Entertainment
Harlan Coben Shares Update on Best-Selling Thriller Adaptation Series With David E. Kelley
This interview contains spoilers for I Will Find You.
Summary
Harlan Coben is a force in the mystery-thriller genre, with over 30 novels and a dozen adaptations to his name. His most beloved stories range from the Myron Bolitar series, about a retired basketball player and sports agent, to more contained plots like Stay Close, about three vastly different people connected by a traumatic event, and Tell No One, following a doctor grieving his wife who learns she might actually still be alive. Robert Hull is equally prolific, having written on everything from the soapy teen drama Gossip Girl to fantasy phenomenon Once Upon a Time to superhero crime drama Gotham.
The two prove to be the perfect pair to bring Coben’s latest show, I Will Find You, to life. The series follows a man named David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who has been convicted of killing his young son, Matthew. When Rachel (Britt Lower), David’s sister-in-law, visits him in prison to show him a photograph of a child who looks exactly like Matthew, however, things unravel into a thrilling quest for the truth full of tense action, wild twists, and shocking conspiracies.
Collider got the chance to speak to Coben and Hull about the series. During the conversation, they discussed the importance of filming on location, how they brought the top-tier cast together, and the most important moments they knew they had to get right. Coben also gives an exciting update on his Myron Bolitar adaptation with David E. Kelley and reveals whether he’d ever be interested in directing.
Harlan Coben and ‘I Will Find You’ Showrunner Robert Hull Talk the Show’s Real Locations and A-List Cast
“I think the greatest challenge…is also the show’s greatest strength.”
COLLIDER: Something that really struck me about this show was all of its settings. If I did my research correctly, I believe you actually filmed on location a lot in former prisons, in Times Square. I’m curious if you can talk about the particular challenges and joys of stepping outside of the soundstage to actually go to some of these places.
ROBERT HULL: I think the greatest challenge — which you just said — is also the show’s greatest strength, which is that we are out and about in the real world almost all the time. We didn’t build. [We used] real locations, real houses, real prisons, real rooftops, because even with visual effects these days, there’s nothing that can substitute putting an incredible actor in a real location and letting them do their thing there and not to have a greenscreen, not to have a fake. Everything is real, and it gives the show this heightened storyline — it gives us everything a grounded feel. It’s a real, true, classic thriller, because you can feel the authenticity.
I love that you mentioned the rooftop scene, because that was very suspenseful to watch, and I’m sure the stunt was interesting to do as well. Another thing that really stood out to me was this cast and how perfectly everyone felt in their roles, from Britt and Sam to Milo and Madeleine. What was the most difficult role for you to find in the cast? I feel like everyone fits so perfectly that there must have been a lot of work to find them.
HARLAN COBEN: I would like to credit us for a lot of this sort of thing, but these actors kind of found us. We found Sam very early on, and that was the key and the linchpin. He does so much with so little. He brings such gravitas to the role. Oftentimes, we would say, “Let’s not even write him a line. Let’s just get a close-up of Sam’s face,” because it conveys so much.
And then we heard Britt Lower wanted to work with us on this particular series, and we knew that now it’s a two-hander, right? You can’t just have Britt be sort of on the side. Milo I think came to us with Hayden, which was really nice. Milo’s such a lovely guy, such a lovely person, and you love him from the moment you see him onstage. It became more that our challenge was that we have so many great actors; how do we give them all we want to give them? How do we give Madeleine Stowe — a legend — the moment she deserves?
And then Chi. We said we wanted a Chi McBride type, and we ended up with Chi McBride. We wanted a Madeleine Stowe type, and we ended up with Madeleine Stowe. It was that way all the way down the line. It was sort of an embarrassment of riches.
HULL: I think it’s a testament to the power of Harlan’s storytelling, because all these actors… Milo is a perfect example of someone who normally wouldn’t be number three on the call sheet, but you present this type of material, and a good actor doesn’t care. They just want that juicy role. They just want to come, perform, and bring it to life. I think it’s a testament to his story.
Harlan Coben and Robert Hull Discuss ‘I Will Find You’s Wildest Twists
“Every red herring actually is a story in and of itself.”
I feel like it wouldn’t be a true Harlan Coben show without cliffhangers and plot twists. What was the most difficult one to pull off in the writing process?
