There’s a certain kind of chaos that only makes sense if you’ve lived it — kids underfoot, chickens in the yard, a four-wheeler idling in the driveway, and a phone propped up on the pergola swing recording it all before the sun’s even fully up. That’s just a normal Tuesday for Alyssa Rae – also known as The Country Hotwife – the stay-at-home mom, wife, and content creator who’s built a devoted following by doing something refreshingly simple: showing up as exactly who she is.

Part homesteader, part gun-toting outdoorswoman, part homeschool mom, and part social media entrepreneur, Alyssa has carved out a corner of the internet where hustle culture meets front-porch living — and it’s resonating.

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Alyssa’s day doesn’t ease in — it launches. She’s up before the rest of the house, carving out one quiet hour to work on content, often outside on the pergola swing she and her husband built themselves, weather permitting. “It’s the only hour that’s really mine,” she says of the ritual, before the day pivots hard into breakfast, dishes, and a gym run where she spends 90 minutes lifting weights while the kids play in daycare down the hall.

Back home, it’s lunch, meal prep, and homeschooling — a couple of focused hours before the afternoon opens up into whatever the day actually needs from her: gardening, grocery runs, tending chickens, baking bread, tackling a house project, or squeezing in content between chores. “The list goes on,” she laughs, and she’s not exaggerating. Structure gets the morning; the rest of the day belongs to the land, the animals, and whatever pops up.

A Mom Who Carries — and Can Shoot Straight

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Alyssa’s outdoor résumé reads less like a hobby list and more like a homestead survival guide. Archery is a genuine passion — she’s quick to say she’s no expert, just someone who genuinely enjoys the sport, and the family has their own target practice setup right on the property.

Then there’s the range. Alyssa and her husband make regular trips to shoot, she with her 9mm Taurus, he with his revolver — just two of several firearms the family keeps and trains with. It’s a detail she doesn’t shy away from: she’s a mom who carries, plain and simple, part protector and part practitioner in a household where self-reliance isn’t a buzzword, it’s a lifestyle.

Life on the Property: Ponds, Gators, and a John Deere

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The Rae property is its own ecosystem. There’s a sizable pond with a gazebo where the family fishes when the mood strikes, and it comes with its own cast of characters — including a small gator the kids named Ally, who’s visited a few times and been left alone simply because, in Alyssa’s words, “he wasn’t big enough” to bother. Less welcome are the nutria rats, an invasive nuisance the family is actively working to clear out before the rodents do real damage to the pond.

Keeping the land looking good is practically a part-time job of its own — trimming trees, mowing on the John Deere, and Alyssa’s ongoing, good-natured battle to keep her flowers alive. When storms roll through (and where they live, hurricanes hit hard), downed trees get cut up and hauled to the burn pile, especially if they’re blocking a trail. It’s unglamorous work, but it’s the kind she films anyway, because it’s real.

And when the chores are done, there’s still fun to be had — mudding on the four-wheeler, or pulling the kids around the property in a bucket tied to a rope, which Alyssa reports is exactly as fun as it sounds.

From Meat Grinders to Nail Pullers: The Homestead Skills Keep Coming

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If there’s a thread running through Alyssa’s content, it’s a quiet commitment to doing things the harder, healthier, more hands-on way. She grinds her own chicken instead of buying it pre-packaged and keeps the family stocked on country eggs. One recent project — grinding meat with a cheap hand-crank grinder — turned into a viral-worthy moment of problem-solving when the process proved painfully slow, until her husband rigged up a drill attachment that got the job done in a fraction of the time. “It worked like a charm,” she says.

She’s also become the unofficial demolition specialist of the household — self-appointed “official nail puller-outer” whenever they’re repurposing old wood — and has quietly turned into a caulking pro along the way. The couple is currently mid-build on an enclosed garden for fruits and vegetables, and Alyssa periodically teaches herself a new indoor homestead skill, from rendering tallow to baking her own sandwich bread from scratch.

Even their travel leans into the theme: when work takes the family somewhere new, they make a point to get outside and explore, often hiking mountains rather than sticking to hotel pools.

Home Improvement, One Lowe’s Run at a Time

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No homestead is ever really finished, and the Rae household is proof. Between renovations, the family makes frequent trips to Lowe’s — currently deep in decisions on a new toilet, flooring, and paint color for a bathroom overhaul. It’s the kind of mundane-but-relatable content that makes Alyssa’s audience feel like they’re renovating right alongside her.

Me-Time, Southern Edition

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Amid the noise of kids, chores, and content deadlines, Alyssa has found her own version of self-care: an outdoor tub tucked along the trail beside the pond. It’s there, away from the house, where she goes to unwind. “It’s pretty relaxing out there when I want some me time,” she says — a small, still moment carved out of an otherwise nonstop life.

Come One, Come All

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If there’s one thing that defines the Rae household, it’s that it’s never truly quiet. “Things pop up all the time and you never know what it’s going to be,” Alyssa says. Her husband might casually mention his brother is stopping by, and suddenly there’s a full cookout underway, beer flowing, or a crew cleaning and cooking whatever they just pulled from the pond. Alyssa’s role in all of it? Happily playing host — especially on poker nights in the game room, where she keeps the drinks coming and the guys fed.

