Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur explained the cruel sequence of events that led to him missing the funeral service for Cristina Ulbrich, the late wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. 

LaFleur, 46, made plans to fly privately to the memorial from the Packers’ training camp location in Green Bay, according to a profile published in The Athletic on Tuesday, August 11. 

However, as the plane prepared to take off, the crew found a mechanical issue and the aircraft was unable to get off the ground. 

Matt and his wife, BreAnne, have been longtime friends with Jeff, 49, and Cristina, who died of cancer last month at the age of 48. 

Related: Mike Vrabel Gives Curious Answer When Asked About Counseling With Wife Jen

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel attempted to pivot when asked about attending marriage counseling during the offseason at a press conference on Tuesday, August 11.  ESPN reporter Kalyn Kahler asked Vrabel, 50, “What did you learn from that counseling and how did you balance that personal commitment with getting ready for this season?” […]

“All the sudden, I’m back in meetings,” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘It’s out of my control.’”

BreAnne, 43, was able to travel separately to the funeral and made it on time to represent the LaFleur family. 

“It’s different … when it’s somebody your age,” Matt said about Cristina’s death. “She was a rock star. I think about it every day. I worry about ‘Brich.”

Matt and Jeff were on the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff together from 2015 to 2016 – Matt as quarterbacks coach, Jeff as linebackers coach – both joining the staff in the same season. 

“It puts all of this stuff a little bit more in perspective,” Matt said, gesturing around his office “… you can’t take it for granted, that’s for sure.”

The Falcons announced Cristina’s death in a social media post on July 30. 

“Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her,” the statement read. “She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.”

The team continued, “On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jeff, their children, and all who loved Cristina. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ulbrich family. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve this profound loss, and we stand with them in support and remembrance of Cristina’s life.”

Jeff and Cristina met in 1997 and share three children: sons Jax and Jace and daughter Samantha.

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Related: Reece Weaver Makes Major Career Announcement After Surprising DCC Retirement

Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver announced some major career news after her surprising retirement from the team earlier this year.  Weaver, 24, will make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago next month, she announced on Tuesday, August 11.  “A DREAM COME TRUE 😭♥️,” Weaver wrote via Instagram.  Weaver will begin performances on […]

Falcons head coach, Kevin Stefanski, called Cristina’s death a “difficult time” for the entire organization. 

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“Like any family, we will support Jeff and the kids and we’ll put our arms around him and the kids, literally and as an organization,” Stefanski, 44, told reporters on Friday, July 31. “I’ll let Jeff address you guys when the time is appropriate and he can share his thoughts. But just so you guys know, we are obviously with him and the kids in the short-term and in the long-term.”

Stefanski added, “It’s heartbreaking, and we’ll make sure we are a family through all of this.”

Jeff returned to Falcons practice on August 3, as the team prepared for its preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Friday, August 14.

Luke Rodgers, older brother of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, has welcomed baby No. 3 with his wife, Aimee Rodgers, the couple announced via Instagram.

“She’s here 🤍,” Aimee wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, August 11, over a photo of the newborn’s foot poking out from under a blanket. “Everyone is healthy and happy. Very thankful 🙏.”

Luke then added the photo to his own Story. He and Aimee also share son Jack, 4, and daughter Evie, 2.

Their new addition comes on the heels of Aaron reconciling with his family after a prolonged estrangement.

Luke is the eldest of the three Rodgers brothers, with the youngest being former Bachelorette star Jordan Rodgers.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Seemingly Shades Brother Jordan After Family Reconciliation

Aaron Rodgers appeared to throw some shade at his brother Jordan while discussing his reconciliation with the rest of their family. “I’ve been really staunch, going back to when there was a schism, that I feel like that stuff should be off limits,” Aaron, 42, told The Athletic in a story published Monday, August 3. […]

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Aaron’s rift with his family dates back at least a decade, and in the case of Jordan, 37, even longer. Aaron appears to be on the road to reconciling with all but his little brother, according to an Instagram carousel he shared on July 20, which showed the future Hall of Famer posing with Luke and their parents, Ed and Darla.

“Another bonding week,” Aaron wrote in the caption.

In an interview with NFL Network earlier this month, Aaron credited his wife, Brittani, with helping him make up with most of his family. (Aaron has yet to publicly reveal Brittani’s identity after the couple got married in Spring 2025).

“You know, a big part of it was getting married and having those conversations with my wife that allowed me to kind of open up to the possibility of coming together — it’s been a couple-year process now, the conversations with [my family],” Aaron said. “I’m happy to be reunited and that part of my life is a really beautiful addition, and I got to give my wife a lot of credit — not that she was pushing me, because she never was, but just the way that she loves and supports me.”

