Aaron Rodgers is opening up about his former relationship with actress Shailene Woodley and the events surrounding their breakup.

The NFL star, during a podcast appearance, reflected on the breakdown of their relationship, making a surprising claim about what allegedly happened shortly after he proposed. They were once one of Hollywood’s most unexpected couples, moving quickly from dating to engagement.

Now, Rodgers’ latest comments have brought renewed attention to their past relationship, adding another layer to the story of how their romance fell apart.

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Rodgers said he proposed to Woodley in December 2020 and that she accepted, but he now claims the relationship changed almost immediately.

During an appearance on Thursday’s episode of the “Not Just Football” podcast, Rodgers alleged that only a couple of days after the proposal, Woodley told him she wanted to be with another man before they got married.

He recalled the moment bluntly: “She said yes. … A couple days after that she tells me, ‘Before we get married I gotta go f-ck this guy.’”

Rodgers said he believes Woodley may have felt pressured to make a decision about marriage, but emphasized that the actress could have declined the proposal.

The quarterback claimed their attempts to repair the relationship the next year ultimately failed, leaving him with a very different understanding of when their engagement actually ended.

“We had a couple of times where we tried to get reunited, and nothing ever happened,” he noted, per Page Six. “There wasn’t even a relationship in ’22 to break off. She literally told me, ‘I don’t want to be with you,’ after we tried some reconciliation in 2021.”

The Quarterback Disputes His Ex-Fiancée’s Account Of Their Breakup

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Rodgers also pushed back against the emotional account Woodley has previously given about the end of their relationship.

Woodley once described the breakup as a deeply painful period and claimed she experienced depression, anxiety, and what she called “complete soul detachment.”

In a December 2024 interview with Outside, the actress shared that she had gone through a traumatic period in early 2022 and described the relationship as both “beautiful and toxic.”

Seemingly addressing her remarks, Rodgers said, “Cause her story is that I ruined her life and gave her a crazy depression because I left her, but in actuality she told me that and took off the ring by March.”

Woodley has not yet publicly responded to Rodgers’ allegations.

Shailene Woodley And Aaron Rodgers’ Engagement Was Brief But Highly Publicized

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Rodgers and Woodley first sparked romance rumors in 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their relationship became public in early 2021, when Woodley confirmed that they were engaged during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Cosmopolitan detailed the rapid progression of their romance, noting that the pair had gone from a relatively private romance to an engagement within months.

Rodgers now says the relationship was already failing soon after the proposal, while Woodley’s later comments suggest she experienced the period as deeply painful.

The contrast is evident in Rodgers’ claim that there was no relationship to “break off” in 2022, a statement that sharply differs from the public perception that their engagement lasted until that year.

Shailene Woodley Previously Described A Difficult Period In Her Life

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Woodley has offered a very different perspective without directly laying out the specific events Rodgers now describes.

In her 2024 interview with Outside, she said she had reached what she considered “the lowest point” of her life after a traumatic experience in 2022.

Woodley connected that period with profound emotional pain and said she felt she had lost her sense of self and happiness.

“I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy,” the actress told the publication at the time. “I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment.”

Aaron Rodgers Has Since Moved On With His Wife

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The former couple has taken very different paths since ending their engagement. Rodgers has married a woman named Brittani, whom he first met in 2017 and later reconnected with after both had experienced other relationships.

According to People Magazine, the NFL star said they eventually eloped in 2025 and described his wife as someone who had a transformative effect on his life.

He has also said that Brittani helped him repair his relationship with his estranged family. Rodgers is also preparing for what he has indicated will be his final NFL season, making his personal reflections part of a broader conversation about the next stage of his life.

Woodley, on the other hand, has continued her acting career and has largely kept her personal life private.

Roomies, Lil Durk’s fate is now in the hands of a Los Angeles jury, and as the wait continues, the rapper appears to be keeping his composure inside the courtroom. With deliberations stretching into a second day, Durk shared a few notable moments with his legal team and family before jurors got back to the business of deciding his future.

RELATED: Lil Durk’s Case Takes Another Turn As Jury Deliberations Begin

Lil Durk Appears In Good Spirits As Deliberations Continue

According to journalist Michael Blackshire via X, who appears to be attending the trial, Lil Durk walked into court smiling on Thursday as the jury continued deliberating in his murder-for-hire case. His attorney, Drew Findling, patted him on the back and complimented his tie before Durk went on to hug Brian Steel and Christy O’Connor and shake hands with attorneys representing OTF Dede and David Lindsey before taking his seat.

Lil Durk walked into court while smiling. Drew Findling patted him on the back and complimented Lil Durk’s tie. Lil Durk hugs Brian Steel and Christy O’Connor and shakes the hands of OTF Dede and David Lindsey’s lawyers before sitting down.

