Entertainment
8 Drama Shows I Knew Would Be Masterpieces After the First 10 Minutes
Since television is a way to tell an ongoing story across dozens – or even hundreds – of episodes, and across multiple years, it’s possible to find certain shows that ended up being great, but took some time to find their footing. You could argue Better Call Saul started off good, but took a while to become great, and if you go into sitcom territory, you can find tons of shows where the first season was one of the weaker – or even weakest – ones (like Seinfeld, The Office, and arguably The Simpsons).
But to stick to the drama side of things, here are some shows that inspired confidence right out of the gate. Even more specifically than great pilots, these shows all had great opening scenes, which means that some opening episodes that end with a bang – like The Shield’s – might not necessarily be mentioned here. If a show had an instantly great hook, though, or opened in a way that, in hindsight, feels like a summation of the entire series, then it might well be mentioned below.
‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)
Admittedly, The Wire is one of those shows that gets better as it goes along, mostly since it takes a while to get the hang of what the whole show’s going for. So it’s less that The Wire took some time to find its footing, and more that it might take you some time to find your footing, because Season 1 throws you into the deep end, and some catch-up is required before things start truly hitting and resonating.
But the opening episode is still strong, and it begins with a conversation that really sets the tone going forward, with McNulty (Dominic West) talking to someone who witnessed a murder, but in a very different way to most crime/police procedurals. It instantly feels grounded, the acting is great straight away, and the dialogue is immediately compelling and easy to appreciate, so you feel confident early on that you’re in good hands (and, given how great the rest of the show is, it turns out you really were).
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Say what you want about the final season, but for a while, Game of Thrones was a masterful drama series that also functioned as a fantasy/action/adventure series, albeit being all those things in a very dark way. When it had source material to rely on, it was a great adaptation, and problems started to emerge when Game of Thrones overtook most of the material found in the Song of Ice and Fire series.
But to focus on the good, the opening scene of Game of Thrones sets the stage well, since viewers are introduced to one of the main threats going forward (the White Walkers), and the tone is set by having some characters who feel like they could be important to die straight away. It’s also a brutal and eerie prologue, cluing you in to the idea, early on, that this isn’t exactly going to be a pleasant or “fun for the whole family” sort of fantasy story, by any means.
‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)
Death is constant throughout Six Feet Under, occasionally for the main characters, but often for side/one-off characters. A death is seen at the start of almost every episode, which is fitting, considering the show’s setting is mostly around a funeral home, and the first episode is no exception. Here, though, it’s the death of the patriarch of the family who runs the funeral home who dies quite suddenly: Nathaniel Fisher Sr. (Richard Jenkins).
So, everyone else is thrown into chaos, and things shift, and continue to do so throughout Six Feet Under‘s five largely great seasons. There’s stuff here about the absurdity of life and death, a great deal of tragedy, and some dark comedy, too, all of it established right in the opening moments of the show, and the events here really do reverberate and echo for dozens of episodes to come.
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
Some people will say that Succession starts off a little wonky, but some people are wrong. Right from the jump, the characters here are flawed, pitiful, cringe-inducing, and yet still compelling all at once. The show’s unique style of humor is found very early on; it establishes its visual style straight away; the writing (though it perhaps got even better) is already strong; and the impressive music is here, too (albeit a little pervasive; they used it slightly more sparingly later on).
As for the opening of the series premiere? “Celebration” sees Logan (Brian Cox) peeing on a carpet in the middle of the night, and then the next scene is Kendall (Jeremy Strong) being as embarrassing as ever, trying to hype himself up for a meeting by rapping along to music in the back of a car. It’s chaotic, strange, uncomfortable, and kind of funny straight away, and these are all constants throughout the rest of Succession.
‘Lost’ (2004–2010)
Without a doubt, the pilot episode of Lost is one of the all-time greatest. It’s cinematic in a way that no network drama had ever really been before then, and honestly, the scope here trumps most of the HBO-level shows that were airing around this time, too. It’s a show that’s initially about a plane crash on a very strange island, and it kicks off right in the thick of it, with the aftermath of the crash itself.
