In 1979, filmmaker Ridley Scott reimagined the sci-fi genre with an added touch of brutal terror when he unleashed Alien on cinema-goers around the world. The film not only launched a franchise and gave us a new kind of final girl in Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, but also earned the bragging rights of being a favorite among its peers. While so often, films of the like are looked over during the award circuit, Alien stood out enough to not just land the Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects, but also secured the bag and took the trophy home.

In the years since Alien’s initial success, the franchise has grown to a whopping seven titles — nine if you count the Alien vs. Predator crossover flicks as part of the lineup. What started with Scott quickly branched out to include some other incredibly talented filmmakers, with names like James Cameron and David Fincher picking up the reins and putting their own spin on things. Sadly, by the time the new millennium rolled around, it seemed like new and exciting ideas were beginning to fall by the wayside, and the film series was hit with a handful of less-than-savory releases.

That all shifted in 2024, when Fede Álvarez stepped out of the dark and chilly expanse of space to deliver Alien: Romulus. Shifting the focus from Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, the film introduced a brand-new lineup of stars to the extraterrestrial universe with Cailee Spaeny stepping into the role of Rain Carradine and stealing the hearts of viewers everywhere alongside her android brother, Andy (David Jonsson). Not only did the film breathe new life into the franchise, but it expanded on what could be achieved in the genre, all while raking in a staggering $350.9 million at the global box office. And, even though it’s been almost two years since Romulus graced the screens of local cinemas, it’s still a fan-favorite hit as, according to FlixPatrol, the movie sits at the top of HBO Max’s global Top 10 chart.

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What’s Next for the ‘Alien’ Franchise?

Following the success of Alien: Romulus, 20th Century Studios was quick to push forward a plan for a sequel. While Álvarez might not be attached to helm the production, things are still moving at a decent pace for the upcoming installment. Beyond the big screen, FX and Noah Hawley struck gold late last year with the arrival of Alien: Earth, which scored big with critics and fans alike. Now moving towards a second season, the series looks like it has plenty of running power left.

Head over to HBO Max now to stream Alien: Romulus.

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Release Date

August 16, 2024

Runtime

119 Minutes

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Director

Fede Alvarez

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Writers

Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett

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By Phillip Moyer
| Updated 40 seconds ago

White House Down stars Channing Tatum as Marine Corps veteran John Cale, who is working as a Capitol Police officer who applied for a job in the Secret Service before getting rejected as unqualified. However, after a paramilitary group seizes the White House, it’s up to Cale to save the president and stop the terrorists from starting a nuclear war.

While not seen as a bad movie, per se, White House Down wasn’t warmly received by critics when it was released in 2013, leaving the film with a 52 percent Tomatometer rating. The film, directed by Independence Day and Moonfall director Roland Emmerich, was praised for the chemistry between Channing Tatum and co-stars Jamie Foxx and Maggie Gyllenhaal, but derided for its overuse of action movie tropes.

Some critics noted the level of self-awareness the movie had, leading them to consider White House Down a parody rather than a straightforward action thriller.

A Box Office Disappointment

Audiences seemed to enjoy the White House Down, with CinemaScore giving the film an A- audience rating. However, those who took to the internet to share their reviews were similarly lukewarm towards the film, as demonstrated by the film’s 62 percent Popcornmeter score.

Regardless of how audiences felt about White House Down, the movie ended up with disappointing box office returns. The film made $205 million worldwide and only $73 million domestically. With a production budget of $150 million, these numbers were probably not enough for the film to break even after marketing and distribution costs are taken into consideration.

Another Film Hurt White House Down’s Chance Of Box Office Success

One thing that probably didn’t help White House Down was the fact that it was released three months after Olympus Has Fallen; another movie about a terrorist attack on the White House. Olympus Has Fallen starred Gerald Butler as a secret service agent tasked with rescuing President Benjamen Asher (played by Aaron Eckhart) after North Korean terrorists take over the White House.

When raw numbers are taken into account Olympus Has Fallen actually performed slightly worse than White House Down. While both films received an A- CinemaScore, Olympus Has Fallen received a 49 percent Tomatometer score and made $170 million at the box office. However, Olympus Has Fallen only cost $70 million to make, making the less-watched film yield a higher financial return.

While White House Down quitely left theaters, never to be heard from again, Olympus has Fallen spawned two sequels, London Has Fallen (2016) and Angel Has Fallen (2019). Neither sequel ended up selling more tickets than White House Down, but each sequel in the Has Fallen film series cost less to produce than the previous film making each entry into the series a box office success.

