Animation is a popular genre, and there are plenty of films that tend to dominate the discussion whenever animation is brought up. Spirited Away was recently named the greatest animated movie of the 21st century by The New York Times. Frozen and its sequel were massive hits for Disney and spawned a media franchise. Then, you have beloved series like Toy Story that defined the childhoods of several generations of kids.

But the most popular animated movie of all time isn’t actually any of them. It’s not an anime, or a  Pixar movie, nor a Disney movie in general. No, it’s a movie called Ne Zha 2, and you’ve probably never heard of it or even seen it before in your life. 

What Is Ne Zha 2?

For people in the West, it’s not surprising that they haven’t heard of Ne Zha 2 before. The film was released on January 29, 2025, in China and serves as a sequel to the 2019 original film, Ne Zha, and its impact in the West has been minimal, at best. 

The original film is an adaptation of the Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods, which is itself a fictional retelling of the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the first recorded dynasty in Chinese history, and the rise of its successor, the Zhou Dynasty. While the novel is popular within China, its impact outside of China has been minor when compared to the Four Great Classical Novels, which include Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West. Outside of some of the mythological characters that appear in the novel, like Ne Zha, Daji, and Jiang Ziya, most people in the West probably aren’t aware of the contents, or even the plot, of Investiture of the Gods.

Given that Investiture of the Gods is over 2,000 pages (depending on your translation), Ne Zha adapts only a portion of the book, specifically the portion detailing the birth of Ne Zha himself. In the film, Ne Zha was born from a powerful item called the Demon Orb. It was originally a part of the Chaos Pearl, but due to the Chaos Pearl’s overwhelming power, the gods split it into two halves: the Spirit Pearl and the Chaos Orb. Because of the demonic energy flowing within him, and in an effort to save him from a curse, Ne Zha’s parents tell him that he was actually born from the Spirit Pearl and needs to use his powers for good to protect those in need.

It’s a story that focuses a lot on the ideas of nature versus nurture. Is Ne Zha meant to become a monster solely because he was born with demonic power, or can he be taught to use that power for good and make himself into a hero? The sequel follows up on these ideas more, as well as putting more of a focus on the friendship between Ne Zha and his brother, Ao Bing. It also differs significantly from the original novel, instead focusing more on telling an original story within the same universe, making it more of an accessible sequel to the first film than another adaptation in what has now become an animated cinematic universe aimed at adapting Investiture of the Gods.

Is Ne Zha 2 Really That Popular?

Just from that brief introduction, it would be easy to think that both Ne Zha and Ne Zha 2 would be fairly popular hits within China, but nothing more. And to an extent, you would be right. The first film had a total gross of nearly $750 million in its run, which is a pretty sizeable profit no matter how you slice it. At the same time, its success is somewhat deflated when you consider that it was released in 2019, which was arguably the biggest year ever for the box office, with nine movies earning over a billion dollars. The box office was also a lot healthier back then, since the COVID-19 pandemic the following year would basically cause a widespread shift from theatrical releases to streaming platforms, making a success like Ne Zha notable, but not revelatory.

But it’s exactly because of that shift that Ne Zha 2’s success in 2025 is so noteworthy. Despite releasing in a much weaker cinematic landscape, Ne Zha 2 has grossed over 2.2 billion dollars so far in its theatrical run, making at least three times the original amount its predecessor did. It is quite literally the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time, within striking distance of both Titanic and Avatar: The Way of Water’s lifetime box office take, and easily sitting as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing the previous title holder, Inside Out 2, and its 1.7 billion dollar haul

To try and make sense of just how big of a hit Ne Zha 2 is in China, you’re going to have to consider a few facts about its release. First, the general critical reception of Ne Zha 2 was much stronger than the original film. General audiences in China praised its improved animation and how much more personal the story was, making it more of a hit with younger audience members. It was also released at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, which is one of the biggest holidays in China, so many families most likely used that time to go see it. Plus, the film didn’t really have any competition at the time, with the only major box office rival being Captain America: Brave New World, which didn’t exactly light the box office on fire and had negative word of mouth in China when compared to Ne Zha 2’s ongoing positivity.

Why Western Audiences (Probably) Haven't Heard Of Ne Zha 2

With a movie that’s made that much money and has amassed a loyal following in China, it’s fair to ask why nobody in the West has ever heard of Ne Zha 2 despite all of the acclaim. And the truthful and honest answer is that despite the power of the Chinese box office, that doesn’t exactly translate into Western success. 

While Hollywood has been eager to penetrate the Chinese box office and rake in tons of money from them, Chinese films don’t often do well commercially outside of China. That isn’t always the case, as films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon have had successes in the West, but most films rarely, if ever, make their way from China to the United States. Sometimes they will get limited theatrical releases, like The Battle at Lake Changjin, but other times studios will be content to simply pick up the rights to make Western versions of those stories, like in the case of Hi, Mom. 

Ne Zha 2 actually did get a limited theatrical release in the US back in February, where it earned a little over $20 million, but due to its status as a sequel to a film that only earned a little over $3.5 million back in 2019, it wasn’t the earth-shattering hit like it was in China. However, due to the huge cultural impact it left in its wake, Ne Zha 2 is being rereleased again in the United States, this time through A24 with an English dub that has Michelle Yeoh attached. So while you may not have heard of Ne Zha 2 before, you’ll probably hear a lot more about it sooner rather than later as it tries to make a push not only to further cement its status as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, but also the overall highest-grossing film of all time. 

Where To Watch Ne Zha 2 Online

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Whether popular classics or hidden, long-forgotten gems, there are always a myriad of incredible romances to stream for free. There are countless tropes that make up the fabric of the stories, and while the genre might not be for everybody, there's one thing that's mandatory for it to earn the romance credit: There must be a happy ending for the main couple. So, no, Romeo and Juliet is not a romance. But a classic like 13 Going on 30 sure is.

From new book-to-screen adaptations like The Hating Game to early 2000s treasures like She's the Man, here are the 10 best romance movies streaming for free on platforms like Plex, Hoopla, and more.

Letters to Juliet  (2010)

As one of the most romantic films with two relationships at the center, Letters to Juliet is a must-watch. Set in the beautifully picturesque Verona and various other locations in Italy, the film is both a second chance romance and a tender strangers to lovers that leaves a mark. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) responds to a lost letter tucked in the crevices of Juliet's wall, allowing the late Vanessa Redgrave's Claire to make contact with her in order to follow her heart back to her long-lost love. As the search for Lorenzo commences, Sophie and Claire's nephew, Charlie, quietly fall for one another in the background. With a gorgeous soundtrack, thrilling banter, and heart-melting love declarations, every frame is what romantic comedy dreams are made of. 

Mr. Malcolm's List (2022)

As a fantastic and incredibly thoughtful book-to-screen adaptation with a refreshingly inclusive cast, Mr. Malcolm's List is a gorgeous historical romance and an absolute joy ride from start to finish. Featuring stunning, swoonworthy shots in every frame, the romance between Freida Pinto's Selina and Sope Dirisu's Mr. Jeremy Malcolm quietly develops with the type slow burn tension that's so deliciously enamoring. Every beat of the film feels earned, and the entire cast, along with the platonic relationships, make it an adaptation to remember. 

Serendipity (2001)

Inarguably one of the most romantic movies to exist, Serendipity is not only a rom-com staple, but it's essential Christmas-time viewing as well. When Sara and Jonathan meet and are quickly enamored by each other, they decide to leave their next meeting/date to fate, adding their phone numbers to a five-dollar bill and Sara's favorite book. It's not until years later, when Jonathan is preparing for his wedding, that we learn he keeps remembering the woman from the department store he met years ago. As fate allows, a search commences, and all the signs lead them back to one another, proving that invisible threads and serendipitous meetings happen for a reason. 

Northanger Abbey (2007)

A little spooky and entirely cozy, Northanger Abbey is not only an underrated Jane Austen adaptation, but it's a quaint little romance that deserves more hype. Starring Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland and JJ Feild as Henry Tilney, the delightful love story is set primarily in Bath and features a stunning portrayal of the strangers to friends to lovers trope. Directed by Jon Jones, the adaptation is a charming feature that checks every period drama box while simultaneously delivering something intriguing for those who generally aren't fans of the historical setting.

She's the Man (2006)

She's the Man is now a classic rom-com for countless reasons. Starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, the Twelfth Night adaptation hits every evocative trope with the type of humor that still holds up. With hilariously quotable lines like "I'm allergic to the sun" and "my favorite's gouda," the college-based film has something for every kind of viewer. And to top things off, the romance that develops between Viola and Duke genuinely feels earned at the end, eliciting butterflies and every giddy emotion that only amazing romances are capable of.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

As the quintessential childhood-best-friends-to-lovers romance, 13 Going on 30 still holds up gorgeously. When a heartbroken Jenna makes a wish on her thirteenth birthday to fast forward through time, she learns that the thirties aren't all their cracked up to be, except for one part of it, which is reuniting with her best friend Matty. With sweet and captivating chemistry between Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, the angsty yet poignant love story shines from beginning to end, telling a story that still manages to hold up today. 

Emma (2020)

There are a number of Emma adaptations at this point, and Autumn de Wilde's is among the best. Colorful and whimsically shot, it tells Jane Austen's story through a beautifully vibrant lens while allowing the chemistry between Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn to shine as Emma and Mr. Knightley. The age gap, friends-to-lovers romance features plenty of delicious banter and a tender appreciation for each other's good qualities and bad. In addition, the lighter approach to the film allows for some relatable and gif-worthy moments to shine, making it as hilarious as it is romantic.

Ella Enchanted (2004)

Fantasy, a musical, and romance? What more could anyone want than the dazzling and star-studded Ella Enchanted? Cursed to obedience from birth, Anne Hathaway's Ella embarks on a quest to undo the stripping of her agency, falling in love with Hugh Dancy's Prince Char in the process. Achingly romantic and surprisingly nostalgic, there's something special about the movie that boils down to the costumes, the music, and the cast adding a charming veil to every scene. Criminally underrated, it's one that deserves far more hype. 

Plus One (2019)

An underrated friends-to-lovers story, starring Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine, Plus One sizzles with banter and chemistry from beginning to end, even with its flaws. Opposites attract in more ways than one, as both Ben and Alice have their demons. However, when they decide to be each other's plus ones at the weddings they're invited to, sparks torch, taking their friendship from platonic to achingly romantic in a way that's fully organic. With sweet moments and hilarious bits of banter, too, Plus One is the type of rom-com that even fans outside of the genre could appreciate.

The Hating Game (2021)

Based on Sally Thorne's novel of the same name, The Hating Game is a worthy adaptation and an even better workplace rivals romance. Starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell as Lucy and Josh, the movie is stacked with the best tropes, longing, and plenty of antics to make you wish it were a trilogy of sorts. So many of the best contemporary romance novels follow a similar pattern of rivals becoming lovers, meaning there's a reason it's so popular. Here, we have the perfect office romance that gradually morphs into something bigger and better.

Where To Watch The 10 Best Free Romance Movies Online 

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James Gunn’s Superman recently premiered in theaters, dominating at the box office and stirring excitement for the new DC Universe. While many viewers have hailed Superman as the beginning of a new cinematic universe following the DC Extended Universe’s closure, Gunn’s DCU has already begun via the small screen and the DC Elseworlds brand.

What Is James Gunn’s DC Universe?

Gunn’s DCU is the current DC Cinematic Universe. Similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s a shared universe of films and TV shows featuring characters and stories inspired by DC Comics. Almost every movie and TV show under the DCU takes place in the same universe, except for those that fall under DC Elseworlds. DC Elseworlds is a part of the DCU but consists of shows and films that occur outside of the central timeline/universe. These could be standalone films or animated DC projects that boast their own continuity.

What Shows And Movies Currently Exist In The DCU?

When Gunn took over the DCU in 2023, several DC projects, both within and outside the DCEU, were already in development and were quickly brought under the DCU umbrella. Hence, the first DCU installment is technically Peacemaker. The series, created by Gunn, serves as a spin-off of The Suicide Squad, centering on Peacemaker (Josh Cena) in the aftermath of the film, as he decides to take on a new mission for A.R.G.U.S. to avoid returning to prison.

Gunn was developing Peacemaker Season 2 when he was installed as DCU head. Although initially conceived as part of the DCEU, Peacemaker is now considered part of the new DCU, with Season 2 set to premiere on August 21, 2025.

In 2022, Matt Reeves’ The Batman premiered on the big screen. The series introduces Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) and serves as a standalone Batman movie. Following its success, plans to expand The Batman with spin-offs and sequels quickly arose from Reeves. So, The Batman also came under DCU as part of DC Elseworlds. In addition to The Batman, its spin-off series, The Penguin, is a part of DC Elseworlds.

Several other projects in progress or released since Gunn took over DC Studios are also considered DC Elseworlds, including:

• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Superman & Lois
• Teen Titans Go!
• Harley Quinn
• My Adventures with Superman

By 2024, Gunn’s Creature Commandos premiered on HBO Max. The animated TV series is set within the DCU and centers on a ragtag team of monsters assembled by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to aid the nation of Pokolistan.

Most recently, the main DCU continuity received its first official film: Superman. The film introduces David Corenswet as the DCU’s Superman and follows him as he attempts to stop Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) while navigating precarious global tensions.

Where Is The DCU Headed?

Like the MCU, Gunn’s DCU will operate in phases, which are groups of distinct, interconnected movies. Currently, it is in Phase 1: Gods and Monsters, which began with Creature Commandos and Superman. Peacemaker Season 2 marks the next Gods and Monsters project. The interconnectivity is already rearing its head as Peacemaker Season 2 will feature Superman’s Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn). Meanwhile, the star of the next DCU movie also boasted a cameo in Superman: Supergirl (Milly Alcock).

After Supergirl, Clayface, featuring Tom Rhys Harries as the titular character, will premiere on September 11, 2026. On the small screen, the next DCU project after Peacemaker is Lanterns, featuring two Green Lanterns (Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler) in a detective role. Afterward, the Peacemaker spin-off series, Waller, is set to arrive at an undetermined date.

DC Elseworlds will continue to expand through Reeves’ Batverse, with The Batman Part II slated for release in 2027. However, the DCU continuity will also receive its own, separate Batman, set to star in The Brave and the Bold, which currently lacks a confirmed release date or lead actor. 

As the DCU continues, the movies and shows in the main continuity are expected to tie into the theme of the phase, Gods and Monsters. Creature Commandos and Superman already featured some fantastic monsters, as well as figures both good and bad, such as Superman and Waller, who have god-like abilities or have a propensity for playing god. Only time will tell, though, where the DCU’s exploration of the duality of gods and monsters will lead.

Where To Watch DCU Shows And Movies Online

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Star Wars is one of the highest-grossing film franchises in the world, but it might not exist without the influences of many other storytellers. While Star Wars creator George Lucas has cited Akira Kurosawa and Flash Gordon as some of his inspirations, there’s another strong influence that doesn’t get as much attention from fans: Foundation.

Foundation Season 3 recently premiered on Apple TV+, enamouring its fan base with its hard sci-fi premise and epic scale. Unfortunately, it remains one of the streamer’s more underrated series. Although it hasn’t received the attention it deserves, the story it adapts inspired a plethora of major space epics, including Star Wars.

Foundation's Influence On The Space Opera Subgenre

Over two decades before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope arrived on the big screen, Isaac Asimov published the first book in his Foundation series. Asimov initially planned the stories as a trilogy, consisting of Foundation (1951), Foundation and Empire (1952), and Second Foundation (1953); however, the series would later expand to include four more novels. 

Foundation is often considered a cornerstone of sci-fi because it introduced so many groundbreaking sci-fi concepts that continue to influence the genre to this day. The series is a space epic centered on the final days of the Galactic Empire. As the ruling body of the galaxy, the Empire oversees numerous planets and trillions of people. When psychohistorian Hari Seldon predicts its fall, he also foresees the centuries of darkness its end will herald. Desperate to minimize the impact of the fall, Seldon creates the Foundation, an Institute dedicated to preserving civilization and paving the way for a new empire.

Asimov’s story was far from the first space opera. Still, its tale of a Galactic Empire reigning over the galaxy is something that has seeped into the DNA of the space operas that followed, including Dune, Star Wars, and Rebel Moon. However, it’s not just the concept of a Galactic Empire that sci-fi stories have borrowed from Asimov, but also the overarching themes of power, oppression, and the building blocks of civilization.

The Parallels Between Foundation And Star Wars

Upon reading Foundation, it’s not hard to notice the many ways in which it parallels Star Wars. There’s the most obvious similarity, which is that each story's premise revolves around a pre-established Galactic Empire and sets its demise as the primary conflict. Although the Star Wars prequel trilogy would later delve into the establishment of the Galactic Empire, it initially shared Foundation’s formula of a pre-existing empire. Both Foundation and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi also feature the collapse of the Empire.

Even as Star Wars expanded into its own, distinct franchise, its stories still mirror Foundation. For example, the Foundation faces challenges from remnants of the Empire after it falls, much like the Imperial Remnants that surface in Star Wars’ newer projects, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. 

Asimov’s Foundation is also credited with popularizing the concept of hyperspace for traveling at the speed of light, which figures prominently in Star Wars and most major space epic franchises. Star Wars’ Coruscant, introduced on-screen in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, also parallels Trantor in Foundation, as both are the politically significant Capitals of the Empire that took the form of a planet-wide city. However, Timothy Zahn created Coruscant rather than Lucas, suggesting multiple creatives in the Star Wars franchise potentially drew inspiration from Foundation.

Meanwhile, it’s not just story elements that Star Wars and Foundation share, but also the heart of the story. Both are tales of how just one individual has the power to change the fate of an entire galaxy, and about the resilience and evolution of civilization in the face of oppression and dramatic changes.

Did Foundation Inspire Star Wars?

Interestingly, Lucas has never directly confirmed if Foundation served as his inspiration for Star Wars, although he has praised Asimov’s work, including his exploration of robots. Asimov, however, stated that he believed Foundation did inspire Star Wars. In one introduction from 1983, he noted how Star Wars “here and there, offered rather more than a whiff of the Foundation.” However, he conceded that he didn’t mind the similarities and even professed himself to be a fan of Star Wars, noting that he himself pulled extensively from ​​The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Ultimately, it’s likely that Foundation played some role in inspiring Star Wars, Dune, Star Trek, and practically every major sci-fi franchise that explores galactic empires and space travel. Foundation itself wasn’t without inspiration, as it's virtually a sci-fi rendering of a history book. Every story starts somewhere, and Star Wars did as well, drawing inspiration from an existing tale and evolving into something more original.

Where To Watch Star Wars And Foundation Online

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Sure, there’s the big streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. But there’s also an increasing number of smaller streaming services offering up great content. Known as “niche streamers,” these smaller streaming platforms are gaining popularity thanks to their libraries of excellent, often tailored, shows and movies.

Whether they’re catering to a certain niche, like horror fans or lovers of British television, or they’re devoted to high-end, premium originals, these niche streamers absolutely deserve your attention. Plus, many offer free trials, making them perfect to try out without paying a penny. From Shudder to MGM+ and more, here are 10 niche streamers you need to check out. 

Shudder

Must-Watch Originals: Late Night With the Devil, In a Violent Nature, Creepshow

Launched in 2015, Shudder actually predates many of streaming’s biggest platforms. The streamer is designed for fans of terror and suspense and specifically caters to the ever-growing horror fandom. Shudder offers its own original shows and movies, like Late Night With the Devil, Host, and The Beach House, while also providing a large library of other horror content as well. From classic slashers to cult indie hits and more, it’s got everything diehard horror fans want. Plus, with user reviews, watch parties, and more, it also does a great job at creating community. 

MGM+

Must-Watch Originals: Godfather of Harlem, The Institute, From

While Amazon already has its own streaming service with Prime Video, it also has another with MGM+. In 2022, Amazon acquired the legendary film studio MGM, which also included the acquisition of its streaming service known as Epix. Since then, Amazon has turned it into the new streamer MGM+ to provide high-quality premium movies and shows. Think of MGM+ as Amazon’s version of HBO. It has its own film library of hits, like Gladiator II and Better Man, while also producing its own original movies and series, like its fan-favorite horror hit From, which has become a standout and is universally praised by critics. MGM+ also produces the original crime thriller Godfather of Harlem, which stars Forest Whitaker. For great premium content, MGM+ is one to watch. 

Mubi

Must-Watch Originals: The Substance, Magic Farm, Bring Them Down 

Mubi has been gaining attention over the last decade as a home for hardcore cinephiles. Loaded with indie hits, arthouse films, experimental cinema, and more, Mubi is the place to go for deep, daring movies. But everything changed in 2024 when Mubi released its original film The Substance, which took the world by storm and earned Demi Moore a slew of awards and nominations, including a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars. Suddenly, Mubi became one of the hottest studios and streaming services around, even being valued at over $1 billion in early 2025. On top of its originals, it has other hit, thought-provoking films like Paris is Burning, Mysterious Skin, Carol, and more. 

Crunchyroll

The popularity of anime continues to grow, and so does the impact of the streamer Crunchyroll. It is absolutely the go-to destination for anime fans, offering up everything from shonen to shojo to seinen and more. It’s loaded with hits like Dan Da Dan, One Piece, and Attack on Titan, but it’s also got a huge library of more under-the-radar anime to discover and enjoy. Just like Shudder, Crunchyroll also does a great job at creating community thanks to its blog posts, game section, vibrant social media community, and appearances at various in-person events like Comic-Con. 

BritBox

BritBox doesn’t technically have original content, but it does have content that—outside of the UK and Ireland—can only be streamed on the platform. BritBox is the international streaming home to hits like Outrageous, The Tower, and The Bay. But it’s also got tons of classic British and Irish hit series from throughout the years too, like Mrs. Brown’s Boys, Father Ted, and Downton Abbey, among many others. If you love scripted series from the UK and Ireland, then BritBox is absolutely the streaming service for you. 

Starz

Must-Watch Originals: Power, P-Valley, Mary & George, Outlander

Starz has been around a while, and while it’s never boomed into a huge streaming service, it’s managed to carve out its own place with a devoted fanbase. The streamer is known for its iconic hits like Outlander and Spartacus, and, more recently, spawned an entire media universe with its Power franchise. On top of that, it has a large library of hit movies like M3GAN, The Holdovers, and Fast X, among others. Starz is perfect for fans who enjoy cinematic hits and originals that are different, quirky, and not afraid to push boundaries. 

Screambox 

Must-Watch Originals: Terrifier 3, Street Trash, Tales From the Void

Shudder isn’t the only streamer for horror fans. Screambox is a smaller streaming service than Shudder, but for hardcore genre fans, it’s a sure bet. Most notably, Screambox is the streaming home of Terrifier 3, but it’s also home to tons of other horror hits, like the Japanese remake of Cube, the infamous Audition, and tons of horror documentaries like Pennywise: The Story of It. If you’re a huge horror fan and love seeking out films you can’t find anywhere else, like foreign horror movies, arthouse horror, and low-budget grindhouse films, then Screambox is definitely worth checking out. Screambox is also unique in that it’s owned by Cineverse but operated by the iconic horror publication Bloody Disgusting. 

Revry

Must-Watch Original: Unconventional  

Revry is a newer streaming service devoted to LGBTQ content. The streamer is loaded with iconic queer favorites like Trick, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Mulholland Drive, among others. But the streamer also has fun original webisodes like Versus, which is hosted by Mrs. Betty Bowers actress Devin Green, as well as original series like Unconventional, a dramedy that centers around the lives of two different queer couples. Revy also streams exclusive events like drag balls and comedy roasts of iconic queens like Sherry Vine and Thorgy Thor. 

BET+

Must-Watch Originals: First Wives Club, Ruthless, All the Queen’s Men

Launched in 1983, BET became the premier network for Black entertainment. In 2019, it launched its own streaming service BET+. The streamer is loaded with all of BET’s hits, including Gabrielle Union’s Being Mary Jane and College Hill, but it’s also loaded with tons of original content, including many series created by Tyler Perry, like Ruthless. Another must-watch original is the BET+ re-envisioning of First Wives Club, starring Jill Scott. Just like the film, the series is a comedy that follows three divorced women who find strength in their friendship.

AMC+

Must-Watch Originals: Gangs of London, No Way Up, Silent Night

AMC+ is a bit of a weird streaming service. Instead of focusing on its own original content, it’s essentially a massive conglomerate of all of AMC’s properties. That means viewers can watch everything from the AMC network, along with all things IFC, Sundance, BBC America, and yes, even the entire Shudder library. On top of that, AMC+ also acquires the exclusive streaming rights to numerous UK series like Gangs of London and films like Silent Night. For a niche streamer that offers lots of versatility, like hit docuseries from Sundance like Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle to iconic IFC favorites like Documentary Now! and, of course, all things The Walking Dead, this is a great streamer to try out. 

Where to Watch The Best Niche Streamer Originals and Exclusives Online

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While all eyes are currently on the upcoming release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, die-hard Marvel fans are all patiently awaiting the return of one team: the X-Men. Though a variation of the team was last seen in 2019’s disastrous Dark Phoenix, we’ll see them again in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which is almost certainly a precursor to the next live-action film. 

But who should serve as the foe for that film? It’s mostly been X-Men vs. Magneto ever since X-Men in 2000, but there are decades worth of villains to pick from. Before you dive into your next merry mutant streaming adventure to watch every live-action X-Men movie and TV show, why not consider this list of villains we still haven’t seen the X-Men fight in live action? 

Mojo

A lot of X-Men villains haven’t made their way to the big screen for one simple reason: They’re just really weird. Take, for instance, Mojo. A recurring villain since the ‘80s, Mojo is a spineless (literally) alien who runs his own entertainment world, the aptly titled Mojoworld. He’s been a thorn in the X-Men’s side for decades, regularly pulling them into his bizarre world to live out television fantasies for the twisted residents of Mojoworld. Though he’s been a regular fixture of animated fair, such as X-Men ‘97, the character just hasn’t found a place in live-action to make his mark. 

Sauron

A major hurdle of X-Men villains appearing on film has to be just how expensive they would be to portray. Sauron, ironically, is one with a built-in means of making him somewhat budget-friendly. See, Sauron has a dual persona of sorts. He’s normally Karl Lykos, a physician who was bitten by mutant pterodactyls. As a result, Lykos is now an energy vampire who feeds on life force, and when he absorbs mutant life force, he turns into the half-man, half-pterodactyl known as Sauron. While Lykos is somewhere around chaotic good, Sauron is one of the most evil X-Men villains there is, using mind-control powers in a bid to take over the world. 

Proteus

Ask any X-Men fan who the most tragic X-Men villain is, and they’ll almost certainly say Proteus. The son of longtime X-Men ally Moira MacTaggert, Proteus/ Kevin MacTaggert is born with bizarre reality manipulation powers, but his emotional state means he seldom has them under control. As a result, he’s a wildcard that even the X-Men can’t prepare themselves for. Imprisoned for years by parents who didn’t know what else to do, the freed Proteus is a tragic nightmare scenario, and the ending of his first arc sets up years of heartbreaking trauma for the team to work through. He’s the perfect emotional through point for an early days X-Men movie.

The Imperial Guard

While their role as ally or foe is typically tied closely to the nature of the story they’re in, there’s no denying that The Imperial Guard—the elite soldiers working at the behest of the bizarre aliens known as the Shi’ar—are enemies when they first debut. The Imperial Guard are also enemies when they’re a pivotal element in the all-time classic The Dark Phoenix Saga, where they’re pitted against the X-Men in a battle royale, all with team mate Jean Grey’s life on the line. X-Men films have largely kept away from the iconic cosmic stories of old, but introducing the Imperial Guard and the Shi’ar would certainly make a lot of fans happy. 

Daken

Daken’s mellowed out a lot these days (or, at least, as mellow as someone currently operating as the hybrid Ghost Rider/Wolverine, Hellverine, can get) to the point that he’s been a card-carrying member of the X-Men, but he was once something much darker. The long-lost son of Wolverine, Daken debuts with a burning hatred for his father and spends much of his first few stories trying to kill him. It escalates to the point that he becomes the Wolverine of Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers, but following the creation of the mutant paradise Krakoa, Daken and Wolverine seemingly make amends. He’s relatively new and closer to an anti-hero these days, but he’s still a fan favorite, and someone fans would love to see Wolverine fight on-screen. 

