Following Diablo Cody’s success with the 2007 film Juno, the writer sought to complete her next project. Her hyper-specific dialogue made the film a sensation and was quoted years after its release. Her next film, sadly, was not met with as much fanfare. In 2009, Cody wrote Jennifer’s Body, a critique of the male gaze set in a high school.

Even though the film was directed by Karyn Kusama, who would go on to direct The Invitation and executive produce Yellowjackets, her work on Jennifer’s Body would largely be unappreciated until years later. The horror film was massively mismarketed as a teen drama when it was actually a satirical, deliciously bloody look at gender roles. Jennifer’s Body has the same witty dialogue as Juno, but instead follows a teenage girl who, after being sacrificed to the devil, comes back as a man-eating succubus. Many audiences misread the film the first time around, but it is finally getting a chance to live again on Tubi.

‘Jennifer’s Body’ Would Be a Smash Success if It Came out Today

In 2009, conversations about gender still had a long way to go. While feminism had its place in pop culture, Jennifer’s Body went over many critics’ heads. Viewers were distracted by its campy tone and did not pay attention to the resonant themes at its bloody center. It didn’t help that the film’s marketing campaign seemed to try to capitalize on Megan Fox’s popularity with a younger male audience, which is precisely one of the film’s central critiques. It was marketed toward a young male audience, which missed the film’s intent.

Fox plays Jennifer Check, a high school student who is only appreciated for her sex appeal. One night, a touring band takes advantage of her in a Satanic ritual meant to grant them fame. It goes horribly awry, and instead of being sacrificed, Jennifer turns into a demon who can only survive by consuming the flesh of boys.

The relationship between Jennifer and her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is another element that was geared more to a female audience, but was misunderstood upon its release. The film also depicts the complexities of female friendships, which an audience over-sexualizing Fox would naturally miss out on. Needy and Jennifer’s relationship is extremely specific to the female experience. Though Jennifer becomes a cannibalistic monster, she initially refuses to cross the line of killing her best friend. Jennifer’s Body also deals with the spectrum of sexuality, which is not always depicted in mainstream films.

At the time, the project was unfairly compared to Twilight, which had only come out the previous year. This story was not a supernatural romance at all, but a horror film about the ramifications of taking away women’s bodily autonomy. Despite its outrageousness, the film’s subtleties were wildly misconstrued. It is tragic that had the film come out today, it likely would have been embraced with open arms. If anything, it has become more relevant than ever in the current cultural landscape. Now, fans have the opportunity to give the film a second chance by streaming it on its current home, Tubi.

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Release Date

September 18, 2009

Runtime

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107 minutes

Director

Karyn Kusama

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Producers

Brad Van Arragon, Daniel Dubiecki, Jason Reitman

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Benny Blanco
Offered Help to Launch Foot Focused Account
After Flaunting Toes!!!

Published
March 11, 2026
3:00 AM PDT

Life as a teenage girl in the 2010s could not have been more intoxicating. There was a surplus of cringey romances and delicious teen mysteries to watch after a long day of school. It was the era of vampiric love triangles, of gossiping elites, and of Dylan O’Brien with bags underneath his eyes. Amid these scandals was the hunt to figure out who “A” was in the seven-season mystery-thriller Pretty Little Liars, arguably the most iconic of all these TV shows. The series is a heady mix of drama, death, friendship, and romance, one that is still addictive to watch for its timeless meditation on how secrets fester and corrupt everything they touch.

The Pretty Little Liars in question are the artsy Aria (Lucy Hale), whose parents are getting divorced, the recently popular girl Hanna (Ashley Benson), who’s still getting used to her weight loss, the sporty Emily (Shay Mitchell), who is navigating her sexuality, and the high-achieving Spencer (Troian Bellisario), whose family is… something. It’s been a year since their fifth friend — a certified mean girl who led the group, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse) — went missing, and the four estranged girls are united when her body is found. But with this comes mysterious text messages from A, someone who threatens to spill all their darkest secrets.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ Is Timeless and Addictive in Its Dark Mystery From the Start

Whether you’re new to Pretty Little Liars or an old fan, the show is timeless in its mystery and outlook on teenage life. The investigation into A’s identity is at the forefront, where the narrative twists and turns after every episode, keeping you on your toes. Even if you know who A is, re-watching the show alerts you to new clues you would have definitely missed before. Despite being targeted towards teenagers, the show actually veers into some genuinely dark and twisted places, especially as it never ignores the adults in the show and drags them into the increasingly heart-pounding mystery. From suicide to creepy dolls, there are plenty of reasons for you to feel undeniable tension, particularly in the Season 5 finale, “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” The episode title says it all.

