If you only look at big-screen box office numbers, Marvel is having a banner year so far with its only theatrical release, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film has already grossed over $2 billion at the box office in less than three weeks, and it’s poised to finish its global run as one of the three or four highest-grossing movies ever made. The next film on the slate for Marvel Studios, Avengers: Doomsday, is likely to find similar box office success, as it’s already tracking ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in pre-sales. On the small screen, Marvel has unleashed several new seasons of established TV shows like Daredevil: Born Again and X-Men ‘97. The only new series to be released was Wonder Man, which has spent quite a bit of time in the news cycle, especially in recent weeks.

Wonder Man was a massive hit among critics and audiences, registering scores of 91% and 87% on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. The show was picked up for Season 2 a few weeks after Season 1 was dropped as a binge, but Marvel went back on its word and announced it had been canceled and would not return — this news broke on the premiere day for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who was the key developer for Marvel’s Wonder Man. Marvel has yet to publicly share why Wonder Man was canceled after initially being renewed, but when leading star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was asked this very question during a recent interview with Vanity Fair, he said:

“I was told that it had something to do with the viewership numbers. I wasn’t told what those numbers were, but ultimately, for whatever reason it was, I think they decided that it didn’t make sense for business, and that’s the decision that we live with and we keep on marching forward.”

Marvel Studios Recently Canceled Another Project

Wonder Man isn’t the first Marvel project to be canceled recently. After years of delays and behind-the-scenes turnover, Blade star Mahershala Ali confirmed that the film was no longer in development. Kevin Feige also confirmed this news during an interview this summer, saying that he felt like a “failure” and a “loser” for not getting Blade off the ground. Beyond Avengers: Doomsday this year, Marvel fans have Avengers: Secret Wars, X-Men, Ghost Rider, and Black Panther 3 to be excited about.

Check out the first and only season of Wonder Man on Disney Plus and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the MCU.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

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Disney+

Writers

Andrew Guest, Madeline Walter, Paul Welsh, Zeke Nicholson, Roja Gashtili, Julia Lerman

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Prime Video is streaming a lot of great movies right now.

Last year’s Oscar-winning Best Picture, One Battle After Another, is available to stream, and that Leonardo DiCaprio film should be at the top of your watchlist this month.

But there are other, older Oscar-winning movie masterpieces to watch on Prime Video in August.

The ‘90s black comedy Fargo, the heart-wrenching Casey Affleck drama Manchester by the Sea and the underrated character study Sound of Metal all won their fair share of acclaim when they were released and deserve to be watched in 2026 and beyond.

‘Manchester By the Sea’ (2016)

Lee Chandler (Affleck) is a broken man who does his best to hide away from the world. Something deeply tragic happened to him in the past that led to his current estrangement from others, including his ex-wife, Randi (Michelle Williams). When his older brother, Joe (Kyle Chandler), dies and unexpectedly leaves him to take care of his teenage son Patrick (Lucas Hedges), Lee is forced to come out of his shell and start caring for others. But is he strong enough to raise a teen who doesn’t really know him, let alone like him?

It’s not inaccurate to describe Manchester by the Sea as one of the most depressing American movies made in the last 15 years. Lee’s past tragedy is horrific, and his response to it is equally hard to watch. But the film also contains strains of humor and hope, even with characters who have to grapple with such weighty issues as death. Manchester by the Sea won well-deserved Oscars for Best Actor (Affleck) and Original Screenplay (Kenneth Lonergan), and it was named one of the 10 best movies of the year by The New York Times, Rolling Stone and the BBC.

‘Sound of Metal’ (2020)

Ruben (Riz Ahmed) is a drummer in a punk rock band who tours the country in an old RV with his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke), who is the lead singer. During a loud gig, Ruben experiences a loud ringing in his ears. A visit to the doctor confirms the worst — Ruben has lost most of his hearing, and he’ll lose the rest of it if he continues to play loud music. Ruben insists on resuming his old life, but how can he last when his hearing gets progressively worse, and he relies more on Lou for help?

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Nominated for seven Oscars, Sound of Metal won for Best Editing and, appropriately, Best Sound, but stars Ahmed and Paul Raci, as a deaf Vietnam veteran who shows Ruben that life doesn’t end when his hearing stops, deserved some statuettes, too. The film itself is terrific — an intelligent and moving study of a man whose whole life was making noise and who now has to appreciate the sounds of silence. The film’s ending is pitch-perfect — affirming, sad, hopeful and filled with grace. You won’t forget it, and after watching it, you wouldn’t want to.

‘Fargo’ (1996)

Someone has kidnapped Jean Lundegaard (Kristin Rudrüd), and they want $80,000 to return her to her husband, car salesman Jerry (William H. Macy), in one piece. Meanwhile, pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) investigates the murders of three people on a desolate road outside Fargo, North Dakota. These two incidents seem unrelated, but as Marge digs deeper, she realizes there’s a deadly connection between them that could cause even more death — and endanger her and her unborn baby.

