What's worth streaming in June 2023: Hulu -2-

Disney+ is rolling out its first Marvel series of the year with "Secret Invasion" (June 23), starring Samuel L. Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Cobie Smulders and Ben Mendelsohn. Billed as a Cold War--style paranoia thriller, Jackson's Nick Fury will lead an effort to save humanity by foiling shapeshifting aliens (Krulls, as seen in "Captain Marvel") from infiltrating positions of power around the world. The six-episode miniseries will launch the TV side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's so-called Phase 5 (with "Loki" and "Echo" coming later this year), and looks to be Marvel's darkest and most grown-up show since "Moon Knight."

On the movie side, Disney (DIS) will share the streaming premieres of "Avatar: The Way of Water" (June 7, also on Max) and "Flamin' Hot" (June 9, also on Hulu).

And if you missed the news, dozens of original shows -- including "Willow," "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers" and "Artemis Fowl" -- have been removed from Disney+ and Hulu, and more are likely to vanish as part of a cost-saving move.

Who's Disney+ for? Families with kids, hardcore "Star Wars" and Marvel fans. For people not in those groups, Disney's library can be lacking.

Play, pause or stop? Pause. "Secret Invasion" will be a must-see for Marvel fans, and "Avatar" will be worth a watch, but beyond that, there's not a lot right now. And the removal of so many series is troubling, as subscribers will end up paying more for less programming.

Amazon's Prime Video ($14.99 a month)

Dads everywhere can cheer the return of "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" (June 30), as John Krasinski is back for a fourth and final season as an everyman--turned--superspy--turned--CIA bureaucrat who's tasked with weeding out a sinister conspiracy within the agency. The first couple of seasons were dumb fun, but the last one was just dumb. Here's hoping "Jack Ryan" can go out on a high note.

Amazon's (AMZN) streaming service also has the intriguing dark comedy series "I'm a Virgo" (June 23), from writer/director Boots Riley ("Sorry to Bother You"), a fantastical, surreal tale of a 13-foot-tall teenager who strives to find his place in the world; Season 2 of the vacation rom-com"The Lake"(June 9), starring Jordan Gavaris, Travis Nelson and Julia Stiles; the Australian comedy/mystery series"Deadloch" (June 2); and "The Grand Tour: Eurocrash" (June 16), a new installment of the motorized misadventures of former "Top Gear" trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, who must drive 1,400 miles from Poland to Slovenia.

For more: Here's everything new coming to Amazon's Prime Video in June 2023

Who's Prime Video for? Movie lovers, TV-series fans who value quality over quantity.

Play, pause or stop? Pause. There's the potential for some entertaining series, but for that price, it'd be nice if there were more solid locks.

Peacock (Premium for $4.99 a month with ads, or $9.99 a month with no ads)

In the most meta thing this side of Mark Zuckerberg, Peacock is looking to capitalize on the true-crime trend with a series about a couple looking to capitalize on the true-crime trend. "Based on a True Story" (June 8) stars Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina as a broke married couple (and true-crime podcast fans) who try to cash in by starting a podcast of their own to try to solve a neighborhood murder. It sounds "Only Murders in the Building"--esque, but Cuoco and Messina are so good in everything they do that it shouldn't matter, and it looks like a fun enough romp.

Peacock also has the LeBron James biopic "Shooting Stars"(June 2), along with live sports such as U.S. Open golf (June 15-18), Major League Baseball every Sunday morning, and a full slate of track and field, IndyCar racing, USFL and golf.

And bad news for Comcast (CMCSA) cable subscribers: You'll lose free access to Peacock on June 26.

Who's Peacock for? Live sports and next-day NBCUniversal shows are the main draw, but there's a good library of shows and movies.

Play, pause or stop? Stop. The sports calendar is slow, and watching "Based on a True Story" can likely wait until a more loaded month.

Paramount+ ($4.99 a month with ads, $9.99 with no ads, $11.99 a month with Showtime)

Of all of Paramount's many "Star Trek" spinoffs, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (June 15) may be the best, and it's back for Season 2. Following the interstellar adventures of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the pre-Kirk USS Enterprise, the new season will see drink-ups with Klingons, an awkward smooch for Spock, plenty of space fights and feature a live-action crossover with characters from the animated "Lower Decks."

Paramount+ also has new seasons of the sitcom "iCarly" (June 1) and docuseries "FBI True" (June 20), a livestream of the Tony Awards (June 11), and some huge soccer matches, with the UEFA Champions League final, as Manchester City plays Inter in Istanbul (June 10), and the Concacaf Nations League semifinal between archrivals U.S. and Mexico (June 15), with the winner playing Canada or Panama in the final (June 18).

On the Showtime side, there's "S.O.G.: The Book of Ward" (June 2), a documentary about Hall of Fame boxer Andre Ward; "Loudmouth" (June 16), a documentary about the life of the Rev. Al Sharpton; and the conclusion of the limited series "Ghosts of Beirut" (June 9).

Heads up: On June 27, Paramount+ will officially merge with Showtime, and prices will rise by $1 to $2 a month.

Who's Paramount+ for? Gen X cord-cutters who miss live sports and familiar Paramount Global (PARA) broadcast and cable shows.

Play, pause or stop? Stop. "Strange New Worlds" is fun, but there's not a whole lot else (and the Champions League final will also air free on CBS).

-Mike Murphy

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06-02-23 1636ET

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