HBO is no stranger to producing great television. In fact, they’ve spent the last five years doing what they’ve done best: dominating the landscape with shows that feel distinct, purposeful, and (more often than not) worth the emotional investment. Indeed, from sprawling fantasy epics and prestige dramas to offbeat comedies and genre-bending experiments, the network’s output hasn’t just been strong—it’s been varied in a way that keeps audiences constantly on their toes.

No wonder they’ve prevailed throughout awards season. In the past half-decade, HBO has delivered a handful of shows that redefined what their genres could look like—whether through bold storytelling choices, clever IP selections, unforgettable performances, or a willingness to take creative risks. Either way, these are the most recent shows, starting from 2021 (sorry Succession fans), that prove to be a cut above the rest.

10

‘The Last of Us’ (2023–Present)

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Set in a post-apocalyptic America, ravaged by a fungal outbreak, hardened smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) is tasked with escorting young Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country as she may hold the key to creating a cure. But what starts as a transactional mission quickly evolves as the pair navigate hostile survivors, militant factions, and the lingering ghosts of their pasts—all while forging an unexpected bond.

As an adaptation of a beloved video game, The Last of Us shines in how it shapes survival as both a physical feat and an emotional cost. This is because, unlike others in its genre, this show is not a mere tale about zombies: it’s a careful analysis of human nature. Joel’s growing attachment to Ellie isn’t just framed as heroic—it’s messy, selfish, and by the finale, morally devastating. It’s a show that constantly asks whether love is a saving grace or a destructive force. Add in the career-best performances, and you’ve got an adaptation that’s genuinely haunting and incredibly moving. Fingers-crossed, Season 3 doesn’t fall into a slump.

9

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

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Nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) of House Targaryen breaks centuries of tradition by naming his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock, later Emma D’Arcy), as his successor. However, when Viserys later remarries and produces a son, the realm (and his family) engage in a bitter dispute over who has the rightful claim to the Iron Throne.

Rather than chasing the obvious spectacle of the legendary Targaryen dynasty, House of the Dragon leans into the psychology of power: how it warps relationships, distorts truth, and erodes trust over time. Most of the characters aren’t painted as simple rivals but as products of a system that pits them against each other, making every confrontation feel tragically inevitable. It strangely feels like a more intimate, deliberate kind of storytelling, but one that pays off in its devastating portrayal of a family tearing itself apart. Let’s hope Season 3 can up the ante.

8

‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022–2024)

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After the death of her sister, Sam (Bridget Everett) returns to her hometown in Kansas, but struggles to find her footing in a place she once knew. Thankfully, just before she fully disconnects from those around her, Sam forms an unexpected bond with Joel (Jeff Hiller), a former classmate and now colleague who introduces her to a community of outsiders who embrace self-expression and vulnerability.

While simple in its premise, its radical sincerity is exactly what makes Somebody Somewhere resonate so deeply. There’s no rush in “fixing” Sam or neatly resolving her grief. Instead, the show finds meaning in the slow, often uncomfortable process of healing. Better still, the humor is less punchline-driven, allowing the comedy to come out by simply letting its characters exist. And in doing so, the show captures something incredibly universal about the loneliness and courage of seeking out connection.

7

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026–Present)

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Deep within Westeros, humble (but naive) hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), travels across the land, with his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) in search of purpose and opportunity. Their journey takes them through tournaments, political tensions, and crazed chance encounters, all of which gradually reveal that Egg is more important than he seems.

Despite this being yet another Game of Thrones spin-off, its smaller scope is what gives A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms its special charm. Dunk’s earnest sensibility and Egg’s hidden complexity create a dynamic that feels refreshingly grounded in a world of mythology and cynicism. Instead of constant betrayal, the show explores what it means when characters consistently try to do the right thing. Yes, it’s perhaps a gentler entry into the world of the Iron Throne, but one that still carries the weight of its history.

6

‘The Rehearsal’ (2022–Present)

Nathan Fielder helps ordinary people prepare for major life moments by constructing meticulously detailed simulations of real-world scenarios. From confessing a long-held lie to navigating parenthood, each “rehearsal” involves increasingly elaborate layers of planning. But as the experiments grow more complex, Nathan inserts himself deeper into the process, blurring the lines between facilitator and participant.

