Over the years, stories have made the most of criminals with good intentions. Some have undergone impressive redemption arcs, while others have always been good but worked outside the system, but it is undeniable that people flock to these stories. However, one 2008 TNT series with this concept is unfairly forgotten. Leverage takes the Robin Hood idea and applies it to modern con artists in a five-season heist series that can be watched over and over again. Though Leverage may not have been the most popular show, it got a three-season sequel on Prime Video, Leverage: Redemption, which continues the story with a few new faces, proving that there are plenty of stories to tell about these unlikely heroes.

The original series centers on five complex and lovable characters who use their morally questionable talents for good as they defend those who are taken advantage of by the rich and powerful. Though the action sets Leverage apart, it’s the characters that are the heart of the show as they show off their skills, face their fears, and let each other in. With over 70 episodes, each featuring a different job, Leverage offers a new and exciting story with each installment, making it the perfect show to have on repeat.

What Is ‘Leverage’ About?

The point of Leverage is the central group of thieves uniting to fight for the little guy. The team is formed by former insurance investigator, Nate (Timothy Hutton), who serves as the mastermind, using his years of chasing thieves (including his eventual friends) to plan elaborate heists in near-impossible situations. The rest of the group consists of Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), a grifter able to play any role, Eliot (Christian Kane), the hitter who rarely loses a fight, Hardison (Aldis Hodge), a gifted hacker, and Parker (Beth Riesgraf), a cat burglar, pickpocket, and safe-cracker. They each prefer to work on their own, but one unlikely mission proves that they make an impressive team, setting all five of them on a new path where they use detailed heists to target corruption and avenge ordinary people whom the system has failed.

Leverage‘s episodic format allows each story to stand on its own, but the characters all have their own journeys. Nate has perhaps the most unique story as he goes from a respected investigator to a criminal, but his journey isn’t black and white. Nate loses his career long before the events of the series, as the loss of his son and subsequent divorce ruined him both emotionally and financially. This newfound passion helps Nate heal while the rest begin to reform as they steal to help others and form a strange found family, especially as they learn more about each other. While the heist action is new every episode, the characters’ personal storylines develop slowly, making a compelling rewatch, especially considering it’s impossible to remember the details of every mission.

The Characters Are ‘Leverage’s Highlight

While the concept is exciting in itself, the characters make Leverage that much better. The main group doesn’t initially fit together, but they end up being exactly what the others need. While they all quickly choose to help others, it is a slow process of growth, and throughout the series, each one is haunted by their past. This allows all five heroes to grow throughout the series, proving that redemption isn’t something that happens immediately. Each character gets episodes to explore their growth as they return home to help their family or face their personal trauma. With the constant development, it’s hard not to get attached to these characters.

It’s a strange support group, but they are always there for each other, and with two slow-burning romances (one between Nate and Sophie and another between Parker and Hardison), the show keeps changing the dynamic. But one thing always remains: the humor. Though there are often dark realities that the characters face, Leverage never misses an opportunity to lighten the mood. With relentless gags, constant banter between Elliot and Hardison, Parker’s socially awkward personality, and shocking talents that come to light, the show offers plenty of laughs in the midst of the drama. While sorely underrated, Leverage is the perfect new comfort series where the heroes outmaneuver the bad guys in increasingly unexpected ways.

Leverage is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.

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2008 – 2012-00-00

Showrunner

Chris Downey

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Directors

Dean Devlin

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Taylor Swift has employed a non-conventional means to reach out to her wedding guests as her big day approaches.

According to a new report, the pop superstar has decided to skip the traditional method of sending out save the dates and is simply dialing up her guests to remind them of her upcoming nuptials.

This comes after it was revealed that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have already decided to get married in early July in New York, with a precise venue still uncertain.

Sources who spoke with TMZ revealed Swift had made a major pivot from the traditional route when it comes to wedding invitations ahead of her big days.