COBEN: That’s a good question. Boy, there’s a couple. I think the episode where you see Matthew at the very, very end of an episode, it’s great. I thought the one where we saw Adam digging a hole, digging into a grave, was a solid one. I think Sam leaving, getting out of prison, putting the gun against the warden’s head is a pretty good one.
HULL: I would also say, with cliffhangers, I’m a big believer that it’s really easy to do a cliffhanger to keep you watching — it’s the B side, it’s the answer [that’s hard]. If you just do a cliffhanger and then get them out of it, nobody cares. And so Harlan and I spent a lot of time not just on the cliffhanger, but on what the next part was. What’s the next beat in the story? That’s where people will be locked in, because you satisfy them. There’s no bait-and-switch there. Every red herring actually is a story in and of itself.
Harlan Coben Gives an Update on His Myron Bolitar Series and Reveals Whether Directing Is in His Future
“Pressure is a privilege.”
Harlan, last month, it was announced that Netflix had greenlit the Myron Bolitar series, which people are super excited for. What can you tell us about working with David E. Kelley on that and where you are in that process?
COBEN: We’re pretty close to starting to film. We’ll be making announcements I think fairly soon. I grew up with David E. Kelley in a sense. I’ve been admiring his work for so long, and when they first told me, “How about you and David E. Kelley trying to do this?” I was just like, “Let me in.” I’m nervous about it. I’ve written a lot of books about Myron, and Win, and Esperanza, and I really want it to go well. Pressure is a privilege, and we’ll see how it goes now. I always get nervous before a show — I got nervous before this one — and now, it’s gonna be out in the whole world, and it’s time to see if we were right or not.
I have full faith in you. I feel like you have become as synonymous with TV as you are with books now. You’ve been doing a lot of writing and producing — would you ever have any interest in trying to direct or do anything else in the TV sphere?
COBEN: I never say never anymore, because I keep saying never, and I end up doing it. “I would never write a memoir,” and I just wrote that. “I would never write a play,” and I just wrote one. So I never say never. I can’t imagine being a director unless I had a really great DP, maybe. [Laughs] I don’t see it happening, but who knows?
HULL: I would encourage him to do anything but write television, because then my job is gone.
COBEN: Robbie’s trying to picture me as a director on set, and I’m annoying enough now.
HULL: [Laughs] That’s fine, that’s fine. Most of my calls to Harlan are, “Write your novels faster, because I’m here waiting. Please write faster.”
Robert, your resume has such a wide range of projects. Gossip Girl, Once Upon a Time, Alcatraz, Gotham. Which of those shows do you feel best prepared you to work on this series?
HULL: All of them. Honestly, especially when you’re adapting Harlan, who has such a track record for success, it’s really about the storytelling. It’s really about honoring both his initial story, but also the way he tells stories, which is, yes, thrillers, yes, twists and turns, but if you read and are a fan of his novels, you read them because, at the end, there’s always this emotion. There’s always this sense of hope, this sense of catharsis. And that’s why I think he’s so successful. I think the twists and turns are how he keeps you turning the pages, but at the very end, if it’s not satisfying on an emotional level, you’re not gonna read the next one.
Harlan Coben Knew They Had To Get This ‘I Will Find You’ Scene Perfect
“[It’s] the moment that I think that I knew the show was going to work.”
I’m so curious, is there one moment in the show that you can point to as being something that you’re proudest of or something that you’re most excited for people to get to see?
COBEN: I’ll pick two and go from Episode 1 to Episode 8. Episode 1, and this is the moment that I think that I knew the show was going to work, is the scene where Britt Lower shows Sam Worthington the photograph in the prison. It was the scene when I was writing the book that I kept thinking about, and I don’t know how many times Robbie and I talked about this beforehand, but I was so nervous about making sure it worked, and we had the right camera angle, we had the right photograph, and all that. I probably drove him crazy with that. So that’s one.
And I don’t want to give anything away, but the last scene in Episode 8. For people who haven’t watched it yet, I hope you will. That scene, to me, gets me choked up even talking about it. So those are my two favorites, picking from 1 and 8. Robbie, you gotta pick something in the middle now.
HULL: [Laughs] I don’t want to pick anything in the middle! I think Harlan nailed it, though, because the end is sort of left open to interpretation of what a happy ending is, and where they go from here. And I think that sense of asking where they go from here is a real testament to the story that Harlan wrote, because you want to keep watching. You want to figure out what happens after that, and I think that leaves people feeling very satisfied.