Vulcan

One of the recurring mysteries of the X-Men throughout the ‘90s was the identity of the third Summers brother. After years of teases and handwaves, it was finally revealed that Cyclops and Havok had a half-brother, Vulcan, who had been stolen from their kidnapped mother’s womb by pirates and raised in space. Vulcan’s origin is a tragic one, which saw Xavier erased from everyone’s memory after he was believed to have died on a mission to rescue the original X-Men. These days he’s a recurring thorn in the X-Men’s side, most recently coming to blows with Storm over the right to rule the mutant haven on Mars, Arakko. 

Omega Red

So far as Wolverine villains go, they don’t get much more sinister than Sabretooth, but Omega Red is a close second. A creation of the ‘90s, Omega Red is a Russian mutant who can secrete fatal “death spore” pheromones and has a pair of unbreakable whips implanted into his wrists. Like many other villains on this list, he’s been a regular in animation and is a fan favorite who always comes up in discussions of who should be in the next movie. He did almost make the jump to movies, though, having appeared in a Deadpool 2 deleted scene as one of the Ice Box’s mutant inmates. You can only see it in the film’s extended cut, paving the way for his real live-action debut in a future film.  

Arcade

On paper, Arcade sounds like a huge joke. He’s a recurring villain who has shown up off-and-on for years across multiple books, but for a spell in the ‘70s and ‘80s, he was a notorious X-Men foil. Arcade is obsessed with games and builds elaborate death traps that resemble games and funhouse rides. Believe it or not, he’s nearly beaten the X-Men on multiple occasions, and once proved to be so effective that even Doctor Doom teamed up with him. He’s treated more like a joke today, but there was once a time that Arcade was a deadly threat, and his eccentric style is perfect for a live-action movie. 

The Brood

The X-Men have already fought a lot of foes they can physically fight, but what about one that embodies the concept of body horror? The Brood are an alien-race who infect their prey with larvae that violently hatches from their bodies, not unlike Alien’s Xenomorphs. To date, the Brood have been a notorious and horrifying threat to the X-Men, and if anyone other than Wolverine is infected, that character is almost certainly marked for death. Their presence would certainly shift the tone closer to straight horror than adventure, but it would make for an exciting change of pace as well. 

Mr. Sinister

We have almost gotten Mr. Sinister so many times in live-action, with his presence teased in both X-Men: Apocalypse’s post-credits scene and throughout the plot of The New Mutants, with many reports indicating that a post-credits cameo was cut from The New Mutants during its lengthy production. A longtime X-Men foe and one of Marvel’s greatest haters, Mr. Sinister is a seemingly immortal geneticist who was mutated by Apocalypse to have total control of his genetic structure. Since then, he’s stalked the Summers family for years, slyly manipulating Scott and Alex’s lives from childhood. A mainstay of X-Men animation, it’s long overdue for this ominous figure to make his live-action debut, and he would be a perfect slow-burn foe for the MCU’s iteration of the X-Men. 

Where To Watch X-Men Live-Action Movies & TV Online

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is just around the corner, marking the iconic superhero team’s official entrance into the cinematic universe after previously falling under Fox’s ownership.

According to The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ director, Matt Shakman, the film takes place in its own universe separate from the MCU’s history. Its self-contained universe means there aren’t many films directly tied to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but viewers can still use our guide to find a list of recommended Marvel movies to watch beforehand for additional context.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame follows Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his fellow surviving Avengers teammates on their mission to bring back the population wiped out by Thanos (Josh Brolin). It’s one of the most defining moments of the modern cinematic universe and The Avengers, which could be useful for The Fantastic Four: First Steps viewers, considering the Fantastic Four are not expected to stay in their own universe and are confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday.

Avengers: Endgame is also potentially important because it explains Stark’s fate in the MCU. While Stark won’t be a part of the MCU going forward, Downey will return as Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom, rumored to appear in the Fantastic Four: First Steps. So far, it’s unknown if the MCU will tie Stark to Doom or if Downey will even appear in the new movie, but it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared by knowing Stark’s MCU fate.

Eternals (2021)

Eternals is one of the most relevant films to The Fantastic Four: First Steps because it set the stage for Galactus’ MCU entrance. Chloé Zhao’s Eternals introduced the Celestials to the MCU, as these cosmic entities were responsible for sending the immortal Eternals to Earth. Throughout the film, the Eternals learn startling truths about the Celestials' true plans for them and Earth. The film paved the way for Galactus by introducing cosmic beings into the MCU and bringing the Celestials, Galactus's enemies, into the fold. With Galactus (Ralph Ineson) appearing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Eternals offers a great introduction to cosmic beings closely related to the villain.

The MCU’s Multiverse Movies

Viewers interested in understanding how The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in its own universe may want to watch the MCU’s multiverse movies. Spider-Man: No Way Home is the first MCU film to significantly feature the multiverse, as it sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) accidentally open a multiversal breach through which variants of Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire) and his enemies arrive. The film serves as a good introduction to the multiverse. At the same time, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness delves deeper into explaining alternate universes by featuring Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) traveling through the multiverse itself in pursuit of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).

Lastly, Deadpool & Wolverine features the multiverse and the transition of several characters previously under Fox ownership, including Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), into the MCU via variants and parallel universes. All of the multiverse movies are a great way for viewers to get a feel for how the cinematic universe has been slowly bringing Fox’s and Sony’s heroes under the MCU umbrella, paving the way for the Fantastic Four’s highly anticipated debut.

Thunderbolts* (2025)

Thunderbolts* is the most recent MCU movie and sees Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and an unlikely crew of anti-heroes join forces to investigate Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her mysterious Sentry experiments. It is the only MCU movie with a direct tie-in to The Fantastic Four: First Steps via its post-credits scene. In the scene, the Thunderbolts team receives a distress signal from an inter-dimensional spacecraft with the Fantastic Four logo on it. The scene seemingly depicts the Fantastic Four’s entrance into the MCU timeline, with most viewers theorizing that it takes place after The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it’s not entirely clear when the scene takes place, it teases the Fantastic Four’s future in the MCU.

Where To Watch Marvel Movies Online

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With widely relatable performances and excellent range, Ayo Edebiri is undoubtedly one of the best actors of this generation. Including three record-breaking Emmy nominations as the first young Black actress and a win under her belt, among countless other awards, she consistently proves that not only is her breadth as a performer incomparable, but so are her skills in directing. Now, she's also the first woman to be nominated in both the acting category and as a director in the same year for The Bear's "Napkins." 

From animated voice work like in Big Mouth to FX's hit culinary dramedy The Bear, Edebiri's reign is only just beginning as an actor, comedian, writer, and director. Here are the eight best Ayo Edebiri movies and TV shows, along with where to watch them on platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, and more.

The Bear (2022)

With compelling writing and directing, plus a brilliant cast all around, it's understandable why FX's The Bear would be the series that'd ensure an actress like Ayo Edebiri consistently shines. Sydney Adamu might be the character many people will get to know her as, but it's the star's inimitable work in the show's four seasons thus far that inspires viewers to explore her entire filmography further. From the moment she steps onto the screen, Edebiri brings her A-game, showcasing a profound understanding of the immensely caring and gentle chef that allows Sydney to become the heart of the series. 

Bottoms (2023) 

As a unique coming-of-age comedy about two teenage girls who start a fight club to meet other girls and subsequently lose their virginities, Bottoms shines as a hilarious tale that feels like a classic '80s feature. Ayo Edebiri stars as Josie, an ambitious LGBTQIA+ teen, trying to find her way with her best friend. Hilarious, distinctive, and well-written, Edebiri escapes into the role with her comedic chops on full display.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

Every character in Pixar's animated duology about the emotions inside a teenage girl's head matters, and Ayo Edebiri is an astounding voice actor for Envy in Inside Out 2. While she doesn't take center stage like Maya Hawke's Anxiety, Edebiri's quips from Envy break molds with both hilarious beats and shockingly relatable nuance that add depth to Riley's emotions. Voice acting is often tough with recognizable stars, but Edebiri does an incredible job of ensuring that in this film, viewers only hear and get to know Envy. 

Big Mouth (2017)

Edebiri wasn't always a part of the hit animated series, Big Mouth, as she came into the picture in Season 4 to replace Jenny Slate as Missy. Still, it's as though she's been there all along. Like in Inside Out 2, Edebiri ensures that viewers hear a unique character, and not someone else they can associate with her, adding humor and absurdity to the nerdy girl with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. 

Clone High (2023)

MTV's Clone High, developed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Bill Lawrence, centers historical figures in a fictional universe that evidently differs from the real-world figures we know them as. As a parody of classic teen dramas, the series takes multiple liberties to contribute to its unique premise. Edebiri plays Harriet Tubman, and effortlessly makes the role a unique standout from everything else she's in, threading humor and heart to deliver one of her strongest voice performances.

Theater Camp (2023)

A feature film inspired by the short film of the same title, Theater Camp is an authentic and wildly niche depiction that allows theater kids to find immeasurable joy and relatability in. Ayo Edebiri plays Janet Walch, one of the camp counselors, and delivers something hilariously quotable in every scene she's in. Managing to squeeze in beats of humor into the limited screen time she has in an ensemble cast, Edebiri is one of the best parts in an already well-rounded film.

Abbott Elementary (2021)

Although Ayo Edebiri has only been in two episodes of Quinta Brunson's hit mockumentary, Abbott Elementary, she plays the type of significant character whose position means she can always return. Edebiri embodies Janine's rebellious little sister and manages to bring something incredible every time we see her. And sure, she's only been around twice, but not only does her role give us plenty about Janine, but it also makes her an intriguing character to want more of. 

Opus (2025)

While A24's Opus didn't have the same impact as most A24 films do, Ayo Edebiri's performance as the journalist Ariel Ecton, who finds herself in the middle of a missing pop star's compound, is incredible and proof of her range. The thrilling events of the film propel Edebiri from her general comedic expertise to a different genre, proving that there's indeed nothing that the actress can't master.

Where To Watch The Best Ayo Edebiri Movies And TV Shows Online

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There likely wouldn't be an Avengers Initiative or a Loki redemption arc without the Tesseract. This glowing blue cube first made its mark in Captain America: The First Avenger, but its legacy stretches across nearly every phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It houses the Space Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones capable of rewriting reality.

But before it became the centerpiece of intergalactic wars and multiversal meltdowns, the Tesseract had a far more cryptic origin, and its journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe is as unsettling as its power.

The MCU Origins Of The Tesseract

Long before it was stashed in a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility or hijacked by Loki, the Tesseract was hidden on Earth by the King of Asgard, Odin. As one of the oldest cosmic artifacts in the MCU, what looks like a glowing cube is actually a containment vessel for the Space Stone, which was forged during the creation of the universe.

The Tesseract was eventually discovered by humans and ended up in the hands of HYDRA during World War II, when Johann Schmidt (aka Red Skull) used it to power experimental weapons in Captain America: The First Avenger. After Red Skull's defeat, the cube sank into the ocean, only to be recovered by Howard Stark, studied by Project PEGASUS, and later passed to S.H.I.E.L.D.

From there, it became a central object of obsession, corruption, and war. The Kree sought it, Thanos destroyed worlds for it, and Loki used it as a bargaining chip more than once. But what's most disturbing is that the cube has never stayed put. It keeps slipping through hands, slipping through time, always returning when it's least wanted. And in a universe now fractured by timelines and variants, it may not be alone.

The Tesseract Is The MCU's Most Dangerous Weapon

In The Avengers, the Tesseract brought an alien invasion to Earth. In Captain Marvel, it accidentally created one of the MCU's most powerful heroes. In Avengers: Infinity War, it was one of the first stones Thanos claimed (technically, it was handed to him by Loki, who stole it from Asgard before the planet was destroyed). But it was Avengers: Endgame that truly set the stage for its return when the Avengers bungled their time heist, 2012 Loki seized the cube and disappeared into a splintered timeline.

That one impulsive act kicked off Loki Season 1 and unraveled everything we thought we knew about the MCU's version of space, time, and destiny. Even after the TVA scooped up that variant and filed the Tesseract away like it was nothing more than office clutter, its story probably didn't end there. In a multiverse filled with infinite branches and unchecked consequences, we'd be foolish to assume every version of the Tesseract is safely locked away.

The Tesseract's Trail Went Cold But 'Loki' Made It More Dangerous

Loki didn't just show us what happened to the Tesseract, it redefined what it meant. When the TVA treated the cube as just another paperweight, it underscored a chilling truth behind it. In a place beyond time, even the most powerful weapons lose their meaning. But outside the TVA? That power still very much applies.

Loki's journey made one thing clear. Timeline branches can't be contained. As Loki Season 2 unfolded, the Tesseract faded into the background, but its consequences didn't. The variant Loki, who once craved the cube's power, grew into a god who understands the burden of shaping entire realities (or glorious purpose, depending on who you ask).

Yet that leaves a massive question hanging in the air. If this more evolved Loki isn't using the Tesseract, who is? Because we've seen what it does in the wrong hands, and with the multiverse now spiraling with variants lurking in the shadows, the Space Stone's capabilities may be more vital than ever.

What Makes The Tesseract So Disturbing?

Other MCU weapons have limitations. Mjolnir needs worthiness. The Iron Man suits need a reactor and a genius to operate them. Even Thanos needed all six Infinity Stones to carry out his evil plans. But the Tesseract bends space at will and provides its user with the ability to instantly teleport. It doesn't require a password or a blood sacrifice—just the wrong intentions. The cube has been responsible for mass destruction, genocide-level invasions, and multidimensional instability.

And even when it isn't being used, it lingers in the background like a loaded gun waiting for someone to pull the trigger. More than that, it leaves a mark on those who chase it. Loki's obsession with the Tesseract defined his downfall and his rebirth. The Red Skull was cursed by it. The TVA was created, in part, to contain the very chaos it helped unleash. And now, in a reality where time branches are infinite, the potential for the cube to resurface in terrifying new ways is higher than ever.

The Multiverse Saga Could Be Setting Up A Tesseract Return

With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, Marvel is heading into its most chaotic, reality-breaking chapter yet. Universe collisions, collapsing timelines, legacy crossovers are all on the table, and if there's one artifact that could fuel (or fix) that chaos, it's the Tesseract.

Imagine a multiversal war where someone unearths a variant of the cube that's somehow evolved, corrupted, or combined with another stone. Or picture a Secret Wars scenario where the Tesseract becomes the only tool that can stitch realities back together, or blow them apart. The cube may not think for itself. But its legacy and potential make it more dangerous than any villain.

Where To Watch All MCU Movies And Series Featuring The Tesseract Online

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James Gunn is a director who has only gotten more and more popular in recent years. Thanks to his time with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he was able to earn mainstream recognition and eventually became the new head of DC Films and shepherd the studio’s latest attempt at a cinematic universe, the DC Universe (DCU). So far, it seems to be a success thanks to the stellar box office numbers of Superman. 

Gunn, as a writer and a director, has a unique voice that blends drama and comedy in a way few can match. He’s not afraid to shy away from making weird decisions that tend to lead to powerful and emotional character moments, even if they seem odd at first glance. It’s not uncommon to see tears roll in a James Gunn movie because of it, but Gunn isn’t just known for his films, having a hand in several television shows and even helping to write a video game back in 2012 called Lollipop Chainsaw. If you just finished Superman and want to explore the director’s library in more detail, here are the five best James Gunn movies and TV shows for you to watch that best epitomize him.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

Before James Gunn was a producer or even a director, he was a screenwriter, and one of his first big projects was adapting Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! into a movie. The end result was 2002’s Scooby-Doo, a movie that not only showed respect for the brand but also injected plenty of James Gunn’s unique eccentricities. The casting for each of the main characters was on point, with Matthew Lillard, in particular, being the perfect live-action Shaggy, and a lot of the fun that was present in the cartoon managed to make its way into the film despite the shift from animation to live-action.

But James Gunn managed to make the script his own, adding some meta jokes here and there, but most importantly, absolutely destroying Scrappy-Doo as a character. Make no mistake—James Gunn absolutely loathes Scrappy-Doo, and one of the joys of watching Scooby-Doo nowadays is seeing how Gunn systematically assassinates Scrappy-Doo as a character, which is totally fine because Scrappy-Doo is literally the worst. Whether you’re an adult or a young kid, there’s at least something to crack a smile about in Scooby-Doo. 

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

It’s funny hearing fans trying to pit Zack Snyder and James Gunn’s vision of DC Comics against each other when, in reality, the two of them seem to be on good terms. In fact, the two have worked together on projects like Snyder’s debut film, Dawn of the Dead, a remake of George Romero’s classic zombie film of the same name.

Gunn serves as lead writer for this remake, and while there are some issues with bland characters here and there, Dawn of the Dead excels at action, especially with its visceral opening scene that’s still shocking today. The special effects and makeup are also solid, helping to give the zombies a much bloodier aesthetic and violent presentation that wasn’t seen at the time. In many ways, it's Snyder’s best film, and it would be fantastic watching Snyder reunite with Gunn for a film that mixes Gunn’s skills as a writer with Snyder’s eye for cinematography. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Gunn’s popularity exploded when he directed 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and while the trilogy of films centering on Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot are all great, the second film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, is the best. 

With the character introductions from the first film out of the way, the film focuses on exploring them more in depth and having them begin to develop more as characters. You can really feel that the team has grown from a group of outlaws brought together by happenstance in the first film to a found family, supporting and criticizing each other in ways that are meant to help one another. There’s still plenty of humor to be sure, but there’s a much greater emotional core that all comes together in a final scene that’s sure to put a tear in your eye.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Gunn was quickly picked up by DC Films following his forced exit from Marvel in 2018, and almost immediately, he began production on a follow-up to Suicide Squad as his DC debut. Titled The Suicide Squad, which isn’t hard to distinguish from its predecessor at all, while there were some continuing elements from David Ayer’s 2016 film, such as having Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn return to reprise the character, stylistically and tonally, it was a vastly different beast. 

The film earns its R-rating with a whole host of violence, foul language, and a sense of brutality that wasn’t present in its predecessor. Gunn leaned heavily on non-traditional characters, like Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and Polka-Dot Man, but was able to personalize and elevate them into fan-favorite characters, giving the film a certain charm that Snyder’s DC films couldn’t achieve. It flopped at the box office, but that has less to do with the quality of the film and more so the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, making this an extremely underrated film that begs to be seen with friends.

Creature Commandos (2024)

With Gunn taking creative control of the future of DC Films, now christened DC Studios, following the critical success of The Suicide Squad, Creature Commandos serves as a mission statement of sorts for everything that James Gunn has become. It’s a series that focuses on an oddball and unconventional group of foul-mouthed heroes that are tasked with saving the world, whether they like it or not. 

What helps set Creature Commandos apart from The Suicide Squad and any of the Guardians films is the amount of time spent with each character and how dark their stories can be. The show runs for seven episodes, and each episode tends to focus on a new member of the eponymous group amid their mission to Pokolistan to defeat the sorceress Circe. It’s also far more raucous and excessive than any of those films, leaning heavily into Gunn’s earlier career at Troma Films, making Creature Commandos a pure distillation of everything that James Gunn is as a creative entity. It’s odd, violent, and a little bizarre, but ultimately an emotionally fulfilling little series.

Where To Watch James Gunn’s Best Movies And TV Shows Online

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Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, which has now been adapted into an Apple TV+ show of the same name, is perhaps one of the most influential works of science fiction ever written. It’s not overestimating it to say that most of the ideas that make up the genre as we know it today were introduced by Asimov, and that the ideas in the series have influenced some of the most popular science fiction works of the last century. 

But which works, in particular, were inspired by Foundation? And what themes do they share with Asimov’s epic saga? Here are 8 sci-fi movies and shows you didn’t know were inspired by Foundation and where to watch them.

Star Wars 

Yes, Star Wars was indeed inspired by Foundation. And very obviously so, too. The parallels between the Galactic Empire of Cleon II and that of Emperor Palpatine are clear, and Foundation even has a character called Captain Han Pritcher who gives, what one would call, Han Solo vibes. Even the ability to manipulate “the Force” is an idea that comes from Asimov’s books. This is one of those cases where the person in charge doesn’t even deny the influence of a previous work, with George Lucas himself admitting he was inspired by Foundation. So, if you love that galaxy far, far away… you now know where the idea came from.

Star Trek

Can a single work inspire Star Wars and Star Trek? The answer is yes, considering Asimov basically set the basis for science fiction as we know it today. The concept of hyperdive (or warp drive)? Yes, Foundation went there first. And though the influence here isn’t as obvious as it is with Star Wars, the exploration of galactic empires and societal structures is very much an idea that Asimov introduced first and franchises like Star Trek continued to explore later in their own way. Think of Star Wars as Foundation’s firstborn son and Star Trek as the cousin. 

Dune

The Dune franchise is another one where the influence of Foundation is obvious, and writer Frank Herbert has explicitly said so. This is especially apparent in the Denis Villeneuve adaptations, Dune and Dune: Part 2, which are most people’s most direct contact with the material. But, in many ways, Dune wasn’t just inspired by Foundation, Dune is presented as a counterpoint to it. The basis of the conflict is the same—a decaying galactic empire—but Dune takes it somewhere completely different than the work it was inspired by, giving fans a different solution and an actual hero. Two sides of the same coin, but the influence is obvious nonetheless.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Considering how different the vibe is from the very serious Foundation to Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and its adaptations, it’s hard to see how one could have inspired the other. But this work is actually pretty obvious about the inspiration, mentioning the encyclopedia at the basis of Foundation by name and even remarking that it is rather dry and boring, which is why it sells fewer copies than the guide. Yes, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s a joke within a joke, but an obvious nod to a work that shaped science fiction. 

Futurama

This is another one that feels like a reach, but it actually has a direct mention. Everyone knows Futurama as a space travel show, so perhaps in that regard it’s easy to see the inspiration. There’s also a lot of futuristic space technology, as is to be expected considering the name of the show. But Matt Groening was directly inspired by Foundation, and the proof is in the oboe-like holophonor in the series, which is based on the Visi-Sonor Magnifico plays in Foundation and Empire, the second book in the original Asimov trilogy. Now, that’s a deep cut.

Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica sticks pretty close to the central theme of Foundation, which makes its influence even more on the nose. The series presents humanity on the brink of extinction, not only searching for a new home but also preserving its knowledge and culture. Pretty familiar, right? Then there are the Cylons, a force that could radically destroy society as we know it, pretty much like the crises that threaten the Empire in Asimov's novels. Even as it goes on, the search for Earth feels similar to the search for the Second Foundation, including the philosophical debates about democracy. 

Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049 is also very clearly inspired by Foundation. A world where artificial memory, knowledge preservation, and the manipulation of history are paramount feels very much like the one Asimov created. Throw in a society in decline that doesn’t sound that dissimilar to a Galactic Kingdom in its final stages and the small groups working in secret, which are very similar to the Second Foundation, and the influence becomes obvious. It’s not the same story, but perhaps, at this point, all science-fiction is interested in telling the same kind of tale and Asimov just did it first?

The Expanse

Another pretty recent show that proves Foundation’s impact was likely what actually convinced Apple TV+ to try to finally adapt the actual books into their own show. The Expanse is basically what you would get if you meshed Foundation’s themes with modern sensibilities. There’s a colonized solar system with different factions, which mirror the political dynamics of Asimov's Galactic Empire. Then there’s protomolecule technology, which works as a disruptive element similar to the crises in Foundation. If you also throw in decisions with consequences that will affect generations and historical forces larger than individuals who can only occasionally influence events, then the parallels are undeniable. 

Where To Watch More Shows Inspired By 'Foundation' Online

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As a 200-year-old novel that is public domain, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is among one of the most popular stories to adapt, with countless versions and modern reimaginings, such as Bridget Jones' Diary, or even daring tales of what comes after, like the brilliant Death Comes to Pemberley. Even the Hallmark Channel has taken wild liberties with numerous Christmas adaptations that are impossible to keep up with.

From an unfortunately failed stage production to a myriad of shows and films, here are all Pride and Prejudice adaptations, ranked from worst to best, and where to watch them on platforms such as BBC, Netflix, and more.

10. Pride and Prejudice (1952)

As a live production with no footage for viewers to currently stream, the 1952 Pride and Prejudice doesn't leave much room for any criticism or praise either. Somewhere in the ether is a version of the book that could have been either great or woefully terrible, but few know how to really tell the story and vouch for its impact. With a runtime of three hours, the BBC production is something that's actually haunting with its what-ifs since the footage is presumed to be lost. 

9. Pride and Prejudice (1967)

As a limited series, with more time to adapt, the 1967 Pride and Prejudice fumbles the bag entirely with its decision to leave out Mary Bennet. While sure, the choice can be understandable when examining just how much the novel explores and how little she's present in it, it's still an incredibly odd and slightly offensive choice to leave behind the quiet sister who often feels left out in the first place. As one of the earlier adaptations in this form, this version could've been great, but it instead feels entirely unnecessary.

8. Pride and Prejudice (1980)

As another limited series, Cyril Coke's Pride and Prejudice is relatively decent in adapting the novel with a memorable cast, but it doesn't include anything particularly unique or riveting to grasp onto. Still, as it manages to fit a large chunk of the novel in, it's the cast's portrayal of the main characters that makes the series an easy watch for those who are already fans of the story. 

7. Pride and Prejudice (2003)

The 2003 version of Pride and Prejudice should have worked as a college day twist, but it unfortunately fumbles as the film neglects the heart of the novel and also doesn't take its own world-building too seriously. As funny as the book is, when matters of wealth and social status are at the center, the toxicity is also important to explore. Yet, the film does none of this, serving instead as a reimagining that doesn't allow itself to really shine in the unique premise it's attempting to set up. 

6. Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Of all the classic, old Hollywood adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Robert Z. Leonard's starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson is the best one yet. Bold and hilarious, it's surprising that the adaptation isn't among the popular ones. While few are aware of its existence, the adaptation manages to give important beats of the novel their due, while the chemistry between the stars sells the classic hate-to-love story. With some new scenes and a lovely twist, it's one worth checking out at least once. 

5. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012)

Few people are actually aware of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, yet that doesn't make it any less significant in a sea of Pride and Prejudice adaptations. As a modern adaptation that emerged in the early days of vlogging, the web series took various Austen fans by storm when Ashley Clements first stepped in front of the camera to tell a version of the story that maybe shouldn't have worked as brilliantly as it does. Hilarious, clever, and genuinely well-developed, it's proof that any adaptation can work so long as there's heart and care attached to the original property. 

4. Bride and Prejudice (2004)

As another unique and gorgeously shot modernization, Bride and Prejudice succeeds entirely because it weaves in a Bollywood musical with the renowned story to tell an even richer tale that explores South Asian customs amid the text's exploration of different classes. Romantic, fun, and lush with every scene, Bride and Prejudice is the kind of adaptation that also belongs on every Broadway stage. As one of the most stunning versions, it's criminally underrated, too.  

3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) 

Based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is proof that you can adapt a classic piece of literature and give it a unique twist while still allowing the story's core themes to shine. While the film isn't for every Austen connoisseur, it's certainly the most well-rounded adaptation with a fantastic narrative that makes the film entertaining and perfect for spooky season. Starring Lily James and Sam Riley as Elizabeth and Darcy fighting against a zombie apocalypse, every beat of the film works to honor the original story as it provides high-stakes entertainment and a hauntingly, grotesque veil to the Regency classic.

2. Pride and Prejudice (1995)

BBC's limited series gives viewers the iconic scene of Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy emerging from the water, all while managing to capture the essence of Jane Austen's novel by filling in as much of the story as possible. There's a reason countless fans view it as the adaptation, and it's entirely because it accurately delivers every significant narrative beat while simultaneously managing accuracy in costumes, scenic shots, and a time-accurate cinematography that feels like it was made in the 1800s. Whip sharp and featuring some of the most brilliant English stars, the 1995 Pride and Prejudice is as close to perfect as a limited series comes. 

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005) 

For the rest of all time, fans will argue about whether Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice is indeed better than the BBC limited series, and that's a large part of its appeal, too. Still, the beauty of this adaptation comes not only from the incredible chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, but also from Wright's directorial vision and the timeless original score from the English Chamber Orchestra and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. It stems from the magnetism of the hand flex and every beat of the film that is utterly picturesque as it captures the heart of Austen's novel through moments of character development that feel earned, even with the short runtime. 

