A trilogy is a much harder thing to pull off than a single great movie, since you need three separate stories that each work on their own and still add up to something bigger by the time the credits roll on the last one. A lot of trilogies coast on the first film’s goodwill and just get worse from there.

These six didn’t do that. Every one of them either stayed level across all three entries or actually improved as it went, which is rarer than it sounds. Some of these films are the greatest movies ever produced in Hollywood. Good to best, have a look at them below.

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‘Captain America Trilogy’ (2011–2016)

Image via Marvel Studios

Each movie in this trilogy is basically a different genre with the same lead actor. The First Avenger is a pulpy World War II adventure, Winter Soldier is the second one which turns into a 70s political paranoia thriller openly inspired by Three Days of the Condor, and Civil War, the last one becomes a full ensemble political drama that barely has room for its own title character.

Anthony and Joe Russo came from sitcom backgrounds, Arrested Development and Community, before taking over the back two entries, and the elevator fight in Winter Soldier alone is still held up as one of the best pieces of action choreography the entire Marvel universe has produced. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) anchors all three films despite the genre whiplash and he is still easily one of the most favorite Avengers of teenagers and adults.

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‘How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy’ (2010–2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

Dean DeBlois directed all three of these movies, which is rarer than it sounds for an animated franchise, and it shows in how consistent the emotional throughline stays across almost a decade of real time. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) loses his father partway through the second film, and by the third, he has to let Toothless go be with his own kind instead of keeping him forever, which is a genuinely mature thing to ask a kids’ franchise to sit with.

You can actually watch the animation technology improve across the three movies, fur, water, and fire all get noticeably more detailed by the third installment. Not many franchises built for children trust their audience with actual grief and actual goodbyes the way this one does.

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‘Planet of the Apes Reboot Trilogy’ (2011–2017)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Caesar (Andy Serkis) is one of the best performances of the last two decades built entirely through motion capture, and he never once feels like a special effect, but only a tragic figure slowly losing the fight to keep his own ideals intact. Matt Reeves took over directing for the last two entries and leaned hard into genuine moral weight instead of just monkeys-with-guns show.

War for the Planet of the Apes borrows heavily from prison camp movies and Apocalypse Now, which is an unusual place for a summer blockbuster about talking apes to end up. Serkis never got an Oscar nomination for any of this, despite basically every critic agreeing he deserved one, and that omission still gets brought up as one of the Academy’s bigger blind spots.

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‘The Dark Knight Trilogy’ (2005–2012)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Christopher Nolan built each entry in this trilogy as a completely different genre stitched onto the same character. Batman Begins is a training film, The Dark Knight is a crime thriller, and The Dark Knight Rises is closer to a war epic about revolution. None of these films looks like it belongs to a superhero movie in the way that word usually gets used.

Heath Ledger’s posthumous Oscar for playing the Joker is the moment most people remember, but the bigger legacy is what this trilogy did for the genre as a whole. It proved that a movie about a guy in a bat costume could get taken seriously by people who’d normally skip anything with a cape in it. IMAX became a real blockbuster format partly because Nolan kept insisting on using it here first.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy’ (2014–2023)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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James Gunn directed all three of these and built the whole thing around a soundtrack gimmick that turned into two genuinely bestselling real albums, Awesome Mix Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) leads a team of misfits that starts out as comic relief and slowly turns into one of the more emotionally devastating found-family stories in any recent blockbuster franchise.

Gunn actually got fired from the franchise briefly over old resurfaced tweets before the third movie, then got rehired once Disney reversed course, and Vol. 3 ended up dealing with a genuinely dark, upsetting backstory for Rocket involving real animal cruelty. It’s a rare trilogy that gets more emotionally serious with each entry without ever losing its sense of humor.

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‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’ (2001–2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

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No studio had ever greenlit three blockbuster films shot back to back before knowing whether the first one would even work, and Peter Jackson filmed all three of these together in New Zealand over about eighteen months anyway, an enormous gamble that could have bankrupted everyone involved if audiences hadn’t shown up.

They did, obviously, and The Return of the King went on to win all eleven Oscars it was nominated for, a sweep that basically never happens. This trilogy also built WETA Workshop into a global force in visual effects and turned New Zealand into one of the biggest film production hubs in the world. Fantasy movies got taken seriously by the Academy because of what these three proved was possible.

Dwayne Johnson is excited to be named a Disney Legend, but his children might feel more strongly about the occasion than he does. In a new interview, the “Game Plan” actor reflected on receiving the honorary title from the famed network and movie studio and said his children loved that he now gets a special perk. The rare moment comes just weeks after Disney announced “Moana 3” had begun production.

