Entertainment
In Just 3 Days, Netflix’s New Crime Thriller Is a Global Streaming Sensation
One of the greatest appeals of human nature lies in its ability to, on the one hand, conceive the most depraved thoughts and yet, on the other, the most virtuous and morally upright actions. Both sides have been the colors used to depict human history and even present-day life. Wars are a product of one of those sides and, as deadly as they are, there is a version of human depravity that is even more sinister. Terrorism. The horrors of these acts turn normal days into living nightmares for those who experience them, scarring the targeted nations and cities for years. The Twin Towers terror incident in Manhattan in the September 11 attacks often spring to mind for many. But over the years, there have been several similar incidents that have shocked the world.
While terror attacks occur ever so often across the globe and in multiple nations these days, the scale of some simply stick with you. Western civilizations like the United States and European nations are often prime targets and this was the case on December 21, 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103 en route from London to New York went down over Lockerbie, Scotland after a bomb went off. The resulting death toll was 270 fatalities, including 259 passengers and crew members, as well as 11 residents on the ground. 190 of those were American citizens and the incident became the deadliest terror attack in British history. An investigation would be launched immediately, with the results ultimately connecting back to Libyan intelligence operatives.
This horrifying tale arrived on Netflix in the 6-part miniseries titled The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on July 30 as part of the streamer’s push to expand its catalog. This marked the series’ international debut after airing on the BBC in the UK last year. In less than a week on the streaming giant, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 has become a global streaming hit. The series debuted with 5 million views while racking up an impressive 30 million hours viewed in just three days. While The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is appearing on Top 10 charts around the world, it is not performing as well in the United Kingdom. This, perhaps, might be linked to many seeing the limited series on the BBC.
The Tragic Tale of ‘The Bombing of Pan Am 103’ Has Been Retold Before
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is not the first retelling of the terror attack and the investigation that trailed it. A limited series, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, was released in January 2025 by Peacock and opted for a more personal story. While The Bombing of Pan Am 103 takes a more holistic approach, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth follows Jim Swire (Colin Firth), the father of a young medical student named Flora (Rosanna Adams), who was killed on the flight, and his mission to understand what had happened that day. Jim would work with local journalist Murray Guthrie (Sam Troughton), meet with Libyan political leader Colonel Gaddafi (Nabil Al Raee) and even encounter the suspected terrorist Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (Ardalan Esmaili).
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is co-created by Jonathan Lee and Adam Morane-Griffiths. Patrick J. Adams puts on another suit as he seeks answers for the public as part of the bureau. Other cast members include Tony Curran, Merritt Wever, Eddie Marsan, Peter Mullan, and Kevin McKidd. Connor Swindells features in this series as an investigating officer.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is currently streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for updates.
- Release Date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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BBC One
- Directors
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Michael Keillor
Cast
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Patrick J. Adams
Dick Marquise
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Connor Swindells
Ed McCusker
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Carmen Electra is sharing her honest reaction to her Wednesday, August 5, Nation’s Dumbest elimination.
“I mean, you know, listen, I was absent,” the former Baywatch star, 54, exclusively told Us on Tuesday, August 4 — just one day before she was eliminated from Fox’s new reality competition series.
According to the model, she was MIA for some of the classes testing contestants’ long-buried classroom knowledge, as well as some of the fast-paced physical challenges. Perhaps, those absences impacted her performance.
“It may have had to do with a little bit of a Scary Movie kind of situation,” she added. (Electra has a cameo in the upcoming movie after captivating audiences in the opening scene of the original Scary Movie, later returning for 2006’s Scary Movie 4.)
Carmen Electra is dialing up the temperature — this time from her living room, not the lifeguard tower. The Baywatch bombshell, 53, bid farewell to her red velvet couch in true Carmen fashion, posing smoldering Instagram photos that showed off her sultry style on Tuesday, September 23. Posing in a black zip-up corset that laced […]
Electra was one of many celebs who signed on for the unique game show, for which the smartest celebrity graduates each episode. The goal is not to win a prize, but rather to avoid finishing last and take home “The Nation’s Dumbest” title.
“They’re really strict about you know being late,” she added, revealing it’s been “bittersweet” to call it a wrap because she was able to have fun filming alongside fellow contestants Steve-O, Hilaria Baldwin, Anthony Michael Hall, Chase Hudson, Ice-T, Elle King, Matt Leinart, Dr. Drew Pinsky, JoJo Siwa and Andrew Yang.
