Below Deck stars have made headlines for their time on the show — but they have also shocked viewers with their legal troubles behind the scenes.

After wrapping up his time on Below Deck Adventure early, Kyle Dickard got in trouble with the law. In November 2022, Dickard was arrested after he ran onto a soccer field during a game and allegedly tried to bribe authorities to let him go.

According to court documents, the reality star was taken into custody after he ran from the stands into the stadium. Dickard was apprehended by security, but he resisted and was ultimately tackled to the ground. He attempted to run back onto the field before being arrested.

The arrest report stated that Dickard’s behavior “caused the crowd to become unruly” and “incited several others to run onto the field” during the event. The Bravo personality, for his part, didn’t appear worried about his legal woes.

“How it started vs. How it ended 😅 I would of scored if I had a belt on…js,” Dickard wrote via Instagram about the incident shortly after his release. The social media post included footage of him getting ready to run onto the field and a copy of his mugshot.

Dickard is not the only Below Deck alum who got arrested after appearing in the franchise. In 2016, Kate Chastain was charged with battery by strangulation domestic violence after getting into a fight with her girlfriend.

Chastain allegedly bit Rocío “Ro” Hernandez on the forearm, inner bicep and leg after returning to their shared home from a bar. According to body cam footage obtained by Florida Today, the chief stew accused Hernandez of being the one who instigated an argument.

“It’s been a horrible week. It’s been broken glass, fighting, screaming,” she explained to the authorities. “Because I’m on television [I didn’t report it to the police], and I don’t really need a news report coming out that I have a lesbian domestic violence.”

After news of her arrest broke, Chastain took to social media to address the legal trouble, tweeting, “Thank you for your support during this difficult & humiliating time. The truth will come out & I look forward to regaining peace in my life.”

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The charges against the Below Deck star were later dropped. For Chastain, the experience caused her to reconsider her approach to dating.

“I’m a little more cautious about who I date because people can appear one way and then be totally different,” she said during an interview in 2018. “Fortunately, that’s all gone away.”

Scroll down to see which other Below Deck alums have faced legal woes over the years:

Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star will be replaced after it was vandalized following her death.

“When we arrived, a custodian was cleaning and told us a woman kicked candles around, then with the shards of one, scratched the star,” a social media user stated in a Tuesday, September 1, Instagram video that depicted dark markings and scratches over the star. “Then a man came and stole the flowers that were there.”

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has confirmed it will replace the star, sharing via the Hollywood Historic Trust’s Instagram on Tuesday that work had begun. “The Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are proud to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton with a replacement of her star,” a caption with a photo of the site, which showed safety tape encircling the star, read. “The new star will be available for viewing this Friday.”

According to reporting by TMZ on Tuesday, Ana Martinez, a representative for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the replacement had been scheduled prior to the vandalism after “cracks” had begun to appear in the star.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Loved Ones Visit Cemetery With Flowers 3 Days After Her Death

Dolly Parton’s loved ones gathered at her burial site in Nashville three days after the singer’s death. Parton’s closest relatives, including her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, were spotted arriving at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, August 28, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six. Seaver reportedly coordinated […]

The outlet also reported that a fan had informed the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce about the scratches and stolen flowers on the evening of Monday, August 31.

Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died following a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Three days later, family members were spotted arriving at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum for Dolly’s funeral. (Parton was buried beside her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.)

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The country music icon’s great-niece, Lainey Mae Parton, confirmed via social media that an intimate memorial service was staged on Friday, August 28. “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote via Instagram the following day. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”

Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, also honored her sister via social media on Saturday. “Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida, 69, wrote via Facebook at the time. “I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”

The post continued, “Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”

When it comes to deciding where to start, comic books aren’t always the most intuitive. There are plenty of great stories out there, but finding them (especially older issues not always readily available) is a bit of a challenge. Still, for some heroes it’s a bit easier than others, and if you’re looking to get into Batman comics for the very first time, there are a handful of books you ought to consider.

The Dark Knight has been around for the better part of a century, so there’s no shortage of material to choose from. Still, just as is the case with so many live-action and animated adaptations out there, finding the iteration of the Caped Crusader that best suits you can be a challenge. So, for those not as intimately familiar with Batman’s comic book history, here are the books we suggest picking up first.

Detective Comics #27 (1939)

Image via DC Comics

The original tale by creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Detective Comics #27 introduced Batman to the masses with “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate.” Detective Comics didn’t start out as a primarily Batman (or even superhero) book. Rather, Batman (styled as “Bat-Man” here) was just the headliner of this particular issue, but the bat-brand stuck. As The Dark Knight investigates the death of a chemical manufacturer, he finds himself on to an organized crime operation that only he can stop.

Detective Comics #27 is arguably one of the most important single issues in comic book history. Not only did it issue the first appearance of the Caped Crusader, but it (like Action Comics #1 before it) changed the direction of the entire industry. Batman was a hit for the company, and it wasn’t long before the character became one of the biggest sellers in the medium.

