Entertainment
3 Years After Ending, This 145-Episode Spy Adventure Series Is Already Considered a Classic
In Archer, even Sterling Archer’s (H. Jon Benjamin) biggest enemies refer to him as “The World’s Most Dangerous Spy.” To his co-workers at ISIS — the spy agency, not the terrorist group — he’s simply the alcoholic, womanizing secret agent who’s practically a nepo baby because his mother runs the agency. Premiering in 2009, Archer was a stylish, sophisticated breakthrough between long-running animated series like The Simpsons and South Park. While its cartoonish aesthetic might suggest otherwise, the series still stands as one of television’s sharpest adult comedies three years after its series finale.
Rather than centering on a dysfunctional family, Archer follows an equally dysfunctional spy agency. Unlike the prestigious CIA or FBI, ISIS is underfunded, over-the-top, and staffed by spectacularly unqualified employees, with Archer serving as its poster boy. Packed with obvious homages to the spies of yesteryear, Archer gives audiences the bad boy of espionage — not because its hero has gone rogue, but because it’s almost unfathomable that someone so immature can also be such a well-oiled killing machine.
What Is ‘Archer’ About?
Archer has every espionage trope in the book: the suave 007 persona, expensive cars, and a Cold War-like rivalry with the KGB. The catch, however, is that Archer is no James Bond. He’s a childish, narcissistic operative with a severe Peter Pan complex and glaring mommy issues. In today’s climate, he’s a walking red flag, displaying the kind of politically incorrect behavior that would never fly today — think the early seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, only even cruder and occasionally bordering on illegal. Somehow, despite all his flaws, Archer is an exceptional field agent. Alongside his reluctant partner — and on-again, off-again lover — Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler), Archer bumbles through missions like it’s child’s play, fighting off everyone from cyborg assassins to Chinese triads.
Archer isn’t the only eccentric character in the show. Ironically, he works for his emotionally detached mother, Malory Archer (Jessica Walter), who runs ISIS. Since Malory rarely spent time raising him, the two have a deeply complicated relationship, one built on constant insults and petty jabs. Archer’s abrasive behavior also affects the rest of ISIS’s equally maladjusted staff, including the insecure accountant Cyril Figgis (Chris Parnell), the masochistic office assistant Cheryl Tunt (Judy Greer), the borderline intrusive head of HR Pam Poovey (Amber Nash), the mad scientist Dr. Algernop Krieger (Lucky Yates), and bomb specialist Ray Gillette (Adam Reed).
‘Archer’ Pays Homage to Spy Classics with a Comedic Twist
The first four seasons of Archer follow an episodic mission-of-the-week format, usually tied together by an overarching storyline revolving around Archer’s messy personal relationships, whether with Lana, Malory, or someone outside ISIS. Each episode throws the show’s titular character into a hyper-specific mission built around familiar espionage clichés, only with an unmistakably indecent twist. These escapades range from hunting down a mole inside the agency — where Archer somehow gets an erection during a gun standoff — to protecting the 16-year-old daughter of a German billionaire who has the hots for him.
By the middle of its run, Archer began shaking up its formula by parodying some of Hollywood’s beloved works. The Miami Vice-inspired fifth season follows ISI after its dissolution by the FBI, forcing the team to sell counterfeit cocaine to stay afloat. Season 7 borrows from Magnum, P.I. as ISIS relocates to Los Angeles and opens a boutique private investigation agency in Hollywood. After Archer falls into a coma following the Season 7 finale, the series conceived what is now referred to as the “coma dream” trilogy: the 1940s noir-inspired Archer: Dreamland, the Tales of the Gold Monkey-inspired South Pacific adventure Archer: Danger Island, and the Alien-inspired sci-fi romp Archer 1999.
Between the Crude Jokes, ‘Archer’ Has Plenty of Heart
Archer’s proneness for utter disrespect might make him a difficult character to root for, but what makes him so endearing to watch is that everyone else at ISIS is more than willing to knock him down a peg. He might be excellent on the field, but when it comes to his cognitive abilities and emotional quotient, he’s nothing but weaponized incompetence, giving his co-workers more reason to push back against his nonsense. Because Archer’s carelessness constantly gets him into messes during missions, almost every episode sees him swallow his pride and ask his teammates for help, much to their amusement.
While Archer keeps the momentum going with its offensive jokes, explosive missions, and bureaucratic side plots, it also knows when to take itself seriously. Archer may be rude, but he’s not heartless. Much of his hypermasculine bravado is a defense mechanism, and whenever his teammates are in real danger or he loses someone he loves, those walls come down. Throughout the series, expect surprising sacrifices, unexpected deaths, and a farewell nobody saw coming. While 145 episodes may seem like one too many for a spy series — after all, there are only so many missions audiences can follow — Archer gives classic espionage an eccentric edge, taking cues from the spy television of its heyday while reinventing the genre for modern audiences.
