Entertainment
5 Classic Sci-Fi Novels by Women That Still Feel Ahead of Their Time
Long before science fiction became the mainstream genre we know today, women writers imagined worlds that challenged their own. They didn’t craft stories around adventure and exploration for the sake of escapism, but to confront the dynamics of power, ethics, and identity, tackling the big questions about societal norms and control, unchecked ambition and progress, and the meaning of normalcy and humanity. The futures they built were fictional, but the issues they exposed were, and in many cases still are, very real.
From Frankenstein to The Handmaid’s Tale, female authors who refused to blindly accept present reality as immutable fact shaped modern sci-fi, inventing wildly imaginative worlds that ask, “What if?” From time travel to space diplomacy to speculative dystopian futures, each of these classic novels has a story that makes it a masterpiece in its own right. But decades and even centuries later, the underlying issues they tackle have never felt more pressing and timely, which puts them in a singular category of must-read all of their own.
1
‘A Wrinkle in Time’
By Madeleine L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time follows 13-year-old Meg Murry as she embarks on an extraordinary journey through space and time to rescue her missing father from a dark force in a distant world. Guided by three supernatural beings and accompanied by her younger brother and their friend, she travels to the planet Camazotz, where a powerful entity called IT forces everyone to think and act the same. But once her brother is captured by the entity while attempting to outsmart its hive mind, Meg must channel her deep love, raw emotions, and quirky idiosyncrasies to defeat IT and reunite her family, using what it can’t understand or control to fight back.
Madeleine L’Engle published A Wrinkle in Time in 1962, openly framing it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and social conformity; the citizens of Camazotz are forced into submission under threat of brutal punishment, but IT frames it as an opportunity for true happiness only achievable by the complete surrender of free will to a collective hive mind. More than 60 years later, it’s a prophetic metaphor for algorithmic conformity, an incredible reminder of the importance of real connections and agency in the digital echo chamber that rewards uniform behavior and flattens the imperfections that make us who we are.
2
‘Frankenstein’
By Mary Shelley
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus centers on a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who becomes so wholly obsessed with the secret of life that he begins robbing graves to assemble a humanoid figure out of body parts stolen from corpses. But once the experiment proves successful, Victor is horrified and flees, leaving his creation to fend for himself in a hostile world where he’s treated as a monster. After being rejected by humanity, the creation seeks revenge against his creator and kills the people he loves most, leading Victor to seek his own vengeance in a quest that proves fatal.
Mary Shelley published what’s widely considered the first science fiction novel in 1818, with Frankenstein‘s prescient warnings about technological overreach and the moral obligation of rapid innovation serving as a backdrop against more than two centuries of progress. The Modern Prometheus is a nod to the Greek Titan who, much like Victor, enlightened humanity without accepting responsibility for the long-term consequences of his hubris. It provides a chilling allegory for AI advancement without oversight; the tech itself doesn’t pose a danger, but creating it in a void with no ethical accountability is a recipe for disaster.
3
‘Parable of the Sower’
By Octavia E. Butler
Parable of the Sower centers on Lauren Oya Olamina, a teenager with hyperempathy – she feels the pain and pleasure of those around her as if it were her own – who recounts the dystopian collapse of the world in a series of dated journal entries. Lauren refuses to ignore the feelings she inherits from the escalating crises around her, instead channeling them into a belief system to help humanity change and survive. But once the walls of her gated community are breached and her family killed, she finds herself on a journey north that sees those beliefs evolve into a movement and then a community, providing a glimmer of sustainable hope in an otherwise rock-bottom world.
Octavia E. Butler published Parable of the Sower in 1993, but one of the greatest sci-fi novels ever written also turned out to be one of the most prescient. Set in 2024, it dead-on anticipated the real-world climate change, extremism, and economic strife of the 2020s, and its plausible realism makes it feel eerily close to what actually transpired. The enduring message it carries has never felt more urgent: instead of fighting or waiting to be saved, accept change and choose to shape the future by taking an active role in your own life. Chase hope amid the darkness, and avoid wallowing in nihilism, as the communities you create are your best chance at survival.
4
‘The Left Hand of Darkness’
By Ursula K. Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness centers on Genly Ai, a human envoy sent to the planet Gethen to persuade its nations to join an interstellar alliance. The people of Gethen are ambisexual and operate under a code of etiquette that can’t be translated, which proves challenging for Genly as he can’t comprehend the cues, nuances, and subtleties of a genderless society. But after mistaking the political exile of his sole ally, Estraven, for a betrayal on the eve of what proves to be a disastrous meeting with the king, Genly sets off on a mission to rescue him, ultimately forming a bond that transcends all the differences that once set them apart.
Ursula K. Le Guin published The Left Hand of Darkness in 1969, and its popularity was the first indication she would become the master of the genre she’s considered today. A response to the 60s gender zeitgeist, the goal was to establish what humanity would look and feel like if gender were eliminated; what resulted was a call for radical collaboration with deep anti-xenophobic messaging. Today, it serves as an early exploration of gender fluidity, the detrimental inward turn of isolationism, and the importance of overcoming cultural divides in pursuit of better understanding not only of others, but of ourselves.
