Disney is the most impactful and popular media company of all time and one of the biggest companies in America. They’ve been around making movies since even the early days of 1928, and in the numerous movies that they’ve released since then, there are far more amazing ones than not. It’s incredible how great their batting average has consistently been.

Whether they’re produced by Walt Disney Animation or in partnership with Pixar, almost every movie put out under the Disney brand has been one for the ages. The company hasn’t gotten a reputation like this with simply alright movies, though. Almost every animated project they’ve made has, at the very least, been pretty dang good from the ground up. There are many that can be considered pretty much perfect from start to finish, too.

15

‘Mulan’ (1998)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

There are plenty of Disney movies that are considered absolute classics, and one of those is none other than Mulan. Disney has been known for taking old fairy tales and making them kid-friendly and animated. Mulan is originally based on a poem from somewhere between the 5th and 6th centuries.

Disney takes this story and turns it into a musical—one that is inspiring, beloved, and enjoyable all around. Not to mention, it adds characters like a talking dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), and, in general, makes the story a bit more lighthearted. It’s hard not to love this 1998 animated film, and from start to finish, it is an extremely memorable project.

14

‘Encanto’ (2021)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

One of Disney’s more recent hits is the family-driven film Encanto. Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, this project focuses on family dynamics through the lens of the lesser-appreciated Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz)—the only powerless person in a family filled with people who have extraordinary abilities.

Encanto has extremely raw emotions and messaging behind it, as almost everyone can relate to it. Familial struggles are tough, and this film manages to capture said struggles with grace and love. With a pure-hearted message about generational trauma, this one is unforgettable. Not to mention, the music is spectacular.

13

‘Moana’ (2016)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

2016 was a genuinely phenomenal year for Disney films. They had two absolute smash hits this year, and one of them is the one and only Moana. Typical princess romance and sap are absent from this flick, which allows the movie to focus on the character arcs. Said arcs are unbelievably well-written and executed with prowess.

Moana features some of the best animation Disney has ever put on the screen. It’s hard to describe what exactly it is about Moana‘s animation that is so phenomenal, but it’s undeniable. Just as importantly, the music in Moana is some of the best in modern Disney, thanks to the works of Lin-Manuel Miranda.

12

‘Bolt’ (2008)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Bolt is a movie unlike any other. Some would even argue that it’s incredibly underrated in comparison to other 2000s and even 2010s Disney films—as well as animated films as a whole. Bolt is very character-driven, focusing on the development of the protagonists and their journey, rather than spectacle.

The comedy in this project is very well-written, and the voice actors behind all of these characters give such great performances that they sell the humor even more. They also allow the protagonists to truly come to life on screen better than they could if they’d been played by anyone else. Bolt is unforgettable and needs more recognition.

11

‘Zootopia’ (2016)

Image via Walt Disney Animation Studios

If there’s a Disney film that has gone down in history as the best of the best, it’s the likes of 2016’s Zootopia. Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and the rest of the cast make this screenplay shine. The screenplay, written by Jared Bush and Phil Johnston, delivers a thought-provoking, important, and meaningful story that has gone down in history as one of the best they’ve ever put out.

Zootopia brings forth a project that genuinely changed the lives of many, and, alongside Moana (releasing the same year), helped put Disney back on the map (as if they’d ever left). Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are excellently written protagonists who are super memorable, and unlike any of the others.

10

‘Lilo & Stitch’ (2002)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

With the really rough live-action remake having just come out, audiences find themselves looking back on the original Lilo & Stitch from 2002. The viewers who grew up on this movie hold it in very high regard for its gorgeous animation, love for Elvis Presley, heartwarming story about family, and its incredibly lovable characters.

The iconic quote, “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten,” describes the message of the movie perfectly, and the message describes why this movie is so special. It is so iconic to this very day, and it is the best example of why Disney needs to stop making live-action remakes. Sure, the new one may have made a lot of money, but it acts as a total antithesis to the original, which means it’s a far better decision to watch this film instead—a movie whose quality is consistent throughout the entire runtime.

9

‘A Goofy Movie’ (1995)

image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

A Goofy Movie is, to this day, one of the most iconic Disney flicks and is still celebrated. The movie even recently had its 30th anniversary, which Disney made a huge deal about, going as far as to ship online personalities some promo boxes. The Disney social media pages also posted about it a ton. This is because this goofy film’s heart, soul, and hilarity make it something worth watching to the very end.

When Max (Jason Marsden) is forced to go on a road trip with his “embarrassing” father, Goofy (Bill Farmer), he stresses about a girl he has a crush on, unsure if he can live up to a promise he made to her. It’s a wonderful coming-of-age tale that never loses its charm even for a second, and that makes it something truly worth remembering.

8

‘Toy Story’ (1995)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

It’s more than clear that Toy Story created a franchise that is incredibly popular. Toy Story is the very first fully computer-generated movie ever made, which makes it monumental for the film industry. That alone couldn’t have made it as popular as it is today, though. A lot of its fame comes from the quality.

Not only does it have a great reputation in media history, but it also tells one of the most emotionally compelling Disney/Pixar stories of all time. It also, in general, is a genuinely very unique and original idea that immediately hooks whoever is watching it. The character arcs between Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) are exceptionally well-written.

7

‘Up’ (2009)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

It’s commonly agreed upon that no animated movie makes audiences cry as early in the runtime as Up. The opening of this movie depicts the love life of Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner) and his wife, Ellie Fredricksen (Elie Docter). While it starts happily as can be, it quickly becomes absurdly heartbreaking as Ellie unfortunately passes away from sickness, leaving Carl alone and angry.

