Entertainment
10 Greatest Historical Fiction Books of All Time
Defining historical fiction is simple enough: We’re talking about fictional stories that take place in a real, recognizable period sometime in the past. Beyond definitions, however, it’s difficult to pin down what it is that makes a historical fiction book truly legendary. It can be the accuracy of its recreation of the period it’s set in, the story itself being emotionally compelling, or a balance between rigorously realistic worldbuilding and entertainment value. When all of those elements interact, you get a generation-defining masterpiece.
There have been many great historical fiction books through the years, but masterful ones? The sort that revolutionize the genre and go down in history as groundbreaking works of literature? Those are but a precious few. From foundational classics like War and Peace to modern masterpieces of the genre like The Nightingale, the best works of historical fiction should all be considered essential reading.
10
‘War and Peace’ (1869)
It’s always a daunting task to pick up a literary behemoth that’s well over 1,200 pages long, but War and Peace is such a foundational classic that virtually anyone and everyone should read it at least once in their lives. Penned by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest and most influential novelists in human history, it’s a riveting epic set during the Napoleonic Wars. In the eyes of many, it may very well be the greatest novel ever written.
Rather than feeling like a dry history lesson (a pitfall that many historical fiction novels end up trapped in), War and Peace injects its wonderfully-paced narrative with melodramatic moments of romance, heroism, and battle. For that alone, it’s one of the best epic books of all time. Add to that the fact that Tolstoy’s descriptive, almost cinematic prose has aged like truly fine wine, and there should be no room for surprise that this classic is still as praised as it often is.
9
‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (1997)
Although Arthur Golden‘s Memoirs of a Geisha has historically been scrutinized for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes (a very valid piece of criticism), it’s still one of the best books of the 1990s. After all, in spite of all its issues, it’s still one of the most acclaimed historical fiction novels written in modern times, very effectively transporting readers into an absorbing world set in 1930s Kyoto.
Those looking for an actually accurate insight into geishas’ life and cultural significance are better off looking elsewhere, but those looking for a ravishingly entertaining and moving historical fiction novel ought to add Memoirs of a Geisha to their to-read list. Atmospheric, romantic, and greatly elevated by Golden’s meticulously detailed writing, it’s a captivating story whose pages pretty much turn themselves.
8
‘The Name of the Rose’ (1980)
The Name of the Rose was the debut novel of Italian novelist, philosopher, and cultural critic Umberto Eco, and it’s every bit as great a book as one would expect from the work of such a talented multi-hyphenate. Set in an Italian monastery in the early 14th century, this murder mystery blends several elements from disciplines that fascinated Eco throughout his lifetime, from semiotics to Medievalism to literary theory.
But far from being purely intellectual or in any way pretentious, The Name of the Rose is irresistibly entertaining from start to finish, one of the best mystery books of all time. The winner of several awards and one of the highest-selling fiction books ever written, it’s a work of art as philosophically profound as it is immensely thrilling. Brilliantly meta and powerfully symbolic, it’s an engrossing whodunnit exploring the fiction between faith and reason.
7
‘Shōgun’ (1975)
Before it served as the basis for one of the best TV dramas of the last decade, Shōgun was an exceptional novel written by British-American author James Clavell. It chronicles the end of Japan’s Azuchi-Momoyama period and the dawn of the Edo period in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Though it’s loosely based on real events and characters, it’s ultimately a made-up story—and what a fascinating piece of fiction it is.
Through and through, it’s one of the best books of the 1970s, an enrapturing and almost perfectly researched story that should be able to get anyone interested in Japanese culture and history. As epic and ambitious as it is deeply immersive, Shōgun is built on intricate political mystery, profoundly immersive worldbuilding, and culturally nuanced writing.
