Sleeping Dogs screenshot of Wei Shen in a white suit next to a white car in Hong KongImage via Steam
There’s no one in the industry who can create a crime-filled open-world sandbox quite like Rockstar Games, and it seems no one in the West is willing to even try anymore. Rockstar earned their monopoly honestly through obsessive attention to detail and by raising the technical bar with each release. Grand Theft Auto VI will surely raise that bar again when it launches November 19. But the genre they defined used to be a competitive one.
From the early 2000s to the mid 2010s, studios constantly attempted to go toe-to-toe with the champ, and they fared far better than the “clone” label suggests. Many outclassed Rockstar in specific areas, whether it be robust combat mechanics, unique mission design or an engaging narrative. These games proved there’s room for more voices in the space and room for improvement in Rockstar’s formula. Here are seven titles that outplayed Rockstar in some way or another, and a reminder of what this industry gave up when it stopped competing.
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7. Retro City Rampage (2012)
Retro City Rampage Key Art BannerImage Via Nintendo
Brian Provinciano created Retro City Rampage as a mostly solo developer. It was originally a demake of Grand Theft Auto III, but eventually morphed into something far stranger. It’s the only game on the list that shot for the classic top-down style, so the natural comparison is Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, an excellent return to where Rockstar made their name. Although they share the same perspective, they have completely different approaches to the genre.
Chinatown Wars was more about condensing the 3D GTA formula into a handheld. Provinciano’sgame leaned into the comedic and satirical aspects of GTA while delivering new mechanics with each new mission. Almost no two missions in Retro City Rampage share the same blueprint, going from a stealth section with Metal Gear energy, to a grappling hook sequence inspired by Bionic Commando, to a Frogger-style traffic-dodging situation. Each only appears once before you’re on to the next unique mechanic, something you can’t say for GTA‘s standard mission structure of “drive here, shoot this, repeat.”
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The weapon selection goes just as hard with 24 absurd, situational options that promote diversity over settling on a favorite. Throw in a skateboard and grappling hook for traversal, along with an arcade-style scoring system akin to Rampage Mode, and Retro City Rampage becomes a rare game in the space that offers a varied and diverse experience from beginning to end.
6. Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006)
Scarface: The World Is Yours screenshot of Tony Montana holding an AR in a gunfight
Radical Entertainment took one of the most interesting approaches to a movie tie-in video game, creating a “what if” scenario where Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout and continued growing his empire. That setup alone made Scarface: The World Is Yours worth a playthrough for any fan of the movie, but it wasn’t only the premise that made it great.
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The empire management system is where the game truly shined over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which released in 2004. Players were able to launder money at a bank, move contraband through real supply chains, and buy fronts while staving off heat from police and rivals. San Andreas had a light asset-purchasing mechanic to generate passive income, but Radical took it to another level with its economic simulation.
Even the combat had some tricks up its sleeve with the introduction of the Balls meter, a resource built up by taunting your enemies that unleashed the brutal first-person Blind Rage mode. This devastating mechanic slowed the world down, granted the player infinite ammo, and regenerated health with each kill. Not only was it insanely fun to use, but it also made the gunplay stand head and shoulders above Rockstar’s latest offering. Nearly 20 years later, Scarface: The World Is Yours remains one of the most ambitious licensed games the open-world genre has ever produced.
5. True Crime: Streets of LA (2003)
True Crime: Streets of LA poster of Nick Kang with dual pistols
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Luxoflux and Activision were the first to take the fight directly to Rockstar. True Crime: Streets of LA made a name for itself by recreating roughly 240 square miles of actual Los Angeles, allowing players with knowledge of the city to navigate by memory. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City‘s fictional depiction of Florida did not offer the same accuracy, and it would be years before Rockstar even attempted a similar feat.
The differences run deeper than just the map, however. As LAPD detective Nick Kang, players were equipped with a full suite of melee fighting abilities that could be expanded further with unlockable moves. It made Vice City‘s hand-to-hand combat look like an afterthought. A “good cop, bad cop” morality system monitored your behavior, bringing a branching narrative structure with multiple endings to the GTA formula over 20 years before Rockstar allegedly implemented the honor system into GTA VI.
To top it off, failing a mission did not force a game over and a restart. True Crime‘s narrative adapted to the failure and continued down a different path, an impressive system that is still not standard in modern gaming. True Crime: Streets of LA took on GTA with pure ambition, but the true crime is that this franchise didn’t become the juggernaut it had the potential to be.
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4. Watch Dogs 2 (2016)
Watch Dogs 2 key art showcasing Marcus Holloway in San FranciscoImage via Xbox
Watch_Dogs was originally heralded as the next-gen blockbuster that would become the “GTA Killer.” Unfortunately, the game fell well short of expectations with huge graphical downgrades from the initial gameplay trailers, stunted hacking mechanics with little agency, and an overall run-of-the-mill story and protagonist. Ubisoft Montreal course-corrected hard with Watch Dogs 2, going for a sunny San Francisco and a likable group of characters that felt like an antidote to Grand Theft Auto V‘s cynical take.