The singer has reportedly been personally calling her celebrity pals to let them know of her wedding to her NFL star fiancé, Kelce.

According to the news outlet, sources claim Swift has decided against mailing out “save the dates” in an attempt to keep things tightly under wraps and avoid the leak of information about her nuptials, as these kinds of invitations tend to go public.

The singer, along with some members of her team, is said to be handling the calls, but only letting the A-list guests know about the wedding without giving too much away.

Sources noted that due to this, guests are still unaware of the exact wedding date and location, and have to keep their schedules flexible as it will certainly happen this summer.

The Pop Star Is Also Being Careful About Her Wedding Gown Information Ahead Of Her Nuptials

News about Swift’s decision to personally call her friends to invite them to her wedding comes after insiders alleged that she has commissioned six gowns for her big day, with some meant to be used as decoys.

“There are multiple gowns standing by,” an insider told journalist Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” Substack, noting that Swift “could wear one dress the entire night” or switch into different gowns as the event progresses.

“Some of the dresses are deliberate decoys,” another insider explained, per The Blast. “The goal is to confuse people, stop leaks, and make sure nobody figures out the real look ahead of time.”

Designers Involved In Taylor Swift’s Wedding Had To Sign An ‘Ironclad’ NDA

With the recent information about Swift personally calling her guests, it’s no surprise that she would also go the extra mile to keep details about her wedding gown a secret, particularly with the help of non-disclosure agreements for designers involved.

“Every designer involved signed ironclad NDAs,” the insider noted. “No photos, no sketches, no fitting details — absolutely nothing is allowed to leak.”

They added that “Taylor wants complete control over the reveal” of her wedding gown design, which is bound to break the internet, with another source sharing that “everyone is desperate for that first image.”

The pop star’s wedding is being handled like a major Hollywood production,” an insider further alleged, noting that Swift “wants the moment to feel cinematic — a true jaw-dropping reveal.”

The Singer And NFL Star’s Wedding Might Have Two Major Ceremonies: A Huge Event And An Intimate Gathering

Swift is reportedly considering having double wedding ceremonies due to mounting security concerns.

According to Ok! Magazine, sources shared that the singer and her NFL beau have grown weary of possible safety issues due to growing media speculation about their nuptials, which could lead to potential stalkers causing a scene.

“Taylor is extremely aware of the risks that come with this level of fame and exposure, and there is a feeling that a single event simply cannot be protected in the way she would like,” an insider told the news outlet.

“The strategy being discussed is to hold one large, highly visible celebration with extensive security, which effectively acts as a decoy, while a second, much smaller ceremony takes place privately,” the source added.

They further noted that Swift believes that putting on a headline-grabbing event will help draw attention away from the intimate ceremony and greatly “reduce the risk of stalkers or troublemakers attempting to track her movements…”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Pre-Wedding Parties Are Expected To Be Lavish And Extravagant

Before their day, Swift and Kelce are already reportedly pulling out the stops for a memorable pre-wedding bash.

According to Closer Online, the singer has also set a very high spending budget to ensure all their needs are met, but they don’t go overboard for their bachelorette and bachelor parties.

“Taylor didn’t want money to be a factor in planning these parties, so she and Travis have set a $10 million limit,” an insider told the publication.

They added, “However, they’ve made it clear to their wedding party that if more needs to be spent to ensure everything runs smoothly, that won’t be an issue.”

The singer and NFL star will likely be employing the use of “private jets” for said parties along with “villa rentals, a large team of private staff to cater for guests, and plenty of other luxury extras.”

Britney Spears is back on Instagram after she was embroiled in reports of drama at a Los Angeles restaurant earlier this week.

Posting via Instagram Reels on Friday, May 15, Spears, 44, told her followers she was en route to see The Devil Wears Prada sequel.

“What’s up, world?” she said in the short clip, that appeared to be filmed inside her car. “So, I’m about to go see Devil Wears Prada 2.”

