Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, is clapping back against the haters.

After a video featuring Farley with a noticeably slimmed physique was posted via social media on Friday, September 18, people flocked to the comments section to criticize her weight.

Farley, 41, addressed the criticism – including accusations that she had taken Ozempic or other GLP-1 medication to achieve the look – via a comment of her own.

“Apologies to everyone offended by my weight lol.” she wrote. “I have never been this thin since middle school, but unfortunately, I was told I couldn’t eat for six days in the hospital as they debated taking out my appendix while I was also suffering from a kidney abscess the size of a golf ball… appendicitis, and a kidney infection sucks (and because I had this ongoing I was losing weight over the summer).

She added, “But what sucks more is the fact that I can’t control how thin I am right now and I did not do any ‘shots’ for this to happen… but I will ask when I gain all the [weight] back for you to then comment about how fat I got 😂😂 because women can’t win either way.”

In response, several followers defended Farley against the more aggressive commenters.

“As someone who has been through major health battles myself, this breaks my heart. People have NO idea what illness does to the body,” wrote one social media user. “There’s a total lack of sympathy and understanding from those who expect everyone to be 100% all the time. They think if they can’t feel it, it isn’t real. It’s not true. You are a warrior, and you just keep shining bright ✨️💜”

Another told Farley, “Do what you have to do to make yourself healthy. People will always have opinions. The only ones that matter know your struggle and support you.”

Earlier this month, Farley opened about her health ordeal, which led to her being hospitalized.

“Not the ‘first day of school’ picture I wanted to post… but then again, I guess we wouldn’t have one,” Farley wrote via Instagram on September 3, alongside a photo of herself wearing a hospital gown.

Related: JWoww Hits Back at Haters Who Slammed Her After Wedding Invite Snubs

Jersey Shore’s Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley is taking aim at people who criticized her for not inviting them to her wedding to Zack Carpinello. Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, June 25, Farley, 41, doubled-down on her decision to leave some people off the guest list, telling them via a video: “You proved my point.” “I’m […]

Advertisement

Her daughter Meilani, 12, and son Greyson, 10, whom she shares with ex-husband Roger Mathews, were also featured in the image.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

She continued, “This past week has probably been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I’ve spent every day fighting to get healthy enough to get home to my family while dealing with a horrible kidney infection and appendicitis.”

Farley explained that something felt was off in her body for “months” before her hospitalization.

“I want to say it came out of nowhere, but the truth is, I haven’t felt like myself for months,” she continued. “Weight loss, exhaustion, constantly feeling off … and then last Friday, my body finally said, ‘We aren’t making it like this anymore.’”

Throughout the ’80s and the first half of the ’90s, Gary Larson‘s The Far Side ruled the comics section of the newspaper. While others strips, such as Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes, used several panels to tell quick stories with the same characters, The Far Side took satirical jabs at everything with just one panel to tell it all.

Although the characters changed in each comic, Larson often returned to familiar themes, whether it be dinosaurs, talking animals, or bizarre kids and their families. Then there’s what he did with sci-fi, from goofy scientists to aliens from outer space. These five comic strips showed how much Larson could do with so little.

5

‘Professor Schwartzman’s Canine Decoder’ (1991)

Dogs are man’s best friend. For centuries, they’ve been by our sides as loyal companions who are always excited to see us, even if we’ve only been gone for five minutes. They sit at our feet, welcome our attention, and sleep in our beds. Humans and canines have a close connection. Two species so far apart need each other, and if you’ve ever had a dog, you’ve often wondered what they were thinking. Could they say “I love you” and tell us how much they care? Maybe they have the same fears we do.

In The Far Side, Gary Larson answered the question with Professor Schwartzman, who came up with a brilliant invention which could decode what dogs are saying when they bark and translate it to English. The results are disappointing. Whether they’re barking at each other, at us, or chasing cars, all dogs have to say is “Hey!” Perhaps it’s better that they can’t speak after all.

4

‘The Dog Spaceship Arrives’ (1984)

Gary Larson often turned to dogs as a source of material in The Far Side. In this comic, they don’t need to be decoded by a professor. Instead, they can speak full English to their owners. At night, one dog is tied up outside of its dog house when a spaceship arrives filled with other canines. If you’ve often wondered if dogs were some sort of loyal gift from the heavens, sorry, but they’re from outer space.

