Entertainment
10 Greatest Sci-Fi Thrillers of All Time, Ranked
Science fiction is such an expansive genre that can encompass such epic films that sometimes it’s easy to forget how successful it can also be as a vehicle for thrills. Unstoppable killing machines, time-travel doppelgängers, and the Sun itself all feature as antagonists in some of the best sweat-inducing sci-fi thrillers. These movies use their high concepts in the name of taut, tense action, psychological torment, and cosmic terror. The subgenre can be so broad that many movies might technically fit within it — after all, films can be thrilling in so many different ways, but the best are thrillers from top to bottom.
These sci-fi thrillers can be unrelenting or quietly cerebral, but they are all incredibly well made. Many of them were underrated gems that became cult classics that are now considered among the best of the genre. They come from some of the most beloved filmmakers to have worked in the sci-fi genre, and are often based on works by the most critically acclaimed authors. They can be high-tech or low-budget, but they are all among the greatest sci-fi thrillers ever made.
10
‘Looper’ (2012)
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Before Rian Johnson ventured to a galaxy far, far away for The Last Jedi, he proved his sci-fi genre skills with Looper. With one of the most clever time travel thriller conceits since The Terminator, the film offers paradoxical action between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, playing past and future versions of the same character. Johnson never tries to bog the film down with convoluted explanations of its time travel logic, but instead uses it as a jumping-off point to tell a story about cycles of violence.
Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, a contract killer who specializes in killing targets sent from the future, also known as a looper. Loopers operate with the knowledge that one day they will be asked to kill their future selves to close the loop. When that happens to Joe, he accidentally lets his future self go free, putting both their lives in danger. The two actors play well off of each other as their opposite selves, and the film embraces its pulp sensibilities in some clever and killer uses of time travel.
9
‘Snowpiercer’ (2013)
Bong Joon Ho‘s dystopian sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer features a relentless pace wrapped in a social satire as its characters literally engage in class warfare as they fight their way up the economic food chain. Based on the French graphic novel of the same name, the film is set on a high-tech train traveling across a frozen Earth, its passengers the only humans left alive. Even in a winter apocalypse, economic disparity persists, as the lower classes occupy the rear of the train, and the elite take up residence in the front. It’s a blunt metaphor, but it gives Bong lots of cars to populate with colorful characters, wild visuals and some spectacular setpieces.
Chris Evans plays a lower-class citizen who begins a revolt that moves from the caboose to the cab. It’s equal parts brutal and beautiful as the group moves through each train car, revealing the darkness and deception that lies beneath the opulence of the wealthy class. The film isn’t afraid to get its characters dirty, and Evans gives one of his best performances as an anti-hero who is on the polar opposite end of the morality scale from Captain America. Bong is as adept at juggling the various tones of the film as in his other masterpieces, Parasite, Memories of Murder, and The Host, and Snowpiercer is one of the most fiercely uncompromising sci-fi films of the 2010s.
8
‘Under the Skin’ (2013)
Under the Skin is a sci-fi psychological thriller that borders on horror in some of its imagery. It’s not a propulsive film like Snowpiercer but a more contemplative one that does exactly as its title implies, digging deep with an unnerving feeling that stays hooked into you for days. It’s sparsely made with understated performances that make its close encounters feel far more threatening than any of the bombastic destruction of movies like War of the Worlds or Independence Day.
Scarlett Johansson plays an extraterrestrial who wanders Glasgow in the form of a human woman, looking for men to abduct and bring back to her empty void. That may sound like a clumsy sexual euphemism, but it’s very much the basis of the film’s plot, which is light on exposition and heavy with atmosphere. A dread hangs over the entire movie, and while there’s violence and some upsetting deaths, it’s less about getting you to grip your seat than it is to make you squirm in it. Under the Skin was directed by Jonathan Glazer, and it has the same ability to fill you with dread and despair as his holocaust drama The Zone of Interest.
7
‘Sunshine’ (2007)
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, the same madmen behind the increasingly unhinged 28 Days Later franchise, followed the first of those zombie films with the ticking clock space thriller Sunshine. Set in the near future where the dying sun has put all of humanity at risk of extinction, the film is an existential nightmare, and the filmmakers use its cosmic setting to explore religion, spirituality, and fanaticism. Interestingly, Sunshine is far more interested in the philosophical and psychological aspects than it is in being a true hard sci-fi film.
