Entertainment
8 Thriller Books That Are a Masterclass in Tension
Tension is the lifeblood of every great thriller. While compelling characters and strong writing are important, the genre ultimately succeeds or fails based on its ability to keep readers turning pages. With that in mind, this list looks at some of the novels that do it best.
The titles below vary a lot in style and tone, each of them generating suspense in their own way, whether that’s through lost memories, espionage, lies, or relentless survival scenarios. All are worth checking out if you’re a thriller fanatic.
8
‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold’ (1963)
“What if nobody is truly on your side?” The Spy Who Came in from the Cold revolutionized espionage fiction with its complex characters and moral ambiguity, as well as its abundance of tightly coiled suspense. In it, British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is left exhausted and disillusioned by a disastrous mission. Offered one final assignment against East Germany, he agrees to participate in an elaborate deception that gradually becomes far more dangerous than either he or the reader initially realizes.
John le Carré’s greatest strength here might be his refusal to provide certainty. Every new revelation raises fresh doubts about who is telling the truth and whose interests are actually being served. These characters lie for a living, after all. The book broke major ground by depicting spycraft as something inherently corrosive, always ending in paranoia.
7
‘Gone Girl’ (2012)
“What happens when nobody can be trusted?” Even before David Fincher‘s killer film adaptation, Gone Girl had established itself as one of the defining thrillers of the 2010s. The delectably intricate tale begins with the disappearance of Amy Dunne on the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary. Her husband Nick quickly becomes the focus of public suspicion, but as the investigation unfolds, Gillian Flynn repeatedly overturns readers’ expectations.
Every chapter encourages readers to reassess earlier events, while the shifting perspectives continually undermine confidence in what appears to be true. There are twists aplenty and a ton of narrative misdirection, all of it calibrated for maximum impact. On top of being an exercise in sheer genre style, Gone Girl also works as a combustible dissection of a marriage. Not for nothing, it was a runaway bestseller.
6
‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1955)
“How long can someone successfully pretend to be another person?” Many thrillers build tension around catching a criminal. The Talented Mr. Ripley plunges us into the mind of the criminal himself. This is the book that introduced Tom Ripley, a struggling young American sent to Italy to persuade wealthy heir Dickie Greenleaf to return home. Instead, Tom becomes dangerously fascinated with Dickie’s privileged lifestyle. Soon, he’s spinning lies and contemplating violence.
Patricia Highsmith opened up new possibilities for thriller writing by getting us to understand this twisted antihero without ever fully approving of him. At the same time, she wrings unbearable tension out of every one of Ripley’s cons. They’re always threatening to collapse around him, and readers are forced to experience every one of those close calls. We feel the stress of a desperate man trying to avoid exposure.
5
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1988)
“We covet what we see every day.” Serial killer writing changed forever with The Silence of the Lambs. Author Thomas Harris had been delivering great work for years before this, but here he perfected his recipe. The setup is iconic by now: FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the imprisoned psychiatrist and cannibal Hannibal Lecter in hopes of gaining insight into another murderer known as Buffalo Bill. However, every interview with Lecter becomes a psychological contest.
Here, Harris balances multiple sources of suspense. We fear Clarice’s dangerous encounters with Lecter, we’re gripped by her race to stop Bill, and we constantly wonder whether Lecter himself is manipulating everyone around him for purposes not yet revealed. It helps that the character himself is so brilliant: urbane, unpredictable, charming, terrifying, adept at figuring out his interlocutors’ vulnerabilities.
4
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2005)
“Sometimes the oldest secrets are the most dangerous.” Stieg Larsson‘s Millennium series was a publishing sensation in the mid-to-late 2000s, selling approximately a bazillion copies. It’s easy to see why: the main characters are memorable, and the plots keep the pages turning effortlessly. The first one pairs investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist with the brilliant hacker Lisbeth Salander as they reopen the decades-old disappearance of Harriet Vanger, whose wealthy family has remained haunted by the unsolved mystery for more than forty years.
Soon, the protagonists are knee-deep in family secrets, sprawling conspiracies, financial corruption, and the threat of violence. The whole way through, the narrative momentum never lets up. Every answer uncovers another mystery, every suspect conceals additional secrets, every breakthrough increases the danger, and the story tightens like a noose. Larsson knew exactly how to play his audience.
3
‘The Bourne Identity’ (1980)
“Who are you when even your own memories have disappeared?” Everyone knows the Bourne movies, but Robert Ludlum‘s original novel, published all the way back in 1980, is a banger in its own right. The plot hits the ground running, opening with an unidentified man being pulled from the Mediterranean Sea with multiple gunshot wounds and no memory of who he is. As he slowly begins uncovering fragments of his identity, he discovers evidence suggesting he may be one of the world’s most dangerous assassins.
Amnesia has become a familiar thriller device, but few novels have used it as effectively as this one. Bourne’s loss of identity is the prime mover of the whole story, and his quest is beset by dead ends and false turns, to the point that his identity seems to grow more uncertain the deeper he digs. The question of who he is and what he might have done generates endless drama.
2
‘And Then There Were None’ (1939)
“One by one…” This is one of the most influential mystery novels ever for a reason. In And Then There Were None, ten strangers are invited to a remote island by a mysterious host who never appears. Shortly after arriving, each guest is publicly accused of having caused another person’s death. Then the guests begin dying one by one, with every murder following the verses of a sinister nursery rhyme. Trapped on the island with no possibility of escape, the survivors desperately try to identify the killer before it’s too late.
This whole book is a marvel of narrative construction, weaponizing point of view and building up to a killer twist. Every chapter steadily increases the pressure until readers, like the characters themselves, begin questioning absolutely everyone. The isolated setting ensures that the tension feels 10 times as intense, a veritable pressure-cooker threatening to explode.
1
‘Misery’ (1987)
“I’m your number-one fan.” Reading this book is a white-knuckle experience. Misery begins with novelist Paul Sheldon getting into a car accident during a Colorado snowstorm. Rescued by his self-proclaimed “number-one fan,” Annie Wilkes, Paul initially believes himself fortunate to be alive. He soon discovers, however, that Annie is dangerously unstable and has no intention of allowing her favorite author to leave until he rewrites the ending of his latest novel according to her demands.
