Entertainment
10 Greatest Fantasy Movie Masterpieces of the Last 80 Years, Ranked
In times of turmoil, it’s nice to have an escape, and there’s no better escape than fantasy movies. They whisk us away to far-off lands where good actually triumphs over evil and magic is real. It beats doomscrolling into oblivion, that’s for sure. Even when they turn dark, as many fantasy films do, they can still enthrall us with their enchanting visuals and imaginative storytelling. There is no shortage of fantasy film masterpieces going all the way back through film history, and even limiting a list to the last eighty years leaves us with an embarrassment of riches.
The greatest fantasy films found across the last eight decades come from well-known franchises, major studios, and master filmmakers. They offer a wide swath of the variety found within the genre, from family-friendly animation to dark adult fairytales. There are films of low fantasy made with minimal to no advanced technology and high fantasy blockbusters featuring the most state-of-the-art effects available at the time. There’s more than just one way to get from once upon a time to happily ever after, and these ten fantasy movie masterpieces made in the last eighty years do it the best.
10
‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
Whimsical isn’t a word you’d associate with many movies, but it’s absolutely apt when describing the 1964 fantasy musical Mary Poppins. From the earworm songs to the technically impressive combination of animation and live action and Julie Andrews‘ Oscar-winning performance, there’s an overload of whimsy. Though it may be a thoroughly Disneyfied adaptation of the character created by P.L. Travers, who had many issues with the film version of her books, there’s no denying the musical magic of it. It is the epitome of the House of Mouse and its old-fashioned sensibilities and everlasting optimism.
As the titular nanny who floats down out of the sky to care for the unruly Banks children, Andrews is more than just a spoonful of sugar in her many song-and-dance numbers with impeccable vocals and elegant footwork. She provides the perfect balance of no-nonsense authority and cheerful exuberance. There is no Mary Poppins without Andrews, but the film around her is immaculately crafted, too. Shot entirely on soundstages, it has a fantastically heightened design, and the use of the sodium vapor process to allow the actors to believably interact with animated elements looks better than some modern iterations of the effect.
9
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
This isn’t just a list designed to glaze Disney, but there’s no denying the impact the company has had on the fantasy genre, and nowhere is that more apparent than in their many classic animated fairytales. From Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty to Frozen and Encanto, the studio has delivered magical movie after magical movie, but their fantasy masterpiece is without a doubt the Renaissance-era classic Beauty and the Beast. It brought back the award-winning musical duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who delivered more magical numbers alongside the gorgeous animation, the combination of which made the film a modern Disney classic.
Retelling the classic French fairy tale for modern American audiences, the film makes its protagonist, Belle, an independent woman thrust into fantastical circumstances when she’s taken captive by the titular Beast, a prince cursed for his vanity. The Stockholm Syndrome aspects of the plot notwithstanding, the film weaves a wonderfully enchanted tale as old as time. On a technical level, it is still breathtaking to behold, combining hand-drawn animation with CGI for one of the most fluid and lush movies in Disney’s catalog. Beauty and the Beast broke major barriers for animated films, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture that solidified its artistic merit and cemented it as the most crucial film of the Disney Renaissance.
8
‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)
No matter how much author J.K. Rowling tries to tarnish her reputation or how diluted the franchise becomes with needless prequels or reboots, nothing can diminish the monumental success and impact of the Harry Potter franchise in the late ’90s and through the 2000s. For a generation of fantasy fans, Potter was their definitive franchise, as much as Star Wars was for those who came of age in the ’70s and ’80s. It maintained a remarkable level of quality through its eight films, but if there’s one film that reigns supreme above the rest, it’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The third entry in the franchise, Prisoner of Azkaban, marks a significant maturation for both the characters and the filmmaking. Alfonso Cuarón took over directing duties from Chris Columbus, and the result is a much moodier and atmospheric fantasy film that paints in much darker shades than its predecessors. Harry must confront the pangs of puberty alongside the anger he harbors towards Sirius Black, the man who betrayed his parents. The film set a bold new standard for the franchise, with every subsequent sequel failing to recapture the exact dark magic that made it so special. Prisoner of Azkaban is the only masterpiece in the most consequential fantasy film franchise of the 21st century.
7
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Swashbuckling adventure, sentimental romance, and endless witticisms abound in Rob Reiner’s meta-fantasy masterpiece The Princess Bride. Adapted by William Goldman from his novel, the film has become a quintessential cult classic since its release, thanks to its endlessly quotable dialogue and colorful characters who fill out its story of star-crossed lovers. It walks a tightrope between post-modern satire and traditional themes, which has afforded it a timelessness that not all films of a similar style have maintained.
