Original blockbusters have become increasingly rare in modern Hollywood. Nowadays, with studios often prioritizing sequels, reboots, and sprawling cinematic universes, truly fresh ideas can sometimes struggle to reach the same mass audiences. Yet every so often, a film arrives that proves originality and spectacle aren’t mutually exclusive. These movies introduce new worlds, bold concepts, and unforgettable characters while still delivering the scale and excitement viewers expect from a major theatrical event.
And over the past 25 years, several original films have managed to break through the noise and become cultural phenomenons in their own right. Whether through groundbreaking visual effects, inventive storytelling, or genre-defining creativity, these movies captivated audiences without relying on preexisting material.
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10
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Chihiro standing among flowers and looking up in ‘Spirited Away’.Image via Studio Ghibli
When 10-year-old Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) stumbles into a mysterious abandoned theme park while moving to a new town with her parents, she quickly discovers the place is anything but empty. Soon her parents are suddenly transformed into pigs, and Chihiro becomes trapped in a magical spirit world filled with gods, monsters, and eccentric creatures. To survive (and eventually rescue her family), she must take a job at a bathhouse run by a powerful witch.
Hayao Miyazaki‘s masterpiece proves how blockbuster storytelling doesn’t require explosions or massive franchises. In the case of Spirited Away, this film builds an entire universe from imagination alone, filling every frame with intricate detail and surreal wonder. Its blend of the coming-of-age genre, folklore-inspired fantasy, and breathtaking hand-drawn animation captivated audiences around the world, eventually becoming one of the most beloved animated films ever made. Even decades later, its originality and emotional depth continue to make it feel like a singular cinematic experience.
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9
‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)
Image via Universal Pictures
Annie Walker’s (Kristen Wiig) life is quietly falling apart when her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) asks her to be maid of honor at her wedding. But in her effort to prove she’s the perfect choice for the job, Annie becomes entangled in increasingly chaotic situations while competing with Lillian’s wealthy new friend Helen (Rose Byrne)—who’s more than happy to take the title for herself.
While romantic comedies had long been a staple of Hollywood, Bridesmaids felt like a jolt of fresh energy when it arrived. The film combined outrageous humor with a refreshingly honest look at friendship, insecurity, and adulthood. Powered by Wiig’s vulnerable performance and an unforgettable ensemble, it became a massive commercial success while proving that female-led comedies could dominate the box office. Its cultural impact reshaped studio attitudes toward comedy, making it one of the most influential original hits of the century.
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8
‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)
A terrified Evelyn (Emily Blunt) lies in a bathtub, about to give birth in ‘A Quiet Place’Image via Paramount Pictures
In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by blind creatures that hunt by sound, the Abbott family survives by living in near-total silence. Every step, movement, and whisper must be carefully controlled as they navigate daily life on their isolated farm. But when a new baby is on the way, maintaining that silence becomes far more difficult—and far more dangerous.
What makes A Quiet Placeremarkable is how it transforms a simple concept into relentless cinematic tension. John Krasinski makes a stellar directorial debut, stripping the story down to its essentials, allowing silence itself to become the film’s most powerful storytelling tool. The result is a family-rooted blockbuster that feels both intimate and intensely suspenseful, proving that originality and restraint can be just as thrilling as massive spectacle.
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7
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Rose and Chris smiling while looking in the same direction in Get Out 2017Image via Universal Pictures
Chris (Danuel Kaluuya) travels with his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) to meet her seemingly welcoming parents at their lavish countryside estate. At first, the visit appears awkward but harmless. However, as the weekend unfolds, Chris begins noticing unsettling behavior from the household staff and Rose’s family, slowly realizing that something far more sinister is happening beneath the surface.
Jordan Peele’s Get Outreshaped the modern horror landscape by blending psychological thrills with sharp social commentary. The film’s premise is both chilling and brilliantly clever, using genre conventions to explore issues of race, identity, and power in America. Audiences responded immediately, turning the film into a cultural phenomenon and a mega box-office smash. Its success demonstrated that bold, thought-provoking ideas could still thrive within mainstream blockbuster filmmaking, while also elevating the creation of genre films.
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6
‘Knives Out’ (2019)
Daniel Craig talking while Ana de Armas looks at him in the background in ‘Knives Out.’Image via Lionsgate
After the sudden death of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Chistopher Plummer), the eccentric detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives to investigate what initially appears to be a suicide. But as he questions the author’s dysfunctional family, long-buried resentments and suspicious motives quickly begin to surface. At the center of the mystery? Harlan’s loyal nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas).
