Endings really are the best part of any film, especially in horror. The horror genre, in particular, has some of the most captivating and iconic endings in film history, both strikingly executed and well set up. A perfect ending is essential to turn any story into something magnificent. Without it, an otherwise good movie could easily fall apart. It’s the endings that have turned some horror movies into legendary classics, and as these last six years are anything to go by, the 2020s so far have some truly terrifyingly amazing conclusions.

The following are some of the greatest, most talked-about, and satisfying endings in modern horror. They’re truly special and give these stories a perfect send off and a relief for the audience. Some of these are bone-chillingly terrifying, others are bittersweet, but they’re undoubtedly the finales these films needed and what we all wanted. From a body horror romance to 2026’s latest box office-smashing masterpiece, here are ten of the best horror movie endings of the 2020s so far.

10

‘Together’ (2025)

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2025 was an incredible year for horror that was marked by endless excellence. But so many good ones slipped under the wave of other big hits. Among them was Michael Shanks‘ Together, a body horror drama starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a struggling couple who must find a way to stop their bodies from forcibly merging after drinking contaminated water in a cave. We follow this couple through several horrifying situations and see as they painfully try to fight their affliction, but, in the gruesome finale, they give in to their fate and decide to merge as one single new person.

The merged transformation is one of the most brutal, disgusting, and ultimately tragic scenes in modern horror. It was built up throughout the story, and it seemed inevitable to happen, but it’s still so graphic and shocking to see, especially as the effects done to achieve the couple’s merge look so intense and painful. Together didn’t make the hugest impact in 2025, but its conclusion is truly a remarkable highlight that every horror fan should see. Over time, perhaps the ending will turn this underrated gem into a cult favorite.

9

‘The Ugly Step Sister’ (2025)

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If you think Together‘s conclusion was the most disgusting, you clearly haven’t seen this next one. Also released in 2025, Emilie Blichfeldt‘s Norwegian dark comedy The Ugly Step Sister is truly one of the year’s greatest international horror cult classics. A twisted retelling of Cinderella, it follows Elvira (Lea Myren), the “ugly” stepsister who goes to extremely dark lengths to alter her body to win over the prince of her dreams. To achieve this, she goes too far, damaging her body, mutilating her own feet to fit small shoes, and, most disgustingly, ingesting a parastatic tapeworm to lose weight. By the end, she’s a broken, deformed shell of her former self who not only loses her happily ever after, but has to vomit up the tapeworm, which has multiplied inside her.

It is an ending that will have any viewers dry heaving long after the end credits. The Ugly Step Sister is a film that certainly pulls no punches when telling a brutal, unrelentingly shocking body horror reimagining of a classic literary tale. The ending complements the story, leaving audiences with something they certainly won’t ever forget anytime soon. It’s so stomach-churning, so painful to watch, and ultimately so fascinating to experience.

8

‘Oddity’ (2024)

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Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy is steadily rising through the ranks in modern horror, thanks to a string of small notable successes, with his most recent horror hit Hokum becoming a standout of 2026. But it was his rise in 2024 with the release of his supernatural mystery thriller Oddity that really put him on the map. Arguably the scariest film of that year, Oddity follows the despicable doctor Ted Timmis (Gwilym Lee) as he tries to get away with orchestrating his wife’s murder. But he didn’t count on her blind psychic twin sister, Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), to come after him using her supernatural abilities. Though she was ultimately killed by him in the end, Darcy did leave one last trap for Ted, leaving a cursed bell for him as a gift that, once it rang, unleashed a murderous ghost that creeps up behind him.

Oddity is a tense, shocking mystery thriller that provides endless scares and a dark, ominous atmosphere. Its ending is just as dark, but also very satisfying, as it was building to see a hated antagonist finally getting his well-deserved comeuppance. It shows that in horror movies, crime doesn’t always pay and comes back to bite someone in the most eerie ways possible. You’ll be scared, but cheer at the same time, and it’s a well-set-up and executed finale that was well worth waiting for in the whole story.

7

‘When Evil Lurks’ (2023)

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Hailed for its nonstop intensity, Demián Rugna‘s 2023 demonic disaster thriller When Evil Lurks is sure to scare the pants off anyone who sees it. The story follows a pair of farming brothers in Argentina, Pedro (Ezequiel Rodriguez) and Jimi (Demián Salomon), as they try to save Pedro’s family and prevent a demonic force from being born by killing a possessed body that’s spreading evil throughout the country. But the evil was too powerful, and not only did Pedro fail to stop the demon from rising, but his last surviving child, Jair (Emilio Vodanovich), had now become possessed as well, leaving Pedro to collapse in despair as the evil would now consume the world.

It’s truly a dark, depressing kind of horror film that really felt like it was building up to a bleak resolution throughout much of the story. And, boy did it end as such. When Evil Lurks certainly has one of the most downer finales of the 2020s, a real gut-puncher that’s just as brutal and unforgiving as the rest of the film. You’ll be gasping for air the moment you see just how shocking this feels to see for the first time.

6

‘Nosferatu’ (2024)

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Filmmaker Robert Eggers cemented his legacy as one of the biggest names of horror this decade, thanks to his chilling hits that pack shocking terror, eerie suspense, and memorable folk horror storylines. It’s his 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu that has established him as the modern master of dread, a striking and visually creepy remake that brings this iconic tale to the modern age. Much like its 1922 original, the ending is nearly the same, but with more emotional weight and heavier acting, showing the dreaded vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) as he’s finally defeated by the beautiful Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who sacrifices herself to distract Orlok long enough to perish in the sunlight.

