Influencers are growing their families in 2026.

Madeleine White Fedyk, Blair Fowler and Brittany Miller are some of the fan favorites who have announced that they’re expecting this year.

Madeleine has been candid about wanting to get pregnant after her July 2025 wedding to Andrew Fedyk. On January 17, she announced via social media that she’s expecting her first baby.

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Kylie Katich ended the month of January with her own pregnancy reveal, confirming her family was expecting from three to four. Australian influencer Varuca Salt, meanwhile, kicked off March by revealing that her second baby is on the way. Later that month, Matt and Abby Howard announced they are expecting after suffering a 2025 pregnancy loss.

April began with influencers Shea Huber and Wabby Rose revealing themselves as the viral “pregnant lemon” and “pregnant potato” on TikTok, respectively. sMothered alum Cher Hubsher, for her part, announced that she is expecting baby No. 2. The next month, influencers Olivia and Lunden Stallings shared they are expecting their first baby.

Keep scrolling to see every influencer who has announced their pregnancy in 2026:

It may be spring, but Meghan Markle proved that a chic black dress is always ‘in.’ But her maxi dress style is more than a polished outfit. It has tummy-hiding superpowers, and we found the look for just $23 on Amazon.

Markle made a surprise pop-up on MasterChef Australia, and while everyone watched for cooking tips, we couldn’t stop admiring her dress. She wore her dress with heels, however, it pairs equally well with sandals, flats and sneakers. Everyone needs a go-to black dress and this flattering maxi number is yours!

Get the BerryGo Button-Front Maxi Dress for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The BerryGo Button-Down Maxi Dress nails Markle’s vibe with a few smart upgrades. Instead of a fold-over design, it has a tie belt that defines your waist. From there, the fabric drapes loosely over everything below. As a bonus, the tiered A-line skirt makes you appear taller. The black shade, of course, handles the rest.

Related: These Lilly Pulitzer-Like Dresses Should Cost Hundreds, But Start at $8

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Take one trip to the Hamptons and it becomes clear: Lilly Pulitzer dresses are part of the rich mom summer uniform. If you want the look without the triple-digit price tag, these 17 Lilly Pulitzer-style dresses deliver the same billowy silhouettes, preppy details and eye-catching color palettes, yet start at just $8. You’ll look like […]

The details are just as dreamy as the A-lister’s pick. Long lantern sleeves and neat collar give this button-up dress the sophisticated silhouette Markle wears so well. The lightweight, wrinkle-resistant material is the cherry on top, meaning you can pull it out of a suitcase and still look put together.

Shoppers call this black dress classy, buttery-soft and functional. Plus, they love the roomy side pockets and overall fit. One happy shopper wrote, “This dress fits exactly as it should. It looks super cute. I wear it without the belt but it could be nice both ways. Good for plus-size women.”

Another Amazon reviewer shared, “Awesome fit — would be a great fit on many body types. Flattering and comfortable dress that I bought multiple colors in after wearing my first purchase to an event.”

If your closet has been begging for a dress to throw on without thinking and still get compliments, this is the one to snap up. Body lengthening, tummy-hiding and totally timeless, it’s an outfit you’ll wish you found earlier. A royal seal of approval is just a bonus.

Get the BerryGo Button-Front Maxi Dress for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other chic dresses on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

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Related: Even Meghan Markle Wears These Podiatrist-Approved Running Sneakers

Meghan Markle logged major kilometers in Australia, stopping at children’s hospitals and historical sights, so naturally, she relied on ultra-comfortable sneakers. But what the masses may not know is that her exact sneakers are actually an Amazon find! The comfy shoes in question are Saucony Cohesion 18 Sneakers. They’re equally plush and supportive, perfect for Australian […]

The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Jennifer Fessler went cryptic on Mother’s Day 2026 amid swirling affair rumors.

“A lot that’s new but, most importantly, Happy Mother’s Day!” Fessler, 57, succinctly wrote via Threads on Sunday, May 10.

Jennifer has been married to her husband, Jeff Fessler, since 1999. The Fesslers share son Zachary and daughter Rachel, who each honored their mom on Sunday.

“Happy Mother’s Day @jennfessler!!!!” Zachary wrote via his Instagram Stories on Sunday. “Best to ever do it, I love you always.”

Related: RHONJ’s Jen Fessler Shuts Down ‘Categorically Untrue’ West Wilson Rumors

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Fessler shut down the speculation about her alleged relationship status with Summer House’s West Wilson. “In all seriousness, and while I can’t help but be a little flattered, it is not nice nor is it OK to post something categorically untrue and defamatory on social media,” Fessler, […]

Rachel shared her own social media tribute, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day to the most resilient woman I know.”

Jeff also publicly shared a Mother’s Day tribute to his wife of 24 years.

