The last time we saw Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) was at the end of Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again, where the anti-hero was locked in one of Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) cages, but with the return of Season 2 this year, the Punisher was curiously missing from the lineup of heroes protecting New York. Now, after The Punisher: One Last Kill, we know where he’s been the entire time. In a violent and action-packed hour of television, Marvel gives us an intimate look into where Frank has been since the cage. While the special covers a lot of ground, it also dives deep into Frank’s psyche, something fans haven’t witnessed since the end of the original Netflix Punisher series.

‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ Shows Frank Castle at His Lowest Point

One thing that becomes immediately obvious in One Last Kill is that this is the darkest version of Frank Castle we’ve ever seen. Gone is the snarky, gruff brawler that trades quips with Daredevil (Charlie Cox); this is Frank at his lowest. He’s spent the last few months killing every member of the Gnucci crime family, the last people responsible for the deaths of his family. The streak of vengeance has done a number on his psyche. He’s not only hallucinating the ghosts of his comrades, like Curtis (Jason R. Moore), but also his wife and children.

As a man on a mission, Frank is completely checked out of everything around him. His actions against the Gnucci family have thrown New York into chaos, especially in the neighborhood of Little Sicily, where crime runs rampant. People are getting beaten up, robbed, and even killed without a second thought, but it’s all going over Frank’s head. It’s a stark contrast to Matt Murdock, who can’t help but help everyone around him, even when he’s not able to, and shows the different headspaces of the two characters. It’s not until Frank is literally forced to act that he finally picks up a weapon and becomes the Punisher again.

‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ Needs To Close the Book on Frank Castle’s Trauma

Image via Disney+

One Last Kill once again focuses on Frank’s trauma and specifically the loss of his family. Director Renaldo Marcus Green penned the script with Bernthal, and the two have left no room for subtlety when it comes to Frank’s character. Unfortunately, by this point, it’s very familiar ground. It proves that the series needs to let Frank grow beyond his trauma. It’s beginning to make him feel one-note, and the special essentially knocks you over the head to remind you that this is a man in a bad mental state.

The problem here is that this has been Frank’s storyline since we first met him in Daredevil Season 2 over 10 years ago. Since then, we’ve seen him reconcile his past with his present in various ways, but One Last Kill needs to be the last time it’s revisited. Clocking in at under an hour, One Last Kill itself feels very much like a standalone episode or a one-shot comic rather than a true special, like it could be tacked onto Daredevil: Born Again if the season had been longer. Half of the episode is pure action while the other half is pure angst, giving the viewer little time to actually feel settled. It also feels like a bit of a reset for Frank, but as he’s had several of these for his character by now, we can really only hope the change is permanent this time.

Disney+ Goes Full Monty on Violence with ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’

Image via Disney+

If Disney+ has been getting flak for making their shows too sanitized, that fear has been officially assuaged (if Fisk crushing a head with his bare hands didn’t do it for you). One Last Kill is unrelentingly vicious when it comes to violence. Within the first ten minutes, we watch an unhoused man get beaten up while his dog is tossed into oncoming traffic. The violence of the special is stomach-churning, especially when there’s no Frank to come in and save the day.

When Frank is confronted by Ma (Judith Light), the matriarch of the Gnucci family, he is finally knocked back into focus. And when Frank goes full throttle, it feels like he’s as invincible as Luke Cage (Mike Colter). Bernthal adds a good amount of grunting and struggling, but at this point, the number of injuries Frank has sustained while continuing to keep fighting is superhuman. At one point, he falls from a roof down to the ground and manages to get up and walk away like it’s nothing. He gets stabbed, slashed, shot, and punched, all while inflicting lethal violence on whoever dares to charge at him.

As was the issue with the first season of Daredevil: Born Again, this once again feels a bit like Disney overcompensating. Showing sequences of Frank killing mercenaries, almost like a video game, while Hatebreed‘s “I Will Be Heard” blasts, feels a little too on the nose. It’s an impressive bit of violence, showing how creative Frank can be at killing people, but it eats up almost the entire half of the episode, oftentimes becoming redundant.

‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ Still Wins When It Comes to Character

Image via Disney+

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What saves One Last Kill from being too one-note is, of course, Bernthal’s acting. Green splices in memories of Frank’s kids and his wife Maria (Kelli Barrett) to show us just which demons continue to haunt him, but it’s the quiet scenes he has alone that are the most tragic. His loneliness is suffocating, turning him into a hermit, one who can’t escape the ghosts of his past and doesn’t seem to want to. While these scenes, along with the ones of Curtis and his fellow marines, can feel almost oppressively sad, there is one moment that becomes a turning point for Frank.

Deborah Ann Woll appears near the halfway mark as Karen Page, her presence shaking some sense back into Frank and offering a reprieve from his extremely dour mood. Although it’s short, it acts as a transitional scene between the two halves of the episode as well as Frank’s past and his future. By the end of the special, the stage has been set for Frank’s appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while also bringing in potential regulars for Frank’s own story, including Light’s Ma and Andre Royo‘s Dre, a local storekeeper who shares some strong moments with Frank.

