This May, Netflix wants you to laugh, cry and maybe battle some futuristic pirates in a post-apocalyptic world.

All this month, Netflix is adding a slew of new movies from virtually every known genre and featuring some of Hollywood’s most famous actors.

Watch With Us has compiled a brief weekend streaming guide for any Netflix subscriber looking to be entertained.

From the Robert De Niro comedy Meet the Parents to the Kevin Costner action picture Waterworld, there’s plenty to watch over these next three days.

‘Meet the Parents’ (2000)

Who would’ve thought a sweet — if not derivative — comedy about a man meeting his in-laws would become a blockbuster comedy franchise? Whatever you think of the sequels, you have to give the original Meet the Parents its due — the film is often very funny, and it still elicits laughs today.

Ben Stiller stars as Greg, a humble nurse who wants to marry his longtime girlfriend, Pam (Teri Polo). He needs her father Jack’s (De Niro) permission and approval, and he’s not so willing to give his daughter away to just anyone. To make matters worse for Greg, Jack used to be a CIA agent and uses all of his government training to find out if Greg is the right man to marry his daughter. All Greg wants is to live happily ever after with Pam, but Jack has other plans for her — and they don’t involve Greg.

What makes Meet the Parents work is the odd-couple chemistry between Stiller and De Niro. Stiller’s nervous energies complement De Niro’s laid-back menace, which sets the stage for several comical situations that keep getting more absurd — and hysterical. Another sequel, Focker-in-Law, is slated for release later this year and brings back the OG cast plus Ariana Grande as Greg’s would-be daughter-in-law.

Meet the Parents is streaming on Netflix.

‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ (1991)

What becomes of the brokenhearted? That’s the central question Fried Green Tomatoes aims to answer, and it’s also the title of the song that pops up throughout the film. Based on the hit Fannie Flagg novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe, this excellent 1991 film chronicles two friendships in two different periods: Evelyn (Kathy Bates) and Ninny’s (Jessica Tandy) in the ‘80s, and Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth (Mary-Louise Parker) in the ‘30s. All four women endure the highs and lows of life, including abusive husbands, ungrateful family members and brushes with the law, but the one that they can rely on is each other.

I’m aware that what I just described sounds like a Hallmark Channel movie, but Fried Green Tomatoes is better and richer than your run-of-the-mill female-bonding “chick flick.” That’s due largely to the fantastic performances by the four leading actresses, specifically Tandy, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, and Masterson, who should’ve been nominated that year for Best Actress. Together, they create a rich tapestry of 20th-century Southern life that was fraught with economic instability, inequality between men and women and racial segregation. The film’s ending is surprising in its refusal to be downbeat for the sake of a cheap cry.

Fried Green Tomatoes is streaming on Netflix.

‘Waterworld’ (1995)

In 1995, all people could talk about was Waterworld — and for all the wrong reasons. The Kevin Costner-led film underwent a troubled production, which included numerous reshoots, the original director on the outs and the budget ballooning to a then-astronomical $175 million (now the average cost of a Marvel superhero film). The end result was a surprisingly ordinary sci-fi flick that wasn’t as bad as everyone thought it would be. That’s faint praise, but it’s still praise.

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Related: 41 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (April 2026): ‘Apex’ and More

This April, Netflix is on the hunt to add more new movies to its already impressive library. Buoyed by early 2026 hits like The Rip with Matt Damon and War Machine with Alan Ritchson, the streamer just added yet another gripping action flick worth your time — Apex, starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. Thank […]

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In 2500, the polar ice caps have completely melted, resulting in the sea level rising and rendering almost the entire world underwater. The remnants of humanity survive on boats and makeshift islands, which is where the villainous pirate Deacon (Dennis Hooper) frequently operates. He’s looking for a little girl, Enola (Tina Majorino), who holds the key to finding the mythical Dryland, but she’s under the guardianship of The Mariner (Costner), a mutant loner who just wants to be left alone. Deacon always gets what he wants, though, and he’ll kill anyone, including The Mariner, to claim the Dryland as his own.

While Waterworld doesn’t look like the most expensive movie ever made, it’s still impressive. The action sequences, particularly the opening battle between The Mariner and Deacon’s pirates, are impressive, and the special effects are convincing enough to make you believe Earth has been submerged. Costner is miscast and seems a little lost at times, but Hopper’s over-the-top villains make up for his costar’s dim-bulb energy.

Waterworld is streaming on Netflix.

Blake Lively is facing fresh scrutiny over her marriage to Ryan Reynolds as her legal showdown with Justin Baldoni intensifies.

The actress has been accused of “exaggerating” the strength of her relationship with Reynolds, with critics pointing to her recent social media posts as a calculated attempt to counter growing speculation that the ongoing court battle has strained their dynamic.

While reports claim the once-playful couple has lost some of its spark under pressure, Lively appears determined to shut down the narrative by continuing to share affectionate glimpses of their life.

For years, Lively and Reynolds built a reputation as Hollywood’s most relatable power couple, winning fans over with their self-deprecating humor and playful social media exchanges. But that image has come under scrutiny since the actress filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit in 2024 against her “It Ends With Us” co-star Baldoni.

Still, Lively has continued to post affectionate glimpses of their life online. Just weeks ago, she shared a photo of them posing with friends, and more recently, she reposted an image of Reynolds on her  Instagram Story, calling him “such a babe.”