However, when he finally accomplishes his goal of making his house fly so he can bring his house all the way to a place in South America called Paradise Falls, he finds a stowaway named Russell (Jordan Nagai). This young scout and old man go on an adventure together that gets them into all sorts of trouble and turns the heartbreak at the beginning of the movie into a beautifully heartwarming ending.

6

‘Aladdin’ (1992)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

When asked about the greatest Disney animated films of all time, most people have Aladdin come to their minds within the group. There’s a certain charm about Aladdin that makes it unforgettable. Everyone loves an underdog story, and there are few that live up to the likes of Aladdin.

The young and down-on-his-luck Aladdin (Scott Weinger) must go on a journey with a magical Genie (Robin Williams) to put a stop to the evil Jafar’s (Jonathan Freeman) plans and protect Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin). It’s a story about how one doesn’t need to be special or powerful to make a change and be a hero, and that appealed very well to audiences, who want to see the underdog take home a win.

Spider-Man fans of all ages have had so much to look forward to in 2026. Back in May, Nicolas Cage got his chance to be a live-action web-slinger in the pulpy Spider-Noir, playing washed-up detective Ben Reilly in a gritty version of 1930s New York where he’s the only superhero. This month will also finally see Tom Holland return to the big screen with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, pitting him against a mysterious new threat while his own powers run haywire. For the little ones, though, today was the date to circle with the premiere of Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends Season 5 on Disney Jr. and Disney+. The hit series is officially back in action with its new “Rescue Webs” storyline, combining Spider-Man with firetrucks to save the day in a premiere marked by a particularly slippery new villain.

To celebrate the premiere, Collider is excited to share a new sneak peek at the first episode, titled “Lights, Sirens, Action/Symbie’s Slimy Scheme. As the name suggests, the second half of the new adventure will see Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Spin swing into action to stop the adorable yet mischievous Symbie from using his slime machine to ruin the city with a flood of slime. Our footage sees Gwen calling Peter to reveal she and Miles have learned where the shape-shifting symbiote baby is preparing his dastardly plans. As Spidey races to the Slime Factory with the Rescue-Webs Firetruck, his pals leap in to shut down Symbie’s machine before it fills up and slimes the playground. However, they aren’t ready for him to be so tricky, taking the power button with him and hopping from one portal to another to evade their grasp. Team Spidey will have to think of something quickly, with the tank continuing to rise by the second and the fate of the city at hand.

Symbie will be a recurring fixture in the new season of Spidey and His Amazing Friends, causing chaos and generally being “a little scamp,” according to executive producer Harrison Wilcox. Marvel and Disney+ have also gone all-out to give him a massive introduction to the series. For Comic Book Giveaway Day, they released Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends #1 CGD 2026 from one of Season 5’s staff writers, Danielle Kreger, and, on July 8, Marvel Comics debuted It’s Symbie #1, compiling all the little guy’s appearances across the page so far to promote his on-screen arrival. The character’s Slime Factory also became the focus for a new playset from Hasbro at Walmart, and Fall Out Boy‘s Patrick Stump even made his latest single for the series, “Meet Symbie,” all about him.

What Else Is Happening in ‘Spidey and His Amazing Friends’ Season 5?

While Marvel is clearly excited for everyone to meet Symbie, there is much else to look forward to from Spidey and His Amazing Friends Season 5. In the first half of the premiere, Team Spidey’s Firetruck is stolen by the supervillain Zola, who quickly learns that being a hero isn’t as easy as he thinks. That’s just the beginning of a wide variety of new problems Peter, Miles, and Gwen will have to work together to solve, and lessons for the trio to learn. Some familiar faces from across the Marvel universe will also pay their first visit to the city to help Peter out, like Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Mr. Fantastic, voiced by none other than Mario Lopez. It’s shaping up to be a jam-packed season, and better yet, it won’t be the last, as the series was secured for a sixth season last month.

The Spidey and His Amazing Friends Season 5 premiere is out now on Disney+. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.

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Release Date

August 6, 2021

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Disney Channel, Disney Junior

Directors

Chris Moreno

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  Melanie Minichino

  Aunt May (voice)

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  Jakari Fraser

  Miles Morales / Spider-Man (Spin) (voice)

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  Benjamin Valic

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  Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Spidey) (voice)

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  Lily Sanfelippo

  Gwen Stacy / Ghost-Spider (voice)

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding ceremony has been making headlines for all the right reasons since they took over Madison Square Garden to say “I do.”

From star-studded wedding guests to reports of an emotional vow exchange between the couple, some guests have had nothing but great things to say about the nuptials.

However, as the days go by, other attendees have given less-than-stellar reviews of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, with guests calling the raffle moment “bizarre” and “demeaning.”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Wedding Guests Talk ‘Demeaning’ Raffle Moment

5

Guests from Kelce and Swift’s wedding have mixed feelings about the couple’s ceremony, particularly their reception.

The massive 1,000-guest celebration faced swift scrutiny from those in attendance, with one person previously noting that “the ceremony was really long” due to personal vows that lasted “around 20 minutes” each.

The dinner arrangements allegedly sparked complaints among the celebrity crowd. Expressing disbelief at the setup, another attendee remarked, “I couldn’t believe that there was a buffet at the wedding of the year.”

Now, another guest has slammed the couple’s decision to have a raffle draw at their star-studded wedding reception, saying, “It was really bizarre. Straight after the ceremony, Taylor and Travis did a raffle and gave out expensive gifts for an hour. Everyone was weirded out.”

“It was a circus meet-and-greet,” the source continued, per the Daily Mail. “Everyone kind of felt like, why are they giving away Chanel bags as if we are all their poor fans? It was pretty demeaning. It killed the vibe.”

Big-Name Celebs Reportedly Didn’t ‘Care’ To Participate In The Couple’s Raffle As Some Left Early

5

Speaking more about Swift and Kelce’s raffle event at the wedding, another guest told the news outlet that they thoroughly enjoyed the “playful” raffle, which featured grand prizes like Cartier watches and a classic 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle.

However, that enthusiasm may have been fueled by the fact that they walked away with a high-end Chanel purse. The same individual observed that several of the more prominent celebrities in attendance did not “care to play.”

Paparazzi photos seemingly confirmed this claim, as some big names like Tom Brady and Jessica Alba all made early exits, though the precise reasons for their departures remain unknown.

The remaining partygoers were reportedly left whispering about the rumor that some invitees had zero personal connection to Swift and Kelce.

One attendee confessed that they do not actually know them and were surprised to receive the text, concluding that the entire gathering felt “odd” and closely resembled a “corporate charity event.”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce ‘Worked The Room Like Crazy’ At Their Wedding

5

In another critic, a source told the news outlet that Swift and Kelce turned their wedding into a “networking event” in an attempt to get the NFL star more Hollywood clout.

“Taylor and Travis worked the room like crazy with Taylor introducing him to every heavy hitter there, especially Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Tom Cruise, all people who can help get him cast in movies because he wants to become a big actor after he retires from football,” a guest told the Daily Mail.

The source added, “It felt like a networking event to help Travis get a leg up in Hollywood.”

According to another insider, a few guests who barely knew Swift and Kelce attempted to offer their congratulations during the reception but felt completely snubbed. The source noted that the pop star’s protective circle of friends closely guarded her throughout the evening, essentially limiting any casual interactions.

Chiefs Owner’s Wife Addresses Claims Of Long Buffet Lines At The Couple’s Wedding

5

Following reports of long buffet lines and seating issues at Swift and Kelce’s wedding reception, a guest came out to condemn the claims, noting that it is “such a false narrative.”

Tavia Hunt, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, made the remark in response to a podcaster who had shared the Daily Mail‘s wedding guest claims on Instagram.

“They did not run out of champagne,” Hunt stated. “There were not long lines. Every single person was seated for the ceremony.”

“It could not have been a more fabulous experience,” she continued. “And frankly, it is inappropriate to say things like this when you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about. That is hearsay – not truth.”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Made Their First Outing As A Married Couple

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Away from the drama surrounding the couple’s wedding reception, Swift and Kelce made this first major outing as a couple for another marriage ceremony.

The newlyweds recently joined celebrations for former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk, who wed on Friday at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California.

The coastal nuptials took place just days after Swift and Kelce’s own star-studded wedding festivities. During the event, photographs captured the Grammy winner flaunting a sparkling new band alongside her engagement ring.

Though Swift kept her jewelry relatively subtle, the piece, likely her wedding ring, was clearly visible as she chatted with guests, hugged friends, and enjoyed the reception.

While it’s always going to be inherently difficult to amass an audience and customerbase of players for a video game for a completely original idea, it’s certainly easy to adapt an already existing property with a tie-in video game for additional profits. The movie tie-in video game has been a staple of the industry ever since the beginning, with it even helping create some of the most iconic and celebrated games of all time, such as Goldeneye 007 and Disney’s Aladdin.

However, the larger consensus for movie tie-in games is not that of quality and care for the medium, but instead rushed and cheaply made products made for no reason other than to act as a cash grab. While this largely results in various middling and forgettable game experiences, it has also led to some exceptionally terrible video games released over the years, with several of them even being considered some of the worst video games of all time.

10

‘Batman Forever’ (1995)

There’s a surprisingly intricate and vast history of superhero video games released over the years, with Batman being the central figure in so many prominent video games over the years. While many people associate the character with the amazing Arkham trilogy, some of the earliest standout Batman video games were the various video game tie-ins for the 80s and 90s Batman movies and series. While games like Batman on NES and The Adventures of Batman & Robin on SNES were well-received, Batman Forever on SNES is one of the worst games on the system.

While previous Batman games did a great job of adapting the feel and energy of their original films or shows, this game strangely utilizes the visual style of Mortal Kombat‘s digitized live-action sprites, feeling jarring and distracting. Even more egregious is the game’s control scheme, being a platformer brawler that plays like a fighting game and basic controls that are so cryptic and confusing that it will leave players stuck on the first level.

9

‘Wreck-It Ralph’ (2012)

Considering the fact that the original Wreck-It Ralph movie was a love letter to video games, it only made sense that there would be a tie-in game to capitalize on its already video game-centric story and characters. However, Wreck-It Ralph for the Nintendo Wii is so poorly made that it becomes an act of tedium to witness, defined not by the charm and wit of the movie, but instead an overwhelming abundance of cheap visuals and repetitive gameplay.

The game attempts to act as an extension of the story from the movie, seeing Ralph and Felix travel through the various worlds of the arcade to clean up Cy-Bugs invading the arcade. However, with its laughably bad PowerPoint cutscenes and ineffective platforming, the game does a massive disservice to the legendary games that it clearly wants to follow in the footsteps of. Equally as embarrassing is that the game is so short that you can complete the entire game in a time shorter than the actual length of the movie.

8

‘Dragonball Evolution: The Game’ (2009)

It only makes sense that one of the worst movies of all time would also have an exceptionally terrible tie-in movie game, although ironically, Dragonball Evolution: The Game for PSP, as bad as it is, is technically better than anything in the film it’s adapted from. It’s an incredibly low bar to clear, but this cheaply made fighting game at least has more respect and care for the Dragon Ball franchise than the movie, although this still pales in comparison to the multitude of great Dragon Ball fighting games released over the years.

The mechanics were certainly there to have an OK time with the nonexistent people you would match against online in the game, but the single-player content is laughably ineffective in this game. This is largely thanks to its terrible enemy A.I. It takes minimal effort to defeat the story mode and arcade modes in the game, as you can simply press your strongest button without a care in the world over and over until you win.

7

‘Rambo: The Video Game’ (2014)

Thanks to the massive technological advancements that the video game industry has undergone over the years, there have been various attempts to readapt classic movies to video games long after the movie’s initial release date, creating an experience theoretically more compelling thanks to modern technologies. While games like The Warriors and The Godfather found great success in this format, Rambo: The Video Game is one of the strangest and most ruthlessly bad examples of such a concept.

The game sees the player controlling John Rambo in recreations of various scenes from the first three films in the Rambo franchise, largely defined by jarringly bad visuals and repetitive rail shooter gameplay. Similarly to Wreck-It Ralph, the full content of the game can be completed in a time that doesn’t even come close to the length of the three films its adapts, all the while not having anything close to the energy and impact of the films.

6

‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Yet another awful tie-in for an already infamously terrible movie, Catwoman proves to be exactly as bad as one would expect a game tie-in for the Halle Berry Catwoman movie to be. The action adventure game sees players controlling the titular antihero in a plot that is surprisingly extremely different from the actual movie, yet still equally terrible in its execution. There was certainly an attempt to create a Tomb Raider-style action adventure game out of this, yet a bad camera, obnoxious combat, and annoying controls make it little more than a nuisance.

A lot of the aesthetic issues that plagued the movie are also incredibly present within this game, from the overly sexual Catwoman design to a complete disregard for the strength and appeal of the character in the first place. While it was already cumbersome to deal with in a 104-minute movie, this aesthetic stretched across an hours-long action game with unintuitive action and controls became an aggressive test of patience.

5

‘007 Legends’ (2012)

Image via Eurocom

Few movie franchises have been as surprisingly effective in the realm of tie-in video games as James Bond. From all-time classics like Goldeneye 007 to the recent 007 First Light, the espionage charm of MI6’s strongest asset proves to work exceptionally well in video game format. However, one such game that failed to live up to the legacy of either the movies or the games, despite setting itself up as the ultimate James Bond gaming experience, was 007 Legends, an attempted love letter to the entire franchise.

007 Legends sees players traverse through missions across Bond’s cinematic history, following the plots of Die Another Day, Goldfinger, License to Kill, Moonraker, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While this choice of films to adapt is already jarring enough, completely lacking in many of the truly iconic Bond adventures, the true killing blow to the game was its painfully generic gameplay. Instead of the inventive first-person action of previous games, 007 Legends is little more than a sorry Call of Duty ripoff, a major disservice to fans of the franchise and previous games.

4

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2003)

By all accounts, McG‘s Charlie’s Angels reboot movie seems like it would have made for the perfect video game tie-in, yet reality proves to be exceptionally disappointing as this notorious GameCube/PlayStation 2 game is considered one of the worst beat-em-ups ever made. While the game had high hopes and sported all three of the movie’s actresses for voice acting, the terrible visuals completely ruin this concept.

However, the major flaws of the game come from how it attempts to translate a classic 2D style of beat-em-up gameplay into 3D without taking into account the shift in dimensions. The camera is extremely combative towards the player while the actual combat is repetitive and brainless, making the entire game a pain. It doesn’t come close to replicating the kung-fu fun of the movie, and does a complete disservice to the characters as a whole.

3

‘Back to the Future’ (1989)

In the early days of movie tie-in games, few publishers were as infamous as LJN, who became to many the face of terrible, cheaply made movie tie-ins whose poorly made gameplay clashed greatly with the amazing movies that they consistently got the licenses to. There are enough terrible LJN games to fill an entire list with, but one of the most notorious releases they ever made was Back to the Future on NES, releasing 4 years after the legendary Robert Zemeckis Movie.

The game only loosely resembles the 80s classic that it adapts, seeing an 8-bit Marty McFly skateboarding across the streets of 1955 and collecting clocks to avoid vanishing away. Complete with poorly made minigames attempting to recreate iconic scenes from the movie, Back to the Future completely fails to recapture any of the charm of the film while also being aggressively annoying to play. Fans should simply stick to Telltale’s Back to the Future: The Game from 2010 if looking for a truly great Back to the Future game experience.

2

‘Ben-Hur’ (2016)

Ben-Hur is a game that doesn’t often come to mind when considering the truly infamous movie game tie-ins, but this jarring bad game adaptation of the already bad 2016 remake of the Hollywood classic deserves infinitely more notoriety for its failures. The free racing game was released on the Xbox One and included a literal trailer for the movie as the opening cutscene for the game. It’s little more than a glorified commercial, yet the gameplay itself manages to be even worse.

Due to not really having the care or need for depth as a free downloadable title, the promotional game doesn’t go beyond the basics of races, having incredibly simplistic gameplay and about 10 minutes until you complete the game. As far as commercials go, it’s actually pretty interesting and distinct, yet it’s hard to imagine even a single person that this convinced to watch the movie, let alone anyone who played it even a few months after it released.

Image via Atari

There really isn’t any competition for the worst movie tie-in video game, as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a notoriously terrible video game whose quality was so abysmal that it helped almost completely destroy the video game industry in the infamous crash of 1983. With bad graphics, cryptic gameplay, and all the hype in the world as a game adaptation for the year’s premiere cinematic experience, E.T. reaches a level of low quality that needs to be played firsthand to truly experience.

It’s one of the first truly abysmal games ever released, as it’s stood as the icon of one of gaming’s worst experiences ever since its release and will oftentimes top lists of the worst video games ever made. The fact that its adapting one of the most iconic and legendary movies of the 80s only adds to its infamy and failures, as it simply wouldn’t be nearly as infamous if it didn’t have the name recognition of this titan of culture.

Kate Hudson is having the Greek summer of everyone’s dreams, and it starts with the right swimsuit. Instead of a frumpy one-piece, Hudson wore a sassy red bikini style that stuns on all ages, including after 40. And right now, you can get her look with this $26 swimsuit set on Amazon.

In an Instagram reel, the actress wore a vibrant red bikini top adorned with a circular gold hardware accent, giving her whole look a Hollywood-meets-Mediterranean shimmer. She added matching bottoms to keep it coordinated. It’s a swimsuit style that reads sophisticated from 1o feet away, and yet feels so playful up close.

Get the Tainehs Strapless Bikini Set for $26 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Tainehs Strapless Bikini Set has the same bandeau top design, polished gold-toned centerpiece and rich red hue that pops against your tan. Better yet, the matching mid-rise bottoms are flattering and provide decent coverage in the front and back.

Related: Pamela Anderson‘s Mediterranean-Coded Swimsuit Flatters Women Over 50

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Your summer is guaranteed to include a beach or pool day, and if you want to look as good as you feel, look no further than Pamela Anderson for inspiration. Her one-piece swimsuit style is equally fun and flattering, and we found the look for only $36! The actress celebrated her birthday in Saint-Tropez, sharing […]

The top ties in the back so you can customize the fit, and it comes with optional straps if you want extra support for, you know, actual swimming. And with a 20% elastane-blend fabric, this chic swimsuit has enough stretch to feel comfortable while holding everything in place.

One shopper who bought the set in another color wrote, “Absolutely love this green strapless bikini set! The bandeau top stays in place, and the tie-back makes it easy to adjust. Mid-rise bottoms are flattering and comfy.”

Pack this stunning two-piece for your next trip, wear it to the hotel pool or channel your inner Hudson in the backyard. If you ask Us, $26 is a small price to pay for celebrity, Mediterranean-inspired confidence!

Get the Tainehs Strapless Bikini Set for $26 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Related: Shoppers With 36D+ Busts Swear by This Comfortable, Supportive One-Piece

Swimsuit shopping is a challenge for many people, but add a large bust into the mix, and it can feel impossible. Thankfully, Amazon shoppers went through the trial and error to uncover this Goldilocks of a swimsuit, and somehow, it’s under $40! Both comfortable and flattering, the Tashehe Tummy-Control One-Piece Swimsuit is worth grabbing in […]

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It’s hard to find shows with an all-star cast, brutal fights, grounded storytelling and realism, with rich, complex characters. Only a few series manage the feat, and among them is Robert Kirkman’s superhero animated series, Invincible. Over four seasons, we have seen Mark (Steven Yeun) discover his powers and figure out that his superpowered father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), might not be the hero he thinks.

The animated series is brilliant with its gripping narrative, multi-layered characters, and depiction of intergalactic battles and aliens. In the first two seasons, Mark tries to navigate his newly found superpowers with a regular teenager’s life; the series takes a dark turn in Season 3, which showcases ample devastation and civilian casualties and messed-up time travel, among other things.

Things did not get better for Mark in Season 4, which saw the return of Sequids, a trip to Hell, the brutal rematch with Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and the beginning of the Viltrumite War with the introduction of Grand Regent Thragg (Lee Pace). And let’s not forget the trauma Mark is going through because of it all. The stakes for Season 5 are extremely high, and will come sometime in 2027, as per previous reports. The upcoming Season 5 is locked in, but a sixth season is also in the works. While we haven’t heard anything about it yet, Simmons recently gave an update fans have been waiting for.

‘Invincible’ Season 6 Begins Production

Simmons made Omni-Man iconic with his brilliant voice work. Speaking of the show’s impact, he admitted to ScreenRant:

“I honestly undervalued the impact of what that show could be when I first started the job. I just thought, ‘Oh, this looks like fun, and it’s voiceover, so I don’t have to shave. I think Steven and Sandra [Oh] were already attached, and it was like, ‘Wow, they’re getting some great actors.’ But it’s turned out to be obviously quite a thing.”

He further revealed that Season 6 “just started recording. At least I just started recording some chunks of Season 6.” While Kirkman and the rest of the team have been able to churn out one season each year, the wait between Seasons 1 and 2 was a longer one. Further highlighting the tedious nature of the work, Simmons clarified, “Obviously, there’s such a lag time because there’s quite a bit of work that needs to be done after we do our initial voice work.”

Meanwhile, check out Invincible on Prime Video and stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

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Release Date

March 26, 2021

Network

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Amazon Prime Video

Franchise(s)

Invincible

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Love Island USA host Ariana Madix shared an emotional tribute to the show’s late executive producer, James Barker.

“As many of you know, we unexpectedly lost a dear friend this summer,” Madix, 41, wrote via her Instagram Stories as the season 8 finale of the reality TV series aired on Sunday, July 12. “James Barker is the kindest person you could ever meet, with the kind of soul that truly radiates from within. We will miss him always.”

Us Weekly confirmed via a statement shared by Peacock on June 15 that Barker, who joined ITV America in summer 2020 and worked on Love Island USA for years before becoming a full-time executive producer, had died in Fiji one week prior amid “an unexpected medical emergency.”

Madix’s post also urged fans to contribute to a GoFundMe page dedicated to raising funds for a “celebration he deserves,” as well as mortgage repayments and other bills. “If anyone is so able to donate or to just share this, thank you.”