Where To Watch 'Pride and Prejudice' Adaptations Online

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Donning a timeless leather jacket, John Shaft has strutted through five decades of cinema with undeniable swagger. From Richard Roundtree's street-smart original to Samuel L. Jackson's bombastic portrayal and the techno-savvy 2019 reboot, this franchise has leapt boldly across eras. Even the often-overlooked 1973 Shaft television series, which only lasted seven episodes, deserves respect, having brought unprecedented style to small screens despite losing some of the film's edge.

Based on the novel series by Ernest Tidyman, what began as a private detective's mission in Harlem evolved through jet-setting kidnappings, family reunions, and generational alliances, always wrapped in attitude. Each entry brought a fresh energy to the franchise, rooted in classic cool. So, let's step into the Shaft canon to appreciate how each entry builds on the legacy. Here's how to watch all Shaft movies in order. 

Shaft (1971)

The story begins with private detective John Shaft prowling Harlem with purpose and a whole lot of attitude. When a notorious crime boss hires him to find his kidnapped daughter, Shaft dives deep into the criminal underworld, taking on the Italian mob, rival gangs, and the NYPD with equal parts brains and bravado. The film weaves through smoky bars, cluttered backrooms, and shadowy rooftops, where Shaft uses fists, wit, and pure presence to get what he needs.

More than just a detective story, Shaft redefined cool at a time when Hollywood rarely handed Black leads this kind of power. Shaft became a cultural milestone, with critics praising its style, Richard Roundtree's performance as the titular hero, and the unforgettable score, which earned the film an Oscar and a place in cinematic history. It's still considered a foundational film for both the blaxploitation era and modern Black action heroes.

Shaft's Big Score! (1972)

This time around, Shaft isn't solving a kidnapping. Instead, he's diving into a deadly power struggle in the Harlem underworld. When a close friend is murdered, and $250,000 goes missing, Shaft finds himself caught between rival gangs, dirty cops, and mobsters looking to cash in. He navigates upscale apartments, seedy funeral homes, all while keeping his cool and dodging bullets. As the stakes rise, so does the action.

Shaft's Big Score! traded in some of the first film's noir grit for sleeker, bigger set pieces and more explosive confrontations. As a result, it received a more mixed response, with some critics stating that the film missed the original's tighter storytelling, while others appreciated the amped-up action and gloss. Still, audiences showed up, and Roundtree remained a magnetic central character. It's a super fun, fast-moving follow-up that doubles down on scale, if not intimacy.

Shaft in Africa (1973)

In his third big-screen outing, Shaft goes international. Recruited by a mysterious agency, he heads to Africa to expose a human trafficking ring smuggling laborers into Europe. Disguised as a local, Shaft infiltrates the operation from within while dodging assassins, navigating betrayals, and outwitting sadistic villains with spy gadgets and unshakable confidence. Shaft in Africa trades Harlem's familiar streets for espionage-style storytelling.

While not as well-received as its predecessors, the movie, which basically turns the titular hero into a globe-trotting operative, has earned a cult following for taking a bold swing with the story. At the time of its release, critics were split on its tone, but many praised its ambition. While it may stray from the franchise's roots, it offers a refreshing (if uneven) change of scenery.

Shaft (2000)

Fast-forward to the early 2000s, and John Shaft II (Samuel L. Jackson), nephew of the original character, is running things now. After a racially motivated murder, Shaft quits the NYPD to pursue justice on his own terms, targeting a privileged killer and a ruthless drug lord. As he hunts them down, he crosses paths with his uncle (Roundtree), and together they bridge generations to confront corrupt systems and family legacy.

It's slick, fast-talking, and full of that early-2000s action flair, with street chases, shootouts, and Jackson's signature verbal takedowns. The Shaft reboot was a box office hit, which was due in large part to a solid story complete with an homage to the 1971 film, and Jackson brilliantly taking the lead as the titular character. Critics had a mixed response to the film's change in tone, but fans embraced the update, crediting the movie with bringing the franchise back into the spotlight.

Shaft (2019)

This Shaft movie follows millennial FBI analyst John "J.J." Shaft III (Jessie T. Usher), who reconnects with his estranged dad, John Shaft II (Jackson), when a friend's suspicious overdose becomes a suspected murder. Reluctantly teaming up to investigate, the father-son duo uncovers a conspiracy tied to cybercrime, drug cartels, and a shady rehab empire. Along the way, they recruit the OG Shaft (Roundtree), turning the investigation into a family affair.

It's a buddy-comedy-action hybrid that leans into generational culture clashes and playful jabs, which results in the stakes sometimes taking a back seat to banter. Critics weren't sold on the tonal mashup, calling it uneven and overly comedic. But audiences found fun in the generational dynamic and sharp dialogue. Though it stumbled at the box office, streaming and an overall love for the Shaft legacy has kept it alive.

Where To Watch All 'Shaft' Movies In Order

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Whether you instantly recognize his name or not, odds are, you’ve enjoyed a Nicholas Hoult performance. The English actor has been working since a young age, first earning acclaim at age 11 for his performance in About a Boy before growing into more mature roles in both film and TV.

Now, Nicholas Hoult is taking on an iconic character in one of the most anticipated movies of the year: Lex Luthor in Superman (2025). Here are the best movies and TV shows of Hoult’s career so far and where to find them on streaming services like Disney+ and Netflix.

Superman (2025)

Nicholas Hoult takes on the role of the titular hero’s archnemesis in Superman (2025), joining the likes of Gene Hackman and Jesse Eisenberg in bringing Lex Luthor to life. While he doesn’t have any superpowers, the CEO of LuthorCorp still poses a major threat to Superman thanks to his genius intellect and massive amounts of power and influence. Hoult’s take on Lex Luthor takes inspiration from kinds of billionaire tech bros currently making headlines, ensuring the character is as timely as he is menacing.

About a Boy (2002)

Hoult’s breakout role came in About a Boy, a comedy-drama based on a 1998 book by Nick Hornby. In it, he plays a socially awkward child who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a wealthy man (Hugh Grant) as his mother (Toni Collette) struggles with depression. At just 11 years-old, Hoult’s performance as a lonely schoolboy impressed critics and audiences, making it a great watch for fans who want to see where the actor got his start.

Skins (2007-2013)

After getting his start as a child star, Nicholas Hoult transitioned into more mature roles with the topical and controversial teen drama Skins. He plays Tony Stonem, who starts out as a popular and manipulative teen but becomes more mature and vulnerable after a traumatic accident. Hoult, along with the rest of the original main cast, left the show after Season 2, at which point the series moved onto a new group of teens that included Tony’s sister, Effy Stonem.

Warm Bodies (2013)

One of the stranger films of Nicholas Hoult’s career, Warm Bodies is a supernatural rom-com based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that casts the star-crossed lovers as a human and a zombie. Hoult plays R, a zombie who only feels alive when eating human brains until he meets Julie (Teresa Palmer). It sounds like a silly premise to take advantage of the zombie craze reignited by The Walking Dead, but the performances from Hoult and his co-stars take what could be a shallow parody and give it plenty of charm.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

While he may be getting a lot of attention for playing Lex Luthor, Superman (2025) is far from Nicholas Hoult’s first time in a superhero movie. Hoult plays Hank McCoy/Beast in the 20th Century Fox X-Men movies starting with X-Men: First Class, succeeding Kelsey Grammer for the prequels. Of these, special mention has to go to X-Men: Days of Future Past. Based on an iconic comic storyline, it follows Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) as he goes back in time to prevent an event that leads to the destruction of mutants and humans alike, culminating in mutants past and future working together.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Another massive blockbuster hit to star Nicholas Hoult is Mad Max: Fury Road, in which he plays a terminally ill slave named Nux. The role involved Hoult shaving his head, losing a lot of weight, and performing various stunts, all of which clearly paid off. Fury Road remains the highest-grossing Mad Max film to date and won six of the 10 Academy Awards it was nominated for, including prizes for editing and production design. It’s widely considered among the best action movies ever made, making it a must-watch for any Nicholas Hoult fans.

The Favourite (2018)

The Favourite is mostly known for its leading women and their political and physical entanglements. After all, it earned Olivia Coleman an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Anne and both Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz earned Best Supporting Actress nominations for playing her scheming courtiers. However, Nicholas Hoult plays an important supporting role as Robert Harley, a political opposition leader who seeks to use Abigail (Stone) to influence the Queen. The Favourite earned plenty of praise for mixing humor with a commentary on power, gender, and sexuality led by three multifaceted women, and Hoult and his male co-stars do a commendable job of giving the actresses what they need without overshadowing them.

The Great (2020-2023)

Nicholas Hoult returned to television for the first time since Skins in The Great. This darkly comedic series tells, as the title card puts it, the “Occasionally True Story” of the rise of Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning). Over the course of the show, Catherine plots to kill her cruel husband Emperor Peter III (Hoult) so she can take the throne herself. The show ran for three seasons and was warmly received by fans and critics for its humor and strong performances from its leads, and Fanning and Hoult both earned Emmy nominations for Season 2.

The Menu (2022)

In the black comedy The Menu, Nicholas Hoult plays a man who brings a date (Anya Taylor-Joy) to an exclusive restaurant on a private island. However, the evening quickly takes a dark turn when the celebrity chef (Ralph Fiennes) preparing the meal serves his guests some uncomfortable—and increasingly violent—surprises. The Menu is a not-so-subtle commentary on wealth, inequality, and the nature of art that’s full of shocking twists, and Hoult is in great company as part of an ensemble cast that also includes John Leguizamo and Judith Light.

Nosferatu (2024)

Recently, Nicholas Hoult starred as Thomas Hutter in Nosferatu (2024), adding to the list of iconic properties the actor has left his mark on. In this remake of the 1922 silent film based on Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, Hoult’s character is married to Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), a woman with a strange connection to the mysterious nobleman Count Orlok, who is, of course, actually the eponymous vampire. Nosferatu (2024) was widely praised for its writing, directing, and performances, which combine to make this gruesome Gothic horror story both beautiful and disturbing.

Where To Watch Nicholas Hoult Movies And TV Shows Online

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The Jurassic Park franchise expanded recently with the premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth. As is standard with Jurassic Park movies, one of the aspects of Jurassic World Rebirth that audiences anticipated most were the death scenes. 

The franchise is known for its spectacular dinosaur attacks, which most often befall the villains. Viewers interested in the death scenes can use our guide to find out where to watch the 10 most gruesome deaths in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. 

Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1993)

Dennis Nedry boasted one of the worst and most memorable deaths in the original Jurassic Park. In the film, Nedry is a disgruntled Jurassic Park employee who attempts to steal dinosaur embryos during a power shutdown. However, he gets lost in the rain and realizes a dinosaur is stalking him. The dinosaur reveals itself to be a small juvenile Dilophosaurus with colorful frills framing its face. However, it has a nasty surprise for Nedry, unexpectedly shooting venom into his eyes and temporarily blinding him before mauling him. The dinosaur's unexpected and extremely painful ability adds to the gruesome and shocking nature of Nedry’s death.

Dieter Stark in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park boasts the highest number of gruesome deaths, including Dieter Stark’s (Peter Stormare). Stark makes the poor choice of going off alone in the park to use the bathroom and antagonizes a few little Compsognathus dinosaurs. However, the Compsognathus soon return in a pack, overwhelming Stark with hundreds of tiny, painful bites all over his body. Although he gets away several times, he ultimately falls to the Compsognathus, who slowly pluck all the flesh off his body bit by bit. It’s one of the slowest, most agonizing, and painful deaths in the franchise.

Eddie Carr in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Eddie Carr (Richard Schiff) has one of the most gruesome and saddest deaths in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, considering he’s one of the good guys. As a tech specialist at the park, he tries to protect the visitors, including distracting two T. rex until the visitors can reach safety. Unfortunately, the dinosaurs turn their attention toward him, smashing through the car he’s in until one grabs him by the legs, flipping him in the air, and biting down on his head. The other dinosaur grabs his legs, and the two play tug-of-war with his body until it tears in half. It’s a gruesome, graphic death wholly undeserved by Eddie, who made a heroic sacrifice.

Peter Ludlow in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

In The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Peter Ludlow (Arliss Howard), the nephew of Dr. Hammond, wants to build a new Jurassic Park in San Diego. Hence, he has the brilliant idea to bring an adult and infant T. rex on a ship to transport them to San Diego. Of course, the dinosaurs get loose and instantly kill everyone onboard, except Ludlow. The adult T. rex decides to play with him, first breaking his legs and then dropping him on the deck for the infant, which gleefully tears off his face. Ludlow’s prolonged death in The Lost World: Jurassic Park is quite torturous and agonizing.

David Koepp in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp cameos in the movie as an unnamed civilian in San Diego. After killing Ludlow, the T. rex on the ship makes its way to San Diego, terrorizing all the unfortunate people who happen to be in the city, including Koepp. While most of the civilians narrowly escape death, Koepp turns and runs toward a building, only to find it locked. The T. rex quickly snatches him up and eats him. While it’s not the goriest or most painful death in the franchise, it is quite nightmarish considering he was just an innocent civilian who died the most absurd death at the hands of a random T. rex in San Diego.

Udesky in Jurassic Park III (2001)

Udesky (Michael Jeter) is a booking agent in Jurassic Park III, hired by the Kirby family to find their son, who went missing near Isla Sorna. During the mission, he becomes separated from his group, and two raptors corner him, taking their time killing him. The raptors appear sadistic, as they cause him pain without eating him, including clawing his legs and back and stabbing him with a toe claw in the spine to paralyze him. Finally, after an agonizing, prolonged attack, the raptors break his neck, killing him. It's a terrible overkill death seemingly done out of sheer sadism, making it particularly gruesome and disturbing.

Zara Young in Jurassic World (2015)

Zara Young (Katie McGrath) is the reluctant assistant of Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) in Jurassic World. When the Pteranodon attack the Jurassic World guests, Young is one of the people swept away by them. As she struggles to free herself, she’s tossed from Pteranodon to Pteranodon and thrown from the sky into a park lagoon, where the Pteranodon try to drown her. While trying to get away from them, the Mosasaurus emerges from the lagoon’s depths and swallows her in one gulp. She’s one of the few people in the Jurassic Park franchise to be genuinely eaten alive, making her death very unsettling.

Ken Wheatley in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Ken Wheatley (Ted Levine) is a hunter in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom who has a dark habit of collecting the teeth of dinosaurs he has taken down. When he comes across the genetically engineered Indoraptor, he’s desperate to get its teeth, shooting it with a tranquilizer dart before entering its cage. However, he didn’t realize the experimental dinosaur was extremely intelligent and capable of feigning sedation. After luring him into the cage, the Indoraptor bites his arm off and eats it in front of him before killing him. Seeing one’s own body parts consumed by a dinosaur is as gruesome as it gets in the Jurassic World series.

Rainn Delacourt in Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

In Jurassic World Dominion, Rainn Delacourt (Scott Haze) is involved in the illegal black market dinosaur trade. After a confrontation with Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Delacourt tries to flee but accidentally falls into the dinosaur fighting pit at the market, where a Lystrosaurus and Carnotaurus pin him down by each biting one of his hands. The dinosaurs continue holding him as a Baryonyx breaks free and lunges at his face, mauling him to death. Delacourt’s death is painful, considering the teamwork of the dinosaurs who left him completely incapacitated and unable to defend himself whatsoever.

Martin Krebs in Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Martin Krebs is a pharmacist in Jurassic World Rebirth, who believes he can cure heart disease with dinosaur DNA. He nearly gets away with his DNA samples until the mutated, nightmarish Distortus rex unexpectedly pops out of the shadows and attacks him. The attack is so gruesome that nothing is left of Krebs, save for one arm still clutching onto his precious samples. The jump scare of the Distortus rex’s entrance, along with its distorted appearance and fierce attack, makes Krebs’ death the most gruesome and shocking of Jurassic World Rebirth.

Where To Watch The Most Gruesome 'Jurassic Park' Deaths Online

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Awards season is now in full swing with Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song announcing the nominees for the 77th Emmy Awards, featuring record-breaking recognition like Harrison Ford's first-ever Emmy nomination in his career, and Bella Ramsey making history as the first non-binary actor to be nominated more than once. Dystopian sci-fi hits and original properties in their debut seasons continue to emphasize the significance of new and exciting content finding its place in the industry, and some snubs naturally have critics and fans alike frustrated by the outcome.  

With new shows like The Pitt and The Studio racking up multiple awards and unsurprising candidates like The White Lotus, here are the best series nominated for the 2025 Emmy Awards, along with where to watch them on platforms such as HBO Max, Netflix, and more.

Andor (2022)

The two-season Star Wars series took the world by storm with its debut and heightened the stakes in its sophomore run, effectively becoming one of the best additions to the expansive franchise. Nominated for 14 awards, including Best Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series, Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series, and countless technical nods, Andor, the brilliant Diego Luna-led series is brimming with heart, empathy, and a narrative that's especially relevant in this day and age. 

The Diplomat (2023)

Netflix's The Diplomat is the sleeper hit that now proves any series starring Keri Russell is bound to be an unquestionable success. (See FX's renowned The Americans.) Nominated for two awards, including Best Outstanding Drama, as well as an acting nod to Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, the series' small but mighty impact is proof that an original series with no IP can indeed make a vast impact on viewers. Created by Debora Cahn, the show is a political thriller centered on an American ambassador and her high-profile, tumultuous marriage. 

The Last of Us (2023)

HBO Max's hit, The Last of Us, based on the renowned video game series, continues to be an indomitable triumph with 16 nominations, including Best Outstanding Drama and various production nods, as well as acting nominations for both Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The post-apocalyptic sequel follows unlikely pairs in a high-stakes battle for survival, but it stands out due to its powerful themes of found family, vulnerable displays of compassion, and compelling narrative arcs that honor the video game it's based on. 

Paradise (2025)

With four nominations, including Best Outstanding Drama, as well as recognition for Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and Julianne Nicholson, Hulu's new original series, Paradise, like The Diplomat, proves that unique thrillers are still very much appreciated by critics and fans alike. Created by Dan Fogelman, the doomsday nail-biter centers on political elites, those hired to protect them, and the perilous outcomes of secrets and lies tormenting people at a time when mere existence is challenging.

The Pitt (2025)

HBO Max's unique and incredibly nuanced medical drama The Pitt is now nominated for 13 awards, including Best Outstanding Drama, various writing credits, as well as acting attributes for Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby and Katherine LaNasa as Charge Nurse Dana. The Pitt's distinctive one-day, hour-by-hour approach made it the series to turn to in the last year, becoming an instant success with its compelling and realistic depictions of medicine and its powerful display of empathy at the heart of human interactions. 

Severance (2022)

Apple TV's dystopian sensation, Severance dominates the 77th Emmy Awards with 27 nominations, including (and not at all surprising) Best Outstanding Drama, multiple nods to cast members Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette. Nominations also include numerous writing and directing credits, including Jessica Lee Gagné's brilliantly directed "Chikhai Bardo," proving that the series' sophomore season is even more lusciously exhilarating than its first as it breaks down the inner workings of Lumon to potentially set these characters free and explore what's keeping their innie and outie worlds separate. 

Slow Horses (2022) 

Slow Horses isn't a show for every viewer, yet it remains one of the more compelling dramas on streaming as it consistently raises its stakes and delivers something rich and nuanced in every upcoming season. Nominated for five awards, including Best Outstanding Drama, Best Casting for a Drama Series, a Best Actor nomination for its leading star, Gary Oldman, and more, the series based on Mick Herron's novel shines as an underrated hit, following dysfunctional MI5 agents that are hugely impactful in small but monumental ways.

The White Lotus (2021)

The once meant to be a limited series, The White Lotus is now a consistent awards contender, racking up 23 awards, including a variety for actors like Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Aimee Lou Wood, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, and Sam Rockwell, as well as a Best Outstanding Drama Series. For three consecutive seasons now, the series keeps its premise while changing its cast and location to continue showcasing that its appeal stems from exceptional casting every time.

Abbott Elementary (2021)

Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary also resumes conquering awards season as a true comedy with its nomination for Best Outstanding Comedy and five other nominations, including acting credits for Brunson herself, Janelle James, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. The mockumentary-style series set in an underfunded elementary school consistently and thoughtfully improves with each passing season, becoming the type of comedy that's both profoundly moving and tastefully hilarious.

The Bear (2022)

Fans and critics alike will likely turn to social media to once again air their grievances about how The Bear isn't a comedy, yet that discourse isn't stopping the Academy from recognizing it as one. With 13 nominations, the series continues to be a standout in every category. The Chicago-based culinary series aired its most dramatic and harrowing season yet, and every performer within, whether wrongfully categorized or not, is still deserving of the recognition for the stunning work they brought to the kitchen this year. 

Hacks (2021)

As yet another underrated series, Hacks floors us all with 14 nominations, including Best Outstanding Comedy, nominations for Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, as well as various technical achievements. Lucia Aniello's dark comedy is indeed properly categorized and consistently manages to become a roaring success thanks to its compelling writing and thoughtful characterizations that effectively tell an endearing story.

Nobody Wants This (2024)

Netflix's unexpected romantic comedy, Nobody Wants This, starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, is additional proof that the genre is effective, still revered, and award-worthy when it's done right. Following an aspiring Jewish Rabbi and a rebellious atheist in their journey toward falling in love, the romantic comedy is now a three-time Emmy nominee, including Best Outstanding Comedy as well as lead acting nominations for both Bell and Brody. The second season is set to air on October 23, 2025. 

Only Murders in the Building (2021)

With seven nominations, Hulu's clever and genuinely hilarious hit, Only Murders in the Building, continues to rack up award nominations for Best Outstanding Comedy and one for Martin Short as Oliver Putnam. The delectable series, which follows an unlikely multi-generational friendship among podcast hosts who solve crimes in their apartment building, aired its most star-studded season yet, and with it, delivered one of the most exceptional comedy seasons to date.

Shrinking (2023) 

Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel's heartfelt and brilliantly compelling Shrinking featured its most emotionally moving season yet in 2024 and, with it, garnered seven Emmy nominations, including Best Outstanding Comedy, and nominations for Segel, Harrison Ford, Michael Urie, and Jessica Williams. Following an unconventional therapist as he works through his lingering grief, Shrinking is a thought-provoking triumph that explores various themes such as parenthood, unlikely friendships, and more through an achingly realistic and vulnerable lens, packed with humor at every turn. 

The Studio (2025)

Apple TV's boldest comedy to date, The Studio gives viewers a front-row seat to the decision-making process in Hollywood as it recognizes the problems with sequels and IP content, awards distribution, and the system as a whole, with celebrities guest-starring as themselves and one wild plot point after another. With 23 nominations, it lands itself in the third spot of most award nominations during the 77th Emmy Awards, including Best Outstanding Comedy. 

What We Do in the Shadows (2019)

What We Do in the Shadows goes off with a shrill in its last season with six Emmy Award nominations, including Best Outstanding Comedy. The vampire mockumentary featuring unlikely roommates, which was originally based on a film of the same name, is yet another underrated hit that consistently hits the nail on every coffin (pun intended) with some of the most hilarious jokes to date. Ambitious, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly endearing, acknowledging shows like this is a big win for more inclusivity with niche content. 

Adolescence (2025)

The thrilling limited series, Adolescence, took viewers by surprise earlier this year, landing 13 nominations, including one for up-and-coming young star Owen Cooper. The British thriller follows a 13-year-old boy after he's arrested on suspicion of murder and, through four episodes, tells a gripping story that's impossible to look away from. With its Best Outstanding Limited Series nomination, it lands Netflix yet another hit that showcases the importance of contained stories. 

Black Mirror (2011)

The now well-known anthology series earned 10 Emmy nominations, giving it time to finally shine after a bit of a slow run due to changes in the system. With it, Rashida Jones lands herself a nomination as well as one for Best Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Writing for "Common Place." The season of Black Mirror took bigger hits to continue telling thrilling Twilight Zone-esque tales that keep the season fresh and layered in its powerful themes. 

Dying for Sex (2025) 

Dying for Sex, starring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, the limited series based loosely on the real-life experiences of Molly Kochan is nominated for nine Emmy Awards, with acting nods to Williams, Slate, and Rob Delaney, as well as a directing nomination for Shannon Murphy. The provocative series rose to popularity with its honest depictions of female pleasure and bold storytelling, allowing it to become yet another series to accurately portray narratives that aren't always given proper time on screen.

Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story (2024)

Ryan Murphy's second installment of the true crime anthology series, Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, follows the titular Mendez brothers after the killing of their parents and publicized trials. Stacked with an impeccable cast and excellent management, the series is nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, including Cooper Koch for Outstanding Lead Actor, Javier Bardem for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Chloë Sevigny for Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Casting For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, and more.

The Penguin (2024)

HBO Max's hit limited series The Penguin follows the titular character after the events of Matt Reeves' The Batman in his rise to power. Starring Colin Farrell in his most unrecognizable and thoroughly compelling form, the bold crime drama is the second highest nominated series, with 24 nominations, including Best Outstanding Limited Series, acting nominations for Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and Deirdre O'Connell, as well as various technical achievements to showcase the series' thoughtful means of honoring the comics. 

Where To Watch The Best Emmy Nominated Shows Online

To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences! 

Live-action films, TV shows, animated features, and countless shorts—the Marvel and DC universes are considerable and expansive, brimming with countless relationships from their comic book origins. With this in mind, it's made it significantly hard to keep up and keep track of all the iconic relationships that've graced our screens, resulting in famous kisses like Spider-Man's upside-down kiss or the ones that've spanned for seasons in TV shows. 

With James Gunn's Superman hitting theatres and stealing fans' hearts, it's time to look back at some of the best superhero kisses in Marvel and DC films, along with where to stream them on platforms such as Disney+, HBO Max, and more.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent - Superman (2025)

James Gunn's Superman not only features one breathtaking kiss between David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, but two. And while they're bound to become iconic gems that fans will tirelessly look back on, it's their second toward the end of the movie that's a stunning display of adoration, joy, and profound longing. As Lois confesses to Clark that she loves him, too, he swoops her in the air with the biggest grin on his face, and the two of them fly while their mouths stay locked on one another. Longer than typical superhero kisses, the two scenes are currently banned in various countries because of how risque they're considered. 

Batman and Catwoman - Batman Returns (1992)

Though it's not exactly a traditional kiss, Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman licking the face of Michael Keaton's Batman in Batman Returns is unquestionably one of the most memorable scenes in any superhero movie. Whether it's been days or years since a viewer has revisited one of the most popular live-action adaptations, the gesture is one that has certainly rewired brains and stirred plenty of conversation, forcing people to flock to fan fiction sites. In every universe, every Batman and Catwoman have their thing—a language that they speak and no one else understands, which underscores the fact that they're kindred spirits through everything. Here, it's this. 

T’Challa and Nakia - Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther isn't just one of the best films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the relationship between T'Challa and Nakia is also a standout for the softness and empathy that both characters carry in everything they do. At the end of the film, they share not one kiss, but two, as T'Challa pleads with Nakia to stay in Wakanda, promising her that she can fulfill the dreams she wants with the resources provided. With gorgeously vulnerable performances from the late Chadwick Boseman and the incomparable Lupita Nyong'o, the tender kiss leaps off the screen, becoming one of the sweetest displays of adoration still to this day.

Logan and Jean Grey - X2 (2003)

Interestingly, superhero films before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as we know it today, were far more racy in how they displayed affection between characters. The X-Men trilogy and Mark Steven Johnson's Daredevil are two primary examples that showcase intimacy in ways that go far beyond a simple kiss. And while Logan "Wolverine" and Jean Grey have quite a few moments that are fiery hot, there's something achingly memorable about their kiss in X2 as she attempts to fight against her feelings for Wolverine while she's still with Cyclops. Full of longing, forbidden angst, and a plethora of chemistry, it's one that still leaves a mark. 

Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter - Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

While relatively chaste as first kisses go, what makes Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter's kiss stand out is the scene's execution. It occurs right as he's about to go after Red Skull, and she stops him just as he's about to leave the car with a kiss that momentarily stuns him. As a relatively sweet story about first loves, Steve and Peggy's first kiss feels like the quintessential kiss in the midst of a battle that's meant to give the superhero the motivation he needs to come back to something. That might not be the case at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, given Steve's fate, but it's still a worthy moment that feels timeless.

Tony Stark and Pepper Potts - Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

As one of the most iconic couples in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts have a number of amazing moments, topped with delicious banter that makes their relationship memorable. While their first kiss is glorious, there's something about their kiss in Avengers: Infinity War right before Doctor Strange interrupts them that cements that this relationship is it for them. After this moment, there's no going back, especially considering the fact that Tony actively voices that there should be no more secrets between them. Casual displays of intimacy are sometimes just as powerful as big, heated moments, and this kiss is the perfect example of that. 