Through the framing device of Peter Falk telling the story to his grandson, played by Fred Savage, the film has its cake and laughs at it too, subverting genre expectations at every turn. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright lead one of the greatest casts of all time as farmhand turned daring swordsman Westley and his beloved Princess Buttercup, who are kept apart by cruel fate and the machinations of an evil king. Every actor is given a moment to shine, from the wordplay of Wallace Shawn to the swordplay of Mandy Patinkin to the improvised insanity of Billy Crystal. The Princess Bride is possibly the most memorable fantasy film ever made and remains a testament to the talent and warmth of its dear departed director.
6
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
The ultimate Christmas movie, the ultimate feel-good movie, the ultimate Frank Capra movie. All those superlatives and more have been applied to It’s a Wonderful Life, a film that was initially seen as a failure, but has since become a canonical fantasy classic. Though it was nominated for major Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it received a slightly mixed reception compared to Capra’s prior films and was a box office failure. Eventually, it was saved from obscurity by becoming a holiday staple on television decades later.
As the first post-World War II film for James Stewart, the specter of it hangs over both his performance and the film itself, which starts with Stewart, as small-town banker George Bailey, contemplating suicide. It’s a dark contemporary fairy tale that measures the weight of one man’s soul and the effect he can have on an entire community through his trials and tribulations. George is a good Samaritan, but doing good can come with a cost, as the film shows, but it also shows the riches that one gains from doing good. It’s a wonderful film and a wonderful fantasy.
5
‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’ (1972)
Luis Buñuel‘s surreal tale of six friends’ failed attempts to share a meal is both inexplicable and accessible for those unfamiliar with the director’s work. Buñuel was a master surrealist and political satirist, and his films often rejected narrative coherence. In that way, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is conventional in its unconventional approach. It is a masterpiece of absurdity that fluctuates between dreams and reality and a nonsensical comedy of fantastical proportions.
The six bourgeoisie individuals in a constant state of hunger continue to have their meals interrupted by increasingly bizarre and absurd situations, from sexual dalliances to military maneuvers. Everyone will come away with something different to say about the film and its flights of fancy, but there’s no denying Buñuel’s biting, which is plainly stated right in the title. These bougie characters have neither charm nor are they discreet, but they hide behind their societal façade, which masks their hypocrisy and empty identities. It’s a twisted comic fantasy for the quiet anarchist in all of us.
4
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
Far from the unusual, The Lord of the Rings is the universal standard for fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien‘s influential trilogy set the foundation for modern fantasy fiction, and the film adaptations directed by Peter Jackson had a similar effect on the cinematic landscape. The films reinvigorated and reinvented the fantasy epic for the 21st century, using cutting-edge visual effects to bring its magical world to life in a way that had never been seen on the big screen before. The entire trilogy is a masterpiece of high fantasy adventure, and it all started with The Fellowship of the Ring.
There’s an elegance and excitement in how Jackson introduced the densely populated Middle-earth to audiences. Condensing the history and deep mythology of the novels through ethereal narration and an epic battle sequence, The Fellowship of the Ring sets a perfect tone that it maintains throughout, bringing us all along for a ride through the Shire toward Mordor. It’s immersive entertainment that satisfies both those who have never read a word of Tolkien’s text and longtime fans of the series. There have been few fantasy films made since the climax of Jackson’s trilogy that have even come close to its epic scope and scale.
3
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential filmmakers to have ever worked in the animation medium. His ability to ground fantastic worlds with emotionally resonant themes and dimensional characters has imbued his work with an immersive and ineffable magical quality unlike almost any other animated film. Since co-founding Studio Ghibli in 1985, the director has gifted audiences with some of the greatest animated films of both the 20th and 21st centuries. From the magical realism of My Neighbor Totoro to the gateway fantasy of Spirited Away, you always know when you’re in a Miyazaki world, and there’s none grander than that in his fantasy epic Princess Mononoke.
Following the young prince Ashitaka, who becomes afflicted with a curse and subsequently drawn into a battle between the natural and developed worlds, Princess Mononoke is a breathtaking work of beauty. The central conflict between the forest gods, along with the titular character, an adopted human daughter of the forest, and the humans who occupy Irontown, is never painted in such broad strokes. Many of the environmentally conscious fantasy and sci-fi films influenced by Princess Mononoke, such as Avatar, simplify their conflicts into binary good and evil terms. Miyazaki doesn’t see the friction between man and nature as something so simple and portrays it with nuance, where extremism only furthers the imbalance between the two warring parties.
2
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
Guillermo del Toro is a singular filmmaker whose unique vision has given us some of the most unique and spectacular genre films of the last several decades. His work in the horror genre has been especially uplifting for fans, but his magnum opus is the dark fantasy Pan’s Labyrinth, which itself can be quite horrifying. The film blends the atrocities of the real world with the mysteries of the fantastical as deftly as it does the use of practical and digital effects, delivering a fully realized fairytale of a grim reality. It’s an astonishingly original work from one of the most original directors still working in cinema.