Those posts, however, have fueled fresh criticism, with some social media users accusing her of trying too hard to maintain the image of a happy marriage, even as rumors swirl that the ongoing fallout has put their relationship under serious strain.

Reynolds ‘Wants Blake Lively To Settle Case’

Despite presenting a united front, Reynolds is reportedly eager for Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni to wrap up before it escalates further. The actor, who has been named as a potential witness in the case, could be called to testify if the matter goes to trial. However, sources claim he would prefer a quieter resolution behind the scenes.

“Ryan is fully supportive publicly,” an insider told Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop. “But privately? He wants this settled. This is pulling him in, and he knows it. He doesn’t want to be dragged through court.”

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According to the source, Reynolds is increasingly concerned about the potential impact on his image and standing in Hollywood, especially as the case grows more complex and harder to contain.

Lively’s Case Hit With Major Setback In Court

Lively’s legal fight against Baldoni took a significant hit earlier this month after Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of her 13 claims, including sexual harassment and defamation.

Despite the setback, the actress signaled she’s not backing down. In a statement shared on Instagram, Lively made it clear she intends to push forward with the remaining claims, framing her decision as part of a broader stand for those who may not have the chance to speak out.

Behind the scenes, however, the ruling appears to have taken an emotional toll. A source told Rob Shuter that the courtroom loss left her “devastated” and frustrated by how her case is being perceived.

“She’s devastated,” the insider said. “This is not the outcome she expected. She’s angry. She feels like her story isn’t being fully heard.”

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Ryan Reynolds Publicly Backs Blake Lively

Reynolds has continued to stand firmly by Lively as she faces mounting pressure ahead of her trial with Baldoni in May. During an appearance on  TODAY’s “Sunday Sitdown Live with Willie Geist” on April 19, the actor made his support clear, praising Lively’s character amid the ongoing scrutiny.

“I’ve never in my life been more proud of my wife,” Reynolds said. “People have no idea what’s really going on, you know? And I’ve just never in my life been more proud of someone with that level of integrity… in everything that they do.”

Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Clash In Pretrial Showdown

JUST IN: Blake Lively branded a ‘f***ing terrorist’ by Sony exec over her 17-point demands to return to ‘It Ends With Us’ set. New filings claim co-star Justin Baldoni admitted he didn’t always listen when women said no to advances. pic.twitter.com/mI5FvdEUXe

— The scoop stateside (@ScoopStateside) January 21, 2026

Lively and Baldoni’s legal battle escalated this week as both sides squared off in court over key pretrial issues.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the “Jane the Virgin” star’s legal team pushed back against Lively’s claims that his alleged smear campaign cost her millions and damaged her business ventures, including her beverage brand, Betty Buzz.

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Instead, his lawyers argued that her financial struggles cannot be tied to their client, claiming her brands underperformed due to her own public image rather than any coordinated effort against her. They pointed to past controversies, including backlash over comments she made about Kate Middleton’s Photoshop incident, as examples of moments that may have hurt her reputation.

Unlike other streamers in May, Prime Video is throwing its weight behind its streaming shows.

With the long-awaited return of Citadel debuting early and Nicolas Cage‘s intriguing Spider-Man spinoff, Spider-Noir, closing out the month, Prime Video is embracing its TV division like never before.

Movie lovers shouldn’t fret, though — there’s plenty of films being added in May, with classics like The Jerk starring Steve Martin and guilty pleasures like Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep available to stream.

Watch With Us has curated a full list of the new movies and TV shows streaming on Prime Video in May below.

Related: 17 Best Comedy Shows on Prime Video Right Now (April 2026)

After a few months that were very light on comedy shows to watch, Amazon Prime Video has turned things around in April. The new original series Bait is spoofing the entertainment industry with the notion that Riz Ahmed‘s character could be the next 007. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your […]

May 1

A Shot in the Dark (1965)

Agent Cody Banks (2003)

Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004)

All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

Annie Hall (1977)

Babe (1995)

Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Bad Words (2014)

Battleship (2012)

Be Cool (2005)

Because I Said So (2007)

Beginners (2011)

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Death Wish (2018)

Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Dragonheart (1996)

Get Shorty (1995)

Goodfellas (1990)

Gosford Park (2001)

Gretel & Hansel (2020)

Hang ‘Em High (1968)

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Jeepers Creepers (2001)

Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)

Last Tango In Paris (1973)

Life (1999)

Longshot (2019)

Major Payne (1995)

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Mermaids (1990)

Psycho II (1983)

Retribution (2023)

Ride Along 2 (2016)

Robin Hood (2018)

Rush (2013)

Safe House (2012)

Scarface (1983)

Serenity (2005)

Single Moms Club (2014)

Sneakers (1992)

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Soul Plane (2004)

Species (1995)

Spies in Disguise (2019)

Tank Girl (1995)

The Delta Force (1986)

The Equalizer (2014)

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

The Glass Castle (2017)

The Great Outdoors (1988)

The Jerk (1979)

The Little Rascals (1994)

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

The Pink Panther (1963)

The Pink Panther (2006)

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

Under Siege (1992)

Valley Girl (2020)

Wargames (1983)

May 6

Citadel Season 2 (2026)

May 8

No Place to be Single (2026)

May 13

Off Campus (2026)

May 15

It’s Not Like That (2026)

May 20

Missing (2023)

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War (2026)

May 21

Blink Twice (2024)

The Double (2026)

May 23

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 (2024)

One Battle After Another (2025)

May 27

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

Spider-Noir (2026)

May 6, 13, 20 & 27

Yankees on Prime (2026)

May 8, 15, 22 & 29

NWSL on Prime (2026)

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May 14, 21 & 28

WNBA on Prime (2026)

May 24 & 31

NASCAR on Prime (2026)

Available in May

NBA on Prime (2026)

Prosecutors allege Celeste Rivas Hernandez and D4vd first met in 2022 when she was 11. Their contact later became sexual when she was 13 and he was 18. Though these claims remain part of the ongoing legal case.

