One of the many ways Babylon 5 is unique among sci-fi series is that it was written out before the cameras started rolling. That doesn’t mean every script, but the story, the characters, and the plot beats were all developed before the first season was in production. Yet there were still quite a few happy accidents that happened on set to re-direct the series, from the chemistry between Londo and G’Kar, to the addition of Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan. Another happy accident is Star Trek veteran Walter Koenig’s performance as Alfred Bester, which was so good that the villainous telepath went from a “Monster of the Week” to a recurring guest star.
The First Appearance Of Alfred Bester
Koenig first appears as Bester in the Season 1 episode, “Mind War,” which finally goes into the impact of having telepaths running around the space station. Talia Winters (Andrea Thompson) had been established as the resident telepath, helping Londo deal with a delicate personal matter, but in “Mind War,” she’s the one in trouble. Her former teacher, Jason Ironheart, snuck onto the station to hide from the Psi-Cops.
Bester is one of the two Psi-Cops hunting down Jason, who went rogue after learning that telekinetics were to be trained by the Psi-Corp as assassins. Jason himself was subjected to strange experiments to amplify his abilities, resulting in “mind quakes” that shake the station to its foundations, and eventually, he evolves into a being of pure energy. Before leaving, or “becoming” as he says, he gives Talia the gift of telekinetics, and says to Sinclair (Michael O’Hare) that he’ll see him again “in a million years.”
Sinclair Knows Already Bester Smiling Is Not A Good Sign
You’d think someone ascending to a higher plane of existence would be the highlight of the episode. Walter Koenig managed to steal the show as the uptight and stern Bester, giving Babylon 5 something it had been missing: a villain. Koenig’s performance makes it clear that Bester thinks he’s superior to non-telepaths (and even those less powerful than he is). He also acts like he knows everything going on at all times, which, to his credit, he does.
Bester Wasn’t Part Of The Plan
Koenig wasn’t meant to be Alfred Bester, instead he was going to be Knight Two in “The Sky Full of Stars,” but a heart attack prevented him from filming. J. Michael Straczynski then went to the drawing board and created Bester specifically for Koenig. The reaction on set was that Koenig had been wasted on Star Trek: The Original Series as Chekov. Fans agreed, blowing up online message boards with love for Koenig after “Mind War” aired.
“Mind War” is a favorite of fans to this day thanks to the first appearance of Bester, but it also, in retrospect, planted the seed of Sinclair’s fate. Turns out, he really will be able to see the ascended Ironheart in a million years. At the time, no one knew it would be an accurate statement. The first season of Babylon 5 is filled with fun moments that fans didn’t fully understand the meaning of until years later.
As for Koenig, not only would he return as Bester, but he ended up being prominently featured in Season 5’s Psi-War story arc. Not bad for someone who wasn’t supposed to be back on set.
Curry Barker‘s Obsession has been the talk of the horror world the past few weeks. The YouTube filmmaker, who first got the attention of genre fans with Milk & Serial, has broken out in a huge way with his feature directorial debut. Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a shy young man who uses a One Wish Willow to wish for his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), to love him more than anyone else. Bear gets what he wished for … but with terrifying consequences. Obsession is earning praise as one of the best horror movies in ages, but this is no fun fright fest. What Nikki goes through is absolutely heartbreaking, and had Barker stuck with his original ending, it would have altered the impact Obsession had with moviegoers.
What Is ‘Obsession’ About?
Curry Barker got the idea for Obsessionfrom a “Treehouse of Horror” episode of The Simpsons. However, while it’s hilarious to watch Homer use a monkey’s paw to wish for a turkey sandwich, there’s nothing funny about Obsession. Barker’s film lives in darkness and goes for the unexpected at every turn.
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Bear, the shy “nice guy,” should be the hero. And, for a bit, he is, until he wishes for his co-worker, Nikki, to love him more than anyone else in the world. Just like that, the confident, independent Nikki becomes obsessed with Bear. Rather than looking for a way to cancel his wish, Bear only wants to alter it. He doesn’t want to let Nikki go and still wants him to love her in the way he desires.
This makes Bear the true villain of the movie. And while Nikki is plenty scary, she is never the antagonist. This new form only wants to please and doesn’t know how. Meanwhile, the real Nikki is trapped, forced to inhabit this possessed body and only allowed to come out for a few seconds here and there. Nikki is a tragic figure, with more than a few scenes producing tears rather than screams.
Nikki Was Originally Going To Die at the End of ‘Obsession’
Going into the third act of Obsession, the thing that is Nikki sleeps in bed. With the entity at bay, the real Nikki takes over her body and begs Bear to kill her. He won’t do it. Bear is a coward, and he’s not ready to let go of his wish, despite the cost. In the wild finale, Sarah (Megan Lawless) and Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) are dead at Nikki’s hand. It’s only then that Bear is ready to take his own life to cancel the wish and save Nikki, who can come back the moment he dies. However, once more, Bear proves to be a coward and backs out, taking the gun out of his mouth and swallowing a bunch of pills instead. He quickly regrets that, as well, and starts an attempt to vomit them up before being stopped by the entity version of Nikki breaking a second One Wish Willow. Seconds later, he is dead, the real Nikki is back in her body, and the end credits roll as she screams. It’s chilling to the bone.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the director revealed that his original ending went even further. Barker strongly considered giving the film a Romeo and Juliet-type finale where both characters die.
“We shot both; we shot this ending that you see in the movie, and we shot the ending where she ends it all. We had shot a ton of different versions of the official ending, the one that’s in the script, the one that I was excited about, and I was like, Okay, we’ll do one ending where [Nikki] survives, but we’ll just do one take of it, and then we’ll move on.“
‘Obsession’s Ending Is More Scary Because Nikki Lives
Nikki (Inde Navarrette) smiling with blood on her face and body in ‘Obsession’Image via Focus Features
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After shooting an alternate ending with Nikki surviving that Barker didn’t think he would use, he was talked into making it the actual ending by his father, screenwriter Jeff Barker.
