Tomb Raider has been around since 1996, but it wasn't until the turn of the century that it got in on the live-action movie scene. Following in the footsteps of other gaming franchises like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and Super Mario Bros., Tomb Raider made its leap to the big screen with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001. It has since amassed a handful of movies, TV shows, and short films. 

Most recently, Prime Video announced a new live-action Tomb Raider series with Game of Thrones (2011) star Sophie Turner playing everyone's favorite archaeologist. With Turner's Lara Croft sporting a more classic '90s look, audiences are anxious to see what direction the new show will go in. In the meantime, catch up on everything Lara Croft with our guide, which explains how to watch all the Tomb Raider movies and shows in order.  

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Few had anything negative to say when the announcement came that Angelina Jolie would be playing Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the first live-action adaptation of the well-loved video game franchise. While Jolie makes the perfect Lara Croft (just look at her!), critics were less impressed with the actual film. But, hey, screw the critics and listen to me when I say this movie is stupid fun if you rank action-adventure movies like The Mummy (1999) and even Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) among your favorites. 

Jolie delivers all the charisma, class, and acrobatics expected of Lara Croft. The over-the-top action gives the movie a video game feel, which works considering this is a video game adaptation, after all. Sure, some people might label it "bad," but if you have similarly questionable tastes to me, then that's a compliment. Plus, you get to see Jolie act alongside her real-life father, Jon Voight. 

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003)

It might say something about me that when someone mentions the legend of Pandora's box, this movie comes to mind before anything else. The sequel to 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life, sees Angelina Jolie return as the titular character, alongside Gerard Butler as her shady, bad-boy ex. When it comes to critical consensus, The Cradle of Life gets better marks, and I tend to agree with that assessment, too. 

Don't get it twisted. The Cradle of Life still falls into the category of a "dumb fun" action movie. However, its action sequences are more bombastic, its plot is a little tighter (kind of), and the glob-trotting story gives it that unique Tomb Raider feel. Jolie is still phenomenal as Lara, and Butler's inclusion gives the movie a sexy little subplot to have fun with. If you liked the first Tomb Raider movie, don't skip this one. 

Tomb Raider (2018)

If you like the sillier action movie fun of Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider movies, you might want to recheck your expectations before going into 2018's Tomb Raider. In this reboot film, Alicia Vikander steps into the boots of Lara Croft, delivering a more grounded version of the character to match the video game franchise's 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. Unlike Jolie's Tomb Raider movies that sort of do their own thing with the source material, Tomb Raider (2018) delivers a more faithful adaptation of the 2013 game (and parts of its sequel). For gamers, that's both good and bad. 

Still, if you're looking for a decent Lara Croft origin story, Tomb Raider (2018) is your ticket. Vikander is fantastic in the role, and comparing her to Jolie feels like a toss-up, mostly because they're playing the character at different stages in her life. Vikander's Lara is less experienced as an adventurer, which lends the movie an emotional, relatable core. At almost two hours, it's longer than it needs to be, but fans of more grounded action-adventure movies like Blood Diamond (2006) or Gold (2016) will find a vein of that in Tomb Raider (2018).  

Tomb Raider (TBA)

While the word is still out on Prime Video's upcoming Tomb Raider series, our first image of Sophie Turner's Lara Croft looks promising. With Turner outfitted in a green tank and brown shorts while rocking a long braid and holsters, the new show teases Lara in her classic '90s form. It's a far cry from Lara's more grounded style and portrayal in the Survival trilogy games that Alicia Vikander's character pulled from. However, for those craving nostalgia, it might be the perfect move.

While Lara Croft fell under controversy for being overly sexualized to entice male players into stepping into the shoes of a female avatar, she also became a gaming icon. For many, the '90s version of Lara Croft is the Lara Croft. With Fleabag (2016) creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge helming the show, I'm hopeful the series will embrace Croft's roots while retaining the more nuanced feminist edges the franchise has fleshed out over the decades. 

Animated Tomb Raider Series Worth Checking Out

While these series don't technically connect to the mainline Tomb Raider movies and upcoming series, they're still worth watching, especially for hardcore franchise fans. Like the films, they're best watched in release date order. 

Revisioned: Tomb Raider is a bit like the gaming franchise's version of Star Wars: Visions (2021) or Marvel's What If…? (2021) because of its anthology format and varying art style in each episode. While its first three episodes tell an overarching story, the rest of its 10-episode run works as standalone stories that you can jump in and out of as you desire. More casual Tomb Raider fans might see Revisioned as an unnecessary pitstop, but those who love Lara and want to see different interpretations of her will find a lot to like here.

If you happen to be an anime fan, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is for you. Set in the same timeline as the Survivor trilogy, aka the rebooted trilogy of games starting with 2013's Tomb Raider, this animated series sees a younger, more inexperienced Lara Croft (Hayley Atwell) hunt down treasure and navigate supernatural mysteries, which is all you really need from a Tomb Raider adaptation. The show also brings in game characters like Jonah and Sam, so it's for people who care about lore, not just the fiery explosions and gun fights. 

• Revisioned: Tomb Raider (2007)

• Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024)

Tomb Raider Short Movies (Optional)

Even more obscure than Lara Croft's animated outings are her two short films. While they aren't necessary to understand the larger Tomb Raider lore, completionists may still want to check them out. 

Tomb Raider: The Trilogy debuted in 1998 at the launch party for Tomb Raider III. It seemingly was only meant to play at the event, but in 2016, producer Janey de Nordwall found the original tape and dropped the video online. The only other Tomb Raider short film came in 2022, with Tomb Raider: The Myth of El Hawa. Much more publicized than The Trilogy, The Myth of El Hawa fills in the gaps between Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness games, explaining how Lara survived in Egypt.

If you're trying to decide between the two, The Myth of El Hawa would be my recommendation, especially if you're a gamer looking for more canon material about the Tomb Raider games. 

• Tomb Raider: The Trilogy (1998)

• Tomb Raider: The Myth of El Hawa (2022)

Art can be a tricky thing, especially in the realm of film. The medium demands that creatives always be on the cutting edge of technology with a keen eye towards modern society, while also demanding a movie experience that feels timeless and effective regardless of when you see it. The true classics are the ones that manage to pull off that tricky feat, with movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), The Breakfast Club (1985), or 25th Hour (2002) finely attuned to the year they were made in, even while retaining a spark of timelessness.

Looking back a decade, it’s easy to see plenty of delightful movies that didn’t get their due, like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016). Some movies were popular at the time but have only gotten more impressive and effective, growing into something impressive with the added benefit of changing times and an ever evolving culture. While they were solid releases back in 2016, here are the ten best movies that have only gotten better in the years since, available to watch on HBO Max, Prime Video, and more.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Park Chan-wook is one of Korean cinema's undisputed masters, and The Handmaiden might be one of his best movies yet. Engaging viewers with questions about culture and class, like his other films Parasite (2019) and No Other Choice (2025), the sprawling period-piece epic is full of unexpected twists, surprising character turns, and a harsh satirical appraisal of the “civility” of the upper class, contrasted against the desperation of the people who are under their boots. 

It’s also got one of the most unexpectedly compelling romances seen in any movie within the last decade, with an emotional reckoning that has to be seen to be believed. Especially in light of more South Korean film and television crossing over with western audiences like Squid Game (2021) and Escape (2024), it's well worth revisiting The Handmaiden to see how this accurate period-piece also works as a harrowing tale of love in the face of adversity.

Arrival (2016)

Methodical and grounded in its approach to the alien elements of its sci-fi storytelling, Arrival is a stunning film that never loses sight of the humanity that drives it forward. Directed by Denis Villeneuve—who has since gone on to define himself as one of the modern generation’s best sci-fi filmmakers with movies like Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and Dune (2021)—Arrival approaches the concept of an alien arrival with deliberate restraint. 

More in line with something like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Contact (1997) than many of the more bombastic entries in the genre, Arrival tackles the concept from the perspective of linguistic experts brought in to try and communicate with the aliens. Perfectly fitting in the modern era thanks to its focus on perseverance in the face of loss and the importance of building bonds over combat, Arrival’s softer edge and somber touch make it the perfect quiet sci-fi film for the present day.

Your Name (2016)

Deeply romantic, painfully bittersweet, and undeniably compelling on all levels, Your Name is a fascinating film and one of the best dramatic anime to come out in the last decade. The film follows Taki and Mitshua, two high schoolers who find themselves swapping bodies even though they've never met before. Initially, the film seems to just be having fun with the concept of a Freaky Friday (2003) style twist on a high school romance, only for the film's reality-bending perspective to steadily develop into something more impactful and meaningful. 

Like much of the best anime, Your Name uses the conventions of a fantasy or sci-fi story to explore a larger look at the way of the world. Like Lost in Starlight (2025) embraces a sci-fi plot to talk about romance, or I Want To Eat Your Pancreas (2018) uses a teen romantic drama as a chance to explore morality, Your Name’s charming visuals give way to a story about society that has to be seen to be believed, and has only grown in power over the years as ecological challenges have become more commonplace.

The Founder (2016)

A film about the very American version of capitalism that has only grown more resonant over time, The Founder is a fascinating character drama exploring the humanity behind the founding of McDonald’s. Michael Keaton stars as Ray Kroc, a desperate traveling salesman who sees potential in the small burger joint run by Dick and Mac McDonald. 

Based on the true story behind one of the world’s most successful fast food chains, The Founder doesn’t go the typical Hollywood route of sanitizing the lead characters for the big screen, instead it showcases the characters as flawed people. There’s a clear sense of satirical self-awareness in the film, a cutting critique of a classic piece of modern Americana that doesn’t condemn anyone but allows their words and actions to speak for themselves. A fitting peer to other blunt depictions of capitalism in the modern age, like The Big Short (2015) or Dumb Money (2023), The Founder’s final scenes feel all the more impactful even just a few years later.

The Nice Guys (2016)

As disarmingly charming as it was when it was released a decade ago, The Nice Guys remains a terrific entry in the noir genre that’s begging for a rewatch. Following up his box office success with Iron Man 3 (2013) with a return to the crime genre that made him a star writer, Shane Black’s collaboration with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling was a disappointment at the box office.

It’s a real shame, too, because the thematic follow-up to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) is clever, hilarious, and surprisingly heartbreaking in its depiction of a corrupt Los Angeles where good people try to get ahead but can only survive (let alone thrive) if they can deal with the seedier corners of the industry. Fans of Black’s films like Lethal Weapon (1987) or Play Dirty (2025) will fall in love with this mystery movie, and it’s a perfect pairing for modern mystery fiction from Rian Johnson like Knives Out (2019) or Poker Face (2023).

Moonlight (2016)

The Best Picture winner at the 89th Academy Awards might be best remembered for that surprise victory over La La Land (2016), but Moonlight remains one of the best character dramas of the 21st century, let alone the past decade. Told across multiple periods of the same life, Moonlight follows the story of an innocent boy who grows into a confused teenager and finally becomes a hardened man. 

There’s a quiet poetry to the way Moonlight plays out, with a wonderfully written script brought to life by vivid but restrained performances. Resembling other reflections on the trials and tribulations of life like Aftersun (2022) or Nomadland (2020), Moonlight’s somber but resilient humanity makes it the perfect character study for the modern day, especially in the face of a culture and society that increasingly seems content to push people to the margins when they deserve love and understanding.

Silence (2016)

Directed by Martin Scorsese as part of his informal trilogy about the challenges of faith—giving it an inherent connection to The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Kundun (1997)—Silence is a powerful film that reflects the challenges of faith when faced with a harsh world. 

Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, and Liam Neeson as priests faced with scrutiny and torture over their efforts to bring Christianity to Japan, Silence is one of Scorsese’s harshest films. It’s also one of his most spiritual, trading the overt brutality of something like The Passion of the Christ (2004) for the more complex reflection of Conclave (2024) or The Two Popes (2019). Especially for fans of Scorsese, this under-seen critical darling is one of the filmmaker’s most impactful works, especially in the 21st century.

Train to Busan (2016)

One of the best zombie movies of the last twenty-five years, Train to Busan is a terrific horror flick that’s ideal for anyone who wants the happy medium between the moral conflicts of 28 Years Later (2025) and the bombastic undead action of Army of the Dead (2021). The South Korean film focuses on the survivors of a sudden zombie outbreak as the train they’re on turns into their only salvation. 

Surprisingly brutal when it wants to be but never without a core of humanity, Train to Busan takes the western cliches of the genre and filters them through a decidedly South Korean lens, with just enough cultural touchstones and common elements to make for a perfect fusion of style and tone. Dark without being relentless and genuinely inventive in some of its scares, Train to Busan might not appeal to people tired of zombies, but it’s a great ride for everyone else. 

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

2016 had some very solid animated films, with the likes of Moana (2016) and Zootopia (2016) dominating the medium. However, ten years on, Kubo and the Two Strings remains arguably the true cartoon highlight of the year. The stop-motion film, produced by Lika, retains the same sense of style and humanity that made previous films from the studio, like ParaNorman (2010), so appealing. 

This Japanese fantasy story is a beautifully constructed tale of contending with grief, without getting bogged down in worldbuilding. The art design feels reminiscent of the works of Hayao Miyazaki, making this an ideal film for anyone who loved Spirited Away (2001) or Howl's Moving Castle (2004). However, it also retains a clear touch of its own craftsmanship, with a style and score that make it deeply memorable even a decade later. While the stylish flourishes might not be for everyone, anyone who has found the appeal in Samurai Jack (2001) or really loved Kung Fu Panda (2008) will find plenty to love about this film.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Whereas Cloverfield (2008) was a fun experimental approach to the standard kaiju movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane took the branding and went in a completely different—and deeply memorable—direction. With little in common with its predecessor, 10 Cloverfield Lane instead leaned into a full thriller by focusing on a young woman who finds herself trapped in a bunker during a supposed alien invasion, unsure if the greater threat is the man she’s now stuck sharing a room with.

A finely tuned thriller that has only gotten better with age thanks to its use of paranoia and its expert exploration of a troubled man trying to “help” people by any means necessary, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a harrowing and heart-racing film that might not be for the faint of heart, but takes on additional power for anyone facing the challenges of today with a harsh and well-won resilience. 

Since streaming sites like Netflix entered the small screen space, concerns about how it'd change the viewing experience have been loud and understandable. The age of binge-watching a television show versus watching episodes weekly has taken away patience and forced people to forget about the art of allowing narratives to unfold organically. We've forgotten how to sit with things and now focus solely on instant gratification. At the same time, there's certainly a plus side to streaming and how a piece of media can be contained to a specific period while still having a substantial impact on the public, like Stranger Things (2016), particularly during its debut season. 

But the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of social media apps focusing on 12-second videos have also done damage to attention spans. Now, streaming sites are well aware of the fact that people are likely doom-scrolling while watching TV, so they're doubling down on plot repetition and essentially spoon-feeding the audience with something called Visual Muzak. 

Visual Muzak, Explained

Whether you're at a local coffee shop, a grocery store, or maybe even in the elevator, there's music around you. Since 1934, Muzak has been an American creation from Mood Media for background music. There's certainly a plus side to this, as ambiance can indeed be helpful for focus and perhaps even a distraction. The Mozart trick really does work when you're cramming for that test and need to focus. Our teachers were clearly right about that. Plus, it's nice, who doesn't want background music? 

But place the word visual in front of it, and we lose the art of storytelling on so many levels. The idea that a movie should first be seen in a theater isn't something that is accessible for every person, but this doesn't mean that the change in our economy or individual challenges should affect the art itself, and that's exactly what's happening with the urge to implement Visual Muzak into the fiction that is produced. 

If you watch TV and film on a daily basis, there's a large chance that you've noticed this change in dialogue but couldn't quite put a finger on it. I first got proof of it when actress Jameela Jamil went on "The Romesh Ranganathan Show" and talked about how executives are indeed simplifying the plot with the knowledge that people are on their phones, and thus they can still follow along. And even more recently, longtime collaborators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck talked about the very same thing on the "Joe Rogan Experiment" while promoting their new movie, The Rip (2026). 

What Does This Change Mean For the Future of Streaming?

When Heated Rivalry (2025) took the world by storm at the end of last year, there were countless conversations about how different the Canadian production is compared to what we're used to here in the States. But if you're also someone who watches British productions, K-dramas, or anything that's produced elsewhere where the episode count is limited, you'll notice that the quality of content is still indescribably profound. The use of time and space in these productions is exactly what makes them stick the landing, and Affleck even brought up the success of Adolescence (2025) and how a series like it is indeed unique nowadays. 

What this essentially means is that these productions trust not only their craftsmanship but also the audience. Jacob Tierney knew that book fans and romance fans alike would be paying attention to every little detail in Heated Rivalry, whether the moment is big or small. It's not the plot that needs repetition, but the creators should trust their audience to recognize the importance of a prolonged close-up shot that follows a beat of silence. We should be focusing on the small shift of a character's expression, even if no words are exchanged. We should be able to tell why a kiss in Episode 2 is different from a kiss in Episode 4 without the dialogue telling us. 

"Show, don't tell" has been a perpetual talking point in the media for the longest time because viewers want to watch the seemingly unimportant set piece come back in the finale and allow us to realize its vitality all along. Sure, perhaps the people who are consistently on their phones doom-scrolling while also watching television might not notice what's happening to the quality of content they're consuming, but the critics, filmmakers, and die-hard fans will catch it all. We already did during the final season of Stranger Things, which, instead of being the most unforgettable arc, became the most lackluster. This irritating habit is changing the way far too many people are consuming media, and it's heartbreaking to think of all the small but meaningful moments we'd miss out on with constant repetition of the plot.

Streaming, in and of itself, is indeed a gift. I love that I can watch reruns of old classics wherever I want, without searching for a guide to see where it's playing, at what time, and which episode. There are benefits to having so many of our favorite properties at our fingertips, but the future of classics is dire when people are having a hard time focusing on a two-hour movie, let alone an entire 22-episode season. How we're consuming media will change drastically if this continues to happen, and the benefits of streaming will likely somehow lead us back to the days of cable television. Or, God forbid, everything will be on our phones, and that's simply not how TV or movies should ever be consumed. You don't need an in-home theater with surround sound to appreciate the film or TV show, but we do need to consume content that's made with artistry in mind, as opposed to consumer habits.

From the brilliantly collaborative minds of Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking (2023) is the best comedy on TV right now. Sharp, deeply wholesome, and achingly transparent, it tackles narratives we don't often see on our TV screens, and it's also bursting with one of the best ensemble casts we've had since Ted Lasso (2020). It's not every comedy that is well-suited for every type of viewer, but there's something inherently human about Shrinking that makes it a must-watch for anyone who wants to laugh and cry, simultaneously.

Apart from the exceptional writing, Shrinking also shines because of its cast. I mean… Harrison Ford, doing comedy. Need I say more? Plus, it includes a few exceptional cameos I won't spoil, and Goldstein even comes in as an actor in Season 2 in a role that deserves to remain spoiler-free. With Shrinking Season 3 returning to Apple TV+, let's look back at some of the cast's most famous roles. 

Harrison Ford as Paul 

If you know no other actor in this cast, you know Harrison Ford. And the work that Ford brings to life as Paul in Shrinking is utterly breathtaking on all fronts. No character makes me laugh or cry as hard, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of every viewer when I say he's the best in the series. Plus, the gift of watching Ford do comedy after years of dramas and darker narratives is a gift in and of itself.

You likely know him as the scoundrel Han Solo from the Star Wars franchise, or maybe you watched Air Force One (1997) with your family years ago. His name is also synonymous with the Indiana Jones franchise and countless other classic figures with enormous legacies attached to their character, so really, we can talk for hours about his greatness. 

One to watch: If you like Star Wars, try Blade Runner 2049 (2017) for another distinct approach to sci-fi with Ford in the lead.

Jason Segel as Jimmy 

Jason Segel isn't new to comedy, but even if you're a fan of his work prior, nothing could prepare you for the depth and layers he brings to Jimmy Laird, a struggling therapist trying to navigate through the grief of losing his wife. Segel is at his absolute best in Shrinking, bringing to our screens some of the strongest performances to date in any comedy show. 

You likely know and love him as Marshall from How I Met Your Mother (2005), and there's a surprise in Shrinking Season 2 with another fan-favorite actress from the show coming aboard. Or, maybe, Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) is one of your favorite comedy films. Regardless, Shrinking is, in every way, Segel's best role, and the one everyone should watch him in.

One to watch: If you like How I Met Your Mother already, try Shrinking for the lovely found family vibes. 

Jessica Williams as Gaby

Prior to Shrinking, Jessica Williams guest-starred in a number of great films and TV shows, while also being one of the youngest correspondents on The Daily Show (1996). But if Williams isn't offered countless roles after Shrinking for her unbeatable comedic timing, then there's no justice in the world. Gaby is one of the three therapists on the show, and Williams consistently does an inimitable job bringing her to life.

If you appreciate how an actor like Harrison Ford can do movies like Star Wars and shows like Shrinking, then you'd be impressed to learn that Williams has a role in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) as Eulalie' Lally' Hicks. And if nothing else, it's worth watching to see how incredible her range as an actress is.

One to watch: If you like the Harry Potter franchise, try Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore for its amazing cast of characters.

Lukita Maxwell as Alice

Lukita Maxwell is the youngest actress on the show, but how she holds her own with legendary performers is no small feat. Maxwell is consistently the most impressive star as she layers Alice Laird with such incomparable depth to showcase what it's like to be the grieving daughter, trying to navigate through an already tumultuous time in a teen's life.

Prior to Shrinking, Maxwell starred in Generation (2021), a young-adult series centered around high school kids exploring sexuality while navigating through their individual lives. It's there that it became clear that Maxwell's gifts as an actress are ever-growing, but genuinely, what she delivers in Shrinking is on another level. She's the star you're going to be most impressed with, and the one whose career you'd like to follow afterward. 

One to watch: If you like Sex Education (2021), try Generation for its approach to inclusivity and humor.

Christa Miller as Liz

Christa Miller isn't just a sensational comedy actress who can break you with a single look at the same time, but she's also the music supervisor on Shrinking, and if you're a fan of brilliant needle drops, Miller is wholly responsible for it. And even if many viewers were new to some of the cast on Shrinking, we all know Miller.

One word: Scrubs (2001). Yes, Christa Miller was on Scrubs, and she was utterly brilliant in it as Jordan Sullivan. You may have also watched her in Cougar Town (2009) or heard her voice acting in Clone High (2002). Miller's range is indescribable, and it's a fact that every character she brings to life is made entirely better because of her astounding understanding of all their idiosyncrasies. 

One to watch: If you like Shrinking, try Scrubs for its writing style and similar comedy vibes.

Ted McGinley as Derek

From Happy Days (1974) to Married… With Children (1987), Ted McGinley, like Harrison Ford, is an absolute legend in Hollywood, with his long filmography overflowing with greats. Chances are, you've seen him in so many excellent properties that it's impossible to pick a favorite. McGinley's range is not only fantastic, but what he does with Derek alone is something few actors can master.

The character could've easily been comic relief, but instead, he's multifaceted and so well-written, you'll find yourself putting him in the top three of favorites. In many ways, Derek is the heart of the show, and that detail becomes more and more obvious as the seasons go on because of all the vulnerability he meshes so brilliantly with humor.

One to watch: If you like the dysfunctional family vibes of Arrested Development (2003), try Married With…Children. 

Luke Tennie as Sean

One thing about Shrinking is that at some point, every character will make you cry, and you'll be grateful for it. And how Luke Tennie has layered Sean since Season 1 is no small feat. There's such a brilliance to his comedic timing and the ability to touch on moments of vulnerability that works so well; it makes the show special.

And while Tennie has been in a few properties before the show aired, it's where he'll go afterward that promises such a bright and compelling future. You may have recently spotted him as a new teacher on Abbott Elementary (2021), and we also know that he'll be appearing in The Pitt (2025) Season 2, so it's going to be fascinating to see how the role will differ from Sean.

One to watch: If you like Shrinking, try Abbott Elementary for a unique career setting.

Michael Urie as Brian

If you're a theatre nerd like me, then chances are you've seen or known about Michael Urie from the stage. But if you're also a big sitcom fan, then you've likely seen him in shows like Ugly Betty (2006) and Partners (2012). And like Derek, Brian could've easily been comic relief, but Urie brilliantly ensures that he's got plenty of layers to become a fan-favorite character.

The levity and warmth that Urie delivers as Brian is so incredible that he's consistently making sure we find new things to appreciate about the character. It's impossible to imagine the show without him, and how his arc improves throughout is so riveting to showcase the excellent writing on the show, too. 

One to watch: If you like Christmas movies, try Single All the Way (2021) for a lovely romance and all the humor.

Kathleen Kennedy will always be inseparable from modern Star Wars projects, which you can watch on Disney+ and Hulu. But after 14 years leading Lucasfilm, she is officially stepping down, closing a chapter that fundamentally reshaped the franchise for a new generation. Her tenure was defined by ambitious choices that started with bringing Star Wars back to theaters and expanding it into the streaming era.

Lucasfilm will now move forward under a dual leadership model, with Dave Filoni stepping in as president and chief creative officer alongside Lynwen Brennan as co-president. Filoni brings deep storytelling credibility and an almost spiritual connection to the franchise's lore, while Brennan offers the business and operational precision needed to steady the ship.

But Kennedy's story with Star Wars isn't finished. She will remain a producer on the next two theatrical releases, The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), ensuring her creative fingerprint still shapes the franchise's cinematic return. So, as her era comes to a close, this feels like the perfect moment to rank the major Star Wars projects of the Kennedy era from worst to best.

12. The Acolyte (2024)

Set in the final days of the High Republic era, The Acolyte follows Verosha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg), a former Padawan who gets mixed up in a series of darkside crimes that challenge the Jedi's moral authority. As secrets unravel, the show reframes the Jedi not as flawless heroes but as an institution with blind spots. It's a mystery-driven Star Wars story that leans heavily into political and philosophical themes.

This series lands at the bottom of the list not because it lacks ambition, but because its execution never fully matches its fascinating premise. Still, Kennedy deserves credit for backing a project that was brave enough to explore the Sith from an unconventional angle, which is something Star Wars has rarely done in live action. It's best suited for viewers who enjoy lore-heavy storytelling and moral gray areas.

11. Skeleton Crew (2024-2025)

Skeleton Crew is set about five years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. The story follows four children who get lost in the galaxy after making a discovery on their home planet, At Attin. As they try to find their way home, the group faces unexpected dangers and meets new friends. The series is basically a Star Wars adventure mixed with classic coming-of-age storytelling. And the result is a lighter, more family-focused take on the franchise. This series lands on the lower end of the list simply because its impact on the wider Star Wars mythos is smaller, not because it lacks charm.

Kennedy's era was about expanding Star Wars into different genres, and Skeleton Crew is her most direct nod to '80s-style kid adventure cinema like The Goonies (1985). It's perfect for families and younger viewers who want a softer entry point into the franchise. While it doesn't redefine Star Wars the way some series do, it succeeds as a reminder that this universe can still be playful.

10. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Solo: A Star Wars Story explores the early years of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), showing how he met Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and Lando (Donald Glover) and how he became the smuggler we know. It's a heist-style adventure filled with criminal underworld intrigue. The film aims to humanize a legendary character before his rebellion days.

Kennedy's decision to greenlight a Han Solo origin story was interesting but risky, especially for a character so deeply associated with Harrison Ford. It ranks low because it feels like an unnecessary addition in the franchise, even when it's entertaining, making it a cautionary tale of how nostalgia can overreach. Still, it's ideal for fans who enjoy lighter, pulpy Star Wars adventures.

9. The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)

The Book of Boba Fett follows the legendary bounty hunter (Temuera Morrison) as he attempts to reinvent himself as the ruler of Tatooine's criminal underworld by taking over the territory once controlled by Jabba the Hutt. Instead of vengeance, Boba seeks order and respect in a lawless society. This series finds itself in the middle of the list because it never fully commits to its own premise.

Kennedy's choice to focus on Boba Fett reflects her era's fascination with legacy characters. But the show often feels unsure of whether it wants to be gritty or heroic. While Morrison brings quiet dignity to the role, the story is frequently overshadowed by appearances from The Mandalorian (2019) cast. It's best for fans who love the extended Mando-verse, but as a standalone story, it lacks some narrative confidence.

8. Andor (2022)

Andor chronicles the operations of the Galactic Empire's government and how its actions affect ordinary citizens. Beginning five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and A New Hope (1977), the series details the formation of the Rebel Alliance. The story follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a thief who eventually, and slightly reluctantly, joins the Rebellion. This series lands mid-list only because its plot is very specific.

Kennedy backing Andor was one of her bravest creative decisions, proving that Star Wars could function as prestige television. It's a must for fans who enjoy grounded storytelling and complex themes. However, its slow pace and lack of familiar franchise elements have made it a less popular choice among fans. Still, the series is extraordinarily artistic, even if it isn't a universal hit.

7. Ahsoka (2023-Present)

Ahsoka follows former Jedi apprentice Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) as she goes in search of a lost ally while confronting threats beyond the known galaxy. It directly continues storylines introduced in Star Wars Rebels (2014), deepening the mythology of the Force. The series is an interesting mix of mysticism, political intrigue, and emotional closure, offering long-awaited arcs for legacy characters.

It's one of the purest expressions of Kennedy's collaboration with Dave Filoni, merging her production sensibilities with his deep Star Wars lore. But the series lands in the middle of the list because there's an assumption of knowledge about past series and the broader Star Wars canon. The series is ideal for long-time fans, even if its plot accessibility remains limited for casual viewers.

6. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

The Rise of Skywalker begins as the Resistance prepares for its final battle with the First Order. Rey (Daisy Ridley) discovers a shocking truth about her lineage. Old threats return, which also sets the stage for the saga's ultimate confrontation with the Sith. The film is a spectacle-driven finale, filled with emotion and fan service, reminding us that managing audience expectation is tough.

The movie is placed toward the top of the list because it epitomizes Kennedy's era at its most conflicted—ambitious but constrained by expectations and the need to course-correct after the previous film in the sequel trilogy. While the story sometimes feels rushed and a little overcrowded, Star Wars fans will love it to pieces for bringing the trilogy to a close.

5. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

The Last Jedi follows Rey (Ridley), who is being trained to use the Force by a very reluctant Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), while the Resistance fights for survival. The story challenges conventional ideas of legacy and what it means to be a hero. It also explores moral ambiguity and personal responsibility. The movie ranks high because it is Kennedy's boldest gamble, supporting director Rian Johnson in telling a story that defies formula.

Although the film proved divisive in terms of fans' expectations, it succeeded in expanding the thematic scope of Star Wars. Kennedy's confidence in backing such a polarizing vision showed her commitment to taking creative risks, even when audience reaction was uncertain. While it unsettled some fans, The Last Jedi is a must for every Star Wars die-hard.

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Set 30 years after the Battle of Endor, The Force Awakens mirrors the structure of the original trilogy as General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) searches for her brother, Luke Skywalker (Hamill). A scavenger named Rey (Ridley) and former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) team up with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to deliver Luke's location to the Resistance.

It takes up the fourth spot on the list because Kennedy successfully resurrected the franchise for a new audience with this project, while honoring its legacy. While its reliance on nostalgia is sometimes cited as a limitation, it was a necessary first step in re-engaging fans. Its ranking reflects its importance as the foundation of new Star Wars storytelling, making it suitable for franchise newbies and long-time fans.

3. The Mandalorian (2019-2023)

The Mandalorian follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), the titular lone bounty hunter who forms an unexpected bond with a Force-sensitive child, Grogu, who he must protect from Imperial remnants. As they navigate the dangers of a post-Empire galaxy, their journey becomes a mix of Western-style storytelling with Star Wars mythology that expands the tone and scope of the universe.

The series earns third place on the list because it revitalized Star Wars on streaming platforms, proving that the franchise could succeed outside theaters. Kennedy's decision to back a new, smaller-scale story allowed for the creation of fresh characters, inventive narratives, and a few surprises. The show is perfect for fans of action-adventure stories and Star Wars fans.

2. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Obi-Wan Kenobi follows the titular Jedi Master (Ewan McGregor), who lives in hiding on Tatooine to watch over a young Luke Skywalker (Grant Feely). When he is tasked with saving Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair), Obi-Wan must confront the guilt and unfinished battles from his past. The series successfully bridges the gap between the prequel and original trilogies.

Obi-Wan Kenobi lands in the number two spot because it delivers one of the most emotionally resonant experiences of Kennedy's era. The series offers deep character work and reconciliation, especially for fans who grew up with the prequels (although newcomers to the franchise will also enjoy it). McGregor's return adds gravitas, while the narrative carefully balances nostalgia with new plot points.

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), who happens to be the daughter of the man who created the Death Star. She eventually leads a group of rebels on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's deadly weapon, leading directly into Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). The film reframes hope as hard-won and earned through loss.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story earns its place at the top of this list because it is narratively essential, hits all the right emotional marks, and expands the scope of the entire franchise without rewriting any of the lore. The film's ranking also reflects its long-lasting influence, making it the best example of Kennedy's legacy. The movie is a must for every Star Wars fan and anyone who enjoys a good epic space opera.