Year One (1987)

Image via DC Comics

While Batman’s origin would first be told in Detective Comics #33, several months after the character’s initial appearance, the most popular iteration of it would come from the duo of Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli in the four-part tale Batman: Year One. First released in Batman #404-407, Year One has become the definitive rendition of Batman’s early days in the cape and cowl. Told through the lens of Lt. Jim Gordon (not yet commissioner), we see The Dark Knight slowly devour the organized crime ring in Gotham City, much to the chagrin of some corrupt GCPD officers.

Year One would later be turned into one of the best (albeit animated) Batman movies out there, and served as the basis for plenty of other adaptations over the years. Miller’s gritty style perfectly embodied the character, and crafted an air of mistique around his shadowy figure. Years later, DC would revamp Batman’s origin with the extended tale Batman: Zero Year, and though it’s good on its own merits, Year One is undoubtedly one of the greatest graphic novels ever made.

Detective Comics #38 (1940)

Image via DC Comics

It wasn’t long into Batman’s comic book run that Bill Finger and Bob Kane decided that the Caped Crusader was a bit darker than they had intended. So, in Detective Comics #38, Robin was first introduced to the world. The Boy Wonder became Batman’s official sidekick, and this version — Dick Grayson, the original and best version of Robin — stuck by The Dark Knight’s side into the 1980s. Without this issue, Batman may not have become the cultural icon he became.

“Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder” isn’t just an important origin story for Robin that shoehorns in a sidekick, it became the template for all comic book sidekicks in the future. Robin was a gamechanger not just for Batman but for comics as a whole, and the character was an instant hit with younger audiences who imagined themselves fighting crime alongside their favorite masked hero.

Batman #1 (1940)

Image via DC Comics

Another Bill Finger and Bob Kane special, the very first issue of Batman was a momentous occasion, not just because it was the Dynamic Duo’s first solo book, but because it introduced some of their most notable supporting cast members into the DC Universe. Batman #1 chronicles not only the first appearance of the Joker, but also Catwoman (going by “the Cat”). Not only that, but it once more retells the origin of “how Batman came to be” to get newcomers up to speed with this inaugural issue.

Batman #1 pits Batman and Robin against Joker, Catwoman, and the returning foil Dr. Hugo Strange (who appeared first back in Detective Comics), solidifying the look, feel, and tone of Batman moving forward. Old comics may not be your thing, but this issue is a masterwork, full of some of the most important stories in Batman lore, even all these years later. It may not hold a candle to some live-action Batman movies, but it’s the foundation on which many of them stand.

The Man Who Laughs (2005)

Image via DC Comics

If you’re looking for something a bit more modern, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Doug Mahnke retold the Joker’s first tussle with The Dark Knight in a modern context (and sans Robin) with Batman: The Man Who Laughs. Taking the same basic plot from Batman #1, Brubaker re-imagines it in a clever way that throws Batman into the murderous arms of the Clown Prince of Crime. While maybe not the most memorable Joker story, this recounting of their first battle is top-notch.

The Man Who Laughs does what only the best Batman writers can do by pulling from Batman’s storied past and reworking it into the present. This standalone book only scratches the surface of the rivalry between these two DC Comics icons. Sure, there may be plenty of Batman villains more interesting than the Joker, but this story reminds you just how much of a thorn he has always been in The Dark Knight’s side.

The Long Halloween (1996)

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With Batman: The Long Halloween, writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale crafted something that they likely had no idea would so frequently influence Batman media. In this tale, Batman works alongside Jim Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent as they continue to bring down Gotham’s organized crime outfit, all while new costumed maniacs begin roaming the street. So, when the Holiday Killer begins making waves across Gotham, the Caped Crusader goes on a manhunt to uncover the one responsible before it’s too late.

Not only is this detective story what partially inspired The Dark Knight (easily among Batman’s greatest live-action outings), but it was later adapted into animation in a feature that Letterboxd considers one of the most impressive DC animated movies. It’s well-adored by casual and die-hard fans alike, and is often a go-to for newcomers. If you loved The Long Halloween, the story continues with Haunted Knight and Dark Victory, the latter of which also brings Robin into the fold.

The Killing Joke (1988)

Image via DC Comics

No list of essential Batman books, for beginners or otherwise, would be complete without The Killing Joke. Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland crafted this deranged and complicated tale as a deconstruction of Batman and the Joker’s symbiotic relationship. Though intended to take place outside of continuity (with an open-ended conclusion that implies Batman may have even killed the Joker), The Killing Joke proved so influential that it became part of the mainstream DCU. It’s also the Joker at his most demented and depraved.

The Killing Joke would later be adapted into a pretty sub-par animated movie (one way too disturbing for kids), so it’s best to stick with the graphic novel here. That’s another thing: This is a particularly bleak Batman story, one that (like Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns) would come to change the way the character was interpreted going forward. While most of the Batman books on this list could still be enjoyed by younger audiences (with parental discretion, of course), this is one for mature readers only.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (1989)

Image via DC Comics

One of the best Batman graphic novels ever made, writer Grant Morrison and artist Dave McKean broke new creative ground with Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. In many respects, this is the closest that Batman comics have ever come to a straight-up horror movie. There is some truly haunting content in these pages that give the Caped Crusader (and the reader) further insight into the Joker, Two-Face, and even Arkham itself.