Her work in Fargo won McDormand the first of her three Best Actress Oscars, and she’s sensational as a perpetually positive cop who has to investigate some pretty grim crimes. Her innocence is both beguiling – you root for her right from the get-go – and sneakily effective as everyone in the film keeps underestimating her. Beneath her cheery exterior is a shrewd detective who instantly suspects Jerry has something to do with his wife’s kidnapping, and she won’t stop until she finds out what his role is in the plot and what happened to Mrs. Lundegaard. After watching Fargo, you’ll never look at a woodchipper quite the same way again.

Being a couch potato has changed. Because the quality of entertainment continues to soar, being glued to the screen isn’t necessarily a terrible thing. In the age of streamers, movies and films have been elevated to great new heights. One of the biggest platforms dominating the industry is Apple TV. With some of the biggest features and series on the streamer, from Severance to Ted Lasso, the anticipation for the next big hit or continuation of a beloved series is quite high.

Based on the upcoming lineup of titles, Apple TV is about to deliver. From new seasons of iconic shows to big-budget films with Hollywood favorites, Apple TV will be your home for entertainment as the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves start to turn. How many are excited to add to your queue?

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‘Mayday’

September 4

Image via Apple TV

Apple TV has been the home for some cinema-worthy movies perfect for the small screen. The next film on that list is the upcoming action comedy Mayday. Written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the 1987-set film follows Troy “Assassin” Kelly (Ryan Reynolds), a U.S. Navy pilot stranded in Soviet territory during the Cold War after he is forced to eject from his plane in the hopes of surviving a midair collision with a MiG-29. Stranded in the Russian wilderness, he forms an unlikely alliance with Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh), a former KGB agent, to escape enemy territory. A high-concept Cold War comedy, Mayday is destined to unite a plethora of movie-lovers for this unique film. If the trailer’s usage of American pop culture and Neil Diamond’s “America” is any indication, Mayday is going to be a nostalgic good time.

Based on early previews and teases, Mayday leans into a mix of high-flying aerial tension and heartwarming character bonding. Known for action-comedy hits like Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Daley and Goldstein hope to replicate the success with a brilliant but unlikely duo. Between Branagh’s classical prowess and Reynolds’s hilarious comedic persona, they may appear like an odd-couple duo, but with both having experience in action films, Mayday could be an underdog hit. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the creatives revealed that the seeds of inspiration came from Stephen King’s Misery and Midnight Run. Though it won’t receive a theatrical release, the action-packed film will begin streaming on September 4th.

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‘Last Seen’

September 9

Image via Apple TV

Coming straight out of Australia is the six-episode thriller Last Seen. Based on the novel The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn, the adaptation follows Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall), a former detective, whose life is shattered when his young daughter, Maggie, disappears without a trace. Eleven years later, the now police dispatcher goes on a desperate search after hearing a distress call he believes is from her. He wants, more than anything, to reunite his fractured family, but could his unwavering obsession end up tearing them even further apart? Led by Brammall, best known for Colin from Accounts, the series is destined to follow in the footsteps of Apple TV’s track record for prestige, twist-heavy international mystery thrillers.

With a high-profile and acclaimed creative team, including creator Kris Mrksa and director Christian Schwochow, Last Seen is a dark, high-stakes thriller that’s destined to keep your adrenaline pumping. With the former director of The Crown on board, Last Seen is a sleek-looking drama. Filmed on location in Victoria, Australia, the series will also feature Maxine Peake, Brendan Cowell, Daniel Henshall, Jessica Wren, Zahra Newman, and Chloe Jean Lourdes. The series debuts with two episodes on September 9th, with weekly releases through October 7, 2026.

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‘Slow Horses’ Season 6

September 16

Image via Apple TV

Though Apple TV has been applauded for its stronghold on sci-fi hits, it’s their gritty espionage thriller Slow Horses that remains one of their very best. Created by Will Smith, Slow Horses is the highly acclaimed adaptation of Mick Herron’s novel series. The series follows the MI5 unit of consigned, disgraced, and displaced agents under the watchful eye of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). Despite being treated as corporate rejects, the team constantly stumbles into and unravels dangerous espionage plots that threaten national security, often proving they are still capable agents. The series has maintained exceptional critical acclaim and high scores across previous seasons, and Season 6 is likely to be the same.

After five high-octane seasons of titillating adventures, the sixth season will revolve around the two novels this time, Joe Country and Slough House. After an explosive and game-changing season with some key players shifting seats, Season 6 sees the Slow Horses on the run as Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge. Jack Lowden returns as River Cartwright for Season 6 alongside Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho, Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander, Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy, Tom Brooke as J.K. Coe, Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright, Hugo Weaving as Frank Harkness, Joanna Scanlan as Moira Tregorian, Samuel West as Peter Judd MP, and Ruth Bradley as Emma Flyte. They will also be joined by newcomer Lenny Rush. The new season kicks off September 16th, with new episodes dropping weekly until October 21st.