Spider-Man and MJ - No Way Home (2021)

Move over, upside-down kiss, because every scene between Tom Holland's Peter Parker and Zendaya's MJ is top-tier. While their first kiss in Spider-Man: Far From Home is wholesome and sweet, their angst-filled goodbye kiss in Spider-Man: No Way Home is the one that authenticates just how deeply they love one another. With a tearful goodbye and a promise to reconnect despite the memory loss she'll experience, the final kiss between Peter and MJ is gorgeously moving, palpable, and stunning with the red hues all around them. Every beat of their longing is felt, deepening the heartbreak and ensuring this kiss is remembered long after the credits roll.

Thor and Jane Foster - Thor (2011)

Like Peter and MJ's kiss but without the memory loss, Thor and Jane Foster's first kiss in Thor is all about ensuring that the feelings between the Asgardian god and mortal scientist are real. His promise that he'll find her and the return is thoroughly swoonworthy. Secluded in a desert, emotions on full display, and with a conversation happening entirely in silence due to fantastic performances from Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, their kiss seals the deal in a way that's both easy on the eyes and rich in context. 

Wanda Maximoff and Vision - Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Similar to Tony and Pepper's casually intimate kiss in Avengers: Infinity War, what viewers get with Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they're hiding in Edinburgh is proof of their love and a tender display of adoration. After a brief moment of comfort and a kiss to her hand, the scene brings to life the "I just feel you" line and ends with the type of achingly tender kiss that hurts twice as hard when viewers remember Vision's inevitable fate. Sweet and gentle, yet thoroughly transcendent, there's no denying it's one of the most memorable first kisses.

Batman and Catwoman - The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Christian Bale's Batman shares more than one kiss in Christopher Nolan's trilogy with different women, but none stick out quite like his kiss with Anne Hathaway's Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. Like many of the kisses on this list, it occurs amid what both characters believe to be a goodbye, yet it's loaded with emotions and angst that transcends off the screen. And in true Batman and Catwoman fashion, their banter sizzles with a frustration that fuels their admiration for one another, making that final kiss a promise in every way.

Where To Watch The Best Superhero Kisses In Marvel And DC Movies Online 

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Horror for kids and adolescents wasn’t yet as popular as it would later become when Are You Afraid of the Dark? first premiered in 1992. The children’s horror anthology was the gateway for a generation of kids—and parents—to a genre that, before it, went a little too hard and was geared toward adults. This same generation would grow up to lift up the genre, and many franchises would be born out of millennials fascination with horror.

But, if you wanted to watch the horror series today, what order should you watch it in? And does it even matter, considering they’re adaptations. Here’s how to watch Are You Afraid of the Dark? in order.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark (1992-1996)

The original Are You Afraid of the Dark? lasted five seasons, premiering in 1992 and ending in 1996. The premise is pretty simple, a group of teenagers, who refer to themselves as "The Midnight Society," meet at a secret location in the woods, where every episode, a different member tells a scary story to the group. Each episode focuses on the story being told, and not the meeting, which means every episode is a different story. In this original series the storytelling is usually tied to the personalities of each of the members of the club.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1999-2000)

Only a few years after the original ended, the show got a revival in 1999. The first Are You Afraid of the Dark? revival only went on for two seasons, but it was very successful. Once again, the format is an anthology, though the narrative worries a lot less about tying the story being told to the member of the club telling it. Instead, the characters tell stories that have to do with things that happened when they’re away from the meetings and not their personal likes or dislikes. That made the series a little more random, but also allowed the show to tell the kind of stories narrative constraints didn’t really allow them to in the original series.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (2019-2022)

Once again, another revival of Are You Afraid Of The Dark?! This time it took a little bit longer, but the combination of nostalgia for a generation that grew up with the Midnight Society and an increased appetite for horror brought the story back one more time for three seasons. The first season of this revival is known as "Carnival of Doom," the second season as "Curse of the Shadows," and the third season as "Ghost Island." The series was originally meant to be a miniseries, but the success of the first season meant it came back for a second and third season. And if we’ve learned one thing about it is that you can never count the Midnight Society out. 

Where To Watch All 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark?' Shows In Order

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The Hell House LLC film series has quietly burrowed into horror fans' psyches since the original's 2015 found footage release. It went on to carve out a cult following with its eerie minimalist aesthetic and creeping supernatural dread. What began as a simple documentary-style investigation into a deadly haunted attraction has blossomed into a multi-installment fright fest with an overarching mythology you need to know.

Mood-setting scares, clever world-building, and a super creepy cultist named Andrew Tully anchor the franchise's growing popularity. The films are as much about mounting dread as they are about the jump-scares, and that's why each new chapter delivers. So, let's take a walk through each Hell House LLC movie in order to see why they keep viewers hooked.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Hell House LLC begins in 2009 when a ragtag team sets up a haunted house-type attraction in the derelict Abaddon Hotel, only for their first night to turn into a nightmare when 15 people die under strange circumstances. Sometime later, a documentary crew interviews survivors and compiles raw footage to reconstruct the terror-inducing night. But in true horror fashion, things take a frightening turn.

Viewers get to follow along through a first-person lens as the story goes from the setup down scary hallways while running into the lore of dark rituals and ominous piano music. Audiences praised the movie for its realism and the way it made everyday things feel sinister. Hardcore horror fans enjoyed the stripped-down aesthetic and its startling effectiveness.

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018)

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel is set after the terrifyingly tragic events of the first movie. The story follows a team of journalists and investigators who ignore official warnings and return to the Abaddon Hotel to live-stream their findings. The group uncovers disturbing voicemails, mutilated mannequins, and the remnants of a cult hidden in the hotel's walls.

With each passing moment, the line between paranormal and psychological horror starts to blur. This film leans deeper into franchise lore, focusing on ritualistic symbols and creating tension with clever camerawork. While the intimate scarcity of the first is lost, fans appreciated the expanded mythology and fresh scares. The movie earned praise even though some fans missed the simplicity of the original.

Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire (2019)

Abaddon's hauntings take a theatrical turn in Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire when a wealthy impresario invites a theater group to perform inside the hotel as a Faustian immersive experience. Doors slam with unflinching force, mannequins move around overnight, and the presence of Andrew Tully looms larger than ever before. When one of the actors vanishes, it sets the stage for cult ceremonies, violent apparitions, and a final mass killing.

The third entry trades intimacy for scale, opting for elaborate drama over subtle tension. As a result, audience responses were polarizing this time around. While some enjoyed the audacious change in scope and mythology, others felt the eerie subtlety of the first two was lost, and the effects occasionally undermined its creepiness.

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023)

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor shattering expectations in the best way. Billed as a prequel, the story transports viewers to Carmichael Manor, where an online sleuth, her girlfriend, and her brother investigate a 1989 family murder tied to Abaddon. Viewers get to follow their descent through split-screen conference calls, home video reels, and eerie manor corridors where clown mannequins lurk and digital glitches reveal whispers of the past.

The group endures flickering lights, spectral figures, and horrifying home footage of the Carmichael children under occult influence. The response from viewers was largely positive, with many praising its fresh atmosphere, haunting visuals, and seamless tie-in to earlier entries. It's claustrophobic when needed and expansive when it counts, which makes for excellent viewing.

Hell House LLC: Lineage (2025)

Set to hit theaters on August 20, 2025,  Hell House LLC: Lineage follows Vanessa Shepherd, who appeared in Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire, as she unravels a conspiracy that links Abaddon to Carmichael. Fans can look forward to things like ritual altars, ghostly visitations, and more of the elements that made the first entries in the franchise popular. If it nails the blend of mythic closure and real horror, it will deliver a satisfying horror offering.

Where To Watch All 'Hell House LLC' Movies In Order

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The Summer 2025 anime season is absolutely bursting with shows to watch. While the summer scene is almost always one of the busiest of the year for the anime community, the amount of sequels this time is absolutely wild, with fan favorites like My Dress-Up Darling and Dandadan airing much-anticipated second seasons. But just because there’s a ton of returning series doesn’t mean that there’s a lack of new and original anime premiering during the summer. 

While it’s hard to say if most or all of these anime will turn out to be smash hits, all of these shows have potential in one way or another. Maybe it is because of a great premiere that instantly hooked audiences. Maybe it’s because of the strength of the source material that the show is adapting from. Maybe it’s because of the studio involved and their pedigree. Regardless, out of all of the new anime premiering this summer, these are the ten most exciting new anime releasing in the Summer 2025 season that you should watch.

The Summer Hikaru Died

Horror anime are surprisingly hard to come by, so when a title like The Summer Hikaru Died comes along, it turns heads. The series follows Yoshiki, a teenager who discovers that his best friend Hikaru died six months ago and was replaced by something that claims to be Hikaru and retains his memories and personality, but is distinctly not him. To make things more complicated, Yoshiki also harbors feelings for Hikaru, but now knowing that the Hikaru he loved isn’t around anymore, he struggles with what to do and how to approach the new Hikaru. Add in some grim unease thanks to other mysterious supernatural beings in the woods, dead bodies, and shady organizations entering town, The Summer Hikaru Died is going to be a show that’s hard to ignore.

Takopi’s Original Sin

Dark subversions are nothing new to anime, and while Takopi’s Original Sin may subvert child-friendly shows in the same way Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction did in 2024 it’s far, FAR darker than that show could ever be. It starts out simply enough, with a cute alien octopus called Takopi coming to Earth to help make a little girl named Shizuka’s life happier, but within 15 minutes, it becomes absolutely bleak, and that’s just within the first episode. It only gets darker from there, but the show offers an excellent look at child abuse, domestic abuse, neglect, and a whole host of other triggering topics. You’ll feel for each of the characters after each shocking twist, and afterward, you’ll just want a nice hug to feel better about what you just saw.

City: The Animation

Kyoto Animation is one of the best animation studios in the anime industry, so any new project it announces is sure to generate a fair amount of buzz. The studio excels at creating slice-of-life shows, and City: The Animation does a great job of capturing the quirky lives of the people living within CITY, whether they be typical people or eccentric oddballs talking about manga with intense facial animation. But what’s most exciting about City: The Animation is how it's a spiritual successor to Nichijou and its surrealist humor still stands as one of the best slice-of-life comedies of the early 2010s. It remains to be seen if lightning can strike twice for Kyoto, but the signs are there that this will be a cute and fun comedy that hits more than it misses.

Gachiakuta

Gachiakuta is a bold series, and you’re either going to love it or hate it because of that. The series, made by Kei Urana, a former assistant on Soul Reaper and Fire Force, is a grimey series about trash and the emotions we put into objects that are important to us. You would expect the series to focus on class warfare given how much the premiere centers on it, but the bulk of the show is actually watching our hero, Rudo, and his allies, the Cleaners, use trash powered by affection to defeat monsters and enemy hunters. The focus on punk and graffiti artwork is striking, to say the least, making it a visually memorable experience. 

Clevatess

While there are plenty of fantasy Isekai anime that release each and every season, standard fantasy stories are becoming more and more uncommon, but when they do appear, they’re usually pretty special. Clevatess is an interesting fantasy series, wherein an overwhelmingly strong monster, Clevatess, decides to raise a human child to learn more about humanity with the assistance of a female warrior he kills, revives, and then enslaves to work for him. The world of Clevatess is very dense and already feels fully lived in, with plenty of alliances, races, and social dynamics that go beyond your typical fantasy anime presented to the viewer in the first episode. It’s an ambitious series and looks to be a good blend of action, comedy, drama, and political intrigue.

Tougen Anki

Shonen titles are almost always guaranteed to provide some entertainment and be modest hits when done competently, and Tougen Anki looks to be solid combination of modern-day Shonen action tropes. The story follows Shiki, a young man who discovers that he’s descended from an oni and is being hunted down by descendants of the great oni killer, Momotaro. He also learns that he has sick blood manipulation abilities, and he uses these powers to fight against Momotaro’s descendants. Tougen Anki is the kind of simple Shonen action series that isn’t trying to reinvent the genre, but instead just delivers cool fight scenes, which is sometimes all you need to make a fun action show.

Nyaight of the Living Cat

Horror comedies may not be too common in today’s anime industry, but when they do appear, they’re silly in all of the right ways. Nyaight of the Living Cat decides to parody zombie films, with the series focusing on a deadly virus that spreads across the planet and turns whoever is infected by it into a cat. Oh, and if you touch a cat, then you’ll become one as well. The jokes are plentiful with just how cute these cats are and how everyone wants to pet them, despite how fatal doing so can be. It never takes itself seriously whatsoever and seeing all of these cute cats has got to be good for the soul. 

Leviathan

It’s always interesting watching a show focused on alternative world history, and Leviathan is nothing if not unique. The series mixes alternative history with fantasy, steampunk, and wraps it all up in a package that feels like a classic adventure novel. If anything, the series feels very geared toward a young adult audience, which makes sense given it was adapted from a series of YA novels. That’s not a bad thing, though, because the thrills are pretty straightforward and easy for anyone to get invested in and enjoy.

Lord of Mysteries

Over the past few years, China has begun to produce their own high quality anime series that have gotten mainstream appeal. Last season there was To Be Hero X, and now there’s Lord of Mysteries, a supernatural mystery series set in a steampunk world where a Chinese man awakens in the body of a young Victorian man and learns about both the new technology of the time, as well as the magical potions that grant him power. It’s a lot to take in to be sure, but after a few episodes, the world starts to click into place, and the mysteries become more compelling and fascinating. Plus, the animation is simply to die for, especially once the show decides to get a little esoteric. Trust me, this is a world you want to get invested in for the long haul.

New PANTY & STOCKING With GARTERBELT

While it is technically a sequel, given the fact that it’s been 15 years since the first season and how New PANTY & STOCKING With GARTERBELT has shifted studios from the defunct Gainax to Trigger, it’s only fair to spotlight a show that will most likely fall through the cracks. To put it mildly, New PANTY & STOCKING With GARTERBELT is vulgar, crude, and rude in the best way. The series follows two sinful angels as they kill demons, but the number of curse words, sexual moments, and borderline offensive humor make it stand out from virtually all other anime this season. The series was inspired by Western animation, and it shows in nearly every shot. It may be a bit much for some, but those who are willing to meet it on its terms may find an unforgettable experience, for better or worse. 

Where To Watch The Best New Anime Of Summer 2025

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Squid Game Season 3 recently premiered on Netflix, which the streamer has marketed as the final season in the hit dystopian series. However, considering Squid Game season 1 is the most-watched Netflix programming of all time, and the show remains highly popular, there’s always a chance for a surprise fourth season.

Although creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has denied interest in expanding the original story, Squid Game Season 3 left just enough loose ends to stir some possible season 4 theories.

American Squid Game

Squid Game Season 3’s ending strongly hinted at the games continuing in America. By the end of the season, the Korean games fall out of commission. However, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) happens to come across an American recruiter (Cate Blanchett) playing a game of Ddakji with a potential American contestant. The scene strongly suggests that the games have already arrived in America, perfectly setting the stage for Squid Game Season 4, with the same games but a new setting and characters. Hwang Dong-hyuk didn’t intend to explicitly set up a Season 4 or American spinoff with the tease, but the inclusion of it remains the most straightforward path to continuing the critically acclaimed series.

Gi-hun’s Daughter

In Squid Game, Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae) has a young estranged daughter, Seong Ga-yeong (Jo A-in). In Season 1, she’s part of the reason why he enters the game, as he wishes to win enough money to visit her when she moves to America with her mother. Unfortunately, by Seasons 2 and 3, his primary focus is on stopping the games, and Ga-yeong is scarcely mentioned until the very end, when the Front Man delivers Gi-hun’s belongings to her. Given that Ga-yeong hadn’t heard from her father in years, it seems likely she’d want to know what happened to him, especially considering the Squid Game paraphernalia and enormous inheritance he left her. Season 4 could follow her journey to understand what happened, and it could even lead her to the American games.

Player 222’s Baby

Another loose thread at the end of Squid Game Season 3 is Player 222/Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri) baby. The baby takes her mother’s place as Player 222 after Jun-hee dies and goes on to win the games. Orphaned and worth 45.6 billion won, the Front Man places the baby with his brother, Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon). Similar to Gi-hun’s daughter, the baby will no doubt have questions when she’s older about what happened to her parents and the unusual circumstances of her birth. Meanwhile, her proximity to Jun-ho, who is also determined to end the games, means that if the games ever started again, she would be a likely candidate to take up her adoptive father and Gi-hun’s mission to end them.

The Front Man

Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 delved deeper into the Front Man. While he primarily observed the games in Season 1, the second season saw him disguise himself as a participant in the games. In Season 3, he continues trying to sway Gi-hun to his side, but fails. Although it’s hard to gauge his feelings, it appears Gi-hun’s final sacrifice had an impact on the Front Man, potentially enough to change his feelings on the game. Perhaps, when he spots the American recruiter, it sets him on a path similar to Gi-hun’s and Jun-ho’s to stop the games once more and atone for his past mistakes. Regardless of the specific direction of his story, the Front Man’s power and elusiveness mean he has the most potential to be a protagonist of Squid Game Season 4.

Gi-hun’s Secretly Alive

Whenever a protagonist of a series dies, viewers never quite want to accept it. Gi-hun’s ending in Squid Game Season 3 seemed very final, but some Redditors have already begun proposing theories that he somehow survived and the Front Man swapped him with a wax figure to fake his death. The theory is relatively outlandish. At the same time, Squid Game wouldn’t be Squid Game without Gi-hun, and for those unwilling to accept his demise, it’s fun to imagine Season 4 is on the way with Gi-hun teaming up with baby 222 and stopping the American games.

Where To Watch 'Squid Game' Online

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Very few franchises have had as much staying power as Charlie’s Angels, conceived as a female empowerment show but still very much made for the male gaze. Subsequent versions have made it less about how men perceive the women and more about them, which proves that this is the type of idea that has enough staying power that its different versions reflect the times we live in.

But what if you wanted to watch them all? What order should you watch the movies and TV shows in for better enjoyment? Here we bring you all you need to know about watching  Charlie’s Angels in order.

Charlie’s Angels (1976)

The show that started it all. Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith were the original Angels, following an invisible boss who we—and they—only know and recognize by his voice. The show premiered at a time where action sequences and a group of smart women figuring things out wasn’t the norm, and it quickly made how competent they were the standard. And the male gaze of it all was ever-present, in how good they looked at every second.

Charlie’s Angels lasted five seasons, with big cast changes almost every season. But that first season remains what every remake has been trying to recapture in not just vibes, but chemistry.

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

It took over two decades for the first Charlie’s Angels movie, and though it once again brought three different actresses to work for an invisible boss, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu were not just new versions of the show’s characters. Instead, this version was much more action meets comedy with big fight choreography and stylish special effects than the series.

The movie’s success proved that the original formula could be adapted, with the right cast and the right chemistry. Charlie’s Angels (2000) also set the standard for an even goofier sequel that wasn’t nearly as popular as the first movie in the series.

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle did what all sequels do, bring more of the things that worked before: more action, more budget, and more goofiness. This time, despite the proven chemistry and the silly and almost larger-than-life fight sequences, the movie wasn’t as well received at the box office. Perhaps it was the absence of Bill Murray, substituted here for Bernie Mac. But for whatever reason, the higher budget and lack of commercial success left the franchise in limbo for years after the movie was released.

There’s, however, no arguing. The movie is still very fun and the cast chemistry is still very much apparent.

Charlie’s Angels (2011)

If you’ve forgotten this ABC series even existed, we won’t blame you. Charlie’s Angels (2011), which was meant to reboot the original show, only lasted four episodes before the network cancelled it, and of the eight recorded episodes, only seven ever aired. But if you want to be a completionist, you can check out this more serious and grounded version of the franchise, starring Annie Ilonzeh as Kate Prince, Minka Kelly as Eve French, Rachael Taylor as Abby Sampson, Ramon Rodriguez as John Bosley, and the voice of Victor Garber as Charlie.

Perhaps it was too soon for another remake, or the vibe was too serious for audiences at the time, because the cast was certainly not the problem.

Charlie’s Angels (2019)

Hollywood wouldn’t even wait another decade before trying the formula once again, this time back on the big screen. The idea is modernized, with Elizabeth Banks directing and acting in a Charlie’s Angels (2019) that focuses on one team of Angels—with different teams working simultaneously all over the world. Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska are the new team in a movie that has a feminist, self-aware tone, but that doesn’t forget about the fun.

Audiences, sadly, didn’t respond well to a movie that was a great attempt at widening the scope of the franchise without losing its essence. But that doesn’t make it any less worth the watch.

Where To Watch All 'Charlie's Angels' Movies In Order Online

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Jurassic World Rebirth recently premiered, returning to the franchise’s horror roots. Although not often considered proper horror films, the original Jurassic Park series incorporated horror elements, including terrifying dinosaurs and jump scare scenes. Now, the latest Jurassic World movie leans further into the horror by debuting numerous mutated dinosaurs.

Viewers interested in the dinosaurs that evoke the most horror and chills can use our guide to find the top 10 scariest dinosaurs based on appearance, behavior, and deadliness.

Tyrannosaurus rex

The one dinosaur consistently responsible for the grisliest deaths and biggest chills across all of the Jurassic Park films is the classic Tyrannosaurus rex. This dinosaur doesn’t need any modifications or mutations to make it terrifying. As one of the largest land carnivores of all time, standing around 13 feet tall and weighing several tons, the Tyrannosaurus rex is one of the last dinosaurs you would want to run into unarmed. From the Tyrannosaurus rex duo’s tug-of-war attack on Eddie Carr (Richard Schiff) to the Tyrannosaurus rex unleashing terror in San Diego in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, these dinosaurs are responsible for most of the biggest, grisliest scares in the franchise.

Dilophosaurus

The Dilophosaurus is one of the most notorious dinosaurs in the franchise, known for its iconic albeit terrifying attack in Jurassic Park. Nearly 23 feet in length, the Dilophosaurus is a reasonably large yet slender predator, which gives it the advantage of stealth and speed. Jurassic Park added a few extra touches to the dinosaur, including colorful frills framing its face. However, its pretty appearance is just a façade, as the dinosaur also hides the ability to eject poisonous venom at its prey, temporarily blinding and paralyzing them before attacking. The Dilophosaurus’ surprise ability, which it uses on Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), has terrified audiences for decades.

Spinosaurus

In Jurassic Park III, the Spinosaurus takes over from the Tyrannosaurus Rex as the main dinosaur antagonist, and it's a worthy successor. The Spinosaurus' appearance is terrifying, with its large, signature spines running down its back and its abnormally long jaw and tail. Its long jaw, filled with razor-sharp teeth, and hunched-over stature add a good deal of creepiness to the dinosaur. The Spinosaurus’ extremely high aggressiveness and relentlessness in pursuing Alan Grant (Sam Neill) make for countless jump scares and heart-pounding stalking and attack scenes in Jurassic Park III. It has both the appearance and deadliness to make it a true nightmare to behold.

Velociraptor

Like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Velociraptor has been a staple of the Jurassic Park franchise. However, with each movie, its intelligence has become more prominent, adding to the dinosaur’s terrifying nature. Velociraptors are some of the most intelligent dinosaurs, as evidenced by Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) successfully training some in Jurassic World. Its intelligence is scary, though, considering the dinosaur can use it for evil. In Jurassic Park III, the Velociraptor’s penchant for sadism shines through when a pack brutally kills Udesky (Michael Jeter) to lay a trap for the other survivors. It doesn’t get much more terrifying than a large, quick, deadly dinosaur that’s intelligent enough to torture its prey.

Indominus rex

The Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor are already among the scariest dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, but what if someone combined them? That’s precisely what happens in Jurassic World when the Indominus rex is artificially created by mixing a Tyrannosaurus rex’s DNA with several other dinosaurs and animals, including the Velociraptor. Essentially, it boasts the size and deadliness of a Tyrannosaurus rex, but with a longer jaw, longer arms, spines on its back, and heightened intelligence. Some viper DNA also gives it the ability to unhinge its jaw to a 90-degree angle, and it can camouflage itself, leading to several excellent jump scares. There’s not a single aspect of the Indominus rex that isn’t terrifying.

Scorpios rex

The Scorpios rex is another hybrid dinosaur, produced from the combined DNA of a Tyrannosaurus rex, Carnotaurus, and Velociraptor. It is the main antagonist in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous Season 3, having silently stalked the characters for two seasons straight. With beady red eyes, grayish skin, a prominent overbite, and spines on its elbows and back that it can shoot like porcupine quills, the Scorpios rex boasts an unsettling and grotesque appearance. Adding to its terror is its unpredictable behavioral patterns, as it can go from calm to aggressively rampaging in a split second. It’s a dinosaur that’s not just deadly but also frighteningly unhinged.

Indoraptor

If viewers thought the Velociraptors' intelligence was terrifying, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom tops it with the Indoraptor. It is a hybrid of the Indominus rex and Velociraptor, boasting raptor-like qualities and nearly all black coloring. Like the Scorpios rex, much of the Indoraptor’s terror comes from its behavioral traits. The Indoraptor is intelligent enough to trick and manipulate its victims and also boasts a sadistic streak, engaging in torture of its prey, such as eating its limbs before killing it. In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, the Indoraptor’s surprises and tricks make for some very horror-esque moments for its unfortunate victims.

Giganotosaurus

The Giganotosaurus is the largest known land carnivore, standing up to 20 feet tall and weighing up to 10 tons. In Jurassic World Dominion, the Giganotosaurus stalks Owen and his gang, terrifying them with the sheer scale of its presence. Unlike some of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park franchise, the Giganotosaurus isn’t overly aggressive, but it will fight for its food and to establish its dominance. There are few scarier moments in the franchise than when the characters are hiding from the hungry Giganotosaurus as it shakes the earth with every step, blocks out the sun, and boasts jaws that are bigger than a human.

Mutadon

The Mutadon is one of the mutated dinosaurs in Jurassic World Rebirth, a hybrid of a Velociraptor and a Pteranodon. It’s essentially a Velociraptor with bird-like characteristics, including a beak-like jaw and wings, although it walks like a Velociraptor and possesses its intelligence. In Jurassic World Rebirth, the Mutadons are responsible for numerous jump scares, as their method of killing is to swoop from the sky, taking their prey by surprise and killing it with one strike before carrying it off to be eaten. Whether in the sky or on land, one is not safe from the Mutadon.

Distortus rex

In Jurassic World Rebirth, the Distortus rex is a mutated Tyrannosaurus rex with, arguably, the most terrifying appearance of any dinosaur in the franchise. With an oversized forehead, a barely discernible neck, and six limbs, including two oversized, gorilla-like arms, the Distortus rex looks more like a horror film monster than a dinosaur. It’s also extremely aggressive, attacking humans as soon as it becomes aware of them, though its poor eyesight means it usually has to feel for its prey before attacking. When this monstrous dinosaur suddenly emerges from the shadows, it’s one of the scariest scenes in the franchise. 

Where To Watch The Scariest Dinosaurs In 'Jurassic Park' Online

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Zombie movies have become one of the standard pillars for horror in the 21st century, with the last decade alone having plenty of films that highlight the versatility and frightening potential of the genre. Many zombie movies have built off the legacy of Night of the Living Dead, and in the early 21st century, movies like 28 Days Later and shows like The Walking Dead revitalized the concept for a new generation.

The best examples of zombie movies from the last decade represent a wide breadth of projects, ranging from painfully human dramas, absurdist dark comedies, and surprisingly beautiful ruminations on the meaning of life. The best zombie movies are able to tell human stories without forgetting why audiences have spent decades terrified of the undead. Here are the 10 best zombie movies of the last decade and where you can find them on apps like Hulu, Netflix, and more. 

10. Army Of the Dead (2021)

Army of the Dead is a good example of how the zombie movie has evolved in the 21st century, with one of the directors who defined the modern interpretation of the subgenre returning for a wild riff on the titular monsters. The undead are roaming the neon colored halls of Vegas casinos, serving as the major complication for a planned heist in the city.

Zack Snyder, who helped popularize the idea of fast zombies with his Dawn of the Dead remake in 2004, returns to the subgenre with bigger ambitions and a more developed cast. While it might not have the same mean and lean energy that made Dawn of the Dead such a shot in the arm, Army of the Dead’s commitment to the over-the-top action movie hybrid gives it an entertaining quality that many other more thematically dramatic or overtly silly zombie films have.

9. Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

The sequel to 2010’s unexpected horror-comedy hit Zombieland, Zombieland: Double Tap revisits the survivors from the first film as their found family begins to go through some serious changes in their internal dynamic—all while still codifying the zombie apocalypse and dispatching the undead with a sardonic edge. Much as in the previous movie, the zombies are mostly used as a vehicle for splatter humor and character development, often in effective ways.

The new breeds of zombies increase the danger for the cast, but never so much that the comedic underlying elements of the film get overwhelmed. Even if the charm of the original hasn’t been quite replicated, Zombieland: Double Tap still boasts an impressive cast, adding Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, and Zoey Deutch to the chemistry of Jessie Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Abigail Breslin.

8. Unhuman (2022)

A Gen-Z zombie flick with as much to say about high school as it does the end of the world, Unhuman is a stylish high school horror movie that plays with conventions of the subgenre in some surprising ways. In this film, the zombies are teenagers transformed by a powerful drug that quickly spreads through a high school field trip, forcing a pair of best friends to try and scramble to stay ahead of their corrupted friends, as well as a dangerously realistic manipulator working behind the scenes.

At its best, Unhuman is a clever riff on high school tropes that feels like an authentic exploration of teenage angst and expectation—all wrapped up in a grisly package that boasts plenty of twists and turns by the time the credits roll.

7. Pet Sematary (2019)

The second film to directly adapt the Stephen King horror novel of the same name, 2019’s Pet Sematary plays with the undead in a far more cerebral way than most other zombie films. After one of his children dies in a tragic accident, Louis Creed uses a supernatural plot of land to revive them. However, his denial about the nature of his resurrected kid—now an undead and supernatural monster—serves as the primary focus of the film’s second half.

While the original movie wasn’t exactly a pleasant time for the characters, 2019’s remake is a compelling character study about the lengths grief can take someone, and the cost it can incur. The zombies in this film are different from almost any other. Cruel and malicious in their actions before slaughtering and corrupting you into a form like them, these zombies are some of the creepiest ones to hit the big screen in the last decade.

6. Little Monsters (2019)

What happens when you throw Dawn of the Dead in a blender with Little Miss Sunshine? Something like Little Monsters, a consistently hilarious and surprisingly charming take on the zombie genre. As with many films in the subgenre, the movie centers around a group of people caught in a tight location—only this time, it's a kindergarten teacher, a musician, a children's entertainer, and a bunch of children who are at risk.

The lighthearted character dramedy never takes away from the genuinely good scares and typical zombie twists, even while delivering a sweet romance story. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, Little Monsters plays with the zombie tropes in a creative and winning way that makes it one of the most charming recent entries in the subgenre.

5. Outside (2024)

A grim drama about the cycles of trauma that can fester within a family, Outside is a compelling zombie drama from the Philippines. The film focuses on Francis and his family as they flee a zombie apocalypse by returning to the farm that Francis grew up on.

A claustrophobic drama that is most intense when it moves away from the zombies, Outside uses the backdrop of an apocalypse as the set-up for a story about the lingering danger posed by a deep emotional hurt that's never healed, and how even a well-meaning man can let his paranoia and pain turn him into a monster far worse than the undead horde. Bolstered by heartbreaking performances, Outside is a reminder that the zombie tropes are a perfect backdrop for all kinds of stories.

4. Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)

On the opposite end of the tonal spectrum from Outside, Anna and the Apocalypse is a catchy musical and hilarious dark holiday comedy that feels like the love child of Glee and Shaun of the Dead. Set in a small Scottish town just around Christmas, Anna and the Apocalypse plays with teenage coming-of-age conventions to hilarious effect, with just as much weight given to the emotional revelations of unrequited feelings as to the danger posed by an undead horde.

The musical and Christmas touches add an absurd quality to the comedy, especially in standout scenes like the gleefully dark “Turning My Life Around” number as the zombie infection quickly spreads. A one-of-a-kind comedy that blends multiple genres together to create something truly unique, Anna and the Apocalypse is the best zombie comedy of the last decade.

3. Blood Quantum (2019)

A gritty take on the zombie genre, Blood Quantum’s social commentary gives the movie a thematic weight that few other entries in the subgenre have been able to match. Blood Quantum focuses on the residents of a First Nations Reserve in Canada. Discovering they are immune to the virus as a result of their genetic heritage, the Indigenous citizens find themselves wrestling with what to do within their borders, and how to handle the influx of white refugees who come to Red Crow Indian Reservation seeking shelter.

A powerful thriller that explores heavy themes, Blood Quantum never relents in terms of brutality or horror. It’s the human characters who prove to be the scariest, however, with an all-time great “humans are the true monster” performance by Kiowa Gordon. One of the last decade’s most underrated horror films, Blood Quantum is a terrific reminder that social satire doesn’t need to be funny to be gut-wrenching.

2. 28 Years Later (2025)

The long-awaited follow-up to the 28 Days Later franchise, 28 Years Later reunites the original film’s Danny Boyle and Alex Garland for an expansion on their Rage Virus-decimated world. Focusing on a young boy who embarks on two journeys to the dangerous mainland (first alongside his hunter father and then trying to guide his ill mother to help) where he must survive more than just the corrupted Infected.

Beautifully shot and quietly meandering in all the right ways, the film is a thoughtful rumination on life and death. A quieter movie than either of the two that preceded it, 28 Years Later is a shockingly somber movie that never loses sight of the human experience at the core of the story. There’s genuine beauty at play in 28 Years Later, marking it as arguably the most ambitious entry to the genre in years.

1. Train To Busan (2016)

A prime example of the zombie genre as a universal horror staple, the South Korean Train to Busan is a nearly perfect example of this style of horror movie. Train to Busan focuses on the passengers of a bullet train in South Korea who find themselves racing to escape a zombie outbreak. The movie is full of the stock characters audiences have come to expect from the genre but with enough depth and personality to feel authentic. The zombies themselves are a perfection of the “fast zombies” trope, an unyielding threat that comes to life in effectively frantic bursts.

Throughout, Train to Busan’s social commentary and character focus bring a moral weight to the proceedings, which is only elevated by some great characters (like Sang-Hwa, who is an all-time great zombie movie protagonist). Train to Busan isn’t just one of the best zombie movies of the last decade, it’s one of the best examples of the subgenre in cinematic history.

Where To Watch The Best Zombie Movies Of The Past Decade Online

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James Gunn’s Superman arrived on the big screen and brought with it a whole slate of exciting new characters not included in the old DC Extended Universe. It even included a few characters never seen in a live-action film before.

Viewers interested in learning about the new characters in Superman can use our guide to discover more about them and their other appearances in film and TV.

Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi)

Mister Terrific (Edi Cathegi) easily steals the show in Superman. He’s the smoothest, most incredible, and smartest superhero in the movie, with a laid-back personality and quiet moral convictions. In the comics, Mister Terrific (aka Michael Holt) is one of the most intelligent individuals in the DC universe, utilizing his engineering and scientific brilliance to even the playing field between himself and superpowered beings. It was especially awe-inspiring to see him on the big screen, considering Superman marks his live-action film debut. While an iteration of Mister Terrific, Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum), appeared in Arrow, his only other appearances have been animated, including in the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy.

Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion)

Most viewers still infamously associate Green Lantern with Green Lantern (2011), the failed live-action film from 2011 starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan. However, Superman redeems one of the Green Lanterns, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), who adds some much-needed comic relief to the film with his cocky, self-assured manner and comic book-accurate bowl cut. As a member of the Green Lantern Corps, he boasts a ring that gives him powers like energy projection and hard-light construct generation. Green Lantern’s inclusion in Superman is a nice warm-up for the DCU’s upcoming TV show, Lanterns, featuring the Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre).

Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced)

Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) is part of Superman’s Justice Gang, alongside Mister Terrific and Green Lantern. Her grumpiness and sarcasm add further comedic relief to the movie, while her power of flight and array of weapons make her a strong candidate for further development in the DCU. In the comics, she’s a reincarnated alien who retains knowledge from each of her lifetimes. Hawkgirl will return for Peacemaker's second season. Viewers can also find another live-action iteration of Hawkgirl (Ciara Renée) in the Arrowverse shows The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan)

Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) is one of the most unique new characters in Superman. He is a metahuman with the ability to transform his body into a wide variety of elemental compounds, including kryptonite. In the film, he’s held captive by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who controls him by threatening his son, Joey. Metamorpho adds emotional depth to Superman, as he grapples with concerns over his power and the conflict between doing what’s right and saving his son. The film marks his first live-action appearance. Previously, he appeared in the DCAU’s Justice League series and DCAMU’s Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.

The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría)

In Superman, The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) is part of Luthor’s team and boasts nanotechnology powerful enough to contend with Superman (David Corenswet). As in the comics, she gained her abilities by replacing her blood with nanotechnology. She’s also a prominent member of the anti-hero team The Authority, which will reportedly get a self-titled film in the DCU’s future. The Engineer’s inclusion in Superman was quite epic, not only because of her fierce nature and incredible powers, but also because it marks the first on-screen appearance of a member of The Authority.

Ultraman (David Corenswet)

Superman features Ultraman (David Corenswet), another ally of Luthor. Masked and clad in black, viewers who aren’t familiar with the comics may have been surprised when Superman removed Ultraman’s mask and realized Ultraman was a clone of him. However, it makes sense because in DC Comics, Ultraman is an evil counterpart to Superman from an alternate universe. He’s supposed to be more of a variant of Superman, though the film makes him a clone. Ultraman has appeared in live-action before, as an iteration of the character appeared in Smallville as a variant of Superman adopted by the Luthor family.

Superman Robots (Alan Tudyk, Grace Chan, Michael Rooker, Pom Klementieff, and Jennifer Holland)

A host of robots appear in Superman, residing at the Fortress of Solitude to assist the hero. Viewers may have recognized several of the voices, as Alan Tudyk, Michael Rooker, Pom Klementieff, and Jennifer Holland have all collaborated with Gunn on past projects. The humanoid robots protect the Fortress and serve Superman, including helping him heal when he’s injured. They are similar to several robots that have appeared in the comics, including those in All-Star Superman. These specific robots in Superman haven’t appeared on-screen before, as they are a composite of various comic book robots.

Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio)

Eve Teschamcher (Sara Sampaio) is Luthor’s girlfriend in Superman. Although she initially appears vain and clueless, her secret plan ultimately proves to be quite brilliant and vital in taking down Luthor. Teschmacher was created for the screen rather than comics, as she first appeared in Superman (1978) and its sequel, Superman II. Later, a very loose iteration of Teschmacher, Kitty Kowalski (Parker Posey), appeared in Superman Returns. As in Superman, Teschmacher is always depicted as an assistant/lover of Luthor, who grows disillusioned by his actions.

Krypto (Jolene)

Krypto also steals the show in Superman as the cutest, most mischievous character in the film. Krypto the Superdog appears in DC Comics as Superman’s pet, a superpowered dog who was the original test subject of the pods Superman’s parents would send him to Earth in. He eventually reunited with a teenage Superman on Earth and became his loyal companion. Krypto, who has behavioral issues in Superman, is mostly CGI, but a real-life dog named Jolene served as his stand-in. Krypto will return for Supergirl and has appeared in countless animated projects, including Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! and DC League of Super-Pets.

Where To Watch The New 'Superman' Characters Online

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From the moment Pitch Black lit up screens in 2000, the Riddick franchise captured our imagination, pairing gritty sci‑fi with Vin Diesel's unforgettable antihero. Over the next decade, the series evolved spectacularly, moving from claustrophobic terror to epic space opera in The Chronicles of Riddick, then returning to raw, survivalist roots with Riddick.

Its loyal fanbase kept the fire burning, even through studio dips, creative reinventions, and whispers of a fourth chapter. There's a steadfast devotion to this universe, and it's only grown stronger as Diesel and director David Twohy prepare to bring the franchise back to the big screen once more. But before that happens, here's how to watch Riddick in order.

Pitch Black (2000)

Weirdly tense and beautifully bleak, Pitch Black introduces Richard B. Riddick (Diesel), a notorious criminal with surgically altered eyesight, being transported on a prison ship. When meteorite debris crashes the vessel onto a barren planet, darkness descends, and the planet's native, light‑avoidant predators emerge. Cut off from help, the survivors must rely on Riddick's murderous instincts and his ability to see in the dark. A life‑or‑death gamble forces uneasy alliances and terrifying sacrifices.

This isn't flashy blockbuster fare. It's lean, mean planetary horror that earns its chills. The stripped down setting cranks tension to 11, and Riddick is an outsider you root for even when he's stabbing your sympathies. The movie was praised for its visual grit, even if some character arcs felt cliché, becoming the perfect launching pad for a franchise.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004)

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury is a 35‑minute anime‑influenced short that bridges the gap between the first and second live-action feature films. The story shows Riddick rescuing survivors, surviving a zero-gravity melee in the hangar, and choosing exile over submission. Visually, it's a thrilling blend of classic and CGI animation. The luminescent threats and visceral fight sequences pay homage to the franchise's dark aesthetic.

Despite its minimalist runtime, Dark Fury gives fans exactly what they crave, a deeper dive into Riddick's brutal moral code and survival edge. Although the critical response was mixed, viewers appreciated the animated short, which is essentially a compact dose of Riddick's violence, wit, and survival skill while preparing for the space opera scale of what comes next.

The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

Five years after escaping Pitch Black's horrors, Riddick remains hunted, his fugitive status escalating. When bounty hunters led by Toombs betray him, he escapes to Helion Prime, reunites with Imam, and learns of the encroaching Necromonger crusade, a species-spanning cult bent on converting or annihilating humanity. Guided by Aereon, he accepts his destiny as a Furyan warrior. The Necromongers invade, and Riddick is captured and sent to the volcanic prison planet Crematoria.

There, he reunites with an old ally, breaks free, and fights through the sun-scorched wasteland. Soon, he's navigating galactic faith, dueling for prophecy, and clashing with a whole army. Despite its ambition and Diesel's popularity, critics weren't thrilled with The Chronicles of Riddick, calling it narratively muddled. Yet, it remains a cult darling, with fans loving its cosmic scale and the entire space adventure.

Riddick (2013)

Returning to the franchise's roots, Riddick strands its antihero on a strange planet. Betrayed by the Necromongers, he's left for dead until bounty hunters arrive, drawn by his colossal reward for his capture. Classic predator‑prey dynamics ensue as Riddick fights both beast and bounty, forging uneasy alliances to survive and escape the world's brutal wildlife.

This entry feels more Pitch Black than Chronicles, thanks to its grounded story and claustrophobic vibe. Diesel's performance is at peak Riddick, with brutal efficiency and a twisted moral code. Critics generally welcomed the film as a return to form for the franchise. Packed with star power and a dark core, it's a rebound that reminds fans why they fell for Riddick in the first place.

Riddick: Furya (upcoming)

Picking up where Riddick left off, the fourth chapter in the franchise will see Richard B. Riddick finally return to his homeworld of Furya, which he barely remembers. Once ravaged by the Necromongers, Furya was thought to be a dead rock, but Riddick discovers a world teeming with survivors hardened by war and generational trauma. But the planet is far from safe as a new threat prepares to emerge. Although Riddick: Furya has no official release date at this time, it is rumored to hit screens sometime in 2027.

Where To Watch All 'Riddick' Movies In Order

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If you’re a fan of fun and wholesome anime, then look no further than Spy x Family. Based on a manga by Tatsuya Endo, the series follows a spy, an assassin, and a child telepath as they masquerade as a family while hiding their secret identities from the others. If that weren’t enough, the trio live in a world inspired by East and West Germany, and their little experiment could determine whether the rival nations stay at peace or descend into war.

Spy x Family is beloved by critics and fans alike for brilliantly blending a sweet family comedy with spy action and darker themes like the horrors of war and its impact on children. If you’re looking to get into the series, here is how to watch all Spy x Family movies and TV shows in order. 

Spy x Family (2022-present)

As mentioned, Spy x Family tells the story of a dysfunctional false family put together by the Westalian master spy Twilight, currently going by the alias Loid Forger, in an effort to complete a mission called Operation Strix. In order to spy on a reclusive Ostania politician, Loid adopts a young girl named Anya to pose as his daughter and attend an exclusive private school with the political leader’s son. Completing the family is Yor, who quickly agrees to marry Loid as a way to avoid suspicion and keep her career as an assassin a secret.

So far, the anime has covered the first 59 chapters of Endo’s manga over the course of two seasons. Spy x Family’s third season is scheduled to begin airing in October 2025.

Spy x Family Code: White (2023)

Spy × Family Code: White is the first, and so far only, movie based on the action-comedy series. Even for a series with no shortage of wacky hijinks, Code: White’s plot is pretty silly. In short, it starts with Loid finding out about a cooking competition at Anya’s school that could help him make progress on Operation Strix, and that, somehow, leads to Anya accidentally eating important intel that could trigger a war. Yes, a major plot point of the film involves everyone waiting for a child to poop. 

Spy x Family Code: White is certainly a fun movie with enough humor and cool action sequences to appeal to fans, but don’t expect it to match the storytelling of the manga or anime series.

Where To Watch 'Spy X Family' Movies And TV Shows

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Jurassic World took what made Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park so special and cranked it up a couple of notches. Now, the dinosaurs are bigger and the stakes are higher. And while all that action is cool, the franchise works best as a cautionary tale about humans playing God and pissing off nature in the process. Truthfully, there’s nothing quite like the Jurassic World series or the preceding Jurassic Park movies, but if you’re craving more creature feature encounters with plenty of suspense, scares, and wonder, you’ve got options.

From morality lessons in scientific overreach to silly dinosaur fun, here are the five best horror movies for Jurassic World fans to watch next, listed in order of release date.

Jaws (1975)

It feels cliche even to put Jaws on this list, but out of Steven Spielberg’s entire filmography, it might be the movie closest to Jurassic Park when it comes to adventure, suspense, and sheer terror. When Brody (Roy Scheider), Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and Quint (Robert Shaw) ship off into open water to hunt the movie’s man-eating shark, it mirrors the isolation the characters face in nearly every Jurassic World movie when they find themselves pitted against a massive creature with way more teeth than them. If you haven’t seen Jaws yet, watch it. There’s a reason people are still talking about it 50 years later.

Pitch Black (2000)

Even though it’s part of the successful Riddick franchise, Pitch Black remains somewhat of a cult classic sci-fi spectacle. This 2000s sleeper hit stars notable names like Vin Diesel (Riddick himself), Keith David, and Radha Mitchell, who find themselves stranded on an alien planet with an abundance of twisted, creepy creatures that prefer to attack under the cover of darkness. While its low-budget shows these days, Pitch Dark is a fitting companion watch to Jurassic World. It carries a similar brand of mayhem meets sci-fi, as the group faces off against creatures they had no business ever encountering in the first place.

The Host (2006) 

The Host is Parasite director Bong Joon Ho’s love letter to monster movie franchises like Godzilla. Here, the monster in question stems from the Han River in Seoul, Korea, and wreaks havoc on any humans that cross its tentacled path. While the movie lacks dinosaurs, its underlying message feels akin to Jurassic World. With the creature created by the illegal dumping of toxic chemicals, The Host provides ample commentary on the dangers of contaminating nature. Just like the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise, the real villains aren’t the monsters, but the people who irresponsibly brought them to life.

The VelociPastor (2018)

Listen, nobody said these had to be critically acclaimed recommendations, which is why The Velocipastor rounds out this list as one of those “so bad, it’s good” movies. Everything you need to know is right in the title. After sustaining an injury from an ominous Chinese artifact, a pastor gains the ability to transform into a Velociraptor. In some ways, the movie has more in common with The Hulk than Jurassic World. However, The VelociPastor has enough dino action and stupid fun to delight B-movie lovers. If that’s not really your thing, give it a try anyway. Who knows? Maybe a broken, butt-kicking dino-priest is exactly what’s missing from your watch-list.

Godzilla: Minus One (2023)

Godzilla: Minus One being a horror movie may be up for debate. Some argue it’s more of a thriller, while others maintain that it’s a suspense-heavy horror movie on par with Jaws. Regardless, it might be one of the best films of 2023, and if you have any affection for Godzilla or giant monster movies in general, then you’re going to love this one. Like Jurassic World, Godzilla: Minus One evokes fear with its giant reptilian Kaiju while pointing the finger at humanity’s hubris. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, Minus One carries a strong anti-war message and thrusts our protagonists (and Godzilla) right into the tail end of World War II. It’s equally beautiful and heart-wrenching. And while it might not be as scary as Shin Godzilla, it’s arguably more compelling. 

Where To Watch Horror Movies Like 'Jurassic World' Online

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For an entire generation of American anime fans, Toonami was the mecca of anime. Before the age of streaming, if you wanted to watch anime on television, Toonami was the place to go, introducing and popularizing some of the most iconic anime of its era. Even if you’re not an anime fan, Toonami also had its own slew of original programming that catered to Western tastes that have gone on to become cult classics among millennials and Gen Z.

While most people think that several of the block’s most prolific titles, like Yu Yu Hakusho or Sailor Moon, premiered on Toonami, that isn’t entirely the case. Many titles also premiered on Toonami’s sister programming block, Adult Swim, or moved to Toonami from Saturday morning cartoons. Because of that, we’re going to take a look at the 10 best Toonami cartoons that are most associated with the block and let you know where and how to watch them. 

Dragon Ball Z (1989)

Probably the most important show to appear on Toonami has to be Dragon Ball Z. While it premiered on other channels before making its way to Toonami, it wasn’t until it reached Cartoon Network’s anime block in 1998 that its popularity finally took hold and more people began to watch it. The story of Son Goku has become intrinsic to the entire anime community, with iconic moments, like Goku’s Kamehameha, Spirit Bomb, and Super Saiyan transformation, ingraining themselves in popular culture around the world. Dragon Ball has always had a home on Toonami, from the original to Z, GT, Kai, Super, and the recent Daima. You simply can’t have Toonami without Dragon Ball Z.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Wing (1995)

There’s no denying that Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the most prolific anime franchises of all time, but while it has existed since 1979, it wasn’t until Mobile Suit Gundam: Wing premiered on Toonami in 2000 that the series actually became popular in the West. It was the first entry in the series to air on television in the West and was a smash hit for Cartoon Network. It aired in two different time slots, an edited version for daytime television and an uncut version for late-night airings. It was a massive hit, leading to several future Gundam series to appear on the block and endearing an entire generation of otaku to the quintet of protagonists and the intergalactic war they’re forced to fight in.

Teen Titans (2003)

Toonami wasn’t just the home of anime. Cartoon Network would also debut several teen-oriented shows over the course of its history, and one of the most popular titles was Teen Titans. The show is a reinvention of the superhero team of the same name, injecting an anime aesthetic into classic superhero fare and modernizing the line-up of heroes that popularized the team in the 1980s. Each week, viewers watched Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy use their powers to defeat a whole host of villains, sometimes in one-and-done episodes, and other times, in multi-episode arcs, becoming a smash hit on the block thanks to its successful blending of Western and Eastern animation styles.

Justice League Unlimited (2004)

One of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows in the early 2000s was Justice League, and while that series did not originate on Toonami, its sequel series, Justice League Unlimited, did. The original series was supposed to end after the second season, but because of its popularity and an attempt to get new viewers interested, Justice League was rebranded into Unlimited, switched over to Toonami, and continued to receive critical acclaim and adulation from fans. There was a shift in focus from each show, though, with Unlimited spending more of its time on the expanded Justice League members, like Black Canary, Aquaman, and Mister Terrific, and the adventures they would get involved in as opposed to the core League members, like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. 

Megas XLR (2004)

Arguably one of the most underrated shows on Toonami, Megas XLR is the perfect embodiment of what made the block so desirable. Like Teen Titans, it blended anime aesthetics with Western sensibilities and combined what people love most about Mobile Suit Gundam: Wing and American cartoons. It follows two slackers from New Jersey, Coop and Jamie, as they find a giant robot from the future called Megas and outfit its cockpit with Coop’s car, allowing Coop to drive Megas and fight against alien invaders and giant monsters. While the series was never as acclaimed as its contemporaries, it has a strong cult following, and fans have been craving its return since its cancellation in 2005. 

Naruto (2005)

Another Shonen anime that was introduced to the West thanks to Toonami was Naruto, a series about a plucky ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who wants nothing more than to become the leader, or Hokage, of his village. Unlike Dragon Ball Z, which had earlier dubs and releases before appearing on Toonami, Naruto debuted on the block in 2005, meaning it had a sizeable hand in exposing the series to the West. Its sequel series, Naruto: Shippuden, also appeared on the block, but an entire generation of anime fans tuned in every week to watch Naruto and the rest of Team 7 fight powerful foes and save the world. 

Space Dandy (2014)

In 2008, amid declining ratings, Toonami went off the air, but it returned with a vengeance in 2012 with a renewed interest in airing anime. By this point, most anime fans were streaming the latest titles on platforms like Crunchyroll as they were releasing in Japan, so Cartoon Network began to commission several original titles to premiere exclusively on Toonami. One of the first, and biggest titles, to be released was Space Dandy, which Shinichirō Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, directed. While Bebop was more poignant and character-driven, Space Dandy prioritized comedy first and foremost as it follows Dandy throughout the universe, mostly trying to earn enough money to go to his favorite sex-themed restaurant and oftentimes failing in the process. The series doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest, and that easygoing sense of fun permeates throughout each episode.

FLCL (2018, 2023)

While FLCL originally debuted on Adult Swim instead of Toonami, after the block’s revival in 2012, FLCL made its way over and served as the home not only for the original six-episode series, but also for the four sequel series that premiered on Toonami from 2018 to 2023. The five seasons that make up FLCL are all coming-of-age stories, usually assisted or kick-started by the eccentric ball of energy Haruko, that lambast Western tropes and typically feature a lot of weird and surreal imagery, like giant irons, robots growing out of people’s heads, and Vespas. Each season varies wildly in terms of tone, with the first season being a mile-a-minute comedy and a season like FLCL: Progressive being more quiet and contemplative. Still, each season leaves you with a lingering feeling of satisfaction for its oddball cast of characters. 

Samurai Jack (2017)

Much like FLCL, Samurai Jack didn’t actually premiere on Toonami but on Adult Swim. Its popularity would cause it to leave that block and appear all over Cartoon Network in the mid-2000s, including Toonami, but nearly a decade later, it was announced that Samurai Jack would return for a fifth season, and it would be exclusive to Toonami. The season picks up half a century after Season 4, with Jack, unable to age, slowly going mad with no means of defeating the demon Aku. The fifth season is noticeably darker than any of the earlier seasons, but it also contains some of the show’s most triumphant and beautiful moments, mostly centering on the romance that develops between Jack and Ashi, an assassin who worships Aku.

Ninja Kamui (2024)

The impact of Toonami has diluted in recent years, but it still can produce several shows that manage to be a hit not only on TV but also when they appear on HBO Max shortly after their debut. Case in point, Ninja Kamui. Created by Sunghoo Park, the series follows a ninja named Higan, who attempts to escape his clan and start a new life for himself with his wife Mari. His clan eventually tracks him down and kills his wife and child, sending Higan, now known as Joe, on a path of bloody vengeance, which leads to some excellent action set pieces and wonderful fight choreography. Due to its success, multiple additional seasons have been greenlit, showing that Toonami still has relevancy and sway even to this day.

Where To Watch The 10 Best Toonami Cartoons Online

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In the 1960s, two things were huge at DC Comics: team books and the Justice League of America. To that end, a one-off pairing of a handful of sidekicks would capitalize on both, leading to one of DC’s most popular superhero teams: the Teen Titans. Originally comprised entirely of sidekicks to League members, the team has since developed its own lauded identity and become one of DC’s most popular brands. 

Its luck outside of comics has been a mixed bag. While animated outings have produced some of the most beloved series ever, the Teen Titans just haven’t had that live-action hit…yet. A new film is in development, and the potential success of Superman (2025) makes it increasingly likely we’ll see it. While you get ready for that, here’s every Teen Titans TV show and movie and where to find them on streaming. 

