If you’ve spent the last decade getting serious about what you eat, how you train, and which supplements actually have data behind them, there’s a piece of your daily routine that probably hasn’t kept up: the toothbrush in your bathroom. An electric toothbrush is one of the more well-studied upgrades you can make to a daily health habit — and the clinical data behind it is harder to ignore once you’ve seen it.

A 2025 YouGov survey found that 64% of Americans are still using a manual toothbrush. Only 31% have moved to powered. That’s a striking gap given what we now know about oral health. The case for upgrading to a quality electric toothbrush is stronger than ever, and ARU is making it with clinical data behind it.

What the Research Says About Manual Brushing

The case against manual brushing isn’t aesthetic, it’s mechanical. Four problems show up consistently:

• Manual brushes are less effective at removing plaque along the gumline and between teeth — the exact zones where gum disease starts.
• Most people brush too aggressively, which causes gum recession and enamel wear over time. Manual brushes don’t offer any feedback to stop you.
• The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends two minutes of brushing. Most people fall well short, and a manual brush has no way to tell you so.
• Manual brushing relies entirely on technique — angle, pressure, coverage, duration — which tends to be inconsistent brush to brush.

You can clean your teeth effectively with a manual brush. The point is that the best electric toothbrushes remove the guesswork, which matters when you’re optimizing for long-term oral health rather than just getting through the morning routine.

What’s Unique About ARU’s Electric Toothbrush

ARU is a sonic toothbrush built to deliver a clinical-grade clean without the gum trauma that often comes with manual brushing. The mechanism matters: sonic vibrations break up plaque along the gumline and between teeth — the regions where manual technique most reliably fails.

Related: The Best Sonic Toothbrush Upgrade for Sensitive Gums and Better Oral Health

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If you’ve rebuilt your morning routine around magnesium, a continuous glucose monitor and a meticulously curated supplement shelf, there’s one tool you probably haven’t reconsidered in years: the toothbrush by your sink.  For a category most people grab off a drugstore shelf, oral care has become a surprisingly relevant frontier in preventive wellness. The ARU […]

What the brush adds beyond mechanism: a two-minute timer with a 30-second quadrant pulse, three modes and three intensities, and the option to dial pressure down for sensitivity or up for a deeper clean. Pressure becomes a setting, not a guess.

As a rechargeable electric toothbrush, ARU runs for 45 days or more on a single charge and uses wireless charging when you do need to top it off. That’s a meaningful upgrade from brushes that need a weekly trip to the charging cradle.

The Clinical Trial Behind the ARU Toothbrush

A 28-day clinical trial conducted by Ashtel Studios split 62 participants between ARU and an ADA-accepted manual toothbrush, with both groups brushing twice daily for two minutes. The aru toothbrush outperformed manual across every measure.

• 15x more plaque removed than a manual toothbrush
• 9x more plaque removed in a single use
• 74% reduction in gum bleeding
• 46% improvement in overall gingival health
• 93% of gums classified as healthy after one month
• 140% improvement in plaque removal in hard-to-reach areas
• Safe for sensitive teeth and gums without irritation

A separate independent study of 140 participants over 35 days found that 91% of users would recommend ARU.

What’s in the ARU Toothbrush Starter Kit

The ARU Starter Kit ships with the sonic handle, one brush head, a wireless charging base, a USB cable with wall adapter, a magnetic mirror mount, a travel case and a travel handle protector. It’s a complete setup with nothing sold separately, which matters if you’ve ever bought an electric brush and discovered the travel case costs another $40.

Why ARU’s Toothbrush Heads Matter

The electric toothbrush heads are doing most of the actual cleaning, and ARU’s are designed differently than most. Ultra-soft tapered bristles clean along the gumline without abrading it, and they’re 20x slimmer than standard bristles, so they reach between teeth and below the gumline. A hexagonal bristle pattern improves coverage per stroke, and a metal-free core avoids the corrosion you’ll see with heads that use metal anchors over time.

Related: The Sonic Toothbrush Features That Actually Matter for Gum Health

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Shopping for a sonic toothbrush for sensitive gums means wading through a large range of  prices and a wall of confusing marketing claims. For most households the question isn’t whether to upgrade. It’s whether the upgrade actually does anything, and how to avoid wasting money on features that don’t matter. The ARU Sonic Toothbrush Starter […]

ARU recommends swapping heads every three months, in line with ADA guidance. That matters because worn bristles clean less effectively and old heads accumulate bacteria. A refill subscription ships a new head every quarter at a 20% discount, plus a lifetime warranty on the handle.

