As the cultural calendar turns from summer blockbusters to autumn previews, European audiences have a rich mix of superhero spectacles, art exhibitions, and new music to explore. This week's highlights span London, Paris, and beyond, offering something for everyone from comic book fans to pop music enthusiasts.
Exhibitions
Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam at the Royal Academy of Arts, London
Until 25 October 2026, the Royal Academy of Arts in London presents a major retrospective of Victorian painter Richard Dadd. Known for his intricately detailed fairy paintings, Dadd's work transports viewers into enchanted worlds of legend and memory. Yet his art also served as a means to explore and exorcise his delusions. After killing his father in 1843, Dadd spent the rest of his life in psychiatric institutions, where he continued to paint and imagine realms beyond his confinement. The exhibition brings together more than 100 works, offering a fascinating glimpse into both his life and his artistic evolution.
Andy Warhol: Line and Image at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris
In Paris, the Musée du Luxembourg is hosting Andy Warhol: Line and Image until 10 January 2027. While Warhol is best known for his vibrant Pop art silkscreens, this exhibition focuses on his foundational drawings—approximately 150 pieces that reveal how pencil and paper shaped his creative process. From portraits and caricatures to self-promotional portfolios, the show also includes paintings and prints. It is a must-see for Warhol fans and aspiring artists alike.
Film
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland returns as the web-slinging superhero in his fourth solo film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, opening in cinemas across Europe on 29 July. Following the events of 2021's No Way Home, where Doctor Strange erased Peter Parker from the world's memory, the new film sees Parker grappling with the weight of his responsibilities. Strange metamorphoses and ruthless crime lords force him to confront one of his most dangerous threats yet. For those interested in spiders in real life, recent discoveries such as the Chilean recluse spider in Porto and the Nosferatu spider along the Baltic coast add a curious real-world parallel.
TV Series
Batman: Caped Crusader (Season 2)
For those craving more gritty comic book fare, Batman: Caped Crusader returns for a second season on Prime Video on 31 July. The animated series, which premiered in 2024, has built a dedicated following for its mature themes, pulpy atmosphere, and return to the character's noir roots. Season 2 continues to follow Bruce Wayne's early years as Batman, navigating allies and antagonists in Gotham City's rotten underbelly.
Bonus highlight: Furious, a psychological crime series starring Emmy Rossum as an FBI agent hunting a female serial killer, is now streaming on Disney+.
Music
Ariana Grande: Petal
Ariana Grande releases her eighth studio album, Petal, on 31 July. While her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the Wicked film adaptation may be behind her, the album's essence retains that character's spirit of shedding negativity and overcoming challenges. As the title suggests, this is music to bloom to—an uplifting blend of pop and R&B that promises to water listeners' eardrums.
For those seeking more cultural events across Europe, our recent round-up of European cultural highlights includes Edvard Munch's chocolate factory art and Jurassic sea monsters.
