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20 Greatest Fantasy Movie Masterpieces of All Time, Ranked

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The Green Mile

Fantasy films are irresistible. These tales of magic, fascinating fictional worlds, and scary mythical creatures have fascinated movie-goers since the dawn of the art form, and as such, it’s no surprise that several of the most beloved and acclaimed films ever made just happen to be fantasy. Whether it’s high or low fantasy, these movies prove that there’s an inimitable charm to these kinds of stories.

Only a handful of fantasy films made throughout history, however, can genuinely be called masterpieces—films that are so strongly without significant flaws that they can reasonably be counted among the best movies ever made. From international classics like The Seventh Seal to modern Hollywood hits like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, these are the biggest fantasy masterpieces in fantasy’s history.

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20

‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

The Green Mile

Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile’

Image via Universal Pictures

Stephen King is best known for his horror stories, but he has stepped out of that comfort zone on quite a few noteworthy occasions—one of the most magical being The Green Mile, which Frank Darabont turned into one of the most enchanting low fantasy films of the ’90s. It’s one of the most unforgettable drama movies of all time, led by Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan at the top of their games.

This is what low fantasy is all about: using magic to elevate beautiful stories that make important comments on the real world. Green Mile‘s profound themes of justice and compassion make for a story that’s as gorgeous as it is bittersweet, one whose 3+-hour runtime flies right by thanks to the phenomenal writing and wonderful performances.

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19

‘About Time’ (2013)

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mary (Rachel McAdams) looking happy and in love at the end of their wedding in About Time.
Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mary (Rachel McAdams) looking happy and in love at the end of their wedding in About Time.
Image via Universal Pictures

About Time is one of the most underappreciated fantasy films of the 2010s, the kind of genre film that works on multiple different levels equally well. It works as a hilarious rom-com, it works as a beautiful drama about a boy and his dad, and it works as a wonderfully fresh and inventive time travel flick that does all sorts of fun things with the subgenre’s usual tropes.

All of this makes About Time one of the most rewatchable romance movies of all time, also thanks to the marvelous performances offered by Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy. It’s a deeply moving and sweepingly romantic dramedy, one full of memorable emotional scenes and irresistible moments of laughter in equal measure.

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18

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

J.R.R. Tolkien achieved something so unparalleled with his Legendarium—his Lord of the Rings trilogy in particular—that, for a long time, it was believed to be impossible to do the author’s enrapturing Middle-earth justice on the big screen. Even with said doubts, Peter Jackson achieved something so equally unparalleled with his Lord of the Rings trilogy that it virtually needs no introduction.

The Fellowship of the Ring may arguably be the weakest of the trilogy, but it’s still one of the greatest films ever made; which, if anything, speaks volumes about the quality of this film series. The world-building is wonderful, the character work sets a perfect basis for what the two sequels will do, and the number of unforgettable scenes of emotion, excitement, and magical wonder is too large to count. There’s a reason this is remembered as one of the most perfect and timeless fantasy movies ever.

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17

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)

Liam Cuningham under the rain in The Lord of the Rings_ The Two Towers Image via New Line Cinema

Ever-so-slightly above its predecessor lies The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, yet another one of the greatest works of art ever committed to celluloid. It’s not just the Battle of Helm’s Deep, which makes for one of the most thrilling third acts in cinema’s history: The Two Towers is a “complete package” kind of fantasy flick, a three-hour-long epic without equal.

Gripping character arcs? Check. Jaw-dropping action sequences aplenty? Check. Romance, excitement, humor, and magic? All check. There’s something here for every category of fantasy movie fan, and that’s precisely why The Two Towers is one of the biggest masterpieces in the history of genre filmmaking in general, let alone fantasy.

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16

‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)

A group of knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail
A group of knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Image via EMI Films

While every fantasy fan enjoys a serious epic or a hard-hitting drama that shows the full dramatic extent of the genre, they all get a craving to wind down with a comedy every now and then as well. And as far as fantasy comedies go, it has rarely ever gotten any better than Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the British comedy troupe’s best and most iconic cinematic outing.

The film is absolutely hysterical, packed with not just one, but several of the funniest and most memorable scenes of any ’70s comedy movie. It’s incredibly creative, full of the group’s signature timeless sense of humor, and even occasionally brilliantly surreal, making for a comedic masterpiece that’s still the gold standard for laugh-out-loud fantasy.

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15

‘Angel’s Egg’ (1985)

A woman drinking from a spherical glass in Angel's Egg
A woman drinking from a spherical glass in Angel’s Egg
Image via Studio Deen

There are several anime movies that can be considered perfect, but even though perfection is something that you can’t really quantify, it’s hard not to be tempted to refer to Angel’s Egg as one of the most perfect anime movies ever. Mamoru Oshii‘s surrealistic masterpiece proves that it’s not all Ghibli in the world of anime film, delivering a hard-hitting tale of parenthood, femininity, and religion.

Angel’s Egg is packed with thought-provoking symbolism and allegories, making re-watches pretty much obligatory. Its breezy 71-minute runtime certainly helps in that endeavor. The animation is some of the most gorgeous in the history of the medium, the sound design is some of the most engrossing of any animated film, and though the story may not be the easiest to get a grasp of, it’s nevertheless fascinating.

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14

‘The Holy Mountain’ (1973)

A witch and two women in a white room with black patterns in 'The Holy Mountain'
A witch and two women in a white room with black patterns in ‘The Holy Mountain’
Image via ABKCO Films Inc.

Angel’s Egg isn’t the only surrealist fantasy film in town. For that, one needn’t look much further than the magnum opus of one of the most important and groundbreaking surrealist filmmakers in history: Alejandro Jodorowsky, whose legendary The Holy Mountain is one of the best surreal masterpieces of all time.

The avant-garde masterpiece of this notorious Chilean-French auteur is one of the greatest Mexican films ever made, with some of the most profound symbolism and most provocative imagery of any surrealist film ever made. Its exploration of themes of spirituality, religion, and power is incredibly layered and complex, and it makes for a deeply fascinating experience that demands several rewatches in order to be fully appreciated.

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13

‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

The Seventh Seal characters doing the dance macabre
The final scene of The Seventh Seal, depicting the Danse Macabre
Image via AB Svensk Filmindustri

Sweden has never put out a greater or more important filmmaker than Ingmar Bergman, who made some of the best—and most depressing—movies in history over the course of his illustrious career. Of these many masterpieces, however, there’s perhaps none as iconic as The Seventh Seal, one of the most philosophically complex dramas ever made.