5
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
By Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale presents the story of Offred, a woman forced into reproductive servitude to the elites during a fertility crisis in a dystopian future after a totalitarian regime overthrows the U.S. government. Stripped of her identity, family, and all fundamental human rights, Offred survives a terrifying existence under systemic oppression and surveillance through mental resistance, holding tight to her memories of a life before the here and now. Instead of rebellion, Offred engages in small acts of defiance against the regime, seeking human connection, intellectual pursuits, and to tell her story to reclaim her identity as best she can.
Margaret Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in West Berlin five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Iron Curtain’s existence is palpable in her 1985 novel, which resonated deeply with the political and social anxieties of the time. A treatise on the fragility of freedom, the threat of weaponized religion, and the terror of a panoptic state, even Atwood didn’t anticipate how prescient her novel would prove to be. Each decade, more parallels are drawn between the story and the current state of society; that’s why it remains one of the most important books of the last century, one that was truly, and terrifyingly, ahead of its time.
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Tyler Cameron is having a rough time pitching potential team names to his Dancing With the Stars professional partner Sharna Burgess.
“Our new team name, guys! Team Shart,” Tyler, 33, announced via Instagram on Thursday, September 3. “You take Sharna and Tyler, you put them together and you’ve got ‘Shart!’”
Sharna, 41, was not exactly enthusiastic about Tyler’s poop-related idea, insisting that Team Shart is “not the name” for their partnership.
“Everyone needs a good shart every once in a while … You get two a year,” Tyler argued. “If you do more than two, it’s criminal.”
“Two a year? What are you, 5?” an incredulous Sharna asked the Bachelor Nation alum. “I would say one is criminal. Sir, at your age, a shart is criminal!”
As Tyler kept up the poop jokes, Sharna jokingly complained about being partnered with “a child” when she already has 4-year-old son Zane at home. (Sharna shares Zane with fiancé Brian Austin Green. He also has four older children from previous relationships with exes Vanessa Marcil and Megan Fox.)
“That’s not our team name,” Sharna declared, before urging fans to pitch better ideas, saying: “We need a team name. I didn’t realize we still did team names. But we need a team name! Let’s think of something that is not poop-related. I have enough of that at home!”
Unfortunately for Sharna, the team name seems to have caught on as Tyler shared his own video announcing “Team Shart” as their nickname on Saturday, September 5, while seemingly passing gas in front of his pro partner. Tyler’s fiancée, Tate Madden, and DWTS pro Mark Ballas even got on board by reposting the icky team name.
Us exclusively reported that Tyler would be part of this year’s Dancing With the Stars celebrity cast in August, before his pairing with Sharna was officially unveiled by ABC on Wednesday, September 2. Sharna is returning to the pro ranks after a five-year absence.
Tyler subsequently revealed on Hulu’s “Get Real” podcast that he nearly earned a dance minor in college — though he insisted his previous experience won’t give him any edge over fellow competitors.
“I was not a great dancer at all. Basically, I got thrown into dance classes because I failed out my first semester of college,” he recalled. “My coach was like, ‘You’re gonna take dance classes to get your GPA up.’”
He went on to say, “It was me and 30 girls. I was like, ‘This is amazing.’ I got to be the Bachelor before I ever went on The Bachelorette, you know? None of the girls paid any interest in me, but I was in there giving maximum effort and giving the worst pirouettes and, like, the worst ballet dances ever.”
Dancing With the Stars is headed back to the ballroom with a star-studded cast for season 35. The complete lineup of celebrity contestants and pro dancers for the milestone season was unveiled during the Wednesday, September 2, episode of Good Morning America. The newly confirmed participants join Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez, […]
Tyler also got to show off his dance skills as a contestant on 2022’s competition series The Real Dirty Dancing, where he finished as runner-up to winners Corbin Bleu and Cat Cora.
“I will say, that is like one-fifth of what we’re doing here,” he said of The Real Dirty Dancing. “It was fun and I learned a little bit, but our dances are probably a quarter of what we do for our dances [on DWTS]. That was, like, a two-week show, but this is the real deal.”
Dancing With the Stars premieres with a two-night event on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET.
Anya Taylor-Joy burst onto the scene in a spell-binding performance that no one is likely to forget for some time. Robert Eggers’ feature film debut, The Witch, showcased the performer’s talents, and she instantly rose to the top. Roles in Furiosa and Dune: Part Two have defined her career thus far, but there may be one movie that passed viewers by. In 2017, Taylor-Joy co-starred with House of the Dragon’s own Olivia Cooke in a crime thriller unlike anything else.
Throughbreds was a directorial first for Cory Finley and is utterly unique. Many creatives have attempted to pull off psychopathic teenage girls in the past, but this attempt was startling and extremely specific. The characters in the mystery aren’t caricatures but fleshed-out people who just happen to be in an extremely heightened story.
‘Thoroughbreds’ Captures the Viciousness of Teenage Girlhood
Cory Finley is one of the rare male directors who writes female characters who are complex and believable. Only comparable to Ari Aster’s depiction of Dani Arbor (Florence Pugh) in Midsommar. Finley also portrays women not just as set pieces or vehicles for plot, but in their complex and sometimes terrible glory. Thoroughbreds’ entire concept depends on how difficult these girls are, and it pulls it off spectacularly.
