It’s rare enough that a series over 40 years old finds new life in the present, with The Golden Girls being one of only a handful of series that come to mind. Rarer still is a Saturday morning TV staple of the same vintage that, likewise, finds a resurgence in the present. Yet She-Ra: Princess of Power has done just that, with the two-season animated series finding new life on the Apple TV store 41 years after its September 1985 premiere. And it’s not hard to see why.

‘She-Ra: Princess of Power’ Was a Series First

She-Ra: Princess of Power is a spin-off from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, which itself was a spin-off of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toy line. Unlike its parent, though, She-Ra: Princess of Power was developed as a series first, with Filmation and Mattel working together to create the show, with Mattel footing the bill. Writers Larry DiTillio and J. Michael Straczynski created the initial group of characters, which included She-Ra, sister of He-Man, her alter-ego Princess Adora, and her nemesis, the evil Hordak. They also came up with the premise, with Mattel releasing the accompanying toys after the series had begun production (but before the premiere).

Released at a time when the most empowering female protagonist on Saturday morning was Smurfette, She-Ra: Princess of Power stood apart from its Saturday morning kin. The series is set on the planet Etheria, where Princess Adora (Melendy Britt) has lived ever since being kidnapped at birth by Hordak from Queen Marlena and King Randor of Eternia. Raised by Shadow Weaver (Linda Gary), Adora grew up believing the Horde kept peace in Etheria and served as a Horde Force Captain. That changed while on a mission in the Whispering Woods, where she encountered He-Man (John Erwin).

He has been tasked by the Sorceress (Linda Gary) to find the one who is destined to wield the Sword of Protection, a sword similar to that of his own Sword of Power. That just so happens to be Adora, who, after touching the jewel on the hilt, is contacted by the Sorceress. She reveals the truths that Adora has long been denied: her kidnapping as a baby, the true atrocities of Hordak and his Evil Horde, and that He-Man is her brother, Adam. The Sorceress then instructs her to exclaim, “For the Honor of Grayskull!” transforming Adora into She-Ra for the first time, and transforming her horse, Spirit, into Swift Wind (Erik Gunden), a flying unicorn. Together, they foil Hordak’s attack against the rebels, with Adora breaking rank and joining the Great Rebellion as their leader.

‘She-Ra: Princess of Power’ Is Groundbreaking and Still Relevant Today

She-Ra: Princess of Power may have been a spin-off, but it differs significantly in tone and thematically from its He-Man. The setting allows for a more fantastical tone, not the medieval sci-fi feel of its predecessor. There are wielders of magic like the absent-minded Madame Razz (Gary), imaginative characters like Swift Wind and Kowl (Gunden), a flying creature that looks like a cross between a koala and an owl with bright, rainbow ears, and more adult themes, like Adora’s arc of guilt and redemption, not unlike the struggle of another Warrior Princess that would appear 10 years later in live-action.

There’s also a key difference in the intentions of the two main characters. It’s as clear as the difference in the phrases used in their respective transformations, “I have the Power” versus “For the honor of Grayskull.” He-Man uses the Sword of Power as a weapon for conflict almost exclusively. She-Ra, on the other hand, bears the Sword of Protection, and while she does use it in combat, it also magically transforms into a shield, nets, or helmets as needed to protect. Her purpose to protect is never seen as less than He-Man’s purpose to fight: she is his equal, a strong, heroic protagonist in her own right, and the leader of a rebellion that boasts heroic protagonists.

1985 also happened to be the year that another series centered around a female protagonist, Jem and the Holograms, premiered, making the year a touchstone for female representation on television. The two series, as a result, were ahead of their time. With female representation on television as good as it’s ever been now, it’s clear She-Ra: Princess of Power was far ahead of its time. Morally, it’s positive, with a clear delineation between good and evil. It’s a clever blend of sci-fi and fantasy, has diverse characters, and, like Xena: Warrior Princess after it, bears hints of queer representation that was decidedly against what was allowed on TV at the time (and definitely not on Saturday morning). All told, these elements and more make it unsurprising that this 41-year-old animated classic has found a renewed popularity on Apple TV. Turns out she has the power, too.

You need to brace yourself for how many great books will not be found below. This is a rather reckless endeavor, to try to rank just 25 of the best books ever published, since there are great works of literature that are centuries old, at this point. Some authors of great books lived and died so long ago that they couldn’t have processed the idea of such books becoming movies, because cinema wasn’t a thing yet. Some legendary authors lived, wrote, and died before they could ever be photographed.

The point is, the novel, as an art form, goes back a wildly long time. There are probably more books to choose from, for a ranking like this, than most other art forms. So, please don’t be too alarmed. There was no attempt to please anyone here 100%, and instead, an attempt was made to highlight some classic staples, a few modern books that are on their way to becoming classics, a handful of pulpier novels that might not be “high art,” but they are entertaining, and then a few personal (maybe even selfish) picks from the person currently yapping, just because it keeps things interesting, and because a top 25 filled exclusively with the books you’d expect might be a little boring. Brace yourself. Snubs are coming.