Set in Francoist Spain in 1944, the film follows young Ofelia, played by Ivana Baquero, who becomes enraptured by the fantasy underworld she is brought into as she escapes the harsh violence perpetrated by her sadistic stepfather, an Armed Police Corps officer who leads a campaign of brutality against the Spanish Maquis. A spiritual sequel to del Toro’s horror film The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth represents the perfection of the director’s unique obsessions and his empathy for those who are perceived as monsters. His common collaborator Doug Jones breathes life into dual characters as both Ofelia’s guide into the underworld, the Faun, and the terrifying child-eater Pale Man. Pan’s Labyrinth exists at the nexus of beauty and grotesquerie, giving us a fantasy like no other.
1
‘Ugetsu’ (1953)
A clear forebearer to Pan’s Labyrinth and the works of so many filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, Ugetsu is the greatest masterpiece of Japanese filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi, combining a period drama with a ghost story for a truly haunting experience. Adapted from two stories from the collection Ugetsu Monogatari, the film is often credited alongside Akira Kurosawa‘s Rashomon for helping Japanese cinema break through the barrier to Western audiences. As an anti-war film and a supernatural fantasy film, it is lyrical and lingers long after fading thanks to its ethereal visual qualities and potent human drama.
Masayuki Mori is Genjuro, and Eitaro Ozawa is Tobei, brothers-in-law whose separate lusts for fortune and glory, during a time of conflict and war in 16th century Japan, indirectly cause pain and suffering for their wives, Miyagi (Kinuyo Tanaka) and Ohama (Mitsuko Mito). The film does not initially present itself as a ghost story; it subtly entangles its characters with the supernatural in ways that deepen the themes of the film and heighten the tragedy of its characters. Ugetsu is without equal in the fantasy genre, and it is the genre’s unqualified greatest masterpiece of the last eighty years.
Whew! Jelly Roll had the crowd locked in during a recent show as he finally stepped forward to clear the air on everything fans have been speculating about within his personal life. In a rare moment on stage, he addressed the noise head-on, giving fans clarity on where things really stand between him and Bunnie XO. Though, it left some wondering whether he was confirming or shutting down the divorce rumors circulating online.
RELATED: Jelly Roll’s Daughter Speaks Out As Fans Flood His Comments With STRONG Words Amid Him Filing For Divorce From Bunnie XO
Jelly Roll Addresses Viral Photo With Daughter
In a TikTok post shared on June 5, Jelly Roll included a photo of himself alongside his 18-year-old daughter Bailee, both flashing their middle fingers in a carefree moment. The overlay text read, “Can’t believe my life right now I feel on top of the world,” pulling directly from his feature on Latto’s track ‘Mama.’ But the comments quickly spiraled, with users assuming the post targeted his personal life and recent split from Bunnie XO—despite no mention of her in the video. However, on June 17, Jelly Roll shut the speculation down directly in the comments, making it clear the timing was misunderstood.
“This wasn’t posted today it’s just going viral today, it is not a response to anything. All this post meant was I love my daughter and I’m honored to be on Latto’s song. Love y’all,” he wrote, putting the rumors to rest and reminding fans that sometimes a post is just a post.
RELATED: Hol’ Up! Bunnie XO Sparks Confusion After Posting Video Lip-Syncing To One Of Jelly Roll’s Songs (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
For years, Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO appeared to be one of country music’s most resilient couples, weathering personal struggles, career changes, and intense public attention together. Their love story survived challenges that might have broken many relationships.
Now, as their marriage comes to an end, new details are emerging about the difficult road that led to their separation and the heartbreak left behind.
News of Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s divorce came as a shock to many fans who had watched their relationship evolve over nearly a decade.
While reports suggest the split was mutual, one insider believes the most painful aspect of the breakup is everything Bunnie endured while standing by her husband’s side.
“The sad part is that Bunnie stood by him through everything,” a source told Page Six. “She was there before the fame, before all the awards, before his sold out shows. She stayed through some incredibly difficult periods, including challenges that would have ended a lot of marriages.”
Despite the heartbreak, the source stressed that there is still a deep connection between the former couple. According to the insider, Jelly Roll and Bunnie ultimately reached a difficult realization about their future.
“Jelly Roll and Bunnie eventually had to be honest with themselves that they weren’t building the same future anymore,” the source explained.
Even with the marriage ending, those close to them reportedly believe there remains a “tremendous amount of love” between the two.
Jelly Roll And Bunnie XO Faced Growing Differences
While no single issue appears to have ended the marriage, people close to the couple believe their lives gradually began moving in different directions.
One source previously told Page Six that friends and associates noticed changes in the dynamic between them over time. According to the insider, some observers “felt there was growing tension as Jelly embraced a more faith-centered lifestyle while Bunnie continued building the outspoken and provocative brand that had always been authentic to her.”
The source added, “Whether that’s fair or not, it became increasingly difficult to reconcile those two worlds.”
As Jelly Roll’s popularity continued to soar, balancing personal values, public expectations, and separate career paths reportedly became increasingly challenging.