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Johnson received the honor on August 16 at the Disney Legends Awards ceremony. Among the inductees were Anne Hathaway, who has earned her fair share of Disney roles, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the Jonas Brothers. At the ceremony, Disney said that the recipients are those who “for generations have defined Disney across entertainment, storytelling, and experiences.”

Johnson spoke with PEOPLE at the ceremony and said that his children were probably more excited about him being named a Disney Legend than he was. “They said, ‘Congratulations, Daddy, you’re a Disney legend. What does it mean?’” Johnson said. “And I sent them back a video, and I was like, ‘It means we get free tickets to Disney for life.’”

Dwayne Johnson Says Being A Disney Legend Is About Something ‘Bigger’

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Being named a Disney Legend is no easy task, and Johnson said he’s spent the last few weeks taking in the “special” honor.

“I think Disney Legends is something much bigger … and I believe it’s powerful what Disney does. And what it means, in my opinion, to be a Disney legend is to treat people good and treat them with kindness and try your best to create experiences for them that are,” he said.

Dwayne Johnson Reflects On Taking His Daughter To See A Disney Movie Years Ago

Johnson’s acceptance speech went viral, and during the moving moment, the actor reflected on a special moment he had with his daughter at Disneyland when she was just five years old.

“I was in my 20s. I was trying to figure that stuff out at that time … how I was going to be a father, how I was going to be a husband, man, etc,” he said. “But I remember one of the princesses said, ‘Close your eyes and make a wish.’ And I’ll never forget, [Simone] closed her eyes and she made a wish.”

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According to Johnson, he would never forget the special moment, calling it an “experience” that he believes his daughter holds near to her heart as well. “That’s the beauty of Disney. That’s the beauty also of being a Disney Legend,” he said.

Miley Cyrus Was Named A Disney Legend In 2024

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In 2024, “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus was also named a Disney Legend. At the D23 event, the singer reflected on the life-changing opportunity to portray Miley Stewart in the early-2000s sitcom.

“A little bit of everything has changed, but at the same time, nothing has changed at all,” she said. “I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana.”

As she continued, Cyrus said she was dedicating the award to the fictional pop star and to her fans for how they have both impacted her life.

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“In so many ways, this award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life,’” she said.

Cyrus Will Always Love ‘Hannah Montana’

Happy 16th Hannah-versary! 16 years ago my life changed forever when HM premiered. Because of your loyalty and support I’ve had the honor to travel the world for over a decade and perform for fans that bring so much greatness into my life. pic.twitter.com/94yK3yopfr

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) March 24, 2022

Cyrus has always shown her appreciation for “Hannah Montana.” According to The Blast, the singer appeared in the show’s 20th anniversary special earlier this year, singing new renditions of “This Is The Life,” “The Best of Both Worlds,” and “The Climb.”

In 2022, Cyrus celebrated the show’s 16th anniversary by posting a clip of her singing the “Hoedown Throwdown” on her X account. In the caption, she praised those who helped her get to where she is today. “Because of your loyalty and support, I’ve had the honor to travel the world for over a decade and perform for fans that bring so much greatness into my life,” she wrote.

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Alaia Baldwin Aronow will not serve time behind bars after throwing a tampon at a bartender in 2024. The older sister of Hailey Bieber was accused of assaulting three staff members during a night out in Savannah, Georgia. The incident, which took place at Club Elan, and allegedly involved hair-pulling, a kick to the groin and a used tampon making contact with a bartender’s face happened in February of that year.

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Aronow was charged with four misdemeanors nearly two years later, including simple battery, simple assault, battery and criminal trespass. However, the 33-year-old has now accepted an offer to enter a pre-trial diversion program instead of serving jail time, according to documents obtained by TMZ.

As per the report, Aronow will have to complete a series of classes, fines, and other requirements, in exchange for not having to spend time behind bars. The model’s lawyers, Drew Findling and Cris Schneider, had previously expressed confidence about the outcome of her case.

“We remain absolutely confident, there will be a positive resolution,” they told the DailyMail in January.

What Really Happened In February 2024?

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The owner of Club Elan called 911 when chaos erupted, claiming Aronow had gotten into a physical altercation with staff members and refused to leave, as TMZ reported at the time. According to Employees, Aronow wandered into the staff-only restroom despite being told she was not allowed to use it. Instead, she was redirected to the public bathroom. One security guard claimed Aronow yanked hair out of his head when he attempted to wrangle her, and another guard alleged she kicked him in the groin when he tried doing the same.