The narrative is a thrilling mystery about two teenage girls in the upper-class of suburban Connecticut. Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a popular student who agrees to tutor an outcast, Amanda (Olivia Cooke). Because of a mental disorder, Amanda has no emotions, but she and Lily find common ground and form a tight bond. When Amanda suggests they kill Lily’s abusive stepfather, Mark (Paul Sparks), the affluent girl is disturbed, but it doesn’t take long for her to come around to her line of thinking.
Mark enrolls Lily in a boarding school for girls with behavioral issues, putting a ticking clock on the plan. The tight, 93-minute film wastes no time in establishing the stakes for these characters and showing the unbreakable and sometimes inscrutable bond between teenage girls. Unlike similar dark fare such as Heathers, which leans more into comedic territory, Thoroughbreds relishes the darkness of female friendships. This bond leads up to an ending that has to be seen to be believed.
The story embraces the darkness and, in some ways, celebrates it as a form of love attachment. Lily and Amanda show each other their affection by extremely violent acts. Even though Amanda allegedly has no emotions, she clearly has some sort of loyalty to Lily. She sacrifices everything to prove herself to the other girl in perhaps the only form of genuine attachment she has ever had. These deep character facets are fascinating and only appear in other fare featuring darkly motivated women, such as Amy Elliott-Dunne in Gone Girl.
Thoroughbreds refuses to judge its characters in a way that is refreshing in this day and age. Male-written stories such as The Last of Us are so afraid of showing that women are irredeemable monsters that it is breathtaking when someone pulls the trigger on such a story. Thoroughbreds is one of the best mysteries out there, not just because of the narrative, but also because of the colorful characters that populate the story.
Thoroughbreds
- Release Date
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March 9, 2018
- Runtime
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92 Minutes
- Director
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Cory Finley
- Writers
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Cory Finley
Anime is more popular than it has ever been, and viewers will also say it is better than it ever was before. Series like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Jujutsu Kaisen have made anime a worldwide sensation, pushing the bounds of creativity. The animation is impeccable, and the direction is incredible, but is this the best of the best, or can some classics still hang with the newer series despite modern tastes and technological improvement?
Even though modern anime is popular, it misses a lot of what was good about the originals, which is why this list will feature eight classic anime series that are still better than most new series. Based on aspects such as staying power, writing, animation, influence, rewatchability, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these anime shows weren’t just good for their time; they are ageless masterpieces that put modern anime in their place. For an anime to be considered a classic on this list, it had to have come out anytime before the 2010s.
8
‘Maison Ikkoku’ (1986–1988)
One of the best anime genres is romance, and while it has evolved quite a bit, there is nothing better than a classic love story, and that is exactly what Maison Ikkoku delivers. The titular boarding house is home to many eccentric characters, and at his limit with their shenanigans, Yuusaku is about to move out. However, after meeting the new manager, he falls madly in love, now deciding to stay there a bit longer.
A lot of romance anime either takes things too slow with no meaningful change or tries to rush things, and while Maison Ikkoku is a slow burn, it also acts as a wholesome and realistic slice-of-life anime. It isn’t just a fluffy love story; it captures the bittersweet realities of life and relationships with a mature focus. Maison Ikkoku isn’t a high school romance; it is a sophisticated and compelling romance that is better than most newer love stories.
7
‘Bleach’ (2004–Present)
The Big Three are some of the most popular anime series of all time, and while the other two are just as popular, this list has opted to feature Bleach because of its modern-day resurgence. Ichigo is a normal high schooler, except for the fact that he can talk to ghosts. When he meets a Soul Reaper and borrows her powers, he is thrust into the world of the supernatural where he must protect his friends and town from new dangers.
Even decades after its peak popularity, when Bleach returned, it became one of the best modern anime shows, proving the classic is better than most new series. With one of the best anime power systems, this series instantly hooked viewers, showcasing the rule of cool and unmatched style it possesses. Bleach is also an influential anime in the modern landscape, proving its importance while remaining better than everything it inspired.
6
‘Great Teacher Onizuka’ (1999–2000)
Comedy changes every decade, maybe even every year, meaning it is hard for some shows to age well after some things become offensive or just not funny. However, Great Teacher Onizuka transcends time, not losing a step. The titular teacher is starting his first gig, but he is thrown to the wolves, with a classroom full of manipulative brats. Luckily, his days as a yakuza might be exactly what is needed to straighten these kids out.
Some aspects of Great Teacher Onizuka definitely didn’t age well, but the fact remains that no other anime series balances its tone of comedic genius, silliness, and maturity as well as this show. This anime touches on serious topics such as bullying and suicide with nuance, genuinely providing profound discussion then quickly shifting to ridiculous humor, in a good way. Great Teacher Onizuka is one of a kind, and an anime that no modern-day comedy can match.
5
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)
There are some classic anime that are simply better than modern shows, and then there are some which have been impossible to try and replicate: Cowboy Bebop falls into the latter. Spike Spiegel and his team of bounty hunters spend their days cleaning up the galaxy of crime filth, but when his dark past resurfaces, he must tackle it head-on or risk putting himself and his friends in danger.