Stephen King strips thriller mechanics down to their essentials with this one. It’s a claustrophobic psychological battle consisting of just two characters and one location, far from help. Wilkes herself is a truly loathsome creation, pivoting at a moment’s notice from kindness to shocking brutality, which is a huge part of why we root so desperately for Paul to escape… and why we’re so devastated when he fails.
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Entertainment
‘Reacher’ Season 4 Is Officially Bringing Back a Character You Never Even Knew Existed [Exclusive]
Reacher thrives on a simple formula: Alan Ritchson‘s titular protagonist travels from town to town and city to city, often encountering evil in the process — and giving it a brutal beating. Throughout its run, Reacher introduced plenty of allies, including Maria Sten‘s Frances Neagley, and more than a few foes over the course of three seasons. Season 4 premieres tomorrow, and while it’s gaining some of the best reviews of the series fans might be surprised to learn that it’s continuing a long-running trend of establishing one character’s presence. What makes this worth mentioning? This character has never appeared on screen during Reacher‘s run
During Collider’s visit to the set of Reacher Season 4, production designer Nazgol Goshtasbpour revealed that each season has featured a workstation that belongs to a mysterious woman named Trish. Originally, Goshtasbpour and her crew wanted to make sure that the places where Reacher and his allies operate feel lived in, but decided to create a character entirely out of whole cloth to add to the illusion. In the process, they’ve actually managed to track this character’s life, and potentially set her up to appear in a future season of Reacher.
The ‘Reacher’ Production Designer Made Sure Trish’s Presence is Felt in ‘Reacher’
The idea to shape Trish’s workspace came during Season 2 of Reacher, which also brought Neagley into the fold. Nazgol Goshtasbpour said that she and the rest of the production team decided to create a character who was a joy to hang out with, which feels out of place with the brutal action of Reacher but screams to be explored further.
“So we like to, and especially our scenic team, we like to come up with a backstory of, like, who sits at that desk, even though, like, nobody’s there in our story. And we came up with a character named Trish, who was, like, fun and happy and, you know, she liked to go for happy hour.”
To make Trish’s landscape stand out, Goshtasbpour and her team added flourishes that would immediately draw the eye. Season 2 featured a leopard print jacket hanging on the back of a chair, alongside a pair of high heels and a bottle of wine; given Goshtasbpour’s description of Trish’s personality, these feel like the perfect accessories. Season 3 took it a step further with a similar setup in Neagey’s private investigator office, suggesting that she and Trish had a history. Finally, Season 4 will feature Trish having an office in a chemical plant; this aligns with the high stakes of the Lee Child novel it’s based on, Gone Tomorrow, where Reacher investigates a conspiracy that threatens to level Philadelphia.
Could Trish Show Up on ‘Reacher’?
Though Trish hasn’t appeared in the flesh on Reacher, Nazgol Goshtasbpour has hinted that the production team will continue to hint at her presence, with a major change coming for Season 5. “And then so next season, if we do another office, it’s going to be her retirement party,” she said. It does raise the question: could Trish and Reacher potentially cross paths in future seasons? The hulking ex-soldier has gained a reputation for romancing most of the women he encounters. There’s also the utterly hilarious idea of seeing a stoic figure like Reacher having to be in the presence of a bubbly party girl, especially if the right actress is picked to play Trish. Most of the people Reacher met can hold their own in battle as well; is it possible that Trish could be packing some deadly skills behind her party girl facade?
Making a television show is a labor of love by a veritable army of people; you have to get the right cast, the right writers, and the right production designers who bring the world of your show to life. By establishing Trish as a recurring presence, Reacher‘s production team has helped the show stand out in Prime Video’s catalog.
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy
After a tough year for the MCU in 2025, with the likes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Thunderbolts*, and Captain America: Brave New World all disappointing in one way or another, cinema’s biggest franchise has staged a superhuman comeback this summer. After debuting in late July, Spider-Man: Brand New Day — the final MCU stop ahead of Avengers: Doomsday this December — has smashed a jaw-dropping number of records as it defied even the highest of expectations.
In less than one week, the so-called “best Spidey adventure in 20 years” earned the biggest opening weekend in domestic history, the biggest ever in previews, the biggest first week haul of all time, and became the second-fastest film to reach the $1 billion mark worldwide. This was all before many had even had the chance to see it. Then came a second weekend that, once again, defied expectation, as Brand New Day earned the third-biggest second weekend haul of all time, behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Endgame.
Just as it seems we might be able to catch our breath, another major record rears its head. After becoming the highest-grossing Hollywood film in Indian history in just 10 days, Brand New Day currently boasts a global haul of $1.672 billion, comprising $654 million in domestic revenue and an additional $1.017 billion from overseas markets. This means that the film is already the 11th highest-grossing movie of all time, with a gap of just $26 million to bridge before officially joining the elite top ten. All that sits in Brand New Day‘s way is the $1.698 billion-grossing Inside Out 2.
When Will We See Tom Holland Again?
It has been a hugely busy month for Holland, as he starred in both of, not just this summer, but the year’s biggest films so far. Alongside Brand New Day, Holland also featured heavily in Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic The Odyssey, which has now become the great director’s biggest movie of all time. Understandably, following such a busy period, the 30-year-old British actor doesn’t have anything upcoming. In fact, Marvel Studios Producer and President Kevin Feige has said, “he’s going to rest after that global tour. He and Zendaya are going to take a good and restful victory lap, which they very much deserve.”
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters now. Stay tuned to Collider for more box office updates.
- Release Date
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July 29, 2026
- Runtime
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145 minutes
- Director
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Destin Daniel Cretton
- Writers
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Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
- Producers
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Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Amy Pascal, David Cain
In the Autumn of 1990, Metallica entered One on One Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California to begin recording its fifth studio album. The band was coming off its first headlining arena tour and most-successful record to date …And Justice For All, which spawned the song and music video for “One,” which received a good amount of play on MTV, setting the stage for what would come next. The quartet decided to take its time in the studio with new producer Bob Rock, who had recently helmed Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue and The Cult’s Sonic Temple, both of which were released in 1989.
