Ryan Gosling is the man of the moment right now thanks to Project Hail Mary, but even the coolest movie star on the planet can’t avoid being upstaged by his extraterrestrial co-star. And it’s not surprising, really, given how adorable Rocky is.

If you’ve seen the new sci-fi movie, you’ll know just how brilliant that little fella is, and his chemistry with Gosling’s Ryland Grace is the crowning feature of this excellent film. But the concept of lovable aliens is nothing new.

For decades, science fiction stories have produced some of the cutest, most endearing creatures you could imagine. So, here are five of the sweetest movie aliens, kicked off with a special tribute to our new favourite, Rocky.

1. Rocky in Project Hail Mary (2026)

Having read the book beforehand, I had a feeling that Rocky would steal the show in Project Hail Mary. But even I didn’t quite expect the outpouring of love towards this spider-shaped boulder that has come with the release of the film. From the moment he’s introduced – and especially once he’s given a voice – Rocky is relentlessly kind, inquisitive, and very, very funny.

While his selflessness and compassion are the qualities that win us over in the film, we should also give special mention to the technical process that brought Rocky to life here. Rather than relying solely on CGI, the Project Hail Mary crew created an animatronic version of the character, with which Gosling could form a genuine bond. The voice work by puppeteer James Ortiz – who wasn’t even supposed to take on the vocal elements of the character – is also instrumental to making this whole dynamic a success. He brings such a playful, sincere vibe to the relationship with Gosling’s Grace.

2. Stitch in Lilo & Stitch (2002)

From one loveable alien who goes above and beyond to learn the ways of humankind, to another that quite honestly lives for nothing but sheer, unadulterated chaos. Stitch, or Experiment 626, as he’s officially known, is the very definition of a wildcard. From the moment he crash lands on Earth, he destroys pretty much everything he touches, but it’s hard to stay mad at this little blue guy.

The animated version of Lilo & Stitch is so full of life and colour, and all of that charm is entirely dependent on the infectious energy of its titular alien. This film is 86 minutes of pure joy, with wonderful music, striking visuals, and a heartwarming story. Find it on Disney+, along with the live-action movie.

3. Baby Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Listen, baby versions of anything are just cute – I don’t make the rules. And few are quite as cute as Baby Groot. He shows up in the post-credit scene of the first movie, but it’s in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 where he really steps up. From dancing around during the opening battle sequence to making hilarious mistakes trying to rescue Rocket and Yondu, and almost messing up the climactic mission, Baby Groot is truly in his own little world. And it’s one I’d love to be a part of.

The film itself is a blast. It looks great, especially the vibrant visuals on Ego’s planet, and James Gunn does a brilliant job building on the excellent characters he established in the first outing for this quirky band of reluctant heroes. It’s not quite as funny as the first film, but Vol. 2 arguably has a more interesting and meaningful narrative. Plus, it’s got Kurt Russell, which automatically makes any film ten times better.

4. E.T. in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. may well be the most famous movie alien of all time. The iconic star of the Steven Spielberg movie is, let’s be honest, a little bit gross to look at, but it’s what’s inside that counts. And, in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, this wrinkly dude proves he’s packing a lot of heart, as well as the bravery to stand up for his newfound friends.

There’s just something about Spielberg’s movies. The man is obviously a legendary filmmaker, and E.T. is just one of many examples of how he’s able to produce genuine magic. It’s sentimental and a little bit silly, but it’s also incredibly imaginative and wholesome; all executed with impeccable technical skill, as always.

5. Ewoks in Return of the Jedi (1983)

If The Mandalorian and Grogu end up being as good as I hope, then you may well see Baby Yoda replacing the Ewoks in this list, but for now, the inhabitants of Endor will get their flowers. They’re fluffy and mischievous, but don’t be fooled, the Ewoks are brave and animalistic, and they put up quite a fight in the Battle of Endor.

It’s crazy to me that Star Wars fans weren’t happy with the introduction of the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. They said the inclusion of these cute alien bears undermined the seriousness of the overarching story, but let’s get it straight: the Rebellion would not have won without the Ewoks. 

6. Glordon in Elio (2025)

Just months before Rocky came into our lives in Project Hail Mary, we got another amazing alien in the form of Glordon, from the Disney Pixar movie, Elio. Like Rocky, Glordon completely steals the show and immediately earns your affection with his super sweet voice and gloriously innocent nature. Even though he looks like a tardigrade, all you want to do is give him a big cuddle and be his best buddy.

His emotional arc in Elio is the very core of the movie, too. Glordon feels he isn’t strong enough to gain his father’s love, but he eventually learns that sensitivity, kindness, and loyalty are far more important traits to cling to. My partner and I took our son to see it at the cinema and had so much fun together, so it will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the ideal adventure for any family with young kids to entertain, and I don’t think it would have been half as delightful were it not for Glordon.

Rewatching some old movies as an adult comes with a very specific kind of whiplash. You go in expecting nostalgia, and instead, it leaves you questioning your entire moral compass. Characters you once hated suddenly feel reasonable. And the ones you rooted for seem a little selfish, slightly immature, and sometimes just straight-up wrong. I think a lot of that comes down to perspective.

When we're younger, we gravitate toward big gestures, romance, rebellion, and chasing our dreams no matter what. But with a bit more life behind you, you start realizing the importance of things like boundaries and accountability. That's why revisiting old faves (on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+) feels like finding a totally different story hiding under the one we thought we knew. Here are six movies that made us pick the wrong villain. 

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada begins when Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) gets a job at Runway magazine, working under the famously demanding Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy is completely out of her depth at first and feels like her boss is impossible to please. When she eventually adapts and starts enjoying her work, her personal life starts to fall apart.

Miranda is positioned as the villain because she expects Andy to be on call 24/7, which her boyfriend, Nate (Adrian Grenier), absolutely hates. He also starts to resent the change in Andy, dismisses her work, and frames her ambition as a personality flaw. So the real antagonist is not Miranda. It's Nate for making Andy feel guilty for wanting to stay in a job that will advance her career.

The Devil Wears Prada no longer feels like a "takedown of a monster boss" story. It's really about how uncomfortable people get when a woman starts putting herself first. Miranda isn't warm, sure, but she's not pretending to be. That honesty feels a lot less villainous than Nate's passive-aggressive disappointment. If you like workplace dramas like The Intern (2015), this movie is a must.

The Karate Kid (1984)

The Karate Kid begins when Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) moves to a new town and quickly finds himself at odds with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who happens to be a skilled karate student. With the help of Mr. Miyagi, Daniel trains to defend himself and ultimately enters a karate tournament. Johnny is presented as the classic bully, but the situation is more complicated than that.

Daniel randomly shows up in Johnny's life, escalates conflicts, and refuses to back down even when he arguably should. But neither of them is the bad guy. The real problem is the toxic philosophy of the Cobra Kai dojo, which uses aggression and manipulation to motivate its students. Strike first, strike hard, no mercy is a cool catch phrase, but it is a little problematic.

Rewatching it now, The Karate Kid feels less like a simple underdog story and more like a clash of perspectives. Johnny isn't innocent, but he's also not the one-dimensional villain we remember. And Daniel isn't without his flaws either. That shift makes the whole story more interesting. The 2018 series Cobra Kai explores this in more detail.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Mrs. Doubtfire follows Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), a fun-loving father who loses custody of his children after a messy divorce from Miranda (Sally Field). Desperate to stay in their lives, he disguises himself as a British nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, to get back in their good graces. Miranda initially feels too strict and is made to feel like the bad guy in the family's dynamic.

But the reality is she's just parenting, which means holding everything together while Daniel undermines structure at every turn. And let's not forget that he literally deceives his entire family while pretending to be the nanny. When you add that to his refusal to grow up and be the parent his kids need him to be, he becomes the problem.

The film is still a fun watch because Williams is genuinely funny. But there's an undercurrent that feels a bit uncomfortable, like we're being asked to laugh at something that's actually kind of invasive. That vibe makes it more complicated than it first appears. Fans of comedies like Liar Liar (1997) will love this movie, flaws and all.

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

My Best Friend's Wedding follows Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts), who realizes she's in love with her best friend Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) just days before he's set to marry Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). Determined to stop the wedding and win him over, she manipulates situations and lies like a pro. Meanwhile, Kimmy is framed as the obstacle who is the too-perfect, slightly naive fiancée.

But she's actually the most emotionally honest person in the film. Julianne, on the other hand, is deeply selfish, and Michael doesn't help matters by entertaining the emotional ambiguity instead of setting clear boundaries. If anything, the real villain is this dynamic where no one is being fully honest except the person being painted as the problem.

This is what makes My Best Friend's Wedding so fascinating. It doesn't try to fully redeem Julianne, and it lets her live with the consequences of her actions. It's a rom-com, but it's also kind of brutal about what unreciprocated love can turn into. The movie is perfect for fans of complicated, slightly uncomfortable romance like 2009's 500 Days of Summer.

The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network chronicles the life of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) during his college days. The story details the rapid rise of a platform that changes everything. Meanwhile, Mark's relationship with Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) deteriorates as business pressures mount. At the same time, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer) accuse him of stealing their idea.

Mark is often framed as cold and calculating. But the more you think about it, the more it feels like he's just exposing the entitlement and opportunism in everyone around him. Depending on your point of view, the ethics lawsuits leveled at Mark are just about a group of people all trying to claim ownership over something none of them fully controlled.

What makes this film so sharp is that it doesn't offer a clean moral answer. Mark isn't exactly likable, but he's also not uniquely terrible either. He's just the one who succeeded. And in most cases, that makes him the easiest target. The Social Network is perfect for viewers who enjoy dialogue-heavy dramas like Steve Jobs (2015).

Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl begins when Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) becomes the prime suspect after his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing. As the police investigate, the media frenzy intensifies, and cracks in their marriage begin to show. What follows is a series of twists that completely reframe everything we thought we knew. And Amy is painted as the bigger red flag than her husband.

Amy's revenge actions are really extreme and often downright diabolical. But Nick's dishonesty, infidelity, and emotional disengagement created the conditions for what she did and everything that followed. So the real villain isn't just him or her. It's a relationship built on resentment, distrust, and many unspoken expectations.

This is what makes Gone Girl so effective. It doesn't let you settle into comfortable judgment. It keeps changing, which basically forces you to question not just the characters, but the idea of "sides" altogether. It's a great pick for anyone who enjoys dark, psychologically messy movies about relationships like Marriage Story (2019).

Part of watching TV means growing connected to characters over a long period of time. The medium supports it. Unfortunately, that means you eventually experience the absolute gut-punch of a character dying shockingly. Sometimes, it’s because an actor wants to move on from a role. It can also be because the story moves to a place where a character’s death shakes up everything and everyone else. Regardless, it’s never easy to watch a beloved character die, even if it makes sense for the show—and especially when it doesn’t. 

With the sheer number of shows on TV right now, this list is far from exhaustive. It is, however, 10 of the most jaw-dropping deaths to have occurred on the small screen since 2016. (One of which happened recently with Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) on NCIS (2003). I’m still in disbelief about that one!) You can catch these shows on HBO Max, Hulu, and more.

10. Logan Roy - Succession (2018-2023)

Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) death is foreshadowed in the name of the show, Succession. For there to be any succession with his children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin), Logan must die. Yellowstone (2018) deals with a similar conflict after the death of its patriarch, John Dutton (Kevin Costner). However, Succession makes the expected unexpected in one of the most well-crafted episodes of TV in the last 10 years. 

It’s no real shocker that this cast and crew turn out a truly impressive episode of TV; they have the awards to back up their craft. This episode is a snapshot of it, though. Logan’s children find out about his death in a single take that spans nearly 30 minutes—half of the episode’s runtime. It’s also a narratively stunning choice to have Logan’s death occur off-screen and that early in the final season. Even though the character’s death is inevitable, Succession makes it shocking.

9. Joel Miller - The Last of Us (2023-Present)

The Last of Us finds itself in an interesting spot with the death of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal). People who have played the video game source material will know that this devastating twist is coming. They will almost be anticipating it, watching through their fingers. However, fans who come to the show without prior knowledge will be stunned by the choice.

I imagine it’s not an easy task to translate something that makes such an impact in its original form to another medium. Prime Video’s Fallout must do the same as it actualizes elements of the video game for TV. The Last of Us follows the video game’s lead, with Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) killing Joel in revenge for her father’s death. It’s brutal and graphic, and everyone, including Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, delivers visceral performances that stick with you.

8. Stefan Salvatore - The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)

The Vampire Diaries was no stranger to killing off characters during its eight-season run on The CW. Usually, though, its main trio, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder), and Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), were safe. If they did die, there was a supernatural loophole that pulled them from their previous fate. When Dobrev exited in Season 6, The Vampire Diaries put Elena in a coma to preserve the character until the final season. Sadly, Elena’s return occurred at the same time as Stefan Salvatore’s death in the series finale. 

Strangely, shows on The CW tend to kill off their leads in their final episodes. But Supernatural’s (2005) choice with Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) is a bit more confounding than The Vampire Diaries’ with Stefan. Stefan and Elena share one last moment in the space between life and death before Stefan sacrifices himself to Hellfire to ensure that a persistent antagonist (to say the least), Katherine Pierce (also played by Dobrev), dies, too. It’s a lot. The only silver lining for me is that Stefan eventually reunites with his brother, Damon, in the afterlife. Bittersweetly, the Salvatore Brothers are not immortal by the show’s end, but they are together.

7. Michael Cordero - Jane the Virgin (2014-2019)

Given the fact that Jane the Virgin pays homage to telenovelas, it shouldn’t be shocking that Jane Villanueva’s (Gina Rodriguez) husband, Michael Cordero (Brett Dier), dies. The show gives the audience false confidence when Michael survives a gunshot on the night of his and Jane’s wedding. A side effect of said injury comes back to haunt the happy couple a season later, killing Michael and changing the trajectory of the whimsical show and its lead. 

I remember being floored by this TV death. I thought Jane had her Happily Ever After with Michael. I was then confused for Jane when Rose (Bridget Regan), a series-long antagonist who also goes by Sin Rostro, revealed that she faked Michael’s death and gave him amnesia. Any attempt at the couple reconciling felt impossible when Michael returned as “Jason,” who had built a whole life for himself in Montana. It was a shocking and unforgettable time. If you want to see more of Regan as an antagonist, watch her as Monica Stevens on The Rookie (2018).

6. Poussey Washington - Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019) 

Poussey Washington’s (Samira Wiley) death in Orange Is the New Black is just as impactful now as it was when the episode aired in 2016. The character’s death is accidental. An untrained correctional officer tries to restrain Poussey during a peaceful protest against, ironically, prison guard brutality. The CO, Baxter Bailey, puts Poussey on the ground face-down and unintentionally suffocates her. Her body is left there, on the floor, for over 24 hours.

To make matters worse, Bailey lives with immense guilt but faces no criminal consequences. Despite her death being accidental, Poussey still died, and Bailey should have been held accountable for killing her. If you’re looking for another show that deals with real-world issues inside a women’s prison, the Australian drama, Wentworth (2013), has eight seasons.

5. Wes Gibbins - How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020)

During How to Get Away with Murder Season 3, it was clear that a main character would be killed off. Thrillingly, every episode revealed a new clue that kept the guessing game going. It was evident that even members of the “Keating 5” (five law students picked to work with Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating) could be the victim. I remember theorizing with friends about how it could be. Still, it was jaw-dropping when the legal drama revealed Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch) as the victim. Of all the characters, he felt the safest because he was so integral to the show.

The circumstances of his death were absolutely wild. To condense them: Wes was killed to stop him from testifying against the Castillo family’s illegal activities, before being put into Annalise’s house, which was then set on fire to cover up the initial cause of death. Then, Enoch returned as Wes and Laurel Castillo’s (Karla Souza) son, Christopher. All of which is an emotional and nostalgic wrecking ball. How to Get Away with Murder was a part of the iconic TGIT line-up with Grey’s Anatomy (2005) and Scandal (2012). It still holds up as an exciting trio of shows to watch together.  

4. Bellamy Blake - The 100 (2014-2020)

The 100 became synonymous with shocking deaths by the time the post-apocalyptic YA series wrapped up its seven-season run. I’m sure I’m not alone in knowing that I will never be over the controversial and back-to-back deaths of Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and Lincoln (Ricky Whittle). Lexa’s death was so jarring that it continued conversations about the “Bury Your Gays” trope, which found one of its earliest examples in Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997). It continued its bizarre track record with Bellamy Blake’s (Bob Morley) death.

Again, a show on The CW killed off one of the main characters in its final season. That said, Bellamy is one of the most confounding cases. Whether it was romantically coded or not is an argument for another day, but Bellamy and Clarke Griffin’s (Eliza Taylor) dynamic was one of the show’s strongest. Therefore, it was utterly mind-boggling to watch Bellamy betray Clarke’s trust in record-breaking time, only for Clarke to shoot and kill Bellamy, when his death was entirely avoidable. It made the rest of the final season even tougher to watch. If you’re looking for a show with a similar vibe but a more satisfying ending, try 12 Monkeys (2015).

3. Logan Echolls - Veronica Mars (2004-2019)

Veronica Mars has had many lives: two seasons on UPN, one on The CW, a movie—funded by a Kickstarter—released in theaters, a fourth and final (for now, I suppose?) season on Hulu. Over time, the romance between Veronica (Kristen Bell) and Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) evolved. The latter of whom had come a long way from who he was in high school. Even then, Logan’s “epic” monologue stood out among other iconic, romantic moments from early 2000s teen dramas, like Lucas telling Peyton, “It’s you,” in One Tree Hill (2003).

Needless to say, it came as a massive shock when the Season 4 finale killed Logan just after he and Veronica married. He was tragically killed by a car bomb planted by Penn Epner (Patton Oswalt). Logan’s death was in the final seconds of the season finale, too, so Veronica Mars never got the chance to show the fallout with Veronica. As a fan of the original series and this relationship, I wish there were a way to avoid Logan’s death or at least have another season to see why the show thought it was necessary. For now, it still hurts that it happened.

2. Leon Vance - NCIS (2003-Present)

Leon Vance, the Director of NCIS, who has been on the show since its fifth season, was killed off in the show’s 500th episode. That sentence alone is an extraordinary reflection of TV’s longevity and this show’s presence. That consistency from the character alone makes the absence of him now shocking. The landmark episode revealed that Vance had died after being shot by a CID Agent named Dolan Thompson (Matt Cook). 

The reveal itself is done with such care and drama. Vance seemingly debriefs the situation with someone who eventually reveals themselves to be a young Dr. Ducky Mallard (Adam Campbell), and that’s when the truth starts to unravel. In one of the most devastating line reads, Vance asks, “I wasn’t wearing my vest, was I?” Even typing that dialogue stirs up the emotions from watching the episode. It’s just stunning, and it’s not even the first time a character has been dead all along. I’m looking at you, Lost (2004).

1. Bobby Nash - 9-1-1 (2018-Present)

There was never going to be a different #1 spot for me. Bobby Nash’s (Peter Krause) death on 9-1-1 Season 8 is something I don’t think I will ever get over. I’m hoping the same is true for the show, honestly, because it’s impossible to imagine the first-responder procedural without him. Yes, Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi) is the captain of the 118 now, and it’s been a year since Bobby died in the show’s timeline. Still, the loss feels fresh because 9-1-1 so rarely kills off characters. It isn’t akin to Game of Thrones (2011), where anyone can die.

In fact, 9-1-1’s characters often defy death in even the most bizarre of circumstances. So, it was shocking when Bobby contracted Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in the lab where the 118 was responding to a call and died. It was especially strange considering Chimney and Hen, who had an open wound at one point, didn’t die. Bobby’s death didn’t make sense. Honestly, it still doesn’t. Maybe it never will. Maybe that’s the point. Regardless, Bobby left a mark on the show.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) is a goofy delight and a fitting follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Both movies are extended love letters to the gaming franchise that inspired them, as well as the larger world of Nintendo creations. The new film brings back Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Bowser, while also introducing new versions of Yoshi and Bowser Jr. to the central narrative.

Beyond them, the movie also finds some clever ways to reference other iconic corners of the larger Nintendo library. Some of these cameos just feel like clever Easter eggs meant to appease long-time fans. Others feel like direct teasers of where the series is going next, with the inclusion of Fox McCloud in a surprisingly prominent supporting role serving as a potential backdoor set-up for his own story. Here are all the notable Nintendo cameos that happen across The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Punch-Out!!

One of the slyest Nintendo deep-cuts in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the quick inclusion of Little Mac and Doc from Punch-Out!!. The boxing game series was a cult classic on the NES and has gotten a handful of sequels in the years since, with a particularly memorable one released on the Nintendo Wii. The boxing game was also referenced in The Super Mario Bros. Movie when the pizzeria Mario and Luigi go to has pictures of notable boxers from that series.

However, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie briefly sees an off-screen Mac running in his distinctive pink sweatshirt and sweatpants, followed by Doc on his bike. This implies that the events depicted in the Punch-Out!! games themselves, which put players in the role of Little Mac as he fights his way to the top of the sport against a colorful cast of competitors, haven’t happened yet and could even occur in future films.

Donkey Kong 

Played by Seth Rogen, Donkey Kong is a major supporting character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The comedy icon doesn’t have nearly as much of a role in the sequel, with the movie focusing on Yoshi, Rosalina, and Fox instead. However, there is a notable beat during Yoshi’s trip to New York City that reveals what Donkey Kong has been up to.

In the same montage where Yoshi passes Little Mac and Doc, Yoshi also sees Donkey Kong atop a construction site, causing some chaos. This is a reference to Donkey Kong, the arcade classic that also introduced Mario as Jumpman. This highlights that even within the world of the Mario movie, DK might be more of a solo character going forward, which is promising for anyone hoping to see The Studio (2025) star headline his own DK movie.

Wart (And Birdo)

Playing a memorable but minor role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Wart and his minions serve as a threat to Peach and Toad about halfway through the film. Wart is one of the older Mario villains, appearing as the antagonist of Super Mario Bros. 2. That game, which was actually a reskinned version of a different game, introduced Wart as a villain more in the vein of Bowser from the first film.

Played by Luis Guzman in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the cinematic version of Wart is recast as a cosmic crimelord. He also has some notable minions at his beck and call, including Birdo, a fan-favorite minion in Super Mario Bros. 2 who found larger popularity after she became a more consistent presence in tie-in games like Mario Kart. Given Wart’s history as a direct nemesis to Daisy and the way the post-credits scene introduces her to the cinematic universe, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wart return.

Honey Queen

The Honey Queen is one of the minor problems that Mario and Luigi encounter on their adventure in the new film. Played by Insecure (2016) creator Issa Rae, the Honey Queen is a quicker antagonist in the film than she is in the original games. The Honey Queen appeared in Super Mario Galaxy, the game that serves as the most direct inspiration for the new film. In both versions, she’s the ruler of a bee kingdom, although the film makes her far more regal and frustrated with Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi when they encounter her.

Unlike most of the cameos, which felt like clever Easter eggs or teases for where the franchise could go moving forward, the Honey Queen’s brief appearance serves a narrative purpose, making her potential reappearance less likely.

ROB 

One of the funniest cameos from an older Nintendo title in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is ROB, which is actually a very important part of Nintendo history. The Robotic Operating Buddy was a toy released in 1985 and helped play a major role in the launch of the NES in Western nations like the United States. ROB hasn’t received a formal game in some time, but has appeared as a frequent cameo across various Nintendo titles—and was made a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. fighting series.

The character, played by Ed Skudder (one of the creative leads of the first film), appears in a memorable gag in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as the robotic guide at the space port. It’s a clever way to slip the character in for a brief appearance. 

Pikmin 

One of Nintendo’s more recent franchises, Pikmin is an adorable strategy game that sees players venture through overgrown areas in hopes of helping the astronaut Olimar get back home. The rocket ship seen in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie contains many of the tiny Pikmin, highlighting just how small they are (and correctly recreating their scale from the video games). 

Pikmin wouldn’t be a surprising addition to Nintendo’s larger cinematic ambitions, especially if Illumination wanted to more fully replicate the success of Minions (2015) with the voiceless but colorful goofballs. As it stands, they work really well as a brief cameo, especially because their use of a rocket suggests that the events of the original game have already happened at some point in that universe. This also lays the groundwork for Olimar to appear in future Mario movies, as it seems confirmed that he at least exists in the same universe. 

Star Fox 

The biggest Nintendo cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is Fox McCloud from Star Fox. Played by Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and The Running Man (2025) star Glen Powell, Fox is the ace pilot and team leader for the Star Fox unit in the exciting sci-fi series of the same name. In the film, he’s been trapped in Mario’s universe as a result of a wormhole.

Fox actually gets to play off Mario, Peach, and Toad in some fun ways, setting up the kind of dynamic that a crossover film could further expand on. Fox very much has a Han Solo vibe in the film, with his apparent return home setting the stage for an adaptation of Fox’s adventures or laying the seeds for a larger Super Smash Bros. multiverse, thanks to his new interdimensional warp drive.

Mr. Game & Watch

A deep cut to the earliest days of Nintendo, the inclusion of Mr. Game & Watch is one of the most surprising and silly cameos in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The early handheld character was the focus of some of Nintendo’s earliest attempts at making games. Even predating classic icons of the gaming space like Pac-Man, Mr. Game & Watch was a quietly crucial stepping stone toward the game developer we have today.

Mr. Game & Watch shows up toward the end of the film, a creation of Luigi using Bowser Jr.’s brush. The character actually helps fight Bowser briefly, using some of the moves he’s also shown off in Super Smash Bros. games. However, he doesn’t last long in the full fight before getting taken down.

Daisy

Only appearing in the post-credits scene of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Daisy is one of the more exciting additions to the cinematic universe. Peach’s frequent partner in sports games and typically seen as Luigi’s love interest, Daisy has gained a steady fanbase over the years that relates to her seemingly more enthusiastic and silly personality, especially in contrast to the more regal vibes that Peach gives off.

While Daisy doesn’t talk in the post-credits scene, her place in the cosmic space suggests she still has her connection to Wart from the games. Any other entries in the series would likely bring her in, making this cameo similar in function to the way Shadow was teased at the conclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022).

If you're a millennial, you'll never listen to 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P" the same way after its opening notes etch their way into your brain in Anatomy of a Fall (2023).

The 96th Academy Award-nominated film is a unique murder mystery that effectively keeps viewers on their toes throughout the entire thing, leaving the end result completely unpredictable and riveting. Sandra Hüller delivers the kind of sensational performance that leaves you mesmerized, and frankly, she was the Oscar winner in my book. 

It isn't an easy film to watch, but it's a brilliant one nevertheless, and it's currently dominating JustWatch’s streaming charts with more people discovering its excellence. Now streaming on Netflix, as well as being free on Kanopy, if you haven't watched it yet, here's your chance to discover something that's completely in a league of its own. 

Sandra Hüller's Incredible Performance In ‘Project Hail Mary’ Leaves People Wanting More

There's a magnetism in Hüller's performances throughout every film she's in that makes it so easy to be entranced by her character and all that she's bringing to life. People who watched and are currently obsessed with Project Hail Mary (2026) will likely never forget the way she steals the show every time she's on screen, bringing in something remarkably human in the limited screen time she has. Eva Stratt isn't a character we spend too much time with, but every time she shows up, Hüller layers her interactions with so much heart that it's almost indescribable. 

Karaoke scenes aren't always evocative as they're meant to be more silly than serious, but in the same way that Hannah Waddingham delivers a heart-wrenching rendition of Frozen's (2013) "Let It Go," in Ted Lasso (2020), Hüller does something achingly similar with Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times" in Project Hail Mary. It's in this moment that we get a clear sense that the mission Ryan Gosling's Ryland Grace and astronauts Olesya Ilyukhina and Yao Li-Jie are about to go on will be catastrophically life-changing. Hüller's voice is gorgeous, but the emotions she brings to life with the urgency of the song are exactly what make her such a sensational supporting actor. You feel the weight and depth of every word she sings, and in a movie with very few character interactions, it's undoubtedly one of the strongest moments that leaves you wanting more.

Because of this scene (and really, her entire performance), people might be wondering what else the Academy Award-nominated actress is capable of, so turning to one of her most renowned features feels like the next best step. It's in Anatomy of a Fall that Hüller delivers her most stunning performance to date, showing us that every expression and tonal shift in her voice adds layers to her character. Outside of it being a uniquely written mystery that doesn't exactly rely on classic tropes the way whodunnits typically do, Hüller is a large part of the reason the film is so gripping. 

‘Anatomy Of A Fall’ Is Currently Streaming on Netflix

Often, when a film or a TV show is available to stream on Netflix, it tends to see a spike in numbers in a way that it wouldn't have gotten on any other streaming service. Despite the streamer's decision to raise prices and stop people from password sharing, it's still among the most popular streaming services that most homes have a subscription to.

In addition, despite its faults, Netflix's easily accessible layout makes it straightforward to see new releases and currently trending films, which helps pique our curiosity to click on them and watch. If Hüller's performance in Project Hail Mary isn't responsible for people wanting to see more of the actress, its availability on Netflix is surely a contributing factor. At the same time, people likely recognize that it's not exclusive to the streamer, and therefore, because it won't be around forever, watching it now should take priority over other series and movies. 

Word travels fast when something is great, and Anatomy of a Fall isn't just great, it's an incredibly unique and spellbinding murder mystery that deserves all this hype and more. It deserves recognition for everything that it accomplishes, specifically Hüller for her performance, and it feels exactly like the type of movie you text your friends about, wanting more excuses to talk about it. If you love gripping mysteries like Adolescence (2025) or even the underrated Juror #2 (2024), but have yet to watch Anatomy of a Fall, now's your chance to rectify this. From the setting to the profoundly intimate directing, there's something riveting in every frame that effectively elevates the sharp screenplay and ensures the film leaves a mark. 

Like most procedurals on air right now, the majority of viewers aren't tuning in for the cases or the action, but we're investing in the time for the character journeys and their relationships, both romantic and platonic.

This much is especially true for The Rookie (2018) because the romantic relationship between Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen, affectionately dubbed as Chenford by the fans, is one of the best pairings on TV. Their grumpy-sunshine dynamic has been an instant pull from day one, and the satisfying love story we've watched them build has been the best thing in the eight seasons thus far.

The best part about rooting for Chenford is that there are so many little moments throughout the series that showcase just how deeply the two care for each other and why they make such a solid pair. It's impossible to narrow down their best moments without writing a dissertation, but here are the ten most essential episodes for Chenford fans. In the meantime, you can stream The Rookie on Hulu now. 

