It looks like Jon Watts is heading back to a galaxy far, far away! The “Wolfs” filmmaker is probably best known for directing three films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” He is now set to direct the next film in the “Star Wars” franchise after the release of 2027’s “Star Wars: Starfighter,” directed by Shawn Levy.

The Next ‘Star Wars’ Film Seems To Already Have A Director

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Fans who have been looking forward to the next entry in the Skywalker Saga finally have a reason to rejoice! The Hollywood Reporter published a report on Saturday, September 26, saying Jon Watts will direct the first installment of the trilogy Simon Kinberg is currently writing. This would not be Watts’ first adventure into a galaxy far, far away, as he co-created the Disney+ series “Skeleton Crew” in 2024.

Although Kinberg has been working on the project since late 2024, little is known about the project right now. However, it is widely believed to be the next installment of the Skywalker Saga, consisting of Episodes X through XII. Lucasfilm has not commented at this time.

Insiders revealed that the project is still in development and has not yet received an official greenlight, which immediately made many fans think of the disappointing news surrounding “The Hunt for Ben Solo.”

Fans Have Been Wishing For Adam Driver’s Return Since ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’ Was Canceled

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If this new installment is indeed the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga, many fans are hopeful that Adam Driver will return in some capacity. The actor played Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the sequel trilogy. The troubled son of Han Solo and Leia Organa passed away at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” to save Rey (Daisy Ridley) after defeating Emperor Palpatine for what seems to be the last time.

However, in October 2025, Driver shocked the world when he told the Associated Press that he had been working on a “Star Wars” film with director Steven Soderbergh for years. The film received support from Kennedy, Lucasfilm vice president Cary Beck, and then-Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni, now Lucasfilm co-president.

“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,” Driver said at the time. “We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”

Dave Filoni Addresses Adam Driver’s Possible Return

The scrapped film prompted a fan campaign, but it remains to be seen if Lucasfilm will actually bring Driver back into the franchise. At the Disney D23 event in August 2026, Filoni was asked if they had reconsidered the fate of “The Hunt for Ben Solo.”

“We’re not making that picture right now. That’s all I can say,” he said with a Jedi hand wave.

Later that same day, Deadline asked Filoni a similar question. “It’s not here. You won’t find it here,” Filoni said when asked about Driver’s fate in the “Star Wars” franchise. “The Force is not with us in that regard. I love the love you feel for it.”

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However, it appears that Driver is still on good terms with Disney, as the actor revealed that he will be joining the new “X-Men” reboot in a sinister role.

What Kathleen Kennedy Had To Say About Simon Kinberg’s Trilogy

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During her exit interview with Deadline in January 2026, outgoing Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy said that Simon Kinberg was “working” on the new trilogy.

“He wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there. We’ve pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago,” she said at the time. “And it’s a very detailed treatment, like 70 pages. And so he is expected to give us something in March.”

She went on to discuss future “Star Wars” projects. Interestingly enough, she described Steven Soderbergh’s “The Hunt for Ben Solo” as “on the back burner,” when Driver had said in October 2025 that the project was scrapped.

Kennedy Claimed Steven Soderbergh’s Film Is ‘On The Back Burner’

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“We’ve talked about this new trilogy and then the things that you’ve mentioned. Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s. I think the ones by Taika and Donald are still somewhat alive. That’s going to really be up to the new team to figure out,” she said.

“Dave, I know that Dave and Lynwen are very much on board with what Simon’s doing, and that would be a new trilogy,” she continued. “In the timeline of things, that takes you well into 2030 plus. So that’s really what’s up next.”

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Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to head to theaters to see a new “Star Wars” movie, as “Starfighter,” starring Ryan Gosling, will be released in May 2027.

One of HBO’s biggest and soapiest costume dramas is headed back to the channel in a little over a month. It’s been more than a year since the series last graced HBO and its streaming service, HBO Max, but this season promises to be bigger and grander than those that came before it. Plus, there’s another project coming from the show’s illustrious cast that may brighten your holiday season.

The Gilded Age stars Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon as George and Bertha Russell, a robber baron and his socialite wife, as they make their way up and down the social ladder of 1880s New York City. The new money Russells are contrasted with their neighbors, “old money” dowager sisters Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), who have taken in their orphaned niece, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson). The series is set to return to HBO for Season 4 on November 1.

However, that’s not the only Gilded Age project coming your way this fall. Playbill reports that the cast of the series has recorded a holiday album, Voices of the Gilded Age: The Christmas Album. While the series has yet to spring a musical episode on its viewers, it’s no great surprise that the cast of the series have great pipes, as many of them are Broadway veterans. It is produced by Grammy-winner Desmond Child, and will feature both traditional Christmas tunes and new compositions. It will be released by Concord Theatricals Recordings on November 6, five days after The Gilded Age‘s season premiere, and can be pre-ordered on digital, CD, or vinyl here.

Who Will Be Featured on ‘Voices of the Gilded Age: The Christmas Album’?