The opening sequence follows Jack (Matthew Fox), who’s the closest thing Lost has to a main character, as he realizes what’s happened and does what he can – in typical Jack fashion – to take charge and save people from the wreckage. You get small insights into various other important characters, all before the pilot episode jumps back to cover a little more by way of events leading up to the crash. It’s immediately engrossing and intense stuff, and makes Lost exciting straight away. Also, one of the very first shots being mirrored at the very end of the series is neat (if you know, you know).
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
Okay, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a bit of a strange example to include here, since “Welcome to the Hellmouth” is a good opening episode, but maybe not a great one. It does what it needs to when it comes to introducing all the main characters, and you get the kind of humor, campy horror, and character interactions here you can expect going forward… but it’s the start of the episode that hints at the greatness to come.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a show that’s all about subversion and playing with conventions, and so opening with a scene that seems to put a young woman in danger, only to have her actually be the “monster”, so to speak, transforming into a vampire and killing her male accomplice? It’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a nutshell, even if it doesn’t feature the titular character straight away (though Darla, played by Julie Benz, is ultimately fairly important for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and then an even more vital piece of Angel later on).
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
Unlike some of the other shows mentioned here, The Sopranos doesn’t have an episode that entirely sets up the show going forward. There are some oddities here with the soundtrack, for example, and the voiceover/narration, which isn’t really a thing going forward. But thematically, The Sopranos lays its cards on the table straight away, and the ever-important dynamic between Tony (James Gandolfini) and his therapist, Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) is also instantly there.
The opening scene of The Sopranos also feels a little odd with its pacing, making viewers sit in silence with Tony as he waits for his first appointment, and then things bounce around more emotionally when he starts to talk about his fairly strange life, and even stranger personal problems. The Sopranos changes a bit after this, and finds its voice to some extent later on in an even stronger way, but the first episode is still fantastic, and establishes enough – with sufficient confidence – to make you feel like you’re in for something pretty great.
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
The pilot for Lost might be better overall, but if you’re talking about the first 5 or 10 minutes of a TV show, then nothing trumps Breaking Bad. It’s instantly chaotic, with Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in a wild situation that one expects the whole first season to build up to. But no, Breaking Bad is fast-paced enough that once it does flash back, it really doesn’t take long to cover how things got to where they were.
And the chaos here is controlled, and in hindsight, Walt’s whole character – and some of his flaws – are evident immediately. It’s impossible to watch the opening scene here without instantly wanting to know what happened before everything went to hell, and doing that on top of setting up a complex main character, establishing a pace, and also introducing a bold visual style, all in minutes? Yep, Breaking Bad starts with the “bangiest” of bangs, and it’s remarkable that the show itself somehow gets even better from here.
Breaking Bad
- Release Date
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2008 – 2013-00-00
- Network
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AMC
- Showrunner
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Vince Gilligan
- Directors
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Vince Gilligan, Michelle Maclaren
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Summer House star Ciara Miller publicly accused ex West Wilson of sleeping with The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Jennifer Fessler — a claim both Wilson and Fessler have firmly denied.
The cross-franchise feud spilled across red carpets and social media in May 2026, with Fessler even arguing the rumor is best described as an act of “libel.”
Keep scrolling for a complete breakdown of the Bravo drama:
Summer House’s West Wilson is setting the record straight after Ciara Miller accused him of sleeping with Jennifer Fessler. Ciara, 30, made the claim on Friday, May 8, after Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Jennifer, 57, defended West amid his ongoing relationship dramas. “[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog. He does […]
Jennifer Fessler Defends West Wilson on the Red Carpet
The drama kicked off in early May 2026, when Fessler was asked about Wilson’s Summer House scandal at Vulture‘s The Masterminds of Reality TV event. (Wilson announced his relationship with costar Amanda Batula in March 2026, despite his previous fling with her former BFF Miller in 2023.)