The 7-Day Challenge Your Smile Has Been Waiting For

ARU’s 7-Day Challenge is a fair way to evaluate it: brush with ARU for a week, then on day 8, switch back to your old brush for one session. The contrast is the data point. Most people notice immediately — the smoothness of their teeth, the absence of low-grade gum sensitivity they’d accepted as baseline.

The 30-day money-back guarantee removes the financial argument against trying it. The clinical data removes the evidentiary one. What’s left is whether your oral care routine deserves the same scrutiny you’ve applied to the rest of your health.

Apple TV has become one of the most impressive streamers, offering a slew of fantastic television shows. Its tentpole series, such as Severance and Ted Lasso, have inspired the biggest fan followings, but there are also the shows that tend to fly under the radar. Series like Bad Sisters and Pachinko are every bit as worthy of a binge-watch, even if they didn’t receive as much fanfare when they were airing. Alongside these high-quality titles is a mystery series that may not have drummed up a lot of buzz, but should be added to your must-watch list now.

What Is ‘Home Before Dark’ About?

Home Before Dark, executive produced by Wicked director Jon M. Chu, is a two-season drama that aired on Apple TV from 2020 to 2021. Over 20 episodes of twisty storytelling, the show follows a nine-year-old girl named Hilde Lisko (Brooklynn Prince) who moves from New York City to her father’s hometown of Erie Harbor, Washington. With her quirky, unique personality, Hilde struggles to fit in at school, while her older sister, Izzy (Kylie Rogers), seems much more likely to be accepted by the popular kids. Hilde is also seen as different from her classmates because she thinks of herself as a journalist, even at her young age, and tends to get in trouble for her inquisitive tendencies.

Shortly after arriving in Erie Harbor, Hilde starts a self-published newspaper called The Magic Hour Chronicle. During her reporting, she stumbles upon a mystery that has haunted the town for decades. Hilde starts investigating the kidnapping of a young boy named Richie Fife, but quickly discovers that there’s a mysterious cover-up connected to his disappearance. In Season 2, even more of the sinister cover-up is exposed, and Hilde makes some powerful enemies. Each episode is full of complex puzzles that unfold as Hilde investigates the mystery further.

‘Home Before Dark’ Will Draw You In With Its Intriguing Mystery

One of the great things about Home Before Dark is that it’s family-friendly, since its protagonist is a young girl, but the series is just as watchable for adults. The storytelling is suspenseful, and Hilde’s storyline doesn’t feel schmaltzy or too juvenile. Instead, the show captures the pangs of growing as well as the beauty of searching for truth and justice. Hilde’s journey is inspiring because she doesn’t let her age or any obstacles stand in the way of her goal. Home Before Dark‘s mystical cinematography and setting are another reason to watch, with the town’s eerie fog acting as a haunting veil that further masks its darkest secrets.

Home Before Dark could have run the risk of feeling unsophisticated, but by casting Prince in the lead, the series morphs into a moving, deeply emotional story. Prince was first discovered in her breakout role as a small child in The Florida Project, and she continues to show her range and immense gifts here. Jibrail Nantambu and Deric McCabe play fantastic sidekicks to Hilde, without being cloying or silly. The adult actors also serve as grounding presences; Jim Sturgess, who plays Hilde’s supportive father, and Joelle Carter, as Hilde’s embattled school principal, are particularly compelling.

Home Before Dark was never officially cancelled, but no new episodes were ordered after Season 2 was completed. Much of the reason it flew under the radar is likely because it aired right in the middle of the pandemic, which also briefly halted the production of the second season. There might be flashier shows on Apple TV to binge, but this drama is quietly unique, with an eerie setting and a mix of thrilling mysteries and heartwarming coming-of-age themes.

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Home Before Dark

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Release Date

April 3, 2020

Network

Apple TV+

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Directors

Kat Candler

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Writers

Hilde Lysiak, Dana Fox

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• 
• 

  Brooklynn Prince

  Hilde Lisko

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  Jibrail Nantambu

  Donny Davis

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  Aziza Scott

  Deputy Mackenzie ‘Trip’ Johnson III

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Jessica Alba and boyfriend Danny Ramirez were feeling the love while attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s star-studded wedding at Madison Square Garden.

