High fantasy series often take viewers into worlds filled with ancient history, magic, dangerous quests, powerful kingdoms, and conflicts that feel much larger than everyday life. The absolute greatest ones never simply rely on complicated mythology or spectacle; they instead guarantee that every episode feels significant by using each installment to expand their respective worlds, deepening characters, or moving the story toward something unforgettable.

Shows like the classic anime The Twelve Kingdoms, which uses kingdoms, mythical systems, rulers, and personal transformation to ensure its fantasy world feels incredibly rich, and the modern iconic House of the Dragon, which turns family rivalry, dragons, royal succession,​​​​​​​ and political ambition into a tragic fantasy saga where every moment feels important to the story, are just two high fantasy series that are genuinely great, even during its quieter scenes. Compiled on this list are such high fantasy series that deliver every one of their episodes as a well-crafted masterpiece.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

Image via Nickelodeon

This iconic high fantasy animated series masterfully integrates serialized growth and episodic adventure. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the young avatar Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), the last surviving Air Nomad, after he awakens to find the world war-torn. With the intent of ending the conflict, Aang and his friends set out on an adventure to master the four elements and restore balance to the world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender somehow manages to cleanly involve modest stories about spirits, villages, youthful mistakes, and tournaments to not only advance its political world and elemental philosophy, but also long-term character growth that ensures no episode feels wasted. The animation grows in ambition with each episode as the stakes reach heights most fans never expect, yet the incredible spectacle never replaces the ethical complexities within the captivating series. All three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender are pure dynamite, with the series holding a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, dubbing the high fantasy animation as a true benchmark, with every one of its episodes standing as a genuine masterpiece.

‘The Untamed’ (2019)

Image via Tencent

The Untamed is a sweeping xianxia fantasy that features spiritual cultivation, clans, forbidden loyalty, ancient grudges, and tragic misunderstandings. The show centers on the disciplined Lan Wangji (Wang Yibo) and the free-spirited cultivator Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan), as their bond becomes tied to a much larger mystery rife with power, betrayal, and moral conflict.

The Untamed brilliantly blends clan politics, supernatural mystery, swordplay, and emotional restraint, delivering a story that becomes richer the more viewers come to understand its characters. The show’s 50-episode structure ensures both relationships and minor gestures carry incredible weight, with quiet expressions and seemingly insignificant conversations paying off many episodes later. The Untamed is far from a rushing fantasy adventure; instead, the series patiently builds its mythology, emotional conflicts, and rivalries until every moment of sacrifice, victory, and revelation feels genuinely earned. It’s the ultimate high fantasy masterpiece that’s actually consistent episode after episode, making it a fantastic addition to this list.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

This fantasy prequel to the iconic and heavily beloved series Game of Thrones can feel incredibly masterful even when its greatest battles are still being prepared. House of the Dragon focuses on Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), who is named the heir to the Iron Throne, which disrupts patriarchal expectations and intensifies conflict within a dragon-riding dynasty.

House of the Dragon is a carefully built series that offers episode after episode of strong storytelling. Political decisions are conveyed through glances, blocking, physical deterioration, ceremonial ritual, and the painful gaps between what family members actually feel and what power permits them to say, allowing every scene to be a captivating bout of genuine emotion and political weight. House of the Dragon may be an ongoing series, but the show’s unwavering attention to detail is exactly what makes the show such a rewarding masterpiece.

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Image via HBO

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His Dark Materials is an underrated high fantasy masterpiece that grows increasingly more impressive as its world expands and the story moves forward. The series follows the young orphan girl Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) and her quest for the truth after the disappearance of other children, including her best friend.

Unlike the mostly disliked cut-down film adaptation, The Golden Compass, the TV series His Dark Materials had the room to preserve its source material’s theological and philosophical scale. From the show’s production design and impressive visual effects that make angels, armored bears, and alternate cities feel both awe-inspiring and tangible, to its expansive world-building and character development, the series brilliantly embraces the scope that Philip Pullman‘s novels deserve. His Dark Materials is a fantastic adaptation that brilliantly proves high fantasy is at its strongest when every installment is masterfully crafted and is allowed to fully realize its large ambitions.

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

This underrated animated Prime Video series is a hilarious icon that masterfully brings high fantasy to life with humor, blood, chaos, and surprising emotional force. The Legend of Vox Machina centers around a dysfunctional group of mercenaries who accept increasingly consequential quests in the magical world of Exandria.

The Legend of Vox Machina delivers episode after episode of great bingeworthy material. The show’s comedy remains energetic and vulgar throughout its entirety, though never coming at the expense of the series’ high-stakes storytelling or emotional core. Instead, every battle, joke, and wholesome conversation helps to strengthen the bond between its unlikely heroes while richly expanding the fantasy world that surrounds them. With an effortless balance of brutal action, outrageous humor, memorable villains, and surprisingly moving moments, the series ensures that no episode feels wasted. The series is truly remarkable and easily stands among the rarest fantasy series, with every installment feeling like a true masterpiece.