6
‘The Nightingale’ (2015)
Though many of the historical fiction novels that deserve to be called nearly-perfect masterpieces come from the 19th and 20th centuries, the genre has also seen several great outings throughout the 21st century. Most notably among those, perhaps, is Kristin Hannah‘s The Nightingale, one of the best World War II books ever written. With a film adaptation starring Dakota and Elle Fanning set to release in 2027, it’s about as perfect a time as any to read this masterpiece, one of the best novels of the 2010s.
The book was inspired by the accounts of the Belgian Resistance member Andrée de Jongh, who helped downed Allied pilots escape Nazi-occupied territory. It’s a wonderfully sentimental page-turner, focusing on something that World War II books all too rarely turn the spotlight on: the course of female war heroes. It’s a deeply moving work of historical fiction that makes it obligatory to keep a box of tissues by one’s side when reading, lest the inevitable flow of tears ruin the pages of the book.
5
‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ (1831)
At this point, there’s pretty much no need to introduce either The Hunchback of Notre-Dame or Victor Hugo himself. It’s nothing short of one of the best books of all time, and the fact that it isn’t even Victor Hugo’s best historical fiction book speaks volumes about the quality of the French Romantic author. Set in Paris in the late 15th century, this French Gothic masterpiece is one of the defining paragons of Romanticism, and a must-read for anyone and everyone.
Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral would have very likely been demolished at some point had Victor Hugo not written this love letter to the depth and value of Gothic art.
Victor Hugo wrote The Hunchback during a time of cultural conflict, when urban development was being championed over cultural preservation. Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral would have very likely been demolished at some point had Victor Hugo not written this love letter to the depth and value of Gothic art. A tragic love story, a fierce political critique, a psychologically deep character study, and a quintessential cornerstone in the history of literature, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is historical fiction at its best.
4
‘I, Claudius’ (1934)
Written by English novelist, poet, and critic Robert Graves, I, Claudius is written as though it’s the autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, who ruled during the mid-1st century. Though it’s mostly fiction, the book is inspired by accounts by the Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus, making it a novel that Roman Empire history buffs are virtually guaranteed to enjoy from start to finish.
This is a pioneering masterpiece of 20th-century historical fiction, a masterclass in how to make history feel like the perfect foundation for an urgent, refreshingly modern political thriller. Narrated by one of the most fascinating unreliable narrators in the history of literature and fueled by delectably sky-high stakes, I, Claudius presents a flawless balance between psychological realism and period-specific drama.
3
‘The Pillars of the Earth’ (1989)
Written by Welsh author Ken Follett and set in 12th-century England, The Pillars of the Earth surprisingly became Follett’s best-selling work, despite the fact that he’s mostly known for his work in the thriller genre. This gripping epic interweaves equally enthralling plot lines together in a vibrant, character-driven, historically accurate tapestry of pure historical fiction bliss.
Board game, video game, and television adaptations of The Pillars of the Earth have existed through the years, but nothing has ever been able to match the level of scale and meticulous historical detail of the original. Follett crafts this Medieval world in such a detailed, profoundly immersive way that throughout the decades that the novel’s story spans, never does the story grow any less absorbing.
2
‘Les Misérables’ (1862)
As exceptional as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is, there’s simply no denying that Victor Hugo’s magnum opus is the literary behemoth Les Misérables, whose nearly 1,500-page count is as daunting as it is hugely rewarding. It’s one of the most ambitious books of all time, a source of endless adaptations and a pillar of pop culture, widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written—regardless of genre.
This French masterpiece follows the lives of several characters throughout the early and mid-19th century, diving deep into the history of France, Parisian culture and art, moral philosophy, and the many dimensions of love. In other words, it’s one of the most complete and well-rounded works of historical fiction ever written. Transcending the boundaries of the printed page, Les Misérables has endured the test of time as one of the most timeless stories the human imagination has ever concocted.
1
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (1846)
Few authors from his generation were ever as important as French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas, whose adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo is arguably the greatest historical fiction book ever written. Serialized from 1844 to 1846 and then published in book form in 1846, the novel takes place throughout Europe between 1815 and 1839. At the time of the book’s publication, it was only recent history, but enough to allow it to qualify as historical fiction. Today, that genre label is a defining dimension of the book rather than just a technicality.
