Science fiction is a broad spectrum of material that can include everything from aliens and robots to alternate worlds and time travel. In many ways, it’s just fantasy with some technical mumbo-jumbo that attempts to ground the world in reality rather than magic. Sometimes, sci-fi gets really technical by using real-world science, but no matter how you slice it, there’s still something fantastical about the end result. Perhaps that’s why we love binging sci-fi television shows, as it helps us further immerse ourselves in that world.

While many sci-fi shows are memorable from the very start, some just get better with age. Looking beyond some of the dated special effects and terminology, the very best science fiction television continues to hit home years, even decades, later. This is the case with these sci-fi TV shows that we’ve put together — shows that you’ll be pleasantly surprised are even more fun with every rewatch.

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Image via FOX

There was perhaps no sci-fi drama more bold and creative to come out of the early 2000s than Fringe. What began as a simple sci-fi-flavored procedural where the FBI would investigate a pattern full of fringe-science-related cases quickly grew into a series that dealt with everything from parallel worlds, time travel, robotic shape-shifters, and a post-apocalyptic future. During its five seasons, the familiar faces at Fringe Division never led us astray.

Co-created by J. J. Abrams, Fringe was often ahead of its time regarding the pseudo-scientific conversations it was having, dealing in parallel universes and timelines long before the multiverse became mainstream. Not only does the show become more relevant and compelling with every watch, but the relationship between Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter (Joshua Jackson) — as well as Walter’s (John Noble) overall development — becomes so much clearer in hindsight. Plus, it’s just a great show.

‘Warehouse 13’ (2009–2014)

Image via SYFY

For science fiction that isn’t afraid to lean into the campy nature of the genre, Warehouse 13 is one of the best. A SyFy original that exists in the same shared universe as Alphas and Eureka, the series primarily follows two U.S. Secret Service agents as they join the title warehouse in finding mythical artifacts that start making trouble around the globe. While this one does teeter the line between sci-fi and fantasy, it’s a fun show that definitely gets better with age.

Over five seasons, Warehouse 13 leans more into humor and levity as Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) are thrown into each zany new case. In many ways, this show gets better each rewatch simply because it’s a comfort show. Its intent isn’t to bend your mind or push you to near-insanity trying to figure it all ou, it’s simply fun, sci-fi entertainment that pulls you into a fascinating world full of lovable characters.

‘Stargate Atlantis’ (2004–2009)

Image via SYFY

The first spin-off of the larger Stargate television franchise, Stargate Atlantis sends the members of the Atlantis expedition to the neighboring Pegasus Galaxy to explore new worlds. Based in the famed “Lost City” itself, the Atlantis crew makes quick enemies with the Wraith, an ancient race of vampiric aliens who drain the life from those in their path. As they seek to free the galaxy from their terror, Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and the rest of the team find themselves in heaps of trouble.

Stargate Atlantis is another sci-fi wonder that lasted five seasons on SyFy, continually dazzling viewers with its creative new ways to put the Atlantis crew in peril. Of course, as you continue to revisit the series, you’ll fall more in love with its charming cast and unique take on the Stargate brand. You’ll especially have fun revisiting one of Jason Mamoa’s first notable television roles, long before he would return to another version of Atlantis in Aquaman.

‘Falling Skies’ (2011–2015)

Image via TNT

For fans who watched Falling Skies every summer when it aired in the early 2010s, you’ll remember that this TNT drama was a blast from the beginning. Produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle as history professor-turned-militia leader Tom Mason, the show followed a group of Boston-based rebels who stand against a horde of alien invaders who took over the planet six months prior. Even better, plotlines often mirrored American (and later world) history, albeit with an extraterrestrial bent.

For five seasons, the folks in the 2nd Mass battled the invading Espheni in hopes of restoring their old world. Falling Skies is one that you may not have returned to in a while, but you won’t regret it if you do. The show diligently unveils the truth about the alien invaders in question as the characters themselves are forced to shed their old ways to adapt to this new interstellar world. By the time the series ends, you’ll be so amped up that you may just want to binge it again.

‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)

The first live-action continuation of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: The Next Generation has often been hailed as one of the greatest science fiction shows ever made. Set a century after the original with a new crew, the USS Enterprise sets sail again for the stars, as creator Gene Roddenberry successfully reinvented the brand. The Next Generation ran an impressive seven seasons, even sparking film continuation sequels and revival projects like Picard decades later.

Like many Star Trek installments, The Next Generation also benefits from a rewatch. Each time we reunite with the Enterprise crew, we are delighted by Captain Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) more intellectual approach to the brand’s space adventures, effectively turning the series into something more of a “thinking man’s sci-fi drama.” For longtime fans, revisiting the best episodes of The Next Generation is like reuniting with an old friend, and those reunions only become more enjoyable with every new binge.

‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)

Image via Showtime

Advertisement

After the success of the original Stargate feature film, Stargate SG-1 continued the narrative with a new cast on television. The Showtime-turned-Syfy adventure series created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner pushed the Stargate crew back together to explore new worlds and keep the villainous Goa’uld from making their way to Earth. While the plot developed beyond that over time, that thread would stick with the series throughout its impressive 10-season run.

