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In 2018, John Krasinski went from being Jim from The Office to a major Hollywood director, thanks to the huge success of A Quiet Place. The monster movie’s twist — aliens who hunt by sound — had everyone in movie theaters holding their breath. After returning to write and direct A Quiet Place II in 2020, Krasinski stepped away for the third film. With so many actors from the original films absent (including Emily Blunt, co-star of both films, and Cillian Murphy, who showed up in the second), 2024’s A Quiet Place: Day One could have been a failure. Instead, with Michael Sarnoski (Pig) writing and directing, it succeeded — by getting away from what worked before and taking the tension to new levels. Two years later, it’s continuing to terrify viewers on Netflix.
When the aliens land on Earth — as shown at the beginning of A Quiet Place II — those first moments occur in a small town. In A Quiet Place, the Abbott family survive by escaping to their home on the outskirts of town, away from people.
Because of all of this back story, A Quiet Place: Day One is thrilling right away on two levels. One, it goes back to the beginning. Audiences will always be suckers for horror prequels that take us to the first days of an alien invasion or zombie outbreak. We can’t get enough of watching the initial destruction as society collapses, never to be the same again.
The second bold move was to put the action in New York City. What if aliens who hunt by sound landed in one of the most populous and loudest cities on Earth, with millions of people talking and honking horns on the streets? It’s a perfect hook. Humanity is slaughtered by the aliens in the pulse-pounding invasion scenes, with one thrilling set piece after another. Even the military can’t stop them. Shots of aliens climbing up buildings show that nowhere is safe, and are scary as hell.
But while that’s all great for an opening hook, it’s not enough to keep a film going for 99 minutes. For A Quiet Place: Day One to be held at the same level as what came before, it needed to make us care, too.
A Quiet Place wasn’t a monster hit just because of said monsters. It’s the characters who suck the audience in after the initial shock of the creatures wears off. We care immensely for this small family, who are still reeling from the death of their young son, and have a daughter who can’t hear the imminent danger. Oh yeah, and Mom is pregnant. How do you keep a baby quiet at the end of the world? When the baby is born and begins to cry, the tension is through the roof. A Quiet Place is a movie about family as much as it is about aliens. The scene of Krasinski’s Lee Abbott using sign language to tell his daughter he loves her as he faces certain doom is the most powerful of the entire movie.
A Quiet Place: Day One keeps the focus on compelling characters intact, without being a movie about family. In fact, its lead doesn’t even have one. Landing Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is a huge get, which immediately shows that the third film isn’t messing around or coasting on past franchise glory. Nyong’o’s talent isn’t wasted either; she plays Sam, a lonely woman with no one, living in a city with so many.
It’s not enough that Sam is just alone. She’s also dying of terminal cancer, and when she’s out with her hospice group to visit a puppet theater, the aliens come down from the sky and begin their reign of terror. If you’re already dying anyway, an end-of-the-world event might be enough for you to decide to check out now. Not Sam. Her body may be fading away, yet her mind is filled with life. She still tries, for the heart beating inside of her, and for her cat, Frodo. Monsters aren’t going to take her out; Sam will choose how she leaves this life.
All this makes Sam such a fascinating character, and one worth rooting for. The audience knows she’s not long for this world; even if she survives the events of the movie, she will die soon enough. That knowledge adds an extra layer of immediacy where all that matters is the now.
Someone so alone soon finds a friend in her polar opposite, a young man in a suit named Eric (Joseph Quinn). These two don’t butt heads and they’re not blossoming romantic partners. They are simply two people trying to help each other survive. If that’s not harrowing enough, Michael Sarnoski toys with the viewer’s emotions by often focusing on Frodo the cat and putting him in danger. We can tolerate watching a kid die in the first movie, but if A Quiet Place: Day One dared to kill a cat, there’s no coming back from that.
It all leads to a powerfully sad, yet hopeful and fitting end, with Djimon Hounsou added as a survivor named Henri (supplying the backstory for his role in the previous film). A Quiet Place: Day One is packed with well-earned jump scares and brutality. It’s also a film of immense heart. If the aliens don’t rip it out, the characters will break it in the best way possible.
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Julia Roberts just reminded Us that celebrities rely on the same everyday essentials that we do. While out and about, the Oscar winner was seen carrying one practical item that’s become a go-to for morning commutes, long travel days and more. Better yet, her pick is an affordable Amazon find that shoppers say keeps their drinks “cold all day.”