Bob Rock worked with frontman James Hetfield to capture vastly better vocals and a true rhythm section, which was all but absent on …And Justice For All. In the documentary A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica, bassist Jason Newstead explains the band wanted to create a stronger unit behind the assault of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett‘s heavy guitars.
On this album we really went after a rhythm section, an actual rhythm section like it’s supposed to be… like everyone else has known about for a long time, and we’re just now realizing it or something.
The group spent 18 months recording the effort, refining its sound and focusing on slower grooves, succinct arrangements and powerful vocal performances. Many of the songs on the album began as vocal melody lines, a first for the group. Hetfield explains, “We wanted to concentrate more on the vocals. We never really took the time to do that with any of the vocal stuff. The vocals really had to take over in a lot of songs.” When all was said and done, the band’s fifth LP became the best-selling heavy metal album in history.
Metallica released its self-titled effort, known as The Black Album, on August 12, 1991. The LP is the band’s best-selling record, shifting over 31 million units worldwide, spawning five hit singles, including “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam” and “Sad But True.” “Enter Sandman” was the first single released off the album, and it was an immediate smash with its iconic opening riff. The video, which won an MTV Video Music Award, was on high rotation on the network. It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, helping the album debut at number one on the Billboard Album chart in August 1991, where it remained for four consecutive weeks.
“Sad But True” is the second track and stands out with its dropped “D” guitar tuning. To capture the heavy guitar tone on “Sad But True,” and other songs, Bob Rock created the “Tent of Doom.” The makeshift tent comprised of wooden panels and baffling surrounding multiple amplifiers with microphones positioned both close to the speakers and farther away to capture room ambience. Rock covered the creation with heavy U-Haul blankets to help obtain a thicker and deep multidimensional tone that really leaps off the record.
The Black Album Showcases a Maturing Band Willing to Take Risks
“The Unforgiven” flips the script on Metallica’s formula for “ballads.” Instead of clean verses and heavy choruses used in classic tracks “Fade to Black” and “Welcome Home (Sanitarium),”, they swapped the distorted verse with a clean chorus and gentle vocals from Hetfield. The song, which launched two sequels, “The Unforgiven II” in 1997 and “The Unforgiven III” in 2008, crossed over, was a top 40 hit. Kirk Hammett struggled to get the solo just right, but in the end, he laid down gripping and melodic guitar work. He later admitted, “It’s pretty much the type of guitar solo I’ve been trying to do for the past five or six years. I’m really proud of that.”
“Nothing Else Matters” was the first true Metalliballad. It was another top 40 hit for the band and frontman James Hetfield plays the melodic guitar solo on the tune. On the flip side, the album has great, concise songs that harken back to the band’s thrash beginnings, including “Through the Never,” “Of Wolf and Man,” “Don’t Tread on Me,” “The Struggle Within,” and “Holier Than Thou.” “The God That Failed” and “My Friend of Misery,” the only song which bassist Jason Newstead gets a writing credit, are two of the more progressive songs, with impressive guitar work, that stand the test of time.
The quartet used a plethora of instruments and unique percussion tools to enhance the recording. Drummer Lars Ulrich added shakers, tambourines and the signature gong on “Wherever I May Roam,” while James Hetfield used a lever-action rifle in the studio to create a percussive overdub heard in “That God That Failed,” which you can hear at the 3:50 to four minute mark behind Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo. The quartet also added instruments they’d never used in the studio prior, including the electric sitar, 12-string bass, 12-string acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar and baritone guitar. Bob Rock talked the band into adding keyboards and a string section from the Michael Kamen conducted London Symphony Orchestra on “Nothing Else Matters.”
Lyrically, the album strays from the group’s focus on history, war, and horror to tracks that deal with universal human emotions, showing off a vulnerability that was nowhere to be heard before. “Nothing Else Matters,” “The Unforgiven” and “The God That Failed” all feature personal and heartfelt lyrics as well as emotional vocals from James Hetfield. Producer Bob Rock coaxed some great vocal performances, including some amazing vocal harmonies out of Hetfield, which improved the quality of the music and gives the effort a more robust sound.
As a result of the effort’s success, Metallica skyrocketed to worldwide fame and toured for over three and a half years behind the classic album. They played over 400 concerts in 30 countries, including the group’s first shows in the Soviet Union, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. In September 1991, Metallica played the Monsters of Rock concert at the Tushino Airfield in Moscow with AC/DC, Pantera and The Black Crowes. The free concert drew more than a million fans, just months before the Soviet Union dissolved into 15 new sovereign nations.
The Wherever We May Roam Tour ran from 1991 to 1993. In the midst of that outing, Metallica joined Guns N’ Roses for the ill-fated 1992 Summer co-headlining tour. The group kept playing sold-out shows through 1993 with the Nowhere Else to Roam Tour and into 1994 with a shed tour playing outdoor theaters instead of arenas and stadiums. Metallica’s music videos for “Sad But True” and “Wherever I May Roam” perfectly capture the energy and experience of what it was like to see the band live in the early 90s.
The Black Album Still Impacts Pop Culture Today
The Black Album is a landmark effort that brought heavy metal to the masses and broke down barriers between heavy metal, rock and pop music fans. The LP cemented Metallica’s legacy as one of the greatest bands in history. “Enter Sandman,” which won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 1992 ceremony, is a ubiquitous song that is as relevant today as it was when it was released 35 years ago. Drummer Lars Ulrich’s signature backbeat and Kirk Hammett’s iconic guitar riff are played at every major sporting event to pump up the crowd. Hall of Fame Major League Baseball relief pitcher Mariano Rivera from the New York Yankees used the iconic song as his entrance music when he came into games from 1999-2013. The Virginia Tech Hokies football team have used the track since 2000 as its entrance music, creating a chill-inducing environment. The song has appeared in TV shows like The Simpsons and The Sopranos. “Enter Sandman” still receives a lot of radio play and blends right in with today’s classic rock programming.
Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?