Coon and Spector will be on the album, reciting the classic poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” while Baranski will provide her rendition of “We Need a Little Christmas.” Also featured on the album are Denée Benton dueting with Jordan Donica; a trio performance from Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, and Kelli O’Hara; plus Laura Benanti, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Taylor Richardson, Taylor Trensch, and Adrienne Warren.

Voices of the Gilded Age: The Christmas Album will be released on digital, CD, and vinyl on November 6. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

January 24, 2022

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Network

HBO Max

Directors

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Deborah Kampmeier, Salli Richardson-Whitfield

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  Morgan Spector

  George Russell

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Horror literature has had a powerful grip on the popular consciousness for literally centuries. From their origins as cheap popular fiction to the greatest heights of literary renown that they enjoy today, horror books have come a long way, giving us some truly terrifying nightmares in the process. But though horror is a massively successful genre that gives rise to countless new works every year, only a handful of horror books are truly perfect.

With flawless execution from the first page to the last, these perfect horror novels are unmatched masterpieces that have had a huge impact on popular culture, shaping the evolution of the genre as a whole. They may not all be equally famous, but they are all masterworks of fear and tension that you simply must read. Without further ado, here’s a look at our selection of horror books that are perfect from start to finish.

1

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (1959)

Image via Penguin Classics

Written by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House is a Gothic horror novel that’s easily one of the most influential haunted house stories of modern literature. The story follows a paranormal investigator who rents the titular mansion for the summer and invites guests who have a history with the supernatural. As eerie events begin to take place at the mansion, the visitors find themselves pushed to the limits of their sanity.

The Haunting of Hill House was highly acclaimed in its day, becoming a finalist for the National Book Award. Widely regarded as one of the finest horror books of all time, it’s a masterfully executed haunted house story that’s a landmark of 20th-century psychological Gothic horror. The story derives its terrors not just from external elements but from within its characters, walking the line between supernatural horror and psychological mystery. The novel cemented Jackson’s reputation as a horror master, and it has since been an inspiration for films, plays, radio shows, and Mike Flanagan’s acclaimed streaming series.

2

‘The Shining’ (1977)

Image via Vintage

Written by Stephen King, The Shining is an iconic horror novel that follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who gets a job as the off-season caretaker at an isolated hotel in the Colorado Rockies. He moves in with his wife, Wendy, and their son, Danny, hoping to reconnect with his family and get over his creative block. But what Jack and Wendy don’t know is that Danny has a rare psychic ability that allows him to see the horrifying evil infecting the hotel, which soon takes possession of Jack’s mind.

Easily one of the most famous horror novels of all time, The Shining is a critically acclaimed bestseller that went on to become a massive literary and cultural landmark. Partially inspired by King’s personal experiences, the novel explores abuse, addiction, and psychological collapse through the vehicle of an enigmatic horror that’s part haunted house, part Lovecraftian force. Widely acknowledged as one of King’s greatest horror masterpieces, The Shining established the prolific author’s reputation as a master of the genre and has inspired multiple adaptations, most famously the 1980 film by Stanley Kubrick.

3

‘Dracula’ (1897)

Image via Archibald Constable and Company

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is easily the most famous vampire story of all time, across all media. The novel, presented in an epistolary format, follows a number of characters whose paths cross with that of the titular Transylvanian Count, leading to horrific outcomes. It primarily follows English solicitor Jonathan Harker, who visits Count Dracula’s castle for business and first discovers his true nature. Later, when the Count arrives in England, he terrorizes Harker’s fiancée, Mina, drawing the attention of Dutch occultist Abraham Van Helsing.

A literary landmark that has haunted readers’ minds for centuries, Dracula has played a greater part than any other novel in creating the modern conception of a vampire, defining the trope for generations to come. The book has been studied both as a literary triumph and a key artifact of Victorian history that reveals much about the racial, religious, and social perceptions of the era. Scholarly interests aside, the novel is also highly entertaining, with a terrifying narrative that uses an effective balance of gore and psychological corruption, inspiring numerous adaptations.

4

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1988)

Image via St. Martin’s Press

Thomas Harris’s 1988 sequel to his first Hannibal Lecter novel, Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs is a horror-crime thriller that continues the story of Harris’s iconic cannibal/psychiatrist. The sequel sees Lecter match his wits against FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who’s hoping to use his insights to catch a new serial killer known as “Buffalo Bill.” The investigation is further complicated by the actions of Lecter’s self-styled nemesis Dr. Frederick Chilton, who runs the asylum where Lecter is imprisoned.

Easily the most famous installment of Harris’s Hannibal Lecter series, The Silence of the Lambs was an acclaimed bestseller in its day, even though it also attracted controversy for its alleged transphobic themes. Whether the controversy is valid or not is highly debatable, but it doesn’t change the fact that the novel is a thoroughly gripping masterpiece with impeccable psychological thrills. The book achieved even greater heights of popularity after the film adaptation by Jonathan Demme was released in 1991, which holds the distinction of being the only horror film to win the Oscar for Best Picture and the third and last movie to sweep all the “Big Five” Oscars.

