Do you like movies where people break into song? Do you like dancing? Do you like Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music? You could’ve answered yes to all those questions, and still, you might watch some of the following and not really love them. They are musical movies, but they’re not really fun musicals, to put it mildly.
Some of the following titles might have entertaining scenes, or some comparatively fun/light moments, but you wouldn’t really feel comfortable calling any of them feel-good. It’ll start off with some that might be a little more bittersweet, rather than outright miserable, but things will end with the inevitable heaviest musical movies of all time. Spoilers won’t be gone into too much, but a movie being here does suggest, at the very least, that the ending likely won’t be entirely happy, you know?
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10
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (1973)
Ted Neely in Jesus Christ Superstar – 1973Image via Universal Studios
Starting off with something a bit obscure, or maybe just not quite as well-known as some of the soon-to-be-mentioned movies, here’s Jesus Christ Superstar. It sounds pretty wild, and maybe even campy, because it’s about Jesus during his final days, with Judas also being a prominent character, and what happens in the Bible during that relevant part plays out here, just as a musical.
The betrayal and death inherent to this part of the Bible obviously take place here, and Jesus Christ Superstar also has some difficult questions it raises about things related to the Bible, and then some things more recent, or beyond the Bible. It’s not exactly comparable, and wasn’t as controversial, but it almost (emphasis on the almost) does for this part of Jesus’s life what The Last Temptation of Christ did, in terms of being a somewhat striking and daring re-imagining, though that film did admittedly lack singing and dancing (had some great music, though).
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9
‘Better Man’ (2024)
Image via Paramount Pictures
Thankfully, a good deal of Better Man is about overcoming personal struggles that one grapples with when they start to become famous. It’s about Robbie Williams who, at the time of writing, is still alive, and so you know Better Man isn’t going to have as heavy an ending as biopics that were made after a famous person’s death, since they’ll often end with that, or imply it’s about to happen.
It’s just that with Better Man, punches aren’t pulled when it comes to depicting the hardships. It’s a movie that tackles addiction, self-hatred, and insecurity in genuinely upsetting ways, in its most intense moments. That does make the personal victories achieved near the end feel all the more meaningful, but the film as a whole is more of an emotional roller-coaster than many give it credit for. Oh, and also, Robbie Williams is a chimpanzee the whole movie. And it works, somehow.
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8
‘Les Misérables’ (2012)
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean looking scruffy and staring ahead intently in Les Miserables.Image via Universal Pictures
With that title, if Les Misérables ended up not having some amount of misery in it, might you not feel a little disappointed? It’s based on a novel about hardships, crime, justice, and redemption or, more accurately, it’s based on a stage musical that was based on a novel about those things. So, Les Misérables is maybe technically an adaptation of the novel, but not to the same extent as those adaptations without the songs.
They go heavy on the singing here, with every line being sung, and then they naturally go pretty heavy on the emotional stuff here, too. Some people go through it, in Les Misérables, a little more than others, but some people do lose a ton and have to keep on struggling. If it were a better movie quality-wise (it’s inconsistent), it might rank higher, because that could mean the emotional scenes hit harder, but some of the tragic/dramatic moments in this particular adaptation do come across as a little silly at times, sadly.
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7
‘All That Jazz’ (1979)
Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon singing on stage in All That Jazz (1979)Image via 20th Century Studios
It’s not the only movie here about death in some way, but All That Jazz is really, really focused on dying and death to an extent few musicals are. The main character here is living a life that is, to put it mildly, too busy. He keeps working, pushing himself, and alienating people, and then some health problems worsen, and he eventually finds himself having to face the fact that if his life continues in such a way, said life probably won’t go on for much longer.
All That Jazz also isn’t as much of a musical as some other movies here, with the big musical numbers not really coming in until the end, and also being implemented in a way that feels too surprising to outright ruin. Yes, it’s an old movie, and avoiding discussion of the plot for something that’s nearing half a century in age might sound silly, but if you’ve not seen All That Jazz and still want to, then you’ll be thankful. And if you’ve seen All That Jazz, you know what all those somewhat vague words mean. Everybody wins, while talking about movies where not many people win. Yay?