Playing as Marcus Holloway, you are given DedSec’s signature arsenal of hacking tools complete with more player agency and options. The RC jumper and quadcopter allowed players to scout, infiltrate, and sometimes even complete entire missions without Marcus setting foot in the building. With one character, Watch Dogs 2 offered more options when tackling missions than in GTA V with three characters.
Best of all, nonlethal playthroughs are fully viable in Watch Dogs 2. Stun guns and takedowns allow players to complete every mission in the game without killing a single person, an option completely foreign to GTA. Watch Dogs 2 proved the crime sandbox Rockstar defined didn’t need to be dark and cynical, and there was room for more open-ended mission design.
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3. Mafia II (2010)
Mafia 2 Definitive Edition key art featuring Vito ScalettaImage via 2K Store
2K Czech went the opposite direction from Grand Theft Auto and every other studio that chased it. Mafia II showcased Empire Bay across the 1940s and 1950s as a period piece first, letting players watch Vito Scaletta age into the life over years rather than a few months.
Vito was a well-developed character like no other in the genre. Grand Theft Auto IV‘s Niko Bellic caused whiplash as, depending on the mission, he would feel like a different character with different motives. Every mission in Mafia II had an intent and impact on Vito’s character, as well as his friendship with Joe Barbaro. The years of small moments carry the game and slowly lead to an explosive ending that hits much harder than Niko Bellic’s split decision at the end of GTA IV.
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The bigger achievement is the design of Mafia II. 2K Czech traded the open-world filler for a tightly authored crime drama, proving the sandbox doesn’t have to offer everything to justify itself. Mafia II was the rare competitor that gained success by focusing its scope and elevating its strong points to the highest degree.
2. Sleeping Dogs (2012)
Sleeping Dogs has the best action to ever grace the open-world crime genre, and it’s honestly not even close. United Front Games built a dynamic martial arts system for Wei Shen equipped with grabs, counters, and environmental takedowns that found vicious ways to finish enemies with meat hooks and table saws. No matter which Grand Theft Auto you compare it to, its combat comes up short of Sleeping Dogs by a few miles.
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Traversal received just as much care, with dynamic chase sequences that had the player dodging crowds and jumping over obstacles to apprehend a suspect. You could also hijack speeding cars by leaping from one to another mid-chase. These gameplay sequences felt cinematic without taking away player agency, which is very difficult to pull off.
Sleeping Dogs also stood out by moving the setting out of America to Hong Kong. Setting this undercover cop story in China added a fresh layer to the genre. Wei Shen earned separate Cop and Triad experience, and players would juggle which side they wanted to lean toward. The narrative did not disappoint either, with moments that still stick even 14 years later. If you’re looking for the best moment-to-moment gameplay in the genre, then Sleeping Dogs easily takes the crown.
1. Saints Row 2 (2008)
Saints Row 2 key artImage via Xbox
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Volition dropped Saints Row 2 the same year Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto IV, and it genuinely felt closer to a follow-up to San Andreas than GTA IV ever did. Rockstar introduced many robust mechanics in San Andreas that made the game feel giant and expansive, but GTA IV completely stripped everything that made its predecessor special in order to chase realism. This worked for some players, but it went too far in the wrong direction for a lot of fans. Saints Row 2 ended up being the safe haven that felt most like home.
Everything fans loved about Los Santos was still there but bigger and better: gang territory to take over, businesses to buy, tons of activities and mini-games, and a completely customizable protagonist. While GTA IV‘s sandbox felt paved over with cement, Saints Row 2‘s was still a robust playground with tons of fun to be had outside of missions. Volition’s take on the formula was goofier at times, but it still knew when to have heartfelt or serious moments.
Volition’s sequel struck the perfect balance, and here’s the hot take: Saints Row 2 was a better GTA than Grand Theft Auto IV. The game offered a more complete experience including drop-in/drop-out online co-op across the entire campaign, a robust character creator, vehicle, crew and crib customization, a bigger map, smooth vehicle handling, and a deeper melee fighting system with finishing moves. Although Volition and Saints Row‘s story didn’t end well, history should highlight that there was a time when developers could go toe-to-toe with GTA and decisively come out on top.
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The Genre Rockstar Won by Forfeit
Cal Hampton in ‘GTA 6’.Image via Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto VI will arrive on November 19 with no direct competitors in sight, and that should be frustrating. In an industry full of Soulslikes, why did the ball drop with GTA-likes, even though it’s proven that there are areas where developers can improve over Rockstar? No game has been able to dethrone Grand Theft Auto, but none needed to. They pushed the open-world crime genre in ways Rockstar was unwilling to, and the space was healthier for it.
Gillian Anderson has identified as pansexual while reflecting on how her understanding of sexuality has developed throughout her life. The 58-year-old “X-Files” star shared the revelation weeks after discussing a relationship she had with an older female student during high school. Anderson explained that she has had relationships with women, but she did not always have the language to describe her sexuality.
