The Hugo and Nebula awards are the leading prizes for fantasy and sci-fi writing. The former dates back to 1953 and the latter to 1966, meaning that many of the genres’ classics have taken home one of these prizes and, occasionally, both. While quite a few sci-fi novels have claimed both awards, only a handful of fantasy books have.

The titles below are all great in different ways, from the emotional coming-of-age storytelling of Among Others to the immersive world-building of The Stone Sky. Fantasy fans are bound to find something to enjoy among them.

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‘Among Others’ (2012)

“I read, and therefore I was not alone.” This book presents itself as the diary of teenager Mori Phelps. Following the death of her twin sister, Mori is sent to live with relatives she barely knows while trying to escape her manipulative, possibly magical mother. Isolated at boarding school, she searches for belonging by reading sci-fi and fantasy books. All the while, she navigates a world where fairies and magic may be just as real as her grief.

Author Jo Walton masterfully blurs the line between fantasy and psychological realism. Among Others is thoughtful and intelligent, with a lot to say about growing up and dealing with loss. It gets pretty dark at times, delving into themes of illness, abuse, and even evil. At the same time, the book is very much a tribute to sci-fi and fantasy literature itself, referencing countless classics and emphasizing the power of imagination.

3

‘Paladin of Souls’ (2004)

“Sometimes the gods answer in ways no one expects.” Paladin of Souls centers on Ista dy Chalion, a middle-aged widow (and mother of the current ruler) whose family believes she has spent years suffering from madness. Determined to reclaim control over her own life, she leaves behind the expectations placed upon her and embarks upon a journey that unexpectedly draws her back into the affairs of gods, demons, and kingdoms.

While many classic fantasy elements are at play here, the book treats them with more depth than usual. The character development is especially rich. For instance, rather than being a stereotypical heroine, Ista is a three-dimensional woman burdened by regret and responsibility. She changes a lot over the course of the story. Her rediscovery of her confidence and sense of purpose is relatable and resonates.

2

‘The Stone Sky’ (2018)

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“The world is already ending. The question is who survives.” The Stone Sky is the final entry in N.K. Jemisin‘s acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy, which takes place on a supercontinent wracked by destructive geological activity. In this volatile world, protagonist Essun, her daughter Nassun, and the mysterious Stone Eaters move toward a cataclysmic final confrontation. Its outcome will determine not only the fate of their world but also the future relationship between humanity and the immense powers that have shaped civilization for millennia.

The world-building in this series is fantastic, with the constant environmental catastrophes woven directly into the setting’s mythology, politics, and magic system. That said, Jemisin makes sure to keep the characters front and center as well, even as grand plotlines reach their crescendos. Not for nothing, every book in this trilogy took home the Hugo Award.

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‘American Gods’ (2002)

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“People believe, and so things are.” One of the most influential fantasy books of the 2000s, American Gods introduces us to Shadow Moon, an ex-con who accepts a mysterious job working for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday. Soon, Shadow discovers that America has become the battleground for a looming conflict between the fading deities of old mythology and the powerful new gods born from modern obsessions like media and technology.

Along the way, the book confidently blends Norse mythology, African folklore, Slavic legends, Native American traditions, and countless other belief systems into a uniquely American road novel. It includes leprechauns, ifrits, spidery tricksters, World Trees, sacrifice, godly battles, and very weird sex scenes. All in all, American Gods is endlessly entertaining, but also full of real food for thought, with a lot to say about the power of belief.

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American Gods

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Release Date

2017 – 2021-00-00

Directors

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David Slade

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Glenn Close belongs to that rare group of actors whose name still feels serious before the movie even starts. A whole generation knows her through prestige drama, awards conversations, theater roots, and the kind of screen intensity that can make even a quiet line feel dangerous. Younger viewers may know the reputation first and the films later, but once you actually go through the work, the reputation makes sense fast.

