Michelle Pfeiffer is revealing the reality behind the idyllic setting of her hit show The Madison.

The three-time Oscar nominee shot the Paramount+ drama, created by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan, in rural Montana, which meant getting back to basics.

“There is no bathroom. Even the outhouse is not real. There’s no AC, there’s no plumbing, there isn’t anything,” Pfeiffer, 68, shared in an interview with the Los Angeles Times published on Monday, May 18. “But it is breathtakingly beautiful. It is glorious.”

“It took a while [to adjust],” she said. “It was all a little bit rushed for everyone. So there weren’t certain things, sort of accommodations, set up. We didn’t really have trailers there because they were shooting 360 [degrees], so they couldn’t have a bunch of trailers around. So there really was no place for us to sit.”

Pfeiffer added, “There was no bathroom nearby. There was no food. In the winter, it was cold [and] it was like, ‘Could we have a heater?’ And in the summer, it was like, ‘Could I get an umbrella because the sun’s really intense?’”

In The Madison, Pfeiffer plays Stacy Clyburn, the matriarch of the Clyburn family, who relocate from New York City to Montana in the wake of patriarch Preston Clyburn’s death. The cast includes Kurt Russell, Matthew Fox, Patrick J. Adams, Beau Garrett and more.

Pfeiffer previously revealed she signed on to star in the series before there was even a script.

“I committed to it without even having read anything. It was really just him explaining the scope of the character and kind of the outline of where it was going,” the actress told Entertainment Tonight in March.

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Related: Will Taylor Sheridan’s ‘The Madison’ Return for Season 2 on Paramount+?

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The Madison just wrapped up its first season — but will there be a season 2? Taylor Sheridan‘s hit series concluded on Saturday, March 21, after airing six episodes across two weeks. The Madison followed the Clyburn family from New York City, who “relocate to the Madison River valley of southwest Montana for emotional recovery […]

Pfeiffer continued, “I said, ‘Well, I’d really love to read something.’ And he said, ‘No, I really like to cast it first and then I write.’ I said, ‘Well, I’d really like to read something and then I commit.’ We went back and forth over a couple of weeks like that, and then I realized I wasn’t going to win this argument and I was either going to have to commit or give it up.”

The Madison’s first season, consisting of six episodes, premiered in March. The show was quietly renewed for a second season, also consisting of six episodes, before it premiered. Season 2 has already filmed, but a premiere date has not yet been announced.

Following the success of season 1 on Paramount+, the network renewed The Madison for a third season in April.

Britney Spears is once again facing intense public scrutiny after newly released 911 calls painted a troubling picture of the singer’s behavior before her DUI arrest earlier this year.

Drivers who contacted police described frightening moments on the road as Spears allegedly swerved through traffic in California.

The disturbing reports have resurfaced concerns surrounding the pop icon’s personal struggles and ongoing recovery journey.

The newly released emergency calls offered a tense account of the moments leading up to Spears’ March 4 arrest for driving under the influence.

Multiple callers contacted authorities after allegedly witnessing dangerous driving behavior involving a black BMW reportedly being driven by the singer.

One caller told dispatchers in a 911 call Page Six obtained, “I’m reporting an erratic driving person. They are driving a BMW.”

The individual then explained that the vehicle appeared to be moving unpredictably on the road. According to the caller, the BMW was swerving “in and out of lanes” while “erratically slamming on the breaks.”

Another witness claimed the situation quickly became alarming as the vehicle nearly collided with other drivers. The caller said, “It almost side swiped a couple of vehicles. It’s driving at high speeds. I’m worried they’re going to crash with somebody.”

A second driver also contacted the California Highway Patrol with similar concerns. The caller stated, “Possible drunk driver. It is a black BMW. They’re randomly breaking in and out of the lanes.”

The witness further alleged that the vehicle “Almost side swiped three or four vehicles. I am loosely trailing them.”

Rehab Decision Followed The March Arrest

Weeks after the arrest, Britney Spears reportedly made a major personal decision regarding her health and well-being. On April 12, the singer checked herself into rehab for substance abuse treatment.