Speaking with Page Six on the red carpet, Fessler had nothing but kind words about Wilson.
“[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog. He does not mean any harm. He didn’t mean it,” Fessler said. “He’s just trying to have a good time. He doesn’t wanna hurt anyone. Give him a break.”
Ciara Miller Accuses West Wilson and Jennifer Fessler of Hooking Up
When Fessler’s red-carpet defense was shared via Threads the next day, Miller fired back with a pointed comment.
“Lol, because they slept together too,” she wrote.
Hours later, Miller appeared to double down by reposting a Summer House still of Batula on Threads with the caption: “If I send this to you I’m about to lie straight to your face.”
West Wilson and Jennifer Fessler Deny the Allegations
Wilson responded swiftly via his Instagram Stories within hours, writing “news to me” alongside a meme indicating confusion. A source close to Wilson told Us Weekly that the claim was “absolutely not true,” calling the rumor “such a silly allegation.”
Fessler issued her own denial to Page Six, stating, “It’s flattering that anyone would think someone who slept with Ciara Miller would be interested in sleeping with me.”
Jennifer, who has been married to husband Jeff Fessler since 1999, took a more serious tone the next day.
In a statement shared via her Instagram Story, Jennifer wrote, “In all seriousness, and while I can’t help but be a little flattered, it is not nice nor is it OK to post something categorically untrue and defamatory on social media. Regardless of whatever rumors or apparent ‘evidence’ led you to that conclusion, that is the definition of libel.”
She added, “If it were true, I would have no recourse. Because it’s a lie, this can get more complicated. Having said that, I hope we can rectify this. It’s enough now.”
A Complicated History
Fessler and Wilson have a friendly history of their own. The pair went viral in a May 2024 Instagram video, where they coined the term “Messy Wessy” about the sports journalist. Fessler later told Us she “didn’t realize at the time” that Wilson was “America’s Sweetheart” and apologized for poking fun at his name.
“I feel terrible because my best friend who was there, she took it,” Jennifer explained to Us in June 2024. “There are times where I just think I’m so funny, and I just think everyone would think that I’m so funny. … He’s just like a golden retriever puppy. He’s the cutest. He looks kind of confused and cool. We met each other and he was so adorable — and then we got smashed. So, everything was just so funny.”
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn a proposed FDA rule that would’ve banned tanning bed use for minors.
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the withdrawal of the proposed rule titled ‘General and Plastic Surgery Devices: Restricted Sale, Distribution, and Use of Sunlamp Products,’ which published in the Federal Register of December 22, 2015,” RFK Jr. the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Donald Trump’s administration, wrote in a March 2026 withdrawal letter.
“FDA is taking this action because it no longer intends to finalize the proposed rule,” the controversial HHS secretary continued, citing “support for personal choice and parental decision-making; availability and relative safety of sunlamp production alternatives; and compliance burdens on small businesses.”
“In light of the scientific and technical concerns raised in the comments on the Proposed Rule, concerns regarding possible unintended consequences of certain proposals in the Proposed Rule, and potential alternatives proposed in comments received on the Proposed Rule, FDA is withdrawing the Proposed Rule in order to reconsider the best means for addressing the issues covered by the Proposed Rule and related issues regarding access to sunlamp products,” Kennedy added.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is under fire once again after digitally altering a now-infamous photo featuring an Air Force One McDonald’s meal. The current secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shared a festive, but clearly altered image on Thursday, November 27, in honor of Thanksgiving. “Happy Thanksgiving!” RFK Jr. captioned the post, […]
While skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer — an estimated 1 in 5 Americans develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology — wellness influencers have increasingly advocated for more sun exposure while denouncing sunscreen and similar products as harmful or toxic.
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Getty Images
Dr. Vinod Nambudiri, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, told The New York Times that people should at the very least use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30, adding, “There’s no harm in going higher, though.”