Channing Tatum’s Career After White House Down

Channing Tatum went on to receive top billing in a wide variety of films after the moderate failure of White House Down.

This includes reprising the role of the undercover cop Jekno in 22 Jump Street, the villainous Jody Domergue in Quentin Tarantinos The Hateful Eight, and the American spy Tequila in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. He also reprised the role of the male stripper Mike Lane in the sequels Magic Mike XXL and Magic Mike’s Last Dance.  

Magic Mike’s Last Dance, coincidentally enough, is another poorly-performing movie that has proved its staying power on streaming. The film only made $57 million off of a $45 million budget. However, after being released on Max, the conclusion of Channing Tatum’s stripper trilogy spent several days in the streaming service’s top three films.

While it’s probably far too late for a White House Down sequel to ever materialize, it remains to be seen whether the recent surge in White House Down’s popularity on streaming will lead to Channing Tatum being given more lead roles in straightforward action films.

White House Down is streaming on Netflix.

YouTubers Damien and Biannca Prince have been very open about their family life since stepping onto the YouTube scene. Over the years, fans have watched them welcome their children, DJ, Kyrie, Nova, and Ayla. As the couple prepared to welcome another bundle of joy, their journey faced a difficult time as they opened up about experiencing a miscarriage. Now, it’s a celebratory moment as the couple adds a new chapter to their story with the arrival of their fifth child. 

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Biannca Opens Up About Expecting Baby Number 5 After Suffering A Miscarriage

In February 2025, Biannca Prince took to the internet in tears as she revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage on Damien Prince’s birthday. The couple shared that they had been trying for their fifth child and had kept the pregnancy a secret. Sadly, during a doctor’s appointment, she was devastated that they could not find the baby’s heartbeat.

Biannca later wrote, “Even though we never got the chance to meet, I’ll love and remember you forever, my angel baby… This has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to face, and I don’t wish this pain on anyone. I love you, my angel…”

Damien & Biannca Reveal They Welcomed A Baby Girl

Despite the heartbreaking moment, the couple didn’t give up. They returned to the internet in October 2025 to reveal that they were officially expecting their fifth bundle of joy. They opened up about pushing through the tough times and shared how grateful they were that God blessed them with their new addition. Damien and Biannca kept supporters along for their journey, sharing baby bump updates and family pics along the way. Under one of the posts, Damien even stepped into the comments joking, “I guess I’ll get you repregnant after this baby comes.”

Biannca later reflected on the experience while sharing more maternity photos, writing, “Crying because this is my last pregnancy, my last belly bump, my last baby… I’ll never get to experience this again, and I thank God for giving me this opportunity.”

The couple took to social media on March 15 to share that they have officially welcomed their third baby girl and fifth bundle of joy. Despite their baby girl arriving a month early on February 19, the parents shared that she is healthy. 

Social Media Users Flood D And B Nation With Congratulations

Supporters flooded the comments as they congratulated Damien and Biannca on their baby girl. Many expressed happiness for the couple as they welcomed their rainbow baby, while others couldn’t help but debate whether the couple needed any more children.

Instagram user @aaliyaaaah._ wrote, “i’m crying on beyonce internet 🥹🥹🥹 her rainbow baby i’m sooo happy for her”

Instagram user @ms_adee added, “So glad her & the baby are safe 🙏🏾 💕”

While Instagram user @rawestt.lexii wrote, “I love how they’re the last couple still remaining so strongly”

Instagram user @7mile.ro_3 wrote, “They been making kids since I was a kid, what’s this they 8th one by now ? Gah damn give her a break gang”

Instagram user @keilahhh added, “ok no more kids pleaseeeuuhuhhj”

While Instagram user @juju21x wrote, “Awn I’m happy she got her rainbow baby congratulations 💕”

Instagram user @ayoowhap wrote, “I’m glad they’re building on the foundation they want to create. If I could, I would’ve had 30 kids”

Instagram user @cjae._ added. “they’ve matured so much together. i love this for them so bad!”

While Instagram user @skyysznn_ wrote, “🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 how the hell they gon judge us when we came from the bottom ” !!! ahhhh”

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Timothée Chalamet seems to be making a conscious effort to stay away from the spotlight.

After going home empty-handed from the Oscars on Sunday night, the actor is trying to avoid the media frenzy surrounding his loss and comments during interviews at the event. The swift rise of internet scruity seemingly prompted his decision to lay low till the awards wave sweeps over.