Expanded from plot outlines suggested by Dumas’ frequent collaborating ghostwriter, Auguste Maquet, The Count of Monte Cristo still works as a wonderfully entertaining character piece nearly two centuries after its publication, surprisingly so considering its age. Exploring timeless themes of hope, justice, and revenge, it’s one of those classic adventure books that are still a must-read in 2026. It’s thrilling, well-paced, psychologically complex, and impossible to put down.
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The first look at Outer Banks‘ final season hinted at more potential deaths after Rudy Pankow‘s controversial exit as JJ.
Netflix released the official trailer on Wednesday, July 28, which showed John B. (Chase Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss) and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) mourning the loss of JJ. They ultimately decide on a revenge plan that seems to led to some potentially fatal moments including someone on a motorcycle falling off a cliff, deadly explosives and more.
Outer Banks, which debuted in 2020, follows the conflict between two groups of teenagers in a coastal North Carolina town. The social divide is introduced with the wealthy residents (a.k.a. the Kooks) and the working class (the Pogues).
Season 5, which premieres August 20, will follow the aftermath of JJ’s shocking death. The show originally received backlash when Pankow’s departure was confirmed despite the writing team claiming it was always the plan to kill off the fan-favorite character.
“It’s been kind of lurking in his DNA from the beginning. He’s really a tragic figure, and the idea of mortality, and you only have a finite window — it’s also a theme of the show,” executive producer Jonas Pate told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2024. “It’s something John B. has talked about from the first season. So believe it or not, this is something that was always sort of baked in the cake, and we just wanted to tell the story as elegantly and interestingly as possible.”
After JJ’s onscreen death, the show’s creators explained their decision to kill off a Pogue.
“The overarching plan was to begin with just some kids who wanted to have a good time all the time, and take them on a whole journey,” Shannon Burke told Deadline in November 2024. “One of them was going to end up dying, and pretty early on, we knew that was going to be JJ, he’s the most reckless. He is also the most beloved and, in one way, the most sacrificing and the most risk-taking. And this was going to be JJ’s year.”
JJ’s shocking death on Outer Banks inspired fan speculation about what led to the controversial decision — including cast feud rumors and more. During the second part of season 4, which premiered in November 2024, viewers were in for a surprise when a trip to track down treasure in Morocco led to one of the […]
He continued: “The kids, they’re getting older. We wanted to begin in a place of innocence and then go to a place that at least one point to go is really dark for them, and then have them come out of it. That’s the overarching plan for the show. It was always JJ that was going to be, we just weren’t sure how we were going to play it.”
Viewers subsequently started to question whether Pankow’s exit came as a result of a rumored rift between him and the cast, which includes characters John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ and Cleo (Carlacia Grant).
Pankow, 28, for his part, has said that he thinks JJ’s death was meant to move the story along.
“When I first found out JJ was gonna risk it all and not make it, I understood it. And the risks got bigger and bigger, and the stakes got higher and higher,” he explained to Netflix’s Tudum that same month. “His death really does set up the future of OBX with the question, what is worth it? And when someone that close to you is gone, how do you navigate that?”
Outer Banks is currently streaming on Netflix.
Eva Mendes is making it clear that a viral image appearing to show Ryan Gosling and Johnny Depp together at San Diego Comic-Con never happened. The actress called out an Instagram account after it shared an AI-generated picture depicting her longtime partner walking alongside Depp at the convention. Although both actors attended the event, their appearances occurred on separate days, and there is no evidence they spent time together. Eva Mendes’ response prompted the account to apologize and change its caption to identify the image as artificial intelligence.
The fabricated picture was shared by the Instagram account @opavisions and showed Gosling walking through the Comic-Con crowds alongside Depp, who was dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge. A character named Slopaxo also appeared partially in the image and was tagged in the post. The original caption presented the scene as if it were a genuine candid moment from the convention.