— Michael Blackshire (@Blackshireflick) September 10, 2026

Shortly after sitting down, Durk turned toward the audience and spotted his mother. The rapper smiled when he saw her, and she smiled right back — a brief but seemingly meaningful moment as he waits to learn whether he’ll walk out of the courtroom a free man or face a potentially life-altering sentence.

Lil Durk turns his head while sitting down and looks at the audience and see’s his mom. He smiles at her and she smiles back.

— Michael Blackshire (@Blackshireflick) September 10, 2026

What’s Going On With Lil Durk’s Case?

The jury began deliberations on Wednesday in Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial in Los Angeles, but was unable to reach a verdict before ending for the day. Near the end of Wednesday’s proceedings, jurors asked the judge for access to digitized evidence, which was provided Thursday morning before deliberations resumed.

About an hour into Thursday’s deliberations, jurors sent another note to the judge seeking clarification on the stalking charges, specifically asking for more information about what constitutes “intent.” They also requested clarification regarding the nature of the allegations involving Durk and his co-defendants. The jury returned from lunch on Thursday and continued deliberating.

Big move: the jurors sent the just TWO NOTES THIS MORNING. Asking for clarification on specific words and phrases related to the stalking conspiracy charge and intent to murder. Judge said he couldn’t give more info beyond just re reading them the definitions in the instructions.…

— Trap Lore Ross (@traploreross) September 10, 2026

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Here’s What He Could Be Facing If Found Guilty

Durk is facing five charges in connection with the case, including allegations related to murder-for-hire and stalking resulting in death. Prosecutors allege the case involves an attempted hit targeting rapper Quando Rondo that ultimately resulted in the death of his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, in 2022. Durk has pleaded not guilty and has denied the allegations.

If jurors are unable to reach a verdict, deliberations are expected to continue on Friday. If convicted on the murder-for-hire charges, Durk could face life in federal prison without the possibility of parole. He is also expected to face a separate federal racketeering trial regardless of the outcome of the current case.

Folks On X Ain’t Come To Play

Over on X, fans ran straight to Michael Blackshire’s comments with plenty to say about Lil Durk’s courtroom demeanor. All we can say is… everybody had their own opinion!

Moms never leave

— aboki (@lanrelndn) September 10, 2026

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He’s coming home.
Free SMURK

— THEO (@oladapokinginn) September 10, 2026

realest moment in the whole room honestly

— Dragan Pavlovic (@DefiDragans) September 10, 2026

I rather do a 100 years than see my mom hurt

— Yessie Yames (@91joad) September 10, 2026

He knows he’s guilty lol

— Offline (@OfflineProphe) September 10, 2026

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That’s a man walking in knowing his made peace with whatever happens

— Oracle ODF💀🥷🇳🇬🇫🇷 (@Evil_OracleODF) September 10, 2026

No need to be smiling it’s game 7 of the finals

— Dontravious Miller (@DontraviousM98) September 10, 2026

Glad bro on good spirits

— iykyk (@kaliskreem) September 10, 2026

He know he cooked that’s why 😂

— 4KT (@Topfanatic4L) September 10, 2026

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RELATED: Trial Watch! King Von’s Son’s Mother Shakema Springfield Testifies In Lil Durk’s Trial, Calls OTF Vonnie A “Liar”

When it comes to California-cool style, nobody does it better than Cindy Crawford. She gives laid-back fashion a rich, luxe edge, as is the case with her chic bomber jacket. We found the summer-to-fall look for only $38!

In a campaign for Omega watches, Crawford posed against a private jet with rolling mountains in the background.  She wore black pants, Nike sneakers and a puffy bomber jacket that turned an otherwise basic outfit into something incredibly sleek, and this chic version has the same effect.

Get the Disamer Bomber Jacket for $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Disamer Bomber Jacket is the smartest layering style to steal from Crawford right now. It reads more polished than a denim jacket and cooler than a blazer, making leggings look intentional and jeans look modeled.

Related: Jennifer Lopez’s Two-Piece Look Is What Rich Moms Wear to the Office

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We get it: your rotation of white tops and black trousers is starting to feel stale. But if anyone knows how to add a fashionable edge to professional attire, it’s Jennifer Lopez. Even though she isn’t crunching numbers at an office, her chic two-piece set style is perfect for the job. We found a Lopez-inspired […]

Like Crawford’s, this piece has a cropped, slightly puffed silhouette, plus a funnel neck and silver hardware. One happy shopper put it perfectly: “I love the way it fits, and the puffiness at the bottom and wrists. It gives that perfect cropped bomber look without feeling bulky.”

Another five-star fan summed up its range: “It’s warm enough for cooler weather, but still lightweight enough for spring and fall. The zip closure works smoothly, and the cropped fit gives it a trendy and flattering shape. I received several compliments the first time I wore it.”

So no, you don’t need a dramatic trench, statement blazer or heavy cardigan to steal the show — just simple sneakers and a sporty bomber jacket that radiates California-cool vibes. Pair it with black pants, white kicks and a watch and suddenly, you’re channeling supermodel energy on a very normal day.