Despite the title, this one is not at all related to the video game Batman: Arkham Asylum or any of its sequels. Rather, this standalone comic book is a psychological thriller that puts the reader into the mind of those who stick around for a long term in the titular institution. Another mature read, this one is best enjoyed by those who can really unpack the material Morrison delivers here.

Batman & Robin: Year One (2024)

Image via DC Comics

For those who loved those early adventures of the Dynamic Duo explored in the previously mentioned Bat-books, then Batman & Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee may be the comic series for you. This run is exactly what it sounds like, a caped adventure that follows Batman and Robin through their initial year as crime-fighting partners, exploring the dynamic between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson with genuine care. All 12 issues exist in a single collected edition, so this should be pretty easy to track down.

For those who want more of Batman and Robin’s early years, Waid and Samnee reunited for Batman & Robin: Year One — Dynamic Duos earlier this year, continuing the saga in a new limited series. Why all the emphasis on Batman and Robin, you might ask? Simply because Batman is grounded and challenged by Robin in ways he couldn’t be with anyone else at his side. No matter which of your favorite Robins stands with the Caped Crusader, the Boy Wonder has more than earned his place in the Batmobile.

Mad Love and Other Stories (2011)

Image via DC Comics

Okay, maybe calling this an “essential” Batman comic is a bit of a stretch, but considering that Batman: The Animated Series made possibly the greatest contributions to the Batman mythos outside the comics themselves, these stories by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm deserve high praise. “Mad Love” is the most famous, of course, which is a Harley Quinn-centric tale that explores her problematic relationship with the Joker and proves Batman’s resourcefulness in real time.

Other tales in this collection include “Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas” (which, like “Mad Love,” was later adapted for The New Batman Adventures), the Ra’s al Ghul tale “Demons,” the noir-style Two-Face tale “Two of a Kind,” and the entirety of Batman Adventures Annual #1. For those who adore Batman: The Animated Series and just love simple one-and-done Batman adventures, Mad Love and Other Stories is a collected edition you simply must add to your reading list.

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The Batman

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March 4, 2022

Runtime

176 minutes

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Director

Matt Reeves

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Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, Bob Kane, Bill Finger

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An era of excess and exuberance, the 1980s is fondly remembered for its unrestrained sense of style, its appetite for daring new horizons, and the many ways in which it saw technological advancements transform the world. Unsurprisingly, the movies of the ‘80s hold some very similar qualities, with the cinema of the decade today being renowned for its pioneering, genre-blending bravado, its unreserved sense of action awe, and its innovative use of filmmaking tools like practical special effects and early CGI.

It was also a decade of fun-loving cinema. Many movies were designed to be epic experiences that excite and enthrall, and while not every picture from the era has aged gracefully, many of the best have endured as beloved classics that people still return to 40 years later for a dose of gleeful escapism and enchanting joy. From some of the decade’s most defining action masterpieces to sci-fi adventure gems that are the pinnacle of movie magic, these eight ‘80s flicks stand as some of the most fun pictures the medium has ever seen.

8

‘Evil Dead 2’ (1987)

Image via Rosebud Releasing Corporation

Wedged between the frenetic indie chills of The Evil Dead and the comedic fervor of Army of Darkness, Evil Dead 2 thrives as a faultless marriage of humor and horror that stands as one of the greatest mid-trilogy movies of all time as it soars off the back of Sam Raimi’s inspired, kinetic direction and Bruce Campbell’s iconic performance. He stars as Ash Williams, a university student who takes his girlfriend to a remote cabin for a getaway only to find himself plunged into a waking nightmare when he plays an audio tape that summons the spirits of the dead.

While there are plenty of frights and thrills on offer, Evil Dead 2 handles them with a sense of infectious fun that makes every jolting jump scare feel like an eruption of chaotic excitement. This approach is beautifully complimented by the film’s eccentric mixture of cartoonish gore and slapstick comedy, which works in tandem with its fast-paced storytelling and Campbell’s committed performance to create a spectacle of bloodshed and bravado that makes for one of the most maniacally magnificent movies ever made.

7

‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)

Image via Orion Pictures

There’s an old adage that states, “if it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid.” This applies to few comedy movies quite as well as it does the irreverent 1989 cult classic, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Powered by the winning chemistry between stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, it follows the two titular high school heavy metal heroes as they receive help from a time traveler to pass their history assignment by journeying to pivotal historical moments to return with key figures who will aid them in their presentation.

Charming, goofy, and smart enough to never outstay its welcome, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure blends the absurdity of its premise with a cheerful tale of friendship and teenage ambition that has the ability to endear itself to everyone. Bereft of cynicism and mean-spirited judgment, it delivers 90 minutes of chaotic time-travel lunacy that is never anything but a triumphant treat of escapist glee and shambolic hilarity, no matter how many times it is rewatched and enjoyed anew.

6

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the defining filmmakers of the ‘80s, a pioneer of blockbuster brilliance who spent the decade churning out some of the most agelessly exciting movies ever made. Raiders of the Lost Ark is among his greatest triumphs in the realm of sheer cinematic fun, with the rollicking action-adventure classic blending fast-paced thrills with old-fashioned serial charm as it follows archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in his globe-trotting quest to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can acquire it and use its power for evil.

