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15 Movies From the Last 5 Years That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

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Godzilla standing in the ocean with a battleship in the foreground in Godzilla Minus One.

Although it might seem impossible, some movies are the closest thing to perfection that a cinematic effort can get. To most people, this impression is subjective, including the directors who make them. These creators are also avid movie fans, and most of their work is an homage to something they grew up loving and admiring. Over the last five years, there have been movies that have moved the boundaries of what’s been seen so far and have even given some big stars their well-deserved comebacks.

The beauty of film lies in the fact that movies are all in different genres and make people of different ages and sensibilities happy. The flawless movies on this list were released in the last five years and come in various genres and lengths, but serve the same purpose: they show why cinema is so great, so relatable, and so eternally inspiring to people all over the world.

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15

‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)

Godzilla standing in the ocean with a battleship in the foreground in Godzilla Minus One.
Godzilla standing in the ocean with a battleship in the foreground in Godzilla Minus One.
Image via Toho

It might be surprising that a kaiju movie is on the list, since the Godzilla franchise in the U.S. has turned into a bit of an IP and doesn’t always get the highest quality adaptations and features. However, the first Japanese Godzilla movie since Shin Godzilla of 2016, Godzilla Minus One, was one of the most talked-about movies in 2023. Praised for brilliant and captivating performances, clever and grounded writing, and fantastic visual effects that surpassed most movies that year, Godzilla Minus One really is a perfect movie in every way. It was, as critics said, the first Godzilla movie where you cheer for the people and not the monster.

Godzilla Minus One shows the protagonist, a kamikaze pilot, Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), landing on the island of Odo for repairs on his plane. While there, he and the mechanics are attacked by a giant deep-sea monster resembling a dinosaur, which the locals dubbed Godzilla. Shikishima soon advances to Tokyo and settles there with a woman and child he finds homeless. As Godzilla advances toward Tokyo, Shikishima joins the experts fighting against the monster to stop it from destroying the entire city. It’s an amazing movie, no doubt about it, and a great testament to Japan’s enduring dedication to making Godzilla the scariest kaiju ever conceived.

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14

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

Lee Byung-hun raising a flowerpot in No Other Choice Image via NEON

No Other Choice is the most recent Park Chan-wook feature film, starring Lee Byung-hun. Park and Lee have reunited after 25 years to make another future classic, backed up by Neon and widely praised by filmmakers and critics from all over the world. No Other Choice was based on the novel The Ax by Donald Westlake, and was inspired by the novel’s first adaptation, Costa-Gavras‘ French feature, The Axe; in fact, as the end credits roll on No Other Choice, a dedication “to Costa-Gavras” is shown on the screen. Just before the American premiere of the film, Park issued an invitation to all Fortune 500 CEOs to come and watch this film, as it was “dedicated to them.” Notably, No Other Choice was heavily snubbed with zero Oscar nominations.

No Other Choice follows a longtime employee of a paper company, Yoo Man-su (Lee), and he lives a comfortable life with his wife and two kids. One day, Man-su is fired along with several other middle-aged employees, with the higher-ups saying, “There was no other choice.” Man-su struggles to find work within his expertise, but when an opening comes up, he realizes that the only way to get the job is if he eliminates the competition. No Other Choice is a dark comedy/satire/thriller, and it’s a beautiful, uniquely South Korean feature. The impressive performances and the amount of humor infused into the characters’ desperation make it one of those movies that will make you cry and laugh. Lee stands out as this is one of his funniest roles to date, and Park considers No Other Choice a “lifetime project.”

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13

‘Conclave’ (2024)

Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence wears papal finery while walking away from men in similar attire in Conclave.
Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence wears papal finery while walking away from men in similar attire in Conclave. 
Image via Focus Features

Conclave garnered a lot of attention in 2025, as people were rewatching it amid the death of Pope Francis. However, even when it first came out, the adoration for it was, just like the movie, quietly powerful. People were cheering for Ralph Fiennes to finally get his long-deserved golden statue at the 2025 Oscars, but alas, just like the Cardinals coveting the title of the Pope, Fiennes was robbed of the victory. Conclave is a thrilling movie without an ounce of action, and one of the best movies of the past five years. It can very easily be considered perfect from start to finish; yes, even the ending is.

Conclave follows the Cardinals in the Vatican, who seal themselves off from the world in the process of selecting the new Pope after the death of the most recent one. The protagonist is Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes), a man who tries to maintain fairness and nobility in the selection, though he’s often sabotaged in his attempts by other, more power-hungry Cardinals. It’s like Gossip Girl meets the Vatican, in truly the best way possible. Conclave is also incredibly visually beautiful, with stunning photography and camerawork.

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12

‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (2022)

Pádriac looking at Colm in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Pádriac looking at Colm in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Image via Searchlight Pictures

Though Martin McDonagh had no effect on the stunning landscapes of Ireland, his choice of location can be deemed perfect by itself; the beautiful Aran Islands in Galway County made the ideal backdrop for a story about friendship. The Banshees of Inisherin is a black comedy-drama about two lifelong friends, Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), set in a fictional village called Inisherin. After reaching a breaking point, Colm decides to end his friendship with Padraic, who can’t come to terms with that. As Padraic insistently pursues Colm for an explanation, the latter retreats further, resorting to strict measures.

