The fantasy genre as a whole is often associated with feel-good, magical adventures that can be experienced by audiences of all ages. Even the films that veer into more widely-appealing blockbuster filmmaking like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have inherent strengths to younger audiences. However, while many of the most popular fantasy movies may be for audiences of all ages, that hasn’t stopped filmmakers from creating some striking fantasy experiences tailor-made for adult audiences.

Whether it be through overwhelming blood content, overt sexual content, or difficult and uncomfortable themes, these fantasy films bring the magic of the genre to its brink in bringing to life films that are the complete tonal opposite of their family-friendly brothers. These films have managed to be celebrated as masterpieces of the genre through their blending of high-concept fantasy elements with a more mature execution that is required of filmmaking that can’t be appreciated by kids.

10

‘The Northman’ (2022)

Image via Focus Features

While not a horror film like his other cinematic masterpieces, Robert Eggers‘s The Northman is still one of the most ruthless and blood-soaked fantasy films to have ever been released. The film follows the young prince of a Nordic kingdom having his path to glory cut short after his uncle betrays his family, murdering his father and kidnapping his mother. After escaping and spending years honing his craft as a Viking warrior, the prince returns on a path of vengeance against his uncle.

The magnitude and scale of this Viking epic helps make it one of the most explosive fantasy action films out there, feeling both grounded in its style and visuals while also bombastic in its execution. The film also doesn’t hold back in terms of the gruesome nature of Vikings as a whole, with the first act pillaging scene especially going all out, not just in terms of ruthless action, but top-notch violence and gore. This entertaining Viking film has cemented its status as the go-to cinematic outing of the historical fantasy icons.

9

‘Mind Game’ (2004)

Image via Asmik Ace Entertainment

Japanese animation has been a source of exceptional family-oriented fantasy masterpieces for generations now, with the likes of Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro being among the most acclaimed animated fantasy movies of all time. Conversely, Mind Game is a premier example of how Japanese anime is also capable of creating wild, unrestrained adult stories within the fantasy genre. However, the film’s adult content never gets in the way of the overwhelming fantastical energy that it overwhelms the audience with.

The film follows an awkward loser who, after an encounter with the Japanese mafia, ends up losing his life in the most embarrassing way possible. However, this only proves to send him on a journey to heaven in back, unexpectedly having a second lease on life that he decides to live to the absolute fullest, not held back by any sense of danger or embarrassment. It makes the absolute most out of the creativity of the fantasy genre while also filling itself to the brim with lots of violence and sexual content.

8

‘Flesh + Blood’ (1985)

Image via Orion Pictures

While Paul Verhoeven is often celebrated for his various sci-fi masterpieces with the likes of directing Robocop, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers, Flesh + Blood predates all of these films as a wildly underrated 80s fantasy film. The film follows a band of medieval mercenaries taking revenge upon a Lord by kidnapping the woman his son is engaged to. As plague and warfare are laying waste to the kingdom, the mercenaries decide to bunker down in a castle and await the impending counterattack from the Lord.

Flesh + Blood goes all out in terms of showing off the brutality and gruesome nature of the fantasy medieval period, not sugar-coating the ruthless nature of its mercenary characters or their actions. While Verhoeven’s signature sense of wild spirituality and satire makes the film a fun watch, this doesn’t take away from the deeply mature nature of its content, including an overwhelming amount of gore and sexual violence.

7

‘All of Us Strangers’ (2023)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

While many of the most adult-oriented fantasy films will go about their adult content with an overwhelming amount of gore or sexual content, All of Us Strangers is more squarely focused on grounded, mature themes and symbolism designed for an adult audience. The fantasy drama follows a lonesome man who, after a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor, finds the rhythm of his everyday life forever altered. As he takes a visit to his childhood home to recollect his mind, he ends up making an unlikely connection with his parents despite them dying when he was a child.