“I just remember my dad and multiple people around me being like, ‘Dude, I think it’s way more disturbing if she just survives this thing.’ I was like, ‘Ah, you’re right.’ And so we switched it.”
In an interview with Collider, Inde Navarrette told Peri Nemiroff:
“She’s gonna sit with the grief.’ And also, at the same time, we’re following her this entire time. Curry was like, ‘No, we really want to sit with her.’ And that’s why we got the ending that we did.”
To watch Nikki make it so far through so much only to die would have been unbearable for the viewer and killed any rewatch potential. Nikki had to live. Usually, if the hero makes it out of a horror movie alive, that’s a happy ending. Not for Obsession. Sure, there’s a chance she’s strong enough to overcome what she’s gone through. Maybe this horrific experience will become the basis for the love story she dreams of writing. That’s a fantasy though. Nikki is not coming back from this. When she snaps back into her body, her face is not one of relief. Nikki is terrified, her eyes wide with extreme fear. She has seen things and been to places the audience doesn’t know about. There is no escape from such soul-destroying trauma.
Just as bad, all of Nikki’s friends are now dead because of her. Even if she could somehow find a way to live through this knowledge, no one will ever believe what really happened. In the eyes of the law, Nikki will be seen as a crazed killer. It’s off to prison for life, or at best, a psychiatric hospital. The movie ends on this poor woman’s pain pouring out of her. She is coming undone. Will she be okay? The viewer will never get a true answer, but we can already guess. Whatever awaits Nikki is pure, unimaginable hell, and that’s much worse than the finality of death.
Netflix has had a huge 2026 after recruiting Reacher veteran Alan Ritchson to star in one of the most ambitious straight-to-streaming sci-fi movies of all time, War Machine. The film picked up over 125 million views during its first 30 days on streaming, making it one of the most-watched Netflix movies in history — the streamer has already confirmed that a sequel to War Machine is in the early stages of development. Before War Machine began streaming around the world, Netflix’s biggest movie of the year was The Rip, the Miami-set crime thriller led by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Netflix’s biggest movie after that was Apex, which fell short of War Machine after earning only 100 million views in 30 days. The film stars Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, and it was directed by Baltasar Kormakur.
Netflix is always on the lookout for its next big sleeper hit, and the latest film to swiftly take the #1 spot on streaming charts is Office Romance. The film stars Jennifer Lopez opposite long-time Ted Lasso standout Brett Goldstein, who is also famous for his work in another Apple TV show, Shrinking. It’s not even been a week since Office Romance released on Netflix around the world, and the film is already the most-watched streaming title globally. Not only that, Office Romance has already pulled 20.9 million views during its first three days on the platform. To reach the top spot, Office Romance had to claw past Swapped, the new animated family film starring Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple. Jordan’s Creed III, which he stars in and even directed, is also in the Netflix global top 10 at the time of writing.
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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz Which Oscar Best Picture Is Your Perfect Movie? Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country
Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.
🪜Parasite
🌀Everything Everywhere
☢️Oppenheimer
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🐦Birdman
🪙No Country for Old Men
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01
What kind of film experience do you actually want? The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.
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02
Which idea grabs you most in a film? Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?
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03
How do you like your story told? Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.
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04
What makes a truly great antagonist? The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?
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05
What do you want from a film’s ending? The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?
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06
Which setting pulls you in most? Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.
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07
What cinematic craft impresses you most? Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.
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08
What kind of main character do you root for? The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.
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09
How do you feel about a film that takes its time? Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.
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10
What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema? The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?
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The Academy Has Decided Your Perfect Film Is…
Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.
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Parasite
You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.
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Oppenheimer
You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.
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Birdman
You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.
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No Country for Old Men
You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.
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What Is ‘Office Romance’ About?
Office Romance follows Jackie (played by Jennifer Lopez), boss of Air Cruz, who is vehemently against any fraternizing between her employees. However, she’s forced to abandon her own policy when a sexy new lawyer, Daniel (played by Brett Goldstein), begins working in the office. Office Romance holds scores of 50% from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the lower-rated Netflix movies to explode with such a strong debut. Ol Parker directed the film with a script from co-star Brett Goldstein and Joe Kelly.
Check out Office Romance on Netflix, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of all the hottest projects on streaming.
Video games offer a whole range of emotions from different genres, from pure excitement and thrills in action masterpieces such as Call of Duty, to rage-inducing challenges like Elden Ring, and even pure wonder and joy in adventure fantasies, including The Legend of Zelda. Video games are masters at making players feel things, and that includes fear, as the horror genre is one of the most acclaimed.
The horror genre works perfectly in video game format, making it more immersive and personal, ramping up the fright and terror to deliver must-play experiences for fans of the genre. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest horror video games of all time based on gameplay, narrative, design, originality, influence, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, and the level of fear it instills in the players.
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10
‘Until Dawn’ (2015)
The full cast of the video game Until Dawn standing outside a cottage door at night, including Hayden Panettiere, Meaghan Martin, Brett Dalton, Nichole Sakura, Jordan Fisher, Galadriel Stineman, Noah Fleiss, and Rami MalekImage via Supermassive Games
A lot of the games on this list received live-action movie adaptations, and one of the ones that went under the radar was Until Dawn. On the one-year anniversary of the death of two of their friends, a group goes on a vacation in a mountain cabin. However, when they get stuck, a mysterious figure begins hunting them, making every decision a life-or-death choice.
This game made waves back when it was first released, becoming a major YouTube sensation (which is a common theme among horror games) that offered thrilling choices. With a feeling of classic horror movie camp and genuinely terrifying moments, Until Dawn is a frightening sensation that perfectly adapts the butterfly effect mechanic, creating a magnificent and gripping horror narrative.
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9
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2014)
Characters from the ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s videogamesImage via ScottGames
Some may view this game ironically, but putting aside the countless spin-offs and terrible films, Five Nights at Freddy’s was actually a remarkable and popular game. Playing as a security guard at a kid’s pizza place, the night shift gets ten times more terrifying when the animatronics come to life, hunting down the player who must survive the week.
