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10 HBO Shows That Are Even Better the Second Time Around

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Frances Conroy and Michael C. Hall look at something off camera in Six Feet Under

A juggernaut of television entertainment, HBO has been producing TV series as far back as the late ’70s and early ’80s. It spearheaded the elevation of the format to true prestige drama in the late 90s, with series like Oz and The Sopranos, and has been a defining pillar of the golden era the medium has enjoyed throughout the 21st century thus far.

The premium cable network’s greatest hits range from grueling crime dramas to piercing black comedies, sweeping historical epics, and even some of the most immersive and visceral portrayals of war to have ever graced the screen. Such is HBO’s brilliance; many of their best original titles only improve upon a second viewing as they allow audiences to engross themselves anew while spotting all the hidden details they missed the first time around. From underrated modern gems to medium-defining classics, these HBO shows are even better on rewatch.

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10

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

Frances Conroy and Michael C. Hall look at something off camera in Six Feet Under
Frances Conroy and Michael C. Hall look at something off camera in Six Feet Under
Image via HBO

One of HBO’s most underrated series thus far, Six Feet Under excels as a socially-minded dark comedy revolving around a dysfunctional family that manages a funeral house in Los Angeles. On first viewing, the show has a tendency to stun audiences with its tonal dare, often oscillating between scandalous black humor and piercing character turmoil as each member of the Fisher family faces their own complex life issues while navigating the chaos of their family dynamics.

When revisited, especially by those who watched its initial run on television, Six Feet Under only lands with more gravitas. The passage of time and the accumulation of life experiences mean that so tender and in-depth a series changes its complexion entirely when rewatched, while the simple allure of returning to a show that completed its run in such a perfect fashion enables fans to immerse themselves more in the progress of the story. It remains one of the best dark comedies television has ever seen, and the years have done nothing to erode its piercing resonance.

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9

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

DA John Stone (John Turturro) sits in court with his client Nasir Khan (Riz Ahmed) in 'The Night Of' (2016).
DA John Stone (John Turturro) sits in court with his client Nasir Khan (Riz Ahmed) in ‘The Night Of’ (2016).
Image via HBO

Another overlooked masterpiece from HBO, The Night Of is crime television at its scintillating best, a miniseries that functions as a murder mystery, a courtroom thriller, and a scathing indictment on the nature of the legal system. On first viewing, it is impossible not to be embroiled in the mystery intrigue, with the series revolving around Nasir Khan’s (Riz Ahmed) trial as he is charged with murdering a girl he was partying with.

A second viewing shifts the nature of the story somewhat. As the dark whodunit element subsides, the character drama becomes more central, especially through Nasir’s bleak coming-of-age in jail as he awaits trial. This renewed emphasis also sharpens the series’ criticism of the failings of the legal system. Complimented by its rich cinematic gloom and its patient sense of suspense and tension, The Night Of is a brilliant drama that only grows greater when revisited.

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8

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000–2024)

Larry David sitting in court, looking nonchalant, in the Curb Your Enthusiasm series finale.
Larry David sitting in court, looking nonchalant, in the Curb Your Enthusiasm series finale.
Image via HBO

Seen by many as a spiritual continuation of Seinfeld, which Larry David created, Curb Your Enthusiasm excels by giving the sardonic comic a platform of his own, with the 12-season series following the litany of misadventures he embarks on with his friends and celebrity colleagues while living in Los Angeles. Not at all dissimilar to Seinfeld, the HBO comedy series is a treat to rewatch, with the gags never getting any less hilarious, even when viewers become word-perfect in reciting them.

While first viewings allow for a procession of hysterics that engross viewers in the chaos of the comedy, rewatching Curb Your Enthusiasm offers a chance to truly appreciate how the jokes are built-up while also recognizing moments of improvisation and unscripted interactions. Furthermore, its commitment to light entertainment bereft of dramatic fervor makes it something of a cozy and irreverent comfort watch that remains enjoyable no matter how many times it is revisited.

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7

‘We Own This City’ (2022)

Jon Bernthal as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins in 'We Own This City'
Jon Bernthal as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins in ‘We Own This City’
Image via HBO

With its non-linear progression, litany of pivotal characters, and its enormous scope that examines corruption and institutional rot of the police department in Baltimore, We Own This City is one of the more unforgiving miniseries HBO has produced. Based on Justin Fenton’s non-fiction book, the six-part limited series explores the BPD’s Gun Trace Task Force, an elite police unit that engages in illegal methods to achieve their goals while profiting from the crime they fight.

While the first watch allows viewers to see where every character ended up, a second viewing can be necessary to untangle the miniseries’ multiple timelines and to fully digest the thematic ideas it poses on issues of corruption, the force’s ‘code of silence,’ the nature of police quotas, and even the reasons why attempts to reform often fail. If anything, We Own This City becomes more pressing and disturbing on rewatch as its central messaging becomes clearer and the connection between the characters’ actions and outcomes becomes more pronounced.

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6

‘Rome’ (2005–2007)

rome-hbo
Julius Caesar played by Ciaran Hinds on Rome.
Image via HBO

Initially intended to run for five seasons as a sweeping epic of Ancient Rome in a period of transition as the republic falls and an empire arises, Rome’s high-end production costs saw the series’ ambitious tenure cut short, but it still provides two thrilling seasons of political conniving and period allure. On first viewing, Rome is a procession of betrayals, backstabbing, and scandal, a pulsating immersion in the culture and calamity of the birth of the Roman Empire that is seen from multiple perspectives.

Rewatching Rome with an understanding of what happens to each character in the grand scheme of the series allows viewers to recognize hidden details of foreshadowing, subtle plots that are hatched in the background. Watching it a second time around also allows the sublime quality and detail of the production to be enjoyed in earnest, highlighting the grandeur and glamour the series achieves, while also understanding why HBO had to cut its planned five-season run short.













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Collider Exclusive · Taylor Sheridan Universe Quiz
Which Taylor Sheridan
Show Do You Belong In?

Yellowstone · Landman · Tulsa King · Mayor of Kingstown
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Four worlds. All of them brutal, complicated, and built on power, loyalty, and the price of survival. Taylor Sheridan doesn’t write heroes — he writes people who do what they have to do and live with the cost. Ten questions will reveal which one of his worlds you were made for.

🤠Yellowstone

🛢️Landman

👑Tulsa King

⚖️Mayor of Kingstown

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01

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Where does your power come from?
In Sheridan’s world, everyone has leverage. The question is what kind.




02

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Who do you put first, no matter what?
Loyalty in Sheridan’s universe is always absolute — and always costly.




03

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Someone crosses a line. How do you respond?
Every Sheridan protagonist has a line. What matters is what happens after it’s crossed.




04

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Where do you feel most in your element?
Sheridan’s worlds are as much about place as they are about people.




05

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How do you feel about operating in the grey?
Nobody in a Sheridan show has clean hands. The question is how they carry the dirt.




06

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What are you actually fighting to hold onto?
Every Sheridan character is fighting a war. The real question is what they’re defending.




07

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How do you lead?
Authority in Sheridan’s world is never given — it’s established, maintained, and constantly tested.




08

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Someone new arrives and tries to change how things work. Your reaction?
Every Sheridan show has an outsider disrupting an established order. Sometimes that outsider is you.




09

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What has your position cost you?
Nobody gets to where these characters are without paying for it. The bill is always personal.




