If you’re looking at overall great decades for cinema, and trying to single out which was the best one overall, the two main competitors – at least of the 20th century – are likely going to be the 1970s and 1990s. What follows is not an argument that the 1990s was better, but an acknowledgment that the decade was at least one of the very best in cinema history, with a selection of movies to showcase that.

These are among the best of the ‘90s, and they also feel like the most important movies of the ‘90s. If a movie made a splash at the time, or seemed to summarize the decade in some way, or did a bit of both while having enduring legacies beyond the 1990s, then such a movie has a chance of landing on this ranking.

10

‘Trainspotting’ (1996)

Image via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

The soundtrack plays a fairly decent role in Trainspotting being as beloved a cult classic as it is, and the music’s also one factor in the movie’s overall ‘90s energy and style. Yes, there are songs in the soundtrack from before the 1990s, but those older tracks are paired well with more contemporary (or modern at the time) music, and the attitude of doing that and making it work in such a way feels fitting for the time. Somehow. Again, vibes.

Narratively, Trainspotting is mostly about addiction, and the chaos that comes about when life, already with its ups and downs, is made simultaneously more exhilarating and more despairing when drugs enter the picture. You do get an exploration of the good with the bad, which makes Trainspotting surprisingly nuanced, and there is almost a level of danger to the whole film that would’ve been alarming in 1996, and still feels quite surprising, in some ways, three decades later. Oh, and the film led to a surprisingly good legacy sequel 21 years down the line, too.

9

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

Approaching The Matrix now, it’s a little hard to tell whether it was the culmination of the 1990s, or a foreshadowing of the decade to come. It’s classic science fiction, in any event, with some parts of it feeling distinctly of the time, while other aspects were indeed forward-thinking, so it’s a bit of both. And, anyway, an important part of a decade’s end is what it means for the next decade.

In the case of The Matrix, it was helping to alter what was popular action-wise, with a martial arts resurgence that it helped kick off on an international scale, alongside Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and then maybe Kill Bill, too. Focusing on The Matrix, though, it has that sort of edgy ‘90s vibe and angst, yet channeled into something unique, all the while being the perfect sort of science fiction movie for that specific time in history.

8

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Image via Miramax Films

No disrespect to Reservoir Dogs, which came earlier and so was arguably more important for establishing the whole “indie” boom, signified by various young directors unapologetically making their mark on cinema in the first half of the 1990s. Quentin Tarantino really did do that with Reservoir Dogs, which is a largely great film, but with Pulp Fiction, he did something similarly bold and made something even better.

Also, Pulp Fiction is one of the first movies people will think about when they hear the term “1990s cinema,” and that’s for better or worse (because the films that tried to be Pulp Fiction, but failed, were often painful to get through). As for what this one’s about: lots of stuff, with three fairly chaotic and darkly funny crime stories sometimes colliding violently, but nonetheless colliding in ways that make an odd sort of sense. It’s an easy film to take for granted nowadays, but if you place yourself back in 1994 as best as you can, you can hopefully appreciate what a shock to the system Pulp Fiction was, at the time.

7

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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If someone wants to scoff at the idea of Titanic being singled out as a genre-defining movie, then hey, they’re welcome to. People can disagree with any movie being here, or feel grumpy about any movie not being here. There’s freedom there, but Titanic is here on the basis of it being a huge deal, and one of the all-time great pieces of mass-appeal cinema, owing to its marriage of the romance and disaster genres rather seamlessly.

It’s all about the titular ship, and more specifically, about two young people from different backgrounds on that ship who fall in love, and then all the inevitable drama and heartbreak that comes about when they try to survive its sinking together. Much of Titanic is still spectacular, and even if there are things to be cynical about here (such is the case for lots of broadly appealing movies), it’s also an easy film to get swept up in, if you’re willing to give yourself over to its emotional core.

6

‘Fargo’ (1996)

Image via Gramercy Pictures

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It’s hard to pick which Coen Brothers movie of the ‘90s is more iconic, out of Fargo and The Big Lebowski, so consider the latter’s shout-out there as something of an honorable mention. Fargo might well be a more perfect movie, and perhaps more striking, not to mention succeeding as a blend of the dark comedy, crime, tragedy, and thriller genres, alongside maybe some other things, too (possibly even film noir, or at least neo-noir).

There’s also something about Fargo’s energy and look that feels very 1990s, which might sound like a weird thing to say when the movie’s technically set in the late 1980s, but it’s a vibe thing. Fargo does a lot emotionally and succeeds in taking you on an odd sort of ride, and there really isn’t anything else quite like it, even if some Coen Brothers movies at least partly scratch the same itch (like Blood Simple), and even with the fact that there is a Fargo TV series based on/inspired by the film.

5

‘Heat’ (1995)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Heat is an all-timer of a heist movie, and also much more than just a heist movie. Like, the two main characters are a police detective and a master thief/criminal, respectively, and the movie is mostly about the former trying to stop the latter from pulling off a massive bank heist, yet there’s a good deal of drama (plus a fair few side characters) to make Heat feel like more than just an action/crime film.

Without any shootouts or chases, it would still be riveting because of how it explores aspects of human nature, especially relating to men. It’s a movie kind of for the boys, sure, but it’s nuanced and has things to critique regarding the things that men (on either side of the law) do. And then it’s also just cool and exciting. It manages to have the cake, eat the cake, still have the cake, eat more of the cake, somehow the cake comes back and stays had, then the cake’s nibbled at again, and on and on, until Heat wraps up after a very satisfying (almost) three-hour runtime.

4

‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

Image via Universal Pictures

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There are other iconic Steven Spielberg movies he directed during the 1990s for sure, beyond just Jurassic Park. Schindler’s List even came out the same year as Jurassic Park, and was obviously a very different sort of movie, and then 1998’s Saving Private Ryan was also one of the most important movies of the ‘90s. Yet Jurassic Park is going here, even if those war films of Spielberg’s might technically have more to say.

Jurassic Park is important for the decade for other reasons. Namely, it was revolutionary in terms of technology and special effects, and then it was also arguably the definitive blockbuster of the ‘90s, or it sits alongside Titanic when looking at movies from the decade that went big and succeeded immensely. Also, no movie with dinosaurs has ever come close to being as good as Jurassic Park, just like how no shark-related movie has ever really come close to touching Spielberg’s Jaws.

