Showbiz
What To Watch on Showmax This July
It’s a new month, and with that, Showmax is stacking July with titles that’ll keep you glued all month long. From powerful true stories and moving romances to creepy thrillers and unexpected biopics, here are 10 titles to add to your Showmax watchlist this July.
SERIES
DUSTER S1 | First on Showmax | Binge from Wednesday, 9 July
Set in the 1970s, Duster follows a gutsy getaway driver whose life goes from dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous when the FBI’s first Black woman agent comes to town, hell-bent on taking down his crime family.
From JJ Abrams (Lost, Westworld, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and series creator and showrunner LaToya Morgan, Duster stars Josh Holloway (Yellowstone, Lost) and Rachel Hilson (This Is Us), as well as three-time Emmy winner Keith David (American Fiction), Greg Grunberg (Heroes) and Emmy nominee Corbin Bernsen (LA Law).
THE INSTITUTE S1 | First on Showmax | Mondays from 14 July
When 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.
Based on the Stephen King bestseller, The Institute introduces Joe Freeman as Luke, opposite the likes of Ben Barnes (Shadow & Bone, Chronicles of Narnia) and Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds).
The Institute is directed and executive produced by Emmy winner Jack Bender (Lost, Game of Thrones).
THE ABC KILLER | Showmax Original | Binge from Tuesday, 22 July
In 1995, journalist Tamsen de Beer was working the night shift at The Star newspaper when she got a call from someone claiming to be South Africa’s most prolific serial killer. The kind of serial killer who would go on to be convicted of 38 murders and 40 rapes – all committed in the space of just over a year, in broad daylight, while sober.
“He was our Ted Bundy,” says director Jasyn Howes. The ABC Killer is his second series in a row for Showmax about a 90s serial killer. The first, Boetie Boer, about Stewart Wilken, was nominated at last year’s SAFTAs for Best Documentary Series and Best Editor (Jaco Laubscher, who also cut The ABC Killer).
MATLOCK S1 | Binge from Wednesday, 23 July
Matlock stars Emmy and Oscar winner Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a retired lawyer in her 70s who rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm. Easily overlooked, Matty uses her position to help the partners on their cases while simultaneously trying to find those who could have prevented her daughter Ellie’s death.
Created by Jennie Snyder Urman (Jane the Virgin), Matlock has already been renewed for a second season.
Found S2 | Binge from Thursday, 31 July
Found returns from its mid-season break to answer the show’s most burning questions surrounding Sir’s obsession with recovery specialist Gabi Mosely and her team as they continue working tirelessly to find missing people forgotten by the system.
Created by Nigerian-American Nkechi Okoro Carroll (All American, All American: Homecoming), Found was NBC’s biggest-ever launch on Peacock and won a NAMIC Vision Award for Drama and a Gracie Allen Award for Hampton. She was also nominated at this year’s Image Awards, where the show was up for Outstanding Drama Series for the second year in a row.
MOVIES
WE LIVE IN TIME | Stream from Monday, 7 July
Romance and reality collide in We Live in Time, a decade-spanning love story starring Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Landing on Showmax from Monday, 7 July, this moving drama traces a relationship through the small moments and life-changing twists that define us.
Directed by the BAFTA winner John Crowley (Brooklyn), We Live In Time earned Crowley a Best Director nomination at the 2025 Irish Film and Television Awards, where Pugh was up for Best International Actress.
HERE | Stream from Monday, 14 July
Oscar winner Tom Hanks and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright reunite with the Forrest Gump dream team for Here, a poetic drama set entirely in one room across generations.
Streaming from Monday, 14 July, the film explores memory, love, and legacy with groundbreaking visuals and a stacked cast. It’s a reflective, emotional journey that rewards slow watching.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Contact) and screenwritten by Eric Roth (Killers of the Flower Moon, Dune: Part One, A Star is Born), Here is stacked with A-listers like Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Dockery and more.
TRAP | Stream from Thursday, 24 July
In this twisted thriller, Josh Hartnett plays a father who takes his daughter to a pop concert, only to realise they’ve walked into something far more dangerous than they imagined. If you love smart, suspenseful setups with a dark payoff, Trap delivers.
Trap was directed by the Oscar-nominated writer-director M. Night Shyamalan and will be available on Showmax from Thursday, 24 July.
ROB PEACE | Stream from Thursday, 31 July
Closing out the month on a powerful note, Rob Peace arrives on Thursday, 31 July. Based on a true story, it follows a gifted Yale student whose future is threatened by the sacrifices he makes for family.
Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor and starring Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Camila Cabello, this deeply personal drama asks tough questions about race, class, and the cost of loyalty.
The Big Brother Naija Season 11 House has recorded its first evictions on Sunday night, with Martins and Mercedes leaving the competition after polling the fewest votes from viewers.
Speaking with host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu after his eviction, Martins remained positive about what comes next, saying he plans to surprise the world with his next steps outside the House.