There’s no doubt Rian Johnsonrevitalized the classic whodunit with a story that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Indeed, Knives Out delights in its clever plotting, playful tone, and colorful ensemble cast, turning every new revelation into another reason to keep watching. In many ways, the film’s enormous success proved that audiences still crave original mysteries—especially when they’re executed with such wit, style, and storytelling precision. Luckily for fans, the entertainment continues with two well-done sequels.
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5
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
The Parr family embraces in ‘The Incredibles’ (2004)Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In a world where superheroes have been forced into hiding, Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson)—once known as Mr. Incredible—now lives a quiet suburban life with his equally gifted family alongside wife, Helen (Holly Hunter)—also once known as Elastigirl. But when he unexpectedly receives a mysterious opportunity to return to hero work, Bob jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, the mission soon draws his entire family into a dangerous confrontation with a powerful new villain of his own making.
Taking the genre to new heights, Brad Bird‘s The Incredibles perfectly combines superhero spectacle with a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics. Instead of focusing solely on action, the film explores themes of identity, purpose, and the challenges of balancing extraordinary abilities with everyday responsibilities. The result is a film that feels both deeply personal and wildly entertaining. In such a case, it’s this originality that helped redefine what animated blockbusters could achieve, especially since it smashed the box-office in 2004.
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4
‘Sinners’ (2025)
Michael B. Jordan as Smoke / Stack, Wunmi Mosakuas as Annie, and Hailee Steinfeld Mary staring through an open door in SinnersImage via Warner Bros
Set in an early 20th century town haunted by its past, Sinners follows former crime-delving twins Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who return home hoping to start a lively juke joint. But what begins as an attempt to rebuild their lives soon spirals into confronting supernatural forces, violent histories, and buried secrets that threaten to consume the entire community that surrounds them.
Blending Southern gothic atmosphere with horror and historical drama, Sinners quickly established itself as one of the most talked-about films of the decade. Ryan Coogler showcases his genius once again by combining striking visual storytelling with layered themes about identity and legacy, much of which is amplified by the powerhouse performances that illuminate the screen. Audiences quickly turned the movie into a box-office sensation, proving that ambitious, original storytelling could still drive audiences to the cinemas. Its award-season success—including its record-breaking Academy Award nominations—only reinforced its cultural impact.
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3
‘Kill Bil: Volume 1’ (2023)
The Bride (Uma Thurman) surrounded by the Crazy 88 in Kill BillImage via Miramax Film
After surviving a brutal assassination attempt that resulted in the loss of her unborn child, a former assassin known only as The Bride (Uma Thurman) awakens from a coma with one goal: revenge. Armed with her katana and an unbreakable determination, she begins tracking down the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who betrayed her.
Born out of the mind of Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a stylistic explosion that blends martial arts cinema, spaghetti western influences, and grindhouse aesthetics into something completely unique. Every fight sequence is choreographed with dazzling creativity, turning violence into kinetic visual storytelling. For many, its bold artistic choices and genre-blending approach help cement it as one of the most distinctive action blockbusters of the century.
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2
‘Avatar’ (2009)
Neytiri and Jake in a Pandora forest in Avatar 2009.Image via 20th Century Studios
Paraplegic marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is sent to the distant moon Pandora as part of a human mining operation seeking rare and valuable resources. Using an artificially created Na’vi body known as an avatar, Jake begins interacting with the planet’s indigenous inhabitants. Over time, he becomes increasingly connected to their culture, eventually deciding to join their fight against the human exploitation that plagues them.
If there’s one film that encapsulates the modern blockbuster, it’s James Cameron‘s Avatar, which revolutionized modern filmmaking through groundbreaking visual effects and immersive world-building. Pandora immediately felt like a living, breathing ecosystem, filled with creatures and landscapes unlike anything audiences had seen before. Better still, it was balanced out by heart-wrenching performances and emotionally driven tales of conservation. Such technological achievements and sweeping storytelling are what effectively turned it into a global phenomenon that still is, to this day, the highest-grossing film of all time.
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1
‘Inception’ (2010)
Leonardo DiCaprio and Cillian Murphy in ‘Inception’Image via Warner Bros.
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief who specializes in stealing secrets from within people’s dreams. When he’s offered a chance to finally return to his family, Cobb accepts an impossible assignment: instead of stealing an idea, he must plant one deep within a target’s subconscious. To accomplish this, Cobb assembles a team capable of navigating increasingly complex dream layers where reality itself becomes unstable.
Christopher Nolan is no stranger to breaking the box-office, but it was his work in Inception that truly broke the world. Delivering spectacle while embracing an astonishingly ambitious concept, the film constructs an intricate dream landscape filled with shifting architecture, gravity-defying action, a thrilling ensemble, and deep emotional stakes rooted in character trauma. It’s the rare blockbuster that demands both intellectual engagement and emotional investment, making it a perfect example of how original storytelling can thrive on the biggest cinematic scale.