3

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

While it’s unfair to say that gangster movies made before Goodfellas lacked any kind of brutal honesty, Goodfellas does feel like it went the extra mile in that regard, and probably influenced The Sopranos more than any other gangster movie. And, hey, if you count a show’s decade as the one in which it began airing, then you could call The Sopranos the best show of the 1990s. Even if not, Goodfellas influenced the best gangster show of the 2000s, so to spin that in a lawyerly way, look at that: its influence went well beyond the decade it was released during.

It’s about two and a half hours of Henry Hill guiding you through life in the mafia, albeit without ever being a full-fledged made guy. Goodfellas bounces around tonally, being funny, bleak, sad, and sometimes even quite disturbing, feeling coherent throughout regardless, and overall being a candidate for the crown of “best gangster movie ever.”

2

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

Image via 20th Century Fox

There’s a lot to be disturbed by in Fight Club, especially if you’re somehow able to enter into it without knowing what happens by the film’s end, but there’s also quite a bit here that’s genuinely entertaining and darkly funny. The best way to succinctly summarize the film is to say that it’s about a listless and lonely man who meets a far more charismatic individual, and then his life gets changed in ways that are first exciting, and later confronting.

Fight Club feels incredibly 1990s in style and tone, perhaps even more so than The Matrix, which came out the same year and could also be seen as an inadvertent culmination of the decade that had been. Plenty of the film still holds up and feels compelling nowadays, of course, yet there really doesn’t feel like any other point in history at which Fight Club (or at least this version of Fight Club) could’ve ever been made, besides the late ‘90s.

1

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Image via Columbia Pictures

There are plenty of thrilling and/or scary films based on Stephen King stories, sure, but The Shawshank Redemption is arguably better than any of those, and outside of some dark moments, it’s really not in thriller or horror territory. Instead, it’s a drama set in prison, and a mostly character-focused one at that, being about two men with different outlooks on life – and their time behind bars – striking up a gradual but undeniably enduring friendship.

Put simply, The Shawshank Redemption is about as beloved and easy-to-like as movies get, so regardless of the decade it came out in, it’d probably be a good candidate for “best of” – or “most significant movie of” – that decade. If you can find someone who doesn’t like a single part of this movie, they might well be 1 in a billion (for better or worse).

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The Shawshank Redemption

Release Date

September 23, 1994

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Runtime

142 minutes

Director

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Frank Darabont

Writers

Frank Darabont

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The winners and nominees at the 2026 American Music Awards are in for a memorable night.

Queen Latifah will host the Monday, May 25, awards show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. She returns to the role 31 years after her January 1995 AMAs hosting debut alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominees with eight nods, followed by Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, Sombr and Morgan Wallen — all with seven each.

Outside of presenting awards, the CBS and Paramount+ broadcast will feature performances by the Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, New Kids on the Block, Billy Idol, Karol G, Teyana Taylor, Hootie and the Blowfish, Keith Urban, Riley Green, Katseye and more artists.

Scroll down for the complete list of 2026 American Music Awards nominees — and look for the bold names to see who won each category:

Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
BTS
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
Katseye
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
Sombr

Album of the Year
111xpantia, Fuerza Regida
Am I the Drama?, Cardi B
I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen
Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter
Mayhem, Lady Gaga
Music, Playboi Carti
So Close to What, Tate McRae
Swag, Justin Bieber
The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean
The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift

Song of the Year
“Back to Friends,” Sombr
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“Folded,” Kehlani
“Golden,” Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
“I’m the Problem,” Morgan Wallen
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Man I Need,” Olivia Dean
“Mutt,” Leon Thomas
“Ordinary,” Alex Warren
“The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift

Collaboration of the Year
“All the Way,” BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman
“Amen,” Shaboozey, Jelly Roll
“Gone Gone Gone,” David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones and I
“Stateside,” PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson
“What I Want,” Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae

Social Song of the Year
“Chanel,” Tyla
“Illegal,” PinkPantheress
“Lush Life,” Zara Larsson
“No Broke Boys,” Disco Lines, Tinashe
“Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” Role Model

Best Music Video
“Berghain,” Rosalía, Björk, Yves Tumor
“Chanel,” Tyla
“Gnarly,” Katseye
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift

Best Soundtrack
F1 the Album
Hazbin Hotel: Season 2
KPop Demon Hunters
Wicked: For Good
Wuthering Heights

Tour of the Year
Cowboy Carter Tour, Beyoncé
Grand National Tour, Kendrick Lamar, SZA
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, Shakira
Oasis Live ’25 Tour, Oasis
The Mayhem Ball, Lady Gaga

Breakout Tour
American Heart World Tour, Benson Boone
Am I Okay? Tour, Megan Moroney
Even in Arcadia Tour, Sleep Token
Submarine Tour, The Marías
The Sincerely, Tour, Kali Uchis

Breakthrough Album of the Year
I Barely Know Her, Sombr
Midnight Sun, Zara Larsson
The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean

Best Throwback Song
“Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls
“Rock That Body,” Black Eyed Peas
“What’s Up,” 4 Non Blondes

Best Vocal Performance
“Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
“Die on This Hill,” Sienna Spiro
“Golden,” Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
“Ordinary,” Alex Warren
“Where Is My Husband!,” Raye

Song of the Summer
“American Girls,” Harry Styles
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“Dracula,” Tame Impala, Jennie
“Elizabeth Taylor,” Taylor Swift
“Fever Dream,” Alex Warren
“Homewrecker,” Sombr
“Iloveitiloveitiloveit,” Bella Kay
“Stateside,” PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson
“Swim,” BTS
“The Great Divide,” Noah Kahan

Best Male Pop Artist
Alex Warren
Benson Boone
Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber

Best Female Pop Artist
Lady Gaga
Olivia Dean
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift

Breakthrough Pop Artist
Katseye
Sienna Spiro
Zara Larsson

Best Pop Song
“Golden,” Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Man I Need,” Olivia Dean
“Ordinary,” Alex Warren
“The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift

Best Pop Album
Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter
Mayhem, Lady Gaga
So Close to What, Tate McRae
The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean
The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift

Best Male Country Artist
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Shaboozey

Best Female Country Artist
Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert

Best Country Duo or Group
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough Country Artist
Sam Barber
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top

