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The 10 Most Influential Books of the 20th Century, Ranked

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Cover of 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' by Thomas S. Kuhn

The 20th century as a whole was far and away one of the most transformative eras in the history of literature. The art form was reshaped in innumerable ways between 1901 and 2000 by groundbreaking fiction novels like The Lord of the Rings and non-fiction masterpieces like The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. But while there are hundreds—if not thousands—of books that had a particularly noteworthy level of influence throughout the 20th century, those two are among ten books from the era whose impact was particularly huge.

There are numerous ways in which a book’s level of influence can be measured, often greatly depending on what kind of book it is. It can be a speculative fiction masterpiece that completely revolutionized the way future authors approached the genre, while an environmental science non-fiction book’s influence is perhaps better measured by its level of real-world impact. Regardless, the 20th century’s most influential books are still essential reading today.

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10

‘The Structure of Scientific Revolutions’ (1962)

Cover of 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' by Thomas S. Kuhn Image via University of Chicago Press

While many of the 20th century’s most hugely influential books were fiction, there were also plenty of non-fiction books that left an indelible mark on the era’s literary output. Case in point: historian and philosopher Thomas S. Kuhn‘s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, where the author challenged the then-dominant view of scientific progress as a cumulative bundle of accepted theories, instead arguing in favor of an episodic model of alternating phases.

Nowadays, the ideas introduced by Kuhn here may not seem quite as novel anymore, but The Structure of Scientific Revolutions still reads as an absolutely brilliant cultural blueprint, one of those non-fiction books that are still a must-read in 2026. Its most influential contribution was the concept of paradigm shifts, one of the many reasons why this is essential reading not just for scholars, but for anyone interested in the history of modern science.

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9

‘Things Fall Apart’ (1958)

Cover of 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe Image via Random House

Throughout literature’s Victorian era and well into the first half of the 20th century, African texts were mostly dismissed by Western institutions as mere folklore, and English-language authors mostly wrote about Africa through an intensely colonial lens. Nigerian author Chinua Achebe‘s debut novel, Things Fall Apart, helped shift that narrative toward a far more authentic and less stereotype-heavy perspective hailing directly from Africa.

African literature as a whole was never the same again, nor was its reception on the international scene. Things Fall Apart, the first chapter in Achebe’s African Trilogy, is one of the most translated works of African literature in history. From pushing postcolonial studies forward to inspiring countless African authors to reclaim their native perspective, Things Fall Apart can’t be ignored as an essential piece of 20th-century literature.

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8

‘The Great Gatsby’ (1925)

The Great Gatsby book cover Image via Scribner

What is The Great American Novel? It’s a debate that has been going on since the mid-19th century, and with the United States having produced so many internationally influential masterpieces over the years, it’s a debate that will never have any one definitive answer. One of the books most often brought up in that conversation, however, is F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s The Great Gatsby, a tragedy novel inspired by a romance Fitzgerald shared with socialite Ginevra King in his youth.

Fitzgerald was only 29 years old when the book was published, and even though it was a commercial disappointment (leading Fitzgerald to die believing himself to be a failure), the years have been nothing but kind to both it and Fitzgerald’s whole legacy. It was after the Council on Books in Wartime distributed over 150,000 free copies to American soldiers overseas during World War II that the novel’s readership was catapulted into the stratosphere. With that, by the late 20th century, The Great Gatsby had already become entrenched in international literary pop culture, one of the most defining masterworks ever written about wealth, class, and the American Dream.

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7

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (1960)

To Kill a Mockingbird - book cover - 1960 Image via J. B. Lippincott & Co.

Harper Lee was an immensely important figure for 20th-century American literature, mostly thanks to the Pulitzer-winning To Kill a Mockingbird. This Southern Gothic masterpiece was an instant hit, and as the years have passed, it still continues to be widely remembered as one of the best American books of the last 100 years.

To Kill a Mockingbird is generally regarded as one of those books that everyone should read before they die, and for good reason. Published right as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, the novel proved the level of depth and nuance with which American books could study topics like racial prejudice, injustice, and empathy. Though there are definitely elements of the novel that haven’t aged the best by modern standards, they only add further nuance to the conversation on why To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most influential books of the 20th century.

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6

‘Silent Spring’ (1962)

Cover of 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson Image via Mariners Books Classics

In the late 1950s, Rachel Carson started working on environmental conservation, and from that long period of research came Silent Spring. This unprecedented masterpiece of environmental science literature is mainly focused on the environmental harm caused by the indiscriminate use of DDT, a pesticide that soldiers used during WWII. Due to its critiques of the chemical industry, plenty of companies spoke out fiercely against Carson’s work upon Silent Spring‘s publication, but their complaints were for naught.

Silent Spring was nothing if not hugely successful in bringing issues of environmentalism to the public. Its immediate impact was most strongly felt in the United States, where it led to widespread legislative change. Even around the world, however, the book has proven massively influential, helping spark public awareness around the use of pesticides and boosting the global fight for protecting the environment.

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5

‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (1967)

The book cover of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
The book cover of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Image via Harper & Row

Sometime between the 1960s and 1970s, Latin America became the epicenter of world literature, benefiting from a literary explosion that catapulted the masterpieces of authors like Gabriel García Márquez into international prominence. There’s really no question as to which one of this legendary Colombian author’s works is most foundational, though: it has to be One Hundred Years of Solitude, arguably the most important Spanish-language book since Don Quixote—and certainly the most influential.

It was mainly magical realism that made Latin American literature so universally acclaimed throughout the late 20th century, so it’s no wonder that One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the best magical realism books of all time. The book further enshrined this fantasy subgenre as a major literary force and helped shape generations of global talent. Márquez was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982, and One Hundred Years of Solitude was a major reason why.

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4

‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ (1947)

The Diary of a Young Girl - book cover - 1947 Image via Contact Publishing

Commonly known as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl is a book collecting the diary entries that German-born Jewish girl Anne Frank wrote while hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Though Anne died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, her diaries were retrieved and delivered to her father, Otto Frank, who edited the text himself and ensured that her writing was shared with the world.

It’s one of the most heartbreaking books of all time, and though it proved hugely influential for the memoir genre as a whole, much of its influence came outside of the realm of literature. On top of helping to humanize the victims of the Holocaust, the book has become absolutely vital in understanding the psychological effects and the pure human cost of genocide. Across literature, education, international human rights, and the world’s understanding of the Holocaust, Diary of a Young Girl has proven to be one of the most influential non-fiction works of modern times.

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3

‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1954–1955)

The book cover for 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The book cover for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Image via Allen & Unwin

There are remarkably few fantasy books that rival The Lord of the Rings, and that’s because J. R. R. Tolkien‘s magnum opus completely changed the course of not just fantasy literature, but speculative fiction as a whole. Originally published in three volumes, this Hero’s Journey epic was actually not as much of a critical darling back in the ’50s as The Hobbit had been back in the ’30s. It was over the years that Lord of the Rings kept establishing itself not just as an undisputed masterpiece, but as the single most important fantasy novel of the 20th century.

It’s not just that Tolkien reshaped the way authors approached fantasy, establishing the blueprint for countless tropes in ways whose influence can still be felt today. The Lord of the Rings completely transformed pop culture itself, from tabletop RPGs to cinema, helping popularize speculative fiction within the mainstream like the world had never seen before. For several decades following the ’50s, pretty much any high fantasy epic that was published was either intentionally similar to Lord of the Rings or an intentional subversion of the rules it laid down.













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Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz
Which Lord of the Rings
Character Are You?

