Entertainment
One of ‘SNL’s Biggest Stars Was Never the Same After a Freak Live TV Accident
Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary show was a big success as cast members from the beginning until now showed up for the celebration. If you were watching the broadcast on NBC (which is now available to stream on Peacock), you might have noticed that one former cast member was moving quite gingerly. Chris Kattan, one of SNL‘s most popular names in the late ’90s and early 2000s, looked like he was in pain as he moved around the stage. So what’s that about? The truth is much more shocking. In 2001, Kattan broke his neck live on TV during a Saturday Night Live sketch. He has been dealing with the physical and mental consequences ever since.
Chris Kattan Was Known for His Wild Physicality on ‘SNL’
In the mid-1990s, Saturday Night Live was going through a time of big change, as major names like Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock started to leave the show. Going into the latter half of the decade, SNL nearly started from scratch, hiring new future featured players such as Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Darrell Hammond, Cheri Oteri, and Ana Gasteyer. Another impactful name brought in was Kattan. Kattan was seemingly born for comedy, as his father, Kip King, was a cartoon voice actor and one of the founders of the sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings. Kattan ended up being part of The Groundlings, too, leading to Lorne Michaels hiring him for Saturday Night Live in 2001.
Kattan became one of the biggest names in the cast thanks to his willingness to do anything. He could do celebrity impressions, but what he became most known for was three original characters. One was the flamboyant exotic danger named Mango, and another was Mr. Peepers, with Kattan stripping down, putting on bigger ears, and jumping around like a monkey while he devoured apples, with bits of fruit flying everywhere. His physicality became so well known that there’s a scene in Jordan Peele‘s Nope where Jupe (Steven Yeun) is talking about the terrifying chimp scene from the film being portrayed in a fictional SNL sketch. And who should play the chimpanzee? Kattan.
Kattan was also known for his recurring sketch as one of the Butabi brothers alongside Will Ferrell, two eccentric men who like to bob their heads to “What Is Love” by Haddaway. They think they are cool even as every woman rejects them. The sketches were so popular that they even led to a feature film, 1998’s A Night at the Roxbury. Everything was going right for Kattan, until it really wasn’t.
Chris Kattan Broke His Neck During an ‘SNL’ Sketch
In 2019, Kattan wrote a memoir titled Baby, Don’t Hurt Me: Stories and Scars from Saturday Night Live. In it, he details the highs and lows of being a famous cast member on one of America’s most well-known shows, but the lowest of lows for Kattan came during the May 12, 2001, episode. He was involved in a sketch parodying The Golden Girls, when Kattan’s character began to shake wildly, as he often did. Kattan flailed about so much that he fell back in his chair, tipping it over as intended, but when he did, he landed on the back of his head.
Kattan went on with the rest of the show as normal despite being in a lot of pain. He continued with Saturday Night Live until 2003, and no one knew what had happened, or why he largely disappeared from acting in the years right after. Finally, in 2017, when he was cast on Dancing With the Stars, Kattan sort of came clean, wanting to explain why his dancing was so rigid and stiff. He said that he had broken his neck in the past without going into detail. Kattan ended up being the first contestant eliminated.
In Baby Don’t Hurt Me, Kattan revealed the whole story about how he injured himself. He hoped that the pain would just eventually go away, but nearly a year later, with the pain worse, his chiropractor got him to finally see a doctor, where it was discovered he had broken his neck. In total, Kattan has had five surgeries, but Saturday Night Live wasn’t there to support him for all of it. In his book, Kattan wrote:
“NBC had stopped paying my medical costs after the second surgery. The ‘SNL’ family I was part of had stopped taking care of me, and soon I wasn’t able to pay for everything myself.”
Kattan admits that he didn’t handle things the right way. He tried to hide his injury, pretending that everything was fine, because he didn’t want to sue anyone. However, in an interview with Variety, he said he wishes now that he’d stuck up for himself, because he waited so long that he could no longer get workers’ compensation. “It’s a different day and age where people, if they get any injury or harassment or anything, it’s a good time to say anything about it. This is not too long ago, but it was more of a faux pas to say anything, especially if it has to do with your showbiz family.”
Chris Kattan’s Career Has Suffered Because of His Injury
In another interview with Variety, Kattan said that he’s 95% okay now, thanks to physical therapy, but he does have limitations due to permanent nerve damage, including not being able to fully open and close his hands. Still, he admits, “There is a lot of pain involved.” The pain for Kattan hasn’t just been physical, either. As has sadly happened with too many people who have had a serious injury, Kattan then found himself addicted to painkillers. That led to an arrest and the end of his marriage. After marrying model Sunshine Deia Tutt in 2008, the pair divorced just months later. In his memoir, he wrote, “The impact that my injury and subsequent surgeries had on my career was immense, but more importantly, the fallout proved to be devastating to some of the closest relationships in my life.”
Five months after his SNL accident, Kattan was the lead in the feature film Corky Romano. It was a critical bust, with a lowly 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it made a respectable $24 million domestically at the box office. Later in the 2000s, he was still acting, but here and there, in small, forgotten movies, or doing guest spots on TV shows and voice work. That’s still not a bad career, but it’s a big fall off for someone who was once just as big as Will Ferrell.
‘Saturday Night Live’s Worst Season Ever Accidentally Saved the Entire Show
The season was noted as “weird — and not always in a good way.”