Best Country Song
“All the Way,” BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“Good News,” Shaboozey
“Happen to Me,” Russell Dickerson
“Just in Case,” Morgan Wallen

Best Country Album
Cloud 9, Megan Moroney
I Hope You’re Happy, BigXthaPlug
I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen
Restless Mind, Sam Barber
What Not To, Tucker Wetmore

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Don Toliver
Kendrick Lamar
Playboi Carti
Tyler, the Creator
YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doechii
GloRilla
Sexyy Red
Ykniece

Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist
EsDeeKid
Monaleo
Pluto

Best Hip-Hop Song
“ErrTime,” Cardi B
“Nokia,” Drake
“Rather Lie,” Playboi Carti, The Weekend
“Take Me Thru Dere,” Ykniece, Quavo, Metro Boomin, Breskii
“Wgft,” Gunna, Burna Boy

Best Hip-Hop Album
Am I the Drama?, Cardi B
Masa, YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Music, Playboi Carti
Octane, Don Toliver
The Last Wun, Gunna

Best Male R&B Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Daniel Caesar
PartyNextDoor
The Weeknd

Best Female R&B Artist
Kehlani
Summer Walker
SZA
Teyana Taylor
Tyla

Breakthrough R&B Artist
Leon Thomas
Mariah the Scientist
Ravyn Lenae

Best R&B Song
“Burning Blue,” Mariah the Scientist
“Folded,” Kehlani
“I Just Might,” Bruno Mars
“It Depends,” Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller
“Mutt,” Leon Thomas

Best R&B Album
Finally Over It, Summer Walker
Hearts Sold Separately, Mariah the Scientist
Swag, Justin Bieber
The Romantic, Bruno Mars

Best Male Latin Artist
Bad Bunny
Junior H
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Tito Double P

Best Female Latin Artist
Gloria Estefan
Karol G
Natti Natasha
Rosalía
Shakira

Best Latin Duo or Group
Clave Especial
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Firme
Grupo Frontera
Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Breakthrough Latin Artist
Beéle
Kapo
Netón Vega

Best Latin Song
“Latina Foreva,” Karol G
“Marlboro Rojo,” Fuerza Regida
“Me Jalo,” Feurza Regida, Grupo Frontera
“Nuevayol,” Bad Bunny
“Ojos Tristes,” Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez, The Marías

Best Latin Album
111xpantia, Fuerza Regida
Dinastía, Peso Pluma, Tito Double P
Lux, Rosalía
Mi Vida Mi Muerte, Netón Vega
Tropicoqueta, Karol G

Best Rock/Alternative Artist
Deftones
Linkin Park
Sleep Token
The Marías
Twenty One Pilots

Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist
Geese
Gigi Perez
Sombr

Best Rock/Alternative Song
“Back to Friends,” Sombr
“Dracula,” Tame Impala
“Ensenada,” Sublime
“The Great Divide,” Noah Kahan
“Up From the Bottom,” Linkin Park

Best Rock/Alternative Album
Breach, Twenty One Pilots
Deadbeat, Tame Impala
Even in Arcadia, Sleep Token
I Barely Know Her, Sombr
With Heaven on Top, Zach Bryan

Best Dance/Electronic Artist
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Fred again..
Illenium
John Summit

Best Male K-Pop Artist
Ateez
BTS
Enhyphen
Stray Kids
Tomorrow X Together

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Best Female K-Pop Artist
Aespa
Blackpick
Illit
Le Sserafim
Twice

Best Afrobeats Artist
Burna Boy
Moliy
Rema
Tyla
Wizkid

Best Americana/Folk Artist
Lord Huron
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons
Noah Kahan
Tyler Childers

Tracker, which has been an instant hit for CBS, has also gone through some changes behind the scenes including cast exits and an offscreen relocation.

The hit series premiered in 2024 with Justin Hartley being introduced as survivalist Colter Shaw, who goes out on the road to help solve a multitude of cases for a reward.

Since Tracker made its successful debut, the show has found fun ways to keep viewers entertained with fun story lines and crossovers that allowed Hartley to reunite with former costars from projects such as Smallville and This Is Us. So far, Jensen Ackles, Jennifer Morrison and Sofia Pernas have appeared on the show after working with Hartley on other projects.

Tracker, however, has also dealt with its fair share of departures. The procedural faced changes when Robin Weigert exited the show after being a series regular in the first season. It was later confirmed that Abby McEnany and Eric Graise would be leaving the show as well.

Related: Why Did ‘Tracker’ Lose 3 Cast Members Before Season 3? Shakeups Explained

Justin Hartley’s Tracker is easily CBS’ biggest hit show — so why has it gone through three cast shakeups in just two seasons? When Tracker premiered in 2024, it introduced Us to survivalist Colter Shaw (Hartley) as he travels the country to help find missing people, track down information on criminal cases and more. The […]

“The only rule I really have of the show is each week Colter is going to come to a new place and there’s going to be a new case. How he gets those answers and what he uses on the team, that’s all something that’s up for grabs,” executive producer Elwood Reid explained to Us Weekly in May 2025. “Meeting these [local] weird characters is something we’re going to try to do more of as the season goes on. Just Colter coming in and interacting with other characters. That’s fun to see Justin flex those muscles with really good guest cast members.”

More recently, Reid noted there was only one constant on the show: Hartley’s fan-favorite character.

“The audience leans in because they’ve seen that character before. But I think they’re still thinking the central DNA of the show is Colter. With this guy, what makes him appealing is he is a mystery to himself,” he told Us in December 2025. “He’s a mystery to the audience. We see him and his off time putting together some pieces of his past.”

He concluded, “I don’t know if we’ll ever put it all together, but he’s going to struggle to continue to do that. That’s just as far as we have thought. The biggest improvement we made this year — in my opinion — was getting people in the same room. Just that connectivity, I do think the audience is enjoying seeing their characters in the same place physically.”

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of the show’s biggest BTS changes:

Related: Which ‘Tracker’ Stars Have Left Justin Hartley’s CBS Show So Far?