Stargate SG-1 was the flagship Stargate series that reinvented the franchise into a television staple throughout the early 2000s. Each new binge of SG-1 reminds us of how good we had it at the time. While a new Stargate series is in development, nothing quite beats the original, which even produced two direct-to-video continuation films that effectively concluded the franchise.

‘Continuum’ (2012–2015)

Image via Showcase

Advertisement

Many of the shows on our list have dealt exclusively with alien invaders or case-by-case adventures, but when it comes to time travel, few shows are more compelling than Continuum. Not only does the show offer us a look at a dystopian future where corporations control all aspects of life, but it’s also a mind-bending time travel drama that features complex characters and an enjoyable weekly caseload. For four seasons, Continuum continued to surprise us, and it’s still at the top of its game.

Set primarily in 2012 Vancouver, the show follows 2077 police officer Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) as she travels to the past to pursue a terrorist organization called Liber8. The only problem is, over time, Kiera begins to understand the group’s cause, even if she disapproves of their methods. The tensions between corporatism and an overreliance on technology are at the heart of this show, making it more relevant today than ever.

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

Image via FOX

Advertisement

Billed as a “space Western,” Firefly was the brainchild of Joss Whedon, who aimed to view the future through a distinct lens that blended cultures and pushed its outlaw heroes into further paths of rebellion. As the crew of the Serenity soar among the stars, they soon find themselves in the middle of uncharted waters when they pick up some mysterious passengers who put them on Alliance radar. With Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) — easily the best of this wild bunch — to guide them, the crew takes odd jobs all across the ‘verse.

Only lasting a total of 14 episodes, Firefly is a quick-and-easy binge, but one that will leave you wanting more. The series was cancelled long before its time, but each new watch reminds us of the potential that this cast and crew had to create something truly great. The cult following it garnered is enough proof that the short-lived Fox series succeeded, as is the continuation film Serenity.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

Image via FOX

Advertisement

The original “spooky cop show,” The X-Files is the perfect blend of science fiction and network television. As FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate the weird and unexplained, they fall into a conspiracy so large it spans not just the globe but the stars as well. What began as an alien-heavy series about abductions, UFOs, and government cover-ups soon turned into a pop culture phenomenon.

After nine original seasons and two feature films, The X-Files spawned two revival seasons in the 2010s. Around that time, many binged the series through once more, only to be reminded that there has never been another TV duo like Mulder and Scully. With over 200 episodes to choose from, binging The X-Files is no small feat, but once you do, you’ll be reminded of how novel this Chris Carter-created series was from the get-go.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Image via SYFY

Advertisement

Perhaps the most groundbreaking installment in televised science fiction, Battlestar Galactica took a long-dead franchise and, under the direction of Ronald D. Moore, revived a brand by stripping it of all the camp and making it more adult. After humanity is nearly wiped out by a race of cybernetic Cylons, the remaining survivors search for the mythical homeworld of Earth. With the Galactica leading the fleet, this high-octane, politically charged drama is considered among the best of its kind for a reason.

Kickstarting with a two-part miniseries, SyFy launched Battlestar Galactica in 2004, resulting in a four-season space epic that remains unmatched. Even if it’s been a while since you watched it, the very first episode will suck you back in with force, and you’ll be glad it did. And, with several prequels and mid-series films also available, you can make it last even longer.

Advertisement

Battlestar Galactica

Advertisement

Release Date

2004 – 2009-00-00

Advertisement

Directors

Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Virgin River‘s Marco Grazzini is breaking his silence after Mike was written off the show before season 8.

“Character departures are very common in this business — especially on a long-running and beloved series like Virgin River,” Grazzini, 45, who has been on the show since season 2, told Entertainment Weekly on Thursday, March 12. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to play Mike for six seasons.”

Grazzini said he has “nothing but love for the cast, crew, and especially the phenomenal fans who make the show so special,” adding, “I’m excited for this new chapter in my career.”

News originally broke on Thursday that Grazzini won’t be returning as a series regular — for now.

Related: Which ‘Virgin River’ Stars Are — And Aren’t — Returning for Season 7?

Between a cast exit, love triangle complications and several open-ended story lines, Virgin River has a lot of questions that need answering in season 7 — but is every cast member returning for more episodes? Virgin River, which premiered in 2019, is based on Robyn Carr’s book series and follows the lives of residents living […]

“For me, I’m just trying to look to the longevity of the show and making sure that the characters that we’re keeping have enough story engine in them to keep going,” showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Deadline. “So I can’t say there are any specific cast shakeups planned, but I think we will have to start to — as characters run their course — make some decisions and bring in some new blood.”

In addition to Grazzini, Lauren Hammersley, who has been playing Charmaine since the show premiered on Netflix, is also not expected to come back. With the exception of Grazzini, the rest of Virgin River‘s season 7 series regulars are expected to return in season 8.

Based on the book series written by Robyn Carr, Virgin River centers around the lives of residents living in a small town in Northern California, including Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and her love interest, Jack (Martin Henderson). The series also stars Colin Lawrence, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen and Kai Bradbury.

