By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 51 seconds ago

Recently, the controversial Star Trek show Starfleet Academy finished its first season, and the online discourse about the show has been endless. Defenders of the series have constantly pointed out that because it took shows like The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine time to achieve greatness, everyone should give Starfleet Academy some grace during its initial shakedown cruise. To this, critics always have a simple response: that because modern seasons are less than half as long as they used to be, Star Trek shows can no longer afford to waste time getting good.

Whether Starfleet Academy gets renewed for Season 3 (Season 2 has already been filmed) may come down to various factors, including streaming numbers and decisions from upper Paramount leadership. Recently, however, it occurred to me that it would be easy for an upcoming series to finally make the divided fandom happy. All Paramount needs to do is give Tawny Newsome’s upcoming Star Trek spinoff a tighter per-episode budget and more episodes per season.

The Office In Space?

If you don’t know, Lower Decks legend and Starfleet Academy writer Tawny Newsome is currently working on a Star Trek show that is supposed to function as a workplace comedy. This unnamed series is set on a vacation planet (not Risa, though). Beyond this and the fact that she wants to set it in the 25th century (so, the Picard era), all we know about the show is that it involves helping the planet join the Federation. Oh, and the original pitch for the show involved some unspecified shenanigans that would somehow broadcast everything our Federation workers are doing to the entire quadrant. 

The series has not yet gotten the green light from Paramount, and it has reportedly evolved (albeit in unknown ways) since the original pitch. Personally, I always thought the “broadcast to the whole quadrant” thing meant they were doing a Star Trek version of The Office. At any rate, Newsome’s workplace comedy show provides the perfect opportunity for NuTrek to boldly go where it has never gone before: 20+ episode seasons, with a more modest budget for each episode.

The Numbers Game

Back in the Golden Age of Star Trek, shows like Voyager had 26-episode seasons, and this offered a number of advantages to the writers. On the most basic level, they had an extended runway: with this many episodes per season, you could flesh out your main characters and even give your side characters extended screentime. Most importantly, having so many episodes each season meant that Paramount could afford to have a few stinkers; the awful quality of early TNG episodes like “Code of Honor,” for example, would ultimately get outweighed by better episodes like “Conspiracy.”

However, the network could only do this because of the cost factor. Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes cost about $1.3 million to produce, which was admittedly a pretty penny back in the day. Now, though, Star Trek: Discovery previously cost about $8 million per episode, and there are persistent rumors that each Starfleet Academy episode costs Paramount $10 million. If that’s true, then it costs almost the same amount to produce one season of Starfleet Academy as it did to produce three seasons of The Next Generation.

That’s bad enough, but three seasons of The Next Generation add up to 78 episodes; meanwhile, one season of Starfleet Academy is only 10 episodes. That’s not enough time to develop every character, which is likely why Genesis never got her own episode like everyone else. Furthermore, short seasons lead to killer ratios: if, say, four of your episodes are stinkers (a very generous estimate for SFA), then 40 percent of your entire season sucks. That’s enough to make fans tune out and possibly seal a show’s fate long before it finally gets good.

NuTrek Goes Old School

What does this bleak numbers game have to do with Tawny Newsome’s Star Trek show? Simple: one of the big reasons that shows like Starfleet Academy are so expensive is because of all the top-notch special effects needed for stories where the entire galaxy is in danger. The crew is always visiting new places (exploring strange new worlds and all that), meeting exotic aliens (seeking out new life), and generally having ambitious adventures that are very expensive to bring to life.

However, if Newsome’s workplace comedy show really is like Star Trek meets The Office, it could potentially be far cheaper to create. Characters could stay in a fixed location, effectively turning almost every episode into a bottle episode. Residents of the vacation planet don’t need to have elaborate makeup; in fact, the show could return to the grand Trek tradition of having aliens who are just humans with something funny on their foreheads. Finally, the show doesn’t have to have legacy characters or other big names; instead, the cast can be comprised of almost entirely unknown actors.

Put it all together, and you have a new Star Trek show that is infinitely cheaper to make than Starfleet Academy. But I’m not suggesting Paramount lower its overall budget; instead, the amount of money they would normally allocate to a NuTrek show should go to creating seasons with at least 20 episodes. This would allow for greater character development and more rewatchability. Best of all, there would be a built-in grace period: even if the show’s first five episodes are awful, fans would forgive that if the next 15 are solid Star Trek.