It’s this blend — grit and softness, firearms and flower beds, homeschool lesson plans and hand-cranked meat grinders — that makes Alyssa Rae’s content feel less like a curated feed and more like an open door into a genuinely full life. She’s not selling a fantasy. She’s just letting people watch a country life get lived, one chaotic, chicken-raising, content-creating day at a time.

A new contender has taken the number one spot in Prime Video’s TV rankings this week: Megan Park’s Sterling Point. Starring Ella Rubin, Missi Pyle, Jay Duplass, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and more, the coming-of-age drama series follows Annie Jacobson (Rubin), who finds a totally unexpected new life for herself when she inherits an island in Canada. Highly acclaimed by critics and clearly beloved by viewers, the series has been performing well ever since it premiered on the streaming service last week. But in case that’s not quite what you’re looking for right now, there’s still a lot more to explore on the platform. So, without further ado, here’s a look at three great shows that we think you should binge this week.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.

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‘12 Monkeys’ (2015–2018)

Loosely inspired by the 1995 film, 12 Monkeys is a sci-fi mystery drama series created by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett. The show unfolds a complicated time-travel conspiracy, following James Cole (Aaron Stanford) and Dr. Cassandra “Cassie” Railly (Amanda Schull), two strangers who must work together to prevent the mysterious “Army of the 12 Monkeys” from destroying the world. Besides Stanford and Schull, the series also stars Kirk Acevedo, Noah Bean, Todd Stashwick, Emily Hampshire, Barbara Sukowa, and more in notable roles.

12 Monkeys isn’t an easy show to get into, even for fans of the movie, and its first season has plenty of off-putting flaws. However, it’s worth sticking with it, as the show significantly improves as it progresses, eventually evolving into a genuinely thrilling time-travel series with deeply philosophical themes. An underrated cult classic, the show ended its four-season run with high acclaim and earned several accolades during its original broadcast, including awards for its cinematography from both the American and Canadian Societies of Cinematographers.

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‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Based on the manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note is a dark fantasy anime series animated by Madhouse. The story follows high school student Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural book that kills anyone whose name is written in it and decides to use it to rid the world of evil, coming into conflict with an enigmatic detective committed to bringing him down. Directed by Tetsurō Araki, the show stars Mamoru Miyano, Kappei Yamaguchi, Nakamura Shidō II, Aya Hirano, Noriko Hidaka, and Nozomu Sasaki in key voice roles.

Easily one of the most iconic anime series of all time, Death Note is a beloved show that commands legions of fans around the world. While its final episodes are a bit of a disappointment, the majority of the show is an extremely well-written mystery thriller that’s sure to excite and engage genre fans. The series is also a great entry point for viewers who may be new to anime, with mature storytelling and compelling characters.

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‘Desperate Housewives’ (2004–2012)

A 2000s TV landmark, Desperate Housewives is a mystery comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry. Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria star as four close-knit housewives living in a seemingly perfect neighborhood who navigate crimes, mysteries, and dark secrets after the suicide of their friend and neighbor (Brenda Strong). The show also stars Nicollette Sheridan, Dana Delany, and Vanessa Williams in key supporting roles.

Over the course of 180 episodes across eight seasons, Desperate Housewives became a true pop culture phenomenon of its time, building a massive international following. Earning near-universal acclaim for its narrative, dialogue, and performances, it’s a gorgeously produced show with engaging characters and storylines, not to mention some iconic characters brought to life through the stellar talents of its lead cast. The series bagged several accolades during its run, including seven Emmys, three Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a spiritual sequel, Wisteria Lane, is currently in development.

Like dead bodies, classic detective novels didn’t just pop out of nowhere. With its earliest origins in Edgar Allan Poe‘s tales of ratiocination (logical reasoning) in the mid-1800s, the genre steadily gained popularity throughout the 19th century before exploding into the mainstream. From there, classic detective fiction flourished into the Golden Age of detective writing in the 1920s.

While these novels remained rooted in logical deduction and the pursuit of truth, they also explored the complexities of human nature, reflecting the tumultuous effects of industrialization and the chaos of the Great Wars. From an author who broke the rules of mystery writing to the writer who laid the foundation for noir fiction, here are the classic detective books that are perfect from the first page to the last.

‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ (1926)

Image via William Collins, Sons

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is not for the gullible. After the sudden suicide of a wealthy widow, respected country doctor James Sheppard is drawn into a disturbing mystery when her close friend, Roger Ackroyd, is found murdered only hours after revealing he had learned a devastating secret. With the victim’s stepson missing and several family members, guests, and servants hiding personal motives, suspicion spreads throughout the serene village of King’s Abbot. At the request of Ackroyd’s niece, the recently retired detective Hercule Poirot reluctantly takes on the case. As he interviews suspects and reconstructs the night’s events, Poirot finds critical inconsistencies that challenge every assumption surrounding Ackroyd’s murder.