Justin Hartley‘s hit show Tracker has lost several main characters after just two seasons — but who is still left from the cast? CBS found success with Tracker immediately after it premiered in February 2024 to record-breaking ratings. Viewers have since tuned in week after week to see fictional survivalist Colter Shaw (Hartley) travel the […]

Cast Exits

CBS found success with Tracker immediately after it premiered in February 2024 to record-breaking ratings. Viewers have since tuned in week after week to see Colter travel the country to help solve various missing persons cases with the help from handlers Teddi (Weigert) and Velma (McEnany), hacker Bobby (Graise) and attorney Reenie (Fiona Rene).

After joining Tracker in season 1, Weigert’s character was written off in the premiere with her wife, Velma, admitting that they needed some distance. Velma then started working with Reenie, and Teddi wasn’t discussed again in season 2. News later broke that Graise and McEnany wouldn’t be coming back for season 3.

New Faces Joining the Show

Chris Lee originally joined Tracker in season 2 as Bobby’s cousin Randy — and he was then promoted to series regular. Cassady McClincy was brought in as well in season 3 in the role of Melanie “Mel” Day.

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Kathleen Robertson and Mark Engelhardt were later cast in recurring roles for season 3.

Relocation to Los Angeles

News broke in May 2026 that Tracker is relocating to Los Angeles with the biggest California tax credit for a series to date. According to Deadline, Tracker will move from Vancouver, where the first three seasons were shot. Its studio, 20th Television, is currently locking down production facilities in and around Los Angeles.

Filming for season 4 is slated to begin in late June 2026 after a $48 million tax credit.

Fantasy is the gift that keeps on giving. As one of the most prolific and complex genres in any medium, fantasy has sprawled into several different categories or subgenres, all of which have found great success in movies, literature, theater, and even music. High and low fantasy are probably the best-known categories within this revered genre, but few are more fascinating or underrated than grimdark. A rather recent subsection of fantasy, grimdark eschews traditional notions of good and evil to instead focus on bleak and dangerous worlds populated by morally grey characters who use brutality and cynicism to survive. Conflict is usually prevalent in these stories, with intense politics, warfare, and bloodshed.

The term itself comes from the tagline for the British miniature game Warhammer 40,000, which famously states: “In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.” As a new-ish subgenre of fantasy, very few movies can absolutely be classified as grimdark, and they don’t always check every box as what’s usually considered the best example of the subgenre, A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. For example, some of these have morally grey heroes but lack the sweeping political angle. However, the movies on this list all have enough qualities to not only thrive within this blossoming subgenre but also represent it quite faithfully, bringing a more cynical and often harrowing perspective to the usually black-and-white realm of fantasy.

8

‘The Head Hunter’ (2018)

Image via Vertical Entertainment

Jordan Downey‘s The Head Hunter is among the most severely underappreciated fantasy movies of the new millennium. This remarkably dark gem stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh and is set in a fictionalized version of the Dark Ages populated by dangerous creatures that terrorize a kingdom. It centers on a knight known only as The Father (Rygh), who spends his days hunting these creatures while chasing the one that killed his daughter years ago.

Dark to a fault, The Head Hunter is probably the bleakest and most unforgiving fantasy experience we’ve seen in the last twenty-five years. It does a lot with its limited budget, even if its reach ultimately far exceeds its grasp. Yet, narratively, the film more than delivers, presenting a harrowing tale of revenge through a distinct and dangerous fantasy approach. The Father is a perfect antihero, relentlessly pursuing a monster that might just be the most sinister creation since Dragonslayer‘s Vermithrax Pejorative. Add to that one of the grimmest endings ever, and you get a fantasy movie that’s also a true punch to the gut.

7

‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

A building block of cinematic dark fantasy, Conan the Barbarian is a jewel of ’80s cheese and excess. In the role that made him a star, Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the titular character, a barbarian on an unstoppable quest to avenge his parents’ deaths at the hands of Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), the cruel leader of a cult. The film is based on the characters created by iconic pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard in the 1930s.

Arguably the best sword-and-sorcery movie ever made, Conan the Barbarian is still the movie against which all subsequent entries into the subgenre are measured. Conan himself is the poster boy for complex fantasy antiheroes, a highly individualistic warrior on a fearsome quest for revenge and mainly concerned with survival and personal glory. The film is also a love letter to ’80s machismo, complete with an oiled-up Arnie at the peak of his physical abilities, a not-so-subtle weaponry fetish, and a rather inspired view of death. Today, it remains a beacon of ’80s cinema and the ultimate depiction of its pulpy character.

6

‘Tale of Tales’ (2015)

Image via Archimede Film

Matteo Garrone‘s 2015 fantasy horror Tale of Tales is quite possibly the most under-the-radar movie on this list. Starring an ensemble including Oscar nominees Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly alongside French icon Vincent Cassel, the film presents three different stories based on the Italian fairy tales by poet Giambattista Basile. The tales are all set in fantasy realms and explore themes of ambition, desire, lust, and obsession.

Tale of Tales is a rather singular fantasy. As any good grimdark project, the three stories are suitably bleak and have a pervasive tone of inescapable dread. There are no real winners here, only those whose ambition doesn’t get the best of them and those who succumb entirely to it. The first tale, starring Salma Hayek as a queen who will do everything to conceive a child, is the strongest, but all three are visually impressive and narratively enchanting. Garrone casts a true spell through his lush visuals, and the stories’ dark outcomes only enhance the superficial beauty, contrasting with the darkness and misery at their core.

5

‘The Crow’ (1994)

Image via Dimension Films

Alex Proyas‘ 1994 cult classic The Crow can be easily described as multiple genres: a revenge thriller, a supernatural mystery, a superhero movie, and an urban fantasy. However, the central gothic vibe and somber tone are its most distinct qualities. The late Brandon Lee stars as Eric Draven, a musician killed alongside his fiancée on Devil’s Night. A year later, he is resurrected by a crow and goes on a night-long quest to punish those who killed him and his love.

Nowadays, the film’s legacy can’t be discussed without mentioning the tragic death of Brandon Lee during filming. However, The Crow stands proudly as a quality gothic thriller and one of the most original urban fantasy movies ever made. The macabre tone perfectly complements Proyas’ approach to depicting a gloomy, morally bankrupt, crime-ridden Detroit, populated by gangs and murderers. As for Eric, he’s more of an avenging Angel of Death than a superhero looking for justice. Revenge is central to The Crow, and Proyas depicts it in the most stylish and striking way possible.