10

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When it’s over, what do you want people to say?
Sheridan’s characters all know the ending is coming. The question is what they leave behind.




Sheridan Has Spoken
You Belong In…
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The show that claimed the most of your answers is the world you were built for. If two tied, both are shown — you’re complicated enough to straddle two Sheridan universes.

🤠
Yellowstone

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🛢️
Landman

👑
Tulsa King

⚖️
Mayor of Kingstown

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You are a Dutton — or you might as well be. You understand that some things are worth protecting at any cost, and that the modern world’s indifference to history, to land, to legacy, is not something you’re willing to accept quietly. You lead from the front, you carry your family’s weight without complaint, and when someone threatens what’s yours, you don’t escalate — you finish it. You’re not cruel. But you are absolute. In Yellowstone’s world, that combination of ferocity and loyalty doesn’t make you a villain. It makes you the only thing standing between everything that matters and everyone who wants to take it.

You thrive in the chaos of high-stakes negotiation, where the money is enormous, the margins are thin, and the wrong word in the wrong room can cost everyone everything. You’re a fixer — the person called when a situation is already on fire and needs someone with the nerve to walk into it. West Texas oil country rewards exactly what you are: sharp, adaptable, unsentimental, and absolutely clear-eyed about what people want and what they’ll do to get it. You’re not naive enough to think this world is fair. You’re smart enough to be the one deciding who it’s fair to.

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You are a Dwight Manfredi — someone who has served their time, paid their dues, and arrived somewhere unexpected with nothing but their reputation and their wits. You adapt without losing yourself. You build loyalty through respect rather than fear, though you’re not above reminding people that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Tulsa King is for people who are still standing when everyone assumed they’d be finished — who find, in an unfamiliar place, that they’re more capable than the world gave them credit for. You don’t need a throne. You build one, wherever you happen to land.

You carry the weight of a system that is broken by design, and you do it anyway — because someone has to, and because you’re the only one positioned to do it without the whole thing collapsing. Mike McLusky’s world is for people who are comfortable operating where there are no good options, only less catastrophic ones. You speak every language: law enforcement, criminal, political, human. That fluency makes you invaluable and it makes you a target. You’ve made your peace with both. Mayor of Kingstown belongs to people who understand that keeping the peace is not the same as being at peace — and who do the job regardless.

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5

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

Amy Adams as Camille Preaker in 'Sharp Objects'
Amy Adams as Camille Preaker in ‘Sharp Objects’
Image via HBO

In cinema, slow-burn crime mysteries have long been presenting movies that audiences love to agonize over again and again. They invite viewers to bask in the moody atmospheric intensity with repeat viewings while putting the pieces together to see how every minor detail contributed to the overall picture. Television has proven itself to be no different when tackling methodical mystery suspense, with HBO’s 2018 miniseries Sharp Objects a defining highlight.

Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, it follows crime reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) as she returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of two young girls. As she looks into the case, she must also combat demons from her own past that begin to re-emerge. With its macabre allure defined by its Southern Gothic aesthetic, simmering tension, and its penchant for devastating plot twists, Sharp Objects is every bit as addictive on rewatch as all its intricacies and stylish splendor wash over viewers anew.

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4

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Richard Winters (Damien Lewis) and Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingstone) sit together by a hill in 'Band of Brothers' (2001).
Richard Winters (Damien Lewis) and Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingstone) sit together by a hill in ‘Band of Brothers’ (2001).
Image via HBO

Viewed by many as being the outright greatest piece of war drama ever produced for the screen, Band of Brothers is a defining triumph of HBO’s excellence in the early 21st century. Following Easy Company’s campaign through the European Theater of WWII, it tracks the soldiers from their basic training and their airdrop into Normandy on the eve of D-Day, through the litany of battles they are actively involved in, and up to their uneasy presence in Germany at the end of the war.

As is the nature of war television, so much energy in the first viewing is spent agonizing about the health and safety of the characters and being completely immersed in the sheer scale of the production. While even several rewatches still come with both of those qualities, they also bring a greater appreciation for just what the miniseries achieves, especially as its air of camaraderie and courage becomes a more pronounced aspect of the series.

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3

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon in The Leftovers (2014)
Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon in The Leftovers (2014)
Image via HBO

One of HBO’s most astonishing extended series, The Leftovers is a drifting, meandering gem of small-screen drama that embeds viewers in a world of grief, trauma, and loss. On October 14, 2011, two percent of the world’s population vanished without a trace. Three years later, what remains of society is torn between trying to move on with their lives and succumbing to mourning and loss.

The series can be unusual at first, especially as it functions more as a meditative observation of aimless people rather than a driven narrative with set stakes and goals for major characters, but once viewers are on board with its unique style and tone, it becomes enrapturing. A second viewing invites fans to indulge in The Leftovers’ peculiarities and might from the outset while delving deeper into character decisions and thematic ideas throughout the entirety of the three-season tenure.

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2

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

Tony in The Sopranos - 1999
The Sopranos – 1999 – Tony
Image via HBO

No series in the history of television has been as synonymous with a network or channel as The Sopranos is for HBO. The crime drama character study is the spearhead of the medium’s rise to being considered a prestige form of entertainment, with its six-season run following New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) as he struggles to balance his dangerous profession against his peaceful private life, presenting one of television’s greatest ever spectacles.

It doesn’t diminish on rewatch. In fact, if anything, The Sopranos only gets better on a second viewing as the contemplative depth of its focus on Tony’s psychological state and morality surpasses the high-stakes tension of the crime drama. Secondary characters like Carmella (Eddie Falco) and AJ (Robert Iler) become more sympathetic figures, while the rush of the violence and immorality becomes more philosophical than thrilling. The scenes between Tony and Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) are particularly impressive in this regard, giving what is a confronting and raw gangster series a compelling insight into the mind of what is still television’s most fascinating and complex character.

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1

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

Michael K. Williams as Omar Little sitting on a bench and staring ahead in The Wire.
Michael K. Williams as Omar Little sitting on a bench and staring ahead in The Wire.
Image via HBO

Timelessly important and epic in scope, The Wire is arguably television’s finest ever achievement, a stunning and realistic analysis of a city’s criminal infrastructure, police department, and political system. Co-created by Baltimore crime reporter David Simon and veteran detective Ed Burns, the five-season masterpiece is all-encompassing in its coverage of corruption, morality, and strategy on both sides of the law.

On first viewing, it is impossible not to be swept away by the series’ sense of scale and momentum, especially with such a vast array of characters on display, all of them defined by their own agendas, objectives, and moral codes. When The Wire is rewatched, it is far easier to focus on the bigger picture, to appreciate the jolting setting changes season-to-season and to embrace the show as a stunning mosaic of a city’s institutional pitfalls that is, sadly, every bit as relevant today as it was twenty years ago.


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The Wire
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Release Date

2002 – 2008-00-00

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Network

HBO

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Directors

Ernest R. Dickerson, Ed Bianchi, Steve Shill, Clark Johnson, Daniel Attias, Agnieszka Holland, Tim Van Patten, Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Brad Anderson, Clement Virgo, Elodie Keene, Peter Medak, Rob Bailey, Seith Mann, Christine Moore, David Platt, Dominic West, Gloria Muzio, Jim McKay, Leslie Libman, Milcho Manchevski, Robert F. Colesberry, Thomas J. Wright

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day Breaks All Time Box Office Preview Record, Surpassing Avengers: Endgame

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day Breaks All Time Box Office Preview Record, Surpassing Avengers: Endgame

Marvel has done it again.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially swung into the record books, earning an astonishing $74.5 million in domestic preview screenings, making it the largest preview night in box office history. The film surpasses the previous record held by Avengers: Endgame, which earned approximately $60 million during its Thursday previews in 2019.