Prosecutors Claim D4vd Killed Teen To Silence Her Threats

The entanglement intensified a year later. D4vd performed at Coachella on April 11, 2025, and went viral after a failed backflip attempt that left him faceplanting on stage. A week after that, on April 22, he and Celeste argued in text messages as she expressed jealousy over other women. She had allegedly threatened to expose their relationship, putting his debut album release and tour at risk.

D4vd then allegedly arranged for Celeste to travel from Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence via ride share on April 23, 2025. She reportedly arrived at his home at 10:10 p.m. that night and prosecutors believe she was dead by 10:30 p.m. At that time, he had texted Celeste’s phone asking about her whereabouts. Additionally, at 11:30 p.m., he texted her phone again about her whereabouts before he drove to a remote part of Santa Barbara. Two days after the alleged murder, the singer released his album, ‘Withered.’

All of this comes to light after new details surfaced in a court filing outlining prosecutors’ claims in the murder case involving D4vd. In the document, prosecutors allege that the singer stabbed Celeste, resulting in her death. Then, he attempted to conceal what happened. Investigators noted that certain materials recovered during the investigation, such as a shovel, a plastic pool and a burn cage, were purchased by the singer under an alias in the days and weeks after Celeste’s death.

Stallone, Schmallone.

By David Wharton
| Published 36 seconds ago

Science fiction plays host to some of the toughest characters in all of fiction, so we’ve set out to put together a team of the toughest of that tough bunch.  Think of it like the Avengers, except with more bullets and a heavier focus on fighting aliens.

If you’ve got a job dismantling angry robots or shooting at things in outer space, or you need someone to travel back in time and kill your creepy Uncle before he’s born, we’ve got the ultimate team to do it.

These are the most unstoppable, gritty, hard-as-nails characters in all of science fiction. On their own, each is fully capable of saving the universe. Together, we suspect they’d literally be able to do anything.

Sarah Connor from Terminator

When you first met Sarah Connor, she was a meek, mild-mannered waitress just sort of floating aimlessly through her life. Encounters with a vicious, single-minded cyborg from the future, sent back to hunt you down so your son is never born, have a way of changing that.

Over the course of the first two movies in the Terminator movies, Sarah transforms into a serious action star, teaching herself all manner of combat and survival skills, actively seeking out any and all knowledge that might help her in her one-woman war against Cyberdyne Systems and a future ruled by human-hunting machines. Basically, she’s a perfect addition to your team of mercs and will always be working to improve her already ample skill set and add to the team.

Judge Dredd from Dredd (Not Judge Dredd)

Judge Dredd has been enforcing the law for nearly 40 years’ worth of adventures. But he doesn’t strike us as the sort who’s looking to settle into his golden years quietly, so why not retire from the Judges and join a hard-assed mercenary crew like the one we’re assembling?

In the sprawling post-apocalyptic metropolis of Mega-City One, the Judges are judge, jury, and executioner. Judge Dredd is more than just another cop: he was actually cloned from the DNA of the very first Chief Judge, the man who founded the Judge system.

While Dredd has license to kill if the crime calls for it, he’s no mindless terminator, so you won’t get a bullet in the dome unless you deserve it. He’s got extensive experience in criminal investigation, combat, and the ability to read people that only several decades on the beat can grant you. He could also come in handy if your team of Sci-Fi tough guys runs afoul of law enforcement.

Dutch from Predator

Screw Stallone, this is the kind of guy you want at the helm if you’re staging a small-scale black ops incursion into a hostile country. Not only is a pinpoint tactician with a stellar resume a mile and a half long, but he can also arm wrestle the hell out of a jacked-up Carl Weathers.

He’s also got the stones to strip half naked, smear mud all over his well-developed physique, and go hand-to-hand with a vicious alien hunter. You need that type of leadership. When Dutch bellows, “Get to the choppah,” you know you damn well better get your ass to that helicopter, post haste

AEon Flux from AEon Flux

Created by Peter Chung for MTV’s Liquid Television, Æon Flux wasn’t initially as narratively driven as the other TV series and movies mentioned in this feature. But the assassin’s world opened up during its third season, and viewers got to get inside her head a little more.

Though Charlize Theron is a wonderful and talented actress, nobody in their right mind is thinking of her take on the role in Karyn Kusama’s unnecessary 2005 feature. Is “looking fabulous in leather” a skill?

Beyond her fetishistic fashion sense and motivations, Æon is a vision of agility and weaponized precision, and one that isn’t averse to getting the job done in a wordless fashion. In the war between the forces of Monica and Bregna, Æon has taken on tasks that required skills in stealth maneuvers, science, close combat, and a host of other situation-specific talents. Plus, she probably isn’t afraid of dying, since she’s done it so many times already.