5

‘House of Leaves’ (2000)

Image via Pantheon Books

The debut novel of author Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves is an experimental book that uses a mix of epistolary fiction and metafiction to create a truly unique reading experience that defies usual conventions of book design. The plot, such as it is, follows the narrator, Johnny Truant, as he attempts to transcribe a monograph, which in turn describes a fictional documentary film about a family who discovers a labyrinthine house that’s bigger on the inside. The novel also includes academic-style exhibits, appendices, an index, and numerous footnotes, all of which are fictional and part of the overall narrative experience.

The strange and experimental nature of the book makes House of Leaves rather hard to pin down in terms of genre, though it’s most commonly described as a horror and/or romance story. Published in 2000, the book has received critical acclaim and has had massive sales, with a recent resurgence of interest in horror circles online. It’s arguably the most influential horror novel of the 21st century and a book that’s sure to be remembered as a classic in the decades to come.

6

‘Mexican Gothic’ (2020)

Image via Del Rey

Written by Mexican Canadian author Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic is a gothic horror novel that follows a young woman in 1950s Mexico. When her cousin Catalina claims that her English husband, Virgil Doyle, is trying to kill her, wealthy socialite Noemí Taboada visits her to investigate. But when she arrives at the Doyles’ mountain home, Noemí discovers a far darker conspiracy than she could ever have imagined, as well as an unexpected romance that could prove her doom.

Published in 2020, Mexican Gothic earned widespread acclaim and landed on multiple bestseller lists. A haunting Gothic mystery with elements of sci-fi horror, post-colonial criticism, and dark romance, it’s an engaging and layered story that’s perfect for fans of writers like Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson. The novel also received numerous accolades, including the Locus Award for Best Horror Novel and the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel, and was shortlisted for a Bram Stoker Award, a Nebula Award, and a Shirley Jackson Award.

7

‘Frankenstein’ (1818)

Image via Castlesync

The legendary debut novel of Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, better known as just Frankenstein, is a landmark book that’s considered the first true science fiction horror novel. The book follows the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, an obsessive young scientist whose unconventional experiments lead to the creation of new life from the body parts of the dead. This creation, however, horrifies its creator, leading to tragic and shocking consequences.

Part Gothic, part Romantic, and utterly original, Frankenstein is widely regarded as a cornerstone of horror literature and a book that has had a profound impact on the popular consciousness. Its story may be intimately familiar to most readers today, but it’s still a thoroughly fascinating read, exploring the cost of unbridled ambition in a timeless narrative that feels eternally relevant. Since its publication, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has had a transformative impact on the horror genre, inspiring many adaptations, parodies, and homages across media.

8

‘The Exorcist’ (1971)

You certainly know the movie, even if you didn’t realize it was based on a book! William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel allegedly inspired by a real-life incident. The book follows the story of 12-year-old Regan, the daughter of a famous actress, who gets possessed by a demon. Two Roman Catholic priests attempt to exorcise the evil power, but it takes a terrible toll on their minds, bodies, and souls. Blatty later earned an Academy Award for his screenplay, adapting the novel as the supernatural horror thriller film directed by William Friedkin.

The Exorcist’s publication was quite a moment in the pop culture of the time, earning critical acclaim and utterly terrifying the reading public. It received greater attention with the release of the film, another horror landmark, which then inspired multiple sequels, but the original novel is arguably where the story is at its most potent. Combining deep psychological realism and grounded subjects like theological controversies and human grief with paranormal terror, the novel is an absolute masterpiece of demonic horror.

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Release Date

December 26, 1973

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Runtime

122 minutes

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William Peter Blatty

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Noel Marshall

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2019’s The Rise of Skywalker may not have been the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, after all. The nine-film Star Wars epic now looks like it’s going up to twelve, as Lucasfilm and parent company Disney prepare a new trilogy of movies. And while the company’s future plans have largely been cloaked in shadow, it now looks like they’re one step closer to yelling “Action!”

The new trilogy will be penned by Simon Kinberg, who was first attached to the project in 2024. Kinberg has penned a number of X-Men movies, co-created the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, and also served as a creative consultant on the first movie of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens. Very little has been revealed about the upcoming films, but they will apparently continue the story that concluded in Rise of Skywalker. It is expected that Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley), the heroine of the previous trilogy, will appear in the new films; whether any of her cohorts will return as well remains to be seen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Watts is now attached to direct the first film of the proposed trilogy. Watts, who made his directorial debut with the horror feature Clown, is no stranger to blockbuster filmmaking: he helmed three Spider-Man movies for Sony and Disney, all of which dominated the box office. He’s also no stranger to Star Wars: he wrote, produced, and directed the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew, which premiered in 2024. His most recent directorial effort was the Brad Pitt–George Clooney comedy thriller Wolfs.