I Will Find You is now streaming on Netflix.
- Release Date
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June 18, 2026
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Robert Hull
- Directors
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Adam Davidson, Maggie Kiley, Maja Vrvilo, Brad Anderson
- Writers
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Robert Hull, Harlan Coben
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Entertainment
“Will & Grace” stars Debra Messing and Eric McCormick remember James Burrows: 'Thank you for everything you gave us'
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Burrows, who directed every episode of ‘Will & Grace,’ died on Friday at age 85.
At the time of writing, the most interesting movies of 2026 so far have belonged to the horror genre… and, technically, one noteworthy release often gets called a 2025 film (Obsession), since that’s when it premiered. Still, most people saw it in 2026, and it came out pretty close to Backrooms, with both getting attention for doing a lot with modest budgets, and raising the profiles of the two up-and-coming directors behind them: Curry Barker for Obsession, and Kane Parsons for Backrooms. Both had made videos online, though, before directing these highly successful theatrical releases, with Parsons having most of his pre-Backrooms (2026) work also related to Backrooms, since that’s the name of the web series he created and directed, with most of its episodes being released in 2022.
Backrooms, both the movie and the series, are about The Backrooms, which is a concept that originated from a post on 4chan. Someone posted a photo of an unsettling image, and then someone else commented about it being “The Backrooms,” which is – to quote this anonymous person – “approximately six hundred million square miles of randomly segmented empty rooms to be trapped in.” People ran with it, and built certain mythological concepts to go in it, with Parsons finding the most success, in this regard. The horror of this concept is fresh, but also not entirely unheard of, since there are other works of horror that have played around with the idea of liminal and unknown spaces, and House of Leaves, a novel from 2000 written by Mark Z. Danielewski, might well exemplify it the best.
The Plots of ‘House of Leaves’ and ‘Backrooms’
The world of Backrooms is complex, but the premise of the 2026 film (as it currently exists, without follow-ups/sequels) is quite simple. There isn’t much of a plot there, because a man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers an entrance to the titular Backrooms, and is then driven mad by how enormous, eerie, and otherworldly it is. His therapist (Renate Reinsve) eventually sets out to find him and discovers the realm herself. That’s about it, plus some other side characters who are brought in to document an exploration of the Backrooms, which is where the movie gets to become a found footage film, and it’s that stretch of Backrooms that is probably the strongest. It’s worth mentioning the found footage part, because House of Leaves incorporates something like that, too.
Also, House of Leaves is much more complex to try to break down. At its center, there is a documentary that was made about a house that appears to be bigger on the inside than on the outside, while also containing the entrance to some sort of impossibly limitless realm. A man named Zampanò spent the last stage of his life looking into and analyzing this documentary, with another man, Johnny Truant, documenting and analyzing Zampanò’s analysis. There are a couple more layers beyond this, so it’s all quite dizzying to break down and process in its entirety. But, the in-universe documentary, “The Navidson Record” (which might not even actually exist within the main universe of House of Leaves, whatever that universe is), is the part that’s reminiscent of Backrooms, so it’s best to focus on that for now.
How ‘House of Leaves’ Manages To Be So Scary
Even if you don’t find liminal spaces particularly scary (somehow), the madness of House of Leaves – and the madness it aims to inspire – will likely prove unsettling. There are things it does with its formatting and overall style that make you feel like you’re part of that chain of people mentioned before; like you’ve stumbled upon an analysis of an analysis of a documentary, and that you might also lose your grip on reality like all those people before you did. It does all come back to the house and what’s somehow contained in it, though. It’s hard to describe, and that’s part of what makes various people who don’t actually perish within the horrific maze (that it more or less is) go kind of mad, in the end. Capturing it all with filming/recording equipment is not enough, and proves challenging in unforeseen ways.
The layering makes it feel like waking up from a nightmare, and then still being in another nightmare that you subsequently wake up from, and then you’re not sure if you’re really awake, or if the nightmares are still going.
There’s no reality there, and it would be scary enough to have the story just be the events of The Navidson Record, but it’s the layering that helps. The layering makes it feel like waking up from a nightmare, and then still being in another nightmare that you subsequently wake up from, and then you’re not sure if you’re really awake, or if the nightmares are still going. In this sense, the horror hits a little harder, or cuts a little deeper, than what you get in Backrooms (2026). Then again, that is just one movie, and not a particularly long one at that, while House of Leaves is dense, lengthy, and something that’ll likely take most people a good deal of time to get through and properly digest.