Contrary to much of the machismo of the decade, Raiders of the Lost Ark thrives at realizing Indy as a deeply relatable hero who relies on luck and his wits to accomplish his mission without dying. Further enhanced by its ravishing action set pieces, Spielberg’s absorbing directorial style, John Williams’ iconic score, and the relentless tempo of the story, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a fiery, fun-filled masterclass in action blockbuster cinema at its most engaging that is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when released 45 years ago.

5

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Meshing together the joys of 20th century cartoon chaos with a clever reinvention of old-school film noir, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an icon of ‘80s cinema that excels even today as one of the most delightfully unhinged and creative movies mainstream comedy has ever seen. Set in a world where animated critters and humans co-exist, it follows a private detective in 1940s L.A. who struggles to overcome his prejudice against “toons” when he becomes the last hope of movie star Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for the murder of a Hollywood studio exec.

Bob Hoskins’ ability to give a convincing performance and conjure a sense of chemistry while acting against thin air is a feat to behold, as is the sheer creative might of the innovative blending of animation and live-action. It would be easy to remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit for its groundbreaking ambition, and while that is a significant part of the film’s legacy, the 1988 classic is rightfully heralded by many today primarily for its magnetic madcap humor, crafty toying with film noir tropes, and its air of pervasive playfulness that has seen it endure as one of the most energetic and fun films of all time.

4

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Throughout cinematic history, there has been no better decade for action than the 1980s. Die Hard stands tall among the very best movies the genre has ever seen as it combines its era’s penchant for all-out explosive excess with razor-sharp screenwriting, relentless high-stakes thrills, and one of the greatest movie heroes of all time. It follows John McClane (Bruce Willis), a NYPD cop visiting his family in L.A. for the holidays when his estranged wife’s office Christmas party is taken hostage by a crew of European terrorists. McClane enters a deadly battle of wits against Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) to save the hostages before time runs out.

More than just a masterpiece of action cinema, Die Hard actively recalibrated the style of the genre by implementing the contained suspense of its confined setting and reinventing machismo heroism with an air of vulnerability and human flaws. Coupled with its frenetic pacing, ensemble of unforgettable characters, and its underlying festive fun, Die Hard is the pinnacle of action movie awe that, even almost 40 years on, remains the gold standard of blockbuster cinema.

3

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

Back to the Future has been receiving high praise from critics and fans alike for 41 years now, and somehow all the acclaim isn’t enough to truly recognize its brilliance. Bolstered by a masterful screenplay, a litany of unforgettable characters, and genre-blending perfection, every second of the sci-fi adventure delivers ecstatic excitement as it follows 17-year-old Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) who, after traveling 30 years back in time and interrupting a pivotal moment in his parents’ relationship, must save his own existence by saving their first date all while trying to figure out a way to return to 1985.

Its adventurous spirit is never anything short of triumphant, while its comedy fun, sci-fi spectacle, and romantic charm are all deftly entwined to make for one of the most addictive and absorbing viewing experiences in cinematic history. From the one-liners to the heroic triumphs, the quirky joyousness, and even to Alex Silvestri’s enthusing score, every element of Back to the Future works in tandem to deliver what is one of the most engrossing and innocently fun movies ever made.

2

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

A playful spin on fantasy storytelling that pokes fun at the genre’s tropes while finding new ways to perfect them, The Princess Bride is the ultimate post-modern fairy tale. A rollicking adventure accentuated by inflections of enrapturing hilarity and a touching heart of romantic earnestness, the ‘80s cult classic is the epitome of cinematic fun. Operating with a beautiful story-within-a-story premise, it largely transpires in the magical realm of Florin as a farmer-turned-swashbuckler journeys to rescue his love from a forced marriage to a cruel prince with help from a friendly giant and a vengeful Spaniard.

A beautiful concoction of Rob Reiner’s astute direction and William Goldman’s infectious writing, The Princess Bride brims with enrapturing fun and intoxicating adventure. Every single character is brought to the screen with popping personality and precision, while sequences like the duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity and Inigo Montoya’s (Mandy Patinkin) fateful clash with the man who murdered his father make some of the most entertaining and emotionally gratifying action sequences of all time. Absorbing, charming, and relentlessly enthusiastic, The Princess Bride embodies cinematic fun at its most vibrant and universally accessible.

1

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

Image via Paramount Pictures

When done well, spoof comedy makes for one of the most enjoyable forms of cinematic entertainment. No movie in the subgenre has proven this quite like Airplane!, with the 1980 comedy classic delivering multiple laughs every minute as it lampoons the disaster movies of the 1970s with acidic wit, hilarious wordplay, and a healthy appetite for unbridled comic absurdity. It transpires aboard a commercial flight as a vicious bout of food poisoning runs through the passengers and crew, leaving a traumatized ex-fighter pilot to land the plane safely while Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) sees to the sick.

