Over the last few years, with his performances in Fallout and The White Lotus, Walton Goggins has become one of the most popular character actors on TV. Even before either show, he could be heard lending his voice to the role of Cecil in Invincible, who has been one of the most important parts of the show since it first premiered on Prime Video back in 2021. However, Walton Goggins has been around as a major TV star for years, dating all the way back to his performance as Boyd Crowder in Justified, the hit Western that ran for six seasons between 2010 and 2015. If there is any indication that the show is from a different era, it’s that the studio was able to produce and release six full seasons of TV in under five years, which is almost unheard of now.

Another of Goggins’ most popular shows came even before the release of Justified: The Shield. Goggins teamed with stars like Michael Chiklis (Fantastic Four) and Michael Jace (State of Play) for the series, which also produced an impressive seven seasons between 2002 and 2008. The police procedural/cop drama is widely considered one of the best the genre has to offer, and it holds nearly flawless scores of 90% from critics and 96% from audiences on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. Good news for fans: There is no shortage of ways to watch The Shield on streaming. The show has several homes in America, including both Hulu and Prime Video. For fans who aren’t subscribed to either service, all episodes of The Shield can be streamed for free on Tubi.

What Is ‘The Shield’ About?

The official synopsis for The Shield, which has DNA from other classic crime thrillers like Training Day and Breaking Bad, reads as follows:

“A gang of corrupt cops in the Los Angeles police department uses illegal methods to maintain law and order, all while engaging in a series of undercover dealings to line their own pockets.”

The Shield creator Shawn Ryan is also the writer and creator behind Netflix’s Reacher rival, The Night Agent, which has aired three seasons so far. The show has been renewed for Season 4, which is expected to premiere sometime next year.

Check out all episodes of The Shield on Hulu or Prime Video in America, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Goggins’ future projects.

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Release Date

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2002 – 2008

Directors

Guy Ferland, Scott Brazil, Clark Johnson, Dean White, Stephen Kay, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, D. J. Caruso, Nick Gomez, Paris Barclay, Peter Horton, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Philip G. Atwell, Terrence O’Hara, Billy Gierhart, Brad Anderson, Craig Brewer, David Mamet, Davis Guggenheim, Frank Darabont, Gary Fleder, John Badham, Leslie Libman, Michael Fields, Scott Winant

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Writers

Shawn Ryan, Glen Mazzara, Charles H. Eglee, Kim Clements, Kevin Arkadie, Gary Lennon, John Hlavin, Lisa Randolph, Reed Steiner, Angela Russo-Otstot, Diego Gutierrez, Ted Griffin, Elizabeth Craft, Emily Lewis, Jameal Turner, Renee Palyo

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Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman are taking their romance to the big screen.

Gerber, 24, and Pullman, 33, were both recently cast opposite Dylan O’Brien in James Morosini’s new erotic thriller, Bulls.

In Bulls, Danny (O’Brien) “books a last-ditch trip to a hedonistic island resort, hoping to come back as someone his girlfriend can finally believe in,” a logline reads. “His lonely escape detonates when a hookup with Ava, a married woman (Gerber), puts him on a collision course with her alpha male husband Marco (Pullman).”

The summary adds, “As Danny is drawn deeper into Ava’s dangerous and intoxicating world of sex, power and psychological games he quickly realizes getting caught by Marco is only the beginning.”

Related: Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman Make Out on Venice Film Festival Red Carpet

Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman can’t keep their hands off each other during their PDA-packed trip overseas. The two were photographed making out on the red carpet for the world premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee at the Venice Film Festival on Monday, September 1. Pullman, 32, stars in the film alongside Amanda Seyfried […]

The film, written and directed by 35-year-old Morosini, marks the first time Gerber and Pullman will share the screen.

“I wrote Bulls because it’s the type of film I would cancel my plans to go see in cinemas,” Morosini told Deadline on Friday, May 1. “It’s mischievous, twisty, turn-y, and most of all it’s sexy.”