The brilliance of The Rehearsal lies in how it weaponizes discomfort. Beneath the absurdity is a sharp exploration of control, anxiety, and the impossibility of training for life’s messiest moments. As Nathan inserts himself deeper into his own experiments, the show begins to question its own ethics, turning the camera inward in ways that are both hilarious and deeply unsettling. Think of it as a twisted (and much darker) Jury Duty.

5

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)

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A group of wealthy guests arrives at the luxurious White Lotus resort expecting a time of relaxation, only to be met with personal tensions bubbling to the surface. As staff caters to their every need, classes divide, relationships fracture, and hidden resentments begin to unravel, all of which culminate in a shocking death.

Despite the rotating cast and locations, The White Lotus has secured its addictive status for its razor-sharp social commentary that just so happens to be wrapped in dark humor. The characters are often deeply flawed—sometimes outright insufferable—but never without dimension, making their unraveling both entertaining and revealing. It helps that the performances are top-tier, especially with Mike White‘s iconic and extremely quotable lines from The White Lotus. Think of it as satire with teeth, one that knows exactly where to sink them.

4

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

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In a small Pennsylvanian town, detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) is tasked with investigating the murder of a young mother, while still reeling from her own personal tragedies. As the case unfolds, Mare’s professional responsibilities begin to collide with her personal life, pulling her deeper into the secrets of a community so intensely connected.

Like all great crime dramas, Mare of Easttown refuses to separate the mystery from its central character. Indeed, Mare isn’t just solving a murder; she’s navigating grief, guilt, and the weight of expectation in a place where everyone knows her history. The performances ground the story in something deeply human, ensuring that every twist carries emotional consequences. So, if you’re in for a solid single-season binge, this should be at the top of your list.

3

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Image via HBO Max

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Following the events of The Batman, Oswald “Oz” Cobb (Colin Farrell) makes his maneuvers to rise through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal underworld. And with the city in complete disarray from the floods, this becomes much easier. His plan of attack? Meddle with the deep-seated rivalry between the Falcone and the Maroni families—the city’s greatest criminal overlords.

In a world of superhero fatigue, The Penguin stands out for its centralization of a deeply complex being. For many, there’s an intrigue in how Oz’s ruthlessness feels somewhat human. His hunger for respect, his insecurity, and his extreme adaptability are what make him both dangerous and strangely sympathetic. And the show doesn’t shy away from that, nor paint him as a cartoonish villain. Instead, it paints a portrait of ambition unchecked, and where every victory comes at a cost of moral darkness.

2

‘Hacks’ (2021–2026)

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Legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is forced to reinvent her act if she hopes to stay relevant in the modern cultural scene. This leads her to reluctantly hire Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young writer whose career has stalled after a public controversy. But while the two women initially clash over generational differences and opposing perspectives, they learn to collaborate, which leads to their relationship evolving into something much more complicated and unexpectedly personal.

At its core, Hacks thrives on the push-and-pull between its leads. Deborah and Ava challenge each other in ways that are often uncomfortable but ultimately necessary, with their growing bond forming the backbone of the entire series. It’s sharp, funny, and deeply reflective of the vulnerabilities that come with reinvention (especially within the entertainment industry). Throw in some other iconic ensemble members from Hacks, and you’ve got an award-winning show that captures the intersection of ambition, ego, and insecurity.

1

‘The Pitt’ (2025–Present)

Image via HBO Max

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Set in the high-stakes environment of a chaotic, underfunded emergency department in a Pittsburgh trauma center, Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) leads his team during a 15-hour, real-time shift. But as time passes, and the pressure of the job mounts, personal struggles and professional responsibilities begin to blur, revealing the emotional toll of working within an overstretched system.

While there are many great dramas on television, The Pitt sets itself apart with its unflinching commitment to realism—one that also never loses sight of its humanity. The medical cases are intense, but it’s their cumulative weight that truly lands, shaping every character in subtle, lasting ways. There’s no easy catharsis here, just the quiet resilience required to keep going in the face of exhaustion and loss. It’s gripping without being overly sensational, emotional without being manipulative. A rare perfect balance in the medical genre and one that makes it HBO’s most compelling recent achievement.