Cowboy Bebop is a distinct anime that blends neo-noir with sci-fi, Hong Kong action, and jazz music, creating one of the most unique anime of all time. It is a timeless recipe that no modern series has found the secret formula for, making it a truly special show. Some modern anime have perfect episodes, but every single episode of Cowboy Bebop is an art form in its purest form, concluding with one of the best finales ever put to screen.
4
‘Monster’ (2004–2005)
Naoki Urasawa is a prolific manga author, and while he has a handful of anime adaptations, one classic masterpiece is a landmark of the medium. Monster follows Dr. Tenma, who saves the life of a child, only for that same kid to become a serial killer in the future. Taking matters into his own hands, Tenma plans to kill Johan, but will he be able to do it after learning about his dark and tragic past?
Monster is a perfect anime thriller, embodying everything great about the genre and then some, making it a blueprint that modern anime try to follow. However, no matter what new thriller or mystery anime comes out, it is never better than Monster, and that is because of its patient storytelling. Nothing can live up to the tension and shocking plot of this anime, especially modern anime that focus on flashy animation and overly dramatic storytelling.
3
‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)
The modern anime landscape often ignores avant-garde series, and for that reason, the most popular of the genre, Neon Genesis Evangelion, is better than any new show. With the world facing its third apocalypse event, the only hope for humanity is Shinji and some other teenagers in mechs. However, he first needs to win a battle against himself and his inner demons before fighting the angel-like aliens that wish to destroy Earth.
A lot of modern anime don’t dare to spice things up and be innovative, and that is why anime original masterpieces like Neon Genesis Evangelion still thrive. Its imaginative and unique narrative redefined multiple genres and forms of storytelling, cementing a historic legacy that new series can’t even comprehend. Neon Genesis Evangelion had such flawless animation for its time, with a perfect hand-drawn style that newer animation simply can’t compete with.
2
‘Ashita no Joe’ (1970–1981)
A classic can be subjective, because many of the anime on this list are from the 2000s, which some might still consider new, but the oldest series featured, from the 1970s, is undoubtedly a classic. Ashita no Joe is about the titular character, who starts as nothing but a street punk. However, when a former boxer notices his potential, he trains him for the ring; first, Joe needs to serve his time in prison before he conquers any ring.
The animation is definitely old and won’t resonate with some viewers, but the story is one of the best and still unique for the sports genre. Ashita no Joe is somehow a distinct story despite being over fifty years old. Mature, grounded, intriguing, and tragic don’t begin to describe this golden-era boxing story that features some of the best character development in the medium. Ashita no Joe still packs a punch for an old fighter, but its knockout story and chilling vibe are enough to beat any new sports anime.
Some probably don’t classify it as a classic anime, but considering Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood came out in the 2000s, albeit in 2009, it is eligible for this list. Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo alchemical experiment, prompting them to go on an adventure to find the philosopher’s stone. However, all they uncover is a government conspiracy that threatens to consume the world if they don’t intervene.
Many viewers claim Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the best anime series of all time, and with a title like that, it is almost impossible for new shows to compete. Barely any modern anime has a self-contained story that perfectly wraps up. Even older shows don’t have this, proving how rare Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is. It has everything anyone could ever want in an anime, and that fact alone is why no new series could ever live up to what this anime built.
Over the past couple of decades, it’s been rare for a superhero title to not dominate headlines. However, it’s been some time since a superhero film quite stole the spotlight as fervently as Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which took just 17 days to cross the $2 billion mark at the global box office, the second-fastest time in cinema history. With countless other records broken by the so-called “best Spidey adventure in 20 years,” it’s worth remembering that there is still the small matter of Avengers: Doomsday, which some are predicting will perform even better.
But it isn’t just the big screen where superhero series are dominating. Already this year, the likes of Spider-Noir, a live-action series serving as a spin-off to the animated Spider-Verse films, and the fifth and final season of Eric Kripke‘s acclaimed superhero satire The Boys have proven huge hits. Now, the latest superhero series to dominate streaming is HBO’s Lanterns, part of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, with millions tuning in to witness the gritty tale of superhero Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre).
Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, the series is considered the superhero version of True Detective and is earning plenty of praise from both fans and critics. For Collider, Michael John Petty awarded the series an 8/10, with ScreenRant‘s Felipe Rangel saying, “James Gunn’s DCU enters its brightest day.” Lanterns has now been the most-watched show on HBO Max in the U.S. for over two weeks, as well as currently holding the #1 position on the global charts. But Chandler’s isn’t the only Green Lantern currently proving a streaming hit.
Another ‘Green Lantern’ Is an HBO Max Hit
Resurrected by the popularity of Lanterns, Ryan Reynolds‘ infamous performance as Hal Jordan in the 2011 film Green Lantern is currently the eighth most-watched movie on HBO Max in the U.S. The film was panned by critics and DC fans alike, receiving some of the worst reviews in the franchise’s history. It also flopped at the box office, only just returning its $200 million budget with a global haul of $219 million.
Both Lanterns and Green Lantern are streaming on HBO Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
In a city filled with options, how does one choose what to do, where to eat, and how to spend their time when visiting Las Vegas? For some, choosing a familiar name helps that decision along. Good thing there are plenty of celeb owned businesses in Sin City!
