The White Lotus experienced some significant recasting over the years — but which actors were replaced and why?

The HBO series, which debuted in 2021, focuses on the guests and employees at a fictional resort as they experience a slew of personal ups and downs while on vacation. The anthology series is also known for a mysterious death — or two — that is teased during the first episode and eventually revealed at the end of each season.

After exploring Hawaii and Sicily, season 3 was set in Thailand with the show’s usual star-studded cast. This time around the show brought in Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong and Aimee Lou Wood.

However, some fans might be surprised to know that certain key roles were ultimately given to other actors. Once production started in February 2024, characters including Chloe and Frank went through some changes — starting with the person playing them.

Related: ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Star-Studded Cast: Where You Know Them From

The White Lotus continues to defy expectations by stacking each season with a star-studded cast. The HBO series, which debuted in 2021, focuses on the guests and employees at a fictional resort as they experience a slew of personal ups and downs while on vacation. The anthology series is also known for a mysterious death […]

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of every character who was recast — and why:

Aleksei

Miloš Biković was announced with the first wave of castings in January 2024. HBO dropped him one month later after Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called out the network for casting Biković despite his support of Russia amid the country’s war against Ukraine.

Days later, Julian Kostov was announced as Biković’s replacement. Biković subsequently slammed the decision in a statement.

“Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom,” he said at the time. “The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art.”

Chloe

Francesca Corney was originally cast as Chloe a.k.a the woman who fortunately — or unfortunately — ended up in the middle of that awkward Ratliff incest threesome. One month after production started, however, Charlotte Le Bon was brought in to replace Corney. Deadline reported at the time that the decision was made because creator Mike White and his team had wanted someone older to play the part.

Corney addressed the news in March 2024, writing via Instagram that while it was “heartbreaking” to step away, she was “so incredibly grateful for the short time I got to spend with everyone.”

“I have so, so much love for this cast and crew,” she added. “Season 3 is gonna be goood. I’ll be watching and supporting the whole way.”

Frank

Would Frank’s sex-focused monologue hit as hard if not for Sam Rockwell? Luckily, we don’t have to find out but Rockwell’s wife, Leslie Bibb, previously hinted that it wasn’t always the plan for him to be brought in for Frank.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“They came to him very last minute to do the show because we had gone long and casting had shifted,” Bibb shared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, adding that Rockwell was shooting in South Africa before joining The White Lotus. “He was not sure about doing it just because he didn’t have proper prep time. So we went on safari in South Africa, and I was like, ‘I’ll get you off book. I’ll get you off book.’”

Unnamed Season 4 Role

Helena Bonham Carter’s early exit from The White Lotus made headlines one week into filming for season 4. News broke in April 2026 that Bonham Carter’s character would be scrapped, with Laura Dern joining the hit HBO series in a new role developed specifically for her.

“HBO, the producers and Mike White are saddened that they won’t get to work with [Helena Bonham Carter], but remain ardent fans and very much hope to work with the legendary actress on another project soon,” a statement from HBO read. “It had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align.”

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were all loved up at the latest New York Knicks game.

The couple sat courtside during game two of the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs on Wednesday, May 6, sporting matching orange jackets in honor of Chalamet’s favorite basketball team.

Chalamet, 30, and Jenner, 28, even packed on the PDA, sharing a kiss for the cameras as the Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108 to 102 at Madison Square Garden, per footage posted on social media.

Both stars kept things casual in blue jeans, while Kylie wore a white tank top and orange heels. The Kylie Cosmetics founder had her hair pulled back in a high ponytail for the game.

Related: Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Make Red Carpet Debut

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner look loved up in their official red carpet debut. Chalamet, 29, and Jenner, 27, stepped out in Rome, Italy, at the 70th David Di Donatello at Cinecitta Studios on Wednesday, May 7. The couple coordinated outfits, with Chalamet donning a black suit and Jenner rocking a black gown with a […]

Chalamet and Jenner have been spotted at various Knicks games over the past three years since they were first romantically linked in April 2023. Their last game was on April 28 when the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks.

Wednesday was Chalamet’s second Knicks game of the week, as he also attended game one of the playoffs between the Knicks and the 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Monday, May 4. (Chalamet proved to be a lucky charm as his team won 137 to 98.)

Jenner, meanwhile, joined her sisters Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner and their mom Kris Jenner across New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2026 Met Gala.

