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8 Most Rewatchable Fantasy Shows of All Time, Ranked

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Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne in Carnival Row Season 2

One of the most important jobs of any fantasy story, irrespective of medium, is to provide its audience with an escape from the real world into one of great wonders. So, it’s no surprise that we keep returning to our favorite fantasy shows time and again, finding a much-needed escape from the pains of reality in their wondrous stories. This is also why the best fantasy shows also lend themselves to repeated watching, giving viewers a familiar yet fantastical place they can return to whenever they need.

From iconic classics to more modern fare, these shows take audiences on entertaining and mindbending journeys alongside relatable characters, sometimes even delivering some much-needed lessons about the real world along the way. Now, without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of the most rewatchable fantasy shows of all time, including some of the greatest ever made.

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8

‘Carnival Row’ (2019–2023)

Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne in Carnival Row Season 2
Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne in Carnival Row Season 2
Image via Prime Video

A fantasy drama series set in a steampunk, Victorian-inspired world, Carnival Row was created by René Echevarria and Travis Beacham, and is based on Beacham’s unproduced film spec script, A Killing on Carnival Row. Orlando Bloom stars as Rycroft “Philo” Philostrate, a detective investigating murders connected to mythological beings who have arrived in human society as refugees, encountering his lost love, the faerie Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne), in the process. Simon McBurney, Tamzin Merchant, David Gyasi, Andrew Gower, Karla Crome, Arty Froushan, Indira Varma, Jared Harris, and more star in other significant roles.

Both seasons of Carnival Row were generally panned by reviewers, who criticized it for its overstuffed story that attempts to combine themes of class politics, sexism, elitism, race, immigration, and more. While that may have been more ambition than a show could rightly be expected to fulfill, the series is still a vibrant and beautiful watch that lends itself to rewatching, and though the critics may have hated it, audiences received it much better. Whatever flaws the series may have in its narrative are more than excused by the sheer wonder of its complexly crafted world, and it’s an enjoyable fantasy series that’s worth returning to.

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7

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Sarah Michelle Gellar offering a golden orb in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Sarah Michelle Gellar offering a golden orb in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Image via The WB

Based on the 1992 film, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural drama series that’s easily one of the most iconic fantasy shows of all time. The series stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, a young woman chosen by fate to battle the forces of darkness as the latest in a long line of Vampire Slayers, following her adventures and attempts to balance monster hunting with her normal life. The show also stars Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, and more in key roles.

While the show has become somewhat controversial in recent years due to accusations of workplace harassment by creator Joss Whedon, there’s no denying the fact that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the greatest fantasy shows ever to hit television. Acclaimed by both critics and audiences during its original broadcast, the series is an evergreen favorite and a pop culture landmark that continues to entertain new generations of fans today. And even though some elements of the show certainly haven’t aged well, it’s still a generally fun watch every time you revisit it.

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6

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) in 'Supernatural'
Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) in ‘Supernatural’
Image via The CW

A fantasy adventure-drama procedural, Supernatural was created by Eric Kripke and stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as the monster-hunting Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean. The story begins when their father disappears during a hunting trip, forcing the brothers to travel the country in search of him and face off against various supernatural threats along the way. Besides Padalecki and Ackles, the series also stars Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Alona Tal, Jim Beaver, and more in supporting roles.

With a whopping 15 seasons to its name, Supernatural is the longest-running American live-action fantasy show ever made. Of course, with so many seasons, the series has had its share of problems, but it’s an entertaining series overall that continues to enjoy the adoration of a huge global fan base. The first five seasons are decidedly the best, but every season makes for a fun rewatch, especially if you’re a fan.

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5

‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)

Guillermo overlooking Nandor in his coffin in the series finale of What We Do in the Shadows.
Guillermo overlooking Nandor in his coffin in the series finale of What We Do in the Shadows.
Image via FX

Created by Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is a horror comedy mockumentary show based on Clement and Taika Waititi’s 2014 film. The series follows four vampires who live together on Staten Island as roommates, exploring their various clashes with other supernatural beings, the unfamiliar modern world, and each other. The show stars Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal in main roles.