The Ways ‘House of Leaves’ Can Only Work as a Book
This is all scratching the surface of House of Leaves, but that’s hopefully forgivable, because there is so much here that can only be appreciated if you sit down and read the thing. Also, you really have to literally sit down and read it, because the formatting, (sometimes trippy) footnotes, and some of the unusual creative choices throughout House of Leaves make the idea of an audiobook version (at least of the entire text) pretty much impossible. There are even things in the book that make the idea of a Kindle/digital version hard to imagine, at least one that captures everything in the physical version.
It’s the ambition and borderline-insanity of it all that really makes it a special book, though. House of Leaves is easy to recommend, if you liked the Backrooms movie or the sort of horror that Backrooms (2026) explores. House of Leaves goes a bit beyond “just” liminal horror in some surprising and inventive ways, but those things are best left up to each individual person to explore. Even if you’re not wild about reading, and find the idea of a 700+ page-long book intimidating, House of Leaves is well worth giving a shot and getting (so very) lost in.
Entertainment
‘Stranger Things’ Creators’ Netflix Sci-Fi Series Cancelled Despite 1.2 Billion Minutes Watched
In a rather controversial move this past week, Netflix canceled a high-profile new sci-fi series executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers just a month after its release. During this month, the series in question accumulated more than 20 million views on the platform, which typically waits at least three months before deciding whether to push ahead with a given title. This time, however, four weeks was enough. Not long after the shock cancellation, a report illustrated the many reasons why Netflix made the decision. One of the reasons offered was the Duffers’ exiting Netflix and beginning a creative partnership at Paramount, where they’ll be able to make theatrical movies in addition to linear television and streaming shows. Netflix’s decision, according to the report, came mere days after the deadline to extend deals with the series’ cast ended, and days before Emmy voting closed.
It was also reported that the show cost more than $10 million per episode, which puts the price tag for the eight-episode season at under $100 million. The cancellation happened shortly after Netflix shared its latest batch of viewership data, where the show in question pulled 2 million views. It garnered 5.6 million views in its first week, 9.5 million views in its second week, and 3.7 million views in its third. The most surprising piece of information, however, came a day after the show’s cancellation, when Nielsen reported viewership numbers from a month ago. Nielsen typically shares streaming data a few weeks after the fact, and the latest report tracks the week of May 18 to May 24. The Duffers’ sci-fi show premiered on May 21.
Netflix’s Abruptly Canceled Series Garnered Millions of Viewers and Received Critical Acclaim
According to Nielsen, it accumulated 1.2 billion minutes watched during its premiere week, finishing second on the top 10 list behind Netflix’s own Nemesis, which garnered 1.3 billion minutes viewed. We’re talking, of course, about The Boroughs. The series stars Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, and Jena Malone. In addition to these strong viewership figures, the show also received high critical acclaim. It now holds a “Certified Fresh” 97% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “The Boroughs exudes excellence through its wonderfully plotted sci-fi trappings, star-studded cast, heartfelt narrative, and genuine ingenuity; a new classic through-and-through.” The Duffers have more projects in development at Netflix, and their mysterious event movie at Paramount was recently dated for November 2028. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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May 21, 2026
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews
- Directors
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Augustine Frizzell, Kyle Patrick Alvarez
- Writers
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James Schamus, Jose Molina, Julie Siege, Tom Hanada
Entertainment
20 classic Nickelodeon shows you forgot about, from “Gullah Gullah Island” to “ChalkZone”
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The network has been producing classic kids’ shows for decades.
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Sure, you could throw on a tee and a pair of shorts over your one-piece, but there’s something about a swimsuit cover-up that makes it feel like you’re on vacation. Amazon is making sure you’re not breaking the bank by providing plenty of options for under $30. They’re so good that we’re confused how they’re still in stock!
Like everything you wear in the summer or on vacation, you want it to be lightweight and breathable, which is what we focused on when choosing our favorite styles. Quick-drying fabric is also a plus, because who wants to sit in a damp dress at lunch? Shoppers have given their stamps of approval on these swimsuit cover-ups, so you know they’re well worth their reasonable price tags.
17 Swimsuit Cover-Ups That Look Way Too Chic To Be Under $30
1. Our Favorite: This shirt-style cover-up pick is a bit sheer and features fun tassels at the hem. It comes in solid color and pattern options to match your personal style.