Cpl. Dwayne Hicks from Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is a classic example of that old adage that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy. For all their chest-pounding machismo and advanced weaponry, most of the Colonial Marines get massacred almost immediately by a hissing, acid-blooded alien army that picks them off like they were green recruits.

Thankfully, Hicks survives that first bloodbath and is on hand to help the survivors regroup. He’s a combat veteran, a solid tactician, but also not so choked with testosterone that he always assumes he’s the smartest guy in the room. He’s sharp enough to realize that Ripley is the only person known to have survived an encounter with the xenomorphs, so if she says to nuke the place from orbit, you’d damn well better nuke the place from orbit.

In a crew packing all manner of cutting-edge weapons technology, Hicks is the only one smart enough to carry a simple, old-school classic as backup: a shotgun he keeps handy “for close encounters.” There’s a reason Hicks is the only Marine who got off that bug-infested rock alive (and we’ll just ignore that whole Alien 3 thing).

James T. Kirk from Iowa

Captain James Tiberius Kirk may not be the biggest or the strongest or in the best of shape, but this is a man you will follow into hell. You just might have to.

Cool under pressure, able to make the hard calls when the situation dictates, and more than willing to swap saliva with any sexy ladies he comes across, Kirk is absolutely, 100% The Man, and when you get into trouble professionally, you need someone like that, male or female, who can get you out of a tough scrape now and again.

Sure, he’ll likely get you into a few as well, but assuming you make it out alive, you always wind up with one hell of a story to tell in the process. Not to mention he’s been in command of an actual spaceship, and how cool is that?

Turanga Leela from Futurama

When it comes to putting up with a big group of dudes who rarely know what they’re doing, Futurama’s Turanga Leela is licensed and certified. As captain of the Planet Express, Leela has an eye on success and is often the only one who reaches it purposefully, while Fry and the others tend to achieve their happy endings through bumbling coincidence and blind luck. She mixes brains and brawn in such a way that it totally isn’t embarrassing to have a crush on her, right?

Not only can she pilot a ship into and out of any situation in the universe, but she’s also pretty handy with the hand-to-hand combat. (Or, in her case, the boot-to-face combat.) Due to her monocular appearance and quasi-orphaned upbringing, Leela has turned low self-esteem into an ass-kicking fuel that makes her a necessity on any mission, space-faring or otherwise. She’s no stranger to behind-the-scenes romance, and I’m thinking she may find a like-eyed soul in Snake Plissken.

Guy Pearce from Lockout

Sure, Pearce’s character has an actual name in Lockout, but “Marion Snow” doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of bad guys. No matter, because his personality and ability to bust skulls in outer space make him as memorable as any action hero.

In the movie, he’s sent to rescue the President’s daughter from an orbiting maximum security prison where inmates are running amok, which is clearly the only item anyone’s resume needs in order to get them into a superteam. As a former government agent, Snow already has a good grip on how to go about getting things done in an official capacity, so he’s able to gauge the enemy’s tactics better than most.

As evidenced several times in Lockout, Snow can take a punch like nobody’s business, and since he hates heights, he’s the guy getting things done on the ground, where punches are more likely to be thrown. By far his biggest talent is slinging out Luc Besson-written quips and verbal jabs as if he’d been speaking them since birth. I mean, people love him. Just ask your wife.

Cameron from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

On a team full of obvious heavy hitters, it’s nice to have somebody around that the opposing team will constantly underestimate. Enter Cameron, by all appearances a harmless and tiny teenage girl who couldn’t possibly be a threat to OH HOLY HELL SHE JUST PUNCHED THAT GUY’S SPINE OUT HIS BACK.

Unless she’s already been through a firefight and scraped off a bunch of her organic covering, nobody’s going to see Cameron coming, meaning she’s perfect for a bit of undercover snooping around or just catching the bag guys with their pants down (literally or figuratively, depending on what mission parameters you program into her). She’s got all the advantages of Arnie’s T-800 but with the added element of surprise, and she absolutely will not stop, ever, until her target is dead.

Snake Plissken from Escape From

In addition to being one of the most badass characters in movie history (come on, he has an eye patch and his name is Snake), he’s also hugely improvisational. During his escapes from both New York and Los Angeles, he takes what comes and rolls with the proverbial punches, constantly adjusting and adapting as the scenario changes.

You need a guy to put together a solid plan, but you also need to know you have people who can handle themselves when that plan takes a huge shit all over the place. Snake is at his best when he has to think on his feet, ad-lib, and come up with creative ways out of trouble. He can also land a glider on top of a building and surf down a drainage ditch while high-fiving Peter Fonda. Those are invaluable skills that are bound to come in handy with a crew of mercenaries.

If he has any weaknesses, it has to be his depth perception, what with the eye patch and all. Still, he’s not a half-bad basketball player, and only having one eye doesn’t seem to have much of an impact on his jump shot.

Richard B. Riddick from Pitch Black

We’ve got several soldiers and other military types on this list, not to mention a couple of cops and even some starship captains. But sometimes you need somebody a bit less respectable. Sometimes you need a guy who is, above all, a survivor.

Richard B. Riddick is an escaped convict and a hardened murderer, but he’s also an alpha predator with a knack for surviving, no matter what. Is the crew stranded on a hostile alien world filled with vicious, hungry creatures? Listen to what Riddick has to say, and there’s a good chance you might make it out with your ass intact.

