Netflix has delivered hit after hit when it comes to engaging series, and within its massive library are rare gems that hold audiences’ attention from the very beginning, right on up until the end. The true standouts of those captivating series are those that never lose momentum, whether with the help of interesting characters, carefully paced narratives, or simply gripping storytelling.

Impeccable Netflix series like the brilliant romance drama, One Day, which stands as one of the most heartfelt and well-done miniseries to ever exist, and the iconic horror epic, The Haunting of Hill House, which blends emotional depth and psychological horror to create a tense and layered narrative, are two prime examples of the kinds of series within Netflix’s catalog that can turn a casual viewing experience into a full-on binge session. Compiled on this list are other such shows—Netflix greats that keep viewers hooked from start to finish.

10

‘On My Block’ (2018–2021)

Image via Netflix

On My Block is an entertaining combination of humor, coming-of-age storytelling, mystery, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. The underappreciated teen drama follows a tight-knit group of friends—Monse Finnie (Sierra Capri), Ruby Martinez (Jason Genao), Jamal Turner (Brett Gray), and Cesar Diaz (Diego Tinoco)—as they navigate adolescence, family pressure, crushes, gang activity, and neighborhood volatility.

On My Block is one of Netflix’s most underrated series. It may be a teen drama, but the story tends to resonate with viewers of all ages. On My Block hosts a fast-moving plot and a vibrant batch of characters that genuinely captivate audiences. The series is often truly heartfelt and wields a laugh-out-loud comedy that never denies the high stakes of the story, keeping its momentum strong throughout its run. With friendships vivid enough that every fracture hurts, and an evolution that keeps climbing without losing its coming-of-age heartbeat, On My Block offers audiences a truly great time from beginning to end.

9

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

This masterclass in psychological drama wields extremely meticulous storytelling. Set in the late 1970s, the Netflix series, Mindhunter, focuses on FBI agents, Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff), Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), and Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) as they help build the FBI’s behavioral-science approach by interviewing serial killers and trying to understand their patterns of violence before other crimes occur.

Mindhunter has often been lauded as a “just one more episode” kind of series. The show’s addictive combination of procedural structure with creeping psychological contamination keeps viewers thoroughly engaged and hanging on to every quiet revelation and unsettling conversation within each episode. Mindhunter is consistently strong across its two seasons, and even with an abrupt end, it stands as one of Netflix’s most hypnotic unfinished masterpieces.

8

‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)

Image via Netflix

The Last Kingdom is an ambitious Netflix gem that doesn’t get talked about enough. The sweeping historical drama centers around the Saxon-born Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), who, raised by Danes, is permanently split between bloodlines, ambition, and loyalties as the kingdoms rise and fracture around him.

The Last Kingdom is pure bingeable material. Its historical nature tends to suck audiences in as it wastes very little narrative energy. From politics that remain legible and strong action, to character arcs that carry enough personal resentment that even viewers are able to feel it, the series delivers a binge-watch that is consistently entertaining for its entire run. Season to season, The Last Kingdom gifts audiences with rising stakes and powerful character arcs, making it an insanely good time for viewers—a watch that never truly falters.

7

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

Image via Netflix

This limited horror series is quite the watch, and stands as one of Netflix’s most memorable standouts. The Haunting of Hill focuses on the siblings—including Steven Crain (Michiel Huisman), Shirley Crain (Elizabeth Reaser), and Luke Crain (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)—as they’re forced back to their family home, rife with trauma, after a family tragedy reopens old wounds.

The Haunting of Hill House is absolutely peak binging material as it keeps a quality balance of deeply emotional storytelling and psychological horror, weaving together past and present timelines to increase both character depth and chilling tension. The series consistently widens the mystery of its world with each episode, ensuring viewers are engaged enough to steadily wonder about the much bigger picture. With a literal haunting atmosphere and a steady maintenance of a gripping narrative, The Haunting of Hill House stands as a strong single-season watch that easily earns its place on this list.

6

‘3 Body Problem’ (2024–Present)

Image via Netflix

3 Body Problem is a fantastic sci-fi series that offers audiences a complex narrative grounded in global stakes. The series follows a group of investigators and scientists as they uncover a mysterious signal that threatens civilization as they know it, triggering a chain of events that disrupts scientific reality and forces humanity to confront a coming extraterrestrial force.

With a solid combination of mystery-box plotting, a cosmic threat, philosophical inquiry, and pure scientific dread, 3 Body Problem delivers a solid, binge-worthy watch. From beginning to end, the series ensures that its audience is on the edge of their seats, absolutely desperate for answers. Despite quite a few slower moments, the series remains completely engaging, never offering a dull moment that feels unimportant. With each captivating installment, 3 Body Problem’s story scale changes, making it a genuinely gripping show that keeps its viewers thoroughly hooked throughout its run.

5

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–Present)

Image via Netflix

Advertisement

This Netflix sci-fi series is an underrated watch about deadly games of survival. The Japanese series, Alice in Borderland, centers on Ryohei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), as he and his two close friends are thrown into an emptied-out Tokyo where survival depends on deadly games.

Before there were icons like Squid Game, there were thrill rides such as Alice in Borderland. The series is an intriguing blend of mystery, action, and psychological tension. Alice in Borderland quickly establishes its high stakes, hooking viewers in almost immediately. Its constant twists maintain a gripping pace that keeps audiences guessing until the very end. Alice in Borderland is an underrated sci-fi epic that remains addictive throughout its entirety, keeping viewers hooked from start to finish.