- Release Date
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2009 – 2023-00-00
- Directors
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Casey Willis, Matt Thompson, Justin Wagner, Pierre Cerrato, Adam Reed, Megan Johnson, Chi Duong Sato, Omaka Schultz, Kim Feigenbaum, Stephen Slesinski, Marcus Rosentrater
- Writers
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Mark Ganek, Matt Roller, Asha Michelle Wilson, Mike Arnold, Shane Kosakowski, Shana Gohd, Brittany Ann Miller, Alison Zeidman, Miles Woods, Mehar Sethi
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Argentinian footballer Cristian Romero appeared to snub President Donald Trump’s handshake at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
During the event’s medal ceremony, which saw FIFA officials award Argentinian players silver runners-up medallions following their loss to Spain 1-0, Romero, 28, was seen walking past the president, 80, who was tasked with handing out medals to players on both teams.
The center-back did, however, shake the hands of FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who stood either side of Trump.
Footage shared via X after the medal ceremony wrapped on-air clearly depicted Romero briefly glancing at Trump before averting his eyesight and clutching at his medal as he continued on.
Soccer legend Lionel Messi has seen the viral chatter surrounding his history with Spanish athlete Lamine Yamal nearly two decades before the pair are scheduled to meet in the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup final. “Honestly, looking at that photo is crazy,” Messi, 39, said in Spanish during a Fanatics Fest press conference on Friday, […]
The apparent snub comes after the U.S. president was met with loud booing from the crowd just before the highly anticipated final got started. Moments after Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem, Trump was filmed clapping while standing in his section of Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
As the camera revealed Trump’s stance, audible booing was heard. Trump attended the championship with wife, Melania Trump, and watched the game with Infantino, 56.
President Donald Trump AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool
A string of high-profile celebrities came out to watch the 2026 World Cup final, including Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Javier Bardem, Matt Damon and wife, Luciana Barroso, Blake Lively, Tom Brady, Alix Earle and David and Victoria Beckham.
The Beckhams were joined by Tom Cruise, who gave a speech to the crowd prior to kick-off. Performances by Madonna and Justin Bieber added further star appeal during the event’s halftime musical line-up.
In a pre-game press conference, football legend Lionel Messi addressed Argentina’s hopes of securing another victory over Spain.
“We will give it our all,” Messi, 39, said before acknowledging that he once gave 19-year-old Spanish athlete Lamine Yamal a bath in a now-viral photoshoot almost two decades earlier. “Looking at that photo is crazy. Well, that’s life, right? I took a photo with him when he was a baby, and now here we are facing each other in a World Cup. Lamine is an amazing player, someone whom I follow closely because he plays for a club I love.”
The 2026 World Cup is officially here— and the stars are stepping out to root for their favorite teams. The global soccer tournament will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the qualifying teams competing in matchups throughout the three countries this summer ahead of the championship game at MetLife Stadium in […]
The departing athlete was seen crying with a silver medal slung around his neck after the game.
While Messi has not made a formal announcement regarding retirement, the future of his football career is widely speculated to be winding down with many outlets reporting that the 2026 World Cup was his last.
Ever since their inception in 2000 and their first film releases throughout the 2000s, Blumhouse Productions has grown to be one of the most prominent faces in the worls of 21st century horror. Their mentality of giving countless horror creatives the minimal budgets required to create their own distinct visions has paid off dividens, with few other production companies coming close to their level of success and notoriety within the horror genre. However, with such a wide casting net of horror offerings, it takes something truly special to be an all-time great from the studio.
More than simply playing to trends of the era or relying on clichés like some other Blumhouse horror films are guilty of, the very best of the studio’s horror offerings are some of the best horror masterpieces of the 21st century. Several of these films have grown massively iconic in their mixture of scares and dynamic storytelling, as not just some of the scariest films of recent memory, but some of the most insightful horror experiences as well. The studio has technically released a few masterpieces that aren’t a part of the horror genre (like Whiplash and BlacKkKlansman), but this list will focus solely on their 5 horror masterpieces.
5
‘Split’ (2017)
M. Night Shyamalan is a filmmaker who has had a wildly shaky and divisive career, originally starting with massively acclaimed classics like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable before creating notorious failures like The Happening and The Last Airbender. His 2010s failures especially left Shyamalan limited on options for his next film, with the lower horror thriller budget of Blumhouse proving to be the perfect avenue for Shyamalan to return to his roots. Split has the exact energy and flair of a Shyamalan classic of old, playing into his greatest strengths as a filmmaker while not featuring any of the attributes that hindered previous films.
With an exceptional lead performance by James McAvoy at its center, one of Shyamalan’s greatest twists, and a powerful mixture of tension and outright horror, Split was a glorious return to form for one of the most distinct and individual directors of the contemporary era. It does a great job of combining and utilizeing both Shyamalan’s signature style as well as the inherent strengths and impact of Blumhouse’s style, creating a match made in heaven that helped catapult Shyamalan back into the limelight, with Split arguably being even more popular than his amazing films of old.
4
‘Sinister’ (2012)
There has been a great deal of research put into finding what could scientifically be considered the scariest movie of all time. While a lot of this seems like it should be considered subjective and varies on the audience, various studies often consider Sinister to be the scariest movie ever made. Scott Derrickson‘s dynamic horror tour de force proves to be the absolute height of the found footage trend that dominated the early 2010s, having much more depth and expertise beyond simply putting up a camera and leaning into realism.
