Entertainment
Bam Margera Addresses Possibility Of ‘Jackass’ Reunion
“Jackass” made household names out of its fearless cast, but not all of its stars remain on good terms. Skateboarder Bam Margera, who has been on the outs with some key figures in the franchise for several years, did not attend the final film’s premiere, nor did he participate.
Margera has spoken out about whether a reunion is possible and where he stands with Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine following their dispute that escalated to court.
“Jackass: Best and Last,” released in late June, marked the franchise’s final film. While old and new cast members reunited at the red carpet, Bam Margera was noticeably absent.
As previously reported by The Blast, his parents, April and Phil, attended the premiere and had high hopes that their son would eventually reconnect with Johnny Knoxville and “Jackass” director Jeff Tremaine following their years-long rift.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, however, Margera seemingly has no intention of reconnecting with the “Jackass” cast, specifically the two people whom he felt wronged him. He prefaced his statement by saying that he will definitely watch the final movie, but in terms of having a reunion with the cast, he said, “It’s not going to happen, not in 10 million years.”
The Skateboarder Has Closed The Door On Johnny Knoxville And Jeff Tremaine
Despite firmly shutting down talks of a reunion with the cast, Margera said he has no “bad blood” with them. April and Phil also confirmed that their son has a good relationship with all the cast, except for Knoxville and Tremaine.
“It’s just the decisions that Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine decided to make. I never want to see them ever again in my life. Enough is enough,” he told the magazine.
In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer in June, Margera said that he agreed for the production to use old footage of him for the final movie, but he refused to participate in new stunts. He also shared that he declined the invitation to attend the premiere because he didn’t want to see anybody, nor did he want to do interviews.
Bam Margera Felt He Was Set Up To Fail
The fallout began before “Jackass: Forever,” the fourth movie, was released. Sometime in 2019, production on the movie began, but Margera’s $5 million contract included a wellness agreement. The skateboarder had been struggling with substances and alcohol, and he was asked to commit to sobriety throughout filming. “I already knew they were setting me up to fail,” he shared.
He was subjected to breathalyzer and urine tests to confirm he was sober. In 2020, however, one of his tests came up positive for amphetamines, and he was subsequently fired from the movie. In his defense, Margera said that it was prescription medication for his ADHD, but the decision was made. “I was very f-cking angry,” Margera said.
The skateboarder sued MTV, Paramount Pictures, Knoxville, Tremaine, and producer Spike Jonze for wrongful termination and medical discrimination. He dropped the lawsuit in 2022 after the parties came to an agreement in an out-of-court settlement, the details of which were never revealed.
Johnny Knoxville Has Nothing But Love For The Former ‘Jackass’ Star
Knoxville talked about his falling out with Margera over the years, but only expressed his concern and love for the skateboarder. In a recent interview with GQ, Knoxville shared his side, admitting that he “drew a hard line” when they decided to fire Margera to help him get sober, much like they did with fellow cast member Steve-O, who battled substance abuse. Steve-O has been sober since 2008.
Knoxville also revealed that he reached out to Margera. “He’s not ready. And that’s fine. As long as he’s thriving and he’s healthy, that’s all I care about. Selfishly, I would love him to be in my life again. But that’s on his own time,” the stunt performer explained.
Bam Margera Is A Few Years Sober
Margera hit rock bottom in 2022. “I pretty much went into five seizures at 20 minutes apiece. I woke up eight days later on life support with a tube down my throat with Covid and pneumonia, and that was pretty much my last straw,” he said.
Several months later, he met his now-wife, Dannii Marie, whom he credits for his sobriety. The couple was engaged in 2023, and they were married in Mexico the following year. “You made me stop drinking and got me back to skateboarding, and I cannot thank you enough,” Margera said in his vows.
Margera said the journey to sobriety hasn’t been easy, but getting back to skateboarding has been instrumental. “Skateboarding is my therapy, my sanity, my medication… All I want to do now is skateboard,” he said.
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No one could have predicted the way Netflix originals would eventually change the television landscape. Suddenly, some of the most talked-about shows in the world weren’t airing on traditional networks. Instead, audiences were binge-watching entire seasons over a weekend and discovering international stories they might never have watched otherwise.
Of course, not every Netflix original has been a success, but the platform’s willingness to take creative risks has definitely paid off. The streamer is currently home to some of the most defining series of the modern era across a variety of genres and continues to deliver stories that audiences can’t stop talking about. These are the very best of them from the last 10 years.
10
‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)
Mindhunter is one of the greatest shows Netflix has ever produced, one that ended way sooner than it should have. The series is set in the late 1970s and follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), alongside psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), as they help establish the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, which eventually becomes the foundation of modern criminal profiling. Now, the catch is that their work involves interviewing imprisoned serial killers in an attempt to understand how these criminals think and why they commit such horrific acts. Little does the team know, though, that this experiment is not just going to change the world, but also their own lives. Mindhunter is surprisingly patient for a crime drama.
That’s because the series isn’t interested in exploring the blood and gore of violence. Instead, it aims to examine the psychology behind them. The show’s greatest source of tension is the conversations between the FBI agents and the serial killers, many of whom are based on real-life murderers, including Edmund Kemper, Richard Speck, David Berkowitz, and Charles Manson. The show unfolds with a nuance that turns what could have been yet another procedural into a chilling study of human behavior. Despite ending after only two seasons, Mindhunter remains the benchmark for intelligent TV.
9
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
The Queen’s Gambit had all the makings of a niche miniseries, but it became one of Netflix’s biggest hits. The story, based on Walter Tevis’ novel, follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned girl who discovers an extraordinary talent for chess while living in a Kentucky orphanage during the 1950s. As Beth rises through the competitive chess world, she quickly establishes herself as a prodigy capable of defeating opponents twice her age. However, her journey to the top is complicated by loneliness, addiction, and the immense pressure of competing against the best players in the world.
It’s truly remarkable how The Queen’s Gambit makes a game as painstaking as chess feel exhilarating and adrenaline-fueled, even for viewers who know absolutely nothing about it. The matches are filmed with the intensity of action sequences, but the real focus is always on Beth and her personal demons that threaten to derail her success. The production design, costume work, cinematography, and period detail are all exceptional, but what truly elevates The Queen’s Gambit is this strong emotional core. Few Netflix originals have combined style and substance this effectively, which is why The Queen’s Gambit remains one of the streamer’s greatest success stories.
8
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House proves that horror can be just as rich and layered as any prestige drama. The miniseries, based loosely on Shirley Jackson‘s classic novel, follows the Crain family across two timelines. In the summer of 1992, Hugh (Henry Thomas) and Olivia Crain (Carla Gugino) moved into Hill House with their five children to renovate and sell the massive mansion. However, strange paranormal events begin to occur inside the house that culminate in a tragedy that continues to haunt the family. All of this comes back up when yet another tragedy brings the Crain siblings together as they finally confront the literal and figurative ghosts of their past.
