Few filmmakers have freewheeled between genres and topics quite as gracefully as Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). The Academy Award winner has directed everything from zombie horror with 28 Days Later, science fiction with Sunshine to the world of Steve Jobs but for his next movie, Boyle is turning his attention to the newspaper business, and more precisely, the group of people who helped change British journalism forever.

The first teaser trailer for Ink has officially been released ahead of the movie’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The movie will receive a limited theatrical release beginning December 11 before arriving on Netflix in the United States and Latin America on January 8. Based on the Olivier Award-winning play of the same name, Ink has been described as an “explosive cinematic roller coaster”.

Based on James Graham’s Tony-winning play of the same name, and starring Jack O’Connell (Sinners), alongside Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) and Claire Foy (The Crown), Boyle’s new film tears open the world of tabloid journalism in electrifying fashion. The film is an explosive cinematic roller coaster about a group of visionaries and misfits who had an idea for a new kind of news — one that would give the people what they want and would change the face of the world we live in today.

What Is ‘Ink’ About?

The movie follows a young Rupert Murdoch as he takes over a struggling The Sun. Murdoch teams up with ambitious editor Larry Lamb, and the pair build a smutty, trashy product that focuses on what the working class actually want in their lives, and in doing so, transforming the media landscape. Murdoch is an Australian who holds bitterness towards the British Establishment for not allowing him to play in their sandbox, while Lamb is a working-class northerner from Yorkshire, and Murdoch approaches Lamb with the goal of overtaking the number one newspaper in Britain, The Daily Mirror, within one year. Lamb soon realizes that readers do not necessarily want heavy political coverage. He reshapes The Sun around what people actually love in their daily lives: TV listings, weather, sports, gossip, and sex.

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Release Date

December 11, 2026

Runtime

116 minutes

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Director

Danny Boyle

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Writers

James Graham

Producers

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Tessa Ross, Tracey Seaward, Michael Ellenberg, Danny Boyle

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Cast

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  Jack O’Connell

  Larry Lamb

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  Christopher Fulford

  Frank Nicklin

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Julia Stiles has fans convinced she really could be heading to “Dancing with the Stars“ after finally making her TikTok debut. The actress’ arrival on the platform quickly fueled existing casting rumors, with fans already imagining what she could bring to the ballroom.

The response also highlighted an enduring affection for Stiles and the roles that made her a defining star of the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Julia Stiles has officially joined TikTok, and the timing is giving fans another reason to wonder whether a ballroom debut could be next. “Hi, I’m Julia Stiles, and I finally decided to join TikTok,” the actress said in her first video before beginning to introduce herself through some of her best-known work.

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Stiles certainly has plenty to choose from. She became a breakout star as Kat Stratford opposite Heath Ledger in 1999’s “10 Things I Hate About You,” earning an MTV Movie Award for the performance.

Two years later, she showed off her moves in “Save the Last Dance,” playing aspiring ballerina Sara Johnson. Stiles performed most of her own dancing in the movie, which earned her MTV Movie Awards for Best Female Performance and Best Kiss.

She later became a familiar face in the “Bourne” franchise and appeared in the 2019 hit “Hustlers.”

Fans Are Convinced Stiles Is Joining ‘DWTS’

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Fans wasted little time connecting Stiles’ new social media presence to the swirling “Dancing with the Stars” rumors.

Under a Reddit post sharing her TikTok debut, one commenter declared, “Oh she really is doing DWTS isn’t she,” while another wrote, “So the DWTS [rumors] ARE true.” Someone else was already looking ahead, saying, “I’m so excited to see Julia on Dancing with the Stars!”

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Others immediately began imagining how Stiles’ movie history could make its way onto the ballroom floor. One fan insisted, “She has to do this dance at some point during the show. HAS TO,” while another predicted producers would have her recreate one of her memorable routines.

The reaction wasn’t limited to speculation about “DWTS.” Fans celebrated seeing Stiles back in the spotlight, praised her career, and flooded the thread with references to her past roles.

Julia Stiles’ ‘DWTS’ Rumors Have Been Building For Weeks

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Stiles’ potential casting in “Dancing with the Stars” was first reported on August 20, with the actress rumored to be among the celebrities competing on Season 35. Another clue arrived this week when Stiles was photographed checking into a New York City hotel on September 1.