Season 1, Episode 1 - Their First Meeting 

There's so much that happens in The Rookie's pilot episode, it's actually wild when we look back. It's the definition of every song or saying that emphasizes some sort of "looks like we made it" idea. Tim is ruthless as Lucy's training officer, and he isn't exactly kind, but the sprinkles of what they could be are already there, and we see this right as Tim shows a glimpse of vulnerability when they run into his ex-wife on the job. 

As the episode essentially shows that these two will be on patrol together a lot, the brief beat of Lucy telling him that she'll keep all this to herself also reveals so much of who she is as a person. It's in this opening episode that we can grasp that they're foils of one another, and the path that they'll go on will lead to big things for them both. There's so much that's packed into the first episode on an emotional level that it makes looking back incredibly sweet.

Season 2, Episode 11 - Tim Rescues Lucy

There's a moment in every procedural where the inclusion of the hurt/comfort trope practically indicates that the pair in front of us is the endgame romance, and for Tim and Lucy, it happens in "Day of Death," when Lucy is buried alive, and Tim frantically rescues her out of the dirt. Every Chenford fan remembers where they were when this came out, and the gorgeous way it indicated that these two are it for each other is still unmatched. 

This moment in The Rookie also features such tremendous performances from both Eric Winter and Melissa O'Neil that it's a shame network shows are seldom recognized at most award shows. It's a driving force in their relationship, where, while neither Tim nor Lucy has grasped that they might be interested in each other beyond their partnership, they know that the other is someone they'd move mountains for. There's also a quarantine scene in Season 1, Episode 20, "Free Fall," that's also an essential hurt/comfort moment, but if we had to choose one, Lucy buried alive wins by miles.

Season 4, Episode 22 - Practice Kiss 

Another trope that procedurals often play with is some sort of undercover kiss before the couple's real one, and the way it pans out with Chenford is utterly delicious. As Tim and Lucy are about to go undercover, Tim proposes that they should practice so they can actually fool the perps into believing they're a real couple. It's a little awkward, and Lucy adorably giggles through it at first, but when Tim plants the most chaste peck on her lips, she pulls him in for something more passionate. 

And despite this kiss being "fake," nothing about it feels fabricated because at this point, Tim and Lucy do have feelings for each other, even if they aren't saying it aloud. There's something really precious about the moment and how honest it feels, which makes it so special for the pair when we look back now that they're an established couple. 

Season 5, Episode 8 - Tim Asks Lucy Out

Though Lucy is still in a relationship with Chris when "The Collar" begins, discussions about her relationship with Tim on Patrol make them both realize they should actually act on theirs. "The Collar" is also the episode where he tells her that she "deserves someone worth the effort," and it helps her recognize that their partnership is the most important relationship she currently has and the one she wouldn't ever risk jeopardizing.

At the end of the episode, the two meet up to talk, and in an honest moment, Tim asks if she'd like to go out for dinner, but Lucy notes that she needs to break up with Chris first. She makes Tim promise that he'll ask her again under better circumstances, and thankfully, he does. Still, this quiet conversation gives us another phenomenal moment where both Winter and O'Neil prove that they know their characters so well that they can ensure brief scenes like this hold a ton of value.

Season 5, Episode 10 - First Date

In "The List," Tim and Lucy finally go on a first date, and she makes an adorable point about how they need a better story for their grandkids. It's a quiet dinner—two if we're really counting—and in the end, we get their first real kiss as a couple, which allows us to get proof of the fact that the undercover practice one also meant something, even though this is huge.

It's a culmination of sweet and tender moments that effectively show us that the couple is on the right path toward their forever, and the chemistry that has sparked between them throughout all their interactions is fully on fire here. Tim's attention being completely on her is also downright adorable throughout.

Season 6, Episode 2 - Chenford's First Love Declarations

While they're on a case and there's a lie detector present, all feelings come to the surface, and we get their first love declarations in a way that's so uniquely them that it makes the scene extra special. Yet, more than that, it's because everything leading up to this moment has come with a lot of changes for the couple, so hearing that Tim loves her is a necessary reassurance while we also get her declaration as they slow dance at Bailey and Nolan's wedding.  

Lucy going undercover is undoubtedly a sore spot for Tim because he's prone to worrying way more than he should, given everything we know about his ex-wife. However, it's this episode that reassures Chenford fans that what's between them is love, making the next few seasons easier to bear.

Season 6, Episode 6 - Chenford Break Up

"Secrets and Lies" breaks up Tim and Lucy when someone from his past comes knocking, and he keeps her in the dark about it. But interestingly, how this brings so much vulnerability to the surface is exactly what makes it meaningful. On a procedural like The Rookie, a breakup is also a significant shift right before bigger things happen for the couple, so as sad as it is, it's expected.

Tim needed to learn how to communicate better, but more importantly, he needed to understand that he and Lucy are a team and their relationship isn't like any of the ones he's had in the past. Keeping her in the dark does the polar opposite of protecting her, so how the episode frames their argument also leaves plenty of room for incredible performances.

Season 7, Episode 8 - Valentine's Day Hookup 

Valentine's Day is always a great time for The Rookie, and while their first one is great, there's something about their post-breakup one-night stand in "The Gala" that's hotter and perhaps even more meaningful. It's in this episode that we can see that not only do they still care about each other, but they miss each other, and the spark between them hasn't dimmed.

The episode makes it clear that once Tim heals from his demons and fully lets go, he can be the type of partner Lucy needs. At the same time, this beat of the two of them momentarily letting go and choosing each other serves as a reminder that there couldn't be anyone else in the picture because they were still waiting for each other.

Season 7, Episode 18 - Tim Proposes Getting Back Together

While The Rookie doesn't actively show us Tim going to therapy as much as it should, we learn that he is, and he's consciously working on his trauma to be a better partner to Lucy. At the end of the episode, he cooks her a meal and opens up, telling her that he's changed and thinks that they should try again, but she falls asleep on him instead.

It's a brief episode, but it's instrumental in reminding us just how much Tim cares because he's the one who needed to go the extra mile to remind her that there's nothing he wouldn't do for her. He's the one who needed to acknowledge that he's putting in the effort to be a partner to her, and this domestic move is subtly all that's needed to reveal that.

Season 8, Episode 1 - Tim Promises To Communicate Better

In the Season 8 premiere, "Czech Mate," Lucy and Tim finally get back together, and it's hard to believe that they'll ever be apart after this moment. There have been minor conflicts in the season thus far, and some big moments, too, like Lucy's first kill traumatizing her beyond words, but since Tim voiced that he was going to be a better communicator, he has been.

Their conversation out in the field wasn't just a few words strung together to make her believe him, but it was the truth straight from his heart. He's been honest with her at every turn, even while it's been hard, which does an effective job of delivering great character development. It's a simple moment, but so much of Tim's words in this episode have anchored the season beautifully, especially now that they've moved in together, taking the next step to strengthen their relationship.

Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, and Charithra Chandran recently chatted to JustWatch about the second season of Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece. And the conversation took an interesting turn when they were asked to pick the movie their respective characters would consider their favorites.

WATCH: Which Movies Would The Straw Hats Binge? The Cast Reveals Their Picks

Each of them chose a movie that reflects how their character sees the world, how they react to it, and what kind of energy they bring. "I think for Nami, any heist film," Rudd said, with Skylar suggesting 2011's Tower Heist as a fitting example. Mackenyu picked The Hangover (2009) for Roronoa Zoro, Gibson went with 1997's Hercules for Usopp, and Skylar picked 1993's Rudy for Sanji.

Godoy seemed a little unsure at first, saying, "I feel like Luffy maybe just likes cartoons." But the actor eventually made a solid choice. "Maybe like Space Jam (1996), something like that." Chandran imagined her character Nefertari Vivi gravitating toward a classic fairy tale. "I can imagine her favorite film being something like [Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs] (1937)," she explained.

None of those picks feels especially random. If anything, they line up quite neatly with how those characters come across on screen. Whether it's strategy, impulsiveness, optimism, or something a bit more idealistic, once you start looking at them that way, the choices begin to make a bit more sense. So even though the genres are different, the logic behind them is pretty similar.

Why These Movies Fit The 'One Piece' Characters So Well

Each choice focuses on a defining character trait. Take Nami, for example. The idea of her enjoying heist films makes sense almost immediately since her character (an expert cat burglar) joins the Straw Hat Pirates as their navigator. That role requires strategy and knowing how to read a situation before anyone else does. Heist movies tend to follow that same rhythm.

Zoro's pick feels different, but it still makes sense. The Hangover has a slightly unpredictable storyline, which lines up with Zoro using an unorthodox "Three Swords Style" in battle. There's a sense that things don't always follow a clean or expected path, and he's comfortable operating within that. He is also Luffy's first mate, which lines up with the buddy-comedy element of his movie choice.

Usopp's Hercules pick connects in a slightly more aspirational way. His character is built around storytelling and the idea of becoming something greater than he currently is. He talks himself up, sometimes before he fully believes it. But he really wants to be seen as brave and capable. A story like Hercules follows a similar arc, where the idea of being a hero comes before fully growing into it.

Sanji, going with Rudy, points to persistence and discipline more than anything else. Whether it's protecting others, his precious chef hands, or searching for the All Blue, there's a constant sense that he's willing to work for it, even when the outcome isn't guaranteed. That kind of determination lies at the center of a film like Rudy.

The idea of Nefertari Vivi connecting to Snow White is very idealistic. As a princess dealing with political conflict and responsibility, she carries a sense of duty, but also a belief in how things should be. Stories like Snow White tend to hold onto that kind of perspective. Even when the world becomes complicated, there's still a sense that things can be made right.

And then there's Luffy. The idea that he would just enjoy cartoons, or a hybrid like Space Jam, feels very on point since his entire character is playful and built around wanting to be free as the next King of the Pirates. He doesn't overthink things. He reacts, moves forward, and trusts how he feels in the moment. That same energy is what defines a lot of animated films.

Why To Watch 'One Piece' (And What To Watch After)

Based on Eiichiro Oda's long-running manga, One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate driven by a simple idea of freedom. He sets out in search of the One Piece, a legendary treasure said to grant its finder the title of King of the Pirates. Along the way, he builds a crew, finds his footing at sea, and crosses paths with rivals who are usually chasing the same things that he wants.

Part of what makes One Piece work, especially in its live-action form, is how the story moves between action, humor, and something a bit more emotional without feeling like it's shifting too sharply. That makes it easier to settle into, even if you're not familiar with the source material. Each episode adds just enough to hold your attention, while still featuring some quieter, character-driven moments.

If you want to understand the characters a bit better, going through the films that the cast mentioned would be a natural next step. Tower Heist, The Hangover, Hercules, Rudy, Space Jam, and Snow White can work as a kind of extension of their personalities. You might not even need a full season of One Piece to understand what drives them after checking out the movies that the characters love.

Even before it’s been released, a lot of eyes are on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026). The original film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, and it’s currently sitting at #14 on the streaming charts thanks to its availability on Peacock. Not only that, but The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to adapt one of the most beloved video games Nintendo has ever created, Super Mario Galaxy, a game that Nintendo has rereleased multiple times since its original 2007 release. People love Nintendo, and those hoping for more adaptations may be getting their wish granted.

In the week before The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s release, Nintendo decided to release a bombshell piece of news that has sent almost every video game fan into overdrive: Star Fox will appear in the movie. Now, fans are hoping that Nintendo is setting the framework for a Super Smash Bros. multiverse or movie. Is this possible, or just wishful thinking? Let’s break it down.

Who Is Star Fox? (And Why Is He In ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?)

With only one week before the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo and Illumination revealed in a poster that Fox McCloud, aka Star Fox, will appear in the film, with Glen Powell voicing him.

For younger Nintendo fans, that may not mean much. After all, the last Star Fox game was released a decade ago in 2017. But to long-time gamers, Fox McCloud is an underrated character in Nintendo’s pantheon of franchises, desperately in need of some newfound attention. He’s a mercenary pilot who frequently saves the galaxy from intergalactic threats alongside his comrades Falco, Peppy, and Slippy in their dogfighting spaceship, the Arwing. The games are fun, arcade-like experiences, and back in the ‘90s, it was as good as gold.

Star Fox’s inclusion in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie most likely has to do with the interplanetary threat that Bowser and Bowser Jr. pose. If they’re traveling around the cosmos and causing havoc, then it’s no surprise that they would get the attention of intergalactic fighter pilots trying to maintain universal peace. Nintendo has some other space-themed characters it could introduce to tackle Bowser, but they’re not as cuddly or family-friendly as Fox is. Sure, there is Samus Aran and her stoic, ruthlessly efficient self, but Star Fox fits more with the tone and vibe of the first film.

How Likely Is A ‘Super Smash Bros.’ Event Or Movie?

Because of Fox’s appearance and how he’s never appeared in any Mario game before, many people online are saying that his presence means that Nintendo is laying the foundation to create a Super Smash Bros. movie. 

For those who are unaware, Super Smash Bros. is a fighting franchise made by Nintendo that essentially serves as one of the largest crossovers in gaming. Mario can fight Pikachu from Pokémon (1997), Luigi can brawl with a Mii from the Nintendo Wii, and Peach can even take on characters from non-Nintendo series like Richter Belmont, who fans may have seen recently in  Castlevania: Nocturne (2023). It’s a tribute to everything that makes video games fun, and the thought of seeing such an experience in theaters on the same scale as Avengers: Endgame (2019) is simply irresistible.

Sadly, fans should temper their expectations. Much like how Nintendo has teased plans to make a Donkey Kong movie following his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Star Fox’s introduction may just be to generate interest in a spin-off film. Introduce him here, see how popular he is, and if audiences like him, then start developing a film. Sure, a Super Smash Bros. Movie may be exciting, but even if Nintendo were laying the foundation for one, it would be years, if not decades, before it could be fully realized. In all likelihood, if the rumors surrounding The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are true, any Super Smash Bros. movie would probably involve Mario and Luigi fighting their evil doppelgangers, Wario and Waluigi, rather than a huge crossover of the Nintendo franchises.

The Crossover Potential For Mario With Pokémon & Sonic The Hedgehog

Even if a Super Smash Bros. movie may not be in the cards, don’t rule out a potential crossover for Mario and specific Nintendo franchises. After all, Pixels (2015) and Ready Player One (2018) brought together multiple series from numerous video game developers into one film.

Immediately, one franchise that springs to mind is Pokémon. Pokémon is the most successful franchise of all time, and if Nintendo wanted to have some Pokémon appear in a future Mario movie, it’s more than possible. Yoshi is just as cuddly as any Pokémon, and given how Mario and Luigi travel to the Mushroom Kingdom through a magical pipe, there’s bound to be at least one pipe that could take them to Kanto or Johto to meet a Pikachu. 

But the biggest pipe dream of them all would be having Mario crossover with Sonic the Hedgehog. Back in the ‘90s, the two of them were vicious rivals. While crossovers between the two have become more commonplace with games like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, seeing them onscreen together would be magical. Is it likely? Probably not, given that Paramount owns the rights to the Sonic the Hedgehog films and Universal owns The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but they’ve put their differences aside before. It may seem far-fetched, but stranger things have happened. After all, Fox McCloud is going to appear for the first time in nearly a decade in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Anything’s possible.

Firefly (2002) stands out almost 25 years later as a true cult classic, one of the prime examples of a show cancelled before its time. A clever fusion of Westerns and sci-fi that leaned more heavily into Stagecoach (1966) than Star Wars (1977), Firefly was one of the many genre riffs created by Joss Whedon that carved out a corner of pop culture at the turn of the century. Only running one season, Firefly’s popularity after its premature ending led to some engaging spinoff material, including a film sequel in the form of Serenity (2005).

Firefly fans have plenty to be excited about, now that an animated spinoff is in the works. Notably, almost all of the cast are set to return, save for Ron Glass, who sadly passed away in the subsequent years since the show concluded. Here’s where else you can see the stars of Firefly and what they’ve been up to before they return to the Serenity.

Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds 

Nathan Fillion was the perfect person to introduce the Firefly animated revamp, given his status as Captain Mal Reynolds in the original series. A soldier for independence turned cynical cowboy with a heart of gold, Reyolds was a compelling riff on the Western archetypes that helped fuel the inspiration for the show as a whole. It was also a great breakout role for Fillion, who has become a TV fixture in the years since.

After some memorable guest appearances in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) and Lost (2004), Fillion has settled into multiple lead roles on television. While Drive (2007) might have been a bust, his success in shows like Castle (2009) and The Rookie (2018) has cemented him as a fixture of network mysteries for over two decades. The actor has kept his comic skills short throughout his career, with his biggest showcase coming in Superman (2025) as Guy Gardner, aka Green Lantern. 

One to Watch: Fillion's skills as a voice actor have led to him having some really memorable turns in modern animation, especially as the hormonal fantasy of the nerdy Misty in Big Mouth (2017).

Gina Torres as Zoë Washburne

The second-in-command on the Serenity and one of the show’s most exciting characters, Gina Torres finds just enough humanity in Zoë Washburne to keep the hard-as-nails and coolly capable gunner from ever feeling inauthentic. It’s a trait that serves the actress well, especially in her other, more grounded performances.

Similar to Fillion, Torres has primarily focused on television, delivering memorable guest turns in shows like Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) and Alias (2001) before breaking out with Firefly. Torres also headlined Standoff (2006), Suits (2011), and 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020). Like Fillion, she’s also found some solid success as a memorable guest star in animation, ranging from kids’ shows like Star Wars Rebels (2014) to more adult fare like The Boondocks (2005).

One to Watch: Torres’s ability to play with the fantasy tropes while still making them painfully human is perhaps never better than in her brief (but important) supporting role in Westworld (2016).

Alan Tudyk as Hoban Washburne

The comic relief among a crew of perpetual snarkers, Hoban “Wash” Washburne, serves as the pilot of the Firefly. The goofy husband of Zoë and the heart of the crew, Wash is a silly character with just enough skill to get the team out of a pinch multiple times throughout the show. Alan Tudyk was already a notable character actor when he appeared in Firefly, but the success of the series pushed him headlong into the sci-fi genre. 

Tudyk’s comedic skills had him stealing scenes as Jeff the Pirate in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) and headlining a wacky horror comedy for the ages in Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) alongside his TV appearances. While Wash proved Tudyk could snag laughs in the genre, memorable genre turns like Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol (2019), and K-2S0 in Rogue One (2016) highlight his versatility. His biggest starring role to date might be Resident Alien (2021), where his in-disguise alien invader gets to be unsettling, pitiful, silly, and even inspiring at times. 

One to Watch: Tudyk has quietly become a fixture of Disney animation as a voice actor, but keep an eye out for his deceptively menacing turn in Wreck-It Ralph (2012) to see a great modern take on the classic Disney villain archetype. 

Morena Baccarin as Inara Serra

The empathetic companion Inara Serra is an important part of Firefly’s emotional core while serving as the love interest to Mal and a calming influence on the larger crew. Inara is one of Baccarin’s first roles, laying the groundwork for a career that’s often been gleefully steeped in genre conventions. 

Following her turn in Firefly, Baccarin headlined sci-fi shows like V (2009). She also began appearing in genre films like the Deadpool trilogy, disaster dramas like Greenland (2020), and action flicks like The Wrecking Crew (2026). Baccarin got to show off more of a grounded approach in shows like Homeland (2011). Most recently, that’s included her starring turn in Sheriff Country (2025), shifting her more heavily into the spotlight.

One to Watch: A lot of the Firefly cast actually guest-starred in the animated gem Justice League Unlimited (2004), but Baccarin might have delivered the best performance as Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary.

Adam Baldwin as Jayne Cobb

The harshest criminal among the crew of ne’er-do-wells that make up Firefly, Jayne Cobb is a volatile wildcard who seems to create just as many problems for the crew as he solves. Cobb was brought to life by Adam Baldwin, who had been appearing in several minor roles up to that point in movies like Independence Day (1996).

Baldwin has one of the longest careers among the Firefly cast, getting his start in the 1980s and delivering memorable minor turns in films like Full Metal Jacket (1987), Wyatt Earp (1994), and The Patriot (2000) before getting a surge in projects following Firefly. His biggest breakouts after the sci-fi show include the crime drama The Inside (2005) and as comically serious NSA agent John Casey in Chuck (2007), where he got to highlight his more comedic edges as well.

One to Watch: Angel (1999) brought multiple members of the Firefly cast in for brief appearances, but the best may be Baldwin’s unstoppable businessman, Marcus Hamilton.

Jewel Staite as Kaylee Frye

The lovably dorky (and surprisingly horny) mechanic onboard the Serenity, Kaylee Frye, remains a fan-favorite member of the show. Brought to life by Jewel Staite, the Canadian actress had actually headlined the early Disney Channel Original series Flash Forward (1995) before taking a role in Firefly.

Alongside a host of supporting appearances in shows like Supernatural (2011), Staite also took over a lead role in Stargate Atlantis (2004) as Jennifer Keller, a new medical officer who joins the Atlantis Expedition team. Most recently, she showcased her more dramatic chops with Family Law (2021), a Canadian legal dramedy about a woman trying to balance work, motherhood, and sobriety. 

One to Watch: A member of the prime overseers, Jewel Staite’s role as Phyllis in The Magicians (2015) is a minor but memorable turn that highlights Staite’s versatility in the fantasy and sci-fi genre.

Sean Maher as Dr. Simon Tam

One of the newest members of the Serenity crew, medical expert and concerned older brother Dr. Simon Tam is a central figure in Firefly’s overarching storyline. After appearing in dramas like Party of Five (1994) and The $treet (2000), Maher found larger success after his soulful turn in Firefly. 

Some of his biggest hits were The Playboy Club (2011) and Make It or Break It (2009), alongside guest appearances in various other shows. During this same era, Maher became a consistent presence in the DC animated space, appearing repeatedly as Dick Grayson/Nightwing in the extended DC Animated Movie universe. 

One to Watch: A reunion for veterans of Joss Whedon TV shows, Much Ado About Nothing (2013) has a blast with its casting, especially Maher in a more sinister performance than usual as the conniving Don Jon. 

Summer Glau as River Tam

After a guest spot in Angel, Summer Glau got her first starring role in Firefly, which proved to be her big breakout performance. The trained ballerina brought a graceful brutality and physical vulnerability to River Tam, a mentally broken young woman who harbors many secrets that her protective brother, Simon, can’t understand.

Summer Glau was able to use her experience in Firefly in plenty of other sci-fi and genre projects, such as The 4400 (2005) and Arrow (2012). The actress was particularly great playing “Cameron” in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008), a futuristic killing machine sent back in time to help Sarah and John Carter. She’s also showcased an unassuming comedic edge that feels underutilized, especially after films like Knights of Badassdom (2014) found a way to mix with her action skills.

One to Watch: Summer Glau also has a genuinely great dramatic turn in Sequestered (2014), a clever legal drama/conspiracy thriller that will scratch your legal itch.

Ron Glass as Shepherd Derrial Book

Ron Glass was already an established star of TV by the time he was cast in Firefly. Glass plays Shepherd Book, a kindly preacher who is repeatedly implied to have a far darker past than he’s willing to admit. After making some memorable guest turns in shows like Sanford and Son (1972) and All in the Family (1971), Glass found his breakout role in Barney Miller (1975) as detective Ron Harris. 

Glass was a regular presence on television and movie screens for over five decades, with several guest turns in shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013) and films like Death at a Funeral (2010) following his turn as Shephard. Glass passed away in 2016, meaning Book will need to be recast for the animated show. 

One to Watch: If you enjoy Glass’ comedic sensibilities, then make sure to check out his starring role in a revamped version of a TV classic in The New Odd Couple (1982).

While there have been a number of great space movies that have been released in the last few years, like our collective new obsession that is Project Hail Mary (2026), it's been a lot more rare on TV. Star Wars property still very much owns the space, and the Star Trek series are also dominating, but outside of the franchise features, we don't have much. 

But surprisingly, when we do get TV shows, they're almost always phenomenal, and the latest season of For All Mankind (2019) proves this. If you're anything like me and want more space series, these are the best ones we've had in the last five years that are worth watching for all audience members. They're also shows guaranteed to make subscriptions to platforms like Apple TV and Prime Video worth it. 

For All Mankind (2019-present)

For five seasons now, For All Mankind has been consistently exceptional, delivering some of the best sci-fi on TV we've seen in recent years. It’s gorgeously shot and executed, but the real strength in For All Mankind lies in the storytelling. The writing is sharp, and the cast is sensational, allowing the character journeys to remain memorable and easy to care about year after year.

There's a comforting empathy that's present in a lot of these genre shows, and For All Mankind does an excellent job of bringing it to the surface unfailingly. The series leaves us with plenty to sit with after each episode, allowing the humanity at the center of the historical reimagining to continue being profound. Perfect for anyone who wants something thought-provoking, it's not a show to sleep on. 

The Expanse (2015-2022)

No list of mine would ever be complete without mentioning the single greatest piece of sci-fi, The Expanse. From gems like Battlestar Galactica (2004), I've seen them all, but nothing comes close to the world-building, character journeys, and visual effects of The Expanse. It's hard to believe it's designed for the small screen sometimes, because the visuals are so awe-inspiring that it belongs on big screens.

From beginning to end, there's not a single moment that feels dull, dragged out, or too much. The perfect balance in giving us a world elsewhere that looks like the one we're in is no small feat, and no matter when we watch it, the narrative arc continues to feel relevant. It also features one of the most exceptional soundtracks that I still have on replay, and the type of found family that's unforgettable. If you want a series that'll grip you right from the start and features some of the best relationships on TV, look no further.

Foundation (2021-present)

Like The Expanse, Foundation is also so visually stunning that it almost feels like a crime to watch it on TV as opposed to in theaters. Based on the bestselling novels by Isaac Asimov, it's a huge inspiration for the films and TV shows we have today. Its impact is enormous in what it achieves, even if the TV series isn't as well-known as franchise ones.

Still, if you appreciate the Dune movies, Foundation is a must-watch in all that it accomplishes through a visual and narrative lens (I'd also say two words: Lee Pace.) More than anything, Foundation is also worth the Apple TV subscription and features the type of strong directing that the network is brimming with. There's not a single shot that doesn't hold a thousand words in a single frame.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-present)

There are a number of Star Trek properties, and it can be impossible to start at times, but I've often said that Strange New Worlds is a great starting point for newbies who don't know what's in store for them. It's the easiest one to get into because it's equal parts fun and equal parts serious, and how we navigate through the different stories is relatively simple to understand if you don't have all the lore.

It makes for a solid starting point, and it's after this where you can essentially deep dive into others like Star Trek: Prodigy (2021) or even go all the way to the beginning with Star Trek: The Original Series (1987). Still, in the last five years, this one's the best new thing, and no matter which order you watch it in, it's a delight regardless. Strange New Worlds can also be fun for the whole family, with plenty of easily digestible material and stunning visuals. 

Andor (2022-2025)

While most Star Wars properties don't take place directly "in space," a galaxy far, far away certainly isn't our word, and it feels wrong to have a list of the best TV shows about space and exclude Andor. There have been a number of great ones in the last five years, like Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), but Andor was indescribably and undeniably groundbreaking.

Seldom are these shows recognized at award ceremonies, but the recognition Andor got was not only worthy, but it was huge for the genre. If you loved Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), but somehow never dove into the show thinking that it'd be too much, you don't want to miss out on the brilliant storytelling and performances in Andor. It's unlike anything else in the Star Wars universe, and it's even perfect for new fans, too. 

Doctor Who (2023-2025)

There's often a new season of Doctor Who, but the latest we've gotten with Ncuti Gatwa as the fifteenth Doctor was lovely and wholesome. While it can be daunting to start Doctor Who if you've never watched, the series makes it relatively easy to begin with each new Doctor and still manages to get the best of what their arc has to offer. 

Sure, there's something really enjoyable about watching it all, but you can go in with just your favorites, and Gatwa is genuinely sensational. The brightness he brings to the series is so gratifying that it makes every episode he's in utterly lovely in the best way. If you've never started, he's a great place to do so and make your way back. 

As Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) prepares to hit theaters, Daredevil: Born Again (2025) season 2 is already underway on the small screen. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is putting the spotlight on its street-level heroes as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) operate as vigilantes in New York City. On the surface, the two characters don’t have much in common. Parker is a young superhero striving to be the “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man,” while Murdock is in hiding as he determines how to take down Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) as the vigilante Daredevil.

Their stories are so different in direction and tone that you might forget they are playing out in the same setting: New York City. They’re both experiencing the changes in the city under Fisk and the rising tension over corruption and vigilantism. Although we can’t confirm how or to what extent Daredevil: Born Again connects to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we can explore five ways the show’s events will inevitably impact the latest Spider-Man movie.

New York City’s Mayor

The biggest way Daredevil: Born Again affects Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the matter of the Mayor of New York City. In Daredevil: Born Again season 1, Fisk (a.k.a. Kingpin) launched his campaign for the Mayor of New York City, and succeeded. By season 2, Mayor Fisk is exerting his power in a hostile takeover of the city, launching corrupt task forces, imposing martial law, and attempting to rid the city of vigilantes. Ultimately, Daredevil: Born Again will determine who is the mayor by the time of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Fisk very well could still be the mayor in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which would create quite a lot of problems for Spider-Man. If Daredevil succeeds in overthrowing Fisk, though, it could mean a brand new mayor for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Whoever is the mayor by the end of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will determine the direction of the movie, either hinting at Fisk as the overarching villain or resolving the Fisk issue altogether, allowing the film to focus on its own unique storyline. 

Wilson Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force

Daredevil: Born Again seasons 1 and 2 see Mayor Fisk take drastic measures to curb vigilante activity in New York City. He recognizes that masked street-level heroes are the biggest threat to his power and authority. Hence, he launches the Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF) to enforce his anti-vigilante policies. However, the group quickly becomes a sort of militia for Fisk, known for using excessive force and any means necessary to enforce the mayor’s orders.

Since Spider-Man is technically a vigilante, the AVTF could have an impact on Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Even if the task force is disbanded by the time of the Spider-Man movie, it seems significant enough an event to warrant a mention or flashback for Peter. Based on the film’s trailer, Peter is already in a vulnerable place after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and we can’t help but wonder how the AVTF situation would contribute to his headspace.

New York City’s Martial Law

In Daredevil: Born Again season 2, Fisk has imposed martial law on the city. Residents are subjected to a strict curfew, while the AVTF enforces Fisk’s Safer Streets Initiative, taking down vigilantes and anyone who aids them. It’s bound to come with serious civil rights violations and to escalate tensions on the street, and Spider-Man may be the one to pay the price for it.