Brandy is opening up in a major way, and this time, it’s not just about the music. While promoting her new memoir ‘Phases,’ the singer is letting fans into some deeply personal moments—including where things currently stand with her brother, Ray J. And let’s just say, it’s giving honesty, growth, and a little distance.
Brandy Addresses Distance With Ray J, Claims Love Remains
In a new interview with Parade Magazine, Brandy touched on everything from her upbringing to industry moments and even past tensions, but her comments about Ray J had folks paying close attention. She revealed that although he wasn’t present at her recent Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, there’s a reason behind it. According to Brandy, there’s currently “distance” between them due to certain things he’s done publicly that she doesn’t agree with.
“There is distance right now. There are a few things that he’s been doing in the public eye that I don’t condone, and I just feel like loving him from afar right now is best for me and my peace. But my life with Ray and my connection with him is all throughout the book, and my love for him never wavers,” the singer revealed.
While Brandy is choosing peace and boundaries in this chapter, she emphasized that her love for her brother remains solid. As of now, Ray J has yet to publicly respond to her comments.
Fans Split On Brandy And Ray J Situation
Folks quickly ran to TSR’s Instagram comment section, and whew—the reactions were split. Some agreed with Brandy, saying sometimes you really do have to love family from a distance to protect your peace. Others, however, felt differently, pointing out that Ray J has always shown support for her and questioning whether the move was fair.
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One Instagram user @limihts commented, “She ain’t even had to bring him up“
This Instagram user @nay4shorttt said, “There’s nothing wrong with that. sometimes you have to do that even with family“
And, Instagram user @thatsmydink added, “He probably would’ve embarrassed her I’m this special moment so I don’t blame her“
Meanwhile, Instagram user @sasu_lens_md claimed, “I don like it… that’s still your brother and regardless of what people say, he always supports and defend you 🫤”
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While Instagram user @thatgirl7108 shared, “One thing an Aquarius GONNA DO. Is protect their peace at all costs. Family is NOT exempt. Periodtttt ♒️”
Lastly, Instagram user @msfytmamas wrote, “As a HUGE Brandy fan I do wish he was there. Out of EVERYONE he has aways been her biggest supporter.”
Ray J Steps In After Sister’s Name Comes Up
Y’all… ain’t this the same Ray J who was just going OFF behind his big sis? After Cam’ron and Mase joked on ‘It Is What It Is’about both having a past with Brandy, with Shyne chiming in on the convo, things quickly turned messy online. The lighthearted storytelling had folks laughing—until Ray J caught wind of it and hopped on livestream with a whole different energy.
In a now-viral clip, Ray didn’t hold back, warning all three to keep his sister’s name out their mouths and making it clear he’s ready to defend Brandy at all costs. “Keep my sister name out your mouth before I slap the… daylights out of you,” he said, calling out Cam’ron, Mase, and Shyne directly. Now, with Brandy recently speaking on keeping distance from her brother, folks can’t help but side-eye the timing—like, didn’t he just step up for her in a major way?
Robert De Niro smirking in HeatImage via Warner Bros.
There’s no shortage of content aimed at dads, especially if they subscribe to Prime Video. The platform keeps a steady stream of films and shows flowing to their home screens, likely influenced by repeated re-watches of Bosch and Reacher. More recently, the demographic was treated to the buddy action film The Wrecking Crew, starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. The Prime Video viewership charts typically have at least one spot reserved at all times for a movie starring Jason Statham; that’s just how popular he is. And now, a new film targeted at the exact same audience has proven why the platform is the hub for action-thrillers for older men.
Amazon MGM Studios gave the movie a theatrical run a few weeks ago, but it was hardly as successful at the box office as the more recent Project Hail Mary. Imagine how massive that sci-fi movie will be on streaming in a few weeks’ time, even if Amazon decides to jump the gun and cut short its stupendous theatrical run. The new crime-thriller features a stacked cast including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, and Monica Barbaro, who was probably cast before she received an Oscar nomination for her performance in 2025’s A Complete Unknown.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
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Here’s the New Number One Movie on Prime Video
We’re talking, of course, about the film Crime 101. Directed by Bart Layton, Crime 101received positive reviews upon its theatrical debut in February. It’s now sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 89% critics’ score and an 85% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Crime 101 has studied the greats of L.A. Noir closely and shows its homework with sleek action set pieces and vivid characterizations, receiving top marks and graduating near the top of its class.” The movie has been compared to the genre classic Heat, which has influenced more recent heist movies such as The Town and Den of Thieves. However, the positive reviews weren’t enough for Crime 101 to be deemed a hit. It grossed a little more than $70 million worldwide against a reported budget of $90 million. But it’s being promoted as a Prime Video “original” outside the United States, and considering how popular Hemsworth is on streaming thanks to the Extraction franchise, Crime 101 certainly has a bright future ahead of it. According to FlixPatrol, it’s Prime Video’s number one film in the world. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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February 13, 2026
Runtime
140 Minutes
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Director
Bart Layton
Writers
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Bart Layton, Peter Straughan
Producers
Derrin Schlesinger, Eric Fellner, Shane Salerno, Tim Bevan, Chris Hemsworth, Ben Grayson, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton
When people talk about great animated movies for kids, the conversation usually circles back to familiar comfort watches. The safe ones. The reassuring ones. The ones that remind audiences that everything will be okay. And then there’s Coraline.