Thankfully, he has turned his life around. He told Variety, “Comedy is what brought me out of it. I was born to be funny and to perform comedy.” Kattan, who said he was once ashamed of going outside because he didn’t want to be judged for his appearance, is now doing stand-up comedy regularly. He also found love again, getting engaged in 2023 to his girlfriend, Maria Libri. Thankfully, he was at Saturday Night Live‘s big 50th celebration, standing on the stage where he belonged.
Saturday Night Live is now available to stream on Peacock.
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The definition of a cult film is by no means clear-cut or defined by any sort of strict meaning. Virtually any kind of movie can garner a following passionate and obsessive enough to qualify as a cult following, but there’s one genre that lends itself particularly well to gaining cult followings, and that’s comedies. After all, few things attract a fanbase better than pure, unadulterated laughter.
This isn’t necessarily a list of the best comedy cult classic films, however, but rather a list of the most important, the ones that have defined and influenced the cult cinema movement the most throughout the years. Whether it’s a little-known international gem like The Gods Must Be Crazy or a Hollywood classic so huge that it’s almost mainstream, like The Big Lebowski, all of these comedies should be considered essential viewing for all those interested in better understanding cult cinema.
10
‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’ (1980)
One of cult cinema’s most defining qualities is the obsession with niche films that not just any Average Joe is familiar with, and as a result, many international comedies that would have otherwise flown under the radar have acquired cult followings over the years. Case in point: the South African-Batswana co-production The Gods Must Be Crazy, the first in the film series of the same title.
Proof that films that actually performed remarkably well with critics and at the box office can still qualify as cult classics.
This film is proof that films that actually performed remarkably well with critics and at the box office can still qualify as cult classics. Indeed, The Gods Must Be Crazy became a surprise word-of-mouth sensation across Africa, Europe, and North America during its theatrical run. It’s one of the most notorious must-watch cult classics from the ’80s, all thanks to its brilliantly-executed slapstick and its sharp satire of modern civilization.
9
‘Withnail and I’ (1987)
Withnail and I is yet another of the most essential cult classics of the ’80s, as well as one of the best British comedies of its era. Bruce Robinson‘s masterpiece has made Paul McGann and Richard E. Grant internationally recognized names over the years, even though it was only a modest commercial success when it originally released.
It was thanks to the rise of VHS that Withnail and I became a pop-culture phenomenon during the ’90s, contributing to keeping the late-night cult film circuit alive during a decade when it lay mostly dormant. Further boosted by the endorsement of the British magazine Loaded and the famous drinking game that it spawn off (which fans still love playing today), as well as the script’s tremendous quotability, it’s no wonder why this became one of the ’80s’ biggest cult comedies.
8
‘Harold and Maude’ (1971)
Rom-coms about May-December couples aren’t exactly abundant, but whenever they do get made, they almost always owe something to the May-December rom-com’s most defining pioneer, Hal Ashby‘s Harold and Maude. It’s one of the most universally beloved cult classics ever, the perfect “odd couple” pitch-black comedy that pairs a death-obsessed young man with a free-spirited older counterpart.
After its terrible box office performance, Harold and Maude grew its following through late-night television and screenings at college campuses and repertory theaters. This taboo-shattering rom-com broke all the rules of traditional romantic Hollywood cinema, full of subversive humor and armed with a ton of life-affirming heart to really send its message home.
7
‘Superbad’ (2007)
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The cult film movement has been thriving throughout the 21st century, and comedy cult cinema is no exception. But Greg Mottola‘s Superbad is far more than just one of the biggest cult comedies of the 21st century: It’s one of the funniest movies of the past 50 years, a true teen comedy masterpiece that’s among the most quotable films of modern times.
Almost immediately after its release, the film established itself as a modern teen cult classic through its tremendous quotability and generational staying power. But balanced with that iconicity and that raunchy, crude humor is a surprising amount of heart and an unexpected sincerity that makes it a cinematic love letter to male friendship. It doesn’t get much more perfect for a cult reception than that.
6
‘Pink Flamingos’ (1972)
Few auteurs have ever been more important or revolutionary for the cult cinema movement than John Waters. Subverting mainstream taboos, championing countercultural outcasts, and pioneering the midnight movie phenomenon, Waters earned himself the moniker of the Pope of Trash throughout the early days of his career. But all the greats have to start somewhere, and in Waters’ case, the movie that put him on the map was Pink Flamingos.
It’s far and away one of the most tasteless movies of all time, but very intentionally so. It’s the ultimate cinematic rebellion, cinema’s quintessential celebration of bad taste, and an extravaganza built entirely on camp, anarchy, and queer liberation. The film became an underground sensation pretty much immediately following its premiere at the Baltimore Film Festival in 1972, turning it into one of the original champions of the midnight screening circuit.
5
‘Clerks’ (1994)
The ’90s were a particularly good time for independent cinema throughout the entire world, but Hollywood in particular saw a real boom in low-budget filmmaking like Clerks. Directed by Kevin Smith when he was only 22 years old, the movie was shot on a micro-budget of less than $50 million dollars, turning it into the kind of underdog filmmaking success story that the ’90s had so many of.
The film’s instant connection with the apathetic, pop-culture-obsessed spirit of Gen X during the ’90s made it a cult hit almost immediately following its theatrical release, though it was the VHS market that really turned it into a pop culture sensation. Built on endlessly quotable dialogue and a relatable understanding of the monotony of dead-end retail jobs, it’s a film that still feels universally timely all these many years later.