What We Do in the Shadows premiered on FX in 2019 to positive reviews, earning praise for its performances, writing, and humor. And it’s only gotten better since then, delivering six successful seasons over the course of its run that are all wildly entertaining and endlessly rewatchable. It’s a hilarious series with great characters and an absurd narrative (in a good way). The show has also received several accolades, including 35 nominations for Emmy Awards, four of which are for Outstanding Comedy Series.

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4

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

Stranger Things - season 4 cast - 2022 Image via Netflix

One of the most successful shows of recent years, Stranger Things is a genre-bending coming-of-age adventure series created by the Duffer Brothers. Set in the 1980s in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, the show follows a group of young children who investigate strange paranormal events that are plaguing the town, eventually unearthing a connection to secret government experiments involving an alternate dimension. The series’ ensemble cast includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and more.

Consisting of five seasons released over a nearly 10-year period, Stranger Things was extremely successful during its original run, though there were excruciating waits between seasons. Now that it’s ended, the series makes for an excellent rewatch for fans, and an uninterrupted binge for newcomers to the franchise. Almost universally acclaimed and hugely popular, the show is an entertaining, nostalgic mystery-adventure that blends fantasy, drama, sci-fi, and horror to create an immersive, enjoyable journey.

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3

‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)

Quentin (Jason Ralph) and Elliot (Hale Appleman) in 'The Magicians.'
Quentin (Jason Ralph) and Elliot (Hale Appleman) in ‘The Magicians.’
Image via SyFy

Developed by Sera Gamble and John McNamara, The Magicians is a fantasy show adapted from Lev Grossman’s titular trilogy of books, exploring the world of Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. Essentially a more mature Harry Potter, the series follows a graduate student who enrolls at the university and learns that his favorite childhood book series is based on real and dangerous truths. Simultaneously, his friend, who was denied entry to the school, finds her own path, creating even more danger. Jason Ralph and Stella Maeve lead the cast, which includes Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta, Summer Bishil, Rick Worthy, Jade Tailor, Brittany Curran, and Trevor Einhorn in key roles.

A hit Syfy fantasy show, The Magicians was widely acclaimed by critics and fans throughout its five-season run, earning praise for its maturity, weirdness, and unique approach to magic. All five seasons were nominated for Saturn Awards, and the show is widely acknowledged by fantasy fans as one of the best series ever made in the genre. It’s a visually stunning and brilliantly performed show with likable characters, mindbending adventures, and a dark sense of humor.

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2

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Lyra holding the compass in His Dark Materials.
Lyra holding the compass in His Dark Materials.
Image via HBO

Written by Jack Thorne and adapted from Philip Pullman’s book series, His Dark Materials is a fantasy drama set across multiple worlds of a multiverse, linked by an invisible cosmic substance called Dust. On one of these worlds, where souls manifest outside the body as animal companions and a corrupt theocracy rules all, a young girl named Lyra (Dafne Keene) sets out to find her missing friend, uncovering a complex conspiracy involving Dust and discovering her own destiny in the process. Ruth Wilson, Jame McAcoy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne-Marie Duff, Clarke Peters, James Cosmo, and more star in supporting roles.

The novels that inspired His Dark Materials are among the most thematically complex and intricately crafted fantasy series of all time, and the show masterfully adapts its source material for the screen as a gorgeous visual journey. Widely praised by critics and fans for its visual effects, music, performances, and story, the series is an immersive watch full of strange and fascinating phenomena that you could return to time and time again. It’s easily one of the best fantasy shows of the 21st century so far, and worth watching multiple times just to soak in all the details.

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1

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

Aang air-gliding with a large smile in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Aang air-gliding with a large smile in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Image via Nickelodeon

Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated fantasy action series set in a world where certain people can control each of the four classical elements: water, earth, fire, and air. After the Fire Nation wages war against the other nations, 12-year-old Aang, the current Avatar with the power to wield all four elements, sets out on a journey to stop their plan for world domination. Zach Tyler Eisen leads the voice cast as Aang, with Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante Basco, Jessie Flower, Dee Bradley Baker, Mako, Greg Baldwin, Grey Griffin, and Mark Hamill voicing key characters.

Arguably the most enduringly popular shows ever to air on Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a hit animated series that combines anime influences and a Chinese-inspired world with classic cartoon action. Universally acclaimed for its animation, themes, performances, and story, the series commands an international fan following and is easily among the most popular fantasy shows of all time. The series continues to be a perennial comfort watch for its fans, and it has inspired a massive franchise that includes comics, novels, a sequel series, and a live-action remake.