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Related: Aaron Rodgers Addresses Family Drama While Discussing His Mystery Wife

As Aaron Rodgers celebrates his new marriage, he revealed the hostility within his immediate family continues to rage on. Rodgers, 41, appeared on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, June 24, where he discussed his wife, Brittani, for the first time since he announced they had tied the knot recently. In doing so, Rodgers […]

He also talked about the family rift in his 2024 Netflix documentary, Enigma, where he explained how far back his differences date with Jordan.

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“It wasn’t like I was super-duper close with everybody in the family,” he said. “I was close with my little brother. But in actuality, it goes back to stuff from high school that kind of made me feel distant. Stuff in college, stuff post-college. I grew up in a very white, dogmatic church, and that just didn’t really serve me. It was very rigid in structure. I’m not a rigid person. Shame, guilt, judgment.”

As for Jordan, he opened up about his relationship with Aaron during his season of The Bachelorette, which aired in 2016.

“I have a great relationship with my brother Luke. Me and Aaron don’t really have that much of a relationship,” he said. “It’s just kind of the way he’s chosen to do life, and I’ve chosen to stay close with my family and my parents and my brother. Yeah, it’s not ideal, and I love him, and I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in his shoes and have the pressure he has, the demands from people that he has. [I] don’t have hard feelings against him; it’s just how things go right now.”

No space for trouble on Cardi B‘s video shoot set!

Law enforcement agents saved the day on the rapper’s latest music video set when an intruder attempted to gain access to the restricted area where she had secured permission to express her creativity.

Cardi B had also previously gotten into an altercation herself when she threw her microphone into the crowd on July 29, 2023, after a concertgoer splashed a drink at her face.

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August 11, 2026, will be an unforgettable day for everyone on the set of Cardi’s new visual project, as a photographer got into a tussle with security, prompting an intervention from the New York Police Department.

The man, identified as Steven Sands, in his 70s, allegedly showed up unannounced on set, stationed on the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where she was given the rights to film. According to sources on the scene, Sands had bypassed police structures and also ignored directives from staff on the set.

He also failed to heed instructions from police officers to stop causing tantrums on set, and his refusal led to a criminal court summons for disorderly conduct, according to TMZ.

Sands was shown in a viral video from the scene being detained with handcuffs by the NYPD next to a patrol car, but he was released without being arrested.

Steven Sands Shared His Side Of The Story

The alleged set intruder cleared the air on the extent of his involvement in the activity, explaining that he arrived at the scene of the video shoot before Cardi. He explained that a security guard had come up to him and informed him about instructions to control the crowd and media.

He recalled the guard making some adjustments to the arrangement, which had him behind equipment that interfered with his camera’s angle; hence, he could not get a proper shot of Cardi.

This made Sands approach the guard for an easier arrangement that would place him 10 feet away in an open area to help him get a clear shot of the rapper.

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Sands explained that the security personnel still did not give room for his suggestion and had told him Cardi would not be pleased with the arrangement. Sands stated that at that point, he informed the guard he did not care what the mother-of-four wanted, and things went downhill from there.

Cardi B Fans Predict Incoming Lawsuit From The Alleged Intruder

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The scene made its way to Instagram and got a handful of comments from Cardi’s fans and people who seem to know a thing or two about Sands. A user stated that Sands somehow gets himself in these dramas on a regular basis and his conduct rightfully deserves police attention.

“Oh sh-t Steve is gonna sue everyone now- just be prepared,” this user added. Another fan mourned a missed opportunity to take a picture with the singer as they recalled passing the scene earlier, but mistaking the scene for a movie shoot.

“Steve got chased off my gig on Thursday night while we were on Ave A in the LES. What a guy. He’s been around since the 80s. Oh, you have to see Radioman; did he show up?” another commenter who has encountered him in the past added.

One more user suggested that Cardi knew there was going to be some drama on that set, especially after she chose one of Brooklyn’s most infamous blocks.

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The ‘Bodak Yellow’ Rapper Made A Splash In Miami While Her Assault Case Waits In New York

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In 2018, Capital Xtra shared that Cardi headed to a more upbeat destination as her case returned to court. The rapper headed to Miami for a video shoot involving tiger body paint, lots of body movement and a yacht.

Cardi was absent at a New York court hearing on December 3, 2018, in connection with an alleged altercation involving strip club bartenders Jade and Baddie Gi. The women had accused Cardi of masterminding an attack that reportedly left them injured.

As for the case, Cardi had already received a six-week extension prior to the hearing, and her attorneys learned only days before the case that the rapper had a previously scheduled work commitment preventing her from appearing. 

