Entertainment
10 HBO Shows That Are the Perfect Weekend Binge
HBO has produced more quality television than any other network, and holds its creators to an impressively high standard. Not only did HBO break new ground by developing gritty, thoughtful shows that elevated what the medium of television could be, but it started developing projects that attracted A-list actors and serious filmmaking talent.
HBO has an incredible library of shows, but many might be daunting to start because of how epic they are in length. While everyone deserves the chance to experience The Sopranos at least once in their life, sitting down for six seasons can be a challenge, given how much there is to watch. Thankfully, HBO also has a number of shows that offer a shorter commitment and can be binged in just one weekend. They offer a shorter, but just as meaningful experience for serious television buffs.
10
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Band of Brothers might be the single greatest miniseries of all time because it perfectly captured the entirety of World War II by showing many of the most pivotal moments from the perspective of multiple characters who served in the Allied Forces. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks had previously worked together to create the best World War II film ever made with Saving Private Ryan, and they reunited to produce Band of Brothers, which was equally acclaimed for its realism and authenticity.
Band of Brothers is more than just a war show because it is an incredible story about the heroism of an entire generation, and contains sequences of military action that rival anything that has been seen in war films in the 25 years since it was released. It’s not just a powerful work of filmmaking, but an important educational tool.
9
‘The Pacific’ (2010)
The Pacific is the perfect companion piece to Band of Brothers because it took a different approach to World War II by exploring the experiences of soldiers who served in the Pacific Theater, which was perhaps even more bloody and disturbing than the conflict in Europe. While Band of Brothers is entirely composed of events that take place during the war itself, The Pacific explores the time leading up to the soldiers’ recruitment, as well as their experiences after their service when they dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Pacific is a darker series that reflected the theme of “war as hell,” but it also included a number of amazing performances. Rami Malek and Joseph Mazzello made for a particularly effective onscreen team, eight years before they would reunite to star in the Academy Award-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody together.
8
‘Angels in America’ (2003)
Angels in America is a miniseries like no other because it was based on the acclaimed stage play of the same name by Tony Kushner, who wrote a powerful exploration of the AIDS crisis and the devastating effect that it had upon the LGBTQ community in the 1980s. There’s a reason that Angels in America looks and feels like a cinematic experience, and it has everything to do with director Mike Nichols, one of the finest directors ever; Nichols had already won numerous accolades for his work in film, including the Academy Award for Best Director for The Graduate, and Angels in America was just as ambitious an effort.
Angels in America is a story that needs to be told as LGBTQ people continue to face injustice around the world, and includes some of the greatest performances ever from Al Pacino and Meryl Streep.
7
‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Watchmen is the single greatest superhero television show because it wasn’t a straight-up adaptation of Alan Moore’s legendary graphic novel of the same name, but a continuation and reinterpretation that treated the original source material as the historical text for a modern story. Although Watchmen delved into some important aspects of American history, including the horrific destruction of “Black Wall Street” in the 1920s, it also tied back into the graphic novel in clever ways that offered new takes on some of the classic characters and images.
Every single episode of Watchmen is a masterpiece, with the black-and-white episode “This Extraordinary Being” being a standout because of the genius ways that it retold the origin story of “Hooded Justice,” a character who had been shrouded in mystery and subjected to fan theories ever since Moore created him in 1985.
6
‘John Adams’ (2008)
John Adams is a timeless American epic in which Paul Giamatti gives an amazing performance as the second President of the United States, who also helped to lead the fight for independence in the Continental Congress during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. Impressively, John Adams is able to cover an extraordinary amount of its subject’s life by exploring the consequences of the Boston Massacre, his role within the formation of the American Union, and his tenure as President and failed re-election.
John Adams offers a fair and balanced perspective on one of the greatest leaders in American history, but the story is more than just one man; Laura Linney gives an equally amazing performance as Abigail Adams, who both played an important role in the revolution and became her husband’s most trusted advisor throughout his political career.
5
‘The Young Pope’ (2017)
The Young Pope is a show that was ahead of its time, as it aired during a time in which the notion of the first American pope in history seemed like a novelty that would never happen. The series from master filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino examines the political game of chess that goes on behind the scenes in determining the makeup of the Catholic Church, offering a modern meditation on religion that is both thought-provoking and transgressive.
The Young Pope is a singular work of art of incredible imagination, and there simply isn’t another series that has such bold and exciting storytelling. Although it is arguably Sorrentino who has the strongest influence on the series because of his auteur sensibilities, Jude Law also gives one of the greatest performances of his career as a prickly character who ends up being surprisingly empathetic.
4
‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)
Station Eleven is another series that was ahead of its time, as it had already begun production by the time that the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world and forced society to remain insular. A series with subject material that is so dour had the possibility to be a completely hopeless experience, but Station Eleven is remarkably honest about humanity and uses its non-linear narrative techniques to show how the power of love reverberates across generations.
Station Eleven is powerful as an expression of how art has the power to heal, as it celebrates the art of storytelling through theater, music, writing, and visuals. While the series will certainly have power for those who have read the book and understand how clever it is as a feat of adaptation, it’s also a great work of psychological drama that doesn’t require preordained knowledge.