Past Struggles Continued To Cast A Shadow
The former couple had already faced significant obstacles long before the divorce filing.
In 2018, they briefly separated after Jelly Roll admitted to a months-long affair. Although they eventually reconciled and rebuilt their marriage, insiders suggest some lingering issues never fully disappeared.
Reflecting on the pressures they faced, a source explained, “When you add in the pressure of fame, constant public scrutiny and then the unresolved issues from the earlier years of their marriage, including trust issues they worked hard to overcome, it created a situation where they kept finding themselves having the same conversations over and over.”
Those recurring difficulties reportedly became harder to ignore as both continued navigating increasingly demanding careers.
The divorce filing became public this week after legal documents revealed that the singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, filed on May 18 in Williamson County, Tennessee. Court records cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.
Jelly Roll Divorce News Sparks Public Attention
The timing of the divorce revelation quickly fueled speculation online.
Just hours before the filing became public knowledge, Bunnie XO shared a glamorous photo of herself wearing pink satin lingerie. Alongside the image, she posted a message that many followers later interpreted as symbolic.
“She’s getting her sparkle back,” Bunnie wrote.
The following day, reports emerged that a moving truck had been spotted outside the couple’s Tennessee home. It remains unclear whose belongings were being moved.
Their relationship began in 2015 after meeting at one of Jelly Roll’s concerts. The pair secretly married in Las Vegas in August 2016, the same night he proposed. They later renewed their vows in 2023.
Throughout their marriage, Bunnie also embraced a parental role in the lives of Jelly Roll’s children, daughter Bailee Ann and son Noah Buddy.
Family Responds To The Split
As public interest intensified, Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailee Ann addressed the attention surrounding the family.
Rather than discussing the divorce itself, the 18-year-old used TikTok to express frustration over how closely people were following the situation.
“I am disgusted at how invested everyone is in a very clearly private family matter,” she wrote.
Bailee then urged followers to focus on their own lives rather than her family’s personal struggles, adding, “Worry about your house – not mine.”
Although many hoped she would provide additional details, she made it clear that she was not ready to speak publicly about the breakup.
“I’m not speaking on it – yet,” she added.
For now, both Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO appear to be moving forward separately after nearly ten years together.
Tom Hanks created an unexpected viral moment during the ceremonial opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago when a brief exchange with a television reporter quickly turned into one of the event’s most talked-about moments.
The Oscar-winning actor’s playful but pointed remark sparked laughter, criticism, and a flood of online reactions, putting the spotlight on a media network’s struggles and Hanks’ trademark wit.
The unexpected exchange unfolded shortly after Tom Hanks arrived at the opening ceremony on Thursday.
MS NOW Senior National and Political Correspondent Jacob Soboroff was livestreaming from the event when he approached the actor in hopes of securing a quick interview.
“Great to see you,” Soboroff said while trying to get Hanks’ attention.
Initially occupied, Hanks eventually turned toward the reporter after some persistence. Rather than answering questions immediately, he opened with a remark that caught everyone off guard.
“What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?” Hanks joked.
The comment appeared to reference the network’s declining television audience and immediately changed the tone of the interaction.
Soboroff responded with a smile and reminded the actor, “Oh, come on. We’re live on MS NOW.”
Tom Hanks And The Reporter Trade Playful Barbs
The exchange didn’t end there. After Soboroff pushed back, Hanks fired off another quip.
“All right – add a zero to it,” he replied in a deadpan manner.
The reporter quickly countered by saying, “I would say millions now that you’re on our air.”
At that point, Hanks appeared ready to move on from the joke.
“All right. All right,” he said before answering questions about the event itself.
The moment lasted only seconds, but it was enough to capture the internet’s attention. Clips of the interaction quickly spread across social media platform X, generating hundreds of thousands of views within hours.
For many viewers, the brief exchange became more memorable than the event where it occurred.
Online Reactions Split Over The Viral Moment
As the clip circulated online, reactions came from every direction.
Some viewers found the actor’s comments hilarious and praised his sense of humor. Others felt the joke crossed a line and criticized the actor for taking a swipe at the network during a live broadcast.
One social media user wrote, “Asking Tom Hanks for a comment these days is like a box of chocolates….you never know what you’re gonna get.”
Not everyone was amused. “Pretty arrogant, Tom. Not a great look,” another commenter posted.
A third critic added, “Hanks was always a whiny, immature and twisted liberal.”
Supporters were equally vocal. “Tom immediately with a banger,” one fan wrote.
Another user commented, “He goofy with those jokes,” while someone else praised the interaction altogether, saying, “The entire interview was awesome.”
The Network Behind The Joke
The joke landed against the backdrop of real challenges facing traditional cable television.
Like many linear television networks, MS NOW has experienced audience declines over the years despite recent efforts to strengthen its position.
According to the Daily Mail, the network currently averages roughly 900,000 viewers, down from averages that exceeded 1.1 million viewers in 2016.