“Happy Mother’s Day to my Messy Fessy,” he wrote via his Instagram Stories on Sunday. “The kids and I will lay in bed and rage with you all day long if you want, but at least consider champagne and cake!”

Several hours earlier, Jennifer was accused of hooking up with Summer House star West Wilson. Both the RHONJ alum and Wilson, 57, vehemently denied the allegations.

“In all seriousness, and while I can’t help but be a little flattered, it is not nice nor is it OK to post something categorically untrue and defamatory on social media,” Jennifer wrote in a Saturday, May 9, statement. “Regardless of whatever rumors or apparent ‘evidence’ led you to that conclusion, that is the definition of libel.”

Related: Jenn Fessler’s Post Raises Eyebrows Amid West Wilson Drama

Jennifer Fessler’s 27th wedding anniversary tribute to her husband, Jeffrey Fessler, has resurfaced amid the rumors about her involvement with Summer House star West Wilson. “Happy 27,” Jenn, 57, wrote to her husband via Instagram on April 10. “You could sleep with West or Amanda and I’d still stay!” At that time, the Bravoverse had […]

She added, “If it were true, I would have no recourse. Because it’s a lie, this can get more complicated. Having said that, I hope we can rectify this. It’s enough now.”

Jennifer’s relationship with Wilson previously raised eyebrows in 2024, when she nicknamed him “Messy Wessy” in a now-viral livestream.

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“I posted that really quickly. I should have thought that through,” she exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “I feel terrible because my best friend who was there, she took it. There are times where I just think I’m so funny, and I just think everyone would think that I’m so funny. I didn’t realize at the time he was, like, America’s sweetheart. I didn’t get that I was sitting with the ‘It Boy’ of 2024. I’m calling him Wes, his name is West.”

Jennifer further apologized to Wilson for botching his name in the drunken video.

“I don’t know why I made fun of his name. There were people that were very offended,” she told Us. “I’m sorry. It’s a great name. I don’t know why I thought that was funny. In the moment, it was. But West Wilson is a very cool name. He’s a very cool guy.”

This year, the horror genre got a jump start with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Scream 7, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, and more films successfully scaring up fans in the theaters. It also saw the return of fan-favorite director Sam Raimi to the genre with Send Help — starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien — which blew fans’ minds.

The film marks Raimi’s first pure, original horror feature since Drag Me to Hell and his first R-rated horror film since The Gift. And he perfectly delivered a brilliant survival thriller that will make you laugh at the wrong moments. We follow Linda (McAdams) and her arrogant boss, Bradley (O’Brien), who, after a plane crash, are stranded on a deserted island. Things take a turn when the two turn their workplace power dynamic into a fight for survival and a twisted battle of wits. The movie became a commercial and critical success, gathering praise for Raimi’s vision and gross-out scenes. It has grossed $94 million worldwide against a $40 million budget and earned a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics. The movie is lauded for its visuals, unpredictable nature, and lead performances by McAdams and O’Brien.

‘Send Help’ Is Enchanting Global Audiences

Ever since its successful box office run, the feature has garnered fans’ attention on both PVOD and streaming. And now the R-rated feature has taken over a family-friendly streamer. Send Help is at the top of Disney+’s global top 10 list, as per Flixpatrol. It’s followed by The Devil Wears Prada, The Bear’s surprise drop, Gary, and a special look at Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The fun and campy movie follows the Raimi playbook of fan favorites, like Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, and Army of Darkness. The over-the-top gore, interesting camera angles, and wide use of practical effects make viewers jump in their seats. Underneath all the cool visuals, the movie also brilliantly touches upon the themes of survival and what happens when we are pushed to extremes while examining the reversal of power dynamics through Linda and Bradley’s chemistry. So, whether you’re a Sam Raimi fan or a casual viewer who loves dark comedy and R-rated horror, Send Help is a quick and decent watch with compelling performances from Edyll Ismail, Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, and more.

Send Help is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

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Release Date

January 30, 2026

Runtime

113 Minutes

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Director

Sam Raimi

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Writers

Damian Shannon, Mark Swift

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Gerard Butler has given us some great action movies, from 300, Kandahar, and the Has Fallen franchise to the Greenland franchise; the actor shines while bringing out the best in his characters in the genre. Over the years, he has also given us some amazing characters, like Stoick in How to Train Your Dragon and Big Nick in Den of Thieves.

Writer-director Christian Gudegast’s intense 2018 heist feature follows a group of elite deputies in the LA County sheriff’s department, who have to stop a notorious crew of expert thieves from executing a robbery plan at the Federal Reserve Bank. A great cat-and-mouse chase story, it received mixed reviews but was a commercial hit, earning $80.5 million on a $30 million budget. In time, the 42% Rotten Tomatoes-rated movie was hailed as a cult classic, and its success was followed up with another mission for Nick in 2025.

The sequel, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, sees Big Nick travel to Europe to hunt down Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), who is now involved with the Panther mafia. The film, sadly, failed to repeat its predecessor’s success, grossing $58.4 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Though it got a much better Rotten Tomatoes score: 62% from critics and 79% from audiences.

Box office success isn’t the only measure of a good movie, thanks to the streaming landscape today. A year later, the movie has found its audience, consistently appearing in PVOD and streaming top 10s. Currently, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is making waves on HBO Max’s top 10 global charts, as per FlixPatrol. At #4, the movie only stands next to Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights, Mortal Kombat, and The Emoji Movie. For fans who’d like to discover the action feature or revisit it, this seems to be a perfect time.

What Do We Know About ‘Den of Thieves 3’?

Irrespective of the sequel’s box office fate, a third movie in the franchise was announced with the return of Butler and Jackson Jr. While details are scarce, the movie will begin production sometime this year. Jackson Jr. previously teased Collider that while he hasn’t been told a “specific date,” he has begun preparation. He further teased about his character, “we gotta find a place for Donnie to go. The thing is, I can’t be in the States because of what happened in L.A. Now, I can’t be in Europe. So, we’re running out of spots, and the commander in chief is tripping right now. Stuff is wild, you know? So we gotta find a safe place for us to be able to film this movie. So, that’s all Christian Gudegast. As long as I look pretty, I’ll be okay.”

Check out Den of Thieves 2 on HBO Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

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Release Date

January 10, 2025

Runtime

144 minutes

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Director

Christian Gudegast

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Writers

Christian Gudegast, Paul T. Scheuring

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Lorenzo Lamas and Heather Locklear’s blossoming romance clearly already has the approval of their blended family.

“Beautiful Heather, I adore you. The generous, loving, gracious energy you have makes you a very rare woman,” Lorenzo’s daughter Shayne Lamas wrote via Instagram on Sunday, May 10. “Watching your relationship with my dad genuinely makes me believe [that] one’s true love will be one’s lasting love.”

Lorenzo, 68, and Locklear, 64, confirmed last month that they were dating.

“I hope you know how appreciated and loved you are by myself and my children,” Shayne, one of Lorenzo’s six children, added on Sunday. “Sending you 🤍. Your daughter is so very lucky to have this day to share with you. Mines in heaven and I know she loves this for you both as well.”

Related: Heather Locklear‘s Dating History: From Tommy Lee to Lorenzo Llamas

Heather Locklear’s dating history includes some big names — and some major rockstars. Locklear’s first high-profile romance was with Tommy Lee. The pair met at a REO Speedwagon concert and tied the knot in 1986. Although the Melrose Place alum told People after their nuptials that she’d “only thought of getting married once” and had […]

Locklear, who shares 28-year-old daughter Ava with ex-husband Richie Sambora, was grateful for Shayne’s kind words.

“Beautiful soul, thank you and happy Mothers Day!” Locklear told Shayne, 40, in the comments section. “Your children are so wonderful which shows what a tremendous mom you are. Your dad is the same💘.”

Locklear also reposted Shayne’s upload to her Instagram Stories.

Ever since Locklear and Lorenzo made their public debut as a couple in April, they’ve sung each other’s praises.

“I’ve been through a lot of trial and error, and she is the most amazing woman that I think I’ve ever met,” he told Fox News Digital on April 29, gushing about the Melrose Place alum and citing his faith for keeping him grounded. “With Jesus Christ in your life, you can accomplish anything.”

He added at the time, “There’s no problem or event or anything that can compare to the strength that you feel when you know you’re following Christ… even in the darkest of times, we always have the Lord to lean on. I’ve always believed that. My mom believed that. She shared that with me as a kid, and it’s kind of how I try to live my life.”

Lorenzo and Locklear’s history goes way back, meeting on the set of a joint Playgirl photoshoot in the 1980s.

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“I cannot believe that this was 43 years ago! Side note, speedos on request only,” he tweeted in December 2025.

Lorenzo and Locklear have not publicly shared how they reconnected decades later, which followed her broken engagement from Chris Heisser last year.

“Heather is single and she’s ready to date again,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2025, confirming the actress’ breakup. “She’s focusing on herself. She is sober and doing really well.”

James Charles is under fire after a now-deleted TikTok rant targeting a woman who allegedly reached out asking for financial help following the collapse of Spirit Airlines. The budget airline reportedly shut down operations last week, leaving roughly 17,000 employees without jobs. According to Charles, one former employee sent him a direct message that included a GoFundMe link and a request for donations after losing her position. Instead of quietly ignoring the message, the beauty influencer recorded a profanity-filled response mocking the woman and questioning why she was asking celebrities for help.

In the now-circulating clip, Charles sarcastically read the woman’s message aloud before launching into an aggressive rant. “I’m sure they do, sweetheart. I’m sure they do,” he said after reading that “any donations help.” “You know what else would help you? Getting another job. Yeah, try that,” Charles said.

Charles continued by accusing the woman of mass messaging influencers instead of applying for employment opportunities. “But you didn’t, ‘cause you’re a lazy piece of sh-t, and you’re entitled,” he said.

The influencer also appeared particularly upset that the woman allegedly did not follow him on social media. “You’re not a fan, you don’t even follow me,” Charles said. “And you think that I’m gonna send you money because you lost your job?!”

The video quickly spread across social media through screen recordings after it was deleted, sparking intense backlash online. Critics slammed Charles as “privileged,” “out of touch,” and “elitist,” especially given reports that the influencer has amassed a fortune worth millions.

“Just couldn’t help showing those true colors,” one user responded after someone else asked why he would post such a thing. “This is so wild lol why is he so pressed?? Ignore and move on!!!” another said.

A third chimed in, “Holy sh-t he is cruel af, I only watched 30 seconds but omg.” As someone else expressed, “Yeah, he has never applied for a job in his life if he thinks it takes 30 seconds.”

James Charles Later Issued Public Apology

Following the backlash, Charles returned to TikTok with a second video apologizing for his behavior and admitting the rant was inappropriate. “This video was f-cking stupid,” he said. “It was rude, it was obnoxious, it was privileged, and most importantly, it was completely f-cking unnecessary.”

Charles acknowledged that he could have simply ignored the message instead of publicly humiliating the woman online. “It was obnoxious, and I shamed her for asking for help in a situation where she was clearly really struggling,” he admitted. “This could have been her absolute last resort.”

The influencer also directly apologized to the woman involved and admitted the situation hurt many people who watched the clip circulate online. “I feel awful because that wasn’t my intention,” Charles said. “I’m super sorry, especially to the woman from Spirit Airlines.”

Spirit Airlines Shut Down Operations After Failed Financial Rescue Efforts

The controversy surrounding Charles’ comments comes just days after Spirit Airlines officially announced it was shutting down operations entirely. On May 2, the airline confirmed it would cancel all flights and cease operations “effective immediately” following failed restructuring efforts and ongoing financial struggles.

According to the company, rising fuel costs and an inability to secure additional funding ultimately pushed the airline past the point of recovery. “For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has played a pioneering role in making travel more accessible and bringing people together while driving affordability across the industry,” Spirit President and CEO Dave Davis said in a statement.

“Sustaining the business required hundreds of millions of additional dollars of liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not procure,” Davis added. “This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted.”

Spirit Airlines Customers Scramble For Refunds After Sudden Shutdown

The company stated that customers who booked flights directly through Spirit using credit or debit cards would automatically receive refunds, though some transactions may take additional time to process. Meanwhile, travelers who purchased tickets through third-party services or travel agencies were instructed to contact those providers directly for reimbursement.

Spirit also confirmed that customers holding vouchers, loyalty points, or travel credits would need to file claims through the airline’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

There were so many things that happened in the 2000s, and not all of them were particularly good, so how do you go about introducing such a decade? It’s one a lot (can’t say “most” on some parts of the internet) of people online remember, and there was also so much music released throughout it. Maybe it’s best just to focus on the music, and not all the other, you know, stuff.

But even just focusing on the music is a bit overwhelming. There were too many styles and genres that got popular, or just picked up attention in critical circles, and to try to crown just a few as the best is difficult. It’s not going to make people happy. One could devote a huge chunk of their life to listening to every album from the 2000s, and what that person picks as their favorites will still seem disagreeable to others. An attempt was made to single out the best albums of the 2000s here, or at least a few truly great ones from that not-too-far-back decade (and with a limit of one release per artist).

10

‘Kid A’ (2000)

Radiohead

Radiohead were there to make the 2000s get off to a bleak and uncertain start, with the release of Kid A, which can’t claim to have set the tone for the 21st century, given 2000 was the final year of the 20th century… but still, maybe it was just a little ahead of the curve. Kid A sounded futuristic at the time, especially compared to the previous Radiohead albums, all of them with more of a rock focus than Kid A.

Kid A was mostly electronica, or if it did count as rock, then it was art rock that really put the emphasis on the “art” part even more than OK Computer. Radiohead might’ve been a little too forward-thinking here, at least based on how some of the contemporary reviews expressed confusion about the album, but Kid A has now aged exceptionally well, and is usually a contender for the crown of “Best Radiohead Album,” whenever that discussion comes up.

9

‘Donuts’ (2006)

J Dilla

There’s a lot that’s been said (and, more recently, disputed) regarding the story behind J Dilla making Donuts, but whatever the case, it’s a beautiful and bittersweet album that did come out just three days after Dilla passed away at just 32. It’s made up of more than 30 tracks, but it’s not an especially long album, at under three-quarters of an hour, so lots of those tracks only last for about a minute or so.

They’re instrumental, with the voices heard being reworked samples, so it’s best defined as an instrumental hip-hop album, with songs you could maybe imagine being stretched out and then rapped over on a “regular” hip-hop album. But it would also be a shame to distract from what’s offered instrumentally here, because the music’s enough to create a unique experience, with it being a pretty easy album to fall into and feel immersed in.

8

‘Untrue’ (2007)

Burial

Speaking of immersive albums that are mostly instrumental and use samples memorably throughout, here’s Untrue by Burial, which is technically a dubstep album, but it doesn’t sound like the sort of music people usually think of when they hear the term “dubstep” (it’s really not Skrillex). Untrue feels like a concept album about, like, walking around by yourself, in the middle of the night, during winter, hearing signs of life (or maybe a party) in the distance, and trying to find the source of those sounds, but never getting there.

And then it feels like the music equivalent of giving up and being alone, but finding a sort of eerie beauty in the loneliness… while the feeling of isolation also manages to be soul-crushing. It conjures some very vivid feelings in ways that aren’t the easiest to summarize, and so it might well sound like something different to different people. Everyone should give it a shot, though, or at least anyone who doesn’t mind moody/eerie/slightly sad music every once in a while.

7

‘Discovery’ (2001)

Daft Punk

A different sort of electronic music entirely can be found on Discovery, which is usually the album people single out as Daft Punk’s best… unless they’d rather go with Random Access Memories. But that one was a decade-defining 2010s release, and so not really relevant, while Discovery was also decade-defining, but for the 2000s, and what do you know? That makes it very relevant.

Look, Discovery earns its spot here for the opening run of tracks alone. “One More Time” to “Aerodynamic” to “Digital Love” to “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” feels almost like the duo showing off, but they really are phenomenal songs, so it’s like, eh, let ‘em show off. Maybe the center of the album sags a little energy-wise, but Discovery does thankfully conclude almost as well as it starts, thanks to “Face to Face” being the penultimate track, and the epic (not to mention fittingly named) “Too Long” being the closer.

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Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

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Release Date

May 28, 2003

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66 Minutes

Director

Leiji Matsumoto, Daisuke Nishio, Hirotoshi Rissen, Kazuhisa Takenouchi

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Writers

Thomas Bangalter, Cédric Hervet, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo

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  Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo

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6

‘Sound of Silver’ (2007)

LCD Soundsystem

The thing about LCD Soundsystem is that persistent embracing of being a little out of step with whatever is technically cool at any given time, but then taking heavy influence from things that used to be cool, and making those things cool again. And also not really caring about the “not being cool” thing, or at least addressing it in ways that are either funny or heartbreaking.

That’s more or less LCD Soundsystem. There’s some stuff from the 1970s and ‘80s chopped up and reworked, lots of angst, self-deprecating humor, brutally honest reflections on life and growing old, and really danceable music tying all that stuff together. Sound of Silver is perhaps the band’s most consistent (from what’s still a regrettably small discography… at the time of writing, it’s been nine years since their last studio album), and is also a perfect entry point if you’ve never heard anything by LCD Soundsystem before and feel curious.

5

‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ (2001)

Wilco

If you’re into indie rock, you’ll probably like this Wilco album, but if you also like more old-fashioned sorts of rock, you’ll likely also find things to like here. It’s just a great rock album, is probably the easiest thing to say, though it is a pretty mellow kind of rock at times. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is also a rather sad album, but that’s to be expected when things kick off with a song named “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.”

Thankfully, it’s a beautiful and sometimes cathartic kind of sadness heard throughout, and also, there are songs here that lyrically go beyond more personal topics like love, loss, and loneliness. Some of the songs here are quite long, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot also clocks in at over 50 minutes all up, but you never really come close to feeling any sort of length here, in a bad way. The whole thing unfolds seamlessly, and it’s more than earned its reputation as one of the first truly great albums of the 21st century.

4

‘Funeral’ (2004)

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire’s downfall or downward spiral hasn’t been as publicized as what’s happened with the next artist mentioned in this ranking, but it’s been a bit sad to see the band that might well have been the greatest indie act of the 2000s and early 2010s implode. To focus on the good times, though, there is Funeral, which is a darkly funny title to give to your debut studio album, but it’s appropriate, because there’s a focus on death and dying at some points throughout the album.

Not a lot, though, because Funeral also has a high level of youthful energy that an aging band can’t help but not really recapture, after a certain point (though Neon Bible, The Suburbs, and the less-loved but overall dark horse Reflektor are also pretty great). It was an album that meant a lot and had people feeling a lot of things back in 2004, which was the perfect time for its sound and style, and there does still remain something oddly timeless about parts of it, more than two decades later.

3

‘The College Dropout’ (2004)

Kanye West

Maybe the mighty has fallen, or the mighty fell a while ago, but what was made during the period of mightiness still exists, and can even be enjoyed. Enter The College Dropout, and it’s not the only Kanye West album that features him being vulnerable at times, but it is pretty much the only one where he feels humble and down-to-earth, because increasing success post-2004 put him in something of a spiral, ego and controversy-wise. There’s a lot more that can be said, but that’s all that’s being said for now.

As for The College Dropout specifically, it’s an incredible album, and a perfect gateway into hip-hop as a genre. It comes close to being Kanye West’s best album overall, and there remains something special about it as a debut, owing to how it sounds (having so many perfect examples of sampling throughout sure helps a great deal, too).

2

‘Since I Left You’ (2000)

The Avalanches

So, The Avalanches are a bit of an odd act to try to explain. They’ve only made three studio albums to date, and for a while, it really felt like Since I Left You would be their only one (it took until 2016’s Wildflower for there to be a follow-up). It was this weird feeling, because The Avalanches had gifted the world one perfect – and also staggeringly unique – album, and one could understand struggling to follow it up, but there was still that desire for more Avalanches.

There has indeed been more from The Avalanches, but Since I Left You remains the best album of a great bunch. The title track here is worth the price of admission alone, and “Frontier Psychiatrist” also proves to be a highlight, while various other songs blend in interesting ways, making the album almost sound like one continuous piece of hour-long music. Oh, and it’s pretty much all done with an overwhelmingly large number of samples, too. This album really is something else.

1

‘Illinois’ (2005)

Sufjan Stevens

Throughout an eclectic career, Sufjan Stevens has released soul-crushing albums, almost aggressive experimental ones, and even one that was a concept album about the solar system. He’s done a bit of everything, and he keeps on finding new things to do. At one stage, he was apparently even more ambitious than he is now, since he expressed a desire to make 50 albums, with one for each State in the U.S.

It officially ended after two were finished, but both Michigan and Illinois were so good, most people can’t get angry at the project’s abandonment (it also helps that subsequent Stevens albums have been so fantastic in other ways). Illinois is his crowning achievement, though, and potentially the best concept album of the 21st century so far. You get all the sides of Sufjan Stevens here, a selection of some of his all-time best songs (like “Chicago,” “Come On! Feel the Illinoise!,” “Casimir Pulaski Day,” and “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!”), and a list of tracks that flows phenomenally from one to the next for almost 75 minutes. It’s a beautiful album that sounds better every time you revisit it, and it already sounds like one of the best albums ever upon first listen. That’s how you know, pretty well, that it’s something incredibly special.

Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

There are iconic TV shows through the decades, including controversial ones that remain topic of conversation today. But there are a few divisive shows from decades past that most people have long forgotten about. All these shows were bold in their approach. Some depicted topics that, at least at the time, were even considered risqué. Others were divisive for different reasons.

Each of these shows has made its mark on history one way or another, loved or hated by viewers and critics, some a little bit of both. From reality TV to teen dramas, sitcoms, and even a kids’ musical show, many of these series have long been forgotten. But at one point in time, they caused uproar, or at least some negative pushback.

10

‘Degrassi Junior High’ (1987–1989)

Image via CBC

Long before shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Dawson’s Creek, there was a little Canadian teen drama called Degrassi Junior High that eventually became popular in the U.S. once it began airing on PBS. While shows like Euphoria have since pushed the envelope for what teen dramas can be, Degrassi Junior High was progressive for its time.

The series covers controversial topics like teen pregnancy, drug use, eating disorders, abuse, and more. This is par for the course today. But back in the late ’80s, the realism in the show caused a stir, some believing it was a little too real. But by and large, Degrassi Junior High is considered one of the forgotten but pioneering teen drama shows that showed relatable stories from real teenage actors. While many remember Degrassi: The Next Generation, a revival that aired from 2001 through 2015 and famously starred Drake, many of the younger generation who watched had never seen the show it was based on.

9

‘Bosom Buddies’ (1980–1982)

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In one of Tom Hanks‘ earliest high-profile roles, he plays Kip Wilson in the sitcom Bosom Buddies, a man who convinces his friend Henry (Peter Scolari) to dress as a woman so they can live in the female-only Susan B. Anthony Hotel and take advantage of the cheap rent. It’s easy to see why this premise is frowned upon today, as many feel it makes a mockery of the LGBTQ+ community.

Of course, Bosom Buddies was meant to be a lighthearted comedy, not setting out to be offensive in any way. But since Hanks’ popularity exploded, and he has become an A-list movie actor, this role has fallen into the background of his career, not to mention sitcom history. The show had some recent attention with the tragic passing of Scolari in 2021. But it’s merely a blip on Hanks’ resume today.

8

‘Skins’ (2007–2013)

Image via E4

The British teen drama is not much different than others of its kind today, like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why. But Skins was arguably a decade too soon, sparking controversy for its depiction of heavy topics among teens, including mental health conditions, depression, sexuality, and bullying. While fans love the realness and rawness of the show, some felt the mature themes and the graphic ways in which they were presented were too much for the younger audience the show was attracting.

One of the most divisive shows ever made, Skins ended up becoming a cult classic. Looking at it compared to other series today, the show clearly knew where the landscape was going. Skins spawned an American remake of the same name in 2011, but the heavy sexual content led to advertiser pushback, and the show only lasted a single season.

7

‘Dear White People’ (2017–2021)

Image via Netflix

A more recent show, Dear White People, attracted a massive following of fans who love its depiction of Black college students in an Ivy League school. The show touches on race from the opposite lens of what’s usually depicted on television, a welcome change that highlights the Black experience in modern-day culture.

However, some people felt that in doing so, Dear White People highlights discrimination against white people. But the comedy-drama is written to be provocative and serve as social commentary, and it does. The goal was met, sparking conversation with topics like white privilege and systemic racism intentionally presented in a satirical but also uncomfortable way.

6

‘Minipops’ (1983)

Image via Channel 4

Anyone who grew up in the ’80s remembers the kids’ musical group Minipops, but you may have forgotten about the short-lived TV show. Airing in the U.K., the show features the young cast singing and performing modern-day pop songs and older classics, dressed to look like the original performers. It’s cute, fun, and energetic, but some viewers did not like that the pre-teens were sometimes singing lyrics with sexual innuendo. The adult costumes and heavy make-up didn’t sit right with some, either, some believing this could have negative psychological effects on children.

Of course, had we been able to predict shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, Minipops looks tame in comparison. A five-year-old singing the words “we make love” in the song “9 to 5,” for example, was cause for a stir. Today, you’ll find that many song covers sung by kids in groups like Minipops and others use altered, child-friendly lyrics to ensure appropriateness.

5

‘The Colbys’ (1985–1987)

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The Colbys was arguably among the first series to prove that just because a show does amazingly well doesn’t mean a spinoff will. The primetime soap opera is a spinoff of Dynasty, one of the most iconic soap operas ever made. But it didn’t quite hit the same. The series has a fantastic cast that includes Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, and Ricardo Montalbán, and centers on the rival wealthy family. While die-hard fans of Dynasty loved it, the show just didn’t get the viewership it needed.

The biggest mistake The Colbys arguably made was serving as a copy of Dynasty with different characters and storylines that were far too similar. It didn’t stand on its own, though it had the potential to do so. Even the actors were divided on the show, with Stanwyck reportedly believing it was not working while Heston thought it had promise to continue. One thing we can agree on: the series had one of the most iconic TV plot twists of the ’80s with its series finale.

4

‘Joe Millionaire’ (2003)

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As far as reality dating shows go, Joe Millionaire was by far one of the most bizarre. It was largely forgotten until it was brought back in 2022 for a third season. The show’s first season centers around Evan Marriott, a handsome man presented to potential suitors as a millionaire businessman. But he’s actually a working-class construction worker. As he goes through the process of dating all the women, he must pare it down to his one choice, then reveal the truth and see if she stays with him or not.

Some appreciated the premise that set out to hopefully show that love means more than money. But there’s no denying that deception isn’t really the way to go about proving that point. It made for great entertainment but didn’t really result in any meaningful moral lessons. Nonetheless, Joe Millionaire was the type of show you wanted to see through to the end to get to the explosive reveal.

3

‘The Tom Green Show’ (1994–2000)

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Aside from an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2019 and starring in the Canadian comedy series The Trades, Tom Green hasn’t really been in the spotlight for some time. But once upon a time, his show, The Tom Green Show, was a big hit. Airing on MTV in the U.S. from 1999, the show presents the type of raunchy, risqué humor that people either love or hate.

Green hosts the show along with others, and it employs a sketch comedy style, usually involving stunts that poke fun at his parents or embarrass people (and himself) in public. Think surprising his parents in bed with a severed cow’s head. The shock comedy slant is similar to the series Jackass, which itself is one of those shows that’s an acquired taste. Green himself is considered an acquired taste, which is why the show was beloved by some, widely criticized by others.

2

‘Tiger King’ (2020–2021)

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Tiger King, also known as Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness, was the darling of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came out at the perfect time when people were stuck at home looking for ways to fill their time. Once you caught the first episode of this true crime docuseries, you were completely hooked and couldn’t look away. It tells the story of eccentric former zookeeper Joe Exotic, who gets into a dangerous war with rival big cat conservationist Carole Baskin. The story takes unbelievable twists and turns, the characters and their stories drawing you in such that you can’t believe it really happened.

Tiger King was beloved enough that the series led to a second and third season, and inspired a flood of memes online. But some organizations and individuals didn’t take kindly to the inaccuracies about wildlife conservation, the second and third seasons even spawning a lawsuit relating to the footage used. Nonetheless, Tiger King goes down in history as one of the most successful and talked-about Netflix docuseries that everyone has since forgotten about.

1

‘Iron Fist’ (2017–2018)

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It seems like pretty much everything within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is, at the very least, memorable. But Iron Fist, also known as Marvel’s Iron Fist, is perhaps the most polarizing. The series, which shares continuity with the movies, was the fourth for Netflix and stars Finn Jones as the titular character, a martial arts expert with the special power of an iron fist.

Despite strong viewership numbers, Iron Fist got mostly negative reviews and was canceled after two seasons. After being removed from Netflix and with Disney now offering all Marvel series, the show has largely been forgotten. But the drastic difference in reception from critics versus audience, just a 20% Rotten Tomatoes critics score for Season 1 compared to 71% by fans, suggests the show remains one of the most divisive MCU titles.

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Iron Fist

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Release Date

March 17, 2017

Network

Disney Channel

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Showrunner

Scott Buck

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Directors

Scott Buck

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For those looking for a bone-chilling way to spend your weekend, if you haven’t seen Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass by now, then what is keeping you from this small-island vampire thriller? The series hit Netflix in 2021 after Flanagan first made streaming waves with The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, but it quickly proved to be his most personal story yet. A dark tale of faith, fear, and failure, Midnight Mass gets better with every rewatch.

What Is ‘Midnight Mass’ About?

As is the case with some of the greatest vampire stories in literature, be it Dracula or ‘Salem’s Lot, Midnight Mass emphasizes faith — both the genuine and misplaced kinds — in a miniseries that will shock and awe. Initially, Flanagan first attempted to tell the story of Crockett Island as a novel before reworking it as a feature film. Yet, the project was finally realized in the form of a Netflix miniseries, and in a golden age of streaming television, it’s clear that this was the best format.

“It is certainly the most personal of the projects for me, in so much as it deals with a lot of what I think about faith and religion, and what it means to be alive in the world, and what the hell happens when we die, and all of the little questions like that,” Flanagan once told Collider. Midnight Mass doesn’t criticize religion or belief itself but wrestles with the fanaticism that can spring from it, ultimately best realized in the show’s unique depiction of vampirism.

Everyone involved in Midnight Mass performs at their absolute A-game. From Flanagan’s distinct creative vision to The Newton Brothers‘ moving score (especially the re-imagined hymns) to the impressive cast that includes Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, and Henry Thomas — the horror series fires on all bloody cylinders. Of course, the real star of Midnight Mass is the charismatic minister Father Paul himself, played by Hamish Linklater. The hypnotic way he sways those on Crockett Island into his strange way of thinking is quite frightening, as his spiritual magnetism pulls in not just the most devout but also the doubting. Although the parts he plays are typically not so front-and-center, Linklater commands the screen here with a dominant and undeniable presence. Though Midnight Mass is a brilliant piece of horror on its own creative merits, it’s his performance that serves as the blood-red glue that holds the entire thing together.

Even if you already know how Midnight Mass ends, it’s an easy horror story to revisit again and again. There is something maddeningly compelling about witnessing the townsfolk be gradually swayed into accepting an “angel” that would sooner devour than deliver them from evil. Perhaps akin to most adaptations of Count Dracula (and biblical depictions of the Devil himself), Father Paul appears as an “angel of light” to those on the small coastal island. What at first appears to be in the best interest of those around him is revealed to be something far more sinister — as Flanagan noted in the aforementioned interview: “We’re all way more complicated.” That is part of the appeal of Midnight Mass. It doesn’t force religious clichés or black-and-white concepts down viewers’ throats, but earnestly wrestles with good and evil, man and monster.

Mike Flanagan Has Yet to Top ‘Midnight Mass’

Since Midnight Mass was released, the horror series has often been compared to the works of Stephen King, and considering Flanagan is well-known for adapting the “King of Horror,” the comparison is quite apropos. As one critic from the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, Midnight Mass is “the best Stephen King story that Stephen King never wrote” — and we couldn’t have said it better.

After dazzling Netflix viewers with his two The Haunting installments (which we still hope will continue), Flanagan’s third (and best) streaming horror is leagues above anything he’s done since. Perhaps some of that has to do with his magnum opus being such a personal take on not just the relationship between religion and vampires, but also issues of grief, alcoholism, and self-discovery.

Not only is Midnight Mass one of the best horror series around, but it’s easily one of Netflix’s most rewatchable original shows. When it comes to horror outings on the streaming platform, you can’t go wrong with this particular brand of vampire thriller. It’ll make your skin crawl, but what more could you ask for from Mike Flanagan?