It’s probably one of the saddest happy endings in horror this decade. Sure, evil is vanquished, the heroes won, and the town is saved from damnation, and it’s emotional to see Ellen die along with him, but it’s so satisfying to see this menacing, terrifying bloodsucker finally being taken down. Nosferatu is an emotional roller-coaster ride that evokes profound feelings out of the audience, and this ending is the powerful high note this type of masterpiece needed to end on.

5

‘Weapons’ (2025)

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Whereas When Evil Lurks and Nosferatu‘s endings were dark and bleak, this next one is just straight-up insane. From comedian and filmmaker Zach Cregger comes Weapons, 2025’s most wild, chaotic, and disturbingly thrilling horror mystery film. Josh Brolin and Julia Garner star as a worried parent and a school teacher who learn a sinister witch, Gladys Lilly (Amy Madigan), has used a mind-control spell to kidnap a classroom full of children to use their life force to cure her illness. In the end, after the pair confronted Gladys and her small army of possessed victims, Gladys’ captive nephew, Alex (Cary Christopher), put an end to her reign of terror by using her magical spell against her, sending the possessed children to chase her around the neighborhood and brutally rip her apart.

What better ending to complement a wild, fun horror thrill ride than this bonkers finale? Weapons is captivating from start to end, providing audiences with an experience that’s so horrifying and bizarrely exciting at the same time. This couldn’t have ended with a more graphic and satisfying payoff. Really, no horror fan is going to forget this conclusion any time soon.

4

‘Pearl’ (2022)

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Slicing its way into slasher history, director Ti West‘s X trilogy has been keeping the slasher subgenre booming in the 2020s. A fresh mix of horror, drama, and even dark humor, these three films are on their way to becoming classics. But for this next one, we journey to the gripping second installment, Pearl, released in 2022. A prequel to X, this story follows the antagonist of the first film, Pearl (Mia Goth), in her youth in the 1910s as her fading dreams and stagnant farm life slowly cause her to snap into a violent rage. In the end, after succumbing to her darker impulses and going on a killing spree, her husband, Howard (Alistair Sewell), finally returns home from WWI to find her parents murdered and her welcoming him with an eerie, long smile.

Pearl is an excellent blend of slasher terror and character drama all wrapped together into a well-paced and perfectly acted story. This ending is the cherry on top, as it concludes with a skin-crawling downer that greatly sets up how the events of the first film would come to be. It’s also a perfect scene for actress Mia Goth to show off her remarkable acting talents, cementing her role as one of the most captivating performances in horror of the 21st century so far.

3

‘The Substance’ (2024)

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2024 was an acclaimed year for horror, thanks largely to Coralie Fargeat‘s masterpiece The Substance. A flawlessly directed, perfectly written, and incredibly acted gruesome body horror drama, The Substance stars Demi Moore as fading TV celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle, who takes a mysterious, highly unstable street drug to give her a temporary youthful body to use called Sue (Margot Qualley). But when her ambition and ego get the better of her, her overuse of the drug while in Sue’s body causes a terrible mutation. In one of the most brutal endings in recent cinema history, Elizabeth’s grotesque mutated form graphically falls apart into heaps of flesh and blood on the stage of a New Year’s Eve show.

The Substance is by all means one of this century’s greatest body horrors, and a disgustingly beautiful one at that. This ending is a perfect yet incredibly bleak one and is a sad note to go out on, showing just how brutal the main character’s fall from grace has truly come. It’s violent, intense, and doesn’t skimp out on gore. What it achieves is truly horrific, and it’ll leave any new viewers stunned long after seeing it.

2

‘Sinners’ (2025)

One of the biggest pop-cultural sensations of this decade so far is Sinners, Ryan Coogler‘s vampire action thriller magnum opus that’s not just one of the greatest horror movies this century; it’s one of the best movies, period. A flawless blend of pulse-pounding action, intense dread and terror, heartbreaking drama, and wonderful music, this story is about the two twin criminal brothers, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan), and their musically gifted cousin Sammy (Miles Caton) as they struggle to survive the night after the opening of their new juke joint is interrupted by a growing army of vampires. In the end, Stack becomes a vampire, but the others are defeated, and Smoke sacrifices himself, so Sammy can run off to live his best life as a musician.

It doesn’t even end there, as, after Sammy drives off into the sunrise, the end credits see him decades later near the end of his life, and a still immortal Stack comes to speak with him one last time. This, too, is just as brilliant and emotional, coupled with the incredible feeling of watching Michael B Jordan’s and Old Sammy’s actor Buddy Guy‘s performances. Emotionally charged, well set up, and endlessly enjoyable, Sinners‘ ending is truly one for the cinema history books.

1

‘Obsession’ (2026)

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Number one goes to the bleak, intense, and unbelievably shocking finale to Curry Barker‘s 2026 instant horror classic Obsession. The story is of a twisted romance, following helpless romantic Bear (Michael Jonston) as he unwisely uses a powerful magical wish toy to make his crush Nikki (Inde Navarrette) obsessionally fall in love with him, but with disastrous consequences. By the end, Nikki’s unhinged state has caused her to murder two of her closest friends, and Bear is left with no choice but to end his life in order to break the wish spell and set her free. But, as the credits roll, she screams in terror and confusion after snapping back to reality, while bodies lie around her, and she’s likely going to be implicated in all of these horrible crimes.

Not only considered one of the most captivating horror films of this century, but just one of the all-time greats now, this tremendous blend of supernatural terror and dark romantic drama is a nightmarish experience that’s too hard to look away from. Obsession‘s ending is truly striking and an unforgettable one that plagues the mind and fills viewers with terror and shock long after seeing the film. It’s perfect in every way and emotional, and deserves the top spot as the best horror movie ending of the 2020s so far.