Sick of how they’re being treated by humans, it looks like a lot of them have decided to go back to their home planet. Before this dog goes, all he wants his owner to do is roll over. Let her see how it feels to be commanded to do things for the entertainment of others. As the flying saucers float overhead, will something violent occur if she doesn’t listen?

3

‘Earth Is a Balloon’ (1980)

In 2026, despite so many photos of Earth having been out there for decades, there are still “flat Earthers,” the conspiracy theorists who reject science and, for some reason, insist Earth is not round but flat. Even in 1980, the wild theory existed, along with those who think the government faked the moon landing. In this Far Side comic, Gary Larson takes a jab at both.

As astronauts on a ship return to Earth, they see something shocking. The Earth isn’t round. It’s not flat either. Nope, we’re all hanging on a balloon floating in the nothingness, a long string tailing into space. An astronaut deciding to keep it quiet is just what the government would do in real life, eh! Here, Larson uses over-the-top absurdity to make his point. But what if it’s true, and we really are on a giant balloon? Be careful where you step out there!

Advertisement

Many junior high and high schoolers have taken some sort of technology class, whether it be something like wood shop or, in the case of this Far Side strip, metal shop. In those classes, we built contraptions which often don’t come together right. This writer struggled mightily with making a miniature house out of popsicle sticks and glue. Meanwhile, some teacher who was thought not to be smart enough to teach other classes watched over us and judged our every move.

In this panel, one kid has had enough. The boy hasn’t struggled at all in metal shop. He’s built a giant, sophisticated robot with tank-like feet, mandible claws, and sharp rows of teeth. Presumably, the kid has been harassed by his uncaring teacher one too many times. Revenge has created a mad scientist origin story and Mr. Big Nose will be the first victim.

1

‘Xenomorph Birthday Cake’ (1983)

Advertisement

In 1979, Ridley Scott created a sci-fi horror masterpiece with Alien. Gone were hokey sci-fi movies with bad acting and silly-looking men in suits. With Alien, an all-time badass heroine was born in Sigourney Weaver‘s Ellen Ripley. And the monster she fought, a lone Xenomorph designed by H.R. Giger, was absolutely terrifying. Alien has one of the most iconic jump scares in film history, when the baby Xenomorph is born by shooting out of the chest of poor Kane (John Hurt). The scene was so effective that Hurt parodied it in a cameo for Spaceballs years later.

In 1983, four years after the release of Alien, Gary Larson gave the comic world this hilarious tribute to the classic. In it, we see a Xenomorph birthday party. With a cake in the center of the table, it’s not a beautiful woman who pops out but a baby alien. As it bursts forth, the older aliens throw up their scraggly arms and open their jaws wide with excitement. It’s a great tip of the hat to a legendary movie and its monster.

Pikachu has appeared on hundreds of Pokémon cards since the Trading Card Game began, but even the franchise’s mascot has never received a collection quite like this. The newly released Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion contains 30 Pikachu rare cards, each featuring a completely different artist’s interpretation of the Electric-type icon. Every booster pack guarantees one of the designs, making Pikachu the centerpiece of the entire anniversary set.

Thirty cards featuring the same Pokémon could get repetitive. Instead, this collection proves that artists still have plenty to say about Pikachu after three decades. They find the small animal underneath the mascot, the beloved companion fans wish they could bring home, and the weird little menace who cannot be trusted around household furniture. Each card understands something different about why Pikachu has lasted, but these 10 understand the character best.

10

Pikachu 045/128

Illustrated by Naoyo Kimura

Image via The Pokémon Company

Pikachu rarely gets the opportunity to stop. Most cards have it battling, running, eating, or producing enough electricity to create an insurance claim. Naoyo Kimura slows everything down and gives Pikachu a rare moment of genuine reflection. The change immediately separates this card from the collection’s more energetic entries. The artwork asks nothing from the mascot except its presence, then trusts viewers to care about what might be happening behind those enormous eyes. Of course they do. It is Pikachu.

Kimura understands that the character’s appeal has never depended entirely on action or comedy. Pikachu has been a companion for generations of fans, which means its more thoughtful moments carry their own emotional weight. This card gives that softer side of the character the attention it deserves.