The Vegas Files takes you on a journey to some celebrity owned establishments that should be on anyone’s list of places to go if you’re in search of a memorable experience. While there are many to choose from, we’ve compiled a short list to get your adventure started.
If you love Mexican food, Flecha Cantina in Town Square on the south end of the Strip is the place to be for an authentic experience. Oh, and you may just run into actor Mark Wahlberg since he’s the owner.
When you walk in, you’re greeted with a complimentary margarita sample. Off to the right side of the hostess stand, you’ll find a Ted stuffed animal in a case (from Wahlberg’s hit movie “Ted”). There are photos of Wahlberg sprinkled around the restaurant too, just in case you forget he owns it.
The menu is filled with authentic Mexican options such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos, and more. The salsa and guacamole are to die for! The salsa is so good, you could literally drink it.
For more information, visit the website.
Swing Like Tiger Woods at PopStroke
Conveniently located in the same parking lot as Flecha, PopStroke gives you something fun to do to burn some calories after a delicious meal.
The popular minigolf spot by Tiger Woods offers two outdoor 18-hole courses, a full-service restaurant, outdoor gaming, kids’ playground, and an ice cream parlor.
According to the website, “Catch the game with a craft beer or cocktail, or use our mobile app for direct-to-course delivery so you never miss a moment of the action.”
Visit PopStroke’s website for more information.
Feel A Little Country At Blake Shelton’s Ole Red
Country music star Blake Shelton’s Ole Red sits mid-Strip near Paris Las Vegas. The location offers incredible views of the Strip, especially of the Bellagio Fountains. With four levels, including rooftop seating and bar, this is a great spot to enjoy a meal, drinks, and the view while enjoying the Strip.
In addition to a menu filled with great options, such as nachos, burgers, and a country BBQ board filled with ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese and many other tasty items, there’s an extensive menu of cocktails, wine, beer, and mocktails.
Ole Red also has live music on multiple stages. The online events calendar maps it all out so fans can catch the acts they want when in town.
Visit Ole Red’s website for more information.
Don’t Be An ‘Idiot Sandwich’ At Hell’s Kitchen
If you’re a Gordon Ramsay fan or love a good Beef Wellington, we know just the spot you must visit! Hell’s Kitchen, just outside of Caesars Palace on the Strip, is an iconic restaurant where you’ll find some of Ramsay’s favorite dishes.
According to the restaurant’s website, you’ll find, “Bold flavors, iconic dishes.”
“Try scallops, Beef Wellington, and sticky toffee pudding in a fiery, upscale setting inspired by the hit show,” the website description reads. “A true taste of Ramsay’s culinary drama.”
Other Honorable Mentions
There is no shortage of celeb owned businesses in Sin City, so it’s best to map out where you want to go when visiting. While many of these businesses are on the Strip, many aren’t, so planning is key.
In addition to the businesses listed above, there are many others. Bruno Mars owns The Pinky Ring, a cocktail lounge located inside the Bellagio; Lisa Vanderpump owns four bars and a hotel on the Strip; and Jason Aldean has a restaurant called Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Bar.
Other celebs who own businesses in Vegas include Emeril Lagasse, Martha Stewart, Giada DeLaurentiis, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, and many others.
Gwen Stefani is mourning her and husband Blake Shelton’s 18-year-old dog Betty.
“It’s with the heaviest hearts that we share our sweet betty has gone to heaven 💔🕊️🐾 she made us all smile for 18 years,” the No Doubt singer, 56, announced via Instagram on Saturday, September 5.
The post included a musical montage featuring some of the Rottweiler mix’s sweetest moments with Shelton, 50, Stefani and her children Zuma, Apollo and Kingston. The clip was set to the couple’s duet “Nobody But You” — as Betty memorably had a cameo in the music video.
“[Betty] made us all smile for 18 years… we’re going to miss her forever. Thank u betty for all the love + joy u brought into our lives,” Stefani added.
Many of the singer’s fans offered condolences and sent words of encouragement in the Instagram post’s comment section.
“Omg Im so sorry to hear about Betty…it’s hard losing a pet. Wow 18 years..she lived her best years! My prayers are with y’all. Love y’all. ❤️Thanks for sharing this with us,” one follower wrote.
Another fan shared their own story of losing a pet, writing, “My heart breaks for you. I recently went through this with my girl of 13 years. Thinking of you and sending prayers.”
“We all feel like we know Betty from all the videos and pictures. What a great family, dog and friend that Betty was. Till you all meet again RIP Betty,” a third follower replied.
Betty was originally Shelton’s dog before he got together with fellow Voice coach Stefani. Speaking to CMT in 2020, the “Let Him in Anyway” singer revealed that Betty quickly took a liking to Stefani.
“She gets jealous,” Shelton said of his pup. “She’s Gwen’s dog now, and so that’s where the jealousy comes in.”
Stefani corrected him, saying, “She loves both of her parents very much.”
The pair are also parents to mixed-breed dog Ginger and a rescue cat named Corn Shelton. In 2024, Stefani revealed via Instagram that she and Shelton adopted the cat after it showed up on their property.