She joked, “I personally prefer Chanel or Gucci but yo, if the devil says Prada, like I guess we should listen, right?”

Related: Britney Spears Defended by Restaurant Manager After ‘Erratic’ Night Out

Contrary to reports, Britney Spears was on her best behavior during a recent girls’ night out. After Spears, 43, and her assistant got dinner at Red O in Westlake Village, California, on October 22, eyewitnesses claimed to the Daily Mail that the pop star acted “erratically” at the Mexican restaurant before “dangerously” speeding back to her […]

The “Toxic” singer also shared her enthusiasm for the cinema treats that she couldn’t wait to get her hands on.

“Anyways, I came here for the buttered popcorn and the Slurpee. F**k yeah, Slurpees. Yes man, yes!” she said.

The Grammy winner’s movie outing comes after her representatives blasted a recent restaurant incident as being “blown out of proportion.”

Journalist Jeff Sneider went viral on X on Wednesday, May 13 after posting about his alleged experience dining at a restaurant near Spears.

“I am having dinner next to Britney Spears right now and it’s a WILD experience,” Sneider claimed via X at the time. “She just left and everyone in the restaurant turned and started talking about it. An INSANE dining experience. One diner feared for her life. This is not a joke…”

TMZ reported Spears was dining with friends at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks, California. One witness alleged to the publication that the singer was raising her voice, screaming and even barking at times during the meal.

Related: Britney Spears Deletes Instagram Amid Kevin Federline’s Memoir Controversy

Britney Spears deactivated her Instagram account amid a public battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. A message appeared on the account held by Spears, 43, on Sunday, November 2, that read, “The profile you’re looking for doesn’t exist.” Us has reached out to a representative for Spears for comment. The deactivation comes after a string […]

The following day, Spears’ team set the record straight via a statement shared with Us Weekly.

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“This is completely blown out of proportion. Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard,” a rep for Spears told Us on Thursday, May 14. “She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors.”

The statement continued, “At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half. This constant attack on everything that she does and this is exactly what happened 20 years ago when the media tried to depict Britney as a bad person. This is ridiculous, and it needs to stop now.”

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the follow-up to the successful original, which was released in 2006. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt reprised their roles as Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton respectively.

Roommates, years after Young Dolph’s murder shocked the hip-hop community, another major update in the case is making headlines. Cornelius Smith, one of the men charged in Dolph’s killing, has officially been sentenced after accepting a plea deal. And, the details are sparking reactions online.

RELATED: Hernandez Govan Found Not Guilty On All Charges In Young Dolph’s Death

Cornelius Smith Sentenced After Accepting Plea Deal

According to reports, Smith was originally facing several charges, including first-degree murder. He also faced conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. However, on Friday, Smith pled guilty to second-degree murder as part of an agreement that resulted in the remaining charges being dropped. Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole. However, his attorney, Michael Scholl, said he’ll receive credit for time already served, leaving him with around 15 years remaining. Scholl also shared that Smith has shown remorse throughout the process.

“He’s been extremely remorseful for what’s going on, and just trying to do whatever he could do just to make things just a little bit right.”

Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman added that Young Dolph’s family had been aware of the plea agreement and understood Smith’s cooperation played a role in helping prosecutors build the case.

The Internet Don’t Play About Young Dolph

Roommates immediately flooded The Shade Room’s comment section after the sentencing news broke. And whew — everybody had something to say. Some argued that 20 years wasn’t nearly enough time for the role Smith played in Young Dolph’s murder. Others filled the comments with messages of support for the late rapper, writing “Long Live Dolph” and sharing prayer emojis. Meanwhile, several commenters expressed heartbreak over yet another case involving Black men losing their lives or spending years behind bars.