Ultimately, it’s clear that what makes The Punisher work is still the star at the center of it. Bernthal has a very lived-in approach to Frank, one that manages to make his depressing scenes feel somewhat fresh despite retreading the same ground. As much as Cox has perfected the different sides of Matt Murdock, Bernthal has really honed in on what makes Frank tick, and his presence alone makes One Last Kill worth watching.

The Punisher: One Last Kill is now streaming on Disney+.

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Release Date

May 12, 2026

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Runtime

60 Minutes

Director

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Reinaldo Marcus Green

Writers

Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ross Andru, Jon Bernthal, Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr.

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Franchise(s)

The Punisher

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Pros & Cons

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• Jon Bernthal has perfected playing Frank Castle and it’s never been more obvious.
• The action in One Last Kill is at its peak, even if it can be too violent at times.
• Judith Light and Deborah Ann Woll make great short appearances that propel the story forward.

• One Last Kill feels more like just a standalone episode rather than a special feature.
• The special retreads familiar ground with storylines that have already been thoroughly explored.

Nicole Scherzinger has mixed emotions about the Pussycat Dolls being forced to cancel all but one date on the U.S. leg of their PCD Forever Tour.

“Nicole is disappointed,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “She was really excited to get back out there with Ashley [Roberts] and Kimberly [Wyatt] to celebrate a new era, but now she feels they didn’t get a chance to showcase what they can do.”

The insider acknowledges that the recently reunited girl group had been “too ambitious” in planning their first tour since 2009’s Doll Domination, resulting in low ticket sales.

“They went from not touring for over 15 years to booking big arenas like Madison Square Garden with only one new song to back it,” the source points out, referencing the Pussycat Dolls’ comeback single, “Club Song,” which they released in March but have yet to perform. “They overestimated the demand.”

Related: 10 Must-See Tours This Summer

From nostalgic reunions to buzzy new headliners and possible farewells, this summer’s concert calendar is stacked with what are sure to be must-see tours. Below, Us Weekly rounds up 10 superstar acts — including pop princess Ariana Grande, global heartthrob Harry Styles and generation-defying party starter Bruno Mars — who are hitting the road with […]

Scherzinger’s disappointment has not gotten in the way of rehearsals for the only remaining American show at the OutLoud Music Festival in West Hollywood on June 6. The frontwoman, 47, posted a video via Instagram on Tuesday, May 12, of herself, Roberts, 44, and Wyatt, also 44, running through choreography for the Pride Week performance before they launch their international tour in September.

“Nicole is trying to look on the bright side because the Dolls are still proceeding with their European dates, which she’s beyond excited about, but it’s hard not to feel defeated,” the insider tells Us. “She’s been through this before. Her solo album Her Name Is Nicole was shelved [in 2007], the Dolls also had to cancel their last reunion tour [in 2020] and she has a ton of other music that she never got to put out. It’s been a tough road for Nicole despite her other successes, but she’s grateful for the continuous love from across the pond.”

While the Pussycat Dolls have called off 32 shows, they believe fan videos from the remaining 21 dates could drum up interest for a second chance in America.

“Nicole is hopeful the Dolls can figure out something else in the U.S. after people see the show they’re putting together for Europe, which is going to be very special,” the insider teases.

Us Weekly has reached out to Scherzinger’s rep for comment.

Related: Nicole Scherzinger Settles Legal Battle With Pussycat Dolls Founder

Nicole Scherzinger has finally settled her legal battle with Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin over a planned reunion tour that fell apart, Us Weekly can exclusively report. On Tuesday, October 28, Scherzinger, 47, informed the court that the lawsuit filed by Antin, 64, and the countersuit she filed against Antin are being dismissed. The move […]

The Pussycat Dolls — who rose to fame in the mid-aughts with hits including “Don’t Cha,” “Buttons” and “When I Grow Up” — announced in March that they were reuniting and going on tour. However, earlier this month, they released a statement announcing their “difficult and heartbreaking” decision to scrap concerts in the U.S. and Canada after “taking an honest look” at sales.

The girl group’s reunion has been mired in controversy from the start. After Scherzinger, Roberts and Wyatt revealed they were getting back together as a trio, former Dolls Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta publicly called them out for not including all five members.

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“I was not contacted regarding the group’s decision to move forward, and I learned of these plans at the same time as the public,” Bachar, 51, claimed via Instagram. “Given my history with the brand, having been part of its foundation long before its commercial debut and instrumental in the connections that led to the record deal… I would have appreciated direct communication.”

Meanwhile, Sutta, 43, described herself as a “liability” on the “Maverick Approach” podcast because she is a friend and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump‘s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I align with Bobby Kennedy, which is aligning with MAGA,” Sutta added.

The anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday is feverish, to say the least, and the MCU is reaping all the benefits. The franchise has regained prominence, with all the talk of its demise that has dominated the conversation for months taking a back seat to unabashed optimism. The films that make up the franchise have seen a resurgence in streaming, and even the weakest of the Avengers films benefited. And racing up to the top, as it should be, is the MCU’s best, the one that started it all 18 years ago: Iron Man.

Why ‘Iron Man’ Became the MCU’s First Great Movie

By rights, a film about a lesser-known superhero outside comic circles, played by an actor who had only started to rebuild the career that he had utterly destroyed through addiction, directed by Jon Favreau, then best known for Elf​​​​​​, shouldn’t have been a hit. The superhero genre had largely squandered the momentum created by Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man and his genre-redefining Spider-Man from 2002, with the likes of Catwoman and Spider-Man 3 effectively bleeding it dry. Yet it did succeed, wildly, to the tune of $585 million plus.

So what was it about Iron Man that drew people to the film back then? Like Spider-Man before it, Iron Man represents a true reinvention of the superhero genre, lending it the gravitas Raimi brought to Spider-Man but with a stark realism that keeps it grounded. Favreau kept it fun, adventurous, dramatic, straightforward, and insular, teasing a bigger world without succumbing to a full reveal. Then there was the casting of Robert Downey Jr., a gamble that paid off in spades.

With Tony Stark/Iron Man in that second tier, there were literally no preconceived notions of what the character should be: no inescapable shadow of Christopher Reeve; no years of comic-book lore in the public consciousness, where everyone knows the story of Peter Parker and the radioactive spider verbatim. Downey Jr. was already reinventing himself for moviegoers, and as such was free to craft the perfect marriage of character and actor, becoming truly inseparable from his creation. And the way he was effortlessly able to take Stark from an arrogant, careless charmer to a (somewhat) humbled, morally-stricken charmer was, in a word, stunning.

How ‘Iron Man’ Became an MCU Comfort Movie

But why is the film drawing in viewers now, 18 years later? The reasons above play a part in it, as true now as they were then, but there’s more to it. The simplest explanation is that fans are marathoning MCU content before Avengers: Doomsday hits. That 18-year span would place Iron Man right in the heart of a new generation, too, where those who grew up with the film are now at an age where they’re showing it to their own children.

That tracks, given that the film doesn’t require homework going in. Straightforward, one doesn’t need to have watched countless hours of streaming content just to know what’s going on in Iron Man. It represents a simpler time for the MCU, a sense that it was building towards something important, as opposed to now, where such a high bar has been set that anything less than Avengers: Endgame is a disappointment and a step backwards.

There could be another, more psychological rationale for Iron Man‘s recent streaming success: the concept of the “comfort movie.” During times of turmoil, of which current events certainly qualify, people face difficult decisions, life changes, and an almost relentless outpouring of negative news from almost every direction. All these things work to overload our cognitive abilities, our working memory, and, as silly as it may sound, watching a new movie requires a lot of mental work that only adds to the problem. First, you have to find a movie that you might be interested in, no guarantees, then you need to know the characters, track the storyline, and leave enough room for plot twists.

But as Psychology Today notes, “there’s no guesswork, cliffhangers, or stressful anticipation when watching an old favorite — which makes it easier for our tired, overloaded brains to process.” What fills that role better than Iron Man? It’s a classic good vs. evil film; there’s no guesswork, and there aren’t multiple timelines and thousands of hours of content to know to enjoy it. It’s easy to like Downey Jr., easy to dislike Jeff Bridges‘ Obadiah Stone, and it’s easy to fall into the childlike thrill of seeing that first successful test flight again. But whatever the reason, Iron Man hits the heights once again, 18 years later, it just seems right.

Meryl Streep has spent decades being treated as untouchable in Hollywood, but the internet is suddenly asking a question many movie fans never thought they would hear: has the Oscar icon actually made that many great films in recent years? 

A viral debate over Streep’s modern filmography exploded online after social media users began revisiting some of her biggest flops, divisive performances, and critically panned projects. 

Even with “The Devil Wears Prada 2” dominating theaters, the actress is now facing renewed scrutiny over whether her legendary status still matches her recent work.

Meryl Streep found herself at the center of social media discourse after a viral post declared her the greatest actor of the century.

Although the list was later revealed to have been generated by AI, it still sparked intense online debate about Streep’s work over the last 25 years.

One viral X post questioned whether the actress has actually delivered many memorable films since 2000.

“I’ll give you three chances to name a good Meryl Streep movie since 2000 and I’ll be shocked if you can get to two,” one user wrote.

Political journalist David Weigel added fuel to the conversation by criticizing several of her more recent projects and even calling some of them “Streepslop.”

Critics online pointed toward films like “Lions for Lambs,” which struggled with reviewers and currently holds a low Rotten Tomatoes score.

Others revisited “The Prom,” the Ryan Murphy musical comedy that failed to recreate the success of Streep’s “Mamma Mia!” era despite featuring stars like Nicole Kidman and James Corden.