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Obsession

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Release Date

May 15, 2026

Runtime

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108 minutes

Director

Curry Barker

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Writers

Curry Barker

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People love a good mystery movie. They are inherently compelling and intriguing, and a skilled screenwriter or discerning director knows just when and what breadcrumbs to feed us so that we keep following them down the path to the truth. Whether that truth is satisfying or not comes down to the individual story we’ve been told and whether the facts of it add up to something greater. Often, films or series can whet our appetites with clever clues and plot machinations, only to turn our stomachs sour with an unsatisfying ending that leaves too many plot threads dangling or ties them up in too tidy a bow.

Crafting a compelling and narratively satisfying mystery can be like pulling off a magic trick, and if a filmmaker tips their hand too soon, it can ruin the whole show. While we all patiently wait to see if the second season of Widow’s Bay still has some tricks up its sleeves, it’s the perfect time to revisit those mystery movies that have both interesting setups and satisfying payoffs. They give you a puzzle, they solve it in front of you, and the result is a wonderful sight to behold. These are ten mystery movies that are perfect from the first scene to the last.

‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ (1939)

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It’s hard to create any list of mystery movies without including the character of Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s iconic detective has been adapted across a variety of mediums with varying degrees of success over the years. In film, the actor probably most associated with the character, at least for those whose viewing habits extend beyond a couple of decades, is Basil Rathbone, who appeared in fourteen separate films as Holmes, alongside Nigel Bruce as Watson. The first one, The Hound of the Baskervilles, is still the best, a gothic film thick with atmosphere and a classic mystery.

Though the film makes several notable changes to Doyle’s original, it still captures the spirit of the story, from its horror-tinged aesthetic to the Victorian-era setting. It follows Holmes and Watson as they investigate a supposed curse that’s been placed upon the Baskerville family and a demonic dog that haunts the moors surrounding their Devonshire estate. The Hound of the Baskervilles is the most famous Holmes mystery, and it’s been adapted, in one form or another, more than any other. but the Rathbone film set the cinematic standard for the character.

‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1941)

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​​​​​​​Doyle’s legacy was succeeded by authors like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, whose hard-boiled detective novels became noir classics. Those two, along with authors like Mickey Spillane and James M. Cain, provided almost all the subgenre’s golden age. The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, and Kiss Me Deadly all offer scintillating mysteries in perfect movies, but The Maltese Falcon came first and was the crystallization of the noir template. It’s got a hard-boiled detective, a femme fatale, a MacGuffin to kill for, and one hell of a mystery.

Humphrey Bogart plays Sam Spade, a private eye who gets more than he bargained for when his partner is killed, and he’s pulled into a conspiracy involving the titular statue and the underworld figures who covet it. Directed by John Huston, the film was actually the second adaptation of the Dashiell Hammett novel on which it was based, but has completely eclipsed it. It’s a seminal film noir and, in addition to Bogart giving a bona fide movie star performance, it features a killer supporting cast which includes Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. It’s a dark labyrinth you’ll love to get lost in.

‘Rear Window’ (1954)

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Alfred Hitchcock‘s career has plenty of mysteries, at least when it comes to the film. Vertigo is a masterpiece, North by Northwest is an immaculate spy thriller, and Rear Window is a masterclass in sustained suspense. Set entirely in a single location, the film never feels stagnant or restricted thanks to incredible set design and tight pacing.

Photojournalist Jeff (James Stewart) is confined to his apartment in a wheelchair with a broken leg, passing the time by watching his neighbors across the courtyard from him. Jeff’s peeping gets him more than he expects when he believes one neighbor has murdered his wife. It’s a classic premise that has inspired more than a few other voyeuristic thrillers, but Rear Window remains unsurpassed. It’s a contained mystery thriller that keeps you in the thick of it from its very first frame.

‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964)

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Peter Sellers‘ most iconic character of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau was introduced in Blake Edward‘s The Pink Panther. That film holds its own special place in film history, but many forget that Sellers’ character was but one member of a larger ensemble in it. In its superior sequel, A Shot in the Dark, the spotlight is all on Sellers, and he absolutely shines. The broad characteristics of Clouseau, such as his exaggerated French accent and pratfalls, become even more pronounced, and the film is a slapstick classic.

When a murder occurs at the estate of a millionaire, Clouseau is called upon to take the case, and he quickly becomes embroiled with certain members of the household while ignorantly dodging attempts on his life. From the moment Sellers is on screen, he’s making you laugh; even when he isn’t, there is plenty more to admire in Edwards’ direction and the widescreen cinematography. Rather than feeling disjointed, the result is a perfectly balanced comedy mystery that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.

‘The Conversation’ (1974)

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Though it was slightly overshadowed by director Francis Ford Coppola‘s other film released in 1974, The Conversation is every bit a masterpiece. Where The Godfather Part II is sprawling and epic, The Conversation is intimate and claustrophobic, a mystery thriller set in the world of surveillance that, despite being written years before, was made all the more relevant for its proximity to the Watergate scandal. In today’s political circus where constant surveillance is part of modern life, the mystery is still captivating with its slow-burn suspense.

Gene Hackman plays Harry Caul, a cautious and paranoid surveillance expert whose current job has him overhearing a potential threat of murder, putting him in the middle of a mystery involving an affair and a powerful executive. Inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni‘s Blow-Up, Coppola advanced that film’s themes of perception and reality through images by applying them through sound recording. There’s something particularly paranoid about The Conversation that makes it still feel applicable. The final scene is a cynical summation of our futile attempts to maintain control.