As changing viewing habits and cord-cutting continue reshaping the industry, the network has undergone major changes. It was renamed from MSNBC in November as part of a broader corporate restructuring effort following its separation from Comcast.
Today, the channel operates under Versant, a media company focused primarily on domestic cable properties. Other networks under its portfolio include CNBC, Golf Channel, E!, Syfy, and Oxygen.
Against that backdrop, Hanks’ quip resonated with many viewers already familiar with the changing television landscape.
Tom Hanks Focuses On ‘Toy Story 5’
Away from the viral controversy, Hanks is preparing for another major career milestone.
The actor will return as Woody in “Toy Story 5,” which arrives in theaters on June 19.
Speaking with PEOPLE in New York last month, Hanks expressed enthusiasm about returning to one of Pixar’s most beloved franchises.
“Oh my Lord, all I can say is the saga continues,” he said.
The original “Toy Story” debuted in 1995 and became a global phenomenon, launching one of animation’s most successful franchises. More than three decades later, Hanks remains amazed that the journey is continuing.
“I have seen it. I don’t know how they do it, but it is a vibrant and proper chapter in the Toy Story canon,” he said. “None of us can believe that we’re still a part of it.”
The new film will see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the rest of the gang facing a modern challenge as technology competes for children’s attention.
Director Andrew Stanton previously explained the central conflict by saying, “In Toy Story 5 the toys’ jobs get exponentially harder when our toy crew goes head to head with what kids are obsessed with today: electronics.”
The New York Knicks will reportedly become the first NBA champions to visit the White House under Donald Trump‘s presidency.
RELATED: Bing Bong! New York Goes WILD After Knicks’ Historic NBA Finals Win & Even Jordyn Woods’ Purse Is In The Mix (WATCH)
New York Knicks Will Reportedly Become First NBA Champions To Visit White House Under Donald Trump’s Presidency
According to USA Today, James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, accepted an invitation from the president for the team to visit the White House. Per the outlet, Dolan shared his acceptance on Wednesday, June 17, while appearing on WFAN New York.
“… We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course. Look, I invited the president to come down for the game. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” Dolan explained.
James Dolan confirms the Knicks have been invited to the White House and have accepted:@craigcartonlive @CMacWFAN pic.twitter.com/kemKQZJhf9
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) June 17, 2026
Per the outlet, the previous five teams that have won NBA championships during Trump’s presidency have declined invitations to the White House. Fox News adds that the date of the Knicks’ trips remains to be finalized, along with how many players will attend.
Social Media Reacts To The Team Being The First NBA Champions To Reportedly Visit White House During Donald Trump’s Presidency
Social media users reacted to the New York Knicks’ upcoming trip to the White House in TSR’s comment section.
Instagram user @xoxoxoxobs wrote, “I thought the players declined? 🤨”
While Instagram user @astarrwasborn_ added, “Lol the team declined. The owner accepted. Then forced the players to comply by threatening reprimand for not complying. The strategic captions is problematic”
Instagram user @nickgtv_ wrote, “The owner accepted idk if the players are aware 😂”
While Instagram user @thedbwallstreet added, “The only game they lost he attended. If they go they probably won’t win again for 100 years”
Instagram user @shawnalyng3 wrote, “I don’t expect everyone on that team to be on the same political stance but as a player you decide for yourself. I’m not available 😂 and if you say it’s mandatory. I’ll take the fine. Period! 👏 #youbetter”
While Instagram user @deeohhhmaris added, “The owner accepted the invite. Not the team. They might have something already scheduled for that day 🙃😉”
Instagram user @dippdnreddofficial wrote, “This sounds very forced 😂😂😂 nothing is organic about this 😂”
While Instagram user @realfriarielle added, “I don’t think the players know this”
Instagram user @beloved83 wrote, “The owner will be the only one there lol”
While Instagram user @thebrianap added, “The owner accepted it not the players, and I’ll doubt they will go !”
Instagram user @latinas_kisses wrote, “People are allowed to do as they please! 🔥🔥 Shout out to the New York Knicks for not being followers 🧡💙”
The New York Knicks’ Parade & French Montana Gives Back
According to abc7NY, the Knicks’ celebration parade commenced in New York City on Thursday, June 18. At this time, it’s estimated that more than 1 million people attended, and things concluded with a “Key to the City” ceremony on City Hall Plaza.
In addition to the Knicks having a grand celebration, a taxi cab owner may also be celebrating. According to CBS News, French Montana exclusively shared that he presented Noureddine Bitat with a $75,000 check after New Yorkers swarmed his taxi and smashed his windshield following the Knicks’ championship win.
“I just saw a man trying to feed his family,” French, who reportedly raised the money with YouTuber Zachery Dereniowski and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, told the outlet.
Per French, Bitat reportedly told him that he no longer wants to drive a taxi. Therefore, the money will go towards assisting him with his living expenses “until he figures out what he wants to do.”