However, all these supernatural elements are only part of the story. Beneath all that, The Haunting of Hill House tells a deeply moving story about family, grief, trauma, and addiction. The essential horror TV series constantly shifts between past and present to gradually reveal how the events at Hill House shaped each member of the family in different ways. Every revelation adds another layer to the narrative, which makes the emotional payoff just as impactful as the scares themselves. Mike Flanagan‘s direction is exceptional throughout, particularly in the show’s famous long-take sequences and interconnected storytelling. The Haunting of Hill House is beautiful, chilling, and heartbreaking in a way that has completely redefined horror television.
7
‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)
Image via Netflix
The Crown is one of the most ambitious shows on Netflix and does complete justice to its subject matter. The series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The story begins with her marriage to Prince Philip and her unexpected ascension to the throne, before eventually spanning multiple decades of British history. Along the way, the show explores major political events, royal scandals, shifting public attitudes toward the monarchy, and the personal sacrifices required of those born into one of the world’s biggest institutions. The show presents this through the lens of Elizabeth as a young woman who has to adjust to an unimaginable responsibility and covers how she gradually evolves into one of the most recognizable and influential figures of the modern era.
The Crown isn’t a fully faithful representation of all this, but the show’s genius lies in the balance between historical events and deeply personal storytelling. The show constantly examines the tension between duty and personal happiness through Elizabeth’s marriage, her relationship with her children, and the many conflicts that emerge within the royal family. As the decades pass, viewers watch these characters evolve alongside the world around them. The Crown keeps replacing its cast as the narrative progresses through the decades, but the transitions never feel jarring. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton each bring something unique to Elizabeth while still feeling like different stages of the same person, and the same can be said for the supporting cast. Very few shows have managed to tell a genuinely compelling story on this scale with the consistency of The Crown.
6
‘Bridgerton’ (2020–Present)
Bridgerton has to be the most fun period drama on Netflix. The series, based on Julia Quinn‘s bestselling novels, is set in Regency-era London and follows the members of the influential Bridgerton family as they navigate the marriage market. Each season focuses on a different romantic pairing, but the larger world remains interconnected through family relationships, friendships, social rivalries, scandals, and the ever-present gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. Bridgerton is the perfect blend of old and new, which is why the show appeals to a wide range of viewers.
It embraces the elegance and grandeur of a traditional period drama while combining them with a modern energy that makes it feel accessible to a contemporary audience. Even the soundtrack reflects this approach and incorporates orchestral renditions of modern pop songs, which goes to show the creativity that goes into Bridgerton’s overall worldbuilding. Rather than aiming for complete historical accuracy, the series embraces a more diverse and romanticized version of Regency England that gives the story an almost fairy-tale quality. The Netflix original has managed to reinvent an entire genre with its fresh and ambitious take on romance and period storytelling.
5
‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)
Baby Reindeer is one of the most uncomfortable yet emotionally honest shows Netflix has ever released. The miniseries is based on Richard Gadd‘s real-life experiences and follows struggling comedian Donny Dunn (Gadd), whose life takes a dark turn after a lonely woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) grows dangerously obsessed with him. It all begins when Donny shows a seemingly harmless act of kindness to Martha, which gradually spirals into a dangerous fixation that starts taking over every aspect of Donny’s life. Martha’s behavior gets more invasive and unpredictable as the story progresses. As a result, Donny finds himself forced to confront painful experiences from his own past, which include traumas he has spent years trying to bury.
The deeper he digs into those memories, the more he begins to understand the complicated reasons he remains trapped in an extremely messy situation with his stalker. Baby Reindeer is an extremely nuanced take on this subject matter. The show doesn’t frame Donny as a flawless victim, nor does it present Martha as a one-dimensional villain. In fact, the series explores the complicated psychological reasons behind both of their behaviors to tell a deeply human story about shame, self-worth, and the lasting impact of abuse. Every uncomfortable moment in the show serves a purpose and forces the audience to sit with emotions that most other stories would avoid.
4
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Dark is one of the few shows that genuinely rewards the audience for paying attention. Netflix’s first-ever German-language series begins with the disappearance of a young boy in the small town of Winden, but it quickly becomes clear that the story is far more complex than just a missing-person mystery. As families search for answers, long-buried secrets begin to emerge, and the investigation gradually uncovers connections between different generations of the town’s residents, all of which lead back to a wormhole hidden beneath Winden that allows people to travel through time. The local tragedy soon evolves into an intricate mystery spanning multiple decades, where actions in one era have consequences in another.
Now, all of this could have easily become extremely convoluted and difficult to follow, but Dark carefully constructs its world and gives importance to every character and conversation. The series constantly challenges viewers to piece together an increasingly complex puzzle, yet it never feels complicated just for the sake of it. Instead, each revelation recontextualizes everything that came before it and makes the audience see things from an entirely new perspective. The show’s time travel mechanics aren’t presented as a gimmick but as the very center of the entire story. Despite its enormous scope, though, Dark never loses sight of the characters at its center. By the time the series reaches its final episodes, every storyline converges in a way that feels both surprising and totally inevitable.
3
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Stranger Things has been a defining show, not just for Netflix, but for pop culture in general. The series, created by the Duffer Brothers, is set in the small town of Hawkins in the 1980s and delivers on nostalgia like no other. The story begins when a young boy named Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) mysteriously vanishes without a trace. His friends, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), begin searching for him. However, their lives completely change when they encounter a mysterious girl known only as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), whose supernatural abilities point them toward a terrifying secret hidden beneath their town. The story then expands into a web of government conspiracies, secret experiments, and parallel dimensions that put all of Hawkins at risk.
Stranger Things effortlessly balances all this spectacle with a genuinely heartwarming coming-of-age story, which is the show’s greatest strength. Over several seasons, the audience grows to care for the core characters, which makes every victory and sacrifice feel all the more meaningful. Even as the scale of the story expands, the emotional core of Stranger Things remains rooted in friendship and family. The series also deserves enormous credit for creating one of television’s most recognizable worlds. The Upside Down, the Demogorgons, and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) have become part of mainstream conversations in a way that very few modern shows can claim. By the time the final season concluded in 2025, Stranger Things had evolved far beyond its original premise and cemented itself as one of the biggest TV events of the streaming era.
2
‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)
Squid Game is one of Netflix’s most-watched series, and it’s not hard to understand why that is. The Korean thriller follows financially struggling chauffeur Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who accepts an invitation to participate in a mysterious competition alongside hundreds of other desperate contestants. These people have to compete in a series of children’s games for a life-changing cash prize. However, the players and viewers soon discover that losing a game results in instant death.
