Hi, {{first_name | friend}}!
As "film bro" as it may sound, Christopher Nolan is the only filmmaker who can get me to drop anything to go to the theater and watch his new film, regardless of the story or the early reviews. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that, despite knowing nothing about the book it’s based on and seeing plenty of negative discourse on the internet, I’ve already got my ticket for The Odyssey this Friday. This is my Super Bowl!
By the way, to discover what I consider to be an underrated science fiction masterpiece, check out my recent edition of Worth the Watch! Every Friday, I dive deep on a TV & movie topic that’s on my mind—from reviews to “top 5” lists and more. Subscribe to Pix Plus or start a 7-day free trial to get it in your inbox!
Now let’s get into the most exciting new sci-fi and fantasy movies, shows, and books releasing this month!
Yours,
John
Film & Television Content Manager @ Pix
Current 📺: Widow’s Bay
Next in the Queue-niverse: Upcoming Releases
The Odyssey
In theaters 7/17
After a decade fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a perilous journey home to Ithaca… if the monsters and gods let him. Starring an absurd amount of A-list actors (Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and more) and directed by Christopher Nolan, it’s safe to say this will be one of the biggest movies of the year.
See the full lists:
Sea of Charms
Coming July 28
#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst returns to the Spellshop world with a sea voyage instead of a shop counter. In this cozy fantasy, Marin, a supply runner who trusts her sea serpent more than most people, gets pulled into a revolution—and an unexpected romance with a musician who won't abandon his instruments.
See the full lists:
The Stack
Together with ThriftBooks
What to Read Next if You’re Obsessed With Dungeon Crawler Carl
So...you've already torn through every Dungeon Crawler Carl book that's out. First of all, congratulations. Second, now what? If you're trying to fill the Carl-shaped hole in your reading life, these three LitRPG favorites capture the same addictive mix of humor, action, and game mechanics. Even better, you can grab them right now from ThriftBooks at great prices.
He Who Fights With Monsters, Book 1: Outworlder
by Travis Deverell, writing as Shirtaloon
If Carl's sarcastic narration is your favorite part of the series, meet Jason Asano. After waking up in a magical world full of monsters and quests, he leans on wit as much as brute force, making this one of the funniest—and most beloved—LitRPG series around.
Unsouled
by Will Wight
Looking for the same impossible-to-put-down progression? Unsouled follows an underdog who starts with almost no power and fights his way toward greatness. It's fast, addictive, and the kind of series that has readers immediately reaching for book two.
The Mayor of Noobtown
by Ryan Rimmel
Equal parts fantasy and laugh-out-loud comedy, this LitRPG follows an ordinary guy who dies, wakes up in a game-like world, and somehow ends up running the most dysfunctional town imaginable. Expect ridiculous quests and lots of memorable side characters.
Page-to-Screen Highlight
Great news: Project Hail Mary is finally streaming on Prime Video! When sharing her take on whether or not the book was worth reading in Worth the Read, our Books Content Manager, Genevieve, said,
“Yes, yes, a million times yes. I read this while on vacation with my two best friends, and I think I drove them insane talking about it nonstop. I recommend reading the novel before watching the movie.”
For even more page-to-screen highlights, book reviews, and more, subscribe to Pix Plus!
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🕷️ Trivia Gauntlet: Spider-Man Edition
The internet may be obsessed with The Odyssey right now, but another highly anticipated blockbuster is swinging into theaters at the end of the month. Before Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives, let’s see how well you really know your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
1. Casual Fan: What is Spider-Man’s real name?
2. Committed Follower: In the comics, what was the name of Spider-Man’s first supervillain?
3. Cosmic-Level Nerd: What is the name of the high school Spider-Man attends in the MCU?
Keep scrolling for the reveal.
The Reviews Are In
Love it, loathe it, or ascend into another dimension over it — here's how this month's picks landed with critics:
“Not only Apple TV’s best show, but also one of the best shows currently on television”
—Collider
“One of the biggest disappointments in recent superhero movie history”
—ScreenCrush
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Trivia Gauntlet: Answers Revealed
1. Peter Parker
2. The Chameleon
3. Midtown School of Science and Technology