Entertainment
10 Best Harry Potter Video Games
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 includedāPC and console only.
10
‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2005)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
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February 10, 2023
- ESRB
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T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Avalanche Software
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Claressa Shields still has the internet popping OFF after her fight against Kaye Scott. But chile, this time itās not because of any drama with Remy Ma ā itās actually all about Papoose. The GWOAT hopped online and spilled a lilā tea about their relationship, and now folks on the internet are saying she shared WAY too much information.
RELATED: Claressa Shields Wins Fight Against Kaye Scott As Remy Ma Seemingly Recruits Her Boxing Rivals āWanna Goā Music Video (WATCH)Ā
Claressa Shields Had Social Media Saying, āDis Tew Much!āĀ
Fans already know Claressa Shields doesnāt hold back when it comes to sharing the tea online. But this time, folks are questioning whether the boxing champ mightāve gone a lilā too far after spilling some spicy details about her quality time with Papoose. The GWOAT hopped on X (formerly Twitter) and told folks she might have a bun in the oven after things got a little spicy between her and Pap following her fight against Kaye Scott on August 15.Ā āIām probably pregnant now 
@Papooseonline went crazy after the fight 
āĀ
Shields appeared to respond to Shannon Sharpe and Chad āOchocincoā Jonsonās āNightCapā podcast,ā saying she and Papoose āwere dedicated all through camp.ā But while chopping it up on the show, Shields revealed that she and Pap have not been intimate in over six weeks because she wanted to stay focused on her fight. She added that, in her eyes, āan undisciplined man is not a good man.āĀ The minute her SPICY response started started making rounds online, folks said Claressa coldāve kept that message in the vault ā or at least between her and her man.
The Internet Says Claressa Couldāve Kept That One
Reactions kept popping off over in The Shade Roomās Instagram comment section, and chile the Roomies did NOT let up! Some folks said Claressaās phone had to be hacked because there was no way she would spill this much tea online. Meanwhile others were convinced it had to be AI.
Instagram user @sarahann264 wrote, āAināt no way she posted this. Ima say this AI! š„“āĀ
Instagram user @just1_ju wrote, āIs there anyway we can be removed from this chat? Nothing is left private anymore???? Not even the bedroom š©āĀ
While Instagram user @paree_france wrote, āShe wants to make Remy mad šāĀ
Then Instagram user @boss_gyol wrote, āDid we need to know this ? šš itās giving teenager. Kiss and tell.āĀ
Another Instagram user @icarlyjo wrote, āI need them to keep us out of their chat. Them & Bluesean.āĀ
Instagram user @she_bluitt wrote, āWe literally had no desire to hear this information.āĀ
Then another Instagram user @laydeeplies wrote, āI think she wanted his wife to know this info.āĀ
While another Instagram user @ fabulousbee_four wrote, āEverything I know about her is against my will šāĀ
Lastly, Instagram user @ms_arabella_ wrote, āStop looking for validation š¤¦š½āāļø Itās your man we know š¤·š½āāļøāĀ
RELATED: So We Know Itās Real! Papoose Makes His Love For Claressa Shields Permanent With NEW Tattoo & Social Media HAs Thoughts (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Laika’s Ambitious Stop-Motion Fantasy Adaptation Officially Debuts a Jaw-Dropping New Trailer
Laika hasn’t released a film in theaters in seven years, yet the stop-motion giant has still enjoyed a strong run of late thanks to the legacy of their hand-crafted works. When their dark fantasy masterpiece Coraline returned to theaters in 2024 to celebrate its 15th anniversary, audiences greeted it warmly and powered the film to new heights with another $53 million, a staggering haul for a re-release. Last year, ParaNorman got its time in the spotlight, complete with not just new screenings for Laika’s 20th anniversary, but also a new short reuniting the characters for a fresh spooky adventure. Now, though, the wait is nearly over for their next big project.
Since 2011, the studio has owned the rights to adapt the Colin Meloy-written and Carson Ellis-illustrated children’s fantasy novel Wildwood into a film. 15 years later, the project has blossomed into one of the most painstakingly detailed efforts Laika has undertaken thus far, with CEO and recent Masters of the Universe helmer Travis Knight directing with a script by his regular partner, Chris Butler. The story is a fitting one for the Oregon-based banner, unfolding in Portland where the young Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is sent on a fantastical and treacherous adventure into the enchanted wilderness after her baby brother Mac is kidnapped by crows while they’re out on the town. Accompanied by her classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), she meets fantastical creatures and fearsome foes alike as she navigates the vibrant realm on the brink of war in hopes of bringing her beloved sibling back.