“Some of our favorite moments from Comic-Con weren’t on stage; they were watching Ryan Gosling, Johnny Depp, and @slopaxo moving through the crowds like the unlikeliest best-friend trio,” the caption read. “Between candid walks, conversations with fans, and spontaneous stops, they quietly became one of the weekend’s most memorable sights.”
Mendes quickly entered the comment section to correct the claim. “FAKE. Please let People know when you’re putting out AI,” she wrote.
Instagram Account Apologizes After Being Called Out
Following Mendes’ response, the account acknowledged that the image was not authentic and promised to be more transparent. “@evamendes DISCLAIMER: THIS WAS AI***,” the account wrote.
“Thank you for saying something. You’re right, and I’ll be more clear going forward,” the message continued before praising Mendes and Gosling’s respective careers.
The account reportedly issued an additional apology with, “Ok we will sorry,” and later added, “Wow. I’m a big fan. I love your movies.” Comments have since been disabled on the post, while its lengthy original caption has been replaced with one word: “AI.”
Although the post has now been labeled, the initial presentation gave viewers no clear indication that the scene had been artificially created.
Johnny Depp Appeared At Comic-Con As Ebenezer Scrooge
Part of what made the fabricated image appear believable was Depp’s elaborate Ebenezer Scrooge costume, which he genuinely wore during Comic-Con. The actor made a surprise appearance in San Diego to promote “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol,” scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 13.
Organizers constructed a mock storefront in the Gaslamp Quarter and covered the surrounding area in artificial snow. A crowd gathered as Christmas carolers performed before Depp emerged in character from the building. Despite fans cheering and calling out to him, Depp maintained Scrooge’s famously irritable demeanor as he moved through the activation.
He later appeared in costume during Collider’s Directors on Directing panel, giving convention attendees a closer look at his transformation for the forthcoming film.
Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider Casting Was Revealed Days Later
Gosling made his own surprise Comic-Con appearance on Saturday, when Marvel announced that he will portray Ghost Rider in an upcoming standalone film. Shawn Levy will direct the project, which is slated for release in 2028. The filmmaker recently worked with Gosling on “Star Wars: Starfighter,” scheduled to premiere on May 28, 2027.
“Gosling is the absolute sh-t. I say that with tremendous respect,” Levy told the Comic-Con audience. “We spent a lot of time last year making Starfighter, and the opportunity as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, “Bro, let’s ride.” We’ll see you in 2028!”
The project will mark Gosling’s entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reunite him with Levy behind the camera.
Eva Mendes Has Her Own Connection To ‘Ghost Rider’
Gosling’s casting creates an unexpected full-circle moment for Mendes, who previously appeared in the 2007 “Ghost Rider” movie starring Nicolas Cage. Mendes portrayed Roxanne Simpson, the former girlfriend and love interest of Cage’s Johnny Blaze. The film earned approximately $229 million worldwide against a reported production budget of about $110 million.
The actress has publicly supported Gosling’s casting in the new adaptation, making her connection to the franchise even more personal. However, Mendes was considerably less enthusiastic about seeing her partner placed into a fictional Comic-Con encounter without an upfront disclosure.
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Joe Miñoso has played firefighter Joe Cruz since the NBC show’s first episode.
Entertainment
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Officially Closes In on 2026’s Biggest Sci-Fi Box Office Milestone
Following one of the most impressive opening weekends of the year, where it broke numerous records, including becoming its director and star’s highest-grossing opening yet, Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic The Odyssey held that momentum for weekend #2. The blockbuster, which was dubbed an “unrivaled cinematic spectacle” in Joe Schmidt‘s review for Collider, has now sailed to $700 million worldwide, against a $250 million production budget.