Farrell does such a wonderful job as Padraic that, in moments, viewers’ hearts could genuinely break for him. On the other hand, Gleeson’s stubborn and stoic portrayal of Colm may sometimes feel heartless through understated but powerful acting. The story explores the loneliness of life on a poor and barely populated island, but more than that, it shows how anger, honesty, and pride can be double-edged swords, even among lifelong friends. The soundtrack by Carter Burwell, McDonagh’s punchy script, and the genuinely fabulous performances from the entire cast make The Banshees of Inisherin one of the perfect movies of the last five years.

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11

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

Rooster (Miles Teller) and Maverick (Tom Cruise) crouched in the snow, spying on an enemy air base in Top Gun: Maverick
Rooster (Miles Teller) and Maverick (Tom Cruise) crouched in the snow, spying on an enemy air base in Top Gun: Maverick
Image via Paramount Pictures

With so many sequels, prequels, and spin-offs overtaking Hollywood over the past five to ten years, the fact that a legacy sequel like Top Gun: Maverick was going to be one of the best movies of that year hadn’t occurred to anyone. Except, well, maybe director Joseph Kosinski, leading man Tom Cruise, and the studio heads who approved it. Maverick isn’t only great, but it can be very well argued that it’s one of 2022’s movies that is perfect from start to finish. Real airborne stunts and performances, brilliant action choreographies and directing, and some cheesy, but lovable characters really made Maverick the action masterpiece that Cruise and the crew can be proud of.

Top Gun: Maverick follows the previous movie’s protagonist, Maverick (Cruise), aka Pete Mitchell, as he returns to the Top Gun training school as a teacher. There, he sees the son of his deceased flying partner Goose Bradshaw, Rooster Bradshaw (Miles Teller). Rooster dislikes Maverick, but the two bond over their time at the Top Gun academy. Their relationship, however, is secondary to the exciting main plot, which is training Top Gun pilots to drop bombs on an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant before any enemy countries get their hands on it. With some great ensemble moments and intense flying scenes, Maverick turns into an incredibly fun and exciting movie that will keep you glued to the screen.

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10

‘Aftersun’ (2022)

Sophie and Calum laying by the pool looking up at the sky in a still from Aftersun.
Frankie Corio as Sophie and Paul Mescal as Calum laying by the pool looking up at the sky in a still from Aftersun.
Image via A24

The loss of someone close can feel like the ground’s been swept away from one’s feet. Aftersun takes viewers through a father-daughter story while slowly, with some hints but just enough not to notice, pulling the ground away from them. Charlotte Wells‘ tribute to her father is so beautifully depicted that the only way to describe the movie’s impact is through the famous line, “Life imitates art.” This coming-of-age drama follows 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio) on a holiday in Turkey with her dad, Calum (Paul Mescal). Sophie records most of the vacation with her camera and uses the footage as a grownup to rewatch and reminisce.

Sophie’s dad, Calum, tries his best to be open with her but exhibits signs of mental anguish that she (unsuccessfully) attempts to fix. In Aftersun, Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio’s dynamics and chemistry are natural; Mescal hasn’t been in a lot since his debut in Normal People, but Aftersun will surely be one of his best-remembered movies. Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut is one of the best movies of the decade and a beautiful way to capture a relationship that will, to her, remain eternal.

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9

‘Past Lives’ (2023)

Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro walking together in a scene from Past Lives.
Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro walking together in a scene from Past Lives.
Image via A24

The concept called inyeon is an idea that a current relationship between two lovers is impacted by the relationships they had in over a thousand past lives. This is the driving force behind Celine Song’s devastatingly emotional debut, Past Lives, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. They portray Nora and Hae-sung, two childhood friends from Korea who become separated after Nora’s family moves to the US. They find each other online after twelve years and rekindle the relationship, but life and fate separate them once again for another twelve years.

In the present time, Nora is married to Arthur (John Magaro), and their relationship seems to be stable and well. When Hae-sung reaches out to Nora again, they agree for him to visit her in the US. Arthur notices a shift in Nora’s behavior while she’s forced to navigate her feelings for him and Hae-sung. The pressure of what could have been is a haunting idea for many, often wondering “what if” about someone, trying to understand if what they have now could or should be different. In a heartbreaking final scene, Past Lives concludes a beautiful but sad story about the multitudes of love.

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8

‘Anora’ (2024)

Blended image showing the poster for Anora with her holding an Oscar Custom Image by Federico Napoli

The character posters for Anora featured all the characters announcing the movie in a different genre. For example, the poster with Mikey Madison says Anora is a “Cinderella story,” while Karren Karagulian‘s poster says it’s a drama, and Yuri Borisov‘s says it’s a tragedy. It’s a brilliant detail in an already pretty elaborate and layered drama that still depicts a very classic story. Anora won Best Picture, Sean Baker won Best Director, and Madison won Best Actress for Anora at the 2025 Oscars, and though the sweep was surprising, it was very well-deserved. Just the final five minutes of the movie are a film in themselves, showing a completely different yet anticipated side of our fierce and feisty protagonist, Anora.

Anora follows the eponymous Anora, a stripper in an NYC club who prefers to go by Ani. Ani has Russian heritage, and when a young heir to a business mogul, Ivan (Mark Eydelstein), requests a girl who speaks Russian, his and Ani’s paths cross, and the two start spending time together. Ani falls for Ivan, but when he hears his parents might be coming to the US, he vanishes, and Ani’s left to look for him with his goons. It’s a thriller, a drama, a comedy, a tragedy in many ways, and a modern fairytale depending on who you ask; the layers of Anora are worth examining in several rewatches.