While her lawyers dealt with the courtroom fallout, Cardi was photographed in Miami filming alongside rap duo City Girls. Images from the shoot showed her covered in tiger-inspired body paint while working on what was believed to be the video for their collaboration, “Twerk.”

The extravagant shoot was said to have taken place on a yacht, featuring over a dozen bikini-clad women, along with Cardi and City Girls, who were seen with champagne in hand.

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Cardi B’s Infamous Mic Saga Returned For A Second Legal Episode

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Cardi’s controversial microphone toss in Las Vegas three years ago resurfaced last year when a member of the audience allegedly hit by the object came looking for payback. 

The Blast stated that the incident went down as Cardi performed on stage at Drai’s Beachclub and a fan threw liquid in her direction as she rapped. Cardi retaliated by launching her microphone in the woman’s direction, and when police investigated the case, they decided not to pursue any criminal charges.

The woman went ahead to sue Cardi, accusing her of assault, battery, negligence, and more crimes, as she took issue with the microphone’s sale and tagged it an attempt to malign her experiences. The plaintiff continued that she felt targeted by the rapper, especially because she threw the water based on her instruction.

According to Cardi’s account in a previous interview on “The Breakfast Club,” the woman went against her instruction, which asked fans to throw water at her but avoid her face due to the makeup. Cardi stressed that her decision to go against the grain meant she had a deliberate motive to sabotage her appearance.

Will Cardi B be the next recipient of Steven Sands’ lawsuit as predicted?

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It’s not uncommon for stars to quickly fall head over heels in love while filming a reality TV show — and The Challenge competitors are no exception.

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While many fans didn’t think Paulie Calafiore and Cara Maria Sorbello would create a real bond after meeting on Final Reckoning in 2018, they proved the haters wrong. The duo went on to compete alongside each other on War of the Worlds later that year and War of the Worlds 2 in 2019.

Although Paulie confirmed his breakup from Cara Maria in early 2026, some couples have lasted the test of time. Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos met while filming the first-ever season of The Challenge in 1998, then titled Road Rules: All Stars. The pair got married one year later before welcoming nine children.

Scroll through the gallery below to see more Challenge couples whose romance lasted outside the house:

Hey Big Brother fans, we’ve got your veto meeting results from Monday’s real-time ceremony including which allies Kamu Kirk betrayed with that veto. Plus, Drew Campbell is on a leash and barking like a dog but who’s got him on hands on knees?

Haley gripes about having it hard but she’s not the only one. Rick Devens, Dee Valladares & Angela Murray came in with 1:3 odds of being the first HOH and then 1, 2, 3 – they got powers. Kamu, Haley & Chuk Anyanwu have been totally safe too.

Big Brother 28: Will Drew Share Intel?

Kamu told Drew flat out that the ToolShed wanted to evict him, they wanted to break up the showmance and didn’t like he was pushing for Mallory to stay. Kamu told Drew he’s done with the ToolShed but the big question is whether Drew will take this info back to the vets.

Also Melody Morris told Mallory figuring out the vote flip wasn’t rocket science. She said unlike Kamu, she’d have known in 20 seconds it was Dee and Angela who flipped. And Angela’s deep-diving into paranoia again. She told Devens she’s worried Lala’s coming after her.

Later, the paranoia queen got worked up because Taylor Brown cooked a burger for Kamu. She and Lala like cooking. They talked earlier today about how most of the HGs don’t know how to cook right.

Angela actually said it was Taylor being kiss a*s by cooking for him. Yet Kamu’s half in love with Taylor. Told her he had a crush, wanted them to be Adam & Eve. And said her memory wall photo is his favorite.

Also, Taylor told Melody that Chuk said he had the votes to stay if he’s sitting next to Barrett Pfeiffer. And Melody’s like WTF. She asked Taylor who does Chuk think he has the votes from. Taylor laughed and said it’s that d*mned hat. Melody said it’s crushing his head.

Speaking of Chuk, he told Taylor, “I know so much in this house”. She asked, “About what?” And Chuk says, “Every single thing that has happened to this point. I don’t think there is one week I didn’t know anything that was going to happen.” Wow. I’ll just leave that there.

Big Brother: The Toe Lick Incident

Also, and this is nothing short of horrifying. Let’s talk about toe lick ick. A group of houseguests were in the yard and obviously bored out of their brains. Yash Patel was picking up a big mug with his toe and trying to drink from it.

Then, Dee leaned over and licked Yash’s big toe. And the whole group exploded in laughter and disgust. She laughed when Devens was saying she licked the whole toe. Dee insisted, it was just the tip and that sent everyone dying again.