While the fantasy elements are certainly more subdued compared to the types of wild, high-concept fantasy worlds that normally find success in the genre, they are present enough to amplify the emotional weight and thematic resonance of the film as a whole. All of Us Strangers certainly has its fair share of sex scenes and on-screen drug use that make it not worth watching for kids, but young audiences wouldn’t connect with the film’s more philosophical filmmaking anyway.

6

‘Excalibur’ (1981)

Image via Warner Bros.

Standing as the gold standard for many R-rated fantasy masterpieces for generations, Excalibur has the exact right mixture of classic fantasy storytelling with wild, R-rated action and violence that made the film a massive hit and an icon of 80s fantasy. The film chronicles the life and death of King Arthur (Nigel Terry), following his quest to bring together the Knights of the Round Table and various other quests across the medieval era.

Excalibur continues to have a substantial legacy in the decades following its release, often being considered one of the first true examples of a great R-rated fantasy film and one of the go-to adaptations of the quests of King Arthur. While the Arthurian tales have been adapted to more family-oriented experiences over the years, Excalibur has a sense of brutality and weight to its action and setpieces that do justice to the dark, medieval energy of the film.

5

‘The Witch’ (2016)

Image via A24

One of the absolute simplest yet most effective ways to create a striking, memorable fantasy movie experience that shouldn’t be viewed by children is to mix the fantasy elements with the horror genre. In terms of sheer craft and execution of utilizing fantasy and magical elements to create a bone-chilling horror experience, nothing comes close to the masterfully woven brilliance of Robert Eggers’ debut film, The Witch. A film that helped catapult the very notions of elevated horror that persist in modern horror, The Witch is a masterclass of tension and slow-creeping dread.

The film is as much about the haunting witchcraft elements looming over the family as it is about the aggressive infighting and distrust that breaks the family apart in the wake of pain, loss, and overall confusion as to how and why these things are occurring to them. It proves to be one of the most grounded and gritty takes on a witchcraft story to date, tactfully utilizing its fantasy elements for maximum emotional impact.

4

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Image via A24

While it may seem a bit backward to tell a gritty, adult take on a classic Arthurian tale that is often taught to young children, The Green Knight massively excels thanks to its evolution and growth of this tried-and-true classic fantasy story to the modern era. The film largely follows the classic tales of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) most notably his daring quest and game against the Green Knight, with his looming fate being held over him for the majority of the film.

It would be one thing for the film to simply retell the original Arthurian stories exactly as they were originally told, yet with a mixture of dynamic visuals and storytelling craft from director David Lowery, this medival classic becomes a modern-day fantasy masterpiece. A major part of this upgrade comes in its adoption of more adult themes and visuals, most notably in more visceral violence and sexually charged moments. It’s also probably the only medieval film to feature literal ejaculate on-screen, so that has to count for something.

3

‘Evil Dead II’ (1987)

Image via De Laurentiis Entertainment Group

In terms of fantasy horror filmmaking that holds nothing back in terms of not only gore content but electrifying screen-presence and entertainment, Sam Raimi is in an absolute league of his own, with no singular film exemplifying this quite like Evil Dead II. It builds and improves upon the original film in just about every conceivable way, not only in terms of technical craft but in terms of overall filmmaking and stylish execution. It’s one of the most bombastic horror comedies ever made, reveling in its madness and blood-soaked glory every step of the way.

While Evil Dead II may ironically have the same wild, goofy nature of a cartoon that children would absolutely love to watch, the overwhelming abundance of gore and violence easily makes this a difficult watch for any child. Still it’s this frankly over-the-top usage of blood that has made the Evil Dead franchise as a whole so iconic among horror fantasy films, with this initial sequel still being the absolute height of the franchise.

2

‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999)

Image via USA Films

One of many strange and otherworldly concepts brought to life by legendary screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, Being John Malkovich takes its fantasy premise to its absolute extremes in terms of psychological examination and reflection upon human nature as a whole. The film follows the consequences of the discovery of a mysterious portal that allows people to enter the mind of acclaimed actor John Malkovich, as people find themselves becoming obsessed with experiencing the world through Malkovich’s eyes.

