If a movie is a crowd-pleaser, then it’s probably something of a blockbuster, or at least it’s the kind of smaller movie that’s going to be broadly appealing. Raiders of the Lost Ark or maybe Star Wars (at least the good ones, concerning the latter) are probably the best examples of full-on crowd-pleasers, being the kinds of films just about everyone seems to like, but as for Westerns that fit into this category…

…Honestly, they’re a little less common. Not everyone likes Westerns, a bit like how not everyone gets on board with the musical genre, and perhaps comparable to how some people just aren’t fans of horror movies. But, if you wanted to convert someone who says they’re not a Western fan, the following films might well do the trick, because they are all pretty easy to appreciate and/or enjoy.

10

‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990)

Image via Orion Pictures

Dances with Wolves is a massive movie, clocking in at one minute over three hours in total, and even longer if you watch the extended cut (much longer, actually, since that one’s almost four hours all up). It’s a movie that takes place during the Civil War, even if the Civil War isn’t really the focus, being about a wounded Union army soldier falling in with a tribe of Sioux people.

Yes, it’s got that classic narrative of “individual from one culture gets wrapped up in another culture and ends up fighting for them,” but it’s a good sort of story, and Dances with Wolves tells it well. It’s also an easy one to select for present purposes, since it was indeed popular when it came to both the box office and awards seasons (it was the biggest and most prominent Oscar winner of its year).

9

‘For a Few Dollars More’ (1965)

Image via United Artists

The Dollars trilogy began in 1964, with A Fistful of Dollars, and it’s worthy of an honorable mention here, even if it’s not quite as entertaining as the two movies that came later. The second of the trilogy was For a Few Dollars More, which is tied to A Fistful of Dollars because of the people involved (notably, Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood, and Ennio Morricone), but is otherwise its own story, with the biggest connection being that Eastwood is the Man with No Name… or a Man with No Name. Probably the same one.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter too much, and what matters more is how great For a Few Dollars More is, not to mention quite the upgrade quality-wise on A Fistful of Dollars. It’s about a pair of bounty hunters pursuing the same notorious criminal for very different reasons, and it all ends in an incredibly satisfying and memorable way.

8

‘The Good, the Bad, the Weird’ (2008)

Image via CJ Entertainment

Not to be mixed up with another movie in the Dollars trilogy (which itself will get mentioned later), The Good, the Bad, the Weird… okay, it does have the premise you’d expect it to. It’s got that whole The Good, the Bad and the Ugly premise of three chaotic characters competing with each other to find treasure somewhere in the desert, but it distinguishes itself tonally and pacing-wise, not to mention in terms of what genres it tackles.

See, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is more of a broad action/comedy than the film it’s paying homage to, and that does make it incredibly fun. So, why isn’t it more crowd-pleasing? Well, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is also very cynical and kind of downbeat in some ways, alongside all the fun and wacky stuff that happens, so you sort of have to dock a few points, if you’re assessing how much of a conventional crowd-pleaser it is, or can be.

7

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Image via The Weinstein Company

While there are quite a few Quentin Tarantino movies that play around with time, Django Unchained isn’t really one of them, instead being relentlessly straightforward and even a bit linear. But linear does not equal bad, since there’s a lot of excitement and catharsis here with a story about a freed slave teaming up with a bounty hunter to rescue his wife and also enact vengeance upon those who abused him while he was enslaved.

It’s heavy subject matter for sure, and parts of Django Unchained are appropriately grim and emotionally intense, though much of the film is entertaining, with the revenge/rescue quest being easy to get wrapped up in. Django Unchained is quite thrilling and funny at times, balancing all that stuff with the more serious dramatic side of things fairly well, overall. It’s certainly more conventional and crowd-pleasing than Tarantino’s later Western (The Hateful Eight), that’s for sure.

6

‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1960)

Image via United Artists

There was a little movie in 1954 called Seven Samurai that actually wasn’t a little movie at all, and was instead one of the all-time greatest samurai/martial arts films ever, and also an all-timer as an action epic, too. Its influence was felt well beyond the genre(s) it belonged to, seeing as it was remade as a Western, with The Magnificent Seven, all before being remixed, referenced, and parodied by all sorts of other movies later on.

To focus on The Magnificent Seven, though, it’s got the Seven Samurai premise and structure of assembling a team, preparing for conflict, and then taking part in a large-scale fight, but with gunfighters and a Western setting instead of taking place in Japan during samurai times. And sure, it’s not as good as Seven Samurai, but not much is. As far as remakes go, it really gets the job done, and holds up pretty darn well for a film of its age.

5

‘Tombstone’ (1993)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Whatever the online equivalent of riots in the streets is, that would be happening right about now if Tombstone were not included here. If anything, some might consider it not high enough, but hey, top 5 is pretty great for something that’s trying to look at all-time greats. Certainly, this much can be said about Tombstone: it’s the greatest of all the movies about Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which is saying quite a bit, since all that stuff’s been well-represented and depicted throughout cinema history.

With Tombstone, it’s all done with incredible confidence and style, all the while having one of the best casts of any Western movie perhaps ever made, so that helps a great deal, too. It’s an overall good time, hitting all the beats it needs to emotionally and being another Western crowd-pleaser that’s hard to find much at all at fault with.