“We love love,” Alba, 45, captioned a post shared via Instagram on Saturday, July 4, showcasing some behind-the-scenes moments featuring the actress preparing for the singer and NFL star’s Friday, July 3, nuptials at the iconic New York City venue.

“Congrats to T&T — such a beautiful night celebrating you,” Alba continued.

In the post, Alba shared a before-and-after video featuring the couple preparing for the wedding festivities. Initially, the camera showed alba in an oversized zip-up hoodie, wearing a towel around her head and under-eye treatment masks as her boyfriend, 33, stands behind her in a t-shirt, giving her a kiss.

Related: Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez Get Handsy at US Open, Kiss in New Photos

Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez couldn’t keep their hands off each other at the US Open while enjoying a weekend in the Big Apple. The couple were photographed on Sunday, September 7, watching the Men’s Singles Final at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens. Alba, 44, was all smiles in […]

The camera pans down, then pans back up to reveal the couple’s wedding attire. The video continues to show Ramirez kissing Alba, first on the cheek before the pair keep kissing until they finally kiss on the lips.

Alba shared additional photos showing her show-stopping look, which featured a black, plunging top and a golden sequenced bottom. Ramirez, for his part, looked dapper in a quintessential black-and-white tax featuring a black tie.

Us Weekly exclusively confirmed back in July 2025 that Alba and Ramirez were dating amid her divorce from Cash Warren.

“They were friends before it turned romantic,” the insider shared at the time, adding that the Marvel actor and Alba have “a lot of mutual friends,” including the Honest Company cofounder’s longtime best friend Eva Longoria.

“Jessica is still keeping things casual,” the source added at the time.

After a trip to Cancun, Mexico, the pair were spotted boarding a flight home to Los Angeles in July 2025 wearing baseball caps and sunglasses.

“She is having a lot of fun in this new era. It’s not serious, but she is enjoying time with him,” the source continued to Us at the time, adding that the Honey star wasn’t “interested” in introducing her and Warren’s three children — Honor, Haven and Hayes — to Ramirez at the time.

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Swift and Kelce, for their part, officially became husband and wife on Friday after exchanging vows in front of a reported 1,000 of their closest friends and family members.

“The bride and groom’s wedding ceremony looks have been created by Christian Dior Huate Coutour,” a press released shared by Swift’s rep shortly after the pair wed revealed. “They are designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior’s Women’s, Men’s and Haute Coutoure Collections, in close collaboration with the Bride and Groom. This is the designer’s fist couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity. Their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin and the bride wore Cartier jewelry.”

The release continued, “Taylor and Travis did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, her brother Austin Swift served as Taylor’s Man of Honor and Jason Kelce was Travis’ Best Man. The ceremony joined both families together and was officiated by friend Adam Sandler.”

Sharon Osbourne is marking the first wedding anniversary without her husband, the late Ozzy Osbourne, following the iconic rocker’s death at age 76.

“Today would have been our 46th wedding anniversary,” she wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 4, alongside a close-up photo of the couple holding hands. “Instead, it is a celebration of a love that even death could not diminish. I miss your hand in mine, but I carry your love with me every step of the way.”

The widow concluded her heartfelt message, writing, “Forever my husband. Forever my heart.”

Ozzy died on July 22, 2025, following a public battle with Parkinson’s disease. (Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die, causing a severe drop in dopamine that can lead to movement and non-motor issues.)

Related: Sharon Osbourne Reacts to Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at the 2026 Grammys

Sharon Osbourne is sharing her emotional reaction after the 2026 Grammy Awards paid tribute to her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne. During the Sunday, February 1, music awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Post Malone, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan and Slash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Andrew Watt performed Black Sabbath’s hit song […]

“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the Osbourne family announced at the time via a written statement to Us Weekly. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

The legendary rocker died just weeks after the couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary — one day before Ozzy took the stage for the final time alongside his Black Sabbath bandmates on July 5, 2025.

Sharon broke her silence on her husband’s death in September of that same year, detailing how she was navigating the grieving process. (The former couple, who married on July 4, 1982, shared daughters Aimee, Kelly and son Jack. Ozzy was also dad to daughter Jessica and son Louis with ex-wife Thelma Riley.)