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‘Matchbox: The Movie’

October 16

Image via Apple TV

Anything can be turned into a movie nowadays. If you’re a plastic toy, just wait your turn. Your time is coming! The latest iconic big-budget feature film inspired by Mattel’s classic die-cast toy cars is Matchbox: The Movie. Directed by Sam Hargrave, the globe-trotting adventure follows spy and former soldier Sean Walker (John Cena) and his childhood friends as they must reconnect and rely on their former bond together in a frantic international race to stop a global disaster after his long-absent return. The CIA believes Walker and his friends stole the nuclear weapon, so the group decides to re-steal the bomb and clear their names. Produced as an Apple Original Film in partnership with Skydance Media and Mattel Studios, the film will pair Mattel’s iconic, nostalgic 1950s die-cast toy car brand with explosive live-action life for the first time.

Mattel’s legacy in feature films, thanks in part to Barbie, continues the massive industry trend of turning classic childhood toy brands into major cinematic events. The appeal taps into decades of global collectors and fans who grew up playing with the palm-sized miniature cars. Also currently in development are projects based on fellow Mattel brands, including Hot Wheels, American Girl, Barney, Polly Pocket, Thomas and Friends, and Uno, amongst others. Hargrave directs with a proven track record for massive, gritty action sequences, including The Extraction films, and as stunt coordinator for major franchises, including The Hunger Games and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joining action hero Cera is a major cast of stars including Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, and Teyonah Parris. Matchbox: The Movie comes to Apple TV on October 9th.

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‘Where’s Wanda?’ Season 2

October 21

Image via Apple TV

If you enjoy things out of your comfort zone, Apple TV’s hot German-language dark comedy Where’s Wanda? is perfect for you. Created by Oliver Lansley and Zoltan Spirandelli, the series follows Dedo and Carlotta Klatt (Axel Stein and Heike Makatsch), who secretly bug their suburban neighborhood with surveillance equipment, aided by their tech-savvy son Ole (Leo Simon), to find their missing 17-year-old daughter, Wanda (Lea Drinda), only to discover their neighbors are hiding dark secrets as no one is who they claim to be. Where’s Wanda? marked Apple TV’s first German-language series, and it was a hit, with the first season earning a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

A breakout hidden gem, Where’s Wanda? returns two years later for an eccentric second season. With a high-stakes new plot of searching for a missing person, the tight-knit Klatt parents must navigate an even more absurd crisis when daughter Wanda is caught standing over a dead body. The new eight-episode run promises an electrifying dive deeper into the dark, secret criminal underbelly of their sleepy suburban town as the family tries to prove Wanda’s innocence. But will their quest to protect their family get them all out of trouble, or ultimately lead them further astray? The series is set to return on October 21st, with weekly episodes through December 9th.

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‘Nocture’

October 30

Image via Apple TV

Audiences love a good, juicy crime drama, and Apple TV has the perfect one right around the corner. Perhaps the most anticipated new series on the lineup is Nocturne. Created by Rowan Joffé and developed by John Hlavin, the series is based on the Joona Linna novels Lazarus and The Sandman by husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril, who use the pen name Lars Kepler. Ex-soldier turned homicide detective Jonah Lynn (Liev Schreiber) leaves rough Philadelphia behind for a quiet life in Western Pennsylvania. When the town and his family come under attack by a dangerous, calculating serial killer named Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham), Jonah sends his surrogate daughter and FBI agent Saga Bauer (Zazie Beetz) to go undercover and face Jurek.

On the heels of its most recent crime thriller, Cape Fear, Apple TV has its pulse on extraordinary shows based on gripping titles. With internationally revered source material as the guiding light, Nocturne is set to be a psychological cat-and-mouse series. Joining Scheiber, Beetz, and Graham in the 10-episode series will be Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Gary Carr, and Poorna Jagannathan. Nocturne will make its global debut on Friday, October 30th with a two-episode drop. The series will release new episodes weekly until its conclusion on Christmas Day.

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‘Way of the Warrior Kid’

November 20

Image via Apple TV

Rounding out the fall calendar comes the anticipated drama from director McG: Way of the Warrior Kid. Based on the bestselling novel by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, the film follows Marc (Jude Hill), a bullied, self-doubting middle schooler who is transformed when his injured Navy SEAL uncle, Jake (Chris Pratt), moves in with him and his mom, Sarah (Linda Cardellini), for the summer. Uncle Jake trains him and institutes “Operation Warrior Kid,” training Marc to build mental toughness, confidence, and courage, rather than just physical strength. With the power to be this generation’s The Karate Kid, the film, with a screenplay from Will Staples, focuses on mentorship and empowerment.