Streep’s Box Office Misses Are Being Revisited

As the online discussion intensified, several of Meryl Streep’s lesser-loved films began resurfacing across social media.

Her musical drama “Ricki and the Flash” was once again criticized for failing to leave much of a cultural impact despite pairing Streep with her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer.

The pair had also previously appeared together in 2007’s “Evening,” which received harsh reviews for what critics described as overly slow storytelling and “labored dialogue.”

Romantic comedies like “Prime” and “It’s Complicated” also became part of the discussion. While “It’s Complicated” still earned impressive box office numbers, many viewers revisiting the film now remain divided about its long-term appeal.

Other titles receiving renewed criticism included “The Laundromat,” “The Giver,” “Rendition,” and “Dark Matter.”

Even some of Streep’s award-recognized work hasn’t escaped scrutiny. Her Netflix satire “Don’t Look Up” divided audiences despite becoming a streaming sensation during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, “The Iron Lady,” which earned the 79-year-old another Oscar win for portraying Margaret Thatcher, still holds mixed reviews more than a decade later.

“Meryl Streep’s performance as The Iron Lady is reliably perfect, but it’s mired in bland, self-important storytelling,” Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus reads per the Daily Mail.

Meryl Streep’s New York Times Snub Still Divides Critics

One of the biggest moments reigniting criticism around Streep’s career happened years earlier when The New York Times excluded her from its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

The omission shocked many film fans, especially considering Streep’s decades of acclaim and record-breaking Oscar nominations.

Instead, the list highlighted performers including Isabelle Huppert, Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

After backlash erupted, critics Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott defended the decision publicly.

“Meryl Streep has given some very fine performances in the past 20 years, but she’s also given some not very good ones that are showy and overdone,” Scott explained.

He specifically pointed to “August: Osage County” and “The Iron Lady” while arguing her recent work reflected a “mixed record.”

Dargis also dismissed arguments centered around Streep’s long awards history. “People keep yelling at us about how many Oscar nominations Streep has, as if that’s a metric Tony and I ever paid attention to,” she said.

Dargis continued, “This is not a list of people who have been nominated for Oscars; this is our list of people we really, really respect and love.”

Streep Still Has Several Modern Classics Under Her Belt

Despite the growing criticism, Meryl Streep’s supporters have been quick to point out that her post-2000 career still includes several celebrated films.

Her performance in Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation” remains widely praised, and the film was later recognized by both The New York Times and the British Film Institute as one of the century’s best films.

She followed that success with “The Hours,” which was eventually selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

The Hollywood star also earned back-to-back Oscar nominations for “Doubt” and “Julie & Julia,” while simultaneously dominating theaters with the hugely successful “Mamma Mia!” franchise.

Later, she impressed critics again in Steven Spielberg’s “The Post,” portraying a journalist navigating the Pentagon Papers scandal. Now, Streep is once again sitting atop the box office thanks to “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

The sequel has already grossed more than $433 million worldwide against a $100 million budget and is projected to climb even higher.

Reports also claim that Streep negotiated lucrative box office bonuses that could add another $20 million to her paycheck on top of her $12.5 million upfront salary.

Meryl Streep Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down In Hollywood

Even as debate around her legacy grows louder online, Streep appears completely unfazed by the criticism. At 76, the actress still has a packed slate of upcoming projects that could easily reshape the conversation yet again.

She is currently attached to play legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in Cameron Crowe’s upcoming biopic, a role already generating early Oscar buzz.

Streep is also set to appear alongside Sigourney Weaver in the thriller “Useful Idiots” and will lend her voice to Greta Gerwig’s ambitious Netflix reboot of “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

The actress herself has long seemed uninterested in arguments about whether she is Hollywood’s greatest performer.“I don’t think of myself as the greatest anything—cook, housekeeper, actor, or developer of material. I don’t think there’s the best of anything,” she told ABC News in 2010.

It’s agreed upon by most film fans that the ‘70s were the greatest decade in film history, which is why they are often referred to as the “New Hollywood” era. It was after a series of significant box office disappointments in the 1960s that studios began to give more creative control to directors, many of whom were young, and fresh out of film school. Since this rising crop of filmmakers tended to cite international cinema as an influence on their work, the definition of what a “Hollywood” film was transformed dramatically.

It’s incredible to look back at the films of 1976 because so many of them have had a lasting impact on popular culture, and still are perceived to be a significant influence on the cinema of 2026. It was a robust year filled with classics in nearly every genre.

10

‘Carrie’ (1976)

Image via United Artists

Carrie was the first adaptation ever of a Stephen King novel, and it remains one of the best. What made King’s story so good was that it was a haunting horror story that also presented itself as a coming-of-age tale with a relatable protagonist, and Carrie featured a standout performance by Sissy Spacek that launched one of the most significant stars of the next decade.

Carrie was also a major film for director Brian De Palma, who had his first major success after making a few smaller titles earlier in the decade. De Palma was often cited as being a “modern Alfred Hitchcock” because of the way that he used suspense and intrigue, and Carrie showed how he was willing to tear down taboos when it came to graphic content, thanks to the film’s horrific, bloody ending scene at the school dance.

