Liza Minnelli has opened up about the events that led to her first seeking professional help for addiction issues in 1984.

“In Manhattan, I had favorite bars where bartenders were happy to serve me any hour I showed up. I had boxes of pills and bottles of booze stashed away in my co-op apartment. With no one watching, I self-medicated myself to foggy perfection, to a place where I felt nothing or no one could hurt me,” the iconic performer, 80, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 18.

Her post, accompanied by a photo of herself looking drawn and sweaty on a couch at the time, further reflected on her return from New York City to Los Angeles after finding fame. “Now, in California, I got lost in the same fog. It was the same old bulls***, this time with more sunshine. That’s one of the reasons I checked into rehab as quickly as I did. I was out of options,” she confessed.

The Los Angeles-born Cabaret star, who is the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, recounted her experiences after initially sharing details of the time in her March memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!. The Instagram post noted that her first rehab stay at Los Angeles’ Betty Ford Center saw her “f***king scared to death” ahead of checking into the facility.

“I thank my amazing sister [Lorna Luft] who had to buy me a hot dog to get me on board Frank Sinatra’s private jet for my first rehab visit,” Minnelli’s Instagram post continued. “Lorna, how the hell did you put up with me? My brother from another mother Michael Feinstein and his husband, Terrence Flannery, and my Dr. Lawrence D. Piro who refused to buy my Oscar worthy performances for drugs that could kill me … these four are the quartet that truly saved my life.”

Minnelli, who went to rehab multiple times over the years to treat addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs including Valium, said she hit rock bottom after getting familiar with the wrong type of crowd.

“In New York, I had surrounded myself with people who, at worst, encouraged me to use drugs, or, at best, didn’t encourage me to stop,” she wrote via Instagram. “I was equally irresponsible with money. If someone admired something I had, something I wore, I simply gave it away. I may have felt guilty about the ease with which money came to me and never bothered to think about what would happen when I wasn’t touring the world, singing my songs. Not smart.”

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Related: Liza Minnelli Says Mom Judy Garland Was a ‘Challenging’ Part of Childhood

Liza Minnelli called her mother, Judy Garland, the “most challenging” part of her childhood. “My mother was fascinating because she knew so many fascinating people who would come over,” Minnelli, 78, said in an Interview magazine profile published Wednesday, October 16. She also spoke about her father, Vincente Minnelli, referring to him as the “most […]

Her final rehab stint, in 2015 at a facility in Malibu, California, is attributed as the place where she achieved long-lasting sobriety. In her memoir, she described her final stint as a wake-up call, writing that she “realized maybe my nine lives were up.”

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Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! delved into Minnelli’s complicated relationship with Garland, who died in 1969 at the age of 47 from an accidental barbiturate overdose. (Barbiturates are a class of depressant drugs created from barbituric acid, per the Cleveland Clinic.)

“At 13, I was my mother’s caretaker — a nurse, doctor, pharmacologist and psychiatrist rolled into one. It was a crazy balancing act,” she wrote in her book of the “nightmare” situation. “I lost count of the times I called doctors to say she’d run out of pills. They often told me they couldn’t give her another prescription. It was too soon. I’d say: ‘I’m a kid! Please fill my mama’s prescription!’”

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). If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

The Harry Potter franchise, as many already know, began as a series of young adult low fantasy books. Eventually, they took the world by storm and sold millions and millions of copies, eventually spawning a multi-billion-dollar movie franchise, a line of official toys and merchandise, a theme park at Universal Studios, an HBO original series, and a tie-in series of video games.

It’s one of the largest multimedia empires in the world, with young people continuing to find its story captivating almost 30 years later. When it comes to the video games, some of these are spin-offs, separate from the original books and films, whereas others are direct adaptations of the movies; not every one of them is a bad adaptation, as many movie-licensed games are. Whichever category they fall into, these are the best Harry Potter video games ever made. For the purposes of this list, mobile games will not be included—PC and console only.

10

‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire takes a rare approach that most of the other movie-licensed titles don’t: it is level-based rather than open-world. What this means is that the gameplay is also more action-oriented and less puzzle-intensive than the previous entries in the series. The fact that there were levels instead of an open world also meant that the developers could get a little more creative in their design, with a few levels having a totally different gameplay style.

There are various enemies in the game, mostly magical creatures, all of which need particular spells or have specific ways in which they need to be defeated, meaning even the standard levels are far from repetitive. This game also allows players to choose their character between Harry, Ron, or Hermione, rather than limiting them to just Harry. Even though it’s a perfectly fine effort, it still had a lot that it was lacking, much like the film.

9

‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)

Image via Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban served as the foundation for what Goblet of Fire became, except it actually does a much better job of things. Fundamentally, the gameplay is pretty similar. It’s level-based rather than open-world, though the perspective is much different. Rather than the zoomed-out perspective of Goblet of Fire, the camera is much closer to the characters and is a more traditional “over-the-shoulder” view, which helps a lot, as the camera in Goblet of Fire could be kind of janky at times.

This game is also a little less action-oriented. There are some action sequences, sure, but there are also detective sections, puzzles, and boss fights. Heck, the GBA version of the game was literally an RPG, if you can believe that. Like Goblet of Fire, the game allows players to choose between any member of the Golden Trio, being the first in the series to do so. It’s a little closer to the books than the movies, but it still does a fine job. While it’s above average at best, fans still like returning to the game every so often.

8

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)

Image via EA

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is based on the first movie, though it takes more inspiration from the book. It should be noted, though, that the PC version of this game specifically is the only good one. The original PS1 game is sluggish and heinously ugly, to the point that it got the meme treatment. There was also a fairly different version that came out in 2003 for consoles, but this wasn’t all that great, either.

Hogwarts Castle is sort of open-ended but severely limited by the technology of the time, so don’t expect a sprawling open-world map. That said, this PC version is still a nostalgic piece of video game history for Potter fans who grew up with the saga, one that players still find themselves coming back to from time to time.

