Entertainment
10 Sci-Fi Movies That Are About As Good As ‘Blade Runner’
Blade Runner is to science fiction what The Godfather is to crime/gangster cinema, sort of. Neither movie invented the genre either belonged to, with great sci-fi movies having existed for decades, and iconic gangster movies becoming popular back in the 1930s, yet both can be seen as redefining what was possible for those respective genres. With Blade Runner, it still holds up tremendously (and especially) well on a technical front, which is handy when it was made about the future.
You have a futuristic movie that ended up being appreciated in the future, to the extent that Blade Runner is actually now set in the past (the year 2019), but it’s still incredible and pretty close to flawless. Therefore, any movie that’s on the same level as Blade Runner is going to be within the realm of masterpiece territory, and that indeed can be said about the following sci-fi movies, most of them older classics that have also stood the test of time.
‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017)
Duh. Good to start with the easiest one. Blade Runner 2049 is a pretty fantastic sequel all-around, and so much better than people were probably fearing a Blade Runner sequel might be, back pre-2017. It didn’t seem like a great idea, and maybe in a financial sense, it never was, since Blade Runner 2049 underperformed, though narratively and thematically (and quality-wise), this one did impress.
As the title suggests, it takes place 30 years on from Blade Runner, and depicts the dystopian world as having gotten noticeably worse, while the plot also (eventually) involves the first movie’s protagonist, Rick Deckard (played again by – a surprisingly enthusiastic and not checked-out – Harrison Ford). Visually, Blade Runner 2049 is one of the best-looking sci-fi movies in recent memory, and the fact that it exists as a worthy follow-up to such a legendary film is very much worth celebrating.
‘Godzilla’ (1954)
There are a few Godzilla movies that could be called legendary as far as science fiction cinema’s concerned, but it feels safest to single out the one that started it all. 1954’s Godzilla has a good deal less action than many of its sequels/follow-ups, and a focus on horror, still feeling pretty creepy in that regard, and also remaining relevant with the fears surrounding nuclear weapons that it explores so effectively.
Godzilla (1954) is probably the most thought-provoking film in the series it began, and also the heaviest.
Other Godzilla movies have social commentary, of course, though Godzilla (1954) probably proves the most thought-provoking and also the heaviest. It stands out in those ways, and for also being so significant for the giant monster movie sub-genre overall. Godzilla Minus One could well be a better starting point if you’ve somehow never seen a Godzilla movie before, just because it’s a little sleeker and more approachable pacing-wise, but historically, and as far as classics go… yeah, it’s got to be the original. Obviously.
‘Alien’ (1979)
It’s tempting to say that it’s obvious Alien would be a sci-fi movie, given it’s called Alien, but then again, Parasite (2019) exists, and that one’s not about a literal parasitic creature or monster the way you’d expect it to be. And with Alien, there is a bit more to it beyond the narrative, which is really just people having to survive on board a small spacecraft where an alien is loose.
In that sense, Alien is easy to compare to Jaws, which also has a simple title and a straightforward premise, albeit with a little more under the hood if you want to dig into it, in that way. Both movies are amazingly well-crafted, too. Further, with Alien, it’s worth comparing it to Blade Runner and highlighting it as a classic of the sci-fi genre, since Ridley Scott was the director behind both.
‘The Thing’ (1982)
The setting is different from Alien, but the premise of The Thing is quite similar. There’s an alien, and people have to fight to stay alive. The Thing takes place on Earth, though it still manages to feel claustrophobic when needed, since it’s more specifically a film that takes place in Antarctica, and the conditions there keep the human characters confined to a research facility while the “thing” that wants to kill them is on the loose.
It does a lot with a little, and the level of suspense throughout is undeniably high. The Thing is also a bit of a miserable watch, owing to how dark and hopeless it feels for much of its runtime, but it’s a horror movie, so that ends up being a feature rather than a bug and all.
‘WALL·E’ (2008)
Possibly the best family-friendly sci-fi movie of all time, WALL·E is also a highlight within the entirety of Pixar’s output. It is another instance of the studio giving human emotions to things that don’t usually have human emotions, doing so after the first two movies with toys, and that one with the fish, but before there was the exploration of “what if emotions had emotions?”