With two months left until release, Laika has unveiled a new trailer that showcases the stunning stop-motion visuals, while also spotlighting the main villain standing between Prue and her brother, the Dowager Governess Alexandra (Carey Mulligan). It opens on an encounter between the two where Prue asks about the mysterious woman’s son. In a flashback, tragedy unfolds, as a happy memory of Alexandra riding horses with her child is soon swallowed by crows, hinting at a devastating accident that tore her family apart. That moment puts her on the path to stealing Mac away and transforming the Wildwood into a savage place filled with war and death. She’s determined to tear apart the woods to bring back everything she lost, but Prue isn’t one to give up either, making friends with forest dwellers and braving untold danger to save her own family.
‘Wildwood’ Fills Out Its Fantasy World With a Massive Cast
Production on Wildwood officially began in 2021, and since then, the film has grown to an epic scale to capture the conflict unfolding within the book’s realm. The trailer further shows off what a massive undertaking of stop-motion this was, with sweeping scenes of armies charging at each other and fluid animation on a level much grander than the studio’s past work. A massive film brings with it a similarly massive cast, too, including an Academy Award winner in Mahershala Ali and an Emmy winner in Angela Bassett, alongside Richard E. Grant, Amandla Stenberg, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Tom Waits, and many more.
Wildwood opens in theaters on October 23 through Fathom Entertainment. Check out the new trailer in the player above.
- Release Date
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October 23, 2026
- Director
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Travis Knight
- Writers
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Chris Butler, Carson Ellis, Colin Meloy
Cast
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Peyton Elizabeth Lee
Prue McKeel (voice)
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Carey Mulligan
Alexandra (voice)
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Entertainment
Titus Welliverās ‘The Departed’ Meets ‘Heat’ Thriller Is Officially an HBO Max Favorite
Producer Basil Iwanyk recently revealed on The Town podcast that two movies on his resume needed an extra marketing push to appeal to a broader audience. One of them was Denis Villeneuve‘s critically acclaimed neo-Western Sicario, which ended up grossing $85 million against a reported budget of $35 million, thanks to a well-timed decision to position it as an action movie. The other film that prompted a similar marketing strategy was released five years earlier, in 2010. It went on to gross more than $150 million worldwide against a reported budget of $37 million. While it certainly had a few action scenes, it was essentially a crime drama. The movie in question remains well-liked among its target audience, and it recently had a resurgence on the domestic HBO Max viewership chart.
According to FlixPatrol, it was the sixth-most-watched movie on HBO Max this week, when the leaderboard was topped by the action film Normal, starring Bob Odenkirk. The crime drama outperformed the star-studded romance movie Materialists, and the action-comedy film Tag. It featured quite a starry ensemble itself, and was headlined by Ben Affleck, with Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively, Jon Hamm, and Titus Welliver appearing in supporting roles. The movie took place in Boston, and revolved around a gang of bank robbers who find themselves in a tough spot while planning one last job.
Titus Welliver Recently Returned to the Crime-Drama Genre
By now you’ve probably guessed that we’re talking about The Town, which was also directed by Affleck. The movie was critically acclaimed at the time of its release, and is now sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “Tense, smartly written, and wonderfully cast, The Town proves that Ben Affleck has rediscovered his muse ā and that he’s a director to be reckoned with.”
Affleck went on to direct the Best Picture-winning thriller Argo, and then the gangster flop Live By Night. He bounced back with the acclaimed sports drama Air, and is all set to debut his latest directorial venture, the Netflix thriller Animals. The new movie will be released on October 9. You can watch The Town on HBO Max, and you can also check out Welliver’s similar crime series The Westies, which is available to stream on MGM+.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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September 17, 2010
- Runtime
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125 minutes
- Writers
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Aaron Stockard, Ben Affleck, Peter Craig, Chuck Hogan
- Producers
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Basil Iwanyk, Graham King
Celine Dion is making a bigger comeback than fans might have expected, and she is spilling the tea on it.