What’s Next For ‘Star Wars’ on the Big Screen?

Next year, with Star Wars celebrating fifty years since its 1977 debut, the silver screen will be full of stars. February 19, 2027, will see the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, return to the big screen for the first time in thirty years; it will be presented in an all-new restoration of the film’s original theatrical cut. And later in the year, Star Wars: Starfighter, an all-new Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, will premiere on May 28, 2027. Both films will be released not just in standard theaters, but in super-sized IMAX screens, as well.

A new Star Wars trilogy is in development. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

December 16, 2019

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Runtime

142 minutes

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Chris Terrio, J.J. Abrams, Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow

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Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, J.J. Abrams

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The reason J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter franchise is still so culturally significant is that readers never really wanted to leave its world. Hogwarts is still this magical, comfortable place that feels like it actually exists. The lessons, rivalries, traditions, hidden rooms, and so many other small details made the world feel lived-in instead of just simply invented for the plot.

That is an incredibly difficult feeling for another fantasy series to recreate, but a handful of modern books have managed to capture the same level of wonder in completely different ways. These modern fantasy books and series may not be Harry Potter, but they understand exactly why readers fell in love with it in the first place.

The ‘Nevermoor’ Series (2017–2025)

Image via Orion Children’s Books

Jessica Townsend‘s Nevermoor series is bound to give readers that same cozy feeling that Harry Potter is known for. The fantasy books follow Morrigan Crow, a girl born on an unlucky day and blamed for practically every misfortune that happens around her. What’s worse is that she is expected to die on her eleventh birthday. However, the eccentric Jupiter North appears, rescues her at the last possible moment, and takes her to Nevermoor — a hidden city filled with impossible hotels, strange creatures, secret societies, and magic that seems to operate by its own rules. Morrigan soon gets the chance to compete for a place in the prestigious Wundrous Society, although passing its trials means proving she possesses a talent nobody seems able to identify.

That setup naturally invites comparisons to Harry Potter, but Nevermore creates its own magical world that feels entirely distinct. The later books are especially important in proving that, as Morrigan begins to fully explore the dangerous abilities she has spent most of her life being taught to fear. Every book pushes the mythology further, and that progression is what makes the Nevermore series feel much bigger than its initially familiar premise. There’s no denying that Townsend captured the very same sentiment that Rowling did with Harry Potter, but Nevermore eventually developed enough imagination, mystery, and personality to carve out a space of its own in the genre.

The ‘Legacy of Orïsha’ Trilogy (2018–2024)

Image via Macmillan

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi opens the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy in a world where magic has already been taken away. The story begins with Zélie Adebola, who remembers when the maji of Orïsha could command everything from fire and water to life and death, but King Saran’s violent campaign against them wiped out an entire generation, including Zélie’s mother. Years later, a chance encounter with runaway princess Amari allows Zélie to restore that magic. This sends the two across Orïsha while Crown Prince Inan hunts them down. The first book works especially well because Adeyemi directly ties this world’s magic to ancestry, identity, and power. Zélie’s fight is about reclaiming something that was violently taken from her family and her people, which roots all the fantasy and spectacle in something that feels real.

The series continues with Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Children of Anguish and Anarchy, which expand the conflict and explore what happens after magic returns to Orïsha. Across all three books, Adeyemi keeps building on the same world instead of simply repeating the first novel’s formula. The author creates a world with its own rich history, social divisions, and rules that keep getting more complicated as the characters grow. Adeyemi always leaves another corner of the world to uncover, while West African mythology and Yoruba-inspired culture give the series a distinct identity.

The ‘Supernatural Investigations’ Series (2021–2026)

Image via Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins

B.B. Alston‘s Supernatural Investigations series begins with Amari and the Night Brothers, where thirteen-year-old Amari Peters tries to understand the disappearance of her older brother, Quinton. Her search leads her to a hidden briefcase, and eventually the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, an organization responsible for everything from magicians and mermaids to creatures most people do not even know exist. Amari joins its summer training program hoping to find answers about Quinton, but she immediately stands out for all the wrong reasons when her supernatural ability is revealed to be something the Bureau considers dangerous. The series keeps expanding in the most interesting directions from there. Amari and the Great Game places the protagonist in the middle of a much larger conflict over the future of magicians, while Amari and the Despicable Wonders turns that tension into open war.

The fourth book, Amari and the Metalwork Menace, pushes the story forward again with a new threat that begins turning people into machines. Supernatural Investigations never gets boring because the Bureau is full of strange departments, hidden rules, rival students, magical creatures, and corners of the supernatural world that Amari is discovering at the same time as the reader. That keeps the world from ever feeling simple, especially since Amari is navigating all this while also being judged for the way she is. Alston’s work is at its best when Amari’s status as a magician turns the Bureau from a place of wonder into something she has to constantly challenge, especially as she realizes its rules were never built with people like her in mind.