Complimented by its strait-laced delivery, Airplane! revels in the juxtaposition of high-stakes tension—a point accentuated by Elmer Bernstein’s score—and sheer lunacy, giving it a certain unpredictability that allows every gag, even the background ones viewers won’t see until a second watch, to land with uproarious results. Its success and lasting cultural impact have inspired parody comedy movies over the past 46 years, but none have come close to matching the hysterical brilliance and sheer fun lunacy that Airplane! delivers with every single second of its 88-minute runtime.

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Airplane!

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Release Date

July 2, 1980

Runtime

88 minutes

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Director

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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Writers

Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, John C. Champion, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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After Practical Magic’s Evan Rachel Wood was replaced by Joey King in the film’s sequel, Wood has thrown shade at the original cast and crew.

“I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me because no one who worked on the original film did. She’s a sweetheart,” Wood, 38, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, September 1. The jab comes after Wood’s 1998 role as one of Sandra Bullock’s Sally Owens’ daughters, Kylie Owens, was recast with King, 27, replacing her in the upcoming Practical Magic 2.

King had told The Hollywood Reporter at the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2 on Monday, August 31, that she’d shared a “lovely” conversation with Wood in light of the casting switch-up.

“I just was so appreciative of the support that she showed to me and to the rest of the cast. She is so talented and so beautiful and she made this role so special when she was a young girl,” King told the outlet. “I feel so grateful to be able to play Kylie at this age but I love Evan so much and I’m so appreciative of her kind words and the exchange that her and I shared.”

Related: Why Evan Rachel Wood Won’t Return For ‘Practical Magic 2’

Evan Rachel Wood shot down speculation of her return to the Practical Magic universe. The actress, 37, posted a statement via her Instagram Stories on Friday, July 11 clearing up any rumors surrounding her potential return for the sequel. “I am getting asked about this a lot, so I’ll just clear it up now,” she […]

Wood revealed in July 2025 that she wouldn’t be returning for the sequel amid confirmed reappearances from the film’s leads, Bullock, 62, and Nicole Kidman.

Sharing the news via her Instagram Stories at the time, Wood wrote, “I am getting asked about this a lot, so l’ll just clear it up now; I was not asked to come back and be in the Practical Magic sequel. l offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line. I was told they are recasting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.”

In July, Wood expanded her take on the casting redirection during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I read the book and it seems like they’re not following the book,” Wood told the outlet earlier this year. “I think in the book it would have made sense to bring me back; I think in the way they’re redoing it and approaching it, it didn’t make sense.”

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Wood’s Practical Magic costar, Alexandra Artrip, was also omitted from the sequel with Maisie Williams replacing her as Kylie’s sister, Antonia Owens.

The sequel’s director, Susanne Bier, told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday that a recasting was necessary due to creating a “certain age group” in the sequel. She told the outlet, “In the story, they’re just, like, literally out of college, and with Joey and Maisie it just felt completely right.”

Joining Bullock and Kidman, 59, in reprising their original roles, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are back as the witchy aunts of the leads’ sibling characters.

Action and thriller work so well together because tension needs momentum, and a good thriller already runs on momentum before a single punch gets thrown. The action gives you the release, the thriller gives you the dread leading up to it, and when a movie nails both, you stop noticing the runtime entirely.

Every one of the films on this list earns its place due to their brilliant and actual character work first, so by the time things blow up or a chase kicks off, you’re invested in who survives it and who doesn’t. Let’s get into some of the best action thrillers that figured out exactly how to balance both halves of their own name.

10

‘North by Northwest’ (1959)

Image via MGM

This one’s from 1959, and it’s actually one of the funnier movies on this list, which nobody really brings up. Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) gets mistaken for a spy who doesn’t even exist, some guy just says the wrong name in a hotel lobby, and now a bunch of people are trying to kill him over it. Alfred Hitchcock keeps slipping dry one-liners into scenes where people are actively trying to kill Thornhill, jokes right in the middle of a chase, which is a strange thing to pull off and he does it anyway.

The crop-duster scene is the one everyone remembers. It’s just an open cornfield, nowhere to hide, and a plane trying to run one guy down in broad daylight, no music playing under it at all. Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) keeps you guessing about whose side she’s on right up until the end, and by the time it’s over, half this plot doesn’t actually hold up if you think about it for more than a minute. I still don’t care. I’ve watched it probably ten times.

9

‘The French Connection’ (1971)

Image via 20th Century Fox

I like this one, but I get why some people bounce off it, the main guy is just not likable. Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) is paranoid, reckless, and honestly kind of a bully to everyone around him, including people just trying to help him do his job. The movie never tries to fix that either, which I actually respect.

William Friedkin shot it on real New York streets without bothering to get all the permits, and you can tell, the car chase under the elevated train tracks still looks dangerous because it basically was. Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) is the calmer partner trying to keep Doyle from doing something stupid, and the ending just stops cold, no resolution at all, which was a strange choice for 1971.

8

‘The Fugitive’ (1993)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

This is comfort food to me, honestly, I’ve seen it a bunch of times and it never gets old. A guy gets wrongly convicted of killing his own wife, and the only reason he even gets a shot at proving it is a bus crash that frees him completely by accident. Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) spends the rest of the movie hunting the real killer, while Marshal Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) hunts him right back, and neither one of them is really the bad guy here.