The effort proved that a metal band could impact pop culture without losing its identity. The Black Album spent over 700 weeks on the Billboard Album chart and held the top spot for four consecutive weeks in August and September 1991. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009. After 35 years, The Black Album is the defining achievement of the band’s career and one of the most influential records in music history. The LP had an indelible impact on Gen X and its legacy is still being written as new audiences discover the classic album.
Classic Albums: Metallica – Metallica
- Release Date
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November 6, 2001
- Runtime
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50 minutes
- Director
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Matthew Longfellow
- Producers
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Nick De Grunwald, Bous De Jong
-
James Hetfield
Self – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
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Kirk Hammett
Self – Guitar
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Jason Newsted
Self – Bass
-
There’s something inherently entertaining when it comes to a thriller. With a large group of genres under the umbrella, audiences flock to films that keep them on the edge of their seats. Maybe it’s the story or the performances that keep you engaged, but a great thriller requires excellent direction.
Throughout, there have been extraordinary masterpieces, but among those, the films on this list are perfectly directed. From legendary visionaries to directors on the rise, they share an evocative power to make a lasting impact. With countless awards and inspiring new techniques in filmmaking, these directors helmed perfect films. For this list, we are keeping it to one film per director to share the wealth of praise! There are certainly many titles that could have found their place on this list, but these films are perfect.
1
‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
Director: Martin Scorsese
There are certainly a plethora of titles that could be considered Martin Scorsese‘s greatest work. Though he’s been nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Director, winning only one, his most impactful work, which set him on the course of an influential director, came with Taxi Driver. Also jumpstarting his long-term collaboration with Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver tells the story of Travis Bickle, an isolated, mentally unstable Vietnam War vet. He works nights as a taxi driver, due to his insomnia, in a decaying, crime-ridden New York City. As he spirals due to loneliness and psychosis, Bickle turns to violence in an attempt to clean up the city. Centering on vigilante violence, Taxi Driver captures a man’s decline through a nightmarish dreamscape of isolation.
Scorsese’s film is not an easy one to watch. There are moments that are destined to make you uncomfortable. Yet, Scorsese prevents those moments from being grotesque. Instead, they serve to exemplify Bickle’s state of mind. Using pan-away shots, you start with an image of Bickle, then suddenly pull back to reveal he’s alone. It may be subtle, but it’s effective filmmaking. Then, by distorting reality through slow-motion and dream-like lighting, Scorsese forces the audience to see the world as Bickle envisions it. Taxi Driver is a deeply intimate character study that showcases how Scorsese doesn’t always need a grand ensemble to tell an effective narrative. Taxi Driver is an iconic film with an iconic character who established the ’70s in cinema. None of that could have been done without Scorsese.
2
‘Get Out (2017)
Director: Jordan Peele
If you told anyone in the early 2000s that MAD TV star Jordan Peele would become a horror filmmaker who effectively changed the genre, they would likely laugh. And then, in 2017, Get Out debuted, and Peele established himself as a brilliant director audiences flocked toward to see what he would craft next. It all stems back to the brilliance that is Get Out. A sensational dissertation on how the horrors of our world are the things out in the open, Get Out became the modern psychological-horror standard. Peele’s tale follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a Black photographer, as he visits his white girlfriend Rose Armitage’s (Allison Williams) parents, Missy and Dean (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford), for the weekend. While there, he soon discovers, thanks to the weird behavior of the Black servants and awkward microaggressions, that the family lures Black people to their estate to transplant elderly white minds into their bodies, leaving victims in a paralyzing void known as the sunken place. Chris must get out before he’s next. A haunting, meticulously directed film, Peele’s social thriller relies on psychological discomfort rather than traditional horror tropes to create an effective masterpiece.
The horror of racism could have led to an overtly on-the-nose story that didn’t capture Peele’s mission. Instead, he holds a mirror up to society while amplifying the horror elements around it. Capturing the state of the world, Get Out had an essence of believability that made it scarily real. The anxiety of Black America is a profound theme, helped by putting the audience in Chris’s shoes. As the writer and director, Peele knew this film inside and out. He expertly fleshed out his universe by making it eerily real, so by the time the truth is revealed, there is a plausibility that psychological mind games might effectively be around us. In the end, the emotional payoff is satisfying and empowering, effectively wrapping up his directorial feature debut.
3
‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)
Director: Safdie Brothers
There have been many sibling duos who became legendary directors. In the 21st century, it was Josh and Benny Safdie who joined the extraordinary list. All it took was their crime thriller, Uncut Gems. The high-stakes film follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic, gambling-addicted New York City jeweler. Upon acquiring a rare Ethiopian opal, he must juggle mounting debts, angry loan sharks, and his complicated family life in a relentless, high-anxiety pursuit of the ultimate winning bet. With a precisely chaotic movie, the Safdies create an engaging yet stressful atmosphere that evokes the action of Howard’s journey.
The Safdies orchestrate a realistic pandemonium to effectively create the high-stakes adventure. From frenetic handheld cameras to overlapping dialogue, the controlled chaos leads to exposing Howard’s manic anxiety and addiction. Viewers are trapped on Howard’s thrill ride, only leaving when the deed is done. Working with cinematographer Darius Khondji, sound mixer Skip Lievsay, and Daniel Lopatin‘s synth score, the overlapping elements become harmonious while being erratic, heightening the heist. As far as acting is concerned, they pulled out a career-best out of comedian Sandler, proving he deserves to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. Uncut Gems sparkles and shines thanks to the extraordinary work of the Safdies.
4
‘Parasite’ (2019)
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
For the longest time, foreign-language films seemed to be on the outskirts of mainstream cinema. Then, Bong Joon-Ho‘s Parasite arrived, and that separation ceased. A true masterpiece in direction, Parasite blends dark comedy with dark thriller elements to tell the story of the Kims, a poor family who infiltrate the wealthy household of the Parks by posing as unrelated, highly qualified servants. A scathing critique of modern capitalism through the lens of class conflict, inequality, and greed, Bong’s transition from witty scam comedy into suspenseful tragedy provided for an alluring film. Parasite‘s success as the first foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture relies on Bong’s sheer brilliance.
