Fans crave excitement and a way to escape from the plain, boring world and everyday life, which is why the fantasy genre is so popular. Whether it be the fantastical creatures, the whimsical world, or the bright and unique festivals, this genre is an escape that is rich with storytelling potential. Anime in particular delivers some standout fantasy series, including Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic and the newly released Witch Hat Atelier.

This diverse genre can be done in thousands of different ways, and anime has achieved many of them, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest fantasy anime of all time. Based on story, animation, creativity, worldbuilding, lore, characters, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, themes such as good vs evil, the hero’s journey, courage, and aspects including imaginative worlds, systems, and magic, these shows are the perfect escape.

10

‘Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!’ (2016-present)

Image via Studio Deen

The best part about fantasies is that almost any other genre can fit inside of it as well, such as comedy, and Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World proves that. When Kazuma suddenly passes away, he is given a new chance at life in a fantasy world. Given the option to take something with him, he chooses the goddess speaking to him; little does he know that she is useless, making his new start harder than expected.

Konosuba’s story is secondary, but it also offers a fun adventure every now and then, where they travel to new areas and fight a member of the demon king’s army. However, the appeal of this show is its parody-style comedy that satirizes the isekai genre and makes fun of its tropes. Konosuba is a hilarious anime with a cast full of endearing idiots, but that is what makes every episode and adventure special.

9

‘Dorohedoro’ (2020-present)

Image via Crunchyroll

Fantasy comes in all different types of shapes and sizes, and Dorohedoro is perhaps one of the most unique series out there. The Hole is a decrepit place where sorcerers come to experiment with their magic on the civilians. Caiman is one such product that has the head of an alligator and no memories. By killing and questioning wizards, Caiman hopes to regain his memory and his former appearance.

It may not be the typical fantasy that fans think of, but with magic, sorcery, creatures, and an adventure-focused plot that has the protagonist learning about his past, Dorohedoro is definitely a fantasy. The worldbuilding is absolutely phenomenal, using events, festivals, and celebrations to create a lived-in experience that alters the story. Dorohedoro is chaotically pleasant with quirky characters, gritty action, gory moments, and surreal humor, making it a modern anime masterpiece that more fans need to check out.

8

‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ (2021-present)

Image via Studio Bind

The Isekai genre is a controversial one, but it usually goes hand-in-hand with fantasy; an especially polarizing anime is Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. After living an unfulfilling life, Rudeus is reborn in a fantasy world where he plans to make the most of his second chance. However, old habits die hard, making his tumultuous journey in this world even more difficult.

Rudeus’ character is a decidedly controversial one, but no matter what they think of him, fans have to admit that the show’s worldbuilding is stellar and the animation is absolutely stunning. Mushoku Tensei is one of the best visual fantasies, creating a charming and authentic experience unlike anything else in the medium. With a winding plot and profound character development, this anime is a definitive fantasy isekai.

7

‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024-present)

Image via Studio Trigger

The modern era has given fans some of the best fantasy series, and one of them is Delicious in Dungeon. After a dragon eats the healer of a party, the group suits up to go back into the dungeon and save her before the dragon digests her. However, with no money, supplies, or food, they decide to make meals out of the monsters they meet, but food might be the last of their worries.

Food is a big part of fantasy, but Delicious in Dungeon takes it to a whole new level by creating a monster biology and creature cookbook that blends seamlessly. The gourmet creations and monster worldbuilding are a fascinating approach that adds so much fun to each episode and enhances the journey. Delicious in Dungeon also excels with its dramatic plot shift midway through, which really kick-started the story.

Image via Crunchyroll

With guns, semi-modern civilization, and a scientific power system, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood doesn’t feel too much like a fantasy, but it features enough content to be considered one. After brothers Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, they set out on an adventure to find the philosopher’s stone. But when they learn of a government conspiracy, they need to stop it or risk losing the entire world.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered the best anime of all time, which may make it surprising that it is so low on this list. However, it doesn’t embody the fantasy elements as well as other series, almost serving as a merger between many genres. Still, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood became a sensation because of its engaging plot with fascinating worldbuilding, an intriguing power system, and engaging characters.

5

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011-2014)

Battle shounen are the most popular type of anime, and many of them are fantasy variants, including Hunter x Hunter, which fans one day hope will actually get an ending. Gon dreams of finding the father who abandoned him; the only thing Gon knows is that his father is a hunter. Now of age, Gon sets out on the same path as his dad, but becoming a hunter will introduce a new set of challenges and trauma.

Hunter x Hunter is a master at subverting expectations, starting with a typical shonen adventure and evolving into a profound and philosophical drama with action, political intrigue, and intense character development. It follows a form of the hero’s journey, and with plenty of adventure, characters, and fantastical events, Hunter x Hunter is a definitive anime series and a distinct fantasy experience.

4

‘Mushi-Shi’ (2005-2014)

Image via Artland

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Fantasy doesn’t always need to be set in an alternate world; sometimes the greatest adventures take place in one’s own backyard. Mushi-Shi follows Ginko, a researcher investigating the mysterious creatures known as Mushi and the strange phenomena that occur around them. Traveling across the country, Ginko encoutners many spirits and peculiar cases.

Mushi-Shi doesn’t follow a specific grand story; instead, each episode offers a slice of comfort and magic. This whimsical anime is relaxing and soothing, taking fans through atmospheric settings and melancholic stories. Sadly, Mushi-Shi is a rather unknown anime that deserves far more love, especially because of its mystical approach to creatures and the mystery surrounding them.

3

‘One Piece’ (1999-present)

Image via Toei Animation

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Fantasy isn’t just dragons and magic; sometimes it reveals itself in the shape of pirates exploring the vast ocean and the bizarre islands. One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy, an ambitious pirate who wants to find the titular treasure. However, to do so, he must build a crew and a name for himself, which he does by sailing the seas and challenging any evil pirates, marines, or government officials.

Anime has a broad definition of fantasy, and this is shown by the fact that One Piece is a fantasy. There may be guns, scientific experiments, and pirate mischief, but its creativity creates a unique world with islands made out of cake and giants roaming a folklore land. One Piece has many great arcs, making up a gargantuan story with some of the best worldbuilding in anime.