4
‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)
It’s not often that filmmakers completely re-invent a genre with their debut feature, but that was just the kind of immense talent that Rob Reiner was. This Is Spinal Tap wasn’t the first mockumentary in film history, but it sure made the genre mainstream and set a set of brand-new rules for it. Until this day, you’d still be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t consider it one of the best satire movies of the last 75 years.
Though the movie was a critical success upon release, its box office gross were rather modest, largely because many viewers mistakenly thought that the fictional titular band was a real group and were thus uninterested. It was in the VHS market that Spinal Tap began to find its cult following—and what a loyal following it has remained through the decades. Satirizing and parodying the music industry and rockumentaries in ways that still feel clever and fresh, it became a word-of-mouth sensation that completely re-defined modern comedy. The entire mockumentary genre would simply not be the same without it.
3
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)
The midnight film circuit is one of the most important pillars of the cult cinema movement, and there is no midnight cult classic more important, iconic, or enduring than The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s one of the best horror masterpieces of the ’70s, a musical comedy extravaganza fueled by pure camp, queer sensuality, and taboo-breaking humor.
The film was both a critical and commercial flop when it came out, but just one year after its release, the Waverly Theater in New York City started running midnight screenings of it. This way, what had once been a failure became the defining work of participatory cult cinema, transforming the movement into an immersive, interactive social ritual. To this day, watching a midnight screening of Rocky Horror in a packed theater should be on every cinephile’s bucket list.
2
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the most admirable works of low-budget fantasy filmmaking in history, a film that takes full advantage of its shoestring budget and uses it as a way to elevate, not limit, its humor. It’s one of the most genre-defining comedy movies in history, and further proof that huge commercial and critical successes can also be considered cult classics.
The film grew its cult following through late-night television broadcasts, college campus screenings, and the booming VHS market—and big-screen comedy has never been the same since. Absurdist comedy, quotable dialogue, smart satire, and creative workaraounds around budget limitations are always big factors that contribute to a film becoming a cult classic, and they certainly turned this into one of the most iconic comedy masterpieces in movie history.
1
‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
There are plenty of box office bombs that are now considered masterpieces, but as far as comedies go, none are more notorious than the Coen brothers‘ The Big Lebowski. Despite its initial cold reception, the film found new life in the VHS and DVD market in the years following its release. With the launch of Lebowski Fest in Louisville, Kentucky in 2002, the deal was sealed: The world was in the face of the biggest cult classic in the history of comedy cinema.
What, if not the biggest cult comedy in history, could spawn the emergence of an actual religion and life philosophy? Indeed, the mere existence of Dudeism should be proof enough that few cult classics have ever reached the level of iconicity of The Big Lebowski. The movie has become so beloved and so widely celebrated that today, it’s nothing short of a mainstream classic. Quotable, funny, weird in all the right ways, and fueled by an anti-establishment ethos that virtually every cult cinema fan should be able to vibe with, it’s a testament to the cultural power of the cult cinema movement.
The Big Lebowski
- Release Date
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March 6, 1998
- Runtime
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117 minutes
- Director
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Joel Coen
- Writers
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Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
90 Day Fiancé alum Jasmine Pineda is speaking out after finalizing her divorce from now-ex-husband Gino Palazzolo.
“My client has exercised remarkable restraint despite repeated public accusations that we believe are false and damaging. The legal process has concluded, yet the public attacks have not,” Pineda’s lawyer Andrew J. Tahmazian said in a statement to Us Weekly on Friday, June 26. “We are issuing a formal cease-and-desist demand, and if these defamatory statements continue, we are fully prepared to pursue every legal remedy available. Reputation has value, and the law provides recourse when false statements cause harm.”
Pineda’s manager, Dominique Enchinton, also addressed the reality star’s divorce in a statement to Us, “For far too long, Jasmine has been forced to defend herself against a narrative that simply does not align with either the facts or the outcome of this case. The final divorce resolution speaks louder than months of interviews, online commentary, and accusations.”
Enchinton continued, “Jasmine chose peace over prolonged litigation. She honored a settlement so she could close this chapter and focus on her children, her family, and her future. Unfortunately, the continued public attacks have made it necessary to respond. The legal process has concluded, and the outcome speaks for itself. Jasmine is choosing to move forward with grace, dignity, and purpose—not conflict. We are hopeful this chapter has finally come to a close. However, a person’s reputation is invaluable. Should false and defamatory statements continue, we are fully prepared to protect Jasmine’s rights through every appropriate legal avenue. We remain confident that the truth, supported by the facts, will continue to speak for itself.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Gino for comment.
90 Day Fiancé stars Gino Palazzolo and Jasmine Pineda are still in the middle of a quarrelsome divorce nearly three years after they tied the knot, Us Weekly can exclusively report. Gino, 57, filed docs in July 2025 to legally end their union in Michigan, where the now-exes wed in June 2023, noting they separated […]
Jasmine, 39, and Gino’s courtship was first profiled on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, as she left her home in Panama to move in with Gino, 57, in Michigan. They were later featured on 90 Day: The Last Resort.
Despite showing a volatile side to their relationship on 90 Day, the couple tied the knot in June 2023 in Michigan. They later agreed to open up their marriage, with Jasmine ultimately welcoming a daughter, Matilda, outside of the relationship with boyfriend Matt Branistareanu. (Jasmine also has two sons, Juance and JC, from a previous relationship.)
Gino eventually admitted on 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort Tell-All that he wished he’d never agreed to an open marriage.