One Quiz · Ten Questions · Your Fate Revealed
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The road goes ever on. From the green hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, every soul in Middle-earth carries a destiny. Ten questions stand between you and the truth of who you are. Answer honestly — the One Ring has a way of revealing what we most want to hide.

💍Frodo

🌿Samwise

👑Aragorn

🔥Gandalf

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🏹Legolas

⚒️Gimli

👁️Sauron

🪨Gollum

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01

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You are handed a responsibility that could destroy you. What do you do?
The weight of the world falls on unlikely shoulders.




02

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Your closest companion is heading into terrible danger. You:
True loyalty is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis.




03

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Enormous power is within your reach. Your instinct is:
Power corrupts — but only those who reach for it.




04

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What does “home” mean to you?
Where we long to return reveals who we truly are.




05

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When a battle is upon you, your approach is:
War reveals what we are made of — whether we like it or not.




06

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Someone comes to you for advice in their darkest hour. You:
Wisdom is not knowing all the answers — it’s knowing which questions to ask.




07

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How do you see yourself, honestly?
Self-knowledge is the most dangerous kind.




08

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Which of these best describes your relationship with the natural world?
Middle-earth speaks to those who know how to listen.




09

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You encounter a wretched, pitiable creature who has done terrible things. You:
How we treat the fallen reveals the height of our character.




10

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When the quest is over and the songs are sung, what do you hope they say about you?
In the end, we are all just stories.




The Fellowship Has Spoken
Your Place in Middle-earth
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The scores below reveal your true character. Your highest number is your match. Even a tie tells a story — the Fellowship was never made of simple people.

💍
Frodo

🌿
Samwise

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👑
Aragorn

🔥
Gandalf

🏹
Legolas

⚒️
Gimli

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👁️
Sauron

🪨
Gollum

You carry something heavy — and you carry it alone, even when you don’t have to. You were not born for greatness, and that is precisely why greatness chose you. Your courage is not the roaring, sword-swinging kind; it is quiet, stubborn, and terrifying in its refusal to quit. The Ring weighs on you more than anyone can see, and still you walk toward the fire. That is not weakness. That is the rarest kind of strength there is.

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You are, without question, the best of them. Not the most powerful, not the most celebrated — but the most essential. Your loyalty is not a trait; it is a force of nature. You would carry the person you love up the slopes of Mount Doom if it came to that, and we both know you’d do it without being asked. The world needs more people like you, and the world is lucky it has even one.

You were born to lead, and you have spent years running from it. The crown is yours by right, but you know better than anyone that right means nothing without the will and the worthiness to back it up. You are tempered by loss, shaped by long roads, and defined by a code of honour you hold to even when no one is watching. When you finally step forward, the world shifts. Because it was always waiting for you.

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You have seen more than you let on, and you say less than you know — which is exactly as it should be. You are a catalyst: you do not fight the battles yourself, you ignite the people who can. Your wisdom comes not from books but from an age of watching what happens when it is ignored. You arrive precisely when you mean to, and your presence alone changes what is possible. A wizard is never late.

Graceful, perceptive, and almost preternaturally calm under pressure — you see things others miss and act before others react. You do not need to make a scene to be remarkable; your presence speaks for itself. You are loyal to those you choose to stand beside, and that choice is not made lightly. You have lived long enough to know that the most beautiful things in this world are also the most fragile, and that is why you fight to protect them.

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You are loud, proud, and absolutely formidable — and beneath all of that is one of the most fiercely loyal hearts in Middle-earth. You don’t do anything by half measures. Your friendships are forged like iron, your grudges run as deep as mines, and your courage in battle is the kind that makes legends. You came into this fellowship suspicious of everyone and ended it willing to die for an elf. That is not a small thing. That is everything.

You think in centuries and act in absolutes. Order, dominion, control — not because you are cruel by nature, but because you have decided that the world left to itself always falls apart, and you are the only one with the vision and the will to hold it together. You were not always this. Something was lost, or taken, or betrayed, and the version of you that stands now is the answer to that wound. The tragedy is that you’re not entirely wrong — just entirely too far gone to course-correct.

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You are a study in contradiction — pitiable and dangerous, cunning and broken, capable of both cruelty and something that once resembled love. You are defined by loss: of innocence, of self, of the one thing that gave your existence meaning. Two voices war inside you constantly, and the tragedy is that the better one sometimes wins, just not often enough, and never at the right moment. You are a warning, yes — but also a mirror. We are all a little Gollum, given the right ring and enough time.

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2

‘Ulysses’ (1922)

Ulysses by James Joyce book cover Image via Penguin Modern Classics
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If there is any one book from the 20th century that’s most often labeled as the era’s single greatest work of fiction, it’s James Joyce‘s Ulysses, one of those books that are an absolute masterclass in prose. Originally serialized in the American journal The Little Review between 1918 and 1920, the book was finally published in book form in Paris in 1922. Modernist literature saw writers reject traditional styles to reflect a world transformed by war and industrialization, and Ulysses is typically praised as the best and most important modernist novel ever.

This is a truly monumental paragon of 20th-century literature, written and structured like a stream of consciousness. Never before had the world read a novel so psychologically complex, so stylistically daring, and so gleefully transgressive. By mapping the mundane events of a single day in a character’s life in Dublin onto Homer‘s The Odyssey, Joyce not only proved that 20th-century folks’ ordinary lives could be as mythical as any ancient epic, but also that literature was readying itself for more dramatic transformations than it had ever seen.

1

‘1984’ (1949)

The cover of the book Nineteen Eighty-Four Image via Secker & Warburg
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The debate on what the most influential book of the 20th century is is one where no singular answer could possibly satisfy everyone, but it’s quite likely that the most universally accepted response would be George Orwell‘s 1984. It was definitely not Orwell who invented dystopian literature, nor was 1984 even the first mega-influential dystopian masterpiece from the 20th century, but it sure was—and still is—the most culturally significant.

On the one hand, there’s the book’s impact purely on literature, having influenced countless artists who over the years have spoken out against totalitarianism, repression, and mass surveillance. Then, there’s the book’s overarching cultural impact, so large that it’s difficult to put into words. From introducing terms like “Big Brother” and “thoughtcrime” to the global lexicon, to the book’s timeless (and often referenced) warnings against fascism and oppression, to the birth of the also-often-referenced term “Orwellian,” 1984 has had a level of widespread influence that can’t be overstated.

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Entertainment

The 10 Best Disaster Movies in Film History

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Jackson Davis (John Cusack) shines a flashlight in a flooded corridor in '2012'.

They say when you see a train wreck or a car crash, you can’t look away. It’s the fascination of seeing a disaster unfold that you’re not a part of. Our curiosity paints a picture of what happened and what the aftermath might be. That’s why disaster movies are so alluring—you get the entire story laid out for you!

Hollywood has provided cinema with some of the greatest disaster films of all time. From human-made errors to natural devastations, these disasters have provided a brilliant source of thrills that we simply can’t look away from. Though these may be stressful scenarios, the magic of cinema has made them entirely entertaining. From pure thriller to romance and parody, the range of styles proves that disaster flicks have no bounds.

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1

‘2012’ (2009)

Jackson Davis (John Cusack) shines a flashlight in a flooded corridor in '2012'.
Jackson Davis (John Cusack) shines a flashlight in a flooded corridor in ‘2012’.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

We can look back at the year 2012 and chuckle at the paranoia that the world might end in the same way it could have due to Y2K. But in 2009, the premise of the film 2012 did give some of us quite a fright. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the epic disaster film follows a global cataclysm that destroys the planet as massive solar storms heat the Earth’s core. Geoscientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) warns world leaders of impending doom, leading to the revelation of massive arks intended to preserve humanity. Meanwhile, divorced limousine driver and novelist Jackson Curtist (John Cusack) races to save his family while facing off against massive earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and megatsunamis that topple cities.