Andrew Davis directed it, and the dam jump is the stunt everyone remembers, but what actually makes this movie work is how tight the plotting is. Every little clue Kimble finds actually pays off later, nothing’s just there for the sake of it, so you hardly find any loophole. Jones won an Oscar for this, and honestly it’s deserved, that role could’ve been forgettable in a worse script.

7

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

This one’s better than the original, mostly because of how much bigger it swings without dropping what made the first movie good. The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) comes back, except now he’s protecting the kid instead of hunting his mom, and that flip is honestly why I like this version of the character more. James Cameron built the real danger this time around the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a liquid metal killer who just keeps reforming no matter what hits him.

Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) comes back much harder and more paranoid, and her storyline, trying to stop a war she already knows is coming, gives the movie real stakes underneath all the action. The effects still look good today too, which says a lot, and the truck chase down the flood channel is still one of the best action sequences anyone has ever seen.

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‘Heat’ (1995)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

There’s a code the thief at the center of this one lives by, never get attached to anything you can’t walk away from in thirty seconds flat, and that discipline is what everyone wants in their real life being honest. Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is always one step ahead of Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), a detective whose own personal life is falling apart just as badly as any criminal’s.

Michael Mann shoots that diner scene where the two of them finally sit down together so quietly and calmly that it almost feels anticlimactic, until you notice how much they’re saying to each other without raising their voices. The bank heist shootout downtown is loud and chaotic, and you can still follow exactly what’s happening at every second, which most action scenes can’t pull off.

5

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

Everyone already loves this movie, and I’m not adding it here just because it’s popular, I actually think it holds up. Most villains still want something specific, money, power, revenge, but the Joker (Heath Ledger) just wants to watch the whole city fall apart for no reason at all. Ledger’s performance hits harder knowing it was one of his last, and I don’t think that’s just hindsight talking.

Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) gets the saddest storyline in the whole trilogy, going from the city’s actual hope to Two-Face over the course of one movie, and Christopher Nolan spends more time on that fall than on Batman himself. Gordon (Gary Oldman) holds things together while everyone around him gets compromised, and the truck-flip stunt downtown, done with almost no CGI, still looks more real than most action scenes made today.

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‘Sicario’ (2015)

Image via Lionsgate

Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is an FBI agent who actually follows procedure, and that turns into a serious liability the moment she’s surrounded by people who decided a long time ago that procedure doesn’t apply to them. Denis Villeneuve shoots the empty desert roads and silent border convoys with a lot of dread, so nothing in this movie ever feels like a break from what’s coming.

Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) and Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) both bend rules whenever it’s convenient for the mission, something Kate can’t bring herself to do, and the movie eventually makes it clear that her honesty is exactly what gets her used by both of them. It’s a bleak, cold movie about a war nobody involved actually believes can be won.

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‘The Raid: Redemption’ (2011)

Image via PT Merantau Films

An entire apartment building offers free rent to any criminal who is willing to fight for the crime lord running it, which tells you immediately how bad things are about to get for the rookie cop who just walked in. Rama (Iko Uwais) has to survive one floor at a time, and Gareth Evans built the fight choreography around pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art that makes every hallway brawl look inventive and brutal.

Tama (Ray Sahetapy) is the crime lord who is controlling the building, and he barely leaves his own apartment, since the henchmen he sends after Rama do plenty of damage on their own. There’s almost no plot padding either, no long dialogue scenes, no subplots slowing anything down, just escalating fights that keep finding new ways to top the one before it, stripped down to just motion and consequence.

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‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The person actually driving this story isn’t the guy whose name is in the title, it’s the one-armed rig driver who decides, almost on a whim, to smuggle a warlord’s five captive wives across the desert. Furiosa (Charlize Theron) carries the movie more than Max (Tom Hardy) does, and George Miller was seventy years old when he built almost the entire two-hour chase using real vehicles and real stunt performers instead of CGI.

Nux (Nicholas Hoult), one of the warlord’s fanatical soldiers, switches sides about halfway through, and the shift happens gradually enough that it never reads as a cheap twist thrown in for shock value. The movie barely explains its own backstory out loud either, letting costumes, vehicle design, and background details do that work instead, without a single line of exposition.

1

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

John McClane (Bruce Willis) shows up barefoot to his estranged wife’s office Christmas party just hoping to patch things up, and instead gets trapped in a high-rise once a group of thieves posing as terrorists take the whole building hostage. He bleeds, gets exhausted, cuts his feet on broken glass, and keeps talking to himself just to stay calm, which is exactly why the character never feels like a typical invincible action hero.

Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), in his very first film role, plays the villain with so much calm, articulate menace that basically every action movie villain since has been measured against him in some way. John McTiernan kept the whole story contained to one building and one night, without any subplots stretching outside it, and that restraint is a big reason nothing since has really matched it.

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Die Hard

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Release Date

July 15, 1988

Runtime

132 minutes

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Writers

Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza, Roderick Thorp

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Duane “Keefe D” Davis has been found guilty in the murder of Tupac Shakur, and some fans are already asking whether the case ends with him. As others celebrated the verdict as a long-overdue win for Tupac, attention is now shifting to Sean “Diddy” Combs and the questions that have followed the 1996 shooting for years.