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6
‘Phantom of the Paradise’ (1974)
Phoenix, played by actor Jessica Harper, performs onstage holding a microphone in Phantom of the Paradise.Image via 20th Century Studios
At least there’s quite a lot of camp to be found in Phantom of the Paradise, which evens things out a little, taking that alongside the darker and more grisly parts. It’s a horror/comedy film that also functions as a musical, and then it’s a few other genres at the same time. It’s a bit of everything. It’s chaotic. So much is not only thrown in, but jam-packed into it all, since it’s not a long movie, in the end, at just over 90 minutes.
Phantom of the Paradise is a horror/comedy film that also functions as a musical, and then it’s a few other genres at the same time. It’s a bit of everything. It’s chaotic.
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In case you couldn’t guess, that also makes it imperfect, but there’s a charm here, at least at times, and you have to admire how far Phantom of the Paradise pushes things. With the stuff it takes influence from (including the legend of Faust and, unsurprisingly, The Phantom of the Opera), tragic elements are inevitable, but to have tragedy and horror-tinged bloodshed hitting you in the face at the same time as all the absurd and weird stuff makes the whole film a rather interesting experience.
5
‘A Star Is Born’ (1954)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
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You don’t get much happiness with any version of A Star Is Born, because the story always has to be a tragic one. If you found the 2018 version surprising, then good for you! But if you were familiar with the iconic (though not quite as good) 1976 version, or the (perhaps underrated and probably the strongest overall) 1954 version, then you surely saw the sadness coming. The 1937 version (the original) is interesting, too; just not as much of a musical or anything.
All these movies are about the entertainment industry, and the sadness comes about because the love story each one tells is about someone who’s on the up, in their industry, and then the other person in love is going down, and losing popularity. They meet maybe in the middle, Benjamin Button-style, for all too short a time, and then things progress to where you fear they might. Every time. And it just never stops being sad, but it might be narratively at its saddest in the 1954 version, thanks to Judy Garland and James Mason giving probably the two best performances of their respective careers.
4
‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ (2007)
Image via DreamWorks Pictures
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You get a lot of gothic horror in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and it’s paired surprisingly well with some suitably dark songs. It’s easy to explain why this movie is showing up here, just by summarizing the premise, since Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is about a man who murders people through his work as a barber, and then his neighbor/accomplice bakes their bodies into pies.
There’s more to it than that, with some complex moral questions and villains who are interesting and ultimately humanized, and then everyone feels like they’re pretty much probably doomed. But it’s all equal parts gloomy, beautiful, and violent before that point, benefiting from some of the best directing Tim Burton’s ever done (hell, he probably makes what is, so far, his best 21st century release here, truth be told).
3
‘Cabaret’ (1972)
Image via Allied Artists
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Before All That Jazz, Bob Fosse also directed Cabaret, which is another grim musical, but grim in a different way. All That Jazz was introspective and psychologically intense, while Cabaret is more about a society’s downfall, and people not really noticing until it’s too late. It takes place in Berlin during the 1930s, and so the rise of fascism in Germany before World War II is dealt with, albeit in an interesting and unexpected way.
It’s in the background until it’s in the foreground. Watching it and comparing it to other organizations that have risen seemingly out of nowhere, but only seemingly, because you were distracted by something else… it’s uncomfortable to think about. Best to keep it vague, but there’s a lot to apply Cabaret to, both concerning the past and present, and maybe (but also hopefully not) the future, too.
2
‘West Side Story’ (1961)
It’s Romeo and Juliet, but with a more modern setting and also a good deal more singing, so yes, West Side Story gets inevitably tragic. If Romeo and Juliet weren’t super famous and also super old, that might feel like a spoiler, but, you know… you kind of see where this one is going. It might not go to the exact same places as Romeo and Juliet, yet the places are inevitably similar.
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And tragically similar. Watching West Side Story is a bit like rewatching Titanic. You hope, every time, that things will be a little different, and that either the iceberg will be missed or that fateful street fight will get called off, but you’re never so lucky, and neither are the characters in either movie. Oh, well. At least the sadness here, in West Side Story, is also kind of broad and big, and so the tears shed are cathartic ones.
