Streaming Guide – June 2024

Each month, The Steampunk Explorer offers a guide to steampunk-related films and series arriving on the top streaming services. We look for titles likely to draw interest from steampunk fans in some way, not necessarily those that fall squarely within the genre. See “Our Ultimate Streaming Guide” for a more comprehensive look at steampunk-related titles on these services.

June appears to be a big month for pop culture franchises, with a new Star Wars series on Disney+, Season 2 of House of the Dragon on HBO/Max, and Season 4 of The Boys on Prime Video. Also of note: Ren Faire, a three-part HBO documentary about the Texas Renaissance Festival and its octogenarian leader.

Unless otherwise noted, these titles debut June 1. We can only confirm new arrivals in the U.S., but some titles may also be available on these streaming services in other countries.

Disney+

Star Wars fans will mark June 4 on their calendars as Disney+ premieres The Acolyte, the latest live-action series from Lucasfilm.

The studio’s description: “An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior (Amandla Stenberg) from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.”

The series premieres with two episodes, followed by weekly installments through July 16.

In addition, Disney+ will continue streaming weekly episodes of Doctor Who until the new season’s conclusion on June 22. It stars Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Sunday.

Hulu

Hulu’s most notable arrival is Van Helsing, the 2004 film starring Hugh Jackman as monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing in late 19th century Europe. Inspired by classic horror films of the 1930s and 40s, it was widely panned by critics but has made some lists of top steampunk movies.

Van Helsing frequently makes the rounds on streaming services and also streams this month on Peacock.

Max

Season 2 of House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel series, premieres June 16 on HBO and Max. The season, consisting of eight episodes, will continue the story of House Targaryen as King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra contend for the coveted Iron Throne.

In advance of the new season, HBO released dueling trailers, one from the standpoint of the Green Council, which fights for Aegon, and the other from the perspective of Rhaenyra and the Black Council.

The series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood.

Also arriving is Ren Faire, a three-part HBO documentary about the Texas Renaissance Festival and its 86-year-old leader George Coulam, aka King George. It appears to be a real-life take on the HBO drama Succession.

“He has power, as the elected mayor of the town he incorporated,” the logline states. “He has glory, as the undisputed employer and self-proclaimed ruler of thousands. He has vast wealth, as the majority shareholder of the festival. Now, he is ready to give it all up and spend the last years of his life in the quest for a romantic companion. But before he retires, George will finally choose which of his longtime employees will take his crown.”

The first episode debuts June 2 followed by the other two a week later. HBO has posted a trailer, and some commenters have taken issue with its depiction of Coulam and Renaissance fairs in general. The documentary was first shown in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin.

Netflix

Netflix premiered Season 3 of Bridgerton in May with four episodes, and now the remaining four are slated to drop on June 13. The historical romance series from Shonda Rhimes follows the lives of aristocrats in Regency Era London.

Peacock

As noted above, Van Helsing streams this month on Peacock in addition to Hulu.

Also arriving: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, a 2005 stop-motion animation film that serves as a parody of classic monster movies. Produced by Aardman Animations, the critically acclaimed 2005 movie won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. It was also a big winner in that year’s Annie Awards, recognizing the best animation work shown in the U.S.

Prime Video

Season 4 of The Boys premieres June 13 on Prime Video after a delay caused by last year’s Hollywood writers’ strike. Based on the comic books by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the satirical series tells the story of vigilantes who battle corrupt superheroes.

“The world is on the brink,” states the official summary. “Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son as well as his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late.”