This is arthouse fantasy at its very best, and easily one of Bergman’s greatest movies. Whether it’s Max Von Sydow‘s career-best lead performance, the deeply humanist story, or Bengt Ekerot playing one of the best portrayals of Death in movie history, there’s nothing not to love about The Seventh Seal if you love classic artful fantasy.

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12

‘Macario’ (1960)

Death stands in a cave surrounded by mist and candles in Macario. Image via Azteca Films Inc.

Mexican cinema is filled to the brim with underrated gems, and during its Golden Age (which roughly coincided with Hollywood’s, between the early ’30s and late ’50s), it produced several of the greatest films of the era. This includes fantasy pictures, and there’s no better Mexican fantasy picture from the 20th century than Macario.

This beautiful supernatural drama was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and deservedly so. Imaginative, class-conscious, and with a deeply humanist heart that’s impossible to resist, it’s an all-Mexican fable that every fan of fantasy cinema—regardless of where they’re from—should be able to enjoy.

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11

‘Ugetsu’ (1953)

Woman and child from Ugetsu Image via Daiei Film

Magical by nature, Japanese cinema is also full of fantasy masterpieces that have defined and re-defined the genre over the years. Ugetsu is right up there as one of the highest-rated fantasy movies on Letterboxd, a thought-provoking period piece about the destructive potential of unchecked ambition, greed, and ravaging war.

Critic Donald Richie called it “one of the most perfect movies in the history of Japanese cinema,” and it’s hard to disagree with him. Ugetsu is richly atmospheric, powerfully poignant, and beautifully profound, an amazing artistic achievement with some of the most memorable images from the era. It’s difficult to find fault with this engrossing ghost story.

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Kim Kardashian Weighing Ye Concerns Amid New Romance

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Drew Barrymore arriving to the 2022 White House Correspondents' dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 30, 2022 in Washington, D.C. © Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com. 30 Apr 2022 Pictured: Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian. Photo credit: Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA852841_013.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]

The rumored couple has reportedly slowed down their alleged romance, with the rapper’s feelings among the top reasons they chose to remain silent.

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have been friends for decades, but recently sparked speculation that they might be taking things further after a few sightings in the United Kingdom and Paris.

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How Are Kim Kardashian And Lewis Hamilton Choosing To Handle Things?

Sources very close to the budding romance between the pair revealed that they are pulling out all the stops and being very careful not to anger Ye, given his unpredictable nature and the history of friendship between him and Hamilton.

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The rumored couple is well aware of how volatile Ye is and how much the news could trigger a reaction from him, which is why they are keeping this partly casual. Kardashian and Hamilton are just having fun together as they continue their friends-with-benefits relationship.

“Lewis and Kim are not dating exclusively. He’s not looking to settle down with anyone, including Kim,” a first source explained to The Daily Mail, while a second source emphasized that, “Lewis isn’t looking to be a stepdad. [He’s] not looking to be the ‘it’ couple with Kim.”

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Kardashian and Hamilton had spent time together last year, before their sighting, at Kate Hudson’s New Year’s Eve party in Aspen, Colorado.

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The Duo Had A Blast Over The Past Weekend In The United Kingdom

Hamilton and Kardashian fueled speculation when the business mogul’s private jet landed at an airport in the United Kingdom.

The purpose of her visit? It was reported that they were to spend quality time with the Formula 1 race car driver while engaging in several activities at the exclusive Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds.

As shared by The Blast, their time together was very romantic, as the couple enjoyed all the goodies, with bodyguards providing full protection along the way.

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Hamilton and Kardashian were first pictured together at the 2014 GQ Men of the Year ceremony alongside her then-husband, Ye, and his then-partner, Nicole Scherzinger.

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Kardashian and the racecar driver reportedly enjoyed an intimate dinner at a private room in the hotel and settled in for a spa massage for just the two of them.

The mother-of-four reportedly jetted out of the United Kingdom at 11 am on Sunday morning, and they were later spotted together at an airport lounge in Paris.

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Kim Kardashian Has Featured On The Dating Scene A Few Times Since Divorcing Ye

Drew Barrymore arriving to the 2022 White House Correspondents' dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 30, 2022 in Washington, D.C. © Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com. 30 Apr 2022 Pictured: Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian. Photo credit: Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA852841_013.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

The socialite ventured into the high waters of dating in October 2021, and her first call was with Pete Davidson. Kardashian and Davidson were together for a year, during which he bonded with her kids and even got a special tattoo. 

Following their split, the reality star reportedly tried again with pro footballer Odell Beckham, although nothing was confirmed from either quarter. However, a source shared that it was never a serious deal with Kardashian and Beckham, and that both understood this. 

“It was always casual, but Kim has been really busy with other priorities and isn’t putting in as much effort. The dynamic lost its spark, but they are still friends,” the insider stated. The SKIMS founder went through a tumultuous divorce from Ye and eventually put everything behind her in 2022.

Kardashian, on her part, has been pretty vocal about her desire to couple up with a man who has good morals and values, and who exhibits calmness and dependability. In her words: “Takes accountability. I think that’s my number one thing.”

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Lewis Hamilton Was Previously Linked With This Kardashian’s Sister

Lewis Hamilton at 2025 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix
Jay Hirano / MEGA

Kardashian is not the first member of the reality TV family the athlete has been rumored to be with. In 2015, the F1 racer had to explain to news sources that he and Kendall Jenner were just friends at the New York Fashion Week.

As noted by The Blast, the F1 champ reinstated his admiration for Jenner and her work ethic, calling her an incredible, level-headed, and focused model who exhibits such grown-up traits despite being a young woman.

Jenner was present at Hamilton’s 2015 event in Monaco alongside her pals Bella and Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner, and Hailey Baldwin. Before his latest sighting with Kardashian, Hamilton was linked to actress Sofia Vergara and even Shakira.

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TMZ Sports Streaming Live From Newsroom, Join The Conversation!

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This Kevin Costner Western is Netflix’s Newest Hit — and It’s Better Than Yellowstone

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This Kevin Costner Western is Netflix's Newest Hit — and It's Better Than Yellowstone

If you love Yellowstone and Kevin Costner, then you may just love this Western drama that’s currently trending on Netflix.

Released in 1994, Wyatt Earp stars Costner as the eponymous, real-life lawman who would go on to be involved in the O.K. Corral gunfight in 1881. The movie is a biographical epic of Earp’s life.

The film features a terrific ensemble cast that includes the late Catherine O’Hara, and while it received mixed reviews from critics at the time, it’s found more favor with fans over time.

Watch With Us breaks down why Wyatt Earp deserves its spot in the Netflix Top 10.