And then as far as animated science fiction movies are concerned, they don’t get much better than WALL·E. It’s also a post-apocalyptic movie, in a sense, just a good deal more optimistic than most post-apocalyptic movies. Also, like with Godzilla, the concerns WALL·E is concerned with regarding humanity and its future (or lack thereof) remain relevant, not to mention surprisingly weighty for what might initially look like a kid’s movie.
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
Back to the Future is about as comforting and easily approachable as comfort movies get, and so, unsurprisingly, it’s also very nostalgic. And it’s the kind of nostalgic that has that feeling on multiple fronts, as it was made more than four decades ago, and is very of its time stylistically, while the time travel plot also has its teenage protagonist ending up stuck in the past, 30 years earlier, so in that sense, Back to the Future would’ve felt nostalgic back in 1985.
Going much further than that is hard, discussion-wise. Back to the Future is a classic and one of those movies that’s potentially almost impossible to dislike. Maybe there’s someone out there who just doesn’t like it, and they’re well within their rights to not like it, but also, maybe you’re within your rights to think – ideally just to yourself, in the interest of not being too rude – that there might be something wrong with that particular individual.
‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)
Romance movies focused on break-ups are already a little less common than more conventional (and pleasant) romance movies, but romance movies about break-ups that also count as sci-fi films? That’s an inevitably even smaller camp, and yet it’s a camp that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind belongs to. This one’s about a couple who’ve broken up, and they both choose to have a procedure that deletes all the memories they have of the other person.
You could play something outlandish like this for laughs, and you throw Jim Carrey into the mix, and you might expect something funny, or maybe more of a dramedy, like The Truman Show, yet that’s really not what you get here. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is heavy-going, and it’s also one of those movies that gets admirably more difficult to watch the older/more heartbroken you get. That might not sell the film particularly well, but it’s what it’s going for and trying to do, so you have to admire it, even if you might not feel particularly keen about having it in rotation among other movies you might consider actually rewatchable.
‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
The first Star Wars might be more historically significant, and potentially also the bigger crowd-pleaser, yet it’s The Empire Strikes Back that’s the overall stronger film. Both films, and most in the Star Wars franchise, are fantasy in space, rather than strict science fiction, but that sub-genre (the space opera) does still require, you know, space and other sci-fi elements, so here The Empire Strikes Back is.
It’s relentlessly paced and undeniably exciting, even if you enter into it knowing the biggest surprises it has in store, or are otherwise familiar with much of it because it’s been so frequently parodied and referenced by other pieces of media. No matter; The Empire Strikes Back is still a strike. All 10 pins are knocked down. 10 out of 10 pins. Hey, 10 out of 10. What do you know? It’s all coming together, now.
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of those rare movies that’s about almost everything, doing so by covering such a vast expanse of time. You get the early stretch of the movie dealing with humanity’s ancestors, then some stuff in the titular year (which wasn’t the distant future in 1968, but probably still seemed decently far off to most), and things conclude with a more mysterious sequence that seems like it’s taking place extensively into the future, kind of beyond comprehension and stuff.
Also, 2001: A Space Odyssey does this while being patiently paced, certainly not racing through all the years by any means. It takes its time while taking place over so much time, and that approach, coupled with the undeniable ambition, is one of many reasons why it’s such a fascinating and easy-to-revisit film (and it’s a landmark piece of science fiction in countless other ways, too).
‘Metropolis’ (1927)
As mentioned before, Blade Runner was released far too late to come anywhere close to defining science fiction, as a genre within cinema, but Metropolis, on the other hand… yeah, this one kind of defined science fiction. There were some sci-fi movies released before 1927, with maybe the best known being 1925’s The Lost World, yet not many. And at least as far as feature-length sci-fi movies go, this was probably the first genuinely masterful one.
So, Metropolis has that going for it, and then visually and thematically, it’s also got quite a bit in it that seems likely to have influenced Blade Runner, plus a good many other sci-fi movies released post-1927. Technically, much of Metropolis still impresses, and it’s also easy to single it out as one of the greatest filmmaking accomplishments of its century, science fiction or otherwise.