9

Pikachu 043/128

Illustrated by OOYAMA

Image via The Pokémon Company

Pikachu has battled gods, saved the world, and spent 30 years carrying an international franchise on its tiny shoulders. OOYAMA finally lets it sleep. Frankly, nobody has ever earned a nap more. The card’s ability makes the joke even better by putting Pikachu to sleep in exchange for letting its player draw cards. Pikachu remains useful without opening its eyes, which is the kind of work-life balance everyone deserves. More importantly, the artwork recognizes that rest can reveal character as effectively as action. Pikachu does not have to perform every second to remain lovable.

There is also something incredibly satisfying about seeing Pokémon’s mascot refuse to participate for once. Pikachu has completed enough battles, photo shoots, promotional appearances, and world-saving missions. OOYAMA gives the character permission to clock out, and the result is one of the most affectionate cards in the collection.

8

Pikachu 048/128

Illustrated by Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Image via The Pokémon Company

Pikachu is one of the most recognizable characters ever created, which makes it difficult for any artist to place it inside an elaborate composition without everything else becoming background decoration. Kiyotaka Oshiyama refuses to let that happen, and as a result Pikachu belongs to the larger image instead of dominating it. That decision returns Pikachu to its roots as one creature within a strange, colorful ecosystem of berries. The card remembers that Pikachu existed inside the Pokémon world before it became the face printed on nearly everything.

Oshiyama does not reduce Pikachu’s importance to accomplish that connection. He proves the character can remain the center of an image without consuming it. That balance gives the entire card room to breathe and rewards anyone willing to look beyond Pikachu long enough to appreciate how carefully everything works together.

7

Pikachu 027/128

Illustrated by Asako Ito

Image via The Pokémon Company

Asako Ito’s crocheted Pikachu is immediately recognizable as her work. The visible stitches and handmade construction are the entire point. This Pikachu exists because somebody sat down and made it one piece at a time, and that approach is perfect for a 30th-anniversary collection. Fans have spent three decades drawing Pikachu, sewing plush toys, sculpting figures, making costumes, and using every craft available to bring Pokémon into their lives. Ito turns that kind of fan devotion into official card artwork. The result honors Pikachu’s place in the franchise and the countless handmade versions created by people who simply wanted the character close to them.

The card also refuses to hide the work behind its creation. Every stitch reminds collectors that art does not need to be polished into perfection to inspire affection. Pikachu has always encouraged people to make things, and Ito gives that creativity a place inside the official history of the Pokémon TCG.

6

Pikachu 035/128

Illustrated by Susumu Maeya

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

Pikachu may be Pokémon’s biggest celebrity, but Susumu Maeya remembers that it is also a small woodland animal. That side of the character often disappears beneath the battles, merchandise, and enormous expectations attached to it. Maeya brings it back without sacrificing any of Pikachu’s personality. This card presents a creature that has found a comfortable hiding place and has no interest in surrendering it. This Pikachu could exist in the woods behind someone’s house, which only makes the fact that it does not hurt more.

That animal quality has always been essential to Pikachu’s design. Fans recognize human emotions in the character without forgetting that it belongs to another species with its own behaviors and instincts. Maeya leans into that balance, giving collectors a Pikachu they can understand without fully domesticating it.

5

Pikachu 046/128

Illustrated by svlt

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

Some artists use Pikachu’s anniversary as permission to create the loudest card possible. svlt goes in the opposite direction and lets Pikachu enjoy its surroundings. The confidence required to do so deserves credit because the card never relies on spectacle to justify itself. Pikachu has enough personality to hold an image without performing an attack or getting into trouble. Its presence is the subject. That choice also gives the character dignity that mascot artwork can sometimes overlook. Pikachu is allowed to exist for itself instead of smiling for the people watching, and the card becomes stronger because svlt refuses to demand more.

The simplicity also makes this card easy to return to. There is no punchline to exhaust or complicated action to decipher. It offers a small moment with Pikachu and lets that companionship become the reward, which is exactly what many fans have wanted from the character all along.

4

Pikachu 026/128

Illustrated by Takeshi Nakamura

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

Takeshi Nakamura puts the collector in the deeply enviable position of being personally investigated by Pikachu. The unusual perspective turns the act of holding the card into part of the image. Pikachu has noticed you, and apparently, it needs answers. The card’s only attack, Peer At, continues the idea by forcing an opponent to reveal their hand. Pikachu is not fighting anyone. It is being unbearably nosy and gathering information that may or may not concern it. Nakamura builds the entire card around one recognizable part of Pikachu’s personality: its curiosity.