7

‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ (2007)

Image via Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix brought in a new style of gameplay that was more open-ended than previous entries. The game expanded Hogwarts Castle, creating a near-perfect replica of the one from the movies, and making it completely accessible to players. It also added a climbing mechanic, where Harry can clamber up pipes or ladders, accessing new heights and providing new points of view.

The game also came with a surprising amount of side quests, mostly involving recruiting students for Dumbledore’s Army. A lot of book characters who don’t otherwise show up in the movies are present, and some characters even make a return, such as a more grown-up version of Colin Creevey. The combat is a little bit slow and sluggish, restricted to one-on-one duels, but overall, it’s a solid game that’s lots of fun for fans.

6

‘Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions’ (2024)

Image via Warner Bros. Games

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a sports game that’s all about Quidditch, believe it or not. The game provides an immersive, authentic Quidditch experience that begins with customizing your character. Once that’s done, you get to choose your position, either as a Chaser, Beater, Keeper, or Seeker, each one with a unique style of play. Though you’re not strictly limited to anything, as you can also play as various characters from the franchise.

Since it’s a sports game, it is primarily focused on multiplayer. It was booming when it first came out, but is sadly pretty dead nowadays. Single-player is still available, however, involving the use of bots or the “Broomstick Adventures” mode. The game did have some flaws, most notably the fact that it took several departures from the actual rules of Quidditch in an effort to balance things out. For example, catching the Golden Snitch does not end the game and only gives 30 points instead of the usual 150. To be honest though, the changes are fair, because otherwise it would effectively win the game automatically for the team that catches it. In any event, it’s an entertaining sports game that was pretty solid all around.

5

‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ (2009)

Image via Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is definitely one of the better games in the movie-licensed line. Truth be told, most of them are good enough, but this one just hits different. It’s built on the foundations of Order of the Phoenix, only everything is improved upon. The combat is smoother and quicker, and it even comes with a co-op duelling mode. Plus, there’s an added potion-brewing mechanic, a minigame involving adding ingredients, stirring, and heating as per the instructions given. Each potion has different ingredients, too, so it’s consistently interesting.

Aside from the potions and the combat, the open world itself is by and large the most comprehensive and detailed map of the movie version of Hogwarts. It’s really well done, mainly because it lets players see how recognizable sites like the Great Hall, the Viaduct, and the Astronomy Tower all fit in together. There are also secret passages to unlock and a ton of collectibles to find, which keeps things entertaining. It’s actually a very fun game, even if it does have its shortcomings.

4

‘Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup’ (2003)

Image via EA

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup is another sports game that does a better job of things than Quidditch Champions. Funnily enough, Quidditch Champions was actually intended to function as a sort of sequel to Quidditch World Cup, though it didn’t quite deliver in the same way this one did. This one functions a little more like a typical sports game, with players controlling an entire team rather than just one player. However, different roles can only be controlled at different times, as games function in phases so as to keep things balanced.

The game begins with Harry Potter and his third year at Hogwarts, but by the end, the game transitions into the World Cup itself, with nine teams available: Australia, the UK, Germany, the US, Japan, France, Norway, Spain, and Bulgaria. And yes, Viktor Krum is featured on the Bulgarian team. Players tend to favor this one over Quidditch Champions for two reasons: one, for nostalgia purposes, and two, because it is more akin to a traditional sports game, making it more accessible to fans of the genre.

3

‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ (2002)

Image via EA

As far as the original movie-licensed games go, this one really knocked it out of the park. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets follows the book a little more closely than the movie, but it still does an excellent job. Hogwarts Castle itself is pretty small, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t secrets to discover. The game boasts 101 collectible chocolate frog cards, which can be acquired through various means. You can buy them from Fred and George Weasley via the Gryffindor common room black market, or you can collect them by exploring the castle.

Outside, you can actually hop on and off your broomstick at will, soaring to new heights and accessing new areas of Hogwarts. Exploring and finding these collectibles is actually legitimately fun! In terms of gameplay, it’s a mix of puzzles and platforming, with some cartoony spell-casting mixed in. This game built upon the Philosopher’s Stone game and improved upon everything by a mile. The game has actual stakes, too, as if you break the rules too often or don’t earn enough house points, you might not win the House Cup at the end of the game. It might be limited due to the available technology of the time, but it’s still a nostalgic classic that fans always come back to.

2

‘LEGO Harry Potter Collection’ (2024)

Image via Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

The LEGO Harry Potter Collection consists of two entries released in 2010 and 2011. These games divided the saga in half, with the first covering movies one through four, and the second covering movies five through eight. In 2024, the whole collection was remastered and compiled into one glorious package. As the title implies, this game turns the story of the movies into LEGO. Between the levels, players can explore Hogwarts, attend classes, and search for collectibles.

There are over hundreds of unlockable characters to collect, as well as a custom level editor hidden beneath Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley. Players can also purchase extra cheats and quirky features, transfiguration spells, and create custom characters, much like most other LEGO games. LEGO games made by Traveller’s Tales rarely disappoint, but The LEGO Harry Potter Collection was one of their best. It’s so much fun to play, with incredible level design and a ton of replayability.

1

‘Hogwarts Legacy’ (2023)

Image via Warner Bros. Games

Hogwarts Legacy is actually not about Harry Potter at all. Rather, it is set in the same universe, specifically, a century prior to the events of the main saga. In this role-playing game, players will create a custom character and enroll at Hogwarts. You can attend classes, get sorted into your house, study the Dark Arts, and even customize your personal space: the Room of Requirement. There are loads of side quests, friends to make, and uncountable secrets to discover in Hogwarts.

The massive open world extends far beyond the walls of the school, though. Players can also take a trip to Hogsmeade village, sneak into the Forbidden Forest, and check out the tiny hamlets scattered around Hogwarts Valley. There are many magical life forms to encounter, potions to brew, magical plants to grow, and a fresh story to unravel in this enormous RPG. It’s an excellent game and a dream come true for Potterheads, which is why it’s easily the very best Harry Potter video game ever made.