This isn’t the first time the show has gone through some changes behind the scenes. Grayson Gurnsey left as Ricky after season 4, and Mark Ghanimé, who played Cameron, had a surprising exit once season 6 was released.

Grazzini recently teased Mike’s future after his split from Brie (Allen) led to him potentially finding love with Victoria (Sara Canning), exclusively telling Us Weekly, “I think that Mike falls into the same patterns that he’s always been in. She’s somebody that he’s worked with in the past and she’s been in law enforcement.”

Advertisement

Related: Meet the Season 7 Cast of Netflix’s Hit ‘Virgin River’ After Surprise Exit

Netflix’s longest-running scripted series Virgin River has gone through some surprising cast changes — so who is expected to appear in season 7? Based on Robyn Carr’s book series, Virgin River follows the lives of residents living in a small town in Northern California, including Mel and Jack. The hit series, which premiered in 2019, […]

Grazzini teased that Mike “definitely has a type.”

“Mike definitely falls hard and he falls fast. He’s a romantic at heart and he just wants to find love,” he noted. “But maybe he needs to exercise a little bit more [caution]. Just wait and see. But obviously he’s taken by Victoria.”

The actor expressed hope that Mike could “broaden his horizons and maybe find other interests in common.”

“It would be somebody that could distract him from his work life and bring him more into other parts of himself. His hobbies and his passions. Because you know that that line of work can weigh on you,” he continued. “So when the other person in the relationship is also in that line of work, it can get pretty heavy. As familiar as it is, it would be nice for Mike to step out of his comfort zone.”

Virgin River is currently streaming on Netflix.

Cinema in the 1980s was filled with imaginative tales that reached beyond the stars. The sci-fi genre, in particular, was quickly evolving from a technological standpoint after the success of Star Wars, inspiring filmmakers to take on ambitious projects with greater challenges. Though genre masterpieces such as Blade Runner and Back to the Future became embedded in pop culture, there were several other sci-fi gems overlooked at the time that went against the grain.

These ten most forgotten sci-fi movies from the ‘80s comprise of projects that fell through the cracks during the decade of decadence. Many of them suffered from marketing missteps or were way ahead of their time. From dystopian thrillers to cosmic discoveries, these instant cult classics are worth revisiting today.

10

‘Enemy Mine’ (1985)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Fresh off the success of The Neverending Story, director Wolfgang Petersen tackled racial tensions within the context of outer space and an intergalactic species at war with the human race. Based on the novella by Barry B. Longyear, Enemy Mine takes place on a volcanic planet where a cocky human pilot (Dennis Quaid) gets stranded alongside his nemesis: a reptilian soldier (Louis Gossett Jr.) who is part of an alien race called the Drac. As they struggle to survive in the volatile environment, their mutual hatred develops into a close friendship.

The film’s moving subject matter, mixing tolerance with sci-fi adventure spectacle, surprised audiences who expected Enemy Mine to be simply escapist entertainment in 1985. The troubled behind-the-scenes production and its difficult marketing caused the film to get lost in the shuffle during the crowded holiday season. But over the years, Enemy Mine found enough appreciation from fans, especially for Louis Gossett Jr.’s prosthetics-heavy performance, to draw interest in a remake from Disney.

9

‘The Quiet Earth’ (1985)

Image via Cinepro

New Zealand’s haunting sci-fi drama The Quiet Earth follows scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence), who wakes up one morning to discover that every other person on Earth has mysteriously vanished. As he wanders through abandoned cities and empty highways, Zac struggles to maintain his sanity while searching for answers about the strange global event that erased humanity.

While the post-apocalyptic film from director Geoff Murphy (Young Guns II, Freejack) gained critical praise for its eerie atmosphere and philosophical themes, it never achieved widespread recognition outside of cult circles. Its slow-burn storytelling and cerebral focus set it apart from the effects-driven sci-fi blockbusters of the era. Today, The Quiet Earth stands as one of the most haunting post-apocalyptic films of the decade, quietly influencing later stories about isolation and the fragility of civilization.

8

‘Saturn 3’ (1980)

Image via ITC Entertainment

Set on a remote research station orbiting Saturn, Saturn 3 stars Kirk Douglas and Farrah Fawcett as scientists whose quiet lives are disrupted by the arrival of a sinister technician (Harvey Keitel). The newcomer brings with him a massive experimental robot named Hector, which quickly develops a deadly obsession with the station’s inhabitants.

Although it featured a strong cast and impressive production design, Saturn 3 struggled critically upon release. Its uneven tone and behind-the-scenes production issues prevented it from becoming a major hit. Still, the film’s eerie atmosphere and unsettling robot antagonist make it a fascinating relic of early ’80s sci-fi horror that deserves a reassessment.

7

‘The Last Starfighter’ (1984)

Image via Universal Pictures

Cashing in on the video game craze of the early ‘80s, The Last Starfighter follows a teenager named Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) whose high score on an arcade machine gets him recruited by an intergalactic group called the Star League to fight in an interstellar war. Meanwhile, an android posing as Alex takes his place back on Earth to keep his girlfriend (Catherine Mary Stewart) and his family in the dark about his secret mission.