Aronow allegedly went into the employee bathroom herself at one point, as per a bartender, who was trying to show discretion for her apparently. Aronow said she needed a minute to throw up and change her tampon. The staff recalled waiting for a while, but when she reentered to check on Aronow, the bartender claimed the model threw a tampon at her.

Alaia Baldwin Aronow Claimed She Was Defending Herself

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The bartender, Haleigh Cauley, reportedly said that the “used” tampon made contact with her face. Then clarified that the tampon never left Aronow’s grip, but rather swung up and touched her face.

“I said, ‘Listen, you guys have got to go,’” Cauley recalled, and also noted that Aronow had a “scary” look in her eyes.

Security eventually stepped in as Aronow reportedly began “swinging” at the guards. The daughter of Stephen Baldwin told officers she was acting in self-defense and insisted the incident was being overblown.

Did Alaia Baldwin Aronow Deny Throwing The Tampon?

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A police report obtained by E! revealed that Aronow initially denied throwing the tampon but later admitted she did throw it.

The model’s attorney told TMZ at the time: “On February 24, 2024, Ms. Aronow traveled to Savannah, GA to celebrate the upcoming marriage of a close friend. Sadly, what should have been a celebratory girls night out, unfortunately took an unexpected turn,” adding, “Ms. Aronow is embarrassed and saddened by the events of that night and is proactively taking the necessary steps to ensure that it never happens again.”

One thing about me: I can’t resist a good beauty deal. And when I know I can get it with two-day shipping à la Amazon Prime during the back-to-school sale? It makes things even sweeter.

Sure, back-to-school season may conjure up thoughts of pencil cases, backpacks and perhaps a new wardrobe, but for beauty lovers, it’s the perfect time to stock up on skincare favorites, experiment with viral makeup formulas and give your hair routine a little refresh. Below, I’ve rounded up the best Amazon back-to-school beauty deals that are bound to sell out.

The 13 Best Beauty Deals From Amazon’s Back-to-School Sale

1. Makeup Cleansing Balm: Can’t be bothered to use a traditional makeup remover? This twist-and-grind PDRN-infused cleansing balm gets the day’s makeup, dirt and oil off instantly — was $22, now $17!

2. High-Hold Shine Spray: Spritz on this shine and high-hold spray from Joico and your style will last up to seven days, guaranteed — was $23, now $19!

3. Two-In-One Blush: Strapped for time? This affordable liquid formula acts as a highlighter and blush. Work smarter, not harder — was $15, now $7!

4. Glowing Body Butter: Deliciously rich and insanely hydrating, this conditioning body butter will make dry, parched skin a thing of the past — was $20, now $18!

5. Cleaner Deodorant Pick: If you’re looking to be more conscious of your beauty purchases, this aluminum-free deodorant will keep your pits dry and your skin happy — was $19, now $15!

Related: Top Makeup & Skincare Brands Are Selling Out During CVS’ Fall Sale

We get it: You burned through all of your hair, makeup, and skincare products this summer. Luckily, CVS’ Fall Epic Beauty Sale just started, and it means mega savings on everything needed to feel your best this fall. There’s never been a better time to grab essentials and wish-list items alike! As an ExtraCare member, […]

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6. Celebrity-Approved: What lipstick is viral, loved by celebrities and sure to give you plumper, fuller-looking lips? This Charlotte Tilbury formula, of course — was $37, now $26!

7. K-Beauty SPF: Go for this gel-like, incredibly nourishing sunscreen if you’re over the feeling of chalky, goopy options — was $30, now $26!

8. Made For All: When skin’s feeling a little dehydrated, this squalane-laced moisturizing cream is here to save the day — was $20, now $18!

9. Day-To-Night: This 12-pan eyeshadow palette will take your look from day to night in seconds. The easy-to-blend formula is a makeup must-have — was $49, now $42!

10. Multi-Tasking Hero: A one-and-done for damaged hair that detangles, softens, adds shine and protects against heat. Add this miracle spray to your cart, STAT — was 16, now $13!

11. $2 Find: No makeup step is easier than swiping on these long-wearing eyeshadow sticks and heading out the door — was $5, now $2!

12. Ceramide-Infused Mist: Whether it’s to prep skin for makeup or used as a midday refresh, this ceramide-infused face mist will balance and soothe — was $14, now $12!

13. Shower Caddy Upgrade: A hyaluronic acid-infused body wash is always a good idea for keeping skin moisturized and cleansed — was $8, now $6!

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Jessie James Decker is on a mission to get out with the old and bring it in with the new!