If you’ve been keeping up with Spider-Man: Brand New Day updates, you may have been shocked by the number of villains in the film. Spider-Man will have his hands full with Scorpion (Michael Mando), Tombstone (Krondon), Boomerang, Tarantula, The Hand, and a mystery villain or two. We have to wonder if New York is still feeling the effects of martial law, which has prompted so many villains to come out of the woodwork and may even have escalated tensions to the point of street wars in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The Punisher’s Arc

The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) returns in Daredevil: Born Again season 1 as a reluctant accomplice of Matt. While he doesn’t appreciate the AVTF using his name and logo, he is largely involved in the conflict only at the request of Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). Now that Karen and Matt are officially together, it makes sense that The Punisher hasn’t been spotted in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 and is likely off doing his own thing.

However, The Punisher will turn up in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Right now, he’s the biggest thread connecting Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Daredevil: Born Again. Meanwhile, his arc in Daredevil: Born Again will at least partially determine his role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. After getting a taste of the AVTF and Daredevil action, we’ll have to wait and see if it inspires him to become a friend or foe of Spider-Man, or something in between. 

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s Interest in New York City

Daredevil: Born Again season 2 dropped a bombshell by unveiling a Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) connection. Apparently, the CIA director who has acted as the MCU’s shadowy antagonist for years has an interest in Fisk, seemingly backing his takeover of New York City by sending in an operative of her own, Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard), and intimidating New York’s Attorney General into accepting Fisk’s initiatives.

The connection is significant because it brings a federal interest into the street-level world of Daredevil: Born Again and potentially Spider-Man: Brand New Day. All we know is that Val has her sights set on NYC and vigilantism, and that can’t be good for either Daredevil or Spider-Man. Whether she physically appears in Spider-Man: Brand New Day or not, Daredevil: Born Again has brought her into Spider-Man’s orbit, and leaves the door open for her or the government’s influence on the film’s events.

The Harry Potter (2026) show is already kicking off discussion, with the trailer alone establishing plenty of chatter about HBO’s big gamble. A new adaptation meant to stand alone alongside the Harry Potter film series that began 25 years ago, HBO’s Harry Potter comes with the weight of expectation and an unmistakable connection to the politics of series creator J.K. Rowling. The show is expected to run for seven seasons, reflecting the original books. 

As such, this article shouldn’t be taken as an overt embrace of the new show and what it represents. Instead, this list highlights some of the challenges that this type of adaptation naturally faces, and how the upcoming HBO series can try to address them. If the Harry Potter show is going to be a good adaptation of already established material, these are some of the series it should look to for influence. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Another fantasy classic of the millennial era that has been somewhat impacted by the fans’ broader displeasure with creator Joss Whedon over his behavior behind-the-scenes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s great supporting cast and ability to shift between being a classical “chosen one” narrative while also fostering a strong ensemble is exactly what HBO’s Harry Potter needs going forward.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) was a fairly stand-alone adventure that didn’t offer much character depth to anyone besides Buffy and her love interest, Oliver Pike. By contrast, the show quickly developed a large supporting cast that could carry their own season-long storylines, with the likes of Willow, Giles, and especially Angel, who got his own spinoff in the form of the five-season-long Angel (1999) series, fleshing out the world and helping keep Buffy from becoming too stale.

Fun for fantasy fans who appreciate a mix of dark fantasy and character drama, Buffy is a similarly complicated but memorable relic. The Harry Potter show will hopefully go a similar route, playing with the larger cast of characters that exist in the setting instead of remaining just focused on Harry.  

Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Beyond a willingness to shift the spotlight onto other characters, Harry Potter can hopefully learn from Bates Motel about how important it can be to tweak, expand, and even change certain characters. The ambitious AMC adaptation of Psycho (1960) brought a lot of unexpected humanity and depth to one of the horror genre’s most horrifying duos. While Psycho served as a clear influence, the showrunners added a lot of unexpected twists and turns to the narrative that simply didn’t exist in the original. This gave the actors a lot of meaty material to play with, all while steadily factoring into the natural development of the characters into the forms that most audiences are more familiar with.

The darker nature of this show makes it a hard recommendation for younger viewers. However, older audiences who prefer horror or dark thrillers should check it out. While Bates Motel is a far darker series than anyone expects the Harry Potter series to be, that willingness to play with the material for the sake of a better presentation in the show could be what helps elevate the divisive HBO series.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019-2024)

What We Do in the Shadows might be one of the best ever examples of a film being adapted to television, with a willingness to use the television medium to great effect in terms of representation and expansion. What We Do in the Shadows (2014) was a fun modern riff on the vampire archetypes that typically appear in horror films, with a blend of slapstick comedy, low-key interpersonal drama, and entertaining genre melding all elevating the premise. The show took it even further, though, building out the world in lots of inventive and memorable ways.

The Harry Potter show could do something similar, taking the time to really develop its own version of the Wizarding World as a means of differentiating itself from the older films. There’s also the very natural way in which What We Do in the Shadows added diversity to the original concept, especially in terms of sexuality. It’s an element that the Harry Potter series could embrace, although this is still a family show, of course, so don’t expect any of the crass humor that was often a highlight of the FX vampire comedy. 

Cobra Kai (2018-2025)

An expansion of The Karate Kid (1984) that pulled just as much from the original film as it did from teen dramas like Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) and contemporary genre riffs on high school like Riverdale (2017), Cobra Kai’s blend of teen drama and reimagining of an established setting could serve as a useful guide for Harry Potter. Cobra Kai blends the teen melodrama, relatable dynamics, and archetypal coming-of-age stories with the natural action of martial arts and the darker aspects of the underlying story.

Those are the same elements that could give Harry Potter a bit more staying power on an episode-to-episode basis, with the actual character dynamics, interactions, and relationships not only growing with the audience but expanding in emotionally ambitious ways. Especially as the show goes on, finding the balance between character focus and the larger plot will be crucial to Harry Potter working as a show. 

Fargo (2014-2024)

The FX anthology crime thriller based on the Coen Brothers; crime classic Fargo (1996) might seem like an unexpected comparison point to Harry Potter. However, the ability that Fargo has to jump between tone and focus from episode to episode is a strength that the Harry Potter show should try to replicate. One of the more interesting things about the Harry Potter show is how the lengthened run-time will likely allow for larger showcases of the different eras that weren’t as fleshed out in the earlier adaptations. Visiting different time periods for an episode at a time, similar to how Mythic Quest (2020) does it with some of its heartbreakingly effective stand-alone episodes, would be a great way to justify the series-length adaptation.

Fargo is a better comparison point, though, especially as it pertains to time period adaptation. Actually seeing how the different decades and generations of wizarding culture differ might be a good way to introduce some more interesting design elements to the show, and episode-long visits to different characters or periods of history could be key ways to reflect the larger lore.

The Lord of the Rings franchise continues to expand. Once thought impossible to adapt for the screen, J. R. R. Tolkien’s work now enjoys multiple adaptations from different directions. Prime Video’s loose adaptation via The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) is still going strong, telling the story of Middle-earth’s Second Age through one of the most expensive TV series ever produced. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (2027), a story set between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies, is in pre-production from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

However, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema aren’t stopping with one live-action movie. No one was expecting the announcement from the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson, of another live-action film. In what was supposed to be an update on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, Jackson instead announced a new movie with the working title The Lord of the Rings: The Shadow of the Past (2028), and both the plot and the surprising writer the film tapped left fans with mixed feelings.

Who Will Write ‘LOTR: The Shadow Of The Past’?

In the announcement video, Peter Jackson unveils Stephen Colbert as one of the surprise screenwriters behind The Lord of the Rings: The Shadow of the Past. Colbert is just about the last person we were expecting to write the movie. Although he is a major Tolkien fan, he is known for his work on The Daily Show (1996) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015). While he has dabbled in voice acting, writing, and producing, much of his work pertains to comedy or talk shows. 

Still, Colbert discussed how his favorite part of the books was six earlier chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring, which the movies did not adapt. He began to consider making a film from these six chapters and brought the idea to his screenwriter son, Peter McGee. After years of framing the story, Colbert mustered the courage to bring the idea to Jackson, who was receptive.

As if it were destiny, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when CBS abruptly announced the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert unexpectedly found himself with quite a bit of free time beginning in the summer of 2026, which seemed the perfect opportunity to delve into The Lord of the Rings.

What Is The New ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Movie About?

Non-book readers will be curious what exactly The Lord of the Rings: The Shadow of the Past will tackle. According to Colbert, it will cover chapters 3 through 8 of The Fellowship of the Ring, which follow Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam as they make arrangements to begin Frodo’s quest. In the chapters, Frodo sells his home in Bag End to leave the Shire without suspicion. 

He and his friends make the trek to a new home in Crickhollow, meeting Farmer Maggot and gathering some mushrooms along the way. From there, they venture into the Old Forest and the Barrow-downs. Although threatened by Old Man Willow and the Barrow-wights of the Barrow-downs, the Hobbits’ old friend Tom Bombadil saves them. However, it seems these chapters will only inspire the new Lord of the Rings movie, rather than enjoy a direct adaptation, as Deadline reports the film will actually take place 14 years after Frodo’s passing and follows Merry, Pippin, Sam, and Sam’s daughter Eleanor as they retrace the steps of their original journey.

Why The New ‘LOTR’ Movie Is Dividing Fans

The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past movie is already dividing fans, who reacted with varying degrees of surprise or dismay. On the one hand, many were skeptical of Colbert’s involvement and questioned how six chapters could constitute an entire movie. However, others have expressed tentative excitement and optimism. After all, Colbert and McGee are also collaborating with Philippa Boyens, the brilliant co-writer behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. They’re not going into this project alone with Jackson and Boyens’ involvement.

In addition to strong creative talent, the story has potential. Many fans were disappointed that Bombadil didn’t make it into Jackson’s movie, and the mere idea of his presence is enough to get fans’ hopes running high. Doubts remain, though, especially because the chapters aren’t enough to fill a movie plot. Plus, treading into loose inspiration territory could invite the same criticisms that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power faced. Still, another detail about Colbert may reassure viewers that the movie is in good hands.

Was Stephen Colbert In ‘The Hobbit’?

It’s important to know that Colbert isn’t just some random talk show host jumping on The Lord of the Rings bandwagon. He’s a massive fan of Tolkien, to the point you might even credit him as an expert in the Tolkienverse. Jackson himself has declared Colbert one of the biggest Lord of the Rings fans he has ever met. In fact, he rewarded Colbert’s fandom with a cameo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).

The talk show host appears as a Lake-town spy in a six-second scene alongside his wife and children. His Hobbit cameo is just the tip of the iceberg in his serious credentials as a Lord of the Rings fan, boding well for a potentially faithful and respectful adaptation.

In an unsurprising turn of events, Netflix is increasing prices again, and unfortunately, the streamer still hasn't changed its stance on password sharing. The changes come at a frustrating time when people are likely struggling financially, and the summer will probably come with new releases people will want to watch and talk about. 

There are a number of shows worth keeping Netflix around for, but we also can't fault people for being irritated by the changes. Still, here is a breakdown of the Netflix price changes, as well as some of the properties worth watching for anyone debating cancellation.  

How Much Are Netflix's Prices Increasing In 2026?

Netflix's cheapest tier, which includes ads, will increase from $7.99 to $8.99. The next Standard tier, without ads, will increase by two dollars and allow viewers to watch on two devices, increasing from $17.99 a month to $19.99 a month. Finally, the premium plan, which is ad-free and includes Ultra HD and HDR as well as the opportunity to stream on up to four devices at once, will also increase by two dollars, taking it from $24.99 a month to $26.99.

Adding an extra member that doesn't live in your household also increases, with each tier offering different price increases of a dollar from their respective previous amount. 

10 Netflix Originals That Will Make You Second-Guess Cancellation

The thing about Netflix that's so unfortunate is that many of its properties aren't available outside of the streamer. For instance, Stranger Things (2016) will be available in a Blu-ray box set, but the same cannot be said for shows like Bridgerton (2020), One Piece (2023), Hearsttopper (2022), Lucifer (2016), and original movies like People We Meet on Vacation (2026). 

In many ways, Netflix is thriving with the romance genre, including shows like Virgin River (2019), XO, Kitty (2023), Sweet Magnolias (2020), and the highly anticipated Emily Henry film adaptations. Where horror fans can benefit from a subscription to Shudder and fans of British dramas can get solid deals through BritBox and Acorn, Netflix supplies us with romances that are impossible to find elsewhere. 

At the same time, we have a confirmed new season of Nobody Wants This (2024) releasing, and reality TV fans can also find Love is Blind (2020) in all its different locations here as well. The streamer is also home to plenty of K-Dramas and international films, but really, isn't every kid and adult also obsessed with K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025)? The Oscar-winning animation is enough reason to keep the subscription alone. 

Netflix Is The Still Best Streaming Platform Out There

Netflix started it all when it comes to streaming. In many ways, a number of the streamer's features continue to work best when exploring different genres, subgenres, as well as the additional licenses it gets with various TV shows or movies. Non-romance fans can even watch shows like The Night Agent (2023) or the new Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man (2026) alongside the original TV show. More than anything, part of the reason it works is because of its exclusivity. 

In short, some of these shows cannot be found anywhere else, and the things that it has lined up are going to be exceptional. (Emily Henry's little rom-com universe is my personal reason to keep it forever.) With both Frankenstein (2025) and Train Dreams (2025) landing Oscar nominations, it's even growing more reputable with the Academy. 

Netflix was set to buy Warner Bros. before Paramount did, and in many ways, it's certainly a plus that it didn't go through because theater releases are incredibly important for feature films. Still, where TV shows are concerned, very little could compare with the romances and some of the action-packed originals the streamer provides.

Daredevil: Born Again (2025) is back for season 2 and off to an impressively strong start. A decade after Netflix's Daredevil (2015), the beloved show experienced a revival with Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again. In the show, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) finds himself forced to revive Daredevil when Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) makes a bid for Mayor of New York City. 

Season 1 pulled fans into its intriguing story as Fisk takes over New York City and the NYPD, launching an Anti-Vigilante Task Force to take down vigilantes like Daredevil. Now, season 2 has hit the ground running with a premiere filled with surprises and teases of big things ahead. Use our guide to find the five biggest surprises and what they mean for Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

Daredevil’s Black Suit Entrance

Daredevil: Born Again’s season 2 premiere started with a surprise that, while small, probably had Daredevil fans squealing with excitement. In the opening scene, Daredevil infiltrates the cargo ship, Northern Star, intercepting its shipment of weapons to Mayor Fisk. It’s quite the entrance as the vigilante appears in a sharp new suit, which is an all-black version of his familiar armored suit. 

The detail that made me pump my fist was the red double D’s on his chest. Finally, after 11 years on screen, Daredevil’s wearing the comic-book-accurate logo on his chest for the first time. Not only is the logo exciting, but the black suit gives us a hint at Daredevil: Born Again’s direction. The dark suit fits well with the need to go undercover, but the DD logo and the hints of red peeking beneath the black are a sign that Daredevil isn’t afraid of Fisk and wants him to know exactly who he is.

Matt and Karen Are Properly Together

Since the original Daredevil series, Matt Murdock and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) have had a complicated relationship. Their brief romance in Daredevil never had a label and was soon interrupted by the revelation of Matt’s alter ego and then his presumed death. In Daredevil: Born Again season 1, the pair had never been further apart as they processed their grief over Foggy (Elden Henson) separately.

Although Fisk’s mayoral bid and Bullseye’s (Wilson Bethel) prison escape bring Karen and Matt back together, we still weren’t anticipating their romantic relationship would be in full swing in Daredevil: Born Again season 2’s premiere. Yet, the pair are hiding out and training together, and are very much a couple. After years of shipping, they’re properly together, and seeing Matt light up around Karen is sweet to watch. However, it makes us wonder how Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) will react, given his complicated relationship with Karen.

That Shocking ‘Thunderbolts*’ Connection

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was self-contained and largely separate from the wider MCU. Hence, I was shocked when Daredevil: Born Again season 2’s premiere name dropped one of the MCU’s most prominent long-term antagonists: Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The CIA director who recently established the New Avengers in Thunderbolts* (2025) is apparently also in cahoots with Fisk.

In the episode, State Attorney General Steverud (Ty Jones) shows resistance to Fisk’s Safer Streets Initiative to combat vigilantism. However, he changes his stance instantly after receiving a phone call from none other than de Fontaine. It appears she also sent the mysterious CIA operative and logistics expert, Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard), to intervene after the Northern Star’s destruction. Fisk is more dangerous than ever with someone as powerful as de Fontaine supporting him, especially since her status may get him federal protection as he launches his takeover of New York City.

Heather Glenn’s Dark Developments

In Daredevil: Born Again season 1, I wasn’t sure where the story was going with psychiatrist Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), who unwittingly counseled The Muse (Hunter Doohan) and dated Daredevil. After the Muse nearly kills her, she accepts Fisk’s offer as his Mental Health Commissioner. I suspected season 2 to see a conflicted Heather struggle to work under Fisk as his corruption became unmistakable. While she’s a bit conflicted, Daredevil: Born Again season 2 seems to be going a surprisingly darker route.

The episode reveals she’s seeing hallucinations of Muse and drinking to try to relieve the visions. As Fisk pressures her to botch interviews with vigilantes, you get the sense she’s spiraling. The surprising development gave me an eerie feeling that she may snap under the emotional toll of everything, making her much more dangerous and intriguing. Fan theories are already speculating on whether she’ll become the new Muse.

Bullseye Saves the Day

Daredevil: Born Again season 2’s premiere saves the best surprise for last. In a heated, gritty final battle, Daredevil arrives to save his friend Cherry (Clark Johnson) from Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force. However, he becomes momentarily distracted when he realizes Cherry is having a heart attack. The task force agents overwhelm Daredevil and tear off his mask. As they prepare to kill him, an unseen assailant swiftly kills each agent with throwing knives.

The final knife lands beside Daredevil, carved with a bullseye logo and the words, “You’re Welcome.” The bullseye and precision of the throwing knives could only come from one person: Bullseye. Bullseye and Daredevil are sworn enemies, especially after Bullseye killed Foggy. However, Daredevil: Born Again’s surprising premiere gives us a sense of where Bullseye’s priorities lie. Fisk and his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), did Bullseye dirty last season, and it seems his hatred of them may even outweigh his hatred of Daredevil.

The Lord of the Rings has one of its biggest fans in Stephen Colbert, the legendary comedian. Colbert has geeked out plenty over the years about his deep knowledge of the classic fantasy trilogy. The actor even got a cameo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013). Now, with The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (2015) coming to a close, Colbert has revealed that he will be following up the conclusion of his talk show by co-writing his own adventure into Middle-earth. 

The story will reportedly focus on Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they revisit their earlier adventures, while Sam’s daughter, Elanor, learns more about the history of Middle-earth. Since this is effectively serving as an epilogue to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), it’s worth visiting the actual fates of the characters from the original story. Here’s what happened to the Fellowship of the Ring in the original timeline by J.R.R. Tolkien and how it could impact the next movie.

Frodo Baggins 

As the nominal lead of The Lord of the Rings, it makes sense that Elijah Wood’s Frodo’s final fate is actually included in the movies—even as the time gap between the conclusion of the adventure and Frodo’s final days on Middle-earth leaves room for a new film. In both the book and the films, Frodo and the other Hobbits return to Hobbiton (although the book version requires the four to lead a rebellion against a still alive Saruman in the Scouring of the Shire). 

It’s possible that an adaptation of the Scouring of the Shire is part of Colbert’s new film. Frodo eventually decides he needs to move on, leading him to leave everything behind to Sam and join Gandalf and Bilbo at the Grey Havens. In honor of their status as ring-bearers, both are allowed to move to the ethereal homelands of the Elves known as Valinor, which is one of the closing shots of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Samwise Gamgee

Frodo’s ever-loyal gardener and companion, Sean Astin’s Sam, is the beating heart of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although heartbroken by his best friend’s departure, Sam still has his wife Rosie and his many children to keep him going. That’s where the film leaves him, and it would be odd to see the new film undercut that sweet emotional finale. 

Sam doesn’t go with Frodo to Valinor then, but he does eventually join him. In the timeline established by The Lord of the Rings Appendix, Sam eventually rose to a position of leadership within the Hobbit community, being elected Mayor several times. Sixty years after the events of the trilogy, Rose passes away. A few months later, he gives the book originally written by Frodo to his eldest daughter, Elanor, and goes to the Grey Havens himself. As a ring-bearer himself—even if just during Frodo's apparent death after facing Shelob—Sam is also allowed to venture to Valinor.

Merry & Pippin

The other two Hobbits central to The Lord of the Rings, Dominic Monaghan’s Merry and Billy Boyd’s Pippin, offer a good dose of comic relief and heroic growth of their own. In their adventures separate from Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin end up fighting for Rohan and Gondor, respectively. 

Two years after Sam took to the Grey Havens, Merry and Pippin both venture to Gondor at the request of Aragorn—carrying with them a copy of the book Bilbo started and Frodo finished. On the way to Gondor, Merry stays in Rohan with King Éomer in his final days. The pair eventually pass away while in Gondor, and are buried among the great kings of Gondor. The new film could pay off those connections to Gondor and Rohan by having the pair overtly use that experience. That could be similar to their role as leaders in the Scouring of the Shire, where their skills made them natural leaders among Hobbits.

Gandalf 

The iconic wizard who drives a lot of the biggest moments of spectacle in The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf’s fate is closely connected to the Hobbits and Elves who venture to the Undying Lands. As expanded upon in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), Gandalf was originally a Maia spirit in the mystic realms, sent to Middle-earth to contend with the rising forces of evil. 

Gandalf's final days are relatively unknown, even in the final timeline presented by J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s also possible that Colbert could use this opportunity to make sure Tom Bombadil makes it on screen after being cut from the original films. If Colbert’s film does dive into the story of Tom Bombadil, it could pay off his mention of going to have a long conversation in the book. Ultimately, Gandalf goes with Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel to Valinor.

Aragorn & Arwen

After having claimed the throne of Gondor and realizing his full destiny, Aragorn marries Arwen. This pays off the biggest romance in the trilogy, but also sadly sets the stage for Arwen’s vision in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) to eventually come to pass. A year after the events of the film trilogy, their son Eldarion is born, who goes on to rule after him. 

120 years after the trilogy, Aragorn—whose extended lifespan is revealed in one of the scenes present in the extended version of The Two Towers—finally passes away. He is buried next to Merry and Pippin. A year later, Arwen also passes away, having given away her immortality to be with him. Aragorn is expected to be a major figure in the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (2027), which will flesh out the events shortly before the trilogy, while Colbert’s movie explores the aftermath.

Legolas & Gimli

The final two members of the Fellowship in Middle-earth, Legolas and Gimli, lead relatively low-key lives compared to their former companions. Gimli and Legolas spend years traveling Middle-earth together before splintering apart, completing their own respective duties. This could easily allow them to cameo or have brief appearances in the next The Lord of the Rings movie. Eventually, after Aragorn's passing, Legolas and Gimli venture to Valinor—making Gimli the only dwarf ever allowed to cross those shores. 

It’s a sweet coda for the overall story of the Fellowship, but it would be a wild turn to see it brought to life on film, given that Tolkien only ever revealed these fates in a timeline released long after the books. There’s enough open room in that timeline for some new beats, however, so there’s always a chance the Fellowship could reunite in Colbert’s upcoming movie.

Family movie nights have always had a slightly uneven energy. Someone chooses the film, someone else might question it, and by the time it starts, expectations are already all over the place. But that's also part of what makes those memories last forever. For Kurt and Wyatt Russell, a classic Jim Carrey movie still holds that sort of memory.

WATCH: Kurt Russell Shares An ADORABLE Ace Ventura Memory With Son Wyatt!

Speaking to JustWatch, while promoting the second season of the Apple TV series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Kurt Russell explained how he bonded with his son over 1995's Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. "I think we connected at a very early time in your life because we went to see Ace Ventura based on Wyatt's desire to see it," Russell said, during the sorry, not sorry portion of the interview.

"'Cause he had seen it. I think you had…" he continued, before his son corrected him, adding, "It was number two. Ace Ventura 2." Then his dad continued the story. "Goldie and I sat down next to Wyatt, and he had a very heavy lisp at that point. He said, 'Get ready for the funniest movie you've ever seen in your life.' And I was roaring from the get-go. I thought he was right."

Wyatt would have been nine or 10 years old at the time. So the fact that they both remember the moment so vividly says a lot about how special it was. No wonder Kurt Russell began the segment by saying, "I don't have to say sorry. My family defends… They get it." Because a family that watches movies together is the best kind, since it locks the whole experience in place.

Why 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' Was So Divisive

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls has always been one of those comedies that people either immediately click with or quickly bounce off. It doesn't really exist in any sort of middle ground. Part of that comes down to how much it throws itself into Jim Carrey's very performance style, which in the '90s was very loud, extremely physical, and deliberately over-the-top.

Since Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls was the sequel to 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, the film pushed all of that even further. That totally works if you're already on board with that type of comedy, where a film becomes less about the plot and more about watching an actor at the peak of his popularity do his thing. Scenes like the rhino sequence are probably the clearest example of that.

For some people, it's exactly what makes the movie memorable. For others, it's where it starts to feel like too much. That's probably why the film only holds a 23% critic score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. There's also a slight shift in structure compared to Pet Detective. The first film had a clearer narrative thread. When Nature Calls moves more like a series of loosely connected sketches.

The Jim Carrey Effect (And Why Some Of His Films Haven't Aged Well)

Jim Carrey's comedies from the '90s tend to work in a very specific way. They're built around momentum, but not necessarily narrative momentum. It's more about how far a scene can be pushed. Films like The Mask (1994) or Liar Liar (1997) have the right balance. In both movies, Carey's character has a clear arc, and the exaggerated humor is anchored to something emotional or situational.

But in the Ace Ventura movies, the humor feels a bit more tied to the moment they were made in. That's usually where conversations around aging come in. Some of the jokes are based on shock value, so they tend to work better when you view them as a snapshot of a particular style of comedy. One that wasn't too concerned with subtlety and didn't really try to smooth out any of its rough edges.

Why To Watch 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' (And What To Watch After)

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is a really fun, chaotic comedy. (Because who doesn't want to watch a movie about a pet detective?) But if you go into it expecting a super meaningful plot, it's probably not going to work for you. Anyone who enjoys physical comedy that sometimes wanders into uncomfortable territory will love it.

If this is the first time Ace Ventura has crossed your screen, the next logical step is to watch Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which is built around a missing dolphin case. It still has the same energy and performance style as the sequel, but it's a bit more contained. And somewhere between the two, you get a pretty clear sense of why Ace has stuck with so many people for so long.

One of the defining qualities of most good procedurals on TV is a gripping romance. Sometimes they manifest as slow burns that still haven’t gotten together, like Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and now Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021). In contrast, sometimes the couple has been together for so much of the show’s run that they are one of the only consistent elements in a long-running series, like Chicago Fire’s (2012) Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide

There’s also the chance that a procedural’s impressive longevity leads to heartbreak, as it does for Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy (2005). Other procedurals have become so famous for their romances (think Bones’ Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth, or Castle’s Richard Castle and Kate Beckett) that they have been affectionately deemed “blueprints” for couples developing on TV now. No matter where you look, more often than not, procedural TV shows are synonymous with at least one romance.

However, if you want couples that are a little less known, but still just as good, here are some of the more criminally underrated ships. You can watch them on Hulu, Netflix, and more!

Patrick Jane & Teresa Lisbon - The Mentalist (2008-2015)

The Mentalist is a part of that early 2000s boom of procedurals and slow-burn romances on them, but it’s left out of conversations too often. It’s the age-old partners-to-lovers arc for consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and FBI agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney). The show runs for seven seasons, and there’s no love confession until Season 4. Even so, these two don’t get together until the Season 6 finale. That’s truly committing to the bit of delaying the satisfaction of seeing this couple together for nearly the show’s entire run.

The Mentalist builds a solid partnership over 151 episodes. Otherwise, it won’t land when Jane tries to pretend that he doesn’t remember that Season 4 love confession. It also won’t feel worthwhile for Jane and Lisbon to realize they can’t avoid their feelings for each other—while Lisbon is with Marcus Pike (Pedro Pascal)–-if there aren’t a bunch of tiny moments that add up to that Season 6 finale. The Mentalist is a long-game watch.

Chimney Han & Maddie Han - 9-1-1 (2018-Present)

Frankly, 9-1-1 has so many relationships that deserve more love among the procedural shows. I have a soft spot for the love story between firefighter Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi) and Maddie Han (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a former nurse and current dispatch worker. Maddie arrives in Season 2 as Evan “Buck” Buckley’s (Oliver Stark) sister, and gradually, she and Chimney become one of 9-1-1’s flagship romances. To attempt to boil down their relationship’s timeline would do it a major disservice. 

There are so many twists and turns, not limited to Chimney and Maddie almost dying at the hands of Maddie’s abusive ex-husband, or the struggles that come as Maddie faces postpartum depression after the birth of their daughter, Jee-Yun. There are also tooth-achingly sweet moments over karaoke, takeout orders, and quiet conversations amid all the chaos. Maddie and Chimney are each other’s person, so it doesn’t matter if they get married in a hospital. As long as they’re together, Chimney and Maddie will get through anything. It’s really special to think of how far they’ve come and where they can still go as 9-1-1 continues to gain popularity. 

Kensi Blye & Marty Deeks - NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023)

If any other ship deserves to be a part of the “blueprint” conversation with the other procedurals, it’s Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) and Martin “Marty” Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) on NCIS: Los Angeles. In all honesty, they’re the reason I started watching the show; that’s how synonymous this ship is with NCIS: Los Angeles. I was shocked to learn that Deeks didn’t even join the series until the end of Season 1. The wait was so worth it, though.

Watching Kensi and Deeks’ relationship develop over 13 seasons feels special on its own. That kind of investment just doesn’t happen on TV anymore. You get to see every phase of their relationship up through the NCIS: Los Angeles series finale. They go undercover as a couple before they’re a couple—multiple times. There are a handful of near-death experiences, as there should be if a procedural’s romance hits all the right beats. Then, there are a ton of incalculable moments where Kensi and Deeks’ relationship is so lived-in. Essentially, it’s impossible to imagine NCIS: Los Angeles without thinking of them. Their romance is integral to the show.

Oliver Wolf & Josh Nichols - Brilliant Minds (2024-Present)

Including Brilliant Minds may be cheating because Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) and Dr. Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears) aren’t together during the show’s underrated second season, but they’re one of the couples that I’m rooting for the most to reunite. In fairness, the medical drama has done a really great job at keeping them apart for a good reason. Therefore, it’s going to mean that much more when they do get back together. After all, Brilliant Minds doesn’t present a world in which these characters won’t find their way back to one another.