Metropolis
- Release Date
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February 6, 1927
- Runtime
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114 minutes
- Director
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Fritz Lang
- Writers
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Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
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Nearly a month after his passing, James Van Der Beek‘s family is honoring the late actor on his birthday, sharing cherished memories, heartfelt tributes, and personal reflections on social media to celebrate his life and the impact he had on those who loved him.
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Kimberly Van Der Beek Shared Photos And Videos Of The Late Actor
On March 8, James’ wife Kimberly celebrated her late husband on what would have been his 49th birthday. She shared several photos and videos on Instagram Stories, expressing how she missed him “tremendously.”
James and Kimberly share six children: 15-year-old Olivia, 13-year-old Joshua, 12-year-old Annabel, 9-year-old Emilia, 7-year-old Gwendolyn, and 4-year-old Jeremiah.
In the series of posts, Kimberly shared glimpses of James’ life, sharing short videos and photos of their precious moments. The actor loved dancing with his children, going on outdoor adventures, and doing activities with them.
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“The way you were at births, held our newborns, revered me… I will cherish forever,” Kimberly wrote in one post showing James holding their newborn child. “He was the sexiest tree light hanger in all the land,” she captioned a video showing James putting on lights on a Christmas tree.
“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,” Kimberly captioned a family photo.
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James Van Der Beek Loved Working On Their Ranch Home
In one video taken less than two years before James’ passing, he is seen clearing overgrowth. Kimberly noted, “Doing what he loved. Working this land.” In another video, the actor is shown placing wood panels on a wall. As Kimberly shared, her late husband loved “building things” for their home.
The Van Der Beek family moved from Los Angeles to Texas in 2020, and, as the couple shared, the decision was driven by their desire to give their children more space and be closer to nature.
They made renovations in the home, with James even sharing a video on TikTok in 2023 showcasing the progress they’ve made on the mudroom.
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Emilia Van Der Beek’s Touching Tribute To Her Father
One of James’s daughters, Emilia, also recorded a video to honor her father’s first birthday after his death. As Kimberly noted, Emilia wanted to make a video post that she helped record, which she uploaded to her account.
The 9-year-old said, “The number one thing for somebody’s passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out,” she said, adding, “I talk to my dad every day. I start with a sentence, and I say, ‘Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.’”
Emilia also shared a touching message James told him, saying, “If this doesn’t work out the way he wanted it to and the way we wanted it to for him living, I still have to believe in miracles. Miracles can still happen, just later on in life, and they’ll keep coming.”
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James Van Der Beek Said Fatherhood Changed Him
In 2023, shortly after sharing his cancer diagnosis, James shared with “Good Morning America” how fatherhood changed him. The actor said his life shifted, and his children became his first priority. “You know what you genuinely want is to take care of them, to make them feel safe, keep them safe to connect with and feel that joy,” he said.
After his diagnosis, Van Der Beek focused on spending quality time with his family while facing treatments and financial difficulties due to his illness.
Van Der Beek also raised awareness for colorectal cancer, sharing his experiences and opening conversations about the disease to encourage others to be proactive about their health.
James Van Der Beek’s Death
As previously reported by The Blast, James and Kimberly renewed their marriage vows shortly before the actor’s death. The simple ceremony included their children and close friends, with others joining via Zoom.
James passed away peacefully on the morning of February 11, after battling colorectal cancer for nearly three years.
Dancing With the Stars pro Emma Slater and ex-husband Sasha Farber teamed up for a social media video more than three years after their split.
“‘Your ex-husband is soooo attractive,’” Farber, 41, lipsynced in a Sunday, March 8, Instagram video, while the camera panned to Slater, 37, who added, “‘But you’re my ex-husband.’”
Farber then put his sunglasses on as he nodded to the camera with a smile on his face.
“💀💀💀💀😂😂😂😂 @sashafarber1,” Slater captioned the post before adding, “If you can’t handle that exes can be mature and can be friends, I’m sending you love and positive vibes but I also know it’s not my problem to solve 🥰 meant with love, I’ve just healed [and] moved on from that.”