Some of the best shows (and movies) are Apple TV+ exclusives, yet it still feels like not enough people are talking about them. And ultimately, it's understandable, given the state of our economy as well as various factors, why people wouldn't want to commit to yet another streaming service. At the same time, with the bingeing model, many people have stopped watching shows weekly, which is a lost art in and of itself that I really hope we get back to at some point.

That said, when it comes to Apple TV+, I'll always champion the shows featured on it and beg people to come aboard the incredible rides these series take us on. There is plenty to catch up on with incredible limited series like Lessons in Chemistry (2023) or movies like the recently released F1 (2025). But there are also returning shows and old ones that are already a huge part of our cultural zeitgeist, and they're sure to make your 2026 subscription worth it.

Shrinking (2023-present)

Four words: Harrison Ford does comedy. Need I say more? The iconic film star is revered for countless reasons, but trust me when I say, he delivers his best work to date on Shrinking. Brought to you by the thoughtful minds of Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, the show's approach to grief and moving forward is unlike anything I've seen in the past, and it's bound to become a healing comfort for countless viewers.

With an incredibly hilarious cast alongside Ford, Shrinking is the kind of show that effectively marries heart and humor in a narrative that's achingly honest and relatable. It's also rare for a series to center around therapy the way Shrinking does, so the mental health inclusion ensures that the show feels unique and deeply vital.

Ted Lasso (2020-present)

Like Shrinking, the marriage between heart and humor is inimitable in Ted Lasso. If there's one show I'll recommend to any type of viewer, no matter how different our tastes, it's Ted Lasso. Proof of my love for this gem lies in the words inked on my forearm because it's that special. You'll never think of football, therapy, or a simple game of darts the same way, and you'll be better for it.

Ted Lasso understands the importance of kindness in a way no other series does, and in a world where everything is ugly and bleak, it's the best kind of show guaranteed to improve your mood. Brimming with well-rounded characters, ridiculous jokes, all the found family vibes, romance, and a hopeful message at the end of every episode, it deserves to be on our screens for years and years to come. 

Trying (2020-present)

Trying is an underrated gem that I'm convinced only my friends and I watch, but it deserves far more hype, especially among romance fans. Rarely do we get already established relationships with no petty drama and breakups on our screens, yet that's exactly what Trying consistently delivers, all while exploring arcs around adoption and found families. Fans of Jay and Sam on Ghosts (2021) are the only other lucky ones in this regard.

Starring Esther Smith and Rafe Spall, it's a sweet British comedy that's guaranteed to not only make you laugh but also feel all the simple feelings that come from everyday experiences. The decision to shine a light on matters that aren't explored often in fiction makes it exceptionally unique and thoughtful, allowing the character journeys always to take center stage as we go through life alongside them.

Severance (2022-present)

Sci-fi is a niche genre, and it's often hard to recommend it to people who generally don't gravitate toward it in the first place. But Severance is in a league of its own, and it's one that can be palatable to a wide variety of audiences, whether they're a fan of the genre or not. But also, if you want a twist on workplace dramas, it's a must-watch for its means of deep diving into heavy topics while simultaneously delivering moments of levity.

If you're watching Paradise (2025), but somehow not integrated into the world of Lumon Industries, then I promise you're guaranteed to appreciate it here as well. Full of some of the most sensationally and breathtaking performances of all time, Severance is the type of show that demands conversation and countless discussions among peers. It's the type of show that you can watch over and over again while still discovering something new each time.

Pluribus (2025-present)

From the sharp mind of Vince Gilligan, who brought us Breaking Bad (2008) and Better Call Saul (2015), the reunion with Rhea Seehorn as a main character proves to be an absolute masterpiece, with the enormous success of Pluribus in its debut season. Perfect for viewers who love narratives that center on hive minds, the series is different from what Gilligan has done in the past, but with his familiar beats still there.

Pluribus might not return in 2026, but it'd be the perfect time to catch up before its sophomore run. The show shines with its incredible performances and the enticing narrative that gripped viewers from the pilot episode, which is a rarity on its own. Thrilling, layered, and complex, this one's not to be missed if you love complex characters.

Slow Horses (2022-present)

If you recently got into Dept. Q (2025), but are somehow still sleeping on Slow Horses, then please rectify this. The series is also one of the few that consistently gives us a new story every year, but each episode is always better than the one before. Perfect for anyone who loves grumpy characters and a fast-paced plot, it's bound to scratch all the right itches.

While there are a number of series centered around spies, the unique approach that Slow Horses takes to highlight a different division of MI6 is exactly what makes it so compelling. At the same time, Gary Oldman consistently delivers exceptional performances alongside the entire cast, and Jack Lowden's character is basically... well, chef's kiss (he's got my vote as Bond, if anyone's wondering.) 

The Studio (2025-present)

Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of a movie production? And I mean, really, the chaos and calm of it all? If the answer is yes, then The Studio is the show for you. It continues to floor me how a show like this is even made when it pokes so much fun at the industry, and yet, maybe that's where its perfect absurdity lies. 

The award-winning phenomenon isn't to be missed, and while the humor might not work for viewers expecting more wholesome beats like in Ted Lasso, each arc is still bound to stick the landing and make you think. From start to finish, it's a clever run that's well-executed, and it's going to be so exciting to see what the creative minds tackle in Season 2. 

The Morning Show (2019-present) 

If you loved The Newsroom (2012), then you're guaranteed to love The Morning Show, but maybe even more so for all the delicious drama woven into the mix with real-world matters. It might not be suited for viewers wanting an escape from what's actually happening in the news, but if you've ever wanted '90s icons like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon in the same room, then the show will deliver in spades for you.

Thoughtful, enticing, and bold, The Morning Show isn't afraid of being messy and complex, giving every episode all the markings of a true drama. It's unsettling at times, yet even those tougher-to-swallow narratives feel earned. The performances are always astounding, and every arc is so well done that it's bound to keep you glued to the TV. 

Ranking the Harry Potter movies feels more like a very personal responsibility than a casual exercise. That's probably because there's so much stuff to consider. These films didn't just entertain us, they gave us a world we still retreat to when real life gets overwhelming. If you've read the books, you know that each movie carries the impossible burden of expectation. And if you've watched them all multiple times, you also know that some entries have aged better than others.

This list exists because loving Harry Potter doesn't mean loving every installment equally. Some movies feel like warm butterbeer on a cold night. Others feel like necessary homework before getting to the good stuff. I'm ranking these films, which can be found on Apple TV, HBO Max, and Hulu, from worst to best, based on how well each movie understands the heart of the Wizarding World.

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 begins with Voldemort in power, while Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) abandon Hogwarts to hunt Horcruxes. But the journey strains their friendship as the Wizarding World collapses around them. This movie lands in last place for one simple reason—it drags. As a book reader, I understand why the film needed space to really showcase the despair, the isolation, and emotional exhaustion of the three lead characters.

But as a movie, Part 1 often feels like it's circling the same emotional beats. There are moments I genuinely love. The Tale of the Three Brothers sequence is stunning, Hermione erasing herself from her parents' memories is quietly devastating, and the moodiness works in theory. But compared to every other entry, this is the one I'm least excited to rewatch. However, fans who love character angst and don't mind a deliberately slow pace will enjoy it.

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban follows the titular wizard as he learns that escaped prisoner Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) may be connected to his parents' deaths. As danger looms, Harry learns some hard truths about loyalty and betrayal. Time also becomes central to uncovering the truth. I know this is controversial, but the Time-Turner plot is a lot, which is why this movie lands toward the end of the list. Conceptually, it's clever. Practically, it opens a can of worms that the series never fully closes.

Once time travel exists, you can't un-ring that bell, and it will bother me forever. The Prisoner of Azkaban also marks a change in the feel of the franchise. Harry's entire world becomes more complicated and the tone becomes more somber. Still, compared to later entries, Azkaban feels more like a stylistic experiment than a fully realized chapter. But viewers who can ignore time-travel logic holes will love it.

6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sees the Ministry of Magic brush off the impending return of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and appoint Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Meanwhile, Harry struggles with isolation and anger as he forms Dumbledore's Army. A tragic battle at the Ministry eventually changes everything. My biggest issue with Order of the Phoenix is that it rushes grief.

This is the movie where Harry is angriest, loneliest, and most traumatized. But the film barely gives him time to really feel that pain. That complete lack of emotional realism is why this film is placed in the middle of this list. Umbridge is flawless in the worst way. But compared to the book, this adaptation feels emotionally compressed; however, it's perfect for fans drawn to political themes of propaganda and authoritarianism.

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire follows Harry, who has unwillingly entered into the Triwizard Tournament, putting a strain on his friendship with Ron. Every challenge tests his bravery, but Voldemort's return marks the real end of his innocence. This movie earns fifth place on the list because it sees Harry, Ron, and Hermione embrace their teenage angst alongside their magical destinies. It's where they stop being kids reacting to danger and start making messy decisions.

The story is a little chaotic, and skips over some of the more important details from the book, but it captures the adolescent experience perfectly. The friendships fracture, reform, and deepen. That sort of emotional growth matters when you compare it to earlier entries in the film franchise. Fans who love coming-of-age stories and don't mind a slightly messy adaptation will love it.

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Students at Hogwarts are being mysteriously petrified in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. To make matters worse, Harry starts hearing strange voices no one else can. As suspicion and fear spread, Harry, Ron, and Hermione must solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets before the school falls apart. This movie lands in fourth place because it mixes humor with adventure just like the first film did. Only the stakes feel higher and the mystery more intricate.

The added danger surrounding Hogwarts gives the audience a sense that magic isn't always safe or whimsical. It doesn't reach the emotional depth of the later films, but it features a brilliant mix of suspense and world-building that makes my Potterhead heart race. Chamber of Secrets is perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries, clever puzzles, and fans who want to immerse themselves in classic Hogwarts vibes.

3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone follows Harry Potter as he slowly discovers that he's a wizard and leaves his abusive life with the Dursleys. Guided by Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), he heads to Hogwarts, where he finds friends in Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, along with a few hidden threats. He learns about bravery, loyalty, and the power of choice while uncovering the mysteries of the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer's Stone. This movie is third on the list because it introduces the Wizarding World flawlessly.

But the heart of the story is Harry finding a place where he belongs, and that makes it one of my favorites in the franchise. While it may feel basic compared to the darker, later entries, it lays the foundation for all the emotional stakes to come, and that magic never loses its charm. Without this solid foundation, none of the more complex stories that follow would carry much meaning. The movie is ideal for anyone chasing nostalgia, childhood wonder, or pure magic.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is all about the final battle to save Hogwarts (and the world) as Harry, with Ron and Hermione by his side, confronts Voldemort and his allies. Secrets are revealed, and the climactic duel between Harry and the Dark Lord determines the fate of the Wizarding World. Every storyline from the previous films converge, from the Horcrux hunt to the redemption of Severus Snape, leading to a thrilling finale that is also a little heartbreaking.

It's second on the list because of the emotional payoff and narrative closure. The movie is visually stunning and emotionally rich, hitting nearly every fan-pleasing note. While it's not as introspective as Half-Blood Prince, the stakes are monumental, and the victories and losses feel deeper because fans lived with these characters for years. It's the satisfying conclusion fans had been waiting for, and few films manage to pull off such a perfect finale.

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince begins as Voldemort works to tighten his grip on the Wizarding World. At the same time, Dumbledore recruits Harry to uncover the Dark Lord's past by tapping into old memories that reveal the origin of his dangerous, dark magic. Meanwhile, Hogwarts is buzzing with teenage romance, some silliness, and the lingering threat of war. The tone is darker, more intimate, and the story builds toward an emotional crescendo with a major death.

Half Blood Prince holds the number one spot because happiness, heartbreak, and dread coexist seamlessly, just like real life. Snape's complex past and loyalties are finally revealed, while Harry matures into the hero the series needs. Every moment is packed with little hints and throwbacks that give Hogwarts a fully-lived-in feeling. It's a masterclass in adapting the books for film. So for me, this is Harry Potter at its absolute best.

Marvel Studios has slowly been releasing teasers for Avengers: Doomsday (2026). One of the latest teaser trailers shows the return of the Wakandans, offering glimpses of Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and the human-Atlantean hybrid Namor (Tenoch Huerta). Interestingly, the clip is also the first to tease the return of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest additions, The Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four made their MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). However, since the film is pretty self-contained, Avengers: Doomsday will be the first to introduce the team’s members to other MCU characters.

The Fantastic Four are expected to be a vital component of Avengers: Doomsday, as their archenemy, Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), will be the main antagonist. However, the latest teaser reminds us that Doctor Doom isn’t the only MCU threat The Fantastic Four could face. One can’t help but wonder if Marvel’s decision to include Namor and The Fantastic Four in the same teaser is a nod to their contentious Marvel Comics history.

Namor And The Fantastic Four’s Complicated Marvel History, Explained

The Fantastic Four and Namor have a long history in Marvel Comics, dating back to the 1960s. They first crossed paths in Fantastic Four Vol. 14 (1962), where Namor, referred to in the comic as the Sub-Mariner, stumbles onto land with amnesia. Upon returning to his home and remembering his identity, he’s devastated to find nuclear testing has destroyed Atlantis. Namor tries to take his vengeance out on the surface world, using a horn to summon monsters like Giganto to New York. The Fantastic Four swoop in to stop him, completely unaware that their chance meeting with Namor will spark a years-long rivalry.

During the battle, Namor comes into contact with Sue Storm (aka The Invisible Woman) and instantly falls for her. He offers to call off his attack on Earth if she agrees to be his bride. While she considered the proposal to protect Earth, The Fantastic Four defeated Namor before she could accept. The incident, though, sparked a lifelong obsession for Namor, who remained infatuated with Sue. 

Namor’s obsession with Sue morphed into villainy as he tried numerous times to force her to be with him, including kidnapping her and threatening Earth and those she loved. The most complicated aspect of the relationship is that Sue occasionally hints at having some attraction to Namor, even once admitting to wanting to kiss him. However, she remains faithful to Reed Richards and repeatedly rebuffs Namor’s advances. Ultimately, Namor and The Fantastic Four’s relationship remained complicated. It was naturally strained due to Namor’s obsession, which created a kind of love triangle with him, Sue, and Reed, though Namor and the team also occasionally worked together to fight bigger threats.

Marvel Comics also explored the idea of Namor and Sue ending up together through alternate universes. The Sue of Earth-6706 was the sole survivor of The Fantastic Four after a rocket launch mishap and landed in the ocean, where Namor saved her. She ultimately married Namor and the two had a child, Remy (aka Gambit).

How Namor And Sue’s History Could Impact The MCU

Avengers: Doomsday marks the first time Namor and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) will appear in the MCU together, making us curious if their comic book history will come into play. On the one hand, I expect the film to dig a little deeper into Namor’s anti-hero side and potentially even see him unite with the Wakandans or Avengers to fight Doom. However, with the entry of The Fantastic Four, there could also be room to set up a bit of side conflict. 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps already gave the team a lot to deal with. In the film, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue are trying to navigate first-time parenthood, only to find their son, Franklin (Ada Scott), is one of the most powerful beings in the universe, attracting the attention of Galactus (Ralph Ineson). In Avengers: Doomsday, the pair will likely have to defend or rescue their son from the new threat, Doom. In fact, Marvel fans who waited for The Fantastic Four: First Steps' post-credit scene will have seen a hooded Dr. Doom ominously holding Franklin in his arms. Given all the stress and trauma Reed and Sue have been through, it’s not hard to see how Namor could easily drive a further wedge between them.

The last time we saw Namor in the MCU, he was defeated by Shuri in a final battle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Having lost the battle, Namor was forced to acknowledge Wakanda's strength and agree to keep their secrets from the rest of the world. Along with his people, he retreated back to Talokan. While Namor could create some interesting dynamics in Doomsday, the MCU will also have to be careful with his and Sue’s comic book history. His attempts to force Sue to be with him are problematic, and it’s even more troubling that Marvel Comics decided to make her attracted to someone so toxic. If the MCU is careful, though, I think such a storyline could work.

I loved that The Fantastic Four: First Steps got a little raw and honest when exploring the idea of Reed and Sue as, well, humans. They may be heroes, but they’re not immune to the anxieties of parenthood or the regrets of their past. It even touched a bit on Reed’s obsessive tendencies and fears that there’s something wrong with him, which impacts his relationship with Sue. Avengers: Doomsday could continue these deep dives into the realities of parenthood and marriage, perhaps by including a subtle storyline about Namor and Sue. It could be as basic as Namor showing interest in Sue, and her having a relatable “what if” moment before ultimately still choosing Reed, as she always has.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is, at its heart, a story about the strength of family and the worthiness of fighting for that family. There’s little that could emphasize this same theme more in Avengers: Doomsday than the family facing threats to their child and their relationships, yet still finding the strength to keep fighting for each other and choosing each other again and again.

Inflation. Affordability. Wealth inequality. Over the past few years, these terms and phrases have been frequently thrown around as more and more people become concerned with the economy and capitalism, and films have taken notice. In 2019, Bong Joon Ho released Parasite (2019), a film that seemed like a perfect satire of what it’s like living in a capitalist society. Years later, its themes are still relevant, but another South Korean satire just released and is making as many waves. 

No Other Choice (2025) has secured several Golden Globe nominations, and several notable film outlets have called it one of the best films of 2025. It’s a film that doesn’t hold back in depicting how capitalism can turn even the most virtuous person into a cold-blooded killer, and how easy it is for people to condone heinous actions as long as they benefit from them. Here is everything you need to know about No Other Choice.

What Is ‘No Other Choice’ About?

No Other Choice is a black comedy about Man-su, a man who used to work at a papermaking company until Americans bought it and sacked him. Man-su is gutted, especially because his family lives a very comfortable and luxurious life. But now, forced to take up a retail job, their lives begin to fall apart. His wife has to give up her tennis lessons! They have to get a more affordable car! They even have to cancel Netflix! The horror!

With bills piling up, Man-su becoming desperate, and no papermaking company interested in hiring, he formulates a plan. If these papermaking companies have no vacancies, then he’ll make one by killing a high-profile employee. But Man-su isn’t a fool. He knows that there are people who are probably more qualified than him, so he’ll just kill them too, so that he’s the only viable candidate left. And so, we spend two hours and 19 minutes watching Man-su enact his scheme and wonder if he’ll be able to pull it off or if everything will fall apart around him.

How Similar Is ‘No Other Choice’ To ‘Parasite’?

When directly comparing No Other Choice and Parasite’s satire of late-stage capitalism, there actually are a handful of similarities beyond originating in South Korea. Yet, they diverge sharply in what they’re satirizing. 

Both films are family dramas, though the way their respective families are presented is pretty different. In Parasite, we watch the Kim family actively partake in fooling the wealthy Park family. The Parks are out of touch with what’s going on around them, which enables the Kim family to exploit their ignorance. Meanwhile, Man-su goes to great lengths to ensure that his family isn’t directly involved in his actions. It’s his plan, and while his family has theories about what he’s doing, they become willfully ignorant of his actions, provided they can return to their original way of life. To put it another way, Parasite is a story of the lower-class tricking the upper-class into giving them a better life, while No Other Choice shows the lengths the upper class will go to retain their wealth and lifestyle.

No Other Choice is also a lot more overtly comedic than Parasite. Seeing Man-su bumble his way into killing his marks is funny because of how out of his depth he initially is, but it belies how more tragic No Other Choice ends up being. Man-su knows he’s doing horrible things, but because he wants to have his old life back, he doesn’t care who or what gets in his way. At first, he feels remorse for his actions, but by the end, that empathy is all but gone. He’s selfish and, ultimately, the villain of the film. Sure, the Kim family weren’t exactly noble people, but they weren’t villains. Man-su is.

The Director & Cast Of ‘No Other Choice’

No Other Choice is the brainchild of the acclaimed South Korean film director, Park Chan-wook. Park Chan-wook is familiar to Western audiences for directing the brutal revenge flick Oldboy (2003) and the erotic historical thriller The Handmaiden (2016). As a director, he’s no stranger to creating multi-faceted character dramas that mine their leads for every cent they’re worth. 

Case in point, the star of No Other Choice, Lee Byung-hun. Byung-hun is a notable name in the South Korean film industry, but after his Hollywood debut in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), he became a much more prominent figure. In fact, 2025 was probably his most successful year yet. He not only earned a Golden Globe nomination for playing Man-su, but he also continued to play the Front Man in the final season of Squid Game (2021) and played the demonic Gwi-Ma in 2025’s biggest movie, KPop Demon Hunters (2025). The rest of the major cast members in No Other Choice are as follows:

• Son Ye-Jin as Lee Mi-ri

• Lee Sung-min as Goo Beom-mo

• Yeom Hye-ran as Lee A-ra

• Cha Seung-won as Ko Si-jo

• Park Hee-soon as Choi Seon-chul

Where & When To Watch ‘No Other Choice’

While No Other Choice debuted in 2025, it had a very limited release in late December and only received a wide release on January 16, 2026. Because of that, it is still playing in theaters at the time of writing, and it may be some time before it makes its way to streaming.

When it does come to streaming, it will be on Amazon Prime Video, where it is currently listed as available for pre-order for $24.99. If you’re not interested in purchasing it and simply want to stream it, because the film is distributed by Neon, it is highly likely that it will stream on Hulu, much like all of Neon’s other streaming releases. There is no streaming release date yet for No Other Choice, but it will most likely begin streaming on Hulu sometime in mid-2026.

Robert Downey Jr. is best known for his role as Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his role in the MCU is taking a villainous turn as he will now portray a new character in Avengers: Doomsday (2026): Doctor Doom. After playing an Avenger, Downey will now play the major antagonist in the next Avengers movie.

However, Downey isn’t the only Avenger to take on a villain role. Several Avengers in the MCU have tried their hand at playing villains, and some have done so to perfection. Before catching Downey’s villainous character in Avengers: Doomsday, use our guide to find the best villain performances from other Avengers actors, available to watch on Prime Video, Netflix, and more. 

Paul Bettany - The Da Vinci Code (2006)

In the MCU, Paul Bettany portrays Vision, the very embodiment of purity and worthiness, which makes it quite surprising how well he plays the exact opposite in The Da Vinci Code. Bettany stars as Silas in The Da Vinci Code, a man who forgoes moral convictions to please the cult-like Opus Dei. He is willing to kill anyone who gets in the way of his mission to find the Holy Grail. Bettany delivers a truly chilling performance, capturing the dangers of religious fanaticism and making viewers cringe with intense scenes of self-flagellation.

He is a staple of The Da Vinci Code, which tells quite an intriguing story about religious conspiracy and piety. It’s an absurd and often thrilling take on religious fanaticism that remains largely true to its source material written by Dan Brown. Like Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), it’s an excellent film for viewers seeking a mixture of religion and mystery.

Samuel L. Jackson - Django Unchained (2012)

Samuel L. Jackson shines as the foul-mouthed, brash, but lovable Nick Fury in the MCU. However, the same year he played Fury in The Avengers (2012), he also played the villainous Stephen in Quentin Tarantino’s spaghetti Western, Django Unchained. Stephen is a bit like The Da Vinci Code’s Silas in his fanatical loyalty to his captor, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). However, his actions seem to go beyond naive loyalty, as he’s desperate to maintain a level of power as Candie’s head slave, so much so that he betrays his own.

Jackson’s Stephen is intelligent and manipulative, and viewers recognize he’s truly the one in control at Candie’s plantation. His villainy adds a layer of complexity to the drama, more so than if the white supremacist Candie had been the sole villain. Between its history, Western vibes, high stakes, and twists and turns, Django Unchained is a must-see for both Jackson and Tarantino fans.

Scarlett Johansson - The Jungle Book (2016)

Scarlett Johansson plays the MCU’s Black Widow with the perfect balance of grit and vulnerability. In The Jungle Book, though, she gets a rare villainous turn as the snake Kaa. As the snake, she hypnotizes Mowgli (Neel Sethi) and attempts to consume him. Johansson has the perfect voice for this sly predator, speaking in a rich, seductive tone that truly feels trance-inducing.

Kaa is even more malicious in this iteration of The Jungle Book, using Mowgli’s traumatic past against him and caring for little else than her own satisfaction. She’s one of the aspects that The Jungle Book does better than the original movie, giving these predators a more mysterious, wild, and dark feel rather than the light, cartoonish depictions of the original. Like The Lion King (2019) and Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), The Jungle Book is an adaptation that adds realism and maturity to the original story it tackles.

Chris Evans - Knives Out (2019)

Chris Evans plays the patriotic and wholesome Captain America in the MCU, but he can also play the role of a sleazy guy quite well. In Knives Out, Evans stars as Ransom Drysdale, who attempts to present himself as a charming, easygoing man. In reality, though, he’s a backstabber and a blackmailer who tries to trick an innocent young woman into killing his grandfather due to his desire for an inheritance. Evans nails the role, playing Ransom to perfection, leaving him wholly despicable and irredeemable to audiences.

Evans is a major reason Knives Out works so well. Not only does he stand out among a cast of colorful characters, but his past role as Cap may make some viewers naturally trust him, making his betrayal feel all the more potent. With a wonderful sense of eccentricity and countless twists and turns, Knives Out is an excellent choice for mystery fans.

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog (2021)

Benedict Cumberbatch is excellent as the stern and intelligent Doctor Strange in the MCU, holding himself with sophistication. Hence, it’s all the more thrilling how much he transforms in The Power of the Dog into the volatile, brash, and toxic Phil. While his repressed sexuality could potentially garner him sympathy, it doesn’t because he’s just such a nasty, miserable person. He plays Phil so perfectly that you will grow to genuinely hate his character, no matter how much you like Cumberbatch.

The Power of the Dog is an excellent depiction of toxic masculinity and the psychological deterioration that can arise from one’s desire to conform to societal expectations. Jesse Plemons’ kindhearted George is the perfect contrast to Phil. Their opposing roles and the ambiguous ending make The Power of the Dog a movie you keep thinking about after it’s finished.

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

In addition to playing the God of Thunder in the MCU, Chris Hemsworth is known for playing a variety of action heroes. However, he finally gets the chance to be the villain in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Hemsworth portrays the warlord Dementus, playing the villain as a surprisingly complex man driven mad by his past, and who adheres to a violent, nonsensical ideology. Dementus is a character whose motivations and true nature invite many interpretations.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga makes the most of its villain and heroine. The complexity of its characters and the intensity of its story of a girl ripped from her home allow the movie to expand on the themes and emotions of Mad Max: Fury Road (2015); if you enjoyed that movie, then Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is just about as good a prequel as you could ask for.

Mark Ruffalo - Mickey 17 (2025)

Mark Ruffalo is well-known for playing the Hulk in the MCU, but in Mickey 17, he takes on a more villainous role. In the film, he stars as Kenneth Marshall, a failed politician and egomaniac who becomes a dictator over the small space expedition he leads. Ruffalo portrays Kenneth in a way that evokes dislike and amusement. While he’s an unsavory figure, his pettiness and sheer idiocy add humor to his dictatorial ambitions, making it an excellent parody of real-life authoritarian figures.

Ruffalo’s performance as Kenneth is just one of the many interesting aspects of Mickey 17. The film isn’t afraid to delve into big topics of authoritarianism, cloning, and identity. Additionally, it balances its heavy themes with just the right amount of satire, humor, and absurdity, making it reminiscent of sci-fi movies like They Cloned Tyrone (2023) and Okja (2017).

Jeremy Renner - Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

Jeremy Renner is known for playing the street-smart, grounded Hawkeye in the MCU, which makes his villain role in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery all the more surprising and amusing. In the film, Renner portrays Nat Sharp, a doctor who has fallen into alcoholism after his divorce. For much of the film, he’s just a pitiful, blubbering man. However, in the end, he also takes a more villainous turn, driven by greed to commit murder. 

His performance is really quite pitiful and disdainful, capturing perfectly how sometimes villains aren’t masterminds but just weak little men. Renner’s Nat lends itself well to the overall theme of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery regarding religion, temptation, and greed. It delves into the corruptive nature of wealth and power and seems to go even deeper than its predecessor in exploring human nature and evil.

For all the frustration surrounding the wait for Stranger Things (2016) Season 5, there was still a comfort in knowing it would eventually arrive. Now that its final episode has aired, the series has officially closed the door on one of the most defining shows of the Netflix streaming era. The gap between Seasons 4 and 5 felt endless, amplified by various delays and the scale of what the Duffer Brothers were trying to achieve in one season.

But in hindsight, it was a familiar kind of waiting. Fans had trailers, interviews, and updates, which served as a constant reminder that Hawkins would be revisited. That's why the wait for Stranger Things felt fundamentally different from the one that defined Twin Peaks (1990). When the latter disappeared after its second season, no one knew it would ever return. And when the show finally came back 26 years later, it was a welcome surprise for everyone.

'Twin Peaks' Seasons 1 & 2 Changed Television Forever

Twin Peaks was created by filmmaker David Lynch and writer-producer Mark Frost, and from its first episode in 1990, it felt like nothing else on television. Set in a quiet Pacific Northwest town, the series opens with the shocking murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). When FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) arrives to investigate, he doesn't just bring logic and procedure with him, but a strange intuition and a willingness to trust the unexplainable.

From the start, it feels clear that this won't be a typical crime story. Season 1 approaches Laura's death as a mystery, but slowly reveals a dark truth about her troubled double life, tarnished by addiction, abuse, and exploitation. The town also sort of becomes its own character, filled with eccentric figures. And what begins as a whodunit slowly turns into something a lot stranger. Season 2 expands the mythology and reveals that Laura's killer was someone close to home.

Twin Peaks was also a critical hit. Reviewers loved how the show mixed soap opera melodrama and surrealism into a single vision. The series also took home several awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama in 1990. Although ratings declined in its second season, its influence only grew. The show proved that television could be cinematic, abstract, and unsettling, laying the groundwork for The X-Files (1993), Lost (2004), and True Detective (2014).

The 'Twin Peaks' Movie That Expanded The Mythology

After the series ended in 1991, Twin Peaks didn't disappear entirely. In 1992, Lynch released Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, a prequel movie that chronicles the final days of Laura Palmer's life, focusing on her trauma and her abuse, as she desperately attempts to maintain control over a life that was already slipping away. At the time, the film was very divisive as many fans expected answers or closure and instead received a harrowing character study.

But over the years, Fire Walk with Me has been dubbed as one of Lynch's most powerful works. It humanizes Laura, turning her into a complete character as opposed to the dead girl plot device she served as in the series. The film also deepened the mythology of the Black Lodge, introducing the idea that time and memory operate differently in these spaces. This concept would later become essential to the third season.

Alongside the film, books like The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer expanded the world even further, turning the show into a multi-layered narrative ecosystem. There was no huge announcement of a revival. The story felt complete in its incompleteness. Fans thought of Twin Peaks as more of a cultural artifact rather than a franchise waiting to be rebooted. That made its eventual return feel special rather than obligatory.

'Twin Peaks: The Return' Set The Gold Standard For TV Revivals

When Twin Peaks Season 3 launched in 2017 as Twin Peaks: The Return, it refused to behave like a typical revival. Lynch and Frost wrote every episode, and Lynch directed them all. The story took place 25 years after Season 2, making the concept of time a central theme. The story follows Agent Cooper (MacLachlan), who remains trapped in the Black Lodge, while his doppelgänger lives in the real world, spreading violence and corruption.

Meanwhile, characters like Sheriff Truman's brother Frank Truman (Robert Forster), Bobby Briggs (Dana Ashbrook), and the Log Lady (Catherine Coulson) work to uncover what happened after Cooper vanished. It even includes a clever nod to Laura Palmer in the form of waitress Carrie Page (Sheryl Lee). Along with several returning cast members, the series also featured new additions like Naomi Watts, Laura Dern, and Matthew Lillard.

Will There Ever Be A 'Twin Peaks' Season 4?

For years after Season 3 ended, Lynch and Frost hinted at the possibility of another story. Lynch spoke of ideas involving Carrie Page and unfinished threads that still called to him. And MacLachlan repeatedly made his willingness to return known, calling Dale Cooper his favorite role of all time. But when Lynch died in January 2025, everything changed. Without him, Twin Peaks loses not just its director, but its soul. The series was never something that could exist without his vision.

While Frost remains, any continuation now feels complicated. Even if Season 4 never happens, Twin Peaks, which can be found on Paramount+, Prime Video, and Apple TV, is still one of the most complete artistic statements television has ever produced. It showed us that stories don't have to fear time and that aging characters can be their greatest strength in terms of expanding a story. In that sense, Stranger Things Season 5 might have benefited from the same bravery.

A few years ago, Glup Shitto became a staple in the Star Wars universe. Fans and newcomers to the franchise alike often refer to the name as it crops up in discussion forums and media reports. The only caveat is that Glup Shitto isn’t real, yet it has quickly become one of the most popular Star Wars characters. Glup Shitto originated with a 2020 Tumblr post poking fun at Star Wars’ penchant for funny names and eccentric side characters, as well as fans’ overreaction to the return of such characters.