Roberts was spotted strolling through New York City carrying the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler in the cheerful Blue Sky colorway. The Pretty Woman star casually held the 20-ounce tumbler by its built-in handle as she went about her day, proving that even Hollywood’s biggest stars rely on smart everyday staples to stay hydrated on the go.
Get the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Luckily, you don’t need a Hollywood budget to score this quality cup. Roberts’ exact Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler is available on Amazon for $30, and it comes in dozens of colors beyond her Blue Sky pick, including butter yellow, lilac and classic neutrals. You can also choose from 13-, 20-, 30-, 40- and 64-ounce sizes depending on how much hydration you need.
It’s easy to see why this tumbler has become such a fan favorite. It has a 100% leakproof flip straw lid, double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 8 hours and iced for 35 hours, an easy-carry handle and a cupholder-friendly base. Plus its durable recycled stainless steel construction is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.
More than 63,500 Amazon shoppers have given the tumbler a five-star rating, with one reviewer calling it “super convenient and truly leakproof,” adding that they can toss it into their bag “without worrying about spills.” Another buyer praised how the “lid feels secure,” while others say the “handle makes it comfortable to carry” whether they’re “traveling, commuting or running errands.”
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your old everyday tumbler, Roberts is here to prove her pick makes the perfect ’emotional support water bottle.’ The star’s exact Stanley pick is equal parts practical and stylish, and at just $30, it’s an easy way to add a celebrity-approved essential to your daily routine, keeping you well hydrated on your next errand run, commute or workout.
Get the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Stanley here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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Fantasy has been around since the dawn of cinema. As one of the most enduring and beloved genres, fantasy has enthralled and enchanted audiences for decades, delivering some of cinema’s most iconic films, many of which came out during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
From sweet and wholesome films like Mary Poppins to introspective and striking pictures like The Seventh Seal, these fantasy movies have stood the test of time. Thanks to their handsome visuals, thought-provoking themes, adventurous spirit, and timeless quality, these films are cinematic barometers against which to measure all fantasy movies to come.
Errol Flynn‘s name has become synonymous with the Swashbuckler genre, thanks to his many performances in the once-iconic genre. However, few are as memorable as his take on the Prince of Thieves in 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood. The film centers on the title character’s fight against the despotic Prince John, ruling England by oppressing the Saxon commoners in Richard the Lionheart’s absence.
Aided by a lovely Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marion, Flynn delivers a spectacular performance that cemented him as the defining version of Robin Hood. The Adventures of Robin Hood would become a milestone in the Swashbuckler and fantasy genres, inspiring many imitations and evocations that tried, and mostly failed, to recapture the film’s now-legendary sense of adventure.
Jason and the Argonauts draws inspiration from Greek mythology while changing major aspects compared to the legendary tales. The plot centers on Jason, a hero who inadvertently saves his father’s murderer’s life and gets sent by him to recover the legendary Golden Fleece, accompanied by the demigod Hercules.
A technical wonder at the time, Jason and the Argonauts is well-remembered for the now-iconic battle where Jason fights against an army of skeletons. Beyond this classic scene, the film is a suitably epic adaptation of Greek myth strengthened by a commanding performance from Todd Armstrong. What Jason and the Argonauts lacks in faithfulness, it more than makes up in bombast.
Adapted from Charles Perrault’s eponymous fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty tells the story of the young princess Aurora. Cursed at birth by the evil sorceress Maleficent, the princess falls into an eternal sleep from which she can only be awakened through true love’s kiss.
Sleeping Beauty marked the end of an era for Disney. The film was the last in the studio’s Golden Age, ending two decades of magic. Still, Sleeping Beauty is arguably Disney’s greatest artistic triumph of the classic age and a now-legendary entry into the Mouse House’s revered vault. Exciting, beautifully animated, and with one of Disney’s best and most evil villains, Sleeping Beauty is a near-perfect fairy tale adaptation.
The legendary Douglas Fairbanks stars in the 1924 silent classic The Thief of Bagdad. A loose adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights, the film centers on a thief who pretends to be a prince and secures the love of Baghdad’s princess. Driven by guilt, he sets out on a dangerous journey to recover a magic chest and save Baghdad from an evil force.