The Best Of Both Worlds

Realistically, I know this isn’t likely to happen for many reasons, including Alex Kurtzman’s inability to try anything new. But Paramount is currently exploring whether or not to keep Kurtzman around, and new leadership seems eager to shake things up with the franchise. A smaller-budget Star Trek spinoff could be a return to the Golden Age, where classic episodes were created with killer writing and not a small mountain of VFX.

Done right, Tawny Newsome’s show (assuming it gets the green light) could be the best of both worlds: it would give NuTrek fans more show than they can handle while finally making old-school fans happy. Plus, it would give its biggest fans more episodes per season to stream, giving this series the coziness of shows like Voyager. But the only way this can happen is for Paramount to embrace some very unconventional wisdom regarding the budget for each episode: make it low, Number One!

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 17 seconds ago

Chuck Norris’s death was barely announced by his family on March 21, 2026, before Variety, famous for snubbing fashion and movie icon Brigitte Bardot, decided to take a shot at him. The article, written by William Earl, was published just hours after his death was announced in the news.

The article, titled “Chuck Norris Was a Great Action Star – But Politics May Overshadow His Legacy,” questions the actor’s resume as a cinematic and television tough guy. It indicates that his portrayal of characters such as Colonel James Braddock in Missing in Action, Colonel Scott McCoy in The Delta Force, and Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger might have been too patriotic in their portrayal of American heroism and justice.

“Given our nation’s divisions in morality, information literacy, and overall sense of morality,” Earl posits, “it’s easier to see Norris’s characters as justification for a fringe conspiracy movement rather than a moral standing.” He defends this perspective by explaining that Norris’s characters are all vigilantes, an idea which “seems less fun” these days because of current events, such as nationwide immigration raids, in which law enforcement agents “are acting like one-man militias.” He seems convinced that they were inspired to these actions by Norris’s iconic persona.

This attack on Norris is unwarranted for a lot of reasons, not in the least of which is Norris’s persona off-screen. He was legendary for being a family man and all-around nice guy, giving a lot of time and energy in addition to donations to causes that helped kids, the hungry, and the poor. He also wrote several books, including a few about fitness and martial arts. He was such a prolific martial arts expert that he created his own style, called Chun Kuk Do. Earl handwaves this all as “Was Norris a brilliant athlete and a top-shelf star?”

He then proceeds to attack his portrayals of heroic Americans for being American. Throughout the article, he is critical of portraying cops and soldiers as heroes. He indicates that the United States is a bad country for going to war against Iran and for the aforementioned immigration initiatives. He denounces Norris’s characters for being proud Americans with strong moral values, calling him “the poster boy for American exceptionalism” and wondering if his work is “dangerous propaganda.”

However, the title of the article gives away the true motive behind it: politics. And the problem isn’t the characters Norris played, it’s the fact that he was a lifelong Republican and an outspoken Christian. He lived a lot of the values he portrayed on-screen, ideas which are not as precious in Hollywood these days because they involve nuclear families, positive masculinity, and judging people by their actions rather than identities. Even the idea of patriotism and pride in our country is viewed with disdain, as the very country that invented Hollywood is often decried for its flaws rather than recognized for its merits.

In our fascist, oppressive, speech-stifling country, William Earl attacked a man hours after his death for playing the wrong type of characters in his movies and representing them in a positive light. That makes him the worst villain in a Chuck Norris story in my book.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 52 seconds ago

There’s a lot for fans to love about the first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, more villains, more Spider-Man, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker aging into the lovably downtrodden mess fans love from the comics, and despite the ending of No Way Home, Ned and MJ are back. Zendaya’s MJ is at the center of the one shot from the trailer that I can’t get out of my head. She’s at a party with a guy she’s obviously in a relationship with, played by Ashoka’s Eman Esfandi.

To those who have not read the comics in recent years, it’s a harmless sign that MJ has moved after she forgot about Peter. To me, it was a warning sign that Kevin Feige may be about to pull the ultimate troll move. Eman Esfandi could be playing the greatest villain in Peter Parker’s life: Paul. 

Potential Paul Sighting Sends Fans Into A Panic

Paul doesn’t sound like the name of a villain. He’s not as fearsome-sounding as Green Goblin, Venom, Morlun, or Tombstone. He doesn’t even have a cool costume. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is packed with villains fans have waited years to see, including Boomerang and Scorpion, but none are as pure evil as Paul. 