3
‘Show Me a Hero’ (2015)
Show Me a Hero is among the most underrated shows in the history of HBO, as it came from The Wire creator David Simon. Simon has often told stories about American politics and society, as he is a former journalist who spent over a decade writing about crime and events, and Show Me a Hero is a pitch-perfect deconstruction of legislative issues within mayoral infrastructure.
Show Me a Hero has a number of great performances, including Winona Ryder right before she got a comeback with Stranger Things, but the series is stolen by Oscar Isaac’s lead performance, which is one of the best of his entire career. Isaac has often been thought of as potentially being “the next Al Pacino” because of what a dynamic and engaging leading man he is, and Show Me a Hero offers evidence that this is definitely the case.
2
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
Chernobyl is a perfect, but completely brutal miniseries based on the horrific nuclear meltdown that caused significant environmental damage, signifying to the world that the price of lies was unsustainable. The series was developed by Craig Mazin, who would go on to develop the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us, and it earned high praise from scientists, historians, and survivors who were involved with the breakdown when it happened.
Chernobyl is a piece of history that comes to life because of how palpable it is emotionally, and how effectively Mazin explores the system of checks and balances that caused such a horrific event. While the sheer amount of disturbing content ensures that Chernobyl is by no means an easy series to watch, it offers insights that are so valuable that its importance as a historical landmark cannot be understated.
1
‘DTF St. Louis’ (2026)
DTF St. Louis is a show that probably only could have been made by HBO because it is equally funny, sad, and surprising without ever committing to just one genre. Creator Steven Conrad had a talent for writing offbeat stories about troubled people, and DTF St. Louis is a beguiling crime mystery that ends up being a powerful examination of middle-aged malaise and the silent battles people wage for their mental health.
DTF St. Louis is the rare show that can invoke both laughter and tears, as it includes both hilarious moments of raunchy comedy and overwhelmingly melancholy moments of human emotion. It’s a series that is made to be discussed and features a trio of excellent performances, and the fact that it is a limited event that does not have the possibility of a Season 2 makes its ending even more powerful.
DTF St. Louis
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Steve Conrad
- Directors
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Steven Conrad
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Stephen King has written books that have inspired several great films, but adapting his work to the small screen has been a greater challenge. King has such high-concept ideas that they require a true creative voice to interpret them, but streaming’s growing resources have allowed his work to find a home on the small screen. Hulu’s 11.22.63 is one of the most distinctive King adaptations ever because it offers far more substantial philosophy than what its premise might suggest. Although it has the trappings of a time-travel thriller and revolves around a famous political conspiracy, 11.22.63 is about the double-edged sword of changing history and how certain fates are unavoidable.
‘11.22.63’ Puts a Unique Spin on Political Drama
11.22.63 is based on King’s 2011 novel of the same name, and stars James Franco as English teacher Jake Epping, who learns through his friend Al Templeton (Chris Cooper) that it is possible to travel back in time via a portal to the events of October 21, 1960, which could allow him to reset history. Although Al is dying of cancer and unable to personally go through with the mission, he urges Jake to go back in time and spend several years in the ‘60s, where he would be able to stop Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber) from assassinating U.S. President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963. The process of actually changing the past has unexpected consequences, as even the smallest decisions can ripple through history in surprising ways.
King is a very savvy writer when it comes to worldbuilding, and 11.22.63 is a strong adaptation because it understands what to explain and what to leave ambiguous. Time travel’s existence is simply a conceit that has to be accepted in order for the story to work, and 11.22.63 doesn’t get too obsessed with trying to develop a scientific explanation that would only be more confusing. What is more important is the logic of this specific method of time travel, and the series makes the case for why Jake is the perfect candidate to go back in time and potentially offer the country a brighter future by saving Kennedy. He’s a man who doesn’t have a family and feels as if he no longer has an impact on the present, but could do good if allowed to start over. It’s an emotionally satisfying character arc because of the similarities between Jake and Al, who are both flawed men who have come to regret being frivolous with time; since Al cannot personally make use of his discovery, Jake is given the task of fulfilling his legacy.
11.22.63 is also successful as a time travel story because it goes to great lengths to replicate the ‘60s in terms of the aesthetics, culture, and relevant historical events. Jake is initially inspired by the optimism of an era in which patriotism and positivity were ample, but he slowly discovers that there was a lurking threat beneath the idealistic country that was always going to rear its ugly head, regardless of whether Kennedy was killed. It helps that the show gives Jake three years to learn and adjust to his new circumstances, and the series becomes more compelling when he is forced to choose where to focus his efforts. Since Jake is now changing the timeline, there is no guarantee that he has a present to return to.
‘11.22.63’ Is a Sci-Fi Story That Explores Themes of Fate
Although it has some of the most clever set pieces and historical analysis of any King adaptation, 11.22.63 stands out because of its love story. Once he’s stuck in the ‘60s, Jake falls for the librarian Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon). Despite knowing that he doesn’t actually belong in 1963, Jake feels their relationship is predestined when he saves Sadie from her abusive marriage to Johnny Clayton (T. R. Knight). It’s a reminder that saving the past is about more than just stopping a bullet, and that an act of kindness can have a substantial impact during an era where misogyny was rampant. This also provides an emotional justification for Jake’s involvement in the mission; while he intellectually understands that the world might be a better place if Kennedy could’ve served two terms, he also wants to make a better reality for Sadie in the immediate future.