6News Licensing / MEGA
Anderson discussed her sexuality during a new interview with The Australian. “In my younger years, I was in relationships with women,” she told the publication.
Pansexuality generally describes the capacity to experience attraction to people regardless of their gender. GLAAD notes that people may define the identity as being attracted to all gender identities or experiencing attraction regardless of gender.
Anderson’s remarks come after years of speaking openly about her relationships with both men and women. However, her latest interview appears to mark one of her clearest public discussions of identifying as pansexual.
The actress also indicated that her approach to attraction has changed as she has grown older and listened to other women discuss their experiences.
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The Actress Discusses Dating And Desire Later In Life
Anderson said she does not actively seek attention from potential romantic partners. “I’m not a big flirter. I don’t put it out there very much,” she said. “I do hear of a lot of women around our age who are rediscovering their sensuality and their desire for sex.”
She continued, “It certainly sounds like they’re in the dating field. That they’re having a lot of fun, a lot of opportunities, but also being approached on these apps by much younger men.”
While Anderson discussed other women returning to the dating world, she did not describe herself as single. “The person I consider my life partner happens to be male,” she said.
Anderson has been publicly linked to “The Crown” creator Peter Morgan in an on-again, off-again relationship since 2016. However, the actress has generally kept the details of that relationship private.
Gillian Anderson Previously Recalled A Hidden High School Relationship
Anderson’s latest comments arrive weeks after she discussed one of her earliest relationships during an interview with The Sunday Times. “One of my first relationships was with an older girl in high school. It felt secretive and illicit and wrong, and we had to hide. Later on I had a boyfriend who found out and broke up with me,” she told the publication.
Anderson said she did not think she was gay at the time because she had also dated boys. “But I definitely felt I didn’t have the language for it. Even later on when I had other relationships with women, I’m not sure I ever thought of them as being potentially forever,” she explained.
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‘Sex Education’ Changed The Way She Discussed Sexuality
Anderson credited her role in Netflix’s “Sex Education” with helping her become more comfortable discussing sex, attraction and desire. “It all came from that character,” she said.
Anderson portrayed sex therapist Jean Milburn throughout all four seasons of the series. The character is the mother of Otis Milburn, played by Asa Butterfield, and approaches conversations about sexual health with directness and confidence.
Netflix similarly describes Jean as an observant therapist who “exudes sexuality and confidence” in its official cast guide. The role became part of a larger shift in Anderson’s career, during which she began publicly exploring women’s sexuality beyond her work onscreen.
Her book “Want,” released in 2024, presented anonymous sexual fantasies submitted by women from around the world. Anderson’s latest book, “More,” continues her exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and desire.
Gillian Anderson Reflects On Being Named The ‘Sexiest Woman In The World’
Anderson’s openness about sexuality also follows a candid reflection on being voted FHM’s “Sexiest Woman in the World” in 1996. At the time, she was one of television’s most recognizable stars because of her portrayal of FBI Special Agent Dana Scully on “The X-Files.”
Despite the public attention surrounding her appearance, Anderson said the title did not match how she felt privately. “In 1996 I was voted ‘Sexiest Woman in the World’ by FHM readers, a title that arrived with all the certainty of a cultural verdict,” she wrote for British Vogue. “How ‘sexy’ I felt inside, or indeed looked, when the accolade was announced is another story… The ludicrous irony, of course, is that when the ‘world’ declared me its sexiest woman, I felt anything but.”
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Anderson explained that she was raising her young daughter, working demanding hours and adjusting to life as a single mother following the end of her marriage to Clyde Klotz. “The fantasy projected onto me bore no resemblance to my reality, despite the latex bodysuit and exposed midriff in the accompanying photoshoot. My life revolved around call sheets, line memorization and motherhood.”
Anderson is a mother of three. She shares her adult daughter, Piper, with Klotz and her sons, Oscar and Felix, with former partner Mark Griffiths.
Three decades after receiving a title that made her uncomfortable, Anderson said she now feels more secure in herself. “The most seductive thing any of us can wear is the quiet conviction that we belong exactly where we are,” she wrote.
Lori Loughlin appears determined to close the door on her marriage to Mossimo Giannulli amid claims that the fashion designer has been reluctant to let go of their relationship.
After nearly three decades together, the actress filed for divorce and is said to be eager to finally move forward with her life. While Giannulli allegedly hoped there was still a possibility of winning her back, those close to Loughlin believe she has already made up her mind.
His actions following their separation, including his connection to a much younger woman, have also reinforced Lori Loughlin’s decision to leave their marriage behind.
Loughlin is ready to put her lengthy marriage behind her after the process of reaching this point took longer than she initially expected.
“It’s taken longer than she would have liked to get to this point,” a source told Star Magazine. “She is definitely more than ready to tie everything up with Mossimo and be able to cleanly move on with her life.”
Loughlin and Giannulli separated in 2025 after 28 years of marriage. The former couple shares two adult daughters, Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade.
Their relationship had already endured significant strain following the college admissions scandal, which resulted in both serving prison sentences. According to the insider, Loughlin made a serious effort to preserve the marriage afterward, but tension remained over who was responsible for their involvement in the scandal.