These four films show why Close became such a towering name in American movies. They are romantic, messy, seductive, ugly, funny, tragic, and deeply human in completely different ways. This is a reminder that Close could enter whichever theme and still leave a mark that still feels alive decades later. Scroll down slowly now if you’re locked in.

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‘The Natural’ (1984)

Image via TriStar

The Natural is a baseball fable first, full of mythic lighting, impossible talent, broken dreams, and that almost religious belief in the sound of a bat meeting a ball. Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is the man at the center, a gifted player whose life is derailed before he gets a late chance at glory. Iris Gaines (Glenn Close) then shows up, the woman connected to the innocence and hope Roy lost along the way.

Iris could have disappeared inside the film’s golden nostalgia, but that never happens. She becomes the emotional reminder of the life Roy might have had before fame, corruption, and regret started crowding him. Iris has this calm sadness that fits the movie’s fairy-tale quality without making her feel unreal. Her presence in the stands, especially as Roy tries to reclaim himself, gives the film a clean emotional charge. It’s not the best but it counts.

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‘The Big Chill’ (1983)

Image via Columbia Pictures

The Big Chill follows a group of old college friends who reunite after the suicide of Alex (Kevin Costner), the one person whose absence forces everyone to look at who they became. Sarah Cooper (Glenn Close) is married to Harold Cooper (Kevin Kline) and quietly carrying the grief that opens the film. This is an ensemble movie, so nobody owns the whole thing, but Close understands the exact tone required: adult sadness mixed with old affection, sexual history, disappointment, music, and the weird comfort of people who once knew you better than anyone.

Sarah’s pain never turns into one grand display. It leaks out through conversation, hosting, small looks, and the tension between who these friends were in the 1960s and who they became in the 1980s. Sarah has this warmth without sanding down the hurt. Her bond with the group feels lived-in, especially because the film keeps showing how nostalgia can comfort people and expose them at the same time. The Big Chill remains a classic because its characters feel older than their ideals and younger than their regrets.

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‘Fatal Attraction’ (1987)

Image via Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

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Fatal Attraction became a cultural earthquake because it touched something people were already terrified to talk about: desire outside marriage, male entitlement, female rage, and the consequences of treating another person as a mistake to clean up. Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) has an affair with Alex Forrest (Glenn Close), then tries to retreat back into family life as if the damage can stay neatly contained. Alex refuses to vanish.

The movie has been argued over for decades, and Close is the reason it still feels complicated. Alex does frightening things, of course, but there is heartbreak under the obsession and humiliation under the fury. She is lonely, intelligent, unstable, wounded, and furious at being treated as disposable. That cocktail makes the film harder to shake than a simple thriller about a dangerous woman. Close turns Alex into a nightmare built from real emotional injuries, which is exactly why the movie still gets under the skin. Fatal Attraction is messy, sensational, and unforgettable.

1

‘Dangerous Liaisons’ (1988)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Dangerous Liaisons is pure poison wrapped in silk. The world is aristocratic France before the Revolution, where manners, letters, sex, reputation, and revenge become weapons. Close plays the Marquise de Merteuil, a woman who understands the rules of this society so clearly that she can bend them better than almost anyone around her. Across from Valmont (John Malkovich), she turns cruelty into strategy and elegance into combat.

Merteuil’s every gesture feels controlled and every word has a blade hidden inside it. She has survived a world built to limit women, then learned how to use secrecy, intelligence, and desire as power. That never makes her harmless or heroic. Her games destroy people, and the destruction becomes more brutal because she sees so much more than the people she manipulates. The character is genuinely magnetic, terrifying, witty, wounded, and proud enough to burn everything rather than lose.

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Dangerous Liaisons

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Release Date

December 21, 1988

Runtime

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119 minutes

Writers

Christopher Hampton

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Everyone loves an adventure, and when you combine them with the extraordinary world of science fiction, it is a match made in heaven. Sci-fi adventure movies boast stunning worlds and pair them with great characters to follow along. From going boldly beyond the stars to the unexplored depths of the ocean, the possibilities of these movies are endless. In this list, we take a look at the very best the genre has to offer.

