Everyone loves a good hallway fight scene, and, in recent years, they’ve become a sort of staple of well-made action movies. There are countless great examples in cinema and TV, but one franchise has particularly mastered the art of the hallway fight scene: Star Wars.

Everyone remembers that incredible Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) brawl in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but, since then, there have been another five such sequences set in the galaxy far, far away, and many people forget that there is already a crazy one in the original movie. So, here are all seven hallway action sequences in Star Wars, ranked.

7

Han Solo in ‘Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope’ (1977)

Image via Lucasfilm

Yes, this counts. It’s the very first in the franchise, in Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, and an extremely quirky one at that. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) goes after a group of Stormtroopers, screaming at the top of his lungs, only to reach a hangar full of them and retreat the way he came. There’s barely any action, as it plays more on the comedic side, but it still works as a perfect Han moment: shoot first, think later.

This scene is also one of the many changes made by George Lucas in the Special Edition released in 1997. In the original, the hallway leads to a dead end with only five Stormtroopers. The odds are still against Han, but the hangar works much better, let’s face it.

6

Baylan Skoll in ‘Ahsoka’ Season 1 (2023)

Image via Disney+

A hallway scene that isn’t top-of-mind, but made quite a stir when it aired is Baylan Skoll‘s (Ray Stevenson) in the series premiere of Ahsoka. He and his apprentice, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), storm a New Republic cruiser to free former Imperial warlord Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto). When Skoll reaches the brig hallway, he cuts through every single officer on the way, casually strutting to Elbeth’s cell when it’s done.

Although very brief, this scene is elevated by the late and great Ray Stevenson. He portrays Baylan making full use of his stature, turning him into the kind of opponent no one would want to confront directly. His deadpan expression and mechanical movements also emphasize how powerful Baylan is, while also hinting that there is a lot more to know about this former Jedi than being only a powerful warrior.

5

K-2SO in ‘Andor’ Season 2 (2025)

Image via Lucasfilm

The funniest (yes, more than Han) entry on this list is also the most brutal (yes, more than Number 1), and takes place in the final two episodes of Star Wars‘ most serious property, Andor. When Cassian (Diego Luna), Melshi (Duncan Pow), and Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) find themselves cornered by the ISB in the old rebel safehouse apartment on Coruscant, K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) rescues them by violently killing every agent on the way. After the slaughter, he proudly announces: “Cassian! I’ve cleared a path!”

This sequence has incredibly high stakes, given the importance of Kleya’s message, Luthen’s (Stellan Skarsgård) recent sacrifice, and Supervisor Heert (Jacob James Beswick) determination to catch Kleya after Director Krennic’s (Ben Mendelsohn) ultimatum. The dark hallway feels like a horror movie slaughter setting, but K-2SO’s attitude balances the weight by replying ironically to ISB agents and even using Heert as a human shield, despite his own blaster-proof coating.

4

Obi-Wan Kenobi in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (2022)

Image via Disney+

Say what you will about the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, it does feature some incredible action sequences. The hallway action scene in “Part IV” is among them, where Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) protects young Leia Organa (Vivien Lyra Blair) from Imperial forces at Fortress Inquisitorius. Trapped from both sides inside an underwater corridor, Obi-Wan finally comes onto himself again after years of letting his connection to the Force wane because of the grief and regret he’s been carrying since the ending of Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.

There are many great aspects to this scene, from fighting choreography to visual storytelling. First, Obi-Wan is doing what the Jedi are supposed to do, protecting an innocent person from harm, and that person being Leia significantly raises the stakes, too. More important, however, is how he does it. Obi-Wan directly strikes a Stormtrooper only once, because they were already at close range; all the others he defeats only by cleverly deflecting their blaster shots — a staple of his preferred lightsaber combat form, Soresu — and using the incoming flood to his favor. That’s the Jedi way: avoid striking at all costs and protect the innocent.

3

Maul in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Season 7 (2020)

Image via Lucasfilm

The final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars has no shortage of great action scenes, but Maul’s (Sam Witwer) hallway fight against a squad of Clone Troopers could very well pass as the definition of “rampage.” Even without a lightsaber, the former Darth makes quick work of the clones by using sheets of the walls as shields and blades with the Force. He never touches anything or anyone, and barely breaks his stride. There’s even room for a final display of gratuitous cruelty when he traps a clone’s arm on a closing blast door after he’s already gotten the poor bastard’s blaster.

The whole sequence happens in the animated series’ penultimate episode, in the context of Order 66, which forced Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) to free Maul from his confinement after taking the whole Siege of Mandalore — a 4-episode story arc — to capture him. Once the clones turn on her, she decides to use Maul as a distraction, setting him free so she could make her own escape. Maul actually asks her for “a fighting chance” in the form of a lightsaber, but that was clearly an attempt to deceive her, as he then proceeds to demonstrate how he actually doesn’t need a weapon to defeat his enemies.

2

Luke Skywalker in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 (2020)

Image via Disney+/Lucasfilm

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is the undeniable greatest hero of Star Wars, but we never really got to see him in his prime; in Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi, he is still barely a Jedi Knight, despite his amazing feats. So, when Luke defeats a whole Imperial cruiser filled with Dark Troopers in The Mandalorian, seeing it was a dream come true for most fans. In the Season 2 finale, he rescues Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), young Grogu and their friends from Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), displaying his mastery of lightsaber combat for the first time and taking out an entire hallway of Dark Troopers up close.