That curiosity has driven Pikachu into trouble across almost every version of Pokémon, but it is also what makes the character such an effective companion. Pikachu wants to know what is happening and refuses to remain on the sidelines. The result is playful, interactive, and deeply unfair to anyone who has spent 30 years wishing Pikachu could look directly at them.

3

Pikachu 040/128

Illustrated by Shinji Kanda

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

Shinji Kanda has already given the Pokémon TCG unforgettable artwork featuring Giratina and Magikarp, so handing him Pikachu for the anniversary collection was an obvious act of violence against collectors’ wallets. His style pushes Pikachu into one of the collection’s most ambitious images, and the mascot handles it beautifully. That success says as much about Pikachu as it does about Kanda. The character’s silhouette remains readable even when the artwork surrounding it demands equal attention. Thirty years of familiarity have made those ears and that lightning-bolt tail practically impossible to lose. Kanda uses that visual certainty as an anchor, then unleashes everything else around it.

Pikachu survives the chaos because its design was always that strong. The card does not depend on nostalgia, even though everyone looking at it brings decades of memories with them. Kanda takes one of the safest characters Pokémon could possibly use and makes it artistically dangerous again.

2

Pikachu 036/128

Illustrated by OKACHEKE

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

OKACHEKE understands exactly what Pikachu would be like if one lived inside someone’s house. It would be curious, ridiculous, and repeatedly found doing something no reasonable person could have predicted. It would also know that being adorable removes almost every consequence. This card gives Pikachu a full personality without using a battle or Trainer. The domestic setting turns the mascot into a pet, but Pikachu clearly would not be an obedient one. It has made a decision, committed completely, and now expects everyone else to accept it. After 30 years of fans wishing Pokémon were real, OKACHEKE provides the strongest evidence that owning a Pikachu would be both wonderful and exhausting.

That ordinary setting also makes Pikachu more believable than any attempt at realism could. Fans do not love the character because it can produce electricity, they love Pikachu because they can imagine it following them home, taking over the couch, stealing food, and discovering increasingly creative ways to become stuck.

1

Pikachu 047/128

Illustrated by Atsuko Nishida

Image via The Pokémon Company

Advertisement

Atsuko Nishida designed Pikachu during Pokémon’s original generation. That history gives her anniversary card an importance no other entry can match, but the artist’s name alone does not earn it the top position. The artwork also understands exactly why Pikachu has lasted this long. Nishida does not bury her creation beneath references to the past or force 30 years of history into every corner. She returns to Pikachu’s joyful energy and lets the original design carry the celebration. The round cheeks, readable silhouette, and sense of forward movement still accomplish everything they did in 1996. Pikachu has changed alongside Pokémon, but its appeal has never needed to become complicated.

That makes this card the perfect conclusion to the Pikachu rare collection. Plenty of artists found new ways to interpret the character, but Nishida reminds everyone what made those interpretations possible. She created a Pokémon people immediately wanted to follow, protect, and call their friend. Thirty years later, Pikachu is still racing ahead, and generations of fans are still happily running after it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

1997 – 2023-00-00

Network

Advertisement

TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

Directors

Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano

Advertisement

Writers

Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku

Advertisement

Franchise(s)

Pokemon

Advertisement

• 

  Rica Matsumoto

  Advertisement

  Satoshi (voice)

• 

  Ikue Otani

  Pikachu (voice)

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tom Hanks is never far from a box office hit. This year, the Hollywood veteran has already delivered one of the highest-grossing blockbusters in the form of Toy Story 5. Woody, Buzz (Tim Allen), and Jessie (Joan Cusack) returned with the rest of the toys to great success, returning Pixar’s biggest franchise to their best after a disappointing Toy Story 4. Called “a necessary response to how much the world has changed in the past three decades” by Collider’s Taylor Gates in her review, the film stole hearts and earned heaps in ticket sales, becoming one of 2026’s first billion-dollar hits.

