What to Watch This Week
The 5 movies, TV shows, and events everyone will be talking about, for the week of July 9 to July 15.
Sports are a major driver of culture. They offer entertainment, excitement, and even community. This is true every day, but it’s especially true this summer, which is being dominated by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It feels like no matter where we look, soccer (or football, as the rest of the world calls it) is the topic of conversation; the world really feels united — even if we’re all cheering for different teams.
That frenzy won’t quiet this week, as both the quarterfinals and semifinals of the World Cup will be taking over screens everywhere. Will Messi and Argentina make it back to the finals? Will England finally bring it home? Or will a country that has never won the tournament before, like Morocco, leave victorious? Even when there might be a break from soccer, sports still rule thanks to the highly anticipated UFC match between legend Max Holloway and the polarizing Conor McGregor, who is participating in his first fight in five years. Or you can tune in for the sure-to-be-dramatic Season 8 finale of Love Island USA — though there’s an argument to be made that keeping up with daily episodes of the reality show for weeks is a marathon of its own.
For the week of July 9 to July 15, here are the five movies, TV shows, and events that will have everyone talking.
Love Island USA Season 8 Finale
When to watch: July 12 at 9 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock
Heading into the last week of Season 8 of Love Island USA, a whopping seven total contestants were eliminated, meaning six couples were left in the villa. That sets things up nicely for an invigorating — and hopefully dramatic — finale, especially as only four couples can make it to the end. From there, viewers will get to vote for their faves, before each member of the winning couple must decide if they’ll share the $100,000 prize or keep the entire pot for themselves. (Winners across Love Island franchises typically opt to split the cash. Romance!)
Right now, day-one couple Trinity and Bryce, or Brinity as the internet has coined them, seem to have the edge in popularity, but the wonderful thing about daily episodes is that anything, quite literally, could happen. The fervor around this season has only grown with every week, so the finale is essentially tantamount to a World Cup-level event for reality TV fans (just look at the countless watch parties across the country). Enjoy Love Island USA — and the fodder it provides for your group chats — while it’s still here, because it’s going to be a long wait for the next season.
FIFA World Cup: Quarterfinals & Semifinals
When to watch: All week
Where to watch: Fox, Peacock, Telemundo, etc.
So far, the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been spectacular. Just about every game has had soccer diehards and casual viewers on the edge of their seats, practically in disbelief over what was unfolding. The all-out battle between England and Mexico at the storied Azteca, resulting in a series of back-and-forth goals and a red card before the English won 3-2? Breathtaking. Living GOAT Lionel Messi leading his Argentina side to scoring three goals in less than 15 minutes (including one in stoppage time) to seal a victory against Egypt? Unforgettable.
As the tournament enters the quarterfinals and semifinals this week, the matches will continue to get grittier and more exciting. The quarters kickoff on July 9 with France vs. Morocco (4 p.m. ET), and it’s fair to say each game features heavyweights of the sport. Also vying for spots in the semis are Spain and Belgium (3 p.m. ET on July 10), Norway and England (5 p.m. ET on July 11), and Argentina vs. Switzerland (9 p.m. ET on July 11). What other memories (and generational memes) will be made on the way to sporting history? We’ll all find out together.
Check out how to watch the World Cup, including streaming links and match results.
UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2
When to watch: July 11
Where to watch: Paramount+
UFC fighters Conor McGregor and Max Holloway first faced off against each other 13 years ago when Ireland’s McGregor won by unanimous decision. Since then, McGregor (22-6) has become a controversial figure (with a long history of legal issues), known as much for his ostentatious style and verbal sparring as he is for his fighting prowess as the first UFC fighter ever to hold two titles simultaneously. American Holloway has become a UFC great, going on a 13-match winning streak in the 2010s and earning a career-to-date record of 27-9.
Now, the duo are reuniting in the octagon for UFC 329 in Las Vegas, and it’s a big deal. This is McGregor’s first fight in five years (he broke his leg during a match in 2021), but when he steps up for a competition, it’s like a rallying cry for fans to pay attention. Holloway, meanwhile, is looking to further cement his legacy, but will be competing at welterweight (up to 170 lbs) instead of his usual featherweight/lightweight (up to 145 lbs and 155 lbs, respectively). Will moving up in weight class for this bout throw him off his game? Regardless of the outcome, this is a highly anticipated matchup, so much so that, like the World Cup, it will capture attention beyond avid fans. If you need a break from soccer, but have enjoyed watching rowdy sports events in a group, you’re going to want to tune in.
The Invite
When to watch: July 10
Where to watch: In theaters
A24’s The Invite has serious potential to be the first word-of-mouth hit movie of the summer. The buzz around the dramedy, which stars Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, started when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and it keeps getting stronger — look no further than its Certified Fresh status and 96% on the Tomatometer for proof. Now getting a wider theatrical release, the film follows a couple struggling in their marriage host a dinner party with their neighbors, and when the night takes an unexpected turn, it could ultimately save or destroy their relationship.
The Invite is being billed as entertaining and relatable, but it’s also notable because Wilde stars and directs it. It’s an excellent rebound for a woman filmmaker who faced intense backlash after her last film, Don’t Worry Darling, was critically panned and had a ton of scandal surrounding it. But regardless of the caliber of talent involved, The Invite is the type of movie that will make you want to dissect its many interesting plot points and ideas as you walk out of the theater. Watch it, enjoy it, and perhaps you’ll have something to talk about at your next dinner party.
Buy tickets on Fandango.
Evil Dead Burn
When to watch: July 10
Where to watch: In theaters
The year of horror continues with Evil Dead Burn. The sixth installment of the popular franchise created by Sam Raimi (who acts as a producer on this one) digs deep into gore, grief, and mayhem as a woman (Souheila Yacoub) sets off to spend time with her in-laws in a secluded home after her husband dies. What was supposed to be a healing retreat turns into a nightmare as everyone in the family turns into a Deadite (a demon spirit that possesses a human body).
First reviews indicate that Evil Dead Burn is more gruesome, grotesquely violent, and meaner than any other entry in the franchise. It’s also a standalone sequel, following 2023’s Evil Dead Rise, so you don’t need any preexisting knowledge about other movies in the series to watch this one. While the flick probably won’t reach the heights of 2026 genre breakouts like Backrooms and Obsession, it can act as a satisfying, summer-worthy addition to the horror field — especially if you love a gross-out fright.
Check out what critics are saying, and buy tickets on Fandango.
