The newly formed DCU is finally upon us, with co-CEO James Gunn bringing its first slate of projects to life, titled Gods and Monsters. The first movie in this burgeoning shared universe was Superman, which featured a number of other heroes. That includes Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, who is a bad boy of the Green Lantern Corps. I just realized this is the only live-action version of a GL that I've ever been satisfied with as a fan.

Superman is crushing at the box office, and fans like me are already hyped to see the characters return in upcoming DC movies and TV shows. We all remember that Ryan Reynolds' infamous Green Lantern movie was a flop, and that hero has yet to get another solo flick. While Gardner is kind of an A-hole jerk in Gunn's movie, the way his powers were used throughout its runtime both looked and felt great. So, I guess having a good live-action Lantern is indeed possible.

Guy Gardner Was The Perfect Green Lantern To Open The DCU

Part of the reason why I think Green Lantern worked so well in Superman was because it as Guy Gardner. While he's less popular than other Lanterns like Hal Jordan or John Stewart, he does have a way bigger personality. Nathan Fillion said it was freeing to play a superhero who was also a jerk, which added both humor and drama to the movie's 129-minute runtime.

While we'll be introduced to other members of the Corps. in the developing Lanterns TV series, Gardner's attitude offered a way for audiences to instantly understand who the character was. Add in Gardner's wild hair cut (and the jokes about it), and he offered a ton to the overall story of Superman.

The CGI Was Less Mind-Numbing Than In Ryan Reynolds' Movie.

There has been a ton of talk about the quality of visual effects in the superhero genre. I personally thought Superman looked great... even if shots of David Corenswet flying in the trailer caused some concern. In particular I loved the way that Gardner's energy construct functioned throughout James Gunn's DC blockbuster.

While Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern movie featured way more Lanterns and their constructs, the action ultimately felt somewhat boring and mind-numbing. Gardner was one of many heroes that used their powers in Superman during its battles, allowing for more varied action. We'll have to see what happens when more than one member of the Corps. are in the same project.

The constructs that Green Lanterns create can sometimes feel cheesy, but that wasn't the case for Superman. Gardner hilariously uses constructs of his middle finger to beat up bad guys, and even creates a giant bat when he and other members of the Justice Gang are fighting an alien threat in the background of a scene. His somewhat cartoony powers added to the action and the comedy of the movie, once again proving why it's the best live-action version of the cosmic peacekeeping force.

Superman is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Nathan Fillion will reprise his role in both Peacemaker Season 2 and Lanterns.

The actor got a following thanks to his role in Bridgerton (streaming with a Netflix subscription) before starring in a slew of successful TV and movie projects. Bailey has become the internet's boyfriend as a result, and is thirsted over by both men and women alike. His sexuality hasn't dissuaded fans from this, and in fact he may be the reason certain moviegoers went to see Jurassic World Rebirth, which killed at the box office. I'm hoping that his success will quell fears over giving LGBTQ+ actors major blockbuster roles.

Hollywood Usually Sees Queer Actors/Stories As A Gamble

Historically, Hollywood hasn't always been accepting regarding queer stories and actors. Actors like Nathan Lane were scared to come out, even when playing LGBTQ+ characters in projects like The Birdcage. Many actors have shared similar stories about being discouraged against coming out of the closet by their team, over fear of it negatively affecting their careers.

Quite a bit has changed in recent years, with queer legends like Ian McKellen encouraging actors to come out and be their authentic selves. While there are no doubt plenty of closeted actors out there, I have to wonder if Bailey's career is helping to change the minds of execs and actors alike.

Jonathan Bailey Has Played A Romantic Lead And An Action Star

When the Wicked cast list revealed Jonathan Bailey was playing Fiyero, it seemed like a perfect fit. He's got a history with musical theater, including starring in Company on the West End. Even still, audiences were swooning over his performance in the movie musical, particularly his big song "Dancing Through Life." It feels like director Jon M. Chu and company knew what they were doing with the edit, including an unnecessary shot or two of Bailey's butt. While we all know he's a gay man, that didn't stop him from convincingly playing the love interest of both Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda throughout its runtime.

Then there's his most recent release: Jurassic World Rebirth. As soon as the movie's trailers dropped, tweets started popping up online about the "slutty little glasses" Bailey wore in the blockbuster. The internet can't stop thirsting over the actor, who went viral for kissing Scarlett Johansson during press events. His character, Dr. Henry Loomis, never had his sexuality revealed in the movie, but like Wicked, Bailey is once again the male lead of that dino-centric movie. And, he did a number of thrilling action sequences and stunts in the process.

While I hope to see Jonathan Bailey's career continue to thrive, I'm also hoping that he opens doors and changes minds in the process. Jurassic World Rebirth is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Wicked: For Good will follow suit on November 21st.

Oprah’s Super Soul - Oprah Winfrey

We know her, we love her, and the dynamic Oprah Winfrey continues to evolve and push interviewing bounds. Super Soul is more or less an adaptation of her inspiration and often a spiritual talk show that ran through the early 2020s. Be prepared to hear some deep conversations if you aren’t already, though we all know it tends to come with the unmistakable Hollywood giant.

Literally! With Rob Lowe - Rob Lowe

The 61-year-old Hollywood vet has wide-ranging conversations with plenty of well-known professionals. Whether it's well-established or rising stars in movies and TV, music or sports, Lowe jumps right in with them. And as a member of The Brat Pack, the pull he has with landing guests is pretty impressive and diverse.

Renegades: Born In The USA - Barak Obama, Bruce Springsteen

Though it only ran for one season and has 8 episodes to its name, the former president and The Boss’ collab rocked. Their conversations consisted of the changing dynamics of the USA through the lens of music, personal happenings, fatherhood and future revitalization. They also share their backstory on how the friendship and pod came to be.

Goop - Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow and Goop’s virality continues to regularly break the internet (especially those body-forward scented candles). But the Hollywood A-lister and her empire went to new heights with the addition of their own podcast, which she hosts. Naturally, it dives in holistically to grander topics with today’s ‘brightest thinkers and culture changers’ to dissect the conversation at hand.

Wiser Than Me - Julia Louis-Dreyfus

As always, when Louis-Dreyfus commits to a project, she knocks a role out of the park. One of her most recent titles as host of Wiser Than Me is no different; her interviewing women who are expert veterans in their given career is a true delight. She’s had everyone from Jane Goodall to Jane Fonda, and she’s just getting going.

Good Hang - Amy Poehler

Don’t overlook the Parks & Rec star’s Good Hang, even though it may be one of the newest entries on the list. Poehler’s sunshine bright vibes radiate through the show while she chats with A-list Hollywood names. But the most signature part shines through when she has a mini cameo from a friend of the guest who praises them ahead of the main convo. (If you haven’t seen or know where the viral clip of Rachel Dratch fumbling with headphones on a Zoom, now you do.)

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Conan O’Brien

In the comedian’s corner of the interview world, you can certainly expect his signature smart silliness he has brought to the masses over the decades. But why did he jump into the world? As the title implies, and per his summary, O’Brien realized after years of interviewing celebs, ‘the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him,’ and wanted to change that.

Fly On The Wall - David Spade, Dana Carvey

While not an outright Saturday Night Live podcast, two huge alums, Spade and Carvey, lead this industry-leaning show. The pair has their fair share of guests and covers plenty of Studio 8H lore depending on who’s with them that week. Beyond the sketch show conversations, they often jump into current pop culture, current events and even fan-submitted fare.

Bill Gates And Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions - Bill Gates, Rashida Jones

Gates and Jones came together at the beginning of the pandemic in search of musing about some big questions. Though there are only five episodes, nothing seems off the table, from climate change to the psychology behind lying. But the unexpected co-hosts tackle these larger sociological and worldly topics with intentionality and ease.

The Big Podcast With Shaq - Shaquille O'Neal

The dynamic retired basketball player continues to surprise us with his plays (he just confirmed he was a Swiftie on the Kelces’ pod), and did just that when he kicked off his new podcast network by way of his own. Aptly named, Shaq and co-host Adam Lefkoe, of course, talk sports among themselves and alongside guests, but also hit a range of topics.

Minnie Questions - Minnie Driver

The Good Will Hunting actress’ offering sets up each interview through seven thoughtful questions. Though each question is relatively simple, it’s proven time and again that it unearths quite a conversation. Her therapy session meets fireside chat structure stands apart from other celebrity podcasts since its intention dives into a soulful exploration of life’s questions.

All There Is With Anderson Cooper - Anderson Cooper

While plenty of entries on the list cover an array of subjects from casual conversations, behind-the-scenes Hollywood magic and love and relationships, Cooper dives into loss (which he’s experienced multiple times over since childhood). What started as the beloved CNN news anchor processing the passing of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and the ins and outs that go along with it, has blossomed into something much more. He’s built a safe ground for guests and listeners alike to reflect and process the big topic.

Red Table Talk - Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris

The multi-generational, familial women-hosted show has gone viral a few times over since its inception on Facebook. Nothing, as we’ve seen, is off limits in this conversational style show and doesn’t shy away when things get nitty gritty. Though the OG got the axe in 2023, it got going again with no ties to Facebook, and its episode catalog continues to rank with some of the best Hollywood fodder out there today.

The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart - Jon Stewart

The beloved TV host has a podcast that pairs with his regularly scheduled show. The Weekly Show offers a more expansive look into our ever-developing world with notable minds in essential roles across the professional field. If you’re looking for even more Stewart material, he had a short-lived but excellent 2 season show called The Problem with Jon Stewart that dove into topics that were ‘too big for TV.’ With either, you can count on a laugh paired with some big, thought-provoking discussions.

SmartLess - Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes

SmartLess is like an improv dinner party you weren’t invited to, but somehow snuck into. Each episode brings a surprise guest to the table, and with it comes comedy, curiosity, and the kind of bromantic chaos that three A-listers with zero filters can deliver. It’s part talk show, part therapy session, and all charm—who would’ve guessed the vibe would be achieved by the Michael and Gob Bluth actors with a dash of the Jack McFarland actor.

Armchair Expert - Dax Shepard

Maybe one of the most recognizable and longstanding on the list, Shepard started his series in 2018. Though the premise is relatively simple in terms of chatting with well-known faces, things can go deep quickly. The CHiPs alum has had ex-costars like Lauren Graham, incidentally spill about Parenthood peer, Mae Whitman’s baby daddy, and Oscar-nominated stars like Michelle Williams reflect about her late ex-partner, Heath Ledger. Needless to say, there’s a lot to work with here (and a 300+ episode backlog to sift through).

Office Ladies - Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer

Of course, there was bound to be at least one rewatch pod in the bunch, and with The Office ranking as one of the best sitcoms ever, it’s a natural pick to include. Kinsey (who played Angela Martin/Lipton/Schrute) and Fischer (who played Pam Beesly Halpert) recount excellent tidbits and memories as they rewatch the NBC classic while hosting Dunder Mifflin cast and crew members.

Life Is Short - Justin Long

First and foremost, I’ve got to give the Jeepers Creepers actor’s name for his show is A+ play on words (specifically short and long). But, behind the small chuckle the title of the pod offers is a surprisingly poignant base for Long and his brother, who co-hosts the show. The siblings jump in the deep end with their guests and discuss all there is about life, which includes everything from emojis to their perspective on life.

LeVar Burton Reads - LeVar Burton

Fiction lovers and previous PBS Kids unite! The beloved Reading Rainbow star’s pod is a modern-day take on the classic 26-year run show, but now catered toward adults. Short form stories are the main genre he dives into each week, and the whole thing feels just like a little bit of a time machine, for those who tuned in regularly to RR.

New Heights - Jason, Travis Kelce

No, I’m not talking about their mom, Donna Kelce, landing a spot on S4 of The Traitors US, but it’s worth mentioning. The NFL family show is full of BTS looks into being brothers while also playing football professionally. They also often go out of bounds of the shared ground and discuss everything from pop culture to UFOs.

The High Life - Ricki Lake

The former television host is getting back to her roots with The High Life. And while she still has plenty of Tinseltown names as guests, the focus with her offering is health and wellness. Nothing is off the table within the larger landscape; she hits everything from menopause to energy healing.

Las Culturistas - Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers

In case you’d like to know, this is my ride or die pick of the list. The college besties-turned-Hollywood-darling co-hosts have amassed a cult turned mainstream following thanks to culture catch-ups, regular bits they have A-list guests participate in (what sparked their interest in culture and their wry ‘I Don’t Think So Honey!’ critique of something) and their own award show. Clearly, I could go on about it, but if you need more proof, Tina Fey’s iconic advice to Yang speaks to why we, ‘readers, kayteighs, publicists, finalists and kyles,’ love it all.

WTF With Marc Maron - Marc Maron

The rough around the edges comedian and actor’s podcast is one of the most well-known celebrity series. As a blueprint of public figures' iterations to come, Maron got started in 2009 after his radio show got canned. In the decade-plus he’s been at it, he hosted writers, directors, comedians, actors and many more in the typical style that is commonplace today. But, heads up, he just announced his show will end this fall, so don’t miss out!

Podcrushed - Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari

The Gossip Girl alum’s shared show isn’t a far cry from the hit teen series fodder. They’ve just spun the clock a little further back to schoolyard drama and middle school crushes. Badgley, alongside Kavelin and Ansari, takes on listeners' stories, reads them and explores all the ins and outs of starting to grow up (and all the turmoil that tags along).

Broad Ideas - Rachel Bilson, Olivia Allen

While you may know of Bilson’s other pod, Beyond The O.C., involving ex-castmate Melinda Clarke, Broad Ideas includes her longtime bestie, Olivia Allen. The new duo essentially cover any ground two girlfriends would in any given conversation (mental health to ghosts are promised). But hosting a new guest to join in on the fun each week brings it to the next level.

The Mess Around With Hannah And Lamorne - Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone

If you know anything about where these two co-hosts met, you can probably guess this is a New Girl rewatch series. And if you know that, you probably know they played CeCe and Winston (Bishop), respectively, and the title comes from a bit that the characters shared. Also, plenty of past cast and crew come through to reminisce about all the shenanigans that went down in 4D.

Films To Be Buried With With Brett Goldstein - Brett Goldstein

Though he’s still relatively new to the scene, the Ted Lasso star is hitting it big (and is now on Shrinking). With that success, his unique corner of the recording studio has only found more success. And while the title of Goldstein’s show is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory, it has me hooked. I think it’s safe to say he’s just getting started.

At Your Service - Dua Lipa

While I haven’t actually listened to the singer and actress’ show, it may be the hidden gem on the list. Heading into her third season, she continues to host a slew of knockout guests, and her collection of candid conversations runs the gamut of interesting fare. Everything from psychedelics to running Apple.

Getting Better With Jonathan Van Ness - Jonathan Van Ness

Ever since being introduced as the current generation’s hair & grooming lead on Queer Eye, JVN has been stealing the show as they help build up others. By natural curiosity and the drive to learn, the Getting Better podcast helps them grow and build spaces to learn even more. The weekly episodic content comes in all shapes and sizes–from finance lessons to discourse on culture, they’ve got it covered.

Why Won’t You Date Me? - Nicole Byer

The Nailed It! host is also a pro-podcaster. If you go looking for Byer’s love and relationship pod, you may find quite a slew aside from the aforementioned one (Best Friends!, 90 Day Bae and Newcomers). But this humorously titled one is the most well-known and long-standing one, where she has everyone from friends and experts to an occasional ex or two dish all about dating and love.

Lovett Or Leave It - Jon Lovett

While Jon Lovett’s beginnings aren’t traditional Hollywood standards material, the comedian was a former speech writer for Barack Obama. From there, he and fellow Obama peers (Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor and Jon Favreau–not to be confused with the A-lister) then co-hosted Pod Save America. His newest show is a hybrid of political news mixed with fun, well-known guests, and a bit of shenanigans all tied into one, always providing a laugh.

The Bald And The Beautiful - Trixie Mattel And Katya Zamolodchikova

One of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s biggest winners, Trixie and ride or die fellow queen, Katya, have taken the world by storm together. After meeting on season 7, they quickly went on their way to make creative projects together, starting with their viral cult followed series, UNHhhh, to their aptly titled pod. It’s a lot of the same banter, just funneled into discussing pop culture and Tinseltown-leaning topics.

Warning: deadly spoilers for Final Destination Bloodlines are in play. However, we won’t be held responsible for any premonitions that give away the game.

It’s hard not to be excited over a new Final Destination movie, especially when the latest entry of mayhem through mortality has made it to the big screen. I’m still shocked that this 2025 movie schedule product was initially developed as a streaming original, only to reverse course and head to a theater near me.

What’s more, this dance with death has been given the royal treatment in premium format. So much like I gushed about Sinners’ 4DX-cellent variant, I need to tip my hat to Warner Bros. for giving us something I feel everyone needs to experience: the Final Destination Bloodlines 4DX Death Chair.

Warner Bros.’ 4DX Marketing For Final Destination Bloodlines Impressed Me

We’ve gotten used to movies promoting every premium format through exclusive trailers and posters that do a decent job of highlighting why you should spend the extra scratch on a movie ticket. However, I can’t recall anyone going as hard on selling 4DX as Warner Bros. has with Bloodlines’ cinematic run. To prove my point, please look at the promo shared below, which hypes up this premium choice rather nicely:

Wherever the spirit of horror legend William Castle is at this moment, he must be smiling. As you’ll read in our Final Destination Bloodlines review, the balance between a plot serious enough to invest in, but campy enough to enjoy with glee, is a very important ingredient. And the camp is very well served in 4DX, thanks to the experience living up to syncing your auditorium up with those gloriously gruesome kills.

The Blood Flows Freely in Final Destination Bloodlines’ 4DX-travaganza

Turning back to Sinners for a moment, I was bowled over by how, any time a vamp got staked, the seat-mounted water cannons gave me a generous dose of liquid thrills. It’s more than a spritz, but not quite a splash - and frankly, that’s the sweet spot any picture should aim for. Especially if you’re a water-based narrative like Moana 2’s 3D/4DX journey!

Once again, the lack of watery thrills in that Disney picture have been outdone by the horror genre, showing us that this movie wasn’t subtitled Bloodlines without a good reason. None of the various decapitations, impalings, or any significant moment involving the red red kroovy presented on screen skimps on those water effects; and boy howdy, does it enhance the jump scares that come from flashing back to previous kills.

Final Destination’s Latest Entry Is Bookended By Major Motion Effect Set Piece

There is no time wasted in getting to the good stuff in Final Destination Bloodlines. That counts double for its 4DX version, as there’s a whole bunch of subtle effects present while we watch young Iris Campbell (Brec Bassinger) interfere with Death’s plan to claim the lives of all present for the Skyview Restaurant’s opening night.

By the time the premonition starts to kick in, we’re nice and warmed up for anything that can happen. Which means that from the moment “Shout!” starts playing on the dance floor, the power of 4DX is firmly in place - and it gets pretty wild with those motion chairs.

Everything from a penny being thrown to a piano dropping on the person who tossed the offending coin will throw you around. The same goes for the last two major set pieces towards the end of Final Destination 6, which sees Kaitlyn Santa Juana’s protagonist Stefani Reyes fighting Death alongside on-screen brother Charlie (Teo Briones).

While I know I’ve warned you all about spoilers being present, I’m not going to dig too much into why the motion seating is given one final showstopper to close on. All I’ll say is if you’re still traumatized by Final Destination’s iconic kills, this fifth sequel in the series cranks up a fan favorite up a couple of notches, in the name of traumatizing a new generation.

The MRI Twofer Proves That No Final Destination Bloodlines Kill Is Wasted

It would be very easy to save the big guns for only the Final Destination kills that are deemed the most impactful. (No pun intended.) That’s not what the 4DX wizards who converted Bloodlines did, though, as every death takes advantage of the opportunity it’s been given through this format. Which leads to the one scene I will spoil, a moment I call the “MRI Twofer.”

As you may have seen in Final Destination Bloodlines’ trailer, brother Erik (Richard Harmon) and Bobby (Owen Patrick Joyner) try to cheat death in a pretty ingenious way. Since Bobby’s allergic to peanuts, Erik thinks all his brother has to do is chomp down on a peanut butter cup, die, and then be revived as a sort of workaround the Campbell family curse.

Unfortunately, these guys haven’t seen the Final Destination movies streaming through an HBO Max subscription, nor do they heed the warning given to them by medical examiner William Bludworth (the late Tony Todd). The boys fucked around with Death’s plans, and as a result, an MRI machine is allowed to crank up to levels of power reserved for research projects.

Since Erik is pierced everywhere a human can get pierced (giving us some darkly comic laughs for a moment), he’s pulled into the machine with a wheelchair. After which Bobby is impaled by Chekov’s Vending Machine coil against said MRI machine.

While I think I’m still partial to the Skyway Restaurant premonition as the kill of the game in Final Destination Bloodlines, the MRI Twofer is really making me question that belief. Between the setup, the slow burn, and the final execution of this hospital-based fatality, you’re given almost the full spectrum of 4DX thrills - save for scent and light, which were sparingly (or in the case of the latter factor, not even) used.

However, that is the final kill that I’ll leave you to ponder when thinking about how you want to see Final Destination Bloodlines. I understand that directors. And while Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein did film this picture for IMAX, I’d say you should go for the ultimate horror throwback experience, and take this journey in 4DX.

I can personally attest to the fact that a lot of other moviegoers have seemed to choose this option. I had to shift plans from seeing this on Friday night to Saturday afternoon, all because I hadn’t secured tickets as a result; so take this as your premonition to not suffer the same fate!

CinemaBlend's Drop review praised the movie's thrills and unique concept, largely thanks to the work of Landon. He's a genre favorite thanks to his work on the Happy Death Day franchise, and once again delivered with this new release. And as a queer fan of the genre, I couldn't help but be tickled by various subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the LGBTQ+ community is represented.

Perhaps the most obvious is the truly delightful performance from actor, writer, comedian and overall gay icon Jeffery Self. He steals the show as Matt the waiter, and never fails to make me laugh in every single moment he had on screen. The casting was truly inspired, as was his borderline unhinged take on the high-end server.

During Drop's brisk 95-minute runtime, I found myself noticing how many of the movie's background actors were queer. Since the majority of the movie is set in a restaurant where protagonist Violet is having a date, there are other diners in the background of most shots. Rather than blending in, a number of the extras stood out thanks to their fabulous outfits and makeup, another reason why I felt like the horror flick was winking at me as an LBGTQ+ horror fan.

My attention was also piqued when "Moon River" could be heard as Violet was entering the restaurant. This track is part of the American Songbook, but was also prominently featured in Angels in America, both on stage and in the HBO miniseries (which is streaming with a Max subscription). Maybe that's a niche reference, but it contributed to the movie feeling like it was specifically featuring LGBTQ+ references.

There's also a debate to be had that Violet's sister, Jen, is queer-coded, but that's neither here nor there. So while Drop is not explicitly a queer horror movie (and it does center around a straight couple), these choices feel purposeful. And they really added to the joy I felt watching the mystery of the new horror flick play out.

Drop director Christopher Landon is an out gay man, which is another reason that I happened to connect the dots of the movie's subtle queerness as I watched it. I can only assume that a shared taste and sensibility is what moved me in this way; most straight moviegoers likely didn't notice items on this list (besides Self absolutely slaying his role).

After watching the new movie, I couldn't help but wonder what the director would have done with Scream VII if those plans came to fruition. Landon recently spoke about what it was like departing Scream, and finding a silver lining in bringing this new film to life.

Drop is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list. And, I personally can't wait to see what Christopher Landon brings to the horror genre next.

The Golden Girls and Will & Grace are considered some of the best sitcoms of all time, and are endlessly re-watchable for fans like me. So when it was revealed that the latter's creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan were re-teaming for a Hulu original TV show, I checked it out. And it didn't disappoint, as it feels like a LGBTQ+ take on The Golden Girls. And that combination is absolutely delightful and thoroughly binge-watchable.

Mid-Century Modern follows three adult gay men who decide to live together in Palm Springs after their friend dies. The owner of the house is Nathan Lane's Bunny Schneiderman, who is wealthy and lives with his mother Sybil (Linda Lavin). Adding in Matt Bomer's ditzy Jerry and Nathan Lee Graham's fabulous and biting Arthur, and the four personalities clash in plenty of charming, touching, and funny ways throughout Season 1.

The Golden Girls had great insults throughout its tenure on the air, and Mid-Century Modern definitely continues this trend. The cast is constantly ribbing each other, as well as anyone else they come across throughout the first 10 episodes of the streaming comedy.

The set and concept of Mid-Century Modern is an obvious homage to The Golden Girls, which has the potential to elicit a mixture of reactions from people. While I've seen some complaints about this online, I've loved the way that the old and new have been combined for this new sitcom. It feels classic, as well as very much of the times.

Will & Grace was a groundbreaking show in regards to LGBTQ+ representation, including the very first instance of two men kissing on television. And while that show has aged rather well (seriously, give it another go on Hulu), being able to have the same comedic sensibilities back on TV and set in 2025 is really refreshing and affirming. There's a lot going on in the world nowadays for queer folks, so being able to sit down and laugh in so necessary.

I'm someone who regularly re-watches back episodes of Will & Grace and The Golden Girls, so having these shows basically combine to create the delightful Mid-Century Modern is a major win for the 2025 TV premiere list. Hopefully it gets renewed for a second season on Hulu. Fingers crossed!

Dave Works The McDonald's Drive-Thru

One of the most iconic remote segments from David Letterman's days on Late Show saw him employed by McDonald's for a day, where he worked at the drive-thru window. Instead of simply taking orders, he indulges in giving the customers a hard time, asking one woman to drive around the building because they are too busy to answer for her at the moment and telling another guy asking for two #3's that he will give him a #6 instead.

Dave Visits General Electric

In 1986, when Letterman was still hosting Late Night on NBC, the network was purchased by General Electric, which gave him the idea to visit his new bosses' headquarters with a basket of fruit as a welcoming gesture. However, he would not make it past the front lobby, thanks to a security guard enforcing the building's strict laws against letting cameras inside.

Dave's Mom Reports The Olympics

Letterman enlisted his mother, Dorothy Mengering, to present a number of remote segments. The first instance of this was in 1994 when she was sent to Lillehammer, Norway, to cover that year's Winter Olympics for Late Show, during which she interviewed the likes of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The Top Ten Words That Sound Romantic When Said By Barry White

Barry White had the kind of voice that could make anything sound smooth and enticing, as demonstrated by one of David Letterman's most ridiculous Top 10 Lists. Accompanied by a trio of backup singers, the legendary R&B musician forever changes the way you might hear words like "jazzercise," "doo-hickey," and the Number One choice, "Oprah."

Joaquin Phoenix "Couldn't Be Here"

In 2009, Joaquin Phoenix appeared on Late Show to promote his film, Two Lovers, but he did not do much promoting and passively mumbled through most of the interview, which David Letterman capped with the perfect quip, "Well, Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here." The future Academy Award winner would later return to explain himself after it was revealed that his scraggly-haired aspiring hip-hop artist persona was all an act for his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck's, mockumentary, I'm Still Here.

Dave Hangs Out With Richard Simmons

Sometimes, just partnering Letterman with somebody whose personality greatly opposes his own was enough to conjure comedy gold. For instance, the time when the host shot a remote segment chronicling the day he spent with flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons, which consisted of visiting random people in their homes and searching for the latest Barbara Streisand album.

Crispin Glover Nearly Kicks Dave In The Face

One of David Letterman's most infamous interviews from his Late Night days, let alone his entire career, saw Crispin Glover from the Back to the Future cast seem to nervously struggle through the entire conversation, culminating in him performing a kick that came uncomfortably close to the host's face. The actor would later return only once more, but this time, he dodged any opportunities for a substantial explanation of his behavior and awkwardly giggled for much of it.

Biff Henderson's Fun With A Bullhorn

David Letterman's longtime stage manager, Biff Henderson, participated in many classic bits. One of his own personal favorites was a remote segment in which he travels the streets of New York yelling at random people with a bullhorn, and often providing them with valuable information, too.

Dave Wears A Velcro Suit

On Late Night, Letterman participated in many a ridiculous stunt that involved him wearing a funny suit constructed with some unusual material or substance. One of the more famous was a suit of velcro, with which he leaped onto a velcro wall and got stuck face first.

Jerry Lawler Slaps Andy Kaufman

In 1982, David Letterman had Andy Kaufman and wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler on Late Night to discuss their feud, which grew heated before Lawler slapped him across the face, causing the already injured comedian to fall out of his chair. It was revealed years later that this infamous TV moment was not so authentic, as the pair were really good friends pulling a gag on the world.

The Long Debate Around The World's Largest Vase

On Late Night, David Letterman invited on the show a man who claimed to have the world's largest vase, which another person from Canada challenged, claiming his was taller. This inspired a lengthy debate involving polygraph tests and legal experts, before Dave decided to put it all to bed by placing a 35" radio transmitter on top of the vase they had in the studio, bringing its final length to 9'8".

Dave Assures "No One Is Blaming Conan"

David Letterman left NBC after losing the chance to host The Tonight Show to Jay Leno, who would, in 2010, leave the network's leading late-night program for Conan O'Brien to step in, only to take it back just months later. The Late Show host commented on the debacle, mentioning how Leno insisted that fans should not blame O'Brien, which prompted Letterman to point out that no one was pointing fingers at him in the first place.

Dave Is Startled By A Monkey

Like any other late night host, Letterman was known to bring animals on his show from time to time, but he did not enjoy his experience with a monkey on Late Night. The primate continuously lunged toward the host, causing him to exclaim, "She's gonna leap at me and pull a vein out of my neck and kill me!" To make matters even funnier, the monkey was wearing a dress.

The Final TV Appearance By Johnny Carson

David Letterman maintained a strong relationship with Johnny Carson even after both of them had left NBC. In fact, the former Tonight Show host made his last-ever appearance on television in 1994 to present Letterman with that night's Late Show Top 10, much to the audience's delighted surprise.

Dave Presents The Flashing Party Horses

Similar to saw horses with flashing lights placed around accidents or road construction sites to ensure safety, the "Flashing Party Horses" are smaller in stature and used to surround a party guest who has had a few too many and has collapsed on the floor. Future SNL one-season wonder Chris Elliott helps Letterman demonstrate the faux product by donning a tuxedo as the inebriated party guest.

Kamarr The Discount Magicians Puts Paul Shaffer In A Guillotine

One of the most amusing recurring guests that Dave Letterman would have on Late Night was Greece's own Kamarr the Discount Magician, whose illusions were always worth the price of admission. One of his most memorable appearances saw him place band leader and music director Paul Shaffer in a guillotine that he promised would pass right through his neck, leaving him unharmed, but would chop down on the cucumber beneath him.

John Candy Takes On Wasps In The Studio

One funny Late Night-era bit sees comedy legend John Candy interrupt his interview with David Letterman when a wasp appears on the back of his neck, prompting him to take care of the studio's infestation. He returns from his interspecies quarrel with a bag full of winged pests and a few gross clusters of stings on his face.

Dave's Shocking Diet Tip

In response to a fan letter asking for tips on how to lose weight, Dave presents a solution in the form of a visual demonstration. He takes a 12-volt car battery, attaches one clamp to his earlobe and the other to his soup spoon, and indulges in his meal, experiencing a shock that just "melts the fat" right off.

Camping With Barry White

After joking for several episodes about what it would be like to camp with Barry White, David Letterman invited the "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" singer onto the show for an official demonstration. He opens an episode of Late Night with a lesson on how to treat a snake bite, using White as his subject, and presents a few products essential for the occasion, including a walkie-talkie equipped with a woofer powerful enough to match the singer's deep baritone.

Dave Hounds Paris Hilton About Her Prison Stint

David Letterman himself has admitted that he could be a little too mean to his guests for the sake of getting a laugh, and one of the most notorious examples is when, in 2007, he repeatedly asked Paris Hilton about her 22 days in prison for violating parole. At one point, she pleads that she does not want to talk about it anymore, to which he responds, "This is where you and I are different because it's all I want to talk about." The following year, he brought the heiress back to apologize for offending her.

Dave Wears A Suit Made Of Alka-Seltzer Tablets

One of the strangest stunts that Letterman ever performed involving an unusual suit was the time he donned an outfit covered in Alka-Seltzer, which is a brand of effervescent tablets used to treat heartburn, indigestion, or even headaches. Also equipped with an oxygen tank, the stunt sees the host lowered into a vat of water, causing the tablets to dissolve and create a rousing fizz.

Larry Bud Melman's Hilarious Lack Of Interview Skills

Comedian Calvert DeForest recurred on Late Night as his comically average and inept character, Larry Bud Melman, whom Dave would send out into the world for various remote segments, such as one in which he interviewed tourists at New York's Port Authority. The mundane manner of his questions is funny enough, but what makes the bit especially hilarious is the way he continuously brings the microphone away from his mouth too early with each question.

Dave Visits A Store Called Just Bulbs

One of Dave Letterman's most amusing Late Night era remote segments sees him visit a New York store called Just Bulbs, where he asks an employee if they sell anything other than what the name suggests, constantly receiving an emphatic no. When he asks the remarkably patient employee if they sell lampshades, she suggests he "try a store called 'Just Shades,'" at which point the scene immediately cuts to the front of a store called Just Shades.

Dave Meets A Man Who Claims To Have Been Buried Alive Three Times

Letterman discovered and conducted an interview with a man who invented a device that would allow a person who is accidentally buried alive to notify loved ones that they are still breathing. The man was inspired to develop this product after he was mistaken for dead and placed underground more than once.

Brother Theodore's Perplexing Rant

Theodore Gottlieb, better known as Brother Theodore, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman several times, never inspiring a dull moment. The German-American comedian would indulge in an assertive and combative interview with the host before delivering one of his signature, riotous stream-of-consciousness monologues.