Carmen Electra Shane Mahood/ FOX
“I was sad right and relieved at the same time but I had a feeling that people were really gonna miss me,” she revealed to Us. “I’m a sore loser, so I’m gonna give you all of that stuff, and then when I win, I’m like, ‘Hey!’ I’m jumping around.”
Electra admitted that while she had fun during her short-lived stint on the series, she was initially hesitant to partake in the show.
“School? Was not into it,” she told Us. “I was into my dance classes because I went to performing art school. I was in ballet and that stuff. It was fun for me, so I did really good, you know, and obviously sex ed,” the star added. “I got an A-plus in that one, but other than that, like it was a struggle.”
Formalwear and flowers had no place on MTV’s entry into dating shows. On Singled Out — which debuted June 5, 1995 — 50 guys and 50 girls angled to be chosen by two lonelyhearts, who made eliminations based on shallow categories (say, “Wealth” or “Legs”) and WTF stunts (one hopeful imitated a cow giving birth!). […]
Fortunately, she was able to tap into her competitive nature, revealing to Us, “I grew up in a competitive family. My mom was a third-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu.”
“My dad was a black belt,” she said, sharing more about her upbringing. “I grew up in, you know, doing dance competitions, kind of like Dance Moms.” Electra noted, “I started doing that when I was 5 years old, and by the time I was 8, I had over 100 trophies.”
Electra said her appearance on Nation’s Dumbest certainly came with another bonus, as fans were able to see her in a relatable new light and enjoy her sense of humor.
“That’s why when I did the very first Scary Movie, it really made sense for me because that’s how I’ve always made people laugh at me,” she told Us. “That movie showed people that I have a good sense of humor, that I don’t take myself serious.”
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Ashley Graham knows how to make a one-piece swimsuit feel anything but basic. While vacationing in Sardinia, Italy, the model shared a series of Instagram photos wearing a sleek black swimsuit with a striking gold hardware detail at the bust, proving that a timeless silhouette can still make a major statement.
Luckily, you don’t need a luxury vacation itinerary (or a celebrity-level budget) to channel Graham’s look. We found a nearly identical swimsuit on Amazon for just $29. From the sculpting fit to the eye-catching gold accent, this affordable find looks far more expensive than its price tag, making it an easy addition to your warm-weather wardrobe.
Get the Xunyu One-Piece Bathing Suit for $29 (was $35) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The Xunyu One-Piece is a tummy-control swimsuit with a bandeau-style top, flattering ruched sides and a gold U-shaped hardware detail. The torso is lined with mesh that smooths and “creates a slimming effect,” one shopper said.
No matter how much I try to add more color into my wardrobe, I’ll never give up my black one-piece swimsuits. Black swimwear is simply classic — just ask Meghan Markle. The actress wore a timeless suit while on a recent vacation in Portugal with family. The color is inherently slimming, looks good on everyone […]
This glamorous suit also comes with practical features, like removable straps and pads for more or less coverage as needed. You can buy a solid black suit like Graham’s or choose a striped, floral or color-blocked option.
It can be tricky to find a bathing suit that’s the right fit, but this one is flattering across multiple body types, according to reviewers. One reviewer said it’s the “perfect fit for a longer torso,” while another wrote that the suit “fits all shapes and sizes because it has criss-cross lacing [on the back] that you can use to adjust the width.”
Soak up the rest of the summer sun in this chic, flattering suit that looks just like Graham’s seaside Sardinian look.
Get the Xunyu One-Piece Bathing Suit for $29 (was $35) at Amazon!
Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Xunyu here and more chic one-pieces here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
If we could choose one celebrity to hang poolside with, it would be Gabrielle Union. The actress has that quintessential cool-girl energy, and her summer pool style isn’t far behind. Her recent slimming black swimsuit style is the kind of chic, confidence‑boosting piece we’re always trying to recreate, and now we can. The 53-year-old star […]
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Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Carson Daly addressed his future on The Voice amid the announcement that Keke Palmer will host an upcoming celebrity spinoff of the show.
“Many today have asked if I’m leaving [The Voice]. Nope,” Daly, 53, clarified via Instagram on Tuesday, August 5. “We’re gonna try out these 2 formats this fall/spring & see how it goes! Hopefully this post clears up any confusion. “
NBC revealed on Tuesday that Daly will produce and Palmer, 32, will host The Voice: Celebrity, set to air on the Peacock Network in spring 2027. This twist on the Voice format features Joe Jonas joining celebrity coaches Queen Latifah and Riley Green as they evaluate the hidden musical talent of actors, musicians, influencers, athletes, comedians and reality stars in order to crown one winner.