4

‘Mad God’ (2021)

Image via Shudder

From the wildly creative mind of the iconic Phil Tippett comes Mad God, a 2021 stop-motion animated fantasy unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The plot centers on a figure known only as The Assassin, who descends from the heavens into a sinister underworld populated with monsters, dangers, and cruelty.

“Nightmarish” is the only word to describe Mad God, a work of pure lunacy and genius from one of the industry’s most singular talents. The film is populated with the most disturbing visuals, with Tippett depicting some truly messed-up monstrosities that might stay with you, haunting your nightmares for days to come. Central to its themes are the inevitability of civilization’s demise and the cycle of violence, as well as the nature of war and the inherent irony of innocence in a world that seemingly does nothing but destroy it. The stop-motion visuals greatly enhance these ideas, culminating in an incredibly terrifying movie that might as well border on traumatizing. In other words, a must-watch.

3

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Few movies of the 2020s have aged as well as David Lowery‘s The Green Knight. In one of his richest and most introspective performances, Oscar nominee Dev Patel stars as Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, who accepts a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight (Ralph Ineson), sending him on a quest to discover himself and reclaim his courage. The film is among the most inspired takes on the Arthurian legend, set in an amoral, gloomy version of Camelot.

Of all the characters on this list, Gawain might be the most complex. Patel delivers one of the finest performances of his career as the selfish, self-serving knight on a quest to discover the true meaning of honor and, in the process, determine the kind of man he is. In his journey, he confronts several figures who both challenge and aid him, leading him to the final, fateful confrontation with the Green Knight. Many take issue with its abrupt and unclear ending, but that’s part of the film’s message. In the world of The Green Knight, there are no real answers, only questions; it’s the desire to solve them that matters.

2

‘The Northman’ (2022)

Image via Universal Pictures.

And speaking of fantasy masterpieces of the 2020s, we have The Northman, Robert Eggers‘ take on Norse mythology. A berserk Alexander Skarsgård stars as Prince Amleth, an exiled prince who witnesses his father’s death at the hands of his uncle, Fjölnir (Claes Bang). Years later, Amleth returns to avenge his father’s death and rescue his mother, Gudrún (Nicole Kidman), from the hands of his murderous uncle.

Unlike other Eggers movies, there’s very little left for interpretation in The Northman. Here, the director opts for an in-your-face approach to violence, depicting the Viking Age in all its furious, savage, unforgiving glory. At the heart of it all is a frenzied Skarsgård in one of his most committed performances as the tragic prince on a ruthless one-man quest to avenge his father. As bloody as it’s visually jaw-dropping, The Northman is a stellar revenge epic that audiences at the time didn’t know how to appreciate. Luckily, time has been extremely kind to it, and it’s now widely recognized as one of the greatest dark fantasies ever made.

1

‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

Image via AB Svensk Filmindustri

An institution in the realm of fantasy and a foundational block in cinema’s understanding of the genre, The Seventh Seal is an enduring masterpiece that only keeps getting better with each passing year. Ingmar Bergman‘s 1957 movie follows Antonius Black (Max Von Sydow), a disillusioned Swedish knight returning from the Crusades to find his country devastated by the Black Death. Soon, he finds himself facing Death himself (Bengt Ekerot) in a game of chess for his life.

One of the best Scandinavian movies of all time, The Seventh Seal is a masterclass of allegorical storytelling. Although the war and political angles are more of a background element, they have a profound impact on Antonius’ lack of purpose and his overall disinchantment. The knight itself is a perfect amoral antihero, having lost the honor that should characterize him, replacing it with a cynical view of life and a final wish to achieve a truly meaningful deed before his eventual demise. Ultimately, the film presents a miserable and almost defeatist outlook in the service of an insightful examination of life and death.

Taylor Swift celebrated her 2026 American Music Awards nominations from afar as the ceremony took place without her.

The pop superstar, 36, skipped the Monday, May 25, awards show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Swift leads the pack of AMAs nominees this year. Her eight nods include Artist of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for The Life of a Showgirl, Song of the Year, Best Music Video and Best Pop Song for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Song of the Summer for “Elizabeth Taylor.”

Prior to the ceremony, Swift was already the most-awarded artist in AMAs history, with a record-breaking 40 wins throughout her career.

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Two months before the AMAs, Swift attended the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she earned seven trophies for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for The Life of a Showgirl, Pop Song of the Year, Best Lyrics and Best Music Video for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Favorite Tour Style for The Eras Tour.

Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, joined her at the event, marking the couple’s first time attending an awards show together since they began dating in the summer of 2023. During her acceptance speech for Best Pop Album, she paid tribute to the Kansas City Chiefs player, 36.

“This album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life because of my fiancé, who is here tonight,” she gushed. “So, thanks for the vibes.”

More recently, Swift and Kelce have been spotted on various dates this month, holding hands while out for dinner in London and New York City and attending friends’ weddings in the Big Apple and Greece.

Meanwhile, the pair are preparing for their own nuptials after getting engaged in August 2025.

“They’re both involved and making decisions together,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in April, noting that the two have been “focused on actually enjoying the process rather than getting caught up in the pressure” amid the countdown to their summer wedding date. “They’re keeping things light.”

In fact, wedding planning has allowed Swift and Kelce to spend even more quality time together.

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“Travis and Taylor have both been very laid back,” the insider revealed, adding that Swift “thinks it’s cute that Travis cares about a lot of the details” for their big day. “They’ve made a conscious decision not to let it cause any tension between them.”

The couple’s wedding will be traditional, with “classic touches” like Taylor’s dad walking her down the aisle as well as father-daughter and mother-son dances.

According to a second source, “Taylor loves those emotional, meaningful moments, and Travis [is] on the same page.”

Queen Latifah kicked off her 2026 American Music Awards hosting gig with an unforgettable monologue fit for royalty.

The rapper and actress, 56, opened the Monday, May 25, awards show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I gotta say, it feels so good to be back here hosting the AMAs after 31 years,” Latifah said as she addressed the crowd. “You believe that? Some of BTS wasn’t even born, that’s crazy. That Black don’t crack baby! And if you would have told me 31 years ago I’d be back on that stage, a stack of awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a career thats taken me from music to film, I probably would’ve looked at you and said, ‘Who you calling a trailblazer?’”

She also shared a message in honor of the country’s military vetereans, as the awards show fell on Memorial Day.