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“I’m still having trouble finding the words to express how grateful I am for the overwhelming love and support you’ve shown on social media. Your comments, posts and tributes have brought me more comfort than you know,” Sharon wrote via Instagram on September 12, 2025, alongside a video featuring the widow and Kelly spending time with an owl.

Related: Ozzy Osbourne Through the Years: Black Sabbath to Father, Reality Star

Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records worldwide between his solo career and his days as a member of Black Sabbath prior to his death in 2025. The England native got his start in 1967 when he joined bassist Geezer Butler’s first band, Rare Breed, as a vocalist. Although the group didn’t last long, […]

“Though I’m still finding my footing, I wanted to share some glorious creatures I had the chance to spend an afternoon with,” she continued in the post. “The connection you make with these powerful birds is built entirely on trust and confidence. They’ll choose to perch on you only if they sense you are safe and unafraid of them. It’s a bond I know all too well, and the experience was nothing short of magical.”

Sharon concluded, “I love you all, and I thank you deeply for the otherworldly amount of love you continue to send my way.”

Lionel Richie has returned to the stage and is sharing a hopeful — albeit quick — update on his health after cancelling two shows amid a battle with an unspecified type of illness.

“Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love,” Richie, 77, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 4, sharing numerous photos featuring the iconic singer performing on stage. “I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you.”

He continued, “Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together. See you in Toronto… let’s party all night long.”

Late last month, Richie postponed two of his Sing a Song All Night Long Tour shows in Illinois and Ohio after he was forced to cut the opening night of his tour short due to illness.

Related: Lionel Richie Says He ‘Tried to Bribe’ Pilot to Avoid Canceling Recent Gig

Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images Lionel Richie did everything in his power to make it to a Saturday, August 12, gig at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Richie, 74, who postponed the sold-out Saturday concert due to poor weather conditions, apologized to the audience during the rescheduled performance on Monday, August 14. “I tried to bribe […]

“Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his show on Friday, June 26, in Chicago, IL, and Saturday, June 27, in Columbus, OH,” a statement shared via the Live Nation Chicago and the United Center in Chicago’s official instagram accounts on June 25 read. “He and Earth, Wind & Fire will return to the stage on Tuesday, June 30, in Pittsburgh, PA. Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back to performing for his fans.”

The statement concluded at the time, “We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon.”

Richie has yet to publicly release any additional information regarding his illness, including any diagnosis or treatment he received. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the singer was performing on stage in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 24 when he started feeling dizzy and stopped the set just under an hour into his tour’s opening night performance.

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Richie was singing “Dancing on the Ceiling” while he was forced to take a seat. According to the local news outlet, Richie then left the stage and, 40 minutes later, the singer’s saxophonist Dino Soldo returned to the stage to give fans an unfortunate update.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” the performer told the crowd at the time. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available.”

Us Weekly reached out to representatives for Richie at the time for comment, but did not hear back.

Simply one of the best shows on streaming, Cross, the Aldis Hodge-led detective series on Prime Video, instantly became one of the streamer’s finest products when it debuted in late 2024. In 2025, the show was absent, and its presence was certainly missing from the streaming rotation, which is why its return earlier this year for a pulsating Season 2 that features Matthew Lillard in a key role proved even more popular. Recently, it was announced that the upcoming third season had added the great Ron Perlman to the cast as Herschel Zamora, a police officer who is referred to Dr. Cross for therapy.

Hodge once again was note perfect in Cross Season 2, with Collider’s Nate Richard praising his performance, commending the actor for “showing off his unmatched charisma, vulnerabilities, and, of course, kick-ass stunt abilities” in every episode. If you love Cross and are waiting patiently for Season 3, then you should definitely check out this other recent gem of a Hodge performance that has just landed on a new streamer.

The film in question is The Dutchman, based on Amiri Baraka‘s 1964 play, Dutchman, which made its theatrical debut on January 2. A thriller that pulls none of its punches, The Dutchman scored positively with critics following its world premiere at SXSW 2025, no doubt thanks to boasting a strong cast that includes Hodge, André Holland, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Fantastic Four‘s Kate Mara. Directed by Andre Gaines (After Jackie), this ambitious thriller is ready and waiting to be discovered on a new platform. As of July 1, The Dutchman is available to stream on Paramount+.