The ‘School for Good and Evil’ Series (2013–2023)

Image via HarperCollins

Soman Chainani‘s The School for Good and Evil follows best friends Sophie and Agatha, who are taken from their village to a mysterious school where children are trained to become the heroes and villains of future fairy tales. Sophie has spent her whole life believing she belongs in the School for Good, while Agatha seems like an obvious fit for Evil. Naturally, they are placed in the opposite schools. That becomes the foundation for the entire story, as both girls try to prove they have been put in the wrong place while slowly realizing that the labels of “good” and “evil” are much less reliable than they expected. The school itself is packed with strange classes, magical trials, rival students, and fairy-tale traditions that make it easy to understand why readers get so invested in the world.

What gives the series real staying power, though, is how far it pushes that original idea. Chainani keeps changing the rules of the world. The story expands way beyond the school and into the territories its students are eventually meant to enter. At the same time, Sophie and Agatha’s friendship becomes increasingly complicated as both discover that being good or evil has much more to do with choices than appearances. That gives the books a sharper edge than the whimsical setup initially suggests. The School for Good and Evil has the same kind of addictive appeal as Harry Potter because readers get to immerse themselves in a fascinating magical institution, but the real hook is watching all its rules slowly fall apart.

The ‘Keeper of the Lost Cities’ Series (2012–2024)

Image via Aladdin

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger begins with twelve-year-old Sophie Foster, a human girl who has spent most of her life hiding the fact that she can read minds. Everything changes when she meets Fitz Vacker, another Telepath who reveals that Sophie is actually an elf and belongs in the Lost Cities, a hidden civilization she never knew existed. Sophie then leaves her human family behind, enrolls at Foxfire, and finally finds people with abilities like hers. However, fitting in does not suddenly become easy because Sophie’s powers are unusually strong, and a mysterious organization known as the Black Swan seems to know far more about who she is than she does.

The intrigue around that is what drives the story. Sophie soon discovers that her existence is connected to plans that began long before she arrived in the Lost Cities, while another organization, the Neverseen, suddenly becomes a dangerous threat. Her search for answers pulls Fitz, Biana, Dex, Keefe, and the rest of her friends into kidnappings, secret hideouts, political conflicts, and discoveries that expose uncomfortable truths about the supposedly perfect elven world. This progression of events is addictive since one mystery almost always leads to another. However, Messenger keeps that mystery running alongside the friendships and rivalries readers become attached to, so her enormous world never feels overwhelming.

The ‘Grishaverse’ Series (2012–2021)

Image via Henry Holt and Co.

Leigh Bardugo‘s Grishaverse has taken over BookTok, and it’s easy to understand why the books blew up almost overnight. The story begins in Shadow and Bone and follows orphan Alina Starkov, who is serving in Ravka’s army when she discovers that she is a Sun Summoner, the one Grisha who might actually be capable of destroying the Fold. This brings her into the world of Ravka’s magical elite and directly under the influence of the Darkling. Across Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising, that discovery grows into a much larger fight over Ravka itself, as Alina learns that becoming the person everyone expects to save the country comes with its own dangers.

What makes the Grishaverse especially impressive, though, is what happens after that story ends. Six of Crows moves two years forward and leaves Ravka behind for Ketterdam, where criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker assembles Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan for an almost impossible heist. The magic is still there, but suddenly Bardugo is using the same world to tell a crime thriller story complete with rival gangs and elaborate schemes. Then the King of Scars duology returns to Ravka through Nikolai Lantsov, Zoya Nazyalensky, and Nina Zenik and connects consequences of both earlier series while pushing the Grisha conflict into politics, war, and questions about what Ravka can become after everything it has survived. Bardugo delivers a masterclass in interconnected storytelling that makes one magical community feel enormous and layered. No single character, city, or even genre is big enough to contain the Grishaverse, and that is what makes it such a treat to read.

The ‘Scholomance’ Trilogy (2020–2022)

Image via Del Rey

Naomi Novik’s Scholomance trilogy begins with A Deadly Education. The story follows Galadriel “El” Higgins, a student trapped inside a magical school where graduating is less about passing exams and more about surviving long enough to reach the exit. The Scholomance has no teachers, almost no adult supervision, and is constantly invaded by monsters known as maleficaria that feed on young wizards. El is especially dangerous because her natural talent leans toward destructive magic, which means everyone assumes she is destined to become some kind of dark sorceress. The one person who keeps complicating that reputation is Orion Lake, a ridiculously powerful student who has made a habit of saving everyone around him.

The setup is great, but the trilogy gets so much more interesting than its deadly magic school premise when Novik starts revealing why the system works this way in the first place. Wealthy magical families live in protected enclaves and have access to resources that ordinary students can only dream of, while everyone else survives by making alliances, trading favors, and hoping they are useful enough to someone stronger. The story gradually reveals how inequality inside the Scholomance was only a smaller version of how the wider magical world operates. The Scholomance trilogy takes the familiar excitement of a magical school and asks what that world would actually look like if safety, education, and power were distributed according to wealth, much like they are in the real world. That makes the trilogy darker than Harry Potter, but it still captures the same addictive feeling of getting lost in a hidden magical society where every new rule reveals something more unsettling.

The ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Series (2005–2024)

Image via Hyperion Books

Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson & the Olympians begins with The Lightning Thief, where twelve-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that the Greek gods are real, and Poseidon is his father. Percy is then taken to Camp Half-Blood, a refuge for demigods where he finally meets other kids dealing with the same monsters, powers, and complicated divine parents. Soon enough, he is sent across the United States with Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood to recover Zeus’ stolen master bolt and prevent a war between the gods. That first quest opens the door to a much larger story.

Each book introduces another piece of Greek mythology while gradually building toward the return of Kronos, with Luke Castellan’s betrayal becoming one of the series’ most important threads. Percy and his friends fight everything from the Minotaur and Medusa to Titans, monsters, and gods, but Riordan ensures that the mythology remains accessible. He takes stories that are thousands of years old and drops them into modern America, where Mount Olympus sits above Manhattan, the entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles, and ancient monsters keep finding new ways to blend into everyday life. This balance between ancient mythology and modern humor is what turned Percy Jackson into such a lasting pop-culture phenomenon.

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Percy Jackson & the Olympians

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Release Date

December 19, 2023

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Disney+

Showrunner

Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz

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  Walker Scobell

  Percy Jackson

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  Leah Sava Jeffries

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  Annabeth Chase

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Vanessa Hudgens has found a simple way to handle the demands of motherhood and her busy career.

The actress doesn’t believe in perfectly balancing every part of her life, choosing an “all or nothing” approach instead. The “High School Musical” alum focuses on being present for her children.

Vanessa Hudgens and her husband, Cole Tucker, welcomed their first child in July 2024. The couple also welcomed their second baby in November 2025.

Vanessa Hudgens Does Not Believe In Work-Life Balance

Hudgens has stopped trying to find the perfect balance between her personal and professional life. The actress believes trying to give everything equal attention can make things harder. “There is no such thing as balance. I don’t believe in balance,” Hudgens said.

She explained that she is proud of being able to stay in the present instead of constantly thinking about what comes next. Speaking with US Weekly at a Caliwater poolside gathering, Hudgens explained that her approach is “all or nothing.”

The 37-year-old said being fully present means she can only focus on one thing at a time. Trying to get ahead of herself, she added, can leave her feeling extremely overwhelmed.

Hudgens is currently juggling motherhood with her work as an actress and entrepreneur. She is also the co-founder of Caliwater, alongside Oliver Trevena, and has been involved with other businesses. Rather than trying to manage everything at once, she gives each responsibility her full attention.

The Actress Is Focused On Being A Present Mother 

Motherhood has given Hudgens another reason to be intentional about where she puts her attention. She and her husband Tucker are now raising two children under the age of two. Their first child was born in July 2024, followed by their second baby in November 2025.

Tucker previously spoke about having children who were seven weeks and one-and-a-half years old. He also described some of the activities their older child had already started exploring. The family’s busy home life comes alongside Hudgens’ continued work outside the house.

The mother of two has made it clear that being present for her children matters more than simply trying to accomplish everything. She said she feels fortunate to be able to do everything she does, but does not want that success to come at the expense of motherhood. “I just want my kids to always know that mom was there for them,” Hudgens explained. 

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Vanessa Hudgens Called Life Before Motherhood ‘Simpler Times’

The “High School Musical” alum has also been honest about how dramatically her life has changed since becoming a mother of two. Shortly after welcoming her second child, she looked back on a time when her days offered more freedom and spontaneity. She shared a throwback photo with her followers.

The picture showed Hudgens in a neon pink bathing suit while posing on a table. “Newborn life lol so here’s a photo of me in simpler times where I danced on tables,” she wrote.

She followed up by reflecting on her journey from that moment to becoming a mother of two. The Blast reported that Hudgens did not attend any holiday parties or even leave her home during the holiday season.

Her throwback post received more than 500,000 likes and thousands of supportive comments. Rita Ora, Keke Palmer and Jenna Dewan were among those who reacted to her post. One commenter reminded her that she could miss an earlier chapter and still have a fuller life with children. 

The Mother Of Two Could Press Pause On Her Acting Career

A December 2025 report claimed Hudgens was considering an open-ended pause on her acting career. The possibility came after she welcomed her second child with Tucker.

According to the report, an insider claimed Hudgens did not want her children to be raised by hired help. The source said her focus was now on building her family rather than Hollywood.

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Her last major film appearance was in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” in 2024. Yahoo Entertainment shared that the potential career pause remained “open-ended” at that point. The report also described Hudgens as handling sleepless nights, doctors’ visits, and the everyday responsibilities of running a household.