4

‘Blue Eye Samurai’ (2023–Present)

Image via Netflix

Advertisement

Blue-Eye Samurai is a fantastic adult animation that has a brilliant story and captivating action sequences. The show’s story is set in Edo-period Japan and focuses on a disguised swordsman, Mizu (Maya Erskine), as she desperately pursues revenge.

Blue Eye Samurai is one of those rare watches that hosts episodes that feel handcrafted and purposeful. Not only is the series’ character work strong enough to support its almost constant state of violence with a visual style that gives quieter scenes momentum, but Blue Eye Samurai also offers audiences quality depth that is genuinely moving. The show stands as one of Netflix’s finest modern animated series, and its ability to remain intense and engaging makes it a bingeable good time from beginning to end.

3

‘One Day’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

Advertisement

This limited series is as beautiful and heartbreaking as it is deeply personal, tracing a love story that is quite intoxicating to witness. The Netflix romance drama One Day, centers around best friends Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) as their relationship evolves while they revisit the same day each year, reconnecting and drifting apart as their lives unfold.

One Day is truly a watch unlike any other. It’s an absorbing, binge-worthy series for its romance story and calendar structure. Every episode sparks curiosity in viewers: what has changed, what the characters have lost, and what might still be possible for them and those around them. One Day’s design creates emotional cliffhangers at the end of each installment, never relying on unnecessary plot gimmicks, which results in a genuinely compelling romantic drama that feels intimate, cumulative, and very hard to pause in between episodes, right up until the end.

2

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

Advertisement

The Queen’s Gambit delves deep into addiction, ambition, and genius as it builds consistent tension through character and strategy. The Netflix miniseries focuses on orphaned prodigy Beth Harmon’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) rise to an elite chess contender as she battles addiction, loneliness, and the psychological costs of being a genius.

The Queen’s Gambit sparked an almost instant new passion for chess around the world, as the show turned the game into gripping cinema by framing every competition as an extension of Beth’s internal state, and somehow never reducing her to talent. The captivating limited series wields a posh combination of visual polish and sports-drama momentum that makes certain that no scene is wasted. The Queen’s Gambit is truly gripping from its very first episode and builds towards a rather satisfying conclusion that makes even the quiet moments feel tense and deeply impactful.

1

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

Image via Netflix

Advertisement

This quiet icon may be one of Netflix’s most underrated shows ever, but it also happens to be one of the platform’s most brilliant gems. Sense8 follows a group of strangers bound by a psychic connection that allows them to share each other’s thoughts, skills, emotions, and even physical presence across continents.

Sense8 is undeniably a fantastic watch that explores identity, connection, and love. It’s an ambitious story that draws viewers into its intricate web of emotion. Sense8 is such a great bingeing experience, mostly due to the show’s emotional generosity that’s baked into its high concept—a sincerity that transforms its story’s romance, action, and conspiratorial plotting into something deeply human, marking it as a perfect addition to this list of Netflix shows that will keep its viewers hooked from start to finish.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 1 second ago

Now that Netflix’s live-action One Piece Season 2 has been out for awhile, you’ve probably become curious about how it matches up to the original One Piece anime. As with the first season, manga creator Eiichrio Oda was actively involved in all stages of production, even helping with adjustments from the source material and giving them his blessing. His level of involvement is why the series is the new gold standard for live-action adaptations. 

The Garp And Gol D. Roger Flashback

Ripped from the Marineford arc and dropped at the start of Season 2’s Loguetown episode, Garp and Gol D. Roger’s conversation is a bit of misdirection. Fans watching only the live-action series would think that Roger is asking Garp, who we know is Luffy’s grandfather, to take care of his son. That would mean Luffy is the son of the greatest Pirate in history. 

Except he’s not. Long-time fans know that Roger’s son is Ace, part of Whitebeard’s pirate crew, and user of the Flame Flame Devil Fruit. DC’s Blue Beetle, Xolo Marideuna will play Ace when he makes his first appearance in Season 3. 

For now, the flashback to Roger’s execution hints at the existence of his son, misdirects the audience, and lays the stage for something Oda did a lot during One Piece Season 2: placing events from future arcs much, much earlier than before, but where they make perfect sense. 

Bartolomeo Appears Much Much Earlier

An example of an early appearance comes right in Episode 1, when the memorable green hair and canines of Bartolomeo appears as a very confused bystander in Loguetown. He doesn’t appear in the anime until episode 633, over 500 episodes from the events of the first episode. But what he does do in the anime, is mention that he saw Luffy during the events in Loguetown. That makes this one of the best changes any live-action adaptation has ever made. 

Bartolomeo may not be an East Blue mob boss, but his inclusion in Roger’s execution is technically, not a change from the anime. It’s a bit of a tease for fans as we may not see him again during the Netflix show’s run, unless they start compressing even more arcs each season, and they did a great job bringing the character’s strange appearance to life. He’d eventually become Luffy’s biggest fan, and his ship, the Going Luffy-senpai, is as ridiculous as his fashion sense. 

Brook’s Human Form

Yet another pull from the future came in Episode 2, “Good Whale Hunting.” Anime viewers didn’t get to see Brook as a human until long after they got used to his undead skeleton form. His backstory isn’t shown until episode 379, over 40 episodes after his first appearance, and by then, it’s been hundreds of episodes since Reverse Mountain. Including the flashback right away, to explain Laboon’s obsession with ramming the mountain, teases fans with what’s to come, and gives the heartbreaking story maximum emotional impact. 