2

‘Berserk’ (1997-1998)

Image via Nippon TV

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Even some of the best manga don’t translate well to anime, and Berserk knows this all too well. However, there is one good adaptation, and it earns its spot on this list. Guts has experienced a living hell since birth, but when he believes things might just be going his way, a brutal betrayal takes everything from him. Now, Guts is on a blood-fueled quest for revenge.

Berserk might be the greatest fantasy story ever told; unfortunately, the anime doesn’t fully do it justice, but that is still enough for it to land at number two on this list. The world blends multiple time periods together to create a vicious yet captivating fantasy world, and its story of revenge and political warfare is yet another landmark that highlights its excellence and domination of the genre. The Berserk manga is continuing, meaning fans can keep enjoying this story in multiple mediums.

1

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023-present)

Image via Madhouse

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Most of these anime needed years to establish themselves as greats, but in only a short amount of time, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has cemented itself as the best fantasy anime ever. Years after defeating the demon king, the heroes’ party slowly died off, except for the titular elf, who regrets not getting to understand them more. Now on a nostalgic journey with their pupils, Frieren plans to see them again in the land of the dead.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End subverted the typical fantasy format by delivering a passionate adventure where the side quests and detours are all the fun. Whether it be a fun little side adventure, a profound life lesson, or a grand battle against some monster, each episode is a fantastical delight. Each new season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End becomes one of the most anticipated anime shows, and with plenty more in store, fans won’t want this journey to end.

The Met Gala has always been as much about romance as it is about fashion, with celebrity couples often using the iconic steps as their stage. This year, however, the energy shifted. 

As cameras flashed and designers were celebrated, a noticeable pattern emerged as many of the biggest stars arrived without their equally famous partners. 

From newly engaged pairs skipping their debut to long-time couples breaking tradition, the absence of key partners became one of the most talked-about twists of the night.

The Met Gala red carpet is often a stage for high-profile couples to show off their chemistry, but several A-list stars arrived without their partners this year. 

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Among the most talked-about absences was Harry Styles, who failed to accompany his fiancée Zoë Kravitz just days after news of their engagement broke. 

According to the Daily Mail, fans had expected a major debut, but instead, Kravitz appeared alone, and notably without her diamond ring, sending a subtle but confusing message.

Timothée Chalamet also skipped the event, leaving girlfriend Kylie Jenner to walk solo for the second year in a row. 

Rather than attending fashion’s biggest night, the actor chose to watch a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. 

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His absence quickly drew criticism, with some labeling him a “bad boyfriend,” especially given Jenner’s visible support for him throughout awards season during his campaign for “Marty Supreme.”

Met Gala Absences Spark Questions And Criticism

Another surprising no-show at the Met Gala was Justin Trudeau, who did not appear alongside Katy Perry. 

The former Canadian prime minister, who has recently been seen closely with the pop star during yacht outings and at Coachella, was absent without explanation.

Trudeau’s recent public behavior has already sparked conversation, with critics accusing him of having a “midlife crisis” following his 2023 divorce. 

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Other stars also found themselves navigating the spotlight alone. Gigi Hadid walked the red carpet solo, although she later reunited with Bradley Cooper inside the event. 

Vittoria Ceretti, meanwhile, continued her usual pattern of attending events without Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known for avoiding public appearances and often disguising himself with hats and masks.

Met Gala Night Leaves Kardashian-Jenner Clan Without Their Men

Kylie Jenner wasn’t the only Kardashian-Jenner family member to attend the Met Gala without their partner. 

The socialite’s solo appearance was mirrored by her older sister Kim Kardashian, who stunned in a metallic orange bodysuit and leather skirt but arrived without her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton.

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Hamilton may have had a valid reason for missing the event, as he had just competed in the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, where he placed sixth. 

The timing of the race, which concluded only a day before the Met Gala, likely made it difficult for him to attend.

Hailey Bieber, Jenner’s longtime friend also appeared without her husband Justin Bieber. While his absence sparked discussion, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. 

Some fans have suggested in the past that Justin avoids red carpets to ensure Hailey remains the center of attention, while others have criticized his casual style for clashing with her polished looks.

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Met Gala Spotlight Falls On Blake Lively Without Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively’s Met Gala appearance carried a different kind of weight, as it came just hours after she settled her long-running legal battle with Justin Baldoni’s production company. 

While the settlement avoided a high-profile trial, the terms were not disclosed. Ryan Reynolds, who had supported her throughout the ordeal, was notably absent from the red carpet.

Despite this, Lively embraced the moment, stepping out in a dramatic gown featuring a sequined halter top and a voluminous multicolored skirt. 

Her solo appearance placed full attention on her personal milestone, even without her husband by her side.

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Met Gala Still Delivers Romance As Some Couples Show Up Together

Even with many solo arrivals, the Met Gala still delivered a few traditional couple moments. 

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster attended together, holding hands and presenting a coordinated, elegant look.

A$AP Rocky also maintained his steady presence by Rihanna’s side, continuing their pattern of attending events together while raising their three children.

Longtime couples like Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor also made a notable return, while newlyweds Venus Williams and Andrea Preti brought fresh energy to the event.   

Other standout pairs included Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad, Rebecca Hall and Morgan Spector, and Adrien Brody with Georgina Chapman, all embracing the “Fashion Is Art” theme together. 

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Leading the night were co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Williams, alongside Anna Wintour, ensuring the Met Gala remained a spectacle.

If there’s any genre seemingly predicated on building up to a exciting climax it’s action. They end with epic battles, explosive gunfights, nail-biting chases and the occasional special effects extravanganza. Action is all about tension and release, and there’s no better release than a climax. Forgive the crude metaphor, but its apt and action movies climax like no other genre can. At least the good ones do. Good action movies know when to hold back so that they don’t let their best action sequence occur too early in the runtime, or if they do, they at least know to climax with something smarter or more emotionally satisfying.

Not all of the best action movie climaxes represent the greatest or most memorable moments in their respective movies, but they all end them on a high note. They can wrap things up narratively or just kick some serious ass. Unsurprisingly, the best action climaxes all come from movies that are all basically classics across the board. It’s time to skip the foreplay and, like JD Vance when he sees a leather sectional, go straight to the climax with these ten action movies.