Gerber, for her part, celebrated the casting news, reposting the Deadline announcement to her Instagram Stories with eight “🥵” emojis. She has been dating Pullman since late 2024.

“Kaia and Lewis have actually been together for a while now,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2025. “They started dating in early December [2024]. They kept it under wraps until the news of her and Austin [Butler’s] split came out. Kaia and Austin have been broken up since October.”

The model dated Butler, 34, for three years before going their separate ways in 2024. Gerber later connected with Pullman through mutual friends.

“They run in the same circle and have similar friend groups, and that’s how they were introduced,” the insider told Us at the time. “Kaia likes that this relationship feels low-pressure and that Lewis is a very low-key guy. They have a lot of chemistry and a very easygoing relationship. She’s really happy and feels like she can be herself.”

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Related: Kaia Gerber Addresses Relationship With Lewis Pullman for the 1st Time

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Kaia Gerber is addressing her blossoming relationship with Lewis Pullman for the first time. Appearing on the Wednesday, October 1, episode of the “Therapuss With Jake Shane” podcast, the actress and model opened up about her new man, admitting, “Definitely a lot is being healed in this relationship.” Host Jake Shane noted that he feels […]

Gerber and Pullman have often kept their relationship, which the Palm Royale actress has called healing, out of the spotlight.

“A lot is being healed in this relationship,” Gerber said on the “Therapuss” podcast in October 2025. “I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it, because it just is so much better. I never wanna fight with my friends, I never wanna be mad at my friends [and] I respect my friends. It just is like a whole other thing, and I think sometimes you forget you like someone when you love them.”

She continued, “If you can date your friends, you should, or date someone that you would be friends with anyways. Don’t just date someone because you’re sexually attracted to them or in lust with them. You should sleep with those people, for sure, but you don’t need to make them your partners.”

Netflix is the world’s most popular streaming service for a reason — it constantly premieres new movies and beloved shows that make it impossible to hit that unsubscribe button.

May 2026 is no exception, as the streamer is set to roll out a slew of new content that’s worth the arguably high monthly fee.

As part of the Watch With Us team, I’ve looked at all the films Netflix is offering in May and have selected the three best movies you should absolutely watch.

From a Sally Field drama to a ‘90s crime classic, these pictures should satisfy any cinematic craving you have before the summer season starts.

‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ (2026)

Sally Field is one of the greatest actresses still working today, and her next film happens to be one of Netflix’s most high-profile original movies of the season. In Remarkably Bright Creatures, she plays Tova, a kind widow who enjoys her simple life as a cleaner for the Sowell Bay Aquarium in Puget Sound. She’s kinda lonely, though, which is why she instantly bonds with Marcelleus. They don’t have much in common — Tova is an old lady, while Marcelleus is an orange octopus that inhabits the aquarium. But they share a unique bond that attracts the attention of Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a drifter who is even more lonely than Tova.

Related: 41 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (April 2026): ‘Apex’ and More

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This April, Netflix is on the hunt to add more new movies to its already impressive library. Buoyed by early 2026 hits like The Rip with Matt Damon and War Machine with Alan Ritchson, the streamer just added yet another gripping action flick worth your time — Apex, starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. Thank […]

Adapted from the bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a cute drama about several strangers who have been pushed aside by their respective communities. The key to making it all work is Field: anyone who has seen her in Norma Rae or Steel Magnolias knows the two-time Oscar winner has the dramatic chops to pull off a role like Tova.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is streaming on May 8.

‘Marty, Life Is Short’ (2026)

One of the best things about the success of Only Murders in the Building was that it spurred a new appreciation for Martin Short, the veteran comedian who has been making them laugh for nearly a half-century. Now Short is getting his flowers in a new Netflix documentary directed by Lawrence Kasdan, who helmed such classics as The Big Chill, Grand Canyon and Silverado.