Chris Elliott As The Guy Under The Seats

Late Night writer and performer Chris Elliott participated in various recurring segments on the show, including one in which he plays a man living under the studio bleachers who interrupts the show. David Letterman would go meta by making comments about Elliott's approach to the segment that the comedian would immediately take great offense to and respond with petty, threatening remarks.

Paul Shaffer's Freudian Slip

Paul Shaffer is responsible for one of the most infamous moments in SNL history, being the first person to accidentally drop the F-bomb on the live program. However, it was no accident when David Letterman's musical director told the host that he meant to ask his mother to pass the salt, but instead gave an explicit, insulting admission that she ruined his life. It was only a joke, but it inspired Letterman to get Shaffer's actual mother on the phone. After she corrects his grammar, Letterman turns to Shaffer and says, "I see what you mean now."

Gerard Mulligan Fills In For Levon Helm

In 1983, Levon Helm was scheduled to appear on Late Night with David Letterman but did not show up for the interview. Instead, Letterman and segment producer Gerard Mulligan discussed what they would have asked the drummer and vocalist for The Band, inspiring much laughter from the audience over what could have been.

Chris Farley Cartwheels Into The Studio

Iconic '90s Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley never failed to make a grand entrance, just like when he showed up on Late Show with David Letterman and inspired a rousing round of applause by kicking off his appearance with a triple cartwheel.

Biff Henderson Gets Hypnotized

For one fun Late Show segment, David Letterman invited a hypnotist to put members of his staff under his spell, including Biff Henderson, who was supposedly still under hypnosis and fell into a deep sleep on the show. In a YouTube video recalling his favorite moments, the long-serving stage manager did not confirm whether or not he was truly hypnotized, but he did reveal that he saw the hypnosis as an opportunity to relax at work.

Drew Barrymore Flashes Dave

One of the most surprising moments from David Letterman's entire career saw guest Drew Barrymore stand on the host's desk and lift her shirt up right in front of him.

Madonna's Expletive-Filled Interview

Pop star Madonna's 1994 appearance on Late Show gave the censors a lot to worry about. In fact, due to her use of 14 F-bombs, the episode became the most censored in talk show history, according to EW.

Some of the best teen shows have remained popular after their run on TV, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer is definitely in that category. The cult classic (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) might be getting new life, thanks to the Buffy reboot pilot that's currently in the works with Sarah Michelle Gellar. As a hardcore fan I'm hyped about the potential of new episodes, there's one element of the original that needs to come back: it's unique, quippy dialogue.

For seven seasons, the cast of Buffy wrapped their mouths around Joss Whedon's signature dialogue, which was basically a new language in itself. This included pop culture references, as well as uniquely combining words into a speech pattern that is exclusive to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So while it doesn't seem like Whedon is involved in the reboot pilot, the only way the fans are going to be able to settle into a new series is if it feels and (perhaps more importantly) sounds like the original.

Very little is currently known about the pilot that's being cooked up, but the return of of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy definitely has fans hyped. Add in the inclusions of Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, and this pilot has a lot going for it. But a real test will be how the dialogue sounds.

Fans have been wondering about which OG Buffy actors might be joining Sarah Michelle Gellar if the reboot is actually ordered for a full season. Charisma Carpenter has expressed interest in returning as Cordelia, although the character's ultimate fate from Angel might complicate things. Hardcore fans like myself are definitely hoping for an appearance from Alyson Hannigan's Willow, as well as Anthony Head's Giles. Both of these actors have stayed busy, and their characters are essential to the show's DNA.

On the flip side, the death of Michelle Trachtenberg will likely prevent any appearance from the character Dawn. And Xander actor Nicholas Brendan has had a number of legal issues. Finally allegations about Joss Whedon's behavior on the set of Buffy have been swirling, with even the cast speaking out against him.

Between character deaths and real-life issues, there are only a few original actors who could appear in a possible reboot. Buffy's new characters recently leaked online, some of which seem to be channeling the OG Scooby Gang. This possible passing of the torch will be made much easier if the reboot finds a way to bring the same signature dialogue to the table. I simply must see Little Ms. Likes To Fight struggle with her words, quip at demons, and even get bad-moody.

As previously mentioned, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is streaming now on Hulu. We'll just have to wait and see if a reboot actually gets ordered.

Some may try to claim Cirie Fields is a Traitors legend who is also a Big Brother player. However, she doesn’t quite represent this hit CBS reality show. Cirie famously didn’t have the best experience playing Big Brother, plus she played BB after her Traitors appearance. I need some known for Big Brother to actually win The Traitors. I have a few suggestions.

Claire Rehfuss Has Already Shown She Has Traitor Skills

Claire Rehfuss made it pretty far on Big Brother 23. However, unfortunately, The Cookout mission was more important than her close relationship with Tiffany Mitchell. In the Big Brother house, Claire showed some great gamer skills without ever really being the center of attention. This is what I think has caused many Big Brother legends problems. They either have a reputation for being major gamers, or they just stand out too much. I think Claire seems calm and collected enough and doesn’t have a major gamer reputation to go under the radar.

Also, if you follow Rob Has A Podcast, you may know that they have done two online Traitors. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t seen them: Claire won the second season. She started the game as a Faithful and then became a Traitor. She’s really good as a Faithful, which made it easier for her to manipulate people as a Traitor. I think Claire could be good in either position, especially having some familiarity with playing a version of The Traitors. To make things even more fun, she could always play alongside her long-term boyfriend, Derek Xiao.

Ika Wong Would Bring Entertainment And Strategy

Many Big Brother fans don’t explore the many great international versions and similar series. If they did, they would discover great contestants like Big Brother Canada legend Ika Wong. The online rumor is that Ika has been asked multiple times to appear on The Traitors Canada and declined. She announced long ago that she retired from reality TV. However, I don’t believe she’s been asked to appear on The Traitors US. I believe that Ika is a fan of shows like The Real Housewives, so she might be more tempted to appear on this version - just to meet some of her favorites.

For those unfamiliar with Ika, she appeared on two seasons of Big Brother Canada and made an impression during both seasons. She’s entertaining, and a great social and strategic gamer. Ika could easily be a really good Traitor while also providing lots of entertainment.

Jun Song Might Be Underestimated, Then Strike

I have seen every Big Brother season when they aired, but many of the early ones, I don’t remember as well. However, I remember Jun Song playing a masterful, cunning game. One of the best things about The Traitors is that it’s bringing some of the best Big Brother winners and players back into the reality TV world.

I would love to see Jun return and appear on The Traitors. It would be really interesting to see her navigate the game as a Traitor, especially after not appearing on reality TV for such a long time. Jun has been away from the reality TV world long enough for most of The Traitors players to be completely blindsided by her game. We need that.

Vanessa Rousso Would Confuse Everyone About Her Gameplay

Big Brother Canada winner Kevin Martin appeared on The Traitors Canada and didn’t win it. So it’s unclear how being a professional poker player translates on The Traitors. However, I want to see how Vanessa Rousso uses her poker and Big Brother skills to win as a Traitor.

Vanessa has always been a player who is good at using her emotions to confuse people. I can see her doing that again to help her go far. We also haven’t seen Vanessa in a while, so it would be nice for her to make a return. She’s also experienced a lot of life changes since Big Brother 17, so I am curious to see what the new version brings to the game.

I am excited to see what former Big Brother houseguests joins The Traitors US Season 4.

Not only does Amazon-MGM Studios reportedly have a producing pair in mind to run the show, but we also have a potential budget and release window. It's all subject to one very important event taking place in the near future, so let's dig into what's supposedly going on in the world of Bond, James Bond.

Bond 26 Already Has A Rumored Budget And Release Date

I hope you like your martinis dirty, as this entire story needs to be taken with as much salt as possible. Apparently the buzz about all of this kind of started after The Sun reported that clandestine sources have discovered a "fast track" plan for the next James Bond adventure.

Intel specifies an alleged release date a release date "before the end of 2027," and with a budget of £250 million. Those of you thinking that Amazon-MGM Studios would skimp in the name of savings should have no problem with that development, especially with this unnamed agent throwing in these further details:

It’s also noted that the proposed Bond 26 budget is even higher than No Time to Die’s estimated £220 million production spend. Piling that on top of Amazon-MGM’s rumored 00-price tag, as well as studio partners Universal and Warner Bros. holding stake in future theatrical releases, and that investment talk makes a lot of sense.

The fun doesn't end there, folks, as another publication has allegedly discovered the names of the producers that may succeed Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson as 007's franchise stewards. For this, you just might need a refill on that liquid refreshment.

Amazon-MGM Studios Has Two Producers Rumored To Run Their 007 Operation

If the latest news out of Variety is accurate, former Sony chairman/Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal and Harry Potter/Paddington producing veteran David Heyman are both “in talks” as Amazon-MGM Studio's overseers. While I anticipate some fan tensions over this decision, it’s also kind of comforting if you look at it the right way; especially with Ms. Pascal being attached to this crucial shift.

As noted in the reporting cited, she was running the show at Sony during most of Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies, and she continued to operate in the realm of the MCU’s Web-Slinger through her Pascal Pictures. Her familiarity, combined with David Heyman’s resume on working with two British literary icons, feels primed to put this next era on the right foot forward.

Of course, those who are still stung by the existence of the defunct Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and/or the incomplete Fantastic Beasts film cycle are probably rushing in to counter that point. As those projects feel akin to popular opinions on Quantum of Solace and Spectre in the mouths of fans, that's going to be a huge counter.

Amy Pascal’s more recent resume is any indication, I think there are two young actors you should be keeping an eye on when it comes to competing to be the next 007. However, before we get into those weeds, let's talk about the major catch that stands in the way of any progress, like Jaws trying to block Roger Moore's 007 from passing.

The Gigantic Catch That's Holding Up Amazon-MGM's James Bond Era

Don’t get your hopes or hollering too high just yet though, as this crucial hypothetical decision has to wait until the massive Amazon-MGM James Bond deal is finalized. As one could predictably assume that all involved want to jump into production on the 26th Bond movie with great haste, this is a very important juncture.

Getting all the T’s and C’s straight is something that’s led to previous 007 delays setting records in all the wrong ways. That proposed 2027 time frame doesn’t sound too off, as even Casino Royale director Martin Campbell’s opinion of how things would shake out had that sort of milestone in mind.

I know this is all rumored, but between producers in talks, a speculated budget and a seemingly doable release window, I think we’re the closest we’ve ever been to Bond 26. Which means I think we can start talking about whose stock may just rise on the (James) Bond Market.

If This Deal Goes Through, There Are Two James Bond Contenders You Should Watch

I wonder if someone had an inside tip on this news, as the recent Bond Villain betting odds included Spider-Man/Challengers alum Zendaya into the mix as a candidate. Both of those properties saw Amy Pascal’s steady producing hand influencing how things panned out, and they establish ties between Ms. Pascal and two potential Commander Bonds.

First off, Challengers co-star Josh O’Connor has been talked about as potentially slipping into the tuxedo in recent years. Which means that Steven Spielberg could go 2 for 2 in making another James Bond happen, as the two are working on a picture due out summer 2026.

It would be rather wild if that potential Bond 26 scenario came to pass, as we shouldn’t forget that story about how Steven Spielberg encouraged Daniel Craig’s 007 process by pushing his Munich star to reach for that martini.

However, don’t count out previous frontrunner Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who recently worked under Amy Pascal’s auspices on the current Netflix streaming hit Kraven the Hunter. With a lot of juice behind his candidacy, and several rumors that suggested he was practically cast by Barbara Broccoli herself, this alternate link could see a stronger case made to snag the MCU vet.

It’s still anybody’s guess, as again, the Amazon-MGM deal needs to be finalized before the studio can make any of the moves proposed above. Perhaps that’ll give Mr. O’Connor enough time to put in a good word with his potential future bosses, as his current project could see both composer John Williams and director Steven Spielberg’s 007 dream jobs become a reality.

For now, we'll just have to do like the man of the hour, and make sure our martinis are cool while we encourage our heels to do just the same. Bond 26 is still going to need patience, but at least there's an indication that it won't take all the time in the world to get here.

As a kid, I watched Desperate Housewives during its original run on TV, but I stopped sometime after a hurricane tore through Wisteria Lane. I wasn't sure if the early aughts humor would translate nowadays, but it definitely does. And every episode I'm impressed by just how strong the performances from the Desperate Housewives cast are.

While Desperate Housewives has plenty of high stakes drama and dramatic twists (I mean, it literally opens on a suicide), the show is largely a dark comedy. And the four starring women, as well as Nicolette Sheridan's Edie Britt, are firing on all cylinders while embodying their characters' specific quirks. But if there are two performances that have been especially wowing me as I re-watch the series, it's been Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria.

Desperate Housewives was a star-making moment for Eva Longoria, who recently appeared in Only Murders in the Building. Gabrielle Solis is a constant scene-stealer, with Longoria finding a way to make her endlessly likable despite the character's vain and self-centered tendencies.

While Teri Hatcher doesn't seem like she wants a reboot, I can't imagine the show without her. She does pretty outstanding physical comedy as Susan Mayer, going through countless pratfalls and shenanigans amidst the high stakes drama of the Wisteria Lane. Although back in 2018 Hatcher expressed interest in returning, so maybe there's hope she'll change her mind.

Since I watched the show's original run for years, there are certain events and plot points that I remember. For instance, Gabrielle's affair with John the Gardener or the episode where Laurie Metcalf is a shooter in a grocery store. But there's also a lot I don't remember, and jokes that probably went over my head as a young person watching the series with my family.

Desperate Housewives really does have such a unique tone, which is also why I've been binge watching for my second viewing. From Danny Elfman's iconic theme song to the production design, the show is equal parts camp and drama. And so while the cast are all comedic forces, they also get to have some moving scenes as well when things go wrong or the titular Wives.

Only time will tell if a Desperate Housewives reboot happens, but fans shouldn't expect for it to pop up on the 2025 TV premiere list. For now, the original series is streaming on Hulu.

Awards Season is in full swing, and I'm personally trying to catch up on the 2025 Oscar nominees. That's what led me to watching the new Dreamworks flick The Wild Robot, which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). The Best Animated feature nominee was a great watch, with action and tender emotionality at its heart. And while I really enjoyed the movie, I also found it thoroughly terrifying for a number of reasons.

To be clear, a lot of these issues have largely to due with phobias of my own. So if I seem like a crazy person, that's probably why. Specifically, an irrational fever I have of possums, as well as raccoons and skunks. All three of these creatures go bump in the night, and are heavily featured throughout The Wild Robot. And that's saying nothing of the thrills that are actually included in the 2024 animated movie.

Throughout the movie's 102-minute runtime, Lupita Nyong'o's titular character Roz interacts with a variety of woodland creatures on the island she found herself on. But while Mark Hamill's Grizzly Bear Thorn was meant to be the scariest, I found myself much more freaked out by the smaller animals walking around on four legs. That includes a notable scene where Roz is attacked by a vicious group of raccoons, which is basically what I think is going to happen to me any time I walk past one of them in my day to day life.

Nothing scares me more than possums, and unfortunately for me they're certified scene stealers in the new Dreamworks film. The Wild Robot's cast includes the great Catherine O'Hara as a mother Possum named Pinktail. She and her various babies are utterly hilarious throughout the movie, engaging in gallows humor and trying (and failing) to successfully play dead.

Given my phobia of possums, this made The Wild Robot full of unintended jump scares for myself. And more confusingly, there was usually a solid laugh that came afterward. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions.

Of course, the movie itself actually had plenty of scary moments. The subject and threat of death seemed to looming over Kit Connor's Brightbill. CinemaBlend's Wild Robot review overwhelmingly praised the movie, which is actually pretty action packed. So while I might have streamed the movie on a sleepy Sunday morning, I was treated to way more thrills than I could have anticipated... especially from the possums, raccoons, and skunks. Phobias don't usually make logical sense, although I have to assume that someone out there had a similar experience watching the Oscar nominee.

The Wild Robot is streaming on Peacock, and we'll have to see if it manages to snatch an Academy Award on March 2nd. Let's just hope Academy voters don't have the same phobia as me.

Back In Action’s Ending Sets Up For A Sequel

Spoilers for Back in Action abound from this point. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. For a pretty straightforward action film, a lot happens in the last few minutes. Nigel (Jamie Demetriou) successfully manages to close the barrier to rein in baddie Chuck (Kyle Chandler). His boat explodes in show-y action movie fashion, but we later find out Chuck’s body is never found, leading to the possibility of his return in the future.

In a separate scene, the family has returned to the suburbs with Grandma (Glenn Close) and Nigel so that daughter Alice (McKenna Roberts) can finish out her soccer season. Foxx’s character Matt finds out his wife Emily has been keeping a secret from him: her father is still alive and may be the key to a new mission. Given the high-profile cast in the first movie, the fact that Diaz allegedly signed a lucrative contract to produce two movies with Netflix, and the fact Back in Action has stickied in the #1 slot on Netflix for days now, I’m feeling good about the possibility of a sequel and also that Diaz’s dad will probably be some big name stunt casting, too.

Honestly, it’s exactly what I’d expect from this sort of movie, and I'm pretty confident I will watch it whenever it comes out. But am I actively looking forward to it? No. Do I really care about these characters and where they're going? No... and unfortunately, that's a recurring problem with a lot of Netflix's movies.

The Frequent Struggle Netflix Films Face

Listen, I’m about to complain a little about Back in Action, but before I do that I want to acknowledge that I watched the film as soon as it hit the Netflix schedule, and when I finished, I felt like it was a perfectly nice way to spend a couple hours. I'm sure there are millions of other people who did the exact same thing. I know at least a few did because they work here and I talked about it with them. We all seemed to think the same thing: that it was cute enough.

And deservedly so. Diaz and Foxx’s action scenes look good. They have a fun little rapport in the movie, and most of the side characters are exceptionally well cast. There's also some comedy bits that work, and the whole thing has a fun little breezy vibe. You could do a lot worse things with your time than watch Back In Action, but would you be happy if you paid money to see it in theaters? Have you even thought about it again after you finished watching it?

Netflix has seemingly dumped a ton of money into original movies in recent years, and you can tell by the visual look of this one. Back In Action has A-list talent, some really expensive-looking action sequences, recognizable songs and it was shot in a lot of different outdoor locations. It took a lot of checks with a lot of digits to pull this off, but all they ended up with was a nice enough way to spend some time.

That's mainly because the script just isn't good enough. There are so many plot holes. I can accept some, given this is a goofy action comedy about two special agents faking their own deaths and moving to the suburbs, but what I can't accept are characters that have illogical motivations and basic story beats that don't make any sense at all.

Kyle Chandler gets fired from his job and is furious about not having a pension anymore; yet, he somehow manages to entice dozens of goons (and a helicopter pilot) to commit terrorism. Fine whatever. I'll go with that. Then he kidnaps his spy pals' kids when there's literally no reason to do so, and if he hadn't, the main characters probably wouldn't have followed him with such gusto. Then the entire government sits on its hands and watches our lead characters chase after him in a boat while a fake spy step-grandpa punches random keys, trying to get a barrier to go up so London doesn't flood. It, of course, does, just in time for Chandler to run his boat into the barrier and cause a massive explosion that curiously doesn't flood London.

I’m not saying these things to take the piss out of Seth Gordon, who I thought did a lot of cool stuff directing this film (but was also involved in writing it). I’m only bringing it up because these head-scratchers are just a few of at least a dozen that occur in the movie, and they're the sort of things that are the difference between people actually caring about this franchise and people thinking it was a nice enough way to spend some time.

Netflix has spent a ton of money on star power, not just with Back in Action, but also with vehicles like Red Notice, The Gray Man, etc. Executives have showed a willingness to pay for the actors and the type of action sequences that many of us want to see, but all of this money has only mostly yielded movies that are fine enough to watch on streaming but have serious problems if you watch them with a keen eye.

I think this is a problem with a lot of the movie content specifically created for the streamer. We get big names and a lot of spectacle, but there's not enough love and attention poured into the script and the substance to create something worth watching again. We've become accustomed to watching some of this stuff streaming with one eye trained on our phones, but even if some people are just going to view it casually, that doesn't mean it's not worth creating a cohesive story with flow and logic behind it.

I liked Back In Action well enough. I'm glad it was "included" with my Netflix subscription, but I won't think about it again until we get the sequel that's probably going to come in a few years. It's not going to stick in my consciousness or the collective consciousness of movie fans.

When that sequel does come, however, I'm really hoping to see more. There's something here with the chemistry and comedy and the action sequences, but I need more than that. I want to see a story everyone can be proud of too. Otherwise, no matter how good everything else is, we're just going to end up with another disposable Netflix movie, which has become a recurring theme.

The Elite Seven: A24 Movies Scoring Over 90%

1. The Sixth (100%)

Directed by Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine, The Sixth is a gripping documentary that delves into the events of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Through the perspectives of six individuals deeply impacted by that day, the film captures the chaos of a nation in turmoil while underscoring the enduring significance of truth and accountability. It’s a harrowing and poignant look at a moment that left a lasting mark on American history. It’s not surprising that it joins the ranks of documentaries with more than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Sing Sing (98%)

Directed by Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing is a deeply moving drama inspired by the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. The film follows a group of incarcerated men as they channel their creativity and humanity into producing theatrical stage shows. Premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim, Sing Sing was released by A24 in July 2024 and has been celebrated for its poignant exploration of redemption and artistic expression within the prison system.

3. The Last of the Sea Women (97%)

The Last of the Sea Women is a visually stunning and deeply emotional documentary that profiles the haenyeo, a dwindling community of women divers in Jeju, South Korea. These women, many of whom are elderly, dive into the ocean without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood, a tradition that has sustained their communities for centuries. The flick is a true testament to cultural resilience and is one of the reasons I adore films and documentaries that focus on real people.

4. A Different Man (92%)

Sebastian Stan delivers a haunting performance in this critically well-received comedic psychological thriller written and directed by Aaron Schimberg. The film delves into themes of identity, obsession, and the human longing for reinvention, centering on Edward Lemuel, a man with a facial disfigurement who undergoes an experimental medical procedure that dramatically alters his life. What begins as a story of personal transformation spirals into a gripping exploration of self-deception and the lengths one will go to escape their past. In CinemaBlend’s review of A Different Man, Nick Venable gave it a nearly perfect score, calling it “unwaveringly magnificent.”

5. Heretic (91%)

If you’re like me, you probably keep up on all the latest upcoming horror movies and have been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding Heretic. Well, it's for a good reason. As Eric Eisenberg points out in his Cinemablend review of Heretic, it’s easily one of the year's best horror movies. A chilling psychological horror, Heretic takes a sinister twist on the classic missionary story. The film follows two young missionaries whose routine door-to-door visit takes a terrifying turn when they encounter the enigmatic and malevolent Mr. Reed, played brilliantly by Hugh Grant. What begins as an attempt to share their faith spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse as they become prisoners in his home.

6. Look into My Eyes (90%)

Look Into My Eyes, the latest documentary from Lana Wilson (Miss Americana, After Tiller), takes viewers on an unexpected journey into the lives of New York City psychics, offering a window into the deeply personal and emotional readings they share with their clients. Rather than debating the reality of psychic powers, Wilson zeroes in on what truly matters: the human craving for connection, comfort, and healing. Like all the best A24 films, this movie skillfully explores a tapestry of emotions—from loneliness to hope and the undeniable longing for meaning—highlighting the intimate moments that unfold during these interactions. With its compassionate storytelling and reflective tone, Look Into My Eyes is an exploration of humanity’s shared search for significance, guaranteed to leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll.

7. Love Lies Bleeding (94%)

Love Lies Bleeding, directed by Rose Glass, is a great queer love story that also happens to be a neon-soaked fever dream that dives headfirst into the gritty chaos of love, obsession, and moral decay. This surreal neo-noir thriller follows Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian) as their toxic romance spirals into violence and madness, with standout performances that keep viewers hooked. Blurring the lines between reality and perception, the film’s shocking and hallucinatory ending leaves you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined–if you don’t like romance movies that end up in dark places, maybe skip it, but for me, it’s a must watch exploration of love’s darker side—power, codependency, and self-destruction. It’s as unsettling as it is captivating. Both tender and brutal, Love Lies Bleeding is a wild, thought-provoking ride that cements its place as one of A24’s most unforgettable offerings.

The Underdogs: Under 90% But Still Rock

1. I Saw the TV Glow (84%)

I Saw the TV Glow is an electrifying coming-of-age horror film that even caught the attention of Martin Scorsese. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun (We’re All Going to the World’s Fair), this unsettling yet nostalgic gem blends eerie visuals with a deeply personal story about loneliness and human connection. With its bold style and emotionally resonant themes, the film may not crack the 90% club, but its solid 84% on Rotten Tomatoes cements it as one of the year’s most unique cinematic experiences. Currently one of the best horror movies on Max, it’s not just one of the platform’s standout horror movies—it’s easily one of my favorites of the year.

2. MaXXXine (72%)

The third installment in Ti West’s X trilogy, MaXXXine, cranks up the neon for a gritty dive into 1980s Hollywood. While it doesn’t quite match the brilliance of its predecessors—especially with an ending that felt like it was missing that signature Ti West punch—Mia Goth once again proves why she’s one of the most captivating actors working today. Her performance, combined with West’s bold direction, keeps the blood-soaked thrills alive. And let’s not forget Kevin Bacon’s deliciously over-the-top turn as shady private investigator John Labat, which alone makes the ticket price worth it. Despite its flaws, MaXXXine delivers enough style, grit, and nostalgia to make it a worthy conclusion to the trilogy.

Final Thoughts

A24 continues to prove its dominance as a purveyor of bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Whether you’re diving into the critically acclaimed hits or savoring the uniquely thrilling experiences of films like MaXXXine and I Saw the TV Glow, 2024 was a killer year for A24 as they celebrated the best of what indie filmmaking has to offer.

"Wilma, I Promise You, Whatever Scum Did This, Not One Man On This Force Will Rest One Minute Until He's Behind Bars. Now, Let's Grab A Bite To Eat" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Early on in 1988's The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, when Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is visiting his partner, Nordberg, in the hospital, he happens to say quite a few inappropriate things to the ailing cop's wife, Wilma (Susan Beaubian). One of the funniest comes when he asks Capt. Ed Hocken (Geroge Kennedy) went to lunch right after ensuring Wilma that he would take no breaks on this case.

"Yes, Yes, I Remember. I Had Lasagna" - Airplane!

In Airplane!, Leslie Nielsen's Dr. Rumack comes into play when several passengers mysteriously fall ill, leading him to ask flight attendant Elaine (Julie Hagerty), what the in-flight meal was. After she tells him there was a choice between steak or fish, he matter-of-factly recalls that he, somehow, ate neither of those items.

"Nice Party, Hapsburg. I See A Lot Of Familiar Face-Lifts" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

In the second installment of the Naked Gun movies from 1991, Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin takes an immediate dislike to Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet), the new beau of his former lover, Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). He takes every opportunity he sees to belittle the wealthy oil industrialist, including pointing out how many of his party guests appear to partake in cosmetic surgery.

"I'm Here Today At The... 'Un'" - Scary Movie 4

Leslie Nielsen would reunite with David Zucker, one of the creators of Airplane! and the Naked Gun series, when he took over the Scary Movie franchise, which pokes fun at the best horror movies, for the third and fourth installments. In Nielsen's best moment from 2006's Scary Movie 4, President Baxter must refer to the United Nations logo behind him to identify who he is speaking to but still fails miserably.

"It's An Entirely Different Kind Of Flying" - Airplane!

In Airplane!, when Rumack asks Ted Striker (Robert Hays) about his piloting experience, he says he flew single-engine fighters in the Air Force. When he adds that handling a four-engine commercial jet is "an entirely different kind of flying, altogether," the doctor and flight attendant Randy (Lorna Patterson) take that last word as a signal to both repeat what he said in unison.

"Nice Beaver!" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

One of the all-time funniest spoof movie gags comes from The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! when Drebin stands right below Jane as she is standing on a ladder, rummaging through her attic, and compliments her "beaver." Every unsuspecting viewer understandably had their heads in the gutter until she passed down the recently taxidermied woodland animal to him.

"Children Of The Night. What A Mess They Make" - Dracula: Dead And Loving It

In 1995, Mel Brooks sent up one of the most essential vampire movies with Dracula: Dead and Loving It, and cast Leslie Nielsen in the title role. A funny moment sees the count paraphrasing Bela Lugosi's immortal line from the 1931 original – "Listen to them, children of the night. What music they make!" – to reference a patch of bat guano that appears on his staircase.

"I'm Sure That We Can Handle This Situation Maturely, Just Like The Responsible Adults That We Are. Isn't That right, Mr... Poopy Pants?" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

For all of his absent-mindedness, we would normally never think of Frank Drebin as particularly immature, except for this moment from The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear. No one can blame him for feeling petty after how things left off with him and Jane between installments but calling her new boyfriend, Hapsburg, "Mr. Poopy Pants" is inexcusably infantile.

"You Know, I Usually Specialize In Stuff You Can Wrap" - All I Want For Christmas

The first of two times Leslie Nielsen played Santa Claus – the second being the 2000 made-for-TV movie, Santa Who? – was in 1991's All I Want for Christmas. He plays a kindly mall Santa, who is asked by young Hallie (Thora Birch) to help bring their divorced parents back together.

"I Am Serious And Don't Call Me Shirley" - Airplane!

Perhaps the funniest line said by Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! – let alone the movie's funniest line, period – comes after Dr. Rumack asks Striker if he can take over the plane's ill pilots, and land it. When the former pilot responds, "Surely, you can't be serious," the doctor assumes he was calling him a traditionally feminine name.

"It's The Same Old Story. Boy Finds Girl, Boy Loses Girl, Girl Finds Boy, Boy Forgets Girl, Boy Remembers Girl, Girl Dies In A Tragic Blimp Accident Over The Orange Bowl On New Year's Day" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

In the first Naked Gun movie, on their first date at Frank's apartment, he and Jane are discussing their pasts when Frank recalls a lover he once lost to tragedy. The dark joke gets even funnier when Jane asks if the blimp is from Goodyear and he misinterprets the question and responds, "No, the worst."

"I Just Want To Tell You Both, Good Luck. We're All Counting On You" - Airplane!

There is nothing particularly funny about this line the first time Leslie Nielsen says it to Ted and Elaine as they finally make an attempt to land in Airplane! However, it becomes hilarious after Rumack repeats it to them randomly and unprompted twice more during the final act.

"The Truth Hurts, Doesn't It, Hapsburg? Oh, Sure, Maybe Not As Much As Landing On A Bicycle With The Seat Missing, But It Hurts!" - The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell Of Fear

In The Naked Gun 2-1/2, Frank discovers that his disdain toward Hapsburg was justified by his secret terrorist involvements. He spews more belittling rhetoric at the criminal that really does sound like a painful scenario.

"I Haven't Seen Anything Like This Since The Anita Bryant Concert" - Airplane!

Anita Bryant was a very controversial figure in the late 1970s, due to her outspoken opposition to gay rights. This line from Airplane!, in which Rumack compares the display of violent illness among the passengers to the crowd at one of the former singer's own shows, is just one of many times pop culture took a jab at her.

"I Just Think About Baseball" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

The Naked Gun movies are known for their hilariously subversive use of double entendres, such as when Drebin tells Jane he used to have a problem with his firearm going off... or so it seems. The discussion takes a strange turn when she asks how he solved his problem but his response sounds like he is referring to something else.

"I've Been Like A Father To You! I Raised You, Just Like Your Father Did! I Believed In You, Just Like Your Father Did! I Slept With Your Mother, Just Like Your Father Did!" - Superhero Movie

After two Scary Movies, Leslie Nielsen starred in a 2008 send-up of the best superhero movies (especially Spider-Man), aptly named Superhero Movie, as the uncle of the young, superpowered Rick (Drake Bell). During an argument, Uncle Albert goes a little too far in trying to prove to his nephew just how well he earned his place as a father figure to him.

“Uh, Then He's Certainly Not Going To Enjoy That Treat I Just Fed To Him” - Wrongfully Accused

Wrongfully Accused, starring Leslie Nielsen as a murder suspect struggling to clear his name, is essentially a parody of great action movies, especially The Fugitive. However, the 1998 comedy is also a mixed bag of gags, such as when Nielsen's Ryan Harrison discovers he has mistaken a dog's rear end for its face.

"It's True What They Say: Cops And Women Don't Mix. It's Like Eating A Spoonful Of Drano. Sure, It'll Clean You Out, But It'll Leave You Hollow Inside" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

All we can really say about this line from the first Naked Gun – directed at Jane after Frank learns she really works for the film's main antagonist – is that you should definitely not eat a spoonful of Drano. Ever.

"You Can't Take A Guess For Another Two Hours?" - Airplane!

This Airplane! line comes from a hilarious exchange between Rumack and Capt. Oveur is full of misunderstandings. Rumack asks him if he can take a guess of how soon he can land the plane and when the pilot says, "Well, not for another two hours," the doctor assumes he is referring to when he would be able to craft a hypothesis.

"A Parachute Not Opening. That's A Way To Die. Getting Caught In The Gears Of A Combine. Having Your Nuts Bit Off By A Laplander. That's The Way I Wanna Go!" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

In The Naked Gun, with Nordberg in critical condition after being ambushed by a "cowardly hoodlum," Capt. Hocken mentions that it is "no way for a man to die." Frank then lists a series of scenarios that he believes would ensure a glorious exit.