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Hogwarts Legacy

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February 10, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol

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Developer(s)

Avalanche Software

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Comedy movies are one of the purest forms of entertainment. Often made to be lighthearted and relatable in order to satisfy the tastes of a general audience, the primary goal of a comedy is to generate laughs. This is not to say comedies lack nuance — comedy itself is subjective, thus making it one of the hardest genres to write. But what’s even more difficult? Making an audience laugh at something that’s normally far from funny.

Dark comedies share a similar framework to regular comedies; they can utilize physical comedy, setup and punchlines, sight gags, and observational humor. The differentiating factor that separates comedy and dark comedy is the situation that the humor is drawn from. Dark comedies generate humor from subject matter generally considered unfunny or taboo, challenging notions of what comedy is. These are the darkest comedy movies out there, to the point where viewers might feel guilty for laughing along, even though they shouldn’t.

10

‘The Voices’ (2014)

Image via Lionsgate

Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is an all-around nice guy: he doesn’t really have any friends but works a steady 9-5 job at his small town’s bathtub factory and is well-liked by his coworkers. After taking an interest in his colleague Fiona (Gemma Arterton), Jerry secures a date with her. After she stands him up, however, his dark past, sinister urges, and malevolent talking cat lead Jerry on a path of violence and destruction.

An underappreciated movie in general, The Voices is a comedy that’s as twisted as it’s charming. Reynolds is fantastic as the soft-spoken, unassuming serial killer with a seriously disturbing backstory. It’s a bold and colorful movie that’s more macabre than outright violent. As unsettling as the dive into Jerry’s disturbed mind gets, The Voices balances nastiness and comedy effectively, making for a tonal blend that is suitably dark but consistently funny and enjoyable.

9

‘Four Lions’ (2010)

Image via StudioCanal UK

Four fumbling British terrorists plan and set out to commit an atrocity against innocents, but their collective ineptitude prevents the group from being much of a threat. Four Lions is an outrageously funny comedy that weaponizes a sharply satirical screenplay against terrorism.

Four Lions is a prime example of a dark comedy that successfully generates humor from an unfunny topic. The cast of dimwitted extremists benefits from excellent comedic and dramatic performances; Riz Ahmed, especially, shines as the terrorist group’s leader. Four Lions certainly isn’t for everyone — some may find it distasteful or downright offensive, but it’s a daring comedy that always keeps the bad guys as the butt of the joke.

8

‘Seven Psychopaths’ (2012)

Image Via CBS Films

When three friends (Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, and Christopher Walken) unknowingly kidnap the prized Shih Tzu of a notorious gangster (Woody Harrelson), the criminal underworld of Los Angeles is flipped on its head. From acclaimed writer/director Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths is a high-energy crime comedy bursting with colorful characters, narrative twists, and stylized violence.

While Seven Psychopaths doesn’t tout the most original screenplay, it benefits from a star-studded cast at the top of their game. Derogatory in all the right ways, Seven Psychopaths is a funny and wildly entertaining ride for those who can stomach some strong violence. Comedy isn’t often accompanied by deaths this plentiful in supply, but the absurdity of it all makes it difficult not to laugh at.

7

‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998)

Image via Universal Pictures

Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp), an eccentric journalist, travels to Las Vegas to provide coverage of a motorcycle race. Accompanied by his unhinged lawyer, Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro), the two embark on an odyssey fueled by virtually every drug in existence.

Terry Gilliam is an oddball director, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is arguably his outright funniest movie to date. Duke and Gonzo’s delirious antics are ludicrously entertaining, if a little aimless, elevated by a great performance from the ever-committed Benicio del Toro. While not exactly disturbing, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas highlights an intense drug-fueled bender that contains rather unsettling depictions of hallucinations, spurring distressing behavior from the film’s lead characters. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a cinematic fever dream that is unlike any comedy ever made before.

6

‘Election’ (1999)

Image via Paramount Pictures

High school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) develops feelings of contempt towards one of his students, the overly ambitious Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), amid the campaigning for the school’s student-body presidential election. To deny her a landslide victory, Jim convinces the dim but likable Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to oppose Tracy in the race. Unfortunately for Jim, this decision sets in motion a series of events that threatens to ruin his entire life.

Election is a fiery, hilarious, and razor-sharp comedy with a cynical edge. Broderick is great as the conniving teacher, but it’s the Oscar-winning Reese Witherspoon who’s behind most of the movie’s funniest moments. Election is unapologetically mean-spirited — the lengths Jim goes to deny Tracy her victory are downright malicious, especially so considering his position of authority over her as a teacher. Election is a darkly comedic social satire that finds humor in immorality.

5

‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ (1964)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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After an overzealous American Air Force general calls for a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, a group of politicians and military advisors seek to rectify the mistake before it’s too late. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb showcases Stanley Kubrick‘s anti-war sentiments and his affinity for off-beat humor.

Not only one of the greatest satires ever made, Dr. Strangelove operates on an entirely different wavelength than most other comedies. The jokes are prickly, pitch-black, and absurd, but the backdrop and real-world parallels (especially considering when the movie was made) are eerily serious. Dr. Strangelove is a masterful lampooning of the established government with an unfortunately ever-present message — after all, nuclear annihilation makes for a pretty strong punchline.

4

‘Heathers’ (1988)

Image via New World Pictures

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In a Midwest high school, a trio of cruel girls, all named Heather, govern the social infrastructure. Fed up with the trio’s merciless reign, Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) exacts a revenge plot with the help of a new kid named J.D. (Christian Slater). A rebellion is born, and a deadly firestorm of deception, teenage fury, and general malevolence rips through the school.

Heathers served as the vitriolic answer to the melodrama of ’80s high school movies. Disagreeable and often unpleasant yet wickedly entertaining and funny, Heathers really shouldn’t work as well as it does. It’s an unruly movie that does not shy away from showcasing the collective savagery associated with the high school experience. Heathers may prove too mean-spirited and problematic for some, but it’s a bold, pointed comedy that does not hold back.