“She tried very hard to make it work after the whole college admissions nightmare,” the source said, claiming Giannulli later tried to shift responsibility onto his wife when discussing the scandal with others.
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Now that Loughlin has taken the legal step of ending their union, the source suggests she has no desire to go back on that.
Mossimo Giannulli Reportedly Wants The Actress Back
While Loughlin is apparently focused on closing this chapter, Giannulli has allegedly been less enthusiastic about bringing their marriage to a formal end.
According to the source, people close to the actress believe he was deliberately making the process take longer because he hoped the pair could eventually reunite.
“He has been the one dragging his heels,” the insider claimed. “Everyone in her life agrees that Mossimo was trying to stall because he wants Lori back.”
Those alleged hopes do not appear to be mutual. The source insisted reconciliation is no longer something Loughlin is considering, adding, “It’s way too late for that. She’s totally done with him.”
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After years of marital difficulties, Loughlin’s decision to get a divorce indicates that she is prepared to make their separation permanent, regardless of whether Giannulli would prefer a different outcome.
The Fashion Designer’s Rumored Fling With A Stylist Removed Any Hope Of Reconciliation
Whatever possibility Giannulli may have seen for repairing the marriage was reportedly weakened further by his behavior after the couple went their separate ways.
The 63-year-old fashion designer has been seen spending time with Hannah Harrison, a 32-year-old fashion stylist.
According to the source, watching her estranged husband move on in that manner affected whatever feelings Loughlin might still have had for him.
“The way he acted after they first split snuffed out any last flicker she had for him,” the insider explained.
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Loughlin believed she approached their separation differently and continued respecting the history they shared even after their relationship broke down.
“She carried herself with respect for their union of all those years, and he did not,” the source added.
Rather than drawing her back toward Giannulli, his post-separation behavior appears to have strengthened Loughlin’s determination to finalize their split.
Lori Loughlin Might Not Get Anything Out Of The Divorce
Although Loughlin wants to move forward, the financial outcome of the divorce could prove complicated. An earlier report suggested that the prenuptial agreement she signed before marrying Giannulli in 1997 kept the couple’s assets separate.
“It’s something Mossimo insisted on before they married,” an insider said, adding that Giannulli was already worth more than $100 million at the time.
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Under the terms described in the report, Loughlin could potentially leave the marriage without receiving part of Giannulli’s fortune. However, the divorce filing later revealed that their prenup was amended in 2015, meaning the final financial outcome may depend on the updated agreement rather than solely on its original terms.
For Loughlin, however, reports have suggested that ending the relationship and regaining control of her life have become the greater priorities.
Lori Loughlin Has No Plans To Jump Back Into Dating
Loughlin’s decision to divorce Giannulli does not appear to have been motivated by another relationship. Instead, she is comfortable entering this new stage of her life without immediately searching for another partner.
The actress has been concentrating on her career and recently returned to Instagram. Her ongoing movie work has also left little room for dating, according to TMZ.
After living separately from Giannulli for more than a year before filing, Loughlin appears focused on creating a fresh start on her own terms rather than rushing into another relationship.
Tom Hardy on the red carpetImage via Famous/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com
Guy Ritchie‘s Netflix series The Gentlemen returned with a second season earlier this month, although viewership was down by around 45% in its first week. It is believed that the longer shows take between seasons, the higher the chances are of fans dropping out. The Gentlemen took around two years to return, but Ritchie’s other hit show has a better chance of succeeding purely because it’s coming back within a year of its premiere. The show in question made a splashy debut on Paramount+ in 2025, breaking viewership benchmarks set by Taylor Sheridan‘s platform-defining hit Yellowstone. Awareness for the series didn’t dip even during the off-season, thanks to the many controversies that it found itself embroiled in.
It was reported that star Tom Hardy had been fired from the project’s future seasons after he had a run-in with some key creatives. This was later revealed to be false, but not until several reports had emerged claiming to detail what went down. Hardy’s feud with Charlize Theron on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road was cited as proof of his on-set behavior, but it was eventually revealed that not only had Hardy not been fired, but he would be returning to headline the show in a confirmed third season. All of this is to say that Paramount+ is highly bullish about the series, which follows the Godfather template but unfolds in contemporary London.
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Collider Exclusive · Taylor Sheridan Universe Quiz Which Taylor Sheridan Show Do You Belong In? Yellowstone · Landman · Tulsa King · Mayor of Kingstown
Four worlds. All of them brutal, complicated, and built on power, loyalty, and the price of survival. Taylor Sheridan doesn’t write heroes — he writes people who do what they have to do and live with the cost. Ten questions will reveal which one of his worlds you were made for.
🤠Yellowstone
🛢️Landman
👑Tulsa King
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⚖️Mayor of Kingstown
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01
Where does your power come from? In Sheridan’s world, everyone has leverage. The question is what kind.
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02
Who do you put first, no matter what? Loyalty in Sheridan’s universe is always absolute — and always costly.