Mixing space opera and fantasy wish fulfillment, The Last Starfighter could have been the new Star Wars for the decade. The underrated sci-fi adventure was groundbreaking for its early use of computer-generated imagery, replacing traditional model effects with digital spacecraft battles. While not a blockbuster on the level of other sci-fi hits of the decade, its imaginative direction by Nick Castle makes it one of the era’s most charming underappreciated gems.

6

‘Millennium’ (1989)

Image via 20th Century Fox

A decade after making the iconic sci-fi thriller Logan’s Run, British filmmaker Michael Anderson took on his strangest project with 1989’s Millennium. Based on the short story “Air Raid” by John Varley, Millennium centers on an NTSB investigator (Kris Kristofferson) examining a mysterious plane crash. His search for answers leads him to uncover a bizarre truth: travelers from 1000 years into a dystopian future are abducting passengers from doomed flights in order to preserve humanity’s genetic survival. Complicating matters further is a futuristic time traveler (Cheryl Ladd) sent to stop the investigator and a quack physicist (Daniel J. Travanti) who believes in time travel.

The initial intrigue of Millennium’s mystery concept quickly falls apart once the future scenes are depicted. The B-movie values of the costumes, New Wave-inspired makeup, and special effects were out of step in a year when The Abyss and Back to the Future Part II were pushing cinematic technology to new heights. Nevertheless, the film’s complex premise and eerie tone have helped it gain a cult following among fans of ambitious sci-fi storytelling.

Win Tickets to Our Early Screening of ‘Invincible’ Season 4 With Robert Kirkman and Simon Racioppa Q&A

5

‘Cherry 2000’ (1988)

Image via Orion Pictures

Part sci-fi adventure and part offbeat romance, Cherry 2000 takes place in a dystopian future where relationships have become transactional. After his robotic companion malfunctions, a lonely man (David Andrews) ventures into the dangerous wasteland outside society to find a replacement model—guided by a tough red-haired tracker (Melanie Griffith).

Though it features Laurence Fishburne before he became a household name, Cherry 2000 barely made a splash upon release, hampered by distribution issues from Orion Pictures and its uneven tone. However, the film has since developed a cult reputation thanks to its unique blend of genres and its satirical take on consumer culture and artificial companionship. Its quirky style makes it feel like a forgotten cousin to better-known ’80s sci-fi dystopias.

4

‘Runaway’ (1984)

Image via TriStar Pictures

Before becoming known as the creator of the Jurassic Park franchise and NBC’s ER, Michael Crichton wrote and directed Runaway. The futuristic cop thriller features Tom Selleck during his Magnum P.I. days as Sgt. Jack Ramsay, who specializes in tracking down malfunctioning household robots that have turned deadly. As he investigates a series of incidents alongside his new partner (Cynthia Rhodes), Ramsay uncovers a conspiracy involving weaponized microchips and a ruthless defense contractor (Gene Simmons).

While Runaway fits Crichton’s signature theme of technology turning against its creators, the execution is hard to take seriously. Aside from Selleck’s struggles to find box-office success outside his small-screen fame, the film largely suffers from the less-than-threatening spider robots as well as Simmons’s over-the-top villain role. Conceptually, however, Runaway’s exploration of rogue automation and the accessibility of artificial intelligence to the masses is more relevant today than it was in 1984.

3

‘Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone’ (1983)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Released during the early ’80s boom of space-themed adventures, Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone follows a rugged bounty hunter (Peter Strauss) who ventures into a post-apocalyptic wasteland planet to rescue three kidnapped women. Along the way, he teams up with a scrappy young scavenger (Molly Ringwald) as they battle mutants, raiders, and a tyrannical overlord.

The film was originally released in 3D, part of a brief craze that swept theaters in the early 1980s. Unfortunately, the gimmick overshadowed the movie itself, and it quickly faded from view. Today, its colorful world-building and pulpy tone make it a fun relic of the era’s adventurous sci-fi spirit.

2

‘The Hidden’ (1987)

Image via New Line Cinema

The Hidden begins as a gritty crime thriller when a mysterious criminal embarks on a violent spree in a Los Angeles bank. Soon an FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) and an LAPD detective (Michael Nouri) discover the shocking truth: the killer is actually a parasitic alien lifeform that jumps from host to host while indulging in humanity’s most destructive impulses.

Despite a strong 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a clever, genre-blending premise, The Hidden was hardly a blockbuster success given its modest budget. The blend of sci-fi and cop-movie tropes may have confused audiences expecting something more conventional. In retrospect, the film’s wild energy and inventive concept have made it a cult favorite among fans of ’80s genre cinema.

1

‘Outland’ (1981)

Combining the Old West aspects of High Noon with the space tension of Alien, 1981’s Outland could easily pass as a spirited spinoff of Ridley Scott’s breakout film. Starring Sean Connery, still shedding his James Bond image, the Peter Hyams sci-fi thriller features the legendary actor as a federal marshal on duty in a mining colony located on Jupiter’s moon Io. He investigates a string of apparent accidental deaths of workers on the colony connected to a powerful drug designed to make them work harder. Eventually, the marshal becomes the prime target of the powerful corporation behind the greater conspiracy.