‘Missing’ (1982)

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The ’80s were a prime time for thrillers, many of them built around solid mysteries. While the decade is better known for its sweaty, sexy thrillers like Body Heat and neo noirs like Blood Simple, there were also some less lurid films built on real events, like Costa-Gravas‘ Missing. A political thriller based on the murder of American journalist Charles Horman after the Chilean coup led by Augusto Pinochet, the film finds its emotional anchor in Horman’s father and wife. It’s incendiary and absorbing, exposing the political corruption and government complicity that played major roles in Horman’s execution.

Jack Lemmon plays Horman’s father Ed, who travels to Chile to search for his son. He meets his daughter-in-law Beth (Sissy Spacek), who holds conflicting political views to those of the conservative Ed. As Ed is repeatedly stonewalled by the U.S. government in his investigation, his politics change. The film expertly captures the frustrations of American bureaucracy and diplomacy, which more often than not ignore the human cost of political calculations. Missing is a character drama wrapped in a political thriller whose central mystery isn’t about how someone died, but why they did.

‘Lone Star’ (1996)

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John Sayles‘ neo-Western mystery Lone Star is one of the best written and most underrated films of the ’90s, a keenly observed drama about the racial and cultural divides that exist in America, illustrated through a small Texas border town with a history of violence and deception. Featuring a stellar lead performance by Chris Cooper and incredible support from Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Pena and some outstanding early work by Matthew McConaughey, it’s a stark counterpart to many of the other ’90s crime films, particularly those made in the wake of Quentin Tarantino‘s success.

Sam Deeds (Cooper) is a county sheriff in South Texas leading an investigation into a discovered skeleton that is revealed to be that of the corrupt sheriff who preceded Sam’s father (McConaughey). The investigation leads Sam to learn some uncomfortable truths about his father, while the film explores the broader historical revisionism that papers over these same kinds of truths within American history. The solving of the film’s mystery is more akin to picking at a scab and uncovering the bloody truth underneath. Lone Star is another quiet classic from Sayles from one of the most exciting eras of independent filmmaking.

‘Memento’ (2001)

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As the film that truly put Christopher Nolan on the map as a filmmaker, Memento often gets reduced to discussions of its non-linear narrative, but it is far more than just a gimmick. The story alternates between forward and reverse chronology to meet in the middle at the end, which puts the audience in the same position as the anterograde amnesiac protagonist. It’s a delicate balancing act that risks becoming alienating or incomprehensible, but Nolan clearly had the confidence, or hubris, to pull it off. It demands attention, and it rewards repeat viewings.

Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, an investigator who can’t form new memories following the attack that also killed his wife. He’s now committed to tracking down her murderer but must rely on polaroids and tattoos to keep track of his clues. The film’s structure was criticized by some critics and lauded by others. It’s futile to argue if the narrative, or mystery, would be just as interesting if it were told in linear fashion, since the structure is an integral part of the story. How a story is told is just as important as the events that transpire within it, and Memento is told perfectly.

‘Mother’ (2009)

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Bong Joon Ho has made many films with mystery elements embedded within them, from his Academy Award-winning masterpiece Parasite to the sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer and his greatest film, Memories of Murder. Mystery is also at the heart of his wrenching neo-noir thriller Mother, a film that’s focused on the power of maternal love as an overwhelming force that can harm just as easily as it can heal. Just like Bong’s best films, Mother is a deft balance of tones that, in less assured hands, would result in narrative whiplash.

Kim Hye-ja plays the titular mother, a widow with an intellectual disabled adult son. She fiercely defends him from mockery and abuse, but when he is accused of the murder of a young woman, she pushes herself to the brink to clear his name and find the real killer. The mystery of Mother doesn’t offer simple satisfaction, and the deeper the main character digs, the dirtier she gets. Bong’s darkest films often end lingering, with the characters more haunted than before. By the end of her story, the Mother just wants to forget, but the film itself is unforgettable.

‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)

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Now for something completely different. Even if there’s plenty of bloodshed and lots of bodies in The Nice Guys, it ends pretty far from the somber tone set by some of the preceding mystery films. You’d expect no less from Shane Black, the quick-witted screenwriter who came to fame with punchy action comedies like Lethal Weapon. His directorial career has seen its own highs (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and lows (The Predator), but anyone who’s made a stone-cold classic like The Nice Guys should get to do whatever they want. It’s easily one of the most entertaining mysteries to unravel.

Par for the course for Black, the film follows private investigator Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), who reluctantly join forces to find a missing teenage girl. Set in Los Angeles in the ’70s, the film is steeped in the political turmoil of the era, but it’s far from some high-minded thriller, yet well above the level of a standard potboiler. Black has a killer sense of humor, and it’s in every perfect little scene of this cult classic. Gosling and Crowe have explosive chemistry, and neither has ever been funnier than they are here. It genuinely doesn’t matter if you find the mystery of The Nice Guys fascinating or not, because you’ll be laughing too hard to care.

The appeal of science fiction is the vast worlds that the stories we watch can take us to. A time machine can take us to the past, while a spaceship can take us to, well, space! The latter have served as places where the narratives familiar on our surface become even more extraordinary in the galaxy. Within the larger sci-fi space genre is the space opera, stories that emphasize grand, sweeping adventures, high-stakes drama, and epic conflicts over scientific accuracy; they’re battles of good and evil that only imagination could think up.

The most familiar space opera in pop culture is Star Wars, and since its massive success, the subgenre has found its place on the small screen. Here, we discuss ten near-perfect space operas no one remembers today. The series on this list are set in vast galactic empires, feature interstellar warfare, and chronicle larger-than-life characters, prioritizing epic storytelling, which is why the devoted fans adore them.

‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ (1979-1981)

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Back in 1928, Philip Francis Nowlan created an iconic character known as Buck Rogers. Since then, he has appeared in an assortment of media, including comic strips, radio, and novellas. Nearly 50 years later, the character returned to the small screen in the two-season space opera Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, following the adventures of Captain William “Buck” Rogers (Gil Gerard), a 20th-century astronaut accidentally frozen in space for 500 years. Revived in 2491, he discovers Earth rebuilding from nuclear war and uses his piloting skills to defend the planet against alien empires and galactic villains.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century struck a balance between high-stakes cosmic adventure and unapologetic pulp charm. From evil galactic empires with seductive space princesses to dogfights in sleek, futuristic starfighters, there was a cinematic quality to the television budget. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century chose kitsch over a philosophical sci-fi thriller. By never taking itself too seriously, the series rarely did, relying on clever humor and dazzling visual design that was bright and optimistic. Certainly a product of its time, this gem was meant to entertain first and foremost.

‘Dark Matter’ (2015-2017)

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Even though a second season is around the corner, there is a faction of TV-watchers who either forgot about or have never even realized Dark Matter existed. Created by Blake Crouch, based on his 2016 novel, it follows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a Chicago physicist who is abducted and thrust into the multiverse. He wakes up in alternate realities where his life choices went differently, and he must fight his way back home through a labyrinth of parallel worlds to save his true family from the most dangerous foe imaginable: himself.

A deeply character-driven love story set within a high-stakes multiverse thriller, Dark Matter explores the roads not taken, challenging viewers with a core question: Are you happy in your life? Blending epic space-opera ambition with deeply intimate family drama, Dark Matter uses “space” in terms of the infinite multiverse. It’s the ultimate “what if” story, taking a protagonist and introducing twisted reflections of his life and career, leading to a masterful, multidimensional war fought on a personal level. It may not use the stars as its backdrop, but its space opera sensibility makes it a near-perfect option.

‘Farscape’ (1999-2003)

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Farscape chronicles the adventures of Earth astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder), who is accidentally sucked through a wormhole into a distant, hostile part of the universe. He ends up aboard Moya, a living spaceship, alongside a crew of escaped alien fugitives while being relentlessly hunted by a merciless military empire. The antithesis of Star Trek, Farscape blends space-opera adventure and dark emotional arcs with innovative, groundbreaking puppetry.

The massive allure of the series was the incredible work by The Jim Henson Company and the creatures they created. The series uses a stranger-in-a-strange-land premise, with Crichton using modern science and pop-culture references to survive, often clashing with and enlightening his alien crewmates. It flipped the good-guy tropes on its head, as the merry band of convicts operated in moral shades of grey. If you’re looking for romance, look no further than Crichton and Peacekeeper warrior Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black). Prefer slapstick, bizarre humor, or gut-wrenching psychological horror? Farscape has you covered. It’s a time capsule series that truly delivered on all cylinders.

‘Killjoys’ (2015-2019)

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Coming out of Canada was one of the more underrated space adventure series, Killjoys. A thrilling space Western, Killjoys follows three interplanetary bounty hunters who work as a neutral police force. Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen) is a highly skilled, top-tier bounty hunter with a mysterious, dark past. John Jaqobis (Aaron Ashmore) is a kind-hearted, tech-savvy peacemaker who acts as the glue of the group. D’avin Jaqobis (Luke Macfarlane) is John’s older brother and an elite former soldier with combat skills and deep-seated military trauma.

The high-octane series blends the “monster-of-the-week” bounty-hunter format with a surprisingly deep, serialized sci-fi conspiracy, featuring unique worldbuilding and the ability to balance lighthearted humor with serious stakes. The heart comes from the found family dynamic built by the primary trio: each character is distinct enough that you may have a favorite, but together they create the perfect team. Killjoys was a show that let you dip in and out, but for those who journeyed through, it wove a massive, satisfying overarching narrative.

‘Lexx’ (1996-2002)

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Another space thriller from Canada with a ‘90s aesthetic is Lexx. Created by Lex Gigeroff and brothers Paul and Michael Donovan, Lexx was a bizarre and darkly satirical sci-fi series about a ragtag group of reluctant misfits who accidentally steal the “Lexx,” an enormous, sentient, dragonfly-shaped spaceship that doubles as the most destructive weapon in two universes. They wander through hostile and chaotic universes, avoiding the clutches of a tyrannical empire.

Leaning heavily into irony, parody, and adult-oriented humor rather than traditional space heroism, its subversion of every space opera trope allowed it to stand out uniquely on its own. Lexx lives and breathes via its band of anti-heroes and pokes fun at the genre within its worldbuilding. Each of the show’s four seasons has a distinct essence. The first two seasons are wild, raunchy space operas; the third season is a darker, slow-burn psychological journey on a literal hell-planet, and the fourth season is a satirical send-up set on modern-day Earth. And yet, they all thrive together as one complete series.

‘Space: 1999’ (1975-1977)

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If there might have been a rival to Doctor Who, it was Space: 1999. The classic space drama set in 1999 follows the 311 inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, a scientific research station on the Moon. When a catastrophic nuclear waste explosion blasts the Moon out of Earth’s orbit, the crew is sent hurtling uncontrollably into deep space. The runaway moon serves as the crew’s unlikely spacecraft as they drift across the universe, encountering strange alien civilizations and cosmic phenomena, and battling for survival.

