In 2016, Jeff Nichols quietly united Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, and Joel Edgerton at the exact moment all three were sharpening the acting skills that would later define their careers. It wasn’t in a blockbuster, but in Midnight Special.A science fiction chase movie with the DNA of Steven Spielberg existing throughout, the film was not a box office success, telling its story with a whisper among the noisy blockbusters of that year. However, ten years on, the movie still holds up and deserves to have more people take its journey.

A Thrilling Story of Family, Mystery, and Survival

Shannon and Edgerton play Roy and Lucas, two men who have abducted a young boy named Alton (Jaeden Martell). It emerges that Roy is Alton’s father, and the two men are rescuing him from a religious cult in Texas, who are interested in the boy due to his supernatural powers. As the escape turns into a chase between them and government agencies, the two men and their precious cargo look to find the source and explanation of Alton’s power.

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Whereas most movies weigh down the plot with exposition, Nichols’ film respects the audience’s intelligence, setting the scene with atmosphere rather than spectacle and rewarding patience with revelations at the right time. While most sci-fi films dazzle you with expensive special effects, here the characters are the main attractions. There’s a beating heart to the story that goes beyond the mystery, celebrating parental love and the power of following your conscience.

Three Blockbuster Villains as You Won’t Have Seen Them Before

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Were it released today, the film’s main trio of Shannon, Driver, and Edgerton would have generated a lot of hype, but all three actors were early in their ascent. Just five years after his first film role in 2011’s J. Edgar, Driver was on the ascent, having been cast as the lead antagonist of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Coming around three months after that behemoth, those who had just discovered the actor had a chance to see him in something more intricate. As Paul Sevier, the NSA agent on their tail, he serves as a midpoint between the men on the run and the mysterious cult, playing the role of law enforcement with more sensitivity than is usually seen in this type of movie.

Shannon, too, takes the opportunity to deliver something a lot more tender than mainstream audiences might expect. At that time, his highest profile roles were as the villainous Zod in 2013’s Man of Steel, as well as the ruthless, repressed prohibition agent Nelson Van Alden in HBO series Boardwalk Empire. As Roy, however, there is a softness to his bravery. Clearly devoted to his son, he promises, “I’ll always worry about you, Alton. That’s the deal.” Amid the strangeness and danger of their situation, Shannon is the emotional anchor, showing a different side to his range.

For Edgerton, Lucas was a chance to showcase the steady, everyman appeal he would bring to later roles. Best known at that point at the brutish Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, Lucas is a loyal friend who risks himself for what’s right, with a quietly impressive performance that would be echoed in later work such as Loving, and the Oscar-nominated Train Dreams.

The Best Steven Spielberg Movie He Never Made

Nearly everyone who has seen the film has pointed to its similarity to the work of Steven Spielberg, particularly films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and E.T. Movies that had fantastical elements but still retained a human core, that followed ordinary people through extraordinary circumstances.

It’s not just the broader themes that have the great man’s influence, however, as many subjects feel parallel to those early classics. Nichols, who acknowledged that those movies are “built into my DNA” while promoting the film, builds a science fiction chase movie where government paranoia is rife, and the paranormal element is not always entirely known or explained. The ending in particular, in which we see the world Alton belongs to, is revealed just enough to be satisfactory, but leaves as many questions as answers. One might say the same of the ending of Close Encounters, where the audience sees the aliens they have been hearing of, but their intentions are not entirely explained.

The film is also centered on a child’s experience, and the kind of wonder that made an entire generation fall in love with the movies. Jaeden Martell feels right at home in this sense, making Alton a rounded character while still preserving the innocence we all felt at his age.

A decade on, Midnight Special remains a wonder of science fiction filmmaking, and a rarity in Jeff Nichols’ filmography as he moved to different genres. The director would go on to work with Edgerton and Shannon in the historical drama Loving, released later that year, while embracing the legend of the biker movie, making Austin Butler a Marlon Brando-esque antihero in 2023’s The Bikeriders. However, fans of his work will still point to this gem as a highlight that deserves to be explored by new audiences.Midnight Special is available to rent or buy on VOD services.

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Release Date

March 18, 2016

Runtime

111 Minutes

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Director

Jeff Nichols

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Writers

Jeff Nichols

Producers

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Glen Basner, Hans Graffunder, Sarah Green, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos

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Alan Ritchson is at the center of a shocking neighborhood dispute that has quickly spiraled into a police matter. 

The “Reacher” star is being accused of turning a heated exchange over motorcycle noise into a physical confrontation, with video of the incident now circulating online. 

As claims of punches, kicks, and injuries emerge, the situation has drawn growing attention, especially with witnesses nearby and law enforcement now actively looking into what happened.

Alan Ritchson Dispute With Neighbour Allegedly Started Over Motorcycle Noise

A TMZ report has revealed that Alan Ritchson was involved in a heated confrontation with a neighbor identified as Ronnie Taylor in a Nashville suburb.

According to the neighbor, the issue began a day earlier when the actor was riding his green Kawasaki motorcycle through the area in a way that he claims was disruptive. 

Taylor alleged that the bike was being driven at high speed, with loud revving that disturbed the otherwise quiet surroundings.

The situation quickly became heated, with both men allegedly exchanging gestures during that first encounter. While that moment did not turn physical, it appears to have set the stage for what happened next.

Taylor claims the following day brought a repeat of the same behavior, this time with two children present on motorbikes nearby. 

Frustrated, he confronted the actor directly, saying, “Can you f**king stop this please,” a moment he says immediately escalated tensions.

Ritchson Accused Of Punching And Kicking During Physical Confrontation

After that confrontation, Taylor alleges that Alan Ritchson became physical. He claims the actor struck him in the face and kicked him during the altercation. 

According to his account, the situation intensified after Ritchson fell from his motorcycle, got back up, and continued engaging.

Taylor further alleged that he was hit in the back of the head during the scuffle and was struck multiple times after ending up on the ground. 

He stated that he was hit “at least 4 times,” leaving him with visible injuries, including bruising and swelling.

The neighbor maintains that several people in the area witnessed parts of the confrontation. Despite the claims of injury, he said he did not go to the hospital afterward.