Their chemistry is still too good, even now when Josh is technically Oliver’s boss, and Josh is seeing someone else. Then again, that’s because the second season uses the foundation that the first season builds. Oliver and Josh have a kinetic tension from their first interaction that steadily evolves into a truly cinematic first kiss and a very endearing relationship that encourages both characters to be more vulnerable. It may take some time, but I have total faith that Oliver and Josh will get back to that place—or something similar—again. 

Lucifer Morningstar & Chloe Decker - Lucifer (2016-2021)

Sometimes, people forget that Lucifer is a procedural TV show. It just happens to be one where the consultant is the devil himself, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis). He finds his perfect match with Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German). Their love story is particularly special because it persists amid extreme hurdles. Lucifer aired for three seasons on FOX before the network canceled it. Amid impressive fan campaigns to revive the show to see more from the characters, including this couple, Netflix picked up the show for its final three seasons. 

During that last season, Lucifer and Chloe’s relationship takes some divisive turns, some of which I’m not the biggest fan of. Regardless, it’s a relief that Chloe and Lucifer get the chance to end up together, even if it is through an eternity in Hell. Complicated, right? Nevertheless, this couple has some of the best banter and tension. They’re so compelling that they can make a bullet that Chloe shot at Lucifer in Season 1 a persistent symbol of vulnerability throughout the show’s run. This couple is poetic in a lot of ways, and they’re so much fun to watch fall in love. 

Carina DeLuca & Maya Bishop - Station 19 (2018-2024)

Don’t let Station 19 fly under the radar because it’s a Grey’s Anatomy spinoff. It crafts a memorable romance when a character from the medical drama, Dr. Carina DeLuca (Stefania Spampinato), moves to the show. The love story between Carina and firefighter Maya Bishop (Danielle Savre) is one for the books. It’s already iconic that they have their meet-cute at Joe’s bar, a staple for the medical drama. Their romance’s timeline includes a few break-ups but far more time together, where Maya and Carina lean on each other through thick and thin.

Whether it’s Maya supporting Carina after Carina’s brother’s death in Season 4 or Carina making difficult choices to put Maya’s health first in Season 6, these two show up for each other. They also stand with each other on their wedding day and through fertility struggles as they try to expand their family. Maya and Carina have a beautiful love story with electric chemistry. Their romance will always be one of my favorites on TV, let alone in the Grey’s Anatomy universe. 

Max Mitchell & Cole Ellis - Wild Cards (2024-Present)

It’s fitting to end this list with one of the newer procedurals, Wild Cards (2023). Former con artist, current consultant Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) and Detective Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) emulate some of the best procedural partnerships—and their romances. In just three seasons, this show solidifies Ellis and Max’s slow-burn relationship through speeches that speak around their true feelings and near-death experiences, where they only have eyes for each other.

To be totally transparent, Max and Ellis aren’t even a couple yet. They may as well be, though; their banter is thinly-veiled flirting, and everyone around them knows there is something more between them. Nevertheless, procedural TV fans need to keep Wild Cards on their radar so they don’t miss it when they do make that move. It may be this season; it may take years, like some other shows. Regardless, Wild Cards all but explicitly spells out that it will happen.

Skins (2007) and the success of its cast are a reminder that teen dramas don’t exist in the same abundance that they once did. Somehow, with more options to watch TV than ever before, the genre’s numbers continue to dwindle. The ones that do exist have truncated episode orders with years in between seasons, like Netflix’s Outer Banks (2020). Meanwhile, their ‘90s and early 2000s counterparts ran for 22-episode seasons that aired yearly. More often than not, though, teen dramas are canceled too soon, like Prime Video’s The Wilds (2020). Skins was different. 

The British TV show premiered in 2007, ran for six seasons with three ensembles, and returned for a revival season in 2013. Its raw reflection of what it was like to be a teenager inspired a US remake on MTV that couldn’t live up to the original. Skins’ ripple effects can be felt in the grittiness of shows like Euphoria (2019), and the talent it showcased is all over pop culture. Here’s where you’ve seen the cast of Skins’ first two volumes. Catch them on HBO Max, Disney+, & more! 

Nicholas Hoult as Tony Stonem

Nicholas Hoult’s Tony Stonem is the first person on-screen in Skins. However, Tony isn’t always the most likable for the first two seasons, to say the least. He isn’t the nicest to most people, including his best friend, Sid (Mike Bailey). His toxic relationship with Michelle (April Pearson) is yet another reflection of Tony’s terrible decision-making. Still, Tony’s presence is felt at least through Season 4 because his younger sister, Effy Stonem (Kaya Scodelario), becomes the lead of the next two seasons.

After leaving Skins in 2008, Hoult re-emerged on the big screen as Marvel’s Hank McCoy/Beast in X-Men: First Class (2011). With the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ever-changing timeline, perhaps there’s a chance Hoult will reprise this role at some point. As a romance fan, I can’t get enough of Hoult as the lovable zombie named R in the underrated Warm Bodies (2013) with Teresa Palmer. Perhaps Hoult’s most recognizable role yet—other than Tony, of course—is the one he’s currently set to reprise: Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow (2027).

One to watch: If you want to spend a significant amount of time with another one of Hoult’s characters, check out The Great (2020).

Mike Bailey as Sid Jenkins

Mike Bailey got his start in acting as Sid Jenkins on Skins. His character is often represented as the foil to Tony. Their friendship is more tenuous than not, like Sid’s relationship with Cassie, but the teen drama punctured the tension with big emotions and high drama. For example, Sid opens up to Tony about Sid’s father’s death in one of Bailey’s standout moments in Season 2. There’s no dialogue, and still, Bailey and Hoult convey everything. 

After Skins, Bailey continued to act in a few more projects until 2017. His last project was Hers and History, opposite Lindsey Shaw. Then, he stepped away from acting to become a teacher. 

One to watch: If you want to go back to the start of Bailey’s career, revisit Skins. 

April Pearson as Michelle Richardson 

Like many of her castmates, April Pearson also made her acting debut on Skins. Sadly, for most of Pearson’s time as Michelle Richardson, the character’s arc focused on her relationship with Tony. There were times it expanded to explore more of her family life, like when her mother remarried. 

Still, through those first two seasons, Person delivered a fan-favorite performance. It even got her nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 2008. Shortly after, Pearson made her film debut in Tormented (2009), which also starred her Skins costar, Larissa Wilson.

One to watch: To watch Pearson’s latest acting credit, check out God’s Petting You (2022).

Dev Patel as Anwar Kharral

Dev Patel’s acting career began with the role of Anwar Kharral on Skins. The character’s most memorable dynamic is with his openly gay best friend, Maxxie (Mitch Hewer). During the first season, Anwar reflects on how his faith as a Muslim may impact his relationship with Maxxie. Ultimately, Skins ends on a positive note about acceptance at Anwar’s 17th birthday party. Their friendship remains a massive part of their lives all the way up to them leaving Bristol for London together with Maxxie’s boyfriend, James, in the Season 2 finale.

The same year that Patel’s final episode of Skins aired, he starred in Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Then, Patel’s turn as a voice actor became the live-action role of Prince Zuko in the much-discussed The Last Airbender (2010). Most notably, Patel made his directorial debut with Monkey Man (2024). He also co-wrote the script and starred as the main character, an incredible action hero. Dev Patel should lead more movies!

One to watch: If you’re still waiting for Patel to lead a romance or a romantic comedy, like me, watch him in two episodes of Modern Love (2019).

Mitch Hewer as Maxxie Oliver

Mitch Hewer’s Maxxie Oliver is easily one of the most beloved Skins characters. I know he’s one of the most memorable in my eyes! His loyalty to his friends is often the only consistent thing in the characters’ lives. He’s one of the very few to stick by Tony—arguably the most problematic of the first generation—after Tony gets hit by a bus in Season 1. Yes, you read that correctly. 

Skins never shied away from going there, even if “there” is dark and twisted. Shortly after leaving the teen drama, Hewer joined Britannia High (2008) as another fan-favorite character, Danny Miller. He also has a minor role in the Nat Wolff and Selena Gomez-led movie Behaving Badly (2014).

One to watch: If you want to see Hewer’s return to TV, check out his stint on the long-running Casualty (1986).

Hannah Murray as Cassie Ainsworth

Hannah Murray’s turn as Cassie Ainsworth in Skins’ first two seasons reflects the show’s intentions to depict difficult subject matter that young people face, like eating disorders and mental health issues. Cassie’s time on the show goes to some dark places. However, it also follows her as she falls for Sid and receives treatment.

Speaking to the character’s popularity, Cassie is one of three Skins characters—Effy and Cook being the other two—to lead the revival season. That season finds Cassie in recovery and only alludes to a past relationship with Sid. Skins fans will be interested to know (or at least I am) that Murray’s time as Gilly on Game of Thrones (2011) overlapped with another actor from the teen drama’s time on the fantasy drama. 

One to watch: If you want to see Murray swap reality for fantasy, check out Game of Thrones, especially if you like sprawling epics like The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Joe Dempsie as Chris Miller

Joe Dempsie starred as Chris Miller in Skins’ first two seasons, and that character’s death may be one of the first that I remember affecting a younger me. The character, who revered his later older brother, wound up dying the same way. It’s a tragic turn that finds some of its heartbreaking roots in Chris and Jal’s (Larissa Wilson) romance. It’s all so sad that it’s no wonder Skins ends this generation’s run with Chris’s funeral.

Since then, Dempsie has made quite an expansive filmography for himself. He may be best known for his run as Gendry on Game of Thrones. But Dempsie’s resume proves that he’s kept his foot in TV and film since the heartbreaking end to his time on Skins. He recently starred opposite Tamara Lawrance in the compelling limited series Get Millie Black (2024).

One to watch: If you’re looking for more dramatic work from Dempsie, check out Toxic Town (2025).

Larissa Wilson as Jal Frazer

At 17, Larissa Wilson made her acting debut as Jal Frazer on Skins. I remember being overly invested in Jal and Chris’ romance and being devastated at how it ended. I rooted for them—and Jal. Her ambitions with her music studies were so important to her. Skins tackled the pressure that caused, as well as teen pregnancy and abortion.

Following Skins, Wilson made minor appearances on TV shows like Holby City (1999) and Trollied (2012). Her most recent on-screen appearance was in the short film We Move (2024). 

One to watch: If you’re looking for a horror comedy with a Skins reunion, check out Tormented. 

Daniel Kaluuya as Posh Kenneth

Though he portrays a secondary character in the first gen, Daniel Kaluuya is a critical player in Skins. While playing Posh Kenneth on-screen, Kaluuya was a contributing writer on those first two seasons. At 19, he was the head writer on two episodes: “Jal” in Season 1 and “Thomas” in Season 3. Having young people on the screen is one thing, but Skins also made sure their voices were heard in the writers’ room, where Kaluuya’s focus went in Season 3. 

After Skins, Kaluuya continued work on TV with roles on Doctor Who (2005) and Black Mirror (2011). With Get Out (2017) and Black Panther (2018), Kaluuya’s star status only burned brighter. He went on to team up with Jordan Peele again in the sci-fi horror Nope (2022). Kaluuya seems to favor genre projects, but his filmography is a reminder that a good story can be in any genre—teen dramas included.

One to watch: If you want to see Kaluuya’s versatility extend to animation, watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

James Bond has always been a fantasy: Fast cars, shaken martinis, impossible gadgets, and, of course, the Bond girls. From the very beginning, these women have been baked into the franchise. But revisiting those early films today can feel… complicated. Take Goldfinger (1964) for instance, where Bond casually slaps Pussy Galore during a barnyard tussle that's meant to read as flirtation. (It doesn't.)

Gross misogyny aside, Bond girls started off less like characters and more like set dressing. Beautiful, interchangeable, and usually positioned somewhere between reward and distraction. But that's only part of the story because over time, Bond girls started to change. What started as a parade of sexualized props turned into something more interesting.

Bond girls were eventually given agency, intellect, and, occasionally, the upper hand. Some even had entire storylines that didn't revolve around Bond at all. This list looks at that evolution properly. Ranked from the most dated, most frustrating portrayals to the women who genuinely reshaped what a Bond girl could be. You can check them out on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max and more. 

8. Honey Ryder - Dr. No (1962)

Dr. No follows James Bond (Sean Connery) as he heads to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a fellow agent, uncovering a plot involving the mysterious Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman). Along the way, he meets Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), a shell diver living alone and surviving on instinct. There's no denying how important Dr. No is. The movie built the template everything else follows.

But it's also the clearest example of how limited Bond girl roles were at the start. Honey Ryder's beach intro is probably the most famous entrance in the entire franchise. And it still works on a visual level. But once the moment passes, she's given very little agency or influence over the story. She exists around Bond rather than alongside him, which is why the character ranks last on the list.

7. Pussy Galore - Goldfinger (1964)

Goldfinger sees Bond (Sean Connery) investigate gold magnate Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe), who plans to destabilize the global economy. The story leads 007 to Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman), the leader of a female flying unit working within Goldfinger's operation. This is one of the most structurally entertaining Bond films. But it also contains one of the franchise's most uncomfortable relationship arcs.

This Bond girl lands at number seven because the film actively undermines her strength as a character. Pussy Galore starts off exactly how you want: confident, capable, not remotely interested in Bond. Then the film forces a shift that feels earned by absolutely nothing. That loss of autonomy is frustrating, especially because you can see the better version of her right there.

6. Anya Amasova - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Spy Who Loved Me begins when submarines from both the UK and the Soviet Union vanish. So Bond (Roger Moore) is paired with Agent Triple X, Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), to uncover a larger plot involving a nuclear threat. But their partnership is complicated by personal stakes. This movie is where things start improving for Bond girls in a noticeable way.

Anya is smart, skilled, and fully aware of Bond's reputation, and she doesn't let it slide. For most of the film, she holds her ground as a professional equal. Still, The Spy Who Loved Me doesn't fully commit to that idea, which is why Anya finds herself at number six. The problem is that the script eventually softens her character in a way that feels slightly predictable.

5. Pam Bouvier - Licence to Kill (1989)

Licence to Kill begins when Bond (Timothy Dalton) goes rogue to take down a drug lord after a personal betrayal, stepping outside MI6 entirely. Along the way, he teams up with ex-Army pilot and DEA informant, Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell), who has her own stake in the mission. The story is grittier and more character-driven than earlier Bond entries.

It lands at number five because it gives us a Bond girl who actually contributes consistently. Instead of being a spy fantasy, Pam breaks the mold in a very realistic way. She's practical, capable, and knows exactly what she's doing. And the most important part is that the film lets the character stay that way without undercutting her.

4. Tracy Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service begins when Bond (George Lazenby) investigates Blofeld, who plans to destroy all plant, animal, and human life on Earth. He also forms an unexpected connection with Countess Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg), a woman dealing with her own personal struggles. Their relationship develops quickly and ultimately changes the course of Bond's life.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service feels slightly out of step with the rest of the franchise. It slows things down and lets the character's emotions do most of the storytelling. Tracy is layered in a way that Bond girls before her simply weren't. She is also the only woman Bond chooses to marry. But the tragedy that befalls their union is why she earns fourth place on the list.

3. Wai Lin - Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

In Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond (Pierce Brosnan) investigates a media tycoon who is orchestrating global conflict for profit. During the mission, he meets Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese agent working toward the same goal, and they're forced into a partnership that quickly becomes essential to the overall mission.

Tomorrow Never Dies is fast, confident, and packed with action. But what really stands out is the balance between Bond and Wai Lin, who is basically in a league of her own. She's often the one driving the action forward and saving Bond as much as he saves her. The film respects her skillset, and that makes all the difference. It holds third place because it fully commits to the idea of partnership.

2. Madeleine Swann - Spectre (2015) & No Time to Die (2021)

Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) enters Bond's (Daniel Craig) life in 2015's Spectre as the daughter of a former adversary and pulls him into a very personal mission. Their relationship continues in 2021's No Time to Die and becomes one of the franchise's central emotional arcs. Madeleine marked a major shift in how Bond girls were written.

Although the films felt a little uneven, her role feels like an emotional anchor. Madeleine isn't defined by Bond in the same way earlier characters were. She has her own history and makes choices that directly affect the story. The fact that she is the only Bond girl to appear in two films gives her an edge most Bond women never get. That's why the character takes second place.

1. Vesper Lynd - Casino Royale (2006)

In Casino Royale, Bond (Daniel Craig) is tasked with defeating a terrorist financier in a high-stakes poker game early in his career. He's paired with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), a treasury agent overseeing the funds. The movie was Eon Productions' attempt at rebooting the franchise with a more realistic, less experienced, and more vulnerable 007.

And Vesper plays a big part in that. She is complex, guarded, and incredibly sharp. She also challenges Bond intellectually and emotionally, and their connection feels earned rather than forced. More than that, she changes him for the better. This Bond girl takes the top spot because the writing of her character finally aligns with the seriousness of the story.

Lily Collins has been in the entertainment business long enough to accumulate a wide-ranging filmography across the big and small screens. Every project may not be the apple of critics’ eyes, but they don’t need to be. A movie or a TV show doesn’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable or memorable. Since her TV debut in two episodes of Growing Pains (1992) and her on-screen film debut in The Blind Side (2009), Collins’ career has evolved. 

She became one of Hollywood’s go-to castings during the peak of YA media in the 2010s, starring in projects like Abduction (2011) opposite Taylor Lautner. She has also gone on to play several real people, including J. R. R. Tolkien’s wife, Edith Bratt, in Tolkien (2019). That trend will continue when Collins plays the extraordinary Audrey Hepburn in a film about the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). So what better time than now to look back at all of Lily Collins’ best movies and TV shows? Catch them on Netflix, Starz, and more!

8. Mirror Mirror (2012)

This movie doesn’t put much of a creative spin on the original story, which makes it all the more interesting that Mirror Mirror (2012) released the same year as Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). Therefore, the comparisons create themselves. Where Mirror Mirror stands out is the fashion; it’s all visually stunning—Snow White’s swan dress, especially. The fabrics’ saturation almost feels nostalgic, given how many movies are one-scale today. 

The changes that Mirror Mirror makes are reminiscent of the 2010s, like Snow White rescuing the Prince instead of the opposite. Obviously, there’s an expectation for even more agency and depth for princesses in 2026. However, I remember those changes and the movie’s discussions about beauty standards sticking out to a younger me far more than the actual romance. Although it’s tough to ask anything to rival watching Collins’ Snow White and Julia Roberts’ Evil Queen go toe-to-toe.

7. Okja (2017)

Bong Joon Ho’s Okja (2017) is easily one of the highest-rated movies in Lily Collins’ filmography, but it’s also one in which she has a smaller role. Collins plays Red, the only woman on a team of animal rights activists called the Animal Liberation Front. She is among an impressive ensemble, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Tilda Swinton, Steven Yeun, and Seo-Hyeon Ahn. While her part is less significant, Collins’ performance makes Red’s bravery and passion for activism stand out as a memorable role in the actress’s filmography. 

Okja is also the start of Collins’ collaboration with Netflix that continues with To the Bone (2017). This movie’s “superpig” also taps into the science-fiction fever pitch that Stranger Things (2016) reignited the year before. The care for the creature also creates a bit of nostalgia that can be traced back to the staple, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). 

6. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

This movie has had quite a resurgence on a certain part of the internet as new readers find Cassandra Clare’s books, on which the movie is based, on TikTok. Some of the revived conversations also stem from Jamie Campbell Bower’s incredible performance in Stranger Things’ final season. A deep dive into his filmography eventually leads them to The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013), where he plays Jace Wayland opposite Lily Collins’ Clary Fray. The chemistry Collins and Campbell Bower have in this movie makes it.

They’re a definitive pairing from the 2010s book-to-movie adaptations, such as Divergent (2014) and The Hunger Games (2012). That said, this one isn’t the best adaptation of the source material, but it had so much action, romance, and potential. All of which, Collins was at the center of as the protagonist of what could’ve been the next great YA film franchise. 

5. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile (2019) is actually one of my favorite performances from Zac Efron, and I’ve been a fan of his since High School Musical (2006), if not earlier. However, Lily Collins’ performance as Ted Bundy’s girlfriend, Liz Kendall, should not be overlooked. Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile would not be the same without Collins. Her performance is the heart of the movie, as the story moves through her character. 

Instead of using Efron’s Bundy as the focal point, Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile finds its lens through Liz’s eyes. Of course, Liz’s arc is a really emotional, harrowing one as she realizes the truth about the man she loved and trusted with herself and her child. Collins hits all of those notes. It helps that she and Efron have incredible chemistry throughout their characters’ journeys. There’s a reason why their Best Friend Test for Glamour went viral six years ago.

4. Stuck in Love (2012)

Admittedly, Stuck in Love (2012) has to make this list because of how much I adore it. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies, and part of that is because of Lily Collins. She plays Sam, an up-and-coming writer and the daughter of a famous author. The movie is an underrated family drama with a soundtrack straight out of the 2010s. The opening sequence is set to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ “Home!”

Stuck in Love also tells this tender love story between Sam, who is grappling with a less-than-idealized vision of love after her parents’ separation, and Logan Lerman’s Louis. That storyline tees up one of my favorite needle drops in a movie with Elliot Smith’s “Between the Bars.” Other than that storyline, Collins also delivers a moving performance as Sam’s walls start to fall around her mother, played by Jennifer Connelly, which couldn’t be better casting. 

3. Les Misérables (2019)

This TV miniseries shouldn’t be as little-known in Lily Collins’ filmography as it is. This story has been told so many times in so many ways across practically every medium. Still, I remember seeing that Collins would be playing Fantine and eagerly searching for ways to watch Les Misérables (2019). After all the movies I’d watched with Collins in the 2010s, I was excited to see how her talent had matured to take on such a role, and she’s absolutely impressive. 

One could even argue—and this list does—that her turn as Fantine is one of the best performances in her career. Collins pours so much energy into the emotional and tragic arc for this character. As someone who also loves Anne Hathaway’s performance in the same role in Les Misérables (2012), it’s exciting to have both of these takes on such an iconic character across film and TV. 

2. Love, Rosie (2014)

What’s a tenured career in film and TV without a staple romantic comedy? At a time when romantic comedies are more often than not remakes and sequels, Love, Rosie (2014) stands out with other additions to the genre like Set It Up (2019) and Rye Lane (2023). It’s a sweet, friends-to-lovers story adapted from Cecelia Ahern’s “Where Rainbows End.” Collins stars as the titular character with Sam Claflin playing her best friend, Alex. 

Refreshingly, Love, Rosie embraces both sides of the genre, finding genuine points of humor and sweeping romance. The movie is vibrant as it spans over a decade with the charming (and sometimes frustrating) characters. The obstacles that Alex and Rosie face are never all that frustrating. Collins and Claflin’s chemistry makes the moments of connection—a hug at an airport, a catch-up about a significant life change, and that eventual Happily Ever After—the ultimate reward. 

1. Emily in Paris (2020-Present)

Lily Collins and Netflix team up once again for one of the streamer’s longest-running comedy series, Emily in Paris (2020). Emily Cooper is the longest time that Collins has spent with a character in her career. Over the last five seasons, one of the biggest questions that looms over the series is how long Emily has really been in Paris. Sometimes, the show’s timeline causes more of a stir online than who Emily will end up in a relationship with next. 

Personally, I see Emily in Paris circling back to the vibes of Season 1 and reuniting Emily with Gabriel before all is said and done. Regardless, there’s no denying that this show hasn’t always been the critics’ darling, but it doesn’t need to be to pull in the viewership that it does every single season. The show’s levity and whimsy, as well as some fascinating fashion, keep bringing audiences back.

Say "horror" and "Megan Fox" to any genre fan, and there's only one title that comes to mind: Jennifer's Body. Diablo Cody's 2009 horror comedy about a revenge-seeking, boy-killing demon that takes things too far has a complicated history that makes the recently confirmed sequel, tentatively titled Jennifer's Body 2, such a triumph. While most people, especially millennials, know of Jennifer's Body, there was a time when that wasn't always the case. 

However, the issue here was never the plot or themes; it was the marketing. From box-office flop to a queer cult favorite, here's why the news of a Jennifer's Body sequel is such a big deal. Want to watch the original first? Find it on streamers like Tubi, Starz, and more right now. 

'Jennifer's Body' Became The Victim Of Bad Marketing

For a movie that takes aim at the "male gaze," there's a certain amount of irony in how studios marketed Jennifer's Body. Instead of embracing the themes of empowerment, revenge, and the messy, complicated line-blurring that can come with female friendships, the selling point became Megan Fox, and more specifically, her sex appeal. 

In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Jennifer's Body screenwriter Karyn Kusama and director Diablo Cody recalled an email they received from the publicity team regarding an ad aimed at Fox's physical attributes. "The response said, 'Jennifer sexy, she steal your boyfriend.' As if a caveman had written it. So that's what we were dealing with," Cody said. If that wasn't horrific enough, Kusama also recounted one publicity suggestion to have Fox host an amateur porn site.

The issue, of course, became that audiences walking into the theater expected something else. Instead of a sexy succubus "stealing boyfriends," batting eyelashes, and hooking up with various men, Fox's Jennifer literally tears them apart. The movie also begins with a sexual assault scene, which becomes the catalyst for Jennifer's supernatural revival and revenge, not just against her perpetrators, but all men. For some, it was too much, but for others, the movie's depth went over their heads.

Even critics who were relatively complimentary of the movie, like the famed Robert Ebert, seem to miss the point. "Just what we were waiting for, 'Twilight' for boys, with Megan Fox in the Robert Pattinson role, except that I recall Pattinson was shirtless," Ebert said in his 2009 review. Funny enough, Ebert wasn't the only one to make a Twilight (2008) comparison, which spotlights how many people chalked Jennifer's Body up as a basic teen horror comedy that's more about swooning over the lead instead of picking apart the deeper themes. 

'Jennifer's Body' Has Something To Say 

Truthfully, some of the then-reviews about Jennifer's Body are true. The movie is sexy at times, and yes, a big part of that comes down to Megan Fox's charisma and sex appeal. Yet, this film isn't just beauty; it's brains. Together, Cody and Kusama managed to tell a supernatural yet believable story about the messiness that comes with being a teenage girl. There are elements of dark humor and even camp, but the themes are quite serious when it comes to Jennifer and Needy's (Amanda Seyfried) roles and experiences. 

Jennifer's Body highlights a pivotal time in female development when men start objectifying you, and some even cross lines. Jennifer's transformation into a man-eating demon after her sexual assault is undoubtedly a metaphor for female empowerment. However, I'd argue it also becomes a commentary on toxic feminism. It challenges audiences to ask if Jennifer is still justified in her actions when she targets Needy's boyfriend. The question then becomes, should all men suffer for the sins of the bad ones? Jennifer seems to think so, as evidenced by her memorable exchange with Needy. "You're killing people," Needy insists, to which Jennifer replies, "No, I'm killing boys." 

Similar to The Love Witch (2016), Jennifer's Body delves into complicated feminist themes with a metaphorical edge. Needy and Jennifer's relationship also works on multiple levels. Is it a commentary on the sometimes toxic, all-consuming friendships of teenage girls who claim to be besties? Or, is it an exploration of deeper feelings between two high schoolers who haven't quite figured out their sexualities yet, but date men because it's what society expects of them? Honestly, both readings feel fair, and it's one of the reasons Jennifer's Body reigns as a queer horror story as well as a feminist film.

'Jennifer's Body 2' Could Double-Down On The Original's Misunderstood Legacy 

In an interview with Bloody Disgusting, Cody seems ready to go full-throttle with the sequel, saying, "It actually is not a typical sequel process, where you're going 'here's what we're going to protect from the first movie.' It's more like all the ways in which I was restrained on the first movie, I'm now unleashed."

For some sequels, that might be concerning, but in this case, it "unleashing" feels perfectly fitting for Jennifer's Body. The movie isn't a reboot, but rather an expiration of what comes after. As for whether Fox and Seyfried will reprise their roles remains unconfirmed at the time of writing, although Seyfried is open to it… if Megan Fox comes back, too (Variety). 

The first trailer for HBO's upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone series has finally been released. And on the surface, it looks like exactly what fans have been asking for: a more faithful, long-form adaptation of the book. There's Hogwarts in all its gothic detail, the Great Hall lit like something out of a dream, and a careful, almost reverent reintroduction to the world millions grew up with.

It's expansive, and it's clearly expensive. But more importantly, the major players (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Snape, and Dumbledore) have all been reinterpreted with a slightly more realistic edge. Even Hogwarts, which still holds all of its grandeur, feels slightly foreboding instead of a place filled with wonder and possibility. And that's where the shift starts to creep in.

Even though everything is technically there, something feels… a little off. The sense of discovery is muted. The magic feels less like an invitation and more like something you stumble into. There's also less sparkle and more shadow. It's not that the trailer is bad. It's actually incredibly well put together. But instead of immediately pulling you into a world of possibility, it holds you at arm's length.

The 'Harry Potter' Tonal Shift Is Obvious & It Changes Everything

If you put the series promotional clip side by side with the trailer for the 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone movie (streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, and more), the difference is huge. The original film wastes no time establishing its sense of wonder. Within moments, you get Hagrid's now-iconic, "You're a wizard, Harry" line, which is essentially the story's thesis statement.

It promises a tale of escape that's about stepping into a world bigger and brighter than the one you came from. The series trailer, on the other hand, opens from the opposite direction. Instead of wonder, it starts with dismissal. "You are a normal boy. There's nothing special about you," Petunia Dursley tells a frightened-looking Harry.

It's a stark inversion, and it immediately reframes the story as something heavier and arguably more cynical. Before magic even enters the picture, the tone is already pulling things downward. And it doesn't stop there. The trailer chooses to focus on cruel moments that were always present in the book, but never quite as explicit in the films.

Harry is physically thrown into the cupboard under the stairs, which looks nothing like the mini bedroom in the film, and more like a storage closet with a mattress on the floor. Bullies corner him at school in a way that feels very threatening instead of cartoonish. There's even a scene with his aunt hacking off his hair, which can only be described as outright abuse.

When More Realistic Starts To Feel Less Magical

None of this is inaccurate to the source material. But it is amplified, which leads to a bigger question the trailer can't quite avoid. Does making everything darker actually make it better? Or does it risk stripping away the warmth and sense of magic that fans of the movies connected with in the first place? Because for a lot of viewers, Harry Potter was more about what he escaped into, not what he escaped from.

If the trailer is an indicator of what's to come, the new series seems very committed to reinterpreting a story that (for a lot of people) didn't exactly need reinterpreting in the first place. That opens up a slightly more uncomfortable question that goes beyond tone, or accuracy, or even creative direction. Is this version of Harry Potter actually necessary?