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03
Someone crosses a line. How do you respond? Every Sheridan protagonist has a line. What matters is what happens after it’s crossed.
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04
Where do you feel most in your element? Sheridan’s worlds are as much about place as they are about people.
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05
How do you feel about operating in the grey? Nobody in a Sheridan show has clean hands. The question is how they carry the dirt.
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06
What are you actually fighting to hold onto? Every Sheridan character is fighting a war. The real question is what they’re defending.
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07
How do you lead? Authority in Sheridan’s world is never given — it’s established, maintained, and constantly tested.
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08
Someone new arrives and tries to change how things work. Your reaction? Every Sheridan show has an outsider disrupting an established order. Sometimes that outsider is you.
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09
What has your position cost you? Nobody gets to where these characters are without paying for it. The bill is always personal.
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10
When it’s over, what do you want people to say? Sheridan’s characters all know the ending is coming. The question is what they leave behind.
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Sheridan Has Spoken You Belong In…
The show that claimed the most of your answers is the world you were built for. If two tied, both are shown — you’re complicated enough to straddle two Sheridan universes.
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🤠 Yellowstone
🛢️ Landman
👑 Tulsa King
⚖️ Mayor of Kingstown
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You are a Dutton — or you might as well be. You understand that some things are worth protecting at any cost, and that the modern world’s indifference to history, to land, to legacy, is not something you’re willing to accept quietly. You lead from the front, you carry your family’s weight without complaint, and when someone threatens what’s yours, you don’t escalate — you finish it. You’re not cruel. But you are absolute. In Yellowstone’s world, that combination of ferocity and loyalty doesn’t make you a villain. It makes you the only thing standing between everything that matters and everyone who wants to take it.
You thrive in the chaos of high-stakes negotiation, where the money is enormous, the margins are thin, and the wrong word in the wrong room can cost everyone everything. You’re a fixer — the person called when a situation is already on fire and needs someone with the nerve to walk into it. West Texas oil country rewards exactly what you are: sharp, adaptable, unsentimental, and absolutely clear-eyed about what people want and what they’ll do to get it. You’re not naive enough to think this world is fair. You’re smart enough to be the one deciding who it’s fair to.
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You are a Dwight Manfredi — someone who has served their time, paid their dues, and arrived somewhere unexpected with nothing but their reputation and their wits. You adapt without losing yourself. You build loyalty through respect rather than fear, though you’re not above reminding people that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Tulsa King is for people who are still standing when everyone assumed they’d be finished — who find, in an unfamiliar place, that they’re more capable than the world gave them credit for. You don’t need a throne. You build one, wherever you happen to land.
You carry the weight of a system that is broken by design, and you do it anyway — because someone has to, and because you’re the only one positioned to do it without the whole thing collapsing. Mike McLusky’s world is for people who are comfortable operating where there are no good options, only less catastrophic ones. You speak every language: law enforcement, criminal, political, human. That fluency makes you invaluable and it makes you a target. You’ve made your peace with both. Mayor of Kingstown belongs to people who understand that keeping the peace is not the same as being at peace — and who do the job regardless.
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Here’s When Tom Hardy’s Fan-Favorite Series Will Return
Created by Ronan Bennett but marketing on the strength of Ritchie’s brand, the show in question is MobLand. It also features PierceBrosnan, Helen Mirren, and Paddy Considine, and it received mostly positive reviews upon release in 2025. MobLand now holds a “Certified Fresh” 77% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Tom Hardy’s gruff charisma is put to good use in MobLand, a gangster saga that hardly reinvents the genre but nails its conventions with crunchy style and memorable performances.” The series will return with a second season on September 18, with Ophelia Lovibond and Johnny Flynn joining the cast in recurring roles. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Spider-Man as a character is interesting enough, and we want to see him interact with villains and defeat them. The baddies are far less compelling without, you know, a hero to fight and that’s the battle that plagued Sony as they tried to build an interconnected superhero franchise without a… superhero. While the Venom trilogy became a major commercial success, Morbius and Madame Web were savaged by critics, leaving one more standing and waiting for its fate.
Kraven the Hunter is the origin story of how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. Now, Kraven the Hunter is preparing for another opportunity to find an audience on streaming. It’s officially coming to Disney+, bringing Taylor-Johnson’s standalone adventure under the same streaming roof as much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and an expanding collection of Sony’s Spider-Man movies.
The cast is led by Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train) as Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven, alongside Crowe, Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) as Calypso Ezili, Fred Hechinger (Gladiator II) as Dmitri Smerdyakov, Alessandro Nivola (The Brutalist) as Aleksei Sytsevich/Rhino, Christopher Abbott (Poor Things) as the Foreigner, Levi Miller (Pan) as young Sergei, and Billy Barratt (Invasion) as young Dmitri.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
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🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
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01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
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02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
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03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
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04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
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05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
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06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
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07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
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08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
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Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
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The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
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You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
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You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
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You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
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Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
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You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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‘Kraven the Hunter’ Was Mauled by Critics
Kraven the Hunter struggled badly with critics when it arrived in December 2024. The movie currently holds just 15% on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 160 reviews, making it one of the worst-reviewed entries in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Audiences were considerably kinder, however, with the movie holding a 72% Popcornmeter score. That was typically the case with Sony’s movies, as audiences tended to be more forgiving, viewing them as mindless entertainment while critics saw a cash grab.