If Brook ever does return to the live-action One Piece, at least Martial T. Bachamen has nailed the look for one of the most unique Straw Hat Pirates. Fans will have to keep waiting to see how they’ll get across his skeletal appearance and wild fighting style in live-action.

Luffy Befriending Laboon 

The live-action series changed a lot about the Reverse Mountain arc, from Crocus living inside Laboon, to the weird sky painted on the inside of the whale’s stomach. Among all the changes, Luffy’s plea for friendship is one of the best. It’s perfectly fitting that Luffy, the most joyous, upbeat, enthusiastic character in One Piece, would use the power of friendship to win over the massive whale. 

In the anime and manga, Luffy stabs Laboon with the mast of the Going Merry. Instead of declaring their friendship, he announces that he and Laboon are now rivals. On the one hand, that’s how boys make friends, on the other, the live-action did it so well while being true to Luffy’s nature, that both versions work. 

Luffy And Zoro Don’t Fight

Zoro gets his shining moment in Whiskey Peak by taking on 100 members of Baroque Works, in what’s not only the highpoint of Season 2, but in the running for Netflix’s best action scene ever. What’s left out, is what comes next in the other adaptations: Luffy attacks Zoro for killing a lot of people he has no idea are Baroque agents. It’s the first real showdown between the two friends and it only comes to an end when Nami acts as the voice of reason. Sort of.

It was a stand out moment in the anime as anime fans love nothing more than debating who can beat who (saying Saitama form One-Punch Man would win is always an immediate flag on the play). Zoro, the greatest swordsman, against Luffy, the indestructible rubber man? It’s a great match up, which Luffy would win 10 out of 10 times, but it’s also easy to see why the live-action series cut it out. 

Zoro And Sanji’s Dino Hunt

Little Garden is an interesting early island. Giants weren’t enough, it had to include actual dinosaurs. In the Netflix series, Zoro and Sanji argue over who can take down the biggest beast, and they end up arguing over who landed the killing blow on a massive T-Rex. In the source material, they each take down one of their own. They still argue, but it’s more evidence that Sanji isn’t the joke his only-kicks fighting style can make him look like. 

Another small change that ties into the fauna of Little Garden is the missing shot of the insect that bites Nami and gets her sick. Removing any foreshadowing of the illness worked, and Nami going down during the party is an effective teaser for the next part of the journey. 

The Marines vs. Baroque Works

Season 1 add a whole new subplot with Kolby and Helmpopo, so it makes sense that Season 2 keeps the Marines involved by including a sequence with Smoker and Tashigi investigating a Marine listening post under a Baroque Works assault. This is the type of addition that helps expand the world of One Piece. Even when the focus is on the Straw Hat Pirates, other characters are going on adventures in the background. 

The other reason for the addition is to remind viewers that Smoker is an absolute unit. Without breaking a sweat, he goes through a unit of Agents and Miss Thursday. There’s nothing wrong with letting cool characters show why they’re cool. It’s the basis of Shonen anime. 

The Flag 

It’s one of the moments in the anime that establishes Luffy as a badass. When he dives and saves Chopper’s flag from destruction at the hands of King Wapol, he’s covered in smoke. Then it clears, and there’s Luffy, holding onto the tattered flag, standing on top of the castle. The kids call this aura farming. 

During the Season 2 live action climax, Luffy still saves the flag and gives his speech about what the flag represents to an astonished King Wapol. The scene is still there, but the scale is smaller, the only ones present are Wapol and the crew of the Going Merry. It’s a great moment, and Luffy shows a small fraction of his potential power in absorbing the direct hit, but as with most of the changes from the anime to the live-action, it cuts everything down. Which is understandable, but if more adaptations did it like this, the track record would be a lot better.

One Piece is a Netflix Original, and can be streamed with an active subscription.

During Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) more-than-eventful years at Hogwarts, many background students have made their own little yet memorable impacts on the magical franchise. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, it is a young, overly enthusiastic photographer who gives us no choice but to keep our attention on him. Colin Creevey (Hugh Mitchell) was always accompanied by the bright flash of his camera, an incessant grin and a starstruck expression every time Harry was near him. However, he notably disappeared from the rest of the films in the franchise despite being featured in the remaining novels. So, what happened to this slightly irritating, but amusing Harry fan?

Why Did Colin Creevey Disappear in the ‘Harry Potter’ Movies?

Image by Zanda Rice

Advertisement

While Colin only had a brief role in Chamber of Secrets, he was a scene-stealer whenever he appeared on-screen. No one can forget his limitless bounds of childlike excitement, especially as he latches onto Harry and idolizes him. In both the film and the book, Colin became one of the victims of the Basilik Harry was fighting up against, avoiding death through his passion for photography as he only saw the snake through the camera. Though he was cured of his petrification by the end of the film, Colin was nowhere to be seen in the rest of the franchise.

There has never been an official announcement regarding his exit from the movies nor was there any in-film explanation for his disappearance. Fans have theorized that Colin’s exit from the franchise could be due to a growth spurt, which would undermine the innocent appearance of the character. This theory arose after another character was given similar treatment — a movie-only character who replaced Colin’s story arc from the novels.