The Thief of Bagdad birthed the Swashbuckler genre, turning Fairbanks into a legend. Ranking as one of the most innovative and technically triumphant films of the silent era, The Thief of Bagdad is an influential precursor of every fantasy film, a larger-than-life adventure that introduced many elements that would define fantasy for years to come.
Disney’s adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s 1883 classic Pinocchio was the studio’s second animated feature and remains one of its most celebrated triumphs today. The film tells the story of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet brought to life by the Blue Fairy and his quest to become a real boy.
Pinocchio continued Disney’s legacy with rich animation and a surprisingly complex story that embraced the source material’s darkness while imbuing it with the studio’s trademark magic. The result is an ageless depiction of childhood and innocence, representing one of the Mouse House’s crowning achievements. Pinocchio arguably includes Disney’s most iconic song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” a tune so remarkable and uplifting that it became the studio’s official theme.
Walt Disney‘s first animated feature film remains one of the studio’s best. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows the beautiful and innocent titular princess, who finds refuge in the house of seven kindly dwarfs after escaping her evil stepmother’s plans to take her heart out.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs created Disney’s trademark sense of wonder and awe. Elegantly animated and charming to a fault, the film isn’t afraid to go dark, mainly through its macabre depiction of the Evil Queen, one of cinema’s best and most enduring fantasy villains. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would pave the way for every animated film to come, setting the bar extremely high and single-handedly carving a new cinematic genre that would stand the test of time.
Frank Capra‘s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. The film follows George Bailey, a disheartened man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. However, a visit from his guardian angel shows him the impact he’s had on his community and the many lives he has changed.
Loosely based on Charles Dickens‘ seminal novella A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the best films from the 40s and a bona fide classic today. Shamelessly uplifting but undeniably effective, the film is a joyous celebration of life and the bonds that tie people together, enhanced by one of Jimmy Stewart’s most delightful performances. It’s a Wonderful Life embraces darkness to tell a tale of positivity and kindness that has become a must-see during the season of giving.
Mary Poppins, arguably Walt Disney’s magnum opus, stars Julie Andrews in the role that made her a star and, most importantly, a cinematic icon. The film tells the story of the Banks children, who receive the visit of the magical nanny Mary Poppins to help mend their relationship with their work-obsessed father.
Extraordinary in the best sense, Mary Poppins might be the most Disney film in the Disney vault. Blending animation with live-action, featuring some of the Mouse House’s most unforgettable songs, and with a winning performance by Andrews, the film is a moving and emotional reflection on love and family that perfectly encapsulates the magic of cinema.
Ingmar Bergman‘s sublime historical fantasy The Seventh Seal is among the few films in history that can be described as a genuine cinematic experience. Max von Sydow stars as Antonius Block, a disillusioned knight returning from the Crusades to find his country succumbing to the Black Death. Enraged, he challenges a personification of Death to a chess match, setting off on a journey of discovery to discover the nature of God.
Handling weighty and potentially thorny themes with masterful dexterity, The Seventh Seal is a thought-provoking picture of epic proportions. Few films are as instantly recognizable or deeply influential, and the questions The Seventh Seal poses remain fascinating and unanswered today, a testament to the heavy fantasy movie’s enduring and timeless quality.
There’s no place like home, and there’s no movie like The Wizard of Oz. The iconic Judy Garland stars as Dorothy, a Kansas girl transported to the magical land of Oz via a tornado. Looking to return home, she begins a journey to the Emerald City to seek the help of the powerful Wizard of Oz while being tracked by the vengeful Wicked Witch of the West.
Adapted from the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Victor Fleming‘s timeless masterpiece ranks as arguably the best fantasy movie ever made. Thanks to Garland’s winsome performance, some genuinely impressive visuals, and a heartwarming, whimsical story, The Wizard of Oz remains a touching and crowd-pleasing classic about family, identity, and the true meaning of the word “home.”
August 25, 1939
102 minutes
Victor Fleming
Edgar Allan Woolf, Florence Ryerson, Noel Langley, L. Frank Baum
Judy Garland
Dorothy Gale
Ray Bolger
“Hunk” / Scarecrow
UPDATE 8/5/26, 3:20 a.m. ET: A person believed to be Perez Hilton was transported to a hospital in Florida and is receiving medical attention, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said late Tuesday, August 4.
“The individual has been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
“The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family,” the statement added.
Original story below:
Authorities have released a statement after Perez Hilton appeared in a disturbing livestream, sparking instant concern for the internet personality’s wellbeing.