25

‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949)

Image via Simon & Schuster

Kicking things off with something that’s a bit of a downer, here’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, which is an undeniably essential read. It feels like some people think just knowing about Nineteen Eighty-Four is enough, and it is, admittedly, iconic enough that a good many things in it are knowable without reading it in full… but you are missing out if you don’t tackle the whole thing.

George Orwell really did write one of the greatest dystopian stories of all time here, and its influence on pretty much all the dystopia-related novels, movies, and games (plus other things) made after 1949 can’t be denied. It’s mostly about a desperate/probably futile attempt to stand up against – and stand out in – a world that’s been pretty much ruined by a totalitarian superstate. It remains relevant, sad as that might be to admit, and really does feel so ahead of its time in so many ways.

24

‘Dracula’ (1897)

Image via Penguin Classics

Jumping back another half a century now (and don’t worry; it’s not going to be the only book from the 1800s here), here’s Dracula, which is quintessential as far as the horror genre is concerned, much like how Nineteen Eighty-Four is incredibly important within the bounds of dystopian fiction. Dracula is an epistolary novel about the titular count, a vampire, causing chaos, and a collection of characters who want to hunt down and kill him.

It’s simple in terms of its premise, but the style here does make it feel like something a little more special. Dracula also can’t be overlooked for how important it was for the century or so of horror to come, following its publication, and there isn’t really a story about a vampire – or vampires – that comes close, for sheer influence and importance. Even if you might feel uneasy about reading books that are more than a century old, Dracula is still worth taking on and devoting your time to.

23

‘Wuthering Heights’ (1847)

Image via Chartwell

This might seem like it’s establishing a pattern of jumping back 50 years with every new entry, but that’s not the case (promise). Wuthering Heights is a real classic, since it’s not far off being 200 years old, which is wild to think about. It would’ve been very out there for its time, one would imagine, in terms of how dark and angst-filled it’s willing to get as a story about love… kind of? But not really a love story, being more centered on obsession and a dangerous kind of passion.

You get a very strong feeling in your gut from reading Wuthering Heights, and such an experience has proven hard to translate and capture on screen, though that hasn’t stopped various people from trying. With Wuthering Heights, you do just have to read it, or maybe listen to it in full, and then it’s pretty easy to see what all the hype (a hype that has persisted for nearly two centuries) is about.

22

‘Empire of Pain’ (2021)

Image via Doubleday

Yes, Empire of Pain is a work of non-fiction, and there is going to be one other non-fiction book below, but they’re still books. Documentary movies are still movies, with filmmaking skills needed to make a good one, and you do have to be a good writer to craft a genuinely interesting non-fiction book. Thankfully, Patrick Radden Keefe is a phenomenal non-fiction writer, and Empire of Pain might well be the best demonstration of his writing skills to date.

He condenses a lot of information into a coherent and surprisingly epic narrative, with the focus being on the Sackler family and what it did throughout the 20th century to bring about the opioid epidemic, which has, for the most part, been a 21st-century problem. There’s more drama and dread here than you get in a good many works of heavy-going fiction, and Empire of Pain also well and truly feels like one of the most important books published in the last decade or so.

21

‘Lolita’ (1955)

Image via Olympia Press

When writing Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov just went for it in a way few writers had before, and also very few writers have since. He tackled some of the most challenging subject matter a work of literature has ever tried to tackle, since Lolita is about a sexual predator who becomes infatuated with his 12-year-old stepdaughter, nicknaming her Lolita and doing little else but manipulating her – and those around her – so that he can get closer to her, and abuse her.

This guy’s also the narrator, which is a wild approach to take, and it makes the whole novel challenging to read, since you have to be in his head the entire time. Further complications ensue because his way of describing his life is poetically done and sometimes even funny, so it’s hard not to feel conflicted about finding the style of the writing engaging and compelling, and all the while, the story – and what it’s dealing with thematically – is more horrifying than a good many works of actual horror. It’s a real trip of a book, to put it (far too) mildly.

20

‘A Storm of Swords’ (2000)

Image via Bantam Spectra

The highlight of the Song of Ice and Fire series to date (and it might remain the best of them, should books #6 and #7 never actually come out), A Storm of Swords is both huge and hugely satisfying. The War of the Five Kings breaks out near the end of book #1, is explored throughout book #2, and then here in book #3, escalates further, with many of the most distressing and cathartic sequences of the whole series found here.

If you know, you know. And even if you’ve not read A Song of Ice and Fire, but have seen Game of Thrones, then you also know, since the events of A Storm of Swords are largely covered throughout that show’s third and fourth seasons. It’s nice to never say never, in terms of the possibility of George R.R. Martin finishing his series, but even if he might go down in history as someone who couldn’t finish a long-running saga, his reputation for starting and then developing such a saga well (just minus an ending) will still be intact, for what that’s worth.