1
‘Dancer in the Dark’ (2000)
Image via Fine Line Features
Dancer in the Dark has a reputation for being sad, so you enter into it feeling fairly prepared for a tearjerker, and yet it still ends up being surprising just how heavy it gets. Maybe saying that it almost feels like a horror movie at times is a slight exaggeration, but it’s not hard to call it one of the bleakest dramas of all time, even of all those that don’t include singing.
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When you take into account specifically those with some singing and/or dancing (musicals, in other words, or technically another word), then yes, Dancer in the Dark is likely the heaviest and bleakest and whatever other adjective you want to use in place of “saddest.” The pun’s inappropriate, but what the movie is about was danced around just now, sure, but if you’ve seen it, then you definitely know why Dancer in the Dark has to secure the #1 position here.
Some horror movies work because they scare you. Others work because they completely understand the genre they are playing with and then gleefully start setting it on fire. The Cabin in the Woods managed to do both, which is a big part of why it still feels so fresh more than a decade later. It arrived as a surprise in 2012 and has only become more beloved since, but now it’s getting ready to leave Prime.
Directed by Drew Goddard and co-written with Joss Whedon, The Cabin in the Woods begins like a familiar setup: five college students head to a remote cabin for a weekend away. It does not take long for the film to reveal that something much stranger is going on, with the group’s ordeal being manipulated from an underground facility for reasons far bigger and much weirder than they realize.
The cast includes Kristen Connolly as Dana, Chris Hemsworth as Curt, Anna Hutchison as Jules, Fran Kranz as Marty, Jesse Williams as Holden, Richard Jenkins as Sitterson, and Bradley Whitford as Hadley. Sigourney Weaver also has a small but memorable role in the cult classic horror flick.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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Is ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ Worth Watching?
Collider’s review stated thatThe Cabin in the Woods isn’t just another horror movie — it’s a smart, funny, and brutal takedown of the entire genre. Instead of simply pointing out clichés, the film digs into why those clichés exist and why audiences keep coming back for them. What makes the film stand out is how it balances its satire with actual entertainment. It’s genuinely funny, often violent, and constantly surprising.
“With The Cabin in the Woods, Goddard and Whedon have made a strong rebuke against lazy storytelling by combining the lazy storytellers and lazy audiences into one body (the people at Evil Mission Control) and showing both the arbitrary nature of the plot elements (interchangeable menaces like creepy children and ghouls and clowns) and the glee and comfort we take in predictability of the structure (teens must die, they must die gruesomely, they have to die in particular order, etc). Few filmmakers will devise a horror film as blazingly original, remarkably intelligent, and painfully funny as The Cabin in the Woods, but it’s time for them to at least start trying.”
The Cabin in the Woods leaves Prime Video on March 31.
There was a time when the idea of an Angry Birds movie sounded like the most mid-2010s sentence imaginable. Then it came out, made real money, and somehow became one of the more memorable examples of the mobile-game adaptation boom. Nearly 10 years later, the film is still hanging around streaming libraries, but not for much longer. Prime subscribers have until March 31 to watch it there.
Released in 2016, The Angry Birds Movie turns the wildly popular game into a comedy adventure centered on Red, a permanently irritated bird living on Bird Island, whose suspicions grow when mysterious pigs arrive. The film was directed by Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly, and while it got a mixed response critically, it was a box office success that led to a sequel in 2019.
The voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis as Red, Josh Gad as Chuck, Danny McBride as Bomb, Maya Rudolph as Matilda, Bill Hader as Leonard, Peter Dinklage as Mighty Eagle, Kate McKinnon as Stella, Sean Penn as Terence, and Keegan-Michael Key as Judge Peckinpah.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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So… Was ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ Any Good?
Well, the fact a film as bad as this cost us another outing with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in The Nice Guys is devastating. The video game sensation crushed the Shane Black movie at the box office to the point that Gosling still brings it up now. Talk about PTSD. Collider’s review stated thatThe Angry Birds Movie struggles to justify its existence, delivering a forgettable and unfunny adaptation that fails to capture what made the game appealing in the first place. In an F review, it stated:
“While one could argue that plot shouldn’t matter so much at a film targeted towards kids, we know that the mark of a quality family film is one that should appeal to the whole family. The Angry Birds Movie, judging by the long silences at my screening, appeals to no one, not even the kids in the audience who probably aren’t the proper age for puns like ‘Pluck my life,’ and ‘Get flocking angry.’ The humor is all over the place, and it’s a film where they hope that shaking a pig’s butt or drinking pee-filled water will get the easy laughs from the youngest viewers while the adults in the audience count the second until they can leave.”