The movies on this list have inspired many audiences and filmmakers. They were successful at the box office, and some even triumphed at the Oscars because they connected with audiences and critics. Others went so far as to revolutionize filmmaking by giving strong foundations that are still influential today. From Earth-bound stories to those in the far reaches of the galaxy, here are the best of the sci-fi adventure movies.

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‘Stargate’ (1994)

Image via MGM

Stargate follows archaeologist Daniel Jackson (James Spader) who joins a military expedition led by Colonel O’Neil (Kurt Russell) to investigate an ancient ring-shaped device capable of opening a portal across the galaxy. When they’re transported to a distant desert planet, they discover a civilization descended from ancient Egyptians who have been ruled for centuries by the alien Ra (Jaye Davidson). Now, they must stop Ra from bringing his terror to Earth.

Stargate was an unexpected success. Despite its uneven script, it has become such an enduring sci-fi adventure because of how effortlessly it combines imaginative world-building with old-fashioned pulp storytelling. The film plays with the notion that aliens have an influence on civilizations on Earth, or a theory widely known as ancient astronauts. It solidified Roland Emmerich as a director capable of tackling big-budget spectacle. While the planned trilogy did not pan out, its rich premise is so compelling that it spawned one of the most beloved science fiction franchises, starting with the ten-season Stargate SG-1.

9

‘Galaxy Quest’ (1999)

Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Galaxy Quest follows the cast of a once-popular science fiction television series, including Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver), Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) and Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub). They usually attend fan conventions and relive their former glory until real aliens recruit the actors to help them fight against a ruthless warlord on their planet, believing the show to be a documentary rather than a piece of fiction.

Galaxy Quest was ahead of its time. It pokes fun at science fiction fandom and TV cliches, as well as actors who go on convention runs and just do it for the money. But most importantly, it also celebrates the passion that fans have for these stories by involving them in the adventure. The great and overqualified cast delivers performances that balance comedy with sincerity, making their characters memorable and lovable. Galaxy Quest could easily fall into parody but actually becomes a genuinely exciting space adventure that feels realistic and close to audiences’ hearts.

8

‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)

Image via Gaumont Buena Vista International

The Fifth Element follows former special forces officer Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), whose routine changes when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a mysterious woman engineered to be the perfect being, crashes into his flying taxi. Together, they embark on a quest to recover four mystical stones capable of stopping an ancient cosmic evil worshiped by eccentric industrialist Zorg (Gary Oldman) from annihilating all life.

The Fifth Element is filled with vibrance, creating a futuristic world bursting with personality, colorful production design, and unforgettable characters. These days, many science fiction films may lean toward gritty realism, but The Fifth Element embraces fun unapologetically. Bruce Willis delivers a charismatic everyman hero, while Milla Jovovich gives Leeloo an innocence and strength that anchor the film emotionally. Many sci-fi films tried to replicate the success, but their failure just proved that this film is a lightning in a bottle.

7

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

Image via Marvel Studios

Guardians of the Galaxy follows Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) after he steals an orb that turns out to be an Infinity Stone sought by Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace). Quill then forms an uneasy alliance with Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel) to stop Ronan from destroying the galaxy.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were not a household superhero team by Marvel standards, but maybe the underdog quality of it all helped. The film balances the adventure with humor and heart even though it’s filled with bizarre aliens and otherworldly adventure that is so different from Earth-bound stories like Iron Man or The Avengers. The film’s greatest strength is its strong characters, played by a solid ensemble cast. Combined with its iconic soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy transformed an obscure comic book team into some of the MCU’s most beloved heroes. Its success is followed by two sequels as well as the team’s pivotal roles in the mammoth successes of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

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‘Star Trek’ (2009)

Image via Paramount Pictures

J. J. Abrams‘ Star Trek reboot reintroduces the iconic crew of the USS Enterprise by exploring the early years of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). Onboard the starship, they clash constantly due to their different principles. When the Romulan commander Nero (Eric Bana) travels through a rift in time and threatens the Federation, Spock and Kirk must form an unlikely partnership and stop a catastrophe that could alter history.