Dancing With the Stars’ Sasha Farber is weighing in on ex-wife Emma Slater’s relationship with pro Alan Bersten — and whether it’s “awkward” to work with her on the ABC show. “No, not at all,” Farber, 41, insisted during a recent TikTok live, per a fan video. “Definitely not awkward. I’m really happy for her […]
Farber chimed in in the comments section, writing, “😂😂😂😂.”
Slater and Farber began dating in 2011 before pausing their relationship three years later. After the pair rekindled, Farber proposed to Slater on DWTS in 2016. Slater and Farber exchanged vows two years later. In 2023, the twosome went their separate ways — with Slater revealing the reason for their split was “the kid thing.”
“It’s interesting because I do want to have kids, I just don’t want to delay Sasha’s path in having kids because I know that he is ready for that,” she said during an episode of the “Viall Files” podcast in 2023. “I don’t want to talk about him too much because that’s really for him to say, but it’s about kids.”
She continued, “I do want kids. I don’t know what it is, I’m just figuring that out for myself. It’s not something I take lightly and I don’t want to enter into something that I’m not sure about because I would never do that.”
Exes Emma Slater and Sasha Farber shared a hug behind the scenes of Dancing With the Stars. The dance pros, who divorced in 2023, embraced backstage during the Tuesday, September 23, episode of the ABC show, where Slater is paired with comedian Andy Richter. (While Farber is sitting out this season as a pro, he […]
Slater and Farber’s divorce was finalized in 2024. That same year, Us Weekly broke the news that Slater and fellow DWTS pro Alan Bersten were “hooking up.” The next year, Slater and Bersten, 31, sealed their relationship with a kiss during a live DWTS show.
“Last year on the last show of tour, I was like, ‘I’m gonna kiss her. I’m gonna do it on stage,’” Bersten exclusively told Us Weekly in February, adding that he asked Slater for permission. “I asked her beforehand, because I was pretty scared.”
Slater was surprised by Bersten’s gesture, but was game. “I said, ‘Really?!’ And he says, ‘Yeah, I’m just gonna kiss you,’” she told Us, noting that she still “didn’t think he was gonna do it.”
She continued, “He did it, and then we messed up the dance. Afterwards, the audience was screaming, and it was really loud.”
Farber, for his part, has been supportive of Slater and Bersten’s romance. When asked in an October 2025 TikTok whether it’s “awkward” to work with Slater on DWTS, Farber replied, per a fan video, “No, not at all. Definitely not awkward. I’m really happy for her and Alan and I wish them nothing but the best. That’s all I can say.”
Meghan Markle is celebrating her and Prince Harry’s daughter, Princess Lilibet, on International Women’s Day.
“For the woman she will one day be … Happy International Women’s Day,” Meghan, 44, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, March 8, noting that the photo was taken by Harry, 41. “📸: Papa Sussex.”
In the snap, Meghan is seen kissing Lilibet, 4, as the mother-daughter duo sat on a rock overlooking the ocean while enjoying a beach outing.
Meghan and Harry tied the knot in 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, England, and went on to welcome son Prince Archie and daughter Lilibet in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
The pair have since given glimpses of their life in Montecito, California, where they relocated in 2020 after stepping down from their duties as senior working royals. In February, Meghan shared a sweet photo of Harry smiling as he held Lilibet, who was holding onto several red balloons.
“These two + Archie = my forever Valentines,” Meghan wrote via Instagram at the time.
While recalling how she and Harry ended up in their Montecito home, Meghan told New York Magazine’s The Cut in 2022 that the twosome had been “looking in this area” and “this house kept popping up online in searches.”
“We didn’t have jobs, so we just were not going to come and see this house. It wasn’t possible. It’s like when I was younger and you’re window shopping. It’s like, ‘I don’t want to go and look at all the things that I can’t afford. That doesn’t feel good,’” she said.
Samir Hussein/WireImage Meghan Markle shared a rare glimpse of her husband, Prince Harry, bonding with daughter Lilibet. In the image, Harry, 40, pressed a kiss to Lilibet’s head, as the toddler sat in his lap. The pair were seated on a boat, with Lilibet, 3, turned away from the camera. (Harry and Meghan, 43, are […]
The couple ultimately toured the property and fell in love with the home.