The combination of exceptional talent throughout the cast with the shocking, guttural pain of its various uncovered snuff films and some of the best jump scares of all time made the film an instant icon of the horror genre. Its scares have proven to be so impactful and striking that it has given the film a resounding reputation as one of the outright scariest experiences horror has to offer. It stands as one of the first truly masterful horror films that Blumhouse would help create, setting a standard for greatness that continues to be a part of their legacy nearly 15 years after the film’s release.
3
‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)
While classic universal monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein continuously find themselves being adapted and rebooted to the modern age time and time again, The Invisible Man is a character who rarely if ever finds a similar opportunity to shine in the world of horror. However, Leigh Whannell‘s masterful contemporary horror thriller take on the character is not just the best Invisible Man movie in ages, but might just be one of the best Universal monster movies ever made. It seamlessly evolves the strengths of the character to the modern age, as well as telling its own dynamic story of gaslighting and manipulation that utilizes filmmaking and camerawork as the cornerstone of its thematic strengths.
The visual execution is the major strength that sets Whannell’s take on the character apart from other iterations of the character, able to conjure tension and fear out of massive empty spaces and subtle differences that have the audience second guessing themselves as to the Invisible Man’s location and plans. The film also features one of the best, most underrated horror performances in recent memory with Elizabeth Moss‘s psychological spiral while being tormented by the Invisible Man. This intricate story of gaslighting massively surprised audiences in its execution, setting the decade off to a tremendous start and still being massively celebrated to this day.
2
‘Obsession’ (2026)
It may seem like recency bias to already be touting one of Blumhouse’s latest horror releases as one of their absolute best, but Obsession truly does live up to the hype. Curry Barker‘s dynamic story of magical bodily autonomy and control has soared into all-time status thanks to its poignant themes mixed with an exceptional central performance by Inde Navarrette as Nikki. Off of a miniscule budget of under a million dollars, the film grossed a groundbreaking $442 million and counting worldwide, becoming one of the most financially profitable films of all time.
The film is brimming with personality and charm from beginning to end, having an inherent sense of youthful ingenuity to its execution without taking away from the harrowing dread of its premise and some absolute great scares and tension. The appreciation for the film will only continue to grow as time goes on, especially if the overwhelming hype leads to it becoming an unexpected awards player and a Best Picture nominee. It’s easily going to be considered one of the best horror movies of the 2020s when the decade is complete, as its about as amazing of a debut feature film as one could ask for, painting a great picture for Barker’s future career in horror filmmaking.
1
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Between all the exceptional horror films that Blumhouse has released over the years, no singular film has been more influential and massively acclaimed in its execution than Jordan Peele‘s legendary debut feature, Get Out. The infectious mixture of horror, scares, and social messaging completely took the world by storm to usher in a new era of “elevated horror” in its success. Even in the years since its release, the film’s overwhelming qualities continue to delight and impact audiences, with it easily being one of the greatest horror achievements not just of its era, but of the entire 21st century.
In a beautiful way, Get Out stands for everything that has made Blumhouse such a strong and exciting horror studio to watch, as they gave a genuine talent a small budget and the resources to tell their own story, launching their career and winning awards in the process of its success. It’s the type of film that is symbolic of the greatest strengths of the medium and the studio system, spitting in the face of the abundance and overreliance on IP and franchises to tell a masterful original story dripping with personality and individuality.
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were among the many famous faces at the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
While the heated match played on, leaving viewers at the edge of their seats, the lovebirds were in a world of their own, unable to get their hands off each other.
However, the romantic display didn’t sit well with fans who thought it was inappropriate, given the major loss Jenner’s family recently suffered with the death of their grandmother.
Although soccer powerhouse Messi was on the field, with the likes of President Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Tom Cruise present at the MetLife Stadium, Jenner and Chalamet stole all the attention.
The couple was caught engaging in a steamy PDA session while in the VIP section, making a date night out of the sports event. A viral clip from the match saw them stopping to share a sweet kiss as they chatted playfully throughout.
For the event, Jenner stunned in a semi-casual outfit comprising capri pants and a long-sleeved top with a plunging neckline that flaunted her cleavage.
She paired the ensemble with low slipper heels and sunglasses she wore throughout the game. The “Dune” actor, on the other hand, looked sporty with a blue Adidas sweatshirt paired with sweatpants and white footwear.
Fans Bash Kylie Jenner For Not ‘Mourning’ Appropriately
Online users wasted no time sharing their thoughts on Jenner and Chalamet’s steamy moment, with many pointing out the appearance comes just days after she lost her beloved grandmother.
“Didn’t her grandmother just die? Guess the cameras are more important,” one fan blatantly slammed.
“A little too happy knowing her grandma just left the map,” another harsh critic wrote on X. This user questioned, “Isn’t she supposed to be in mourning?” while another urged the reality star, “Go home and mourn your grandma.”
Others found a problem with the loved-up display at a sporting event, something Jenner and Chalamet are no strangers to. “Why the f-ck do they kiss every time when there is a camera… nobody cares who you are,” one comment read.
Timothee Chalamet Had A Special Role At The World Cup
Although the PDA was the talking point for fans, it wasn’t the only highlight of the pair’s appearance in New Jersey for the final.
Earlier, Chalamet was seemingly honored for being a major sports fan by having a special role leading up to the game, per Fox Sports.