Drawn from the 2012 phenomenon and Mayan calendar prediction that forecasted the end of the world on December 21, 2012, the film played into our paranoia about what could happen if we don’t take care of our planet in the present. 2012 went full tilt, as anything that could happen did happen. Emmerich ramped up the action, introducing every apocalyptic trope that came into play in order to allow a high-octane global destruction story. Watching beloved landmarks crumble before one’s eyes serves as a wake-up call about the potential of total destruction. As pure entertainment, 2012 is a genuine popcorn flick whose greatest strength is its shock-and-awe. It’s the most disastery film in history.

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2

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

Ted Striker and Otto, the inflatable pilot, attempt to land a plane while Dr. Rumack watches in 'Airplane!'
Ted Striker and Otto, the inflatable pilot, attempt to land a plane while Dr. Rumack watches in Airplane!
Image via Paramount Pictures

If there is a hall of fame for the greatest comedies of all time, you can most certainly expect Airplane! to appear. The film delivered non-stop laughs, but at its core, it is a serious disaster film set on a plane. The satirical comedy, written and directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, follows Ted Striker (Robert Hays), a traumatized former fighter pilot with a fear of flying, who boards a commercial flight to win back the heart of his flight-attendant ex-girlfriend, Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty). As the passengers and crew onboard fall violently ill with food poisoning, Ted must overcome his trauma, take control in the cockpit, and land the plane safely. Surely, you can’t be serious!

The spoof comedy parodies the 70s movie genre, utilizing brilliant visual gags, on-the-nose puns, and rapid-fire absurdist humor. A product of its time, Airplane! continues to keep us laughing to this day. A major reason for the film’s success is tasking serious dramatic actors, including Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, and Lloyd Bridges, to deliver silly performances with deadpan seriousness. In turn, it made Airplane! a quotable hit. Though some bits may not have aged quite as well, they still make us laugh. Through high-stakes action and low-seriousness delivery, Airplane! is a literal ticking-clock scenario of peril in the sky. The film reinvented the parody genre while launching a sequel and other like-minded genre-spoofs, many starring Nielsen. I dare you not to chuckle when you’re at the airport and hear the announcements about loading zones.

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3

‘Armageddon’ (1998)

Ben Affleck talks to someone off-screen and gestures with his hands on an oil rig in Armageddon.
Ben Affleck talks to someone off-screen and gestures with his hands on an oil rig in Armageddon.
Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Every so often, two studios release very similar movies around the same time. Like Pixar and DreamWorks tackled the insect game with A Bug’s Life and Antz in 1998, that same calendar year saw two rival meteor disaster films, Touchstone Pictures’ Armageddon and Paramount Pictures’ Deep Impact. It was the former that was the more superior film, though less accurate. In the Michael Bay-directed film, a rogue asteroid the size of Texas is on a collision course with Earth, threatening humanity if it crashes within 18 days. NASA executive Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) assembles a ragtag group of deep-core oil drillers, led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), to split the rock in two.

A story of heroism from ordinary people, determination, and the ultimate sacrifice, Armageddon is a high-octane thriller that filled the summer box office slot. With Bay in control, Armageddon was a sleek and visually spectacular film. Though science is treated as an afterthought, practicality means little when you’re watching everyday people do the extraordinary. By compiling a group of individuals you resonate with, the stakes are at an astronomical high. Of course, there must be a convenient love story between Harry’s daughter, Grace (Liv Tyler), and his employee, A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck), to make the mission even more personal. Armageddon is also responsible for “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, so the disaster film was anything but! A great popcorn flick of the time, Armageddon is pop culture entertainment to the max.

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4

‘A Night to Remember’ (1958)

Robbie Lucas, played by John Merivale, carrying an unconscious passenger in A Night to Remember
Robbie Lucas, played by John Merivale, carrying an unconscious passenger in A Night to Remember
Image via The Rank Organisation

The sinking of the Titanic was a source of storytelling long before the iconic 1997 film we’ll discuss soon. In fact, it was the source of a 1958 film directed by Roy Ward Baker. The historical disaster film A Night to Remember showcases the final hours of the ocean liner’s maiden voyage. Tracking the events as they unfold in real time, the film depicts the disaster through the eyes of Second Officer Charles Lightoller (Kenneth More), as well as those of the passengers and crew. A Night to Remember showcases the response to the crisis across all social classes, capturing the profound bravery through extreme panic.

Based on Walter Lord‘s nonfiction book of the same name, A Night to Remember is a film endorsed by historians and survivors for its cinematic accuracy. It’s the ultimate battle between humans and nature. What was believed to be an unsinkable vessel was anything but. A Night to Remember rejected the standard Hollywood melodrama in favor of a documentary-style, immersive experience that prioritizes the authentic experiences of the individuals on board. Baker builds slow tension and dread through practical special effects, black-and-white cinematography, and realistic performances. A Night to Remember is a perfect companion film to the ’90s masterpiece, offering an important perspective.

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5

‘Contagion’ (2011)

Jennifer Ehle wears as hazmat suit as Dr. Ally Hextall in Contagion (2011)
Jennifer Ehle wears as hazmat suit as Dr. Ally Hextall in Contagion (2011)
Image via Warner Bros

There have been quite a few virus-centric disaster films, but none as powerful as 2011’s Contagion. A film that has grown more terrifying over time, the Steven Soderbergh medical thriller depicts a rapidly spreading lethal airborne virus that spreads across the globe. As ordinary people are directly affected by the disease, the CDC’s Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) and Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) race to track it, while Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) works to develop a vaccine that will be distributed only through a birthdate lottery system. A narrative that describes how paranoia is born from conspiracy and corporate power, Contagion shows the dramatic cost of a domino effect.

Rather than playing into the sanitized Hollywood disaster-flick trope seen in the ’90s, Contagion explores chilling, scientifically rigorous truths. With its real-world biology, accurate transmission, and the slow, methodical, and bureaucratic struggles for an overnight vaccine miracle, Contagion was a prophetic film that needed to be viewed in real time. The most terrifying element of Contagion is how easily the societal breakdown arrives. Rather than purely shown through action, the illustration of societal hierarchy, slow distribution, and the spread of misinformation can be just as lethal as the virus itself. Contagion‘s eerie precision makes it a sensational film that has aged like fine wine. Boasting a brilliant ensemble, featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Bryan Cranston, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Contagion is a must-watch.

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6

‘The Impossible’ (2012)

Tom Holland Naomi Watts The Impossible
Tom Holland and Naomi Watts in The Impossible (2012).
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Natural disasters are one of society’s greatest fears. Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but there are certain weather events we can avoid. Others, like a tsunami, have a lower chance of survival. And then came The Impossible, which proved otherwise. Inspired by true events and the experience of Maria Belon and her family during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Thailand, The Impossible is a harrowing story of resilience, survival, and true grit. Maria (Naomi Watts) and her son Lucas (Tom Holland) are dramatically separated from her husband, Henry (Ewan McGregor), and their sons, Thomas and Simon, when the massive tsunami strikes. The Impossible depicts the struggle for reunion as they navigate widespread devastation, life-changing injuries, and overwhelming trauma. With powerhouse performances from Watts and Holland, who makes his film debut, The Impossible is one of the most stressfully hopeful disaster dramas of all time.

