Ever wondered where the inspiration for the James Bond franchise came from, and the role its creator Ian Fleming played during World War II as part of a top-secret combat unit?

Directed by The Gentlemen‘s Guy Ritchie, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Prime Video, July 25)  tells the story of the first special forces organisation formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

It was made up of a small group of military officials, including author Fleming, who went on to write a series of post-war spy novels (he wrote 14, the first was Casino Royale in 1953).

Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, this feature-length action comedy stars Henry Cavill (Superman), Eiza González (Baby Driver) and Alan Ritchson (Reacher).

The unit, made up of “rogues and mavericks” goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using unconventional and “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques.

Ultimately, their approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun: Maverick, Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure), the critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 93 per cent audience score.

“Cranking up a true story of derring-do into a high-octane action flick that’s heavy on spectacle if not suspense, [this] is another solid entry into Guy Ritchie’s pantheon,” it wrote.

And this: “Similar in style to the superior Inglourious Basterds & yes Guy Ritchie movies do imitate in style Tarantino movies, but boy are they enjoyable”.

Southern Blast, July 1, YouTube

For a change of pace, this 45-minute documentary from the Surfrider Foundation Australia explores the impacts of seismic blasting in the Southern Ocean.

The film shines a spotlight on the impact of potential seismic blasting on marine ecosystems and primary industries in the Southern Ocean.

Wimbledon, July 1, Stan

Alex de Minaur, currently ranked No.9 ​after his Roland Garros campaign, has his eyes on a maiden grand slam trophy in the UK, as Ash Barty prepares for an invitational doubles match.

​Streaming from noon AEST every day direct from Wimbledon and exclusively on Stan Sport (select matches will also air on 9Gem and Nine from 7.30pm)

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, July 1, Stan

Based on the best-selling novels by Holly Jackson, the six-part series from the BBC stars Emma Myers (Wednesday), Anna Maxwell Martin (A Spy Among Friends), Gary Beadle (Rye Lane) and Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, Wonka).

The story begins after schoolgirl Andie Bell’s murder by her boyfriend Sal Singh. Case closed. The police and everyone know he did it.

But Pip Fitz-Amobi (Myers) isn’t so sure and she’s determined to prove it.

Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Photo: Netflix

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, July 3, Netflix

Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills.

After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Taylour Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy.

The Man with 1000 Kids, July 3, Netflix

The three-part series uncovers the story of Dutch scammer Jonathan Meijer, who is accused of travelling the world deceiving mothers into having his babies on a mass scale.

It the murky world of the fertility industry and uncovers how due to a lack of global regulations, some international fertility clinics continue to allow anonymous donations.

Fake, July 4, Paramount+

Inspired by Stephanie Wood’s powerful memoir, Fake follows Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie), who thinks she has found her perfect match when she meets successful Joe Burt (David Wenham).

But as the relationship intensifies, Birdie is torn between Joe’s magnetic pull and the instinct that her boyfriend isn’t all he has led her to believe.

Emma Roberts (Rex) with director Liz W Garcia shooting Space Cadet. Photo: Prime Video

Space Cadet, July 4, Prime Video

Emma Roberts stars as Tiffany “Rex” Simpson in a comedy about a Florida party girl who decides to turn things around and chase her childhood dream of going to space.

Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken, July 9, Paramount+

This two-part musical documentary follows Etheridge as she writes a new song inspired by her communication with five women locked up at a prison in her Kansas home town, the Topeka Correctional Facility.

The Serpent Queen, July 12, Stan

A US historical drama series focusing on the life of Catherine de  Medici, the 16th century Queen of France.

Collider says that while it’s a dramatisation, many aspects of the show are based on real history.

Lady in the Lake, July 19, Apple TV+

Described as a feverish noir thriller, this seven-part series stars Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Natalie Portman (May December), and Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram.

When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of these two women converge.

Portman plays Jewish housewife Maddie Schwartz and Ingrim plays Cleo Sherwood, a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore.

Those about to Die, July 19, Prime Video

“Epic insights” into the historical arena of the Roman Empire are explored in this historical drama series from director Roland Emmerich (Moonfall, Independence Day, Godzilla) and starring Oscar winner Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, King Lear) as Emperor Vespasian.

Nicolas Cage returns in Arcadian. Photo: Stan

Arcadian, July 20, Stan

Hollywood legend Nicolas Cage (The Surfer, Pig, National Treasure) is never far from our screens.

Here he plays a father who lives with his two sons on a fortified farm in a future setting where normal life on Earth has been decimated.

Olympic Games, July 26-August 11, Stan 

Over two weeks, Stan Sport will be showcasing all the big moments in 4K Ultra HD, a first for Olympics coverage in Australia.

Two exclusive daily shows will also keep fans informed with Olympic experts including Ash Barty, Grant Hackett, Nova Peris, Stephanie Rice and John Steffensen.