10

‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ (2023)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Several of the Mission: Impossible movies have incredible climaxes. Fallout has a heartstopping helicopter chase, Mission: Impossible II has some top tier John Woo ridiculousness, and The Final Reckoning is an all-timer of an aerial stunt show. The best climax of the entire franchise, though, is the extended train sequence from Dead Reckoning. Beginning with Tom Cruise jumping a motorcycle off a cliff, and finishing with a dangling train that bears more than a passing resemblance to a sequence from the video game Uncharted 2, Dead Reckoning showcases all the best elements that the Christopher McQuarrie era of the franchise is known for.

Serving as a convergence for plot threads and characters, the train climax sees characters new and old all vying to take posession of the cruciform key, the film’s MacGuffin that can also put a stop to the evil artificial intelligence known as the Entity. Grace (Hayley Atwell) is in disguise as the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) making a deal with Kitteridge (Henry Czerny) while the villainous Gabriel (Esai Morales) is busy making bodies and Ethan Hunt (Cruise) parachutes in. It rides a razor’s edge of comprehension and tension, but McQuarrie has an undervalued understanding of action geography that makes the whole sequence work. It ends with literal cliffhanger before leading into a narrative one, and it’s an all around masterclass in action.

9

‘RoboCop’ (1987)

Image via Orion Pictures

Paul Verhoeven’s hyperviolent satire RoboCop ends as many 80s action movies did. It has lots of blood, bullets and explosions and it takes place in an industrial setting. It also features a melting man who gets hit by a car and turned into a puddle, a villain who gets his jugular opened with a metal spike and Robo walking on water like mechanized Jesus. It’s the perfect summation of a film that fully engages with the excess of its era of action movies but does so with a subversive purpose. Every action fan has every moment of it permanently tattooed on their brain and if they were one of those who saw the movie at too young an age, it might have even been a totemic trauma point.

After having had the full Detroit police force unleashed on him by their corrupt corporate overlords, RoboCop (Peter Weller) takes refuge in the same steel mill where he died as a human. Along with his partner Lewis (Nancy Allen), he faces off against the criminals who once pumped him full of bullets and takes them out one by one in brutally violent, and darkly humorous, fashion. RoboCop is an action masterpiece of bloody brutally that climaxes with its most gruesome kill and its most satisfying villain execution.

8

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

The Matrix redefined the action genre at the end of the 20th century, combining a dozen disparate influences into one cohesive action whole that held heavy influence over the genre for the next decade. The film’s mix of kung-fu, gun-fu and bullet time effects made it stand out at the end of a decade defined by high concept action, and all three are well represented in its subway fight climax. If not the best one-on-one fight in a martial arts movie, it’s certainly one of the most indelible, and it remains just as effective over two decades later.

After having successfully saved Morpheus (Laurence FIshburne) from the clutches of Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), Neo (Keanu Reeves) has to face off against the formidable Smith one on one. Their climactic fight features fisticuffs and wire work, all choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping, who had directed and choreographed a number of high profile martial arts movies which caught the attention of the Wachowskis. More than just the technical proficiency of it, the climax of The Matrix is a pivotal moment in the character development of Neo and his fulfillment of his prophecy. The Matrix was a cultural phenomenon and its climax is the perfect coda to the 90s era of action movies.

7

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Lucasfilm

Raiders of the Lost Ark is basically a series of iconic scenes strung together. From the brilliant opening where Indiana Jones runs from boulder booby trap to the indelible final image where the Ark of the Covenant is locked away in a warehouse filled with other hidden artifacts, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ action-adventure classic fires on all cylinders. That applies to its climax as well, which manages to be just as thrilling and memorable even when it has its hero tied to a pole. It’s one of the most satisfying and visceral depictions of divine retribution ever put on film.

Bested by the Nazis in the race to take possession of the titular Ark, Jones (Harrison Ford) finds himself tied up alongside love interest Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) as the goose-stepping morons perform a ceremonial opening. Instead of unlimited power inside, they are confronted with vengeful spirits and the power of God, which promptly electrocutes, melts the faces off and blows up the heads of the villains in a spectacular effects display. The face-melting of the evil toady Toht (Ronald Lacey) is so violently gratifying that no villain death in any of the sequels has ever been able to measure up, which is a strong statement considering those villains suffered some memorable fates like death by crocodile, rapidly aging and disintegrating, and having their brain burst into flames from too much knowledge. The Indiana Jones franchise is weirdly yet awesomely violent and Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s is the best proof of that.

6

‘Mad Max 2’ (1981)

Image via Warner Bros.

The same year that Spielberg release his adventure masterpiece, George Miller unleashed his apocalyptic action classic Mad Max 2 (known as The Road Warrior in the United States). Returning to the world he had created with his original Ozploitation action film, Miller used his bigger budget to expand the scope and scale of it. From a dystopic world on the brink to a full-throttle post-apocalyptic wasteland, Mad Max is bigger and better than its predecessor in every way, including its climax. It’s a white-knuckle car chase through the desert that became so iconic and beloved that Miller would essentially turn the sequence into one long movie for Mad Max: Fury Road.

Some years after seeking his revenge for the death of his wife and son, Max (Mel Gibson) now wanders the wasteland as a leather-clad gunslinger scavenging to survive. He finds a small oil refinery and strikes a deal with its occupants to help transport their oil out and away from a group of violent marauders, which leads to the climactic chase with Max behind the wheel of a tanker truck. The climax is a hair-raising mix of kinetic camerawork, fast-paced editing and insane stunts, one of which sent a stuntman twirling through and earned his a broken leg. Mad Max 2 climaxes with one of the greatest car chases in cinematic history and which only Miller himself has been able to top.

5

‘The Wild Bunch’ (1969)

Image via Warner Bros.

Sam Peckinpah’s influence on the action genre cannot be overstated. His use of rapid editing, slow motion cinematography and brutal violence echoed through decades of filmmakers, with his influence directly impacting filmmakers like John Woo, Kathryn Bigelow and Michael Mann. His action scenes are some of the best of their respective eras, but none moreso than the climactic gunfight from his magnum opus revisionist Western The Wild Bunch. It’s a ballet of bullets and blood that contributed both to the film’s controversial status upon its initial release and its continued acclaim as an essential Western.