What Is Aldis Hodge Making Next?

Alongside his work on the third season of Cross, Hodge is also joining a star-studded lineup in a streaming sequel to an unlikely successful reboot. Doug Liman‘s reboot of the Patrick Swayze-led 1989 cult classic Road House might’ve been torn apart by critics, but the Jake Gyllenhaal-led movie broke viewership records for Prime Video, leading to a green light on a sequel. Since then, the road to Road House 2 has been rocky to say the least, with the director’s chair being moved from Guy Ritchie to Ilya Naishuller. Hodge will star alongside the likes of Dave Bautista, Iko Uwais, Jay Hieron, Leila George, Andrew Bachelor, and Peter Sarsgaard.

The Dutchman is streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.

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Release Date

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January 2, 2026

Runtime

88 minutes

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Director

Andre Gains

Writers

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Qasim Basir, Andre Gaines

Producers

Jonathan Baker, Andre Gaines

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It’s not easy being perfect, but these fantasy shows are about as close as it comes to being a flawless series. Some fantasy TV shows start out really strong but then falter at the end (Game of Thrones). Some get repetitive (Once Upon a Time), lose their momentum (The Witcher), or go off the rails in the last season (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). However, these shows not only started strong but also finished strong, maintaining their level of greatness to the end.

Writing alone does not a perfect fantasy series make. Solid plots and interesting characters can be undone by lackluster performances, poor direction, or special effects that are too hokey to be believed. Luckily, the titles on this list excelled in every category, from acting to visual graphics, and from set design to costumes. Here are examples of fantasy TV shows that pulled off perfect execution.

‘The Storyteller’ (1987–1989)

Image via NBC

Jim Henson was a visionary who used his creative genius and creature creation skills to tell fantastical stories that captured the imagination. A collection of short, episodic tales entitled The Storyteller is one of his best projects. John Hurt stars as the titular main character, and he narrates the nine episodes, each with its own cautionary anecdote to deliver.

The Storyteller has no flaws. It is a 10/10 fantasy show that captures the essence of older folk and fairy tales. The stories range from ominous to spooky, and each one is enthralling in its own way. It is a testament to how well the show was filmed and designed that it can still be watched today without losing any of its impact.

‘Gargoyles’ (1994–1997)

Image via Buena Vista Television

A castle atop a New York City skyscraper, a clan of guardians cursed into stone, and a story centuries in the making, Gargoyles is a perfect fantasy series. The voice cast is packed with talent, featuring Keith David, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Edward Asner, and Bill Fagerbakke in key roles. Gargoyles was ahead of its time, and its foreboding atmosphere and Gothic nature continue to be appreciated by fans both old and new.

Gargoyles does everything right. The animation is exemplary of the ’90s, the chemistry between the cast is undeniable, and the storytelling is on point. Gargoyles feels like an interesting blend between superhero tropes and mythic lore. It is an ideal addition to this list and should be on every fantasy fan’s watchlist.

‘Moon Knight’ (2022)

Image via Disney+

After the Marvel Cinematic Universe set the world of blockbuster cinema on fire, the creative powers that be turned their attention to the small screen. One of the best one-season wonders in their television canon is Moon Knight. Oscar Isaac stars as Steven Grant, a mild-mannered man whose world begins to unravel and take dramatic turns. The audience and Steven soon learn that he has multiple personalities and one of his predominant ones, Marc Spector, can summon powers from the Egyptian moon god Khonshu (Karim El Hakim and F. Murray Abraham). Steven must grapple with not only being intertwined with Khonshu but with Marc, who leads a far more adventurous and dangerous life than his own.

In a single season, Moon Knight packs all the drama and excitement of the best of Marvel projects. It has been vastly overlooked in such a prolific canon, but everything done in Moon Knight is done well. The cast is stacked with talent, including May Calamawy, Ethan Hawke, and F. Murray Abraham, who voices Khonshu. The storytelling unravels in a mesmerizing way, and there are no weak spots in this phenomenal series.