Get the Disamer Bomber Jacket for $38 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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

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: Kate Middleton‘s Classy Blazer Style Belongs in Everyone‘s Fall Rotation

Kate Middleton is probably the classiest gal on the planet, and her designer outfits only further prove that point. However, you don’t need a royal fashion budget to channel her luxe vibe. We found Middleton’s expensive-looking blazer style on Amazon, and our version is on sale for only $43. Back in June, Middleton celebrated Armed […]

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The IMDb Top 250 is a list of movies (shock horror: 250, all up) that are there because people who’ve voted for them (on a scale of 1 to 10) on IMDb have largely favored them. It’s a popularity contest, and not the be-all-and-end-all if you want to find the best movies of all time, because that’s a silly thing to try and find, in like an absolute or objective sense.

But as one of the tools you can use to find good movies (and good movies that are likely to be approachable), the IMDb Top 250 has value. While movies like The Shawshank Redemption (#1 for 18 years and counting) and The Godfather have always been staples of the list, others have come and gone since 1996, when the list was first created. These are some of the best movies that used to be on the IMDb Top 250, as they can be found on IMDb Top 250 Informer, which is a database keeping track of all the movies that are – and have been – on the ever-changing IMDb list in question.

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‘The Crow’ (1994)

Image via Miramax Films

It was only during the first two years of the IMDb Top 250 that The Crow found itself there. This is a trailblazing comic book movie, not really compromising the darkness of its source material and very much earning its R-rating, and it’s endured as a cult classic for sure. But as for that time in the Top 250, it was really just in 1996, and some of 1997.

It’s always had a rating of more than 7/10, but less than 8/10, and while movies in that range could be in the Top 250 back in the day, ratings over 8/10 are needed now. Also, The Crow was on the list at a time when it had only received a little over 1000 votes, which demonstrates how much more power users had over the list and its rankings back then, compared to now, because nowadays, The Crow has more than 233,000 ratings from IMDb users.

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‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ (1988)

Image via Orion Pictures

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) has a little to do with the novel of the same name, but not a ton. It makes the highly philosophical and abstract book a little more digestible, and maybe conventional, though it retains the feeling of being “art” (or at least arthouse) through some of its stylistic choices and the general way it’s presented.

It’s also kind of an epic, at nearly three hours in length, and plenty of it’s visually striking and emotional in an odd sort of way. Like a few other films here, The Unbearable Lightness of Being probably isn’t for everyone, but it was for the people on IMDb during the first year or so of the Top 250’s existence, as it was #200 in April 1996, but then gradually fell to #245 by October 1997, and then fell off the list entirely after that (and has since never returned).

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‘Once Were Warriors’ (1994)

Image via Footprint Films

In New Zealand, Once Were Warriors is beyond treasured, and it’s honestly great enough that it should be treasured outside New Zealand, too, even if it is a very New Zealand movie (so it will obviously resonate there the most). It had a good run throughout the first few years of the Top 250’s existence, getting as high as #33 in 1996, and then falling (occasionally steadying or rising a few places) as the rest of the decade went on.

1999 was the last time it was in the Top 250, at #214. Of all the Top 250 movies that are or have been, this is probably one of the heaviest-going on an emotional front, but Once Were Warriors does need to be, and it goes to some dark places for good reason and in a generally respectful/empathetic manner. It’s a very impactful film, and it should be noted that it does remain highly-rated on IMDb, with a rating of 7.9/10, at the time of writing.

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‘West Side Story’ (1961)

Image via United Artists

The 2021 version of West Side Story has never been in the IMDb Top 250, while the 1961 version was for a few years, but never particularly high up there. It hovered between the 200th and the 250th spot between 1997 and 2001, before being absent from the list in the last quarter of a century… despite still holding up amazingly, and being one of the best musicals ever.

Okay, there are a couple of things that date the film, but so much about it still resonates emotionally and in terms of sheer spectacle. It’s one of the most expressive and theatrical musical movies ever made, and even if a rating of 7.6/10 is quite good (this is around what it had back in the day, when it was in the Top 250), it does feel a little low for something as monumental as 1961’s West Side Story.

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‘The Irishman’ (2019)

image via Netflix

There will always be people throwing the term “overrated” at The Irishman, and oh well. What can you do about it? Time will probably be kind to this one, anyway. It’s the kind of film where the critics seemed a bit more switched on and aware of what it was going for, though the people who saw it earlier were enthusiastic enough to have it temporarily find a spot on the IMDb Top 250.

It had a rating of 8.4/10 two days after it debuted on Netflix, so it wasn’t like it fell out of the Top 250 just because it went to Netflix and became more widely available. That was in late November 2019, being in the top 100, but then it fell steadily throughout December 2019. It was last spotted in the Top 250 in January 2020, with a score of 8.0/10. It’s since dropped to a 7.8/10, so the consensus isn’t really that it’s absolutely top of the line, as far as Martin Scorsese films go… but 7.8 is still a pretty good score for this particular site.