Across two epic seasons, Space: 1999 combines cinematic hard-sci-fi aesthetics with surreal, philosophical storytelling through breathtaking practical effects, an existential focus, and an adventurous premise. Space: 1999 is revered for its special effects design by Academy Award winner Brian Johnson, who went on to work on Alien and The Empire Strikes Back. With realistic and cinematic weight on the small screen, Johnson helped craft some of the most believable and iconic spacecraft in genre history. By believing in the universe in which the characters occupied, the story of survival resonated.

‘Spaceballs: The Animated Series’ (2008-2009)

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There will most certainly be a faction of individuals reading this who will shake their heads at the inclusion of Spaceballs: The Animated Series. For those of us who have great reverence for the Mel Brooks film, the 13 episodes were the perfect way to scratch the itch of our beloved comedy classic. Created by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, the show follows the galactic misadventures of a ragtag space hero named Lone Starr (Rino Romano), a half-man/half-dog Barf (Tino Insana), and Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) as they continually outwit the evil, power-hungry President Skroob (Brooks) and his bumbling henchman, Dark Helmet (Dee Bradley Baker).

Each episode targeted a different blockbuster franchise or pop culture element, such as the Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, and video games like Grand Theft Auto. If you admire the Brooks brand of humor, Spaceballs: The Animated Series is exactly what you expect. The series is gloriously nostalgic, and animation allowed the parodies to have fewer budgetary constraints, exaggerating the spectacle. The space oddities are bigger and better than ever, and the animation style was distinct, but the viewing accessibility was, well, not universal. Still, if you were counting down to Spaceballs: The New One, you absolutely tuned in to this short-lived space series. ​​​​​​​

‘The Expanse’ (2015-2022)

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A major reason some of these shows have been forgotten might be the place where they aired. Nothing against Syfy, but the weight of the network was outmatched by the big-name streamers. Nevertheless, Syfy delivered one of the best space shows of the 21st century: The Expanse, set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. Now, there are political tensions and military conflicts among three factions: Earth, a militarized Mars, and the working-class citizens of the Asteroid Belt, all while a mysterious alien technology threatens to destroy them.

To some, The Expanse played out like Game of Thrones in space. The series excelled at geopolitics, weaving together the converging interests and deeply flawed perspectives of three major factions through a story of survival, power, and exploitation rather than the classic good-versus-evil. The worldbuilding was some of the strongest in the genre. Leading the ensemble were Thomas Jane as Joe Miller, a gritty, cynical detective, and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala, alongside an ensemble that served as the heart of the show. The Expanse was an epic and ambitious series that felt cinematic in scale.​​​​​​​

‘The Orville’ (2017-Present)

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There are very few things that Seth MacFarlane can’t do, and we’re here to celebrate another of his masterpieces, The Orville. The narrative centers on Captain Ed Mercer (MacFarlane), who gets command of the U.S.S. Orville to get his career back on track after a difficult divorce. In a twist of workplace awkwardness, Captain Mercer’s ex-wife, Commander Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki), is assigned to his ship as his First Officer. Joining them are an eclectic mix of humans and aliens.

Inspired by classic Star Trek, The Orville quickly moved away from parody to earn its own identity, positioning itself more as a touching love letter to science fiction space operas. The blend of heart and humor may be different than other MacFarlane projects, yet his stamp is very present. The characters truly drive the action, with each member of the crew grounded in real-world themes. From a visual perspective, The Orville made great use of its big budget: the visual effects, space battles, and alien designs are at a popcorn-blockbuster level. The Orville’s embrace of optimism and hope made it a comforting show, which space operas tend not to be. ​​​​​​​

‘Vagrant Queen’ (2020)

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Sometimes a legacy is born by being canceled too soon — for Vagrant Queen, the Jem Garrard-created series’ single season was near-perfect. Airing on Syfy for ten triumphant episodes, it is a snarky space opera that follows Elida (Adriyan Rae), an overthrown child queen who becomes an outlaw scavenger. When she learns her mother is still alive, she and her crew — Isaac (Tim Rozon), a charming rogue “frenemy,” and Amae (Alex McGregor), an optimistic, tech-savvy mechanic — embark on a dangerous galaxy-wide rescue mission, all while being hunted by an unhinged military leader obsessed with wiping out her bloodline.

Based on the Vault Comics series by Magdalene Visaggio and Jason Smith, Vagrant Queen rejects the typical, gritty doom-and-gloom of modern sci-fi in exchange for colorful and campy adventures. Many hero stories focus on the chosen one arc; here, that’s tossed out the window. Elida is a deposed child queen-turned-scavenger who has absolutely zero interest in returning to her throne. In doing so, her journey explores the nuances of the burden of royal expectations, making her a highly relatable, reluctant hero. The story is fun and funky, leaning into sharp, witty banter and confrontational buddy relationships, featuring an all-female writing and directing team, elevating diverse voices and representation.

Some handbags only work with certain outfits. However, there are styles that you instinctively reach for day after day because they look good with literally everything. Courteney Cox reminded Us why a woven crossbody bag belongs in the second category. The actress was seen last week carrying the effortlessly chic style with one of her signature casual looks. And unsurprisingly, we’re ready to copy it ASAP.

The Friends alum was spotted in Malibu, CA on July 28, 2026, wearing relaxed blue jeans, a button-up shirt and classic black flats. Instead of relying on flashy accessories, Cox finished the outfit with a black woven crossbody that tied everything together. The timeless texture gave the laid-back look a more elevated feel while still being practical enough for everyday wear.