The record is even more impressive considering Endgame was the culmination of more than a decade of Marvel storytelling. Brand New Day is the fourth solo Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland, yet fan demand has reached levels few expected.

The enormous preview total has dramatically raised expectations for the film’s opening weekend. While Sony has publicly projected a debut closer to $195 million, several independent box office analysts believe the film could finish between $280 million and $300 million domestically if audience turnout continues at its current pace.

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Hulk, Spider-Man: Brand New Day [marvel studios]

Daniel Loria of Box office Pro recently pointed to extraordinary advance ticket sales and the sheer number of theaters dedicating screens to the film as major reasons for the bullish projections.

“The movie has nearly half of all available screenings this weekend.”

That level of theatrical dominance is almost unheard of and reflects just how much confidence exhibitors have in Marvel and Sony’s latest blockbuster.

The film arrives at a pivotal moment for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following several years of inconsistent box office results, Brand New Day has been viewed as one of the studio’s most important releases heading into Avengers: Doomsday. Early audience reactions have praised the film’s emotional story, grounded approach to Peter Parker, and action sequences, fueling strong word of mouth before its nationwide release.

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Sadie Sink, Spider-Man: Brand New Day [marvel studios]

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker alongside Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, and Sadie Sinkin a film that sees Spider-Man rebuilding his life after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. With audiences already turning out in record numbers, the latest chapter appears poised to become one of the biggest superhero releases ever.

Whether Brand New Day ultimately surpasses Avengers: Endgame’s opening weekend remains to be seen. Endgame still holds the all time domestic opening weekend record at $357.1 million, a mark many believed would stand for years. However, after already rewriting the record books with its preview performance, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has proven that betting against Marvel’s most popular hero is rarely a good idea.

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The post Spider-Man: Brand New Day Breaks All Time Box Office Preview Record, Surpassing Avengers: Endgame appeared first on Coastal House Media.

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BB28 Week 4: New HOH Crowned – Eviction Targets & Tears!

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Big Brother 28: Haley Thogmartin

Big Brother week 4 Head of Household results are sizzling fresh off Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk getting his target Jason De Puy out of the BB28 house. As expected, that Blockbuster comp was made for Mallory Aurichio which paved the way for LaTrice “Lala” Verrett to stay.

Big Brother 28: Mismanaged Strategy

I will say I’m disappointed that the houseguests on the non-Toolshed side of the house rolled over and voted with the house again. With Rome gone, the weaker players are backing down and accepting it. Jason messed up his own game but I did feel bad for him.

I also noted the number of people who didn’t bother to say “I sadly vote to evict.” And I also totally applaud him for not taking any physical contact from Kamu after the Blockbuster. My favorite exit from Big Brother was when Cody the Marine walked out over the table.

Cody ignored everyone, grabbed his bag and walked out, shutting the door behind him. That was a tight exit. Jason hugged only his actual friends. I get why Barrett Pfeiffer and Drew Campbell backed off the plan to save Jason.

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But if they knew they were under the microscope and the rest of the Toolshed was coming for them, they might’ve found the courage to rally the other side of the house and vote out Lala.

Big Brother 28: Victorian Tasks

So, waiting for the feeds to come back up, what I was really hoping to see was that Mallory or Lyric Medeiros won Head of Household, preferably Mallory since she’s holding a grudge against the icons and Kamu for nominating her.

But what I hoped after Jason’s eviction is to see the power players at the house at a disadvantage and scrambling with someone else in power for a change. To make the season more watchable and dynamic. But that didn’t happen.

Instead, when the feeds came back up after about four hours, it was with the houseguests wearing old-timey outfits like Victorian-era looking stuff and the comp was something to do with searching for items in a room. I’m sure we’ll have more details later.

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Big Brother 28: Haley ThogmartinBig Brother 28: Haley Thogmartin
Big Brother 28: Haley Thogmartin

Big Brother 28: Haley Wins HOH Amid Power Imbalances

So, Lyric, Haley Thogmartin and Yash Patel were the top 3 in the comp. But it was Haley wearing the key to the HOH room. So yeah, the imbalance of power in the house continues and she’s already planning to be problematic during her HOH reign.

She said she was going to kick anyone out of her room that has been talking negatively about her. Haley blathered to Devens about how she’s had a rough 3 weeks in the house and acted like she’s been bullied.

Haley made a dramatic speech and said you don’t need to come in her room, steal her snacks, use her shower, if you’ve been talking bad about her. No one left and she got polite applause. Girl has been safe for 3 weeks and now a fourth and is whining.

Haley’s been after Taylor Brown since week 1 and plans to put her on the block. Her excuse will be that Lala and Taylor were talking about Haley. And Taylor said she’d nominate her if she won. But let’s be real, Haley hates that Kamu likes Taylor.

And Haley’s had Taylor and Lala’s name in her mouth since week 1. She plans to nominate Melody Morris, Taylor and Drew with Taylor as her intended target. Haley’s going to tell Drew he’s a pawn but Devens is trying to get Haley to keep him as a backdoor option.

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Angela, LaTrice, Devens and Kamu are the Have Nots for the week. More on nominations and the Time Capsule winner soon.

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Claressa Shields Sends Heated Message After Interview

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

It looks like somebody had Claressa Shields ready to clear the air without saying any names. The undisputed boxing champion hopped online with a series of fiery posts that quickly got social media talking, leaving fans wondering exactly what—or who—sparked the energy.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Corrects Interviewer After Question About Being In A Relationship With “Somebody’s Husband” (VIDEO)

Claressa Shields Seemingly Sends A Warning

On Thursday, Claressa Shields took to X and wrote, “Imma be honest with you, I ain’t letting nobody else off the hook. Next b!tch come playing I’m going all out 😌.” Then on Friday, she doubled down with another warning, tweeting, “I stg these girls that be talking sh!t bet not let me catch them outside 😌🗣️.”

Claressa Is Standing On Her Resume

Shields later shifted the conversation to her accomplishments, writing, “You can say you the best all you want, but with no accolades to show it, it’s just talk. When I say I’m the GWOAT, THE BEST, The P4P #1, it’s facts. The accolades prove that, the people I’ve beat, the biopic about my life and now the multi million dollar pay days and Sold out arenas.”

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While Claressa didn’t reveal who, if anyone, the posts were directed at, the timing had plenty of people trying to connect the dots. Whether she was responding to behind-the-scenes chatter or simply reminding folks of her résumé, one thing was clear from her message: Shields wanted everyone to know she’s standing firmly on her accomplishments—and she’s not backing down from anyone.

Fans Believe Claressa Was Standing On Business

Some fans are wondering if Claressa Shields’ latest posts came after reflecting on a recent radio interview that had social media talking. While promoting her upcoming August 15 fight against Kaye Scott, Shields appeared on Streetz 94.5 FM, where the conversation shifted from boxing to her relationship with Papoose. After the interviewer referred to him as “somebody’s husband,” Shields quickly shut that down, pointing out that Papoose has filed for divorce and saying people should keep the same energy when discussing his estranged wife.