The initial fantasy premise is already wild enough as is, yet the film takes so many strange twists and turns that it becomes an intricate work of art, with each moving piece building off of each other to create a striking and highly memorable portrait. It’s already well too complicated for many children to experience, and that’s before considering the fair amount of sex scenes featured in the film. This perfectly written fantasy movie continues to be some of the absolute best that the genre has to offer in a contemporary setting.

1

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

No singular filmmaker has so distinctly cemented himself as one of the head visionaries of gothic, dark fantasy filmmaking made for adults like Guillermo del Toro. It would be incredibly easy to fill this entire list with masterful adult-oriented fantasy films that the visionary has directed, yet for the purposes of this list, nothing comes close to his timeless dark fantasy masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth. It stands as the absolute pinnacle of what an adult-oriented fantasy film can be, unrestrained by having to appeal to young children and creating a stylish, otherworldly exploration of madness and thematic perfection.

Pan’s Labyrinth has grown to be so beloved and acclaimed in the two decades since its release that it is often considered the definitive height of dark fantasy as a subgenre of traditional fantasy storytelling. The visuals still hold up tremendously to this day, as its beautiful original world building is second-to-none and exemplifies the very best that fantasy filmmaking is capable of.

If you’re tired of watching Oscar nominees and blockbuster megahits, you’ve come to the right place.

Streaming services are particularly great at staying up to date on all the biggest must-see movies, but they also have plenty of features that deserve a little more love.

As the experts in all things streaming, Watch With Us has devised a guide for the best underrated movies you can find on platforms like HBO Max, Netflix and more.

Our first pick is Mistress America, a quirky indie comedy starring Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke.

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New college student Tracy (Lola Kirke) has trouble adjusting to her new life at Barnard in New York City, and so reaches out to her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke (Greta Gerwig), who lives nearby. Tracy becomes beguiled by Brooke, whose freewheeling life is seen by Tracy as aspirational. As the two young women cavort through the city together, Tracy suddenly finds creative inspiration for her writing. But things go south when Brooke discovers Tracy has been using her life as fodder for literary material.

Wacky, fast-paced and warm-hearted, Mistress America is fronted by two sensational and charismatic performances from Gerwig and Kirke, carried by a typical sharp yet gentle direction from Noah Baumbach. While not quite on par with Baumbach and Gerwig’s previous collaboration, Frances Ha, Mistress America is nevertheless a fantastic melding between the two lovers and artists who co-penned the screenplay together. Baumbach brings out Gerwig’s natural charm alongside the director’s signature dark sense of humor.

While enjoying a romantic getaway at her married boyfriend Richard’s (Kevin Janssens) luxury home in the desert, Jen (Matilda Lutz) sees her excursion interrupted by the unannounced arrival of Richard’s strange friends, Stan (Vincent Colombe) and Dimitri (Guillaume Bouchède). Though the friends are there to take part in a seemingly innocent hunting trip with Richard, tensions between the foursome progressively increase until things turn deadly. It leads to a shocking act of violence that leaves Jen clinging to her life. But when she comes to, she sets out on a quest to enact revenge on her tormentors.

Before French director Coralie Fargeat helmed the Academy Award-nominated The Substance, she directed this efficient little revenge thriller that served as an impressive feature debut. Revenge subverts tropes of the exploitation and rape/revenge genres to craft a highly affecting feminist film that is taut, stylish and fearless. Led commandingly by Lutz, Revenge offers a new perspective on a male-dominated film genre.