Also, Lala died laughing. She and Taylor were watching the TV monitors in the HOH room at the people downstairs. Lala said, “Who’s that in the orange shirt?” Taylor looks and says, “That’s not a shirt – that’s his back – it’s Kamu.” And Lala just lost it.

Also, speaking of easy weeks and who’s not been on the block – Taylor and Yash were talking about that the icons need to be next on everybody’s list. Taylor says she likes and Yash agreed all three of them are cool. Taylor clarified she likes them as people.

But she said as players, they’re just coasting. Yash agreed that none of them have felt any type of heat. Taylor suggested the next house target should be the icons. Of course, the houseguests suspect Dee and Devens have powers, they just don’t know what they are.

Best case is to nominate all three icons side by side to flush the powers and minimize the veto potential. When Drew was asking Dee what her power was, she laughed it off, then asked what’s the good one. Drew said “HOH takeover” and she said, “yeah, I have that one.”

Dee was laughing it off and didn’t confirm to Drew she has a power or what it is. But later, she asked Kamu in the storage room, “just to double check, you didn’t tell Drew I had a power?” And Kamu swore that he didn’t.

Big Brother: Veto Meeting Strategy

Now veto results. So, Chuk and Haley have been talking big to each other about whether Kamu uses it or not will reveal him. Chuk already tried to lowkey bully Kamu into using it and he wouldn’t confirm. Then, Lala and Kamu talked about a cover story.

So, Kamu’s plan was to tell Haley and Chuk, when they pressed him, is that he knew Lala would just renominate another of their allies. I mean it’s a flimsy excuse but at least Kamu’s got something in his pocket to say that he and Lala agreed on.

And sure enough, feeds went down for the veto meeting. When they came back, we saw the POV was unused for the first time this season. After the meeting, Drew and Barrett were talking about how Taylor’s the smartest person in the house.

Problem is Drew & Barrett have been their little minions for four weeks straight. Dee & Angela also have Lala & Taylor’s names in their mouths constantly. Dee keeps working on Kamu about Taylor but he won’t hear it. Haley tried it too, remember?

Also, after the veto meeting, things were boiling over. Literally. Someone left a potato boiling in a pan on the stove unattended. Like the whole kitchen was empty and it’s bubbling away. I’ll update you on potato gate later if anything’s interesting.

Big Brother: Rituals and Outside Shade

Another weird incident in the BB28 house. Melody, Mallory, Drew and Barrett, the FAP alliance, held a little celebration to ask the powers that be to get them to jury and not let Kamu use the veto. They found 3 little rocks but not a 4th so they used a Jordan almond.

They had a whole backyard ritual with chanting and everything. Also, Jason is doing something simultaneously hilarious and mean. He’s doing cameos, in drag, dressed as Haley and imitating her.

Jason posted on X: “Having a hard week? Get a Cameo from the Thog Monster”. It’s $67 a pop. I mean I guess since he’s not getting that jury bonus, he’s monetizing while BB28’s still on the air.

Miranda Kerr gave Kris Jenner her flowers for being an inspiration to her.

The Australian model shared her thoughts on cosmetic procedures, revealing whether they have any place in her future. Known for her top-notch skincare regimen and strict diet to maintain her youthful glow, she is not shutting the door to cosmetic procedures.

Unlike Miranda Kerr, who has yet to have facial surgery, Kris Jenner has gone under the knife twice for facelifts. Her most recent procedure became a topic of conversation, with many claiming she was unhappy with the results.

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Kerr opened up while speaking on a recent episode of the “Let’s Be Honest” podcast with Kristin Cavallari, where she shared her thoughts on cosmetic procedures. She noted that she is keeping an open mind about the possibility of getting cosmetic surgeries and beauty treatments in the future.

The Australian model explained that she has seen some of her friends look amazing after getting facelifts. “This is interesting. Good research, good research to have,” she said of her observation on people’s facelifts.

“It’s one of those things that I guess you don’t really know until you really know because you think you want to be the best version of yourself,” the Victoria’s Secret Angel continued before talking about the treatments she had tried.

Cavallari asked if Kerr had ever gotten injectables. In response, the supermodel revealed she had tried the AquaGold treatment, which is a micro-infusion facial using a 24-karat gold-plated device with needles thinner than a hair follicle. 

The Supermodel Praised Kris Jenner For Being Open About Her Facelift

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The conversation continued with Kerr citing Jenner’s reasoning for getting her facelift, which restored a noticeable glow to the momager’s face. Kerr revealed that she heard the reality TV star saying she opted for the surgery because “she wanted to feel like how she felt on the inside.”