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‘Wyatt Earp’ Chronicles the Life of a Fascinating Real-Life Figure

Wyatt Earp takes an in-depth look at Earp’s life from his teenage years during the Civil War, living on his family’s farm in Iowa, to becoming a lawman in towns like Wichita and Dodge City in Kansas and Tombstone, Arizona. From a young age, Earp is taught that only two things really matter in life: family and the law. Thus, Earp is flanked by his brothers James (David Andrews), Morgan (Linden Ashby) and Virgil (Michael Madsen), in addition to friend Doc Holliday (Dennis Quaid), in their eventual confrontation with outlaws at the climactic O.K. Corral, involving the Clanton and McLaury gangs.

As opposed to taking a more mythical or fantastical approach to this real-life material, director Lawrence Kasdan and co-writer Dan Gordon instead give Earp’s life a grittier, more realistic feel in addition to being a psychological portrait of the famous lawman. Rather than being a simple action epic, Wyatt Earp is far more interested in details and nuance, and the internal burden that Earp carries throughout his life — which includes a violent, dark side to Earp’s character.

The Long Runtime Gives Earp’s Life the Richness It Deserves

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While some biographical films attempt to sum up a celebrity or important historical figure in just one or two short hours, Wyatt Earp gives its subject the courtesy of a more than three-hour film. Because of this ample runtime, more care is given to the historical detail and accuracy, giving way to more comprehensive storytelling. We’re given this excess time with Earp’s life from adolescence through middle age, and it allows for a deeper understanding of his psychology and his evolution of self, leading up to the major historical event that everyone knows him for.

Thus, far from a fast-paced epic, Wyatt Earp is a slow-burn character study with a Western setting that feels authentic instead of romanticized. Earp’s character arc is incredibly thorough, and the approach to depicting his character even has something of a documentary feel to it. While the slow pacing and occasionally disorganized narrative may turn some people off, those who enjoy biographical films that are concerned with the facts in addition to telling a compelling story will appreciate the lengths that Wyatt Earp goes to achieve this.

‘Wyatt Earp’ Is Character-Driven With a Strong Supporting Cast

While a movie like Tombstone — also about Wyatt Earp and the O.K. Corral — is more centered on the immediate lead-up to and action of the conflict at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp gives a deeper focus to its sprawling cast of characters covering multiple eras of Earp’s life. For instance, Gene Hackman gives a terrific performance as Nicholas Earp, Wyatt’s stern and influential father, while Quaid infuses Doc Holliday with a vulnerability that rings true to the character.

In contrast to Tombstone and Kurt Russell‘s charisma-driven portrayal of Earp, Wyatt Earp finds strength in Costner’s more reserved depiction, more suited for a biopic approach. But besides Costner, the cast of Wyatt Earp is ridiculously stacked. The rest of the supporting cast includes the always-great O’Hara, who portrays Allie Earp, in addition to Bill Pullman, Mark Harmon, Isabella Rossellini, Tom Sizemore and Adam Baldwin.

Stream Wyatt Earp now on Netflix.

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Extreme Post-Apocalyptic Thriller Will Either Cure You Or Break You

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Extreme Post-Apocalyptic Thriller Will Either Cure You Or Break You

By Robert Scucci
| Published

One of the common pitfalls post-apocalyptic thrillers run into is trying to do too much at once, because there are a lot of angles to consider. The Mad Max franchise works because there is dense, folklore-driven worldbuilding that we’re made aware of as a smaller group of people navigate the wasteland looking for answers. The 28 Days Later films handle this well too. We’re briefed on what’s happening globally, and then things are handled locally.

2025’s Uncontained, despite the fact that it has a lot going for it, struggles with this balance. The result is a tonally inconsistent film that I wish stuck the landing better, because the potential is clearly there.

Found Family During End Times

Billed as a zombie horror drama, Uncontained tells a much more personal story through the eyes of Dan (portrayed by writer director Morley Nelson). Dan is a drifter who appears to be immune to the zombie virus that has decimated society, and he eventually happens upon a smart house occupied by two children, Jack (Jack Nelson) and Brooke (Brooke Nelson).

Their mother, simply billed as The Woman (Nicole Nelson), works for Homeland Security and is desperately searching for a cure, because Jack carries a latent version of the infection.

Uncontained 2025

Dan, initially just looking for shelter, slowly becomes a surrogate father figure for Jack and Brooke. The Woman is also glad to have him around, mostly because he’s able to clock an intimidating amount of time on the treadmill that doubles as a power source for the house.

Jack handcuffs himself to the bed before going to bed, because he occasionally turns into a bloodthirsty zombie in his sleep and needs to wait out his episodes so he doesn’t harm his family. He also sets elaborate snare traps in the backyard and spends his time studying captured zombies, which initially disgusts Dan, who doesn’t yet realize that he and Jack have more in common than either of them would like to admit.

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The B Story

Uncontained 2025

Meanwhile, Uncontained introduces additional conflict in the form of militia leader Brett Carson (Peter O’Meara), who refuses to leave the property because he’s searching for his missing daughter, Melanie (Courtney Blythe Turk). This entire plot line feels largely unnecessary, as it neither helps nor meaningfully disrupts the dynamic inside the house that Dan and the family are occupying.

The limited value these scenes provide comes mostly from comic relief, particularly when Brett talks shop with a police officer who grows more visibly concerned with each passing exchange, as if silently thinking, “dude, you need to go home before you get killed.”

Uncontained 2025

Speaking of comic relief, Uncontained earns genuine points for the dynamic it establishes between Dan, Jack, and Brooke, and The Woman. Dan has a gruff exterior and doesn’t look like the kind of guy who enjoys screwing around. But the moment Brooke offers him her hair clips, he immediately takes her up on it just to be kind. These subtle moments are both funny and disarming, and they say a lot about Dan’s character. The world is effectively ending, and nobody is obligated to be pleasant if they don’t want to be.

Uncontained ultimately leaves a lot on the table, and it’s because it tries to think globally and locally at the same time. Had the film committed to being a bottle story focused on the house and its occupants, I think it would have landed more cleanly. It simply tries to do too much at once, when the initial survival story is already compelling on its own. The moments I enjoyed most came directly from this central dynamic. The idea that an infected child could be the key to a cure while the family battens down the hatches and rides out the proverbial storm is strong enough without a side story pulling attention away from it.

Uncontained is streaming for free on Tubi.


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Pedro Pascal saves Todd Haynes' gay romance after Joaquin Phoenix's controversial exit

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Phoenix infamously left the project just five days before it was set to begin filming.