Footage viewed by Us in the late hours of Tuesday, August 4, showed Hilton, 48, engaging in what appeared to be acts of self harm. Within hours, representatives from the Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding the incident to several outlets.
“The Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self harm on social media,” the statement, shared with The Sun and TMZ, began. “Deputies quickly located the individual’s residence, where they spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside.”
The statement continued, “In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize deescalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication.”
It then concluded, “At this time, deputies have tactfully disengaged while continuing to monitor the situation.”
Us has reached out to a representative for Hilton and the Sheriff’s office for comment.
Hilton has recently been candid about the multiple health scares he has endured this year. Taking to Instagram on March 21, the “original influencer” shared photos of himself within a hospital room at the Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center in Clark County, Nevada. “March madness indeed! Have I got a story to tell,” he captioned the post.
Later that month, he shared a subsequent YouTube video that revealed he was in the hospital for 21 days after he was diagnosed with sepsis, a potentially deadly reaction to an infection that can cause vital organs to shut down.
“It was such a slow process. I mean, two weeks of just sickness and then another week of getting better before I was released,” he said in the video. “The last week was hell, because I had already been in the hospital two weeks by then. I was like, ‘I just want to go home. I just want to be with my babies.’”
Hilton is a single father to three children: Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8.
One month later, Hilton was admitted into the hospital again after experiencing a significant blood clot. The clot required emergency surgery that kept him in the hospital until the Easter holiday.
In an April 5 Instagram video, he told fans that despite the surgery being successful, he remained in severe pain. “I’m trying not to take any pain medications but the pain is 11 out of 10,” he said in the clip. “They did my surgery on Friday morning on my stomach and the entry point was below my knee. The same area that hurt me the most was the same area they entered so if you want to send some prayers or just positive vibes that I get better soon and can walk without pain, that would be amazing.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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Jennifer Aniston has never been one to chase flashy handbag trends. While everyone else cycles through micro purses and logo-covered totes, she’s loyal to one timeless staple: a roomy black weekender bag. And the style somehow manages to look just as polished today as it did in the ’90s. The best part is you can copy the effortless look for $20.
From the archives, Aniston was photographed carrying large black weekender tote while wearing a striped tee, straight-leg jeans and clogs. It’s a simple outfit that’s just as iconic as “The Rachel” haircut. The oversized bag tied everything together, proving that sometimes the most practical accessory ends up being the chicest one in the room.
Get the Nubily Large Tote Bag for $33 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
You don’t need to track down a vintage designer version to get the same vibe. The Nubily Large Tote Bag channels the celeb’s understated aesthetic for only $20 on Amazon. It comes in classic black, along with beige, brown, pink and several other colors, but we’d stick with the former if you’re after that unmistakable Aniston look.
The minimalist exterior gives it that expensive-looking appeal, while the interior is designed for everyday life. There’s a padded laptop sleeve, multiple organizational compartments and enough room to carry everything from your everyday essentials to an extra sweater without looking overstuffed. You can wear it over your shoulder or attach the longer crossbody strap when you’re on the go.
It’s no surprise shoppers are just as obsessed. Over 8,800 Amazon reviewers gave it a five-star rating, with one calling it “sturdy, functional and beautiful.” They continued, “I received so many compliments on it at work. My co-worker pulled up her Amazon account while she was at work and ordered the same bag in a tan color because she was so impressed.”
Others, like this shopper, rave about the large-capacity build. “This bag is very spacious, and it has multiple compartments,” they wrote. “I can fit my 14-inch laptop comfortably among many other things.”
Aniston built an entire style legacy around timeless staples that never feel dated, and this roomy weekender tote is no exception. If you’ve been looking for a bag that can handle workdays, quick trips and more, this $20 lookalike is a great place to start.
Get the Nubily Large Tote Bag for $33 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
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Sydney Sweeney is using her star power to support victims of the Spokane, Washington, wildfires amid mass evacuation procedures.
“Spokane has always been home to me. It’s where I grew up, where my family still lives, and where so many of the people and places that shaped me are,” Sweeney, 28, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, August 4. At the time of publication, more than a dozen individual fires had scorched approximately 10,000 acres in Spokane Country, displacing nearly 65,000 residents.