The reality star shared a big decision she just made regarding her health and well-being with her Instagram family, noting that the epiphany came with the birth of her youngest.

Jessie James Decker has been candid about her struggle with her breast implants and how they become big and uncomfortable during her pregnancies for years now, hence the certainty in tone behind this latest decision.

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The mother-of-four switched the tempo in her Instagram clip with a clip of her performing some acrobatics on a fitness ball. Decker looked every inch a pro as she flaunted her toned muscles in a two-piece gym outfit.

Explaining where she is currently at mentally in the caption, Decker revealed that she is excited and nervous to finally “take out my VERY large breast implants” after months of deliberation and second-guessing.

While she would have loved to take everything out altogether, Decker confessed that she is not completely ready for that, and she is not sure about what would be underneath the large implants she has had for so long. 

“I’ve been on such a fitness journey with y’all and my @jjdfitclub getting stronger and more confident than ever. I’m not stopping, and I don’t want anything holding me back,” Decker stated.

She added that her “strong girl Era” has really helped her feel more connected to her body and find out what works well for her, and for now, big implants are not that.

The Former E! Star Wants To Leave An Important Lesson For Her Daughter About Beauty Standards

Decker went deeper into another reason why she had taken the bull by the horns, and it was no other than the birth of her daughter, Denver, who really taught her a vital lesson. She explained:

“Having Denver really kick-started this whole ‘less is more’ chapter for me. I want less maintenance in my life, and I’m embracing my natural girl era!”

Decker added that she wanted less maintenance in her life, as she is embracing her natural girl era, and that could be because she is getting closer to 40. The singer emphasized that she has reached a point in her life where she feels the most like herself. 

She confessed that having a daughter also shifted some things into perspective for her about cosmetic procedures and beauty standards. Ultimately, Decker confessed that she would never want her daughter to think she has to go through beauty surgeries and upkeep to look beautiful.

Decker added that she would be glad to share her journey with the world as she knows many people are in the same position as her, looking for the right sign to take that big step finally.

Jessie James Decker Upped Her Cup Size In 2021

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The media personality’s latest decision comes over five years after she informed her social media fans that she had bigger implants in her bosoms. Flaunting her curves and new pair in a mint green two-piece, Decker explained on Instagram that she decided to gift herself a larger size of boobs following the birth of their last child.

She revealed that she went in for a breast reduction and a lift a couple of years back because she did not like her size and the effect of the elastic skin, which made them hang down to her belly button. Decker noted that her bo*bs were so big and perky before she had kids, and she would love to have them back plus some more.

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Following the successful surgery, Decker affirmed that she feels satisfied with the new pair and like a brand new woman, especially after seeing how well her new breasts finally filled out the tops of her new swimsuit in the picture.

The Singer Got Candid About The Unexpected Downside Of Her Implants

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In 2023, Decker opened up about some of her struggles with her breast implants on a Q&A session on her Instagram, revealing that she carried some concerns about breastfeeding for the fourth time with implants in.

While she has successfully nursed her other babies even with the implants in, Decker noted that if she knew she would become pregnant again after baby number 3, she would have opted for smaller implants.

As noted by PEOPLE, Decker explained that pregnancy causes her breasts to grow larger and at that point, she would gladly jump at an offer to downsize.

Decker shared her intention to consider a reduction someday in the future during the session, which came a week after she announced that she was expecting her fourth child with beau Eric Decker.

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The reality star and her former NFL player husband tied the knot in 2013 and welcomed three children in 2014, 2015, and 2018, respectively, expanding their family with a fourth in 2024.

Before the fourth pregnancy, Decker and her husband shared that they have an open-minded policy when it comes to expanding their family, and whichever way life goes for them, they would remain glad regardless.

Jessie James Decker Revealed The Hard Work Behind Post-Baby Transformation

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After welcoming Denver, The Blast shared in June that Decker opened up about her fitness journey, documenting each step in an Instagram video.

The compilation featured Jessie exercising both during and after pregnancy, including difficult moments when she appeared exhausted but continued pushing through her workouts.

In the caption, Jessie admitted she was initially nervous about sharing such a personal glimpse into her experience. She explained that staying fit once came naturally to her without restrictive dieting, but pregnancy significantly changed her body and approach to fitness.

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The mother of four had come to realize that she had added over 50 pounds in almost every pregnancy and that the weight did not just go away after birth. Instead, she realized she had to work consistently to reach her fitness goals again. 

Jessie also remembered the difficulty she had with her changing body, such as seeing herself in the mirror sometimes and not feeling comfortable in her clothes.  At times she felt demoralized and defeated when things did not move quickly enough, but she remained dedicated to the progression. 

Wishing Jessie James Decker a smooth journey as she finds her happy place!

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Aside from Apple TV’s The Lost Bus, which earned a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, it feels like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a headline performance from Matthew McConaughey, with the Academy Award winner taking a break from the acting spotlight following 2019’s The Gentlemen, directed by Guy Ritchie. Now, we have not one but two McConaughey performances to look forward to in the coming weeks, starting this weekend with the long-awaited arrival of neo-Western The Rivals of Amziah King.

Incredibly, it has been 17 months since The Rivals of Amziah King first debuted to an expectant audience at SXSW, with critics offering unanimous praise and the film winning an 89% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, at the time of writing. Also starring the likes of Kurt Russell, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Rob Morgan, Cole Sprouse, Catherine Dyer, and more, The Rivals of Amziah King is likely to prove a hidden gem in theaters this weekend, with McConaughey fans seemingly getting in the mood by catching one of his career-defining roles from 2014.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, the sweeping, emotionally poignant sci-fi epic Interstellar is currently one of the most-watched movies on HBO Max in the likes of Switzerland and Germany, as well as ranking among the most-watched movies on Amazon in the UK. McConaughey stars in the film opposite Anne Hathaway, who recently debuted her newest creature feature, The End of Oak Street, in theaters. Interstellar is widely regarded as one of the sci-fi genre’s defining titles of the past 25 years, and it earned almost $650 million in an impressive global box office run.

Christopher Nolan and Anne Hathaway Teamed Up for One of the Best Movies of the Year

12 years after producing sci-fi magic with McConaughey, Nolan and Hathaway took a trip back in time to the 12th century BCE to deliver the latest adaptation of Homer‘s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey. Having already become Nolan’s highest-grossing movie ever, almost doubling the global haul of Interstellar, The Odyssey has also earned huge acclaim from critics, being called an “unrivaled cinematic spectacle” in Joe Schmidt‘s official review for Collider. Matt Damon, who leads The Odyssey, also appeared in Interstellar as NASA astronaut Dr. Mann.

For all the latest streaming stories, stay tuned to Collider.

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Release Date

November 5, 2014

Runtime

169 minutes

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Writers

Jonathan Nolan

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Producers

Emma Thomas, Jake Myers, Kip Thorne, Lynda Obst, Jordan Goldberg, Thomas Tull

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Summer may not have ended yet, but I’m mentally over all my warm-weather clothes. Instead, I’m craving loose, flowy pants that skim my body and can carry my wardrobe straight into fall. I’m considering fall-appropriate styles with billowy legs, forgiving waistbands and comfortable silhouettes that are flattering at the same time.

Amazon has plenty to choose from, so I narrowed the options down to these 17 pairs worth putting on your radar. Find casual striped and gingham styles, polished work finds, stretchy travel picks and dressier options that can handle dinner and drinks. Prices start at $17, which makes retiring your shorts for the season even easier.

17 Loose and Slimming Pants for Fall 2026

Casual, Everyday Picks

1. My Favorite: I’m kicking off my fall pants rotation with this striped drawstring style. Between the loose wide-leg silhouette, elongating vertical stripes and easy elastic waist, they nail that comfy but flattering sweet spot.

2. Gingham Girl: I’m already thinking of ways to style these gingham balloon pants with a fitted white tee, ballet flats and a cardigan. The exaggerated legs add fashion-girl appeal and an ultra-comfortable feel.

3. Easy Breezy: These cotton-linen pants are basically the antidote to stiff fall trousers. Made with 70% cotton and 30% linen, the barrel-leg pants are light, breathable and rich-looking.

4. Leg-Lengtheners: The floor-skimming cut on these wide-leg pants gives them an instantly elongating look. Better yet, the elastic drawstring waist keeps them comfortable enough to become an everyday staple.

5. Prints, Please: Basic jeans can sit this one out. These polka dot pants have a playful print that makes a simple tee feel instantly more styled. Plus, the loose, cropped silhouette won’t cling a bit.

6. Volume, Please: Skinny pants could never. These pleated balloon pants lean all the way into a billowy silhouette, with tapered ankles that give the oversized shape some much-needed definition.

7. Espresso Stripe: These striped palazzo pants are basically fall’s answer to breezy summer bottoms. The rich chocolate brown instantly feels seasonal, while the vertical stripes and extra-long legs work together for an elongating effect.

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Related: 17 Amazon ‘Carpool Sets’ for Looking Put-Together in 30 Seconds

I’m always looking for ways to make getting dressed easier, and I’m officially calling matching outfits my new ‘carpool sets.’ These throw-on-and-go combinations make you look put-together in about 30 seconds, even when the morning feels chaotic. Better yet, many of my favorite options work especially well for the tricky summer-to-fall stretch. I found 17 […]

Office-Ready Styles

8. My Favorite: Casual Friday outfits shouldn’t be boring, and these polka dot trousers will give your wardrobe a boost. The sage print brings fun to your work wardrobe, while the tailored waist and sweeping legs keep everything looking professional.

9. Secretly Stretchy: No one at the office needs to know these wide-leg pants have an elastic waistband. Their clean cream finish and softly tapered legs deliver a polished look while keeping you comfortable through a full workday.

10. Promotion Pants: There’s something about these tailored wide-leg pants that says ‘corner office.’ The camel shade and structured waist feel polished enough for big meetings, while the roomy legs offer considerably more breathing room than traditional fitted trousers.

11. Meeting to Martini: These straight-leg trousers can easily pull double duty on days when work dinners turn into happy hour drinks. The tailored high waist keeps them professional, while the relaxed legs feel cool enough to style beyond the office.

Airport-Ready

12. My Favorite: Settle into your seat without sacrificing the ‘fit with these side-stripe pants. Loose legs and an adjustable waist make them flight-friendly, while the racing-red stripe gives them an off-duty celebrity feel.

13. Cloud-Level Comfort: Sitting through a three-hour flight sounds a lot more manageable in these wide-leg sweatpants. The soft, slouchy legs leave plenty of breathing room, while the high drawstring waist keeps them secure without feeling restrictive.

14. Long-Haul Hero: Hours in the air call for pants that won’t dig, squeeze or cling. This wide-leg pair combines a stretchy drawstring waist with roomy legs and pockets, checking practically every box on my airport outfit list.

Date Night Picks

15. My Favorite: Lace-trimmed hems give these flowy balloon pants a softer date night feel than typical loose trousers. Style them with a fitted tank and kitten heels for a look that feels romantic without trying too hard.

16. Date Night Dots: These polka dot pants have a flirty feel that’s perfect for dinner and drinks. The low-rise drawstring waist keeps the silhouette relaxed, so you wouldn’t mind wearing them around the house, too.

17. Retro Romance: Lean into the vintage charm of these polka dot barrel pants with a fitted top and kitten heels. The soft pleating adds shape around the waist, and the cropped balloon leg keeps the look playful and unexpected.

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

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For over 50 years, Saturday Night Live has been entertaining viewers, delivering laugh-out-loud moments and parodying just about everything under the sun. And while Lorne Michaels‘ series has been a consistent mainstay for NBC over the years, with some seasons being more beloved by fans than others, the show has an issue on its hands that should be addressed by the time Season 52 comes along.

When looking back at the recent departures from the show, there’s one problem that’s becoming glaringly obvious: the lack of representation. So while SNL seems to have made a conscious effort in the last decade to make its cast more representative of modern America and society, the latest wave of departures has left the show facing the possibility of reversing some of that progress. It’s a problem that needs to be fixed, now rather than later.

The Lack of Diversity Is Becoming a Problem for ‘SNL’

Saturday Night Live‘s most recent departure was Chloe Fineman, who had been a favorite on the show for seven seasons. “I have decided it’s time for my next chapter,” she wrote in a July 16 post on Instagram. “It’s cliché to say this, but working at SNL has been the greatest privilege of my life. I still can’t really believe I got to be a part of it. I fell in love with the place the second I walked through the door.” Fineman’s departure follows the shocking exit of Bowen Yang, who left midway through Season 51 and had been on the show for seven seasons, Ego Nwodim, who left after seven seasons in September 2025, and Heidi Gardner, who left in August 2025 after eight seasons. Each of these exits not only showed how quickly SNL was losing its most veteran cast members, but how the show has, slowly but surely, lost its diversity in both female actors and LGBTQ voices (Bowen was the first openly gay Asian-American cast member in SNL history).

Diversity issues aren’t exactly a new issue on the show either. Per the Los Angeles Times, SNL has only had eight Black female cast members in its history: Yvonne Hudson, Danitra Vance, Ellen Cleghorne, Maya Rudolph, Sasheer Zamata, Leslie Jones, Punkie Johnson and Ego Nwodim. “Ya’ll gotta hurry up and you gotta find somebody, this is a ‘break glass in case of emergency,’” TV host Sherri Shepherd urged after Nwodin’s departure. “It is an emergency.”