One Instagram user @kan.disaa commented “Is that 20 to life? Cause just 20 not enough time😒”

This Instagram user @yourmommasnameiskaren said, “Yall can’t read? He’s cooperated from the time he got arrested and the family is aware of this“

And, Instagram user @pretty_evelynnn claimed, “Dolph didn’t deserve that 🥹🐬🐬🐬”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @madmariodelo wrote, “LL🐬”

While Instagram user @greenbayp_202 said, “and he might not have to do the whole 20 🤦🏾‍♂️”

Lastly, Instagram user @iknowwhereiwanttoeat added, “It’s been a long time come. So sad to see black men taking the lives of other black men .. it has to stop“

Jury Clears Hernandez Govan In Young Dolph Case

RELATED: Hernandez Govan: What’s Going On In The Second Trial Over Young Dolph’s Ambush Death? (COURT PHOTOS)

Kanye ‘Ye’ West is slowly rebuilding his fallen Jericho walls with Israel.

The rapper who scarred his career with antisemitic posts and controversial social media rants has been trying to make attempts in the Jewish community. The damage spread widely across other countries, leading to canceled tours and career setbacks.

Kanye ‘Ye’ West, now known mononymously as Ye, is moving past words to deeds in showing remorse. He has previously apologized for his past antisemitic remarks, blaming the actions on bipolar disorder.

Since Ye got canceled for his “Death con 3” tweets in 2022, Israeli’s and the Jewish community have cut ties with him, but that seems to be letting up gradually. The artist recently shook hands with an Israeli businessman to put on an upcoming concert.

He has officially partnered with Guy Beser and Blue Stone Productions to play at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, Georgia. Within a day, 70,000 tickets for the rapper’s show were sold out.

Initial reports carried that Beser’s Live Nation Israel was producing the concert, but Live Nation cleared the air, telling TMZ that it is not promoting or producing the show.

The concert is being produced by Besr’s independent production company, Blue Stone. While Live Nation has partnered with Beser and BSP in the past, it has no hand in Ye’s Georgia concert.

However, it should be noted that Beser’s LinkedIn page says he founded Live Nation Israel and serves as CEO.   

Despite this, the fact that the iconic rapper is willing to work with a guy who founded a company with Israel in the title is a shocking step to progress, considering his antisemitic past. 

The Past Still Looms Over The Hip-Hop Artist’s Present

Although Ye is fostering bonds in the Jewish community, not everyone is ready to welcome him with open arms.

Stepping up as a recovering Neo-Nazi, the musician took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January to apologize for his past actions.

He cited comments he made praising Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders, emphasizing remorse for his past stance.

“Everything Kanye has said and done against the Jewish community is unforgettable, and for many people, deeply hurtful,” one Israeli music executive said, describing his concert as “disgusting.”

This comes after the rapper recently visited a Jewish Human Rights Center, where Dave Chappelle even invited him onstage, welcoming him back into the community.

Ye’s unforgettable actions “raise difficult questions about where the industry draws the line between business, entertainment, and accountability.”

Other Jewish entertainers like Seth Rogen and Jon Stewart are yet to extend the scarlet thread of forgiveness to the rapper.

 The Yeezy Founder Was Recently On A Canceled Concerts Streak

Just days before Ye visited the Simon Wiesenthal Jewish Human Rights Center in Beverly Hills last month, his scheduled performance in France was pushed off the calendar.

The Blast shared that a source claimed that Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was “highly determined” to ban the rapper’s Marseille performance.

They noted that Nunez was exploring “all possibilities” to make sure Ye’s performance does not see the light of day, adding that the French government did not want him in the country due to his past antisemitism.

The father of four announced that the Marseille concert had been postponed until further notice. At the time, he claimed the decision was made “after much thought and careful consideration.”  

This came a week after his scheduled performance at the Wireless Festival in London was canceled. The “Heartless” artist was banned from entering the country by the UK government based on his past antisemitic views and their disbelief that he had turned a new leaf.

Italian Mayor Is ‘Distancing Himself From Kanye West’

Besides the UK and France, Ye’s stops in Switzerland and Poland for his new album “Bully” have also been canceled.