Easily Bong’s magnum opus, Parasite takes a simple premise and turns it on its head. Like the sleek home the Parks take over, Bong meticulously builds Parasite from the ground up, using the architectural blueprint to construct a sleek film. His ability to cast a stark contrast of class through every production element — costumes, set, color — leads to a seamless composition of his vision. With so many genres and themes to balance, Bong maintains an effective tone that makes Parasite a shapeshifting thriller. The natural progression of the story falls into place without question. Through subtle changes in atmosphere, through sound and lighting, the Parks’ journey becomes even more thrilling. Parasite is unapologetic, as Bong does not allow outside influence to shape the narrative of classism in society. Parasite might be presented from a Korean perspective, but Bong’s ability to make it largely universal allowed the film to be the mainstream hit that it is.
5
‘No Country For Old Men’ (2007)
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Very few directors know how to make an atmosphere a thrill in and of itself quite like Joel and Ethan Coen. With a brilliant resume behind them, they made their mark in the 2000s with their neo-Western crime thriller No Country for Old Men. Using Cormac McCarthy‘s 2005 novel as inspiration, the story follows a trio of men: Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles upon a large sum of money in the desert; Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a hitman who is sent to recover the money; and Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a sheriff investigating the crime while battling a changing world he feels ill-equipped to handle. Set in the vast desert landscape of 1980 West Texas, the Coen brothers’ masterpiece is a story that isn’t about who ends up with the loot; it’s about the chase between the hunter and the hunted, a role each of the main characters adopts throughout the film.
A masterclass in visual storytelling, the Coens’ ability to build suspense through silence and ambient natural sounds heightens the tension, dropping viewers into a bleak, desolate landscape that mirrors the grim, philosophical approach to their story. No Country for Old Men showcases how capturing the precise atmosphere leads to a perfect movie. As far as characters go, the collaboration between the directors and their star brought out one of the 21st century’s most recognizable villains in Anton Chigurh. Lifted effortlessly from page to screen, just his gaze alone strikes immediate fear. No wonder Bardem earned an Oscar for his performance! As did the Coens. They have made cult classics and impressionable offbeat dark comedies, but nothing has ever been quite like their achievement with No Country for Old Men.
6
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
It’s safe to say that Stanley Kubrick can do extraordinary work in literally any genre of cinema. For his final project, Kubrick took Arthur Schnitzler’s novella, Dream Story, and brought it to modern times in the erotic psychological thriller, Eyes Wide Shut. The ’90s classic follows Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), who spirals into a night-long, surreal odyssey of sexual obsession and paranoia after his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to nearly abandoning their family for a fantasy encounter. Blurring the line between the couple’s subconscious desires and their actual actions through a journey between reality and fantasy, Kubrick’s masterpiece is smartly crafted and profoundly executed.
What Kubrick does well is create a hauntingly surreal, slightly off dream. Hidden in plain sight, Kubrick creates a symbolic vocabulary through imagery, light, and color. The vibrancy and its transforming palette represent shifting emotional states, jealousy, and danger. As a brilliant psychological thriller that visually shows the emotional state, it is a masterful way to tell the story. Kubrick united top-tier performers to create such perfect chemistry, it bled off-screen as well! Eyes Wide Story is sexy and erotic, and it is thought-provoking and gripping. A film that was misunderstood at first, only to age like fine wine, Kubrick left the world, making his favorite film in his storied career. Eyes Wide Shut is truly like nothing he’s crafted before.
7
‘American Psycho’ (2000)
Director: Mary Harron
The premise of American Psycho sounds terrifying, but when director Mary Harron brought Bret Easton Ellis’ novel to life, the result was an exceptional black-comedy psychological thriller. The film follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy 1980s New York City investment banker who hides his alternate life as a sadistic serial killer. The plot, centered on themes of materialism and alienation, tracks his descent into madness as he murders colleagues, including Paul Allen (Jared Leto), and strangers, while his superficial social circle remains oblivious. With a central character that has attempted to be replicated, but can only be referenced, American Psycho was an underdog film that became a classic overnight. Hatton took a sensational story and blew it up for the big screen. Balancing horrific violence with satirical comedy, she took the superficial 1980s and narcissism to critique the absurdity of the yuppie lifestyle and male vanity.
At its core, American Psycho is a slasher film about the most enigmatic serial killer. Perhaps the most shocking part about the film is the reaction to Patrick Bateman. Harron worked with Bale to find the rich nuances within Patrick that, for whatever reason, resonated with audiences, with some even idolizing him. As she told Letterboxd, she always saw the film as “a gay man’s satire on masculinity.” She notes how the idiosyncrasies of the character, like the meticulous rituals and obsession with image, are “men are prizing their extreme competition and their ‘elevating their prowess’ kind of thing.” She says, “There’s something very, very gay about the way they’re fetishizing looks and the gym.” Harron’s ability to give Bateman the room to deliver a precise, iconic performance as a narcissistic, detached psychopath made the film perfect. At the end of the day, American Psycho is a fantastic, bloody film.
8
‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (1962)
Director: John Frankenheimer
If there’s ever been a film that forces you to question everyone you once trusted, look no further than The Manchurian Candidate. Based on Richard Condon’s novel, John Frankenheimer brought to life the perfect Cold War neo-noir political thriller. The iconic film tells the story of an American Korean War platoon brainwashed by Communists. Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is programmed as a sleeper assassin tasked with killing a U.S. presidential candidate to aid a Communist conspiracy managed by his mother (Angela Lansbury). Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) is on a mission to uncover the plot by any means. A darkly satirical film, The Manchurian Candidate, highlights themes of paranoia, mental manipulation, and political corruption through Frankenheimer’s sharply edited narrative.
To expose the paranoia at the film’s root, Frankenheimer deploys a disorienting, rapid-cutting editing style. Sensational examples include the brainwashing scenes, which transition seamlessly between a communist lecture hall and a New Jersey garden party, making the surreal feel real. Lionel Lindon’s cinematography is enhanced by black-and-white shooting and unique camera angles that heighten the thriller’s sense of paranoia. Perhaps one of the underappreciated achievements of Frankenheimer in this film is his hand-picked ensemble. He pulled out standout performances from every actor, exposing how going against type can deliver perfect shocks. Seeing how he led Lansbury to an Oscar nomination in her deliciously manipulative mother role underscores how crucial the relationship between actor and director is. The Manchurian Candidate is a deeply focused film that was truly ahead of its time due to Frankenheimer’s pristine vision.