RFK Jr., who ran for president in 2024 before ending his candidacy and endorsing now-President Trump, is known for espousing conspiracy theories related to healthcare, including denouncing vaccines and arguing that Black people have different immune systems.
In 2021, Kennedy claimed that Black people should follow a different vaccine schedule than white people because their immune systems are “stronger” – a racist medical trope that has long been debunked.
During a February 12 appearance on the ‘This Past Weekend With Theo Von” podcast, RFK Jr. said he isn’t “afraid” of germs because he used to do drugs off toilet seats.
“I’m not scared of a germ,” he said at the time. “I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats. I know this disease [addiction] will kill me. If I don’t treat it, which for me means going to meetings everyday, it’s just bad for my life. For me, it was just survival.”
The Valley star Zack Wickham is reacting to his costar Janet Caperna’s generous offer to serve as his surrogate.
“I’ve never wanted to, like, say, ‘No, thank you,’ faster,” Zack exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, May 7. “Oh my god, could you imagine?”
The reality TV star continued, “I just don’t even know what that would entail. I do think she was, you know, saying it in a joking manner. Because I think if I followed through with it, she’d be like, ‘Oh yeah, no, no, no, no, no.’”
Zack and Janet star on Bravo’s hit reality TV series The Valley alongside Brittany Cartwright, Jesse Lally, Daniel Booko, Kristen Doute, Lala Kent, Nia Sanchez, Jasmine Goode, Jason Caperna and Tom Schwartz.
For the uninitiated, Janet — who welcomed son Cameron with husband Jason after season 1 filming wrapped in December 2023 — offered her friend her uterus during season 3, episode 6 of the hit series.
Jason Caperna, guest, Jasmine Goode, Janet Caperna and Zack Wickham Getty Images
“Do you guys want babies,” Janet asks Zack and his boyfriend Benji during a group trip to San Diego.
“Uh huh,” Zack says in response, before pointing to his boyfriend and saying, “It’s a non-negotiable for him. He can take care of both me and a child. It’s, like, two kids. It’s fine.”
“Just let me know when you need a uterus,” Janet quipped.
“Stop offering your uterus out,” her husband Jason chimed in.
“I’m sure if Zack’s not ready for me to be planning his birthday he’s probably also not ready for me to carry his child, but a girl can dream,” Janet then tells the cameras of the heartwarming, on-camera moment.
Despite the heartwarming moment during the cast trip, Zack told Us that he and Janet’s friendship experienced another significant up-and-down cycle on season 3.
“You will see us go kind of back and forth,” he explained. “I think when we sat down at the pool we had a discussion — you see, you know, a portion of it, but it was a much longer discussion — and I felt throughout it [that] she was being very dismissive of how I was feeling, and not really being genuine with apologizing or with just us being able to move forward.”
He continued, “I know that she’s trying to say, ‘Oh, well, I’m just trying to joke so that we can move on.’ But I felt like that’s not really showing… these are not actions that are showing you’re moving forward. These are actually actions that are showing you’re trying to brush it under the rug. So, I think I struggle with that for a lot of the season, and I think she struggles with understanding why I’m coming from that angle. “
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These crime dramas and comedies explore both sides of the law.
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The 26-year-old musician was shot multiple times in a Tampa parking lot in a 2024 incident tied to a Jacksonville gang war, investigators said.
Missé Beqiri is paying tribute to her ex Jake Hall after his untimely death at age 35.
“I never thought I would ever have to write this, and the pain of even putting these words down feels unbearable,” Beqiri, 39, wrote in a Saturday, May 9, Instagram statement. “There was no way you were ever supposed to go. My heart is shattered, and so is our daughter’s.”
“You lit up every room you walked into — your smile, your charm, your energy that filled the air. The way you loved music, how deeply you felt every sound, your creativity, your mind, your spirit. You were so deeply loved by so many people, and seeing the love everyone has for you is both heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.”