A disappointing box-office run isn’t affecting the performance of Jason Statham‘s latest movie on digital. If anything, the film’s theatrical release created enough awareness about it among viewers. The movie was hit by a major setback ahead of its debut, when it was accidentally uploaded on Prime Video for a few hours, and then disseminated on illegal file-sharing sites by online pirates. This didn’t appear to dent the film’s box-office performance much, given how Statham’s other 2026 release, Shelter, performed in its theatrical run this past January. Shelter made around $14 million domestically, against a reported budget of $50 million, falling drastically short of both A Working Man and The Beekeeper.
Statham’s latest release was able to gross around $15 million in its box-office run domestically, and around $27 million worldwide against a reported budget of $40 million. It will always be regarded as a box-office bomb, but the key to the success of Statham’s movies has always been their home-video performance. And the new film is already doing tremendously well on the PVOD market. According to FlixPatrol, it’s currently the number-one film on the domestic Amazon and iTunes charts, overtaking holdover hits such as Moana, Backrooms, and Obsession.
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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
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
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🔧John McClane
🎭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.
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Rambo
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
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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.
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.
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Ethan Hunt
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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Jason Statham’s Latest Release Is a Home-Video Hit
We’re talking, of course, about Mutiny. Directed by Jean-François Richet, the film follows a man who uncovers a human trafficking operation aboard one of his former employer’s ships after he is framed for his murder. Mutiny also features Annabelle Wallis, and was marketed as a Die Hard-style action-thriller that unfolds in a contained space. It received mixed reviews, and is now sitting at a 50% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s consensus reads, “Mutiny offers up a bounty of crunchy carnage that Jason Statham serves with characteristic finesse, but convoluted plotting, and an unrelentingly grim tone weigh down this action flick’s fun factor like an anchor.” Like many of Statham’s other movies, Mutiny has been embraced by his fans, who’ve awarded it an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s this positive word-of-mouth that seems to be propelling the movie to success at home. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Lily sitting in a chair in Thoroughbreds.Image via Focus Features
Having featured in two of the summer’s biggest hits, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey, actors Zendaya and Tom Holland have perhaps reached the peak of their respective careers. The two movies have broken numerous records and grossed a combined total of more than $4 billion worldwide. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is among the three biggest releases in global box-office history, and is poised to become the biggest domestic hit of all time. Meanwhile, The Odyssey was recently crowned the biggest Universal release of all time. There is, however, another actor who has had a tremendous year so far, and still has a trump card up her sleeve.
Anya Taylor-Joy reprised her role as Princess Peach in this year’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which made more than $1 billion worldwide. In December, she will be seen in director Denis Villeneuve’s epic trilogy-capper Dune: Part Three, which is projected to break franchise records at the box office. Dune: Part Three will clash with Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, and both Warner Bros. and Disney have their fingers crossed for a repeat of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where the competition fuels combined interest in the films. Dune: Part Three is tracking to deliver a $100-million-plus debut domestically and to outgross Dune: Part Two‘s $715 million global box-office benchmark.
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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.
💊The Matrix
🔥Mad Max
🌧️Blade Runner
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🏜️Dune
🚀Star Wars
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01
You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one.
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02
In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.
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03
What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.
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04
How do you deal with authority you don’t trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.
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05
Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.
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06
Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.
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07
Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.
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08
What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.
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Your Fate Has Been Calculated You’d Survive In…
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
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The Resistance, Zion
The Matrix
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
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You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.
The Wasteland
Mad Max
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
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You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.
Los Angeles, 2049
Blade Runner
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
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You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.
Arrakis
Dune
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
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Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
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You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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Anya Taylor-Joy’s Hits Are Charting Simultaneously on Streaming
It would be another feather in Taylor-Joy’s cap this year at the box office, but she is proving to be an equally big draw at home. According to FlixPatrol, two of her Apple TV releases are concurrently among the streamer’s most-watched titles. The Gorge, a genre-bending hit from 2025, has now spent more than 550 days on the streamer’s domestic chart, while the limited series Luckyhas crossed the 50-day mark itself. Both projects have been well-received by the audience, with Lucky holding the higher critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Gorge, on the other hand, is among Apple TV’s biggest hits ever, alongside Greyhound and The Family Plan, led by bona fide movie stars Tom Hanks and Mark Wahlberg, respectively. Taylor-Joy has successfully found a place on the same table, setting herself up for more success in the future. She is now working on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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February 28, 2025
Runtime
127 Minutes
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Director
Scott Derrickson
Writers
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Zach Dean
Producers
Gregory Goodman, C. Robert Cargill, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, Don Granger, Miles Teller, Sherryl Clark, Adam Kolbrenner
Buffy the Vampire Slayer has had a tumultuous year so far. After rallying the original cast and securing Chloe Zhao as the director, the revival series seemed to be moving forwards in production. But earlier this year, it was announced that the revival was canceled and Buffy would not be returning. Fans have slowly come to terms with the lack of a reunion, but the Emmys might give audiences a little more Buffy content. Two stars are set to present at the September 14th awards show, encouraging excitement online among Buffy fans.