“Today we announced our new upcoming Celebrity version of @nbcthevoice. A spin off format of our long running show,” Daly explained via his Instagram post. “It’s a new concept than what has aired for 30 seasons aka the ‘OG format’ where regular humans sing, chairs turn, teams are built, one winner [is] crowned at the end. Celeb Voice is a fun, NEW IDEA that features some big differences like… FAMOUS PEOPLE singing for 3 coaches to see if they have what it takes. There’s lots of new twists & turns. I have been talking about it on @todayshow for a while now. I am not the right host for it.”
Queen Latifah is getting ready to turn her chair! NBC announced on Tuesday, May 12, that Latifah, 56, would be making her coaching debut on The Voice season 30. Latifah will be joined by fellow first-timer and country music star Riley Green and returning coaches Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson. Season 30 of the series […]
He went on to praise Palmer as his replacement, writing, “We have a NEW amazing HOST! The triple threat queen @keke who is PERFECT for it! I’m so grateful she carved out the time in her busy career to help us out. 🙏We’re all big fans & welcome her to the family.”
Daly later reassured fans that he will still host the civilian version of The Voice when it returns this fall for season 30 on NBC with coaches Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Latifah, 56, and country music star Green, 37.
“I am still hosting the show currently,” he stressed. “In fact, I have hosted & produced every single second of the show since day 1, 30 seasons. 16 years. I’ll be producing Celeb Voice only & helping it launch from behind the scenes. Meanwhile, thanks for watching any/all Voice shows & we can’t wait to see you NEXT MONTH with the ‘OG’ Voice coaches @adamlevine @kellyclarkson @queenlatifah @rileyduckman & yes, me. We’ve already shot a-lot of it & it may be our best season yet!! And please tune in SPRING 2027 for Celebrity Voice!”
Keke Palmer on “Password.” David Holloway/NBC
Palmer is no stranger to hosting gigs, as she has fronted the revival of classic game show Password on NBC since 2022. For her work on Password, Palmer became the first Black woman to win the Outstanding Host for a Game Show Award at the Emmys in 2024.
The actress also hosts her own podcast “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” and previously anchored the Strahan, Sara and Keke incarnation of GMA3 on ABC, alongside Michael Strahan and Sara Haines, from 2019 to 2020.
The Voice season 30 premieres on NBC Monday, September 21, at 8 p.m. ET.
Perez Hilton’s recent hospitalization has drawn renewed attention to the series of personal and professional struggles that had quietly unfolded in the months leading up to the incident.
Once regarded as one of the internet’s most influential celebrity gossip bloggers, Hilton had reportedly been grappling with financial strain, career setbacks, lingering health complications, and deeply personal challenges before authorities responded to a self-harm emergency at his Miami home.
Perez Hilton had endured a difficult stretch before he was hospitalized following a self-harm incident that was livestreamed on TikTok.
As The Blast shared, the footage appeared to show the 48-year-old covered in blood while holding a large knife inside his Miami residence.
Long before the emergency, Hilton was reportedly facing mounting financial pressure while searching for a path back into mainstream entertainment.
After rising to prominence in the early 2000s through his celebrity gossip website and later expanding into reality television, several recent attempts to revive his TV career reportedly failed to gain momentum.
According to the Daily Mail, multiple reality show concepts stalled before making it to air. One project initially appeared more promising after Hilton reportedly signed a deal with a television production company to host a program focused on cyberbullying.
However, a source claimed the company had yet to pay him and was still deciding exactly how he would fit into the production.
Hilton Faced Financial Stress Alongside Personal Battles
Perez Hilton’s career frustrations reportedly coincided with challenges in his personal life.
Sources told the outlet that the blogger had become increasingly discouraged over his dating life and was unhappy about being single while struggling to find a long-term partner.
In addition, Hilton revealed earlier this year that he had spent 21 days in the hospital after developing sepsis. In a YouTube video, the father of three shared that the health scare, which began after taking flu medication on an empty stomach, ultimately required two surgeries.
During the ordeal, doctors also treated him for fluid in his lungs, deep vein thrombosis, kidney issues, and an irregular heartbeat.
The extended recovery kept him away from work for more than a month, adding to his financial burden. Hoping to offset those losses, Hilton launched a religious-themed clothing line.
“That’s why your boy is now in hustle mode. I have all that, that I had to take care of and I wasn’t able to work for over a month,” he explained.
He also encouraged supporters by saying, “Wear something holy. Praise Him. And support your boy, if you want.”