The “Marty Supreme” star delivered the ball for the match ball, walking majestically from the tunnel to place it on a stand to cheers from the crowd. It was no doubt a big moment for Chalamet, who supported France at the semifinals.
Kylie Jenner’s Grandmother MJ Dies At 91
The “Life of Kylie” star’s World Cup outing came days after her grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s passing at 91.
Momager, Kris Jenner, announced the heartbreaking news of MJ’s death on Thursday, July 16, in a poignant social media statement describing her as “the heart of our family.” The heartbroken talent manager praised her mother for teaching her everything that matters in life.
Days after, Kylie broke her silence on her family’s loss, reflecting on her grandmother’s legacy, as reported by The Blast.
The 28-year-old socialite shared a carousel of throwback photos featuring her older sister, Kendall Jenner and the late MJ. In one snap, the siblings donned matching outfits with their grandmother as they struck playful poses.
Kim Kardashian Slammed For Bikini Post After Grandmom’s Death
Kylie isn’t the only member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan that has faced criticism for their disposition following MJ’s demise.
The SKIMS founder had posted bikini-clad photos from her Fourth of July celebration with her family and friends shortly after the news of the matriarch’s passing broke.
Fans wasted no time pointing out the insensitivity of the upload, with one writing, “Didn’t your grandmother just pass? This couldn’t wait [until] the weekend?”
However, according to The Blast, Kim was quick to respond to the criticism, giving a clear explanation for the timing of the post.
She explained that the IG post was prescheduled days before the devastating loss. “I’ve been by my mom and grandma’s side this past week, and my heart is completely with my family right now. We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we’ll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life,” she assured.
Entertainment
‘John Wick’ Meets ‘Taken’ in Netflix’s New 10-Part Action Thriller That’s Now the Biggest Show on Streaming
After Parasite put South Korean cinema on the global stage in 2019, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for Korean movies and TV. The Furious came out last month and was labeled the single best action movie since The Raid films. Then, just this month, Human Vapor continued the momentum on the streaming side. The series debuted on Netflix with a phenomenal 91% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its impressive ratings and strong reception, another K-drama has emerged as an even bigger breakout hit, completely overshadowing Human Vapor on the global streaming charts.
The series stars So Ji-sub as Manager Kim, a mild-mannered bank manager and single father who used to be an elite, highly classified covert operative. That is, until a criminal syndicate kidnaps his daughter and drags his old life back to the surface. With no one else capable of bringing her home, Kim is forced to return to the skills he spent years trying to forget. That’s kind of like John Wick meets Taken if you think about it. The major difference is that instead of it being a single film, this one stretches that whole story for ten episodes, and that episode drip-drop is the main reason why it’s still riding the wave at the top.
The series is titled Agent Kim Reactivated. And it is currently the #1 most popular series on Netflix’s global chart for foreign-language titles. And for anyone still chasing the adrenaline rush The Furious delivered earlier this year, Agent Kim Reactivated is the perfect follow-up and should be at the top of their watchlist.
2 Additional Episodes Have Been Confirmed for ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’
Better yet, since the response to the series has been far bigger than anyone expected, following its strong ratings and overwhelming fan reaction, SBS initially decided to extend the show’s run with one special episode. But it appears that even that wasn’t enough. Due to the series’ continued popularity, the network has now added another special, meaning fans will get two additional episodes after the finale. These specials will feature never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, unaired clips from the show, and interviews with the director and stars. The two additional episodes will be released on July 31 and August 1, respectively.
Agent Kim Reactivated was originally planned as a 10-episode series, and it is already nearing the end of its season. The first eight episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix, with the final two episodes scheduled to arrive on July 24 and July 25.
The first eight episodes of Agent Kim Reactivated are currently available to stream on Netflix, with new episodes releasing weekly on Fridays and Saturdays. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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SBS
- Directors
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Lee Sung-young
Cast
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Choi Dae-hoon
Seong Han-su
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Yoon Kyung-ho
Park Jin-cheol
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Low fantasy is a specific subgenre of fantasy that refers to a story in which the real world intersects with monsters or aspects of magic. It’s different from portal fantasy because, instead of featuring a portal to another, more fantastical world, low fantasy seamlessly integrates its more imaginative themes with the banality of everyday life. The whole genre is basically “what if magic actually existed?”
It serves as the antithesis to high fantasy, which is a story that takes place in a completely different world with different rules. Low fantasy is more common amongst younger audiences, but it has still found its appeal among adults, too. Over the years, many low fantasy books have come out, each presenting their daring, unique versions of our world. These are the best low fantasy books of all time, proving that the subgenre has a revered place in pop culture.
10
‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (1997)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone might not be the most well-written or the most inventive low fantasy book ever made, but it still deserves a spot on this list because its legacy is undeniable. This book and its six sequels became a massive cultural phenomenon, spawning a multi-billion dollar franchise. That’s not even scraping the surface of the endless supply of official merchandise. Things like this simply don’t happen unless you’re doing something right.