When this scene initially aired in 2020, it felt like a direct nod to Darth Vader’s (James Earl Jones) own hallway scene in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, with Luke getting his own iteration of that moment. The Mandalorian‘s version, however, has no deaths, as all of Luke’s opponents are mechanical. Still, the fact that they are essentially overpowered droids in great numbers raises the stakes of his rescue mission, requiring him to actually defeat them. This moment also connects the movie and television corners of the Star Wars universe for the first time, making it a huge deal for the franchise.

1

Darth Vader in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Finally, the ultimate Star Wars hallway scene and one of the best in cinema altogether. Whenever someone thinks about a hallway fight or about Rogue One, it’s Darth Vader’s scene in a corridor filled with rebel soldiers that comes to mind. It has everything: it’s aligned with his character, a powerful soundtrack, franchise-defining high stakes… Rogue One already has an incredibly dramatic outcome for its story and characters, but Vader’s hallway scene manages to elevate it even more, highlighting just how close the rebels came to losing the war before it even started.

The scene takes place at the end of the Battle of Scarif. The entire Rogue One crew is dead, and the rebels are hurrying to get the Death Star plans to Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) aboard the Tantive IV. Before the ship can depart, however, there’s Vader. The scene perfectly captures one of the Sith Lord’s key traits: he’s a huge drama queen. He creates a whole atmosphere for his entrance — the lights go out, his mechanical breathing fills the room, and his lightsaber is ignited with perfect timing to allow everyone to make out just his dark silhouette. In a little over 10 seconds, he makes an impression that lasts way longer than the following carnage.

Vader’s moment in Rogue One is what started the trend of epic hallway fight scenes in Star Wars, making it a staple of the franchise under Disney. It also influenced many other artists and pretty much consolidated this as more than a trope; now, a well-made hallway fight works almost as a quality certificate for an action film or series. There have been many such scenes before in other movies, of course, but it was Vader who made everyone want one after Rogue One.

Amy Duggar King has taken back her previous support of embattled cousin Joseph Duggar’s wife, Kendra Duggar, following Kendra’s arrest on a child endangerment charge.

“I think that was a plot twist that no one saw coming,” Amy, 39, said of Kendra’s arrest during a Saturday, March 21, interview with TMZ. “When I gave that [first] statement … that was just the information I was given at the time and thought to be true. Now that the information has changed and there’s more that is coming out and there’s a lot of question marks right now.”

Amy added, “I’m just going to steer that statement towards the kids because that’s what matters right now, is the kids’ safety, the victim and her family, and the four children that were in [Joseph and Kendra’s] home. That is where my heart lies. I’m just going to lay there.”

Amy was one of the first members of the extended Duggar family to speak out when Joseph, 31, was arrested on Wednesday, March, 18, on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. (Joseph is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl when they were on vacation together in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020.)

Related: Joseph Duggar’s Wife Kendra Duggar’s Mugshot Revealed After Arrest

Kendra Duggar’s mugshot was revealed shortly after she was arrested on criminal charges. A press release from the Tontitown Police Department on Friday, March 20, stated that both Kendra, 27, and her husband, Joseph Duggar, are facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, and four counts of false […]

“Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph’s wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children,” Amy originally said in a statement on Thursday, March 19. “I’m praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.”

Amy subsequently broke down in tears in a social media post on Friday, March 20, when Kendra, along with Joseph, were arrested on four unrelated counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, and four counts of second degree false imprisonment.

“I’m learning just like everyone else and looking through any kind of article that I can find, trying to get answers, because obviously this is [heartbreaking],” Amy told TMZ on Saturday. “This is really, really hard on everybody. … It’s not just about the people who are inside this bubble, that believe this certain system. It’s people who loved them. I loved Joe. I loved Kendra. There are so many people who are just wanting this to be not so serious.”

Amy expressed sympathy for the 14-year-old girl who came forward with molestation allegations against Joseph, saying the alleged victim “should have been safe, should have been loved.”

“My heart cannot wrap around that,” Amy admitted. “The person that I thought I knew is apparently not the person he is today. I will hold him accountable and I want justice to be served to the fullest.”

Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly on Saturday, an insider sought to distance Kendra’s arrest from Joseph’s child molestation case.

Related: Joseph Duggar Slammed by Florida Sheriff After Molestation Arrest

Bay County, Florida sheriff Tommy Ford has condemned Joseph Garrett Duggar following the 19 Kids and Counting star’s arrest on child molestation charges. “We work, unfortunately, way too many of these types of cases, and I don’t care if he’s got a TV show, or who he is, or what he’s done, he’s committed an […]

“Kendra’s arrest has nothing to do with Joseph’s — although one precipitated another,” the source told Us. “After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there. They came to her house.”

They added, “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

Us has reached out to the Duggars for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Lindsey Vonn has showcased her dedication to recovering from her catastrophic leg injury at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Just six weeks after her dramatic crash at the Milan and Cortina games, Vonn, 41, posted an Instagram video on Saturday, March 21, to reveal that she is already doing full sets on a pull up bar at the gym.

“First set of pull ups post surgery… slowly getting there,” Vonn captioned the Instagram post.

Vonn’s followers hailed her resilience, including Chelsea Handler replying, “INSPIRING, INCREDIBLE, BEAST MODE.”

The champion skier went into the Olympics in Italy having already torn her ACL during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30. Vonn defied the odds by pushing through her pain at the Olympic trials to compete in Milan and Cortina.