The Kardashians star stunned on the red carpet in a custom Schiaparelli dress that made her look like a statue, in keeping with this year’s “Fashion is Art” theme. The dress featured a nude top that effortlessly flowed into a white skirt, giving the illusion the outfit was coming off of Jenner’s body.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Schiaparelli described the ensemble in an Instagram post as “requiring 11,000 hours of embroidery work” and featuring a “rigid bustier in brown corset toile embellished with a sfumato effect and a voluminous skirt in butter duchess satin embroidered with over 2,000 satin stitch balls, 10,000 natural baroque pearls and more [than] 7,000 painted pearlescent fish scales and mules with an asymmetrical wavy décolleté in matching satin.”

Jenner proved to be one of the night’s best-dressed stars. Older sister Khloé Kardashian commented on Schiaparelli’s Instagram post, “I can not handle this perfection,” while former Fashion Police star Melissa Rivers exclusively told Us Weekly that Jenner stood out among the Kardashian-Jenner clan in attendance.

“So I think [the] best of them was Kylie in the Schiaparelli,” Rivers told Us. “Because that is exactly what it was supposed to be about the art of dressing and the art of fashion and the body. It was spectacular.”

David Letterman is speaking out against CBS as Stephen Colbert‘s “The Late Show” tenure approaches its end.

The legendary broadcaster expressed his disbelief and anger regarding the network’s decision to end the program he helped build, which Colbert currently hosts. 

Letterman has directed sharp criticism at the executives involved, accusing them of being dishonest about the true motivations behind the show’s departure from the airwaves.

When Letterman first learned that “The Late Show” was being shut down, his initial reaction was shock, comparing the situation to a poorly handled robbery.

In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, Letterman, while dishing on the fiasco, admitted that while enough time has passed for him to no longer feel a personal sense of ownership over the variety talk show, he remains fiercely protective of the show’s legacy and its current staff. 

Notably, his primary concern was for Colbert and the viewers who relied on the program as a nightly escape, questioning the lack of “humanity” shown by the corporate leadership during this transition.

Letterman openly challenged the network’s official stance that the cancellation was strictly a financial necessity driven by the rise of streaming and digital media. He insisted that their claims about the budget were a cover for the reality of the business deal. 

“I’m just going to go on record as saying: They’re lying. Let me just add one other thing, Jason. They’re lying weasels,” he said.

Despite CBS’s firm denial of these accusations, the former host remains convinced that the network was not being truthful about why they dumped the late-night staple.

How David Letterman Reacted to New Time Slot Replacing Stephen Colbert

Letterman’s frustration with the network’s honesty extends to their new business strategy, which involves shifting away from traditional broadcasting to a leasing model. 

Instead of producing original content, CBS plans to lease the late-night time slot to Byron Allen for his show, “Comics Unleashed,” allowing him to manage his own advertising. The former host compared this change to the rise of storage facilities on highways. 

Despite his anger toward the network, he expressed a surprising amount of respect for the man taking over the 11:30 p.m. slot. Having known Allen since the 1970s, Letterman admitted he never saw Allen’s future as a billionaire coming. 

“God bless him [Allen]. To hell with CBS. To hell with Skydance. To hell with the Winslow twins or whoever the hell these guys are,” Letterman said.

“But Byron, he’ll still be providing comedy in that time period. I think that’s a valuable bit of resolution here,” he added. 

David Letterman Previously Weighed In On The New Late-Night Strategy

This is not the first time Letterman has opened up about his feelings towards the transition. The Blast previously reported that during an April episode of “The Barbara Gaines Show,” Letterman criticized the executives for choosing a path that prioritizes profit over high-quality original programming. 

He explained that by charging Allen a fee for the time slot, the network is avoiding the massive costs of producing a major talk show while still collecting a guaranteed income. 

The former host remarked that while the network’s move is clearly a cost-saving measure, the show taking over the slot is actually a solid concept. 

Stephen Colbert Is Reluctant to Leave Late Night

While Letterman’s critiques focus on the corporate maneuvers behind the scenes, the man currently in the host’s chair is grappling with the emotional reality of his departure.

Colbert, who has led the franchise since 2015, is now navigating the final weeks of his tenure after CBS announced that the show would conclude after this season. 

Oprah Winfrey recently took over the interviewer’s seat to ask Colbert how he was handling the upcoming transition and what he felt ready to leave behind. The host admitted that he is not yet ready to let go of the professional world he has inhabited for the last decade. 