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Dave Coulier’s Tongue Cancer Is In Remission 4 Months After Diagnosis

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Dave Coulier’s tongue cancer is officially in remission, two months after going public with his diagnosis.

“It’s been a roller-coaster ride for sure,” Coulier, 66, said during a Wednesday, February 4, appearance on Good Morning America. “I’m in remission with both cancers. And what a journey this has been.”

The Full House alum announced in December 2025 that doctors had diagnosed him with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer that October. The illness was “totally unrelated” to his previous battle with stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, ‘Whoa, it’s gone.’ And then to get a test that says, ‘Well now you’ve got another kind of cancer,’” said on the Today show in December 2025. “It is a shock to the system.”

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What Is Oropharyngeal Tongue Cancer? Breaking Down Dave Coulier's Diagnosis


Related: What Is Oropharyngeal Tongue Cancer? Breaking Down Dave Coulier’s Diagnosis

Full House alum Dave Coulier has been diagnosed with a new type of cancer months after beating lymphoma. “To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, ‘Whoa, it’s gone.’ And then to get a test that says, ‘Well now you’ve got another kind of cancer,’” the 66-year-old actor said during a Tuesday, December 2 […]

Coulier announced his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in November 2024. He was cancer free by March 2025, after several rounds of chemotherapy.

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“It was a really tough year, chemotherapy was grueling,” Coulier told Today late last year. “A couple of months ago, I had a PET scan, and something flared on the scan. The doctor said, ‘We don’t know what it is, but there’s something at the base of your tongue.’”

Coulier explained that it was a “very painful” experience.

“It’s like if you bit your tongue, but the pain just lasted every single day,” the actor shared during his Today interview.

Oropharyngeal tongue cancer is considered rare, with the American Cancer Society estimating that it only impacts 53,000 people a year. The illness “forms in your oropharynx, the middle section of your throat,” according to an article by the Cleveland Clinic. While it is treatable, it “can come back,” the same article claimed. Coulier’s specific type of tongue cancer impacted the P16 protein, a marker for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can turn into cancer if untreated.

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In December 2025, Coulier revealed that he planned to undergo 35 radiation treatments. The “prognosis is good,” his medical team said at the time.

Dave Couliers Cancer Battle in His Own Words From His Diagnosis to His Constant Fight


Related: Dave Coulier’s Cancer Battle in His Own Words: From His Diagnosis to Now

David Livingston/Getty Images Since going public with stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma in November 2024, Dave Coulier has been candid about his illness, treatment and prognosis before his second diagnosis. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the patient’s lymphatic system, with “white blood cells called lymphocytes [that] grow abnormally and can form growths […]

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“It’s a whole different animal than chemo,” he explained. “It doesn’t feel as aggressive, but there are still side effects.”

Coulier has stayed in high spirits during his overall cancer battle. However, the actor has spoken candidly about the toll it’s taken on his mental health.

“It’s emotional. It’s psychologically draining,” Coulier told Today, explaining that it has also impacted his wife, Melissa Bring. “I’m going to get on the other side of this. The silver lining here is that I had cancer, which helped me detect my other cancer. It seems crazy to be making that statement, but it’s true.”

Bring, who has been married to Coulier since 2014, also addressed her husband’s lengthy cancer journey in a January 2025 interview.

“He has some really tough days, and as the chemo has been accumulating it gets a little tougher and more difficult,” she said at the time. “He has such a positive attitude, and you need that in order to really fight it.

Bring recalled, “Every morning, if he’s feeling up for it, we try to put on a song and do a little dance party with the dogs, because when you do feel good, you have to celebrate that too.”

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Catherine O’Hara’s 10 Best ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Episodes, Ranked

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Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose at the front desk during the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Motel Review.'

When you have a long-spanning, well-established, illustrious career, creating another iconic character in your later years may not be realistic. But then, Catherine O’Hara defied that. She didn’t just play another significant role; she crafted what is perhaps her most beloved character of all time. When you see an image of Moira Rose, you can hear it. From her distinct made-up dialect with signature cadence to memorable quotes that live rent-free in the pop culture lexicon, O’Hara’s role on Schitt’s Creek was a glorious celebration of comedy.

O’Hara’s passing came as quite a shock to all who loved her. It’s allowed us to reflect on her brilliant career and the impact she made on our lives. When it came to Schitt’s Creek, from start to finish, it was a pitch-perfect comedy, produced in part by O’Hara’s Moira. Throughout her six seasons, these Moira episodes stand out as, well, simply the best.

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10

“Motel Review”

Season 3, Episode 8

Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose at the front desk during the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Motel Review.'
Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose at the front desk during the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘Motel Review.’
Image via CBC Television

One thing we know Moira Rose is not is a working woman in menial jobs. Don’t ever expect her to do a job a pedestrian might take on. But sometimes, hard times require hard decisions. In this Season 3 episode, the motel receives a particularly negative review: “I was served by an intimidating woman at the front desk, with an unrecognizable accent, and scary-looking attire.” Well, while the first part could have been about Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire), the second part is most certainly about Moira. So, what is she doing manning the front desk? With Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) running an errand and Stevie forcing a reluctant Moira to help out with the easy task of simply sitting at the front desk and helping guests, our beloved Moira botches it hardcore.

Moira is of no particular help when a guest seeks to check in, sloughing off that guest’s many requests. When Johnny learns how this review might negatively affect the motel, he forces his wife to make amends with the guest. Moira’s highest points in the episode are watching her muster up enough of a facade to keep the catty side at bay. This is not a position she wants to be put in, but this motel is their only hope. She must right her wrongs. Most employees offer service with a smile. Moira provides service with a smirk. A big part of this episode is seeing Moira and Johnny work through their marital issues in this new confined situation. They need their space! An episode built on relationships and the frustrations that come with them; even our favorite couple had their ups and downs.

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9

“RIP Moira Rose”

Season 4, Episode 5

Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose in a curly wig looking shocked in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'RIP Moira Rose.'
Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose in a curly wig looking shocked in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘RIP Moira Rose.’
Image via CBC Television

It might be hard to find the humor of this episode, given O’Hara’s passing, but this Season 4 episode epitomized the Moira we grew to love. Rumors circulate that TV’s Moira Rose died. As the news spreads, it brings worry to the citizens of Schitt’s Creek, only for immense joy to come when they learn she’s alive and well. Online, the instant attention brings flattering condolences and complimentary messages, which, of course, she adores. But when a reporter arrives in town for a story, Moira is forced to reconcile her life in Schitt’s Creek.