Cillian Murphy leads the terrific ensemble cast, which includes Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, and Rose Byrne, as the crew of scientists headed to detonate a bomb to revive the dying sun. Each struggles with the isolation and cosmic indifference of the yellow giant that is responsible for all of their lives. In addition to that ever-present reminder of their mortality, they face peril at every turn, in the form of physical obstacles and human ones as well. The film’s third act goes directly into more conventional thriller territory with a secondary villain reveal that some viewers and critics were disappointed with, but it’s a natural extension of the film’s themes and definitely gives the finale a jolt of thrills. Sunshine is an underrated sci-fi thriller that, unfortunately, was a failure when it was originally released, but has since earned a devoted fan following.
6
’12 Monkeys’ (1995)
The second time-travel thriller on this list to star Bruce Willis, Twelve Monkeys is a more surreal and mind-warping film, thanks to the direction of Terry Gilliam. Inspired by the sci-fi short film La Jetée, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a disease has wiped out almost all of humanity, and scientists are using time travel to investigate the origins of the virus that caused it. It’s a looping plot that will definitely have you scratching your head the first time around, but it’s a wild ride nonetheless with some fantastic performances and an ending that hits hard.
Nobody plays burnt out like Willis, and this may be the most burnt out character he’s ever played, a convict of the future used as a time-traveling guinea pig. On his trips back to investigate the virus, he finds himself institutionalized, where he meets another inmate, played by a manic, Oscar-nominated Brad Pitt. Twelve Monkeys offers a pessimistic view of fate, with time travel in the film only proving the futility of any attempt to change the future. It’s a dark, but wickedly entertaining, thrill ride through time.
5
‘The Terminator’ (1984)
For how big the franchise has gotten, and how quickly James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger shot to the A-list, it’s hard to remember that The Terminator was essentially an exploitation film. It may be high concept and have a budget slightly higher than the average Roger Corman production of the time, but it’s still a mean-spirited, nasty little thriller underneath the skin. Cameron got his start on Corman productions, and his directorial debut was Piranha II: The Spawning. While his direction is a big part of what elevates The Terminator, he still has his exploitation sensibilities.
The first movie has more in common with slashers than epic sci-fi. Linda Hamilton‘s Sarah Connor is a fantastic final girl, and Schwarzenegger’s T-800 is the perfect killing machine. As he hunts her down, he leaves a path of bodies that would make Jason Voorhees proud. Sarah, meanwhile, has a passionate romance with her savior from the future, Kyle Reese, played by Michael Biehn, culminating in a steamy ’80s sex scene, though it’s far tamer than the Corman equivalent. All the exploitation hallmarks are there, but they’re executed better than ever. The franchise and Cameron would go on to bigger budgets and more prestigious films, but The Terminator is the original model thriller.
4
‘The Prestige’ (2006)
Christopher Nolan has explored several sci-fi worlds to thrilling results. Inception is a mind-heist thriller that owes just as much debt to James Bond as his techno-spy thriller Tenet, and Interstellar is an intergalactic survival film. His best, though, is the dueling magicians drama of The Prestige. Based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Priest, the film is another one of Nolan’s puzzlebox narratives, but here its structure is purposeful in mimicking a magic trick, which the film pulls off right in front of your eyes.
Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are perfectly cast as Victorian London magicians; one a technical genius, the other a masterful showman. They break from collaboration after a death causes them to become rivals, and their feud escalates to extremes. Jackman’s character seeks out Nikola Tesla to gain an advantage, which is where the film’s sci-fi elements come into play. The Prestige is a film of doubles that explores the nature of obsession with perfection and the sacrifice needed to obtain it. It’s plot twists into a knot that only unravels when Nolan wants it to, like a true magician.
3
‘Minority Report’ (2002)
Steven Spielberg‘s prescient sci-fi noir Minority Report features all the eclectic elements of a classic thriller, from chase scenes to a protagonist framed for murder and a deeper conspiracy he has to uncover. It’s as thrilling as any blockbuster the director has ever made, but with a more cynical tone to it, aside from the slightly jarring happy ending. Tom Cruise is both a solid action lead and a tortured soul driven by a past tragedy. The set pieces are also immaculate, as is expected from Spielberg, who combines stark visuals with slick effects.
Cruise plays John Anderton, the lead officer of PreCrime, an experimental law enforcement unit that uses three psychics, called PreCogs, to predict and prevent violent crimes. When Anderton himself is accused of a future crime, he goes on the run to clear his name and discover who his supposed victim is. Loosely based on a short story by renowned sci-fi author Philip K. Dick, the film’s plot deals with the notion of free will and is set in a future where privacy has been incrementally diminished. Minority Report is one of Spielberg’s best, representing a noirish mix of his gifts as an entertainer with his darker impulses as a thrill maker.