Beyond the central mystery that will easily consume your attention is the hyperbolic yet authentic way Pretty Little Liars represents the high school experience. It dramatizes the very real way high school seems to entrap a teenager, where emotions and drama feel larger-than-life, while adding the intrigue and darkness of death. Between these rampant emotions is the heavy reliance on friendships for one’s self-worth and general emotional support, as well as the distrust of authority figures like teachers or parents. As an adult revisiting the series, you also get an opportunity to chastise your teenage self for fawning over Aria’s romance. (Who knew you could ever side with the parents?) It’s high school escapism that validates the overwhelming nature of adolescence — timeless and disturbingly relatable.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ Set the Stage for Brilliant Breakout Performances

Pretty Little Liars didn’t only deliver an addictive show, but also acted as a stage for some breakout performances by actors we would constantly return to. The four women at the forefront are the best examples, as their performances evolved as the seasons progressed, growing in nuance and talent. Hale boasted her affinity as a romantic lead as Aria (despite Aria’s controversial romance), and would later dazzle us with the likes of The Hating Game or Which Brings Me To You. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s Emily, who grew from a “nice girl” to someone with a powerful presence, would later flaunt her ability to demand attention in You or The Possession of Hannah Grace.

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But it is Bellisario’s performance that really formed the basis of the show’s grit and intensity, as she showcases a wide range of visceral emotions, from terror to arrogance. Spencer is arguably the beating heart of the show, where her sharp wit, intelligence, and naturally suspicious attitude drove the mystery forward, while her slightly askew moral compass and increasingly ominous family made for some dark scenes. Bellisario herself would later gravitate towards grittier roles in Feed or, more recently, On Call, all stemming from her mesmerizing performance in Pretty Little Liars.

It may be a show that many dismiss as a typical teenage romp of its era, but Pretty Little Liars is powerful in its own right. It united a whole generation of teenage girls on the hunt for A’s identity with a twisted mystery that still holds up today, while capturing the underbelly of emotions of the high school experience. If you watch it as your secret guilty pleasure, even better. In the words of Alison DiLaurentis, “friends share secrets, it’s what keeps us close.”

The Wonder Years’ Danica McKellar has opened up about eating her placenta after giving birth, revealing she was “embarrassed” to love the taste.

McKellar, 51, who starred as Winnie Cooper on the 1980s to 1990s coming-of-age TV series, shared her postpartum experience while being interviewed by Bobby Bones for the Tuesday, March 10, episode of “The Bobby Bones Show” podcast.

“My doula said, ‘Do you want to taste the placenta?’ I’d just given birth, and I’m like, ‘Sure.’ I mean, you’re not in your right mind. She gave me a piece of it. Bobby, it was like the best filet mignon that I have ever tasted. But more,” the former child star told Bones (real name Bobby Estell).

McKellar continued, “I was embarrassed about how much I loved it. It was bizarre. I thought, ‘What is this, some sort of weird satanic … Am I a cannibal?’ [But] we are meant to have that.”

Related: Danica McKellar: I Was ‘Super Ready’ to Move On From Winnie Cooper

While The Wonder Years’ Winnie Cooper was everyone’s favorite neighbor, actress Danica McKellar definitely felt growing pains once the show wrapped. “When I was a teenager, right after the show, I was super ready for everyone to let go of that character and move on. I wanted to move on in my life,” McKellar, 48, exclusively […]

The actress is mom to one child, son Draco, 15, whom she shares with her ex-husband, music composer Mike Verta. (The pair split in 2012 and McKellar married attorney Scott Sveslosky in 2014.)

According to a 2017 report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Placenta ingestion has recently been promoted to postpartum women for its physical and psychological benefits, although scientific evidence to support this is lacking.”

No subsequent research has publicly confirmed any health benefits, however stars who have also eaten their placenta include Alicia Silverstone, Hilary Duff, Kim Kardashian and Mandy Moore — albeit in the form of pills.

Related: Danica McKellar Reflects on ‘Silly’ Love Triangle With Candace Cameron Bure

Danica McKellar and Candace Cameron Bure recently discovered that their longtime friendship has an unexpected third-party connection. “So, in 1989, I believe it was, there was this party that a teen magazine was putting on and Jeremy Miller, who was also a young actor, he was at this party,” McKellar, 48, told Fox News Digital […]

McKellar’s candid reflection comes two months after she shared a makeup-free selfie via Instagram as she embraced her natural beauty.