"You Carry A UB-21 Schnauzer With A Gnab Silencer..." - Spy Hard

In the 1996 spy movie parody, Spy Hard, Dick Steele's (Leslie Nielsen) impromptu reading of Russian agent, Veronique Ukrinsky (Nicolette Sheridan) is littered with acronyms. The full quote is, "You carry a UB-21 Schnauzer with a Gnab silencer. That's KGB. You prefer an H&K over an A.K. Your surveillance technique is NSA. Your ID is CIA. You received your Ph.D. at NYU. Traded in your GTO for a BMW. You listen to CDs by R.E.M. and STP. And you'd like to see J.F.K. in his BVDs, getting down with O.P.P. And you probably put the toilet paper back on the roll with the paper on the inside."

"Just Think, Next Time I Shoot Someone, I Could Be Arrested" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Drebin says this Naked Gun line after he is suspended from the Police Squad, which seems to be a much-needed punishment for someone with his trigger-happy attitude.

"Uh, Fire Drill" - Safety Patrol

Leslie Nielsen stars in ABC's 1998 made-for-TV family film, Safety Patrol, as Mr. Penn, who is a school security head, despite his debilitating clumsiness. Case in point: when he falls out of a window and tries to pass off the accident as a planned fire drill escape method when he notices three students witnessed his tumble.

"Didn't I Try To Adopt That 18-Year-Old Korean Girl?" - The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult

In The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult, during a couple's therapy session, Jane asks why Frank does not want to have children. His response seems to be a reference to Woody Allen's relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, which had sparked controversy around that time.

"That Doesn't Prove A Thing. She Could Be Related To Joe Cocker" - Repossessed

Repossessed goes above and beyond to send up demonic possession movies, by casting The Exorcist star Linda Blair as another person in need of a priest. Said priest in the 1990 comedy is Father Jedediah Mayii, who likens the supposed possession victim, described as having "an unGodly voice and maniacal facial expressions," to famously over-the-top singer, Joe Cocker.

"You Take A Chance Getting Up In The Morning, Crossing The Street, Or Sticking Your Face In A Fan" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

We strongly recommend not taking the chance of sticking your face in a fan, no matter how admirably courageous The Naked Gun's Frank Drebin may seem.

"The Other Two Pilots, They're Just Fine. They're At The Controls Flying The Plane, Free To Pursue A Life Of Religious Fulfillment" - Airplane!

Even if Dr. Rumack was not lying about the pilots' illness in Airplane!, this would be a pretty absurd way to describe someone with a healthy condition. Of course, what makes the doctor's attempt to comfort the passengers especially funny is how his nose grows like Pinocchio with each dishonest remark.

"Jane, Since I've Met You, I've Noticed Things That I Never Knew Were There Before. Birds Singing, Dew Glistening On A Newly Formed Leaf, Stoplights" - The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!

Hopefully, it does not take falling in love for you to notice that stoplights exist, like what appears to have happened to Drebin after meeting Jane in The Naked Gun.

"I'll Tell Ya What Crazy Is. Crazy Is Walking Down The Street With Half A Cantaloupe On Your Head Saying, 'I'm A Hamster. I'm A Hamster.' That's Crazy" - Spy Hard

This line from Spy Hard might actually be the ultimate demonstration of Leslie Nielsen's masterful deadpan delivery. Without it, such a pointlessly absurd quote might not have worked as well.

"I Was Ready To Plant My Flag Back In Washington D.C., Where Every Congressman Has The Constitutional Right To Be A Felon. Good Old America" - 2001: A Space Travesty

In 2000, Leslie Nielsen starred in a sci-fi movie parody called 2001: A Space Travesty as a marshal for a commercial trip off Earth. The film relies primarily on visual comedy but sometimes sneaks a funny line in there, such as this piece of narration that hints at a dystopian United States.

“I'd Forget My Genitals If They Weren't Superglued In Between My Legs. Water-skiing Accident” - Wrongfully Accused

One fun moment from Wrongfully Accused references the twist ending from The Usual Suspects, with Ryan Harrison coming up with a fake alias and full backstory using words he sees posted around a fishing store. Before making a run for it, he makes a seemingly random remark about the state of his manhood.

"I Just Want To Tell You Both, Good Luck. We're All Counting On You" - Scary Movie 3

Leslie Nielsen's first appearance as President Baxter in Scary Movie 3 features a funny callback to his Airplane! role in which he wishes the protagonists the same good fortune that Rumack extends to Ted and Elaine.

From Marvel to Disney Animation to Pixar and Star Wars and Avatar, Disney has so many exciting movies on the way it's hard to keep track. But we have done just that. Here's a look at everything on the way at Disney for the next several years.

Captain America: Brave New World

Release Date: February 14, 2025

The fourth Captain America movie will be the first one not to star Chris Evans in the title role. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson took on the mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, and he’ll take Cap back to the big screen in Captain America: Brave New World. The film will see the new Cap drawn into a race for a new element, adamantium, which is found inside the celestial body left behind in the wake of the Eternals, and yes, Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross will become the Red Hulk.

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Release Date: March 7, 2025

Disney's Snow White

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Before most people saw her in West Side Story, Rachel Zegler was cast in the live-action adaptation of Snow White. After the world saw that dance-filled remake, though, we could not wait to see this updated story. This one goes back to the original hit for Walt Disney Studios, and while we know this Snow White adaptation will make some key changes to the original story regarding the dwarfs, it will also include some new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul of The Greatest Showman. Snow White’s release date was originally set for 2024 but the film was delayed a year. It now seems set to come out in 2025.

The Amateur

Release Date: April 11, 2025

This 20th Century Studios project will star Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer who goes after the terrorists who killed his wife when his agency refuses to help.

Thunderbolts

Release Date: May, 2, 2025

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a proper MCU team-up movie but that will change in the summer of 2025 when the Thunderbolts* release date arrives. Thunderbolts* will bring back Florence Pugh’s Yelena, David Harbour’s Red Guardian, and Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, all from Black Widow. The team will also include Wyatt Russell’s US Agent from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Hannah John Kamen’s Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp. Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier will act as the team leader, which means anything is possible.

Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Lilo & Stitch will be the latest in the long line of Disney animated films to get the remake treatment. The cast includes Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani and Kaipot Dudoit as David, who will star alongside a CGI stitch.

Elio

Release Date: June 13, 2025

Pixar’s Elio is the story of an 11-year-old boy who gets transported across the galaxy and finds himself mistaken for an ambassador for the planet Earth. Newcomer Yonas Kibreab voices Elio, while Zoe Saldana voices the boy’s aunt. Originally Coco co-director Adrian Moloina was set to direct, but he was replaced by the team of Turning Red’s Dommee Shi and Madaline Sharafina after the film was delayed a full year. While some of Elio’s details have changed, the core story appears to be intact.

Fantastic Four

Release Date: July 25, 2025

The first family of comics will finally make its Marvel Cinematic Universe debut following years of speculation. On Valentine's Day 2024, the long-rumored main cast of Fantastic Four was finally confirmed. Pedro Pascal is Reed Richard, Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn will be Johnny Storm. Based on what we know about Fantastic Four, the movie is set in the 1960s, though apparently not in the world we know. Whether or not Robert Downey Jr., who is set to return to the MCU as Fantastic Four nemesis Doctor Doom, will make his first appearance here, is unclear.

Freakier Friday

Release Date: August 8, 2025

A sequel to Disney’s Freaky Friday remake seems to be something a lot of people wanted, and now, they’ll get it. The movie, officially titled Freakier Friday, will come out in 2025 and will see Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return as the body-switching mother and child. The new film will see Lohan’s character as a mom, with The Acolyte’s Manny Jachinto playing her husband. Original film co-stars Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murray will also be returning.

Tron: Ares

Release Date: October 10, 2025

The Tron franchise has had a rough time at the movies, and yet, the program refuses to end. The long anticipated, and long believed-dead third Tron movie, Ares, starring Jared Leto, recently completed filming. A trailer shown to fans at D23 confirmed that a large portion of the movie will take place in the real world, rather than the Grid. The score is set to be written by Nine Inch Nails.

Predator: Badlands

Release Date: November 7, 2025

Following the incredible Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg has returned to the Predator franchise for the new film Predator: Badlands. Unlike the previous installment, the new film will be a big screen release, starring Elle Fanning.

Zootopia 2

Release Date: November 26, 2025

After the first Zootopia made $1 billion at the box office, the sequel was only a matter of time. Previously confirmed for a 2025 release, in the summer of 2024 it was revealed that the movie will introduce reptile characters in the mammal city. The plot of Zootopia 2 will see Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde attempt to track down a snake named Gary, voiced by Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan. A sneak peek at D23 also revealed a location not seen in the previous film, Marsh Market.

 Avatar: Fire & Ash 

Release Date: December 19, 2025

The Avatar films have previously shown us the jungles and the oceans of the world of Pandora. We know Avatar: Fire and Ash will take us to a new biome, the volcanic home of the Na’Vi known as the Ash people. At D23 in 2024 the film’s title was officially revealed, seemingly hinting that Jake and Myteiri’s family will deal with some sort of cataclysm, as well as its aftermath.

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Release Date: January 16, 2026

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Release Date: February 13, 2026

Hoppers

Release Date: March 6, 2026

We don't know much about Hoppers yet beyond the fact that it will see a human transfer her consciousness to a robot beaver so that she may live among animals. It's a wild premise, but Pixar has done more with less before.

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Release Date: March 27, 2026

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Release Date: April 17, 2026

Avengers: Doomsday

Release Date: May 1, 2026

The MCU multiverse was born in the first season of Loki with the introduction of Jonathan Majors as Kang. With Marvel's decision to split from Jonathan Majors, this movie appeared to cease to exist, and it was only a matter of time before something new would be announced. That finally happened at SDCC in 2024 when Avengers: Doomsday was revealed in place of the previous film, starring a returning Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.

The Mandalorian & Grogu

Release Date: May 22, 2026

We haven't seen a new Star Wars project on the big screen since The Rise of Skywalker, and it seems the plan is that the first one we see in years will have started on Disney+. The Mandalorian & Grogu movie has been officially confirmed as the first new Star Wars movie we get, when it arrives in the summer of 2026.

Toy Story 5

Release Date: June 19, 2026

At D23 2024 we finally got some details about the fifth Toy Story movie that had been previously announced. Andrew Stanton, who co-wrote all the previous Toy Story films, will direct, as well as write the new movie. Among the Toy Story 5 details we have, we know the plot will revolve around the toys dealing with the growing importance of technology in their lives. Some 50 out-of-control Buzz Lightyear toys will also fit into the plot.

Moana (Live-Action)

Release Date: July 10, 2026

Knowing how successful live-action remakes of Disney movies are, we probably could have guessed that a live-action Moana would happen someday, but few probably expected it to happen so fast. Less than a decade after the animated hit was released, the live-action version is set to debut. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role in the flesh as Maui. Auli'i Cravalho will not be back on screen, opening the door for another newcomer to make a splash, but the original Moana is involved as a producer.

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Release Date: July 24, 2026

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Release Date: August 14, 2026

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Release Date: September 18, 2026

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Release Date: November 6, 2026

Untitled Disney Animation

Release Date: November 25, 2026

The only thing we know for sure about this Disney Animation project is what it isn’t. It won’t be Frozen 3. At D23 in 2024 Disney Animation chief Jennifer Lee confirmed this would be an original animated film, but did not say anything more about the project.

Untitled Star Wars

Release Date: December 18, 2026

After many years of confusion regarding the future of the Star Wars universe on the big screen, we finally received some details. At the recent Star Wars Celebration in London, three new movies were confirmed. One of them will see Daisy Ridley return as Rey in a film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. A second film will be directed by Dave Filoni and will act as a culmination of the current Disney+ series that he has produced. A third project, directed by James Mangold will tell the story of the first Jedi. An older project, written and directed by Taika Waititi is also still in development. Which of these projects this one will be is unknown.

Avengers: Secret Wars

Release Date: May 7, 2027

Secret Wars is one of the most popular comic crossover stories that Marvel has ever created, and so there’s already a lot of excitement surrounding a movie of the same name. Avengers: Secret Wars is set to be the official end of Phase Six of the MCU and The Multiverse Saga, but that’s really all we know at this point.

Frozen 3

Release Date: November 24, 2027

We’ve known for a while that Frozen 3 was in development at Disney, but fans will need to wait a bit longer to see it. The Frozen 3 release date for November 2027. In addition, at D23 Disney Animation head Jennifer Lee confirmed that the story is so big it will require two movies, though when we’ll see the second one is anybody’s guess.

Untitled Star Wars 

Release Date: December 17, 2027

With so many different Star Wars movie projects having been cancelled before they ever really happened, it’s impossible to even guess what movie this could be. It could be any of the previously mentioned projects, or it could be something that hasn’t even been revealed yet.

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Release Date: February 18, 2028

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Release Date: May 5, 2028

Untitled Marvel

Release Date: November 10, 2028

Avatar 4 

Release Date: December 21, 2029

James Cameron has said that parts of Avatar 4 were filmed alongside Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, but another massive production will need to get underway to finish out the five-movie cycle. One certainly hopes that it won’t take as long to happen as it did to make the first sequel.

Avatar 5 

Release Date: December 19, 2031

The final Avatar movie will finally arrive in 2028, assuming there are not more delays, and Cameron doesn’t get it in his head to write more sequels.

While all of this is, of course, subject to change, and there are a lot of “Untitled” movies we know literally nothing about, there’s plenty here that is likely to keep Disney on top of the box office for several more years to come. Continue below for a look back at recently released Disney films.

Previously Released

The First Omen

Release Date: April 5, 2024

A prequel to 1976's horror classic The Omen, the new film focused on an American woman working at a church in Rome who discovers a plot to bring about the Antichrist.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Release Date: May 10, 2024

The last Planet of the Apes trilogy was a major hit for Fox, and now that Fox is under the Disney umbrella it's time to start again. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes followed on the events of the previous trilogy, but was set many years later, and focused on a new generation of apes that have now taken control of the planet, and do battle with each other.

The Young Woman And The Sea

Release Date: May 31, 2024

Originally planned as a Disney+ movie, The Young Woman and the Sea was instead released in theaters. The film starred Daisy Ridley as Gertrude Ederle, the Olympic gold medalist who became the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Inside Out 2 

Release Date: June 14, 2024

Pixar has released a string of generally well-received original films in the last few years, nothing prepared us for the success of Inside Out 2. The movie became the highest grossing animated movie ever made.

Kinds Of Kindness

Release Date: June 21, 2024

The last time Emma Stone and Lanthimos got together it created Poor Things, a multiple Oscar winner, including Stone's second award for Best Actress. The new film is an anthology, telling theree different stories, one about a police officer reunited with his formerly missing wife, a tale about a woman looking for a somebody destines to become a spiritual leader, and a man without choices who tries to take control of his life.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Release Date: July 26, 2024

Nobody was quite sure what to expect when Deadpool made his way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What we got, despite it being a Disney movie, was a movie just as violent and vulgar as the character’s previous outings. Audiences loved it, making it the MCU’s first billion-dollar film in quite some time.

Alien: Romulus 

Release Date: August 16, 2024

The first entry from Disney in the storied Alien franchise set itself in between the first two films in the series, and by many estimates, it belongs up there with them in terms of quality as well. The movie followed a team looking to salvage valuables from a derelict space station, only to discover that something dangerous was there with them.

Between the inevitable release date changes and the number of “Untitled” films that are still waiting to be filed in, there’s still a lot of questions about just what Disney has in development. Keep checking back here as we’ll keep updating this as new details are revealed.

A Real Pain

Release Date: October 18, 2024

Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain stars him alongside Kieran Culkin as cousins who reunite to our Poland as a way to honor their grandmother.

Moana 2

Release Date: November 27, 2024

In a surprising announcement, Disney revealed that a planned Moana series for Disney+ will instead be a theatrical movie. According to what we know about Moana 2, after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into unknown waters. Dwayne Johnson will also return as Maui. The Moana 2 trailer revealed that our hero now has a little sister, so the stakes of this adventure have gone up.

Nightbitch

Release Date: December 6, 2024 (limited)

This new Searchlight project, based on the book of the same name, stars Amy Adams as a woman who recently became a stay-at-home mom and finds herself transforming into a dog. It’s a pretty wild premise, to be sure, but we know Nightbitch is a horror/comedy, so at least some of the plot's outlandishness is intentional.

Mufasa: The Lion King 

Release Date: December 20, 2024

The Lion King was a massive hit as both a traditionally animated film and as a technically impressive CGI remake. While that success meant several direct-to-video sequels for the original, it meant a CGI prequel for the remake. Mufasa: The Lion King will follow the life of Simba’s father, and it’s set to be directed by the great Barry Jenkins, so this one is going to be worth checking out. The Mufasa trailer revealed some new details about Mufasa’s story, including the fact that Mufasa is an outsider to the pride, putting a whole new spin on the relationship between Mufasa and Scar.

"It's Coming Out Of Me Like Lava!" - Bridesmaids

The bridal-shop bathroom scene from Bridesmaids is the stuff of comedy legend, boosted by McCarthy's hilarious physical comedy and desperate yelling as her character Megan Price deals with the after-effects of some lunchtime mystery meat. In a cast of comedy greats, McCarthy is an absolute stand-out. 

"You're A Loud Kisser, And It's Gross And Unappealing. You Look Like Some Old Toothless Woman Suckin' The Jelly Out Of A Donut." - Spy

There are many things to love about the 2015 action-comedy film Spy but our favorite is getting to watch Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne brutally and brilliantly insult each other as secret agent Susan Cooper and arms dealer Rayna Boyanov, respectively. 

"14 Dollars? Is It Magic Whiskey? Do I Get A Motorcycle With It? Is It Gonna Be Served In Jesus's Shoe?" - The Heat

In the 2013 buddy cop comedy The Heat, Melissa McCarthy played the gun-toting firebrand Shannon Mullins opposite Sandra Bullock's strait-laced special agent Sarah Ashburn. One of the funniest scenes from the comedy sees Mullins loosen Ashburn up with some very overpriced rounds of whiskey shots. 

"I Just Want To Be Upfront And Say I Visually Enjoy You." - Identity Thief

Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman are the drivers behind the mismatched buddy road trip comedy Identity Thief, which sees the comedienne play a Florida-based female con artist who not only steals the identity of Bateman's Sandy Patterson but also tortures him with her come-ons and car singalongs. 

"That's Not Chicken. I Don't Know What It Is, But It's Not Bird...Bird Doesn't Come Out Of A Squeezy Tube!" - Tammy

We don't see Tammy—McCarthy's character in the 2014 road comedy Tammy—winning "Employee of the Year" at Topper Jack's, the fast-food joint where she works. After getting fired for her frequent tardiness, Tammy loudly and disgruntledly reveals to the restaurant's customers that the chicken nuggets they're eating are definitely "not bird." 

"I'm Glad He's Single Because I'm Going To Climb That Like A Tree." - Bridesmaids

While at the engagement party for her brother Dougie (Tim Heidecker) and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Lillian (Maya Rudolph), McCarthy's Megan seemingly has love—or at least a hook-up—on the brain, as she hilariously overshares to Kristen Wiig's Annie. 

“I’ve Already Gone Through The Five Stages Of Grieving: Denial, Anger…I Don’t Remember These Two But They Were Served On The Rocks With Salt!” - Gilmore Girls

One of the best episodes of Gilmore Girls is Season 3's "Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving," in which Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) feast their way through a whopping four holiday dinners. The funniest scene finds Sookie (McCarthy) nursing several drinks to deal with the horror of her husband deep-frying not only the Thanksgiving turkey but everything at the table, including the napkins. 

"I Want To Apologize. I'm Not Even Confident On Which End That Came Out Of." - Bridesmaids

The only thing funnier than Bridesmaids' Megan Price dealing with simultaneous burps and farts is that she does so in full formalwear and, as the bridal-shop worker horrifyingly realizes, while standing on a white carpet. 

"Crying A Little, But Not Blubbering. That's What We Meant When We Said No Crying. No Blubbering." - Gilmore Girls

Sookie's reaction to Rory graduating high school in Season 3 of Gilmore Girls was equal parts silly and sweet—the sentiment was clearly heartfelt but the over-the-top waterworks happening on McCarthy's face were downright hilarious. 

"I Took Nine. I Took Nine. Yeah, I Did Slightly Overcommit To The Whole Dog Thing. It Turns Out I'm Probably More Comfortable With Six." - Bridesmaids

We really can't blame Megan (McCarthy) for secretly snagging more than one "party favor"—i.e. an adorable Labrador puppy—from Lilian's (Maya Rudolph) bridal shower. Just look at how cute they are in their little bowties!

"Female Fight Club. We Grease Up, We Pull In. Lillian Doesn't Know, So it's, 'Surprise! We're going to fight!'" - Bridesmaids

Compared to the usual bachelorette party ideas—you know, a Las Vegas weekend, a trip to a luxurious spa, and so on—Megan's idea of a "female fight club" was clearly a bit more unorthodox than the ladies of Bridesmaids had in mind. They may have shut down her idea but at least it gave us one of the best lines from the beloved comedy. 

"I'd Like To Rear Up And Jackknife My Legs And Kick You Both In The Jaw With My Foot Bone!" - This Is 40

Any scene populated by the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann is going to be ridiculously funny, and that's certainly the case for this hilariously hostile principal's office meeting in This is 40. The only thing better is the bloopers!

"I Swear To God, That Dolphin Looked, Not At Me, But Into My Soul, Into My Goddamn Soul, Annie. And He Said, 'I'm Saving You Megan.' Not With His Mouth, But He Said It, I'm Assuming, Telepathically." - Bridesmaids

McCarthy's Bridesmaids character has had quite a life, from working for the U.S. government to knowing the nuclear codes, but Megan's revelation that she had a spiritual experience with a dolphin after falling off a cruise ship might just be the wildest backstory we've heard in a while. 

"Oh My God, Rayna. Thank God Your Hair Broke Your Fall." - Spy

With the sheer amount of hair that Rose Byrne sports in Spy—director Paul Feig described it to Vulture as an "elaborate Marie Antoinette–meets–Donald Trump" 'do that was "the most complicated hairstyle" he'd ever seen in his life—we're not surprised that it served as the subject of one of Melissa McCarthy's funniest quotes. 

"It Was A Terrible Resume. He Mentioned Prison, And In Special Skills He Said, 'Keeping It Real.'" - The Heat

Only a comedian as gifted as Melissa McCarthy could make a scene about a family tragedy—in this case, her character's brother entering a coma in The Heat, which prompts her to reminisce about her bro's less-than-stellar CV—have as much humor as heart. 

"You Were A Good Cake, Clyde. I Never Should Have Named You." - Gilmore Girls

McCarthy's Gilmore Girls character Sookie St. James was known for both her bubbly enthusiasm and serious culinary skills. Both traits were clearly on display while the chef was whipping up a wedding cake for her BFF Lorelai (Lauren Graham), only for the latter to end up canceling the nuptials. R.I.P. Clyde!

"I'm Just Looking For A Reasonable Ratio Of Wontons To Soup, This Is Madness!" - Ghostbusters

We love that for Ghostbusters' Abby Yates (McCarthy), an unsatisfactory soup ratio is dubbed "madness," especially in a movie where the physicist is regularly dealing with paranormal encounters and multidimensional vortexes. 

"Raise your right hand and say, 'May Destiny's Child break up if I count these blueberries.'" - Gilmore Girls

We love the prickly friendship between inn coworkers Sookie (McCarthy) and Michel (Yanic Truesdale) in Gilmore Girls, especially when Michel is on one of his super strict diets and Sookie is hilariously tempting him with a freshly made sweet treat. 

"I Tried A Dorito For The First Time Last Night. It Wasn't Cheese. It Was... Cheese Adjacent, But Not Cheese. It Was Really Good!" - The Boss

A Dorito is a pretty standard snack for the majority of us, but for Michelle Darnell (McCarthy)—a mega-wealthy woman who, after being arrested and losing her fortune, is forced to sell scout cookies to fix her finances—it's an exciting foray into the lower classes. 

"This Car Makes Me Ovulate. I Want To Have Shiny Purple Lamborghini Babies." - Thunder Force

There are plenty of cool gadgets in Thunder Force, the 2021 Netflix superhero comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and her IRL BFF Octavia Spencer as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo working to stop a rise of supervillains known as Miscreants. But it's a shiny muscle car that had McCarthy's character drooling and movie audiences cracking up. 

"I Want To Chime In And Be Supportive, But I Don't Know What You're Talking About." - Gilmore Girls

Those Gilmore gals were known for their fast-talking, which Melissa McCarthy praised of her co-star Lauren Graham—they were heavily caffeinated for seven straight seasons, after all—so it's not that surprising that every once in a while, Sookie would glaze over while listening to her best friend Lorelai speed-ramble.

"You Touched My Upper Breast...I Have Very High Nipples!" - This Is 40

In one memorable scene from This is 40, Peter (Paul Rudd) gets into an argument with Catherine (Melissa McCarthy) about her tween son, whom she claims was bullied by Peter's wife (Leslie Mann). Soon the discussion devolves into insults, threats and awkwardly placed pokes that, according to Catherine, were not on her shoulder after all. 

"That Makes Me So Mad And So Sad. I'm Smad!" - Gilmore Girls

When chef Sookie (McCarthy) gets the news from Lorelai (Lauren Graham) that the inn's big Bracebridge Dinner is off because the group is stuck in Chicago due to bad weather, she's hilariously left dealing with a wide range of emotions. 

"You Wanna Get Back In That Restroom And Not Rest?" - Bridesmaids

Megan's attempted mid-flight seduction of her seatmate Air Marshall John in Bridesmaids is all the funnier when you realize that John is played by Melissa McCarthy's real-life husband and frequent collaborator Ben Falcone.

"Oh God, Your Beard Smells Like Sandwiches, That's Nice." - Identity Thief

During their hijinks-filled road trip in Identity Thief, Sandy (Jason Bateman) comes upon Diana (McCarthy) at a bar drunkenly cozying up to a cowboy-hatted fella known simply as Big Chuck (Eric Stonestreet), whose dance moves and sandwich-scented facial hair sparked her fancy. 

"I'm Here To Swallow Gum And I'm Here To Take Names!" - Saturday Night Live

SNL's presidential impersonations are legendary, but we have a soft spot for the POTUS-adjacent impression that McCarthy whipped up in Season 42 as Sean Spicer, the White House Communications Director under President Donald Trump. Her version saw the former press secretary riding a motorized podium, wearing high heels and chewing ridiculous amounts of bubblegum. 

"Not Me, Nope, Physically, I Don't Bloat." - Bridesmaids

Fellow bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne) might not like the idea of eating such a big lunch before a dress fitting but Megan (McCarthy) hilariously claims that she doesn't have to worry about bloating, even as she feasts her way through worryingly grey meat. 

"I'll Shut The Door On You. Will You Lay Down Here And Put Your Head In The Door? Then I'll Slam It About 157 Thousand Times." - The Heat

Though they end up being good partners in The Heat, the initial meeting between Detective Shannon Mullins (McCarthy) and Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is less than chummy, with Shannon less than enthused about Sarah taking over the interrogation of one of her perps.

"This Isn't Funny! I Am Now Desperate, Lonely And A Criminal!" - Gilmore Girls

Chef Sookie's romance with produce vendor Jackson Belleville (Jackson Douglas) is one of the sweetest parts of Gilmore Girls, but their relationship kicked off on a funny note with this first-date freakout, in which Sookie worried that her simply asking Jackson out was akin to sexual harassment. 

"Her Lady Business Is Like An Old Dirty Attic Full Of Broken Christmas Lights And Doll Shoes." - The Heat

When Shannon (McCarthy) had to turn down Robin's (Andy Buckley) advances in The Heat, she assured him, "There's a girl out there for you," and offered up Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) as an alternative—but, of course, not before fully making fun of her. 

"It's so romantic. 'Oh Romeo...blah blah blah and the blah." - Gilmore Girls

Sookie St. James (McCarthy) may know her way around a professional kitchen but may be a little fuzzy on Shakespeare's literary repertoire, as seen in the Gilmore Girls Season 2 episode where Rory (Alexis Bledel) is tasked with portraying Juliet in her school's play. 

"Quiet! I love you, too, now get out." - Mike & Molly

After meeting at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting, Mike (Billy Gardell) and Molly (McCarthy) kick off a romantic relationship throughout the first season of their eponymous CBS sitcom. That culminates with a proposal that takes place right in front of Molly's class of eight-year-olds, which adds a welcome dose of comedy to the sweet moment. 

Tracee Ellis Ross

You know Tracee Ellis Ross for starring in one of the best sitcoms of all time, black-ish, and as the daughter of famous celebrity parent Diana Ross. What you may not know is that she founded Pattern Beauty in late 2019. Inspired by her hairstylist’s suggestion for clients to wear wigs to look like Ross, she was instead focused on creating products for textured, curly hair. 

Ross' Pattern Beauty started with four people, seven products, and Macy’s as the only retail partner. It has since grown to 30 employees, over 50 products, and 10 retail partners, including Sephora and Ulta Beauty. The High Note actress credits her business’s marketing strategy with focusing on celebrating hair compared to solving problems using standout products like the Pattern Blow Dryer specifically for textured hair.

Kevin Hart

American comedian Kevin Hart, known for making us laugh in his best movies, founded Laugh Out Loud Productions in 2007 to create and distribute comedy content. Originally a subscription comedy streaming service, it partnered with platforms like Plex, Pluto TV, Peacock, YouTube, and more. Taking a big career step, Hartbeat Productions merged with LOL Productions to create Hartbeat to diversify global comedy. Hartbeat Studios produces films like Netflix’s Lift and Hartbeat Media focuses on digital content, music, and events. 

In 2022, Kevin Hart also entered the alcohol industry, teaming up with 11th-generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckman to create the tequila brand, Gran Coramino. Inspired by his experiences in Mexico, the Fatherhood actor’s goal was to make a smooth tequila that consumers would love. $1 from every smooth-flavored tequila bottle sold is donated to support diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses across the U.S. and Mexico.

Gabrielle Union

When Gabrielle Union noticed that on-set hair stylists didn’t know what to do with her hair, she took mental notes on effective hair products and launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union in 2017. Once those ten successful products of hers sold out, the Bring it On actress revamped the business to be “100% Black-owned, Black-led and Black-marketed.” Union worked with a team of chemists to develop new products for textured hair using naturally derived ingredients. 

Inspired by her daughter Kaavia’s skincare struggles when she was three, Union also decided to create Proudly, with her husband Dwyane Wade, to make products for children with melanated skin. Launched online in April 2022, Proudly expanded nationwide to Target in September of that year.

Snoop Dogg

The Grammy nominee responsible for singles like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot” has embraced being typecast as a weed enthusiast to create many cannabis-based businesses. Snoop Dogg founded the cannabis-focused digital platform Merry Jane which normalizes discussions about the business and politics of the cannabis industry. 

The brand Leafs by Snoop provides fine-quality cannabis like flowers, concentrates, and edibles. The rapper made history as the first celebrity to brand and market legal marijuana products. In July 2024, Snoop Dogg launched L.A.’s first legal marijuana shop S.W.E.D (Smoke Weed Everyday) to provide top-shelf premium products and services for cannabis experts, with August plans to expand in Amsterdam.

Serena Williams

Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, who retired from tennis in 2022, successfully transitioned into the business world with Serena Ventures. This venture capital firm came about after discovering only 2% of venture capital went to women and less to people of color. 

Through Serena Ventures, the former athlete has invested in more than 85 companies with 79% under-represented founders, 54% women founders, 47% Black founders, and 11% Latino founders. Serena Williams' portfolio includes innovative companies like AI-platform custom wig company Parfait, plant-based meat company Impossible Foods, weight loss app Noom, and more. Remarkably, 14 of these businesses have even reached Unicorn status, being valued at $1 billion or more.

Jay-Z

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is widely considered one of the best rappers of all time, not only because of his chart-topping music but for shaping the entertainment industry with his businesses. After parting ways with Def Jam Records, he founded Roc Nation in 2008 which evolved from a record label into artist management, supporting athletes, and music publishing and distribution. A lot of musicians have benefited from Roc Nation, like Rihanna, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, and more. 

Jay-Z is also the first rapper to own a champagne label, acquiring full ownership of Armand de Brignac. In 2014, the “99 Problems” rapper bought the remaining stake and it sold more than 500,000 bottles five years later.

Oprah Winfrey

You see trailblazing media mogul Oprah Winfrey’s name all over the place whether it’s on TV, in movies, on book covers, the radio, and more. A fun fact about Winfrey is that she’s the first Black billionaire, which is unsurprising considering her success with The Oprah Winfrey Show, O Magazine, and Harpo Films. With all of the other businesses Winfrey has, why not have her own television network called…OWN? 

In 1992 after a conversation with her life partner Stedman Graham, Winfrey immediately envisioned OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Although she co-founded Oxygen, The Color Purple actress wanted complete control of her network. In 2007, Discovery head David Zaslav loved Winfrey’s magazine and proposed to create a channel with a similar vibe. The network launched in 2011 with its first shows The Haves and the Have Nots and Love Thy Neighbor.

Dwayne Johnson

Moana’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, known for blowing up the entertainment industry with his top-ranked movies and as a professional wrestler, expanded his influence into business. For example, he merged the XFL with the United States Football League to form the United Football League and co-founded ZOA Energy Drink. 

However, Johnson's most significant project was Teremana Tequila, a brand named after the Polynesian word “teremana” meaning “Spirit of the Earth.” Despite launching during the pandemic, the tequila quickly gained popularity, selling 30,000 cases in 2020, 600,000 cases a year later, and the wild stat of selling a million cases last year within the past 12 months.