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‘The Right Stuff’ (1983)

Image via Warner Bros.

The last time The Right Stuff was in the Top 250 was back in 2005. It had hovered around the 180 to 250 spot for the first half of that decade, and then same for the first few years of the Top 250’s existence, too (the late 1990s). So, it’s not fair to call it always underappreciated on IMDb, but it’s a bit underrated on there at the moment, and remains underappreciated more generally.

It’s one of the best movies of all time. It is. Just flat out. Though if you think that’s too hyperbolic, maybe you’ll be okay with the statement that: “It’s just about the best non-sci-fi space-related movie of all time.” It’s about the lead-up to – and then the early years of – the Space Race, and it does a lot within its epic runtime, balancing all sorts of things tonally while having a good many interesting characters (well, characters based on real-life people). It’s great. The runtime might look daunting, but you’re missing out if you let it put you off watching this.

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‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980)

Image via Universal Pictures

The people of IMDb used to be cool enough to have The Blues Brothers in the Top 250, but no longer. It’s still got a score of 7.9/10, which is pretty high for a cult classic, as if something’s a true cult classic, it’s probably not going to be for literally everyone… yet The Blues Brothers does have a bit of everything.

If you want comedy, it’s funny. If you’re after action, there are some amazing car chases. If you want music, you’ve got an abundance of that. If you want something faith-based, it is about two men on a mission from God. If you want something that celebrates blues, R&B, and soul music, few films celebrate those things more sincerely. If you want romance, horror, science fiction, or fantasy… okay, The Blues Brothers doesn’t really fit into those genres. But just about everything else…

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‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

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The Spider-Verse movies have stayed strong in the IMDb Top 250 since they both came out (in 2018 and 2023, respectively), Spider-Man: No Way Home has remained in there (albeit fallen quite a bit, from cracking the top 10 to now hovering around #200), and then the more recent Spider-Man: Brand New Day had a short stay in the Top 250… like, very short. About a week. It should be fine, though. It can dry its tears with all the money it has.

As for Spider-Man 2, it never broke the top 150, but since its 2004 release and for most of 2005, it did hover between the #150 and #250 spots. Seeing it leave is a bummer, because it could well be the best of the live-action Spider-Man movies, and it’s also just a phenomenal comic book/superhero movie generally. A comeback to the extent that it returns to the Top 250, after being absent from there for more than two decades, seems unlikely, but one can dream…

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‘Titanic’ (1997)

Since it currently has a rating of 8.0/10, and some movies that have snuck onto the IMDb Top 250 have a rating of 8.1/10, it feels more likely that Titanic will get back onto the list one day than the other movies mentioned here. This does feel due to the resurgence the movie has had popularity-wise. That sounds wild. But, like, Titanic was obviously a hit when it came out, to put it mildly. The box office success and Oscar wins did lead to some backlash, as happens with wildly hyped movies.

For some, it also probably felt kind of uncool to like for a while, because Titanic is unabashedly sentimental and melodramatic. But there’s a backlash to being cynical now, to some extent, and that’s led to a re-evaluation of Titanic on the part of some people (there are, of course, those who’ve always loved it, and good for them, because they’ve always been right). Titanic was once at #4 on the IMDb Top 250, in 1998, but it fell out of the Top 250 at the end of that same year. It probably won’t bounce back quite that high again, but getting back onto the list in some capacity could well happen, eventually.

Image via Universal Pictures

Like Titanic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial doesn’t really need a spot on the IMDb Top 250, because its reputation is already sufficiently strong, and the idea that it’s a classic is well and truly out there… and has been out there for decades now. Its iconic status means summarizing the plot feels a bit silly, but if you need to know, it’s about an alien getting lost, a boy befriending that alien, and then the two working together to get the alien in contact with his own family.

Its history with the Top 250 is a little strange. It currently has a 7.9/10 rating, and never had a rating that high when it was in the Top 250. A rating of around 7.6/10 or 7.7/10 was enough to get into the Top 250 back then, which is about what E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial had at the time. It’s fallen out of the Top 250 as of 2004, and has remained out ever since, and it’s hard to know why, beyond guessing that maybe some people just find E.T. creepy, or they find Steven Spielberg in full sentimental mode to be a bit much.

It’s no surprise that people have been craving a little bit of nostalgia lately. It’s nice to remember a time when the world didn’t feel like such a mess, and the most important thing was making sure you caught the full lineup of TGIF programming. There were plenty of family sitcoms back in the 1990s, and these shows were always filled with tons of laughs and heartwarming moments. Whether you couldn’t miss an episode of Family Matters, Full House, or Saved by the Bell, there was never a shortage of entertaining television. If you’re yearning for a little bit of that sentimental, yet silly humor, there’s one more wholesome ’90s sitcom that can satisfy that need and is currently racing up the Apple TV store charts.