“One of the first things my husband saw when we walked around the house was those two palm trees,” Meghan told the outlet. “They’re connected at the bottom. He goes, ‘My love, it’s us.’ And now every day when Archie goes by us, he says, ‘Hi, Momma. Hi, Papa.’”
She continued, “You walk in [to the house] and go … joy. And exhale. And calm. It’s healing. You feel free.”
In the years since, Meghan has gushed that the community has welcomed their family with open arms. Meghan noted that she has a “couple of girlfriends up here,” who are “stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye.”
“Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is,” Meghan told People in 2025.
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Joy Behar invokes “The” “Godfather” as “The View” cohosts slam fired Kristin Noem: 'Won't see her no more'
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“Bye, Felicia! Don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split you,” Ana Navarro added.
A body found in Arizona has no connection to the ongoing case regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Days after a woman was found dead along a canal in Phoenix, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office addressed the speculation about the cases being linked, telling TMZ on Sunday, March 8, that they have “not been notified of any connection reference that case to the Nancy Guthrie case.”
News broke on February 1 that Nancy, 84, had disappeared from her Tuscon, Arizona, home. (Tuscon, Arizona, and Phoenix, Arizona, are more than 100 miles apart.)
Nancy, who was reported missing by a family member who called 911, had last been seen one night prior while having dinner with daughter Annie Guthrie. (Nancy shared daughters Annie and Savannah and son Camron with late husband Charles Guthrie, who died in 1988.)
Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the evening […]
Since Nancy’s disappearance, Savannah, 54, has been absent from the Today show. Instead, former Today coanchor Hoda Kotb has stepped in and is hosting alongside Craig Melvin. Savannah, however, returned to the Today show offices earlier this month to see her coworkers.
“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues,” a Today spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday, March 5. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”
One day later, Melvin told Today viewers that Savannah returned to Studio 1A with a message of “faith and resilience.”
“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me,” she said. “I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be.”
Local law enforcement is speaking out after Savannah Guthrie‘s mom, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed reporters during a news conference on Sunday, February 1, after the 84-year-old was reported missing earlier that afternoon. “This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at […]
Melvin said that Savannah’s emotional speech to 100 cast and crew members included sharing her gratitude to the Today team for “caring about my mom as much as I do.”
“I’m holding on to my faith,” Savannah continued. “I still believe, and as my mom would say, ‘Where else would I go?’”
As the search for Nancy continues, Savannah and her family’s reward for Nancy’s return has been increased to $1 million. The FBI’s $100,000 reward is still active for credible information that may help find Nancy.
In an interview that aired on the Today show on Tuesday, March 3, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC’s Liz Kreutz that officers are “definitely closer” to finding “a suspect or suspects.”
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You know that moment when you’re standing in your closet, looking for something that feels pulled-together but doesn’t require a whole styling session? Shirt dresses solve that problem every single time. One piece, a few buttons and you look like you planned the whole outfit days ago.
Amazon’s spring shirt-dress section is quietly trending right now, and we found striped maxi styles and pleated midi picks to add to cart STAT. The styles start at just $10, which makes experimenting easy. What stands out is how polished and chic these picks look at prices that won’t make you flinch. We pulled together 13 favorites worth a closer look.
Elegant Spring Shirt Dresses From Amazon
1. Our Favorite: When a dress is both an editor pick and a shopper favorite, you pay attention. This 100% cotton striped maxi shirtdress with a tie waist earns it at $33.
2. Playful Prints: Finding a polished dress that actually breathes in warm weather is tough. This 100% cotton DKNY shirtdress solves that with a belted waist and crisp poplin fabric.
3. Darling Denim: DKNY took the classic denim dress and elevated it with a belted silhouette that reads polished, not casual. This one looks just as sharp at the office as it does on weekends.
4. Pleated Perfection: This Calvin Klein shirtdress combines pleated details with a belted waist in a muted brown tone. The result is understated and sophisticated all at once.
5. Totally Transitional: Spring weather is unpredictable, so a dress you can layer is essential. This NIC+ZOE cotton blend shirtdress works under a jacket today and on its own by June.