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Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Release Date

2005 – 2008

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Network

Nickelodeon

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Showrunner

Michael Dante DiMartino

Directors
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Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave Filoni, Joaquim Dos Santos, Anthony Lioi


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David and Victoria Beckham Wish Estranged Son Brooklyn a Happy Birthday

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David and Victoria Beckham
Happy Birthday to our Estranged Son Brooklyn!!!

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NBA YoungBoy & Arcola Air Out Their Co-Parenting Issues

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NBA YoungBoy Receives Backlash For His Offensive Comment About His Son Amid Heated Exchange With The Mother Arcola

NBA YoungBoy is balancing the rapper lifestyle with fatherhood, especially after recently welcoming a new child with his wife, Jazlyn. Between internet speculation and public call-outs from the other mothers of his kids, things have taken a tense turn online. Previously, Starr Deja’nee, one of his co-parents, added to the drama with this tweet: “Be in your kids face the way you be in them h** faces!!! Kentrell you a low down dirty dog nasty b****…” This week, Arcola, another co-parent, spoke out, sparking a back-and-forth over her and YoungBoy’s co-parenting situation

RELATED: Whew! Yaya Mayweather & Starr Deja’nee React After Nique Shares Clip Of Herself Cruising Around With NBA YoungBoy (VIDEO)

Arcola & NBA YoungBoy Go At It Over Co-Parenting Issues

Arcola and NBA YoungBoy had a heated exchange on X after she responded to one of his fans who wrote, “Boy shut up and get them kids. Talked all that shi about Sherhonda picking men over you & yo rich a**!iterally doing the same.Arcola replied, “ahahahaaa this the one and not the 2.”

As the comment began circulating online, the rapper seemingly responded, “Girl f**k yo baby! You a never try again! Tell the world knock on my door.” He then added, “Tbh have y’all can go to court b*** I’ll gladly pay it’s f** you. I don’t play or do no pretending idc idgaf fwm.”

Arcola quickly fired back with accusations involving him and Jazlyn, writing, “You don’t even love yourself b*** a! I know it’s f**k my baby, it’s been f**k my baby when you let his finger get burned and yo lying wife a** said he got bit by a ‘dog’ f** you and everything you stand for b***, you gone rot in hell too.”

YoungBoy then responded, “Just want him to have a relationship with his father it’s not right. Yeah I know b*** after you turned him into a payment you would try to play like that foh.” Arcola denied the claim, tweeting, “If I was using my son as a payment I would’ve been put you on child support the day he came out my p***. I gave you 3 years and you still couldn’t do it.”

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The rapper later posted a message directed at men, writing, “All slimes! Don’t ever let no b**** call the police on you saying you slap them with a gun ‘lying’ that bi** a hater she was gone really let you get put in jail. Don’t ever let no bi** put you on child support while you in a cell and think she finna have her way.”

In repsonse, Arcola denied calling the police and claimed she has been taking care of their son Kaell physically and financially alone. Amid the back and forth, YoungBoy later tweeted, “You a liar and mad about your choices I live with my decisions no matter if it eat at me stop being weak h**.” Shortly after, he appeared to soften his tone, writing, “Nah I’m good I’m holding baby I’ll regret the day I can’t pay it I love you and I’m sorry Hope I receive help”

Arcola later shared a message explaining that while motherhood has been both beautiful and exhausting. She added that her focus remains on providing for Kaell and hopes responsibility will one day be taken for the sake of their child.

Social Media Weighs In

Folks quickly gathered under The Shade Room Teens as they tuned into NBA YoungBoy’s co-parenting drama. Some of his fans expressed disappointment, saying his children deserve better. While others defended him, arguing that the women knew who they were dealing with before having children with him.

Instagram user @officiallythequeen wrote, “I Loveeee Kentrell But Them Kids Deserve Better SMH”

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Instagram user @mo.nique7122 added, “All them kids gonna remember that and remember we get older they don’t forget take care of your children so they can be there for you when it’s time so sad”

While Instagram user @zahleez wrote, “Did he just say “fck yo baby” about his own child???”