Outland did not involve laser gun battles, space battles on ships, or imaginative creatures. It was too adult for a time when audiences would watch a Star Wars movie and rush to the store to buy their kids action figures. The film is a straight-up human thriller grounded by the Hitchcockian suspense of Hyams’s direction and Connery’s heroic but restrained performance. Additionally, its epic pre-CGI finale outside the mining facility with Connery battling the assassins in a spacesuit remains one of the most visually stunning sequences for any sci-fi movie to this day.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

May 22, 1981

Runtime

Advertisement

109 Minutes

Director

Peter Hyams

Advertisement

Writers

Peter Hyams

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 

  Marshall William T. O’Niel

• 

  Frances Sternhagen

  Dr. Marian Lazarus

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Chase Stokes is debuting his new ink just weeks after his split from Kelsea Ballerini.

The Outer Banks star, 33, showed off a new tattoo with a cryptic message via an Instagram post shared by tattoo artist, Winter Stone, on Thursday, March 12.

A video panned across the actor’s shoulders to showcase the script, which read, “They will judge us by our fruit.”

Followers pointed out in the comments that the phrase appears to be taken from the Bible, specifically, Matthew 7:16. In this passage, Jesus Christ warned his disciples about people’s actions rather than their words.

Related: Chase Stokes Hints at Kelsea Ballerini Split in Cryptic Messages: ‘I’m Blocked’

Chase Stokes’ new cryptic social media messages have fans thinking his relationship with Kelsea Ballerini is over again. “Don’t believe the media,” Stokes, 33, wrote via his Instagram Story on Thursday, November 20, raising eyebrows among his followers. “I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong.” The Outer Banks star added, “Sorry” with a red heart emoji. […]

Last month, Stokes and his ex, Ballerini, 32, called it quits for the third time in their on-again, off-again relationship.

“Kelsea and Chase have broken up again. It happened just the other day,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in February.

The insider noted that Stokes “still isn’t ready to give up” on their relationship. For her part, Ballerini is officially “done” but is “taking it better” than their previous breakups, according to the source.

Romance rumors about Ballerini and Stokes first started in January 2023 when they were spotted at the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles. They pulled the plug on their relationship for the first time in September 2025.

They decided to reconnect two months later, and multiple sources exclusively confirmed to Us in November 2025 they were giving it another shot.

However, within weeks Stokes and Ballerini went their separate ways again.

In December 2025, Ballerini and Stokes revealed they had reunited again via similar New Year’s Eve Instagram posts.

Advertisement

Related: Kelsea Ballerini Reunites With Chase Stokes, Says ‘I Really Love Love’

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have reunited after splitting up two months ago.  On New Year’s Eve, Ballerini, 32, shared a photo via her Instagram Stories that revealed the twosome, in silhouette, apparently kissing outdoors at sunset.  “Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it […]

“Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it became an out of our hands portrayal of it,” Ballerini wrote via her Instagram Story on December 31, 2025. “But what I’ll say, and all I really care to share indefinitely with my personal life anymore, is that I really love love. I believe in it, I believe in him, and I believe in breaking patterns. Now go kiss your person and stop speculating.”

Over on his own Instagram Stories, Stokes also confirmed the couple’s reconciliation.

“Something I’ve learned this year: don’t take advantage of the most beautiful things that in 33 years of life are fleeting,” he wrote. “Take accountability, learn from mistakes. Lean into love and say it often. 2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now. Happy new years ❤️.”

A great thriller usually has a solid buildup to an unexpected twist. A twist ending is the hook, line, and sinker of the horror genre, and nobody knew that better than Scream Director Wes Craven. The entire 7-film franchise is predicated upon the fact that no one knows who the killer is in any given movie. The twist endings are the lifeblood of Scream (no pun intended.) It’s the reason why audiences continue to flock to the theaters for the final reveal. Sure, all movies have a poignant shift or unexpected ending, but for horror films, the twist has become a staple.

One reason horror films are so successful is their reliance on discretion. Back in 1996, the internet was still in its infancy. Spoilers were very hard to come by, as nobody was on their tiny, rectangular electronic device 24/7. Although spoiling a movie was rare, that doesn’t mean it never happened. One actor almost learned the hard way. While making the press junket rounds for the original Scream film, one rising star let it slip that he was indeed the killer. The culprit? The Billy Loomis actor himself, Skeet Ulrich.

Rising Star Skeet Ulrich Had Three Films Opening the Same Week

1996 was a busy year for Skeet Ulrich. While he was out and about promoting Scream, the actor had multiple films being released (which is obviously not uncommon.) Three films to be exact. Three films premiering the same week in May. The Craft and Last Dance were both released on May 3, 1996, while Boys was released on May 10. With Scream set to be released in December of that year, it’s safe to say Ulrich’s mind may have been elsewhere. Imagine living in a world before Scream. For context, this was before the ghostface mask was an iconic symbol of horror.