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The Pitt

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Release Date

January 9, 2025

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Max

Showrunner

R. Scott Gemmill

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Directors

Amanda Marsalis

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  Noah Wyle

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  Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch

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  Tracy Ifeachor

  Dr. Heather Collins

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When it comes to prestige television, live-action shows typically receive the most viewership and accolades, with most lists of the greatest TV shows being overwhelmingly dominated by the medium. However, that doesn’t mean that animation doesn’t have its own advantages over live-action work. Animated shows arguably allow for more creativity, often taking place in worlds outside our own, even if masterpieces such as BoJack Horseman mirror our own reality closely. These beautiful, original universes allow us to explore moral complexities free from the biases of our own world, since the storyteller can shape the context entirely.

One of the greatest examples of this is the original animated Avatar: The Last Airbender. On the surface, some may consider it a show for children, but it is anything but. Avatar: The Last Airbender is a joy for everyone, whether it is your first or hundredth time watching. Not only does it balance its tone between a fun adventure series and a nuanced depiction of war, but its themes are extremely complex, with gorgeous animation that creates a dynamic and evolving universe.

What Is ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ About?

Avatar: The Last Airbender follows Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), a 12-year-old boy who has been frozen for 100 years, while the Fire Nation has engaged in a war of aggression against the other nations. As the Avatar, destined to master all four elements of air, water, earth, and fire, Aang must save the world, with the help of his friends, Sokka (Jack De Sena), Katara (Mae Whitman), Toph (Michaela Jill Murphy), and his sky bison, Appa (Dee Bradley Baker), and winged lemur, Momo (Dee Bradley Baker). Since these are a group of children, many of their journeys across the world turn into bottle-adventure episodes where the stakes are arguably low, such as helping protect a village from the pollution of a Fire Nation factory.

Yet, Avatar: The Last Airbender balances this fun, comedic tone with layers of depth in its characters. One of these is Zuko (Dante Basco), son of the Fire Lord and Aang’s main antagonist at the beginning. Zuko seeks to redeem himself in the eyes of his father with the help of his kind uncle, Iroh (Mako), representing a complex character who is both sympathetic and a serious threat to our heroes. With this and episodes that truly emphasize the scale of the war, such as “The Siege of the North,” Avatar: The Last Airbender manages to convey numerous tones and genres throughout its 3 seasons.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Explores Dark Themes Such as War in Nuanced Ways

Some would expect that the lines would be clear between good guys and bad guys in Avatar: The Last Airbender, given its comedic tone and suitability for kids. Yet Avatar: The Last Airbender is at its best when dealing with complex topics, and it uses fascinating characters to do so. While Aang is essentially the chosen one and burdened with the mission to defeat the Fire Lord, he struggles with violence, especially around the subject of killing, exploring whether it is just to kill our enemies. Through Zuko and his obsessive drive to make his father happy, along with his growing hatred of Aang, we see how childhood trauma and revenge can create monsters, while Iroh’s belief in Zuko challenges the audience to see the good in everyone.

Even characters who don’t have huge roles throughout the series leave lasting impressions, such as Jet (Crawford Wilson), whose brutal methods of guerrilla warfare against the Fire Nation reflect how the ends don’t justify the means. Whether it is someone fighting for the right reasons, but in the wrong way, or vice versa, Avatar: The Last Airbender makes sure that every character has a purpose in developing the story.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Has Some of the Most Creative Animation

Image via Nickelodeon

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Of course, the quality of animation is always a necessary measure in said medium, and Avatar: The Last Airbender uses the rules of its world to create striking visuals and give its characters personality through their movements. Due to the different styles of bending being so distinct, with a more flowing form for Katara’s waterbending compared to the stocky movements of Toph’s earthbending, each character has a distinct visual identity. Avatar: The Last Airbender also gives these powers the scale they deserve. Together, Toph and Aang can turn a mountain of stairs into one smooth incline in seconds, and Aang can hold back an erupting volcano without breaking a sweat. You not only feel the strength of their powers, but also how a bender is limited by their own creativity rather than the plot or an overcomplicated power-scaling system.

Overall, there are very few shows that can accomplish what Avatar: The Last Airbender did over its 3 seasons. Some may, at times, confuse animation as a genre in and of itself, and Avatar: The Last Airbender is a classic example of why. It never sticks to one genre but uses itself as a vehicle to convey several. To be funny or philosophical is one thing, but to combine the two, along with a fascinating world, is truly special. Even if you’ve never watched an animated show before, once you binge Avatar: The Last Airbender, you’ll be kicking yourself for not watching it sooner.