Rather than simply rebooting the franchise, Star Trek cleverly creates an alternate timeline that respects decades of established continuity while giving itself the freedom to tell new stories. Abrams captures the optimism and sense of exploration that have defined decades of Star Trek, while injecting the series with blockbuster energy that appeals to newcomers without alienating longtime fans. The chemistry between the ensemble cast is electric, and audiences can easily fall in love with the new iterations of the characters. With all its flair and lens flares, Star Trek successfully reinvigorated the franchise for the new generation. The franchise is currently flourishing on the TV side, with multiple titles ongoing.

5

‘Total Recall’ (1990)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Total Recall stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, a construction worker haunted by dreams of Mars. After visiting Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories of dream vacations, Quaid begins to question whether his entire life has been fabricated. He is suddenly pursued by assassins and government agents, and he travels to Mars in search of the truth and faces off against the planet’s dictator.

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Total Recall brings together thought-provoking sci-fi with explosive action. The practical effects and violent action elevate the thrills, and Quaid constantly questioning of his reality makes it thoroughly interesting. As the desperate and discombobulated Quaid, Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers one of his best performances. Even with its memorable one-liners and larger-than-life spectacle, Total Recall remains intellectually engaging, making it one of the rare sci-fi adventures that succeeds equally as an adrenaline rush and as a philosophical puzzle.

4

‘The Abyss’ (1989)

Image via 20th Century Studios

The Abyss follows a deep-sea drilling crew recruited by the U.S. Navy after an American nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks in the Caribbean. Led by foreman Virgil “Bud” Brigman (Ed Harris), the crew dives thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface alongside a team of Navy SEALs to investigate the wreck. There, they encounter an intelligent alien species living in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Although it’s often overshadowed by James Cameron‘s other blockbusters, The Abyss remains one of the most ambitious sci-fi adventures ever made. It marked the first time Cameron put his passion for underwater exploration in his movie, and he combines it with a riveting sci-fi story that makes the deep feel as mysterious as outer space. The film boasts groundbreaking visual effects, particularly the famous water tentacle sequence. Cameron’s name may be synonymous with Titanic, Terminator and Avatar these days, but The Abyss stands as one of his best accomplishments.

3

‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Planet of the Apes follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston), who crash-lands on an uncharted planet after a long journey through space. As he explores the planet, Taylor discovers a civilization where intelligent apes rule over primitive humans, who are treated as mute animals. Taylor is then captured and studied by ape scientists, while trying to prove his intelligence to them.

Planet of the Apes is one of the longest-enduring Hollywood franchises, and its success goes back to this original film. It is one of the greatest sci-fi adventures because it pairs an exciting narrative with remarkable social commentary. The world is a parable of our planet, and the film is not afraid to ask thought-provoking questions about power and humanity. In spite of all the heavy themes, it still entertains. Heston delivers a strong lead performance while the groundbreaking makeup effects immerse the audience further, especially during its initial release. With four sequels, a remake, and four movies in the reboot series, the franchise shows no sign of stopping.

2

‘Star Wars’ (1977)

Image via Lucasfilm Ltd.

The very first Star Wars introduces audiences to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young farm boy whose life changes forever after discovering a message sent by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hidden inside the droid R2-D2. Joined by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) and smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke joins the Rebellion to wage war against the Empire led by Darth Vader.