As a group of aging outlaws hang on to their old ways as the Old West disappears around them, they take up a job stealing guns for a ruthless Mexican General. After one of their own is taken captive by the General, the men decide to make one last stand against the corrupt leader and his armed forces. It’s four men against a hundred as bullets rip through bodies in visceral fashion. Peckinpah was insistent on showing the damage a bullet could do, and thus had special squibs made that packed a more bloody punch. He also made sure the sound effects for each gun was specific and distinct. It’s that attention to detail and emphasis on violence that makes the climax of The Wild Bunch still so effective. It’s the birth of the modern action movie shootout.

4

‘Police Story’ (1985)

Image via Golden Harvest

Jackie Chan’s Police Story begins and ends with its best action scenes. The opening shanty town shootout turned destructive car chase is iconic, and the mall brawl finale is equally so. The entire film represents some of Chan’s finest action choreography and most intense stunt work. Police Story was made after Chan had a disappointing experience filming The Protector, which was a co-production between the United States and Hong Kong and meant to break the martial arts star into the American market. It failed and Chan was frustrated by the production hampering his ability to properly choreograph more complex stunts. That frustration funneled into a passion that is clear in every frame of Police Story all the way through it’s nerve shattering climax.

As the final confrontation between Sergeant Chan (Chan) and the dangerous crime lord he has spent the full runtime of the film trying to stop, the climax leaves no stone unturned, or glass pane unshattered, as the cops and criminals throw hands, feet, arms and legs at each other. It crescendos in a stunt with Chan sliding down several stories on metal pole covered in lights, which ended up giving the star second degree burns on his hand and a dislocated pelvis after landing. Chan repeatedly put his body in peril for the purposes of entertainment, and the climac of Police Story is one of the most viscerally exciting examples of it.

3

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is James Cameron’s action masterpiece. It’s setpieces are second to none but what is even more impressive is how fluidly its action escalates and organicalyl flows from one scene to the next. The final act of the film begins with the infiltration of Cyberdyne which becomes a police siege which turns into a chase sequence which leads directly into the action-packed climax. Cameron’s ability to build tension before releasing it in dramatic fashion. Terminator 2′s climax compounds itself with a series of confrontations that peaks with an emotional final moment.

Pursued by the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) into a steel mill, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) uses liquid nitrogen, a bullet and a one liner to shatter the liquid metal menace, who then reforms to continue his attempt to kill John Connor (Edward Furlong). The action continues, using a dynamic mix of visual effects, twin doubles and stunt work to create a seamless sequence that ends with the T-1000 dropped into a vat of molten metal for an iconic villain death. That moment is then quickly followed by the T-800 being lowered himself into the vat, giving the most moving thumbs up in movie history as he melts away. It’s not subtle and maybe too sentimental for some, but it’s the perfect period for a film that wears its emotions on its sleeve, and the action that comes before it is immaculate.

2

‘Hard Boiled’ (1992)

Image via Golden Princess Film Production

Hard Boiled, John Woo’s Hong Kong swan song to the Heroic Bloodshed genre he helped create, ends with an extended sequence set in a hospital that is a ballistic masterpiece of sustained action. The film itself, a cops and criminals thriller, is itself constructed around its three massive action set pieces. It opens with a stunning teahouse shootout, has an explosive warehouse gunfight halfway through, and then culminates with the hospital that fills every floor with action. Woo’s hyper-stylized action has its origins in the slow-motion sequences of Sam Peckinpah, and its populated with characters influenced by the work of Jean-Pierre Melville. The director synthesized it all into something all his own that in turn influenced a whole new generation of action filmmakers, and Hard Boiled is his action masterwork.

After taking turns trading blows while trying to take down a Triad gang from outside and in, Inspector Tequila (Chow Yun-fat) and undercover cop Alan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) find themselves trapped in the hospital with an army of Triad members after them, and a hundred innocent civilians in between. Woo is known for his balletic action punctuated by moments of slow motion but of equal note is simply how destructive his action is. There are few action directors who fill the frame with as much debris as Woo does, and its wall to wall in this climax, especially during the iconic three-minute tracking shot of non-stop action. It’s a relentless climax that has never been topped in terms of pure chaos.

1

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Image via Toho

Equally as influential on Woo, and just about every other action director, is Akira Kurosawa. The legendary filmmaker’s impact on modern cinema is immeasurable and his contributions to the action genre are just as immense. His masterpiece Seven Samurai may very well be the greatest film ever made, but could also be called the first modern action film. It’s sword fights are still impressive despite the film’s age, and the climactic rain-soaked battle is a technical marvel of choreographed bloodshed. No matter how many technological advancements have come after or how more violent, more large-scale or more explosive action scenes have become, there is no bettering this climax by one of the greatest directors of all time.

Establishing the oft-repeated action movie trope of a team assembled for a mission, the seven titular samurai are hired to defend a village from violent bandits. Battle between the samurai and bandits ensues, and erupts in the film’s final assault that takes place in a torrential downpour. The bandits ride into the village on horseback and the samurai cut them down so the villagers can skewer them one by one. The shot selection and clarity of action is the kind of cinematic perfection that’s taught in every film school. Kurosaw used multiple camera set ups and telephoto lenses to precisely capture the choreographed battle, and it still has a gritty, messy authenticity to it that many lesser filmmakers have been unable to replicate. More than it’s mere minutes of chaos and killing, the climax is an emotional one driven by character, as the previously mocked aspirant samurai Kikuchiyo (Toshiro Mifune) deals the final blow as he succumbs to his own wounds, earning his place among the other warriors in their graves on a hill. It’s everything any action fan could want.

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Seven Samurai

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Release Date

April 26, 1954

Runtime

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207 Minutes

Director

Akira Kurosawa

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Writers

Akira Kurosawa

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Nick Cannon has landed in hot water after opening up about the different dating rules he has for his first set of twins with Mariah Carey.

The actor and TV host recently revealed that while his son, Moroccan, is allowed to date, his daughter, Monroe, is not. Cannon said the rule comes from a place of protection, claiming he wants to shield his daughter from potentially harmful men.

However, his explanation did not sit well with many online accusing him of applying a double standard and reinforcing a misogynistic approach to parenting.

Cannon has long been known as one of Hollywood’s more unconventional public figures, not just for his work in entertainment, but for his highly publicized personal life.

The actor and TV host is the father of 12 children with six women, with some of his kids born in the same year. However, while Cannon’s own dating history has often made headlines, his approach to parenting his first set of twins with Carey is now drawing criticism.