The Angry Bird Movie leaves Prime Video on March 31.
Before Paul Thomas Anderson made his mark at the 2026 Academy Awards, he made one of his most hypnotic and challenging films — and it’s quietly heading for the exit. The Master is not the kind of movie people casually throw on in the background, but that is exactly why its streaming departure stings a little more. It is strange, intense, and slippery in a way that keeps pulling people back, even when it refuses to give easy answers. If it has been sitting on your Prime watchlist for months, now is the time.
Released in 2012, The Master stars Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie Quell, a damaged drifter in post-WW2 America who falls under the influence of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a philosophical movement played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The cast also includes Amy Adams as Peggy Dodd, Laura Dern as Helen Sullivan, Rami Malek as Clark, Ambyr Childers as Elizabeth Dodd, and Jesse Plemons as Val Dodd. It is not Anderson’s easiest watch, and it is definitely not his most crowd-pleasing. But it may be one of his most fascinating.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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How Good Is ‘The Master’?
Collider’s review stated thatThe Master isn’t a film you simply watch once and walk away from — it’s something you sit with, wrestle with, and inevitably return to. Phoenix delivers a staggering portrayal of Freddie, avoiding exaggerated theatrics in favor of something far more unsettling — a man who feels genuinely broken, unpredictable, and impossible to fully read. Hoffman is equally compelling as Dodd, balancing charm, authority, and underlying fragility in a way that makes his influence believable, even when his ideology feels hollow.
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“Anderson isn’t doing a critique on the controversial religion just like There Will Be Blood isn’t a comment on the early 20th-century oil industry. The Cause is merely a gateway to see how people can try to complement each other and end up causing more harm than good. Freddie and Dodd need each other but their need may end up destroying them both. But that’s only one piece of a very large puzzle, and I couldn’t solve it in one viewing. I will finish with this note: After I left The Master, I felt the exact same way as I did when I left There Will Be Blood. I was confused and overwhelmed, and I didn’t know precisely what to make of the previous two-and-a-half hours. The craft was undeniable, and the performances were superb, but I couldn’t appreciate the whole picture.”
Prime subscribers have until March 31 to catch The Master before it disappears.
Rustle up the knowledge that you carry about Keri Russell, and see what you can recall about her shows and roles.
Image via Touchstone Television
Welcome to the Collider TV Quiz! Every Monday through Friday, we’ll give you an opportunity to prove your knowledge in the world of television trivia. We’ll be using the most prestigious, scientifically accurate method for separating 4K devotees from Cathode ray couch potatoes: multiple choice. Sign in to your account to track your daily progress. Don’t forget to play today’s Movie Quiz for even more trivia challenges, and you can find all of our current and archived quizzes here.
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Whether it’s characters or catchphrases, series regulars or guest stars, prime-time hits or late-night gems, a show from 1930-something or a show simply called thirtysomething… we’ll cover it all. So, you’ll need to flip through channels upon channels of the useless factoids you’ve accumulated over the years in order to tune in to the correct answer. For today’s challenge, we’re wishing a happy birthday to Keri Russell by recounting her work on television, dating back to her savage beginnings. (That’s a hint you might wanna keep in mind.) Scroll down for the cold open!
Not every TV shows has been a success story — with some projects getting cancelled before any episodes even aired.
NBC’s The Playboy Club only debuted three episodes in 2011 before the show was canceled. The network cited low-ratings as the reason behind the decision to drop the show, which was ultimately replaced by Rock Center With Brian Williams and repeat episodes of Maria Bello‘s Prime Suspect.
“We’re thrilled with the creative direction of both shows as well as the potential for them to continue to build loyal audiences over the coming months,” the Chairman of NBC Entertainment Robert Greenblatt told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. “We’re proud of all of the producers, writers, actors, and directors who have worked so hard to bring these shows to life.”
Meanwhile over at The CW, two episodes of The Beautiful Life aired in 2009 before the show came to an abrupt end. The teen drama, executive produced by Ashton Kutcher, eventually was burned off on YouTube.