It’s hard to imagine what Hollywood and filmmaking would be like today without Star Wars. It revolutionized blockbuster filmmaking by opening up new worlds and pushing the limits of creativity and artistry. George Lucas created a whole new mythology and blended it with a classic, unforgettable hero journey that continues to inspire movies and filmmakers today. Every aspect of the film, from its groundbreaking visual effects to the iconic John Williams score, helped redefine what movies are to audiences. The Star Wars universe has expanded greatly now, but this first film stands as an endlessly entertaining adventure in its own right.

1

‘Dune’ (2021)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on the novel by Frank Herbert, Dune follows Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), the heir to House Atreides, as his family moves to the desert planet Arrakis after being entrusted to govern it by the Emperor. As the producer of the invaluable “spice,” Arrakis becomes the battleground for power as rival House Harkonnen aims to take it back.

Dune is a complex and difficult novel to adapt, yet Denis Villeneuve is able to turn it into a breathtaking cinematic experience. Rather than rushing through the story, it takes its time establishing the culture and politics so that audiences can be immersed in the story. The film itself is filled with extraordinary craftsmanship, from the epic production design to the stunning cinematography. Despite its grand scale, Dune never loses sight of Paul’s deeply personal journey, with Timothee Chalamet bringing a solid leading performance. The result is a modern, award-winning sci-fi adventure epic that will soon conclude its trilogy.

Comedian Margaret Cho addressed the death of Senator Lindsey Graham via a critical social media post.

“Bye Lindsey, bye Lindsey Graham. From the closet to the coffin, real seamless. Real seamless,” the lifelong democrat, 57, said in a TikTok shared on Sunday, July 12, after news of the South Carolina senator’s death broke earlier that day. (The sexuality of the former politician was the subject of widespread speculation over the years.)

Cho’s post, which was captioned, “Bye gurl,” also directed commentary towards the health of fellow Senator Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized since June 14 after he was found unconscious inside his home. “So, it’s Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham … it does happen in threes,” she continued, seemingly hinting at another high-profile republican. “Hope.”

Cho, a vocal advocate of LGBTQIA+ rights, has spoken out against President Donald Trump’s administration during many media interviews and via social media posts. Her followers mostly share her political viewpoints, with several showing their support within her latest TikTok’s comment section. “It’s been a good week,” wrote one follower, while another wrote, “I have a little extra pep in my step today!”

Graham’s death was confirmed by a spokesperson via an X statement on Sunday. “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement read. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Hours later, the office of McConnell, 84, released a statement that addressed the fellow senator’s own health. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages,” McConnell’s statement read. “But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.”

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McConnell’s statement, which included a photo of himself smiling at the camera from a hospital bed, continued, “In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.”

Cho is not the only celebrity to weigh in on the weekend’s health-related political news. On Sunday, in light of McConnell’s hospital bed photo, Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at the image by editing his own head in place of McConnell’s and sharing his version via Instagram.

Seemingly commenting on his current two-month hiatus from late-night hosting duties on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel, 58, cheekily wrote, “For those who’ve been asking, I’m feeling great.”

The season 8 finale of Love Island USA featured a major change when it came to the prize money.

Love Island USA viewers know that usually America votes for the final four couples, who then make it to the finale that took place on Sunday, July 12. Similar to past seasons, each pair got the chance to go on their own date.

They then decided if they wanted to remain together but this time around they didn’t write the standard “vows” for each other before finding out who gets crowned the winning couple.

Another major shakeup was the envelope ceremony, where the duo who received the highest number of votes from the public were given two envelopes: one for each partner. One envelope was meant to contain $100,000, while the other was empty. The partner with the $100,000 envelope would choose whether to share the money with their partner as a test of trust and commitment — or walk away with all of it as a way of choosing the prize over love.

Related: Which ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couple Won the $100,000 Prize?

After a summer full of relationship drama, Love Island USA finally crowned the season 8 winner — but which couple scored the most votes? During the Sunday, July 12, season finale of the hit Peacock dating show, host Ariana Madix announced that Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff got the most votes from the public […]

Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff were awarded the win but host Ariana Madix didn’t ask them their individual plans for their prize money. Instead, she said on multiple occasions that they both were sharing the $100,000.