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Release Date

2005 – 2008

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Nickelodeon

Showrunner

Michael Dante DiMartino

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Directors

Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave Filoni, Joaquim Dos Santos, Anthony Lioi

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Writers

Tim Hedrick, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Joshua Hamilton, James Eagan, Joann Estoesta, Nick Malis, May Chan, Katie Mattila

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Venus Williams’ Met Gala looks have been a smash hit over the years.

Williams attended her first Met Gala in 2008 where the theme was Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. The tennis pro stunned in a silver strapless gown. Since her premiere strut on the museum’s iconic stairs, Williams has continued to elevate her fashion.

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Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, Williams was announced as one of the event’s cochairs alongside Beyoncé and Nicole Kidman. Williams teased her excitement for the festivities and the theme “Costume Art.”

“I love the theme. It’s a perfect fit for me,” Williams said in an April 2026 interview with Vogue. “It’s even more important today because people feel so much pressure to look a certain way. Though there’s so much beauty in difference.”

Keep scrolling to see William’s best Met Gala looks over the years:

Some shows do not get forgotten because they were bad. They get forgotten because streaming trained people to move on too fast. It’s like pop-culture gripped other shows way too fast, for way too long, and these shows got sidelined. Netflix especially has this ugly habit of swallowing its own history.

A show arrives, finds the exact people it was made for, wrecks them a little, gives them a mood or a world or a relationship dynamic they start living inside for weeks, and then the platform buries it under the next wave of content until it starts feeling like you imagined the whole thing alone. That is what happened to these series. And what makes it so frustrating is that they were not half-successful curiosities. They were the kinds of shows that had texture in the bloodstream.

‘Dead to Me’ (2019–2022)

Image via Netflix

What people miss about Dead to Me is how viciously exact it was about grief. Not movie grief. Not prestige-TV grief. The real kind. The kind that makes you angry at the wrong person, funny at the wrong time, controlling when you should collapse, clingy when you should walk away, and weirdly attached to the exact person who seems most dangerous to your emotional survival. Jen Harding (Christina Applegate) and Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini) were the greatest damaged pairing Netflix ever stumbled into.

The show understood immediately that if you put a woman held together by rage next to a woman held together by apology, the result will not be healing at first. It will be combustion. And that is why it stayed so good. It never turned their bond into a neat friendship arc. Every time it got close to sweetness, it would remember the blood under the floorboards. Another lie. Another guilt spiral. Applegate gave Jen that clenched, exhausted, punishing intelligence that grief sometimes sharpens into cruelty, and Cardellini made Judy feel like someone whose need to be loved had already broken every internal boundary she had. The show’s brilliance was that it kept letting both women be unbearable and lovable in the same breath. That is near-perfect writing to me.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

Image via Netflix

This one still feels like a robbery. Not a cancellation. A robbery. Because The OA was not just another ambitious Netflix mystery where you wait for clues to click into place. It was doing something much stranger and much riskier. It was asking the audience to surrender to belief as an emotional act. Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling) returns after seven years, is able to see, gathers those five lonely people in that unfinished house, and tells them what happened to her. That should not have worked as powerfully as it did. On paper, it sounds almost absurd. On screen, it felt sacred and unstable at the same time. The show understood that stories can function like portals long before they function like explanations.

The real genius was that it never treated the listeners as furniture. Steve Winchell (Patrick Gibson), French Sosa (Brandon Perea), Buck Vu (Ian Alexander), Jesse (Brendan Meyer), and BBA (Phyllis Smith) mattered because the show was also about the kinds of lives that are so emotionally starved they become vulnerable to miracles. Prairie was not just giving them exposition. She was giving them a shape of meaning large enough to interrupt despair. That is a huge thing for a show to attempt without irony. Then Season 2 somehow got even bolder, wider, more structurally deranged in the best way, and instead of being rewarded for that nerve, it got cut off just when it was opening into something enormous. That is why people who love The OA talk about it the way they do.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

There are shows people admire. There are shows that people binge. And then there are shows people attach to in this almost embarrassing, full-body way, because the show touches a need they do not get met anywhere else. Sense8 was that kind of show. It was not just clever sci-fi about psychic connection. It was about how unbearable isolation is, and how intoxicating it would be to be truly reached by other people, not politely understood, not “related to,” but reached.