2
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Two decades before Minority Report turned Dick’s words into a futuristic detective thriller, Ridley Scott made the definitive sci-fi noir with Blade Runner. A visually stunning thriller that has had an immense impact on the aesthetic of so many cyberpunk films, video games, and anime, the film had some of the biggest artists and designers in science fiction, from Syd Mead to Douglass Trumbull, working behind the scenes. It’s an oppressive, rain-soaked movie that uses its atmosphere to immerse the audience in its dystopic vision of the future. The slow burn narrative and measured pacing of the film make it less thrilling than more fast-paced films, but its punctuations of violence hit hard with a more emotional impact and an existential undercurrent.
Harrison Ford is Rick Deckard, a cop who specializes in hunting down rogue replicants, the highly advance androids of the future. He’s given a task of tracking down four especially dangerous replicants, led by Rutger Hauer‘s Roy Batty, whose tragic nature and poetic talents belie his skull-crushing abilities. Deckard’s investigation also brings him into contact with the replicant Rachel (Sean Young), who breaks through his barriers and exposes his emotional frailties, causing him to question the purpose of his entire existence. Blade Runner is a hard-boiled, sci-fi masterpiece.
1
‘Children of Men’ (2007)
Thrillers that get under the skin or cut deep emotional wounds are one thing, but a thriller that gets your pulse racing and adrenaline pumping is what the genre was made for. Alfonso Cuarón delivers both deep themes and hard thrills in the dystopic thriller Children of Men. Based on the P.D. James novel, it envisions a future where women have become infertile, leading to societal collapse precipitated by generational hopelessness, communicated in the film’s gritty visuals depicting an England on the edge of total chaos, with clashes between the people and the authoritarian regime becoming increasingly violent. It’s both harrowing and hits a little too close to home.
Clive Owen plays former revolutionary Theo, who has become disillusioned and retreated to the hell of middle management bureaucracy. He’s pulled back into the fray by his estranged wife, Julian (Julianne Moore), who asks for his help in getting a young refugee named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) to safety. Kee is the first pregnant woman in almost two decades, representing a hope for humanity that could be corrupted and used by politicians and violent extremists alike. Children of Men is best known for its bleak visual style and intense action sequences, many of which are made immersive through long, unbroken takes merged through seamless digital effects. It’s Cuaron’s dystopian masterpiece and the greatest sci-fi thriller ever made.
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The prestige streamer is home to a huge number of anime titles, with something on offer for every taste.
Internet users are cracking up at a viral tweet directed toward Klay Thompson amid his breakup with Megan Thee Stallion.
RELATED: Internet Users Are Goin’ IN On Boston Richey After He Shared His Reaction To Klay Thompson Allegedly Cheating On Megan Thee Stallion
More On The Viral Tweet Directed Toward Klay Thompson Amid His Breakup With Megan Thee Stallion
On Monday, April 27, the official X account for The Sims video game shared a tweet via the platform formerly known as Twitter. Furthermore, the tweet featured text accompanied by a video.
“If you can’t handle a Hottie… stay out of the kitchen,” the text read.
Meanwhile, a video clip showed a light-skinned man in an NBA uniform standing in a kitchen amid flames. To date, the tweet garnered more than 2.8 million views.
Internet Users Are Cracking Up
Internet users slid in TSR’s comment section, crackin’ up at the tweet directed toward Klay Thompson.
Instagram user @momoalex15 wrote, “I just know a GenZ employee made that 😂”
While Instagram user @_suckafreesi added, “FashionNova bouta send a text like ‘Bad breakups mean it’s a #HotGirlSummer enjoy 90% off!!”
Instagram user @island_md wrote, “Sims ate 😂 lemme go get on the game”
While Instagram user @yanni_rane added, “Klays performance for the past 2 years ain’t even good enough to be cheating.”
Instagram user @kweenmocha wrote, “Gen Z finna have Klay go back to his Yogurt clan 😂”
While Instagram user @kweenmocha added, “Sims is messy.. they the birthday cake 😂”
Instagram user @bestofbrooke wrote, “😂😂😂 As a sims player, this so funny”
While Instagram user @grettaissanerd added, “Meg had an in game collab with The Sims. It’s nice to see the brand showing her love. So many lil boys who could never even speak to her calling her out her name just doesn’t sit well with me.”
Instagram user @steffybubblez wrote, “These men love men omg! I promise yall Tory don’t want yall 😂🫠”
While Instagram user @imeshanicole added, “He fumbled sooo bad….like everybody knows…this is the most relevant he has been…wild.”