The Impossible showcases how a fun family vacation can change in the blink of an eye. Director J.A. Bayona leaves little to the imagination, grounding the film in immense realism. He drops you into the inescapably rough waters before shifting gears toward a genuine human story. Through a micro-examination of the family rather than a more outward approach of the local victims, The Impossible is a very specific ordeal. The Impossible is a powerful film thanks in part to the visceral imagery, remarkable performances, and the fight against overwhelming odds. You may not be able to escape an event like this, but The Impossible brings a glimmer of hope through its story of perseverance.

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7

‘The Poseidon Adventure’ (1972)

Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman) mourns Belle (Shelley Winters) in 'The Poseidon Adventure'
Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman) mourns Belle (Shelley Winters) in ‘The Poseidon Adventure’
Image via 20th Century Studios

In 1972, Ronald Neame adapted Paul Gallico‘s 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure into a cinematic event. The film depicts the titular aging luxury ocean liner on its voyage from New York City to Greece. Just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, the S.S. Poseidon is rocked by a rogue wave, capsizing the ship. As many passengers drown while awaiting help in the ballroom, Reverend Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) leads a small group to climb through the upside-down interior, facing off against raging fires, rising water, and block passages in hopes of safety. A high-stakes survival thriller, The Poseidon Adventure was simply groundbreaking

The Poseidon Adventure could have been a disaster with its epic all-star cast, which included five Oscar winners: Hackman, Jack Albertson, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, and Shelley Winters. Instead, it was a brilliant, simply unpredictable disaster film. Unlike other disaster films, this one has a buffer when it comes to its stars. With this stacked cast, major characters can and will die. The original story allowed for constant, realistic danger at every turn. With practical sets, real water and fire, and physical stunts performed by its stars, The Poseidon Adventure is a thrill of a watch. Though a sequel and remakes were made, nothing holds up as well as the original.

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8

‘The Towering Inferno’ (1974)

Partygoer, on fire, jumps out of the window in 'The Towering Inferno'
Partygoer, on fire, jumps out of the window in ‘The Towering Inferno’
Image via 20th Century Fox/Warner Bros.

Nothing is more terrifying than the thought of being stuck in a skyscraper during a major disaster. That fear is realized in 1974’s The Towering Inferno. Directed by John Guillermin, the all-star disaster film is set in the lavish, state-of-the-art 138-story building called the Glass Tower in San Francisco, where a massive fire breaks out during the grand opening dedication party. The building’s architect, Doug Roberts (Paul Newman), and fire chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) work together to fight the blaze, rescue the trapped attendees, and survive the collapsing high-rise. A practical high-stakes thriller, The Towering Inferno is a disaster flick as you’ve never seen before.

The Towering Inferno became a groundbreaking hit thanks to its special effects. Using real Fire and Water, it put the actors right into the danger zone. Through highly detailed miniatures and massive sets, the film felt tangible. A dual production feat from 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros., The Towering Inferno featured one of the strongest ensembles in cinema, including Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Robert Wagner, among others. The Towering Inferno constantly keeps the action moving and the audience on high alert. A spectacle from start to finish, The Towering Inferno remains one of the most influential disaster films of the decade.













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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
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Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

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🪙No Country for Old Men

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01

What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





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02

Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





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03

How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





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04

What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





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05

What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





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06

Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





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07

What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





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08

What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





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09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





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10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





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The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

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Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

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Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

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Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

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Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

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No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

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9

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Rose (Kate Winslet) hanging over the side of the Titanic trying to hold on in 'Titanic'
Rose (Kate Winslet) hanging over the side of the Titanic trying to hold on in ‘Titanic’
Image via Paramount Pictures
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And now, we turn to the pinnacle film about the greatest sea disaster, Titanic. Directed by James Cameron, the Oscar-winning film depicts the maiden voyage of the Ship of Dreams through the eyes of an elderly woman named Rose (Gloria Stuart), who recounts her experience to treasure hunters. On board, upper-class Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) begins a forbidden affair with lower-class Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). As their romance heats up, the Titanic strikes an iceberg, causing a devastating tragedy for all on board. A cinematic marvel, Titanic might possibly be the greatest disaster film in Hollywood history.

Titanic is a brilliant romantic film, but its core is rooted in its disaster story. By anchoring the terrifying mechanics of a sinking ship to the romance between Jack and Rose, Cameron gives audiences a reason to care about individual lives during the terrifying ordeal. It humanizes the tragedy by the time disaster strikes. The film humanizes the story by telling a tale of classism in which status dictated potential for survival. By highlighting the stark realities of class barriers during evacuation and the chilling aftermath on the freezing water, Titanic is a complete drama. Cameron’s attention to detail made the film a groundbreaking feat. Cameron conducted deep-sea dives to film the actual wreck, which paired perfectly with the cinema technology. Titanic is a timeless classic.

10

‘Twister’ (1996)

Bill Paxton tries to alert everyone to the oncoming tornado in Twister (1996).
Bill Paxton tries to alert everyone to the oncoming tornado in Twister (1996).
Image via Warner Bros.
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Not since The Wizard of Oz has a tornado been such an iconic piece of pop culture. Directed by Jan de Bont and written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin, the 1996 blockbuster Twister follows Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and a group of storm chasers in Oklahoma who brave extreme tornadoes to deploy a groundbreaking weather-research device named “Dorothy.” The team races against a well-funded corporate rival (Cary Elwes) who stole her ex-husband’s Bill Harding (Bill Paxton), design to try and beat them to the scientific breakthrough. Having past trauma of watching her father get swept away by an F5 tornado, Jo is motivated by the desire to bring safety to win. A relentless thriller, Twister merged a compelling and emotionally grounded story with a high-octane action narrative.

Unlike many disaster films that have their characters run away from the disaster, Twister has them racing straight into it. Twister is a tale about chasing danger straight on. The film focuses on the human story in relation to the great weather event. Though Jo and Billy may be separated, they’re together on a mission, reigniting the pressure cooker of love. To bring the tornado to life, Industrial Light & Magic used innovative particle simulations to make them feel practical. Combined with physical wind machines and practical debris, the action feels immersive. It was such a groundbreaking special effect that it even inspired a Universal Studios attraction. One of the defining disaster films of the decade, Twister’s legacy lives on today thanks to its legacy sequel.


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Twister

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Release Date

May 10, 1996

Runtime
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113 minutes

Writers

Anne-Marie Martin, Michael Crichton

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Hilary Duff Wore These Exact Adidas Sneakers That Are Chic in 2026

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When one A-lister wears a shoe style, we take notes. When all of our favorite celebrity rich moms wear the same one, we add it to our cart immediately, as is the case with Hilary Duff‘s latest look. Her chic sneakers nail the low-profile Adidas trend, and we found her exact pair at Nordstrom!

These Adidas Japan Low-Top Sneakers are Duff’s pick for sporty-luxe style. She rocked them with a tank, leggings and a tote bag for the easiest errand outfit. But it’s not just Duff. We’ve also spotted Anne HathawayMariska Hargitay and Nicole Kidman wearing similar pairs, proving it to be the rich mom ‘it’ look of 2026.

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Get the Adidas Japan Low Top Sneakers for $130 at Nordstrom! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

With a sleek silhouette, a classic side-stripe logo and perforated detailing around the toes, these kicks are stylish by default. They combine soft suede and tumbled leather, a mixed-textile moment that channels retro and modern vibes at the same time.

Better yet, the perforations keep them breathable, and the insole is plush enough for long walks. One shopper said it “literally molds” to your foot while another said they can “walk for miles,” so do with that what you will. Whether you’re running errands or touring Europe, you’ll be glad you chose these timeless everyday sneakers.