She went on to add that Jenner’s reasoning made a lot of sense, and she resonated with the thought. One lesson the model highlighted while speaking on Cavallari’s podcast was the importance of owning one’s decisions and actions.

“I think that the one thing that’s important is to embrace whatever it is that you’re doing and not be afraid of sharing that or feel guilty for doing something like that,” the mom of four expressed.

On the same podcast, Kerr delved into her experience with lasers and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) treatment. She admitted that she is scared of lasers due to a negative experience she had a long time ago.

A Facelift Was Part Of Kris Jenner’s ‘Aging Gracefully’ Process

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Jenner went under the knife last year for a second facelift before her shoot for the cover of the September issue of Vogue Arabia. She explained that getting the procedure refreshed after 15 years was part of her preparation to feel like the best version of herself.

As shared by The Blast, the “KUWTK” mogul explained that getting beauty enhancement was her way of enjoying her aging process, adding that everyone goes through the experience differently.

“If you feel comfortable in your skin and you want to age gracefully – meaning you don’t want to do anything – then don’t do anything,” Jenner noted. She also praised her surgeon, Dr. Garth Fisher, who did her first facelift, for doing a great job on her and other members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan.

The reality TV star did not leave Dr. Steven Lavine’s accolades on the shelf. She applauded his talent on the refresh procedure he carried out on her face.

The Australian Model Goes All Out With High-Tech Skincare

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In another part of Cavallari’s podcast, the 43-year-old model let listeners in on the secrets to her flawless complexion. She revealed that she invests heavily in high-tech skincare devices like red light therapy devices, laser mats, and microcurrent treatments.

She went on to reveal that she discovered the devices worked best when the user was in their birthday suit, after using them incorrectly for a while. “I didn’t realize you are really meant to be in it naked! You are not supposed to be in it in your pajamas!” Kerr jokingly told Cavallari.

The Victoria’s Secret model also shared that noni juice had been a regular drink for her since she was a teenager. According to Kerr, “Noni juice is a superfood, superfruit. It originates from Tahiti, but it can grow in other parts of the world like Australia too.” She takes a 30mL shot every morning of the juice packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Miranda Kerr Follows A Tailored Diet

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In addition to taking care of her skin externally, the Victoria’s Secret Angel is extra careful about what she eats. She disclosed that she only takes Fabula coffee as it is “mold-free and lead-free” and substitutes traditional cow’s milk for coconut milk.

Eggs and sushi have no place on her plate, as well as mass-produced meat. The mom of four shared that she gets her dose of animal protein from venison and bison rather than regular meat. The mom of four sticks to cooking with only coconut or avocado oil, and dairy, wheat, and other seed oils are completely off the list.

Last year, Kerr shared her three most important skincare rules to live by with The New York Post. She emphasized the daily use of sunscreen, regular skin hydration inside out, and consistency paired with gentle renewal. The model also encouraged fans to consume fresh summer fruits like berries for their antioxidants.

Is this a sign that Miranda Kerr will go under the knife like Kris Jenner?

If there is one genre most people can get behind, it is adventure, and that is because it can be spread out into so many other subgenres and handled differently. Video games in particular are great for adventure experiences since they offer a more personal and immersive view, with players controlling their destiny in fantastical worlds. Games such as Dragon Age and Cyberpunk 2077 reflect this.

The adventure genre is timeless, but video games continue to evolve, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest adventure video games of the 21st century. Based on aspects such as sense of adventure, scale, gameplay design, worldbuilding, narrative, visuals, immersiveness, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these titles are the best of the modern age for those wanting to explore some new worlds.

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‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

Image via CD Projekt

Fans can expect a lot of fantasy games on this list, and that is because that genre pairs perfectly with an adventure, as proven by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the first game on this list. Geralt of Rivia puts aside his usual monster-hunting duties to search for his missing daughter, Ciri, who is being chased by the titular group of spectral warriors that want to use her for her innate magical abilities.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a great story, but it captures its adventure perfection through the side quests and narrative lore spread throughout the world. An adventure isn’t about the destination; it is about the journey there, and that is what The Witcher 3 excels at through its side quests, lore, and random encounters. This game is nothing short of a masterpiece, and fans cannot wait until The Witcher 4, which they hope will be on this list in the future.

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‘Metroid Prime’ (2002)

Image via Nintendo

Nintendo has a vast catalog of game franchises, many of which are adventures, including Metroid, and the best game in that series is probably Metroid Prime. After receiving a distress signal from a nearby planet, Samus Aran goes to investigate. When there, she learns that the ancient planet was taken over by space pirates and used as a genetic testing facility. Now, it is up to her to stop it.