Suspicion is nothing new in the classic detective genre, but back in 1926, Agatha Christie delivered a plot twist that many considered literary blasphemy. Readers will have to pay extra attention not just to how the mystery unfurls, but to how the case is written and described. The clues aren’t just hidden in the suspects’ alibis or the physical evidence—they’re literally tucked between the lines. By the time readers reach the final page, they’ll realize just how thoroughly Christie has bamboozled them with her cunning tricks. Some will feel cheated by the author, while others will admire her sheer ingenuity.

‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ (1902)

Image via George Newnes Ltd

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote many Sherlock Holmes novels, but out of the four main novels, The Hound of the Baskervilles remains the most favored. A monstrous hound has haunted the Baskervilles for generations, claiming the lives of those who inherit the family’s vast estate. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead under mysterious circumstances, fears of the curse intensify as his heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, arrives from Canada to take possession of Baskerville Hall. While Sherlock Holmes remains in London to crack the case from afar, Dr. John Watson travels to the eerie Devonshire moor, where escaped convicts, suspicious neighbors, and unsettling encounters complicate the investigation.

Holmes is the last person to sacrifice logic for the mystical, but The Hound of the Baskervilles makes it surprisingly difficult to separate folklore from cold, hard fact. The novel cleverly toys with readers, making it seem as though something genuinely supernatural may be behind the mysterious deaths. With the atmosphere of a classic Gothic tale and the slightest echoes of Poe’s works, readers are drawn into a creeping sense of paranoia through the bleak, fog-covered Dartmoor and the isolated Baskerville Hall. It’s also one of the few Holmes novels where Dr. Watson proves he’s far more than the detective’s sidekick—he’s a capable investigator in his own right.

‘Gaudy Night’ (1935)

Image via HarperTorch

No other classic detective setup is more salacious than academia, as in Gaudy Night. Returning to her alma mater for a reunion celebration, mystery writer Harriet Vane hopes to reconnect with the more peaceful days of academic life. Instead, she finds Oxford’s Shrewsbury College plagued by anonymous threats, malicious graffiti, and increasingly disturbing acts of vandalism. Because the college wants to avoid a public scandal, Harriet agrees to investigate discreetly, drawing on her own experience as the target of public suspicion. Of course, the faculty and students aren’t too pleased with the sudden intrusion. If the mystery isn’t bad enough, there are also the personal grudges everyone carries within the college community.

Unlike your typical classic detective novel, Gaudy Night doesn’t begin with a dead body. Instead, the mystery revolves around finding a saboteur, which proves just as tricky. Part of the novel’s genius lies in its academic setting. Readers naturally assume that these highly intellectual individuals also possess strong-willed integrity, but that isn’t necessarily the case. As Harriet interrogates the academics one by one, Sayers demystifies the air of superiority surrounding them, offering insightful reflections that you wouldn’t typically get from solving a conventional murder case. Rather than focusing solely on who committed the crime, Gaudy Night explores ethics, truth, and the responsibilities that come with scholarship and human relationships.

‘The Daughter of Time’ (1951)

Image via Scribner

Boredom does the craziest things to detectives in The Daughter of Time. Confined to a hospital bed with a broken leg, Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant is desperate for something to occupy his mind. An actress friend challenges him to investigate a historical mystery instead of a present crime, sparking Grant’s fascination with the notorious reputation of King Richard III. Unconvinced that the king’s portrait matches the villain described in history books, Grant begins reexamining the centuries-old case of the Princes in the Tower. With the help of historical records and a young researcher from the British Museum, Grant approaches the mystery like any criminal investigation.

The Daughter of Time is innovative to its core. They say the best way to solve a case is to retrace the past, but this novel takes that idea one step further by reopening a centuries-old mystery instead. There are no living suspects to interview, no crime scene to investigate, and the alleged criminal has long been dead. The only resources Inspector Alan Grant has are historical records, and that’s precisely the novel’s central premise. The Daughter of Time reminds readers that history isn’t nearly as objective as it often appears. Rather than simply asking what happened, it challenges us to consider who gets to write history, whose version survives, and what narrative is ultimately passed down to future generations.

‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1930)

Image via Alfred A. Knopf

If you like the neo-noir detective series Bosch, you’ll appreciate its old-school hard-boiled roots in The Maltese Falcon. Private detective Sam Spade’s latest case begins when a woman calling herself Miss Wonderly hires him to follow a man she claims has run off with her sister. Before long, Spade’s partner is murdered, the man they were tailing is found dead, and the police begin treating Spade as a prime suspect. As more strangers enter the picture—including the smooth-talking Joel Cairo and the enigmatic Casper Gutman—Spade discovers they’re all searching for the legendary Maltese Falcon, a priceless artifact with a long and mysterious history.

Unlike Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, who investigate primarily through facts and deduction, Sam Spade relies on instinct. Much like the modern-day Detective Bosch, he has a knack for reading. He was one of the earliest detectives to be portrayed not as an untouchable hero, but as someone cynical and disillusioned by a world consumed by greed and self-interest. For grounded readers, The Maltese Falcon functions as much as a commentary on human nature as it does a detective story. Even the police force isn’t portrayed as entirely innocent, making The Maltese Falcon a perfect read for those who enjoy a classic mystery but aren’t easily swept up in the glorification of detectives.