“The devastating fires have changed countless lives in ways that are hard to put into words,” Sweeney continued. “Thousands of families have lost their homes, their belongings, and places of business, including members of my own family. This devastation is something our community has never experienced on this scale.”
CNN reported on Tuesday that this year’s wildfire season throughout Oregon and Washington is the “worst fire season in more than 30 years,” with more than 2.6 million acres torched in total at the time.
“Unlike larger cities that often receive an overwhelming amount of national attention and resources, Spokane doesn’t have the same spotlight,” Sweeney continued. “If you’re looking for ways to help, these are four organizations I’m supporting that are on the ground right now helping this community that needs us.”
The Housemaid star shared details for Innovia Foundation, SpokAnimal, Second Harvest and Watch Duty.
“I’ve put together this fundraiser to support these organizations doing the real work on the ground,” she added. “Every donation, no matter the size, will help support those affected as they begin the long road to rebuilding. Thank you for standing with my hometown during one of its most difficult moments. Love, Syd.”
She also shared a post by Baby2Baby, an organization that provides daily essentials to children in need.
Sweeney has spoken fondly about her hometown during various interviews in the past. During a Harper’s Bazaar Australia cover story in August 2023, she shared details of how her mom’s side of the family was born and raised there, while her cousins remain some of her best friends.
She even bought back a Spokane home her great-grandparents sold that was located right near her grandmother and cousins’ home. “To be able to put memories like that back into our family was very special,” Sweeney told the outlet at the time.
Ariana Grande says her decision to step back from the spotlight has been in the works for a long time, but new claims suggest those closest to the singer had been urging her to slow down well before she made the announcement public.
As Grande insists her break is not a reaction to online criticism, multiple insiders now allege her family and friends have grown increasingly worried about her health after years of nonstop work and relentless public scrutiny.

Long before The Blast reported that Ariana Grande planned to take time away from public life, her loved ones were reportedly trying to convince her to hit the brakes.
According to a family insider, those closest to the pop star repeatedly urged her to step away from work because they feared the pace she had been keeping was no longer sustainable. The source claimed their conversations went far beyond suggesting a short vacation.
“We have asked her to take a break. Actually we’ve begged her, like a lot. A lot a lot,” the insider told the Daily Mail, adding, “Not like a day or two, but a break break. She is not well. She is anxious and unhappy. She doesn’t sleep enough, doesn’t eat enough.”
The insider added that the Grammy winner’s family and close friends are “very concerned about her” and believe now is the time for her to prioritize herself.
While they reportedly hope she will eventually return to doing what she loves, they feel she first needs the opportunity to recover.
According to the source, everyone in her inner circle shares the same wish: to see Grande become “happy and healthy” again, insisting that can only happen if she finally allows herself to step away.

While Ariana Grande has remained focused on her career, insiders claim the relentless pace of the past several years has taken a significant emotional toll.
One source alleged the ongoing speculation surrounding the singer’s health has become increasingly difficult to cope with.
“All the whispers about her wellbeing and health have really affected her mental health to a point where she needs to step away as she has felt she hasn’t been herself for quite some time,” the insider claimed.
Another suggested the constant attention has left the songstress feeling overwhelmed, alleging, “She wants to run and hide in a corner. She doesn’t know how to respond.”
Those close to Grande pointed to an exhausting stretch that included filming both “Wicked” movies, participating in extensive promotional tours, releasing her latest album “Petal,” and performing a demanding 41-show tour.
“Ariana is exhausted from work and dealing with her public image; it’s like an endless hamster wheel, and she needs a break,” one source claimed.
On top of that, the 33-year-old has continued to navigate public interest in her personal life, including reports that she has reconnected with former boyfriend Ricky Alvarez after her split from “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater.

Beyond the physical and mental demands of her career, insiders also believe Grande has not fully processed the death of her grandmother, Marjorie, who died in June 2025 at age 99.
“One thing that she hasn’t fully been able to work out and give time for is the death of her Nonna, who was one of the most important people in her life,” the second source said.
Another insider described Grande as “a very sensitive, intuitive empath who feels everything,” claiming the singer now wants to “go into a cocoon and heal herself and feel normal again.”
According to the source, the “Bang Bang” hitmaker hopes to spend time at home, reconnect with nature, and “really chill out and re-think her life.”
Her family also reportedly hopes she will rediscover simple pleasures, from “unplugging, taking a walk, drinking some tea and sitting outside” to finally exploring creative hobbies like painting and baking.