With an already inspiring source material, the uplifting themes center on self-improvement and mental toughness over pure combat, aiming to empower young viewers dealing with bullying or self-doubt. Despite a familiar formula, The Way of the Warrior Kid translates a message-heavy children’s book into a PG-13 feature film, requiring careful balance so it does not feel too preachy or overly cheesy. The cast will also feature Levi McConaughey, Carl McDowell, Darien Sills-Evans, Ava Torres, and Parker Young. The Way of the Warrior Kid makes its Apple TV debut on November 20.

What makes a movie intense? It could be having the constant pressure of sky-high stakes, or the nail-biting tension of well-built suspense, or a fast-paced narrative that just doesn’t let up. Regardless, from 2000 until the present, there have been plenty of films so incredibly intense that they’re bound to go down in history as some of the greatest thrillers, action movies, and survival dramas in the history of 21st-century cinema. In a few decades’ time, cinephiles are bound to speak about these masterpieces in the same breath as paragons of high-intensity cinema like Se7en or The Wages of Fear.

These can be huge genre blockbusters like Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller‘s momentous return to the Mad Max franchise after a whopping three decades; or even smaller—yet equally legendary—indie features like the groundbreaking character study Memento. Regardless of how it is that a great modern film builds intensity, what really sets it apart is the ability to keep that intensity high and constant for the entire duration of the runtime. These immensely suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat films are proof of just how much intensity can help in making a movie unforgettable.

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‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

After the tragic passing of his close friend and long-time producer partner Byron Kennedy, George Miller decided to distance himself from the Mad Max franchise after the lukewarm critical reception of Beyond Thunderdome. The idea for Fury Road had been floating in his mind since the ’80s, but it wouldn’t be all the way until the 2010s that the idea would finally materialize. In the end, the result turned out to be not just the greatest Mad Max film to date by a decent margin, but perhaps even one of the greatest action movies of the 21st century.

It’s certainly one of the best sci-fi action movies in film history, directed with the utmost creativity and authority by Miller at the top of his game. Full of over-the-top world-building and surprisingly complex character development considering the virtual lack of dialogue, Fury Road nevertheless stands out mostly because of its tremendous intensity. The film is two hours of pure high-octane adrenaline, a perfectly shot and perfectly edited chase sequence that ends up feeling far shorter than it actually is. Hugely entertaining and visually stunning, it ends up being one of the most unforgettable action flicks of the 2010s.

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‘Memento’ (2000)

Image via Newmarket Films

Nowadays, Christopher Nolan tends to be recognized as one of the leading spearheads of the Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking game. Even the greats have to start somewhere, though, and Nolan was no exception. Once upon a time, a young up-and-coming indie director named Christopher Nolan premiered Memento at the Venice Film Festival, earning nothing but praise and critical love all across the board. A whopping 26 years—and many far bigger thrillers—later, many would still confidently call this gem Nolan’s magnum opus.

There are many R-rated psychological thrillers that are masterpieces, and Memento is most certainly one of them. Its revenge story about an amnesiac man trying to unravel the mystery of his wife’s murder would be naturally intense in a vacuum, but it’s the incredibly creative way in which Nolan executes that premise that really transforms Memento from a great thriller into a downright masterpiece. There aren’t very many feature films out there that are structured in reverse-chronological order, and that’s because it’s a concept that’s nigh-impossible to execute well. Not only does Nolan pull it off, he turns it into the foundation of one of the most emotionally powerful, thematically strong, and dramatically intense thrillers the 2000s ever saw.

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‘Gravity’ (2013)

Image via Warner Bros.

Alfonso Cuarón has spent his whole career proving himself to be one of the most chameleonic filmmakers in both Mexico and Hollywood, as perfectly demonstrated by the sci-fi survival thriller Gravity. Though it leans much more heavily toward the “science” part of the genre rather than “fiction,” it’s still a must-see for fans of modern sci-fi movies. Winner of seven Academy Awards, including Cuarón’s first for Best Director, it has aged wonderfully as one of the most essential survival dramas of the 21st century so far.

It’s also one of the best hard sci-fi movies since 2000, anchored by a trifecta of elements without equal: Cuarón’s intense, nail-bitingly suspenseful direction; the strongest, most emotionally potent performance of Sandra Bullock‘s career; and the jaw-dropping visual effects that once led a Mexican reporter to ask Cuarón what it was like to shoot in space. These elements, along with virtually every other one of Gravity‘s spotless technical and narrative qualities, all help make Gravity a genuine edge-of-your-seat thriller all about grief, rebirth, and the heroism inherent to survival and resilience.

3

‘Whiplash’ (2014)

Damien Chazelle so far only has a handful of feature films under his belt, but they have been more than enough to establish him as one of the most exciting young voices currently working in Hollywood. That reputation was established as far back as 2014, when Chazelle’s sophomore feature directing effort, Whiplash, hit theaters. Based on Chazelle’s own 2013 short film of the same name, this Oscar-winning masterpiece is one of the most thrilling movies released since 2000, a testament to just how intense character-driven dramas can get when done and written with enough momentum.