Her professional team was reportedly concerned about what stepping back could mean for her career. Hudgens has continued to have business interests outside acting. Her work with Caliwater gives her another professional outlet as she focuses more heavily on her family. 

Vanessa Hudgens Has Already Had Her Own ‘Second Act’

Hudgens has experienced a major career transformation before, long before motherhood became her biggest priority. Her worldwide success through “High School Musical” brought enormous attention at a young age. She later explored a different side of herself through independent, darker films.

“I got to kind of have my second act and go off and do these dark, independent films,” Hudgens told ABC News. She said that period allowed her to change the mold and perception audiences had created around her. That transition became an important part of how she understood her own career.

Good Morning America highlighted Hudgens’ experience while covering her role in “Second Act.” She described working with Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini as “hysterical” because of their real-life friendship.

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Hudgens also said she had grown to see Lopez as both a friend and someone she could look up to. The actress connected strongly with the movie’s message about changing direction. She encouraged people to look inward and consider whether they were genuinely happy with their lives. 

Sharon Stone is drawing a line when it comes to Sydney Sweeney’s controversial sports betting campaign. The “Basic Instinct” star previously defended her “Euphoria” co-star against criticism surrounding a provocative American Eagle advertisement, but she is taking a very different stance this time. Stone said Sweeney must “take responsibility” for the nearly nude Novig campaign, arguing that women’s sports should not be diminished simply to attract male gamblers.

Sharon Stone Says Sydney Sweeney Must Own Her Actions

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Stone addressed the controversy surrounding Sweeney’s Novig campaign while attending an event in Los Angeles. The actresses worked together during the third season of “Euphoria,” but Stone made it clear that their professional connection did not mean she would defend every decision Sweeney makes. “I think that it’s up to [Sweeney] to take responsibility for her actions, not up to me to judge her for her actions,” Stone told PEOPLE.

Rather than judging Sweeney personally, Stone said her priority was supporting the women who have spent years working to become elite athletes. “It is up to me to be a cheerleader for the women who have made it through and become champions in women’s sports,” she explained.

Stone’s comments came after Sweeney appeared nearly nude in a promotional campaign for Novig, a sports prediction market and betting platform. The 29-year-old actress covered herself with sports equipment in the ad while telling viewers that the platform was “just for sport.”

The campaign quickly sparked accusations that it reduced women’s sports to a sexualized marketing tool rather than celebrating the athletes and competition.

The Actress Says Women’s Sports Should Not Be Used For ‘Men’s Attention’

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Stone identified herself as a supporter of women’s sports and pushed back against the campaign’s apparent attempt to use sexuality to attract bettors. “We can’t denigrate women’s sports to get men’s attention so they can gamble,” she said.

Novig’s campaign drew especially strong criticism because the actress promoted a betting platform while posing with equipment connected to several sports.

Olympic Athletes Slammed The Provocative Campaign

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Several athletes spoke out after Novig released the advertisement. Australian water polo player Tilly Kearns, boxer Skye Nicolson and swimming champion Ariarne Titmus were among the prominent sports figures who criticized the campaign.

Titmus expressed her anger in a lengthy Instagram response, arguing that the ad disrespected women who have dedicated their lives to athletic excellence. “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel,” Titmus wrote. “Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is. Teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity.”

For the athletes speaking out, the larger issue was the use of sexualized imagery to advertise a platform connected to sports while accomplished women continue fighting to have their performances taken seriously.

Sydney Sweeney Appeared To Respond To The Backlash

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Sweeney did not issue a direct statement addressing each criticism. Instead, she appeared to respond by sharing previous magazine covers and advertising campaigns featuring famous female athletes in provocative poses or very little clothing. The examples included tennis legend Serena Williams and former UFC star Ronda Rousey.

Her posts seemed to suggest that athletic women have also embraced sexy imagery without it automatically diminishing their careers or achievements.

Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky also defended the advertisement and insisted the company supports women’s athletics. He said the platform is “hugely supportive of women’s sports” and maintained that the campaign “never intended to portray female sports.”

“Sydney is an actress, the biggest movie star in the world. We’re a prediction market focused on sports. That is the story she was communicating,” Novig said. The company’s response framed the campaign as a straightforward collaboration between a major actress and a sports-focused platform rather than a commentary on female athletes.

Sharon Stone Previously Defended Sweeney’s Appeal

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Stone’s latest comments represent a shift from the strong support she previously offered Sweeney. Last year, the Hollywood veteran defended the actress amid controversy surrounding her American Eagle jeans campaign.

Stone argued at the time that Sweeney had every right to use her physical appeal to advance her career. “It’s okay to use what mama gave you,” she said.

The actress then expanded on that message by encouraging Sweeney to embrace the attention her appearance generates. “It’s really okay to use every bit of hotness you have, right here, right now, and go for whatever that is,” Stone added.