Because Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone still exists unchanged in book form and is still widely read. The movie version, which is hovering around the top 100 on the JustWatch streaming charts, remains one of the most recognizable and beloved fantasy adaptations ever made despite its omissions and simplifications. So what exactly is this new series trying to accomplish?

If it's simply trying to exist alongside something that already feels complete, all it becomes is a cash grab for the studio. Book sales will probably also get a boost every time a new season is released. But the tricky part is the closer this adaptation gets to the source material, the more it invites direct comparison, which will eventually leave it scrambling to justify its existence.

In the wide world of film, horror franchises are plentiful. Given how most horror movies have small budgets and require low box-office returns to become a hit, any studio that makes a successful horror film may try to turn it into a franchise. It happened with Friday the 13th (1980), it happened with Terrifier (2018), and it’ll happen many more times in the years to come. But some movies are turned into a franchise against their will, with either legacy sequels years (or possibly decades) later, or unrelated projects reconfigured to fit within the mold of the original film.

The latest addition to this weird phenomenon is Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026). It’s been seven years since Ready or Not (2019) came out, making the very idea of it getting a sequel this late surprising. It’s not the only horror film to get a surprise sequel, though. Plenty of horror movies have received follow-ups well after the initial film had been released. Sometimes they successfully reinvigorate a franchise, and other times they fall flat on their face. Found on streamers like Prime Video and Plex, here are some surprising horror movie sequels to watch right now.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026)

The original Ready or Not is a simple film. A group of rich satanists hunts a woman, and she has to survive the night until dawn. It was a modest hit when it came out, but its rather conclusive ending made it seem unlikely a sequel would be made.

Despite that, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come exists. While you can argue that it’s just aping the original, when the formula is as fun as this, it’s hardly worth complaining about. The action and gore are still over-the-top, and the film truly embodies a “go big or go home” mindset. Everything just feels extra, which makes it a highly entertaining popcorn thriller. Plus, it’s always so satisfying watching a group of reprehensible, ultra-wealthy elites get what’s coming to them. If you thought The Menu (2022) was too restrained and civil, then Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is ready to cut loose and have a grand time doing so.

American Psycho 2: An American Girl (2002)

American Psycho (2000) was never meant to get a sequel, but following the huge success of the film, Lionsgate wanted more. So, it took a script that had nothing to do with the original film and reconfigured it into American Psycho 2: An American Girl. The result was, shockingly, not very good. Taking a smart and scathing satire and turning it into just another slasher movie was a universal downgrade, robbing American Psycho 2: An American Girl of the identity that made the first film so magnetic.

The ideas that American Psycho 2 toys with, namely a young woman murdering other applicants for a teaching program at the FBI, aren’t able to fully develop in the film’s 88-minute runtime, and even then, No Other Choice (2025) would handle these themes with much more grace and sophistication over two decades later. There is a certain campiness to it that fans of early 2000s horror films can enjoy, but if you’re looking for that, go watch a movie like Scream (1996) instead.

The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

Carrie (1976) was the film that put Stephen King on the map. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, earned its budget back many times over, and made Stephen King the hottest horror writer in Hollywood. However, much like American Psycho 2: An American Girl, an unrelated script was retooled and made into a sequel titled The Rage: Carrie 2.

Goofy title aside, there’s a fair bit to like about The Rage: Carrie 2. Compared to the original, which features cartoonishly evil bullies driving Carrie to her bloody vengeance, The Rage: Carrie 2 feels more grounded. The ways the bullies torment Rachel feel believable, and thanks to its light feminist edge, it gives off some shades of Jennifer’s Body (2009) that young women will definitely gravitate toward. Perhaps its biggest fault is repeating the original film’s structure with a modern edge, but when The Rage: Carrie 2 wants to be eerie or gruesome, it’s able to do so effectively. Plus, Emily Bergl does a solid job at being a Carrie White facsimile. It may not be able to step out from the shadow of the Brian De Palma original, but it certainly is better than the two remakes.

S. Darko (2009)

There are divisive films, and then there’s Donnie Darko (2001). Filmed with a shoestring budget and having a dreamlike vibe that would fit right at home in Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), the film stands strong as one of the most iconic horror cult classics of all time. The same can’t be said for its sequel, S. Darko.

There’s a fine line between creative genius and confusing nonsense. Donnie Darko can be hard to follow, but its atmosphere, visuals, and a compelling performance by a young Jake Gyllenhaal were enough to keep audiences engaged. S. Darko has none of that. It thinks it’s the next Mulholland Drive (2001), but it lacks the sophistication or grace to actually say something meaningful about… anything really. It’s incoherent at the best of times, and one has to wonder why 20th Century Fox decided to greenlight a sequel eight years after Donnie Darko’s release. If you’re a fan of surrealist films that prioritize vibes over logic, there may be something in S. Darko to enjoy, but even the most diehard Donnie Darko fans will remember S. Darko as a strange curiosity more than anything else.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Marketing can be a powerful force in the world of movies. It can elevate a seemingly mediocre movie into a pop culture icon, as was the case with Cloverfield (2008). While it took nearly a decade for a sequel to be released, the crew at Bad Robot knew they couldn’t simply rest on their laurels for 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) and rely on viral clips to market the film for them.

Instead, they originally marketed it with the title “The Cellar,” and it wasn’t until a few weeks before the film’s release that they dropped the Cloverfield sequel reveal. The trick paid off, and audiences were instantly interested, not only because of its smart marketing, but also because of its tense premise that’s reminiscent of Green Room (2016). A horror movie in a confined space is nothing new, but watching the normally lovable John Goodman present himself as a paranoid and deranged doomsday prepper keeps you guessing as to whether his extreme and hostile approach is justifiable or not. This is one of the rare instances where a delayed sequel actually surpasses the original.

An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)

An American Werewolf in London (1981) is rightly regarded as being an underrated ‘80s classic. Its blend of horror and comedy made it a hit at video rental stores, and although a sequel to the film was eventually released 16 years after the original, it only did so due to behind-the-scenes production woes. 

Those problems, mostly related to the film’s script, can still be felt in the final version of An American Werewolf in Paris. The jokes aren’t all that funny, and the only thing that will make you actually laugh is the poor CGI. It’s a shame, too, because there is potential for it to be a “so bad it’s good” movie, but thanks to some of the actually decent acting performances, it can’t really fall into that camp. An American Werewolf in Paris wants to combine the drama of The Howling (1981) with the camp of Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985), but instead combines the two into a package that doesn’t please anyone. At the very least, it keeps the energy high for its 98-minute runtime, meaning it can, at the very least, be an entertaining mess.

The Wicker Tree (2011)

In the realm of ‘70s horror movies, nothing is quite like The Wicker Man (1973). Part horror, part historical drama, and part musical, it stands out from virtually all other horror movies of its era as a deeply disturbing descent into terror. The Nic Cage version may have commandeered the discussion surrounding the film, but the original is beloved for a reason. But did you know that decades later, a sequel to The Wicker Man was released, called The Wicker Tree? Not only that, but did you also know that the original film’s director and writer, Robin Hardy, returned to helm the project?

Hardy attempted to make the film a thematic sequel to the original film, retaining a lot of its cultish elements and musical theatricality. It’s probably most similar to Midsommar (2019), not only because it focuses on a small community with somewhat questionable religious beliefs, but also the erotic elements that define the later half of the film. Even if Hardy believes the first film is superior in every way, The Wicker Tree is a fascinating return from a director who better realizes the nonsensical pacing and storytelling of S. Darko. 

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Very few people will deny the cultural importance of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980). Funnily enough, Stephen King famously hates this movie to the point where he decided to create his own live-action adaptation via a 1997 miniseries. Leave it to Mike Flanagan then to helm the creation of Doctor Sleep, an attempt, in his own words, to bridge the gap between the Kubrick version and the novel. 

The result is remarkably solid. There’s an underlying sense of unease in Doctor Sleep that makes it an effective slow-burn tale of alcoholism and trauma. Flanagan is a director who prioritizes character development, and the way he and Ewan McGregor bring an adult Dan Torrance to life elevates a character who, in The Shining, was merely a plot device. There’s a pervasive darkness that envelopes Doctor Sleep, and those who were unnerved at the pitch-black void of joy that was Hereditary (2018) will find that same sense of dread here. This is a thinking man’s horror movie, and with the film running for two and a half hours (three if we’re counting the director’s cut), there’s a lot to parse over that will keep viewers wondering how this decade-old sequel will end.

There are a lot of changes happening in the world of animation. For decades, Disney was seen as the standard-bearer of progress and home to the biggest names in animation, but in recent years, they’ve lost their golden touch. In their place, Sony has stepped up to bat and has delivered hit after hit, both commercially and critically. 

Given that Sony, or rather, Sony Pictures Animation, was founded 20 years ago, its meteoric rise within the past few years is nothing short of incredible. Whether you check out their films on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video, you’ll find plenty of films with stylized animation that push the industry forward in new and exciting ways. Critics are taking notice too, as two of their films, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) have won Best Animated Picture at the Oscars. 

With 33 films either made or produced by Sony Pictures Animation, if you wanted to explore the library of one of the best animation studios in business today, here’s what you’ll have to look forward to.

Open Season (2006-2015)

Sony Pictures Animation’s first film, Open Season (2006), was a fairly successful debut, earning over $200 million at the box office. With numbers like those, Sony had more than enough justification to turn it into their first franchise. 

The best way to describe all of the Open Season movies is that they’re silly, harmless fun. They’re not trying to tell sprawling epics of deep emotional tales. They’re family-friendly movies that prioritize being goofy and not taking anything too seriously. There’s slapstick, puns, and plenty of poop jokes, which may make adults scoff, but young kids will find them hilarious. In a way, they have a lot in common with mid-2000s DreamWorks movies like Madagascar (2005) that focused on funny animal hijinks with writing that prioritized comedy over anything else. While this series would fade from theaters and instead prioritize straight-to-DVD releases, it never changed its core, and there’s something commendable about that.

• Open Season (2006)

• Open Season 2 (2008)

• Open Season 3 (2011)

• Open Season: Scared Silly (2015)

Hotel Transylvania (2012-2022)

Open Season may have been Sony Pictures Animation’s first major franchise, but it wouldn’t be its most successful one. That honor would go to Hotel Transylvania (2012) and its fun blend of classic monster movie tropes and Looney Tunes-era humor.

From the brainchild of Genndy Tartakovsky, the Hotel Transylvania series would generate over a billion dollars for Sony across four films. The premise of a series focusing on a hotel inhabited by monsters is ripe for potential and leads to plenty of wacky situations, like Dracula’s daughter marrying a human or the monsters transforming into ordinary people. There’s a lot of sitcom energy in Hotel Transylvania, and it's easy to see how the film was inspired by horror sitcoms like The Addams Family (1964). There’s a lot of great chemistry between the cast members, especially since most of the cast consists of Adam Sandler and his real-life friends. There’s a lot of positive vibes and energy to the Hotel Transylvania films, making them great for the Halloween season and anytime kids want to see something spooky yet fun. 

• Hotel Transylvania (2012)

• Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

• Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)

• Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)

The Smurfs

Despite existing for only a few years, Sony Pictures Animation was seen as reliable and trustworthy enough to revive The Smurfs (1981) in 2011, which had been dormant for decades before Sony brought it back.

Despite the show’s fantastical setting, Sony Pictures Animation sought to modernize the franchise by taking the Smurfs out of Smurf Village and putting them in New York. It’s your classic fish-out-of-water story, where the Smurfs navigate through the city to try and find a way home. Most of the gags are fairly standard shenanigans, and kids who like Migration (2023) will see plenty of the same jokes, but what helps separate The Smurfs (2011) from other Sony Pictures Animation films is that it’s a live-action hybrid. While the Smurfs are animated, we watch them interact with humans like Hank Azaria and Neil Patrick Harris. Does the CG animation feel dated? Yes, which is probably why for the third film, Sony Pictures Animation opted to make it a fully animated feature with zero live-action scenes. That choice was probably for the best, since that’s clearly the studio’s strong suit. 

• The Smurfs (2011)

• The Smurfs 2 (2013)

• Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Sony had been a player in animation circles before 2018, but when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) was released, it changed the game. Suddenly, all eyes were on Sony, since they had delivered one of the most visually interesting and immaculately made animated films of all time.

Superhero movies may not be quite the dominant force in pop culture as they were in the 2010s, but both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel commanded attention thanks to the frenetic and experimental animation style. Each film blends numerous art styles together, whether it be watercolors, pop art, punk art, or even the use of 3D animation to deliver sequences and set pieces that, when combined with impressive storyboarding, were visually striking. You can tell that other studios took notice of Spider-Verse’s success, as films like The Bad Guys (2022) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) would try to copy it. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) can capture even a fraction of the earlier film’s style, then Sony’s adaptation may become one of the best movie trilogies of all time.

• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

• Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027)

Smaller Sony Animated Franchises

Sony Pictures Animation has a whole host of franchises, but not many of them received equal time in the spotlight. These series only received two installments before being forgotten in the annals of history, but for what it’s worth, they all have their unique strengths. 

For example, the Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs duology has extremely expressive animation that sells each and every gag with gusto. The characters are all likable, and much like Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), the animators took plenty of time ensuring that their reactions would only make the jokes funnier. The Angry Birds movies also deserve credit for taking what is a relatively basic mobile game and creating a world with personality. As for the Surf’s Up series, while its sequel was a direct-to-DVD feature that, oddly, was funded by the WWE and featured plenty of their then superstar talent like John Cena and Triple H, the love for surfer culture does help the film stand apart from other oceanic features, especially given the film’s mockumentary style presentation. These films may not have defined Sony Pictures Animation’s long list of productions, but they found audiences that still swear by them to this day. 

• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

• Surf’s Up (2007)

• Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania (2017)

• The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

• The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

Sony Pictures Animation Collaborations

As time went on and Sony Pictures Animation became more of a reliable force in the animation industry, it began to work alongside other established animation studios to create films that blended the best of both studios. 

One of its first partners was Aardman Animation, which channeled the charm from their clay-mation films like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) into films that felt more universal and not overtly British. They would also reunite with Genndy Tartakovsky to fund his passion project Fixed (2025), which labored in production hell since 2009 and is the closest we’re ever going to get to a modern The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991). While few of these films lit the world on fire, the variety of creative voices on display here makes a solid case for how Sony Pictures Animation isn’t afraid to try something new. Does it always work? No; when it does, you can get a movie featuring multiple generations of Santa Claus trying to bring Christmas in their own special ways, or a movie about dogs who just want some action. 

• Arthur Christmas (2011)

• The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! (2012)

• The Star (2017)

• Wish Dragon (2021)

• Fixed (2025)

Sony Pictures Animation Live-Action Hybrids

Sony Pictures Animation doesn’t just release fully animated films, though. Following the success of The Smurfs, Sony showed they were more willing to attempt to create films blending CGI and live-action actors, though these are nowhere near as popular as their animated films. 

Outside of The Smurfs, only three other hybrid films were released by Sony before being quickly forgotten. Sure, people know what Goosebumps is, but Sony only released two films in the series before laying them to rest. They’re not terrible films, mind you, as seeing Jack Black play a fictionalized version of R. L. Stine is quirky, if only because of how the role forces Jack Black to play against type. It’s a very kid-friendly duology that fans of movies like Hocus Pocus (1993) can get behind. As for Peter Rabbit (2018), it was a certifiable hit for the studio, even if the film couldn’t be further from the tone of the original books. Still, Peter Rabbit is cute in live-action and shows that Sony Pictures Animation can make believable CGI that blends in well with real actors. 

• Goosebumps (2015)

• Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)

• Peter Rabbit (2018)

Standalone Sony Pictures Animation Films

Most of Sony Pictures Animation’s films can be neatly classified into several categories, but then there are the films that don’t quite fit into any of them. These aren’t collaborations, nor are they a part of a major franchise. These are their standalone films, and these are usually the most creatively risky films in their library.

Sure, some of these films can be completely soulless and cynical and try to cash in on pop culture trends (I’m looking at you, The Emoji Movie (2017)), but when they hit, they hit. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) is bursting at the seams with manic gremlin energy that combines dorky internet culture with a meaningful family drama. GOAT (2026) tells your standard underdog story, but with a true love and respect for basketball culture that may be the best family-friendly basketball movie since Space Jam (1996). These are truly one-of-a-kind films, and now that Sony Pictures Animation has made hundreds of millions from its franchises, hopefully, they’ll be more eager to create these stand-alone original films from diverse and interesting creators.

• The Emoji Movie (2017)

• The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)

• Vivo (2021)

• GOAT (2026)

K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025)

And then there’s K-Pop Demon Hunters. It may not be Sony Pictures Animation’s most recent film, but it is undeniably the most successful film in the studio’s history and helped propel their notoriety into the stratosphere.

K-Pop had always been a popular genre of music with younger audiences, but even veterans of the industry weren’t expecting K-Pop Demon Hunters to blow up quite as much as it did. Fans of Sony’s Spider-Verse trilogy knew that the studio was great at creating sharp and vibrant animated sequences, but the inclusion of catchy pop songs helped elevate the film to a whole other level. Girls loved it, and boys may not like to admit it, but they loved it too because of the solid action scenes where Huntr/x kicked some demon ass. It’s the best animated musical since Sing (2016), and it became the most popular film on Netflix of all time. Facts like that don’t lie—K-Pop Demon Hunters is a phenomenon. It may be a bit until the sequel, but fans will wait patiently for their favorite K-Pop group’s return and deliver another generation-defining hit.

Created by Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr., and Ross Andru in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man, The Punisher stands out as one of Marvel’s most brutal (and enduringly popular) anti-heroes. Frank Castle was already a dangerous Marine and wartime veteran when criminals killed his family. This set him on the path to becoming a ruthless vigilante, in contrast to Spider-Man and Daredevil. Outside of his handful of cameos and appearances in more family-oriented takes on the Marvel Universe, The Punisher is typically used in the grimmest of Marvel stories.

Despite often being associated with far-right politics in reality, most portrayals of the character in comics, film, and television depict Frank Castle as a surprisingly principled but deeply broken man who only targets the worst of the worst and refuses to accept any excuse for needless cruelty. This extends to many of his appearances in other media, especially the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Jon Bernthal plays him. With the character set to face off with Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), it’s worth revisiting the notable times The Punisher appeared in movies and TV, especially those connected to his MCU face-off with Spider-Man.

The Punisher (1989) 

As a testament to how quickly Punisher became a breakout character, The Punisher is a wild ‘80s action movie that got the surface-level elements of Frank Castle right, even if it simplified the character in some key ways. Starring Dolph Lundgren, a few years after he broke out in Rocky IV (1985), The Punisher is very much from the Commando (1985) school of action films, with an explosive core and not much brains.

It’s not necessarily a complex action movie, so you can skip it if you like the more conflict-filled version of Punisher that comes in later depictions. For pure dumb spectacle, though, The Punisher is a fun excuse to see Lundgren in his prime face-off with the Mafia and the Yakuza at the same time.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998) 

As part of the wider animated Marvel universe that steadily revealed itself across the course of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, this version of Frank Castle is downplayed compared to other versions, but the underlying spirit of the character feels accurate to what makes the comic version so good. The animated series is a fitting peer of Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and X-Men ( 1992), both of which came out as part of a strong string of superhero adaptations of the era.

Punisher’s turn as a dangerous but ultimately heroic character serves as an early and engaging introduction to the character for younger audiences. While far from the most mature take on the character and with far fewer bodies to his name, this is still likely the most overtly heroic Frank Castle has ever been outside of the comics. 

The Punisher (2004) 

Starring Thomas Jane as the titular vigilante, 2004’s The Punisher takes a straightforward approach to the character while dropping a lot of the darker elements in a way that can’t quite decide what it wants to be. Here, Frank Castle is an FBI agent who has his family killed by a criminal organization known as the Saints. This sets him on a mission of vengeance against the gang, memorably led by a villainous John Travolta.

Pulling from the same kind of violent spectacle that has more in common with gruesome horror movies like Saw (2004), The Punisher at least benefits from a committed Thomas Jane in a performance that he would reprise in the tense short film “Dirty Laundry” a few years later. While it lacks the campy action qualities of the 1980s version, this movie will appeal to audiences looking for a straightforward action flick.

Punisher: War Zone (2008) 

Wackier and weirder than any other version of Punisher who has appeared on screen, Punisher: War Zone knows exactly what it’s doing and has a blast doing it. War Zone stars Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle, now depicted as a one-note, destructive force of nature who has come into conflict with a band of criminals, including a hilariously twisted rendition of one of Punisher’s comic enemies, Jigsaw.

More in line with the self-aware ridiculousness of films like Crank (2006) than anything else, Punisher: War Zone is a showcase for a version of the Punisher who can be just as darkly comedic as dramatically gruesome. While it might not be the right pick for audiences who prefer a deadly serious version of the anti-hero, War Zone captures the grim sense of humor some of the most famous comics have used.

Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013)

Following the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a new string of Marvel projects began to hit film and television, including the Marvel Anime imprint, which saw multiple projects, including Iron Man: Rise of Technovore. The plot is largely focused on Iron Man and War Machine, filtered through an action-packed anime approach that served as a tie-in animated film benefiting from the success of Iron Man 3 (2013).

Notably, this film has Norman Reedus as The Punisher, giving The Walking Dead (2010) star a chance to play one of Marvel’s most notorious characters. If you’re an anime fan, make sure to check this one out, as well as Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014), for a fairly straightforward but well-done action anime.

Daredevil (2015-2018) 

Featuring the debut of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher, Daredevil is one of the best examples of the MCU characters brought to TV. As part of the build-up to The Defenders (2017), the second season of the MCU show complicates the conflict between Matt Murdock/Daredevil and Kingpin by introducing a blunt, brutal, and sympathetic portrayal of The Punisher.

As a complex contrast to the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, Punisher’s arc set him up as the highlight of the show’s second season, which forced Murdock to confront his moral limits, making him a good physical bruiser while also capable of driving some of the show’s most dramatic turns. There’s a reason that Bernthal keeps getting brought back as The Punisher, with the performance becoming one of the MCU’s most surprisingly consistent characters on TV.

The Punisher (2017-2019) 

After playing a major role in Daredevil, the two-season adaptation of The Punisher shifted the spotlight completely onto Frank Castle. With a willingness to play things even darker than the admittedly dour take on the character in Daredevil, The Punisher features some of the character’s most brutal moments. It also takes some of the wildest swings with the character yet, including an unlikely and very tense romantic situation with Karen Page that works surprisingly well.

Darker than any other depiction of the character in film and TV, it’s a far cry from most of the lighter MCU fare that superhero fans are used to. The Punisher is an engaging take on the character that does a good job of reflecting what makes the comic version so compelling.

Daredevil: Born Again (2025-Present) 

Alongside many of the Netflix Marvel characters, Daredevil: Born Again brings a darker edge to the character and the MCU, contrasting against lighter fare like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Born Again sees Daredevil come into conflict with Punisher once again, this time because Matt is wracked with guilt over the apparent death of Foggy Nelson and ends up in a hypnotizing debate with The Punisher.

Frank Castle is expected to have a larger role in Season 2. It’s clear that he survives the reign of Wilson Fisk as Mayor so that he can go on to appear in The Punisher: One Last Kill and the upcoming big-screen debut for this version of the character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be the fourth film starring Tom Holland’s version of the titular Wall-Crawler. While the trailer for the film showcases a wild adventure that seems largely focused on Peter Parker’s sense of isolation and mutating powers, one of the big cameos confirmed by the trailer is The Punisher.

It’s a fun beat that showcases the natural difference that exists between the characters, in a way that feels surprisingly consistent with the dynamic the characters had in the 1994 animated show. It’s a surprising turn, but one that feels fitting given The Punisher’s debut in the pages of Spider-Man’s flagship series. It also highlights Punisher’s surprising versatility in terms of tone and genre.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting Dutton Ranch since it was first teased in 2024 after the end of Yellowstone (2018). Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler's continuing story has the potential to be Yellowstone's biggest and most exciting series yet—and for good reason. Beth and Rip's fierce loyalty to each other, coupled with their complicated love story and dark antihero tendencies, makes for the best type of drama. While Yellowstone's latest spinoff, The Madison (2026), has been a bit more hit-or-miss among critics and fans, Dutton Ranch seems like exactly the change of pace and direction Taylor Sheridan's universe needs. 

With the Dutton Ranch trailer finally here, let's break down everything we know about the upcoming series, including major characters, plot points, and the release date.  

'Dutton Rach' Cast: All Major Returning & New Characters

Given that Dutton Ranch is a sequel to Yellowstone, you can expect to see familiar faces among the cast. First and foremost are Kelly Reilly's Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler. The duo's unconventional romance was a highlight of the flagship series, and fans are eager to see how their story plays out in the sequel. Finn Little will also return as Carter, the teenager Beth and Rip welcome into their family in Season 4 of Yellowstone. 

While no other Yellowstone cast members are confirmed to reprise their roles at the time of writing, it seems likely that cameos will come into play. (Right? Would Sheirdan really leave us hanging like that?)

In addition to Reilly and Hauser, here are the new characters set to appear in Dutton Ranch:

• J.R. Villarreal as Azul, Rip's right-hand man and ranch worker.

• Ed Harris as Everett McKinney, a war veteran and local veterinarian. 

• Annette Bening as Beulah Jackson, a major Texas ranching mogul. 

• Juan Pablo Raba as Joaquin

• Jai Courtney as Robbie Willis

• Marc Menchaca as Zachariah

• Natalie Alyn Lind as Oreana

Plot: What Is The 'Yellowstone' Spinoff About?

The last time we saw Beth and Rip in Yellowstone, the two were seeking a fresh start after finally achieving revenge for John Dutton. Dutton Ranch picks up after that decision, following the couple (and Carter) at their new Texas ranch. Beyond that, plot details are still mostly under wraps. However, if Dutton Ranch is anything like its predecessors, we can expect plenty of drama and clashing values. 

Want the official plot synopsis? It reads as follows: "As Beth and Rip fight to build a future together - far from the ghosts of Yellowstone - they collide with brutal new realities and a ruthless rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire. In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul."

When Does 'Dutton Ranch' Release? 

Those excited to delve back into the Yellowstone universe don't have to wait too long. Dutton Ranch releases May 15, 2026, on Paramount+ and on the Paramount Network. The nine-episode first season will drop in weekly installments on Fridays. While not having a binge-drop might be frustrating to some, for others, it offers a nice change of pace and allows the Yellowstone experience to last more than a couple of days. 

If you're not caught up on the rest of the larger Yellowstone universe, the good news is that you have plenty of options to keep you busy between Dutton Ranch episodes. Below, find a list of all available Yellowstone series in order: 

• Yellowstone (2018-2024)

• 1883 (2021-2022)

• 1923 (2022-2025)

• The Madison (2026-Present)

Bridgerton (2020) fans, it’s official! Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) are the leads of Season 5, which all but explicitly confirms that Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) will lead Season 6. With Bridgerton’s release schedule on Netflix, Eloise’s season is still at least a few years away, but that doesn’t mean that the show can’t make intentional movements in the upcoming season to set Eloise up for the best results. 

Of course, Francesca and Michaela should be Bridgerton’s main priority. Their love story is groundbreaking for the series as the first season to focus on a sapphic love story. It’s not, however, the first two feature a queer lead, as Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) led the fourth season. Nevertheless, the romance series will have eight episodes, assuming the episode order remains the same, to break new ground with Eloise. If Bridgerton wants to give Season 6 a stronger foundation, it has to start telling its version of Julia Quinn’s To Sir Phillip, With Love in Season 5.

‘Bridgerton’ Can Learn From Past Seasons With Eloise

Bridgerton’s structure means that every season focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling finding love in and around Mayfair’s ton. A Happily Ever After is guaranteed, but the on-screen characters’ presence changes until and after that milestone. Sometimes, it means significantly less screen time, like with Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) & Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) & Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), when their seasons are over. 

Sometimes, more screen time doesn’t pan out in the couple’s favor. Despite their consistent presence in the other two seasons, the show’s third season has so many subplots that the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) gets a bit muddled. Meanwhile, Bridgerton prolongs most major character development from Benedict’s book until he takes the lead in Season 4. That’s mostly for the better, but it can be frustrating. 

Alternatively, Bridgerton knows that Francesca and Michaela’s story will be the focus one day. Therefore, it uses the two previous seasons to its advantage. It tells all the story it needs to so that it’s no surprise when Netflix announces Francesca and Michaela as the next leads. It’s where the narrative naturally goes. By the time that Season 5 ends, the same should be true for Eloise. After all, that’s where Bridgerton goes next, not Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and Gregory (Will Tilston). They’re still too young. Not to mention, Francesca and Michaela’s second-chance romance lends itself to the start of Eloise and Sir Phillip Crane’s (Chris Fulton) romance. It’s the perfect, productive subplot! 

‘Bridgerton’ Can Start Eloise And Phillip’s Story In Season 5

If it plays its cards (or should I say letters?) right, Bridgerton Season 5 should bring Phillip back—for the first time since Season 2—by starting his correspondence with Eloise. In the book, Eloise reaches out to Phillip to express her condolences after the death of his wife, Marina Thompson. They write to each other for a year before Eloise runs away from Mayfair and to Phillip and his proposal. Assuming that Season 5 spans about a year, like the other seasons, the timeline already supports this move for Eloise.

The fifth season has a two-year time jump, which also works in Eloise’s favor. She will still not be the same age as her book counterpart (28 years old), but she will still be mature (around 22 years old). The same will be true for Marina’s children, Oliver and Amanda, who Phillip sees as his own after their biological father and his brother, George, died in battle. They are pivotal characters to Eloise and Phillip’s story, and they, too, benefit from the time jump. In the book, they’re eight years old, so the show can pick up with them at around that age.

The season can end with Eloise choosing to be less lonely and going to Phillip. It can also let some of the beats from the book play out, as Season 4 does with Francesca, until Anthony finds Eloise at Phillip’s estate and demands that Eloise and Phillip marry. An elopement to end a season means that Bridgerton Season 6 starts with the leads already married. Not only are both gripping cliffhangers, but they also change Bridgerton’s structure for a character (Eloise) who has always challenged her Regency era mold, and it does so in a season where the leads (Francesca and Michaela) break the mold, too.

Robert Pattinson isn’t afraid to get freaky. Known for his eccentric roles and penchant for dropping wild revelations in interviews, the actor seems to be at his best when he gets wonderfully weird. Hence, his upcoming role in Dune: Part Three (2026) seems made for him. Pattinson stars in the movie as Scytale, a shape-shifting villain who can change their gender at will. 