That’s when Gi-hun and the other contestants are forced to decide how far they are willing to go to survive and take the money home, all while being trapped on a remote island and surrounded by masked guards. There’s no denying that Squid Game is a gripping survival story, but it grounds all this gore, violence, and suspense with sharp social commentary. It’s easy to empathize with almost every contestant in the game, given the circumstances that brought them there in the first place. That’s exactly what makes every death feel truly devastating and keeps the audience invested long after the initial shock value wears off.
1
‘Adolescence’ (2025)
Adolescence is one of Netflix’s biggest recent hits, but it’s so much more than its viewership numbers. The series begins when thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a female classmate, which sends shockwaves through his family and local community. The show spends the first episode following Jamie’s arrest and the immediate aftermath, which places the audience in the same position as his family. Like them, viewers desperately want to believe there has been some kind of mistake. However, the episode ends with the revelation that the police had proof of Jamie’s heinous crime all along. After that, the show moves to Jamie’s school, where investigators attempt to understand the environment he grew up in and the influences that may have shaped his worldview.
The series then shifts gears again in its third episode and focuses on a tense psychological evaluation between Jamie and his assigned psychologist. The final episode turns its attention to Jamie’s family and explores the emotional fallout of the crime and how it continues to affect their lives. It’s remarkable how much ground Adolescence covers in such a short span of time. The show’s iconic one-take format only heightens the tension and realism, which makes everything feel immediate and deeply personal. Owen Cooper delivers a jaw-dropping performance in his breakout role, while Stephen Graham is equally devastating as a father struggling to process something he cannot fully comprehend. Adolescence is a conversation starter that forces viewers to confront difficult realities about the modern world, and it already feels like a show that will be praised for decades to come.
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
As a society, we’ve been able to agree on only a handful of things over the years. One of them is that summer blockbusters are going to have plot holes and other weird inconsistencies. That’s just the price of the game, really: when a movie’s main selling point is cool explosions and cheesy one-liners, we can forgive it for having some dodging plotting. That doesn’t keep us from joking about the bad writing, of course. Case in point? Independence Day fans have spent decades dunking on the plot point about Jeff Goldblum’s tech geek hacking advanced alien technology using a mid-90s Apple PowerBook.
The idea is wonderfully absurd on the face of it. Like, the aliens have technology advanced enough to help them conquer the stars and travel faster-than-light across the galaxy. How the heck were they beaten by an IT nerd whose people had only recently invented the internet? As it turns out, though, this plot point isn’t as stupid as everyone thought. That’s because one of the deleted scenes in Independence Day revealed something crucial: namely, that all of Earth’s modern technology was derived from an alien spaceship that was captured back in the ‘90s!
WelcomeToEarth.exe
In Independence Day, all the superpowers of the world are attacked by alien invaders who don’t hesitate to blow up power centers like the White House. In the film’s climactic final battle, America helps lead a two-pronged counterattack against these extraterrestrial enemies. Jeff Goldblum’s brilliant tech whips up a virus on his trusty Apple PowerBook. Once Will Smith’s hotshot pilot gets them close enough, they upload the virus into the alien mothership’s operating system. This lowers the shields on the ships attacking the Earth, allowing humanity to fight back and ultimately recapture their world from these nasty space invaders.
Even in the ‘90s, the idea of whipping up an anti-alien computer virus seemed laughable. The technology of the two races should be much different, and the aliens’ tech is presumably much more advanced than our own. However, a deleted scene on the 20th Anniversary DVD of Independence Day revealed that all of Earth’s modern computer technology was derived from the alien ship that crash-landed at Roswell and had been studied at Area 51. In this universe, that’s where we got our silicone-based microchips and binary programming language. Therefore, Goldblum whipping up a computer virus is much more believable because he’s using (more or less) the same technology and programming as the aliens.
Hack The World(s)
Obviously, this plot point is still a little iffy. Having similar technology is one thing, but the aliens should still be too advanced to make this possible. Like, this is the programming equivalent of taking down the most advanced computer security systems in the world using only your Atari 2600. However, the deleted scene still adds some welcome context, and it’s like I was saying at the beginning: blockbusters aren’t always going to make a lot of sense. Plus, “the internet came from aliens” is still more believable than Transformers: The Dark Side Of The Moon, which claimed that Buzz Aldrin secretly went to the moon to check out a robot’s UFO.
At any rate, you’ve now got some Independence Day trivia as bright and shiny as any firework. Next time you show the family this movie and your kid points out how dumb the virus plotline is, you can just tell them about the deleted scene. Will this impress your child? Of course not: he’s just going to roll his eyes and look down at his phone, but there’s nothing we can really do about that yet. PowerBooks might be able to hack alien motherships, but no force on Earth or in space can help you hack into the mind of a surly teenager!
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You’ve stopped buying mass-market cookware. You read labels at the grocery store, and you’ve thinned out the under-sink collection of cleaners that don’t earn their place. The thing you’re still using twice a day, often without a second glance, is your toothpaste.
ARU toothpaste makes the case that a category most people don’t think about deserves the same attention you’ve already given to everything else in the bathroom.
After all, conventional tubes list 15 to 20+ ingredients with names that don’t disclose what they’re doing. Some are doing real work. Many are doing the work of marketing — foam, color, sweetness. The contrast against products built around shorter, transparent formulations has gotten harder to ignore.
Is ARU Toothpaste an SLS-Free Toothpaste?
SLS, also known as sodium lauryl sulfate, is the foaming agent in most conventional toothpastes. It’s the reason your brush feels like it’s doing something. It’s also a detergent originally developed for industrial cleaning, and at the concentrations used in toothpaste, it’s regulated as safe.
SLS has a well-documented tendency to irritate soft tissue in the mouth and contribute to canker sores. A 2019 systematic review published in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine found that SLS-free toothpaste reduced the number of ulcers, ulcer duration, number of episodes and ulcer pain.
“Minor changes in a toothpaste can really make a difference in a patient’s quality of life,” Diana Messadi, a professor and the chair of oral medicine, oral pathology and orofacial pain at the UCLA School of Dentistry, told The Washington Post.
All four ARU formulas are SLS-free. Instead, they use cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut-derived surfactant that creates gentle foam and lifts away plaque and debris without irritating gum tissue.
What’s Actually in ARU Toothpaste
The line comes in four formulas. None contain SLS. All are free from microbeads, dyes, parabens, phthalates, triclosan, artificial flavors and animal testing.
Each formula shares eight base ingredients, including cocamidopropyl betaine. Sorbitol sweetens and prevents drying. Cellulose gum keeps the paste smooth and stable. Silica adds texture and scrubs surface stains. A blend of eucalyptus, spearmint and peppermint oils handles flavor and fresh breath. Potassium sorbate prevents mold and bacterial growth in the tube. Stevia rebaudiana leaf extract rounds out the flavor without contributing to decay. Water binds it all together.
From there, each formula adds one or more targeted actives.