9
‘Se7en’ (1995)
Director: David Fincher
When a film forces you to question the contents of a box delivered at your feet, you know you’ve done something brilliant. Such was the case for David Fincher’s Se7en. The film follows disenchanted, nearly retired Detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Brad Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. A brutal and gruesome crime thriller, Se7en went beyond the typical police procedural to deliver something thought-provoking and intelligent through Fincher’s calculated control over tone, visual aesthetics, and the psychological manipulation of the audience through shock.
To capture the specific essence Fincher was searching for, he deliberately placed the film in an unnamed city, detached from time and space, creating a timeless, universal sense of dread. And nothing spells dread quite like persistent rain. Alongside cinematographer Darius Khondji, the duo used a “bleach bypass” chemical process on the film stock to deepen shadows and create a high-contrast, desaturated look. Further, the subtle use of color allows the eye to delve into the important details. For the story, the audience is well aware that the killer is playing with the seven deadly sins, and thus, we wait for each to be unleashed. It’s a slow burn built through tension during the investigation. By the time the climax culminates and John Doe (Kevin Spacey) drops his final twist, that slow-burning was more than worth it. Se7en is Fincher showing why perfectionism can lead to a sensation. Every single frame is curated, resulting in a stunning final product. A timeless classic, Se7en exemplifies Fincher at his finest.
10
‘Memento’ (2000)
Director: Christopher Nolan
If there is one director who has defined the 21st century thus far, it’s Christopher Nolan. Kicking off the new millennium, Nolan uses a short story by his brother, Jonathan Nolan, as inspiration for the exceptional psychological neo-noir thriller Memento. The film tackles the intriguing story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that causes short-term memory loss and prevents him from forming new memories. Using an elaborate system of photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos, Leonard attempts to uncover the perpetrator, simply known as “John G,” who killed his wife (Jorja Fox) and caused him to sustain the condition. A sharply intricate film in which black-and-white tells one story moving forward, while color tells the story moving backward, Memento’s alternating timelines collide to create an immersive, cerebral puzzle.
The chronological and reverse chronological storytelling could have been a risky flop, but because Nolan’s painstaking focus and subjective perspective are executed to perfection. The audience is forced to question everything as the timelines converge, leading to a psychological breakdown because they no longer have a trustworthy narrator. Memento is a film to watch multiple times because Nolan’s usage of subtle clues is precisely placed. This is a film that demands attention, and the more closely you watch, the richer the film becomes. At the core of the film, memory, identity, and perception shape every technical choice that leads to Leonard’s psyche. Nolan’s work has been lauded over the past two decades for films like Inception, The Dark Knight, and Oppenheimer, but Memento proved his brilliance.
President Donald Trump’s team reportedly reached out to Ohio Republican leadership earlier this month, requesting a so-called cease fire in public ridicule of Rep. Max Miller amid allegations of domestic abuse.
The White House allegedly contacted Ohio Republicans last week after Trump’s team became convinced that Miller, 37, would not be withdrawing voluntarily from Ohio’s 7th Congressional District race, according to Politico.
The outlet reported on Monday, August 10, that the Trump administration asked the local politicians to stop pressuring Miller to terminate his reelection campaign, claiming that three individuals with “direct knowledge of private conversations” confirmed the correspondence took place.
“They basically told us to back off and let the voters decide,” one Ohio Republican allegedly involved in the conversations told Politico.
Rep. Max Miller’s attorney, Aaron Minc, is claiming responsibility after the embattled congressman shared a fully nude photograph of his 2-year-old daughter. “Unfortunately, I missed the last three pages of a 40+ page document with sensitive content,” Minc said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, August 4, issuing an apology for what the lawyer […]
Us has reached out to the White House for comment.
The controversy surrounding Miller began earlier this summer, when his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, accused him of domestic abuse during their marriage. (Moreno filed for divorce in 2024.)
Last month, multiple outlets reported that Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno’s daughter Emily accused Miller of throwing hot water on her body, holding a gun to her head, pushing her with enough force to hurt her and breaking their now-2-year-old daughter’s collarbone.
Miller has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that his ex-wife is not “all there.”
The congressman has since sued Emily for defamation while remaining committed to his reelection bid.
After refusing to denounce Rep. Max Miller after his own daughter accused the congressman of domestic violence, Sen. Bernie Moreno is calling the politician a “danger” who is unfit for public office. “As a father and husband, I can tell you the last two years have been pure hell for my wife Bridget, our daughter […]
Amid his messy legal battle with Emily, Miller released a Dropbox full of documents via X on August 2, which he claimed was done in hopes of “defending” himself from his ex’s allegations.
The move backfired, however, when the now-public files contained an image of Miller’s 2-year-old daughter fully naked.
Miller’s attorney subsequently took responsibility for the photo making its way onto the internet, apologizing in a statement on August 4.
“Unfortunately, I missed the last three pages of a 40+ page document with sensitive content,” Aaron Minc told CNN at the time. “It was completely unintentional and a mistake. The moment I discovered the issue on Monday morning, I corrected the file immediately.”
First lady Melania Trump stunned observers on April 9, 2026, when she held an impromptu press conference at the White House to deny any connection to late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein — and to reject rumors that Epstein introduced her to her husband, President Donald Trump. What Melania Trump Said During Her Rare Public […]
He added, “I am truly sorry to Congressman Miller, Ms. Moreno, both of their families, and, especially, to their daughter. I deeply regret the mistake.”
The photo was part of a February 2025 exchange between Miller and Emily amid a dispute over whether their child was injured on the politician’s watch. The incident was investigated at the time and no charges were filed against the congressman.
Despite Miller’s attorney taking accountability for the mishap, the controversy only drew more negative attention — and caused more public outrage over Miller continuing to hold a public office.
“As he has admitted privately, Max Miller needs serious psychological help,” Sen. Moreno, 59, wrote via X earlier this month after previously not taking a stand on the issue. “He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”
Former congressman Eric Swalwell had a reported fling with President Donald Trump adviser Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, when she was a 22-year-old intern working on Capitol Hill. A Thursday, August 6, report published by Sources Say News, a popular Capitol Hill blog, revealed the alleged relationship between Swalwell, 45, and Katie, now 34. According […]
He added, “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
Miller, meanwhile, vowed to “file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family,” claiming in an X statement, “I have absolutely nothing to hide.”
The House of Ethics has since opened an investigation into Miller in wake of the allegations.
When it comes to his reelection campaign, Miller had until 4 p.m. on Monday to drop out so party leaders could schedule a meeting to discuss his replacement. Miller did not announce his resignation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Editor’s note: The below contains minor spoilers for the Ted Lasso Season 4 premiere.
One of the most popular shows of all time is officially back on Apple TV. Ted Lasso appeared to wrap up its run for good in 2023 with what was billed as the third and seemingly final season. However, given the show’s enduring popularity, Apple TV has now brought back the Emmy-winning series for another go. Season 4 premiered last week, reuniting many of our favorite characters and reintroducing the show’s signature charm — but a surprising movie reference in the premiere might leave some fans scratching their heads.
‘Ted Lasso’s Season 4 Return Includes a Fun Quentin Tarantino Easter Egg
When Episode 1 begins, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is back in his hometown of Kansas City three years after leaving England. He’s devoted his life to spending time with his son and being the best dad he can be while working as an assistant manager at a grocery store. Ted might not be totally in his element like he was as a soccer coach, but he’s doing the best he can. While Ted is scanning grocery items for a customer in the checkout line, eagle-eyed fans might notice one product in particular that has actually earned a spot in pop culture lore.
Red Apple is a fictional cigarette brand created by the legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, which first appeared in 1994’s seminal classic, Pulp Fiction, when Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) orders a pack at a bar. Other characters, including Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) and Ringo (Tim Roth), can be seen smoking the brand. Tarantino has also included his invented brand in other films like Kill Bill: Volume 1, Death Proof, and The Hateful Eight. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino even inserts a Red Apple commercial starring Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) into the action, as well as ensuring that Red Apple is Cliff Booth’s (Brad Pitt) brand of choice throughout the movie. While the brand and its recognizable label have become a signature of Tarantino’s, most Ted Lasso viewers might be a tad stumped about why the two worlds have now crossed over.
‘Ted Lasso’s Tarantino Connection Offers a Hint About Season 4’s Storytelling
Because Tarantino movies and Ted Lasso are so incredibly different in tone and storytelling style, there has been some speculation from viewers about why the Apple TV series decided to include the brand. Tarantino has been quoted as saying that some of his films do take place in a “real universe,” so the cigarettes could serve as a hint that Ted Lasso‘s story exists on that same plane. Fans have also pointed out that there are many Wizard of Oz allusions in the show, so the Red Apple cigarettes could be viewed as a nod to the trees that pop up along Dorothy’s journey.
In reality, a recent interview with Sudeikis confirms that Season 4’s Red Apple reference was intentional, and that the show’s writers did get permission from Tarantino to use the brand. As huge fans of Tarantino’s work, they merely wanted to pay tribute to his movies in a small yet noteworthy way. The Red Apple nod doubles as the perfect way to honor America before Ted travels back across the pond, making the UK his home again. As the season unfolds, it’s unlikely that there will be many more Tarantino references, but any Easter eggs included for the show’s most devoted fans just make watching Ted Lasso all the more fun.
Ted Lasso
- Release Date
-
August 14, 2020
- Network
-
Apple TV
- Directors
-
Declan Lowney, MJ Delaney, Erica Dunton, Matt Lipsey
Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on August 11, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:
• Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11 after nearly 10 years together. The private wedding was attended by their five children.
• Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver will make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago beginning September 7 at the Ambassador Theatre. The six-week limited engagement runs through October 18 and follows her surprise retirement from the iconic DCC squad earlier this year.
• A judge signed off on a plea by order that could allow Joseph and Kendra Duggar‘s child endangerment and false imprisonment charges to be dismissed if they comply with court-approved conditions for one year, Us can confirm. The couple must maintain good behavior, follow legal orders and pay $1,850 in fines and costs, with a review hearing set for August 4, 2027.
Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance
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Jeans are a closet staple, so why can’t denim dresses hold that same honor? The classic fabric can be styled for all sorts of occasions and makes for a smart summer-to-fall transition. Many denim dress options are also made with stretch, so they’re comfortable for all-day wear and work as easy, everyday staples. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that, while pretty, these pieces are still durable in the washing machine.
Just like any other kind of dress, denim dresses come in mini, midi and maxi silhouettes. Some are sleeveless while others boast prominent sleeves that’ll come in handy when temperatures cool down. We think it’s time for denim to become the star of your outfit, rather than just a part of your bottom half.
13 Denim Dresses for Summer-to-Fall Dressing
1. Our Favorite: With a collar and waist tie, this short-sleeve denim dress has a more polished look. It’s just as easy to pair with heels as it is with boots.
2. Sleek and Sleeveless: Thanks to the darker wash, this sleeveless denim dress doesn’t feel overwhelming. The midi length works for every day, and the thicker straps allow you to wear your regular bra.
3. Bell Babe: The mini length with three-quarter bell sleeves gives this A-line denim dress a retro vibe. Catch us wearing it with sandals through the end of summer and then switching to boots come fall.
4. Everyday Wear: This relaxed denim shirtdress can take you from a casual office to happy hour with ease. And this Madewell style is cinched in the back, so it won’t overwhelm your frame.
Nothing says ‘effortlessly put together’ quite like the right dress, but if you’re like Us, you might be bored with your current lineup. Instead of grabbing summer dresses to fill the void, we’re grabbing these chic wonders that go straight from summer to fall. Better yet, they’re all on major sale at Macy’s — we’re […]
5. Must-Have Maxi: With tiers and a V-neck, this denim maxi dress will be a standout option in your wardrobe. When the occasion calls for something a little more elevated without being too fancy, this will be your go-to.