Speaking on a recent episode of “The TMZ Podcast,” Cannon revealed that he is comfortable with his 15-year-old son, Moroccan, dating, but does not allow his twin sister, Monroe, to do the same.

“There is a difference when parenting a son and then when parenting a daughter. I am more protective of my daughter because there’s things out there that I have to protect my daughter from,” Cannon said.

Cannon Worries About His Daughter Being Abused On A Date

Despite the host calling him out on his double standard, Cannon only doubled down on his stance, but explains that his fear is tied to situations like his daughter suffering violence at the hands of her date.

“My son isn’t calling me that, Dad, she hit me,” the comedian said in a dramatic high voice. “He’s not doing that. But if someone puts their hands on my daughter. I’m going to jail. I’m doing 25 to life if somebody puts their hands on my daughter.”

He went on to say that it is his “worst nightmare” for his daughter to ever be in such a situation, as he isn’t changing his mind on how he would react to her abuser.

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Nick Cannon Said His Daughter Can Only Go On Dates With A Chaperone

When asked at what age Monroe would be allowed to date, Cannon appeared hesitant and struggled to give a clear answer before explaining that they had reached an agreement.

According to Cannon, he told his daughter that if she could explain what usually happens on dates, he would consider allowing her to go. Even then, the actor said he would feel more comfortable if her brother accompanied her.

Unsatisfied with his response, the host pressed him further, asking whether 16 would be an appropriate age for Monroe to start dating.

The “American Son” star once again avoided giving a direct answer, but said he is already preparing for that stage and has started talking with her about the possibility of dating when she gets to college.

The Actor Faces Backlash Over Dating Double Standard

Cannon’s comments quickly sparked backlash online, with many accusing him of applying a double standard in the way he is parenting his twins.

One user described his stance as “misogynistic b-llshit,” while another called it a “double standard at its finest.”

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Cannon’s highly publicized personal life and history of multiple relationships also became part of the criticism, with some arguing that he was not the best person to be offering parenting advice publicly.

“Nick Cannon is one of the very last people who should be giving parenting advice on a podcast. He has 12 kids with 6 different women. He’s gross,” one user wrote.

Nick Cannon Explained Why He Has So Many Kids

Most recently, Cannon addressed the subject in a 2025 cover story with Vulture, where he admitted that having so many children was not exactly planned.

“It was also a little bit of, like, ‘OK, God, how did I have five kids in one year?’” he told the publication, referencing 2022, when he welcomed five children with different women. “Probably careless activity.”

More than a dozen women have come forward with misconduct allegations against former California Representative Eric Swalwell following his resignation from Congress.

Numerous women spoke to CNN about alleged interactions — both in-person and via social media — where the married former congressman, 45, made them feel uncomfortable. Some accused Swalwell of exhibiting “Jekyll and Hyde” behavior, where he publicly championed victims of abuse while sometimes acting inappropriately behind the scenes.

These new allegations date back to Swalwell’s college years at Campbell University in North Carolina, where he once published a poem where he bragged, “She chased and I ran/ I chased and she ran / My anxious arm she bit – my scar is beautiful/ While I screamed/ She bent her lips to mine.”

“[Swalwell] categorically denies being crude toward women during his college years nearly three decades ago,” his attorney told CNN. “[The poem] is plainly a teenage metaphor about drinking — not sex.”

Related: Eric Swalwell’s Staff React to Allegations, Explain Why They Can’t Quit

Congressman Eric Swalwell’s senior staff have said they are “horrified” by sexual misconduct allegations made against him. “As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” a statement signed by staffers for Swalwell’s 14th congressional district and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor […]

Swalwell’s alleged troubling behavior continued into his early political career where he reportedly held congressional meetings at a Hooters restaurant in 2012. (His attorney told CNN that Swalwell’s decision to “occasionally [take] a meeting at a casual chain restaurant” was not newsworthy.)

Multiple women alleged that Swalwell used Snapchat to send them overly flirty messages over the years even though he was married. (Swalwell has been married to his wife, Brittany Watts, since 2016 and they share three children.)

Heather Purcell told the outlet that Swalwell “looked at [her] up and down in a way that made [her] feel uneasy” and touched her shoulder when they met at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Swalwell allegedly gave Purcell his personal phone number once they reconnected months later. (Purcell said that she never called Swalwell and they never interacted again.)

“[I had] a gut feeling that the power dynamic did not feel right to me — that he was just trying to engage in a personal relationship when it should have been professional,” Purcell said.

Swalwell’s lawyer described the politician’s interactions with Purcell as “routine and non-contentious.”

An unnamed woman alleged that Swalwell once took her bag during a private meeting at a bar and walked to an elevator, seemingly to convince her to come to his hotel room. The woman recalled riding with Swalwell to his floor before snatching her bag back.

“I said, ‘How dare you disrespect me like that,’” the woman said. “When the elevator was closing, he stood there with a look of shock on his face. … If it was anyone else, I’d be screaming and calling security. But this is someone I know professionally, and he’s a congressman.”

Swalwell’s lawyer called the allegations “flat out false.”

An unnamed former staffer for another congressional representative told CNN that she had a consensual sexual relationship with Swalwell over the course of several years, where they allegedly met multiple times at hotels for sex. Per the staffer, they exchanged explicit videos and photos throughout their consensual relationship.

“His stories would be his, like, congressional content, but then he would be sending me d*** pics,” she recalled.

Swalwell’s lawyer told the outlet, “There was no supervisory or professional relationship and, accordingly, no power imbalance.”

Washington D.C. real estate agent Sanam Vivansia said she exchanged flirty messages with Swalwell after meeting in 2021 and he later asked her to come back to his hotel room when they later met in person in San Francisco. Vivansia allegedly sent Swalwell a text message complaining that he’d “made [her] feel really uncomfortable,” though he replied that her version of events “is not what happened.” (Swalwell’s attorney denied that the representative acted inappropriately.)

His lawyer also reacted more broadly to accusations that Swalwell had inappropriate interactions with women over the years.

Swalwell’s attorney told CNN, “Swalwell categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him.”

The lawyer described any interactions that Swalwell did have as “routine and professional,” but acknowledged that he “had extramarital contact with women.”

“He’s not denying that,” the attorney said. “But that’s very different than engaging in nonconsensual sexual misconduct.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Swalwell over these allegations.

