Entertainment
10 Animated Movies That Are Perfectly Written
I absolutely despise people who call animated movies childish. I think the biggest reason they are better than most live-action films is that they talk about the hard-hitting emotions without hiding them behind realism. A father is terrified of losing his son, so he crosses the entire ocean looking for him. A little girl misses her parents and suddenly has to survive inside a spirit world alone. A toy becomes jealous because its owner loves somebody else more. Who doesn’t like a tear-jerker every once in a while?
The films on this list are standouts because every scene keeps pushing the characters somewhere emotionally. Ratatouille is really about somebody being told he does not belong in the place he loves most. Princess Mononoke turns a fantasy war into something painfully human. These ten movies, therefore, are just technically impressive and are written with an unusual amount of care from beginning to end.
10
‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)
Kubo and the Two Strings starts with Kubo (Art Parkinson) living quietly with his sick mother in a small village while earning money by telling magical stories through origami figures that move on their own. Every evening, his mother warns him to return home before dark because dangerous spirits are searching for him. Kubo does not fully understand that warning until one night when he stays out too long during a festival and suddenly becomes the target of his aunts, who are trying to take his remaining eye for the Moon King.
From there, the story turns into a journey across mountains, caves, and frozen lakes as Kubo searches for pieces of armor once worn by his father. Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) travel with him, though much of the film slowly becomes about memory and grief rather than the quest itself. Kubo’s mother forgetting parts of her own life, the stories his father left behind, and Kubo trying to understand his family all become deeply connected by the ending.
9
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
At the beginning of The Incredibles, superheroes are still publicly saving people, though lawsuits and political pressure eventually force the government to shut all of them down. Years later, Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) is living an ordinary suburban life with Helen (Holly Hunter) and their children while secretly missing the excitement he once had as Mr. Incredible. He works at an insurance company, struggles to fit into routine office life, and keeps getting himself into trouble because he still wants to help people whenever possible.
Things change when Bob is secretly recruited for a mission on a remote island, where he discovers that Syndrome (Jason Lee) has been building weapons by studying former superheroes for years. At the same time, Helen begins to realize Bob has been hiding things from her, and eventually the entire family becomes pulled into the conflict together. What makes the film work so well is how naturally the superhero side connects with ordinary family problems. Dash wants to stop hiding his abilities, Violet feels invisible around people her age, and Bob keeps learning that he cannot keep treating heroism like a one-man job.
8
‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)
Set during the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal), a young boy living in a small town in Maine who discovers a massive robot that has fallen from space. Instead of reacting with fear immediately, Hogarth slowly becomes friends with the Giant after realizing it behaves more like a confused child than a weapon. He teaches the robot simple things about the world around him, including language, comic books, and even the idea that people can choose who they want to become.
The situation becomes dangerous once government agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) arrives in town, convinced the robot is a threat. Hogarth tries desperately to keep the Giant hidden while the military closes in around them. One detail the film handles beautifully is the Giant’s fear of its own destructive abilities. Every time it accidentally hurts something, it reacts with genuine confusion and panic. By the final act, the story becomes less about hiding the robot and more about whether something built as a weapon can decide not to act like one anymore.
7
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
Ashitaka (Yōji Matsuda) becomes cursed after killing a demon boar attacking his village, and the only way to understand what happened is to travel west and search for the source of the corruption spreading through the land. That journey eventually brings him into the middle of a violent conflict between Iron Town and the forest spirits protecting the surrounding wilderness. Lady Eboshi (Yūko Tanaka) is cutting down the forest to expand her settlement and protect the people working under her, while San, also known as Princess Mononoke (Yuriko Ishida), fights alongside the wolves trying to stop that destruction.
One reason the film still feels so powerful is that nobody is treated as completely right or completely wrong. Eboshi genuinely cares for former prostitutes and lepers living in Iron Town even while her actions destroy the forest around her. San sees humans as the enemy, though Ashitaka keeps trying to make both sides understand each other before the violence becomes impossible to stop. The conflict grows larger once the Forest Spirit itself becomes part of the struggle, especially after outside forces begin hunting it for their own gain.
6
‘Ratatouille’ (2007)
Remy (Patton Oswalt) is a rat living in the countryside who becomes obsessed with cooking after constantly watching Chef Gusteau on television. Unlike the rest of his family, Remy cares deeply about flavor, combinations, and technique, which already separates him from the other rats before he even reaches Paris. After getting separated from his family, he accidentally ends up inside Gusteau’s restaurant, where he notices that the kitchen’s new garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), has absolutely no idea what he is doing.