Italy was reportedly looking to follow suit despite the thousands of tickets sold for his performance at the RCF Arena in the Northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia on July 18.

The Blast reported that the “Ghost Town” hitmaker is scheduled to headline the Hellwat Festival in front of over 100,000 spectators, which would be one of his biggest performances.

However, many in the city, including Reggio Emilia’s Jewish community, trade unions, and politicians, are pushing back on the performance with the controversial artist. 

The city’s mayor, Marco Massari, reportedly noted in a statement that he was “distancing himself from Kanye West’s behavior and remarks.” 

Pina Picierno, vice president of the European Parliament and senior member of Italy’s Democratic Party, also urged the Italian government to take action and stop Ye’s performance in their cities.

Kanye West Faced Backlash From Fellow Entertainers

Seth Rogen and Jon Stewart are not hiding the fact that they have yet to let go of Ye’s past and see him in a new light.

During an appearance at The Greek Theatre for the “Netflix Is A Joke” festival, the comedians did not hold back their tongues, addressing the Yeezy founder’s past.

Rogen joked about the festival’s lineup, stating that Ye managed to secure a spot despite the decline in his following. He criticized the father of four’s ability to continue pulling massive crowds owing to his past antisemitic comments.

“He had a song called ‘Heil Hitler,’ and he’s back. What’s funny is I’ve said critical things about Jewish people: I think I got in more trouble than Kanye West did,” Rogen said before joking that Adolf Hitler would probably be “torn” over the rapper if he lived in this time.

The Blast shared that Stewart also condemned Ye’s actions, saying, “I don’t think I need to listen to anybody who thinks Hitler needs to be forgiven, but is still mad at Pete Davidson.”

Will this partnership help Kanye ‘Ye’ West’s search for a fresh start?

Fantasy TV has seen a massive uptick in recent years; there’s no denying that. It’s been sort of a trend since the boom in the early 2010s, which has resulted in a lot of great series over the years, both live-action and animated. Most people tend to watch their favorite shows multiple times, which is a normal practice that is becoming more common with the rise of on-demand viewing.

However, there are a lot of fantasy TV shows that should absolutely be rewatched at least once—in fact, they demand it. This is because they are either so complex, comedic, or subtle that there are things that can be missed the first time. Either that or they’re just so good that a second viewing only makes the audience like it more. These are the best fantasy TV shows that are even better the second time around.

10

‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)

Image via Netflix

The Dragon Prince is geared more towards younger audiences, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t appreciate it, too. This seven-part animated series takes viewers to the world of Xadia, a vast continent that is tearing itself apart. The humans of Xadia, who are non-magical, have begun a catastrophic war with the magical elves and dragons, and it falls to a select few to bring peace to the land.

One of the main reasons The Dragon Prince is even better the second time around is because Xadia is a vast, lore-heavy world that’s honestly a lot to take in at first. It’s a really fun and interesting place to learn about, but not everything is going to be absorbed by everybody on the first go. As such, it makes a second or even third viewing much more enjoyable, allowing audiences to immerse themselves deeper in this wondrous world.

9

‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)

Image via FX

Taika Waititi‘s What We Do in the Shadows follows the lives of a group of traditional vampires in 21st-century New York City, which is about as chaotic as it sounds. The fantasy mockumentary often follows the vampires as they clash with other fantastical creatures and beings, but not nearly as much as they clash with themselves. Seriously, it feels like they spend more time fighting each other than they do dealing with their actual problems sometimes.

This absurdist dark comedy got a lot of love online, with people adoring its charming humor, ridiculous premise, and throwback to the television era of the 90s and 2000s (which frequently featured vampires in modern settings). This show gets even better the second time around, not just because of its jokes, but also because the ridiculous plot just gets funnier and funnier the more you think about it.

8

‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Image via Netflix

Arcane is based on the MOBA video game League of Legends, and successfully broke the curse of bad video game adaptations, thanks in no small part to some of the lead game developers also creating the show. The story follows two of the game’s playable champions in a story of love and sacrifice, and incorporates elements of steampunk and sci-fi along with the fantastical setting.