The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967)

Airing as part of The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, the Teen Titans made their animated debut just a few years after their comic book one. The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure focused on pairing continuing story from the previous year’s The New Adventures of Superman with brand new adventures in Aquaman. The show would also include a rotating series of “guest stars.” One such segment would be Teen Titans, who appeared in three of the guest segments rotated alongside segments starring the Justice League, the Atom, and more. This was still the original incarnation of the Teen Titans, so the team actually omitted traditional team leader Robin, instead featuring Kid Flash, Speedy, Wonder Girl, and Aqualad. 

Teen Titans (2003)

Perhaps the most well known iteration of the Teen Titans to this day, the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon was something of a revelation. The series, based largely on the genre-defining The New Teen Titans run of the ‘80s, wasn’t attached to the then-current Justice League extension of the DCAU, but it nonetheless became incredibly popular. The team, consisting of Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, and Raven, headlined a surprisingly dark and mature show that wasn’t afraid to balance its random and sarcastic humor with bitter character development and intense fight sequences. Even today, 20 years later, Teen Titans remains the measuring stick for new-and-adjacent Titans properties. 

Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006)

After five seasons, it was time for Teen Titans to draw to a close, but it went out with a bang. Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo serves as the send-off for the series, sending the Titans on an international adventure after their base is attacked by a ninja. Critics and fans alike loved the movie, praising its tone and action, though many also felt it was missing some of the secret sauce that made the animated series so beloved. Nonetheless, it was the final installment of the 2003 series for some time, though fans didn’t realize it would not be the last time they saw them. 

Teen Titans Go! (2013)

Naturally, if something is incredibly popular, you have to milk it a little bit. Following a successful run in the DC Nation Shorts interstitials, a variation of the 2003 Titans would return in Teen Titans Go!, a more comedic spin-off with an animation that leaned heavily into a chibi influenced style. It cannot be overstated just how massively popular Teen Titans Go! was at launch, even among fans who had been holding out hope for a revival of the original series. The show’s popularity is so enduring that it’s actually still running today and has amassed a staggering 400+ episodes in the more than a decade it has aired. 

Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)

Following the relaunch of the DC Animated Movie Universe in 2023, DC quickly filled out the roster with supporting character. The inevitable endgame was a pair of Teen Titans movies, each of which loosely followed key plots form the comics. 2016’s Justice League vs. Teen Titans is the closest to an original tale, but it adopts several key plot points from both the original relaunch of The New Teen Titans and the various conflicts the team has had with the Justice League over the years. The film sees the Titans and their newest member, Damian Wayne, at odds with the League when Raven’s demonic father, Trigon, mounts an attack on Earth. 

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)

If you’ve already adapted a Teen Titans origin story, the next logical step is its most infamous story: The Judas Contract. Based on the landmark and wildly controversial tale of the same name, the Titans find themselves fighting off Brother Blood with the help of their newest member, the Earth-bending Terra. Little do they realize that Terra is a double agent, having joined the Titans at the behest of their archenemy Deathstroke so that he could reclaim Damian for Ra’s al Ghul. Though Teen Titans: The Judas Contract departs heavily from the story it was based on, fans appreciated the changes, making this one of the higher rated DCAMU entries. 

Titans (2018)

For years, Warner Bros tried to get its vision for a Teen Titans series off the ground, with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds co-creator Akiva Goldsman eventually developing the project alongside former Teen Titans scribe Geoff Johns and Arrow mastermind Greg Berlanti. Finally, with the launch of the ill-fated DC Universe streaming service, Titans would make its debut. And it was…not great. The show is a wild departure from the source material; a jaded Dick Grayson has long since abandoned Robin, becoming a detective in Detroit, but the arrival of Rachel Roth calls him begrudgingly back into action. The show ran for four seasons between DC Universe and HBO Max with mixed reviews, with many criticizing its excessive, over-the-top violence and cliched storytelling beats. 

Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018)

Like its predecessors, Teen Titans Go! would eventually get a movie to capitalize on the success of the show. Unlike its predecessors, though, it would be a big-screen affair that celebrated not just the Titans but films in general. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies saw the team trying to get a big-budget Hollywood movie made about themselves after Robin is mocked for not having his own movie. However, the plan goes awry when their nemesis Slade turns back up. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies proved to be a critical hit, but it was arguably more popular thanks to its end-credits scene teasing the return of the original team. 

Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans (2019)

It’s not often a post-credits scene pays off so well and so quickly, but leave it to the Teen Titans to make it happen. As the name implies, Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans sees the 2003 animated version of the Teen Titans find a way back. Pit into a fight against their Teen Titans Go! counterparts, the two teams quickly realize their situation and band together as one powerful team to save the multiverse from the threat of two Trigons. Though the film didn’t receive a big-screen release, it was nonetheless incredibly popular, especially with fans eager to see the return of the 2003 team. 

Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam (2021)

Okay, so you’ve had a big-screen Teen Titans Go! adventure, and then you had the crossover in Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans, so what’s next? Probably something big, right? Something with a ton of action and drama to cap off the trilogy? How about instead you get a thinly veiled promotional tool in the tradition of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam is literally what it says on the tin. Released as a promotion for the then-upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy, the film sees the team literally watching Space Jam with the film’s villains, the Nerdlucks, occasionally taking breaks for hijinks like seeing Nerdluck versions of the Titans. 

Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse (2022)

The latest Teen Titans Go! movie as of this writing, Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, pulls double duty once again. This time, the film serves as a series finale to DC Super Hero Girls, a series which features young versions of various DC characters as they attended a super hero high school run by Amanda Waller. The film spends much of its runtime in the DC Super Hero Girls universe, but the Titans eventually appear following a multiversal mishap, teaming up the defeat Cythonna, a Kryptonian Goddess of Darkness. The film is hailed as a fun crossover with entertaining characters, though it didn’t make a huge splash on release. 

Where To Watch All 'Teen Titans' Movies And TV Shows In Order Online

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While DC’s most important hero may be returning to the big screen in Superman (2025), most fans are looking for the Batman’s most popular movies. It’s been three years as of this writing since Batman last appeared on the big screen, and it’s likely to be as many before he’s seen again. Fans are eagerly waiting for casting choices, script developments, and most importantly, costume updates for whichever Batman film hits the big screen next. 

The costume is, arguably, the most important part. Batman cuts an iconic silhouette, and the discussion about the costume and how it changes from film to film is a major topic among fans. We don’t know what Batman will be wearing when we see him next, but maybe we can infer something by ranking the five best Batman movie suits. 

5. The Dark Knight (2008)

By the time of 2008’s The Dark Knight, everyone was tired of the same exhausting jokes about Batman being unable to move his neck in the movies. Christopher Nolan didn’t just address it head on (no pun intended), he made it a plot point. Concerned about being unable to move in combat, Batman gets an upgraded suit with a cowl more akin to a biker helmet, giving him a tremendous range of motion. The suit looks great, but at the same time, it also ditches a lot of the traditional trappings for a more militaristic take, robbing it of a lot of its charm. 

4. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Look, let’s just get it out of the way: There are a lot of problems with and divisive opinions about Zack Snyder’s DCEU, but the one thing you can’t deny is the man knows how to make things look good on screen. The Batsuit first donned by Ben Affleck in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a peak example of this. It brilliantly adapts the classic suit from The Dark Knight Returns, but it’s just so bulky that it looks impossible to move around in. The suit was slimmed down for 2017’s disastrous Justice League, but reshoots in broad daylight really tarnish the reputation. Check out Zack Snyder’s Justice League for the definitive version of this suit; streamlined, fierce, and shot in the moody lighting it deserves. It’s genuinely beautiful. 

3. Batman Returns (1992)

The Batsuit featured in 1989’s Batman is perhaps the most important one ever made, not only lending an air of credibility to Tim Burton’s dark take on Batman but shifting the public perception across all media that The Dark Knight wore black. But that 1989 suit has aged weird; the texture looks very soft, the fake muscles stick out like a sore thumb, and the fit is so awkward that you could probably fit a full hand inside the cowl. Batman Returns took what work and improved it. The fit is tighter, the muscles are replaced with a more mechanical-inspired art deco look, and the material looks much more solid. It’s hard to improve a classic, but this era of Batman arguably never looked better than he did in Returns. 

2. Batman Begins (2005)

It took a long time to get a new Batman after Batman & Robin salted the Earth, but 2005’s Batman Begins brought Gotham City back with a bold new vision. Christopher Nolan took Batman back to basics, and that included an in-depth examination of the Batsuit and how it was made. The suit here still has a lot of superhero trappings while leaning into Nolan’s more realistic world than what came before, but honestly it works so perfectly in this film. As great as the suit from The Dark Knight looks, the Batman Begins suit is a beautiful update to Tim Burton’s work while still taking Batman into the 2000s. 

1. The Batman (2022)

The Batsuit featured in 2022’s The Batman is a stark departure from what we’ve seen before. Depicting a Batman in his second year of crimefighting, the suit looks like it was cobbled together as he went, with pieces added to counter his weaknesses as he fought. And it honestly works. This is a Batman who thrives on instilling fear, who embraces the idea of living in the shadows. Previous Batmen could survive a gunshot, but Robert Pattinson’s Batman is a walking tank. It’s not as sleek or refined, but it’s the most visually interesting Batsuit we’ve ever seen, and it narratively tells us more about Batman than any movie suit before it. 

Where To Watch The Best Batman Movie Suits Online

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has spent 20 years as a highlight of the comedy world, with a massive number of big-name stars making an appearance at Paddy’s Pub. That extends to the show’s Season 17 premiere, which continues the crossover with Abbott Elementary and shifts the focus to the Gang and their antics. However, the cast of Abbott Elementary is far from the first stars to run afoul of Dennis, Dee, Mac, Charlie, and Frank.

Some of the best guest stars have matched the comic energy of the Gang, bringing their own unrestrained energy to the show. Others have played realistic or calm characters, naturally contrasting the extremes of the rest of the main cast. A few have even been genuinely emotional, delivering real human moments in a show mostly about awful people. Here are the best 10 guest stars in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and where you can find their other movies and TV shows on apps like Apple TV+, Netflix, and Hulu!

Judy Greer

Season 3, Episode 5, "The Aluminum Monster vs. Fatty Magoo" 

An early but memorable guest star in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Judy Greer was a great early addition to the universe of the darkly hilarious sitcom. Greer has been a fixture of the comedy world for years, with starring roles in shows like Archer and memorable supporting turns in films like 13 Going on 30.

Greer plays a uniquely straightforward character in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, opposite a far more unstable Dee. An old friend of Dee who has risen up in the world, Greer’s Ingrid finds herself the target of Dee’s scorn and the rest of the Gang’s ambitions. Ingrid is a perfect counterbalance to Dee, a comically blunt but never condescending contrast to the comically awful Dee. It’s a bit of a departure for Greer, who specializes in playing her own brand of off-kilter behavior for comedy, but a memorable one.

Jason Sudeikis

Season 6, Episode 8, “The Gang Gets a New Member"

Season 6’s “The Gang Gets a New Member” played with the history of the Gang by introducing Schmitty, a member of the Gang who had been phased out years before the beginning of the show. Effectively a normal but sleezy guy who can’t help but poke fun at the absurd aspects of the Gang’s antics, Schmitty is played with casual charm by Jason Sudeikis.

Coming long before he’d be best known for playing the title role in the sweet Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso, Sudeikis made a name for himself playing comedic dirtbags in films like We’re the Millers. Schmitty fits neatly into that mold while also having a unique enough perspective on the Gang that it subverts expectations in a clever manner. 

Alexandra Daddario

Season 8, Episode 4, “Charlie and Dee Find Love” 

One of the most surprisingly emotional supporting characters in the history of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Alexandra Daddario’s role as Ruby is a somber one when introduced as a new love interest for Charlie, drawing his attention away from the Waitress, Ruby Taft.

Daddario, who has also starred in searing dramas like True Detective and The White Lotus, gives a genuinely emotional performance that bounces perfectly off the constantly uncouth Charlie. This builds to the episode’s brutal final turn that lets Daddario use the full scope of her dramatic abilities to play against a shockingly villainous Charlie. It’s a moment that even catches the other members of the Gang by surprise and is one of the best unexpected plot twists in the show’s history.

Seann William Scott

Season 9, Episode 5, “Mac Day”

Season 9’s “Mac Day” is one of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s funniest episodes and an extended punch-line about the pathetic nature of the Gang’s self-proclaimed “badass bodyguard,” Mac. Serving as the perfect contrast to the blowhard and judgmental Mac is his laidback cousin, dubbed Country Mac. Played by American Pie and Dude, Where’s My Car? star Seann William Scott, Country Mac is everything the Gang could ever want, wrapped up in a calm, confident package.

The fact that Country Mac is then disposed of so unceremoniously is a darkly hilarious reminder that the Gang can never escape one another. Scott delivers one of the show’s best deadpan performances in the one-off appearance, making him one of the show’s best guest stars.

Keegan-Michael Key

Season 10, Episode 8, “The Gang Goes on Family Fight”

One of modern film and television’s best comedic actors, Keegan-Michael Key channels all of Steve Harvey’s frustrations into his game show host character in Season 10’s “The Gang Goes on Family Fight.” Grant Anderson is a typically cheery gameshow host who finds his patience quickly put to the test by the Gang. Their antics and bizarre answers quickly frustrate him, letting Key tap into the outbursts of rage that made his Luther character such a breakout hit on Key & Peele.

The episode largely focuses on the game show and the Gang’s inexplicable lead, which increasingly pushes all of Anderson’s buttons. One of the few guest stars to match the Gang’s chaotic energy with his own brand of absurd anger that he perfected on shows like Schmigadoon!, Keegan-Michael Key’s guest spot on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a hilariously unrelenting beat taken as far as it will go. 

Guillermo del Toro

Season 11, Episode 7, “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century” 

One of cinema’s most prominent genre directors, Guillermo del Toro worked with Charlie Day on Pacific Rim before making a cameo appearance as Pappy McPoyle in Season 8. While this was a grimly hilarious beat, Pappy got a much more memorable (and hilarious) appearance in Season 11’s “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century.”

Called to the stand during a trial between many of the show’s most consistent supporting characters, Pappy’s chaotic performance builds to a surprisingly (and hilariously) cartoonish turn when he unleashes his pet bird on the defense attorney. The director of films like Pan’s Labyrinth gets to go big on screen in a way he rarely does from behind the camera, and it’s a very funny appearance from one of modern Hollywood’s best filmmakers.

Mindy Kaling

Season 13, Episode 1, “The Gang Makes Paddy's Great Again”

Coming on the heels of Glenn Howerton seemingly leaving the show at the end of Season 12’s “Dennis’ Double Life,” the Season 13 premiere introduced The Mindy Project’s Mindy Kaling as a surprisingly great addition to the Gang. “The Gang Makes Paddy’s Great Again” deals with the fallout of Dennis’ departure to help raise the son he didn’t know he had, with Kaling’s Cindy taking his place as a major schemer of the group.

Kaling fits neatly into the dynamic of the group, utilizing them to the best of their strengths, even as the Gang’s flaws threaten to destabilize the work she’s put into her plans. As a one-off character who a returning Dennis quickly usurps, The Office star fits easily into the show’s sardonic style. Fans disappointed they didn’t get to see much of Dennis and Cindy going back and forth can check out Velma, which Howerton and Kaling co-starred in.

Dolph Lundgren

Season 14, Episode 2, “Thunder Gun 4: Maximum Cool”

Paying off a set up from seasons prior, Dolph Lundgren’s appearance in Season 14’s “Thunder Gun 4: Maximum Cool” is a very fun extended gag about the nature of the action genre. Established as one of the biggest action franchises in the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia universe, Thunder Gun’s latest movie gets a few clips shown in-universe as an example of an action franchise rebooting for a new generation.

The Rocky IV/Creed II star has a lot of fun poking fun at the kind of action movie roles he played in films like The Expendables and The Punisher, delivering some solid laughs throughout. Lundgren has always been a deceptively funny actor, especially in films like Tour de Pharmacy. It makes perfect sense to cast him as Thunder Gun for the episode. A minor but memorable payoff for Season 7’s “Thunder Gun Express,” Dolph Lundgren is a great pick to return.

Colm Meaney

Season 15, Episode 6, “The Gang's Still In Ireland” 

One of the most surprisingly emotional guest stars in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Colm Meaney’s appearance in multiple episodes of Season 15 as Charlie’s biological father Shelley gives the show one of its best ever dramatic scenes. Portrayed as a well-meaning dope much in the same vein as his son, the Gangs of London and Hell on Wheels star brings a lovely grounded element to the character. The sweet rapport that grows between him and Charlie is undercut by the clear pain it causes Frank and the trauma that Charlie has to unpack, forcing typically non-stop joke machines to actually become humans.

Meaney makes Shelley a compelling character who never distracts from the actual focus of the story. Delivering a sweet performance that never stops being funny, Meaney brings some true weight to the show’s extended Ireland storyline.

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul

Season 16, Episode 5, “Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab”

One of the only times the guest stars in the episode were actively playing themselves, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s cameo in Season 16’s “Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab” stands out as one of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s most absurd episodes in a while. The episode reunites the Breaking Bad stars as the targets of the Gang’s newest scheme, by which they hope to get a celebrity endorsement for their newly concocted liquor.

The self-aware comedy picks up when it turns out the Gang only knows Cranston from Malcom in the Middle (and mistakes Paul for a grown Frankie Muniz), along with the discovery that their dynamic as Walter and Jesse have been flipped for these fictionalized versions of the actors. It’s one of the comedic highlights of Season 15, and one of the best celebrity cameos in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Where To Watch 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Best Guest Stars Online

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Not many people were expecting Twin Peaks to earn the critical acclaim and cultural recognition that it did when it originally aired in 1990, but over time, the love and adoration for the series only grew. The show was undeniably strange, mostly thanks to the odd quirks of the characters, the strange arcs they took, and the metaphysical nature of concepts like “The Black Lodge,” but people loved it regardless. To this day, many consider it to be the best work of the late, great David Lynch.

Given the acclaim of the series and its penchant for non-linear storytelling, deciding a proper viewing order of Twin Peaks may be somewhat up for debate, especially when you factor in elements like the feature film Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me, but if you’re interested in giving one of the most unconventional and emotionally poignant TV shows of all time a try, here’s how to watch all of Twin Peaks in order. 

Twin Peaks Season 1 (1990)

The first season of Twin Peaks introduces us to the main thrust of the show. In the small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, the naked corpse of a high school girl named Laura Palmer is found washed up on a river. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate and quickly determines that her death may have been caused by a serial killer who lives within Twin Peaks and has killed before. The majority of the first season introduces the eccentric residents of Twin Peaks, including the Horne brothers who run the Great Northern Hotel, the various members of the Twin Peaks Police Department, and several unsavory characters like the juvenile delinquent Bobby Briggs. 

Over time, we learn that not everything is as it seems within Twin Peaks, with the presence of supernatural beings and locations cropping up around town. Cooper frequently visits a place known as the Black Lodge and has one-sided interactions with the beings within it, who offer vague clues to help Cooper and the rest of the police figure out who the killer is. By the end of the first season, the killer remains at large, but several suspects have been eliminated as Cooper and the TPPD inch closer to the truth.

Twin Peaks Season 2 (1990-1991)

The second season of Twin Peaks is polarizing when compared to the first, mostly due to its length. The first season ran for eight episodes, and by the end of the first eight episodes of Season 2’s 22-episode run, the central mystery of the show is solved. Dale Cooper is able to deduce who murdered Laura Palmer and figures out what their connection to the Black Lodge is. There are still some lingering threads, but those threads are primarily with the supporting cast. 

The remainder of the season shifts the focus the show from being a murder mystery to a game of cat-and-mouse between Cooper and his former mentor turned criminal, Windom Earle. Most of Season 2 was made without Lynch’s oversight, leading to a season that was still perfectly fine, but wasn’t as focused as it was during Laura Palmer’s arc. Still, the ending sets up a striking status quo shift that would leave the series on an agonizing cliffhanger for 25 years. 

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)

Following the cancellation of the series after Season 2, Fire Walk With Me is a prequel that expands upon the events leading up to Laura Palmer’s death. The film primarily has us follow the last week of her life as she interacts with her friends and family. While the TV show was relatively straightforward and easy to follow for a David Lynch production, Fire Walk With Me brings in a lot of the eccentricities you would expect from the director, making this less of a soap opera like the main series and more of a character deconstruction like Eraserhead.

The film has earned critical acclaim for its cinematography and the dreamlike nature of it, as well as how it offers context to the first season of the show and completely reframes Laura as a character, making it an essential part of the Twin Peaks saga.

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014)

Released over two decades after Fire Walk With Me, Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces is a companion piece to the original film and an epilogue of sorts to Season 2. The film consists of deleted scenes and alternative takes from the film that enhance moments present within it. It’s not the same experience as the film, so The Missing Pieces should be viewed as supplemental material after you’ve already watched Fire Walk With Me, because without it, many of the scenes and moments won’t make sense.

However, it does offer insight into characters that were not present in the prequel, like Josie and Nadine, so seeing their cut scenes is a decent curiosity, as well as following up on the aftermath of the Season 2 finale. 

Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)

Back in 1991, Laura Palmer proclaimed that she would see us again in 25 years, and even though she was off by a year, Twin Peaks graced our TV screens once more with the limited series Twin Peaks: The Return. Set 25 years after Season 2, we catch up with Dale Cooper as he attempts to finally end the supernatural shenanigans that have spread beyond Twin Peaks and into the world at large.

The limited series is more in line with the strangeness of Fire Walk With Me than the original series, but each episode is utterly captivating. Many new concepts are introduced, and viewers are treated to complicated imagery and ideas whose meaning is still being debated to this day. We also touch back on most of the characters from the first two seasons, miraculously played by the original cast, with a few notable omissions here and there. It’s a worthy continuation of the original series and is oftentimes considered to be one of the most avant-garde and ambitious television seasons of all time. 

Where To Watch All Of 'Twin Peaks' In Order

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For decades, the Jurassic Park franchise has delighted viewers by putting dinosaurs into a contemporary setting alongside humans. Naturally, the result of humans experimenting with and trying to exploit dinosaurs is that dinosaurs eat many people. However, the films also acknowledge the diversity of dinosaurs, including those that are friendly or domesticable.

Following the release of Jurassic Park Rebirth, the range of predatory and friendly dinosaurs has expanded further. Viewers can use our guide to find out which predator dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park movies they wouldn’t want to run into and which they could keep as pets.

Predator: Dilophosaurus

Jurassic Park (1993)

One of the most notorious dinosaurs to encounter in the wild is the Dilophosaurus, which made its debut in the original Jurassic Park. In the film, a juvenile Dilophosaurus stalks Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) upon breaking free from its enclosure. As a juvenile, the dinosaur is relatively small, and colorful frills frame its face, leading Nedry to believe the unique creature isn’t so bad. That is, until it spits poisonous venom in his face, temporarily blinding him before devouring him. In real life, there’s no evidence that Dilophosaurus could eject venom. Still, the added detail in Jurassic Park makes it the most terrifying dinosaur to be attacked by, as it blinds and paralyzes its prey with venom before consuming it.

Pet: Compsognathus

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Compsognathus dinosaurs debuted in The Lost World: Jurassic Park and resemble miniature T. Rexes. These dinosaurs stand about two feet tall and are thin and long, with green coloring and hands and hind legs similar to those of a T. Rex. While carnivorous, their size means they primarily consume a diet of lizards and insects. However, in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the Compsognathus dinosaurs attack in packs to take down larger prey, including Dieter Stark (Peter Stormare). As long as one doesn’t get multiples, though, a sole Compsognathus would be a relatively harmless pet dinosaur.

Predator: Indoraptor

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

The Indoraptor is a genetically engineered dinosaur in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, created from combining the DNA of an Indominus Rex and Velociraptor. In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, the Indoraptor exhibits incredibly high levels of intelligence, including hiding, stalking, and feigning sleep. Its stealthy, cunning ways make it particularly dangerous and unpredictable. It’s one of the few dinosaurs in the franchise that seems truly driven by sadism rather than survival. Coming face-to-face with an Indoraptor promises to be one of the most painful, prolonged deaths, given the dinosaur's sadistic, aggressive nature.

Pet: Velociraptor

Jurassic World (2015)

Typically, one does not want to encounter a Velociraptor from the Jurassic Park franchise, as these dinosaurs are intelligent, fast, and deadly. However, Jurassic World suggests these dinosaurs can be semi-domesticated. In the movie, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) raised the Velociraptor Blue from birth and trained her so she came to see him as her pack leader. Although she shifted her allegiance between him and other dinosaurs, she ultimately protected him and later returned to him in Jurassic World Dominion, accompanied by her baby, Beta. If one can train and domesticate a Velociraptor, it could serve as a good, protective pet; however, it might be best to keep it as an outdoor pet for safety reasons.

Predator: Giganotosaurus

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

There’s nothing worse than being eaten by a dinosaur so enormous that it paralyzes its prey with fear. The Giganotosaurus appears in Jurassic World Dominion and is the largest terrestrial carnivorous dinosaur in the franchise. It's essentially a T. Rex, but significantly larger, weighing an estimated 30,000 pounds. The giant dinosaur blocks out the sun and shakes the Earth as it walks, continuously stalking the characters in Jurassic World Dominion and fighting other dinosaurs to establish its dominance. While one’s death would be relatively painless as they’d be eaten in one swift gulp, the thought of seeing 30,000 pounds of dinosaur coming toward you is nothing short of a nightmare.

Pet: Aquilops

Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Jurassic World Rebirth features an Aquilops dinosaur as a pet. The film follows a young girl named Isabela (Audrina Miranda) as she discovers a tiny Aquilops and adopts it as a pet, naming it Dolores. Aquilops are very small herbivorous ceratopsians, less than two feet in length and three pounds in weight. They are entirely harmless and adorable in Jurassic World Rebirth. Dolores exhibits signs of curiosity and protective instincts, melting viewers' hearts with her distinctive features, including her small, horned nose and striped tail. Few dinosaurs would make a better, safer pet.

Predator: Distortus Rex in

Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Of all the mutated dinosaurs in Jurassic World Rebirth, few are as terrifying as the Distortus Rex. The Distortus Rex is a mutated Tyrannosaurus rex, twice the size of a typical T. Rex, with six limbs, including two enormous, gorilla-like arms in addition to its two smaller arms. It has a bulge in its head like a beluga whale and walks hunched over with a hardly discernible neck. In Jurassic World Rebirth, it appears less like a dinosaur and more like a creature from a horror movie. These dinosaurs would first paralyze their prey with terror over their appearance before crushing it with their gorilla-like arms and tearing it to shreds with their teeth.

Pet: Gallimimus

Jurassic Park (1993)

Gallimimus dinosaurs first appear in Jurassic Park, as viewers witness flocks of the omnivores fleeing a T. Rex attack. They are small, bird-like dinosaurs with toothless mouths and long, thin bodies. Their behaviors and fluid movements are similar to those of flightless birds, making the packs of Gallimimus akin to a pack of ostriches. The animals in the Jurassic Park films are harmless, often fleeing predators and keeping busy by scavenging for bugs and herbs with their packs. They were even part of Jurassic World’s petting zoo area. Harmless and frequently in need of shelter from predators, Gallimimus dinosaurs would make great pets.

Predator: Scorpios Rex

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous (2020)

The genetically modified Scorpios Rex serves as the primary antagonist in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous Season 3. Although it finally reveals itself in the third season, it began stalking the gang as early as the first season, serving as an unseen villain for an extended period. Its appearance is that of a mutated Velociraptor with red eyes, dark slit pupils, and long, almost humanoid arms with clawed hands. The dinosaur's behavior is even scarier than its appearance, as it’s known to be aggressive, unpredictable, and prone to rampages. It's the kind of dinosaur that will give one false hope of safety before shooting them with poisonous quills and killing them indiscriminately before eating.

Pet: Lystrosaurus

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

The Lystrosaurus is a small but heavily built herbivore that appears briefly in Jurassic World Dominion. In the film, a Lystrosaurus named Leonard was sold on the black market and forced into fighting other dinosaurs. While the Lystrosaurus has powerful tusk-like canines, it only utilizes them in defense. Otherwise, the dinosaur is docile and harmless. The average Lystrosaurus is just three feet long and walks on four short, squat legs. It’s sort of like the dinosaur version of a pug with its short, thick build and laid-back attitude. When in a safer environment than Jurassic World Dominion, the Lystrosaurus make for harmless, adorable pets.