He described his attachment to his staff and crew as a “white-knuckle grip,” specifically naming his band and the technical teams behind the scenes as people he is struggling to part with, per The Blast.

Stephen Colbert Is Set To Write The New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Film

Colbert’s reluctance to leave his current community is tempered by the news of an ambitious next chapter in his career. 

According to The Blast, the 62-year-old host is moving from the late-night desk to the world of blockbuster filmmaking, where he will co-write “Shadow of the Past,” a new film in the “Lord of the Rings” universe.

This project is a family affair, as Colbert is developing the script alongside his son, Peter McGee.

Veteran screenwriter Philippa Boyens. Warner Bros. confirmed the collaboration with a social media announcement featuring Colbert discussing the movie’s vision with director Peter Jackson.

Ryan Seacrest is once again finding himself at the center of online conversation, but this time it has little to do with television ratings or celebrity interviews.

The longtime host drew intense reactions after appearing at a Los Angeles fundraiser with a noticeably different appearance, leaving fans debating everything from cosmetic procedures to his personal life and overall well-being.

Seacrest attended the 9th Annual UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation’s Taste For A Cure gala in Los Angeles on Friday, but much of the attention quickly shifted away from the event itself.

Videos and photos from the night spread rapidly online, with social media users fixating on the television personality’s appearance. Many viewers commented that Seacrest looked dramatically different compared to his previous public appearances.

Advertisement

One critic bluntly wrote, per the Daily Mail, “Tf happened to his face,” beneath footage from an interview Seacrest gave to PauseRewind during the gala.

Other reactions followed almost immediately. One fan questioned, “Did he get a lash lift?” while another replied, “He got an everything lift.”

Some fans appeared genuinely unsettled by the changes they believed they saw. One commenter admitted, “His face makes me feel uncomfortable,” while another pleaded, “Can we all just start aging naturally, please?”

The speculation comes only months after Seacrest sparked similar conversations online following a viral “Wheel of Fortune” clip earlier this year, where some viewers questioned whether he had lost a significant amount of weight.

Advertisement

Ryan Seacrest Opens Up About Being Single

While fans continue dissecting his appearance, Ryan Seacrest has also been unusually candid about his love life in recent months.

During a March episode of “Wheel of Fortune” titled “Love Is in the Air,” Seacrest jokingly admitted he was looking for romance online nearly two years after splitting from model Aubrey Paige.

“I love ‘Love Is in the Air,’” he said during the episode before adding, “And I’ll be on Tinder tonight, so I can find it.”

His co-host, Vanna White, quickly played along with the moment, responding, “Love will be in the air next time. I promise.”

As the episode continued, Seacrest became even more open about his current situation, confessing, “I am so lonely up here.”

Advertisement

The comments immediately caught viewers’ attention, especially because Seacrest has traditionally kept his personal life relatively private despite years in the spotlight.

Seacrest Previously Admitted Feeling ‘Depressed’

The latest comments about dating and loneliness weren’t the first time Ryan Seacrest publicly acknowledged struggling after his breakup.

During a 2025 episode of “American Idol,” Seacrest reflected on being single after hearing a contestant perform an emotional love song.

“I’ve never been more depressed to be single than right now in this moment,” he admitted during the broadcast.

Seacrest and Aubrey Paige ended their relationship in 2024 after three years together. At the time, insiders described the split as amicable despite the emotional impact.

Advertisement

A source shared, “After three beautiful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to part ways.”

The insider added, “They plan to stay in each other’s lives as good friends and support one another’s endeavors.”

Over the years, Seacrest’s dating life has remained a constant source of fascination for fans. Before Paige, he was linked to Hilary Cruz and Shayna Taylor, while one of his most public relationships was with actress and dancer Julianne Hough.

Julianne Hough Reflected On Dating Ryan Seacrest

Julianne Hough previously opened up about her relationship with Ryan Seacrest during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast.

Looking back on their time together, Hough admitted she struggled with insecurities surrounding public perception and fame.

Advertisement

“But then I had this insecurity that I was like, ‘I don’t ever want anybody to think that I’m with him for this reason.’ And so I then started playing smaller,” she explained.

Career Success Continues Despite Online Speculation

Although conversations surrounding Ryan Seacrest’s appearance and personal life continue to dominate social media, his professional career remains incredibly strong.

In 2024, he officially stepped into one of television’s most recognizable jobs when he replaced Pat Sajak as the host of “Wheel of Fortune.” The move marked another milestone in a career already packed with major hosting gigs.