11.22.63 is a densely packed, entertaining science fiction series that asks existential questions while also providing a compelling character story about recovering from trauma and heartbreak. King’s ability to capture a different era makes 11.22.63 timeless, which might explain why it has become such a streaming hit despite being a decade old at this point. The assassination of JFK is one of the most highly discussed events in American history, but King uses it as a springboard in 11.22.63 to question whether changing the past is a noble or dangerous endeavor.
Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema shared intimate details about her alleged affair with her married former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel.
“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California,” Sinema, 50, revealed during a July 31 deposition, per People. “We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex.”
Sinema was deposed in July as part of a lawsuit filed by Matthew’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, under North Carolina’s alienation of affection law — which states that someone can be sued for intentionally destroying a marriage. Heather is seeking $75,000 in damages.
The former Arizona senator has tried to dismiss the suit, arguing that the alleged affair did not actually take place in North Carolina, where the Ammels lived.
President Donald Trump took to social media to praise a mystery “daughter,” sparking online confusion. “Great daughter. My Honor!!!” Trump, 80, wrote via Truth Social on Saturday, June 20, sharing a photo of a woman who was not either one of his daughters, Ivanka Trump or Tiffany Trump. He signed off the post with his […]
As part of July’s deposition, Sinema acknowledged under oath that she was first intimate with Matthew in Napa, California, around Memorial Day in 2024.
She said that they later met up one month later in New York City while she was in town for a wedding. While they had separate hotel rooms, Sinema recalled that she was “intimate” with Matthew in her room.
Per the former senator, they met on more occasions between July and October 2024 at her Washington, D.C., apartment and at her home in Phoenix, and they also took a trip to Aspen.
During the deposition, she was shown a text message she allegedly wrote to Matthew in October 2024, which read, “Putting my hand on my heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you.”
The opposing attorney asked Sinema whether she could understand why “a wife reading this might get concerned about who is sending her husband that kind of message.”
“Yes,” she replied.
Us had reached out to Sinema for comment.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Alex Wong/Getty Images
Sinema first conceded she’d had an affair with her married bodyguard in March as part of a motion to have Heather’s lawsuit thrown out. The politician has acknowledged that she knew Matthew was married when they were seeing each other.
Heather filed her lawsuit last year, arguing that Sinema intentionally interfered in “a good and loving marriage” where there was “genuine love and affection,” per CBS News. Her lawsuit hinges on her contention that Sinema made calls and sent texts to Matthew while she knew he was in North Carolina with his wife and their children.
Sinema’s attorneys denied Heather’s accusation, insisting she only communicated with Matthew while he was in North Carolina “when the marriage was already over.”
“[Sinema’s] conduct related to her romantic relationship with Mr. Ammel does not connect her to North Carolina in a meaningful way,” Sinema’s attorney Steven Epstein wrote in March.
Sinema reportedly hired Matthew as her head of security after he retired from the U.S. Army in 2022. Two years later, Heather allegedly found messages of a “romantic and lascivious nature” between Sinema and Matthew on the Signal app.
President Donald Trump’s recent exit out of Turkey was allegedly much more than just an ordinary travel day. According to multiple reports, Trump, 80, secretly slipped out of Turkey in July on an alternate military plane, which he boarded while hidden inside a catering truck. (The White House previously stated he was aboard Air Force […]
An evidentiary hearing in the case will take place on Wednesday, August 19. (The suit was initially filed in North Carolina state court but has since moved to federal court.)
From 2013 to 2019, Sinema represented Arizona’s 9th district in the House of Representatives before serving one term in the U.S. Senate, from 2019 to 2025. Sinema caused controversy during her single Senate term by leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent in December 2022.
Sinema announced in March 2024 that she would not run for re-election. (Democrat Ruben Gallego won Sinema’s vacant Senate seat by defeating Donald Trump ally Kari Lake in the November 2024 election.)
“Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year,” she said at the time.
Sinema now works as a senior adviser for Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.
It is sad to see, but physical video games are slowly dying, especially with the recent announcement that PlayStation will be moving away from physical releases in general. While fans are encouraged to buy physical games like Red Dead Redemption 2, the convenience of digital is hard to pass up. Everyone has their preference, but sometimes, games can only be bought digitally.
Whether it be through Steam, Epic Games, or on a console store page, fans can buy the digital version of almost any game. That is why this list will feature the ten greatest digital-exclusive video games right now based on trends, popularity, critical acclaim, design, narrative, visuals, originality, fan opinion, and overall quality. None of the games featured have a physical version, but they are still must-play titles.
‘Cairn’ (2026)
A lot of the games on this list will be indie titles since it is rare for a AAA game to only be digital, and one of the best indie releases this year was Cairn. Controlling a mountaineer named Aava, players control each individual limb to be the first person to climb the ominous and mysterious Mount Kami, which has made victims of everyone who has attempted to conquer it.