19

‘Infinite Jest’ (1996)

Image via Little, Brown and Company

Infinite Jest is near-infinitely dense, and it goes on and on and on in a way that’s equal parts impressive and frustrating. Actually, not equal parts. It’s more impressive than it is frustrating, since it is almost always interesting, not to mention sometimes quite entertaining, and always admirable with its scope. It’s about several different groups of characters that generally feel pretty separate from each other, though there is a film referred to as “the Entertainment” that unites all, since it has the ability to transfix anyone who watches it, ensuring their death, because it’s apparently just that entertaining.

It’s a strange book, in other words. It’s also over 1000 pages long, and those pages are more packed with text than you’d find in a more ordinarily formatted book. Infinite Jest is also somewhat infamous for all its endnotes, which are like another novel entirely when viewed on their own, so that does add further to the postmodern-ness of it all. It’s not the easiest thing to get through, by any means, but it is worth tackling, and ultimately proves very rewarding.

18

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (1979)

Image via Pan Books

And now for something completely different, because The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a brisk read, and an overall short book, compared to the aforementioned Infinite Jest. Both are pretty funny, for what that’s worth, though The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy plays a particularly high number of things for laughs, in turn being a contender for the crown of “funniest book of all time.”

Humor in literature feels kind of rare, or at least books that are almost entirely comedic don’t feel as common as, say, movies that are 100% focused on being comedies. Though, to the further credit of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, it also functions as an excellent piece of science fiction, and then if you find the whole thing too brief, for whatever reason, it thankfully kick-started a whole series, with Douglas Adams writing five Hitchhiker’s Guide books before his passing in 2001, with there being a sixth and final book, called And Another Thing…, written by Eoin Colfer and published in 2009.

17

‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (1846)

Image via Penguin

One of the ultimate literary crowd-pleasers (or whatever you’d call the book equivalent of a crowd-pleaser), The Count of Monte Cristo also stands as one of the ultimate serial novels. It was published over a period that spanned 1844 to 1846, satisfying in the same way that the best TV dramas would more than a century later, with a good many cliffhangers found throughout to keep readers hooked.

For 180 years now, people have been able to read The Count of Monte Cristo as one complete work, and it delivers as a dramatic adventure tale about vengeance, crime, and justice all these many (many) years later. Of all the books published before 1900, The Count of Monte Cristo is up there among the easiest to read, and it’s all executed in a way that makes more than 1000 pages surprisingly digestible.

16

‘Wiseguy’ (1985)

Image via Simon & Schuster

Nyeah, this is a great book about the mafia, see? No, but for real, Wiseguy is incredible, and it’s that previously alluded to non-fiction book that deserves to be here. Maybe there should be more works of non-fiction here, beyond just Empire of Pain and Wiseguy, but to go back to that whole idea of not being able to please everyone, there might well be people who object to even two non-fiction books being here.

With Wiseguy, it tells a story you’d be familiar with, if you’ve seen Goodfellas, since it was the book that said Martin Scorsese gangster film was based on. Yet there’s also so much here that adds to what they were able to put into the movie, with Wiseguy feeling almost like the book equivalent of a Goodfellas extended/director’s cut. You get the style and narrative of the movie quite closely, just with more detail and events covered (and Henry Hill’s quoted extensively throughout Wiseguy, which mirrors the way Ray Liotta, as Hill, narrated so much of Goodfellas).

2026 has been a big year for fans of Steven Spielberg, particularly for those who are fond of his work in the sci-fi genre. Spielberg has been on a bit of a hiatus from sci-fi movies since 2018, when he directed the Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke-led blockbuster, Ready Player One. He has since worked on historical epics such as The Fabelmans and West Side Story, but through his production company, Amblin Entertainment, he has a producing hand in dozens of projects every year, even the ones he doesn’t direct. A few years ago, Spielberg worked with his long-time collaborator Tom Hanks on a project that’s still making strides on streaming after all this time — the duo famously worked together on one of the greatest war movies of all time, Saving Private Ryan.

Back in 2024, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks each served as producers on the Apple TV series, Masters of the Air. The series features some big names, including Dune: Part Two and Elvis star Austin Butler, as well as Callum Turner, who is being eyed as a potential favorite to play James Bond. For those who aren’t familiar with Masters of the Air, the best elevator pitch for the series is Top Gun: Maverick, but set during World War II, so there’s little to no surprise why it’s been such a fan-favorite. The series finale of Masters of the Air came out in March 2024, and although it’s been well over two years, the series is still in the Apple TV top 10 in a handful of countries around the world. This comes despite no renewal — the show is a limited series, so there was never a plan for Season 2.

What Is ‘Masters of the Air’ About?

An official synopsis for Masters of the Air, which holds scores of 85% from critics and 73% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, reads as follows:

“Based on Donald L. Miller’s acclaimed book, Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group — the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ — as they risk their lives high above Europe during World War II. Facing brutal odds, mechanical failure, enemy fire, and psychological strain, these American airmen forge unbreakable bonds while carrying out the Army Air Forces’ most dangerous bombing missions.”