The user wrote, “Every time a new Star Wars movie or show is announced, all the fans are like ‘OMG Glup Shitto is back.’” It was one of those “it’s funny because it’s true moments.” Not only do fans get excited about intricate character lore, but a character named Glup Shitto isn’t far-fetched at all. Given its expansive history and thousands of characters, some fairly Glup Shitto-esque names have surfaced. For those interested in weird Star Wars lore, use our guide to find eight times characters’ names reflected the Glup Shitto meme a little too closely.

8. Savage Opress - Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

Savage Oppress (Clancy Brown) is a major antagonist in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He is Darth Maul’s (Sam Witwer) long-lost brother, who became a dangerous Sith Lord under the tutelage of Mother Talzin (Barbara Goodson). Savage Oppress isn’t the weirdest name in Star Wars, but, like a lot of the Sith names, it’s a little too on the nose. He may as well have been named “Super Evil,” walking around with a name that signifies as obviously as possible that he’s a villain.

Despite his name, Savage Oppress is actually a great character. His ferocity and complex relationship with Maul really capture the depth with which Star Wars: The Clone Wars tackles Star Wars lore. Although it has more than its fair share of Glup Shitto names, the series really tries to hone in on the most essential characters and complex story arcs to keep viewers engaged.

7. Coleman Trebor - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Coleman Trebor is a Vurk Jedi Master who confronted Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) alone in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, believing he could end the escalating conflict through negotiation. Again, it’s not a terrible name, but “Coleman” sticks out like a sore thumb in a franchise rife with futuristic, sci-fi names. To be fair, there’s actually a reason behind the name, as it’s a tribute to the prequel trilogy’s animation director, Robert Coleman. Still, you can’t help but wonder if perhaps there was a more whimsical spin the crew could’ve put on Coleman instead of just straight up using “Coleman.”

Coleman’s name isn’t the only thing that caught viewers’ attention. Many have also labeled him one of the worst Jedi in the franchise, and he’s a prime example of the underdevelopment of certain characters in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.

6. URoRRuR’R’R - Star Wars: A New Hope (1979)

URoRRuR’R’R (Peter Diamon) is a Tusken Raider who appears briefly in Star Wars: A New Hope, where he attacks Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the Junland Wastes. The Raider’s name was most likely inspired by the guttural battle cry he emitted before attacking Luke. Naming a character after the sounds they make isn’t the most creative approach, and kind of reminds me of Pokémon, which only speak their own names. While not overly weird or obvious, URoRRuR’R’R is one of the most nonsensical Star Wars names.

Star Wars: A New Hope dazzled audiences when it arrived in theaters, offering an epic and charming adventure unlike anything viewers had seen before. For the most part, it wasn’t too concerned about identifying every character. It was only several years later that a Star Wars card game finally identified the Tusken Raider as URoRRuR’R’R.

5. Dud Bolt - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace divided critics and audiences for its marked differences from the original trilogy and for some ill-received comic relief. However, there were some subtler attempts at humor than Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best). In the film, audiences expect big things for Vulptereen male Dud Bolt, who race announcers describe as “the mighty Dud Bolt.” Despite the anticipation of his victory, he loses spectacularly, ending the race in a nasty collision. 

In hindsight, most of us probably predicted he’d lose based on his name, a cheeky play on a “dead bolt.” While he may be favored to win, his name hints at something deficient. It’s not one of the weirdest or most nonsensical Star Wars names, but it is one of the silliest.

4. Ima-Gun Di - Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

If you thought Dud Bolt’s name was a little too obvious in its foreshadowing, just wait until you hear about Ima-Gun Di (Robin Atkin Downes). He is a Red Nikto Jedi Master who served as a general during the Clone Wars. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 3, Episode 3, “Supply Lines,” he heads to Ryloth, the homeworld of the Twi’leks, to stop a droid army invasion.

Di ultimately sacrifices his life for the Twi’leks. Outnumbered by droids, he fights until the very end. He is truly a heroic character, and his sacrifice is quite beautiful. However, his name gets in the way of the emotion a bit. His name is essentially a variation of “I’m gonna die,” and he indeed dies in the first episode he is introduced in. It’s a bizarre name and one of the most extreme cases of obvious foreshadowing.

3. Jek Porkins - Star Wars: A New Hope (1979)

URoRRuR’R’R isn’t the only Star Wars: A New Hope character that left viewers scratching their heads from the interesting name choice. Jek Tono Porkins (William Hootkins) is a human trader who abandons his business when the Galactic Empire builds a base on his homeworld. He decides to resist the empire, becoming a rebel pilot and eventually sacrificing his life in the Battle of Yavin. As if the name “Porkins” weren’t obvious enough, he’s also nicknamed “Piggy” in the film.

Of all the poor Star Wars names, Porkins and “Piggy” feel particularly unimaginative and lazy. Star Wars: A New Hope essentially ignored everything about Porkins’ heroism and sacrifice, instead honing in on the fact that he’s burly and needlessly pointing it out in his name. While Porkins is such an absurd name in the Star Wars universe that it might elicit a chuckle, others may even find it mean-spirited and tiresome.

2. Elan Sleazebaggano - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Elan Sel’Sabagno (Matt Doran), also known as Elan Sleazebaggano, appears briefly in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Sleazebaggano was a petty criminal from Coruscant who made a living selling an illicit substance known as death stick. However, he made the mistake of trying to sell them to Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), who played a mind trick on Sleazebaggano to convince him to rethink his life.

As you’ve likely seen above, Star Wars struggles with a lack of subtlety, but “Sleazebaggano” has to be one of the worst cases. I like to think the filmmakers were dying to drop Darth Sleazebaggano but decided it was too much and went with the next best thing. When people make “Glup Shitto” jokes, Elan Sleazebaggano is the exact character they’re thinking of.

1. Paodok’Draba’Takat Sap’De’Rekti Nik’Linke’Ti’ Ki’Vef’Nik’NeSevef’Li’Kek - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Evidently, URoRRuR’R’R wasn’t abstract enough, and Star Wars had to outdo itself with the abomination that is Paodok’Draba’Takat Sap’De’Rekti Nik’Linke’Ti’ Ki’Vef’Nik’NeSevef’Li’Kek (Derek Arnold) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The character has a trajectory similar to Porkins. He was living on Pipada when the Galactic Empire encroached and soon left behind his old life to join the Rebel Alliance and eventually joined Rogue One. He sacrificed his life for the mission and played a crucial role in its success.

The character captures the essence of Rogue One: ordinary people rising in rebellion and finding that their sacrifice is not in vain. However, the name Paodok’Draba’Takat Sap’De’Rekti Nik’Linke’Ti’ Ki’Vef’Nik’NeSevef’Li’Kek is just not it. The name is nonsensical, impossible to pronounce, and seems to be the product of random keyboard pounding. It’s the kind of name that the only possible reaction is “why?” Star Wars did this, for what?

One of the biggest films of 2026 (and perhaps the decade) is Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. The story picks up after Homer’s other epic, The Iliad, which tells the story of the Trojan War. The Odyssey continues after the war, as Odysseus makes his long journey home to Greece. But along the way, more perils and mythic legends await him. 

For fans who want the full story, check out 2004’s Troy before watching The Odyssey. The movie is based on The Iliad and stars Brad Pitt as Achilles and Sean Bean as Odysseus. The film adaptation of The Odyssey will see Matt Damon taking over the role of Odysseus and joined by a massive ensemble cast that includes everyone from Tom Holland to Anne Hathaway and more. But where have you seen The Odyssey cast before? And what are some of their must-watch movies and shows? Read on to find out, plus discover where they’re all streaming right now. 

Matt Damon as Odysseus

With a career spanning 40 years, Matt Damon is one of the most accomplished people in Hollywood. You probably know him as an actor, but he’s also an accomplished filmmaker and screenwriter. So far, he’s earned five Oscar nominations and nine Golden Globe noms, and there’s a good chance The Odyssey will add to his list of accolades. 

Most fans will probably recognize Damon from blockbuster hits like The Martian (2015), where he plays a stranded astronaut, or Oppenheimer (2023), where he plays director of the Manhattan Project, Leslie Groves. But Damon’s decade-spanning career began with hits in the ‘90s, like Kevin Smith’s comedy epic Dogma (1999), and of course, the moving drama Good Will Hunting (1997), about a young mathematics genius mentored by his therapist (Robin Williams). 

One to Watch: Not only did Damon star in Good Will Hunting, but he and Ben Affleck co-wrote the film and even earned an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. 

Tom Holland as Telemachus

Fans know Tom Holland best as Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) in the MCU. He originated the role in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War before getting his own movie the following year with Spider-Man: Homecoming. That’s where he first co-starred alongside his future fiancée Zendaya, who also joins him in The Odyssey cast. 

Aside from Spider-Man, Holland is best known for starring in the film adaptation of Uncharted (2022), where he portrays the iconic video game character, Nathan Drake. He also got lots of attention for his role in The Crowded Room (2023), about a man with multiple personalities on trial for a shooting. While the series wasn’t popular with critics, it was a hit with viewers.

One to Watch: If you can only watch one, it’s gotta be 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, so you can see Holland’s Spider-Man come face-to-face with past Spider-Men, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire.

Zendaya as Athena

Before breaking out in the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise alongside Holland, Zendaya got her start as a Disney girl, starring in the shows Shake It Up (2010) and K.C. Undercover (2015). But her most popular series these days is Euphoria (2019), where she stars as Rue, a drug addicted teenager who becomes a dealer and struggles with her social life. Full of sex, drugs, and drama, Euphoria became a massive success for HBO and showed that Zendaya had graduated from her innocent Disney persona. 

She’s also known for her role in the Dune franchise (2021-2026) and for starring in Luca Guadagnino’s steamy tennis drama, Challengers (2024). The role earned her numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination.

One to Watch: Since much of Zendaya’s work is series or franchises, if you just want to pick one, make it Challengers. Not only is the movie tense, taut, and sexy, but Zendaya’s character is complex and conniving.

Anne Hathaway as Penelope

The Odyssey won’t be Anne Hathaway’s first time working with Nolan. She starred in his sci-fi epic Interstellar (2014) and the finale of his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises (2012). But she’s still best known for her role in The Devil Wears Prada, where she stars as a budding journalist who finds herself working at the fashion magazine Runway, under its oppressive matriarch, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). 

Hathaway is also an Oscar winner, scoring a Best Supporting Actress win for her role in Les Misérables (2012) as Fantine. Before all that, she broke out in Disney’s hit comedy The Princess Diaries (2001), where she played nerdy teenager Mia, who one day discovers she’s actually the princess of a small, faraway nation. 

One to Watch: With the sequel coming out later this year, you need to check out The Devil Wears Prada. While Streep steals the show the entire film, Hathaway’s character evolves a lot throughout the movie, proving that The Devil Wears Prada is so much more than a “chick flick.” 

Robert Pattinson as Antinous 

Pattinson is best known for starring in the Twilight saga (2008-2012) as the teen vampire Edward Cullen. Since then, he’s joined the DC Universe and portrayed Bruce Wayne himself in The Batman (2022). He’ll also be reprising his role in the 2027 sequel. Other hit Pattinson movies include the gritty A24 horror noir The Lighthouse (2019) and the sci-fi hit Mickey 17 (2025). 

One to Watch: You need to check out The Batman to see how Pattinson shed his soapy Twilight image and took to the grimy, grungy streets of Gotham. 

Charlize Theron as Circe

Charlize Theron is a prominent actress who has been starring in films for almost 40 years. She’s earned two Oscar nominations for the Fox News tell-all Bombshell (2019) and the biopic North Country (2005). She also won the Best Actress award once for her role in Monster (2003), where she portrayed Aileen Wuornos, a sex worker-turned-murderer who sought revenge against the men who had abused her since early childhood. 

On top of her lauded roles, Theron is also known for massive blockbuster hits like playing the Evil Queen in 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman (and its sequel) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2016). In 2017, she also joined the Fast and the Furious franchise (2017-2024) as Cipher.

One to Watch: With it being her Oscar-winning role, you need to check out Monster. Not only is she phenomenal in it, but it tells a gripping, painful true story about an infamous female serial killer. 

John Leguizamo as Eumaeus 

John Leguizamo has had a wildly varied career, starring in everything from campy queer hits like To Wong Foo (1995) to superhero films like Spawn (1997), and even the hit Baz Luhrmann musical, Moulin Rouge! (2001). On top of that, he’s also an accomplished voice actor, portraying characters in movies like Encanto (2021) and voicing Sid in the Ice Age franchise (2002-2027). 

One to Watch: Fans should definitely check out Leguizamo’s turn as Luigi in 1993’s Super Mario Bros. It’s nothing like the animated film and instead depicts the Mushroom Kingdom as a grimy, underground cyberpunk world. It’s totally wild and totally ‘90s. 

Mia Goth as Melantho

Mia Goth is still a relative newcomer to stardom. Her breakout role was in the 2018 remake of Suspiria, but she took a bit of a hiatus during the COVID years, returning to cinemas in 2022 for the horror hit X. She then went on to star in the entire trilogy, leading both Pearl (2022) and MaXXXine (2024). She’s also earned ample praise for her role as Lady Elizabeth in Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein (2025). 

One to Watch: Most fans agree that the best movie in the X trilogy is Pearl. Set as a prequel, the film tells the murderous origins of Pearl. 

Lupita Nyong'o in a Still Undisclosed Role

Lupia Nyong’o broke out as a star in the 2013 biopic 12 Years a Slave, about a Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. In the film, Nyong’o plays the enslaved Patsey, who became one of the most emotionally-charged characters. 

Nyong’o is also known for starring in the Marvel superhero film Black Panther (2018) and the Star Wars sequel trilogy as Maz Kanata. Horror fans will also recognize her for starring in Jordan Peele’s thriller Us, where she starred as both a mother and her tethered alter, Red. 

One to Watch: With a third film on the way, fans should definitely check out Nyong’o’s turn as Nakia in Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever (2022).

Each new season of anime always has that one title. The latest anime that came out of nowhere and blew everyone away, instantly hooking countless people with a single episode. Last season, it was May I Ask for One Final Thing? (2025) that took the spotlight. However, while that series was good, the reception to it was not quite as glowing and universal as this season’s breakout hit, Sentenced to Be a Hero (2026).

With only one episode, it earned tens of thousands of five-star reviews on Crunchyroll. Over here on JustWatch, its hour-long premiere rocketed the show as high as #27 on the streaming charts. That’s the kind of reception that most anime can only dream of, but is the series actually good, or is this a case like Solo Leveling (2024), where it’s all hype but no substance?

What Is ‘Sentenced To Be A Hero’ About?

At its core, Sentenced to Be a Hero is a dark fantasy series that, at a quick glance, may seem a lot like Berserk (1997), given its darker tone and penchant for violence. However, it’s not as simple as that.

Our hero, Xylo Forbartz, is quite literally a hero. However, in the world of Sentenced to Be a Hero, that’s the worst thing you can be. Heroes are criminals forced to serve the state as penance for their crimes. Heroes are turned into immortal soldiers and sent on missions to kill demons, but when a hero dies, their soul is ripped from Hell, and they’re reborn in an endless cycle of pain and suffering. Even though they’re literally dying for their country, they receive nothing but scorn and loathing from anyone who sees that they possess the mark of a hero.

Xylo’s crime was to kill a goddess, a biological super weapon meant to eradicate demons, but someone within this world’s theocratic government set him up. Because of that, he swears vengeance and becomes the captain of the hero combat squad known as Penal Hero Unit 9004. There’s plenty of gruesome violence to be sure, and the premiere decides to showcase an armada of demons annihilating thousands of people. Still, the show is closer to 86 (2021) thanks to its morally ambiguous cast of convicts and criminals. This is a war story, and unlike shows that paint a pretty picture, the depiction of the frontlines in Sentenced to Be a Hero is brutal, and the psychological effects of it are clearly debilitating to its cast of indentured soldiers. In other words, this show isn’t for the faint of heart.

Why Are People Calling ‘Sentenced To Be A Hero’ Perfect?

Dark fantasy shows are nothing new. Last year, anime fans were treated to plenty of dark fantasy anime like Clevatess (2025) and Tougen Anki (2025), so what makes Sentenced to Be a Hero so “perfect” after one episode?

A part of that definitely lies in the animation. The series was made by Studio KAI, a relatively new studio that cut its teeth animating later seasons of Umamusume: Pretty Derby (2018). Sentenced to Be a Hero has some incredibly fluid and expressive animation that brings a scale to the conflict that commands your attention. First episodes of action anime tend to try to wow audiences, but Sentenced to Be a Hero takes it to a whole other level. Seeing animals mutate into horrible demons, gigantic cannons launch magical volleys, and an immeasurable amount of swords raining from the sky are all striking images. It’s undeniably a spectacle that will impress anyone who wants big and bombastic action scenes.

Its length is also probably a significant factor, because if the show divided its 58-minute premiere into two or three episodes, it wouldn’t be able to hook viewers quickly. By the end of the premiere, we have a good understanding of what heroes are, what heroes and goddesses are capable of, the corrupt government leading the penal program, and Xylo’s desire for revenge. Like Oshi no Ko’s (2023) premiere, Sentenced to Be a Hero is wholly confident in itself and knows exactly what it wants to be. It doesn’t try to diffuse its grim premise with wacky comedy or shy away from the horrors of war. Sentenced to Be a Hero wants to be a brutal fantasy war epic, and it commits every second of its runtime to proving that.

Is ‘Sentenced To Be A Hero’ Worth The Hype?

While only two episodes of Sentenced to Be a Hero have been released so far of its 12-episode first season, all signs point to the series, at the very least, being one of the best premieres of the Winter season.

The action is stunningly rendered, and it’s not often you see an anime commit so thoroughly to being a dark fantasy epic. It’s undeniably edgy, but not brooding like Tokyo Ghoul (2014). It wonderfully paints a bleak picture of the struggles that Penal Hero Unit 9004 will endure throughout the course of the series and the violence they will encounter. It goes beyond just action, as we get a clear understanding of the emotional toll being a hero will have on them.

Enough plot threads are also teased to give audiences something to latch onto. If you want an intriguing political thriller, Sentenced to Be a Hero teases it. You want character drama, it’s there. If you’re more interested in just a violent spectacle, you’ll also find it here. For once, the hype is real, and Sentenced to Be a Hero is definitely an anime worth watching.

Workplace comedies, which can be found on Netflix, HBO Max, and more, are the best because they turn the one place most of us have complicated feelings about into a playground. They exaggerate office politics and turn tiny annoyances into full-blown disasters. No matter the setting, it's always about wildly different people forced to function together, led by a boss who is clueless.

The Office (2005) perfected this formula. Adapted from the British original, the American version is set inside the struggling Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It thrives on cringe comedy and the painfully sincere incompetence of Michael Scott (Steve Carell). If you love The Office but sometimes wish it would pick up the pace, the shows on this list deliver laughs with a lot more confidence and momentum.

Scrubs (2001-2010)

Scrubs follows the newly qualified Dr. John Dorian (Zach Braff) as he learns the ropes at Sacred Heart Hospital, alongside Christopher Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), who are supervised by the terrifying Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley). Each episode mixes medical cases with J.D.'s wild inner fantasy world. It's a medical show that uses comedy to survive the emotional weight of the job.

What makes Scrubs funnier than The Office is its use of visual comedy. While The Office leans on subtle facial reactions and uncomfortable silence, Scrubs turns its jokes into full-blown sketches and absurd cutaways. The humor is faster, louder, and more playful, and it never feels afraid to be silly. It's perfect for viewers who want to laugh, cry, and then immediately laugh again.

30 Rock (2006-2013)

30 Rock follows Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), the head writer of a sketch show, who is barely holding her career and sanity together. Between her unpredictable boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), her unhinged stars, and her own personal chaos, the workplace becomes a battlefield of ego and desperation. It's a comedy about corporate media disguised as a sitcom.

In terms of sheer joke density, 30 Rock absolutely demolishes The Office. Every sentence is a punchline, every background detail is a gag, and nothing is wasted. It's less interested in realism and more interested in brilliance, and that confidence makes it riotously funny. This is for viewers who love fast, clever comedy. If The Office feels too gentle sometimes, 30 Rock is your high-speed alternative.

The IT Crowd (2006-2013)

The IT Crowd follows socially hopeless IT technicians, Roy Trenneman (Chris O'Dowd), Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade), and their completely unqualified manager, all trapped in the basement of a massive corporation. Their job is to fix technology problems while barely understanding how to communicate with human beings. Every episode escalates misunderstandings into full-blown disasters.

This show is funnier than The Office because it doesn't pretend to be subtle. It embraces theatrical, almost cartoonish comedy where every situation spirals wildly out of control. While The Office thrives on realism, The IT Crowd thrives on exaggeration. It's perfect for viewers who like bold, ridiculous comedy and don't need emotional realism to stay invested.

2 Broke Girls (2011-2017)

2 Broke Girls follows struggling waitresses, Max Black (Kat Dennings) and Caroline Channing (Beth Behrs), who are trying to escape poverty by saving enough money to start a cupcake business. Their diner job is chaotic and filled with coworkers who exist purely to make their lives more difficult. The workplace in this instance is a survival mechanism, not a dream.

It's funnier than The Office because the jokes are blunt and often unapologetically rude. Where The Office often softens moments with large doses of sincerity, 2 Broke Girls doubles down on shock value for its humor. It's perfect for viewers who love classic multi-camera sitcom energy. If The Office feels too quiet or emotionally cautious, this one is a much louder, messier option.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is set in a New York police precinct and follows detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), an investigator with the maturity level of a teenager. His world is ruled by Captain Holt (Andre Braugher), whose deadpan authority becomes the perfect comedic counterbalance. Together with their team, they solve crimes while constantly sabotaging one another with pranks.

This sitcom is funnier than The Office because every scene is stacked with jokes. While The Office uses discomfort for its humor, Brooklyn Nine-Nine uses joy and a general goofiness vibe. The cast plays off each other perfectly, and the Jake-and-Holt dynamic never gets old. It's ideal for anyone who loves workplace ensembles but wants more consistent fun.

American Auto (2021-2023)

American Auto takes place inside Payne Motors, a struggling, Detroit-based car company that's desperately trying to stay relevant. The comedy begins when Katherine Hastings (Ana Gasteyer) is hired as the new CEO, despite having zero background in cars. Instead of fixing real problems, she treats the auto industry like a science experiment, which only makes everything worse.

The company's Chief Communications Officer, Sadie Ryan (Harriet Dyer), balances Katherine's energy with frantic PR damage control, trying to spin every disaster into something positive. American Auto is funnier than The Office because it exposes how clueless corporate leadership can be, instead of focusing on middle management. It's ideal for viewers who like their comedy with an added edge.

Stories about cults never go out of style. Why? Well, I suppose there's something grimly fascinating about religious fantasticism that's hard to look away from. More importantly, these types of stories create fertile territory for cautionary tales and metaphors about control, extremes, and power. 

With 28 Years Later: Bone Temple (2026) conjuring terror with its sinister Satanic cult, it's the perfect time to spotlight some of the scariest cult leaders in movies and shows. Watch them now on platforms like Prime Video or even free streamers like Hoopla and Tubi.    

Minnie & Roman Castevet - Rosemary's Baby (1968)

It doesn't get much more classic horror than Rosemary's Baby. Adapted from Ira Levin's novel, the movie offers a scathing commentary on women's bodily autonomy similar to Levin's other famous book, The Stepford Wives. Here, the metaphor comes in the form of a cult and a failing marriage when Rosemary's husband, Guy (John Cassavetes), offers his baby to the Devil for Hollywood success. 

While Guy is undeniably a bad apple, the real surprise is Minnie (Ruth Gordon) and Roman Castevet (Sidney Blackmer), who the movie reveals are the leaders of a Satanic cult. Perhaps what makes the duo so nefarious is their age. As an elderly married couple, they're the last people you'd expect to front a Satanic cult. Sure, they're more than a little eccentric, but they're also friendly, which makes the slow reveal about their true nature all the more horrifying.

Lord Summerisle - The Wicker Man  (1973)

If you want to see one of the most iconic cult leaders ever to grace the big screen, then look no further than The Wicker Man (and no, I'm not talking about the 2006 Nicolas Cage remake). Christopher Lee's performance as Lord Summerisle ranks among his best. But don't get it twisted. Lord Summerisle isn't just a cult leader with an incredible name; he is also terrifying.

As a walking, talking juxtaposition, Summerisle comes off as a charming, rational, and, dare I say, dapper gentleman at first glance. However, as the movie progresses, his chilling commitment to his pagan ideology sees him justifying human sacrifice for the perceived betterment of his people. If you enjoyed modern cult movie favorites like Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), know that The Wicker Man paved the ground for them to run on. 

Isaac Chroner - Children of the Corn (1984) 

Similar to the unassuming antagonists in Rosemary's Baby, no one pegs a child as a powerful, manipulative cult leader. However, that's exactly what happens in Children of the Corn. Stemming from a Stephen King short story, the movie sees a couple wander into a strange, rural Nebraska town inhabited entirely by children who worship an entity known only as "He Who Walks Behind the Rows." 

No one is more devoted than Isaac Chroner (John Franklin), who functions as the group's leader and preacher. Like The Omen (1976) and Orphan (2009), Children of the Corn leans fully into the "creepy kid" trope. Isaac is calmly charismatic but will dole out unflinchingly brutal punishment to anyone who defies him. Children of the Corn is campy at times, but there's something truly unnerving about watching a child engage in religious fanaticism. 

Father - The Sacrament (2014)

Before Ti West became more of a mainstream name with the X horror movie trilogy, he dabbled in found footage. The Sacrament follows a documentary crew who visit the compound of a Jonestown-inspired community, and given that this is horror, it doesn't go well for them. Gene Jones plays Father, the group's charismatic, scripture-spouting leader inspired by real-life cult leader Jim Jones of the aforementioned Jonestown massacre. 

While Father has suicide demands similar to his real-life inspiration, he is a menacing figure long before the film's climax. The Sacrament makes sure to spotlight the hypocrisy that often comes with religious extremism. While his followers are to remain peaceful, sober, and free of earthly possessions, Father equips guards with guns, drinks alcohol, and carries a cellphone. If you want a movie inspired by true events, The Sacrament offers a chilling reimaging of one of America's most notorious cult leaders. 

Patti Levin - The Leftovers (2014-2017)

Ask me about underrated shows that are actually good, but somehow a lot of people missed, and I'll scream out The Leftovers every time. After a rapture-like event results in two percent of the world's population suddenly disappearing, several religious groups form. The most notable of them is the Guilty Remnant. Wondering how to spot them? Look not further than the all-white-wearing chain-smokers, lurking around town. 

While Holy Wayne (Paterson Joseph) is the founder of the Guilty Remnant, Patti Levin (Ann Dowd) plays a major role in the show as the Mapleton chapter head and antagonist to one of our complicated protagonists, Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux). Whenever I think back to The Leftovers, Patti always comes to mind. She is unpredictable, nihilistic, and deeply complicated, which will make her an absolute delight for fans of psychologically heavy dramas. 

Cal Roberts - The Path (2016-2018)

If you're looking for a new series to binge, consider the underrated Hulu original, The Path. While you'll surely recognize series leads Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan from their many well-known roles, the real standout is Hugh Dancy as Cal Roberts. Technically, Cal isn't the official leader of The Meyerist Movement, but he wants to be, and that ambition has him conniving and manipulating in an attempt to reach that goal. You won't like him, but you'll sympathize with him to a point. 

The Path is the ultimate treat for anyone craving a series loaded with psychological depth. Using bits and pieces of real New Age philosophies to inform the fictional Meyerism, the show offers a realistic depiction of a cult. While The Path lacks The Leftovers' supernatural elements, their similar themes make them perfect pairings if you like this type of TV. 

Cardinal Guillot - The Exorcist (2016-2018)

It's not often I get to talk about The Exorcist TV series. To some of you, the fact that 1973's The Exorcist even has a follow-up show is probably news. However, let me tell you with utmost sincerity that this two-season Fox series is better than you think. It centers on two contrasting priests, progressive Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and old-school Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels), as they investigate demonic possessions. In some ways, it's a little like Evil (2019) or Supernatural (2005), just without a monster of the week format. 

While spoiling too much about the plot ruins the twists, The Exorcist goes well beyond the traditional "at-home possessions" to reveal a larger conspiracy storyline involving a Satanic cult infiltrating the Catholic church. Truthfully, the real leader here is the demon Pazuzu. However, Cardinal Guillot (Torrey Hanson), with the help of Brother Simon (Francis Guinan), plays a significant role in orchestrating and spreading the cult to other high-ranking church officials. Demons infecting priests present their own special kind of horror, which makes The Exorcist well worth the watch for anyone looking for intriguing drama and some genuine scares. 

Sir Jimmy Crystal - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)

After nearly two decades of silence, the 28 Days Later franchise got another installment with 28 Years Later in 2025. Just six months later, its follow-up, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is here, and with it comes the return of Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), the Teletubbies-obsessed leader of a cult known as "The Jimmys." If you've watched The Walking Dead (2010), Jimmy making his followers call themselves by his name might remind you of Negan. However, the similarities (mostly) end there. 

Jimmy commits plenty of violence, but he does so wearing a blonde wig and bright track suits, all in the name of the Devil. If you like zombie movies, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a solid pick, just know you'll want to watch 28 Years Later, at least, before jumping in. Scary, bloody, and tense, The Bone Temple will change how you view the name "Jimmy." 

Pixar has endured for over 30 years as one of the gold standards of Western animation, with its short films often just as experimental and emotionally effective as its feature-length films. The earliest Pixar stories were in the short format, with the likes of The Adventures of André & Wally B. (1984) serving as early proofs of concept for the studio. As Pixar shifted into theatrical releases, the shorts became a consistent lead-in for its larger films.

In the years since, Pixar has won multiple Academy Awards for Best Original Short Film thanks to the power of its animation and storytelling. Even the least impressive ones remain uniquely timeless, and the best are among the strongest examples of the medium in the last three decades. While everyone has their favorites, like One Man Band (2005), which came painfully close to making it to this list, these are the 10 best Pixar short films, ranked. Watch them now on Disney+.

10. Day & Night (2010)

A deceptively simple but technically complex short, Day & Night is a good showcase of Pixar’s tendency to experiment with the form. The lead-in short to Toy Story 3 (2010), Day & Night is arguably among the simplest and absurdist shorts, with little in the way of actual narrative. Instead, it follows two characters, representing “day” and “night.”

Told through clever visual representations and sound cues, Day & Night is a fusion of modern 3D effects and classic character design that feels timeless in a way only the best Pixar shorts can. The broader nature of the lesson, similar to the straightforward moralizing seen in the animated adaptations of Dr. Seuss, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), gives this fairly one-note but effectively charming short a powerful core. However, its simplicity also keeps it from ranking higher. 

9. Partly Cloudy 

Shown before Up (2009), Partly Cloudy is an emotionally resonant lead-in that has some wacky fun with its core concept. Directed and written by Peter Soh before he went on to helm The Good Dinosaur (2015) and Elemental (2023), Partly Cloudy focuses on a stork tasked with bringing the dangerous baby animals created by Gus the cloud to their families.

The initial slapstick is a big part of what makes Partly Cloudy so memorable, as the exaggerated pain of Peck the stork is played up for maximum comedic effect. Still, there’s an emotional core at the heart of the story that gels with the themes Sohn’s Pixar work tends to gravitate toward. Partly Cloudy is one of the wackier Pixar shorts, more akin to a classic Looney Tunes (1929) episode than the ambitious art pieces found in some of the studio’s other short films.

8. Jack-Jack Attack (2005)

Similar to Partly Cloudy as a silly riff for the sake of being silly, Jack-Jack Attack serves as a mini follow-up to The Incredibles (2004) that takes an off-screen gag and turns it into a cascading litany of horrors. While Kari babysitting Jack-Jack for much of The Incredibles’ second act was a good off-screen plot explanation, the short follows the woefully underprepared babysitter trying (and failing) to contend with the infant’s increasingly expanding superpowers. 

Delightfully madcap and even surprisingly dark at times, Jack-Jack Attack is a good enough short that it effectively got an informal follow-up in the form of Jack-Jack’s battle with a raccoon in Incredibles 2 (2018), and it remains one of the funniest concept executions in the history of Pixar’s animated shorts.

7. Twenty Something (2021)

A part of the SparkShorts (2019) series, a collection of one-off Pixar shorts that debuted on Disney+, Twenty Something is a more adult-oriented short focused on replicating the effect of being a young adult while still feeling like a kid on the inside. Animated with a slick attention to detail and character design that feels reminiscent of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023), Twenty Something feels like what happens when Pixar gets the opportunity to grow up.

A terrific showcase for Aphton Corbin (who wrote and directed the piece), Twenty Something highlights how Pixar shorts can be perfectly effective in both fantastical settings and more grounded metaphors, like finding the confidence to go out to a club despite not feeling like anything special.

6. Burrow (2020)

Debuting on Disney+ in SparkShorts instead of in front of Soul (2020) due to the pandemic-related lockdowns, Burrow deserves more attention and would have been a wonderful short to see on the big screen. Truthfully, Burrow is one of the most charming of the bunch, as a classically illustrated tale of a rabbit trying to create her dream home, but who keeps running into the homes of other animals.