The 100-minute documentary includes archival footage of Short’s early work in the influential sketch comedy show SCTV and, later, SNL, and in movies like Three Amigos, to new interviews with people who have worked with him over the years, like Steve Martin. The doc is a lot like Short himself — funny, a bit nonsensical, and surprisingly moving.

Marty, Life is Short streams on May 24.

‘True Romance’ (1993)

It’s been seven years since Quentin Tarantino’s last movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and it doesn’t look like the controversial director’s self-imposed drought is ending anytime soon. That’s as good a reason as any to rewatch some of his earlier classics, particularly ones that didn’t get the love later films like Inglourious Basterds received.

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True Romance is one of those movies. While Tony Scott directed the movie, Tarantino wrote the screenplay, and it bears the director’s signature snappy dialogue and affinity for profanity and violence. After newly-in-love couple Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) inadvertently steal a lot of cocaine belonging to the mob, they flee to California to avoid getting caught. But danger has a way of finding them, and their love affair could end as quickly — and violently — as it started.

Related: 3 Most Anticipated New Netflix Movies of Spring 2026: ‘Apex’ and More

With blockbuster second seasons of Beef and Running Point set to release in the next couple of months, it’s clear that Netflix is concentrating primarily on its TV slate. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t high-quality films set to debut on the streamer. Among my most anticipated new spring 2026 Netflix movies are the unjustly […]

True Romance is the epitome of early ‘90s cinema, with quick, MTV-style editing, lots of references to ‘90s pop culture and a Hans Zimmer soundtrack that continues to be referenced today in shows like Euphoria. It’s somehow both very derivative and wholly original at the same time, which makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. Look out for an almost unrecognizable Brad Pitt as a stoned, out-of-work actor who unwittingly helps the mob help find Clarence.

True Romance is now streaming on Netflix.

Social media is flooded with questions after reports claim that shots were fired outside of Chris Brown’s Los Angeles home. TMZ reports that police rushed to the singer’s Tarzana home around 4p.m. after someone reported a possible shooting near the house.

RELATED: Congrats! Chris Brown Seemingly Confirms Arrival Of Baby With Jada Wallace In Sweet Message (PHOTOS)

More Details On Shooting Outside Of Chris Brown’s Home

A woman who reported the incident police happened on Friday afternoon and she reportedly described the alleged suspect as a 35-year-old Black male. Per TMZ, officers later arrived at the scene and spoke with both the man and woman involved. According to officials, the woman refused to leave the area, which sparked an argument. The suspect claimed things escalated when she decided to drive over his foot, and that’s when he allegedly fired shots at her vehicle.

What’s Next For The Suspect & Was Chris Brown At Home During The Incident?

Police reportedly took the male suspect into custody at the scene. Officers later arrested him on charges involving a deadly weapon and vandalism. At this time, it’s unclear whether Chris Brown was at home during the incident or if either party involved had any connection to him.

Fans Sound OFF With Reactions

Once TSR dropped the news about the shooting outside of Breezy’s home, fans flooded the comment section with reactions. Some folks said something always happens right before Chris is about to drop something, meanwhile others said they just want him to go on tour in peace and take over the summer.

Instagram user @darbydarbz_ wrote, “Can y’all please leave Christopher Maurice alone.” 

Instagram user @theylove_erika wrote, “My heart dropped !! as long as my man okay 😭” 

While Instagram user @waxingqueenadventures wrote, “Listen now y’all cut the $**t! Leave that man alone! Hope everything’s OK and his kids weren’t home 🙏🏾” 

Then Instagram user @thetycallis wrote, “every time he comes out with a album or tour something happens… this man has been good for years LEAVE HIM BE.” 

Another Instagram user @__iliveformykids__ wrote, “Protect him and usher at all COSTS , we have places to attend this summer. Thanks.” 

Instagram user @miladawn wrote, “Not daddy’s house 😮” 

Then another Instagram user @boujee.bree wrote, “OH WE RIDEEEEEEEEE FOR CHRIS WHO IS ITTTTT.” 

While another Instagram user @ricka_xoxo wrote, “WHO TF TRYNA HARM MY HUSBAND.” 