In Season 51, while diversity between its cast members was becoming an increasingly more obvious issue, celebrity hosts and cameos quietly filled in the gaps. Among the hosts for the season were Bad Bunny, Teyana Taylor, and Colman Domingo. But while hosts can fill those diversity gaps, it’s only a temporary, short-term fix and is far from being a substitute for representation within the current ensemble. The ensemble itself determines what stories get told, who gets recurring characters, develops chemistry, and eventually becomes the next generation of SNL stars. Female and LGBTQ actors are less and less a part of that group, and that’s troubling, to say the least.

The Diversity in ‘SNL UK’ Only Highlights the Issue

Image via Sky/NBC Universal; Crave

Of course, when looking at the diversity issue in SNL, one can’t help but compare it to the newly assembled cast of SNL UK, which first premiered on March 22, 2026, and is already renewed for Season 2. SNL UK has an original cast with a stronger representation of women, women of color and LGBTQ voices without treating diversity as a special event or relying on guest stars to provide it. Cast members include Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young. Their diversity as a whole makes the disparity in SNL harder to dismiss, and an even more egregious problem in need of solving.

Ultimately, while Lorne Michaels and the SNL team aren’t fully in charge of all the departures from the show, this gap between Season 51 and Season 52 presents the production team with the opportunity to fix the lack of diversity in the cast. After all, new cast members are added to the show every season, and SNL is in need of fresh, diverse voices and points of view now more than ever.

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Release Date

October 11, 1975

Showrunner

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Lorne Michaels

Directors

Dave Wilson, Don Roy King, Liz Patrick, Andy Warhol, Linda Lee Cadwell, Matthew Meshekoff, Paul Miller, Robert Altman, Robert Smigel

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Writers

Will Forte, Bill Hader, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Chris Parnell, Asa Taccone, John Lutz, Tom Schiller, Simon Rich, Michael Patrick O’Brien, Nicki Minaj, Herbert Sargent, Matt Piedmont, John Solomon, Chris Kelly, Alan Zweibel, Kent Sublette, Ari Katcher, Marika Sawyer, Sarah Schnedier, Scott Jung, Justin Franks, Jerrod Bettis, Rhiannon Bryan

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Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, are expanding their partnership into biotech by investing in a company focused on advancing skin research. The new venture, Outer Bio, reportedly uses human tissue and artificial intelligence to study aging, inflammation, damage, and other skin-health concerns. The company claims its AI can dramatically speed up the search for promising new skin ingredients by predicting which compounds are worth testing.

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Lady Gaga is stepping further into the science of skin health with her fiancé, Michael Polansky. The singer shared details about Outer Bio on Friday, August 21, a research company she co-founded with her future husband.

Rather than selling skincare products directly to consumers, the firm focuses on discovering and testing new approaches to skin health.

Outer Bio’s research platform, YUNA, reportedly combines machine learning with full-thickness human skin tissue that can remain viable for more than 30 days. The company says this lets researchers study issues such as chronic inflammation, aging, collagen remodeling, environmental damage, and wound healing over longer periods.

Its technology also uses automated screening and AI to identify promising compounds before testing them on human tissue. According to Outer Bio, the resulting data then feeds back into its models to improve future predictions.

How Outer Bio’s AI Hunts For New Skin Ingredients

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Outer Bio’s artificial intelligence is essentially being trained to make better bets about which chemicals could benefit human skin.

According to TechCrunch, Polansky claims the model predicts how previously untested compounds might affect a particular skin function. Researchers then test those predictions and use the outcomes, including failures, to sharpen the system’s next round of selections.

Polansky says the approach has dramatically accelerated the hunt for potential ingredients. Before adding AI, researchers reportedly spent about 18 months using a more labor-intensive process that produced only a couple of leads.

How Lady Gaga And Michael Polansky Became Business Partners

Gaga and Polansky’s business partnership appears to have grown out of their personal relationship and a shared creative rhythm. According to Rolling Stone Australia, after the couple began dating, Polansky encouraged Gaga to take greater control of her music.

She eventually began asking for his input, which led him to offer ideas on lyrics and songs during the making of “Mayhem.” Some of those suggestions made the final album, earning Polansky songwriting credits. He later joined Gaga and producer Andrew Watt as an executive producer on the project.

Gaga has described the pair as best friends who are “always being creative,” and Polansky went on to work with her across planning for the Mayhem Ball. He was credited alongside Gaga as a creative director and executive producer on the tour.