His ability to see in utter darkness is an unquestionably valuable asset, but he’s also one hell of an escape artist, having busted out of some of the worst slams in the cosmos. Team gets locked up? Riddick will be the man with the plan to fix that problem. Or maybe you need some information from a source who is inconveniently incarcerated? Send Riddick in and give him a few days. Not only will he be back with what you need, but there’s also a good chance the prison will have mysteriously burned to the ground as he was leaving. Just don’t try to double-cross him.

Ellen Ripley from Alien

When you’ve faced down armor-plated alien killing machines as many times as Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) has, there isn’t much left out there to scare you. If there is something worse than that, it’s worth being cautious around. And if you can find someone willing to strap into a power loader and go hand-to-hand with an alien queen, not to mention calling her a bitch in the process, that’s an individual you need to add to your team of badass mercenaries as soon as possible.

Xenomorphs are nothing to trifle with, and once you’ve tussled with a few of them and lived to tell the tale, there’s not much else to say. Hell, even Ripley’s clones are tough as hell. Maybe you can make an entire team out of them, and you won’t even have to keep looking

Mad Max Rockatansky from Mad Max

Every team needs a wheelman, and there are few better out there than Max Rockatansky. Tooling around the post-apocalyptic wastes in his jerry-rigged battlewagon has given him the practical know-how when it comes to dealing with, avoiding, and “taking care of” any hostile drivers your team may encounter on the roadways.

Given the fact that he’s generally working in harsh, adverse conditions for motor maintenance, and that spare parts aren’t exactly available at every corner store, this is a man with the ability to bring just about any motor out there back to life, under any circumstances, no matter how dead you think it might be. That is a particularly useful bit of knowledge when you need to get the hell out of Dodge in short order. Sure, you might be able to hear him coming with that creaky knee, or the rumbling thunder of his engines, but he also brings a badass dog to the party, and what’s a party without a dog

RoboCop from Detroit

Stations in life don’t get much more radical than “living conscience inside the circuitry of a bulked-up robot authority figure.” Police officer Alex Murphy wasn’t necessarily a pillar of his community before coming to his uncertain doom, but he became something else entirely when he was outfitted with the gun-filled RoboCop exterior.

He’s been making criminals come with him dead or alive for decades now, and he’ll continue for at least another few, or until he’s completely eradicated crime. RoboCop has a heightened sense of objective moralism, with his own point of view taking a backseat to the black-and-white politics of Detroit police. Plus, there’s that whole “deadeye accuracy” and “bulletproof exoskeleton” and “the Internet inside his helmet” and all. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to make every character on this list a RoboCop? Somebody start funding that project.

Han Solo

We’ve already got a couple of ship captains on this list, but with apologies to Kirk and Leela, the Enterprise isn’t exactly subtle and the Planet Express doesn’t have the best of track records. If you need a ship that’s fast and maneuverable, with a captain who knows how to stay under the radar, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than Han and the Millennium Falcon.

As an experienced smuggler, Han knows his way around most of the galaxy’s wretched hives of scum and villainy. He may not be the most effective fighter in the bunch, but he makes up for it by being a charming sonovabitch, so he can talk his way out of a rough situation a good portion of the time. This is a guy who managed to stay ahead of a bounty from one of the galaxy’s most notorious crime bosses, after all, and he probably could have done so indefinitely if Lando hadn’t thrown him under the bus. Added bonus: wherever Han goes, so also goes Chewie. (Note: if you can’t find Han, call Captain Malcolm Reynolds or Peter “Star-Lord” Quill, in that order.)

Aeryn Sun

I went back and forth about whether to give this slot to Leia from Star Wars or not, but in the end, I simply think Aeryn is a better pick. Leia was unquestionably a badass, but she was also raised in the lap of luxury. As a Peacekeeper, Aeryn has been trained and honed into a perfect soldier since she was a child.

Thanks to accidentally becoming “irreversibly contaminated,” she lost everything she’d ever known and had to build a new life. Not only did she succeed, but she also helped make the crew of Moya into the stuff of legend across the Uncharted Territories.

In Farscape’s comic book spinoffs, Sun went even further, eventually becoming the leader of the Peacekeepers as a whole. The other women on this list can no doubt hold their own in a fight, but Sun has commanded armies and faced off against overwhelming odds with little more than a scrappy crew of escaped prisoners at her back.

India Love has been in the spotlight for many years, first gaining attention in her teenage years before growing into an entrepreneur. Now, at 30, she has taken moments to reflect and share things she wishes she had done differently. While discussing Rakai, the rising streamer, India offered him advice after watching his recent boarding school stream. Her advice not only sparked debate across the internet, but a tense back and forth with him. 

RELATED: India Love Speaks Out After Being Escorted Out Of 2025 Streamer Awards For Saying Rakai & DDG Deserved Breakout Award (VIDEOS)

India Love Expresses Her Disappointment In Rakai After His Stream

India Love hopped on Twitch to discuss Rakai’s boarding school stream after clips from the broadcast circulated online. She said she was disappointed by how he and his friends spoke to girls and teachers.

She stated, “When you’re someone of influence, you gotta understand your role in life and take that influence serious. People probably watch Rakai and think it’s okay to talk to their peers, girls like that, and teachers like that.”