“This is 51! No makeup, no filters, just front-facing lighting and a healthy lifestyle to look — and more importantly — *feel* the best I can,” she wrote alongside the photo on January 3. “Today, I spent time with family (puzzling!), worked out, cold plunged in the ocean, and we’re about to have dinner. Feeling blessed beyond words today!!”

After McKellar’s rise to fame through The Wonder Years, the actress extended her small screen presence with appearances in The West Wing, How I Met Your Mother and several Hallmark films. She also went on to write multiple educational children’s books including 2010’s “Hot X: Algebra Exposed!” and “Maths Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Year 6 Through Year 9 Maths Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail.”

Pam Bondi
Drug Cartel & Epstein Threats Trigger Her Move To Military Base

Published
March 11, 2026
2:10 AM PDT

Breaking bones, taking names, and shouting them loudly as the camera pulls away, action movies have been an entertaining and eternally popular part of the cinema landscape practically since there’s been a cinema landscape to speak of. They’ve thrilled audiences for decades with their impressive choreography, mind-blowing stunts, and wild narratives, providing some of the most memorable experiences anyone’s ever had at the movies. And in the process, they’ve also given us some of the most exciting films of all time.

These action masterpieces combine technical precision with grand performances to create enthralling journeys that remind you of why people love movies in the first place. Spanning a vast expanse of genres and styles, from the jungles of Central America to the cutting edge of the future, each of these films presents a unique vision that has since inspired countless others, shaping pop culture as we know it. So, without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of some of the most thrilling action movie masterpieces ever made.

8

‘Predator’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Predator is a classic sci-fi action horror movie directed by John McTiernan that follows Alan “Dutch” Schaefer, leader of an elite paramilitary rescue unit, on a mission to save hostages in a Central American rainforest. While treading the dangers of the wild landscape, the team is hunted by a highly skilled and technologically advanced extraterrestrial that takes them down one by one. Besides Schwarzenegger, the film also stars Kevin Peter Hall as the Predator, with Elpidia Carrillo, Carl Weathers, Richard Chaves, Sonny Landham, Bill Duke, and Jesse Ventura in main roles.

A heady combination of macho military adventure, alien slasher horror, and a wild, tension-filled survival thriller, Predator is a gripping action masterpiece that intelligently blends different genres, redefining ’80s action tropes. The film’s choreography shifts in tune with its narrative changes, transitioning from high-octane firepower to a methodical, ritualistic hunt and brutal killings, culminating in a primal showdown between the man and the monster. Anchored by Schwarzenegger’s captivating lead performance, Predator is one of the greatest action films of all time, and a distinctive ’80s gem that became an archetype for survival thrillers of the future.

7

‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

Image via Warner Bros.

An ’80s action classic directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, Lethal Weapon follows two LAPD detectives — the emotionally troubled and grieving Martin Riggs and the seasoned, methodical Roger Murtaugh. Tasked with investigating a young woman’s murder, the unlikely duo must navigate their differences and unearth the truth in an action-packed Christmas thriller. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover star as Riggs and Murtaugh, respectively, with Gary Busey, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, and Mitchell Ryan as the supporting characters.

With relentless energy and a constant supply of adrenaline-pumping action pieces, Lethal Weapon is a highlight of ’80s cinema and a truly iconic action film. While the movie is most noted for its intense, visceral fight sequences, the raw energy is balanced with the emotional depth of its protagonists, delivered by Gibson and Glover through their compelling performances and terrific chemistry, and the roles established them as major action stars. A massively successful and critically acclaimed genre hit, Lethal Weapon redefined the action films of the ’80s and ’90s, launching a global media franchise that includes sequel films, television shows, and games.

6

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

A classic ’90s sci-fi action movie, The Matrix was written and directed by The Wachowskis, and stars Keanu Reeves as computer hacker Thomas Anderson, codenamed Neo. Set in a dystopian future where humanity has been trapped inside the titular simulation by autointelligent machines that harvest their bioelectric energy, the movie follows Neo’s story as he is recruited by the mysterious Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) to join a group of rebels fighting against the machines. The film also features Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano in significant roles.