Hanks’ recent filmography has been somewhat hit-and-miss, with reactions to his performances far from his unstoppable run of masterclasses in the 1990s. But among his recent performances, one stands out as a true gem in the latter career of the two-time Academy Award winner. Hanks’ performance as the beloved children’s entertainer Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood earned widespread acclaim after it debuted in 2019. The film also starred Matthew Rhys, who recently made Emmys history as the first actor ever to win two lead acting prizes in a single night (for Widow’s Bay and The Beast in Me).

Inspired by the 1998 Esquire article “Can You Say … Hero?” by Tom Junod, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was an undeniable hit with critics, even earning Hanks a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Academy Awards, which was his first Oscar nomination since 2000’s Cast Away and his last to date. Hanks also earned recognition from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, BAFTAs, and more for this heartwarming, pitch-perfect performance, which anchors a film sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. But if you want that smile on your own face, you’ll have to hurry, as A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is being removed from the Netflix catalog on October 1, 2026.

‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ Underwhelmed at the Box Office

Despite receiving plenty of positive critical praise and featuring the best of Hanks in recent years, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood failed to make a positive impact at the box office. Against a reported production budget of $45 million, the film earned a global haul of just $68 million worldwide, split between $61 million in domestic revenue and a further $7 million from overseas markets.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is being removed from the Netflix catalog on October 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

November 22, 2019

Runtime

107 Minutes

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Orlando Bloom is sharing his experience filming a threesome scene with Rooney Mara and Kate Mara for a new movie.

Appearing at the San Sebastián Film Festival to promote his new movie Bucking Fastard, Bloom, 49, was asked about an intimate scene involving the actresses, per a Variety article published on Friday, September 18.

According to the outlet, Bloom said there was “such simplicity to the characters and [their] carnal desires, but also an innocence to the sisters.”

He added, “My character, the Bucking Fastard, is sensitive too. And he’s quite quickly out of his depth in some ways. It was a very sincere sort of moment that was created.”

Director Werner Herzog, 84, also recalled the experience filming the scene.

“There are moments when a director has to step back. In the love scene, I said to Orlando: ‘You are in bed, and you have two women in your arms. How you deal with it, I cannot give instructions,’” Herzog said. “It is beautiful because it has such charm and depth.”

Bucking Fastard made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 3.

“Bucking Fastard is about two sisters, Jean and Joan Holbrooke (Kate Mara, Rooney Mara), who are so close to each other that they speak in unison, love the same man, and have the same dreams,” the film’s official synopsis reads. “They even make the same slip of tongue in unison. We cannot see the world as they see it, but we do see how the world reacts to them – through the courts and the press, through those that want to help and those who want to use them, through the eyes of beasts both tame and wild, and even through their own echoes in the core of the earth.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Orlando Bloom ‘Understands’ Keira Knightley’s Issues With ‘Pirates’ Films

Orlando Bloom is supporting Keira Knightley after she recently spoke out about her struggles starring in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. “It was such a huge moment in time that is almost like … it feels almost like another lifetime now,” Bloom, 48, told Entertainment Weekly of working on the beloved Disney franchise […]

Advertisement

Speaking to People in an interview published on Friday, September 17, real-life sisters Rooney and Kate shared what it was like to work on their first movie together.

“To be able to play this role with my sister was just a dream really,” Kate, 43, told People, describing the experience as feeling “totally right.”

“I felt very much when you sort of say it out loud, we really want to make a film together with a filmmaker that we both equally adore with two roles that are equally as interesting, then you’re sent a role to play in unison,” Kate explained. “We’re playing basically the same person. Never in our wildest dreams do we expect that to happen.”

Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on September 18, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:

• Frankie Muniz opened up about hitting rock bottom over the last six weeks, describing the stretch as “a nightmare I’m praying to wake up from” in a September 18 Instagram post. The former Malcolm in the Middle star said the low point has forced real self-reflection and framed it as “the foundation, not the finish line” as he begins the “uncomfortable, unglamorous, necessary work.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

• Millie Bobby Brown confirmed she and husband Jake Bongiovi welcomed their second baby, a son, by debuting a diamond “Mom” ring on Instagram on September 17. The couple, who wed in May 2024, previously welcomed a daughter through adoption in August 2025.