Moira must decide what’s worse: that there is only one reporter, or that the reporter will see that she lives, in her own words, in “a Podunk motel”. Using a darker tone to discuss mortality, Schitt’s Creek puts death on display through the lens of celebrity. Watching Moira’s downward spiral from joy to sadness is quite genuine and honest. While we all may wish to know how our loved ones may react to our own passing, the reality might end up being a tough pill to swallow. Moira’s descent into her downward spiral is one of the rare moments when the show balances a range of emotions to convey something refreshing.

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8

“The Rollout”

Season 4, Episode 11

Catherine O'Hara as Moira sitting at a table in the hotel room in a red wig in Schitt's Creek episode The Rollout.
Catherine O’Hara as Moira sitting at a table in the hotel room in a red wig in Schitt’s Creek episode The Rollout.
Image via CBC Television

Generally, no one wants to do jury duty, so the concept of Moira having to sit through jury duty in this community is hilarious in and of itself. Upon learning that she and Jocelyn Schitt (Jennifer Robertson) have to sit through jury duty, she prepares every excuse in the book to get herself out of it. That is, until the case piqued her interest. So, what could this case be about that Moira no longer wants to perjure herself for? Embezzlement. Well, this one hit close to home! Moira has a mission on her mind, and she’s not going to go down easy.

Since this is Schitt’s Creek, Moira is absolutely not going to get what she wants. Moira so desperately wants vicarious revenge on the business manager who robbed the Roses that she overcompensates. Fortunately for the Canadian justice system, she loses her temper, tells the truth, and gets dismissed. This episode was a fun buddy moment for the mothers of the town as they continue to develop their bond as an odd couple. Moira’s engagement with the mundane is part of what makes the latter seasons special. Moira is an example of the extreme actions we wish we could achieve but never dare execute.

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7

“Moira’s Nudes”

Season 2, Episode 9

Emily Hempshire as Stevie and Catherine O'Hara as Moira in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Moira's Nudes.'
Emily Hempshire as Stevie and Catherine O’Hara as Moira in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘Moira’s Nudes.’
Image via CBC Televsion

The concept of our nudes leaking and circling the World Wide Web is terrifying. Now, when it’s Moira Rose, it’s just a brilliantly funny concept. During Season 2, Moira goes up against Jocelyn for a town council position. Upon learning that her nudes are out, the technologically inept Moira tasks David (Dan Levy) and Stevie to find and delete them. But when they can’t find them, Moira’s true feelings come out. She’s not necessarily upset that her nudes may be circulating; she’s distressed that they’re missing. Why? If they’re missing, the memorial to her youth is lost.

The premise of asking her son to even locate those photos is funny. But to then see them as a highlight of her past is a pretense to her personality and mindset. As Moira comes to realize the impact of these lost photos, she wants to prevent anyone else from enduring this pain. So, she gives young Stevie advice. She famously tells Stevie to take a thousand naked pictures of herself and post them online, so her future self and children can look back fondly. Moira had given out a lot of advice throughout the series, but this one takes the cake.

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6

“Finding David”

Season 2, Episode 1

Catherine O'Hara as Moira and Eugene Levy as Johnny looking ahead with shock in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode "Finding David."
Catherine O’Hara as Moira and Eugene Levy as Johnny looking ahead with shock in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode “Finding David.”
Image via CBC Television

Not everyone took to relocating to Schitt’s Creek well. Case in point, David Rose. In the Season 2 premiere, the Roses are on the hunt to find David. The reason he disappears is that, believing he’d be escaping Schitt’s Creek soon, the sale of the town doesn’t go through. While some genuinely care about David’s whereabouts, Moira is also concerned that he’s supporting himself at her expense. In her mind, that cannot happen. Further, what’s more distressing than her missing son is her missing bag. We’ve seen her in hysterics over her prized possessions before, but this one was peak Moira.

Having a conniption that her brown crocodile bag, which her mother gave her, had been stolen by her missing son, it’s telling what her priorities lie. As much as Johnny attempts to calm her down, alerting her to the many other brown bags she owns, it’s this bag she demands. The hysterics are part of the character because most of us understand the absurdity of her situation and how she’s simply overreacting. But the way she alludes to the bag as if it were one of her children, even though her actual kid is missing, makes it simply hilarious. These early moments are crucial to her eventual character building.

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5

“Life Is a Cabaret”

Season 5, Episode 14

Catherine O'Hara dressed up as Sally Bowles in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Life Is A Cabaret.'
Catherine O’Hara dressed up as Sally Bowles in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘Life Is A Cabaret.’
Image via CBC Television

There’s something so endearing about our favorite characters putting on a show. Whether it be the kids of Glee or the kids of High School Musical: The Musical the Series, it brings us back to our own high school theater days. Now, imagine that type of scotch tape production in a community theater lens. Schitt’s Creek lets the adults live out their theater fantasies. Schitt’’ Creek opted to put on a production of the John Kander and Fred Ebb classic Cabaret. A very meta selection, the lead-up to the production featured some brilliant moments, including Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) auditioning with “A Little Bit Alexis.” In the Season 5 finale, it’s opening night, and like any production, nothing can actually go perfectly. With Stevie suddenly going MIA, director Moira Rose is ready and able to step into the role of Sally Bowles.

TV’s Moira Rose had been chomping at the bit to prove she’s a star, but for this production, she kept her expertise lead her to direct. No one was going to steal her thunder. Not even the announcement of David and Patrick Brewer’s (Noah Reid) engagement. But with Stevie missing, in the mother-of-the-year’s opinion, because David spilled his secret, Moira could be the hero without looking like an egomaniac in the lead role. Moira arrives in full costume because the show must go on! But as Stevie finally returns, ready to bring the house down with “Maybe This Time,” there’s a sense of disappointment from Moira.

In perfect Moira fashion, she passes off her costume as silly, awkward cosplay. But as everyone else revels in praise and glory, opening night also becomes closing night for her big film comeback, as she learns it has been shelved. Having divulged that it was the only thing saving her from an emotional spiral, you can’t help but feel for Moira. This episode, which has some funny moments, is Moira at her most vulnerable. O’Hara’s ability to open Moira up to genuine pain and disappointment through the guise of humor is the work of an extraordinary performer. Moira’s depth had been fully achieved.