There’s no doubt that Ulrich was a teenage heartthrob, but best believe that his success was based on much more than good looks. The NYU alumnus studied under David Mamet and William H. Macy at the renowned Atlantic Theater Company. His training opened up opportunities for extra work, which is where he landed an uncredited role in Weekend at Bernie’s. After a brief appearance on the CBS Schoolbreak Special series, Ulrich began landing more prominent roles in feature films. By 1996, the actor was a hot commodity.

‘Scream’ Would Reunite Ulrich With ‘The Craft’ Costar Neve Campbell

Image via Dimensions Films

Advertisement

Casting Director Lisa Beach was responsible for assembling the players in Scream. Although Beach did not have a hand in putting together the cast of The Craft, she clearly saw potential in pairing up the duo of Neve Campbell and Skeet Ulrich once again. The move paid off. Together, the actors created such a toxic and complicated relationship between their characters, which ultimately leads up to the unexpected twist during the final act.

Actors typically learn the ins and outs of giving interviews through experience. It’s not something that’s taught in theater school, but rather a skill that is picked up over time. That being said, it’s almost guaranteed that every cast and crew member who had anything to do with the production of Scream would have had to sign an embargo agreement. Basically stating that certain details of the movie could not be leaked, posted, or written about before a certain date, either on or after the film’s release. This is common practice now, especially in the world of social media, but embargoes were most definitely in use in the ’90s as well. So here’s what happened.

Related

‘Scream 7’ Director Reveals Very Different Ending That Test Audiences Rejected

The movie set a franchise record during its opening weekend at the box office.

Advertisement

Skeet Ulrich Interview Nearly Tanked the Entire Franchise

Image via Paramount Pictures

Things went awry very quickly. According to Ulrich, in 1996, circa the release dates of his three films in one week, he was doing a phone interview with Interview Magazine. One of the questions he was asked involved his next role. With Scream set for a December premiere, Ulrich eagerly responded, “Oh, I’m so excited! I get to play this serial killer!” It was only after the call ended, that the actor realized his epic mistake. “I called my publicist right away,” Ulrich would later state.

Fast-forward to 2026. The franchise just released Scream 7, and has surpassed a gross total of $1 billion worldwide at the box office over those seven films. Not to mention the cultural impact that these films have had. The original Scream changed the way audiences look at slasher movies. The ghostface mask is one of the most popular and recognizable Halloween costumes each and every year. The franchise launched the careers of Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard, David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy, and the actor who almost sabotaged it all, Skeet Ulrich.

It’s hard to imagine the consequences, had Ulrich’s statements not been redacted by Interview Magazine (which they were.) Would Scream be as effective if everyone went into it already knowing the killer’s identity? I truly doubt it. If Scream bombs at the box office, it’s just a blip on the radar. The Wayans Brothers never create Scary Movie. Anna Faris never gets her big break as Cindy. This quickly begins to snowball. A world without Sidney Prescott, Dewey Riley, Gale Weathers, and Billy Loomis doesn’t seem real. Thankfully, Scream King Skeet Ulrich dodged a bullet, something that his character Billy couldn’t do. Spoiler alert.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

December 20, 1996

Runtime

112 minutes

Advertisement

Writers

Kevin Williamson

Advertisement

Producers

Bob Weinstein, Cary Woods, Cathy Konrad, Harvey Weinstein

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Conan O’Brien has shared an insight into how the 98th Academy Awards will honor the late director Rob Reiner.

Speaking to Extra on Thursday, March 12, the Oscars host, 62, described the upcoming tribute to Reiner as “hard to sum up.”

O’Brien added of what to expect, “But it’s going to be a very powerful part of the show.”

The comedian is hosting the Oscars for the second consecutive year on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Related: Will the 2026 Oscars Honor Rob and Michele Reiner? What to Expect

Rob Reiner was a film industry legend, so many fans are anticipating a special tribute to the late filmmaker and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, at the 2026 Oscars. Rob is expected to be honored at the Sunday, March 15, awards show with a segment led by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, who costarred in […]

Rob and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead with multiple stab wounds in their Brentwood, California home in December 2025. They were 78 and 70, respectively.

Rob and Michele’s son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances in connection with his parents’ death. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bond while he awaits trial.

The couple had attended O’Brien’s holiday party earlier that night where they had a fight with their son.

Earlier this week, O’Brien made a rare comment acknowledging that his name had been tied to news of the Reiners’ deaths due their attendance at his party.

“Very simply, we had a party, we invited our really good friends and then, the next day, this terrible thing happened,” O’Brien told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published on Monday, March 9.

While the talk show host acknowledged there were “difficulties” when it came to often being mentioned when the Reiners’ deaths are reported on, he said it was not comparable to the tragedy of the loss of his friends.

“Whatever difficulties my wife and I have experienced having our name attached to it are nothing compared to the scale of the tragedy for the family and the loss of Rob and Michele,” he added.