The grueling controls make the climb up the mountain even more challenging. However, it’s also quite immersive, never letting players get away with an easy time. Cairn takes it a step further by including resource management, giving it a more authentic feel. This video game has worldbuilding, fun gameplay, and offers a true challenge for those willing to take the risk.
‘Pokémon Champions’ (2026)
Pokémon already had one best-selling spin-off come out in 2026, but while that has a physical edition, Pokémon Champions does not. Reminiscent of old N64 and GameCube spin-offs, this game is free to play and lets players choose from a select roster of Pokémon and battle it out in an arena-based fighting game.
This turn-based strategic battler is solely focused on competitive multiplayer fights, ignoring the usual RPG elements in favor of pure battling fun. Pokémon Champions is the perfect game for players wanting a little extra Pokémon duels outside the mainline experience. Each match feels like a riveting new video game boss fight where players can test their skills and strategy against other gamers.
‘Marathon’ (2026)
There is an endless supply of free-to-play first-person shooters out there, most of which are digital exclusives, and the best new one of 2026 to play right now is Marathon. Taking place in a colony far in the future, players are characters called Runners who are tasked with taking down rival Runners to steal ancient artifacts while also dealing with aliens.
After years of updating Destiny 2, Bungie returned to this IP to bring back one of the best modern-day shooters. The extraction gameplay is just similar enough and just different enough to land in a particular niche of shooting games, not to mention the sharp gunplay and striking visuals make it a dazzling new game that more fans need to experience.
‘Palworld’ (2024/2026)
Pokémon Champions is one of the franchise’s best new spin-offs, but for players who don’t have a Nintendo Switch, the next best alternative is Palworld. Gamers are stranded on the Palpagos Islands, where they must build bases, catch pals, and survive the harsh conditions while also learning about the dark mystery behind the island.
Palworld has been hit with some legal troubles and criticism from fans claiming it is a rip-off. And while some of the designs look exactly like Pokémon, it is different enough to stand on its own. The game recently released its 1.0 version, meaning there is even more to do. Palworld is Pokémon with base building, resource management, bigger boss fights, and gunplay, creating a wild experience that has taken the world by storm.
‘Marvel Rivals’ (2024)
While a lot of the best digitally exclusive video games right now are usually from this year, some games remain forever enjoyable, like Marvel Rivals, which came out in 2024. In this hero-based arena shooter, players choose from a selection of Marvel heroes and villains to battle it out for supremacy in a war between Doctor Doom and his future counterpart from 2099.
Marvel Rivals retains its player base with new characters and skins being continuously added on top of its addictive gameplay and assortment of beloved fighters. Marvel fans love it for the style, and gamers love it for the gameplay, which adds an extra layer through team-up abilities. Since it is free to play, Marvel Rivals is a definitive digital experience that fans can spend endless hours in.
‘Subnautica 2’ (2026)
Subnautica was a fabulous open-world deep-sea explorer, but it also had a physical release. However, that isn’t the case for Subnautica 2, which released its digital version in 2026. When a group of players lands on the underwater planet of Proteus to learn about the disappearance of some colonists, they need to track down the recordings to find them, as well as repair a power plant to learn more about the planet.
Subnautica 2 is only in its early access state, meaning there will be more to do in the future, and that this is just the early stage of the game. However, it is also a fantastic experience that elevates the typical underwater exploration with multiplayer, bringing gamers together to experience the wonder and scariness of the ocean floor. With one of the best worlds in video games, exploring is an absolute delight, and gamers can’t wait for what is in store when Subnautica 2 fully releases.
‘Mewgenics’ (2026)
It may have taken a long time to release, but after 13 years, Mewgenics is finally out, and it is already one of the best games of the year. Players breed different types of cats to create their perfect specimen with whatever traits they want. Gamers then send them out into procedurally generated turn-based combat to test their strength.
Mewgenics is one of the most unique recent video games, and for fans of turn-based RPGs, this is a must-play. Maybe it isn’t deserving of being on this list since there is a physical version confirmed for the future, but for the time being, Mewgenics is a digital exclusive. The complex breeding system offers emergent gameplay and systemic moments that keep each round fresh and innovative.
‘Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green’ (2004/2026)
Pokémon and Pokémon-adjacent video games are popular right now because, after a spin-off and an inspired game, the next entry on this list is Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green. This remake of the original game has players traveling around the Kanto region collecting gym badges while also battling Team Rocket and foiling their evil plans, leading into the player’s main goal of defeating the Champion.
This is a tricky game to include because it came out two decades ago through a physical format. However, Nintendo released Fire Red and Leaf Green on the Nintendo eShop in 2026, and there is no legitimate way to buy the old physical copies, meaning they are eligible for this list. The original was one of the best-selling video games ever, and this port is already selling like hotcakes, proving that fans want to re-experience OG Pokémon.
‘Meccha Chameleon’ (2026)
There is always a trendy video game that comes out every year which is cheap, fun to play, everyone plays it for months, and then it dies. While the last has yet to happen, Meccha Chameleon seems to be the hit trend of 2026. In it, a group of players is sent out into a world to hide, being able to paint themselves to blend in. A hunter is then set free to find the painted hiders in one of the most fun games of hide-and-seek.