Matt Damon finally made the move to leading man in a Nolan movie in The Odyssey, after previously appearing in the likes of Interstellar and Oppenheimer. Add to this a star-studded ensemble including Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Zendaya, the reputation of Nolan, and the promise of a feast of practical filmmaking, and The Odyssey was destined to prove an unstoppable hit. Can it reach the $1 billion mark? After such a strong start, it certainly looks likely, and that would make it only Nolan’s third film to hit this height after The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
With a global haul of $700 million after just a few weekends, The Odyssey has now surpassed the final box office total of one of 2026’s most defining films. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary made $684 million in global revenue earlier this year, with this total likely to be smashed by The Odyssey in less than a week. Considering just how strong Project Hail Mary‘s theatrical run was, for The Odyssey to make overtaking it look like a breeze is particularly impressive.
Another Movie Just Hit an Enormous Box Office Milestone
It wasn’t just The Odyssey celebrating a successful weekend at the box office. In its sixth weekend, after falling no further than third in the ranks, Pixar’s latest animated sequel, Toy Story 5, has finally reached the box office promised land, breaking the billion-dollar boundary. One of the most successful films of the year, Toy Story 5 is just the third to reach $1 billion in 2026, following in the footsteps of the video game adaptation sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Antoine Fuqua’s musical biopic, Michael.
The Odyssey is currently available to watch in theaters worldwide. For more of the latest box office stories, stay tuned to Collider.
- Release Date
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July 15, 2026
- Runtime
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173 minutes
Entertainment
Danny DeVito parties, gets married, and ‘human traffics’ in first look at “It’s Always Sunny” season 18
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The gang is back for more NSFW shenanigans.
Usher warned a fan during a concert in Birmingham, Alabama, before bringing her onstage. The singer is currently performing in the ‘The R&B Tour,’ and he recently kicked a woman named Gabrielle Cheyenne off the stage after she failed to play along during the fan segment. His new warning also seemed to address Gabrielle’s “pretty privilege” comments.
RELATED: Breezy Not Playing! Chris Brown Has The Internet Going Wild Over SPICY Moment With Fan On The R&B Tour (WATCH)
Usher Seemingly Throws Shade & Warns Fan Before Bringing Her Onstage
Usher is known for his spicy performances during his concerts, and he has a special segment where he brings a female fan onstage while he sings ‘Can U Handle It?’
A fan was kicked offstage recently during the tour, and she later said on social media that she looked too good to decline the offer to go onstage with her “PRETTY PRIVILEGES.” Days later, Usher warned a fan at his Birmingham show, referencing the woman he had previously kicked off the stage.
“Before we get started, don’t bring your a*s up here if you don’t wanna be here,” he said as the audience howled. “God, don’t like ugly, but he most certainly don’t feel too good about pretty privilege, either.”
Woman Kicked Off Stage Explains Her Reaction
During a performance in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, July 25, Usher kicked a fan off stage after bringing her up for the sexy segment of the show. The fan seemed less than enthusiastic as the ‘Climax’ artist attempted to lay her down on a bed, and he waved her off the stage after saying, “I don’t think she wants to be on stage.” The fan, Gabrielle Cheyenne, explained herself on Facebook after receiving backlash.
“First off NOBODY is declining to go on stage. I looked good… you thought I wasn’t gonna let THOUSANDS of people see me?? On the big screen, where you Will never be???? My mom and I had FLOOR SEATS. Their team approached us and moved us to VIP before the show even started !! PRETTY PRIVILEGES something you will never know about!! They don’t say what you’re going up there for!! Y’all wanted me to get up there and f**k him atp ?? CHATT FOLKS AREN’T USED TO ANYTHING. That’s the most exciting thing that would’ve happened in y’all little a** lives !! F**k yall, DISRESPECTFULLY
Cheyenne spoke to TMZ on Monday, July 27, and admitted that she wanted to be onstage with Chris Brown, who is also on the tour. Cheyenne said that she was brought to the VIP area but wasn’t told what she would be brought onstage for. She said that she would have reacted differently if it has been Brown onstage with her instead of Usher. She added that she wouldn’t have accepted has she known the VIP offer was for the ‘Yeah!’ artist.
“I’m more of a Chris Brown fan than I am of Usher,” she said. “So, of course, it would have been a different reaction with Chris Brown… it wouldn’ta been the stiffness.”
The fan added that she didn’t mean to ruin the moment, but she prefers one artist over the other.
Fans Have Mixed Reactions To Usher’s Warning
Fan reactions were mixed after the clip was shared on TSR’s Instagram page. Several Roomies were feeling Usher’s warning while others shared their critiques about both fan interactions.
User @anishajanae wrote, “Yall talking about his ego hurt when it’s as simple as, don’t go up there if you don’t want to participate. We’ve seen how these shows go.”
User @gueits wrote, “He said nothing wrong, that girl was playing on them people’s stage .”
@dutchisrunway wrote, “Don’t mess up people performance and bag ..just to be weird.”
User @jinadoll1212 added, “Start bringing up REAL fans and not IG models and that won’t happen.”
@therealcourtneybee added, “Get real fans up there, the ones with your faces on the shirts 🤷🏾♀️😂.”
@iheartdna noted that Usher threw the whole tree with his warning. “Not ‘he don’t feel so good about pretty privilege either’ 😂 That was petty 🤣🤣.”
@mr_grindhard4 added, “Humbled her ssa quick😂😂😂.”
@shay_tha_great wrote, “Yall talking about ego???? HE AT WORK!!!! 😂😂😂.”
User @she.prettyxoxo wrote, “Imagine waiting your whole life to get picked just to get unpicked.😂.”
@nunu_struts replied, “It’s not about ego. It’s fn facts. Don’t get up there if you don’t want to be up there. It’s very simple.”
RELATED: Oops! Mario Slips On Stage While Performing In ‘The R&B Tour’ And Fan Reactions Are Undefeated (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Sports comedies have been enjoying a bit of a renaissance in the streaming era, arguably ever since the debut of the feelgood Emmy-winning hit Ted Lasso in 2020. Netflix recently took a big swing at the subgenre with its new golf series, The Hawk, starring Will Ferrell as a washed-up former PGA legend aiming to make the big comeback nobody wants him to, but that hat was just the latest example in a line of titles finding laughs among the pros. Apple TV also put its own spin on the game with Owen Wilson‘s Stick, and, just last year, Happy Gilmore 2 made its long-awaited return to the green with Adam Sandler back in the lead role as the former hockey player turned golf legend. Not to be lost in the shuffle is Glen Powell‘s football series Chad Powers, which overcame a lukewarm critical reception to score a touchdown with viewers and earn a Season 2.
Inspired by the Eli’s Places segment where Eli Manning goes undercover as a college walk-on, Chad Powers Season 1 followed canceled football star Russ Holliday (Powell) as he eyes an opportunity to return to football glory after blowing up his reputation in a championship game. With some help from his roommate Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez), he dons a new face and comes back to the game as Chad Powers, a West Virginia man competing for a starting job on the South Georgia Catfish. Hilarity ensues as he slowly leads the team out of the doldrums while keeping his secret gets harder and harder and the stakes soar ever higher. Season 2 now sees Chad as an established superstar, but with much bigger issues now that assistant coach and will-they-won’t-they love interest Ricky (Perry Mattfield) knows his secret. After filming began in February, that date has now been set for when the titular quarterback will begin the march to the promised land.
Hulu has announced that Season 2 will kick off on September 3, a remarkably quick turnaround less than one year after Season 1’s arrival. Accompanying the date was also a new set of images teasing what’s to come as the Catfish aim for the College Football Playoffs. A couple shots see him working on perfecting the disguise to ward off suspicion while he tries to lead the SEC football team to glory. Nonetheless, Coach Hudson (Steve Zahn) and Gerry (Colton Ryan) seem increasingly wary of him given his suspicious activity off the field. As much as she doesn’t want to help, Ricky may be his only hope, as she’s seen meeting with Russ and Danny at a restaurant, presumably to discuss plans to keep the Chad Powers myth alive.