More On Klay Thompson’s Viral Breakup With Megan Thee Stallion
As The Shade Room previously reported, on Saturday, April 25, Megan Thee Stallion took to her Instagram Story to share a few words, seemingly directed at Klay Thompson. “Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house…got ‘cold feet’ Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous’???? b*tch I need a REAL break after this one..bye yall,” she wrote at the time.
Subsequently, in a statement to TMZ, Meg confirmed that she chose to end their relationship.
Since then, a WNBA player has addressed rumors linking her to Thompson, Boston Richey has gone viral for his reaction to the breakup, and Megan has announced her early departure from the Broadway show ‘Moulin Rouge.’
RELATED: Fans React As Megan Thee Stallion Announces Early Exit From ‘Moulin Rouge’ Amid Breakup With Klay Thompson (PHOTOS)
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Entertainment
Chaos at Six Flags St. Louis opening day as 'large fight' involving 100 people breaks out
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The park is one of seven properties recently acquired from Six Flags by Enchanted Parks, following the high-profile closure of Six Flags America in Maryland.
Thriller movies engage and entertain audiences through the use of suspenseful storytelling and unexpected twists. When executed well, these films leave audiences with a genuine “thrill” that lasts long after the credits roll. But the masterpieces of the genre are the films that deliver the same thrill every time you revisit them.
Some of these are films that are so dense and layered that they require multiple rewatches to decode their true meanings; others are movies that may not even seem all that good on first watch, but unfold previously unnoticed intricacies that elevate the experience on second viewing. Without further ado, here’s our handpicked selection of thriller movies that are even better the second time around (and don’t worry, we’ve kept the spoilers to a minimum).
1
‘Fight Club’ (1999)
Directed by David Fincher and adapted from the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club is a psychological thriller that follows a disillusioned white-collar professional suffering an existential crisis that manifests as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. A chance encounter with a soap salesman, Tyler Durden, transforms his life in strange and dangerous ways as the two men create the titular underground club and embrace an intensely nihilistic worldview. Edward Norton stars as the unnamed protagonist and Brad Pitt as Tyler, with Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf, Jared Leto, Zach Greiner, and Holt McCallany in other key roles.
A controversial and polarizing cult classic, Fight Club is a surreal, post-modern thriller that explores philosophical and social themes through a twisted psychological narrative. The film keeps the audience completely entranced throughout its moody, chaotic plot, leading up to a genuinely shocking twist that upends your entire understanding of its story. However, as amazing as that first experience is, it’s only with multiple rewatches that you can fully grasp the deeper meanings and easily missed symbolisms woven into Fight Club’s narrative.
2
‘The Pale Blue Eye’ (2022)
Written and directed by Scott Cooper and adapted from Louis Bayard’s 2006 novel, The Pale Blue Eye is a period mystery thriller that blends historical settings and people with a fictional story. Set in 1830, in and around the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, the film follows retired detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale) as he investigates a series of murders that appear to be linked to black magic rituals with the help of a charming if eccentric cadet by the name of Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling). The movie also features Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, and Robert Duvall in his final film appearance before his death.
A gripping Gothic thriller with an unexpected twist, The Pale Blue Eye initially appears to be an occult story, then transforms in the final act into a very different kind of narrative. While the shift can feel convoluted at first watch, revisiting the film with the twist in mind makes it a much better experience, revealing all the subtle clues and red herrings that the story employs in its earlier half. While the movie may have had mixed reviews, particularly in comparison to the novel, The Pale Blue Eye is still a gorgeously crafted Gothic mystery that’s worth a second watch.
3
‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)
Written and directed by David Lynch, Mulholland Drive is a surrealist neo-noir mystery thriller set in the magical world of Los Angeles. The film revolves around the bizarre story of aspiring actress Betty (Naomi Watts) and amnesiac accident victim Rita (Laura Harring), following their growing bond through an inexplicable, dreamlike narrative. The movie also features Justin Theroux, Ann Miller, Mark Pellegrino, Robert Forster, and more in supporting roles.
A surreal and chaotic thriller, Mulholland Drive doesn’t rely on any single twist; instead, it constantly subverts the viewer’s expectations by shifting the narrative, setting, and even the characters in unexpected ways. Arguably the most popular example of Lynch’s dream-logic approach to storytelling, the film is an unsettling blend of reality and fantasy that requires more than one watch to take in fully. To be completely honest, even a second watch may not be enough to grasp the uniquely Lynchian narrative and decipher all its hidden layers.
4
‘Oldboy’ (2003)
Directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook and loosely adapted from the Japanese manga by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi, Oldboy is a South Korean action thriller film starring Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su, a man who is inexplicably imprisoned for 15 years and then released. Seeking revenge on his mysterious captor, Dae-su finds himself pulled into a complicated conspiracy. The movie also stars Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung, Yoon Jin-seo, and Oh Dal-su in supporting roles.