Beqiri further stated that she loved Hall “from the very first moment” the met.
“Together, we created the most beautiful girl, the one you loved more than anything in this world, beyond words,” she continued, referring to their 8-year-old daughter, River. “Your love for her was so strong it almost scared me because I knew you would go to the ends of the earth for her.”
Beqiri added, “You will be missed. I promise to keep River safe, loved and wrapped in the kind of love you gave so effortlessly. You are at peace now. … You left behind your mini version, our River, and for that we are forever grateful. You will always live on through her, and you will forever be with us.”
Although Beqiri and Hall were no longer romantically involved at the time of his death, the pair remained linked since they shared daughter River. Following news of Hall’s death, Beqiri’s rep released a statement to The Mirror.
“At this time, Missé’s focus is on supporting and protecting their child as they come to terms with this,” the May 7 statement read. “The family are asking for privacy, compassion and respect while they grieve privately.”
Earlier that day, The Sun reported that Hall was found dead in a villa following a house party in Majorca, Spain. He appeared to sustain fatal head wounds, leading authorities to speculate that he may have hit his head on a glass door.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. The year started off with Broadway performer and influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford’s death at age 46. At the end of the month, comedy acting icon Catherine O’Hara died at age 71. In February, Designing Women’s Camilla Carr died at age 83, Dawson’s Creek […]
Neighbors allegedly heard “loud noises” hours before police arrived at the scene, though one person told local outlet Ultima Hora that Hall “hadn’t been causing problems” and seemed “relatively normal.”
Still, the neighbor claimed to be scared of some of Hall’s friends. “I began to hear a very loud noise, as if they were drilling something,” the individual alleged. “They stopped after about five minutes, and then I fell asleep.”
While police reportedly questioned four men and two women staying at the property, no arrests were made at the time. An autopsy was scheduled to take place in Palma.
Shortly before his death, Hall posted a cryptic message on social media.
“Life is bollocks sometimes but I’m gonna try to remember the good things,” he wrote via Instagram on May 5. “Looking through things — I’m just making art — in many forms.”
Hall achieved reality TV stardom while appearing on seasons 14 through 17 of the British series The Only Way Is Essex from 2015 to 2016.
“Jake was a part of the TOWIE family for a number of years and we send our very deepest sympathies to his family and friends following today’s very sad news,” read a statement from The Only Way Is Essex.
Beqiri, for her part, got her start on reality TV on the British series The Real Housewives of Cheshire, appearing as a main cast member from 2016 to 2017. Earlier this year, she starred on season 4 of Ladies of London: The New Reign, a rebooted version of the Bravo reality series that originally aired from 2014 to 2017.
After welcoming their daughter in November 2017, Hall and Beqiri got engaged in May 2018. However, the on-off couple split shortly afterward.
In addition to River, Beqiri is also the mother of son Julian from her marriage to ex-husband Anders Lindegaard.
Entertainment
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sued by Miami cops for defamation over portrayal in their movie “The Rip”
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Two officers in the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office claim the actors’ Netflix crime drama caused “substantial harm to their personal and professional reputations.”
Sadie Robertson revealed her 8-month-old daughter, Kit, has been battling an “underlying” health condition after two choking incidents.
“A month since Kit choked, and what we thought was a one-time event, [it] happened again shortly after,” Robertson, 28, wrote via Instagram on Friday, May 8, referring to her child’s health scare last month. “That was the beginning of discovering something underlying.”
She continued, “Praise the Lord that for such a scary and life-threatening event we had, it was a relatively small fix [and] because of the incredible doctors, and she is healing now. God really does establish STRENGTH in the mouth of infants 😭🙌🥲.”
Robertson, who shares Kit with husband Christian Huff, did not disclose their daughter’s diagnosis amid her recovery.