One might not think a metroidvania could present a good adventure, but that familiarity and coming back to a blockade after unlocking what the player needs to pass it is an exhilarating experience that enhances that sense of adventure. Metroid Prime is easy to navigate and keeps the gameplay flowing, proving why it is considered one of the best sci-fi adventure video games of all time.

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‘The Last of Us’ (2013)

Image via Naughty Dog

Adventure stories are smash hits on television, and many great video games adapt well to the small screen in this regard, including The Last of Us. After the zombie apocalypse, a rugged survivor must escort a young girl across the country to safety after learning that she may be the key to creating the cure and saving humanity.

The Last of Us doesn’t exactly focus on joyful exploration, but it is a journey across a country that proves to be a definitive adventure that explores a desolate and decaying country infested by terrifying infected. This is a beloved video game because of its narrative that develops Joel and Ellie into stand-out characters, and this touching dynamic leads to one of the greatest plot twists in video game history.

7

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

FromSoftware is known for its dark fantasy video games, and its magnum opus is Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the demigod children of the queen Marika collect them. With the world in turmoil, it is up to the player, the Tarnished One, to travel the Lands Between, defeat the demigod children, reclaim the pieces, form the ring, and become the Elden Lord to rule the land.

FromSoftware games are usually adventures, but none are like Elden Ring, which revamps the formula with a bigger world focused on exploration. With no mini-map, players are thrust into the unknown, which enhances that adventurous spirit when they discover lore, loot, or an impossibly challenging boss. Elden Ring is one of the best modern video games ever, and that is because of its once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

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‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Image via Mobius Digital

Indie games are great, but because of their limited budget, they usually fail to create an adventure as good as the AAA blockbusters, but Outer Wilds is here to prove that wrong. The player is an astronaut in a newly discovered solar system, and their mission is to translate the ruins and lore of the planets before the sun explodes. Thankfully, there is a 22-minute time loop to try and get everything noted down.

Adventure is all about freedom, but games still need progression systems, which are usually handled by gates and keys, inherent obstacles that make the progression more constrictive. Outer Wilds uses a knowledge-based progression system, which feeds into the sense of adventure and makes learning important. This imaginative masterpiece captures the sense of adventure in innovative ways, and that is why it is such an underrated gem and magnificent adventure game that more people need to play.

Image via Bethesda Softworks

The Elder Scrolls VI is one of the most anticipated video games ever, and when it comes out, fans have high hopes it will be one of the best adventures, but for now, the best of the franchise is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. After barely escaping execution, gamers set out on a divine quest of prophecy in order to slay Alduin, the World Eater, a dragon that is said to destroy the planet.

Even though this list includes the best adventure games of the 21st century, most of them are modern, and that is because of the influence Skyrim had on the game industry. It redefined the genre with an ambitious scale, vast open-world, player agency, and incredible side quests and towns that made the adventure even more immersive. Skyrim is among the best sandbox titles and among the greatest fantasy adventure video games.

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‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)

Rockstar is one of the greatest video game studios, and while Grand Theft Auto may be its magnum opus, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a better adventure experience. Arthur Morgan is the leader of a cowboy gang during the dying era of the Wild West, but after his tuberculosis diagnosis, he doesn’t have much time left, prompting him to set out on one last grand adventure for redemption.

Most of the adventures on this list are either sci-fi or fantasy, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is Western prestige in its purest form, and that is playable. Its incredibly detailed world is full of things to do, from fishing to hunting, horseback riding, shaving, and even eating beans. It may seem pointless, but it immerses the player in the character and the world, making the adventure feel much more personal, also enhancing its narrative, which boasts the best character arc in video games.

3

‘Mass Effect Trilogy’ (2007-2012)

Image via BioWare

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It may be unfair to include an entire trilogy of games, but the three Mass Effect games are treated as a collective experience, and they fit so perfectly together as one set adventure. After an ancient race of machines, the Reapers, begin to devour life in the galaxy, Commander Shepard leads the charge to unite the many factions of the galaxy and stop this threat before it gets too large.

The sequel games save data from the previous entries, making them a continued adventure and a connected story that will change if gamers replay them. Mass Effect builds a narrative masterclass through emotional storytelling, political intrigue, and lore galore, with some of the best worldbuilding and lore, but the real achievement is its narrative, which helps Mass Effect become one of the best Xbox video games.

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‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ (2009)

Image via Naughty Dog

If there is one franchise that does adventure the best, it is Uncharted, and while all of their games are perfect, the best is Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. When an old colleague returns to Nathan Drake’s life, they set out on an adventure to find Marco Polo’s fleet, which is rumored to contain a precious artifact, but the adventure will be filled with many twists and turns.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves does set pieces so well, creating an environment of action, drama, and thrills that makes every moment of the adventure tense and special. From shootouts to dangling off a cliff to climbing up a falling train, every beat in this game serves the purpose of a thrilling adventure. The gameplay is astonishing, and the experience is non-stop exhilaration, helping this globe-trotting adventure earn its place at second on this list.