2. Cool Crochet: With thousands of five-star ratings, shoppers love this drapey crochet cover-up. The all-over cutouts are sure to dry before you even make your way to the boardwalk.
3. Serious Sun Protection: The summer sun is no joke, and this zip-up hooded cover-up offers ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50 that’ll save your skin. It has large side pockets to carry your essentials, too.
4. Buttoned Beauty: Your favorite button-down shirt just got a beachy upgrade with this oversized collared option. It allows you to wear it open, closed or somewhere in between.
5. Collared Cutie: This all-over crochet style is made a bit more polished with a collar. It comes in a range of colors, including neutral beige and bright lime green.
Whether you’re packing for a beach vacation or planning your summer wardrobe, a nice cover-up is essential. But we get it, you don’t want one that looks like a cover-up. That’s where these 17 breezy finds come in. They double as chic outfits! Our favorite mini, midi and maxi cover-ups look straight out of a resort catalog, each with billowy fabrics and boutiquey designs. They’re […]
6. Sweetly Sheer: If this chiffon-like swimsuit cover-up wasn’t sheer, it would make the cutest dress ever. The adjustable drawstring waist gives you some shape for a style you’ll want to live in.
7. Cinched-In Style: This high-low swimsuit cover-up has a drawstring waist, but we’re really wowed by the crochet neckline. It finds the balance of being simple yet vacation-ready.
8. Nice Knot: You can’t go wrong with this $10 short-sleeve cover-up that has a knot detail at the hem. It has a textured feel, too, so even if you get a solid color, it’s not such a simple look.
9. Must-Have Midi: You’ll look like you belong at a five-star resort in this sleeveless midi cover-up. The knit look makes it hard to believe that it’s only $15.
10. Radiant Ruffles: No sheer material here! This to-the-knee swimsuit cover-up features ruffles on the sleeves and hem for a feminine touch.
11. Bell-Sleeve Babe: There’s so much to love about this short, long-sleeve cover-up. It has dramatic bell sleeves and crystal embellishments for an option you can wear to the beach club.
12. Lovely Lace: Amazon shoppers appreciate that this one-size-fits-most cover-up pick is flattering on a range of bodies. It’s super lightweight and airy, which is exactly what you want in a summer piece.
13. Pretty Pleats: Keep it simple with a tank top-style cover-up that features pleats across the chest. If you really needed to, you could wear it to dinner if you don’t have time to change.
14. Flowy Find: It doesn’t get much more breezy than this short spaghetti-strap find that was meant to flow in the wind. It has cutout details that give it a vacation-ready vibe.
15. Eyes on Eyelet: We love the adjustable waist on this short swimsuit cover-up, but our favorite detail is on the neckline. The unique circular cutouts add that breezy element that’s made for summer.
16. Lively Long-Sleeve: People will think you got this knit swimsuit cover-up at a boutique, as it has a cute cutout held together with a touch of golden hardware. It’ll be tough to choose among the 14 colors, though.
17. Polished and Pocketed: With waffle-knit texture, this tank top-style cover-up is simple, not boring. And we always appreciate functional pockets to carry the essentials.
You’ve booked the trip, blocked the calendar and now you’re staring at a closet full of clothes that feel wrong for poolside lunches and sunset dinners. The pieces from a few seasons back don’t quite fit the vibe, but you’re not about to drop a paycheck on a vacation wardrobe you’ll wear for one week. […]
Entertainment
Prime Video’s Steamy ‘Heated Rivalry’ Replacement Soars With Huge Week 2 Viewership Jump
After establishing itself as a hub for content aimed at older male viewers with hits such as Reacher and Bosch, Prime Video is proving to be just as adept at entertaining Gen Z audiences. The streamer witnessed tremendous success with The Summer I Turned Pretty, which concluded its three-season run in 2025 and is set to return with a feature-length final chapter. Prime Video recently premiered an even bigger hit, a romance drama that delivered the streamer’s third-biggest debut of all time. It attracted 36 million viewers in the first 12 days of release, trailing only the first seasons of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Fallout on the all-time Prime Video rankings. Most importantly, it delivered the streamer’s biggest-ever debut for the all-important 18-34 age demographic, beating out The Summer I Turned Pretty.