Jasmine Pineda and Gino Palazzolo Courtesy TLC
“Overall, after all this was done, I regret agreeing to open marriage,” he confessed in an April 2025 episode. “But I felt like I was trapped in a corner. Like, I had to make a decision, take action, because nothing was working for us.”
Gino officially filed for divorce in Michigan in July 2025, listing their separation date as April 22, 2024. Jasmine counterfiled for divorce one month later in Florida, where she’d moved with Matt, 39.
As the former couple settled their divorce, Gino’s spokesperson exclusively told Us on Thursday, June 25, that he looked forward to “bringing a long and emotionally difficult chapter to a close.”
“The court’s final ruling has resolved the matter in his favor, giving him the legal closure he has been waiting for and allowing him to move forward at last,” his rep went on. “The relationship and its aftermath placed Gino under significant emotional strain, as he navigated a very public breakup, legal proceedings, and the pressure that came with the collapse of his marriage. After enduring that process, Gino is relieved that the matter is now behind him and grateful to finally have clarity, peace, and the opportunity to focus on himself.”
90 Day Fiancé alum Jasmine Pineda and her estranged husband Gino Palazzolo’s unconventional relationship has taken another unexpected turn. TMZ reported on Saturday, October 25, that Jasmine, 39, published a notice in Pinellas County, Florida’s La Gaceta newspaper to announce that she’d filed for divorce in August. According to the outlet, Jasmine took this legal […]
The 90 Day Fiancé star is “genuinely happy to start over” and is now focused on filming 90 Day: The Single Life, per his spokesperson.
“Viewers have already seen him beginning that process on 90 Day: The Single Life, where he has started dating again and taking steps toward rebuilding his personal life,” his rep added. “This next chapter represents a fresh start, one centered on healing, moving forward, and embracing what comes next.”
The statement concluded, “Gino’s focus now is on growth, peace of mind, and creating a future that reflects stability and happiness. After everything he has been through, he is looking ahead with optimism and appreciation for the chance to begin again.”
We may know Cecil B. DeMille best for his final film, The Ten Commandments, but did you know that Hollywood legend Cecil B. DeMille made a trilogy of biblical epics back in the day? At the point where the silent era was fading out and “talkies” were becoming popular, DeMille made three historical/religious epics that chronicled the Old Testament, New Testament, and early Church eras. Yet, it was only the final picture in this unofficial string of thematic material that utilized sound, the highly underrated and all-around provocative The Sign of the Cross. If you’ve never heard of this 1932 Old Hollywood epic, it’s a pre-Code extravaganza well worth entertaining.
‘Sign of the Cross’ Was a First Century Epic of Romance and Faith
As the third entry in his biblical epic trilogy, The Sign of the Cross is unique in that it was not based on any tale pulled from the holy scriptures. Rather, it was based on a 1895 play penned by English playwright Wilson Barrett, which DeMille had previously seen. (Interestingly, The Sign of the Cross first hit the stage in March 1895, two days after the remarkably similar serial novel, Quo Vadis, was published by Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz. Quo Vadis would likewise be adapted.) Although The Sign of the Cross had been adapted as a 10-minute silent short in 1904 and as a 70-minute silent drama in 1914, DeMille’s 1932 remake was the most earnest adaptation of Barrett’s material. Here, the director moves beyond strict biblical fiction into historical fiction to round out his religious drama, embracing his ability to craft a larger-than-life visual spectacle that rivals even his later works. While some of the costuming was reused from previous pictures, The Sign of the Cross is quite visually stimulating.
Set several decades after Christ, the picture highlights early Christian persecution at the hands of Roman Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) in the mid-first-century following the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64. More specifically, it follows the fictional Roman prefect Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), who falls for a young Christian woman named Mercia (Elissa Landi) just as Nero orders him to round up and capture all the Christians in the city. While Marcus wishes to show mercy to the new religious sect, he must keep up his Roman appearances and way of life — a way of life that keeps him and the faithful Mercia apart. The Sign of the Cross meditates on Marcus’ inability to believe in anything beyond himself, making his complete infatuation with this young Christian woman all the more brilliant and torturous. Likewise, there is a strong juxtaposition displayed here between the Christian ideals of virtue and sacrifice with Rome’s hedonistic and violent ways. This tension is what helps make The Sign of the Cross such a beautiful film.
Of course, The Sign of the Cross was also quite controversial in its day. As DeMille was known to do, the 1932 picture displays both the decadence and delinquency of Roman society, in the form of the “wicked” Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert). While March and Landi play Marcus and Mercia flawlessly, Colbert’s performance as Poppaea is seductively invasive. Jealous for Marcus’ affections and unashamedly lustful in her dealings, she sets her sights on Mercia as a romantic rival and finds herself at terrible odds with the doomed couple. Indeed, through characters like Poppaea and the film’s infamous Colosseum sequence, The Sign of the Cross leans into its pre-Code-era ability to revel in its depiction of ancient Rome’s decadence, showing nude women stalked by wild animals or Ancaria’s (Joyzelle Joyner) incredibly sensual dance sequence as she attempts to seduce Mercia away from her convictions. Yet, these moments of sin and seduction are contrasted marvelously with notions of faith and conviction on the part of Mercia and her fellow believers.
DeMille Rounded Out His Trilogy of Biblical Epics with This 1932 Picture
As one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, DeMille was a true pioneer during the silent and early sound eras. His 1934 film, Cleopatra, was a Best Picture delight at the Oscars, and The Ten Commandments would stun both audiences and critics in 1956, concluding his work in the pictures and solidifying himself as one of the most important names in film history. (This isn’t to mention films like The Greatest Show on Earth, Samson and Delilah, and Union Pacific.) But long before working with Charlton Heston, DeMille’s unofficial biblical epic trilogy chronicled the transition from silent to sound. The Sign of the Cross was only the final entry in this series of religious epics, and the only “talkie” installment. But don’t let that dissuade you from giving his other two installments a try.