Get the Dabdays Handwoven Crossbody Bag for $44 (was $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Luckily, recreating the look doesn’t require a designer budget. The Dabdays Woven Crossbody Bag delivers the same woven finish and sleek silhouette for $44 on Amazon. Available in Cox’s classic black, it’s the kind of bag that quietly works with nearly everything already hanging in your closet.

Related: Courteney Cox Wore These Exact $26 Adidas Slides, and They’re on Amazon

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Packing for vacation always sounds easier than it actually is. You want shoes that can survive cobblestone streets, airport terminals and long sightseeing days — all while feeling comfortable and looking effortlessly cool. As it turns out, Courteney Cox may have found the perfect pair, and they’re on sale right now. The Adidas Adilette Comfort […]

The vegan leather bag features an intricate woven design, a roomy main compartment and an adjustable strap that lets you wear it over your shoulder or as a crossbody. A secure zip closure and interior slip pocket help keep everyday essentials organized and safe, whether you’re heading to brunch, running errands or catching a flight.

One shopper who called the bag “stunning and timeless” wrote in a review, “The craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from the stitching to the hardware. It adds a touch of elegance to any outfit.”

Other reviewers say it’s just as functional as it is stylish. A customer praised the “easy-to-adjust” straps, as well as the practical design, which “held all the essentials without being too heavy.”

We’re leaning into the black hue style to get the star’s look. However, if you’re looking for a little more color, the bag also comes in camel, burgundy, silver and several other versatile shades.

Like Cox’s effortlessly cool style, this woven crossbody proves that the best accessories don’t have to steal the spotlight. They simply make every outfit look better. Whether you’re pairing it with jeans, breezy dresses or tailored separates this season, it’s an easy way to add a polished touch.

Get the Dabdays Handwoven Crossbody Bag for $44 (was $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Dabdays here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Gisele Bundchen’s Dreamy Tahiti Bikini Look Is Only $26 on Amazon

Gisele Bündchen is giving Us a masterclass in beach style, and honestly, it’s a summertime look that women in their 40s will instantly fawn over. During a beach day in Tahiti, the supermodel reached for a timeless white bikini style that felt equal parts polished, relaxed and endlessly flattering. The best part is you don’t […]

Aaron Rodgers is getting honest about the painful rift that kept his family members at odds with each other for years. 

The veteran quarterback credited his marriage to his wife, Brittani, for inspiring a long-awaited reconciliation with his family, while also dropping a subtle nod to those who handled the private conflict publicly.

Notably, Aaron’s wife also supported and encouraged him to do one more year with the Steelers to see how it turns out.  

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After years of sitting out August exhibition games, Aaron is set to suit up during Pittsburgh’s first two preseason matchups against the Packers and the Jets.

During a candid conversation about his career, Aaron’s personal life also came up. Speaking on his recent family reconciliation, he noted that his wife was a major catalyst for the repair of the long-strained relationship. 

Reflecting on the resolution, Aaron noted that while he always believed family disputes should stay out of the media, not everyone in his family adhered to that boundary. This appeared to be a subtle nod to his brother Jordan’s public comments during their separation. 

“Now, not everybody in the family adhered to the same thing, but there are different things, situations, experiences, and people that actually change your life,” Aaron admitted to The Athletic.

Nevertheless, he expressed deep gratitude for having closed the rift and for reconnecting with his parents.

Aaron Rodgers Revealed The Role His Wife Played In His Family Reconciliation

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Building on his recent reflections, Aaron elaborated further on how his private marriage created the foundation for his family reunion.

The Blast reported that in a candid interview, he explained that his wife, Brittani, provided the steady emotional backing he needed to address a feud that had stretched back to 2014.

Following a viral social media post showing the quarterback reunited with his parents and brother, Aaron addressed the overwhelming public response, admitting that marrying Brittani served as a true catalyst for opening up a dialogue. 

“A big part of it was getting married, and having those conversations with my wife that allowed me to kind of open up to the possibility of coming together,” he explained.

Quiet Steps Toward Healing Began Months Before Public Social Media Posts

While recent public posts brought attention to Aaron’s restored family dynamic, the foundation for healing had actually been laid long before the quarterback shared it online. 

According to The Blast, the initial steps toward mending their nearly decade-long separation began as far back as 2023, setting the stage for more public milestones in the months that followed.

In April, the family gathered for the inaugural Pleasant Valley High School Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony, where Aaron was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. 

During the event, witnesses noted that Aaron appeared relaxed and in high spirits while sitting, talking, and laughing with his family. Taking the podium to deliver his acceptance speech, he publicly acknowledged and thanked them, offering a clear sign that the tension had dissolved. 

Aaron Rodgers’ Wife Also Influenced His Career Choices

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In addition to helping him find stability in his personal life, Aaron’s wife also had a say in his career choices. He recently highlighted how his marriage influenced his decision to continue his professional football career, as reported by The Blast. 

As the veteran quarterback prepares for his 22nd season in the league, he made it clear that his return to Pittsburgh would likely mark the definitive end of his playing career.

However, before committing to one final run under center, it took a combination of key coaching changes and direct encouragement from his wife to convince him to suit up once more.

The NFL icon admitted that he had initially contemplated walking away after last season, but his perspective shifted significantly following Pittsburgh’s hiring of head coach Mike McCarthy. He also revealed that discussions with his wife, Brittani, were central to making the choice to play one more season. 

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Despite speaking so lovingly about his wife’s role in his personal life and career, Aaron’s statements sparked a mix of skepticism and defense over his wife’s low-profile identity.

Following his comments regarding his decision to return for one final season, online users immediately zeroed in on his references to his wife, Brittani.