Related: Why Conan O’Brien’s Party Guests Could Be Witnesses in Nick Reiner’s Case

Attendees of Conan O’Brien’s holiday party the night before Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were murdered could be called as witnesses in the next phase of their son Nick Reiner’s murder case, Us Weekly can reveal. “A plea of not guilty at arraignment on a serious like this case is very […]

Advertisement

O’Brien continued: “If you’re a known person, your name is going to get dragged into things sometimes, but it is not a hardship. There is only sadness that they’re gone.”

In February, O’Brien first spoke about Rob and Michele’s deaths in an interview with David Remnick for The New Yorker.

“I knew Rob and Michele, and then increasingly got closer and closer to them, and I was seeing them a lot,” O’Brien said. “My wife and I were seeing them a lot, and they were so — they were just such lovely people. And to have that experience of saying goodnight to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they’re gone.”

He continued: “I think I was in shock for quite a while afterward. I mean, there’s no other word for it. It’s just very — it’s so awful. It’s just so awful. And I think about how Rob felt about things that are happening in the country, how involved he was, how much he put himself out there — and to have that voice go quiet in an instant is still hard for me to comprehend.”

In 1978, John Carpenter changed horror forever with his slasher movie Halloween. What followed was a wave of copycats, with the most popular by far being Friday the 13th. When Sean S. Cunningham and Victor Miller collaborated on that first film in 1980, its success led to a 12-film franchise which arguably became more popular than all of the Halloween sequels.

Thanks to a frustrating lawsuit, there hasn’t been a Friday the 13th movie since 2009. With an A24 and Peacock series, Crystal Lake, coming soon, here’s hoping that Friday the 13th Part 13 happens sooner rather than later. Until then, here’s how I, a lifelong fan of all things Jason Voorhees, rank one of horror’s most bizarre franchises.

12

‘Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday’ (1993)

Image via New Line Cinema

It was not the final Friday. In fact, this first sequel made by New Line Cinema instead of Paramount, doesn’t even feel like a Friday the 13th movie. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday ignores the fact that Jason Voorhees was turned to goo at the end of Jason Takes Manhattan. He’s a bloated mess at the beginning of this one, only to be blown up by a SWAT team in the first act! How in the world can he possibly come back ? By revealing that he’s a demon worm that can live in other bodies, of course.

It’s understandable that New Line would want to do something different with a once hot IP. This ain’t it though. Friday the 13th works because it’s a simple slasher with a masked man hacking up teenagers at a lake. Jason Goes to Hell jumps head first into the supernatural, and with an absolutely awful score backing it up. Not even the shocking ending of Freddy’s glove pulling Jason’s mask into Hell can save it.

11

‘Jason X’ (2002)

Image via New Line Cinema

With the slasher era dead, so was Friday the 13th. If there was a time for the hockey mask-wearing killer to return, it was during the Scream fad. Instead, New Line waited until 2002, and having not learned their lesson nine years previously, decided to full-on jump the shark and send its villain to outer space in Jason X. That might work for silly franchises like Critters and Leprechaun, but not Friday the 13th.

This would sadly be the last time Kane Hodder played Jason Voorhees. It’s a silly, over-the-top film, with Jason losing his hockey mask and becoming a rebuilt, futuristic Uber Jason, complete with silver mask. Is Jason X a good movie? Heck no. Still, it’s at least watchable because it accepts what it is and has fun with it. It’s a dumb sequel, no doubt, yet one you can enjoy if you’re in enough of an altered state.

10

‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003)

Image Via New Line Cinema

For nearly two decades, horror fans were begging for the dream match of Jason Voorhees taking on Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). It finally happened in 2003 with Freddy vs. Jason, 10 years after a lot of people stopped caring. Kane Hodder isn’t under the mask, but at least Jason looks scary as hell, albeit a little too big with Ken Kirzinger in the role. The plot could have gone off the rails. Thankfully, it doesn’t get too crazy, with the story revolving around Freddy invading Jason’s dreams and using him to kill the kids he can no longer reach.

Outside of a cameo in an episode for The Goldbergs, this is Englund’s final time donning Freddy’s razor-blade glove. He gives it all. If only the script did too. Freddy vs. Jason is more of an action movie than anything remotely scary. There is no reason at all to care about the human protagonists, who are underwritten fodder in the way of what everyone wants to see. It’s not horrendous, but a scene of Jason shown being scared of water makes no sense at all given how often he’s been in Crystal Lake.

9

‘Friday the 13th: A New Beginning’ (1985)

Image via Paramount Pictures

For many, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning is the most hated sequel. Jason Voorhees is dead (no, for real), so the choice was made to have a copycat killer take up his mask. This time, the action moves away from Camp Crystal Lake and plants itself at a halfway house for troubled teens where poor Tommy Jarvis (John Shepherd) is traumatized by the events of the last movie. Now he’ll have to face down the new murderer, unless it’s Tommy who’s the killer, that is.

If you can get past the fact that the killer in the hockey mask isn’t Jason, this isn’t all that bad of a sequel. It’s a run-of-the-mill slasher with some cool kills and creepy atmosphere. The nudity is a little too gratuitous, and final girl Pam Roberts (Melanie Kinnaman) adds nothing, making her the worst of the franchise. Fun fact: a dream sequence with Jason means that actor Tom Morga is the only actor to play Voorhees, Michael Myers, and Leatherface on screen.

