Throughout his time on social media, Jake Paul has remained a controversial figure. Alongside his brother Logan Paul, the two have often found themselves at the center of online debates. From YouTube to boxing, Jake can’t seem to escape the hot seat. Well, it looks like after a recent interview, he’s right back in it while discussing what he’s possibly cooking up in response to Druski’s viral skit

RELATED: Wait, WHAT?! President Trump Seemingly Tells Erika Kirk To Sue Druski Over His “Conservative Women” Skit (VIDEO)

Jake Paul Says Druski’s Skit Sparked Him To Consider His Own Version In Blackface

Jake Paul recently sat down with Theo Von. In a part of the podcast, the two reacted to Druski’s “Conservative Women” skit, sharing how hilarious it was.

Jake stated, “It’s f***king hilarious. I loved it. And I’m obviously Republican, and like, all the Republicans being mad about this sh is like a f***ing L for Republicans, because this is f***king hilarious. And even though it’s… dark and twisted… this is what comedy… is… we are f***king humans. Let’s make fun of ourselves. And there’s truth in this. Yes. And extreme truth. And people weren’t ready for that.”

Jake then shared that for the last couple of days, he’s been calling makeup artists while thinking about responding to Druski with his own skit, but darker. When discussing if he would be on the same playing field as Druski, Theo shared that there’s a way to do it and that the character may need Black support from someone like Druski or Charles Barkley.

Jake responded, saying, “That’s p****ing out.” He added, “Doesn’t that make us more prejudiced if we have to partner with someone. Druski just dropped this ad he’s done it a couple of times and I… love it. This is great. This is how humans should be. We should make fun of each other, and I don’t see in color; I see in truth and comedy. So like, what are we talking about? So you’re saying that… what era are we living in?”

The two went on to discuss Justin Trudeau and Jimmy Kimmel, both of whom have previously worn blackface. Jake added, “Look at f***ing Jimmy Kimmel on the left. Untouchable, like what the f**k bro how does he get away with it?”

Theo Von also shared that the thing that pisses him off is that kids can’t be black for Halloween and dress up as their favorite athletes and such.

Social Media Reacts

As soon as Jake Paul’s clip hit the timeline, folks headed straight to The Shade Room Teens’ comment section! Some went in on him, educating on the history of blackface. Others even feel like he’s been wanting to do it and is using this as an excuse. Meanwhile, others mentioned it’s different because Druski did it for comedic purposes, while questioning Jake Paul’s intentions.

Instagram user @freakymarko wrote, “He been wanting to do it but using druski as an excuse to do it”

Instagram user @daeja_vu_ added, ”He’s not funny tho yer his black face would be done with ill intent. Druski just being a good comedian there’s a difference”

While Instagram user @cheyenneleondra wrote,”Somebody said ‘didn’t a black man already rearrange your face 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂” 

Instagram user  @lostvibzs wrote, “go ahead and try it milk cricket.”

Instagram user @noflutesallowed added, “A comedian displaying a character and a regular yt man doing blackface are TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. But do it and see 😏”

While Instagram user @d_alluring1 wrote, “wtf is blacking around?”

Instagram user @iyahszn wrote, “yt folks wanna be oppressed so bad i don’t get it. they hate feelin left out 😂”

Instagram user @thebiggestbratalive added, “HAVE YALL NOT BEEN DOING TS THO???”

While Instagram user @downeastjay wrote, “I hope he does I’d love to never see him box again”

Druski Has The Internet In A Chokehold As Fans React To His Past White Characters

Since Druski dropped his latest skit a few weeks ago, many have been reacting to his other white characters. While the “Conservative Women” skit is trending now, fans also praised his “Proud To Be American” and “White Boy In The Hood” characters.

While picking their favorites, one user gave Druski his flowers, writing, “No one can tell me that this man isn’t funny,” adding, “Definitely between the white YN and conservative white woman.” Some couldn’t even pick a favorite, with one person writing, “All of em & s/o to his Grandaddy.”

RELATED: Social Media Asks About Druski’s Family After His Apparent Response To Backlash Over His “Conservative Women” Skit

Aubrey Plaza and Chris Abbott knew each other for years before their relationship turned romantic.

Plaza’s rep confirmed to People in April 2026 that the actress is pregnant and expecting her first baby with Abbott. A source told the publication that it was a “beautiful surprise” following the Parks and Recreation alum’s difficult year.

Plaza was previously married to Jeff Baena for nearly five years before news broke in January 2025 that he died by suicide at age 47.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” a rep for Plaza told Us in a statement at the time. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

Related: Celeb Pregnancy Announcements of 2026: Aubrey Plaza and More

Many stars are expanding their families in 2026. Riverdale alum Charles Melton’s girlfriend, director Camille Summers-Valli, rang in the new year by confirming her pregnancy with their first baby. Two days later, Paradise star Krys Marshall debuted her baby bump at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. “I am due any minute now, honey,” Marshall exclusively […]

It was later confirmed that Plaza and Baena were separated for four months before his death.