@theshaderoom

During a recent interview, #ClaressaShields was asked how much longer is she willing to be in a relationship with someone’s husband. She made it clear that she isn’t with anyone’s husband, and that #Papoose has filed for divorce because he is serious about her. (🎥: @Streetz945ATL) #fyp #viral ✍🏾: #TSRStaffJW

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♬ original sound – The Shade Room

Now, after her latest series of tweets about not letting anyone “off the hook” and reminding folks of her accomplishments, some social media users are speculating she wanted to make it clear she’s done entertaining the chatter—even though she never directly connected the posts to the interview.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Appears To Advise Chrisean Rock To Stay Away From Blueface After They Link Up For Boxing Training (VIDEO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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3 Best New Prime Video Movies to Watch This Weekend (July 31-August 1)

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Brad Pitt, Abigail Hargrove, Mireille Enos in World War Z

Zombies, deadly chimps and fame-hungry showgirls – what more can you want in a weekend movie lineup?

Prime Video just dropped some pretty fantastic movies in July, and Watch With Us is here to recommend which films you should stream this July 31-August 2 weekend.

At the top of our list is World War Z, an epic zombie action film starring Brad Pitt and millions of undead aggressors.

The streamer just debuted Primate, a creature feature starring Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur as the owner of a lovable chimp who turns deadly.

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If the horror genre isn’t your thing, try watching Showgirls, the camp classic that is guaranteed to make you laugh – both intentionally and unintentionally.

‘World War Z’ (2013)

Brad Pitt, Abigail Hargrove, Mireille Enos in World War Z

Brad Pitt, Abigail Hargrove, Mireille Enos in World War Z
Jaap Buitendijk/©Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Philadelphia everyman Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) and his family are stuck in the traffic jam from hell. No one is moving, and the people around him are getting angrier by the minute. Gerry doesn’t think things could get any worse, but they do when a zombie outbreak suddenly occurs, plunging the city into chaos. Gerry’s no superhero, but he’s determined to save his family from being consumed by the growing hordes of the undead that are quickly taking over the world. Even if he gets his family to safety, he has to face a sobering reality – no one knows how the outbreak started, and that’s the only way the survivors can develop a cure to stop it.

Loosely based on the bestselling novel by Max Brooks, World War Z is a zombie movie on steroids. Unlike George Romero’s flesh-eating monsters in Night of the Living Dead, these zombies are smarter, faster and deadlier than other versions that have come before them. Because its zombies are such an intimidating, unyielding threat, World War Z maintains a constant sense of urgency and dread. They seem unstoppable, especially when they use their massive numbers to make a mountain of the undead to overtake concrete walls and even helicopters. The film is breathless in the best and worst sense – it keeps you engaged throughout its 116-minute runtime, but you feel exhausted after you finish it.

World War Z is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Primate’ (2026)

Miguel Torres Umba as Ben and Johnny Sequoyah in Primate

Miguel Torres Umba as Ben and Johnny Sequoyah in Primate.
Des Willie / © Paramount Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection

You’d think having a pet chimpanzee would be great. For college student Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah), it’s been heaven growing up with super-smart chimpanzee Ben (Miguel Torres Umba). But when Lucy returns home with some friends for an impromptu party, Ben behaves erratically. The chimp has rabies, causing him to change from a lovable pet to a deadly killer. Trapped in her home, Lucy has to figure out a way out while keeping herself and her friends alive.

Primate is nothing less or more than a deadly creature horror film, like Cujo and Crawl. It earns its hard-R rating, so expect gruesome scenes with faces being ripped off and heads being crushed with rocks. The movie is crude but effective, especially in its portrayal of Ben as a cute but increasingly unhinged murderer. It’s not a classic, but Primate gets the job done – you’ll scream at the well-timed jump scares and gag at all the blood and gore that’s on full display.

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Primate is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Showgirls’ (1995)

Gina Gershon, Elizabeth Berkley in Showgirls

Gina Gershon, Elizabeth Berkley in Showgirls.
United Artists/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) wants to be a star. She hitchhikes to Las Vegas, where she gets her start at a sleazy strip club – and catches the eye of Cristal Connors (Gina Gershon), the lead performer of a showgirl revue called Goddess at the Stardust Hotel. Sensing a kindred spirit as well as a potential new lover, Cristal gets her an audition, which Nomi aces. Soon, Nomi’s star is rising thanks to her talents as a dancer and her convenient affair with Zack (Kyle MacLachlan), the money behind Goddess and Cristal’s boyfriend. But Nomi quickly finds out fame has a price, and she might not be willing to pay it.

Is Showgirls one of the worst movies ever made? Or is it a secretly smart and cutting satire about American capitalism and the selling of sex as a commodity? The reason why Showgirls has been a cult classic for over 30 years is that the answer to both questions is “yes.” The film has laughably bad dialogue – there’s an exchange between Nomi and Crystal about eating doggy chow that still gets chuckles today – but the film is well-directed and, yes, well-acted. Berkeley gives an outsized performance – everything Nomi does is BIG and LOUD. There’s a reason for that – Nomi is hungry for fame and money, and she wants people to know who she is. Love it or hate it, Showgirls is unique – there’s never been a movie made that’s like it.

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Showgirls is streaming on Prime Video.

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6 Best Thriller Movies Released Since 1990

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Kevin Pollack, Stephen Baldwin, and Gabriel Byrne leaning on a lineup wall with Benicio del Toro reading a card and smiling in The Usual Suspects

The 1990s were one of the most transformative decades for cinema in history, and the 21st century has thus far produced several of the greatest masterpieces film has ever seen. As such, it should come as no surprise that from 1990 until the present, there have been many thriller movies which have already gone down in history as some of the best in the genre. What’s more, they only keep getting better with age, so they’ll very likely be talked about a few decades from now with the same kind of reverance and admiration that cinephiles talk about the best thrillers from Hollywood’s Golden Age today.

But even though there have been many exceptional thriller films made over the course of the last 36 years, there are six in particular that stand out above all the others as some of the most perfect in the history of thrillers. Whether it’s a groundbreaking ’90s classic like The Usual Suspects or a modern game-changer like Parasite, the best thrillers the world has seen since 1990 are proof of just how suspenseful, well written, and perfectly directed the genre can get when in the hands of master filmmakers. Anyone who loves thriller movies and hasn’t seen these six films is seriously missing out.

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6

‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)

Kevin Pollack, Stephen Baldwin, and Gabriel Byrne leaning on a lineup wall with Benicio del Toro reading a card and smiling in The Usual Suspects
Kevin Pollack, Stephen Baldwin, and Gabriel Byrne leaning on a lineup wall with Benicio del Toro reading a card and smiling in The Usual Suspects
Image via Universal Pictures

Directed by Bryan Singer and written by a pre-Mission: Impossible Christopher McQuarrie, The Usual Suspects is nothing short of one of the most legendary indie thrillers of all time. The ’90s were the Golden Age of and breakout decade for Hollywood independent cinema, allowing personal auteurial visions to flourish in ways that they had rarely been allowed to before. From this cultural re-allignment came Usual Suspects, which earned McQuarrie the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1996.