An extremely grim, brutal, and dark revenge movie, Oldboy is a landmark thriller film that’s internationally renowned for its genuinely twisted story and impeccable action, particularly its highly influential fight sequences. Though the movie has inspired multiple remakes, none of those films had the guts to adapt the original’s sickening twist, which genuinely catches the viewer by surprise. And once you know the ending, every subsequent rewatch just makes the whole experience all the more dark and horrifying.
5
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
Adapted from the novel by Thomas Harris and directed by Jonathan Demme, The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror thriller that follows Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is recruited to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and imprisoned serial killer. Hoping to use his insights to catch another killer, Clarice enters into a game of wits with Lecter, revealing her darkest secrets in exchange for his help. Jodie Foster stars as Clarice and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter, with Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Kasi Lemmons, Ted Levine, and more in supporting roles.
The Silence of the Lambs is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror thrillers of all time, and it made history by becoming one of only three films to win all “Big Five” Academy Awards–Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Adapted Screenplay. What really strikes the viewer about the film, whether on the first watch or the second, isn’t the twist or the main investigation; rather, it’s the subtle foreshadowing and detailed performances, particularly Anthony Hopkins’s central performance as the movie’s iconic psychopath. The masterful pacing and cinematography make every rewatch just as enjoyable an experience as the first time you saw the movie.
6
‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)
Directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie, The Usual Suspects is an iconic crime thriller film that begins with a deadly massacre. As the police interrogate petty criminal Roger “Verbal” Kint, one of only two survivors of the incident, they learn the elaborate sequence of events that led to Kint and a group of other criminals falling on the wrong side of a legendary crime boss known as Keyser Söze. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, and Pete Postlethwaite in lead roles.
The Usual Suspects is easily one of the most masterfully executed examples of the “unreliable narrator” trope, using the inconsistencies of Verbal’s account to create maximum suspense and unexpected twists, right until its final moments. The film’s puzzle is a scintillating experience the first time you watch it, but it’s only on the second watch that you notice all the small details and easily-missed clues that were hiding in plain sight all along.
7
‘The Game’ (1997)
Directed by David Fincher and starring Michael Douglas, The Game is a mystery thriller that follows successful yet lonely San Francisco man Nicholas Van Orton. Haunted by the death of his father, Nicholas dreads his 48th birthday, but on the day, he is visited by his estranged brother (Sean Penn), who gifts him an invitation to join a mysterious game, which soon begins to take over his life. Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn, Peter Donat, and more appear in supporting roles.
Anchored by a stellar Michael Douglas performance, The Game is one of Fincher’s most overlooked ’90s movies, but it’s every bit as thrilling a film as you would expect from the iconic auteur. Though its twist ending has been quite divisive with critics (and retrospectively criticized by Fincher himself), it’s still a startling, unpredictable turn that elicits a lot of shock at the moment. After the fact, however, you may find yourself questioning the twist, which is why it’s best to give the film a second watch, so you can see the subtle mechanisms that move the central character to the right place, time, and state of mind.
8
‘Deathtrap’ (1982)
Directed by Sidney Lumet and based on Ira Levin’s 1978 play, Deathtrap is a black comedy suspense film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon. Sidney Bruhl (Caine), a famous playwright whose recent plays have all been flops, reveals to his wife, Myra (Cannon), that he has received a promising manuscript from a student (Reeve) and that he’s considering killing the young man so he can claim it as his own. A deadly game of deception ensues where nothing is as it seems. Irene Worth, Henry Jones, and Joe Silver appear in supporting roles.
Despite comparisons to Caine’s 1972 film Sleuth, Deathtrap was generally well-received by most critics, and though it’s not very well-known these days, the film is easily one of the most deviously entertaining films of the ’80s. A highly suspenseful thriller with a very twisted sense of humor, Deathtrap’s now-iconic twist and narrative shift were both quite divisive at the time of its release, but the film is now regarded as a landmark piece of queer cinema history. The reasons why are a huge spoiler, so let’s not get into it; suffice to say, it’s the sort of thing that makes you want to go back and see the whole movie all over again with fresh eyes.
- Release Date
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March 19, 1982
- Runtime
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116 Minutes
If film studios and executives are hell-bent on continuing the remake trend, constantly farming known movies or IP for new takes, then they need to take a much closer look at the Western genre. There may be an aversion to Westerns because of the price tag that sometimes accompanies the set and costume designs, but the genre has already proven itself as a bountiful well for remakes and reimaginings. The Coen Brothers gave new life to True Grit in 2010 and out shined the original in every way. James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma may not have been better than its predecessor, but it was a damn good ride that got a younger generation excited about what Westerns could be.