Patti LaBelle

“Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle is acknowledged for her seven-decade-long singing career. But, her first passion has always been cooking. The “Stir It Up” singer would offer to cook for various musicians like Prince, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones and would label her dishes so people would know they were hers. 

Fifteen years ago, LaBelle launched her own food brand, Patti’s Good Life, starting with homemade hot sauces and barbecue sauces. The food brand has since expanded to frozen meals and baked goods like sweet potato pie, mac n’ cheese, collard greens, and peach cobbler. With plans to introduce a breakfast line soon, Patti’s Good Life grossed nearly $200 million in sales through partnerships with Target and Walmart in 2022.

Dr. Dre

Seven-time Grammy winner Dr. Dre has made his mark on the music industry as a rapper, the founder of Aftermath Entertainment and Death Row Records, and a record producer helping other artists make a name for themselves. In 2006, The Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer helped music enthusiasts listen to music the way he does in the studio with Beats by Dre. 

Collaborating with Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine, the “Let Me Ride” rapper’s dream of bringing the sound in a professional recording studio to his premium headphones came true. By 2011, Beats dominated over 64% of the $100+ premium headphone market and was acquired by Apple in 2014. 

Rihanna

Chart-topping artist Rihanna, one of the best-selling female artists of the 21st century, has made a great impact on the beauty industry with Fenty Beauty. Launched in 2017 and named after her surname, Fenty made history as one of the first brands to cater to all kinds of skin tones with its 50 shades of foundation. The business has since expanded to haircare, lipstick, eye makeup, skincare, and more. 

In 2018, Rihanna expanded her beauty services to fashion with Savage x Fenty, a lingerie brand designed to empower men and women “to feel sexy and have fun doing it.” There were even eight limited edition items that were Super Bowl LVII themed when the R&B singer performed for the halftime show. With Fenty Beauty worth $2.8 billion and Savage x Fenty worth $1 billion, the Grammy winner’s business ventures have put her at billionaire status.

Lenny Kravitz

American singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz, known for his catchy music and unique style, has home designing talent through Kravitz Design Inc. As The Hunger Games actor said that he’d be a designer if music didn’t work out, Kravitz decided to put his designer skills to the test by creating a relaxing atmosphere for his clients with his interior and furniture designs. Kravitz Design Inc.'s clients include Morgans Hotel Group, The Setai Resort and Residences, Delano South Beach, and more.

Berry Gordy Jr.

Before Berry Gordy Jr. became a renowned music industry entrepreneur, he worked a lot of jobs like boxing, assembly line worker, record store owner and more. While already a songwriter, Gordy Jr. set out in 1959 to use the lessons he learned in his previous careers to create and manage musical groups and solo artists. 

He founded Motown Records in Detroit in 1960 with just $800 from his family’s savings, combining the words “motor” and “town” to represent the city. Berry Gordy Jr. used his great ear to make music a universal language, breaking down racial barriers with chart-topping songs like “Money (That's What I Want),” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Street,” and more.

Shonda Rhimes

Award-winning television creator and producer Shonda Rhimes took the television world by storm with her global media company Shondaland, creating the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix like Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. Launched in 2005, Shondaland broke new ground by featuring strong female lead characters and prioritizing diversity and inclusion for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal made Rhimes the first woman to have three TV dramas achieve the 100-episode milestone. Her company has since expanded to shondaland.com, a platform providing articles to empower women and TV show updates, and Shonda Audio, which offers scripted and unscripted podcasts.

Tyler Perry

Inspired after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show that spoke of the therapeutic power of journaling, Tyler Perry discovered his writing talent and transitioned from stage productions to founding Tyler Perry Studios in 2005. The studio now rests on 330 acres of the former Fort McPherson army base in the heart of Atlanta, which he bought in 2015. 

Perry’s films, starting with the Diary of a Mad Black Woman, have opened doors to aspiring actors, writers, and film directors of color. On a busy day, Bloomberg reports that nearly 5,000 people work at the studio, providing plenty of employment. The cast of his BET+ series, Ruthless, said there’s “beauty” and “freedom” working at Tyler Perry Studios in representing people of color and feeling unstoppable on the property. He is seen as the first African-American to own a major film production studio.

These empowering Black celebrities have used their big names and fame to build empires that service the world outside of entertainment. Through their innovative ideas, A-listers have found ways to promote diversity to ensure that everyone benefits from services like hair care, skincare, entertainment networks, venture capital for businesses, and more. The lesson that everyone can learn from their inspirational stories is that if you see an industry where the change you make can have a positive impact on humanity, don’t hesitate to make a difference. 

Make sure to look at our 2024 movie schedule and our 2024 TV releases so you’re updated on the following celebrities’ future projects.

The new release was so good on so many levels as June Squibb gives an incredible performance as a 93-year-old grandma who decides to get revenge on the phone scammers who trick her out of thousands. Richard Roundtree, who died this past October, gets an all-time great last role as an old friend of hers whom she rolls with on an adult scooter throughout the journey. But, I particularly can’t get over how beautifully writer/director Josh Margolin crafted a love letter both to his grandmother and the action-comedy genre. Let me talk about it further! 

Thelma Tackles A Real And Concerning Problem Affecting The Elderly 

When it comes to Hollywood representing elderly people in movies and TV, I often find that they are either the butt of jokes, or in absolutely brutally depressing movies about death. No wonder a lot of older actors call it quits (or just can’t find good roles) when they reach a certain age. But, Thelma treats our elders differently. The movie places June Squibb’s Thelma in the center of a role (her first leading role role) that feels realistic to the experience of aging and is also a ton of fun at the same time. 

The inciting incident of Thelma is when the 93-year-old gets scammed when she receives a phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson (played by Fred Hechinger) saying he’s been in a car accident and he needs $10,000. Thelma believes the phone call and sends over the cash. Later, she discovers that her grandson is perfectly fine and she feels rather dumb for the whole thing. It reminded me of my own grandmother, who is always expressing the feeling that she is behind the times with every new piece of technology that comes out. Sure, it’s easy to brush off the rapid changes in society across the past seven to ten decades that affect the world’s oldest generation, but things like phone scamming is a real issue that often targets older people in order to take advantage of them. The movie gave me empathy for people like my grandma because they grew up in a more innocent world where people wouldn’t even think of doing such a thing, or have the means to. 

Thelma’s Perspective About Aging Is Realistic And Important  

After Thelma gives into the phone scam, she quietly goes into revenge mode, not letting her family know or come along on her fun (and rather dangerous) ride to get her money back. I could see from her perspective while she decided to initially make it a solo mission, because she knew they would discourage her from accomplishing the task and suggest it could not be done. While I can totally relate to her grandson’s sympathetic approach, the movie also reminded me that many older people really struggle with not feeling useful when their family is always hovering over them and perhaps telling them they shouldn’t be doing something because of their age. As one line says: "People don't like old things." I see some of this behavior in my own grandmother, who has her own moments of determination that she doesn’t want to involve family in, likely because she needs to prove to herself she can do it. 

There was something really empowering (even for my 28-year-old self) to see Thelma defy her family and go off her own, just because she decided she could. Of course I’d be scared as hell if my grandparents had ever pulled something like this like her family does when she goes missing, but the movie offered a solid perspective about the frustration that comes with being taken advantage of. Thelma and Roundtree’s Ben as the pair find themselves in their own action moments by breaking away from the norm. Age does not end drive, so why do we often treat older people like they shouldn’t have aspirations, and oftentimes simply not tell their stories? (Even if it’s revenge!) The movie helped me see how isolating it can be when others dismiss the elderly. Thelma can certainly count itself among inspiring movies about getting older because it allows The Silent Generation to be really heard. 

I Love How Thelma Approaches Action Sequences For Elderly Actors

In addition to Thelma’s necessary message about aging, I also really appreciate how the movie treated the action element of the film. When I heard about the movie, I figured it would involve some really wild scenes of June Squibb like high-kicking that most people in their 90s would not be able to do. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Squibb did her own stunts thanks to the movie’s action actually catering to her age. What Margolin understands and beautifully executed through Thelma is changing the stakes of what we’d typically see in an action movie – but absolutely respecting it as if it was a Tom Cruise movie. 

For example, there’s a chase sequence involving adult scooters in a senior home that is just as engaging as a car chase scene. Or, when Thelma needs to acquire something later in the film, the scenes are shot and feel as a heist sequence, but what the character is actually doing is simply going up stairs and finding a way to reach something on a tall shelf. Sure, it incites a chuckle or two, but not in a way that looks down on the elderly. 

All and all, I can’t stop thinking about Thelma. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but the movie left me with such a glowy feeling of respect and appreciation for the filmmaking and the elders in my life and the peculiar experience aging is! It’s a weird concept we’ll likely deal with in our lives, so might as well not let it define us and talk about them more in all their forms. I love that Thelma defies what we usually see from action comedies, but I love even more how its messages about aging alongside it that I'm not going to forget anytime soon. 

The series (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) has been on the air for a long time, so they've had varying successes in how they portrayed queer storylines. While some of the entries on this list weren't pitch perfect in their portrayal, they're iconic characters in Grey's history. In no particular order, here are 10 of the biggest and most groundbreaking characters from the show's tenure. 

Callie Torres

I had to start with perhaps the most beloved LGBTQ+ character in Grey's Anatomy history. Sara Ramirez broke new ground in television for portraying Callie as a strong bisexual woman, one who is unapologetic about her attraction to both men and women. While they portrayed a bisexual icon, Ramirez also came out as non-binary after leaving Grey's and before appearing on ...And Just Like That.

Callie was the heart of this show for her long tenure there. The episode where she stood in her truth as a queer woman and faced her father's judgement was deeply moving, as was her relationship and eventual marriage to Arizona. And, Callie's queerness made way for other LGBTQ+ characters to appear, especially as series regulars.

Levi Schmidt

Despite the years that fans spent watching Callie and Arizona's relationship play out, it took a very long time before a queer man appeared as a main character. This changed with the entrance of Levi Schmidt, a.k.a. Glasses. Portrayed by Jake Borelli, he debuted in the 14th season as part of a new class of surgical interns. 

Eventually, he connected with ortho resident Nico Kim, and the pair started an on again, off again relationship. While they never reached the level of fan shipping as Calzona, it was refreshing to finally see LGBTQ+ men in a relationship onscreen. Borelli has continued to portray Schmidt's love life, although there are rumors he may be departing the show. 

Casey Parker 

A ton of surgical classes have come and gone throughout Grey's Anatomy's decades on the air, and not all of these new doctors got to stick around for the long haul amid Grey's casting shakeups. Actor Alex Blue Davis portrayed surgical resident Casey Parker, who is the first transgender doctor in the show's history.

Casey was a bit of a mystery during his time on Grey's, with fans (and the other surgeons) having to earn his backstory throughout his 28 episodes. Despite interesting details like being a veteran and a hacker, he was written off after having a near death experience when a car crashed into Joe's bar in Season 16, which was the last we heard of Davis' character. 

Erica Hahn

Before Arizona debuted, the show offered Callie another female love interest: Erica Hahn, portrayed by the great Brooke Smith. The pair of surgeons started a friendship which eventually blossomed into something romantic, serving as a sexual awakening for both of them. 

While Arizona was endlessly perky, Hahn was a stern cardio God who truly only ever had a soft spot for Callie. After they had sex for the first time, Smith delivered a moving monologue about her character's sexual awakening. Unfortunately, she was written out of the show shortly afterward, and we never really got to see Erica and Callie's relationship reach closure. But, those of us watching the show during her time on it will always remember her impact. 

Mika Yasuda

Yasuda was one of the new interns introduced in Season 19, and is my favorite of the bunch. Actress Midori Francis played her unapologetic ambition perfectly during her two seasons, as well as her growing attraction to Taryn Helm. 

While many queer characters in Grey's Anatomy struggle with their sexuality at first, Yasuda knew exactly who she was from day one. That includes what she was and was not willing to tolerate. She and fellow intern Jules Millin nearly kissed in the Season 20 finale, so it should be fascinating to see what comes next for her. 

Darren Covington

Long before Grey's would introduce queer doctors with Schmidt and Kim, we were given queer men characters in the form of patients. Darren Covington (played by guest star Benny Ciaramello) was a patient involved in Derek and Meredith's clinical trial back in Season 4. 

Darren was in the U.S. Army during the time of "don't ask don't tell", which is where he fell for his fellow soldier, Todd. Their love story is a tragic one, as Darren wasn't able to live in his truth, especially in front of his father. After refusing to speak with Todd, Darren would die in surgery. While the two men's kiss has become a bit of  a meme on social media in recent years, their actual story is touching and sobering. 

Arizona Robbins

Of course, one couldn't make this list without one of the biggest queer characters in Grey's Anatomy history: Arizona Robbins. Played by Jessica Capshaw (who recently returned as as guest star), Robbins is a brilliant pediatric surgeon and proud and out lesbian when we met her back in Season 5. Her chemistry with Callie is palpable from the start, and they'd end up eventually getting married and having a daughter together, albeit with Mark Sloan as the father.

Calzona is one of the show's most beloved couples, considered one of the best lesbian couples in TV history. It was a huge shock when Arizona and April were written off Grey's, although they've both since returned as guests. Arizona's story was one that has, no doubt, inspired countless queer Grey's Anatomy fans over the years. 

Amelia Shepherd

Caterina Scorsone's Amelia Shepherd started as a character on Private Practice, before making the pivot over to Grey's Anatomy. She's had a long and rough journey on the screen, thanks to her struggles with addiction, losing both her lover and Derek, as well as having a brain tumor. She has primarily had male romantic partners, but Amelia is very much a bisexual woman.

Fans got to see new sides to her romantic life when Amelia had a crush on Carina DeLuca, as well as her later relationship with Kai Bartley. They might have broken up, but her unapologetic portrayal of bisexuality stands out in the TV canon as a whole. 

Donna Gibson

Trans actress and icon Alexandra Billings had a brief but memorable guest appearance on Grey's Anatomy back in Season 3. She played Donna Gibson, a trans woman who was seeking treatment for a sex reassignment surgery by Sloan. 

This plot line may have some misgendering and cringe moments now that the public knows more about the trans experience, but this portrayal was groundbreaking in many ways. It showed another sign of Sloan, who was caring and affirming to Donna throughout the episode. While future portrayals of trans characters on the show were somewhat problematic (Remember when Rachel Brosnahan played a trans man?), Billings' casting offered an early example of proper representation. 

Kai Bartley

Kai Bartley was played by Shrill actor E.R. Fightmaster throughout Grey's Anatomy Seasons 18 and 19. The show once again made a big step towards representation, debuting the first non-binary surgeon on the long-running medical drama. What's more, Fightmater also identifies as non-binary. 

Kai was super charming throughout those two seasons on Grey's, and they and Amelia seemed to have excellent chemistry. But the pair would break up thanks to work and life complications, and we haven't seen them back on the screen since. It's too bad, because Kai would presumably be a big help with Amelia and Meredith's latest work around Alzheimer's.

Obviously, there have been a number of other characters that could have been included in this list. Hell, even Teddy was revealed to be queer late into her run on the show. But, these 10 left the most iconic legacy. 

These days there’s no need to go to your local Blockbuster to grab these titles, you can stream them all at home! Here are our must-watch picks and how to watch them. 

Scream (1996) 

Do you like scary movies? If so, it’s always a good time to revisit one of the best horror movies of all time, Wes Craven’s Scream. The slasher saw the debut of one of the genre’s most popular icons, Ghostface, as high schoolers living in the town of Woodsboro become the mysterious murderer’s target for brutal murders. Neve Campbell leads the cast as Sidney Prescott in a final girl origin story that would inspire tons of sequels in the ongoing franchise. She’s joined by Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich and Drew Barrymore in the unforgettable opening sequence. 

Stream Scream on Max.
Rent/Buy Scream on Amazon. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999) 

Shakespeare’s hold on storytelling has remained evident in modern cinema, as filmmakers find fun ways to retell his famous stories. 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You is a new take on The Taming Of The Shrew which places the general premise in a high school setting. It stars Julia Stiles’ Kat Stratford, a black sheep of a teen girl who is the obstacle in the way of her more popular sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) dating, since their father will only allow one to date if they both do. So, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Cameron pays Heath Ledger’s high school burn out, Patrick, to romance Kat so he can pursue Bianca. 

Stream 10 Things I Hate About You on Disney+.
Stream 10 Things I Hate About You on Hulu.
Rent/Buy 10 Things I Hate About You on Amazon.

Election (1999) 

Alexander Payne’s high school comedy, Election, is another classic teen comedy from the ‘90s that we nominate for addition to your watchlist. The movie stars Ferris Bueller’s Day Off icon Matthew Broderick (back in high school after being in one of the best 80s movies of the genre) as Jim McAllister, a social studies teacher who sabotages the candidacy of Reese Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick when she runs for student body president.  

Stream Election on Paramount+.
Stream Election for free on PlutoTV.
Rent/Buy Election on Amazon. 

Clueless (1995) 

A ‘90s teen movie list without Clueless? As if!! This is one of those movies that first comes to the mind when we think of this era of high school comedies, and for a good reason: it’s just that good. The movie follows Alicia Silverstone’s iconic Cher Horowitz as a popular and privileged teen living in Beverly Hills who makes a new student (Brittany Murphy) her makeover project for the semester, as unexpected feelings and realizations come up for Cher regarding love and romance. 

Stream Clueless on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Clueless on Amazon. 

But I’m A Cheerleader (1999) 

Back in 1999, Natasha Lyonne starred in the high school satire But I’m A Cheerleader alongside Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey and RuPaul. The movie follows Megan, a high-performing student in class and cheerleader who gets sent off to a boot camp meant to make her straight when her parents think she’s gay. It’s an iconic queer high school movie of the ‘90s. 

Stream But I’m A Cheerleader for free on Tubi.
Stream/Rent/Buy But I’m A Cheerleader on Amazon.

Dazed & Confused (1993) 

Another ‘90s go-to movie about teens is Richard Linklater’s Dazed & Confused, which had Matthew McConaughey uttering “alright, alright, alright” in his first movie ever. The movie follows numerous high schoolers across different social groups celebrating their final day of high school in Austin, Texas in 1976. The movie also features Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey and Renée Zellweger before the were famous. 

Rent/Buy Dazed & Confused on Amazon. 

The Virgin Suicides (1999) 

Sofia Coppola’s directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides, is based on the ‘90s novel of the same name about the story of the five Lisbon sisters, who lived in Detroit in 1975, as told through a group of neighborhood boys years later. Coppola’s dreamlike direction (which benefitted from Kirsten Dunst’s performance) would later lead into her other works, such as Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette, The Bling Ring and Priscilla. In Virgin Suicides, she comments on the teenage experience, discussing topics like repression, sex, death and longing through its narrative. 

Stream The Virgin Suicides on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy The Virgin Suicides on Amazon. 

Boyz N The Hood (1991) 

Similar to The Virgin Suicides, Boyz n the Hood is not a comedy about a group of teens, but rather a drama set on the streets of South Central Los Angeles in the ‘90s. John Singleton’s coming-of-age film is so well-renowned it was chosen for the National Film Registry and nominated for two Oscars. The movie is about Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and what happens when his friends Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut) get drawn into the neighborhood’s gang and drug culture. 

Stream Boyz n the Hood on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Boyz n the Hood on Amazon. 

Varsity Blues (1999) 

What’s a list about high school movies without talking about the varsity football team? The sport is an essential part of so many American high school experiences, and in 1999’s Varsity Blues, James Van Der Beek had audiences swooning over his character of Mox as he goes from being the team’s benchwarmer to its star quarterback because of their ruthless coach (Jon Voight), after the team’s star athlete (Paul Walker) gets injured. 

Stream Varsity Blues for free with ads on PlutoTV.
Rent/Buy Varsity Blues on Amazon. 

William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) 

One year before Leonardo DiCaprio became the ‘90s No. 1 crush with Titanic, the actor starred in Baz Luhrmann’s stylish take on William Shakespeare’s teen romance gone wrong. The movie is unique in terms of the dialogue remaining in Shakespearean English but taking place in modern times in Verona Beach, with the Capulets and Montagues being rival gangs. DiCaprio stars as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet in this essentially ‘90s take on perhaps the most well-known teen love story ever told. 

Rent/Buy Romeo + Juliet on Amazon.

Cruel Intentions (1999) 

Back in 1999, director Roger Kumble put together a rather iconic cast for a modern retelling of the 1782 French novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses, in a way that centers the storyline on well-off high school students. Among the leading cast is Ryan Phillippe, who becomes the center of a game of seduction that Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair are part of. While the movie was made on a small budget, it became a huge hit when it came out, even leading to multiple follow ups and a musical inspired by it.
 
Stream/Rent/Buy Cruel Intentions on Amazon. 

Empire Records (1995) 

Remember record stores? Sure, they still definitely exist and have their collectors, but there’s something about being an employee at a record store in the ‘90s, before MP3 players or music streaming services existed. This 1995 movie is about the teen employees of an independent Delaware record store that is set to become sold to a national chain. The clerks take it into upon themselves to keep the store independent, with mixed results. 

Rent/Buy Empire Records on Amazon. 

She’s All That (1999) 

She’s All That is the ultimate high school fantasy in a lot of ways. It’s about the most popular kid in school, Zack (Freddie Prinze Jr.), who makes a bet that he can make any girl in school popular after his girlfriend dumps him. His sights are set on Rachael Leigh Cook’s Laney, an awkward art student, who he romances in the weeks leading up to prom. As real feelings begin to emerge, Zack and Laney prove that social divides between students can be overcome. 

Stream She's All That on Paramount+.
Stream She's All That for free with ads on PlutoTV.
Rent/Buy She’s All That on Amazon.

American Pie (1999) 

Then there’s 1999’s American Pie, which is about five high school seniors who pledge to each other that they will all have lost their virginity by graduation. With that premise in mind, American Pie becomes a raunchy and rather funny sex comedy about doing the deed, an act that is often thought of as a rite of passage among teens. The movie is flooded with stars in the comedy space, with Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Natasha Lyonne, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge. 

Rent/Buy American Pie on Amazon. 

Happy streaming for all of these great '90s teen movies!  

Now, it’s not like the Harry Styles comparison for The Idea Of You is coming out of left field. An entire franchise of romance films called the After movies are actually inspired by the “Watermelon Sugar” singer, and there’s of course a whole segment of the internet who writes their own narratives about the pop star. Upon watching The Idea Of You trailer, it’s easy to spot some similarities between Nicholas Galitzine’s Hayes Campbell and Harry Styles. They are both brunette British men with artsy tattoos and boy bands. But there’s more to the movie than fantasy fuel for Directioners!

Is The Idea Of You Inspired By Harry Styles Fanfiction? 

The short answer is no. While it’s become a popular belief that The Idea Of You is based on Harry Styles fanfiction like After is, its author, Robinne Lee, has actually shared disappointment over the popular comparison. That said, he is an influence. Lee has shared prior that she was up late one night, watched Styles music videos online and was inspired to write the novel. However, he’s not the only man she thought of. She also injected the likes of Prince Harry, Eddie Redmayne and even her own past lovers to create the male lead in The Idea Of You.

What Has The Idea Of You Author Said About The Comparison?

When speaking to Entertainment Weekly upon the release of The Idea Of You movie, Robinne Lee clarified her influences. Here’s what she said:

As Lee also explained, she grew up as the daughter of two Jamaican parents before its independence from the British, and she admits to being “a bit of an Anglophile” who has found herself particularly attracted to posh British boys. She continued:

Nowadays, Lee says she actually regrets citing Harry Styles as an inspiration due to the way the novel has been compared to the singer so widely. She chalks it up to Styles being “just what people gravitated to,” perhaps because he’s one of the most popular pop stars out there right now!

Did Nicholas Galitzine Base Hayes Campbell On Harry Styles? 

When it comes to the making of The Idea Of You movie, the actor behind the male lead of Hayes Campbell, played by Nicholas Galitzine, has sung a similar tune when it comes to Harry Styles comparisons. Here’s how he responded to his character being compared to Styles:

Be that as it may, of course the internet noticed the similarities between Hayes Campbell’s boy band to One Direction in the movie as soon as the trailer dropped. As I watched the movie itself, I would agree that while Galitzine could pass off as a Harry Styles lookalike, he really doesn’t give the impression of someone who is doing an impression of the singer. Additionally, from the outside, one could make the comparison between Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde’s whirlwind romance since they hold a quite similar age gap. However, the novel was written years before the couple formed, so that’s purely coincidental.

And unlike Styles, the trajectory of Hayes is someone who has been in a boy band for many years and has not branched out into the solo world of pop stardom like Harry. He’s clearly a celebrity who has amassed a lot of attention and love, but he’s wrestling with wanting to find something real in a world that is always watching and perhaps, objectifying him.

Why I Think You Should Watch The Idea Of You Regardless Of Your Thoughts On Harry Styles 

While I thought The Idea Of You was going to be specifically made for the Harry Styles stans, after watching it I can confirm that it’s truly an enjoyable romantic comedy regardless of your thoughts on the One Direction singer. It’s totally its own thing, in my opinion, even though of course August Moon feels inspired by the popular British boy band. Since the movie came out, a lot of viewers have been comparing it to romantic comedy classic Notting Hill, and it's getting rave first reactions. I would agree with this hype.

I was particularly attracted to the grounded love story at the center of The Idea Of You. While I thought it would be a kind of Fifty Shades Of Grey-esque romance with bad dialogue, I found myself really buying the romance between Hathaway and Galitzine. This is especially in terms of Hathaway’s character, who kind of lost her sexuality in 20s because she fell in love and had her daughter at a very young age. As the movie progresses, her character gets to confront healing her own wounds while Hayes heals his own regarding the loneliness her’s acquired with his fame.

All and all, The Idea Of You is simply a great and rather unique entry into the romantic comedy genre that you’ll enjoy whether you’re into One Direction and Harry Styles or not! You can enjoy it now with an Amazon Prime subscription!

But, I need to talk about how Billie Eilish is challenging what we’ve come to expect from what we might see from the red carpet with female looks, thanks to her innovative fashion moments over the years. Along with going for unconventional styles, she often speaks out about the trolling she receives, whether its for her baggy looks or for when she chooses to dress more feminine. Either way, it's clear she won't be boxed in! Here’s some of Eilish’s best ensembles from over the years that cemented her as a revolutionary in women’s red carpet fashion: 

Billie Eilish Rocks A Prada Menswear Set For Billboard Awards Event 

Back in 2019, when Billie Eilish had those neon green roots, the singer turned up to Billboard’s Women Of The Year event in an ensemble from Prada’s Spring 2020 Menswear Collection. She wore an oversized beige jacket with matching shorts, socks, shoes and shades. At the time, Eilish would regularly wear oversized clothing because the 19-year-old didn’t want to be sexualized by the public. Even though beige isn’t necessarily the most flattering color, somehow she found a way to stand out with the look. 

Billie Eilish’s Matching Plaid Set With Bedazzled Headpiece For American Music Awards 

The same year, Billie Eilish turned up to the American Music Awards in a matching plaid set paired with an embellished crystal netted hat from the Burberry Menswear Spring 2020 collection. Once again, the singer brought a completely unique energy to the red carpet by making an oversized masculine-skewing style completely her own. 

Billie Eilish Sweeps The Grammys In A Sparkly Gucci Number

The “bad guy” singer won all four major categories at the 62nd Grammy Awards (the youngest to do so) by taking home Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year. While the artist could have gone off brand for the biggest night of her career at the time, she remained true to her own fashion sense with another oversized look from Gucci, which was really tied together by long green nail art that apparently took four hours to paint on. 

Billie Goes To Her First Academy Awards In A White Chanel Ensemble 

A couple of years before she and her brother, Finneas, wrote No Time To Die’s Oscar-winning theme song together, Eilish attended her first Academy Awards in 2020 to perform that year’s in memoriam performance. Sure, at this point her big looks followed around the same formula, but there’s power in her subtly. The artist was completely distinct from the other ladies walking the red carpet, and looked a lot more comfy than 90 percent of them. 

There’s, of course, nothing wrong with putting on a ballgown, but the singer/songwriter did a great job of disrupting the norm of the teen pop star by placing the focus away from her body and onto the work. 

Billie Eilish Wears A Full Ball Gown To Get One Fashion Brand To Go Fur-Free 

Eilish has long been an environmental activist, and took that passion to the red carpet in 2021 when she attended the Met Gala. After going viral for dyeing her hair blonde for her second album, Happier Than Ever, she made a rare appearance in a full ball gown for the red carpet. The peach Oscar De La Renta dress served as a statement by the singer because she would only work with the fashion brand if the designer stopped selling fur. She made it happen, and gave us a starstruck red carpet look to remember all at once. 

The Singer Goes Goth For The 2022 Academy Awards 

The talent once again opted for a rare appearance in a dress to walk the red carpet at the 2022 Oscars, where she and Finneas won their first Academy Award for No Time To Die’s theme song. Eilish stayed true to herself by going for a gothic ruffle-filled dress that allowed her to get away from showing her curves. When one social media post named her “worst dressed,” she took to TikTok to flip them off while on the toilet. 

Billie Puts Her Own Spin On Barbiecore For The Barbie Premiere

During the Barbie press tour, much of the cast had a blast going full Barbiecore in promotion of the movie – especially Margot Robbie! When Eilish rolled up to the premiere over summer, she put her own Billie spin on the trend by going for a button-up pink shirt, a pink tie and some oversized tennis shoes that looks straight out of a cartoon.

Eilish Accessorizes A Pinstripe Suit With Grills For Academy Gala 

Following Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” getting a viral reaction from the world after Barbie’s release, the singer attended tons of events in promotion for Greta Gerwig’s movie and her song’s many award nominations (and wins). Among them was this innovative look of the star rocking a sultry pinstripe suit with glasses, a headscarf and some silver grills. She once again showed literally no one is doing red carpet looks like her! 

The Singer Takes Her Oversized Look To New Levels For The Golden Globes

Eilish is well known for oversized fashion, but she took that to new places for the 2024 Golden Globes, where she won Best Original Song for Barbie with her brother. It’s another simple and understated look for the red carpet, as far as red carpet looks go, but also completely Billie. 

Billie Eilish Wins Her Second Oscar With Another Blazer Moment 

And here’s one more from her latest Oscars win, which ended up to be one of the best moments of the night! All and all, Eilish has never gone for the ordinary or the typical red carpet look, and it has challenged what we have come to expect from women’s fashion in Hollywood. 

Through her unique sense of style, Billie Eilish communicates that women do not have to be sparkly, uncomfy or show a lot of skin if they want to look gorgeous and express themselves! 

1. Welcome To Chechnya (2020) - 100%

Coming at No. 1 of Rotten Tomatoes’ best LGBTQ+ movies of all time is HBO’s documentary about the mass persecution of the LGBTQ+ community which occurred in the republic of Russia in the late 2010s. It particularly follows the daring work of activists in the late 2010s as they risked their lives to rescue survivors of torture and secretly shot footage of themselves doing this. As the Rotten Tomatoes score suggests, Welcome To Chechnya, received universal acclaim, as reviews called it a “collective profile in courage,” “a chilling undercover thriller” and “urgent call to arms.” 

2. Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (2020) - 100%

The life of famed Puerto Rican astrologer, psychic and queer icon Walter Mercado was explored in the 2020 documentary Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. This uplifting telling of the vibrant and intriguing individual was released just months after Mercado died at the age of 87. The movie that is available to watch with a Netflix subscription has been hailed a victorious tribute to Mercado’s story and legacy. 

3. A Secret Love (2020) - 100%

The 2020 Netflix documentary, A Secret Love, tells the story of a lesbian couple who has been keeping their relationship private for seven decades. Terry Donahue is a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player in the 1940s. The movie was conceived out of the director, Chris Bolan taking a trip to visit his two great aunts and asking them their life story. 

4. We Were Here (2011) - 100%

2011’s We Were Here is a documentary that told the story of the HIV/AIDS crisis in San Francisco, California through interviews with five key people who were affected or involved in the epidemic. Examples of people interviewed: an HIV-positive man who lost two partners to AIDS, a political activist, a counselor to the gay community there, a man who had a flower stand who often supplied his inventory to funerals and a nurse who assisted in administering clinical trials for the management of HIV/AIDS.

5. Mädchen In Uniform (1931) - 100%

The oldest movie on this list (by far) is the 1931 German film, Maedchen In Uniform, which translates in English to “Girls In Uniform.” The movie reportedly includes the first “real” lesbian kiss in a movie, per The Criterion Collection. It’s about a teenager who is sent away to a boarding school and forms a romantic bond with her teacher, leading to a school-wide scandal. 

6. BPM (Beats Per Minute) (2017) - 99%

BPM (Beats Per Minute) is a French drama set in the early 1990s that debuted at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and won one of its most prestigious prizes, the Grand Prix. It’s about a young man who joins a group of Parisian HIV/AIDS activists only to learn about a particularly radical approach they take to their protests. The movie’s screenwriters were inspired by their own experiences being involved in ACT UP during that time. 

7. Girl Picture (2022) - 99%

In 2022, the Finnish film Girl Picture dazzled the Sundance Film Festival by earning the Audience Award in its World Dramatic Competition. The coming-of-age movie centers on three teens’ experiences across three consecutive Fridays. The movie has been praised for its performances and “honest” and “realistic” portrait of girlhood transitioning into womanhood. 

8. Moonlight (2016) - 98%

Moonlight is probably best known for its viral Oscar moment with La La Land, but the movie itself lives up to it being Barry Jenkins’ masterpiece. Moonlight’s cast is stacked full of talented actors led by Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris’ profound performances. The movie tells the story of Chiron across three defining chapters of his life and through him discusses toxic masculinity and its intersection with being a Black queer man. 