Tupac’s family has also addressed the outcome, calling the decades-in-the-making verdict “not the end of the story” and vowing to keep his legacy alive.

The guilty verdict against Duane “Keefe D” Davis has reignited public speculation about Sean “Diddy” Combs, with viewers flooding social media with demands for investigators to take a closer look at the music mogul.

Under a YouTube video covering the verdict, one commenter wrote, “Hold puffy accountable,” while another declared, “Give them DIDDY NOW.” A third simply asked, “AND diddy????” Others went further, alleging Combs knew more about Tupac’s 1996 killing or should face scrutiny over long-running claims surrounding the case.

Those accusations remain allegations and were not established by the verdict against Davis.

Fans Celebrate Long-Awaited Justice For Tupac

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While some viewers looked beyond the verdict, plenty of others treated Keefe D’s conviction as a long-awaited moment for Tupac and his family.

“Finally, better late than never,” one commenter wrote. Another congratulated the Shakur family and called the outcome “a bit of Justice, 4 2pac!!”

Others were even more emphatic. “JUSTICE!!!! That took way too long. RIP Pac,” one reaction read, while another declared, “Justice has finally arrived” nearly three decades after the shooting.

The relief was mixed with sadness over how much time had passed. One fan said it was painful that Tupac’s mother did not live to see the day, but expressed hope that the family could now have some closure. Another simply wrote, “Finally lay this all to rest.”

Keefe D Pointed To Nephew In Tupac’s Fatal Shooting

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Long before his conviction, Keefe D gave investigators his own account of who pulled the trigger on Tupac. During a recorded 2008 interview played for jurors, Davis placed his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, in the back seat of the white Cadillac involved in the shooting.

As reported by The Blast, Davis said he was sitting up front alongside driver Terrence “Bubble Up” Brown, while DeAndre “Dre” Smith was also in the rear.

According to Davis’ account, he initially had the loaded .40-caliber Glock but could not get a clear shot at the BMW carrying Shakur and Suge Knight. He claimed he passed the weapon into the back seat, where Smith hesitated before Anderson grabbed it.

“He rolled down the window, popped ’em,” Davis told investigators of his nephew.

Tupac’s Family Says Verdict Is ‘Not The End Of The Story’

Tupac’s family is looking beyond the courtroom after waiting nearly 30 years for a conviction in his killing. In a statement following the verdict, spokesperson Mopreme Obafemi thanked the marshals and advocates who supported and protected the family throughout the proceedings.

“While this verdict is decades in the making, this is not the end of the story,” Obafemi said, per ABC News. He added that the family intends to keep Tupac’s legacy and “spirit alive.”

Tupac’s sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, was among the relatives and friends in court when the jury returned its decision.

Keefe D’s Lawyer Also Says The Fight Isn’t Over

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Keefe D’s legal battle is far from finished, however, with his defense already preparing to challenge the conviction.

Attorney Michael Sanft told NBC News that an appeal was anticipated before jury selection even began. A key issue will be the trial judge’s decision to let jurors hear statements Davis made under a 2008 proffer agreement.

The defense had unsuccessfully tried to keep those statements out, arguing they were “highly prejudicial.” Sanft said Davis spoke to federal investigators believing he could discuss what he knew without those remarks later being used to prosecute him.

Margot Robbie may be filming a movie in Paris, but it appears the actress is also adopting the French-girl look off the set, too. Robbie replaced basic everyday dresses with a breezy, luxe-looking jumpsuit, and we found the easy fall style for $27.

While strolling around the city, the Ocean’s Eleven actress rocked a flowy gray jumpsuit with sandals and a simple white tank underneath. Her outfit had the slouchy drape that only the coolest, richest Parisian girls seem to pull off . . . until now. This nearly identical version is hiding on Amazon, so you don’t even need to book a flight to shop it.

Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Jumpsuit for $27 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Lepunuo Wide-Leg Jumpsuit nails every detail of Robbie’s look, including the soft gray color, spaghetti straps and flowy wide legs. Even better? This Amazon style has actual functional pockets. The sleeveless design makes it a natural layering piece, which is ideal for last-summer styling or fall outfits.

Related: Margot Robbie Is Wearing Fall‘s Most Quintessential Shoes Early

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Fall means it’s time to break out the tall black boots, and if you’re like Margot Robbie, you’re prepping your wardrobe now (actually, last week). Robbie’s black boots are incredibly sleek, and we found the chic, polished look for 45% off on Amazon! Filming the Ocean’s Eleven prequel in Paris, the actress was spotted leaving […]

One happy reviewer wrote, “It’s not too tight anywhere. nor is it too baggy looking. Perfect to wear a T-shirt or tank under for warmer days/nights, yet can easily throw on a denim jacket or cardigan to wear in cooler temps.”

Bonus: This dreamy outfit piece has a loose fit makes it incredibly flattering, per reviewers. “Most rompers make me look like an Oompa Loompa,” an Amazon shopper said. “This one [has] a flattering cut. It falls nicely, hiding my lower tummy and love handles.”