“The day he showed up to our home, he was hardly alive + so sick,” Stefani explained in a video at the time. “But with a lot of love + nurturing, he became a healthy kitten.”
She added, “We’re so grateful that he’s a part of our family.”
Stefani and Shelton tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at his Oklahoma ranch in July 2021. (Stefani was previously married to Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale from 2002 to 2016. Shelton was with his first ex-wife, Kaynette Gern, from 2003 to 2006 and later was married to fellow country music superstar Miranda Lambert from 2011 to 2015.)
Entertainment
Guillermo del Toro Loves This “Gnarly” 133-Minute Western Officially Streaming for Free
Director S. Craig Zahler has cultivated an impressive following for his brutal genre movies over the years. While some of his scripts have had legends such as Ridley Scott and Michael Mann attached, he has also directed three gems himself. Among his directorial efforts are Dragged Across Concrete and Brawl in Cell Block 99, both starring Vince Vaughn against type. He’s now working on his fourth feature, The Bookie & the Bruiser, also starring Vaughn. Zahler’s debut film, on the other hand, was headlined by Kurt Russell. A brutal Western that earned a shout-out from Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro, the movie is streaming for free in the United States this month.
Del Toro described the movie as “gnarly, brutal stuff” in a social media post several years ago. He was joined in the film’s appreciation by none other than Stephen King, who wrote on social media, “I was expecting nothing but a time-passer on a rainy Wednesday morning, and got a low-budget Western epic. The dialogue alone makes it well worth watching. Beware the last act, when a man is literally torn apart.” The movie in question was released theatrically in 2015, grossing around $500,000 against a budget of nearly $2 million. But it found an audience after debuting on the PVOD market, thanks in no small part to excellent reviews.
The Western Gem Is Waiting To Be Discovered
We’re talking about the Western horror gem Bone Tomahawk, in which Russell plays a sheriff who leads a posse to rescue people kidnapped by a group of cannibals. The movie also features Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins, and David Arquette. Bone Tomahawk now holds a “Certified Fresh” 91% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Bone Tomahawk‘s peculiar genre blend won’t be for everyone, but its gripping performances and a slow-burning story should satisfy those in search of something different.” Russell, who was filming for Quentin Tarantino‘s The Hateful Eight at around the same time, retained his character’s facial hair in that film. Meanwhile, Wilson was experiencing a major boost thanks to his work in the Conjuring and Insidious franchises, and Fox was coming off a generational run on Lost. You can watch Bone Tomahawk for free on Tubi this month, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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October 23, 2015
- Runtime
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132 minutes
- Director
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S. Craig Zahler
- Writers
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S. Craig Zahler
The beauty of TV and movies is that there is a genre for everyone, from those who prefer sidesplitting comedies to exhilarating action-packed stories. Luckily, there are plenty of streaming platforms to choose from, and Prime Video is one of the best, with staple series such as The Boys and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. However, some fans prefer a little more excitement, suspense, and tension, which means the thriller genre is perfect for them, and Prime Video is ripe with must-watch thrillers.
Everyone loves a good thriller to raise the heart rate and deliver unpredictable thrills, whether that be through action, mystery, tension, or comedy. Prime Video boasts a plethora of excellent, thrilling series, which is why this list highlights the best of them, all of which are 10/10. Each entry will be based on its writing, story, acting, fan opinion, critical acclaim, tension, thrilling moments, and overall quality. If readers have Prime Video and haven’t seen these shows, they have just found their next watch list.
‘The Terminal List’ (2022–Present)
The Terminal List was an unexpected delight, and quickly became a fan-favorite thriller series on Prime Video. Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) returns home thinking the worst is behind him. Little does he know that the dark forces are following him home, threatening him and his family. As fans still wait for the second season, they can at least enjoy the prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which aired in July 2025.
The critics and fans have drastically different opinions on The Terminal List, as highlighted by the critics’ score (41%) and fan score (94%) on Rotten Tomatoes. While not everyone could agree, it makes the list nonetheless, even if it takes the last spot. This isn’t the most original show, but the action and thrilling aspects are more than enough to get any fan invested in this series. The Terminal List is brutal, epic, and cold-blooded, making for an instant thrilling ride.
‘Cross’ (2024–Present)
Everyone enjoys a good crime thriller from time to time, meaning Cross should be next on everyone’s watchlist, especially since the thrills don’t stop, with the studio announcing a second season to premiere early 2026. Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) is a forensic psychologist and homicide detective, pursuing America’s most dangerous killers. However, nothing is predictable in this line of work, as he and his partner must protect themselves and their families.
Cross is burdened with more than a few clichés, but besides that, it is a 10/10 high-octane crime thriller that doesn’t need any other feedback. This is a career-defining role for Hodge, who delivers a badass and charismatic performance, making every part of the show better. From its well-paced plot to twists and turns, to major moments, this is a superb thriller series that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Cross Season 2 debuted earlier this year.