Sadie Robertson offered a critical update on her baby daughter Kit’s condition after the child choked and stopped breathing. “I’m currently walking through the waves of anxiety from the trauma of the situation, and the immense gratitude for the miracle of Kit’s full recovery and God’s undeniable hand on this situation,” Robertson, 28, revealed via […]
“This past month has marked us in a way that will take a while to unpack,” the Duck Dynasty star wrote on Friday. “It has tested faith, and strengthened it. We’ve seen things that brought a lot of trauma, and also seen miracles on miracles that I’ll tell stories about forever! The power of prayer has marked us, the love of community, amazing doctors and nurses and the evidence of God’s faithful hand in the midst of uncertainty.”
Robertson also shares daughters Honey, 4, and Haven, 2, with Huff, 27, and has found solace in prayer amid Kit’s health scare.
“God is faithful, He is good, He is an ever-present help in times of trouble, He is a provider and protector,” Robertson said. “And the church is a wonderful place that displays His love in times like this. It is hard to know how to step back into reality after times like this, but we will one day and one moment at a time trusting the Lord will meet us in it!”
According to Robertson, she and Huff are “working with an incredible group of doctors and therapists” regarding Kit’s care.
“We kindly ask for no further medical advice on this platform,” she concluded her upload.
Sadie Robertson has been open and honest about her experience with motherhood. The Duck Dynasty star, who shares three children with husband Christian Huff, has not shied away from discussing intimate details about her births and postpartum struggles over the years. (She welcomed daughters Honey James, Haven Belle and Kit Carroway in May 2021, May […]
Huff responded to his wife’s post, writing, “You’re the best mom ❤️.”
Robertson shared via social media in April that Kit briefly stopped breathing that month.
“I’m currently walking through the waves of anxiety from the trauma of the situation, and the immense gratitude for the miracle of Kit’s full recovery and God’s undeniable hand on this situation,” she wrote on April 11. ““I’ve been off social media and having my family and amazing team help me on here for some time while I work on having a sound mind.”
Robertson explained that Kit “began to choke” while eating a snack that week.
“Within seconds, you could tell the severity of the situation. My mom pulled her from the high chair and placed my girl into my arms just as she stopped breathing,” she recalled at the time. “Everyone went into action and into prayer. Mom called 911, I started CPR, and everyone began to pray out loud and move the other kids downstairs.”
Kit eventually “miraculously coughed and began to breathe” after Robertson’s attempts at CPR.
The history of film dates back to 1888, although the supposed starting point of Louis Le Prince‘s Roundhay Garden Scene is debated by some. Nevertheless, there is no debating how impressively extensive cinema’s 137-year catalog is, with technological advancements and improvements in film-specific storytelling helping to enhance its quality.
Among this long history of cinema are a select few gems that have done the unthinkable and proved universally popular. Given the rise of social media and the ability for any viewer to share their opinion with the world, for a film to avoid negativity and find its place in the hearts of audiences, regardless of age or taste, is an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated. With that in mind, here’s a look at seven of the most universally loved movies of all time, ranked.
7
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
As the opening of a stage musical and the box office re-release this year prove, the universal love for Back to the Future has perhaps even increased over time. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the movie follows the charismatic but insecure Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) as he and his mad scientist friend Doc Emmett L. Brown (Christopher Lloyd) travel through time via a DeLorean to save the lives of those they love.
One of the biggest box office hits of 1985, Back to the Future was an enormous hit upon arrival, turning Fox into a global star almost overnight. Packed with memorable moments, the film is crucially just as funny as it is emotionally engaging and boasts a near-perfect 95% score from audiences on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The film won an Academy Award for Sound Effects Editing back in 1986, losing out on a screenplay trophy to Witness in one of the worst snubs of that year.
6
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)
The summer blockbuster has lost its charm in recent years, as it was once the perfect box office slot for the biggest and best films. In 1993, that slot went to Jurassic Park, the story of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and chaos theorist Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), as they are invited to visit an island theme park populated by dinosaurs ahead of its public opening. However, little do they know the danger they are about to face.