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7

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Evelyn protecting Joy and Waymond in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) protecting Joy (Stephanie Hsu) and Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Image via A24

The ultimate winner of the 2023 Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a rare offbeat movie that won over mass audiences and most movie critics. It’s not a story that’s easy to retell since it tackles many important topics, from self-discovery and mental illness to disrupting tradition and finding a place to belong. Still, EEAO caused a shift, giving prestigious awards to Asian actors for leading roles, a welcome addition to the wonderful world of film and TV.

EEAO follows Evelyn Quan Wong (Michelle Yeoh), a laundromat owner whose relationships with her husband, father, and daughter are all strained in some way. When she starts becoming different versions of herself from parallel universes, she realizes it’s on her to save existence itself. There’s a genre for everyone in EEAO; Ke Huy Quan is exceptional in the stunning action portions of the sci-fi movie, though Michelle Yeoh doesn’t fall behind. Stephanie Hsu also brings a relatable character as Evelyn’s daughter, an immigrant child with set traditions and rules in place where parental love should be. A masterclass in genre-bending, Everything Everywhere All at Once is still as relevant as it was years ago.

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6

‘Flow’ (2024)

Cat sitting on a boat in animated film Flow (2024)
Cat sitting on a boat in animated film Flow (2024)
Image via Baltic Content Media

Flow is a powerhouse film, most notably because of how it was made, and then because of its unique concept. This animated feature by a Latvian director and animator, Gints Zilbalodis, won the Best Animated Feature Oscar and was nominated for Best International Feature Film. Fun facts about this movie include it being entirely made in the free, open-source 3D software called Blender, not having a storyboard concept, and no deleted scenes; the animals that are introduced throughout the film were Zilbalodis’ practice of rendering and observing the animals from different perspectives, which shaped Flow into a moving story about cooperation and found family.

Flow follows a small black cat in a post-apocalyptic world where water rises occasionally and floods the entire area. The cat fights for survival by hunting and running away from other animals, before it reluctantly joins forces with a Labrador dog, a capybara, a lemur, and a secretarybird. They float around on a boat and learn how to live and work together, forming a tight-knit group of animals. Flow has no words spoken throughout its 85-minute runtime, though the sound designer’s cat did “borrow” its meows to the cat in the film; there’s also a beautifully composed original soundtrack. Flow is a visual feast and an adventure for all ages, a truly beautiful feat of animated film.

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The X-Files Episode Secretly Inspired By A Real-Life Serial Killer

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The X-Files Episode Secretly Inspired By A Real-Life Serial Killer

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

While The X-Files is famous for stories about aliens, monsters, and far-reaching government conspiracies, it sometimes focused on more down-to-Earth threats. This includes serial killers like Luther Lee Boggs, Gerry Schnauz, John Lee Roche, and more. Sometimes, the show had it both ways by featuring characters like Eugene Tooms and  Robert Patrick Modell, who used their fantastic powers to take killing people to a whole new level.

Obviously, The X-Files is a show filled with fictional serial killers guaranteed to make your skin crawl. But one forgotten episode from early in the show’s history crafted a fictional story that took great inspiration from one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. That episode is “Aubrey,” which featured some powerful allusions to the Hillside Strangler!

A Cut Above The Other Killers

“Aubrey” is a Season 2 episode where Mulder and Scully investigate the unusual case of a woman who may have genetically inherited violent tendencies from her serial killer grandfather. At first, this manifests as a psychic vision where she is able to inexplicably discover the hidden body of an FBI agent who was murdered in 1942; later, it is revealed that she is killing people in the same way that her grandfather did, including carving words (such as “Sister” or “Brother”) into victims’ chests. Eventually, she is busted for her copycat crimes, and after killing her grandfather (the former serial killer), she is committed to a psychiatric ward.

What does this weird X-Files story have to do with a real-life serial killer? The female character in “Aubrey,” B.J., bears some surface-level similarities to Veronica Compton. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, she is someone who tried to kill a woman in 1979 in a copycat murder intended to prove the innocence of one of America’s most infamous serial killers: the Hillside Strangler!

The Ghost Of Killing Sprees Yet To Come

The original Hillside Strangler (later, his cousin was convicted of the same crimes) was Kenneth Bianchi, a man who tortured his victims before strangling them to death using a ligature. He then dumped the bodies on the wooded hillsides of Los Angeles, creating a grim tableau for the police to find. In 1979, police arrested Bianchi as well as his murderous cousin, Angelo Buono Jr. After the arrest, he began a relationship with Veronica Compton, a woman who ended up testifying for the defense at his trial. Eventually, she tried to strangle another woman to death in an attempt to make the authorities think the Strangler was still at large.

Many X-Files fans have noted that in “Aubrey,” there are several parallels to Compton and the Strangler: for example, there’s a woman committing crimes that copy the M.O. of someone who can’t have committed them (Bianchi was in prison, and B.J.’s real grandfather was extremely elderly). Also, while B.J. wasn’t consciously trying to clear Cokely’s name, her copycat methods brought more attention to his crimes, just as Compton’s copycat attempted murder revived the real killer’s legacy. Finally, both women end up in confinement: B.J. is placed in a psychiatric facility, and Compton was imprisoned for her crimes before being released in 2003.