If Ariana Grande’s family is finally getting their wish, it appears they won’t be alone in helping her step away from the spotlight.
Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine, an insider revealed the Hollywood star has surrounded herself with a trusted support system.
The source described the decision to take a break as “deeply personal,” adding that Grande has “people supporting her in slowing down” because she is “prepared to focus on herself.”
According to the informant, the actress wants to finish the tour “healthily and happily” before embracing a quieter period after several relentless years of recording music, filming “Wicked,” and touring.
While her latest “Petal” era has dominated charts and headlines, those around the singer reportedly believe the months ahead should be less about career milestones and more about giving Grande the time and space to prioritize herself.

Ariana Grande’s upcoming hiatus is expected to look less like a career reset and more like an opportunity to reclaim her personal life after years of nonstop work.
According to new reports, the star is planning to focus on the people closest to her. “She’ll be spending a lot of time with her family, friends and Ricky,” a source told Page Six, referring to her rekindled romance with former boyfriend Ricky Alvarez.
The insider added that the couple have not been able to spend “as much time together” as they would have liked because of her demanding schedule, making the break something she is genuinely looking forward to.
Another source said Grande has “been working nonstop for a long time” and eventually realized she needed to “give herself permission to step back for a while.”
One thing I have noticed about truly beloved trilogies is that people rarely talk about them as three separate movies. They talk about them as experiences they lived through. Somebody might mention a favorite scene or a memorable character, though what they usually remember is how they felt by the time all three films are over. That is much harder to achieve than making one great film and a very fine nuance.
Most trilogies struggle somewhere along the way, majorly at the second chapter or some just ruin the ending. The eight trilogies on this list managed to keep audiences invested from the beginning to end. That consistency is a big reason why they remain so widely loved decades later.
When Toy Story begins, Woody is convinced life will stay exactly the way it has always been. Andy loves him, he is the favorite toy, and the world makes sense for Woody till then. Then Buzz Lightyear arrives and suddenly Woody has to deal with something most children’s films rarely talk about, and that is insecurity. It starts as a rivalry between two toys and slowly turns into a story about friendship, loyalty, and eventually growing up.
The trilogy naturally matures with the audience and it is its best part. Toy Story 2 digs into the fear of being left behind, while Toy Story 3 confronts something even harder. Childhood eventually ends, whether anyone is ready for it or not. By the time Andy hands his toys to Bonnie, the moment feels a full circle because the films spent fifteen years earning it. Plenty of animated franchises are funny and only very few understand how to say goodbye.
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) spends three movies doing something most action heroes never have to do. Every time he gets close to an answer about who he used to be, the answer usually makes him wish he had never asked the question in the first place. He learns that he was trained to kill, manipulated by people above him, and turned into somebody he no longer recognizes. The strangest part is that Bourne is often the most dangerous person in the room, but he is not really comfortable with it.
Most espionage stories are built around stopping a villain or preventing a disaster but Bourne is chasing his own past. One of my favorite details across the trilogy is how exhausted he always seems. He is running through train stations, climbing buildings, escaping assassins, and crossing continents, though there is never any sense of adventure in it. It feels like watching somebody desperately trying to outrun a version of himself that keeps catching up.
The first time I watched Shaun of the Dead, I expected a zombie comedy. What I did not expect was how much the film cared about ordinary people drifting through life. Shaun spends most of the story avoiding responsibility until a zombie apocalypse forces him to confront it. That same idea appears throughout Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, even though all three films tell completely different stories.
The older I get, the more I think about The World’s End. Underneath all the jokes, it is really about a man realizing his best years are behind him and having no idea what to do next. That feeling sneaks into all three films in different ways. Edgar Wright fills them with visual gags, action scenes, and ridiculous comedy, though beneath all that layer of noise, these are stories about people who are stuck. While watching these films, one may recognise oneself in these characters.
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) might be the only legendary movie hero who spends most of his time looking completely overwhelmed. He walks into situations with confidence, then immediately gets punched in the face, chased by something enormous, or trapped somewhere he clearly should not be. Not to mention, watching him scramble through danger is extremely fun.
I think that is why these films have aged so well. The adventures are exciting, though they never feel effortless. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy survives through stubbornness almost as often as intelligence. In The Last Crusade, some of the best moments come from him arguing with his father. All the action scenes are well put together as well, for instance, the truck chase, the mine carts, and the tank battle, all of them are a treat to watch for thrill chasers.