‘The Twelve Kingdoms’ (2002–2003)

Image via Pierrot

This fantastical anime rewards patient viewers with one of the richest fantasy journeys ever seen in the genre. The Twelve Kingdoms follows anxious Japanese teen Yōko Nakajima (Aya Hisakawa) as she’s taken to a parallel world of twelve kingdoms by the mysterious Keiki (Takehito Koyasu), who identifies her as a ruler despite her lack of confidence or knowledge.

With its meticulously constructed world that features immortality, systems of succession, reproduction, social rank, divine law, and bureaucratic failure that shape normal lives, The Twelve Kingdoms creates an epic fantasy setting that feels brilliantly complete. Instead of treating its mythology as simple background material, the show dives into how these institutions influence every ruler, kingdom, and citizen, giving each bit of conflict an impressive amount of purpose. The Twelve Kingdoms‘ unwavering commitment to its thoughtful world-building is what truly makes it the perfect addition to this list, as it stands as an epic high fantasy that remains consistent in its high quality each episode.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an intriguing high fantasy series that expands the iconic Lord of the Rings franchise. Set in Middle-earth, the show centers on multiple rulers and heroes as they confront the ever-growing threat of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) during the Second Age.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an easy pick for this list as every episode within it adds another piece to a rather grand fantasy history. The show produces an amazing thrill in almost every scene; even when its story is slow-moving, the setting carries a sense of mythic importance that keeps audiences completely captivated. From its ancient rivalries and political intrigue to its intricate cultures and sweeping landscapes, every chapter of the series stands as a significant expansion of Middle-earth while steadily building towards much larger conflicts. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a fantastic high fantasy that ensures each one of its episodes feels purposeful, rewarding, and worthy of the genre’s very best.

Every month, Netflix adds more high-quality movies that make it harder to find the time to do anything else.

I often struggle to decide which great film or underrated flick I should put in my queue to watch when I have free time.

You shouldn’t have the same problem, which is why I made this list of my top three new Netflix movies you should stream in August 2026.

From a pitch-black satire about social media obsession starring Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen to a 2024 horror film featuring Sydney Sweeney, these films are all underseen, underrated and deserve a wider, more appreciative audience than they’ve received in the past.

‘The Kid Detective’ (2020)

Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody) used to be a kid detective famous for solving minor crimes around his neighborhood. He’s all grown up now, but he’s still haunted by the one case he never solved – the disappearance of his friend, Gracie. When high school student Caroline (Heated Rivalry‘s Sophie Nélisse) asks him to find her missing boyfriend Patrick (Lian McLean-Smits), Abe agrees to take the case, partly due to Caroline’s insistence but mostly so he can redeem himself for never finding Gracie.

The Kid Detective starts with a promising premise  — what if Encyclopedia Brown grew up into a has-been slacker?  — and spins an intriguing mystery that gets progressively stranger and darker. Patrick’s disappearance reminds Abe of Gracie’s, which causes him to doubt his detective skills and his place in the world. If he’s not “the kid detective,” then who is he? Brody has been getting his flowers lately for his great work in Netflix’s hit series, Nobody Wants This, but he gives his best performance to date as a man who never quite grew up. I won’t spoil The Kid Detective’s ending, except to confess that it left me wrecked. It will probably do the same to you.

The Kid Detective is now streaming on Netflix.

‘Immaculate’ (2024)

Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) is a novice nun who just joined an Italian convent that treats dying clergy members. Because she’s new to the ways of the catholic order, she brushes off some weird things she sees, like strange symbols on some of the nuns’ bodies and disturbing nightmares of hooded figures surrounding her. But Cecilia can’t ignore a shocking development that occurs during her stay  — she becomes pregant, even though she’s a virgin. Something is amiss at this nunnery, and Cecilia is determined to find out before time runs out and she gives birth to something she’s not entirely sure is even human.

Immaculate is a clever twist on the devil baby trope  — just when you think you know where it’s going, its plot takes a turn in another direction. That’s a good thing, as one of the film’s best assets is its unpredictability; it could’ve been a cheap imitation of Rosemary’s Baby, but instead, its own weird thing. The movie’s other secret weapon is Sweeney, who showcases another side to her she’s never shown before. She’s completely believable as an innocent nun, and her transformation into a final girl battling to save herself is Immaculate’s chief pleasure.

Immaculate starts streaming on August 13.

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‘Ingrid Goes West’ (2017)

Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza) isn’t the most stable person – her personal life is in the gutter, her mother just died, and her only means of escape is through social media. When she discovers Taylor (Elizabeth Olsen) online, she sees the popular influencer as her way out of her humdrum life and into Taylor’s picture-perfect, highly curated Venice Beach world. Ingrid quickly moves cross-country and tries to get close to Taylor by pretending to be everything she is: cultured, stylish and always cool. Ingrid’s lie works – Taylor likes her enough to invite her into her inner circle – but how long can Ingrid keep up the illusion without her growing desperation to be loved exposing her charade?