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At the end of the day, “Aubrey” is a pretty forgettable X-Files episode, and the plot’s reliance on inherited memory seems weirder and more gimmicky now than ever before. However, knowing the episode was a fictional homage to the Hillside Strangler and the woman who loved him does make it that much more interesting. Unlike the strangler himself, though, this strange episode never quite manages to take our breath away.


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Oscars reunited Rob Reiner supergroup of 17 stars for emotional tribute: Here's who appeared on stage

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Demi Moore, Kathy Bates, Christopher Guest, and more united at the Academy Awards to honor Reiner’s life.

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See One Piece Going Full Kill Bill In The First Great Action Scene Of The Year

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See One Piece Going Full Kill Bill In The First Great Action Scene Of The Year

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

Netflix’s One Piece live-action series continues to outpace every other adaptation, anime or not, but Season 2 Episode 3, “Whiskey Business,” makes a strong case for the series to be one of the greatest Netflix action series of all time. For the first time this season, fans are able to see Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu) cut loose, and the result is a non-stop swordfight from the first floor of a tavern to its roof. Zoro versus 100 Baroque Works agents may bring to mind Kill Bill’s The Bride against 100 Yakuza, except there’s a catch: One Piece did it first.

1 Vs. 100

If You See This Face, Run

The pairing of the serious swordsman Zoro with the Baroque Works agent Mr. 9 (Daniel Lasker) mixes oil and water. Mr. 9’s foppish crown and attempts at being an over-the-top villain make him the opposite of the taciturn Zoro, which is why, when Zoro is finally able to cut loose in his pursuit of the assassin, it’s oh so very satisfying. For the first half of the episode, the Straw Hat Pirates think the town of Whiskey Peak is a pirate-loving sanctuary, until the reveal that it’s a front for Baroque Works.

When Zoro walks into the tavern, he knows that everyone inside is a Baroque Works agent. What Mr. 9 eventually realizes is that Zoro isn’t trapped in the building with them. Baroque Works is trapped inside with Zoro. For 10 minutes, the deadliest swordsman in the East Blue carves through 98 agents, making his way up to Mr. 9, where he finally uses the Three-Sword Style. It’s as satisfying as the moment when John Wick finally made it to the top of the stairs. 

One Piece’s fight choreography is a little different thanks to the Devil Fruit powers. “Whiskey Business” sticks out because Zoro doesn’t have any. He’s the best there is at what he does. The result is a grounded fight, unlike anything seen in the live-action adaptation so far. Mackenyu is up to the task, considering he’s the son of the legendary Sonny Chiabi, who you might know from dozens of martial arts shows and films over six decades, or maybe you only know him as Hanzo Hattori, the swordsmith from Kill Bill

Zoro’s Rampage Came Before Kill Bill

uma thurman

It’s hard not to think of the iconic Kill Bill sword fight when watching “Whiskey Business.” Uma Thurman and Quentin Tarantino put together an iconic sword fight with a lone hero against 100 assailants, which had been done before, many times, but few were as stylish. One Piece’s Whiskey Peak arc first aired in 2001, and fans watched Zoro take down Baroque Works in Episode 65, two years before Kill Bill hit theaters. If anything, Tarantino could have been a little influenced by the anime

The rest of the episode, which cuts out the anime’s Zoro and Luffy duel, is equally as fantastic. Baroque Works takes center stage as the villains of the season, and the Straw Hat Pirates get a new direction for their journey through the Grand Line. “Whiskey Business” will, as with the anime arc, be remembered more for Zoro getting the spotlight and redefining what fights can look like on a massive streaming budget. 

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Oscars surprises with 7th tie in Academy Awards history: 'We're gonna get through this. Focus up!'

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Host Kumail Nanjiani announced the winners of Best Live-Action Short: ‘I’m joking!’

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These 8 Single-Season Fantasy Shows Are Masterpieces

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Writ and Gregory walk across the pond in Over the Garden Wall.

Fantasy TV is greatly known for thriving on sprawling worlds and long-running sagas, multi-season chaos that offers thrilling character journeys. But sometimes the genre produces rare and fantastic hits that deliver just a single season. That one-season hit often wields an unforgettable story with ambitious themes, striking visual direction, and an emotionally satisfying arc—even when it concludes on a slight cliffhanger.

Masterful series like the layered superhero drama, Watchmen, that produces an alternate version of history, and the cult classic gem, Neverwhere, that explores a hidden magical London, are just two series in the genre that demonstrate just how brilliant a one-season fantasy icon can truly be. Compiled on this list are the TV shows that wield the title of masterpiece, despite their single-season status.

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‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)

Writ and Gregory walk across the pond in Over the Garden Wall.
Writ and Gregory walk across the pond in Over the Garden Wall.
Image via Cartoon Network

Over the Garden Wall is an animated show that may wield a short runtime, but the series’ fairytale-like storytelling and haunting visuals ensured its lasting legacy as a masterful fantasy masterpiece. The Cartoon Network series follows a pair of lost brothers, Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean), who stumble into “the Unknown,” where they meet several unusual characters on their strange journey home.

Over the Garden Wall somehow captures wonder and melancholy together perfectly. It’s an animated series that’s beautifully strange and skillfully atmospheric. Over the Garden Wall is a truly unique ride that presents like a traditional storybook tale, but with an eerie atmosphere, darker tone, and escalating moral stakes. What makes it a masterful one-season watch is that every episode acts like a “chapter” that still advances the character and theme: adolescence vs. childhood, fear vs. hope, and the seduction of giving up when the going gets tough. Over the Garden Wall is definitely a fantastic fantasy great that stands as a tightly crafted masterpiece despite its status as a single-season series.

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‘My Lady Jane’ (2024)

Jane Grey (Emily Bader) rides off on a horse in 'My Lady Jane'
Jane Grey (Emily Bader) rides off on a horse in ‘My Lady Jane’
Image via Prime Video

This brilliant fantasy series is one of the finest of the genre that has ever been brought to screens, and unfortunately, only has one season to its name. My Lady Jane is an alternate-history fantasy, focusing on the bold and ambitious Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader), who is forced into marriage and involuntarily thrust into lethal court politics.

My Lady Jane is a reimagining of English history with a playful fantasy twist. The show’s premise is genuinely intriguing as it delivers magical lore and thrilling political drama. My Lady Jane‘s energetic storytelling and clever take on the past make it an extremely entertaining single-season masterpiece. Without withholding its payoff to later seasons, the show commits to a full season-long story arc, including political affairs, romance, and a heady tone. It is truly unfortunate that My Lady Jane never got the chance to expand its story due to its cancellation, but it does make for a great one-season fantasy gem.

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‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Sister Night standing in an open field with cops behind her in Watchmen.
Sister Night standing in an open field with cops behind her in Watchmen.
Image via HBO

Watchmen is an expansion of the iconic comic universe that transports audiences into a daring alternate-history fantasy drama. Set in a world where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, the series focuses on detective Angela Abar aka Sister Night (Regina King), as she investigates conspiracies that reawaken old ideological violence.

Watchmen is a quality limited series that honestly outdoes those with a much longer run time. The show’s bold themes, stunning performances, and meticulous writing prove that with just one season, a story of excellent caliber can be brought to audiences. Watchmen stands as a powerful fantasy jewel that easily earned itself a strong reputation as a television masterpiece. While using genre spectacles like superheroes, dystopia, and mystery to do precise thematic work, the show builds on the usual comic-book tropes and turns them into a sharp social commentary. Watchmen is often lauded as one of the best miniseries to be produced by HBO, solidifying it as the perfect one-season epic for this list of masterpieces.

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‘WandaVision’ (2021)

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in retro costumes in WandaVision's All-New Halloween Spooktacular.
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in retro costumes in WandaVision’s All-New Halloween Spooktacular.
Image via Disney+

This Marvel TV series is a skillful blend of classic television nostalgia and epic superhero fantasy. WandaVision initially begins with superheroes, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), as they live a happy, sitcom-shaped suburban life as a married couple. It isn’t very long before their world begins to fracture, as the two start to notice strange happenings that seem to have a single source—Wanda.

WandaVision is initially an incredibly quirky series that honestly stumps most audiences who are watching it for the first time. But it doesn’t take very long to see why most viewers are quick to praise the iconic series. WandaVision hosts inventive storytelling and fantastic emotional depth that elevate its one-season arc into a fully realized fantasy masterpiece that’s truly able to captivate audiences. Its story may be short, but WandaVision ranks high amongst some of the absolute best in the fantasy genre.













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Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz
Which Lord of the Rings
Character Are You?

One Quiz · Ten Questions · Your Fate Revealed
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The road goes ever on. From the green hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, every soul in Middle-earth carries a destiny. Ten questions stand between you and the truth of who you are. Answer honestly — the One Ring has a way of revealing what we most want to hide.

💍Frodo

🌿Samwise

👑Aragorn

🔥Gandalf

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🏹Legolas

⚒️Gimli

👁️Sauron

🪨Gollum

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01

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You are handed a responsibility that could destroy you. What do you do?
The weight of the world falls on unlikely shoulders.




02

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Your closest companion is heading into terrible danger. You:
True loyalty is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis.




03

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Enormous power is within your reach. Your instinct is:
Power corrupts — but only those who reach for it.




04

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What does “home” mean to you?
Where we long to return reveals who we truly are.




05

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When a battle is upon you, your approach is:
War reveals what we are made of — whether we like it or not.




06

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Someone comes to you for advice in their darkest hour. You:
Wisdom is not knowing all the answers — it’s knowing which questions to ask.




07

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How do you see yourself, honestly?
Self-knowledge is the most dangerous kind.




08

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Which of these best describes your relationship with the natural world?
Middle-earth speaks to those who know how to listen.




09

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You encounter a wretched, pitiable creature who has done terrible things. You:
How we treat the fallen reveals the height of our character.




10

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When the quest is over and the songs are sung, what do you hope they say about you?
In the end, we are all just stories.




The Fellowship Has Spoken
Your Place in Middle-earth
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The scores below reveal your true character. Your highest number is your match. Even a tie tells a story — the Fellowship was never made of simple people.

💍
Frodo

🌿
Samwise

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👑
Aragorn

🔥
Gandalf

🏹
Legolas

⚒️
Gimli

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👁️
Sauron

🪨
Gollum

You carry something heavy — and you carry it alone, even when you don’t have to. You were not born for greatness, and that is precisely why greatness chose you. Your courage is not the roaring, sword-swinging kind; it is quiet, stubborn, and terrifying in its refusal to quit. The Ring weighs on you more than anyone can see, and still you walk toward the fire. That is not weakness. That is the rarest kind of strength there is.