Loosely adapted from the 2016 novel of the same name by Iain Reid, I’m Thinking of Ending Things follows a young woman (Jessie Buckley) who travels with her boyfriend, Jake (Jesse Plemons), on a snowy, stormy night to visit his parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis) at their rural farmhouse. However, on the drive there, the woman ruminates on her misgivings towards their relationship and whether she should break things off. When the two arrive, their seemingly innocent trip becomes dark, surreal and constantly transforming.

Though I’m Thinking of Ending Things sports a deeply unconventional and even experimental narrative, the movie is eminently engaging, as mysteries pile on top of mysteries on top of inconsistencies and questions. Ultimately, the myriad of unanswered questions posed by the movie are less important than the mood and atmosphere they create, and the psychological horror that unfolds before viewers. Ultimately, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is an utterly unique experience that will leave you unsettled in the best way.

A spaceship named Covenant is on its way to the planet Origae-6 for colonization. On board are colonists and human embryos in cryogenic stasis, but when an unexpected solar flare damages the ship, several colonists are killed. Some of the crew wake up alongside an android named Walter (Michael Fassbender), and during repairs, they divert their course to an uncharted planet when they discover a human broadcast. The planet is home to the sole survivor of the disastrous Prometheus mission from years ago, David (Fassbender), but neither he nor the planet is as hospitable as they appear.

Both of Ridley Scott‘s Alien prequels are vastly underrated, but perhaps more so is Alien: Covenant, which manages to be far darker, creepier, more violent and also funnier than Prometheus. Between both movies, Scott does an excellent job of expanding the world and lore of the original Alien movies and the origins of the terrifying Xenomorph, with fantastic cinematography, production design and sense of atmospheric horror. Plus, Fassbender’s dual performance as David/Walter is a weird and erotically charged wonder.

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Con artists Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) have spent their time as parents training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle and scam her way through life while treating her more as an accomplice than as their child. After concocting a scam involving lost airplane luggage, Old Dolio and her parents meet a charming young woman named Melanie (Gina Rodriguez). Though Melanie willingly joins in on the family’s schemes, her involvement ends up changing Old Dolio’s life forever.

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True to director Miranda July‘s signature off-kilter style, Kajillionaire is a strange but bewitching comedy-drama film that manages to be sad, funny and deeply heartfelt all at once. The film is led by a singular performance from Wood, and her monotone, deadpan characterization manages to pair beautifully with Rodriguez’s perkier, more naturalistic portrayal. Wood transcends caricature to create a character that is deeply human in a bittersweet story about the need for connection.

The Cloverfield franchise is easily one of the most puzzling, bizarre, and beloved, with a devout cult following that will explore entire alternate reality games to learn more about the lore of J.J. Abrams‘ sci-fi universe. One aspect of the IP that sets it apart is how many of its entries seemingly don’t connect except for small details or explosive final-scene reveals, as seen in 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox.

Additionally, films that were never expected to be a part of the Cloverfield universe will be turned into entries once Abrams comes aboard, as was the case with 10 Cloverfield Lane, which started as its own standalone project. Yet, the trailer for the new film Abrams is producing, The End of Oak Street, has many wondering if history may be repeating itself, with subtle hints suggesting it could be a new addition to the Cloverfield universe that no one sees coming. The path to this being the case isn’t entirely smooth sailing, but it would certainly add a new layer of intrigue to The End of Oak Street.

‘The End of Oak Street’ Trailer Contains Several Hints That Link to the Cloverfield Universe

The End of Oak Street trailer certainly nails J.J. Abrams’ classic mystery box set-up, with the reveal that a seemingly normal American suburb has been transported to a different realm, with dinosaurs chasing the Platt family, including Ewan McGregor‘s Greg and Anne Hathaway‘s Denise. On both a narrative and a meta level, there are subtle clues that The End of Oak Street may be set in the Cloverfield universe. With Bad Robot and Abrams producing, the team behind the Cloverfield movies, the idea will likely never be far away from their minds. The title cards are incredibly similar, with both containing grayish text on a black background, conveying the unnerving and ominous tone that is synonymous with Cloverfield.