“According to the reported information, the decedent Jeffrey Baena is a 47-year-old Caucasian male,” the Los Angeles medical examiner wrote in a report obtained by Us in March 2025. “He was experiencing recent marital difficulties and was separated from his wife since September 2024.”

Plaza largely stayed out of the public eye as she mourned, briefly speaking about her grief during an August 2025 appearance on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast.

“Overall, I’m here, and I’m functioning, and I feel grateful to be moving through the world,” Plaza said at the time. “I think, like, I’m OK, but it’s a daily struggle, obviously.”

Months later Plaza stepped out during Paris Fashion Week in March 2026, seemingly hiding her baby bump with an oversized shirt and leather jacket.

Keep scrolling to look back at Plaza and Abbott’s relationship from the start:

December 2020

Aubrey Plaza and Chris Abbott first worked together in the 2020 thriller Black Bear.

October 2023

Plaza and Abbott starred in the Off-Broadway revival of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

July 2025

Instagram gossip account DeuxMoi claimed Aubrey Plaza and Chris Abbott were together after an eyewitness spotted them cozying up at The Chatham Berry Farm just outside of New York City.

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November 2025

Photos and videos of Aubrey Plaza and Chris Abbott at a New York Knicks game emerged on social media.

Related: ‘Parks and Recreation‘ Cast: Where Are They Now?

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The Parks and Recreation cast filled homes with laughs and love during its seven-season run on NBC, but since the show ended, fans have still been able to see their favorite faces from the group in a slew of high-profile projects. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter […]

February 2026

Chris Abott accompanied Aubrey Plaza to events during Paris Fashion Week. The duo were photographed at the Khaite fashion show.

April 2026

A rep for Aubrey Plaza confirmed to People that she is expecting her first baby with Chris Abbott.

If you’re looking for top-notch dramas, your streaming destination should be Amazon Prime Video.

The Watch With Us team has put together our roundup of the three Prime Video dramas with at least 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

All three of this month’s selections competed for numerous Oscars, including Best Picture.

However, the most recent arrival, Marty Supreme, is only available for rent on Prime Video at the moment. But at least it’s on sale if you decide that you’d rather purchase it.

Related: New on Prime Video in April 2026 — The Complete List of Movies and TV Shows

Prime Video remains the best value among streaming services today. Where else can you stream the latest blockbuster movies, like Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning with Tom Cruise, as well as original films like Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry? It’s not all movies, though. Prime Video has some pretty spectacular shows […]

‘Ford v Ferrari’ (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92

Don’t be fooled by the thrilling racing sequences in Ford v Ferrari. There’s a gripping sports bio drama underneath those scenes that made this film an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. Matt Damon and Christian Bale lead the cast as race car designer Carroll Shelby and race car driver Ken Miles, respectively.

The two men are hired to come together after Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts) feels personally insulted by Enzo Ferrari (Remo Girone). To get back at Ferrari, Ford wants Miles and Shelby to create a Ford racing car that’s capable of beating Ferrari’s top model at one of the most prestigious races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But the task is hard enough to pull off without some of Ford’s executives undermining Shelby and Miles along the way.

Ford v Ferrari is streaming on Prime Video.

‘American Fiction’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93

American Fiction was also a nominee for Best Picture, and Jeffrey Wright was also up for Best Actor for his performance as Dr. Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. Monk is an academic and a novelist, but his books don’t sell, and he finds himself feeling increasingly jealous of Sintara Golden (Issa Rae), a Black author who panders to stereotypes in her best-selling books.

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It’s a quiet month for dramas on Amazon Prime Video, even though a handful of big releases like Sinners will be making their debut on the streamer later in December. Since those new arrivals aren’t dramas, we’re going with a 2024 biopic that had major movie distributors running away from it out of fear of […]

Out of frustration, Monk writes a satirical novel that goes even farther than Sinatra’s books. To his shock and horror, Monk’s new novel is received as a massive hit. He’s even convinced to take on a pen name, Stagg R. Leigh, whom the publisher pretends is an escaped fugitive on the run from the law. Suddenly, Monk has all of the success he ever dreamed about, even as he’s unsettled about the way it happened. But this deception can only go on for so long.

American Fiction is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93

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Marty Supreme was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet. Although the film went home empty-handed, it was still one of the best movies released in 2025. Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a young man who dreams of being a table tennis champion in the early ’50s. Marty is also incredibly unscrupulous and willing to rob and lie just to get the chance he needs to succeed.

Marty also finds himself wrapped up in two different romantic relationships, including an actress, Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), and his childhood friend, Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion), who is married to another man. Given the depths Marty is willing to go to get ahead, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that some of those attempts backfire. Marty knows what he wants, but the price he’ll have to pay for his ambition is getting higher by the minute.

Marty Supreme is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

Social media users are goin’ IN after Hunxho exclusively reacted to the viral “you the birthday” trend sparked by his ‘Birthday Girl’ song.