Ingrid Goes West has the bones of a stalker thriller – think Single White Female for the Instagram age – but it’s less interested in cheap thrills and more focused on how people like Ingrid use social media as a way to avoid their problems. Taylor isn’t exempt from this criticism either; she advertises a life that doesn’t exist, and which Ingrid craves. Plaza and Olsen deliver performances that toe the line between satire and melodrama. Both of their characters are seriously disturbed, but only one of them knows it.

Ingrid Goes West is now streaming on Netflix.

Whew! Brandy is apparently at the point where looking this good has folks questioning if they’re actually standing in front of the real deal. The singer recently shared a hilarious encounter that showed just how stunned a group of men were when they spotted her, and their disbelief made the whole interaction even funnier.

RELATED: Sibling Love! Brandy And Ray J’s Reunion Has Fans In Their Feels (VIDEO)

Folks Were Not Buying Brandy’s Identity

In a video shared to Brandy’s Instagram Story, the singer recorded a car full of older men stopped beside her. One of the men immediately questioned her identity, telling her, “You ain’t no goddam Brandy,” before she laughed it off and played along, joking that she was a Brandy impersonator. The singer even encouraged them to take a picture “in case you never meet Brandy,” while flipping the camera around to capture her own shocked reaction.

She Had Photographic Proof And He Still Doubted

She then turned the camera back toward the group, and the driver handed her his phone and asked her to take a picture of herself with it. But even after getting photographic evidence, one passenger still wasn’t convinced it was really Brandy. The singer seemed amused by the whole exchange and asked, “You still don’t believe me?” 😂

The Comments Had Jokes, Nostalgia, And Reactions

Fans quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section and filled it with their reactions to Brandy’s hilarious encounter. Some joked that their nieces and nephews would absolutely lose it if they were in that car. While others said they remembered her from Moesha and couldn’t relate to not recognizing her. Meanwhile, others simply loved seeing Brandy outside and living her best life.

One Instagram user @onairkeke said, “This is so hilarious and wholesome 😂 Black folk don’t play about Brandy😂👏🏾”

This Instagram user @sway_thepro joked, “Brandy be outside!! lol Yessss”

And, Instagram user @pastor_west added, “Imagine being so famous you gotta argue with a stranger about whether you’re you. 😭😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @iamcalisodope wrote, “They gon trip when one of they little nephews show them this 😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @cashmase commented, “I bet it feels so good to just be a human for once. 🙌🏾”

Finally, Instagram user @whatthejuice_atl2 shared, “The Brandy they remember had braids!😂”

RELATED: Brandy Seemingly Addresses Commentary About Her Appearance After Viral Images Spark Concern Online (PHOTOS)

Megan Park formed a friendship with Shailene Woodley while working together on The Secret Life of the American Teenager — but is there a chance the former costars will reunite on Sterling Point?

“That I would love. I always am like, ‘Hey Shai,’” Park, 40, exclusively told Us about collaborating with Woodley, 34, on her other projects. “She’s also in The Fallout. I love working with people that are my friends and actors that I’ve worked with in the past. It’s so fun. So why not?”

Park credited The Secret Life of the American Teenager for bringing Woodley into her life.

“There were so many wonderful things that came out of that show really,” she noted. “Like my best friend Shailene Woodley, who still to this day is my ride or die.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which ran from 2008 to 2013, followed teenager Amy (Woodley) as she experienced pregnancy and parenthood while also struggling with everything that comes from being a high school student.

In addition to Woodley and Park, the ABC Family drama starred Kenny Baumann, India Eisley, Greg Finley, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Molly Ringwald and Steve Schirripa.

“It was such a different time [when I filmed The Secret Life] so it’s hard to compare that and [my new show Sterling Point] because it was truly a different era,” Park recalled. “And it was such a wonderful cast. All those people I’m still really close with.”

She continued: “And I learned a lot about just being on a set and what everyone’s role is and getting so comfortable on a set. But it was a very different kind of show to make.”

Park was grateful for the experience because of the lessons she learned.

“I just didn’t always feel like when I was in many different projects — not specifically that — it didn’t feel authentic to how I was actually experiencing my young adulthood or seeing my peers experience theirs or talking about things or in a way that felt really natural,” she added.

Park has since shifted to work behind the screen with The Fallout, My Old Ass and now Prime Video’s Sterling Point.

“I definitely did not know this was going to be the path for me,” Park told Us about getting the chance to create a TV show. “I definitely feel like I am trying to create a more authentic experience for the YA [young adult] space and genre — and also just for the actors.”