It’s fairly simple mechanics open a plethora of options and areas to manage as the player must keep tabs on multiple rooms and animatronics. Maintaining safety isn’t as easy as one would think, as the added challenges and creeping difficulty increase the drama and tension every night. Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the most iconic modern video game franchises, and it does this without the player needing to move at all.
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8
‘Outlast’ (2013)
A handful of these games become popular on YouTube, where creators would play them and share their terrified reactions, and one such title that traumatized many influencers is Outlast. Armed with only a camcorder, an investigative journalist breaks into an abandoned asylum to look into the rumors of horrific experiments, only to come face to face with said horrors.
By taking away the player’s weapons and ability to fight back, Outlast popularized the vulnerable protagonist in horror games, and this sense of helplessness only amplified the dread. Looking at the world through a grainy recording camera gives a claustrophobic vibe that further ramps up the terror, and with plenty of surprises in store, fans better be on their toes.
7
‘Dead Space’ (2008)
Image via Motive Studios
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The modern remake did receive glowing reviews, but the original Dead Space is still unmatched with its older graphics and design. Isaac Clarke is a space engineer sent out to repair a planet-mining vessel. However, what he encounters is an entire crew dead and reborn into creatures by a strange artifact, prompting him to do whatever it takes to survive.
The remake polished everything and got rid of the tedious shooting gallery, but the original feels scarier, and therefore is a better horror game, while the remake is better in other aspects. The enemy AI is far more terrifying, and the classic visuals add a sense of fright. Dead Space is a magnificent sci-fi video game that forces the player to think strategically about where to cut the enemies.
6
‘Alien: Isolation’ (2014)
A low to the ground first-perspective shot of a xenomorph standing in a semi-crouch and facing the camera with its teeth bared in the Alien: Isolation video gameImage via Sega Corporation
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There have been a lot of horror video games that turned into movies, but what about the other way around? It isn’t an adaptation of the movie, but Alien: Isolation brings the iconic sci-fi horror franchise into the interactive realm. Set 15 years after the first movie, Amanda Ripley is searching for her mother, but all she finds is a lone alien that she must hide from, alone on a ship.
Alien: Isolation doesn’t have much of a story and is rather one-note, but that allows it to focus everything on perfecting the horror format. The alien AI is perhaps the greatest enemy AI ever made, to the point where it feels real. It is an ever-learning creature that forces the player to adapt their gameplay, and just when they think they’re safe, it strikes. Alien: Isolation is a definitive sci-fi horror that will have players silent in anticipation and fright.
5
‘Amnesia: The Dark Descent’ (2010)
A creature running at the player in Amnesia: The Dark DescentImage via Frictional Games
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Set within an eerie castle, Daniel wakes up with no recollection of where he is or why he is there, only remembering his name and that he is in danger. Amnesia: The Dark Descent has players controlling Daniel, needing to journey into the heart of the castle in order to kill its master and escape.
While Outlast popularized this horror format, Amnesia: The Dark Descent invented it, pioneering this type of horror game that would become a staple of the genre. The sanity meter mechanic was a revolutionary invention for horror games, and this title used it remarkably by adding a new layer of gameplay that fused with the horror vibe.
4
‘P.T.’ (2014)
Female ghost walking in a dark house in P.T. gameImage via Kojima Productions
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Most of the titles on this list are big main series games, but P.T. is known as the Silent Hill game that never got made. Standing for playable teaser, this was just a demo of the new game in the franchise, but after it was canceled, this is all fans got. As a player loops around a typical house, it becomes more distorted as a ghost begins chasing them.
Fans may never get Silent Hills, but this demo alone has established itself as one of the greatest horror experiences put on the screen. This video game was an event for the community, with players finding new secrets and lore in every loop that would only intensify the hype. P.T. isn’t legally available anymore, but that lost media aspect only makes it more legendary and iconic.
3
‘Resident Evil’ (2002)
A still from Resident Evil RemakeImage via Capcom
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Resident Evil 4 is arguably the best game in the franchise, but that is because of its action elements, and when it comes to pure horror, the first Resident Evil has it beat. However, this entry specifically features the remake on the GameCube, which brought everything great about the original into a more modern feel. A special team investigates the mysterious experiments in a mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City.
Resident Evil is arguably the greatest horror franchise of all time, and that is why there are two entries on this list, starting with the definitive classic. The pre-rendered backgrounds and graphics were some of the most realistic of the time, making horror feel more real in a time when most assets were jagged polygons. Resident Evil is a 2000s masterpiece that redefined the horror genre.
2
‘Silent Hill 2’ (2001)
Image via Konami
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Both the remake and the original are about equally good, but this list opted for the original for its historical significance and innovation within the genre and gaming at large. 1999’s Silent Hill followed Harry Mason in his quest to find his daughter in the titular town. However, he is pulled into an alternate dimension that reflects the mind of a young girl’s trauma. Silent Hill 2 follows widower James Sunderland as he wanders the eponymous town in Maine in search of his deceased wife.
The horror genre is known for jump scares, but a truly scary experience is when a title doesn’t need that at all, and Silent Hill 2 does that perfectly. Relying on its sense of existential dread by using hallucinatory fog that creates an unmatched surrealist vibe, Silent Hill 2 creates a horror masterpiece that proves what you don’t see can be scarier than what is there.
1
‘Resident Evil 2’ (2019)
Resident-Evil-2-Leon-KennedyImage via Capcom
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As mentioned, the Resident Evil franchise is one of the best horror has to offer, and while the fourth is usually considered the best, Resident Evil 2 is the greatest horror experience. As Raccoon City faces a full-scale zombie invasion, Leon and a high school girl must evade the creatures and try to make it out of the city alive.
The original is great, but it is hard to beat the modern reimagining of Resident Evil 2, which improved on the graphics, gameplay, and ambient horror. Making a horror game into a metroidvainia was a brilliant choice, and when paired with a constant threat chasing players, the sense of worry only builds. Resident Evil 2 uses its flawless pacing, intricate puzzles, and brutal gore to create a prestigious horror game that many consider to be one of the greatest video games of all time.