9. Flee (2021) - 98%

2021’s Flee received high acclaim for telling the story of a queer man from Afghanistan who leaves his home country for Denmark as a refugee through a beautifully animated film. Flee is actually a documentary about a real person, but the name Amin Nawabi is a pseudonym that was used to protect his identity. 

10. God’s Own Country (2017) - 98%

In 2017, Josh O’Connor and Alec Secăreanu starred in God’s Own Country, from writer/director Francis Lee. The British movie is about a sheep farmer living in Yorkshire whose life changes when a Romanian migrant worker comes into his life to help out during lambing season. The movie is based on Lee’s own experiences growing up in Yorkshire. 

11. All About My Mother (1999) - 98% 

Pedro Almodóvar is one of the most celebrated queer filmmakers the industry has, as illustrated by having multiple films on this Rotten Tomatoes list. The first is 1999 Oscar-winner, All About My Mother, which weaves in some important conversations about the LGBTQ+ community and AIDS epidemic after a mother who loses her teen son to a car accident seeks out her son’s other parent, who is a transgender woman. 

12. How To Survive A Plague (2012) - 98%

Along with Welcome to Chechnya topping the list, director and investigative journalist David France also made an LGBTQ+ documentary in 2012 about the early years of the AIDS epidemic after covering it for decades. The movie compiles over 700 hours of archived footage, mostly regarding activist groups like ACT UP and TAG standing up for the cause. 

13. Paris Is Burning (1990) - 98% 

1990’s Paris Is Burning delves into and celebrates the diverse subculture of the 1980s known as ball culture or the voguing scene of New York City. These balls feature LGBTQ+ people (mainly of Black and Hispanic ethnicities) as they take part in fashion competitions, dance battles, and such. The subculture remains influential today, including being a major influence on RuPaul’s Drag Race, which has since amassed big winners across sixteen seasons.  

14. Disclosure (2020) - 98% 

The 2020 Netflix documentary, Disclosure, takes a look at how Hollywood has presented transgender people over the years with examples such as Tootsie, Bosom Buddies, and Victor Victoria. The movie features a ton of interviews with notable people in the trans and Hollywood community like Laverne Cox and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.  

15. Circus of Books (2019) - 98%

The West Hollywood and Silver Lake neighborhoods of Los Angeles are home to Circus of Books, which is a bookstore and gay adult movie shop. The documentary of the same name tells the story of the store, which was taken over by a couple in 1976 before becoming the biggest distributor of gay adult films in the United States.

16. Call Me Kuchu (2012) - 98%

“Kuchu” is a word of Swahili origin that is used to refer to queer people in Uganda. In the 2012 documentary, Call Me Kuchu, the filmmakers explore the experiences and struggles of those in the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda, particularly through an openly gay man named David Kato, as he and other activists work to oppose new legislation that would make loving freely punishable by death. 

17. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) - 98% 

My Beautiful Laundrette is a love story between a young Pakistani man (Gordan Warnecke) living in South London and his childhood friend (Daniel Day-Lewis). The queer romance explores the culture-clashes that come with an interracial relationship along with speaking to the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community in 1980s England. 

18. Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (2019) - 97% 

France’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a slow-burn love story between two women (played by (Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenell) living in the 18th century, one an aristocrat and the other the painter that has been commissioned to do her portrait. 

19. The Half Of It (2020) - 97%

After writer/director Alice Wu previously brought queer representation to the screen with 2004’s Saving Face, the filmmaker made her first movie in 16 years with Netflix’s The Half Of It. The movie is loosely based on Cyrano de Bergerac and is about a loner high-schooler Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) who is approached by a football player (Daniel Diemer) to write love letters to Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), a girl in school she also secretly desires. 

20. Booksmart (2019) - 96%

Olivia Wilde’s 2019 directorial debut, is a hilarious teen buddy comedy about two best friends (Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein) who are “booksmart” that decide to break all the rules on their last night as high schoolers by going to all the parties they can. Within the movie’s funny happenings, Dever’s Amy gets to have a romantic encounter with her female crush that feels honest and authentic. 

21. Pain And Glory (2019) - 96% 

Pedro Almodóvar’s 2019 movie, Pain and Glory, had the Spanish filmmaker once again teaming up with Antonio Banderas, this time to play a fictional director who is in the middle of a creative crisis reflecting on his past. The movie is an especially personal one for Almodóvar who drew on his own life experiences for Banderas’ role. 

22. Parallel Mothers (2021) - 96%

Almodóvar followed up with Pain and Glory with Parallel Mothers, which stars Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit as two expecting mothers who share the hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and got pregnant by accident. After having their children, they go their separate ways, but keep in touch over the years. 

23. The Handmaiden (2016) - 96%

Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is a Victorian thriller about a con man who plans to seduce a Japanese heiress, Hideko, in order to marry her and then steal her inheritance. He hires a pickpocket named Sook-hee to be the heiress’ maid and help him out. But, Hideko takes a liking to Sook-hee, unravelling into what has been called an erotic lesbian masterpiece. 

24. Shiva Baby (2020) - 97%

Emma Seligman’s Shiva Baby is a tense comedy that stars Rachel Sennott as Danielle, a young woman who finds herself in an awkward situation when the Jewish funeral service she is attending with her parents turns out to have both her ex-girlfriend and sugar daddy in attendance. 

25. Tangerine (2015) - 96%

Sean Baker’s Tangerine is unique because it was shot completely on three iPhone 5S smartphones. It is about a trans woman who finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. It was particularly celebrated upon release for its representation of transgender people, especially through openly transgender actress, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez’s performance. 

26. Tomboy (2011) - 96%

Years before Portrait of a Lady on Fire, its filmmaker Céline Sciamma made Tomboy. The French drama is about a 10-year-old gender non-conforming child who experiments with their gender after moving to a new neighborhood over the summer. 

27. Gods And Monsters (1998) - 96% 

Bill Condon’s Gods and Monsters imagines the last days of James Whale, the director behind 1931’s Frankenstein. Whale (played by Ian McKellan) was a queer man but as the movie delves into, he wasn’t accepted at the time for his sexuality. The movie follows Whale as he befriends his gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser) in the wake of Whale suffering a series of strokes and battling depression. 

28. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - 96% 

Al Pacino’s crime film, Dog Day Afternoon is inspired by the true story of one man’s New York City bank robbery turning into a hostage negotiation. Pacino’s character of Sonny is a queer man who as we find out, is robbing a bank in order to pay for his partner’s gender reassignment surgery. 

29. Good Manners (2017) - 96%

Good Manners is a 2017 Portuguese horror fantasy about a woman who takes a nanny job from a mysterious wealthy woman. It turns into a lesbian werewolf movie with things to say about class and racial divides in Brazil along with queer motherhood. 

30. Pariah (2011) - 95% 

Dee Rees’ Pariah is about a 17-year-old Black teen who comes to terms with her identity as a lesbian after hanging out with her similarly queer friend. The movie was chosen to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" to film history. 

31. Heavenly Creatures (1994) - 95% 

Before Peter Jackson became famous for making the Lord of the Rings movies, he made 1994’s Heavenly Creatures starring Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in their first movies. It focuses on the relationship between two teen girls ahead of the notorious 1954 Parker–Hulme murder case. 

32. Weekend (2011) - 95% 

Andrew Haigh’s Weekend rounds out this list, though the entire list goes up to 200! Weekend is a British romance about two gay men who form a relationship just before one of them plans to leave the country for Oregon. 

There’s been so many great LGBTQ+ movies to come out over the years. Hope you check one (or a few) out! 

Bob Marley: One Love hit theaters early in 2024, doing solid numbers at the box office. Audiences love getting a clearer understanding of what makes legendary musical artists tick, and there have been some stellar biopics projects on this concept. Case in point: Timothée Chalamet's upcoming Bob Dylan movie, which will be titled A Complete Unknown. And without further ado, but with much further opinion, here are my picks for the best musical biopics, ranked.

10. La Vie en Rose

La Vie en Rose hit theaters back in 2007, and remains one of actress Marion Cotillard's most iconic performances (to say nothing of her infamous Batman role). She winningly portrays legendary French singer Édith Piaf in a movie which ping-pongs between the artist's early life and adulthood. 

This non-linear approach to Piaf's life helps to make La Vie en Rose such an effective and acclaimed project. For her performance, Coltillard received a bevy of nominations and awards, including the Best Actress Oscar. Although as you'll see from this list, she's not the only one who earned such accolades thanks to a musical biopic. 

9. Bohemian Rhapsody

There are few bands with as many hit songs as Queen, and its cultural impact has continued in the decades since lead singer Freddie Mercury's 1991 death. Bryan Singer's 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody tells the inspiring story of that beloved talent, with actor Rami Malek tasked with bringing the golden-throated legend to life. He pulled it off thanks to spot-on lip-syncing, as well as prosthetic teeth and (of course) that signature mustache. 

While Bohemian Rhapsody won a number of Oscars, its legacy is somewhat muddled. Audiences took umbrage with factual errors in the movie, with some claiming the critical acclaim was undeserved. Singer's role in the movie, following allegations of sexual misconduct, also put too large a magnifying glass on things. I really liked Rhapsody, although agree that Mercury's queerness was somewhat glazed over, which is a big reason why it failed to slot higher on this list. 

8. Get On Up

Get On Up is another musical biopic that received massive acclaim upon its release, and then inevitably failed to secure major award Nominations, like many of the others on this list. Directed by Tate Taylor, the 2014 film followed the tumultuous life of the legendary singer James Brown. 

Get On Up is a non-linear story, with the audience following Brown's stream of consciousness as he recalls his life. A big boon for the project is the performance given by late actor Chadwick Boseman, who offers a layered and fascinating take on James Brown, and deserves a ton of credit for why this biopic works so well. And following Boseman's death in 2020, Get On Up has been getting a ton of re-watches, as generations of fan mourn the loss of his talents. 

7. Behind the Candelabra

This choice might be somewhat unconventional, as the film in question didn't premiere in theaters. Instead, Behind the Candelabra was actually produced and released as an HBO original. The made-for-TV movie focuses on the life of legendary pianist Liberace, who was a wildly popular celebrity and TV personality amidst the '50s through the '70s. Michael Douglas plays Liberace himself, joined by Matt Damon as love interest Scott Thorson, with other big names helping to bring the story together, including Rob Lowe, Dan Aykroyd, and Debbie Reynolds in one of her final film roles. 

HBO has produced a number of outstanding original movies, and Behind the Candelabra is no exception. Douglas offers a nuanced look at Liberace that shows what a complicated man he was, and how hard it was to be queer just a few decades ago. Damon also crushes as Scott, becoming basically unrecognizable as his character goes through extensive plastic surgery. Luckily Max is producing original movies as well, so perhaps another musical biopic could be on the way. 

6. What's Love Got To Do With It

Angela Bassett is an outstanding actress, one whom many cinephiles complain still hasn't been given her first Academy Award. While this discourse includes her loss for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, in many ways that conversation began with What's Love To Do With It. The 1993 hit movie was a biopic about the legendary Tina Turner, with Bassett bringing the lead icon's ups and downs to the screen. Her performance was so captivating that she earned her first Academy Award nomination. 

And indeed, her work throughout What's Love Got To Do With It is remarkable, showcasing years of Turner's life and bringing all the charismatic ferocity that the late singer was known for. Additionally, Bassett brings a heartbreaking vulnerability to the role, especially where it relates to Tina and Ike Turner's infamous relationship. And it's because of this that What's Love Got to Do With It has been cemented as one of the best musical biopics of all time. Of course, credit also goes to her primary scene partner Laurence Fishburne, who portrayed Ike Turner in the classic film. 

5. Walk the Line

Walk The Line came out in 2005, and helped to create a new generation of Johnny Cash fans. Joaquin Phoenix portrays the legendary country singer-songwriter throughout decades of his life. Reese Witherspoon co-stars as June Carter, his love interest and eventual wife, and both members of this A-list pairing used their authentic singing voices, recording a full soundtrack of covers featuring beloved songs like "Ring Of Fire" and "Jackson."

Like many biopics, Cash's entire lifespan is touched on throughout Walk the Line, including his childhood and outlaw years, with an epilogue that reveals how he and June's life went down. The romance between these two country-western giants is a big reason why the film remains such a captivating audience experience, and when they finally get together, it comes only after years of tension, aching, and drama. And thanks to Witherspoon and Phoenix's endlessly watchable dynamic, it's a movie I can re-watch anytime it's available.

4. Straight Outta Compton

While many of the musical artists whose lives are were depicted in this list's other biopics are from back in the more distant day, Straight Outta Compton offers a more contemporary story, albeit still fully working as a period piece. The 2015 film's story focused on legendary hip hop group N.W.A, including icons like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and more.

Directed by F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton is an epic drama that offers a thrilling account of N.W.A.'s rise and fall in the 1980s, without shying away from the violence that was inherent to gangsta rap. The movie was universally acclaimed, with many critics and otherwise calling it among the best movies of the year, and Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Straight Outta Compton inspired new fans of N.W.A., as well as countless memes and merchandise. And although the movie is one of the best biopics of all time, it also inspired a lawsuit from N.W.A.'s ex-agent.

3. Rocketman

Every so often, musical biopics are produced while the subjects are still alive, such as what happened with Dexter Fletcher's Rocketman, a jukebox musical that brought Elton John's life story to audiences with as much glitz and pizzazz as the entertainer's career. Starring Taron Egerton in the lead role, the 2019 movie was a box office success, a critical darling, and an awards season success mainstay.

A large reason why Rocketman ranked so high on this list is because the film is full of movie magic, and is colorful and raucous as its subject, which was a great choice by Fletcher and company. And while his partner David Furnish was a producer on the film, the narrative still didn't shy away from the struggles and complications that Elton John faced (and inspired) across his massive career. The movie is a great one, and seemed to galvanize audiences following Bohemian Rhapsody. 

2. Selena

When major films are created directly in the wake of a tragedy, they can sometimes provide a chance for the public to process their feelings. That was the case with 1997's Selena, which was released just two years after the beloved Tejano singer was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar. Made with the Quintanilla family's blessing, director Gregory Nava's acclaimed biopic tells the story of Selena's life and career.

Part of why Selena has had such staying power as years have gone by is thanks to the performance given by Jennifer Lopez. This cemented her as a bonafide movie star, and Selena remains one of JLo's best movies, helped along by co-stars such as Jackie Guerra and Edward James Olmos. And in the decades since the movie's release, it's remained a quotable part of pop culture that's consistently re-watched. 

1. Ray

While music biopics aren't guaranteed to make noise during awards seasons, this list obviously features a number of recognized projects, and Taylor Hackford's Ray is certainly in that category. The 2004 musical biopic was nominated for six categories, winning two, and it's easy to see why. Ray is a wildly moving jourey that peels back the layers on the life and career of the iconic Ray Charles. 

Obviously respect needs to be given to the movies' lead actor, as Ray is one of Jamie Foxx's greatest performances. He plays the piano, portrays Charles' disability, and even sings briefly in the film. Ray's supporting cast is similarly stellar, thanks to performances by Kerry Washington, Aunjanue Ellis, Terrance Howard, and Clifton Powell. The movie educates and entertains, and perfectly pays tribute to the late music legend who changed the industry forever. 

While Buffy changed networks for its final two seasons on the air, the starring cast stayed the same. Giles was a father figure to the entire Scooby Gang, especially Sarah Michelle Gellar's title character. And they, along with the audience, learned a number of lessons from the beloved Watcher. Let's break it all down.

Read the fine print.

Sometimes Giles' lessons are surprisingly down to earth considering the wild nature of fighting evil on the Hellmouth. Like during Season 4's Halloween episode "Fear Itself", which sees the Scoobys trying to survive the demon Gachnar. But after Giles broke into the haunted house read the fine print about the demon, it turned out that the illustration showed the demon's actual size, and Buffy was able to quickly kill him by stomping on him like a bug. 

Don't eat the band candy.

Season 3's episode "Band Candy" is a fan-favorite chapter in Buffy history, as it presented a delightful change in status. Giles' old frenemy Ethan Rayne returns to Sunnydale and manufactures chocolate bars that are sold to fundraise for SHS's band. But there's a catch, the candy makes the adults of the town regress into their younger selves. As a result, Giles became his awesome, younger alter ego Ripper, and even got romantic with Buffy's mother Joyce. 

Forgiveness is earned.

While Giles is the adult in the Scooby Gang, he's got feelings just like everyone else. And once betrayed, it can take a while for him to give his trust back. Case in point: Angel, who tortured Giles and killed Jenny Calendar after losing his soul and transforming into Angelus. It would take a long time before Giles let this go, although he did work with Angel throughout Season 3 and his guest appearance in Season 4.

The greater good matters more than individual feelings.

Season 5 of Buffy put the title character in a moral pickle. It turns out her sister Dawn is a mystical key that is capable of opening up the barriers between universes, and is being hunted by a Hell God named Glory. During this Giles is chillingly realistic, and claims that Dawn has to die in order to save the world. Although Buffy refuses to do anything but protect her sister. 

Don't mess with dark magic.

Giles is someone who knows the supernatural world very well, and is often guiding the Scooby Gang-- especially as they each got more powerful (except for Xander). And when Willow starts getting addicted to dark magic, Giles is the first one to put his foot down and call her a "rank, arrogant amateur." He was right, and would return to fight Willow himself in the final episode of Season 6. 

When life closes a door, make a new one. 

While Buffy does the most ass-kicking on the show, Giles is known for getting his hands dirty, and also using magic to help fight the forces of evil. And sometimes he surprises both the fans and Scoobies, like when he whipped out a chainsaw in order to carve out a door and save the group on Halloween. 

Know when to leave.

While Giles is a major character throughout all of Buffy the Vampire's run on television, he does leave Sunnydale a few times. During Season 6 he realizes he might actually be holding Buffy back from her true potential, and decides to depart so she can have independence and become a true parental figure to Dawn. Although he returned in a big way during the final episode of that season, as well as Season 7.

Make sure to touch people/objects so people know you're not The First

Season 7 of Buffy sees the gang fighting against the First Evil, a big bad who can take the appearance of anyone who has died. The First isn't corporeal, instead haunting the Scoobies and trying to make them lose their minds. After Giles returns to Sunnydale the group realizes they have no memories of him physically touching any of them, leading them to think he might actually be The First. Who knew that there would be so much power in a simple hug? 

Reading is fundamental.

When Giles is introduced he's the Sunnydale High School's librarian, in addition to Buffy's Watcher. Throughout the show's run, he's constantly checking his collection of books that are focused on the occult, even after Sunnydale High gets blown up in the Season 3 finale. 

Keep weapons handy… even in a High School library.

While Buffy has superpowers, she and the rest of the Scoobies often need to arm up and use weapons to fight the forces of evil. Giles was always good at preparing, even if that meant hiding weapons in the locked part of the SHS library. 

Sometimes you need a modern weapon.

While Buffy and the gang usually use wooden stakes and swords in combat, sometimes a more modern weapon was needed. Case in point: back in Season 2 Buffy uses a rocket launcher to kill The Judge, to the dismay of an evil Angel and Drusilla. 

Sometimes you have to fight your friends.

Giles has a strong moral compass, one that was celebrated by fans for Buffy's 25th anniversary. This resulted in him coming to blows with people he loved a number of times. Perhaps the most obvious came in Season 6, when he returned to Sunnydale with magic abilities to fight Dark Willow aka one of Buffy's best villains.

Training is key.

While Buffy and the other Slayers are given fantastic abilities when activated, that doesn't mean they can rest on their laurels. Giles is constantly training Buffy throughout the show's run, resulting in the title character becoming more and more powerful as the seasons go on. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Since Giles is a non-powered human, sometimes he's had to ask for help in order to fight against the forces of Evil. That includes utilizing Spike once he became a Scooby, and borrowing powerful magic from a coven ahead of fighting Willow in Season 6.

Learn from the past.

On top of using his collection of books to help battle Evil in Sunnydale, Giles is known for learning from the past while fighting in the present. That's why he helped Buffy communicate with the First Slayer back in Season 5, before eventually taking the Potentials to do the same during Season 7. 

Sometimes killing is necessary.

While Buffy stands against killing humans or innocents during the show's run, Giles can function within the margins of this rule when needed. Just look at the Season 5 finale, where Giles murders Ben to ensure that Glory never returns to get her revenge on the Scoobies.

Sometimes you have to challenge authority.

While Giles is loyal to his employers The Watchers Council when we first meet him, the way they test and interact with Buffy eventually makes him change his tune. By Season 5 both Giles and Buffy stand in opposition against the Council, refusing to participate in any more cruel tests or assessments. 

Teamwork is a must.

While Buffy is the one slayer (at least until Kendra and Faith show up), she can't do it all on her own. That's why Giles and the rest of the Scoobies are often working together--with Buffy's Watcher even making sure Tara and Anya gave her "backup" during the musical episode Once More with Feeling.

You can't run away from your problems.

After the Season 2 finale sees Buffy kill Angel and come out as a Slayer to her mother in order to save the world. She's kicked out of the house, and Season 3's premiere "Anne" features her as a waitress under a pseudonym. But the supernatural is a magnet to Buffy, and she realizes that she can't run away from her issues back in Sunnydale.

Boundaries are important.

While Giles loves Buffy and the gang, he has to establish boundaries on a few occasions. Nowhere is that more obvious when refusing to parent Dawn in Season 6 and leaving Sunnydale so Buffy could grow. He also leaves Anya the Magic Box as a result and never changes his mind/takes it back. 

Anything can be a weapon.

One adage that is said throughout Buffy is that anything can be a weapon in the hands of a Slayer. This is an important lesson in the Season 2 episode "Helpless", where Buffy is stripped of her powers and tested by the Watcher Council. She later shared this lesson with Dawn and The Potentials in Season 7.

Sometimes the past needs to stay in the past.

We're given a few glimpses into Giles' backstory throughout the run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, particularly in episodes that feature his old buddy/enemy Ethan Rayne. During these moments Giles is tempted back into his old violent ways, but ultimately retains his morality.

Know how to work the system.

Giles' relationship with the Watcher's Council is ever-changing throughout the show's run. Back in Season 3 Buffy is assigned a new watcher, Wesley. But Giles stays on and works the system, not-so-secretly pulling the strings regardless of Wesley's wishes. 

Sometimes you need to burn it all down.

Giles goes through a ton of changes during Buffy's run, developing as a character alongside his young compatriots. In the Season 3 finale he steps away from his identity as a librarian, even blowing up the Sunnydale High library in order to kill Mayor Wilkins after he ascended and became a giant monster. 

Family doesn't have to be blood.

While Buffy has a loving mother and eventually a sister, she and most of the Scoobies come from less-than-ideal home environments. Giles becomes a father figure for them all, proving that a chosen family is just as powerful as blood relatives. 

Some people deserve second chances.

A number of characters in Buffy make mistakes and are given another chance by Giles and company. He hires Anya and eventually gives her the Magic Box, and forgives Willow for nearly ending the world with her dark magic. 

Sometimes you need to stand on your own.

While Buffy has a support system helping her fight evil in Sunnydale, there are times when Giles insists that she stand by herself against an enemy. This notably happens in episodes like "Once More With Feeling", where she's leaning too much on him in her professional and personal life. 

Adults have lives too.

While the Scoobies see Giles as a mentor and parental figure, he's got a personal life like anyone else. But it takes actually seeing it for the kids to learn this lesson. A case in point is the Emmy-nominated episode "Hush", which features Giles' lover Olivia. 

You don't need superpowers to kick ass.

While Buffy does the bulk of the fighting on the show, the rest of the gang also gets in on the fun and dusts some vamps. While it took a few seasons for Willow and Xander to get used to hand-to-hand combat, Giles proved early on that you don't need superpowers to kick ass.

Evil takes Halloween off.

Despite what you might think about the holiday, Halloween isn't big with the bad guys on Buffy. As Giles explains, most forces of evil are against getting into trouble, finding the holiday insulting. Of course, we saw a few different exceptions during Buffy's three Halloween episodes. 

There are multiple Hellmouths.

So much craziness happens in Buffy because Sunnydale is literally sitting upon a gateway to the underworld aka the Hellmouth. While the series finale sees the Slayers close it for good, Giles explains there is another one in Cleveland. 

Always be prepared.

If there's one thing Giles is always teaching it's the importance of preparedness. That includes Buffy's training, having resources into the occult, a cache of weapons, and contact with The Watcher's Council and a coven of witches across the pond.

"You better hold on tight, spider monkey." - Edward Cullen, Twilight 

One of the most iconic lines in the Twilight saga comes during the first movie not long after Bella Swan officially learns Edward Cullen is a vampire. During one of their dates following Edward being candid about his big secret, he has her go on his back and they do a high-flying jaunt through Forks, Washington’s lush forests. As they get ready to do this, Bella calls her a spider monkey… being the romantic he is, of course. 

“You know, your mood swings are kind of giving me whiplash.” - Bella Swan, Twilight  

When Bella Swan is first getting to know her mysterious lab partner, Edward Cullen, she notices that his mood changes by the day. When she comments on his “mood swings,” she has of course no idea that he’s really a vampire who was sometimes between excursions to feed on animal blood. 

“Bella! Where the hell have you been, loca?”- Jacob Black, New Moon

When Bella Swan deals with an agonizing breakup with Edward Cullen in the second movie, New Moon, she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jacob Black. When he first greets her, he says this memorable line that will likely be quoted to Taylor Lautner for the rest of his life. 

“Get a whiff of that, here comes the human!” - Rosalie Hale, Twilight 

Most people can relate to the anxiety that might accompany introducing one’s date to their parents for the first time. In the case of Bella Swan meeting the Cullens, his vampire mother Esme Cullen could literally smell Bella coming to their home due to the odor from her blood! 

“I vote yes. It would be nice not to want to kill you all the time.” - Jasper, New Moon 

Before Bella Swan becomes a vampire at the end of Breaking Dawn, Part 1, the Cullen family spend a lot of time thinking about whether they are going to allow the teen to be part of their vampire family. During a vote in New Moon, Jasper Hale, who is the newest vampire of the bunch shares he’s very into the idea because as a human he always has thoughts of sucking her sweet, sweet blood. 

“I guess the wolf’s out of the bag.” - Embry Call, New Moon 

In New Moon, Bella Swan learns that Forks, Washington isn’t only the home to a family of vampires but a clan of werewolves, too! Bella first finds out when one of the members of Jacob’s pack gets heated during a conversation with them and transforms into a werewolf in front of her eyes. After the intense moment, one of the members of the pack, Embry Call, quips with this funny line. 

“Bella, what is that god awful wet dog smell?” - Alice Cullen, New Moon 

As the vampires and werewolves of Forks interact throughout the Twilight movies, it’s made pretty apparent that they both don’t like each other much. When Alice Cullen comes back to see Bella after Edward previously broke up with her, she notices right away that she’s been spending a lot of time with werewolves with this quote. 

Jessica Stanley: “Aren’t people from Arizona supposed to be like, really tan?” Bella Swan: “Yeah, maybe that’s why they kicked me out.” - Twilight

Twilight begins with Bella Swan moving to Forks, Washington to live with her father after living in Phoenix, Arizona with her mom for some time. Early in the movie as she is getting to know her classmates, there are quite a few awkward moments, like Anna Kendrick’s Jessica Stanley quipping about how her complexion is rather pale for someone from Arizona. 

"Bella, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last 18 years. Because you won't be getting anymore for a while!” - Emmett Cullen, Breaking Dawn Part 1

Leave it to the best man to embarrass the bride and groom at the wedding! In Breaking Dawn Part 1 during the couple's lavish backyard reception, Edward's vampire brother offers a toast to the newlyweds by telling Bella he hopes she got "enough sleep." It's of course a reference to her plans to become a vampire, and vampires don't sleep! 

"Could you at least act human? I mean, I've got neighbors." - Bella Swan, Twilight  

Once Edward and Bella have fully talked about his secret identity as a vampire in the first Twilight movie, he starts getting a little show-offy around her while they are hanging out at her front porch. Bella responds with a funny line asking her new boyfriend to at least try to “act human.” 

“Is she even Italian?” - Rosalie Hale, Twilight

If you didn’t know, Bella isn’t just a name, it also means “beautiful” in Italian. So, when Bella Swan met Edward’s family for the first time, they decided to take inspiration by cooking her an Italian dinner in celebration of her name. No, the character isn’t Italian, which Rosalie mentions right before the meeting before smashing a bowl of salad upon their first meeting. 

Yeah, I had an adrenaline rush. It’s very common. You can Google it.” - Edward Cullen, Twilight 

In the early days of Edward and Bella’s relationship, Bella is always questioning and trying to figure him out, especially after he runs over and pushes an entire van from slamming into her early into Twilight. When she probes him about it, he at first simply chalks it up to an “adrenaline rush.” 

“Nessie? You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness monster?” - Bella Swan, Breaking Dawn, Part 2 

And, who can forget Edward and Bella’s creepy vampire baby, Renesmee whom Jacob Black imprints on in Breaking Dawn, Part 2? It was a controversial development in the franchise for sure, but the movie wasn’t afraid to make light of it in one confrontation between Bella and Jacob where he calls her Nessie and the new mother goes berserk on him about it.  

“Doesn’t he own a shirt?” - Edward Cullen, Eclipse  

In order to transform into Jacob Black as a werewolf in New Moon, Taylor Lautner got into crazy good shape for the second movie and so forth. But then the movies became known for Jacob often taking off his shirt on camera. In one scene in Eclipse, Edward jokes about this to Bella by asking if he even owns a shirt. 

"I kissed Bella and she broke her hand. Punching my face. It was a complete misunderstanding." - Jacob Black, Eclipse  

A big part of the Twilight movies was the contention between Edward and Jacob, which Taylor Lautner has shared even spilled into their actual relationship. During Eclipse, Jacob ends up actually kissing Bella while she’s in a relationship with Edward, which leads her to punch him in the face and break her hand because he’s a werewolf. After the incident, Jacob and Edward square off, leading Bella’s dad Charlie to sense the tension and ask what’s wrong. This is how Jacob matter of factly responds and it brings out the comedy of the situation quickly. 

Bella Swan: "So, this party. Will there be strippers?" Edward Cullen: “Just a few mountain lions, a couple grizzly bears.” - Breaking Dawn Part 1 

In the first Breaking Dawn movie, Edward and Bella get married, but before they do Edward is stolen away in the night by his brothers for his bachelor party. Bella asks if he’ll have a typical party involving dancers, but he shares that it will involve mountain lions and grizzly bears instead. He’s fully serious, but it is a bit funny that the night before his wedding he’ll be hanging out with animals instead of going out to bars. 

Bella Swan: “How long have you been 17?” Edward Cullen: "A while..." - Twilight 

During Twilight, Bella Swan finally comes up with the right theory to explain all the wild things going on with her lab partner, Edward Cullen. They meet in the woods and Bella Swan shares that she knows what he is. Before flat out saying “vampire,” she asks him how long he’s been 17 years old. While it’s a serious moment, Edward breaks the tension a bit by simply answering with “a while.” 

“...So you're the wolf girl.” - Bella Swan, New Moon

While Bella Swan is hanging out with Jacob Black in New Moon, she comes across another clan of mythical creatures in his secret werewolf pack. There she meets Emily Young, who is the fiancée to the leader of the pack, Sam Uley. Bella. When she meets Emily she calls her the “vampire girl,” to which she responds with the above line. 

Bella Swan: “Look, you gotta give me some answers.” Edward: “Yes. No. To get to the other side. Uh, 1.77245…” - Twilight 

It’s no secret Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen can be rather snarky throughout the Twilight movies, and he definitely is as Bella is trying to figure out his true identity. At one point, Bella flat-out asks for answers. Edward gets sarcastic by giving some common answers to things, especially since he’s not ready to tell her the truth on the subject. 

“I'm nearly one hundred and ten. It's time I settled down.” - Edward Cullen, New Moon 

Throughout most of the Twilight saga, Edward and Bella are contemplating forever as a couple. While Edward starts off rather resistant to the idea of Bella becoming a vampire and being with him for eternity, he does come around to it, quipping that he might as well settle down now that he’s over a century old. 

"Edward will be a good husband. I know this because I'm a cop. I know things. Like how to hunt somebody to the ends of the earth. And I know how to use a gun." - Charlie Swan, Breaking Dawn Part 1 

Billy Burke’s Charlie Swan is one of the highlight characters of the Twilight saga, as he often offsets all the vampire and werewolf drama for a more straight-shooter dad approach. One of his funniest moments comes during his speech at Edward and Bella’s wedding, where he lightly threatens Edward while talking about why he’ll be a good husband. 

"My monkey man." - Rosalie Hale, Twilight  

An especially memorable scene from the first Twilight movie is when Bella is invited to play baseball with the Cullens during a thunderstorm. As Bella witnesses a truly incredible game of the sport as the vampires fly through the air, one moment has Emmett climbing a tree to catch the ball. Rosalie commentates on the moment by calling her lover her “monkey man” in a very loving, but objectively funny way. 

“Let's face it, I am hotter than you.” - Jacob Black, Eclipse 

Ah, the Edward vs. Jacob matchup. Bella’s love triangle between the two boys really fuels the franchise throughout the movies and as the movies continue to unfold, it’s funny to see the two men take digs at each other. One especially good one is when Jacob Black tells Edward he is “hotter” than him, which is actually scientifically true since werewolf temperatures are higher than humans, while vampires are known in the franchise as the “cold ones.” 

How you likin' da rain, girl?" - Mike Newton, Twilight

In the first Twilight movie, Bella being the new girl in high school proves to make her instantly interesting to a number of guys. It makes for some awkward but quite funny moments, including this one where Mike Newton asks her if she likes the rain in a questionable accent as Eric is trying to ask her to prom. Ah, teen boys! 