“I asked him, ‘Does he even watch the Knicks?’ He said, ‘I don’t even know what the Knicks is.’ He just happened to be working around the place, and you know, things unfortunately happened to him. He doesn’t deserve it. So we all came together to help,” French stated.
RELATED: Empire State Of Ballin’! Celebrity Reactions Take Over Timelines Following The Knicks’ Championship Win (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Stars are slaying monochromatic outfits and serving Us with their most matchy-matchy looks.
From Princess Kate always looking chic in a single-color pantsuit to Rihanna pairing a mint green dress with a coordinating shawl in 2019, celebrities have gotten creative with the fabulous fad.
As fashionistas know, monochrome dressing consists of wearing the same shade from head to toe.
Kendall Jenner revived the trend in February 2023 when she was spotted out and about in Los Angeles. The supermodel paired a suede maroon mini dress with opaque matching tights. The elegant frock featured a cowl neckline with a nude lining, gold metal straps and a bodycon fit. To dress up the look even more, the Kardashians star wore a pointed toe pair of heels.
In September 2024, Ashley Park proved that highlighter yellow is in by wearing a satin blazer and flared pants with a matching top and heels while out and about in New York City.
One of the most timeless single-shade styles was Sofia Richie‘s trendy brown outfit, which she wore while showing off her growing baby bump in December 2025.
We’re taking a look back at the best monochromatic looks of all time.
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Nicole Brown Simpson's ex says near-death experience inspired him to tell their story: 'I had to see this through'
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“The Forgotten Briefcase” documents their 1992 relationship, which blossomed after she separated from O.J. Simpson.
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“Toy Story 5” reviews: Critics praise tearjerking scenes and 'moments that hit you like a gut punch'
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The latest entry in the Pixar franchise explores how technology is reshaping playtime.
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The former couple met in 2015 and got married the following year in Las Vegas.
Entertainment
‘Severance’s Britt Lower Says Her ‘I Will Find You’ Character Differs From Helly in One Major Way
This interview contains spoilers for I Will Find You.
Summary
Sam Worthington has made a name for himself by starring in some of the biggest action films of all time. From playing the lead in the record-breaking Avatar series to appearing in fantasy films like Clash of the Titans and Oscar-winning war epic Hacksaw Ridge, he’s no stranger to intense, thrilling projects. The same can be said for Britt Lower, albeit in a slightly different way, as she’s best known for her Emmy-winning performance in Apple TV’s brilliant and often shocking sci-fi series Severance, though her resume also includes quirky comedies like Man Seeking Woman, Casual, and High Maintenance.
Worthington and Lower’s previous roles have prepared them well for I Will Find You, the newest Harlan Coben mystery to be adapted into a TV series. The show centers around a man named David (Worthington), who has been incarcerated for murdering his young son, Matthew (Ashton Cressman), despite maintaining his innocence. Things get more complicated when his sister-in-law, Rachel (Lower), visits him in prison and shows him a recent photograph of a boy who looks exactly like Matthew. The quest for the truth leads to a prison break, a nationwide manhunt, and several dangerous conspiracies. Who can you trust when it seems like everyone is keeping secrets?
Collider got the opportunity to speak to Worthington and Lower about the project. During the conversation, the duo broke down some of the show’s most complex scenes and relationships, as well as their first encounters with Coben’s work. Lower also discussed the biggest similarities and differences between Rachel and Helly and what drew her to the project.
Sam Worthington and Britt Lower Break Down ‘I Will Find You’s Most Complex Moments and Relationships
“We meet them at this inflection point in this family’s life, and it all starts to get murky in hindsight.”
COLLIDER: This whole show is very intense, but one moment that really sticks out to me is the Sophie’s Choice situation that David finds himself in in Episode 6, where Nicky asks him to choose between his father and his son’s life. Sam, how did you prepare for that particular moment?
SAM WORTHINGTON: Yeah, I like that moment. I thought we could push it even more, to be honest with you. I think we did some takes where we pushed it emotionally more, because you’re exactly right, it is a Sophie’s Choice moment. And he actually makes a very crazy choice, to be honest, considering he doesn’t know what’s around the corner. But I thought we could have emotionally pushed it even further. How do you prepare? I don’t know. I play off other actors. If I’m surrounded by great actors, then that’s gonna help me get better. I’m only as good as the person I’m opposite.
Speaking of that, this whole cast is incredible, and there’s this dynamic between Rachel and Hayden that is so interesting and complex. I’m curious for you, Britt, how did you and Milo build this chemistry together, knowing that it was going to take this very dark and twisted turn? Because you really have the audience root for them, but then you also maybe kind of want to foreshadow a little bit of what’s to come. How did you find the balance with him to make that relationship work?