India acknowledged Rakai is still young and that his personality plays a role in his content. However, she said his platform requires greater responsibility, especially when setting an example for the younger generation.

Rakai Claps Back As He Responds To India Love’s Advice

Rakai got wind of India Love’s advice while on stream with Deshae Frost. While reacting to the clip, he referred to India as a “BBL demon. Then, Deshae quickly covered his mouth to stop himself from saying anything more disrespectful.

Rakai later called India so he could better understand her point of view. During the call, he explained that the boarding school stream was just content. The steamer added that he did not believe he or his friends were being disrespectful.

India pointed to one specific clip where Rakai and his friend questioned whether a young woman was a man. She reminded him that regardless of whether it was content, he has major influence. India said there is a balance between making content and carrying yourself properly as an influencer.

Once the phone call ended, Rakai had a few more thoughts to get off his chest. He reacted to a clip of India Love speaking at the 2025 Streamer Awards. In the clip, India said she felt Rakai or DDG should have won Breakout Streamer. 

Rakai questioned her comments and responded, “Is this the influencer right there?” He added, “Did I go on the internet and say, ‘OMG India Love, you have a lot of influence?’ Why would did u do that? No, I minded my business.”

After seeing his response, India said he is entitled to how he feels following the criticism. However, she stood on what she said and emphasized that people should be treated with respect. She added that authority figures should be respected, content or not.

SEE ALL THE RELATED VIDEOS IN POST BELOW. 

Social Media Debates On The Influencers’ Exchange 

Folks gathered under The Shade Room Teens reacting to clips from the exchange between India Love and Rakai. Many agreed with India, saying streamers heavily influence how people interact today. Others argued Rakai is still young and still learning publicly. Some also brought up India’s own controversial moments while debating whether she was the right person to give advice.

Instagram user wrote @_jayjaysbizarreadventure_ wrote. “I’m glad somebody saying something he gon get his ssa handed to him one day and “it’s just content” is not gonna fly.”

Instagram user @sevunnseen added. “He still missing the principles but he not no • kid no mo…she jst looking out for him”

While Instagram user @_livelifebegreat wrote, “She could’ve sent him a little private message. These internet people turn everything into content”

Instagram user @_juelz wrote, “rakai dgaf bout nun  😂😂”

Instagram user @prettygirlaesthetic_ added, “ Do we need to pull up yo clips India???😭😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @ynwmiless wrote  “Right message WRONG messenger”

Instagram user wrote @bby_nay_ wrote. “Mind you she was the same one acting out on DDG show talking to them crazy for content”

Instagram user @yendeare added. “yall keep saying wrong messenger but.. who else gone speak abt it? nobody exactly. stsu“

While Instagram user @dear_mica_  wrote, “Just because someone did things in their pass doesn’t mean she can’t change and can’t influence others to change either”

Young Woman From Rakai’s Stream Speaks Out On Negative Online Comments

The young lady, Swesheroll, took to her stream to address the negative comments she received following Rakai’s recent boarding school stream. Swesheroll also teared up on stream while reacting to the backlash. She agreed with India Love and felt the comments questioning her appearance and calling her a man could’ve been handled better.

She stated, “It has been prolonged for days now. No one has said that it’s not a man. That’s not to straight up blame Rakai, but to be very clear, something could’ve been done by now.”

RELATED: Too Far? Social Media Pops Off After Rakai & Tylil James Unveil Connected Hairstyle (VIDEOS)

There have certainly been better times in history than right now to be a James Bond fan. It’s now been five years since the release of the last 007 movie, No Time to Die, which served as the perfect send-off for Daniel Craig’s version of the character. Craig spent the better part of 20 years playing Bond after he made his debut in Casino Royale in 2006, taking over the role from Pierce Brosnan, who famously starred in a series of more gadget-forward Bond films in the 90s. Amazon has since acquired the James Bond property and confirmed that it’s developing a new movie, but little is known about the project at this time. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is directing with a script from Peaky Blinders scribe Steven Knight, but casting for the new 007 adventure has not yet been announced.

Just because Amazon’s James Bond film is moving forward more slowly than some would hope, though, doesn’t mean that 007 fans still have things to be excited about. IO Interactive has spent years developing a new James Bond game, and after multiple delays, 007 First Light is finally set to be released later this month, on May 27. The game stars Dexter: Original Sin‘s Patrick Gibson as the new MI6 agent. Just a few weeks ago, the studio released the final gameplay trailer for the new release, which confirmed that players will have multiple ways to tackle new levels. This means players can choose whether to take a more stealthy approach to Bond’s objectives or load up with weapons and gadgets and meet their threat head-on. First reactions for 007 First Light surfaced online yesterday, and the game is already being hailed as “phenomenal” and a massive contender for Game of the Year.

What Is the Highest-Grossing James Bond Movie?

Skyfall, the 2012 film headlined by Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem, is the highest-grossing James Bond movie in history. The film grossed over $1.1 billion at the global box office, against a $200 million budget, and remains the only Bond film in history to reach the $1 billion mark. The 2015 James Bond film (Spectre), which followed Skyfall, was also a massive success at the box office, grossing nearly $900 million. Craig’s final outing as James Bond (No Time to Die), which also earned scores of 83% from critics and 88% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, grossed $774 million globally against a $250 million production cost.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of 007 First Light, the new James Bond game releasing later this month on May 27.