Gaga Already Built A Beauty Business With Haus Labs

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Outer Bio is not Gaga’s first attempt to turn her interest in beauty into a business. The singer launched Haus Laboratories in 2019, initially building the brand around the bold makeup she knew from stages, red carpets, and fashion shoots.

By 2022, however, Gaga admitted she had entered the industry without being a beauty expert. She also realized most customers weren’t trying to recreate her performance looks.

That prompted a major overhaul. Haus Labs returned with a stronger focus on products that combined high-impact makeup with skincare ingredients. Gaga said the revamped formulas included proprietary ingredients and excluded thousands of substances the brand considered undesirable.

Lady Gaga Embraces AI Without Leaving Humans Behind

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While clearly not afraid to invest in this latest AI venture, Gaga has previously defended the importance of human creativity in her own work.

In 2025, her music video for “The Dead Dance” faced online accusations that some of its unusual visuals were AI-generated. The Tim Burton-directed clip featured eerie dolls whose distorted movements prompted suspicion from some viewers.

However, one animator on the project denied using AI to animate the dolls, saying a VFX studio created them. Production company The Roots also published an extensive list of credits detailing the artists and designers behind the video.

Months later, Gaga addressed AI more broadly during an interview with Zane Lowe. She said she was not afraid of the technology, but stressed that human connection remained essential, even as pop music becomes increasingly polished and technically precise.

“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon,” Gaga said.

Magnesium has quietly become one of the most talked-about supplements for sleep and recovery, and Scarlett Johansson is among the celebrities who swear by it. The Black Widow actress has described her magnesium routine in multiple interviews, framing it as a small evening habit with a big payoff for how she sleeps, digests and winds down.

Her endorsement lands at a moment when magnesium is trending across social feeds and pharmacy aisles. Here is what Johansson actually takes, why she takes it and how it fits into the rest of her nighttime lineup.

How Scarlett Johansson’s Magnesium Routine Works

Johansson takes magnesium at night as part of a stripped-down evening ritual. Speaking with TZR, she said the supplement has become a fixture in her wind-down.

“I take magnesium at night. It helps me sleep. I feel like it’s good for recovery. It’s good for your entire central nervous system,” she told the outlet.

Related: The Sleep Supplements Dietitians Are Recommending More Often

Search interest in sleep supplements has spiked as more people look for alternatives to prescription sleep aids and endless doomscrolling. Below is what dietitians, physicians and sleep researchers actually recommend, drawing on specialists cited by Eating Well, Johns Hopkins, WebMD, the Sleep Foundation and Yahoo Health. Does Magnesium Actually Help You Sleep? Magnesium glycinate can […]

She pairs it with a low-effort skincare routine built around her own line, including a micellar cleanser, a prep serum, a night cream and an occasional boosting oil.

Why Magnesium Sleep Benefits Appeal to Johansson

The magnesium sleep conversation has gone mainstream, and Johansson has been open about why the supplement clicked for her. She told Byrdie that the effect goes beyond bedtime.

“I take magnesium. I know that everybody is taking magnesium now. It’s so helpful, it really makes a huge difference, especially in my digestion and my recovery, it’s awesome,” she said.

Johansson, who has been married to Colin Jost since 2020, also relies on a cold, dark room and a white-noise machine to stay asleep. She told Air Mail she falls asleep easily but has had a harder time staying asleep as she has gotten older.

The Form of Magnesium She Stopped Using

Not every version of the supplement made the cut. Johansson previously experimented with topical magnesium before switching to an oral version.

“I’ve been taking magnesium, which I think helps me sleep more soundly. I used to use a [magnesium] spray that you put on the bottom of your feet, but it dries your skin out,” she told Air Mail.

She has kept magnesium in her self-care rotation in another form, though. Johansson told W Magazine her at-home pedicure starts with a magnesium foot soak, followed by a salt scrub, filing, moisturizing and polish.

“My favorite form of self care is probably doing my own pedicure,” she said. “I am good at it.”

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Where Magnesium Fits Into Her Broader Supplement Lineup

Magnesium is not the only supplement in her rotation. After noticing she felt depleted following breast-feeding, Johansson told Refinery29 she built out a fuller stack.

“I just started because I noticed that overall I was depleted, likely as a result of breast-feeding, so I now take vitamins C and D, calcium, magnesium, B-complex and omega-3s,” said the actress, who is a mom to kids Rose and Cosmo.

She has also added vegan collagen on a friend’s recommendation, even as her dermatologist has pushed back on the idea that ingestible beauty products deliver real results. Johansson told TZR she is trying it anyway to see whether her hair grows in thicker, faster and shinier.