Eric Yorkie: “La Push, baby… It’s… La Push.” Bella Swan: "Ok, I'll go if you stop saying that." -Twilight

Bella has to hold her own a lot as the new girl in school whom Jessica describes as being like a “shiny toy” to the other guys. In one memorable scene, Eric keeps calling one of the beaches “La Push, baby.” Bella gives a hilarious response back by calling him out, saying she’ll only go with him if he basically stops being annoying. 

Charlie Swan: “Are those graduation caps?” Renée Dwyer: “Ha! How creative” Charlie: “Or, weird.” - Breaking Dawn, Part 1 

In the first Twilight, when Edward shows Bella his gorgeous house, she notices a massive display of graduation caps over the years, since the Cullens have reached the milestones many times before. Then, in Breaking Dawn Part 1, ahead of Bella getting married, her parents notice it. While her mom brushes it off, Charlie hilariously calls out how “weird” it is. 

“Jake, you really do stink.” - Bella Swan, Breaking Dawn, Part 2 

Bella finally becomes a vampire in the last Twilight movie. When she does, she instantly notices how her friend (and werewolf) Jacob Black totally does smell! Prior, all the other vampires had made the same comment, so it’s a great full-circle moment. 

"It's the ... um ... Fluorescence." - Edward Cullen, Twilight

Bella starts to notice something fishy going on with Edward quite early into knowing each other, which totally throws the secret vampire off guard. In one scene, Bella comments on his eyes changing colors from the last time they spoke. Thrown off by the comment, Edward just says it’s the “fluorescence” and storms off. 

Jessica Stanley: "So, you think Bella's gonna be showing?" - Twilight, Breaking Dawn Part 1

When Edward and Bella get married in Breaking Dawn Part 1, her human friends have some funny commentary while attending the picturesque ceremony. What takes the cake is when Jessica asks her friends when they think Bella is showing. She is convinced she is pregnant since she’s getting married at the age of 18. 

"Hello, biceps. You know, anabolic steroids are really bad for you." - Bella Swan, New Moon  

Jacob Black goes through a huge transformation in New Moon as he becomes a werewolf. As Bella Swan notices her friend’s new look, she quips that steroids are really not good for him. Little does she know what’s really going on. But she’ll soon find out. 

“Stop trying to take your clothes off.” - Edward Cullen, Eclipse

Edward and Bella get plenty romantic and steamy throughout the Twilight movies, but in one awkward sequence in Eclipse, Edward straight up asks her to stop taking her clothes off because he doesn’t want to go there yet with their sexual intimacy. It gets to the point he is trying to make, but is bluntly funny as well. 

“Jacob, put your clothes on” - Charlie, Breaking Dawn, Part 2

Another funny quote in Twilight is when Jacob Black strips down in front of Charlie in the forest right before showing him he’s really a werewolf. Charlie has no idea what’s about to happen, so he says this line right before Jacob transforms in front of him to his big surprise. 

Twilight may be a thrilling romance, but all those quotes prove there are so many funny moments throughout the five movies as well! 

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of discussion about the importance of representation, whether its queer stories or ones focused on people of color. The #OscarsSoWhite movement has helped to increase the discourse, although there are some acclaimed TV and film projects that focus on interracial relationships that do a great job at this. Let's break it all down 

A Bronx Tale

While the discussion of representation in the media is fairly new, there are a number of projects that pre-date it and still managed to tell powerful stories about interracial relationships. Robert De Niro's 1993 drama A Bronx Tale is definitely in that category, and did a great job with approaching the film's sensitive subject matter. Specifically related to to the relationship shared between Calogero (Lillo Brancato Jr.) and Jane (Taral Hicks).

Set in 1968, we follow Italian-American Calogero and see as he falls in love with a Black girl named Jane. Their relationship is star-crossed, and while we see how much the young lovers like each other, Calogero ultimately is forced to deal with the inherent racism that he feels. And director/actor Robert De Niro deserves praise, especially as he also contributes to A Bronx Tale's Broadway musical adaptation. 

Looking

Looking ran on HBO for two seasons, and its life was tragically much too short. Luckily for fans (who can stream the show with a Max subscription) the network ended up greenlighting a Looking movie to wrap up the story. And through all incarnations of the franchise, the main love story has been between Jonathan Groff's Patrick and Raúl Castillo's Richie. And the show definitely didn't shy away from conversations about their interracial relationship during that time.

Patrick falls for Richie immediately in the first episode, in one of the best TV meet cutes of all time. But Groff's protagonist makes some serious missteps along the way, including fetishizing Richie and focusing on whether or not his new lover was circumcised. Fetishism can definitely be a problem in the queer community, and Richie appropriately tells him off at first, before eventually opening up and sharing his culture with Patrick later on in the series. 

The Big Sick

Michael Showalter's The Big Sick hit theaters back in 2017, and transformed Kumail Nanjiani from a character actor to a bonafide leading man. The movie is arguably one of the best romantic comedies in modern memory, thanks to the excellent performance and writing involved. And the story also told a different type of romance that had discussions about being in an interracial relationship.

Early on in The Big Sick, Kumail meets Emily (Zoe Kazan). They're originally an unlikely couple, as she pokes fun at the comedian and they originally decide to just have a NSA hook-up. But they fall for each other, which ends up conflicting with his strict Pakistani family, who want to see him marry another woman from the community. It's moving watching the way the film's couple connects due to their differences, and the conversations between Kumail and his family definitely offers an accurate look at generational differences, the immigrant experience, and (of course) interracial realtionships. 

Girls

This one might not be what folks expected, but it's a romantic plot point that stuck with me in the years since it aired. Back in Season 2 of HBO's coming-of-age comedy Girls, Lena Dunham's protagonist Hannah briefly dates Sandy, played by the incomparable Donald Glover. He only appeared in two episodes, with his final one offering an excellent take on the issues that can sometimes arise within interracial relationships. 

Girls has plenty of sex scenes during its run, including some intimate sequences between Hannah and Sandy. During this chat they come to a disagreement about Hannah's work as a writer, and things soon become untenable. Hannah tries to claim that she "doesn't see race," something that Glover's character finds unacceptable as a proud Black man. They have a hilariously uncomfortable fight which results in their break-up, and shows how harmful and downright ridiculous it is to "ignore" someone's race when dating, rather than embracing it.

West Side Story

Romeo and Juliet are the quintessential star-crossed lovers, and their story has been adapted countless times over the years. One of the most iconic is West Side Story (and the remake is streaming now with a Disney+ subscription), both the stage musical and the two movie adaptations. The story follows a young couple, Tony and Maria as they fall in love in 1957. But rather than the Capulets and Montagues, the forces keeping them apart are two rival gangs: the Jets, who are white and the Sharks, who are Puerto Rican immigrants. 

While the material might be a bit dated by today's standards, it's a tale of an interracial relationship that has withstood the test of time and helped to change minds. It's touching seeing Tony try and understand Maria's culture and language, and how he tries to stop his Jet compatriots from resorting to violence. Unfortunately, we all know how tragic the ending of West Side Story ultimately is. 

Obviously this list is a small one, and there have been many more interracial relationships shown on both television and film. Some other titles include Monster's Ball, the sci-fi series Sense8 (which is available with a Netflix subscription), and many many more. But I though the conversations in these five projects were particularly powerful and effective in the way they approaches these connections. 

Hopefully we get more powerful stories of this nature sooner rather than later. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates as well as the TV premiere list to plan what you're watching next-- either on the small or silver screens. 

Since the show is becoming wildly popular with Peacock subscribers, more folks are leaning how to watch The Traitors Season 2. I'm still disappointed about how Peppermint was received by the rest of the cast, but there are a number of her fellow Drag Race royalty that I'd love to see on the campy competition series. Here they are, in no particular order. 

Bob The Drag Queen

Bob the Drag Queen won the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and has remained one of the most popular alums from the series. In the years since we've seen her use her platform as an activist, get acting gigs like Netflix's Tales of the City revival, and even produced and starred in the Emmy-winning series We're Here.

Having kept up with Bob's work, especially on We're Here and her podcast Sibling Rivalry, I think she's definitely savvy and emotionally intelligent enough to crush it on The Traitors. And since she's also best friends with Peppermint, I think she'd also be motivated to win the game on behalf of both of them. 

Delta Work

Delta Work competed on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which was filled with real, organic drama within the cast. While she never returned for All-Stars, she did hair on the show for a few years, winning a 2018 Emmy in the process. 

Lately she's been working her own talk show Very Delta, with every new episode featuring a hilarious rant. After learning more about her unique perspective on life, I'd love to see how she'd play The Traitors, particularly if she was chosen as a Faithful. And she'd definitely be wildly entertaining, especially if she ends up having any arguments at the Round Table. 

Willam Belli

Willam Belli is perhaps one of the most infamous queen in all of RuPaul's Drag Race History. Back in Season 4 she became the first and only contestant to be disqualified for breaking the rules, and in the years since has become one of the most successful alums from the beloved competition series. That includes a make-up line, original music, stage performances, and a memorable role in A Star Is Born opposite Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

Willam has a point of view that is wholly original, and is always thoroughly surprising and entertaining anytime she's on the screen. As such, I'd love to see her give a crack at The Traitors, where she would no doubt get plenty of airtime thanks to her quick wit and looks. Whether or not she successfully discovered a Traitor, smart money says it would make for great TV. Although given her street smarts, I think the "Boy is a Bottom" singer could actually crush. 

Shangela

Shangela has appeared as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race three times, where she named herself the "Nancy Drew of Drag." So who else better to play a game of mystery and murder like The Traitors than her? Back in Season 3 she she proved herself as one of the mos  all-time strategic players Drag Race, which is why I'm dying to see what she might bring to the Round Table in a future season of The Traitors.

Like Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela was also on the first few season of We're Here as a host an EP. During that show's run we saw how she was able to connect with people, which is a valuable skill in a game like The Traitors. Shangela recently made history  competing on Dancing with the Stars, which means she's got even more reality TV fans who would like to see her on another series. Now get this girl on Traitors, and let her "hallelu" her way through the competition. 

Alaska

Alaska is another of the biggest stars to come out of RuPaul's Drag Race, and remains wildly popular amongst the show's rabid fanbase. After a killer performance in Season 5, she'd end up winning All-Stars 2 (which I think is the best season of the show's long run on the air). For those unfamiliar, you can stream both of those season with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Since then Alaska ended up participating in another reality competition series Scared Famous, where she would interact with reality royalty like Tiffany "New York" Pollard. This actually seems like the perfect training for The Traitors, which would presumably see her on another cast full of huge personalities. And since she's also watching the current season on Peacock, smart money says she'd come with a sound strategy to either suss out the Traitors or murder the Faithful, depending on what position in the game she's ultimately chosen for. Plus, who doesn't want to see her say "Hieeee!" as she enters Alan Cumming's castle for the first time? 

Bonus: Bring back Peppermint

Of course, the most obvious choice for a Drag Race alum to join The Traitors may already be in front of us. Namely Peppermint, who was among the Season 2 cast, and seemed to be a big fan of reality TV icons like Parvati Shallow and Sandra Diaz-Twine. While I was thrilled to see her join the fun, I was super bummed out that Pep end up becoming the first person voted out at the Round Table. 

Peppermint's elimination felt icky to me, as it seemed like Trishelle targeted her for almost no reason. I didn't feel comfortable with a trans Black woman being called untrustworthy so early into the game, and it felt like she was being scapegoated for an easy vote. As such, I'd love to see her get a second chance. And since Kate Chastain already brought back for a second season, clearly returning players are on the table. 

The Traitors airs new episodes Thursdays at 9PM EST on Peacock. While we wait for each new installment, check the TV premiere list to plan your next binge watch. 

There’s something special about going to the cinema, including wolfing down a bucket of buttery popcorn. But while concerns about superhero fatigue are growing, special events have brought something new and exciting to theaters. I loved seeing Renaissance as someone who missed the tour, and recently followed that up with Waitress' proshot, which felt like seeing Disney+’s Hamilton on the big screen. I had a blast with both of these events, which makes me think I should try and see more of them.

The Renaissance film scratched a serious itch for me, helping to cure my FOMO from not seeing the tour in person. I finally got to dance with my friends, participate on the mute challenge, plus so much more. When I bought tickets for Waitress for the next week, I wasn’t sure if it would be able to bring me quite as much joy.

But it did just that. Despite the fact that I’d seeing Waitress twice on Broadway before it closed, the movie event that arrived in theaters via Fathom offered something new: seeing pop star Sara Bareilles in the leading role of Jenna. She wrote the show’s music, but didn’t play the role on stage until its final days. So paying the money to see the filmed version offered me the chance to see and hear her belt out those tracks up and close.

Waitress’ Fathomtrailer showed just how gorgeous Bareilles’ performance was, and the final product definitely did not disappointed. While seats in Broadway theaters can be somewhat cramped, it felt luxurious to watch the show in the comfort of a reclining chair. Plus, Broadway houses are notoriously lacking in that magical popcorn scent.

It should be interesting to see how these types of projects continue to influence the film industry as a whole. Taylor Swift's Eras movie broke records at the box office, and had numerous Swifties dancing in the aisles. I’m interested to see if a trend emerges with concerts and special events. Having gone to my first showing from Fathom, I’m definitely excited to see more special events.

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé is in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

This isn't to say that there aren't other Christmas titles that I re-watch every year that didn't happen to make it on the list. I'm a sucker for the claymation movies like Santa Clause is Coming to Town, as well as animated Christmas movies like Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. Still, these are the Yuletide flicks that annually give me the most chuckles. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

I mean, how could this not be the first entry on this list? Christmas Vacation is widely considered one of the best Christmas movies of all time, and that's because of its absolutely hilarious script and killer performances by the cast. What's more, it's something that lots of families could relate to; sometimes things just go awry during the holidays. Luckily, most of us don't end up with squirrels in our house or cutting off a bannister with a chainsaw. 

National Lampoon's Vacation movies span a number of different settings, but I personally think the holiday outing is the best. And watching Chevy Chase's Sparky lose his sanity as his family seemingly tries to ruin the holiday never gets old. Christmas Vacation's behind-the-scenes facts are fascinating, and the movie remains endlessly quotable to this day.

A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story might have become the quintessential Christmas movie thanks to being played on 24 hour loop on the titular holiday ever year. And it's so popular that a long-awaited sequel finally arrived on Max last year. Still, there's no comparing it to the 1983 original.

A Christmas Story is set in 1940, and offers a nostalgic look at the holiday in years gone by. All protagonist Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB Gun, and we watch as he drops hints and tries to survive Kid-dom. This movie changed the pop culture landscape as we know it, and it's chock full of hilarious scenes involving the leg lamp, a frozen pole and one seriously cranky department store Santa. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol

This one is my personal favorite Christmas movie of all time. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a delightful musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. The movie is full of gorgeous music, and stars Michael Caine opposite everyone's favorite group of talented puppets.

The Muppets are known for being funny, and there are so many moment in this take on the Christmas Carol that still make me chuckle to this day. The movie is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription, and longtime fans will be delighted to know that The Muppet Christmas Carol's extended version is also available, including Belle's deleted song.

The Santa Clause

1994's The Santa Clause was a critical and box office hit when it arrives in theaters. That popularity led it to becoming a bonafide franchise, with multiple movie sequels as well as the new series The Santa Clauses on Disney+, which just returned for Season 2. 

Tim Allen stars in The Santa Clause as Scott Calvin, a marketing director who accidentally becomes the new Santa after his predecessor fell off his roof. The movie is a delightful fish out of water story where we watch him gradually become Saint Nick. The movie's comedy has aged rather well, and it also has that Christmas magic that moviegoers of all age are looking for. Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!

Elf

Jon Favreau's Elf is probably the most recent bonafide movie Christmas classic. While plenty of other movies have been released, including countless Hallmark Christmas movies, they haven't necessarily had the staying power and iconography of Will Ferrel's holiday movie.

20 years later Elf is the ultimate Christmas movie chock full of laugh-out-loud moments. This is all because of Will Ferrell's outstanding performance as Buddy the Elf, who brings a manic naivety as someone raised on the North Pole and experiencing the real world for the first time. Seeing him scream out of excitement to see Santa never gets old, nor does his montage exploring New York City and eating gum off of the street. And while Elf 2 won't happen, it's gotten more life thanks to a Broadway musical. 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas 

This one was a bit of a mixed bag when it first arrived in theaters back in 2000. The live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas had some big shoes to fill given how beloved the original animated special is, but I personally have found that Ron Howard's movie has actually held up super well, especially related to its non-stop jokes. And yes, we have to give credit where credit is due regarding Jim Carrey, who gives an endlessly energetic performance as the green title character. 

Just like the original animated Grinch movie, we follow Dr. Seuss' green villain as he loathes the Whos and the entire holiday season. While Taylor Momsen's Cindy Lou Who tries to include him on the fun as she goes through her on existential crisis about the holiday, things soon go awry. 

Jim Carrey is firing at 100 the entire runtime of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and I've only grown more appreciate of his work as the years have gone by. He was already an acclaimed comedic genius at that point, and it's impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. While we'd get an Illumination Grinch movie years later, the 2000 live-action flick will always be my favorite of the three.

Happiest Season

For a few years now, the entertainment industry and its consumers have been speaking about the power of representation in the media. As a result, we've seen much more stories about women, people of color and LGBTQ+ folks. That includes holiday projects like Happiest Season, which is centered around a lesbian couple.

Happiest Season focuses on Abby and Harper (played by Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis), with the latter going home for the holidays. But her parents don't know she's queer, so she and Abby are forced back into the closet during the festivities, and all sorts of contemporary shenanigans begin. The Happiest Season cast list is rounded out with great performances by Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Victor Garber and Mary Steenburgen. 

Home Alone

While there's long been debate about whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie, the same discourse isn't possible for Home Alone. The 1990 classic comedy is one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time, thanks to its steady supply of family friendly laughs.

Despite the decades that have gone by, Home Aone and its sequel Lost in New York have aged pretty damn well. The various pratfalls are effective, but the biggest credit should go to Macaulay Culkin, who was endlessly charismatic as a young performer in this pair of movies. 

Krampus

Krampus is perhaps the least traditional Christmas movie on this list, as it's a horror comedy set during the holiday season. But if you're someone who can handle suspense and some cartoon violence, it's actually a hilarious commentary on the way the holidays can sometimes be toxic-- especially related to family dysfunction.

In Krampus, we follow the Engal family, who are basically at each other's throats during the holiday season. The titular demon comes from the North Pole to punish them, serving as a dark shadow to Santa's yuletide cheer. The family drama is consistently funny, and even the kills are bonkers and comedic. So if you're looking for a different type of funny Christmas movie, this one's for you. 

Christmas with the Kranks

Christmas with the Kranks is a movie adaptation of the John Grisham book Skipping Christmas. And while Tim Allen is known for playing The Santa Clause's title character, he's also the leading man of this 2004 comedy opposite scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. 

While I was first introduced to Christmas with the Kranks against my will, it's actually grown on me. Some of the funniest moments come from JLC herself, who shows that she's an effective comedian as well as a horror icon. And if this one is on TV during the holiday season, I'm probably leaving it on for all the Curtis-related comedy. And I'll never look at a Honey Ham the same way. 

With new holiday movies being released every year, only time will tell if another hilarious Christmas movie is released, and is able to join this list of elite titles. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Working with actual teenagers is tricky, unless the actor is emancipated and able to deal with the long hours usually required for TV and film work. So it's definitely understandable that production have chosen actors who were too long in the tooth to play their respective roles. In no particular order, here are the infamous 32.

Rachel McAdams, Mean Girls

You can't think of Rachel McAdams without her performance as Regina George in Mean Girls. While the cast of Mean Girls was mostly age appropriate, McAdams was actually 25 years old when playing the queen of the plastics. Still, I can't imagine anyone who could have played her better. 

Joseph Quinn, Stranger Things

The fourth season of Stranger Things was a star-making moment for Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie Munson. He quickly became a fan favorite, but those same fans might be surprised to learn that he's actually already 29 years old. Unfortunately, the finale of Stranger Things 4 seemingly implied we won't be seeing him again for the final batch of episodes. 

Stacey Dash, Clueless

There are a number of epic teen movies on this list, and Clueless is truly a piece of '90s film history. The comedy followed a group of ultra rich high school students, but it turns out that Dionne actress Stacey Dash was 28 when filming her performance in the movie. Plus, she went on to reprise that role in the TV spinoff. 

Leonardo DiCaprio, Catch Me If You Can

Steven Spielberg's Catch Me if You Can came out in 2002, and told a true story about an infamous con man, Frank Abagnale Jr.. That was played by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio, and spanned many years of his life, starting at just 17 years old. However, the Titanic actor was actually 28 when he filmed this classic movie. 

Alan Ruck, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a classic comedy, one that remains a quotable part of the pop culture lexicon to this day. Succession actor Alan Ruck gave an outstanding performance as Cameron Frye, but he was actually nearly 30 when portraying a high school student opposite Matthew Broderick. 

Stockard Channing, Grease

Grease is a beloved movie musical, one that I actually think improves upon the stage musical of the same name. While it's full of iconic performances, a lot of of the cast is  a bit too old for their roles. That includes Rizzo actress Stockard Channing, who was 33 years old. Regardless, she is THE Betty Rizzo, and she absolutely crushed the role. 

Shirley Henderson, Harry Potter

The cast of Harry Potter grew up before our eyes, with the kids joined by some legendary actors playing the universe's adults. But fans might not realize that Moaning Myrtle actress Shirley Henderson was actually a 36-year-old adult when portraying the ghostly teenager. 

Henry Winkler, Happy Days

Happy Days influenced a lot of pop culture, including being responsible for the term "jumping the shark." Henry Winkler has had a long career since then, but he'll always be Fonzie. Although he wasn't quite a teenager, as he was 28 when he landed that leather-clad role. 

Ncuti Gatwa, Sex Education

Sex Education was a beloved teenage comedy for those with a Netflix subscription, and it wrapped up after four seasons. Ncuti Gatwa played fan favorite Eric Effiong, but he was actually 26 when the show first came out. 

Andrew Garfield, The Amazing Spider-Man

While Tom Holland was praised for being an authentically young actor in the MCU, his predecessors were a bit older during their run as the wall crawler. Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield was actually 27 when he debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man, portraying playing high school student Peter Parker. And Garfield got to reprise his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

Jason Earles, Hannah Montana

Hannah Montana ran for a long time on Disney Channel, and made Miley Cyrus into a megastar. The show also starred Jason Earles as her older brother Jackson. But while he was playing a 16-year-old, he was actually 29 when the show began. 

Gabrielle Carteris, Beverly Hills, 90210

Beverly Hills, 90210 has a long run on TV, and is quintessential '90s culture. While some of Beverly Hills, 90210's cast was quite young, Andrea Zuckerman actress Gabrielle Carteris was actually 29 when the show first began. 

Keiko Agena, Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is a show that still has a strong fanbase, who re-watch its even season run as well as the Netflix spinoff A Year in the Life. While Alexis Bledel grew up and became a grown actress before our eyes, Rory's best friend Lane was played by Keiko Agena, who was 27 when the show first began. 

Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen

This entry is one that folks might have guessed would appear. In 2021, Tony winner Ben Platt reprised his role as the title character the Dear Evan Hansen movie. Platt caught a ton of flak for starring in Dear Evan Hansen at 27 years old, and was made into countless memes as a result. Still, I thought he was great in the role and a lot of backlash was unjust; I mean, look at the other entries in this list!

Nicholas Brendan, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a cult classic TV show that's still super popular today. The first three seasons were set at Sunnydale High School, with the characters' personal drama mirroring their battle with demons. But Xander actor Nicholas Brendan was actually 25 when he landed the role in Joss Whedon's TV series. 

Johnny Depp, 21 Jump Street

Johnny Depp has had a long career, including a number of truly beloved roles like Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. But his first big role was as Officer Thomas "Tom" Hanson Jr. in 21 Jump Street. He played a young looking cop posing as a high school student, but was actually 24 years old when he started filming Season 1. And that show would go on to run for 5 seasons. 

Paul Rudd, Wet Hot American Summer

Wet Hot American Summer is a cult classic comedy, and follows a group of teen camp counselors who are into all sorts of campy debauchery. Paul Rudd gave a hilarious performance as Andy, but was actually 31 years old. Although that's nothing since the cast of Wet Hot American Summer reprised their roles in a Netflix show, all of whom were vastly over the age of their characters. 

Gabrielle Union, Bring It On

Bring It On is another beloved teen movie, one that centers around two rivaling high school cheer squads in California. Gabrielle Union gave a killer performance as Isis, although she was actually 27 at the point of filming. 

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn was a classic actress with a number of beloved film credits. Breakfast at Tiffany's is definitely in that category, although she was 31 at the point of playing the 19-year-old character Holly Golightly. 

Michael Rosenbaum, Smallville

Smallville was a popular series that served as a teenage origin story for Clark Kent/Superman. While the cast all portrayed teens during Season 1, some of them were a bit long in the tooth. Case in point: Lex Luthor actor Michael Rosenbaum who was actually 27 years old back in Season 1. 

Ashleigh Murray, Riverdale

Riverdale's series finale aired in August of 2023, with the show running on The CW for seven seasons. Plenty of iconic Archie Comics characters appeared, including Josie McCoy. But despite playing high school sophomore, actress Ashleigh Murray was actually 28 when she fist appeared back in Season 1. 

Cory Monteith, Glee

Glee became a huge hit when it premiered on Fox, and catapulted its cast of unknowns as full-blown TV stars. Late actor Cory Monteith starred as leading man Finn Hudson, but was 27 years old when debuting as his signature character.  

Ross Butler, 13 Reasons Why

Netflix's 13 Reasons Why was a dark adaptation of the novel of the same name, and would eventually expand to a four-season run. Ross Butler played high schooler Zach, and was actually 26 years old back in Season 1.

Darren Barnet, Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever centers around 15-year-old girl Devi, and we watch various love stories play out throughout its run on Netflix. She has a huge crush on Darren Barnet's Paxton, who was 16. Although in reality the actor was 29 years old when Season 1 aired. 

Judd Nelson, The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is a quintessential '80s movie, and was released at the height of the Brat Pack's popularity. One of the leading characters was Judd Nelson's Bender aka The Criminal. But despite being in detention throughout the movie's runtime, Nelson was actually 24 years old when portraying that character. 

Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing

Dirty Dancing features beloved performances by both Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The latter actress danced her heart out as Baby, although she was 26 years old rather than her character's 17. 

Winona Ryder, Girl, Interrupted

1999's Girl, Interrupted was an Oscar winning drama that was a huge critical success. Winona Ryder starred as 18-year-old protagonist Susanna Kaysen, and provided a deeply moving performance. No one could have done it better, although she was truly 26 years old at the time of filming. 

Nicola Coughlan, Derry Girls

Derry Girls is one of Netflix's many coming-of-age TV shows that is included on this list. The show follows a group of teenage girls, and all the hilarious mistakes that occur as they grow up. But actress Nicola Coughlan was actually 30 years old at the time of filming the show's first season. 

Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

Lee Daniels' Precious is a truly harrowing film experience, one that elicits strong emotions for its title character, 16-year-old Claireece Precious Jones. Actress Gabourey Sidibe received wide acclaim for her performance in the movie, although she was actually 24 years old when she got the role. 

Barbra Streisand, Yentl

Yentl is a masterpiece by Barbra Streisand, who directed, wrote, and starred in the acclaimed musical drama. But while her character was a young woman, she was actually 41 years old at the point of filming the acclaimed film.

Florence Pugh, Little Women

Greta Gerwig's Little Women movie was a huge hit when it arrived in theaters back in 2019. It got a bunch of major awards nominations, with Florence Pugh getting a Best Supporting nom at the Oscars for portraying Amy March. But while Amy was just 13 years old at her youngest point in the film, Pugh was actually 22.

Tobey Maguire, Spider-Man

Tobey Maguire was the first actor to play Spider-Man in live-action, before being followed by the likes of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. But while the latter actor was the most age appropriate, his predecessors weren't. Maguire was actually 26 years old while playing the teenager Peter Parker. 

Despite the discrepancy between many of these actors and their characters, many of the actors listed above still crushed their roles. Although yes, some of these actors are somewhat infamous for being too old to portray teenagers. Still, smart money says this trend will continue with future TV and film projects. 

What we know about The Bear Season 3 is fairly limited, but there's a ton of fan excitement about returning to Carmy and the gang. Season 2 just kept rolling out A-listers as guest stars, a number of which we got very limited time with. So below are the guest stars I'd most like to see in the next installment of the Emmy-nominated series.

Jamie Lee Curtis

This one is a no brainer for me. Jamie Lee Curtis made her debut in The Bear's outstanding "Seven Fishes" episode as the matriarch of the family, Donna Berzatto. She gave a truly outstanding and emotional performance, with the audience (and the family) left to watch her spin out, drink, and eventually drive her car into the dining room.

"Seven Fishes" is arguably the best episode of the entire series, but it definitely stands on its own as a flashback mini movie. I was thrilled when Donna returned for The Bear's Season 2 finale, even if she didn't have the courage to go into the restaurant. Curtis simply must return, and I want to see her actually interact with her kids in the current place in the show's timeline. 

Jon Bernthal

This is one was probably a given, but I couldn't not include Jon Bernthal. The Punisher  alum plays Mikey Berzatto, Carmy and Sugar's brother who dies via suicide before the events of the series. Each time Bernthal appears on The Bear it's an emotional treat, and helps to show how the family got to the place they're at currently.

Of course, Mikey's death makes it a bit more complicated for him to be featured in The Bear Season 3. So we'd need another flashback episode, or simply another scene set in the past. Considering Carmy's trauma is still being revealed layer by layer, this could definitely happen. Especially because it seems like Bernthal loves being part of the show's cast at his capacity. 

Will Poulter

Will Poulter is one of Season 2's many surprising guest stars. He plays Luca, a dessert chef who has a history with Carmy (although they don't have any scenes together) The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. actor only appears in the episode "Honeydew", where Luca trains Marcus on how to create beautiful and delicious dessert creations.

The fact that Luca lives in Copenhagen might make it compliated for him to appear in Season 3, but I still think it could happen. Fans are dying to know about his relationship with Carmy, especially since Poulter and Jeremy Allen White posed for a photo that was used in the show's set. 

Olivia Colman

Season 2 of The Bear told a bunch of capsulate stories, allowing members of the ensemble cast take center stage for an episode at a time. Case in point: "Forks" which showed Richie working and training in an upscale restaurant. 

During this time Richie went from a cutlery shiner to learning how to expedite the kitchen's food, and the very particular way the clients are tended to. He also bonds with the restaurant's owner Terry, played by the great Olivia Colman. It's a short scene, and one that definitely left me wanting more of the Crown icon on the Hulu series.

Sarah Paulson

The Bear swung hard with "Fishes", casting a slew of outstanding talent to play members of the Berzatto clan. That includes the one and only Sarah Paulson, who played Carmy's cousin Michelle Berzatto. She encourages Carmy to come live with her in New York to pursue his culinary career, and also is one of the few members of the family to stand up to Donna during her drunken rage at the dinner table. 

Unfortunately most of the guest stars from this episode failed to return for another appearance in Season 2. So hopefully the third season of The Bear will see Paulson's return, perhaps visiting the new restaurant for a meal of her own. 

Sara Ramos

Another new character that was introduced in Richie's episode "Forks" was Jessica, who was the maître d' at the upscale restaurant Ever. Throughout this capsule episode of The Bear, we see as Jessica expertly commands the kitchen, expedites the gourmet food, and coordinates with the front of house staff. 

Jessica was played by Parenthood actress Sara Ramos. And while she was intimidating at first, she also helped train Richie and told him he was always welcome at Ever upon his departure. If we ever return to this restaurant on the show, I'm going to need to see both Ramos and Olivia Colman. 

Gillian Jacobs

After hearing about Richie's ex-wife Tiffany throughout Season 1 of The Bear, we were finally introduced to her in "Seven". In this flashback episode we got to see what they were like as a couple, while expecting their child to arrive. It's a sweet look into what worked about them, while also laying the groundwork as to why the pair ultimately broke up.

Gillian Jacobs crushed as Tiffany, and I was delighted when she briefly returned for the Richie's episode "Forks." I'm eager to see if she visits the restaurant, and what she thinks of Richie's recent transformation. After all, he saved the friends and family night. 

Bob Odenkirk

Yet another surprise cast member in the "Fishes" episodes was Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk. He played "Uncle" Lee Lane, who is Donna's on and off again boyfriend. Lee is also the business partner of Oliver Platt's Cicero, and someone with a temper of his own.

During "Fishes" we saw him go from jolly uncle to an antagonist who feuded with Jon Bernthal's Mikey. Eventually things escalated to a full on blow out, and Donna driving  her car straight into the dining room. Is Lee still in their lives? Only time will tell, but hopefully Odenkirk gets to return to this universe. 

It's currently unclear when The Bear will return to Hulu for Season 3, but luckily the first two season are available for a re-watch or two. In the meantime, check out the TV premiere list to plan your next binge watch. 

To clarify, not every TV break-up on this list lasted forever. Plenty of shows thrive on a will-they-won't-they storyline where characters split up, only to be reunited before a series finale occurs. Still, the scenes themselves have stuck with me and remain truly iconic. Let's break it all down. And yes, there will be massive spoilers for these shows coming.

Cristina and Burke, Grey's Anatomy

This has got to be one of the most iconic episodes from Grey's Anatomy. This heartbreaking break-up scene happens in the Season 3 finale "Didn't We Almost Have It All?" and still gets me emotional today.