9

‘The Killing of a Chinese Bookie’ (1976)

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was a very unique film for director John Cassavetes, as for the most part he had made smaller arthouse dramas, many of which starred his partner, Gena Rowlands. Comparatively, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was an anxiety-inducing crime thriller that became a masterclass in escalation, as Cassavetes was able to dig deep within the criminal underworld to tell a story of regret and retaliation.

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie came out only a few years after The Godfather, and proved once again that the crime genre was malleable to tell many different types of stories that could be considered “elevated.” While the original cut of the film released in theaters is a masterpiece, Cassavetes also released a director’s cut (that is widely available on streaming) that is much closer to his original vision.

8

‘Mikey and Nicky’ (1976)

Image via Paramount Pictures 

Mikey and Nicky was the third film directed by Elaine May, a filmmaker who sadly didn’t receive as many opportunities as she deserved. Although May had a famously intense production process that required fine-tuning and countless takes, the results were all masterpieces, as Mikey and Nicky is one of the best films ever made about male friendship and the impossibility of paying off debts.

May was able to get a great performance out of Cassavetes, who proved that he was capable of completely transforming for a role, even if it was for a film that he did not personally direct. That being said, the true scene-stealer of Mikey and Nicky is the late great Peter Falk, who was able to give a performance so charming, amusing, haunting, and tragic all at once that it makes the film even thoriner upon rewatch.

7

‘Marathon Man’ (1976)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Marathon Man was a truly unique spy thriller that was based on a very popular book, yet still managed to be just as popular. Although Dustin Hoffman was already one of the most respected actors of his generation, he stepped outside of his comfort zone to play a university student that goes on the run after his brother (Roy Scheider) is killed trying to prevent a powerful Nazi (Laurence Olivier) from gaining a powerful treasure.

Olivier was a shocking choice to play the main villain, as he was a more classical British actor who was best known for his work in the adaptations of William Shakespeare and other classic novelists. Nonetheless, Olivier succeeded in giving a transformative and terrifying performance, which was made all the more scary thanks to one of the most realistic torture scenes ever captured on film.

6

‘Rocky’ (1976)

Image via United Artists

Rocky isn’t just the greatest inspirational sports film of all-time, but the classic that basically redefined the genre and has inspired countless imitators. Although it inspired a terrific franchise that is still going strong to this day, the original Rocky is almost underrated at this point for what a thoughtful, grounded character drama it is, as director John Avildsen avoided some of the more outlandish feats of spectacle that became more prominent in the sequels.

Sylvester Stallone is a movie star with a mixed track record when it comes to hits and misses, but he wrote the original screenplay for Rocky and clearly poured all of his efforts and companion into the story of the ultimate underdog. Stallone has now become a massive action star with many franchises to his name, but Rocky is still the film and performance that he will always be best known for.

5

‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ (1976)

Image via Warner Bros.

The Outlaw Josey Wales was a significant achievement for Clint Eastwood, who was quickly proving that he was just as good at directing Westerns as he was at starring in them. Although Eastwood has succeeded in making a smaller, grittier Western thriller just three years prior with High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales was a true war epic that was far more expansive in terms of scope.

The Outlaw Josey Wales showed how brave Eastwood was willing to be when casting himself, as it was far from the type of egocentric role that many other actors-turned-directors would take. He cast himself to play a truly violent, often scary anti-hero, and was able to explore the complex ethical ramifications of the situation by creating a flawed protagonist. Few better films have ever been made about the aftermath of the American Civil War.

4

‘Assault on Precinct 13’ (1976)

Image via The CKK Corporation

Assault on Precinct 13 was a true step up from director John Carpenter, whose previous film Dark Star had really only been a slightly more polished student project that was aimed at satirizing science fiction space operas. Assault on Precinct 13 may have looked on its surface to be another traditional cop thriller, but Carpenter had a trick up his sleeve; he was deeply indebted to the Western cinema of Howard Hawks, as Assault on Precinct 13 served as a loose remake of Rio Bravo that changed the setting from the Wild West to a contemporary police station.

Assault on Precinct 13 featured incredible shootout and fight scenes, even though it was released long before the “action genre” took off in the wake of Die Hard. It’s one of Carpenter’s toughest movies, and is often remembered for its particularly gritty opening scene.

3

‘Network’ (1976)

Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Network is the rare film from 1976 that remains just as relevant today and it did during its initial theatrical release, as it explored the idea of media sensationalism and overconsumption in a way that resonates even more deeply in the era of the Internet. Although the line “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” is what the film might be best remembered for, Network has countless amazing pieces of dialogue, as it is one of the best screenplays ever written.

Network has a truly incredible lineup of the most acclaimed actors who were starring in all the best films of the ‘70s, with Peter Finch becoming one of the few stars to win a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor. Although he was one of the few cast members that wasn’t nominated for an Oscar, Robert Duvall also gives one of his best performances in Network.