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Release Date

October 8, 2021

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Runtime

163 Minutes

Director

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Cary Joji Fukunaga

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 11 seconds ago

When I was college-age, Adult Swim dominated my media consumption habits, and I learned one very important thing about storytelling: short runtimes lead to urgency, and urgency leads to incredibly tight narrative structures. These days, we all look down our noses at short-form content because it’s seen as a sign of a short attention span or lacking intelligence, but I’d argue the opposite. There’s an obvious distinction between the short-form brainrot you find on TikTok and a TV series that boasts an 11 to 15 minute runtime.

The former is for people who can’t carry a conversation without pulling out their phone or glazing over when you get into the nitty gritty. The latter is a masterclass in establishing conflict, building backstory, escalating stakes, and landing a conclusion in a startlingly short amount of time.

Most series on Adult Swim boast an 11-minute runtime, with the remainder of their 15-minute slots going to ads. Even most children’s shows that fill a 30-minute block are split into two episodes that run about 11 minutes each. They share one key rule: not a single minute can be wasted because every second counts.

Metalocalypse Is The Definitive Case Study

One of my favorite shows of all time is Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse. I’m not here to talk about the feature-length entries, The Doomstar Requiem, or Army of the Doomstar, because those operate on a different wavelength and tie up a ton of narrative loose ends for the series. They work brilliantly as movies, and I’ve never questioned the runtime there.

The series itself is fascinating when it shifts from Season 2 to Season 3, expanding from an 11-minute runtime to a 22-minute one. Metalocalypse has deep lore, a sprawling cast with conflicting motives, global stakes, and plenty of side quests. Every episode from Seasons 1 and 2 tells you within the first couple minutes exactly what’s at stake, who the key players are, what they’re about to get into, and how insane it’s about to get.

Season 1’s “Religionklok” is a perfect example of instant escalation pushed to absurdity. The show thrives on strong characterization, and once the premiere gets introductions out of the way, you already know who everyone is. In this episode, the Dethklok boys gets hammered at a bar, recklessly drive home in their five-seat Murdercycle, Murderface gets thrown from the vehicle, is severely injured, and decides he needs religion.

This all happens within three minutes. Faster, if you skip the theme song. At that point, you know Murderface is the episode’s protagonist, and he’s spiraling after a near-death experience. From there, the episode just lets you watch him try to understand religion, which quickly unravels once he realizes it’s all the same, and all painfully boring.

When Season 3 bumps episodes up to 22 minutes, the format shifts into something closer to a traditional sitcom. The problem is the writers got so good at escalating quickly that they didn’t seem to know what to do with the extra space, and the pacing suffers.

In Season 3’s “Tributeklok,” Dethklok lifts their global ban on tribute bands, and the premise is solid. Toki, the rhythm guitarist, is secretly posing as Skwisgaar, the lead guitarist, in a tribute band called Thunderhorse. It’s funny on paper, but it doesn’t justify a 22-minute episode. The characterization is still there, but the immediacy is gone because scenes stretch to fill time instead of driving momentum.

There are some great gags, like the band infiltrating the tribute scene and living as working-class musicians instead of megastars. As they burn themselves out physically and mentally, they start acting erratic from exhaustion and starvation. The problem is those gags get repeated too many times. There are only so many variations before the joke wears thin. Instead of getting in and out in 11 minutes, we sit through 22 minutes padded with material that feels contractually necessary rather than creatively sharp.

I still love the episodes from this era. Even the longer episodes are packed with band humor and music industry satire that I’ll always apprecaite. But Season 3 feels bloated, and I’m not alone in thinking that. It’s hard to come up with another reason why the show reverted back to its 11-minute runtime for its fourth and final season.

A Short Runtime Is Baptism By Fire

Think of short runtimes like an elevator pitch. You need to convince someone, immediately, why this thing is funny, valid, and worth their time. If you don’t hook them before the doors open and you go your separate ways, you’ve missed your shot. Metalocalypse, along with most of Adult Swim’s lineup, operates with this level of urgency. The writing has to be sharper, bolder, more immediate, and constantly escalating. It’s so fast, intentional, and hyper-detailed, that if you blink, you miss something important.

There’s another upside. If you only watch a couple hours of TV a day, you can fit in twice as much programming. It’s the same deal as watching Rugrats or The Angry Beavers as a kid, where every block gave you two episodes instead of one.

If you really want to figure out which new shows can survive in today’s hyper-competitive streaming landscape, cut the runtime in half and see what still works. The ones that do are the ones worth renewing.

Mikayla Matthews is taking the next big step in her healing journey while also opening the door for someone facing similar health struggles to join her.

Fans of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star know the health struggles she’s been going through for years and have watched her journey unfold on social media and on the Hulu reality show. In a recently shared TikTok video, Matthews explains what her next step in healing will be and why she feels it’s important to take someone along with her on this leg of the journey.

Matthews has been sharing her health struggles for some time now but recently gave an update in a TikTok video.

About a week ago, Matthews shared that she just got back to Utah after being away for about a month. She said she was “terrified” to go back home since her “flares” weren’t as bad outside of Utah.

“Within two days of coming home, my hands flared up really bad, my neck flared up really bad,” she said. “I’m sitting here truly feeling like I’m here in Utah in this environment, I am just surviving with chronic illness, where when I was in Costa Rica, when I was in California, I’m living with chronic illness.”