Several professional dancers from the show had reportedly been seen at the same hotel ahead of the cast reveal. The full lineup is scheduled to be announced on “Good Morning America” on September 2.

Stiles has also made no secret of her affection for the competition. In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, she called “DWTS” her “Monday Night Football” and admitted that conversations about participating had already happened.

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Why Stiles Hadn’t Joined ‘DWTS’ Before

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In the interview, Stiles explained that living in New York City made it difficult to join the competition.  “We’ve talked about me doing it, but I live in New York City, so it would be hard,” she said. The actress even floated a possible solution, joking, “Maybe they could do an East Coast version.”

“Dancing with the Stars” is traditionally based in Los Angeles, where contestants spend weeks rehearsing with their professional partners before performing live.

Stiles’ home base isn’t her only commitment. At the time of the interview, she was living in New York with her husband, Preston Cook, and their three young sons. She was also promoting “Wish You Were Here,” which marked her feature directorial debut.

‘Save The Last Dance’ Could Set A High ‘DWTS’ Bar For Julia Stiles

If Stiles does enter the ballroom, her famous dance-movie past could prove to be a double-edged sword. “Save the Last Dance” gives her something most potential contestants don’t have: viewers already associate her with dancing.

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But that doesn’t necessarily mean she would arrive with ballroom-ready skills. While making the 2001 film, Stiles admitted she had to prove herself as a dancer because she didn’t want producers relying heavily on doubles. She handled the hip-hop herself but required a double for pointe work and acknowledged having to work particularly hard on the ballet scenes.

That distinction could matter on “DWTS.” Stiles may benefit from being comfortable learning choreography and performing it for an audience, but her movie experience could also set an unusually high bar before she takes a single competitive step.

Fans expecting Sara Johnson 25 years later might therefore become one of her toughest audiences. The nostalgia would give Stiles an immediate storyline, but it could leave her with less room to surprise viewers.

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A single awkward moment at a wedding was enough to reignite one of Hollywood’s most persistent talking points. 

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber found themselves under the microscope yet again after video from Finneas O’Connell and Claudia Sulewski’s Montecito wedding appeared to capture a tense interaction between the couple. 

However, while online speculation quickly spiraled, those close to the pair insist the footage reveals less about a marriage in trouble and more about the intense dynamic that has defined their relationship from the beginning.

The latest wave of scrutiny began when footage surfaced from O’Connell and Sulewski’s lavish California wedding. 

In the clip, Hailey appeared animated while speaking with Justin Bieber before seemingly walking away, prompting immediate discussion online about whether the pair were experiencing another rough patch.

The timing only added fuel to the speculation. The moment arrived just weeks before the couple’s eighth wedding anniversary and followed a year filled with rumors about Justin’s health, public behavior, and the state of their marriage. 

Yet insiders pushed back on the narrative that the exchange signaled deeper issues. “Hailey bickers with Justin all the time, so a wedding spat, if any, was probably just a minor flare-up,” a source told the Daily Mail. 

According to the insider, the couple remains deeply committed to one another and are still planning for the future together. Another source echoed that sentiment, describing the interaction as a reflection of their passionate personalities rather than evidence of marital trouble.

For the couple’s friends, the footage showed something familiar: two people who argue openly yet remain intensely connected. 

The source added that they are “crazy in love and committed to each other, make no mistake,” despite the public fascination with every perceived disagreement.

Justin’s Emotional Nature Said To Shape Marriage Dynamic

While the wedding footage generated headlines, insiders suggested the interaction offered a glimpse into a relationship dynamic that has existed for years. 

One source claimed that disagreements between the couple often stem from Justin Bieber’s sensitive personality.

“Justin and Hailey often get in fights because Justin is fragile and she knows how to push his buttons,” the insider said. 

Even so, those close to them insist arguments rarely linger for long. “The makeup happens before any sort of breakup, because they are definitely addicted to each other,” the source added.

Friends say Hailey entered the marriage fully aware of the challenges that could come with loving someone who experienced extraordinary fame at a young age. 