What Is ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ About?

If you somehow managed to miss watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when it aired from 1990 to 1996, now is the perfect time to binge it. When it originally aired on NBC, the sitcom was a huge hit, running for six seasons (and 148 episodes!) of pure fun. With one of the most famous and memorable theme songs and opening scenes, Fresh Prince sets up its delightful story. Will Smith plays a character of the same name who is growing up in West Philadelphia. When the teen runs into some trouble after playing a game of basketball, Will’s mother insists that he leave the neighborhood to escape any danger.

Will is sent to live with the Banks family, led by his uber-wealthy Uncle Phil (James Avery) and his Aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert-Whitten for Seasons 1 through 3; Daphne Maxwell Reid was recast in the role for the final three seasons). The two fill in as parents for Will, with a stern, yet loving manner of discipline and guidance. Their children also provide lots of storylines. There’s the spoiled, shallow Hilary (Karyn Parsons); goofy, straight-laced Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro); and the sweet-natured and easily influenced Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali). The Banks family lives in a huge mansion in the wealthy neighborhood of Bel-Air, California, and the household is run by the snarky British butler, Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell). Will must traverse this new lifestyle, as well as the normal coming-of-age battles every teenager must face.

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Is a Fun-Filled, Nostalgic Binge-Watch

Despite Fresh Prince being in the style of the somewhat dated multi-cam sitcom with a live studio audience, the show still holds up remarkably well. The pilot episode is a perfect introduction to exactly what type of tone the show will use: a fantastic blend of light-hearted humor with some more serious themes thrown in. While there is still dopey (now iconic) dancing from Carlton and snide one-liners delivered by Geoffrey, Fresh Prince is a much more noteworthy sitcom because it also highlights fascinating issues like Black male identity, racial profiling, and class differences. An episode like “Blood Is Thicker Than Mud” in Season 4 is a powerful glimpse at code-switching, all within the framework of the traditional sitcom. Many claim that the best episode of the series is “Papa’s Got a Brand-New Excuse” in Season 4, which gave Smith a chance to dive into intense emotional territory after his character’s father returns and then abandons him once again. By blending both humor and somber themes, Fresh Prince teaches valuable lessons between some of the laughs.

Watching Fresh Prince today offers an exciting look at Smith back in the early days of his career. Smith creates a protagonist who is relatable and endearing, while still being the vehicle for presenting thought-provoking themes. It’s easy to see Smith’s skills grow with each season, and it’s no surprise the Oscar winner would go on to star in high-caliber projects like Ali and King Richard. While none of the other cast members’ careers went on to reach the same heights, the series does offer a bevy of guest stars with everyone from Tyra Banks and Malcolm Jamal-Warner to Queen Latifah and Oprah making appearances. Each episode is also a fun blast-to-the-past with the music, fashions, and celebrities of our pre-millennium lives.

With a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and a rising spot on the streaming charts, Fresh Prince is a perfect option for binge-watching if you’re looking for an escape. The sitcom also inspired a drama that re-imagines Will’s journey in a four-season series called Bel-Air, which aired on Peacock from 2022 to 2025. Although this is a high-quality drama, nothing beats the original, which you should add to your binge-watch list right away.

Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor who brought Optimus Prime to life across more than four decades of Transformers projects, has died. He was 85.

Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his agent confirmed. A cause of death has not been announced. His family said Cullen died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Montreal in 1941, Cullen built a prolific voice acting career, but his unmistakable performance as Optimus Prime ultimately became his defining role.

Cullen first voiced the heroic leader of the Autobots in the original Transformers animated series beginning in 1984. His deep, commanding performance helped turn Optimus Prime into one of the most recognizable characters in animation and pop culture.

More than two decades later, Cullen returned as Optimus Prime for Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action Transformers movie. He continued voicing the character throughout the live-action franchise, including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon, Age of Extinction, The Last Knight, Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Peter Cullen voice of Optimus Prime

Cullen’s career extended far beyond Transformers. He provided the voice of Eeyore in numerous Winnie the Poohprojects and created the distinctive vocalizations of the Predator in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator. He also voiced characters including K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider and Thaedus in the animated superhero series Invincible.

His work as Optimus Prime earned Cullen generations of fans and eventually a place in the Transformers Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was also honored with the Children’s & Family Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Cullen’s family asked fans to honor his legacy through compassion, integrity, loyalty and service to others, invoking the philosophy that became closely associated with both Cullen and Optimus Prime: being “strong enough to be gentle.”

Few voice performances have become as inseparable from a character as Cullen’s Optimus Prime. For millions of Transformers fans, his voice wasn’t simply part of the franchise. It was Optimus Prime.

Sydney Sweeney‘s decision to partner with sports prediction market Novig and appear naked in their new ad began with something she says she found “uncomfortable” about other sports prediction markets.

The actress claimed that other platforms having markets where users can trade on very personal details about her life was something that rubbed her the wrong way.