Some shows have gotten renewed — only for that decision to be rescinded and for them to get canceled instead. The Society originally debuted on Netflix in May 2019 to critical acclaim. Due to delays because of COVID-19, however, the streaming service rescinded their decision to produce a second season of the hit series. “We’ve […]
“What we feel like we’re doing is creating, in some ways, an industry first,” Kutcher said in a statement. “A show that couldn’t find its legs on television, we believe can find its legs on the Web.”
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Keep scrolling for more short-lived TV shows — including some that filmed episodes that never appeared on screen:
‘Promised Land’ (ABC)
ABC
Canceled After: 5 Episodes
The drama series, which premiered in 2022, followed two Latino families vying for wealth and power in California’s Sonoma Valley. The show was pulled from ABC five episodes in and the rest of the season aired on Hulu before it was ultimately canceled.
‘Hank’ (ABC)
ABC
Canceled After: 5 Episodes
Starring Kelsey Grammer, Hank centered around a Wall Street executive who lost his job and, as a result, reconnected with his small-town family. Five episodes aired in 2009 before ABC confirmed they had “no immediate plans” to release the remainder of the series..
‘Connecting’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: 4 Episodes
Set against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, Connecting followed the lives of a group of friends attempting to stay connected amid a lockdown. NBC only aired four episodes in 2020 before moving the rest of the season to Peacock.
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‘Drive’ (Fox)
FOX
Canceled After: 4 Episodes
Drive introduced viewers to an illegal cross-country automobile road race. Despite a star-studded cast that included Nathan Fillion, Emma Stone and Melanie Lynskey, the 2007 show — the first one to host a live Twitter session during an episode — was canceled four episodes in.
‘Ironside’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: 4 Episodes
Ironside, which premiered in 2013, served as a remake about a consultant for the police who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot on vacation.
‘Sunnyside’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: 4 Episodes
The 2019 series centered around a former New York City councilman who found his calling when he helped immigrants in need.
‘The Playboy Club’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: 3 Episodes
Set in 1961, the series centered on the employees a.k.a Bunnies of the original Playboy Club in Chicago. The Playboy Club starred Eddie Cibrian, Laura Benanti, Amber Heard and Jenna Dewan, but was pulled after three episodes.
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‘Smith’ (CBS)
CBS
Canceled After: 3 Episodes
The show followed a group of professional thieves who struggled to keep their work separate from the rest of their lives. Three episodes later, CBS pulled the plug and the rest of the season never aired.
‘Wicked City’ (ABC)
ABC
Canceled After: 3 Episodes
The procedural premiered in 2015 and focused on two LAPD detectives as they searched for a pair of romantically linked serial killers terrorizing the Sunset Strip. Wicked City starred Jeremy Sisto, Taissa Farmiga, Gabriel Luna, Evan Ross, Ed Westwick and Erika Christensen.
‘Viva Laughlin’ (CBS)
CBS
Canceled After: 2 Episodes
Viva Laughlin was a musical drama centered around a businessman whose ambition was to run a casino in Nevada. The show, which aired in 2007 for only two episodes, starred Mädchen Amick, Eric Winter, D.B. Woodside, Hugh Jackman and Melanie Griffith.
‘Do No Harm’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: 2 Episodes
Do No Harm was a modern take on Robert Louis Stevenson‘s 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The 2013 series followed a doctor who tried to balance working as a neurosurgeon with the overwhelming task of suppressing his evil alter ego.
In recent years, TV shows have found new life after being canned by networks, with last-minute and hard-fought saves. 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 Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly […]
‘Doubt’ (CBS)
CBS
Canceled After: 2 Episodes
Starring Katherine Heigl, Laverne Cox and Steven Pasquale, Doubt centered around a successful defense lawyer who became romantically involved with a client (who might or might not have been guilty of a brutal crime).
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‘Made in Jersey’ (CBS)
CBS
Canceled After: 2 Episodes
Made in Jersey was a drama series about a working-class lawyer from New Jersey who used her street smarts to compete with her more polished colleagues at a prestigious New York law firm.
‘The Beautiful Life’ (The CW)
The CW
Canceled After: 2 Episodes
During its 2009 stint on The CW, The Beautiful Life revolved around a group of male and female models sharing a residence in New York City. The cast included Mischa Barton, Sara Paxton, Ben Hollingsworth, Corbin Bleu, Nico Tortorella, Ashley Madekwe and Elle Macpherson.