Brand New Day teasing MJ’s new love interest isn’t a rehash of Tobey Maguire and Kristen Dunst from Spider-Man 2. When Sam Raimi’s film aired, Peter and Mary Jane were happily married in the comics, but today, the pair’s marriage has been shattered for 20 years, and they have been on and off again. Like many Spider-Man fans, I prefer the couple together. Paul’s complete lack of importance as a character, except to be “the guy Mary Jane dates instead of Peter,” made it very difficult to read Amazing Spider-Man for years. He’s a complete nothing of a character. 

Marvel’s Worst Character

If it’s revealed that Eman Esfandi’s character from that one, single shot in the Brand New Day trailer is Paul, then Marvel is purposely trolling every comic book reader who spent years complaining loudly about Paul. Zeb Wells, the talented writer behind the excellent Hellions series, was also the man who forced Paul onto readers. Given his past successes, though, it’s clear that Paul, like the original “Brand New Day” storyline, was a mandate by Marvel editorial to keep Peter Parker in the same place for years. Denied the chance to grow and develop as a character, Peter and the readers were stuck in the equivalent of a One Piece filler arc for years. 

Paul can not join the MCU. We just got rid of him in the comics. MJ is too smart and too well-written a character to waste time with the black hole of charisma that is Paul. Mary Jane is too interesting a character to be burdened by an undeveloped sentient manbun (that’s his one identifying feature). He even let slip her secret identity as the new host of Venom. Paul is the worst. 

Brand New Day is bringing the sad sack perennial put upon version of Peter Parker to the MCU after three movies of Tom Holland playing closer to the first Ultimate Spider-Man version of the character. I have no doubt that the movie is going to be spectacular, and it’ll be another billion-dollar box office hit for the Spider-Man franchise, but if the name “Paul” is uttered by MJ at any moment, I am going to throw my popcorn at the screen. No one, not the paying audience, not comic readers, not Peter and MJ, not even Zeb Wells, should be punished by Marvel editorial’s bizarre decree that Peter can never be happy.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 19 seconds ago

It has been a very rough time to be a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the last year, Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy’s sister, tragically died. Last week, Hulu officially killed the TV show revival that was going to bring Buffy Summers back to the small screen. Most recently, Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris, died at the age of 54.

It didn’t take long for his former Buffy costars to write memorial posts on social media platforms such as Instagram; some were better than others, but all of them were moving in their own way. However, as someone who had been keeping up with the Xander actor before his death, I am haunted by a secret that the fandom doesn’t really want to talk about. You see, Nicholas Brendon hated Sarah Michelle Gellar, and he made a series of very nasty, very public allegations about her mere days before he died.

The Zeppo’s Last Ride

This came in the form of Facebook, where Nicholas Brendon went live on March 14, less than a week before his untimely death. The video seems that much more surreal now: Brendon is constantly moving back and forth in a rocking chair (he had an eclectic passion for rocking chairs) while violently coughing; he blamed the smoke from his cigarette, joking at one point that he sounded like Bane. During the 45-minute video, he discussed several aspects of Buffy the Vampire Slayer before suddenly and unexpectedly leveling various accusations against lead actor Sarah Michelle Gellar.

The comment started innocuously enough, with Nicholas Brendon saying, “I believe that the way that the show ended shouldn’t have ended the way that it did.” Soon, though, he singled out Sarah Michelle Gellar, claiming that “She worked really hard, but she sort of f***ed the show, in a way.” Specifically, he hated how “She told everyone she was leaving way too late into the series, so Chris Snellgrove Joss [Whedon] was not prepared for that…it wasn’t fair to the crew, the cast or the show.”

A Surprise Defense Of A Canceled Icon

Speaking of the controversial showrunner, Brendon was seemingly one of the last of the Buffy actors to openly support Joss Whedon. In this same Facebook video, he argued that Hulu should not have tried to reboot Buffy without Whedon’s involvement; however, Whedon quietly retired from public and professional life after multiple allegations that he created a hostile work environment and was personally toxic towards his cast. After Cordelia actor Charisma Carpenter made a series of damning allegations about Whedon, she was openly supported by Buffy actors like David Boreanaz, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

While Brendon had not often publicly criticized Gellar, many read his continued defense of Whedon as an indirect criticism of her. For example, the Buffy Summers actor offered a short and simple stance of support for Charisma Carpenter, writing, “I stand with all survivors of abuse.” Meanwhile, Brendon supported Whedon and minimized allegations against him, claiming they were just “bullsh*t…cancel culture.”