Authorities have confirmed that an investigation involving the duo is currently underway, though no arrests have been made so far.

The Alan Ritchson Altercation Video Goes Viral On Instagram 

TMZ shared the video of the altercation on their Instagram page, and it sparked a ton of reaction from fans. 

Some users were convinced the encounter wasn’t real, but a scene for a new series.

“Must be a new series being filmed lol,” one person wrote while another commented, “This gotta be a scene.” A third fan with similar sentiments also shared, “Naaah this is from set Reacher season 4.”

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Some fans also slammed Ritchson for his actions, noting that he should have conducted himself better in front of the kids. 

“Violence in front of children is child abuse. No one ever mentions the kids, who will be the most affected by seeing adults behaving inappropriately,” one person wrote.

Another shared, “Irrespective of what, acts of violence in front of your children is a no no no. Call your cops immediately.”

Fans Bash TMZ For Portraying Ritchson As Bad

Many users also took Alan Ritchson’s side. They slammed TMZ for cutting the clip short and posting a clickbait without context. 

One user wrote, “Alan is a good dude, the neighbor must have deserved it, we didn’t see the whole thing and I think that was on purpose.”

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Another commented, “Of course you guys don’t have the part that shows what caused it and automatically assume it’s all his fault. Not surprised by a clickbait channel.”

A third fan shared, “Yeah what happened before that don’t jump into conclusions before you have the full TRUE FACTS and not manipulative media coverage.”

A fourth person also noted, “Something happened that’s not being shown because I’ll be damned if my bikes on the floor. A kickstand takes 1 second to pop out.”

Alan Ritchson’s Career Continues Amid Off-Screen Controversy

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While Ritchson faces scrutiny over the alleged incident, his professional career remains on a strong trajectory.

The actor rose to widespread recognition through “Reacher,” the hit Prime Video series based on Lee Child’s novels. 

The show became a major success, reaching the top spot on Nielsen’s streaming rankings and among the platform’s most-watched and most-binged originals in both the U.S. and globally. Its popularity led to a quick renewal and expanded opportunities for the actor.

Ritchson also recently starred in the Netflix movie “War Machine,” in which he plays Army Sergeant “81,” a RASP trainee caught in a brutal survival fight when aliens invade during a mock combat exercise. 

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Armed with dummy rounds, he and his squad must endure a relentless chase across mountains, forests, and waterways against overwhelming high-tech enemy firepower.

Roommates, Tisha Campbell is the latest celeb to undergo a smile transformation! The ‘Martin’ icon recently surprised her fans by unveiling the journey of getting her bottom teeth fixed. And the end result? She’s in love with the new look, and fans are praising her glow-up in the comments!

RELATED: Tia Kemp Reacts Alongside Internet Users As Victoria Woods Shows Off Her New Smile (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

Tisha Campbell Goes To Hollywood For New Smile

Campbell shared the video about her teeth on March 20, in collaboration with Dr. Ben Reyhani, whose office performed the procedure. His aesthetic and anti-aging dentistry practice is based in West Hollywood, California. Reyhani appears in the video, saying Tisha is “very happy” with her top teeth, but didn’t feel the same about the bottom. She then explained that the gaps in the bottom row have “always bothered” her, and it was getting worse. So, she chose Reyhani to give her veneers. In the video, Tisha Campbell had already done the necessary x-rays and impressions, and it was the day to get her veneers in. Her first reaction in the mirror was “Aww, it’s so good.” 

Social Media Is Loving Tisha’s Teeth Upgrade

In the joint comment section of Dr. Reyhani and Tisha Campbell, supporters weighed in with praises. A few comments called out braces as an option, but mainly, fans were here for the actor’s smile upgrade. Even the doctor popped by. He wrote, “It was my pleasure working with you.” 

IG user @markitadcollins had sweet words for Campbell, writing: “Yay!!! This is still your time and your best days are ahead of you. @iamtishacampbell you did something wonderful for yourself and you deserve all of the new doors and new opportunities that have your name on it! We loved you from day one, I just see God doing a new thing. It ain’t over for you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

“Gorgeous & Gifted! ❣️😍 After sharing ‘you’ with ‘us’ all these years…You deserve it all @iamtishacampbell✨,” @beatincmedia added.

“Love it, Tisha. It accentuates the beauty you’ve ALWAYS possessed. 🤍,” @elgincharles commented.

@denycelawton wrote, “These look so natural and good.” 

“Yessss tisha came through with the best,” @just.denver added.

In The Shade Room’s comment section, the energy was similar—praise for Ms. Gina’s glow-up and new chapter.

“Love seeing her happy 🥹🫶🏽,” Roomie @buttascotch_ commented.

@thesuitbrother added, “They look good! Never too late to fix that smile.. I’m over here with braces as we speak 💯.” 

“I love that she’s taking this time to pour into her!!!🥰🥰🥰,” @september_amour wrote.

“She got that divorce and been loving on herself ever since! 👏🏾💐💐,” @so.ayanna commented.

Dr. Ben Reyhani also showed Tisha support in TSR’s comment section, writing that she’s “a beautiful person inside and out” in one comment. In another comment, he tagged the actor and wrote, “Always a pleasure working with the icon.” 

RELATED: Internet Users Are Droppin’ Mixed Reactions After Reginae Carter Flossed Her New Smile After Getting Her Teeth Done (VIDEOS)

Dwyane Wade’s recent trip to Japan delivered more than just scenic views and cultural moments, but also included a split-second scare that could have ended very differently. 

While enjoying time abroad with Gabrielle Union, the former NBA legend found himself in a potentially dangerous situation that was quickly avoided thanks to his wife’s sharp instincts. 

What followed was a mix of laughter, reflection, and emotional encounters that added deeper meaning to their journey.

Dwyane Wade Nearly Suffers Accident Before Gabrielle Union Steps In

During their vacation, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union explored Japan, visiting Osaka and immersing themselves in the local culture, moments Wade often shares through his personal video content on his Wynetwork on Instagram.

However, one outing nearly turned dangerous. While riding on a boat, Wade became distracted as they approached a low bridge. 