Madix, who joined Love Island USA as a host in March 2026 at the beginning of season 6, concluded her post with a message to her late friend. “Thank you to James for touching all of our lives with your amazing light,” she wrote alongside a photo of the pair smiling for the camera. “We miss you.”

The show paid tribute to Barker at the end of its June 16 episode. Alongside a montage of photos of Barker, text read, “For James. We love you.”

Details surrounding Barker’s death remain unclear.

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Barker’s partner, Adam Roth, discussed his heartbreak in the wake of Barker’s death. “James was the absolute light and love of my life. He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched,” Roth told People in a statement at the time, noting that the pair had met at a Billie Eilish concert and were together for more than four years.

During Sunday night’s Love Island USA finale, Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff were crowned the winning couple, followed by Aniya Harvey and Carl Lee Schmidt in second place, Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea in third place, and Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou in fourth place.

The cast will reunite in a special scheduled on Monday, August 31, with Madix teaming up with Andy Cohen to relink “this season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and this year’s bombshells, for an up close and personal look back at their experience in the Villa,” according to a press release.

Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers!

The plot twist is a narrative device in which an established storyline is completely upended. It often involves death, betrayal, or sudden revelations that change the whole course of the narrative and take things in an entirely new direction. When done right, it adds so much to the story, although it’s a really hard thing to nail.

The plot twist isn’t exclusive to one specific form of media, and it has appeared in movies, books, TV shows, and yes, video games. Basically, if there’s a medium in which a story can be told, creators will try to sneak in a plot twist or two. Some of them, especially in the gaming world, are notoriously awful, but some have gone on to make history for just how good they are. These are the best video game plot twists of all time.

10

The Player Is Revan – ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ (2003)

Image via BioWare

In Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, players take on the role of a nameless individual who can be a Jedi, Sith, or even a non-Force user depending on player choices. The galaxy is currently under threat from Darth Malak, a Sith Lord who was once a Jedi but turned to the Sith along with his master, Darth Revan. However, Malak later betrayed Revan, causing a schism amongst the Sith and even more turmoil in the galaxy.

On their quest to stop Darth Malak, gamers eventually learn that they have been playing as Darth Revan this whole time. It turns out Revan was captured by the Jedi Council, and his memory was wiped so that the Jedi could use him as a weapon against his former apprentice. It’s honestly a shame this twist isn’t canon, because it adds so much to the lore of Star Wars. While Revan himself is confirmed to be canon, this whole plotline isn’t, so fans can only hope that it is reimplemented at some point or another.

9

Cloud Is No Hero – ‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

Image via Square

There are a couple of different plot twists in Final Fantasy VII and its recent remakes; for example, there isn’t a single player who forgets the moment Aerith was horrifically impaled by Sephiroth, arguably the most memorable twist but not necessarily the best. For that, it’ll have to be the big reveal at the end about Cloud’s true origins. Cloud is the main character, who passes himself off as this great hero who is attempting to save the world.

At the end of the game, it turns out that Cloud is actually just a nobody. He is not a legendary SOLDIER as he claims, but rather an ordinary grunt who was attacked and captured by Sephiroth. Cloud was experimented on, and in the process, suffered a psychological break, adopting the personality of Zack Fair, the man who actually fought Sephiroth. In short, Cloud’s entire persona was just a façade meant to cover up his profound trauma. Worse still, Sephiroth has been controlling Cloud like a puppet this entire time. This twist is great because it doesn’t feel like someone else is betraying you; it feels like you’re betraying yourself. It’s an early example of a plot twist done right, which makes great use of the “unreliable narrator” trope.

8

“The Numbers, Mason” – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ (2010)

Image via Treyarch

In Call of Duty: Black Ops, players assume the role of CIA operative Alex Mason during the Cold War. With the help of Victor Reznov, a Soviet sergeant from a previous entry in the series, Mason is able to break out of a Soviet gulag and escape back to the United States. Later, he reunites with Reznov, who begins leading Mason on a crusade against three leaders of a splinter faction intent on attacking the US. Every time Reznov is seen in the game, Mason hears and sees a string of numbers, not knowing what they mean.

At the end of the game, it turns out that Reznov was never there; he actually died at the gulag and existed only as a figment of Mason’s imagination. As for the numbers? Those are a set of encrypted orders that were embedded in Mason’s brain during his detainment, as a way of making him a sleeper agent for the USSR. The process was similar to MKUltra. However, Reznov was able to alter that process somehow, making it so Mason’s only purpose is to hunt down those responsible. Once this revelation happens, it all makes sense. Nobody aside from Mason actually acknowledges or talks to Reznov, and when Mason does talk to Reznov, others sometimes act like Mason is losing it. Call of Duty isn’t exactly known for its deep and moving stories, but this game absolutely nailed it in that department. It’s one of the reasons it became one of the best FPS games of all time.

7

There Never Was a Konrad – ‘Spec Ops: The Line’ (2012)

Image via Darkside Game Studios

Spec Ops: The Line is based on the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the same book that was adapted into the film Apocalypse Now. Like the movie, the game completely changed the setting: instead of being about Belgian colonialism in the Congo region, this game is about American intervention in the Middle East. In the aftermath of a natural disaster in Dubai, US military official John Konrad (note the name similarity to the original author) was assigned to a relief operation. Instead, Konrad implemented martial law, turning the city into a war zone. Sent in to stop Konrad is Delta Force operator Martin Walker.

Walker experiences severe trauma and witnesses Hell on Earth during his quest to kill Konrad, which eventually leads to PTSD-fuelled hallucinations. It turns out the hallucinations go even deeper than you initially think, though. Upon reaching the end, Walker discovers Konrad’s rotting corpse and is forced to confront the reality: every nightmarish thing that Walker thought Konrad did was all Walker’s fault, from slaughtering civilians to creating anarchy in Dubai. Konrad was just someone to put the blame on. This twist is so great because it paints a horrifying picture of what war is really like, and shows how trauma can manifest in soldiers. It’s also an example of how soldiers of any army can commit serious crimes, but will often find someone else to blame.

6

Geppetto Caused the Puppet Frenzy – ‘Lies of P’ (2023)

Image via Neowiz

Lies of P is a Soulslike RPG based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, only this video game presents a much darker, more mature version of the story. The setting is the city of Krat, which resembles Belle Époque Paris and is almost devoid of human life following an apocalyptic event known as the Puppet Frenzy. Automatons called puppets, who were all made by Geppetto, formerly worked as labourers and servants in the city before abruptly slaughtering their human masters en masse. In the game, you play as P (obviously short for Pinocchio), a near-perfect puppet who is almost human. P is awoken by the Blue Fairy, Sophia, who wants to rescue Geppetto from danger and save Krat.

Once he is saved for the second time, Geppetto reveals that he intentionally caused the Puppet Frenzy because he lost his son, Carlo, whom P was built to resemble. Out of grief, Geppetto orchestrated the Puppet Frenzy as a means of harvesting a magical force called Ergo from Krat’s deceased citizens. He also constructed P as a killing machine to slay bosses and collect their Ergo, planning to use it to bring Carlo back to life, killing P in the process. You can actually do it, as the game gives you a choice. The twist is great because any parent will likely understand Geppetto’s grief, even if his actions are completely unjustified. It’s also a real stab in the back since Geppetto treats P like a son and is a fatherly mentor throughout the game.

5

The Joker Is an Impostor – ‘Batman: Arkham City’ (2011)

Image via Warner Bros.

In Batman: Arkham City, the Joker is revealed to be seriously ill due to a blood illness; a side effect of the chemical compound known as Titan that he used in the previous installment. He also infuses his blood into Batman to force Batman to find a cure. But before he can do that, Joker reveals that he is feeling much better. His sickly blemishes and ragged cough are gone, and he looks as good as new. At the end, though, it turns out that this version of Joker was actually Clayface in disguise. The real Joker is still very much under the weather.

This clever ploy is alluded to at a few other points in the game, which keen players will spot if they’re clever enough. From overhearing a conversation between Joker and Harley Quinn to using detective vision to see that the fake Joker has no bones, the game does let it slip that Joker might not be telling the truth here. The plan does allow Joker to get the drop on Batman not once, but twice, and serves as a boost in the morale of Joker’s gang and a way to break Batman’s spirit after going through all that bloody effort to find a cure. It’s a great twist because it makes sense, and it doesn’t come out of nowhere just for the sake of having a twist. It’s established itself as a legendary piece of the Batman: Arkham series, and of video game history in general.

4

Josh Is the Masked Maniac – ‘Until Dawn’ (2015)

Image via Supermassive Games

Until Dawn opens with the deaths of Hannah and Beth, two sisters, at their parents’ ski lodge in Alberta, Canada. A year later, their group of friends reconvenes at the lodge for their annual ski trip, only this time, the friends find themselves pursued by a masked killer who kidnaps friends Chris, Josh, and Ashley, with the latter two being locked in a death trap. The killer’s voice, speaking on an intercom, forces Chris to make a choice: does he save Ashley, his crush, or Josh, his best friend? Frankly, no matter what you choose, Josh dies in gruesome fashion.

Later, it is revealed that not only is Josh alive, but he’s the masked killer. He orchestrated the whole thing as revenge for the deaths of his two sisters a year prior. He faked his death by using his dad’s film props that he left at the lodge. On top of that, he only did the whole thing to scare his friends, and never actually kills anybody. Unfortunately, Josh is completely unaware that the Wendigo, a cannibalistic being from Indigenous folklore, is also present at the lodge and is a much bigger threat, so the game still continues for several more hours. It’s a bombshell of a twist, to the point that when the game first came out, you could almost hear jaws hitting the floor at the same time from all around the world.

3

Dormin Unleashed – ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)

Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

Shadow of the Colossus follows Wander, a young man who journeys into the Forbidden Land to seek the slumbering god, Dormin. Wander’s hope is that Dormin will be able to bring back his girlfriend, the Princess, from the dead. Dormin agrees, but only if Wander kills the 16 roaming colossi scattered around the Forbidden Land. You kill these 16 creatures, but the game treats each death like a great tragedy, with sad music and all.

Once all 16 are dead, Dormin reveals that they duped you the whole time. The colossi acted as seals for Dormin’s prison, and killing them has released the dark god in his physical form. Another thing Dormin “forgot” to tell was that Wander’s body would be used as a new vessel, effectively killing Wander when the Princess’ father arrives and puts Dormin back into his prison. Wander is reincarnated as a horned baby, and his girlfriend is brought back to life in the end. Dormin technically did keep their word; it’s just that they chose to leave out some of the more important details. It’s such a great twist because it adds to the tragic ending and emphasizes the importance of not meddling with forces that humanity cannot understand.

Image via Konami

The beginning of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater sees Naked Snake go on a mission to rescue Soviet scientist Sokolov, who was forced to develop a nuclear-equipped superweapon called the Shagohod. Snake is assisted by “The Boss,” a woman who was his former mentor. After Sokolov is rescued, The Boss betrays Snake, breaking his bones and throwing him into a river before recapturing Sokolov. At the same time, Soviet commander Volgin executes a nuclear strike on US soil, with the intent of blaming the United States. Since this game is set during the Cold War, one can imagine the catastrophic consequences this might have.