This is not Latifah’s first time helming the AMAs. She previously made her cohosting debut alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan during the January 1995 awards show.

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“I am excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” she said in an April press release. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”

Dick Clark Productions CEO Jay Penske was equally excited about Latifah returning to her hosting role after 31 years.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back as host of the American Music Awards,” Penske said at the time. “A true powerhouse and trailblazer, she brings a dynamic presence and deep connection to both fans and fellow artists, making her the perfect choice to lead a night of celebrating the biggest names and most defining moments in music.”

While Latifah has focused more on acting in recent years, she is also known for her influential hip-hop career. Nearly two decades after her most recent studio album, 2009’s Persona, she exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2025 that she is “finding my pen again.”

“We’re going to see what comes of that,” she teased of her potential return to music. “I’m pretty open. There’s rap artists that I would love to get down with. There’s also rock artists.”

Although Latifah acknowledged that “a lot of music is different” now than when she started out in the 1980s, she is willing to experiment with her sound.

“I want to do some house music. I’ve made house music since the first album,” she explained. “I definitely want to step into that space and have some more fun. I could do reggae. I mean, there’s so many things I feel like I can step into — and of course, more jazz.”

As for possible collaborations, Latifah shouted out several popular artists she hopes to work with at some point in the future.

“I love Doechii. I would do anything with Doechii,” she told Us. “She is dope. She sounds like she’s from my era. She drew from all the great rappers of my era, for sure, and she produces. She can do no wrong in my eyes.”

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After joining Megan Thee Stallion during her 2025 Coachella set, Latifah noted, “We don’t have a record together so that could always be fun.”

Latifah is also eager to hit the studio with Missy Elliott again following their 2009 track, “Fast Car.”

“I would love to work with Missy again,” she shared. “[Missy and I] have a couple of records that we have never put out through the years. I have so much music that I haven’t put out that I need to put out. I already have half the collaborations that I would’ve wanted to do.”

Summer is officially here, which means there’s more time to read.

Whether you prefer checking out these must-read books at the beach or by the pool, tons of authors are making their highly anticipated return with new novels just in time for peak relaxation.

Former Bachelorette star Hannah Brown, for one, is continuing her summer release schedule with Reasons to be Loved By You, her third novel. This one follows the story of Nikki Bennet and appears to pull a major story line from her own life — but more on that in a second.

Keep scrolling for a list of the highly anticipated books of summer 2026:

‘Rules for the Summer’ by Meghan Quinn

The spice queen is back with another summer romance. Rules for the Summer is a story of forced proximity between Renley Gossage and Theo Williams who find themselves as neighbors for the summer. (out now)

‘Payback’ by Elizabeth Rose Quinn

Pay to Stay is the minimum security prison where the privileged serve time Friday to Monday only. When the seven inmates find their guard dead, they must solve his murder before their prison stay changes drastically. (out now)

‘The Burning Side’ by Sarah Damoff

Damoff’s followup to The Bright Years follows April and Leo, whose house burned down in the middle of the night. They escape to April’s hometown with their two young children as they deal with the aftermath of trauma and a new life. (out now)

‘A Pair of Aces’ by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Eunice Carter is Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor and has her sights set on bringing down notorious gangster Lucky Luciano. Working with madame Polly Adler, who has built up her high-class brothel business, the women do anything to convict the leader of one of New York’s most famous crime families. (out June 2)

‘The Kennedys and the Windsors’ by Caroline Hallemann

Journalist Hallemann chronicles the two iconic families and how they mirror each other in rather telling ways. (out June 2)

‘Reasons to be Loved by You’ by Hannah Brown

Former pageant girl Nikki Bennet has gotten over her time on reality dating show LovedBy, after finding out that her fiancé had been dating another woman. But when she gets home for a family vacation, her brother announces that he’s engaged to “the other woman” in her ex-fiancé’s relationship. Teaming up with Cara’s brother to end the marriage before it begins might just lead to a love story of her own. (out June 23)

‘Crash Into Me’ by Robinne Lee

Author Lee is back with the highly anticipated followup to her 2017 novel The Idea of You. Get ready to rip your heart out with a second-chance romance following Cecilia Chen, who is struggling as a mom in a complicated marriage, and Anouk Ferrand, whom she hasn’t seen for 20 years. (out July 7)

‘Helpless’ by Jessica Knoll

When returning to campus following the death of their beloved college professor, Faye finds herself drugged and kidnapped by an ex boyfriend, Henry. The story unfolds through a week of Faye’s captivity as she experiences several demands from Henry — and the truth. (out July 7)

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‘The Romance Revival’ by Christina Lauren

Emery Finch has been married to Luca for three years. The two tied the knot after only knowing each other for one night. When a tragic accident takes Luca from her, Emery must make him remember their life together. (out July 14)

‘With Friends Like You’ by Amy Chozick

This psychological thriller follows Emily, a new mother in Manhattan, who begins fixating on finding her college roommate Daisy, who has been missing for years. When Daisy suddenly reappears, so many questions arise. (out July 21)

‘Tempest’ by Victoria Aveyard

A high-stakes pirate love story is everything we never knew we needed. Follow Cat Rose as she does everything in her power to save her empire while hunting their greatest enemy: the only man she’s ever loved. (out September 8)

The Western genre as a whole predates TV by decades. By the time it spread its influence from the big to the small screen, it was already a major phenomenon, being a major part of cinematic history, and becoming immortalized in pop culture. We have an entire arsenal of compelling Western stories, from the iconic and legendary to the most unforgettable. But these stories, particularly on TV, aren’t all remembered as much as they should.

Today, Westerns continue to thrive on TV, thanks to contemporary masterpieces that have reinvented the genre and breathed new life into it, such as Landman and the wildly popular Yellowstone. But let’s take a look at the trailblazing, unique, and perfectly written Western shows from history that are criminally underrated. They’re not the most remembered, most celebrated, or even all that remarkable, but they have a spark that kept them perfect from their first episodes to their finales. From misunderstood cult classics to arguably some of the greatest Westerns to ever be released on TV, here are the unappreciated shows Western lovers need to see.