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You are, without question, the best of them. Not the most powerful, not the most celebrated — but the most essential. Your loyalty is not a trait; it is a force of nature. You would carry the person you love up the slopes of Mount Doom if it came to that, and we both know you’d do it without being asked. The world needs more people like you, and the world is lucky it has even one.

You were born to lead, and you have spent years running from it. The crown is yours by right, but you know better than anyone that right means nothing without the will and the worthiness to back it up. You are tempered by loss, shaped by long roads, and defined by a code of honour you hold to even when no one is watching. When you finally step forward, the world shifts. Because it was always waiting for you.

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You have seen more than you let on, and you say less than you know — which is exactly as it should be. You are a catalyst: you do not fight the battles yourself, you ignite the people who can. Your wisdom comes not from books but from an age of watching what happens when it is ignored. You arrive precisely when you mean to, and your presence alone changes what is possible. A wizard is never late.

Graceful, perceptive, and almost preternaturally calm under pressure — you see things others miss and act before others react. You do not need to make a scene to be remarkable; your presence speaks for itself. You are loyal to those you choose to stand beside, and that choice is not made lightly. You have lived long enough to know that the most beautiful things in this world are also the most fragile, and that is why you fight to protect them.

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You are loud, proud, and absolutely formidable — and beneath all of that is one of the most fiercely loyal hearts in Middle-earth. You don’t do anything by half measures. Your friendships are forged like iron, your grudges run as deep as mines, and your courage in battle is the kind that makes legends. You came into this fellowship suspicious of everyone and ended it willing to die for an elf. That is not a small thing. That is everything.

You think in centuries and act in absolutes. Order, dominion, control — not because you are cruel by nature, but because you have decided that the world left to itself always falls apart, and you are the only one with the vision and the will to hold it together. You were not always this. Something was lost, or taken, or betrayed, and the version of you that stands now is the answer to that wound. The tragedy is that you’re not entirely wrong — just entirely too far gone to course-correct.

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You are a study in contradiction — pitiable and dangerous, cunning and broken, capable of both cruelty and something that once resembled love. You are defined by loss: of innocence, of self, of the one thing that gave your existence meaning. Two voices war inside you constantly, and the tragedy is that the better one sometimes wins, just not often enough, and never at the right moment. You are a warning, yes — but also a mirror. We are all a little Gollum, given the right ring and enough time.

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‘Lovecraft Country’ (2020)

Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors and Courtney B. Vance in Lovecraft Country
Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors and Courtney B. Vance in Lovecraft Country
Image via HBO
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Lovecraft Country is an intriguingly fearless mesh of horror, fantasy, and historical commentary. Set in 1950s America, the story centers on Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he, along with Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Jurnee Smollett) and Hippolyta Freeman (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), travels across the country in search of his missing father, only to encounter not only racist terror, but also supernatural monsters.

Lovecraft Country is a rather bold series with a very entertaining concept; unfortunately, it never made it far, as it was cancelled rather quickly. Despite that, the show is good enough as a one-season gem that delivers an incredible story. With a combination of American history and cosmic horror, Lovecraft Country offers a unique narrative that is significantly memorable despite its status as a single-season series. From production design to music choices, Lovecraft‘s cultural work only makes its story feel all the more historical and mythic, marking it as the perfect addition to this list of masterful one-season watches.

‘The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself’ (2022)

Nathan (Jay Lycurgo) and Annalise (Nadia Parkes) sharing a romantic moment in 'Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.'
Nathan (Jay Lycurgo) and Annalise (Nadia Parkes) sharing a romantic moment in ‘Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.’
Image via Netflix
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This unfortunately cancelled series came and left in a burst of creativity and thrill. The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is a book-to-screen coming-of-age adaptation that follows the young Nathan (Jay Lycurgo), who finds himself caught in between warring witch clans as the son of a feared killer.

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is extremely addictive, but horrendously underrated. It’s a one-season masterpiece for its intriguing story and fantastic performances. The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is genuinely entertaining, and its abrupt cancellation definitely disappointed many of its fans. Even with the dark fantasy’s brief run, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, with its gripping storytelling, has earned its place among some of fantasy television’s most overlooked masterpieces, making it the ideal pick for this list of peak gems in the vast genre.

‘Neverwhere’ (1996)

One character torturing another character in the BBC series 'Neverwhere'
One character torturing another character in the BBC series ‘Neverwhere’
Image via BBC
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Neverwhere is based on Neil Gaiman‘s novel of the same name and stands as one of fantasy’s greatest cult favorites. The beloved series centers around Richard Mayhew (Gary Bakewell) as he helps an injured girl named Door (Laura Fraser), only to find himself erased from ordinary London and pulled into the hidden fantasy underworld known as “London Below.”

With an imaginative premise and a thrillingly eerie atmosphere, Neverwhere is a stunning fantasy masterpiece that delivers a mysterious underground realm filled with hidden magic and strange characters. The show’s tightly contained narrative and inventive world never feel like it’s merely a one-season story; instead, Neverwhere offers audiences a fully realized narrative. The 1996 series further showcases its masterpiece status with vivid worldbuilding, clear stakes, and a complete transformation of its protagonist. Neverwhere does wield that BBC flair, but the series is only enhanced by it, giving it a dream-like atmosphere. The series concludes with a resolution that feels like a quality payoff, marking it as a bingeable watch that delivers a complete fantasy masterpiece that’s worth diving into.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

This iconic horror series may not be in the realm of traditional fantasy, but the supernatural gem is a ghostly fantasy drama that definitely counts as a memorable single-season masterpiece. The Haunting of Hill House follows the fractured Crain family, who are forced to relive the trauma of their haunted childhood home as the story switches between the past and present, showcasing how the family’s adult lives are shaped by what they survived inside “Hill House.”

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The Haunting of Hill House wields a chilling blend of supernatural horror and family drama, masterfully delivering a series rife with great scares and surprising amounts of emotional depth. The show is a limited series, so it feels like it’s built perfectly for a single season. Each episode is both a puzzle piece and a character study—a genuine full thesis statement. With fantastic direction and incredible production design, the overall craftsmanship of The Haunting of Hill House only proves that a single season show can still offer audiences quality entertainment.

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MAFS Stars Madison and David Engaged After Cheating Scandal

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madison and david engaged

Married at First Sight stars David and Madison are officially engaged following their public cheating scandal.

“My best friends are engaged and I haven’t stopped crying,” a friend of the couple wrote via Instagram Stories on Saturday, March 14, later reshared on Madison’s own Instagram Stories.

The reality TV star then reshared a series of posts from her nearest and dearest during a St. Patrick’s Day-turned-surprise engagement party in honor of the couple.

“Congrats to two real ones on their engagement,” one friend wrote via their Instagram Stories, also reshared by Madison. “Love you guys.”

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“Love at first sight congrats you two,” another wrote.

“Congratulations to one of my fave gals on her engagement to her soulmate!” another posted.

Madison later shared a video of the engagement itself on her Instagram Stories, showing the pair sitting at a table eating dessert while David rolled what at first glance appeared to be an oversized dice.

The reality star then grabbed the dice and got down on one knee, opening the box to reveal an engagement ring. Madison quickly covered her mouth in disbelief as her fiancé asked the big question. After saying yes, the pair kissed and David slid the ring onto her finger.

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David and Madison
Instagram/@madisonmyers93

Of course, fans of the hit dating show Married at First Sight will remember the controversial pair, who found themselves in hot water after they developed a connection despite being married to other people. Experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pia Goff initially paired Madison up with Allen, while David was paired up with Michelle.

At one point, David sent a text message to Madison saying he “wanted to eat her up” while still married to Michelle. David claimed that he was just shooting his shot as a man with “needs” that weren’t being met. The pair ultimately decided to end their respective marriages and pursued each other instead.

“Obviously, I think we would both change everything,” Madison later said, expressing her regret over how the pair handled the situation. “I will never regret following my heart, but I will regret not having the courage and the confidence to say it loudly when I should have.”

Married at First Sight Reunion Reveals Where David and Madison Stand 1 Year After Cheating Scandal


Related: ‘Married at First Sight’ Reunion Reveals Where David and Madison Stand

Married at First Sight’s David and Madison continue to surprise viewers with their relationship updates. During the Tuesday, March 11, episode of Lifetime’s reality show, the pair reunited with the cast for the first time in nearly a year. As part of the reunion show, both David, 37, and Madison, 31, confirmed they are still […]

David added, “I should have been stronger. I would like to apologize to you Michelle sincerely. And to you Allen as well. You’re a great man, and I should have manned up.”

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During the March 2025 reunion, Madison gave fans an update on her relationship with David.

“We’re very happy,” she told host Kevin Frazier at the time. “He makes me feel like the most special person in the world without even trying. He’s the best.”

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Sean Penn Is Now a 3-Time Oscar Winner Thanks to ‘One Battle After Another’

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It’s Oscar night, and the Academy Awards are being awarded in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. After Amy Madigan and Sony Pictures Animation stunned the crowd with their historic wins for Weapons and KPop Demon Hunters respectively, another key award has been handed out. This year’s Best Supporting Actor trophy went to Sean Penn for the massively acclaimed film from Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another. It is Sean Penn’s 6th nomination and 3rd win. The film has a whopping 13 nominations, and this is its 2nd win so far tonight, after making history as the first movie to win the Oscars’ first category in 24 years. Penn was not in attendance at the Awards show tonight,

Who Are the Other Nominees for Best Supporting Actor?

One Battle After Another claimed two of the Best Supporting Actor nominations, with Benicio del Toro, as community activist and martial arts sensei Sergio St. Carlos, in addition to Penn, as white supremacist officer with a big secret, Steven J. Lockjaw, both earning nods. Sinners added another nomination to its glittering haul, with Delroy Lindo nominated for his performance as bluesman Delta Slim. Stellan Skarsgård was nominated for his role as Norwegian film director Gustav Borg, who reunites with his estranged daughters in Sentimental Value. Jacob Elordi became the first actor ever to earn an Oscar nomination for playing Frankenstein’s monster in Guillermo del Toro‘s Frankenstein. Benicio del Toro has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor two times before; he won in 2001 for his role in Traffic, and was subsequently nominated for 21 Grams in 2004. Penn, meanwhile, has won Best Actor twice (for Milk and Mystic River), and has been nominated three other times (for Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, and I Am Sam); this is his first nomination for Best Supporting Actor. It is the first Oscar nomination in any category for Lindo, Skarsgård, and Elordi.

Penn seemed to be the front-runner going into tonight, as he took home both the Supporting Actor BAFTA and Golden Globe trophies.

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The Academy Awards are happening right now, with One Battle After Another currently leading the pack with 2 Oscar wins. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.