Instagram user @nyaa.miller wrote, “kentrell ain’t never wrong”

Instagram user @jreammarie_ wrote, “She knew what type of person he was and how many bms he got, ion feel bad at all”

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While Instagram user @Ivnvy wrote, “alexa play nba youngboy heart & soul because kentrell you gotta man up you done had all them kids!”

Instagram user @mizzy0523 wrote, “As a yb fan ion appreciate this tbh.”

Instagram user @ladybeeee_ wrote, “That wasn’t only one complaining. I saw a couple of the bms complaining too. If she teels her son was in danger, she have the right to keep her son safe. & YB is not innocent in this at all!”

While Instagram user @_therealarion wrote, “He don’t even normally respond like this, she hit a nerve”

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Mama Sherhonda Rides For Her Son Amid Backlash

Following Arcola’s childhood clapback at YB, social media users dug up old clips of the rapper speaking about his upbringing. Amid the co-parents dragging each other, NBA YoungBoy’s mom, Sherhonda, entered the chat with a few words of her own.

She began by saying, “I said what the f*** I said. You gonna find every clip on Kentrell talking about me or saying what the f*** you say about me. I’m gonna ride for my motherf***  children regardless. I know what I know. Everybody around me know what the f*** they know.”

She then made it clear that she is not involved in the ongoing drama. “All of my grandchildren are welcome at my house when they get ready. I ain’t got nothing to do with what Kentrell and his baby mama them got going on. Guess what? I’m riding for my motherf**** children no matter what. Keep my motherf**** name out of it.”

She later clapped back at a series of comments under her post. One follower wrote, “I love you down but you should definitely tell your son when he is wrong. Why are y’all scared to speak up especially about his kids? Who cares if he goes on child support, them still his babies they don’t deserve that.” Mama Sherhonda responded, “Like I said my kids grown and scared of what? I’ll never be scared of nothing I created.”

RELATED: Another One?! Social Media Reacts As NBA YoungBoy Shows Off His & Jazlyn Mychelle’s Iced-Out Pieces Amid Online Drama (WATCH)

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Candace Cameron Bure and Jodie Sweetin’s Relationship

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November 2022 02 Candace Cameron Bure and Jodie Sweetin Through the Years Inside Their Relationship

Cameron Bure announced her exit from Hallmark Channel after more than a decade of working for the network, following former CEO Bill Abbott to his new venture, Great American Family. Months later, she opened up about her reasoning, ruffling a few feathers in the process.

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“I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment,” Cameron Bure told The Wall Street Journal’s WSJ. Magazine in November 2022, adding that the network “will keep traditional marriage at the core” when asked about LGBTQ+ movies.

Her remarks caused controversy with fans and celebs alike, including JoJo Siwa, who publicly feuded with Cameron Bure earlier that year after calling the Full House alum the rudest celebrity she’d ever met.

“I would like to address my comments on Great American Family’s programming as reported in The Wall Street Journal. All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever,” Cameron Bure wrote in a statement amid the backlash. “I am a devoted Christian. Which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God. Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us.”

She continued: “I have long wanted to find a home for more faith-based programming. I am grateful to be an integral part of a young and growing network. I had also expressed in my interview, which was not included, that people of all ethnicities and identities have and will continue to contribute to the network in great ways both in front of and behind the camera, which I encourage and fully support. I’ve never been interested in proselytizing through my storytelling, but in celebrating God’s greatness in our lives through the stories I tell. The God we serve is a wildly creative and loving God. He didn’t just capture a small part of my heart, He has captured all of my heart. He will be reflected in everything I do and say; in my family, my work and my interactions with people from all walks of life, God’s love and God’s compassion is front and center.”

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Sweetin, meanwhile, seemingly backed Siwa after she clapped back at Cameron Bure’s “traditional marriage” remarks.

“You know I love you ❤️❤️,” Sweetin commented on Siwa’s Instagram post at the time.

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“Real Housewives of Dubai” star says she's struggling to get her children out of UAE amid war in Iran

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“Really want to get my kids out to me now,” she wrote on social media. “I keep booking them on flights.”

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“Love Is Blind” season 10 finale: Who got married and who broke up

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Two couples said “I do” during the Ohio-based season of the Netflix reality show.