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Park hinted that she didn’t have any plans to make an onscreen appearance, adding, “I personally don’t miss acting at all so I’m not itching to get back in front of the camera. The actors on this show kept being like, ‘Play the dead mom.’ I was like, ‘No! I don’t want to manifest that, first of all.’ And I was like, ‘No, I can’t direct myself to do that. I can’t do it. It doesn’t sound fun to me.’”

She continued: “But maybe. Never say never. Maybe in someone else’s project. Maybe for Sean Baker because I’d have a hard time saying no to that but I definitely am happier behind the camera.”

Sterling Point is streaming on Prime Video.

Russell Dickerson is already looking toward his next musical chapter, and he has one major name at the top of his collaboration wish list. The country singer exclusively confirmed to The Blast that work on his fifth studio album is officially underway after months of writing new material.

While Dickerson did not disclose a title, release date, or potential tracklist, he made it clear that the creative process has entered an exciting new stage. “I just left the studio,” Dickerson revealed before sharing the update. “Making record five is rolling now.”

Along with teasing his next collection of songs, Dickerson opened up about the surprising range of artists he would love to work with, including the R&B superstar whose music has influenced him since elementary school.

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Dickerson arrived at the interview fresh from working on his next record, giving fans an early indication that his fifth album is beginning to take shape. Although the singer kept the specifics under wraps, he revealed that he and his collaborators have spent considerable time building a collection of potential songs.

“We’ve been writing and writing and writing, and I really am so pumped on these songs,” Dickerson told The Blast, though he did not reveal how many songs he has completed, which tracks may make the final cut, or when the album could arrive.

His excitement, however, suggests that he is already confident in the material created during the ongoing writing sessions. “I can’t wait,” Dickerson said of the new music. “I’m so pumped.”

The album will mark another major milestone in the singer’s recording career. It could also give Dickerson additional opportunities to work with artists outside the country format, something he has expressed a strong interest in pursuing.

Usher Tops The Country Singer’s Collaboration Wish List

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When asked which artist fans might never expect him to collaborate with, Dickerson did not need much time to consider his answer. “Usher is definitely my numero uno collab dream,” he revealed.

The choice may surprise listeners primarily familiar with Dickerson’s country hits, but his connection to Usher’s music dates back decades. Long before launching his own career, Dickerson repeatedly listened to the R&B singer’s early work. “I’ve been such a fan for so long,” he explained. “I mean, I was in fifth grade, and I had his first record, ‘My Way,’ and just over and over again, that was one of my favorite records.”

Released in 1997, “My Way” helped establish Usher as one of R&B’s defining voices. For Dickerson, the album became part of his early musical education and left a lasting enough impression that Usher remains his ultimate prospective collaborator years later.

Dickerson did not say whether he has approached Usher about recording together or already has a particular song in mind. For now, the potential pairing remains a dream, but one he would clearly welcome if the right opportunity arose.

Russell Dickerson Is Also Open To A Heavier Sound

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Usher is not the only unexpected name Dickerson would consider bringing into his musical world. The singer revealed that his personal taste also extends into heavier rock music, creating the possibility of another surprising crossover in the future. “Probably some heavy rock artists that I would love to collab with too,” he shared.

Dickerson specifically named Underoath as one of his favorite bands, although he acknowledged that combining their respective sounds might be easier said than done. “Underoath is one of my favorite bands,” Dickerson said. “I don’t know if we would do a collab, but…”

The Grammy-nominated rock band is known for a considerably heavier sound than the upbeat country-pop music many fans associate with Dickerson. That contrast would make a collaboration unexpected, but it also demonstrates how far his musical interests extend beyond the genre in which he built his career.

Dickerson also identified The 1975 as another group he would be eager to work with. “The 1975, Matty, if I got to do that, that would be crazy too,” he admitted, referring to the band’s frontman, Matty Healy.

Russell Dickerson Celebrates A Major Career Milestone

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Dickerson’s fifth album update comes as the singer celebrates another major achievement in his career. Following his Grand Ole Opry performance earlier this week, members of Dickerson’s team surprised him with an RIAA plaque recognizing “Happen to Me” as certified double platinum. The song, featured on his “Famous Back Home” album, previously spent multiple weeks at No. 1 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

“Happen to Me” has also accumulated more than 400 million global streams and earned Dickerson his first Top 10 hit at Hot AC radio. Its success led to performances on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” and at CMA Fest.

Russell Dickerson Keeps His Momentum Going With ‘Worth Your Wild’

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Meanwhile, Dickerson’s latest single, “Worth Your Wild,” continues climbing the charts. The track is currently inside the Top 30 at U.S. Country Radio and the Top 20 on the country radio charts in both the United Kingdom and Canada.

The RANGE Music artist also has a busy live schedule ahead, with performances at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Oro Station, Ontario, and Mansfield Speedway in Ohio among his upcoming stops.

Whew! Claressa Shields may be preparing for a whole new title outside of the boxing ring! The champ recently opened up about what’s next for her personal life, and sis has already started mapping out her next chapter.