The Umbrella Corporation has become quite handy at surviving the apocalypse, so picking fights with them probably isn’t the smartest thing to do. But Alice doesn’t tend to make easy or smart decisions. And, given enough time, you’ll find that zombies aren’t even the biggest issue anymore.

2002’s Resident Evil is officially on Netflix in the wake of the newest outing hitting theaters, in the form of Resident Evil: Afterlife, which joined the service in the United States on September 1 alongside Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Retribution, so you’ve got plenty of Umbrella Corporation activity to get through the weekend.

Zach Cregger’s (Weapons) brand-new Resident Evil reboot opened in theaters on September 18, bringing Capcom’s survival-horror franchise back to the big screen, so Netflix has become a pretty convenient place to revisit the previous movie era while the new incarnation starts from scratch. Afterlife finds Alice (Milla Jovovich) still hunting the Umbrella Corporation in a world thoroughly overrun by the T-virus. Her search for other survivors — including Landman‘s Ali Larter and Prison Break‘s Wentworth Miller — eventually takes her to Los Angeles and a supposedly safe haven known as Arcadia. Ha! As if anywhere is safe.

The cast also features Shawn Roberts (Edge of Darkness) as Albert Wesker, Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy) as Bennett, Boris Kodjoe (Station 19) as Luther West, Spencer Locke (Insidious: The Last Key) as K-Mart, and Sergio Peris-Mencheta (Rambo: Last Blood) as Angel Ortiz.

Is ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ Worth Watching?

Resident Evil: Afterlife currently sits at just 21% on Rotten Tomatoes from 107 reviews, with its audience score faring somewhat better at 48%. The consensus is fairly damning too, saying that the whole thing was unnecessary and that it was already leaning much further into action spectacle than straightforward survival horror. Audiences still turned up, though. Afterlife earned $60.1 million domestically, and that number has suddenly become relevant again for an interesting reason: Until this weekend, it represented the franchise’s biggest North American haul. Cregger’s new Resident Evil has just opened to $60 million and is expected to pass Afterlife almost immediately, finally threatening a record the Jovovich movie has held for 16 years.

Resident Evil: Afterlife is streaming now on Netflix in the United States.

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Release Date

September 1, 2010

Runtime

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97 minutes

Director

Paul W. S. Anderson

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Buying Pokémon cards used to mean picking up a few packs while you were already at the store. Now a new release can mean watching restock accounts, arriving before the doors open, and finding an empty shelf anyway. The cards haven’t lost their appeal, but getting them at retail price has become an entirely separate challenge.

Collectors have learned to pay close attention to when stores receive shipments. A timely tip can mean the difference between opening packs that afternoon and paying a reseller several times the retail price. One man took that search for information well beyond a group chat or a social media post. A Pokémon card collector placed a GPS tracker on a woman’s vehicle to follow her delivery route, according to local news in Ohio. The driver found the device in June and contacted Wooster police. Kent Kubasta, 72, admitted placing it there to learn where and when Pokémon cards were being delivered, according to the report. He pleaded no contest to illegal use of a tracking device in Wayne County Municipal Court and was found guilty.

Pokémon Cards Have Become Harder to Buy Than They Should Be

Image via the Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG has spent years growing beyond the audience that played it as children. Some fans build decks, some collect their favorite Pokémon, and others want sealed boxes they can keep or sell later. They’re all looking at the same limited stock when a popular product arrives in stores, which helps explain why information about restocks travels so quickly. Stores have tried to manage that demand with purchase limits, but a limit only helps if there’s still something to buy when a customer arrives. A shipment can bring a line of collectors, and sealed products may disappear before fans who weren’t watching that particular store even know they were available. That leaves people choosing between waiting for another restock and paying more than they planned to spend.

The rush has continued into the TCG’s 30th anniversary. 30th Celebration looks back at the game’s history with its Classic Collection while introducing new Mew cards, day-and-night artwork, an entire lineup of Pikachu rares, and more. It gives longtime collectors plenty of reasons to want packs, whether they’re chasing a card they remember from childhood or trying to pull one of the set’s new illustrations. Opening packs is part of the fun, but it isn’t the only way to collect the set. Fortunately for fans and unfortunately for scalpers, the 30th Celebration cards also have some of the best pull rates Pokémon has ever provided, so buying singles of cards online is currently a very attainable option. Someone looking for a specific Pikachu or Mew can buy that card directly without paying an inflated price for sealed packs and hoping it turns up.

The tracker was discovered months before 30th Celebration launched, so the anniversary set did not cause this case. It does show why the story matters to Pokémon fans now: The scramble for cards did not end with one release, and finding them at a normal price remains frustrating. Collectors have more ways than ever to enjoy the TCG, but walking into a store and buying a few packs shouldn’t be the hardest one.

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Release Date

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1997 – 2023-00-00

Network

TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

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Directors

Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano

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Writers

Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku

Franchise(s)

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Pokemon

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  Rica Matsumoto

  Satoshi (voice)

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  Ikue Otani

  Pikachu (voice)

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