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Christian Bale and Michael Mann’s Last Movie Together Shows Why ‘Heat 2’ Makes Sense

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The curious case of Heat 2 appears to have found some resolution. After years of speculation surrounding the plot, casting, financing, and filming of Michael Mann‘s adaptation of his sequel novel to his beloved crime epic, cast member Christian Bale confirmed that shooting will begin soon. While the rest of the details remain unknown, Heat 2 looks to be a showdown between Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, a worthy parallel to the original film’s double-billing of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. One of the finest actors of his generation, Bale previously worked with Mann on one of the director’s less renowned films, Public Enemies. The 2009 ambitious crime drama, also starring Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard, is carried by a sensational Bale as the taciturn FBI agent Melvin Purvis. His performance captures all the essential Mann hallmarks, proving that he is ready to take on the weight of Heat‘s legacy.

Christian Bale Gives a Brilliantly Subtle Performance in ‘Public Enemies’

When news first broke that Michael Mann would be directing another cops vs. criminals saga about the birth of the FBI and pursuit of John Dillinger (Depp) set in the Great Depression, everyone likely expected Heat 2.0. Rather than a guns-blazing, immaculately crafted, and operatic crime epic, audiences received Mann’s most off-kilter film, one that was slow, internalized, and experimental. At the very least, you could’ve counted on a gorgeous re-creation of the American Midwest in the ’30s, but instead, Mann opted for high-definition digital photography that washed out most of the color and beauty of the period architecture.

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In most gangster movies, filmmakers are drawn towards the perverse charm of the outlaws evading and disrupting law enforcement. Going back to Manhunter, Mann has shown equal, if not more, interest in the side of justice, particularly addled men who share more commonalities with the crook than one would like to imagine. Notorious bank robber John Dillinger’s story would be a solid basis for generic crime dramas, but Mann’s account of this vulnerable period in America is a two-hander with Melvin Purvis and the FBI. Depp’s performance is effective, imbuing the prodigious figure with the striking presence of a modern-day legend, but the real star of Public Enemies is Bale, who gave a remarkably unshowy performance in a year in between the releases of The Dark Knight and his Oscar win for The Fighter.

Christian Bale Perfected the Michael Mann Character Archetype in ‘Public Enemies’

Known for his intense screen presence and committed method acting, Christian Bale is perfect for Michael Mann, but not in the way that you might suspect. The most unheralded aspects of Bale’s versatility are embedded in Public Enemies. The disjointed nature of the film is a product of actors seemingly operating in other movies, as is often the case for Depp and Cotillard. Bale, however, understands the heart of the story and Mann’s deconstruction of cops versus crooks narratives. Purvis is devoid of any notion of traditional heroism, as he appears to be driven by an ineffable source beyond his duties as an officer of the law. He is transfixed by shutting down Dillinger’s bootlegging as a means to preserve his worth and masculine excellence, one of Mann’s defining character traits. With the dawn of the FBI emerged a wave of new advanced technology like wire-tapping and fingerprint catalogs, and Purvis deploys these tactics to push his field into the future, similar to Mann’s groundbreaking formalism on the screen.

Despite being on the right side of the law, Purvis resembles the mission of Mann’s notable criminal figures, such as Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) from Heat and Vincent (Tom Cruise) in Collateral. His resolute nature towards a single objective and stripping out all distractions in life clouds his virtuous service to his country as something more sinister. It wouldn’t be a Mann film if the protagonist and antagonist didn’t have a kinship, as Dillinger and Purvis echo the dynamic between Neil and Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) in Heat, who treat their cat-and-mouse chase as an athletic competition. They should loathe each other, but deep down, there is a mutual reverence between Mann’s heroes and villains, with both sides blurring the line between good and evil. Purvis’ use of torture during interrogation and Dillinger’s charm and Robin Hood glorification by the public make you question what exactly defines a hero.

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Christian Bale has already outlined the blueprint for the ideal Michael Mann character in Public Enemies, even if the film itself didn’t always support his superb work. No matter what side of the law Bale will occupy in the highly anticipated Heat 2, his body of work proves that his preternatural skills as an austere actor are destined to make the sequel stand on its own.

Public Enemies is available to rent or buy on VOD services.