‘Wishbone’ (1995–1998)

Image via PBS

Wishbone is a children’s fantasy series starring the aforementioned Jack Russell Terrier (Soccer the Dog) who reenacts classic works of fiction. Voiced by Larry Brantley, Wishbone plays the hero in charming retellings of famous tomes such as Don Quixote, The Phantom of the Opera, and Frankenstein. As Wishbone interacts with his young owner, Joe (Jordan Wall), he can’t help but draw similarities to their current life and the stories he enacts in clever asides.

Watching Wishbone pay homage to some of literature’s greatest hits in tiny dog-sized costumes is delightful. It is a fun series that introduces younger audiences to classic works in a highly engaging format. Wishbone is a masterclass in kids’ TV shows of the ’90s, and there are no bad episodes.

‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)

Image via Cartoon Network

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A fantasy miniseries like none other, Over the Garden Wall is a bit spooky, a bit cozy, and a bit of anime in its presentation. All of these factors add up to create a visual storytelling saga that is unique and captivating. The storyline follows a pair of brothers as they venture just beyond their home into a mysterious land that is unknown to them. Each episode operates like a chapter in a book, and many consider Over the Garden Wall a must-watch in the autumn months.

Over the Garden Wall won two Primetime Emmys and remains a favorite choice for fans. At a single season in length and with each episode being around 11 minutes long, Over the Garden Wall can be watched in a single sitting, making it highly rewarding and an interesting, complete narrative to enjoy. If you haven’t seen this incomparable series yet, this is your cue to check out the spectacle that Collider‘s Jiminna Shillingford calls “beautifully strange and skillfully atmospheric.”

‘Locke & Key’ (2020–2022)

After a tragedy befalls the Locke family, the remaining members relocate to a historic family manor in Locke & Key. As siblings Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Tyler (Connor Jessup) begin to explore their new, old home, they discover mysterious keys hidden throughout the property. These keys are no ordinary pieces of hardware, and each one is imbued with a different, supernatural property.

Being able to control another person’s body or enter their mind are just two examples of the phenomenal abilities the keys give their owners. However, the Lockes aren’t the only ones who know about the keys, and there are several people who want to take them for their own nefarious purposes. Locke & Key has some of the best villains in any fantasy series ever. There are so many twists and turns, it is like going on a thriller/mystery roller coaster ride. With great special effects, acting, and writing, Locke & Key is the whole package.

‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)

Image via BBC One

A fantasy series set in the Middle Ages, Merlin follows the wizard of legend when he is a young man. In this retelling of the tale, magic has been outlawed by King Uther (Anthony Head), so Merlin (Colin Morgan) must keep his abilities a secret as he works as a servant to Prince Arthur (Bradley James). Setting the story earlier in the lives of the characters is an interesting choice, and it makes them feel more relatable to a wider audience.

Merlin will keep you hooked from start to finish. By starting earlier in the timeline, audiences who are familiar with the story anxiously watch each episode to see how events will play out. Katie McGrath is captivating as Morgana, and watching her slow descent into villainy is one of the series’ most intriguing story arcs. While the series made some bold creative choices, they are paid off, and Merlin creates its own type of magic.

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

Image via FX

Based on the 2014 movie of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows took something that was already awesome and made it even better. In a sort of Real World meets Interview With a Vampire, this dark comedy documents the activities of a group of vampires that share a house together in present-day Staten Island. Horror has never been more hilarious, and WWDITS‘s distinctive blend of special effects and gore with deadpan humor is disarming and brilliant.

Two of the best additions the TV series brings to the table are the addition of a vampiress, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and an energy vampire, Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch). These two character types enhance the overall vampiric lore and make the series rich and interesting. What We Do in the Shadows also includes unique human perspectives on the events that take place, and Harvey Guillen is irreplaceable as Nandor’s (Kayvan Novak) familiar, Guillermo. What We Do in the Shadows has so much going on that you can watch it over and over and get a new joke or take something new away from it each time.

‘SurrealEstate’ (2021–2025)

Image via Albert Camicioli/©SYFY/SE3 Prod./Courtesy Everett Collection

Luke Roman (Tim Rozon) is a real estate agent like no other. While most realtors’ strengths include selling suburban condos or split-levels, Luke Roman’s specialty is specters. At The Roman Agency, the small team of employees led by Luke is adept at clearing any dwelling of deceased property owners who refuse to leave. SurrealEstate is a spooky and interesting series. No two hauntings are alike, and the “monster of the week” format ensures each episode has something new and exciting to entice viewers. There are some longer-running plot points throughout the tenure of the show, and whether the story arc is long or short, they are all interesting.