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‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)

Image via Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda franchise is home to some of the greatest adventure video games, and while there are many great ones, the best is arguably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A hundred years after Zelda sealed Ganondorf away, the land of Hyrule has been taken over by nature and monsters. But with Link finally awake, he sets out on a journey to defeat the Gerudo King and bring Zelda back.

This list features some of the best adventure video games of all time, but Breath of the Wild embodies the spirit of true adventure the best. Exploration is the name of the game, and the game encourages it, specifically through its design decision of having three landmarks present from wherever the player is. A good adventure needs to be set in a good world, and Hyrule is one of the best video game worlds, making exploring it even more engaging. The open-air style and methods of traversal make adventuring easier and grander than ever, helping Breath of the Wild earn its legendary status.

Kaia Gerber made a rare remark about brother Presley Gerber‘s battle with addiction.

“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” the Shards actress, 24, said of her sibling’s struggles in an interview with Vogue published on Tuesday, August 11. “I think that’s also why I started to self-​identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.”

Presley, 27, and Kaia grew up in the limelight with supermodel mom Cindy Crawford and dad Rande Gerber. The siblings spent their childhood in Malibu.

“Unfortunately all the things that people assume are true. I was in the ocean every day. My brother would go surfing and then walk up to school in his wetsuit with his surfboard, barefoot. You’re with the same kids from preschool to when you graduate,” she said of her and Presley’s upbringing. “There were no Ubers there, so your parents were driving you to parties and then picking you up. There was only so much trouble you could get into.”

Kaia added that she was proud of Presley being candid about his struggles and treatment with his mental health videos on social media.

“My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone.’ There’s only so much you can hide from the world,” she reflected. “And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”

Last year, Presley opened up about the medication he takes for his mental health, which included one milligram of Buprenorphine two times a day. (Buprenorphine is meant to treat opioid use disorder and pain, per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.)

“The benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life,” he said in the clip, adding that “unfortunately he’s had a lot of loss in many different forms recently.”

Presley explained that he is on “four classes of medications” which includes a blood pressure, opioid, benzos and antidepressant.

“The thing that scares me are the things you need to take,” he said. “So once you start taking them, you don’t take them, something not good happens.”

While Presley is glad to have the assistance of medication, he also takes additional steps to prioritize his wellbeing.

Related: Kaia Gerber Steps Out With Parents Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber

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It was a family affair for Kaia Gerber and her famous parents as they stepped out for the opening night of Broadway production, Good Night, and Good Luck. Kaia, 23, as she joined her mom Cindy Crawford, 59, and her dad, Rande Gerber, 62, for the outing in New York on Thursday, April 3. The […]

“I’m just trying to workout, sauna, take baths,” he shared. “I’ve grown up in Hollywood, and there’s a lot of people around that I love to death, but right now, I try not to be around them.”

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Presley added that he also cut out drinking and has been sober since July 2025. He concluded his video sharing his hopes that his struggles have inspired others to take care of themselves.

“I am hoping this reaches people in many ways,” he admitted. “So you feel like you’re not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time. I have a feeling if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

In today’s age of reboots, legacy sequels and constant reimaginings of famous franchises, it’s normal for filmmakers and studios to try to recast iconic characters who have been embodied by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Sometimes it works, in the case of Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as the Joker, a character that Jack Nicholson portrayed with success. But in some cases, famous characters are so perfectly played the first time out that no one else can compare.

That is the case that befalls the iconic title character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, played by the late Gene Wilder in the 1971 film. Based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, the film cast the role of the eccentric candyman perfectly and Wilder delivered a performance so good that the countless actors who have tried to recapture his magic have fallen short.

Why Willy Wonka Works

Image via Paramount Pictures

Wilder’s performance in Mel Stuart’s classic is a meme factory for a reason. His flippant disregard for the safety of the naughty children at his factory who disobey his guidelines is a hallmark of the character, even in Dahl’s original book. But what Wilder brings to the table is Wonka’s level of control under his whimsical veneer. From the moment he emerges with a cane and limp, only to ditch the cane and somersault to the crowd’s delight, the audience knows that Wonka has the capability to deceive, but there is a method to his madness.

As the factory tour goes on, and one by one, the naughty children meet their unique demises, Wonka’s calm and control throughout makes the chaos that ensues easier to swallow. It’s no secret that what happens to these kids is pretty dark stuff, be it sending them off to certain danger or transforming them physically, but Wonka plays each situation with a straight face, which leads to the popular fan theory that all this was part of his plan.