Released in 2009 by Laika Studios and based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman, Coraline remains one of the most unsettling “children’s movies” ever made. Seventeen years later, it still stands apart from mainstream family animation because it does something most studios — especially Disney — tend to avoid: it doesn’t protect kids from fear. Instead, it argues something far more radical: fear is necessary, danger is real, and courage only matters when things genuinely feel hopeless. That’s exactly what makes Coraline feel like the anti-Disney movie.
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‘Coraline’ Refuses To Sanitize Horror for Young Audiences
Most family films that flirt with horror quickly soften the edges. The scary elements are balanced with humor or quick reassurance. Even when danger appears, it rarely feels permanent. Coraline takes the opposite approach. From its opening sequence showing a doll being dissected and rebuilt, the film establishes a tone closer to gothic horror like you’d expect to see in a Guillermo del Toro film than traditional family animation. The stop-motion aesthetic only enhances the discomfort, with slightly unnatural character movements creating a constant sense that something is wrong.
Then the Other Mother appears. Unlike many animated villains, the Beldam isn’t theatrical at first. She’s attentive and perfect. She represents wish fulfillment rather than obvious danger, which makes her far more psychologically terrifying than typical animated antagonists. Where Disney villains often signal evil through spectacle, the Other Mother weaponizes comfort. She doesn’t overtly threaten Coraline: she offers her everything she thinks she wants. That’s what makes the horror effective. The film understands that the scariest threats aren’t always monsters, but situations that feel too good to be true.
‘Coraline’ Understands That Childhood Fear Is Real Fear
What separates Coraline from traditional animated storytelling is how seriously it takes a child’s emotional reality. Coraline isn’t afraid because she’s weak, she’s afraid because she’s facing something genuinely terrifying. Too often, family films treat childhood fear as something to be corrected. Adults reassure the child, and the danger turns out to be harmless. Coraline doesn’t do that. The Other World is not misunderstood, the Beldam is not redeemable, and the danger is not imaginary. Coraline is right to be afraid, and she has to face it largely alone.
Her real parents are emotionally distant at the start, distracted by work rather than cruelty. This is another way Coraline diverges from typical animated storytelling. Many children’s films remove parents entirely. Dead parents are practically a genre tradition. But Coraline does something more realistic. Her parents are present, they just aren’t fully available. That distinction reflects a truth many kids understand: sometimes adults aren’t villains, sometimes they’re just overwhelmed. The film doesn’t punish them with death, but allows both real parents to live and remain flawed people who still love their child. That’s a far more mature message than most animated films attempt.
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Another reason Coraline feels so different is that its horror has weight, because the film shows the cost of failure. The ghost children trapped by the Beldam aren’t warnings: they’re casualties. They failed, they died, and they remain imprisoned because they couldn’t escape. That’s heavy material for a film aimed at younger audiences. Instead of diluting this darkness, the movie uses it to reinforce Coraline’s bravery. Her victory isn’t guaranteed. She isn’t special because she’s destined to win. She wins because she refuses to give up even when she’s terrified. The film also doesn’t pretend bravery eliminates fear. Coraline is scared the entire time. Courage isn’t fearlessness: it’s persistence. That distinction is subtle but powerful.
‘Coraline’ Is Ultimately About Choosing Reality Over Fantasy
Coraline crawling through a dark tunnel in CoralineImage via Focus Features.
At its core, Coraline isn’t really about defeating a monster: it’s about rejecting a fantasy. The Other World represents escapism. It offers better food, more attention, and seemingly perfect parents. It’s everything Coraline thinks she wants. But perfection comes with a price: control. The button eyes symbolize surrendering agency for comfort. Coraline’s refusal isn’t just about survival — it’s about maintaining her identity. Instead of promising kids a perfect world, Coraline tells them something harder: real life is imperfect, and that’s why it matters. By the end, Coraline doesn’t get better parents. She gets the same parents trying a little harder, and she’s trying too. The victory isn’t a magical transformation, it’s mutual understanding.