The premise of The End of Oak Street would also make sense in the context of the Cloverfield universe. In The Cloverfield Paradox, the film centers on the idea of a particle accelerator displacing the crew to another universe, with another scene noting that around five city blocks also disappear. This would explain how the Platt’s Oak Street is moved to a time and place that contains such dinosaurs. Yes, it isn’t the Cloverfield monster we all know and love, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t appear later on. Honestly, it doesn’t even have to appear, considering 10 Cloverfield Lane didn’t include the monster either.

‘The End of Oak Street’ Could Be an Unofficial Cloverfield Movie

Despite these signs that The End of Oak Street could take place in the Cloverfield universe, it may be that J.J. Abrams’ newest film is actually an unofficial Cloverfield movie that’s dealing with some roadblocks that prevent it from being an official addition. Sadly, there is a question of who owns the rights. All the Cloverfield films were produced under the Paramount banner, though The End of Oak Street is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, creating an issue if Abrams did want to make The End of Oak Street a spiritual sequel to Cloverfield.

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However, considering how powerful a producer Abrams is and how synonymous he is with the Cloverfield franchise, combined with Paramount’s current effort to acquire Warner Bros. Pictures, there may be some wiggle room to obtain the rights. Additionally, given the cult following Abrams enjoys for his monster franchise, it wouldn’t take much for fans to create their own canon that The End of Oak Street takes place in the Cloverfield universe, which Paramount and Abrams could easily lean into.

In the end, the possibility of The End of Oak Street being revealed to be a Cloverfield entry is certainly something that will keep momentum high for its release, which will benefit a rather small film that isn’t attached to another large IP. With Abrams attached, things that parallel the things set up in other Cloverfield movies, along with Abrams’ track record of turning films into entries for his universe, there is every possibility that fans will be given a shock reveal at some point in The End of Oak Street. Even if it doesn’t end up being connected, it will keep viewers’ eyes glued to the screen for every frame of The End of Oak Street.

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The End of Oak Street

Release Date

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August 12, 2026

Director

David Robert Mitchell

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Writers

David Robert Mitchell

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Romance films are often nice, and romantic comedies in particular tend to be rather gentle, not to mention prime candidates if you’re looking for a good comfort movie. Something like When Harry Met Sally is a very pleasant and almost impossible-to-dislike film, and then even iconic romantic movies that are a little more bittersweet, like Casablanca, couldn’t really be called heavy or anxiety-inducing.

So, the following movies ultimately stand out, within the whole romance genre. Admittedly, many of these are romantic thrillers, or function as psychological dramas on top of being romance films, but if romance is a prominent genre in a given film, then said film can qualify for appearing here. If you’re sort of sick of pleasant and/or sentimental films about love, for whatever reason, then maybe these anxiety-inducing romance movies will be more up your alley.

10

‘Love’ (2015)

Image via Wild Bunch

Gaspar Noé isn’t really in the business of making nice movies, to put it very, very mildly. The most approachable thing he’s made is probably Vortex (2021), which doesn’t have anything by way of graphic violence or intense sexual content (the stuff Noé is especially infamous for), but it is a grueling and psychologically harrowing watch, since it’s about two old people struggling to get by because of worsening health issues.

Yes, that’s as “pleasant” as things get with Gaspar Noé, and so his movie called Love isn’t very lovely, or in any way easy to watch. It’s about a couple who shake up their sex lives by inviting in a third participant, so to speak, and then things get complicated and intense for a whole bunch of reasons. Love is just very uneasy throughout, and the opposite of a good date night movie, even if it is technically well within the bounds of the romance genre.

9

‘The Piano Teacher’ (2001)

Image via Kino International

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It’s a Michael Haneke movie, so of course it’s going to be despairing. He’s a bit like Gaspar Noé in the sense that even when a film of his doesn’t have extreme content, it’s still extremely distressing (see Amour, which, like Noé’s Vortex, is also a difficult movie about aging). The Piano Teacher is one of Haneke’s best-known films, and it’s kind of a romance? Barely. It’s more of a psychological drama.

