked by violence and terror after a babysitter is accused of murdering a young boy. Laurie is terrified of Myers’ return, and she must confront his evil force if she is to be free of his decades-long ghost. The cast includes franchise co-creator John Carpenter, triple Oscar nominee Jason Blum, and The Righteous Gemstones’ David Gordon Green and Danny McBride.
Fall (10 July)
Scott Mann’s film Fall tells the story of two daredevil friends who may have bitten off more than they could chew. Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) and Hunter (Virginia Gardner) live to push each other to their limits in order to experience thrills.
They are left stranded 2000 feet in the air with little chance of rescue after climbing an abandoned radio tower, though. They must overcome the elements, a scarcity of supplies, and precarious heights in order to survive.
Becky (Grace Caroline Currey, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) and Hunter (Virginia Gardner, Halloween) are best friends who live for conquering fears and pushing boundaries. They are stranded with no way down after climbing 2 000 feet to the top of a remote, abandoned TV tower.
In this suspenseful thriller, Becky and Hunter’s expert climbing skills will be put to the ultimate test as they battle to survive the elements, a lack of supplies, and dizzying heights. Fall is a “white-knuckle disaster in the sky,” according to Empire Magazine’s review of the film, which was given four stars. Do look down!”
Also read: 23 Movies Like Fall To Watch
The Swearing Jar (13 July)
The Swearing Jar tells the tale of Carey, a musician, and teacher who throws her husband a birthday concert and is consequently transported back in time. Through romance, music, and memory, we follow the story of Carey and Simon’s relationship, the birth of their child, and the lie that threatens to destroy everything.
The musical romance “The Swearing Jar” offers the ideal opportunity to make a high-end independent movie with broad appeal, powerful emotional resonance, and stunning visual appeal.
It tells two love stories simultaneously and explores the benefits and difficulties of dating, marriage, parenting, loss, and moving on while also being funny and heartbreaking. The story of “The Swearing Jar” is both timeless and current. There is an adult female audience, and they are thirsty for movies that speak to them honestly and directly.
As Carey slowly comes to terms with her tragic loss and makes cathartic strides toward a new life for herself and her child, the humor and lightheartedness of her interactions with her lovers serve to highlight the emotional pull on the audience’s heartstrings. The conversation between Carey and her lovers has a rom-com feel to it.
The Canadian romantic comedy, which stars Adelaide Clemens (Rectify), Patrick J Adams (Suits), and Kathleen Turner, has a 94% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The Globe and Mail called it “a movie you did not expect… equally thoughtful and full of feeling.”
The Way Back (15 July)
This sports drama, directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck, is about an alcoholic widower trying to redeem himself by coaching his high school alma mater’s basketball team.
The experience transports him back to his glory days as a promising athlete, forcing him to confront the old demons that derailed his life in his youth. Janina Gavankar and Michaela Watkins are co-stars.
Back in high school, Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) seemed to have it all. He could have punched his ticket to college or even the pros as a basketball phenom, but he chose to walk away from the game.
Jack’s glory days are long gone…but not forgotten, as it turns out. Years later, he is given the opportunity to reclaim his life when he is asked to coach his alma mater’s struggling basketball team. Jack reluctantly accepts, and as the team begins to win, Jack may have one last chance to redeem himself.
The Way Back, directed by Gavin O’Connor (Warrior), earned Affleck nominations for People’s Choice and Critics’ Choice, among other awards. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 83% critics rating, with The Atlantic praising “the rawest and most natural performance Affleck has given in his career.”
Bandit (17 July)
Bandit, based on a true story, stars Josh Duhamel (Transformers) as Gilbert Galvan Jr. (aka The Flying Bandit), a charming career criminal who went on a record-breaking spree of 59 bank heists across Canada while being pursued by an increasingly frustrated police task force.
An on-screen graphic introducing Bandit is opening sequence states that it is London, 1988, before jokingly and emphatically stating that it is Canada, not the United Kingdom.
Director Allan Ungar (with a script by Kraig Wenman based on Robert Knuckle’s novel The Flying Bandit) simultaneously introduces viewers to Gilbert Galvan Jr and his alias Robert Whiteman (Josh Duhamel) in action as an endearing, calm, master of disguise, serial bank robber.
There is the standard narration about how people are not born bad, as a rather comedic heist takes place with no one getting hurt, and we already have a soft spot for this pacifist criminal.
After Gilbert escapes unscathed, the film flashes back five years to when he was a nobody, escaping a Michigan prison (locked up for check fraud) and hightailing it to Canada to start over.
