How to avoid the World Cup: a guide to films, TV, and music
A wealth of film, TV, and music releases offer a perfect escape from the World Cup this summer.
Film
Cinema is a great refuge from football. Horror sensations Obsession and Backrooms are still showing, and Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day is coming soon. Next Friday brings Toy Story 5, praised for its screen addiction theme. On 26 June, Jackass: Best and Last and Jodie Foster's French-language debut A Private Life arrive. 1 July sees Minions & Monsters, and 3 July brings Olivia Wilde's The Invite and Nirvanna: The Band – The Show – The Movie. On 10 July, both Evil Dead Burn and the live-action Moana hit theaters. Finally, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey lands on 17 July, the day of the final.
Television
TV offers many alternatives. The finale of Apple TV's Widow's Bay airs next Wednesday. The following day, Netflix's Harlan Coben thriller I Will Find You starring Britt Lower premieres. On 21 June, House of the Dragon season 3 begins, and on 26 June, The Bear returns for its final season. The same day, HBO Max starts Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, Larry David's take on US history. On 3 July, Apple TV's Silo season 3 premieres. On 15 July, Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham star in Ride Or Die on Prime Video. On 17 July, Heartstopper Forever concludes with a feature-length episode.
Music
Festivals like Isle of Wight, Creamfields, and TRNSMT provide football-free zones. Major concerts include Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, System of a Down, Wolf Alice, and Kneecap. Notable albums: The Strokes' Reality Awaits (24 July), Madonna's Confessions on a Dancefloor: Part II (3 July), The Rolling Stones' Foreign Tongues (10 July), Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell and Steve Lacy's Oh yeah? (both 17 July). Graham Coxon releases the 2011-recorded Castle Park, while Parts & Labour drop Set of All Sets and Show Me the Body release Alone Together (10 July).