The legendary singer had to take a hiatus from the public eye in 2022 following her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a health battle she secretly fought for over a decade.
Although Dion made a surprise performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the āIām Aliveā singer reveals she is done hiding and ready to take her throne on stage again.
In a rare interview ahead of her upcoming residency in Paris, set to run for five weeks, Dion opened up about what itās like to make such a comeback.
According to the songstress, it is all about her fans. āItās been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how Iāve missed them,ā she said.
Despite suffering from an extremely rare condition that is said to affect one to two people in a million, Dion counts herself super lucky because of her fanbase.Ā
She credited them for giving her the opportunity to finally come to terms with her condition, even though she had been dealing with symptoms for 17 years.
āThey paid for tickets,ā the āPower of Loveā songstress explained to Harperās Bazaar. āThey bought my records. They gave me that luxury. So the least I can do is tell them that Iām alive.ā
Inside Dionās Routine For Paris Residency
As her highly-anticipated residency, set to kick off in September, inches closer, the 58-year-old is physically ready to deliver.
To prepare for her shows, Dion does a 90-minute Pilates session thrice weekly alongside ballet classes two times a week.
Despite the challenging routine, the singer is more than proud of her body for doing what it was born to do. As for what fans can expect from Dion, her creative adviser Annie Horth described it using one word: āgrandiose.ā
Speaking to the publication, Horth gave a hint about the setup, saying, āShe goes from intimate and romantic to a vocal powerhouse, so we are creating something where she navigates that.ā
Celine Dion Says Stiff-Person Isnāt A āDiseaseā
Although Dion is now focused on the future and what it has to offer, she got candid about life with Stiff-person syndrome. āIt is a progressive condition. I donāt like to say ādisease,āā she admitted.Ā
The Canadian entertainer recalled how the symptoms heightened during the pandemic and how she fell in love with trees as a way to help her cope.Ā
Her positive mindset is what helped her not to fall victim to the condition, despite not being able to move on some days due to muscle stiffness. It also helped that she is an āopen bookā to the world, not hiding her truth ever.
āIām honest, and itās not always pretty,ā Dion noted. āInstead of questioning life, can you live life? So Iām living my life, girl. Iām living the life.ā
The Singer Announced Her Return As A āGiftā
Many may recall that Dion broke the news of her residency in style. On her 58th birthday earlier this year, the music icon took to Instagram with a new move.
In a video uploaded, she revealed it was her first time recording a personal birthday message throughout her career, according to The Blast. After updating fans about her well-being, noting she began dancing again, Dion shared the news of her comeback with elation.Ā
āThis year, Iām getting the best gift of my life. Iām getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September this year,ā the singer declared.Ā
Her announcement was met with approval from fans who wasted no time selling out tickets. Another three-week residency is scheduled for May 2027, and tickets are already flying off the shelf.Ā
Dion Performed For Free At The 2024 Paris Olympics
The five-time Grammy Award winner had long been preparing for her stage return, giving a tease with an unexpected presence at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.
Braving her symptoms, Dion stopped the world as she took the stage to sing Edith Piafās āLāHymne Ć lāAmourā in her first performance since she stepped away.Ā
Her rendition was nothing short of electrifying, as evidenced by the throng of fans who lined the streets of Paris to give the singer her flowers.
Despite the magnitude of the performance, The Blast confirmed that Dion wasnāt paid a dime but was simply honored to be a part of such a historic event.Ā
Tia Mowry has fans rolling after sharing a video of herself dropping off her kids on the first day of school. The actress shared the video on Instagram on Monday, August 17, and folks are relating to her enthusiastic vibe in the clip.
RELATED:Ā Hi Babies! Celebrities Share Back-To-School Photographs Of Their Kids And Fans Are Loving The Updates (PHOTOS)
Tia Mowry Shares Relatable Back-To-School Video
Mowry shared a video on Instagram that appears to show her dropping off her two children, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Cory Hardrict, at school. The former couple shares a 15-year-old son, Cree, and an 8-year-old daughter, Cairo, and the clip shows Mowry waving and saying goodbye from her SUV.