‘That Dirty Black Bag’ (2022)

Image via AMC+

In this gritty, unapologetically violent homage to Spaghetti Westerns, That Dirty Black Bag is an eight-part miniseries that aired in 2022. It takes what you love about that particular subgenre and elevates it with high-quality production values, brutally realistic depictions of frontier life, and is contrasted by gorgeous cinematography that will completely immerse you in the spectacle.

At the center of its story is a tale of murder, greed, corruption, and madness, all revolving around a shady small Western town sheriff with a dark past as he meets his match after encountering a bloodthirsty bounty hunter, with a sickening need to decapitate and collect his victims’ severed heads, who is carving a brutal path of revenge. It’s a hauntingly bleak and unrelentingly violent eight-part masterpiece with not a single wasted episode or dull moment. It utilizes its small window of time to tell a gripping tale that doesn’t paint a romanticized picture of the West and just wants to draw you into the bloody mayhem of this unpredictable story.

‘The English’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

In this gripping new take on revisionist Westerns, The English is a compelling six-part miniseries that aired on the BBC and Amazon Prime in 2022. Written and directed by Hugo Blick, it’s a subversive and unique Western tale that takes viewers through the old frontier on an emotional journey that deconstructs the romantic side of this iconic point in history. Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer star as a scorned English woman and a Pawnee native U.S. Army scout who combine forces to slay the man who killed the English woman’s son.

The English is a refreshing spin on the Western formula, complete with a story that deeply deconstructs the traditional narrative structure for these types of stories, and strives to push for a darker, more mature, and ultimately bleaker tone. Performances are beyond spectacular, as Blunt and Spencer have impeccable chemistry and easily slip into their roles, providing decent development and making the audience understand their characters, even when they’re not traditional heroes. The whole series is a different approach that sadly hasn’t gotten much notice in recent years, but it’s still worth a watch, and can quite amaze any new viewers.

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

Image via Netflix

Based on a best-selling mystery novel series by Craig Johnson, Longmire ran from 2012 to 2014 on A&E, and was eventually picked up by Netflix for an additional three years. A strikingly gripping, unexpectedly compelling, and ultimately misunderstood gem of a show, it’s impressive how good this Western is, despite its several cancellations. Starring Robert Taylor as the titular Walt Longmire, it follows this Wyoming sheriff as he tries to keep the peace within his jurisdiction.

While not the most polished, original, or even exciting Western series, Longmire excels exponentially with its character development and story structure. Robert Taylor was perfectly cast as the stoic, resilient Longmire, and his performance is elevated by a capable supporting cast that all play equally interesting characters. The pacing is near-perfect, and mystery elements can really draw viewers into each episode. It may not be entirely perfect, but its positive far outweighs the bad, making it a must-watch for even those who aren’t really fans of Westerns.

‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)

Image via Prime Video

Delving more into the realm of science fiction, next is Outer Range, an early 2020s neo-Western TV series created by Brian Watkins. Taking the idea of a Western in a whole different direction, it takes viewers on a tense, mind-bending journey while following a ranch family in Wyoming as they find their lives in turmoil when the appearance of a mysterious black hole on their land, coupled with the new arrival of an equally mysterious woman and a rival family bidding for their land, throws their world upside down.

Outer Range is truly unlike any Western on this list. It’s a true standout of the genre in recent years, being a completely original story that mixes genres into a powerful blend that’s purely entertaining. Sure, it’s not the most well-crafted series, considering it meanders at points and doesn’t fully explore its unique ideas, which ultimately led to its abrupt cancellation after two seasons. However, still, it feels fresh and original, and does something not many other Westerns, other than Westworld, have tried to do for the genre. Overall, it’s flawed but notable.

‘Godless’ (2017)

Image via Netflix

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The 2017 miniseries Godless takes history, drama, and action and combines them into a thrilling viewing experience that Western fans really should take notice of. Loosely inspired by true events, it’s an engaging seven-parter that can instantly grip you into the narrative, as it follows an outlaw (played by Jack O’Connell) as he abandons his gang and finds refuge in the old mining town of La Belle, New Mexico. After getting to know this tragic town and the residents, he soon fights for the people, along with the help of a hardened widowed rancher (Michelle Dockery), when his old gang eventually finds him.

Godless is quite a fascinating and well-structured Western miniseries that manages to tell an effective and emotional story and compelling character drama all within a few episodes. The writing is top-notch, the performances of the main cast, especially Michelle Dockery as the capable Alice Fletcher, are exceptional and fully flushed out, and the story strikes the right balance between being an exciting Western and a memorable history lesson. It may not have produced a huge splash after its release, but Godless deserves better attention for what it gest right.

‘Dark Winds’ (2022–Present)

Image via AMC

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AMC’s Dark Winds is one of the most underrated Western series in recent memory, even while it’s still running strong on the network. This utterly fascinating, truly one-of-a-kind show is a masterclass in storytelling and psychological thrills, combining crime, drama, and a neo-Western setting into a cohesive blend of entertainment. Starring Zahn McClarnon, it follows three officers of the Navajo Tribal Police as they investigate a series of disturbing, violent crimes around the Four Corners of the Southwestern United States in the 1970s.

Dark Winds takes you on a twisted and mind-bending journey into a world full of murder, corruption, and deceit. It’s the mystery and psychological tension that truly grips you right from the first episode and onward, and each episode enthralls you with more suspense and surprise twists. While it’s currently still airing, it hasn’t received the proper recognition from general audiences or even the Emmys, but it still has a devoted fan base that understands its unique brilliance and hopes that it gets the acclaim that it deserves.

‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011–2016)

Finally, AMC didn’t produce just one highly underrated Western masterpiece; it had to create two. Lastly is Hell on Wheels, the groundbreaking Western historical drama series that aired from 2011 to 2016, creating quite a remarkable impact on the network and on the genre. Starring an incredible cast, including Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Dominique McElligott, and Robin McLeavy, it follows the workers and mercenaries tasked to ensure the construction of a railroad system across the Great Plains in a post-Civil War America.