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4

“The Crowening”

Season 5, Episode 1

Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose with black feathers on her shoulders in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'The Crowneing.'
Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose with black feathers on her shoulders in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘The Crowneing.’
Image via CBC Television

As Schitt’s Creek delighted devoted fans, the team began sprinkling in running gags that became a gift every time they popped up. For Moira, and her acting career, the best running bit came with her involvement with The Crows Have Eyes film franchise. Highlighting the lengths to which Moira would go to resurrect her career, the first time the fictional horror film appears is in Season 3, when she auditioned for The Crows Have Eyes II. We know she turned it down as she’d have to pay her way to the filming location and live with a local family. Flash forward to the Season 5 premiere, and Moira is back in action as she’s accepted the role of Dr. Clara Mandrake, a respected ornithologist turned human-crow hybrid. Not only is this our favorite mother’s big comeback vehicle, but we also get to see her filming the low-budget project in Bosnia, The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening.

As expected, Moira is Moira. She has numerous script revisions that the young director has no interest in taking on. While he claims it’s “an apocalyptic fantasy about mutant crows,” Moira sees it as “a timely allegory about prejudice.” Bless her heart. As she tries to litter her soap opera experience, it just makes the viewing experience even more bizarre. Watching O’Hara decked out like a bird, playing it up in a nest in front of a green screen, was comedy gold. In a feature with Vulture at the time, O’Hara was revealed to have had “free rein” to create Dr. Mandrake’s look. Learning how much input the actress had with this arc was extraordinary. What made it better was seeing the payoff in Season 6, with the local premiere, which was simply divine. Decked out with a Merlot carpet and the support of the town, it truly was a full-circle moment.

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3

“Our Cup Runneth Over”

Season 1, Episode 1

Catherine O'Hara clutches her wigs in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Our Cup Runneth Over.'
Catherine O’Hara clutches her wigs in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘Our Cup Runneth Over.’
Image via CBC Television

Schitt’s Creek would not be the legendary series it became without a pitch-perfect pilot. A good pilot must set up the series to come and entice us to become invested. Diving straight into the raid of the Rose’s mansion, we saw the high-strung anxiety from the quartet as all of their beloved belongings were ripped from their hands. As we watch the wealth disappear before their eyes, we begin to learn about each character’s quirks and how they react to tragedy. O’Hara brought instant hysteria. First, we see her with designer bags on her person, only for us to see her servants packing up her personal items. And by that, I mean her many wigs. And no, the wigs don’t get along with one another. When the Roses learn that there is one asset remaining, and no, not the kids, the entire series officially begins.

Johnny purchased the town as a joke for David, and now that joke was their saving grace. Schitt’s Creek became their home and our place to join our new favorite revision family. By the time we reach the town, we get to see Moira on full display in her complete disgust, insults flying in only a manner Moira could hurl. Yet it was all part of the comedy, watching his wealthy woman try to get used to her biggest fear—being poor. From watching her maneuver a lightbulb in a drawer to living so close to her kids, Moira is being Moira. Though she jokes about not waking up and about nailing the coffin shut, if only Episode 1 Moira could see herself in Met Gala-inspired regalia in the finale.

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2

“Family Dinner”

Season 2, Episode 2

Daniel Levy as David and Catherine O'Hara as Moira in the 'Schitt's Creek' episode 'Family Dinner.'
Daniel Levy as David and Catherine O’Hara as Moira in the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ episode ‘Family Dinner.’
Image via CBC Television

While we eventually saw the Roses develop into a beautiful family unit, it was during the first few seasons that we saw the quartet’s disconnect. Yet, the more that they were forced to spend time together, the closer they eventually became. In the Season 2 episode, Moira chose to cook dinner to prove she could indeed cook. In an attempt to continue a family tradition, Moira planned to prepare her “family’s” enchilada recipe. Enlisting David to be her essentially sous chef, resulting in a chaotic scene that left us all in stitches.

While in the kitchen, mother dearest instructs her son to follow the recipe. Of course, he takes it all far too literally. Now, they may not be elite chefs, but the term “fold in the cheese” held them up as they could not fathom what it meant. As Moira tried to play coy, David grew angry. And as David’s rage rose, Moira began to panic. From literally believing one must fold the tiny shreds of cheddar like a piece of paper to Moira avoiding answering her son’s question, the scene played out exactly how you’d expect two individuals who never once stepped foot in a kitchen to occur. The zinger of the scene, “David, what does burning smell like?” served as a perfect button. This episode showcased Moira’s attempt at domesticity, which we all knew was a doomed venture. And that’s the comedy of Moira in the early seasons.

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1

“Wine and Roses”

Season 1, Episode 6

There are quite a few iconic moments that came out of the first season of Schitt’s Creek, but the moment that put the series on the map was the Herb Ertlinger (Richard Waugh) wine commercial. The sixth episode put Moira back on screen only for her to own her flop. Specializing in fruit wine, Herb was eager to have Moira serve as the winery’s spokeswoman. With an ego boosted, Moira is all in, believing this would be her acting comeback. If only it were that easy. What resulted was one of the funniest scenes in the entire series.

The brilliance of the writing was the name of the man and his winery. An already peculiar name, even some of the best in diction might get tongue-tied while attempting to say “Herb Ertlinger.” But Moira, through all her delusional confidence, goes all in with the mispronunciation, causing a domino effect of flubs. The result was sheer hilarity. Now, mind you, the woman was quite tipsy, having sampled the vino at the unpretentious winery. O’Hara’s nuanced subtlety mirrors the brilliance we remember her bringing to the assortment of Christopher Guest films she starred in. Moira was a character we laughed at, but genuinely rooted for in the world of acting. Thanks to this commercial, it was a sweet taste of where the former soap star could go in the future. And as we’ve discussed, shine a spotlight on Moira, and she dazzles.

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HBO Max's New Answer to 'The Bear' Sets the Stage for a 'Dawson's Creek' Reunion

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HBO Max's New Answer to 'The Bear' Sets the Stage for a 'Dawson's Creek' Reunion

The Bear has quietly become one of the biggest shows in the world in the last few years. The hit comedy, which is really more of a drama, has aired almost a new season every year since it first premiered in 2022, and it has left other streamers trying to replicate its Emmy-winning success. The show stars Jeremy Allen White (Deliver Me From Nowhere) and Ayo Edebiri (Opus) alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Fantastic Four: First Steps), and it follows a young chef from the fine dining world who returns home to Chicago after the death of his brother to take over his family’s sandwich shop.

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Says She’s Not Transphobic (Video)

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Nicki Minaj Sparks Reactions After Saying She Is Not Transphobic (WATCH)

Nicki Minaj has sparked reactions after sharing why she believes she is not transphobic. Additionally, the rapper shared why she chose to place her support behind Donald Trump.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Is Goin’ OFF After Nicki Minaj Called Herself Trump’s “Number One Fan” & Held His Hand At Account Summit (WATCH)

Nicki Minaj Says She’s Not Transphobic & Explains Trump Alignment

On Tuesday, February 3, a new episode of the ‘Katie Miller Pod’ was released via YouTube and featured Nicki Minaj as a guest. As the conversation opened, Minaj explained that she placed her support behind President Donald Trump after seeing “how he was being treated.”