4 ARU Toothpaste formulas, Chosen With Purpose
The fluoride-free whitening toothpaste adds sodium bicarbonate to polish surface stains, calcium carbonate as a gentle abrasive and calcium peroxide to break down deeper stains through slow oxidation. For anyone evaluating the best whitening toothpaste options without bleach trays or strips, it’s a quiet, daily-use alternative.
The fluoride-free toothpaste for sensitive teeth uses hydroxyapatite, the same mineral that makes up natural tooth enamel. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste works by remineralizing teeth and filling the micro-fissures that cause hot, cold and sweet sensitivity. It’s the formula to reach for if you’ve quietly been avoiding ice water for years.
The gum health formula adds stannous fluoride, which strengthens enamel while reducing the bacterial overgrowth and nerve stimulation that lead to bleeding and inflamed gums. The cavity protection formula uses sodium fluoride, the standard cavity-fighting active, which remineralizes enamel and increases its resistance to acid erosion.
Fluoride vs. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
To fluoride or not to fluoride is one of the bigger debates in oral care right now.
The scientific consensus is clear. Fluoride is safe at the concentrations used in commercial toothpaste, and the American Dental Association still recommends fluoride toothpaste for daily use.
“The fluoride will help reduce the demineralization process, which is the first stage of tooth decay,” says Dr. David Okano, a periodontist and assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. “Also, if you have the demineralization but not yet a full-blown cavity in the tooth, the fluoride can be taken up into that demineralized area to help it remineralize.”
A growing number of consumers still choose to skip it. The most established concern is dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that develops when young children ingest too much fluoride while their permanent teeth are forming, which is a frequent factor in choosing a kids toothpaste.
Some adults report sensitivity or irritation from fluoride toothpaste. Others simply prefer shorter, cleaner ingredient lists. ARU’s fluoride-free whitening and sensitive formulas are designed for that audience, while the gum health and cavity protection formulas keep fluoride for those who want it.
Which ARU Toothpaste Is Right for You?
Four formulas, four straightforward decisions.
If you want whiter teeth, go with the whitening toothpaste. Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? The gum health formula is the one. If you want standard daily protection, the cavity protection formula covers it. Do hot and cold make you flinch? The remineralizing toothpaste with hydroxyapatite is built for that.
Both fluoride-free options double as an SLS-free toothpaste for anyone prone to canker sores or sensitive oral tissue.
The line is built around a simple idea worth paying for. You should know what’s in your toothpaste, and what’s in it should serve a purpose. All four formulas are available at Walmart and on Walmart.com.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Star Wars is a franchise full of quotable lines, ranging from the downright conversational (“I’ve got a bad feeling about this!”) to the mystically profound (“Do, or do not. There is no try”). Over the years (especially during the dark times between Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace), these lines functioned as a coded language among fans. For example, if someone peppered a quote from Han Solo or Luke Skywalker into the conversation, they were testing to see if you were a fellow nerd. Then, the prequels came, and Star Wars re-entered the mainstream, bigger and better than ever before.
After that, a Star Wars phrase never uttered in the movies became insanely popular: “May the 4th be with you.” As the wording implies, this phrase denotes May 4th, which eventually became the de facto Star Wars Day all around the world. Because of this, most fans assume the phrase was always designed to draw attention to the fourth day of the fifth month. However, that’s not actually the case. What all but the older Star Wars fans have forgotten (or simply never learned in the first place) is that “May the 4th be with you” began as a way of mocking the Fourth of July!
From Galactic Civil War To Independence Day
For younger fans, the most surprising part of this story is that the phrase “May the 4th be with you” is nearly as old as Star Wars itself. The phrase may not have really gone mainstream until the prequels came out, but it was first used back in 1978. Believe it or not, the phrase was invented by newspaper reporters who were looking for clever ways to talk about the Fourth of July. How could they find a new way to talk about something as relatively ancient as America’s birthday? Collectively, these reporters found the answer by embracing the biggest blockbuster of the late ‘70s: Star Wars.
One year after the first film in the franchise came out, the phrase “May the Force be with you” had become a beloved part of pop culture. Many newspaper reporters around the country decided to reference this phrase as a cheeky way of discussing Independence Day. “May the 4th be with you,” they wrote. While they were using the iconic Star Wars line to make a joke, the original usage of this phrase wasn’t explicitly designed to promote Star Wars. Instead, it was just a funny way of referring to the Fourth of July.
Somehow, Margaret Thatcher Returned
When did “May the 4th be with you” become a way of mentioning, well, the fourth of May instead of the fourth of July? The first recorded case of this happened in 1979; when Margaret Thatcher assumed the role of UK Prime Minister on May 4, the London Evening News ran a headline that read, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!” And in 1982, Randy Thorn (currently Skywalker Sound’s director of sound design) was working on Return of the Jedi on May 4th, and he started joking “May the 4th be with you” to others on set. Notably, he included this phrase in company correspondence for many years.
After that, the phrase disappeared for decades, and in 2005 (the same year Revenge of the Sith came out), it was again used by cheeky reporters in reference to Independence Day. However, the prequels had successfully created a new generation of fans; as they got older, these fans embraced May 4th as an unofficial holiday, which was mostly an excuse to dress up and watch all things Star Wars. Eventually, Disney embraced this idea, making this an official day to celebrate the franchise. Call it the will of the Force, though, as none of this would have happened if a few forgotten reporters hadn’t decided to mock America’s birthday in the funniest possible way!
With the theatrical release of Backrooms came the trailer for Adam Wingard‘s upcoming film, Onslaught (which the internet graciously received several days later). More exciting than Wingard having a new non-franchise film in the works is the news that he’s once again paired with screenwriter Simon Barrett. The partnership, which previously enriched genre fans with some off-kilter (and really excellent) movieslike You’re Next and, more importantly, the underseen 2014 genre-clashing thriller-action-horror film The Guest. It’s a film that’s great on its own because it’s the funniest movie that isn’t a comedy and has some great action scenes without being an action movie, but it also seemingly could have connective tissue to make Onslaught be a potential spiritual sequel, if not a direct follow-up.
The film follows the Peterson family, specifically siblings Luke (Brendan Meyer) and Anna (Maika Monroe), as they cope with the grief of the death of their brother Caleb, who died in battle overseas, and their parents (Sheila Kelley and LeLand Orser) as they try to pick up the pieces. Their lives seem to take a turn for the better when Caleb’s mysterious but affable soldier friend, named David (Dan Stevens) arrives with the intent of helping the family in any way he can…occasionally with the help of guns and knives.
Dan Stevens Steals the Show in ‘The Guest’
The Guest was Wingard and Barrett’s follow-up to You’re Next and is the second in their unofficial trilogy of movies with two-word titles (the third entry being Blair Witch). It didn’t do well financially, because…apparently people weren’t interested in seeing Matthew Crowley from Downton Abbey kill people with grenades? That feels highly unlikely, but any tangible reason why it didn’t do well got lost in the wind somewhere, so we’re stuck making assumptions.
Dan Stevens is worth mentioning because anyone who’s seen the film is quick to bring up how his performance makes the movie. Steven plays a psychopathic killer who’s just so likable that it’s easy for the viewer to be on his side for the majority of the movie. He’s not putting up a serial killer-esque front to disarm potential victims; he really is just innately charming and cool with a Kentucky accent for good measure. Sure, he kills people, but he also calls strangers “sir” and “ma’am” and even takes a hit off a joint when offered at a party after politely bringing in two kegs just to be helpful. So, there are pros and cons of having him around.
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‘The Guest’ is a Stylistic Crossroads for Adam Wingard
The movie’s an interesting middle ground in Wingard’s filmography, acting somewhere between the horror genre, which he was known for at the time, and the action genre, which would later get mainstream attention by directing the Godzilla vs. Kong movies. It’s sort of a genre fusion of horror and action, with the selling point frequently highlighted in Amazon and Letterboxd reviews being that David is like a cross between Michael Myers and The Terminator. That being said, the movie goes more for tension rather than horror, which seems, by design, with Wingard and Barrett trying their hands at something other than horror. Wingard confirmed as much in an interview at the time of its release.
Despite his charismatic personality, there are a few moments where David is legitimately intimidating, with one moment in particular of him waiting for Anna to say, “Okay,” being a standout threatening moment. When it comes to David being a killing machine, he’s played more as a quick and efficient hitman doing what he’s good at, rather than a relentless killer who finds pleasure in the pain of others. There’s one set piece in particular that’s played more like a scene out of John Wick, rather than a slasher film.
Connections Between ‘Onslaught’ and ‘The Guest’
Onslaught will be Stevens’ third collaboration with Wingard and Barrett in a currently undisclosed role that’s at least significant enough to warrant a voice-over and major billing in the trailer. While not a direct sequel, speaking with MovieWeb, Stevens talked about the film being a spiritual successor: “It’s not a sequel to The Guest, but it is very much, if you liked The Guest, you’re probably going to like Onslaught. And it’s very much in the same universe of super soldiers gone bad and that kind of thing, which we love.” Based on details from the trailer, Onslaught does appear to carry similar DNA to The Guest, with its western setting aesthetic (thanks to both movies being filmed in New Mexico), the potential underlying B-movie tone, and the monsters being unstoppable killing machines in the form of advanced soldiers. And, similar to The Guest, it might even take place around Halloween since the lead actress, Adria Arjona is even shown using jack-o’-lanterns for target practice, hinting the story may also unfold around Halloween.
The Guest belongs to that rare category of movies that few people talk about, but those who do absolutely love. It’s a fun, tongue-in-cheek action-thriller that shows the best of Adam Wingard’s stylistic direction (and talent for filming action scenes) and Simon Barrett’s writing that’s grounded, but with an undercurrent of humor and goofiness, without ever winking at the camera. The impending release of Onslaught will hopefully shine a new spotlight on one of Wingard and Barrett’s best collaborations, while expanding on many of the ideas first explored in The Guest.
- Release Date
-
September 5, 2014
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
- Director
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Adam Wingard
Beyoncé is back! Almost a year after wrapping her record-breaking “Cowboy Carter” tour, the singer and mother of three has released a surprise single, “MORNING DEW (DONK),” just for her fans. According to a new press release, the superstar singer is celebrating the 60-day countdown to her next birthday and the 20th anniversary of her second studio album, “B’Day.”
Beyoncé is giving her fans something big to celebrate this Fourth of July—a brand-new single! The track “MORNING DEW (DONK)” is a four-minute, feel-good R&B single about spending time with that special someone.
The surprise track is accompanied by a lyric video on YouTube featuring archival footage of the singer on the beach, shot by Cliff Watts, who directed the singer’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot nearly 20 years ago.
“And he said girl, you s-xy in the mornin’, you know you turn me on, babe / You know the sun rise for you, give me that mornin’ dew / You know that I wanted you, want your mornin’ / You know the sun rise for you, give me that mornin’ dew / Donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk’ / Donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk,” she sings over the beat.
More About Queen Bey’s New Song
The new single was written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and Darius Dixon. It was produced by Beyoncé and Williams.
It’s the singer’s first new song in two years, and it’s said to be a “direct nod to her loyal BeyHive to commemorate the upcoming epic celebration of B’DAY.”
The song will be included on the 20th Anniversary edition of “B’Day,” the singer’s second studio album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hits “Upgrade U,” “Deja Vú,” “Check On It,” and more.
Fans Are Losing Their Mind Over Beyoncé’s Latest Release
Since Beyoncé’s new track is meant to honor the BeyHive, it only makes sense that they’d be freaking out over the release online.
“Motherrrr, I’m streaming all day,” someone wrote on X, while another said, “Some artists celebrate anniversaries. Beyoncé drops new music. Different league.”
“We have been blessed on this Saturday morning,” a third wrote, followed by a fourth, who posted, “THANK YOU, BEY!”
On Instagram, the reaction was much of the same, with one person writing, “She’s the most random and unpredictable person ever.”
Someone else posted, “GAG!”
Queen Bey’s New Song Comes As Fans Anxiously Await Her Next Studio Album
“MORNING DEW (DONK)” comes two years after the release of “Cowboy Carter,” and two months after Beyoncé’s first Met Gala appearance in 10 years.
Fans believed the singer would use the fashion event to usher in her next era, “ACT III,” widely rumored to feature rock tracks. However, a source said that the final act in the trilogy wasn’t coming any time soon.
Prior to her appearance, Beyoncé stirred up further speculation by celebrating the 10th anniversary of “Lemonade.” In her post, she held three lemons, a move fans took as a subtle nod to the next album.
‘ACT III’ Will Follow ‘RENAISSANCE’ And ‘COWBOY CARTER’
Don’t forget, Beyoncé released “RENAISSANCE,” the first part of her three-part project, in 2022. It featured the chart-topping single “BREAK MY SOUL” and the viral hits “CUFF IT” and “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM.”
She revealed that she created the album during the COVID-19 pandemic to inspire people to embrace their authentic selves.
“It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving,” she wrote. “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
“COWBOY CARTER” came two years later and included the chart-topping track “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” According to Bey, the album was born following the cold reception she received when she performed “Daddy Lessons” at the 2016 Country Music Awards.
“This album took over five years,” Beyoncé said. “It’s been really great to have the time and the grace to be able to take my time with it. I was initially going to put Cowboy Carter out first, but with the pandemic, there was too much heaviness in the world. We wanted to dance. We deserved to dance. But I had to trust God’s timing.”
Dungeon Crawler Carl has taken the world by storm. Matt Dinniman‘s science fiction novel, in addition to topping best-seller charts and spawning a fleet of sequels, is also set to get its own television adaptation on Peacock with Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, The Orville) producing and Christopher Yost (X-Men: Evolution, Thor: Ragnarok) as showrunner. A graphic novel adaptation of Dungeon Crawler Carl is also taking off, with the preview edition quickly flying off shelves during this year’s Free Comic Book Day. In short, Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of those rare novels that has become a pop culture phenomenon, rivaling other books like Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.
What exactly makes Dungeon Crawler Carl such a must-read book? Part of it lies in the premise, which is equal parts ridiculous and amazing: Carl, a former member of the United States Coast Guard, and his ex-girlfriend’s cat Princess Donut are forced to participate in an intergalactic reality show called Dungeon Crawler World, which terraforms the Earth into a massive dungeon similar to those found in video games or tabletop role-playing games. This makes it one of the more successful forms of “litRPG”, or novels that adopt role-playing game mechanics into their narrative. Another element that draws readers is Matt Dinniman’s mix of absurd humor and sharp political observations, which makes Dungeon Crawler Carl a unique read. However, there are five science fiction novels that feature similar themes and are definitely worth reading if you love the Dungeon Crawler Carl saga.
‘Redshirts’ by John Scalzi
Anyone who’s watched a Star Trek show can tell you that the color red is a death sentence in Starfleet, as most of the “red shirts” in the security division usually die horrible deaths. John Scalzi decided to put his own satirical spin on this concept with Redshirts, which centers on the starship Intrepid and its missions for the Universal Union. One of the Intrepid‘s crew members, Andrew Dahl, begins to notice that most of his fellow officers suffer gruesome fates whenever they go on missions with senior officers; he eventually stumbles upon a conspiracy that breaches the walls of reality.
While Redshirts isn’t the first piece of media to parody Star Trek, it stands out for its clever use of metafiction and its razor sharp humor. Nothing is off limits when it comes to spoofing Trek, whether it’s the seemingly endless parade of alien horrors the Intrepid encounters or how the redshirts’s deaths are meant to ramp up drama in the narrative. If you love the humor that fuels Dungeon Crawler Carl, or want a similar story in the vein of The Orville or Galaxy Quest, this book should be on your radar.
‘Armada’ by Ernest Cline
Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the few “litRPG” books that actually uses roleplaying mechanics to fuel the plot, rather than turning Carl into a thinly veiled power fantasy for reader and author alike. If fans want another novel that utilizes video game tropes in a unique way, they should check out Ernest Cline’s Armada. Teenager Zack Lightman has become extremely skilled at playing the video game Armada, but when he sees one of the game’s ships floating outside his high school, he eventually learns that the game’s events are real — and that the alien invaders he’s been fighting are hellbent on subjugating Earth!
When Armada released in 2015, it was met with mixed reviews as most people felt it paled in comparison to Cline’s debut novel, Ready Player One. The pop culture references that fueled Ready Player One’s plot made some reviewers wish they were checking out those works instead, but Armada is actually a solid read. Its story is essentially a modern-day update of The Last Starfighter, and the emotional core of Zack discovering the mystery behind his father’s supposed death will keep readers hooked, as will another major revelation surrounding the invasion.
‘The Girl Who Could Move S*** With Her Mind’ by Jackson Ford
Another novel that features the same irreverent humor and high-concept science fiction that make Dungeon Crawler Carl such a hit is The Girl Who Could Move S*** With Her Mind. If the title wasn’t enough of an indication, the story focuses on goverment operative Teagan Frost, who uses her telekinetic abilities to pull off black ops missions. One of these missions goes horribly wrong when someone frames Teagan for murder, forcing her to go on the run. With its realistic look on superpowers and a flawed, yet entertaining protagonist, The Girl Who Could Move S*** With Her Mind reads like a realistic approach to the world of the X-Men.
Like Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Girl Who Could Move S*** With Her Mind also became popular enough to launch an ongoing series. Author Jackson Ford has written four books in the “Frost Files” to date, each of them carrying an equally raunchy title like Random S*** Flying Through the Air, Eye of the S*** Storm, and A S***load of Crazy Powers. Whether you’re looking for a unique twist on the idea of superpowers, a book with plenty of well-crafted if inappropriate humor, or just a good sci-fi read, then the Frost Files are more than worth cracking open.
‘Operation Bounce House’ by Matt Dinniman
With two more books left in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, fans have been wondering what Matt Dinniman’s next move will be. Those fans got a glimpse of his next potential sci-fi saga with Operation Bounce House, which debuted in May. Operation Bounce House is set in the far future, where most of mankind has left Earth to inhabit interstellar colonies. One of these colonists is Oliver Lewis, who’s been taking care of his grandparents’ farm using a swarm of robotic honeybees. His life is upended when a group of Earth inhabitants, piloting giant mech suits, invade his colony as part of a warped reality show, prompting Oliver to take inventive measures to defend his farm.
From the jump, Operation Bounce House has many of the elements that made Dungeon Crawler Carl such a hit. From its unique premise to its biting commentary on the insatiable nature of capitalism and the corrupting effects of fame, Dinniman proves that he still has the skills to write a compelling science fiction story. And while Operation Bounce House is a standalone story, its reception shows that readers will still be following Dinniman’s work long after the Dungeon Crawler Carl series concludes.
‘Gearbreakers’ by Zoe Hana Mikuta
When Gearbreakers hit shelves five years ago, it immediately captured attention for all the right reasons. Zoe Hana Mikuta‘s debut novel is set in a future where the nation of Godolia rules with a literal iron fist thanks to the massive mecha known as “Windups” that enforces its will. In the “Badlands”, Eris Shindanai and her fellow rebels become known as “Gearbreakers” due to their ability to take down the Windups. Things get complicated when Eris encounters Sona Steelcrest, a Windup pilot who secretly infiltrated Godolia to take it down from the inside. As Eris and Sona work toward their seperate goals, they end up falling for each other.
While Gearbreakers could be described as “The Hunger Games meets Pacific Rim,” it really stands out thanks to the worldbuilding and character development Mikuta brings to the table. Both Eris and Sona feel like well-rounded characters, as their reasons for fighting against Godolia are gradually revealed while their romantic connection flourishes. There’s also plenty of intense mecha battles, which Mikuta managed to top with the sequel Godslayers. Dungeon Crawler Carl might be on top of the world, but Gearbreakers is a novel that deserves just as much attention.
- Network
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Peacock
- Writers
-
Chris Yost
Happy Independence Day to Beyoncé fans, who were surprised with a new music release to commemorate the patriotic holiday.
Beyoncé, 44, dropped “Morning Dew (Donk)” in the early hours of Saturday, July 4.
“Beyoncé marks the 4th of July Holiday with a special gift to her fans with the release of ‘Morning Dew (Donk),’” a press release reads. “[This is] a new song that also starts a 60-day countdown to her next birthday, and the re-issue of B’Day, her ground-breaking second album that was released two decades ago on September 4, 2006.”
Beyoncé cowrote the track, her first new release in two years, alongside Pharrell Williams, The Dream and Darius Dixon. Beyoncé and Williams, 53, also produced the single.
From her days as the front woman of Destiny’s Child to her “Drunk in Love” Grammys moment, superstar Beyonce has always been known for her booty — check out her most bootylicious moments
According to the press release, “Morning Dew” is “a direct nod to her loyal BeyHive” ahead of B’Day’s 20th anniversary milestone.
“The song, which will be included on the 20th Anniversary edition of B’Day, arrives accompanied by a lyric video that repurposes old footage, directed by frequent collaborator Cliff Watts,” the statement notes. “It was Cliff Watts who shot Beyoncé’s iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover around her 25th birthday.”
Beyoncé graced the SI cover in 2007, marking the first time a non-athlete or non-model appeared underneath the masthead.
“It’s amazing to me and I never thought it would happen. It’s great for us [and] our clothing line, House of Deréon. I’m wearing all of our swimsuits. My mother was able to design them,” the music icon gushed, referring to mom Tina Knowles and their now-defunct fashion label. “It’s a great launch for us, and I’ve never done a swimsuit spread.”
Beyoncé is looking back on her groundbreaking self-titled album 10 years after its release. The singer, 42, took to Instagram on Wednesday, December 13, to share a video honoring the 10th anniversary of her fifth studio album, Beyoncé. The album was released in December 2013 with no prior promotion and included stunning visuals to accompany […]
Beyoncé continued at the time, “What better place to do that [than] a magazine that’s so classy and so elegant, still very sexy, but in a very, very upscale way. It is a music issue. Music and fashion, they go hand in hand. When these beautiful models are posing for their shoots, they’re listening to music. We’re all inspired by music and I think it’s so great that they’re acknowledging us musicians.”
Beyoncé had released B’Day, her second solo album, the year before and seven more in the years that followed. The R&B superstar last released Cowboy Carter, her foray into country music, in 2024. The record won both Best Country Album and Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, which was Beyoncé’s first time taking home the latter honor.
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years, and I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all of the hard work,” Beyoncé said in her acceptance speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms. [Linda] Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors. God bless y’all.”
Fantasy has been one of the most beloved genres in cinema, dating back to the very beginnings of motion pictures. Reimagining the magical worlds from literature and folklore into immersive audiovisual stories, the genre has delivered some of the most impressive and captivating films of all time, with valiant heroes, vicious villains, and dangerous monsters aplenty. Many of these movies have since evolved into classics of the genre and cinema as a whole, capturing a unique experience that cannot or should not be replicated.
These iconic fantasy classics are widely recognized for their inventive world-building, groundbreaking practical effects, and distinct directorial visions that would be impossible to recreate. Remaking masterpieces like The Princess Bride or The Neverending Story would not only dilute the original artistry that made them iconic but also rob these films of their nostalgic charm. From standalone magical tales to epic trilogy masterpieces, here’s our selection of classic fantasy movies that nobody wants to see remade.
1
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Directed by Rob Reiner and adapted from William Goldman’s novel, The Princess Bride follows the beautiful Buttercup and heroic farmhand, Westley, who are madly in love with each other. After Westley leaves the kingdom to seek his fortune and is presumed dead, Buttercup is forced to marry the evil Prince Humperdinck, but a valiant masked hero comes to her rescue. Robin Wright and Cary Elwes star as Buttercup and Westley in their breakout roles, with Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, and Carol Kane in supporting roles.
A swashbuckling adventure about a simple farm boy-turned hero who sets out on an epic quest to save his one true love, The Princess Bride is a fantastic romance fantasy that has defined the genre. The movie has become a cult classic over the years and is often hailed as one of Rob Reiner’s most remarkable films, a defining masterpiece of 1980s cinema. The romance, swordfights, and meta-comedy, as well as the unparalleled chemistry and performances of its star-studded cast, come together in an irreplaceable combination of themes and motifs that cannot be reproduced, even with the most cutting-edge contemporary techniques.
2
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001–2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the first-ever live-action feature film adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels. Drawing from the titles and plots from the books’ three volumes, the films are told in three chapters and follow the grand quest of Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit, who journeys from Middle-earth to Mordor to destroy the magical artifact, the One Ring, and defeat its maker, the evil Dark Lord Sauron. The ensemble cast stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, and many more.
Peter Jackson’s gorgeously cinematic interpretation of the 20th-century literary classic made The Lord of the Rings film trilogy a 21st-century landmark, redefining fantasy cinema forever. The films are pitch-perfect visual translations of Tolkien’s world, with sweeping visuals and special effects, brilliant character designs and costumes, and memorable music. The impact of such a miraculous confluence of ideas, craftsmanship, and passionate performances is impossible to overwrite or rewrite with newer renditions, no matter how tempting that idea may seem.
3
‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
A musical fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and written by Terry Jones, Labyrinth tells the story of Sarah, a teenage girl who angrily wishes for her baby brother, Toby, to be taken away by the goblins from her favorite book. Her wish turns into her nightmare when Toby actually gets kidnapped by the Goblin King Jareth, and Sarah journeys into the fantastical, puzzling world of goblins to save him. David Bowie stars as the Goblin King, with Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Christopher Malcolm, and Shelley Thompson as key characters.
Labyrinth is a cult classic fantasy movie, acclaimed for Jim Henson’s distinctive artistry and Bowie’s memorable performance as the Goblin King, which became one of his most iconic film roles. The movie is considered a masterpiece of practical effects, extensively using physical puppetry, animatronics, and in-camera techniques, all of which are definitive to its time. A remake of such a classic would lack Henson’s original magic and dramatic flair and David Bowie’s irreplaceable original music contribution.
4
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
A Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro follows the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to a country home with their father after their mother falls sick and is hospitalized. While exploring the new place, the sisters encounter magical forest spirits and experience their mystical world. Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi, and Sumi Shimamoto voice the main characters, with Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Tom Daly, and Lea Salonga voicing the English dub.
A simple, sentimental film about the joys and pains of childhood, My Neighbor Totoro is regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time and Studio Ghibli’s cornerstone film that defined their brand identity, becoming a Japanese cultural icon that’s recognized worldwide. The film’s greatness rises from its creator’s deeply personal artistry and childhood nostalgia, which brings great emotional depth and warmth to the narrative. Reimagining My Neighbor Totoro with a modern lens is impossible, for it would fundamentally change what makes the original so rich.
5
‘The Neverending Story’ (1984)
Wolfgang Petersen’s first English-language film, and an adaptation of Michael Ende’s novel of the same name, The Neverending Story follows a young boy named Bastian, who hides in an old bookstore to escape bullies and steals the titular book. As he reads it, Bastian feels drawn to the fantasy world of the book, where a brave hero attempts to save a magical land called Fantasia from a dark force called The Nothing. The film stars Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney, and Moses Gunn in key roles.