Gilbert sincerely wants to live an honest life, so he buys a homeless man’s ID on the cheap (as the stylistic graphics make a point of showing viewers what happened), and he accepts a dead-end job selling ice cream, at least until the truck leaves.
He also meets the laid-back social worker Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert) during that time, who has one rule: do not sell her things.
Gilbert (who continues to go by Robert Whiteman around his new girlfriend despite having the best of intentions) decides that the best way to support this relationship is to get back into the criminal activity sphere, upping his game by robbing small banks across Canada.
Gilbert/Robert also manages to win over drug lord Tommy (Mel Gibson, introduced as a psychotic ranting about Boy George and the glory days of music) for good measure. He also becomes much more likely to rob banks after learning with joy that he will become a father.
This biographical crime caper, which is based on a Robert Knuckle novel, is directed by Allan Ungar. The plot centers on real-life criminal Gilbert Galvan Jr., who in the 1980s went by the moniker “The Flying Bandit.” Gilbert breaks out of a Michigan prison and travels across the border to Canada.
He takes the name Robert Whiteman while there. He begins robbing banks after falling in love with Andrea, a social worker. As he becomes more adept at it, the media and, eventually, the authorities become interested in him as well. Featuring Mel Gibson, Nestor Carbonell, Elisha Cuthbert, Josh Duhamel, and.
However, Duhamel steals the show from other actors like Elisha Cuthbert (24), Nestor Carbonell from The Morning Show, and Oscar winner Mel Gibson from Braveheart.
The Beta Test (17 July)
Jordan (Jim Cummings) works for a sizable Hollywood talent agency. He unexpectedly receives an enigmatic invitation to meet someone for an extramarital affair. His other issue, his fiancée, who wants his opinion on place cards for their upcoming wedding, is more pressing than giving in to temptation.
The Beta Test is an exercise in economy, billed as a Hollywood satire that plays like the bastard offspring of an underfunded David Fincher and features a central performance that is running on fumes.
This understated independent thriller, which blends elements of Swimming with Sharks, Falling Down, and The Game into a potent narcissistic concoction, is strong stuff.
The Beta Test keeps it up, from an opening that comes out of the left field with murderous intent to a grating lead performance from Jim Cummings that makes Patrick Bateman look well-adjusted. The writers and directors Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe regularly throw sucker punches at the entertainment industry by basing their feature films on a straightforward premise.
Jordan navigates his way through numerous interactions with the diplomacy of a Mary Harron protagonist, using everyone as his own personal boot scraper.
The Beta Test is bleak, relentless, and stylistically abstract, but it subverts expectations with subtlety rather than ostentation. This industry snapshot that denigrates and belittles everyone with a pulse seems to be best paired with Swimming With Sharks. Characters in this film speak and say nothing as those in positions of authority make use of their influence.
There are recurring nightmares, barely contained rage expressions, and curious eyes everywhere. Tensions continue to build until Jordan reaches his breaking point, both before and after crossing that line. Even after the offender has been identified and justice has been served, there is no feeling of relief or relaxation.
Desperation is still simmering just below the surface, waiting its turn just out of sight. Something that this metaphorical high-octane action film offers up without any room for reflection or subdued closure.
Also read: Best Action Movies Available On HBO Max: Batman to Aquaman
Muru (24 July)
Muru is based on true events and follows local police sergeant “Taffy” Twharau as he is forced to decide between serving his community and his badge when the New Zealand government uses anti-terrorism legislation to launch an armed raid on Taffy’s isolated Urewera community on a school day.
The heart of Tearepa Kahi’s New Zealand action-thriller Muru is Cliff Curtis’ subtly powerful and dignified performance. The movie is in no way quiet or subtle, and that is not its intention. Curtis portrays Taffy Twharau, a police officer who stands up to racist and ignorant coworkers and is, as they say, one of the good guys. Taffy Twharau fills in as a school bus driver.
Taffy is caught between two different worlds and sets of laws: on the one hand, his Mori heritage and the isolated Te Urewera community; on the other, the uniform and badge he has sworn allegiance to. Similar tensions were recently explored by Australian filmmakers in works like True Colours and Mystery Road.
Taffy serves as a reminder that not all police officers are “bad,” thanks to her good judgment, decency, and natural resistance to extreme or irrational responses. The movie also features strong polemical commentary about how the police are a reflection of the ongoing oppression of Indigenous peoples and a devilish political tool.