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Seventeen years later, Coraline still feels bold because it trusts young audiences in ways many modern family films don’t. It trusts them to handle discomfort. It trusts them to understand emotional complexity. It trusts them to sit with fear. And most importantly, it understands scary stories aren’t harmful when they’re honest. Like original fairy tales, its danger exists to teach resilience. That may be why the film’s reputation has only grown: Coraline remains proof that family films don’t have to avoid darkness to be meaningful.
Because what makes Coraline endure isn’t just that it’s scary, it’s that it refuses to lie to kids. Where Disney often promises that love alone solves everything, Coraline suggests something more honest: that courage comes from facing fear, not avoiding it. Coraline doesn’t win because she’s special. She wins because she’s brave enough to see the truth. Seventeen years later, that honesty still feels radical. And that’s why Coraline isn’t just different from Disney — it’s the movie that proves kids’ stories don’t need to be safe to matter.
The temporary restraining order against Huda Mustafa remains in place as the Love Island star awaits the next hearing, Us Weekly can confirm.
A hearing was scheduled for Friday, April 3, at the Los Angeles Superior Court after Nicole Olivera, the ex of Mustafa’s boyfriend Louis Russell, filed a restraining order against the reality star last month. Neither Mustafa nor Russell, both 25, present in court, although Olivera was in attendance.
The judge ultimately pushed the hearing to Thursday, April 23, after Olivera’s attorney asked for a continuance, ruling that Olivera’s temporary restraining order be extended. (The order was set to expire on Friday.)
“Any temporary orders are to remain in full force and effect until the continued hearing date,” read the ruling, per court documents obtained by Us. “Order on Request to Continue Court Hearing is signed and filed [on] this date.”
The cast of Love Island USA season 7 has said goodbye to Fiji and hello to the real world. During the July 13 season finale of the hit Peacock dating show, viewers rejoiced when host Ariana Madix announced that Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales received the most votes from the public and were splitting the […]
Mustafa has yet to appoint legal counsel to the case. Us has reached out to Mustafa’s spokesperson for comment.
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Us previously obtained court documents filed by Olivera on March 12 seeking protection for herself and her son with Russell. Russell’s ex claimed at the time that Mustafa “was making threats” against Olivera, the exes’ son Luka-Kai, the reality star’s own daughter, Arleigh, 5 — whom she shares with ex Noah Sheline — on February 20.
According to Olivera, after experiencing “about 12 hours” of threats from Mustafa before the TV personality then “broke into” the building where Olivera’s son lives. Mustafa also allegedly harassed Olivera on social media.
Olivera claimed that Russell informed Mustafa that “her actions have called for a restraining order.”
Chris Brown isn’t the only celeb who has faced a judge. See more stars in court such as Taylor Swift, Lindsay Lohan and more.
As for her reason for pursuing a protective order, Olivera alleged in the court documents that she was “mentally and emotionally in fear for my son and my own safety.”
The same day of Olivera’s filing, a judge granted her request for a temporary restraining order against Mustafa, who was ordered to stay “at least 100 yards” away from Olivera and her son and to not contact them.
After news of the protective order made headlines, Mustafa denied the allegations via her Instagram Story.
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“I’m aware of what’s being said and it’s not true,” she claimed on March 17. “I’m handling everything the right way by letting legal take care of it. I appreciate everyone who continues to support me.”
They got a text — and found love in the Love Island USA villa. The beloved British dating show made its way across the pond in 2019, following a crop of American bombshells searching for The One in a luxury tropical villa. In season 1, eventual winners Elizabeth Weber and Zac Mirabelli had a connection […]
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Us also confirmed that Russell filed an emergency court order on March 18 for joint legal custody of his and Olivera’s son as well as a parenting and custody plan between the exes. In the paperwork Russell filed, he claimed that Olivera “unreasonably” halted contact between him and their son. He also accused his ex of using their son “as a bargaining chip” and threatening to move out of state. A judge ultimately denied Russell’s emergency request.
Mustafa rose to fame on Love Island season 7, which aired in the summer of 2025. Although she and Chris Seeley finished in third place, they became the first couple in the reality show’s history to break up during a season finale.
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Soon after she wrapped filming on Love Island, Mustafa was linked to Russell, who previously appeared on seasons 5 and 6 of Too Hot to Handle in 2023 and 2024 and season 3 of Perfect Match in 2025.
Mustafa’s court hearing comes just days before the Monday, April 6, premiere of Unwell Winter Games, on which she and Russell will both star. The duo are among the 16 “polarizing” public figures set to compete in mental and physical challenges on the YouTube reality series.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, spoke on many calls during his stay at the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after his arrest on child molestation charges in March 2026.