4

‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974)

Image via Warner Bros.

Okay, sure, if you’re a Western purist to the extent that you don’t like anything that makes fun of old-fashioned Westerns, maybe you’ll take issue with Blazing Saddles, but if you’re open to a Western comedy that’s kind of a parody of the whole genre, it’s the textbook definition of an essential watch. For what it’s worth, it also replicates the feel of the Western genre quite well (not as uncannily as Young Frankenstein did for old horror movies, which was a film Mel Brooks also directed, and somehow, both it and Blazing Saddles even came out the same year).

Blazing Saddles is also a great satirical work, exploring some serious stuff in a thoroughly unserious and chaotic way. It’s clever all around, and is so relentless with its jokes. The quantity is backed up with quality, too, since far more attempts at humor in Blazing Saddles land rather than miss.

3

‘Rio Bravo’ (1959)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

While The Searchers might be the best Western John Wayne ever starred in, and there’s an argument to be made that Stagecoach is the most important (at least on a historical front), Rio Bravo is probably Wayne’s most entertaining Western. It was the film so nice that Wayne and director Howard Hawks sort of made it twice, as El Dorado (1966) is pretty similar, in a fair few ways.

And El Dorado is also a good time, but Rio Bravo’s the one that’s hard to top. It’s about an unlikely group of characters (or “heroes,” if you’re willing to stretch the definition of the word a bit) banding together to keep a criminal in jail while said criminal’s brother is trying to get him out. It moves well for a movie that nears 2.5 hours in length, and contains quite a bit of action and humor alongside the more expected Western and drama beats.

2

‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969)

Since it kind of counts as an adventure movie and a buddy comedy (plus some other things), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is pretty easy to recommend, even to Western genre naysayers. It’s just such a likable film about a pair of outlaws that make a ton of enemies, and end up having to go on the run, fleeing to South America, yet still finding further troubles there… or troubles wherever they go, pretty much, it might be more accurate to say.

So much of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid works because Paul Newman and Robert Redford are a match made in charisma heaven, and watching them both alternate between stumbling and swaggering through an Old West that’s rapidly becoming not so “Old” anymore is extremely entertaining. Beyond Newman and Redford, the soundtrack’s also very memorable, and William Goldman’s impeccable screenplay is one of his very best.

1

‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ (1966)

Image via Produzioni Europee Associati

It’s hard to imagine another movie going here. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly might well be the definitive Western, and it’s a contender for the title of the genre’s most entertaining movie, too. It’s one of those films that’s so good, it is likely to flat-out convert you to the Western genre, largely thanks to how well it builds throughout pacing-wise, and also how timeless so much of it feels.

If you break down what happens in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, it might not sound like much (especially for a film that’s almost three hours long), but it’s the execution here that counts. It’s such a great-looking movie, the characters are all so memorable, it’s remarkably quotable, and it also easily has one of the best scores of all time. It’s hard to fault, and that’s why it’s worthy of being #1 here.

April has been another busy month for streaming. On Prime Video, a pair of hit superhero shows, The Boys and the animated series Invincible, have dominated the streaming charts with critically acclaimed new seasons. Elle Fanning‘s Margo’s Got Money Troubles has shot to the top of the Apple TV charts, alongside a second season of Your Friends & Neighbors, starring Jon Hamm. As the month comes to an end, this weekend marks the arrival of one exciting new series and the return of a hit show on Netflix.

With that in mind, here’s a list of three shows you should binge-watch on Netflix this weekend.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

1

‘Running Point’ (2025–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.3/10

One of the gems of Netflix’s 2025 catalog is back for another unmissable season this weekend, as Running Point Season 2 debuted this past Thursday, April 23. The sports comedy stars Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, who must step up to the plate when her brother enters rehab, and she is appointed President of her family business, the LA Waves basketball team. Can she defeat the skeptics and carve her own legacy?

A sports series packed with humor and heart, similar to the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso, Running Point aims to quickly bring a smile to your face and never let it drop. Alongside a terrific performance from Hudson, who is having a great year thanks to her recent Academy Award nomination for Song Sung Blue, the show also features the likes of Brenda Song and Chet Hanks, who are joined by recurring and guest characters, including Max Greenfield, Ray Romano, Ken Marino, and Nicole Sullivan​​​​​.

2

‘Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’ (2026)

IMDb: 4.2/10

Although it technically debuted at the end of last year, early 2026 was dominated by Stranger Things discourse following a divisive final season. Four months later, the next chapter in the franchise is finally here, as the animated series Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 fills in the gap between the events of the second and third seasons of the original.

Set in the winter of 1985, the series follows Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) and other kids from Hawkins, Indiana, as they uncover strange, paranormal happenings in their quiet town. Of course, the next Stranger Things installment couldn’t disappoint in the casting department, with the voice ensemble including Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Odessa A’zion as Nikki Baxer, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter, and Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer.

3

‘Dirty John’ (2018–2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.3/10

It isn’t just new arrivals worth watching on Netflix this weekend. A crime anthology series based on Christopher Goffard‘s podcast of the same name, Dirty John tracks crimes of passion, as horrific events centered on some sort of warped love turn the everyday into the extraordinary. The first season follows Connie Britton’s Debra Newell, an interior designer who falls head over heels for anesthesiologist John Meehan (Eric Bana), only for the truth behind his intentions to be much darker.