Colin Creevey Was Replaced in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Advertisement

Nigel Wolbert (William Melling) was introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and, despite being a character that was created solely for the movies, fans quickly recognized that he replaced both Colin and his brother from the books. Colin’s younger brother was introduced as a first-year in Goblet of Fire, just as Nigel was, but Nigel’s later role in Dumbledore’s Army is more akin to Colin’s story in the books. During an interview at Leakycon 2012, Melling revealed that the plan for Nigel’s character was to face the same fate Colin would have, had he stayed on in the films. However, Nigel doesn’t appear at the end of the battle against Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 at all.

Melling explained that Nigel was supposed to be killed off, but they were unable to include that scene because he was “a lot bigger” by that point and thus didn’t look “innocent enough.” In the novels, Colin’s death at the end of the battle was a brief yet provocative detail, made even more awful by how young he was. As such, the slightly more grown version of Nigel wouldn’t have evoked the same devastation that a childlike figure would have, leading them to scrap the scene entirely. It is reasonable to guess that Mitchell would have left the films for the same reasons, as he was already older than Melling at this point in the production as well.

What Happened to Colin Creevey in the ‘Harry Potter’ Books?

If the films had stayed faithful to Colin’s character, we would have continued to see him hang around Harry, despite the latter’s reluctance to drag a younger classmate into his dangerous ordeals. The books subtly created a connection between us and Colin, as he was a constant presence and a gentle reminder of the youth at Hogwarts. When the battle came about, all the underage students were sent home, but Colin slipped through the ranks and continued to fight with Dumbledore’s Army. During the final battle, we don’t see any of the action Colin participates in, which makes his death more devastating, as Harry spots Colin’s lifeless body in the Great Hall and feels a pang of deep remorse over the loss of innocence.

While the Harry Potter films were unable to uphold this wide-eyed character’s storyline, there is still a chance it will come to fruition on the screen with the upcoming TV show. Perhaps casting an even younger actor to avoid the complications of another growth spurt could be possible, or even just sticking it out and trusting the actor to embody innocence enough during those final moments. Though Colin is by no means an integral character to the magical story of Harry Potter, he certainly adds a whimsical spark that we all look forward to seeing — hopefully, in a continued capacity this time.

Fans have been flooding Megan Thee Stallion with support after she confirmed her breakup with Klay Thompson, and a few celebrity friends have been doing the same too. Angel Reese is the latest to seemingly react to the bombshell news that the rapper and baller have split. Angel dropped a heartfelt message for Meg after video surfaced showing her getting emotional following her Broadway performance.

RELATED: Hotties Stand Up! Fans Show Megan Thee Stallion Love On Social Media Amid Breakup With Klay Thompson (PHOTOS)

Angel Reese Shows Love To Megan Thee Stallion After Emotional Broadway Moment

On Sunday, April 26, Angel Reese sent Megan Thee Stallion some positive vibes after video footage showed her getting emotional following her ‘Moulin Rouge’ performance. The clip showed her wiping away tears while receiving a standing ovation after the show. Angel reshared the video on X (formerly Twitter) along with a message telling Meg that she’s an inspiration because she always shows up, no matter what she’s dealing with.

“It’s the way you show up even while carrying so much—that’s what makes you THAT girl. You always have a little sister riding for you at dawn. I love you, sister ” 

Asian Doll Stands Ten Toes Behind Megan

Angel Reese isn’t the only one standing ten toes behind Megan. Asian Doll also entered the chat to defend her after a troll posted a message saying that Meg doesn’t seem like a good person. Asian peeped the comment and clapped back on X, writing, “Looks can be deceiving b***h!!! She’s actually a GREAT PERSON in person tf.” 

Meg Confirms Breakup With Klay In Official Statement

Support and love for Megan Thee Stallion started pouring in after she dropped a cryptic message on her Instagram Story on Saturday, mentioning “cheating” and “mood swings during basketball season.” Fans immediately clocked the post and assumed she was talking about Klay Thompson. Folks online ended up being right, as TMZ later shared an official statement from her where she confirmed that she and Klay split because fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for her.

“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay. Trust, fidelity, and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”

RELATED: Yikes! Fans Flood Klay Thompson’s Comments As Megan Thee Stallion CONFIRMS Their Breakup (PHOTOS) 

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 17 seconds ago

Do you know what happens when Star Wars fans get together? If you said “embarrassing things,” you’re correct, but I meant more specifically. After a few conversations and a few beers (or maybe spiked blue milks), everyone starts dishing on their favorite franchise plot holes. These are supposedly narrative mistakes that make this famous galaxy far, far away feel that much less immersive. Incidentally, the one “plot hole” that comes up most frequently in these discussions is the idea that Order 66 should have killed more Jedi than it actually did.

In the Original Trilogy, we are introduced to the idea that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda are the last Jedi in the galaxy. But the prequels, sequels, and an entire universe of tie-in books, comics, and games have increasingly introduced more Jedi characters that survived Emperor Palpatine’s galactic purge of these laser sword-wielding do-gooders. However, as usual, the fandom is griping for no good reason because, based on the sheer onscreen incompetence of Palpatine and his clones, it’s a miracle that more Jedi didn’t survive this sloppy attempt at mass murder.

The Stupidest Order In The Galaxy

The Star Wars movies A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back presented Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda as the only surviving Jedi. Of course, Kenobi didn’t give too many granular details as to how the Jedi died. All he told young Luke Skywalker in that first movie is that Darth Vader “helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights.… now, the Jedi are all but extinct.” Nobody really questioned this because we had no idea how many Jedi there were to begin with. Plus, it was easy enough to imagine the most powerful guy in the galaxy using all of a vast, galaxy-spanning Empire’s resources to hunt and kill a bunch of hippie space wizards.