The recorded conversations — spanning several days — give insight into how the family is navigating his arrest years after his older brother Josh Duggar was sentenced on similar charges.
Joseph, for his part, was arrested on March 18, 2026, and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, molesting a victim under 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person over 18. He has pleaded not guilty.
Joseph and Kendra were also later charged with four counts each of false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
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“Kendra’s arrest has nothing to do with Joseph’s — although one precipitated another,” a source with knowledge of the case told Us Weekly on March 21, 2026. “After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there. They came to her house.”
Us breaks down what we’ve learned so far from Joseph and Kendra Duggar’s jail calls:
Joseph and Kendra Duggar’s 1st Call
The earliest documented call took place March 20, when Joseph Duggar placed a collect call to Kendra Duggar from the Washington County Detention Center, according to audio obtained by Entertainment Weekly. Kendra told Joseph, “It’s good to hear from you,” and the couple discussed her whereabouts. Kendra indicated she was staying somewhere “private” after their arrests.
Joseph and Kendra Duggar Discuss Their Children
During a March 24 phone call from the Washington County Detention Facility, Kendra Duggar revealed she does not have their children. She described the emotional toll of the situation to husband Joseph Duggar, admitting, “I think Friday has probably been my hardest day, but that’s crazy to say because Wednesday was crazy hard.”
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In a separate call, Kendra shared her plans for their kids, “I’ve been making plans in my head of what I feel like I need to do moving forward with [the kids], and probably try to get counseling for them,” according to audio obtained by Us.
The Duggar Family Reacts With Support and Disappointment
In a conversation from Thursday, March 26, released by TMZ, Kendra Duggar relayed the broader family’s feelings to husband Joseph Duggar. “Just know that everybody loves you, even if they’re disappointed,” she shared. Joseph acknowledged the “disappointment” but said he “absolutely” feels the love of his family.
Joseph Duggar.Bay County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images
Kendra Duggar Reveals She Hired Her Own Lawyer
According to an in-jail audio call obtained by People on Monday, March 30, the couple discussed their legal representation amid the child endangerment case. Kendra Duggar shared details about hiring her own legal counsel, a significant step that signals she is independently managing her legal situation apart from Joseph Duggar.
Joseph Duggar Says He’s Focused on Faith Behind Bars
Joseph Duggar told Kendra Duggar he was focusing on his faith and reading the Bible while in custody. He also described daily life and logistical challenges with communication. “I’m doing good,” he said. “They had so many people, like, 20 people, to check in this morning that I wasn’t able to [call].”
Joseph Duggar Talks About His Workouts and Diet in Custody
“I started working out,” Joseph Duggar shared with wife Kendra Duggar during a phone call in audio obtained by Us. “I’m doing my burn bootcamp-style workout now.”
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Joseph said he wanted to keep himself busy while stuck in a “seven by 11-style” cell, adding, “I’m doing squats and push-ups. I can do dips off the edge of the bed.”
Joseph revealed he was also avoiding eating any “junk” food with the hopes of slimming down. “I’m not eating, like, hardly any of the bready stuff. I’m trying not to eat junk, mostly just eat the veggies and the protein stuff,” he told Kendra, noting that he didn’t feel “as bloated” as before.
Kendra also shared that she was “trimming up.”
“I haven’t gotten on the scale, but I feel a lot trimmer now,” she said. “I’m not bloated either. I’m gonna be ‘skinny mini. I cannot eat. Mama keeps trying to get me to eat, but unless it’s liquid, it doesn’t really go down. It’s been a battle.”
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Joseph Duggar Complains About ‘Miserable’ Jail Conditions
Joseph Duggar vented to Kendra Duggar about the conditions during his recent stay.
“I felt like [the] past two nights, like not last night, but the two nights before that, there [were] people up all night, and it was really loud and stuff, but so I didn’t get good sleep,” Joseph admitted during one phone conversation, per audio obtained by Us. “So yesterday was a little bit more miserable.”
“Sometimes I can’t even hear myself think whenever they’re next door,” he added, noting that the noise was “like getting hit by a jackhammer.”
During a separate call, Joseph said he struggled to get some shut eye because another inmate threw a “tantrum.”
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Kendra Duggar Asks Joseph Duggar If He Needs Money
Kendra Duggar figured out how to get in contact with husband Josh Duggar via the jail system. “Oh, so [it] costs money for you to call me each time?” Kendra asked Joseph during a private exchange between the two while he was in custody, per audio obtained by Us. “Do you need more money?”
Joseph said he had $60 for phone and other privileges at the time. “I’m not gonna use it for anything else,” Joseph told his wife.