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Collider Exclusive · Horror Survival Quiz Which Horror Villain Do You Have the Best Chance of Surviving? Jason Voorhees · Michael Myers · Freddy Krueger · Pennywise · Chucky
Five killers. Five completely different ways to die — if you’re not smart enough, fast enough, or self-aware enough to avoid it. Only one of them is the villain your particular set of instincts gives you a fighting chance against. Eight questions will figure out which one.
🏕️Jason
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🔪Michael
💤Freddy
🎈Pennywise
🪆Chucky
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01
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Something feels wrong. You can’t explain it — you just know. What do you do? First instincts are the difference between the survivor and the first act casualty.
02
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Where are you most likely to find yourself when things go wrong? Setting is everything in horror. Where you are determines which rules apply.
03
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What is your most reliable survival asset? Every survivor has a quality the villain didn’t account for. What’s yours?
04
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What kind of fear is hardest for you to fight through? Knowing your weakness is the first step to not dying because of it.
05
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You’re with a group when things start going wrong. What’s your role? Horror movies are brutally clear about who survives group situations and who doesn’t.
06
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What’s the horror movie mistake you’re most likely to make? Honest self-assessment is a survival skill. Denial is not.
07
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What’s your best weapon against something that can’t be stopped by conventional means? Every horror villain has a weakness. The survivors are always the ones who find it.
08
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It’s the final scene. You’re the last one standing. How did you make it? The final survivor always has a reason. What’s yours?
Your Survival Odds Have Been Calculated Your Best Chance Is Against…
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Your instincts, your strengths, and your particular way of thinking under pressure point to one villain you actually have a fighting chance against. Everyone else — good luck.
Camp Crystal Lake · Friday the 13th
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Jason Voorhees
Jason is relentless, but he is also predictable — and that is the gap you would exploit.
He moves in straight lines toward his target. He doesn’t strategise, doesn’t adapt, doesn’t outsmart. He simply pursues.
Your ability to keep moving, use the environment, and resist the panic that freezes most victims gives you a genuine edge.
The Crystal Lake survivors were always the ones who stopped running in circles and started thinking about terrain, water, and distance.
You think like that. Which means Jason, for all his indestructibility, would face someone who simply refused to be where he expected.
Haddonfield, Illinois · Halloween
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Michael Myers
Michael watches before he moves. He is patient, methodical, and almost impossible to detect — until it’s too late for anyone who isn’t paying close enough attention.
But you are paying attention. You notice the shape in the window, the car parked slightly wrong, the silence where there should be sound.
Michael’s power lies in the invisibility of ordinary suburbia — the fact that nothing ever looks wrong until it already is.
Your spatial awareness and instinct to map every room, every exit, and every shadow before you need them is precisely the quality Laurie Strode had.
You are not a victim waiting to happen. You are someone who already suspects something is wrong — and acts on it.
Elm Street · A Nightmare on Elm Street
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Freddy Krueger
Freddy wins by getting inside your head — using your own fears, your own memories, your own subconscious as weapons against you. That strategy requires a target who can be destabilised.
You are harder to destabilise than most. You’ve faced uncomfortable truths about yourself and you haven’t looked away.
The survivors on Elm Street were always the ones who understood what was happening and chose to face it rather than flee from it.
Freddy’s greatest weakness is that his power evaporates in the presence of someone who refuses to give him the fear he feeds on.
Your psychological resilience — the ability to stay grounded when reality itself becomes unreliable — is exactly the quality that keeps you alive here.
Derry, Maine · It
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Pennywise
Pennywise is ancient, shapeshifting, and feeds on terror — but it has one critical vulnerability: it cannot function against someone who genuinely stops being afraid of it.
The Losers Club didn’t survive because they were braver than everyone else. They survived because they faced their fears together, and faced them honestly.
You ask the questions others avoid. You look directly at what frightens you rather than turning away.
That directness — the refusal to let fear fester in the dark — is Pennywise’s worst nightmare.
It chose the wrong target when it chose you. You are exactly the kind of person whose fear tastes like nothing at all.
Chicago · Child’s Play
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Chucky
Chucky’s greatest advantage is that nobody takes him seriously until it’s already too late. He exploits the gap between how something looks and what it actually is.
You don’t have that gap. You take threats seriously regardless of how they present — and you never make the mistake of underestimating something because of its size or appearance.
Chucky relies on surprise, on the delay between recognition and response. You close that delay faster than almost anyone.
Your instinct to treat every unfamiliar thing with appropriate scepticism — rather than dismissing it because it seems absurd — is the exact quality that keeps you breathing.
Against Chucky, not laughing is already winning. You are very good at not laughing.
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Busy moms know that clothes that require tons of adjusting often feel more annoying than fun. Running from place to place, carrying your little one (plus all their stuff), all while having to hike your tube top back up? No thanks. Still, practical fashion doesn’t have to be boring, and Gigi Hadid is a pro at finding that happy medium. The supermodel mama recently stepped out in a sleek, solid-colored sweatshirt style, proving that the wardrobe staple is secretly elevated — if you style it right.
While out and about in New York City, Hadid went with a classic combination, layering a cozy crewneck over a white tee before adding light-wash jeans, fishnet Mary Jane flats, red sunglasses and a structured white bag. The outfit was simple yet extremely polished, which is why we’re rushing to copy the rich mom formula with a budget-friendly Hanes find.
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Get the Hanes EcoSmart Fleece Sweatshirt for $12 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
It’s possible Hadid’s crewneck was a high-end purchase, but the Hanes EcoSmart Fleece Sweatshirt gets you the same timeless look for just $12. Made from a cotton-blend fabric, the wardrobe essential is just heavy enough to keep you warm on cool days yet breathable in sunny summertime weather. Featuring ribbing along the edges, this pick hits right at the waist, saving you from a belly-baring, crop top moment as you go about your day.