In that creepy Facebook video right before he died, Brendon didn’t mince words: in addition to continuing his full-throated support for Whedon, he also blamed Gellar for wanting to stop acting in Buffy the Vampire Slayer after Season 7. Previously, Gellar claimed that she wanted to leave the show because she was physically and mentally exhausted; she wanted to enjoy life with her new husband (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), and she felt there was nothing new to do with her character. It didn’t help that, like many Buffy fans, she really hated Season 6.

Saying Goodbye To Our Childhood Hero

Sadly, Brendon saw her departure as a personal attack that took away his meal ticket. To some degree, he was right: he never had any major roles after Buffy ended. Arguably, though, this was due less to his skills as an actor and more to the very public drug and alcohol addictions he suffered from. By all accounts, Gellar was always supportive of Brendan, whose struggles went all the way back to their Buffy days. But that support didn’t keep Brendon from seeing her as an enemy in the end.

All of this adds another layer of tragedy to Nicholas Brendon’s untimely death. His career peaked decades ago, and he obviously resented Sarah Michelle Gellar for leaving the show and prematurely ending the greatest role he would ever have. Given enough time, Brendon could still have been a part of any future attempts to reboot Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now, though, he was taken from us far too soon, and in a horrific twist, he died hating the woman who helped make him famous. 

Vertical microdramas are the new go-to for fictional romance — and much of the interest stems from the hot leading men.

Many TikTok users are familiar with ads popping up on their FYPs for fanfiction-esque shows. From age-gap romances to forbidden love stories, each miniseries feels like a mix between a soap opera and a Lifetime movie. The point of the ads is to drive users to download applications such as ReelShort and DramaBox that host the short shows, which usually last a minute or so per episode and are designed for mobile viewing.

CandyJar’s content — including Nick Skonberg‘s Loving My Brother’s Best Friend and Joseph Purcell‘s Falling for My Bodyguard — went viral as mostly female viewers tuned in to get their romance fix.

“CandyJar’s the only company I’ve worked with, but they really know their audience and what their audience wants. CandyJar [projects] are very directed from the female gaze and from the female point of view,” Skonberg previously told Cosmopolitan. “You see that the scripts follow a lot of romance tropes and character tropes, but also how they do the costumes and how they shoot the scenes and light the scenes. And we had a great intimacy coordinator, Sasha Smith. She was specific about: ‘OK, this is a moment when you stop her with a hand grab or you stop her with your voice.’”

Related: Who Is Dominic Purcell‘s Son Joseph From TikTok‘s Viral Vertical Dramas?

Dominic Purcell‘s son Joseph Purcell isn’t just a fellow actor — he’s also an internet sensation thanks to TikTok’s popular vertical dramas. Dominic shares four kids with ex-wife Rebecca Williamson, whom he married in 1998. The pair welcomed Joseph in 1999, followed by daughter Audrey in 2001 and twins Augustus and Lily-Rose in 2003. Dominic […]

Keep scrolling for a guide to the hottest leading men in the vertical microdrama space:

Cameron Porras

Cameron Porras probably looks familiar for vertical dramas such as My Stepbrother’s Dirty Secret, Taming My Bullies, Outplayed and more.

Joseph Purcell

Joseph Purcell, who is the son of actor Dominic Purcell, has taken over the vertical drama space with roles in His Nerd, Falling for My Bodyguard, Private Lessons and more.

Tyler Scherer

For fans of Heated Rivalry, Tyler Scherer caught Us‘ eye in CandyJar’s sports romance Did You Have to Be a Hockey Star? He may also look familiar for Professor, I’m Addicted to You, To Be by My Side, Ex-Husband Step Aside and many more.

Nick Skonberg

After going viral for his role in CandyJar’s Loving My Brother’s Best Friend, Nick Skonberg has also appeared in other shorts including The Cheer Scandal and Apollo.

Evan Adams

Evan Adams has won viewers over with Pucked by My Brother’s Rival, Kissing the Wrong Brother and the Twilight-inspired miniseries titled Kissed by Claw and Fang.

Related: Best Love Triangles in TV and Movie History Over the Years

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Who doesn’t love a good love story? Girl falls in love with boy, then falls in love with his best friend too, for example. The love triangle has been a frequent plot point in TV and film for years, but there is maybe no more iconic angsty trio than the one between Dawson (James Van […]

Ben Armstrong

Speaking of Kissed by Claw and Fang, Ben Armstrong is best known for playing none other than Asher King in If Loving You Is Sin Then I’ll Go to Hell but he has also been in Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis, Bad Boy’s Tutor and more.

Jesse Morales

You probably remember Jesse Morales from How to Tame a Silver Fox but he has also appeared in Pregnant by My Ex’s Professor Dad, Dominated by My Dad’s Boss and more.