This show was so good that it won a whopping eight Primetime Emmy Awards, which is very impressive for a video game adaptation. To be honest, there aren’t any specific aspects that make this show better on a second viewing. It’s just that it’s so insanely rewatchable that it never gets old, and each subsequent viewing tends to only remind people why they loved it so much in the first place.

7

‘Kaos’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

Kaos is a Netflix fantasy comedy that was unceremoniously axed after just one season, in spite of positive reviews from critics and audiences. The series follows the pantheon of Greek gods in a modern setting, who are about to be overthrown by three mortal humans. Its dark jokes and gallows humour really set it apart from other fantasy comedies, as did its A-list cast and abrasive wit.

The thing about Kaos is that its punchlines are sometimes so subtle that it can be hard to catch them the first time. A lot of the jokes have multiple layers, which only get funnier once they’ve been heard more than once. At just a few short episodes, the show is certainly easy to rewatch multiple times, as many have done to cope with the unjustified cancellation. Ask any fan of this show, and they’ll likely agree that they only noticed things the second or third time that they didn’t pick up on in their initial viewing.

6

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Image via HBO

HBO’s His Dark Materials is based on a novel trilogy of the same name by Phillip Pullman, and is the second adaptation of the work following an embarrassing movie attempt in 2008. The movie barely resembled its source material, a flaw that the show, fortunately, did not suffer from. In fact, it was pretty faithful in almost every way. Its critical scores reflect its inherent quality, with fans of the books praising it for its accuracy and its high production value.

The reason this show is so great the second time around is that it was made with love by people who had deeply studied the books. This means that, for those who have seen the show or read the books prior to a second viewing, there are tons of little Easter eggs inserted into the background and foreground that fans of Pullman’s will appreciate. There are so many that it can be hard to spot them all at first unless you know what to look for, which is why a lot of fans appreciate the show even more upon viewing it a second time.

5

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. /Courtesy Everett Collection.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the defining teen fantasy series of the late ’90s and early 2000s, which defined an entire generation and became a good piece of nostalgia for millions. The reason why it was so successful is that it’s not just about hunting monsters, but it also explores the difficulties of adolescence and navigating life whilst coming of age, something that everyone can relate to.

This show used the “monster of the week” format, coming in as part horror, part fantasy, and part teen dramedy. It’s a role that defined star Sarah Michelle Gellar‘s career, and which became an instant classic in the world of television. Almost three decades after its release, it still makes for a good bit of nostalgia, which fans will only appreciate more upon rewatching it. It’s really a shame that the Buffy reboot never happened.

4

‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)

Image via NBC

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The Good Place starts out like a basic sitcom, taking place in an alternate dimension that functions as an afterlife for those who lived their lives virtuously. What the show quickly proved is that, despite being a comedy at heart, it can still tackle some pretty heavy concepts and make viewers emotional and giggly all at once. With a monumental and iconic plot twist at the end of its first season, this show really showed what it was made of.

There are a couple of reasons why it’s even better when you rewatch it. For one, there are a lot of layers to it, and not just in its story. Some of the punchlines and jokes fly under the radar a bit, which not everyone will catch the first time around. Secondly, as people age, the moral wisdom at the heart of the show starts to become more and more relatable, as they talk about the finality of death and how it is nothing to be feared, because death gives life meaning. It’s not just funny, it’s profound too, and it definitely benefits from multiple rewatches.

3

‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)

Image via Cartoon Network

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Over the Garden Wall was sort of a passion project for its creators, and it really shows. The Cartoon Network original miniseries comes with a star-studded cast and follows two brothers as they get lost in a deep, dark forest called “the Unknown.” On their journey home, they make friends, enemies, and revelations, finding things out about themselves that were completely unknown, even to the audience.