Lilly Pulitzer prints are gorgeous, but spending over $150 on a single blouse stings. The good news? Amazon is packed with bright, colorful tops that capture that same Palm Beach energy for a fraction of the cost. These 13 Lilly Pulitzer-looking spring blouses on Amazon look and feel expensive without the designer price tag. Think bold […]
6. Has Pockets: You shouldn’t have to carry a bag just to hold your phone. This belted button-down midi shirtdress has real pockets and a flattering V-neck for just $38.
7. Loose and Slimming: A loose fit that still looks slimming is a rare find, especially under $17. This Amazon Essentials navy georgette shirtdress uses its belt to create shape without clinging.
8. Rich Mom-Style: Pair this black Ladyful shirtdress with gold jewelry and nice flats and you’ll look like you spent five times the price. The belt and cap sleeves do all the work.
9. Stunning Stripes: A good stripe pattern is endlessly versatile. This belted A-line midi shirtdress in blue pairs just as well with sneakers as it does with wedges.
10. Pleated Perfection: Head to a spring luncheon in this light blue pleated midi with gold buttons. Toss your lipstick in the pockets and skip the clutch entirely.
11. Casual Classic: Throw this light blue denim tunic dress on with ankle boots for weekend errands. The long sleeves and relaxed fit make it a grab-and-go favorite.
12. Must-Have Mini: This navy blue shift-style mini shirtdress has short sleeves, a button-down front, and pockets. The business-casual cut works for the office and beyond at $30.
13. Cue the Color: This Lilly Pulitzer Larkyn midi shirtdress brings puff sleeves, a belt and bold, colorful prints. At $288, it’s A splurge, but you get that signature Lilly energy.
If your winter layers are starting to feel heavy, stiff or just plain uninspiring, consider this your official sign: spring blouse season has arrived. Amazon’s early 2026 drop is filled with airy chiffons, romantic ruffles, polished pleats and silky satins that instantly make getting dressed feel lighter — and far more fun. It’s the kind […]
Entertainment
44 Years Later, This Ambitious 2-Part Fantasy Series Returned Before a Quick Cancellation
Fantasy Island is a classic fantasy drama that ran on ABC from 1977 to 1984. Ricardo Montalbán was the hunky, dashing, and enigmatic Mr. Roarke who occupied a mysterious island that could grant its guests incredible wishes. What lives on in most people’s memories is his sidekick, Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize), who would announce new guest arrivals by shouting, “De plane! De plane!” at the beginning of every episode.
The series was emblematic of the time period in a lot of ways — original, fun, and, in several ways, very problematic. But that hasn’t stopped the entertainment world from bringing Fantasy Island back to life several times (including a one-season revival series in 1998 and a horror film adaptation in 2020). But a sequel series a few years back really captured the magic of Fantasy Island in a memorable way.
What Is 2021’s ‘Fantasy Island’ About?
In 2021, Fox aired the first season of a brand-new version of Fantasy Island. This time the adaptation is actually a sequel to the 1970s series, picking up several decades after the original. Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sánchez) is the grand-niece of Mr. Roarke, and she has taken up the mantle of running the mystical island to keep the magic within her family. She continues to offer guests the chance to stay on the island and fulfill one of their greatest dreams.
The island doesn’t always grant these wishes in the most straight-forward way, but each guest does learn a valuable lesson, so that they still always take what they need from the island before returning home. There is magic all around, and romance is in the air, especially with Javier (John Gabriel Rodriquez) as Elena’s love interest. Instead of a man as her sidekick though, Elena has Ruby Akuda (Kiara Barnes). In the premiere episode, Ruby travels to the island to gain more time before succumbing to a fatal illness. She ends up turning into her younger self, and then decides to stay on the island to assist Elena. Their partnership is a compelling, feminist twist on the original show’s island staff.