The whole idea for The Usual Suspects was born out of the simple premise of five men meeting in a police line-up. In a perfect testament to the fact that the most creative and complex thrillers often come from the simplest and most easy-to-summarize set-ups, Singer’s magnum opus is a brilliantly dark thriller full of razor-sharp dialogue and consistently jaw-dropping twists. The biggest one of these turns comes right at the very end of the film, and it’s one of the most iconic final plot twists in movie history, the sort that completely recontextualizes everything that came before. As such, The Usual Suspects is one of those thriller movies that are even better the second time.

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5

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Park So-dam and Choi Woo-shik check their cellphones in a scene from Parasite
Park So-dam and Choi Woo-shik check their cellphones in a scene from Parasite
Image via NEON

Few countries make thrillers quite as gripping as those made by South Korean filmmakers like Bong Joon Ho. Bong has always been one of the greatest South Korean directors not just of his generation, but of all time, having made several of the best Asian movies of the 21st century. However, never before had the world seen anything quite like the historic Parasite. First-ever non-English-language winner of the Best Picture Academy Award, nothing less than the most prestigious award in the entire film industry, this modern masterpiece is one of the best Best Picture Oscar winners since 2000.

But aside from its achievements being historic, Parasite has the quality to show that it deserved to make history in the first place. The way Bong juggles genres in this brilliant social satire is nothing short of genius, and the way it blends with the film’s constantly-escalating sense of tension, mystery, and suspense is also absolutely perfect. Parasite‘s critique of socioeconomic disparities aren’t particularly subtle, but Bong isn’t a director that’s ever been known for being shy with his thematic explorations. Loud, timely, and an awful lot of fun, Parasite is one of the best films of the 21st century so far.













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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
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Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

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🪙No Country for Old Men

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01

What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





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02

Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





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03

How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





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04

What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





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05

What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





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06

Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





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07

What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





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08

What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





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09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





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10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





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The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

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Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

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Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

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Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

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Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

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No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

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4

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

Hye-jepng Kang and Min-sik Choi hugging in the snow in Oldboy 2003
Hye-jepng Kang and Min-sik Choi hugging in the snow in Oldboy 2003
Image via Tartan Films
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As if any more proof were needed that South Korean filmmakers are absolute masters of the thriller genre, there’s also Park Chan-wook, who has made several thriller masterpieces over the course of his career. The question of which one’s the best of the bunch, however, isn’t actually much of a question at all. It has to be Oldboy, one of the best action thrillers of the 2000s, as well as one of the most disturbing crime movies ever made.

Oldboy is not for the faint of heart, but the way Park uses shock value here always feels perfectly calculated and artfully deliberate instead of gratuitous or exploitative. Exquisitely character-driven and packed with jaw-dropping twists, including some of the most shocking final twists toward its showstopping third act, Oldboy is a psychological thriller that all those with the stomach for it should check out at least once in their lives. Full of perfectly shot action sequences and emotionally stirring character moments, it’s one of the most well-rounded thrillers of modern times.

3

‘Memento’ (2000)

Before he was Academy Award winner Christopher Nolan, king of Hollywood blockbusters; he was up-and-coming indie filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the man whose sophomore feature, Memento, took the world by storm as soon as it premiered at the Venice Film Festival at the tail end of the 20th century. Today, there are still those who would confidently refer to this as Nolan’s best movie to date, and for good reason. It may lack the epic scale or sense of spectacle of his newer blockbuster fare, but that is precisely where its thematic, narrative, and aesthetic strength comes from.

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There are plenty of reasons why Memento is one of the best films of the 2000s, not least of which is the genius way in which Nolan structures the story in reverse chronological order. This never feels like a cheap gimmick, but rather like a masterfully-constructed framing device that makes the film consistently surprising at every turn. By the time the credits roll, Memento has recontextualized itself as a drama of surprising philosophical depth, exploring the lengths to which people will go in order to give their lives some semblance of meaning.

2

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Se7en - 1995 (1) Image via New Line Cinema

By the time 1995 rolled in, David Fincher was still very far from being the hugely-acclaimed filmmaker that cinephiles celebrate him as today. After all, by that point, the only feature film under his belt was Alien³. That’s when Se7en came along. When Fincher was brought on board the project, he was still better-known for his work directing music videos, and he wasn’t a fan of the script’s police procedural elements. Even still, he was so fascinated by the escalating plot and the incredibly bleak story that he agreed to direct. The result? One of the most fatalistic movies of all time.But as overwhelmingly bleak as it is, Se7en still managed to make over $300 million dollars at the box office worldwide, immediately establishing Fincher as a talent to look out for in the thriller space. Today, he’s one of the greatest thriller filmmakers currently working. That would have probably never happened without Se7en, a psychological thriller so terrifyingly pessimistic and violent that there are those who would argue it qualifies as a horror movie, too.

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1

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) behind bars in 'The Silence of the Lambs'
Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) behind bars in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’
Image via Orion Pictures

There’s really no question about it: Since the arrival of the ’90s, there still hasn’t been a thriller quite as iconic, influential, or legendary than The Silence of the Lambs. It’s the latest movie to have won all Big Five Oscars (Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor, and Actress) for a reason. Anchored by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster delivering some of the strongest work of their careers, this psychological thriller/horror masterpiece is one of the greatest serial killer mystery movies ever made.

This is yet another film that definitely demands that the viewer have a strong stomach in order to get through the whole film, but watching Silence of the Lambs at some point is nevertheless a bona fide requirement for considering oneself a cinephile. It’s one of those horror movies that are perfect throughout, a thematically complex character-driven gem bolstered by Ted Tally‘s timeless script and Jonathan Demme‘s downright flawless direction. Since 1990, The Silence of the Lambs is the best thriller movie that the big screen has received—and it’ll take something very special to take that top spot away from it.

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The Silence of the Lambs


Release Date

February 14, 1991

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Runtime

119 minutes

Director
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Jonathan Demme

Writers

Ted Tally, Thomas Harris

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Shannon Beador on Southern Charm’s Rodrigo Calling Her Rude

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RodrigoReyes-and-Shannon-Beador-at-BravoCon-2025

The Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador has something to say about Southern Charm’s Rodrigo Reyes claiming that she was rude when they crossed paths at BravoCon.

“Can I say, and I apologize,” Shannon, 62, began on the Thursday, July 30, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, “Rodrigo, I don’t know who he is.”

Rodrigo, 42, made waves in January when he claimed on WWHL that Shannon had been “very rude” during BravoCon in November 2025.

“She was very rude and very condescending,” he alleged. “She was talking a lot of crap off to the side that Tyler [Dugas, my fiancé] heard. Tyler heard her talking about, like, Salley [Carson] and I having a better position in one of the fan rooms. Well, honey, show up on time and you won’t have to worry about that.”

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Related: Southern Charm’s Rodrigo Reyes Claims Shannon Beador Was ‘Rude’ at BravoCon

Southern Charm personality Rodrigo Reyes had at least one not-so-memorable moment at BravoCon 2025. Rodrigo, 40, was questioned about his “least favorite” Bravolebrity he met at the network’s latest fan convention during his Wednesday, January 28, appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “Shannon Beador,” Rodrigo told host Andy Cohen and fellow guest […]

Shannon, meanwhile, asserted on Thursday that she did not intentionally mean to hurt Rodrigo’s feelings.