As many of the most beloved films do, Jurassic Park spawned a dino-sized franchise and six sequels to date, with the most recent, Jurassic World Rebirth, becoming one of 2025’s biggest box office hits. However, none have ever matched the awe-inspiring vision of the original, with groundbreaking CGI and animatronics still dropping jaws to this day.
5
‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
The teen movie has often proven universally popular, mainly for its ability to capture a moment in time for a generation of adolescents. Of all the best this genre has to offer, none are quite as beloved as The Breakfast Club. Following five high school students as they spend a Saturday in detention together, the film details their differences and finds their unlikely similarities as their lives are changed forever in just one day.
On its 40th anniversary, this 1985 John Hughes cult classic has been receiving plenty of love, proving popular in its limited box office re-release in September. A genius coming-of-age story that is both a visual time capsule of the mid-1980s and an enduring tale of acceptance and identity, teenage lives are still being changed with one viewing of The Breakfast Club.
4
‘Alien’ (1979)
To define a genre, like the previously mentioned The Breakfast Club, is impressive enough. Ridley Scott’s Alien managed to define two, becoming one of the flagship horror and sci-fi movies of not just the 1970s but of all time. The film follows the crew of the commercial space towing vessel Nostromo, who, after attending to what they thought was a distress call, soon find themselves under siege from a terrifying monster.
Everything from the movie’s central monster to its iconic tagline (“In space, no one can hear you scream”) has been cemented into popular culture ever since Alien debuted. Key to the movie’s universal popularity is Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), a defining female character who paved the way for many more badasses that followed. For many, this is the greatest horror or sci-fi film ever made, and for all, it’s certainly in the conversation.
3
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)
When it comes to movies that are beloved by both audiences and critics, few have managed to have the same impact as The Shawshank Redemption. The movie follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man sent to prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite being innocent. Having to navigate the harsh reality of life behind bars, the last thing Andy expects is to find hope and a best friend in the form of longtime inmate Red (Morgan Freeman).
From career-best performances to a pitch-perfect ending, The Shawshank Redemption was rightfully heralded as a masterpiece by critics and nominated for an impressive seven Academy Awards. However, it is the film’s life-affirming message, proving to be one of the best entries into the hopecore sub-genre, that likely helps it stay universally beloved after over three decades. Widely cited as one of the best movies of all time, Frank Darabont’s masterpiece is one everyone should watch at least once.
2
‘The Lion King’ (1994)
It seems that animated movies don’t quite face much of the same scrutiny as live-action tales. To some extent, this is because of the ability to make animated creations perfectly infallible and universally endearing, with only the coldest of hearts unable to melt at the sight of a cute cartoon character. With that in mind, it should be no wonder that a film like The Lion King is on this list.
But rarely has an animated movie been quite so successful with both critics and audiences. Winning two Oscars from four nominations, The Lion King was also an enormous success at the box office, earning just shy of $1 billion worldwide on a budget of only $45 million. From an iconic soundtrack that inspired a stage musical to stunning animation and a story so timeless that it is loosely based on a Shakespeare play, few animated movies have ever quite had the impact of The Lion King.
1
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Martin Scorsese‘s filmography is bursting at the seams with masterpieces. From Taxi Driver to Killers of the Flower Moon, few directors can match the consistency, quality, and longevity of the Academy Award winner. Although some of his best remain divisive in smaller circles, there is perhaps none from his catalog to be quite as universally beloved as Goodfellas.
From the immortal opening line: “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster,” right through to the film’s captivating closing sequence, not a moment of Goodfellas isn’t touched by the artistry of a genius at the peak of his powers. Featuring the trio of Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, each at their very best, the film weaves between the hilarious, the emotionally poignant, and the shockingly violent, portraying the perfect picture of the highs, lows, and in-betweens in the life of Henry Hill (Liotta). As far as gangster flicks go, there isn’t one more universally loved than Goodfellas.
- Release Date
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September 19, 1990
- Runtime
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145 minutes
- Producers
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Barbara De Fina
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