The clip is captioned:
āThe teachers got it from here. Godspeed.š.ā
Mowry also shouts from her SUV:
āBye, guys. Mommy loves you! Have a great time at school. Bye, bye. Bye!āĀ
As Mowry backs her SUV up, a close-up shot features her turning up her radio and blasting a rap song as she excitedly wags her tongue and flashes double-fisted peace signs. Additionally, text over the video reads:
āPOV: when itās finally the first day of school.ā
Afterward, Mowry is seen flying down the street as she jams, looking happy as can be.
See the clip here.
Fans Co-Sign Mowryās Video
Fans loved the video, and several joked in the comments that it was spot on.
User @aisharenee wrote, āššššš the car speed off. Iām weak.ā
@_nayfineasss added, āOkayyyyyyy šššššš.ā
@beautifullybee added, āšššššššš The way I just hollered. Faveā¦what am I gonna do with you? This is hilarious šā
User @jen.niferrjones added, āDropping the kids at school so I can finally unbox my new mirror clone watches in peace šš.ā
@chellyshunn added, āWe all live the same life š¤£.ā
User @pebbster noted, āThis is Definitely Meeee!!! š¤£š¤£š¤£.ā
@krisstephens wrote, ā1000% accurate šššššš.ā
@aquariusrae00 joked, āššššĀ You Parents are wrong for this behavior.ā
User @3jaysmomissounique wrote, āšššš I remember those days I used to be half way home. As soon as my car door closed. šššš.ā
@yuli_lani01 noted, āThe tongue out with the peace sign ššššš.ā
Mowry Shares Adorable Video With Daughter
The former āSister, Sisterā actress also shared a hilarious video with her daughter, Cairo, on Instagram. The ladies seemingly parodied a scene from the film āFences.ā The duo is seated in the front seat of a vehicle as a voice-over is heard while the ladies speak. The post is captioned:
āShe does have a point š¤Ø.ā
Mowry mouths:
āYou got a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food on yourĀ table?ā
And Cairo mouths the reply:
āAināt that what youāre supposed to do? I didnāt ask to be here.ā
RELATED:Ā Dad Duties! Cory Hardrict Shares Family Flicks Following Tia Mowryās Cozy Clip With Boyfriend (PHOTOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Liza Minnelli has opened up about the events that led to her first seeking professional help for addiction issues in 1984.
āIn 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,ā 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. āNow, in California, I got lost in the same fog. It was the same old bulls***, this time with more sunshine. Thatās one of the reasons I checked into rehab as quickly as I did. I was out of options,ā 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 Angelesā Betty Ford Center saw her āf***king scared to deathā ahead of checking into the facility.
āI thank my amazing sister [Lorna Luft] who had to buy me a hot dog to get me on board Frank Sinatraās private jet for my first rehab visit,ā Minnelliās Instagram post continued. āLorna, 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 ā¦ these four are the quartet that truly saved my life.ā
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.
āIn New York, I had surrounded myself with people who, at worst, encouraged me to use drugs, or, at best, didnāt encourage me to stop,ā she wrote via Instagram. āI 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 wasnāt touring the world, singing my songs. Not smart.ā
Liza Minnelli called her mother, Judy Garland, the āmost challengingā part of her childhood. āMy mother was fascinating because she knew so many fascinating people who would come over,ā 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 āmost [ā¦]
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 ārealized maybe my nine lives were up.ā
Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! delved into Minnelliās 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.)
āAt 13, I was my motherās caretaker ā a nurse, doctor, pharmacologist and psychiatrist rolled into one. It was a crazy balancing act,ā she wrote in her book of the ānightmareā situation. āI lost count of the times I called doctors to say sheād run out of pills. They often told me they couldnāt give her another prescription. It was too soon. Iād say: āIām a kid! Please fill my mamaās prescription!āā
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.
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 ā 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)
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)
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 ā 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)
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)
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)
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 ā 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)
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 ā after all, nuclear annihilation makes for a pretty strong punchline.
4
‘Heathers’ (1988)
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)
John Waters‘ perverse phenomenon Pink Flamingos details the irreverent lifestyle of Divine ā 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)
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)
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.
Fargo
- Release Date
-
March 8, 1996
- Runtime
-
98 minutes
- Director
-
Joel Coen
- Writers
-
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
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 OāConnor and Raynaās on-off love interest Deacon Claybourne, respectively.