The show drops a huge plot twist at the end, one that completely changes the plot and the energy of the series. If one already knows what it is, rewatching the series will be an entirely new adventure. The prior knowledge frames the episodes and the story in a whole new light, allowing audiences to pick up on subtle hints and such that they might not have caught on to before. The best part is that this show is really short, so a rewatch isn’t just necessary, but also easy.

2

‘Kingdom’ (2019–2021)

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Kingdom is a criminally underrated Netflix series set at the very end of the Middle Ages. In the historic kingdom of Joseon, a noble family makes a bold move for the throne by using a mythical resurrection plant to raise the dead, which results in the accidental release of a zombie horde. But these are no standard zombies. By day, there are just corpses. By night, they come alive to feast. This fantasy/horror series definitely does a good job at making some scary zombies, it should be noted.

The show itself is full of political intrigue, horror, gruesome violence, and family drama, and has a cast of lovable and unique characters. While it’s unfortunately been soft-canceled by Netflix, it received stellar reviews from critics and audiences. Infuriatingly, it ends on a cliffhanger, but it’s still fun to watch more than once. The plot is quite complex, so there are probably a few things you’ll miss on the first watch, making a second one much more interesting.

1

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–2025)

Image via Amazon/MGM Studios/ Courtesy Everett Collection

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The Wheel of Time got off to a bit of a rocky start with its first season. Every season after that, though, only improved upon the one prior. By the time the third season rolled around, the show had really hit its stride and was doing better than it ever had, which is why it’s confusing that Amazon Prime Video decided to axe the show at that point.

Based on the novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the show is set in a future Earth, where a saviour is born, known as the Dragon Reborn. The Dragon is destined to either save the world or destroy it, with the characters in the show trying to guide him on a specific path. The Wheel of Time had a massive fanbase and got a lot of support, and it gets even better when it’s binged in rapid succession rather than waiting between seasons.

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The Wheel of Time

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Release Date

2021 – 2025-00-00

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Network

Prime Video

Showrunner

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Rafe Judkins

Directors

Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip

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You’d think that Matt Damon broke out as a star in the early 2000s with The Bourne Identity, but he had already delivered a handful of major hits in the 1990s. The first was Good Will Hunting, which grossed more than $225 million worldwide and won Damon and Ben Affleck Oscars for their original screenplay. The very next year, Damon played the titular role in Steven Spielberg‘s Saving Private Ryan, which grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. In 1999, he showed the world that he could also play more complex characters and delivered arguably his slipperiest performance ever. The 1999 movie is currently streaming on Peacock in the United States, but not for much longer.

It was based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith and directed by the late Anthony Minghella. The movie also featured Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Produced on a reported budget of $40 million, it grossed nearly $130 million worldwide and received five nominations at the Oscars. It was nominated in the Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor categories, but Damon was curiously overlooked at both the Oscars and the BAFTAs.

Here’s How Long You Have Left To Watch Matt Damon’s Psychological Thriller

We’re talking, of course, about The Talented Mr. Ripley, in which Damon played the titular murderer who targets a wealthy playboy in Europe. The movie now holds a “Certified Fresh” 85% critics’ score and an 80% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “With Matt Damon’s unsettling performance offering a darkly twisted counterpoint to Anthony Minghella’s glossy direction, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspense thriller that lingers.”

A ravishing new adaptation of Highsmith’s novel was written and directed by Scott Frank for Netflix. It featured Andrew Scott in the role made famous by Damon, and was critically acclaimed for its monochrome cinematography, tense writing, and Scott’s central performance. Damon’s movie, on the other hand, will be available to stream on Peacock until June 1. You can check it out in the run-up to possibly his most ambitious project yet, Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey, which is slated for a July release. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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December 25, 1999

Runtime

140 minutes

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Director

Anthony Minghella

Writers

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Anthony Minghella

Producers

Tom Sternberg, William Horberg

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  Gwyneth Paltrow

  Marge Sherwood

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