RELATED: Yikes! Crime Mob Rapper Princess Reveals Why Claressa Shields Blocked Her On Instagram (PHOTO)

Claressa Shields Plans Motherhood Before Boxing Comeback

During a recent conversation with Cam Newton on ‘Funky Friday,’ Claressa revealed that she and Papoose are planning to have a child next year. According to the athlete, Papoose asked her about having a baby, and she’s reportedly on board with the plan.

But before y’all start asking about the boxing gloves, Claressa says she plans to put her career on hold when the time comes. The champ intends to step away from the sport, focus on motherhood, and eventually make her return to boxing. And apparently, Claressa already has an expiration date in mind for her career. She shared that she hopes to retire from boxing by the age of 38. Looks like Claressa is already thinking about life beyond the ring — and this next chapter could be a major one!

You Already Know The Comments Got Real Messy

Folks quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section with plenty to say about Claressa Shields addressing her relationship with Papoose. Some argued that the conversation should focus more on Shields’ accomplishments and success in the ring than her personal life. Others felt addressing the situation publicly wasn’t the best move, while a few joked that Remy Ma is probably running it up in her group chat right now.

One Instagram user @its_karlitas_way said, “Kandi and Todd was divorced in 3 secs 🥴”

This Instagram user @tef_lon_don commented, “The lights are on but nobody’s home 🥴”

And, Instagram user @_kayyboss added, “You fina have a baby and ain’t met the others? 😅”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @_itsjusteb wrote, “Putting ya career on hold for a man that’s not ready to make you his wife….”

While Instagram user @exquisitecora_ shared, “I wish I was in Remy group chat w/ her friends.”

Finally, Instagram user @8simmerondown8 said, “I wish we could talk more about her successes then her relationship.”

Claressa Don’t Play About Papoose Or His Title

Claressa Shields and Papoose continue to have folks talking as their relationship remains a hot topic, and this time, the boxer wasn’t letting a particular description of her man slide. While promoting her upcoming August 15 fight against Kaye Scott at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, Shields stopped by Streetz 94.5 FM for a conversation about her career and personal life. But once the interviewer brought up Papoose, the conversation quickly shifted from boxing to their relationship.

The interviewer asked Shields how much longer she was willing to be “in a relationship with somebody’s husband,” pointing to how the situation is viewed publicly. Shields quickly jumped in to correct the characterization, making it clear that she does not consider Papoose to be someone else’s husband. She explained that Papoose has filed for divorce and argued that the label should reflect that, while also calling for accountability on all sides of the situation.

RELATED: Oop! Mz. Shyneka Teases Remy Ma Interview After Claressa Shields Allegedly Threatens Her Over Papoose Comments (VIDEOS)

The 2010s gave us some of the best movies of the 21st century, and some of them have unforgettable plot twists ever put on film. It takes a lot to keep the best twists hidden in the age of online theories and social media. And the movies with the best plot twists are able to keep them under wraps and manage to deliver shocking reveals that leave audiences speechless.

Whether it’s psychological thrillers, horror films, superhero blockbusters, or award-winning dramas, the decade proved that a well-executed twist could completely transform an already great movie into an unforgettable one. With movies from filmmakers such as M. Night Shyamalan to Denis Villeneuve, these are the most perfect plot twists of the 2010s, ranked by how brilliantly they shocked and surprised the audiences.

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‘A Simple Favor’ (2018)

Image via Lionsgate

When glamorous public relations executive Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) suddenly disappears, widowed mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) begins investigating in A Simple Favor. She grows closer to Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding), until Emily turns out to be alive, only faking her death for insurance money and escaping debt. Stephanie also discovers that Emily had an identical sister named Faith, whose death became part of the scheme.

Paul Feig‘s A Simple Favor may have too many twists for its own good, but the film’s light atmosphere and stellar performances make them work. Each revelation is downright outrageous but they’re presented sincerely. The character dynamic between Emily and Stephanie shifts with each surprise, and the film becomes irresistible to watch. With performances that are probably too good for this type of film, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Henry Golding sell the twisty story so well. It’s one of the surprise hits of 2018, and even spawned a sequel.

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Joker (2019)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Throughout Joker, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes increasingly convinced that he is the illegitimate son of billionaire Thomas Wayne after discovering documents belonging to his mother. The truth is that it’s the fabrication of her mother. Moreover, Arthur’s relationship with her neighbor Sophie (Zazie Beetz) turns out to be a figment of his imagination. All of these trigger his descent into madness.

While the twist in Joker is not something new, it makes the film better as it puts the audience in Arthur’s mindspace as an unreliable narrator. The film gradually dismantles the version of reality viewers have accepted, making every earlier scene feel unstable. The imagined relationship with Sophie is particularly effective because the film never openly signals that anything is wrong until the truth quietly reveals itself. These twists reinforce Arthur’s deteriorating mental state while making the audience experience the same confusion and uncertainty he does.