‘Swamp Thing’ (DC Universe)
DC Universe
Canceled After: 1 Episode
Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, Swamp Thing introduced Crystal Reed as a doctor who encountered the Swamp Thing — a plant-elemental creature who fought malevolent forces around a Louisiana swamp. One episode aired before DC Universe pulled the plug.
‘Emily’s Reasons Why Not’ (ABC)
Canceled After: 1 Episode
Based on a novel by Carrie Gerlach, Emily’s Reasons Why Not revolved around a successful career woman in Los Angeles who has been unsuccessful in finding The One. Heather Graham starred as the titular character in the 2006 series, which was canceled after one episode due to negative reception.
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‘Osbournes Reloaded’ (Fox)
FOX
Canceled After: 1 Episode
Hosted by the Osbourne family, Osbournes Reloaded was a variety show that consisted of sketches, stunts, celebrity cameos, live action audience participation and live musical acts. There were also skits featuring the Osbournes that never saw the light of day after 14 percent of Fox affiliates threatened to preempt the show.
‘Us and Them’ (Fox)
FOX
Canceled After: Never Aired
Created by James Corden, Us & Them starred Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel as a couple trying to make their romance work while combining their polarizing families’ lives. Fox ordered 13 episodes before ultimately cutting it down to seven. In 2014, the network chose not to air anything at all.
Netflix has introduced its viewers to many unique TV shows over the years — but not every original series gets to explore their story beyond one season before getting canceled. Julie and the Phantoms developed a quick cult following when it hit the streaming service in September 2020. The musical comedy, which was based on […]
‘Still Life’ (Fox)
Canceled After: Never Aired
Jensen Ackles starred in the show, which centered around a police officer who was killed on his first day as a cop.
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‘Next Caller’ (NBC)
NBC
Canceled After: Never Aired
The sitcom followed an unlikely pair of radio disc jockeys forced to share the microphone for a relationship call-in show. NBC announced in 2012 that the show was cancelled after four episodes had been filmed, citing creative differences with star Dane Cook.
‘Coach’ (NBC)
Canceled After: Never Aired
The revival received a 13 episode straight-to-series order but after seeing the pilot, NBC pulled the plug on the entire series.
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‘The Bachelorette’ Season 22 (ABC)
Canceled After: Never Aired
ABC pulled the plug on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season days before it was meant to air due to domestic violence allegations from Dakota Mortensen.
There are plenty of movies about money, greed, and collapse, but very few make boardrooms feel this terrifying. Margin Call turns financial jargon into a full-blown pressure cooker, locking viewers inside one long night as a company realizes it is on the edge of disaster. The result is not flashy in the usual Hollywood way, but it is still one of the most stressful dramas of the last 15 years. Prime viewers only have until March 31 to watch it there.
Written and directed by J.C. Chandor, Margin Call unfolds over a 24-hour period at a major investment bank during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. When a junior analyst discovers that the firm’s position could collapse the company, executives are dragged into a brutal overnight reckoning about how much they are willing to burn in order to survive.
The cast includes Scarpetta star Simon Baker as Jared Cohen, Kevin Spacey as Sam Rogers, Paul Bettany as Will Emerson, Jeremy Irons as John Tuld, Zachary Quinto as Peter Sullivan, Penn Badgley as Seth Bregman, Mary McDonnell as Mary Rogers, Demi Moore as Sarah Robertson, and Stanley Tucci as Eric Dale.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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How Good Is ‘Margin Call’?
Collider’s review stated that while the 2008 financial collapse has all the makings of gripping cinema, Margin Call struggles to turn that real-world catastrophe into something truly insightful. J.C. Chandor’s film has all the surface-level ingredients of a prestige drama — a stacked cast, sharp suits, and a high-stakes setting — but beneath that polished exterior, it often feels more like a hollow exercise than a meaningful exploration of one of the most defining crises of our time.
“Unfortunately Margin Call wastes the rest of its talented cast by making them nothing more than plastic figures moving around a poorly constructed play set (Note to toy manufacturers: do not make the Financial Firm Play Set). The devil is in the details and Chandor wants to make a movie without devils or even people. We need a good film about the financial collapse, but if Margin Call is the best we can get, then fuck me…”
Prime subscribers have until March 31 to stream Margin Call before it leaves.