According to one insider, Justin still struggles with “immaturity, impulsiveness and difficulty communicating,” traits they believe are linked to growing up under relentless public scrutiny.

Justin Bieber And Hailey Continue Battling Public Narratives

The wedding conversation is only the latest chapter in a year dominated by public speculation surrounding the Biebers. 

Questions intensified after Justin’s controversial Instagram tribute celebrating Hailey’s first Vogue cover, in which he recalled telling her during a past argument that she would “never” achieve the milestone.

The post sparked backlash and was later edited, but it became one of several incidents that fueled online concern. 

Around the same period, social media users dissected the singer’s posts, public appearances, and resurfaced footage connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs, leading to further scrutiny of the singer.

Through it all, Hailey has spoken candidly about the toll of constant rumors. In a 2025 interview with Vogue Italia, she described the endless claims about her marriage as a “mindf***,” explaining, “I cannot even begin to explain it. It’s a crazy life to live.”

She also addressed the frustration of trying to correct misinformation, saying, “I’ve been in a position where I’ve tried to tell my side of a story or correct a narrative or tell the truth of a lie and then they go, ‘Well, she’s lying.’ Imagine how trapping that feels.”

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Justin’s Summer Photo Dump Offered Different Look At Family Life

If the wedding footage that sparked speculation showed one side of Justin Bieber and Hailey’s relationship, the weeks leading up to it painted a very different picture. 

Earlier in August, the “Baby” singer shared a collection of summer memories on Instagram that largely focused on family time with Hailey and their son, Jack Blues. 

Among the most talked-about images was a selfie taken at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. In the photo, Justin and Hailey shared a kiss while sitting in the stands, with Hailey’s upgraded oval-cut engagement ring also visible. 

The post included several other snapshots from their summer, including Justin cuddling Jack, relaxing by a lake, and enjoying quieter moments away from the spotlight. 

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The photos were followed by additional glimpses of family life shared by Hailey, including images of Jack learning baseball and spending time outdoors. 

Justin Bieber And Hailey Mark Son Jack’s Second Birthday

The family-centered summer continued just days later when Justin and Hailey celebrated a major milestone: son Jack Blues’s second birthday on August 22. 

The couple, who have largely shielded Jack from public view since his birth in 2024, marked the occasion with a series of sweet but carefully curated tributes. 

According to PEOPLE, Hailey first shared a photo of Jack’s birthday breakfast on Instagram Stories. The centerpiece was a pair of mouse-shaped pancakes topped with whipped cream and pink birthday candles. 

She paired the image with Justin’s song “Everything Hallelujah” and simply wrote “2” alongside a heart emoji. 

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She later followed up with additional birthday tributes, including rare family photos and pictures of Jack, while continuing the couple’s long-standing practice of keeping his face hidden from public view. One caption described him as “our sweet baby” as she celebrated the milestone.

Below Deck stars have made headlines for their time on the show — but they have also shocked viewers with their legal troubles behind the scenes.

After wrapping up his time on Below Deck Adventure early, Kyle Dickard got in trouble with the law. In November 2022, Dickard was arrested after he ran onto a soccer field during a game and allegedly tried to bribe authorities to let him go.

According to court documents, the reality star was taken into custody after he ran from the stands into the stadium. Dickard was apprehended by security, but he resisted and was ultimately tackled to the ground. He attempted to run back onto the field before being arrested.

The arrest report stated that Dickard’s behavior “caused the crowd to become unruly” and “incited several others to run onto the field” during the event. The Bravo personality, for his part, didn’t appear worried about his legal woes.

“How it started vs. How it ended 😅 I would of scored if I had a belt on…js,” Dickard wrote via Instagram about the incident shortly after his release. The social media post included footage of him getting ready to run onto the field and a copy of his mugshot.

Dickard is not the only Below Deck alum who got arrested after appearing in the franchise. In 2016, Kate Chastain was charged with battery by strangulation domestic violence after getting into a fight with her girlfriend.

Chastain allegedly bit Rocío “Ro” Hernandez on the forearm, inner bicep and leg after returning to their shared home from a bar. According to body cam footage obtained by Florida Today, the chief stew accused Hernandez of being the one who instigated an argument.