3

‘Pink Flamingos’ (1972)

Image via New Line Cinema

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John Waters‘ perverse phenomenon Pink Flamingos details the irreverent lifestyle of Divine — she and her family are recognized as the “filthiest people alive.” Unfortunately for them, a married couple seeks to strip Divine and her family of that title and claim it for themselves. Their respective depravity seemingly knows no limits as a war of bad taste is waged.

Assuredly one of the most disgusting movies ever made, Pink Flamingos is a masterwork of debauchery and deviant entertainment. Thankfully, for how revolting Pink Flamingos can be, it’s also remarkably funny and endlessly quotable. Both a dark and a gross-out comedy, this masterclass of questionable content continues to shock anyone brave enough to venture a glimpse at some truly repugnant setpieces, many of which are unsimulated.

2

‘In Bruges’ (2008)

Image via Focus Features

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After a botched contract job, Irish hitmen Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are instructed to lie low in the quiet town of Bruges, Belgium. While Ken is content with enjoying the serenity and rich history of Bruges, Ray’s boredom leads to contempt for the town and its people. Eventually, Ray receives special orders from his boss to execute a new contract with an unexpected target.

In Bruges is a grim comedy bolstered by two excellent lead performances. Farrell’s quick-witted brand of foul-mouthed humor balances nicely with Gleeson’s stoic and almost fatherly reserve. When the melancholic narrative escalates into violence, it’s quick and gruesome. While its darker undertones aren’t fully unearthed until the movie’s final act, In Bruges features some shocking developments and fittingly poignant observations surrounding guilt, death and friendship.

1

‘Fargo’ (1996)

Image via Gramercy Pictures

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In a small Minnesotan town, a used car salesman named Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) finds himself in a financial bind. Jerry hatches a harebrained scheme to hire two goons (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife and demand ransom money from her wealthy father. Things go awry when Jerry’s henchmen only grow more reckless, and a talky yet tenacious police chief (Frances McDormand) catches wind of their malfeasance.

A benchmark entry into the dark comedy subgenre, Fargo is a pop-culture phenomenon that only gets better with age. As harsh as some of the violence can be, McDormand shines as the affable police chief with a comically thick accent that never fails to amuse. Still, Fargo is not a lighthearted affair; the narrative’s bleak nature and sudden brutality will not be to everyone’s taste, especially when a woodchipper gets involved.

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Fargo

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Release Date

March 8, 1996

Runtime

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98 minutes

Director

Joel Coen

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Writers

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

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Shining a spotlight on the ups and downs of musical fame, the hit television show Nashville drew a legion of fans during its six-season run and in the years that followed.

The country music drama series, which premiered in October 2012, followed a fictional collective of country music artists based in Nashville, Tennessee, and starred Connie Britton as superstar veteran Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as talented up-and-comer Juliette Barnes, and Clare Bowen and Charles Esten as aspiring singer-songwriter Scarlett O’Connor and Rayna’s on-off love interest Deacon Claybourne, respectively.

While Rayna and Juliette’s fierce competitiveness saw the pair clash in the show’s early days, their dynamic slowly evolved into a complex tangle of mutual respect — albeit lingering rivalry — that won over fans who simply couldn’t get enough of Britton and Panettiere’s electric performances.

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Nashville also attracted critical acclaim, scoring Britton a Golden Globe nomination in 2013 and Panettiere two Golden Globe nominations in 2013 and 2014. The show also received an Emmy nomination in 2013 in the category of Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song “A Life That’s Good,” which was played throughout the series.

Related: ‘Friday Night Lights’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

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Friday Night Lights stole viewers’ hearts for five seasons on NBC — and many still live by the motto, “Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose.” Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and […]

After premiering on ABC, Nashville ran for four seasons before the network announced its cancellation. Due to the show’s cult following, it was resurrected by CMT in 2016 where two final seasons were played out, although Britton left the show during season 5.

Scroll down to see where the Nashville cast is now:

Choosing what to wear from now through November isn’t an easy task, but Jennifer Lopez makes it incredibly simple, wearing a loose, polished shirtdress that stuns with flip-flops, sneakers and booties alike. Somehow, her chic look is only $36!

Exploring Italy with her kids, Lopez wore a striped shirtdress with easy sandals and a headband. We’re picturing the same dress style with a cardigan and sneakers for fall, and with this Amazon number, it’s happening. The look is classy enough to appear rich, casual enough to wear daily and loose enough to want to.

Get the Utcoco Striped Maxi Shirtdress for $36 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Utcoco Striped Shirtdress is a relaxed, tie-waist outfit that comes in soft purple and white stripes. Like Lopez’s, it features a shaping tie waist, a breezy long skirt and functional short sleeves that keep it light and layerable.

Related: Tired of Tight Dresses? These 17 Loose Gems Are *Much* More Flattering

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There’s a reason your bodycon dresses live in the back of your closet. They have last-pick status in our wardrobes, too, but that doesn’t mean we settle for frumpy frocks. Instead, we opt for these 17 chic loose styles that are much more flattering than their fitted counterparts. Our top picks conceal bloated tummies, bumps […]

Better yet, this dress style is secretly flattering, thanks to the elongating vertical stripes and flowy fabric. It doesn’t squish or squeeze, but rather lengthens and smoothes — so yes, you’ll want to wear it every day.

One happy shopper put it best: “[It’s] one of the few dresses I have bought that does not feel matronly as I have entered midlife and gained the weight thereof. It feels fun and playful while also being sophisticated.”

Another five-star reviewer wrote, “100% cotton! It is so hard to find a natural fabric. I love the stripes. It looks very slimming on my round body. The fabric is smooth, soft and a little crisp and perfect for warmer weather. Very classy looking.”

Pair this dreamy maxi dress with woven flats for a farmers market run, or rock it with a denim jacket when the temperatures drop. No matter how you style it, you’re guaranteed to channel J.Lo’s vacation-in-Italy energy.