The story, as many already know, is about Harry, an orphaned British boy who discovers he is a wizard. He travels to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to use his talents, discovering an entire magical world hidden away from non-magical folk. While the writing itself might not be anything outstanding, its success likely stems from the fact that it’s just a good story. It’s fascinating and has a cast of lovable and memorable characters, and it feels like a childhood dream in book form. What kid didn’t secretly wish they had magic powers? For the simple fact of how massive it was, it earns its spot on this list.
9
‘Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution’ (2022)
R. F. Kuang has been a massive name in fantasy lately. Some die-hard fans of the genre have turned their noses up at her work, but to casual, less critical readers, she has been a pretty big sensation. Babel is one of her stand-alone novels, which is heavily based on her experience in academia. A post-graduate student and a scholar at heart, Kuang wrote Babel as a sort of deep dive into the dark side of academic institutions.
The story is set in the 1830s and focuses on a fictitious college at Oxford that specializes in capturing magical silver bars, which this version of the British Empire uses as fuel. To give these bars power, the college, nicknamed “Babel,” translates ancient texts to find things that have been lost in translation. With Britain on the brink of war, four new students must decide where their loyalties lie: with the university and the empire, or with the countries that will be affected by this war? A critique of British imperialism and academia’s complacence in it, this book has some important things to say on top of telling a good story, which is why critics loved it so much.
8
‘The Lightning Thief’ (2005)
The Lightning Thief is the first book in Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which became extremely popular among young adult audiences. Two of the books received (admittedly, terrible) film adaptations, and the series is currently in the middle of a TV adaptation on Disney+. The series is largely focused on Greek myth, with the main character, Percy, being the son of Poseidon, which causes him to be sent to Camp Half-blood, a secluded training camp where other demigods learn to exist in the hidden world of Greek mythology.
In this first installment, Percy takes on a divine quest to recover Zeus’ lightning bolt, which has been stolen. Along the way, Percy comes face-to-face with a bunch of mythological monsters and figures, including Medusa, Ares, and a minotaur. The books still have a massive dedicated fanbase amongst both kids and adults, mainly because they’re good, wholesome adventures that fuse the modern world with the mythology of Ancient Greece, making for a quite fascinating universe. Again, it might not be the best-written low fantasy book of all time, but its cultural impact means it definitely deserves to be included here.
7
‘Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror’ (2023)
Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is a fantasy book that has unfortunately been forgotten, flying under the radar to the point that it’s considered pretty obscure. Part horror and part fantasy, the series is set in Jerusalem during the Crusades, with the protagonist being a Teutonic knight. After spending seven years fighting in the brutal conflict, he tries to return home, only to be stopped by demons and djinn from Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions.
This book isn’t just a dark and fascinating story; it’s also a heavy criticism of the Crusades and how destructive and horrific they actually were. It depicts the Holy Land as being turned into a demonic hellscape, which is a pretty scathing metaphor for how the Knights Templar decimated the region. Yet, it does a very good job with what it has, making for an interesting, depressing, and unnerving story that needs to be read to be believed.
6
‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ (2004)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is set during an alternate version of the Napoleonic Wars, which occurred at the turn of the 19th Century. In this version of history, magic is a very real and established force that everybody is aware of. The problem is, it’s still seen as a taboo subject, and it is rarely practiced. Those who do practice it are seen as eccentric, and are given a wide berth by society. The two titular characters are two magicians who have vastly different approaches to their craft: one is more experimental and risky, while the other is more cautious and treats it like an exact science.
This book also received an adaptation in the form of a 2015 miniseries, though it remains highly underrated. The book itself has been a critical smash-hit, with many praising the way it speaks about English cultural intricacies, especially during that time period. On top of that, it’s a stand-alone novel, meaning it doesn’t take a massive amount of commitment to a series. It’s one of the quintessential low fantasy novels, and one that has become a favourite amongst fantasy fans.
5
‘The Magicians’ (2009)
The Magicians is another book that actually received a television adaptation, which ran from 2015 until 2020. The show actually got a proper conclusion, too, which is more than can be said for a lot of TV shows these days. This is the first book in the series, which has captivated millions of readers and become pretty popular.
The story is about a student who goes to study magic at a prestigious university, only to discover that the world from his favourite childhood storybook is very real, and that it is in a spot of peril. Now, he must learn to use magic and figure out how to save this hidden, fantastical world. The Magicians became a hit low fantasy book amongst adults, and spawned numerous sequels. It’s a textbook example of the genre, and one of the finest novels it has to offer.
4
‘Between Two Fires’ (2012)
Between Two Fires is an ideal book for fans of the Dark Souls series of role-playing video games. This stand-alone novel is set in France during the 13th Century, when the Bubonic Plague was decimating Europe. As if that weren’t enough, the Hundred Years’ War is also raging, making it a pretty miserable time to be alive. During this tumultuous period of history, a knight named Thomas saves a little girl from a fate worse than death, promising to see her to safety.
The fantasy aspect comes from the fact that Europe isn’t just a battleground for the armies of humanity, but for the armies of Hell, too. Demons roam the devastated countryside, and Thomas must navigate past them in order to see the young girl to safety. It’s a really dark but incredibly well-written book that blends Medieval history with the Biblical concepts that were so prevalent at the time. It’s truly a singular experience that any fans of grimdark fantasy absolutely need to read.