Remy secretly begins controlling Linguini by pulling his hair beneath a chef’s hat, and together they start impressing the restaurant staff with dishes Linguini could never prepare on his own. The situation becomes increasingly complicated as Linguini gains fame while hiding the fact that the real talent is a rat nobody can know exists. At the same time, food critic Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole) prepares to review the restaurant after years of helping destroy Gusteau’s reputation. The final meal Remy serves him turns out to be something surprisingly simple rather than extravagant.
5
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
Belle (Paige O’Hara) spends most of her time reading and trying to avoid the expectations people in her village already have for her. Gaston (Richard White) wants to marry her mostly because he sees her as a prize everybody else admires, while Belle is clearly searching for something bigger than the small routine around her. Everything changes once her father Maurice (Rex Everhart) gets lost and ends up imprisoned inside the Beast’s castle. Belle takes his place without fully understanding what kind of life she has just entered.
The Beast (Robby Benson) is angry, isolated, and barely knows how to speak to another person without losing his temper. A large part of the film is simply watching these two people slowly learn how to exist around each other. Dinner conversations become less hostile, Belle begins exploring the castle, and the servants quietly try helping the relationship grow because they know their own curse depends on it. By the time Gaston gathers the villagers to attack the castle, the story has already become much more about fear and loneliness than appearances.
4
‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)
Marlin (Albert Brooks) becomes terrified of losing Nemo (Alexander Gould) long before the actual story begins. After surviving the attack that killed most of his family, he raises Nemo carefully and constantly worries that something bad will happen to him too. Nemo, meanwhile, is desperate to prove he can handle the ocean on his own instead of being treated like he is fragile all the time. That tension between them finally explodes on Nemo’s first day of school when he swims too close to a boat and gets captured by a diver.
The rest of the film follows Marlin crossing the ocean with Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) trying to find him. Their journey keeps changing direction in ridiculous ways. They drift through jellyfish fields, ride currents with sea turtles, escape sharks, and nearly get swallowed by a whale. At the same time, Nemo is trapped inside a dentist’s aquarium with fish already planning their escape. One thing the movie handles beautifully is how both father and son slowly change apart from each other instead of only learning lessons once they reunite at the end.
3
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is already struggling to fit into his new school before he gets bitten by a radioactive spider beneath the city. Soon after that, he witnesses Spider-Man dying while trying to stop Kingpin’s collider from opening portals into other universes. Suddenly Miles has powers he cannot control and a responsibility he never asked for. Even simple things like sticking to walls or using invisibility keep going wrong at the worst possible moments.
Things become even stranger once different Spider-People start appearing in his universe because of the collider. Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) is exhausted and emotionally broken, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) is far more experienced than Miles, and the others already know how dangerous the situation is becoming. For most of the story, Miles is treated like the weak link because nobody believes he is ready. That changes once he finally stops trying to become another version of Peter Parker and starts understanding what kind of Spider-Man he wants to be himself.
2
‘Toy Story’ (1995)
Woody (Tom Hanks) is completely comfortable being Andy’s favorite toy at the beginning of Toy Story. He leads the other toys, organizes Andy’s room whenever humans are nearby, and assumes that role will never really change. Then Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) arrives on Andy’s birthday, and everything immediately shifts. Buzz has flashing lights, wings, catchphrases, and genuinely believes he is an actual space ranger instead of a toy. Andy becomes obsessed with him almost overnight, which slowly turns Woody’s jealousy into something uglier.
Their relationship gets worse after Woody accidentally knocks Buzz out the window during an argument. The other toys believe Woody did it on purpose, and before long both Woody and Buzz end up stranded away from home together. A huge part of the movie works because Buzz slowly realizes he is not who he thought he was, while Woody is forced to confront how selfish he has become. By the end, getting back to Andy matters more to both of them than being the favorite anymore.
1
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) is already unhappy about moving to a new town when her parents accidentally wander into an abandoned amusement park on the way there. Once night falls, the place transforms completely. Spirits begin appearing everywhere, her parents turn into pigs after eating food meant for the gods, and Chihiro suddenly finds herself trapped inside a strange bathhouse controlled by Yubaba (Mari Natsuki), a powerful witch who steals people’s names to control them.