To have somebody else inside your panic, your desire, your shame, your language, your body, your memory. The premise itself was already emotional dynamite. What made the show special was that it actually believed connection could save people. That sounds cheesy when written plainly. Good. It was. It was gloriously, vulnerably earnest about human interdependence in a television era that often hides behind detachment. Watching the cluster become a real cluster was the whole thrill. Sun Bak (Bae Doona)’s control, Lito Rodriguez (Miguel Ángel Silvestre)’s fear, Wolfgang Bogdanow (Max Riemelt)’s damage, Kala Dandekar (Tina Desai)’s divided heart, Nomi Marks (Jamie Clayton)’s courage, Capheus Onyango (Aml Ameen and Toby Onwumere)’s optimism, Riley Blue (Tuppence Middleton)’s ache, Will Gorski (Brian J. Smith)’s steadiness, each one becoming part of the others without disappearing into them. It was brilliant.

‘Marco Polo’ (2014–2016)

Image via Netflix

This is one of the easiest shows for people to dismiss lazily, which is exactly why it belongs here. People remember the budget, the early-Netflix prestige push, the fact that Marco Polo did not become the platform-defining sensation somebody wanted it to be. But if you actually watched it, really watched it, you know it had heft. It had an appetite. It had that old-fashioned historical-drama pleasure of stepping into a world where every glance, every seduction, every ritual, every silence around the throne might change somebody’s fate. It was not always elegant, and honestly that was part of the charm. It had a little excess in its bloodstream, which a court drama should.

The smartest thing it did was refuse to make Marco the entire point. Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) is there, yes, but the world around him kept threatening to outgrow him, which made the series richer. Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong) had gravity. Hundred Eyes (Tom Wu) had mystery. The women around the court were not decorative wall decor but players that read power with terrifying speed. The whole show felt built around the idea that empire is theater and blood at once, and that anybody surviving inside it has to learn how to perform before they can even think about freedom. When people call it forgotten, what they usually mean is that Netflix did not turn it into a forever brand. That is different.

‘Bloodline’ (2015–2017)

Image via Netflix

Bloodline should not be forgotten. This one feels personal. It should still be sitting right there at the center of any serious conversation about Netflix’s best dramatic work, because season one in particular is one of the most suffocating family thrillers the platform ever produced. The setup was already poisonous in the right way: the respectable Rayburn family, all local charm and inherited standing, slowly coming apart when the damaged son comes back and starts pressing on every buried bruise. But the show’s real power was not in its secrets — it was in the humidity of the secrets. The sense that this family had been breathing around the same lies for so long, they had forgotten what clean air was supposed to feel like.

And then there was Danny Rayburn (Ben Mendelsohn), who gave one of those performances that changes the chemical balance of an entire series. He was not a villain in the neat sense, but a grievance with memory. He was the family’s guilt returning in human form and refusing to stay at the polite distance they had assigned him. Every scene with him felt unstable because he knew where the emotional rot lived, and he had the cruelty and hunger to keep pushing there. That made John Rayburn (Kyle Chandler), Meg Rayburn (Linda Cardellini), and Kevin Rayburn (Norbert Leo Butz) more interesting too, because the show never let their damage separate cleanly from his. They were all trapped in the same family myth, just occupying different corners of it. Bloodline understood a truth a lot of family dramas miss: love does not cancel rot. Sometimes it protects it.

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Bloodline

Release Date

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2015 – 2017-00-00

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Mikael Håfström, Todd A. Kessler, Michael Morris, Ed Bianchi, Mario Van Peebles, Jean de Segonzac, Johan Renck, Daniel Zelman, Dennie Gordon, David Manson, Alex Graves, Michael Apted, Daniel Attias, Simon Cellan Jones, Stephen Williams, Tate Donovan, Carl Franklin

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Writers

Arthur Phillips, Bill Cain, Lizzie Mickery, Addison McQuigg, Ashlin Halfnight, Lucas Jansen, Barry Pullman, Melanie Hoopes, Dani Vetere

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In case you missed it, cargo pants are suddenly one of the most talked about styles for spring (again). What was once deemed as ‘ugly’ is currently trending at record speed, and we’re so on board for the revival. If you, too, are ready to toss your restricting jeans aside, take one look at these ultra-popular capri pants that Amazon shoppers call “ridiculously comfortable.” Bonus: They’re currently on sale.