A delightful retro animation style recalls similar comfy favorites like Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), benefiting the sweet tale of neighborly connections in an understated but effective way. Perfect for anyone taken in by the soft palette and cute storytelling of Paddington (2014), Burrow is adorable in every sense of the word.

5. Geri's Game (1997)

Gerr’s Game is one of the earlier Pixar shorts, but it remains a perfect statement on the comedic stylings of the studio. Gerri’s Game accompanied A Bug’s Life (1998) and focused on an old man who finds himself in an intense game of chess with himself. The simple concept is mined for as much comedic mileage as possible, with the same man’s different body language and facial expressions defining his temperament and character in subtle ways.

As a showcase of the kind of clear characterization that CGI was capable of, Gerri’s Game is a crucial piece of the Pixar puzzle that leads to more emotionally evocative storytelling like Inside Out (2015). While it might not have the most depth, Gerri’s Game was exactly the kind of statement Pixar needed to make after Toy Story (1995) to further cement itself as a major player in the future of animation.

4. Presto (2008)

A high point in Pixar’s history of goofball one-offs, Presto is arguably the most broadly entertaining of the studio’s shorts. The closest Pixar will likely ever come to making a Bugs Bunny cartoon, Presto follows the impromptu battle of wits that breaks out between a magician and the rabbit in his hat.

Fast-paced with a deep wealth of slapstick comedy as the magician’s efforts to defeat the rabbit are constantly foiled, Presto is the perfect lightweight and silly lead-in to Wall-E (2008), with a clear eye for personality in the expressive character design. With a quick comedy pacing that wouldn’t feel out of place in The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball (2025), Presto is a must-watch for anyone who loves the classic retro slapstick of cartoons like Animaniacs (1993) or Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020).

3. The Blue Umbrella (2013)

A technically impressive experiment that also manages to be deeply romantic, The Blue Umbrella is a stunning little piece of animation. The short follows an umbrella that silently falls for another umbrella and does its best to reach out. Animated with a realistic touch that nevertheless brings the world to life with charming character reactions and elements around the city, The Blue Umbrella is a sweet story of thwarted ambition and supportive bonds that perfectly fits before Monsters University (2013).

Using advanced rendering technology to create realistic rain and authentic lens flare, The Blue Umbrella is a marvel of animation that director Saschka Unseld and his team bring to life with a romantic flourish that makes it one of the most visually impressive Pixar shorts.

2. Bao (2018)

A story of family love through a lifetime, Bao is a beautifully animated and tender story that might be the best tearjerker the studio has ever elicited in the short format. Bao came ahead of Incredibles 2 and played with expectations by turning a little confectionery creation into a child. Lighthearted and whimsical at first, the short gradually uses the distance between a mother and son as time goes on to deliver an absolutely heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming message about love.

Bao is one of the most powerful of all the Pixar shorts, with a sweet narrative that perfectly matches the animation style. Infused with the same blend of universal appeal and cultural focus that made Turning Red (2022) such a lovely film, Bao is one of the best examples of Pixar using its somber storytelling chops in short form.

1. La Luna (2012)

Based on an Italo Calvino short story and brimming with the same kind of wonderful artistry that makes The Little Prince (2015) so memorable, La Luna is the most appealing animated short to come out of Pixar.

A fantastical tale that came ahead of Brave (2012),  the story of Bambino, his father, and his grandfather as they clean up the stars that have fallen onto the moon is a brought to life with an animation style that feels attuned to the works of Hayao Miyazaki, like Castle in the Sky (1986) and Spirited Away (2001), but with the distinct Pixar coloring scheme. La Luna is a cute, sweet-natured bedtime story brought to life in an instantly charming way that only animation could deliver.

The admiration and obsession with the Heated Rivalry (2025) cast is unlike anything I've seen in the last decade. How Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are taking over Hollywood is a gift to bear witness to, and it's astounding how raw talent and charisma are proof that taking a chance on actors without overflowing filmographies can be great for a series or a movie.

The caveat to this blessing, however, is that finding a new actor to love means wanting to watch them in more content. So naturally, I get fans wanting to see the cast more. (I do, too.) There may not be a ton out there, but before Heated Rivalry Season 2 releases and until we get more projects, here's where you've seen the cast of Heated Rivalry before.

Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander

Hudson Williams has so many shorts under his belt that it wouldn't be shocking if he brought a whole new batch of fans to the artistry of short-form fiction. Literally, a good chunk of his work prior to taking on the role of Shane Hollander is a number of fantastic shorts that do an exceptional job of showing off his range.

In addition, Williams has been in an episode of Tracker (2024), and he's also been in a Hallmark movie called All I Need for Christmas (2024), alongside Dan Jeannotte, who's also a dreamboat. Years from now, Williams' filmography will surely be bursting with a number of great titles, and fans are already fan-casting him as their next favorite book boyfriend.

One to watch: If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, try All I Need for Christmas. 

Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov

Like his scene-partner Williams, Connor Storrie also hasn't been in a lot of movies and TV shows before his breakout in Heated Rivalry, but he's still got a few things that you can check out before Ilya Rozanov graces our screens again. Most notably, he had a role in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), and quite frankly, I would've taken more of him than what we actually got because how he emotes in those few minutes is sensational.

In 2025, he also starred in April X, a thrilling sci-fi movie that's an absolute wild and unpredictable ride. Certainly a must-watch if you want to see his range outside of what he does in Heated Rivalry. 

One to watch: If you like Gemini Man (2017, try April X for a similar sci-fi vibe. 

François Arnaud as Scott Hunter 

François Arnaud is one of the more well-known actors in Heated Rivalry, with credits spanning both historical and contemporary features. Since Schitt's Creek (2015) is also a series known to be full of Canadian actors, it's always a blast to look back and spot familiar actors. Arnaud is in it, but he also had a prominent role in The Borgias (2011), which is a stunning historical drama centered around the Borgia family.

Arnaud's range as an actor continues to be fantastic, and it's his embodiment of Scott Hunter that makes the character so memorable in the series. He doesn't have as big a role in the remaining books, but like me, I imagine many are hopeful we'll see him return in Heated Rivalry Season 2.

One to watch: If you like period-set dramas like The Tudors (2007), try The Borgias. 

Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady 

Like his on-screen partner, François Arnaud, Robbie G.K. has a few solid series and movies in his filmography that fans of Kip Grady can look back on. Watch him as Riley in Overcompensating (2025), another thoughtful and compelling series, but also in a sci-fi series called Utopia Falls (2020). For fans of gruesome game horrors, he's also been in the TV movie, Marry F*** Kill (2023). 

Like Arnaud, fans of Scott and Kip are likely hoping that we'll see Kip and his smoothies back in Heated Rivalry Season 2. Even if it's just for wholesome entertainment, surely we'll take it for how great he is in the role.

One to watch: If you like Adults (2025), try Overcompensating for a similar style of comedy. 

Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander

Christina Chang may only be in a few scenes of Heated Rivalry, but the role of Yuna Hollander is irreplaceable. The work that she and Hudson Williams deliver in the finale is some of the most unforgettable mother/son moments on any show, and it's a testament to Chang's inimitable range as an actress.

Chang's filmography is vast and extensive, and she's been in a number of great properties, but most notably in The Good Doctor (2017), a series that carefully explores characters amid a high-stakes environment. She can also be seen in many guest appearances on shows like Revenge (2011) as well as Rizzoli & Isles (2010).

One to watch: If you like Brilliant Minds (2024), try The Good Doctor for another gripping medical drama. 

Dylan Walsh as David Hollander

Like Yuna Hollander, the role of David Hollander needed to go to an actor whose range is not only incredible, but one whose body of work would showcase his range in the types of series that are as sharp as they are entertaining. And many viewers likely recognized him from Nip/Tuck (2003), which, for the time it aired, featured a number of LGBTQ+ storylines.

Walsh has also been in series like Superman & Lois (2021) as well as Blue Bloods (2010). Like Christina Chang, he's one of the actors who've guest-starred in so many shows that you've likely seen him without even realizing it. 

One to watch: If you like Masters of Sex (2013), try Nip/Tuck for a genre-pushing medical drama. 

Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry 

Rarely do we love a character who gets in the way of our romantic pairing, but it's impossible not to love Rose Landry, and it's entirely because Sophie Nélisse is so fantastic in embodying the character from Rachel Reid's book. And Nélisse's range is also so wonderful that viewers can find her in various genres, too. 

Many likely recognize her from Yellowjackets (2021) and rightfully so because the work she delivers as Teen Shauna is incredible to showcase all the mannerisms she's picking up from the iconic Melanie Lynskey. It's a must-watch series for anyone who loves clever narratives and psychological dramas.

One to watch: If you like heady, psychological dramas like The Leftovers (2014), try Yellowjackets.

Amazon Prime Video's live-action God of War series comes with big expectations from gamers, and much of it lives and dies on casting. With Kratos voice actor, Christopher Judge, adored by fans of God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök (2022), many anxiously awaited the announcement of Kratos' live-action casting to see if he could possibly fill Judge's shoes. With Ryan Hurst now officially in the role, fans can finally feel at ease. (At least it's not Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, right?) Hurst, of course, is already part of the God of War universe since he famously voiced Thor in the Ragnarök video game.

On screen, most people probably know Hurst from Sons of Anarchy (2008), but it's far from his only significant role. While his most recent appearance was in The Abandons (2025) and he will also feature in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026), here are five of the best Ryan Hurst movies and shows to get to know the actor before he debuts as Kratos, ranked in order of how important they are. Find them on streamers like Netflix, Hulu, and more.  

5. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

Wondering if Ryan Hurst can convey Kratos' often silent but intimidating persona? Look no further than The Walking Dead. If you fell off the zombie series in Season 7 with everyone else because of that death, then you missed, in my opinion, the best villain in TWD: Alpha (Samantha Morton). While Alpha chews the scenery every moment she gets, Hurst manages to maintain focus as her right-hand, Beta, which is extra impressive when you consider he isn't much of a talker. 

Like many of Hurst's roles, he plays Beta as deeply loyal and intimidating, but beneath his hard (and let's be real, gross) exterior is an element of tragedy. Because Beta only appears in 14 episodes of a very long-running series, including a brief cameo in Fear the Walking Dead (2015), it ranks last on this list. Yet, in some ways, it might be one of the better showcases of Hurst's potential as Kratos.  

4. Bates Motel (2013-2017)

If you're a fan of Psycho (1960), then watching Bates Motel is a must. Even if you've never seen the original Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, the prequel series is a welcoming starting point for fans of dark psychological dramas like The Following (2013) or Hannibal (2013). The true stars of this demented story are Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga). However, Ryan Hurst plays an important 15-episode role throughout Season 3 to 5.

His character, Chick Hogan, isn't quite as villainous as Beta, but he is just eccentric and mysterious enough to leave you questioning his true intentions. Although he takes on a more complex anti-hero role in Season 5, I promise you won't quite know what to make of him every time he's on screen.

3. Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans marks one of Ryan Hurst's earlier substantial roles. Here, he plays Gerry Bertier, a real-life high school football player who became paralyzed after a car crash and later tragically passed away in another one. The racial tension faced by Denzel Washington's Herman Boone remains the focal point of the story. However, Hurst delivers a strong performance alongside him. 

Although Remember the Titans can feel cheesy at times, it remains an inspirational story about overcoming adversity that any fan of sports dramas can appreciate. For those just wanting to see Hurst closer to the beginning of his career with a bit more material to work with than he got in Saving Private Ryan (1998), Remember the Titans is an easy choice that you'll also most likely enjoy.  

2. Outsiders (2016-2017)

At this point, Ryan Hurst's aptitude for playing rugged on-the-fringes-of-society characters isn't surprising. While Outsiders flew under the radar for many, Hurts was a standout in its two-season run. Appearing in all 26 episodes of the show, he plays Lil Foster, the eldest son in the mountain-dwelling, backwoods-living Farrell clan. In some ways, Lil Foster has a lot in common with Hurst's character in Sons of Anarchy (mentioned next on this list). He is a loyal enforcer, but behind all the beard and bravado, he reeks of vulnerability and relatable struggles. 

Outsiders is all about a family fighting to preserve their land and way of life. Think of it like Yellowstone (2018), just with a rural, Appalachian makeover. It leans a little silly at times, but it's the ultimate hidden gem if you're looking for a new drama series to binge and think you've seen everything on TV.               

1. Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Chances are, if you already know and love Ryan Hurst, it's because of Sons of Anarchy. The Kurt Sutter-created series chronicles the criminal plots, drama, and betrayals among an outlaw motorcycle club, making it the perfect seven-season binge watch for crime drama fans. While Charlie Hunnam takes the lead as Jax Teller, Hurst plays his right-hand man and best friend, Opie. 

Honestly, it's hard to watch Sons of Anarchy without falling in love with Opie. His unyielding loyalty and desire to live a "normal" life make him one of the show's more relatable characters. Hurst brings an underlying edge of empathy to the character that makes him unforgettable. To this day, whenever I see Hurst on my screen, I tend to go, "Hey, that's Opie," because that's how impactful this role was for me and so many others. Just brace yourself for some tears. 

It's a good time to be a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. While nothing has been able to top Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the franchise's newest project has the potential to earn a spot in audiences' hearts. Directed by Andy Serkis, who will also reprise his role as Gollum, The Hunt for Gollum seeks to adapt pieces and parts of the Appendices of The Fellowship of the Ring, specifically Gandalf and Aragorn's quest to track Gollum and interrogate him about the One Ring, or in Gollum's words, the "Precious." 

With Ian McKellen confirmed to return as Gandalf, and Elijah Wood highly likely to step back into the hairy feet of Frodo, excitement is at an all-time high. However, with Aragorn playing such a big part in The Hunt for Gollum, the fact that Viggo Mortensen will not reprise his famous role feels like a punch to the gut. Reasons for Mortensen's replacement seem to involve age, with The Hunt for Gollum creatives wanting a younger actor in the role, considering the movie's prequel status. 

Set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, the Aragorn replacement will likely be in his late thirties or early forties to match Mortensen's age of 41 when shooting Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Truthfully, no one will ever be able to replace Mortensen, and production's best bet is probably to cast an unknown actor. However, I certainly don't mind fan casting more well-known actors in the role while we await an official announcement. Here are five actors who could play Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum, ranked in order of how likely they are to get the role. 

5. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

When thinking about Aragorn casting options for The Hunt for Gollum, my first thought was, "Which Game of Thrones actor could pull him off?" That led me to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who GOT fans know as Jaime Lannister. While Coster-Waldau is in his mid-fifties now, making him the oldest contender on this list, with the right wig and beard, he has more than a bit of Aragorn in him. More importantly, he's got the acting chops and experience in fantasy to make a Lord of the Rings project an easy next step.

Jaime is much more conniving and proper than Aragorn, but Coster-Waldau's roles in Black Hawk Down (2001) and Mama (2013) prove he has range. With Viggo Mortensen in his early forties during The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it's likely The Hunt for Gollum creatives will choose an actor closer (if not younger) than that. Still, I wouldn't be mad to see Coster-Waldau cast as Aragorn. He has proven himself more than worthy of carrying the mantle. 

Where to find Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's best Aragorn audition? It may seem obvious, but Game of Thrones is where you'll find the best display of Boster-Waldau's sword-swinging fantasy talents.

4. Alexander Skarsgård

Like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Alexander Skarsgård doesn't quite have the right color palette for Aragorn, given his blond hair and classic Swedish looks. The other strike against him is his age, which, at almost 50, is on the older side for the role. However, if we take those factors out of the equation, he has a similar look to Mortensen. There's just something about the intensity of his eyes that screams Aragorn.

More importantly, Skarsgård can act. After watching him in Big Little Lies (2017), I'm slightly afraid of him, which really is the best compliment you can give an actor. He tends to lean toward antagonists or morally gray characters as his roles in True Blood (2008), The Stand (2020), and the aforementioned Big Little Lies prove. So, it would be a blast to see him embrace a heroic character like Aragorn, but with the same edge of danger he tends to evoke. Because who are we kidding? Aragorn is a questionable fellow before we get to know him in The Fellowship of the Ring.

Where to find Alexander Skarsgård's best Aragorn audition? While he lacks the clear-cut hero traits of Aragorn, Skarsgård's turn as Amleth, the intense, morally complex Viking warrior in The Northman (2022), shows how rugged he can be.  

3. Ben Barnes

If you want someone to play Aragorn who already has experience in the fantasy genre, then look no further than Ben Barnes. Perhaps best known as Prince Caspian in the Narnia franchise, he also embraced a more villainous turn in Shadow and Bone (2021) as The Darkling. With Stardust (2007) and Dorian Gray (2009) further proving Barnes's knack for fantasy, Aragorn isn't a far-fetched next role for the actor. 

At 44 years old, Barnes has the age and looks to play everyone's favorite Lord of the Rings ranger. His experience playing morally gray characters could also come in handy for The Hunt of Gollum. While Aragorn is a classic hero, through and through, from Gollum's perspective, he is a bit more complicated than that. To Gollum, he is an antagonist, hot on his tail and poised to interrogate him about his "Precious." 

Where to find Ben Barnes' best Aragorn audition? In the Narnia trilogy, Prince Caspian carries a similar brand of bravery and competency in battle to Aragorn, if a bit less sure of himself. Not to mention his arc culminates with him becoming the rightful king.

2. Michael Fassbender 

Michael Fassbender is a popular fan choice for Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum, and it's easy to say why. With experience in intense, rugged roles like 300 (2006), Macbeth (2015), and as the conflicted turned fanatical Magneto in the X-Men franchise, he is easy to imagine stepping into Aragorn's shoes. 

While he is a versatile performer, Fassbender gets points from me for his broodier roles, which align with Aragorn's more mysterious Strider persona. With his dark hood and almost ominous presence, you don't quite know what to make of Aragorn when you first meet him. Given The Hunt for Gollum's prequel status, it's likely this version of Aragorn will feel more akin to Mortensen's Fellowship of the Ring debut in The Prancing Pony. 

Where to find Michael Fassbender's best Aragorn audition? While Fassbender is a delight in most projects, 300 might offer the most similar vibe to LOTR, if only for its epic historical setting. Here, Fassbender plays a fierce Spartan warrior, demonstrating his physical strength and his acting prowess at the same time. 

1. Richard Madden

While I still vouch for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Aragorn, his Game of Thrones co-star, Richard Madden, edges him out in my fan casting. Madden is the perfect age, has the right dark-haired looks, and when styled appropriately, feels ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel. His role as Rob Stark in GOT allowed him to play a classic hero archetype similar to Aragorn. Honorable, intelligent, and brave, Rob became a quick fan favorite before… well, if you know, you know (no spoilers here). 

Although Game of Thrones is Madden's most notable role, he also played a fairy tale royal in Cinderella (2015), and later, a cosmic superhero in Eternals (2021). With a background in theater, Madden is one heck of an actor who feels ready to step into the role of Aragorn should the occasion call. Just look at him, he is gorgeous. 

Where to find Richard Madden's best Aragorn audition? All roads lead back to Game of Thrones. If you want to see Madden navigate messy politics and power dynamics with style, grace, and honor, the HBO series is your best bet. 

Most celebrity friendships have an expiration date. But that rule doesn't apply to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Their bromance has been going strong for decades. Whether they're joking around, working on a serious drama, or causing chaos in a comedy, the way they play off each other is effortless, making every interaction across genres feel real.

This list ranks their movies, which can be found on streaming platforms like on Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu, purely by on-screen chemistry, because a great movie is only as strong as the bond between these two. From tiny cameos to legendary dramas, here are some of the best Affleck-Damon team-ups, ranked from cute cameo to chemistry so good it hurts.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Chasing Amy follows comic book artist Holden McNeil (Affleck) as he coasts through life with his best friend and creative partner, Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their immature but comfortable routine gets flipped upside down when Holden meets Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), a confident, intelligent woman who challenges everything he thinks he knows about life.

As Holden falls deeper for Alyssa, his unresolved insecurities, jealousy, and fear of vulnerability begin to strain his romantic relationship and his friendship with Banky. Damon appears briefly as executive #2, which doesn't allow for much chemistry with Affleck, placing this movie at the bottom of the list. It's still perfect for viewers who enjoy dramas with a few jokes and lots of emotional nuance.

Jersey Girl (2004)

Jersey Girl follows Ollie Trinké (Affleck), a Manhattan publicist whose career and personal life collapse after an unexpected tragedy. Forced to move back to New Jersey to raise his daughter, Gertie (Raquel Castro), on his own, Ollie must rebuild his whole life. As he adjusts to fatherhood and a slower-paced life, he becomes close to Maya Harding (Liv Tyler), a video store clerk.

The movie is best described as sweet, light, and unexpectedly touching. While Affleck stars in the film, Damon only appears briefly as an unnamed public relations executive. You see their natural ease together, but there isn't enough screen time for it to deepen, which is why Jersey Girl is placed toward the end of the list. The film is ideal for viewers looking for a heartfelt, family-friendly story.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back begins when the perpetually stoned duo Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) discover that their comic book alter-egos, Bluntman and Chronic, are being turned into a Hollywood movie without their permission and with no profits coming their way. So they decide to travel across the country to stop the film from getting made.

Their mission becomes a chaotic parade of pop culture references and cameos, including one where Affleck and Damon appear as exaggerated versions of themselves, while parodying some of their iconic roles. Their chemistry is brilliant, but they don't have enough screen time to build on it, which is why the movie finds itself in the middle of the list. It's an ideal choice for people who enjoy goofy meta comedies.

School Ties (1992)

Set in 1955, School Ties follows talented football player David Greene (Brendan Fraser), who earns a scholarship to an elite prep school. When his classmates find out that he is Jewish, the school's polished surface begins to crack, exposing deep-rooted prejudice. Damon plays Charlie Dillon, a charming but deeply insecure student whose antisemitism is fueled by his fear of losing social status.

It's serious, dramatic, and surprisingly tense for a teen drama. Affleck appears in a supporting role as Chesty Smith, another football player at the academy. As a result, he doesn't have many interactions with Damon's Charlie, placing this film in the middle of the list. Still, the movie is a must for anyone curious about the early careers of Affleck and Damon.

The Last Duel (2021)

Set in 14th-century France, The Last Duel follows Jean de Carrouges (Damon), a proud knight who believes his honor has been shattered when his wife, Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), accuses Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) of assault. Affleck plays Count Pierre d’Alençon, a powerful nobleman who favors Le Gris and represents the indulgent corruption of the ruling class.

The story is told through multiple perspectives as the truth becomes less about facts and more about who society chooses to believe. The chemistry between Affleck and Damon carries the film, placing it in third position. Pierre is careless and decadent, while Jean is rigid and emotionally blind. The Last Duel is perfect for historical drama fans and viewers who love morally complex storytelling.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

The Academy Award-winning Good Will Hunting follows Will Hunting (Damon), a brilliant janitor at MIT who secretly solves complex math problems to distract himself from his troubled past. When his talent is discovered, he's pushed into therapy with Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), who forces him to confront his fear of abandonment and failure.

Affleck plays Chuckie Sullivan, Will's best friend, who encourages him not to turn away from opportunities for a better life. The chemistry between the pair feels exceptionally real in this film due to its intense subject matter. However, Good Will Hunting lands in second place since it's more of a Damon movie than a proper team-up. This brilliant film is a must for anyone who loves a good underdog story.

Dogma (1999)

Dogma follows fallen angels Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck), who get stuck on Earth after defying God. When they discover a loophole in Catholic doctrine that could allow them to return to Heaven, they set out on a mission that threatens all of existence, though they are unaware of the risks at the time. They also run into a chaotic mix of prophets, demons, and apostles.

Bartleby and Loki are the perfect mix of mischief and charm, forming one of the most charismatic teams in filmmaker Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse. The chemistry between Affleck and Damon is electric and endlessly entertaining, which earns it the number one spot on this list. Dogma is perfect for viewers who enjoy irreverent comedy and fantasy adventures.

In 2022, viewers got a new iteration of one of DC’s most iconic heroes, Bruce Wayne (aka Batman), with Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022). Set apart from the DCEU, The Batman’s standalone format proved efficient for offering a unique, darker take on the hero. The movie gave off Gotham (2014) and The Dark Knight (2008) vibes as it delved into Gotham’s corruption and explored themes of grief, trauma, and social inequality.

Following The Batman’s success, fans were excited to learn that The Batman: Part II (2027) was in the works. However, the sequel has been a long time in the making, with Matt Reeves just finishing the script in mid-2025. Now that the script is complete, things are coming together quickly for The Batman: Part II, including intriguing cast confirmations and rumors. Use our guide to find who’s in (or in talks to be in) The Batman: Part II, and where you’ve seen them before.

Robert Pattinson - Bruce Wayne

Robert Pattinson is returning as the lead star of The Batman: Part II, Bruce Wayne/Batman. Pattinson’s younger, more vulnerable depiction of Wayne resonated well with fans. However, his initial casting may have raised some doubts for viewers who remember him most fondly as Edward Cullen from The Twilight Saga. Many fans still see him as the teenage vampire heartthrob caught in a love triangle with Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Even so, Pattinson proved his knack for more mature, complex roles long before The Batman. In The Lighthouse (2019), he holds his own alongside Willem Dafoe in Robert Eggers eerie supernatural thriller that takes viewers on a horrific, dark journey into a human’s descent into madness. Most recently, Pattinson starred in Mickey 17 (2025), where I think he found his niche in a role that allows him to be serious and weird interchangeably as a clone who talks in a funny voice.

Colin Farrell - The Penguin

Colin Farrell will reprise his role as Oz Copplepot in The Batman: Part II after portraying the role in The Batman and its spinoff TV show, The Penguin (2024). The Penguin really gave him space to settle into the character and make it his own, capturing both the character’s villainy and the complex history that adds a hint of tragedy to his story. Following his role in The Batman, Farrell continued to garner attention with the critically acclaimed film The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), in which he delivered an award-winning performance as another tragic, lonely figure.

Farrell is also a frequent collaborator with influential Greek Weird Wave filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. He does well in works featuring a touch of absurdity, as evidenced by his success in Lanthimos’ The Lobster (2015) and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017).

Jeffrey Wright - Jim Gordon

Jeffrey Wright will return in The Batman: Part II as Wayne’s ally, police lieutenant Jim Gordon. Wright delivers a subtle yet intense performance as one of the few men and police officers Wayne trusts. It was particularly refreshing to see them treat each other as equals, working on cases together with a quiet understanding and respect for one another. Fans of The Hunger Games franchise most likely recognize Wright as Beetee from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014), and Part 2 (2015).

Wright is at his very best playing intellectual, dignified characters, which is why he performs so well as the thoughtful Gordon or the electronics wiz, Beetee. My personal favorite role of his is in American Fiction (2023), as a disillusioned author who takes on the publishing industry in an adventure layered with satire and heartbreak that will resonate with anyone who loves to write.

Andy Serkis - Alfred Pennyworth

Andy Serkis is returning in The Batman: Part II as Wayne’s loyal mentor and butler, Alfred Pennyworth, after portraying the role in The Batman. Serkis offers one of the most unique takes on Alfred in recent years, forgoing some of his more posh, elegant portrayals for a more world-weary, grounded figure that emphasizes his military background. However, you’re more likely to recognize Serkis’ voice than his face, as his most famous roles are motion-capture and voice-acting.

Serkis’s breakthrough role came in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as he provided the voice, motion capture, and facial expressions of one of cinema’s greatest villains, Gollum. In addition to returning to The Batman universe, Serkis will also soon return as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (2027).

Barry Keoghan - The Joker

Barry Keoghan will reprise his role as The Joker in The Batman: Part II after appearing in a cameo at the end of The Batman. Fans who were excited by the small, frightening glimpse of his iteration of the iconic Batman villain have been holding out hope that he’ll have a more substantial role in the sequel. Before switching to DC, Keoghan joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Druig in Eternals (2021), proving compelling as a flawed hero capable of going to dark places with his mind-control powers.

More recently, Keoghan garnered significant attention for his role in the psychological thriller Saltburn (2023). Keoghan portrays Oliver Quick in Saltburn, a young student ostracized for his social background and awkwardness, who develops an intense obsession with a fellow student, Felix (Jacob Elordi). His ability to portray such a psychologically twisted character who falls into the depths of obsession bodes well for his ability to nail the psychological aspects of The Joker’s villainy.

Sebastian Stan - Harvey Dent

According to THR, Sebastian Stan is reportedly in talks to portray Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face) in The Batman: Part II. It would be excellent casting, as Stan has already proven his ability to play characters with political aspirations and those with an underlying darkness. He is best known for portraying Bucky Barnes (aka The Winter Soldier) in the MCU. Most recently, he reprised his role as Barnes in Thunderbolts* (2025), where he tries to leave his haunted past behind and becomes a Congressman.

Stan also recently portrayed two of his most critically acclaimed roles: a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice (2024) and Edward in A Different Man (2024). In both roles, he portrays men who carry themselves with charm and charisma but harbor deep narcissism, inhumanity, or insecurity. Given he has already played two-faced characters, he’s a shoo-in for Dent.

Scarlett Johansson - Undisclosed Role

The Batman: Part II is scooping up all the MCU actors, as Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to join the cast in an undisclosed role, rumored to be Dent’s wife, Gilda. Johansson is best known for her role as Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) in the MCU. After first joining the MCU in Iron Man 2 (2010), she concluded her journey with the emotional solo film, Black Widow (2021), which finally gave viewers a deep dive into her past, family, and trauma.

Johansson is also well known for her frequent collaborations with Wes Anderson, including her portrayal of the world-weary actress Midge in Asteroid City (2020). One of her best roles is as Rosie Betzler in Jojo Rabbit (2019). I loved how beautifully she captured the struggles of a mother who recognizes signs of extremism in her son and must balance her love for him and her convictions of what’s right.

New year's resolutions often come with the desire to be better about budgeting and cutting down on the subscriptions we don't even realize we still have. I get it. I'm with you all. And there's so much nowadays that it's nearly impossible to keep up with. But of all the streaming networks to keep, unfortunately, I'm still loyal to Netflix and can't seem to unsubscribe from it.

In 2026, especially, there are a number of new shows returning that are going to make your subscription worth the money. At the same time, some older gems being at my fingertips is something I can't let go of. What if I need to watch all my favorite Steve Harrington scenes from Stranger Things (2016) again? And as much as I love to hate it, the drama of Virgin River (2019) is like a siren that's constantly calling. That said, if you're looking for great TV shows that make a Netflix subscription worth it, here are the best ones always available. 

Bridgerton (2020-Present)

The long-awaited Bridgerton Season 4, which was supposed to take place during Season 3, is finally right around the corner on Netflix. That's right, Benedict and Sophie's Cinderella-inspired season is upon us, and knowing how amazing their book is, I can promise that this one will be worth the wait. Not only that, but all seasons of Netflix's Bridgerton result in fantastic historical romances that are always fun to rewatch.

To top things off, while the streamer is known for canceling shows prematurely, fans can have a little solace in the fact that it's already been renewed for a fifth and sixth season. And for those who've always wanted to see a Regency romance with characters who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, Francesca's story is sure to honor it gorgeously. 

Derry Girls (2018-2022)

Anytime someone is on the hunt for a unique comedy that's bound to make them laugh out loud, I always suggest Derry Girls, and it becomes a hit for them. In other words, this one's for the viewers who want a unique coming-of-age comedy that also takes viewers through a crucial time in history for Ireland. One of the funniest shows on Netflix, it's the type of comedy that can mesh with every type of person's distinct sense of humor. 

Derry Girls is now over, so if you're nervous that you might get attached to a wholesome show that doesn't have a proper ending, know that it features one of the best series finales of all time, making the show easier to revisit as a comfort watch. But also, if you want something you'll find yourself always quoting, it's the best kind of show to invest in.

Stranger Things (2016-2025)

The ending of Stranger Things may have been incredibly divisive amongst fans and critics, but it's still a show worth watching as the type of sci-fi that isn't just meant for viewers who generally love the genre, but for those who aren't typically fans as well. It might not have the most satisfying ending, but it includes some of the most well-written characters that have ever graced our screens, and they're sure to be remembered years from now.

A show like Stranger Things doesn't always get the chance to get multiple seasons on a streamer like Netflix—RIP, Shadow and Bone (2021), I'll always miss you. So the fact that we get the development and time spent with these characters is a miracle in and of itself that is worth celebrating for the genre as a whole. If you loved '80s gems like The Goonies (1985), Stranger Things is a must for you.

Wednesday (2022-Present) 

It's not every remake that tops the magic of the original (or, in this case, your personal favorite adaptation), but everything we get with Netflix's Wednesday is a delightfully dark and whimsically campy ride that's perfect for viewers who love shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018). Wednesday, like Stranger Things, is a tough series to guarantee a renewal in, but we've thankfully got it, and the new season should start filming soon. 

Wednesday is the type of show that can also be so fun to put on every October for all the spooky vibes that'll scratch a very specific Halloween itch. Not too spooky that scaredy cats can't handle it, but also not so tame that real horror fans can't find enjoyment in it, either. It's the best of both worlds in more ways than one, and a unique spin on the beloved character.