The trilogy begins, interestingly enough, with his first attempt at The Ten Commandments in 1923. Yes, his 1956 film is technically a remake of his own material, which arguably makes it even more impressive. Yet, this silent take on the Exodus story is just as engaging, especially as a blueprint from which he would later expand and improve upon. Three years later, DeMille looked to the New Testament for The King of Kings in 1927, deciding that the story of Jesus Christ was the best way to follow up that of Moses. Audiences and critics praised his tender and reverent take on Christ. It was only five years after that he tackled The Sign of the Cross, establishing the religious epic foundation he would need to revisit this historical era later on in his career. Not only did all three of these public domain films help invent the biblical epic as it would later be known and perfected, but they were the foundation for DeMille’s greatest picture ever — and one of Old Hollywood’s absolute best.
The Sign of the Cross, The King of Kings, and The Ten Commandments are available for streaming on Tubi.
The Sign of the Cross
- Release Date
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November 30, 1932
- Runtime
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124 minutes
- Director
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Cecil B. DeMille
Sometimes, the finest action shows don’t always have the mainstream attention they deserve. Despite being quite underrated, these masterful action-filled watches are worth returning to over and over again. In fact, some of the best shows of the genre aren’t just fun because of the spectacle and violence; they work because their worlds and all it consists of make it rather easy to revisit.
Action shows like the often-overlooked gem Alice in Borderland, which transforms brutal survival games into something clever, emotionally gripping, and incredibly tense, and Banshee, a violent crime drama with a wild premise, fantastic intensity, painful fights, and nonstop consequences, are just two series in the genre that prove underrated action television can be just as rewatchable as anything circling mainstream channels. On this list are incredibly addictive action shows that are absolutely worth watching over and over again.
8
‘Wayne’ (2019)
Wayne has to be one of the most underrated action masterpieces that no one seems to know about. The clever teen action drama follows the young Wayne (Mark McKenna), who hits the road after his father’s death to reclaim a stolen Trans Am, dragging Del (Ciara Bravo) into an incredibly funny, violent, and heartwarmingly romantic fugitive trip.
Wayne is practically built to be rewatched by the lucky few who come across it. The series is creative and quite surprisingly deep. It’s a teen drama that’s so incredibly rewatchable because every episode feels extremely charged with promising momentum. Wayne, despite being criminally underrated, stands as the perfect series to revisit time and time again, as it moves with the confidence of a comic-book bruiser and wields the heart of a scrappy road romance. It’s a sweet, nasty, weirdly sincere, action-filled watch that is structurally tight and worthy of anyone’s time, making it a great addition to this list.
7
‘Hanna’ (2019–2021)
This often-overlooked Prime Video thrill ride has quite the emotional hook. Hanna centers on the titular character, a young girl, ignorant of the normalcy of the world, due to being raised off-grid by her father to survive pursuit, only to find herself stalked by a powerful government organization as she begins uncovering the truth about her origins.
Hanna is the type of action series that definitely rewards rewatches, with its tense cat-and-mouse storytelling, carefully layered character development, and emotional detail that becomes more captivating on repeat viewings. Not only is the show’s action clean and purposeful, but the emotional hook is a young girl learning just how to be ordinary while, at the same time, she’s dismantling extraordinary organizations. Hanna is unique and worthwhile because of its compelling story, action, and deep emotional stakes, cementing it as a tense, stylish watch that’s far greater than it often gets credit for.
6
‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–2025)
Alice in Borderland is an underrated sci-fi banger that is a rather addictive viewing experience. The action thriller focuses on the directionless gamer, Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), and his close friends as they’re dropped into an emptied-out Tokyo where survival depends on deadly games.
Alice in Borderland is quite a captivating series to indulge in, and only gets better for audiences on a second viewing. The series, unlike most survival thrillers, doesn’t entirely rely on shock value; instead, it leaves its mark because it depends on its action being tied to grief, tragedy, loyalty, and fear. Alice in Borderland is genuinely masterful, the perfect series to watch time and time again, because it never gets boring. Simply put, the sci-fi wonder’s mechanics are only half its appeal when it comes to replays. In fact, once viewers are aware of the rules, they are able to better appreciate the show’s foreshadowing, character work, and emotional decisions that make rewatches all the more enthralling.
5
‘Nikita’ (2010–2013)
This action drama is much too underrated, a genuine good time that deserves far more credit than it’s ever received. Nikita follows the assassin Nikita (Maggie Q), who returns to destroy Division, the covert program that turned her into the killer that she’s become.
Nikita is a true network TV action staple. The series is exactly what spy thriller fans want, from undercover missions and sleek action to heartbreaking betrayals and a strong kickbutt heroine. Nikita can admittedly be a bit pulpy, but even the most outrageous turns feel earned. The show’s attack-defense rhythm makes it extremely bingeable as every setback, victory, and countermove naturally pushes viewers into the next installment, ensuring repeat viewings feel quite rewarding. Nikita is an underrated work of perfection that wields its stylish and intense action narrative with remarkable confidence, delivering the kind of gripping espionage drama that stands as a strong pick for action fans looking for something overlooked.
4
‘Black Sails’ (2014–2017)
Black Sails may be a woefully overlooked series, but it’s definitely a cult favorite that is remembered by its most loyal fans as one of the greatest action TV watches ever created. The thrilling pirate action show centers on Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), who tries to transform Nassau from pirate chaos into something sustainable, while characters like John Silver (Luke Arnold) evolve alongside him, going from opportunistic survivors into some of the most captivatingly complex figures of the story.
Black Sails does indeed start off as a captivating pirate drama, but it then gradually transforms into something far richer, rife with naval battles, politics, betrayals, and character work that genuinely rewards audiences who come back for more than one viewing. With each season, the show gets stronger, and by the end of the addictive series, it has evolved into a sweeping legend filled with tons of emotional payoffs and layered motivations. Black Sails has definitely earned itself endless rewatches as it only gets better once audiences know where it’s heading.
3
‘Into the Badlands’ (2015–2019)
This fantastic action spectacle is an exceptional series that spurs rewatches because of its brutal world that is less gun-heavy and much more martial arts-dominated. Set in a post-apocalyptic society ruled by feudal barons, Into the Badlands focuses on the lethal regent Sunny (Daniel Wu), who is desperately searching for a way out of the violent system he lives in.
Into the Badlands is a criminally underrated series that wields extraordinary action. It’s actually quite a rewatchable series, simply because of its intense combat sequences. Into the Badlands‘ story may be quite entertaining, but most viewers tend to stick around for the sword-wielding, almost too absurd fight scenes. Those moments are incredibly addictive and genuinely remain some of the most inventive and stylish action moments television has ever produced, cementing the series as a consistently overlooked yet incredibly fantastic gem that is rather easy to resist over and over again.
2
‘Banshee’ (2013–2016)
Few underrated action greats are as unapologetically intense as Banshee. The series centers around an ex-con who steals the identity of a dead sheriff named Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), and lands himself in Banshee, Pennsylvania, where he collides with his former partner and lover Carrie Hopewell (Ivana Miličević).
With the impact of a brawler and the energy of a crime thriller, Banshee is incredibly easy to keep watching. It’s actually so rewatchable because it understands exactly what kind of show it is. Banshee is hardly a subtle watch, but it is enticingly consumable, with every episode pushing the intense chaos further. The series is quality revisiting material that never apologizes for its excess, marking it as a hidden action gem that stands as a great addition to this list of criminally underrated hits in the genre.
1
‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)
Warrior is genuinely one of the strongest hidden gems in the action genre of the last several years. Set during the Tong Wars in late 1800s San Francisco, the series follows the martial artist Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), who is in search of his sister, only for him to somehow become entangled in the violent power struggles of Chinatown.
Warrior wields a cinematic quality that makes it the perfect action series, one that is definitely well worth watching more than once. It isn’t too well-known, making it a woefully underrated beauty that most action lovers tend to miss out on. For dedicated action fans who have stumbled across the well-hidden gem, they have lauded Warrior as an addictive, almost impossible to ignore show, once started. The series is truly the complete package with its vivid setting, incredible fight choreography, and intense drama, cementing its place as the greatest underrated action series that is definitely worth watching over and over again.
Reports claim Keith Urban is seeking to rebuild communication with ex-wife Nicole Kidman following their 2025 separation and divorce.
Insiders claim the country singer hopes to clear the air and restore a more cordial relationship, though the actress has reportedly remained distant.
The situation is also said to involve their co-parenting dynamic, with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban focusing on stability for their daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith, under a structured custody arrangement.
Keith Urban Reportedly Seeks Peace With Nicole Kidman Amid Post-Divorce Distance
A new report claims that Keith Urban is hoping to get back on speaking terms with his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, following what insiders describe as a distant and emotionally strained period after their separation was finalized.
Urban is said to be uncomfortable with how little contact the former couple has had since the split and would reportedly “love the chance to clear the air and get to a place where they can at least be more cordial.”
However, the same sources suggest Kidman has so far remained “a brick wall” to attempts at reconciliation, “but he’s hoping she might soften towards him now that she’s found happiness with someone new.”
The reports link his desire for a truce to changes in Kidman’s personal life, especially speculation that she may be dating a “high-profile entertainment executive,” something insiders claim has been difficult for Urban to process, even as he tries to avoid resentment.
“There’s no denying it’s a lot to take in, but he’s making a conscious effort not to be bitter because he knows that won’t help anyone,” the insider noted.
Keith Urban Reportedly Seeks Family Reconnection As Nicole Kidman Shares Father’s Day Tribute
Beyond his relationship with Kidman, the narrative also claims Urban is hoping to repair his bond with their two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith, amid suggestions that the girls have “essentially cut off contact” between them since the divorce.
According to sources cited by the National Enquirer, he is said to believe that easing tensions with his former wife could also have a positive ripple effect on the wider family situation.
“He knows Nicole holds a lot of influence,” one insider said, adding that “he’s desperate to repair things with her.”
Kidman, meanwhile, marked Father’s Day on Instagram with a simple tribute that included a general message celebrating fathers, alongside a black-and-white photo of her with her own father, as well as a picture of Urban carrying their daughters on his shoulders, which came as a surprise to some fans online.
Keith Urban Wished Nicole Kidman A Happy Birthday In A Surprise Move
Kidman and Urban share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith, 15, whom they welcomed during their nearly 20-year marriage.
The couple, who tied the knot in June 2006, ended their relationship in 2025, with their divorce finalized the following January.
Due to their separation, Urban’s recent online activity drew some attention when he publicly wished Kidman a happy birthday via social media, writing an enthusiastic message on his Instagram Stories.
While he has largely stayed quiet about the breakup in public, the gesture was widely noted given the high-profile nature of their split.
Nicole Kidman Reflects On Family And Co-Parenting After Divorce From Keith Urban
Unlike Urban, Kidman has addressed their divorce directly during a March interview, where she emphasized her focus on stability and family.
The Oscar winner described herself as someone who is “always going to be moving toward what’s good,” adding that her priority remains keeping her family unit intact in spirit, even after changes in structure.
She also spoke warmly about her daughters, referring to Sunday and Faith as her “beautiful girls” and expressing deep gratitude for motherhood.
During Mother’s Day celebrations, Kidman also shared a message dedicated to mothers everywhere, alongside a personal note to her daughters, writing, “To my beautiful girls, the greatest joy is being your mother. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the world.”
Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Finalize Divorce With Structured Co-Parenting Agreement
In September 2025, reports confirmed that Kidman and Urban had been living apart for several months after separating earlier in the summer. Kidman subsequently filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences
The divorce was later finalized in a Nashville court at the beginning of the following year. As part of the settlement, Kidman’s residence was designated as the primary home for their two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith, while Urban was granted scheduled visitation time, including alternate weekends.
Despite the arrangement, both parents retained joint responsibility for major decisions affecting the children.
Court documents also outlined expectations for co-parenting conduct, emphasizing that both parties were to “behave with each other and each child so as to provide a loving, stable, consistent and nurturing relationship with the child even though they are divorced.”
The agreement required them to avoid speaking negatively about one another in front of the children and to “encourage each child to continue to love the other parent and be comfortable in both families.”
Despite having received the best reviews of its run, which indicate that the show has finally hit its stride, HBO’s House of the Dragon is dividing audiences right down the middle. House of the Dragon was HBO’s first released Game of Thrones spin-off, and fans of the original haven’t always been on board. This typically happens with genre titles that tackle queer themes, or are led by actors from minority communities. The third season of House of the Dragon may have earned the series’ highest score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, but it seems like we’re also witnessing the earliest instances of review-bombing. This is when a group of hardcore fans launch a concerted effort to decrease a film or show’s audience score on aggregators such as Rotten Tomatoes.
For instance, the latest season of the fantasy series currently holds a “Certified Fresh” 91% score on the aggregator website, where the consensus reads, “The fate of Westeros comes to a head in a reinvigorated and riveting third season of House of the Dragon, complete with wicked new characters and more thrilling battles, crafting a punchy prequel that matches the expectations of its predecessor.” However, the new season’s audience score has dropped to 69%. The last time that something like this happened to an HBO title was the second season of The Last of Us, where Bella Ramsey was targeted by certain members of the audience.
‘House of the Dragon’ Made a Splashy Debut
Some viewers on Rotten Tomatoes made their negative feelings known. “HBO desperately needs to clean house on the creative involved with this project,” one person wrote, unfavorably comparing House of the Dragon with the second Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. “Awful show. Acting is appalling, the writing is terrible,” a second person wrote, while a third commenter felt that House of the Dragon “disrespects” Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, who has criticized the series in the past. Critics disagree with these observations. In her review, Collider’s Therese Lacson called the new season “game-changing.” Created by Ryan Condal and Martin himself, the series stars Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, and others. House of the Dragon made a strong debut this past Sunday, jumping to the top of the global HBO Max viewership charts, according to FlixPatrol. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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August 21, 2022
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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George R.R. Martin
- Directors
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Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel
- Writers
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Gabe Fonseca
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Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
Entertainment
Larry David turns the Declaration of Independence into a list of petty grievances in new miniseries premiere
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“I don’t want to live in a country where people share umbrellas.”
Millie Bobby Brown turned heads in a daring sheer look while stepping out with husband Jake Bongiovi.
The actress, 22, embraced the naked dress trend in a lingerie-inspired ensemble from Mirror Palais, while attending an Enola Holmes 3 after-party in New York City on Thursday, June 25.
Brown wore a plunging nude illusion top with sheer long sleeves, pairing it with a coordinating lace-trimmed slip skirt that showed off a hint of her midriff.
She completed the look with strappy nude heels and softly tousled waves, accessorizing with a printed headscarf for an effortlessly chic finish.
In photos shared via X, Brown was snapped holding hands with her husband, Bongiovi, on the night. Brown was also joined by Enola Holmes 3 costar Louis Partridge and Stranger Things costar Noah Schnapp at the event.
Earlier in the evening, Brown donned a Cinderella-style gown for the premiere itself and posed by her husband’s side on the red carpet.
The dress was a stunning custom pale blue silk Galia Lahav gown with a sweetheart bodice and a long pleated skirt. The look also carried special meaning for Brown, who wore the same designer when she walked down the aisle to marry Bongiovi in 2024.
“After creating her custom wedding gown, it was an honor to create for another unforgettable moment. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey,” Galia Lahav wrote via Instagram on Thursday about the dress. “A vision from every angle.”
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
After getting married in Italy, Brown and Bongiovi went on to welcome their first child via adoption last year.
“This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” Brown and Bongiovi wrote in a joint Instagram statement in August 2025. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3. Love, Millie and Jake Bongiovi.”
Millie Bobby Brown and husband Jake Bongiovi have become one of Hollywood’s cutest couples with their sweet social media exchanges to red carpet moments. Three years after Brown called it quits with singer Jacob Sartorius, Bongiovi sparked dating speculation by sharing a snap of himself and the Stranger Things actress in June 2021. “Bff <3,” […]
In the past, Brown has been open about why she saw marriage and children on the cards with Bongiovi.
““We were modeled wonderful, loving relationships,” she explained to Glamour in October 2023. “So, it’s something that we both had that mutual drive for.”
She added, “My dream was to have a baby. I wanted to be the woman that my mom is to me and I wanted to be the woman that my grandmother was to me. So that was never my, like, intention, to be a wife. But after meeting Jake and seeing, ‘Oh, I don’t have to be this stereotypical wife for him. He doesn’t want me to be that either. He wants me to go and do my thing and live my life, and he will hold my hand in the process of that.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I do want this.’ … It’s like, why wait? Let’s go for it.”
What a year it’s been for Prime Video, who has ended one of its longest-running shows in The Boys, which had been around since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Video dropped the first season of The Boys as a binge all the way back in 2019, and there was no way of knowing at the time that it would go on to become one of the streamer’s flagship properties. The Boys’ sci-fi spin-off, Gen V, may have been canceled after only two seasons, but there is more content coming out of the franchise in the form of Vought Rising. Prime Video dropped the first trailer for Vought Rising in the days following The Boys Season 5 finale, also confirming that the show would premiere before the end of 2027. Prime Video has become a prestige home for sci-fi TV in the last few years, but one recent show stands out among the rest.
The series in question is Fallout, which is based on the popular video game series developed by Bethesda that’s been around for years. Prime Video made the bold choice with Fallout to craft a new story that fits into existing canon, rather than trying to adapt the events of the game one-for-one. This allows the creatives, including writers Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, more freedom to not feel shackled by past events that must be followed to the letter to please certain fans. After it was announced earlier this year that Fallout had officially earned over 100 million views, fans have still been unable to stop watching the show — it’s one of Prime Video’s top 10 most-watched shows months removed from its Season 2 finale.
When Does ‘Fallout’ Season 3 Come Out?
Prime Video has yet to set a release date for the third season of Fallout, but with news breaking recently that production is set to begin at the end of this summer, this puts its most likely window of return sometime in 2027. Fans were also treated to some exciting news not long ago when it was announced that long-time Breaking Bad veteran Aaron Paul had been cast in a key role in Fallout Season 3. He was followed last week by Manny Jacinto, who is best known for playing the Star Wars villain Qimir in The Acolyte.
Check out the first two seasons of Fallout on Prime Video and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Season 3.
- Release Date
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April 10, 2024
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
- Directors
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Frederick E. O. Toye, Wayne Che Yip, Stephen Williams, Liz Friedlander, Jonathan Nolan, Daniel Gray Longino, Clare Kilner
- Writers
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Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
Joshua Jackson has been spotted hanging out with model Olivia Burgess — almost three weeks after they were snapped holding hands on a different outing.
Posting via its Instagram account on Friday, June 26, Deux Moi shared photos of the pair spending time together in New York City.
Jackson, 48, and Burgess, 37, opted for casual attire for the outing. The Doctor Odyssey star rocked jeans teamed with a white t-shirt and a navy blue button-down top while Burgess opted for a denim skirt and chocolate brown tank top combo. She accessorized with a belt in a matching brown hue.
The sighting comes after Jackson and Burgess were spotted holding hands while out and about in the Big Apple on June 7, according to photos obtained by TMZ at the time.
Joshua Jackson enjoyed a lovely day in New York City with model Olivia Burgess. According to photos obtained by TMZ, Jackson, 47, was spotted out and about with Burgess on Sunday, June 7. The pair were all smiles as they held hands while on a stroll in the Big Apple. Jackson and Burgess kept it […]
For their previous outing, the duo once again kept it casual. The Affair alum rocked a linen button-up shirt and matching pants paired with sneakers and sunglasses. The model, who has walked the runway for the fashion brand Jean Paul Gaultier, went for a black tank top, gray Bermuda shorts and mules and opted for a messy updo.
Just two days after being spotted with Burgess, Jackson made headlines when he publicly praised longtime friend and former Dawson’s Creek costar Katie Holmes.
The actor shared an “appreciation post” for Holmes, 47, via his Instagram on June 9 after they worked together on the movie, Happy Hours.
Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
“It takes many hands to make a movie. And I am thankful to every hand that touched this one. But … this is a Katie appreciation post,” Jackson wrote. “It is because of her light that all those hands were brought together. Because of [the] generosity of her spirit that she wanted to bring this wonderful, loving, hopeful story into the world.”
He continued, “Because of her tenacity that she shepherded it from the blank page through the editing room and onto that screen last Saturday night. Because she is such an incredible friend that she made the space for us to be able to play together again after all these years.”
The film marked the first time Jackson and Holmes have acted together since Dawson’s Creek ended in 2003. Jackson and Holmes played Pacey and Joey, respectively, in the show and briefly dated offscreen for about a year following the show’s debut in 1998.
At the Tribeca Film Festival Jackson reflected on his working relationship with Holmes and their Dawson’s Creek stint with fondness.
“The time that we spent together when we were young is very precious to both of us,” Jackson told a reporter at the event, while standing beside Holmes and holding her hand in a clip shared on June 7. “And [it] is like one of the core personal and professional relationships in my life.”
Jackson was previously married to Jodie Turner-Smith, with whom he shares daughter Juno, 6. The former couple announced their split in 2023 before finalizing their divorce in May 2025.
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