‘Fantasy Island’ Is a Fun Continuation of the Original Series
Fantasy Island might be a sequel to the original, but it’s not necessary for you to have seen the 1970s show in order to watch the new adaptation. In fact, each episode contains a fresh storyline where you can see the island’s magic at work, but it still includes the original’s entertaining fantasy aspects. One guest gets to spend her stay on the island eating as much as she wants because her job requires her to stay thin. In another, a woman gets to see versions of her life if she chooses her boyfriend or an arranged marriage her parents want her to carry out. A stand-out episode, “Once Upon a Time in Havana,” portrays a young teen who is transported to Cuba in the 1960s so that she can learn the origins of her family’s story. This time travel allows the girl to be more accepting of her relatives and helps her move forward in a healthier way on her own path.
Each island wish is fulfilled in a dreamy, yet still realistic way. There are also storylines that carry over through the season, as we learn more about Elena’s own relationship to her family and to the island itself. The sequel works because of the leading performance by Sánchez. She’s the grounded, calm conduit who helps facilitate all of the guests’ wishes, but she’s also trying to find fulfillment in her own life. Her scenes with Barnes are also intriguing, as they establish a friendship that is both nurturing and somewhat complicated. But the real reason that Fantasy Island is so fun to watch is all of the guest stars that pop up on the island. Season 1 features Scandal‘s Bellamy Young, real-life married couple Odette and Dave Annable, and the reunion of the fabulous trio of Melrose Place ladies, Daphne Zuniga, Josie Bissett, and Laura Leighton.
There’s also an episode centered around the late comedy legend, Leslie Jordan. But Season 2 didn’t hold back when it comes to television legends either, with episodes starring Desperate Housewives‘ Teri Hatcher and 90210‘s Jason Priestley. Seeing who is going to appear in every new episode makes the fantasy series even more entertaining and exciting to watch. In the end, it seems that not enough people were willing to travel to Fantasy Island. The series was cancelled in 2023 after just two seasons. Although it only consists of 23 episodes, the fantasy drama is still worthy of a binge-watch, even if you aren’t familiar with the original series. If nothing else, watching the series is a nice tropical escape from the real world.
- Release Date
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2021 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain
Dawson’s Creek star Mary-Margaret Humes is continuing to honor a tradition with her onscreen son, James Van Der Beek, one month after his death.
James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, took to her Instagram Story on Sunday, March 8, to honor memories with the late actor on what would have been his 49th birthday — and also share new moments with the couple’s six kids. In the clip, the kids gathered around an outdoor table as they looked at a gift given to them by Humes.
“Who do you think sent this?” Kimberly asked, to which the kids replied in unison, “Mary Margaret.” After Kimberly inquired about what was inside the box, the children exclaimed, “Cookies!”
“And we always get them on Daddy’s birthday,” Kimberly explained, while one of the kids said, “Don’t stop sending these.”
Before unpacking the box, the kids read a note written by Humes, which said, “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. For those who love with their heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation. Happy birthday kiddo. I love you.”
Humes, for her part, reposted the video and added two hearts, alongside the text, “Forever family.” Humes also paid tribute to James via Instagram on Sunday, sharing a collage of throwback photos with her onscreen son and his family.
“You are never more than a thought away,” Humes wrote. “Happy Birthday James … #familyfirst #foreverfriends @vanderkimberly ❤️.”
News broke in February that James died after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48.
Katie Holmes is mourning the loss of her beloved friend and former Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek. “James, thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make-believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression,” wrote Holmes, 47, in […]
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” a statement shared via the actor’s Instagram read at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Humes, for her part, honored James by sharing a selfie of the twosome and a throwback photo.
“Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,” Humes wrote via Instagram at the time. “I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping. To our extended Dawson’s Creek family of friends, please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.”
Jessica Alba and Joe Burrow are not dating despite social media rumors linking the two after they were spotted in Las Vegas … TMZ has learned.
Posts circulating on X claim the actress and Bengals QB are a new couple after being seen together at 2 AM in Vegas. The chatter quickly picked up steam, especially alongside a photo of them sitting at a gaming table.
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But sources with direct knowledge tell us the rumors couldn’t be less true. We’re told Alba is still romantically involved with actor Danny Ramirez.
Multiple people who attended the Zero Bond Vegas opening, which is where the photo was taken, tell us Alba and Burrow were simply part of a larger group of friends hanging out. They weren’t there alone and there was no PDA or behavior suggesting anything beyond friendship.