Olivia Wilde has a knack for making unexpected outfit combinations feel completely natural. The actress recently stepped out in a look that challenged one of fashion’s long-standing rules: that sweatshirts are strictly casual. Instead, she paired a relaxed gray sweatshirt with tailored black slacks, proving that comfort and sophistication can absolutely coexist. On June 1, […]
Hadid’s outfit might be better suited for chilly mornings and nights, but the uniform is one you can easily recreate for warmer temps, too. While we’d still let a white T-shirt peek out from underneath for a fresh, preppy-inspired spin, Bermuda shorts or denim cutoffs can easily replace the jeans while nailing that same rich mom vibe. Can’t bear the thought of something stiff on your body? The Hanes design also balances out striped or gingham boxer shorts for the ultimate casual-chic ensemble.
If blue isn’t your top choice, there are plenty of other colors to choose from; the same sweatshirt comes in pink, purple, green and a ton of neutrals. Many Amazon shoppers note the price and end up buying multiple shades without regret, including one who swore that the pick rivals those from “much more expensive brands.”
“Best sweatshirts, hands down,” one reviewer said. “Material is thinner than regular sweatshirt material, so it fits great with skirts, jeans, shorts. It’s not boxy. I have six different colors. Cannot beat the price. Run. Don’t walk.”
Whether you rely on Hadid’s busy mom outfit the next time you’re running 20 minutes late, or need a light layer to shove in your bag on the way to the next activity, this cozy sweatshirt belongs in your cart. At just $12, it’s a no-splurge way to nail a coveted celebrity look, and the fact that there are no straps, hooks or risky necklines to fuss with makes it even more of a must-have!
Get the Hanes EcoSmart Fleece Sweatshirt for $12 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
2026 has been a rather good year for movies. So far, we’ve had tremendous commercial successes like The Super Mario Galaxy Movieand Michael, incredible legacy sequels like The Devil Wears Prada 2, horror marvels like Backrooms, and even a few controversial offerings like Wuthering Heights. With a balanced mix of original ideas, IPs, sequels, remakes, and the like, the 2026 box office is far healthier than it’s been in years. Sure, there have been some bombs (poor Masters of the Universe), but overall, cinema is not only alive but actually thriving, both domestically and abroad.
What’s best is that we’re barely six months into the year, and we still have some massive players to come, including The Odysseyand Spider-Man: Brand New Day. However, the movies we have gotten so far are pretty good, and in fact, a few are actually well on their way to becoming modern classics. It might be way too soon to bestow the title on them, but they have all the necessary elements to cement themselves as true icons of this age. The three entries on this list already have the type of acclaim that many other movies can only dream of, from both audiences and critics. Their reputation is bound to keep increasing over the years, and it won’t take long before they’re included alongside some of the all-time greats in their respective genres.
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‘Project Hail Mary’
Based on the novel by Andy Weir and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary is a crowd-pleasing sci-fi full of heart. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle-school teacher who awakens aboard an interstellar spacecraft without any memory of why he is there or what he’s meant to do. The sole survivor of a three-person crew, Grace slowly pieces back the story, realizing he’s on a mission to save the Sun, which is slowly dimming due to the presence of a substance dubbed “astrophage.” A coalition of the Earth’s nations, led by Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), collaborated to make the journey possible, but now, it’s all up to Grace.
In many ways, Project Hail Mary is a throwback to the type of heartwarming, optimistic movies that thrived in the ’90s. Evoking the same space thrills of something like Armageddon and combining them with the rousing cheers of The Shawshank Redemption, the film is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. Gosling is in top form here, offering a grounded, deeply humanistic performance that ranks among the best of his career, perfectly complemented by Hüller’s subtler, nuanced depiction of a cold mind trying to save humanity. At its core is a message about cooperation and empathy, showcased through the central relationship between Grace and the rock-like alien Rocky. Crucially, the science jargon is never overly complicated, allowing the film to rise on the strength of its profound and emotional story.
‘Obsession’
Nikki (Inde Navarrette) smiling with blood on her face and body in ‘Obsession’Image via Focus Features
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Its title might not be particularly original, but the film itself sure is. Made on a tiny budget of $750,000 and defying every expectation, Obsession is arguably the one true cultural phenomenon of 2026. The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music store employee who has romantic feelings for his friend, Nikki (Inde Navarrete). Upon buying a novelty toy, Bear uses it to wish for her to love him more than anyone in the world. However, his wish soon turns everything into chaos, sending both him and Nikki into the depths of unbearable pain.
Directed by Curry Barker, who rose to prominence on YouTube, Obsession has become a true sensation, thanks to positive word-of-mouth and its success at capturing young audiences’ attention. The film’s premise doesn’t reinvent the formula; rather, it enhances it through a good mix of thrills and sheer entertainment. Barker deftly balances shocking and gruesome imagery with an ironic, often quite funny tone that leads to a unique horror experience. Johnston and especially Navarrete are crucial to the film’s success, crafting a dynamic that is equal parts disturbing and strangely sympathetic. Obsession keeps breaking box office records and is already among the most profitable movies ever made. As a horror gem, it’s already cemented its place alongside the genre’s biggest successes, but it has also gained the sort of cultural prominence that all but guarantees its spot among modern’s cinema’s greatest efforts.
‘I Love Boosters’
Image via Neon
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Few directors have as distinct a visual and narrative style as Boots Riley. This year, he came back with a colorful, absurdist roar with the crime comedy I Love Boosters, which stars a large ensemble led by the ever-reliable Keke Palmer. The film follows a group of shoplifters (Palmer, Taylour Page, Naomie Ackie, and Poppy Liu) who target a high-powered fashion mogul (Demi Moore), stealing her clothes and reselling them at a lower, more affordable price. The large, all-star ensemble also includes Eiza González, Will Poulter, and Oscar nominees LaKeith Stanfield and Don Cheadle.
I Love Boosters is a vibrant, hilarious, spirited, and wildly creative take on the crime genre. Like Riley’s previous efforts, it uses a heightened visual and narrative approach, heavy on absurdist jokes, irony, and a lack of subtlety, to offer a sharp and quite unforgiving takedown of capitalism and the fashion industry. Every scene is over-the-top, and the accompanying soundtrack only makes things more cartoonish and memorable. The maximalism in offer won’t be for everyone, but that’s by design; there’s a willingness to embrace chaos here, which only makes its overall message stronger and more thought-provoking. Every generation needs a cult classic, the type of quirky movie that’s embraced by a select few; I Love Boosters is such a movie, and its reputation can only improve from here.
Ever since the German The Adventures of Prince Achmed in 1926, animated movies have changed cinema for the better. Animation is a medium unlike any other, capable of expanding the limits of artists’ imagination by granting them a space to push visual boundaries. The creativity and freedom allowed by animation hold a strong connection with fantasy, a genre that’s all about making magic feel believable.
As a medium tailor-made for its demands, fantasy has often recurred to animation to tell its stories. The genres often achieve their greatest iterations together, from timeless classics like Disney’s Pinocchioto modern masterpieces like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; from beautifully hand-drawn movies to fully CG-animated efforts; from the simple and subtle to the sprawlingly epic. These are the best fantasy movies from animation, stunning triumphs of thought and execution.
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‘Ne Zha 2’ (2025)
A still from the box office hit Ne Zha 2. Image via A24
There are box office hits that seem to come out of nowhere, and then there’s the Chinese animated fantasy film Ne Zha 2. It’s the direct sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha, a movie with immensely respectable box office numbers; but how it managed to join the ranks of history’s few films that have made over $2 billion dollars worldwide is one of the most impressive financial success stories in cinema’s recent history.
It’s the highest-grossing animated film and the highest-grossing non-English language film for a reason. Visually impressive, endearingly funny and charming, and with a frenetically paced and surprisingly dense plot, it’s pure fantasy spectacle that fans of the genre are bound to enjoy. Clocking in at nearly two and a half hours, there’s no shortage of fun to be had here.
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‘Flow’ (2024)
A cat sits in a boat surrounded by water in Flow, an animated film by Gints Zilbalodis.Image via Dream Well Studio
The third-ever non-English language film to win the Best Animated Feature Academy Award, the Latvian post-apocalyptic movie Flow is one of the best movie masterpieces of 2024. Despite its shoestring budget and having been animated entirely on the free and open-source software Blender, it’s still one of the most impressive animated movies of the 2020s so far.
Its visual style is delectably charming and dances around its limitations with ease, but what really makes Flow special is how much heart it has. There are minimal attempts here at anthropomorphizing these animals in any significant way. Rather, Flow‘s magic comes from watching a regular cat travel with other regular animals through this gorgeous, fantastical world ravaged by climate change.
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‘The Secret of Kells’ (2009)
Image via Buena Vista International
Nowadays, the Irish Cartoon Saloon is well known as an outstanding animation studio celebrating Irish culture and folklore through excellent films. Back in 2009, they were an up-and-coming new studio with a debut that took the world by storm. The Secret of Kells follows a young boy from a Medieval town beckoned to adventure when a master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, one brimming with secret wisdom and powers.
Tomm Moore’s beautiful The Secret of Kells is nothing short of one of the best Irish films of all time. The almost fully hand-drawn animation, while deceptively simple, is absolutely gorgeous; its depiction of Irish mythology makes it compelling for international audiences of all ages, and its love for the source material is nearly palpable in every scene.
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‘Mad God’ (2021)
Image via Shudder
Simply looking at stills from Mad God is an unsettling experience, but even that isn’t enough preparation for the unforgettable journey that is actually watching the film. A surrealist horror fantasy film following an assassin’s trip through a hellscape of tortured souls and wretched monstrosities, the movie is constantly one-upping itself in testing how much grotesque imagery viewers will be able to take.
Written and directed by Phil Tippett, a master puppeteer and VFX specialist involved in films of the caliber of Jurassic Parkand RoboCop, Mad God is a genuinely terrifying fantasy extravaganza with some of the most immersive stop-motion animation of the 21st century. For those with the stomach for it, it’s an absolute must-see.
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‘The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl’ (2017)
Image via Toho
Not many people have heard about Masaaki Yuasa‘s rom-com anime The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, which only makes it even more of a must-see. It’s one of those forgotten animated movies that are still perfect, an ambitious and inventively surrealistic little gem that feels like the work of an artist in full control of their craft.
Though some may point to The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl as one of those films that favor style over substance, the style is the substance here. The movie is a true creative tornado in every sense of the metaphor, a whirlwind of aesthetics and artistic directions that blend together unexpectedly well throughout the whole thing.
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‘Song of the Sea’ (2014)
Image via StudioCanal
After Kells, Cartoon Saloon’s next animated feature was another Tomm Moore masterpiece. Song of the Sea is one of the best family movies of the 2010s as a whole, one of those perfect animated movies that nobody remembers anymore. Its blend of hand-drawn and computer-generated animation has aged like fine wine, making it one of the most visually delightful animated films ever produced outside of Hollywood.
But while its delightful tone and rich visuals may be its two biggest strengths, Song of the Sea also boasts plenty of narrative depth and complexity to satisfy the whole family. Soaked in elements of Irish folklore and with a sweet story bolstered by a phenomenal voice cast, it’s Irish animation at its most exquisite.
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‘Coco’ (2017)
Miguel with the ghosts of his family at the gates of the Land of the Dead in ‘Coco’Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In preparation for Coco, the dedicated team of artists behind the movie reportedly did extensive research to get Día de Muertos, one of the traditions that define Mexican culture, right. The result is one of Pixar’s best films, about a kid dreaming of becoming a musician who’s transported to the Land of the Dead, where he intends to look for his mysterious great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.
Coco is a beautiful celebration of family love, traditions, and Mexican culture. The Land of the Dead is a beautifully complex, realized fantasy world both visually and in terms of its mechanics, making for the perfect location for this story to take place in. Tender, funny, and just the right amount of heartbreaking, Coco is yet another masterpiece from Pixar.
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‘Son of the White Mare’ (1981)
Image via Arbelos Films
Over the years, but particularly in the 20th century, Hungarian animation has built up a reputation for incomparable excellence, and yet, it’s a criminally underrated industry by most movie fans. Perhaps the most famous Hungarian animated feature is Son of the White Mare, a dreamlike adventure about three powerful brothers who set out into the Underworld in an effort to save three princesses and reclaim their ancestors’ lost kingdom.
Based on an ancient Hungarian folk myth, Marcell Jankovics‘ masterpiece has unique experimental animation and an engrossing aesthetic, which really make the entertaining story pop. It may be one of the weirdest animated movies ever made, but that’s precisely one of the main sources of its charm since it makes its richly intricate story much more exciting to absorb and analyze.
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22
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
Kiki looking out the window with an expression of longing with a back cat beside her in ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)Image via Studio Ghibli
Since the late ’70s, Hayao Miyazaki started steadily building up his name as the undisputed master of anime cinema, a title which he undoubtedly holds today. Most particularly, he’s interested in exploring the magic of fantasy through the endless possibilities of animation. Kiki’s Delivery Service, one of his best works ever, holds such an exploration. It’s the story of Kiki, a young witch trying to fit into a new community during her mandatory year of independent life.
Kiki is a delightful protagonist to follow. Resourceful and creative but also headstrong and a bit rough around the edges, she’s one of the most charming, funniest, and relatable characters in Studio Ghibli’s library. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a beautifully heartwarming depiction of teens’ search for identity, told through the enchanting allegory of a young witch trying to find her place in a world of magic.
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‘Sleeping Beauty’ (1959)
Philip charges towards Maleficent, who has turned into a dragon and is breathing fire in Sleeping Beauty.Image via Walt Disney Pictures
One of Walt Disney‘s most magical classics, Sleeping Beautyis about a princess cursed by a malevolent fairy; only a prince can break the spell with the help of three good fairies. Directed by a dedicated team of four, it’s the kind of classical tale of magic and heroism that only old Walt Disney Productions could have been able to deliver.
Maleficent is arguably the most intimidating animated Disney villain; Aurora is one of the most beloved Disney princesses; and all the side characters are every bit as memorable. Elegant colors populate the screen, aggrandizing both the thrilling action scenes and the moving moments of emotion. All in all, Sleeping Beauty is a deeply endearing reminder that fairy tales can win over the hearts of any audience member, no matter their age.
The “I Knew It, I Knew You” singer, 36, was seated courtside with her close friends Alana and Este Haim — all wearing custom Knicks gear — at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10, as the Knicks once again took on the San Antonio Spurs.
Swift and her friends were shown on the ABC broadcast cheering loudly throughout the game, though it’s not clear whether they knew how close they were to Braun, 44, and Euphoria star Sweeney, 28.
Footage shared by Entertainment Tonight revealed that Braun and his girlfriend were seated only a few rows behind Swift and her friends — albeit separated by a barricade.
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Wednesday’s Knicks game may be the closest Swift and Braun have been to one another since their business dispute erupted in 2019. At that time, Braun acquired Swift’s master recordings from her former record label, Big Machine, for a reported $330 million.
Swift publicly opposed the sale and later commenced re-recording some of her classic albums to retain a sense of creative ownership over the material.
Amidst a very public feud between the two, Braun sold the rights of Swift’s masters to Shamrock Capital for $300 million in November 2020. Nearly five years later, Swift excitedly announced that she’d regained the rights to her original recordings.
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“I’m trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is just a slideshow,” she wrote on her website in May 2025. “A flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for a chance to get to tell you this news. All the times I was thiiiiiiiis close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through. I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that’s all in the past now.”
Este Haim, Taylor Swift, and Mariska Hargitay attend Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals.Al Bello/Getty Images
Swift announced, “I’ve been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening. I really get to say these words: All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs… to me.”
The singer-songwriter later shared on her fiancé Travis Kelce’s podcast in August 2025 that she genuinely did burst into tears when she confirmed the purchase.
“I knock on the door, he’s playing video games and I’m trying to say it in a normal way … he, like, puts his headset down … and I think he thought something was wrong,” Swift remembered. “You come up and I go, ‘I got all my music back and I just absolutely started heaving crying.”
Swift went on, “[I] dropped, had no power in my legs to support myself. This changed my life. I can’t believe it still.”
Scooter Braun thinks it’s time to lay his drama with Taylor Swift to rest. Braun, 43, spoke out about the Max and Discover+ docuseries Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood at the Bloomberg Screentime event in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 10, revealing that he hadn’t initially planned on watching the two-part series about […]
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More recently, Braun admitted on the Suzy Weiss’ “Second Thought” podcast in May that he resented the way he was depicted in the dispute with Swift.
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“[I] went from being like, loved and appreciated for over a decade to literally a villain the next night. I don’t want to go into that, but I will say something that will really sum it up that I don’t know if I’ve ever really said,” Braun said. “I don’t know Taylor Swift. I think I’ve met her in my life three times.”
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The music mogul went on, “I have never had a substantial conversation with her in my life. I one time got invited to a private party by her. She told me she had the utmost respect for me. I told her I had the most respect for her. You don’t spend $300 million buying a label that she’s on unless you’re excited at the opportunity to work with her.”
Meanwhile, Swift’s courtside appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the NBA Finals was also intriguing because she’s rumored to be tying the knot with Kelce, 36, at the “world’s most famous arena” later this year.
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When it comes to everyday wardrobe staples, Ashley Iaconetti isn’t convinced you need to spend a fortune. In fact, the Real House of Rhode Island star swears by an affordable Amazon favorite that starts at just $10 and has become her everyday uniform. The high-waisted leggings feature tummy control, deep side pockets and a soft, stretchy fabric designed to move with you throughout the day.
After testing countless athleisure brands over the years, Iaconetti realized these budget-friendly leggings consistently outperform some of the pricier options in her closet.
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“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people need to spend over $100 for a good pair of leggings or yoga pants,” she told Us Weekly. “I promise you that some of the ones that are $40 and under are my very favorites.”