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Related: Husband of Eric Swalwell Accuser Responds to Congressman’s Denial Video

The husband of one of the women who have accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault and harassment has responded to the congressman’s video denying the allegations. “My wife’s name is Ally Sammarco. Obviously you know that, but she’s not named anonymous,” Adam Parkhomenko, a Democratic strategist and former DNC National Field Director, wrote via […]

Multiple women came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell in April. A former staffer at his Castro Valley, California, district office told the San Francisco Chronicle that the politician Swalwell once propositioned her for oral sex and later invited her out for a drink, where she later “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which time she allegedly felt that he’d initiated vaginal intercourse.

Content creator Ally Sammarco alleged that Swalwell offered to “share her resume” with his contacts before sending her “very inappropriate” Snapchat messages. Other women who made misconduct allegations at the time chose to stay anonymous out of fear of retribution.

Swalwell was a frontrunner in the California gubernatorial race when the scandal broke out. The congressman’s initial reaction to the controversy was to say that “the allegations of sexual assault are flat false” on April 11.

“They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have,” Swalwell said in a statement at the time. “They also come on the eve of an election, where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California.”

He went on, “I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint — I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”

Swalwell eventually suspended his gubernatorial run on April 12 before resigning from Congress amid threats of an expulsion vote in the House of Representatives.

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“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgement I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell announced in a statement shared via X on April 13. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

The California representative went on, “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore I plan to resign my seat in Congress. I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure that they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

As the current TV season draws to an end in the coming weeks, details about what to expect in season finales are finally trickling in. And for CBS‘ hit firefighter procedural, Fire Country, the season finale is one for the books. The show typically goes all out for the season finale, as a multi-level emergency pushes the firefighters’ physical and emotional limits. Whether it’s a massive landslide or a wildfire, these emergencies amplify the chaos in the characters’ lives.

In the fourth season’s finale, the town deals with a flood. Everything starts in the penultimate episode when a fire causes structural damage to Pineville Dam. Things get progressively worse as its integrity is compromised, and the dam can’t contain the water. “After a catastrophic dam failure unleashes historic floodwaters across Edgewater, Station 42 and Three Rock battle rising waters and dwindling resources,” the logline for Fire Country Season 4, Episode 20, “Try Not to Drown,” reveals. And while previous finales have featured major emergencies, this one is intimidating because it’s unlike anything the station has dealt with before.

Fire Country star Jordan Calloway said in an interview that “the incident is very intense,” and that “it takes a lot of work.” He also revealed that even though the emergency tests everyone, there will be some great moments for the characters that set up the story for Season 5. “What I will say, though, is the ending of it, you can take a deep breath. You can take a breath,” the actor said. Meanwhile, the show brings back Chief Richards to oversee the rescue efforts.

Shawn Hatosy Returns to ‘Fire Country’ in the Season 4 Finale

Following his recurring appearance throughout the season, The Pitt‘s Shawn Hatosy returns for the final two episodes of the season. Chief Richards is always ready to shake things up, so it will be interesting to see what brings him back and how he handles the emergency that starts in Episode 19, “Rain Check for Tomorrow.” Meanwhile, in this week’s episode, Bode (Max Thieriot) once again confronts his actions as a past crime comes to light. The logline for Episode 18, “Best Man,” explains:

“When Bode’s past resurfaces far from Edgewater, a volatile chain of events leads to a perilous off-duty rescue that forces him to confront guilt, accountability and what it truly means to step up when lives – and friendships – are on the line.”

Watch new episodes of Fire Country on Fridays on CBS at 9 pm ET. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

October 7, 2022

Showrunner

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Tia Napolitano

Directors

Bill Purple, Dermott Downs, Eagle Egilsson, Gonzalo Amat, Kevin Alejandro, Max Thieriot, Sarah Wayne Callies, Marie Jamora, Kantu Lentz, Antonio Negret, Laura Nisbet Peters, Lisa Demaine, Nicole Rubio, James Strong, Anton Cropper, Erica A. Watson, Joy T. Lane, Jacquie Gould, Chi-Yoon Chung

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Writers

Tia Napolitano, David Gould, Natalia Fernandez, Barbara Kaye Friend, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Dwain Worrell, Julia Fontana, Sara Casey, Manuel Herrera, Jen Klein, Anupam Nigam, Tonya Kong

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Thrillers live or die on pressure. They do not need giant budgets, perfect realism, or profound dialogue every minute. They need tension that tightens, characters whose bad choices make the room hotter, and a sense that every new scene is pushing somebody closer to exposure, collapse, or death.

And when thrillers fail, they fail in a special way. They do not just become bad movies. They become dead machines. You can see the gears turning, and none of them catch. That is what these eight are. Not fun junk. Not glorious trainwrecks. Mostly just hollow, frustrating, tensionless wastes of good premises, good stars, or both.

8

‘Unforgettable’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros.

Unforgettable is the kind of psycho-ex thriller that thinks a raised eyebrow and a few passive-aggressive smiles count as escalation. Julia Banks (Rosario Dawson) and Tessa Connover (Katherine Heigl) both deserve better. The setup, new wife, unhinged ex, domestic sabotage, should have produced tight, nasty fun. Instead the movie keeps choosing the safest, flattest version of every scene.

The biggest issue in this film is rhythm. A thriller like Unforgettable should keep turning the screw until ordinary life feels infected. Here, the tension arrives in obvious, prepackaged beats. You are never leaning in. You are just waiting for the next act of sabotage to show up on schedule.

7

‘Secret Obsession’ (2019)

Image via Netflix

Amnesia thrillers can work beautifully when memory itself becomes a trap. Secret Obsession has that hook and does almost nothing with it. Jennifer Williams (Brenda Song) wakes injured, confused, and vulnerable, and the movie immediately squanders the unease by making everything too obvious too early.

That kills the entire game. A thriller needs the viewer to feel unstable with the protagonist, not twenty steps ahead of the movie. Once the central threat is this transparent, the film turns into a slow walk through foregone conclusions. Even the detective subplot, which should add urgency and crosscutting pressure, feels generic and drained. But there is no paranoia here, only plot.