Sources close to Spears insisted the move came directly from her own desire to improve her situation rather than outside pressure. One insider told Page Six, “This was her own choice.”

The source explained that the treatment process was not tied to one specific issue, adding, “This isn’t about one substance in particular, it has a dual purpose. … this is about Britney putting her mental health first and taking some time for herself to focus on the things that are important to her.”

Another comment from the insider suggested Spears was committed to taking accountability and focusing on recovery. The source said, “She’s dedicated to working on her health. This is something she really wants to do for herself. This was her own decision.”

The singer’s rehab stay became one of the biggest celebrity stories of the spring as supporters expressed concern over her emotional state following months of headlines surrounding her personal life.

Britney Spears Accepted Reduced Charge In Court

Spears’ legal case later took a different direction when her attorney appeared in Ventura County Superior Court on May 4. Rather than moving forward with the original DUI charge, prosecutors agreed to reduce the case to a “wet reckless” offense.

The reduced charge is commonly used in situations involving first-time offenders, low blood alcohol levels, and incidents where no injuries or crashes occurred.

As part of the agreement, Spears received one year of informal probation. She was also ordered to complete a three-month alcohol education program totaling 30 hours.

Her attorney, Michael Goldstein, publicly addressed the outcome after the hearing. Goldstein told Page Six, “Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct. She has taken significant steps to implement positive change which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI.”

He also shared appreciation for the support Spears has received since the arrest became public. Goldstein added, “Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received.”

The legal development was viewed by some as a sign that Spears was attempting to move forward after a difficult few months.

Restaurant Incident Sparked Fresh Concern

Despite reports claiming Britney Spears has been “doing really well” following rehab, another headline-making incident surfaced earlier this month after witnesses alleged the singer caused a disturbance at a Los Angeles restaurant.

Entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider described bizarre behavior allegedly displayed by Spears during dinner service. He claimed, “The woman sat down and proceeded to make a lot of woofing or barking noises and just throw a lot of outbursts.”

Sneider also alleged that Spears appeared to still be holding a knife while speaking animatedly at the table. According to him, the singer may have “forgot[ten] to put down her silverware.”

While Sneider insisted he did not feel physically threatened, the situation still shocked diners nearby. He recalled, “I wasn’t threatened or anything like that. But when she eventually left, I turned around and was like, ‘Holy s–t, that was crazy!’ to the entire section.”

Another woman reportedly reacted much more fearfully to the situation. Sneider claimed the woman said, “She had a knife and came toward me. I thought she was going to stab me.”

Britney Spears’ Rep Denied Wild Knife Claims

Following the growing attention surrounding the restaurant incident, Spears’ representative strongly denied the more dramatic allegations being shared online.

A rep for the singer insisted the encounter had been misrepresented. The spokesperson said, “This is completely blown out of proportion. Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard. She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors.”

The representative also pushed back on suggestions that Spears endangered anyone during the outing.

The rep explained, “At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half.”

Even so, the combination of the DUI calls, rehab stay, legal troubles, and latest restaurant controversy has kept Spears firmly in the spotlight during another turbulent chapter in her public life.

dySister Wives star Kody Brown has a tendency to move from one topic to another, which often has little to do with the subject at hand. In a new social media post, he does this once again when he divulges some info about his siblings harassing him to do something.

Kody Brown Doesn’t See Sister Wives Like Other Polygamy Shows

Kody Brown speaks to a Sister Wives fan who claims polygamy shows are her guilty pleasure. This started Kody on the road to explaining why his TLC series is different from all the rest of the polygamy shows offered today.

He suggests that many of the shows about polygamy are toxic, which is unlike Sister Wives. Then he describes his series as a show about a loving family. Now this newer polygamy documentary series has emerged, which Kody has yet to see. But he believes it follows suit with the rest of the polygamy shows, except for his, of course.

Kody’s Siblings

The name of the new show is Trust Me, and it is billed as a documentary, Trust Me—The False Prophet. Kody said his siblings are harassing him to watch it. He claims he’s heard that this new series demonstrates a “creepy side” to polygamy.

Kody talks about this in a Cameo video that he made for a fan. The Sister Wives star then suggests to this fan that she watch it. It sounds like he believes it will demonstrate the contrast between his show and all the other ones depicting the polygamous lifestyle.