Where To Watch 'Jurassic Park' And 'Jurassic World' Online

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Sometimes a person wants to watch a smartly written drama featuring Oscar-winning actors acting their hearts out, and other times, you want to watch a man throw knives into people’s eyes. Since its initial release in 2010, The Expendables franchise has catered to the latter category, excelling at dumb action that leaves the audience howling with laughter and clapping for more. Featuring a who’s who cast of some of the greatest action movie stars of all time, The Expendables has a simple mission statement: What if we put all of the greatest action movie stars together in a movie and let them go wild?

There’s hardly any logic to the series, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s a callback to action movies of the ’80s, where the entire point was excessive and ludicrous action, and at times, it’s a perfect replication of the period. The Expendables is just dumb fun, and if you want to give the series a try and see some of the greatest action movie stars of all time unite for increasingly stupid and over-the-top jobs, then here’s how to watch every Expendables movie in order. 

The Expendables (2010)

The Expendables follows the aforementioned team, consisting of several Hollywood action legends, led by Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross, a no-nonsense tough guy, but also features Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Terry Crews, as support members. The team accepts jobs from an enigmatic man named Mr. Church, played by Bruce Willis, and it usually involves them doing extremely dangerous tasks that will most likely result in their deaths. And if they die? Who cares. They were all expendable anyway. 

The team’s mission in the first film is to overthrow the tyrannical government of an island nation in the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, the mission isn’t as it seems, and the team will not only have to fight against the island’s regime, but also a former Expendable who was kicked off the team for being too extreme, Dolph Lundgren’s Gunner, as well as a rogue CIA agent assisting the dictator. There’s plenty of drama underneath the surface as well, mostly involving Jason Statham’s relationship ex-girlfriend, but the film effectively balances drama with action, making it a respectable debut. 

The Expendables 2 (2012)

If The Expendables was about trying to find a balance between drama and action, The Expendables 2 goes all in on action. This time, the team goes to Albania to retrieve a lost item, but immediately upon finding it, they’re ambushed by the international arms dealer Jean Vilain, played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who steals the item from them, kills one of their members, and runs away, forcing the team to hunt him down not only for the mysterious item, but also for vengeance. 

Yes, The Expendables 2 is stupid. Its main antagonist is literally one letter away from being named “villain,” but it is single-minded in its pursuit of violence. Most of the original cast reappears, with new actors like Chuck Norris and Liam Hemsworth earning respectable action scenes, and more developed roles for returning characters like Gunner. This is the kind of action movie where you turn your brain off and just watch the fireworks go off, and it's arguably the most successful and popular entry in the series because of it. 

The Expendables 3 (2014)

While earlier Expendables movies had a large cast of action stars, The Expendables 3 goes above and beyond in adding new characters to the team. The third entry in the series offers a shift in style and tone, like being rated PG-13 while the first two films were rated R, and focusing on younger aspiring action movie stars, like Ronda Rousey, Victor Ortiz, and Glen Powell. Some veteran actors appear, like Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, and Mel Gibson, but it’s clear that the film tries to appeal to younger audiences for franchise sustainability. 

This time, The Expendables are sent to capture one of the original co-founders of the team (Gibson), whom they encountered recently and betrayed the team, injuring several of them in the process. The set-up is relatively similar to the second film, and it captures a lot of the same beats, delivering an action movie that still satisfies, especially when showing off the diverse skills of the younger action stars. 

Expend4bles (2023)

Released nine years after the last Expendables movie, Expend4bles sees a big shift in the team dynamic. Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross is killed in a plane crash during a mission that went south, and now Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas is in charge of the team. Not being used to leadership, he assembles a new team featuring talent like Tony Jaa, Megan Fox, and 50 Cent, in order to avenge Barney’s death and avert World War III. The film returns the series to an R-rating and features plenty of action scenes, making this a stylistic return to form compared to the third movie. 

Where To Watch All 'Expendables' Movies In Order Online

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Some of the best—and most memorable—sitcoms of the last decade all feature one prominent thing: Solid romantic relationships that have not only stood the test of time, but no matter when we watch, they still make us swoon. As a genre, romance is one of the highest-grossing in any field, so the detail that our favorite comfort shows also feature endearing and unique love stories isn't accidental. They matter to the story, to the character development, and to the overall universal theme that many of us can understand despite our differences. 

From shows like Friends to the most recent sensation of Abbott Elementary, here are the 10 most memorable sitcom couples to have graced our screens.

Ben Wyatt and Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)

Countless critics have said that Parks and Recreation didn't find its footing until Adam Scott's Ben Wyatt stepped into the picture, and it's true. Waltzing into the Pawnee Parks Department for budget cuts, the instant rapport he builds with Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope has all the markings of the hate-to-love trope. Their animosity gradually develops into a friendship, then later leads to the type of romance that's all about exhibiting the great lengths people will go to for one another. Supportive, hilariously kindred, and deeply in love, there's a realistic magic in Ben and Leslie's relationship that always grows more compelling over time.

Monica Geller and Chandler Bing (Friends)

There's plenty of drama where relationships are concerned in Friends, but the love story that quietly blooms between Monica Geller and Chandler Bing results in one of the most gorgeous accounts of the friends-to-lovers trope. (And a sprinkle of the whole best friend's little sister.) While couples make up and break up an exhausting number of times during the show's 10-season run, Monica and Chandler prove that finding a partner is all about learning how to communicate, unwavering loyalty, and a love that stands through every trial. It's hard to imagine what the show would be without their steady adoration taking us through various narrative points during the season.

Amy Santiago and Jake Peralta (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a riveting masterpiece for its acute awareness of the times, for its effortless inclusivity, and for the inevitable romance that comes to life through Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago. Polar opposites in more ways than one, fans spend the first couple of seasons watching them go head-to-head with competition, only to watch that banter seamlessly lead to a relationship that underscores why it's important for couples to challenge one another. When they finally get together, Jake and Amy become each other's most significant cheerleaders as they encourage one another to go for bigger and better things in their field while ceaselessly loving each other through everything.

Eleanor Shellstrop and Chidi Anagonye (The Good Place)

The Good Place's titular heaven turns out to be the bad place, but every little thing that develops in the afterlife for these characters turns out to be the best thing they've ever experienced. As yet another pair of opposites attract, Eleanor and Chidi shouldn't exactly work out as a couple, and yet, all their cracked edges fit together perfectly. As characters who both need to find ways to evolve in order to eventually leave their purgatory, much of what they discover in one another allows them to find something even better than they were looking for, which also plays into the soulmates theory that countless romance fans adore. 

David Rose and Patrick Brewer (Schitt’s Creek)

During the first season of Schitt's Creek, it's impossible to think that any member of the Rose family could settle down and find love. Yet, that's largely where the show's beauty lies, and when David Rose meets Patrick Brewer, there's magic in the wildly strange small town. David and Patrick take what begins as a working relationship and develop one of the most wholesome friendships that then grows into love in a way that's deeply rewarding. Throughout the series' relatively short run, we watch the two of them bring out the best in each other so adorably that they make every romantic trope feel utterly unique (like being serenaded).

Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie (Abbott Elementary)

In a list of many opposites, Abbott Elementary’s Janine and Gregory are two peas in a pod—made for each other. The two of them initially connect as teachers because they’re both slightly nerdier than their coworkers (Jacob Hill, not included), but it’s their careful means of checking in on each other throughout the course of the show where their friendship develops into something bigger. Now, as a couple, their relationship is an added balm in a show that’s already brimming with wholesome charm and a sweet approach to a setting we don’t often see on our screens. 

Nick Miller and Jess Day (New Girl)

Like in Friends, it was inevitable that we'd eventually watch pairings fall in love in New Girl's apartment 4D. It was also easy to predict that Nick Miller and Jess Day would end up together, given the trajectory of their meeting and how their friendship blooms from a lingering annoyance that never quite leaves either of them. Nick and Jess are nothing alike, and yet, they're perfectly suited for one another on a wildly emotional level where it's clear that they're both capable of cracking themselves wide open for the ones they love. 

Winston Schmidt and Cece Parekh (New Girl)

Like Nick and Jess, Cece and Schmidt getting together was inevitable on New Girl. But interestingly, theirs may be the most memorable story because of how it all begins and follows the "he falls first" trope to the T. He said he was going to marry her, and he did. Plus, in Season 7, their daughter is quite literally the entire reason why it's the show's best season yet. Cece and Schmidt share similar morals in their work ethics, but what ultimately made their relationship so endearing was watching them push through every barrier that stood in their way to underscore that they could appreciate and respect each other's different cultural upbringings to create something new and beautiful together. 

Amy Sosa and Jonah Simms (Superstore)

From the very first episode of Superstore, when Jonah fills the Cloud 9 ceiling with stars, it was obvious that Amy Sosa and Jonah Simms would eventually get together. As far as workplace romances go, theirs is one of the most adorable ones to date. Both hard-working and deeply caring, Amy and Jonah's slow-burn relationship came with a number of trials during the show's run, but in the end, their adoration and loyalty to each other proved to be the lasting treasure they found in a mediocre job. 

Pam Beesly and Jim Halpert (The Office)

The Office is known for many things, like Michael Scott's wildly hilarious antics, but it's also renowned for doing the best job of taking on the office workplace romance trope. No power imbalance or anything of the sort, Jim and Pam were just two lonely people who found in each other a best friend who's willing to remember everything about them. With every look they shared and every milestone moment viewers watched on-screen, Jim and Pam's relationship remains one that's still sweet to look back on. 

Where To Watch The 10 Most Memorable Sitcom Couples Online

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Superman is making a comeback on the big screen with James Gunn’s Superman, the first solo film for the iconic DC hero since Man of Steel. While Superman is a vital component of DC’s cinematic universe, some of his best iterations have actually been on the small screen.

The small screen offers viewers a chance to dive deeper into Superman, often providing not just superhero action but also unique explorations of who Clark Kent is, both as a hero and a person. Viewers can use our guide to discover where to watch the best live-action shows featuring Superman on platforms like Max, Hulu, and others.

Superman & Lois (2021-2024)

Superman & Lois follows Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Bitsie Tulloch), who move to Smallville with their two teenage sons. However, the town is brimming with superhuman activity, and Kent finds himself torn between his responsibilities as a father and husband and his responsibilities as Superman. Superman & Lois is the only live-action Superman project to explore Kent in middle age as a father and husband, revealing sides of the character viewers never thought they’d see. Additionally, Hoechlin’s performance and the show’s dazzling fight scenes featuring DC characters from Onomatopoeia to Doomsday are borderline cinematic, making Superman & Lois by far the most sophisticated Superman series.

Smallville (2001-2011)

Smallville offers another unique take on Superman, centering on Clark Kent (Tom Welling) as a teenager growing up in Smallville while navigating his superhero abilities. The show tracks Kent from high school into young adulthood and his early years working at the Daily Planet with Lois Lane (Erica Durance). Smallville strikes a nice balance between a teen drama and a superhero series. It offers a fantastic iteration of multiple iconic Superman characters, with some fans still hailing Michael Rosenbaum as the best iteration of Lex Luthor ever. Additionally, the teen drama aspect helps delve deeper into Superman’s origin and the source of his heart and spirit.

Supergirl (2015-2021)

Set in the Arrowverse, Supergirl follows Superman’s (Hoechlin) cousin, Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), who has hidden her powers for most of her life. However, when she accidentally reveals her secret, she finds herself embracing her power and Supergirl identity as National City looks to her for protection. While not centered wholly on Superman, Supergirl is the perfect live-action TV show for fans who want to get to know his family and are interested in a feminine take on the hero. Benoist shines as the brave, powerful, and self-assured Supergirl, while Hoechlin boasts several exciting appearances as Superman. It’s the perfect Superman show for the whole family.

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman is a Superman series that centers on the relationship between Clark Kent (Dean Cain) and Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher). In the series, Kent adjusts to life in Metropolis and his new career as a reporter at the Daily Planet. However, as he grows closer to fellow reporter Lane, who takes a keen interest in Superman, he finds it increasingly difficult to keep his life as Kent and his life as Superman separate. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman boasts impeccable casting and embraces its '90s camp, offering a romantic, action-packed, and wildly fun take on Superman.

Superboy (1988-1992)

Before Smallville, Superboy was the first live-action series to delve into the life of young Superman (John Haymes Newton and Gerard Christopher). Superboy follows Kent’s life as a college student at Metropolis University. As he transitions into adulthood, his superhero life evolves as well, as he strives to go from Superboy to Superman. Superboy boasted some of the most groundbreaking effects and wirework for its time and excelled in its exploration of Kent’s relationship with his childhood friend, Lana Lang (Stacy Haiduk). Like Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Superboy boasts a lighthearted tone, nostalgia, and camp.

Adventures of Superman (1952-1958)

Adventures of Superman was the first live-action series centered on the DC hero. Released in 1952, the show follows Clark Kent (George Reeves) as he leads a double life, fighting crime as Superman and reporting on breaking news stories as Kent, alongside his best friends, Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill) and Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson). Adventures of Superman is an excellent show, especially in its first season, which almost plays out like a crime drama. At times, the show has a gritty edge, but it always balances this out with humor and action, while Coates and Reeves shine as Lois and Superman.

Where To Watch The Best Live-Action Superman Shows Online

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What many non-geeky English major nerds might not know is that there are more Jane Austen adaptations of her stories than there are full-length novels. From classic limited series to modern retellings like Clueless, the world of Austen is vast and ever-growing. We even have reimaginings of what comes after her stories, like in Death Comes to Pemberley. Years from now, a new generation will continue arguing which Pride and Prejudice adaptation is the best and pass it along to others.

From films about the author herself to series that touch upon even her unfinished work, there's a great deal to appreciate out there. Here are the top t10 absolute must-watch Jane Austen adaptations streaming on platforms like Prime Video, PBS, and more.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Moviegoers recently returned to theaters to watch Matthew MacFadyen's infamous hand flex on the big screen for the 20th anniversary of Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice, and today, the film has garnered more fans than before. For a film that doesn't have as much space to encompass all the important beats in Austen's most revered novel, Pride and Prejudice (2005) comes pretty close. Full of indescribable scenic shots, a gorgeous score from the English Chamber Orchestra and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, beautiful performances from MacFadyen, Keira Knightley, the late and great Donald Sutherland, plus everyone involved, there's magic sprinkled into every corner of the adaptation, making it one that even non-Austen fans can appreciate. 

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Before Jonathan Bailey's Anthony Bridgerton sprang out of the lake with a wet shirt, Colin Firth made everyone swoon as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 limited series. With more episodes to showcase details in the text, the limited Pride and Prejudice series is a treat from beginning to end as it captures the essence of the novel. If this were the only adaptation we'd ever gotten, it would have been enough. While the 2005 glitters as a spectacle, the limited series shines in its meticulous authenticity. From the costumes to the color contrasts in every scene, the series feels like it was made in the Regency era, and for that reason, it'll perpetually remain inimitable. 

Emma (2009)

As Jane Austen's most complex (and longest) novel, Emma is one that requires an abundance of time with the titular character to intimately understand her idiosyncrasies. She isn't for everybody, but for those who appreciate her, no adaptation handles the story as beautifully as the BBC's limited series, starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller, along with the late Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse. Exceptional writing captures the heart of the text, and an exquisite performance from Garai ensures that Emma is a well-rounded, profoundly layered character whose heart is consistently on display, even as her words fumble. 

Northanger Abbey (2007)

Often one of Austen's most underrated novels, Northanger Abbey is for the fans longing for gothic elements in their Regency romance. It's spooky, inherently meta in what it captures with the notion of reading, and deeply romantic as we watch Felicity Jones' Catherine Morland and JJ Fields' Henry Tilney slowly and quietly fall in love. With stunning architecture and scenic shots glazed in muted tones, the cinematography that takes viewers through Bath and the titular estate, Northanger Abbey, is especially perfect for the spooky season, and paired with heavy rain pounding through the windows. Short and sweet in its runtime but thoroughly engaging from beginning to end.

Persuasion (2007)

Persuasion is inarguably Jane Austen's most devastating and heartrending novel, so it's astounding there aren't as many adaptations of it. Still, Adrian Shergold's made-for-TV version is undoubtedly the best one yet. Starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones, the adaptation ensures that viewers feel the weight of the longing that has consistently stretched between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. As it does this, it also sticks the landing with their reunion at the very end. Nestled in the streets of Bath, Somerset, every emotion is on full display and perfect in every way.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Few film adaptations are as aptly cast as Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility. Starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Imelda Staunton, and more, so much of the reason why the adaptation is among the best is entirely because of the cast. Thompson and Winslet are especially brilliant as they embody the Dashwood sisters in their endeavors, making every beat of the film rewarding, even while we miss out on various content from the book. Beautifully shot from start to finish, Sense and Sensibility, like the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, feels as timeless as it looks.

Emma (2020)

Autumn de Wilde's bold and colorful adaptation of Emma might not be for everybody, but it's a gorgeous transformation that manages to keep the character's essence intact, even while it takes risks to bring the narrative to life. With a faultlessly quirky score from Isobel Waller-Bridge and lush, gorgeous costumes, the slightly brighter approach makes the story deeply funny and surprisingly relatable. It also helps that Anya Taylor-Joy delivers an incredible performance from the moment she appears on screen.

Emma (1996)

Funnily, there are two adaptations of Emma from 1996, but Gwyneth Paltrow's takes the cake as one that feels more rich in how it explores the text and character. Simultaneously, it stars Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill and Jeremy Northam as Knightley, as well as a number of recognizable faces, many don't realize have taken on Austen. Charming, surprisingly hilarious, and well-made, this version of Emma is certainly worth watching at least once. 

Mansfield Park (1999)

Mansfield Park isn't among Austen's popular novels, but the adaptation starring Frances O'Connor as Fanny Price and Jonny Lee Miller as Edmund Bertram is a solid one. It takes the story's most interesting beats and sells a film based on performances alone, which, at times, is more than what we can ask for. Legitimately funny and adorably shot, Mansfield Park feels like the one Austen film that can truly be deemed a romantic comedy. 

Sanditon (2019)

Based on Austen's unfinished novel, Andrew Davies took a number of liberties with Sanditon's three-season run, and for the most part, it's an endearing adaptation because of its cast. While the second and third seasons change course after Theo James' exit, the series still gives Charlotte Haywood a happy ending and allows each of the characters a better future than their pasts allowed. It's surprising that there aren't more series like Sanditon, but for what we've got, it's undoubtedly one worth checking out. 

Where To Watch The Best Jane Austen Movies And TV Shows Online

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M3GAN 2.0 recently premiered in theaters, marking the expansion of one of the newest killer toy franchises. For decades, killer toys, from puppets to dolls to animatronics, have delighted and terrified audiences with the concept of toys that are uncannily sentient and malevolent.

Viewers intrigued by M3GAN 2.0’s killer AI dolls can use our guide to find out where to watch the 10 best killer toy movies on platforms like Max, Hulu, and more.

Dead of Night (1945)

Dead of Night is one of the earliest films to feature a killer toy. The 1945 horror film is an anthology in which a group of guests at a country cottage tell five scary stories. Of the stories, the most popular is the story about ventriloquist Maxwell Frere (Michael Redgrave), who works with a dummy named Hugo. However, when Hugo appears to begin speaking independently, it sets off a disturbing chain of events for Maxwell. Hugo is a terrifying doll with an eerie, life-like appearance. Still, the story's true terror comes from Redgrave’s masterful performance as the unraveling Frere, who unsettlingly starts to parallel the doll.

Child’s Play (1988)

Child’s Play marks the first film in the Chucky franchise. In the movie, Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) searches for a Good Guy doll for her son, Andy (Alex Vincent), and is delighted to come across one from a street peddler. However, the thoughtful gift turns into the mother and son’s worst nightmare when the doll, Chucky (Brad Dourif), comes to life and displays murderous tendencies. Child’s Play established Chucky as one of the most iconic killer toys of all time, creating a slasher star to rival that of Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers but condensed into doll form and riddled with dark humor.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Five Nights at Freddy’s is a film adaptation of the beloved horror video game series of the same name. It follows Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson), who picks up a nighttime shift as a security guard at an abandoned pizzeria restaurant. The job isn’t as easy as it sounds, though, as the restaurant’s defunct animatronics come to life at night with sinister intentions. Five Nights at Freddy’s masterfully pulls at the subconscious fear most have of uncanny animatronic mascots, turning Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, and Mr. Cupcake into horror icons. With a subtle creepiness and a multitude of clever nods to the franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the most fun killer toy movies for viewers to enjoy.

Cult of Chucky (2017)

Cult of Chucky is the seventh installment in the Child’s Play franchise and features the return of Chucky and two of his victims, Andy and Nica (Fiona Dourif). Chucky, having found a new and even more terrifying manner to extend his reign of terror, seeks out Nica once more while Andy races against the clock to stop the doll. Cult of Chucky comes the closest to reviving the magic of the original movie with its over-the-top premise and blend of horror and comedy. It boasts some of the best kills and twists of the entire franchise and gives fans of Chucky a worthy expansion of his lore.

M3GAN (2022)

M3GAN tells the story of roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams), who develops an AI doll called M3GAN (Amie Donald and Jenna Davis) to help her orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), cope with the loss of her parents. However, M3GAN becomes self-aware and goes to extreme lengths to fulfill her mission of protecting Cady. M3GAN is one of the most refreshing killer toy movies. While it boasts the typical humor and campiness of the killer toy trope, it also modernizes it by delving into the growing paranoia and concerns surrounding AI development. M3GAN is also one of the most unsettling AI toys, as her appearance and mannerisms parallel those of both a little girl and a robot.

Dolls (1987)

Dolls follows five strangers who meet by chance after they all seek shelter from a violent thunderstorm in a mansion. The mansion belongs to the elderly couple, Gabriel (Guy Rolfe) and Hilary Hartwicke (Hilary Mason), toymakers who have filled the entire mansion with their hand-crafted dolls. The dolls are no ordinary creations, though, as they come to life and attack the guests. Dolls features a wide array of killer toys besides dolls, including toy soldier figurines that come to life with functioning weapons. The movie stands out as an intriguing blend of a haunted house and a killer toy horror story that’s bold, eccentric, and incredibly creepy.

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

M3GAN 2.0 is the sequel to M3GAN, in which Gemma and Cady learn of another AI threat from a rogue military android, AMELIA (Ivanna Sakhno). When M3GAN learns of AMELIA, she sees it as her chance to redeem herself and regain control of her physical body, if only she can convince Gemma to trust her again. M3GAN 2.0 delves even deeper into AI advancement and the cybersecurity industry than the last movie while amping up its action with two killer dolls and an epic battle of AI vs. AI. The film leans more toward action than horror, but it works well, allowing its eccentric premise, creepy dolls, and dark humor to shine.

The Boy (2016)

The Boy tells the story of Greta (Lauren Cohan), who accepts a position as a nanny for a couple’s young son. However, the “son,” Brahms, turns out to be a doll that the couple has been raising as if it were a real boy since the loss of their son. As odd events begin to occur, Greta starts to suspect the doll may be alive. The Boy is a unique killer toy story made eerier by the fact that Brahms only moves when Greta isn’t looking at it. It’s one of the oddest killer toy movies, featuring a creepy atmosphere and a shocking twist that viewers won’t see coming.

Puppet Master (1989)

Puppet Master is the first installment of the horror franchise of the same name. The film follows Alex Whitaker (Paul Le Mat), an anthropology professor who begins having strange visions of his old friend, Neil (Jimmie F. Skaggs). Upon hearing of Neil’s death, Alex begins to investigate but soon finds himself the target of vicious, sentient marionettes. Puppet Master is a fun, campy killer toy and slasher movie that will terrify viewers with its whole entourage of creepy, miniature puppets. The film also differentiates itself from other killer toy stories with an overarching mystery and multiple puppets boasting distinct personalities.

Annabelle (2014)

Annabelle is the second installment in The Conjuring franchise and the first to center on Annabelle. In the movie, John Form (Ward Horton) gifts his pregnant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis), a beautiful porcelain doll. However, the doll's placement in their home coincides with several strange phenomena, leading the couple to believe the doll is haunted. Annabelle is particularly terrifying, considering it’s loosely inspired by the allegedly haunted real-life doll of the same name. It’s incredibly creepy, with numerous jump scares and a killer toy that rivals Chucky and M3GAN in its unsettling nature and evil spirit. 

Where To Watch The Best Killer Toy Movies Online

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From its 2008 debut, Taken became the defining action thriller of the era, turning Liam Neeson into the reluctant but unstoppable protective father we never knew we needed. With sharp pacing and a performance that reimagined the aging hero, it sparked a franchise that banked nearly $1 billion worldwide, proving that audiences still loved grit and resolve over CGI spectacle.

Sequels followed in 2012 and 2015, keeping Neeson's former CIA agent, Bryan Mills, on the hunt, albeit with diminishing critical returns. Still, each chapter offered its own tense, blood-pumping promise. Let's revisit these thrillers in order and examine why they remain must-see entries for action fans everywhere.

Taken (2008)

Taken begins when Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent, is thrust back into action when his teenage daughter Kim is kidnapped by a human trafficking ring in Paris. The film wastes no time as Mills races across Europe, dismantling criminal networks with brutal precision and winning our rooting interest moment by moment. The strength of Taken lies not in narrative complexity but in its relentless simplicity of a father's love, crossed with a man who has a "particular set of skills."

Taken received mixed reviews from critics, but the audience was more receptive, with the film earning $226 million at the global box office on a budget of just $25 million. What resonates isn't just the home‑grown tension but Neeson's performance. At the time, he redefined the modern action hero with maturity and pure emotion wrapped in a steel exterior. That makes Taken more than throwaway fun. It's thrilling, visceral, and oddly touching in its stubborn paternal devotion.

Taken 2 (2012)

Revenge flips the script in Taken 2.. This time, the story begins when the father of one of the traffickers murdered in the first film tracks Mills, his ex-wife, and daughter while the trio are vacationing in Istanbul, turning the original hunter into the hunted. Mills is briefly captured but soon taps into his lethal instincts to rescue his loved ones and teach the bad guys a painful lesson. The sequel went on to gross $376 million worldwide as fans embraced the familiar formula.

The film essentially doubled down on tension and family stakes. While Kim (still played by Maggie Grace) gets more agency, Neeson's Mills remains cold, calculating, and masterful. Even if the formula feels familiar, the danger feels more immediate. It may lack the surprise of the first entry in the franchise, but it remains a satisfying watch.

Taken 3 (2015)

Taken 3 moves away from abduction plots into conspiracy territory. When Mills' ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) is murdered, and he's framed for the crime, he must clear his name while being pursued by LAPD detective Frank Dotzler (Forest Whitaker). The stakes remain personal, but the structure of the story shifts. It's a fugitive thriller as much as it's an action film that revisits the usual Mills formula. Box office takings remained strong, with earnings of $326 million worldwide. However, the critical response was brutal, with reviewers describing the film as "uninspired action" that lived long past its sell-by date.

While the final installment in the trio of films trips over its setup, Neeson remains sturdy. Mills, alone and on the run, is a more vulnerable, wearier hero, while Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, and Forest Whitaker inject textures the earlier entries skipped. The plot is overstuffed, but there's catharsis in the film's reckoning. As imperfect as it is, Taken 3 closes the trilogy-wide arc about a man chasing ghosts. And the energy in that chase is still worth the ride.

Where To Watch All The 'Taken' Movies In Order

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When a movie is deemed unsuitable for audiences, it can be banned. There are lots of reasons why movies get banned, from the use of unsimulated sex to graphic content and sometimes just the pure disturbing nature of the film. Luckily for viewers, in the modern era of streaming and digital rentals, it's become increasingly hard to outright ban a movie because there are so many ways to release films without having to deal with regulatory bodies like the MPA (Motion Picture Association), which is who applies ratings like PG, PG-13, and R.

The horror genre is especially notorious for getting banned, for obvious reasons. Gore, torture, macabre…it’s all ripe for controversy, especially among the conservative-leaning regulatory agencies like the MPA, which is loaded with its own controversies thanks to its biased viewpoints. (Check out This Film is Not Yet Rated for more on that). But how do movies get banned? There’s a few ways…

How Movies Get Banned

Full Ban

Sometimes, a movie can be deemed so obscene that local or national governments will flat-out declare that the movie is not allowed to screen in their region. These types of bans are still very common in areas like China and the Middle East.