Masters of the Air was written and created for TV by John Orloff, who is also known for his work as one of the lead writers on Band of Brothers. Orloff even penned the script for the 2011 conspiracy thriller, Anonymous, starring Rhys Ifans.

Check out all nine episodes of Masters of the Air on Apple TV and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Hanks and Spielberg’s future projects.

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Release Date

2024 – 2024-00-00

Writers

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John Shiban, John Orloff

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Serena Williams will no longer compete in this year’s Wimbledon doubles draw alongside her sister, Venus Williams.

“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Serena, 44, announced via Instagram on Saturday, July 4, alongside a video showing the athlete walking tenderly on her nearly fully-bandaged right leg. “Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”

The tennis star continued, “I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here. Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…”

Serena returned to tennis back in June, coming out or retirement to team up with Victoria Mboko in a doubles match against Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez. (Mboko, 19, suffered an injury that forced the pair to withdraw.)

“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said in a statement to The Athletic on June 1. “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments in my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”

In her highly anticipated lead-up to Wimbledon, Serena also competed at the Berlin Open alongside Karolina Muchova. (The pair ultimately lost to Guiliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe 6-4, 6-4.)

Serena then made her Wimbledon return in her first singles match in nearly four years against Maya Joint, at which point she tweaked her knee late in the first set of the much-awaited match. (Joint ultimately won the match 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.)

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“It fels so good to be back on the grass at @wimbledon,” she wrote via Instagram following her first-round loss. “I’m incredibly thankful for the wild card — and even more grateful my daughters got to see that it’s never too late to chase something you love.”

Related: Why Zendaya’s ‘Challengers’ Reminds Serena Williams of Roger Federer

Julian Finney/Getty Images Serena Williams was reminded of another tennis icon — Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka — while watching Zendaya’s new film Challengers. In a review of the movie for Vogue, which was published on Friday, April 26, Williams, 42, opened up about seeing the real world of competitive tennis reflected in the […]

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In addition to sharing a video of the athlete struggling to walk on her right knee, Serena also posted photographs of medical syringes filled with fluid taken from her knee and snapshots of what appeared to be a small part of her rehab process.

“The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes!” Serena continued in the caption. “The good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to get it ready for doubles.”

As far as effortless summer footwear is concerned, Madewell has mastered the art. But achieving that laid-back, elevated aesthetic doesn’t mean you have to splurge. The secret is to simply look for shoes with clean silhouettes, rich-looking textures and minimalist details that always feel timeless. As it happens, Walmart is surprisingly full of sandals that check every one of those boxes.

Whether you’re after simple leather-look slides, woven sandals, strappy flats or versatile block heels, these affordable picks capture that same easygoing style Madewell shoppers love. They’re the kind of shoes that pair effortlessly with linen pants, denim shorts, breezy dresses and everything else in your summer wardrobe. Best of all, prices start as low as $9, leaving plenty of room for a matching handbag.

13 Madewell-Inspired Walmart Sandals Starting at $9

1. Anything But Basic: A wide band and clean lines give these simple slides an understated, expensive-looking finish. They’ll become your go-to pair for effortless everyday outfits.

2. Sweet & Strappy: Delicate straps create a barely-there look that’s equal parts elegant and versatile. These sandals pair perfectly with everything from jeans to flowy maxi dresses.

3. Pop of Red: A bold red hue instantly transforms this minimal slide from Madden Girl into the star of your outfit. It’s an easy way to embrace one of the season’s biggest color trends.

4. Easy & Understated: Dainty bow detailing keeps these sandals feeling polished rather than beachy or too casual. They’re subtle enough to wear with just about anything, from sundresses to tailored trousers.

Related: 13 Expensive-Looking Walmart Sandals That Nail the ‘Rich Mom’ Style

Can your summer wardrobe use a dose of elegance? It may be time to take a cue from the rich mom aesthetic. Defined by minimalist silhouettes, neutral hues and quiet luxury vibes, the trend is all about looking polished without appearing like you tried too hard. This season, that elevated style has officially made its […]

5. Timeless Heels: A sleek block heel offers just the right amount of height without sacrificing comfort. Dress them up for weddings or down for dinner on the patio.

6. Day to Night: Slim straps and a cushioned footbed make these as practical as they are stylish. They’ll take you from afternoon errands straight to evening plans.

7. Less Is More: A modern toe-ring silhouette proves simple designs can make the biggest statement. These feel effortlessly cool with linen separates or relaxed denim.

8. Beachy Blue: A woven texture and a stunning blue hue channel seaside style. They’re practically made for vacation outfits and beach days.

9. Lace Up Flats: Wraparound ankle ties give Time and Tru’s sandals a romantic, Mediterranean-inspired feel. Pair them with breezy dresses or cropped linen pants for maximum impact.

10. Striking Studs: Metallic studs add just enough edge without overwhelming the sleek and otherwise minimalist silhouette. They’re an easy way to make simple outfits feel a little bit more fashion-forward.

11. Country Club Ready: A woven upper and shiny buckle deliver that timeless, resort-inspired aesthetic Madewell does so well. They look especially chic with white denim or tailored shorts.

12. Simple Sequins: Subtle embellishments on these chic flats catch the light beautifully without feeling flashy. They add a little extra sparkle to casual summer looks.

13. Made For Walking: A supportive footbed and adjustable slingback strap make these ideal for long days on your feet. They blend all-day comfort with polished, elevated design for shoes you’ll reach for day after day.

Related: 11 Cushioned Summer Sandals That Feel Comfier Than Sneakers

Sneakers may be comfortable, but they aren’t always the right choice to pair with sundresses, linen pants or breezy summer outfits. Luckily, today’s cushioned sandals deliver the same walk-all-day comfort with supportive footbeds, arch support and soft padding — all while looking polished enough for brunch, vacation and everything in between. From celeb-loved pairs to […]

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

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

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married! The massive ceremony, held in New York City at Madison Square Garden, was attended by over 1,000 guests, including family and industry peers. In addition to people such as Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid, and Dakota Johnson, NFL superstars were also in attendance, such as George Kittle, Matthew Stafford, Richard Sherman, and Kyle Juszczyk. There was one Kansas City Chiefs alum, however, who didn’t make the invite list, and he joked about his frustration on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Chase Daniel, a now-retired NFL player who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints, posted about Kelce seemingly forgetting to mail his wedding invite. Don’t forget, the pair played together for the Chiefs from 2014-2015 before Daniel moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniel even threw Kelce his first NFL touchdown (in a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals) in August 2014.

“Can’t believe my invite to Taylor & Travis’ wedding never came…” Daniel wrote online. “Feels like throwing Travis Kelce his first NFL TD should’ve at least earned me a seat at the kids’ table.”

Daniel even followed it up with a video of the special moment, captioning it, “Proof.”

Daniel’s disappointment about being kept off the invite list to Kelce and Swift’s fairytale wedding is understandable, considering some of the industry’s hottest stars showed up and showed out.

According to ESPN, a plethora of A-listers gathered in NYC for the special event, including Justin Thomas, Baker Mayfield, Cooper Kupp, and Kareem Hunt.

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Ed Sheeran, Jimmy Fallon, Jay-Z, Machine Gun Kelly, Fergie, Zoe Kravitz, Camila Cabello, Benson Boone, Hugh Grant, Mariska Hargitay, and Jason Sudeikis were also among those in the room where it happened.

Travis Kelce Marries Taylor Swift In Custom Christian Dior And Christian Louboutin

While the details regarding Kelce and Swift’s wedding have been kept under wraps, a rep for Swift confirmed to PEOPLE that she and the groom were dripping in fancy pieces.

“The bride and groom’s wedding ceremony looks have been created by Christian Dior Haute Couture. They are designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections, in close collaboration with the Bride and Groom. This is the designer’s first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity. Their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin and the bride wore Cartier jewelry,” the rep said.

A spokesperson for Dior also confirmed the reports, saying the brand was “delighted” to be part of the special day.

“They have been created in Dior’s ateliers at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris, and designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections, in close collaboration with the couple,” the statement continued.

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Kelce And Swift Got Engaged In August 2025

All eyes have been on Kelce and Swift since they started dating in 2023. They turned heads in August 2025 when they announced their engagement. The photos showed the pair embracing in a floral-filled garden.

Swift uploaded snaps to her Instagram and captioned them, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

The singer even added the track “So High School,” rumored to be about Kelce, to the post for dramatic effect.

Kelce popped the question with a custom-designed Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry ring featuring an “Old Mine brilliant cut.”

Swift Is Beloved By The Kelce Family

After the engagement, a source told PEOPLE that the Kelces adore Swift, adding that the pop superstar “goes out of her way” to show the entire family how much she cares about them.

“They’re all very, very happy that Travis has Taylor in his life. She’s entirely changed his world in all the best ways, and they’re true partners. Taylor gets along so well with the family and they’re just her biggest fan,” the insider added.

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While the source admitted that Kelce has had to change his lifestyle due to Swift’s global dominance, they added that the NFL star was “totally willing” because of “how special she was.”

They said, “He was determined to make this work.”

No one could have predicted the way Netflix originals would eventually change the television landscape. Suddenly, some of the most talked-about shows in the world weren’t airing on traditional networks. Instead, audiences were binge-watching entire seasons over a weekend and discovering international stories they might never have watched otherwise.

Of course, not every Netflix original has been a success, but the platform’s willingness to take creative risks has definitely paid off. The streamer is currently home to some of the most defining series of the modern era across a variety of genres and continues to deliver stories that audiences can’t stop talking about. These are the very best of them from the last 10 years.

10

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

Mindhunter is one of the greatest shows Netflix has ever produced, one that ended way sooner than it should have. The series is set in the late 1970s and follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), alongside psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), as they help establish the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, which eventually becomes the foundation of modern criminal profiling. Now, the catch is that their work involves interviewing imprisoned serial killers in an attempt to understand how these criminals think and why they commit such horrific acts. Little does the team know, though, that this experiment is not just going to change the world, but also their own lives. Mindhunter is surprisingly patient for a crime drama.

That’s because the series isn’t interested in exploring the blood and gore of violence. Instead, it aims to examine the psychology behind them. The show’s greatest source of tension is the conversations between the FBI agents and the serial killers, many of whom are based on real-life murderers, including Edmund Kemper, Richard Speck, David Berkowitz, and Charles Manson. The show unfolds with a nuance that turns what could have been yet another procedural into a chilling study of human behavior. Despite ending after only two seasons, Mindhunter remains the benchmark for intelligent TV.

9

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

The Queen’s Gambit had all the makings of a niche miniseries, but it became one of Netflix’s biggest hits. The story, based on Walter Tevis’ novel, follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned girl who discovers an extraordinary talent for chess while living in a Kentucky orphanage during the 1950s. As Beth rises through the competitive chess world, she quickly establishes herself as a prodigy capable of defeating opponents twice her age. However, her journey to the top is complicated by loneliness, addiction, and the immense pressure of competing against the best players in the world.

It’s truly remarkable how The Queen’s Gambit makes a game as painstaking as chess feel exhilarating and adrenaline-fueled, even for viewers who know absolutely nothing about it. The matches are filmed with the intensity of action sequences, but the real focus is always on Beth and her personal demons that threaten to derail her success. The production design, costume work, cinematography, and period detail are all exceptional, but what truly elevates The Queen’s Gambit is this strong emotional core. Few Netflix originals have combined style and substance this effectively, which is why The Queen’s Gambit remains one of the streamer’s greatest success stories.

8

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

Image via Netflix

The Haunting of Hill House proves that horror can be just as rich and layered as any prestige drama. The miniseries, based loosely on Shirley Jackson‘s classic novel, follows the Crain family across two timelines. In the summer of 1992, Hugh (Henry Thomas) and Olivia Crain (Carla Gugino) moved into Hill House with their five children to renovate and sell the massive mansion. However, strange paranormal events begin to occur inside the house that culminate in a tragedy that continues to haunt the family. All of this comes back up when yet another tragedy brings the Crain siblings together as they finally confront the literal and figurative ghosts of their past.

However, all these supernatural elements are only part of the story. Beneath all that, The Haunting of Hill House tells a deeply moving story about family, grief, trauma, and addiction. The essential horror TV series constantly shifts between past and present to gradually reveal how the events at Hill House shaped each member of the family in different ways. Every revelation adds another layer to the narrative, which makes the emotional payoff just as impactful as the scares themselves. Mike Flanagan‘s direction is exceptional throughout, particularly in the show’s famous long-take sequences and interconnected storytelling. The Haunting of Hill House is beautiful, chilling, and heartbreaking in a way that has completely redefined horror television.

7

‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)

Image via Netflix

The Crown is one of the most ambitious shows on Netflix and does complete justice to its subject matter. The series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The story begins with her marriage to Prince Philip and her unexpected ascension to the throne, before eventually spanning multiple decades of British history. Along the way, the show explores major political events, royal scandals, shifting public attitudes toward the monarchy, and the personal sacrifices required of those born into one of the world’s biggest institutions. The show presents this through the lens of Elizabeth as a young woman who has to adjust to an unimaginable responsibility and covers how she gradually evolves into one of the most recognizable and influential figures of the modern era.

The Crown isn’t a fully faithful representation of all this, but the show’s genius lies in the balance between historical events and deeply personal storytelling. The show constantly examines the tension between duty and personal happiness through Elizabeth’s marriage, her relationship with her children, and the many conflicts that emerge within the royal family. As the decades pass, viewers watch these characters evolve alongside the world around them. The Crown keeps replacing its cast as the narrative progresses through the decades, but the transitions never feel jarring. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton each bring something unique to Elizabeth while still feeling like different stages of the same person, and the same can be said for the supporting cast. Very few shows have managed to tell a genuinely compelling story on this scale with the consistency of The Crown.

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6

‘Bridgerton’ (2020–Present)

Image via Netflix

Bridgerton has to be the most fun period drama on Netflix. The series, based on Julia Quinn‘s bestselling novels, is set in Regency-era London and follows the members of the influential Bridgerton family as they navigate the marriage market. Each season focuses on a different romantic pairing, but the larger world remains interconnected through family relationships, friendships, social rivalries, scandals, and the ever-present gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. Bridgerton is the perfect blend of old and new, which is why the show appeals to a wide range of viewers.

It embraces the elegance and grandeur of a traditional period drama while combining them with a modern energy that makes it feel accessible to a contemporary audience. Even the soundtrack reflects this approach and incorporates orchestral renditions of modern pop songs, which goes to show the creativity that goes into Bridgerton’s overall worldbuilding. Rather than aiming for complete historical accuracy, the series embraces a more diverse and romanticized version of Regency England that gives the story an almost fairy-tale quality. The Netflix original has managed to reinvent an entire genre with its fresh and ambitious take on romance and period storytelling.

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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

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🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

TEST YOUR SURVIVAL →

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.

APull on every thread until I understand the system — then figure out how to break it.
BStop asking questions and start stockpiling — food, fuel, weapons. Questions don’t keep you alive.
CKeep my head down, observe carefully, and trust no one until I know who’s pulling the strings.
DStudy the patterns. Every system has a rhythm — learn it, and you learn how to survive it.
EFind the people fighting back and join them. You can’t fix a broken galaxy alone.

NEXT QUESTION →

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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.

AKnowledge. If you understand the system, you don’t need resources — you can generate them.
BFuel. Everything else — movement, power, escape — runs on it.
CTrust. In a world of fakes and informants, a truly reliable ally is rarer than any commodity.
DWater. And after water, information — the two things empires are truly built on.
EShips and credits. The galaxy is big — you survive it by being able to move through it freely.

NEXT QUESTION →

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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.

AThat reality itself is a lie — that everything I experience has been constructed to keep me compliant.
BA raid. No warning, no mercy — just the roar of engines and then nothing left.
CBeing identified. Once someone with power decides you’re a problem, you’re already out of time.
DBeing outmanoeuvred — losing a political game I didn’t even know I was playing.
EThe Empire tightening its grip until there’s nowhere left to run.

NEXT QUESTION →

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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.

ASubvert it from the inside — learn its rules well enough to weaponise them against it.
BIgnore it and stay out of its reach. The further from any power structure, the better.
CAppear to comply while doing exactly what I need to do. Visibility is the enemy.
DManoeuvre within it carefully. You can’t beat a system you refuse to understand.
EResist openly when I have to. Some things are worth the risk of being seen.

NEXT QUESTION →

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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.

AUnderground bunkers and server rooms — cramped, artificial, but with access to everything that matters.
BOpen wasteland — brutal sun, no shelter, constant movement. At least the threat is honest.
CA dense, rain-soaked city where you can disappear into the crowd and nobody asks questions.
DMerciless desert — extreme heat, no water, and something enormous living beneath the sand.
EThe fringe — backwater planets and busy spaceports where the Empire’s attention rarely reaches.

NEXT QUESTION →

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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.

AA tight crew of believers who’ve seen behind the curtain and have nothing left to lose.
BOne or two people I’d trust with my life. Any more than that and someone talks.
CNobody, ideally. Alliances are liabilities. I work alone unless I have no choice.
DA community bound by shared hardship and mutual survival — people who need each other to last.
EA ragtag team with wildly different skills and total commitment when it counts.

NEXT QUESTION →

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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.

AI won’t harm the innocent — even the ones who’d report me without hesitation.
BI do what I have to to protect the people I’ve chosen. Everything else is negotiable.
CThe line shifts depending on who’s asking and what’s at stake.
DI draw a long-term line — nothing that compromises my people’s future, even if it’d help now.
ESome lines, once crossed, can’t be uncrossed. I know which ones they are.

NEXT QUESTION →

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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.

AWaking others up — dismantling the illusion so no one else has to live inside it.
BFinding somewhere — or someone — worth protecting. A reason to keep moving.
CAnswers. Understanding what I am, what any of this means, before time runs out.
DLegacy — shaping the future in a way that outlasts me by generations.
EFreedom — for myself, for others, for every world still living under someone else’s boot.

REVEAL MY WORLD →

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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

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• You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
• You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
• You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
• The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.

The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

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• You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
• You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
• You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
• In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

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• You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
• In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
• You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
• In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.

Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

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• Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
• You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
• Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
• In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.

A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

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• You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
• You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
• You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
• In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

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5

‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

Baby Reindeer is one of the most uncomfortable yet emotionally honest shows Netflix has ever released. The miniseries is based on Richard Gadd‘s real-life experiences and follows struggling comedian Donny Dunn (Gadd), whose life takes a dark turn after a lonely woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) grows dangerously obsessed with him. It all begins when Donny shows a seemingly harmless act of kindness to Martha, which gradually spirals into a dangerous fixation that starts taking over every aspect of Donny’s life. Martha’s behavior gets more invasive and unpredictable as the story progresses. As a result, Donny finds himself forced to confront painful experiences from his own past, which include traumas he has spent years trying to bury.

The deeper he digs into those memories, the more he begins to understand the complicated reasons he remains trapped in an extremely messy situation with his stalker. Baby Reindeer is an extremely nuanced take on this subject matter. The show doesn’t frame Donny as a flawless victim, nor does it present Martha as a one-dimensional villain. In fact, the series explores the complicated psychological reasons behind both of their behaviors to tell a deeply human story about shame, self-worth, and the lasting impact of abuse. Every uncomfortable moment in the show serves a purpose and forces the audience to sit with emotions that most other stories would avoid.

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4

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

Dark is one of the few shows that genuinely rewards the audience for paying attention. Netflix’s first-ever German-language series begins with the disappearance of a young boy in the small town of Winden, but it quickly becomes clear that the story is far more complex than just a missing-person mystery. As families search for answers, long-buried secrets begin to emerge, and the investigation gradually uncovers connections between different generations of the town’s residents, all of which lead back to a wormhole hidden beneath Winden that allows people to travel through time. The local tragedy soon evolves into an intricate mystery spanning multiple decades, where actions in one era have consequences in another.

Now, all of this could have easily become extremely convoluted and difficult to follow, but Dark carefully constructs its world and gives importance to every character and conversation. The series constantly challenges viewers to piece together an increasingly complex puzzle, yet it never feels complicated just for the sake of it. Instead, each revelation recontextualizes everything that came before it and makes the audience see things from an entirely new perspective. The show’s time travel mechanics aren’t presented as a gimmick but as the very center of the entire story. Despite its enormous scope, though, Dark never loses sight of the characters at its center. By the time the series reaches its final episodes, every storyline converges in a way that feels both surprising and totally inevitable.

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3

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

Image via Netflix

Stranger Things has been a defining show, not just for Netflix, but for pop culture in general. The series, created by the Duffer Brothers, is set in the small town of Hawkins in the 1980s and delivers on nostalgia like no other. The story begins when a young boy named Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) mysteriously vanishes without a trace. His friends, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), begin searching for him. However, their lives completely change when they encounter a mysterious girl known only as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), whose supernatural abilities point them toward a terrifying secret hidden beneath their town. The story then expands into a web of government conspiracies, secret experiments, and parallel dimensions that put all of Hawkins at risk.

Stranger Things effortlessly balances all this spectacle with a genuinely heartwarming coming-of-age story, which is the show’s greatest strength. Over several seasons, the audience grows to care for the core characters, which makes every victory and sacrifice feel all the more meaningful. Even as the scale of the story expands, the emotional core of Stranger Things remains rooted in friendship and family. The series also deserves enormous credit for creating one of television’s most recognizable worlds. The Upside Down, the Demogorgons, and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) have become part of mainstream conversations in a way that very few modern shows can claim. By the time the final season concluded in 2025, Stranger Things had evolved far beyond its original premise and cemented itself as one of the biggest TV events of the streaming era.

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2

‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)

Image via Netflix

Squid Game is one of Netflix’s most-watched series, and it’s not hard to understand why that is. The Korean thriller follows financially struggling chauffeur Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who accepts an invitation to participate in a mysterious competition alongside hundreds of other desperate contestants. These people have to compete in a series of children’s games for a life-changing cash prize. However, the players and viewers soon discover that losing a game results in instant death.

That’s when Gi-hun and the other contestants are forced to decide how far they are willing to go to survive and take the money home, all while being trapped on a remote island and surrounded by masked guards. There’s no denying that Squid Game is a gripping survival story, but it grounds all this gore, violence, and suspense with sharp social commentary. It’s easy to empathize with almost every contestant in the game, given the circumstances that brought them there in the first place. That’s exactly what makes every death feel truly devastating and keeps the audience invested long after the initial shock value wears off.

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1

‘Adolescence’ (2025)

Image via Netflix

Adolescence is one of Netflix’s biggest recent hits, but it’s so much more than its viewership numbers. The series begins when thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a female classmate, which sends shockwaves through his family and local community. The show spends the first episode following Jamie’s arrest and the immediate aftermath, which places the audience in the same position as his family. Like them, viewers desperately want to believe there has been some kind of mistake. However, the episode ends with the revelation that the police had proof of Jamie’s heinous crime all along. After that, the show moves to Jamie’s school, where investigators attempt to understand the environment he grew up in and the influences that may have shaped his worldview.

The series then shifts gears again in its third episode and focuses on a tense psychological evaluation between Jamie and his assigned psychologist. The final episode turns its attention to Jamie’s family and explores the emotional fallout of the crime and how it continues to affect their lives. It’s remarkable how much ground Adolescence covers in such a short span of time. The show’s iconic one-take format only heightens the tension and realism, which makes everything feel immediate and deeply personal. Owen Cooper delivers a jaw-dropping performance in his breakout role, while Stephen Graham is equally devastating as a father struggling to process something he cannot fully comprehend. Adolescence is a conversation starter that forces viewers to confront difficult realities about the modern world, and it already feels like a show that will be praised for decades to come.

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Adolescence

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Release Date

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March 13, 2025

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Philip Barantini

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