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The Maltese Falcon

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Release Date

October 18, 1941

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Runtime

100 minutes

Writers

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John Huston

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• 

  Humphrey Bogart

  Samuel Spade

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  Mary Astor

  Brigid O’Shaughnessy

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Amid talks about Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper’s relationship status, the model appears to have made a telling move, showing her close bond with members of the actor’s family. 

A week ago, the Vogue cover star and the actor set tongues wagging when they were seen wearing matching rings. 

While neither Hadid nor Cooper has publicly addressed the rumors, the model’s latest outing has only added to the conversation.

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Over the weekend, Hadid was seen enjoying a day out in Paris with Cooper’s mother, Gloria, and his daughter, Lea, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk.

The trio was seen strolling along the sidewalk together, spending quality time. 

For the occasion, the 31-year-old runway star kept it casual, rocking a sleeveless white shirt paired with yellow wide-leg pants. She completed her look with a tan-colored bag and flip-flops, as seen in photos obtained by the Daily Mail.

Although the TV personality and her 51-year-old boyfriend are said to be in the French capital, where he is currently filming an “Oceans Eleven” prequel, sources claimed that they got married a month earlier before coming to the country. 

“There was a dinner celebration with Bradley and Gigi in New York last week, and there’s a lot of talk that it was to do with a wedding,” the informant shared. “Now they have been seen out with wedding bands on; it seems like they quietly got married. They make a lovely couple.”

How Gigi Hadid And Bradley Cooper Sparked Wedding Speculation

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As The Blast reported, earlier this month the couple was photographed walking down the streets of Paris holding hands. 

Fans quickly noticed them wearing similar golden bands on their fingers, leading to speculation about what they might symbolize.

When the duo was spotted again that day in different outfits, they were still wearing the rings. However, some fans were quick to point out that identical accessories are not proof of a secret marriage, especially since Cooper had been seen without a ring just two days earlier.

Insiders Debunked Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper’s Wedding Rumors 

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Despite the mounting chatter about Hadid and the “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor, those close to them have set the record straight about where the pair stand and their future together.

 According to The Blast, an insider claimed that the couple has had the jewelry for a while and it was promise rings. They added that while the couple is serious about being together, saying “I do” is not part of their immediate plans. 

“Neither of them wants to get married or have a traditional wedding, but they are very serious and committed to one another,” the source said. 

A Look At Gigi Hadid And The ‘American Sniper’ Star’s Relationship 

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Although the wedding speculation may have been dismissed, there is no denying the strength of Hadid and Cooper’s relationship.

Their romance first made headlines in October 2023 when they were spotted leaving a dinner date together in New York City.

What initially appeared to be a casual connection quickly grew into something more, with the pair enjoying low-key dates, weekend getaways, and bonding over their shared experiences as parents.

Interestingly, their exes seemed to give their stamp of approval. Per Elle, Shayk was reportedly unbothered with Hadid dating Cooper and was even said to have originally connected them through their mutual friend groups.

Hadid’s former partner, Zayn Malik, whom she shares a daughter with, was said to be focused on moving forward and prioritizing their child.

The former One Direction member was romantically linked with Hadid in 2015  before finally calling it quits between 2018 and 2019.

Gigi Hadid’s Ex Zayn Malik Made A Shocking Confession About Their Time Together 

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Following Malik and Hadid’s split, the “Pillow Talk” singer has since reflected on their romance, making revelations about the bond they shared. 

As The Blast reported, earlier in February, Malik confessed during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast about the feelings he had for Hadid. 

“I will always love Gigi, because she’s the reason my child is on this Earth, and I have the utmost respect for her,” the singer shared. However, at the time they were dating, he did not believe he was truly in love with her.

Anne Hathaway is addressing online speculation her pregnant belly is fake after the actress walked a recent red carpet in a stomach-baring crop top.

“Fake hair, real bump 😘 ✌️🦖🔥☀️🦕😅,” the pregnant actress, 43, wrote via Instagram alongside a video of herself getting ready for and attending the premiere of her new movie The End of Oak Street in California on Sunday, August 9. “Enjoy The @endofoakstreet Block Party chaos with me as my outfit literally melts in the heat!!”

Hathaway showed off her baby bump in a powder-blue high-neck crop top with a long train. She paired the elegant shirt with baggy jeans and red heels to match the top’s interior.

As photos of Hathaway’s look circulated via social media, some users claimed her belly looked like a prosthetic.

Related: Anne Hathaway Stuns in Red as She Shows Baby Bump in New Photo

Anne Hathaway is showing off her pregnancy street style. Hathaway, 43, was all smiles as she arrived for The Odyssey press junket in New York City on Tuesday, June 30, with her growing stomach on full display. The actress stunned in a red look, completing her outfit with red heels and a pair of sunglasses, […]

“Nothing screams real pregnancy like a bump so perfectly round and photo ready it looks straight off the Amazon ‘silicone baby bump  6 8 months’ listing. Hollywood’s props department really outdid themselves this time,” one person wrote via X.

Others jumped to Hathaway’s defense.

“Pregnancy bumps aren’t supposed to look identical, she looks amazing, so I really don’t understand why everyone is making such a big deal out of it,” another user wrote.