While Kody Brown’s siblings weren’t part of the Brown family series, we got a fleeting glimpse of a couple of his brothers throughout the Sister Wives seasons. And once in a blue moon, he also talked about them on Sister Wives.

Sister Wives: The Other Shows Are Different

Kody suggests his TV show wasn’t about toxic behavior. Instead, it was about the love of an unconventional family. However, he did say he thought his family was fun. And then he added how “it was fun until it was not fun.”

But did he forget how some of his less-than-stellar behavior found its way onto the Sister Wives screen? Not to mention what his three ex-wives had to say about the treatment they endured from their shared hubby.

He now says he chose to do the Sister Wives show because polygamy is seen as very cultlike. Kody said he never saw his church like a cult. He defines a cult as “easy to get into and hard to get out of.”

He says his church was just the opposite. With his church it was hard to get into and “super easy” to get out of. He just “walked away” from his church. So, they were nothing like a cult, Kody declared.

Why Harass Kody to Watch the New Show?

So, why would his siblings want Kody Brown to watch Trust Me? Kody never said why he thought they were riding him to tune in. According to the description offered by Rotten Tomatoes, this documentary is about a cult expert and her videographer husband embedding themselves in one of the groups that make up Utah’s FLDS community.

What they discovered was called “disturbing.” Anyway, when this fan shared her guilty pleasure of watching shows about polygamy, Kody jumped right in with this documentary, suggesting she could watch it. And then shared how his siblings want him to watch it as well.

Head back to Soap Dirt for the latest buzz on Sister Wives.

This week, Watch With Us has decided to look back at some of our favorite shows of the 1980s.

If you’re still only beholden to modern television, you don’t yet know what delights await you in the 1980s.

The fact is that some of the best TV shows ever made came out in the ’80s. The seminal Cheers and Taxi, and the iconic Star Trek saga, The Next Generation.

The Watch With Us team has put together our five favorite ’80s shows and where you can watch them right now.

Related: 7 Best Fantasy Movies of the 1980s, Ranked From Least to Greatest

Sci-fi blockbusters like the Star Wars trilogy and Back to the Future may have ruled the ’80s, but it was also a golden age for fantasy movies. This was a decade when Hollywood wasn’t afraid to make some big swings in the fantasy genre, many of which remain among the best ever made. The Watch […]

Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, runs Boston’s own popular watering hole, Cheers. Thus, Cheers follows Sam and the many diverse employees, customers and friends with whom he interacts every day on the job at his bar. The colorful characters include waitress Diane (Shelley Long), who works there while studying in grad school, psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and bartender Woody (Woody Harrelson).

Cheers was nearly canceled for poor ratings in its first season, but it became the ultimate comeback kid in subsequent seasons, consistently topping the ratings charts and winning an impressive 28 Emmys. The success of the show helped to kickstart the career of Harrleson, while also spurring the equally successful spin-off show, Frasier, centered on Frasier Crane and his life in Seattle. Cheers is still beloved for its comfy atmosphere and top-tier comedy writing.

This legendary sitcom led by Betty White, Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan follows four much older women living together in Miami, as they experience the joys and irritations of aging. There’s the headstrong Dorothy (Arthur), her mother Sophia (Getty), the man-hungry Blanche (McClanahan) and practical-minded Rose (White). Together, these broads may butt heads, but they’re always there for one another when it counts.

The Golden Girls is an ultimate feel-good comfort sitcom, with top-to-bottom charismatic performances from the leading ladies and moments that are sure to make you laugh out loud. At the time, the show was groundbreaking for its progressive depiction of older women navigating things like sex, dating and friendship, smashing stereotypes about aging.

The Emmy-winning Taxi chronicles the lives of a group of New York cab drivers, the employees of the Sunshine Cab Company. Largely set in the company’s Manhattan fleet garage, the eclectic characters of Taxi include their overbearing dispatcher Louis (Danny DeVito), struggling actor Bobby (Jeff Conaway), aspiring boxer Tony (Tony Danza), receptionist Elaine and mechanic Latka Gravis (Andy Kaufman). Only Alex (Judd Hirsch) considers cabbing his profession, believing that it’s what he will spend the rest of his life doing.