Timothée Chalamet was nominated for Best Actor for his role in “Marty Supreme.” The trophy went to Michael B. Jordan instead, leaving him obviously disappointed.

Timothée Chalamet Sits Out His Recent Movie Launch

Chalamet was unequivocally absent from a trailer launch for his new movie “Dune: Part Three” on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The star-studded event was graced with a number of his co-stars for the movie, including Zendaya, Javier Bardem, and Robert Pattinson. The stars gathered at the AMC Century City to share snippets of the sci-fi picture.

Although the trailer launch was just two days after the Academy Awards, for which the star was in town, he did not attend the event in person; instead, he sent in a pre-recorded video message. “After two impactful films with an in-development process that started in the [mid-2010s], a production process that started in 2018, and over 150 production days across the three films at large, today we are debuting the trailer to Dune: Part Three,” he said in the recording.

Chalamet then praised the director Denis Villeneuve, calling him the master of cinema and hailing him for achieving the true act of cinema with the movie. The actor concluded his message by saying he hoped viewers enjoyed the sneak peek into the upcoming movie. “I’m not alone in saying thank you to Denis for his dedication in bringing the Dune films to life and now the Dune trilogy to life. I hope you enjoy this first sneak peek at Dune: Part Three.”

What Happened At The 2026 Oscars?

The “Call Me by Your Name” star was up for the best actor, along with other talented stars in the industry. His role as Marty in “Mart Supreme,” which, according to The Daily Mail, is a picture based on the life of a real underground ping-pong player in New York in the 1950s, was well applauded by many.

Ultimately, the star did not go home with the trophy but lost to Jordan for his outstanding role in “Sinners.” Chalamet reportedly could not conceal his disappointment all night, even though he managed to clap for the winner of his category. The heat from the media came after the 30-year-old movie star made a comment about ballet, which raised eyebrows as both his mom and sister were trained in the performing art.

“No one cares about opera and ballet,” he said, apparently adding fuel to the fire and igniting backlash from viewers. Exclusive sources have revealed that his behavior, words, and tone during the interviews have helped the public paint an opinion of him in a different light. Reportedly, a “Stop Timmy” campaign against the actor has already been in the works.

Timothée Chalamet Tried To Keep His Head Held High

Chalamet attended the Academy Awards with his long-time girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. After the ceremony, the pair attended the Vanity Fair Oscars Party and tried to hide their disappointment of going home without a single award for themselves or the movie amid nine nominations. The Blast reported that one time, the cameras caught a moment between the movie star and Kris Jenner, who was also present at the event.

They were seen to be in a deep conversation where Kris appeared to offer her daughter’s partner some form of reassurance. An insider shared their thoughts on the moment, they said, “I am sure she put the loss in perspective… I am sure she told him he is super young and he will get his Oscar later.” Kylie and the actor tried to maintain smiles as they had the cameras in their faces, which she found uncomfortable.

Another source shared that the weight of this loss rested heavily on his shoulders, and as such, he was going to take some time off. “He would have loved to have won, so he’s going to take this time to lay low,” the source shared. “He is going to enjoy the next few days away from it all to decompress.”

More Awkward Interactions Went Down At The Event

Fans’ eyes caught at the chances of an awkward interaction between Chalamet and his girlfriend’s ex, Travis Scott, at the Vanity Fair Oscars party. More noticeably, the movie star’s sister, Pauline Chalamet, reportedly gave Kylie the cold shoulder.

A viral video showed the brother and sister hugging before the event began and exchanging pleasantries. At the time, Kylie had already gone to take her seat, but when she saw Pauline, she smiled widely and tried to hug her. Pauline was hesitant about the hug gesture and brought it in after the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star rose from her seat.

A body language expert, Susan Constantine, analyzed the video, stating the “impersonal,” “disingenuous,” and “nonverbal smug” in Pauline’s physical reactions. The expert also pointed out that the hug lacked warmth and how the actor’s sister quickly dismissed Kylie after the “faux hug.”

Timothée Chalamet Reportedly Thinks He’s Caught ‘The Kardashian Curse’

Insiders claim that the actor is blaming his partner and her family for his loss at the recent Academy Awards. Tensions are rising between the lovebirds who have been together for almost three years, as “Timothée believes the Kardashian circus cost him the Oscar.”

As a result, Kylie is reportedly angry at the actor for blaming her family for his defeat, and the couple is already facing friction in their relationship. According to Reality Tea, the pair have been at the verge of calling it quits for months now, with swirling rumors that Chalamet was just using the internet sensation’s name for attention.