One of the best episodes is in Season 2, Episode 7, entitled “God & Monsters.” The Roman Agency is hired by a man with a troubled past to sell his childhood home, including the monster who lived under his bed as a kid. There are some fascinating thoughts about strength and fear explored in this episode, and it ends with a surprisingly emotional and poignant resolution. Even though it could have run longer with so many more homes and hauntings to explore, SurrealEstate is lucky to have concluded before it ran out of steam, so it feels complete as it is, and anything extra would be superfluous.

‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

Another TV show that took what was great about a feature film and then expanded and improved upon it is A Series of Unfortunate Events. The critically acclaimed series stars Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, a villain who seeks to entrap the three Baudelaire orphans so he can have access to their family’s wealth. The show is full of star-studded celebrity guest appearances with actors such as Nathan Fillion, Will Arnett, Cobie Smulders, Alfre Woodard, Tony Hale, and Joan Cusack being brilliant in their cameos. Harris is inspired as Olaf, and watching him play one character in disguise as other characters throughout the series is amazing.

Before Wednesday reigned supreme as the Gothic queen on Netflix, A Series of Unfortunate Events was the macabre masterpiece to watch. Every episode is better than the last, and A Series of Unfortunate Events has six Primetime Emmy nominations to prove it. There is something for every fantasy fan to take away from this series. It is overflowing with talent in every execution, from cast and crew, and it is without a single flaw.

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A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Release Date

2017 – 2019-00-00

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Barry Sonnenfeld, Bo Welch, Mark Palansky, Allan Arkush, Loni Peristere, Liza Johnson, Jonathan Teplitzky

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Writers

Joe Tracz, Joshua Conkel, Sigrid Gilmer, Emily Fox, Tatiana Suarez-Pico, Daniel Handler

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Mike Vrabel‘s appearance at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding should have been a relatively low-key outing. Instead, a brief interaction between the former NFL coach and his wife, Jen Vrabel, has become a talking point across social media.

The couple was photographed arriving for the star-studded Madison Square Garden wedding, marking one of their first major public appearances together since rumors and controversy surrounding Vrabel dominated headlines earlier this year.

While leaving for the celebration, cameras captured Vrabel and his wife heading toward a waiting vehicle.

In the now-viral clip, Vrabel opened the car door and climbed inside before Jen entered on her own moments later. What may have otherwise been viewed as a completely ordinary interaction quickly became the subject of criticism online, with some viewers arguing that Vrabel should have held the door for his wife.

The moment spread across social media, where users were quick to voice their opinions.

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Many commenters interpreted the interaction as a sign of disrespect, especially given the scrutiny already surrounding Vrabel’s personal life. One user wrote, “This is how you know you’re a piece of man garbage, when you leave your wife on the sidewalk because you entered the car first!”

Another commenter referenced recent controversy involving the coach, writing, “What a f-cking loser! Cheats on his wife, she apparently forgives him, and he doesn’t even open the vehicle door for her while entering the vehicle!” A third person simply questioned, “Didn’t even hold the car door for his wife ???”

Others defended the couple, arguing that a split-second interaction shouldn’t be used to judge an entire relationship. “Well, in all fairness. There WAS a doorman,” one user pointed out. “Kind of tricky. Like an elevator. Proper etiquette requires that a man enter and exit an elevator first, ostensibly to meet any obstacles first. But that is old school.”

Someone else echoed, “The driver was already holding the door open!” as another wrote, “He went first and crawled into the back. Gave the best seat to his wife. That’s what gentlemen do. Leave the guy alone.”

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The Public Scrutiny Comes Amid A Difficult Year For Vrabel

The backlash arrives as Vrabel continues to navigate the fallout from a turbulent offseason that generated significant media attention. In March, photos linking the former NFL coach to sports reporter Dianna Russini sparked widespread speculation and dominated sports media headlines.

The controversy intensified in the months that followed as additional reports and developments emerged, keeping both names in the public conversation. As a result, even seemingly minor public moments involving Vrabel have drawn heightened attention from fans and critics alike.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding Drew An Unbelievable Guest List

While Vrabel’s arrival generated plenty of online chatter, he was just one of hundreds of high-profile guests invited to what has become one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of the year.