The 2007 Urewera raids, in which police raided the community of the Thoe people in New Zealand’s north island under the false suspicion that activist and artist Tme Iti was establishing a homegrown terrorist network, served as inspiration for the movie, which was chosen as New Zealand’s international feature submission for the Oscars after making its debut at the Toronto film festival earlier this year.
Muru is “absolutely bloody brilliant… a film that ticks every box as a political thriller, as an occasional action movie, and as a drama of violence unfolding in a small town,” according to Stuff. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics have given Muru a 92% approval rating.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (29 July)
The ultimate epic fantasy binge is The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which consists of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings, which is based on the classic book by Bloemfontein-born JRR Tolkien and is set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he and the Fellowship go on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring and bring about the destruction of its maker, the Dark Lord Sauron.
Author J.R.R. Tolkien’s best-selling fantasy epic has been adapted by New Zealander director Peter Jackson into a three-part film series that debuts during the holiday season of 2001.
Frodo Baggins, played by Elijah Wood, is a Hobbit living in medieval “Middle-earth” who learns that a ring left to him by a dearly loved relative and benefactor, Bilbo (Ian Holm), is actually the “One Ring,” a tool that will allow its master to control evil forces and subjugate the world.
Jackson’s native New Zealand served as the filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), as well as its two sequels, The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the second installment in Peter Jackson’s series of screen adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s hugely successful Lord of the Rings trilogy, picks up right where The Fellowship of the Ring left off, with the Fellowship dividing into three factions and attempting to return the Ring to Mordor, the dangerous place from which the powerful talisman must be taken in order to be destroyed.
Also read: 33 Shows Like The Lord Of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The majority of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was filmed over the course of an intense 18-month production schedule that also included The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Peter Jackson oversaw the production.
The epic conclusion to Peter Jackson’s massive adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is provided by the film. But instead of picking up right where the last movie left off, this one goes way back to when the tortured creature Gollum first got his hands on the One Ring.
The Return of the King, which was released in December 2003, outperformed even its enormously popular trilogy predecessors at the box office and went on to win an astounding 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture in every category in which it was nominated, tying Ben-Hur and Titanic for most overall wins.
Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Sir Christopher Lee, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Liv Tyler, Andy Serkis, Sean Bean, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan are among the ensemble cast in this epic New Zealand film.
The trilogy is still regarded as one of the most influential movie series ever made. It garnered almost $3 billion in worldwide box office revenue and won 17 Oscars.
Don’t Worry Darling (31 July)
Alice and Jack, a picture-perfect 1950s couple living in a fantasy company town, are portrayed in the film Don’t Worry Darling by Florence Pugh (Marvel’s Yelena) and Harry Styles (Dunkirk). However, their utopia might not be what it first appears to be, and Alice soon starts to worry that her husband’s glitzy company might be concealing unsettling secrets.
In the 1950s, a number of couples decided to settle in a utopian-inspired experimental community that is supported by a powerful, wealthy business. Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack Chambers (Harry Styles), who appear to be enjoying their marriage, are at the center of it all.
But as Alice grows warier about her husband and the secrets his employers may be hiding, her grasp on reality slowly starts to slip. The thriller is directed by and stars Olivia Wilde. Chris Pine, Nick Kroll, and Gemma Chan are also featured.
Actress Olivia Wilde from House is in charge of directing the psychological thriller. “Wilde (who dazzles in a supporting role) is a misunderstood genius, and her sly erotic thriller is one of the best films of the year,” claims the London Evening Standard.
For Showmax’s movie selection, July is a particularly strong month. We truly are not able to profile everything here. A Quiet Place Part II (July 14), The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It (July 28), Gunpowder Milkshake (July 11), In the Heights (July 21), and many more are available in addition to our list of top movies below.
You can stream a huge selection of movies and TV shows on demand through Showmax. These include TV shows, documentaries, and motion pictures that have won national and local awards. A thrilling slate of new movies will be available to stream on Showmax in the month of July 2023. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether you enjoy suspenseful thrillers, uplifting dramas, or action-packed adventures.
These ten movies offer a variety of storytelling and cinematic experiences, from highly anticipated blockbusters to underappreciated gems. With its wide range of top-notch content, Showmax never ceases to astound, giving viewers access to a never-ending supply of entertainment. With these new films available on Showmax this July, grab some popcorn, settle in, and get lost in the captivating world of cinema.
Also read: How To Watch Wura Episodes? Streaming Guide