Also featuring a second season titled Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story, which boasts a pair of gripping performances from Amanda Peet and Christian Slater, Dirty John is a crime genre gem waiting to be uncovered on Netflix. For plenty of twists and turns to help guide you through your weekend, don’t miss Dirty John.

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Release Date

2018 – 2020-00-00

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Directors

Jeffrey Reiner, Maggie Kiley, Kat Candler, Shannon Kohli

Writers

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Alexandra Cunningham, Kevin J. Hynes, Christopher Goffard, Lex Edness, Diana Son, Evan Wright, Sinead Daly, Stacy A. Littlejohn, Juliet Lashinsky-Revene, Aaron Carew

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David Beckham gave fans a rare and playful peek into his marriage with Victoria Beckham, but the lighthearted moment comes at a time when their family remains under quiet scrutiny.

As the couple stepped out for one of New York’s biggest events, David couldn’t resist joking about his wife’s habits, offering a candid look at their dynamic. 

Behind the smiles, however, the Beckhams are also navigating a challenging period involving their children and ongoing public attention.

On April 23, David Beckham showed off his sense of humor while getting ready with Victoria for the 2026 TIME100 Gala in New York City. 

The couple, dressed to impress for the high-profile event at Jazz at Lincoln Center, paused for a mirror selfie before heading out, with Victoria in a sleek ivory silk dress and David in a classic black dinner jacket.

While the moment looked polished, the former soccer player added a playful twist by poking fun at his wife’s love for documenting their outings. 

“My night every night we go out quote of the night ‘you look great I’m gonna post this,’” he wrote in the Instagram post’s caption, tagging Victoria. 

His expression in the photo made it clear he was leaning into the joke, as he made quite a funny face.

David And Victoria Share Sweet Gala Moments

Despite the teasing, the couple’s strong bond was evident throughout the evening. 

Victoria also shared her own photos from the event on Instagram, including shots of the pair smiling together and walking arm in arm. 

Other images captured her posing solo, as well as a more playful moment where she pouted while holding onto David Beckham, who appeared delighted.

She captioned her post, “Heading to the @time 100 Gala in NYC  Kisses @davidbeckham.” 

The appearance was especially meaningful as Victoria was recognized on this year’s TIME100 list, marking another milestone in her career as a designer and businesswoman.

David Beckham And Victoria Address Life In The Spotlight

Just days before the gala, Victoria reflected on their long-standing relationship during a public appearance, offering insight into how they’ve handled years of attention. 

Speaking at the TIME100 Summit, she made it clear that outside opinions have never defined their marriage.

“This has been happening since I was 20, so it’s been going on a long time,” she explained per PEOPLE. 

The fashion designer also emphasized the support they provide each other, saying, “I have an incredible husband who supports me enormously. We’re always there for each other.” 

Over time, Victoria has learned to tune out criticism entirely, adding, “I learned a long time ago to really not listen to the noise. Someone’s always going to have something to say. I focus and I just don’t pay attention to it.”

Victoria Beckham Addresses Brooklyn Feud With Just One Firm Statement

Victoria’s interview came days after she finally addressed the highly publicized rift with her son Brooklyn Beckham, but her response made one thing clear: she’s refusing to engage in the drama. 

As The Blast reported, Victoria said, “We love our children so much,” adding, “We’ve always tried to be the best parents that we can be… That’s all I really want to say about it.”  

Her brief but pointed remarks came after months of escalating tension, which erupted publicly in January, when Brooklyn accused David Beckham and Victoria of trying to “endlessly” ruin his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz, and of spreading “countless lies.”   

He also alleged that they attempted to “bribe” him over naming rights and even “hijacked” moments during his wedding, claims that intensified the fallout.  

The rift is believed to have been building since the couple’s 2022 wedding, after Peltz wore a Valentino dress instead of Victoria’s design.

Victoria Reveals Family Rule She And David Beckham Follow In Difficult Moments

A few days later, Victoria opened up about how she and David navigated difficult times, emphasizing that their children always came first. 

According to The Blast, the 52-year-old reflected on a “challenging year,” saying, “We always put our children first,” adding, “We love our children so much and have always really focused on protecting our children.”   

Victoria explained that despite ongoing family tensions, their priority remained unity and support for all four of their children. 

She also highlighted the importance of humor and partnership in her decades-long marriage, noting that laughter and their close bond helped them cope with pressure.   

Furthermore, Victoria added that their strong support system, including extended family, played a key role in helping them stay grounded through tough moments.  

It’s been a big year for HBO in 2026, which started off with two of the biggest new releases in The Pitt Season 2 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The former is a critically acclaimed medical drama starring Emmy-winner Noah Wyle, and the latter is a Game of Thrones prequel. Both shows have been renewed with another season on the way. Another HBO show that likely won’t have another season, at least according to its biggest star, is Euphoria. Following a gargantuan four-year gap between Seasons 2 and 3, Euphoria finally returned a few weeks ago with its highly anticipated third season.