The $36 price tag feels like a glitch, but we’re taking advantage of it!

Get the Utcoco Striped Maxi Shirtdress for $36 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more chic dresses, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Fans of Hayden Panettiere are once again vowing to boycott beauty brand Neutrogena after the star’s sudden death.

“I will not buy from them ever again! They should have been supporting her and other women, not taking away help,” one Reddit user wrote on Monday, August 17, one day after the Heroes and Nashville alum died at the age of 36. The fresh backlash stems from Panettiere’s May memoir, in which she claimed that Neutrogena “cancelled” her “long-standing contract” due to her battle with postpartum depression.

The brand faced initial backlash from Panettiere fans upon the release of the memoir, titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, but did not publicly address the criticism at the time.

Us has reached out to a Neutrogena representative for comment.

Related: Hayden Panettiere Cancels Convention Appearance Amid Mystery ‘Emergency’

Hayden Panettiere has canceled her California’s Creep I.E. Aftermath convention appearance for a mysterious last-minute issue. “Roster Update: Hayden Panettiere has an emergency and will not be able to attend this weekend,” a social media statement shared via the event’s Instagram on Friday, July 10, read. “We are looking forward to her appearing at an […]

New consumer backlash has also hit the brand’s Threads account, with social media users now responding to a post shared by Neutrogena in 2023 that read, “Friends don’t let friends go to bed without removing their makeup.”

One person responded on Sunday, August 16, “Friends also don’t try to fire employees for talking openly about postpartum depression but apparently this brand does.” Another social media user responded, “Hayden deserved better. Women deserve better. I’m done supporting Neutrogena.”

Panettiere’s Neutrogena claim was raised in her book amid the actress detailing mental health issues experienced after welcoming daughter Kaya in 2011, whom she shared with ex Wladimir Klitschko. She wrote about Nashville producers deciding to write her character out of production temporarily, before questioning the beauty brand’s decision to sever ties completely.

“The producers had no choice but to write me out of the script temporarily — something that killed me because I’d always prided myself on my professionalism — and I issued a statement about where I was going and why,” Panettiere wrote. “My fans and the press were hugely sympathetic — and I’ll always be grateful for that — but a part of my career I’d come to depend on suffered. Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else.”

Panettiere died suddenly in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Her father, Skip, confirmed the news to Us at the time through a representative for his daughter. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” Skip said in a statement. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

In the aftermath of her death, which remains under investigation with no cause or manner confirmed at the time of publication, a filmmaker who worked with Panettiere on her 2025 horror-comedy A Breed Apart claimed that she was “not OK” while working on set.

“I had met Hayden about 10 years before that and I knew that she was insanely talented, so when she signed on to do this picture that we were shooting, I was psyched,” director Griff Furst began in an Instagram video shared on Monday. “I really wanted to work with her. So I’m on set, and I get word from the movie’s security team who picked her up from the airport that something was off.

Related: Inside Hayden Panettiere’s On-Off Relationship with Brian Hickerson

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In the years after they broke up, Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson was still complicated even at the time of her tragic death. “Hayden and Brian have been on and off for years, but have pretty much always remained in contact,” a source exclusively shares with Us of the pair’s history prior to her […]

Furst, 44, further explained, “I didn’t think much about it, and so I left set and I walked over to greet her and her boyfriend Brian [Hickerson]. He opened the door. Hayden was incredibly sweet and gracious and excited to work, but she was not OK.”

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A Tuesday, August 18, police report by the Greenville City Police Department, obtained by Us, stated that officials spoke with Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Hickerson, 37, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, at an apartment complex in Greenville on the day of her passing.

“After EMS officially declared Hayden deceased, I escorted Zach and Brian out of the apartment,” the police report stated about Sunday. “I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. https://988lifeline.org/

Keke Palmer has heard everything the internet has to say about her dating life. Now, the actress and entertainer is joining the conversation with a relationship update of her own. Palmer says she has finally found something loyal, refreshing, and willing to give back. However, the new “relationship” may not be exactly what fans expect.

The 32-year-old is teaming up with Panera Bread for its new “Refreshingly Loyal” campaign, which uses the online fascination surrounding Palmer’s personal life to introduce the company’s revamped MyPanera rewards program.

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In the new campaign, Palmer reframes the conversation surrounding loyalty by suggesting she has finally discovered a relationship that rewards her. The cheeky reveal is that Palmer is actually referring to MyPanera, which is transitioning to a points-based system nationwide beginning August 19.

“Refreshingly Loyal” allows Palmer to lean into the internet’s ongoing interest in her dating life while remaining in control of the punchline. Instead of directly addressing the speculation that has followed her relationships, she uses it to promote a partnership that promises more transparency, flexibility, and rewards.

The approach is perfectly suited to Palmer, who has become known for turning viral moments and public conversations into comedy on her own terms. This time, the joke is not about whether she has found a new romantic partner. It is about finding a loyalty program that “actually gives back.”

Panera Launches A New Points-Based Rewards System

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The updated MyPanera program replaces the brand’s previous rewards structure with a more traditional points system. Members will now earn 10 points for every $1 spent and can decide which available Panera menu items they want to redeem their points toward. Rewards begin at 250 points for eligible items such as a bagel or mini bakery treat. Those who continue accumulating points can redeem as many as 2,000 for a whole entrée of their choice.

According to Panera, rewards that members earned under the previous program will carry over after the new system launches. “From everyday favorites to exclusive offers, we have reimagined MyPanera to deliver more value with every purchase, and the new MyPanera is built to give our guests what they have told us they want most, more transparency, better rewards and more choice,” Joshua Fine, Chief Digital Officer of Panera Bread, said, per a press release sent to The Blast.

“Now, MyPanera is truly living into its name by giving our guests rewards that are flexible, tailored and highly personalized to their preferences,” he added. The company says the change will affect its more than 70 million MyPanera members.

MyPanera Members Can Score A Free Refresher

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Panera is also offering members an incentive to try the updated rewards program. From August 19 through September 1, eligible new and existing MyPanera members can receive 500 bonus points after making their first qualifying purchase through the new program. Those 500 points are enough to redeem for a free Energy Refresher or Fresca.