“It’s been a horrible week. It’s been broken glass, fighting, screaming,” she explained to the authorities. “Because I’m on television [I didn’t report it to the police], and I don’t really need a news report coming out that I have a lesbian domestic violence.”

After news of her arrest broke, Chastain took to social media to address the legal trouble, tweeting, “Thank you for your support during this difficult & humiliating time. The truth will come out & I look forward to regaining peace in my life.”

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The charges against the Below Deck star were later dropped. For Chastain, the experience caused her to reconsider her approach to dating.

“I’m a little more cautious about who I date because people can appear one way and then be totally different,” she said during an interview in 2018. “Fortunately, that’s all gone away.”

Scroll down to see which other Below Deck alums have faced legal woes over the years:

Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star will be replaced after it was vandalized following her death.

“When we arrived, a custodian was cleaning and told us a woman kicked candles around, then with the shards of one, scratched the star,” a social media user stated in a Tuesday, September 1, Instagram video that depicted dark markings and scratches over the star. “Then a man came and stole the flowers that were there.”

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has confirmed it will replace the star, sharing via the Hollywood Historic Trust’s Instagram on Tuesday that work had begun. “The Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are proud to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton with a replacement of her star,” a caption with a photo of the site, which showed safety tape encircling the star, read. “The new star will be available for viewing this Friday.”

According to reporting by TMZ on Tuesday, Ana Martinez, a representative for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the replacement had been scheduled prior to the vandalism after “cracks” had begun to appear in the star.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Loved Ones Visit Cemetery With Flowers 3 Days After Her Death

Dolly Parton’s loved ones gathered at her burial site in Nashville three days after the singer’s death. Parton’s closest relatives, including her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, were spotted arriving at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, August 28, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six. Seaver reportedly coordinated […]

The outlet also reported that a fan had informed the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce about the scratches and stolen flowers on the evening of Monday, August 31.

Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died following a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Three days later, family members were spotted arriving at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum for Dolly’s funeral. (Parton was buried beside her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.)

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The country music icon’s great-niece, Lainey Mae Parton, confirmed via social media that an intimate memorial service was staged on Friday, August 28. “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote via Instagram the following day. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”

Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, also honored her sister via social media on Saturday. “Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida, 69, wrote via Facebook at the time. “I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”

The post continued, “Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”

An era of excess and exuberance, the 1980s is fondly remembered for its unrestrained sense of style, its appetite for daring new horizons, and the many ways in which it saw technological advancements transform the world. Unsurprisingly, the movies of the ‘80s hold some very similar qualities, with the cinema of the decade today being renowned for its pioneering, genre-blending bravado, its unreserved sense of action awe, and its innovative use of filmmaking tools like practical special effects and early CGI.

It was also a decade of fun-loving cinema. Many movies were designed to be epic experiences that excite and enthrall, and while not every picture from the era has aged gracefully, many of the best have endured as beloved classics that people still return to 40 years later for a dose of gleeful escapism and enchanting joy. From some of the decade’s most defining action masterpieces to sci-fi adventure gems that are the pinnacle of movie magic, these eight ‘80s flicks stand as some of the most fun pictures the medium has ever seen.

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‘Evil Dead 2’ (1987)

Image via Rosebud Releasing Corporation

Wedged between the frenetic indie chills of The Evil Dead and the comedic fervor of Army of Darkness, Evil Dead 2 thrives as a faultless marriage of humor and horror that stands as one of the greatest mid-trilogy movies of all time as it soars off the back of Sam Raimi’s inspired, kinetic direction and Bruce Campbell’s iconic performance. He stars as Ash Williams, a university student who takes his girlfriend to a remote cabin for a getaway only to find himself plunged into a waking nightmare when he plays an audio tape that summons the spirits of the dead.

While there are plenty of frights and thrills on offer, Evil Dead 2 handles them with a sense of infectious fun that makes every jolting jump scare feel like an eruption of chaotic excitement. This approach is beautifully complimented by the film’s eccentric mixture of cartoonish gore and slapstick comedy, which works in tandem with its fast-paced storytelling and Campbell’s committed performance to create a spectacle of bloodshed and bravado that makes for one of the most maniacally magnificent movies ever made.