But in Revenge of the Sith, we see how it all went down. Palpatine had a hidden command secretly installed in the brains of all the clones who were fighting side-by-side with the Jedi during the Clone Wars. Once the Emperor commanded them to “Execute Order 66,” all of the clones stopped what they were doing to immediately kill the closest Jedi. In a montage of bleak scenes, we see how sudden surprise blaster fire was enough to kill even Jedi Masters like Ki-Adi Mundi, Plo Koon, and Aayla Secura.

Holo Pursuits

At the time, it made a kind of morbid sense. We had previously seen how Jedi like Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi could deflect a handful of blaster bolts, so it seemed reasonable to believe they couldn’t survive if a small army fired on them all at once. However, some of the clones were downright sloppy with their execution attempts. Because of their methods and the whole design of Palpatine’s harebrained scheme, it was basically inevitable that countless warriors would survive this attempted purge. This would explain why popular Jedi like Kanan Jarrus, Ahsoka Tano, Cal Kestis, and even Grogu survived Order 66.

When you re-watch Revenge of the Sith, notice how sloppy the Clone Troopers are. Cody basically fires one shot at Obi-Wan Kenobi and assumes falling into the water will be enough to kill the guy who can take on entire droid armies by himself. The handful of clones who try to kill Yoda somehow forget that he can sense their intent through the Force. Even some of the successful kills are sloppy. Like, sure, y’all blew Plo Koon out of the sky, but other Jedi flying starships could likely hyperspace to safety (yes, they’d have to get to a hyperspace ring first, you can stop writing that comment).

When The Sith Go Marching In

My theory is simple: assuming other Jedi were in similar situations throughout the galaxy, quite a few Jedi would survive Order 66. If the Clone Troopers tried to fire on other warriors who were very far away (like Obi-Wan), the targeted Jedi would likely escape. If other clones tried to sneak up on Jedi in non-combat situations (like with Yoda), these Force users would sense their intent and kill them out of self-defense. Furthermore, if there aren’t enough Clones around when the order goes through, a Jedi could survive, say, only three or four people trying to shoot him, much like Obi-Wan did when fighting Battle Droids throughout the prequels.

Long story not very short, the Emperor came up with a stupid plan and executed it in the sloppiest possible way. Plus, contrary to what Obi-Wan said in A New Hope, later Star Wars shows make it seem like Vader stopped personally hunting down Jedi and left that task to the Inquisitors. Whenever the Inquisitors fight someone other than a helpless child or scared former Padawan, they get their butts handed to them, as seen in everything from Star Wars Rebels to the Fallen Order and Survivor video games. Because Order 66 was done so poorly, and Palpatine’s brute squad sucked so hard, it’s no wonder so many Jedi survived the purge.

In retrospect, this makes sense, too. Palpatine is infamous among fans for his insane plans, which included playing the commander in chief of two different warring armies so he could land the job of “mutilated president for life.” It’s only because of (let’s face it) bad writing on George Lucas’ part that any of the Emperor’s plans ever succeed. Order 66 was so utterly stupid and handled so poorly that it guaranteed plenty of Jedi survivors. But what else would you expect from someone who spent all his Empire’s credits on a space station that’s so easy to blow up … twice!

Tom Hardy is reportedly stepping away from the spotlight following the wrap of his latest crime drama “MobLand.”

Reports suggest the movie star is taking a break to rest as the demands of his physical roles have left him “falling to bits.”

Tom Hardy seems to have already started his acting hiatus as he was pictured enjoying a beach day in Barbados with his wife, Charlotte Riley, earlier this month.

Hardy would likely be out of the spotlight for the foreseeable future, as reports suggest he’s taking a “major career break” to rest.

Having starred in hit action films like “Venom,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Taboo,” to mention a few, it appears his physical roles have taken a toll on him, with an insider telling the Daily Mail that he plans “to take a sabbatical,” which can last for several years.

It appears his schedule is also clear for that, as he has finished filming the second series for “MobLand,” although it remains unclear which movies are in the pipeline for him.

According to the news outlet, Hardy will be stepping back “so he can have a rest,” but he previously complained that his demanding roles are physically wearing him out.

“I’ve had two knee surgeries now, my disc’s herniated in my back, I’ve got sciatica as well… It’s all falling to bits now, and it’s not going to get better,” Hardy told Esquire last year about his struggles.

There’s currently no release date yet for the second season of “MobLand,” but fans are eagerly waiting for the series as the first season was a major success when it dropped last year.

The Actor Wants To Spend More Time With His Family

Meanwhile, Hardy’s break from the spotlight could also be because he is looking to spend more time with his family.

The “Havoc” actor is married to actress Charlotte Riley, and they share 2 children together.

“Tom is one of the busiest men in the filming industry,” a source said. “Charlotte must never see him, but now she won’t be able to get enough of him.”

The couple seems to already be moving in that direction as they were seen taking a dip in the ocean while on holiday in Barbados earlier this month, per Fox News Digital.

For the outing, Hardy wore a gray UFC swimsuit with “Venum” written on the back while he flashed his tattoo as he went shirtless. Other photos showed him sitting on a lounge chair on the shore as he applied sunscreen.

Tom Hardy’s Wife Opened Up About Her First Impression Of The Actor

The couple first met in 2009 on the set of “Wuthering Heights,” after which they started dating and subsequently got engaged the following year.