Eric Guilmette

Eric Guilmette had a scene-stealing performance in Boss Please Behave but he has since remained booked and busy with Campus Rivals, The Healing Touch, My Silent Treasure and more.

Marvel Studios hasn’t officially said much about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but after the first trailer dropped, fans are already convinced it’s hiding some major reveals.

From a possible Man-Spider transformation to the long-rumored arrival of the X-Men, the internet is breaking down every frame for clues. While nothing has been confirmed, several theories have quickly gained traction and could hint at where the MCU is heading next.

A Darker Peter Parker Has Fans Thinking “Man-Spider”

One of the biggest talking points from the trailer is the noticeably darker tone surrounding Peter Parker.

Quick shots appear to show:

• A more aggressive Spider-Man

• Subtle physical changes in his appearance

• A loss of control over his powers

That has led many fans to speculate Marvel could be adapting elements of the “Man-Spider” storyline, where Peter undergoes a disturbing mutation tied to his spider abilities.

In Marvel Comics, the Man-Spider arc has been explored in several forms, often depicting Peter losing control as his powers evolve beyond what he can manage. While the MCU has never tackled this concept directly, the trailer’s tone suggests something more physical and unstable could be happening to him.

Symbiote Rumors Are Back Again

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Spider-Man theory cycle without talk of the black suit.

Following the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where a fragment of the Venom symbiote was left behind in the MCU, fans have long expected that storyline to pay off. The Brand New Day trailer has only added fuel to that fire.

Some viewers believe the darker visuals and Peter’s behavior could hint at early symbiote influence. Others think Marvel may combine elements of the symbiote storyline with a Man-Spider-style mutation, creating a new hybrid take on Spider-Man’s transformation.

While there’s no direct confirmation of Venom appearing, the groundwork has clearly been laid.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day [credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures]

Sadie Sink’s Role Is Already a Mystery

Another major topic of discussion is Sadie Sink’s casting.

Marvel has yet to reveal who she’s playing, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from running wild. The most popular theory right now is that Sink could be portraying Jean Grey, which would mark a massive step toward introducing mutants into the MCU.

The idea has gained traction online, especially as Marvel continues to build toward a post-Secret Wars future that likely includes the X-Men.

However, not everyone is convinced.

Other theories suggest she could be:

• Firestar

• A version of Mary Jane Watson

• A completely original MCU character

• Or another lesser-known Marvel figure being reimagined

At this point, her role remains one of the film’s biggest mysteries.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day [credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures]

A Possible Turning Point for the MCU

If even part of these theories prove true, Spider-Man: Brand New Day could be more than just another Spider-Man sequel.

The film appears to pick up with Peter completely isolated following the events of No Way Home, where the world forgot his identity. That emotional reset creates the perfect setup for a darker, more vulnerable version of the character.

It also opens the door for larger changes in the MCU, whether that’s the introduction of the symbiote storyline, a new phase of Spider-Man’s evolution, or even the early stages of mutant integration.

Nothing Is Confirmed… But That Hasn’t Stopped Fans

As with most Marvel trailers, it’s important to note that none of these theories have been confirmed.

Still, the reaction online shows just how much anticipation is building around Brand New Day. Whether it delivers on these ideas or takes things in a completely different direction, one thing is clear:

Marvel has everyone paying attention again.

Latto was back outside on Saturday, March 21, sitting pretty and pregnant at the Atlanta Hawks game against the Golden State Warriors. Big Mama didn’t pull up courtside alone — she popped out with her sister Brooklyn Nikole. Fans lived for the glimpse of her maternity style and said she ATE and left ZERO crumbs!

RELATED: Too Cute! Video Shows Cheetah-Inspired Baby Announcement With Latto & 21 Savage’s Names On It (WATCH)

Latto Has Fans Livin’ For Her Pregnancy Glow

Latto was back on the scene again after previously breaking the internet with her pregnancy announcement in her new ‘Business & Personal’ music video. The raptress pulled up to the Atlanta Hawks game with her sister Brooklyn Nikole. During the game, Latto rubbed on her baby bump, which peaked out under her white crop top. Once videos of her maternity style hit timelines, fans flooded comment sections with heart eyes and fire emojis. In addition to her white tank, the 27-year-old femcee wore a long brown leather jacket, baggy jeans and a pair of strappy sandals.