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‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)

Image via Orion Pictures

There’s an old adage that states, “if it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid.” This applies to few comedy movies quite as well as it does the irreverent 1989 cult classic, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Powered by the winning chemistry between stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, it follows the two titular high school heavy metal heroes as they receive help from a time traveler to pass their history assignment by journeying to pivotal historical moments to return with key figures who will aid them in their presentation.

Charming, goofy, and smart enough to never outstay its welcome, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure blends the absurdity of its premise with a cheerful tale of friendship and teenage ambition that has the ability to endear itself to everyone. Bereft of cynicism and mean-spirited judgment, it delivers 90 minutes of chaotic time-travel lunacy that is never anything but a triumphant treat of escapist glee and shambolic hilarity, no matter how many times it is rewatched and enjoyed anew.

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‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the defining filmmakers of the ‘80s, a pioneer of blockbuster brilliance who spent the decade churning out some of the most agelessly exciting movies ever made. Raiders of the Lost Ark is among his greatest triumphs in the realm of sheer cinematic fun, with the rollicking action-adventure classic blending fast-paced thrills with old-fashioned serial charm as it follows archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in his globe-trotting quest to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can acquire it and use its power for evil.

Contrary to much of the machismo of the decade, Raiders of the Lost Ark thrives at realizing Indy as a deeply relatable hero who relies on luck and his wits to accomplish his mission without dying. Further enhanced by its ravishing action set pieces, Spielberg’s absorbing directorial style, John Williams’ iconic score, and the relentless tempo of the story, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a fiery, fun-filled masterclass in action blockbuster cinema at its most engaging that is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when released 45 years ago.

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‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Meshing together the joys of 20th century cartoon chaos with a clever reinvention of old-school film noir, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an icon of ‘80s cinema that excels even today as one of the most delightfully unhinged and creative movies mainstream comedy has ever seen. Set in a world where animated critters and humans co-exist, it follows a private detective in 1940s L.A. who struggles to overcome his prejudice against “toons” when he becomes the last hope of movie star Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for the murder of a Hollywood studio exec.

Bob Hoskins’ ability to give a convincing performance and conjure a sense of chemistry while acting against thin air is a feat to behold, as is the sheer creative might of the innovative blending of animation and live-action. It would be easy to remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit for its groundbreaking ambition, and while that is a significant part of the film’s legacy, the 1988 classic is rightfully heralded by many today primarily for its magnetic madcap humor, crafty toying with film noir tropes, and its air of pervasive playfulness that has seen it endure as one of the most energetic and fun films of all time.

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‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Throughout cinematic history, there has been no better decade for action than the 1980s. Die Hard stands tall among the very best movies the genre has ever seen as it combines its era’s penchant for all-out explosive excess with razor-sharp screenwriting, relentless high-stakes thrills, and one of the greatest movie heroes of all time. It follows John McClane (Bruce Willis), a NYPD cop visiting his family in L.A. for the holidays when his estranged wife’s office Christmas party is taken hostage by a crew of European terrorists. McClane enters a deadly battle of wits against Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) to save the hostages before time runs out.

More than just a masterpiece of action cinema, Die Hard actively recalibrated the style of the genre by implementing the contained suspense of its confined setting and reinventing machismo heroism with an air of vulnerability and human flaws. Coupled with its frenetic pacing, ensemble of unforgettable characters, and its underlying festive fun, Die Hard is the pinnacle of action movie awe that, even almost 40 years on, remains the gold standard of blockbuster cinema.

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‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

Back to the Future has been receiving high praise from critics and fans alike for 41 years now, and somehow all the acclaim isn’t enough to truly recognize its brilliance. Bolstered by a masterful screenplay, a litany of unforgettable characters, and genre-blending perfection, every second of the sci-fi adventure delivers ecstatic excitement as it follows 17-year-old Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) who, after traveling 30 years back in time and interrupting a pivotal moment in his parents’ relationship, must save his own existence by saving their first date all while trying to figure out a way to return to 1985.