The points will be added to the member’s account within 24 hours of the qualifying order being fulfilled. The promotion is limited to one 500-point offer per member and requires a verified food or beverage purchase from a participating U.S. café.

Members will also receive exclusive app access to Panera’s new Tropical Mango Pineapple Energy Refresher for a limited time. The caffeinated beverage launches alongside the refreshed program on August 19.

MyPanera Will Now Offer Three Membership Tiers

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The revamped loyalty program includes three different tiers based on how customers use and spend with the brand.

The standard MyPanera tier remains free and allows members to earn points through the Panera app.

MyPanera+ is available to members who spend $300 during a calendar year. That tier includes additional benefits such as bonus points on delivery orders and a free birthday You Pick Two.

The MyPanera+ Sip Club subscription combines those benefits with up to 30 select beverages per monthly billing cycle. Subscribers can also access exclusive offers on select Sip Club Saturdays.

Keke Palmer’s Rumored Romance With Sean Evans Has Fans Talking

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The campaign arrives as Palmer’s relationship with “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans continues to spark speculation online.

The pair’s chemistry has been building publicly for years. Evans previously admitted that he had a crush on Palmer, and the two later shared a playful kiss during her third appearance on “Hot Ones.” Dating rumors intensified in June after they were spotted having dinner together in Brooklyn.

Palmer has since confirmed that she and Evans are spending time together, but stopped short of defining their relationship. She called him “my guy” and said they were taking things day by day. More recently, Palmer described their chemistry as genuine while urging fans not to rush them into anything, joking, “Let it cook!”

As for Palmer’s partnership, it gives her the opportunity to acknowledge the conversation around her love life without providing the kind of conventional relationship update the internet may have been expecting.

She has found loyalty, just in the form of free food, drinks, and points.

Being such a fan of classic spaghetti Westerns, it was only a matter of time before Quentin Tarantino crafted his own take on the genre, filtered through his own indelible vision. After reshaping the public’s interpretation of crime, kung-fu/samurai, and man-on-a-mission films, Tarantino made the quintessential Western for the modern era with Django Unchained, his homage to the films of Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci, with the latter’s Django providing the namesake of his 2012 movie. Released during the holiday season, Django Unchained, starring Jamie Foxx as the titular freed slave-turned-bounty hunter out for revenge against his former captors, was a cultural phenomenon, grossing $425 million worldwide and sparking hot-button discourse over its transgressive content. Now one of the most popular films available to stream for free on Pluto TV, Django Unchained is as striking and rip-roaring as ever, and with Tarantino claiming that he’ll only direct one more feature film, it’s a great time to revisit some of his strongest work.

‘Django Unchained’ is a Revisionist Take on the Antebellum South

Image via The Weinstein Company

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As he previously did with Inglourious Basterds‘ revisionist take on World War II, Tarantino imagined an alternate world where a slave could be emancipated and empowered to fight back against the racist white plantation owners in the Antebellum U.S. South. The film reimagines this horrific chapter in U.S. history through a modern lens, with Django’s swaggering attitude, autonomy, and status in a pre-abolition America being knowingly anachronistic, along with much of the film’s music cues, costumes, and language. Django could be read as either a long-awaited spotlight for Black characters, who are notoriously sidelined in Hollywood Westerns, or a fetishized, sanitized retelling of African-American history by a white director.

Filling out Tarantino’s guns-blazing American-made spaghetti Western (the film is far more indebted to the dark and stylish Westerns of Leone than the elegiac cinematic poems of John Ford) is Christoph Waltz, winning his second of two Oscars for Tarantino as bounty hunter and Django emancipator Dr. King Schultz, as well as Kerry Washington as Hildi, Django’s enslaved wife and target of his rescue mission, and Leonardo DiCaprio as the heinous plantation owner and captor of Hildi, Calvin Candie. DiCaprio, in particular, is a true stand-out in Django Unchained, as he gives perhaps the most vicious and daring performance by a modern A-list movie star. Frequent Tarantino stock player Samuel L. Jackson is also at his best as Stephen, Candie’s head house slave and personal confidant.

With its bold formalist and thematic flourishes, Django Unchained is Tarantino’s most stylized and self-reflective film. He is so commanding of his own auteurial stamp that he doesn’t care what he borrows or repurposes from other movies, including reusing the main theme from Corbucci’s Django. Darkly funny, ultraviolent, formally audacious, and provocative, Django Unchained represents Tarantino in a nutshell.

‘Django Unchained’ Tackles Controversial Subjects

With every release of a Quentin Tarantino film comes controversy, and Django Unchained unsurprisingly inspired the most uproar the writer-director has ever seen in his career. Tarantino’s history with racial epithets and appropriation of Black culture has been considered an issue by countless viewers for decades. And for many, making a movie about Black slavery in the U.S. with his same vulgar and heightened sensibilities was the last straw. Django is filled with invigorating gunfire sequences and applause-worthy line readings by its titular star, and this theatrical, comic book-esque presentation of slavery is understandably tasteless for some viewers.

This also applies to his approach to dealing with the horrific racist acts depicted in the film. While colloquial uses of racial epiphets and racial hate crimes were undoubtedly part of this historical period, Tarantino expresses these ugly acts with the same pulpy aesthetic he used in Kill Bill. With his notorious precedent of writing white characters who use racial slurs gratuitously, it’s easy to question his intent with some of the film’s content, even in a film reflecting America’s history.

No matter where you stand in the debate, Django Unchained‘s thorny commentary is a worthy supplement to a seismic film by one of the world’s greatest living directors. Westerns are hard to come by these days, and the long-tailed legacy of Quentin Tarantino’s postmodern take on The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly hits all the marks that would appeal to audiences in the 2020s, making any other Western in its wake feel like a copycat. Featuring impeccable performances by its stacked cast and lavish visual and production design, Django Unchained has the passion and wunderkind enthusiasm of a debut filmmaker obsessed with cinema, executed by a master of the trade.