“I felt that that same — a lot of that bullying and the smear campaigns, and all of that lying — I felt like that had been done to me for so many years. And I was watching it in real time happen to someone else, and I didn’t think he deserved it,” Minaj explained.

As the conversation continued, Minaj seemed to note that Trump expressed to her his respect for her fanbase and the LGBTQ+ community. Around nine minutes into the interview, Minaj shared her own stance, explaining that although she disagrees with pro-trans rhetoric being pushed in schools, she is not transphobic. Furthermore, she stated that she believes “adults” should be able to do what they’d like with their bodies.

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See what she said below.

Social Media Is Sharing Reactions

Social media users reacted to Nicki Minaj’s comments about not being transphobic in TSR’s comment section.

Instagram user @1princessmehgann wrote,Real barbz Know she isn’t transphobic” 

While Instagram user @t.beezus added, She literally said children … when was the community attacked ? Y’all lack basic comprehension !”

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Instagram user @iyawoijebu wrote, Nicky we judging you and we don’t care!”

While Instagram user @804.saucy added,Yall not following … what she’s saying is kids shouldn’t have the option at such a young age to change their gender when they don’t even know what they want yet”

Instagram user @istayblessedxo wrote, I think about 99% of America agrees with her on that. People should not be able to make a life changing decision like that until at least 21. If you’re can’t drink before 21 you shouldn’t be able to change your gender.”

While Instagram user @dijouncruz added, The ‘Trans part of the LGBT’ pay attention ya’ll smh”

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Instagram user @tarisunscripted wrote, Please get her off my algorithm.”

While Instagram user @chanel__5 added, She did say this but it’s the way you delivered it with a party that thrives off H8TE”

Before Nicki Minaj Shared That She’s Not Transphobic, She Sparked Reactions With Recent Donald Trump Alignment

Before Nicki Minaj shared that she’s not transphobic, she raised eyebrows with her apparent political alignment with Donald Trump. As The Shade Room previously reported, in November 2025, Minaj appeared at the United Nations. There, she noted her support of Donald Trump speaking on the alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.

RELATED: Screenshot Appears To Show Tammy Rivera Calling Nicki Minaj A “Bootlicker” As Clip Resurfaces Of Charlie Kirk Saying Rapper Isn’t Good Role Model

Then, earlier this month, Minaj appeared at the Trump Account Summit. Additionally, she said she was the president’s “number one fan” and even held his hand.

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RELATED: Birds Of A Feather? Waka Flocka Sparks Reactions With Message For Nicki Minaj Amid Shade Over Trump Support (PHOTO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Inside Team USA’s Dramatic Journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics (Excl)

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Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital

The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially here — and Team USA is arriving in Italy with star power, storylines and sky-high expectations. 

As the world’s best athletes descend on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, all eyes are on the Americans: from Ilia Malinin’s can’t-miss moment in men’s figure skating to Mikaela Shiffrin’s long-awaited redemption tour on the slopes, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates chasing gold as newlyweds in their fourth Olympic Games together. 

With pressure mounting and history on the line, these athletes aren’t just competing for medals — they’re skating, skiing and sliding into some of the most defining moments of their careers. 

Us Weekly spoke exclusively to some of Team USA’s biggest stars as they prepare to take center stage when the Milano Cortina Games kick off February 6. 

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Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital
COMPOSITE COVER BACKGROUND & SPORTING ELEMENTS: GETTY IMAGES (6). ATHLETES CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (4); MICHAEL OWENS/NBC SPORTS (2)

Redemption Mode

Some of the most powerful Olympic stories are born from heartbreak.

In 2022, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin arrived in Beijing as a heavy favorite, expected to dominate the slopes. Instead, she suffered a stunning series of DNFs (Did Not Finish) and left without a medal. “A lot of people who were tuning into Mikaela Shiffrin for her biggest race were tuning in when I didn’t win a medal,” Shiffrin tells Us. “They were saying, ‘Don’t even come home. You failed us. You didn’t bring home any gold.’” 

The emotional weight of that moment has stayed with her — and reshaped her perspective heading into 2026. “That’s the hardest thing or the most loaded thing, and I’m very aware of it now, emotionally and mentally,” she continues. “The hurdle I’ve been working on with my team and with my psychologist and with my family and everybody around me is: We could go to these Games and we could do everything right, and it could still go wrong.” 

Now, coming off a dominant season that saw her make World Cup history, Shiffrin, 30, is embracing a different mindset. “Going into [the Olympics] as an athlete, you’ve really got to be open-minded,” she explains. “Now that we have all of this in- formation, all of this experience, could we boil it down a little bit and remember that we’re just ski racing here?” 

Mikaela Shiffrin 5 Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital Story
COURTESY U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE

Redemption is also front and center for the U.S. women’s figure skating team, which heads into Milan Cortina with unfinished business. After leaving Beijing without the gold many believed was within reach, the Americans are skating with something to prove — and the depth to do it. 

Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito and Alysa Liu headline a stacked field, blending technical firepower with hard-earned experience on the world stage. For these skat- ers, 2026 isn’t just another Olympic cycle — it’s a chance to turn lingering frustration into gold. 

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“If we do our jobs in Milan, then more than likely some- one is going to be up there,” Glenn has said of the podium.

American Pride

For many athletes, the Olympics represent more than medals — they’re a rare chance to unite a country. 

“It’s one of the greatest honors to be able to go to the Olympics and represent the U.S.,” ice dancer Madison Chock, 33, tells Us. “For us being Americans, we have such pride in our patriotism and really, the American dream.” 

Madison Chock and Evan Bates 2 Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital Story
COURTESY U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE

That responsibility isn’t lost on veterans like hockey player Hilary Knight, who will compete in her fifth and final Games. “If you want to call us sports ambassadors or sports envoys, we can have an impact on someone’s life in a small way,” Knight, 36, says. “I do think there’s a greater responsibility when you’re representing your country on the world stage.” 

Honorary coach and NBC correspondent Snoop Dogg agrees. “One thing about the Olympics that I love is that it gives me a chance to be in front of people to represent what Americans look like, what we feel like, how we love, how we appreciate,” he’s said. 