3
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (1964)
Written by acclaimed children’s author Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic morality tale about always doing the right thing. The story is about Charlie, a boy who wins a golden ticket to tour an enormous chocolate factory run by an eccentric chocolatier named Willy Wonka. However, this tour is actually an elaborate ploy by Wonka to choose his successor, with four other children also winning tickets.
The fantasy aspect here comes from Wonka’s apparent magical abilities, along with his non-human employees, the Oompa-Loompas. This book was famously adapted for the screen a few times, with Wonka himself being played by Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet, in that order. This book has stood the test of time because, well, it’s a story about always doing the right thing and not being greedy, which is a message that will never, ever become irrelevant. Its accessibility and universal acclaim make this one of the best low fantasy books ever made.
2
‘Divine Comedy’ (1321)
Divine Comedy is a novel-length trilogy of epic poems written by Florentine poet Dante Alighieri. While the poem was written long before the definitions of high and low fantasy, in hindsight, it absolutely fits the bill. The first poem, Inferno, is by far the most famous, which is about the narrator travelling through the Nine Circles of Hell to save his lost lover. Along the way, he encounters figures from history, terrifying demons, and even Satan himself.
The other two poems, titled Purgatorio and Paradiso, respectively, are more social, religious, and political commentaries, which makes them much more challenging and outdated to read. Still, though, many scholars agree that Divine Comedy is one of the most important texts ever written, a foundational piece that is not only a piece of human history, but that continues to inspire.
1
‘Odyssey’ (c. 8th Century BCE)
Like the Divine Comedy, the Odyssey was written way, way before high and low fantasy were even a thing. In fact, this epic poem was written before novels were even a thing. Yet, if you look at the definition of low fantasy, the Odyssey absolutely fits the bill. It’s a story set in the real world that includes aspects of mythology, so it can be seen as one of the earliest examples of the genre. Written by Homer sometime in the 8th Century BCE, the story tells of Odysseus, a hero who returns from the Trojan War, a process that takes 10 years. During this journey, he encounters various beasts and monsters from Ancient Greek myth.
The poem has been adapted many, many times and has just received a film adaptation by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The epic poem is divided into 24 “books,” though these aren’t exactly book-length, and the whole thing is actually only a few hundred pages long. That aside, this is one of the earliest and most legendary examples of low fantasy, as well as one of the most historically important texts ever created, so it definitely deserves to be called the best low fantasy book of all time.
NFL player Dalton Risner and wife, Whitney, have suffered two pregnancy losses in just a few months.
“At 16 weeks, Dalton and I found out we lost our sweet baby boy. I wish I was writing any other post than this right now, “ Whitney, 28, shared via a joint Instagram post with her husband, 31, on Friday, July 17. “I never imagined our journey to starting a family would begin like this. This is our second loss in just a couple of months.”
Whitney, who married the Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard in June 2022, went on to thank her husband for his support amid the couple’s heartbreak. “More than ever, I’ve realized how important it is who you marry and choose to walk through life with. Life is hard in so many different ways. I truly can’t imagine getting through this without my rock and best friend, @dalton_risner66,” she wrote before discussing how her most recent miscarriage has impacted her.
“This loss has introduced me to a depth of pain and heartbreak that I never knew existed. It feels like I’ve lost so much … our precious baby boy, pieces of myself, and the future I had planned out for the past 4 months,” she wrote. “To everyone who has prayed for us, checked in on us, and loved us through this journey to starting a family, thank you. We are so grateful for your kindness.”
Influencer India Batson is opening up about suffering a third pregnancy loss. “My third pregnancy loss 💔,” Batson, 31, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 7. “I can’t believe I’m sharing this news this way. Daniel and I were so excited and honestly shocked to find out I was pregnant the very first cycle I […]
The jewelry designer concluded, “If you’re walking this same painful road, I want you to know that you are not alone.”
During a June interview for The Enquirer‘s “Beyond Sunday” podcast, Whitney talked about a collection she had crafted, titled “The Forever Collection,” in light of her pregnancy losses. “My husband and I experienced pregnancy loss this past season, and I was sitting there thinking about having something to show for it,” she told host Kelsey Conway of the pieces designed with a pear-shaped diamond to represent a mother and a round diamond to represent a child. “You go through this really hard, extensive process of not only losing your baby, but things that follow that you have to go through and grasp. And then you’re kind of left with nothing.”
Five months after her miscarriage, Whitney Port gave an update on how she’s healing. “Crazy to think I would have had a newborn within this week too,” the Hills alum captioned a Saturday, June 26, Instagram Story photo of herself holding her newborn nephew. “[My sister] Jade [Port] and I got pregnant at the exact […]
The Risners’ social media announcement of their losses also included photos taken from a pregnancy shoot that was intended to reveal Whitney’s most recent pregnancy.
In the snaps, the couple smiled on a beach with their dog as their furry pet licked at a white celebratory cake.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. https://988lifeline.org/
For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA borrowed a page from the Super Bowl playbook by introducing its first ever World Cup final halftime show.
On paper, the combination of Madonna, Justin Bieber, soccer legends, and surprise celebrity appearances promised an unforgettable spectacle.
Instead, the ambitious production sparked wildly divided reactions, with many viewers questioning whether the historic experiment lived up to the hype as Argentina and Spain battled for the trophy.