According to the latest Nielsen streaming report, which tracks viewership across platforms from the week of May 18 to May 24, the Prime Video title saw a massive 34% increase in viewership in its second week. It generated 690 million minutes watched, placing fifth on Nielsen’s list of the top 10 original streaming series. The list was topped by Netflix’s Nemesis, which generated 1.3 billion minutes watched during the same week. Only one other Prime Video title found a spot on the list: The Boys, which concluded its five-season run on May 20.
Prime Video’s Record-Breaking Romance Series Received Critical Acclaim
The romance series we’re talking about, of course, is Off Campus. Based on a series of books by Elle Kennedy, the series was created by Louisa Levy. It stars Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli as a music major and the hockey captain at the fictional Briar University. Off Campus received high critical praise in addition to being wholeheartedly embraced by its target audience. It now holds a “Certified Fresh” 91% critics’ score and an 88% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Off Campus thrives on titillation and the deliberate excavation of relationship dynamics in a whirlwind romance novel adaptation that genuinely cares for the genre and all its pleasurable trappings.” In her review, Collider’s Therese Lacson described the show as “the perfect blend of sizzling romance and soapy drama.” Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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May 13, 2026
- Network
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Prime Video
- Directors
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Dawn Wilkinson, Erica Dunton, Silver Tree, Sam Bailey
- Writers
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Emmy St. Pierre
It’s been more than 20 years since The Princess Diaries hit theaters, but fans will never get tired of the Disney movie’s royal charm.
Released in August 2001, Anne Hathaway made her film debut as Mia Thermopolis, a San Francisco teen who discovers she is a princess of the fictional country of Genovia. Julie Andrews starred alongside Hathaway as Mia’s grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi.
The duo returned for the film’s 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, alongside fellow original stars Heather Matarazzo, Hector Elizondo and Caroline Goodall.
Much to the delight of fans, Hathaway announced in October 2024 that she is reprising her role for the upcoming Princess Diaries 3.
“Miracles happen ✨👑 Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures,” she teased via Instagram. “The fairy tale continues ❤️🔥.”
Scroll down to see where the cast of The Princess Diaries is now:
Video games are the future of storytelling, with their immersive narratives and gameplay gaining millions of fans around the world. As titles such as Grand Theft Auto VI and Resident Evil continue to push the medium forward, more and more fans share their opinions on these games, some good, and some bad. It is impossible to please everyone, but a select few games are universally beloved.
The best reception a game can get is universal acclaim with no hate, but that is nearly impossible, especially with such a polarizing fan base. However, some games achieve that feat, which is why this list will rank the ten most universally beloved video games of all time. Based on aspects such as design, gameplay, narrative, visuals, polish, influence, originality, widespread appeal, fan love, lack of hate, and overall quality, everyone loves these ten games.
10
‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)
Rockstar is one of the most prolific video game studios, with their next masterpiece that could be on this list coming out in November 2026. But for now, their best game is Red Dead Redemption 2, which follows Arthur Morgan in the dying age of the Wild West. However, he goes on one last adventure to come to terms with his humanity and a last chance at redemption.
The 2018 Game of the Year winner was so controversial because Red Dead Redemption 2 didn’t win, which was, and still is, one of the most popular video games. The life-like realism of not only the visuals but also the details and minor mechanics builds an immersive Wild West experience. However, everyone loves Red Dead Redemption 2 for its award-winning narrative that has the best character arc in video game history.
9
‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)
It is extremely difficult for an indie game to get popular, but if it does, it will become a beloved classic. This is what happened with Stardew Valley. After inheriting the titular land, players are tasked with rebuilding the surrounding area by exploring caverns, managing residents and resources, and farming to build the economy.
There are many beloved indies, but that is because they only have a cult fan base. Stardew Valley, on the other hand, is an indie sensation, not only being popular but also establishing itself as a comfort classic. The addictive gameplay loop and cozy atmosphere deliver low-stress entertainment that connects perfectly with so many players.
8
‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
This list features some of the biggest video game franchises, but none are as iconic as The Legend of Zelda, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still the best of the series. After the evil Gerudo king, Ganondorf, kidnaps Princess Zelda, a forest boy named Link must travel through the present and future in order to wake up the sages and stop Ganondorf’s plan.
When a video game is dubbed the greatest of all time, it usually means most people like it. But it also opens itself up to hate since it is the best. Despite that, Ocarina of Time still holds that legacy, proving that love outweighs hate. Every Zelda game is a masterpiece, but Ocarina of Time is another level of influential, arguably being the most important video game of all time.