Its adventurous spirit is never anything short of triumphant, while its comedy fun, sci-fi spectacle, and romantic charm are all deftly entwined to make for one of the most addictive and absorbing viewing experiences in cinematic history. From the one-liners to the heroic triumphs, the quirky joyousness, and even to Alex Silvestri’s enthusing score, every element of Back to the Future works in tandem to deliver what is one of the most engrossing and innocently fun movies ever made.

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‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

A playful spin on fantasy storytelling that pokes fun at the genre’s tropes while finding new ways to perfect them, The Princess Bride is the ultimate post-modern fairy tale. A rollicking adventure accentuated by inflections of enrapturing hilarity and a touching heart of romantic earnestness, the ‘80s cult classic is the epitome of cinematic fun. Operating with a beautiful story-within-a-story premise, it largely transpires in the magical realm of Florin as a farmer-turned-swashbuckler journeys to rescue his love from a forced marriage to a cruel prince with help from a friendly giant and a vengeful Spaniard.

A beautiful concoction of Rob Reiner’s astute direction and William Goldman’s infectious writing, The Princess Bride brims with enrapturing fun and intoxicating adventure. Every single character is brought to the screen with popping personality and precision, while sequences like the duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity and Inigo Montoya’s (Mandy Patinkin) fateful clash with the man who murdered his father make some of the most entertaining and emotionally gratifying action sequences of all time. Absorbing, charming, and relentlessly enthusiastic, The Princess Bride embodies cinematic fun at its most vibrant and universally accessible.

1

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

Image via Paramount Pictures

When done well, spoof comedy makes for one of the most enjoyable forms of cinematic entertainment. No movie in the subgenre has proven this quite like Airplane!, with the 1980 comedy classic delivering multiple laughs every minute as it lampoons the disaster movies of the 1970s with acidic wit, hilarious wordplay, and a healthy appetite for unbridled comic absurdity. It transpires aboard a commercial flight as a vicious bout of food poisoning runs through the passengers and crew, leaving a traumatized ex-fighter pilot to land the plane safely while Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) sees to the sick.

Complimented by its strait-laced delivery, Airplane! revels in the juxtaposition of high-stakes tension—a point accentuated by Elmer Bernstein’s score—and sheer lunacy, giving it a certain unpredictability that allows every gag, even the background ones viewers won’t see until a second watch, to land with uproarious results. Its success and lasting cultural impact have inspired parody comedy movies over the past 46 years, but none have come close to matching the hysterical brilliance and sheer fun lunacy that Airplane! delivers with every single second of its 88-minute runtime.

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Airplane!

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Release Date

July 2, 1980

Runtime

88 minutes

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Director

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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Writers

Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, John C. Champion, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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Many iconic and popular video games, such as Red Dead Redemption 2, innovated the medium with immersive new gameplay and gaming experiences. When games get popular, they become franchises, and there are many faces in the industry, like Master Chief in Halo. However, there isn’t a more iconic and legendary face of gaming than Mario, everyone’s favorite mustachioed plumber.

Whereas most video games try to stay in their lane, Mario has no problem delving into unexplored territory with new genres every year. That is why this list will celebrate the Super Mario Bros. games that are truly perfect based on aspects such as gameplay, design, influence, originality, variety, entertainment value, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. This list will aim for a variety of franchises, including spin-offs and mainline platforms.

‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ (2017)

Image via Ubisoft

Nintendo and Mario are synonymous, mainly because the character is a figurehead of the company. However, they have outsourced it a couple of times, and the result was a game like Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. When a time machine warps the two franchises into one, the two groups of characters must team up in order to defeat the mega-Rabbid and get back to their own reality.

Nintendo leaving their biggest franchise in the hands of another company is rare, and the pressure to make a good game is bigger than ever, so the developers must have had a sigh of relief when Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle turned out well. The strategic turn-based combat is something completely different yet welcome for Mario, creating a tactical shooter with engaging gameplay and a fun Mario vibe.

‘Super Mario Strikers’ (2005)

Image via Nintendo

Mario + Rabbids isn’t a major spin-off, but Nintendo has a few other popular side adventures, such as Mario sports games. Mario sports games are very hit or miss, but one that was a massive hit was Super Mario Strikers. In this game, players team up into a group of 5 and take on other teams in underground soccer/football competitions with extreme gameplay.