Rather than work with those other companies that cause her discomfort, Sydney Sweeney chose Novig because, as they expressed in their first campaign that polarized the internet, they’re focused on “Just Sports.”

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Novig Ceo and Co-founder Jacob Fortinsky is in the news talking about how he and Sweeney came to work together on the viral nude sports prediction campaign.

According to the New York Post, Fortinsky said that Sweeney approached the company after she was left displeased with the types of markets available on competing prediction platforms.

“She said, ‘I’m uncomfortable with other platforms that have markets on what color underwear I’m going to wear,’” he revealed in an interview with Front Office Sports.

Fortinsky added that “there’s something clean about sports,” showing exactly why Sweeney chose the platform.

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket reportedly allow trade on subjects that have nothing to do with sports, which Novig has based its platform entirely on.

That distinction became the central message behind their campaign, which is, “Novig is Just Sports.”

Sweeney’s discomfort is now the starting point for a partnership that is more than mere celebrity endorsement.

The 28-year-old became an equity holder in Novig, and they used her love for sports and her ability to get a crowd talking to launch their first-ever national campaign.

The Actress Was Very Comfortable In Her Spicy Ad

Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball. pic.twitter.com/EXQ4PzVZsi

— Novig (@Novig) September 9, 2026

Novig’s spicy ad was a deliberate choice by the company and Sweeney. In the approximately one-minute advertisement, the “Euphoria” star appears entirely nude, with balls and other sports equipment strategically positioned to cover up her body.

Sweeney, fully nude, started off the ad with an invitation to all her viewers: “Think you know sports? Prove it,” she said, adding that “Novig is just sports. So they wanted to show just sports.”

The commercial then moves through a series of games with Sweeney appearing in different sports settings and having only sports paraphernalia to keep her relatively modest.

She at one point lies naked on a pool table simply because, as she says, “I just look good here.”

Sweeney goes on to explain that Novig has nothing to do with markets on wars, deaths, or politics because they are, as they repeat incessantly, “Just Sports.”

Sydney Has Faced Major Backlash Due To The Provocative Ad

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Sweeney’s new campaign was released on September 9, right as the NFL is about to start its new season, keeping it fresh in the minds of potential bettors and traders.

According to Novig, their intention was to grab attention while putting emphasis on their sports-focused branding.

Variety quotes the actress saying, “The concept is simple: cut through the noise and put the focus entirely on sports. The campaign brings that idea to life with confidence, humor and a playful edge.”

However, since the release of the ad, Sweeney has received largely negative reactions from people online due to the provocative nature of the now-viral campaign.

Per The Blast, a social media user wrote, “Selling gambling by selling sex. Society is crumbling before our eyes.”

The Actress’s Love For The Game Informed Her Foray Into The Sports Market

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In an interview with Complex, Sweeney described the campaign as “a very simple and playful idea,” and revealed how involved she was.

“I’ve always believed that the best partnerships are the ones where everyone’s getting to collaborate; I don’t like to just put my face on something,” she told the outlet.

She added that being part of the company’s growth rather than simply being “the face of it” was very important to her.

Sweeney revealed that she loved sports growing up, confirming that her love for it predates the Novid collaboration.

During her chat with the media outlet, she said, “I played sports growing up. I was on a soccer team, I was on a softball team, I was on a snow ski team. I learned how to slalom ski when I was little, and I did MMA.”

The “Christy” actress further revealed that she’s gained a “really huge appreciation” for the art of boxing after playing Christy Martin in the biographical film.

Sydney Sweeney Knows How To Get People Talking Ahead Of NFL Season

4

The Novig ad and the buzz it has stirred up are another in a series of high-profile advertising campaigns Sweeney has been a part of.

She previously appeared in controversial campaigns for Dr Squatch and American Eagle that saw her get heavily criticized and made her a polarizing figure.

However, her new campaign carries significantly more risk as she’s both the face of it as well as an investor in the prediction market platform.

The campaign put its “Just Sports” identity alongside one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces with the hopes that they will become a part of the “national discourse.”

Whether their efforts would continue to grab attention or lose steam is yet to be seen, but with the NFL season just around the corner and the nation talking about them, it surely couldn’t hurt.

Star Trek is famous for re-using its guest stars, who can be easily hidden under makeup and prosthetics. Jeffrey Combs alone has played almost a dozen different aliens, once playing two separate recurring characters in the same episode. Although that has diminished in recent years, with production of most modern Trek series moving from Hollywood to Toronto, Ontario, one recent guest star reminded fans that it wasn’t her first time on the final frontier. Rachael Harris dropped by the Star Trek panel at last weekend’s Tampa Bay Comic Con, moderated by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, to relate her experience on Star Trek: Voyager to the audience.