MPA Refuses to Rate

Sometimes the MPA will reject a film, or a filmmaker will understand that their movie is going to be rejected by the MPA, so they don’t even try. Oftentimes, this will happen to movies that use unsimulated sex, like Shortbus and Antichrist. But other films like The Human Centipede also released as “Unrated.” When a film is unrated, major theaters won’t screen it, and the small indie ones that do have to make the screenings 18+ and normally won’t screen them before midnight. This effectively bans a movie because it reduces its release to just a handful of theaters at midnight screenings. 

NC-17 Becomes a Deathblow

The harshest MPA rating is NC-17, which means no one under 17 is admitted. However, culturally (especially for older people), NC-17 has a connotation with pornography, and, therefore, all major theater chains refuse to screen NC-17 movies. Countless films have had to be re-edited to obtain an R-rating instead of an NC-17 because studios know that an NC-17 rating essentially bans a movie. Sausage Party, Scream, and House of 1000 Corpses are examples of movies that had to delete content in order to get an R-rating. 

10 Horror Movies That Were Banned

From undeniable classics to questionable releases, here are the 10 most controversial banned horror movies of all time and where to find them on streaming.  

Wolf Creek (2005)

One of Australia’s most notable horror films is Wolf Creek. The movie gained international praise and became so popular it even earned a wide release in America. The film follows Mick Taylor, a serial killer who stalks the outback waiting for vulnerable travelers that he then tortures and kills. The movie was touted as a true story, which eventually led to its ban in Australia’s Northern Territory. 

The reason for the ban was because one of the real killers Wolf Creek was based on, Bradley John Murdoch, was in the middle of his murder trial when the film premiered. According to ABC News, a Chief Justice ordered the ban, fearing that the movie would impact Murdoch’s “chances of getting a fair trial.” Murdoch was eventually deemed guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to life in prison. 

The Hunt (2020)

The Hunt was originally slated for release in 2019 and preyed upon the growing divide in America, especially the conservative narrative that they are the victims of some sort of woke cabal of shadowy elites. In the film, a group of Elites capture and hunt Deplorables for sport. However, before the film’s September 2019 premiere, two politically-motivated mass shootings took place in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. With The Hunt already gaining negative publicity, these two events forced the Universal Pictures to pull the movie. 

In March 2020, Blumhouse decided to finally release the film, this time even using January 6 and The Hunt’s first cancellation as selling points to help build notoriety. But ultimately, the movie got what it deserved. Released on March 13, 2020, The Hunt premiered just in time for the COVID pandemic to shuttered theaters around the country, turning the movie into a box office bomb. On a $14 million budget, The Hunt only made a little over $10 million worldwide.  

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

All horror fans know The Texas Chain Saw Massacree. Inspired by the real serial killer Ed Gein, the movie follows a group of young travelers who are pursued by the cannibalistic, skin-wearing, chainsaw-wielding killer known as Leatherface. Filmed in the grindhouse style and loaded with an overbearing sense of sadism and macabre, the movie is downright disturbing. So much so that it was banned from theatrical release in numerous countries around the world. The Yorkshire Post reports that for decades, the movie was banned in the UK, Australia, Ireland, and West Germany, among others.

Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

In 1990, the MPA (then called the MPAA) was in the process of switching out the X rating for NC-17. X was originally assigned to theatrical movies that were not suitable for children, but throughout the ’80s, it started being associated with porn. As the rating became more notorious (especially during the ultra-conservative Reagan years), cinemas stopped screening movies that were rated X, fearing that audiences would view them as adult theaters. 

To help clear up the difference between porn and mature filmmaking, the MPAA swapped X for NC-17…but sadly, the damage was already done and the stigma was already there, instantly turning the NC-17 rating into death knell for any film that had it. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III was released during this transition and was originally given an X rating. (Fun fact: It was the last film to ever be rated X). Because getting an X rating in 1990 meant your film would be banned from theaters, the filmmakers had to rework large chunks of the movie. Bloody Disgusting reports that to work the movie down to an R, it had to go through extensive cuts and reshoots. 

The Human Centipede 2 (2011)

2010’s The Human Centipede shocked audiences and was so graphic that it released “unrated,” screening only at select cinemas around the country at midnight showings. In the movie, a mad scientist wants to create a “human centipede” by sewing three people together. Taking things even further was The Human Centipede 2, which sees a disturbed superfan try to create a real human centipede. 

The movie is loaded with rape, violence, and body mutilation. Like the first, it was released Unrated in America and was banned in various countries, like the UK and Australia. According to the New Zealand Herald, because of its ban in Australia, the film’s distributors said they “wouldn’t bother” even attempting to release the movie in New Zealand.

Cruising (1980)

1980’s Cruising was banned in multiple ways. The film is loosely based on the 1970 novel of the same name and follows a detective (Al Pacino) who is trying to track down a serial killer that’s targeting gay men, specifically gay men in the leather scene. From the start, Cruising had problems. Director William Friedkin filmed extensive amounts of sex scenes and nudity. So much so that the MPA originally wanted to slap the film with an X rating. To spare the movie from financial ruin, Friedkin had to delete 40 minutes (yes, 40 minutes!) of graphic footage just to get the film down to an R-rating. In 2013, James Franco made the movie Interior. Leather Bar., a meta film that attempted to recreate those lost 40 minutes. 

Still, Cruising’s problems weren’t done yet. Being 1980, conservatives hated the film for centering on the gay community, and many protested its release. Even worse, the gay community also hated the movie for its portrayal of gay men as BDSM-obsessed, leather-clad fetish fiends who get murdered. Protests erupted in New York during filming, and theaters dropped their scheduled showings because of demonstrations in San Francisco. According to SF Gate, then-mayor Diane Feinstein even personally asked production company United Artists to not screen the movie in San Francisco at all. 

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Easily the most notorious example of a banned movie is Cannibal Holocaust. The movie was marketed as “found footage” and reported to show a documentary crew that travels to the Amazon to harass and murder natives to create “better” documentary footage. But as they get more aggressive, the natives fight back, leading to absolute bloodshed. 

The movie was controversial because many thought it was a snuff film that showed real people being murdered. In fact, in Italy, the movie was banned by the government, and director Ruggero Deodato was put on trial for murder, with many thinking the deaths in the film were real. It was also banned in countries like the UK, Norway, and Singapore, among others. What needs to be noted is that, while no humans were really killed in the movie, the film does depict the real murders of numerous animals, which has raised its own controversies throughout the years. 

Terrifier 3 (2024)

There’s a few common rules in horror: Don’t mess with kids, animals, or pregnant women. In 2024, Terrifier 3 broke the first rule with its wild opening scene, where Art the Clown returns to cause havoc once more. While nowhere near as disturbing as the other films on this list, the film’s heavy amount of gore and its already-notorious opening scene were too much for many viewers. 

Not only did people walk out of Terrifier 3’s UK premiere, but it was banned in France. The film received the rarely-used 18+ rating, which essentially kills a movie by deterring theaters from screening it. In fact, Bloody Disgusting reports that Terrifier 3 was the first time France used the rating since 2006’s Saw III. In an interview with Empire, Art the Clown actor David Howard Thornton even admitted there were a few scenes in the movie that made him nauseous while filming. 

I Spit On Your Grave (1978)

I Spit On Your Grave continues to be one of the most controversial films ever made. The movie follows a young girl named Jennifer Hills who is violently raped by a group of men and left to die. Little do they know she actually survives and then hunts them down one by one. Since its premiere almost 50 years ago, the film continues to ignite debates about whether it's a story of empowerment or exploitation. 

Censors around the world saw it as exploitation. It was banned in countries like Iceland, Canada, and Norway. It also remained banned for decades in the UK and Ireland. In fact, when the filmmakers tried to release a DVD version of the film in 2010, Ireland re-banned it once again. The movie was also re-banned in the UK in 2022, with censors demanding over 7 minutes of cuts for it to get a release. 

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986…and also 1990)

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer wasn’t just banned, it struggled to even find anyone willing to distribute it. The film follows a serial killer on a rampage through Chicago, who, at one point, even gets his friend to join him in his murder spree. Henry originally premiered at the Chicago Film Festival in 1986 where it immediately caused controversy for its depictions of murder and rape. 

The movie was so controversial and disturbing that it couldn't even find a distributor until 1990, a whole four years later. And just like with Leatherface…1990 was a weird year for controversial movies because the MPAA was in the middle of swapping the X rating for NC-17. Henry was given the outdated X rating, which the filmmakers knew meant it wouldn’t be screened in most theaters. Instead, they decided to release the movie Unrated. 

In the UK, the film was banned even longer until 1992. To make the movie acceptable, not only was footage cut, but the BBFC (the UK’s ratings organization) actually went in and re-edited footage, which caused its own controversy about who has the right to edit an artist’s work. 

Where To Watch The Most Controversial Banned Horror Movies Online

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Since 1986, the Castlevania video game franchise has told stories of the Belmonts, a heroic line of vampire hunters, as they combat the legendary Count Dracula. After several failed attempts to adapt the games into movies and TV shows, Netflix finally succeeded with 2017’s Castlevania.

Outside of re-releases, crossovers, and a mobile spin-off, the series has been dormant for over a decade. While Castlevania fans may have to keep waiting for the games to rise again like Dracula, they can at least enjoy this epic reimagining of the Belmont clan’s adventures. Here is how to watch the Castlevania franchise in order. 

Castlevania (2017-2021)

Over the course of four seasons, Castlevania tells the story of Trevor Belmont, the last surviving member of the Belmont clan, as he fights to take down Dracula, who admittedly has a pretty valid reason for hating the people of Wallachia so much. Trevor is eventually joined by powerful mage Sypha and Alucard, Dracula’s own dhampir son, to take on a host of demons, vampires, and other dark threats. 

The show is based on Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, with elements of Curse of Darkness and Symphony of the Night also incorporated. With its dark tone, gripping storytelling, and epic action sequences, Castlevania belongs on any best video game adaption lists alongside favorites like The Last of Us and Fallout.

Castlevania: Nocturne (2023-2025)

Set three centuries after the previous series, Castlevania: Nocturne brings the vampire killing action to the French Revolution. Based on Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, it centers on Richter Belmont, a descendant of Trevor and Sypha, and his adoptive sister Maria Renard. They are joined by Annette, a mage and former slave involved in the Haitian Revolution, who seeks Richter’s aid in stopping the rise of a vampire messiah. All that leads to uncovered secrets, more epic fights, and the exciting, though not-so-suprising, return of an iconic character from the original series.

So far, Castlevania: Nocturne has run for two seasons, with the most recent one releasing on January 16, 2025. A third season has not yet been announced.

Where To Watch 'Castlevania' In Order Online

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At the 73rd annual Emmy Awards, Hannah Waddingham ended her winning speech with the words, “West End actors need to be on screen more,” and she had an unquestionable point, as proven by Jonathan Bailey’s triple-threat star power. Previously known for smaller guest appearances or brief roles, like in Broadchurch, Bailey began stealing hearts from the moment he donned Anthony Bridgerton’s mutton chops in the first season of Bridgerton, then he fell into the lake during Season 2 and became the Internet’s Regency boyfriend. Cast him in one of the most popular musicals of all time, and there’s no stopping the actor’s magnetism while viewers now eagerly wait to see more of Prince Fiyero in Wicked: For Good.

From guest appearances in renowned British series like Doctor Who to the latest nerdy paleontologist in Jurassic World Rebirth, here are the best Jonathan Bailey movies and TV shows streaming on platforms like Netflix, Peacock, and more.

Bridgerton (2020-present)

Jonathan Bailey’s work in the hit Regency romance Bridgerton is, thus far, his strongest work to date. How he takes the eldest viscount and known rake to a man utterly besotted is no small feat, but it’s what Bailey accomplishes in the quiet moments that’s indescribable. As the eldest of eight siblings who lost his father at 18 and essentially became the man of the house, Anthony grapples with more than he lets on. Concealing every ounce of his anxiety and frustration by masking his pain through sardonic approaches, Jonathan Bailey meticulously weaves in heart and profound inner emotions into every scene, ensuring that Anthony Bridgerton remains a deeply layered character. 

Wicked (2024)

Jon M. Chu’s triumphant adaptation of the Broadway production undoubtedly proves that Jonathan Bailey is indeed a triple threat. He can act, he can dance, and he can sing. What more could we want? Elphaba and Glinda might be the most recognized faces of Wicked, but Prince Fiyero’s role is also vital. Though we don’t dig into all the emotional character nuances in Part 1, Bailey still shows us plenty, stealing every scene he’s in with the type of charming ease that’s so endearing that t’s straight up overwhelming. His standout performance in the “Dancing Through Life” number is one still worth watching for an immediate serotonin boost. 

Fellow Travelers (2023)

Heartwarming, heartbreaking, and utterly compelling, Showtime’s Fellow Travelers landed both Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer a number of award nominations, rewarding the beautiful chemistry viewers watched unfold on screen. As a romantic political thriller set in a time when LGBTQIA+ relationships weren’t legal, Bailey and Bomer play two men in love with a secret romance that spans decades. While the series doesn’t end with the type of happy ending most viewers wished for, from beginning to end, Bailey brought his A-game, playing the type of character he hadn’t yet embodied and with a fantastic American accent, too. 

Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Jonathan Bailey’s role as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis is for the nerds. Dorky, hilarious, and completely awe-struck throughout the latest sci-fi thriller, Bailey brings to life the most wholesome performance in the franchise. Every time he’s on screen, it’s impossible not to giggle and kick your feet. Pairing the boyish wonder with the heart of a genuinely good man whose presence brings innate goodness into the story makes the entire viewing experience more heartfelt than it could have been. Completely different from any other role he’s played, through Jurassic World Rebirth, Bailey proves that his range is boundless.

Crashing (2016)

Before there was Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jonathan Bailey were chaotic (and deeply relatable) human disasters living in a rundown apartment—abandoned hospital, if we’re to get technical—in Crashing. As one of his first mainstream-ish roles, Bailey plays an endearing troublemaker who grows closer to another man named Fred throughout the limited series. Quintessentially British, hilariously wholesome, and well-written, Bailey’s role adds depth, nuance, and a solid amount of humor to the series.

Broadchurch (2013-2017)

The fascinating thing about British stars and actors is how often their paths cross in procedural dramas. Funnily, Jonathan Bailey’s Bridgerton co-star Simone Ashley also made a guest appearance in Broadchurch, but she and Bailey sadly didn’t share scenes during their runs. Bailey’s brief role as journalist Olly Stevens was undoubtedly a memorable one. Sharing scenes with legends like David Tennant and Olivia Coleman, Bailey consistently proved his range and ability to embody any role with a profound understanding of the character, though he was younger at the time. 

Leonardo (2011-2012) 

Inspired by the painter, Leonardo is a short-lived British comedy starring Jonathan Bailey, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Colin Ryan, Akemnji Ndifornyen, James Cuningham, and more in a reimagining of sorts set in Florence. While younger at the time, Bailey’s endearing and sweet performance still manages to make the series a treat for anyone who’s a fan of action-packed adventure films with twists on history. 

Where To Watch The Best Jonathan Bailey Movies And TV Shows Online

To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!

Gone are the days where The Bachelor reigned supreme as the one and only reality TV dating show. These days, no matter what your flavor of drama is, there’s likely one show that brings you exactly what you want. The Ultimatum is perhaps one of the most popular reality TV dating shows, thanks to a very unique premise. It brings together a couple where one half wants to get married, and the other one isn’t sure. Both people then agree to go on a trial marriage with a new partner, and then a trial marriage with their original partner to find out if they really want marriage, or not. Kinda out there, even for reality TV.

If you want to immerse yourself in the world of Netflix’s hit reality show, here’s how to watch The Ultimatum in order, and what else you might enjoy after you’re done.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On (2022-present)

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is the original show that brought couples together to figure out if they really wanted to marry each other or not by doing the one thing you probably should not do: give your partner an ultimatum. Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, the show features an introduction to the couples, then a dating period after when they all “break up” with their original partner and date others, followed by a ceremony where everyone chooses another couple for a “trial marriage.” After that trial marriage is over, everyone returns to their original partner for another trial marriage. Finally, the couples come together to either get engaged, leave with the new person they found, or break up for good. Oh, and, of course, there’s a reunion so we can check in and see who’s still together. There’s been three seasons of the show so far. 

The Ultimatum: Queer Love (2023-present)

A queer version of the same show, hosted by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, better known for Sweet Magnolias, has had two full seasons so far and even more drama than the original. Everything goes pretty much the same as the original version, but there’s the added drama of The Ultimatum: Queer Love dealing head on with the queer experience, which adds a different wrinkle to it. It’s not always about whether people want to get married or not in this one, but about external pressures, acceptance from their families, and what it means to take that step as a queer person. Expect deeper conversations in The Ultimatum: Queer Love, even if the format is the same. 

The Ultimatum: France (2022-present)

Every successful reality show needs an international version or five! The Ultimatum: France is the first international version of the reality TV show, and it works a little differently than the US versions. For one, there’s no physical host. Instead, the show uses a voiceover that provides instructions or narration—very common in France but somewhat jarring if you’re used to someone sitting and speaking to the contestants. But the rest of the show goes pretty much the same, with the only difference being that it’s in French and that despite the fact that the issues why people want or not want to marry each other are universal, the cultural differences are still very obvious. Great for anyone who just likes the format and wants more. 

The Ultimatum: South Africa (2024-present)

The latest international version, The Ultimatum: South Africa brings the show to Africa and provides us with a different cultural background just as it puts the couples in exactly the same spot as all the other versions. Someone wants to get married, someone doesn’t, and the rest is a little bit of manufactured drama that everyone is eating up. Hosted by celebrity couple Salamina Mosese and Tshepo "Howza" Mosese, this is a perfect version for those looking for something different that doesn’t actually shake up the franchise, but that also doesn’t feel like the exact same thing we’ve watched before. 

The Reality TV Dating Shows Don’t End There

If you got sucked into the world of reality TV dating shows, there are a lot of others that might be just the thing you’re looking for if you’re trying to strike the balance between drama and couples finding real love. There’s Love Is Blind, where couples have to commit to marriage before they can see each other. Then there’s Temptation Island, where a couple goes into an island where they will be separated and “tempted” by multiple other people to see if their relationship can survive. And there’s Perfect Match, which brings together contestants from various other reality shows for a second chance at love. One thing is for sure, you don’t have to stop at The Ultimatum.

Where To Watch 'The Ultimatum' In Order Online 

To discover more about The Ultimatum and other reality TV dating shows currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!

Superman's enduring legacy lies in his Kryptonian super strength and human upbringing, but it has also been largely influenced by the women who have played Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane. Each version of the character brought something exciting and new to the franchise, and even though Lois has changed with the times, she has always been rooted in the spirit of courage and curiosity that was created in the pages of DC Comics.

Featured across multiple movies, series, and even animation, every version of Lois has not just resonated in their era but with fans who love her as fiercely as they love Superman. With Rachel Brosnahan taking on the role in James Gunns' Superman, this list dives into her some of her predecessors' stories and explains what makes the best versions of Lois Lane worthy of standing alongside the Man of Steel.

Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder's Lois is a no-nonsense investigative journalist working at the Daily Planet who is determined to scoop stories before anyone else, especially when those stories involve Superman. In the first Superman movie, she chases leads from Metropolis car chases to arctic scoops, eventually partnering (and clashing) with Clark Kent. In Superman II, Lois discovers Superman's identity. Her scenes range from snappy newsroom banter to moments of vulnerability, which offer a grounding element to the plot and add to the stakes in the Man of Steel's battle with Zod.

Although her screen time was drastically reduced in Superman III, Kidder still delivered on Lois' trademark grit, bookending the film with a sense of independence and a hint of romantic distance from the superhero, which offered a nice contrast to Lana Lang's role in Clark's life. Lois returned to the spotlight in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, rekindling her dynamic with Clark. She served as a confidante and moral compass for Superman as he tried to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The movie was a critical failure, but Kidder's performance stood out as one of its redeeming elements. Her work across all four films is widely regarded as the benchmark for all who followed.

Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth's Lois is introduced as a widowed mother of a young son in Superman Returns, with the character balancing grief and ambition as she works on investigative stories at the Daily Planet. Superman comes back to Metropolis after five years, only to find Lois has moved on emotionally and professionally. Her arc centers on reconciling what she's built in his absence with what he brings back to the world. Though some critics said she lacked the gravitas of Kidder, Bosworth gave her Lois an emotional fragility that suited the plot's tone of nostalgia and loss. She is the emotional anchor of the film, torn between duty, love, and legacy, making for poignant scenes that earned her a positive reception from fans who appreciated her quiet strengths, even if mainstream reviews were mixed.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams' portrayal introduces Lois as a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist on assignment in the Arctic, where she accidentally runs into a cryptic, super-powered Clark Kent. Throughout Man of Steel, Lois pieces together his Kryptonian origin story while exposing global conspiracies and humanizing Superman's myth. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Lois isn't just a love interest for Clark. She is the personification of resilience in the face of world-ending politics and becomes an essential player in exposing Lex Luthor's evil plans while bringing the film's moral conflicts into focus. As a result, critics and fans consistently point to her performance as a highlight amid criticism of the films themselves. Adams also had a small but important role in Justice League.

Teri Hatcher

In the 1993 television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Terri Hatcher plays the ambitious reporter whose rivalry with Clark Kent escalates into mutual attraction even though she prefers the man in the red and blue cape. Each episode blended investigative journalism with personal relationships and lighthearted action. Hatcher played the Daily Planet reporter with vulnerability, a touch of snark, and heartfelt sincerity, which basically transformed a potentially antagonistic relationship between the titular couple into a very cute love story. Critics praised her comic-romantic timing, and the show earned a cult following for its chemistry and charm. Hatcher's Lois helped redefine the superhero genre as character-driven and emotionally adventurous and is still celebrated decades later.

Erica Durance

Erica Durance's Lois bursts onto the scene, uncovering family secrets in Smallville. Over the years, viewers followed her transition from street-smart freelancer to ace reporter for the Daily Planet. She partners with Clark to craft his public persona as Superman, goes undercover against military and alien threats, and engages in the iconic slow-burn romance that leads to an engagement. Durance's portrayal can only be described as fearless and loyal, while her arc, from skeptic outsider to Clark's equal and journalistic partner, was a hit with fans. Her contribution to the plotlines, ranging from undercover infiltration to personal sacrifice, made this Lois an active protagonist in her own right.

Elizabeth Tulloch

In Superman & Lois, Elizabeth Tulloch's Lois Lane returns to Smallville with Clark and their teen sons, stepping into a dual role as a career journalist and mother navigating a world of metahuman threats. Early episodes see Lois covering topical stories while fighting for normalcy in her everyday family life. The emotionally charged third season arc crescendos around Lois' diagnosis with cancer, ushering in some of the most nuanced human storytelling in superhero television. That plot challenged Tulloch's character and Clark, illustrating that some battles (even for Superman) are un-fixable with superpowers. Critics and fans praised Tulloch for blending emotion with journalistic bravery, making her journey as Lois inspiring and deeply relatable.

Dana Delany

Dana Delany voiced Lois across 54 episodes of Superman: The Animated Series, weaving her through high-stakes investigative plots involving Brainiac, Darkseid, climate crises, and Superman's personal dilemmas. Delany's wry and tenacious voice work allowed viewers to feel her character's internal stakes and fierce devotion to the truth. Critics often celebrate her as the gold standard in animated Lois portrayals, citing her dialogue as "sophisticated and sharp." Fans recall her voice as the definitive embodiment of the character.

Where To Watch The Best Versions of Lois Lane In Movies And TV Online 

To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!

The obsession with soccer isn’t new—even if the upcoming World Cup and the Club World Cup have made people in the US pay even more attention to a sport that is way more popular outside of our borders. Proof positive of that is the amount of soccer-themed shows and movies, and the fact that one of the most popular anime from the ’80s was Captain Tsubasa, a soccer based anime.

With multiple shows, movies and OVA’s, and a protagonist that grows with the show, it’s important to know the right order. So, what order should you watch Captain Tsubasa in? We’ve got the answer.

Captain Tsubasa (1983-1986)

The series that started it all, Captain Tsubasa focuses on Tsubasa Oozora, a Japanese kid who just so happens to be very good at soccer. The series chronicles how Tsubasa trains and competes, as well as the friends he makes in the world of soccer and his opponents. Heavily focused on the actual matches, the show is notorious for taking episodes to show the outcome of games. The series was beloved in Japan, where it gave kids and adults alike a new passion for the sport, and outside of Japan, where it was very well received for its heavy focus on the actual sport.

Captain Tsubasa: The Great European Showdown (1985)

Of course, the story could not just end with the main anime. Instead, multiple movies were released during the original run of the show, starting with Captain Tsubasa: The Great European Showdown. This movie is set right after the end of the elementary school portion of the main series and serves as the foundation for the U-13 International Tournament arc. Notorious for being the movie that introduces a lot of players outside of the Japanese team we’ve followed for most of the show, players we will see again in most cases.

Captain Tsubasa: Danger! All Japan Jr. (1985)

Captain Tsubasa: Danger! All Japan Jr. serves as a direct sequel to Captain Tsubasa: The Great European Showdown and sees the European players we met in the previous movie looking for their chance at revenge against the Japanese team after their earlier victory. This will be the norm for a lot of these movies, and indeed, a lot of the upcoming shows. One team wins, the other will look for a rematch and so on and so on. This is, after all, a show about soccer. There’s always another game to be played. 

Captain Tsubasa: Run Towards Tomorrow! (1986)

In some ways a direct follow up to the 1983 anime, and in others, a movie filled with flashbacks to things that happened before, Captain Tsubasa: Run Towards Tomorrow! is very typical of the franchise. Not a lot happens, but we get to spend some time with the players we have, at this point, followed for two movies and an entire series, so it’s still a must for fans of Captain Tsubasa and its characters. Past the middle point, it advances the plot a little bit, with Oliver not playing at his best, and the Japan youth starting training camp sessions.

Captain Tsubasa: World Great Battle! Jr. World Cup (1986)

If Japan ever dreamed of being successful in soccer, it was likely because of the high expectations set by Captain Tsubasa. Captain Tsubasa: World Great Battle! Jr. World Cup serves as the end of the original anime era and sees the typical Japan vs. Europe match turn into an intercontinental world cup that now involves the United States youth team and South America youth team. We won’t spoil who wins, but let’s just say that there’s a reason we have been following the Japanese side, as they get most of the attention. 

Captain Tsubasa OVAs

Captain Tsubasa, like many other anime, released a couple of OVAs (Original Video Animation) in between some of its other offerings. New Captain Tsubasa (1989-1990) and Captain Tsubasa: The Strongest Opponent! Netherlands Youth (1994) helped bridge the gap between one series and the next. The last of these OVAs was also released as part of the Jump Super Tour ‘95 film. 

New Captain Tsubasa sees all the Japanese all-star teams join forces to compete in France, which gives fans a chance to see all their favorites together. Meanwhile,  Captain Tsubasa: The Strongest Opponent! Netherlands Youth is about a series of games between the Japanese youth team and the Netherlands youth team. 

Captain Tsubasa J (1994-1995)

This is, in many ways, a remake, or at least partly one, because the first part of Captain Tsubasa J retells the so called “Kid’s Dream” arc, which is basically the elementary school part of the original anime. But the second part goes into new stuff adapted from the manga, like the so called “Word Youth Arc,” that sees Tsubasa go to Brazil to play at Sao Paulo FC. The show also follows the Asian preliminaries and the World Youth tournament, which of course, sees Japan face Brazil in the final.

Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 (2001-2002)

Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 is another retelling of a lot of the original anime, this time with a retelling of the OVAs as well, and going even further to follow not just Tsubasa, but the main cast of players that have populated the previous installments in their professional careers. The series was released to advertise the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The series was sponsored by Adidas, whose logo can clearly be seen at multiple points during the show. Alas, it would not bring Japan the luck they wanted, as the team was eliminated in the round of 16 in real life.

Captain Tsubasa (2018)

Is it another remake, this time closer to the manga? Yes, it is. Captain Tsubasa follows in the footsteps of other anime franchises who did exactly the same thing in recent years, like Sailor Moon, which debuted Sailor Moon Crystal in 2014. The animation doesn’t change all that much, but the look is cleaner and there’s much less filler in this version of the story. A great watch for those who don’t have the patience to wait for three episodes from the moment Tsubasa hits the ball to the moment we find out if he scores or not.

Where To Watch 'Captain Tsubasa' In Order Online

To discover more about Captain Tsubasa TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!