The episode takes place on Cristina and Burke's wedding day, and follows as various hi-jinx occur along the way. But once Sandra Oh's signature character has a moment of hesitation, Burke calls the whole thing off. Things go from sad to devastating when Cristina returns home to find he'd gone, in a perfectly acted monologue set to Ingrid Michaelson's track "Keep Breathing." 

Willow and Tara, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire slayer is a cult classic show with a rabid fanbase. The show made history featuring a same-sex couple with Willow and Tara, but unfortunately, they fell into the trope of ill-fated queer characters.

Willow and Tara break up in Season 6, when the latter witch realizes that Alyson Hannigan's character was using magic to make her forget their fights. It's a heartbreaking sequence, one made all the more devastating knowing they'd only get back together briefly before Tara is accidentally killed by Warren after he shoots Buffy. The pair never really get to reconcile, and it's truly devastating. 

Sam and Diane, Cheers

This one was obviously going to be on this list from the jump. Cheers' Sam (Ted Danson) and Diane (Shelley Long) are one of the most iconic TV couples of all time, with audiences spending years hoping they'd finally end up together. And this would continue up until the Cheers series finale, which finally gave them a happy ending.

While Sam and Diane broke up and got back together various times in the show's tenure in the air, the worst split was arguably in Season 3, Episode 22. The two hold each other and cried over their seemingly doomed love story, and it's truly a moment in TV history. 

Rory and Jess, Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is a beloved TV series that's annually re-watched by its generations of fans. Throughout the show's seven seasons (plus Netflix's A Year in the Life), we watch the titular girls go through plenty of datings up and downs -- with more than one emotional break-up. But there's always been one that stuck out to me as the most heartbreaking: Jess and Rory.

For many Gilmore Girls fans, there's a debate about which of Rory's three boyfriends were "right" for her. I've always been #TeamJess, which is why their break-up in Season 3 has always stuck with me. Rory is devastated but also happy at her Chilton Graduation, while Jess is too scared to even speak when he calls her. Luckily A Year in the Life showed they're friends again, and I personally think he's the mystery father of her baby. 

Kat and Ethan, Euphoria

HBO's Euphoria became a huge hit with Season 1, thanks to its daring visuals, outstanding cast (including Emmy winner Zendaya), and intense subject matter. Like many other teen-focused shows, there's no shortage of break-ups throughout its episodes on the air. But I found Kat and Ethan's split in Season 2 to be particularly upsetting.

Fans largely feel that Euphoria dropped the ball with Kat in Season 2, as she ended up becoming much less of a focus in the sophomore run and actress Barbie Ferreira departed the show. Her break-up with Ethan felt downright cruel, and she gaslit him and dismissed his feelings about their relationship.

Santana and Brittany, Glee

Glee was a sensation during its run on the air, and made household names out of its young cast of newcomers. The show also got praise for its diverse cast, a numerous queer characters. That includes Santana (Naya Rivera) and Brittany (Heather Morris), who quickly became fan favorites-- especially after their characters began dating.

But like so many high school relationships, Brittana broke up during Season 4 of Glee. The pair had trouble with their long distance relationship, with Naya Rivera's character singing a cover of Taylor Swift's "Mine" to her girlfriend in the Glee Club room. Luckily they'd end up getting back together and even tying the knot later in the show. 

Jess and Nick, New Girl

New Girl was a delightful comedy throughout its run on TV, and there were a number of truly beloved couples. But obviously the biggest will-they-won't-they was Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson). The two made for a delightful odd couple, and the audience universally wanted them to be together.

But New Girl's long run on the air meant that they couldn't live happily ever after on their first try as a romantic couple. No, they had to break-up and find each other again, resulting in Season 3, Episode 20. The scene was a real tear-jerker, thanks to a particularly strong performance by Deschanel. Don't worry they got back together eventually and Nick and Jess even had a kid.

Alexis and Ted, Schitt's Creek

While David and Patrick are arguably Schitt's Creek's most epic love story, they weren't the only couple we followed throughout the show's tenure on the air. Another one that we were rooting for but didn't get a full marriage story was fan favorites Alexis and Ted.

Alexis and Ted were another couple on this list who suffered once they tried to go long distance. When Ted eventually returned to the titular town, the pair decided to split up due to their different career paths. Schitt's Creek's ending was ultimately a happy one, but it just didn't include this particular pair ending up together. 

Rachel and Ross, Friends

Much like Cheers' Sam and Diane, Rachel and Ross from Friends were a fictional couple that audiences spent years watching and hoping they would somehow make things work. The debate as to whether Ross and Rachel were on a break rages on to this day, showing just how popular the long running sitcom continues to be.

Rachel and Ross end up majorly clashing in Season 3 of Friends, and eventually decide to take some space from each other. But when Ross jumps into the bed of another woman they go from break to break-up. And it remains one of the show's most memorable plot points of its ten-season run. 

Olivia and Fitz, Scandal

Scandal had a long and wildly successful run on TV, with Kerry Washington perfectly playing Olivia Pope during that time. Some of the show's most steamy scenes and biggest twists centered around her forbidden romance with President Fitzgerald Grant, played by Tony Goldwyn.

Fitz and Olivia break up during Season 5 of Scandal, in a truly emotional episode. Their relationship-ending confrontation is all the more devastating as it's almost right after Washington's character has an abortion.  

Eric and Donna, That '70s Show

That '70s Show is another show that had a long run on the air, making household names out of its young cast members like Mila Kunis. The stoner comedy followed a group of teens who dated and broke up, although the primary couple is arguably Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon). 

While Donna and Eric made a great couple, they had a heartbreaking break-up scene back in Season 3. While Eric tries to give her a promise ring meant to signify being together forever, it doesn't really go well. And in the end, tears are shed as they head to splitsville, with Eric seemingly giving her an ultimatum before breaking things off himself. 

Ted and Michelle, Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is one of the most popular shows available with an Apple TV+ subscription, essentially cornering the market on "feel good" TV. But while the tone of the Emmy winning series was universally positive, there were some scenes that got fans misty eyed. And that includes Ted's break-up conversation with Michelle back in Season 1. 

While they're estranged at the start of Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis' title character is hopeful that things will work out. But when Michelle and their son visit him in "Tan Lines", the two parents end up talking it all out and officially leaving their relationship behind. The rain falling really helps to highlight Ted's pain, although things are ultimately amicable between the two.

Kevin and Winnie, The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years is a beloved sitcom that perfectly captured what it's like to be a kid, especially during the the late '60s and early '70s. The series was universally acclaimed, with the original fans loving Kevin's love story with Winnie aka the girl next door.

Unfortunately, their relationship ends up hitting a bumpy patch during Season 4. When the pair take a class trip, jealousy arises and Winnie confesses that she met someone else. And the show was truly never the same after this plot twist occurred. 

Michael and Holly, The Office

While it was originally a slow burn, the American version of The Office ended up being a big fat hit. What's more, the show is constantly being discovered by new fans thanks to it being available to stream with a Peacock subscription. While Jim and Pam are the Office's primary love story, Michael and Holly are a very close second.

But like all relationships in The Office, it wasn't easy. It took a long time for Michael to finally find his match, only to have it stripped away from Holly is transferred to Nashua. It's terrible seeing Michael's happiness stripped away, although they do eventually get back together once she returns to Scranton. 

Lily and Marshall, How I Met Your Mother

Picking which break-up from How I Met Your Mother was the most heartbreaking was somewhat difficult, as there were a number of notable splits during its long run on CBS. But I actually think the saddest occurred back in Season 1, when Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) call it off.

There was no doubt in HIMYM fans' minds that Lily and Marshall were meant to be together. That's what made their split so heartbreaking. As is the way we found out: by Marshall sitting in the rain with an engagement ring in his hand. While How I Met Your Mother's finale was somewhat controversial, this break-up episode shows just how great the show was during its early years. 

Carrie and Aidan, Sex and the City

Sex and the City was a cultural reset, and continues to make headlines thanks to the spinoff And Just Like That. The love life of Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw was full of ups and downs, including some wild breakups. I mean, who can forget her getting dumped via post-it?

But Carrie and Aidan's second breakup might be the most brutal. Carrie ultimately decides she can't marry him. And SATC fans were treated to a continuation of the storyline when Aidan appeared on And Just Like That. 

Hannah and Adam, Girls

Lena Dunham's Girls was a star-making moment for its cast, especially Adam Driver. He was the unconventional leading man of the series, playing a somewhat bizarre character of the same name. And his relationship with Dunham's protagonist Hannah was one of the biggest plot lines of the show.

Adam and Hannah weren't together in the final season of Girls, with Driver's character actually dating Jessa. But when he finds out that Hannah's pregnant, the two spend a day together and plan on being parents together. But their plans come to a screeching halt when they realize it really won't work, and that they are truly and permanently split. It's a beautiful scene, and one that's also the source of that Adam Driver "Good Soup" meme. 

Cory and Topanga, Boy Meets World

Cory and Topanga are a TV couple that had split and got back together seemingly countless times during Boy Meets World. While no one ever doubted they'd end up growing up and getting married, some of the breakups are seared into the minds of '90s kids.

The worst one happens in Season 5, when Cory meets another girl and entertains the idea of dating her instead. Topanga breaks things off after this incident, which is definitely one of the most emotional moments from Boy Meets World. 

Darlene and David, Roseanne

Roseanne was a wildly successful series during its original run, and its characters have a special place in the hearts of many TV fans. One of the biggest couples is Darlene and David, played by Sara Gilbert and John Galecki respectively. 

This fictional relationship bled into Roseanne's reboot, which revealed what happened between Darlene and David in the episode "Darlene V. David". They reunite on screen, and go through their history before breaking up and once and for all. And it's all a huge bummer. 

Ilana and Lincoln, Broad City

While Broad City is an over-the-top comedy (and one of my favorite shows of all time), it also had a few tender moments to note. This was especially true during the final season, which wrapped up a few plot lines for Abbie and Ilana. And the latter character's breakup with Lincoln was definitely a memorable scene.

During the episode "Artsy Fartsy" Lincoln and Ilana have their anniversary dinner, where they eat tons of pasta and negotiate the terms of their relationship. But they eventually decide they can't move forward because Lincoln wants to move out of the city and start a family, while Ilana wants to stay and continue being polyamorous. And just like that, the longest running couple in the show was kaputz.  

DJ and Steve, Full House

Full House was a beloved and long-running series throughout the '90s, which eventually returned with the Netflix reboot Fuller House. Plenty of kids grew up with the show, which is why they had such strong feelings about DJ (Candace Cameron Bure) and her boyfriend Steve (Scott Weinger). 

While Steve and DJ were adorable for years, they eventually started to drift apart. Things came to a boiling point in Season 7's episode "Love on the Rocks." Who can forget the two of them literally taking separate paths in the episode's final moments?

Bojack and Wanda, Bojack Horseman

Bojack Horseman was one of Netflix's earliest success stories, and was nominated for a number of Emmy awards. Despite being a cartoon, it's a decidedly adult series that follows a washed up alcoholic actor... who just happens to be a horse. 

Bojack is voiced to perfection by Will Arnett, who eventually gets a girlfriend with Lisa Kudrow's Wanda. The two date throughout Season 2, and for a while it looks like Bojack might be (slowly) heading to a healthy place. But he eventually shows his darkness to Wanda, and insults her and her career. They split up because of this fight, and it's a serious bummer. 

Amy and Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory aired for a whopping twelve seasons on CBS, and also inspired a spinoff. One of the biggest couples on the show was Amy and Sheldon, played by Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons. But their relationship had some lows, including their breakup in Season 8.

During the episode "The Commitment Determination," Amy decides to break up with Sheldon because their relationship wasn't moving forward after five years together. Luckily this wouldn't be the end of the couple, who eventually tied the knot-- to the joy of fans. 

Lindsay and Nick, Freaks and Geeks

Judd Apatow's Freaks and Geeks was cancelled after one season, but it has grown into a cult classic in the years since its run. The cast is outstanding, and would end up being stars in their own right, including Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Busy Phillips, James Franco, and Jason Segel. 

Cardellini's Lindsay Weir is the protagonist of the series, and we watch as she befriends a group of of rough and tumble teens. She eventually starts a relationship with Segel's Nick, but it soon becomes clear that they don't have chemistry. Their split was a sad one, filled with insecurity about her place in the friend group. 

Issa and Lawrence, Insecure

HBO's Insecure helped make Issa Rae a star, with the series earning 14 Emmy nominations and winning one. Throughout the series we followed protagonist Issa as she navigated her romantic and personal life, usually to hilarious results. 

Things got emotional during the Season 5 premiere of Insecure, which is when Issa and her boyfriend Lawrence break up. The sequence itself is gorgeous and wordless, as we watch the two characters decide to ultimately go their separate ways. 

Pacey and Joey, Dawson's Creek

Dawson's Creek had a true chokehold on teens in the '90s, and remains an iconic part of pop culture history to this day. We followed a few notable teen romances throughout its years on the air, including that of Pacey and Joey.

While we follow their relationship for years, they eventually split up during Season 4's episode "Promicide". Pacey ends up lashing out on Joey and breaking things off, thanks to his feelings of inadequacy in their relationship. And it's a scene Dawson's Creek fans haven't forgotten. 

Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood

While True Blood's biggest couple was obviously Sookie and Bill, there are plenty of other love stories that occurred throughout its seven seasons on HBO. Jessica and Hoyt were one couple many fans were rooting for, which is partly why their breakup is so devastating.

Jessica and Hoyt fall in love quickly, but the reality of being in a vampire/human relationship made things strained. He resented Jessica feeding on him, while she also wanted to explore other romantic and feeding relationships. They break up in an explosive fight, one with plenty of blood tears. 

Brenda and Nate, Six Feet Under

Six Feet Under is widely known for having one of the best series finales of all time, something that so few shows manage to do. There are a few major couples that we follow throughout the season, including Brenda and Nate, played by Rachel Griffiths and Peter Krause.

The pair end up becoming romantically involved and move in together during Season 2, but Brenda also begins to habitually cheat on him, using the experiences for fodder to write about. Nate figures it all out, and they have a long, grueling fight. They eventually do get back together, but even their happy ending is complicated. 

Ian and Mickey, Shameless

Shameless had a super long run on Showtime, and followed the motley crew of Gallaghers as they fought for survival and love on the South Side of Chicago. And one of the most popular couples is definitely Ian and Mickey.

Mickey and Ian have a number of breakups and reconciliations throughout the show's run, including some stints in prison. But their split in Season 5 was a real tear jerker, with Ian letting his bipolar disorder come between the couple. Good thing it wasn't the end of their story.

Mindy and Danny, The Mindy Project

The Mindy Project was the show that could, and was one of the series that jumped from network to streaming when Hulu saved it from cancellation. The Office alum Mindy Kaling finally got to take center stage, and eventually got to take part in a devastating breakup scene of her very own.

Despite being a couple fans rooted for, Danny dumped Mindy during Season 2, episode 17. This comes after he asks her to keep their relationship a secret, which is definitely a red flag. This couple would continue making headlines throughout the rest of the show's run. 

Veronica and Logan, Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars was a star-making moment for Kristen Bell, who played the title character throughout the show's original run, the movie, and the eventually reboot on Hulu. Veronica had an early love interest in Logan, although they eventually had their own breakup.

Veronica and Logan's relationship was complicated throughout Veronica Mars' years on the air. Their breakup in Season 2 came after they dated over the summer, but failed to be a healthy couple once school started back up. Of course, that wouldn't be the end of their story. 

Liza and Josh, Younger

Younger ran on TV Land for six seasons, before eventually pivoting to streaming and becoming available with a Paramount+ subscription. In the very first episode protagonist Liza (Sutton Foster) meets an intriguing stranger who she has immediate chemistry with: Josh (Nico Tortorella). The first season follows their connection, as well as her lying about her age at work.

Since Josh and Liza's chemistry was so essential to Younger's start, seeing them break up in Season 2 was a serious bummer. And as such, it remains an iconic part of the show's long run.

If there's one thing that TV shows are wont to do, it's break the hearts of its fans. And as such, there's going to be more heartbreaking breakups to add to this list as time goes. That's why I keep a box of tissues nearby when watching my favorite show... even the comedies. 

While news of another live action remake at the hands of Walt Disney Studios is often met with disdain, you can’t argue with those figures. Clearly Disney’s formula of taking a cookie cutter to its animated classics is working – and as a big Disney fan, I can't help but be excited to re-experience the magic of those earlier animations in an all new light.

With 21 live action adaptations already released and plenty upcoming live action remakes in the pipeline (including Snow White, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Moana all of which already have release dates), I asked Media Psychologist Pamela Rutledge why remakes appeal to us so much. 

Why Do We Love A Remake?

When it comes to a favorite book, movie, or TV show, you may have found yourself mourning the fact you'll never get to experience it for the first time again as something completely fresh, new, and magical. By tapping into our nostalgia, reboots and remakes come close to recreating a feeling akin to that and, in many cases, can take us back to that point in our lives that movie or show is so closely attached to in our minds. As Rutledge continues:

I cannot tell you the amount of times I have watched the animated movie Anastasia (1997) or the absolutely iconic A Cinderella Story (2004)  – or just about any 2000s movie starring Hilary Duff for that matter. I played the DVDs and, in the former's case, VHS tape over and over again as a kid and preteen. And when I'm trying to cheer myself up, these movies are still my go-to. Sure, not because of their cinematic genius but because of that strong connection with my childhood.

Perhaps oddly, the most recent addition to my list of comfort watches is Normal People, which if you've seen it isn't a particularly cozy, 'happy ending' kind of watch. It's actually quite a painful yet honest depiction of messy human emotions and two people who keep missing each other. My reaction to it is almost guttural – which says a lot as I am not often physically moved by TV shows or movies, as much as I'd love a cathartic cry.

The first time I read the book by Sally Rooney, though, and the year in which the TV show was released, quite accurately signpost the beginning and end of a significant period in my life. So what Rutledge says makes a lot of sense to our innate sentimentality as human beings, and is another piece in the puzzle as to why film studios find so much success monetizing on our sense of nostalgia.

So Why Would Disney Choose To Return To Old Trodden Ground Rather Than Make Something New?

I'm going to get cynical about the innerworkings of a film studio and say that, when push comes to shove (if that), it's all about what's going to make the most money. 

It's a commonly used phrase that there's no such thing as an original idea anymore – and even if there was, can you guarantee it'll be a box office hit? With enough exciting names attached to a movie across cast and crew, it could fly, of course. But it's always a risk – one that studios aren't always willing to take.

By taking something already well-known, that has a dedicated fanbase, and spinning it into something new but with the fundamentals the same, you can almost guarantee to get butts on seats at the movies. Even if fans are hate-watching (as happened with The Little Mermaid and the review bombing that occurred), in the grand scheme of making a profit, money is money.

The same goes for book-to-screen adaptations, too, with some of the biggest franchise in not so recent memory heralding from book series like Twilight and The Hunger Games, as well as the newer hits like the aforementioned Normal People and Red, White, and Royal Blue. Not to mention the fact the Harry Potter books are being adapted for a second time by Max.

Is it necessary? Probably not. But will diehard fans part with their cash to experience something they love come to life (even if it isn't for the first time). Absolutely, yes.

How Does The Remake Strategy Apply To Streaming Services?

While the dreaded pandemic might largely be behind us, it certainly set a new precedence for how we consume movies, with the latest releases often hitting whichever service gets the rights to the IP a lot sooner. 

Take The Little Mermaid for instance, which arrives on Disney Plus 14 weeks after its cinematic release on September 6. Only a few years ago when streaming services were somewhat less prevalent, you could expect to wait 5 months or more for a successful film to come out on DVD back in the day.

Not only an indication of the way streaming services have impacted theatrical release timelines, it also alludes to a business model in which these services need to abide by, providing a continuous stream of new titles to watch – and, incidentally, building upon their brand.

JustWatch allows readers around the world to find out where they can watch any and all TV shows and movies, listing what streaming platforms titles are currently on as well as where you can rent or buy digital copies and in 4K.

Where reboots might effect streaming service business strategies, I spoke to Victor Tejeda, JustWatch's Senior Digital Marketing Manager, who said:

Remakes, then, are not just about box office numbers but also about subscriber retention. For Disney Plus, the expansion of its brand is fuelled not only by the live action remakes, many of which have gone straight to streaming, like with Peter Pan & Wendy and Pinocchio... It also does so by tapping into the franchise we are already emotionally invested in, expanding both the Star Wars and Marvel universes with Original titles, for instance, and giving subscribers more of what they want for the price of Disney Plus.

The same is evident elsewhere. Max (formerly HBO Max) has build out the world of  DC superheroes with shows like Harley Quinn and Peacemaker, as well as reviving HBO hits like Sex and the City with the sequel series And Just Like That. Meanwhile, Paramount Plus revived iCarly. Not to mention the expansion of the Yellowstone universe of the back of its success, with numerous spinoff series like 1883 and 1923.

So what makes remakes so popular and why do film studios love doing them so much? Well, by playing on our nostalgia, they are guaranteeing, if not outright box office success then at least a healthy turnout of fans and haters alike. They are capitalising on our sense of nostalgia and ownership of these old, beloved stories and building upon a pre-existing fanbase and established brand.

Drag Race recently rapped Season 14 (with shorter episodes), and shortly after All-Stars 8 was available for fans with a Paramount+ subscription. You don't have to win the show to become a fan favorite character, but there are 5 winners in particular who I think are the Queens of The Kingdom. Let's break it all down.

Trixie Mattel 

This one might have been the most obvious choice for the list. Trixie Mattel debuted on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7, and was actually eliminated twice. While she didn't perform that well on the show, she became a fan favorite queen who had great success thanks to her webseries UNHhhh alongside Katya. That little series became a sensation, leading to wild fame a ton of fans for its two stars.

Trixie returned to compete on All-Stars 3, this time with more confidence, new make-up, and some fabulous custom outfits. She ended up winning that season, beating out strong competitors like Kennedy Davenport and Shangela. After that win Mattell basically worked non-stop touring, filming various shows (and a podcast) with Katya, and releasing four original albums. She also started Trixie Cosmetics, which is wildly successful. She even purchased and renovated a motel in Palm Springs, documenting it on the show Trixie Motel which is available with a Max subscription. Trixie is also a judge on Queen of the Universe. She's known for having the strongest hustle of the Drag Race Kingdom, and has shown no signs of slowing down. 

Bob The Drag Queen

Bob The Drag Queen was a frontrunner the minute she entered the Werk Room on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6. She was by far the funniest person on the cast during her interviews, and had an authentic feud with Derrick Barry (plus Lucian Piane). She ended up winning her first attempt at the crown, and has had a thriving career in the 9 years since the show aired. 

Since then Bob has appeared in a number of high profile projects. She's written performed and released multiple stand-up specials  and singles, and acted on the stage and screen including Netflix's Tales of the City reboot, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and even an appearance on The Simpsons. More recently Bob has produced and starred in in the Emmy-winning docuseries We're Here on HBO. And for years she's co-hosted the popular podcast Sibling Rivalry with another Queen from this list 

Jinkx Monsoon 

Jinkx Monsoon has a special honor that no other winner from RuPaul's Drag Race shares. Namely, she's the only Queen to have won the crown twice. After taking it home as the underdog of Season 5, she returned to the Werk Room for All-Stars 7, which featured a full cast of winners.

Fans have watched Monsoon's look progress in the years since Drag Race, as we got a more sophisticated version of her vintage cougar character. She's also gone to great success as an actress, vocalist, and comedian. She put out a bunch of original music and toured with her duo act Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales. She recently wrapped a run playing Mama Morton Chicago on Broadway, which resulted in a huge rise in ticket sales. Following that Jinkx was cast in Doctor Who. Plus there's The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Special, which is available for annual rewatch with a Hulu subscription. Finally, she has her own podcast titled Hi Jinkx! with Jinkx Monsoon.

Monét X Change

Monét X Change competed on a whopping three season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Her first was back in Season 10, where she won Fan Favorite and placed 6th. She would return for All-Stars 4, where she and Trinity The Tuck made history as the first and only tie winners of the franchise. She came back to compete with all the winners in All-Stars 7, and made it all the way to the final lip sync against none other than Jinkx Monsoon.

Aside from her three strong performances on Drag Race, Monét has managed to build a thriving career out there in the real world. She stars in two different podcasts, Sibling Rivalry and Ebony and Irony, co-hosted by Bob The Drag Queen and the legendary Lady Bunny respectively. She hosted the Huluween Dragstravaganza alongside Ginger Minj, and had a role in Lovecraft Country and The Simpsons. She also hosted and executive produced her own talk show The X Change Rate. 

Alaska Thunderfuck

Alaska Thunderfuck is one of the most iconic Queens to ever compete on RuPaul's Drag Race. She first debuted back in Season 5, and was a finalist alongside Jinkx. She'd snatched the crown herself on All-Stars 2, which is what many fans believe is the best season of the entire franchise's history. And she's gone on to great things outside of that beloved reality competition series.

Alaska popped up for cameos in various season of Drag Race after winning, although she was noticeably absent from All-Stars 7. Instead she's been keeping busy recording and releasing original music, doing solo tours, and even performing in Head Over Heels at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her podcast Race Chaser is wildly successful, and launched an entire podcasting network where she's an executive producer. She also competed in the reality competition show Scared Famous, acted in the final Sharknado movie, and has appeared in a number of documentary projects. She was most recently featured in Drag Me To Dinner on Hulu, in arguably the best episode of the lot.

Obviously there are too many glorious divas to include on this list, but this happens to be the Top 5 biggest winners in my opinion. Although I have to give flowers to other names like Bianca Del Rio and Raja. Be sure to check out the TV premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

It was reported a few years back by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media that while characters over 50 make up a fifth of characters on television, only a fourth of them are played by women (via Buzzfeed). With that in mind, there’s a gender gap with opportunities being favored for older men much more than women. Thankfully, these actresses have found a way to thrive in Hollywood after turning 50.  

Michelle Yeoh 

Recently, at the 2023 Oscars, the ceremony actually celebrated numerous actresses that are thriving after 50, including Best Actress winner, Michelle Yeoh. The Everything Everywhere All At Once lead accepted the award not only as the first Asian actress to win in the category, but as a “beacon” of hope for more women her age to be seen in major roles. As she accepted the trophy, she said: "Ladies, don't let anybody tell you you are past your prime." 

Yeoh has been over 50 in Hollywood for over a decade now, and is enjoying an exciting era in her career by finding key roles in successful movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, or finding empowering roles in recent TV series like Star Trek: Discovery and The Witcher: Blood Origin. 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Yeoh’s Everything Everywhere co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also took home an Oscar for the movie in the Best Supporting Actress category after over 45 years working in Hollywood. Curtis was a teenager when she found her breakout role in Halloween, but decade after decade she has continued to be cast in exciting roles, especially after turning 50. In Curtis’ fifties and sixties the actress has revived her role as Laurie Strode in a new Halloween trilogy, starred in Knives Out and has a wealth of roles on the horizon, including Borderlands and Haunted Mansion. 

Angela Bassett 

Curtis’ fellow nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category in 2023 was Angela Bassett, for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, who also remains a working icon into her mid-sixties. Aside from starring as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel franchise, the actress continues to lead the network series 9-1-1 along with appearing in multiple seasons of American Horror Story and recently being part of the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Helen Mirren

One of the most iconic actresses to consistently nab interesting roles for herself following turning 50 is Helen Mirren. The British talent hit the milestone in 1995, before she’d made some of her most beloved and best movies, like 2001’s Gosford Park, 2003’s Calendar Girls or her 2006 Oscar-winning performance in The Queen. Mirren has continued to play leading roles in the past decade, such as starring in the Red films, her incredible role in the Fast and the Furious movies along with leading 1923 and Shazam! Fury of the Gods within the past year. 

Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin

While I could certainly talk about Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in their own right, the fact that this pair got themselves their own hit comedy series, Grace and Frankie, in their late seventies (across seven seasons, no less) deserves to be celebrated. These two have modeled, brought life to and joked about the lives of older women who are best friends, and we’re so blessed it exists. The pair hit 50 in the late ‘80s and thrived, remaining booked and busy. Among the 2023 new movie releases, they are in back-to-back movies together, too, 80 For Brady and Moving On. 

Rita Moreno

One of Rita Moreno’s first roles was in 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. Seventy years later her career is still very much popping, between starring in Netflix’s sitcom, One Day At A Time, and voicing the role of Carmen Sandiego for the original animated series. This year, Moreno also starred in 80 For Brady and has joined the Fast and the Furious franchise as Dominic Toretto’s grandma. 

Sally Field

Speaking of 80 For Brady leads, Sally Field has continued to remain relevant and very much respected in Hollywood at the age of 76. From being nominated for an Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln to bringing new life to Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, or starring in critically acclaimed movies like Hello, My Name Is Doris and Spoiler Alert, Field has continued to impress after a massive first half of her career. 

Emma Thompson

In the nearly 15 years that Emma Thompson has been over 50, she has accomplished a lot. She gave a powerful performance as P.L. Travers in the sweet Saving Mr. Banks' movie alongside Tom Hanks, she gave Cruella a formidable foe of her own in the titular 2021 Disney prequel, and tackled the usually taboo topic of exploring sexuality past one’s “prime” and filmed nude scenes for Good Luck To You, Leo Grande. 

Ming-Na Wen

When Ming-Na Wen turned 50 back in 2013, she was just getting her start playing Melinda May on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, a badass and highly-skilled operative she continued to play for over 100 episodes. Since finding success with that series, which is now her most famous role outside Mulan, Wen has joined the Star Wars universe as Fennec Shand, a female bounty hunter and master assassin. 

Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara is well-known to an entirely new generation than those who grew up seeing her in movies like Best In Show, Beetlejuice or Home Alone, thanks to her beloved role in Schitt’s Creek as Moira Rose. O’Hara will go down in history as playing one of the funniest TV characters in a big role she found well after 50. 

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch booked her most popular role of Sue Sylvester on Glee right as she was turning 50 and played the character for six seasons before finding all sorts of work in showbiz otherwise. She notably voices the role of Calhoun in the Wreck-It Ralph movies, along with having major roles in the hit shows The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Party Down and with hosting 75 episodes of the original celebrity game show, Celebrity Game Night. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

The Seinfeld star not only found herself a whole other well-loved TV show to lead and produce after 50 with HBO’s Veep, which she also won nine consecutive Emmy awards for, but she’s a major player in the Marvel universe now. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been consistently quick on her feet on the comedy front and proved to be an impressive dramatic actress as well, with roles in films like Enough Said. 

Jennifer Coolidge

Then, there’s Jennifer Coolidge’s recent comeback for The White Lotus that has the actress literally everywhere right now. Along with the 61-year-old recently winning her first Emmy for her hilarious role as Tanya McQuoid, Coolidge has had loads of projects she has stolen the show in, in the past couple of years in particular, like Promising Young Woman, The Watcher and Shotgun Wedding alongside Jennifer Lopez.

Jessica Lange 

Four decades after Jessica Lange became a star for roles like her Oscar-nominated work in Tootsie and Frances, she is still a huge name, particularly thanks to her move to TV in collaboration with Ryan Murphy on his numerous shows. Lange always provides strong performances in her ever-changing American Horror Story roles, along with portraying Joan Crawford in Feud. 

Allison Janney 

Allison Janney is another actress who got wide recognition for being in one of the best-regarded TV shows of all time, The West Wing. After starring in 155 episodes of the drama, Janney has continued to explore all sorts of interesting characters across her career, especially after 50, whether it be in the sitcom Mom, winning an Oscar for her chilling mother role in I, Tonya or her booked 2022 that put an additional three movies under her belt. Janney is even more famous now than she was when she was a younger actress. 

Julianne Moore 

A new role from Julianne Moore is never too far away these days. The 62-year-old actress has accomplished a lot over 50 and has even been in with the kids because of her key role in the Hunger Games franchise or starring alongside Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard in the recent indie, When You Finish Saving the World. Moore has starred in so many great movies just within the past decade that it can be hard to recall she’s also the same actress from Boogie Nights and Far From Heaven. 

Tilda Swinton 

We don’t have enough female character actors in the world, but Tilda Swinton embodies someone new so frequently that we can barely imagine what she’s like in real life. The majority of Swinton’s best roles have occurred since she turned 50, such as We Need To Talk About Kevin, or her numerous times working with Wes Anderson and Bong Joon-Ho. 

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is one of the most acclaimed actors of our time right now and it feels like she’s also just getting started. Recently, the actress did just about every stunt as a warrior and leader in The Woman King and has become the most-nominated Black actress in Academy Awards history. 

Meryl Streep 

I mean, it’s Meryl. What else do we have to say? The 73-year-old actress has always been magnificent on screen no matter her age and has proven her great talent and ability to be a chameleon on the screen again and again. Since turning 50, Streep has starred in all-time great movies like The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia, and Iron Lady, and looking forward, she's about to guest star in Only Murders In the Building. 

It’s great to see so many women have broken through and found roles for themselves after 50 in the industry. It really comes down to great roles being written for women of all ages for their opportunities to exist. 

You would think I would have watched it many times, because I adore Meg Ryan movies, especially her romantic comedies, and I know many consider this one of the best romantic comedies of all time. But, nope, I didn’t know what happened When Harry Met Sally.  

 Now I know, and I have some thoughts. 

Do I Like Opposites Attract Rom-Coms? 

This is probably one of the most obvious opposites attract films I have ever seen. This made me wonder: Wait, are any of my favorite romantic comedies in that category?

Not a romantic comedy, but Katniss and Peeta are definitely one of my favorite book couples that fit into that category, the same with many of Nicholas Sparks’ romantic movie couples that I love, but what about romantic comedies? I think Clueless may be one of the few of my favorite that neatly fits into the opposites attract category.