Disaster struck only 13 seconds into Vonn’s women’s downhill event on February 8 when she crashed and had to be airlifted to a hospital to undergo an emergency orthopedic operation to stabilize a complex tibia fracture.

Vonn underwent additional procedures in both Italy and once she returned home to the U.S., revealing that she nearly had her leg amputated due to the severe trauma caused by her crash.

“Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg,” Vonn explained in a social media post at the time. “He saved my leg from being amputated. He did what’s called a fasciotomy, where he cut open both sides of my leg and kind of filleted it open so to speak, let it breathe, and he saved me.”

Related: Lindsey Vonn Posts Brutal Video of Leg During Recovery After Olympics Crash

Lindsey Vonn is currently living by the motto, “No pain, no gain,” and her recovery videos prove it. The professional athlete, 41, shared a brutal video of her injured leg on Friday, March 13, following her 2026 Winter Olympics crash that resulted in multiple surgeries earlier this year. In the clip shared via Vonn’s Instagram […]

Advertisement

Once Vonn started physical therapy in early March, she admitted her disappointment about falling off the top of downhill skiing’s world rankings.

“Well… I’ve had the red leader bib from the first race of the season until now, but in all likelihood tomorrow will be my last day as #1,” Vonn wrote via Instagram on March 6. “At the beginning of the season no one would have ever believed I would be even close to this position. And I bet people would have laughed if it was even suggested. But winning the title was my goal… and I came painfully close to achieving it.”

Vonn mentioned that she doesn’t like bragging about her achievements but felt it was important to draw attention to her success after nearly six years in retirement.

“I was on the podium of every single downhill race, including 2 wins,” she pointed out. “I clawed my way back to #1 in the world after being retired for 6 years with a partial knee replacement and that alone was an incredible achievement I won’t ever forget. Even though in a few days no one will remember that I almost won the season title, I will remember. I didn’t want to win the title to prove anything to anyone. I did it because I knew I could. I just wish I had a chance to fight until the end to try and get it.”

Amid speculation that she would walk away from the sport once again, Vonn tweeted on March 14, “Who said I was retiring?”

A fan replied that “the ego is so strong in this one” before encouraging her to put her “feet up and be done.”

“Think you’re mistaking ego for joy,” Vonn corrected them. “I’ve said it my whole life; I love skiing. I’ll put my feet up when I’m good and ready, thank you.”

It’s safe to say that one of the most timeless genres of film is the Western. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to our current resurgence in the Taylor Sheridan era, audiences simply cannot get enough of the Wild Wild West. It’s a chance to escape to a world we used to play in as kids, but beyond that, the stories are rich and deeply thematic. It’s partially why it’s such a crowd-pleasing genre.

Since the dawn of the Western, there have been countless titles that have been considered masterpieces, but what about those films that are simply meant to entertain? We’re here to discuss the 10 most crowd-pleasing Westerns ever. From those that epitomize the old west to comedies that poke fun at the genre, these movies are simply a good ol’ time that everyone can have.

1

‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Perhaps the pinnacle of buddy cop Westerns comes in 1969’s exceptional Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Directed by George Roy Hill and written by William Goldman, the film is loosely based on the Wild West outlaws Robert LeRoy Parker, known as Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman), and his partner Harry Longabaugh, the “Sundance Kid” (Robert Redford). A story of fast draws and wild rides, with posses, robberies, and a torrid love affair, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid follows two outlaws on the run for their lives to Bolivia while shining a light on a remarkable friendship. A lighthearted and likable Western, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is pure joy. Beyond the comedy, the film explores the end of the Old West and the encroachment of modern civilization. It’s a bittersweet story.

Blending Western grit with lighthearted charm, this film has become so beloved because of its stars. Both Redford and Newman had storied careers before and after the film, yet their dynamic as a duo remains one of their best work. They had a natural, charismatic rapport that carried the film all the way through. Like a great Western should, the vibrancy in cinematography contributed to the film’s splendor. Earning four Academy Awards, including Best Song for Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” the film’s legacy is everlasting. A film that epitomized the swinging ’60s, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of those films that can never be replicated.

2

‘Stagecoach’ (1939)

Image via United Artists

If there’s any landmark film that perfected the Western genre, it’s John Ford’s Stagecoach. The Western classic tells the tale of nine disparate passengers as they travel through dangerous Apache territory from Tonto, Arizona, to Lordsburg, New Mexico. The journey showcases their evolving relationships, personal dramas, and eager redemption, ultimately resulting in a climactic final showdown. Featuring one of John Wayne’s most iconic performances as the Ringo Kid that launched him into stardom, Stagecoach is a simple story that highlights profound character-driven moments.

The film’s characters are vibrant and unique, lifting the material to great heights. The motley crew comprises a disgraced prostitute, Dallas (Claire Trevor), driven out of town by the Law and Order League; a drunken doctor named Josiah Boone (Thomas Mitchell); a snobbish pregnant officer’s wife, Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt); a diminutive whiskey salesman, Samuel Peacock (Donald Meek); a gambler by the name of Hatfield (John Carradine); an arrogant corrupt banker, Ellsworth H. Gatewood (Berton Churchill); Marshal Curley Wilcox (George Bancroft); and an outlaw, The Ringo Kid (Wayne). This recipe for an unlikely group of travelers has inspired countless Westerns, from the classics to today’s Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. Through pioneering stunt work to breathtaking cinematography in Monument Valley, you can’t help but point to this film as one that epitomizes classic Westerns. Though a 1966 remake and a 1986 television film were made, nothing beats the original.