Unaware of how close he was, he nearly collided with it, putting himself at risk of serious injury.

Thankfully, his wife reacted instantly by alerting him. Her quick awareness prevented what could have been a painful accident, shifting the moment from alarming to amusing once the danger passed.

Afterward, she joked about her role in saving the situation, telling him, “I saved your life!”

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Social Media Reacts To The Scary Incident

Fans couldn’t hold back their words as they trooped to the comments section shortly after the video was posted. 

Many asked Dwyane Wade to be thankful, adding that Gabrielle Union was brought into his life for a reason.

“Higher powers acted right there. That was a special moment for real, for that to be captured on camera is craziness,” one person wrote.

Another commented, “That’s your soul mate bro! God put her here for this very moment! And of course so many more moments but that’s divine intervention.”

A third fan added, “He didn’t look or anything. He just listened to his wife and put his head down…thank you Gabby!!”

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Other offended fans criticized Wade for being overly immersed in his phone. One person wrote, “Yal worse than these damn kids. Put the damn phone down and give it a break. You’ll live longer I guarantee it.”

Another stated, “Let’s also think about this that if he wasn’t on his phone, he’d have seen that…phone and internet will destroy a lot of lives in the future than save it.”

Dwyane Wade’s Japan Trip Takes Emotional Turn After Fan Encounter

Beyond the near-miss, Wade experienced a powerful interaction that added a deeper layer to the trip. 

While documenting their journey for his series “On The Fly,” Wade was filming Union when a local man approached him using a translation app. The message he shared carried unexpected weight.

“Excuse me. I had surgery… for stage three cancer two years ago. And your experience gave me courage,” the man said in the Instagram clip.

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The moment stopped both Wade and Union in their tracks. As the fan expressed gratitude, he added, “Many, many thank you,” before continuing on, leaving the couple visibly emotional.

Wade struggled to find the right words, initially reacting with, “Oh, wow. That’s really… oh, wow. It’s not just… ” before turning to his crew and saying, “It’s bigger than basketball, brother.”

He then made sure to respond with encouragement, telling the man, “Glad you’re okay. Yes. Glad you’re here with us, and you survived and you look good.”

Wade Opens Up About His Own Cancer Battle And Surgery

The exchange carried even more meaning, given Dwyane Wade’s own health journey. 

In early 2025, the former Miami Heat star publicly revealed that he had undergone surgery after doctors discovered a tumor on his kidney during a medical checkup. 

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The diagnosis came after he sought answers for ongoing symptoms, including stomach discomfort and changes in urination. 

Reflecting on that moment, he recalled questioning per PEOPLE, “Why is my piss coming out slow, why is my stream ain’t powerful? Why is it a little weak?”

Further testing revealed a concerning mass, leading doctors to recommend surgery. Ultimately, nearly 40% of his kidney was removed, and the tumor was confirmed to be cancerous.

The experience forced Wade to confront vulnerability in a way he hadn’t before. “The moment I was by myself, I was struggling, dog,” he admitted, describing one of the most difficult periods of his life.

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Dwyane Wade Finds Strength In Family And Lasting Impact Beyond Basketball

As Wade reflected on his journey, the health scare reinforced the realization that his influence extended far beyond the court.

He described how the experience reshaped his perspective, especially when it came to family. 

“What I saw in the midst of me going through my illness, I saw my family that may not always talk, may not always agree. I saw everybody show up for me and be there for me and in that process,” he said.

Despite the difficulty, the moment revealed something deeper. “In my weakness I found strength in my family,” Wade added. 

Wade, who shares children with multiple partners and is also a guardian to his nephew, emphasized how those relationships became central during his recovery.

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There is a certain kind of blockbuster that tries very hard to cover every possible base. It casts big names, blends multiple genres, adds franchise hooks, and softens its edges so no one feels left out. On paper, that strategy sounds smart. If a movie offers something for everyone, it should, in theory, draw everyone in.

But film does not work like a group project designed to avoid disagreement. The more a story stretches to appeal to every demographic, the more it risks losing a clear voice. The films on this list were not short on ambition or resources. Many had built-in fan bases and strong creative teams. Yet in their effort to satisfy longtime fans, casual viewers, families, and franchise planners all at once, they ended up landing in an awkward middle ground. They were made for everybody, which is often how a film ends up belonging to no one.

10

‘Cats’ (2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

Cats arrived with the promise of broad appeal. It leaned on the global recognition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage musical and assembled a cast filled with familiar names, from Jennifer Hudson to Idris Elba and Taylor Swift. The idea seemed simple on paper. Blend spectacle, nostalgia, and pop star power into a holiday release that families and musical fans could enjoy together. Instead, the film struggled to decide who it was actually speaking to.

The visual style alienated traditional theater fans, while the loose narrative confused casual viewers unfamiliar with the source material. The digital character design became the center of discussion and overshadowed performances and music. By trying to modernize the stage experience while keeping its abstract structure intact, Cats ended up pleasing neither longtime fans nor newcomers.

9

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

Image via Universal Pictures

The Mummy positioned itself as the launchpad for a shared cinematic universe. Casting Tom Cruise signaled blockbuster ambition, and the studio clearly wanted to blend action spectacle, horror nostalgia, and franchise-building into one accessible package. On the surface, the ingredients were there. A recognizable monster, global scale, and a charismatic lead should have made it widely appealing.

The problem was tone. The film shifted between horror, comedy, and high-stakes mythology without fully committing to any of them. Longtime fans of the classic Universal monsters found the approach too glossy, while action audiences were left with a story that felt like a setup. Instead of standing alone as a compelling adventure, it felt engineered for future installments that never arrived. In trying to be everything at once, it struggled to become anything memorable.

8

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

On paper, bringing Batman and Superman into the same film sounded like a guaranteed event. Two of the most recognizable comic book heroes, played by Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, sharing the screen for the first time in a live-action feature, should have pulled in every kind of viewer. The studio clearly wanted a film that comic readers, casual fans, and general audiences could all rally behind.