Meccha Chameleon is the must-play game of summer 2026, reeling in millions of fans with its addictive gameplay that try-hards and casuals will both enjoy. This silly game has excellent replay value because each map has hundreds of new spots, and with fan-made maps, there are endless opportunities. Meccha Chameleon is an affordable game that players can sink hours into, proving it is the hit video game right now that is only available digitally.
‘Mixtape’ (2026)
Most of the big games that could earn a Game of the Year nomination are also on physical discs, but there is usually an indie game nominated, and the best bet so far to fill that spot is Mixtape. On the final night before high school ends, three friends reminisce about their best memories while planning to make a night they don’t forget.
Some gamers weren’t fans of the gameplay, mainly because it is a narrative-focused game without many specific inputs to control. However, the charm in this game lies in its fun micro-mechanics and nostalgic vibe that portrays a bittersweet feeling of highs and lows of youth. Mixtape features a gorgeous playlist and inventive mechanics that enhance the coming-of-age narrative, making it one of the best video games of the year so far.
Since the days of Ancient Greece, many works of literature have aspired to take their readers on painful emotional journeys, a symbolic purgation of emotion that Aristotle called catharsis. Despite the thousands of years that have passed since then, the idea has stayed firmly planted in our cultural consciousness, and there’s no denying the fact that we all enjoy a powerful, heartbreaking read every once in a while. Over the years, there have been plenty of books that fit the bill, including both those drawn on personal experiences and stories of fiction that nonetheless evoke the same emotion.
From stories set against the backdrop of horrific events to more personal tragedies rooted in everyday pain, these heartbreaking books seek out the uncomfortable and even traumatic and transform them into something uplifting, inspiring, and beautiful. In the process, they’ve also earned widespread acclaim and sold millions of copies around the world, earning their places in both our libraries and the bestseller lists. So, if you’re in the mood for a read that will truly shatter your heart in the best ways possible, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover our ranked selection of the most heartbreaking books of all time, including both modern hits and timeless classics.
7
‘The Fault in Our Stars’ (2014)
John Green’s fourth solo novel, The Fault in Our Stars is a tragic young adult romance novel that centers on 16-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster, who suffers from thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Forced to attend a support group by her parents, Hazel meets and falls in love with 17-year-old cancer survivor Augustus Waters. Bonding over their shared love of books, the two plan a trip to Amsterdam to meet the author of their favorite novel.
A best-selling book that broke the hearts of a whole generation of fans, The Fault in Our Stars is both bitterly tragic and a life-affirming coming-of-age story. Sweet, funny, and often melancholic, the novel lives and breathes with its characters, who are easily among Green’s most endearing. Arguably the author’s best book, The Fault in Our Stars was adapted as a 2014 feature film directed by Josh Boone and starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, which was similarly successful.
6
‘The Song of Achilles’ (2011)
Written by Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles is a reimagining of Homer’s Iliad, approaching the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus. The book recounts Patroclus’s early life, his initial encounter with Achilles, the development of their relationship, and their exploits during the war. Though largely inspired by the Iliad, the novel also draws from other sources and makes a few changes to the original mythology.
Published in 2011, The Song of Achilles was well-received by critics and awarded the Orange Prize for Fiction, but it’s only in the 2020s that the book became a major bestseller. With over 2 million copies sold across formats, the novel is a highly popular and influential take on the romance of Achilles and Patroclus, capturing deep emotion in their fate-crossed story. It’s painful and tragic, but also deeply poetic, and a brilliant read overall.
5
‘The Book Thief’ (2005)
Written by Australian author Markus Zusak, The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel that follows the adventures of a young girl in Nazi Germany. The story is narrated by Death, who reveals the story of Liesel Meminger, who lives with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann and, recognizing the power of literature, begins to steal books to read. As bombs fall around her and she loses all the people she knew and loved, Liesel’s love of reading and writing carries her to the very end of her life, when she finally speaks with Death.
First published in 2005, The Book Thief is an acclaimed international bestseller that has sold over 17 million copies around the world and inspired countless readers with its powerful story. It unravels a deeply moving narrative with themes of death, love, and the value of sharing stories — one that’s sure to resonate with any lover of literature and break the hearts of plenty more as well. A feature film based on the novel was released in 2013, and the book has also inspired a musical.
4
‘Hamnet’ (2020)
Written by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet is a work of historical fiction that presents a fictional account of the death of its titular character, the son of William Shakespeare and Agnes Hathaway. Focusing primarily on Agnes, the novel chronicles the couple’s meeting, courtship, marriage, and other events leading up to the death of their only son. From there, it explores the fracturing of their relationship amid overwhelming grief, culminating years later when Shakespeare stages a new play called Hamlet.
Combining known facts of the legendary playwright’s life with fiction, Hamnet is a book about the untold history of grief. Charged with emotion and intensely cathartic, the novel explores a key moment in the Bard’s life that is known of but not known about, filling in the gaps with imagination and a touch of literary magic. The novel received several accolades when it was published in 2020 and was adapted as an Oscar-winning film directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
3
‘Kafka on the Shore’ (2002)
Written by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore is a magical realist novel that follows the stories of young runaway Kafka Tamura and elderly, mentally disabled man Satoru Nakata. Cursed by his father, Kafka leaves Tokyo for Shikoku, experiencing a series of surreal events along the way. Meanwhile, Nakata, who possesses the ability to talk to cats, finds himself called on a quest that takes him far away from his home, guided by the universe and an ineffable force.