He is barely recognizable in the first-look images of his Dune role, boasting a shaved, bleached blonde haircut, pale skin, and no eyebrows. Before you watch him get freaky in Dune: Part Three, you can use our guide to find 10 more freak mode performances by Pattinson which are available to watch on Netflix, Prime Video, and more, and ranked by how weirdly intriguing they were.

Rey - ‘The Rover’ (2014)

In The Rover, Pattinson takes on the role of the needy and fairly incompetent Rey. When he, his brother, and his comrades rob veteran Eric (Guy Pearce), Rey finds himself injured and left behind, sparking a wild adventure as Eric uses him to find the men who robbed him. Pattinson steals the show with his performance as the childlike Rey, who says and does little but still manages to convey his innocence and neediness amid a collapsing society.

Throughout The Rover, he develops a sort of dependence on who’s essentially his kidnapper, Eric. Meanwhile, despite the characters treating him as a simpleton, it does feel like there’s more to Rey than meets the eye. Overall, it’s far from Pattinson’s freakiest role, but it’s offbeat enough that it catches your attention, which is why it ranks 10th on this list.

The Dauphin - ‘The King’ (2019)

The King tracks the rise of Henry V (Timothée Chalamet) to the English throne, finding himself thrust into a treacherous world of politics and conflict after a privileged boyhood. Pattinson stars in the film’s strangest role as The Dauphin of France. He’s the heir to the throne and Henry V’s rival as the king goes to war with France. The Dauphin is arrogant and crude, casting around threats and insults like a spoiled child.

Pattinson gets pretty weird with his overly exaggerated, quite terrible French accent while shaking his long, blonde locks. Although the accent is a miss, it feels intentional. He’s driving home just how ridiculous The Dauphin is, adding some humor to the otherwise serious movie. While he does an excellent job of making The Dauphin a cartoonish character, the character’s contrast with the tone of The King can be a little unsettling.

Connie Nikas - ‘Good Time’ (2017)

Good Time follows Connie Nikas (Pattinson), a small-time crook who sets off on a dangerous mission to free his brother Nick Nikas (Benny Safdie) after his arrest. In the film, Pattinson portrays one of his most dangerous and unhinged characters, digging deep into Connie’s misguided attempts to rescue his brother. While he believes he is pursuing a noble cause, he only stirs up more chaos and destruction as he manipulates and lies his way to Nick.

As the title suggests, Good Time does, indeed, offer a good time with its fast-paced, unpredictable crime spree. However, Pattinson’s performance allows it to go deeper, as he demonstrates the complexity of Connie’s relationship with Nick and shows that loving someone doesn’t always mean you have the right kind of love for them. He gets a little freaky as Connie, transforming into someone in the depths of fanaticism and desperation, though there’s also something undeniably human about his portrayal.

Batman - ‘The Batman’ (2022)

‘Freaky’ isn’t a word most would use to describe Bruce Wayne (a.k.a. Batman), but Pattinson brings some weirdness to the role, and it works. The Batman sees the titular hero (Pattinson) delve deep into Gotham's corruption as he attempts to take down the deadly Riddler (Paul Dano). Pattinson captures all the familiar qualities of the Dark Knight, including his brooding, darker nature.

However, he forgoes the charming billionaire playboy persona of some iterations of Batman, opting instead for a more reclusive, emo vibe. The eccentricity is most noticeable in his portrayal of Wayne, as he plays the role with considerable awkwardness and moodiness. It’s so subtle that it doesn’t rank among his freakiest roles, but it is still enough to really reflect the inner turmoil and struggles of young Wayne as he tries to find his footing as Batman.

The Grey Heron - ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

The Boy and the Heron centers on a young boy, Mahito Maki, who follows a mysterious talking grey Heron after the animal promises to help him find his late mother. In the English dub of the film, Pattinson voices the Grey Heron. The film will definitely leave you wishing for more voice-acting roles for Pattinson, whose voice is unrecognizable as the Heron.

Speaking in a gravelly, raspy tone, he masks the Heron in mystery. It’s a voice that sounds, at times, cartoonish, but also sometimes chilling and sinister. The Heron itself is quite freaky, with an unusual appearance and hiding a secret that makes it even weirder than a talking, elusive bird. Ultimately, Pattinson gets quite freaky with the Heron’s voice, though there’s only so much he can do in the role since it’s not live-action.

Salvador Dalí - ‘Little Ashes’ (2008)

In Little Ashes, Pattinson portrays the eccentric artist Salvador Dalí during his days at art school, where he strikes up a strong but complicated friendship with aspiring filmmaker Luis Buñuel (Matthew McNulty) and poet Federico García Lorca (Javier Beltrán). Dalí was known for his eccentric behavior, and while Little Ashes only scratches the surface, Pattinson does an excellent job of capturing his unconventional genius.

Pattinson paints a picture of a complex figure who was both shy and flamboyant. While struggling with shyness and paranoia, he still harbors a deep desire for fame. As time goes on, Pattinson portrays Dalí with increasing intensity as the artist finds fame and displays fascist tendencies while navigating a love affair. Dalí is one of Pattinson’s most strange and complicated roles, though it feels the story ends prematurely before he can get fully into freak mode.

Ephraim Winslow - ‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)

Pattinson stars in Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse as Ephraim Winslow, a young man who begins working at an isolated lighthouse under the mentorship of former sailor Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe). In the beginning, Winslow seems like a typical young man, learning the ropes and dealing with an overbearing mentor. However, as time goes on, both Winslow and Wake grow more unhinged, spiralling out of control under the strain of hallucinations, isolation, and alcoholism.

Pattinson gets quite weird, with his character’s behavior shifting between shocking and hilarious. One moment, he and Dafoe are drunkenly slow-dancing, and the next, they are quarreling and contemplating murder. Meanwhile, the freaky performance fits perfectly with The Lighthouse as a dark exploration of human nature and the impact of loneliness and guilt on the human psyche.

Preston Teagardin - ‘The Devil All the Time’ (2020)

In The Devil All the Time, Pattinson portrays Rev. Preston Teagardin, who hides quite a bit of darkness beneath his outward self-righteous presentation. Teagardin is a predator who manipulates the women and girls in his community into having relationships with him, derailing multiple lives and leading some to drastic measures after he abandons them. He is easily one of the most evil characters Pattinson has played, and he does the job well, making Teagardin a despicable figure.

There is a good deal of freakiness to Teagardin, although it’s an unsavory kind of freakiness. He gives off creepy vibes, clearly using his religion as a costume, making it easy to deduce there’s something sinister beneath his weird pastor persona. Two-faced, unbelievably creepy, and self-righteous, Teagardin is one of Pattinson’s freakiest characters. However, he’s so antagonistic that we’re not as intrigued by him as we are by Pattinson’s mostly harmless, weird characters.

Mickey - ‘Mickey 17’ (2025)

Mickey 17 tells the story of Mickey Barnes (Pattinson), a young man who joins a space colony mission as an “Expendable.” As an Expendable, Mickey is repeatedly killed and cloned to perform dangerous missions, but everything changes when clones Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 overlap. Mickey reminds me a lot of Pattinson’s The Rover character, but with an even higher dose of eccentricity.

In the film, Mickey is a child-like, naive man, which makes it even more upsetting how he’s taken advantage of as an Expendable. Meanwhile, Pattinson ramps up the weirdness with Mickey’s strange accent and the contrast between Mickey 17’s innocence and Mickey 18’s extreme aggression. Between dying over a dozen times, portraying multiple iterations of his character, and adapting his character well to an absurd, dystopian premise, Pattinson’s freaky Mickey is both intriguing and oddly lovable.

Edward - ‘The Twilight Saga’ (2008 - 2012)

Nothing is freakier than Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga film series, and Pattinson seemed to understand that perfectly. A lot of readers idealize Cullen as a romantic, heartthrob of a teenage vampire. However, Pattinson picked up on how weird the character really is and portrayed him with the perfect amount of intensity, moodiness, and absurdity.

The film's creatives wanted a more charming, heroic, and romantic Cullen, but Pattinson fought with them to keep his intense, serious portrayal, which aligns more closely with the books. At the end of the day, there isn’t much romance about a 100-year-old vampire who's obsessed with a 17-year-old whom he also wants to suck the blood of. In the end, Pattinson went full freak mode for the brooding, stalking, unhinged Edward, and it worked exactly as he intended.

Corey Feldman's life hasn't been easy, with much of his personal life, issues, and trauma put into the spotlight. These days, his primary focus is music, with the very occasional movie or TV appearance. However, if we rewind back to the '80s, Corey Feldman was on top, with the bulk of his biggest hits involving childhood roles. 

Whether you're craving nostalgia or just want to see Feldman at his most prominent, here are the best Corey Feldman movies, ranked based on his performance and significance. Watch these films on streamers like HBO, Netflix, and more right now.  

6. Gremlins (1984)

Putting Gremlins last on any list feels criminal, but if we're ranking these movies based on Cory Feldman's involvement and performance, it's gotta go last. Feldman plays a relatively small role as Pete Fountaine, the teenage friend of our main character, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan). Personally, I've always felt Pete's role is… unnecessary. He is largely there as the catalyst to spill water on Gizmo, which prompts the birth of the titular Gremlins.

Still, Feldman manages to make the supporting character memorable enough. If you're looking to watch a movie for Cory Feldman specifically, this isn't it. However, if you just want a fun horror comedy loaded with nostalgia and charm, Gremlins is your answer. Yes, it's technically a Christmas movie, but I'd argue you can watch it any time of year. 

5. The 'Burbs (1989)

Peacock recently revived Joe Dante's dark satire with The 'Burbs series, and Feldman made a quick cameo. However, for a much larger dose of Feldman, you'll want to watch the original movie, The 'Burbs. In a supporting role to names like Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher, Feldman plays Ricky Butler, a noisy teenager who joins a group of neighbors hellbent on proving that their new, reclusive neighbor is actually a murderer. 

While The 'Burbs itself is an excellent movie, it ranks lower on this list because of Feldman's supporting role. Don't get me wrong. He still plays a significant part in the larger narrative, but not in the same way he does in other entries here. That said, if you're in search of a witty but fun satire about unchecked neighborhood politics, The 'Burbs is truly an underrated gem. (The Peacock series is a blast, too!) 

4. License to Drive (1988)

Some of you may think Gremlins and The 'Burbs are better movies, but License to Drive earns a higher rank for Feldman's involvement. Here, Feldman co-stars alongside Corey Haim, Feldman's longtime friend and collaborator before Haim's tragic death in 2010. Known as "the Coreys," the duo play two friends who get roped into all manner of hijinks after Haim's character steals his grandfather's Cadillac to impress a girl. 

If you like '80s-infused teen comedies like Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) or Better Off Dead (1985), License to Drive carries a similar chaotic, sometimes goofy comedy. Not to mention that Feldman and Haim exude the type of chemistry that proves why they became such an in-demand pair in the '80s, '90s, and beyond. This is very much a "Coreys" movie.  

3. The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies is the pinnacle of kids' adventure movies. Still iconic and unmatched in story to this day, it's the perfect watch for younger audiences who view treasure hunts as magical quests instead of fruitless time sucks. More importantly, The Goonies became the breakout role for many still-working, well-known actors, including Sean Astin, Ke Huy Quan, Josh Brolin, and, of course, Corey Feldman. 

Feldman's character, Mouth, is a fan favorite, and for many, he remains the heart of the movie. To this day, the boys' treasure hunt for One-Eye Willy's legendary fortune is homaged and parodied, with shows like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024) and Stranger Things (2016) drawing inspiration from The Goonies. 

2. The Lost Boys (1987)

If you dig the Twilight Saga's sexy vampires, you owe The Lost Boys for making vampires edgy and hot. And while the conflict between Kiefer Sutherland's vampire gang and Jason Patric's new kid in town remains the film's main focus, Feldman delivers a delightful performance as one-half of the "vampire hunting" Frog brothers, alongside Jamison Newlander. Feldman also gets to act with Corey Haim again, who plays the younger brother of Patric's character.

The Frog brothers bring comedy to an otherwise dark story. As such, The Lost Boys remains a staple of '80s horror, delivering something that is equally haunting and fun. Nostalgic and jam-packed with a killer soundtrack largely thanks to Joel Schumacher's overuse of "Cry Little Sister," it's the ideal film for horror lovers. 

1. Stand by Me (1986)

Ask anyone about Corey Feldman's best role, and they'll probably tell you Stand by Me—and, honestly, I agree. Adapted from a Stephen King novella, Stand by Me is a far cry from King's usual horror offerings. Here, Feldman plays one of four boys who embark on a quest to find the body of a missing boy. Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, and Jerry O'Connell play his friends, and each actor absolutely nails their role. 

It's not always easy to find convincing child actors, but Stand by Me proves it can be done. Not only do these boys feel like they know each other, but you'll also feel like you know them. It's a no-brainer for anyone looking to see Feldman's career best, especially if you dig coming-of-age dramas with a tinge of darkness, like Mid90s (2018).

Netflix has officially confirmed that Bridgerton (2020) will diverge from its book order again, but this time, it's to give us the sapphic romance we've been waiting for since the fleeting glance in Season 3. With the seeds properly planted in Season 4, we had hints that Season 5 would lead to Francesca Bridgerton's great big second chance at love, and the confirmation is incredibly comforting in this climate. It feels especially vital for it to occur sooner rather than later because people deserve the chance to see them represented on screen when the world around us can be vicious and unkind.

While some fans might be upset that they'll have to wait longer to see Eloise's story, the fact that the series will explore a two-year time jump means that it can begin executing her arc in a manner that ensures she's actually ready for love this time. Bridgerton likely won't return for a year or two, but when it does, Francesca and Michaela's love story is undoubtedly about to take the world by storm.

Francesca and Michaela's Love Story on 'Bridgerton' Is Already Groundbreaking

The fact is that most historical features end in tragedy because the time period doesn't exactly leave room for happy endings on our screens. However, Bridgerton being a romance changes that fully. While we don't have all the details on how the showrunners will touch on their story, we can be sure of the fact that no matter which way it veers, the guaranteed happy ending already promises a groundbreaking story for the subgenre.

The lush production design will allow the women to shine, and the moments we've already gotten with them are so achingly profound that the layers they'll add to their love story will be hugely significant. Francesca's story is incredibly special in how it explores love after loss and infertility. The representation of these two details alone isn't something we often see depicted in romances, so the fact that we'll get it through a sweeping romance that underscores healing is beautiful in every way. Their love story isn't your typical love story between three people because it never started that way. The love that both Francesca and Michaela share for John is unique and everlasting, which will make their story even lovelier to watch.

The rarity in this type of romance can allow for more stories to come to the center that are told with thoughtful explorations of humanity and the vast capability to love. The beat of longing we get in the teaser is enough for us to see that Season 5 is about to be the most groundbreaking arc in Bridgerton yet, and may it be the beginning to signal to Hollywood that representation matters. 

Sapphic Romances Are Still Incredibly Rare In Hollywood - 'Bridgerton' Thankfully Changes That

Although Hollywood productions are indeed doing a better job of properly representing LGBTQ+ romances without tragedies following the couples in the end, we don't have nearly enough sapphic relationships the way we see love stories between two men. Heated Rivalry (2025) brilliantly proved that people not only want to see unapologetically romantic shows, but we want proper queer representations, handled with care and brought to life by a team that values the genre. 

We want to see queer couples get the same treatment where the screenplay, lighting, directing, and music choices are all thoughtfully chosen with the attention that countless heterosexual romances receive, and more importantly, we want the unapologetic joy. This isn't to say that angst isn't a welcome plot device that can make the love stories exciting, but we want the assurance that happiness will follow conflict. 

There are a number of romance novel adaptations announced, but there are very few sapphic romances, and Bridgerton Season 5 is thankfully about to change that. It's going to set a new standard to remind people of how and why representation also matters in the past decades, because queer people didn't just come out of thin air. They've always been around, and they've always deserved the bright, beaming romances. 

There's also the added benefit that Bridgerton is both an anthology series and an incredibly popular one for Netflix. When we've had representation for sapphic romances in the last few years, some were part of shows that were unfairly cancelled ahead of their time. Bridgerton won't be cancelled prematurely because of its popularity, but also because each season begins and ends with a happy ending. We know that we'll see Francesca and Michaella together when Season 5 concludes. Because the two women will also be leads, their love story won't be relegated to a side plot, which is also a frustrating thing that happens to sapphic pairings on other shows. They're there in the background, sure, but this time, they're finally at the forefront.

Sequels work best when they understand exactly what made the original work and run with it. And 2026's Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is doing exactly that, doubling down on the same brutality that made 2019's Ready or Not such a hit in the first place. It's still gleefully violent and very aware of how ridiculous its premise is. That's why the film's mini Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) reference works so well.

In the middle of one particularly messy fight, Sarah Michelle Gellar's  Ursula Danforth slams a long metal spike (that looks a lot like a stake) straight into Grace MacCaullay's (Samara Weaving) shoulder. It's quick, brutal, and just stylized enough to feel familiar. Not in a "look what we did there" kind of way, but in a more subtly effective way.

To some, it's just another brutal scene in a chaotic movie. But once you connect the dots, it's hard to unsee. The fight between the characters, the placement, even the exaggerated impact of the metal spike, all echo the kind of vampire staking that defined Gellar's legacy as Buffy Summers in the 1997 supernatural horror series (which can be found on Prime Video and Hulu).

Sarah Michelle Gellar Still Owns Buffy

Part of why that moment feels so epic is because Gellar has never really tried to separate herself from Buffy Summers. There's no awkward distancing. No sense that it's something she needed to move past or reframe. If anything, she's always treated Buffy with the exact kind of reverence the character deserves because it was the role that defined her career.

But for some reason, that isn't always how this goes. A lot of actors hit big with one franchise and then spend the next decade trying to downplay it. Robert Pattinson is the obvious comparison, mostly because of how often his relationship with Twilight (2008) has been framed as something he had desperately tried to outgrow.

There are plenty of interviews where Pattinson joked about the film series or dismissed parts of it. And even if some of that is exaggerated, the tone is pretty clear. It's always frustrating when actors do that because those roles matter. They're the reason audiences show up in the first place. Pretending otherwise doesn't really add anything. It just makes people look at you differently.

Gellar's approach is the exact opposite of that. To celebrate the show's 20th anniversary, the actress took to Instagram to share her love for the series, describing Buffy as "one of the greatest female characters ever created." And this is also why people are still interested in anything connected to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer story after all these years.

The Scrapped 'Buffy' Revival

For a while, Buffy Summers was ready to make a comeback in the sequel series Buffy: New Sunnydale. The show was supposed to center on a new slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. But after filming the pilot, Hulu decided to scrap the entire series. While the studio has not released an official statement, The Hollywood Reporter states that executives were not happy with the quality of the pilot script.

However, behind-the-scenes politics might have had a hand in the show's axing. According to Gellar, an unnamed executive constantly let everyone know that he wasn't a fan of the original series. "That's very hard when you're taking a property that is as beloved as Buffy, not just to the world, but to me and [director Chloé Zaho]," she said.  "So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting."

Luckily, Ready or Not 2 allows Gellar to have a little fun with her Buffy legacy. Her character, Ursula Danforth, is not a hero in this story. Instead, she spends the movie hunting Grace and her sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton). But she never turns Ursula into a cartoonish villain, which somehow makes everything around her feel even more unhinged.

That's kind of been the appeal of Ready or Not from the start. It takes the concept of a deadly game of hide-and-seek and just commits to it completely. There's no attempt to explain it away. The movie and the sequel just keep letting things get more chaotic with every scene. If you're the kind of viewer who enjoys horror that doesn't take itself too seriously, these movies are very easy to get into.

Daniel Radcliffe has become one of Hollywood’s most surprisingly effective comedy stars, full of strange performances that highlight just how much he’s changed since his days starring in the Harry Potter series. Radcliffe rose to fame as the titular young wizard, becoming a global star as a child. Alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the trio grew into great actors through their roles in the series—but Radcliffe might be the most interesting. Shifting from the stage for a time, Radcliffe gained a bombastic edge that has made him one of Hollywood’s best comedy stars.

Since his days as Harry Potter, Radcliffe has played a good variety of roles, including leading intense dramas like Imperium (2016) and playing the villain in blockbusters like The Lost City (2022). However, his most memorable turns have been in the weird and wild comedies that harness his ability to find vulnerability and humanity even while playing a magical corpse. With The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (2026) serving as a great showcase of his comedic talent, here are the eight wildest performances from Daniel Radcliffe that are nothing like his iconic turn as Harry Potter, and where you can watch them on Netflix, Prime Video, and more!

Horns (2013) 

One of Daniel Radcliffe’s first big swings after the Harry Potter series, the dark fantasy of Horn was an early taste of the more wacky, strange, and entertaining side of the performer that has become a frequent fan favorite. Based on a book by Joe Hill, the same author behind the inspirations for Locke & Key (2020) and The Black Phone (2022), Horns follows a young man named Ig who is accused of a horrible crime. Even as he repeatedly denies it, he grows a pair of horns and supernatural abilities. 

Melodramatic to a fault, Radcliffe elevates the material with a vulnerable performance that hints at a greater depth as an actor than the Harry Potter adaptations were ever really going to give him. Horns might not be perfect, but fans of shows like Good Omens (2019) will probably enjoy this unexpected exploration of faith and regret through the lens of a strange transformation.

BoJack Horseman (2014) 

One of the best things about Radcliffe as a performer has proven to be his sense of humor, something he showcased in shows like BoJack Horseman. Before this, Radcliffe had made comedic cameos as himself in shows like Extras (2005) and The Simpsons (1989). However, it’s his BoJack Horseman guest spot in Season 2 that still stands out as a good showcase of the rougher edges he can bring to a character. 

While he gets to have fun playing up his public persona and career, this Radcliffe ends up in some surprisingly intense and uncomfortable moments with the titular character. The more incredulous Radcliffe, happy to see BoJack embarrassed but genuinely shocked by his selfish side, is the kind of more complex comedic character that Radcliffe would start to increasingly surprise audiences with.

Swiss Army Man (2016) 

Strange, singular, and oddly moving, Swiss Army Man is one of the great on-screen comedic collaborations thanks to a fully committed Radcliffe and Paul Dano. When a marooned man ends up finding a corpse on the island, he discovers it has a number of supernatural properties that may be the key to saving himself—especially as their time together begins to bring the corpse back to life. 

The directorial debut of Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, the film has the same fantastical and emotional go-for-broke approach as Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022). Swiss Army Man only works thanks to a constantly silly and strangely compelling performance from Radcliffe as the magical corpse, especially as he grows into the childlike "Manny." Purposefully bizarre and not necessarily for audiences who prefer a more straightforward story, the oddness of Swiss Army Man is a big part of its appeal.

Guns Akimbo (2020) 

Part of a wave of high-octane action movies that sought to replicate the tight combat of movies like John Wick (2014), Guns Akimbo’s bombastic approach is perfect for anyone who loves the likes of GTA or Cyberpunk 2077. Guns Akimbo follows a computer programmer in a grim near future, who finds himself thrown into a deathmatch against his will—including guns being bolted to his hands. 

Playing out like a bonkers mix of Shoot 'Em Up (2007) and Idiocracy (2006), the frantic Guns Akimbo benefits from a manic Radcliffe performance that finds room amidst all the over-the-top hyperviolence to depict someone embracing a darker side of themself for survival. Far from the most subtle performance or film of Radcliffe’s career, Guns Akimbo is a strange action film that is too much for younger audiences but can be fun for the right kind of audience.

Miracle Workers (2019) 

The four-season TBS comedy, Miracle Workers, might be one of the funniest things that Daniel Radcliffe has done yet and is a far cry from what anyone initially expected of the actor after the Harry Potter films. The show shifts focus each season, taking place in the afterlife, the Middle Ages, the expansion of the American West, and the post-apocalyptic wasteland. 

Radcliffe plays a different character each time, often playing on his more affable and comedic talents with a number of comedically vulnerable performances. While the best raw performance might be his medieval failson role in Season 2, Radcliffe’s ability to go big and broad helps make Season 3 one of the funniest one-season stories in modern comedy. If you appreciate the sheer wackiness and surprising character depth of something like Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) or The Good Place (2016), then you’ll have a blast with this underrated comedy.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (2020) 

A creatively ambitious "Choose Your Own Adventure" sequel to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015), the interactive comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend uses Radcliffe as Prince Frederick, the new fiancée of Kimmy. Similar to Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), the narrative's flexibility based on the viewer offers plenty of fun rewatchability. 

Playing Frederick as an emotionally stunted but surprisingly innocent suitor who gradually reveals just how unprepared he is for a genuine adult relationship, the various wacky directions that special takes highlight just how weird Radcliffe's sense of humor can be—with one personal favorite seeing the distant member of the British throne forced to work in a fast-food burger joint. If you’re looking for a more grounded dramedy, then this won’t be your favorite appearance from the actor. However, it’s a great proof of just how weird Radcliffe can be.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) 

A movie-length parody of music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Weird: The Al Yankovic Story takes the concept to the point of absurdity to match the titular comedy musician. Radcliffe plays Weird Al as a seriously committed musician who wants to push the boundaries of the art form while contending with a romance with Madonna, who also becomes an aspiring crime lord. 

There’s so much straightforward parody work in this film to underscore how well Radcliffe holds himself against comedy legends, as well as a perfectly game Evan Rachel Wood as an unhinged Madonna. A hilariously goofy parody that does to the music biopic what Young Frankenstein (1974) does to classic horror, Weird makes a good case for Radcliffe to keep his focus on comedies. 

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (2026)

A rare example of Daniel Radcliffe playing the relative straightman compared to the rest of the cast, the actor still brings enough weirdo energy to his performance as Arthur in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. A mix between Parks and Recreation (2009) and Happy Gilmore (1996) that takes a comedic, loose but surprisingly pointed parody of the standard sports documentary. 

The show focuses on a documentary about the titular football player who is trying to bounce back from his public disgrace. Played by 30 Rock (2006) star Tracy Morgan, Reggie and his social circle are all delightfully weird, with Arthur providing the surrounding structure but enough jokes to remain just as silly. With Radcliffe’s initial stardom being in the fantasy genre, his comedic transformation is an absolute delight to see.

Who doesn’t love a bit of the old ultra-violence? There’s something so cathartic about watching a person lay down ruthless justice to obviously evil villains in the most creative ways possible. Some people can prefer special effects-driven spectacles, but there’s nothing quite like an action movie that goes all in on practical effects, stuntwork, and excellent fight choreography. 

In an era defined by clean and polished action movies, watching one that’s rough around the edges and has some grit goes a long way toward making it memorable, and Netflix just began streaming a true diamond in the rough. This action war movie is currently #3 on the streaming charts, and not only delivers some wild action, but also gives it a strong emotional core that will keep you invested from beginning to end.

The best part? This film is a sequel, meaning that if you like it, there’s plenty more where that came from. If you’re craving an action movie that feels classic in all the right ways, then you need to watch Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025).

What Is ‘Sisu: Road To Revenge’ About?

If you’ve never heard of Sisu: Road to Revenge, you need to fix that mistake instantly. While it is a sequel, given that the original Sisu (2023) didn’t have much of a plot outside of “Nazis are evil. Go kill some Nazis,” Sisu: Road to Revenge is a remarkably easy movie to get into, even if you haven’t seen its predecessor.

Sisu: Road to Revenge is a movie that takes place following the events of WWII. Finland has ceded territory to the Soviet Union, and a former commando for the Finnish army, Aatami Korpi, decides to cross the border to visit his old house. He dismantles it and loads it onto a gargantuan truck in an attempt to bring it back to where he lives currently, but he gains the attention of the KGB, who want nothing but revenge for how Aatami killed their troops during the war.

What follows is an 89-minute chase as Aatami blasts his way through the KGB as he attempts to make it to the border. It’s not just non-stop action, though, because action without reason can be tedious. It becomes evident very quickly that this herculean task has a lot of importance to Aatami, as we see glimpses of his past and the quiet life he used to live before the war, and how his house is a reminder of happier days that mean the world to him. Despite Aatami not uttering a single line of dialogue in the film, you instantly connect, sympathize, and root for him each time he brutally murders his pursuers to protect that last vestige of happiness he has.

Is ‘Sisu: Road To Revenge’ Really That Violent?

If you’re a fan of action movies like The Raid (2012) or John Wick (2014), you may balk at the idea of an action movie being more ferocious than those masterpieces, but Sisu: Road to Revenge more than delivers on its violence.

There’s such a raw intensity in both Sisu and Sisu: Road to Revenge that helps elevate them above their action contemporaries. They rarely focus on plot outside of establishing their premises and instead go all in on bringing the bloodshed. It consistently elevates the action on a scene-by-scene basis, becoming more ridiculous but playing it as straight as your average war movie. Like Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Sisu: Road to Revenge is a high-octane chase movie, with Aatami’s truck plowing through KGB officers with reckless abandon. Even when the odds are stacked against him, Aatami finds some way to raise the stakes that will have you grinning from ear to ear with how bold he becomes in laying down some karmic justice. 

That doesn’t mean the film is only about vehicular combat. When Sisu: Road to Revenge wants to show off fights in more confined areas, the violence feels almost barbaric. The ending of the film is probably the best example of this, with Aatami making his way through a train with nothing but a knife, and through pure determination and rage, he carves a path of destruction that not even Mr. Wick can compare to. Sisu: Road to Revenge isn’t afraid to be what it is: an ultra-violent march through post-war Finland that takes no prisoners.

Why You Should Keep Your Eyes On The Sisu Series.

If you consider yourself a fan of action movies, especially old-school war movies from the ‘80s, Sisu: Road to Revenge demands your attention and adoration. It’s gleefully excessive, and with enough support, this series has the potential to go on for a long time. 

While Sisu: Road to Revenge underperformed at the box office, earning less than $10 million on a $12 million budget, the doors aren’t closed for the series. In fact, thanks to the positive critical reception, director Jalmari Helander and star Jorma Tommila have stated multiple times that they would love to continue the franchise. In fact, much like Keanu Reeves, Tommila said that he would continue playing the beleaguered Aatami as long as he’s physically able to. While a third movie has yet to be confirmed, since Helander is busy filming a prequel to First Blood (1982), if the stars align, then Sisu 3 is a distinct possibility.

The Sisu series prioritizes visceral action that will have you gawking at how bloody and vicious it can be. Not many Hollywood studios make action movies like Sisu: Road to Revenge anymore. War movies don’t tend to do well unless there’s a major director attached to them, like Christopher Nolan or Alex Garland, and extreme violence tends to turn off most average audiences. But if you’re looking for a war movie with teeth that isn’t afraid to carve a path of destruction and revel in its violence, then make it a priority to watch both Sisu films. And who knows? Maybe Netflix will notice how well it’s doing and fund that hypothetical third movie.