‘The Devil’s Hour’ (2022–Present)
Not every show on this list is a well-known masterpiece; others are overlooked 10/10 series, such as The Devil’s Hour. This British drama series follows Lucy Chambers (Jessica Raine), a social worker who wakes up every night at 3:33 AM, which is known as the devil’s hour. From her terrifying visions to her emotionless son, delusional mother, and haunted house, Lucy is inexplicably connected to a string of murders that she must help solve.
Thrillers come in many shapes and sizes, including action, comedy, drama, espionage, and supernatural. However, mystery thrillers embody the genre the best, enhancing the drama, tension, and suspense to make sure it raises the viewers’ heart rate. The Devil’s Hour is one of the most thrilling shows on Prime Video, using its unpredictable plot and gripping mystery to create an uneasy and captivating experience.
‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ (2018–2023)
Prime Video loves its action thrillers, as evidenced by the multiple entries on this list, starting off with Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. The Jack Ryan film franchise had its ups and downs, but decades later, the television series proved the series just needed a revamp. Former US Marine, now rookie CIA analyst, Jack Ryan (John Krasinski), is thrust into a new assignment where he uncovers a new type of terrorism that can sway the balance of peace.
Krasinski proves he is an action star in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, expanding outside of comedies and horrors to deliver a truly remarkable and thrilling performance. Not many shows set such a high bar of excellence when it comes to quality espionage drama and thrills, but Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is non-stop tension. It masterfully blends drama with suspenseful fights and intriguing mystery to create a must-watch thriller on Prime Video.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2024–Present)
Everyone remembers the classic action romance comedy starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, but fast-forward a couple of decades, and Prime Video rebooted the franchise starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Two strangers have given up their identities to join a top-secret assassination organization, and now must live as married assassins who go on missions together. However, the hard part isn’t the life-threatening missions.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith took a fun movie and concept and made it one of the best modern thrillers on Prime Video, but unfortunately, the chance for a second season is looking increasingly unlikely. Regardless, the first season has enough drama and excitement. Glover and Erskine’s chemistry is to die for, masterfully creating comedic, dramatic, emotional, and action-packed performances that enhance the thrilling aspect of the incredible series.
‘Reacher’ (2022–Present)
Alan Ritchson has quickly become a household name thanks to his increased spotlight in action films and series. While he is in the running for many superhero roles, it isn’t likely that anything will top his performance in Reacher. Ritchson stars as the titular Jack Reacher, a retired police officer who finds himself in the middle of a dark conspiracy involving businessmen, politicians, and dirty cops after he is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.
Reacher is Ritchson’s best work by far, as he embodies the overwhelming hulking presence of the character with grace, nuance, and excitement. The action is brutal and satisfying, using its relentless fight scenes and exhilarating moments to create a binge-worthy thriller masterpiece. However, Reacher isn’t just about the action; the suspense and storytelling are also phenomenal, making this a staple of Prime Video. It is no “reach” to say that this is the best action thriller on Prime Video.
‘The Night Manager’ (2016–Present)
2016 saw the release of one of Prime Video’s best thriller series ever, The Night Manager, which unfortunately didn’t make it past one season. However, nearly a decade later, Prime Video brought the series back for both a second and third season; Season 2 debuted earlier this year. It follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a night manager at a luxury hotel, who must infiltrate an arms dealer.
There are plenty of highlights from The Night Manager, including its captivating premise and engrossing plot, but the performances from every actor are the best part. Hiddleston, in particular, is in his bag, helping this tightly paced espionage thriller hit every corner. The Night Manager is a hidden gem on Prime Video, and well worth it for any curious fans.
‘Bosch’ (2014–2021)
Prime Video has a few thriller staples, including Reacher and The Night Manager, but Bosch is by far the best and most iconic, and fans can tell that simply based on the number of spin-offs. The titular detective, Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver), was a former special forces officer, but now faces challenges every day in his endless pursuit of truth.
With seven seasons of pure perfection and multiple spin-offs, fans have plenty of Bosch to go around, but by the end, they wish there were more. This show is a mastery of mystery and suspense, two key defining aspects of thrillers that Bosch perfects. Fans can’t get enough of the crime-fueled masterpieces with plenty of unpredictable moments, plot twists, and magnificent acting. Bosch is the defining face of Prime Video and crime thrillers.
Bosch
- Release Date
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2015 – 2021-00-00
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Eric Ellis Overmyer
- Directors
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Alex Zakrzewski, Ernest R. Dickerson, Patrick Cady, Aaron Lipstadt, Adam Davidson, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Kevin Dowling, Neema Barnette, Tim Hunter, Zetna Fuentes, Christine Moore, Jim McKay, Laura Belsey, Matt Earl Beesley, Phil Abraham, Roxann Dawson, Sarah Pia Anderson, Stephen Gyllenhaal, Tara Nicole Weyr, Thomas Carter, Hagar Ben-Asher
Phaedra Parks made her red carpet debut with new beau Chris ‘CT’ Tamburello one day after confirming that they are dating.
Parks, 54, was practically sparkling in a black open-back gown with silver trim as she entered the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, September 5, for the first night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The veteran Challenge contestant, 46, looked dashing in a traditional black-and-white tuxedo as he joined Parks on the red carpet.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star revealed during an appearance on Jeff Lewis Live on Friday, September 4, that she had “been out” with Tamburello. Chatting with host Jeff Lewis, Parks declined to reveal how many dates she’d had with Tamburello or whether they’d had any “sleepovers” recently.