Perez Hilton Credited Faith With Helping Him Start Over
Following his battle with sepsis, Hilton described his recovery as nothing short of miraculous, saying he believed God had intervened during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
His renewed faith also shaped another major decision: leaving Las Vegas and returning to his hometown of Miami.
Hilton explained that life in Las Vegas had left him feeling overwhelmed and unhappy, while moving closer to family offered the sense of security he had been missing.
Still, the transition wasn’t without its own emotional challenges. He admitted that Miami no longer felt like the city he remembered from the early 1990s, describing it as unfamiliar despite being home.
Hilton also acknowledged that the aftermath of sepsis continued to weigh heavily on him. He said the illness placed him under “a tremendous amount of stress,” while the antibiotics prescribed during his recovery left him feeling “run down and depressed.”
Those lingering physical and emotional effects appeared to persist well beyond his release from the hospital.
Hilton’s Mental Health Emergency Triggered A Major Police Response
The mounting pressures ultimately culminated in Tuesday night’s emergency.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Department responded to Perez Hilton’s home after receiving reports of what dispatch audio described as a “suicide attempt.”
Officers arrived around 11 p.m. and remained at the residence for several hours after Hilton reportedly barricaded himself inside.
Authorities employed “de-escalation measures” while waiting for a mental health team to arrive. Hilton was eventually transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
His three children were not at the residence during the incident and are reportedly being cared for by their grandmother.
Perez Hilton’s Family Says They’re Hopeful As Blogger Receives Medical Care
Amid the scary incident, Hilton’s family shared an encouraging update as the celebrity blogger remains under medical care, saying there were early signs giving them reason to stay hopeful.
In a statement released on his blog, his loved ones confirmed that Hilton was “able to communicate,” describing that development as “giving us hope” as they focused entirely on his recovery.
They thanked fans, friends, and first responders for the overwhelming support they had received, adding that every message of kindness had meant a great deal during an incredibly difficult time.
While acknowledging there was still a long road ahead, the family said their priority remained Hilton’s health and well-being, asking the public to continue respecting his privacy.
They also expressed gratitude to the medical team caring for him and said they would share further updates only when appropriate, stressing that their focus remained on supporting him through his recovery.
One year after its untimely conclusion, Netflix‘s acclaimed supernatural fantasy adaptation of a beloved DC comic series is making a comeback, but not in the way fans may have hoped. Co-developed by Neil Gaiman, Foundation creator David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg, The Sandman ended its two-season run in July 2025, concluding Dream’s story as he sought to rebuild his fractured kingdom and atone for the mistakes that had shaped his existence.
Starring Tom Sturridge as Morpheus, the King of Dreams, The Sandman was widely praised for its faithful adaptation of Gaiman’s work as well as its stunning visuals, performances, and ambitious world-building. Across two seasons, the series managed to cover the comic’s most important arcs while remaining focused on Dream’s emotional journey. Season 1 primarily adapted Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House, alongside select stories from Dream Country. Season 2, on the other hand, drew from Season of Mists, Brief Lives, The Kindly Ones, and The Wake, delivering a fitting conclusion to Morpheus’ saga.
Although the series earned strong critical acclaim throughout its run, with an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix announced in January 2025, months before Season 2 premiered, that the second season would be its last. The decision naturally disappointed many fans, who had hoped to see more of Gaiman’s expansive mythology adapted for the screen. Now, The Sandman is returning in physical form, with Amazon confirming that The Sandman: The Complete Series will be released on Blu-ray on October 20, 2026. The box set is currently available for pre-order starting at $48.99, while a DVD edition will also launch the same day, priced at $43.99.
What Happens in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2?
Set just weeks after the Season 1 finale, The Sandman Season 2 follows Dream as he returns to the Dreaming and begins restoring his kingdom after more than a century away. As he transforms the palace, he vows to leave the past behind and look to the future. The past, of course, has other ideas, forcing him to confront both friends and enemies from across his immortal life. Furthermore, the season explores Dream’s complex relationships with the Endless, particularly his siblings, as he faces one impossible decision after another while attempting to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. Ultimately, his search for redemption comes at a great cost, bringing his story to a bittersweet ending.
The Sandman: The Complete Series will be released on Blu-ray in October. Pre-order yours here and follow Collider for more pop culture updates.