Michelle and Anna Duggar Have Reached Out
Kendra Duggar told Joseph Duggar she had been leaning on his mother, Michelle Duggar, for guidance during the difficult period. “Your mom and I, we got to visit this morning, and she was encouraging me with how to live humbly,” Kendra said during a call while Joseph was incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center, according to People.
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Separately, Anna Duggar, wife of Josh Duggar, emailed Joseph after his arrest to offer support, writing, “You’ve got our prayers. We love you — however we can help, please let us know.”
Anna also urged caution, advising Joseph not to discuss legal matters unless he was with an attorney — a notable piece of guidance given the family’s prior experience with Josh’s own legal issues.
Joseph was extradited from Arkansas to Florida on March 27. He was later released from the Bay County Jail in Florida on March 31 after posting bond.
For Hollywood’s A-list, Iván Pol’s treatment bed is the place where skincare dreams come true.
His famed Beauty Sandwich facial leaves stars looking snatched — what Pol describes as “a defined jawline, a tight lower face [and] plump cheeks.” They also feel healed and grounded, thanks to a calming playlist and radiofrequency technology. “People are carrying a bunch of other weight,” he tells Us. “[I sandwich] these energies together to snatch not only your face, but your spirit. That’s what the celebrities become addicted to — the way they feel.”
While results appear effortless without any downtime or redness, there’s meticulous choreography behind the method. “It’s three different [layers], that’s why it’s a sandwich,” Pol explains. He spent more than a decade as a makeup artist, and one pivotal moment came while working with Jennifer Lopez, whose flawless skin left a lasting impression. When he asked her secret, she credited facials — and he remembers thinking, “That’s it. I’m going to create the best red carpet pre-glam facial.”
Fast-forward to this year’s Oscars week, when Pol officially unveiled his new Lunchtime Lift. “The signature Beauty Sandwich was more modeled [after] getting Botox and fillers,” he says. “Now I can completely diffuse the look of the jowl.” The added ingredient? Erchonia, a low-level laser therapy that fights inflammation and rejuvenates the skin. Used with his other noninvasive radiofrequency tools, including the Pellevé wand and a bipolar RF device with infrared, the multilayer technique helps shrink tissue and reposition muscles to achieve the V-shaped, heartlike contour he’s known for.
To Dr. Ellie Byun, an L.A.-based licensed acupuncturist of 17 years, beauty comes from within. “I’ve helped patients heal from the inside out using acupuncture, cupping and customized herbal medicine,” says Byun, whose impressive clientele includes Miranda Kerr, Brooks Nader, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Elsa Hosk and more, in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. Eventually, she […]
Pol’s trained with the best, spending 10 years with Dr. Martin Zaiac at Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center. For the past five years, he’s shared clients with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond, whose natural-looking facelifts he admires. “I want to learn from people who have the most knowledge,” he says. (Pol sees clients at Dr. Diamond’s practice and in Miami.)
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Topical skincare completes the ritual. Pol uses his favorite products from Chanel’s science-backed Sublimage line — which targets cellular aging and promotes a radiant, firm, and hydrated glow — as part of his pre-red-carpet treatments, along with the brand’s Le Lift Sérum. He finishes with a spritz of Amuse Bouche from his own Beauty Sandwich skincare line to “plump everything and snatch pores.”
Chanel
In just 45 minutes, Pol can transform you. “I reposition where [the weight] resides — it’s like a redesign,” he notes. The effects are instant, but “the real result will come in a month,” as collagen, elastin and muscle synthesis kick in. Pol isn’t offering an antiaging session — it’s a one-of-a-kind skin-longevity treatment that leaves faces enhanced.
Pol’s Ways to Glow
FOR A TEMPORARY LIFT
Chanel
After moisturizing, use Chanel’s N°1 de Chanel Massage Accessory along the jawline, gliding upward along the face’s natural heart-shaped contours in a gentle motion. The expert says its “ripple tier” targets areas with more adhesions for enhanced sculpting.
DON’T OVER-EXFOLIATE
Chanel
“As we age, our skin naturally sheds — why accelerate it? Focus on strengthening and boosting functionality instead,” he says. Chanel’s Sublimage L’Huile-En-Gel De Démaquillage fits the bill: Its gel-to-oil formula gently removes impurities.
Most people know Dr. Jason Diamond for his vampire facials, which made headlines for their rejuvenating skin benefits and their potential for thumb-stopping Instagrams — as demonstrated by Kim Kardashian in 2018. But Diamond’s latest must-have procedure among celebrity circles can be done in the comfort of your own home with the release of a […]
ON-THE-GO ESSENTIAL
The Beauty Sandwich
“My Beauty Sandwich SS02 Snatching Sauce does everything,” Pol says. Warm it between your fingers and massage it into the skin (or lips!) to re-energize facial fat for a plump look. “Think of it as a fatty serum — richer than your usual cream and nourishing.”