Most of the film follows Chihiro trying to survive inside that bathhouse while slowly growing more confident than she was at the beginning. She works alongside spirits, deals with impossible tasks, and gradually forms relationships with characters like Haku (Miyu Irino) and Lin (Yoomi Tamai). One of the most memorable parts of the story is how casually bizarre many scenes are. A polluted river spirit arrives covered in filth, No-Face slowly becomes dangerous after being left alone inside the bathhouse, and a train glides quietly across flooded tracks toward the final act. Even with all those strange moments, Chihiro’s fear and loneliness always feel completely real.
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Mackenzie Phillips is lifting the lid on her time as a child actor.
Phillips, 66, recently claimed to Fox News that she and costar Valerie Bertinelli used cocaine on the set of One Day at a Time, the hit Norman Lear sitcom in which they played teenage sisters Julie and Barbara Cooper.
“So, this might surprise you that during lunch break, Valerie and I would drive to my house, get in the pool, drink wine and snort coke,” Phillips said in an interview published on Sunday, May 31.
“But Valerie talks about it openly, so it’s not like I’m pulling her covers or anything,” Phillips continued. “The thing was that … Valerie didn’t have the kind of addiction that I had; she didn’t have addiction.”
Valerie Bertinelli has experienced multiple loves in the public eye. The actress’ most famous romance was, perhaps, her marriage to late rocker Eddie Van Halen. Bertinelli was married to the musician for more than two decades before they called it quits in 2007. Bertinelli spoke candidly about her relationship with Van Halen after watching their […]
“And, you know, so we would do coke together in the dressing room and stuff,” she said. “I just happened to be the one that got caught. And thank God I got caught, you know?”
Us Weekly has reached out to Bertinelli’s reps for comment.
Phillips and Bertinelli starred on One Day at a Time, which aired on CBS, from 1975 to 1984. The sitcom lasted nine seasons and more than 200 episodes.
During her time on the show, Phillips struggled with substance abuse and addiction, resulting in her being fired twice.
Mackenzie Phillips (as Julie Cooper); Valerie Bertinelli (as Barbara Cooper) and Bonnie Franklin (as Ann Romano). CBS via Getty Images
Bertinelli, meanwhile, has candidly discussed her past drug use over the years.
In 2024, Bertinelli said she got into drugs after she “fell in love” with ex-husband Eddie Van Halen. She said the tumultuous relationship “rapidly declined into drugs, alcohol and infidelity. … Nothing that makes you feel loved, wanted and cared for. Nothing that screams ‘soulmate,’ that’s for sure.”
Bertinelli wed Van Halen in 1981. In her 2008 memoir, Losing It, the actress recalled cocaine being part of their nuptials.
“The priest we tapped to perform the ceremony gave us questionnaires so he could get to know us better and offer more personal words. As we filled out the forms at home, we each held a little vial of cocaine,” she wrote. “Now, if you ask me, those are not two people who should be making decisions about the rest of their lives.”
Valerie Bertinelli is taking a huge — but scary — career step. Bertinelli, 65, revealed via Instagram on June 9 that she’s returning to acting in an upcoming Lifetime project. While the Food Network star didn’t share details about the project, she did admit that she’s “so grateful, if not a bit anxious.” “It’s an […]
Bertinelli and Van Halen divorced in 2007. The rocker died in 2020 at age 65. He is survived by his son with Bertinelli, Wolfgang Van Halen.
“I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” Wolfgang confirmed news of his father’s death in an Instagram post at the time. “He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Tech companies play a dominant role in how news, personal data, and communication are managed, and there is shockingly little oversight of their decisions. Although Silicon Valley was once heralded as a place where innovative startups could change the future in positive ways, it has become associated with the rise of meteoric conglomerates that have increasingly discounted the human experience. The inner circle of these high-earning CEOs and their benefactors was ripe for satire, and The Audacity does for the tech business what Succession did for media empires, with former Succession writer Jonathan Glatzer creating another eerily realistic dark comedy that is ruthless and authentic in equal measure.