7
‘Minecraft’ (2011)
The most popular video games are popular for a reason, but some, like Fortnite, have just as much hate as love. Minecraft, on the other hand, beats those allegations. Players are given unlimited freedom as they can mine, build, craft, and explore, doing whatever they want in survival or creative mode with friends, or by themselves.
Minecraft does have some haters, but the hate those gamers feel pales in comparison to the love the fans have. Minecraft is the biggest game for a reason, and that is, fans have been playing it for years, and with new content added periodically, the game remains fresh. Some players hold a special nostalgic place in their hearts for Minecraft; others still enjoy it today, but either way, everyone loves it.
6
‘Resident Evil 4’ (2005)
The introduction mentioned Resident Evil, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, highlighting its ninth game. However, nothing beats Resident Evil 4, which follows Leon S. Kennedy, a special operative sent to Spain in order to save the president’s daughter from an evil cult infected by a zombie-like parasite.
In a beloved video game franchise home to the greatest horror experiences in gaming history, Resident Evil 4 is the definitive entry. This game revolutionized the genre and franchise by shifting its focus to thrilling action-horror gameplay. From overly dramatic backflips to intense shootouts, this invigorating video game wormed its way into everyone’s hearts.
5
‘Fallout: New Vegas’ (2010)
Bethesda doesn’t have a good track record anymore after a couple of misses, but at the very least, they have Fallout: New Vegas. Instead of controlling a vault dweller, players are a courier in the Mojave Desert, tasked with delivering a package to the New Vegas Strip. But things quickly spiral out of control as a turf war between two factions rages.
Players love agency, and when a game like Fallout: New Vegas gives players the complete freedom they’ve been craving, it instantly becomes a fan-favorite. With a plethora of engaging side quests and eccentric characters everywhere, this game is a worldbuilding masterclass. With so many aspects to love, it is no wonder that Fallout: New Vegas is a universally beloved video game.
4
‘Nintendogs’ (2005)
Nintendo is known for having some of the most beloved video games because of their casual appeal and family fun, and the game that fits the bill the most is Nintendogs. Selecting from a variety of dog breeds, gamers care for their pups by playing with them, grooming them, giving them food, and simply having a good time with their digital dogs.
Fans are still praying for a new Nintendogs game on the Nintendo Switch 2, and that is because the franchise is a beloved icon. Literally no one can hate a game about caring for puppies. It has such a wholesome premise and fans form right bonds with their dogs, further cementing the joy and love while playing Nintendogs, making it universally beloved.
3
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
Beloved video games are usually comforting and timeless titles, and while Elden Ring isn’t comforting, it is definitely timeless. After the titular object is broken into multiple pieces, the children of Aueen Marika claim them. However, the player arises as the Tarnished, sent to defeat the demigod children, claim the shards, restore the ring, and become the Elden Lord.
Combining FromSoftware’s staple dark fantasy combat and challenging, yet rewarding gameplay with George R.R. Martin’s worldbuilding and lore, Elden Ring became an instant classic. This definitive fantasy masterpiece is a new age phenomenon, boasting one of the greatest video game narratives alongside a magnificent sense of exploration, which meld into a video game unlike anything ever made.
2
‘Portal 2’ (2011)
Valve unfortunately doesn’t make video games anymore, which is truly sad because gamers won’t get a sequel to Portal 2. Years after the first game, players wake up in the same scientific facility, but this time it is abandoned. Trying to escape with the help of Wheatley, players accidentally awaken GLaDOS, who wants revenge for the last time, forcing them to undergo ruthless experiments.
Portal 2 has remained without controversy for decades, and that is because there is nothing to hate about a perfectly crafted masterpiece. The witty dialogue and charming characters create an endearing narrative that complements the vibe and gameplay, working together to build a succinct experience. Portal 2 has innovative mechanics and intricate puzzles that challenge the mind, making those who hate it the ones unable to solve the puzzles.
1
‘Wii Sports’ (2006)
Being universally beloved is no easy feat, especially in the video game industry, but one way to earn goodwill is by giving fans a video game for free. Wii Sports was a free game everyone got with a purchase of the Wii, offering a handful of sports such as golf, tennis, boxing, bowling, and baseball. With intuitive motion controls, gamers felt like they were really playing these sports.