Whether or not Whiplash is Chazelle’s best film or not is irrelevant; the fact of the matter is that it’s easily his most intense, and perhaps even the single most intense movie about music and artistic obsession that the world has seen in decades. Strongly bolstered by Miles Teller‘s potent, transformative performance and a villainous turn from J. K. Simmons that just oozes intensity, it’s not only one of the best-acted dramas of the 2010s, but also one of the most tense. Whiplash is proof that memorable dialogue, strong acting, and rapid-fire pacing are all it takes for a movie to be incredibly intense.

2

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

Image via Tartan Films

South Korean cinema has always been full of absolutely exceptional thrillers, but it has been since 2000 that the country’s thriller output has gained particular international notoriety. And as far as hyper-intense South Korean thrillers go, it doesn’t relly get much more notorious or harrowing than Oldboy by Park Chan-wook, the man behind several of the most intense movies the 21st century has thus far seen. Oldboy is generally regarded as his magnum opus, and even though its reliance on shock value definitely makes it unfit for the faint of heart, it’s nevertheless one of the most essential action thrillers of modern times.

What’s not to love about Oldboy? The action sequences are impeccably directed and relentlessly violent, the plot twists are all among the most genuinely shocking in film history, and the character writing is as complex and layered as it is absolutely gut-wrenching. For all of those reasons and more, Oldboy is one of the most disturbing crime movies in history. It also happens to be a masterclass in how to nail pretty much every kind of intensity that a motion picture can exhibit: Intensity in emotions, in action, in suspense, in twists, in performances, and definitely in the all-around feel of the finished product.

1

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Image via A24

There’s one thing that both Josh and Benny Safdie specialize in, and that’s making some of the most intense movies the world has ever seen. Case in point: Uncut Gems, their most widely-celebrated film, starring Adam Sandler in what may well be the greatest performance of his career—and is most definitely the most intense. Impeccably directed by the Safdies, Uncut Gems is one of the most suspenseful thrillers of the last 100 years, a thriller composed of pure suspense, anxiety, stress, and paranoia.

Fueled exclusively by these emotions, the film creates an experience that’s incredibly disquieting yet absolutely impossible to look away from. Its themes of greed and of the ever-consuming nature of addiction are quite clear, but executed with such artful complexity and such tremendous intensity that it’s impossible not to keep thinking about them even long after the credits roll. Probably the single most suspenseful movie of the last 26 years, Uncut Gems is the sort of thriller which proves just how intense films can get.

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Uncut Gems

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Release Date

December 25, 2019

Runtime

136 minutes

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Director

Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

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Fantasy is often a very serious genre. There’s not a lot of room for humor in series like The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, amidst the betrayals, dramatic deaths, and epic battle scenes. That’s where Paramount+ comes in with a new adaptation of Golden Axe, the classic Sega arcade game that’s now a rib-tickling animated series. Introduced in 1989, Golden Axe was a classic quarter-muncher that allowed players to choose from one of three characters: the axe-wielding dwarf Gilius Thunderhead; the barbarian swordsman Ax Battler; and the amazonian warrior Tyris Flare. All three sought vengeance against the evil overlord Death Adder, who served as the game’s final boss. The game was a hit, and spawned several sequels, with the latest being released in 2008.

All three warriors take center stage in the new trailer for Golden Axe: the uncouth Gilius Thunderhead (Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay), the lovable Ax Battler (Liam McIntyre, Spartacus: Vengeance), and the stoic Tyris Flare (Lisa Gilroy, Interior Chinatown), as well as Chronos “Evil” Lait (Carl Tart, Grand Crew), a panther-man from the game’s sequels. They’re on a quest to destroy Death Adder, and Tyris’ plan should sound familiar to anyone who’s spent some time in an arcade: “Face a series of progressively harder enemies, until we have a big final battle with Death Adder.” They’re joined by Hampton Squib (Danny Pudi, Community), a would-be adventurer who becomes part of the party…whether his cohorts like it or not. All ten episodes of the series will debut on Paramount+ on Wednesday, September 16.

Who Are the Creatives Behind ‘Golden Axe’?

If you’re still mourning Star Trek: Lower Decks, Paramount+ has good news. Lower Decks mastermind Mike McMahan co-wrote the first episode of Golden Axe and is an executive producer on the series. Joe Chandler, a veteran of American Dad, also co-wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Sega’s Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi, and Toru Nakahara will also executive produce alongside Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, and Toby Ascher of Original Film. Titmouse, the studio behind series like Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros, and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, animates the series, with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina serving as executive producers.

All ten episodes of Golden Axe will premiere on Paramount+ on Wednesday, September 16. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

Image via Paramount

It’s been over seven years since CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” ended, with multiple spin-offs following. Recently, Mayim Bialik appeared in the newest series set in the show’s universe, “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.” Following the much-buzzed-about appearance on the HBO Max series, the “Blossom” alum is opening up about where she stands with the cast.