Seeing how well the trope works in When Harry Met Sally made me want to see more of those types of rom-coms. There are plenty of great enemies to-lovers movies, but that's not the same. This film may be one of the best versions of this type of romantic movie, and maybe it’s time for the genre to add more of them, or maybe I need to find and watch more of them. 

Either way, I want more opposites attract rom-coms.

The Makeup And Costumes In When Harry Met Sally Are Great 

Over the course of the movie’s 12-year period, I am completely sold that they are in their early 20s to early 30s. I give credit to the costume and makeup department for making the age transition believable. I also applaud them for capturing the decade with their clothing and makeup choices.

As stated, I have seen so many Meg Ryan movies, but I think this is the first one where I kept thinking “I love her outfit.” Sally is definitely a movie fashion icon. We don’t talk about her wardrobe enough as a society.

There Are So Many Famous People That I Didn't Know Were Associated With This Film 

I only know that Nora Ephron is associated with this movie because I love her movies, including Sleepless in Seattle and all its Christmasness. Therefore, I am constantly trying to make it through her filmography, but just kept putting off When Harry Met Sally. 

I also had no clue how she was tied to this film. Now I know she was a producer on it and wrote the script. The opening credits also let me know that it was directed by Rob Reiner. I had no idea this was one of his movies.

I also learned that Harry Connick Jr. was established enough in his career in the '80s to be part of the soundtrack and music arrangement. Additionally, I didn't know that Carrie Fisher was in it. She was one of the best parts of the movie, and it’s definitely one of her roles worth watching.

The team in front and behind the camera really help make this a memorable film.

The Couples Talking To The Camera Section May Be My Favorite Part Of When Harry Met Sally

The short segments that have couples talking about their love stories are just so charming. Each couple had an entertaining story. It’s also just a reminder of how almost everyone has a unique love story, both fictional (like these couples) and real couples.

Every couple also has a compelling story. Even something as simple as a grocery store meeting can be fascinating when you learn more context, details, and more of the evolution of the relationship. I also loved how it comes full circle with Harry and Sally speaking about their relationship at the end. It contextualizes those couple scenes and gives them more of a purpose. 

The "I'm Sorry" Scene May Be The Film's Best Declaration Of Love 

When Harry Met Sally is for people who like talking. It’s very much a movie where conversations are Harry and Sally’s love language. There aren’t many big romantic gestures, but small ones. This may make it a rom-com that's more grounded in reality than most, but I still like my big gestures — unrealistic or not.

One of the film’s best small gesture moments is after Harry and Sally get into a big fight. Harry asks to say something and then apologizes and hugs her. This is such a big moment and character development for him.

The Harry we get to know is very confident in always being right. He will shout his wrongness just to hear his own voice. Therefore, when he doesn’t continue to fight and try to prove his point, it shows how much he loves her. Not losing or hurting her is more important to him than continuing to argue.

Harry saying he’s sorry doesn’t seem like something that happens often. It’s with those simple words that you know he loves her and needs her. He loves her a lot. 

I Preferred Harry And Sally As Just Friends 

One of the reasons I delayed watching When Harry Met Sally is because, for a long time, I believed it wasn’t the typical romantic comedy. I thought it was one about platonic friendship. I expected Harry and Sally to not end up together but be soulmates in the friendship way, and help each other find romantic love with other people. 

One day, I found out that my belief was wrong. They end up together. I really liked my idea, so I lost interest in seeing the movie. Obviously, my idea is likely not going to make romantic comedy fans happy, especially those who want to see the characters end up together.

I respect that, but I wanted what I wanted. I still think the friend idea would have been really interesting and show that men and women can actually be friends. They can also be non-romantic soulmates. However, I did really enjoy Harry’s final declaration to Sally. It is the film’s biggest romantic gesture. I also liked seeing them happily talk about their love story and wedding at the end. 

I also did enjoy what the film had to say about love and relationships. It's a sweet idea that sometimes people fall for their best friend, and the concept of the right person at the wrong time rings true. 

Other Thoughts 

We still have other stuff to discuss about When Harry Met Sally, besides whether I should make dressing like Sally my whole personality from now on. 

• I would have paid a lot of money to see a Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher) spin-off movie. I really enjoyed their relationship and love story.
• The last names Albright and Burns are such a fun obvious note to their opposite personalities and also how they fit.
• For a moment, I was hoping this was about to be one of those set in Chicago movies. I was disappointed when it turned into another one of those movies set in New York. 
• Talking to (texting) a friend while you watch a movie together from separate homes is very relatable. 
• Harry may have one of the best movie developments and emotional glow ups. I went from finding him annoying to enjoying him by the end. 
• I loved that it’s a film about 30-somethings who really experience life before finally finding their soulmates. That seems somehow revolutionary in the world of romantic comedies.

This is definitely one of the best Billy Crystal movies along with being one of the best Meg Ryan ones. It’s not one of my favorite romantic comedies, but I am glad I finally watched it. I also now understand why people adore it so much. 

Rent/buy When Harry Met Sally on Amazon. 

The Wedding Planner (2001)

While Selena was technically the first movie in which J.Lo played a bride, there was no actual wedding scene in the movie (and thereby no wedding dress), so I’ve made the executive decision to leave it off this list. This brings us to The Wedding Planner, in which J.Lo plays the titular wedding planner, Mary Fiore, who falls for one of her clients. I feel like that must be breaking some cardinal rule of wedding planning, right?

In an attempt to get over Mr. Right, Mary plans to marry Mr. He’ll-Do: a perfectly-nice childhood friend named Massimo whom she ultimately ditches at the altar. While the ceremony was short-lived, the white boatneck dress she wore lives on with its eventual comparisons to Meghan Markle’s Givenchy wedding gown. Pam Chilton, the movie's costume designer, told Glamour:

Enough (2002)

Enough is most-certainly not a rom-com, but it starts with the hope of marital bliss when J.Lo’s character Slim marries the handsome and wealthy Mitch (played by Billy Campbell). In her wedding to Mitch, Slim wears a simple but beautiful gown with a sweetheart neckline and veil. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the love story and the beginning of the all-too-real thriller.

Monster In Law (2005)

J.Lo may be the bride in Monster In Law, but Jane Fonda steals the show as Viola, who spends the majority of the movie trying to stop Lopez's character Charlie from marrying her son Kevin (played by Michael Vartan). Viola employs intimidation and manipulation tactics to scare Charlie off, even going so far as to wear a white gown with elbow-length gloves to the ceremony – the same sartorial combo Charlie is planning to wear because, duh, she’s the bride. Sure, it’s hard to upstage a total babe like Jennifer Lopez, but this feels like a particularly unhinged move for even the silliest of rom-coms. Ultimately, though, Charlie and Kevin make it down the aisle for their happy ending – if you consider marrying a grade-A wimp like Kevin a “happy ending,” but that’s a rant for another day.

El Cantante (2006)

Almost a decade after playing iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla in Selena, and two years after marrying co-star Marc Anthony, Lopez plays another real-life figure in El Cantante. This time, she's Nilda "Puchi" Lavoe, wife of legendary Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Lavoe (played by Marc Anthony). The two get married at the start of the movie, with Nilda wearing a 60s-inspired, high-neck white lace gown and a long veil.

Marry Me (2022)

My personal favorite of the bunch because of its sheer grandiosity is the wedding dress from Marry Me. Lopez plays Kat Valdez, an international pop star who is promoting her new single “Marry Me” - how meta! - by marrying her pop star boyfriend Bastian (played by Maluma) on stage at one of her concerts. This plan goes awry when cheating rumors come out right before the ceremony. As she’s standing on the stage in this 95-pound metallic gown, heartbroken (and presumably sweaty because that ish is heavy), she decides to marry a random concert-goer from the crowd instead, Charlie (played by Owen Wilson). 

The Zuhair Murad dress worn in Marry Me reportedly took five people to transport and an entourage to get J.Lo in and out of – with nine layers of silk taffeta, horsehair and tulle, as well as crystals, silver, ruffles, embroidery and lace. The movie itself is a little lackluster in comparison, but you should stream this Jennifer Lopez rom-com anyway to check out all the awesome fashion.

Shotgun Wedding (2023)

In her second wedding movie in a row, Shotgun Wedding, J.Lo delivers her funniest performance yet with an all-star cast you’ve certainly seen before (including my other favorite Jennifer, Jennifer Coolidge). Shotgun Wedding is about J.Lo's Darcy and Tom (played by Josh Duhamel) who gather with friends and family for a destination wedding that takes a turn for the worse. When the couple starts to get cold feet because of family drama and Tom being a bit of a “groomzilla,” the wedding party gets taken hostage by pirates. While I often feel taken hostage at weddings, this is in a different league. Don’t worry, Darcy and Tom still go through with the wedding in the end (as one of our writers Adrienne Jones aptly points out in her thoughts on Shotgun Wedding, “how?!”), though the off-white gown takes a different form after suffering some serious wear-and-tear. In fact, there were 28 versions of the custom Galia Lahav gown made so it "could be modified, ripped and transformed into a uniform suitable for a glam action hero," according to a press release from the bridal brand.

While all of these dresses are timeless and dreamy, I still stand by the showstopper from Marry Me as the winning gown. Do you have a favorite of Jennifer Lopez’s movie wedding dresses?

When the 2023 Oscar nominations were revealed, movie fans immediately pointed out the 2023 Academy Awards’ various snubs, including two especially incredible performances by Black women that should have had a shot at the Best Actress category, Viola Davis in The Woman King and Danielle Deadwyler in Till. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about the past 95 years. 

Hattie McDaniel Is The First Black Actress To Be Nominated For (And Win) An Oscar

Over the nearly 100-year history of the Academy Awards, only ten golden trophies have been given out to Black women for acting performances. The first time the Oscars nominated a Black actress was in 1939 for Gone with the Wind, a movie that nearly swept every category at the 12th Academy Awards. Hattie McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as a house servant named Mammy in the romance epic. The second Black actress to be nominated for an Oscar was Ethel Waters for 1949's Pinky, and the first Black actress nominated for Best Actress happened for Dorothy Dandridge, with her 1954 titular role in Carmen Jones. Here's every winner thus far:

We'll break down some of these wins further as we go through more of the history of the Academy Awards. 

It’s Been Rare For More Than One Black Woman To Be Nominated In A Single Year

When it comes to nominations, it’s been very uncommon for the Academy to nominate more than one performance by a Black actress in a single year. It occurred for the first time during the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, when Diana Ross’ performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues and Cicely Tyson’s role in Sounder were both nominated in the Best Actress category. Liza Minnelli won over them that year for Cabaret. 

Overall, there have been eight times in Oscars history where more than one Black actress has been nominated in a single year: 1973, 1986, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The good news is that in the past few years it’s been an increasingly more common occurrence. The most Black actresses nominated in one year happened at the 2017 award show, when Ruth Negga was up for Best Actress and Viola Davis, Naomie Harris, and Octavia Spencer were all up for Supporting, and Davis won for her performance in Fences.  

1985’s The Color Purple Was Significant For Black Actress Oscar Nominations

Speaking of multiple Black actresses getting recognition for their work in a single year, 1986 was a massive year for that at the Academy Awards. At the 58th ceremony, Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple led nominations alongside Out Of Africa, both earning 11 each. Among the movie’s nods were three performance nominations for Black women, with Whoopi Goldberg getting on the list for Best Actress, and Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey being nominated for Supporting. While none of them actually won, it was the first time multiple African-American actresses from the same film had been in the running. 

Halle Berry Is The Only Black Best Actress Winner Ever

At the 2002 Oscars, Halle Berry took the stage to accept her award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, becoming the first Black actress to win the honor, saying her win was door being "opened." Over 20 years after that milestone moment, Berry’s performance in Monster’s Ball remains the only time a Black actress has taken home the award. The Academy has a clear tendency to nominate Black women in supporting roles and shut them out when it comes to leading roles. 

Viola Davis Is The Most Nominated Black Actress In Academy Awards History

Over the years, the Academy has nominated numerous actors more than once, with Meryl Streep earning a record 21 Oscar nominations and three wins. A ton of other actresses have been nominated again and again, including Katharine Hepburn’s 12, Bette Davis’ 10, Cate Blanchett, Geraldine Page, Judi Dench and Glenn Close each having eight, and so forth. When it comes to Black actresses that have been nominated for multiple awards, just four actresses have multiple nods.

Viola Davis has been nominated the most, with four nominations and one win, followed by Octavia Spencer’s three nominations and one win, and lastly, Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg’s two nominations each. Goldberg won for Ghost in 1991 and Bassett could win her first this year for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Octavia Spencer Is The Only Black Actress To Be Nominated Two Years In A Row

Along with Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer has been an actress to break through the Academy’s patterns with her three nominations over the years. Spencer was first nominated for her supporting role in The Help in 2012, before having back-to-back years where she was nominated again in the same category for Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water in 2017 and 2018. With those nominations in mind, she’s not only the first to be nominated two years in a row, she’s also the first to be nominated twice after already winning. 

Angela Bassett’s Wakanda Forever Nomination Is Historic For Marvel

That brings us to this year at the Oscars. Angela Bassett was the only Black actress to be nominated for an acting award this year for her part as Queen Ramonda in the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. The supporting role nomination is a huge deal because it could give Bassett her first Oscar. Additionally, it opens the door for Marvel Studios because it is the first time an actor in one of the franchise’s movies has been nominated for their performances. 

Black women have historically been underrepresented for acting awards on Hollywood’s biggest night. To see how this year’s Academy Awards shake out, you can tune in to the 95th Academy Awards on ABC on March 12. And, check out the 2023 TV schedule to keep track of upcoming award shows. 

Before we get into it, it should be noted that this year marked a record-breaking year for Asian actors being nominated, between Everything Everywhere All At Once’s many grabs and The Whale’s Hong Chau getting the Supporting Actress nomination. 

Here are some of the performances we wish were in the running for a golden trophy. 

Jeremy Pope (The Inspection)

Jeremy Pope has been in award conversation for his role in The Inspection, a drama about a young man who decides to join the marines after being rejected by his mother for being gay. The actor earned nominations for his lead performance at the Independent Spirit Awards and Golden Globes after the movie received critical praise. It’s surprising to see Pope get shut out of the Oscar race after all of the acclaim he received leading up to the nominations. 

Danielle Deadwyler (Till) 

Danielle Deadwyler was absolutely incredible as the mother of Emmett Till in Till, a powerful film about how Mamie turned her grief into activism during the Civil Rights Movement after her 14-year-old son was abducted, tortured and lynched in 1955. The actress was also in the awards conversation for some time, finding nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs and winning Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Independent Film Awards. Unfortunately, other actresses were picked above her in the very competitive leading category. 

Viola Davis (The Woman King) 

Speaking of Best Actress snubs, how the heck did Viola Davis get snubbed for The Woman King? Davis was recognized by the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes for her powerful performance as the leader of the all-female warrior unit of the Agojie, but when it came to the Oscars, she was not chosen. Sure Davis has been nominated four times by the Academy and won in 2017 for Fences, but you cannot deny the work she did here, including doing just about everything when it came to stunts. 

Tang Wei (Decision To Leave)

Park Chan-Wook’s Decision To Leave absolutely broke me. This movie missing out on Best International Feature certainly is on our Oscars snubs list, but if it were up to me, I would have also thrown in Tang Wei on the list for Best Actress. The actress gave a magnetic performance as Seo-Rae, the object of Hae-Jun’s suspicion in his detective case, and affections. The Chinese star was not nominated for any major awards this season for the role. 

Donald Elise Watkins (Emergency) 

Speaking of underrated roles, not enough people are talking about Emergency, which was among CinemaBlend’s top 10 movies of 2022. The independent film directed by Carey Williams premiered at Sundance and SXSW before it went to streaming on Amazon Prime. The movie is about a pair of Black college students who find an unconscious white girl in their place and have to contemplate calling the police. It had a standout performance from Donald Elise Watkins -- who played the role of Kunle -- who is just getting his start in Hollywood. 

Taylor Russell (Bones and All)

Another amazing performance I’m not going to forget anytime soon is Taylor Russell’s in Bones and All. Following a previously buzzy performance in 2019’s Waves, Russell beautifully and intricately brought life to a peculiar story of two cannibals who fall in love. She was a nominee at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Gotham Independent Film Awards, but when it came to the Academy, perhaps Bones and All was too weird for the voting body. 

Amber Midthunder (Prey)

Considering Prey went straight to streaming on Hulu, Amber Midthunder’s amazing performance in it was likely not qualified for the Academy Awards, but nonetheless it deserves some recognition. The unlikely Predator prequel had Midthunder playing a warrior in the Comanche Nation that shared a ton of success and praise from Hollywood and the Native American community. Sure, it’s an action thriller, but why are actors who give dramatic performances the one’s primarily being recognized by the Academy? 

Dolly De Leon (Triangle of Sadness) 

The Best Supporting Actress category was stacked too, and it’s pretty amazing that Angela Bassett got in for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Stephanie Hsu got recognized for her amazing Everything Everywhere All At Once performance too. One snub that a lot of people are talking about though is Filipino actress Dolly De Leon missing out on an Oscar nomination for her role in Best Picture nominee Triangle of Sadness. The actress did an amazing job of portraying a cleaning lady who rises through the ranks of power when a luxury cruise goes down and its survivors end up on an island. 

Keke Palmer (Nope)

Once again the Academy also failed to recognize 2022 horror movies that deserved consideration. Jordan Peele’s latest movie, Nope, was absolutely cinematic and included a memorable performance by Keke Palmer that we won’t soon forget. While Palmer’s performance was in the awards conversation, it never quite made it to the nominations. That doesn’t mean her role didn’t deserve more recognition. Alien movies are worth Oscars too! 

Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) 

Then there’s Janelle Monáe’s role in Glass Onion. The supporting performance was a huge highlight in Rian Johnson’s mystery that was stacked with talented actors. Monáe stole the show as not one character, but two, one of which has to play someone playing someone else. It was pretty amazing and they were in the conversation, earning recognition from Critics Choice for her performance. 

There are so many incredible performances this year and those who were nominated deserve recognition as well, but here’s hoping more of the many diverse and talented actors in Hollywood are given the spotlight in years to come. The Academy Awards are set to air on ABC with host Jimmy Kimmel on Sunday, March 12. 

We’re still a few months away from Survivor 44 premiering this March, but luckily audiences were given another game full of deceit and challenges to keep us satiated. The Traitors is currently streaming in its entirety on Peacock, featuring 20 contestants basically playing a high-stakes game of Murder or Among Us. 17 of them are working together as Faithfuls, while 3 others are the mischievous Traitors who want to steal the pot of money for themselves and create chaos. Once per day the contestants vote someone out in hopes of banishing the Traitors. And each night the remaining Traitors get to “murder” a Faithful and take them out of the game.

Obviously this means that there is a ton of lying and deception going on, especially for the three Traitors. Between that and the process of voting someone out, this charming new show definitely has Survivor vibes. Contestants must also do missions to make money for the final prize, which only adds to the stakes. The Traitors is hosted by icon of stage and screen Alan Cumming, who seems to be having the time of his life with his over the top narration of the events. Seriously, give the man an Emmy.

Reality TV fans will also be thrilled with the cast of the Traitors, which features a mixture of unknowns and reality stars. This includes one of the most beloved Survivor contestants of all time: four-time competitor Cirie Fields. She’s joined by three-time player Stephenie LaGrossa (who she competed with on both Survivor and Snake in the Grass) as well as Bravolebrities like Brandi Glanville, Kate Chastain, Reza Farahan, and Kyle Cooke. The cast also includes Big Brother’s Rachel Reilly and Cody Calafiore. Finally there’s The Bachelorette’s Arie Luyendyk. 

As you might have guessed, these big personalities are great television, on top of the twists and turns that come throughout The Traitors’ 10 episode first season. Having Cirie on screen is always a delight, and she and Stephenie really take to this new game well. And because Traitors is so fresh and new, it makes for some really organic conflicts between various contestants. Tears are shed, blindsides are had, and throughout it all Alan Cumming absolutely drips charm.

While I loved binge-watching The Traitors, I have to say that I kind of wish that Peacock released it episode by episode, instead of all at once. It would have been fun to have the stakes rise with each week, and allow for more fun discourse on social media. The chatter about Traitors online does seem to be increasing, so it seems like folks are tuning in. Let’s just hope that we get a second season, possibly including more reality TV personalities and Survivor icons. Fingers crossed.

The Traitors is streaming now on Peacock. Survivor 44 is expected to premiere March 1st on CBS. In the meantime, check out the TV premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

Time to open your TBR list, because a lot of upcoming book-to-screen adaptations are on the way across loads of genres, from quite a few more exciting upcoming Stephen King movies including two of his dystopian novels, The Running Man and The Long Walk. Or what about Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary movie getting a trailer or the first Emily Henry adaptation now having a place on the 2026 movie release calendar. Across numerous genres, pick up these titles so you can say ‘I read that book’ before they become major movie and TV releases.

The Thursday Murder Club (Richard Osman)

Richard Osman’s murder mystery series, The Thursday Murder Club, is also being adapted for Netflix with an all-star cast of legendary actors set to star in the film. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie will play the core group of elderly Brits living in a retirement home who meet every week to pass their days attempting to solve old crime cases. But, when an actual murder occurs on the grounds, they become a full-fledged private detective team (much to the police’s chagrin).

Caught Stealing (Charlie Huston)

Charlie Huston’s 2004 mystery novel, Caught Stealing, is being adapted by filmmaker Darren Aronofsky with the screenplay being written by the author himself. The book is about a retired baseball player who finds himself immersed in New York crime in the 1990s. Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith (who was seen in a full mohawk in set photos), Liev Schreiber and Bad Bunny are among the cast of the film.

The Long Walk (Stephen King)

Along with The Life Of Chuck being adapted by Mike Flanagan this summer, one of Stephen King’s early novels, The Long Walk is also going to be a movie. Hunger Games franchise director Francis Lawrence has helmed the dystopian story where one hundred teen boys competing in an endurance test is America’s most popular source of entertainment. During CinemaCon, Lionsgate debuted the first trailer to us ahead of it being released on YouTube in May, and it looks like it’s going to adapt the harrowing novel in ways that will please fans of it.

Vineland (Thomas Pynchon)

One of the most acclaimed directors of our time, Paul Thomas Anderson, has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Alana Haim for a loose adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland. The novel itself is about a group of Americans living in Northern California in 1984, struggling with the consequences of their lives in the sixties.

The Woman In Cabin 10 (Ruth Ware)

This 2017 New York Times Bestseller follows a travel magazine writer named Lo Blacklock, who is on an assignment aboard a luxury cruise. It’s set to be a relaxing voyage until she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard, and yet all the passengers are apparently accounted for. Now, Ruth Ware’s thriller is set to become a Netflix thriller starring Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, Hannah Waddingham, Kaya Scodelario and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska (Warren Zanes)

Since music biopics have been in fashion lately, between the Bob Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, Elvis and the record-breaking Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody, the trend will officially continue with a movie about Bruce Springsteen. But rather than it to hit all the beats of the musician’s career thus far, the film from Scott Cooper will focus on Dylan putting together his sixth album, Nebraska. This follows Warren Zanes’ work on the novel Deliver Me From Nowhere novel from 2023. Jeremy Allen White is playing Springsteen, and Springsteen himself being part of the production process.

Regretting You (Colleen Hoover)

After Colleen Hoover’s bestselling phenomenon It Ends With Us was adapted in 2024, more of the author’s books are being made into movies. Regretting You is about a mother, Morgan, and her 16-year-old daughter Clara having a difficult relationship as they butt heads following the death of Morgan’s husband and Clara’s father. The movie version will star Allison Williams as Morgan, McKenna Grace as Clara and Dave Franco as the new love interest Morgan finds during the plotline.

The Running Man (Stephen King)

Stephen King’s 1982 dystopian novel, The Running Man, is set to get a remake with Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim filmmaker Edgar Wright behind the camera. After the story of a guy who goes on a violent popular reality TV show to provide for his family was written by the King of Horror, it was initially adapted into an Arnold Schwarzenegger film. In the new adaptation, which will chillingly take place in the same year King set the novel in, Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Katy O’Brian, Michael Cera, Lee Pace and Emilia Jones in the cast. You can check out The Running Man trailer now, which includes a fun Scott Pilgrim reunion.

Die, My Love (Ariana Harwicz)

Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson are set to star in a movie together after they were almost in Twilight together, and it’s a book adaptation called Die, My Love. While talk about the movie has so far been about their sex scenes and dance lessons, it’s based on a 2018 book of the same name about a protagonist named Grace as she develops postpartum depression and struggles with her mental health after giving birth.

Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West (Gregory Maguire)

Wicked became a phenomenon all over again in 2024 with the release of the first movie, and now audiences are anticipating the Wicked: For Good release date. While the movies starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are primarily based on the hit Broadway musical, it is also based on Gregory Maguire’s book, which has the Wicked Witch telling her origin story before Dorothy kills her with a bucket of water. You can check out the Wicked: For Good trailer as we await its exciting release.

Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

We’ve had Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on this list over the years for various other movies, and we’re not surprised because it’s such a classic! After Diablo Cody recently put her own spin on the novel with Lisa Frankenstein, which critics were mixed on, we’re soon set to get a more faithful adaptation from Pan’s Labyrinth and Pacific Rim filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro. The movie coming to Netflix is set to star Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the monster, Mia Goth as Victor’s fiancee and Christoph Waltz and Lars Mikkelsen also among the cast. You can check out the Frankenstein trailer ahead of checking it out with your Netflix subscription.

Hamnet (Maggie O’Farrell)

Oscar winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao is behind the Hamnet movie adaptation with Jesse Buckley, Paul Mescal and Joe Alwyn. Zhao wrote the screenplay with the book’s author Maggie O’Farrell. The book itself is from 2020, and is a fictional account of William Shakespeare’s life with his wife Agnes after their 11-year-old son died. Mescal will play Shakespeare and Buckley will play Agnes.

Percy Jackson And The Sea of Monsters (Rick Riordan)

After Rick Riordan’s beloved Percy Jackson books became a hit Disney+ series in 2023, we’re happy to know that a second season is officially in the works that will adapt the first sequel, The Sea of Monsters. The 2006 young adult novel follows demigod Percy Jackson on his second hero’s quest, which takes him and his friends to the Bermuda Triangle to save Grover from the Cyclops Polyphemus.

The Housemaid (Freida McFadden)

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried have teamed up to star in an adaptation of The Housemaid from the director of Bridesmaids, Paul Feig, who was just behind Another Simple Favor. The mystery novel is an emotional rollercoaster of a read that follows a young woman with a criminal record who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper for a wealthy couple, and soon learns there’s something off with her new boss.

Reminders Of Him (Colleen Hoover)

The era of Colleen Hoover adaptations will continue at the top of 2026 (just in time for Valentine’s Day) with Reminders Of Him. The 2022 novel is about a woman named Kenna who has just served five years in prison and returns home to connect back with her four-year-old daughter, which proves to open old wounds in her community. Amidst Kenna trying to gain trust back with her community, a romance grows in a risky direction. Scream queen Maika Monroe has been cast as Kenna along with Gilmore Girls’ Lauren Graham.

People We Meet On Vacation (Emily Henry)

Now that author Emily Henry has become one of the most fan-favorite authors in recent years, there’s a ton of upcoming Emily Henry book adaptations on the way. The first of them will be for the People We Meet On Vacation movie starring Songbirds and Snakes’ Tom Blyth and My Lady Jane’s Emily Bader as Alex and Poppy. The 2021 novel follows the pair as best friends who used to have a tradition of vacationing for a week together every year until they had a falling out. When Poppy finds she’s unhappy with her life as of late, she tries to rekindle things between her and Alex on a trip to Palm Springs.

Crime 101 (Don Winslow)

One of the most stacked casts we’ve seen has been assembled for an adaptation of the novella, Crime 101. Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Tate Donovan and Halle Berry are all part of the Amazon Studios crime thriller coming to theaters. The original story is about a jewelry thief who goes uncaught due to his personal “Crime 101” code of ethics while being pursued by a detective on his trail.

Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)

Emily Brontë’s classic gothic novel, Wuthering Heights, is being turned into another movie after the source material has been adapted over a dozen times in the past. But this time Saltburn’s Emerald Fennell is making it with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The book itself is a love story between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff that turns destructive.

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story (Leonie Swann)

Leonie Swann’s novel, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story was published in 2005. The detective story about a flock of anthropomorphic Irish sheep out to solve the murder of their shepherd became an international bestseller after originally being written in German. Amazon is set to release a movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall and Patrick Stewart.

The Cat In The Hat (Dr. Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’ beloved 1957 children’s book, The Cat In The Hat, is about a tall cat who pays a girl and her brother a visit on a rainy day when her mother is away to entertain them as his friends Thing One and Thing Two wreck the house. It was previously adapted for live action in 2003, but this time it will be an animated movie starring Bill Hader as the cat along with Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang and Xochitl Gomez also among the voice cast. Ahead of the The Cat in the Hat release date, the first trailer may have just won us over on the reboot.

Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir)

One popular science fiction bestseller in recent years has been Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, which is now getting a movie adaptation. The book comes from the same author who previously wrote The Martian, which was adapted into a blockbuster by Ridley Scott and starred Matt Damon. Project Hail Mary follows the journey of a school teacher who becomes an astronaut, with the story picking up as he comes out of a coma while in space. The movie version will star Ryan Gosling as the protagonist, with Phil Lord and Chris Miller of the Spider-Verse movies serving as director.

Verity (Colleen Hoover)

Another one of Colleen Hoover’s top sellers on the way to becoming a movie is Verity. The movie will star Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, Dakota Johnson and Ismael Cruz Córdova. The title is the name of the character, Verity Crawford, who is a bestselling author herself who has been having trouble finishing her book series. Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer with financial issues who strikes gold when she’s hired by Verity’s husband to help complete the remaining books. While attempting to work on it, Lowen finds a manuscript for her autobiography that brings to attention a terrifying secret she’s hiding.

The Odyssey (Homer)

After Christopher Nolan’s last film, Oppenheimer, became a box office success and the 2024 Best Picture winner, his next movie is reportedly adapting Homer’s The Odyssey next with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron. The source material is one of two Ancient Greek epic poems from Homer (the other is The Iliad) that follows the king of Ithaca and Greek hero Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan war. Most recently, the first teaser for The Odyssey has debuted, for those who went early enough to their screenings of Jurassic World Rebirth in theaters.

Sunrise On The Reaping (Suzanne Collins)

After the success of the first Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, both as a novel in 2020 and movie in 2023, Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate are diving back into Panem to tell another story from the dystopia. As announced over the summer, a novel called Sunrise on the Reaping will tell the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games. The book was just released on March 18, 2025, about a year and half before the movie’s planned release date. The cast that has been announced for the production is already making fans’ dreams come true.

The Magician’s Nephew (C.S. Lewis)

After Greta Gerwig brought back Barbie in a big way with 2023’s smash hit, her next passion project is adapting the Narnia books for Netflix. She’s reportedly starting with a novel from C.S. Lewis’s series that has never become a movie before, The Magician’s Nephew. While the 1955 book is technically the sixth Narnia book that was published, it’s often thought of as the first in the series due to the timeline it's set in, and how it explains the origins of many of the world’s characters and elements. So far, Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig and Emma Mackey have all been rumored to be part of the cast.

Dune Messiah (Frank Herbert)

After Denis Villeneuve adapted the first Dune book across two films, the filmmaker is getting ready to continue the saga with book 2, Dune Messiah. The sci-fi sequel book continues the story of Paul Atreides 12 years after his rise to power. He’s emperor, but the weight of the war he has caused begins to weigh on him. Recently the Avengers: Doomsday release date was moved to be on the same day as Messiah, so it could be a huge weekend for movies.

The Children of Blood and Bone (Tomi Adeyemi)

In January 2025, it was announced that Paramount is adapting Tom Adeyami’s beloved YA novel, The Children of Blood and Bone, and the cast is stacked. Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejifor and Amandla Stenberg are among the stars in the fantasy film that blends West African mythology and the Yoruba culture with fantastical elements inspired by the likes of Harry Potter. The director of The Old Guard and The Woman King, Gina Prince-Bythewood is set to write and direct the adaptation.

The Lunar Chronicles (Marissa Meyer)

Marissa Meyer’s bestselling YA fantasy series The Lunar Chronicles is getting an exciting animated adaptation from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation, per Deadline. Each one of The Lunar Chronicles are science fiction twists of classic fairytales for Cinderella in Cinder, Little Red Riding Hood for Scarlet, Rapunzel for Cress and Snow White for Fairest. There’s not enough book adaptations that get the animation treatment, so we’re especially hyped for this one.

Upcoming Book Adaptations Without A Release Date

• All Her Fault TV show (by Andrea Mara)
• Book Lovers movie (by Emily Henry)
• Bridgerton Season 4 (based on An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn)
• A Court Of Thorns And Roses TV show (by Sarah J. Mass)
• Cold Storage movie (by David Koepp)
• Dark Matter Season 2 (by Blake Crouch)
• The Dark Tower TV show (by Stephen King)
• Fairy Tale TV show (by Stephen King)
• Fourth Wing TV show (by Rebecca Yarros)
• Funny Story movie (by Emily Henry)
• Harry Potter TV show (by J.K. Rowling)
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight TV show (by George R. R. Martin)
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles TV Show (by Rufi Thorpe)
• The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo movie (by Taylor Jenkins Reid)
• Recursion movie and TV series (by Blake Crouch)
• The Testaments TV series (by Margaret Atwood)
• Welcome To Derry TV show (by Stephen King)
• Whalefall movie (by Daniel Kraus)