- Release Date
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2022 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Allan Heinberg
- Directors
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Louise Hooper, Andrés Baiz, Hisko Hulsing, Mike Barker, Coralie Fargeat
- Writers
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Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, David S. Goyer
After eighteen years of superhero success, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally ready to introduce the X-Men. Sure, there have been small teases here and there, namely in Disney+’s Ms. Marvel series, but after 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which confirmed the Fox X-Men universe as a multiverse in the MCU, the powers that be are bringing in the Merry Mutants and moving full steam ahead with a reboot directed by Jake Schreier of Thunderbolts* fame.
But after decades of X-Men films in the Fox universe, the MCU’s new X-Team will have an uphill battle to climb. Since the X-Men are arguably the longest running Marvel live action franchise, having kicked off in the year 2000 with X-Men and churning out sequels and spin-offs year after year, any reset of the franchise will have the unenviable task of introducing the numerous concepts and characters of the world to millions of new fans. With the epic history of the franchise, that could be a problem.
The Fox era laid the groundwork well.
In the year 2000, comic book movies were not as commonplace as they are now and the ones that fans did have were campy and unrealistic. Then along came X-Men, which took the source material seriously and took time to build up the characters, to the point that the film opened with a flashback sequence to a WW2 concentration camp. The concept of mutants living among us and the social divide between them and the human population was explored and treated with respect to the debate inherit in the premise.
The film also succeeded when it came to establishing numerous classic comic book characters. The X-Men are a large and diverse team in the comics- there’s practically a mutant for everybody to identify with- and the film had the task of picking and choosing the very best of them to present to a brand new audience. The filmmakers chose wisely and cast the parts perfectly, namely Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, both of whom have reprised their roles countless times.
The franchise’s evolution will be hard to top.
As the decades went on, the X-Men franchise got bigger and bolder with each successive film, introducing new characters, adapting famous comic book storylines, and upping the ante when it came to their action set pieces. By the time Matthew Vaughn soft rebooted the franchise with 2011’s X-Men: First Class, audiences were familiar enough with the lore that a prequel detailing certain characters’ history was a huge box office success.
And now the MCU is planning on essentially starting from scratch, recasting key iconic characters and planning a fresh take on the concept. With all the groundwork laid by the Fox universe, redoing and disregarding the deep lore of those films will be massive challenge, especially when it comes to introducing the characters that fans are accustomed to from previous films.
Worse, since the MCU has confirmed that the Fox universe is canon, albeit in another multiverse, the comparison between old and new will be fierce and unforgiving. If the MCU was truly doing its own thing and restarting from square one, maybe fans could forgive a reboot. But with Stewart, Ian McKellan and more returning in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, any new cast of X-Men will have to hold a candle to their predecessors, who have played the roles for so long that they’re practically inseparable from the characters.
With a deep cast and long history behind the franchise, the X-Men are ripe for a big screen saga. But since fans have already enjoyed numerous films showcasing these characters, starting over could either be a big win or a massive backfire. Only time will tell which fate will befall the new X-Men.
- Release Date
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July 13, 2000
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
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Bryan Singer
- Producers
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Avi Arad, Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Richard Donner
Winning Best Picture at the Oscars in 2000, enduring as a classic over 20 years later, and having a sequel that was released in 2024, it’s safe to say that Gladiator is a much-loved film. It’s proven to be one of the most popular films within Ridley Scott‘s vast body of work and tells a gripping revenge story that’s well-paced, emotionally resonant, filled with exciting action, and complemented by strong visuals, performances, and music.
Even if the film had never gotten a sequel, there are still plenty of other action-packed historical movies out there that scratch a similar itch. The following are some of the best of these and are essentially required viewing for fans of Gladiator who want to see other titles with comparable stories, equally exciting action, or deal with characters seeking revenge in the distant past.
25
‘The Odyssey’ (2026)
As far as historical spectacle in cinema goes, no film has surpassed Gladiator in terms of grandeur and gravitas since it was released in 2000, but has that just changed? A typically enormous achievement from modern blockbuster maestro Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey brings Homer’s epic poem to life in ravishing detail as it follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his men in their arduous voyage back to Ithaca after Greece’s victory in the Trojan War.
Just as Gladiator thrives as a stunning realization of Ancient Rome, The Odyssey immerses viewers in the wonder of Ancient Greece, not only through the palpable authenticity of its fantasy elements, but through the quality, scope, and detail of the production as well. Furthermore, with both movies focusing on battle-hardened heroes seeking to emerge triumphant over overwhelming odds, including political threats from traitorous cowards, The Odyssey holds a similar emotional pull as Gladiator even as it tells a very different story. —Ryan Heffernan
24
‘Spartacus’ (1960)
Gladiator isn’t similar enough to Spartacus to call it a remake by any means, but of all the old-school Hollywood epics from the 1950s and 60s, Spartacus is probably the one Gladiator took the most inspiration from. It’s a huge movie that runs for more than three hours, being set in the first century B.C. and telling the story of Spartacus, a man sold into slavery and forced into gladiatorial combat, only to break free of his captors and inspire a rebellion with his fellow slaves that will allow them to get revenge on those who sold and enslaved them.
