If you’re looking to get into some serious binge watching for the upcoming 4th of July weekend, AppleTV+ has you covered — and most importantly, so do we. From action-packed drama series to seriously funny comedies and a little bit of everything in between, we know exactly what you need to enjoy the amazing summertime weekend.
Suggested Reading
That’s why we rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now that you can dive into to whether you’re stuffing your face with ribs and chicken or chilling on a solo tip after the cookout ends. These titles feature projects by heavy hitters like Idris Elba, Brian Tyree Henry, Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson and a myriad of stories that are sure to keep you entertained.
So kick back, grab a plate and a cold drink and get ready to press play—because your watchlist just got a whole lot Blacker and a whole lot better. Keep reading to get into it!
“Governement Cheese”
Starring: David Oyelowo, Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Simone Missick, Evan Ellison
Synopsis: “Government Cheese” is a surrealist family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley that tells the story of the Chambers, a quirky family pursuing lofty and seemingly impossible dreams, beautifully unfettered by the realities of the world. When Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo) is released from prison, his long-awaited family reunion doesn’t go quite as he’d planned. During his absence, Hampton’s wife, Astoria (Missick), and sons, Einstein (Ellison) and Harrison (Di’Allo Winston), have formed an unconventional family unit, and Hampton’s return spins their world into chaos.
“The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey”
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Omar Benson Miller
Synopsis: Ptolemy Grey, an ailing man is forgotten by his family, by his friends, and by even himself. Suddenly left without his trusted caretaker and on the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy is assigned to the care of orphaned teenager Robyn (Fishback). When they learn about a treatment that can restore Ptolemy’s dementia-addled memories, it begins a journey toward shocking truths about the past, present and future.
“The Big Cigar”
Starring: Andre Holland, Tiffany Boone, Moses Ingram
Synopsis: Based on the magazine article of the same name by Joshuah Bearman (“Argo”), who also serves as executive producer, “The Big Cigar” tells the incredible true story of Hollywood revolution meeting social revolution. It’s a wild caper about Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton (Holland) escaping from the FBI to Cuba with the assistance of famed producer Bert Schneider in an impossibly elaborate plan – involving a fake movie production – that goes wrong every way it possibly can.
“Smoke”
Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Taron Egerton, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Synopsis: “Smoke” follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.
“Dope Thief”
Starring: Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland
Synopsis: Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book of the same name, the series follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside. That plan would’ve be fine if only their small-time grift didn’t soon turn into a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.
“The Morning Show”
Starring: Nicole Beharie, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jon Hamm
Synopsis: In “The Morning Show” season three, the future of the network is thrown into question and loyalties are pushed to the brink when a tech titan takes an interest in UBA. Unexpected alliances form, private truths are weaponized, and everyone is forced to confront their core values both in and out of the newsroom.
“Surface”
Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Stephan James, Gavin Drea
Synopsis: The second chapter of “Surface” follows Sophie (Mbatha-Raw) to London to unravel the secrets of her past. Having suffered an injury that robbed her of her memories, Sophie follows the few clues she has, using her vast stolen resources to embed herself in elite British society, and discovering a possible connection to a beautiful heiress. But everything changes when a journalist contacts her out of the blue, and Sophie realizes they were working together to expose a shocking scandal about the dangerous people she’s now become close to.
“Loot”
Starring: Maya Rudolph, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Ron Funches
Synopsis: “Loot” returns a year after Molly Wells (Rudolph) settles her very public divorce from tech billionaire John Novak (Scott), and we find her thriving in her role as the head of her philanthropic organization, the Wells Foundation. Focused mainly on her charity work, Molly has sworn off any new relationships with men.
“Swan Song”
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, Glenn Close
Synopsis: Set in the near future, Swan Song is a powerful, emotional journey told through the eyes of Cameron (Ali), a loving husband and father diagnosed with a terminal illness who is presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Close) to shield his family from grief. As Cam grapples with whether or not to alter his family’s fate, he learns more about life and love than he ever imagined.
“Swagger”
Starring: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill, Shinelle Azoroh
Synopsis: A basketball prodigy must navigate a maze of pressure if he’s going to overcome the odds against him and learn what it truly means to have swagger.
“Hijack”
Starring: Idris Elba, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Eve Myles
Synopsis: Told in real time, Hijack is a tense thriller that follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight, and as authorities on the ground scramble for answers.
Honorable Mention: “Severance”
Starring: Adam Scott, Tramell Tillman, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry
Synopsis: In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