Big Mama’s Baby News Shakes Up Social Media

After going MIA for a minute, Latto returned to social media with two BIG announcements. She dropped her new single, ‘Business & Personal’ along with the music video and confirmed she’s expecting her first child. Hours after her video dropped she gave fans a closer look at her growing baby bump in a sweet post she shared on Instagram and thanked her family and loved ones for holding her down while she prepares for motherhood.

After Latto & 21 Savage Gearing Up To Host A Baby Event?

Right now, Latto hasn’t confirmed who’s the father of her child, but folks online think it might be 21 Savage after catching a few clues in her ‘Business & Personal’ music video. In the visuals, a man with a tatted arm caresses her baby bump. Then folks peeped 21’s baby pics in a scrapbook she puts together in the video. As if that wasn’t enough, a video recently surfaced online that convinced folks that 21 Savage is definitely the daddy of Latto’s unborn baby. The footage, shared by Instagram account @babyjade, previews a package that features a stuffed animal baby cheetah alongside what looks like a note. On top of that, Latto and 21’s government names, Alyssa and Shéyaa, appear at the front of the set up. Peep the video below.

RELATED: From Cheetah Print Fits To Low-Key Baecations: Inside Latto & 21 Savage’s Relationship Timeline (PHOTOS + VIDEOS) 

Like it or not, fringe is totally in, and it seems like we’re not the only ones who are feeling the look. Fashionistas Julianne Moore and Amal Clooney have both given the trend their stamp of approval, wearing chic fringe dresses that feel luxe yet playful. Following their lead, we found 13 spring-to-summer fringed fashion pieces, which will make you the most stylish gal at any function, guaranteed.

These dresses from Amazon, Nordstrom, Macy’s and more look much more expensive than they are, so nobody would ever guess that prices start at just $11. Whether you’re searching for an everyday dress or a special-occasion stunner, you’ll find your match below. Let’s shop!

13 Fringe Dresses to Nail the Trend — From $11

1. Our Favorite: Everything about this A-line maxi is swoon-worthy, including the baby-blue hue, delicate knit material and lengthening pleats. The fringe details up top give things a little flair, ensuring your look isn’t too simple.

2. Gatsby Vibes: Dinner party on the agenda? Snag a flutter-sleeved cocktail dress that’s adorned with sequins and beaded tassels. It’s 1920 vibes, but in a way that feels fresh rather than costume-like.

3. Coastal Queen: Channel East Coast energy in a striped sweater dress. This pick looks straight out of a Hamptons boutique, and the fringe at the bottom will ensure it feels right at home on the beach.

4. Wedding Guest: This mock-neck maxi dress is equally sexy and polished, thanks to the modest slit, sleek silhouette and fun color options.

5. Asymmetrical Pick: Red is always in season. I.N.C.’s sleeveless midi is stretchy and all sorts of stylish, and while it may be simple up top, the bottom half really makes a statement.

Related: Run! Amazon Dropped a Spring Collection That Screams ‘High-End‘ — From $7

Now that it’s (practically) spring, it’s time to get serious about a wardrobe refresh. We scoured the internet for pieces, but nothing impressed Us like Amazon’s new spring drop. It includes dresses, blouses, pants, you name it. Better yet, everything starts at just $7. What more could we ask for? These expensive-looking pieces balance timeless […]

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6. Tummy-Hiding: Conceal your midsection with this spaghetti-strap mini. The embellished pick pairs beautifully with a denim jacket for girls’ nights, but works just as well with metallic sandals for formal events.

7. Boho Babe: People will think you bought this luxe, sleeveless sweater dress somewhere in Italy, but no — it’s at Nordstrom and 25% off!

8. Close Lookalike: This high-slit wonder is a wardrobe staple for dates and special occasions. Julianne Moore wore an eerily similar version while out in New York City, so get ready to nail celebrity style (for under $50).

9. Flattering Find: Look like you dropped thousands on this sequin midi dress, which will no doubt turn heads from across the room. The one-shoulder design comes in dozens of colors and is available in sizes S to 3X.

10. Mega Sophisticated: When you want to appear put together without trying too hard, this faux-suede-and-fringe number works wonders. Between the sleek texture and polished V-neck, it’s both playful and professional.

11. Party Mode: This long-sleeve dress is a subtle take on fringe, nailing the trend without going overboard. Aside from embellishments all down the side, the mini length will elongate your legs while black is inherently slimming.

12. Just $11: Your new favorite purple dress costs less than a Sweetgreen bowl. It’s fun, flirty and perfect for spring events.

13. Model Aesthetic: Look instantly taller in this lengthening halter-neck mini. The dramatic fringe pieces add movement while elongating your silhouette.