• Paris Hilton exclusively told Us she and Nicole Richie are making plans for a new project together following their 2024 reunion series, Paris & Nicole: The Encore. Hilton shared the tease on September 14 at the Blonds’ 20th anniversary fashion show, calling their bond a lifelong friendship dating back to when they were toddlers.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Stranger Things has never really been gone, has it? It’s one of those shows that feels like it’s always just waiting to come back, like it’s perennially there while we anticipate another trip to Hawkins, Indiana. Thankfully, we’ve been proven right as the series prepares to bring us back into the fold, and it’s a special trip with the show’s most terrifying nemesis.

The Demogorgon has been ripping people apart, dragging unsuspecting teenagers into alternate dimensions, and generally making Indiana a considerably worse place to live since 2016. Now, you can bring one into your house. Brilliant idea.

Stranger Things is officially getting two new Demogorgon Funko Pop! releases this fall, including an enormous 10-inch Jumbo Demogorgon currently expected to arrive in October 2026. The monster is joined by a new two-pack recreating Cara Buono’s (Mad Men) Karen Wheeler facing off against a Demogorgon, giving fans another way of celebrating Netflix’s sci-fi phenomenon following its recent return with new episodes.

The second release might be the more interesting one for longtime fans. Funko’s new Karen & Demogorgon 2-Pack recreates the rather unfortunate encounter between Karen and the Upside Down creature, with both figures covered in black sludge and positioned as though they’re about to face off.

Meanwhile, the tiny Karen stands approximately 4.2 inches tall, while the Demogorgon measures around 5.4 inches. Funko has priced the two-pack at $29.99 in the United States and £24 in the U.K., although its official store currently lists the set simply as “Coming Soon.”

It’s also not Funko’s only recent attempt to make one of television’s most horrifying monsters look vaguely adorable. The company has released several Demogorgon variants over the years, including a Rift version and a Premium Demogorgon on Fire, with the latter standing 5.4 inches tall.

Stranger Things Is Back on Netflix

The Stranger Things universe officially returned to Netflix on September 17, with the second season of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 now available to stream. The animated spin-off heads back to the winter of 1985 for another adventure featuring younger versions of Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max.

The new Stranger Things Jumbo Demogorgon Funko Pop! is expected to arrive in October 2026, while the Karen & Demogorgon two-pack is listed as coming soon.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

2016 – 2025-00-00

Network

Netflix

Advertisement

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

Advertisement

Writers

Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Before Mattel began expanding its toy brands into major live-action movies, the company released animated films aimed at children. Many of these movies were released directly onto physical media, while some also aired on television. But thanks to streaming, these movies have found a second life, allowing a new generation of audiences to watch these popular toys come to life.

One major example of this was the Barbie movies, a series of animated films based on the Barbie toy line. Before Greta Gerwig cast Margot Robbie as the iconic doll, Mattel released a plethora of animated films in which Barbie played various princesses, before giving her own story in 2006’s The Barbie Diaries. As Gerwig’s Barbie sequel has yet to be confirmed, due to reports of stalled contract talks, as well as a new animated movie coming out this year, fans began watching the first Barbie movie that started it all.

Barbie in the Nutcracker was a 2001 CGI animated fantasy film that loosely adapted E. T. A. Hoffmann‘s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The film began appearing on the streaming charts on Wednesday, and as of this writing, it’s at #10 on Netflix’s Top 10 Kids Movie Charts in the United States, sitting below Despicable Me 3. One possible reason for Barbie in the Nutcracker‘s streaming resurgence is the announcement that Barbie will remake Barbie in the Nutcracker, scheduled for release this November on Netflix. Another possible reason for the film’s uptick in popularity is that fans are paying tribute to the late icon Tim Curry, who played the Mouse King.

How Many Barbie Animated Movies Are There?

Barbie in the Nutcracker was well received, earning a 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.5-star rating on Letterboxd. Since then, Mattel has released over 40 animated Barbie movies, starting with Barbie as Rapunzel and, most recently, Barbie & Teresa: Recipe for Friendship, which was released in March 2025. While many Barbie movies have told stories about princesses, fairies, and Barbie herself, Mattel has changed how it tells the iconic doll’s stories over the years.

However, out of all the Barbie movies released, the live-action Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, became the most successful, grossing over $1.448 billion worldwide. The film earned a “Best Picture” nomination at the 2024 Academy Awards and won “Best Original Song” for Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell‘s “What Was I Made For?” Its marketing also became a cultural phenomenon thanks to “Barbenheimer,” a term coined after Barbie and Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer shared the same release date, thus creating a theatrical event that drove many to theaters.