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A lip reader suggests that at one point in the evening, Timothée whispered to Kylie, “I hate this.” The Kylie Cosmetics founder has also been telling friends that her lover’s loss had nothing to do with her, while he allegedly thinks his ties to the Kardashian-Jenner clan have hurt his image with older voters.

Fans of cozy crime dramas ended last year on a high note thanks to the milestone 25th season of Midsomer Murders. Arguably British TV’s best-loved crime procedural, the return of DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon), DS Winter (Nick Hendrix, Captain America: The First Avenger), and Ted Lasso alum Annette Badland‘s pathologist, Dr. Fleur Perkins, delivered plenty of twisting puzzles to Acorn TV, ranging from death by javelin to a fatal cuckoo clock. Across four gripping episodes, fans in the U.S. were reassured that, even after almost three decades, there are still many more innovative murders to be solved in the cursed village of Midsomer.

Almost three months after the final episode of Season 25 debuted, Midsomer Murders fans have been rewarded with the news they were anticipating, as it has been confirmed that production on Season 26 has officially begun. In a post to the ITV Instagram account showing Barnaby and Winter holding a clapperboard, the caption reads, “DCI Barnaby and DS Winter are officially back on the case! Filming for Series 26 of Midsomer Murders has officially begun, starting with a brand-new mystery.”

ITV’s Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said of the Season 26 renewal, “We’re thrilled to be returning to Midsomer with Barnaby and Winter. Series 26 promises to deliver four brilliant brand new cases for the legion of Midsomer Murders fans to enjoy.” Executive producer Michele Buck added, “We are so pleased to be able to bring viewers more tales from the fascinating world of Midsomer Murders with this series 26 commission.”

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What is ‘Midsomer Murders’ Season 26 About?

Image via ITV

Boasting four new exciting mysteries to solve, the upcoming 26th season of Midsomer Murders will take the long-running show‘s episode count to 148, with ITV dubbing Barnaby as “the most hard-working TV detective.” Although exact plot details are yet to be announced, a vague tease for the upcoming season via ITV reads, “Series 26 will invite viewers back to the picturesque yet surprisingly lethal English countryside for four new feature-length mysteries. Starring Neil Dudgeon as DCI Barnaby and Nick Hendrix as his trusted sidekick DS Winter, the series will also see the return of Annette Badland as pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins and Fiona Dolman as Barnaby’s wife Sarah.”

Midsomer Murders Season 26 will be available on Acorn TV. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest updates.

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Release Date

March 23, 1997

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ITV1

Directors

Peter Smith, Sarah Hellings, Richard Holthouse, Renny Rye, Jeremy Silberston, Alex Pillai, David Tucker, Roberto Bangura, Paul Gibson, Matt Carter, Gill Wilkinson, Moira Armstrong, Baz Taylor, Audrey Cooke, Simon Langton, Nick Laughland, Toby Frow, Leon Lopez, Peter Cregeen, Charles Palmer, Luke Watson

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• 

  Caroline Harker

  Tamsin Proctor

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• 

  Christopher Timothy

  Ned Barnaby

• 

  Claudia Harrison

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  Eleanor Preston

• 

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“Bachelor” and “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” fans seem to have had it with the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul. Following allegations of another domestic dispute involving her child’s father, Dakota Mortensen, netizens have begun slamming the reality star, insisting that she’s the cause of her own demise.

As previously reported by The Blast, production on season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been paused following the alleged altercation. The news of the dispute also comes days before the season premiere of “The Bachelorette,” in which Paul is the leading lady.

Taylor Frankie Paul Breaks Silence After Alleged Dispute With Her Child’s Father, Dakota Mortensen

Paul, who was thrust into the spotlight as the breakout star from Hulu’s “SLOMW” in 2024, recently broke her silence following her alleged domestic dispute with Mortensen.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Paul said that it hurts her “heart” to be in the middle of controversy amid what was supposed to be an exciting time. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal,” she stated.

Paul explained that “every premiere” she’s experienced has been clouded by controversy. “I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today,” she said.

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Taylor Frankie Paul Calls The Ongoing Drama With Mortensen ‘Heavy’

The mother of three went on to call the situation extremely “heavy,” adding that she’s “struggling” to keep moving forward following the alleged encounter.

“… but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard,” she said.

According to a previous report from The Blast, production on season 5 of “SLOMW” has been paused following the allegations. A source shared that the remaining cast members have voiced their concerns about working with Paul.

“They are not filming,” the insider reported. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Social Media Users Are Not Here For Taylor Frankie Paul Or Her Apology

While emotional, social media users don’t seem to be moved by Paul’s statement. On Reddit, one user called Paul a “victim of her own actions,” while another said she is “vile and disgusting.”

“God, don’t you hate it when your reality tv premiere is overshadowed by your domestic violence case,” another wrote, while a fourth shared, “That quote in the article is f-cking insane.”

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“This chick is constantly going through self-inflicted ‘heavy times,’” someone else posted, prompting another to share, “She definitely has the Lindsay Lohan syndrome of the ’90s where she loves chaos.”

‘Bachelor’ Producers Reportedly Cut Corners To Cast Paul As The Show’s Next Leading Lady

Another report from The Blast states that producers of the “Bachelorette” were surprised to learn Paul had been in another alleged dispute with Mortensen.

According to a source close to the show, the producers wanted Paul as the show’s next lead so badly that they allegedly “cut corners” to cast her, reportedly bypassing several crucial steps in the vetting process.

The drama surrounding Paul has also had serious implications for both of her shows, according to Entertainment Tonight. A spokesperson from Cinnabon recently revealed that the company was cutting ties with both series due to the seriousness of the claims.

“Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values,” they stated.

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Paul Has Been Arrested Before

This wouldn’t be the first time that Paul has been involved in an alleged domestic dispute. Per CBS News, the TV personality was charged with two felony counts of domestic violence and one felony count of aggravated assault in 2023.

The charges stem from an alleged altercation Paul had with Mortensen, during which she reportedly struck him, choked him, and hit him with “heavy metal chairs.”

“Ms. Paul’s status as a social media influencer has no bearing or impact on the investigation or outcome of this case,” the Herriman Police Department said at the time. “All allegations of domestic violence are investigated thoroughly and in accordance with state law and established criminal justice best practices to protect victims and ensure accountability.”

Marvel fans have spent the last few weeks dissecting every frame of the mysterious footage tied to Avengers: Doomsday, but according to the filmmakers behind the project, viewers may be approaching it all wrong.

“What you’ve been watching for the last four weeks… are not teasers. Or trailers. They are stories. They are clues… Pay attention.”

In recent comments, Russo Brothers made it clear that what fans are calling trailers are not trailers at all. Instead, they described the footage as intentional clues designed to spark speculation, reward close viewing, and quietly set the stage for what is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious chapters yet.

Rather than traditional marketing beats that outline plot, characters, or tone, the Russos say these videos are closer to puzzle pieces. Every image, sound cue, and edit is meant to be questioned.

Chris Evans, Avengers: Doomsday [credit: Marvel Studios]

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Not a Trailer. A Warning.

According to the brothers, Avengers: Doomsday is being positioned differently than past Marvel releases. They want audiences thinking long before opening night. That means misdirection, symbolism, and information that may not make sense until much later.

The Russos emphasized that fans should not expect clear answers right now. If anything, the confusion is the point. The footage is meant to provoke theories rather than confirm them.

That approach lines up with how Marvel has quietly shifted its promotional strategy in the multiverse era. Instead of spelling things out, the studio is leaning into fan engagement, online debate, and long burn mystery.

The Clues Are in the Details

The directors encouraged viewers to look past surface level moments and focus on smaller details. Background imagery. Color choices. Dialogue fragments that seem out of place. Even what is missing from the footage may be just as important as what is shown.

Chris Hemsworth and India Rose Hemsworth [credit: Marvel Studios]

Fans have already begun connecting these clues to past MCU events, alternate timelines, and unresolved storylines from earlier phases. Some believe the footage hints at fractured realities colliding. Others think it is teasing a darker moral conflict at the heart of the film.

The Russos have not confirmed any theories, but they did say that attentive fans are already closer to the truth than they realize.

A Different Kind of Marvel Build Up

This cryptic rollout also reflects the scale of what Marvel is attempting. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to redefine the MCU moving forward, much like Infinity War and Endgame did before it. The Russos seem intent on recreating that sense of anticipation, but with a more cerebral twist.

Instead of hype driven spectacle, they are inviting fans into a conversation. One where speculation, rewatches, and theory threads are part of the experience.

As the Russos put it, the story has already started. It just isn’t being told in the usual way.

And if they are right, every so called trailer so far is less about selling tickets and more about asking a question.

What do you think Marvel is really trying to tell us?

One thing is certain. When Marvel Studios finally pulls the curtain back, fans who paid attention early may be the ones saying they saw it coming.