Swift and Kelce reportedly welcomed around 1,000 guests to Madison Square Garden, bringing together some of the biggest names from the worlds of music, sports, television, and film. Among the celebrities spotted at the celebration were Swift’s longtime friends Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, the Haim sisters, Lena Dunham, Jack Antonoff, and Ed Sheeran.

Hollywood was also well represented, with Bradley Cooper, Dakota Johnson, Hugh Grant, Zoë Kravitz, Ethan Hawke, Mariska Hargitay, Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Chastain, and Jennifer Lopez all reportedly attending the festivities.

Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, And Other Sports Icons Turned Out For Travis Kelce’s Big Day

The sports world showed up in force to support Kelce as well. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attended alongside wife Brittany Mahomes, while Kelce’s brother Jason Kelce served as best man. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was also present, along with fellow NFL stars George Kittle, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kareem Hunt, and Cooper Kupp.

Even seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady made an appearance, though he was later spotted quietly leaving the reception before the festivities wrapped up.

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The ceremony itself was officiated by actor Adam Sandler, while music legend Stevie Nicks was among the stars reportedly involved in the wedding celebration.

Fantasy has never been more popular, and no subgenre has benefited more than romantasy. While Game of Thrones was a large contributor to the popularity of fantasy, romantic-style fantasy books such as A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing have jumped on the bandwagon. Readers are flocking to the waifish female protagonist, trapped in a love triangle while trying to save the world. Thankfully, fantasy adaptations aren’t solely beholden to this common trope.

Apple TV is going against the grain with the new fantasy film series that readers have been waiting for. Mistborn contains a fascinating world of magic and heroes, but most importantly, it doesn’t harp on predictable romance tropes to lure in fantasy fans. The romance that does occur in the book is well plotted and may be readers’ next obsession before the adaptation premieres on the streaming platform.

‘Mistborn’ Subverts Familiar Fantasy Tropes

There is arguably only one book love triangle that did service to the love triangle trope, and it wasn’t even in a fantasy setting. The Hunger Games put forward a protagonist who was genuinely too afraid for her life to know who to love, and both her romantic options made sense for the character. In the end, it was the war crimes that helped Katniss make her decision, and choosing Peeta tied into the book’s broader theme. Love triangles have since become a crutch, but are somehow all that romantasy books seem to publish.

Mistborn has an immersive fantasy world with a compelling romance that isn’t written to satisfy algorithms. Like Katniss, Vin is also in life-or-death situations, and the end of the first book allows her to actually process her feelings. One of the most fascinating things at the center of the romantic plot of Mistborn is how it subverts commonalities in the genre.

This fantasy world takes place in a hierarchical society where the working class is subjugated, and the upper echelons practice magic called Allomancy. This magic system consists of consuming types of metals that allow people access to different powers. Only a few have control over all the abilities, and they are dubbed Mistborns. Brandon Sanderson’s best books weave a realistic world of fascism, court intrigue, and rebellion. These elements all come together in the first book, Final Empire, which essentially functions as a heist story.

A wonderful hodgepodge of genre, the most engaging part of the story surrounds Vin, a street rat who discovers she is a Mistborn. Recruited into a ragtag crew of criminals, she is tasked with going undercover with the ruling class and finding a way to bring down the government from within. Of course, this leads to romance as many fantasy books are wont to do today. However, Vin’s potential courtship with Elend Venture is far from predictable.

In this story, Vin fills the archetypal role of the strong hero who saves Elend on many occasions. He is more cerebral and romantic, a role that female characters are often slotted into. While Vin has some competition for Elend’s heart, it isn’t what it first appears to be. Shan is akin to a double agent herself, with no real interest in being with Elend.

The female characters in this royal court are the ones with powers, while Elend is sometimes laughably naive and needs Vin to steer him in the right direction. Vin and Elend’s relationship is a slow-burn romance but extremely gratifying when Mistborn hits its stride. The book offers a believable romance set in a world where the female lead quite literally has no time for this. It isn’t just a plot device to get to the steamy moments; it’s a relationship that is quite worth investing in. When Sanderson’s story finally gets the feature film treatment, it will be well worth it to see these characters come to life.

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Producers

Brandon Sanderson

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Mistborn

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