6. Flowy Find: On days you don’t feel like thinking too hard about your outfit, this flowy short dress will come to the rescue. It has puffed to-the-elbow sleeves, so it can be worn all on its own.
7. Hot Halter: Let your back do the talking in this halter maxi dress. When summer starts winding down, simply throw a cardigan or blazer over it for a versatile style.
8. Fit and Flare: The dark wash really works in this Steven Madden dress that features a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette. The vertical seams up top and pleats on the bottom elongate the body, too.
9. Sweet Cinch: Thanks to the elastic waistband, this short-sleeve denim dress has a nice balance between being flowy and structured. It comes in long-sleeve options, too!
10. Plus-Size Pick: This fit-and-flare Walmart find is available in sizes 0X to 5X. The sleeveless design and midi length mean you can style it in so many ways, too.
11. Collared Cutie: Denim feels a bit more polished with a collar, and that’s what you’ll get with this mini short-sleeved option. Now you just have to decide between the light and dark washes.
12. Dark Wash: From far away, someone might not even be able to tell that this three-quarter-sleeve denim dress is, well, denim. And the cutesy collar brings it all together for a more structured option.
13. Buttoned Beauty: If there is one denim dress that we’d say works for the office, it’s this midi button-up pick. It is more fitted and has a small slit in the front, making it easy to walk in.
Heels aren’t the only way to fake longer-looking legs. The right dress silhouette can completely change your proportions, creating the illusion of extra height while keeping you cool and comfortable through the hottest days of summer. That’s why we went on a hunt to pull rich-looking styles that pair perfectly with even your favorite sandals. […]
UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Anne Hathaway is having one of the biggest years of her career. However, the project many fans are most excited about is still in development: “The Princess Diaries 3.” Recently, another star of the films, Hollywood legend Julie Andrews, opened up about why fans won’t see her in the upcoming film.
It was confirmed in 2022 that “The Princess Diaries 3” was in the works with Aadrita Mukerji hired to write the screenplay. More recently, Hathaway has discussed the planned movie, revealing that there have been different versions of the script.
In August 2026, Andrews spoke to InStyle, confirming that she will not be in the film but that the team behind it had approached her with an offer. She began, “I think I probably passed. I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that. [They] asked me all last year if I would be keen to do it.”
After that, she said, “It was very, very hard to say ‘no,’ but I did because I thought I had a wonderful ride, and this one I felt would flourish very well and wouldn’t need Granny going in there at my age.”
Anne Hathaway Recently Gave An Update On ‘The Princess Diaries 3’
Hathaway is appearing in several big-budget movies in 2026. This includes “The Odyssey,” “The Last House on Oak Street,” and “Dune 3.” In June 2026, while appearing on SiriusXM’s “Andy Cohen Live,” the actress was asked for an update on “The Princess Diaries 3.”
She said that the development for the movie is “moving in the right direction.” Hathaway continued, “I can say I think we had a story breakthrough. The script that we were working on — we kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”
Regarding the timeline, Hathaway, who is pregnant, stated, “I’m busy making baby number three, and that has sort of taken the place of knowing when exactly I can make ‘Princess Diaries 3.’”
Julie Andrews Hasn’t Appeared On Screen In Several Years
Andrews is a legend in Hollywood thanks to classics like “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” However, the legendary actress, now age 90, hasn’t appeared on screen since 2017’s “Julie’s Greenroom,” which consisted of 13 episodes. Regarding film, her last time being seen outside of voice work came with 2010’s “Tooth Fairy.”
More recently, she has lent her voice to projects such as Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Despicable Me 3,” and “The King’s Daughter.”
The ‘Princess Diaries’ Movies Were Huge Hits
Walt Disney Studios released “The Princess Diaries” in August 2001 and its sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement,” in 2024. Regarding the first film, according to Box Office Mojo, it has grossed $165,335,153, including both US and international markets. The movie had a budget of $26,000,000. It made $22,862,269 in its first weekend of release.
The second film was also a success, although not as big a one as the original film. In total, it has earned $134,734,481 off of a $40,000,000 budget. However, it should be noted that the second movie in the franchise had a bigger opening weekend than the first, bringing in $22,956,453.
Julie Andrews Has A New Children’s Book Out
Andrews’ newest book, “Shy,” which she coauthored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, was released in August 2026 from Abrams Books for Young Readers. Notably, they have written over 35 books together. While speaking to InStyle, Andrews discussed working with her daughter, saying, “We have slightly different strengths. Emma’s all the nuts and bolts of the book.”
She continued, “I do the kind of opening and closing, or finishing a chapter and moving on to the next one, and we finish each other’s sentences all the time…” Hamilton then chimmed in, “It’s true. I’m the champion of structure, and mom is the great ideas.” Her daughter also opened up about what it means to write books for other people’s children.
She stated, “There is something so joyous about it because ultimately the stories need to be inherently hopeful, or at least, if not hopeful—they don’t have to have a happy ending, but they have to provide tools.”
Stronger every day. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez‘s love for one another has guided them through even their biggest challenges.
The couple were first linked two years after the former Manchester United player‘s 2015 split from Irina Shayk. Ronaldo was already the father of son Cristiano Jr., born in 2010, before sparking his high-profile romances. (He has stated that he will never publicly reveal the identity of his child’s mother.)
When Ronaldo and Rodríguez attended their first event as a couple in January 2017 — the Best FIFA Football Awards in Germany — they were accompanied by the athlete’s son. The pair later reflected on the beginning of their relationship in Netflix’s I Am Georgina, which debuted in January 2022.
“We had a very special start to our relationship,” Rodríguez, who was working in a Gucci store when she met her beau, told the cameras. “Many times he’d come after work. He [came], I remember once, in a Bugatti. My coworkers went crazy. They get there on the bus, and I would leave in a Bugatti. I mean, people couldn’t believe it.”
The Portugal native chimed in: “It was funny because I would wait for her outside the store in these flashy cars I have. … We would go home, and there we would go into our own world.”
In August 2026, the couple made their love story official when they got married during a civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.
Scroll down for a look back at Ronaldo and Rodríguez’s love story:
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