- Release Date
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September 30, 2025
- Network
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Hulu
- Directors
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Tony Yacenda
- Writers
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Michael Waldron
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Russ Holliday / Chad Powers
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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
We all love going for a stroll down memory lane and hearing noises, seeing sights, and clicking buttons we used to click as kids, which is why it’s been such a bummer that some of the original Xbox’s most fondly remembered games have remained frustratingly difficult to revisit outside Microsoft’s consoles. While backward compatibility has become a major part of the Xbox identity, PC players have largely been left watching from the sidelines. Well, all of that has now officially changed for good.
Xbox has officially launched Backward Compatibility on PC, beginning with four classic games from the original Xbox era. Conker: Live & Reloaded, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fuzion Frenzy are now available through the Xbox app on PC, and all four can be purchased individually and are also included with every Xbox Game Pass plan.
More Classic Xbox Games Are Coming to PC
Through Xbox Play Anywhere, each title can be accessed across compatible PCs, Xbox consoles and handhelds including the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, while cloud streaming is also supported. Players who already own a digital Xbox licence for any of the four games will not need to purchase them again on PC. The updated versions include resolution scaling of up to four times the original output, VSync, fullscreen and windowed display options, anisotropic filtering and improved anti-aliasing.
Backwards compatibility has been a huge feature of the Xbox since the Xbox One began supporting the original Xbox titles and those from the Xbox 360. It continued through the Series X and S, but this is the company’s first coordinated effort to bring that legacy catalog properly to PC. And in more good news, Achievements are going to be added to selected original Xbox games on both PC and consoles later in the year. The initial four releases are expected to receive Achievement support within the coming months, which will give us all those endorphin rushes we used to get when we’d complete a level in 30 seconds or something.
Microsoft has not yet revealed which games will join the service next, although it confirmed that the library will continue expanding. For now, PC players can finally revisit the foul-mouthed squirrel who’s well known for having very bad days, control time, battle through the skies, and ruin friendships in multiplayer permanently without digging an original Xbox out of storage.
Mason Gooding is promoting several projects. This includes Netflix’s “72 Hours,” in which he stars with Kevin Hart, and his latest movie, “I Want Your Sex.” Recently, the 29-year-old heartthrob opened up about growing up with his famous dad and how he feels the “Radio” star used what he called “speed parenting” because of his busy schedule.
Mason appeared on the “Wildmen” podcast in July 2026, discussing a wealth of topics from his burgeoning career to his life growing up with Cuba as a father. He said of his childhood, “My father was an actor and grandfather [Cuba Gooding Sr.] was a singer.”
He explained, saying, “I have probably a stronger relationship and understanding based on who they were publicly than who they were privately. It wasn’t until I was older that they could — not my grandfather, God rest his soul — but like my dad would have been able to articulate like a lot of the lessons I learned as a kid.”
Regarding Mason’s grandfather, he passed away in 2017 at the age of 72. After that, he spoke specifically about his father’s parenting style, saying, “Cause when you’re a parent who’s an actor, and you’re gone for so long, then you come back, you try to … the word would be speed-parent … cause you come in for a week, and you’re like, ‘Why is that broken? Why are you failing school? Why are you fighting?’”
Mason Says Cuba Gooding Jr. Was A Different Person Away From Cameras
Mason continued reflecting on his upbringing with Cuba by stating that he was unsure about how to approach their relationship because the man he saw in interviews failed to align with what he witnessed when his dad was home.
According to the young actor, “At the time, I didn’t really understand that relationship ’cause I was like, ‘You’re so positive and charismatic in these interviews, and then you come home, and it’s a different guy,’ and I didn’t get that correlation or lack thereof.”
In reflecting, he stated, “It’s just understanding that that dissonance between who I get at home and who you are on camera will actually be a factor in how I parse out our relationship moving forward.”