With that in mind, there’s one widely adored Western from the 1990s that could actually benefit from the remake treatment. It’s hard to imagine a new take becoming better, but with modern technology and the versatility of many current Hollywood stars, there’s no reason a remake couldn’t at least stand up alongside its predecessor. Some may feel this is blasphemous, but it’s time we talked about remaking Tombstone.
Getting a ‘Tombstone’ Remake Right
There are certain movies from the ’80s and ’90s that are too good and too impactful to ever be remade. Films like Back to the Future (which keeps gracefully avoiding the reboot trap) or E.T. are virtually impossible to try again. While Tombstone is absolutely fantastic and wildly entertaining, it isn’t exactly in that same territory. Tombstone is a movie that is still as fun to watch as it used to be, but could also benefit from another perspective. The most difficult part would be keeping alive the charm of movies from that era, which Tombstone has in spades. It feels simple and defined in a way that makes it so much better than most modern movies, if that makes sense. If it lost that sensibility and tone, then you can go ahead and throw a remake out the window.
But if the right filmmaker got their hands on Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, especially in the more focused version of their iconic story that is depicted in Tombstone, they could create some real magic. Filmmakers like the aforementioned Mangold, who have a real reverence for Westerns and know how to make something feel tactile, or true blockbuster visionary like Ryan Coogler or Christopher Nolan. Who knows if any of those directors would actually take on a project like a Tombstone remake, but it would need a director of their caliber and style.
There are lots of movies about the gunfight at the O.K. Corral out there, with tons of films depicting the life and career of Wyatt Earp. Tombstone stood out for its modern (at the time) approach to the characters and its focus on the fantastic action pieces. The film only cared about the small sliver of the Earp story that took place once the brothers arrived in Tombstone, Arizona, allowing all the drama to directly build up the gunfight itself. That same narrative idea would be key to making a new version of Tombstone, setting it apart from most other Wyatt Earp movies.
Why Remake ‘Tombstone’ Now?
We don’t need more remakes, let’s make sure we’re clear about that. Original stories or fresh adaptations, like Sinners or The Odyssey, are more than strong enough to become big tent pole events for moviegoers. But there is still an insistence on bringing known IP back to the screen, and it isn’t going to disappear tomorrow. So, if these kinds of rehashes are a necessary evil in the current state of entertainment, why not at least try to make them count?
Tombstone is the perfect balance of a good, well-loved movie that isn’t untouchable. It’s also part of a genre that hasn’t completely permeated pop culture over the last decade or so. Unlike sci-fi films, Westerns can feel fresh again, and something like a Tombstone remake could jump-start the intrigue amongst audiences. And it’s great to think about the plethora of big stars who could actually find unique approaches to those iconic characters. No one can ever replace Val Kilmar’s Doc Holliday, but could you imagine what kind of diabolical, “I’ll be your huckleberry” line deliveries we’d get from a mustached Robert Pattinson?
Western remakes have a knack for evolving to explore the wildest era in American history through the eyes of modern ideals, oftentimes taking new approaches to the core ideas of those classic stories. We could use a new hit Western right now, and a fresh take on Tombstone is a surefire way to get one.
- Release Date
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December 25, 1993
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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George P. Cosmatos
- Writers
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Kevin Jarre
- Producers
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Bob Misiorowski, James Jacks, Sean Daniel
Entertainment
Boots Riley Reveals the Chaotic and Fun Films ‘I Love Boosters’ Lifts From in New Alamo Drafthouse Guest Selects [Exclusive]
Eight years after his leap from making music with The Coup to directing with his absurdist black comedy Sorry to Bother You, the visionary Boots Riley is finally heading back to the big screen next month with a colorful cinematic statement. His next film, I Love Boosters, brings together bright outfits and clothing chaos as it follows a group of shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang who steal from a cutthroat fashion designer played by Demi Moore. Filled with crime, absurd comedy, and plenty of star power, it’s another bonkers effort from the artist, and Alamo Drafthouse is preparing to clear the runway for its arrival. With tickets on sale today, Collider is excited to exclusively share a new installment of the theater chain’s Guest Selects series, highlighting some of Riley’s greatest inspirations.