We love the look of these Duff-approved low-tops with a tee and wide-leg jeans, but you can easily dress them up with a blouse and trousers. A five-star reviewer wrote, “They look great with anything. Can wear them anywhere from the office to a day or night out.”

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To make things sweeter, they come in 22 colors, all rich-mom-coded. Some are even on sale, so don’t miss out on this celeb-loved style that’s dominating celebrity, rich mom and celebrity rich mom wardrobes everywhere!

Get the Adidas Japan Low Top Sneakers for $130 at Nordstrom! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Ditch the Boots — Rich Girls Are Wearing These Luxe-Looking Shoes in 2026

When September hits, you may think it’s time to pull out your Chelsea boots. Well, not this year. Rich girls in New York, London and beyond are wearing elevated, luxe-looking shoes instead, and we found 13 chic pairs that capture the aesthetic. These polished sneakerinas, Mary Janes, mules and more are the ticket to high-class […]

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Brandi Glanville Reveals 18-Hour IV Routine Amid Health Crisis

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Brandi Glanville at Craig's for Dinner

Brandi Glanville is pulling back the curtain on just how consuming her ongoing health battle has become.

After years of searching for answers about the mysterious problems affecting her face, the former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star revealed that her current routine includes roughly 18 hours of IV treatment a day.

Even more troubling, Glanville says the treatments have affected her appetite as she acknowledged her noticeably thin appearance.

In a new Instagram video, Glanville gave followers an unusually intimate look at what her days look like now.

“I know I’m so skinny right now,” the 53-year-old said before explaining that her treatments have affected her appetite. “I can’t eat because the things I do… decreases my food [sic]. I feel like death. I look like death.”

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Rather than receiving all of her care at a medical facility, Glanville has learned how to manage portions of the process herself. She showed the equipment in her kitchen and explained that a nurse visits for several hours each evening.

Glanville identified one of her IV medications as imipenem, which she receives through a pump, before describing a schedule that continues overnight.

“18 hours a day,” she said per the Daily Mail. “It’s a lot of setup.”

Mayo Clinic describes imipenem-containing medications as antibiotics used to treat certain bacterial infections. Glanville, however, did not disclose a new diagnosis or explain precisely what infection her current regimen is targeting.

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Glanville Says Fans Still Don’t Know Her Full Health Story

Brandi Glanville at Craig's for Dinner
MEGA

The video may have provided Brandi Glanville’s most revealing glimpse yet into her daily routine, but she made clear that it was not the complete story.

“For the first time, I’m showing you what my life has really looked like behind closed doors,” she said, pointing to the treatments, IVs, exhaustion and difficult days she previously kept private.

She added that there remains “a lot” she is not prepared to discuss publicly and labeled the video “Part 1,” suggesting more disclosures are coming.

That uncertainty is significant because Glanville has spent years trying to determine exactly what caused the facial problems that first came to public attention in 2024.

Her explanations have evolved as doctors uncovered new information, making her latest treatment another development in a medical journey that has repeatedly appeared close to resolution before taking another turn.

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Brandi Glanville’s Health Battle Continued After Major Surgery

Brandi Glanville attends Villa Azur Grand Opening - Las Vegas
KWKC/MEGA

Earlier this year, there appeared to be a breakthrough. In February, Glanville revealed that one of her nearly two-decade-old breast implants had ruptured.

She said silicone had migrated into her lymph nodes and linked the problem to a severe infection.

The Blast previously obtained details about the surgery Glanville underwent to remove the ruptured implants. At the time, she was hopeful that doctors had finally identified the underlying problem after years of uncertainty.

Her ordeal had already included facial swelling and disfigurement, numerous medical consultations, and her belief that a parasite was contributing to her symptoms.

However, the surgery did not close the book on her health problems.

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By June, Glanville was again telling listeners of her “Brandi Glanville Unfiltered” podcast that her face was “sinking in again” and that she still did not have all the answers.

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Glanville Later Discovered A Benign Tumor In Her Face

Brandi Glanville dine with friends at Craig's in West Hollywood
LIROPE / MEGA

Another significant development came in June when Brandi Glanville disclosed that doctors had found a benign tumor in one of the lymph nodes in her face.

“I have a benign tumor in one of my lymph nodes in my face,” she said at the time, adding that it “could be why the fluid is going around my face.”

The finding came after Glanville noticed a lump that she said other doctors had previously dismissed as scar tissue. As The Blast previously covered, the reality personality also said her condition had made something as routine as wearing makeup difficult.

Separate comments reported by PEOPLE illustrated the extraordinary cost of her search for answers. Glanville said she had consulted 21 doctors and spent around $200,000 out of pocket while seeing specialists, including infectious-disease doctors and rheumatologists.

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Brandi Glanville’s Latest Setback Follows A Brief Return To Normal Life

Brandi Glanville and others celebrate the opening of GoGlow in Sherman Oaks
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The severity of Glanville’s latest update is particularly striking considering how hopeful she sounded less than a year ago.

In November 2025, she said she was slowly returning to her normal routine after moving into a new home and focusing on a calmer environment.

Then, in January this year, she appeared ready for a more public comeback, showing off a dramatically refreshed appearance after spending much of the previous two years away from the spotlight.

The Blast covered Glanville’s cautious return to public life after her lengthy health ordeal, when the reality star appeared optimistic about finally moving forward.

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5 Artists Who Need to Sing the Next James Bond Theme Song

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RAYE performing on Bruno Mars' "The Romantic" tour in 2026.

Each film in the James Bond franchise is encouraged to meet certain criteria: unique and thrilling action sequences; a diabolical, over-the-top villain; and a dramatic theme song. From Paul McCartney to Billie Eilish, artists across time and genre have contributed their musical talents to the iconic spy franchise. The results have resonated with audiences, music charts, and award ceremonies alike, with the past three Bond themes even winning the Oscar for Best Original Song. Moviegoers and listeners certainly have opinions on how the themes compare to one another, but whether good or bad, a James Bond film is simply incomplete without its own musical flourish.

The next James Bond film is still currently in development as the search for Daniel Craig’s successor continues, but finding an artist to sing the next theme song may not be as difficult. Rap, country, and pop dominate the current charts, but the modern music scene is more diverse than ever before and boasts many gifted singers and musicians who are more than capable of delivering the next “Skyfall” or “Goldfinger.” No matter which direction Bond 26 decides to go in for its music, this list covers 5 artists who would be ideal candidates to sing the next Bond theme.

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5

1. RAYE

RAYE performing on Bruno Mars' "The Romantic" tour in 2026. Image credit via Yui Mok/PA Images/INSTARimages.

The force behind the global hit “Where is My Husband!,” RAYE has been writing and singing for over ten years, producing two solo studio albums and collaborations with artists like Beyoncé and Charli XCX. While touring with Bruno Mars in 2026, RAYE displayed her love of vintage imagery and sound, invoking old Hollywood—and inadvertently the classic James Bond films—through her costumes and her back-up band of live brass instruments. Her musical style combines elements of jazz, pop, and other genres, aligning with the styles of previous Bond themes, and her lyrics cover a variety of experiences and emotions, much like how the Bond movies range in their premise and tone from silly to serious. Add in the fact that she has actually performed a Bond theme before when she sang “Skyfall” in the James Bond medley at the 2025 Academy Awards, and RAYE seems almost overqualified to perform the next 007 anthem.