A highly innovative cyberpunk film, The Matrix broke new ground for the genre with its epic set pieces, inventive blend of spiritual, philosophical, and mythological motifs and themes, and pioneering visual effects. Choreographed by legendary Hong Kong action director Yuen Woo-ping, every fight sequence in The Matrix is an action masterclass, with styles combining amazingly orchestrated gunfights and high-octane martial arts inspired by manga and classic Hong Kong action cinema. The film has since spawned a multimedia franchise that includes multiple sequels, but the first movie remains a timeless classic that truly revolutionized the genre.

5

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via TriStar Pictures

Following the success of 1984’s The Terminator, James Cameron returned to direct Terminator 2: Judgment Day, with Arnold Schwarzenegger returning as the titular anti-hero. The sequel kicks off with the evil AI Skynet sending a new, more advanced killing machine, the shapeshifting T-1000, to kill John Connor when he was a child, prompting the resistance to reprogram a T-800 (Schwarzenegger) and send it back in time to protect the younger John. Linda Hamilton reprises her role of Sarah Connor, with Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Earl Boen, and Joe Morton in supporting roles.

The Terminator is the movie that established Cameron as a sci-fi filmmaking genius, but Judgment Day is the one that cemented his status and laid the foundations for the titular action franchise, which continues to enjoy the support of an international fan following after four decades and counting. The sequel film combines stunning action choreography, state-of-the-art make-up tech, and CGI effects to create an action film that was far ahead of its time. The movie boasts some of the most iconic action pieces ever seen in cinema, especially the chase sequences and the climactic showdown during the final battle scene, making it one of the most satisfying sequels ever made, especially in the sci-fi action genre.

4

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Fox

Directed by John McTiernan and based on Roderick Thorp’s action thriller novel Nothing Lasts Forever, Die Hard follows John McClane, a New York City police officer traveling to Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly. While at her office Christmas party, John inadvertently finds himself caught up in a violent plot involving a group of international criminals who take the entire building hostage. Bruce Willis leads the cast as the hero, John McClane, with Bonnie Bedelia as Holly, and Alan Rickman, Reginald VelJohnson, Alexander Godunov, Paul Gleason, and more in other key roles.

It may not have been a critical darling in its day, but Die Hard is now celebrated as one of the most beloved action thrillers of all time, known for its memorable dialogue and visceral fight sequences. Bruce Willis delivers a career-defining performance as the scantily armed and shoeless everyman, who became synonymous with the depiction of maverick cops in cinema and a prototype for action heroes of the future. Featuring some inventive and dramatic fight choreography using high-stakes practical stunts, Die Hard remains an evergreen action masterpiece that defined its decade and paved the way for a long-running multimedia franchise.

3

‘John Wick’ (2014)

Image via Summit Entertainment

Directed by Chad Stahelski in his directorial debut, John Wick stars Keanu Reeves as the titular retired hitman, who gives up his violent career and tries to live a peaceful life. But after a mobster breaks into his house, steals his prized vintage car, and kills his dog, gifted by his deceased wife, Wick returns to the ruthless killing machine he once was, and sets out to avenge his loss. Besides Reeves in the title role, the movie also features Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Willem Dafoe as key characters.

The first film in what is now a billion-dollar multimedia franchise, John Wick is most noted for its methodical, high-octane action pieces and fight sequences. A modern action classic that reinvented its star’s acting career, John Wick created a new genre standard with its stylized, inventive fight choreography using minimal CGI and high-intensity stunts, as well as its signature gun-fu sequences. Performing most of his own stunts, Reeves makes his stoic, enduring, unstoppable agent of death appear more grounded and convincing, and the character has now become one of his most iconic performances.

2

‘Kill Bill: Volume 1 & 2’ (2003-2004)

Image via Miramax Films

An epic modern martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill follows “The Bride,” codenamed Black Mamba, a former mercenary who embarks on a deadly quest for vengeance against her former colleagues and their leader, her ex-lover and ex-boss, Bill. Her mission begins in Kill Bill: Volume 1, in which we see the events that caused this murderous spree, and her methodical elimination of her enemies, taking them on one by one, leading up to her final confrontation with Bill in Kill Bill: Volume 2. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, alongside Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, and more, with David Carradine as Bill.

Kill Bill is a roaring revenge thriller known for Uma Thurman’s iconic performance as an unrelenting killing machine and its visceral, bloody action set pieces. A homage to 1970s exploitation flicks, grindhouse films, martial arts classics, and spaghetti Westerns, the film blends various styles and genres of action into a stylish and slick choreography. Inventive and idiosyncratic in every aspect, Kill Bill is widely celebrated for its performances, soundtrack, and for featuring some of the best action choreography ever seen in modern cinema, especially the iconic snowy duel scene between The Bride and Liu’s O-Ren Ishii.