BRITT LOWER: Well, Britt and Milo had a totally instant friendship, because we both have Airstreams, and we immediately bonded over talking about winterizing our trailers. I think our friendship was forged immediately there. The relationship with Hayden and Rachel is one of those unique ones where they’ve remained friends after they’ve broken up, which is a very particular kind of dynamic. I think Rachel, to a certain extent, is unaware how she might have been the one who got away for Hayden. I think playing with how much she was aware or not of that was interesting to me. And then we meet them at this inflection point in this family’s life, and it all starts to get murky in hindsight.
Sam Worthington Loves Playing Action Heroes With Gooey Centers
“It’s all about hard muscle and soft muscle and what that means.”
Sam, you have this amazing range with your acting, but I do feel like you’ve been carving out this niche of action hero guys who have this warm, parental core. I’m curious what you enjoy about roles with that combination. And what did this series allow you to do that you feel like you haven’t really gotten to yet in your career?
WORTHINGTON: I like exploring that hard muscle, soft muscle. I think that’s something that I kind of enjoy. I’ve explored it for a long time now. The people who have this armor, and what they do to hide their true selves and hide their vulnerabilities, in genres like this, you can explore it more with that kind of character. The next chapter of my life, I’ve gotta go and explore something else that’s deep and dark and inside me that I need to kind of get out and figure out, because I think I’m running out. I’m hitting the max.
It’s funny, when you’re in your 20s, you’re cast as the hero. When you’re in your 30s, you’re cast as something else. You’re 40, you have kids, and you’re cast as the fathers, the parental, and the protectors. I’m about to hit that fifth chapter, so who knows where that’s gonna take me?
I mean, you’re so great at it, so I would love for you to keep playing that role as long as possible!
WORTHINGTON: As I said, it’s all about hard muscle and soft muscle and what that means. It’s an exploration of masculinity that maybe I didn’t see in characters in movies when I was growing up. Sometimes, they were very one-dimensional, and I’ve even played characters that are very one-dimensionally heroic. That doesn’t interest me. What interests me is, what are they hiding? What are they protecting? What’s on the outside, and how’s that impacting what’s inside? You’ve always, then, got a conflict going on, regardless of what the outer conflict is.
Britt Lower Talks About the Similarities and Differences Between ‘I Will Find You’ and ‘Severance’
“They have the shared DNA of being dogged on a mission.”
Speaking of similarities between characters, Britt, I feel like there’s a scrappiness in this quest for the truth that both Rachel and Helly have. As a Severance fan, I’m so curious, what do you think a conversation between the two of them would look like?
LOWER: Oh, wow. You’re right — they have the shared DNA of being dogged on a mission. I think the thing I was drawn to about Rachel that is different from Helly and the Severance world is that Rachel’s outside. She’s on a very clear, active mission in the real world — on the road — and it’s really rooted in this family system. Obviously, Helly’s family is a whole different kind of surreal scramble, but maybe they talk about their families.
Oh, I like that. I want to see that now.
LOWER: And then they’d go to therapy together.
That would probably be good for both of them, yeah. I’m sure you can’t tell me much about Season 3 of Severance, but I’m curious if you took anything away from filming I Will Find You that you feel like really helped you step back into that world.
LOWER: Hm, I’m not sure. It’s such a fascinating question. I’m very excited to go back and film Season 3 — it’s just such a love of mine. And it was great to do this project that is really different. It’s this propulsive crime drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you want to click on the next episode, and we worked really hard to make sure it was rooted in the emotionality of these characters, their dynamics together, and the authenticity of two people who have lost everything and are coming to this inflection point in their lives and going on a mission to save Matthew.
Sam Worthington and Britt Lower Reveal How They Discovered Harlan Coben’s Work
“She was the one who said, ‘You gotta talk to the guy.’”
Harlan Coben is obviously such a major talent in this mystery and thriller genre. I’m curious if you guys remember your first ever exposure to his work.
WORTHINGTON: Mine was Tell No One. I’m friends with [director] Guillaume Canet, so I remember seeing that years ago, not actually understanding that it was Harlan’s work, to be honest. It was only when Harlan brought it back up. And then my wife binges all of them. She was the one who said, “You gotta talk to the guy,” because she loves all the twists and turns, the red herrings, the cliffhangers. She loves all of that.
LOWER: I was certainly aware of Harlan Coben, but I really didn’t get a deep dive until I read the book, and then got to read the pilot and the subsequent episodes next to it. There’s lots for folks who read the novel and watch the series — there’s some subtle differences that were really intentional that I think will be fun for people to discover. Harlan was talking about this earlier. You have to craft different twists and turns for a novel than you do for a series, because it’s a visual medium. I think it’s gonna be really fun for people to watch.
WORTHINGTON: The books are the books. You don’t just recreate the book — the book is a bouncing-off point to recreate the Harlan Coben series. That’s how he looks at it.
I was really struck by the ending to the show, because it feels very satisfying and hopeful, but also grounded in the truth that things are not going to be perfect. There’s going to be some difficult roads ahead for all of them. I’m curious what you think is next for your characters after the final scenes that we see.