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Release Date

July 1, 2009

Runtime

140 minutes

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Director

Michael Mann

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Writers

Ann Biderman, Michael Mann, Ronan Bennett

Producers
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Kevin Misher

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“Paradise” stars Shailene Woodley and Sterling K. Brown discuss 'devastating' episode 4 twist

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“Sterling was there and we were really holding each other and it was very physical,” Woodley says.

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26 Years Later, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’s Most Controversial Episode Deserves a Second Look

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Ray Barone is a jerk. That’s not a criticism of Everybody Loves Raymond or how Ray Romano plays the character. The show is hilarious, and Romano is a gifted performer, but Ray Barone is written to be a dolt of a selfish husband who messes up week after week, angering his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), and making viewers laugh. He gets away with it, both with his family and us, because he tries to be better, even if he falls short.

Sometimes, Everybody Loves Raymond will switch things up and make Debra the one in the wrong, yet even then, rather than trying to understand, Ray often thinks only of himself or seeks to win. Such is the case with one of the sitcom’s funniest and most controversial episodes, “Bad Moon Rising”. In it, Ray is terrified of Debra’s PMS mood swings. Rewatching the episode so many years after its Season 4 debut in 2000 is a strange experience. The laughs are still there, and so is a level of uncomfortability that wouldn’t work today.

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Patricia Heaton Won an Emmy for ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’s “Bad Moon Rising”

“Bad Moon Rising” centers on Deb is the throes of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women being on their periods have often been used as a source of drama or even comedy in movies and TV. You’ve seen the examples, where a woman is reduced to a raging, terrifying monster one week a month. “Bad Moon Rising” is no different, yet what can’t be debated is how masterfully talented Patricia Heaton is. She gives it her all, resulting in an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

The episode begins with Ray telling his friends, dad, Frank (Peter Boyle), and brother, Robert (Brad Garrett), to be quiet because Deb’s “not feeling good hormonally.” The man looks half scared to death, and we quickly see why. When she comes downstairs, Deb gives him crap for the messes he makes. Ray blames it all on “mood swings.” In the men’s minds, the solution is easy: give her medication. Later, Ray annoys Deb by surprising her with takeout for dinner when she’s already started cooking. Instead of Ray apologizing, it’s Deb who does. Ray, in his own way, tries to help by showing his wife the bottle of PMS pills he bought. It’s an insensitive move, one that’s even his adoring mother can’t accept when she quickly slaps Ray for acting like his father.

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Because Ray is so good at making things worse, when Deb goes out for a night away with Amy (Monica Horan), she comes back to Ray, accusing Debra of using her “lady’s days” to yell at him. At his wits’ end, he plays secret tapes he made of Debra’s mood swings to prove his point. This only causes Deb to cry and lash out at the man who’d rather tape record her than try to help make her life better. Having had enough, she rages with examples of all the stupid things Ray has done over the years. Ray falls to the ground and ends up backed into a corner, scared and shouting that he doesn’t know what to do.

Debra Barone Now Looks Like a Weakly Written Stereotype of a Struggling Woman

Ray and Debra looking surprised in 'Everybody Loves Raymond.'
Ray and Debra looking surprised in ‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’
Image via CBS
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In 2000, it may have been funny to watch this bickering couple, and now it still can be if you’re familiar with Everybody Loves Raymond. The audience knows this is a lighthearted series and everything will be okay. But if you’re a new viewer, this is the last episode to start with. Take out the studio laughter, and it’s actually a pretty dark drama. It’s also one that falls short with Debra despite how talented Patricia Heaton is. It settles on low-hanging fruit, sticking to stereotypes. “Bad Moon Rising” plays this part for laughs when Amy calls. After a short talk, Deb is now in a good mood, her rage completely forgotten.

Ray Romano as Raymond Barone looking at a person offscreen in an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond


One of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’s Best Episodes Was Born From a Wild True Story

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Then, once more, it’s Deb who apologizes for her attitude. She doesn’t mean to treat Ray this way. It’s like she’s saying PMS means she can’t help it. In this world, every woman on their period gets mood swings, and it can’t be controlled. The episode title (written by two men, Romano and Phil Rosenthal) says it all: a woman with PMS is like a werewolf. Now, a sitcom with 30 minutes to work with can’t get into the intricacies of a woman’s feelings when her body is going through so much. That’s not what an audience is tuning in for. In 2000, the episode was progressive for even taking a look at women’s issues. Still, today, it’s not enough simply to have it be a plot point. Deb Barone is too smart and three-dimensional a character to be reduced to a trope.