3

‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ (1966)

Image via Produzioni Europee Associati

Whether you’re a die-hard Western lover or a casual fan, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of the Spaghetti Western subgenre. If you’re looking for a film that perfectly depicts the style, look no further than Sergio Leone’s monumental The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The film follows three amoral, gunslinging bounty hunters who shift alliances and betrayals as they search for buried Confederate gold amid the chaos of conflict. Now to the famous title. The good is represented by Blondie (Clint Eastwood), the bad through Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), and the ugly as Tuco (Eli Wallach). The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly helped redefine Westerns by blurring the lines between hero and villain through the 1960s’ disillusioned lens.

From a cynical vantage point on the American Civil War, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a gritty, stylized, slow-burning thriller. Leone is a pioneer of Spaghetti Westerns, with this classic possibly being his most beloved. His expert use of long shots, close-ups, and minimal dialogue builds the intense atmosphere with ease. Renowned for the legendary Mexican standoff and Ennio Morricone‘s soaring score, the film highlights the beauty of its backdrop, but the reality that justice is rare and survival is the true mission. Referenced, parodied, and celebrated, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is the cornerstone of Western pop culture.

4

‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1960)

Image via United Artists

One of the true classics of the genre is The Magnificent Seven. Directed by John Sturges, the film tells the story of seven diverse, skilled gunslingers hired to protect a defenseless village terrorized by a ruthless band of marauders led by Calvert (Eli Wallach). The group consists of varied individuals — Cajun gunslinger Chris Adams (Yul Brynner); drifter Vin Tanner (Steve McQueen); young, hot-blooded shootist Chico (Horst Buchholz); the professional Bernardo O’Reily (Charles Bronson); the traumatized veteran Lee (Robert Vaughn), fortune seeker Harry Luck (Brad Dexter); and knife expert Britt (James Coburn) — all looking for money, excitement, or redemption. A skillful adaptation of Seven Samurai, the Western iteration balances the themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and heroism with sensational action.

A film best remembered for its outstanding ensemble, The Magnificent Seven thrives over time. The all-star cast had grown into legends in their own right thanks to this project. Like many iconic Westerns of the time, the movie’s ability to build the world through set pieces and orchestration remains one of its highlights. Through its epic, adventurous American spirit, The Magnificent Seven is a rip-roaring classic. Like its predecessor, The Magnificent Seven continued through remakes and sequels. In fact, we ended 2025 with the major announcement that a new television adaptation had been greenlit. Suffice it to say, the impact of The Magnificent Seven lingers on.

5

‘True Grit’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Advertisement

In almost every other situation, we’ll take the original over the remake. But in the case of True Grit, the Joel and Ethan Coen remake not only built upon its source material, but it also made it even better. A more faithful adaptation, True Grit follows 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) as she hires grizzled, trigger-happy lawman Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to go after outlaw Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), who murdered her father. Accompanied by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who has his own vendetta against Chaney, the trio embarks on a perilous journey into Indian Territory for revenge and punishment. Showcasing the splendor and grandeur of the West through a 21st-century lens, True Grit became a Western modern marvel, especially with that 95% Rotten Tomatoes score.

This True Grit serves as the superior adaptation of the novel through its grim and grizzly yet enthralling direction. The Coens intelligently guided the film to be narrative-driven, avoiding a reliance on bloodshed as the primary focus. Paired with sensational performances from a standout ensemble, this version of the story focuses on Mattie’s perspective, and with an extraordinary debut in a theatrical performance, Steinfeld earned an Academy Award nomination for the film. It’s safe to say that the modern resurgence of Westerns was partially thanks to the appetite from True Grit.

6

‘Tombstone’ (1993)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Advertisement

When it comes to Westerns in the ’90s, George P. Cosmatos‘ Tombstone defined the genre. Inspired by real events in the 1880s in Southeast Arizona, Tombstone tells the story of retired lawman Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) as he moves to Arizona for a quiet life. Instead, he’s forced back into action as a ruthless gang known as the Cowboys, led by Curly Bill Brocius (Powers Boothe) and Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn), terrorize the town. Focusing on the feud leading to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the subsequent vendetta ride to restore order, Tombstone is a timeless classic that explores justice, loyalty, and vengeance.

The joy of Tombstone is just how iconic a film it is. From iconic quotes to intense action sequences to a legendary performance by Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Tombstone maintains its status as a staple of the genre. Beyond Kilmer, the entire ensemble, including Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Dana Delaney, and Charlton Heston, dazzles. Tombstone is truly a celebration of a band of brothers. It’s a stylish take on the Old West we all imagined. Even if you don’t like Westerns, Tombstone is a satisfying film, holding steady at 93% on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.

7

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Image via The Weinstein Company

Advertisement

If there’s one thing that Quentin Tarantino can do, it’s go from genre to genre with the greatest of ease. In 2012, he tackled the Western through a revisionist tribute to Spaghetti Westerns called Django Unchained. Set in the Antebellum South and the Old West pre-Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx) finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter by the name of Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) on a mission to capture the vicious Brittle brothers (M.C. Gainey, Cooper Huckabee, and Doc Duhame). Django, on a mission to reunite with his long-lost wife (Kerry Washington), finds himself on a hunt with Schultz to hunt the South’s most-wanted criminals. An unrelenting revenge-driven story, Django Unchained captured the dark side of the West through Tarantino’s stylized vision.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of vengeance was the perfect tagline for the film. Marrying his signature dark humor with a sharp perspective on historical injustice, Django Unchained goes beyond a simple, entertaining film. That said, if strong language and extreme violence are not your thing, steer clear of this film. The film did stir up controversy for both, but at the end of the day, it didn’t deter it from remaining a modern classic. Though Foxx and Waltz do most of the heavy lifting, with Waltz earning an Oscar, Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin J. Candie is sublime. Ending 2012 on many critics’ top 10 lists, Django Unchained was a Western like no one had seen before.