Mason Previously Shared Fond Memories Of His Dad
Mason seemingly has a complicated relationship with his dad, Cuba. However, he still has fond memories of him, including his sharing sage acting advice. The “Scream 7” star spoke to BET in 2019, first joking that he had a hand in his father’s Oscar win.
He said at the time, “Even though technically he won the Oscar in ’97, I like to think I had some hand in that. Regarding being a good luck charm for his dad, Mason recalled, “He always said that before he got Jerry Maguire [that he] related to the character so much because he had a baby on the way, which was me, and it led up to the perfect time and atmosphere to get the role. All the stars lined up, making it what it was. Here’s hoping that same good luck rubs off on me.”
Regarding the advice Cuba shared, Mason said, “It’s not about blowing it [on camera emotion] out of proportion all the time. He said it’s about holding it down and keeping it down until the perfect moment comes and let it explode from you, and that’s what moves audiences.”
Cuba Previously Spoke About Mason’s Career
Mason’s first big role came in 2018 when he was cast in the HBO series “Ballers,” appearing in three episodes. After that, was cast in Olivia Wilde‘s 2019 film “Booksmart.” Cuba dished about his son and his early success in a 2018 PEOPLE interview.
He said at the time, “My youngest son Mason just did a stint on Ballers with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as one of the characters in that.” After that, he teased “Booksmart,” saying, “He’s got a new indie movie that he’s starring in.”
Mason’s continued to expand his career with episodic appearances on shows such as “Star Trek: Picard” and “How I Met Your Father” before scoring a role on “Love Victor,” which started in 2020.
Mason Is Involved In Multiple 2026 Projects
Mason’s latest movie, “72 Hours,” was released on Netflix in July 2026. The movie, which also stars Hart, Marcello Hernandez, Teyana Taylor, and Andy Garcia, debuted at number one on the streamer’s top chart. Additionally, his other film, “I Want Your Sex,” is arriving in movie theaters on July 31. His previous movie, a thriller called “The Gates,” was released in March 2026.
According to Deadline, he’s also been tapped to star in an action film, “Last Resort,” which is scheduled to be released in 2028.
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When you’re constantly in front of the camera, a bright smile essentially becomes part of the job. Just ask Erin Andrews, who keeps her pearly whites in tip-top shape with the Crest 3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit.
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This kit isn’t a quick one-and-done process. It comes with 20 treatments and is actually designed to deliver gradual results over time using the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient that dentists use to remove years of surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine and other everyday foods and drinks. Still, it’s foolproof to use: apply the strips to clean, dry teeth, leave them on for 45 minutes and remove them when finished. The brand recommends using the product once a day for 20 days for best results.
We love when a celebrity reveals the beauty products they use regularly — and we especially love it when their go-tos are affordable options that actually work. Mindy Kaling, for instance, swears by a tried-and-true facial cleanser that costs under $20. Although the bottle indicates it’s for normal to dry skin, Kaling gives it the […]
The strips themselves are made with Advanced Seal technology, which molds comfortably to your teeth and helps them stay securely in place so you can answer emails, fold laundry, get ready for work or just chill out while the whitening strips do the heavy lifting. They conform to the shape of your teeth to ensure even coverage, helping whiten both the front and sides of each tooth for a more uniform-looking smile.
For anyone who’s frequently on the go, the whitening kit is also super easy to travel with. Each treatment comes individually wrapped, so you can slip a few packets into your carry-on or toiletry bag without sacrificing precious packing space.
One reviewer swore the results were “dramatic.”
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Whether you’re preparing for a big event, heading on vacation, walking down the aisle or simply want to refresh your smile, the Crest 3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit offers a convenient way to achieve a noticeably brighter smile without the hefty cost of professional treatments!
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Just because you can afford expensive beauty products doesn’t mean they’re better than drugstore options — just ask Jennifer Garner. The long-standing Neutrogena ambassador relies on an affordable facial sunscreen to get optimal protection against those harmful rays. Even better, the star’s go-to pick won’t interfere with other steps in your routine, including skincare and makeup. […]
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