In what's a legitimately golden age of television, there's a lot to watch and a lot to catch up on. Most people likely don't even know some shows exist until awards season, or until something goes viral and everyone starts talking about it. In 2020, when Apple TV was still a relatively newer streaming service, it was the pandemic and social media hype that led most people to Ted Lasso. Fans of Bill Lawrence were already aware, but more people began to discover what the Scrubs (2001) creator brought to our screens. Then came Shrinking (2023), and right now, more people continue to discover it on a daily basis because of Harrison Ford—and maybe even Ted Lasso. 

But if you love Shrinking and want to be in the know of something sooner rather than later, run, don't walk to watch Rooster (2026) on HBO Max. Developed by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, Rooster is already well on its way toward becoming another iconic comedy that's a perfect marriage between humor and heart.

Comedies Like 'Shrinking' And 'Rooster' Always Feature Inimitable Heart 

There are few things easier to appreciate than a comedy that uniquely explores a specific career, and Lawrence's particular brand always ensures that there's immense heart in the execution. In Scrubs, it's med students; in Ted Lasso, it's Premier League football; in Shrinking, it's therapy; in Bad Monkey (2024), it's crime and inspection, and in Rooster, it's academia. 

As an English major, the setting for Rooster is especially riveting to me, and how we're exploring both the pretentious side and the challenges of education is already no small feat. While there are only three episodes available to the public so far at the time of writing, we can be sure that things will also get more emotional as challenges continue to crack these characters open a bit more.

In addition to the career, the father/daughter relationship we see with Steve Carell's Greg and Charly Clive's Katie is already incredibly precious, and it explores the type of loyalty that we don't often see on TV. Right now, a lot of parent and child relationships are strained, so the fact that the series is providing us with a closeness makes Rooster incredibly endearing. In Shrinking, Harrison Ford is basically the parental figure to everyone at the office (and their friends by association), so for those of us who find comfort in these types of platonic relationships, everything about Greg and Katie's bond is easy to appreciate right from the start. 

Part of what also makes Rooster so seamless to invest in is that both Lawrence and Tarses bring to life crass humor through a biting sharpness that feels organic and never once offensive. The characters are all deeply complex from the beginning, and none of them is pretending to be anything but. Because of this, the writing ensures that we can invest in their lives and want the best for them even while they're messed up. We're meeting them right at the height of their challenges, which makes the show all the more riveting. 

The complexities feel oddly relatable and so awkward at times, making it seamless to understand that these arcs will lead to the exploration of deeply human emotions. These nuances are always a welcome detail that makes comedies easy to invest in and care about because they can feel extremely real, but the levity allows it to feel far more palatable than a darker drama that may be harder to watch if people aren't in the right headspace. Whoever thinks that nothing happens in comedies isn't aware of how effectively Bill Lawrence explore the ordinary through profound emotions and sharp beats of laughter.

Steve Carell Is At His Best In 'Rooster'

Steve Carell's comedy is often unmatched, and the way he makes unlikable characters genuinely lovely is a skill few actors have. No one, and I mean no one, could've made Michael Scott a character worthy of caring about other than Steve Carell, and it's why The Office remains so memorable despite its faults. Carell's comedic timing is a unique strength, and his ability to bring immense heart into dry humor is precisely what makes him so perfectly cast for the type of writing Bill Lawrence is known for. In the same way that Harrison Ford delivers his best performance in Shrinking, dare I say that Rooster is already well on its way toward becoming something just as special for Carell? 

Interestingly, if you ever wanted to see more of Steve Carell's Cal from Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), Rooster also scratches that specific itch with the father/daughter dynamic. Watching him act alongside actors like Danielle Deadwyler, John C. McGinley, Phil Dunster, Connie Britton, and likely more as the season goes on is a genuine gift we shouldn't take for granted. There's something indescribable about the warmth Carell layers his comedy with that always makes the show or movie easily comforting, even when the circumstances around the character aren't so great. That's exactly what's happening in Rooster, making it so easy to believe that the best is yet to come.

The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) has arrived, full of fun Easter eggs and fuel for fan theories. The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man series stands out from its predecessors. Not only is it the first MCU Spider-Man movie in five years, but it is also the first since the Marvel universe lost its memory of Spider-Man’s true identity as Peter Parker (Tom Holland). As a result, it functions a bit as a soft reboot, giving Peter a fresh start and introducing some new characters.

However, the trailer has made some fans think that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is giving Peter an entirely different sort of new start. It’s undeniable that the Peter we see in the trailer has changed since we last saw him, and that something significant is happening to him on both a physical and an emotional level.

After the trailer, a fan theory emerged that Peter is becoming Venom’s human host in the movie. It’s a wild theory that wouldn’t fit with the “Brand New Day” comic story and would actually make more sense in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Even so, there are just enough teases in the trailer to make the theory intriguing.

Peter Parker’s Black Era: What’s Up With The Dark Fit?

One small sign of Venom in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer is that Peter seems to be in his dark era. Every time he’s not in his Spider-Man suit, he’s wearing all black or mostly black clothing. It’s not just his clothing that is dark, but his personality is far more subdued and sullen. His personality and style are a far cry from the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), when he’s battered but determined and seemingly content with his situation. 

Of course, it could just be the toll of the trauma and loss he has experienced or the effects of the physical evolution he’s undergoing. However, Venom has been known to mimic clothing and affect its host’s mental state. The change Peter undergoes in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is reminiscent of Spider-Man 3 (2007), when the symbiote turned Spider-Man’s suit (Tobey Maguire) black and made him more arrogant and aggressive.

What’s Up With Spider-Man’s Black Hand In ‘Brand New Day’?

It could just be a trick of the lighting, but at the 1:16 mark in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, Peter’s left hand appears to be black. In the scene, he’s tearing through a cocoon of webbing, and his left hand is completely dark while his right hand appears normal. While it could very well be a shadow, it’s noticeable enough to cast some doubt. 

In the following scene, Peter falls from a building and tries to eject his webs even though he’s obviously not wearing his web shooters. It seems to hint at organic web generation, which Peter first achieves when bonded to Venom, who mimics the web shooters. To add to the theory, Peter eventually catches himself and dangles from one arm, and in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, you can see his hand is balled into a fist on his raised arm, which parallels the hand gesture Venom makes in the comics when shooting webs.

Venom Is In The Eye Of The Beholder: Peter Parker’s Dark Eyes, Explained?

Arguably, the biggest hint of Venom in Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s trailer is Peter’s dark eyes. At the 2:12 mark, Peter’s eyes go fully black. Again, it might be a symptom of his physical evolution. However, you may recall in Venom (2018), Eddie Brock’s (Tom Hardy) eyes went fully black when he first bonded with the symbiote. It may be a coincidence, but the inky black look of Peter’s eyes is almost identical to Brock’s in Venom.

Peter Parker’s ‘Brand New Day’ X-Ray May Reveal Venom’s Infection

The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer also includes a glimpse of an X-ray of Peter. He undergoes the scan after seeking out Bruce Banner’s (Mark Ruffalo) help for his mysterious transformation. In a blink-and-you-miss moment at the 1:27 mark of the trailer, a quick shot of the X-ray scan shows blackness taking over Peter’s body, and it even looks like black webbing in some spots. It’s hard to tell what exactly the scan is showing, though the screen reads, “Enhanced human detected.” Once again, it could be a hint of Venom’s infection spreading or just another suspicious way of framing Peter’s evolution.

Spider-Man’s Sensitivity To Sound Could Be A Venom Tease

In Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s trailer, Peter is far more sensitive to sound. At one point, a mere droplet of water seems to leave him stricken, clutching his head. The X-ray scan also detected “heightened senses,” so it could just be that his powers are evolving and heightening. 

However, it’s worth noting that one of Venom’s biggest weaknesses is sound. In both Spider-Man 3 and the Venom movies, high-frequency sounds weakened Venom and even severed his connection to his host. Since it’s the sound’s frequency that affects Venom most, he isn’t likely to be affected by the sound of a water droplet. Still, the sound sensitivity in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is enough to remind us of Venom’s weakness.

Weddings in general are a lot. With the outfits, family dynamics, and the expectation that everything is supposed to be perfect and feel meaningful at the same time, it doesn't take much for the event itself to tip into something uncomfortable. This is probably why horror and thriller movies keep using weddings as a setting/backdrop, because then the tension is kind of built in.

When the first cracks in the happiness facade start to show, the whole thing stops being about romance and starts being about control, survival, or just getting through the night in one piece. The films on this list (which can be found on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+) push their wedding chaos in a few epic, different directions that you won't want to miss.

Ready or Not (2019)

Ready or Not follows Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving), who marries into the wealthy Le Domas family, only to discover that her wedding night comes with a deadly twist. Encouraged by her new husband, Alex (Mark O'Brien), she takes part in what seems like a harmless game that quickly turns violent. As the night unfolds, Grace realizes she's being hunted.

The actual wedding feels almost like a formality the family needs to complete before the real tradition begins. Ready or Not is the most fully realized version of the "wedding gone wrong" idea because it understands how quickly tradition can turn into something suffocating, and then just runs with that. It's ideal for fans of survival horror movies like 2011's You're Next.

Alligator (1980)

Alligator follows Detective David Madison (Robert Forster) as he investigates a series of attacks linked to a giant alligator living beneath the city. The creature, having grown to an unnatural size, begins surfacing in increasingly public spaces, including a high-society outdoor wedding reception. Ironically, the event is hosted by the person who is responsible for creating the mutated alligator.

Still, the wedding scene comes out of nowhere in a way that's actually a little funny. There's also something oddly satisfying about how quickly the film drops any sense of control in that moment as everything just spirals. It doesn't overstay its welcome either, which somehow makes it more memorable. If you enjoy classic creature features like Jaws (1975), this one is a must.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 tells the story of Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman), a former assassin known as The Bride, who is attacked at her wedding rehearsal by her former mentor Bill (David Carradine) and his goons. The brutal ambush leaves her in a coma for four years. When she wakes up, Beatrix sets out on a calculated path of revenge on those who wronged her.

The wedding rehearsal is quiet and intimate, which makes the violence that follows feel even more abrupt. It's over quickly, but that moment hangs over the entire film because it represents Beatrix's attempt at creating a new life which was quickly taken from her. If you're into stylized revenge stories like John Wick (2014), Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a must-watch.

Melancholia (2011)

Melancholia tells the story of Justine (Kirsten Dunst), who struggles to stay present during her own wedding reception at her sister Claire's (Charlotte Gainsbourg) estate. As the night progresses, her emotional state becomes harder to ignore. At the same time, a rogue planet approaches Earth, casting an all-consuming sense of dread over everything.

The reception is drawn out and increasingly uncomfortable, with small moments that start to feel slightly off. It never fully collapses in a dramatic way, but you can feel it slipping the entire time. Melancholia showcases a much quieter kind of "wedding gone wrong," but it's probably one of the most effective. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys introspective films like 2011's The Tree of Life.

REC 3: Genesis (2012)

REC 3: Genesis follows Clara (Leticia Dolera) and Koldo (Diego Martín) who are preparing for their wedding day. But the festivities go sideways when a strange virus makes their guests violent. As the infection spreads through the venue, the couple gets separated. So Clara is forced to deal with the outbreak alone while trying to find Koldo.

REC 3: Genesis commits to the premise in a way that feels messy, but also very watchable. The wedding starts off with a real sense of energy before everything falls apart. Once the outbreak begins, that same space turns horrific almost instantly, which makes the shift feel especially jarring. Fans of outbreak horror movies like Anger of the Dead (2015) will enjoy Rec 3: Genesis.

The Invitation (2022)

The Invitation follows Evelyn Jackson (Nathalie Emmanuel), who discovers a long-lost branch of her family and is invited to a fancy countryside wedding by her newly found cousin Oliver Alexander (Hugh Skinner). The estate is beautiful, the guests are welcoming, and everything seems perfect at first. But as the weekend goes on, Evelyn starts to notice small things that don't quite add up.

The wedding is staged as this grand, elegant event, but it never really feels very relaxed or celebratory. Instead, it feels sort of stiff, like everyone is following a script Evelyn hasn't read. So it makes sense that the horror comes from social discomfort and the feeling of being slightly out of place. Although the ending rushes things a bit, it's perfect for fans of slow-burn thrillers like Unsane (2018).

Til Death Do Us Part (2023)

Til Death Do Us Part follows a runaway bride (Natalie Burn) who ditches her wedding and soon-to-be husband. But her newfound freedom is threatened when she is hunted down by her ex-groom (Ser'Darius Blain) and his six violent groomsmen. As the situation escalates, the bride is forced to fight back if she wants to survive.

Til Death Do Us Part clearly exists in the shadow of Ready or Not, and it doesn't always step out of it. Still, it keeps things simple and focused, which helps maintain momentum. It leans fully into the idea of commitment turning into something threatening. Anyone who loves straightforward survival thrillers like The Hunt (2020) will love this movie.

Getting their start as TV writers before gradually becoming some of Hollywood’s most creative comedy filmmakers, Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s latest work is a genuine masterpiece. Project Hail Mary (2026) is a blast, a creative sci-fi riff that manages to be technical, heartfelt, and hilarious all while being absolutely gorgeous. It’s not surprising that the movie is so good, though, given the career that the pair have established thus far. 

After breaking out as screenwriters, Phil Lord and Chris Miller made a name for themselves by turning potentially boring adaptations of children’s books, TV show reboots, and toy tie-ins into must-see comedies with just as much heart as laughs. Since then, they’ve broadened their horizons as filmmakers, and while there are plenty of things they’ve worked on in some capacity, this list is going to look at the movies and shows the pair either created or directed—including Project Hail Mary—and rank them.

Honorable Mentions

Phil Lord and Chris Miller's careers have seen them work as directors, writers, and producers. While this list is primarily focused on their work as directors and creators, it's worth noting some of their other biggest experiences in Hollywood. They are two of the primary visionaries behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)—along with the upcoming concluding chapter in the trilogy, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027). 

While they didn't direct them, the pair were the writers on Extreme Movie (2008) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019). Before their careers blew up in film, they were also writers on shows like Method & Red (2004) and How I Met Your Mother (2005). They've also served as Executive Producers on several projects, like The Sheep Detectives (2026), Son of Zorn (2016), Bless the Harts (2019), and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)—the latter of which they also directed the pilot episode. All of those projects are good, but since this list is more focused on properties directly helmed by the pair, they’ve been left off the formal list.

8. Clone High (2002)

The first project helmed directly by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Clone High is a subversive and goofy cartoon cult classic that might not have aged the best but still highlights their comedic talents. A parody of moral-driven high school shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) and Dawson’s Creek (1998), Clone High focused on a group of teen dramedy archetypes who are also genetic clones of major historical figures. 

Full of weird digressions and silly parodies of high school story tropes, the show lacks the emotional depth that elevates the other works directed by Lord and Miller. Still, there’s a lot of goofy comedy to love about the series, explaining why it came back for two seasons in a recent revival. More attuned to the gag-heavy world of Adult Swim's shows like Smiling Friends (2020) and sometimes telling gags that have not aged well, Clone High isn’t as compelling or engaging as the other movies and shows directed by Lord and Miller, but is still an entertaining goof.

7. The Last Man on Earth (2015)

While the central premise eventually got away from it, The Last Man on Earth’s highlights justified the more meandering parts of the show. Created and executive produced by Lord and Miller (who also directed the first two episodes), the Will Forte-led show focuses on the handful of survivors of a mysterious plague that otherwise wiped out humanity. 

The four-season show has a lot of grim fun with the concept, but the better moments are often the ones that force Forte’s Tandy to confront not just his morality and mortality, but the perspectives of others and their own trauma. While the show’s meandering plot eventually became a detriment to the cohesion of the series as a whole—with a cliffhanger ending that put a damper on what is otherwise a perfectly fulfilling finale, knocking it down to #7 on this list—there’s enough emotional depth to justify a watch. 

6. 21 Jump Street (2012)

The first live-action feature film directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, 21 Jump Street is a great parody of cop movies that actually has a lot to say about the way growing up has changed in just a few decades. Based on the 21 Jump Street (1987) show that helped turn Johnny Depp into a star, the film follows two police officers who are assigned to undercover work at a local high school. 

Bawdy and broad with its comedy, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are pitch-perfect as unlikely friends and goofball cops who nevertheless discover a major criminal conspiracy at play on campus. There’s nothing really wrong with the film, but it doesn’t quite match the ambitious highs or the creative comedy of Lord and Miller’s later work, explaining why it lands at this part of the list. With a similar comedic spirit to movies like The Other Guys (2010), Spy (2015), and Game Night (2018), 21 Jump Street is a great comedy that just isn’t as good as the entries higher on this list.

5. 22 Jump Street (2014)

Case in point, 22 Jump Street takes everything good about the previous film and makes it that much sillier, self-aware, and effective. Moving the action to college, 22 Jump Street plays with the conventions of the previous film by having the central cops Schmidt and Jenko drift apart while on assignment at a university. 

The comedy is funnier and stranger, with an especially memorable drug trip bit that has to be seen to be believed. The thing that elevates 22 Jump Street is the way it plays with the franchise habits of Hollywood, poking fun at countless sequels and habits of the industry to milk a franchise dry. Arguably the funniest film or show by the pair, 22 Jump Street doesn’t quite have the depth of character that elevates the other four entries on this list, but the film is a nearly perfect example of slapstick blockbuster films.

4. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

A colorful and comedic delight, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a terrific time and a showcase of the controlled chaos that Phil Lord and Chris Miller are so good at harnessing. Adapting the relatively plot-less but beloved children’s book of the same name was going to be a tall order, but the pair, working with a terrific group of animators, are able to craft a wacky world that has plenty of creative flourishes and absurdist turns. 

Relentlessly funny, the true trick to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is the underlying strength of the characters and their emotional journey, giving the film a greater heart than a lot of other movies from this era of animation like Despicable Me (2010). That creativity would be better refined in later projects, explaining why this film comes in at fourth. Still, especially for younger audiences, this film—as well as the sequel that Lord and Miller wrote, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)—is a blast from start to finish.

3. The Afterparty (2022)

Although Chris Miller was the primary presence on this show rather than being another pure team-up, it would feel wrong to write this list and not include the creatively ambitious and surprisingly somber comedy of The Afterparty (2022). The two-season Apple TV+ show follows two major events that end in a murder, prompting the characters to explain their recent actions in stand-alone episodes that shed fresh light on the mystery. 

The real trick is that each character perceives the world as a different style of story, with the show taking on everything from genre riffs, pastiches of specific filmmakers, and even medium-bending approaches to depict the story. Bold, hilarious, and a genuinely dark portrayal of what can drive people to commit murder, The Afterparty’s very nature makes it a bit of a scattershot approach. However, the heights are among the best things the pair have ever worked on, making it a perfect companion show for other exciting modern mystery shows like Poker Face (2023). While the nearly flawless two films above this can’t be undercut, this show remains the most ambitious project the pair has ever worked on. 

2. The Lego Movie (2014)

The Lego Movie was seen as something of a throwaway concept when it was first announced, but Lord and Miller’s comic sensibilities, subversive approach to established tropes, and clear love for sweethearts in cynical worlds bleed through every frame of this nearly flawless animated film. Following regular guy Emmett in a world of Lego after he’s declared “the special,” the childish inventiveness of The Lego Movie is a big part of the appeal with a genuine sense of wonder and imagination baked into the execution that elevates the entire film to its full potential. 

Similar to Barbie (2023), there’s a clear love for the original toys and the possibilities they create that permutate everything, all bolstered by a silly take on standard storytelling tropes. A genuine delight in every way, The Lego Movie only falls behind the #1 spot because of the sheer technical ambition going on in Project Hail Mary, but this may remain the most impressive work by Lord and Miller in terms of turning something simple into something special.

1. Project Hail Mary (2026)

An optimistic counterpart to Interstellar (2014) that retains all the scientific know-how of The Martian (2015) but plays it for bigger laughs, Project Hail Mary is the best thing that Phil Lord and Chris Miller have ever made. The Ryan Gosling-led film follows a scientist as he awakens in deep space, working with an alien explorer to figure out the threat to both their worlds. 

Visually stunning and emotionally effective, Project Hail Mary’s embrace of sci-fi tropes and realistic approach to big blockbuster beats make sure that it never loses sight of the heart at the core of the adventure. It’s a nearly flawless sci-fi film, with more than enough charm and excitement to keep the audience engaged even when it’s explaining complex science principles. A truly once-in-a-generation movie, Project Hail Mary is the culmination of the filmmaker’s skills and highlights why they’re so good at producing stories.

Teen cinema, especially in the early 2000s, would not exist without the load-bearing cheerleading comedy, Bring It On (2000). Though it’s far from perfect and a product of its time, this movie commented on cultural appropriation and stereotypes. It celebrated its 25th anniversary just last year with cast reunions and renewed conversations about the movie’s impact. Not only is it a cult classic with quotes that became a part of its fans’ everyday vocabulary, but Bring It On also launched a franchise that now includes seven films. (The most recent of which was released in 2022—more than two decades after the first.)

That longevity reflects the franchise’s appeal, even if its entries have scaled down from theatrical releases, and the plots have veered further and further away from the initial intention. Though there are virtually no ties between the movies, every new entry to the franchise focuses on rival cheer squads. Here is how to watch all Bring It On movies in order of release date. Catch up with all the cheer-offs on streamers like Starz, Prime Video, and more. 

Bring It On (2000)

The movie that started it all is a perfect addition to a sporty early 2000s double-feature with Stick It (2006). It’s a feel-good blast that will have you asking: Why don’t they make teen comedies anymore? Bring It On’s nostalgia is infectious and not only because its cast includes a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion between Eliza Dushku, Clare Kramer, and Nicole Bilderback. This movie’s color grading and wall-to-wall humor are just two qualities that aren’t as prevalent in movies today. Even the structure of having a mid-credits scene—set to B*Witched’s “Mickey,” mind you—has become a lost art. 

Diving into the competition between the Rancho Carne Toros and the East Compton Clovers is a joy with Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union as the team’s respective captains. Bring It On strikes the fine balance of never taking itself too seriously while taking the cheerleading rivalry very seriously. This movie is also for romantic comedy fans! Like She’s the Man (2006), Bring It On has a cheer-worthy romance to root for in Torrance (Dunst) and Cliff (Jesse Bradford). So, don’t dismiss this early 2000s movie as a “chick flick” because it will have you waving your pom-poms in the end.

Bring It On: Again (2004)

Despite the strong foundation of the original movie, Bring It On: Again doesn’t do much to hold up the cheer pyramid that is this franchise. With no tethers to Bring It On, its title feels like a major grasp to hold on to that spirit stick. Sadly, the comedy falls flat more often than not, like the movie’s attempt to say something about arts programs being cut to fund the varsity cheerleading squad.

The standout performance comes from Bethany Joy Lenz as Marni Potts. So, Bring It On: Again is worthwhile for One Tree Hill fans who want to know what Lenz was up to before moving to a small town in North Carolina for the teen drama. Otherwise, this movie is a reminder that the original film set a high bar, and it’s going to take a lot for the cheerleaders in these sequels to clear it.

Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)

If one entry in the Bring It On franchise is going to come close to holding a pom-pom to the original, it’s Bring It On: All or Nothing. It’s likely the most talked about of the sequels, even at its most cringeworthy. The krumping scene still goes viral on social media 20 years later. Hayden Panettiere and Solange Knowles commit to the dynamic between their characters. 

Perhaps nothing is more memorable than the final showdown between the Pacific Vista Pirates and the Crenshaw Heights Warriors. The choreography is fun, don’t get me wrong, but the real show-stopper comes from the competition’s host. Nine-time Grammy winner Rihanna makes a cameo in Bring It On: All or Nothing. Is it really possible for the other sequels to rival that?

Bring It On: In It to Win It (2007)

Just a year later, Bring It On: In It to Win It takes its inspiration from West Side Story (1961) but never goes far enough with it. There’s not enough intensity in the cheerleading competition. It pretty much begins and ends with the rivalry teams being named the West Coast Sharks and the East Coast Jets.

Even so, this movie is a fun one for fans of forbidden romance. Like the musical, Bring It On: In It to Win It features the trope in a romance between Carson, a Shark, and Penn, a Jet. That story is where the movie leans into its teen angst and shines the most. That tracks since its stars, Ashley Benson and Cassie Scerbo, would go on to star in Pretty Little Liars (2010) and Make It Or Break It (2009), respectively. 

Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (2009)

Led by Christina Milian, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish is a mostly worthwhile entry to the franchise. Its overall appeal is particularly relevant since it’s the last Bring It On movie for nearly a decade. The movie plays with the rags-to-riches trope as Milian’s Catalina “Lina” Cruz moves with her family from East Los Angeles to Malibu. For that reason, this movie is for fans of early 2000s movies that offer their own spin on that trope, like two of my all-time favorites, The Princess Diaries (2001) and What a Girl Wants (2003). 

Bring It On: Fight to Finish has truly athletic choreography at times. Beyond the cheerleading, this movie has a story of friendship between Lina, Treyvonetta, and Gloria, as well as an interesting family dynamic between Lina and her new stepsister, Sky, played by Holland Roden, just two years before she’d play Lydia Martin on MTV’s Teen Wolf (2011). Those platonic stories tend to win out against the romance between Lina and Evan, the brother of Lina’s fiercest competition. 

Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack (2017)

Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack marks the franchise’s revival after eight years, but it doesn’t have all that much to cheer about in the end. It stars Cristine Prosperi two years after she wrapped up her four-year run on Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001). Even so, sadly, this movie’s cast doesn’t have the same star power as its early 2000s counterpart, beyond Vivica A Fox’s Cheer Goddess, of course. 

However, it is refreshing that Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack moves beyond high school and college and focuses solely on all-star cheerleading for the first time. With squads like The Rebels and The Truth, this movie feels reminiscent of the crews in Step Up: Revolution (2012). Given the almost two decades since the first movie, it’s also exciting to see the franchise dealing with modern technology and social media, like Destiny’s video diaries being leaked online. The hashtag in the title alone proves how long the franchise has existed in popular culture.

Bring It On: Cheer or Die (2022)

Bring It On: Cheer or Die is the latest and most adventurous addition to the franchise yet. The movie premiered on SyFy, creating a natural bookend for the franchise that reflects a shift from theatrical releases to TV and streaming premieres. It diverges from Bring It On’s tried-and-true genre of tongue-in-cheek humor to take a spin with horror. 

This slasher is for movie watchers who found themselves charmed by the body-swap horror comedy, Freaky (2020). It is not, however, the best entry for fans who want something akin to the original. Bring It On: Cheer or Die winks to that movie as its characters run from a murderer. It’s also worth noting that it’s the seventh entry in the franchise, yet it’s the first to be directed by a woman, Karen Lam. Hopefully, if the Bring It On franchise continues, it will continue to evolve in front of and behind the camera.

From the moment we knew Christopher Nolan would direct Interstellar (2014), it was obvious that it'd be an unmistakable sci-fi sensation. To no one's shock, it is, setting the kind of standard that's surprisingly achieved more for the small screen than the big screen. Shows like The Expanse (2015) effectively convey as much world and character-building while having visual effects that should be seen on IMAX screens. However, some movies also hit the mark.

With Project Hail Mary (2026) now in theaters, the excitement to return to space with these contained epics is higher than ever. Since Interstellar, we've had a few must-watch space movies that've left an undeniable mark. Here are the five best, as well as where you can stream them on Prime Video and more.

Project Hail Mary (2026)

Project Hail Mary is a visual masterpiece. It doesn't matter what movie releases in 2026; it's hard to believe that anything can top the kaleidoscopic effects that take us through space and feel like a rollercoaster of sorts. Undoubtedly, the most stunning sci-fi film we've had in the last decade, everything about it soars to renewed heights and sets a new standard.

Andy Weir's novel comes to life through immense heart, as Ryan Gosling delivers one of his finest performances to date. The humor adds much-needed levity to the dire stakes, ensuring that even when we're on edge, we aren't reduced to a state of anxiety. With a relatively straightforward narrative that most audience members can easily understand, it's the kind of riveting blockbuster that's not to be missed in theaters.

Arrival (2016)

Still to this day, most of us will loudly proclaim that Amy Adams deserved an Oscar for her work in Arrival. And while the movie doesn't technically take place in space, it'd feel like a crime not to feature in a list like this when we have a visit from space. Denis Villeneuve's vision is also unparalleled in Arrival, and it's why, when it was announced that he'd take on Dune, viewers immediately put trust in him.

With a compelling thematic message that focuses on human complexities and how we cope with the unknown, Arrival isn't just rich with its glowing cinematography, but in the heart that's evident in every frame. Truly, a spellbinding movie on all fronts and perfect for anyone who loves being on the edge of their seats.

The Martian (2015)

Also based on an Andy Weir bestselling novel, a large part of the excitement around Project Hail Mary was because of the success of The Martian. As a solid adaptation with an incredibly memorable performance from Matt Damon, everything about The Martian provides a thrilling, albeit anxiety-inducing, trip. 

With astounding special effects, it's exactly the type of movie you think about when the word "blockbuster" comes to mind. A large part of the reason sci-fi as a genre doesn't attract all audiences boils down to the pacing, but The Martian does something truly impeccable in how it makes the film wholly engaging and simultaneously enriching. It could've been an hour longer, and I, for one, wouldn't have complained.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

It's not every sequel or remake of an iconic film that manages to be as remarkable as the original, but if you love Blade Runner (1982) and have somehow never seen Blade Runner 2049, you're missing out on a sci-fi treasure. Also starring Project Hail Mary's Ryan Gosling, the film is a visual feast in more ways than one.

Ultimately, as Arrival proves, it's no surprise that if Villeneuve is behind the camera, a sci-fi feature is going to be a breathtaking hit. The narrative is thoroughly engaging throughout, and everything that the film provides visually is incredible at reimagining the norm. Blade Runner 2049 also isn't a traditional space movie, but omitting it from a list like this would be sacrilegious because if you love Interstellar, there's no way you wouldn't appreciate it. 

Dune (2021)

Of all the Denis Villeneuve movies on this list, Dune and its sequel, as well as the films that follow, might not be for every viewer, with how dense some of the material is, but there's no other way to say that it's worth watching for the visuals and performances. If the plot isn't something that grips you with its slower pace, you've got to try just for the sake of how stunning it is. 

The first one at least deserves to be watched once, and if you love Star Wars, it almost feels like mandatory viewing because the original novel heavily inspired George Lucas. For countless reasons, the film feels like an archetype for sci-fi, and the attention to detail that Villeneuve bestows is actually inimitable. 