2

‘All the President’s Men’ (1976)

Image via Warner Bros.

All the President’s Men is one of the most important political films ever made because it tackled the controversies surrounding the “Watergate” scandal in the administration of President Richard Nixon only a few years after they transpired. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman gave some of their greatest performances ever as Woodward and Bernstein, respectively, the duo of reporters whose report led Nixon to become the first President of the United States in history to resign from office.

All the President’s Men is still cited as being one of the most accurate and important films about the journalistic process, as it examined aspects of an investigation that must be followed in order for the reporters to make their proclamations with absolute certainty. It’s also a great piece of entertainment, as Alan Pakula was a director who could take important stories and make them very engaging for general audiences.

1

‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Taxi Driver was a groundbreaking film for Martin Scorsese because it crafted one of cinema’s most defining anti-heroes in Travis Bickle, the unusual main character played by Robert De Niro in one of his greatest performances ever. Bickle was meant to reflect the disillusionment of a generation of Vietnam War veterans who discovered that the country was in shambles, and turned to the underworld as a means of reaching self-actualization.

Taxi Driver is a magnetic thriller because it’s intense to see whether Bickle will lose his mind completely, or if his ethics will come through so that he can do the right thing, even if he only does it inadvertently. Although Scorsese and De Niro had previously worked with one another on the 1973 film Mean Streets, Taxi Driver marked the true inception of one of the greatest director-actor collaborations of all-time.

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Taxi Driver

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Release Date

February 9, 1976

Runtime

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114 minutes

Writers

Paul Schrader

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Former NBA star Jason Collins has died following a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” Collins’ family told the NBA in a Tuesday, May 12, statement, confirming the former athlete’s death.

Collins — the first openly gay player in the NBA — will be remembered for not only his athleticism on the court but the legacy he solidified beyond the sport.

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ loved ones said in their statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

Related: NBA Star Jason Collins Diagnosed With ‘Deadliest’ Form of Brain Cancer

Former NBA player Jason Collins has been diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer. “A few months ago, my family released a short statement saying I had a brain tumor. It was simple, but intentionally vague,” Collins, 47, wrote in an essay for ESPN published on Thursday, December 11. “They did that to protect my privacy […]

NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued his own statement on Tuesday, praising Collins, a former NBC Cares Ambassador, for all he accomplished in his life.

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver wrote. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.”

The commissioner added, “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”

Related: NBA Star Ja Morant Reacts to the Sudden Death of Teammate Brandon Clarke

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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant shared his emotional reaction to the sudden death of his teammate, Brandon Clarke.  “This hurt BC 💔,” Morant, 26, posted via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, May 12. “Love you broski. Gone way too soon.” He added, “It’s bigger than basketball.” Morant and Clarke played all seven seasons of their […]

Silver concluded, “On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”

Collins was a professional basketball player for 13 years, playing for the New Jersey Newts, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.

One year before his retirement in 2014, Collins publicly came out as gay in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story. With his announcement, Collins became the first publicly gay athlete to play not only in the NBA, but to participate in any of the four main sports leagues in North America, according to ESPN.

“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything,” Collins wrote in a December 2025 essay for ESPN. “This was like, I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I’m gay. Just so everyone knows cards on the table, this is where I am.

The athlete recalled getting calls from some of the most famous people in the world after his cover story, including President Barack Obama.

“President Obama said, ‘Congratulations, what you’ve done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime,’” Collins explained at the time. “I think that’s a really cool thing and I want to do that again as far as having an opportunity to help someone that I might not ever meet in my lifetime.”

Outside of his NBA career and openness about his sexuality, Collins made headlines again in September 2025 when he revealed he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.

Three months later, he wrote his essay for ESPN, confirming that he was diagnosed with Stage IV glioblastoma.

“A few months ago, my family released a short statement saying I had a brain tumor. It was simple, but intentionally vague,” Collins wrote in December 2025. “They did that to protect my privacy while I was mentally unable to speak for myself, and my loved ones were trying to understand what we were dealing with. But now it’s time for people to hear directly from me.”

He shared, “I have Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. It came on incredibly fast.”

Collins later traveled to Singapore to receive experimental treatments that are not yet authorized in the United States. He documented his journey via social media, including a health update video posted in January.

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“I have just finished cycle one of EDV treatment here in Singapore and the results are very encouraging,” he shared on January 15. “The scan I had is called FET-PET/MRI which distinguishes actively growing cancer cells from necrotic (essentially dead) tumor cells, and my tumor cells appeared to be non living. This is exciting news and pending FDA approval I am continuing further doses of EDV’s back in the US.”

The following month, Collins participated in a health walk in Inglewood, California, in support of NBC Cares. He was also seen sitting courtside at a Stanford University basketball game in February.

Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, whom he married in May 2025, his parents, Portia and Paul Collins, and twin brother, Jarron Collins.