There are a few other sports games that could be here, but Super Mario Strikers stands out because it abandons the traditional vibe for something more aggressive and edgy. Fast-paced action paired with cinematic power-ups and surges of extreme gameplay, Super Mario Strikers is an addictive title that establishes itself as the best Mario sports video game.

‘Super Mario Sunshine’ (2002)

There are a handful of spin-off games on this list, but everyone knows and loves Mario because of mainline 3D platformers, such as Super Mario Sunshine. Going on vacation to a beach city, Mario doesn’t get any time to relax when he is framed for polluting the city. Now needing to clean it up, he sets out to find the one framing him for this crime and take them down.

While this may be seen as a controversial choice, especially since every 3D platformer is phenomenal, Super Mario Sunshine is an underrated yet beloved cult classic. The graphics were ahead of their time, specifically the water motions and attacks. However, more than that, this nostalgic video game boasts an engaging core mechanic while also highlighting an interconnected set of levels in a world that is fun to explore.

‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ (2024)

Image via Nintendo

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Nintendo has a lot of new ways to put a new coat of paint on Mario, as evident from this list, but that also includes party games. Mario Party is a board game-style franchise that has players roll dice to make their way around a map and compete in mini-games in order to collect enough coins to purchase a star. At the end of the game, the player with the most stars wins, but there are plenty of mini-games, twists, and roadblocks to make the outcome unexpected.

There are so many fantastic Mario Party games, especially nostalgic ones, but the best is arguably the most recent one, Super Mario Party Jamboree. It remasters plenty of classic mini-games and board game map styles to bring back what fans love while still being something new. As one of the most fun Nintendo video games, it is an absolute delight that is even better with friends or family, even if it might make some enemies.

‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder’ (2023)

Image via Nintendo

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Mario originally started as a 2D platformer, but the longer the franchise has gone on, it has transitioned into the 3D realm. However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought back that 2D style with a modern twist to make it better than ever. Bowser has grown tired of the Mushroom Kingdom, now setting his sights on the Flower Kingdom, which he takes control of using the powers of the Wonder Flower to fuse himself with the castle. Luckily, Mario and Luigi are here to stop him.

The Nintendo Switch is one of the best Nintendo consoles, especially for Mario, since it added so many new games and remakes. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play 2D platformer that reinvented the franchise with wacky gimmicks and bizarre unpredictability. But this fresh twist made Mario better than ever, using its imaginative mechanics to create an invigorating sense of play unlike anything else in the franchise.

‘Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’ (2004)

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Mario is mainly a platforming franchise, and this list proves it, since half of the entries are either 2D or 3D platformers. However, the franchise also consists of some magnificent RPG titles, such as Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The game follows Mario as he travels to a port town in order to help Princess Peach open the titular door. However, once he arrives, he discovers that the princess has been kidnapped by an alien race known as the X-Nauts.

There are so many Mario spin-off titles, but no one expected the RPG genre to be so prolific for the plumber, delivering multiple masterpieces. However, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door stands above the rest because of its engaging timed button gameplay that adds a nice sense of flow to the game. Compelling and charming, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an underrated Mario gem that is one of the best turn-based RPG titles.

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ (2017)

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As mentioned with Super Mario Sunshine, 3D platformers are easily the peak of the franchise, and the newest entry is still one of the greatest. Super Mario Odyssey follows the traditional Mario storyline with Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach to serve as his bride. Mario must now travel around multiple kingdoms to find and save her.

Fans are still waiting for the next 3D platformer from Mario, but Super Mario Odyssey is still the most expansive and ambitious project, making the wait more manageable. The many sandbox worlds are jam-packed with collectibles and platforming genius, making traversal fluid and fun. The capture mechanic changed the game, literally, adding another layer of gameplay that made everything even more compelling.

‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ (2017)

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The Wii U is one of Nintendo’s worst-selling consoles of all time, nearly bankrupting the company. When the Nintendo Switch came along and proved successful, Nintendo found an opportunity to port most of the Wii U exclusives; such was the case with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Players can select an array of racers and embark on trials, cups, tournaments, and battles. This game offers a large range of courses and races to compete in online, single-player, or couch co-op.