It does involve a piano teacher struggling with various things after a younger man starts trying to instigate a romantic relationship with her, so in that sense, it’s broadly about love and longing, but without being very romantic. The Piano Teacher is all very unpleasant and harrowing in its exploration of a troubled mind, and while it’s not non-stop with showing extreme stuff, it does pepper in a good deal of imagery that’s ultimately hard to shake.

8

‘Miracle Mile’ (1988)

Image via Hemdale Film Corporation

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If After Hours had a bit less of a Kafkaesque feel, and involved all of society falling apart rather than just the life of one very unlucky man, then it would probably look and feel a little like Miracle Mile. Both movies came out in the 1980s, and are darkly comedic, not to mention fast-paced, all the while having premises that involve first dates – or at least an attempt at a first date – going quite wrong.

With Miracle Mile, society is breaking down in rapid succession because nuclear war is imminent, so everyone has to grapple with the fact that they might all be about to die, and the two main characters still want to do something with each other for their potential last night on Earth. It’s so many different genres at once, and veers off in various wild directions tonally speaking, but all in a way that’s pretty admirable, even if the film’s kind of a mess at the same time.

7

‘The Lovers on the Bridge’ (1991)

Image via Gaumont Distribution

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The Lovers on the Bridge is about two downtrodden and troubled people who both find themselves living on the streets, particularly on and around the bridge referred to in the title: the Pont Neuf in Paris. One of them is struggling with addiction, and the other is feeling despondent after a break-up and a health condition that’s making her gradually lose her vision.

It’s all very miserable, by design, and The Lovers on the Bridge also has some confronting imagery and occasional violent situations that drive home a further feeling of angst on top of all the difficulties the characters are already grappling with. It feels a bit like descending into some emotionally taxing territory you can’t ever really climb out of, so calling the film a difficult watch would be a huge understatement. It’s very good, though, for what that’s worth, as contradictory as that could sound.

6

‘Bitter Moon’ (1992)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Erotic thrillers were all the rage for a little while there, say, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, mostly in the sense that a few got genuine mainstream attention and became unlikely blockbusters, in terms of box office revenue. Bitter Moon came out around this time, and it had a premise that largely revolved around a man on a cruise ship becoming obsessed with the wife of another man on board that same ship.

Lots of Bitter Moon is made up of flashbacks leading up to the cruise, and then inevitable drama during it. The whole thing is uneasy and oftentimes suspenseful, and while Bitter Moon is too flawed to be a genuinely great movie, it does have its moments for sure, and is intense/bold enough, for the most part, to be worthy of inclusion here.

5

‘The Drama’ (2026)

Easily the most recent movie here, The Drama does already feel like it could be something of an infamous all-timer, as far as anxiety-inducing romance films are concerned. Part of that has to do with the fact that for the first few scenes, or maybe even the first act, it feels quite sappy and by-the-numbers, as a surprisingly not too quirky rom-com, but that’s all to ensure you’re caught off guard by what the movie’s really about.

It’s revealed early on, but the specifics lie within spoiler territory (the trailer doesn’t elaborate), so what can be said is that a soon-to-be-married couple find new stress in the lead-up to their wedding, when a secret from one of their pasts is revealed. The Drama explores some very dark thematic territory while also being quite funny at times, and then proves capable of building an incredible amount of tension (especially in its second half) for something that isn’t a thriller.

4

‘Badlands’ (1973)

Image via Warner Bros.

Badlands is an arthouse film, but not too unapproachable or obscure compared to most movies that can be classified as such. It’s about a couple in love who go on the run after the young man in the relationship murders the father of the young woman, and then while they’re on the run from the law, he ends up committing a few more murders.