Hathaway announced in June that she’s expecting her third baby with husband Adam Shulman. (Hathaway and Shulman, 45, are already parents to sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, 6.)

“x Baby I’m yours,” the Devil Wears Prada star wrote via Instagram alongside a video of herself walking into the frame and cradling her baby bump.

“We knew what we were doing, but … we were so shocked it went this way,” she said on Late Night With Seth Meyers in July, adding that she and Shulman were “calling this one our buzzer-beater,” referring to a basketball shot that succeeds right before the final buzzer.

Related: Anne Hathaway’s Most Stylish Baby Bump Moments During Pregnancy at 43

Pregnant Anne Hathaway’s chic red carpet style has been front and center as she prepares to welcome her and husband Adam Shulman’s third baby. The Oscar winner announced her pregnancy at 43 in June, after previously giving birth to sons Jonathan and Jack in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to […]

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Hathaway’s maternity style previously made headlines last month when she wore a red jumpsuit backwards. The Oscar winner reacted to the mistake via social media.

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“I did?” she asked after sharing reports from multiple outlets about the wardrobe malfunction. Hathaway then shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I did,” she whispered while cringing.

Hathaway has been candid about her motherhood journey over the years. Back in 2024, she opened up about suffering a miscarriage 10 years prior.

“The first time it didn’t work out for me,” she told Vanity Fair. “So when it did go well for me, having been on the other side of it — where you have to have the grace to be happy for someone — I wanted to let my sisters know, ‘You don’t have to always be graceful. I see you and I’ve been you.’”

Before the slop-ification of animated cinema and its need to cater to dwindling attention spans (I’m looking at you, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie), the children’s film was more or less a gateway for kids to fall in love with the movies. For all its flaws, Minions & Monsters moderately succeeded at conveying that, though it was still a Minions sequel at the end of the day. Don’t our kids deserve more? Contrary to my bemoaning of the contemporary animated landscape, it’s in an incredible spot right now. A renaissance spurred by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, animated cinema is (though not without its hiccups) thriving, with Pierre Perifel’s The Bad Guys being one of the best films of this new movement.

A loose adaptation of Aaron Blabey’s multipart graphic novel series of the same name, The Bad Guys, released in April 2022, reads (no pun intended) like plucking a book from the shelf. The eponymous “Bad Guys” are already an established presence of hijinks in a paradoxically grounded and stylized Los Angeles. Starring Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos as Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha, The Bad Guys smashed box office expectations, charming audiences and critics alike with its bouncy verve. Such triumph was enough to warrant a sequel, released in August 2025 (alongside two shorts and a Netflix series), making The Bad Guys one of the 2020s’ essential animated franchises.

Written in a similar vein to that of a one-shot story (though far more elaborate), The Bad Guys’ en medias res approach to Blabey’s material chucks the viewer headfirst into a heightened, Bojack Horseman-esque (though far less depressing) Los Angeles where humans and animals co-exist in harmony. Disrupting that harmony, though, are the titular “Bad Guys.” Each animal—sharks, snakes, or spiders—has a notoriously bad reputation; thus, the Bad Guys exist within the box they’ve been assigned. Confined to their stereotypes, they ensue whatever (PG-appropriate) chaos they see fit: bank robberies, jewel heists, and overall miscreantic tomfoolery. The rub, however, lies with Mr. Wolf, who, enticed by the sweet smell of good behavior, leads the crew to a potential redemption arc.

When a personal heist goes horribly awry and threatens the Bad Guys with serious jail time, Mr. Wolf hatches a plan to feign integrity. To his clique, they’re in on the scheme, following their leader in hopes of escape. Mr. Wolf, though, might have ulterior motives. Encouraged by a guinea pig named Professor Marmalade and Governor Diane Foxington (you’ll never believe what kind of animal she is), Mr. Wolf actually wants to go good, much to the dismay of his friends—particularly Mr. Snake. It’s the definition of a moral conundrum, posing questions of whether the Bad Guys could ever rehabilitate into becoming “The Good Guys.” As expected, the journey to making good isn’t the most clear-cut.

The Inspirations Behind ‘The Bad Guys’

Image via Dreamworks Animation

Shifting from the books’ undisclosed metropolitan area to the sun-kissed haze of modern Los Angeles, French animator and first-time feature director Pierre Perifel drew from some of California’s finest crime flicks for a film that’s both fresh and inspired. Opening on a two-minute-and-25-second oner—a diner scene à la Pulp Fiction—before a high-octane car chase through several recognizable L.A. locales, The Bad Guys hearkens to the heist films of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The whole “Mr. [Animal]” bit is an obvious nod to Reservoir Dogs, with the budding romance between Governor Foxington and Mr. Wolf echoing Jennifer Lopez’s and George Clooney’s relationship in Out of Sight. In short: it’s the rare kids’ film that hits all age demographics.

On top of its Tarantino and Soderbergh-esque skeleton, The Bad Guys also mirrors Michael Mann’s Heat and William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in L.A., particularly when the Bad Guys engage in their signature tomfoolery. In an interview with Animation Magazine, Pierre Perifel stated that he intended to pay homage to such films, plus television shows like Starsky and Hutch. There’s a quantifiable amount of cinematic literacy embedded within The Bad Guys’ structure, making it a great way to introduce kids to the crime film genre. It may be too early to show your seven-year-old Pulp Fiction, but it’s not too early to show them The Bad Guys. It’s a great “Film 101” movie, standing as a modern classic.