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YES, YOU CAN USE YOGURT
“I swear by organic, whole-fat yogurt as a cleanser,” Pol says. “It has lactic acid and is rich in fat,” he notes, which is why he uses it as a mild exfoliating cleanser or natural peel.
Head to Pol’s Instagram to see some of the stars he’s worked with, including Gracie Abrams, Penélope Cruz and Teyana Taylor.
Camila Morrone smiling in a wedding dress in Something Very Bad Is Going to HappenImage via Netflix
When a show that’s clearly meant for a niche audience manages to enter the mainstream despite a negligible marketing push, you know it’s going to be something out of the ordinary. Viewers across the world seem to be deciding for themselves if Netflix’s new eight-part horror series is actually as good as everyone says it is. Created by Haley Z. Boston and executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers, the show has now spent a full week on the streamer’s viewership rankings. It’s competing against a Nordic noir mystery series, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, and the recently released third season of XO, Kitty, the spin-off to Netflix’s popular teen romance film trilogy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
The new horror series serves as a star-making vehicle for Camila Morrone, best known for Daisy Jones & the Six and the second season of The Night Manager. In the new show, she plays a young woman on the verge of marrying her supposed soulmate, played by Adam DiMarco. However, things take a turn for the worst when they arrive at the wedding venue, the groom’s sinister-looking family manor in the middle of nowhere. Boston has said in interviews that the show is an analogy for the millennial experience, particularly the commitment-phobia that people of a certain generation often go through.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
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Here’s Your New Horror Binge Watch
We’re talking, of course, about the evocatively-titled new series, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Combining the rich atmospheric lore of The Shining with the creepy thrills of Rosemary’s Baby, the series has received positive reviews. It holds a “Certified Fresh” 88% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Marrying horror and atmospheric storytelling to thrilling effect, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen ably transports newlywed jitters to the surrealist realm of binge-worthy TV.” In her review, Collider’s Jasneet Singh described it as “a visually stunning watch that effectively employs all the camera tricks at its disposal to tell a tale as old as time, one where the uncertainty around soulmates takes on a more sinister form.” According to FlixPatrol, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen has spent over a week on Netflix’s domestic and global viewership charts, having peaked at the number one position. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
Network
Netflix
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Showrunner
Haley Z. Boston
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Directors
Weronika Tofilska, Axelle Carolyn, Lisa Brühlmann
Writers
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Ben Bolea, Kate Trefry, Alex Delyle, Alana B. Lytle, Haley Z. Boston
Margot Robbie on the red carpetDoug Peters/PA Images/INSTARimages
After landing like a hot summer storm, one of the most controversial movies of 2026 made its PVOD debut this week. The movie had a stupendous run in theaters, but it seemed to disappear from the public’s consciousness rather rapidly after generating significant buzz. The film marked a return to form for star and producer Margot Robbie, who needed the win in order to consolidate her success after Barbie. That movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, grossed $1.4 billion worldwide and was a bona fide cultural phenomenon. Robbie’s follow-up project, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, tanked both critically and commercially in 2025. While her 2026 release wasn’t exactly a four-quadrant hit, it still did well enough to put her back on track.
The movie divided critics with its controversial interpretation of a classic text, filtering complex themes for a generation that has grown up online. It also featured Jacob Elordi, one of the stars of perhaps the defining show of the generation, HBO’s Euphoria. He’s set to return in the third season of the series this month, now as an Oscar nominee. Elordi was nominated for his performance as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro‘s critically acclaimed Frankenstein, which was released on Netflix in 2025.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
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Margot Robbie’s New Movie Is Finding a Larger Audience at Home
The new movie starring Elordi and Robbie is Wuthering Heights, of course. Written and directed by the Oscar-winning Emerald Fennell, the movie grossed around $240 million at the worldwide box office, against a reported budget of $80 million. It now holds a 57% critics’ score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Liberally adapting Emily Brontë’s classic story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic stylization, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights might not be the stuff of high literature, but it is a visually vibrant pleasure.” The R-rated romantic drama’s significantly higher 76% audience score sets it up for a solid run on the PVOD market. According to FlixPatrol, Wuthering Heights emerged as one of the most-watched movies on the domestic Amazon and Vudu charts immediately after its debut. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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February 13, 2026
Runtime
136 Minutes
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Director
Emerald Fennell
Writers
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Emerald Fennell, Emily Brontë
Producers
Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Emerald Fennell, Josey McNamara
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