1

‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973)

Image via Golden Harvest

Directed by Robert Clouse, Enter the Dragon is a legendary martial arts film starring Bruce Lee in his second English-language movie and his final film appearance before his death in 1973. The action thriller follows Lee, a Shaolin martial artist and undercover British intelligence agent from Hong Kong, who is tasked with infiltrating an international criminal’s drug operation. The film also stars John Saxon, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Shih Kien, and Jim Kelly in important roles.

Enter the Dragon was among the first films to combine spy thriller elements with martial arts action and the emerging blaxploitation genre, creating a whole new action subgenre that later inspired many similar productions. Thrilling and high-energy, the film is Bruce Lee at his finest, featuring spectacular action choreography that he directed himself. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, Enter the Dragon went on to become a cult classic, evolving into an internationally renowned genre film that’s now hailed as one of the greatest martial arts movies of all time.

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Enter the Dragon

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Release Date

August 19, 1973

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Runtime

102 Minutes

Director

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Robert Clouse

Writers

Michael Allin

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“Here Comes The Sun” is one of the most important songs in The Beatles’ catalog. Released in 1969, it’s a defining single for the band, beautifully encapsulating the relief at the arrival of spring and promised brighter days ahead. But though it earned The Beatles a number three slot on the US Billboard Hot Rock Songs, one particular cover may outshine its original recording. Blues icon and civil rights activist Nina Simone recorded “Here Comes the Sun” as the title track to her 1971 covers album, and it remains revered by critics as one of the most powerful takes on the song. Sung with a deeper depth of exhaustion during a time of political unrest and rampant racism, the song took on a whole new meaning for Black people at a time when brighter days were long awaited. Beyond just a cover, Simone reinterpreted it in a way that shifted its emotional meaning. Here’s a deeper dive into the cover and why it has long stood the test of time.

The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun”

One of the many classics to emerge from their 1969 album Abbey Road, “Here Comes The Sun” was written by George Harrison during a particularly stressful time for the band as a whole. Business complications and growing tensions between each member were leading to what would eventually be their breakup, and it was too much weight for Harrison to bear. He was feeling very let down by John and Paul, and didn’t know where their future as The Beatles stood. Seeking refuge, he visited friend and fellow musician Eric Clapton’s garden, eliciting a tranquility in him that would spark “Here Comes The Sun.” Known as one of Harrison’s most iconic compositions, he noted that the song honors the simple joy of spring after a long English winter, saying it felt like “winter goes on forever” until the sun finally returns.

Little darlin’

It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter

Little darlin’

It feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-do

Here comes the sun

And I say, “It’s all right”

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Beyond how delicately yet strikingly the folk-pop song is written, what truly marked the magnitude of its impact was how much people were able to find healing from it. Weary from carrying their own weight, they may not have even realized that they were in search of hope, renewal, and the promise of a new day. Its bright, acoustic sound and optimistic lyrics not only contrasted the band’s internal conflicts, but also the reality of tough times globally. One of the listeners who found themselves relating to the sentiment happened to be none other than Nina Simone.

Nina Simone’s Cover of “Here Comes the Sun”

Two years after The Beatles released “Here Comes the Sun,” blues priestess Nina Simone recorded her very own version as the title track of her 1971 covers album. The project largely consisted of different contemporary pop and rock songs, reworked to honor Simone’s signature blend of jazz, blues, soul, and orchestral arrangements.

For her take on “Here Comes the Sun,” Simone vocally went much deeper and more introspective, slowing it down and building around piano and orchestral instrumentation. There was an emotional emphasis on hope after hardship, which had a lot to do with her reality at the time.

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By this point, Simone was deeply involved with the civil rights movement. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. happened just a few years prior, yet the grief and aftermath lingered. She was committed to the fight for her people, during a time in which segregation was legally over, yet racism continued to permeate every crevice of society. It was a big hit for her career, facing industry backlash for her political music while also navigating financial hardship. Yet, the promised sun was the hope that the Black community would soon live a life of equality and empowerment.

Though the song was covered countless times, critics and fans alike often cite Simone’s rendition of “Here Comes the Sun” as one of the most striking Beatles covers of all time. This is because, in addition to Simone’s technical skill, she goes beyond imitating the original and succeeds in transforming it into something completely hers and dedicated to a community deeply in need of a lighthouse. Simone’s “Here Comes the Sun” was a love letter to a community fighting for what they deserved.