Celebrate the Fourth with Summer Blockbusters, Sports, Fireworks, and More

With Americans finally leaving their homes, the television landscape prepares for a relatively normal July 4, complete with fireworks displays, blockbuster summer movies, and Major League Baseball matchups. Highlights incude Amazon's Chris Pratt-led sci-fi action flick The Tomorrow War, Questlove’s Summer of Soul doc about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and Barack and Michelle Obama’s musical history lesson We the People. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy this holiday weekend:

FRIDAY JULY 2

The Tomorrow War: When time travelers arrive from 2051 with a warning about a deadly war with an alien species, former Delta Force operator Dan Forester (Chris Pratt) teams up with a scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) and his estranged father (J.K. Simmons) to secure a better future for his daughter. Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, and Edwin Hodge also star. Watch trailer. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Summer of Soul: Questlove's award-winning doc showcases never-before-seen footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, including performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Gladys Knight & the Pip. Watch trailer. Streaming on Hulu

The Boss Baby: Family Business: Original movie. Alec Baldwin’s precocious baby is all grown up in DreamWorks’ sequel, which follows Ted (Baldwin) and his older brother Tim (James Marsden) as they reunite to help Tim’s infant, Tina (Amy Sedaris), with a secret mission. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

Fear Street Part 1: 1994: Netflix’s three-part adaptation of R.L. Stine’s trilogy begins with a slasher flick about a group of teens who learn that the terrifying events in their town may be connected — and that they may be the next targets. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Big Timber: Complete first season. Logging takes center stage in this Netflix reality show about a lumber crew braving the dangerous conditions of Vancouver Island, Canada in hopes of hitting pay dirt. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Trying: Season finale. Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall) must overcome yet another obstacle in their adoption journey in the Season 2 finale of the British comedy. Streaming on Apple TV+

Emergency Call: Season finale. 911 operators respond to calls about a motorcycle accident, a possible drug overdose, and hikers stranded on a mountain cliff as ABC’s docuseries wraps its first season. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

Dynasty: Laura Leighton (Melrose Place) guest stars as an SEC officer in a new episode of The CW's soapy drama. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on The CW

SATURDAY JULY 3

NASCAR: The Xfinity Series continues with the Henry 180, live from Road America in Wisconsin. 2:30 PM ET/11:30 AM PT on NBC

Major League Baseball: Depending on your region, you’ll be able to catch one of three FOX MLB games, all at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT:

• Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals
• Houston Astros at Cleveland Indians
• Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics

A Date with Danger: TV Movie. When her best friend goes missing, Nikki (Lara Jean Chorostecki) begins to suspect that her boyfriend (Jamie Spilchuk) is hiding something. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime

Let Him Go: Premium cable premiere. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane reunite in this 2020 Western about grieving parents who set out to rescue their young grandson from a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on HBO

NHL Stanley Cup Finals: The action moves to Canada as the Montreal Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 3. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

SUNDAY JULY 4

We the People: Complete first season. Executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, this modern-day Schoolhouse Rock combines music and animation to teach kids about American history and social movements. Featuring original songs from H.E.R., Janelle Monae, Brandi Carlile and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

NASCAR: The NASCAR Cup Series continues at Road America, also known as America’s National Park of Speed. 2:30 PM ET/11:30 AM PT on NBC

Major League Baseball: The Subway Series is back as the New York Mets travel to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees. 7:00 PM ET on ESPN

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular: Special presentation. Macy’s lights up the New York City skyline with its 45th annual fireworks show, featuring performances from Coldplay, OneRepublic, Reba McEntire, and Black Pumas. At 10 p.m. ET, NBC will air an encore presentation for those who missed the first airing. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

A Capitol Fourth: Special presentation. Singer, actress, and Broadway star Vanessa Williams hosts PBS’ annual Independence Day celebration live from Washington, D.C. The 90-minute event will feature pre-taped performances from Jimmy Buffet, Alan Jackson, Gladys Knight, and the National Symphony Orchestra, plus a live fireworks display over the nation’s capital. 8:00 PM ET on PBS

The One and Only Dick Gregory: Showtime spotlights Dick Gregory’s journey from influential comedian to on-the-ground activist in this moving documentary. Featuring interviews with Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, and Wanda Sykes. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime

Kevin Can F*** Himself: Episode 4 airs linearly on AMC, while AMC+ subscribers can also stream next week’s episode on the network’s subscription service. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on AMC

Little Birds: Lucy (Juno Temple) meets Bill (Matt Lauria), an undercover CIA agent posing as an artist. 9:30 PM ET on Starz

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.