‘The Bad Guys’ is a New Classic

Image via Dreamworks Animation

A strong component of the post-Spider-Verse wave of animated cinema, The Bad Guys is one of the best animated films of the 2020s thus far. Furthermore, the film breathed new life into the creative juices at DreamWorks Animation, following up The Bad Guys with great films like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Wild Robot, and Dog Man, with the upcoming Forgotten Island looking to be another gem in their increasing arsenal. I’ll happily take nine more of these opposed to another Trolls, to be honest. The possibility of a third Bad Guys film remains up in the air, though I can only assume that we’ll receive a third entry sooner than later (sooner than Spider-Verse 3, at least).

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Release Date

April 22, 2022

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Runtime

100 minutes

Director

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Pierre Perifel

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Netflix is one of, if not the biggest, streaming services out there, providing some of the greatest and most entertaining TV shows, such as Stranger Things and Narcos. With such an impressive catalog, it can easily fill a year with TV watching, or for fans wanting something a little shorter, it can take up an entire weekend. As opposed to a long-running series, some viewers want something short and sweet, and Netflix has a variety of excellent miniseries available on their platform.

Miniseries are a standalone season of television with a self-contained story, offering a digestible story that is just as good as any other show. That is why this list will feature eight miniseries on Netflix that don’t have any flaws based on aspects such as quality, consistency, lack of mistakes, acting, directing, originality, writing, and overall quality. If viewers have a weekend to spare and aren’t sure what to do, look no further than these excellent miniseries.

‘Ripley’ (2024)

The age of black-and-white television is long behind viewers, but some shows still use it for effect, and one modern show that does this excellently is the miniseries Ripley. Based on the classic novels, this thriller takes place in the 1960s and follows the titular character looking to get away from his normal life of scamming. That takes him to Italy in order to bring back the son of a wealthy man, but when Ripley (Andrew Scott) gets hooked on the high life, he plans to steal the son’s identity.

Ripley is a slow burn, and while it may start slower than most, it escalates into one of the most suspenseful miniseries fans will ever see. The exponential sense of dread reaches an unbearable point leading up to the climax. The unhurried pace also highlights the methodical process of Ripley in real time as he solves his problems through new crimes. The striking black and white cinematography paired with the sharp dialog further enhances the thrilling experience.

‘Godless’ (2017)

Image via Netflix

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It is common for Western shows to run for hundreds of episodes since they can have episodic formats and fans still enjoy them, but some opt to be miniseries, such as Godless. Taking place in a New Mexico mining town, after a tragic accident kills almost all the men, the population is almost entirely made up of women. However, when a daunting outlaw comes to the town to find his protégé who is hiding there, it is up to the women to protect the village themselves.

Even though Godless is a miniseries, it is shorter than most, only boasting seven episodes, but that is because of an incredibly tight pace that doesn’t let any flaws slip in. Godless is a fresh new take on an old genre, but it still maintains the classic grit and tension fans love, with the ending culminating in one of the best shootouts in the Western genre. It subverts tired tropes while remaining authentic to the genre, culminating in one of the best Western TV shows of all time.

‘Pluto’ (2023)

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Anime isn’t the first thing fans think about when imagining a miniseries, but it is a broad genre that has some of the most fascinating shows. Naoki Urasawa is a legendary manga author, and his most recent series to get an anime is Pluto. After a string of murders that have claimed the lives of the most advanced robots, Detective Gesicht (Shinshū Fuji) is on the case, but when it gets personal, he realizes the mystery goes deeper than he could have ever imagined.

If viewers haven’t watched any anime before, Pluto could be a good one to start with, since it avoids many of the awkward tropes and is a genuinely well-written piece of fiction. It contemplates serious themes such as love, hate, and who has the right to those, using them to put together an emotional story about war, politics, and evolution. What’s more, Pluto balances its profound storytelling with one of the most captivating mysteries in the medium, proving why it is considered one of the best anime series of all time.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

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Mike Flanagan is one of the greatest minds of modern horror, and while he has a lot of anticipated new works, like Clayface and Carrie, his best project might be one of his first, The Haunting of Hill House. A family is forced to move from their childhood house after unexplained events, but after years of demons haunting their minds, they reunite years later to confront their past fears and discover what is haunting the house.

Some of the best horror stories are movies, but The Haunting of Hill House is right up with the best of them, combining genuinely terrifying moments with a profound tale about family trauma, grief, and mental illness. It is better than stooping to cheap jump scares, instead focusing on subtle dread that instills an extensive sense of dread. The ghosts aren’t just scary, but representations of the emotional wounds of the characters, not to mention The Haunting of Hill House perfectly edits the past and present together.

‘Adolescence’ (2025)

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Netflix never stops delivering magnificent miniseries, and the most recent flawless masterpiece is Adolescence, which became one of the most viewed projects on the platform in 2025. When a 13-year-old boy is accused of murdering his girl classmate, an extensive investigation opens up fresh wounds for the child and his family, tearing apart the world they thought they knew and replacing it with pure, unfiltered despair.