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Release Date
February 11, 2011
Runtime
109 minutes
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Director
J.C. Chandor
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Writers
J.C. Chandor
Producers
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Cassian Elwes, Corey Moosa, Joshua Blum, Kirk D’Amico, Neal Dodson, Rose Ganguzza, Zachary Quinto, Randy Manis, Anthony Gudas, Laura Rister, Michael Benaroya, Robert Ogden Barnum, Joe Jenckes
A Saturday, March 21, Instagram comment, shared via Bachelor fan account Scoop’s Instagram Stories the following day, showed a Bachelorette fan writing, “Doug Mason for Bachelor.” Doug then responded, “Let’s goooo.”
Doug was a contestant on Taylor’s cancelled season 22 of The Bachelorette amid the 31-year-old’s ongoing police investigation.
Fans have also taken to Doug’s Instagram page to advocate for his potential turn as the Bachelor, with one person writing on a March 14 photo carousel, “Doug for the next bachelor ❤️🌹!!!!” The photos were unrelated to Doug’s reality TV involvement, depicting the California-based lifeguard surfing.
Taylor Frankie Paul had been honest about her on–off relationship with Dakota Mortensen while filming The Bachelorette. “There were several conversations had [about Taylor’s status with Dakota], and the writing was on the wall,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, referring to Taylor and her Bachelorette contestants. “Many feel like their time was wasted.” Taylor, […]
Another fan wrote on a February 24 Bachelorette promotional photo shared by Doug, “I don’t think this aged well… but hoping you’re the next BACHELOR!!”
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Doug has not publicly commented on the status of his relationship with Taylor, 31, who Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, March 18, is the subject of an “active police investigation confirmed by the Draper Police Department” amid fresh alleged domestic assault allegations involving her and her ex Dakota Mortensen.
Doug Mason’s Instagram commentCourtesy of Bachelor Nation Scoop/Instagram
Doug did, however, publicly address Taylor’s situation via an Instagram video shared on Friday, March 20. “In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” he told fans. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise.”
He concluded the video, “I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
A fan account for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, through which Taylor initially rose to fame, reposted the video, which sparked a response from Taylor in the comments section: “Aw my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
Taylor Frankie PaulKevin Mazur/Getty Images
ABC cancelled Taylor’s Bachelorette season following TMZ releasing footage of her physically assaulting and throwing chairs at Dakota during a 2023 incident. The footage showed Taylor’s daughter upset in the background. (Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, and she also shares a son, Ever, with Dakota, who was born in 2024.)
At the time, Taylor was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief as a result of the incident. Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice and she later reached a plea deal.
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In light of ABC’s cancellation, a rep for Taylor told Us that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support” while she “prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
A statement shared with Us by Taylor’s rep read, “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
Doug MasonCourtesy of Doug Mason/Instagram
It continued, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
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Dakota also addressed the footage, releasing his own statement at the time. “Anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” it read. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Us Weekly later confirmed that Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and given temporary custody of their son.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Kevin Costner on the red carpet with an image of a man behind him.Image via Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
There is a very specific kind of 1980s thriller that just hits differently. Slick but not empty, political but still deliciously pulpy, No Way Out is one of the best examples of that whole lane. The film remains a favorite because it understands exactly how to trap a charismatic lead inside an increasingly impossible situation and then just keep tightening the screws. Prime subscribers have until March 31 to catch it before it disappears.
Directed by Roger Donaldson, No Way Out stars Kevin Costner as naval officer Tom Farrell, who becomes entangled in a deadly web after the mistress of Defense Secretary David Brice is killed. What follows is a tense Washington-set game of lies, cover-ups, and political self-preservation, with the story turning Farrell into both investigator and target at the same time.
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Alongside Costner as Tom Farrell, the cast includes Gene Hackman as David Brice, Sean Young as Susan Atwell, Will Patton as Scott Pritchard, Howard Duff as Duvall, George Dzundza as Sam Hesselman, and Jason Bernard as Major Donovan.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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Is ‘No Way Out’ Worth Watching?