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“Sophie [my daughter] was with me at all times at BravoCon, and I go, ‘Sweetie, who is this?’ She goes, ‘Mom, we never saw him,’” the Housewives star said, to which Sophie, 23, nodded from behind the bar to seemingly corroborate her mom’s account. “So, I don’t know. Andy knows me: I’m nice to everyone, but I’m sorry, Rodrigo.”

Rodrigo-Reyes-NUP_209767_00739

Rodrigo Reyes.
Charles Sykes/Bravo

Shannon even extended an invitation to make things up to Rodrigo during Bravo’s upcoming fan convention in Charleston, South Carolina, this October.

“We’re doing Fan Fest together,” Shannon stated. “Let’s make up!”

Bravo is hosting a one-day-only fan event on Sunday, October 24, for fans to attend cast panels, immersive experiences, pop-up activations and meet-and-greets with Bravolebrities. Andy Cohen will also tape two special broadcasts of WWHL in the days ahead of Bravo Fan Fest.

Personalities from Below Deck, Southern Charm, Southern Hospitality, Summer House and the Housewives franchise are expected to be present, including Shannon and her RHOC castmates. The OC iteration is currently airing its milestone 20th season.

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“I had such a great time. I laughed, I did silly, silly things,” Shannon exclusively told Us Weekly last month. “I can’t wait for people to see that. … I really think people are going to enjoy the season, because it’s not always about fighting all the time. Of course, we have our disagreements, but people want to see fun too.”

Shannon further told Us that she was excited about her pal Vicki Gunvalson’s return to the show.

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“I was excited about being back and being with my girlfriends and showing everybody what I’ve been up to,” Vicki, 64, told Us in a separate interview in June. “I’m still really good friends with Shannon on and off camera, Tamra [Judge] as well. It was easy.”

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8 Essential Naughty Dog Games, Ranked

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Daxter hanging on Jak's shoulder in the middle of a desert dystopian wasteland in art made for 'Jak 3'

Few video game developers have been as consistently high-quality and masterful in their scope and scale as Naughty Dog, who have consistently been at the forefront of exceptional gaming experiences during the 3D era of gaming. While they released an array of games in their early years, they didn’t truly find their footing until their collaborations with Sony on their various PlayStation consoles. They proved to be so revolutionary and important to the console’s success that the studio was bought by Sony in 2001, and they have continued to make exceptional games for PlayStation systems ever since.

From some of the best and most engaging platformers of their era to masterfully woven pieces of cinematic greatness within the medium of video games, Naughty Dog’s best games are in a league of their own in terms of quality and care. However, more than simply being the greatest games that they have released, each of these games is fundamentally essential when it comes to understanding the craft and strengths that have made Naughty Dog the powerhouse studio that they are today.

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8

‘Jak 3’ (2004)

Daxter hanging on Jak's shoulder in the middle of a desert dystopian wasteland in art made for 'Jak 3'
Daxter hanging on Jak’s shoulder in the middle of a desert dystopian wasteland in art made for ‘Jak 3’

The final game in Naughty Dog’s acclaimed PS2 trilogy, Jak 3 is one of the studio’s most prominent examples in their shift in mentality when it came to the types of game experiences that they wanted to create. It continues the darker tone that was set up by Jak II, with an even greater emphasis on gun combat than previous entries and the intricacies of the Wasteland. More than any previous game in Naughty Dog’s catalog, there is a great emphasis placed on genuine and emotional storytelling, a tenet that would follow them for nearly every subsequent release.

While it might not be an absolute narrative masterpiece or even the best game in the Jak and Daxter trilogy, its importance to the legacy and growth of Naughty Dog as a studio makes it an essential experience for fans of the studio. With well-written characters and some shocking twists laden throughout, there are a lot of core elements strewn throughout Jak 3 that can directly be compared to the stories and characters of modern Naughty Dog experiences.

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7

‘Crash Team Racing’ (1999)

crash-team-racing
Crash Team Racing
Image via Playstation

Kart racing spinoffs of beloved platforming franchises weren’t exactly rare during the 90s, but what was a massive rarity was that Naughty Dog was actually developing this spinoff of their beloved PS1 trilogy rather than another development team. This has largely helped Crash Team Racing become one of the most well-crafted and timeless kart racing games of all time, surpassing the likes of Mario Kart 64 and becoming the must-play multiplayer racing game of the era.

Crash Team Racing proved more than a shadow of a doubt that Naughty Dog was a truly special development team, able to create much more than just top-notch platformers and showing strength within a completely different genre. The final Crash Bandicoot game they developed served as an unlikely, perfect send-off for their beloved marsupial character, and it is still celebrated as one of the best kart racers ever made and an icon of multiplayer gaming on the PS1.

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6

‘Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy’ (2001)

jak-and-daxter-precursor-legacy-smiling-daxter.jpg

While it may seem a bit strange to return to the more cartoony charms of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy after knowing just how much more dark and serious the series would go, the game is still a highly engaging platformer experience built upon the strengths of the collect-a-thon genre. The film is massively influenced by other prominent collect-a-thons of the previous era, like Super Mario 64 and especially Banjo Kazooie, with each world and mission brimming with character and charm that add to the overall experience.

For a console that quickly became defined by an array of mature and adult-oriented gaming experiences, Jak and Daxter is easily the definitive family-friendly adventure game for the PS2. Its adherence to the strengths of the collect-a-thon genre is what really makes the game so engaging all these years later, as subsequent Jak and Daxter games largely abandoned the collect-a-thon style of gameplay with their shift to action and more story-oriented gameplay.

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5

‘Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’ (2016)

Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan in 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End'
Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

For the most part, the distinct console trilogies made by Naughty Dog stayed within the confines of the console that they originated on, as the Crash Bandicoot trilogy on PS1 and Jak and Daxter trilogy on PS2 set the standard for Uncharted to follow on PS3. However, the franchise ended up receiving a surprise 4th entry on the PS4, with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End being an exceptional sendoff to the beloved characters of the Uncharted franchise.

It acts as this glorious culmination of all of the strengths of the franchise, from large-scale cinematic action sequences to intricate puzzles and memorable character moments. The best-selling PS4 game is an undeniable highlight of Naughty Dog’s offerings, elevating the brilliance and scale of the franchise to the next generation of technological and graphical capabilities. The game even features a direct throwback to Naughty Dog’s origins with PlayStation, with the player being able to play the first level of Crash Bandicoot as played by Nathan and Elena.

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4

‘The Last of Us: Part II’ (2020)

Ellie in The Last of Us Part II
Ellie in The Last of Us Part II
Image via Naughty Dog

So far the only Naughty Dog game to have won the highly coveted Game Award for Game of the Year, The Last of Us Part II is still technically the most recent Naughty Dog release when not considering remasters and ports. This massively acclaimed sequel to the already legendary game became largely lauded thanks to its darker, more depressing story, dynamic characterization, and overarching themes of revenge. Even outside of the divisive nature of the game’s story, the technical craft and exceptional gameplay are still some of Naughty Dog at their very best.

There is so much passion and care placed into even the tiniest details of the game, adding to the immersion and emotional impact of each shocking twist and tense moment. This swan song for the PS4 era of PlayStation is still heralded as one of the greatest technical achievements in video game history, with the exceptional emotional impact of its story even further adding to its legacy as one of the icons of PlayStation in the 2020s.