‘The Audacity’ Is a Scathing Takedown of Tech Companies
The Audacity is the story of the innovative data analytics company Hypergenosis, spearheaded by the eccentric CEO Duncan Park (Billy Magnussen). Duncan is temperamental, argumentative, and potentially a genius, and has managed to achieve a breakthrough in tracking individualized information that could attract the interest of significant clients. At the same time, Duncan confides in his therapist JoAnne Felder (Sarah Goldberg), who has a tormented private life of her own due to a strained relationship with her husband Gary (Paul Adelstein) and her socially awkward son Orson (Everett Blunck), who suffers from severe health issues. The Audacity is grounded in the idea that those who have power over technology are guided by luck, instinct, and emotion. It’s a notion that can be both terrifying and hilarious.
The Audacity is clear to point out the ethical grey zone that all of its characters are dealing with, as the series considers the dubious impact of mining personal data. There are intimate discussions about what the ramifications of Hypergenosis’ collection of information might have, but the characters are never concerned with the legitimate consequences for those who are analyzed; Duncan is waging a public relations war to appear stable, and he’s also forced to combat any legal concerns that could limit his capacity to grow the company. It’s both a blessing and a curse that Duncan is mostly honest about his intentions, as he does not attempt to mask his selfishness in the same way that some of his rival CEOs do. The Audacity is most similar to Succession in how it shows that the wealthy seem to exist in a completely different reality from everyone else; Duncan is so used to getting what he wants that he can only act like a spoiled child when things don’t go his way.
‘The Audacity’ Review: AMC’s Gritty Silicon Valley Drama Isn’t Perfect, but It’ll Grow on You
Stick with these unlikable characters.
Although it’s easy to draw parallels between Duncan and prominent tech leaders who are frequently in the news, The Audacity has a rich ensemble of complicated characters, none of whom are traditionally “likable.” Goldberg’s performance is refreshing because it’s one of the rare instances in which television depicts therapy as a profession held by fallible human beings, rather than emotionally unavailable geniuses who are completely flawless. The power that JoAnne has over Duncan is fascinating because she can offer him an opportunity to work through his problems and receive feedback, which he can’t do with any of the subordinates who fear him. The situation is complicated by JoAnne’s other client, Carl Bardolph (Zach Galifianakis), whose approval Duncan desperately seeks. The tension between the trio is intimate without ever being romantic, and it’s fascinating to see how their relationships are built up through missed phone calls, insufficient sessions, and unresolved arguments.
‘The Audacity’ Has Some of 2026’s Best Acting
The Audacity isn’t suited for those who don’t enjoy “cringe comedy,” as the series doesn’t shy away from how awkward it is for these figures to retain their personas. That many of the characters’ children attend the same school makes the situation even more prickly, as wealthy parents have a way of fueling their ambitions through their children. While The Audacity raises serious concerns about how decisions that impact millions are determined by a select group of people, the characters aren’t depicted as caricatures and are, at times, given genuinely sympathetic moments. Orson is a particularly endearing character because he isn’t given any support from his mother, making for a difficult situation when he begins to fall for his classmate Jamison (Ava Marie Telek). Even Duncan is afforded some empathetic moments, with one twist near the show’s conclusion tragically revealing his insecurities, resulting in the best performance of Magnussen’s career.
The Audacity is a series that moves quickly to establish its world, but it has tremendous potential to get even better, which makes it all the more exciting that it’s already been renewed for Season 2. The season ends by starting a conversation about privacy that is bound to grow even more relevant in the months to come, especially since Glatzer seems to have his finger on the pulse as to what’s going on in the news cycle. There are also characters like Simon Helberg’s Martin Phister, a peculiar scientist with AI obsessions, who are bound to be more developed when they are afforded more screen time and dedicated storylines. Succession started small before becoming a phenomenon, and it’s easy to envision The Audacity following the same trajectory.
Entertainment
Euphoria Officially Ends With Season 3 as HBO Confirms Series Finale : Coastal House Media
A newly leaked toy description for Spider-Man: Brand New Day may have revealed one of the film’s biggest story details, and it could spell trouble for both Peter Parker and Bruce Banner.
While Marvel and Sony have already confirmed that Mark Ruffalo will return as Bruce Banner in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel, new merchandise details suggest Hulk’s role may be far more significant than fans originally expected.
According to information tied to a leaked toy line, Banner is reportedly using a device designed to suppress his Hulk transformations. However, when the technology fails, the Savage Hulk emerges, forcing Spider-Man into a dangerous situation that could become one of the movie’s central conflicts.
Spoiler Warning:
The following details are based on leaked merchandise information and have not been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios.
According to the toy description, Bruce Banner’s attempt to control the Hulk goes horribly wrong when the device preventing his transformation fails. The leak suggests that Peter Parker finds himself dealing with the aftermath as the Savage Hulk returns.
If accurate, the storyline would mark the first major appearance of the classic Savage Hulk persona in years. Since Avengers: Endgame, audiences have primarily seen Smart Hulk, the version of Banner who successfully merged his intelligence with Hulk’s immense strength.
*Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Hulk figurine. Image credit: Bandai/Marvel.*
The leak could also explain why Hulk appears to have such a prominent presence in early marketing and reports surrounding the film despite Brand New Day being described as a more grounded Spider-Man story.
For Marvel fans, the possibility of Spider-Man facing Savage Hulk is an exciting prospect. While the two heroes have crossed paths in comics, the MCU has never fully explored a conflict between Peter Parker and an uncontrolled Hulk. Such a matchup would instantly become one of the biggest action sequences in any Spider-Man film.
Of course, fans should take the leak with a grain of salt. Toy descriptions are often based on early story drafts, simplified plot summaries, or marketing material that doesn’t always reflect the final movie.
Still, merchandise leaks have a long history of revealing legitimate details about major superhero films, making this one difficult to ignore.
Whether the leak proves entirely accurate or not, one thing appears certain: Hulk’s role in Spider-Man: Brand New Daymay be much larger than anyone expected.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026.
John Oliver is weighing in on the beleaguered Freedom 250 concert series.
Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and more musicians have pulled out of scheduled performances at the Great American State Fair to celebrate the U.S.’s 250th birthday over organizer Freedom 250’s alignment with President Donald Trump’s administration. The 16-day festival is set to take place in Washington, D.C., between June 25 and July 10.
Oliver, 49, recounted the series of events hampering the concerts on the Sunday, May 31, episode of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, quipping, “It is a stacked lineup of people that you haven’t thought about since 2009.”
“Honestly, that sounds less like America’s 250th birthday and more like the playlist at Rhonda’s 50th,” he continued. “The only really surprising thing about that lineup is there aren’t special appearances from the ShamWow guy and the Gushers kid whose head turned into a raspberry.”
Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and several other artists backed out of appearing at the Great American State Fair’s Freedom 250 concerts. The 16-day Great American State Fair has been promoted as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, with exhibitions, parades and a controversial UFC event at the White House building up […]
In a Saturday, May 30, Truth Social post, Trump, 79, called on organizers to cancel the series due to the number of artists who have backed out.
“We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain. Cancel it,” he wrote.
McBride, 59, was among those who pulled out of the concert series last week.
“I would like to talk to you and clear the air. I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25,” she said in an Instagram statement. “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
Vanilla Ice is standing by his decision to perform Great American State Fair’s Freedom 250 concerts after multiple acts have dropped out due to President Donald Trump’s association. “Happy birthday America 250 years. It’s gonna be an epic party,” the rapper, 58, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, May 28, alongside a video sharing his excitement […]
McBride said she only agreed to perform after asking “lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.”
“In my mind, I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can,” she said. “I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even.”
“I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues,” she continued. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.”
In a statement on his website, Michaels, 63, said, “Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
A newly leaked toy description for Spider-Man: Brand New Day may have revealed one of the film’s biggest story details, and it could spell trouble for both Peter Parker and Bruce Banner.
While Marvel and Sony have already confirmed that Mark Ruffalo will return as Bruce Banner in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel, new merchandise details suggest Hulk’s role may be far more significant than fans originally expected.
According to information tied to a leaked toy line, Banner is reportedly using a device designed to suppress his Hulk transformations. However, when the technology fails, the Savage Hulk emerges, forcing Spider-Man into a dangerous situation that could become one of the movie’s central conflicts.
Spoiler Warning:
The following details are based on leaked merchandise information and have not been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios.
According to the toy description, Bruce Banner’s attempt to control the Hulk goes horribly wrong when the device preventing his transformation fails. The leak suggests that Peter Parker finds himself dealing with the aftermath as the Savage Hulk returns.
If accurate, the storyline would mark the first major appearance of the classic Savage Hulk persona in years. Since Avengers: Endgame, audiences have primarily seen Smart Hulk, the version of Banner who successfully merged his intelligence with Hulk’s immense strength.
*Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Hulk figurine. Image credit: Bandai/Marvel.*
The leak could also explain why Hulk appears to have such a prominent presence in early marketing and reports surrounding the film despite Brand New Day being described as a more grounded Spider-Man story.
For Marvel fans, the possibility of Spider-Man facing Savage Hulk is an exciting prospect. While the two heroes have crossed paths in comics, the MCU has never fully explored a conflict between Peter Parker and an uncontrolled Hulk. Such a matchup would instantly become one of the biggest action sequences in any Spider-Man film.
Of course, fans should take the leak with a grain of salt. Toy descriptions are often based on early story drafts, simplified plot summaries, or marketing material that doesn’t always reflect the final movie.
Still, merchandise leaks have a long history of revealing legitimate details about major superhero films, making this one difficult to ignore.
Whether the leak proves entirely accurate or not, one thing appears certain: Hulk’s role in Spider-Man: Brand New Daymay be much larger than anyone expected.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026.
Genre:
Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Mystery
Release Date:
August 14, 2026
Director:
David Robert Mitchell
Cast:
Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, Christian Convery
Plot Summary:
After a mysterious cosmic event transports an entire suburban neighborhood to an unknown world, a family must survive against strange dangers while searching for a way home.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson issued a message to those upset by the series finale by defending that heartbreaking death.
In a segment after the Sunday, May 31, episode of the hit HBO series, Levinson explained why Rue (Zendaya) died from an overdose, saying, “The honest ending is that people like Rue don’t make it.”
Levinson reflected on his own history with addiction — before mentioning Angus Cloud‘s death in July 2025 following an accidental overdose.
“People relapse and they f*** up. They’re not ready to get clean. And they weren’t dying like they are now with the influx of fentanyl into this country,” he explained. “I could say with absolute certainty that if I was going through what I went through when I was younger now then I wouldn’t be here either.”
The Euphoria cast and crew have mourned the deaths of some of their colleagues over the years. Euphoria, which premiered in 2019, originally followed troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The hit HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took […]
He continued: “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. I wanted to tell the story for Angus and for people who weren’t granted a second chance.”
Levinson called the finale “an honest ending.”
“Zendaya’s performance has been so wonderful and layered over the course of these seasons. We fell in love with this character — this girl who was flawed and f**ked up but has a good heart,” he said. “It’s a blessing to work with talented people and people that you love.”
Levinson noted that the show was always building to Rue’s death, adding, “In the end, I wanted to tell an honest story about addiction. I also wanted to tell a story about grief and the emotional turmoil that it can create.”
During Sunday’s episode, Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) killed Rue by spiking the drugs he gave her with fentanyl. The moment happened halfway through the finale, which pushed Ali’s (Colman Domingo) story along as he got revenge on Alamo.
Euphoria premiered in 2019 and originally followed troubled high school student Rue as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The hit HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took nearly three years for the episodes to air.
In between seasons, the cast suffered several losses after Eric Dane, who played Cal, died in February at age 53 after a battle with ALS. Cloud, meanwhile, died at age 25 and Levinson dedicated the season to the actor and his character, Fez.
“Some people ask why it took so long between seasons 2 and 3. There were obvious factors — the strikes, trying to make a schedule work with our very in-demand cast, but the real time was in trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost,” Levinson said in at the April premiere event for season 3.
He added: “When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean. The year he died, in 2023, he was one of 73,000 people in America who died of a fentanyl overdose. I learned a whole lot that year, but what I realized more than anything is that death is what gives life meaning. You can’t be arrogant about existence. You’re forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.”
Levinson said he wanted to honor Cloud, concluding, “I thought that if I couldn’t keep him alive in life then maybe within this show that I can control and keep him alive there. I think the whole thing was to honor him and also I can’t wait for you to see the last few episodes. I think he would be cracking up at his story line. I think he would love it.”
Euphoria is currently streaming on HBO Max.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Season 3 of Euphoria is coming to an end — but is the show returning for more episodes?
The hit HBO series, which premiered in 2019, originally followed troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. Euphoria was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took nearly three years for the episodes to air.
Season 3 was originally set to air on HBO in 2025 before facing several obstacles, including creator Sam Levinson’s commitment to his short-lived series The Idol. The dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which took place in late 2023, prolonged the already lengthy delay.