What Other Wonka Actors Missed

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

When the film was rebooted in 2005 with Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Johnny Depp stepped into the shoes of Wilder’s iconic role. While the film was, on a pure visual level, miles ahead of the 1971 film, whose age shows upon rewatch, Depp’s performance dragged it down. Depp’s Wonka leans far too much on his oddball traits and tries to paint him as a damaged soul due to his past with his father, which was invented for the film. But a Willy Wonka that is too strange and too off-kilter comes off as someone who children would not want to follow into his chocolate factory for any reason.

Wilder’s Wonka had a warm and kind undertone, even as things started going south, which made the audience, as well as Charlie himself, trust and like him. With Depp, he is too detached from the children, even Charlie, who he plans on giving the factory to. To add to the confusion, Depp’s Wonka refuses to let Charlie bring his family to the factory after he’s won, making Charlie hate him, something that the original Charlie never did, even during Wonka’s famous meltdown in the climax.

Even Timothee Chalamet in the more recent prequel Wonka didn’t get the picture. While he certainly nailed some of Wilder’s mannerisms, Chalamet made Wonka a little too charismatic and didn’t balance it out with enough of an edge. Granted, this iteration of Wonka didn’t have any bad kids to punish, but the point still stands. There wasn’t enough to bridge the gap between a kind and open Wonka to one that dispatches children he doesn’t care for.

Gene Wilder was a wonderful actor and he proved it by embodying a famous character so well that nobody who has played the role since can top him. He set the standard for all Wonka actors that, unfortunately, none of them understood properly. A world of pure imagination is only as good as its creator.

The transition to streaming has made access to content easier than it has ever been. Streaming platforms boast libraries that contain a vast array of movies, TV shows and other content that might pick one’s interest. A fan-favorite genre remains action thrillers and there is no shortage of such content within the streaming landscape right now. Netflix, with over 300 million subscribers, opted to offer movie and TV fans plenty to feast on this year, and rightly so. One of the most successful films of the year for Netflix, without question, has been The Rip, the crime thriller starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as Miami narcotics officers. Despite earning over 130 million views, The Rip is still not as successful as the sci-fi thriller, War Machine (starring Alan Ritchson).

It has been a hectic year for the streamer, as the platform has pushed out even more equally engrossing TV shows to compete with its stellar movie lineup. The release of some intensely bingeable TV shows like the limited series, His & Hers (starring Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson), new seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer and Bridgerton, among others, signaled a streaming platform only focused on picking up the pace. Another is the hit spy thriller The Night Agent, which is about to enter its fourth and final season. Only time will tell what project emerges as the biggest Netflix movie or TV show of 2026. But for right now, as some projects fade into the background, previously forgotten shows are returning to the limelight.

At the end of 2024, December 3 to be precise, Netflix debuted all episodes of Black Doves, the Keira Knightley-led spy thriller that also stars Ben Whishaw on its platform. Upon its premiere, the pulse-pounding espionage thriller spent weeks atop streaming charts, which made the decision to renew it for a second season a straightforward one. The show takes on elements of James Bond‘s global espionage and the intense, bone-crunching combat guaranteed for fans of Reacher and blends it into one perfect brew. After some time away from the spotlight, production on Black Doves Season 2 kicked off late last year, and although there is no official confirmation from Netflix, the series is reportedly expected to return sometime in the winter of 2026 or early 2027, according to What’s on Netflix.

Who Returns for ‘Black Doves’ Season 2?

With scores of 91% from critics and 65% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, Black Doves is led by Knightley, who plays a spy who is also the wife of the British Defence Secretary. The attempt on her life and that of her husband (Andrew Buchan) sucks her back into a world she thought she’d left behind. Now, Helen and Whishaw’s Sam, former colleagues, seek out those trying to take them out. Season 2 will see numerous stars from the first season return, including Kathryn Hunter (The Front Room), Gabrielle Creevy (The Guest), Ella Lily Hyland (Silent Roar), Molly Chesworth (Call the Midwife), and Agnes O’Casey (The Miracle Club). Sarah Lancashire returns as Mrs. Reed even as new faces join the cast.

Black Doves was written and created for TV by Joe Barton, who also wrote the script for the 2024 Netflix movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, The Union. Knightley and Barton executive produce the series, alongside SISTER’s Jane Featherstone and Chris Fry.

Stay tuned to Collider for more about the Season 2 return of Black Doves, and stream Season 1 on Netflix.

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Release Date

December 5, 2024

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Network

Netflix

Directors

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Lisa Gunning

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