For Mercedes, the eviction was not something she considered a loss. She said she gave the experience everything she had and was proud of how she spent her time in the House. On what comes next, she revealed plans to perform globally while continuing to build her massage and concierge businesses. She also shared that one of her priorities is paying for her father’s surgery.
Chimsom Chuka Takes the First Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) Title
While two housemates said goodbye to Biggie’s House, the evening also brought a new advantage for Chimsom Chuka, who emerged as the first Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW). The title earned him the betPawa Elite Award and immunity from next week’s eviction.
This adds another layer to the competition as the remaining housemates settle into the reality of the game, with strategies, alliances, and individual influence already beginning to take shape.
Nomy Receives Strike and Final Warning
Moments before the live eviction show, Big Brother summoned the housemates for a meeting following repeated violations of his instructions by Nomy. After addressing the importance of following the House rules, Big Brother issued Nomy a strike and final warning, making it clear that housemates cannot choose which of his instructions to follow.
With two housemates already out of the competition and Chimsom Chuka holding immunity for the coming week, the race for the N160 million grand prize is fast heating up.
Keep up with all the drama, suspense and gameplay in Big Brother Naija Season 11 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49, or watch it live on DStv Stream. Download the DStv Stream app and sign up – no dish, no decoder needed.
Every great movie starts with a decision; sometimes it’s the decision to do the right thing. Sometimes it’s the decision to fight back. Other times, it’s a split-second choice that turns an ordinary day into complete chaos.
This August, GOtv’s movie lineup is built around characters whose lives change because of one decision. Some are chasing redemption. Some are fighting for survival. Others are simply trying to make it through the madness they’ve found themselves in. Whatever your movie preference, these are stories that will keep you invested from beginning to end.
When bad decisions become great comedy
Let’s be honest, some of the funniest movies are built around people making one terrible decision after another. That’s exactly the kind of fun Bad Behaviour (Stunt) brings. Airing every Friday on TNT, the comedy is packed with chaotic moments, outrageous situations and plenty of laughs, making it the perfect way to leave the stress of the week behind and ease into the weekend.
Catch Bad Behaviour (Stunt) every Friday from 7 August at 2:55 pm on TNT, available on GOtv Max and higher packages.
One act of courage changes everything
There are action movies, and then there are movies that leave you wondering how the characters survived at all.
In Mad Max: Fury Road, Imperator Furiosa risks everything when she decides to help a group of women escape from the ruthless Immortan Joe. Along the way, she crosses paths with Max Rockatansky, and together they embark on a relentless fight for freedom across a brutal wasteland. With breathtaking action, unforgettable chase scenes and Charlize Theron’s commanding performance, it’s easy to see why the film remains one of the most celebrated action movies of its generation.
Watch Mad Max: Fury Road on Saturday, 8 August at 8:00 pm on Studio Universal, available on GOtv Supa+.
Starting over isn’t always simple
Everyone deserves a second chance. Unfortunately for Tom Dolan, getting one isn’t as easy as confessing the truth.
In Honest Thief, Tom decides to come clean about the money he stole years earlier so he can build an honest future with the woman he loves. But instead of finding justice, he discovers that two FBI agents have plans of their own. What follows is a gripping game of cat and mouse where trust is scarce, danger is everywhere, and survival becomes the only option.
Catch Honest Thief on Friday, 14 August at 8:00 pm on MovieRoom, available on GOtv Max and higher packages.
When giving up isn’t an option
Losing his sight could have marked the end of his story. Instead, it becomes the reason he writes a new one.
Blind War follows a former SWAT officer whose quiet life is shattered when the enemy from his past resurfaces and threatens his daughter. Forced back into action, he must rely on his instincts, determination and years of training to protect the person who matters most. It’s an emotional action thriller that proves courage isn’t measured by what you can see, but by what you’re willing to fight for.
Catch Blind War on Saturday, 29 August at 7:00 pm on KIX, available on GOtv Supa and higher packages.
Four movies. Four unforgettable stories.
Whether you’re looking for something to make you laugh after a busy week, an action film that keeps your heart racing or a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming, GOtv’s August movie lineup has something for every mood.
So the next time you’re wondering what to watch, you won’t have to spend half the evening searching. Just pick a movie, settle in and let the story take over.
To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A Nigerian actress, Temitope Osoba, fondly called Tope Osoba by her fans, has reportedly passed away.
She died barely a year after she survived a battle with breast cancer, reports say.
The 41-year-old entertainer left the acting world to cater to her health, but returned shortly after she had a successful treatment in 2025.
The movie producer, however, has not been very active in the past months, ostensibly due to her health.
Her demise has come as a shock to some of her colleagues and admirers, as she was very lively during her lifetime.
Details about the unfortunate incident, which became known to her fans on Wednesday morning, have not been given by her family.