For a creator with as distinct a style as Riley, it’s unsurprising that he also has an eclectic mix of films that have shaped him and his latest film over the years. Leading off the list is Black Cat, White Cat, a 1988 romantic crime comedy helmed by acclaimed Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica. Above all else, for Riley, it’s just fun to watch, constantly presenting new things and keeping the chaos fresh with scenes, like one of a couple frolicking in a sunflower field, that stand among his favorites in cinematic history. He also cites Michel Gondry for shaping his surreal approach to filmmaking, particularly with the film Moon Indigo. The 2013 feature doesn’t just focus on execution, but gets inventive with its setpieces and costumes in a way that conveys just how fun it must’ve been to make.
Riley’s last three Guest Selects will all be screened at select Alamo Drafthouse locations across the U.S. starting next week as appetizers before I Love Boosters arrives. Among those is the surreal fantasy Holy Motors by Leos Carax, which the director loved for its ability to surprise him with what it actually is at its heart. A stellar Denis Lavant performance helped make the piece all the more mind-blowing for him. Riley also highlights Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, which he believes is Paul Schrader‘s best film, for how it marries three distinct visual styles and makes a statement about art and action. Last but not least is Jacques Tati‘s Playtime, a mostly dialogue-less film that has directly inspired the multi-hyphenate’s sense of physical comedy. The use of space, long-takes, and architecture to make painstakingly crafted humor that Riley is “delighted” to share with more viewers.
Critics Are in Love With ‘I Love Boosters’
Accompanying Riley in his return to theaters is a stacked roster, including a couple of familiar faces from his last cinematic outing. Keke Palmer leads the film alongside Moore, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, and Don Cheadle. Between the star power, Riley’s colorful chaos as both a writer and director, and a timely message about workers’ rights against the leaders of a capitalist society, I Love Boosters won over critics at its SXSW debut earlier this year, earning a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Ross Bonaime similarly lauded it in his 8/10 review, saying, “I Love Boosters is an adventure unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, proof that Boots Riley is one of our most adventurous filmmakers, and a film that feels essential in 2026.”
Tickets are now on sale to see I Love Boosters at Alamo Drafthouse on May 22. Check out the exclusive new Guest Selects video in the player above.
- Release Date
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May 22, 2026
- Runtime
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113 minutes
- Director
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Boots Riley
- Writers
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Boots Riley
- Producers
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Aaron Ryder, Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read, Andrew Swett, Boots Riley
Entertainment
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Ted Lasso has been out of our lives for long enough that many AFC Richmond fans were probably contemplating hanging up their scarves for good after the Apple TV comedy closed its original run in 2023. The series “ended” with Ted back in Kansas, AFC Richmond moving into a new era, and just enough emotional closure to make everyone cry into their biscuits. But hey, Ted would want us to believe and the dreams of the fans came true, because now, the Emmy-winning comedy finally has a return date.
Ted Lasso Season 4 will premiere on Apple TV on August 5, bringing Jason Sudeikis back as Ted for a new chapter that shifts the series in a brand new direction. This time, Ted is heading back to Richmond for what sounds like his biggest challenge yet. Season 4 will see him coaching a second division women’s football team, and that’s a pretty smart way to move the show forward without simply trying to replay the AFC Richmond story beat for beat.
After all, the introduction of an AFC Richmond Women’s team was teased in the Season 3 finale. Sudeikis previously teased the emotional idea behind the new season when Season 4 was first announced, saying:
“As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap,’ in season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to LEAP BEFORE THEY LOOK, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.”
Who Stars in ‘Ted Lasso’?
The returning cast includes Sudeikis (Horrible Bosses, We’re the Millers) as Ted Lasso, Hannah Waddingham (Game of Thrones, Hocus Pocus 2) as Rebecca Welton, Juno Temple (Atonement, Fargo) as Keeley Jones, Brett Goldstein (Thor: Love and Thunder, SuperBob) as Roy Kent, Brendan Hunt (Horrible Bosses 2, Bless This Mess) as Coach Beard, and Jeremy Swift (Gosford Park, Mary Poppins Returns) as Leslie Higgins. New Season 4 additions include Tanya Reynolds (Emma., Sex Education), Jude Mack, Faye Marsay (Andor, Game of Thrones), Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern (Enola Holmes 2, The Pact), and Grant Feely (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Creepshow).
Ted Lasso Season 4 will premiere on Apple TV on August 5. Check out the new teaser above.
Megan Thee Stallion is ending her time on Broadway earlier than expected amid her breakup with Klay Thompson. Meg was set to perform as Harold Zidler in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ until May 17. However, on Monday (April 27), she announced her last show will take place two weeks earlier than planned.