8

‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974)

Image via Warner Bros.

It wouldn’t be right to not include the greatest send-up of the genre ever, Blazing Saddles. From the genius that is Mel Brooks, the iconic comedy is about robber baron Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), who is determined to take over Rock Ridge by driving out the denizens. His plan? There’s a new sheriff — crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) — who becomes the frontier town’s first Black sheriff. Instead, Bart and his sidekick, Jim the Waco Kid (Gene Wilder), end up being the villain’s most formidable opponent. A far-too-crude yet constantly hilarious comedy, Blazing Saddles pushed the boundaries beyond the edge and straight off the cliff.

Perhaps a tad too politically incorrect for today, Blazing Saddles was a product of its time. Satirizing racism and stereotypes in Westerns by utilizing anachronisms and humor to expose the prejudices of the all-white townspeople and the land-grabbing villain, the film employs every gag in the book. It’s brash and crass in all the right ways. With a cast of eccentric characters, Blazing Saddles is the complete Brooks experience. The cast is top-notch, especially the brilliant Madeline Kahn as Lili Von Schtupp. Her rendition of “I’m Tired” as if she’s Marlene Dietrich is pure camp. Though other Brooks films may hold up better today, Blazing Saddles blazed an important comedic trail while poking fun at a beloved genre.

9

‘3:10 to Yuma’ (2007)

Image via Lionsgate

Another example of an upgraded remake, 3:10 to Yuma, blends classic Western elements through a modern lens for an utterly entertaining viewing. The film tells the story of Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a struggling, crippled rancher who volunteers to escort notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to face justice via a train to Yuma prison, where a $200 reward awaits him. On a mission to save his ranch, Evans embarks on a treacherous journey against Wade’s ruthless gang, led by Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), while navigating a tense psychological battle with a cunning outlaw. A story of honor, redemption, and the battle between good and evil, 3:10 to Yuma is an intense Western thriller that transcends clichés.

Though the 1957 version is admired, the update is even more action-packed. Hinging on the dynamics between two strong-willed individuals, the complex relationship between Evans and Wade is amplified by the sensational performances of Bale and Crowe. Director James Mangold builds tension through its moral depth. It’s a fiery interpretation of the original that established itself as a satisfying entry in the modern rise of Westerns.

10

‘The Searchers’ (1956)

Image via Warner Bros.

To close out, we have another classic Wayne-Ford collaboration that may be best known for subverting the traditional hero tropes, The Searchers. The film follows Ethan Edwards (Wayne), a hateful Civil War veteran searching for his kidnapped niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood). His mission isn’t to save her, but to kill her due to his perception that she has become tainted by living with the Comanche. A brutal look at the frontier through themes of racism and obsession, The Searchers is an example of how redemption can be earned in the end.

A critical masterpiece in the Western world, The Searchers is a complex film that tackles the psychological toll the West can have on an individual. Wayne, usually a perfect hero, swaps that morality for a story of vengeance. He’s an unlikely protagonist as he plays a deeply disturbed anti-hero. Ford uses this piece to confront the difficult and often uncomfortable aspects of American history and identity. Beautifully filmed, The Searchers is a transcendent masterpiece.

Advertisement

The Searchers

Advertisement

Release Date

May 26, 1956

Runtime

Advertisement

119 minutes

Director

John Ford

Advertisement

Writers

Frank S. Nugent

Advertisement

• 
• 

  Jeffrey Hunter

  Advertisement

  Martin Pawley

Advertisement

Advertisement

Oscar-nominated actor Ryan Gosling delivers a knockout, career-best performance in the modern sci-fi masterpiece, Project Hail Mary. What’s equally exciting about Project Hail Mary is that the movie serves as the perfect precursor and appetizer for Gosling’s next performance, as he stars in a new live-action theatrical Star Wars movie. Based on Gosling’s work in an imaginative, yet very scientifically grounded sci-fi feature, we can’t wait to see what he does in next year’s Star Wars: Starfighter, as Gosling’s performance as Ryland Grace proves that he’s more than up to the task of playing a compelling interstellar adventurer!

A Key Relationship in ‘Project Hail Mary’ Looks Directly Inspired by ‘Star Wars’

A sizable chunk of Project Hail Mary focuses on the relationship between Ryland Grace (Gosling) and his fellow scientist and explorer, an Eridian alien whom Grace nicknames Rocky (James Ortiz). Despite their differing backgrounds, Grace and Rocky form a tear-jerking, heartfelt, and emotional relationship, where they literally risk life and limb for one another. It’s the true heart and emotional core of the movie, and it’s directly inspired by relationships typically found in beloved Star Wars media. A movie like Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back captured moviegoers’ collective imaginations through its depiction of the relationship between Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and the elderly Jedi master, Yoda (Frank Oz). It’s irrelevant that Yoda is a puppet. Oz brings that character to life onscreen, and Hamill sells the relationship between Luke and Yoda, making the characters and their relationship into something tangible and “real” for the audience.