When done right, fantasy is one of the most entertaining genres, but it can be very tricky to pull off. While the genre boasts several undisputed masterpieces, many other fantasy films put in a valiant effort but ultimately fall short of realizing their full potential.

These movies are the focus of this list: they are almost perfect, yet limited by one or two flaws. Some boast breathtaking visuals but uneven storytelling, while others feature compelling concepts that could have been explored a little more fully. A few were simply in need of a bit more script polishing. From sword-and-sorcery epics to gothic fairy tales, the following ten movies represent fantasy at its most tantalizingly imperfect.

‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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“None shall pass without tribute.” Set in a bleak medieval kingdom terrorized by a monstrous dragon, Dragonslayer follows young sorcerer’s apprentice Galen (Peter MacNicol), who must confront the beast Vermithrax Perjorative after his mentor is killed. The setup is classical fantasy stuff: craven villagers, corrupt officials, an untested hero, and a cruel monster looming over everything.

Vermithrax truly is formidable; he looks fantastic, thanks to inventive, practical effects. The creature’s movements, scale, and fiery presence create a sense of genuine danger that even many modern fantasy movies struggle to achieve. Indeed, the whole movie has a gritty, grounded tone that sets it apart from most ’80s flicks. Instead of a fairy tale, it gives us a bleak, mud-covered world where magic is fading, and survival often comes at a terrible cost. That said, some of the plot developments aren’t that original, and the pacing can feel uneven. Some of the supporting characters are also underdeveloped, which makes the emotional stakes less powerful than they could have been.

‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ (2008)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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“We have to stick together.” This movie brought Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black‘s wonderful Spiderwick books to the screen, though some of the magic is lost in translation. The story revolves around twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) and their older sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger), who move into their great-aunt’s crumbling estate. There, they discover a hidden field guide revealing a secret world of faeries, goblins, and other magical creatures. Soon, they’re on a mission to protect the book from the malevolent ogre Mulgarath (Nick Nolte).

The creature design and visual effects are solid, and the storytelling is fittingly fast-paced and accessible for the young target audience. The movie retains a subtle dark edge, too, which is commendable, and Highmore’s performance does a lot of heavy lifting. However, the simplicity of the narrative ultimately limits its impact. The story is enjoyable but relatively straightforward, lacking the deeper mythological world-building that would have made it stand out.

‘The City of Lost Children’ (1995)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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“I dream of dreams.” The City of Lost Children is a steampunk gem from quirky French directors Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (the latter also made Amélie). In a surreal port city perpetually cloaked in mist, a scientist known as Krank (Daniel Emilfort) kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping to stave off his rapid aging. A strongman named One (Ron Perlman) teams up with a clever orphan girl, Miette (Judith Vittet), to rescue his kidnapped brother, leading them through a labyrinth of bizarre characters and nightmarish inventions.

From here, the movie creatively mashes together elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and dark folklore, practically every frame showing off the directing duo’s vibrant imaginations. However, that visual brilliance sometimes overshadows its storytelling. While the atmosphere and world-building are unforgettable, the plot itself can feel somewhat thin and episodic, even confusing. In short, a lot here could have been fleshed out more.

‘Orlando’ (1992)

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“Same person. No difference at all… just a different sex.” Another wondrously imaginative movie. Based on Virginia Woolf’s novel, Orlando stars Tilda Swinton as an androgynous noble who lives for centuries, mysteriously changing from male to female along the way. We follow the character through shifting historical eras, each period rendered with exquisite attention to detail. Swinton’s performance is simply mesmerizing the whole way through, holding the whole movie together.

Director Sally Potter uses this unique premise as a way to explore themes of identity, gender, and social expectations, particularly the way they change over time. Once again, however, Orlando is a case of a movie being visually sumptuous but occasionally light on story and themes. The tone is a little detached, as well, meaning that the emotions don’t always come through fully. All in all, Orlando feels like a series of poetic observations rather than a coherent narrative.

‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (1988)

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“I am Baron Munchausen!” In this exuberant adventure story from Terry Gilliam, the legendary storyteller Baron Munchausen (John Neville) recounts (and seemingly relives) fantastical chapters from his life, involving trips to the moon, encounters with mythological beings, and daring escapes. A young girl (Sarah Polley) becomes his companion as reality and imagination blur. Along the way, the movie becomes a celebration of storytelling itself, firmly believing in the power of fiction to inspire wonder and even reshape reality itself.