Although the World Cup final halftime show featured multiple stars, Bieber quickly found himself at the center of the online debate.
After a playful introduction from Jason Sudeikis in character as Ted Lasso, the singer walked onto the field carrying only a guitar before performing a World Cup-inspired version of his song “Everything Hallelujah.”
Rather than delivering a stadium-sized spectacle, Bieber opted for a stripped-back performance that ended with the lyric, “it’s the World Cup, Hallelujah.”
The understated approach immediately divided viewers. One critic blasted the set, noting per the Daily Mail, “Buzz killer. Totally sucked. Why choose that song that nobody knows. Beyond me.”
Another wrote, “Justin Bieber Hallelujah but this was not the right song choice for the half time show,” while a third simply called it a “terrible song choice.”
Others, however, appreciated Bieber’s decision to slow the pace amid the larger production. “Justin Bieber looked and sounded great at the World Cup halftime show today! Glad he’s cleaned up his act!” one supporter posted.
Another praised the performance by writing, “Best performance. He knows how to switch people’s moods in a second. That’s extremely difficult to do, most performers couldn’t.”
Madonna Helped FIFA Launch A Historic New Tradition
Before Justin Bieber took the stage, Madonna was tasked with opening the World Cup final halftime show.
The pop icon emerged to perform her 2000 hit “Music,” making an entrance alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho.
The trio embraced before stepping onto the pitch together, creating one of the evening’s most unexpected crossovers between global music and soccer stars.
Madonna also delivered one of the night’s biggest fashion moments, wearing a Saint Laurent look that featured a pink satin teddy jacket layered over a corset, matching mini shorts, lace-up boots, and stockings.
Cameras later captured the three posing together on the field as thousands inside MetLife Stadium welcomed the tournament’s newest tradition.
While individual performances earned praise, many viewers questioned whether FIFA’s ambitious concept matched the months of anticipation surrounding it.
One disappointed fan wrote, “What a disaster this halftime show was. Pre-recorded stuff, no collaborations or surprising moments. Where was Madonna at the end? She could have sung a few lines with Shakira… everything was so weird. So much hype for nothing.”
Another took aim at the show’s creative direction, joking, “Who was behind the concept for that halftime show? Chat GPT?”
Others found themselves somewhere in the middle, with one viewer commenting, “Madonna’s performance was the strangest thing ever, especially followed by the Muppets. The rest of the show was decent. I thought JB’s performance was the best of them all.”
Not Everyone Thought FIFA’s Gamble Fell Flat
Despite the criticism, many viewers applauded FIFA for trying something different.
One fan admitted, “I dislike a lot of things that FIFA does… but THAT halftime show was pretty spectacular,” while another praised the event’s uplifting tone, writing, “Light, bright, positive energy. We needed that. Really tired of dark and angry performances.”
Another celebrated the international spirit of the show, writing, “It was great! International and diverse, a positive message, family friendly, and soccer legends hanging with Madonna! Ronaldinho and Ronaldo probably couldn’t believe it!”
Wayne Rooney Calls World Cup Final Halftime Show ‘Crap’
While fans continued debating whether FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show was a success or a flop, Wayne Rooney made it clear which side he was on.
Appearing on the BBC’s post-halftime coverage after the former England captain delivered a brutally honest review when asked for his favorite moment.
“I’ll be honest, mine was when it finished,” Rooney quipped per ESPN, before doubling down with, “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap. I did, honestly.”
Explaining why the star-studded spectacle failed to impress him, Rooney added, “It just didn’t get me going. I like Bieber. I like Shakira. It was too flat.”
His candid remarks immediately went viral, with many football fans applauding the Manchester United legend for voicing what they felt about FIFA’s ambitious Super Bowl-style halftime experiment.
Long before Disney built stars through High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Camp Rock, it had a recurring talent pipeline built around young performers who could sing, dance, act, handle comedy sketches, and grow in public. The most famous 1989–1996 generation included Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell, and JC Chasez, but the format dates back to Walt Disney’s original 1955 ABC series, which was previously revived in 1977. It’s now reportedly being revived again, and although it’s just one episode for now, the news is still substantial.
At the same time, the performers being pulled now aren’t exactly mainstream actors. Disney’s new attempt is now arriving in a completely different youth-media market, and most of the performers are being pulled from animated movies, shows, and social media footprints from the likes of YouTube and TikTok. The pilot appears designed to reconnect all those fragmented routes and consolidate their audiences. Three cast members — Hudson Stone, Casey Trotter, and Brooklynn Pitts — are already attached to the upcoming Camp Rock 3, while the group also includes Yonas Kibreab from Elio, Erianthe Akaata from Young Rock, Scarlett London Diviney from The Lion King, and Michael Cash from Black Rabbit.
The project is a new Mickey Mouse Club for Disney+, although, as per a new report, it has only received a pilot order for now. Production begins in Los Angeles this month through Fulwell Entertainment, which is the same company behind Hulu’s The Kardashians. The 11-person group is rounded out with Varonica Mitchell, Kauani, Scarlett Grace Petty, and Carter Barnes.