Gosling and Ortiz do the same thing with Grace and Rocky. They bring those characters and their relationship to vivid life onscreen, and the audience believes it. Their chemistry enthralls viewers’ collective imaginations just like Luke and Yoda. Project Hail Mary, through the dynamic bond that Grace and Rocky form over the course of the story, restores a childlike innocence and imagination to cinema that Star Wars similarly inspired in moviegoers for decades.

Grace’s Hero’s Journey Is Taken Right Out of the ‘Star Wars’ Playbook

Although Grace starts the movie as a molecular biologist-turned-science-teacher, he’s forced to become a reluctant astronaut with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. That unique take on the hero’s journey comes right out of the Star Wars playbook. A mild-mannered and unassuming individual must reluctantly follow the path of heroism and save a literal planet. Technically, it’s not just Earth’s civilization at stake in Project Hail Mary, but Rocky’s home planet, Erid, as well. Through Gosling’s Grace, taking on the role of a reluctant would-be hero, viewers can find parallels to a character like the scoundrel pilot Han Solo in Star Wars, whose swagger hides a genuine heart of gold. Although Grace doesn’t have the persona of a dashing rogue, he finds himself in a position where he must become an unwitting hero, much like Solo.

Project Hail Mary once again proves Gosling’s versatility as an actor. He consistently delivers amazing work in more intimate, lower-budget thriller dramas like Drive, or he can portray a more comedic performance like Ken in the Barbie movie. However, based on Gosling’s performance as Grace, a character who finds himself isolated and alone on a high-risk mission in outer space, he must become the mission’s unwitting engineer and pilot to save planet Earth. Grace taking the pilot’s chair in Project Hail Mary provides some amazing moments, so we can’t wait to see what Gosling does as his pilot character in Starfighter.

‘Project Hail Mary’ Features Moments Reminiscent of ‘Star Wars’

Image via Lucasfilm

Project Hail Mary also features some nail-biting and riveting action-packed moments set in space that certainly whet the appetite for Star Wars: Starfighter. There’s an incredibly suspenseful sequence where Grace must go on a daring space walk that puts us on the very edge of our seats. It felt reminiscent of some of the best and most suspenseful moments in movies like Star Wars, such as when characters have to race out of an exploding space station in Return of the Jedi or The Phantom Menace. Gosling always makes sure to bring an emotional connection to all of these scenes, so the audience is always dialed in to the fate and peril the characters experience.

That’s something that good scenes should always bring to the table, and the action in Project Hail Mary came off like a throwback to the Lucasfilm and Amblin Entertainment movies of yore. Gosling consistently imbues the action beats with his movie star presence, charm, and charisma, but he never loses sight of the plot’s stakes or his character’s emotional arc. Based on how well he performs in the big action and space moments in Project Hail Mary, he will undoubtedly portray a cool, compelling, and believable pilot character in Star Wars: Starfighter.

Gosling is currently one of the best actors working today. He’s been the hunky male romantic lead who makes women swoon in The Notebook and Crazy, Stupid, Love. He’s done the high-octane action hero thing with The Fall Guy, and he led an epic sci-fi drama in Project Hail Mary. Now, he will embark on an epic space fantasy with Star Wars: Starfighter. Once audiences glimpse Gosling’s work in Project Hail Mary, their excitement level for Starfighter will go up exponentially, just as it did for us. We can’t wait to see what he delivers when Starfighter zooms into theaters at lightspeed on May 28, 2027.

Project Hail Mary is now playing in theaters.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

March 20, 2026

Runtime

156 Minutes

Advertisement

Director

Christopher Miller, Phil Lord

Advertisement

Writers

Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

Producers

Advertisement

Ryan Gosling, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Aditya Sood, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Perez Hilton has shared dramatic photos from a recent hospital stay in Las Vegas for a mysterious medical emergency.

“March madness indeed! Have I got a story to tell,” Hilton, 47, hinted via Instagram on Saturday, March 21.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star included numerous alarming photos taken from his room at Clark County, Nevada’s Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center.

The photos include a shot of multiple scars on his stomach — seemingly from stitches — and tubes in his nose and across his throat. Another shot shows Hilton staring directly into the camera while wearing an oxygen mask.

Hilton received an outpouring of support from his famous followers, including singer Bebe Rexha, The Real Housewives of Miami star Marysol Patton and RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Coco Montrese.

“Hope you’re okay honey,” Meghan McCain encouraged him.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery,” Francia Raisa wrote to Hilton, with America’s Next Top Model alum Kelly Cutrone adding, “Blessings Abound.”

In a second post, Hilton confirmed he was back at his Las Vegas home and promised to open up about his mysterious ailment soon.

“Before I tell you this I went through — soon, in full detail — I wanted to share something very important,” he narrated over clips of himself in his hospital bed. “When I moved to Las Vegas three years ago, I heard horror stories about the healthcare here. But I need to let everybody know that I went to Southern Hills Hospital and I received the best care there.”

Hilton shouted out several nurses and doctors who cared for him during his recent hospital stay, pointing out that he may not have survived without their professionalism.

“Everybody was amazing … Thank you all and, also, thank you to the Filipino community. So many of my nurses were Filipino,” he added. “I love you all and I thank you all so much. Every single person at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas — I would not be home already, if it were not for you.”