4

2. Lana del Rey

Lana del Rey performing live at a concert. Image credit via IPA/INSTARimages.
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Lana del Rey is no stranger to singing for film and television, contributing to the soundtracks for season 2 of Euphoria, The Great Gatsby (2013), and Maleficent, among others. She’s also no stranger to James Bond, as she submitted a song for consideration as the theme for the 24th official Bond film, Spectre (2015). Although her track was ultimately rejected in favor of Sam Smith’s “Writing’s On the Wall”, del Rey collaborated with James Bond composer David Arnold in 2026 to produce the theme song for the James Bond video game 007 First Light. The result is a track of much higher quality than one might expect for a video game tie-in song, filled with orchestration and lilting vocals that perfectly fit the atmosphere not just of the game, but the overall James Bond franchise. If del Rey can deliver such a cinematic showing for a Bond video game, then her talents clearly deserve to be showcased in an actual Bond film. If that wasn’t evidence enough of her credibility, del Rey’s mysterious and moody sound has literally been described by some as a modern-day Nancy Sinatra, who sang “You Only Live Twice” for the 1962 Bond movie of the same name. Between her current personal success singing for films and Bond-related media, and the correlation to a performer of a past theme song, Lana del Rey is overdue for a chance to sing for the iconic spy on the silver screen.

3

3. Rosalía

Rosalía on the red carpet for the 2026 BRIT Awards. Image credit via Steve Vas/Future Image/Cover Images.

Considering the next Bond film will feature a new actor in the role, it could be time for the music to see a similar shake-up, and the Spanish artist Rosalía would undoubtedly bring a unique take to the franchise. James Bond may be an international spy, but the artists behind his theme songs have almost exclusively been from the United States and the United Kingdom, and every song has been sung in English. Rosalía, meanwhile, can sing in English as well as her native Spanish and even took the time to learn lyrics in eleven languages for her latest album Lux, bringing a worldly and widespread appeal to every piece of her music that Bond could benefit from. Rosalía also loves to genre bend, exploring opera to orchestra to reggaeton to flamenco, ensuring that she can adapt to whatever tone the next Bond film will have, and that her theme will be unlike anything else. With a flair for the dramatic and an unbelievable vocal ability, she would create a one-of-a-kind James Bond song—and considering her appreciation for striking visuals, a one-of-a-kind credit sequence as well.

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2

4. Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett on the red carpet for Gladiator II (2024). Image credit via Abaca Press/INSTARimages.

Jurnee Smollett may be best known for her work as an actress in television classics like True Blood and Friday Night Lights, but she is also a gifted singer. Her talent has been displayed on screen several times, including in her Emmy-nominated performance in Lovecraft County, and most notably through her portrayal of DC Comics’ superhero Black Canary in Birds of Prey (2020) alongside Margot Robbie. Black Canary is best known for her powerful scream, capable of destroying objects and deafening people nearby, and Smollett is very convincing in the role through both her acting and her singing. In her introductory scene, Black Canary sings a cover of “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” in a nightclub, and her performance goes on an emotional journey from sadness to anger to righteous rebellion. Whether you’re watching it unfold on screen or just listening to the audio, the performance is poignant enough to believe that Smollett might have a similar superpower in real life. Not only does Smollett have the musicality to pull off the vocal and emotional demands of a Bond theme, but she also has the skills as an actress to possibly hold a dual role and play a Bond girl, too.

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1

5. Laufey

Laufey at the 2026 Met Gala. Image credit via TheStewartOfNY/INSTARimages.

Icelandic singer Laufey (pronounced by English speakers as “lay-vay”) has become a breakout star in the American music scene over the past few years thanks to a honeyed voice that stands out amongst her peers. Laufey’s unique register and tender instrumentals mimic mid-19th-century jazz and pop, invoking the sound of artists like Ella Fitzgerald, while her lyrics discuss her personal experiences with love and life in the 21st-century world. This blending of the old and the new in a beautiful package is what gives her so much potential as the next singer of a James Bond theme song. Part of the franchise’s durability and legacy rests on the presence of both vintage and modern elements across the films—sometimes within a single film—and the franchise’s best music is similarly both familiar and new. The simultaneous antiquity and timelessness of Laufey’s music means that her Bond theme song would never go out of style; it would sound like something that could fit for Sean Connery’s Bond, Daniel Craig’s Bond, and the next Bond, whomever he may be.

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Chiefs Reporter Reveals Patrick Mahomes Message After Dad’s Death

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797841671_1696229952510139_8145203262263939865_n.jpg joe pierro

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his sympathy to a Kansas City media member after the “unexpected” death of his father. 

“Praying for your family man,” Mahomes, 30, wrote via direct message to reporter Tucker Franklin, who shared the interaction via X on Sunday, September 6. “Chiefs and chiefskingdom is with you! 🙏🏽”

In response to the DM, Franklin, 28, told his followers, “I think it’s easy to wonder if the quarterback of your favorite team is actually a good guy.” 

“We don’t have to wonder about that in KC ❤️,” he added. 

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Tucker, who covers the Chiefs for KC Sports Network, announced the death of his father, Doug, on August 31. He was 55. 

“My dad, Doug Franklin, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away,” Tucker shared via X. “He was a great father, phenomenal husband, and an amazing man. The only thing he loved more than the Kansas City Royals was his family. He will be greatly missed.”

The journalist added, “It’s easy in times like these to be upset by all the things you didn’t get to experience. I’m crushed and devastated. Life is not fair but in these unfair moments, I’m choosing to be thankful for the 28 years I had with a man I was honored to call my father. Though, it should’ve been more. Thank you, Dad.”

Tucker was responsible for authoring his late father’s obituary, which he called “the hardest writing assignment of my life.”

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“He was an advocate for teachers, having served on the Trenton R-IX School Board for six years, including the last three as president,” Tucker wrote about his dad. “On top of that, Doug worked as an adjunct professor for North Central Missouri College, teaching world religion and fire science.”

The obituary added, “He loved doing life together. He believed the church was the people. He gathered to camp, sit down at a table, and celebrate regardless of any inconvenience to himself. He showed up for people. He was not perfect and wasn’t afraid of it. His selfless nature was evident to everyone he came across.”

Tucker said he was “blown away by all the responses” after revealing his father’s death.

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Related: Ohio High School Football Coach Joe Pierro Dead After Lightning Strike

Joe Pierro, a beloved high school and basketball coach in Ohio, has died after being struck by lightning. He was 60. Pierro was killed while mowing the lawn at his home in Steubenville, Ohio on Friday, September 4, according to local reports.  The incident happened just three weeks after Pierro retired following 30-plus years as […]

“I can never thank each and every one of you for reaching out, no matter our relationship,” he shared via X on September 1. “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you ❤️.”

Tucker returned to work on Monday, September 7, cohosting KC Sports Network’s “That Football Show,” which opened with a message about his late dad. 

“In these times, it’s good to be together,” he said. “It’s great to see all the support … that I have had, that my family has had, from people that I’ve never met.”

Tucker continued, “That’s been really touching, really moving. I just want to say thank you.”

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10 Most Intense World War II Movies of All Time

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The Dirty Dozen - 1967 (1)

It’s probably harder to come up with World War II movies that aren’t particularly intense than ones that are. If you’re making a movie about the largest and most global conflict in the history of the world, a certain level of intensity and drama is needed, with comparatively breezy films about World War II generally being older, or perhaps not as focused on conflict (and even then, classics like Casablanca and The Best Years of Our Lives are emotionally moving in other ways, without showcasing much by way of combat or on-screen violent).

When it comes to the following titles, though, they stand out for being among the most intense World War II movies of all time. There are different reasons why these movies tend to be hard-hitting, and they’re not all here because they’re especially graphic… though some are. They’re not always easy movies to watch, but they all have a purpose in being some level of suspenseful, or even harrowing.