6

‘Sliver’ (1993)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Erotic thrillers need danger in the seduction and seduction in the danger. Sliver has Carly Norris (Sharon Stone), a voyeuristic apartment building, surveillance, possible murder, and absolutely no clue how to fuse any of it into real heat. It just sits there, glossy and vacant.

The premise should have been irresistible. A building where somebody is watching everyone should feel diseased from the inside. Instead the film never develops an atmosphere of corruption thick enough to matter. Zeke Hawkins (William Baldwin) is a black hole of charisma here, and the mystery keeps flattening instead of deepening. It wants to be sleek and perverse. It ends up feeling weirdly bloodless.

5

‘Twisted’ (2004)

Image via Paramount Pictures

This is one of those detective thrillers where the protagonist’s damaged psyche is supposed to make everything unstable, but the movie mistakes instability for muddle. Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) plays a police inspector with trauma, alcohol problems, and a serial killer possibly circling her life. Good ingredients. Bad execution.

The whole film feels secondhand, stitched together from better thrillers about compromised investigators and memory gaps. John Mills (Samuel L. Jackson) brings some gravity, but the movie never earns the reveals it is hoarding. Thrillers can get away with contrivance if the tension is sharp enough. In Twisted, the tension is so weak that every twist feels less like a shock than a screenwriter tugging your sleeve.

4

‘The Woman in the Window’ (2021)

Image via Netflix

This one hurts because the bones of a good movie are visible. Agoraphobic woman. pill haze. possible murder seen through a window. unstable perception. Anna Fox (Amy Adams) trapped in a house full of dread. That should have been catnip. Instead the film plays like a prestige thriller that lost its nerve in the edit.

Nothing settles into menace. The house never becomes the oppressive psychological chamber it should be. Adams is giving the movie more emotional weather than it knows how to use, and the supporting cast feels imported from different tonal universes. A good paranoid thriller makes you question what is real while tightening your chest. The Woman in the Window just turns fuzziness into drift.

3

‘Serenity’ (2019)

Image via Aviron Pictures

Serenity is less a bad thriller than a baffling collapse of genre judgment. The film follows Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) as a fishing boat captain being pulled into a murder plot by Karen Zariakas (Anne Hathaway), and for a while you think the movie is heading toward sweaty neo-noir trash. Then it keeps swerving into stranger territory without any control over tone, suspense, or payoff.

A thriller can survive absurdity if the absurdity sharpens the unease. Here it just melts the movie. Scenes arrive with the wrong energy, revelations land with accidental comedy, and the whole thing seems convinced it is blowing your mind when it is really just losing the room. Wild twists are fine. Wild twists with no tension underneath are fatal.

2

‘Basic Instinct 2’ (2006)

Image via Sony Pictures 

The first Basic Instinct is ridiculous, but it understands how to weaponize style, star power, and erotic menace. The sequel has Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) back and none of the voltage. That is the disaster. It tries to recreate transgression in a world where everything feels clinical, airless, and tired.

The psychological games are weak, the sexuality is forced rather than dangerous, and Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) is left carrying a role that needed much more instability and allure than the film can generate. Erotic thrillers depend on appetite making people stupid in ways that feel believable. Here everybody just seems trapped in an expensive imitation of provocation. Nothing pulses. Nothing seduces. Nothing threatens.

1

‘The Snowman’ (2017)

Image via Universal Pictures

A serial killer thriller with Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender), snowbound misery, Jo Nesbø source material, and a title this good should not be this inert. But The Snowman is the worst of the bunch because it does not merely waste potential and instead seems structurally broken. Scenes do not connect with proper momentum. Clues appear without force. Characters drift in and out like the movie misplaced whole reels.

And that is basically what it feels like: incomplete. A thriller can be dark, cold, and fragmented. It still needs a pulse. This thing has none. Hole wanders through the film looking stranded, Katrine Bratt (Rebecca Ferguson) never gets a real dramatic line to hold, and the killer plot never turns sick fascination into actual dread. It is just frozen sludge. For a thriller, that is death.

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The Snowman

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Release Date

October 20, 2017

Runtime

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119minutes

Writers

Hossein Amini, Matthew Michael Carnahan, Peter Straughan

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Former TLC star Joseph Duggar was arrested on March 18 after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020.

His arrest marks the second child sex abuse case to hit the famous family following Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar‘s child pornography conviction. Josh was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in December 2021.

The Duggar family rose to fame through their TLC show 19 Kids and Counting, which premiered in 2008. The series followed Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as they raised their children: Josh, twins Jana and John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn and Josie.

Joseph married wife Kendra Duggar in September 2017, and they share four children: Garrett David, born in June 2018, Addison Renee, born in November 2019, Brooklyn Praise, born in February 2021, and Justus Joseph, born in February 2022.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about Joseph’s arrest so far:

Was Joseph Duggar Arrested?

Joseph Duggar was arrested at approximately 3 p.m. on March 18 by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas. Authorities obtained a warrant from Bay County, where the alleged incident took place, according to a press release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Related: A Comprehensive Guide to the Duggar Family: Kids, Grandkids and More

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When it comes to the Duggars, the more members, the merrier — which is why some fans have a hard time keeping track of the famous family. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy […]

What Are the Charges Against Joseph Duggar?

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office press release outlines two charges against Joseph Duggar. The first: lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old. The second: lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.

Who Filed Accusations Against Joseph Duggar?

The alleged victim is a 14-year-old girl, and the alleged incident occurred in 2020 — roughly six years before his arrest. Joseph Duggar allegedly sexually abused the girl during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was 9 years old.

“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” Bay City police shared in a statement. “As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”

The victim told a detective from Arkansas’s Tontitown Police Department in a forensic interview that there were “several instances of sexual abuse” involving Joseph, according to the affidavit obtained by Us. Joseph was 25 years old at the time, while his wife, Kendra Duggar, was pregnant with their third baby.

The accuser recalled feeling “uncomfortable” and “confused” during the incidents. Joseph “eventually approached the victim and apologized for his actions,” at which time “the incidents stopped occurring,” according to the affidavit.

Physical evidence was collected during the investigation into Joseph, the affidavit revealed.

Has Joseph Duggar Spoken Out Following His Arrest?

There has been no statement from Joseph Duggar or his legal representation. His wife, Kendra Duggar, has not yet addressed his arrest or her own.

Has Joseph Duggar Appeared in Court?