Laid-back and polished, this chic jumpsuit is an easy staple for busy mornings, dressing up for rooftop dinners and down for Sunday markets. In other words, you’ll look pulled together without thinking about it. Snag Robbie’s summer-to-fall style below before everyone in the States catches on!

Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Jumpsuit for $27 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

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.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Related: Halle Berry‘s Floral Dress Takes You Straight Into Cooler Weather

‘Fall’ and ‘floral dress’ may sound like opposites, but Halle Berry proves that the right style carries you from August barbecues to October vacations without a wardrobe overhaul. Berry’s summer-to-fall look is secretly on sale for only $20, and when we say it’s selling out, we mean it! In a 60th birthday appreciation post, Berry […]

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Ariana Grande’s next chapter may be on pause, but the singer made sure her final night on stage was filled with emotion before stepping away from the spotlight. 

After months of performances across North America and Europe, the pop star brought her “Eternal Sunshine Tour” to a close in London, where an emotional farewell quickly became one of the evening’s defining moments. 

As the last show ended, Grande struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on a tour that she described as one of the most meaningful experiences of her career.

Rather than ending the night with a simple goodbye, Ariana Grande paused to address the crowd at London’s O2 Arena and share what the tour had meant to her. 

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Fighting back tears, the songstress admitted the moment was overwhelming as she stood before thousands of fans for the final time before her planned hiatus.

“This has been one of the most beautiful, extraordinary experiences of my life and I just want to express my gratitude without sobbing completely,” Grande told the audience. 

She continued, “But really, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s been so special, and I’ll cherish this experience always.”

The emotional speech came at the conclusion of a massive 41-show run that included dates across the United States, Montreal, and a lengthy stay in London. 

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As fans cheered her on, Grande made it clear that the connection she built during the tour was something she would carry with her long after the final curtain fell.

Grande Celebrates Fans Who Made The Tour Special

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While the tears drew attention, Ariana Grande spent much of her farewell focusing on the people who filled arenas night after night. 

The “God Is a Woman” singer repeatedly praised the dedication fans brought to the shows, from their themed outfits to the handmade messages they carried into venues.

“I have the best fans in the entire world, and I always have,” Grande shared. She then thanked concertgoers for embracing the spirit of the tour, adding, “I love your outfits, I love your faces, I love seeing you, I love connecting with you in this way.”

Grande also talked about the creativity she witnessed throughout the run, telling fans, “Thank you for all of your effort for making this so special. All your messages and your costumes and your wardrobe and makeup is just so beautiful.”

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Before leaving the stage, she delivered one final message of appreciation. In her words, “I have loved every minute of this with you all and I just want to make sure I express how grateful I am,” before adding, “Thank you and I love you so much.”

Ariana Grande Changes Ricky Alvarez Lyric One Last Time

Ariana Grande changes Ricky’s lyric in “thank u, next” at the final London show of her ‘eternal sunshine’ tour:

“Wrote some songs about Ricky, I’m tryna make him my last.” pic.twitter.com/JkkqkrXrjz

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 1, 2026

Grande’s emotional farewell at London’s O2 Arena wasn’t the only moment that had fans talking after the final Eternal Sunshine Tour show. 

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During the same concert, the singer made yet another change to her famous Ricky Alvarez lyric in “thank u, next,” adding what many fans viewed as her clearest public acknowledgment yet of their rekindled romance. 

The original lyric goes, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.” However, during the tour finale, Grande sang per PEOPLE, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I’m tryna make him my last,” drawing an immediate reaction from the crowd and even cheers from her backup dancers. 

The moment capped off a months-long series of lyric changes that had fueled speculation about the pair’s relationship. 

In June, she sang, “I know he’s still got my back” while Alvarez watched from the VIP section at her Austin show. 

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Weeks later in Brooklyn, she switched the line to, “We always find our way back,” prompting fans to believe the former couple had reunited. She later joked, “And they still kinda slap,” before delivering the most direct version yet during the London finale. 

More From The Blast

Grande’s Break From The Spotlight Reshapes Career Plans

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With the tour now over, attention has shifted to what comes next for Ariana Grande after she confirmed plans to step away from public-facing work. 

As The Blast reported, her representative previously said the former Nickelodeon star was taking an extended break amid “ongoing public scrutiny,” a decision that Grande later emphasized was carefully considered rather than a spur-of-the-moment reaction. 

The decision has already affected several high-profile projects. Most notably, Grande withdrew from the upcoming West End revival of “Sunday in the Park with George,” where she had been set to star alongside “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey. 

Despite her departure, producers confirmed that production would continue as planned and that they would begin searching for a replacement. 

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Bailey Exits Stage Project After Ariana Grande’s Departure

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Grande’s decision to leave “Sunday in the Park with George” ended up having wider consequences for the production. 

Nearly a month after her exit became public, Bailey announced that he too would be stepping away from the highly anticipated West End revival. 

In a statement, the actor made clear that there was no bad blood behind his decision and publicly supported his former co-star. 

“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering,” he wrote per The Blast while announcing his departure. 

Bailey also praised director Marianne Elliott and described the production as a project he cared deeply about before revealing, “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.”

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