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Bialik interviewed with PEOPLE in August 2026, discussing her recent appearance on “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” which featured cameos from several other actors from the original series, including Kaley Cuoco. Regarding her status with her former co-stars, she said, “I guess I’m closest with John Ross Bowie.” For context, he portrayed Barry Kripke on the beloved show.

She also mentioned Kevin Sussman, who stars in the newest spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory.” According to her, “I have such respect for Kevin Sussman and the work that we got to do together and just watching how he takes direction and how he so effortlessly has stepped into the role of leading man.”

The actress continued, “I worked with Lauren [Lapkus] and Brian [Posehn]’s been on our podcast, so I have other connections, but in terms of  the emotional connection, I like being able to reach out to John and to Kevin and to be able to say, ‘I do not have any memory in my career of being this excited for another actor.”

Mayim Bialik Also Spoke About Her Relationship With Melissa Rauch

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During the conversation, Bialik also opened up about the deep respect for the cast, especially Melissa Rauch, who played Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on the show. Notably, she also shared that they had an encounter behind the scenes of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”

According to Bialik, “I’m very close with Melissa Rauch. So she and I talked the most about scheduling and things like that. Regarding their recent encounter, she shared, “We were actually able to physically connect on set, me and Melissa. I can’t remember if she was there for a wardrobe fitting, and it was my filming day. I don’t remember, but that was really, really special.”

From there, Bialik went on to note the impact of their respective roles on “The Big Bang Theory.” She explained, “Bernadette, the character of Bernadette, was a microbiologist on ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ We were two women in science, both with very different personalities, very different aesthetics.”

The former “Jeopardy” host continued, “And we both represented as equally competent, fun, interesting people. I think that’s actually the truth about a lot of people in science, and in particular, a lot of women in science.”

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Ended In 2019

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“The Big Bang Theory” premiered on CBS in 2007 and ran for 12 seasons, ending in 2019 after 279 episodes. Since then, three spin-off series have aired, starting with “Young Sheldon,” which concluded in May 2024 after seven seasons. Now, season three of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” begins in October, and “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” has already been renewed for a second season.

During her PEOPLE interview, Bialik opened up about returning for the newest show. She said, “I would’ve been happy to come back as any iteration of anything. Just to get to be part of the Chuck Lorre universe and also to do this with Kevin and John and with Lauren and Brian, so I would’ve been happy literally to do anything.”

Mayim Bialik Shared Sad News About The Planned ‘Blossom’ Reboot In 2025

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Before “The Big Bang Theory,” the world got to know Bialik through the 1990s sitcom “Blossom.” Regarding the planned reboot, Bialik revealed in 2023 that a script had been written and that the original cast had interest in returning for the series. She later stated that the new version might not be a sitcom, as the original show was.

However, according to The Wrap, she said in August 2025 that Disney, which retains the rights to “Blossom,” decided not to move forward with the series. She said the company’s change of heart came after it showed interest in the show the year before.

She said on Substack, “We will likely never know … why they would not let us bring these beautiful stories to people who love 90s nostalgia and who have a special place in their hearts for Blossom.”

Mayim Has A New Movie In The Works

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Deadline reported in August 2025 that Bialik had been cast in an upcoming rom-com, “Go-Love-Go,” alongside her former “Call Me Kat” co-stars Cheyenne Jackson and John Griffin. Notably, Griffin not only stars in the movie, but he also wrote and produced it.

Currently, IMDb lists the film as in post-production, with no release date announced.

When I went to fashion school, the unofficial uniform was all-black everything. If that sounds depressing, trust me, it was. I admired the few students who weren’t afraid to wear a bright mix of stripes, dots, animal print, etc. In 2026 though, the patternmaxxing trend is on the rise, and it’s all about embracing bold prints, colors and designs.

Amazon has an entire section dedicated to patternmaxxing, which makes sense since so many fashion people now wearing clothes with groovy waves, edgy animal prints, sweet gingham and more. I rounded up the best hidden gems available on Amazon to help you make the most of patternmaxxing. There’s a mix of clothes and accessories, so you can do a whole wardrobe update or add a few pieces to tip-toe into the look.

17 Chic Finds to Try Fall’s Patternmaxxing Trend

Dresses

1. So Groovy: We’re seeing a resurgence in vintage-looking shift dresses with fun wavy patterns that ruled the ‘70s, and we’re so glad the style is back. Case in point: this sunset-inspired crocheted mini dress.

2. Never-Ending Trend: Gingham shows no signs of slowing down for fall, so take this as your sign to finally hop on the trend with this smocked drop-waist mini.

3. Fall Florals: Contrary to popular belief, floral patterns aren’t just for summer. Opt for this V-neck boho dress and see how it pops against the changing leaves.

4. Unleash Your Inner Teen: One look at this long plaid cami dress transported me back to the early 2000s.

5. Unexpected Yet Chic: Strapless dresses, like this drop-waist plaid maxi, are perfect for fall because they make the ideal base for layering.