The Love Island franchise began in the U.K. in 2002 before expanding worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. Each season, a different group of single Islanders are challenged to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa for a chance at the $100,000 prize.

Season 8 has had its fair share of drama — both while filming in Fiji and off screen. Earlier this season, Vasana Montgomery was cut from the show after resurfaced social media posts showed her using a slur.

Related: ‘Love Island USA‘ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

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Casa Amor bombshell Alannah Keyser also got pulled from the season after facing backlash for a resurfaced video that allegedly showed her using a racial slur.

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Similar issues arose during season 7, with Yulissa Escobar leaving days into the experience last year after clips of her using racial slurs on a podcast circulated online.

Season 7’s Cierra Ortega also faced backlash for using a slur in her own resurfaced social media post. She was pulled from the villa and later issued an apology for her past behavior.

Love Island USA is currently streaming on Peacock.

Brooke Williamson was on hand to support boyfriend Bobby Flay while he competed at the 2026 American Century Championship.

In an exclusive video taken by Us Weekly on Sunday, July 12, Williamson, 47, placed her arms on Flay’s shoulders as the pair chatted before the iconic 17th hole at the ACC Golf Championship presented by American Century Investments in South Lake Tahoe.

She then placed a hand on his chin as he leaned down to listen to her. The couple was then seen laughing as he prepared to play.

Us confirmed in March 2025 that Williamson and Flay, 61, are dating. Two months later, Flay opened up about their relationship for the first time.

“Well, first of all, I’ve been friends with Brooke forever,” he told People in June 2025. “I mean, she and I have been friends for a long time, and so we shot this show before we started actually officially dating. So it has always kind of been the same for me.”

He continued, “She’s been on the show basically since the inception. So it’s always been fun to kind of have her around because we’ve been friends, but now going forward, it’s a little bit different. So we’ll see what that brings.”

Flay shared that he and Williamson “have a lot in common,” which includes being in the same industry and their roles as parents. (Flay welcomed daughter Sophie with ex-wife Kate Connelly, whom he was married to from 1995 to 1998. Williamson, meanwhile, shares son Hudson with Nick Roberts, whom she was married to from 2007 to 2024.)

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Related: Bobby Flay Packs on PDA With Girlfriend Brooke Williamson at US Open

Those tuning in to watch the 2025 US Open got a glimpse of Bobby Flay sharing a smooch with his girlfriend, Brooke Williamson. The pair attended the annual tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday, September 4. During a match, the camera panned to Flay, 60, and Williamson, 47, […]

“We are both in the restaurant business,” he shared at the time. “We have tons to talk about in terms of the things that we love to do besides just go and have dinner every once in a while. So it’s been really great. And one of the things I really like about being in a relationship with Brooke is that she’s great to bounce things off of. Like, we ask each other’s opinion about things that we’re doing food wise or restaurant wise or business wise, all the time. So it’s really nice to have kind of a best friend that you’re dating that can also be helpful answering the questions that you have.”

Months later, the couple sparked engagement speculation when she shared a photo wearing a ring. In November 2025, Flay clarified that the jewelry is a “commitment ring.”

“I’m not engaged,” he said during an appearance on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show at the time. “We both don’t want to get married again. It’s OK. So, like, it’s great having a life partner. And so I wanted to give her something significant to make her feel committed. That’s all.”

Despite having only hours left on Love Island USA, the Islanders still got very “loud” during their last night in the villa’s shared bedroom.

During the Sunday, July 12, finale, Melanie Moreno poked fun at how she wasn’t able to go to sleep because it was “loud as f***” due to the other couples acting on their feelings for each other. Melanie was reminded that she partook in the hooking up with her partner, Sincere Rhea.