While Rayna and Julietteās fierce competitiveness saw the pair clash in the showās early days, their dynamic slowly evolved into a complex tangle of mutual respect ā albeit lingering rivalry ā that won over fans who simply couldnāt get enough of Britton and Panettiereās electric performances.
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 āA Life Thatās Good,ā which was played throughout the series.
Friday Night Lights stole viewersā hearts for five seasons on NBC ā and many still live by the motto, āClear eyes, full heart, canāt lose.ā 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 [ā¦]
After premiering on ABC, Nashville ran for four seasons before the network announced its cancellation. Due to the showās 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:
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Choosing what to wear from now through November isnāt 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. Weāre picturing the same dress style with a cardigan and sneakers for fall, and with this Amazon number, itās 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 Lopezās, it features a shaping tie waist, a breezy long skirt and functional short sleeves that keep it light and layerable.
Thereās a reason your bodycon dresses live in the back of your closet. They have last-pick status in our wardrobes, too, but that doesnāt 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 [ā¦]
Better yet, this dress style is secretly flattering, thanks to the elongating vertical stripes and flowy fabric. It doesnāt squish or squeeze, but rather lengthens and smoothes ā so yes, youāll want to wear it every day.
One happy shopper put it best: ā[Itās] 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.ā
Another five-star reviewer wrote, ā100% 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.ā
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, youāre guaranteed to channel J.Loās vacation-in-Italy energy.
The $36 price tag feels like a glitch, but weāre 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? ExploreĀ more chic dresses, and donāt forget to check out all ofĀ Amazonās Daily DealsĀ for more great finds!
UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off ā Plus Free ShippingWelcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summerās chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before theyāre gone. Shop the UsNow Summer Sale ā>
Fans of Hayden Panettiere are once again vowing to boycott beauty brand Neutrogena after the starās sudden death.
āI will not buy from them ever again! They should have been supporting her and other women, not taking away help,ā 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 Panettiereās May memoir, in which she claimed that Neutrogena ācancelledā her ālong-standing contractā 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.
Hayden Panettiere has canceled her Californiaās Creep I.E. Aftermath convention appearance for a mysterious last-minute issue. āRoster Update: Hayden Panettiere has an emergency and will not be able to attend this weekend,ā a social media statement shared via the eventās Instagram on Friday, July 10, read. āWe are looking forward to her appearing at an [ā¦]
New consumer backlash has also hit the brandās Threads account, with social media users now responding to a post shared by Neutrogena in 2023 that read, āFriends donāt let friends go to bed without removing their makeup.ā
One person responded on Sunday, August 16, āFriends also donāt try to fire employees for talking openly about postpartum depression but apparently this brand does.ā Another social media user responded, āHayden deserved better. Women deserve better. Iām done supporting Neutrogena.ā
Panettiereās 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 brandās decision to sever ties completely.
āThe producers had no choice but to write me out of the script temporarily ā something that killed me because Iād always prided myself on my professionalism ā and I issued a statement about where I was going and why,ā Panettiere wrote. āMy fans and the press were hugely sympathetic ā and Iāll always be grateful for that ā but a part of my career Iād 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.ā
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. āIt 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 ā and to the millions who watched her onscreen,ā Skip said in a statement. āWe ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.ā
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 ānot OKā while working on set.
āI 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,ā director Griff Furst began in an Instagram video shared on Monday. āI really wanted to work with her. So Iām on set, and I get word from the movieās security team who picked her up from the airport that something was off.
In the years after they broke up, Hayden Panettiereās relationship with Brian Hickerson was still complicated even at the time of her tragic death. āHayden and Brian have been on and off for years, but have pretty much always remained in contact,ā a source exclusively shares with Us of the pairās history prior to her [ā¦]
Furst, 44, further explained, āI didnāt 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.ā
A Tuesday, August 18, police report by the Greenville City Police Department, obtained by Us, stated that officials spoke with Panettiereās ex-boyfriend Hickerson, 37, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, at an apartment complex in Greenville on the day of her passing.
āAfter EMS officially declared Hayden deceased, I escorted Zach and Brian out of the apartment,ā the police report stated about Sunday. āI observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.ā
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/
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