There’s a very specific fashion dilemma that happens this time every year: The calendar says it’s time for sweaters and boots, but the weather is still very much in its summer era. If you’ve ever walked outside on a chilly morning in a sweater, only to regret your outfit choice by noon, you know the struggle. The trick to dressing for the season without sweating through it? Reach for lightweight, breathable staples that give your wardrobe that fall feeling without all the extra layers.

Athleticwear happens to be especially well suited for the job. Think leggings you can pair with an oversized sweatshirt, lightweight tops that work for workouts and weekend errands and easy layers you can throw on when temperatures dip. These versatile pieces make it possible to ease into your fall wardrobe without committing to a head-to-toe sweater-and-boots situation — because, frankly, it’s not always cold enough for that yet. They’re also super versatile for every fall trip on your calendar, too.

Polished Athletic Clothing for Summer-To-Fall Dressing

1. Travel-Ready Joggers: These high-rise joggers are made for those days when your outfit needs to do a little bit of everything. They have a comfy relaxed fit and pull-on waistband, and are made with water-repellent fabric for protection from unpredictable fall weather. Front pockets make them a travel-day staple, too.

2. The Polished Layer: Consider this full-zip jacket your answer to weather that starts crisp and warms up quickly. The lightweight modal fabric feels luxuriously soft against the skin and has four-way stretch, so it’s easy to move in. It looks sleek but still has discreet side zip pockets to keep your essentials close.

3. Cropped & Cozy: A cropped sweatshirt is an easy way to bring a little fall energy to your wardrobe without piling on too much fabric. This smooth, sleek crewneck has four-way stretch and moisture-managing properties to help keep you cool and dry, making it a smart pick for those not-quite-sweater-weather days. The classic design also looks cute with high-rise leggings, joggers or jeans.

4. Roomy & Relaxed: These straight-leg sweatpants have the laid-back look we always crave in fall outfits, along with performance features that make them even more practical. Soft, breathable and fade-resistant . . . the list goes on. And those deep pockets? They can hold up to three tennis balls or two pickleballs, so consider your hands officially freed.

5. Wide-Leg Ease: Wide-leg pants are having a major fashion moment, and this pull-on pair has a high-rise, full-length silhouette with a relaxed-but-polished feel. A soft elastic waistband and four-way stretch keep them comfy all day, and the water-repellent fabric gives you a little extra protection when fall weather decides to be unpredictable.

6. The Everyday Hoodie: Meet the hoodie you’ll want within arm’s reach all season long. The shorter, relaxed-fit style hits at the top of your hip for an easy, modern silhouette. Side pockets provide everyday storage — and the interior modular pocket keeps your phone secure without all the annoying bouncing while you’re on the go.

7. Sporty Half-Zip: A quarter-zip pullover is one of the easiest ways to ease into fall dressing, and this one comes with ergonomic panels for easy movement, built-in thumbholes to keep your sleeves in place and an adjustable waist cord so you can customize the fit. The high-coverage neckline is especially nice for those crisp mornings when summer suddenly feels very far away.

8. The Layering MVP: Tank tops have their place in a fall wardrobe, too. This fitted style is made from supportive fabric with plenty of stretch and a smooth, second-skin feel — it works beautifully under fall layers. Slip it beneath a cardigan or blazer for an easy transitional outfit, wear it on its own when temperatures climb or you’re heading out for a run. Bonus: Moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties make it just as practical for workouts.

9. Sporty Dress-Up: This sleeveless polo dress sits just between athletic and polished, making it a particularly versatile choice for transitional weather. It has plenty of stretch, but looks put-together with a V-shaped collar and sleek silhouette. Wear it solo on warmer days, then add a cardigan or lightweight jacket when the temperature drops.

10. The Skort Solution: This feminine skort makes a convincing case for keeping your summer favorites in the rotation a little longer. Pair it with a fitted tank for a sporty look now, then add a cozy sweater when you’re ready to lean more heavily into fall. Designed for movement, it features built-in shorts with a phone- and ball-friendly side pocket, plus an additional discreet mesh pocket at the waistband.

11. Chilly-Morning Layer: When a tank top feels like too little but a sweatshirt feels like too much, reach for this hooded long-sleeve layer. Its performance fabric is designed to help regulate temperature, and a curved hem allows for easy movement. Thumbholes keep the sleeves neatly in place, making it especially useful for brisk morning walks and early fall workouts.

12. Barely-There Breathability: This light-as-air tank was practically made for those deceptively warm between-season days. The ultra-breathable mesh fabric offers plenty of ventilation — and it’s also cooling, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. A flowy fit and back vent give it even more airflow, and it’s super easy to layer under a hoodie once the sun goes down.

13. The Everyday Tee: Every transitional wardrobe needs a reliable T-shirt, and this one brings a performance twist to a classic. Made from ultra-breathable mesh fabric, it’s lightweight for warm afternoons and easy to layer beneath a sweatshirt or jacket when it cools off. The relaxed fit and curved hem add a little extra movement, making this the kind of everyday tee you’ll reach for on repeat.

Science fiction has produced some of cinema’s most ambitious and influential films, from groundbreaking blockbusters to intimate stories built around imaginative concepts. The genre’s greatest achievements have introduced audiences to new worlds, inventive technologies, and provocative ideas while pushing visual effects and cinematic storytelling forward.

For fans of the genre, IMDb users’ scores have made it easy to determine the best sci-fi movies of all time. The highest-rated top 10 science fiction movies include influential classics like Alien and Back to the Future and mind-bending masterpieces like Interstellar and Inception.

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‘The Thing’ (1982)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

If there were to exist a hypothetical Mount Rushmore of horror movie directors, John Carpenter would have to be right up there. We’re talking about one of the most revolutionary, groundbreaking, and brilliantly subversive horror auteurs in the genre’s history. For proof, one needn’t look any further than The Thing, Carpenter’s take on John W. Campbell Jr.‘s 1938 novella Who Goes There?