Aniya Harvey and Carl Lee Schmidt, Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou and Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff were the remaining people still vying for the season 8 win. Trinity and Bryce ultimately walked away with the $100,000 prize.

Love Island USA originally premiered in the U.K. in 2002 before it expanded worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. The series follows a different group of singles every season who have to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa.

The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa and are under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and stand a chance at receiving the $100,000 prize.

While finding a connection that you want to explore more intimately isn’t out of the question, season 7 of Love Island USA seemed to set some sort of record with the amount of times Islanders were caught hooking up — until season 8.

From Hannah Fields and Pepe Garcia to Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown, the reality stars found ways around having to address their sexual encounters for all of America to hear.

“We had a code name for intimacy,” Hannah exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2025. “We would say, ‘How was your journey? What was this journey like?’ Huda [started it when she] said something like, ‘Oh, I had a journey. My journey went all the way.’”

Season 8 escalated the sex that took place in the villa with multiple couples going all the way while sharing a bedroom in the villa. There was even the term “French fries” that was coined in reference to a sex act.

Trinity said in a June episode that she heard someone performing “French fries,” which sounded “too wet” to just be a kiss. In a confessional, Kenzie Annis confirmed she shared a heated exchange with Corbin Mims.

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“I was definitely getting some French fries. Feeling good,” she gushed. “We were probably doing a bit much honestly but I feel a strong connection with Corbin. We probably got a little bit carried away.”

Based on the footage, French fries hinted at manual sex acts such as a hand job. Viewers, meanwhile, pointed out that it likely meant an appetizer ahead of a full meal.

Love Island USA is currently streaming on Peacock.

Oceans of digital ink have already been spilled about Denis Villeneuve‘s new James Bond movie, and especially about who will play the lead character. With previous Bond Daniel Craig having left the series dramatically at the climax of No Time to Die, there’s a vacancy for cinema’s top secret agent, and fan castings have been inescapable.

Now, Debbie McWilliams, who headed up the casting for every Bond movie since 1981’s For Your Eyes Only before retiring, is weighing in on the subject. While she won’t be part of the casting process this time, she still has strong opinions about the role, having had a hand in selecting previous Bonds, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Craig.

McWilliams recently spoke at the Karlovy Film Festival in Czechia at a panel moderated by Variety. There, she asserted that she believes the character should remain a white man, as he’s traditionally been portrayed: “Ian Fleming wrote a character, and that’s the character that stays. That’s what I think. I mean, other people might think otherwise, but I don’t think that.” The most important characteristic for McWilliams, however, is the danger Bond represents: “…part of his job description is ‘license to kill,’ so you’ve got to think that he could pick a gun up and shoot you…he’s got to have a kind of threat about him.”

What Do We Know About the New James Bond Movie?

The next Bond movie will be produced by Amazon MGM Studios; they purchased total control of the franchise from Eon Productions’ Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, whose father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, started the Bond film franchise with Dr. No in 1962. Villeneuve, fresh off his epic science-fiction Dune trilogy, will take the directing reins. It will be up to him and veteran casting director Nina Gold (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) to choose the next Bond; casting is already underway, although it’s too soon to say when the new 007 will be announced. What we do know is that the new Bond will be young enough to play the role for an extended series of films, which will likely eliminate many popular fan-casts, including Idris Elba and Henry Cavill.

Although it may be some time before a new Bond film graces cinema screens, Bond is having success in another medium. IO Interactive’s new video game, 007 First Light, has been a hit with critics and audiences, selling 3 million copies within its first two weeks of release. The game features Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin) as Bond, as well as performances from Gemma Chan and Lenny Kravitz; it even includes a Bond theme from singer Lana Del Rey, complete with a Bond-style opening sequence.

Denis Villeneuve’s new James Bond movie is in development; no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

October 8, 2021

Runtime

163 Minutes

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Director

Cary Joji Fukunaga

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