Taxi is still widely regarded as one of the best comedy shows of all time and one of the best shows of all time, period. The show boasts a terrific blend of sharp, character-driven comedy and genuinely tender drama. The memorable performances, including those from Hirsch, DeVito and Christopher Lloyd in particular, have continued to be seen as iconic, in characters that are hilarious, complex and deeply relatable.

The galactic explorations of the crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D take center stage in this second live-action series in the Star Trek franchise. Nearly a century after Captain Kirk (William Shatner) finished his original five-year mission, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) now carries on Kirk’s legacy as he explores brave new worlds with his eclectic crew, including Commander William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton).

The massive success of Star Trek: The Next Generation brought with it not just an all-new generation of viewers into the Star Trek fandom, but also helped to lay the groundwork for the subsequent spinoff shows that have continued on for the past few decades. It is still frequently considered one of the best TV shows of all time, praised for its well-written, intellectual sci-fi stories and terrific ensemble cast.

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Former model Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) is scammed out of her money by her accountant and finds herself bankrupt and out of work. In an unconventional way to try to make money again, she opens up a private detective agency. Maddie partners herself up with a snarky P.I. named David Addison (Bruce Willis), and together the mismatched pair investigates cases at the Blue Moon Detective Agency — while also slowly falling in love.

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Related: A Guide to TV Reboots and Revivals Through the Years

From sitcoms and game shows to dramas and cartoons, the list of TV reboots and revivals is a long one. Waiting to Exhale and Conan the Barbarian are both films being made into TV shows, while Gilmore Girls was transformed into four seasons for its Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which […]

Moonlighting served as the breakout role for Willis and helped to restart Shepherd’s career. It was also groundbreaking at the time for its ambitious combination of comedy, drama, mystery and romance; an atypical genre-mashup for a TV show back then, that was also notable for its deployment of fourth-wall breaking. In fact, Moonlighting is still considered one of television’s first successful “dramedies.”

The first reactions to Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe are finally here, and the early buzz is sounding far more positive than many fans expected.

Following the film’s world premiere, several early reactions praised the movie for fully embracing the larger than life fantasy insanity that made the original franchise iconic in the 1980s. One of the most talked about reactions described the film as “gloriously campy, wildly entertaining, and nonstop fun from beginning to end,” with many viewers praising director Travis Knight for understanding exactly what fans wanted from a live action He Man movie.

The film stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He Man alongside Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, and Alison Brie. The story follows Adam returning to Eternia after years away in order to confront Skeletor and reclaim his destiny as the most powerful man in the universe.

A major theme appearing throughout reactions is the movie’s willingness to lean into the colorful fantasy tone of the original cartoons and toy line instead of grounding everything in realism. Some viewers are already comparing the film’s energy to modern fantasy blockbusters, pointing to its oversized visuals, cosmic mythology, and unapologetically fun approach to the material.

Masters of the Universe [credit: Amazon Studios]

Interestingly, “campy” is clearly being used as a compliment this time around. The franchise has always carried a certain level of over the top fantasy charm, and many fans online seem relieved that the movie did not attempt to strip away that identity. Discussions across social media have praised the film for embracing the weirdness of Eternia rather than trying to reinvent it into something overly dark or self serious.

The premiere itself also featured a major full circle moment for longtime fans when original 1987 He Man actor Dolph Lundgren appeared alongside Galitzine on the red carpet holding the iconic Sword of Power.

Amazon MGM appears to be positioning Masters of the Universe as one of its biggest theatrical releases of 2026, and based on these first reactions, the studio may finally have a genuine crowd pleasing fantasy franchise on its hands.

Masters of the Universe arrives in theaters on June 5, 2026.

Danny Booko cancelled an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen after publicly apologizing for his behavior on The Valley.

“To the person I love most, my beautiful wife [Nia Sanchez Booko], I am so sorry,” Danny, 42, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, May 20. “Watching these last few episodes back hasn’t been easy.”