Adolescence is a groundbreaking miniseries that took over the world in 2025 with its shocking story that is complex, raw, and authentic. From a technical standpoint, it delivers the story in real time, making it feel more immersive with an unbroken pace that gives an intimate view of the events and characters. Adolescence is worth the hype, and that is a tall task considering it is one of the most hyped-up miniseries of all time, but that is just how impressive the show is.

‘When They See Us’ (2019)

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It seems a lot of the best miniseries on Netflix are based on historical events, because one of the greatest is When They See Us. In 1989 in New York City, a group of five boys, known as the Central Park Five, were accused of assaulting a woman. Spanning over multiple decades, it chronicles their life and the trial, detailing how it affected the lives of these innocent boys and the ensuing struggle of teenagers of color in Harlem.

From being falsely accused of assault with no evidence to being forced to confess to the crime and being unjustly sentenced, When They See Us is a tragic true story about how the justice system failed five innocent young men. While the miniseries delivers an expertly written and topical examination of racism and the overarching effect on the justice system, this series is also a character study of the convicted. The blend of grand themes and personal storytelling highlights the flawlessness of When They See Us.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

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Netflix has a slew of phenomenal miniseries, and this list proves that, with one of the most popular being The Queen’s Gambit, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Beth Harmon is an orphan who grew up as a chess prodigy, and now that she is finally of age, she can compete against the best of the best. However, she must face the struggles of competing in a male-dominated sport while also dealing with past trauma and substance abuse.

Chess is an incredibly cerebral and intelligent game, and while The Queen’s Gambit highlights this, it also brings up the personal side of the character and high-stakes action. The methodical cinematography and visual storytelling are a gorgeous sight, which sets an immaculate background for Taylor-Joy to shine with her dialog-light performance that brings everything out of the character. Every match reflects a psychological struggle, showcasing the incredible writing in The Queen’s Gambit and revealing why it is one of the best miniseries of all time.

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The Queen’s Gambit

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Release Date

2020 – 2020-00-00

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Showrunner

Scott Frank

Directors

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Scott Frank

Writers

Scott Frank

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Emily Ratajkowski demonstrated the easiest way to tackle that awkward in-between weather with a great pair of relaxed black jeans. They  look elevated enough for events, feel comfortable all day and pair effortlessly with everything from lightweight camis to cozy knits. If you’re searching for one piece to carry you from late summer into fall, this is it.

The model was spotted in New York City on August 4, wearing black wide-leg Abercrombie & Fitch jeans with a brown cami, cropped brown leather jacket, slim black shoulder bag and gold pointed-toe heels. The look is the definition of model off-duty style — it’s relaxed, polished and incredibly easy to recreate. Her exact jeans retail for $90, but we found a remarkably similar pair for $30 on Amazon.

Get the Dokotoo High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans for $30 (was $37) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, August 10, 2026, but are subject to change.

The Dokotoo High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans deliver the same effortless, elongated silhouette for a fraction of the price. With a high-rise waist and relaxed, wide-leg fit, they’re the kind of pants you’ll reach for on repeat throughout the season. Yes, even while pairing them with sandals now or boots later.

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Let’s be honest: most of Us love looking at Birkins far more than we love looking at their price tags. That’s exactly why Kyle Richards’ latest handbag caught our attention — not because we planned to spend $18,500, but because we immediately wondered if there was a way to recreate the look for less. Turns […]

The stretchy cotton-blend fabric offers tons of comfort along with a high-quality appearance, per shoppers. Many appreciate the durable material and swear that the pants feel super soft. And because they have a stretchy waist, some even feel like the jeans provide some tummy control!

The jeans have over 1,100 five-star ratings on Amazon, and shoppers say they give them the best of both worlds. One reviewer confirmed, “The fit is flattering and comfortable, especially through the waist and hips.” Another shopper who calls them their “new go-to jeans” wrote that the “material is medium weight, so it can be worn in fall, winter, spring and even on summer days.”

You can get the pants in Ratajkowski’s versatile black wash along with light wash, dark wash, white and several other colors. Plus, the jeans come in sizes 2 to 18, so you can take your pick.

Whether you recreate Ratajkowski’s outfit with a cami and cropped leather jacket, or style the jeans with a chunky sweater and loafers once temperatures cool down, they’re an easy wardrobe staple you’ll wear well beyond September. At only $30, they’re an affordable way to capture her effortless summer-to-fall style.

Can’t get enough of Ratajkowski’s model off-duty denim? Browse more black wide-leg jeans on Amazon below!

Shop more black, wide-leg jeans that we love:

Not your style? Explore more wide-leg jeans here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –> 

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There’s something about a ’90s supermodel outfit that still feels impossible to beat. No loud prints, no over-the-top accessories — just a handful of timeless pieces styled so effortlessly, they somehow look even cooler 30 years later. Kaia Gerber is reminding Us that one dress style in particular deserves a permanent spot in every closet. […]

Those who love the heavy, history-based mythology of The X-Files and the dark fantasy elements of Grimm (but have already binged through both) should not sleep on this oddball Fox procedural that is better than it probably should be. The show? Sleepy Hollow, though it’s possible you forgot all about it. No, we’re not talking about the Sleepy Hollow movie with Johnny Depp (though they share some similarities), but rather a modern take on the famed American classic completely re-imagined with some horror-tinged twists.