Beyond game shows, Seacrest has become a staple of live television through his coverage of New Year’s Eve celebrations, red carpet events, and entertainment specials.

His production company, Ryan Seacrest Productions, has also played a major role behind the scenes with projects including “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and Jamie Oliver’s “Food Revolution.”

Advertisement

Meanwhile, his radio program “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” continues reaching millions of listeners each week.

Justin Baldoni is finally stepping back into public view after months of legal turmoil tied to “It Ends With Us.”

The actor appeared noticeably relaxed during a recent outing with his wife Emily, just days after his long-running courtroom battle with Blake Lively unexpectedly came to an end.

Their appearance together quickly fueled fresh conversation surrounding the highly publicized fallout.

Justin Baldoni was spotted in Nashville, Tennessee, marking his first public outing since news broke that the legal dispute connected to “It Ends With Us” had been settled.

Advertisement

The Daily Mail reported that the 42-year-old actor appeared calm and upbeat as he spent time with his wife Emily. The couple, who has been married since 2013 and share two children, stayed close throughout the outing, frequently holding hands while walking through the city.

Photographers captured Baldoni smiling during the casual coffee run, a noticeable shift after months dominated by headlines surrounding the lawsuit.

For the outing, Baldoni kept things relaxed in skinny jeans, slip-on shoes, a white tank top, and a tan fleece jacket. He completed the look with a baseball cap pulled low over his hair.

Emily also dressed casually in jeans and a baseball cap as the pair grabbed drinks before heading back to their vehicle.

Advertisement

The sighting carried extra attention because Emily has remained firmly by Baldoni’s side since Blake Lively first accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation in December 2024.

Blake Lively Returned To Met Gala Amid Fallout

Justin Baldoni’s public appearance came only days after Blake Lively made headlines with her own return to the spotlight.

The actress attended the Met Gala in New York City shortly after the settlement became official, arriving solo in an archival Atelier Versace gown from the designer’s Spring 2006 collection.

Although her husband Ryan Reynolds did not accompany her on the carpet, Lively referenced her family during an interview at the event.

“I’m shy, I just like to have my kids with me,” Lively said while discussing a custom handbag decorated with watercolor artwork created by her children, James, Inez, Betty, and Olin.

Advertisement

Her Met Gala appearance quickly sparked debate online because it came only hours after the settlement announcement closed one of Hollywood’s messiest legal disputes in recent memory.

Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively Reach Surprise Agreement

The settlement itself stunned many observers because the case appeared headed toward trial only weeks earlier.

Lively had filed claims connected to retaliation and breach of contract involving the 2024 film “It Ends With Us.” However, a judge later dismissed ten of her thirteen claims, including all allegations tied to sexual harassment.

A trial was still scheduled for May 18 and would have focused on several remaining claims involving retaliation and contractual disputes.

Lively and Baldoni’s representatives later confirmed the settlement in a joint statement.

Advertisement

Joint Statement Calls For Peace After Legal Battle

According to the statement, “It Ends With Us” remained a “source of pride” for those involved in the film while continuing to support awareness surrounding domestic violence survivors.

The statement also acknowledged the tension surrounding the case. “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments,” the parties said.

Neither side issued an apology as part of the resolution. Instead, both teams stated that it was their “sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Justin Baldoni No Longer Named In Lawsuit

One of the biggest developments came when the court ruling removed Justin Baldoni himself as a named defendant in the remaining case.

Instead, attention shifted toward Wayfarer Studios, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, and TAG PR, which faced accusations connected to an alleged smear campaign against Lively.

Those companies denied the allegations.

Advertisement

At one stage, Baldoni and Wayfarer also launched a countersuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million over accusations including defamation and extortion. That case was ultimately dismissed last June.

The rapid shift in the legal battle surprised many because the case had dominated entertainment headlines for months and appeared destined for a dramatic courtroom showdown.

Sources close to Wayfarer reportedly expressed relief over the outcome and were said to be pleased with the resolution.

Advertisement

Founded by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney, the Walt Disney Corporation began with animated shorts like the Alice Comedies and the Silly Symphonies, before releasing their first animated movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937. From there, Disney branched out into live-action films, theme parks, and television networks, overcoming various ups and downs along the way. Today, Disney stands as one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world, and their movies are recognized around the world for their high-quality animation and timeless storytelling.