Finally, Instagram user @chugram__ wrote, “Just let the man go on tour in peace.” 

RELATED: Not The Lean Back! Chris Brown’s New Album Cover Has Fans Convinced He’s Tapping Into Classic R&B Vibes (PHOTO)

Broadway star Sydney James Harcourt recently opened up about his months-long situationship with Bravo figurehead Andy Cohen. According to the “CATS” musical performer, he met Cohen in an unconventional manner, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

On an episode of the “Dads and Daddies” podcast, Harcourt, who is currently starring as Rum Tum Tugger on Broadway, credited the geobased marketing website Craigslist for connecting him with Cohen.

According to Harcourt, he and Cohen were in a situationship for “at least a year and a half” and looked back on their time together positively.

“It was a Craigslist thing and it was a really good one,” Harcourt said. “He came to my apartment the first time, and then the vibe was fun. He’s different than his TV persona.”

Harcourt added, “I just knew that he was hot and man, the s-x was really, really great.”

Andy Cohen Reflected On His Past Relationship With Harcourt On An Episode Of ‘Radio Andy’

Harcourt didn’t spill anything new about his past fling with Cohen. During a previous episode of “Watch What Happens Live,” the father of two confirmed that he had a “lust affair” with Harcourt back in the day.

“Funnily enough, Colman met his husband on Craigslist and Sydney and I were reunited before the show. He and I met on Craigslist many years ago,” Cohen said. Adding to the conversation, Harcourt said that he was “looking for a couch,” to which Cohen replied, “Yes, you were. And I delivered it.”

Spilling even more tea, Cohen opened up about his tryst with Harcourt on an episode of his “Radio Andy” show, per Decider. Adding to the drama, Cohen’s co-host and ex-boyfriend, John Hill, said he, too, hooked up with Harcourt.

“I’m not surprised. I know him in the Biblical sense,” Hill said, to which Cohen replied, “I do too, girl.”

“I met him many years ago and we had a mad passionate love affair — lust affair. I met him on Craigslist. Now, he, all these years later, winds up bartending on ‘Watch What Happens Live’ last week. It was the episode that I kind of stroked out on,” Cohen explained.

Bravo Fans React To Harcourt’s Admission About His Past Hookup With Andy Cohen

Bravo fans have been replying to Harcourt’s admission about his previous connection with Cohen, with one congratulating the latter on his rendezvous with a handsome actor.

“Good for him,” a user wrote on Reddit. “He has a high libido. Have seen him on Tinder and Raya and perhaps other apps…”

Another user said, “I feel it would be easier to find a bottom in NYC that hasn’t hooked up with Andy. I don’t even live there anymore, and I know at least 1/2 dozen guys that have hooked up with Andy. That man can get it.”

A third user seemed unfazed by the two public figures’ past connection but was more stunned by how they came to be. “THEY MET ON CRAIGSLIST?!” they posted.

Has Cohen Hooked Up With Any Bravo Stars?

Speaking of hooking up, Cohen opened up about his sex life while speaking with Alex Cooper on her wildly popular podcast “Call Her Daddy.”

When asked whether the “Real Housewives” executive producer has ever gotten physical with a Bravo star, the 57-year-old said that it has “never, never” happened, according to The Blast.

“I think that even I understand the rules of the game there,” he said. “There have been a couple that in my mind I’ve thought like, ‘Well, that would be interesting.’ But yeah, I think that would probably, especially at this point, be unwise.”

Who Does Cohen Want To Be Partnered With?

Elsewhere during that conversation, Cohen shared what he’s looking for in a partner, admitting it’s more of a “vibe” than anything else.

“I mean, to date, I like … strong, independent, smart, has their own thing going, handsome,” he said.

Before that, Cohen said that while he goes on some dates, things have changed for him since becoming a father. Consequently, he’s much more upfront about his desires.

“And I meet two kinds of people, people that I want to sleep with and people that I want to date,” he confirmed.

Tom Hanks has had one of the most successful careers of any Hollywood star to ever feature in a movie or TV show, and he’s not done yet. Hanks has been around as one of the most prominent actors for years now, and with two Oscars under his belt and several nominations, he’s earned about as much acclaim from the Academy as any actor could ask for. Many would argue that his most famous performance came in 1994 when he played Forrest Gump in the film of the same name, which lives on even to this day as one of the most popular movies ever made. Over the years, Hanks has also starred in other legendary films like Cast Away, where he occupies the screen almost entirely by himself, and Philadelphia, where he shares it with the great Denzel Washington.

Back in 1999, Hanks starred in one of the most underrated movies of his career, The Green Mile. The film is based on the popular Stephen King novel of the same name, and it was written and directed by Frank Darabont. The Green Mile may only hold a 78% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, which is far from the upper echelon of some of Hanks’ other movies, but the film holds an immaculate 94% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter. Fans around the world showed up at the box office to see The Green Mile back in 1999, too. The film grossed over $280 million at the box office against a $60 million budget, making it one of the most profitable movies of Hanks’ career. All these years later, The Green Mile is absent from streaming for now, but it’s quietly become one of the most popular VOD purchases on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV.

What Is ‘The Green Mile’ About?

The official synopsis for The Green Mile reads as follows:

“Death row guard Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) discovers that a gentle giant inmate, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), convicted of murdering two girls, possesses miraculous healing powers. Paul struggles with executing an innocent man who is actually a divine healer.”

In addition to Hanks and the late Michael Clarke Duncan, The Green Mile also stars David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Sam Rockwell, and the late Graham Greene. The Green Mile was nominated for four Oscars, but it didn’t win any.

Check out The Green Mile on VOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Hanks’ future projects.

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Release Date

December 10, 1999

Runtime

189 minutes

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Director

Frank Darabont

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Producers

David Valdes

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Model Ashley Graham has long been a pioneer in the body positivity movement, though the GLP-1 trend has arguably challenged the concept of fierce acceptance.

“It’s really disheartening,” Graham, 38, told Marie Claire in a profile published on Thursday, April 30. “There was a pendulum that swung that was so body acceptance, positivity [and] everybody be who they want to be. And now, it’s going back this whole opposite way that feels like a smack in the face to the women who have felt like they’ve had a voice.”

Semaglutides and GLP-1s — including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro — are commonly prescribed to adults who struggle with weight-related conditions. Many celebrities have since started using the controversial drugs to slim down, though doctors have cautioned against using the medication for casual weight loss.

“It goes with the times — and GLP-1s are a time,” Graham acknowledged. “I know that there are and there’s gonna still be women who are considered plus-size forever. This drug isn’t going to wipe out a whole statistic of women.”

Related: Ashley Graham Embraces Bare Postpartum Body 1 Year After Twins’ Birth

A proud moment! Ashley Graham is embracing her postpartum body — stretch marks and all — one year after giving birth to twin boys. The model, 35, shared an unfiltered glimpse of her bare stomach via Instagram on Monday, February 13. In the snap — which was uploaded without a caption — Graham clutched her […]

For Graham, she plans to continue building a “community” of body-positive women.

“There’s so many [plus size influencers and creators]. They’re all over the place with their sizes and their proportions and how they look and how they’re relatable,” the supermodel mused to the outlet. “And to me, that’s the coolest part about all of this. Seeing that these girls, who were raised on social media at such a young age are now coming in and they have a platform to say to the younger generation, ‘Be yourself, be who you want to be. If you have cellulite, who cares?’”

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Related: Celebs Leading the Body-Positive Movement

As these Hollywood celebrities show in their words, actions and online posts, the body-positivity movement has officially entered the mainstream. Well-known activists have used social media as a tool to spread more messages of self-love to their fans. Mindy Kaling made a splash when she posted a series of photos of herself wearing different two-piece […]

Graham, for her part, is also still working to accept her own postpartum body. (Graham shares three sons with her husband, Justin Ervin.)

“I’m living in a different body and it’s been hard to get to know her,” she said of her post-baby figure. “I can’t say that I can look in the mirror and be like, ‘I love you.’ It’s not that for me. It’s that, ‘Wow, I made some children.’”

She continued, “I was as fit as I could be in 2019 when I got pregnant. I’m still trying to get to that, but I’ve had to get over it in my head that I’ll look like I did in my late 20s, early 30s. She’s gone. Let’s focus on the new girl. That has been like the last four years of my conversation in my head.”

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 1 hour ago

Fans of the Resident Evil franchise have had a slew of video games and several movies to satisfy their craving. The iconic Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, appeared in five movies between 2002 and 2016, and a sixth movie was a prequel that explored the origins of the mansion in which she woke up in the first movie. Now, there’s a new movie in the franchise, and it looks nothing like the others.

The movie is simply titled Resident Evil and will probably cause both itself and the first movie to henceforth be referred to with their years of release included in their titles. According to IMDb, it is about a young courier named Bryan (Austin Abrams) whose cargo is on its way to a mysterious, remote, and deserted location. The teaser trailer was released on May 1, 2026, and promised both action and horror as Bryan’s world suddenly becomes radically different and more dangerous overnight.

The trailer is a short movie of its own, framed around a phone call from Bryan to a nameless girlfriend with whom he had a fight, but is now trying to tell one last time that he loves her. 911 is busy, which is already ominous. Everything is dark, the house is abandoned, and he has had a problem on the road.

All alone, he searches the house for supplies as he finds himself pursued by zombie-like mutants. Forced to get back to the city (is it Raccoon City? The trailer doesn’t say) while surviving a variety of creepy, distorted monsters that perhaps were once human but are no longer, he trudges through the snow, explores cavernous tunnels, and flees from these frightening pursuers down desolate roads until he reaches the urban center. Viewers only get to see one street in the city, but it is raining mutants and zombies as Bryan frantically tries to escape.

There is a lot of criticism of the trailer being “not Resident Evil,” and there is merit to this complaint. The other Resident Evil films were action-horror, while this one looks like straight horror. There are no familiar characters like Alice, Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, or the STARS team. Even many of the monsters are different from those in the other movies and the games. There is no sign of the licentious Umbrella Corporation.

What IS “Resident Evil” about it is the survival horror aspect. Fans of survival horror movies and games will recognize the foraging and exploring Bryan has to do in the house to collect the items he needs to defend himself and survive. These items include things like car keys, random firearms with handy ammo just lying around, and “healing items” like Band-aids or food. Survival horror fans will thrill over Bryan’s adventures, but the trailer that has been released does not make an obvious connection to the source material, a fact that has annoyed quite a few fans. And they’re not complaining that it’s not a good-looking movie, just that it is not a movie from the famous franchise.

However, the movie has a mark of horror prestige in the form of Zach Cregger, coming freshly from the success of the acclaimed movie Barbarian and the Oscar-winning Weapons. Cregger wrote both those movies in addition to directing them, and, while he has help from writer Shay Hatten, he has definitely proven his own mettle as a great horror director. Hatten’s presence should assuage fans who are worried about it not being an action film, too, since he is the mind behind the last three John Wick sequels, the Wick-adjacent Ballerina, and the Zack Snyder Army of the Dead movies.

So, to people worried that this film doesn’t have the feel of the Resident Evil franchise, I can only say: just wait. Remember that a franchise isn’t just about existing fans; it’s also about drawing in new fans, and to do that, franchises must constantly reinvent themselves, or they become dry and predictable, like the MCU. This is only the first trailer and only represents about two minutes of movie time. Resident Evil is a horror franchise at its core, and I am positive that Zach Cregger is not going to kill his strong momentum by delivering a film that alienates fans, no matter how different this early trailer might seem from the source material.

Resident Evil will be in theaters on September 18, 2026. Catch it before the infection spreads.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 49 seconds ago

Starfleet Academy disappointed Star Trek fans for many reasons, including the liberties it took with franchise lore and its focus on foul-mouthed, drama-loving teens. But some fans hated that show long before it came out because they were hoping Paramount would produce a very different series. Namely, they wanted Star Trek: Legacy, which would blend new characters with legacy favorites and serve as a spinoff of Terry Matalas’ fan-favorite third season of Star Trek: Picard. 

That show never materialized, and Paramount now seems focused on rebooting the franchise altogether. Does that mean you’re up the Great River without a paddle if you want classic Star Trek adventures? Negative, captain! Trek Shorts recently launched its newest fan film: Legacy Returns. Billed as “The world’s first SNW/Voyager Era fan film,” Legacy Returns is free to stream on YouTube, and we’ve embedded it below.

Legacy Returns is worth watching for any fan hoping to return to the Golden Age of Star Trek.

Reporting For Duty

What is Legacy Returns about, exactly? Like many classic Trek adventures, it begins with affable Starfleet officers (Dr. Louise Nilson and Lt. JG Hayes) preparing to warp to their next mission. Along the way, though, they encounter something unexpected: a Constitution-class vessel named USS Magellan. In exploring the vessel, they encounter many curiosities, including a mystery tied to events from over a century earlier. Fortunately, there is no obstacle that our heroes can’t solve with the cornerstones of Star Trek: exploration, diplomacy, and endless curiosity. 

If you wrinkle your nose like a Bajoran when you hear the phrase “fan film,” I get it. Many such productions are low-rent and downright cringey to watch. For example, it feels like half the Star Wars “fan films” in existence are just an excuse to watch two grown men hit each other with sticks in the woods. Star Trek hasn’t fared much better, with fan productions that suffer from bad acting and even worse production quality.

Setting Phasers To Fun

Fortunately, Legacy Returns is a breath of fresh air among fan films. It is made by the Patreon-funded Trek Shorts team, and they’ve been creating killer Star Trek fan films since 2023. That experience has helped this team craft a movie that is a genuine pleasure to watch. For one thing, the special effects (which include absolutely beautiful ship exteriors) are top-notch. That same level of quality extends to the rest of the production: the uniforms are crisp and professional, and some of the recreated ship interiors will blow you away. The uniforms and props are perfect, making this “fan film” look polished and professional.

Most importantly, though, the story of Legacy Returns feels like Star Trek at its best. There isn’t much in the way of action and adventure, which may disappoint younger fans who grew up with the Kelvinverse movies. Instead, the movie focuses on characters quietly exploring a mysterious ship, all while diving deep into Trek lore. Incidentally, this is why it’s billed as a Voyager/Strange New Worlds film: our main characters are from the TNG/VOY era, but they explore a Constitution-class vessel that has the same slick interior as Captain Pike’s Enterprise.

Like Reconnecting With A Very Old Friend

Obviously, Legacy Returns isn’t a perfect movie. While the acting is much better than most fan films, it’s a far cry from what you get from professionals in shows like The Next Generation. Plus, while I dug the slower, lore-heavy plot, some fans might find the pace slow. However, these are relatively minor gripes, given how good the story and production quality are. Starfleet Academy had professional actors, and that show’s bad writing nearly ran the franchise into the ground. Quite frankly, Legacy Returns is the perfect fan film for anyone who has had issues with NuTrek and just wanted more Star Trek adventures as we had back in the ‘90s.

Best of all, this fan film is like everything else in the Utopian future of the 24th century: completely free! You can now stream Legacy Returns on YouTube. If you like what you see, take the time to dig in: under the Power543 Fan Films account, Short Treks has posted a number of fan films, each more passionate and ambitious than the one before. If you’re a huge Star Trek fan, you don’t have to wait for Season 4 of Strange New Worlds or Season 2 of Starfleet Academy to get your fix. You’re just one click away from more stellar, sci-fi storytelling than you can shake a jumja stick at!