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Tops

6. So Wild: Animal patterns have proved their staying power, so take the leap and add this zebra-print bell-sleeved top to your rotation.

7. Flattering Fit: I live in this asymmetrical off-the-shoulder top because it cinches my waist and accentuates my figure. You better believe I added the cute deer print pattern as soon as I saw it!

8. Fierce Ruffles: What do you get when you combine a feminine ruffled top with an eye-catching tiger print? This versatile style that’s extra flirty.

9. Wear the Rainbow: Invite more color into your wardrobe with this pastel striped cami. The scoop neck design draws attention upwards.

Pants

10. Crochet All Day: Wearing fun pants like this unique wavy crocheted pair is like an instant happiness boost.

11. Ruffles Galore: The ruffle hem on these charming wide-legged gingham pants add a feminine flair to the style.

12. So Fresh: Patterned jeans may seem intimidating to wear, but this deer-print barrel leg pick is easy to style with a white tee shirt and sneakers.

13. So Studious: Ditch the preppy plaid skirts in favor of these cool plaid trousers that are oh-so stylish.

Shoes

14. Walk on the Wild Side: Upgrade your shoe collection with these sheer cheetah-print mesh flats that will put a pep in your step this fall.

15. Check Mate: Why stick with boring black or brown loafers when this checkered style adds dimension to any outfit?

16. Patchwork Princess: Statement shoes are an easy way to show your personality, and these multicolored checkered mules are certainly a conversation starter.

17. Moooove on By: Only the chicest people will be able to rock these cow-print slingback kitten heels. And yes, you’re one of them!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

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.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

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Related: These Are the Trending Denim Styles Cool Girls Are Wearing in 2026

Even as fashion writers, it’s hard keeping up with the ever-changing denim trends. They can be downright confusing, even to Us! When in doubt, we turn to celebrities, rich moms and fashionistas on the streets of New York and Los Angeles. And this year, they’re all in agreement on these denim styles. If you ask […]

Darren Silverman (Jason Biggs) is finally in a relationship with a beautiful, intelligent woman, Judith Fessbegler (Amanda Peet). Unfortunately, she’s a controlling monster and is making his life miserable. His best friends, Wayne (Steve Zahn) and J.D. (Jack Black), hatch a plot to “save” him by reuniting him with his first love, Sandy (Amanda Detmer), but their plan backfires when Judith finds out about it. Darren just wants to be loved, but does he have the courage to be with the right woman who will love him back?

Released at the height of American Pie’s popularity, Saving Silverman is a rom-com with its heart in the gutter. There are plenty of dirty jokes in the film, plus a subplot involving Neil Diamond that’s more groan-worthy than entertaining, but it’s still a fun romp with enough laughs and romance to satisfy genre fans. Black and Peet shine as two people fighting for Darren’s happiness; they’ll do anything, even physically assaulting one another, to get their man.

In television, the cream tends to rise to the top. Of the countless shows airing at any one time, there are always a select few that stand out above the crowd, thanks almost entirely to their quality. Whether it’s a laugh-a-minute sitcom, a twisting dark mystery, a gripping drama, or even a goosebump-inducing horror series, the very best shows will always prove themselves. By proving themselves, their viewing figures will only rocket, spawning dollar signs in the eyes of higher-ups and the inevitable green light for more.

With their popularity in mind, production companies and networks can be forgiven for pushing their best products as far as possible. The likes of Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead famously hurt their own legacy by producing one too many seasons, and, with that in mind, it is even more admirable when a series can come and go in a short space of time and still make a recognized impact on audiences. But finding the sweet spot is perhaps the hardest task, as the shortest shows search for the most natural and satisfying place to bring their stories to a close. With those specific titles in mind, and without further ado, here are the greatest shows with fewer than 30 episodes.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

It’s worth starting this list by acknowledging that, although some shows are designed as a miniseries, they are still worthy of praise for finding a neat circular story in an even shorter space of time than most of their contemporaries. One of the most modern examples of the miniseries perfected is The Queen’s Gambit, which is the story about a prodigious introvert and orphan Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who flourishes through the mastering of the game of chess.

A masterclass in character development in just seven episodes, The Queen’s Gambit features some of the best writing of the past decade, and boasts one of the finest performances in the career of Taylor-Joy so far. Was the series helped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with viewers in their millions locked inside and looking for the best shows on streaming? Sure, but global crisis or not, this is a series well worth both its popularity and its flowers.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Image via BBC

The Brits are known for having shorter seasons of television, with many of their best projects ending on a relatively quick high. Those across the pond are also known for producing some of the best crime dramas in the world, with Happy Valley the perfect combination of both, a series that won a remarkable 6 BAFTAs during its run.