The couple were at odds in recent Valley episodes over a drag competition, as Danny felt Nia, 36, wasn’t devoting enough time to help him prepare. The couple had a blowout fight that broke the fourth wall during Wednesday’s episode, as they both reminded one other they were still wearing microphones.

“It was a difficult season of life and a version of myself that I’m embarrassed by and not proud of,” Danny went on. “A short fuse, stress, alcohol and lack of sleep are never a good combination, but that’s not an excuse. I should never have taken any of it out on [Nia].”

Danny confessed that “balancing parenthood and life” while filming The Valley created a stressful environment for his family.

“I love, honor, and respect you deeply, and I did not show that in some of these moments,” he wrote to his wife. “Nia, I love you so much. I’m grateful for you, our family, and this beautiful, chaotic life we’ve built together. I thank God for you every day.”

Danny released his public apology hours before he was supposed to be interviewed alongside Luke Broderick on Watch What Happens Live. Host Andy Cohen confirmed on air that Danny had pulled out of their interview but suggested it was not due to the backlash over recent episodes. (Danny was replaced on WWHL by costar Tom Schwartz.)

“[Danny] booked a job and had to cancel to work,” Cohen, 57, explained. “I believe him because if he canceled because he was scared to come here, we would have heard from our publicist that he’s not up for it.”

Cohen added, “Listen, he’s coming to the reunion so he’s going to deal with it!”

The Valley viewers did get some additional insight into Danny and Nia’s tension on the latest After Show episode. Danny insisted that his blowup with Nia was not at all related to the fact that they welcomed their fourth baby, daughter Adelaide, last summer.

“This is number four,” Danny insisted on Wednesday’s After Show. “You think I haven’t done this three other times? I know exactly how to support my wife.”

Meanwhile, Nia suggested that the heated argument was not indicative of how she and Danny communicate in their marriage.

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“One thing with me and Daniel, in our relationship in general, yes, we have tense moments; yes, we can be short with each other,” Nia said. “Sometimes we’re in this beautiful season where everything is really good, and sometimes it’s not. And what people will see through this window of time is, there were so many tense moments, and we were short with each other and had short fuses a lot.”

She continued, “That doesn’t mean that we have a bad relationship. It just means that we were having hard moments. And we’ll keep working on it, because we’re in it for the long run. And we’ve been together for a long time. And we know that those moments don’t define our entire relationship.”

The Valley airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

You can always count on Amazon to have some of the most affordable fashion, beauty and home finds on the internet. While anyone can shop Amazon’s Memorial Day sale, only a select few can reap these select markdowns that are just for Prime members.

Amazon is treating loyal customers with exclusive early Memorial Day deals on summer dresses, skincare and hot hair tools, as well as bedding and cookware, starting as low as $6. All you have to do is log in with your Prime membership to reap these under-the-radar discounts. Don’t have one just yet? You can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Prime to save big on these limited deals (and get in on complimentary two-day shipping). We wouldn’t wait to start browsing, though; it’s unclear how long these Just for Prime sales will last!

30 Amazon Prime Member-Exclusive Memorial Day Sales

Prime Member-Only Fashion Sales

Some of our favorite Prime member-only fashion deals include a tropical-esque jumpsuit, comfy yet elevated slides and an athletic tennis dress that’s perfect for sporting on and off the court. Oh, and this boho-chic crossbody bag isn’t too shabby (especially for $35).

You save: 24%

Price:$35$46

Made from a breezy linen fabric blend, this is the kind of jumpsuit that will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long. The flattering V-neckline adds visual interest, while the wide-leg pants keep things loose and flowy. The hardest part is choosing a color!

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Prime Member-Only Beauty Sales

Popular skincare, hair styling tools and makeup essentials are all part of Amazon’s Just for Prime sale ahead of this weekend. All of the top Memorial Day deals have thousands of five-star ratings from shoppers who swear by these products, and now you can see what all the hype is about without spending a fortune. Get ready for a dewy skin, salon-worth blowouts and more with deals starting at $9.

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Prime Member-Only Home and Kitchen Sales

You’re giving your closet an update, so why not do the same for your living space? Memorial Day is known for delivering some of the best discounts for the home and kitchen, and these Prime member deals prove it. Bestselling bedding, organizers, cookware and beyond are shockingly low. How low? Well, lightweight comforters, clever coffee tables and even outdoor furniture sets are up to $350 off, but only for a limited time.

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It’s patio season, which only means one thing: It’s time to refresh your backyard oasis. This luxe, six-piece outdoor furniture set is nearly $400 off, and it’s complete with thick cushions and swivel rocker chairs. The weather-resistant wicker is the cherry on top. Secure it before it’s too late!

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Fantasy movies provide a true escape from reality, bringing viewers to faraway lands with magical powers, creatures, and beings. The farthest depths of imagination are brought to the surface in the different stories that fall under the category of fantasy. The extraordinary becomes the ordinary!

The best fantasy movies ever made are those that often inspire massive franchises, introduce novel aspects to the oversaturated genre, or are impactful and memorable enough to stay with audiences for years. These are also the ideal movies for viewers looking for must-see fantasy films, as they defined and continue to change the enduring genre. From recent adaptations of timeless classics like The Green Knight to old seminal masterworks like Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it’s easy to see that the best fantasy movies ever made tend to have an enduring influence on cinema. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of the very best films from the fantasy genre that fans should consider essential viewing.

60

‘Coraline’ (2009)

Image via Focus Features

Based on Neil Gaiman‘s 2002 novella about a young girl who discovers a mysterious alternate universe behind a secret door in her new home, Coraline is far and away one of the darkest fairy tale movies of all time. It’s also a fantastic way to introduce the little ones of the family to dark fantasy and horror, but though it’s a family film, Coraline should be able to delight and terrify viewers of any age in equal measure.

Directed by Henry Selick, it’s the third-highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time—for good reason. With its vivid world-building, stunning visuals, enrapturing score, and emotionally compelling story, it’s undoubtedly one of the best family fantasy films of the 2000s. Dark, funny, and moving, it’s animated filmmaking at its very best.

59

‘Time of the Gypsies’ (1988)

Image via Ljubavny Film

Nowadays, there are many masterpieces from countries that no longer exist. Case in point: Yugoslavia, which has one of the most impressive national filmographies of any 20th-century European nation. It was the country that produced Emir Kusturica, one of the greatest European auteurs in movie history, whose Time of the Gypsies is a transcendental work of art. It’s a coming-of-age fantasy crime drama about Perhan, a telekinetic Romani teenager who becomes a criminal in Milan.

A masterclass in how to employ magic realism in movies, Time of the Gypsies is somehow still awfully underrated. It holds a well-deserved score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics have praised its incredibly vast scope and Kusturica’s airtight direction. It’s visually poetic, it has a haunting score by Goran Bregović, and the performances of its largely non-professional cast are all impressive. It’s arthouse fantasy at its most underappreciated.

58

‘Song of the Sea’ (2014)

Image via GKIDS

They may not be as big as your Pixars or your DreamWorks, but the Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon is nevertheless one of the most celebrated animation studios currently working in the industry. Their highest-rated film on Letterboxd and IMDb alike is Song of the Sea, about a 10-year-old Irish boy who discovers that his mute sister is a selkie.

It’s the kind of film that animation fans can’t believe isn’t more famous. It’s visually gorgeous, full of narrative and thematic depth, emotionally enthralling, and perfectly family-friendly. The performances of the exceptional voice cast are all fantastic, and the way the story borrows elements from Irish folklore to tell a tale about grief and the power of stories is profoundly moving.

57

‘Kwaidan’ (1964)

Image via Toho

Kwaidan is one of the best-looking horror movies ever made, an engrossing Masaki Kobayashi anthology film consisting of four separate stories inspired by Japanese folktales. The film was stuck in development hell for a decade, but once it finally saw the light of day, audiences around the world were treated to what has aged as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

The film’s baroque aesthetic is decorated with a volume of colorful details so dense that it would take several re-watches to absorb everything that Kobayashi plasters on the screen. It’s a truly timeless adaptation of equally timeless pieces of folk storytelling, and with its eerie atmosphere and arthouse sensibilities, it’s a must-see for all those who love dark fantasy.

56

‘The Fall’ (2006)

Image via Roadside Attractions

Directed by Tarsem Singh, The Fall centers on a young girl who meets a stuntman at the hospital where they are both staying, and the latter tells her the tale of a group of heroes seeking revenge on an evil ruler. When it originally came out, the film split critics and performed very poorly at the box office. Two decades later, it has become one of the biggest fantasy cult classics of the 21st century.

With a thought-provoking story that will definitely not be for everyone and jaw-dropping visuals to make up for it, The Fall is one of the best hidden-gem fantasy masterpieces of the 21st century. Inspired by the work of filmmakers like Terry Gilliam and Alejandro Jodorowsky, this mind-bending extravaganza is a love letter to the power of stories, cinema, and fantasy.

55

‘Peter Pan’ (1953)

Image via RKO Radio Pictures

One of the best Disney classics of the ’50s, Peter Pan is a loving adaptation of Scottish writer J.M. Barrie‘s book. It’s the magical story of a girl and her brothers who are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland by its hero, Peter Pan, a dashing young boy who can never grow up. Though the story has been adapted for the screen on numerous occasions, this remains one of the best.

This beautifully animated movie is as timeless as classics come, enchanting for audiences of all ages. It’s one of the best fantasy adventure movies of its time, thanks to charming direction and a screenplay whose imagination and innocence soar far above whatever flaws the film may have. It may not have the complex themes or groundbreaking innovations that make other Disney classics far superior fantasy films, but it definitely comes close.

54

‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

Back in the ’80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the peak of his career as an action star, starring in increasingly wild and explosive films that allowed him to show off his strength (both literal and figurative). One of his best movies from this period is Conan the Barbarian, about a powerful warrior who sets out to avenge the genocide of his people at the hands of a cult.

This fantasy epic is one of the most entertaining sword & sandal films ever, with brutal yet delightful action and a fun B-picture tone. It was the movie that cemented Schwarzenegger’s place in the contemporary action movie canon, and nowadays, it’s still remembered as one of his most bewitching roles. While some directors could have chosen to make this a campy adventure, John Milius goes for a darker and more serious tone, which somehow works magnificently.

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‘Barbie’ (2023)

Image via Warner Bros.

Back when the live-action Barbie movie was first announced, no one expected it to be anything special. Even when the always-outstanding Greta Gerwig was announced to be attached to the project, people weren’t sure what to expect. As it turned out, Barbie proved to be worthy of the title of the most successful film of 2023. Colorful, quirky, and shockingly smart, it’s an emotionally complex story about Barbie and Ken having to travel from Barbie Land to the real world, where they discover both the joys and perils of being human.

Philosophically profound but also fully able to have tons of silly fun with itself, Barbie is one of the best comedies of the 2020s thus far. Its fantasy elements are kept relatively low-key throughout, but they do add a sweet air of imagination and innocence to the story. All in all, what Gerwig was able to achieve with Barbie is genre filmmaking at its finest.

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‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Image via A24

A visually stunning movie based on the 14th-century poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” director David Lowery’s 2021 masterpiece is an underrated story of courage, mortality, and what it means to be human. The Green Knight follows Gawain (Dev Patel) as he embarks on a perilous journey to keep his word to the titular character. Along the way, he meets otherworldly creatures and people with bad intentions.

With an enchanting atmosphere that holds viewers’ attention throughout Gawain’s magical odyssey, it’s easy to overlook The Green Knight’s philosophical themes and pressing questions about life and death. The protagonist’s journey is as much a quest to prove himself as it is to discover who he really is, pointing the mirror at audiences and their own paths forward.

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‘A Monster Calls’ (2016)

Image via Focus Features

Directed by J. A. Bayona, A Monster Calls is a modern classic that tells the heartfelt story of Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall), a young boy who struggles with his mother’s terminal illness. When the titular Monster (Liam Neeson) shows up at his bedroom window one night, the biggest adventure of his life begins.

Visually striking and emotionally powerful, A Monster Calls seamlessly blends reality and fantasy, highlighting the transformative power of magic and imagination (especially in the darkest times). Its unflinching depiction of grief and the healing effect that stories can have is unmatched, and will likely capture fans’ hearts for years to come.