He captioned the video, “You are angels, all of you at @southernhillshospitallv!”

“I hope you are ok,” former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison replied to Hilton’s video.

Us Weekly has reached out to Hilton’s representative for comment.

Hilton moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with his three children — Mario Armando, 13, Mia Alma, 10, and Mayte Amor, 8, — in January 2023. At the time, Hilton told Real Vegas Magazine that uprooting his entire family was “so hard,” especially since he had to sell his L.A. home and build a new one in Vegas.

“It was a real challenge to sell my home in LA, and I believe in being straightforward about it,” he explained. “At the same time, I was also managing the construction of a house in Las Vegas. It’s an experience that I won’t be repeating, but ultimately, everything turned out well, and I’m truly thankful for that.”

He went on, “Moving is tough, especially with kids! There’s so much to do – finding schools, doctors, dentists, and dealing with the DMV. Don’t even get me started on that lol. It took time, but seeing my kids happy in our new home made it all worth it. We love using our pool in Vegas, and we’re enjoying more family time together.”

Roomies, the news cycle just hit different this week. President Donald Trump is back at the center of conversation as former FBI Director Robert Mueller III has passed away at 81, and the timeline is already buzzing. Known for leading the investigation into Trump’s alleged Russia ties, Mueller’s death is prompting headlines that blend somber reflection with reactions that have people talking.

RELATED: Boosie Claps Back After Critics Call Him Out For Requesting Presidential Pardon From Donald Trump (PHOTOS)

Robert Mueller Passes Away And Trump Weighs In

Robert Mueller III’s family confirmed his passing on Friday via a statement shared by AP News. He served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 and was appointed special counsel in 2017 to oversee the high-profile investigation. Following the announcement, Trump weighed in on Truth Social, writing, “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.” As expected, the post immediately sparked reactions online, with folks debating everything from Mueller’s legacy to Trump’s controversial response.

The Timeline Explodes Over Blunt Comment

As soon as the web caught wind of Trump’s comments, folks ran straight to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to sound off. Some called it horrible to speak that way about someone who just passed. Meanwhile, others shrugged, saying people will talk about Trump like this when the time comes. Of course, a whole crew reminded the timeline how former President Obama got roasted for wearing a tan suit, proving the double standards are real.

One Instagram user @msblingmiami said, “The way he speaks of the💀 is disturbing. He must think he’s immortal. 🤦🏽‍♀️”

This Instagram user @wecanseeitnow added, “Our president is smoking on Robert Mueller while we pay $5.60/Gal💔😭”

And, Instagram user @prettyk1206 shared, “Never forgot, all Obama did was rock the tan suit and that was enough for THEM. 💯”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @rawest.ariesss commented, “Lmaoooo😭😭😭”

And, Instagram user @pablokitchen_ wrote, “Let me screenshot this for when his time come.“

Lastly, Instagram user @kiyacole added, “MADNESS!!!! Who TF says some sh!t like this?!“

What’s Trump Been Up To Lately?

Roommates, Trump’s timeline has been going off lately. While Iran deals with reports of tragic strikes, Donald Trump hopped on Truth Social to weigh in. In an eight-minute video dropped a few weeks ago, he addressed U.S. airstrikes and framed Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile programs as a direct threat to the U.S.He didn’t hold back, telling Iranian citizens to “take over your government,” and naturally, the clip immediately had the internet buzzing.

RELATED: Donald Trump Addresses Major Military Operation As US And Israel Attack Iran, At Least 50 Dead (VIDEO)

Revenge thrillers are a tale as old as time. Alexandre Dumas‘ 1844 novel The Count of Monte Cristo might not be quite as ancient by comparison, but the literary touchstone’s immense popularity has never gone out of style, either. Dozens of global adaptations have riffed on Dumas’ vengeance quest for well over a century, ranging from film and television to theater, from historically accurate to loosely modernized. France’s latest reboot was a box office smash in 2024, while just last year, Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton) announced plans to both produce and star in an upcoming film adaptation.

Another adaptation hit European screens in late 2024 before inching its way across the ocean toward PBS Masterpiece. Although this staggered release strategy means some intrigued viewers have waited a long time for the promise of a limited series anchored by leading man Sam Claflin (Daisy Jones & The Six) and living legend Jeremy Irons, it also reflects this particular Count‘s international identity: an English-language French-Italian co-production overseen by two-time Palme d’Or-winning Danish director Bille August, filmed in France, Malta, and Italy, and performed by a cast assembled from across Europe.

As someone who split their childhood between reading classic swashbucklers and devouring historical BBC miniseries, I counted myself among those who had a sight-unseen bias toward the idea of one of my favorite epics arriving via a beloved format. Thankfully, The Count of Monte Cristo sets a near-perfect new standard both for luxurious period dramas and for modern re-imaginations that preserve the text’s essence.

What Is ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ About?

Image via PBS Masterpiece

In 1815, as dethroned Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte prepares to make his final grab for power, young sailor Edmond Dantès (Claflin) reunites with his one true love, Mercédès Herrera (Ana Girardot), following an arduous voyage. He’s ready to embrace a devoted future at his fiancée’s side, a prospect buoyed by his recent promotion. Unfortunately, the unassumingly earnest, hardworking man has earned enemies for being precisely that. Danglars (Blake Ritson), Edmond’s jealous shipmate, and Fernand Mondego (Harry Taurasi), a soldier who covets his cousin Mercédès’ affections, conspire to frame Edmond for treason against King Louis XVIII.