With its large-scale narrative about an uprising, it doesn’t spend as much time in the arena as Gladiator. However, it’s still an aspect of it, and the revenge sought by the title character is another point of comparison. The behind-the-scenes story of Spartacus is also interesting and dramatic, from its writing to its production, with Stanley Kubrick ultimately being its director, despite the final product not exactly feeling like a Kubrick film.
23
‘Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World’ (2003)
Russell Crowe was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, leading not only Gladiator but other noteworthy titles like L.A. Confidential, A Beautiful Mind, and Cinderella Man. One of his best movies of the era comes in the form of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, another gem of historical cinema that combines its loose basis on Patrick O’Brien’s “Aubrey-Maturin” novel series with a stunning realization of naval life during the Napoleonic Wars.
Crowe stars as Jack Aubrey, the captain of the HMS Surprise who bullishly leads his crew in pursuit of a powerful French vessel sailing around the coast of South America, even as they face insurmountable obstacles in their voyage. Complimented by Peter Weir’s outstanding direction, the seafaring epic juggles monumental scope with intimate drama with aplomb, making for an underrated highlight of Crowe’s career as a leading man and a somewhat forgotten gem of historical drama at large. —Ryan Heffernan
22
‘Ironclad’ (2011)
There are certainly better movies in the world, but for those who adore the visceral grit and grandeur of Gladiator’s combat sequences, Ironclad is a rewarding dose of swords-and-sandals action. Very loosely based on true events, it unfolds as a small group of barons holds the strategic point of Rochester Castle in defiance of King John (Paul Giamatti), who has gathered a Danish army as he tries to restore his absolute authority and break the vow he made when he signed the Magna Carta.
Ironclad is a procession of grim and bloody violence and knightly stoicism broken up by the evil sneering of Giamatti’s King John, but there is a charm to that. It flaunts a romanticized morality of valor and bravery to a fault, but given it is supported by an ensemble cast that includes James Purefoy, Brian Cox, Charles Dance, and Derek Jacobi as well as Giamatti, it is an easily indulged romp of historical action. —Ryan Heffernan
21
‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)
In many respects, Seven Samurai is the true pioneer of the brand of historical epic cinema that Gladiator exists within, along with many other classic titles of the past 70 years. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the Japanese picture unfolds over a monumental yet ceaselessly enrapturing 202-minute runtime, with Kurosawa using everything from immaculate, inspired cinematography to poignant character beats, natural elements like rain and wind, and intense and realistic combat that was decades ahead of its time to create what is one of the greatest triumphs in cinematic history.
Its spectacle and its emotionally-rousing story work in tandem, with Seven Samurai following seven warriors who agree to help a poor farming village defend their homes from a vicious bandit gang terrorizing their region. While it is stirring, it also invests heavily in the complex cultural issues that sparked rifts between samurai and peasants, imbuing the movie with a dramatic punch that complements its astonishing scale perfectly. With both its marvelous scope and its grounded vigor, Seven Samurai is the perfect classic movie for anyone who loves Gladiator. —Ryan Heffernan
20
‘Ran’ (1985)
Another Kurosawa masterpiece, Ran presents one of the most visually astonishing historical epics of all time with its vibrant array of colors, stunning natural beauty, and Kurosawa’s trademark perfection with shot composition and blocking. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” it unfolds as an aging warlord divides his kingdom between his three sons so they can each rule. When his middle son defies the order he is granted, war erupts within the kingdom as the dynasty crumbles.
Ran’s historical setting, breathtaking ambition, and mesmerizing battle sequences make it an essential watch for all who love Gladiator. While it may not center on one character as Gladiator does with Maximus, Ran also explores such ideas as power, betrayal, and political ambition with an enormity and craft that is nothing short of masterful. —Ryan Heffernan
19
‘The Northman’ (2022)
An adaptation of the story that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Northman is another great example of a revenge story with plenty of action and a historical setting. It takes place over 1000 years ago and tells the story of a prince who seeks to murder his uncle for killing his father and taking his mother as a prisoner.