Created by Sally Wainwright, the series follows Sarah Lancashire‘s Sergeant Catherine Cawood as she navigates personal issues in her drug-fueled community in Yorkshire’s Calder Valley​​​​​. Sporting some of the finest ensemble performances in the genre’s modern history, highlighted by a career-defining turn from James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce, this utterly gripping masterclass in storytelling is both a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse and a detailed exploration of the cycle of crime in working-class Britain.

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

Image via FOX

When people talk about the most egregious cancellations in TV history, the active sabotage of the brilliant space Western Firefly by Fox is always mentioned. In fact, following its cancellation, an initial petition to bring the series back scored more than 17,000 signatures, with the massive physical mail campaign that followed flooding Fox with angry postcards and letters. However, in the dark clouds of cancellation, a silver lining emerged, with Firefly‘s limited 14 episodes enough to award it a place on this list.

Created by Joss Whedon, Firefly follows Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his crew aboard the “Firefly-class” spaceship as they evade warring factions and authority agents during their trips across the galaxy. Blending sci-fi, comedy, and Western genres to perfect effect, Firefly was a hit with both viewers and critics, even winning the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series. 24 years later, it still maintains a well-deserved, die-hard fanbase.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Image via HBO

At 28 episodes long, The Leftovers just lands a place on this list. The show’s premise is simple yet ever-so-effective, as 140 million people suddenly vanish in an event called the “Global Departure”. Based on Tom Perrotta‘s novel of the same name, the narrative twists and turns in all manner of unexpected directions, keeping many millions of viewers gripped across three seasons.

However, even though this clever sci-fi series earned plenty of praise at the time of its release, The Leftovers has grown in popularity since it came to an end nine years ago. Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon deliver just two of the many memorable turns throughout the series, with Ann Dowd shockingly the only actor presented with a Primetime Emmy for her guest performance in the genius Season 3, Episode 7, “The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother).”

‘The Office’ (2001–2003)

Image via BBC

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It’s simply remarkable that a low-budget comedy, produced by an unknown duo, and following the mundane every day of a British workplace could ever find success. But Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant‘s The Office didn’t just find success; it revolutionized the way TV comedy was produced, throwing out the traditional multi-camera studio setups and artificial laugh tracks and instead championing the uncomfortable reality of a single-camera set-up.

He may have since become a parody of his former self, but Gervais’ David Brent is one of the greatest comedic creations. In The Office, he is the awkward, affection-starved anchor to a series that, as much as it is about highly-relatable cringe, is also about the unmissable will-they/won’t-they romance of Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis). No matter what, without this series there wouldn’t have been Michael Scott (Steve Carell), and that alone is worth celebrating.

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

Image via Prime Video

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In the 21st century, comedy has come of age, with the most successful modern comedies blending dark drama into their humor. Perhaps the very best to do this is Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag, which began life as her one-woman show that won a Fringe First Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2013. It was BBC Three who gave the show a chance on screen, and the rest is history, with Fleabag quickly growing a huge following and plenty of critical acclaim.

One of the most intelligent and inventive uses of fourth wall-breaking in modern TV, Waller-Bridge’s unnamed protagonist fights grief, the terrible state of modern dating, and a constant battle of inner feminist wills in a story that, at the time of its release, was the freshest thing on television. What starts as a genius introspective tale of sex and feminism in 21st-century Britain in its first season evolves into a clever blend of religion and romance in a second season that somehow tops its predecessor.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

The blueprint for all war series in the 21st century is one of HBO’s best projects. From producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who reunited after their work on Saving Private Ryan to adapt Stephen Ambrose’s 1992 book, Band of Brothers follows the parachute infantry known as Easy Company during the Second World War, and is one of the most historically accurate and well-researched shows in TV history.

Tales of war, from Full Metal Jacket to Jarhead, are so often coated in Hollywood narrative styling. Band of Brothers is more interested in organically discovering its emotional core through a realistic depiction of life in combat. From days in training to the most important moments of the war, Band of Brothers leaves no stone unturned in a poignant exploration of the modern world’s most devastating conflict, and does so with a famously star-studded cast that includes Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, David Schwimmer, Donnie Wahlberg, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Simon Pegg, James McAvoy, and many more.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Of all the miniseries to have graced our screens in the 21st century, none are as detailed, devastating, and worthy of gushing praise as Chernobyl. To tell a tale as tragic and true as the nuclear accident of April 26, 1986, requires some brave storytelling, but to do so with such deft honesty and justice is frankly remarkable. Of course, this is the retelling of the aforementioned incident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, focused mainly on the immediate and long-term aftermath.

The personal and political ramifications of the Chernobyl disaster are on full display in nuanced genius throughout each of these five episodes, making for utterly affecting viewing. The series won an incredible ten Primetime Emmys (enough for two for each episode), alongside countless other prizes from across the world as it swept up the 2020 TV awards season. It might be a miniseries, but Chernobyl packs as much of an emotional, expansive punch as any other show with many more episodes.

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Chernobyl

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Release Date

2019 – 2019

Network

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HBO

Showrunner

Craig Mazin

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Directors

Johan Renck

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