After season 2 concluded, the cast also went through two cast losses when Angus Cloud died at age 25 in July 2023 following an accidental overdose and Eric Dane died following a battle with ALS at age 53. The show addressed Fez’s absence in season 3 by keeping him behind bars, while Dane’s Cal made an appearance in two episodes, visibly experiencing the physical symptoms of his diagnosis.
The Euphoria cast and crew have mourned the deaths of some of their colleagues over the years. Euphoria, which premiered in 2019, originally followed troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The hit HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season after its premiere, but it took […]
“Some people ask why it took so long between seasons 2 and 3. There were obvious factors — the strikes, trying to make a schedule work with our very in-demand cast, but the real time was in trying to figure out how to find a way to pay respect to those who we lost,” Levinson told Variety in April 2026.
He continued, “When Angus died, it was tough. I loved him deeply, and I fought hard to keep him clean. The year he died, in 2023, he was one of 73,000 people in America who died of a fentanyl overdose. I learned a whole lot that year, but what I realized more than anything is that death is what gives life meaning. You can’t be arrogant about existence. You’re forced to reckon with the fact that life itself is a wonder, a gift, a profound blessing.”
Levinson has yet to properly address the show’s future — but all signs have pointed to the season 3 finale marking the end of the series entirely. Keep scrolling for what has been said so far:
Sam Levinson
Levinson wouldn’t directly confirm — or deny — what is to come for the show.
“[I write] every season like it’s the last season,” he told Variety in April 2026. “[I have] no plans [for season 4].”
He continued: “I want to finish this as strong as I can. I’m cutting [episodes] 7 and 8 still. I’m putting some finishing touches. I just want to deliver a f**king slam dunk season.”
Euphoria fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the series first debuted. Based on the Israeli series of the same name, Euphoria follows troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The series also explores topics including mental illness, toxic relationships, sexuality and more. After […]
Zendaya
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in April 2026, Zendaya was asked if the series is coming to end. “I think so, yeah,” she said when Barrymore asked if it was the final season. “That closure is coming.”
Jacob Elordi
If Euphoria was to return for another season, it would be without Elordi. His character, Nate, was killed off in season 3 — and the actor addressed the surprise decision.
“It’s a bittersweet thing,” he said in a segment that aired after the May 2026 episode. “This show is a massive part of — not just my career — but my life. It’s been amazing and I’m so proud of being a part of this.”
HBO has finally revealed whether Euphoria will be coming back for more seasons after that shocking death in the season 3 finale.
The network confirmed on Monday, June 1 that the third season was the show’s last. Creator Sam Levinson made the announcement on the “Popcast” before HBO also confirmed the news to Variety.
The news comes after an explosive season 3 finale that permanently wrapped up certain characters’ story lines — including Zendaya‘s Rue and Jacob Elordi’s Nate, who were killed off on screen.
Euphoria’s series finale also aired after a tumultuous return. Creator Sam Levinson specifically received backlash for how he portrayed Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) OnlyFans arc after some creators weren’t thrilled with how their line of work was portrayed on screen.
Levinson, however, defended the decision to push boundaries.
“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor,” Levinson explained to The Hollywood Reporter in April. “But what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it.”
He continued: “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion,” the 41-year-old added. “The gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”
Levinson broke down how he and director of photography Marcell Rév brought the scenes to life.
“An obvious choice would’ve been something modern and very plain and fancy, but we ended up choosing this mid-century home, which is a little tacky, but also stuck in the ‘70s,” Rév explained. “It’s probably a strange choice, but also it gives us possibilities. OnlyFans has its own aesthetic and how you elevate that aesthetic to the show’s aesthetic is a challenge. I’m not going to lie.”
Despite the backlash, Levinson stood by his vision.
“Some of these scenes we only lit with these ring lights that she would use. When you’re inside, it’s a beautiful, glowing front light, but then you jump out of it and it’s just a pool of light and everything surrounding it is dark. It’s just gnarly and jarring,” he added. “We wanted to capture what she’s trying to show the audience and be inside of it. But then also pull back wider and see how depressing it is.”
Euphoria is currently streaming on HBO.
Entertainment
Is“ Euphoria ”over?“ ”Creator“ ”Sam Levinson reveals if season 3 ending was series finale after shocking death
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“It was such a fulfilling journey in terms of this cast,” Levinson said in a new interview.
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