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3

‘Crash Bandicoot: Warped’ (1998)

Crash Bandicoot wearing a biker outfit while on a motocrcycle next to Coco Bandicoot riding a tiger in art made for 'Crash Bandicoot: Warped' on PlayStation.
Crash Bandicoot wearing a biker outfit while on a motocrcycle next to Coco Bandicoot riding a tiger in art made for ‘Crash Bandicoot: Warped’ on PlayStation.

The third game in Naughty Dog’s original PlayStation trilogy, Crash Bandicoot: Warped acts as the absolute highlight of the entire Crash Bandicoot franchise and one of the best games on the PS1. The time travel-centric platformer expands upon the strengths of previous entries to create a highly engaging experience that consistently adds new twists and elements to keep the player entertained from beginning to end. 3D platforming of the 90s simply doesn’t get better than this masterpiece of the genre.

Especially in the era of Naughty Dog games before they hard-focused on cinematic narrative-centric games, Crash Bandicoot: Warped features arguably some of the most seamless and satisfying gameplay out of any game that they’ve released. It’s one of the most timeless platforming experiences that gaming has to offer, feeling just as fun to play as it was when it first released, and a symbol of the polish and impact of Naughty Dog’s approach to gameplay.

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2

‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ (2009)

The gang in the jungle in 'Uncharted 2 Among Thieves' Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

The original Uncharted was certainly an impactful and memorable game for its time, but the stature and legacy of Uncharted as one of the faces of PlayStation simply wouldn’t exist without the brilliance and overwhelming mastery of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The game builds upon the concepts and strengths of the original game and seamlessly creates one of the most cinematic video game experiences of all time. From one of the greatest openings in any video game to a consistent stream of impactful action and setpieces, Uncharted 2 brings the strength and scope of an action-blockbuster movie to the world of video games better than any other game before or since.

It also helps that Naughty Dog had clearly gotten more comfortable with this style of third-person shooter narrative-centric action game, as they’re taking much more risks and having more exciting moments when the original game felt like it was playing things safe for the most part. All of these strengths are largely inherent to the exceptional single-player experience, but Uncharted 2 also featured some surprisingly fun multiplayer modes that were extremely fun while still adhering to the core strengths of Uncharted.

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1

‘The Last of Us’ (2013)

Joel and Ellie looking ahead in The Last of Us video game Image via Naughty Dog

There’s a good reason that when many gamers of the modern day think of the exceptional games released by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us is often the first game that comes to mind. It was a revolutionary leap forward for the industry that stands tall as one of the most important games of the era and a symbol of what is possible in terms of artistic storytelling in the medium of video games. No other game in their catalog quite exemplifies the masterful reputation of Naughty Dog quite like The Last of Us, which continues to be celebrated as an all-time classic and one of the greatest PlayStation games ever made.

This beautifully crafted dystopian action thriller finds the perfect blend between tense stealth-based action, exceptionally well-written characters, and a story that keeps gamers hooked from the first scene up until its legendary ending. Everything that Naughty Dog had been building towards throughout their stature as PlayStation’s top development team comes to a head in The Last of Us to create the pinnacle of the PS3’s library and one of the most important video games of the 2010s.











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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
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Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

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🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.

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The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

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Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.

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Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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17 Elevated Track Pants That Deliver NYC Cool-Girl Vibes STAT

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denim shorts

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Sporty track pants might be a style straight out of the ‘90s, but they have never been so chic. These bottoms combine the comfort and ease of wide-leg sweatpants with the sleek and elevated feel of trousers, thus offering a versatile look that works for both casual and dressed-up outfits. While a little unexpected, they also nail the effortless NYC cool-girl aesthetic that we’re constantly going after, making them a top pick right now.

We found effortlessly sleek track pants that work for just about any occasion, including travel, errand runs and even a night on the town. Made with lightweight materials, sporty-chic designs and relaxed silhouettes, these 17 track pants will become your go-tos for summer, fall and beyond. Oh, and while we love a classic black and white design, you’ll also discover other interesting and trendy color options below ranging from neutral beiges to cute pinks. See our favorites from Adidas, Free People and more.

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17 Elevated Track Pants for NYC Cool Girl Style

1. Our Favorite: These classic black track pants offer a budget-friendly designer look with a lightweight feel and relaxed fit that flatters any shape. Even better: They come in several different inseam sizes, so you can find your perfect fit.

2. Runner-Up: These lightweight track pants are sporty-chic, thanks to the striped detailing and slightly flared leg. And since they cost less than $20, they’re definitely worth trying.

3. Suitcase-Ready: Packing for a trip where you want to look stylish and cool? Include these lightweight track pants. They’re meant to fold down small to fit in any bag or suitcase, and the relaxed fit nails the cool-girl vibe.

4. Super Soft: Miss your sweats? Opt for these cotton track pants that are so soft, they feel just like your favorite loungewear. However, the subtle seam down the front makes them feel more elevated. Bonus: They have zippered pockets, too.

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5. Stripes for Days: Black track pants are the go-to, but this navy blue option makes a strong case for branching out. With their pinstripe design and relaxed fit, these Adidas pants look good dressed up or down.

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Related: These Denim Shorts Are the New Wave of Summer 2026 Style

Denim shorts have come a long way since the 1960s, when people would quite literally cut their jeans as part of a counterculture movement. You can say denim was a big part of that ‘unconventional’ mentality, which promoted peace and love, anti-authority views, artistic freedom, hippie-esque lifestyles and yes, breezy, easy-going style. While 2026 looks […]

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6. Y2K Trending: These baggy track pants lean heavily into the Y2K trend, and we’re not complaining. They have a super wide-leg style that gives major ‘It’ girl vibes.

7. Minimalist Style: Eschew the typical stripes-down-the-leg look and opt for these minimalist black track pants instead. They offer the same fit and feel, but they’re a lot more simple, which gives them a slightly less sporty feel.

8. Coquette Vibes: These baggy track pants have that typical sporty chic look to them, but the addition of cute white bows at the bottom of each pant leg really makes them stand out.

9. Sporty and Chic: These mid-rise pants feature an active-approved fabric that wicks away moisture, making them perfect for walking or hitting the gym. But they also look cute enough to dress up a bit. Act fast, because they are on sale right now.

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10. Sleek Silhouette: A straight leg fit and skinny stripes down the side make these Free People track pants feel more sleek and put together. They have just enough stretch and feel super soft, too.

11. Cool Cargos: Think of these baggy athletic pants as the perfect mix of track bottoms and cargos. They have the stripes down the side of the leg, big pockets and a wide-leg fit, so they absolutely nail the cool Y2K look.

12. Feminine Touch: The simple change of adding scalloped stripes down the leg makes these colorful track pants stand out instantly. They’re just a bit more feminine but still sporty and polished.

13. Cult Classic: These classic Adidas track pants just might be where it all started. This modern version includes a textured fabric that gives them the perfect update.

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14. Elevated Look: Opt for a more tailored look with these bootcut track pants. The colors, single stripe and crepe fabric make them feel instantly more put together, while the ankle zip and bootcut fit keep them sporty.

15. Cropped and Cute: Perfect for end-of-summer outfits, these cropped track pants hit just above the ankle and feel super lightweight. They also come in so many fun colors and have a water-resistant material that makes them work well as activewear.

16. Sale Alert: These burgundy track pants stand out because of the bright color. They’re also soft, comfy and currently on sale — you can’t beat that.

17. Rich Mom Feel: Think of these tailored pants as the perfect mix of trousers and track pants. They’re sleek, crisp and still comfortable, and they would look so good with a pair of cute heels.