They later tied the knot in 2014 at Château de Roussan in Provence, France, and have been doing stronger ever since.

Back in March, Riley spoke with The Times about her first impression of Hardy, revealing that he was such a gentleman with a sweet gesture he made to her.

“He made me a really decent cup of tea. Strong. There’s not much point if the spoon doesn’t stand up. … And he told me that his mother was northern,” she told the news outlet. “So, I thought, all right then. When somebody can give as good as they get, you know you’re in for a good time.”

The Actor Would Rather Play ‘Heavy’ Roles

Even though his roles are physically demanding, Hardy seemingly likes them like that and wouldn’t ask for any less.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that he turned down the idea of starring in a film that isn’t what he’s known for and may likely never act in something light-hearted, jokingly saying, “I don’t think I suit rom-coms.”

He continued, “I don’t know. I just don’t think I do. But maybe if it was interesting and good fun, I’d be up for it. But I haven’t seen anything come across the desk yet where I’d go, ‘Oh, I’d love to do that.’ So, we’ll wait, I’ll wait. It’s just as yet. … Hasn’t happened yet.”

Tom Hardy Reveals He’s Open To Stem Cell Therapy To Manage His Physical Decline

During an interview with Esquire, where he revealed his physical struggles, the actor admitted he was exploring new ways to manage his decline.

Asked about stem cell therapy, the “Inception” actor said it is something he would definitely consider.

“I think if it comes down to the wire and it seems the sensible thing to do and I take advice,” he said.

Hardy also refuses to let the physical strain slow him down as he remains dedicated to jiu-jitsu.

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Katie Ginella was especially emotional to learn that the show reportedly planned a cast trip to Japan after her alleged experiences with racism within the franchise.

“Can you tell me if my tears are overreacting? I just found out that the Real Housewives of Orange County confirmed that they went to Japan on their cast trip,” Katie, 41, claimed in a TikTok video shared Saturday, April 25. “I can’t for the life of me figure out why they would go to a country where they have zero respect for Asian culture, most of them, not all of them.”

The RHOC season 20 cast, including returning Housewife Vicki Gunvalson, were spotted in viral social media footage on Saturday alongside cameras at Tokyo’s famed Shibuya Crossing. The women appeared to dress up like Harajuku Girls in ruffled skirts, vibrant prints and multicolored wigs.

Neither the RHOC cast nor Bravo have publicly addressed the potential season 20 trip or Katie’s comments. Us Weekly reached out to a spokesperson for the TV network for comment.

Katie, for her part, held an orange during RHOC seasons 18 and 19, announcing in January that she would not return for the upcoming season 20.

“When I brought up Asian culture [on the show], I was met with comments like, ‘Nobody cares about race but you’ and other comments that weren’t funny to me and they weren’t a joke,” Katie, the first Asian-American Housewife on RHOC, claimed on Saturday. “Making fun of the foods and the meats at hotpot, a culture that they obviously don’t know anything about that I was introducing them too.”

Katie also claimed that she once told her fellow Bravolebrities that wanted to take a trip to Korea “possibly with them” to learn more about her heritage after being adopted as a child.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“So, finding out that they took the cast to Japan on their cast trip it stung,” Katie lamented. “It broke me [and] it made me cry. It’s not because I need to be there or need to be with those ladies. It’s because of what that trip represents. I deserved respect, I deserved inclusion, I deserved a place there and every minority does.”

Katie further stressed that she doesn’t hold a grudge about her RHOC exit.

“I’m moving on [to] bigger and better,” she concluded. “My life is so much more peaceful, but seeing this news really devastated me.”

If you’re a bit sore that Invincible‘s fourth season has already come to a close, we have some good news for you. On one hand, the Prime Video animated series has been renewed for a fifth season already, but on the other, if you’re in the mood for more superhero adventures in the meantime, there are plenty of great shows you ought to give a chance. From DC Comics to Marvel, live-action and animated, here are some of the very best superhero productions worthy of post-Invincible viewing.

These shows offer everything from classic comic book-inspired superheroics to modern coming-of-age super-powered adventures. Just about everything you could hope for from Invincible can be found in these different shows, which you will have no problem binging through while you wait for Season 5. Some are longer than others, of course, and others ended too soon, but however you slice it, they’re perfect for fans of Robert Kirkman‘s famed superhero drama.

‘Batman Beyond’ (1999–2001)

Image via Warner Bros. Television Animation

For those who love coming-of-age tales that honor the hero’s journey while still leaning full-force into the action and adventure, Batman Beyond is one of the absolute best superhero shows to binge through. Set in the distant future where an elderly Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) has been retired for decades, the series follows teenage Terry McGuinnis (Will Friedle) as he becomes the next generation of the Dark Knight. Talk about the perfect superhero succession story.

Spanning three seasons and 52 episodes, Batman Beyond cleverly combines superheroics with futuristic sci-fi material that comic book fans will simply devour. With great villains and lots of Gotham-centric action up its sleeve, this series (which effectively concludes with the animated feature Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker) is a powerhouse of superhero media. As one of the best Batman animated shows out there, Batman Beyond is the gold standard for how a classic superhero can be reimagined as a legacy character who transcends the original.