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At the start of the weekend, Alba even posted an Instagram photo dump from their recent trip to Mexico that included a picture of the two together.
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Starfleet Academy has been incorporating nods to earlier Star Trek shows, with varying degrees of subtlety. Sometimes, we just get, say, passing references to a Talaxian furfly. Other times, we get an entire episode dedicated to characters like Benjamin Sisko, complete with cameos from those who are closest to him.
So far, most of the show’s most overt references have been nods to shows like Deep Space Nine and Voyager. However, the most recent episode, “300th Night,” referenced The Next Generation in a powerful way by portraying an alien ritual we haven’t seen onscreen for decades. That ritual was the R’uustai, which allows Klingons to induct new members into their house.
Worf Bonds With A Child
We first saw the R’uustai in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Bonding.” In this tale, Worf led an away team mission that went sideways, resulting in the death of a woman under his command. She died a typical Redshirt-style death, but unlike the Redshirts of yesteryear, her death left her son, Jeremy Aster, without a mother or father to raise him.
Jeremy goes through plenty of trauma afterward, especially after sympathetic aliens try to replicate his mother in an attempt to soothe his pain. Eventually, the crew gets the young boy to accept that his mother is dead, and Worf (whom the kid originally blamed for his mother’s death) performs the act of R’uustai, an ancient Klingon ritual that allowed him to make Jeremy a brother who would forever be part of Worf’s family, House Mogh.
Interestingly, R’uustai didn’t come up again in Star Trek for decades. Jeremy Aster was never mentioned again, and we never saw this ritual onscreen or even heard it mentioned. This is doubly interesting because on Deep Space Nine, Martok made Worf part of his family, meaning that young Jeremy Aster (wherever he is) is technically the last surviving member of House Mogh. However, it’s doubtful that he’ll be picking up a bat’leth and battling for the disgraced family’s honor anytime soon.
An Old Ritual From A New Klingon
After decades of its absence from Star Trek, however, R’uustai just made a quiet comeback. In the penultimate episode of Starfleet Academy Season 1 (“300th Night”), the unconventional Klingon Jay-Den conducts the R’uustai ritual for his fellow cadets, inviting them to join his family, House Kraag. All but Caleb drink during the ceremony, making them brothers and sisters of Jay-Den. Despite Caleb not wanting to join House Kraag because he is still obsessed with finding his mother (the last of his biological family), Jay-Den considers him a chosen brother and helps Caleb with his reckless mission to reunite with his mom.
In a weird way, this forgotten ritual from Star Trek: The Next Generation was perfect for Starfleet Academy. The show is all about found family and the strength you gain from letting close friends into your heart. In “300th Night,” the R’uustai ritual makes the “family” part official for these cadets while calling back to a TNG ritual that proved how easy it was for humans and other outsiders to officially join Klingon houses.
Today Is A Good Day To Bond
As a longtime Star Trek nerd, I just wish we knew a little more about how R’uustai works in this fictional universe. In the TNG episode “The Bonding,” this ritual was used to induct Jeremy Aster into Worf’s family, but an entirely different ritual (one involving less drinking and more bloodletting) was used in the DS9 episode “Sons and Daughters” to induct Alexander into House Martok. Therefore, it’s unclear whether the R’uustai temporarily fell out of fashion as a way to induct new House members before Jay-Den embraced it or if the rituals are race-specific, with one being reserved for Klingons and the other being used for everyone else.
At any rate, if you’re a Star Trek fan who loves Klingon lore, it’s particularly rewarding to see the return of R’uustai, something last seen in the excellent TNG episode “The Bonding.” The ritual emphasizes Starfleet Academy’s themes of found family, all while steeping itself in decades-old franchise lore. Hopefully, everything works out for Jay-Den, whose induction of Darem into House Kraag means he now officially has a family member who wants to have sex with him.
Let’s just hope this doesn’t lead to any particularly weird holodeck misadventures. If a simulated Darem gets stuck in a Jeffries Tube and starts saying things like, “What are you doing, chosen brother?” that will be our cue to turn the TV off quicker than you can say “qapla’!”
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