There is a lot to love here: elaborate sets, endless spectacle, an abundance of surreal imagery, and charming performances from Neville and Polley, as well as Eric Idle, Jonathan Pryce, and Uma Thurman. It also maintains a cheerful and whimsical vibe the whole way through, one that can’t help but be infectious. But there are some weaknesses, too. The story is slow to get started, and the sprawling web of subplots and characters can be a little overwhelming.

‘Ladyhawke’ (1985)

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“Always together, eternally apart.” Ladyhawke is a nice blend of sword-and-sorcery and romance, helmed by The Goonies‘ Richard Donner. Set in a mythic medieval France, Ladyhawke tells the story of Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a disgraced knight, and Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer), the woman he loves, who are cursed by a jealous bishop: by day she becomes a hawk, and by night he transforms into a wolf, preventing them from ever being human together. A witty thief named Philippe (Matthew Broderick) becomes entangled in their quest to break the spell.

While a lot works here, the main issue with Ladyhawke is the tone, which sometimes shifts uncomfortably between romance, dark drama, feel-good adventure, and comedy. Some of the dialogue is bland and wooden, too, and even some of the funny lines feel out of place. These shortcomings are not helped by the modern synthesizer score, a bafflingly anachronistic choice that does not help with the immersion.

‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ (2008)

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“I am fireproof.” The Hellboy movies are perhaps Guillermo del Toro’s most straightforwardly crowd-pleasing projects, leaning into genre thrills rather than deep themes or emotion. However, that’s also exactly what makes them work: they’re fun and bold, anchored by more layered and likable characters than one typically finds in comic book adaptations. The sequel finds the title character (Ron Perlman) caught between the human world and a hidden realm of mythical creatures as Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) seeks to awaken the unstoppable Golden Army to reclaim the Earth.

Perlman is at his most charismatic here, nailing his dry one-liners and action sequences while also infusing the character with a subtle melancholy. Other characters are less well-handled, unfortunately. The antagonist, in particular, is a little underwhelming. Similarly, the narrative itself sometimes drifts into muddled or conventional comic-book territory. Certain sections run out of momentum and lack that signature del Toro spark.

‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)

“What is best in life?” Ranking among the most iconic fantasy movies of the ’80s, Conan the Barbarian features a breakout Arnold Schwarzenegger as a warrior whose parents are slaughtered by a cult leader, Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones). Raised as a slave, Conan grows into a formidable fighter and embarks on a quest for vengeance, confronting sorcerers, bandits, and giant snakes along the way. This story laid a blueprint that countless sword-and-sorcery movies would attempt to replicate, though usually not with this much muscular energy.

Fundamentally, Conan the Barbarian is cartoonish but enjoyable, with many strengths alongside some glaring weaknesses. The acting is often a little flat, the aesthetic is rough around the edges, and the movie’s attempts at depth (even shoe-horning in some points on philosophy) can be heavy-handed. Some fans of the original books also disliked the film’s deviations from the source material. Nevertheless, the flick’s impact is undeniable.

‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ (2009)

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“Once again, I must ask too much of you, Harry.” Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is perhaps the most character-driven entry in the series, for better and for worse. As Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) power grows, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returns to Hogwarts for what becomes one of the saga’s most introspective chapters. Guided by Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), he explores memories revealing the Dark Lord’s past. Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) faces a dangerous mission that tests his conscience.

The film is more moody and emotional, reflecting the characters’ increasing maturity. Unfortunately, many of these psychological character arcs are given insufficient space, in part due to the time constraints of a feature film but also frequently because the director chooses to prioritize humor or romantic storylines. Not to mention, the flashbacks exploring Voldemort’s early days are hugely truncated, undercutting a lot of the emotional power of the book.

‘Excalibur’ (1981)

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“I am Arthur, King of the Britons.” John Boorman’s sweeping retelling of the Arthurian legend traces the rise and fall of King Arthur (Nigel Terry), from the drawing of the sword to the tragic collapse of Camelot. The thrills on offer are traditional in the best way: knights pursue honor, love, and glory while magic shapes the fate of the realm. The aesthetic is defined by gleaming armor, misty forests, and a suitably epic Wagner soundtrack.

In other words, this movie is fantastically operatic and visually bold, especially for its time. The imagery is hypnotic, and the action scenes are well-staged. Now, for the criticisms. First of all, a lot of the dialogue is weak, with characters trading plenty of awkward, bland lines. They lack the dramatic intensity that defines the rest of the movie. In addition, Excalibur is occasionally a little self-serious, though some fans of darker, more ambitious fantasy will also appreciate that.