‘Stargirl’ (2020–2022)

Image via The CW

Originally featured on the short-lived DC Universe streaming service before hopping to The CW, Stargirl is based on the comic book character of the same name created by Geoff Johns. Following teenage Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger), who discovers that her stepfather used to be a superhero, she becomes Stargirl to pick up where the Justice Society of America left off. Balancing high school with superheroics is no small feat, especially not when you have to save the world (or at least Blue Valley) before curfew.

Stargirl is a standalone series that ran for three seasons and 39 episodes, but they fly by as the new generation of the JSA is born. Full of teenage angst and hopeful enthusiasm for the future, it’s a show you’ll find yourself enamored with from the first episode. Although the character has been brought to live action before, Stargirl is a great show to help you connect with your superhero roots.

‘Alphas’ (2011–2012)

Image via SYFY

From the minds of Zak Penn and Michael Karnow, Alphas was a short-lived series that followed a group of super-powered individuals who band together to take down a terrorist cell known as “Red Flag.” What made Alphas particularly unique was that the powers of the main “Alphas” in question each come with their own downside — from heart problems to floods of emotion to uncontrollable obsession. It’s only a shame that this sci-fi series that’s better than it was given credit for ended before its time.

Alphas ran for two seasons and 24 episodes back in the day, and was loosely connected to other SyFy shows like Warehouse 13 and Eureka. But while the series ends on a pretty massive cliffhanger, don’t let that deter you from giving this one a shot. If anything, it offers a glimpse at what a world with super-powered individuals might actually look like — and how those abilities may affect those involved.

‘Young Justice’ (2010–2022)

Image via Warner Bros. Animation

For an animated series that emphasizes the younger generation of superheroes, Young Justice is one of the very best. From the beginning, the series highlighted the sidekicks of some of the Justice League’s most popular heroes, showing their potential to be the next generation of the “World’s Greatest Heroes.” Like Batman Beyond, there are some coming-of-age elements involved, and you’ll find yourself easily addicted.

Although Young Justice ran for a total of four seasons, hopping from Cartoon Network to DC Universe to HBO Max, the first two are the best that the program had to offer. Still, with a rich collection of characters, unforeseen plot twists, and an overarching conspiracy, the show only further expands the DC Universe as it continues. It would certainly have better thrived in the streaming era.

‘Wolverine and the X-Men’ (2009)

Image via Nicktoons

Advertisement

Although X-Men: The Animated Series and its revival sequel, X-Men ’97, are arguably the “gold standard” for the X-Men in animation, Wolverine and the X-Men is a worthy take on Marvel’s favorite mutants that deserves to be remembered. The short-lived series follows Wolverine (Steve Blum) as he reunites the X-Men to investigate an attack on Xavier’s mansion and the disappearance of some of their teammates. With Logan at the helm, the mutant heroes face persecution from all sides.

As one of the best non-Disney+ Marvel shows, Wolverine and the X-Men was a boatload of X-Men potential. What could have been a fascinating long-form series only lasted a single 26-episode season, but the adventure was well-worth the ride. The X-Men may be back in their classic ’90s get-ups, but this early 2000s take is far better than it’s given credit for.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

When it comes to live-action superhero television, one of the most beloved shows on the list is undoubtedly The Flash. Grant Gustin‘s Barry Allen defined a whole generation of TV superheroes, and although it was technically a spin-off of Arrow, it far outran the franchise’s flagship series. As Barry and his allies race to save Central City from supervillains, multiversal threats, and even telepathic gorillas, there’s a reason this series is considered among the greatest modern superhero programs.

The Flash ran for an impressive nine seasons on The CW. That’s no small feat, and if you’re looking for a superhero show that offers enough material to last you a few years, you’ve come to the right place. Sure, some seasons of The Flash are better than others, but as a whole, the show is largely consistent.

‘Heroes’ (2006–2010)

Image via NBC

Okay, Heroes is not quite as consistent as The Flash. In reality, it’s a pretty inconsistent series by comparison, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth the strange ride. Following a group of super-powered individuals from across the globe, Heroes blends the love of classic comic books with our modern views (or, at least early 2000s views) of what long-form television should entail.

Spanning four seasons and 77 episodes, Heroes‘ original run (not including the Heroes Reborn miniseries) was groundbreaking at the time. While the series sometimes struggles to pay off its promise, the first season especially is a masterclass in genre television that fans of Invincible will no doubt love. Just be warned, Heroes is one of those superhero shows that are definitely not for kids.

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)

Image via Warner Bros. Animation

The definitive animated take on Batman, Batman: The Animated Series is everything you could ever wish for in a program following the Dark Knight. From Kevin Conroy’s iconic portrayal to the reinvention of many of Batman’s rogues to being the launching point of the DC Animated Universe, this is the show that shaped Batman (and continues to shape him) for decades to come. Conroy’s Batman alone is worth all the time you can give him.

If you consider The New Batman Adventures to be an official continuation (and we do), there are 109 episodes total to pull from with this take on the Caped Crusader. Any self-respecting fan of superhero animation ought to look back on Batman: The Animated Series for its intelligent, nuanced, and timeless take on the genre. Here are some of the best episodes to start with.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

Image via The WB

Not all great superhero coming-of-age stories are in animation, and perhaps the very best live-action attempt at this style of comic book adaptation is Smallville. A reinvention of the traditional Superman mythos, the series picks up with a teenage Clark Kent (Tom Welling) long before he dons the cape and tights. As he befriends Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), pines over Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), and eventually falls for Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Clark discovers what it means to truly be a hero, moving past his own self-doubt to become none other than, well, you know.

As the longest-running series on this list, Smallville spanned 10 seasons and 218 episodes total, making it not only the longest-running Superman-related series but also the longest running live-action superhero series proper. In our ranking of Superman-related shows, it ranks pretty high due to its unique reinterpretation of the mythos, its ability to grow with its characters and audience, and the way in which it paved the way for superhero television into the 2010s.

‘The Spectacular Spider-Man’ (2008–2009)

Image via Sony Pictures Television

Invincible fans already know that there are some similarities between Mark Grayson and Peter Parker, and those traits are perhaps best highlighted by the terribly short-lived The Spectacular Spider-Man. A reinvention of Marvel’s greatest web-slinger that is far better than anyone believed it would be, Peter Parker (Josh Keaton) finds himself balancing his personal life with his powers when he takes up the mask to become Spider-Man. In a world that hates him, he remembers that “with great power, comes great responsibility.”

With two seasons and 26 episodes, Spectacular Spider-Man could have (and arguably should have) lasted for far longer than it did. As one of the most rewatchable Spider-Man cartoons, it’s full of all your favorite Spidey villains and supporting characters, honoring the original Stan Lee and Steve Ditko material while still making a name of its own. While his story did end too soon, fans at least got a small cameo from the character in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Advertisement

The Spectacular Spider-Man

Release Date

Advertisement

2008 – 2009-00-00

Directors

Victor Cook, Jennifer Coyle, Dave Bullock, Troy Adomitis, Dan Fausett, Kevin Altieri, Michael Goguen

Advertisement

Writers

Greg Weisman, Kevin Hopps, Matt Wayne, Andrew Robinson, Randy Jandt, Nicole Dubuc

Advertisement

Franchise(s)

Marvel

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

By Robert Scucci
| Published 32 seconds ago

Has this ever happened to you? You go to work at your factory job, but you end up tearing your family apart because you keep having horrific nightmares about an impending alien invasion that only you’re aware of. Your daughters hate you because you keep blowing off family night and losing track of long stretches of time, and your wife all but commands you to go see a therapist because your nightmares are keeping her awake at night. She’s made it very clear that she’s at her wits’ end with your silly little dreams. 

The oddly specific scenario I’m talking about is exactly what happens in Extinction, a Netflix Original sci-fi action thriller about the threat of an upcoming extinction event that won’t reveal itself until it’s already too late for everybody living on planet Earth to do anything about it. 

Ignore That Terrible Review Score And Give Extinction A Chance

Taking an absolute beating on Rotten Tomatoes, Extinction currently touts an abysmal critical score of 32 percent against a slightly more favorable Popcornmeter score on the review aggregator. It’s the kind of score that might make you think that you’re about to get into a by-the-numbers “what if we got invaded by aliens?” kind of premise.

While you’re not wrong to make assumptions about the beats and storylines found in this Ben Young-directed film, it’s probably one of the better straight-to-streaming sci-fi films that I’ve seen in recent years. 

He Was Right! 

Michael Pena’s Peter may seem like he’s losing his mind because of his vivid nightmares of an imminent apocalypse, but Extinction doesn’t leave you guessing for long. Much to his wife Alice’s (Lizzy Caplan) disappointment, Peter skips out on therapy when he learns other patients are having the same exact dreams as him, which he interprets as some form of divine intervention, clueing him in on what’s to come. 

At a party, Peter’s suspicions are confirmed when all hell breaks loose, and a deluge of invading spaceships starts tearing the city apart. I don’t know about you, but if I were getting nagged about my prophetic nightmares, only to find out that they were a legitimate warning that everybody should heed, I’d take pause in my frantic efforts to move my family to safety to briefly say, “Haha, I told you so,” before grabbing the photo album and getting the heck out of town. Sure, I’d do everything I can to protect my family, but thanks to my visions being correct, I’m now pack leader, and everybody has to do what I say. 

Aliens Aren’t What They Seem 

Looking for answers back at the facility where he works as an engineer in Extinction, Peter learns that his boss, David (Mike Colter), knew more about the invasion than he initially let on. Certain people like Peter were supposed to know about it so they could figure out how to deal with the visitors who are currently decimating the entire city.

Getting seriously wounded during the ensuing catastrophe, Alice needs immediate medical attention, prompting Peter to force one of the visitors to cooperate with him in restoring her vital functions. Meanwhile, his daughters, Hannah (Amelia Crouch) and Lucy (Erica Tremblay), are escorted to a military base, where they’ll probably remain safe for the next several… minutes. 

Special Effects Are On Point

With a reported budget of just $20 million (chump change compared to an MCU joint), this Netflix Original wins some serious points for its use of special effects, especially when the alien-invasion first kicks off. Extinction uses a night skyline permeated by dust and fog to its advantage, and there’s no doubt in my mind that a boatload of CGI was used to make everything jump off the screen. But the lighting levels are so perfectly calibrated that it never once took me out of the movie because the film’s color palette does all of the heavy lifting. 

As the black and grey horizon finds itself under attack, vibrant pops of red and orange break up the skyline, while the sound design that’s capturing what’s happening on ground-level is an assault on your ears that equally matches the assault that’s occurring on planet Earth, while civilization as we know it potentially arrives at its terrifying conclusion. 

Extinction may not boast the most original premise, and received a ton of criticism for being so derivative, resulting in its poor reception. But for its production value alone, you should stream it the next time you’re looking to witness the apocalypse from the safety of your own home.