Rogue One (2016)

Star Wars understandably isn't for everyone, but what Rogue One achieves is unparalleled in storytelling. It's the kind of breathtaking feature that feels timely no matter when you watch it, and the performances are some of the most haunting we have in the entire extended universe. While films and shows from a galaxy far, far away aren't recognized at award shows, there's a reason Andor (2022) changed the game.

And while you don't have to watch Andor to understand the gravitas of Rogue One (though you should), how the film explores the idea of a rebellion, sacrifice, and a bigger purpose is awe-inspiring. Diego Luna and Felicity Jones deliver exceptional performances, and it's the one film in the Star Wars universe that might feel closer to the type of sci-fi Interstellar is.

The Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) trailer features numerous exciting teases of which villains Peter Parker (Tom Holland) will face as he enters a new phase of his Spider-Man identity. In the comics, Spider-Man boasts some of the most fascinating and popular villains of any Marvel hero, so Brand New Day has quite a bit to work with. Michael Mando is finally back in full Scorpion glory, while we also spot glimpses of Boomerang and Tarantula in their MCU debuts.

In addition to these teases, there were a few hints of mystery villains, including an unidentified hooded figure and a seemingly invisible foe. However, one of the most surprising villain teases came in an Easter egg you might have missed. If you look carefully, you can spot a classic Spider-Man villain in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer: Jackal. 

The Shocking Villain Hiding In The ‘Brand New Day’ Trailer

The shocking villain hiding in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer is none other than the classic Spider-Man supervillain, Jackal. If you missed him, you’re likely not the only one, as his appearance is a blink-and-you’ll-miss moment. At the 1:05 mark of the trailer, you see MJ (Zendaya) at a party, arranging flowers at the drink table. On the counter sits a metal keg bearing the words “Green Jackal.” The Easter egg references Jackal, a Spider-Man villain who wears a green jackal suit. While it’s a big surprise to see Jackal’s name in the trailer, it may not be a welcome surprise to some comic book fans.

Who Is The Jackal? Spider-Man’s Infamous Villain, Explained

In Marvel Comics, the original Jackal is Miles Warren. He’s a biology professor who met Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy while teaching. However, he secretly developed an obsession with Gwen, and it drove him mad after she died at the hands of the Green Goblin. Determined to get revenge on Spider-Man, whom he blamed for Gwen’s death, he takes on the Jackal identity and begins experimenting with cloning, working to create clones of Peter and Gwen.

Warren’s experiments with clones culminate in Spider-Man facing off with his perfect clone. During the final battle, both Jackal and the clone appear to perish in a bomb explosion. However, the story raised doubts about whether it was the real Spider-Man or the clone who survived the explosion, which eventually gave way to the “Clone Saga.” In “Clone Saga,” Peter’s clone returns after five years hiding under the alias Ben Reilly.

The most shocking twist isn’t the clone’s survival, but the revelation that Ben Reilly is the real Peter Parker, which means, for five years in-universe and two decades of comic book history, Peter was, in fact, a clone. After Reilly tried to replace Peter as Spider-Man, “Clone Saga” introduced another twist: Norman Osborn tricked everyone into believing Reilly was the real Spider-Man, even though he wasn’t. In the end, Peter was still Peter, and nothing changed significantly, but the wild clone ride didn’t sit well with fans.

Why Spider-Man’s ‘Clone Saga’ Was Hated By Marvel Fans

At the time of its release, fans responded harshly to the “Clone Saga,” and you can’t really blame them. The revelation that the character they’d been following for decades wasn’t the real deal was a twist that, while shocking, was not really welcome. After the initial shock wore off, frustration grew with how overly long and convoluted the “Clone Saga” became. The story was so up and down that it led to little to no overall character development for Peter. 

It wasn’t even brave enough to maintain its widely hated twist, which means Peter acted out of character for no reason, giving the story very little weight in Marvel Comics overall. Not to mention, the largely retconned story went on for over two years and reached the point where readers sensed the writers didn’t even know where they were going with it. In retrospect, it wasn’t that the story idea was terrible, but its lackluster execution ensured it would live on in infamy.

Is Spider-Man’s Most Controversial Story Coming To The MCU?

Naturally, Jackal’s surprise tease in Spider-Man: Brand New Day raises curiosity for what it means. It could be a harmless, fun Easter egg, or a bigger tease of the movie’s rather secretive plot. In the trailer, you likely noticed that Peter doesn’t seem much like himself. He’s more brooding and depressed, on top of undergoing some sort of physical evolution. 

The odd changes in his behavior and powers have led some to theorize that there’s something more to him, such as his having acquired the Venom symbiote. The Jackal’s Easter egg also begs the question, what if Peter is actually a clone? It wouldn’t explain all the phenomena Peter is experiencing, but it could explain some of them. To further raise suspicion, the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer features both Tarantula and The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), who were allies of Jackal in Marvel Comics. 

If the MCU were to adapt the “Clone Saga,” it would be a major surprise. The franchise is already pushing boundaries by choosing to make everyone forget Spider-Man’s identity in-universe, so making Peter a clone on top of it would be a bit much. At the same time, though, it might fit in with the multiversal and variant phase of the MCU, as well as the identity crisis Peter/Spider-Man has always dealt with. If Spider-Man: Brand New Day is feeling particularly daring, its adaptation of Spider-Man’s most controversial story remains a remote possibility.

Ryan Gosling’s latest movie, Project Hail Mary (2026), is dominating the box office, and it’s not surprising. Based on the book of the same name by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is an ambitious work of hard sci-fi that offers an irresistible story. In the film, former middle school teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling) wakes up with amnesia on board a spacecraft. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he’s Earth’s last hope to save humanity. On his mission, he meets an unexpected companion. 

With tidbits of astrophysics, microbiology, physics, and chemistry, it’s the perfect movie to nerd out to, while also containing enough heart and entertainment to appeal to the non-science community. If you want to get an idea of what Project Hail Mary entails or are eager for more of its vibe, you can use our guide to find the five best sci-fi movies like it to watch on platforms like Pluto TV, Paramount+, and more.

Gravity (2013)

If you’re looking for a deep space adventure with thrills and real science, look no further than Gravity. The Alfonso Cuarón-directed movie centers on two astronauts, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Lt. Matthew Kowalski (George Clooney), who are stranded in space and realize reaching the International Space Station may be their only hope for survival. Like Project Hail Mary, Gravity sets up the high stakes right off the bat with its tale of sole survivors forced to make sense of the alien environment that is outer space.

At the same time, the film is a little more personal than Project Hail Mary. Rather than a story of saving the world, it’s a story of one woman’s determination and resilience to make it back home. While not entirely accurate, the science and depiction of outer space are convincing, and the performances by Bullock and Clooney will resonate emotionally. 

Interstellar (2014)

Interstellar tells the story of NASA scientist Dr. Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and NASA pilot Joseph “Coop” Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who set off on a daring mission to find a habitable planet to save humankind as Earth deteriorates. Its plot closely parallels Project Hail Mary, in which the future of humanity rests in the hands of a few ambitious astronauts. Additionally, both films feature real science, with Interstellar exploring black holes, wormholes, time dilation, and other physics concepts.

Interstellar will especially appeal to viewers who loved Project Hail Mary but are interested in an even more complex hard-science movie. While the film is a little complicated, it still manages to balance its human and scientific elements. Beneath the dazzling visuals and scientific concepts lies a very beautiful story of one family’s love for each other.

The Martian (2015)

The Martian comes closest to Project Hail Mary on this list, as Andy Weir's books inspired both movies. In The Martian, astronaut and engineer Dr. Mark Watney (Matt Damon) must find a way to survive after he’s stranded on Mars following a space mission gone wrong. I find The Martian is an excellent alternative for fans seeking a story that’s even more grounded than Project Hail Mary. Between its scientific accuracy and its decision to forgo any fantastical elements, it becomes a deeply intriguing human adventure on Mars.

The film proves that you can have sci-fi and visuals, while still driving a story more on heart than spectacle. If you loved the heart of Project Hail Mary, you’ll find The Martian is even more relatable in its tale of human survival and resilience. It has a similar dash of humor but ultimately goes for a more intimate, human story that viewers seeking a grounded approach will love.

Arrival (2016)

One of the reasons Project Hail Mary stands out is that it manages to mix hard sci-fi with aliens, which is something not a lot of other films have done, except Arrival. The film follows linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams), who leads a team of researchers as they race against the clock to establish communication with extraterrestrials after 12 spacecrafts land on Earth with an unknown motive.

Arrival and Project Hail Mary set themselves apart by depicting alien life forms in a more thought-provoking and realistic manner than typical alien-invasion or space-battle movies. Arrival, in particular, takes a grounded approach to what first contact with aliens might look like. It’s the kind of movie you watch when you want one that doesn’t needlessly villainize extraterrestrials but offers a little more complexity than E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

Ad Astra (2019)

Ad Astra centers on Roy McBride (Brad Pitt), who sets off to find his father, H. Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), who disappeared on a space exploration mission thirty years earlier. Like Project Hail Mary, Ad Astra is an excellent blend of sci-fi adventure and drama. With stunning visuals, it offers a dazzling space adventure that truly captures the cosmos's magnitude and beauty.

The film isn’t very scientifically accurate, but what it lacks in accuracy it makes up for in heart. Like Interstellar, it’s a heartfelt story about family and the complicated relationships that persist across space and time. If you loved Project Hail Mary and are looking for a deep space story with an equal amount of heart and visuals, but with an elevated sense of adventure, Ad Astra is an excellent watch.

While there was initially a lot of trepidation when One Piece (2023) first released about how authentic the series would be, season two definitely put those fears to rest. One Piece is a weird series, and it relishes in it. Case in point, the episode titles for season two. While the first season played it safe with some fairly standard episode titles that could have been for any series, each of the eight episodes in season two now have quirky references to famous movies.

Do these movies relate to what’s happening in each episode? Sort of? Outside of all being cute puns, some episodes take the titles from these films for subtle reasons, and others just because they sound cool. They draw attention to both famous and underrated movies that most cinephiles should watch, and if One Piece is going to be the series to encourage them to do so, so be it. These eight movies all have their charms and are easily viewable on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+, so if you want to expand your horizons beyond the Grand Line, give these eight movies a watch!

Beginning of the End (1957)

Some episode titles of One Piece season 2 are very obviously clever references to major films, but it’s fair to think that “The Beginning And The End” was just an original title to tie into the notoriety of that episode’s setting, Loguetown. However, its title is actually a reference to one of the most infamous sci-fi movies of all time, Beginning of the End. 

The film is a typical sci-fi horror film of its era, featuring low-budget special effects and a hokey plot that made it a perfect movie for Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989). But Beginning of the End goes well beyond being a bad movie, featuring some of the worst special effects of its time and a plot that, even by sci-fi standards, is pretty awful. But that makes it such a fun watch with some friends who love bad movies. There’s plenty to mock, laugh at, and it has a hokey charm that only a low-budget film produced by a handful of people could replicate. Loguetown has absolutely nothing to do with the gigantic insects of Beginning of the End, but it’s undeniably a catchy title that sounds way more dramatic and impressive than the movie itself. 

Good Will Hunting (1997)

The first episode with a cheeky reference for its episode title is “Good Whale Hunting.” The episode focuses on Luffy and the crew dealing with a gargantuan whale after entering the Grand Line, so of course, the most on-the-nose pun they could make for the episode title is referencing Good Will Hunting. 

The Matt Damon and Ben Affleck vehicle was a beloved drama about an MIT janitor trying to receive therapy for his past trauma while also pursuing a better education for himself. It’s a film that takes several cues from Dead Poets’ Society (1989) about how people can better themselves through their own determination, but the linking factor between the two is the late, great Robin Williams. While he appears in only a handful of scenes over the film’s 126-minute runtime, his warmth, positivity, and approachability demonstrate how versatile an actor he was, which would earn him an Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor. While I would casually recommend Beginning of the End to people if they’re in a specific mood, Good Will Hunting deserves a universal recommendation for how poignant and moving it is. 

Risky Business (1983)

“Whisky Business” is the episode where One Piece’s second season really comes into its own. Featuring a huge 100-man brawl, plenty of colorful set pieces, and some solid special effects, it firmly established the Baroque Works conflict for the remainder of the season. That, and its episode title was also a cute little reference to Risky Business, which always deserves a thumbs up in my book.

Risky Business is known for a lot of reasons. It was Tom Cruise’s breakout role, where he played the slick and likable Joel Goodson. It also stands as one of the best teenage comics of the ‘80s, right up there with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Plus, it made cinema history for its legendary dance scene where Tom Cruise slides across his living room floor. It became a pop culture sensation, and those nostalgic for the ‘80s will find the film’s 99-minute runtime impossible to resist for a quick, unadulterated dose of ‘80s goodness. There’s just something about how dated the film feels, yet how universal the humor and writing are that makes the film still watchable to this day. 

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Big Trouble in Little China has been referenced countless times in numerous shows and movies. Its title alone is fantastic, and One Piece’s fourth episode, “Big Trouble in Little Garden,” is no different. But, weirdly enough, the tone of John Carpenter’s underrated classic actually matches the goofy energy of One Piece. 

The film features plenty of practical special effects that, even to this day, are still impressive. There’s a heightened sense of realism in the film’s 99-minute runtime that makes it very easy to follow, yet also impossible to understand. Why there are sorcerers with powerful elemental magic roaming around Chinatown is never explained, but seeing Kurt Russell shrug his shoulders and wage war against them is brilliant, just like how nobody in One Piece seems to question the implausible chaos of each Devil Fruit. There’s a good mixture of tongue-in-cheek humor and serious action that fans of Sam Raimi movies like Army of Darkness (1992) or Darkman (1990) will gravitate towards, and fans of One Piece’s solid blend of practical and CG special effects will appreciate the down-to-earth charms of Big Trouble in Little China.

The Karate Kid (1984)

While most of the episode titles of One Piece season 2 are just riffs on already existing movie titles, “Wax On, Wax Off” is the only one that isn’t. Instead of simply rewording the title of a movie, this episode opts to take the most famous quote from The Karate Kid and copy-pastes it as the episode title.

And why shouldn’t it? The Karate Kid has become one of the most enduring ‘80s franchises in recent years, mostly thanks to revival projects like Cobra Kai (2018), and everyone knows the phrase “wax on, wax off.” It serves as the basis of one of the most famous training montages of all time, right up there with Rocky IV (1985). There’s not much martial arts to speak of in the episode, but when else is a series going to feature a maniacal David Dastmalchian using the power of wax to turn humans into works of art? The reference is too good to pass up, and it being as blatant as it is should remind viewers that Karate Kid is a stone-cold classic that younger fans of One Piece will find enjoyable if they’re fans of Luffy’s consistent underdog status.

Mommie Dearest (1981)

“Nami Deerest” is an episode that, at first, seems heavy. Nami is sick, and after scaling a brutal mountain, the only person who can save her is a deranged doctor with varying levels of narcissism that Drum Kingdom fears. So, of course, the show uses its episode title to reference the polarizing psychological drama Mommie Dearest.

Mommie Dearest is a tough movie to watch. Given that it documents the life of the famed Hollywood actress Joan Crawford, you would think it’s a rosy exposé on the same scale as biopics such as Lady Sings the Blues (1972). However, it has more in common with Blonde (2022), as it focuses on the psychological torment that she inflicted on her daughter, Christina. Audiences hated the film because of Faye Dunaway’s scenery-chewing performance, and it even went on to win multiple Razzies, including Worst Picture. In a way, Mommie Dearest is the perfect episode title for episode six. Arguably, the people of Drum Kingdom see Dr. Kureha as monstrous as Joan Crawford, and directly referencing that was a smart choice. Even if you’ve never heard of Mommie Dearest before, people who engage with it will discover a disturbing drama that feels all too real. 

Reindeer Games (2000)

Reindeer Games always had a weird title. While it makes sense given its lead is named Rudy and it's set in and around Christmas, its title always came across as the kind of title you would see in a fake action movie trailer. At the very least, One Piece’s variation on the film’s title, “Reindeer Shames,” makes thematic sense. 

The episode mostly centers around Chopper’s tragic backstory and the guilt he carries from it, but that couldn’t be further from the basis of Reindeer Games. Feeling like an early 2000s version of Die Hard (1988), Reindeer Games lays down the violence as a Christmas-themed heist movie. It’s a non-traditional Christmas movie, but that’s what makes it such a fun watch around the holidays. “Reindeer Shames” and One Piece in general, never get as violent or gratuitous as it does here, but at the very least, the snowy setting and Chopper’s Christmas connections in the manga do make some sense if you squint hard enough. There’s a certain nostalgia people are developing for movies from the turn of the millennium, and Reindeer Games fits well into that cozy little nook, and the showrunners for One Piece are clearly taking notes.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1988)

The Drum Kingdom arc of One Piece sure loves its deer puns. “Mommie Deerest” and “Reindeer Shames” are all cut play on words, but they’re nowhere near as extensive as “Deer and Loathing In Drum Kingdom,” which completely reworks the title of Terry Gilliam’s surrealist drug trip that is Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.

Season 2’s finale and the panic-induced drug trip that is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas couldn’t be more different. While the end of the Drum Kingdom arc has goofy-looking monsters, comic fights against the gluttonous Wapol, and a gut-wrenching goodbye, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a manic autopsy of the American Dream that will provoke violent reactions in viewers the same way that American Psycho (2000) does. There may be no dinosaur-filled casinos or a young Benicio del Toro on a bad drug trip in One Piece, but the title is interpreted quite literally. Wapol attacks, inspiring fear in the citizens, and his loathing against all who oppose him is palpable. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a title that commands attention, and One Piece’s rendition of it is enough to draw plenty of attention to its bizarre episode title.

There was a time when sitcoms were everywhere. You'd catch an episode halfway through, sit down without really deciding to, and suddenly you're there until the end. Television in the '80s, '90s, and 2000s had that rhythm locked in. That's probably why, when the cast of 2026's Love Me, Love Me were asked about their guilty pleasures, they all ended up circling the same type of show.

WATCH: The Love Me, Love Me Cast Reveal Which TV Shows They Love!

"For me, it's The Big Bang Theory [2007]," Luca Melucci told JustWatch while promoting the romantic drama film. "When I see it on TV. I'm like ok, I have to see it until the end of the episode because I love it, and I feel really happy when I'm looking at them."

Mia Jenkins doesn't even treat her go-to shows like a secret at all. "I'm not guilty about it. It's always just my pleasure, but I really like Gilmore Girls [2001] and Modern Family [2009]," she said. "They're the ones that I can watch over and over."

And for Pepe Barroso, it's less about comedy and more about the effect his favorite show has on him. "I don't usually watch much comedy, but if there's one show that I've watched so many times and puts me in a good mood is probably Entourage [2004]," the actor explained.

That particular collection of shows (especially the sitcoms) all point to the same thing. They were built for the kind of viewing that invites people to drop in, stay a while, and leave feeling a bit lighter. That kind of vibe still exists, technically. But very few feel like they belong in your daily routine rather than your watchlist.

Why Old Sitcoms Became Comfort TV

A lot of early 2000s sitcoms (which can be found on Netflix, HBO Max, and more) were designed around repetition. Characters don't change too much. You don't need to remember what happened last week to understand what's happening in the moment you find them. Basically, there's a blanket rest at the end of each episode. That structure meant viewers could drift in and out of them.

You don't sit down to "watch" The Big Bang Theory in the same way you would a serious drama. You just let it run. Same with Modern Family, the rhythm is familiar enough that it almost becomes background, but not in a bad way, more like something that fills the room. And then there are shows like Gilmore Girls and Entourage, which lean more into tone than structure.

You're not really there for plot progression. You're there because you already know how it feels to be in that world. That's the part that is harder to replicate now. A lot of newer shows are built around momentum, so you have to keep watching to keep up. But sitcoms and low-stakes series from that earlier era don't demand that.

The Science Behind Comfort Watching

Psychologists have been looking at why people rewatch the same shows, and the answer keeps coming back to the same idea: familiarity reduces effort. When you already know what's going to happen, your brain doesn't need to stay alert in the same way, so it relaxes. And when your mind switches off a little, your stress levels automatically reduce.

There's also a social side to it. Studies suggest that people form what's called "parasocial relationships" with characters, which are essentially one-sided bonds that still feel emotionally real. Over time, those characters start to feel familiar in a way that mimics real human connection. That's part of why ensemble sitcoms are so popular, because they're built around families or friend groups.

There's even evidence that rewatching your favorite shows can boost mood through brain chemistry. Familiar shows trigger dopamine (the same system linked to reward and anticipation), which helps explain why you already know something will make you feel better before you press play. It's actually a pretty efficient way of regulating how you feel.

Why To Watch These Comfort Shows (And What To Watch After)

Each of these shows works slightly differently, even if they belong in the same comfort group. The Big Bang Theory is structured around punchlines and is easy to drop into. You don't need context. It's built for that "I'll just watch one episode" feeling that turns into three. Gilmore Girls is more story-ish. But you can easily follow the drama of Stars Hollow without having to start from episode one.

Modern Family often has a lot going on. But each installment features that emotional reset at the end of each episode, which is probably why it's so easy to keep going. Entourage fits slightly on the edges of all of that. It's less comforting in the traditional sense and more about mood. But it's easy, a bit escapist, and very consistent in tone.

If you're looking for similar shows, 1994's Friends, which follows a group of twenty-somethings as they deal with life in New York City, is a must. Life in Pieces (2015) follows three generations of the Short family. Each episode is broken up into four mini installments told from the perspective of different family members. Sullivan's Crossing (2023) and Ballers (2015) are also worth checking out.

For over 20 years, the Power Rangers franchise has endured as a staple of children’s television. There’s just something exciting about watching a team of spandex-clad superheroes strike poses and defeat evil monsters with their own weapons, and plenty of shows have been inspired by its tropes, including VR Troopers (1994) and Big Bad Beetleborgs (1996). While the show’s popularity may have ebbed and flowed over the years, there’s no denying that the first installment, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993), was when the show was at its most popular. 

It may seem somewhat simplistic with paper-thin characters, but there is a sense of fun in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers that just can’t be beat. Later seasons attempt to create grand narratives and ratchet up the drama, but all three seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers keep things simple, self-contained, and fun, like you are watching a more action-focused teen series like Saved by the Bell (1989). With the series seeing a merchandise revival thanks to the Re-Ignition line of toys, let’s look at some of the best episodes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to rewatch. With well over 100 episodes, this list is limited to just five of the best (as well as a few multiparters here and there). So, if you want to relive that Power Rangers magic, head over to Netflix or Tubi and watch these five episodes now.

'Food Fight' (Season 1, Episode 6)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a monster-of-the-week show. Each episode features some new baddie sent by Rita Repulsa or Lord Zedd to defeat the Rangers, and once they’re defeated, they’re rarely, if ever, heard of again. But then you have the monster from “Food Fight,” Pudgy Pig.

Pudgy Pig is a fantastic early Power Rangers villain that perfectly encapsulates the silly charm of the series. His goal is to eat all of the food in the world, which is completely ridiculous and feels more at home in a kids' show like All That (1994), but it fits in with the goofy plots of Season 1. The episode leans more toward martial arts fighting than using the Megazord to defeat him, which are usually some of the best fight scenes in the series. “Food Fight” is a great microcosm of what a one-off Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode can be, and if you find yourself loving the monsters more than the Rangers, then Pudgy Pig will waddle his way into your heart.

'Power Rangers Punks' (Season 1, Episode 12)

But what if you don’t care much for the monsters and you like its human cast of characters more? Well, “Power Rangers Punks” is a great showcase for some of the cast and lets them be a little bit goofy too. The Rangers may be called “teenagers with attitude,” but, the reality is, they’re complete goody-two-shoes dorks.

In “Power Rangers Punks,” two of the nicest and meekest of the team, the Blue Ranger, Billy, and the Pink Ranger, Kimberly, are turned into edgy punks. If you thought that Billy Idol or John Bender from The Breakfast Club (1985) was the coolest thing around, then you’ll know what to expect from the attitude of Billy and Kimberly. It’s great watching them play against type, and seeing how they interact with Bulk and Skull, the show’s cartoonish bullies, is strangely captivating since they come across as better bullies than the actual bullies. Plus, it even makes the Ranger fights more interesting since it alters the team in a way that forces them to change their dynamics. 

'Green With Evil' (Season 1, Episodes 17-21)

Just because Mighty Morphin Power Rangers favors standalone adventures doesn’t mean it never has multipart storylines. In fact, the first storyline, the five-part epic “Green With Evil,” is frequently hailed as the best Power Rangers storyline in the entire series and serves as an excellent introduction for more serialized narratives that later seasons would center on.

Over the course of five episodes, we witness the Power Rangers deal with what will become a running trope for the series: an evil Ranger. But Tommy Oliver is no mere evil Ranger. He’s a genuine threat, going so far as to mop the floor with the Rangers, destroy their Zords, grow to giant size, and use his own Zord to cause havoc. His arc isn’t dissimilar to Zuko’s from Avatar: The Last Airbender (2006), and over the course of the show’s three seasons, as well as numerous standalone seasons after, we see Tommy grow and learn from his stint as a villain. But for these five episodes, he presents the Rangers with their most difficult challenge: a human enemy. It’s an arc that has stood the test of time for a reason, since “Green With Evil” was the first time Mighty Morphin Power Rangers took itself seriously.

'White Light' (Season 2, Episodes 17-18)

After the release of “Green With Evil,” Tommy Oliver quickly became a fan-favorite character. However, because virtually all seasons of Power Rangers are limited by the amount of Japanese Sentai footage available, they could only do so much with the Green Ranger, and therefore, Tommy. Enter “White Light,” a two-parter and a roundabout way to keep Tommy around.

There’s a certain grandiosity to “White Light.” The two-parter teases a new leader will head the team, and the revelation that it’s Tommy Oliver is an exciting moment. This is the height of Tommy’s character, as his reveal paints him as an almost messianic figure. It’s also one of the few times we see the Rangers really question their mentor Zordon over his actions to keep everything so secretive. The episode even ends with the debut of the classic Tigerzord, which helps make “White Light” one of the best sixth Ranger debuts in the series’ history and a perfect episode for fans of Tommy.

'Wild West Rangers' (Season 2, Episodes 50-51)

While most Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fans love Tommy, Kimberly also gets plenty of love. As the Pink Ranger, most would just think she’s the token girl of the group, but episodes like “Wild West Rangers” are for her fans. It shows that Kimberly is just as capable, tough, and smart as any other member of the team.

Removing Kimberly from the rest of the team and placing her in the Wild West sounds like the making of a great fish-out-of-water story, and that’s because it is. There’s some genuinely clever storytelling in “Wild West Rangers” as Kimberley has to figure out not only how to defeat the monsters that chased her into the past, but also find a way home. The cowboy aesthetics are also just plain fun, including a unique White Ranger uniform that makes him look like he walked off the set of The Magnificent Seven (1960). “Wild West Rangers” is a playful two-parter that highlights how Mighty Morphin Power Rangers isn’t afraid to experiment for an episode or two just to have some fun.

Not every film earns its reputation the first time around. Some are dismissed outright, written off as too strange, too excessive, or simply too different from what audiences are used to. But over time, those same films get a second life as something else entirely. Holly Hunter is a fan of one such film. And her revelation caught her Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2026) co-star, Paul Giamatti, off guard.

WATCH: Holly Hunter SHOCKS Paul Giamatti With Her Guilty Pleasure Watch!

Speaking to JustWatch, while promoting Season 1 of the 2026 Paramount+ series, Hunter wasn't shy when asked to share her guilty pleasure watch. "What about The Tingler?" she said. "And I'm not sorry. I'm going there." There's a reason Hunter framed her choice this way. It's not a conventional pick, and it's not a film that's typically held up alongside more widely celebrated horror titles from the same era.

The Tingler's reputation has always been tied as much to how it was presented as to what's actually on screen, which makes it easy to sideline or dismiss. Released in 1959, The Tingler exists firmly in that category. It's a movie that was never especially polished or conventional, but one that has remained part of the conversation in a very different way.

What Is 'The Tingler'?

Directed by William Castle, The Tingler builds itself around a premise that feels as unusual now as it likely did then. The story follows Dr. Warren Chapin (Vincent Price), who stumbles on a parasitic creature that attaches itself to the spine of its unsuspecting human hosts. The creature thrives on fear, and the only way to stop it from killing you is to scream.

It's a concept that the film treats with surprising seriousness, even as it edges into territory that feels heightened, and at times, unintentionally comic. Price anchors the story with a performance that gives it a sense of structure, even as its central idea becomes increasingly outlandish. But The Tingler has always been about more than its plot.

Castle's approach to filmmaking extended beyond the screen, turning the act of watching the film into part of the experience. When the movie was released, some cinema seats were rigged to vibrate (an effect he called Percepto) so that audiences would physically feel the presence of the creature. He also hired professional "fainters" to pass out during the show and be carried off by faux medics.

The Reclaimed Bad Movie

At the time of its release, The Tingler wasn't widely regarded as innovative. If anything, it was seen as an example of excess that was more focused on gimmicks than storytelling, and more interested in people's reaction than substance. So it made sense that critics at the time viewed Castle's techniques as distractions created to compensate for the film's lack of quality.

There was also a predetermined idea of what horror should feel like. Films that wandered into bizarro territory often struggled to find support from critics, especially when they resisted straightforward classification. The Tingler didn't fit into those neat little boxes. But as the years went by, that disconnect became part of its appeal.

What was once dismissed as gimmicky feels more like an early attempt at immersive cinema, and the theatrical elements that drew criticism feel less like distractions and more like part of the film's identity. Its shifts in tone (once seen as a weakness) are now part of what makes it special. That's because the way audiences engage with films has changed.

Modern viewers approach older titles without the same expectations as the people who saw them in 1959. Instead of asking whether a film succeeds by traditional standards, people are often more interested in what makes it special. In that context, The Tingler (streaming on Prime Video and some free streamers) doesn't need to be re-evaluated as something it never was. It just needs to be seen as is.

Why To Watch 'The Tingler' (And What To Watch After)

The Tingler is great for anyone looking for a film that operates on its own terms. It's built around a central idea rather than a traditional story, and that shapes how it plays out. Not everything lands in the way it was likely intended, but that's part of what makes it interesting to watch now. For viewers interested in similar films, Castle's House on Haunted Hill (1959) feels like a natural follow-up.

The story follows Frederick Loren (Vincent Price), an eccentric millionaire who invites five people to a haunted house party and offers them a cash prize if they can survive the night locked inside. That premise (not exactly, but very close) has been done to death over the years in films like The Haunting (1999). But it would be fun to check out the movie that inspired the newer versions.