First published in 2002 and translated into English in 2005, Kafka on the Shore is a highly acclaimed and award-winning novel that has inspired generations of readers. The book isn’t heartbreaking the same way many of the other entries on this list are. However, there is a pervasive sense of melancholy that suffuses the narrative, balanced by its meditations on metaphysics, philosophy, and fate, as well as its surprising sense of humor. The novel is many things to many people; it’s transformative, cathartic, spiritual, sexual, satirical, and yes, heartbreaking, all at the same time.
2
‘And the Mountains Echoed’ (2013)
The third novel written by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed chronicles the lives of multiple characters living in and around Kabul, Afghanistan. The book primarily follows the story of 10-year-old Abdullah and his younger sister Pari, whose lives take them oceans apart, touching the lives of many others along the way. The novel is a departure from Hosseini’s previous books, which follow a more traditional narrative, but features similar themes of family and loss.
Using sibling relationships as a consistent theme, And the Mountains Echoed takes readers through a series of human and realistic stories, each with its own complexity, and paints an overall picture of Afghanistan, identity, and transformation. It’s a powerful, engrossing novel that’s been critically acclaimed and has sold millions of copies around the world. Though relatively underrated compared to Hosseini’s previous work, And the Mountains Echoed is an experience that’s both deeply painful and yet overflowing with love.
1
‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ (1947)
Commonly called The Diary of Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl is a book that’s practically synonymous with its young author. A German-born Jewish girl who lived in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation, Anne Frank was captured and sent to a concentration camp, where she died at the age of 15. The book collects writings from her diary, written during her two years in hiding and given to her father, Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the family, at the end of World War II.
To say that The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the most heartbreaking books ever written would be an understatement. The book captures the daily thoughts and life of its young author as she lives through one of humanity’s darkest chapters, chronicling her search for friendship, her inner development, and her enduring hope in the face of unspeakable horror. The book has been critically and popularly acclaimed ever since it was first published in 1947, and it continues to break the hearts of millions around the world today.
The Diary of Anne Frank
- Release Date
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August 19, 1995
- Runtime
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102 Minutes
- Director
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Akinori Nagaoka
- Writers
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Hachirô Konno, Roger Pulvers
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Reina Takahashi
Anne Frank
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Jiro Sakagami
Hermann van Daan
It truly has been an excellent year for horror. Whether it’s Nia DaCosta’s masterpiece 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Sam Raimi‘s long-awaited return to the genre with Send Help, or a lore-expanding slasher sequel in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, there’s been something for every horror fan. But the horror headlines have been stolen by director Curry Barker‘s indie breakout Obsession, which defied all expectations by turning a budget of less than $1 million into almost half a million at the box office.
But this great year for horror isn’t without its hiccups. Perhaps the most egregious release so far in 2026 is The Strangers: Chapter 3, which debuted in February and only managed four weeks in theaters and a haul of just $11 million worldwide. Called “an odd attempt to expand this world in an irritating way that couldn’t be further away from what makes this series great,” in Ross Bonaime’s review for Collider, the film capped off a terrible modern horror trilogy that received unanimously poor reviews across the board.
That being said, its fortunes on streaming have proven much more positive. The Strangers: Chapter 2, the 2025 second in a trilogy based on the 2008 original, is currently one of the most-watched movies on HBO Max in the U.S. The sequel stars Madelaine Petsch, alongside returnees Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath, and is directed by Renny Harlin of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and Exorcist: The Beginning fame. The Strangers: Chapter 2 is the third-most-watched movie on HBO Max, behind the second-placed fantasy disappointment Mortal Kombat II, and Zendaya and Robert Pattinson‘s The Drama, which tops the charts.
What Did Critics Say About ‘The Strangers: Chapter 2’?
After the first in the trilogy was universally panned by both critics and audiences, Chapter 2 didn’t exactly have a lot to live up to. Alas, it couldn’t even reach the lowest of bars, scoring just 21% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Ross Bonaime gave the film just 2/10 in his review, writing, “The Strangers: Chapter 2 is an exhausting bastardization of where this story began in 2008.” He continued, “No one seems to remember why The Strangers worked, and instead, tries to water this concept down with terrible pacing, villain (and boar) origins, and extremely stupid choices made at every turn.”
The Strangers: Chapter 2 is streaming now. Stay tuned to Collider for more stories.
- Release Date
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September 26, 2025
- Runtime
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98 Minutes
- Director
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Renny Harlin
- Writers
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Alan Freedland, Alan R. Cohen
- Producers
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Courtney Solomon, Jeremy Alter, Brian Pitt, Gary Raskin, Christopher Milburn, Charlie Dombek, Mark Canton, Alastair Burlingham
When you hear the term “military thriller,” you probably imagine a big budget, tons of open warfare, scale, violence, you name it, but it’s not always the case. Sometimes all they need is a tense rescue mission, a ticking clock, and a man in the chair with more gravitas than a movie like this actually would ever need.