Many fans dropped into the comment section to share words of encouragement and suggest she leaves Utah, and it appears she took that advice.

The ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Left Utah For Her Health

In a follow up video, fans got to hear the news they’ve been hoping for – Matthews is leaving Utah temporarily to help move her health journey into the right direction.

“It’s finally time to tell you guys where I’m moving away. We’re going to Hawaii,” she said in her TikTok video. She shared her POV of traveling solo with two young children, showing just how long it took for her to get from Utah to Hawaii and all the fun in between.

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“Sorry did you travel by yourself with a baby AND a toddler?! Mom of the freaking year award girl,” one viewer shared in the comments. Another added, “By the end of the video I was smiling so big for you! You handled this so well!”

‘I Have Been Wanting To Do This For A Very Long Time’

In a more recently shared video on social media, Matthews shares more about her healing journey and how she wants to help someone else going through something similar. After explaining that she’s tried to make this video multiple times and “cried every time,” she jumped right into what’s on her mind.

“This itself has been a very intense, traumatic experience. Feel like there’s a reason I’m going through this, and I think every single day how grateful I am to be in the position that I’m in,” she said. “Cannot imagine not being in a place financially that I’m in right now or having the support that I have and having to go through this alone.”

The MomTok member shared that she’s had access to “some of the top doctors” and has received many treatments for free, something she said she doesn’t feel she deserves “because of the position that I’m in,” adding that it makes her feel “horrible” for people going through the same thing while worrying about the cost.

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Mikayla Matthews Is Taking Detox Retreat Nominations

Matthews said that she’s planning to visit Switzerland to do a detox retreat and she would like to bring someone with her who’s also struggling.

“It would just make me so happy to take one of you guys with me who also are dealing with chronic illness,” she said. “Pay for your flight, pay for your treatment at the detox center that I’m going to. So if you or anyone you know will benefit from this, I’m going to leave a link in my bio for you.”

The link brings you to a page where the description reads, “I’m looking to bring one person from my community with me to a 5-7 day wellness/detox retreat in Europe. We’re currently finalizing details, but it will likely take place in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria. It will take place the first or second week of June 2026.”

The description continues explaining that this is a chance for someone “navigating chronic health challenges, skin issues, mold/toxin-related illness, gut issues, autoimmune symptoms, or other ongoing wellness struggles” to take their health journey to a new chapter.

Many viewers dropped into the comment section to share kind words for Matthews, as well as to share their own stories.

“Now THIS is a giveaway. Thank you for seeing ALL of us. You’re truly an angel and your honesty and transparency is the biggest gift. As an endometriosis girlie this hit home,” one person wrote.

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Another said, “Unfortunately for most of us that struggle with chronic health issues our health gets put on the back burner because life, bills, groceries, kids all the things come first.”

One other viewer wrote, “This is what an influencer is!! Using your platform, spreading awareness, showing real empathy and giving back to people who are less fortunate… You are an angel.”

Grind and glow! BURN founder Maria Chase is redefining the workout experience by merging high-intensity training with skincare-focused technology in a 45-minute session that leaves you sweaty and radiant.

Her infrared-heated classes, enhanced with LED/NIR light therapy, have become a go-to for celebs like Sofia Richie, Kate Hudson, and Adriana Lima, all seeking that post-workout glow in more ways than one.

“As biohacking, technology, and recovery awareness have come to the forefront, it became clear to me that combining them into one experience would be both efficient and effective,” Chase tells ET.

“I think of it as biostacking, or blending a workout with longevity-focused modalities like infrared heat and medical grade light therapy to amplify results.”

That layered approach carries into the classes themselves, where each format is built around high-intensity, low-impact exercises with minimal cardio, and room for modifications.

“BURN45 is our foundational class, where we work through the entire body to build lean muscle and burn fat using heavier weights,” Chase explains.

“ISOBURN is on the other end of the spectrum. We focus on targeting tiny accessory muscles to support the larger muscles underneath,” she continues.

And for those looking for a more traditional lift, the workout pro teamed up with David Charvet and his son, Shaya, to launch BUILD, a heavier, fundamentals-driven strength style option.

“It’s rooted in weight training and feels like somewhere in between a personal training session and a group class.”

But the real glow-up at BURN happens well beyond the weights.

“Our studios have Class II medical-grade red and blue lights that penetrate through skin, connective tissue, muscle, bone, and organs for cellular regeneration. The light frequencies also target the superficial layers of the skin to help with tightening and issues like discoloration, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne,” she says.

This means you’re not only working out; you’re working on your skin too. Because of that, Chase has one unexpected rule: come bare faced.

“I always remind clients not to wear sunscreen in class because it can block the red light from penetrating into the skin. Instead, I keep it simple with a hyaluronic acid spray and light water-based moisturizer,” the trainer shares.

Add in the sauna-like atmosphere, and the results go even deeper.

“The detoxification from infrared heat is significantly higher than traditional heat. It’s gentle, but incredibly effective for flushing out toxins and reducing water retention,” the fitness pro explains. “Plus, it warms the body from the inside out, which improves flexibility and helps prevent injuries.”

Still, Chase’s self-care philosophy extends far beyond the studio doors.

“I believe in a holistic approach to wellness and that starts with the mind and soul. I don’t get much time off, so when I do, I really value rest. Unplugging is a luxury.”

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