The Neverending Story is a charming and heartwarming story about a child’s boundless imagination that brings unparalleled nostalgia to fans across generations. Ende’s magical world of Fantasia comes alive through Petersen’s vision and the revolutionary special effects, expertly utilizing animatronics, miniatures, and puppets to create its fantastical narrative. A film deeply tied to its era, The Neverending Story is definitive of the aesthetic, philosophical, and technological sensibilities of late 20th-century pop culture, and it cannot and should not be duplicated.
6
‘Shrek’ (2001)
Loosely based on William Steig’s picture book and directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, Shrek follows the story of the titular character — a reclusive ogre who is resentful about sharing his swamp home with other creatures who are banished there by the villainous ruler Lord Farquaad. Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad and agrees to rescue his imprisoned future wife, Princess Fiona, in exchange for control of the swamp. The voice cast stars Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and John Lithgow as Furquaad.
A meta parody of fairy tales with colorful characters that completely subvert traditional tropes, Shrek has practically defined the fantasy animation genre of the 21st century. When it was released in 2001, the film was a massive success, evolving into a pop culture phenomenon and launching a global multimedia franchise. The unique aesthetic, the twisted fairy tales, and the rough and intimidating hero collectively make Shrek an irreplaceable cinematic milestone that would lose its foundational values if ever recreated.
7
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937)
Based on the Brothers Grimm’s 1812 German fairy tale Snow White, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows the titular princess, whose evil stepmother, the Queen, wants to kill her. After she escapes into the forest, Snow White encounters seven dwarfs who befriend her and give her shelter, but she cannot hide from the Queen for long. Adriana Caselotti voiced the iconic role of Snow White, alongside other voice acting and comedy legends like Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell, Pinto Colvig, Otis Harlan, and Billy Gilbert, portraying other notable characters.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was not only Walt Disney’s first feature-length film, but also the first animated feature film produced in the United States and the first cel-animated feature film, making it a major landmark in cinema history. This 1937 production paved the way for the evolution of Disney animation as we know it and ushered in the golden age of animation, becoming one of the most influential films ever made. A rewrite of the original animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with a contemporary perspective fundamentally changes the significance of the classic and its legacy, no matter how dated it is, and there’s a reason the original film has never successfully been remade.
8
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki’s most internationally recognized film, Spirited Away, tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro, who is reluctantly moving to a new house with her parents, when they stop en route at an abandoned park. As Chihiro begins to explore, she accidentally steps into a magical land of spirits and embarks on a surreal, fantastical adventure before she can return to reality. Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Bunta Sugawara, and Ryunosuke Kamiki voice key roles in the original Japanese version, with Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, David Ogden Stiers, and Tara Strong voicing the English dub.
An enchanting, dream-like experience in every frame, Spirited Away is a fantasy masterpiece rooted in personal experiences and nostalgia that represents the peak of intricate, hand-drawn animation with early digital compositing. It’s easily one of the most celebrated animated films of the 21st century and the first hand-drawn, non-English-language animated film to win an Oscar. Any further translation or reinterpretation of Spirited Away would simply distort the creative spontaneity that drives its dreamlike environments, stripping the film of its unique beauty.
- Release Date
-
July 20, 2001
- Runtime
-
125 minutes
- Producers
-
Toshio Suzuki
-
-
Rumi Hiiragi
Chihiro (voice)
Cleveland Cavaliers alum Tristan Thompson has found himself in a sticky situation! While appearing on Shannon Sharpe‘s “Club Shay Shay,” the former NBA star spoke about his relationship with Drake, likening him to a “brother,” and dished on how they’ve supported each other over the years. Later in the episode, Thompson told the NFL legend that he’s also working on fixing the broken relationship between Drake and LeBron James.
Speaking with Sharpe, Thompson said he considers rapper Drake to be like a “brother” to him, revealing that they’ve known each other for years. “I’ve known him since I’ve been 17. That’s family. Always gonna ride with him,” he continued.
According to Thompson, born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Drake was there for the athlete when he lost his mother in January 2023.
“We have a relationship. I spoke to him during last week, as well. We’re close. I mean, the beauty about all of us Canadians… you know, we all root for each other,” Thompson added.
“For myself, I’m close with Drake, but I’m also close with The Weeknd. I love The Weeknd, that’s my brother, as well. PARTYNEXTDOOR, love him, as well. That’s all family,” he continued.
Thompson Said It’s ‘Toronto Vs. The World’
Thompson said he’ll always cheer for his fellow Canadians, adding that they all see it as “Toronto vs. the World.”
“We’re called the Screwface Capital. We come with a chip on our shoulders. Obviously, Drake has led the way in the entertainment and music industry, doing his thing. Hip-hop needed him. You see when he dropped three albums,” Thompson said.
Drake is well known for embracing his Canadian roots, frequently paying tribute to Toronto in his music. In a 2015 interview, Drake spoke about his love for the city.
“Most people I know stay in Toronto. I plan to spend the rest of my life there. The talk, the smell, the sound that comes out of that city is home to me,” he said. “When I think about the girls I want to get romantic with, it’s a girl from Toronto who knows what I’m talking about when we drive around the city.”
Thompson ‘Trying’ To Fix Drake’s Beef With LeBron James
Later during the “Club Shay Shay” episode, Thompson responded to Sharpe, who asked the athlete about whether he could help get LeBron James and Drake back on good terms.
“I would love to,” Thompson said. “Listen, yeah. Listen. I’m trying, man. I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying.”
His comments come nearly a year after Drake and James made headlines after eagle-eyed fans spotted the former unfollowing several celebs on Instagram, including James, according to The Blast.
Drake’s move came after James was seen singing along to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” in 2024. The “Big Rings” rapper hinted at the fallout during a concert in October of that year.
“My real friends are definitely in the building,” Drake said. “But let me tell you that you’re going to come to a point in life where people you thought were friends, people you thought were close to you switch up.”
He added, “They might try to move funny with you. They might stab you in the back. They might do a lot of things to you. You’ll come to that realization, wherever you’re at in life. You’ve probably been there and you’ll be there again. That’s how life is. Sometimes it’s you and you alone by yourself.”
LeBron James Breaks Silence On Drake’s Issue With Him
James and Drake had a years-long friendship before the fallout, as Drake previously admitted to texting the NBA champion before every game.
In September 2025, James opened up about his relationship with Drake during an interview with Speedy Morman during an episode of his “360” show.
“Always wish him the best. Obviously, um, different places right now, currently. He’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine. But it’s always love, for sure,” he said.
Drake Doesn’t Care About LeBron James’ Well-Wishes
Drake seemed unfazed by James’ well-wishes, considering he blasted the athlete in a song on his new album, “ICEMAN.” In the song “1 AM In Albany,” Drake took a clear shot at James and gave his listeners little hope that they would ever reconcile.
“I shouldn’t even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up,” Drake rapped in the song. “Please stop asking what’s going on with 23 & me, I’m a real n****, and he’s not, it’s in my DNA.”
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