It’s an incredibly down-and-dirty movie, with its violence and grittiness giving it a certain amount of intensity and (probable) realism. Its grim story and gruesome action sequences might make it a hard sell for some, but for others, it’s certain to excite and entertain, with it representing another success within the filmography of Robert Eggers.
18
‘The Last Samurai’ (2003)
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Admittedly, The Last Samurai isn’t set nearly as far back as Gladiator, though it takes place in the late 19th century at a pivotal point in Japanese history. It follows an American man hired to educate the Japanese army about more modern weaponry, though he comes to appreciate their samurai culture and eventually endeavors to join their ranks.
This leads to plenty of conflicts and, eventually, warfare, with the action present throughout The Last Samurai being remarkably visceral and exciting to watch. It’s one of the best samurai-themed films not in Japanese and is another film showing how reliable Tom Cruise is as an action star.
17
‘Kingdom of Heaven’ (2005)
The story behind Kingdom of Heaven‘s release is an unfortunate one. Despite the success of Gladiator just five years earlier, Ridley Scott’s vision for Kingdom of Heaven was compromised during post-production, with an inferior theatrical cut of the film being released to cinemas that ultimately failed to make a big enough splash at the box office.
Thankfully, a director’s cut was eventually released, with the 45 minutes of additional footage making the film’s epic story about Holy War conflicts during the Crusades easier to follow and more compelling. Its director’s cut isn’t far off Gladiator quality-wise, serving as another Ridley Scott historical epic with plenty of stunning visuals, impressive special effects, and satisfying action.
16
‘Braveheart’ (1995)
Large-scale historical epics haven’t exactly been in fashion in recent years, but two to three decades ago, they were pretty popular. As mentioned before, Gladiator won Best Picture in 2000, and five years before that, Braveheart did the same, being a success at the Academy Awards while also resonating with audiences worldwide.
Braveheart begins as a personal revenge story about William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who got vengeance for his murdered wife before inspiring a large-scale rebellion against English forces in Scotland over 700 years ago. It’s particularly brutal when it comes to its violence and also has a lengthy runtime of almost three hours, but it mostly works well as a satisfying and bombastic historical drama/action/revenge movie.
Perez Hilton‘s family is sharing an update on the celebrity blogger’s condition following a traumatic livestream and subsequent emergency hospitalization.
“Our family wants to once again thank everyone who has reached out with prayers, kind messages, and support for Perez. Your compassionate humanity during this profoundly heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express,” his family said in a statement shared via his website on Wednesday, August 5. “This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family. While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.”
Hilton’s family went on to say that the blogger has been “able to communicate” while receiving treatment in a Florida hospital – a good sign, the family said.
“[This] has given our family hope,” the statement continued. “We respectfully ask for your continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover. We will share additional updates as we receive confirmed information and are able to do so. For now, we’re taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery.”
New details regarding Perez Hilton’s hospitalization have come to light. In 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six, first responders were called to Hilton’s Miami home following an apparent “suicide attempt.” Multiple units arrived on the scene late on Tuesday, August 4, and were reportedly present for hours. Police had been notified after Hilton, 48, […]
Hilton, 48, alarmed his TikTok followers on Tuesday, August 4, when he went live on the platform and appeared to perform dangerous acts of self-harm. Miami-Dade police confirmed to Us that officers responded to calls “regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self-harm on social media” and were dispatched to Hilton’s home for what they suspected was a “possible suicide” attempt. (Hilton’s TikTok account was later banned for violating the platform’s terms of use.)
“Deputies quickly located the individual’s residence, where they spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside,” a police spokesperson told Us. “In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize deescalation by creating time, distance and opportunities for communication. At this time, deputies have tactfully disengaged while continuing to monitor the situation.”
Hilton was eventually hospitalized. In the wake of the incident, Hilton’s manager, Dante Rusciolelli, told Us that the blogger’s team remains focused on his “health, recovery, and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Perez Hilton Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
His podcast cohost, Chris Booker, spoke out on Wednesday to confirm that their show, “The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker,” is going on hiatus so Hilton can focus on his recovery.
“It’s all TBD at the moment as our collective focus is on his health. I certainly hope to continue [the podcast and Patreon] with my friend when the time is appropriate,” Booker, 55, wrote via Instagram. “I will give updates there when the time is right. We’ve done these shows for over a decade now and the support from our listeners has been resounding.”
He added, “[Perez] is very loved. I can only hope he feels it. Heal up friend.”
Hilton’s family initially reacted to the blogger’s hospitalization with a statement asking the public for privacy.
“Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers. We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being,” they said on Wednesday. “We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time. If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can. Thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued support.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Entertainment
Tom Holland Officially Owns the Box Office, but His 10-Part Apple TV Crime Hit Is Winning on Streaming
Few actors are having the summer Tom Holland is having currently. He stars in two of the biggest movies of the year, The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The latter, in which Holland plays the main character Peter Parker, is the fastest movie ever to hit the $1 billion mark, reaching that milestone in less than a week. Meanwhile, he stars in the former as Telemachus, and the Christopher Nolan epic is also projected to make $1 billion during its theatrical run. Holland continues to set and break cinematic records since he was cast as the webslinger in 2015.
But these high-budget movies are not the only thing the actor has done. His filmography spans movies and television, first rising to prominence in the 2012 disaster thriller, The Impossible. Between his major studio films, Holland has also taken smaller projects in films like Cherry, The Devil All the Time, Chaos Walking, and Uncharted. These movies were not as big as his Marvel output, but they allowed him to showcase his acting range. However, no film he has done has come close to being as demanding as his first-ever leading TV role.
Holland returned to Apple TV, with whom he had made Cherry, for his first acting and executive producing role in a TV series. He played the main character in the 10-episode thriller titled The Crowded Room. Created by Akiva Goldsman, the series focuses on Danny Sullivan, a young man who shoots someone with a gun in New York City in broad daylight. The series dives into his past to understand the motivation for this crime, but as one curious interrogator digs deeper, something unexpected emerges. Holland plays the character with Dissociative Identity Disorder, a role that tests his physical and mental extremes.
‘The Crowded Room’ Is an Engaging Mystery Perfect for a Weekend Binge
The story is shrouded in mystery and takes its time to get into the core issues in Danny’s case. This is the reason why it divided critics so sharply, because they felt like it went in circles. They gave it a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, viewers had a very different outlook on the pacing, praising it for making the story so engaging, in addition to great performances from other cast members like Amanda Seyfried, Emmy Rossum, Sasha Lane, and Lior Raz. Viewers gave the show a 92% score on the same site. Holland gives a performance of a lifetime that is both mesmerizing and hard to watch.
The Crowded Room is streaming on Apple TV. Stay tuned for more updates.
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Showrunner
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Akiva Goldsman
- Writers
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Akiva Goldsman
Taylor Sheridan has unleashed several massive TV shows into the world this year, and it all started with a pair of neo-Westerns, Marshals and The Madison. The former is a Yellowstone spin-off starring Luke Grimes, but it was the first Sheridan-produced show to air on CBS and not straight to streaming on Paramount Plus. The Madison is a much slower paced, more emotionally charged Western featuring big stars like Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer — despite varying reviews, though, both shows were picked up for Season 2. Sheridan further expanded the Yellowstone story with Dutton Ranch, another spin-off coming back for Season 2 at a currently undisclosed date. The Yellowstone scribe is also returning to his screenwriting roots for his new action movie, F.A.S.T., which was recently delayed to May 2027 after originally being slated to premiere in April.
Just a few days ago, Sheridan finally brought back his black ops CIA thriller, Lioness, for its third season. The show went on hiatus for two years after airing its last season in 2024, but it’s finally back and firing all cylinders after its Season 3 premiere. Led by Zoe Saldaña and featuring other stars like Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman, Lioness is like a blend of Zero Dark Thirty and Yellowstone, perfect for fans who love intense espionage thrillers set against a dusty neo-Western backdrop, similar to Sheridan’s original Western hit. After the first episode of Lioness Season 3, “The Spider and the Fly,” premiered on August 2, the show quickly surged into the top spot as the most-watched title on Paramount Plus around the world at the time of writing.
Taylor Sheridan Has Prime Real Estate in the Paramount+ Top 10
Not only is Sheridan’s Lioness the #1 show on Paramount right now, but he’s also taking up the third spot thanks to Yellowstone, the sweeping Western starring Kevin Costner. The show is streaming on Peacock in America. Sitting at #7 in the Paramount Plus top 10 is Tulsa King, Sheridan’s Sylvester Stallone-led crime thriller that’s expected to return later this year with its fourth season. Even Dutton Ranch, which is now over a month removed from its Season 1 finale, is still hanging around in the #8 spot on the Paramount Plus top 10 right now.
Check out the new season of Lioness on Paramount Plus, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the series.
- Release Date
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July 23, 2023
- Network
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Paramount+
- Directors
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John Hillcoat, Anthony Byrne, Paul Cameron, Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan
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Laysla De Oliveira
Cruz Manuelos
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