With the return of two iconic Buffy actors, it brings up the lingering significance of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The show is nearing its 30th anniversary and has been off the air since 2003. Despite that, love for the show continues to go on. With such a strong fanbase, it’s curious to examine why the show has remained so beloved all these years later and how it went on the shape popular media since its creation.
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The Emmys are Bringing Back Buffy and Angel
Buffy and Angel in episode “Forever” of ‘Buffy, The Vampire Slayer”.Image Via The WB
Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz have been announced to present at the 2026 Emmys. Their reunion at the event has sparked conversation within the Buffy fanbase. After the cancelation of the Buffy revival series, fans have noticed an increase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer merchandise. From new merch in stores to Monster High collector dolls, audiences find themselves overcome with Buffy content — all except for the revival show.
During the runtime of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, the two star-crossed lovers had reunited multiple times on both shows. Crossovers between the two shows were common, as different characters would make guest appearances. For Buffy and Angel, their reunions were always emotionally charged with their past romance. There had been hope that the two would meet once more in the revival, but the Emmys might be the only chance to see Buffy and Angel again.
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Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer Continues to be Loved
Buffy has been off the air since 2003 with the release of its final season. After seven years of runtime, the iconic show finally concluded the story of Buffy Summers and her fight against evil. Aside from the spin-off show Angel, which ended its run in 2004, Buffy hasn’t produced much from this universe in the years since. There have been comic book runs, novelizations, and an unaired animated series, but Buffy Summers hasn’t returned to television since. So why do audiences still love this show so much?
Part of it is nostalgia. Buffy the Vampire Slayer embodies the late 90s and the connection some audiences have to that point in their lives. The show was a massive success when it was airing, garnering a strong and steady fanbase who still adore the show to this day. New viewers are able to tune in to the show on streaming services, and it seems as though Buffy isn’t fading into obscurity any time soon. But nostalgia isn’t the only reason why fans still adore Buffy.
The show itself is a testament to its ongoing support. Buffy Summers is a witty yet troubled character who experiences far more suffering than she should. The monsters and demons she fights not only make for cool fight scenes and exciting action, but it speaks to how dedicated she is to her role as the Slayer. Alongside her quirky friends, Buffy demonstrates a remarkable strength that is inspiring to watch. The writing is funny, the characters are goofy, and the end-of-the-world stakes continue to get more dire with each season. Buffy the Vampire Slayer balances the challenges of teen girl life and fight against paranormal forces in a way that shaped supernatural media. The heart and humor of the show has stood the test of time and continues to speak to audiences to this day.
With Gellar and Boreanaz reuniting at the Emmys, it brings up thoughts on the revival. With how successful and beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer still is, there is an audience who would want more from the universe. While a revival looks unlikely, it’s good to know that people still love the original show thirty years later.
Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly recently sparked dating rumors and fans are already weighing in on the possible romance!
The speculation comes after the pair were reportedly spotted spending time together on Friday night in New York City. While neither Johnson nor MGK, both 36, has confirmed that they are dating, the possibility of a romance has quickly caught the attention of fans online.
4ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
As reported by Deux Moi, Johnson and MGK spent a private meetup at Taylor Swift’s Tribeca apartment while the singer was out of town. The “Fifty Shades of Grey” actress reportedly arrived first in a black SUV, while the musician arrived half an hour later, and was escorted inside by Johnson’s security.
According to the outlet, Johnson and MGK spent several hours alone inside Swift’s residence before leaving together and heading to the actress’ hotel, where the pair remained for the night. As seen in pictures obtained by the publication, MGK was spotted helping Johnson out of the car before quickly making their way inside.
Fans React To Dakota Johnson And MGK Dating Rumors
The possibility of a Johnson and MGK romance quickly became a topic of discussion among fans on X, with some users seemingly surprised by the latest dating speculation.
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One commenter appeared to take a more critical view of the rumors, writing, “She gets around,” while another wrote, “Who hasn’t she slept with.”
Some users also weighed in on the latest speculation, mentioning Johnson’s previous relationships.
One declared, “She’s really into musicians phew!” while another remarked, “Dakota really said my type is a walking red flag and I’m tired of pretending we don’t see it.”
A different person noted, “Dakota always looks so effortlessly chic, but seeing her name next to MGK’s makes the whole thing feel tacky/cheap!”
Earlier this year, The Blast reported that MGK and Megan Fox, 40, are officially over after trying to reconcile. The former on-and-off couple are solely focused on co-parenting their daughter, Saga Blade, whom they welcomed in March 2025.
According to sources, Fox discovered MGK, born Colson Baker, had been in contact with other women, which led to their breakup.