Oftentimes, their films’ best moments come during their climax. This makes sense, since it’s when the story’s main conflict turns volatile as heroes and villains clash to achieve their respective goals.

9

‘Robin Hood’ (1973)

If you ask anyone about film adaptations of Robin Hood, chances are the Disney version will be the first to spring to mind. Despite its cheaper animation that consists of lots of re-used shots from previous films, it delivers a great simplified telling of the character’s more famous exploits, all while using anthropomorphic animals to represent the characters based on their personalities or roles. It also has a phenomenal climax, spurred on when Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) learns that Prince John (Sir Peter Ustinov) plans to execute Friar Tuck (Andy Devine) to lure him into a trap.

The climax begins in near silence, as Robin sneaks into the castle, frees Friar Tuck and other prisoners, and even makes off with John’s gold. However, once the alarm gets blown, it becomes a mad-dash for freedom against the guards. Eventually, only Robin is left, and it escalates even higher when the castle is lit on fire.

8

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ (2005)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Following the success of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a new wave of fantasy films flooded the 2000s. Among the most impressive was The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, based on the acclaimed book by J. R. R. Tolkien’s friend, C. S. Lewis. It was pretty faithful to the story, but also expanded on a lot of elements, like the climactic Battle of Beruna, which mostly happened offscreen in the novel.

The battle’s biggest strength is the fact that, aside from the four Pevensie children, its combatants are not humans, but rather talking animals and mythical creatures like fauns, centaurs, dwarves, and minotaurs. This let the filmmakers really get creative in depicting how their unique anatomy would allow for different battle strategies, like minotaurs using their horns in tandem with their main weapons. It also allows the Pevensie children more chances for heroics than in the books, such as Edmund (Skandar Keynes and Mark Wells) taking a mortal wound to shatter Jadis’ (Tilda Swinton) wand so she can’t turn anyone else to stone.

7

‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)

Disney’s most successful era, known by fans and historians as The Disney Renaissance, began with the release of The Little Mermaid. It was both a return to form for Disney as a fairy tale adaptation, and the first of Disney’s successful Broadway-inspired animated musicals. Fittingly, it also contains a fantastic climax, which sees Ariel (Jodi Benson) and Eric (Christopher Daniel Barns) facing off against the sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll), who, using the magic of King Triton’s (Kenneth Mars) trident, grows to the size of a giant while summoning a violent storm.

The animators do a brilliant job of making the storm feel infused with all of Ursula’s malice and cruelty, not to mention the glee on her face as she torments Ariel in the eye of the storm. Only for that smug glee to turn to horror as Eric steers a risen shipwreck to impale her before she is struck by a lightning bolt, sealing her doom. It’s not only one of the rare moments where a Disney hero directly kills the villain, but Eric being the one to do it helps to convince Triton that not all humans are bad.

6

‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1996)

While nowhere near as dark as Victor Hugo’s original novel, Disney’s take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame is still one of their darkest films. It doesn’t shy away from the prejudice experienced by Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) or the Romani people, nor Judge Claud Frollo’s (Tony Jay) abusive parenting to the poor bell ringer, and his lustful pursuit of Esmeralda (Demi Moore). When she refuses his advances in the climax, Frollo tries to have her burned at the stake, but Quasimodo breaks free of the chains meant to force him to watch the execution, then swings down to rescue her, leading to Frollo besieging the cathedral in his madness.

This climax has it all: dynamic camera angles, Latin choir, and plenty of stellar moments for our main characters. Quasi’s comes when he shows mercy to his adopted father and calls him out for making the world dark and cruel, while Captain Phoebus (Kevin Cline) leads the people of Paris in rebellion against Frollo’s tyranny, and Esmeralda helps to save Quasi from falling to his death. But the best moment has to be Frollo’s fall, when the gargoyle he is standing on both comes to life and breaks off the cathedral, as if God himself was condemning the corrupt judge to the fires of Hell.

5

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)

Believe it or not, in the history of the Academy Awards, only three animated films have been nominated for Best Picture. The first was Beauty and the Beast, which captivated audiences not only with its beautiful animation and phenomenal songs, but also with the well-paced character development and romance between Belle (Paige O’Hara) and the Beast (Robby Benson). It comes to a head in the climax where Beast faces off with Gaston (Richard White), the arrogant hunter who is determined to marry Belle by any means necessary.