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‘The Visit’ (2015)

Image via Universal Pictures

In The Visit, Becca (Olivia Dejonge) and Tyler (Ed Oxbould) travel to rural Pennsylvania to spend a week with their grandparents, whom they’ve never met because of their complicated family relationship. At first, the elderly couple seems eccentric, but then their behavior becomes increasingly disturbing and violent. When they have a video call with their mother, it is revealed that the people staying in the house are not their grandparents at all, but psychiatric patients who escaped.

Is it really a list of the best movie twists without an M. Night Shyamalan film? The Visit marks Shyamalan’s return to form after a string of disappointing releases. Here, his sensibilities are on full display. Shyamalan expertly builds suspense through small moments of discomfort, encouraging audiences to dismiss the grandparents’ bizarre behavior as symptoms of old age until the truth becomes impossible to ignore. The found-footage format also heightens the intensity of the situation. It’s one of Shyamalan’s understated and underrated film that is also an entertaining and fun horror film.

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‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)

Image via Lionsgate

The Cabin in the Woods starts as a familiar horror movie setup where five college friends head to a remote cabin where they begin falling victim to terrifying supernatural forces. Instead of being haunted by ghosts or attacked by monsters, the terror is an orchestrated ritual controlled by a secret organization that sacrifices people in horror story settings to appease ancient gods and prevent the apocalypse.

The twist is brilliant because it simultaneously subverts expectation and celebrates decades of horror movie cliches. A straightforward setup for a slasher film transforms into a wildly imaginative meta-commentary on why horror movies exist in the first place. When the movie opens up its secrets, there is an abundance of memorable moments. There is a spectacular sequence where every imprisoned monster is unleashed. It’s incredibly rare that a film manages to deconstruct a genre while still delivering the thrills that the audiences expected, which is why The Cabin in the Woods is one of the smartest and most entertaining horror films of the 2010s.

6

‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)

Image via Marvel Studios

In Iron Man 3, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself hunted by the Mandarin, a ruthless international terrorist whose actions have thrown the world into chaos. When Tony finally infiltrates the villain’s mansion, he discovers that the terrorist is a decoy, played by a washed-up British actor, Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley). The real mastermind is Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), a scientist who was once snubbed by Tony years before.

The twist remains one of the boldest and also most divisive in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Mandarin in the comics is not Trevor Slattery. The film’s version of The Mandarin is a commentary on media manipulation and modern terrorism, instead of a straightforward terrorist. The reveal is both hilarious and unsettling, exposing how everyone accepts a carefully crafted narrative. It’s a smart subversive twist that no one was able to see coming. If you like this twist, recent MCU entries like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Wonder Man feature Ben Kingsley’s Slattery in prominent roles.

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‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) faces off against the Vulture, who steals and sells advanced alien technology from the Battle of New York. At the same time, Peter is taking his classmate Liz (Laura Harrier) to the homecoming dance. When he picks up Liz, he realizes that her father is Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) aka The Vulture himself. While Toomes initially doesn’t notice who Peter is, he puts two and two together and finds out that his daughter’s date is Spider-Man.

The brilliance of the twist lies in its simplicity and flawless execution. The reveal is a surprise to everyone, and its effectiveness relies on Michael Keaton and Tom Holland’s performances. Keaton’s realization and his gradual sinister turn during the car ride to the homecoming dance elevate the sequence into one of the franchise’s most suspenseful scenes. Holland himself holds his own against a seasoned actor, selling the tension even more. Narratively, it makes Peter’s showdown more personal, as the Vulture is not some faceless bad guy, but the father of the girl he likes. While Spider-Man: Brand New Day explores the duality of his life further, this is an early glimpse into it.

4

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

In Shutter Island, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) appears to be investigating the disappearance of a patient from the mysterious Ashecliffe Hospital. But actually, Teddy isn’t a marshal at all. He’s a patient suffering from severe psychological trauma after killing his wife, who had drowned their children. The entire investigation has been an elaborate therapeutic exercise designed by the hospital’s staff to help him accept reality before resorting to a lobotomy.

On a second viewing, nearly every move and look makes perfect sense because everyone has been carefully participating in the roleplay. Rather than invalidating the mystery, the reveal transforms it into an emotionally devastating character study about grief and guilt. The film’s final line adds yet another layer of ambiguity that keeps audiences questioning its ending. Has Teddy relapsed, or did he finally choose lobotomy? It’s a film that rewards repeat viewings, not only because of its twist, but also because this Martin Scorsese film is one of the finest films of 2010.

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‘Incendies’ (2010)

Image via Entertainment One 

In Incendies, twins Jeanne and Simon are tasked with carrying out two requests in their mother, Nawal’s will, which is to deliver a letter to the father they believed was dead and another to a brother they never knew existed. Their journey leads to a shocking revelation that their missing father and unknown brother are the same man. He is their mother’s first son, who was stolen from her as a baby, grew up to become a militia leader, and unknowingly raped his own mother while she was imprisoned.

Calling the twist in Incendies perfect is not necessarily fitting. It is a great twist and definitely the most devastating one on this list. On a bigger picture, the twist explores the harrowing nature of war and the generational trauma it causes. Denis Villeneuve patiently builds the story until it reaches this heartbreaking revelation. After the film ends, the twist lingers because it reframes the characters’ journeys and also the impact of this twist on their lives. It’s very rare that a film delivered a twist that is horrifying, emotionally heartbreaking and thematically essential all at the same time, making this one of the best films of the 2010s.

2

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Gone Girl sees devoted wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) missing, and all evidence points to her husband Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck). In the midpoint of the film, it is revealed that Amy is alive and well. She orchestrated her own disappearance and framed Nick for murder as revenge for his infidelity.

This David Fincher film seemed like a traditional whodunit until we realized that both sides are unreliable narrators. The thematic weight behind Amy’s reasoning to frame Nick is the driving force of the twist. The cool girl monologue, written by author Gillian Flynn, is an iconic piece of work, both in cinema and the literary world. Amy Dunne instantly becomes one of the decade’s most unforgettable characters, thanks to her intelligence and meticulous planning, which make her terrifyingly believable. The most exciting thing is that after this midpoint reveal, the film becomes even more unpredictable.

1

Parasite (2019)

Image via NEON

Parasite sees the Kim family cleverly infiltrating the wealthy Park family by assuming positions in their household. When they have settled in the lavish house, the real parasite is living in a hidden bunker beneath the mansion. The husband of the previous housekeeper has been living in the underground basement for years without the Parks ever noticing.

The twist in Parasite is so powerful that the film also changes genre when the reveal hits. The hidden basement is a perfect metaphor for the invisible underclass buried beneath society’s polished exterior, revealing that there is always someone struggling even more than the characters we’ve been following. Bong Joon-ho masterfully shifts genres without the audience ever realizing the transition. The film turns a con story into a tragedy about class and inequality. There’s a reason why Parasite was awarded Best Picture and is always in the conversation about the best movies of the 21st century.

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Parasite

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Release Date

May 30, 2019

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Runtime

133 minutes

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• 
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  Lee Sun-kyun

  Park Dong-ik

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A good first season can often make or break many TV series, but rarely do we get to see one that is, by itself, a masterpiece. When For All Mankind first came out, there was a lot riding on its success. Nowadays, Apple TV is widely known to be the home of prestige sci-fi programming, but it all started when the streamer decided to bet on TV veteran Ronald D. Moore‘s latest co-creation, an alt-history sci-fi series that completely reimagined what would happen if the Space Race’s most important moment had gone differently.

‘For All Mankind’s Premise Makes It One of Sci-Fi’s Boldest Stories

In the early years of the Space Race, the USSR dominated most of the important milestones, but everything changed when, in July 1969, Neil Armstrong took his “one small step” on the Moon. For All Mankind, however, poses the question of what the world could have looked like if the Soviets had been able to claim that honor first. In the series’ very first scene, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov plants the Soviet flag on the Moon as the whole world watches.

This premise is simple, yet also wildly imaginative, resulting in a world that follows a surprisingly different trajectory from our own. While, in reality, the Moon landing confirmed the U.S. as the dominating power in the space race and the USSR proved incapable of keeping up, in For All Mankind, NASA and the U.S. government devote all of their efforts to catching up with the Soviets. Priorities shift all over as the U.S. refuses to acknowledge defeat, determined to achieve milestones that, in the real world, are still decades away.

Real history is still the story’s anchor, so some events and characters remain the same, as do some of society’s struggles. The scientific research and development that follows the Soviet Moon landing also results in technological innovation and social milestones that would otherwise also take decades to emerge (or, in some cases, still haven’t). In this sense, For All Mankind isn’t about picturing a different future, but how humanity might have evolved if a single defining moment in history had unfolded differently.

‘For All Mankind’s Character-Driven Story Adds Weight to Humanity’s Achievements

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As the story continues over subsequent seasons, For All Mankind introduces new characters, making the series more of a generational saga about space exploration. The characters introduced in Season 1, however, linger with viewers even after they’re long gone, which, in a way, makes them the most important people in the series. Characters are all fighting for their place in the history books as astronauts, engineers, scientists, and even government officials.

The series may have an ensemble cast, but its undeniable protagonist is Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), an astronaut who is deeply impacted by the Soviet Moon landing and what he perceives as NASA’s inability to take risks. His family and colleagues quickly become key characters themselves, including fellow astronaut Gordon “Gordo” Stevens (Michael Dorman), NASA engineer Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt), and even Gordo’s wife, Tracy (Sarah Jones), who later becomes an astronaut herself and faces their own challenges, especially as women claim more space in male-dominated environments. Young Aleida Rosales (Olivia Trujillo) witnesses all they accomplish and is herself inspired to reach for the stars, leading to her having even more of an impact on the story when she later joins NASA herself. Major space events may be what effectively changes the world of For All Mankind, but characters like Ed and Margo are who give the series its strongest emotional impact.