Given that she has intentionally avoided the public spotlight, rumors and sarcastic commentary quickly spread across platforms, per The Blast. 

One user joked about how media outlets can track down anyone except Aaron’s spouse, leading to a wave of trolling that targeted the couple’s privacy.

However, another set of fans quickly rallied to the MVP’s defense, pushing back against the online cynicism and pointing out that the athlete has been transparent about his wife’s desire to remain private. 

Kamri Peterson recalled the exact moment she found out she would be part of the Dancing With the Stars troupe for season 35.

“I was in a hotel room. I was at a dance convention. I was in a hotel room all by myself. I got the call,” Peterson, 18, told Us exclusively at Dancing With the Stars Con 2026. “I was absolutely shocked and so excited.”

Peterson said it has “been a dream” of hers to return to DWTS since she took part in its short-lived spinoff DWTS: Juniors.

“I was just so excited. I really don’t think I’ve ever been so happy in my entire life,” she gushed. “I called my mom first, and then I called my dad, and then I called one of my best friends’ moms, Felicia, and then my best friend Malakai.”

Related: A Guide to the ‘DWTS’ Pros Who Started in Troupe — And What That Entails

Several Dancing With the Stars pro dancers began their journey in the ballroom in the troupe. The hit dance competition first introduced its troupe during 2011’s season 12, featuring a selection of performers who didn’t have a celebrity partner but still appeared in group numbers and their own “bumpers” between competitive routines. “When I first […]

News broke on Sunday, August 2, at the first-ever DWTS Con that Peterson will perform in the troupe for the upcoming season of the hit show. When Peterson appeared on DWTS: Juniors in 2018, she was partnered up with Little Big Shots alum Akash Vukoti with help from mentor Witney Carson.

“One of my favorite pros is Witney because she was my pro on Juniors, so I always feel like that’s so fun,” Peterson told Us. “I love Rylee [Arnold] because I grew up with [her], so it’s so fun seeing her.”

She continued: “But literally, there’s Dani[ella Karagach]. I grew up watching Dani even before I was on Juniors. I’d watch her videos on YouTube. Like, I have been a die-hard fan of Dani since before Juniors. I mean, before Dancing With the Stars. So, yeah, I mean, literally everyone. Everyone’s so good.”

Peterson said being on DWTS: Juniors was an experience that shaped her life, adding, “I just remember having the absolute time of my life. Like, literally, my favorite memories ever are from that show.”

She’s even more excited to return to the ballroom in this new chapter.

“This is my first performance with Dancing With the Stars since Dancing With the Stars: Juniors. I’m just so excited,” she shared from the Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California. “It’s surreal because this is such a big dream of mine. So it’s been amazing, and I feel like everyone’s had a lot of fun. I’ve had a lot of fun. It’s been amazing.”

ABC has yet to announce the rest of the season 35 troupe members — or the pro roster — but so far, fans can expect to see celebs Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez competing in the ballroom this fall.

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Peterson, meanwhile, is looking forward to leaving her mark, telling Us, “I want to inspire the younger generation. I want them to see that dance doesn’t have to be so serious. It can also be something that’s just fun because I feel like, at least for me, dance is something that I do because I enjoy it, not because I have to.”

She concluded: “And I feel like sometimes people get a little distracted by the fact that ‘Oh, we have to win, we have to do this, we have to do that,’ but also we dance because we love it, so I think I want to show people that dance can be fun. It doesn’t always have to be competitive and scary.”

Dancing With the Stars returns to ABC with a two-night premiere starting Tuesday, September 15.

Last July, Rasheeda Frost let her supporters know: “I ain’t never leaving Kirk.” That line alone had the freestyle buzzing across the internet. While some found humor in her approach to long-standing shade against her husband, others kept the hate train choo-chooing! More than a year later, Rasheeda is resurfacing her iconic lyrics to participate in a viral TikTok trend. Now, fans are divided as they debate the couple’s relationship history and Kirk Frost’s infidelities.

RELATED: Congrats! Restaurateur Pinky Cole Expecting Fourth Child With Husband Derrick Hayes

Rasheeda Frost Uses Viral Lyrics In TikTok Trend

Mrs. Frost dropped by Antoinette Media for a chat and participated in an acting challenge that’s been sweeping the internet. Folks have been picking a quote and repeating it in different emotional tones. In Rasheeda’s case, she used the tones happy, sad, sarcastic, disappointed, angry and flirty. Each time she repeated the phrase, “I ain’t leaving Kirk.” She appeared to enjoy the internet challenge and seemingly put her all into each acting cue. As mentioned, Rasheeda Frost debuted the freestyle rap that features those lyrics in July 2025.

Recap Of Kirk Frost’s Track Record

More than 10 years ago, Kirk Frost gagged his and Rasheeda’s fans after they learned of his cheating ways. During ‘Love & Hip Hop ATL’ S2 airing in 2013, his wife revealed her pregnancy with son Karter. Kirk’s reaction appeared to be less than ideal as he asked Rasheeda for an abortion and questioned who the father was. Later in S2 of ‘LHHATL’, camera caught Kirk Frost kissing and partying with two women or as most people call it: cheating. By the following year, in 2014, Kirk acted on his doubt toward his wife and tested Karter’s DNA. By 2017, Jasmine Washington came forward with her and Kirk Frost’s affair. Approximately two years laterk, court-ordered DNA proved he was the father. Their son was secretly born in 2016 and the following year she joined the ‘LHHATL’ cast, where her and Kirk’s coparenting issues got air time.

RELATED: Calling It Quits! Brittney Griner Files For Divorce From Wife Of 8 Years Cherelle Griner