‘The Mickey Mouse Club’ Was Also Revived on Instagram and Facebook in 2017
Although it was short-lived, the franchise had its most recent substantial screen revival for social media audiences on Facebook and Instagram in 2017. That Club Mickey Mouse had a somewhat similar approach in terms of pulling its young performers, but it was a relatively small-sized outing and starred Sean Oliu, Jenna Z. Alvarez, and Brianna Mazzola, among others.
Disney describes the new concept as a showcase where music, innovation, and self-expression take priority. So it’s probably going to be the 2017 approach but in a bigger packet. Ben Winston, Ashley Edens, Emma Conway, and Dave Piendak are all set to executive produce. And if the pilot advances, it would become the franchise’s first substantial screen revival since the short-lived, social-media-focused Club Mickey Mouse of 2017.
There is no expected release window for The Mickey Mouse Club for now. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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1989 – 1996-00-00
- Network
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Disney Channel
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Chase Hampton
Self – Host
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Justin Timberlake
Uncredited
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Another science fiction franchise has once again captured audiences, proving there’s still love for the genre. As fantasy and horror now take over the cinema space — with the release of the live-action Moana, The Odyssey, Obsession, and Backrooms — audiences are using streaming services not only as a palate cleanser, but also to revisit some of the genre’s older yet iconic works.
Recently, a variety of science fiction titles have appeared on various streaming charts. Films like 2025’s The Running Man and Pacific Rim have made a streaming resurgence, while Project Hail Mary continues to dominate the Prime Video charts following its theatrical box office success, as well as the new The Ghost in the Shell anime series. But there’s another sci-fi franchise that’s capturing audiences, so much so that all of its entries have landed on the charts.
Men in Black is a sci-fi action comedy trilogy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as Agents J and K, two agents of the Men in Black organization who investigate criminal cases involving aliens. Recently, all three films landed on Peacock’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, with Men in Black II at #5, Men in Black III at #6, and Men in Black at #10. All three Men in Black entries grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide and led to a stand-alone sequel in 2019, called Men in Black: International, featuring a new cast.
Is the ‘Men in Black’ Trilogy Worth Watching?
Since its release, the Men in Black trilogy has performed well at the box office, but only the first and third films have been praised by fans and critics alike. Men in Black II received a low 38% critics’ score and a 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it “forgettable” and “joyless.” In contrast, audiences debated whether it was underrated or simply unenjoyable. The first Men in Black film earned a high 91% critics’ score and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as comedic, entertaining, and playful. In agreement, audiences called it “rewatchable.” Men In Black 3 was able to redeem itself nearly 10 years later, with a 67% critics’ score and 70% audience score, with critics claiming it was better than the 2002 sequel, that it was close to capturing the spirit of the first movie, and a good summer flick. Audiences said that the third installment brought new life to the franchise and agreed that it was better than the sequel.
The Men in Black trilogy is available to stream on Peacock. Follow Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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July 2, 1997
- Runtime
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98 minutes
- Writers
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Ed Solomon, Lowell Cunningham
- Producers
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Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Jason Statham is among the most credible action stars around. From features like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels to high-octane franchises like The Fast franchise, The Transporter, The Expendables, to solo adventures like A Working Man, The Mechanic, and more, all are a testament to his immaculate action skills. And when you add a menacing creature to the action spectacle, the mix gets even better.
Among such features is Meg 2: The Trench, a sequel to the iconic The Meg movie that brings him face to face with a prehistoric shark. In the sequel, directed by Ben Wheatley, Statham returns as Jonas Taylor to lead a research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage turns into chaos when a mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Stuck between colossal, prehistoric sharks and environmental plunderers, the group must outrun and outswim their predators. Meg 2 garnered mixed reviews and couldn’t compare commercially with its predecessor, earning $397.8 million worldwide in contrast to The Meg’s $529 million box office haul. But the film polarized the critics and the audience, garnering 27% and 72% Rotten Tomatoes scores, respectively. And fans’ love for the feature is showing.
‘Meg 2: The Trench’ Finds Redemption on Streaming
As is the case with many movies nowadays that do not find their audience in the theaters but are a big hit when they drop on streaming, Meg 2 has found its audience on streaming. Meg 2: The Trench has found a spot on Netflix’s global Top 10 charts, as per FlixPatrol. It stands tall among features like the Spanish drama Desire, Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, Robert Downey Jr.’s Due Date, and Netflix original Heartstopper Forever, among others.
While the movie’s pacing and tonal inconsistencies were heavily criticized, check out Meg 2 for its slick action sequences, Statham’s charismatic performance, and the new prehistoric creatures. The feature has some compelling performances from Wu Jing as Jiuming Zhang, Sophia Cai as Meiying, Cliff Curtis as Mac, Page Kennedy as DJ, Sergio Peris Mencheta as Montes, and Skyler Samuels as Jess. Also rounding off the cast are Melissanthi Mahut as Rigas, Whoopie Van Raam as Curtis, Kiran Sonia Sawar as Sal, Felix Mayr as Lance, and Sienna Guillory as Hilary Driscoll.
Check out Meg 2: The Trench on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
- Runtime
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116 minutes
- Writers
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Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber
- Producers
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Belle Avery, E. Bennett Walsh, Gerald R. Molen, Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam, Randy Greenberg, Cate Adams, Ying Xujun
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