Every decade is home to some fantastic films, and one of the greatest genres that fans have been enjoying for centuries is fantasy. The sense of adventure paired with the mystical worlds, fascinating creatures, and overall feeling of wonder is unrivaled. The best part of the genre is that it can be so many different things, from epic high fantasy films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy to a more grounded movie that bends realism into fantasy, such as Life of Pi. Whatever fans want, this genre can provide.

Out of all the decades, the 2010s are one of the most peculiar when it comes to fantasy films, providing a mix of animation, high fantasy, and altered fantasy. There may be a lot of great movies, such as A Monster Calls, but there are only a handful of masterpieces. That is why this list will determine the only five fantasy movie masterpieces from the 2010s based on originality, story, influence, staying power, themes, directing, acting, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. The status of masterpiece is a title few movies achieve, but these five films wear it proudly.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)

Image via DreamWorks Animation

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Live-action remakes are here to stay, unfortunately, creating soulless rehashes of beloved animated classics. One of the most recent adaptations is How to Train Your Dragon, and even though it was almost entirely one-to-one, the original is still far better. The village of Berk is home to some of the strongest Vikings in the land, but they have been at odds with dragons for as long as time. It is a rite of passage to slay a dragon, but the Chief’s son, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), is against the murder of these creatures, leading to a rough relationship with his father. After finding a rare dragon, Hiccup decides to befriend it, leading to the realization that humans and dragons can coexist. However, he is going to have a lot tougher time trying to convince the people of Berk.

DreamWorks used to be known for its pop-culture gags that, while relevant at the time, didn’t always age well. However, How to Train Your Dragon moved away from this, instead delivering a family movie that aged perfectly. The flight scenes were absolutely gorgeous, using revolutionary technology to create a kinetic sense of action that was both beautiful and exhilarating. Technical craftsmanship aside, this movie also features a classic story with emotional weight. The characters are endearing, the humor is funny, and the scale is magnificent, all coming together to make How to Train Your Dragon an iconic staple of the 2010s and a universally beloved animated film.

‘Midnight in Paris’ (2011)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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Woody Allen is a controversial figure, but no matter what fans think of him, they have to at least acknowledge his proficiency in filmmaking, specifically in the romance genre. One of his best modern works is Midnight in Paris, which blends his usual style of romance and comedy with a little fantasy spice. Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is a Hollywood screenwriter and aspiring novelist, but he and his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) are in a tough spot. Vacationing in Paris, Gil takes to wandering the streets alone at night, only to find himself transported back in time to the 1920s. Here, he meets icons like Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) and F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), who may help solve his problems.

Midnight in Paris is a forgotten fantasy film, but that doesn’t take away its status as a masterpiece; it just means more fans need to rediscover this flawless movie. Magic and fantasy go hand in hand, but where most films use them for spectacle and mysticism, Midnight in Paris uses them as a precise storytelling tool to explore the philosophical nature of the film and its themes. This profound touch creates a distinct fantasy masterpiece that is much different than the other movies on this list, but this separation further proves its genius. By deconstructing the Golden Fallacy, Midnight in Paris creates a psychological evolution of its protagonist that is grounded and bittersweet.

‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)

Image via Toho

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Anime is one of the biggest media as of late, and it also contains some of the greatest fantasy films, mostly from the acclaimed animation studio, Studio Ghibli. However, out of their impressive catalogue, the only fantasy masterpiece of the 2010s they have is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Based on a 10th-century Japanese folktale, it follows the titular princess born from a bamboo shoot. Now forced to live in luxury with a restrictive life, she must choose a suitor to spend the rest of her life with. However, Kaguya only wants to be free and live a normal human life.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya doesn’t use the whimsical narrative style as other Studio Ghibli films do, but rather adopts a tragic and somber story. This timeless tale works perfectly with this modern adaptation because it uses a sketch-like watercolor style that mimics the sumi-e style, creating a visual masterclass with one of the most engaging art styles in animation. The narrative reflects its themes in the art, thus providing a beautiful contrast that highlights the excellence of The Tale of Princess Kaguya. The technical innovation, when paired with its emotional story, creates an unforgettable movie that might be Studio Ghibli’s best.

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)

This list features a good amount of animated films, which is only natural since the fantasy genre works best in this creative and ambitious medium. How to Train Your Dragon is a Western animation, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is an anime film, so Kubo and the Two Strings perfectly rounds out this trifecta as a stop-motion masterpiece. When the titular character accidentally summons an evil spirit, he must travel around ancient Japan in search of his father’s spirit, hoping to defeat the Moon God.

When done right, stop-motion is one of the most visually stunning mediums ever, and Kubo and the Two Strings is the height of the genre. Putting together intricate characters, creations, and one of the largest set pieces with a giant skeleton, this movie builds an immersive world that is a spectacle to witness. Furthermore, the painterly woodblock aesthetic makes Kubo and the Two Strings feel more authentic, accentuating the style and themes. By blending CGI with its puppets, Kubo and the Two Strings becomes one of the greatest fantasy adventure films, not to mention its profound themes of grief and memory that create a daring and captivating masterpiece.

‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Guillermo del Toro is a cinematic mastermind, creating some of the most unique, bizarre, and creative fantasy films that have all become cult classics. However, the one that won him the Oscar was The Shape of Water. Set in the 1960s, it follows a mute cleaner at a government facility, who discovers the secret they have been harboring: a mutated fish-man creature from the Amazon. Instead of being afraid, Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is fascinated by the monster and forms an unlikely bond with it, eventually orchestrating an escape when it doesn’t have much time left.

The Shape of Water might not be for everyone, but its distinct atmosphere and unique story make for a touching tale that uses del Toro’s signature style in its favor. Here, the renowned director flipped the classic Monster Movie formula into an endearing romance that was fresh, daring, and bold. The Shape of Water cemented itself as one of the best modern fantasy movies because it blends genres so masterfully, mixing spy thriller in the Cold War era with monster madness, romance, and fairy tale. It may not be a traditional fantasy movie, but that is exactly why it is a masterpiece from the 2010s that will be remembered forever.

Three months after losing James Van Der Beek, Kimberly Van Der Beek is opening up about the painful reality of life without her husband.

The actor’s widow shared an emotional message alongside family photos on Instagram, admitting the shock surrounding his death has started to fade.

As grief settles in, Kimberly says the absence left behind by the beloved television star feels impossible to ignore.

Kimberly Van Der Beek poured her heart out in a deeply personal Instagram post marking three months since the actor’s death.

The “Dawson’s Creek” star died on February 11 in Texas after battling stage three colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.

In her emotional tribute, Kimberly reflected on how different life feels now that the initial shock surrounding his death has worn off.

“Yesterday was three months since we lost @vanderjames. To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement,” she wrote.

She continued, “Words just don’t capture what grief is. The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in… and I miss him. We all miss him.”

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The heartbreaking post included old family photos and memories featuring James with their six children.

While mourning his absence, Kimberly also admitted she still feels spiritually connected to her late husband.

“Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air. I feel him. I know him more deeply,” she shared. “My conscious connection to God has deepened. The veils of the universe have thinned. And I trust that this is the path me and my family have always been intended to walk.”

James Van Der Beek’s Family Leaning On Support

Alongside her reflections on grief, Kimberly spoke about the support her family has received since the actor’s passing.

She revealed that friends, loved ones, and even fans have surrounded the family with kindness during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

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According to Kimberly, the response has been overwhelming in ways she never expected.

“It’s held our family in the most beautiful of ways,” she wrote. “You all went absolutely above and beyond anything I could have ever expected in supporting us and honoring James. I am deeply grateful. There is so much more to share here. And in time — I will.”

Kimberly was also the person who first confirmed James Van Der Beek’s death publicly back in February.

At the time, she shared a heartbreaking statement about his final moments.

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“James passed peacefully this morning… He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she wrote after his death.

The actor’s passing devastated longtime fans who had followed his career since the late 1990s, when he rose to fame as Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek.”

James Van Der Beek Opened Up About Cancer Battle

Before his death, James Van Der Beek publicly addressed his cancer diagnosis and spoke honestly about the difficult road ahead.

The actor revealed in November 2024 that he had been privately battling colorectal cancer since the previous year.

“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he said at the time.

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Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, he also tried to remain hopeful.

“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added.

During an appearance on the “Today” show, Van Der Beek also explained how he and Kimberly approached discussing his illness with their children.

“I’m far from an expert, but our approach was just to be as honest as possible, as honest to the degree of their understanding, right? Because they know,” he said.

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The actor and Kimberly shared six children together: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.

Over the years, James often spoke openly about fatherhood and family life, making his death even more emotional for fans who watched him embrace life away from Hollywood.

Kimberly Remembered Precious Moments With James

In March, Kimberly honored her late husband again while marking what would have been his 49th birthday.

As The Blast reported, she shared several photos and videos showing intimate family moments, many of them centered around James’ role as a father and husband.

The memories included clips of him dancing with his children, spending time outdoors, and enjoying quiet moments at home.

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“The way you were at births, held our newborns, revered me… I will cherish forever,” Kimberly wrote alongside one touching post.

She also added humor to some of the memories she shared.

“He was the sexiest tree light hanger in all the land,” she captioned a video showing James decorating for Christmas.

In another emotional post, Kimberly admitted she is still struggling to process the devastating loss.

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She wrote, “Baby, you were the best humanity had to offer. This is a loss I don’t know how to process. I will love you forever.”

Final James Van Der Beek Project Set For Release

Even after his passing, fans will still see James Van Der Beek on screen one more time.

The actor is scheduled to appear in the upcoming “Legally Blonde” prequel series “Elle,” which is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 1, 2026.

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His scenes for the series were filmed last year while he was quietly battling cancer.

For many fans, the project will likely carry even more emotional weight now, serving as one of the final performances from an actor whose life and career touched multiple generations of television viewers.