The problem was that the movie carried too much weight at once. It tried to tell a personal conflict, set up future characters, and lay the groundwork for a larger universe, all within the same runtime. For some viewers, the tone felt heavy and humorless. For others, the emotional turns did not feel fully earned. Instead of uniting audiences, it split them. The film aimed to please everyone who had ever cared about these heroes, yet many walked away feeling disconnected from both.

7

‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Tomorrowland arrived with an optimistic message and the backing of a major studio. Directed by Brad Bird and starring George Clooney, it promised a hopeful science fiction adventure that families and adults could enjoy together. The marketing leaned into mystery and big ideas about innovation, creativity, and saving the future.

What made it difficult to connect with a wide audience was its uneven focus. Younger viewers may have found the themes abstract, while older audiences struggled to latch onto the emotional core. It wanted to inspire, entertain, and comment on modern cynicism all at once. In trying to cover so much ground, it never fully grounded itself in a story that felt immediate or personal.

6

‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ (2017)

Image via STXfilms

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets had scale on its side. Directed by Luc Besson, it introduced a vast intergalactic setting filled with elaborate worlds and strange species. The film clearly aimed to attract longtime science fiction fans while also drawing in mainstream audiences with colorful visuals and fast-moving action. On the surface, it looked like a crowd-pleaser.

The challenge was connection. The central pairing, played by Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne, never fully convinced as seasoned partners with romantic tension. Their dynamic felt stiff when the story needed warmth or wit. While the world-building impressed, the emotional center felt distant. The film wanted to be both a grand space adventure and a charming character-driven romance, yet it struggled to make either side feel fully alive.

5

‘Downsizing’ (2017)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Downsizing began with a sharp, intriguing premise. What if people could shrink themselves to five inches tall to solve overpopulation and financial stress? Starring Matt Damon, the film seemed poised to deliver a clever mix of satire and heartfelt drama. The concept alone suggested wide appeal, blending social commentary with an accessible, almost whimsical hook.

Instead, the tone shifted in ways that felt uncertain. The early sections played like a light social comedy, then gradually moved into heavier territory about inequality and global responsibility. Some viewers expected a sharp satire and found something more reflective. Others anticipated a straightforward character story and were surprised by its political edge. By trying to speak to every concern at once, the film ended up leaving many unsure of what it ultimately wanted to say.

4

‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Jupiter Ascending set its sights high. Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, the film introduced a cosmic power struggle wrapped around an ordinary young woman played by Mila Kunis. With Channing Tatum as her genetically engineered protector, the movie aimed to blend fairy tale romance, space opera, and blockbuster action into one sweeping package.

The issue was balance. The mythology was dense, filled with royal bloodlines and interplanetary politics, yet the emotional journey at its center felt thin. Some viewers were drawn to its bold imagination. Others found it difficult to invest in characters who often seemed overwhelmed by the very world they inhabited. The film wanted to be a new franchise starter that appealed to fantasy lovers, action fans, and young adult audiences all at once. In reaching in so many directions, it struggled to firmly hold onto any one group.

3

‘Justice League’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Bringing together Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman, and The Flash in one film should have been a straightforward win. Justice League had the advantage of beloved characters and years of buildup from earlier entries in the shared universe. With Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Jason Momoa on board, the studio clearly hoped to deliver a lighter, more accessible team-up that would attract both devoted comic fans and casual moviegoers.

What emerged felt caught between two creative directions. The tone shifted noticeably from darker themes to more playful exchanges, and that change created a sense of unevenness. Character arcs felt abbreviated, as though the film was racing to assemble its team rather than letting each hero settle into the story. It wanted to correct past criticisms while still moving forward with a larger plan. In doing so, it never quite found a steady identity of its own.

2

‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018)

Image via Lucasfilm

Making a standalone film about Han Solo sounds simple until you consider what that character represents. For many viewers, Han is inseparable from Harrison Ford, whose performance shaped the role across the original trilogy. Casting Alden Ehrenreich was always going to invite comparison, and the film had to win over longtime fans while remaining accessible to newcomers who just wanted a fun space adventure.

The result felt cautious. The story worked hard to explain every familiar detail, from the origin of his last name to how he met Chewbacca and Lando. Instead of letting the character breathe, the film often felt busy filling in blanks. In trying to satisfy both nostalgia-driven fans and general viewers, it struggled to create a reason for its own existence.

1

‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ (2014)

Image via Warner Bros. 

By the time The Battle of the Five Armies arrived, the Hobbit trilogy had already expanded a relatively short novel into three large-scale films. This final chapter leaned heavily into extended battle sequences, aiming to deliver a grand sendoff that could stand beside The Lord of the Rings trilogy in scale and intensity.

The challenge was expectation. Many viewers hoped for the emotional weight and character focus that defined the earlier Middle-earth films. Instead, the story centered on a prolonged conflict that sometimes overshadowed the quieter arcs of Bilbo and Thorin. The film wanted to satisfy fans of epic warfare, complete a beloved literary adaptation, and connect directly to a larger cinematic legacy. In pushing so hard toward scale, it lost some of the intimacy that made the journey compelling in the first place.

[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 3 of DTF St. Louis.]

The HBO limited series DTF St. Louis follows what happens when local weatherman Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) starts an affair with Carol Smernitch (Linda Cardellini) and her husband Floyd (David Harbour), Clark’s on-air ASL interpreter and friend, ends up dead. Partnered to get to the bottom of what appears to be a murder with curious circumstances, Donoghue Homer (Richard Jenkins) and Jodie Plumb (Joy Sunday) start to pick up on the lies and holes in the stories of both Clark and Carol and wonder if one of them is responsible for the crime. As suspicions start to pile up, Homer and Jodie uncover the secrets of a Playgirl layout, a fickle Jamba Juice order, a DTF St. Louis dating site for discreet affairs, and a P.O. box that could give them the answers they’re looking for.

During this interview with Collider, co-stars Jenkins and Sunday discussed their reaction to the shows explanation for the purpose of P.O. boxes, the evolution in the Homer and Jodie partnership, navigating their dynamic as they work on the case together, a funny improvised moment from Sunday, why Homer ended up with his notepad, and shooting the first conversation Jodie had with Carol. Sunday also said she’s excited to see where things go next for her Wednesday character, Bianca Barclay, as she films Season 3.