It’s a film that proves quite startling with its violence, even if that violence isn’t particularly graphic… more so that it just comes out of nowhere at certain times, and also ends up being treated quite casually by the person doing the murders. Badlands might sound a bit strange, being a road movie, a gritty crime film, and also something about young (and potentially naïve) love, but it works really well, and still feels unlike pretty much anything else out there.

3

‘Happy Together’ (1997)

Image via Golden Harvest Company

There are just two main characters, really, at the center of Happy Together: a pair of men who find their relationship heading toward ruin, so they try to reinvigorate things by traveling to Argentina together. The change of scenery doesn’t help as much as they’d planned, because various issues keep popping up, and the film pretty frequently explores the pair clashing and arguing in increasingly intense ways.

So, safe to say, that title is kind of ironic. And Happy Together works as more of a break-up film than a romance one in the traditional sense, which is something you could also say about Chungking Express (like Happy Together, that one was directed by Wong Kar-wai), but Chungking Express was a good deal more bittersweet, and not as intense. Happy Together does offer some catharsis, and it’s not, like, 100% miserable, but the downbeat sections of the film do hit incredibly hard, all the while feeling remarkably raw.

2

‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

You get a pretty simple story told over a relatively brisk 90-ish minutes in Punch-Drunk Love, but there is complexity here that comes about because of how good a character study it is, and also because it’s quite adventurous in terms of tone and genre(s). It’s sort of a romantic comedy, but a psychological drama/thriller at the same time… kind of? It’s hard to explain and define, but you get a similar feeling watching it as you get from The Drama.

Punch-Drunk Love also houses what’s probably Adam Sandler’s second-best performance, topped only by what he did in the also anxiety-inducing 2019 film, Uncut Gems. Punch-Drunk Love is funny at times, borderline-disturbing at other points, and then ultimately surprisingly romantic, too, standing alongside One Battle After Another as a film that shows how, when Paul Thomas Anderson wants to tackle a bunch of genres at once, he can do so pretty darn well.

1

‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (1974)

Image via Cinematograph AB

You can sort of compare Scenes from a Marriage to the more recent Marriage Story, owing to both of the movies having titles that share a word, and also the fact that both movies are ultimately about divorce. Marriage Story is only listed as a drama on most sites, though, while Scenes from a Marriage gets both the “drama” and “romance” labels on Letterboxd, so that’s why it’s here instead of Marriage Story.

Maybe that’s because Scenes from a Marriage has a little more to do with preventing the relationship from ending, at least early on, building toward a sense that it has to end, while Marriage Story lets you know it’s about divorce right from the start. Anyway, the point is that Scenes from a Marriage is incredibly anxiety-inducing, just because it really feels like watching a series of real-life arguments, one after the other, for almost three hours (and much longer if you watch the miniseries version, which came out one year earlier and is probably therefore the definitive cut).

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Scenes From a Marriage

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Release Date

September 15, 1974

Runtime

169 minutes

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Director

Ingmar Bergman

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Writers

Ingmar Bergman

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We love our flowy fit‑and‑flare dresses and floral favorites, but nothing beats the ease and versatility of a breezy activewear dress when the weather warms up. Whether for running laps, running errands, serving on the court or serving chic style, these breathable activewear dresses prove that performance and style go hand in hand. And with all the creative designs popping up these days — from drop‑waist dresses to tiered tennis styles and half‑zip athletic pieces — there’s truly something for everyone.

In anticipation of the hot, humid days to come, we rounded up 19 breathable and easy-going athletic dresses that deliver everything you’d need, including slimming fits, great bust support and style versatility. Shop our top picks from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom and Macy’s below — and get ready to hit the treadmill, tennis court or coffee shop with well‑deserved confidence.

19 Lightweight Activewear Dresses for Staying Cool and Looking Chic

1. Our Favorite: It’s no surprise over 600 shoppers picked up this crossback tennis dress this past month. With built‑in shorts, roomy pockets and a bra that lifts and separates without underwire, it delivers style and dependable support in one easy piece.