This series features powerhouse performances, excellent character drama, compelling writing, and gorgeous cinematography to give audiences the feeling of watching a Western epic. It’s dark and gritty, and perfectly captures a more raw, brutally realistic feel of the old West, which enhances the historical elements and makes it all the more fascinating to watch. Hell on Wheels captivates from start to finish, providing great entertainment for all viewers to see.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 15 seconds ago

Even amongst the true faithful of the Star Wars fandom, the verdict on The Mandalorian and Grogu seems to be “good, but not great.” True to its pedigree as an adaptation of a TV show, it feels less like a feature film than a handful of episodes stapled together. Sure, it provides plenty of action and cool moments with its titular characters, but that’s not enough. Audiences agree, which is why this movie had the lowest opening weekend ever recorded for a Star Wars live-action film. It’s still earning far more than the lowest earner in the franchise: The Clone Wars movie, which preceded the acclaimed TV show of the same name.

Those movies are very distinct. They feature different characters, different plots, and are made for two entirely different mediums (live-action and animation). But they do have one major thing in common: they were each written by Dave Filoni, who has recently replaced Kathleen Kennedy and became President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm. Many cynical fans were all too happy to see Kennedy go, but it’s far too early to celebrate. Considering that Filoni was also a writer and executive producer for the much-maligned series The Book of Boba Fett, the failure of The Mandalorian and Grogu means the new Star Wars boss already has three strikes against him!

Space Cowboy

Even before this latest Star Wars movie, Dave Filoni was becoming a controversial figure within the fandom. He gained early praise as showrunner for The Clone Wars, which is rightfully considered some of the best Star Wars media ever made. He then created Rebels, another fan-favorite cartoon in a galaxy far, far away. But as Filoni got more creative control within the franchise, his work became increasingly self-referential. He ensured that shows like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett included callbacks to his own characters and turned Ahsoka into a live-action Rebels sequel. While this thrilled Filoni’s fans, it worried critics who thought he had lost the ability to truly innovate. 

Still, Filoni has more hits than misses, so he was recently promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm. This seemed like a good idea on paper because Filoni has a strong history of creating beloved TV shows, which have been the primary form of Star Wars content for many years. However, Disney now wants to pivot Star Wars back to the big screen, and The Mandalorian and Grogu was their first new movie in the franchise since 2019. However, this Filoni-written film fizzled. It has a relatively low 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and is well on its way to earning the lowest box office of any Star Wars film.

His Failure Is Now Complete

That would be the worst box office failure for the franchise since Star Wars: The Clone Wars hit theaters in 2008. That movie (replete with Hutt fart jokes, no less) was also written and even directed by Dave Filoni. It has an abysmal 18 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and earned only $68.5 million at the box office. By comparison, The Mandalorian and Grogu is going to earn far more money, but its earnings will still fall short of every live-action film before it. Two films is a pattern, and the simple truth is that Dave Filoni’s involvement is officially the kiss of death for Star Wars movies.

That’s bad news considering that he’s the new Star Wars boss and there are new franchise films (like the very buzzy Starfighter) in development. At this point, Filoni’s fans will point out that he’s still got the golden touch when it comes to TV shows in a galaxy far, far away. It’s true that Filoni still mostly has the goods in this arena (Ahsoka was solid, and Maul–Shadow Lord is downright brilliant), but he was also extensively involved in The Book of Boba Fett, a terrible series that wasted one of the franchise’s most beloved villains. 

When you factor in the failure of both this show and the Clone Wars movie, it’s easy to see that The Mandalorian and Grogu is the third strike for Filoni. Unfortunately, he hasn’t struck out. Instead, he’s now got more power over the Star Wars universe than anyone since George Lucas. Will he lead the franchise into a new golden age or deliver something even fouler than baby Rotta? Only time will tell, but after the disappointment of The Mandalorian and Grogu, a growing number of fans are all saying the same thing: I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Jessi Draper and Marciano Brunette made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2026 American Music Awards.

Draper, 34, was joined by the Vanderpump Villa star, 33, at the awards show held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada on Monday, May 25. The pair wore coordinated black ensembles. Draper stunned in a black gown with white ruffles at the bottom while Brunette sported a black sports coat and slacks.

Brunette held the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star close as they posed for photos. At one point Brunette gave Draper a peck on the head.

Draper and Brunette met when the cast of Mormon Wives traveled to Italy to film for Vanderpump Villa season 2 in 2024 . Brunette works as a server on the Lisa Vanderpump-led reality series which aired in April 2025.

Related: ‘Mormon Wives’ Marciano Discussed Jessi and Jordan’s Marriage Before Split

Marciano Brunette had plenty to say about the future of Jessi Draper and Jordan Ngatikaura’s marriage just months before their split. “Jordan is a good person that cares about his family,” Brunette, 33, who had an emotional affair with Draper, also 33, during her marriage to Ngatikaura, 28, exclusively told Us Weekly at The Vanderpump […]

At the time of filming, Draper was married to ex Jordan Ngatikaura. However, Draper formed a close bond to Brunette while she was abroad. While she downplayed their connection at first, Draper later admitted to having an emotional affair with Brunette.

“We had been dealing with the affair for about six months behind closed doors. No one knew. During those six months, it got worse than it ever had. He was blackmailing me. He was threatening to send my texts to Marciano out to the world,” Draper claimed on “The Viall Files” podcast in November 2025, claiming that it was addressed on the show but didn’t make the final edit. “Anytime I did anything he didn’t agree with, he had it on his TikTok drafts and he was like, ‘I’m going to post it.’”

Earlier this year, Draper and Ngatikaura split after five years of marriage. The exes share two children: son Jagger, 6, and daughter Jovi, 3.

“This has not been an easy decision and it comes with a heavy heart,” he told Us in a March statement. “I’m grateful for the shared memories and the lessons. While our paths are now moving in different directions, my priority remains my children and ensuring they feel loved, supported, and protected through this transition.”

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Related: Mormon Wives’ Jessi Draper Reacts to Renewed Marciano Romance Speculation

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jessi Draper responded to a report claiming “sparks might be flying” between her and Vanderpump Villa’s Marciano Brunette. After TMZ published photos of Jessi, 33, cozying up to Marciano, also 33, on Sunday, April 19, the outlet shared the images via its Instagram account. “Looks like sparks might be […]

Draper claimed in her “Call Her Daddy” interview that she had planned to file for divorce from Ngatikaura herself — but he was first to file paper work.

Two months later, Draper reflected on her and Brunette’s scandal.

“Having an affair on-camera definitely shook up my life a little bit,” Draper told Vulture in an interview published in May. “But I hope to inspire, and learn from my mistakes, and hopefully let people know that everyone does make mistakes and it’s OK.”