Get the No Nonsense Every Day Pocket Legging for $10 (originally $20) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
What feature sold Iaconetti immediately? The pockets. The leggings are designed with drop-in side pockets large enough to hold a phone, keys or other essentials, making them ideal for busy days on the go.
If there’s anyone we trust to give Us the rundown on the latest and greatest Amazon finds, it’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards. For years, she’s been a pro at sharing her top picks during her livestreams, pointing us toward tons of gems in those virtual chats — like these best-selling leggings, which are […]
“I have thought that maybe I should throw out all of my athleisure if they don’t have pockets because pockets are so crucial to my life,” she said. “I need my phone on me at all times. I love having a podcast going while I clean the house, and if I’m running errands, I love to just go in without a purse.”
Another reason she’s a fan is the flattering fit. The leggings feature a wide, supportive waistband that smooths and hugs without digging in, plus a high-rise silhouette that enhances your natural shape. The breathable four-way stretch fabric also helps keep you comfortable whether you’re lounging, traveling or tackling your to-do list.
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“I love a high-waisted yoga pant,” Iaconetti admitted. “It makes my tummy look pretty tiny and flat. It’s stretchy, but it still holds form.” She added that, unlike some leggings she’s tried, these don’t leave uncomfortable seams etched into her skin by the end of the day.
Perhaps most surprising is that Iaconetti doesn’t even wear these bottoms primarily for workouts.
“These are definitely more of a lifestyle legging for me,” she said. “I wear them with sweatshirts, sports bras, crop tops or a big baggy band tee. Sometimes I think they look better than jeans because they hug the butt and show off the waist better.”
The best part, according to Iaconetti, is that they wash well, retain their shape and don’t shrink. “They hold you in and make me feel like my body shows curves in the right way when I’m wearing them.”
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If you’re looking for a comfortable, flattering pair of leggings that won’t blow your budget, Iaconetti’s favorite Amazon find is definitely worth adding to your cart. At this price, grab more than one color before they sell out!
Get the No Nonsense Every Day Pocket Legging for $10 (originally $20) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more leggings and athleisure essentials here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Justin Hartley is in development on a new TV show while still leading his hit series Tracker, which has been going through its own changes.
Deadline reported that ABC is working on a TV adaptation of Isabella Maldonado‘s novel A Forgotten Kill. Hartley, 49, will executive produce through his overall deal at 20th Television while Diana Son will write and executive produce the project alongside fellow EPs Ken Olin and Maldonado.
A Forgotten Kill, which was released in 2024, is centered on ex–Army Ranger Dani Vega. According to the official synopsis, Dani is “a Nuyorican from the Lower East Side and dauntless FBI agent whose specialty is breaking codes and detecting patterns.”
The description continued: “As part of a task force, Dani is partnered with NYPD Detective Mark Flint. Their clashing styles give them an edge in solving crimes and expose an undeniable chemistry, but Dani is haunted by a secret: a family tragedy in her past that comes back to put her career and life at risk.”
When it comes to breaking TV records, there is no denying that Justin Hartley knows what America wants — just look at his hit show Tracker. Based on Jeffery Deaver‘s novel The Never Game, Tracker follows a survivalist named Colter (Hartley) who travels the country helping people and law enforcement tackle a variety of mysteries. […]
A Forgotten Kill is the second novel in Maldonado’s FBI Special Agent Daniela Vega Series, which follows A Killer’s Game and came before A Killer’s Code.
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Hartley will balance A Forgotten Killwith CBS’ hit series Tracker. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s novel The Never Game, Tracker follows Hartley’s Colter around the country as he helps to find missing people and solve mysterious cases. After spending three seasons filming in Vancouver, news broke in May that Tracker was awarded $48 million on $129 million in qualified expenditures, prompting its move.
Tracker is 20th Television’s biggest series to be brought back to California with the help of a tax credit. Before that, Prime Video’s Fallout moved from New York to Los Angeles, while Dan Fogelman’s upcoming NFL drama, The Land, was given a $42.8 million tax credit.
Justin Hartley on ‘Tracker.’Sergei Bachlakov/CBS
“I’m proud of what we built in Vancouver. I’m also very excited we’re bringing Tracker to L.A.,” Hartley said in a statement at the time. “I’m looking forward to continuing to tell these stories alongside the new, fresh places we’ll be heading to next. Most importantly, I want to thank the fans for showing up for us every step of the way. We couldn’t do this without you.”
TV shows can earn an additional 5 percent tax credit bonus — on top of the 35 percent base credit — for qualified expenditures incurred outside the 30-mile zone that covers the Greater Los Angeles area and surrounding communities, according to Deadline.
Tax credits for relocation are being awarded to shows for their projected outsized economic effect, with jobs being created for Los Angeles-based crews and local businesses being boosted by returning production.
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“Location is a huge part of the storytelling on Tracker,” showrunner Elwood Reid told Deadline. “We’re so grateful to the crew and people of Vancouver who made the first three seasons of this hit drama possible, and are simultaneously thrilled to be able to kick off the fourth season of Tracker by filming in Los Angeles, thanks to the tax incentive program that supports bringing production back to California.”
“In terms of tone and character, I don’t think it’ll impact the show at all,” Hartley told The Wrap on Monday, May 25. “Our show is a road show. Our character goes from town to town across the United States of America and meets people from all different walks of life and helps them out. These strangers become kind of his family in a way.”
“To be able to shoot in a different place that gives us different landscapes, we’re able to go to places — New York, D.C., the desert, Texas, the beach,” Hartley noted. “It just opens up our world in terms of landscape, which is such a big character of our show.”
Despite the shift, Hartley expressed gratitude for the show’s time in Canada.
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“We built a really great, wonderful show and we did it in Vancouver for the first three years. Just, inevitably, as things go, the show has to evolve,” he added. “We’re not really interested in doing something just for the sake of doing it. I want to push the envelope and I want it to be something different, so we’re excited about it. It’s going to be very good for the show and for the audience.”
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