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Release Date
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September 26, 2025

Runtime

162 minutes

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Director

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writers
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Paul Thomas Anderson, Thomas Pynchon

Producers

Adam Somner, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sara Murphy

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Christina Haack Raises Eyebrows With Wedding Ring

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Christina Haack ditches her wedding ring as she is spotted for the first time since she and third husband Josh filed for shock divorce

Christina Haack is once again stirring conversation about her love life after making a public appearance with a noticeable accessory.

The HGTV star recently stepped out wearing a ring on her wedding finger, raising eyebrows.

The moment comes as Haack continues her relationship with boyfriend, Christopher LaRocca, following several highly publicized marriages.

Christina Haack Turns Heads With Ring At HGTV Event

Christina Haack ditches her wedding ring as she is spotted for the first time since she and third husband Josh filed for shock divorce
Snorlax / MEGA

Haack caught attention during a recent Hollywood event when observers noticed a surprising detail about her jewelry.

According to the Daily Mail, the “Flip or Flop” alum attended HGTV’s first-ever gathering at the iconic Bachelor Mansion in Los Angeles on March 12.

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The event celebrated the “Bachelor Mansion Takeover” alongside host Jesse Palmer, the former football player who now leads The Bachelor franchise.

For the occasion, the 42-year-old reality star opted for a sophisticated look, wearing a moss-green gown paired with heels while carrying a white Dior handbag.

However, it was the ring on her wedding finger that quickly sparked speculation.

The sighting raised questions because Haack has not announced an engagement to her current partner, Christopher LaRocca, who also attended the event.

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Christina Haack Praises Boyfriend Christopher LaRocca

Chris Larocca and Christina Haack
Instagram Stories | Christina Haack

Haack and LaRocca enjoyed a romantic evening during the event.

Speaking on the red carpet on March 12, the HGTV star opened up about how much she appreciates his presence and support in her life.

“Chris is always very supportive,” Haack, 42, exclusively told Us Weekly at the event. “He’s just a nice, easy man to be around, and I love having him here.”

While Haack appears happy in her relationship, she has also been juggling a packed schedule.

The design expert is currently filming Season 2 of HGTV’s “The Flip Off” alongside Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa.

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She also recently appeared as a judge on “Bachelor Mansion Takeover,” where former Bachelor franchise favorites returned to the famous mansion to renovate the property while competing for a cash prize.

Christina Haack Reflects On Marriage After Three Divorces

Christina Haack at Discovery Channel's 'Serengeti' Special Screening
O’Connor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

Despite the buzz surrounding the ring, Haack has been candid about where she currently stands on marriage.

The television personality recently opened up about the possibility of tying the knot again while speaking with Us Weekly in January.

“I probably will [get married again] eventually. But, not anytime soon,” she shared.

After experiencing three marriages, Haack explained that she would approach any future wedding much differently.

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She said she would need to “be engaged for a minimum of, like, five years” before making such a commitment again.

For now, however, she made it clear that marriage is not a priority.

“Marriage is just not on my radar right now,” she told the outlet.

Haack was previously married to Tarek El Moussa from 2006 to 2016 and later to Ant Anstead from 2018 to 2020.

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She also recently finalized her divorce from Joshua Hall, whom she separated from in July 2024 before settling the split in May 2025.

Christina Haack Celebrates Christopher LaRocca With Heartfelt Tribute

Christina Haack and boyfriend Christopher Larocca
Instagram | Christina Haack

Haack has frequently expressed affection for her boyfriend, LaRocca, on social media.

In November 2025, the real estate investor celebrated LaRocca’s 53rd birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post that offered fans a glimpse into their relationship.

The post included a carousel of photos showing the couple spending time together, including one image where they shared a kiss.

In her caption, Haack praised her partner’s character and kindness.

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“Happy Birthday to my Scorpio,” she wrote. “To know you is to love you. You help me (and everyone you care about) with zero motives.”

She continued by describing LaRocca as someone who consistently leaves a positive impression on others. Haack called him a “good person” and added that everyone who meets him seems to agree. She also admired his ambition and mindset, noting that he continues striving for growth while remaining deeply connected to their blended family.

The tribute concluded with another message of appreciation.

Haack wrote, “I love that you always hold my hand and guide me through the BS. Everything with you is fun. I’ll be forever grateful for this season of life with you.”

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Christina Haack And Christopher LaRocca Share Their Relationship Online

Christina Haack and boyfriend Christopher Larocca
Instagram | Christina Haack

Haack first introduced her romance with LaRocca to fans in early 2025.

The couple went Instagram official in February that year with a playful post showing them traveling together on a private jet while wearing coordinated outfits.

Haack jokingly captioned the post, “Some plane flights must be hard posted.”

Their relationship has included several trips together, including a romantic getaway to Paris, where they were photographed sharing affectionate moments near the Eiffel Tower.

According to a source, travel has become a regular part of their relationship. The pair has reportedly spent time together around Newport and has taken multiple international vacations.

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“Shark Tank” star’s unhinged Oscars red carpet look elicits blank-stare reaction from prestige filmmaker

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Jafar Panahi stared blankly as “Marty Supreme” actor Kevin O’Leary showed up in a bonkers look for the Academy Awards red carpet.

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Oscars 2026 winners announced: See the full list (updating live)

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Conan O’Brien returns to host Hollywood’s biggest night, where Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan will duel for Best Actor and “Sinners” aims for Best Picture.

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