It’s one of the best sci-fi thriller masterpieces of all time, simultaneously working as a chilling horror classic and a reflection of the paranoid psyche of Cold War-era America. Over four decades after its release, the film is still being dissected and praised by cinephiles on IMDb, who confidently call it one of the greatest horror films of all time. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg is the father of Hollywood blockbusters, and he has reigned supreme in that space since the mid-’70s—but it was the ’90s that were the most lucrative decade for his filmography in history. It was all thanks to masterpieces like Jurassic Park, an engrossing adaptation of Michael Crichton‘s 1990 novel.

Here, Spielberg balances suspense, emotion, thought-provoking thematic work, and jaw-dropping special effects like the absolute pro that he has always been. Jurassic Park is nothing short of one of the best films of the 1990s, a gem that remained the highest-grossing film of all time for four years and is still one of the highest-rated on IMDb. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Project Hail Mary’ (2026)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Andy Weir has firmly established himself as one of the most enticing hard science fiction authors currently working, and his 2021 novel Project Hail Mary only further enshrined him on that throne. Along came Phil Lord and Chris Miller and fittingly turned the story of Grace and Rocky’s unlikely friendship into one of the greatest hard sci-fi films of all time.

Project Hail Mary can already be counted among those modern sci-fi movies that will be classics. It’s everything that a hard sci-fi space opera should aim to be: faithful enough to scientific rigor without ever sacrificing entertainment value. It’s colorful, it’s emotional, it can be funny whenever it needs to be, and it’s full of the same kind of wonder and movie magic that IMDb users love to see in this genre. — Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Warner Bros. 

Set in a dystopian version of England, director Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange depicts a world where violence and delinquency are part of the norm. It follows Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his “Droogs” as they spread chaos and hurt others, which leads to the sci-fi aspect of the film, where the protagonist undergoes extreme rehabilitation using technology that changes his behavior. It’s a strange blend of surrealism and sci-fi elements that fans appreciate, giving it such a high rating.

A Clockwork Orange immerses viewers in a disturbing world that blurs the line between right and wrong. It questions the very nature of evil itself through Alex’s story, which is inevitably linked with political commentary about the extent of control the government can have over individuals’ free will.

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‘Metropolis’ (1927)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Parufamet

A great sci-fi movie that’s over 100 years old, Metropolis is a groundbreaking and influential masterpiece directed by Fritz Lang. Its story is centered on a privileged individual who is appalled by the newfound knowledge of the harsh conditions the working class is subjected to on a daily basis.

Metropolis is a timeless classic that’s also eerily accurate, as the “future” it depicts isn’t too far off from reality. Its innovative set design is fascinating to watch today, especially when audiences consider that Lang used miniature buildings to bring cityscapes to life.

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‘Cat City’ (1986)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Mokép

As it turns out, it’s not just the mainstream movies on IMDb’s official Top 250 highest-rated movies that are among the highest-rated sci-fi films on the site: There are also masterpieces as criminally underappreciated as the Hungarian adult animated gem Cat City, which still doesn’t have enough user ratings to enter the official IMDb Top 250.

It absolutely deserves to get there, however, because as far as adult animation made for the big screen goes, it doesn’t get much better than Cat City. It’s one of the most near-perfect animated movies that nobody remembers anymore, a wildly creative and funny cult classic full of thrilling moments, stunning hand-drawn designs, and clever social satire. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Lucasfilm

The iconic third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi depicts Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) continued struggle against the Galactic Empire, alongside the new couple Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), who embark on a misadventure of their own.

The perfect continuation of the Skywalker Saga, Return of the Jedi captivated audiences around the globe and became a massive blockbuster. It was the highest-grossing film of the year after earning a whopping $475 million at the global box office, further establishing the widespread influence of the sci-fi franchise.

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‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Focus Features

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry, is an emotional and effective breakup movie that conveys the sorrow, bewilderment, and regret that frequently come with the end of a relationship. Set in a version of the world in which it is possible to forget things thanks to new memory-erasing tech, it follows a couple, Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet), as they navigate the confusing line between needing to remember and wanting to forget.

The film is a beautiful and meaningful depiction of what it is like to lose someone important in one’s life. With its weird dream sequences and emotional lines, the film captivates, entertains, and moves to tears all at once. Joel’s eventual desperation to cling to the memory of Clementine will definitely strike a chord with viewers, who may not have the same opportunity for a second chance as the pair does in the film. Its amazing IMDb score of 8.3 makes it a perfect fit on the list of best sci-fi movies.

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‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via MGM

Director Stanley Kubrick‘s 2001: A Space Odyssey is an iconic entry in the genre that needs no introduction. Its ambitious storyline spans thousands of years and is anchored on the discovery of a monolith that a crew is sent out to investigate. Alongside the now-legendary AI HAL 9000, they soon find themselves in mind-bending situations.

With its stunning visuals, brilliant use of music, and profound narrative, 2001: A Space Odyssey became the quintessential space opera that highlighted the viability of the genre. Although it wasn’t initially appreciated as the masterpiece that it is, Kubrick’s film is recognized today as a classic that served as a genre-defining moment in cinematic history.

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‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Before the 2020s rolled in, no one could have possibly blamed fans of Frank Herbert‘s Dune, one of the greatest and most important works of sci-fi literature in history, for thinking that it was impossible to live up to the novel’s legacy in cinematic form. That was before Denis Villeneuve entered the scene. 2021’s Dune was great, but it’s Dune: Part Two that’s bound to go down in history as one of the greatest sci-fi blockbusters of the first half of the 21st century.

It’s an action-adventure masterpiece through and through, and even calling it one of the best sci-fi movies of the last 10 years feels like a bit of an understatement. The way Villeneuve’s vision blends with Herbert’s imagination here is jaw-dropping, offering plenty of unforgettable moments of excitement, amazement, emotion, and purely epic science fiction. —Diego Pineda Pacheco