Harris recently guest-starred on “Level-Five Transporter Accident,” the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode that saw most of the USS Enterprise‘s crew transformed into Jim Henson-style puppets. She played Ch’Rol, an imperious green-skinned Orion space pirate who attempts to take advantage of the crew’s condition to seize control of the vessel. However, she doesn’t find it quite as easy as she anticipated. As she told attendees at the panel, Harris played a small part in the 1997 Voyager episode “Before and After.” Her scene involved some bizarre alien biology, and that didn’t just include the fake ears she had to wear:

“I was Kes’ mom. I have super short blonde hair, and I was an Ocampa, so I had Ocampa ears, and I pushed the baby out my back! Because we carry our babies in our backs. So there’s literally, like, me in like 1996 or 97, something like that, I think, and I’m pushing out like that, and it literally looks like I am pooping.”

Harris, a longtime fan of Star Trek, told fans she used to “play Star Trek” with her late brother and described coming back to the franchise as “the greatest thing ever,” especially since she didn’t have to excrete a baby this time, and merely had to be painted a verdant shade of green.

What Happens in ‘Before and After’?

Image via Jan Thijs/Paramount+

“Before and After” centers around Kes (Jennifer Lien), a member of the short-lived Ocampa race. A typical Ocampa lifespan is over in the space of less than a decade; Kes finds herself experiencing her entire life, including the parts she hasn’t lived yet, thanks to exposure to a time-manipulating weapon. In the past, she experiences her own birth, as mentioned above; in the future, she finds that she’s married to fellow crew member Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill), while their similarly fast-aging daughter has married Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), and Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) has been killed by a hostile alien race.

Thanks to the Doctor (Robert Picardo), Kes is snapped back to her normal timeline before she can be de-aged into oblivion, and hopes to avert some of her dark future. Ironically, Kes’ future on the series would be cut short; Lien left the series early in the next season to be replaced by ex-Borg Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan).

Star Trek: Voyager is streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

January 16, 1995

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Network

UPN

Showrunner

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Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor, Brannon Braga, Kenneth Biller

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  Roxann Dawson

  B’Elanna Torres

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  Robert Duncan McNeill

  Tom Paris

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Animated films are the perfect medium to communicate concepts that would be hard to replicate in real life. By using this captivating and visually engaging art form, filmmakers are able to tell the stories they want to without having to compromise due to logistical limitations. While some animated movies are designed to tell compelling and dramatic stories, these eight are a pure delight.

When it comes to being fun, these animated movies know what they’re doing. From witty banter and clever dialogue to hilarious gags and spot-on timing, these movies excel at delivering laugh-out-loud moments and lighthearted themes. When you are in the mood for a movie that will lift your spirits and keep you thoroughly entertained, these movies should be next on your watchlist.

1

‘Madagascar’ (2005)

Image via DreamWorks Animation

Curiosity gets the better of the cat in DreamWorks’ Madagascar. The story begins with a lion named Alex (Ben Stiller) who lives in a zoo enclosure in New York City. As his tenth birthday rolls around, he begins to wonder what other life possibilities could be out there for him, and he comes up with the idea to return to the wild. Joined by his friends, a zebra named Marty (Chris Rock), a giraffe called Melman (David Schwimmer), and a hippo named Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), the adventurous crew leave the creature comforts of home and embark on an epic adventure.

Madagascar is full of hilarious antics and exciting situations. It is vastly entertaining to watch the four city-dwelling animals reacclimate to life in the great outdoors. The cast of the movie is phenomenal and includes several actors with comedic backgrounds, such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Richter, and Cedric The Entertainer. Although Madagascar was a bit overshadowed by Shrek, it is finally getting the respect it deserves and topped Netflix’s streaming charts earlier this year, climbing all the way to #5 in worldwide viewership.

2

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

No one had seen anything like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse when it debuted in theaters in 2018. The animation style was an energetic and fresh new presentation that combined comic book aesthetics with anime, 3D computer graphics, and more. The story was an invigorating change from established expectations. Introducing the character of Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), the protagonist was a parallel, but not direct copy, of Peter Parker. This new storyline and focus opened up a whole new multiverse of possibilities, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hit every benchmark with unparalleled flair.

Not only does Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse have a remarkable story and animation, but it also has one of the best multiverse and multiple Spider-Man cameos ever done. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse set the precedent several years before the MCU followed suit (no pun intended). This outstanding movie refuses to fit into preconceived boxes. It is both a comic book movie and a spectacular urban fantasy. It simultaneously pays homage to the canon that started it all while paving its own path. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an absolute triumph and manages to keep all fans, new and old, happy.

3

‘Aladdin’ (1992)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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The Oscar-winning hit that remains quintessential viewing for many, Aladdin is ‘90s Disney gold. The epic adventure tale that is thousands of years old is unique for the studio in that the main character is male. A majority of Disney’s animated films focus on princesses, mermaids, etc. Aladdin, voiced by Scott Weinger, proved to be an engaging protagonist, and his rise from street urchin to fortunate prince is a story full of magic and wonder.