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Related: Shoppers Found the ‘Best Work Pants‘ That Finally Sold Me on Capris

I’ll admit it: I wasn’t convinced the capri pants trend deserved a comeback. Too many styles feel outdated or unflattering or just plain difficult to style. Then, I stumbled across the Miduo High-Waisted Cropped Capris on Amazon, and suddenly the trend started to make a whole lot more sense. They’re polished enough for the office, […]

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Young and Restless Next Week: Mariah Bombshell, Nick Exits Rehab & Shock Nuptials!

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Young and the Restless: Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) - Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow)

Young and the Restless spoilers for the week of August 3rd are going to see Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) back home to Genoa City, and it is a big shocker for somebody. Plus, Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) is out of rehab before he should be, and there’s going to be a surprise wedding.

Young and the Restless: Nick Out of Rehab

Now, first, let’s get into what is going on with Nick and his rehab and how he is tied to this surprise wedding. First, we’re going to talk about Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). So, at the end of this week on Young and the Restless, Nikki and Victor are hanging out at the GCAC, and Nikki is enjoying how wonderful it is to see again. Even the fruit on her plate has her happy. It’s so colorful.

She and Victor just got back from visiting Nick in rehab. Now, mind you, family is not supposed to show up right when somebody goes into rehab. Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) even mentioned that when she told Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) that Nick had checked himself into rehab. And you could tell that Sharon didn’t like that Nikki and Victor pushed forward with this visit because it’s outside of the process. And Nikki knows that. Bottom line, that could negatively impact Nick’s process of staying clean.

Victor Swallows His Pride on Y&R

So, Nikki and Victor talked about how broken that Nick seemed when they saw him. And both Nikki and Victor are worried about their son. But I guess they’re not worried enough to follow the rules of rehab, though. And then Nikki asks where she and Victor stand now that her vision is back.

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So, he wants to focus on the positive things like Nikki regaining her sight and Nick’s recovery process. But Nikki can’t live with the uncertainty. She doesn’t want to ignore what broke up her and Victor. And he wants Nikki back home for good. But Victor doesn’t want to talk about Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).

And if you remember, Victor told Nikki that the only path to them reuniting was if she cut Jack out of her life. But now it looks like Victor’s had some sort of epiphany. And he tells Nikki he knows he’s got to accept Jack is her friend. Of course, Victor calls Jack a loser when he says it, but it’s still better overall.

And then Nikki says she’s willing to let go of what Victor did to Jack, but only if Victor can let go of the night Jack saved her—you know, the whole night of debauchery thing that Victor’s always on about. So, he tells Nikki that his love for her is stronger than his hate for Jack. And then Victor says, “Let’s go home.”

Young and Restless: Victor and Nikki’s Surprise Wedding

So, next week on Young and the Restless, spoilers have Victor slipping Nikki’s ring back onto her finger and Victor proposes. He asks if Nikki will marry him again. And of course, since Victor’s got a stranglehold on her heart, we will see Nikki tell him yes. She says, “I will marry you a thousand times over.”

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I mean, really, not a thousand. This is maybe what, number six. I don’t know how many times they’ve been married off the top of my head. So, those two are the surprise wedding that we’re going to be getting. And it sounds like it won’t be too long before Victor and Nikki renew their vows, possibly next week.

Unfortunately, it looks like Nick is home from rehab because he asks his mom if she’s ready to be a bride again. And what’s wild about that is when he says that Nikki is in the same blouse as she was wearing on Friday’s episode at the GCAC on her outing with Victor. So, is Nick just walking out of rehab the same day that Nikki and Victor came to visit? If so, that is not a good sign for him beating this addiction.

Young and the Restless: Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) - Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow)Young and the Restless: Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) - Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow)
Young and the Restless: Mariah Copeland – Nick Newman 

Young and the Restless: Nick Breaks the Rules

Rehab is supposed to last for weeks without a break. Sharon was worried about Nick and she might have more cause to worry soon. But maybe he checked out to see Victor and Nikki renew their vows and then Nick will go back soon, even though that’s also against the rules. But also, despite the wedding distraction, Victor has more fish to fry. He is quite upset at Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) by the end of this week and again going into next week.

Phyllis did the deed with Matt, but she woke up alone. He had gone to see Sienna to ask her a favor. So, while Matt’s at the Shadow Room, Phyllis is freaking out, thinking that Matt had relations and then left town. So, she’s calling, texting, leaving an insane voicemail. Typical stuff from Phyllis. But no, Matt didn’t leave Genoa City. Instead, he went to ask Sienna if she would speak to the Newmans on his behalf and basically get Victor, Noah, and the others to just leave him alone. And Sienna doesn’t think they’ll listen, but she is willing to speak to them on Matt’s behalf.

Y&R Spoilers: Matt’s Defiance and Danny’s New Role

And then he goes to find Phyllis to reassure her that he is making every effort to stay in town to be with her and that he went to see Sienna for help with that. And Matt tells Phyllis what he asked Sienna to do. But Phyllis warns Matt not to trust anybody, not even his ex. And Phyllis tells Matt, “Please don’t listen to the nasty voicemail I left.” And then he tells Phyllis he’s not leaving.

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He even left his bag under her bed. Not only that, but Matt faces off with Victor by the end of the week. Says he’s not working for him. He’s not leaving town and he’s going to stay with Phyllis. And of course, Victor is enraged. There’s a shocker next week for Phyllis related to her ex, Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) and Christine Blair Romalotti (Lauralee Bell), his wife, are up at The Shadow Room.

And if you recall, he really liked the club and he helped out behind the bar when staff was short. That was the same night that he told people he’s tired of touring. So, next week’s Young and the Restless spoilers have him and his wife up at Shadow Room, and he tells his wife he likes it there.

Young and the Restless: Danny Surprises Christine

And she says she knows, but won’t that interfere with his regular job? He asks her, “What if this was my regular job?” She asks if he’s going viral. And he says, “No, a rock club manager.” Then he tells her, “Meet the new man in charge.” So, it looks like he is going to be managing the club for Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) and Noah. And I guess that means more of him and his wife on Young and the Restless, at least until the new headwriters tap in, and then we’ll see what happens.

I’m sure that Phyllis won’t miss a chance to bring Matt up to The Shadow Room to rub her relationship in her ex’s face. But I think he and his wife will be absolutely horrified to see who Phyllis has in her bed. Maybe not too surprised though, given her track record with the men she chooses. I mean, he was a good one, though.

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Young and Restless: Mariah Comes Home

Also, next week on Young and the Restless, spoilers have Mariah back and she is delivering a real shocker. So, up at Crimson Lights, Mariah sneaks up behind her mom, Sharon, and covers her eyes and she yells out, “Mariah!” And then she tells Sharon, “I’m home.” So, we’ll see if Tessa is with her and Aria, too.

Hopefully both. Mariah’s return comes at a perfect time because Devon Hamilton (Bryton James) is really struggling with his anger issues. And that all goes back to Mariah kidnapping Dominic. And because of that, Devon is destroying personal relationships and he really needs some closure and some calm before he ruins his own life. So hopefully, Mariah can talk to Devon and he’ll open up to Mariah and they can work through things before Devon winds up going further off the rails.

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Barack Obama pays tribute to late Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard on his summer music playlist

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The musician and actor died after a single-vehicle motorcycle accident.

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