Ray Barone’s Mistakes Keep “Bad Moon Rising” Watchable

Ray (Ray Romano) standing in kitchen in Everybody Loves Raymond episode "Bad Moon Rising."
Ray (Ray Romano) standing in kitchen in Everybody Loves Raymond episode “Bad Moon Rising.”
Image via CBS

What keeps “Bad Moon Rising” from going off the rails and being completely offensive is that it’s not making Deb the bad guy because they make Ray’s insensitivity worse. This is shown both through Ray’s actions and Deb’s attempts at communication. His wife is spot on when she tells him he’s insensitive. Those aren’t the words of a mood swing. It’s the truth.

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Romano and Rosenthal wisely acknowledge that Ray is part of the problem, which is a great start. The failure is in limiting Deb to one note. Even when Deb tells Ray she loves him, she has to cry uncontrollably. At the end of “Bad Moon Rising,” Deb is calmly asking Ray to be better. He can’t hear her, though. Instead, he offers his wife pills, and the writing requires her to knock them out of his hand rather than simply saying no. It’s not about Ray growing or understanding that he has to be better. It only reinforces the generalization of PMS and tells men they’ll never understand. They just have to get through it.

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Machine Gun Kelly Totally Pumped About Megan Fox’s Sexy Instagram Photos

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MGK To Megan Fox
‘Stoked To Have Your Phone Number’!!!

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Beyonce’s Dad Exits Interview After Ex Tina Knowles Comment

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Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, walked out of an interview after receiving a comment regarding ex-wife Tina Knowles’ involvement in the success of Destiny’s Child.

During an interview for local New York City news outlet PIX 11, published via its YouTube channel on January 31, anchor Kendis Gibson raised the topic of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé’s former girl group, that Mathew, 74, managed and executive-produced across various projects.

“I said the same thing to Ms. Tina Knowles, you guys put in the work, and obviously the talent was there with your kids,” Gibson, 53, remarked, referring to Mathew and Tina’s daughters, Beyoncè, 44, and Solange Knowles, 39. (Mathew is also father to son Nixon, 16, whom he shares with ex Alexandra Wright, and daughter Koi, 15, whom he shares with TaQoya Branscomb.)

Mathew then interrupted to address the comment about Tina, 72, asking Gibson, “What work did she put in?” to which a visibly caught-off-guard Gibson responded with “the hair.”

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From one parent to another. Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, is opening up about how he and his ex-wife, Tina Knowles, have imparted their best parenting advice to their superstar daughter. “I hope we taught by example,” the 71-year-old record executive exclusively told Us Weekly on Saturday, May 20, while promoting his partnership with WealthFlix. Along […]

“OK, you’re absolutely right, in the styling, the imaging, you’re right,” Mathew acknowledged. Tina owned a beauty salon and styled Destiny’s Child members Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Beyonce’s hair, in addition to former band members’, before they achieved global success.

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The music executive was then pushed further by Gibson, who suggested that Tina “claimed to have preyed on the name [Destiny’s Child] and different aspects of that,” before stating that “it’s a joint effort,” to which Mathew agreed.

Matthew then abruptly asked to “stop” the interview “now,” before standing up and shaking hands with Gibson.

The sudden end to their interview led Gibson to ask Mathew, “Sorry, did I say something wrong?” to which Mathew assured him that the situation was “all good” and thanked him several times.

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After the interview aired, Page Six spoke to Mathew, who said that Gibson arrived “15 minutes late” and “asked multiple questions about Tina … when the interview was supposed to be about [a] Destiny Child’s tribute concert.” (Mathew’s Destiny’s Child Tribute: Iconic Reimagined Tour 2026 journeyed the U.S. in January and February.)

Mathew, who was married to Tina from 1980 until 2011, told the outlet, “How it starts is how it ends. It started on a bad note, and obviously ended on a bad note for him. I politely ended the interview, shook his hand, and took a photograph.”

The outlet reported that despite Mathew’s claims, Gibson “arrived on time for the shoot, while the crew was there early to set up.”

Us Weekly has reached out to a representative for Gibson for comment.

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