Although Aladdin has its flaws, it remains a favorite for many and is considered a hallmark of Disney’s Renaissance era. Robin Williams’ role as Genie is one of the best vocal performances ever committed to film, and he instantly elevated the movie and made it iconic. With its supernatural themes, nonstop thrills, and undeniable humor, Aladdin is one of the most fun family movies Disney has produced. Collider staff recommend it as one of the best feel-good movies, and it delivers on all fronts. When it comes to music, plot, and comic relief, it is hard to beat this nostalgic gem.

4

‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros.

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DC movies are notably dark and broody, but one that not only breaks the mold but shatters it is The Lego Batman Movie. Will Arnett voices the caped crusader with a Lego makeover in this brilliant and absolute banger of a film. The Lego Batman Movie epitomizes the essence of Batman while never taking itself too seriously. It is a 104-minute love letter to the fans, and it is the second highest-ranked Batman movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Lego Batman Movie is nonstop fun no matter how you examine it. It is a delightful DC movie, an awesome Batman movie, and the best Lego movie so far. It includes all the tropes and meta references fans are expecting, while still finding ways to bring something new to the lore. If you haven’t seen this absolute riot yet, this is your sign.

5

‘Shrek’ (2001)

Image via (c)DreamWorks/courtesy Everett

Though Shrek was not DreamWorks’ first animated film, it is the one that catapulted the studio into stardom. A pointed satire of traditional clichés, it kicked down the door of fantasy and sat on the throne as the new ruler of how stories were going to be told. Shrek destroyed every preconceived notion about romance, beauty standards, hero types, and more. It took laser-focused shots at DreamWorks’ major competitor, Disney, and told the story it wanted to without apology.

Shrek remains a hilarious and unconventional comedy. There are enough raunchy jokes to keep adults entertained and plenty of silly situations to hold kids’ attention as well. Even though the road it takes to get there is unlike anything fairy tale movies have done before, Shrek still arrives at its own version of “happily ever after.” It changed the game forever and makes a diverting watch for viewers of all ages.

6

‘Hotel Transylvania’ (2012)

Image via ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

When you have a modern king of comedy, Adam Sandler, as the main character and executive producer, you know the movie is going to be fun. In Hotel Transylvania, Sandler stars as Dracula. Now a single father, Dracula tries everything within his natural and supernatural power to keep his only child, Mavis (Selena Gomez), safe from humans. His efforts result in the titular abode, which provides a safe place for monsters to stay, away from the prying eyes and sharpened pitchforks of humans. Dracula’s plan to keep Mavis from the human world starts to unravel when a wayward backpacker named Jonathan (Andy Samberg) stumbles into the hotel.

Hotel Transylvania is a silly take on spooky staples like vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein’s monster, and more. The cast is stocked with comedic talent, and the sweet father-daughter bond between Dracula and Mavis is the chewy caramel center of the movie. Hotel Transylvania is a film that audiences love, and critics love to hate, as evidenced by its widely contrasting Rotten Tomatoes scores. Last January, over a decade after its debut, Hotel Transylvania ranked #6 in Netflix’s Top 10. The love from viewers for this haunting and hilarious tale is not weakening anytime soon, and it makes for a superb watch any time of year, but especially in the fall and around Halloween.

7

‘A Goofy Movie’ (1995)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

As I mentioned in another Collider article, “It was completely unexpected that a movie that relied solely on staple but lesser-known characters would become the voice of a generation.” However, that’s exactly what A Goofy Movie did. The 1995 hand-drawn feature would prove to have its finger so accurately on the pulse of the current culture that it became a time capsule, quintessentially defining the era for generations to come. The story follows Goofy (Bill Farmer) as he tries to bond with his teenage son Max (Jason Marsden), which leads to them going on a father-son road trip, whether Max likes it or not.

A Goofy Movie is surprisingly awesome. It is greater than the sum of its parts, and like discovering a hidden level in a video game, there are unexpected riches to be found. It has catchy music, an interesting plot, some low-key intrigue, identifiable characters, and a whole lot of fun. It makes an ideal choice for Disney fans and anyone wanting to relive some 1990s nostalgia.

8

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Take an underdog story, mix it with a hero’s journey, add in an Oscar-nominated score by John Powell, and you will get How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks’ fantasy epic launched a flawless trilogy where every movie is a 10/10 masterpiece. The first movie follows a young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) as he challenges centuries of his village’s cultural beliefs about dragons. After a formative encounter with an elusive Night Fury, Hiccup seeks to prove that dragons are not the soulless killing machines he was taught to fear.

How to Train Your Dragon is perfect from beginning to end and doesn’t falter once. It has imaginative creature design, likable characters, and the aforementioned stupendous soundtrack crafted by Powell. It is everything a great fantasy movie should be, and it is tons of fun to watch.

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How to Train Your Dragon

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Release Date

March 26, 2010

Runtime

98 minutes

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Director

Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois

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Writers

Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, William Davies, Cressida Cowell

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