Collider: There are so many weird and unusual things going on in the show, and now I’m always going to wonder if God really did invent P.O. boxes so that all the dildos have somewhere to go, because that does seem like the most logical explanation. When you guys read these scripts, what were your reactions to some of those moments?

RICHARD JENKINS: My reaction to it was, “I never thought of P.O. boxes like that,” and we say that. That’s why (creator) Steve [Conrad] is smarter than me. The writing is so great in this. It’s so human and different and alive. It’s crazy.

The Partnership Between Homer and Jodie Will Evolve and Change in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“We both grow in this piece.”

I love your characters together because they couldn’t be more different, which immediately makes their dynamic interesting. What did you guys think your characters think of each other, especially when they first meet, and how does that change by the end of the season, or does it change?

JENKINS: Yeah, it does change. You will see that it changes a lot. The three leads, you really see them. For us, many times the police are used as vehicles to get you from one scene to the other to explain what’s going on. But we both grow in this piece. We both are affected by the case we’re dealing with, and we grow as people. That’s so rare in pieces like this.

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In the heart of suburbia, three lives intertwine through a dating app, but one death throws the town into chaos.

Joy, what was it like for you, as you started figuring out your character? It sometimes feels like she has things bubbling inside her that she’d like to say, but she’s also professional, so that’s probably why she doesn’t say certain things. How did you see that with her?

JOY SUNDAY: I think Jodie finds a lot of worth in observing and using the best course of action to move forward and to make progress. She knows that sometimes means scaling back her ego. And then, especially being a detective, when you’re moving forward and asking questions, people assume that you’re making judgments of them. I think Jodie really likes to approach things with curiosity and therefore allows for people to reveal themselves naturally, which I think helps her a lot, especially in this case where people are really layered and hold back pieces of themselves.

JENKINS: He does tend to mansplain a lot, doesn’t he?

SUNDAY: Yeah. Especially at the outset, this kind of dynamic isn’t new to her, so she’s not going to allow that to prevent her from making progress.

Joy Sunday Says That Jodie Is Focused on Seeking the Truth in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“That moment is great.”

Image via HBO

In episode two, the moment when Homer asks Jodie to go interview Carol while he’s interviewing Clark was an interesting one. What was that like to figure out? What did you think of that moment between them? It feels like she really wanted to argue with him about that, but also then goes and does it and gets information that he might not have. He might not have realized that Carol was lying.

SUNDAY: That moment is really special. That is probably one of my favorite scenes that we shot. But also, for Jodie, that moment is great because she goes, and she sits back down, and she has a moment to reassess something, and that is what helps her to move along. In the ways that Homer can block her way or not give her what she wants, she still finds a way to redirect and to continue seeking truth. That’s a huge part of why we were able to unveil the mystery.

JENKINS: There was one take they didn’t use where I finally said, “So, you go do that,” and she didn’t move. She stood there. And I didn’t move. I waited. And she didn’t move. I waited, and I didn’t move. This went on for about a minute or so, and finally they yelled, “Cut!” Steve said, “Somebody has got to go do something.”

SUNDAY: And then I broke out laughing.

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The series also stars David Harbour and Linda Cardellini.

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When Jodie goes to interview Carol, there is a point in the conversation when Carol asks her to speak up. That was almost jarring in that moment because I felt like you were speaking very clear and concise. What do you think that was about? How did you feel about that exchange? Was she doing that intentionally?

SUNDAY: That’s a moment where Jodie really shines. When it first happens, she recognizes that this person is being a little bit strange and just takes it as it is because she’s seeking truth. Of course, she has her suspicions, but she doesn’t allow that to color how she’s going about this. As it moves along, she can’t always be an angel and her frustration peeks out. But because she knows that it’s better to just be objective and try to move along, she has to entertain it and take it as a mental note that she’s going to file for later.

Richard Jenkins Thought Homer Needed To Have a Notepad in ‘DTF St. Louis’

“I didn’t know what I was going to do with it.”

Image via HBO

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Richard, I love that your character keeps a notebook that he writes initials in for things that he doesn’t want to fully write out, including jotting down A.P. for ass play. I thought that was hilarious. Was that something in the script? Was that something you came up with? Was that something that kept coming up? Did you keep trying to find places to stick that in?

JENKINS: No, it wasn’t in the script, but that’s Steve. I said, “Maybe for this interview, I’d like a notepad.” I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. I held the thing and I asked the question, and he said, “Ass play.” And I said, “What’s that?” And then, I just wrote down A.P. Steve started laughing about it and said, “Did you write anything?” And I said, “Yeah, A.P.” And so, he went over and he filmed it. And then, I had one more when I wrote two other initials down for some other sexual connotation. And so, that became a thing that we did. It just happened one day.

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‘Wednesday’ Unfairly Sidelined This Character, but Here’s How the Show Can Still Correct That Mistake in Season 3

The show has seemingly forgotten one of its most interesting characters.

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Joy, as much as I love this character, I also love your character in Wednesday and I’m happy to know we’ll be seeing more of her. What are you most looking forward to with Season 3 of that show? Are you shooting yet?

SUNDAY: Yeah, production just started in Ireland, and it’s a blast so far. I’m really excited to see, this [season], where it all goes. We have so many great, legendary additions to the cast, so it’s very exciting.

It’s a fun character that I feel like we still have so much to learn about.

SUNDAY: For sure.

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Release Date

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2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

HBO

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Showrunner

Steve Conrad

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Directors

Steven Conrad

Writers

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Steven Conrad

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DTF St. Louis airs on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.

Late Sunday (March 22), an Air Canada jet struck a fire truck on a runway while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, officials said. Two people, the pilot and copilot, were killed after the nose of the aircraft was crushed, while 40 passengers and crew members were taken to the hospital. Some had serious injuries, but most have since been released from treatment, according to the Associated Press.

RELATED: Oh Wow! Three Vehicles Hit After Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Busy Georgia Road (WATCH)

How Did The Air Canada Jet & Fire Truck Collision Happen? 

Port Authority said the fire truck was traveling across the runway to respond to a separate incident aboard a United Airlines flight. That pilot had reported “an issue with odor,” said Garcia. The executive director deferred additional questions about the sequence of events leading up to the crash to the NTSB.

Meanwhile, a radio transmission has already given some insight. In the moments before the crash, an air traffic controller could be heard giving clearance to a vehicle to cross part of the tarmac, then trying to stop it. “Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” the transmission says. The controller can then be heard frantically diverting an incoming aircraft from landing.

Photos and videos from the scene showed severe damage to the aircraft’s front. Cables and debris were hanging from a mangled cockpit. Nearby, a damaged emergency vehicle lay on its side. Also, the impact left the jet with its crumpled nose tilted upward. The stairways for passenger evacuation were moved to the aircraft’s emergency exits.

Details About Injuries During LaGuardia Airport Accident

Two Port Authority employees who were traveling in the fire truck also suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, said Kathryn Garcia. Garcia is the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.

The pilot and copilot were both based out of Canada, Garcia said during a news conference. Also, there were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft. It was a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada, according to a statement from the airline. The flight took off from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, the major airport serving Montreal.

🚨 BREAKING: Pilot and co-pilot are confirmed dead after an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in NY

This is devastating.

41 injuries reported, with 32 released from the hospital

Pray for all of them 🙏🏻
pic.twitter.com/Bw84OEbEnB

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 23, 2026

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Air traffic controllers are not affected by the partial government shutdown, which has caused long delays at airport security checkpoints in recent days. They have been affected by past shutdowns.

Passenger Describes What Happened After Collision

LaGuardia Airport will remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday to facilitate the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.

Arturo Davidson was on the tarmac Sunday night on a plane headed to Miami when the Air Canada jet and a fire truck collided. Fellow passengers witnessed the crash or its aftermath. Reactions rippled through the cabin, Davidson said. The passengers were soon told there had been an accident. About 20 minutes later, they were informed the airport was closing and they must return to the terminal, Davidson said on Monday.

“I don’t think we’re going at two,” he sighed, referring to the time Monday afternoon that officials gave as the earliest for reopening LaGuardia.

LaGuardia is a busy airport, ranking 19th out of over 500 airports in 2024. That year, 16.7 million passengers boarded at the New York airport, according to a 2025 FAA database. It opened to commercial traffic in 1939 and covers 680 acres, bordering Flushing and Bowery bays in Queens, NYC.

RELATED: Prayers Up! At Least 2 Confirmed Dead Following Crash Involving Two Planes At Marana Regional Airport In Arizona

Associated Press writers Jake Offenhartz and Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

Jessica Biel is allegedly displeased following the release of Justin Timberlake‘s 2024 DWI arrest video. The footage was made available to the public two years after the incident, and while the singer attempted to block its release, a settlement was reached with the Sag Harbor police. Despite the circumstances, Biel remains supportive of her husband and is focused on moving forward.

Jessica Biel Finds The Situation Stressful

Timberlake’s DWI arrest video has been circulating online since its release on March 20, giving new life to the event that took place in June 2024.

Following the online attention, an insider shared with PEOPLE how the singer’s wife is taking it all. Per the source, Biel is “not happy” about the release, adding that there was a reason why Timberlake didn’t want the footage to see the light of day. The source noted that Biel finds the situation “stressful and would prefer to move past it.”

In regard to the arrest video, the insider said, “It obviously doesn’t portray him in the best light.” The video showed Timberlake being arrested, undergoing field sobriety tests, and getting booked at the police station.

The Actress Remains Supportive Of Her Husband

Despite the new hurdle, the source noted that Biel remains supportive of her husband. “There have been some challenging moments lately, and she’s focused on moving forward,” the source noted.

In addition, the insider claims that what makes Biel the “happiest” is when she’s able to focus on her family and work on projects she decides to pursue. “She’s supportive of Justin, but she’s also not afraid to express when she’s disappointed in certain decisions. This was one of those moments,” the source revealed.

The Celebrity Couple Stuck Together Through Challenges

Timberlake was in the middle of his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” when he was arrested in 2024. The singer performed in different cities in North America and Europe, and the tour concluded in July 2025.

As previously reported by The Blast, the couple remained “very committed” to each other following a few challenges, including Timberlake’s battle with Lyme disease, an infection that is transmitted via a bite from an infected tick. In an Instagram post, the singer said he chose to push forward with his tour despite feeling the side effects of the disease, which may include joint pains and fatigue.

After the tour wrapped, Biel and Timberlake focused on spending time with their two children and had an intimate celebration for their wedding anniversary.

Inside Jessica Biel And Justin Timberlake’s Relationship

Biel and Timberlake began dating in 2007. After a few years together, the couple went their separate ways in March 2011, releasing a statement via their representatives that the split was mutual and they remain friends.

Roughly eight months later, the two were spotted in public together, fueling rumors that they had rekindled their romance. In December 2011, they announced their engagement and were married in Italy in October the following year. “I had a little bit of butterflies. I was about to stand up in front of my friends and family and bare my soul for the person I love. It was terribly emotional,” Biel said at that time.

Timberlake and Biel share two sons, Silas, born in 2015, and Phineas, born in 2020.

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Why Was Justin Timberlake’s Arrest Video Released?

As previously reported by The Blast, Timberlake’s arrest video was released by the Sag Harbor Village Police Department weeks following the singer’s attempt to prevent the public’s access. Due to FOIL (Freedom of Information Law), the public has the right to gain access to records from government agencies, including arrest videos.

The police noted that they have received plenty of FOIL requests for Timberlake’s arrest footage, and in response, the singer filed a petition to block the release, citing that personal information may be revealed. However, the singer and the Sag Harbor police have reached an agreement.

The videos that are circulating have been redacted, and Timberlake’s camp noted the version online “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.” The footage shows the singer being arrested and attempting to complete sobriety tests, and he cooperated with the police and didn’t resist nor cause any trouble.

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Rapper NBA YoungBoy is helping cover funeral costs for 10-year-old Kimani Thomas, who died in an accidental shooting in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The gesture has sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media, highlighting the rapper’s philanthropic efforts amid tragedy.

RELATED: NBA YoungBoy Pops Out At Paris Fashion Week With Jazlyn Mychelle & Fans Are Here For It (VIDEO)

Details Surrounding Kimani Thomas’ Tragic Death

According to WBRZ, Kimani Thomas was killed in an accidental shooting on March 10 near a Sonic Restaurant in Baton Rouge.

Police said an 8-year-old relative was playing with a gun inside a car when it accidentally discharged, striking Kimani, who was standing outside the vehicle. She later died from her injuries.

Officials noted that Kimani’s mother and stepfather both worked at the restaurant. At the time of the incident, the stepfather was entering work while the mother was leaving her shift.

NBA YoungBoy To Cover The Cost Of Kimani Thomas’ Funeral

Kimani’s mother shared that NBA YoungBoy, a Baton Rouge native and her daughter’s favorite artist, would cover funeral expenses.

In an emotional message, she wrote:

“I know Baton Rouge love to say all the bad things people do, but I want to be the first to say publicly thanks to NBA YoungBoy and everyone on his team. As I type this with tears in my eyes, my baby Kimani’s funeral is officially paid for.”

Social Media Reacts

Social media users weighed in on the rapper’s gesture:

Instagram user @britt.posey wrote, “Love that man. He a good YN”

Another Instagram user @luckystarbizzy wrote, “Talk crazy about boy, he do good deeds ❤️”

While Instagram user @supa_cent wrote, “He cover a lot of funerals. Y’all just don’t be knowing because he don’t brag about giving back 💯💯”

Instagram user @taimarieb wrote, “I wish there was more paying for colleges than funerals. God bless her family ❤️”

Another Instagram user @vybzkartellaa wrote, “Idk. Philanthropic things done by people who also contribute to crime is kinda confusing…….. 🫤 “

While Instagram user @a.krisxo wrote, “Great! But the real question is why was there a gun around these children… 🧐”

Instagram user @youuloveecheyy wrote, “love him 🥹🥹💚”

Another Instagram user @gymgirlie_red wrote, “Y’all gone hate him for this too?”

While Instagram user @sw69y wrote, “If he cared about stopping gun violence he’d stop making music 😭🙏”

RELATED: NBA YoungBoy Receives Backlash For His Offensive Comment About His Son Amid Heated Exchange With The Mother Arcola

A movie can have kingdoms, prophecies, monsters, curses, gods, ghosts, impossible landscapes, swords, spells, and lore stacked to the ceiling, and none of it matters if the story ever starts pausing to show off instead of pulling you forward. The best fantasy movies never make that mistake. They understand that wonder is strongest when it is attached to movement.

That is why the Lord of the Rings franchise or Harry Potter franchise became what they did. And those are the kind of movies this list is about. Not just the best fantasy movies in some broad museum sense. I mean the ones that grab hold early and keep tightening.

10

‘Stardust’ (2007)

Image via Paramount Pictures

I will always go to bat for Stardust because it understands something a lot of fantasy forgets: charm is not softness. Charm can be propulsion. This movie moves because it keeps turning every fairy-tale idea into a story problem with actual momentum behind it. Tristan (Charlie Cox) goes searching for a fallen star for the dumbest, most human reason possible: romantic humiliation and the need to prove himself. That is a great start. Then the movie makes the star a woman, gives her opinions, puts witches after her, puts dead royal sons in the sidelines mocking everything, and suddenly the whole thing has comic velocity.

That is why it stays so watchable. Yvaine (Claire Danes) keeps changing the emotional center of the story because once Tristan starts actually knowing her, the original goal becomes embarrassing. Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), meanwhile, comes in with exactly the right amount of wicked glamour. Every time the witches get involved, the movie sharpens. And then Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) shows up and the film somehow gets even more lovable without losing pace. Stardust works because every fantasy element is there to complicate love, survival, identity, or succession. Nothing just sits there looking whimsical.

9

‘The Northman’ (2022)

Image via A24

This movie hooks because it does not flirt with myth. It commits to it at full intensity. From the opening, The Northman tells you that this is not going to be one of those fantasy-adjacent epics where revenge sits politely in the background while the movie arranges prestige imagery around it. And then, what makes it work from start to finish is that revenge never becomes abstract. The movie keeps dragging it through new emotional terrain.

First there is the boy seeing his father die and his mother taken. Then there is the years-later transformation into a man who has built his entire identity around returning to that moment and answering it with blood. Then the film starts complicating him. Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) is shaped by murder, exile, prophecy, and a vow so absolute. Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy) changes the energy. The farm changes the energy. The truth about his mother changes everything because revenge stops being a clear inheritance story and becomes something much nastier. Suddenly Amleth is not just avenging purity and gets caught in a lineage of corruption, appetite, and violence that predates him.

8

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) moving through tasks, creatures, and riddles while fascist violence is sitting in the next room, at the dinner table, in the forest, in the face of Captain Vidal (Sergi López). Every fantasy beat matters more because it is positioned against cruelty that is painfully human. What makes the movie impossible to shake is that the real-world thread stays just as gripping. Vidal, just like most monsters of fantasy, does not belong to fantasy at all. He belongs to power, patriarchy, and fascism in their ugliest plain form. The film keeps cutting between worlds and both worlds keep tightening. That is why it never lets go.

And it never loses that grip. The toad sequence is strange and gross and immediately tells you this underworld runs on rules, not soft dream logic. Then the Pale Man scene arrives and basically brands itself into your brain forever. Ofelia is such a strong center too because she behaves like a child with imagination, fear, and will. You believe that she wants to be brave and also that she is terrified.

7

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Image via A24

I love this movie because it hooks by refusing to explain away its strangeness. It starts with a challenge that sounds simple enough. Gawain (Dev Patel) takes the Green Knight’s blow and must seek him out a year later to receive one in return and then lets that promise haunt everything afterward. The genius of the movie is that it keeps turning the journey into a test not just of bravery, but of self-concept.

Who does Gawain think he is? Who is he pretending to be? What part of knighthood is courage and what part is theater?