In a perfect storm of terrible people determined to advance their interests, Marseille prosecutor Gérard de Villefort (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) becomes the final nail in Edmond’s proverbial coffin. As the next 15 years elevate the guilty trio into Parisian high society, Edmond languishes under a life sentence in the impenetrable island fortress of Château d’If. He only survives, escapes, and conducts his exacting revenge scheme — disguised as the exorbitantly wealthy Count of Monte Cristo — thanks to a cocktail of resilience, bitterness, and literal buried treasure.

‘The Count of Monte Cristo’s Exquisite Production Value and Detailed Storytelling Shine

Image via PBS Masterpiece

An early Variety report described The Count of Monte Cristo as “a [lifelong] passion project for Carlo Degli Esposti,” the founder of the Palomar production company, and the sentiment shows. A long-form miniseries naturally allows for the methodical pacing Dumas’ gargantuan page-turner deserves, and although this Count makes normal adaptation decisions (simplifying the moving parts, reducing extraneous clutter), it closely hews to the ingenuity behind Edmond’s Machiavellian puppeteering — a tension-filled detail which the feature films understandably yet regrettably lose.

This fidelity also means this year’s adaptation isn’t as action-packed as even the most entertaining Hollywood remakes. The corresponding payoff, however, means it’s just as cinematic. Viewers are unlikely to find anything quite as visually sumptuous outside of The Gilded Age. However, while HBO Max’s production value favors the high-spectacle brand of period drama, Count of Monte Cristo is immersive for its location-based naturalism and narrative texture, not its opulence. One can practically feel the Mediterranean sand and the harsh sea spray, only for that lived-in warmth to turn frigid once the locations shift to the stony Château d’If’s solitary confinement and the emotionally vacant trappings of Parisian aristocracy.

Related

Apple TV’s 2-Part Period Drama Is Officially Netflix’s Best ‘Bridgerton’ Replacement

Another romance to sweep you off your feet.

Clocking in just shy of eight hours (all of which were provided for review) still isn’t enough to cover the entire source material, but familiarity with Dumas’ ins-and-outs isn’t required to partake in this adaptation’s riches. In any form, The Count of Monte Cristo is a lasting thriller and an anti-coming-of-age epic that concerns itself with love, redemption, healing, and forging something new from the ashes of manifold loss (family, independence, innocence, hope). At the same time, it tackles themes of class oppression, corruption, and vengeance-as-justice. Thanks to those eight hours, Count of Monte Cristo emphasizes the psychological richness of all involved parties, and across two generations, to boot. Edmond Dantès is one of the definitive deceptive masterminds, adeptly turning friends and foes alike into his pawns — yet no matter how much punishment Edmond’s offenders arguably deserve, his cat-and-mouse revenge makes for a self-destructive tonic.

‘The Count of Monte Cristo’s Spectacular Cast Conveys Complex Emotional Weight

To that end, Claflin delivers a delicately emotive performance that marks one of his best turns yet. Although he shifts into less overtly visceral territory during the second half, such reserve reflects the steep damage that two decades of trauma and Edmond’s ruthless pursuit have inflicted upon his deteriorating soul. Claflin affords enough glimpses underneath Edmond’s enigmatic mask to reveal equal parts tenacity and frailty — a man held together by fraying strings. Irons’ political dissident, Abbé Faria, is a fount of encouraging warmth and wisdom beyond just his scholarly knowledge. The character’s bittersweet brevity makes Irons’ appearance more of a grace note, but as Faria and Edmond heal each other’s wounds through their companionship, they become the series’ most intimate anchor.

As for Edmond’s adversaries, they range from mustache-twirling relish (Ritson) and malevolent narcissism (Mondego) to flickers of wavering conflict (Følsgaard). Similarly, the villainous women are selfish connivers, whereas the virtuous ones, like Mercédès and the orphaned Haydée (Karla-Simone Spence), are almost as wronged as Edmond. Even though one craves a touch more depth in this regard, the moral-opposites tactic isn’t egregiously two-dimensional, and even the most underutilized women benefit from enhanced autonomy and insight. Edmond’s assembled crew of 19th-century Avengers is also fleshed out with an eye for nuance, especially the rogueishly delightful Jacopo (Michele Riondino) and the guilt-ridden Caderousse (Jason Barnett).

The quibbles with this adaptation are few and far between. The moments it plays against second-screen viewing habits by doubling down on dialogue and repetitious flashbacks aren’t off-putting. The ultimate result straddles a successful line between wide-ranging accessibility and not talking down to its audience’s intelligence. And while the finale’s emotional arcs are far from unearned, the catharsis also could’ve benefited from a longer denouement. Overall, this rendition of a timeless classic, inspired by the bones of the great period dramas that have come before, is as painstakingly faithful and exquisitely exciting as you could hope for.

Advertisement

Release Date

2026 – 2024-00-00

Advertisement

Network

Rai 1, France Télévisions Jeunesse

Advertisement

Directors

Bille August

Writers

Advertisement

Greg Latter

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pros & Cons

• The cast deliver superb performanaces from top to bottom, with Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons as particular highlights.
• Shooting on location creates an immersive viewing experience.
• The supporting characters, especially the women, are expanded beyond their more limitating book counterparts.
• The methodical pacing gives the story’s ins-and-outs ample time to shine.

• Although empowered, some female characters still could have received more depth and screentime.
• The final episode might have needed a little more time to breathe.