Dept. Q (2025-Present)

If you're obsessed with Apple TV's Slow Horses (2022) and want something similar with a grumpy detective, look no further than Dept. Q. Starring Matthew Goode, I knew I'd love it, but the show's structure took me by surprise and easily became a favorite last year. It's been renewed for a second season, so chances of us seeing it return in 2026 are pretty high up there. 

It's clever, genuinely enticing, and the writing is so good that it's the one show I need more people to talk about. Even if you aren't typically a fan of detective shows or dark crime dramas, there's something thoroughly gripping about how Dept. Q charms you right from the start. It's not easy to watch with how heavy some of the themes are, but it's still easy to binge because chances are you'll immediately want to know what happens next.

The Gentlemen (2024-Present)

If you loved Guy Ritchie's movie of the same title, Netflix's The Gentlemen is about to be your next new obsession. Gritty, deliciously dark, and shockingly packed with sharp humor, it's the best kind of show for people who have an itch for complex characters and even more complex dynamics. It packs one punch after another to deliver an engrossing first season that's made waiting for the second wildly hard.

But lucky for you, if you start it now, you won't have to wait too long for Season 2 to grace our screens. If you loved Dept. Q, which is also on this list, chances are you'll appreciate the dynamics in The Gentlemen, too. As a bonus, for my romance aficionados out there, there may even be a ship for you if you look closely. 

One Piece (2023-Present)

It's not every manga live-action adaptation that's worth its salt, and the same can be said for Disney live-action movies following the classic success of their animated counterparts. But One Piece is a solid adaptation that's not only well shot and well written, but the actors feel like they're taken straight out of the story.

The second season is set to premiere on March 10, and with the success of the first, chances are this season will be just as exciting for fans, if not more. The best part of the adaptation is that you don't need to be a fan of the original animated feature to jump right into the series because it delivers enough thoughtful narrative beats that you won't be lost while watching.

Squid Game (2021-2025)

Squid Game is brutal, jaw-dropping, and thoroughly gripping from the very beginning. Honestly, it's unlike any other reality show on Netflix. Faint-hearted viewers may need to look away at some points, but it really is a solid series to invest in, and the kind that most types of viewers can find something binge-worthy in.

The series concluded its three-season run with the type of ending that can still be discussed by viewers who go in knowing absolutely nothing about it. It's the one dads and uncles and even moms can appreciate because it provides enough entertainment to showcase how well-written the games are.

Since making his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Peter Parker/Spider-Man has been one of the franchise’s most likable heroes. He’s been a fun supporting character in larger adventures, was at the focus of a pretty fantastic trilogy of solo films, and multiversal variants have even played roles in shows like What If...? (2021) and Marvel Zombies (2025). The character is now set to appear in some of the MCU’s most crucial movies, Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) and Avengers: Doomsday (2026). 

After that, Peter Parker is expected to play a significant role in the conclusion of the current MCU saga in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) before continuing to remain a leading figure in the MCU’s future. Before those next movies, though, fans should make sure to revisit the character’s most important movie appearances, along with some other adaptations that could share a thematic core with the stakes of Spider-Man’s next adventures. Here is every Spider-Man movie and show you need to watch before Avengers: Doomsday.

Spider-Man (1994-1998) 

While it might not be a one-to-one comparison, it’s worthwhile for any Spider-Man fan to check out the 1990s Spider-Man animated series for a clue about what Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars could be like. The Fox Kids show is a fun peer to fellow superhero successes like X-Men (1992) and Batman: The Animated Series (1992), and serves as a fairly faithful television adaptation of the Wall-Crawler.

One of the final big arcs in the show is an adaptation of the “Secret War” storyline from Marvel Comics, which features several heroes from across the Marvel Universe brought together to Battle-World to face off for the fate of the universe. The stakes of the conflict and seeing Spider-Man involved in such an epic struggle serve as a good teaser for what the MCU Peter Parker could be awaiting with the next two Avengers movies.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

As the introduction of the MCU Spider-Man, Captain America: Civil War is a crucial piece in how this universe’s version of Peter Parker works. Introduced as a surprisingly capable wildcard in Captain America and Iron Man’s growing conflict, Tony Stark recruits the young Spider-Man to his side. While Peter mostly factors into the second act of the film, his debut is a memorable one and cemented Tom Holland as a star in the making that audiences could invest in.

With an older Peter likely taking a more proactive role among the heroes of the next Avengers movies, given his own status as a more seasoned hero compared to the prospective Young Avengers or the ragtag antiheroes of Thunderbolts* (2025), Captain America: Civil War is worth revisiting for Spider-Man’s first encounter with The Avengers.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

As the first solo film for Spider-Man in the MCU era, Spider-Man: Homecoming does a great job showcasing where this Spider-Man can fit into the larger tapestry of the universe. A far more street-level and grounded film in the franchise that takes as much inspiration from The Breakfast Club (1985) as it does from other superhero flicks like Superman (1978), Spider-Man: Homecoming highlights the emotional core of the character and strengthens the dynamic that exists between Peter and Tony Stark.

With Robert Downey Jr. set to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, it’s important to see how this relationship develops across the MCU. Homecoming is also easily one of the most lightweight and purely entertaining MCU movies, only really requiring Civil War and the first Avengers (2012) to understand fully. 

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Part one of the most ambitious swings the MCU has taken to date, Avengers: Infinity War uses Spider-Man in clever (and devastating) ways to highlight the stakes of the conflict. Accompanying Iron Man and Doctor Strange into space to directly face off against Thanos, Spider-Man offers some crucial levity during the tense epic.

This could be what Spider-Man brings to Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, with his quick wit and relatable personality helping alleviate some of the darker moments. It also makes his fate as one of the heroes snapped away by Thanos all the more devastating, given how much the audience has come to love Spider-Man. If you need a reminder of how important Peter Parker is to the heroes and the audience, then Infinity War is the film to revisit.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Luckily, fans only had to wait a year for the next entry in the overarching Infinity Saga, as Avengers: Endgame closed out the story in grand fashion. While Spider-Man is absent for most of the film, which instead serves as a swan song for the original Avengers roster before killing off/writing out some of the established heroes, he does have a memorable appearance in the third act as one of the heroes brought back for the final battle.

Peter’s ability to survive a massive battle is a good indicator of how dynamic and important he may be in some of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars’ biggest moments, which will take on more intensity going forward because Spider-Man will likely lack the tech and weapons in the Stark-designed costume that Peter wears in this film.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Dealing directly with the emotional fallout of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home is a crucial watch for MCU Spider-Man fans going forward. The overall adventure isn’t the most impactful on the larger universe, although the post-credits tag where Mysterio reveals Spider-Man’s identity to the world sets up a lot of tension for Peter’s next adventure. However, the focus on Spider-Man mourning his mentor, Tony Stark, serves as a solid way to approach the character coming into his own after being more of a student than the typically solo hero of other adaptations.

Come Avengers Doomsday, if Doom gets to unmask himself and has some connection to Stark, Peter’s grief and guilt over Tony’s death in Endgame might make Far From Home a crucial emotional point in the overarching MCU story.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The biggest cinematic Spider-Man story to date, Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back more than just the MCU’s Peter Parker for an adventure that expanded to a multiversal scale. Peter’s efforts to magically rewrite Mysterio’s actions in the previous movie result in several enemies from other dimensions popping into the MCU. Alongside the Spider-Men of Spider-Man (2002) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Peter Parker must face off with the worst villains of the franchise’s past and deal with an uncertain future.

As the last place audiences get to see Peter Parker ahead of the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, No Way Home also brings the hero to the multiverse in a way that feels like it’ll be vitally important given the stakes of the next two Avengers movies. Due to those elements, this is likely the most important Spider-Man movie fans need to watch ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, simply because it’s the last time we’ve seen the character. 

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

While these movies might not have crossed over with the MCU as of yet, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has the kind of multiversal stakes and thematic weight that will likely influence Spider-Man’s future adventures. Seeing different variants of the Wall-Crawler is one of the biggest immediate appeals of the animated Oscar-winning film, but the way it reinforces the story of Peter Parker while also shifting primary focus to Miles Morales is nothing short of amazing.

Given the likely scale of Secret Wars, the multiversal storytelling of these animated movies, and the popularity of No Way Home’s crossover, don’t be surprised if the characters introduced in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse make some kind of appearance in Doomsday and Secret Wars. It is also, simply put, one of the best superhero movies ever made. So, it’s always worth a rewatch.

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

The sequel to Into the Spider-Verse is every bit as ambitious as the film that preceded it. Whereas the previous film had pretty clear moral lines, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse confronts larger questions about the importance of destiny and weighing the costly few against the larger masses.

This is the sort of conflict that fuels the stories of Doomsday, Secret Wars, and the entire Incursions storyline that they’re adapting from the comics, making it a good precursor for the kind of sacrifices and stakes necessary for these films to work. While it might not directly impact the Doomsday and Secret Wars narrative, the similar themes, scope, and stakes make this a great movie to watch ahead of Doomsday.

Pixar's Toy Story (1995) is arguably one of the most popular franchises and the one that's had the biggest impact on '90s kids. I'm pretty sure this movie is the reason I'm convinced all my inanimate objects have feelings, and I walk around apologizing to things when I bump into them.

All four of the movies and a few of the shorts are not only critically acclaimed but they're beloved by audiences, too, allowing them to be unicorns in a sea of divisive movies that often split the Rotten Tomatoes score. 

Still, the result is also shocking when you examine both points of view, and it's fascinating to explore all the reasons why. Based on the audience scores, we're ranking the Toy Story movies ahead of Toy Story 5 (2026) from its lowest score to highest, and then, I'll be running to Disney+ for another rewatch. 

4. Toy Story 2 (1999)

With an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Toy Story 2 comes in at the lowest, and it's quite frankly shocking to me. The introduction of Jessie the Cowgirl is one of the franchise's best decisions, so the fact that we're here is surprising. Still, 87% is a pretty solid rating for a sequel that expands the original story and adds depth to the fictional TV shows the toys are based on.

It's not every Disney sequel that's exceptional in its means of keeping up with the original's magic, and Toy Story 2 certainly does this while delivering emotional beats that especially stick the landing for those of us who are at the same age as the kids when they start to weed out the toys they're playing with. It's as perfect a sequel as The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998), and personally, I'd rank it in the third slot.

3. Toy Story 3 (2010)

This one hurts because I would've sworn up and down that Toy Story 3 would've been in the second spot. But maybe millennial audiences cried way too much at the end when Andy gives away his toys, so they rated it lower for emotional damage. Coming in fresh with a 90% audience score, Toy Story 3 is basically the story that proves why trilogies are such a gem in filmmaking.

A duology is great, but there's something extra enticing about a trilogy and how it wraps up a story through perfectly executed narrative beats that explore significant periods of time for all the characters involved. I'd argue that it's the best third film in any trilogy for how it manages to bring everything full circle in a way that's not only wholly satisfying but emotionally profound in a manner that can never be replicated. Don't forget a pack of tissues if you decide a rewatch is in order.

2. Toy Story (1995)

From start to finish, Pixar's Toy Story is a perfect movie and undoubtedly one of the strongest depictions of friendship to date. How the original kickstarts everything and establishes a world that can expand in various ways is no small feat because it can also be contained, too. If you choose never to watch the remaining films, you aren't exactly missing out on a fully fleshed-out story, and that's an art form in and of itself.

Coming in with an audience score of 92% percent and in second spot, Toy Story is clearly beloved by all kinds of viewers and even critics who've granted it a 100% Rotten Tomatoes certified fresh rating. It's one of the first few movies to introduce kids, too, with its sharp writing, unbeatable animation, and astounding voice work, making it an absolute blast that gets better and better with every viewing. 

1. Toy Story 4 (2019)

Toy Story 4, coming in at the number one position with an audience score of 94% broke me a little. This isn't to say that the film isn't good, but it's certainly not the strongest of the four. Little old me, who wanted Woody and Little Bo Peep to get together, was certainly satisfied with their reunion, but that's as far as the film's strength goes for me. Are romance fans the ones giving this rating, because if so, valid. If not, we've got to talk.

The isolation and changes in the movie are entirely understandable given where the toys end up in the third, but there's a sadness and melancholy woven throughout that doesn't hold the same level of hope the others do. Still, it's solid, and despite the fact that we don't need another movie after this, these characters are too lovely to not watch all their adventures. 

The 2026 Golden Globes have come and gone, leaving audiences hungry for discussion. While some people are eager to debate the rightful wins and biggest snubs, others just want to catch up on the critically acclaimed movies and TV shows they might've missed in 2025. The wins from movies like One Battle After Another (2025) and KPop Demon Hunters (2025) probably surprised nobody, just like anyone who watched the Emmys suspected Adolescence (2025) to clean up nicely. However, like any good award show, the 2026 Golden Globes offered a few surprises. 

Underdog titles like The Secret Agent likely fell under the radar for many, but that doesn't mean you should skip them. Honestly, the fact that they stood out among bigger, more prestigious choices makes them all the more compelling. Here are six underrated Golden Globe winners you might have missed in 2025, but should watch as soon as you can.  

Hamnet (2025)

It's no secret that Chloé Zhao's beautifully tragic adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel was an award contender since its initial Telluride Film Festival debut. Despite this, Hamnet was a box-office flop. Perhaps it's relatively niche subject matter, which dramatises the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes Hathaway after the untimely death of their son, that limited who was willing to dish out money to see it in theaters. After all, not everyone wants to pay to cry their eyes out in public. 

Regardless, Hament is a film well worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of Shakespeare and period-set movies. The real standout here, of course, is Jessie Buckley, who took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama to no one's surprise. Hamnet also won the coveted Best Drama award, despite going up against favorites like Frankenstein (2025) and Sinners (2025). To say Hament was the underdog is an understatement here, which makes it all the more intriguing to check out.

The Secret Agent (2025)

The Secret Agent might have fallen under the radar in the US for two main reasons. One, it's a foreign language film. Two, it's still in the process of getting a wide release in the US after early previews rolled out in New York and Los Angeles in November and December 2025, respectively. However, if you're able to see it, you most definitely should, especially if you're a fan of political thrillers. 

Set in 1970s Brazil, the movie chronicles a former professor's (Wagner Moura) struggle to flee persecution under a corrupt military dictatorship. For some, that subject matter may feel a bit heavy, but for those searching for some poignant social commentary with a gritty grindhouse flair, don't sleep on The Secret Agent. It rightly scored the win for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language, with Wagner Moura also securing a win for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, which is nothing to sneeze at. 

Sinners (2025) 

To call Sinners underrated feels a bit sacrilegious. However, while every horror fan I know saw this film in theaters two or even three times, more mainstream audiences might have missed it, despite the movie's HBO Max drop. In that sense, it's worth spotlighting, if only to get more eyes on Ryan Coogler's gorgeous period-set vampire allegory about assimilation and race relations in the historic South. 

While many are considering Sinners snubbed in the Best Picture and Best Director categories, it did secure wins for Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement and Best Original Score. The former category, especially, deserves mention considering the film grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, which doesn't happen every day in the horror genre. If you're looking for a unique mash-up of supernatural suspense and crime with a historical setting, Sinners is mandatory viewing. 

Sentimental Value (2025)

Similar to Hamnet in scale and The Secret Agent in terms of theatrical release limitations, Sentimental Value is an underrated movie that's widely praised by anyone who has seen it. It follows two sisters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), who reunite with their estranged director father (Stellan Skarsgård) upon their mother's death and get sucked into helping him with a biographical movie. 

No stranger to award wins and nominations, Stellan Skarsgård walked away with a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, which is a pretty big deal for an underdog movie like this one. If you want an authentic, emotionally gripping account of family trauma in all its big and nuanced ways, Sentimental Value is a memorable and powerful choice. 

Hacks (2021-Present)

Hacks has been around since 2021, scooping up awards and heaps of critical acclaim. Yet, it remains relatively underrated and overlooked. Truthfully, it's one of my favorite new shows to release in the last five years. And while series leads Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder frequently go viral for their accomplishments or political stances, far too few people have actually watched this show.

The series, which is set to release its fifth and final season this year, focused on Deborah Vance (Smart), an aging comedian of the Joan Rivers variety, who reluctantly finds herself paired up with a more liberal millennial joke writer, Ava Daniels (Einbinder). If you want to see complicated, intergenerational female relationships done right, Hacks can't be matched. It's witty, fun, and a tad dark when it needs to be. After a plethora of nominations, Jean Smart took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy, marking her third Best Actress win for Hacks. 

The Studio (2025)

Despite featuring a star-studded cast, The Studio remains an underrated watch, which likely has to do with it being an Apple TV exclusive. Starring and created by Seth Rogen (along with Evan Goldberg and Peter Huyck), the series offers plenty of satire about what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood. Although there isn't anything quite like it on TV right now, consider shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006) or even Entourage (2004) for a similar vibe. 

This year, The Studio won Best Comedy or Musical, while Seth Rogen went home with the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy. If you like sharp satire and cringe comedy, The Studio is a delight. Honestly, Apple TV has some of the hottest shows right now, from Pluribus (2025) and Severance (2022) to the ever-loved Ted Lasso (2020), so it's not the worst streamer to invest in. 

Anime has, slowly but surely, become one of the most dominant forms of media on the planet. What was once a niche market for video stores, late-night animation blocks, and Saturday morning kids’ shows has quickly grown into one of the most in-demand and exciting genres around. Millions of people watch shows like Solo Leveling (2024) and My Hero Academia (2016), and with a new year comes plenty of new shows ready to be the next big thing.

For this list, we’re going to talk about 10 anime that could very well dominate the anime industry in 2026. Some of these titles are adaptations of long-running manga, revivals of classic shows for a new generation, or even completely new series that have a certain spark that’s worth keeping an eye on. While it’s too soon to tell whether some of them will end up on sites like Crunchyroll or Netflix, we know, at the very least, that these 10 anime will be released sometime in 2026. If you want to be in on the loop before they debut, then read on and see which anime, presented in chronological order, could be 2026’s next big hit.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 (2023-Present)

When you’re starting 2026 with a continuation of one of the best anime of the decade, you know it’s going to be a great year. In fact, any year that has Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a great year by virtue of just having more Frieren in it. 

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a fantasy series that feels classic in all the right ways. On the surface, it’s an old-school adventure involving an elf and her companions going on a quest for years and dealing with monsters, other mages, and all of your usual fantasy trappings. However, there’s an emotional maturity to Frieren that’s impossible to resist. It’s a slow-paced character study in the same vein as Vinland Saga (2019), but the excellent character moments will have you stop and ponder your own life and actions. It’s a deeply philosophical anime, and the eleven-episode second season is set to continue the show’s streak of excellence. Fans of high fantasy need to watch this show at any cost.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 will premiere on Crunchyroll on January 14, 2026. 

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (2026)

It may have been four years since the last season of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, but the long wait was worth it. At long last, what some fans consider to be the best entry in the series, Steel Ball Run, is almost here.

Taking cues from The Cannonball Run (1981) by way of Fist of the North Star (1984), Steel Ball Run should be one of the most complicated and intense anime races ever produced. The show contains all of the usual trappings of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure—creative superpowers, melodramatic posing, and vivid colors—all set in a cross-country race set to last for dozens of episodes. There’ll be death, heartbreak, plenty of twists, and one of the best antagonists the series has ever seen. It’s everything a Jojo fan could want and more! And the best part? As a soft reboot of the series, even newcomers can join in without worrying about prior continuity. 

Steel Ball Run will premiere on Netflix on March 19, 2026.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm (2026)

Ask any anime fan worth their salt, and they’ll tell you that Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) are some of the best anime of the 21st century. It stands to reason that their creator’s next series, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, should be put on every anime fan’s radar ASAP.

The manga has been running since 2021, and the fantasy world depicted in Daemons of the Shadow Realm has all of the makings of a potential classic. It hits many of the tropes you would expect of a fantasy series, such as a prophecy depicting our leads as heroes and their ability to control fantastical creatures called daemons, but what helps give the series its unique flavor is its anthological approach. Our two leads were separated as kids, and the series follows the encounters they have as they try to reunite with one another to save the world. With art design to die for, and carrying the same spirit of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Daemons of the Shadow Realm could potentially be the next dark fantasy epic we’ve been looking for.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm will premiere on Crunchyroll in April 2026.

Witch Hat Atelier (2026)

While this list is presented in chronological order, it’s hard to think of any reason why Witch Hat Atelier shouldn’t be considered the most anticipated anime of the year. In virtually all aspects, it’s simply in a class of its own.

There’s an artistry present in Witch Hat Atelier that’s breathtaking to watch. Its magic system is exceptionally well thought out and creative, rivaling Nen from Hunter x Hunter (2011) in terms of potential and complexity. The series is bursting with ideas, yet maintains a youthful and carefree atmosphere not unlike The Owl House (2020), where we’re just as excited as Coco to learn about the vast world of magic. The original manga won the Harvey Award in both 2020 and 2025. If the anime adaptation can translate even a fraction of Kamome Shirahama’s intricate artwork, then the series may very well be one of the most beautifully animated series of the year. If you claim to be a fan of anime or fantasy in general, then you can’t miss Witch Hat Atelier. 

Witch Hat Atelier will premiere on Crunchyroll in April 2026.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 (2022-2026)

It’s going to be a wild year for the Big Three. One Piece (1999) has shifted to a seasonal model to improve production quality. Naruto (2002) is set to return with new episodes, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will conclude and end the anime after over two decades.

By this point, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has proven itself to be a worthy follow-up to the original series, and its final part has a lot of potential to be the best yet. Thanks to only adapting 30 chapters of the manga, as well as confirmation that there will be anime original content that expands on the source material, Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 should fix the rushed ending of the manga. Like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (2025), the series has been building relentlessly to its action-packed finale. With Studio Pierrot spending a year and a half to perfect this ending, the visuals may even exceed Infinity Castle. If you’ve ever been a fan of shonen action, it’s time to give the most underrated member of the Big Three its due.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 will premiere in July 2026.

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia (2026)

While fantasy seems to be all the rage in recent years, historical dramas have surged in popularity as well, and Jaadugar: A Witch in Monologia looks to be a fascinating series focusing on a culture often forgotten about in the anime world. While anime tends to focus on Japanese culture, very few series explore Middle Eastern civilizations. Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia offers a rare Persian protagonist. Watching her be taken away and forced to work in the Mongolian imperial court may give you flashbacks to Apothecary Diaries (2023), but that’s by no means a bad thing.

The series is grounded in character drama and is incredibly well researched, where any fan of Middle Eastern history will surely appreciate the attention to detail. And then there’s Science Saru’s animation, which, even by its already high standards, appears painterly and gorgeous. If you’re tired of the usual anime tropes and crave something different, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is that change you’re looking for.

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will premiere in July 2026.

Black Clover Season 2 (2017-Present)

Black Clover has always marched to the beat of its own drum. It releases new chapters every quarter instead of weekly, and the anime has been on hiatus since 2021 to allow the manga to reach its conclusion. Now, after what feels like eternity, Black Clover is finally back. While we don’t know exactly when it will premiere in 2026, we do know that the show will continue to carry the same charm and energy that propelled Naruto to success all those years ago.

There’s a determination and infectious energy in Black Clover’s Asta that is never deterred, and he bounces off wonderfully with the fully fleshed-out supporting cast. No matter how big or how small, each character gets a time to shine, giving the series one of the best casts in modern shonen. Not only that, but the shift to a seasonal release window will hopefully give Studio Pierrot the time it needs to animate the fight scenes to make them as impressive as the manga. There’s plenty of highly anticipated fantasy shows this year, but if you want one with a huge and colorful cast of characters, Black Clover will do the job.

Black Clover Season 2 will premiere in 2026.

Ghost in the Shell (2026)

As the godmother of dystopian sci-fi anime, Ghost in the Shell (1995) was truly ahead of its time. It still stands as one of the greatest anime feature films of all time, so hearing that Science Saru and Production I.G. will revive the series with Ghost in the Shell (2026) has me all kinds of excited. 

While very little is known about the series other than that it exists, what makes Ghost in the Shell so exciting is its aesthetics. Based on the key art available, the series is going for a retro cyberpunk aesthetic not dissimilar to Bubblegum Crisis (1987), which will help separate the series from the hordes of modern-day anime with bland and forgettable character designs and visuals. Ghost in the Shell’s visuals instantly pop, and if the series is a full retelling of the original manga/film, then it’ll be a treat to see the show go through its themes of humanity and identity in a world where technology is now more prevalent than ever. If you’ve been waiting years for a mature sci-fi anime that carries the spirit of Serial Experiments Lain (1999), then this remake may be the series you’re looking for.

Ghost in the Shell will premiere in 2026.

Goodbye, Lara (2026)

It’s rare for an original anime to draw as much attention as Goodbye, Lara, but that also speaks to how compelling Kinema Citrus’ 15th anniversary project is shaping up to be. There’s a lot of old-school charm present in the character designs of Goodbye, Lara, with the series feeling almost Ghibli-esque.

There’s a quaintness to the character designs and the setting that seems as cozy as Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), with the seaside waves feeling especially soothing. Not much is known about the show’s plot other than it centers on a mermaid who dies and is reincarnated as a human, but it appears to be a cute fish-out-of-water story with a fair bit of fairy tale magic strewn in. So much of Goodbye, Lara is drawn from the ‘90s that anyone who is looking for a throwback to anime of that era will be in for a treat when they see it.

Goodbye, Lara will premiere in 2026.

Magic Knight Rayearth (2026)

Isekai has become a dirty word in the anime industry. Each season, you can find countless shows that seem like generic slop, but there was a time when isekai anime was creative and compelling, and 2026’s Magic Knight Rayearth is set to remake one of the genre’s best.

The original Magic Knight Rayearth (1994) was extremely popular thanks to its trio of peppy heroines and their quest to return home from the world of Cephiro. A part of what made Magic Knight Rayearth so fun was its fusion of genres. Yes, it was an isekai, but it was also a fantasy series, a magical girl adventure, and a mecha anime all rolled into one. It’s easy to see how Rayearth would inspire shows like Vision of Escaflowne (1996), and a remake of the original series with modern visuals is a recipe for success, provided Production I.G. and Signal MD can stick the landing. Fans of old-school mecha, magical girl, and adventure anime should be in for a treat when this project sees the light of day.

Magic Knight Rayearth will premiere in 2026.

After three years, Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) is back, and fans are going ballistic. Its return was so highly anticipated that Crunchyroll actually crashed shortly after it premiered, and currently it’s sitting comfortably in JustWatch’s Top 100 streamed shows. It’s good to be a fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, which is funny given how absolutely miserable things are in the anime. The Shibuya Incident killed hundreds, Satoru Gojo is imprisoned, and Kenjaku has released countless Curses in Japan to decimate the population.

And yet, that’s not even the worst part. The two-part premiere of Season 3 reveals that Kenjaku is beginning an event called the Culling Game. What exactly is it? Well, the anime doesn’t do a good job at explaining what it is. All it does to explain the Culling Game is flash a mountain of text on-screen informing viewers of the rules, and that’s about it. No narration, no in-depth explanation, just a gargantuan amount of words that don’t make a whole lot of sense. If you had to pause the episode just to read what’s going on, and you still have no clue, then here’s a general breakdown of what the Culling Game is, the rules, and what to expect from it.

What Is The Culling Game In ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’?

Within the wider context of Jujutsu Kaisen, the Culling Game marks a major turning point in the series where most of the original supporting cast is jettisoned for new characters, and the arc serves as the penultimate installment before the manga’s finale. 

In universe, the Culling Game is an experiment by Kenjaku to force humanity to evolve. How? Due to the events of the Shibuya Incident, Kenjaku is forcing newly awakened Jujutsu Sorcerers into a battle to generate Cursed Energy. Once a large enough amount of Cursed Energy has been created, Kenjaku plans to use the energy to merge all of humanity into Master Tengen, the oldest and most powerful barrier Sorcerer in existence. Kenjaku doesn’t even know if this plan will work, but as a chaotic being more motivated by curiosity and entertainment, it doesn’t really matter much to him. He just wants to see if it’ll actually work.

What Are The Culling Game Rules?

The rules of the Culling Game may seem complicated and hard to grasp, but once most of the terminology is clarified, it’s actually a pretty straightforward game, at least initially.

In the beginning, there are eight rules that all players must follow. Rule One essentially states that anyone who became a Sorcerer because of Kenjaku’s actions in the Shibuya Incident must declare their participation in the game by November 19th. If not, they’ll be in violation of Rule Two and have their Cursed Technique removed, which would effectively kill them. Because the Culling Game takes place in 10 colonies created around Japan, Rule Three states that anyone who enters any of the colonies will become participants, whether they have a Cursed Technique or not. 

Once in the game, Rule Four tells players that they can earn points by killing other Culling Game participants. As per Rule Five, the game master determines points. However, there technically is no game master, so point values are determined by the value of the player as a Sorcerer. The more powerful you are, the more points you’re worth. Once a player reaches 100 points, Rule Six says that they can create a new rule and, based on Rule Seven, that rule must be accepted, provided it doesn’t cause a long-term problem in the operation of the Culling Game. Finally, Rule Eight makes it clear that if a player’s score remains the same for 19 days, then they will be killed.

At its core, the Culling Game is an incredibly complicated battle royale meant to govern itself. Once it’s begun, not much can be done to stop it, and the rules added are mostly inserted to find ways to save a few individuals playing it.

What Should Fans Expect Of The Culling Game Arc?

If the Culling Game is just one gigantic battle royale, then it stands to reason that fans can look forward to a lot of intense battles. However, that would only be scratching the surface.

Yes, many of the participants are newly created Sorcerers, but there are also a handful of ancient Sorcerers revived by Kenjaku that have agreed to participate for their own personal reasons. Not only this, but a lot of the new Cursed Techniques that will be introduced in the arc are wildly creative, esoteric, and are on the same level of complexity as Stands from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012). For example, there’s a character who is effectively invincible, provided they have complete confidence that what they’re doing is funny. Imaginative powers like that are just a taste of what the Culling Game will introduce, so it’s a guarantee that if you want outrageous fights, you’ll find that here.

That isn’t to say that there won’t be any character development alongside these wonderfully animated fights. Yuji, as we’ve seen in the premiere, has to come to terms with the destruction Sukuna has caused during the Shibuya Incident, and the drama surrounding the succession of the Zen’in clan will affect both Maki and Megumi in the coming episodes. And, of course, there’s the overarching goal of our heroes to stop Kenjaku, free Gojo from his prison, and rescue Megumi’s sister, Tsumiki, from the game. They have their work cut out for them, but at the very least, it’ll be entertaining watching the chaos of the Culling Game unfold.

When it comes to romantic relationships on screen, chemistry matters as much as the writing and directing. We have to believe that the couple in front of us has the spark necessary to keep their relationship going, but we also need to invest in what isn't told to us—we have to invest in what we can feel. And the thing about chemistry is that it can never be fully explained because there's no blueprint to really guarantee that every viewer will see it. Simultaneously, you can have two incredible actors who might appreciate working together, but they may not have the indescribable spark that makes seeing them as an on-screen couple work.

At the same time, because it's also so subjective, no writer can ever really guarantee what their viewers might cling to and want what they're selling. It's a great fictional gamble, but it's always glorious as a viewer when the chemistry is so good that we want them to be the next Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, two actors who can play two different characters and still sell the different relationships perfectly. 

From Heated Rivalry (2025) to Bridgerton (2020), here are some of the best shows where chemistry is a hugely important part of the show, as well as where you can stream them on platforms like HBO Max, Netflix, and more.

Heated Rivalry (2025-present)

Heated Rivalry is a breathtaking triumph in more ways than one as a thoughtful, beautifully rewarding romance. It's an absolute game-changer that should signal to executives how we want more LGBTQ+ shows on our screens, but we also want joy and faithful adaptations that honor the romance genre. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are both such sensational actors that pairing them together results in the kind of jackpot that's genuinely perfect and rare. 

How they bring Ilya and Shane to life is magnetic, allowing their chemistry to add emotional depth and joy to every moment they're on screen. It certainly helps that Heated Rivalry is an exceptionally written show with sharp dialogue and profoundly human moments to guide the plot, so really, the chemistry here is a lovely bonus. Perfect for anyone who wants inimitable joy in the form of a romance, Heated Rivalry was the best show of 2025, without a doubt.

Bridgerton (2020-present)

People who read the book series by Julia Quinn were undoubtedly excited about Netflix's adaptation of Bridgerton, but historical romance isn't the kind of genre many romance fans gravitate toward. More people prefer modern-day adaptations without dated customs, but the first season took the general audience by storm, and they haven't looked back since.

The series is far from perfect, and it doesn't exactly follow the books faithfully, but the chemistry between each of the lead couples is indescribable. If there's one thing they're always going to get right, it's casting, and characters don't even have to speak for us to feel the fluttering butterflies as their hands linger. If you want a historical romance like Pride and Prejudice (2005) but with more screentime, look no further—every couple is bound to make you swoon, and this is especially the case for Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey in Season 2. 

Normal People (2020)

Hulu's adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel of the same title is a near-perfect series that showcases real human emotions beautifully. It's achingly heartbreaking at times and can be heavy, but the chemistry between Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones is everything. How they take the characters through different points in their lives while still orbiting around each other not only makes the series special, but it also emphasizes the importance of chemistry that grows through time.