RELATED: Curtain Call! Megan Thee Stallion Sheds Tears On Broadway Stage After Announcing Split With Klay Thompson (VIDEO)
Rapper Pushed Through Performance Hours After Breakup Announcement (RECAP)
Thee Stallion’s early exit announcement came as a shock to her fans, nicknamed the Hotties. Over the weekend, they praised the Houston rapper for pushing through her ‘Moulin Rouge’ performance on Saturday (April 25). It had been just hours since she revealed her breakup with Klay Thompson. By the end of her performance, videos showed Megan wiping away tears while the cast applauded her and the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Videos of that moment quickly went viral as the Hotties praised her work ethic through heartbreak.
Megan Thee Stallion Thanks Cast & Crew Of ‘Moulin Rouge’
By Monday (April 27), it seemed Megan’s personal life was taking its toll. She took to Instagram to announce that she’ll be stepping away from ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ on May 1 rather than completing the 8-week run. In addition to sharing photos of her time with the show, she thanked her Broadway family and praised their hard work.
“Hotties, my last performance as Zidler in @moulinrougebway will be May 1 ❤️🩹 It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family and I’ve met so many amazing people in this theater! Y’all work so hard and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y’all put into the work! I’m so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful. And to all the Hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey! I LOVE YALL🥹 See you soon 💙,” Megan Thee Stallion wrote.
Why Is Thee Stallion Cutting Her Broadway Debut Short?
Although Megan Thee Stallion didn’t explain her early departure, the internet is speculating her split from Klay Thompson is one reason. It’s unclear when Meg and Klay’s relationship issues began. However, in her breakup post, she accused him of having mood swings and treating her horribly during his NBA season, which ran from late October to April.
Fans are also speculating that her hospitalization in late March was due to issues with Thompson as well. As previously reported, Megan received treatment after becoming ill and faint during her performance on March 31. She later revealed her symptoms were due to exhaustion, dehydration and low metabolic levels. After a rest day, she returned to the stage but called the moment a “wake-up call.”
Also, to note, her final day on the Broadway stage is just one day before the birthday of her late mother and former manager, Holly Thomas. Holly passed away in March 2019 from brain cancer and Megan annually celebrates her life with emotional tribute posts.
Hotties React To Megan’s Early Departure From Broadway
The world is still waiting to hear directly from Klay Thompson after Megan Thee Stallion accused him of infidelity. While he’s been mum about the breakup, the Hotties have continued to flood his personal profiles and social platforms with hateful wishes. And, as expected, a new wave of criticism hit after Megan’s Monday announcement about ‘Moulin Rouge.’ Just peep the comments under his most recent Instagram post, shared on April 5.
Meanwhile, in the comment section of Megan’s announcement post, the Hotties are showing her the opposite energy. She’s being flooded with praise and well wishes on her overall healing, while a few others who have tickets for after May 1 are sharing their disappointment.
@__kingmvchael__ wrote, “I speak for so many people when I say we are so proud of you. Thank you for giving your all and making the Moulin Rouge an unforgettable experience ❤️🤞🏻.”
“WE LOVE YOU REAL BAD!!!! ALWAYS & 4 Ever Queen 😍🥹,” @smithwoods__ commented.
“beyond proud of you, you left it all on that stage every night! time to get ready for tour now 😅,” @quinnxandrew said.
“We love you so much, take all the time you need 🥹❤️,” @melah.anjelica added.
@tdwebber_30 added, “Congratulations Megan on your first broadway run! You’re the champ! ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤️.”
Meanwhile, @pettysnation said, “Yeah we’re going have to drag Klay by his ankles ATP 😒.” Adding in another comment, “Damn it! Iwas planning to come for Mother’s Day weekend 😭 But I understand Megan!”
@emily_lorraine123 said, “Got tickets, flights, hotel and PTO for the show on the 9th… damn this sucks we wanted to have a hot girl weekend to see you 💔.”
“Main character all the way through. Some folks were just… extras💋,” @tessholliday added.
@sin_machine said, “❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 damn I had tix for the 12th, but I understand 💕.”
@myeung_ commented, “I can’t wait to see the abundance and safety you will receive on the other side of this. You are EVERYTHING and don’t ever forget it.”
@_mo.moneyyy__ had a heated take, writing, “this is CORNY AS HELL! ngl i understand the heart break & public humiliation but to give a final date for May 1 and have everyone purchase tix at wildly increased rates (me included) .. im so freaking sad 😔 i wanted to see my girl so bad – we just got our tix.”
“We love u girl🥹🩷🔥 stay strong u taught so many girls to keep their head high and not let anybody play in their face ik it hurts rn but u will come back from this head up mama YOURE SO LOVED 😭❤️🩹,” @suavaecitas commented.
RELATED: Aht! Aht! WNBA Player Lexie Brown Addresses Rumors Linking Her To Klay Thompson Cheating On Megan Thee Stallion
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