That’s exactly what Land of Bad delivers. After earning solid word of mouth during its theatrical run, the action thriller has found an even bigger audience on streaming, becoming one of the genre’s latest success stories, and it has recently been charting globally. When a Delta Force special ops mission goes terribly wrong, Air Force drone pilot Captain Eddie “Reaper” Grimm has only 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. Teaming with Sergeant JJ “Playboy” Kinney, a young Air Force JTAC thrust into the mission unexpectedly, Reaper uses the only weapon he can from thousands of miles away: an unmanned Reaper drone.
The cast includes Liam Hemsworth (The Witcher) as Kinney, Russell Crowe (Gladiator) as Eddie Grimm, Luke Hemsworth (Westworld) as Abel, Ricky Whittle (American Gods) as Bishop, Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) as Sugar, Daniel MacPherson (Foundation) as Colonel Duz Packett, and Chika Ikogwe (Heartbreak High) as Staff Sergeant Nia Branson.
Was ‘Land of Bad’ a Success?
Land of Bad is one of those movies that was almost designed in a lab to do well on streaming, rather than in the multiplexes. It cost around $18 million to make, and went on to gross over $22 million worldwide. So obviously, not a huge hit, but then when it went onto streaming, that’s when things really took off. The movie managed to find a significantly larger audience through premium video-on-demand and streaming.
While critics were somewhat divided, audiences responded far more enthusiastically, praising its practical action, grounded military realism and Crowe’s commanding supporting performance. The film has a 66% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but audience response was much higher, sitting at 93%. Probably because it’s a simple enough story, and it’s well-made with actors who aren’t just phoning it in. It’s truly the perfect Saturday night movie if you want to find something easy to check out.
Land of Bad is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest updates on streaming.
- Release Date
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February 16, 2024
- Runtime
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113 Minutes
Joel Kinnaman has quietly built one of the strongest action résumés of his generation. Between RoboCop, Suicide Squad, Altered Carbon and Silent Night, he’s become exceptionally good at playing men who look like they’ve been punched by life several times before the movie’s even started properly, but this one might be one of the best examples of this particular trope.
The Informer, which has recently been charting globally, was released internationally in 2019 before reaching American audiences the following year, but it largely disappeared without making much noise theatrically. Streaming has given it a much better second life, as it’s done to so many underappreciated movies. The Kin (okay, that’s not his nickname) plays Pete Koslow, a former Special Operations soldier and convicted criminal who becomes an informant for the FBI in an attempt to infiltrate the Polish mafia’s drug operation in New York City.
But when an undercover cop gets killed during a botched operation, Pete ends up trapped between federal agents, organized crime and the NYPD, so he puts himself back in prison to try and infiltrate the cartel from the inside. Seems like a perfectly safe idea that couldn’t possibly go wrong in any way, right?
The movie also stars Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) as Erica Wilcox, Common (Silo) as Edward Grens, Ana de Armas (Ballerina) as Sofia Koslow, Clive Owen (Children of Men) as Keith Montgomery, Mateusz Kościukiewicz as Staszek Cusik, and Sam Spruell (Fargo) as Slewitt.
Was ‘The Informer’ a Success?
The Informer suffered badly at the box office. The film reportedly carried a substantial $60 million production budget but earned only around $2.9 million worldwide, making it a major commercial disappointment. The film had something of a fractured international release and then a limited roll-out in the United States, which obviously didn’t help matters. After all, how can you gain an audience when you’ve probably got about 40 screenings across an entire country. Critical reception was mixed, with 62% of Rotten Tomatoes critics giving the film a positive review, while audience response was almost identical at 63%.
The Informer is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the United States, including Prime Video with Ads. It is also available through Starz, YouTube TV, and select Amazon channels, while digital rentals and purchases are available through Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
- Release Date
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August 30, 2019
- Runtime
-
109 minutes
- Producers
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Basil Iwanyk, Gabriel Napora, Yas Taalat, Andrea Scarso, Anders Erdén, Vishal Rungta, Simon Williams, Niclas Salomonsson, Lee Broda, Mark Lane, Jeff Rice, Shelley Browning, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Shaun S. Sanghani, Jonathan Fuhrman, James Harris, Erica Lee, Ollie Madden, Robert Jones
Entertainment
The Superhero Blockbuster Robert Downey Jr. Called “the Best Marvel Movie” Is a Hit Ahead of ‘Doomsday’
Have you heard of Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Following their performances in Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic The Odyssey, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Bernthal delivered this summer’s other big blockbuster, which has so far smashed all expectations and several important box office records. Having undeniably rectified the mistakes of the MCU in 2025, Brand New Day is the latest feature step on the road to Avengers: Doomsday, which debuts on December 18, the same day as Dune: Part Three.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo face an enormous task trying to give all the names involved in Doomsday the right amount of screen time. The headline name is Robert Downey Jr., who makes his return to the MCU as the villainous Doctor Doom in a controversial casting choice. Marvel’s First Family (Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are expected to play a huge role in the blockbuster, which also includes MCU favorites such as Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, and Tom Hiddleston, and even a selection of Noughties X-Men favorites in Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, and James Marsden.