And while Normal People doesn't exactly feature a happy ending, it's still one of the shows viewers can turn to in order to get a sense of a realistic relationship. It's awkward at times, even messy, but it's the chemistry that makes it feel so worthwhile and captivating. They add even more depth to the source material, which is a rarity, and to this day, viewers want to see the pair reunite in another production together.

Fellow Travelers (2023)

Fellow Travelers isn't a romance, and it's unfortunately so heartbreaking at times, but like Bridgerton, it proves that anytime Jonathan Bailey is in a production, he's going to have indescribable chemistry with his co-star. And the work that he delivers alongside Matt Bomer is utterly breathtaking throughout, making the heavy narrative points worth it for their performances alone.

If you're looking for a historical drama that's equipped with good writing, great directing, and thoroughly engrossing performances, look no further. Fellow Travelers is an incredible limited series that understands the importance of human connections and diligently explores why they matter, even if the aftermath is tragic. The chemistry will always make you itch for a series where the two of them get to be happier in the end.

Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

Daisy Jones & the Six isn't just the type of show where romantic pairings have magnetic chemistry, but the platonic bonds are also what make the series so remarkable. The chemistry between the cast members was so electric on stage that we were all really hoping they'd take the fictional band on a real stage so we could pretend for a moment that they're real. 

And interestingly, it's not the type of show that ever promised us a happy ending either, but the scenes shared between characters were so electric, we were thoroughly invested in all the mess that makes it both memorable and realistic. Perfect for anyone who loves Almost Famous (2000), fictional bands, and complicated love triangles, Daisy Jones & the Six is a genuinely exceptional limited series to binge. 

Maxton Hall (2024-present)

Maxton Hall - The World Between Us isn't exactly a great show if you're somebody who doesn't love unnecessary drama and contrived angst, but the chemistry between Damian Hardung and Harriet Herbig-Matten is exceptional. They're the reason the forbidden, opposites-attract pairing works, and their performances are largely why the series feels mature and lived-in despite the wild narrative beats. 

In all honesty, if it weren't for their chemistry, I wouldn't be watching. So if you're anything like me and aren't exactly a fan of heavy drama, give this one a shot because they're worth it. It's hard to imagine how the show would do without leads as compelling as Hardung and Herbig-Matten. But also, if you want something in an academic setting with pretty sights and great costumes, Maxton Hall has you covered. 

Many fans wrapped up 2025 watching the series finale of Stranger Things (2016). After a nearly decade-long run, the hit Netflix original series came to an end. Considering the number of fans who have been with the show for the past 10 years and watched the cast grow up on screen, it’s understandable that expectations for the finale were exceedingly high. However, it depends on who you ask whether Stranger Things stuck the landing.

Some fans were satisfied with the emotional note the series ended on, while others weren’t satisfied with a few loose ends and felt the ending was generic. In fact, some viewers felt so dissatisfied with the finale that they began hoping for “Conformity Gate,” a secret final episode of Stranger Things meant to be the true finale. If you love the idea of fan theories fixing disappointing show and movie endings, use our guide to find the best fan theory endings that are better than the original.

Seinfeld (1989-1998) - The Characters Die In The End

Like Stranger Things, Seinfeld is a show that many audiences grew up with alongside its nearly decade-long run. The show captivated audiences by moving away from the standard sitcom format and tackling the mundanities of everyday life through shockingly unlikeable characters. However, fans and critics alike panned the finale’s bland mix of flashbacks and a humorless story. It was so bad that some viewers preferred the idea that everyone died in the end.

A Redditor suggests that the characters don’t avert a plane crash in the Seinfeld finale, but actually die in it. The transition to a quaint small town and the existence of an absurd “Good Samaritan” law signify their deaths. The brief deja vu moment Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and George (Larry David) share hints that their punishment in the afterlife is to relive the meaninglessness of their lives. It would be a dark but oddly fitting ending to Seinfeld.

Titanic (1997) - Jack Doesn’t Exist

Titanic is one of the most successful movies ever made. With its captivating historical premise, central romance, and story of a woman gaining her freedom, Titanic offers an epic, emotional journey. However, it’s not without its points of contention, especially the age-old debate about whether Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) could have also survived by floating on the debris with Rose (Kate Winslet). One popular fan theory effectively ends the debate by suggesting Jack couldn’t have also fit on the debris because he didn’t exist.

Given that no record of Jack’s existence on the Titanic could be found, fans speculated that he was a figment of Rose’s imagination, conjured to help her escape her terrible life. When Jack dies in the end, it’s because the illusion has fulfilled its purpose, and Rose is free. For viewers who enjoyed Rose’s journey most, the alternate ending adds a layer of sweetness and power.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone (2001) - Harry Imagined The Wizarding World

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone brought the Wizarding World to the big screen and dazzled audiences with its tale of magic. Some fans, though, see it as the dark beginning of a fantasy. For decades, the theory that the events of Harry Potter are all in Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) head has persisted. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone provides the most evidence for the theory by delving into the drudgery of Harry’s life and the Dursleys’ abuse.

Hence, fans speculated that Harry fantasizes about Hogwarts to escape his life. It would explain the precise timing of Hagrid’s (Robbie Coltrane) arrival, and how Harry is conveniently the “chosen one,” a Quidditch phenomenon, and lives in the House that routinely wins Dumbledore’s (Richard Harris) favor. While the fan theory isn’t appealing to those who love the idea of magic, it may be better for those seeking a more realistic story of mental health and trauma.

Sherlock (2010-2017) - Apple Tree Yard

Several years before Stranger Things Conformity Gate hit, viewers had an eerily similar version of the theory with Sherlock dubbed “Apple Tree Yard.” Sherlock’s contemporary take on Sherlock Holmes, with its perfect mix of eccentricity, mystery, and faithfulness to the source material, garnered an enormous, dedicated fanbase. However, some viewers were disappointed with the ending, either because they didn’t want it to end or because the show got a bit too ambitious and out there with its final storyline.

Hence, rumors of a secret fourth episode of Sherlock Season 4 swirled. When viewers noticed a new show slated for Sherlock’s usual time slot, Apple Tree Yard (2017), they became convinced it was the name of the secret fourth episode. However, Apple Tree Yard was, indeed, a real show, and the secret fourth episode of Sherlock never happened. With so much source material and potential left, though, “Apple Tree Yard” was a nice dream.

Stranger Things (2016-2026) - Conformity Gate

If you’re on social media, especially TikTok, chances are you’ve heard of Conformity Gate. Social media users began speculating that the Stranger Things finale, “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up,” wasn’t the final episode. Viewers felt that the ending was just a little too perfect, like an illusion. Some anomalies, such as a few character absences, convinced fans that the ending was an illusion created by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

When Netflix began teasing something big for January 7, viewers became convinced it was the release date of the final episode of Stranger Things Season 5. In reality, Netflix was teasing its 2026 slate of shows and movies, which does not include a new episode of Stranger Things. Alas, Conformity Gate is not real, but the idea of an illusion created to cover defeat will appeal to those of us who are uncomfortable with overly happy endings.

Fleabag (2016-2019) - Fleabag Isn’t Talking To The Audience

Fleabag is a heartfelt comedy about one woman’s attempts to navigate grief, love, and bitterness in London. There’s a realism to the show that allows it to resonate so well with audiences, connecting with us through its blunt and sometimes uncomfortable depiction of womanhood. However, one fan questioned if there was more to Fleabag’s (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) fourth-wall-breaking habits.

Redditor u/Hainted suggested that Fleabag isn’t talking to the audience in those moments, but to her friend Boo (Jenny Rainsford). Fleabag unintentionally caused Boo’s death by stealing her boyfriend; hence, Boo haunts Fleabag throughout the show, which is why Fleabag speaks to the audience so comfortably and realistically. It’s only when Fleabag truly understands Boo’s life and feelings that she can leave her behind in the finale, adding another layer of depth to her journey of self-discovery and turning a presumed TV quirk into something more profound.

Avengers: Endgame (2019) - Tony Stark Survived

Avengers: Endgame served as the grand finale of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, and, for the most part, its ending was well-received. While I thought Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) had a fitting ending, I didn’t like the sadness of him losing his life right when he was finally in a better place. Plus, the MCU is notorious for never having its characters actually die, so there must be a way Stark survived, too.

Several Redditors quickly offered fan theories that Stark, like in the comics, made an AI version of himself to live on in Avengers: Endgame. In the film, Stark appears as a hologram from a presumably pre-recorded message. However, fans have theorized it was actually the AI Stark, as evidenced by his turning toward his daughter, as if he knew where she was at that moment. It’s just plausible enough for us to hope that Stark didn’t really die.

Squid Game (2021-2025) - Baby Theory

While Squid Game didn’t have as long a run as Stranger Things, it was equivalent to the show in popularity. The show’s brutal survival-thriller premise and sharp critique of capitalism made it the most-watched show on Netflix. However, many fans were disappointed by the ambiguous and rushed ending. Similar to how they speculated about a secret episode of Stranger Things, fans began theorizing about a potential fourth season of Squid Game. One Redditor proposed that Season 4 sees the baby from Season 3 grow up, learn about her parents’ fate, and set about to stop the games once and for all.

The original ending of Squid Game hints that, although the games ended in South Korea, they are still expanding globally. Hence, a fourth season with the baby grown up and continuing Gi-Hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) legacy of ending the games worldwide would offer some resolution and satisfaction.

Disney live-action movies are really tricky because the reality is that they never top their animated counterpart, nor do they feel necessary when we're out here begging Hollywood to move away from intellectual property and give us unique content. Still, despite the complaints, these live actions will continue to happen, and if they're going to, the casting matters significantly to help us find some enjoyment even when strange CGI choices make us question everything. 

Tangled (2010) is one of the most revered of the animated movies, so this one's especially tough, and people have been fan-casting their favorite actors for what feels like years now. (My personal choice for the longest time was Taylor Zakhar Perez from 2023's Red, White, and Royal Blue.) But Milo Manheim has also been in the running for a while now, and given his body of work in two specific properties, he's actually the perfect choice for live-action Flynn Rider. Luckily, you don't have to wait too long to watch him in Tangled if you want a glimpse into what he's been in.

Milo Manheim's Performance in 'Zombies' Proves He Can Sing And Dance

Before "I See the Light," Beauty and the Beast's "Tale as Old as Time" was one of the most romantic Disney songs to exist upon its 1991 debut. Now, it's got some serious competition. To capture the depth and heart of "I See the Light," a performer needs to have the type of singing voice that can evoke all the emotions alongside their facial expressions. During the span of four movies in Disney+'s Zombies (2018) franchise, Milo Manheim has been playing the leading man as Zed Necrodopolis.

Across four fantasy-based movies with different mythical creatures added into each one, Manheim's performances get better and better as he continues to layer Zed with an overwhelming amount of depth. But even if you don't feel like watching them all, his work in the first one is enough to showcase how he can be charismatic, cheeky, and wholesome. A large part of Flynn Rider's appeal is the smolder—the ridiculous dorkiness amid the wisecracking energy of a bandit, and everything that we see of Milo Manheim as Zed shows us that he can embody fully fleshed out characters. 

He's especially great in Zombies 2 (2020) and Zombies 3 (2022) as the lore gets deeper because his vocal abilities continue to evolve, bringing to our screens some really catchy songs that are sung by a good singer who can evoke through his voice and his means of following the choreography. And because Manheim can ensure that a zombie feels like a grounded character, we can trust that he can do the same with Flynn Rider. Sure, he's mortal, but Tangled as a story still features fantasy elements that are harder to sell in live-action than in an animated feature. 

'Spirits' Showcases Milo Manheim's Range, Proving He Can Be The Perfect Flynn Rider

The Zombies movies aren't the only great films to showcase Milo Manheim's abilities, but if there were ever doubts, his work in Paramount+'s School Spirits (2023) solidifies that he's the right actor for the role of Flynn Rider. As a series, School Spirits also dabbles in the supernatural, but it's even darker as an account for grief, heartaches, and second chances. The nature of the show involving teenagers who died in high school demands that the actors embodying these roles deliver some of the heaviest emotions that are often overplayed. Instead, there are layers and nuances to the performances, and everything Manheim brings is so exceptional. He'll make you cry in one scene while you laugh out loud in the next.

At the same time, it's not every actor who has chemistry with almost all the other actors around him, and this is especially the case with Manheim. He's delightful in his on-screen relationship with Peyton List's Maddie Nears, but he's also exceptional in all the platonic relationships Wally shares with the other ghosts, allowing their rapport to be one of the show's loveliest parts. Flynn Rider's closest friend might be his horse, but based on everything that we see in both these properties, the "I've Got a Dream" sequence at the Snuggly Duckling pub is going to be an absolute delight, considering choreography, chemistry, and Manheim's ability to command a scene with a warmth that's almost too charming for words. 

Milo Manheim can make a character feel so nuanced. With Tangled being more of Rapunzel's story than Flynn Rider's, there's a good chance that we'll get plenty of solid moments in the silence to show us exactly why he's a good partner to the lost princess. The emotional depth the actor is capable of is a bonus with his vocal range, so even if CGI might be questionable, we've hit the jackpot with the casting.

Most titles on streaming charts usually move by a few places at most. But The Luckiest Man in America has made an extraordinary placement leap, jumping a staggering 3,399 spots on the JustWatch streaming charts. That kind of movement rarely happens by accident. It usually signals that people aren't just stumbling onto the film, they're actively looking for it.

Directed by Samir Oliveros and starring Paul Walter Hauser, The Luckiest Man in America is a semi-fictionalized retelling of Michael Larson's infamous 1984 appearance on the popular Press Your Luck game show, where he memorized the game board's patterns and won over $110,000 in cash and prizes. On paper, it sounds like the perfect feel-good underdog story.

In practice, the film is far more psychological and emotionally complicated than many viewers expect. And that may be exactly why it's trending. Divisive movies often chart higher than universally "pleasant" ones, because they make people want to watch for themselves instead of relying on consensus. It also reflects a growing cultural conversation around what this film is trying to say about success and power.

Why 'The Luckiest Man in America' Is So Divisive

Many viewers go in expecting a clever, even lighthearted caper about a man gaming a game show. What they get instead is something much heavier since The Luckiest Man in America is essentially about the cost of outsmarting a system never designed for fairness. The movie also portrays the show's producers as increasingly intrusive and manipulative, pushing the drama into near-thriller territory.

This makes for a great story, but it also really blurs the line between historical accuracy and dramatic license. While some viewers appreciate that as a creative choice, others feel that it unfairly turns real people into villains. However, the most divisive part of the film is probably Michael Larson, who isn't framed as a traditional hero. He's awkward and comes across as emotionally fragile. As a result, his story doesn't feel triumphant so much as exhausting.

For audiences conditioned to expect clean arcs and satisfying wins, that can be frustrating. For others, it's exactly what makes the story feel honest. That said, The Luckiest Man in America is a film that refuses to reassure. It suggests that winning doesn't automatically bring peace, belonging, or happiness. And that's a message not everyone wants from an underdog story.

The Real-Life Story Behind 'The Luckiest Man in America'

Michael Larson's real story is one of the rare scandals built on intelligence rather than crime. He didn't hack the system, tamper with equipment, or receive inside help. He simply studied a flawed design until he understood it better than its creators. CBS executives initially believed Larson cheated. But after reviewing the footage thoroughly, they found no rule violation or evidence of tampering.

What makes Larson's real story even more complicated is what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. His winnings didn't lead to stability or long-term success. Much of the money was spent quickly, some of it on lavish gifts and impulsive decisions, and some of it on risky financial schemes that would later unravel. The irony is hard to ignore.

The moment that proved he was capable of extraordinary focus and discipline was followed by a series of choices that showed how difficult it was for him to sustain either. That contrast is part of why Larson remains such a polarizing figure. To some, he's a modern folk hero who outsmarted a flawed system. To others, he's a cautionary tale about intelligence without direction.

Why 'The Luckiest Man in America' Resonates With Viewers Right Now

The short answer is that viewers want to believe that someone like them could walk into a rigid structure and change the outcome. Financial anxiety is part of everyday life for many people. Rising costs, job instability, and shrinking safety nets make stories of sudden financial reversal feel especially relevant. Larson represents a kind of miracle scenario in which one moment changes everything.

Larson's story has been revisited many times because it exists at the intersection of television history and cultural myth-making. After the 1994 film Quiz Show reignited interest in game show scandals, Larson appeared on Good Morning America to reflect on his own moment in the spotlight. But it was the 2003 documentary Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal that truly revived his story.

The Luckiest Man in America, which can be found on Prime Video and Hulu, isn't for viewers looking for comfort or easy inspiration. It's best suited to people who enjoy psychological dramas and audiences interested in real-life scandals with a moral complexity twist. It's also more of a conversation starter than a crowd pleaser. But judging by its position at number 46 on the JustWatch charts, it's exactly the kind of film people are looking for.

Over the past several years, audiences have begun to engage with foreign films. Since Parasite won Best Picture in 2020, more and more studios have decided to release foreign language films theatrically, resulting in some of the most unique and avant-garde cinematic experiences of the past several years. This year alone, so many excellent films are vying for Best Foreign Language Film at awards shows like the Golden Globes and the Oscars, but one of the best would have to be No Other Choice. 

Since its limited release in December, the film has quickly surged in popularity and has become a genuine dark horse contender at most major awards ceremonies. Its biting critiques of capitalism are especially prudent as most Americans tend to agree that the economy isn’t in the greatest shape and corporate greed tends to be driving the ship. It’s a great example of a film that’s bitingly critical of capitalism, and if you’re trying to find a movie that hits those same notes on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, then here are a few recommendations to reaffirm your beliefs.

No Other Choice (2025)

It bears repeating that No Other Choice is an excellent dressing down of not only the unsympathetic nature of capitalism, but the cruelty of the job market. Sure, the economy is in bad shape, but finding a job is a universally tough and unpleasant experience that No Other Choice draws clear attention towards. 

While the film doesn’t directly say that capitalism is evil, director Park Chan-wook knows that the devil’s in the details. As we watch Lee Byung-hun’s character, Man-su, continuously compromise on his morals and ethics to secure his dream job, we see his idyllic life fall apart around him, and his family grows distant from him. Man-su and most of the other men in the film see themselves only as their jobs and nothing more, leading to a cathartic yet hollow ending that’s reminiscent of Chan-wook’s previous film, Decision to Leave (2022). The film never stops being darkly comedic over the course of its two-hour and 19-minute runtime, making it a deeply relatable black comedy for those who hate the daily 9 to 5 grind.

Parasite (2019)

Parasite is a remarkable movie in a lot of ways. Not only is it one of the most critically acclaimed films of the 21st century and has been in JustWatch’s Top 1000 films since its release, but its dark satire of capitalism helped draw global attention to the South Korean film industry.

Parasite’s breakdown of classism helps paint a stark divide between the haves and the have-nots. It’s clear that No Other Choice takes elements from Bong Joon Ho’s magnum opus, but while No Other Choice focuses on comedy, Parasite is more of a thriller. Watching the Kim family sneak their way into the Park family’s life is funny, but it quickly becomes all the more tense as we learn about other people leeching off the Park family’s success. Both films show the lengths that people are willing to go to achieve a better life, but the layers of deception present in Parasite make it more of a psychological thriller akin to The Handmaiden (2016). If you want to see a movie about how far people will go to escape poverty, Parasite should be your first choice.

Sorry To Bother You (2018)

While commentaries on capitalism can be subtle and understated, sometimes the message needs to be bellowed from the rooftops that the system is broken and abusive. If you’d rather see a film that bluntly tells you why capitalism is the worst, consider Sorry To Bother You.

Sorry To Bother You is a dense film with a lot to say. It criticizes capitalism to no end, but it also is a commentary on race that isn’t too far off from They Cloned Tyrone (2023). Boots Riley doesn’t hold back, showcasing how people will intentionally degrade themselves for a system that doesn’t care about them one iota and only sees its workers as slaves. It’s satire in the boldest definition of the work and takes its premise to such ludicrous extremes that watching it feels like stumbling into a late-night infomercial for Adult Swim. It’s an hour and 52-minute fever dream, but it’s the kind of takedown of capitalism that some films are too afraid to be.

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Comedy is a tricky thing to do tastefully. If a joke is being made at someone’s expense, then it has to be someone who is ultimately deserving of it. Triangle of Sadness understands this and has a blast ridiculing its absurdly wealthy and pathetic cast of capitalists.

The rich and powerful characters of Triangle of Sadness are shown not only as being out of touch with the ordinary people but also as being incapable of taking care of themselves without them. It shows capitalism and wealth as an enfeebling force, so when those wealthy lose their capital, their power and relevance are removed. Plus, seeing how their own shortsighted decisions lead to their own downfall is very fitting for a movie that has an extended debate on the nature of communism vs. capitalism. Seeing ultra-wealthy people get what’s coming to them is always entertaining, just look at The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), so viewers who want to see how pathetic capitalism makes people, should definitely give Triangle of Sadness a watch.

A Bug’s Life (1998)

It’s hard to think of a Pixar movie like A Bug’s Life having anything meaningful to say about economics, but the film is actually a very thoughtful takedown of capitalism and simultaneously advocates for the benefits of socialism.

On the surface, A Bug’s Life may seem like a fun family-friendly movie about an ant recruiting insects a la Seven Samurai (1955) to free his colony from a group of grasshoppers, but the framing is all about economic ideology. The grasshoppers represent the upper-class capitalists, intentionally exploiting their workers for their own benefit, while the ants, who clearly outnumber the grasshoppers, are forced to toil away in servitude to the grasshoppers. The analogy is pretty spot on, and seeing the grasshoppers meet their demise is a stunning repudiation of capitalism. When challenged, they’re easily defeated due to the ants' far superior numbers. You wouldn’t expect to see a kids' movie like A Bug’s Life tell such a thoughtful message, so fans of thought-provoking yet still ultimately light-hearted family movies may want to consider A Bug’s Life for its economic ideologies.

Idiocracy (2006)

Criticisms of capitalism have become popular in recent years, but one of the best anti-capitalist satires, Idiocracy, expertly broke down why consumer capitalism in particular is such a net negative on humanity decades ago. 

As time goes on, it’s hard not to think of Idiocracy as a dire warning of a possible dystopian future. In Idiocracy, corporations run the world, and the population has become so dumbed down by the excessive greed of capitalism that, if left unchecked, it can spell doom for the planet. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek and sharply written like an episode of South Park (1997-Present), but also incredibly depressing to watch. Watching the government hawk products to the average citizen and companies like Brawndo dictating what the public should think is, sadly, precinct and not too far removed from our present. It’s still a hilarious movie, and fans of crass and ridiculous comedies will love it, but it’s also a warning about what capitalism will do, and what it may have already done, to us.

After a successful nearly decade-long run, Stranger Things (2016) officially ended with an emotional series finale. The series became one of Netflix’s most popular original shows due to its adeptness at stirring ‘80s nostalgia and paying homage to classic horror and sci-fi cinema. However, another reason it resonated so well with audiences is its incorporation of Dungeons & Dragons. D&D is one of the most recognized role-playing games and has brought together millions of people who enjoy the creativity and connection it encourages.

Stranger Things pays tribute to the game through its D&D-enthusiast protagonists and by incorporating classic D&D villains into the show. The show’s main antagonist, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), is one of the most iconic D&D villains of all time. Fans of the game, though, may have noticed that Stranger Things gave a nod to another iconic D&D villain in the finale: Strahd von Zarovich.

Strahd Von Zarovich’s Cameo in ‘Stranger Things’, Explained

Stranger Things Season 5 ends with the lead characters playing D&D, much like how Stranger Things Season 1 opened all those years ago. In the scene, the boys and Max (Sadie Sink) are playing a D&D campaign. Given that it was the 1980s, it should be the Ravenloft module, though it appears to include elements of the 2016 remake, Curse of Strahd. Strahd von Zarovich cameos as a mini figurine, which Mike (Finn Wolfhard) slams down on the table to attack Dustin’s (Gaten Matarazzo) character.

Mike even puts on some fake vampire fangs to represent the vampire villain. However, the campaign is much easier than the adventures the teens have faced since the beginning of Stranger Things. While Strahd initially stumps them, the teens summon the mage of St. Markovia and are victorious against Strahd. The teens wrap up their campaign as Stranger Things wraps up its story. While some may accept the Strahd cameo as a fun shout-out to emphasize Stranger Things’ D&D ties, its meaning may go a little deeper.

Who Is Strahd Von Zarovich In D&D?

Strahd von Zarovich is one of the strongest villains in D&D. Like Vecna, Strahd wasn’t inherently evil. In fact, he used to be a warrior, strong, loyal, and courageous. As he became more battle-hardened, though, he began to have darker ambitions, including the conquest of Barovia. He established his power in Barovia, inviting his family members to join him, including his younger brother Sergei. Strahd soon fell for a young Barovian woman, Tatyana, but was heartbroken when he realized the woman preferred Sergei. Filled with desperation and hatred at the betrayal and rejection, Strahd took drastic measures and made a deal with some dark force.

Strahd claimed to have made a pact with Death, though the Curse of Strahd would later hint that he made a deal with the Dark Powers. After the deal, he acted on his jealousy, killing Sergei, subsequently driving Tatyana to take her own life. Castle guards attempted to take him down after the murder, but Strahd finds himself living on. Transformed into a vampire by his pact, he spends centuries ruling over Barovia as a dark lord, coming to control every aspect of the land.

His supernatural abilities, including his knowledge of necromancy, make him nearly unrivaled in power. However, his power comes with a curse: he endlessly pursues and inevitably loses reincarnations of his love, Tayana. While he rules Barovia, it can also be seen as his prison. He’s stuck in his domain, where his power is the highest, paying the price of endless taunting by his greatest desire, and exists in a cycle of life and death, regenerating back in Barovia every time he dies.

How Strahd Fits Into ‘Stranger Things’

It’s not difficult to recognize how Strahd’s story parallels Vecna’s story in Stranger Things. In the show, Vecna begins as a normal child named Henry (Raphael Luce). However, his encounter with a Russian spy who harbors a magical artifact alters the course of his life, eventually transforming him into Vecna. The realm Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) banishes him to, the Upside Down, is much like Barovia in that it’s both his powerful domain and his prison, where he yearns to return to and rule Earth.

There is a tragic element to Vecna and Strahd’s history, as neither quite intended the dark path they ended up on. Even so, they failed to resist the dark side of themselves, transforming into wholly monstrous beings that the heroes must slay. 

Stranger Things’ nod to Strahd captures the show’s tragedy and triumph. It is the perfect balance of light and dark, acknowledging the darkness of figures like Vecna and Strahd through its exploration of the corruptive nature of power and evil. It explores the idea of a figure who is unredeemable, choosing to embrace their dark side rather than resist it, even though they always have the choice to select the right side. In the end, it’s up to the heroes to vanquish these figures, ending both the tragedies of these beings’ lives and their torment of others.

When the teens defeat Strahd in a moment of ecstasy during their D&D campaign in Stranger Things, it symbolizes their victory over Vecna and the end of their heroes’ journey.

K-dramas are one of pop culture's hottest subgenres at the moment. While some of us have been watching Korean series and movies for years, others jumped on the bandwagon after shows like Crash Landing on You (2019) and Squid Game (2021) made a splash among Western audiences. If you're a horror fan, though, I'm here to inform you that no one does zombies quite like South Korea.

Some of the best zombie shows and movies come from the country, including Netflix's All of Us Are Dead, which has left audiences hungry for a second season. If you're looking for some truly unsettling stories about flesh-eating undead monsters, here are six of the best K-zombie movies and shows to scare you silly. Find them now on Netflix, Hulu, and more.    

The Wailing (2016)

Whether The Wailing counts as a true zombie movie depends on who you ask. However, if you're asking me, I say it totally qualifies. After a Japanese man arrives in a small South Korean fishing village, a mysterious curse begins to infect the locals. If you're familiar with this piece of history, then you can probably already see the metaphor at play about Japan's occupation of Korea.

Zombies as metaphors for contagion, corruption, and consumerism are nothing new. (Just look at George A. Romero's Living Dead movies for that.) Still, The Wailing manages to differentiate itself with its unique mash-up of zombie mayhem and folk horror. It's a slow-burn masterpiece that ends on a devastatingly tragic note. You won't walk away from this movie the same, so make sure you're in the right headspace to be hurt.

Train to Busan (2016)

Not to be dramatic, but Train to Busan is the best zombie movie of the past decade. And boy, is it action-packed. Chronicling a zombie outbreak among the passengers of the titular train, Train to Busan hardly lifts its foot from the gas pedal. Even so, it manages to craft an engaging story rooted in a cast of relatable characters, particularly Seok-woo (played by Squid Game's Gong Yoo) and his young daughter (Kim Su-an). 

If you're searching for a zombie movie that knows how to balance action with heart, look no further. Its standalone sequel, Peninsula (2020), makes for a decent enough follow-up, but nothing can match the sheer power of Train to Busan. Seriously, just watch it.

Kingdom (2019-2020)

Kingdom takes its living dead premise back to 1601, where the crown prince (Ju Ji-hoon) gets pulled into a mystery surrounding a larger zombie epidemic after the king contracts the virus. As expected of anything involving royalty, the two-season series offers plenty of commentary about class divide and power dynamics that wouldn't feel out of place in Game of Thrones (2011).

If that sounds unique, that's because it is. Not many zombie shows (or movies) feature period settings, and even fewer spotlight an essential slice of Korean history like the Imjin War. Kingdom might be more suspenseful than scary, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a high-quality, big-budget Netflix production deserving of more eyes.  

#Alive (2020)

Like All Of Us Are Dead, #Alive is an underrated Netflix gem, I think any zombie fan needs to see. Unlike the sprawling ensemble cast in The Walking Dead (2010), #Alive focuses its story on two characters: The introverted gamer Oh Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) and the woman who lives in the apartment building opposite him, Kim Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye). After making contact, the strangers team up in an effort to survive.

If you're familiar with Korean zombie movies, then you already know that they tend to favor fast-moving, agile zombies on par with World War Z (2013) and 28 Days Later (2002). #Alive follows in this tradition, delivering speedy undead antagonists. The stake might be even higher here, though, considering our protagonists must navigate the overrun hallways of a small apartment building. This one is for those who love character-driven stories with plenty of tension.

Sweet Home (2020-2024)

Of all the entries on this list, Sweet Home is, perhaps, the most untraditional when it comes to its zombie premise. Instead of typical zombies, the three-season series features all manner of apocalyptic monsters. Here, Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) takes center stage as our main protagonist, forced to navigate a crumbling world after his family's death.

With new allies (and antagonists) entering Cha Hyun-su's orbit, Sweet Home is a little like The Walking Dead got transported to the Upside Down in Stranger Things (2016). Weird, terrifying, and filled with grotesque monsters, Sweet Home is perfect for fans of apocalyptic shows in search of something different. It might not be pure zombies, but it's pure scary fun. 

All of Us Are Dead (2022-Present)

If you're like me and first caught this gem on Netflix back in 2022, then you're probably eagerly awaiting more. While All of Us Are Dead Season 2 doesn't have an official release at the time of writing, it's expected to return in 2026. If you're looking for a zombie series with a coming-of-age element, you really can't do much better. (Although, let's be real, its biggest competition might be The Walking Dead: World Beyond, which wasn't very good.) 

Despite the high school setting and teen drama, All of Us Are Dead is intense, suspenseful, and loaded with heartpounding zombie scenes. Truthfully, it's one of the best horror series I've watched in recent years. If it speaks to you the same way, consider checking out the Webtoon that inspired it. 

While many Stranger Things (2016) fans hoped January 7th would bring a secret new episode of the series, it brought something, arguably, better: Netflix’s full 2026 slate of TV shows and movie releases. Netflix is the world's largest streaming service, with over 300 million subscribers. The streamer is also in the process of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, which will significantly expand its offerings through HBO and Max’s extensive TV and film libraries.

There has never been a better time to explore all Netflix has to offer, especially with a 2026 slate filled with big names. From new offerings to expansions of beloved existing programs, Netflix has something for everyone in the new year. Viewers can use our guide to find out the 10 biggest upcoming Netflix releases in 2026.

Bridgerton (2020-present) Season 4 Part 1 & 2

Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s biggest franchises to return in 2026, and will also enjoy one of the earliest releases. Season 4 Part 1 will premiere on January 29, followed shortly by Part 2 on February 26. Bridgerton has enraptured audiences with its dazzling costumes, dreamy romances, and ability to transport viewers into an alternate Regency era. Each season focuses on the love story of one of the Bridgerton siblings, with season 4 giving the second-oldest son, Benedict (Luke Thompson), his chance at love.

Bridgerton had a powerful third season, sure to resonate deeply with hopeless romantics by exploring a realistic, conflicted, and sometimes awkward, yet ultimately genuine, love story. Season 4 promises to be just as poignant with Benedict and Sophie’s (Yerin Ha) Cinderella-esque romance. If you love shows like Outlander (2014) and House of Guinness (2025) that blend romance, history, and grandeur, you’ll want to tune into Bridgerton season 4.