2. Preppy Style: If built‑in shorts aren’t your thing, this bestselling sleeveless tennis dress gives you the best of both worlds. The stretchy, sweat‑wicking fabric pairs perfectly with separate shorts for customizable comfort.

3. Modest Pick: Going for a more modest, full‑coverage look? This polished zip‑front polo dress fully delivers, with built-in shorts and fresh spring colors, including pink and blue.

4. Slimming Silhouette: Walmart shoppers can’t get enough of this wrap‑waist activewear dress. They’re wearing it for everything — workouts, powering through errands and even brunch.

5. Perfect Cover: Trying to hide a muffin top? This sleeveless golf dress features a clever high-waist split skirt that lets you enjoy a smooth, flattering fit no matter how active your day gets.

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Your work wardrobe is ever evolving, transitioning with fashion trends, dress codes and seasons alike. And while you probably already have your go-to slacks down pat, you might want to give them a rest for the spring and summer months when temps heat up. Those heavy options just won’t do it, which is why investing […]

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6. Flowy Flare: This tiered athletic pick is as close to a traditional dress as you can get without losing the practicality that makes it a go‑to for busy days. The toggle waist design lets you tailor the fit exactly to your liking.

7. Quiet Luxury Style: Achieve that country club aesthetic with this pleated athletic dress from Zella. Complete the rich-mom look with crisp white sneakers, oversized sunnies and a structured tote.

8. Splurge Worthy: For those who gravitate toward premium brands like Alo Yoga or lululemon, this half‑zip athletic dress from TravisMathew is a perfect match. Shoppers praise its all‑day wearability on the golf course, even on the hottest days.

9. Dancer Vibes: Admirers will think you’re an off-duty ballerina in this Free People ruffle jumpsuit. While you won’t necessarily be running miles in it, you can absolutely float through errands, coffee runs and casual weekends in total comfort.

10. Mom-Approved: Quince shoppers are obsessed with this spaghetti‑strap active dress. Reviewers praise the breathable, stretchy fabric and all‑day comfort, calling it a “must‑have” for on‑the‑go moms.

11. Comfort Without Compromise: Some activewear dresses can feel a bit too revealing. This UPF 50 Lands’ End active dress enlists a longer skirt and a higher neckline, so you can feel comfortably covered without venturing into matron territory.

12. Style First: Don’t sweat about running laps in this racerback active dress that, let’s be honest, is more about looking cute than shaving seconds off your mile time.

13. Size Inclusive: Find your perfect fit in this scoop‑back athletic dress from Old Navy, which is available in regular, tall, and petite sizes from XS to 4X. We especially love the spring‑ready hues, including blue, pink and green.

14. Move With Confidence: Drop‑waist active dresses are popping up everywhere, and Old Navy’s take on the trend might just be our favorite. The super‑stretchy dress lets you move with confidence, thanks to its non‑chafing shorts, supportive built‑in bra and flared, fun skirt.

15. Twirl Worthy: Keep it girly and fun with this ruffle tennis dress that we’re dying to wear on and off the court. Pair it with a cardigan and tennis shoes for a sporty look that’s so in this spring.

16. Confidence Booster: Not into showing off a lot of skin? You can still keep things cute and stylish with this half-zip dress that has a flirty ruffle hem and tons of color options, including this pink houndstooth style.

17. Tummy-Hiding Fit: For those bloated days where nothing fits right, this tummy‑control tennis dress is just the piece for feeling supported, snatched and ready to take on the day.

18. Full Sleeves: Whether you need sun protection or just like the style, this long‑sleeve active dress is your go‑to for staying cool, covered and effortlessly chic.

19. Make a Statement: Stand out from the conventional crowd in this colorful tennis dress that uses a clever mesh overlay for the ultimate blend of breathability, movement and eye‑catching style.