Though the reception to the new season has been mixed at best, it hasn’t stopped Euphoria Season 3 from rocketing to the top of HBO Max streaming charts. The negative reviews may have been concerning, but the reality is that fans were going to turn up in droves to watch Euphoria Season 3, no matter what critics were saying. Euphoria stars Chloe Cherry and Martha Kelly, who play Faye and Laurie in the show, recently sat down for an episode of Collider Superlatives, where stars are asked to pick co-stars for hilarious and interesting categories.

When it came time to ask who involved in Euphoria was most likely to “run off and join the circus,” both stars chimed in instantly and said: “Sam Levinson.” Explaining why, they said: “Honestly, I think that he just loves to learn new things and experience new things. He finds so many things very interesting that I wouldn’t be surprised [if he ran off and joined the circus]. He could do anything. He’s a very interesting person, very multidimensional.” Whatever Sam Levinson’s plans are once Euphoria is over, it sounds like the circus can’t be ruled out.

Is There Going To Be a ‘Euphoria’ Season 4?

In the week leading up to Euphoria Season 3, fans began asking questions about the future of the series beyond its next batch of episodes. Zendaya was even asked about a potential Season 4 while on the Drew Barrymore show, and she said she thinks that Season 3 will be the last. This isn’t all that surprising, especially considering how long it took to put the pieces in place to make Season 3 happen. The Season 3 ending will likely provide more clarity, but now that Euphoria’s stars have moved on to other projects, it’s a safe bet that this will likely be their final time playing these characters.

Check out new episodes of Euphoria on HBO Max and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the show. You can watch the latest episode of Collider Superlatives below.

euphoria

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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Sam Levinson

Directors

Jennifer Morrison, Augustine Frizzell

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Blake Shelton wants to fight for his marriage despite hitting a rough patch with Gwen Stefani. The two are said to have drifted apart in recent times, but Shelton isn’t seeing it as a reason to consider divorce.

According to a report, the couple’s marriage has been affected by their inability to balance their relationship with their work and busy schedule.

Blake Shelton is also said not to be interested in therapy and prefers to resolve their issues the old-fashioned way.

For some time, reports have swirled that Blake Shelton and his wife, Gwen Stefani, have been going through a rough patch in their marriage.

The couple has been married for more than four years, but according to some sources, people close to them fear they may not make it to their fifth wedding anniversary in July.

However, Shelton is reportedly determined to make the marriage work, especially after his previous marriages to Miranda Lambert and Kaynette Williams also ended in divorce.

“Blake went through so much turmoil when he and Miranda split; it was probably the lowest time in his life, and something he’d do anything to avoid experiencing ever again,” an insider shared about the singer, per Star Magazine.

The source added, “He adores Gwen and is adamant that divorce is never going to be an option for them, even if they have to endure some tough times.”

The Couple Is Unable To Balance Work And Married Life

Part of what appears to be the couple’s issues in their marriage is their inability to balance their work and married life.

According to the source, “Their careers are still pulling them in different directions,” and the efforts they have been making to make up for that time do not seem to be sufficient.

“When they’re apart, they try to FaceTime, send photos, and text each other during odd moments. But it’s hard when they’re both busy and distracted.”

The source also claimed that the two being present in Las Vegas in the coming days does not necessarily mean they will get to spend quality time together, especially as they would still remain busy with their own individual affairs.

“There’s no way they’ll get much, if any, quality time together,” added the source. “Both of them will be so busy with totally separate agendas.”

Blake Shelton Sometimes Gets Jealous Of Gwen Stefani Being Away From Him

The frequent distance between them has reportedly been eased by Stefani, who, according to the source, makes an effort to travel back to their Tishomingo home to spend time with Shelton.

For his part, Shelton reportedly tries not to let his wife’s busy schedule “bother him,” and understands that her time away is necessary “for her soul as well as her career.”

However, at times, he can’t help but feel a bit jealous that the time she could be spending with him is instead spent elsewhere.

This feeling also seems to have increased during this period of her “rehearsing nonstop” for the “all-consuming” project of her upcoming residency.

“But he misses Gwen terribly when she’s not around and can get quite jealous at the thought of her spending her time with other people while he’s thousands of miles away all by himself.”

Blake Shelton Wants His Marriage Issues Resolved The Old-Fashioned Way

As the duo continues to attempt to find common ground, their actions also appear to be complicated by their differing approaches to handling conflict.

This is particularly linked to Stefani reportedly suggesting therapy to help address their issues, a proposal Shelton does not seem willing to pursue.

“The last thing Gwen wants is for Blake to feel hurt or underappreciated, which is why she’s suggested they work things out in therapy,” revealed the insider. “Blake appreciated the sentiment, but it really isn’t his style. He believes in solving problems the old-fashioned way, by communicating with each other, and didn’t want to involve a third party. So, they’ve struggled on, hoping the situation would resolve organically.”

For now, their efforts are being seen as a stopgap measure, which the source believes won’t help in the long run. As such, it remains to be seen whether the couple’s marriage will go the distance or crash and burn like many high-profile marriages in Hollywood have.

Gwen Stefani Gushed Over Her Marriage To Blake Shelton

During a recent chat with Jeff Cavins on his Hallow YouTube channel, Stefani spoke candidly about her marriage, noting that before Shelton, she had never “experienced active love.”

“I also experienced active love, I think, for the first time when I met my husband because I had never really received active love,” she claimed.

Stefani added, “And I don’t think I knew how to even receive it. Like, it was just like I would be so uncomfortable when someone was sacrificing or actively trying to love me through their actions by maybe sacrificing something.”

We all love a good old-fashioned space romp, or at least that’s the assumption we’re going to make for the purposes of this list. A grand adventure set out amongst the stars that tells physics and all other forms of science to hit the intergalactic highway, soft sci-fi has been one of the most predominant forms of science fiction since the genre began. As much fun as those soft kinds of sci-fi movies can be, though, there’s something special about their harder siblings.

Hard sci-fi is defined by its attention to detail and fidelity to accuracy. Now, no sci-fi movie is 100% scientifically accurate; in fact, it could be argued that many of the films that will make up this list barely cross the halfway point in terms of realism, but here we award points for trying. These are the movies that at least attempt to get the science right, just as long as it doesn’t get in the way of telling a good story. These are the ten greatest hard sci-fi movie masterpieces of all time, offering grounded takes on the genre that feel ambitious but refreshingly real.

10

‘Primer’ (2004)

Image via THINKFilm

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Shane Carruth’s low-budget sci-fi film Primer is about as grounded as a film about time travel can get. While the central concept is still a fantastical invention, it is surrounded by realistic and highly technical scientific details that inform the grounded setting. Primer doesn’t have elaborate lab sets or depict time travel with any kind of elaborate CGI. It’s just two guys in a garage with a metal box.

In addition to writing and directing, Carruth also stars as Aaron, one-half of the duo who discovers the ability to travel back in time. Together, Aaron and Abe (David Sullivan) begin to experiment with time travel, going back in time and using future knowledge to their benefit. It doesn’t take long for the timelines to get complicated, and the men and their doppelgängers begin to turn on each other. Primer is a thought-provoking and intelligent sci-fi movie that far surpasses its limited budget with true ingenuity.

Image via Warner Bros.

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Robert Zemeckis is still one of the most technically proficient directors in Hollywood. His experience and innovation of cutting-edge technology have produced classics like the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Death Becomes Her. Starting with Forrest Gump, Zemeckis began to find ways to integrate his technological interests into more grounded dramas. The underrated Contact, based on the novel by Carl Sagan, preceded the hard sci-fi trend in Hollywood by over a decade and allowed Zemeckis his first opportunity to tell a more grounded science-fiction story.

The film adaptation focuses on Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), who works for the SETI program. After she discovers a signal coming from the star Vega, Arroway finds herself in the middle of a mission to build a machine that will allow her to travel through wormholes in the hopes of making contact with those who sent the signal. Contact spends an inordinate amount of time dealing with the science of its story and the impact of discovering alien life has on civilization. It’s a more cerebral first contact film than something like Steven Spielberg‘s more fanciful Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which packs a more satisfying emotional punch.

8

‘Gattaca’ (1997)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

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The social divisions we’ve created in our current society get an upgrade in Andrew Niccol‘s Gattaca, set in a near future where discrimination has been turned into a science thanks to widespread use of eugenics. Divisions are created not so much by race or economic status as they are between those born naturally and those designed to be genetically perfect. It’s a fascinating film filled with more ideas in single scenes than many Hollywood sci-fi films manage across their entire runtimes. Though it takes a more one-sided approach to the more complex bioethical issues at play, it’s undeniably compelling and accurate in its assumption that our technological capabilities will always outpace our morality.

Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, conceived naturally and thus considered an in-valid, preventing him from pursuing a career in space travel. He finds his way around his perceived genetic inferiority by using the genetic material of another man to receive a position on an upcoming spaceflight. While the social themes are given as much weight as the science behind them, Gattaca advances the conversation about the conflict where scientific advancement and social order meet. It’s only become more relevant as the fight to provide protection and prevent discrimination based on genetic conditions is in constant flux in the political system.

7

‘Interstellar’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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Originally developed by Steven Spielberg, based on an idea by theoretical physicist Kip Thorne in collaboration with producer Lynda Obst, Interstellar changed hands over to Christopher Nolan, who brought his ability to blend a blockbuster sensibility with more cerebral cinema to its sci-fi story of astronauts in search of a planet to replace Earth. The film finds balance in its human and scientific themes but, like much of Nolan’s directorial work, is at its best as a work of spectacle, much of which is grounded in hard sci-fi concepts.

In a future where Earth is suffering from major blights, and humanity is under threat of extinction, NASA sends Matthew McConaughey‘s Cooper on a mission to investigate the viability of several planets found through a wormhole. The mission takes on some thrilling twists and turns as Cooper and his crew face mile-high waves on one planet and human betrayal on another. Reviews at the time of release were slightly less enthused about the film’s attempts to combine its scientific craft thematically with its emotional character development, but it remains a sci-fi spectacle with few to rival it.

6

‘Gravity’ (2013)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Alfonso Cuarón‘s greatest sci-fi masterpiece is the dystopic thriller Children of Men, which is far more concerned with the social implications of its infertility plot than the scientific, but right behind it is the orbital survival thriller Gravity. With astounding visual effects and an adherence to depicting its space environment with a higher level of realism, the film captures the dichotomy between space’s inherent beauty and imminent danger. As with any hard sci-fi movie, Gravity diverts from reality in many instances in order to tell a more engaging story, but it is far from the fantastical visions of space Hollywood is known for.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney co-star as two astronauts in orbit servicing the Hubble telescope, when some space debris comes hurtling toward them. With their shuttle destroyed, they must embark on a mission to reach the International Space Station in order to return to Earth safely. It’s a survival story of resilience and persistence, and Bullock anchors the film with her emotionally tethered lead performance. It’s all the more impressive considering the constraints of filming with so many visual effects. Almost all the environments in the movie are rendered with CGI, with the actors placed in complex rigs to simulate zero gravity and the lighting of space. It’s a technical masterpiece and one of the most enthralling hard sci-fi movies ever made.

5

‘Moon’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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A small-scale film made with a much lower budget than many of its hard sci-fi contemporaries, Duncan Jones‘ Moon is no less thematically dense or technically impressive. Set on the shoulders of lead actor Sam Rockwell, who spends a great deal of the time alone, the film is a lunar ser character study of humanity and identity. It’s a lesser-known film than many of its bigger-budget studio brethren and deserves a large audience to appreciate its unique mystery elements.

Rockwell plays Sam, the sole worker of a helium-3 mining facility on the moon. He’s nearing the end of his three-year contract when an accident leads to an unsettling discovery about himself and the work he’s been doing. It’s a twist that is only the beginning of the film’s existential nightmare created by corporate greed, giving Rockwell a fair amount of emotional real estate to work with in his performance. Moon is proof that amazing hard sci-fi movies can be made with modest budgets if they have good actors and clever concepts.

4

‘Ex Machina’ (2015)

Artificial Intelligence is on everyone’s mind right now, but it’s a concept that has been at the forefront of dozens of different sci-fi stories and films. As with any developing technology, much of the discourse surrounding A.I. in film has been of a skeptical and fearful nature, but some films have engaged with it in a more thoughtful manner, such as Alex Garland‘s directorial debut, Ex Machina. A moody chamber piece featuring only a handful of characters, Garland’s film questions not only the nature of consciousness and autonomy, but also the ethical implications of creation and control.

Domhnall Gleeson plays a socially-awkward programmer who has been chosen for a secretive visit to the home of his tech company’s CEO, played by Oscar Isaac. The CEO has developed and built an artificial lifeform named Ava (Alicia Vikander), whom he wants the programmer to interact with to determine if she is truly capable of independent thought. The dynamics between all three characters become increasingly strained as the CEO’s true colors begin to show, and Ava expresses a desire to be free of her captivity. Ex Machina explores profound ideas that only become more inescapably relevant as technology advances.

3

‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Based on the acclaimed sci-fi novel by Andy Weir, The Martian is an incredibly entertaining film made all the more exciting by its reasonably realistic approach, which showcases the triumph of science and human collaboration. What could be dense explanations of highly technical information are made palatable for a general audience thanks to a sharp script by Drew Goddard and a talented cast led by a never more affable Matt Damon. Director Ridley Scott had previously helmed two of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, Alien and Blade Runner. With The Martian, he found an exciting new world to explore with a more emotional and humorous storyline grounded in believable science.

Damon plays astronaut and botanist Mark Watney, stranded on Mars after a destructive storm caused an evacuation of his team, who presumed he was dead after being struck by equipment. His survival then becomes dependent on ingenuity and persistence, as well as the combined efforts of NASA scientists back on Earth. The Martian quite faithfully adapts Weir’s funny and informative novel, and both aspects elevate each other instead of being incongruous. Along with the equally entertaining Project Hail Mary, Weir is two for two in having his novels adapted into hard sci-fi masterpieces.

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‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Like Scott, director Denis Villeneuve has explored sci-fi from several different angles, having helmed the impressive follow-up to Scott’s sci-fi noir in the legacy sequel Blade Runner 2049, and delivered epic space fantasies in his Dune adaptations. Before both of those, he directed the more grounded approach to humanity’s first contact with aliens in Arrival. It’s a sophisticated sci-fi that explores the perceptions of communication, the concepts of fate and determinism, and the intersection of love and grief. It’s a stellar example of ideas and emotions driving a sci-fi narrative over technology or action.

Based on the novella Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, the film follows a linguist, played by Amy Adams, who is enlisted by the United States military to study and make contact with extraterrestrial lifeforms who have recently landed on Earth. The sudden appearance of these lifeforms around the world has caused international unease, with tensions rising over whether the use of preemptive force is warranted. The film focuses on the science of linguistics, and, according to several academics, does a reasonable job of accurately portraying it, emphasizing the importance and power of language through its impactful sci-fi storytelling.

1

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

What other film could be the best of hard sci-fi than Stanley Kubrick‘s monumental, and monumentally influential, masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey? It’s the film that made quantum leaps forward in visual effects technology, presented a plausible vision of space travel on film a year before anyone had even landed on the Moon and which almost every sci-fi film since, soft or hard, owes a tremendous debt to. It was a Herculean effort by Kubrick and his crew, and the result still awes and astounds more than five decades after its release.

The film deals with artificial intelligence, human evolution, alien contact and space exploration in an epic journey across the stars as a group of astronauts investigates an alien monolith whose appearance has recurred through thousands of years of human history. That journey is placed in peril by HAL 9000, still the most iconic A.I. antagonist in film history, whose inability to reconcile its programming with the concept of deception causes it to become homicidal. After the defeat of HAL, the final surviving astronaut reaches the monolith and is shown the very fabric of the space-time continuum before experiencing a rapid evolution to a higher form of existence. Few sci-fi films have been able to properly contend with even one of the major ideas with as much complexity as Kubrick’s gem, and fewer still have been able to pull off as convincing a depiction of space travel with more advanced visual effects technology or higher budgets. It’s why it’s the greatest hard sci-fi masterpiece ever made.

You don’t have to know Barbara Palvin by name to know that you’ve seen her everywhere. She’s modeled for major brands, ranging from Jimmy Choo to Victoria’s Secret. Her wedding to actor Dylan Sprouse was featured in Vogue, and she often attends big Hollywood events, including the New York Premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Given the star’s background and insider status, we’d expect her to walk the red carpet decked out in designer — perhaps even wear a custom creation she could show off to the cameras. But surprisingly, Palvin took the opposite route, rocking pieces from Walmart at the star-studded event. Palvin proved you don’t have to spend big to achieve fabulous style.

Get the Devil Wears Prada Scoop Collection Fringe Skirt for $39 at Walmart!

Of course, these weren’t just any old items — Palvin wore clothes from Scoop’s Devil Wears Prada collection, ensuring she was perfectly on-trend with her budget-friendly finds. Her outfit included a structured, single-breasted navy blazer layered over a white button-down that sneakily laced up at the back. While faux snakeskin slingbacks provided a pop of print to her otherwise neutral ensemble, it was the model’s fun fringe skirt that we couldn’t stop staring at. It’s hard to believe that all of these items are under $55!

Related: Psst! Walmart’s New ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Collection Is Destined to Sell Out

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Florals for spring? Not so groundbreaking. But a new The Devil Wears Prada-inspired drop at Walmart? Well, that’s actually worth talking about. The just-dropped collection is packed with chic office pieces, elevated essentials and statement styles that feel straight out of a runway montage. Just know: Everything is currently on pre-order, so early shoppers definitely […]

It makes sense that these styles are already selling out. Available in 4X and 26 Plus, the collection is size-inclusive and even comes in alternative colorways. The Devil Wears Prada Scoop Collection skirt, for instance, is also available in a red shade Miranda Priestly would approve of, while the collared shirt is offered in an office-friendly baby blue. We’re also tempted to buy the blazer in cerulean and wear it when we see the film at our local movie theater!

It’s possible that Palvin had the inside scoop on, well, Scoop. She’s posed Walmart’s other expensive-looking brand, Free Assembly, and both labels have famed fashion designer Brandon Maxwell as creative director. The visionary’s designs have been spotted on everyone from Kate Hudson to Kerry Washington and Katie Holmes — even Beyoncé has rocked his luxury line. Obviously, he’s continuing to bring high-end style to the masses, allowing Us to look just as good as the A-listers, just at a reasonable price.

With The Devil Wears Prada 2 set to premiere on May 1, and Palvin spilling her red carpet secret on Instagram, it’s only a matter of time before budget-friendly fashionistas discover this too-cool drop. So, by all means, move at a glacial pace, but if you’re ready for something luxe without spending a fortune, shop these items ASAP!

Check out all of the Walmart pieces Barbara Palvin wore below:

Related: Katie Holmes‘ Stylish Old Navy Sweater Is Surprisingly Still in Stock

After years of tracking down celebrity outfits, we’ve come to expect the worst. That little bag we love? More than our monthly rent. Those sneakers that one star wears everywhere? Hundreds of dollars (and they’re just basic white!). We’ve grown so used to nailing the look for less that when Katie Holmes stepped out in […]

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At 88, Jane Fonda isn’t just aging well — she’s redefining what great mature skin can look like. Her complexion is consistently smooth, luminous and full of that unmistakable vitality, with a firmness and radiance that doesn’t rely on heavy makeup or over-the-top treatments. Naturally, when someone’s skin looks that healthy and refined at her age, you want to know what’s actually in their routine.

According to InStyle, Fonda uses L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum — a luxe-feeling formula available at CVS for $44. A longtime ambassador for the brand, Fonda’s endorsement of the serum makes it feel like more than just a one-off recommendation. It’s a product she’s consistently stood by over time — and one clearly suited for maintaining smooth, radiant-looking skin at any age.

Get the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum for $44 at CVS! 

Related: Want Amal Clooney’s ‘Rich Girl’ Hair? Get Her Exact $10 Gloss

Amal Clooney just proved that achieving glossy, expensive-looking hair doesn’t require a luxury budget. While attending a Cartier event in Milan, the human rights lawyer stepped out with voluminous waves and a silky, high-shine finish that looked straight out of a high-end campaign. The surprising part? Her ultra-polished look wasn’t created with a pricey salon […]

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What sets this serum apart is how it works with your skin overnight, when renewal is at its peak. It’s formulated with an Antioxidant Recovery Complex, along with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, to support skin as it replenishes itself. The result is a formula designed to help improve the look of wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven texture (all key concerns for mature skin), while revealing a smoother, more radiant finish over time.

It also delivers that coveted “luxury serum” experience without a spa trip. The silky texture absorbs quickly and layers easily under a night cream, making it a seamless addition to your routine. It’s suitable for all skin types and tones, including sensitive skin, and works to leave skin feeling softer, more hydrated and visibly refreshed by morning — something especially important as skin naturally becomes drier over time.

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Fonda’s go-to serum is all about supporting mature skin with real, visible results — not just a temporary glow. You can snag the $44 serum at CVS, with delivery, same-day drop-off and in-store pickup options available. It makes getting that refreshed, healthy-looking complexion feel refreshingly simple.

Get the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum for $44 at CVS! 

Looking for something else? Explore more from L’Oreal Paris here and don’t forget to check out all of Extra Big Deals for more great finds!

Related: Jessica Alba’s $23 Moisturizer Makes Skin ‘Youthful and Plump’

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Jessica Alba gave fans a peek inside her Oscars night prep, and while her glam was predictably flawless, it was her skin that really stood out. Smooth, glowing and perfectly prepped, her complexion had that lit-from-within finish that makeup alone can’t fake — the kind that starts with the right base. In a recent Vanity Fair […]

Love appears to have taken center stage once again for Harry Styles, and this time, it may be leading straight down the aisle. 

After weeks of speculation, new photos and insider details have fueled reports that the global pop star is now engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz. 

What started as a low-key romance has quickly evolved into something far more serious, with sources describing a whirlwind relationship that has left those around them unsurprised by the latest development.

Speculations about Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz being engaged reached new heights this week, and according to insiders, the speculation isn’t far off. 

“He is completely smitten,” a source told Page Six, adding, “He would jump off a cliff for her.” 

The feeling appears to be mutual, with Kravitz described as “on cloud nine” as their relationship reaches this new level.

Their romance first caught attention in August 2025 when the pair were seen strolling through Rome together, looking close and comfortable. 

Around the same time, they were also spotted in London, where their chemistry was impossible to ignore. 

What initially looked like a casual connection quickly gained momentum, with insiders hinting early on that this was something much deeper than a short-lived fling.

Styles And Kravitz Relationship Moved At Lightning Speed

As the relationship progressed, those close to the couple began to notice just how quickly things were developing. 

One insider summed it up simply, telling Page Six, “I feel like they’ve gone from 0 to 60.” 

The fast pace didn’t seem to concern either of them, especially given the challenges of dating in the public eye. 

“It’s so hard to date as a celebrity … Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoë if it wasn’t anything,” the source added.

By early 2026, the connection between Styles and Kravitz appeared stronger than ever. Reports suggested that Kravitz had already been telling people in her inner circle that Styles is “her soulmate,” a detail that only added fuel to the growing engagement rumors. 

Despite their rising profile as a couple, they have remained relatively private, choosing to keep their relationship out of the spotlight whenever possible.

Still, they haven’t been completely out of view. The pair have been seen enjoying low-key outings, including walks around Brooklyn, and were recently photographed holding hands as they headed into a “Saturday Night Live” after-party following Styles’ hosting appearance. 

Zoë Kravitz Steps Out With Harry Styles In North London, Igniting Engagement Talk

Kravitz and Harry Styles fueled major engagement buzz during a recent outing in North London this week, where the couple was spotted enjoying a low-key stroll while dressed in coordinated, effortlessly stylish looks. 

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As The Blast reported, Kravitz wore a taupe trench coat layered over a white button-down shirt with brown trousers and loafers, accessorized with sunglasses and a baseball cap, while the singer opted for a navy Harrington jacket, matching pants, and white Vans.  

The pair kept a relatively low profile, both wearing caps and sunglasses, and carried shoulder bags as they walked side by side through the neighborhood.  

Their outing appeared relaxed and intimate, with the two staying close and moving in sync, reflecting their growing bond.

However, what drew the most attention was Kravitz’s jewelry. She wore a large diamond ring on her left ring finger. “You couldn’t miss the ring on her finger. It is absolutely huge,” an onlooker remarked.

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Styles And Kravitz Bring Past Relationships Into Focus

Both stars come into this relationship with a history of high-profile romances, making their current connection even more intriguing to fans. 

Zoë Kravitz was previously married to Karl Glusman from 2019 to 2020 before moving on with Channing Tatum. The two became engaged in 2023 but ultimately ended their relationship a year later.

Harry Styles, on the other hand, has been linked to several well-known names over the years, including Taylor Russell, Olivia Wilde, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Swift. 

Just months before his relationship with Kravitz became public, he was even spotted kissing producer Ella Kenny at the Glastonbury Festival.

Harry Styles Claps Back At Queerbaiting Claims With Bold ‘SNL’ Joke

The engagement news comes weeks after Harry Styles directly addressed queer-baiting accusations during his opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” and the actual details are very specific. 

According to The Blast, he said, “People seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing,” adding that “some people accused me of something called ‘queerbaiting.’” 

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He then joked, “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you don’t know everything about me, Dad?”  

The monologue built up to a comedic moment where he kissed cast member Ben Marshall on stage. 

After the kiss, Styles turned to the camera and delivered the punchline: “Now that’s queerbaiting.”  

He also joked about his personal life, calling himself “tremendously boring” and poking fun at how people overanalyze everything he does. 

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