Eventually, Snake is tasked with killing The Boss. You have no choice — you have to kill her at the end, and the game actually forces you to press the button/pull the trigger, or it won’t progress. This tragic scene is made worse with the reveal that The Boss was never a traitor in the first place, but rather a deeply embedded agent who was also trying to stop nuclear escalation; once that strike happened, her mission was to serve as a scapegoat. The US government needed her dead to blame the nuclear strike solely on her, and she knew it the whole time. Plus, they needed Snake specifically to do it, meaning the game played you like a damn fiddle. This twist makes for an extremely tragic yet legendary ending that many players are rediscovering thanks to the recently-released remake.

1

“Would You Kindly?” – ‘BioShock’ (2007)

Image via 2K Games

BioShock opens with the player, named Jack, getting in a nasty plane crash over the ocean. Swimming to a lighthouse, Jack discovers the underwater city of Rapture, a former utopia that eventually fell into chaos due to the unregulated use of the substance known as ADAM, and the selfish philosophy of Andrew Ryan, the city’s co-founder. Upon arrival, Jack makes contact with a man named Atlas, who begins guiding Jack through the city from afar, telling him he needs to do certain things, kill certain individuals… that sort of thing. He’s pretty polite about it, too, always beginning his requests by saying “would you kindly?”

Eventually, Andrew Ryan reveals that Jack is a sleeper agent who intentionally caused the plane crash on Atlas’ (secretly criminal mastermind Frank Fontaine) orders. On top of that, “would you kindly” acts as a trigger phrase for Jack, compelling him to obey no matter what. Moreover, Jack is actually Ryan’s biological son, and possesses the necessary biometrics to enter Rapture. The whole thing is an elaborate ploy for Fontaine to seize control of what remains of Rapture. It’s easily the most well-known plot twist in all of gaming, to the point where many don’t even need to have played the game to know it. It absolutely floored people, and continues to do so to this day, largely because it exploits the very concept of playing a game. Every gamer has been told their objectives before, but did anyone bother to ask why? It is this built-in blind obedience that makes this twist so effective.

The Hugo and Nebula awards are the leading prizes for fantasy and sci-fi writing. The former dates back to 1953 and the latter to 1966, meaning that many of the genres’ classics have taken home one of these prizes and, occasionally, both. While quite a few sci-fi novels have claimed both awards, only a handful of fantasy books have.

The titles below are all great in different ways, from the emotional coming-of-age storytelling of Among Others to the immersive world-building of The Stone Sky. Fantasy fans are bound to find something to enjoy among them.

4

‘Among Others’ (2012)

“I read, and therefore I was not alone.” This book presents itself as the diary of teenager Mori Phelps. Following the death of her twin sister, Mori is sent to live with relatives she barely knows while trying to escape her manipulative, possibly magical mother. Isolated at boarding school, she searches for belonging by reading sci-fi and fantasy books. All the while, she navigates a world where fairies and magic may be just as real as her grief.

Author Jo Walton masterfully blurs the line between fantasy and psychological realism. Among Others is thoughtful and intelligent, with a lot to say about growing up and dealing with loss. It gets pretty dark at times, delving into themes of illness, abuse, and even evil. At the same time, the book is very much a tribute to sci-fi and fantasy literature itself, referencing countless classics and emphasizing the power of imagination.

3

‘Paladin of Souls’ (2004)

“Sometimes the gods answer in ways no one expects.” Paladin of Souls centers on Ista dy Chalion, a middle-aged widow (and mother of the current ruler) whose family believes she has spent years suffering from madness. Determined to reclaim control over her own life, she leaves behind the expectations placed upon her and embarks upon a journey that unexpectedly draws her back into the affairs of gods, demons, and kingdoms.

While many classic fantasy elements are at play here, the book treats them with more depth than usual. The character development is especially rich. For instance, rather than being a stereotypical heroine, Ista is a three-dimensional woman burdened by regret and responsibility. She changes a lot over the course of the story. Her rediscovery of her confidence and sense of purpose is relatable and resonates.

2

‘The Stone Sky’ (2018)

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“The world is already ending. The question is who survives.” The Stone Sky is the final entry in N.K. Jemisin‘s acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy, which takes place on a supercontinent wracked by destructive geological activity. In this volatile world, protagonist Essun, her daughter Nassun, and the mysterious Stone Eaters move toward a cataclysmic final confrontation. Its outcome will determine not only the fate of their world but also the future relationship between humanity and the immense powers that have shaped civilization for millennia.

The world-building in this series is fantastic, with the constant environmental catastrophes woven directly into the setting’s mythology, politics, and magic system. That said, Jemisin makes sure to keep the characters front and center as well, even as grand plotlines reach their crescendos. Not for nothing, every book in this trilogy took home the Hugo Award.

1

‘American Gods’ (2002)

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“People believe, and so things are.” One of the most influential fantasy books of the 2000s, American Gods introduces us to Shadow Moon, an ex-con who accepts a mysterious job working for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday. Soon, Shadow discovers that America has become the battleground for a looming conflict between the fading deities of old mythology and the powerful new gods born from modern obsessions like media and technology.

Along the way, the book confidently blends Norse mythology, African folklore, Slavic legends, Native American traditions, and countless other belief systems into a uniquely American road novel. It includes leprechauns, ifrits, spidery tricksters, World Trees, sacrifice, godly battles, and very weird sex scenes. All in all, American Gods is endlessly entertaining, but also full of real food for thought, with a lot to say about the power of belief.

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American Gods

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Release Date

2017 – 2021-00-00

Directors

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David Slade

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