LOWER: They’re all gonna go to therapy again. Like I said, everybody needs therapy. [Laughs] But they’re together. I think it’s a really earned quiet moment for the whole family. Matthew’s holding his little sister, and [to Sam] you guys have that beautiful scene on the porch, father and son, where they’re present with each other. And that’s what family is. You move through the hardest of times, and then you put one foot in front of the other, and you have each other’s backs.
I Will Find You is now streaming on Netflix.
- Release Date
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June 18, 2026
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
-
Robert Hull
- Directors
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Adam Davidson, Maggie Kiley, Maja Vrvilo, Brad Anderson
- Writers
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Robert Hull, Harlan Coben
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding plans remain a favorite topic of discussion, with wedding experts sharing their thoughts.
The famous duo is reportedly set to say their vows on July 3, with Madison Square Garden being the most speculated spot for the ceremony. Now, insiders are shedding more light on their alleged plans.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement in August 2025 after two years of dating.
According to new reports, insiders claim Swift and Kelce have enlisted a Los Angeles-based celebrity wedding planner for their big day. Mark Seed, who helped actress Jennifer Lawrence plan her 2019 wedding to Cooke Maroney, has reportedly been working on the couple’s ceremony for months.
One source hailed Seed’s skills, declaring he could “build something spectacular out of nothing.” As Madison Square Garden remains the most promising spot for the lovebirds’ wedding, insiders noted it would likely take days for Seed to build a venue for the ceremony, given the size of the location.
Page Six added that MSG has no events on its calendar from June 29 through July 6, giving Seed plenty of time to work his magic. If Swift and Kelce do decide to remodel the venue for their ceremony, wedding experts have shared their thoughts on what the event would look like.
The Singer’s Wedding May Be On The Same Scale As Her Unforgettable Eras Tour
Darren Olarsch, founder of On The Move Entertainment, a production company based in NoMad, weighed in on transforming MSG into the perfect wedding venue. Olarsch explained that the process would cost a pretty penny and likely be on the same scale as Swift’s historic global concert tour, saying:
“It would be an Eras-tour level production… It’s doable, but it is like planning a concert. What might be a $300,000 wedding somewhere else, inside the Garden would be $3 million.”
Olarsch explained that to make MSG feel more “romantic, close and intimate,” Swift and Kelce would need to build overhead structures with drape-style decorations. They would also need to build a wedding venue on the floor, create a mini stage, a dance floor, basically turning the setting into “a venue within a venue.”
The Grammy Winner’s Signature Style May Influence Her Wedding Decorations
New York-based celebrity wedding planner Lauren Zizza believed Swift’s trademark style would play a key role in the decorations, referencing her love for floral arrangements. Zizza cited the singer’s “romantic, storybook aesthetic,” which has been the foundation of her music.
“Some design elements would likely include an enchanted garden, soft candlelight, draped ceilings, and fabric with vintage touches,” Zizza speculated. Another wedding planner agreed with Olarsch’s “venue within a venue” narrative, noting multiple spaces may be created to host different parts of the ceremony.
The source believed the couple needed four distinct spaces for the wedding ceremony, a cocktail hour, a dinner dance, and an afterparty. The source added that the massive structure of Madison Square Garden allows Swift and Kelce to hold a more intimate ceremony before a larger-scale celebration.
New York City Mayor Confirms The Couple’s Wedding Location
One of the reasons why Madison Square Garden is widely believed to be the venue for Swift and Kelce’s wedding stems from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The Blast reported that he confirmed the news days earlier while addressing the city’s packed calendar.
“We know it coincides with the Knicks’ finals run. We know it coincides with July 4, America 250, Taylor Swift’s wedding, all happening at the same time, and we are so excited to welcome the world here,” Mamdani said. His words naturally caused a stir amongst fans because the lovebirds were yet to announce their wedding venue.
When asked if he scored an invite to the ceremony, Mamdani said no, joking that he would probably spend the big day listening to the singer’s “Only the Young” song. He also hoped the duo would have a “lovely wedding” in his city.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Were Seen Enjoyed Pre-Wedding Festivities
Days earlier, The Blast reported claims of Swift feeling burdened by her wedding preparations. A source alleged that she was under so much pressure, trying to make things perfect while enduring the global media attention on her union with Kelce.
These alleged worries seemingly disappeared on Wednesday, June 17, when Swift and Kelce spent quality time with their friends. A group of women, including the singer’s best friend, Abigail Anderson Berard, was captured on video at her Rhode Island home.
A blonde, slender figure, presumably Swift, was seen on a balcony wearing a white dress while enjoying what appeared to be pre-wedding festivities with her girls. On the other hand, The Blast shared that Kelce was seen hanging out at the exclusive Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles with his male friends.
Will Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce say their vows in Madison Square Garden?
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