Most time-travel stories become complicated almost immediately. Back to the Future somehow explains impossible concepts while making everything feel effortless. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) has one of the most stressful lives in movie history when you stop and think about it. In the first film alone, he accidentally prevents his parents from meeting, watches his future start disappearing in front of him, and has to somehow fix the timeline before he stops existing. The film explains all of this so effortlessly that it is easy to forget how absurd the premise really is.
The sequels deserve more credit than they often receive because they take that premise and keep expanding it without ruining the story. Marty repeatedly encounters different versions of the same people across decades, and those scenes are some of the trilogy’s best moments. More importantly, the films never become obsessed with rules and timelines at the expense of fun.
The original Star Wars begins with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) staring at a horizon and dreaming about a bigger life. It is such a small moment, though it captures something people instantly recognize. Almost everyone has experienced a stage in life where the world feels larger than their current circumstances. Luke simply happens to find himself pulled into a conflict involving empires, rebellions, and the fate of an entire galaxy.
I think what people respond to most is how Luke changes dramatically across three films, and how his relationships evolve. The Empire Strikes Back remains one of the strongest middle chapters ever made because it allows the heroes to lose and live with those consequences. By the time Return of the Jedi airs, the emotional investment built across the trilogy makes every major moment worth it.
Many fantasy stories focus on powerful heroes doing extraordinary things. What always stayed with me about The Lord of the Rings is that the fate of Middle-earth ultimately depends on somebody who spends much of the trilogy frightened, exhausted, and unsure of himself. Frodo (Elijah Wood) is not trying to win glory. Most of the time he is simply trying to keep moving.
As he gets closer to Mordor, the trilogy takes a serious turn. There is a moment in The Return of the King when Sam (Sean Astin) tells Frodo, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.” That scene captures the trilogy better than any battle. People often remember the scene, though what keeps bringing me back is how much of the story is really about friendship, loyalty, and continuing forward when every part of you wants to stop.
When Before Sunrise introduces Jesse and Céline, it is easy to believe you are watching the beginning of a great romance. They meet on a train, spend one night walking around Vienna, and talk about everything from relationships to death to the future. Their connection is immediate. Like many viewers, I finished that first film wondering whether finding the right person at the right moment could genuinely change someone’s life.
But the next two films are even more special because they don’t stop at the butterflies but highlight the realities of a relationship. Before Sunset revisits Jesse and Céline years later when life has become more complicated than either of them imagined. Then Before Midnight goes even further. Instead of focusing on the excitement of falling in love, it examines what happens after people build a life together. Their arguments are real because they are about sacrifices, disappointments, and expectations accumulated over years. Most romantic stories end when the couple gets together. This trilogy becomes far more interesting once that part is over.
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Like Us, Sandra Bullock needs a roomy bag to fit her essentials, especially while traveling. For a trip to New York City, Bullock carried a duffel-like tote bag, and we found her chic style for only $40. Sleek and timeless, it seriously should cost thousands!
Last weekend, Bullock stepped out of her Manhattan hotel wearing comfy black pants, a cashmere sweater and Mary Jane flats, slinging a quadruple-digit bag from The Row over her shoulder. Her outfit appeared incredibly luxe, and with this functional accessory in tow, you’ll channel the exact same energy.
Get the Seyfocnia Travel Duffel Bag for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
This Seyfocnia Travel Duffel Bag features smooth vegan leather, a rounded silhouette and shiny silver hardware. The black color complements everything in your wardrobe, while the structured shape elevates any outfit. Even your lounge set will appear high-end.
Practical touches make this pick more than pretty. The budget travel bag is designed with top handles, a long strap and a sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle. One five-star shopper also noted that the bag opens all the way on both sides, which is life-saving for packing shoes. With such an “expensive-looking” style, the shopper couldn’t help but grab two!
Another happy fan wrote, “The quality is amazing, it’s super cute and sleek, and it totally gives off that luxe look. I’m so glad I went with this bag. It’s spacious, but also flexible enough to look smaller when you’re not packing much.”
This sophisticated duffel looks like something you’d see on a designer boutique shelf, not on Amazon on a random Tuesday. But hey, we’re not complaining!
Consider this your sign to add a little Bullock-approved polish to your next weekend away.
Get the Seyfocnia Travel Duffel Bag for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more chic bags, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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Landman was renewed for Season 3 in December 2025 amid its sophomore run, which concluded this January. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited news of when the hit oil-industry drama would return. Now, however, it appears the series has hit a slight setback. Inspired by Christian Wallace‘s Texas-set podcast Boomtown, Landman was co-created by Taylor Sheridan and Wallace. The series premiered in 2024 and has since become one of Paramount+’s biggest successes, earning strong viewership alongside generally positive reviews.
The last time viewers saw Landman, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) had been fired from M-Tex before launching his own independent company, CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle, with financial backing from Gallino (Andy Garcia). He also recruited several key figures from M-Tex, including his father, T.L. Norris (Sam Elliott), and other trusted colleagues. Tommy named Cooper (Jacob Lofland) president, Nate (Colm Feore) Treasurer, and Rebecca (Kayla Wallace) COO and Chief Counsel. With Tommy embarking on a new chapter, Season 3 is expected to bring the show’s biggest shake-up yet. However, fans may have to wait a little longer than anticipated, as production is no longer starting as originally planned.
Speaking to Us Weekly at the premiere of Lioness Season 3, which recently debuted on Paramount+, James Jordan shared an update on Landman Season 3’s production schedule. Jordan, a frequent Taylor Sheridan collaborator who has also appeared in Yellowstone and Lioness, revealed that filming will now begin in September. The actor, who plays petroleum engineer Dale Bradley in Landman, also confirmed that director Stephen Kay is expected to return to helm additional episodes.
“I believe we’re bringing back the same director, Stephen Kay, who I adore. So it’s going to be a great ride. We start that sometime in September, and we’ll shoot that through the first quarter of next year.”
Before this update, Landman Season 3 was expected to begin filming in May before being rescheduled to this month. With production now set to run from September through the first quarter of 2027, new episodes are unlikely to arrive until mid-to-late 2027, assuming post-production proceeds on schedule. In the meantime, Jordan teased that the upcoming season will feature “10 crazy, wonderful, funny and wild episodes,” matching the episode count of the previous two seasons. He also said he expects the core ensemble cast to return, led once again by Billy Bob Thornton.
Landman streams on Paramount+. Stick with Collider for the latest Landman news.
November 17, 2024
Paramount
Yellowstone
Milania Giudice has honored childhood BFF Victoria Zardoya following her tragic death.
“Always my baby V,” Milania, 20, wrote over a photo she shared via her Instagram Stories on Monday, August 3, per a report by People the following day, that showed inked script on her wrist reading “Baby V.”
Milania’s tribute comes one week after Zardoya died from injuries sustained during a fall that occurred on Friday, July 24, while she was visiting Egmont Key off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. She was 20 years old.
Us confirmed three days after Zardoya’s death, via a conversation with her friend Molly Page Morris, that she had been “flying in from New Jersey” to Tampa. “I was supposed to hang out with her that evening, and I was able to be there at the hospital,” Morris told Us at the time.
Milania, one of exes Teresa and Joe Giudice’s daughters, took to Instagram on Saturday, August 1, to pay tribute to Zardoya through words of her own. “My Victoria. My best friend. My sister. My soulmate. My partner in crime,” she began. “There are no words in any language that could ever describe losing you. I still wait for your name to pop up on my phone, I still expect to hear your laugh, and I still catch myself wanting to tell you something. My heart keeps forgetting what my mind already knows.”
Detailing that she met Zardoya at the age of four, Milania continued, “We went to art school together, grew up on Indian Lane, and somehow two little girls who lived two houses apart became sisters. I was at 6 Indian Lane, and you and Alexandra were at 16 Indian Lane. We ARE the girls.”
Zardoya is survived by her parents and twin sister, Alexandra.
Us reported on Wednesday, July 29, that an autopsy for Zardoya has been delayed by the Manatee County Medical Examiner’s Office due to Zardoya’s body being transferred once organ donation is completed.
Milania’s Instagram tribute, which was accompanied by a carousel of memories that showed the friends throughout the years, touched on Zardoya’s organ donation. “The most Victoria thing of all … you are still giving love. Through your organ donation, you are saving 8 lives and giving other families more time with the people they love,” Milania wrote.
Her message continued, “I promise I will keep telling your stories. I will stand beside Alexandra and your family forever. Forever my best friend. Forever my sister. Forever my Victoria.”
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