Everyone from California rich moms to Palm Beach socialites will be wearing this cargo capri pant style. This Lee option is loose, comfy and totally functional — it’s no wonder these pants have over 4,200 five-star ratings on Amazon so far. The popular pants are so versatile, shoppers wear them to the beach, softball games, hikes, dinner and even to the office. If you ask Us, that adaptability pays for itself.

Get the Lee Ultra-Lux Cargo Capris for $18 (was $37) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Lee Ultra-Lux Cargo Capris are the spring staple you’ll reach for time and time again. They give off that easy-going cool look that we’re seeing everywhere, blending the cargo design and capri trend into one. Even celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Priyanka Chopra and Kim Kardashian are sporting the cargo style, and if that’s not an indication to hop on the trend train, we don’t know what is.

Related: Sweatpant Shorts Are the Genius Find Your Closet Is Missing

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When it comes to warm-weather dressing, comfort is key. Denim shorts can feel restrictive and lounge shorts can be too casual, but what if there were a pair that managed to split the difference? Nordstrom shoppers have discovered Rag & Bone’s cotton terry sweatpant shorts that strike the perfect balance, offering a relaxed, easygoing fit […]

This shopper-approved pick features classic slash and cargo pockets, giving you room to stash small items like your phone, keys, ID and more. The functional style even has buttoned closures to ensure all your items are safe and secure. The mid-rise waist and flexible band move with you to prevent squeezing or uncomfortable digging while you sit. After all, there’s nothing worse than wearing cute pants that make you feel on edge the entire day. And in true capri fashion, the pants have a shortened, rolled hem that hits around the shin area, making these bottoms perfect for both tall and short women.

Made with a blend of breathable cotton, durable polyester and stretchy spandex, the capris feel like lounge pants, but look way more elevated. They provide a roomy fit with a soft, lightweight feel that won’t make you sweat in 80 degrees. Bless! Some people even swear that they give off a slimming appearance and a flattering look.

These Lee pants are available in over ten spring colors, including light blue, beige, army green and white. We also appreciate the size-inclusive range, which stems from 2 to 18, so everyone can join in on the trend. We can easily see these pants styled with a classic white tee and sneakers for errands, or a blouse and kitten heels for an early dinner. Just throw on some jewelry and accessories to dress it up or down, and you’re good to go.

“These are great all around,” wrote one shopper. “The waist band is so comfortable and they are flattering. It’s not often you get comfort and get to look good. It’s hard to find a great bottom that you love. I can’t say enough about these.”

One other reviewer captioned their review, “[The] best capris I’ve ever worn.” In fact, they became a long-time fan after one wear. “I love these capris so much that I’ve ordered three pairs, and am getting ready to order a fourth,” they wrote. “They are so comfortable, have lightweight fabric and fit perfectly. I also love how they’re made.”

Now is the time to see what all the fuss is about. These Lee capri cargo pants lean into the trend both shoppers and celebrities can’t get enough of. And at just $18, you can afford to get one (or two)!

Get the Lee Ultra-Lux Cargo Capris for $18 (was $37) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more cargo capri pants, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Move Over, Jeans! These 17 Loose Spring Pants Feel *Way* Better

We love denim, but come spring, our closet craves fresh florals, looser fits and pieces that feel as breezy as the season itself. Loose spring pants are the perfect way to make the seasonal shift without losing style along the way, and there’s no better place to shop for them than on Amazon. The go-to […]

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The Met Gala may look like the ultimate celebrity playground, but behind the scenes, it’s one of the most tightly controlled events in the world. From strict rules about phones to carefully curated seating arrangements, fashion’s biggest night comes with a long list of do’s and don’ts that even A-listers have to follow. And yes, some of them might surprise you.

One of the most talked-about rules? No phones at dinner. Once celebrities walk those iconic steps at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, they’re expected to unplug. The policy is meant to keep the night private and exclusive, meaning no selfies, no social media, no behind-the-scenes leaks.

Of course, a few sneaky bathroom selfies have gone viral over the years… but technically, they’re breaking the rules.

The Seating Chart Is Strategically Planned

Think you can sit with your best friend or partner? Think again. The Met Gala seating chart is meticulously curated, often separating couples and close friends in favor of more “interesting” pairings. Event planners carefully consider who sits next to whom, aiming to spark conversation between people who may not normally interact.