Every Mario game is fun, but there is a different level of enjoyability that comes with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe because of the number of levels, customizability, characters, and mechanical depth. The intricate design of the courses made it so they not only look impressive, but also offer a wide variety of surprises, routes, and fun. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is chaotic and endlessly replayable, highlighting its prestige as one of the most essential Nintendo video games.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1985)

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Super Mario Bros. Wonder is arguably the best 2D platformer in the franchise according to modern-day standards, but there is no more iconic and legendary game than the first Super Mario Bros. Very similar to every Mario game, the titular plumber travels throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, jumping on Koopas and going to the wrong castle in order to find and rescue Princess Peach, who has been captured by the evil King Koopa, Bowser.

It may not be the best Nintendo video game, but that is only because the Mario franchise has evolved into bigger things. Super Mario Bros. changed the way gaming is handled, partly because it single-handedly saved the industry with its popularity. Even if it is dated, Super Mario Bros. still holds up as an influential classic with game design 101 techniques that define the franchise and industry.

‘Super Mario Galaxy’ (2007)

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This list has proven that Mario has a plethora of incredible franchises, from Mario Party to Mario sports games. However, when it is all said and done, nothing beats a 3D Mario platformer, and the best of that bunch is undoubtedly Super Mario Galaxy. After Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, Mario sets off on a planet-hopping quest around the galaxy in order to find her. With the help of Rosalina, he can travel around the cosmos and rescue Peach before it is too late.

Every 3D Mario platformer is essential, but Super Mario Galaxy is a step above the rest, remaining a nostalgic icon that innovated an already flawless franchise. When it comes to Mario, Super Mario Galaxy should be the first game that comes to mind simply because of its profound beauty, gameplay innovation, and representation of the character. The Red Plumber has never played better than in this game, proving it isn’t just the best Mario game, but one of the most fun video games of all time.

After Practical Magic’s Evan Rachel Wood was replaced by Joey King in the film’s sequel, Wood has thrown shade at the original cast and crew.

“I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me because no one who worked on the original film did. She’s a sweetheart,” Wood, 38, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, September 1. The jab comes after Wood’s 1998 role as one of Sandra Bullock’s Sally Owens’ daughters, Kylie Owens, was recast with King, 27, replacing her in the upcoming Practical Magic 2.

King had told The Hollywood Reporter at the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2 on Monday, August 31, that she’d shared a “lovely” conversation with Wood in light of the casting switch-up.

“I just was so appreciative of the support that she showed to me and to the rest of the cast. She is so talented and so beautiful and she made this role so special when she was a young girl,” King told the outlet. “I feel so grateful to be able to play Kylie at this age but I love Evan so much and I’m so appreciative of her kind words and the exchange that her and I shared.”

Related: Why Evan Rachel Wood Won’t Return For ‘Practical Magic 2’

Evan Rachel Wood shot down speculation of her return to the Practical Magic universe. The actress, 37, posted a statement via her Instagram Stories on Friday, July 11 clearing up any rumors surrounding her potential return for the sequel. “I am getting asked about this a lot, so I’ll just clear it up now,” she […]

Wood revealed in July 2025 that she wouldn’t be returning for the sequel amid confirmed reappearances from the film’s leads, Bullock, 62, and Nicole Kidman.

Sharing the news via her Instagram Stories at the time, Wood wrote, “I am getting asked about this a lot, so l’ll just clear it up now; I was not asked to come back and be in the Practical Magic sequel. l offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line. I was told they are recasting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.”

In July, Wood expanded her take on the casting redirection during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I read the book and it seems like they’re not following the book,” Wood told the outlet earlier this year. “I think in the book it would have made sense to bring me back; I think in the way they’re redoing it and approaching it, it didn’t make sense.”

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Wood’s Practical Magic costar, Alexandra Artrip, was also omitted from the sequel with Maisie Williams replacing her as Kylie’s sister, Antonia Owens.

The sequel’s director, Susanne Bier, told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday that a recasting was necessary due to creating a “certain age group” in the sequel. She told the outlet, “In the story, they’re just, like, literally out of college, and with Joey and Maisie it just felt completely right.”

Joining Bullock and Kidman, 59, in reprising their original roles, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are back as the witchy aunts of the leads’ sibling characters.