‘For All Mankind’ Opened the Doors for Science Fiction on Apple TV

Now, For All Mankind might now be Apple TV’s most talked-about series, but the fact that it’s currently gearing up for its sixth and final season and has a highly praised spin-off like Star City is proof of its legacy. For All Mankind did a lot to define the streamer’s identity over the years, which then allowed for series like Severance, Silo, Foundation, and Pluribus to come along and become hits in their own right.

Saying that Apple TV has the best sci-fi programming currently on streaming isn’t news, but how it got to this point is just as exciting as the types of shows it offers in its catalog. What they all have in common is how thoughtful and ambitious they are, but back in 2019, when For All Mankind first premiered, few could have predicted that it would lead to the revival of one of the best genres on streaming.

There’s more madness in the wizarding world, considering David Henrie recently clapped back at his former co-star, Jake T. Austin, denying the claims that the latter wasn’t invited to participate in the “Wizards of Waverly Place” reboot.

Henrie, who led the reboot dubbed “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” has been in the hot seat over the last few days, as OG fans of the series are criticizing him and blaming him for ruining the original sitcom after Disney announced the sequel had officially run its course.

On Instagram, Henrie, who starred as Justin in the original series and the reboot, posted a screenshot of his conversation with a fan. In the messages, the fan blasted him for allegedly failing to include Max (Austin) in the rebooted series.

“I woulda loved to have Max back, but sadly he didn’t accept our numerous offers to join the new show,” Henrie replied to the fan. “We called him, texted, went through agents, etc.”

Henrie went on to say that it was a goal of his to introduce Max to the “new generation of millions of kids” before saying he respected his former co-star’s decision to stay away. “I wish him all the best,” Henrie added.

Henrie Says He Was ‘Heartbroken’ That Austin Didn’t Want To Join The ‘Wizards’ Reboot

In another message that’s been shared online, Henrie told a fan that he was truly “heartbroken” that Austin allegedly didn’t accept the call to be part of the rebooted series, which also included Selena Gomez, Jennifer Stone, and David DeLuise.

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“We invited him many, many, many times to come back,” Henrie stated. “Wished he would’ve accepted. We had a beautiful plot for Max’s return all mapped out. In fact, we built the entire second season around his return and were gutted that he didn’t accept.”

One Of The Showrunners Chimed In

Hey there! I’m one of the Wizards showrunners so I can confirm that David Henrie is correct. Jake was asked multiple times by many people. Really wanted him back. No response. Also asked David D. to return for the finale. He passed.

— Scott Thomas (@ninjawhenever) August 7, 2026

Scott Thomas, one of the production’s showrunners, jumped on X to confirm Henrie’s version of events, saying Austin was asked “multiple times by many people” and allegedly failed to respond.

“Really wanted him back,” Thomas added. “No response. Also asked David D. to return for the finale. He passed.”

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Austin Said He Was ‘Disappointed’ He Was Left Out Of The ‘Wizards’ Sequel

Jake T. Austin says he is disappointed he wasn’t included in ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.’

“Unfortunately, the powers that be decided to take the show in a different direction and my character wasn’t part of the equation.” pic.twitter.com/P5DgpSktj8

— Selena Gomez News (@SELENAT0RSARMY) August 6, 2026

Henrie’s recent posts came one day after Austin slammed the 37-year-old on Instagram and said he was upset that he was the only original Russo family member to be excluded from the show.

“To all the Wizards fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories, according to The Blast. “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success. Thank you to all the fans who watched over the years. The show wouldn’t be what it is without your endless support.”

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More Cast Members Express Their Annoyance With The Direction The Show Was Taken

And Austin wasn’t the only cast member with something to say. Replying to an interview with Gomez, DeLuise, who played the Russos’ father, said that the show failed due to the many changes.

“It would not be over the OG wizards were really there,” DeLuise commented. “Missed opportunity.”

Dan Benson, who played Zeke in the original sitcom, also expressed his disappointment and slammed Henrie for seemingly trying to make the series all about him.

“It’s just heartbreaking because there was so much potential for a Wizards reboot and it turned into the failed David Henrie show,” Benson posted. “People say I’m just bitter I didn’t get invited back, but I’m actually just sad for the fans. WoWP changed my life forever; I’ll always be grateful.”

During another interview, Stone, who rose to fame as the beloved Harper, also implied that the OG characters were limited due to Henrie’s involvement.

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“When Wizards Beyond first came out, I had a conversation with David, and he was kind of like, ‘Hey, if it makes sense down the line, maybe you’ll be on for an episode,’” Stone said. However, Henrie had a change of heart and included her in the series finale. “I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call to come back,” she added.