The venerable critic Roger Ebert saidNo Way Out is the kind of thriller that throws a lot of information at you, but instead of feeling confusing, it pulls you in deeper the more it goes on. The plot is complex, almost like a puzzle you’re trying to piece together, but what really makes it work is how invested you become in the characters. At a certain point, you stop worrying about how everything fits together and just want to see how it all plays out.
Prime subscribers have until March 31 to stream No Way Out.
Some musical biopics do decent business and quietly move on. Bohemian Rhapsody absolutely did not do that. The Queen film became a full-on box-office phenomenon, becoming the highest-grossing musical biopic ever and giving audiences a crowd-pleasing, stadium-sized version of Freddie Mercury’s story. Now it is heading out of Prime at the end of March.
Released in 2018, the film stars Rami Malek as Mercury and follows the rise of Queen, charting the band’s success through its internal tensions and the lead-up to Live Aid. Initially directed by Bryan Singer, before he was fired and the movie was completed by Dexter Fletcher, the movie was a massive commercial hit, grossing more than $900 million worldwide and becoming one of the most successful music films ever made.
The cast includes Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon, Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Aidan Gillen as John Reid, Tom Hollander as Jim Beach, and Allen Leech as Paul Prenter.
Sometimes actors quit; other times they’re fired. On this first day of spring, we’re recalling some famous roles that got a fresh start with a recast.
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Is ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Worth a Watch?
Collider’s review stated thatBohemian Rhapsody may play fast and loose with the facts, but it’s hard to deny how effective it is as an emotional, crowd-pleasing ride. Perri Nemiroff writes that the film tracks Queen’s rise to fame through the eyes of Freddie Mercury, and while the storytelling isn’t always smooth, it’s consistently engaging — especially if you go in more connected to the music than the finer details of the band’s real-life history.
“The energy radiating from the crowd is infectious and, in the context of this story, seeing the band back together on that stage is just undeniably satisfying. There was something about that particular shot that I needed, perhaps now more than ever. There are a lot of personal and global complications in our day to day lives, but music has the power to change that. No matter your age, race, sexual orientation, you name it, when you’re singing along with more than 70,000 people, you’re all on the same level sharing the same passion, and getting to celebrate music and life that way for a moment really felt special.”
Bohemian Rhapsody will leave Prime Video on March 31.
Sci-fi franchises consistently produce some of the most important hits nearly every year, and the franchise that’s come to define this generation of sci-fi stories is Dune. The first Dune movie was released in 2021 and was a massive hit, earning strong scores of 83% from critics and 90% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, and grossing $410 million at the box office. It also won six Oscars, which made it an easy decision to greenlight a sequel. Dune: Part Two was released in April 2024, and it was universally hailed as even better than the original. The third and final installment in the franchise will be released later this year, and it’s expected to be one of the most successful movies of the year, if the franchise continues on the same trajectory.
The Dune franchise has already expanded once on the small screen last year, though, with Dune: Prophecy. The hard sci-fi series takes place 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s movies, which answered any questions about whether any characters from the show or the movies would crossover. The fate of Dune: Prophecy wasn’t left up in the air for long, but HBO decided to renew the show for Season 2 before the Season 1 finale, with production beginning last year. Earlier this week, Dune: Prophecy got its most exciting Season 2 update yet, when it was confirmed that production on the second season had officially wrapped. This has led fans to check out the show on streaming, pushing it back into the HBO Max top 10 in more than 10 countries around the world. It’s still unclear at this time when the second season will be released, though.
When a new actor takes over an existing role, audiences can be wary. On this first day of spring, let’s look at some characters who got fresh starts.
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What Do We Know About ‘Dune: Part Three’?
Dune: Part Three will be released exclusively in theaters on December 18, the same day as Avengers: Doomsday. The film will feature returning veterans like Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, along with newcomers like Robert Pattinson, who has been tapped to play the villainous Scytale. Director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that there will be a considerable time jump moving into the third film, which will also allow Anya Taylor-Joy to reprise her brief role as Alia Atreides in the film. Warner Bros. released the first trailer for Dune: Part Three not long ago.
Check out all episodes of Dune: Prophecy on HBO Max and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Season 2.
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Release Date
November 17, 2024
Directors
Anna Foerster
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Writers
Diane Ademu-John, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert
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