That question gives every episode on the road weight. The scavengers matter. The ghost matters. The lord’s castle matters. The sash matters. The giants matter. None of it feels like random fantasy decoration because every encounter presses on Gawain’s insecurity from a different angle.

6

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Almost 40 years later, The Princess Bride still keeps people hooked. The movie circles the fact that sincerity and wit can be romantic, funny, dangerous, ridiculous, and surprisingly moving without ever feeling unstable. The setup is perfect. Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes) fall in love in the most storybook way possible, Westley disappears, Buttercup is pushed toward a political marriage, and then suddenly the film becomes a kidnapping tale, a sword-fight comedy, a revenge story, a miracle story, and a fairy tale that keeps one-upping itself without losing shape.

Every character helps. Inigo’s (Mandy Patinkin) cleanest emotional motor with his six fingers makes every scene with him gain force. Fezzik (André the Giant) adds warmth. Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) adds manic comic pressure. Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) keeps the stakes mean. Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) shows up late and somehow the movie gets bigger without getting baggier. That is hard to do. And the reason this works on almost everyone is that the movie never acts above its own pleasure. It wants you delighted. It wants you invested. It wants you laughing and then suddenly surprisingly touched. That confidence is what makes the whole thing fly.

5

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon hooks with longing. Not vague beauty. Longing. The first theft of the Green Destiny opens a whole chain of desire, discipline, resentment, and fate that keeps tightening until the movie becomes emotionally unstoppable. You have Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) carrying years of restraint. You have Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) carrying those same years from the other side. You have Jen (Zhang Ziyi) exploding into the story with talent, arrogance, hunger, and the refusal to accept the cage her life is supposed to become.

That triangle of emotional energy is why every action scene matters. The fights are gorgeous, yes, but they are never empty grace notes. Jen’s rooftop flight is thrilling as she is showing off power she has not emotionally earned control over yet. Her duel with Shu Lien is thrilling because it is basically discipline and fury arguing with weapons. The desert flashback with Lo (Chang Chen) changes the whole movie because suddenly Jen is no longer just reckless disruption. You understand the appetite underneath her rebellion. And then the ending comes and the movie leaves you with that ache only great fantasy can deliver: the feeling that beauty, freedom, and tragedy were all braided together from the beginning.

4

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away grabs hold the second Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) enters a world that is operating on rules she does not understand and adults around her are already being punished for greed and stupidity. That is a perfect fantasy hook. Even viewers don’t understand or can expect what would happen next. And what makes it great is that the film keeps deepening rather than simply escalating. Every new element pulls you further in. Haku (Miyu Irino). Yubaba (Mari Natsuki). The bathhouse. No-Face. The stink spirit. The train ride. Kamaji. Zeniba. The reason the movie never loosens its hold is that each of those things changes Chihiro. She is constantly working, adapting, observing, and becoming a person with more steadiness than the frightened child we met at the start. That growth gives the fantasy world emotional structure.

And what I love most is that the movie never behaves as though mystery needs to be solved into flatness. The world stays strange. Spirits arrive with their own textures and moods. The train sequence is one of the most hypnotic passages in fantasy because it slows down without losing grip at all. You are still locked in. Maybe even more than before.

3

‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Image via New Line Cinema

The Fellowship of the Ring hooks because it gets the order of things exactly right. First it makes the Shire feel worth loving. Then it threatens it. That is why everything after works. Frodo (Elijah Wood) is asked to carry a ring that immediately begins bending the atmosphere around him. And then once the journey starts, the film just keeps feeding you reasons to stay in. Bree, Weathertop, Rivendell, Moria, Lothlórien, Amon Hen — every stop changes the emotional shape of the story.

The Fellowship itself is the key. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), Boromir (Sean Bean), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Merry (Dominic Monaghan), Pippin (Billy Boyd), Sam (Sean Astin), the film keeps making the group dynamic richer, so when danger comes you are not just responding to spectacle. You are responding to people whose strengths, weaknesses, loyalties, and temptations matter. Boromir is a huge part of why the movie has so much pull late. His weakness is not random. The ring has been pressing on exactly the wound he carries, and when he breaks and then tries to answer that failure with courage, the film suddenly becomes devastating. That is why The Fellowship of the Ring is not just great setup but a full-blown emotional journey with its own heartbreak. And it’s only the beginning of a trilogy and then prequels.

2

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Yes, it belongs here. Mad Max: Fury Road is a fantasy by force of world, myth, and pure invented reality, and it hooks harder than almost anything. This movie is basically one long chase. Every stretch of movement introduces a new problem, a new emotional pressure, or a new visual idea. It is perhaps the best revival of a franchise in the past two decades. One of the reasons it stays addictive is its characters and on top of which are Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and Max (Tom Hardy).

Once you understand what Furiosa is trying to do, not just flee, but take these women out of a life of ownership and rape and turn escape into possibility, the movie gains a heart hot enough to power all the spectacle. Max, on the other hand, gets dragged into purpose rather than striding nobly toward it. That reluctance helps. It lets Furiosa become the film’s blazing center. You have to watch it to know what it does.

1

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

This is number one because it may be the most entertaining fantasy movie of the modern blockbuster era, full stop. It hooks immediately because it starts with atmosphere and mystery the right way: the ship in the fog, the child, the gold medallion, the pirate song hanging in the air before we even fully understand what it means. Then it grows outward with ridiculous confidence. Will (Orlando Bloom) wants Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). Elizabeth wants more than the life she is boxed into. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) enters the frame already operating like he belongs to a better, weirder movie than everyone else and then the film brilliantly becomes his movie without ever losing the others.

That balance is why it never slips. Jack is funny, yes, but he is also slippery in a plot-driving way. Every alliance with him is unstable. Every scene gets better because he is always trying to tilt it. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) is the perfect villain. And then there is the pure propulsion of it. Port Royal, Tortuga, the Black Pearl, the island, the mutiny history, the underwater walk, the final duel — the film just keeps delivering without that sag so many blockbusters get after the midpoint. It understands exactly when to give you romance, when to give you comedy, when to reveal the supernatural hand, and when to let a character’s choice matter more than the spectacle around it.