‘Sleepy Hollow’ Took an Outlandish Concept and Made It Palatable For Network Audiences

Based partially on both The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle by American author Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow took the concept several steps further by mixing elements from both short stories with American history and biblical prophecy. When American Revolutionary soldier Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) engages his former friend-turned-rival Abraham van Brunt (Neil Jackson) on the battlefield, their lives and destinies are intertwined as they kill one another. Sparked by her grief, Ichabod’s wife, Katrina (Katia Winter), conspires to save her husband, who wakes up centuries later in the 2010s — and he’s not alone. His nemesis awakes with him, headless due to his battle wounds. With the help of Lieutenant Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie, who sadly exited the series ahead of its final season), Ichabod confronts not only the Headless Horseman, but the other demonic creatures who have been drawn to Sleepy Hollow — and the adventures quickly begin.

Ichabod and Abbie are an inventive pair as they seek to stop the biblical apocalypse from coming to fruition. As it turns out, they are the famed two Witnesses described in the Book of Revelation, meant to battle the seven tribulations that will bring about the end of the world. With a rotating cast of supporting characters that includes Abbie’s sister Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) and the magnetic Henry Parrish (John Noble), Sleepy Hollow resets the deck each season in the quest to battle monsters, demons, ghosts, and other paranormal creatures who would otherwise bring about the destruction of our world. On every level, this “spooky cop” show shouldn’t work. The whole thing seems outlandish and a bit too good to be true at first, but over the course of the series, the Fox drama begins to run out of steam — even so, there’s no reason not to stick with it through the end.

Though Its Quality Varied In Later Seasons, ‘Sleepy Hollow’ Is a Wild American-Sized Adventure

For those who haven’t yet given Sleepy Hollow a shot, know this: the first two seasons often feel like a different show than the next two. With streamlined plots, actively memorable antagonists, and a solid cast that holds it all together, the Witnesses’ battle against the demonic “big bad” Moloch is arguably the show at its very best and most focused. The third season takes a bit of a departure from this, taking Ichabod and Abbie in a new creative direction and further expanding the world. But it’s the fourth and final season that really changes the game, introducing a new cast of characters, including Homeland Security Agent Diana Thomas (Janina Gavankar), and relocating Ichabod and company from Sleepy Hollow to Washington, D.C., of all places.

While the overall quality of Sleepy Hollow may vary, the show is a unique example of the sort of risks that network television no longer takes. Genre procedurals are quite rare these days, and Sleepy Hollow reinvented a particular (and largely known) IP in a way that could only come from the creative team of Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Phillip Iscove, and Len Wiseman. Aside from reboots and revivals of old properties, shows like The X-Files and Grimm that balance network procedural formats with overarching mythologies are difficult to find these days. If you’re looking for something a bit out of the box that isn’t afraid to get weird (including a Bones crossover), Sleepy Hollow is the four-season binge for you. Be warned, the show does end on something of a cliffhanger, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the headless ride.

Sleepy Hollow is available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S.

Martha Stewart is all about a fresh look.

Stewart, 85, showed off a new ‘do, courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, via Instagram on Sunday, August 10.

Her mane featured bold streaks of pastel pink. Appleton, 43, styled her hair, which was cut into a bob with blended curtain bangs, in voluminous, loose curls.

Stewart gave the camera a pout while rocking pink glam. Her makeup featured dewy skin and sparkly rose eyeshadow blended to her crease, bright pink blush and pink, glossy lips.

The businesswoman tied her ensemble together by wearing a stark white bathrobe. Appleton played with her tresses in one pic, and in another, the duo blew kisses at the camera.

“Rose gold …. It’s a good thing 🌹✨,” the hairstylist captioned the post. Her fans went wild over her fun shade in the comments section.

“Martha’s a BADDDDDIEEEEEE!!!!!!!🔥,” one praised, while another added, “That’s going to be a hard yes.” A third gushed, “I simply love this hair. The color and the cut. Job well done.”

Stewart isn’t the only star who was willing to try out a pink mane as of late. In August 2025, Sami Sheen, who is the daughter of Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, ditched her platinum tresses for a bubblegum makeover.

At the time, she documented herself dyeing her hair at home via TikTok. “Everyone’s been telling me that I need to change my hair color, and I’m finally listening,” she said, noting that she didn’t tell “a single person” about her plan ahead of time.

“I’m so scared, I just rinsed it out,” she added in the next clip. Sami then added more dye to the back of her head for an even application.

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Despite her efforts, Sami was still not happy with the look. “I actually don’t wanna go out tonight anymore; my hair looks so bad. I don’t understand what happened,” she said.

Sami then dyed her clip-in extensions the same shade, which made her feel better about the end result. “I don’t really hate my hair anymore,” she said. “I still wanna get it fixed and do a bubblegum pink.”

Sami later went to a salon and got her hair dyed a brighter shade of pink, which she rocked until November 2025, when she went back to brunette.