“I can’t give this [information] to you,” she told Lewis, 56. “I’ve got to save it for the world!”
Phaedra Parks and Chris ‘CT’ Tamburello attend the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Parks did hint at plans to take Tamburello as her date to this weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys.
The two met while they were filming The Traitors season 2 — where viewers and costars noticed potential for a romantic pairing. At the time, their costar Peter Weber told Us that he was fully supportive of the two dating.
“I ship it,” Weber, 35, said. “I think they’re really cute together. They had some good chemistry. Who knows what the future holds with them?”
However, Tamburello later shut down speculation that he may have hooked up with Parks during filming of the Peacock reality competition show.
“Nothing real happened, I’ll be honest with you,” CT told Entertainment Weekly in March 2024. “It was fun. I loved her because she’s a cornball. She was great. I would say there was a sense of sincerity, for sure. But it was also playing a game, you know?”
He went on to say, “Honestly I have too much respect for her to try to turn it into something it’s not, just to try to be a flash in the pan. I don’t think that would be fair, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. I mean, what would I do, move to Atlanta? I can’t do that.”
This week on Getting Real With the Housewives, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks gets candid on season 17 newcomer K. Michelle. “K. Michelle is absolutely hilarious. You know, after we’ve seen all of these singers, everyone wants to sing. Now, we got one that’s really a highly acclaimed singer with Grammys and real […]
Now that it appears the Traitors costars really are dating, Tamburello’s estranged wife, Catalina White, weighed in on the new romance. On Saturday, the model responded to a news report about the couple by replying, “Sign the papers 👏👏👏”
White, 40, was seemingly urging Tamburello to sign their divorce papers as they’ve been hashing out a settlement for months. The model filed for divorce in Florida in January, stressing in court documents obtained by Us that her marriage was “irretrievably broken.”
The couple were supposed to file a financial affidavit for a potential divorce settlement by March 13, 2026, but their lawyers jointly asked a judge to delay the deadline because Tamburello was away filming a TV show.
Disney (2) Phaedra Parks is living for Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough’s flirtatious feedback on her debut routine. “Oh, he is so hot,” Phaedra, 50, exclusively told Us Weekly after the Tuesday, September 17, live premiere of DWTS season 33. “Derek, hot ho. That sounds a little weird, [but] he is so sexy […]
In August, White told Where Is the Buzz that she “genuinely wish[es] Chris nothing but the best” following their split.
Tamburello was married to White for two years and was previously with first wife Lilianet Solares from 2018 to 2023. (Solares, 34, and Tamburello share 10-year-old son CJ.)
Parks and ex-husband Apollo Nida were together from 2009 to 2017. They share sons Ayden, 16, and Dylan, 13.
What a year it’s been for Joel Kinnaman, who has already starred in one of the most gripping Netflix detective thrillers of 2026 with Detective Hole. The show is inspired by the writings of Jo Nesbø, but despite strong viewership, it has yet to be renewed for Season 2. Kinnaman found a new sleeper hit with Icefall, which surged into the top 10 after being added to its new streaming home, Prime Video. The film is the perfect mash-up of John Wick and The Grey, especially for action fans who want to spend an evening watching the former RoboCop star bashing skulls. Kinnaman has also been tapped to lead Prime Video’s new detective series, Bishop, which is being positioned as the studio’s Bosch replacement — Titus Welliver starred in the original flagship Bosch show and Bosch: Legacy.
Joel Kinnaman has starred in plenty of important action hits in the last 10 years, but one that flew under the radar is The Silent Hour. The 2024 action thriller grossed less than $500,000 at the global box office, but it features some other big names, like Sandra Mae Frank, Mekhi Phifer, and even Mark Strong. The best way to pitch The Silent Hour to someone who’s never heard of the film is John Wick meets A Quiet Place. The film features some best-in-class action similar to Keanu Reeves’ hit action franchise, but it also centers around a detective with hearing loss and a deaf witness, so the silent elements from A Quiet Place are there, even if the monsters aren’t. Those who missed seeing The Silent Hour in theaters can check out the film on Hulu right now, where it’s streaming for all subscribers.
What Is ‘The Silent Hour’ About?
The official synopsis for The Silent Hour, which earned scores of 68% from critics and 60% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, reads as follows: “Boston Detective Frank Shaw (Joel Kinnaman) returns to duty after a career-altering injury leaves him with permanent hearing loss. Tasked with interpreting for Ava Fremont (Sandra Mae Frank), a deaf witness to a brutal gang murder, they find themselves cornered in a soon-to-be-condemned apartment building when the killers return to eliminate her. Cut off from the outside world, these two strangers must lean on each other to outsmart killers they can’t hear coming for their only hope of making it out alive.” Dan Hall wrote the script for The Silent Hour and Brad Anderson directed the film. Those without a Hulu subscription can also rent or purchase The Silent Hour on VOD platforms like Prime Video.
Check out The Silent Hour on Hulu and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Joel Kinnaman’s future projects.
- Release Date
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October 11, 2024
- Runtime
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95 Minutes
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