Joseph Duggar appeared in court virtually on March 20. He did not enter a plea and waived his right to an extradition hearing. The reality TV alum is currently awaiting extradition to Florida, which began on March 27.

What Are the Charges Against Joseph Duggar and His Wife Kendra Duggar?

Joseph Duggar and wife Kendra Duggar were each charged on March 20 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree. Following Joseph’s arrest earlier that month for his child molestation case, Kendra was arrested, booked and subsequently released after paying a $1,470 bond the same day.

“After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there,” a source exclusively told Us of Kendra’s arrest, noting it had “nothing” to do with Joseph’s alleged actions. “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

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Related: Physical Evidence Collected in Joseph Duggar’s Child Molestation Case

More details about the investigation into Joseph Duggar have been revealed after the former reality star was accused of sexually abusing a minor. Authorities have collected physical evidence and witness statements, according to a Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) affidavit obtained by Us Weekly. Duggar, 31, was arrested in Tontitown, Arkansas, on March 18 and […]

Has Anyone Visited Joseph Duggar in Jail?

Joseph Duggar’s attorney has been the sole person to visit him in Washington County Correctional Facility, Page Six reported on March 27. No family members have visited Joseph, according to the outlet.

Joseph has had contact with his wife, Kendra Duggar, over the phone. “I’ve been spending a lot of time reading, uh, reading the Bible, they got me a Bible in here,” Joseph told Kendra during a phone call from the detention center obtained by People on March 27. “I’m in solitary [confinement].”

He claimed he was spending 23 hours a day in the room. “[It’s a] pretty small area, but I’ve been able to read a lot actually, and resting some, but I’m not sleeping great through the night,” Joseph added.

Is Joseph Duggar Still in an Arkansas Jail?

Us confirmed that Joseph Duggar was transferred from the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on March 27. He was held there for nine days while waiting to be extradited to Florida.

As of March 30, Joseph’s whereabouts were unknown as he had not yet been listed as being in the custody of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).

Joseph Duggar Extradited to Florida

After being transferred out of the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on March 27, Us confirmed that Joseph Duggar is in custody at the Bay County Jail in Florida as of March 31.

A new mugshot was also released on March 31 and showed Joseph smirking with messy hair.

Joseph Duggar Enters Not Guilty Plea, Appears in Court

Joseph Duggar entered a written not guilty plea and requested a jury trial on March 29, Us confirmed via online records.

Joseph appeared in court for his arraignment in Florida on March 31. During the hearing, his lawyer stated that Joseph was “asking to be treated as fairly as anyone else, regardless of his status in the television industry” and that his family is “asking for the most reasonable bond,” according to Page Six.

“He has no criminal history whatsoever,” the lawyer added.

Meanwhile, a prosecutor from the State Attorney’s Office stated that the allegations made against Joseph are “a serious charge against the child.”

“We ask there be a no contact in place with the victim, as well as no contact with any minors,” the prosecutor continued. “While he doesn’t have a criminal history and no ties to the community … he was on vacation and stayed here a short period of time … We ask for a substantial bond.”

The judge set Joseph’s bond at $600,000. Additionally, the reality TV personality was ordered to have “no contact with the alleged victim” and “no unsupervised contact with any minors under the age of 18.”

Joseph Duggar’s Lawyers Ask to Question Child Protection Officials

In a court motion filed on May 1, 2026, Joseph’s legal team asked a Florida court to allow them to question officials from the Department of Children & Families, Big Ben, Child Protection Team, who interviewed the alleged victim prior to Joseph’s arrest in March.

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His lawyers also reserved the right to speak with “any other law enforcement or child protection agency involved with this investigation (including out of state equivalents, specifically Arkansas),” in addition to seeking access to all evidence gathered by child protection officials in their investigation.

“The Defendant is entitled to discovery of the witness testimony, including records and evidence in the possession of the witnesses for a fair determination of the Defendant’s guilt or innocence at trial,” his legal brief read.

Us has reached out to Joseph’s legal team for comment.

Heidi Klum just gave Us a masterclass in New York rich mom dressing, and all it takes is the right bag to nail it. Her red bucket bag style hit two of the biggest trends at once, and you don’t need a model salary to do it yourself. The chic spring look is on sale for only $28!

Strolling through Soho with her pup in tow, the supermodel turned heads with a burgundy bucket bag that hit every mark. Soho rich moms rock the style nonstop, and although the color seems unconventional for spring, ‘it’ girls like Klum make the rules!

Get the Kadynow Vegan Leather Bucket Bag for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The luxe-looking Kadynow Leather Bucket Bag has been quietly racking up reviews from shoppers who can’t believe what they’re getting for $28. One five-star fan said it best: “I’ve had people walk up and want to see it. I tell them it is not a Picotin but looks like one.” That tells you everything you need to know about this bag.

Related: Meghan Markle Proved the Anti-Jeans Trend Is Here to Stay

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Meghan Markle has long swapped jeans for wide-leg trousers, but it’s taken until 2026 for the rest of the fashion world to catch on. Appearing on the Her Best Life podcast, Markle wore a head-to-toe beige ensemble that looked effortlessly expensive. Her top was sleek, but let’s be honest: her polished trouser style was the […]

Made from vegan leather, this bucket bag has a structured look that adds sharpness to any outfit. The top handle gives it a classy flair, as does the dainty horse charm that attracts eyeballs from across the restaurant. It also comes with a small makeup bag, ideal for lipstick, deodorant and other essentials.

Plus, the red color itself attracts attention. It’s a rich, confident shade that flatters every skin tone and pairs beautifully with what you already have in your closet. Not too bright, not too dark, but perfectly spring-coded.

So if you’ve been scrolling through Soho street style and wondering how to recreate the look (without raiding the Hermès counter), here’s your answer. This number-one top-handle bag is selling out for a reason, so snag Heidi Klum’s style for $28 while you can!

Get the Kadynow Vegan Leather Bucket Bag for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other chic handbags on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

Related: Kate Middleton Retired Neutrals for This Elegant Spring Dress Color

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Kate Middleton is the queen of balancing trendy and refined, and her latest spring dress style is the perfect example. Instead of elegant neutrals, Middleton rocked a unique color that transitions beautifully from spring to summer. We found the royal look for thousands less! During a reception at Buckingham Palace, the Princess of Wales stepped […]