Wii Sports is a simple game, but that is all players need to have fun. The intuitive controls made it so anyone could play, and everyone did, from grandparents to children. Wii Sports is a video game for all gamers, boasting a whimsical style and customizable Miis, which added a layer of immersion on top of the motion controls. Every game has its haters, but Wii Sports is as close as it comes to a perfect, universally beloved video game.
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If you thought Jennifer Lawrence‘s cool style was only reserved for the red carpet, think again. The actress was recently spotted carrying the Cyklar Perfume Oil in Modern Patchouli on her keychain, proving you can easily touch up your scent throughout the day. At just $24, the perfume oil is an affordable way to channel a warm, sophisticated scent that feels anything but basic.
Unlike traditional patchouli fragrances that can lean heavy or overpowering, Cyklar Perfume Oil takes a fresher approach, balancing earthy patchouli with soft woody notes and subtle hints of warmth, creating an overall scent that feels clean, skin-like and super wearable. The oil features top notes of coconut water and pistachio, middle notes of mimosa and dry notes of vanilla absolute and patchouli for a well-rounded scent that yields compliments.
Get the Cyklar Perfume Oil for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Because oils don’t contain alcohol, they tend to wear closer to the skin and can feel better than traditional sprays. As the perfume oil warms on the skin, the fragrance unfolds gradually, allowing different notes to emerge rather than disappearing after a few hours. The small applicator also makes it easy to target pulse points throughout the day, making it perfect when you’re heading from meeting to date night, or if you’re simply looking for a quick refresh after running errands.
Floral perfumes for spring may be far from groundbreaking, but Pamela Anderson doesn’t mind. The affordable garden-fresh scent she loves earns her plenty of compliments, so it’s no surprise it’s become one of her signature scents. The Kai Perfume Oil is one of those rare fragrances that seems to subtly garner everyone’s attention. At least, that’s […]
Another standout feature is the travel-friendly design. The compact bottle is small enough to slip into a clutch, pocket or makeup bag, or you could make like Lawrence and carry it on your keychain so you never forget to reapply. It’s perfect for those who prefer convenience over carrying a bulky perfume bottle. Your signature scent will be within arm’s reach no matter where the day takes you.
One Amazon user called it a “smooth fragrance” that makes you “smell fresh all day.” Another shopper said it’s very “long-lasting” and “sophisticated.”
If you’re looking to upgrade your fragrance wardrobe without spending a fortune, this is a chic celebrity-approved pick worth considering. Head to Amazon and grab Cyklar Perfume Oil while it’s still just $24!
Get the Cyklar Perfume Oil for $24 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more perfume oils here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Spring is the time to switch out your heavy winter products for light and airy formulas. I’m not just talking about skincare, either. The same goes for body care and fragrances — and Jennifer Garner’s favorite body oil is a springtime must-have. The actress has waxed poetic about the Kai Body Glow for how “fresh […]
Love Island USA’s Bryce Alakai Dettloff got a compliment on his penis size from Zach Georgiou following a surprise “girth check.”
Bryce flashed Zach during the Friday, June 19, episode of the show. Later that day, Zach brought it up, saying, “That f**king snake you got down there.”
After Bryce asked for Zach’s opinion on his anatomy, his friend called it “long.”
“It is nearly my f**king boner, that was. I am not going to lie,” Zach added. “That was good s***.”
Love Island USA follows a group of singles who must pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa. The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and earn a shot at the $100,000 prize.
While the islanders are filming nonstop for weeks, viewers are watching daily episodes and casting votes that affect the couples and the fate of the contestants.
While the Islanders paired off during Day 1, it didn’t take long for those bonds to shift. There was also the arrival of bombshells, who tempted several Islanders to reconsider their connections.
Before viewers tuned in, Peacock issued a message to remind the audience to be kind.
“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” read their statement. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – so keep it kind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island!”
Host Ariana Madix has also had to previously issue a message for those Love Island USA viewers who are taking things too far when expressing their frustrations with the show.
“I do want to say something to some of those people who are online,” she said during a June 2025 episode of Aftersun. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people.”
Ariana questioned the behavior she saw on social media.
“Don’t be going on islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that because the islanders don’t have their phones,” she noted. “So we are giving you a chance because this is a fun, amazing and beautiful show. We should be thanking each one of these islanders every single day for giving us themselves.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!
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