One Piece (2023-present) Season 2

Once Piece season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, arrives on Netflix on March 10. As far as live-action remakes of anime go, Netflix’s One Piece is one of the very best. Likely due to the strong influence of One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Netflix’s remake beautifully captures the spirit of the manga and anime, paying tribute to the original while tweaking it to fit the live-action medium. As someone who wasn’t overly familiar with the anime and daunted by its 1000+ episode count, I loved how Netflix’s remake made the franchise accessible to newcomers.

One Piece not only appealed to newcomers, but to longtime fans who have waited decades to see their favorite anime in live-action. The casting is impeccable, while the recreation of Oda’s vast world is awe-inspiring. One Piece (1999) fans and newcomers to the franchise alike will be pleased with One Piece’s live-action return.

Beef (2023-present) Season 2

Netflix and A24 initially marketed their show, Beef, as a miniseries. However, after season 1’s high success, Netflix renewed the show for season 2, which will be released on April 16. If you thought Amy (Ali Wong) and Danny’s (Steven Yeun) ending was perfect, you don’t need to worry about season 2 undoing that. Creator Lee Sung Jin opted to make the show an anthology series, so season 2 will focus on a new feud with a new cast.

Season 1 of Beef is an excellent show for fans of dark humor. While its story gets a little outlandish, it ultimately resonates well with audiences by delving into universal themes of depression, loneliness, and the layered lives of every individual. Like The Righteous Gemstones (2019) and The Four Seasons (2025), Beef is a rare show with the power to make you look inward, an element it will hopefully retain in season 2.

Little House on the Prairie (2026)

For the first time in two decades, a beloved work of children’s literature is returning to the small screen with Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie, slated for release sometime in 2026. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie book series has been adapted numerous times, including the most popular version, Little House on the Prairie (1974). Long-held rumors of a reboot series are finally becoming a reality with Netflix’s series.

Given how well Netflix handled an adaptation of another classic work of children’s literature, Anne of Green Gables through Anne with an E (2017), I have high hopes for Little House on the Prairie. Netflix has advertised the show as a reimagining of Wilder’s work. If it finds the same balance of faithfulness and modernization as it did with Anne with an E, Netflix could offer quite a good take on Little House on the Prairie for this generation.

Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 (2026)

While the original Stranger Things series has ended, the franchise will continue with the Netflix animated spinoff series, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85. The series doesn’t have a set date, but it will premiere sometime in 2026. Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 takes place in 1985, between Stranger Things seasons 2 and 3, following the main characters on a never-before-seen adventure as they face new monsters from the Upside Down.

Although the spinoff features the same characters from Stranger Things, they will be voiced by different actors. So far, the show seems closely aligned with Stranger Things in terms of genre, setting, and storyline. The most significant difference is that the animated format may lend itself well to bolder visuals and attracting younger audiences. Stranger Things fans hoping for a more accessible entry to the franchise for young viewers will want to look into Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)

Four years after Peaky Blinders (2013) concluded, the story continues in the Netflix original film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, premiering on March 20. The original series begins with Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) navigating post-World War I Birmingham, England, alongside his Peaky Blinders gang, and ends in the mid-1930s. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man picks up a few years later when World War II drives Shelby back to Birmingham, England.

The film has high potential not only to expand a wildly popular series but also to provide the perfect setting for continuing the show’s historical and political exploration. I think it could also be interesting for Shelby’s tragic hero arc to include a storyline in which he’s forced to return to his old life. With plenty of potential to keep up the show’s vibes while offering an emotional chapter to Shelby’s trajectory, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man holds promise.

Enola Holmes 3 (2026)

Enola Holmes 3, the third installment in Netflix’s Enola Holmes film series, arrives in the summer of 2026. The new film takes the brilliant young detective, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown), to Malta as she tackles her most dangerous and trying case yet. Netflix’s Enola Holmes series is an excellent, wholesome take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Henry Cavill is a surprisingly posh and distinguished Sherlock, while Enola offers a heroine women and girls can see themselves reflected in.

Enola Holmes 3 is especially exciting since Enola Holmes 2 (2022) ended with the highly anticipated arrival of Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel). I can’t wait to see the franchise’s iteration of the iconic character and his relationship with Holmes. For viewers who want the reimagining that adaptations like Sherlock (2010) offer but with a bit more family-friendly arc and an irresistible dose of wholesomeness, the Enola Holmes series is a must-watch.

Narnia (2026)

Sixteen years after The Chronicles of Narnia film series ended, the franchise is returning through Netflix’s Narnia. Set to premiere in December 2026, the film will adapt the first chronological book in C.S. Lewis’s popular series, The Magician’s Nephew. It is the first time the book has been adapted into a feature film. In addition to being based on a beloved children’s book series, Narnia is directed by Greta Gerwig, the award-winning director behind Barbie (2023) and Lady Bird (2017).

Given its strong source material and director, Narnia has significant potential. It will particularly appeal to audiences who grew up with the Chronicles of Narnia film and book series. For viewers who look back on the books and movies fondly, Narnia offers an irresistible chance to re-enter that magical world.

Heartstopper Forever (2026)

After three successful seasons, Netflix’s Heartstopper (2022) will conclude with a film, Heartstopper Forever, slated to release in 2026. The film will adapt the sixth and final volume of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novel series and serve as the series finale of Heartstopper. While I would have loved a full fourth season, I’m still grateful that we will get a proper ending to the series.

Heartstopper is one of Netflix’s best original series. It beautifully adapts Oseman’s works, combining live action with heartwarming animated graphics. The show works so well because it radiates with wholesomeness, wholly capturing the beauty and innocence of first love. Fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023) and Young Royals (2021) will be especially excited for Heartstopper Forever.

Little Brother (2026)

Little Brother, releasing on Netflix sometime in 2026, is John Cena’s latest movie. This time, he’s teaming up with Eric André for what sounds like quite the hilarious buddy comedy. The film centers on a successful real estate agent (Cena), whose life quickly derails when his eccentric little brother (André) resurfaces. Little Brother likely won’t be as sophisticated as some of the titles on this list, but it will appeal to people like me, for whom Cena comedies are their guilty pleasure.

Cena’s recent comedies, Ricky Stanicky (2024) and Jackpot! (2024) were the perfect light-hearted, funny films to decompress with. While his more dramatic acting has caught attention, I love how genuinely funny Cena is, and that he plays the wholesome, innocent, or eccentric guy so well in most of his comedy movies. If you’re looking for a good time, Little Brother is the film to look forward to.

A lot of movies are described as cult classics these days, and like so many other phrases that get thrown around by the masses, most “cult” movies aren’t actually cult movies. When people say films like Pulp Fiction (1994) are cult classics, it makes my eyes roll. When a movie earns over $200 million at the box office, stars massive celebrities, and scores numerous awards, including Golden Globe and Oscar nominations (even Best Picture), it is not a cult film. 

So, what is a cult film, and why are they so popular now? Why does everyone want to label their favorite movies as cult classics even if they are massively popular mainstream hits? And what are some examples of actual cult classic movies? Read on to discover everything there is to know about cult classic movies, including where you can stream some of the most iconic cult films ever, like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), The Room (2003), and more. 

What Is A Cult Classic Movie? 

Defining a cult classic is a bit of an enigma because they can happen for two different reasons, but often include both reasons. The first thing that makes something a cult classic is that it isn’t usually popular with mainstream audiences. This means that many cult classics either bomb at the box office or have a tepid theatrical run, earning a so-so box-office return. Many are so niche that they don’t even get wide cinematic releases and only come out in select theaters. 

Some examples of this include movies like The Thing (1982) and A Christmas Story (1983). Both films had incredibly mediocre theatrical runs, and critics even bashed John Carpenter’s The Thing upon its release. But thanks to the home video market and airing on television, both movies ended up gaining large fanbases who have come to appreciate them for the masterpieces they are. 

Another factor that makes a movie a cult classic is a devoted cult following. Some movies never scored big at the box office during their initial theatrical run. But year after year, they still get screened in theaters around the country to audiences who know every word of dialogue, share memes online, quote the film to their friends, have posters hanging in their rooms, and are always looking for new ways to incorporate the movie into their lives. Films like Clue (1985) have developed ravenous fanbases who, like myself, can’t understand why more people aren’t totally obsessed with it. It still gets screened around the country, and oftentimes members of the cast will even hold meet-and-greets with fans at the screenings. 

Then come the massive cult films like The Room and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. These movies both bombed upon their premieres but, over the years, have developed a seriously wild cult fandom that goes all-out during screenings.. For Rocky Horror, especially, groups of fans around the world (yes, the world) host what are known as shadow casts, where actors get on stage in front of the film and act out every single scene as the audience (who have a script of their own) participate by shouting back, throwing toast at the screen, and harassing “virgins” (first-timers to the cult screening). 

Movies like The Room and Repo: The Genetic Opera (2008) also have cult screenings with audience participation. To this day, Tommy Wiseau even hosts screenings of The Room with Q&As and more. I went to one of his hosted screenings in LA, and trust me, it was one of the wildest, funniest nights of my life.

Why Are Cult Classics So Popular? 

In general, cult classics are popular because they’re unique, quirky, and wholly, unabashedly themselves. As Backstage magazine put it, a cult classic movie is “not a film that 100% of people love at a 5% level; it’s a film that 5% of people love at a 100% level.”

Cult movies often tell a story from a unique viewpoint, center on an obscure topic, blend genres, have a wickedly smart script, or have unique cinematography and aesthetics. They all have a certain je ne sais quoi that gives them quirk and charm that mainstream audiences tend not to understand. But for those who do, they can’t get enough of it. 

Movies being ahead of their time has a lot to do with this, too. Many cult classics weren’t huge hits during their initial releases, but as time went on and audiences changed, they ended up finding the love they deserved. Deep Blue Sea (1999) was a cheesy romp when it hit theaters in the late ‘90s. But nowadays, as society has learned to embrace camp, the shark movie’s bombast is celebrated instead of mocked.

In the opposite direction, movies like Event Horizon (1997) failed at the box office because critics deemed them too dark, too gloomy, and too macabre, leading to horrible reviews. And in an era before social media, critics could make or break a film. But thanks to the home video market, people could rent the movie for a fraction of the price of seeing it in theaters, making them more okay with seeing a movie they might not like. Eventually, what they discovered was a sadistic, gripping movie that was truly a trip to Hell and back. For horror and sci-fi fans, it was exactly what they wanted, even if the critics told them otherwise. 

Queerness also plays a huge part in making a cult classic. As an outlying and marginalized group, the queer community tends to view the world through a different lens than the straight white men who run Hollywood. So it’s natural that “wholesome” whitewashed blockbuster hits like Field of Dreams (1989) don’t resonate with the community. Some filmmakers, like John Waters, have created an entire career by making raunchy, subversive, queer movies that are hated by the mainstream but loved by those who get it. From Pink Flamingos (1972) to Serial Mom (1994), and more, Waters has an entire filmography of cult hits. Other cult classics that owe much of their ongoing success to queer viewers include The Craft (1996), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). 

5 Cult Classics Everybody Should Watch

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Based on the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien’s film is a salacious, queer take on Frankenstein. In the movie, a mad scientist named Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) builds himself a muscular, hunky man to help him… relieve some tension.

But when two stranded motorists (Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick) arrive during his grand unveiling, everything changes, and the party turns into a smutty, bloody romp filled with fishnets, murder, and grand musical numbers. It’s like someone took Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) and spliced it together with Spaceballs (1987).

The Room (2003): The Room is a horrible, low-budget movie made by the mysterious Tommy Wiseau. Who he is, where he’s from, how old he is, and how he came up with the money to finance a movie is all a mystery, made even more intriguing by just how horrible the film is. The Room isn’t really about anything. It’s loosely plotted around an affair, but it’s loaded with melodrama and nonsensical scenes full of horrible acting, horrible editing, and a horrible script. 

Trust me, it’s so awful you can’t stop laughing. It’s one of those rare so-bad-it’s-good films, and its atrocity is what’s led to its massive cult fandom. In 2013, actor Greg Sestero wrote a memoir about his experience making The Room called The Disaster Artist, which was later turned into a film in 2017. 

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988): Elvira is a character created by Cassandra Peterson who dominated light-night horror flicks in the ‘80s. In 1988, she got her own movie, where she travels to a pretentious small New England town and discovers her witchy ancestry. The movie is hilarious, gaudy, and just a little tacky (in all the right ways).

Elvira is a free-spirited weirdo forced to live amongst the stringent, prude, and pious locals who try to suppress her individuality at every turn. But in classic Elvira form, with a little magic and ample cleavage, she shows the town how to have some fun. Critics panned the film upon its premiere, but it gained fame in the home video market and even more so during the streaming era. If you want to experience the pinnacle of “camp,” this is the film for you. 

Clue (1985): As each year ticks by, Clue just keeps on getting more popular. Based on the notable board game, Clue sees an ab-so-lute-ly fantastic ensemble cast take on the roles of Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, and all the other iconic game characters. 

Naturally, they all meet in a mansion, murder is committed, and the group must figure out who did it. It’s got one of the smartest, funniest scripts in Hollywood history, and its all-star cast (including legends like Tim Curry, Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, and Michael McKean, among others) hits a homerun in every scene. If you loved Knives Out (2019), this is one of the movies that Rain Johnson cites as his inspiration. 

Pink Flamingos (1972): Often called one of the filthiest movies ever made, Pink Flamingos sees drag queen Divine go head-to-head with Raymond and Connie Marble to be deemed “the filthiest person alive.” What follows is a seriously perverse and offensive plot filled with hilariously obscene dialogue and a bunch of stuff you won’t believe ever made it into cinemas. 

Pink Flamingos is one of the most iconic and textbook examples of a midnight movie and was revolutionary for the world of indie cinema. Upon its release, Variety called it “One of the most vile, stupid and repulsive films ever made.” Naturally, audiences lined up to see what all the fuss was about, and John Waters became an overnight sensation, both loved and reviled. But, as stated before, time changes everything, and now Pink Flamingos is part of the Criterion Collection. In 202, it was even added to the Library of Congress. 

If you're like me, then you don't always have time for serialized TV. Seasons upon seasons of investment aren't only time sucking, but they can be downright depressing if the series finale flops. (Looking at you, Game of Thrones.) That's why monster of the week (MOTW) shows are so appealing, especially if your television tastes skew spooky. Featuring a new supernatural threat each episode with a slow-burn, overarching mythology interwoven throughout, these types of shows make it easy to jump in and out of without a serious commitment. 

In MOTW shows, if you don't like an episode, you can usually skip it without losing the plot. Business is back to usual next episode, making it perfect for audiences short on time or unable to commit to long-running series. While the format existed long before the '90s, The X-Files popularized it, offering a blueprint for supernaturally inclined shows to blend larger stories with episodic storytelling. Looking for your new favorite? Here are the best monster of the week shows to watch on Hulu, Netflix, and more right now.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-1975)

Looking for something a little more vintage? Then, consider rewinding to Kolchak: The Night Stalker. While The X-Files gets all the credit for starting the MOTW boom in the '90s and early 2000s, Kolchak inspired The X-Files, which makes it worth the watch alone. Here, service wire reporter Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) finds himself pulled into crime investigations linked to mysterious, unexplained causes linked to supernatural phenomena.

Despite running for only 20 episodes, Kolchak has roots in two made-for-TV movies, The Night Stalker (1972) and The Night Strangler (1973), and later spawned a quickly cancelled reboot helmed by X-Files producer Frank Spotnitz. While the show has faded into obscurity for some, it still has a well-deserved cult following. If you love supernatural procedurals, come see the one that basically started them all. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

While many Star Trek series embrace a monster of the week format (or, in this case, alien of the week), Star Trek: The Next Generation is a personal favorite. It significantly updates Star Trek: The Original Series' less favorable content while still retaining that dated sci-fi look of the late '80s and early '90s that's just so darn nostalgic and fun. Not to mention, the TNG cast is absolutely stellar.

The majority of the series is episodic, meaning you can jump in at (almost) any time and know what's going on. Missing an episode isn't the end of the world. With the new alien or threat frequently wrapped by the episode's end, TNG is one of the best entry points for aspiring Trekkies. You don't need to go episode by episode, but you'll probably want to anyway, just to get to know these characters.

The X-Files (1993-2018)

The unusual investigations of the FBI's "most unwanted" agents, Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Mulder (David Duchovny), remain a delight for anyone craving compelling supernatural mysteries ranging from supremely dark to laugh-out-loud funny. While I highly recommend not skipping the pilot, The X-Files' monster of the week format lets you jump in and out of Scully and Mulder's misadventures without missing too much of the overarching mythology arc, especially in early seasons.

It's easy to chalk The X-Files up as a blast of '90s nostalgia now. However, its impact on pop culture, including many of the shows mentioned on this list, cannot be understated. Scully and Mulder's skeptic and believer dynamic still influences television today. And while it wasn't the first series to weave a larger connected story among its standalone episodes, The X-Files undoubtedly popularized the format.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Proof that everything connects back to The X-Files starts here, with Buffy the Vampire Slayer pulling inspiration from Scully and Mulder's supernatural investigations and MOTW format. Instead of taped off crime scenes and FBI regulations, Buffy puts its titular character (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) into a Spider-Man-esque role, where she must balance the usual high school drama with her vampire-hunting responsibilities.

If that sounds like loads of fun, that's because it is. Buffy manages to strike the perfect balance between teenage angst and supernatural action while dipping in and out of more mature topics. The groundbreaking LGBTQ representation is also a big plus. So, if you're looking for a supernatural show with plenty of monster hunting, Buffy is precisely that, just with a young adult spin.

Supernatural (2005-2020)

Supernatural pulled so much inspiration from The X-Files and its monster of the week format that Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) even introduce themselves as Agents Scully and Mulder in the pilot. That said, those looking for a proper supernatural-dosed procedural won't find that here. Instead, I'd described Supernatural as a supernatural drama that leans hard into religious plots involving gods, angels, demons, and prophecies.

While there is a significant overarching story involving God and Lucifer, a good chunk of Supernatural episodes can be one-and-done watches, as the brothers encounter all types of monstrous creatures. In some ways, Supernatural feels like the perfect middle ground between The X-Files and Buffy. Sam and Dean deliver the banter expected from Scully and Mulder, coupled with the monster-hunting, demon-slaying action of Buffy.

Grimm (2011-2017) 

If you're looking for a supernatural procedural that embraces fantasy instead of horror, say hello to Grimm. Pulling its name from the Brothers Grimm, this series' "monsters" are fairy tale-inspired creatures called Wesen. While they appear human to the naked eye, Grimms like Detective Nicholas Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) can see them for the monstrous, animal-like beings they really are.

Most episodes of Grimm are self-contained procedural stories that feel like Law & Order (1990) got a fantasy makeover. However, it also offers an overarching mythology arc that delves into Nick's background and complicated relationships with specific Wesen. Honestly, Grimm gets points just for uniqueness. There aren't too many series mixing the police procedural format with dark fantasy. If you dig shows like the aforementioned Buffy or its spinoff, Angel (1999), Grimm is a sure hit.

Fringe (2008-2014)

Okay, at this point, this list is starting to feel like an X-Files fan page, but here we are. Also heavily inspired by the '90s favorite, Fringe pairs Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) with an eccentric scientist (John Noble) and his cynical, genius son, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), to investigate unexplained phenomena. While later seasons become much more serialized, early Fringe delivers standard MOTW episodes focused on fringe science.

Fans of spooky, horror-leaning stories might not jive with the show's heavy sci-fi focus. However, for the right type of viewer, Fringe is a competent sci-fi drama that's equally compelling and smart. If 12 Monkeys (2015) and Colony (2016) tickle your fancy, chances are Fringe will, too. 

Evil (2019-2024)

Depending on who you ask, Evil is either a hidden gem deserving of more praise or a lazy X-Files knockoff. I prefer to side with the former, although there is no denying Evil harbors a lot of X-Files DNA with its leads, a skeptical psychologist (Katja Herbers) and a believer priest-in-training (Mike Colter) investigating unusual things. If you love those types of contrasting duos, then that's already a good sign you'll like this show. However, what really sets Evil apart is its focus on religious demons and faith.

Unlike the other entries on this list, Evil's MOTW sensibilities aren't quite as standalone. While most episodes feature a new entity for our duo to assess, there's a lot of overarching lore about the Antichrist and specific demons that might require a bit more investment to truly grasp. Although it's never quite as grounded as The X-Files, Evil will appeal to anyone craving moments of truly unsettling horror with some dark, quirky humor to offset it. 

It’s now 2026, and the old motto “New Year, New You” will ring true to many out there who have embarked on their New Year’s resolutions. The most popular resolution is always to get in better shape. But for most, that fitness journey will be short-lived. If you hit the gym like me, you already know how common it is for gyms to get extremely crowded in January, and then to return to normal by February, with most people giving up on their health goals after a few short weeks. 

But if you’re one of the dedicated few who really want to stick with it, you’ll need lots of inspiration to keep you motivated. Luckily, there are tons of great movies out there that can motivate and inspire you to be your best self and get in shape. If you find yourself struggling and needing an extra oomph to keep you going, check out the list below to discover great movies that’ll keep you motivated during your New Year’s fitness journey. Plus, find out where they’re all streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, and more. 

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

Brittany Runs a Marathon centers around Brittany (Jillian Bell), an overweight woman in her late 20s who is starting to feel the physical toll of her high-stress, low-joy lifestyle. To better herself, she decides to get in shape and run a marathon. But along the way, she discovers that she’s doing more than just losing weight; she’s gaining confidence and finding herself. 

The movie is a great inspirational comedy, perfect for anyone who loves funny hits like Trainwreck (2015). Plus, it has a surprisingly great supporting cast, including SNL’s Mikey Day and Utkarsh Ambudkar from Ghosts (2021). For anyone starting their fitness journey, this is a seriously relatable (and totally uplifting) movie, guaranteed. 

Wild (2014)

Based on the 2012 memoir of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, Wild sees Reese Witherspoon portraying Strayed as a depressed drug addict consumed by grief after the death of her mother, which caused her family to fall apart. Lost, miserable, and aimless, Strayed decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. With little to live for, she no longer cares if the hike kills her. But once she begins her journey, she discovers she’s stronger than she ever imagined. 

Wild is a fantastic movie and earned both Witherspoon and Laura Dern Oscar nominations for their roles. If you love the ideas behind Eat Pray Love (2008), like finding strength and bettering yourself, but want a story that’s actually the real deal instead of just an overprivileged woman taking an extended vacay, this is the movie for you. 

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

Also based on a famous book, 2015’s A Walk in the Woods is an adaptation of Bill Bryson’s hilarious memoir of the same name. In the book, the aging author meets up with an old buddy, and together they hike the Appalachian Trail. As two older men, the book is naturally filled with hilarious moments of creaky ankles and pulled muscles, making it a fun and motivational story for anyone getting into shape who understands all the snaps, crackles, and pops that come along with it. 

Robert Redford stars as Bryson, with Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Nick Offerman, and Mary Steenburgen joining him in the cast. If you loved 2010’s The Way (which is a fantastic movie, btw), but want a hiking story filled with a bit more joy instead of bittersweet remembrance, this is the movie for you. 

Heavyweights (1995)

Heavyweights centers around a group of boys who are sent to a summer “fat camp” to lose weight. Ben Stiller plays the oppressive, evil camp counselor, who adds a good dose of over-the-top comedy to the role. Heavyweights is a perfect film for anyone trying to lose weight because, despite being a funny, family-friendly movie, it tackles the stigma and mockery that our society places on obese people. 

It’s a story of the “fat kids” getting revenge on their mean counselor, and finding friendship and motivation along the way. Think of it like The Sandlot (1993) but with a great fitness message at its heart. For anyone feeling intimidated by the gym or feeling insecure after putting on their first Lulu shirt and realizing the fabric will show Every. Single. Inch. of you beneath it, Heavyweights is a must-watch. 

The Covenant (2006)

No, The Covenant has nothing to do with fitness or bettering yourself. But it is definitely a good movie for some fitness inspiration because it’s loaded with hunks who are often shirtless or naked. The plot has something to do with witches or whatever, but the film is basically a homoerotic romp about a group of guys who are magical. They swim in Speedos, they shower naked, and they have shirtless drama. It’s like horny Harry Potter.  

Plus, it stars Sebastian Stan, Chase Crawford, and Taylor Kitsch. Whether you want these bodies or want their bodies, The Covenant definitely shows what’s possible with exercise and a good diet. Hubba hubba. If you liked The Craft (1996) but wish it had more hunks (was Skeet Ulrich not enough?), then watch The Covenant. 

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

In Run Fatboy Run, funnyman Simon Pegg is struggling with depression, his weight, and self-esteem after ruining the best relationship he ever had. To win her back, he decides to join her new, more handsome, more fit boyfriend in a marathon to try and prove himself worthy. But, just like in Brittany Runs a Marathon, Pegg quickly discovers that getting in shape isn’t just about losing weight; it’s about gaining self-esteem and discovering the reason why you’re working toward the goal. 

Run Fatboy Run is a great movie for anyone trying to get in shape, thanks to its heart and humor. It will also feel super relatable, too, since many people find themselves trying to get back in shape after a breakup. 

The Whale (2022)

Brendan Fraser won an Oscar for his performance in The Whale. The movie follows Charlie (Fraser), a morbidly obese teacher who has become reclusive because of his weight and the strain it’s put on his ability to live life. The Whale isn’t a story about getting into shape; it’s an incredibly painful movie about how morbid obesity can slowly kill you and take your life away. But sadly, it’s also the reality of what an unhealthy lifestyle can do. 

Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to motivate yourself to get in shape. It’s not just about six-pack abs or looking good in a bikini. Getting healthy is about keeping your body safe from the numerous health ailments that come from weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. The Whale is a sobering, heartbreaking look at obesity. But it’s also a chance for viewers to vow to be better, healthier versions of themselves. 

Marvel and DC Comics are playing nice again for the first time in decades, kicking off a new initiative of crossovers with dueling Batman and Deadpool crossover arcs. It makes sense when you think about it; the two most popular characters of this age, finally hanging out in books with all-star creative teams. So, if you think it’s odd, you’re dead wrong. 

Batman has had way, way weirder crossovers throughout the years, whether you’re looking at his Onstar promo ads or the comic where he solved a crime with Elmer Fudd. We’ve picked the weirdest Batman crossovers in TV and movies for your enjoyment, just in case you’re in the mood for something really out of the box. Watch them now on HBO Max, Prime Video, and more. 

Scooby-Doo Meets Batman (2002)

One of the greatest and most beloved crime fighters of all time, Scooby-Doo, meets Batman in the aptly titled Scooby-Doo Meets Batman. Yes, this movie is a 2002 re-release of two episodes from 1972’s The New Scooby-Doo Movies: “The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair” and “The Caped Crusader Caper.” Adam West and Burt Ward reprise their roles as the Dynamic Duo for both episodes, which see them helping Scoob and Mystery Inc. solve crimes perpetrated by Joker and The Penguin.

I remember watching and loving these as a kid and nearly wore out a VHS release that had both episodes on it. They’re just plain goofy fun in the spirit of the classic ‘60s series, from the slapstick action to Batman nonsensically identifying a counterfeit bill because the crooks drew Lincoln wearing a turtleneck sweater. 

The Batman vs. Dracula (2005)

Batman’s dealt with his share of vampires in the comics over the years, but what about in animation? 2005’s The Batman vs. Dracula is a special event movie spinning out of 2004’s acclaimed animated series The Batman. Set in the early years of Batman’s career, this movie sees Count Dracula arriving in Gotham with his eyes set on taking over the city.

Like The Batman, the movie has some pretty bombastic action and fluid, anime-inspired animation. It’s a far cry from the high drama of something like Batman: The Animated Series (1992), and you won’t find anything as gritty or haunting as comic adventures like the legendary Batman: Red Rain, but for a kid-friendly Batman versus vampires tale, this one hits the mark. 

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have made the rounds over the years, appearing in a variety of comic book and television crossovers, but 2015 marked the first time they hung out with The Dark Knight. The success of the Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic meant DC greenlit an animated adaptation, resulting in 2019’s Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a slightly abridged version of the original comic.

The story sees the Bat-family team up with the Turtles to thwart the combined forces of Ra’s al Ghul and Shredder for a story that is deliciously tongue-in-cheek, much like the Batman/Scooby-Doo crossover. There’s a lot of humor, but also a lot of heart in this story, making it an easy pick to check out. 

Batman: Dead End (2003)

If you want to see a supremely cool Batman crossover that’s also a testament to how much fans love the character, look no further than 2003’s Batman: Dead End. Directed by fan film legend Sandy Collora, Dead End is an eight-minute fan film that depicts Batman in a bitter brawl with The Joker, which is interrupted by an arriving horde of Xenomorphs and Predators.

The quality and direction here are pristine, and the practical Batman costume still looks absolutely incredible today. It’s a genuine shame that the film stands on its own with a cliffhanger ending, but it was enough to keep fans talking for decades.

For centuries, humans have wondered if life exists beyond Earth. And for centuries, mankind has reported seeing strange objects in the sky, and sometimes, even extraterrestrial creatures. As the years have gone on, we’ve also developed a growing list of wild incidents that have way more validity and credibility than just some old folk story. From a Chinese airport being shut down in 2010 to the infamous Roswell incident and more, it seems we might not be alone in this vast universe. 

If you want to watch some seriously gripping and chilling documentaries and docuseries about UFOs and aliens, then check out our list below. These fascinating movies and shows about aliens and UFOs are guaranteed to make you ask questions and wonder, “Have otherworldly beings visited us?” Plus, you can find out where all the docs are streaming right now on everything from Netflix to Tubi. 

UFO (2021)

In 2021, the four-part Showtime series UFO set out to be the definitive look at America’s history with UFOs and aliens. Not only does the series allege that we held an alien captive for years, but it also dives into numerous conspiracies, where it claims everything from the military to the CIA has actively been working to deceive the country. 

UFO is great for hardcore believers who want to hear some of the boldest claims that any major docuseries has ever made. Plus, it was produced by J.J. Abrams, so the quality feels legit. However, because of how intense and far-fetched some of the claims are, the show might seem a little too over-the-top for skeptics. 

The Age of Disclosure (2025)

What makes The Age of Disclosure so unique is that it’s told from the perspective of government and military officials. Instead of interviewing the usual crackpot weirdos that so many UFO documentaries do, The Age of Disclosure features interviews with senators like Kirsten Gillibrand, ex-CIA officials, Navy pilots, and former NORAD director James D. Cobb. 

The major point that The Age of Disclosure wants to reveal is how deep the US government and military truly are in the search for aliens and UFO technology, and how desperate both are to keep American citizens in the dark. Whether it’s to protect secret info from foreign governments or to keep society from devolving into panic, the documentary claims there is a lot that the average person doesn’t know. It’s a seriously compelling and shocking documentary purely because of the number of big-name figures it was able to attract. If you liked the conspiracy aspect of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), you’ll love the alleged real conspiracies happening in our government right now that The Age of Disclosure uncovers. 

The Manhattan Alien Abduction (2024)

The three-part docuseries The Manhattan Alien Abduction tells the wild story of Linda Napolitano, who claims that in 1989 aliens abducted her in the middle of Manhattan. The story also purports that dozens of witnesses have stepped forward to corroborate her claims. 

But there are cracks in the tale, like how none of the witnesses have ever publicly identified themselves, and one woman who claims to know for certain that Napolitano is making it all up. That makes this Netflix docuseries so gripping because it isn’t just an abduction story; it also examines whether there’s a potential hoax and scam behind it all. If you loved Hulu’s crypto-turned-cartel docuseries Sasquatch (2021), you’re going to love all the questions, conflicts, and mysteries in The Manhattan Alien Abduction.

The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017)

The Mothman is one of the wildest and strangest stories in American history. Here are the facts: Starting in late 1966, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, dozens of locals started seeing a strange winged creature. Soon after, UFO sightings spiked, residents claimed ominous men in black visited them, and some even got phone calls from a strange man who identified himself as Indrid Cold. The hysteria continued to grow for a year until December 1967, when the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed into the river below, killing 46 people, all while the Mothman allegedly flew overhead. 

Was the Mothman a cryptid, an alien, or just a sandhill crane? Why so many UFO sightings? Who were the men in black? Were they from the government or aliens themselves? Or was the entire thing a case of mass hysteria? If so, how could it all culminate in a very real disaster? Nobody knows for sure, but everyone has theories. For a complete timeline of events, including interviews with locals, newspaper transcripts, and more, The Mothman of Point Pleasant is a great documentary to watch. If you loved 2002’s The Mothman Prophecies, check out this doc to discover the true story that inspired it. 

The Phoenix Lights - Beyond Top Secret (2020)

One of the most well-documented UFO encounters ever happened in 1997 over Phoenix, Arizona. For almost two hours, residents of Phoenix saw strange glowing orbs in the sky, all moving synchronously. With dozens of eye-witness videos and thousands of reports made to the police (including one by Kurt Russell), there’s no denying that something was over the Arizona skies that night. 