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10

‘The Dirty Dozen’ (1967)

The Dirty Dozen - 1967 (1)
The Dirty Dozen – 1967 (1)
Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The Dirty Dozen is one of those quintessential “we gotta put together a team” sort of movies, with the premise here involving a very dangerous mission that a group of criminals agree to take part in, because pulling off said mission may allow their potential death sentences to be commuted. Some of them are nasty enough that calling them antiheroes would still be a little too generous, and things get undeniably chaotic when it comes time to carry out the main mission behind enemy lines.

Before that rather action-packed final act, The Dirty Dozen is compelling with its set-up, too, with all the stuff surrounding the putting together of the titular team, and training for their eventually deadly mission. It’s got that reliable action movie structure first perfected in Seven Samurai, and then reused again and again since, but sometimes, when something works, it just works, and that’s enough.

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9

‘Downfall’ (2004)

Hitler (Bruno Ganz) is seen from behind as he sits at a table with a map on it across from numerous standing Nazi officers
Hitler (Bruno Ganz) is seen from behind as he sits at a table with a map on it across from numerous standing Nazi officers
Image via Constantin Film

Set in the days leading up to Germany’s defeat in the final year of World War II, Downfall inspires an impressive amount of dread for something where the outcome is going to be known ahead of time, regardless of how much/little you know about the Second World War. It’s also called “Downfall,” so, you know… that’s what you’re in for, and it’s pretty grueling to watch.

Downfall isn’t about inspiring sympathy for those it’s about, and instead feels more like it wants to show what happened, warts and all, among the high-ranking members of the Third Reich as it was crumbling and the end was nigh. It’s a claustrophobic and extremely well-acted movie that is kind of infamous nowadays for inspiring a series of memes, but if you get past those Downfall parodies (as funny as some of them might be), you’ll probably be surprised to find a very compelling war drama here.

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8

‘The Great Escape’ (1963)

The Great Escape - 1963 (3) Image via United Artists

Like with The Dirty Dozen, there’s quite a bit of entertainment to be found in The Great Escape, with it still retaining a good deal of intensity throughout. It’s about an ambitious escape attempt from a prisoner of war camp that’s been established specifically to be “inescapable,” housing various Allied prisoners who’ve all made escapes beforehand from more “regular” prisoner of war camps.

This plays out over a runtime that nears three hours, which might sound a little excessive, but the execution makes it work and feel engaging for all that time. The Great Escape is pretty much perfect, and probably more than just “Great.” As for “Escape,” it is escapist in the sense that there are things to be thrilled and entertained by here, all while also feeling the tension of the situation, with certain costs and hardships of war nonetheless conveyed.

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7

‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ (2006)

Letters from Iwo Jima - 2006 (2) Image via Paramount Pictures

In 2006, there were two World War II movies directed by Clint Eastwood that were released, and both were about the Battle of Iwo Jima. Flags of Our Fathers showed it from the American perspective, and much of that particular film was focused on the aftermath, and the story behind the famous photograph known as Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.

Letters from Iwo Jima is also about confronting the end, and dealing with approaching death, doing so with surprising sympathy.

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Letters from Iwo Jima, on the other hand, was about the battle from the Japanese perspective, and a good deal of it was instead concerned with the lead-up to said battle, and with less time spent on the aftermath, considering how many on the Japanese side of the battle died. So, Letters from Iwo Jima is also about confronting the end, and dealing with approaching death, doing so with surprising sympathy (at least for an American-produced film) and a ton of emotion for hopefully obvious reasons.

6

‘Dunkirk’ (2017)

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A soldier looks up while standing alongside hundreds of other soldiers on a boat in Dunkirk
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
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Before Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan had made one movie set in the past (The Prestige), but that one wasn’t really based on a true story, having mostly fictional characters. Dunkirk was a bit more faithful to history, specifically being about the Dunkirk evacuation, which really happened, though the characters are either fictional or inspired by real-life people. It’s more about the experience of the whole event from multiple perspectives, rather than honing in on the real-life people who were involved, if that makes sense.

It’s then possible to look at Dunkirk as bridging the gap between historical fiction (The Prestige) and a full-on/mostly historically accurate biopic (Oppenheimer), with Nolan’s whole filmography. Anyway, regarding Dunkirk, it’s one of his most visceral and compelling movies, being paced and edited in a way that feels continually nerve-wracking and genuinely rather unique among the many, many World War II films already out there.

5

‘Come and See’ (1985)

Come and See - 1985 (7) Image via Sovexportfilm
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Some people will tell you that Come and See gets talked about too much, while at the same time, it’s not quite as famous as most of the other movies being mentioned here, so maybe there’s an argument to be made that it’s overlooked in the overall scheme of things. It kind of depends on what online spaces you’re in or not in, and that does make it hard to introduce and talk about, given some people are probably sick of hearing about it, and others are probably like, “Huh, Come and See?”

It’s a movie about a young man joining a group of resistance fighters, and then experiencing a series of utterly hellish situations as those resistance fighters try to combat German forces in Belarus. As an anti-war movie, Come and See is about as effective as they get, so calling it very intense honestly feels like something of an understatement. It’s a horrifying watch, and one of those movies where seeing it once feels like enough.

4

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Soldiers in the lead-up to the Normandy invasion during World War II in Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Soldiers in the lead-up to the Normandy invasion during World War II in Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Image via DreamWorks Pictures
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One of those movies that’s famously about Matt Damon getting home, in one way or another, Saving Private Ryan has Damon playing the titular Private Ryan, and a group of soldiers are tasked with finding him so he can be sent home after his brothers are found to have all died in combat. There’s also a very intense depiction of the Omaha Beach landing, which is a big reason why Saving Private Ryan inevitably has to get ranked among the most visceral war movies of all time.

Things don’t really slow down or get a great deal easier after that point, with Saving Private Ryan having its main characters in near-constant danger, and then there’s also a fairly large battle sequence that comes near the film’s conclusion. It’s relentless and undeniably emotional, well and truly earning the right to count itself among Steven Spielberg’s all-time best directorial efforts.

3

‘The Battle of Okinawa’ (1971)

The Battle of Okinawa - 1971 Image via Toho
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One of the most relentlessly downbeat war movies of all time, The Battle of Okinawa could well have even Come and See beat in terms of being a World War II movie that takes no prisoners and makes you feel miserable once it’s done. You’ll feel miserable while it’s going on, too, and then just extra miserable once it’s finished. It’s a very harsh anti-war movie about the titular battle and how much devastation it came to cause.

Its focus on the Pacific Theater makes The Battle of Okinawa also potentially comparable to Letters from Iwo Jima, but that one wasn’t as despairing, even if much of it was also about loss, death, and destruction. The Battle of Okinawa is next-level depressing, and has a level of violence that’s far more upsetting and shocking than most films released around the same time that are considered groundbreaking/boundary-pushing for the violence they depicted (like, Bonnie and Clyde and The Wild Bunch look positively PG-rated in comparison).

2

‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)

Inglourious Basterds walks a delicate line, in terms of being great entertainment and genuinely intense at different points, and then it does all that while being in no way describable as “delicate” in the conventional sense. It’s about vengeance in Nazi-occupied France, basically, with a few different people all trying to combat German forces in their own ways, with all parties eventually meeting for a confrontation – partly by chance – in a cinema by the time the final act comes around.

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The medium of film itself is weaponized, and then Inglourious Basterds also explodes/dismantles other things, narratively and thematically, playing around with history in some rather startling (but effective) ways. It does a lot, and it does it all relentlessly at the same time, technically being one of the more entertaining movies here, for sure, yet there are long stretches of this movie that also prove almost unbearably tense.