Ahead of Doomsday, and likely inspired by the success of Brand New Day, the most divisive Avengers movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron, is back on the streaming charts. At the time of writing, Age of Ultron is one of the ten most-watched movies on Disney+ in the U.S. The sequel to the hugely successful 2012 Avengers movie, which added James Spader as the titular Ultron, the film was dubbed “the best Marvel movie” by Downey Jr. in an interview ahead of its release.
How Much Did ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Make at the Box Office?
When comparing the film to the recent Brand New Day, you would be forgiven for thinking Age of Ultron underwhelmed at the box office. Against an eye-watering budget of $365 million, it became the 19th highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, scoring almost $1.4 billion in global revenue. The movie opened in May 2015, scoring more than 30x the total of the second-placed Furious 7.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is one of the ten most-watched movies on Disney+ in the U.S. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming stories.
- Release Date
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May 1, 2015
- Runtime
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141 minutes
- Director
-
Joss Whedon
- Writers
-
Joss Whedon
- Producers
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Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Stan Lee, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham
Sometimes simplicity is all you really need for a movie to entertain you. Who really needs a complex plot when you’ve got a warehouse, a gun deal, and 90 minutes to fill? This movie takes that brilliantly simple premise and stretches it into one of the most entertaining action comedies of the last decade. Think Reservoir Dogs if John Wick showed up and decided to shoot absolutely everybody involved in the film’s production for a full hour and a half.
Free Fire — directed by Ben Wheatley, who, somehow, ended up directing a sequel to The Meg — never became the breakout hit its cast and its potential suggested it might do back in 2017. However, streaming has been much kinder to it, which is probably why it has recently been charting globally.
The movie, set in 1978 Boston, follows a pair of criminal groups who meet up to do an arms deal inside an abandoned warehouse but, wouldn’t you know it, everybody betrays everybody else, and then they are truly up sh*t’s creek without a paddle. The official synopsis states:
“Bold, breathless and wickedly fun, Free Fire is an electrifying comedy-thriller about an arms deal that goes spectacularly and explosively wrong. Acclaimed filmmaker Ben Wheatley propels the audience head-long into quite possibly the most epic shootout ever seen on film as he crafts a spectacular parody—and biting critique—of the insanity of gun violence. Everyone’s got a gun, and absolutely no one is in control.”
The film stars Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) as Chris, Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) as Justine, Sharlto Copley (District 9) as Vernon, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Ord, Jack Reynor (Midsommar) as Harry, Sam Riley (Control) as Stevo, Michael Smiley (Luther) as Frank, and Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones) as Gordon.
Was ‘Free Fire’ a Success?
Unfortunately, the movie was a huge bust at the box office. The film only managed to earn around $3.8 million worldwide against a production budget of around $10 million, meaning its theatrical run never came close to recouping its costs. On the plus side, critics were into it, and the film holds a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score, with reviewers generally praising its energetic performances, dialogue and commitment to putting on as loud and flashy a shootout as possible. It’s the kind of film that’s not destined to do well on the big screen, but for streaming? Dive in.
Free Fire is currently streaming on Netflix and Netflix’s ad-supported tier in the United States. It can also be watched for free with ads through services including Tubi, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, YouTube Free, and Xumo Play.
- Release Date
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March 31, 2017
- Runtime
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90 minutes
Of all the returning shows in 2026, from Netflix’s flagship romance series Bridgerton to Prime Video‘s best ass-kicking action series Reacher, there is perhaps none more exciting than the long-awaited return to AFC Richmond in everyone’s favorite heartwarming sports series, Ted Lasso. Apple TV’s most famous series that once solidified them as a major player in the streaming wars was seemingly over in 2023, when Ted’s (Jason Sudeikis) time as coach at AFC Richmond came to an end as he made the tough decision to return to Kansas to spend more time with his son.
But how would the show return? Is there a way of coaxing Ted back to London that wouldn’t ruin the touching ending of Season 3? On August 5, Season 4 of Ted Lasso began with the titular soccer coach working as a part-time grocery store assistant and full-time father in Kansas. However, Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), and Hannah Waddingham‘s Rebecca Welton have other ideas, as they fly to the States to try and encourage Ted back to AFC Richmond to take over the brand-new women’s team, The Lady Greyhounds.
Apple TV, which rarely announces its viewership data, was proud to confirm in the past couple of days that the Season 4 premiere drew 296.6 million views during its first two days on streaming, including over 200 million minutes watched alone during its first day on the platform. These are record-breaking figures for Apple TV, marking its biggest streaming launch in history. Unsurprisingly, at the time of writing, the series is the most-watched show on Apple TV both in the U.S. and around the world.
What Have Critics Said About ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4?
After what felt like the perfect ending in 2023, many were skeptical of how Apple TV would pull off the return of Ted Lasso. So far, the viewing figures have been impressive, but how have critics reacted? On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the fourth season has so far earned a strong average rating of 90%, which is a 9% increase on Season 3. Collider’s Tania Hussain praised the show for being able to “move forward without losing what made it special” in her review, awarding a positive 7/10 score.
Ted Lasso Season 4 airs weekly on Apple TV. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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August 14, 2020
- Network
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Apple TV
- Directors
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Declan Lowney, MJ Delaney, Erica Dunton, Matt Lipsey
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