“[They] haven’t been together in a real way for a long time now, and whatever they had romantically is done,” an insider told PEOPLE. “Their relationship at this point is just about co-parenting. Megan is focused on her kids and the baby and just getting settled into this new chapter. That’s genuinely her priority.”
Johnson was previously involved with Role Model, 29, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury. The actress was first spotted in December 2025 dining with the singer, and on another date in Los Angeles a month after, per PEOPLE.
“It’s definitely more than a fling, or just a flirt,” a source told the outlet in April, adding that the pair had been dating “since late last year.”
The insider also shared that Johnson “does really like” the musician “but is also taking things slow after her previous long-term relationship.”
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She previously dated Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 49, from October 2017 until June 2025. The two were also engaged.
Dakota Johnson And MGK Have Yet To Confirm Romance
For now, there’s no confirmation that Johnson and MGK are actually dating. Their reported New York City outing has naturally fueled romance speculation, but neither star has spoken publicly about the rumors. Until one of them addresses the situation, it’s unclear whether the two are simply friends or if there’s something more going on.
Every year around Emmys season, TV fans hear about shows and actors who were snubbed as equally deserving nominees celebrate. In fact, some of the most iconic series of all time never won a single Emmy in their heyday.
While Alexis Bledel won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017, neither her work on Gilmore Girls nor costar Lauren Graham’s performance were honored by the awards show. The dramedy itself never received a nod either, but makeup artist Marie DelPrete earned an award for Outstanding Makeup for a Series in 2004. “I’m definitely happy about that, that I brought them the Emmy,” she told Vice in November 2016. “I don’t necessarily know if they’re happy it’s the only Emmy they have!”
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The Wire — a critically-acclaimed HBO drama often referred to as the best television show in history — was similarly overlooked by the Emmys. Writer Ed Burns spoke out about the Television Academy’s seeming lack of regard for the predominantly Black cast in 2007.
“These guys clearly cut the mustard. They can act with anyone,” he told the Associated Press. “I don’t know why it has to be this ‘You can play a drug addict; you can play the good sidekick.’ These are the roles that these actors end up doing and it’s a shame.”
Scroll down to revisit popular TV shows that never won an Emmy:
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of films depicting the gut-wrenching peril and horror of war. But there’s only one that can claim its rightful throne as the film that saved 20th Century Fox from complete financial ruin. The 1962 epic starring John Wayne, The Longest Day,captures the cinema icon as Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort, a real-life paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during the D-Day invasion. Despite the heavy criticism from audiences regarding the historical accuracy of the film, half a century and some change later, one quote still rings particularly loud in the ears of fans and critics alike.
Interestingly, the film did not have one sole director. In fact, it had three: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki. Additionally, two more uncredited directors jumped on the project for extended scenes: Daryl F. Zanuck and Gerd Oswald. In many cases, this would result in a “too many cooks in the kitchen”, chopped-up, amalgamation of ideas thrown on a silver screen. But against all odds, the group created one of the more influential movies of the time, including a specific moment in particular.
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The Context and The Unforgettable Moment in ‘The Longest Day’
Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne on a cropped poster for The Longest DayImage via 20th Century Studios
Firstly, the immense thought and care put into the premise of this film is certainly worth noting. This story is the result of Cornelius Ryan‘s nonfiction recounting of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. Through conducting extensive interviews with more than three hundred soldiers and officers who were present on that fateful day, as well as closely studied reports, personal diaries, and public records, Ryan built this story brick by brick. Interestingly, the film captures the perspectives of both the British and French forces, expressing emotional and physical commonalities that cross enemy lines. This choice highlights the inhumane absurdity of war,
So where does the quote come in? A flight officer, David Campbell, played by Richard Burton, says the infamous line in the brutal aftermath of D-Day. He was shot down, nearly fatally injured. His leg was held together with safety pins, an inarguable death sentence on the battlefield. He stands over the body of a German soldier, one he killed. At this moment, two innocent men forced into the horrific brutal nonsense of war both fall victim to the consequences in different ways. One dead, the other a killer, each irrevocably changed.
Later, Dutch Schultz, played by Richard Beymer, an American paratrooper left to his own devices, wandering far off from his unit, arrives on the scene. He hasn’t fired a single weapon, a feat almost nobody else can say they achieved. They talk, Schultz noting that night is falling, and he keeps hearing gunfire, yet he always somehow shows up after the fighting is over. Thus leading Campbell, overcome with the sudden awareness of the tragic horror of war, to say the iconic line: “He’s dead. I’m crippled. You’re lost. Do you suppose it’s always like that? I mean war.” This quote highlights the humbling reality that, in war, there are truly no winners. Nobody leaves unscathed, and more often than not, no battle is worth forcing innocent men to murder each other. There are plenty of war movies out there, but hardly any that tackle the reality of war in such a poignant and accurate way.
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Release Date
October 4, 1962
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Runtime
178 minutes
Director
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Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki, Ken Annakin
Writers
Cornelius Ryan, David Pursall, Jack Seddon, James Jones, Romain Gary
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