Even wilder, there’s still no formal explanation for the events. Skeptics point to the large number of Air Force bases near Phoenix and say it could have been the Air Force flying jets… but the military has never said it was flying jets that evening, especially completely silent ones (and if you live near an Air Force base like me, you know how loud fighter jets are). For a documentary that explores one of the wildest mass UFO sightings in human history, you need to watch The Phoenix Lights - Beyond Top Secret. If you love the historical inspiration behind the film Battle: Los Angeles (2011), but want something more rooted in history, this documentary will definitely make your jaw drop.

Moment of Contact (2022)

In 1996, an alleged alien encounter happened in Varginha, Brazil, where a group of girls said they spotted some kind of injured creature, and shortly after, witnessed tons of military personnel throughout the town. Skeptics say it was all a misunderstanding and that the girls likely saw a disabled homeless man covered in dirt. But believers say it’s the biggest alien cover-up since Roswell. 

Moment of Contact sheds light on this story and follows a team of filmmakers as they head to Brazil and search for answers. If you’ve ever seen The Cove (2009) and love the way it’s filmed like a real movie following the documentary crew on their journey, you’ll enjoy the similar vibe of Moment of Contact. Even for non-believers, it’s a fun adventure to watch the crew search for clues and information from the infamous 1996 event. 

An Unknown Compelling Force (2021) 

In 1959, nine hikers died in Russia’s Ural Mountains under mysterious circumstances. Their tent had been cut open from the inside, many had sustained massive injuries, some were found in the snow wearing nothing but their underwear, and small amounts of radiation were detected on their clothing. Skeptics claim they died from an avalanche, but that creates two glaring plot holes. First, the area the tent was in isn’t a danger zone for avalanches, and secondly, the group of expert hikers wouldn’t have made camp out in the open if they were in a region with avalanche risk. 

Since the incident, there’s been lots of theories about what happened, from secret military tests and Yetis to a deadly alien encounter. In a BBC interview, a nearby villager even says she saw a strange glowing object in the sky the night of their deaths. In An Unknown Compelling Force, the filmmakers travel to Russia to find out what happened to the doomed group of hikers. If you liked the film Devil’s Pass (2013), which was inspired by the incident, check out this documentary that explores the real events. 

The Program (2024)

In 2017, The New York Times broke a story about how the US government had secretly been looking into the possibilities of UFOs. Since then, we’ve found ourselves in a new era of alien obsession and ufology. The main difference is that this time, members of Congress and the military are also asking these questions. 

The Program is a documentary about the alleged government/military cover-up of UFOs and alien encounters. It shows real footage from congressional hearings with people who claim to have in-depth knowledge that, until recently, was purposefully being suppressed. For fans who loved The Age of Disclosure and its deep dive into the government’s potential knowledge of UFOs, The Program will be an engrossing watch you don’t want to miss. 

Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton (2015)

One of the most famous alien abduction stories ever is that of Travis Walton. In 1975, he and a group of workers were driving through the forest when they reported a bright light in the sky. Walton allegedly ran toward the light and was beamed up. He then went missing for six days before returning to society and giving an in-depth abduction story that involved alien probing and more. His story became the basis for the 1993 film Fire in the Sky. 

Travis: The Trust Story of Travis Walton pulls back the Hollywood glamour and presents the timeline of events told by Walton himself, as well as numerous paranormal researchers and skeptics. It also dives into the mental struggles that Walton has had throughout his life, dealing with the fame and scrutiny that came with his story. If you’re a fan of Fire in the Sky, you’ll want to check out the true story behind it. 

The Rendlesham UFO – The British Roswell (2025)

In 1980, a well-documented UFO sighting happened at the RAF Woodbridge base in England’s Rendlesham Forest. Military personnel reported seeing strange lights in the forest, and when they investigated, it turned out to be a UFO. The official report from the RAF says the lights were able to break apart and fly off in different directions, and the areas they touched tested positive for radiation. 

The Rendlesham UFO - The British Roswell sees a group of investigators travel to the forest to commune with whatever entity caused the ordeal. The film mixes mysticism with ufology to create a unique, new-age alien documentary unlike any other. For enthusiasts who believe that UFOs and metaphysics are intertwined, this is a great watch. 

No matter what naysayers want to say, there are very few genres in this world that can provide the type of nostalgia, escapism, and hope that romantic comedies do. No matter how awful my mood is, I know that any time I turn on While You Were Sleeping (1995), everything will be okay for a while. And as writers, we carry pieces of the media we consume with us, allowing them to morph their way into our creations because a large part of inspiration comes from the things we love most. 

Even if you haven't read Emily Henry's novel, by watching People We Meet on Vacation (2026), you can see pieces of Sally Albright and Harry Burns from When Harry Met Sally (1989) in Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen. You can feel the profound longing that passes through two people who continuously orbit around each other. And the heart of When Harry Met Sally sparkling throughout People We Meet on Vacation is precisely what makes the movie an absolute must-watch that's now streaming on Netflix. 

'People We Meet On Vacation' Has Similar Vibes To 'When Harry Met Sally'

In her acknowledgements, Emily Henry states, "When I started People We Meet on Vacation, I didn't set out to write a homage to one of my favorite romantic comedies. But perhaps it was Ephron who left this indelible mark on me, planted a seed of ardent appreciation for characters who grate and irritate and infuriate, until the moment they suddenly don't." The most exciting part of writing sometimes is ultimately what happens with the characters as they start dictating to us how they want the story to unfold. We might start in one direction, but their choice to veer left or right gives us all the clues necessary to take them where they need to go.

Henry might not have set out to deliver an homage to When Harry Met Sally, but as two of her most complex characters, Poppy and Alex clearly had other plans, driving her toward providing the kind of love letter that makes the story even more poignant and relatable. Because really, a large part of the appeal in Ephron's writing is the natural progression of how the characters develop, allowing their growth to become an inspiration to those of us watching. It's all so inherently human. And in truth, we all know a Harry, a Sally, a Poppy, and an Alex, even if they go by different names, because real, complex characters are at the center of both movies.

At the same time, the similar vibes make both movies fun and deeply compelling. While Harry and Sally continue going in and out of each other's lives in a quieter manner, Poppy and Alex go on one vacation after another, keeping their promise to stay in each other's lives no matter how complicated things get. (Until they get too complicated, but that's what delivers the delicious angst that makes Barcelona—​​Palm Springs in the book—so engrossing.) 

Nora Ephron's legacy in how romantic comedies are structured and paced is something that's engraved deep in us all. The mark she's left in this world is similar to legends like Jane Austen in how their writing masterfully explores humanity and our relationships through humor, honest conversations, and immeasurable vulnerability. 

Why The Friends-To-Lovers Trope Makes Both Movies Instant Classics

I will perpetually be a friends-to-lovers apologist because it's the most realistic means of two people falling in love in the real world. As much as the concept of fake dating is exciting on our screens, very few people can say that they met the love of their life while they were simultaneously their pretend wedding date. Or as much as we all love an enemies-to-lovers relationship, let's be honest with ourselves, would we really be giving someone we can't stand a chance outside of a whimsical fantasy world? Chances are slim. But friends-to-lovers is organic and real, paving the way for connections that go beyond what we can explain.

Harry and Sally work as a pairing because of the quiet moments they share while being fully transparent with one another, even as it irritates them both. The essence of their love is best unveiled in the phone call scene where they both watch Casablanca (1943) together, walls down, hearts bared. It's in that moment where we, as the audience, realize that they aren't as comfortable with anyone else. 

In People We Meet on Vacation, it's the detail that they're both their truest selves while on vacation together, doing things they want without any exceptions or fears. Poppy and Alex might be opposites, but best friends don't have to be the same person in order for them to click fully. Sometimes, they can just be the person who fulfills all that you need while you do the same for them. This realism allows both movies to be easily relatable as stories that'll hold up and feel grounded years after their release. And the chemistry in both of them is a bonus that makes everything extra delicious. It's not every rom-com that gets this stamp of approval, but People We Meet on Vacation and When Harry Met Sally do. 

My least favorite argument when it comes to romantic relationships is "why can't they just be friends?" Well, why can't they get together and live happily ever after, Patrice? It's always so silly and so bizarre because it's not only one of the most realistic tropes, but it's incredibly organic in the way it depicts two people gradually falling for each other. The passage of time and the series of events that we also get with stories centered around this trope naturally showcase character growth in a way that allows it to feel earned and emotionally grounded, too.

And it's a trope worth celebrating on all fronts, if you ask me. From the sheer perfection that is People We Meet on Vacation (2026) to the classic, When Harry Met Sally (1989), here are some top-tier friends-to-lovers romances, as well as where you can stream them on Netflix, Prime Video, and more. 

People We Meet on Vacation (2026)

Book readers have been hyped about the release of People We Meet on Vacation since we got the announcement, and in every way where it matters, it's perfect. Truly an incomparable rom-com, with a flawless cast at its helm and a thoroughly sharp screenplay to honor Emily Henry's inimitable banter. Emily Bader and Tom Blyth are sensational in their respective roles, breathing such memorable life into Poppy and Alex that I won't be getting over their story any time soon.  

Perfect for anyone who loves destination movies and delicious slow burns with cozy beats and hilarious banter, People We Meet on Vacation is unlike any other rom-com we've had in the last five years. It's everything that we've been asking for, and the only other way it could've been better is if it were a TV show, so that we could spend more time with the characters.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally is essential viewing alongside People We Meet on Vacation, as the heart of Nora Ephron's story is scattered all over the edges of Emily Henry's novel. It's a breathtaking, frustrating, and deeply realistic classic for a reason—the kind of crucial viewing for anyone who's a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope and romance in general as one of the archetypes. 

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal bring indescribable energy to the movie's titular characters, ensuring that they add layers to help us stay invested in their decades-long friendship that eventually leads to something more. It's an evocative, deeply engrossing journey that gets better and better with every viewing. If you're itching for true nostalgia in the form of an unforgettable rom-com, few things come as close as the coziness in When Harry Met Sally.

Love & Basketball (2000)

Love & Basketball also doubles as a second-chance romance, so it's especially perfect for people who'll always fight to defend both tropes. (It's me, I'm the one who's on the friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance defense squad.) If you love the vibes of One Tree Hill (2003) but always wondered what it'd be like for the women to also be in the sport, look no further than Quincy and Monica's story.

It features one of the most deliciously climactic final acts in the kind of reunion scene that's lived rent-free in my mind since I was a teenager, and the chemistry between Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps is indescribable perfection on all fronts. Like People We Meet on Vacation and When Harry Met Sally, the story's timeline is also a large part of its charm, making it an unforgettable romance from start to finish. 

Win a Date With Ted Hamilton! (2004)

Win a Date With Ted Hamilton is the type of underrated gem I wish more people would talk about. Starring Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, and Josh Duhamel, it's brimming with all the best tropes in a true showcase of why best friends often make the best partners. This movie is also entirely responsible for why I'm obsessed with the idea of one person in a pairing knowing their partner's different smiles. (Or laughs, or silences, or anything specific, really.)

At the same time, it's a quintessential part of the early 2000s rom-com era, so it delivers nostalgia gorgeously while also being perfect for people who loved the workplace romance in Superstore (2015). If you want a genuinely wholesome pairing with a dash of the celebrity romance trope and an interesting twist on the love triangle, Win a Date With Tad Hamilton delivers in spades. 

13 Going on 30 (2004)

As much as 13 Going on 30 is an iconic coming-of-age classic, it's also revered as a delightful friends-to-lovers romance that sparkles with countless wholesome beats. The slow burn and glimpses of unrequited love through different points of their lives add the angst necessary to ensure the story hits, and the performances that both Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo bring make every moment gorgeously relatable and sweet.

Perfect for anyone who wants something that they'll immediately want to rewind and rewatch after finishing. There's also something delightful about the writing that allows it to hold up years later, and how the two different timelines make it a solid story about finding oneself, which is the essence of romances involving this specific trope.

Emma (2020)

Many people don't realize that Jane Austen's Emma is actually a friends-to-lovers romance, and it's the best kind. So much so that it's also the inspiration behind Clueless (1995), and if you love Cher and Josh's relationship but were somehow sleeping on Emma and Mr. Knightley, rectify this immediately. It also features what might arguably be Jane Austen's most romantic line to date, and Autumn de Wilde's version is also whimsically delightful and perfect for every season.

There are a number of versions out there, and while I firmly believe that the BBC mini series, Emma (2009), is the absolute best book-to-screen adaptation ever, the 2020 movie does the most entertaining job of showing the progression of the friends-to-lovers romance on-screen within the limited time. Run, don't walk, to watch it if you're craving a historical romance. 

Primate is kicking off 2026 with a vicious bang, with a supposedly domesticated ape going wild and attacking the family that adopted him. While it may not seem like a comparable threat to the likes of Jason Voorhees or a Xenomorph, apes have proven an enduring threat across generations of film. Going all the way back to the silent era and the advent of the talkies, apes running amok have been a common impetus for action, horror, and drama in movies.

While some of the apes are amplified to ludicrous size to enhance the threat, others stay grounded in reality, drawing attention to the danger of the natural world, even against all the technology and intellect of humans. Sometimes, the ape-heavy movies can be madcap and silly. However, others have a lot to say about society and humanity. Across genre lines and decades of cinematic history, here are the best apes gone wild movies that are worth checking out on HBO Max, Hulu, and more.

Nope (2022)

If you’re excited for Primate, then you need to check out the horrifying subplot of Nope (2022). Jordan Peele’s follow-up to Get Out (2017) and Us (2019) is largely a sci-fi horror film about a mysterious alien entity quietly terrorizing a California horse ranch and nearby fairground. However, the background of Steven Yeun’s Jupe is as a child star of a sitcom and the sole person to escape a monkey that went wild on set.

The flashbacks are tense in the best of ways, beautifully shot, and with a willingness to leave enough out of the shot to let your imagination do its worst. Even with the Nope’s creepy sci-fi effects and memorable characters, the monkey mauling on the sitcom set remains one of the creepiest and most effective uses of a wild ape in a movie to date. 

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Definitely the most influential on a larger genre scale than the other movies on this list, Planet of the Apes remains a classic nearly 60 years after it debuted on the big screen. The film follows Charlton Heston’s astronaut when he lands on a mysterious planet where a race of intelligent and bipedal apes have enslaved humanity.

The epic was groundbreaking for its time and remains a compelling exploration of society and the easy allure of fear through its central (and admittedly bizarre) metaphor. While the film has plenty of sequels (and Tim Burton’s even stranger riff on the concept, 2001’s Planet of the Apes), the first entry in this franchise remains the most important. While it doesn’t have the intense scares that some audiences are looking for, the tension, the broader themes, the ambitious filmmaking, and iconic ending of Planet of the Apes still make it a compelling watch that influenced generations of sci-fi.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

The modern prequel trilogy for the Planet of the Apes franchise is a solid reimagining of the ape apocalypse, with Rise of the Planet of the Apes laying some impressive groundwork. With motion-capture technology now advanced enough to believably transform actors into apes, the first entry in the trilogy keeps the action relatively grounded and the emotional core surprisingly vulnerable.

Andy Serkis delivers a terrific, largely physical performance in the film as Caesar, the ape who will eventually begin the downfall of humanity. While the sequels, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), are more epic and engaging on a cinematic scale, there’s something to be said for the more grounded heartbreak and sudden ferocity of a character like Caesar in a realistic setting. Honestly, bring some tissues. 

King Kong (1933)

The early cinema ancestor to not just ape attack movies but blockbuster monster flicks in the first place, King Kong remains an undeniable part of global pop culture and a fun throwback to an older era, too. Following a crew venturing onto the prehistoric Skull Island and bringing back the titular titanic creature to New York City, King Kong has a certain human depth that plenty of other monster movies of this era lacked, giving the then-revolutionary special effects behind Kong a touch of humanity.

While the remakes like King Kong (2005) and modern successors in the Monsterverse franchise have kept the character active and alive in the modern era, the original film remains a must-watch for movie buffs, even if the differences in pacing across eras can make it a little slower to modern audiences.

In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro (1986)

In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro is a horror film that ups the ante of the typical berserker monkey movie. Starring John Rhys-Davies, Timothy Bottoms, and Irene Miracle, the film follows the inhabitants of a small town in Kenya that is surrounded by a vicious troop of chacma baboons.

Taking direct inspiration from real-life events, In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro benefits from strong visuals that help paper over some of the weaker storytelling beats. Gritty in a way that feels very much of the mid-1980s, the film’s thriller elements make for a good, intense little movie for horror fans who don’t mind a bit of the “children in peril” trope. While elements of it haven’t aged the best, In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro’s eye for sweeping African visuals adds to the experience and makes it great for audiences who enjoyed Beast (2022).

Congo (1995)

Campy to the point of hilarity, Congo is a weirdly memorable relic of the 1990s that also features some truly bizarre gorilla action beats. Directed by Frank Marshall, Congo focuses on a group of people, including an expert on primates, a former CIA operative, a snarky mercenary, and an eccentric philanthropist seeking a lost city, encountering a tribe of dangerous, violent gorillas.

It’s a wonderfully over-the-top film, with the diamond-powered laser used to cut down ferocious gorillas not even among the five silliest things in this movie. Far from the grounded emotional drama of Rise of the Planet of the Apes and more in the category of Anaconda (1997), Congo is a campy blast that feels more in line with the self-aware big-screen spectacle that would go on to fuel movies like Rampage (2018) decades later.

Monkey Shines (1988) 

A cult classic oddity from one of horror’s most important filmmakers, George A. Romero, Monkey Shines is a great precursor to Primape. The film follows Allan, a recently paralyzed athlete who gets a capuchin monkey as a service animal. In secret, the monkey has been experimented on, leading to the animal having advanced intelligence… and murderous intent.

Ella, the monkey, looks like a direct creative ancestor of the monkey from Primape, and serves as a strangely dangerous and quietly tragic creature, whose darker side reflects the growing humanity in her rather than the animal nature. Surprisingly complex and strangely entertaining, Monkey Shines might be the undersung classic of this sub-genre. It’s definitely a must-watch for people who appreciate the horror of an unexpected threat, as in Child’s Play (1988) or Orphan (2009).

Monkey Trouble (1994)

On the lighter side of things, Monkey Trouble is a light-hearted kid film that imagines some of the monkey mayhem with a more innocent edge. Similar to Dunston Checks In (1996), Monkey Trouble sees a capuchin monkey (trained as a pickpocket) find a new home with a young girl in Los Angeles.

Goofy and weightless in a way that kid movies of the era usually were, Monkey Trouble has enough silly charm to appeal to younger audiences, especially whenever Harvey Keitel appears as the kleptomaniac who trained the monkey. While it might not be the scariest movie about an ape acting out, it’s at least a good one to gauge your kids’ response to the animal as opposed to the more overt horror of the other entries on this list. 

2025 saw the return of superheroes to the big screen after an unusually light superhero presence in 2024 due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes and new strategies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe. 

This year featured the official DCU reboot with the premiere of Superman (2025), while the MCU enjoyed three feature film releases. On top of that, some of the best superhero TV series returned with new seasons, while the MCU added a few new additions to its Disney+ original series offerings.

If you’re looking to catch up on 2025’s superheroes, you can use our guide to find out where to watch the best superhero movies and shows of the year, ranked to the best one, on platforms like Disney+, Max, and more.

10. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Captain America: Brave New World was the first superhero movie of the year. It follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he continues to navigate his responsibilities under the mantle of Captain America in the midst of an international crisis. The film is an excellent addition to the MCU’s Captain America series, maintaining its strong political themes and spy-thriller elements while remaining fresh through Mackie’s take on Captain America.

Captain America: Brave New World also offers quite a bit of fan service, resurfacing characters and plot ideas from The Incredible Hulk (2008), and making one of the MCU’s most forgotten movies relevant again. At times, though, it suffers from an overreliance on action, visuals, and Easter eggs, which detract from the story's depth, which is why it takes 10th place on this list. Still, the action-packed premise and expansion of The Falcon and Winter Soldier’s (2021) storyline make it worth a watch for MCU fans.

9. Ironheart (2025)

Ironheart centers on teen genius Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who, still reeling from her traumatic past, finds herself caught up with the enigmatic and mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos). The series features superhero and vigilante action, dark magic, and visually stunning Iron Suits. However, it’s also a very personal, intimate, and self-contained story about a teen navigating grief, brilliance, and coming-of-age.

I liked that Ironheart feels distinct from what the MCU is known for, opting for a grounded, emotional tale and forgoing some of the superhero formula in the process. At the same time, its short six-episode run and setup for potential bigger future projects made it just a bit underwhelming, though it’s still a must-see for fans of other distinctive, adolescent-leaning MCU projects like Ms. Marvel (2022) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).

8. Thunderbolts* (2025)

Thunderbolts* introduces a new team to the MCU, as a ragtag team of vigilantes and anti-heroes find themselves thrust together after getting caught in the web of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) schemes. Like Ironheart, Thunderbolts* is another MCU addition that feels refreshing and distinct. While it boasts the humor and heart of superhero team-ups like The Avengers (2012) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), it goes a little deeper by discussing mental health and loneliness.

In a cinematic universe that tends to focus on heroes who are inherently good or god-like in their powers, Thunderbolts* is a fun foray into a few heroes viewers may have forgotten along the way. The film invites viewers to rediscover and appreciate these characters in a new light through its strong character dynamics, though it does forego some depth in favor of a feel-good ending and an emphasis on friendship.

7. Gen V Season 2 (2025)

Gen V returned in 2025 with an explosive second season, which sees Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and her team of college supes contend with a new threat upon the arrival of the sadistic and mysterious new dean of Godolkin U, Cipher (Hamish Linklater). The season maintains all of the best aspects of season 1, including the gore, grit, and shock factor. However, it also raises the stakes by more closely integrating the show with The Boys (2015) and introducing a powerful new villain.

Gen V gives viewers a sense of realism and grit that the MCU features above can’t capture. At the same time, it felt a little less self-contained and distinct than last season, due to what seemed like a more intentional setup for The Boys season 5. While the villain buildup was brilliant, I felt the finale didn’t match the hype of that buildup.

6. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows the Fantastic Four as they face Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) while preparing to welcome a new member to their family. It’s a reboot that does justice to one of Marvel’s most popular superhero teams. There’s this feeling of “finally,” watching the film and knowing that the Fantastic Four are in the MCU at last and portrayed by actors who fully embody the characters.

I loved the movie’s focus on the family aspect of the team, and the realistic depiction of the anxieties of parenting that affect even superheroes. Between its family themes and retro-futuristic world, it has a little more heart and creativity than Captain America: Brave New World and Ironheart, though it still struggles to go deep and, at times, leans too heavily on action and visuals.

5. Daredevil: Born Again (2025)

Daredevil: Born Again is a revival of Daredevil (2015) in which Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) struggles with whether to revive his vigilante alter ego as Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) becomes the mayor of New York City. For me, Daredevil: Born Again finds the perfect balance between the MCU and mature superhero shows like Gen V. It doesn’t rely too much on shock value, but it maintains the grit, realism, and deep dive into inner conflict that made Daredevil so compelling in its street-level hero tale.

Like the original series, Daredevil: Born Again isn’t afraid to get real, poignantly exploring trauma, grief, and political and police corruption in a gripping tale of superheroism and justice. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Daredevil due to pacing issues, it’s the best MCU show for fans of The Boys and Invincible (2021) who are seeking Marvel’s unique spin on mature superhero projects.

4. Superman (2025)

Superman centers on Clark Kent (David Corenswet), who faces his biggest challenge yet when Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hault) targets his Superman alter ego and raises questions about the Kryptonian’s origins. The film serves as a hard reboot of the DCU and offers a fresh take on Superman. It captures the hope so central to the hero, while also delving deeper into his backstory and questions of acceptance and family history.

Superman is a very timely and thoughtful take on the hero, while also thrilling viewers with the introduction of new heroes like Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). I felt like Superman nailed the superhero aspects, including the visuals and action, but really excelled above Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps because it never lost sight of its central themes and story. It delivers top-notch superhero action while never feeling hollow.

3. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025)

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in an alternate universe in the MCU, where Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) navigates his freshman year of high school and superhero life under the mentorship of Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo). The series boasts a gorgeous animation style that perfectly captures the comic-book aesthetic. Additionally, it’s a very refreshing and unique take on the Spider-Man universe that feels wholesome and nostalgic.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man reminded me a lot of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in how well it captured its coming-of-age aspects and put its own spin on Spider-Man. Not only does it do Spider-Man so well, but it also offers a surprisingly realistic portrayal of high school and teenage life. Although it’s geared more toward younger audiences, it’s an excellent show for anyone looking for a wholesome rendition of Spider-Man.

2. Eyes of Wakanda (2025)

Eyes of Wakanda is an animated MCU anthology that delves into the history of Wakanda and tracks the adventures of the Wakandan warriors, Hatut Zaraze. The miniseries is a must-see for fans of Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), as it delves deeper into the lore of one of the MCU’s most intriguing worlds. It features the most extensive and intricate worldbuilding of any MCU project on this list, while still maintaining a nice balance of fantasy, creativity, and maturity.

Eyes of Wakanda tackles heavy topics, including colonialism, as it blends fiction and history through nods to African culture, in a way that’s still appropriate for younger viewers. It’s an excellent expansion of the Black Panther series and truly offers something unique to the MCU. If it had been just a little longer and had more time to go deeper, it could have taken the top spot on this list.

1, Peacemaker Season 2 (2025)

Peacemaker season 2 sees the long-awaited return of Peacemaker (John Cena) and his ragtag team of misfits. The stakes are higher than ever as Peacemaker finds himself in possession of dimensional technology that offers a potential new life but also puts him on the radar of the vengeful Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo). Peacemaker season 2 is just as audacious, gritty, and heartfelt as season 1, reinforcing its found family aspect while also poignantly exploring loss and family trauma.

I enjoyed season 2 even more than the first because it is more personal and intimate, shying away from some of the needless shock factor and delving deeper into Peacemaker’s past. It balances everything from emotion to heart to action to grit, offering a grounded, high-quality superhero tale that leaves you wanting more. Peacemaker’s excellent quality and poignant storytelling help it surpass all of 2025 superhero projects to take first place on this list.

2025 was a solid year for film and television, with some really great surprises and hidden gems playing in theaters alongside major hits. While expected hits like Superman (2025) took flight and fresh blood like Sinners (2025) swept away theaters, there were plenty of great movies playing just down the hall that were as inventive, compelling, and well-constructed. The same applies to the realm of television, where new shows took fresh riffs on established genres.

Understandably, some movies and shows slipped under the radar, despite being tremendous in their own way. That doesn’t mean you should just skip them, though, as January, which is especially slow for new releases, is the perfect time to play catch-up. Here are 10 hidden gem movies and TV shows that might have slipped by you in 2025. Watch them now on streamers like Netflix, Hulu, and more. 

Companion (2025)

2025 was a pretty great year for horror comedies, with Companion setting the bar high at the top of the year. Sophie Thatcher stars as a young woman on a trip to a remote cabin with her boyfriend and his buddies, and revealing anything else about the film would give away some of the terrific twists and turns that happen throughout.

While it’s just as funny as other recent riffs on the genre like Heart Eyes (2025) and Queens of the Dead (2025), Companion’s darker thriller elements give it an edge that makes it all the more compelling and rewarding. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, look elsewhere, but fans of thrillers and dark comedy alike will have plenty to love about this one.

It Ends (2025)

It Ends is a creepy movie that will haunt horror fans in some uniquely cerebral ways. Plenty of great horror films in 2025 dealt with larger questions about the cross-section of madness, life, and death, such as Bring Her Back (2025) and 28 Years Later (2025). They share a meditative core with It Ends, but the latter also feels like a terrific modern episode of The Twilight Zone (1959), with a single setting and tight script creating an atmospheric and haunting story. 

Currently set for a theatrical release sometime in 2026, thanks to Neon, It Ends may not be what fans of slashers are looking for in their horror movie. However, if you’re brave enough to face a wonderfully abstract and deeply memorable experience, It Ends is one of the best quiet dramas of 2025, and a gem that too few people have seen yet.

The Ugly Stepsister (2025)

If you love gory body horror, then The Ugly Stepsister will scratch that itch while delivering a tremendously dark take on a classic story. Reimagining Cinderella’s fairy tale in a way that’s a far cry from the Disney version of Cinderella (1950), The Ugly Stepsister is a grim remix of classic archetypes, focusing on one of the daughters of the cruel matron who finds herself competing for the attention of a prince with her stepsister.

Elvira’s abuse of her body in pursuit of beauty gives the film a powerful thematic core that’s also just grisly to watch. It’s also perfect for anyone who loves the period setting of The Witch (2015) or Nosferatu (2024). Not for the faint of heart, The Ugly Stepsister is a good fit if you’re a horror fan.

Twinless (2025)

A strange and deeply compelling mix of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller and a mumblecore indie dramedy from the Duplass Brothers, Twinless was one of 2025’s best surprises. The film initially presents itself as the story of an unexpected friendship between two men, both mourning the loss of their twin. However, as the movie goes on, motivations unravel, and character development plays out with an air of complex love and sudden rage.

The movie is a great showcase for the filmmaker James Sweeney. The surprise dual role also helps Dylan O’Brien earn his place among his generation’s most exciting actors. Deceptively emotional and engrossing on several levels, Twinless is one of the year’s best movies, and it makes for a fine pairing with fellow hidden gem, Lurker (2025). 

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2025)

2025 was a solid year for international cinema, with On Becoming a Guinea Fowl standing out as one of the year’s most grounded and affecting tales. Released in North America last year after rolling out in international markets in 2024, a Zambian family deals with the death of an uncle who was loved among the older members of the family and a figure of quiet abuse to the others.

Emotionally raw, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl explores a heavy subject with a clear sense of humanity. It moves through lingering trauma and family drama with a mournful edge, not too dissimilar from how Sentimental Value (2025) copes with a legacy of heartache and silent suffering. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl earned a deeply impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, a score it definitely earned. While it’s not exactly a lighthearted affair for audiences seeking out a good time, fans of strong character dramas need to check this film out.

Death by Lightning (2025)

Death by Lightning is a terrific snapshot in history, with the four-episode miniseries delivering a timeless tale of obsession that still resonates over a century after the historical event it was based on occurred. The four-episode show depicts the presidency of James Garfield, as well as Charles Guiteau, the man who will eventually go on to kill him.

The show’s grounded approach and well-constructed world are fascinating to explore, and the cast is universally impressive at imbuing their historical figures with the right mix of gravitas and grounded humanity. A great show to check out if you loved the historical drama of John Adams (2008), Death by Lightning is an intriguing and effective real-life story reimagined as a deeply compelling version of history.

Murderbot (2025)

A great new sci-fi show with the right mix of heady concepts and unexpected comedy, Murderbot is a delight. Based on the sci-fi novel series of the same name, Murderbot centers around the titular android, who has broken his programming but decided to remain in hiding to avoid destruction and keep watching his soap operas.

In a year where shows like Severance (2022) and Fallout (2024) came back with just as much terrific subversive sci-fi energy as ever, Murderbot established itself as a more openly entertaining and terrifically engaging show. With a lot more comedy to it than drier sci-fi like Foundation (2021), Murderbot is perfect for anyone bummed out about Resident Alien’s (2021) cancellation, or anyone who enjoyed the comedic edges of Cowboy Bebop (1998) and Firefly (2002).

Common Side Effects (2025)

Adult Swim has been on a hot streak, with Common Side Effects serving as one of the network’s most ambitious projects yet. While shows like Smiling Friends (2020) and Primal (2019) have underscored the programming block’s commitment to traditional genres like absurdist comedy and well-animated action, Common Side Effects is a trippy and unrelenting social satire that takes just as much from The Fugitive (1993) as it does from Idiocracy (2006). 

It’s animated with a distinct style that gives it a grounded tone but offers the ability to become absurdist and trippy at a moment’s notice. In a year when Adult Swim pushed boundaries with new experiments like The Elephant (2025), Common Side Effects was a thrilling surprise from the animation giant. Season 2 can’t come soon enough!

The Lowdown (2025)

Following up his critically acclaimed Reservation Dogs (2021) was always going to be a challenge for Sterlin Harjo, but he absolutely proved any doubters wrong with The Lowdown (2025). A hangdog mystery in Tulsa that quickly involves citizen journalist Lee Raybon and private investigator Marty Brunner, The Lowdown is equal parts Tulsa King (2022) and Poker Face (2023), with a sardonic edge that makes for a hilarious experience.

The show’s surprising sense of humor makes it a blast to watch, even as the mystery deepens surrounding a murder and a robbery. Perfect for fans of Justified (2010), The Lowdown is a delightfully droll and grimy comedic hit for FX that feels criminally underseen for how good it is. If you love Guy Ritchie, then this American-fried take on his style of crime thriller is a must-watch.

Paradise (2025)

One of the best shows of the year, Paradise is a twisty show that keeps escalating the situation in absurdly effective ways while never losing sight of what makes a good drama so compelling and keeps the real focus on the people, not the situation. Starting as a mystery thriller about the death of the United States President and the Secret Service Agent desperate to find out answers, the show gradually reveals a central sci-fi concept that grows more complex as time goes on.

While fans of Lost (2004) have gotten a lot of great shows in recent years, like From (2022) and Yellowjackets (2021), Paradise’s focus on blending character backstories with the modern mystery makes for one of the most compelling shows to debut in 2025.