After initially resigning himself to his fate, Beast regains the will to fight when he sees Belle, leading to a deadly back-and-forth that showcases both men’s personalities. The Beast has the chance to kill Gaston, but spares his life in a beautiful moment of character animation where you can gleam all the emotions running through his head from a close up of his eyes and face. Gaston, meanwhile, consumed by his pride, shouts only about how Belle is and attacks the Beast when his back is turned, which leads to his downfall.

4

‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Until Frozen’s release, The Lion King was the highest grossing animated film of all time, and remains the highest grossing traditional animated film, and one of Disney’s most acclaimed films. Rather than being an adaptation, the film is an original story that captivated audiences with its epic scale, gorgeous animation, iconic characters, and powerful themes. The climax sees Simba (Johnathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) return home to challenge his uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons), for the throne, and though Scar nearly kills Simba through emotional manipulation, he fights back and rallies the lionesses against Scar’s hyena allies.

A lightning strike ignites a massive fire that provides appropriately intense lighting for the battle, especially when Scar and Simba face off atop Pride Rock. The animators really went all out, making it look and feel like two lions really going at it, and by slowing things down, the audience gets to feel the weight behind every swipe. Then it’s followed up by the morbid scene of Scar being turned on and devoured by his hyena allies, which is a fitting end for such a manipulative villain.

3

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)

Image via Disney

Based on the popular theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl proved to be the beginning of one of Disney’s most profitable franchises. Audiences were blown away by its impressive CGI that seamlessly transformed men into skeletons, impressive action scenes that mixed fast-paced sword fights with ship-to-ship combat, and the cultural icon that is Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). The climax splits itself between the crew of the Black Pearl attacking the HMS Dauntless, while Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) reclaims the Black Pearl, and Jack Sparrow and William Turner (Orlando Bloom) fight Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), where it’s revealed Jack Sparrow intentionally cursed himself to be on equal footing with his former first mate.

This climax is a ton of fun, especially with the iconic music by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer playing in the background. The action is fast-paced, especially during Jack and Barbossa’s duel, broken up by the odd witty remark or moment of levity, like Governor Swan (Sir Jonathan Price) fending off a severed arm in his quarters. Its ending is one of the most haunting moments in any Disney film, as Barbossa, now free of the curse, succumbs to a gunshot courtesy of Jack after feeling one sensation after a decade: cold.

2

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ (2007)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

While Curse of the Black Pearl is pretty universally loved, the sequel films are more divisive. The third film, At World’s End, for example, is often criticized for its long runtime and redundant subplots, but everyone can agree it’s got a phenomenal climax. It sees the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchmen facing off in the middle of a raging maelstrom, with combatants from both ships swinging to the enemy vessel, and Jack Sparrow escaping the Dutchman’s brig to duel with her captain, Davy Jones (Bill Nighy).

First off, the battle looks spectacular thanks to an impressive blending of CGI with practical effects, such as life-sized ships for the characters to duel on, and a never-ending torrent of rain. It also sees numerous character stories reach their climax, such as Jack’s pursuit of immortality and Will’s desire to free his father, Bootstrap Bill (Stellan Skarsgård), from Jones’ service. Yet even among the action, there are still moments of levity and joy, such as humorous actions by Jack to keep an edge in his duel with Jones, and Will and Elizabeth getting married in the middle fo the carnage.

1

‘Sleeping Beauty’ (1959)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

On release, Sleeping Beauty was such a financial disappointment that Disney was forced to switch to xerography to reduce the budget of future animated films. It has since been re-evaluated as one of the company’s best fairy tale movies thanks to its ambitious art style and characters, particularly Maleficent (Eleanor Audley), who is consistently ranked among Disney’s best villains. The climax in particular showcases why she earned that praise, as she unleashes her full force against the Good Fairies and Prince Phillip (Bill Shirley) to stop them from reaching the sleeping Princess Aurora (Mary Costa).

It starts off as an epic breakout from Maleficent’s castle, with the fairies using their magic to protect Philip from every attack. Then Maleficent enters the fray with magic lightning and a wall of thorns, before transforming into a dragon to battle Philip herself. It’s the perfect showdown of good vs evil, made even more immersive through the sound effects, which include audio of a real flamethrower for Maleficent’s fire.

Advertisement

Sleeping Beauty

Release Date

Advertisement

January 29, 1959

Runtime

75minutes

Advertisement

Director

Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman

Writers

Advertisement

Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright, Milt Banta

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement