Transformers fans who attended last weekend’s 40th anniversary screenings of Transformers: The Movie were treated to a special surprise: an all-new animated short, Optimus Prime: Awakening, in which the dying Autobot hero is confronted with dark visions of friends and foes. Now, one of its most striking characters is coming to your home: Collider is proud to exclusively reveal the new Studio Series Optimus Prime: Awakening Bumblebee action figure.

In Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) falls in a final battle with his arch-foe, Megatron (Frank Welker). While the movie’s surviving characters have little time to mourn before another galactic menace arises, Optimus Prime: Awakening sees the Autobot legend’s spirit commune with The One, an ancient and mysterious entity. The One hurls him into another battle with the Decepticons, but as he fights his way through those familiar fiends, he’s confronted with one more: Bumblebee. Once one of his most stalwart soldiers, Bumblebee has become disillusioned by the unending war and has switched sides.

Now, Hasbro has unveiled a new figure based on this dark incarnation of the once-cheery hero. A Deluxe-sized figure, Bumblebee transforms from car to robot in 29 steps and comes with Megatron’s fusion cannon, which can be attached to either mode. He’s fully poseable and features all sorts of screen-accurate detail, from the faded Autobot symbol on his chest to his sinister head sculpt. He’ll retail for $29.99 USD and can be preordered today, September 22, starting at 1 p.m. EST, from Hasbro Pulse and all other major online retailers. He’ll arrive on shelves next fall.

Who Created ‘Optimus Prime: Awakening’?

Optimus Prime: Awakening was directed by Joshua Wassung (Predator: Killer of Killers) and written by Ryan Parrott (Twisted Metal). It was animated by The Third Floor and features music by Bobby Krlic (Midsommar). It unexpectedly became the final act for veteran voice actor Cullen, who originated the character of Optimus Prime in 1984; Cullen died at age 85 last month. It reunites him with longtime friend, colleague, and co-star Welker, and also features the voices of Simon Henderson, Mathieu Bourassa, Scott Law, Gray Powell, and Jaret LeMaster.

Studio Series Optimus Prime: Awakening Bumblebee will be available for pre-order at 1 p.m. ET and will arrive in your hands next fall. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

August 8, 1986

Runtime

84 minutes

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Director

Nelson Shin

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Writers

Ron Friedman

Producers

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Joe Bacal, Lee Gunther, Margaret Loesch, Tom Griffin

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• 

  Norman Alden

  Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime (voice)

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  Jack Angel

  Optimus Prime / Ironhide (voice)

• 

  Michael Bell

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  Soundwave / Megatron / Rumble / Frenzy / Wheelie (voice)

• 

  Gregg Berger

  Galvatron (voice)

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Back in 2022, one of the most popular horror movies of the year was M3GAN, the AI cyber thriller starring Allison Williams as Gemma, Violet McGraw as Cady, and Ami Donald as the titular android. The film was a massive hit, grossing over $180 million at the box office against a modest $12 million budget, which was enough to make it one of the most profitable films of the entire year. Just three years later, Blumhouse tried to recapture the M3GAN magic by bringing back the android for M3GAN 2.0, but things didn’t exactly go according to plan, even if it wasn’t a total disaster. The film grossed $39 million at the box office against a $25 million budget, but it did go on to become one of the most-watched movies on Netflix upon its premiere.

Blumhouse officially returned to the world of evil androids earlier this year with Soulm8te, which arrived on digital platforms over the summer on August 1. The movie was originally going to be released in theaters earlier in the year, but the studio changed its mind and decided to save it for a fully digital premiere later in the year. The film has been available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms like Prime Video for almost two months now, but it’s finally set to arrive on streaming soon. Blumhouse announced not long ago that Soulm8te is officially set to begin streaming on Hulu on October 1, and to help promote the new streaming announcement, Collider is thrilled to partner with the studio to exclusively preview a deliciously twisted sneak peek from Soulm8te, which can be found below.

What Is ‘Soulm8te’ About?

The official synopsis for Soulm8te, which was written by Rafael Jordan, Kate Dolan, James Wan, and Ingrid Bisu, and directed by Kate Dolan, reads as follows: “After a ruthless tech giant acquires his company, a grieving engineer is tasked with testing their new AI companion. But when he attempts to program her to be a truly sentient soulmate, she develops needs of her own — unleashing a relentless spree of precision-engineered mayhem.” Soulm8te also comes in with a concise runtime of only 99 minutes, so those interested in checking out the film can easily do so in one sitting. Fans of The Boys and Gen V may also recognize Claudia Doumit in Soulm8te.

Check out Soulm8te on digital now and on Hulu in October, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of all the hottest horror projects on streaming.

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Release Date

January 9, 2026

Runtime

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120 Minutes

Director

Kate Dolan

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Writers

Kate Dolan, Ingrid Bisu, James Wan, Rafael Jordan

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Franchise(s)

M3GAN

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A grand jury has found there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges in the death of Nolan Wells. As previously reported, Wells was a Black teen who was found dead after a July 4 boating trip off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Amid his family swiftly questioning the manner of his death, the internet and Black community have rallied behind them, especially his mom, Christine Wonsley. But now, it appears the state of Mississippi is stepping back from the viral case, following the grand jury review.

RELATED: Christine Wonsley Shares Heartbreaking Post Ahead Of Her First Birthday Without Her Son Nolan Wells (PHOTOS)

Details About Grand Jury Review In Nolan Wells’ Case

Angel Myers McIlrath, the district attorney overseeing Wells’ case, announced the no-charges decision late Monday (Sept. 21). The update comes after months of intense speculation about how the 18-year-old disappeared from a popping party and why the friends who ferried Wells to the island left without him.

The grand jury in Jackson County, Mississippi, found no evidence of criminal conduct. It noted that examinations of his body by the Mississippi medical examiner’s office and an independent forensic pathologist found the cause and manner of death to be undetermined. Nolan Wells’ family hired the independent pathologist.

“If credible evidence comes to light in the future that suggests Mr. Wells’ death was non-accidental, this matter should be represented to the Jackson County Grand Jury for further consideration,” the panel’s report said.

The grand jury also debunked public assertions that Wells was the only Black person on Horn Island on July 4.

“These false assertions have led to misidentification, speculation and rumors concerning the death of Mr. Wells,” it said.

The report concluded with the panel expressing sympathy for Wells’ family. “The evidence received in this matter convinced the Grand Jury of Mr. Wells’ outstanding character,” it said.

Wells’ Family Lawyers React To Grand Jury Findings 

Lawyers for Nolan Wells’ family, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said the grand jury’s report leaves more questions than answers. Also, they accused the district attorney of ending the investigation despite not determining what caused blunt force trauma on the back of Wells’ head and body.

Additionally, they  renewed their request that the U.S. Department of Justice conduct an independent investigation and called on DA McIlrath to release the investigation file and the full autopsy report by the medical examiner.

“Today, the State of Mississippi is attempting to close the chapter on Nolan Wells’ death without getting to the truth,” Crump said in a statement.

Ben Crump, Wells’ family and the NAACP planned a news conference for Tuesday, Sept. 22. Additionally, Crump shared an official statement about the grand jury findings, which can be read below.

District Attorney Expresses Frustration Over Case Speculations

Following the grand jury review, Angel McIlrath posted a 15-minute social media video on Monday night. The district attorney expressed frustration about inaccurate speculation by some members of the public about what happened to Nolan Wells. She also said that lawyers for Wells’ family told her office last month that their own investigation found no evidence of crimes.

“What I cannot accept, what I cannot ignore, is that false narratives that Nolan’s death was somehow racially motivated, and that this is a case of another young Black man denied justice by a racist, corrupt system, were perpetuated and allowed to spread. There is not a shred of evidence to support these narratives,” she said.

Recap Of Investigation Into Nolan Wells’ Death

Nolan Wells disappeared while celebrating the Fourth of July with friends on Horn Island, an island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was discovered on the island’s northwestern tip two days after he was last seen.

Shortly after, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office officials said investigators did not suspect foul play. That statement sparked widespread concerns about whether law enforcement would conduct a thorough investigation in a state with a brutal history of racism and civil rights violations. District Attorney McIlrath repeatedly promised a fair and thorough investigation into his death.

Meanwhile, Nolan Wells’ parents and their lawyers voiced suspicions after Wells’ friends left the island without him. The friends claimed that he wanted to stay behind and talk to a girl. Wells’ phone was on the boat that took him to the island, which was later towed partway back to the mainland after taking on water.

Ben Crump and Nolan Wells’ parents have cast doubt on why a teenager would choose to stay on an island without his phone. They also speculated that messages on his phone had been tampered with and alleged that his friends were reluctant to turn over his keys. Lawyers for Wells’ friends said the friends are cooperating with authorities.

RELATED: Christine Wonsley & Sybrina Fulton Embrace Amid Loss Of Their Sons, Nolan Wells & Trayvon Martin (VIDEO)

Associated Press contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

Every fall, I inevitably find a new way to work the classic French girl aesthetic into my wardrobe. Some years I’m constantly wearing ballet flats or trench coats, but right now, I can’t stop looking at blouses covered in stripes, polka dots, lace and other romantic details. They’re an easy way to make everyday fall outfits feel instantly more expensive.

Naturally, Amazon is where I went looking for affordable versions of the styles currently filling my mood board. From gingham styles to elegant eyelet picks and waist-defining peplums, these finds have all the charm of something picked up at a little Parisian boutique. Better yet, prices start at only $10.

These 17 French Girl-Style Blouses Are My Latest Obsession

1. Our Favorite: The easiest way to make a simple blouse look expensive? Add gold buttons. This chic V-neck style pairs the luxe detail with subtle pleating and an easy-to-tuck silhouette.

2. Gingham Girl: A traditional button-down shirt feels much more fun with ruffles involved. This gorgeous gingham blouse adds them along the collar and placket, giving the classic print a feminine French girl twist.

3. Bestseller Alert: Over 800 shoppers bought this gingham button-down top in the past month, and the fall-ready brown print explains why. The relaxed shape and three-quarter sleeves make it an easy transitional staple.

4. Lace Upgrade: Swap your plain white blouse for this elegant eyelet style when you want something with a little more personality. The intricate floral cutouts create tons of texture without needing prints or bold colors.

5. Draped Dream: Sometimes the simplest pieces look the chicest. This draped white blouse has a flowy crossover front and loose three-quarter sleeves to turn an otherwise basic top into something far more elegant.

Related: 17 Chic Fall Amazon Blouses That Look Like Boutique Bestsellers

Before I became a shopping editor, I spent years working at a boutique, where I learned pretty quickly which pieces customers couldn’t resist. Come fall, pretty blouses were always in the mix — especially styles with rich colors, romantic details and an expensive-looking finish. Some were the kind of pieces I could barely get onto […]

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6. Easy Does It: This flowy black blouse proves that sometimes less really is more. A deep V-neck and billowy silhouette gives the simple design plenty of movement and that coveted je ne sais quoi.

7. Date Night Staple: Romantic, sheer and just a little sultry, this black lace blouse was practically made for fall date nights. The intricate floral pattern makes it look especially high-end.

8. Pretty Polka Dots: An oversized necktie turns this polka dot blouse into a full-on statement piece. The sheer chiffon fabric and chocolate brown print only add to its romantic Parisian feel.

9. Ruffle Romance: Cascading ruffles take this white bell-sleeve blouse from simple to très chic. They frame the V-neckline and continue down the front, giving the $17 find beautiful movement.

10. French Countryside: This drawstring peasant-inspired blouse channels the softer side of French style with delicate lace shoulders, a ruffled collar and dainty neckties. At $10, the blouse looks way more expensive than it is.

11. Parisian Stripes: There’s a reason the striped shirt style has remained a French wardrobe staple for decades. This brown button-down top gives the classic pattern a warmer fall spin for $23.

12. Peplum, Please: A fitted waist completely transforms this striped button-down shirt into something more feminine and flattering. The versatile silhouette can carry you from morning meetings straight into date night plans.

13. Spot On: This polka dot button-down pick is an easy way to bring more personality into a fall wardrobe (without reaching for bold color). The black and white combination feels classic enough to wear well beyond one season.

14. Silky-Chic: Bring a little Parisian polish to your fall rotation with this satin button-down blouse. Its rich brown shade and silky sheen strike the perfect balance between timeless and trendy.

15. Waist-Defining: Smocking at the waist gives this peplum V-neck blouse a flattering shape before flowing into a flared hem. Pearl-like buttons and delicate ruffled cuffs make it feel especially feminine.

16. Boutique Beauty: This lace-trim blouse has the kind of intricate detailing you’d expect to find at a charming French boutique. The romantic design is now nearly 50% off, too.

17. Eyelet Everything: This white eyelet blouse goes all in on romantic details with floral cutouts, puff sleeves and scalloped edges. The ruffled neckline gives it an extra dose of French-girl charm.

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale –>

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Related: 17 Throw-On Amazon Dresses With ‘Rich Mom Running Errands’ Energy

There’s a very specific kind of rich mom style worth channeling this fall, and it’s inspired by the woman who somehow looks put together while grabbing coffee, getting groceries or knocking out errands. Her outfit looks expensive, but more importantly, it feels effortless — and a throw-on dress might be the easiest way to recreate […]

A few days ago, it was confirmed that the long-gestating World War Z sequel is finally moving ahead with Brad Pitt back in the lead role and Edward Berger set to direct. Previously, David Fincher was attached to helm the project, a sequel to Pitt’s 2013 hit, which survived a particularly difficult production. The original World War Z, directed by Marc Forster, emerged as a sturdy hit with $540 million worldwide against a budget that reportedly escalated to around $270 million — the movie was successful at the box office, but given that budget, it barely broke even. However, World War Z has been incredibly successful in its post-release era, which no doubt contributed to a sequel being greenlit. Now, another film that did so-so business at the box office but found major success on home video has re-emerged on the streaming charts.

In fact, it’s currently among the most watched movies globally on Paramount+, according to FlixPatrol. More interestingly, it’s competing with none other than World War Z. The movie in question was released theatrically in 2022, grossing $75 million worldwide against a reported budget of $70 million. Not long after its release on the PVOD market, however, it became clear that the film was on an unusually positive trajectory. Reacting to its home-video success, director Robert Eggers said in an interview with The Daily Beast that while he was disappointed that the film was released on PVOD after a short theatrical window, he was glad that it had found an audience.

The Brutal Epic Received Excellent Reviews

By now you’ve probably guessed that we’re talking about The Northman, Eggers’ dark-fantasy epic based on Norse mythology. Starring Alexander Skarsgård as a vengeful Viking, the movie also featured Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Claes Bang, and others. It now holds a “Certified Fresh” 90% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “A bloody revenge epic and breathtaking visual marvel, The Northman finds filmmaker Robert Eggers expanding his scope without sacrificing any of his signature style.” According to FlixPatrol, The Northman is currently the third most-popular movie on the global Paramount+ chart.

Given the renewed attention that the Norwegian dark horses brought to Viking culture during the recent FIFA World Cup, it wouldn’t be surprising if The Northman attracts new audiences in the next phase of its life. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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April 22, 2022

Runtime

137 minutes

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Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (Green Book) returns to the big screen in writer-director Bassam Tariq’s (Mogul Mowgli) Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie world-premiered, Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the chance to sit down with Ali, Tariq, and the cast to discuss the making of their near-perfect action-packed crime drama.

Set in Texas, Ali plays Latif, a devout Muslim and loving family man who also just so happens to be a contract killer with a strict code. As a rule, Latif never uses guns, and he only kills those the world would be better off without. When the unthinkable happens, and Latif’s wife passes away, he’s ready to move on from his violent past and focus on raising his three children. Unfortunately, his employer, Mike (Laith Nakli), isn’t keen on this idea, and suddenly Latif finds himself in a perilous race across Houston to outrun the forces surrounding him and protect his family. The movie also stars John Cho (Searching), Giancarlo Esposito (Captain America: Brave New World), and Tramell Tillman (Spider-Man: Brand New Day).

Tariq, Ali, Cho, Adia, and Esposito stop by the Collider Media Studio, presented by Campari and The Cayman Islands, where they discuss the visual language of the film, the inspirations Tariq drew from, Adia’s first feature, and the importance of trusting a director and their vision. Ali also digs into Latif’s emotional complexities and discusses performing his own stunts and overcoming physical challenges on set.

Mahershala Ali Takes on His Most Intense Action Role Yet

“I hadn’t had a chance to do that. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Image via Amazon MGM

For Ali, audiences have seen what he can deliver on screen dramatically. Early in his career, the actor was awarded one of the industry’s highest achievements and has gone on to work on many high-profile projects, including The Hunger Games franchise, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the Jurassic World films, and was set to lead his own MCU feature that fans were eager to see.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother offers Ali a career first, however. When asked about the scenes they were most anxious about filming on set, or most excited to tackle, Ali highlighted the movie’s climax.

“For the first time ever, the scene I was most concerned with was our climactic action scene, because we had very limited time in terms of our rehearsal and preparation for what this film is and was. I know the audience doesn’t care about how much time you have; they just expect it to be done in a way that is excellent. Considering the epic nature of the fight and the time and lack thereof, and even if we had time, I would still have a certain type of nervousness around it, and it was around all the action sequences, but that particular fight and action sequence, we knew it was a big task, and you just don’t know.

It’s one thing for the director to do his job, but then those fights are almost a separate piece that have to be covered as best as the director and cinematographer can cover, but it’s really someone’s coming in and choreographing this thing, and it’s like your heart is outside of your body a little bit.”

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Bassam interjects to clarify that Ali isn’t stepping back for those action-packed sequences, either. “That was also Mahershala. That was him doing all the stunts, because his face is in it. He’s got to be doing all the stuff.” He continues, “We couldn’t just ever just be like, ‘Use a double there.’ No, this is him. So he’s got to not just also perform every day in these really intense, dramatic scenes, but he’s also got all these action scenes.”

In response, Ali explains:

“That was unfamiliar to me. I hadn’t had a chance to do that. I’ve always wanted to do that, especially as a former athlete, but I had never really had that opportunity in that way. And so I think that that moment going into it and going, ‘When are we going to rehearse this, Bassam? When are we gonna rehearse this in between takes?’ So, it was that type of thing. And I’m very proud of what all involved were able to achieve in making this film.”

Check out all of this and more in the video above, with time codes provided below.

• 00:35 – The team shares their favorite movie theater spots and why.
• 03:57 – Giancarlo Esposito shares his meditative pre-scene ritual.
• 05:00 – Bassam Tariq shares his inspiration for Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.
• 05:34 – Tariq discusses the visual language of the film, drawing on spiritual westerns, samurai movies, and the vibrant colors of Muslim culture.
• 06:52 – Mahershala Ali reflects on Tariq’s script and the collaborative effort required to bring its world to life.
• 08:50 – Adia shares her experience making her first feature.
• 09:45 – Esposito describes the importance of trusting a director and allowing performances to flow naturally.
• 11:58 – Cho recalls how the opening pages of the script immediately drew him into the story.
• 13:20 – Adia reflects on the masterclass of working alongside experienced actors and honoring her own process.
• 16:09 – Ali discusses Latif’s emotional complexities as a character.
• 18:15 – Esposito says every day on set required him to remain open and present.
• 20:08 – Adia describes the anticipation surrounding her character’s climactic scene.
• 20:46 – Cho recalls the pressure of filming his character’s introduction.
• 21:53 – Filming the final scene on the last day was challenging.
• 22:35 – Ali reflects on the scenes that intimidated him and performing his own stunts.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother opens in select theaters on September 25 and releases nationwide on October 9.

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Release Date

September 25, 2026

Runtime

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112 minutes

Director

Bassam Tariq

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The 1990s are widely considered the most transformative decade for video games in history, and for good reason. The shift from 2D to 3D, the arrival of optical discs, the birth of all-new genres, the arrival of far more complex stories… The list of reasons why the ’90s saw video gaming completely transform into a proper art form are pretty much endless. And as such, it should come as no surprise that several games from this decade are now considered classics.

The number of video games from the ’90s worthy of the “classic” label are too many to count, but there are ten in particular that have gone down in history as some of the most essential, influential, and impactful games in the medium’s history. From handheld RPGs like Pokémon Red and Blue to fighting game essentials like Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, the biggest classic games of the ’90s are a testament to how much the medium has evolved since its inception.

10

‘Pokémon Red and Blue’ (1996)

Image via Nintendo

Nowadays, the Pokémon multimedia franchise is easily one of the most gargantuan and essential pillars of modern pop culture. Even history’s greatest giants have to start somewhere, though, and in the case if Pokémon, that was Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version. Published by Nintendo for the Game Boy in 1996, these have since aged as two of the best ’90s video games worth playing over and over.

Indeed, far from only being essential because of their historical importance, Pokémon Red and Blue are still incredibly entertaining and highly replayable. They helped establish core RPG mechanics and gameplay loops, have some of the best world-building in the series, and single-handedly launched the global phenomenon that this franchise has since become.

Image via Konami

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The racing platformer Penguin Adventure was technically the world’s introduction to Japanese video game creator Hideo Kojima, but it was the quiet success that was 1987’s Metal Gear that showed the world they were in the presence of a master who would soon become one of video game development’s first true auteurs. However, it wouldn’t be until the third mainline installment in the series, Metal Gear Solid, that Kojima would truly cement his status as a bona fide genius.

Far and away one of the best video games of 1998, Metal Gear Solid was one of the first games to fully push the video gaming medium into the territory of genuine art. Never before had gamers experienced a title that felt this potently cinematic and radically experimental, and those experiments were so successful that the game has somehow aged like fine wine since its release.

8

‘Super Mario World’ (1990)

Image via Nintendo

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Nintendo really kicked things off on the right foot in the ’90s, publishing Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1990. The Super Mario Bros. franchise had already established itself as something really special going into the ’90s, with World only further proving that this series of platformers was sure to remain a mainstay of the gaming industry for the foreseeable future.

Over three decades later, Super Mario World is still seen as one of the most beloved Nintendo classics from the 20th century, one of those Mario Bros. games that are perfect throughout. Seen by many as the absolute peak of the 2D side-scrolling genre, this groundbreaking SNES launch title may not have radically altered what Mario had to offer, but it sure did perfect the formula in ways whose influence can still be felt across the entire genre to this day.

7

‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

Image via Square

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The Final Fantasy franchise was a massive, unbelievably impactful game series from the very start, but Final Fantasy VII was an undeniable watershed moment in the franchise’s history, as well as a defining milestone for the entire video game industry. Almost three decades and one massive three-game remake project later, this is still generally remembered as one of the best JRPGs of all time.

Released on three CD-ROMs for the original PlayStation, the game not only shattered regional boundaries by becoming an international success, but also proved that story-driven games could hold just as much power as any film or TV show. It proved that Western audiences craved the sort of RPG experiences that Japan had to offer, as well as highly cinematic games and bold storytelling. For that and many more reasons, it’s a real must-play classic.

6

‘Street Fighter II: The World Warrior’ (1991)

Image via Capcom

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The franchise today is as mainstream as they come, which makes it easy to forget that the original Street Fighter was a commercial disappointment back in 1987. On the other hand, its sequel, Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, became the best-selling game since the Golden Age of arcade video games. When the game came out on SNES, it became Capcom’s best-selling software game for the next two decades.

All this record-breaking would be worth nothing if Street Fighter II didn’t actually have any staying power, though. However, the game continues to be remembered as one of the best video game masterpieces of the 1990s, having helped lay the groundwork for modern esports and revitalize the global arcade industry while it was going through a steep decline. Indeed, the game was absolutely revolutionary back in 1991, and it’s still just as entertaining and iconic all these many years later.

5

‘GoldenEye 007’ (1997)

Image via Rare

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By the time Pierce Brosnan entered his tenure as James Bond, the 007 film franchise was already well-established as one of the most popular and iconic action film franchises on the planet. As such, it’s no shocker that the series eventually made the jump to game consoles. Based on GoldenEye, Brosnan’s first movie as Bond, the Nintendo 64’s GoldenEye 007 is nothing short of one of the best FPS games of all time.

The game, which was originally conceived as a side-scrolling platformer for the SNES, eventually evolved into one of the most groundbreaking 3D shooters of the 20th century. Developed by a small team of rookie creators, it proved that shooters could work on console just as well as on PC. Unique level design, pioneering stealth mechanics, and revolutionary couch multiplayer all made it jaw-droppingly modern back in 1997; and almost 30 years later, it’s still worth playing for hours on end.

4

‘Chrono Trigger’ (1995)

Image via Square

Developer and publisher Square had such immense faith in Chrono Trigger that they had their development team led by a trio of designers they dubbed the “Dream Team”: Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy; Yuji Horii, creator of Dragon Quest; and Akira Toriyama, author of the Dragon Ball manga series. The end result was a tremendous critical and commercial success, and many continue to deem it one of the greatest video games ever made.

Indeed, far from just being one of the best JRPGs in history or one of the best turn-based RPG games ever, it was a massively innovative game that introduced revolutionary elements to the RPG genre which changed it forever. A masterclass in tight, impactful storytelling, zero-fluff game design, and 16-bit 2D spite artistry, it’s one of the most essential video game classics that anyone who loves the medium should play at least once.

3

‘Doom’ (1993)

Image via id Software

There is arguably no shooter video game more impactful, foundational, or influential than Doom, the third major independent release by developer and publisher id Software. It was a critical and commercial success upon release, but it’s the ever-lasting impact that it has continued to have over the decades that has truly enshrined it as one of the most crucial works of the video game canon.

It is, indeed, one of the most influential video games of the 20th century, and then some. Fundamentally birthing modern multiplayer culture, establishing the PC as the ultimate gaming powerhouse, and embracing modding culture were but a few of the contributions that Doom had—and has continued to have—within the gaming space. With its being playable pretty much anywhere and everywhere with a screen and a processor, there’s no excuse for anyone who calls themselves a gamer to say that they’ve never played Doom.

2

‘Super Mario 64’ (1996)

Image via Nintendo

Super Mario 64 did not invent 3D gaming, but it did completely revolutionize how 3D games were played and designed. By pairing 360-degree analog joystick movement with a moving camera and some of the smoothest controls the industry had ever seen, Nintendo didn’t just change the course of the Mario franchise going forward, but of the entire gaming industry as a whole.

There are plenty of Nintendo games that are amazing from start to finish, including several from the 1990s, but remarkably few are even remotely as important or foundational as Mario 64. The game still plays surprisingly nicely considering that it truly was the very first of its kind, and that’s why it’s one of the biggest and most iconic classics in the history of video games.

1

‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)

Image via Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda became one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises pretty much right away, but it would be its transition into 3D that would fully cement it as one of the most essential classic franchises in the history of video games. In the eyes of many, Ocarina of Time, the game that took Zelda into the 3D realm, is something akin to the Citizen Kane of video games. At least as far as the ’90s—and, arguably, the entire 20th century—go, it doesn’t get much pop-culturally significant than this.

Arguably the most essential Nintendo game that every fan of gaming has to play at least once in their lives, Ocarina of Time is a classic unlike anything else that any video game console has ever seen. It’s the definitive gold standard for foundational action-adventure game design, thanks to its invention of many a modern 3D action mechanic and its masterclass in atmospheric world-building and storytelling. Even to this day, it’s still a must-play cornerstone of video gaming history.

Comedic murder mystery series seem like an odd concept at first, but the niche genre is gaining ground. From Only Murders in the Building to The Afterparty, each series has its own twist, including the often-forgotten Netflix series, The Residence. The 2025 series combines Only Murders in the Building‘s quirky characters and humorous mystery with The West Wing‘s focus on daily life in the White House. But instead of exploring the President’s senior staff, The Residence offers an upstairs-downstairs twist with a behind-the-scenes look at the White House from the kitchens to the basement.

The series isn’t especially long, with only one season, and after its swift cancellation, there won’t be another installment. However, in just eight episodes, it slowly unravels a mysterious death that no ordinary detective could solve. With unique characters and constant surprises, The Residence does not disappoint. This hilarious, unpredictable Netflix series is the perfect binge-watch for all fans of murder mysteries.

‘The Residence’ Explores a Shocking Mystery

The Residence centers on the death of White House Chief Usher A. B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), which occurs during a state dinner honoring the Australian Prime Minister. However, the series splits its time between the investigation and the following congressional hearing held to address the incident. When the long-serving staff member is found dead, all evidence points to a suicide, and the President’s Chief Advisor, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), is eager to have the detectives declare that to be the case and move on, but not everyone is as confident. This is when eccentric consulting detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) gets involved. Throughout the investigation, Detective Cupp doesn’t follow the expected method, but she is effective.

Dragging the reluctant FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) behind her, Cupp has Wynter’s second-in-command, Jasmine (Susan Kelechi Watson), guide her around the White House. Cupp quickly realizes there is much more to the story, declaring that Wynter’s body has been moved and that he wears a bloody shirt that isn’t his own. These oddities push her investigation forward and cast doubt on the initial theory. Cupp uncovers several strange events happening that night as she questions everyone who interacted with Wynter, from the President’s family to the pastry chef. Slowly, Cupp pieces together the complicated truth, but the investigation is routinely interrupted by flash-forwards to the congressional hearing, where the characters are as invested in the story as the audience. The mystery includes shocking twists that will keep the audience guessing until the very end.

The Characters Set ‘The Residence’ Apart

While The Residence‘s mystery is its defining feature, the series works because of its characters. Cupp collects over 100 suspects from those present that night, but only a few stand out. Ranging from a temperamental chef to the President’s screw-up brother, Cupp’s list creates a quirky group to focus on, and that is what makes the series so hilarious. Despite the gravity of the situation, these characters constantly make the audience laugh with their antics and confessions. Yet, the suspects also amplify the mystery, adding ambiguity to the series. With reasons like Harry’s desperation to wrap up the investigation, Jasmine’s interest in Wynter’s position, or Sheila Cannon’s (Edwina Findley) drunken expectation that Wynter will fire her, each seems more guilty than the last, making the mystery difficult to solve.

Each character adds to the comedy with their desperation to cover up unrelated secrets and overdramatic reactions, but none compare to Cordelia Cupp herself. Though a renowned detective, Cupp rarely explains herself, and as she sees things others miss, her moves often confuse those around her and those in the hearing. In addition to her investigative skill, Cupp’s passion for birdwatching makes her a unique hero for the series. Ultimately, The Residence isn’t long, only releasing one season before Netflix cancelled the show, but it does wrap up the mystery of Wynter’s death. While it is disappointing that fans will not see more of Cupp’s cases, this ending turns the shocking mystery into a perfect binge-watch.

The Residence is streaming on Netflix in the U.S.

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Release Date

2025 – 2025-00-00

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Network

Netflix

Writers

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Paul William Davies

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Mikayla Matthews is standing by her decision to leave The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

After Taylor Frankie Paul seemingly announced her exit from the hit Hulu reality show on Monday, September 21, Mikayla, 26, responded to fans asking whether she’d return to filming. Mikayla previously cited Taylor’s return for season 6 as the main reason she left the series.

“To answer your question… No, I will not be coming back,” Mikayla shared alongside a mirror selfie posted via her Instagram Stories on Monday.

She continued, “Everyone has to do what’s best for them, and I was the only one who chose to leave the show due to MANY reasons and, of course, the recent news a couple weeks ago.”

“I feel like I took my concerns to the right people and went out of my way over and over again to try to address them. There are so many things wrong with this situation. Because of one person’s actions but also because of the way everything was handled after,” Mikayla wrote.

“Those concerns haven’t changed and neither has my decision right now,” she concluded. “Don’t know what the future holds, but I think we can collectively agree that a lot of changes need to be made.”

Mikayla announced her exit from Mormon Wives on September 14, citing concerns about Taylor, 32, rejoining the cast amid her ongoing custody disputes with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and ex-husband Tate Paul. (Taylor shares son Ever, 2, with Dakota and daughter Indy, 9, and son Ocean, 6, with Tate.)

On Monday, Taylor seemingly confirmed her own exit from the show and called out her costars over alleged online bullying.

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“My gratitude goes to all the networks that supported me throughout this and gave me the chance to return. However, I don’t desire to move forward like this,” the reality star wrote via Instagram. “I originally was willing to be removed to let them all continue on with less stress, and I’m back to that point.”

She continued, “Some of the girls know what I’ve been through and then to turn and collectively pile on with their ‘statements’ knowing there has been ongoing abuse through the system the last 8 months on top of what I’ve endured. Almost the entire cast plus some, going at me….laughing about my kids is disgusting. I bit my tongue there.”

“I agree it’s to the point of bullying for months now. What makes it harder to take in is some of these parents have made mistakes that would result in the same judgement I’m receiving yet pointing a finger,” Taylor claimed. “However, it’s a pleasure to remove myself so they can continue, because I’ve almost convinced myself I’m deserving of all this pain and to a certain degree absolutely this is consequences of my actions. My question has been how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough…I’m just relieved to be out.”

It’s not an easy job saving the world through the power of K-pop. And sadly, it’s not a one and done for the people involved. We say sadly, just because they might need a rest. Not us, though. We want more KPop Demon Hunters, the Honmoon isn’t going to protect itself, and somebody needs to make sure Derpy Tiger is doing okay. Netflix has announced the newest Kpop Demon Hunters project at last, and HUNTR/X aren’t going into battle alone.

Netflix has officially revealed KPop Demon Hunters: The Immersive Experience, a follow-up story set in the world of its record-breaking animated movie that fans can actually be a part of. The experience opens at Netflix House Dallas on November 12 before arriving at Netflix House Philadelphia on November 20.

It’s also not just a lazy money grab. This isn’t the Willy Wonka experience from Scotland that ended up becoming notorious for all the wrong reasons, this actually has its own narrative which begins backstage with HUNTR/X as the group prepares for opening night on the latest stop of its world tour. As you’d expect, though, Gwi-Ma crashes the party and that means the guests need to team up with HUNTR/X on a mission through neon-lit Seoul to restore the Honmoon and “Takedown” the demons.

The experience will include interactive sets, screens, 3D tech, live actors and animation while all guests will complete music and play-based challenges as the story unfolds around them. Basically, watching Rumi, Mira and Zoey save everyone from the comfort of your couch was apparently the tutorial. Marian Lee, Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer, explained that the idea grew from audiences wanting to do considerably more than simply rewatch the movie:

“Fans don’t just want to watch KPop Demon Hunters, they want to live in the world of HUNTR/X. Netflix House is where fandoms like this get to live year-round, so it’s the perfect home for everything KPop Demon Hunters fans have been asking for. Singing the songs they already know by heart, facing off with demons, hanging out with Derpy Tiger – every detail is built so fans of all ages can feel, hear and see this world exactly the way they imagined it.”

HUNTR/X’s Biggest Songs Are Coming With Them

You can’t really make an immersive KPop Demon Hunters experience and leave the music behind. The entire adventure will play out against songs from the movie’s Grammy and Academy Award-winning soundtrack, including “How It’s Done,” “Soda Pop,” “Golden,” and more.

Both Netflix House locations will introduce new KPop Demon Hunters merchandise alongside the experience, as well as themed food and drinks and exclusive photo opportunities. Netflix says those additions are part of a wider plan to continually refresh its permanent Netflix House locations around whatever audiences are currently obsessed with on screen.

Tickets start at $39, with children’s admission for ages 3-12 beginning at $34. There’s also a VIP package starting at $89 from Monday through Thursday and $99 from Friday through Sunday. That includes all-day access to the Netflix House VIP Lounge, priority entry to the experience during operating hours on the ticketed date, and an exclusive themed gift while supplies last.

KPop Demon Hunters: The Immersive Experience opens November 12 at Netflix House Dallas and November 20 at Netflix House Philadelphia.

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Release Date

June 20, 2025

Runtime

96 minutes

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Director

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang

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Writers

Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez

Producers

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Michelle Wong

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