In fact, event planning for the Met Gala starts months in advance, especially when it comes to the seating chart. “We start with a seating document when the names come together in December,” expert planner Eaddy Kiernan told Vogue. Although the “actual seating chart” isn’t locked in until about a month before the event, the early stages help organizers map out “a sense for the layout of the room and the flow of the evening.”

And when it comes to who sits next to whom, there’s one key rule they don’t take lightly. “We try to make sure someone isn’t staring into the eyes of a former flame,” Kiernan said.

You Can’t Just Buy Your Way Into The Met Gala

Even if you have the money, you can’t simply purchase a ticket and show up. While tickets reportedly cost tens of thousands of dollars, and tables can run into the hundreds of thousands, often purchased by major fashion houses and brands, the guest list is ultimately controlled by Anna Wintour, who has final say on who gets an invite.

Designers typically fill their tables with celebrities who align with their brand, meaning many attendees are invited as a guest of a fashion house rather than buying their way in directly.

You Have To Follow The Theme

Every year comes with a theme, and it’s not optional. For Met Gala 2026, the theme is “Costume Art,” with a dress code of “Fashion Is Art,” pushing attendees to treat fashion as a true form of artistic expression rather than just red carpet glam.

Celebrities are expected to interpret the theme through their looks, often collaborating with top designers for custom, one-of-a-kind pieces that align with the exhibit. For many, it’s months of planning, fittings, and creative direction just to get the look right. “What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body,” Andrew Bolton, head curator of the museum’s Costume Institute, told Vogue.

He added, “It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was, this epiphany: I know that we’ve often been seen as the stepchild, but, in fact, the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked. It’s always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.”

Those who nail it often dominate best-dressed lists and go viral for all the right reasons. Those who don’t? They definitely hear about it online, with fans and critics quick to call out anyone who seems to have missed the assignment.

It’s Not Just A Party, It’s A Power Move

While the red carpet gets all the attention, the actual gala is a formal, sit-down dinner, and it’s far more low-key than you might expect. Guests tour the exhibit, mingle, and enjoy performances, but the focus is on fundraising for the Costume Institute, not partying all night.

At the end of the day, the Met Gala is more than just a glamorous night out. It’s a carefully orchestrated event where fashion, influence, and strategy collide, and every detail, from where you sit to what you wear, is part of a much bigger picture.

When it comes to glowing skin at any age, Martha Stewart continues to prove that radiance isn’t about piling on makeup — it’s about choosing the right formulas. One product she’s reached for? The L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, a lightweight glow-booster that gives skin a fresh, lit-from-within finish without looking heavy or overly shimmery.

Stewart featured the illuminator in a “get ready with me” video with Vogue on YouTube, where she walked through her routine and used the product to add warmth and luminosity to her complexion. The beauty of this formula is in how flexible it is — you can apply it a few different ways depending on the finish you want.

Get the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion for $15 (originally $18) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

For an all-over glow, smooth a thin layer onto bare skin after skincare — it acts almost like a radiant primer, giving your complexion that soft-focus sheen before foundation even goes on. If you prefer coverage, you can mix a pump directly into your foundation to dial up the luminosity without changing the texture too much. It also works beautifully tapped onto high points of the face — cheekbones, temples and even the collarbones — for a more targeted highlight that looks natural, not glittery.

Related: Martha Stewart’s ‘Longtime Favorite’ Body Lotion Is Now $7 on Amazon

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You don’t have to watch her Netflix documentary to know Martha Stewart is the queen of almost everything — including skincare. The 83-year-old has a youthful glow from head to toe, along with a radiant, soft-looking complexion. One might assume Stewart’s secret is a luxury French body cream, but she actually uses this now-$7 lotion […]

Formula-wise, it’s lightweight and fluid, meaning it blends seamlessly into the skin instead of sitting on top. There’s no chunky shimmer or sparkle; just a soft, diffused glow that catches the light in a flattering way. That’s key for a more elevated finish, especially if you want skin to look healthy and radiant rather than overly made up. It also layers well with other products, doesn’t pill and won’t emphasize dryness or texture when applied correctly.

The glowy product has over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. One reviewer said it’s “super smooth” and “blends beautifully,” while another raved that it gives the skin a “nice healthy glow.”

If you’re looking to add that effortless, radiant finish to your routine, this is an easy, affordable place to start. Shop the glow-boosting favorite while it’s on sale and give your skin that lit-from-within look!

Get the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion for $15 (originally $18) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more glowy lotions here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!