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High-Stakes Drama

If any event captures the emotional intensity of the Olympics, it’s figure skating and few understand that better than Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir

“You hear the music, you see the rings, there’s this magic to it,” says Lipinski, 43, who won gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics at just 15 years old. “I think that’s why the whole world loves this event. It’s one of these things where you realize that this group of athletes has sacrificed their whole life. They’re building to this one moment in time. It’s four minutes on the ice that could change their entire life.” 

For Lipinski, that emotional cocktail is exactly what makes the sport unforgettable. 

“It’s everything you could want,” she adds. “The pressure, the suspense, the glitz, the glamour.” 

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Now working together as NBC Sports analysts, Lipinski and Weir experience those moments from the booth but the nerves never disappear. 

“Figure skating isn’t known as the most hugs and kisses, warm and fuzzy sport,” Weir, 41, explains. “But we all appreciate how small and niche and special this family is. As the older generation watching the younger generation of skaters, we want the best for them because we know exactly how it feels to be in their shoes.” 

Snowboarder Chloe Kim, 25, has already had a front-row seat to Olympic drama before even strapping in. The reigning halfpipe superstar entered the season sidelined by a torn labrum in her shoulder that left her status uncertain. 

For the athlete, the weeks leading up to the Games became a test of patience and resilience rehabbing, recalibrating and waiting to see if her body would cooperate in time. Whether she’s at full strength or fighting to find her rhythm, Kim arrives carrying the emotional weight of a comeback that started long before the Opening Ceremony. 

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Must-Watch Phenom

The Olympic experience is one unlike any other — with athletes from all over the world converging in one place, each chasing a moment of immortality. Sixteen different sports disciplines will be featured in Milano Cortina, with more than 3,500 athletes representing 93 countries. 

And while the depth of competition is staggering, a select few still rise above the noise and become must-watch storylines. One of them is Team USA’s Ilia Malinin, who will have all eyes on him when the men’s figure skating competition begins. 

“There’s kind of different ways I approach it,” Malinin, 21, tells Us. “I like to embrace it a lot, especially closer to a competition. Feeling that pressure is kind of like, ‘OK, everyone’s looking at me. Now I really need to be at my best. Be on my A-game.’”

But even the sport’s most dominant skater admits the pressure can cut both ways. 

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Ilia Malinin Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital Story
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“There’s also days that won’t be the best days,” he continues. “A lot of the time, what I’ll do is say, ‘OK, there’s a lot of pressure on me, let me just block this out and focus on what I really need to do and try not to think about people’s expectations of me.”

Nicknamed the Quad God, Malinin knows fans often see him as untouchable — something he’s eager to challenge on Olympic ice.

“Everyone sees me at competitions and I’m just so focused, I’m really in a different mindset where I’m pretty much as perfect as I can be,” Malinin explains. “But in reality, I’m not perfect. I’ll have bad days, I’ll have good days. It’s really the thing that tells people, ‘Oh, he’s really human like the rest of us.’”

The MVPs You Won’t See on the Podium

Beyond the athletes, the Games will be stacked with scene-stealing personalities, led by Snoop Dogg, who’s returning as an on-air commentator and cultural ambassador and promising to keep things anything but predictable. 

“You know, one thing about me, I’m unexpected, I’m unorthodox, but I’m always full of fun,” Snoop tells Us, adding that his mission is “making sure that America is represented in a peaceful, beautiful way to the globe.” 

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While he’s happy to entertain Olympic viewers, the rapper admits he’s still learning though there’s one event already at the top of his watch list. “I think the sport I’m looking forward to the most [is] figure skating, because I just really, truly appreciate and love the art and the craft that it takes to become a figure skater,” he says especially with the music, the fashion and the possibility that “my girl, Martha Stewart, may meet me out there at the front row of the figure skating final.”

He’ll be joined around the Olympic universe by Flavor Flav, official sponsor and “hype-man” for the USA Bobsled and Skeleton team, bringing his trademark energy as an enthusiastic supersupporter in the stands. Also on board: Stanley Tucci, who’s set to lend his signature charm and sophistication to cultural and culinary storytelling from Italy proving that at these Games, the characters off the field may be just as compelling as the competition itself. 

Vonn Is Back — and So Is the NHL

The 2026 Games mark a couple of noteworthy returns: skier Lindsey Vonn and NHL players participating in the Olympics for the first time since 2014 in Sochi. 

Vonn, 41, who last competed in the Olympics in 2018, announced her return to the sport in November 2024 and earned a spot on the team in December 2025, a miraculous comeback that felt nearly unfathomable after having a partial knee replacement just months before coming out of retirement. 

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“But after a successful season that saw her reach the podium in seven of eight races, the legend declared, “I’m not the underdog anymore!” Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, reflected, “This is 24 years after my first Olympics. I’ve won everything I could have ever won. I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone. I’m doing this because I think I can do well, it’s a meaningful place for me, and I think I can make a positive impact.”

Despite tearing her ACL during a World Cup race in Switzerland just days before the start of the Games, Vonn said she still intended on competing.

Lindsey Vonn Olympics 2607 Us Weekly Cover Digital Story
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“I know what my chances in these Olympics were before this crash, and even though my chances aren’t the same now, there is still a chance,” she shared via Instagram. “And as long as I have a chance, I will not lose hope. I will not give up! It’s not over yet!”

Men’s hockey will also be a focal point, as the NHL’s best players will represent their home countries for the first time in over a decade. 

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes will play for Team USA alongside his older brother, Quinn Hughes, which means the entire Hughes family is looking forward to a European vacation. 

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“A bunch of my cousins, aunts and uncles are making the trip,” Jack, 24, tells Us. “We’ve got some friends coming over, too. All the people in our lives are so excited to be part of this. It’s such a special event. You never know if we’ll be able to go back.”

Pomp and Circumstance

Of course, no Olympics would be complete without the spectacle. The 2026 Games officially kick off February 6 with a massive Opening Ceremony at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium a moment athletes say never gets old. 

This year’s will feature performances from global super stars Mariah Carey and Italian icon Andrea Bocelli, setting the stage with equal parts star power and national pride. “I’m just looking forward to soaking it all in,” bobsledder Boone Niederhofer says.

For Chock, the spotlight is a reminder of what it took to get there. “It’s the years, decades of work that you put in,” she says. “But that’s what makes the Olympics special.” 

And when the Games draw to a close, the celebration will come full circle at the Closing Ceremony on February 22 at the historic Arena di Verona, where athletes finally get to exhale, celebrate their accomplishments and pass the Olympic flame forward — a final, emotional send off to two unforgettable weeks in Italy. 

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