1

‘Das Boot’ (1981)

Das Boot - 1981 (3) Image via Neue Constantin Film

Since it’s confined in a way that feels in line with what you might expect from a grueling psychological thriller, Das Boot stands out as arguably the most intense World War II movie ever made. Also helping it in this regard is its length, because you’re made to feel on edge for a very long runtime, with the shortest version of Das Boot still running for about 2.5 hours, and then the longer versions proving similarly tense, just for, you know, quite a while longer.

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It’s set inside a German submarine, with the members of the sub’s crew having to deal with boredom, danger, and the idea that death feels particularly inescapable when you’re deep underwater and in such a vulnerable position. Das Boot is basically guaranteed to make anyone who watches it feel anxious throughout, doing for submarine warfare what Uncut Gems did for gambling addictions.


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Das Boot


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Release Date

September 17, 1981

Runtime

149 Minutes

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Ruston Kelly Announces He Is 3 Days Sober After Relapse

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Everything to Know About RHOSLC Alum Jen Shah's Legal Drama

Country singer Ruston Kelly announced that he is now three days sober after recently suffering a relapse.

“I told myself back in 2021 that as long as I wasn’t using amphetamines that I would be on the right ‘clean’ journey for myself,” Kelly, 37, wrote in a poignant Instagram post about his relapse on Wednesday, July 29. “I had never been addicted to any drug other than those pills. I lumped in alcohol and THC etc initially because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do.”

He went on, “Somewhere along the way I became obstinate in my journey, that I wasn’t an ‘addict’ in the traditional sense of the word, that I was only addicted to amphetamines. ‘I’ve never had a problem with alcohol, I’ve never had a problem with XYZ’ ‘See I can be like everyone else, I can show self control, I am in control.’ I even got to the point of recent spiritual surrender and still attempted to live a lifestyle that was satisfactory to my carnal impulses because I ‘never had a problem with them.’”

Kelly — who was married to country superstar Kacey Musgraves from 2017 to 2020 — revealed that he experienced a crisis in his sobriety after a golf cart accident in June.

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The “Mockingbird” singer was riding in a residential golf cart when it collided with an overgrown root, sending his cart flipping into the air. Kelly smashed his head into a mailbox and practically broke his arm “in half.”

“I was given fentanyl morphine ketamine dilaudid and oxycodone for 3 days leaving with a month long Rx of Percocet. I needed it for the level 15 pain but very quickly they started running out sooner and sooner,” he acknowledged. “I was chewing them in the pharmacy before I walked out the door. I was hiding how many at a time I was taking. I was complaining to the dr it wasn’t enough. It awakened something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.”

The musician ultimately decided on Sunday, July 26, that he was going to give up all substances and alcohol as a recommitment to his sobriety.

“I decided to end any chance of ruining anything good. For my soul my wife my family my art and career and my people,” he wrote. “I admitted that whether I like it or not I will forever have a substance abuse disease. ALL drugs/substances including alcohol and THC are off the table for good (working on nicotine) That if there is something that will scratch an itch I didn’t think I had, I will use it beyond excess and into addiction. I am 3 days completely clean and sober again, and intend to remain this way forever, one day at a time.”

Kelly’s confessional post received more than 7,000 likes, as of publication, with many of his friends and fellow musicians pledging their support for his sobriety journey.

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“Your transparency and honesty is gonna help a lot of people 💙 It always has. Love u buddy,” singer Katie Pruitt replied in the comments section to Kelly’s post.

“Proud of you. Praying for you. Love you so much,” musician Natalie Hemby added. “Philippians 4:13 is such a powerful surrender. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”

Kelly has spoken openly about both his struggles and sobriety in the past, including telling Esquire in 2020 that he’d battled with addiction for most of his adult life. (Prior to his recent relapse, Kelly celebrated five years of sobriety in December 2025.)

“I’ve always had an issue with self-control in my life. I’ve been emotionally reckless at times and I’ve definitely abused myself with copious amounts of drugs and illicit materials and doing crazy things, and being wild without purpose and that is dangerous,” he explained at the time.“It could be creatively fueling, but I think what’s really helped ground me is learning the difference between creative spontaneity and emotional recklessness in everyday life. And that line had always been blurred for me and [coronavirus] quarantine was a way for me to sit back, take inventory mentally, spiritually, physically.”

Following his 2020 divorce from Musgraves, 35, Kelly tied the knot with second wife Tia Cubelic in May after proposing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in September 2025.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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Alan Ritchson Is Officially Crowned Netflix’s Streaming King

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Ordinary Angels Movie Poster With Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchman

After conquering Prime Video, Alan Ritchson seems to be extending his empire on Netflix. Ritchson emerged as one of the biggest stars of the streaming era thanks to the hit action-thriller series Reacher, which has aired three seasons on Prime Video. He cemented his position with this year’s War Machine, which went on to become one of Netflix’s biggest-ever original movies. A sequel to War Machine was greenlit some weeks ago, along with another action movie starring Ritchson. He will also return as Reacher in the fourth season of the Prime Video series, as well as a spin-off titled Neagley. This week, Ritchson can be seen headlining his first major theatrical action movie: Motor City.

On the eve of Motor City‘s release, one of Ritchson’s rare dramatic movies found itself atop the domestic Netflix charts this past week, according to FlixPatrol. If this isn’t all-around domination, what is? Motor City, directed by Potsy Ponciroli, also features Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber. The movie currently holds a 66% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with Collider’s Aidan Kelley comparing it to the John Wick franchise and the films of Zack Snyder. In his review, he wrote that Motor City “feels like another logical step in Ritchson’s career as an action superstar, and one that will undeniably recruit even more of a dedicated following.”













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Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz
Which Action Hero Would Be
Your Perfect Partner?

Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
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Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.

🎖️Rambo

🍸James Bond

🏺Indiana Jones

🔧John McClane

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🎭Ethan Hunt

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01

You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner?
The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.





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02

You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel?
How you get there is half the mission.





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03

You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do?
This is when you find out what someone is really made of.





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04

The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest?
Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.





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05

How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission?
Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.





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06

Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them?
The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.





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07

Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do?
Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.





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08

What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace?
A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.





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09

Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with?
No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.





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10

It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now?
The last question is the most honest one.





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Your Partner Has Been Assigned
Your Perfect Partner Is…

Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.

Rambo

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Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.

James Bond

Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.

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Indiana Jones

Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.

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John McClane

Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.

Ethan Hunt

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Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.

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Alan Ritchson Wields Considerable Star Power

However, the movie that’s currently number one on Netflix couldn’t be more different. We’re talking, of course, about Ordinary Angels. Starring Hilary Swank, the film was aimed at the faith-based demographic that took films such as The King of Kings and Jesus Revolution to major box-office success in recent years. More recently, the same audience turned out in droves to watch Young Washington, which has quietly grossed more than $40 million domestically. Ordinary Angels, like most movies aimed at faith-based crowds, received near-unanimous audience praise. The movie holds a “Certified Fresh” 84% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 99% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “With a dash of grace and circumstance, this sweet display of humanity is stabilized by Hilary Swank in a role that plays to the heartstrings of all Ordinary Angels.”

Ordinary Angels is streaming now on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Ordinary Angels Movie Poster With Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchman

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Release Date

February 23, 2024

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Runtime

118 Minutes

Director
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Jon Gunn

Writers

Meg Tilly, Kelly Fremon Craig

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Why Tom Selleck initially refused to play this iconic role: ‘I hated it’

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The actor explained that the original version of his now-most-recognizable character “had no flaws.”

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Michelle Hurd ‘teared up’ after receiving this thoughtful gift from a fan after her dad’s death

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The actress said that the gift “took my breath away” when she received it.

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