8

‘Friday the 13th’ (2009)

Image via New Line Cinema

The last of the bunch, but fingers crossed it doesn’t stay that way. In the 2000s, horror classic reboots were all the rage. It worked for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween, so why not Jason too? Friday the 13th (directed by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre‘s Marcus Nipsel) works by not being a reboot per se. After a fun opening act that shows the death of Mrs. Voorhees and Jason wearing a sack on his head, the hockey mask appears, and it’s Jason on a rampage against a new group of young’uns who dare invade his space.

Friday the 13th is a fun time. The issue is that it doesn’t feel much like a Friday the 13th movie. Derek Mears is much too tall and muscular, as if the idea is that Jason is scarier the taller he is. That’s not the case. He also doesn’t feel like Jason because the plot has him abducting a girl and keeping him in an underground prison because she reminds him of mommy. That’s not something he’d do. Still, the movie looks good, and has plenty of clever kill scenes, and the final boy and final girl combo of Clay (Jared Padalecki) and Jenna (Danielle Panabaker) are better than most in the franchise.

7

‘Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan’ (1989)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan is the last of the Paramount movies and is the sequel where most fans saw the franchise really losing its way. The plot revolves around Jason saying goodbye to Crystal Lake as he becomes a stowaway on a ship headed to New York City. Along the way, he hacks up the passengers, before a showdown occurs in the sewers of Manhattan.

Kane Hodder is awesome as always as Jason. The idea itself isn’t all that bad if you let yourself forget that Crystal Lake is land-locked, so there’s no way this boat could sail the Atlantic Ocean! It’s the execution that’s so frustrating. Jason barely takes Manhattan. The Big Apple doesn’t show up until the third act, with Vancouver as a stand-in except of a scene filmed in Times Square. And what’s with those images of Jason as a boy at the end? It’s still fun, but the wheels are coming off.

6

‘Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood’ (1988)

Image via Paramount

What if Jason Voorhees fought Carrie? That’s the premise of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood. When the telekinetic Tina (the late Lar Park Lincoln) accidentally brings Jason up from his watery grave, it’s superpowers versus a zombie in a battle that’s much more engaging than Freddy vs. Jason.

It’s a hokey plot, yet it succeeds because of how likable Tina is, combined with Kane Hodder’s first creepy performance as a rotting Jason. The New Blood could have been better if most of its gore hadn’t been censored. Despite that, this is the last sequel that feels like a real Friday the 13th movie with Crystal Lake as the setting and plenty of horny teenagers to slice and dice.

5

‘Friday the 13th’ (1980)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The one that started it all. If you’re waiting for Jason Voorhees, you’ll be disappointed. The initial film never shows the killer’s face until the third act, instead treating the story as a murder mystery, where unsuspecting camp counselors are being knocked off one by one for an unknown reason.

Harry Manfredini’s chilling and iconic score helps put this one high on the list. It’s a pretty routine slasher, with mostly forgettable performances, albeit one comes from a very young Kevin Bacon! A slasher with the reveal of an older woman being the killer could have been a disaster. It’s not, due to the crazed performance of Betsy Palmer as Pamela Voorhees. And a chef’s kiss to one of horror’s best jump scares at the end.

4

‘Friday the 13th Part 3’ (1982)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Friday the 13th Part 3 is most notable for being the one where Jason gets his mask for the first time. Before that, he’s seen in the shadows or from the neck down. When he walks out onto the dock donning the hockey mask though, an icon was born. The plot itself is bare bones. There are counselors at a camp. Jason shows up. A final girl takes him down. The end. But it takes what fans expect and does it well.

This one is admittedly a little bit silly because it was initially made for 3D. Instead of cool 3D kills, however, it’s shot after shot of in-your-face laundry poles and yo-yos. Whoa! How scary! What is scary is Richard Brooker as a lumbering Jason and a pulse-pounding third act that doesn’t let up.

3

‘Friday the 13th Part II’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

In Friday the 13th Part II, Jason is the star for the first time. There’s no hockey mask yet. Instead, he’s a hillbilly in coveralls with a sack over his head, making him look more like the killer from The Town That Dreaded Sundown than anything else. The opening scene is a shocker, as Jason dispatches of the first movie’s final girl, Alice (Adrienne King), before going back to get his revenge on a new group of killable teens.

Steve Miner, who later directed Halloween H20, helms this one. He keeps the action moving, and Manfredini’s anxiety-inducing score is a character unto itself. The first sequel also has the best final girl. Rather than being another dull trope, Amy Steel’s Ginny Field is studying to be a child psychologist. Initially, she feels sorry for Jason. Soon enough, she’ll fear him. We gotta take points away for her attack game though. Why would you think you killed Jason with a machete blow to the shoulder and walk away?!

Published Mar 13, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT

Advertisement

It’s Friday the 13th. What better day to bone up on your knowledge of King Friday XIII and other television royals?

Image via Warner Bros. Discovery