Barbie in the Nutcracker streams on Netflix, while its 2026 remake will be available on November 1, 2026. Follow Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

October 1, 2001

Runtime

Advertisement

77 Minutes

Director

Owen Hurley

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Fantasy is more prevalent on TV now than ever, with fan-favorite series ranging from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to One Piece expanding the genre. Yet, while these releases are exciting, many older series deserve just as much attention, including those too often forgotten. Among such shows is the 2013 BBC series Atlantis. Combining Merlin‘s humor with Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ unique take on Greek mythology, Atlantis is an unforgettable series for those looking for something new. The story features a lovable trio, constant adventure, and plenty of laughs. With only 25 episodes, Atlantis is an easy watch and perfect for fantasy fans who want a more lighthearted story for a change.

Like many other shows, Atlantis was cancelled too soon, leaving some unanswered questions, yet this two-season story is impossible to look away from. The series borrows well-known tales from Greek mythology but adds its own twist, surprising even those who think they know what will happen. However, Atlantis‘ greatest strength lies in its character dynamics, bringing together an unlikely trio that carries the show. With hilarious characters, an exciting story, and plenty of surprises, Atlantis is a hidden gem for fantasy fans.

What Is ‘Atlantis’ About?

From the pilot, Atlantis doesn’t hesitate to deliver surprises, including a time travel element. The story starts with a 21st-century Jason (Jack Donnelly), who takes a submarine to investigate an underwater disturbance linked to his father’s disappearance, only to get lost and wash up on the shores of an ancient city called Atlantis. While there, he quickly gets mixed up in Greek myth, encountering legends like the Minotaur or Medusa (Jemima Rooper). Though he is confused, the Oracle (Juliet Stevenson) is unsurprised by Jason’s arrival and predicts a mysterious destiny for him. The experience forces him to question his own past and uncover some unexpected truths about himself and his family. This journey takes him from outsider to hero as he saves the people of Atlantis from the things that threaten them.

Despite the oddities surrounding his arrival, Jason is taken in by a pair of locals: Pythagoras (Robert Emms), an intellectual obsessed with triangles, and Hercules (Mark Addy), an ex-prize fighter with a story for every situation. Despite their differences, these three form a loyal friendship. In fact, as unlikely as they are, Hercules and Pythagoras become heroes in their own right as they help Jason out of scrapes. Yet, the dangers grow more perilous as Atlantis’ royal family divides. With the ambitious Queen Pasiphae (Sarah Parish) plotting to gain power and Jason falling for the rebellious princess Ariadne (Aiysha Hart), the trio has their work cut out for them. Atlantis covers a lot of ground with plenty of mythical creatures and tragic stories at its disposal, and the series makes the most of the available material.

‘Atlantis’ Greek Mythology Retelling Relies on the Lovable Characters

Though heavily inspired by Greek mythology, Atlantis doesn’t strive for perfect accuracy, which creates surprise twists even for those who think they know what comes next. In this way, the series is much like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, but Atlantis doesn’t actually create its own heroes. Both Jason and Hercules are the center of many tales, but the series doesn’t limit itself, placing the characters into any and all myths. This separates the series from other mythology retellings, opening up opportunities and making the story unique.

While the story itself is interesting, the highlight of Atlantis is the characters, particularly the three central friends. On the surface, they have little in common, but Jason, Pythagoras, and Hercules develop a hilarious dynamic that establishes a lighthearted tone. They tease each other, calling out Jason’s constant optimism, Hercules’ womanizing nature, or Pythagoras’ unrelenting obsession with triangles. Yet, the jokes are always in good fun. In this way, the show is reminiscent of Merlin, which shouldn’t be too shocking, considering the two fantasy series share creators. The main trio becomes the heart of Atlantis, as they support and protect each other despite the ridiculous situations they end up in. While it may not be the most well-known series, Atlantis is an exciting watch that any fan of fantasy, mythology, or adventure will enjoy.

Atlantis is streaming on Hulu in the U.S.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2013 – 2015-00-00

Advertisement

Writers

Howard Overman, Lucy Watkins, Richard McBrien

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement