Anna Faris is sparking excitement among fans after revealing the possibility of a sequel to “The House Bunny,” the 2008 comedy movie, in which she starred as Playboy Bunny-turned-sorority mom, Shelly Darlington. While nothing has been confirmed, the idea of a follow-up has already generated buzz among fans, and Faris has expressed her desire to step into the role of Shelly once again.

At the “Scary Movie” premiere, Entertainment Tonight caught up with Anna Faris, who had something to say about another movie she starred in. Talking to a reporter, she said, “I would love to talk to you about ‘House Bunny’ stuff.”

Faris said there’s “interest” in a sequel, and while it’s too early to tell whether one is possible, she knows the original film, as well as her character in the movie, Shelly Darlington, has a following. “I never thought that dream would ever be realized either… It’s too soon to say anything but it turns out, that movie is beloved, and that character too,” she said.

Fans Want A Zeta House Reunion

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“The House Bunny” was released in 2008, and it follows Shelly Darlington, a Playboy Bunny aspiring to be on the centerfold of the magazine, but gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion instead. She ends up serving as a house mother for the Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority, helping its socially awkward members reach their full potential and also learning a few lessons along the way.

The movie starred Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, Katherine McPhee, and Rumer Willis, with cameo appearances from Hugh Hefner, Shaquille O’Neal, and Bunnies Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson, and Bridget Marquardt.

Faris’ statements fired up the movie’s fanbase, with many expressing their excitement over the possibility of a sequel. “No I’m cryinnnggg cause I’ve been dreaming about this since I was in middle school!!!” one fan commented. “I would DIE if they brought it back for a sequel,” another added.

Anna Faris Said Adam Sandler Saved ‘The House Bunny’

Faris came up with the concept of a Playboy Bunny getting dismissed from the mansion and approached screenwriters Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah. However, Faris had a darker plot in mind. The writers instead injected comedic elements into the story and came up with the final script.

On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Faris told host Josh Horowitz that they pitched “The House Bunny” more than 20 times to different companies and got rejected. Their 24th attempt, and the last one, was to Happy Madison Productions, Adam Sandler’s company. Faris said they didn’t even have to pitch to Sandler.

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Sandler saw the actress in the waiting room and asked what she was doing there, to which she replied, “I said, ‘I’m here to pitch you a movie,’ and he said, ‘What’s it about?’ And I said, ‘A Playboy Bunny who gets kicked out of the mansion,’ And he was like, ‘Okay, all right. That’s pretty funny.’”

Several weeks later, Faris was on set filming the movie.

The Actress Got Tired Of Waiting For Roles

Faris’ breakout role was in “Scary Movie,” released in 2000. In the years following, she appeared in three more installments of “Scary Movie” and nabbed supporting roles in other films, such as “The Hot Chick,” “Lost in Translation,” and “Just Friends,” among others.

In an interview in 2008, Faris shared what pushed her to come up with the concept of “The House Bunny.” “I got a little tired of waiting for men to cast me in their comedies. I decided to do like Hollywood’s comic boys club does,” she told the Boston Herald.

Apart from taking on the lead role, Faris also served as one of the executive producers of “The House Bunny.” Three years later, she also executive-produced and starred in the romantic comedy “What’s Your Number?”

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Anna Faris Said ‘The House Bunny’ Was Life-Changing

“The House Bunny” proved to be a formative experience for Faris in more ways than one. In 2022, she shared how uncomfortable she was for two weeks while filming, saying she wasn’t used to wearing skimpy outfits. Despite being out of her comfort zone, she pushed forward and, in the end, felt more empowered.

In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Faris shared that Shelley was a “life-changing role,” not only for her career but for her personal growth. “I loved playing a character who was not competitive with other people, and who was really wonderful. That made me want to lead my life with compliments… I loved playing a character who was so generous with her love,” she explained.

At that time, Faris also shared ideas for a sequel, saying that Shelley could be a bad country singer, but she was leaning more toward the former Playboy Bunny working as a CIA interrogator. “Let’s write a script. I would love that,” Faris said.

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Love Island USA‘s newest challenge revealed an interesting fact about how an Islander slept with someone nearly three decades older than him.

During the Thursday, June 4, episode of the Peacock show, the Islanders had to read out sex facts and figure out which of them it was about. One of the revelations was that an Islander slept with someone in their 50s.

“I was out and I was having a good time with my friends. She started talking to me and she was hot as f*** for her age,” Gabriel, who is 26 years old, said about his encounter with the 52-year-old. “We had a good night together. She had a lot of experience.”

Love Island USA follows a group of singles who have to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa in Fiji. The contestants — who are referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa and are under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and to stand a chance to receive the prize of $100,000.

While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and even get to cast votes that affect couples and the fate of the contestants.

Before season 8 premiered, Love Island USA released a statement directed at the audience, which read, “The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.”

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The statement continued: “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”

Related: ‘Love Island USA‘ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

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In addition to Gabriel, season 8 of Love Island USA features Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou.

New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.

Michael Fassbender is taking a brief break from the world of espionage and returning to another familiar territory. Last year, the German-Irish actor’s only feature release was Steven Soderbergh‘s Black Bag, the acclaimed star-studded spy thriller that paired him with Cate Blanchett and Pierce Brosnan, but somehow struggled to perform at the box office. He is set to reprise his role in Season 2 of Paramount+’s breakout thriller series The Agency, which premieres later this summer. After that, the actor will return to a genre he has stayed away from in recent years. The project has quietly generated buzz of its own and even broken records along the way. Now, it has officially secured a theatrical release date in the United States.

Fassbender will next star in Hope, a South Korean sci-fi thriller described as an alien monster mash-up. The film premiered in competition for the Palme d’Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it earned strong reviews and a seven-minute standing ovation following its screening. Hope also marks Fassbender’s return to the alien sci-fi genre for the first time since Ridley Scott‘s Alien: Covenant in 2017. This time, however, the actor trades heroics for villainy, starring as the film’s primary antagonist alongside his wife, Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina). The project marks the couple’s first on-screen reunion since 2016’s The Light Between Oceans.

Set in the remote village of Hope Harbour near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Hope follows a community terrorized by a mysterious creature initially believed to be a tiger. As the local authorities investigate, they uncover a far more terrifying truth: the village is under attack by alien predators, portrayed by Fassbender and Vikander. The film has already made history, becoming the highest-grossing overseas pre-sales title ever for a Korean film. After securing sales in more than 200 territories, Hope was acquired by NEON for U.S. distribution, per Deadline, and is now set to arrive in theaters this fall on September 9.

Who Is Behind ‘Hope’?

Hope was written and directed by Na Hong-jin, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the cult horror hit, The Wailing. The film appears well-positioned for commercial success, with international sales already recouping roughly half of its production budget. Hong-jin has also revealed that he has a sequel concept ready should the opportunity arise. The film currently holds an 82% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. In her review, Collider’s Theresa Lacson praised Hope as one of the most exciting films to emerge from this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

In addition to Fassbender and Vikander, Hope boasts a star-studded cast that includes Hwang Jung-min (Deliver Us from Evil), Zo In-sung (Moving), Hoyeon (Squid Game), Taylor Russell (Bones and All), and Cameron Britton (The Umbrella Academy).

Hope arrives in theaters on September 9.

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Release Date

May 17, 2026

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Runtime

160 minutes

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Na Hong-jin

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Diane Kruger just made a convincing case for retiring bulky sneakers — at least for the summer. While oversized dad shoes have dominated street style for years, the actress is proving that a slimmer, more streamlined sneaker can look just as cool while feeling infinitely more versatile.

On May 29, Kruger was spotted in New York City after a workout, wearing a white tank top, black leggings, a baseball cap and a slouchy cream shoulder bag. Finishing the look was a pair of checkerboard Vans slip-ons, a classic sneaker choice that felt refreshingly simple compared to the chunky styles we’ve been seeing everywhere.

Get the Vans Teva Hurricane Xlt3 Low-Top Sneaker for $60 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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The exact pair Kruger wore was the Vans Classic Slip-On Checkerboard Sneaker, a timeless style that’s remained popular for decades. Featuring the brand’s signature black-and-pewter checkerboard print, the low-profile silhouette delivers a laid-back look that works with everything from activewear to jeans, shorts and casual dresses.

Part of the appeal is comfort. The slip-on design makes them easy to throw on and head out the door, while Vans’ padded footbed and durable rubber outsole help provide support for all-day wear. Unlike bulky sneakers that can sometimes overwhelm an outfit, these keep the look sleek and balanced while still feeling practical enough for everyday errands, walks and weekend plans.

At $60 on Amazon, they’re also one of the more affordable celebrity-approved sneakers we’ve spotted lately. The checkerboard print functions almost like a neutral, pairing effortlessly with black, white, denim and even brighter summer colors.

There’s a reason Vans never really go out of style. They’re comfortable, versatile and instantly recognizable without feeling trendy. Whether you wear them with leggings like Kruger, denim cutoffs or a breezy sundress, they’re the kind of sneaker you’ll reach for again and again all season long.

Get the Vans Teva Hurricane Xlt3 Low-Top Sneaker for $60 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

Related: Taylor Swift Swapped Denim for These Leg-Lengthening Trousers

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Taylor Swift may be known for her collection of designer bags and sky-high heels, but her latest New York City outfit proves that sometimes the chicest wardrobe upgrades aren’t flashy at all. Instead of reaching for classic denim, the singer wore flowy wide-leg trousers that instantly made her legs look miles long, and now we’re […]

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky’s recent family travel plans didn’t go as smoothly as hoped.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia for a video shared via Instagram on Tuesday, June 2, Hemsworth, 42, and Pataky, 49, opened up about an airport mishap.

“I actually went to the airport once and I had my daughter’s passport instead of my son’s passport,” Hemsworth, who shares daughter India Rose, 14, and 12-year-old twin boys Sasha and Tristan with Pataky, said.

Pataky added, “He couldn’t fly.”

Related: Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky’s Sweetest Family Moments With Their Kids

While Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky’s whirlwind romance was always something special, their relationship continued to bloom after they welcomed their three children. The Marvel star and the model tied the knot in 2010 after less than a year of dating. Two years later, they became a family of three with the birth of their daughter, India, […]

Attempting to salvage the situation, Hemsworth explained that he tried to convince security that the passport was the correct one so he could sneak his son on board without the required documents.

“They kind of look the same,” the Thor star joked as he recalled trying to convince airport authorities that one of his sons was pictured in the passport. Pataky chimed in, “They don’t.”

“I said, ‘This is her,’” the actor recalled, adding that the security agent remained unconvinced and responded, “That’s a boy.”

Hemsworth concluded, “So, yeah, that didn’t work.”

After starting a family with Pataky, whom he wed in 2010, the Home and Away alum has been candid about how fatherhood has changed his life.

Speaking to The Father Hood in 2019, Hemsworth said having kids made him think twice about the acting roles he takes on.

“It’s all about you before kids,” he told the outlet. “And then you have children and you still try to hang onto that, you say ‘I am who I am’. And then it goes out the window. A lot of my decisions now are based on how things are going to affect the family. What’s the location the film shoots in?”

He further explained, “If it’s some obscure, not so attractive place, do I want to drag the family there for four months? And then there’s the question of what the role’s going to do to me? Is it going to put my head in a space that’s pretty consuming? There are times [a role comes up] when I say, maybe not that one yet.”

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Related: Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky Are ‘Closer Than Ever’ After Hardships

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky may have their hands full as parents of three, but their love for each other has withstood the test of time. “They love to have fun and explore new things,” a source exclusively reveals in the newest issue of Us Weekly about the pair, who share daughter India, 11, and […]

Hemsworth has also emphasized the importance of making sure his kids get to enjoy their childhood before potentially following in the footsteps of their famous parents.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in 2023 about his daughter India’s interest in acting after starring as Gorr’s daughter in the 2022 film, Thor: Love and Thunder, Hemsworth said he wanted her to delay her ambitions until she’s older.

“I want her to have a childhood, and I think so does she,” Hemsworth said. “There’s plenty of time, sweetie. Go to school, horse ride, have fun, be a kid.”

Ted Danson is revisiting one of the most controversial moments of his decades-long career. In 1993, the actor appeared in blackface at the roast of Whoopi Goldberg, with whom he was in a relationship at the time. The backlash was immediate, and now, Danson is shedding light on the thought process behind the roast, saying that he will forever be apologetic for his past actions.

On June 3, Ted Danson appeared on the “Who’s With Me?” podcast to discuss his lengthy career with host W. Kamau Bell. At some point in the conversation, the two talked about the “Cheers” actor wearing blackface in the early ’90s, which led to extreme public backlash. Bell disclosed that before starting the podcast, he asked Danson whether there were topics he didn’t want to get into, to which he answered no.

In October 1993, Whoopi Goldberg was roasted at the members-only New York Friars Club, and one of the roasters was Danson, with whom she was having an affair. Danson appeared in blackface makeup with exaggerated lips, used the n-word, and made explicit jokes about their sex life during his set.

“I have no problem talking about this, but I need to and want to apologize for the rest of my life because somebody today can go on the internet and go, ‘What the f-ck? Wow, I feel betrayed, I feel angry.’ And I did that,” Danson told Bell.

The Actor Attempted To Get Out Of The Roast

Danson also apologized to Goldberg, as he didn’t want her to get caught up in the issue again. He then explained the circumstances leading up to the roast. At that time, Danson was married to producer Casey Coates when he began an affair with Goldberg, which was made public by tabloids and paparazzi while they were filming the movie “Made in America.”

Danson recalled that he had already signed on for the roast when he and Goldberg realized their relationship was nearing its end. He tried to get out of the event, but organizers allegedly threatened legal action because tickets had already been sold.

The actor then shared his thought process, but not before saying that it wasn’t an excuse. Danson had no clue what to do, considering he was not a comedian and he was tasked to roast one of the funniest women in the world.

“And then I thought, ‘Well I can do performance theater.’ I looked at all these tapes and it’s like, well if I were Black, I could say all these outrageous things. I’m not; then my mind went, I will do it in blackface and that will be funny or not, but it will be like, ‘I have license now,’” Danson said.

Ted Danson Said He Was ‘Stupid And Entitled’

The actor explained that the circus surrounding their affair as a mixed-race couple made him angry, “It couldn’t be because they liked each other or saw something in each other… It had to be just pure sex, that’s the only reason for a relationship like this,” Danson said.

As he worked on his material, he thought about what Goldberg had said about using the n-word. “They don’t have to use nasty language. They can take you off. They can be racist in their actions and be the sweetest thing,” Danson explained, adding that he “latched on” to that idea.

“There’s no one been whiter than me in the world. That I thought that this white guy could have something valuable to say about race and race relations was so stupid and entitled,” the actor reflected.

Danson ran his material by Goldberg, but at the roast, he quickly realized his set wasn’t going according to plan. “Within 20 seconds, I was like, ‘I stuck my finger in a light socket,” he said.

The Actor Said His Intentions Didn’t Matter

The backlash was swift. TV personality Montel Williams, who was a celebrity guest at the roast, walked out of the venue enraged and later resigned his membership from the club. New York City Mayor David Dinkins was also in attendance, and while he finished the performance, he later said the jokes were “way, way over the line.”

“Fifty percent of the crowd didn’t get it and f-cking hated it and hated me. And I kept going,” Danson said. “I thought I was doing a satire on race relationships, inner, you know, mixed couple relationship, and I thought I was being edgy,” he explained.

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Danson said that while his intention for the roast was “love,” he later understood that “intentions do not matter. “The impact you have on people is what matters,” he added.

Whoopi Goldberg Defended Ted Danson

Immediately following the set, Goldberg addressed Danson’s blackface, telling the audience, “I don’t care if you didn’t like it. I did.”

Later, Goldberg shared that she was the one who wrote Danson’s material and even hired the artist who did his makeup. “Ted is a funny man, but he is a white man. He didn’t know how to do this. I did. It was my concept.”

Goldberg also spoke about it publicly, saying, “If they knew me, they would know that Whoopi has never been about political correctness. I built my whole career destigmatizing words like ‘n—–r’,” she said. In another statement, the comedian stated, “Friars Club roasts are meant to be ‘vulgar’ and ‘outrageous,’ so why anyone would take offense to Ted’s roasting me in the tradition of the Friars Club is beyond me.”

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After debuting theatrically barely two weeks ago, Guy Ritchie‘s new movie is already available to rent or purchase on PVOD. This sort of narrow theatrical window is getting rarer these days, as studios and exhibitors try to correct the mistakes of the last few years. Universal, for instance, has committed to a four-week theatrical window for its movies starting this year; this will increase to at least five weekends from next year onward. So, for a major action movie starring globally renowned stars and with an A-list director at the helm to be released on home video merely 17 days after its release seems, on the surface, like a step in the other direction. The movie’s underwhelming box-office performance and mediocre reviews probably had something to do with it.

Ritchie has had a rather difficult time at the box office over the last half-decade, with four movies in a row falling short of commercial expectations. Paradoxically, his movies tend to do very well on home video. For instance, Ritchie’s 2024 war movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is the number one movie on the domestic Peacock chart as we speak. Over the years, Ritchie has further established his streaming credentials with a trio of hit shows — Netflix’s The Gentlemen, Paramount+’s MobLand, and Prime Video’s Young Sherlock. However, there’s no denying that his latest theatrical release should have done better.

Guy Ritchie’s Fans Seem to Have Been Waiting Patiently for His New Movie to Hit Home Video

We’re talking, of course, about In the Grey. Starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González, the film grossed only around $13 million worldwide against a reported budget of $70 million. This is well below the $49 million worldwide haul of Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, the $29 million haul of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and the $21 million haul of The Covenant. It’s also the second-lowest-grossing movie of Cavill’s post-Superman career, after Night Hunter. In the Grey received mixed reviews and is now sitting at a 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The website’s consensus reads, “Pitting together charismatic stars in an underpowered caper, Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey is a slick action vehicle whose lack of fresh ideas ultimately put its entertainment value in the red.” However, there are already early signs that the movie will do Ritchie-style business on PVOD.

It holds an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and according to FlixPatrol, it debuted at the number two spot on the domestic iTunes chart. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

May 13, 2026

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Runtime

98 minutes

Producers

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Ivan Atkinson, Dave Caplan, Guy Ritchie, John Friedberg

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Fantasy cinema has a unique allure. With its otherworldly appeal and transfixing high-concept nature, it can truly captivate an audience from the opening scene and keep them immersed right up until the credits roll. However, having the ability to do something and actually doing it are two entirely different things. Showcasing the mesmerizing majesty of fantasy cinema in all its glory, these films are all perfect examples of the genre from start to finish.

As another testament to the brilliance of fantasy filmmaking, they also encompass everything from sweeping epics set in mystic realms to grounded dramas that illuminate the sense of magic, adventure, and imaginative awe present in our very own world. From modern masterpieces to Old Hollywood classics, from triumphs of animation to thought-provoking and cerebral drama, these fantasy movies are truly faultless from beginning to end.

‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001-2003)

Entirely entrancing throughout every single second of its extensive 9-hour runtime (over 11 hours in the case of the extended editions), The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the defining masterpiece of high fantasy cinema. Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic novel, it follows the members of the Fellowship of the Ring as they set out to take a ring of terrible power to the fires of Mount Doom to be destroyed.

Every single aspect of the trilogy is an achievement to behold: the gorgeous cinematography and meticulous integration of visual and practical effects to the scale of the battle sequences, the detail of the set design and costuming, and even the ensnaring atmospheric allure of Howard Shore’s impeccable score. From Galadriel’s (Cate Blanchett) opening monologue detailing the history of Middle-earth and the quiet charm of The Shire, through all the kingdoms and characters of the world, right up until the heartbreakingly beautiful final moments, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a stunning feat of fantasy filmmaking.

‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

Image via AB Svensk Filmindustri

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Ingmar Bergman produced several medium-defining masterpieces throughout his illustrious career, renowned for their meditative style and his philosophical depth; The Seventh Seal is perhaps the best example. The historical fantasy drama follows a knight of the Crusades as he returns to his homeland to find it decimated by plague. As he explores the ruins of his native land, Antonius (Max von Sydow) is also visited by Death (Bengt Ekerot), challenging him to a game of chess for his life.

Bergman’s ability to juxtapose piercing contemplations on mortality and faith with life-affirming celebrations of humanity makes The Seventh Seal a compelling viewing from start to finish. The moody atmospheric pull of its striking black-and-white imagery ensnares from the outset. Beautiful, thought-provoking, and rich with intriguing insights into the human condition, it is a timeless triumph of fantasy cinema that oozes perfection in everything it does.

‘Harvey’ (1950)

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Fantasy cinema has rarely been as touching and tender as it is in Harvey. Based on Mary Chase’s play of the same name, it follows Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) as his family tries to admit him to a psychiatric hospital due to his friendship with Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall talking rabbit. As one misadventure leads to another in delightful fashion, it starts to become clear that Harvey might be far more than a figment of Elwood’s imagination.

Gentle, charming, and deftly wise, Harvey is a beautiful yet often melancholic observation of humanity at its best. Stewart is at his heartwarming best from the opening moments, championing the essence of curiosity, empathy, and unassuming acceptance as strengths of character in a world of cynics who all think they know everything that can and cannot exist. Not only a gorgeous, grounded fantasy that suggests magic exists in the world around us, but a razor-sharp social satire as well, Harvey is a masterpiece of family drama that flaunts a timeless message of the importance of being pleasant.

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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Combining infectious adventure, swashbuckling action, sweeping romance, and slapstick comedy all under the guise of a period fantasy epic, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl epitomizes fantasy cinema and blockbuster spectacle at its most energized and entertaining. It holds a magical mystique from the opening prologue, enthralling viewers in a pirate age laced with dark magic and evil curses, and only builds momentum throughout the rest of its 143-minute runtime.

Here, we have a mesmerizing medley of richly designed and memorable characters, seafaring adventure, a deceptively intricate story, and some of the most audacious and awe-inspiring action sequences blockbuster cinema has seen. The 2003 fantasy presents a treat of high-concept creativity and endlessly intoxicating fun. Defined by Johnny Depp’s iconic and brilliantly chaotic turn as the gleefully eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow, The Curse of the Black Pearl is fantasy adventure in its purest and most pleasurable form.

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

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More than 60 years later, Mary Poppins remains a staple of family entertainment courtesy of Julie Andrews’s iconic performance and its graceful balancing of whimsical fairy tale fun and the grounded evolution of the Banks family. Perhaps the perfect example of a flat arc narrative—a story where the protagonist doesn’t change or develop, but rather sees their innate qualities change the world and characters around them—it is an ageless gem of cinema bolstered by its ravishing musical allure and enduring visual splendor.

Inviting, charming, and ceaselessly feel-good, Mary Poppins follows the titular nanny as she uses her magical talents to mend the mischievous nature of the Banks children while creating a sense of harmony and happiness in the family environment. For decades, the film has transcended generations, touched the hearts of viewers of all ages, and stood as a defining pillar of fantasy cinema at its most enrapturing and universally accessible.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

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The opening of It’s a Wonderful Life is simple yet deceptively brilliant. It features a montage of prayers for the struggling George Bailey (James Stewart) that melt away into a charming conversation between God, Joseph, and the wingless angel Clarence (Henry Travers) depicted in glistening stars. It may seem rudimentary by modern standards, but it is infectiously endearing, immersing viewers in the gentle optimism and heartwarming idealism that punctuates every beat of the story.

The journey through George’s life is laced with sweet sincerity. The twist of him seeing how Bedford Falls would have turned out had he never been born is steeped in heartbreaking despair, and the grand climax is as powerful an ode to the beauty of life and humanity as cinema has ever seen. Grounded in Stewart’s sublime performance as an ordinary community hero who seldom grasps the influence his good nature has on those around him, It’s a Wonderful Life is a life-affirming triumph that, even after 80 years, remains one of fantasy cinema’s greatest offerings.

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

One of the most beloved international movies ever made, Pan’s Labyrinth exhibits Guillermo del Toro’s astonishing Gothic dark fantasy allure at its absolute best. Excelling as both a twisted fairy tale and a violent depiction of the evil of war, it follows young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) as she and her heavily pregnant mother are whisked away to be with the vile Captain Vidal (Sergi López), the father of the unborn child. Amid the chaos of Francoist Spain and the savagery of the civil war, Ofelia is told by a mystical faun that she can retake her place as the princess of the Underworld if she completes three trying tasks.

Nightmarish and beautiful, Pan’s Labyrinth captivates from its opening moments. It uses both wonder and brutality to conjure an endlessly enthralling spectacle of the complex morality of mankind, the power of disobedience and resistance, and, of course, the otherworldly awe of the Underworld and its creatures, be they marvelous or monstrous. A sublime visual treat, an emotionally enriching adventure, and a masterclass in dark fairy tale splendor, Pan’s Labyrinth stands tall among the greatest fantasy movies of all time.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Studio Ghibli

Even with its gentle and relaxed opening, Spirited Away exudes an engulfing majesty from its first frames. It’s a testament to the divine majesty of its animation and atmospheric richness, but it also serves as a masterstroke from Hayao Miyazaki in immersing viewers in grounded, real-world simplicity before stepping into a realm of unbridled fantasy spectacle. When Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi/Davleigh Chase) does step into the magical world, audiences are transfixed by its colorful allure, imaginative brilliance, and its deft mixture of sheer wonder and underlying eeriness.

Utterly hypnotic, Spirited Away has become a defining masterpiece of animated cinema as well as a flagship icon of Studio Ghibli’s excellence. It blends family adventure and fantasy wonder with a rich thematic journey of self-discovery, humanity, compassion, and even environmentalism with immaculate delicacy and precision. Ceaselessly transfixing and only growing in splendor and impact as it unfolds, Spirited Away is a highlight of modern fantasy and a true masterpiece of 21st-century cinema.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

The 1980s mark one of the strongest eras of fantasy cinema in the medium’s history. That The Princess Bride has become such a definitive icon of the decade and the genre is a testament to its enduring perfection. Directed with such precision and tonal conviction by Rob Reiner, it blends soaring fantasy adventure and romantic passion with inflections of gleefully ridiculous comedy. It follows Wesley’s (Cary Elwes) conquest to rescue his true love from the clutches of a cruel and power-hungry prince.

Even the film’s side characters and their journeys are steeped in perfection, with Inigo Montoya’s (Mandy Patinkin) drive to avenge his father becoming one of the most famous B-plots in cinematic history. The beautiful touch of bookending the movie with the story of the sick child being told a story by his grandfather imbues the movie with a sense of meta-commentary on the value of narratives. Entertaining, exciting, and entirely heartwarming, The Princess Bride is the pinnacle of fantasy adventure fun from beginning to end.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Image via Warner Bros.

Not only an ageless masterpiece of fantasy cinema, but also one of the most important movies in history, The Wizard of Oz is a beacon of Old Hollywood brilliance that continues to appeal to new generations. Following Dorothy (Judy Garland) as she navigates the magical realm of Oz hoping to find a way to return to her home in Kansas, the 1939 classic is a majestic triumph of family entertainment. Everything, from its groundbreaking visual wonder to its unforgettable musical numbers, touching characters, and enrapturing production design, transfixes viewers of all ages.

Even the movies of today struggle to rival the piercing beauty of its Technicolor vibrancy and ravishing set design. The heartfelt story of friendship, self-discovery, and facing adversity with grace and compassion has proven to be timelessly captivating. Its influence has been felt in thousands of movies over the decades since its release, and yet it has never been surpassed. The Wizard of Oz still stands as one of cinema’s greatest achievements some 86 years after it first released.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 5 seconds ago

The ‘80s is the decade that just keeps giving, with its countless colorful franchises being reinvented for the modern day. This is especially true of IPs that were originally made to sell toys, which is why beloved cartoons like Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been repeatedly remade into live-action movies. However, He-Man failed to make the leap into modernity: after the 1987 live-action film featuring Dolph Lundgren became a critical and commercial bomb, the franchise steered clear of the big screen, with only a few controversial animated revivals to keep the brand alive.

Now, though, a new Masters of the Universe movie has hacked and slashed its way into theaters. When news of this movie was first announced, even the beefy barbarian’s biggest fans were worried it would be a disaster. Given how badly most Hollywood revivals go, it was easy to imagine that this film would change up crucial lore fans loved about the original show, or maybe transform the cartoon’s legendarily campy tone into something so grimdark only edgelords could enjoy it. 

Fortunately, we had nothing to worry about: Masters of the Universe is the new gold standard for franchise revivals, one that will leave old-school fans grinning while winning over new audiences with a sexy, silly, and utterly spectacular sci-fi thrill ride.

A Bone To Pick With He-Man

The premise of Masters of the Universe is that when Skeletor (Jared Leto) and his evil army attack the city of Eternos, its only prince (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth for his own safety. He brings with him a sword filled with magic power, but he loses it almost as soon as he arrives. Fifteen years later, he’s close to finding the sword, a weapon that can transform him into a hulking He-Man and, even more importantly, transport him back to his home world of Eternia.

However, this hero will need all of the sword’s power and all of the help he can get from his old mentor (Idris Elba) and childhood best friend (Camila Mendes) to defeat the combined forces of darkness and lead the world of Eternia into a new golden age. Along the way, he will need to learn more about what it means to be both man and He-Man, the wisdom necessary to rally a battered-down rebellion into a fighting force that can take Skeletor down for good.

The Most Faithful Designs

As an ‘80s kid who had way too many He-Man figures, the first thing that pleasantly surprised me about Masters of the Universe is how faithful the character designs are to the original cartoon. He-Man’s iconic look is replicated so faithfully that Nicholas Galitzine (a great comedic actor who sells the transition from puny prince to battling barbarian) looks like a walking, talking action figure. The same can be said for Teela, and Camila Mendes imbues this character with the perfect balance of grace, strength, and beauty. Familiar villains like Beast Man and Evil-Lyn are scarier than ever before, and I was particularly impressed by Trap Jaw, whom the movie transforms into a one-man walking army.

But the wildest character to behold is, without a doubt, Skeletor. He is the perfect live-action incarnation of his iconic cartoon design, one whose skull-faced visage expresses a surprising range of emotion. The CGI used to do so is very effective, and it helps bring to life some of this character’s most gloriously goofy faces straight out of the ‘80s. In his own way, Skeletor symbolizes the greatest selling point of this movie to the franchise’s older fans: this is the cartoon brought to life, full stop, with no fussy concerns over modernizing the designs or sanding off the adorable cheesiness of the characters.

Between the accurate costume and the unrestrained, gonzo performance from Jared Leto (who is almost shockingly good here), the movie has everything you could want from this iconic villain. The sneers, the monologuing, the humor, it’s all here, and Skeletor is simultaneously the funniest and the scariest character in the movie. At times, this can create a slightly distracting tonal whiplash. Overall, though, Skeletor will please the fans who wanted him to be a pastel goth meme king and those who wanted an intimidating villain who is as ruthless as he is relentless.

Crude And Campy, Through And Through

Speaking of humor, it’s worth noting that almost everything in Masters of the Universe has its tongue firmly in cheek. There are occasional serious moments, like when He-Man has heart-to-heart conversations with his dad about being a good son and with his old mentor about what it means to be a man. For the most part, though, the movie is in the vein of a Guardians of the Galaxy-style irreverent sci-fi adventure. Between the steady supply of jokes, the film is a breezy thrill ride, one that goes by remarkably fast despite the two-hour, fifteen-minute runtime. 

Some humor is aimed squarely at adults, and not everything lands. For example, this adaptation of an old kids’ cartoon has a lot of jokes about fisting, and there are some sexual innuendoes Skeletor tosses to He-Man that are sure to raise a few eyebrows. In one of the movie’s crudest moments, Teela jokingly calls Cringer (He-Man’s talking tiger who hates fighting) a “p*ssy,” getting an accordingly shocked reaction from He-Man. It got a relatively shocked reaction from my theater, which is fair: for a film being marketed as a family-friendly sci-fi blockbuster, there are a lot of things in Masters of the Universe that you probably wouldn’t want your kids repeating. 

At the same time, it’s pretty refreshing to see a blockbuster refuse to play things safe, and like Marvel’s Guardians movies, it’s fun to see good guys who are rough-around-the-edges instead of squeaky-clean exemplars of morality and goodness.

An Action-Packed Fantasy Epic

Masters of the Universe packs in far more action than I was actually expecting. Unlike the 1987 movie, this latest film spends only a small fraction of time on Earth, and those scenes are worth it because they crescendo with a nerve-wracking fight scene with Beastman. Honestly, while the new He-Man movie doesn’t break the sci-fi mold, it does deliver many different kinds of battle scenes sure to get your heart pumping. 

This includes one-on-one showdowns (like He-Man and Skeletor, or Man-at-Arms and Trap Jaw), big group battles (like the initial attack on Eternos and the later, desperate assault on Castle Grayskull), and even multiple, high-flying scenes of starship combat. This variety helps keep things fresh, while witty writing and wonderfully earnest acting help to ground every CGI-laden fight scene with humanity.

Not Too Woke, Not Too Weird

Speaking of humanity, the movie walks a very fine line between being an ‘80s homage and being a modern action opus. There are some very 21st-century lessons here about the need to temper power with empathy and the importance of solving the occasional problem without violence. Nonetheless, a brief scene at Prince Adam’s Human Resources underscores how mind-numbing touchy-feely mantras can be and how many of those touting them are secretly control freaks relishing in the surprisingly robust power they have over others. 

Throw in He-Man’s early worries that he isn’t manly enough and some Man-at-Arms speeches about how wars are won by soldiers and not poets and you have a movie that will mollify just about anyone who worried it would be too “woke.” At the same time, Masters of the Universe stays mercifully clear of politics, presenting itself as an epic clash of good versus evil that you can enjoy regardless of who you voted for.

Easter Eggs As Far As The Eye Can See

If you are a big fan of He-Man from way back, you’ll probably love one aspect of Masters of the Universe more than anything else: the Easter eggs! There are practically too many to count, including a cameo from Dolph Lundgren (the original live-action He-Man) and several references to the 1987 film. At one point, Prince Adam tracks his sword to a comics and collectibles store called the Fright Zone, which is named after Hordak’s base of operations in She-Ra. That store also prominently features Big Jim, the toy line that preceded He-Man and provided the mold that would become Cringer.

There are multiple great music drops, including the original cartoon theme and, hilariously, Four Non-Blondes’ “What’s Up,” which was featured in the greatest He-Man fan video ever made. 

Plus, without spoiling things, there are two different mid-credits scenes and one post-credits scene sure to make older fans grin harder than they have in decades. In short, the more you know about this sprawling fictional universe, the more you’ll enjoy this ambitious new film.

Notably, these Easter eggs are inserted pretty seamlessly into the film. Masters of the Universe is very accessible to complete newbies, and you can enjoy all of these weird little moments at face value, even if you don’t know what they are homaging. When you do get the references, though (“whoa, did He-Man just thunder punch Skeletor?!?”), it just makes some already-awesome scenes that much cooler. Careful, though: the more you recognize, the more likely you are to speed home and bust out all your favorite childhood He-Man toys.

Nostalgia You’ll Feel Right In Your Bones

Collectively, these Easter eggs help to cement something that becomes apparent very early into the film: Masters of the Universe is a true labor of love, made by a director (Travis Knight), writer, and producers who have a clear passion for the source material. It’s not perfect, but this movie is leaps and bounds better than most sci-fi revivals, and it’s infinitely better than The Mandalorian and Grogu, the new Star Wars movie oozing its way down the box office ranks with the slimy tenacity of a Hutt.

Against all the odds, this revival of a classic ‘80s property is better than fans could have possibly hoped for. It’s full of dynamic action, fun characters, witty dialogue, and one gloriously scenery-chewing performance after another. Totally, this is basically the love child of Conan the Destroyer and Thor: Ragnarok, which is fitting for a franchise that has always blended sci-fi with fantasy. Masters of the Universe is an unrelenting thrill ride of action and adventure, one that winks at the camera a little more aggressively (and a little more infectiously) with every scene.

Looking for an unapologetic love letter to a bygone decade that served as the perfect intersection of action schlock and action figure? Good news, kiddos: for the first time since the ‘80s, He-Man has the power!

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (2026) SCORE