RELATED: Whew! Hunxho’s New Look Has The Internet Girlies Up In Arms (PHOTO + VIDEOS)

Hunxho Reacts To Viral “You The Birthday” Trend Sparked By His ‘Birthday Girl’ Song

According to Genius, on September 19, 2025, Hunxho released his project ‘For Her 2,’ which featured 16 songs, one of which was titled ‘Birthday Girl.’ On the chorus of the song, Hunxho sings, “It’s your birthday, look good on your birthday/ Chanel for your birthday, Van Cleef for your birthday/ It’s your birthday, it’s me for your birthday/ Peace on your birthday, she eat, she the birthday girl”

Apparently, social media users found Hunxho’s “she the birthday” phrase appealing, and recently many have been sharing videos and comments using the phrase.

Swipe below to see.

Social Media Users Are Goin’ IN

Since then, other social media users have been wondering what “she the birthday,” and the subsequent phrases mean. TSR’s social media contributor, Lawrencia Grose, exclusively reached out to Hunxho for his take.

“I’m still tryna figure what ‘she the birthday’ is myself. I like what they did wit it though,” he stated in part.

Although Hunxho himself is a bit puzzled, that didn’t stop social media users from goin’ IN on him in TSR’s comment section.

Before Hunxho Reacted To The Viral “You The Birthday” Trend Sparked By His ‘Birthday Girl’ Song, He Was Speaking On His “Wrongs”

Before Hunxho reacted to the viral “you the birthday” trend, he was making headlines for welcoming a baby girl into the world. As The Shade Room previously reported, in January, Hunxho took to his Instagram Story, showing that he welcomed his third child.

Around that same time, he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a message about his “wrongs” and “flaws.”

RELATED: Hunxho Shares Message Speaking On His “Wrongs” After Revealing He Recently Welcomed Newborn Baby Girl

Angel Reese is leaving Chicago behind and stepping into that new, new vibe as she heads to Atlanta. And she’s not only switching teams, but also her look. She debuted her new pixie cut while in New York City for the historic launch of her Victoria’s Secret campaign. Between the new hair and her campaign photos, the fans are loving how Reese is stepping into her next chapter. She said on Tuesday that she’s excited for “A-Town” after her trade to the Atlanta Dream from the Chicago Sky.

RELATED: Queen Treatment Only! Angel Reese Gives Peek Into Romantic Date Night & Fans Are Here For The Energy (VIDEO)

Arrogant Tae Gives Angel A Pixie Look

The dolls in the industry? Beauties in a bussdown? Baddies of the internet? They know Arrogant Tae. “We in Atlanta I buy her a wig, she telling me Tae is the best.” That Tae. Angel Reese’s fans are now giving the stylist 10s again after she debuted her new look. She captioned her IG post on April 7, “Betty Boo,” and posted several photos of her pixie curls. Tae also shared that he styled her hair that same morning. “Something new. I was scared bt it came out cute,” Tae wrote in a video of Angel Reese posing in her new style.

Angel Reese Talks About Atlanta Dream Trade & Life Outside Of Basketball

It’s offseason for Reese, whose headed to Atlanta Dream in May after being traded in her third WNBA season. Despite the change, Reese told PEOPLE on Tuesday that she was “so excited” when she found out. “The team has welcomed me so much, the atmosphere, the culture…I’m so excited to be in A-town.” 

The news of her trade broke on Monday, one day before her Victoria’s Secret campaign launch. She’s the first WNBA player to star in one, ever. After the news, she reportedly told The Atlantic, that she’s grateful to join Atlanta Dream and focused on growing her game, being a top competition, connecting the fans and giving the team everything she’s got!

Meanwhile, the General Manager of Chicago Sky, Jeff Pagliocca, said, per PEOPLE, that trading Reese for two first-round picks was “a great opportunity for all parties” and “designed to achieve roster balance.” She

Right now, she’s the face of Victoria’s Secret new swim and beauty line. She modeled for the launch in Barbados. While down there, she spoke to Elle Magazine about why she’s building her own brand outside of just playing basketball:

“My mom and my grandma always told me basketball is gonna stop one day, so continuing to build my platform was always important. Since I was younger, I’ve always been into fashion. Feel good, look good, play good. That’s always been the mindset for me. Building my own brand, being myself, being super versatile on and off the court, within my clothes or even within my style of play, was really important.”

On Tuesday, in NYC, rocking her black and white suit, and pixie cut,  she told PEOPLE her photos for VS came out “phenomenal.” Adding that the shoot was “so much fun,” even with sandy “in ever place it shouldn’t have been in.

Angel Makes Poses With Her Victoria’s Secret Campaign (PHOTOS)

RELATED: Come Thru, Then! La La Anthony Turns Heads With BOLD New Hair Color (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

The fallout from a shocking moment at the BAFTA Film Awards continues to ripple through the entertainment industry.

After weeks of backlash, the BBC has acknowledged a serious breach of its editorial standards, while insisting the incident was not deliberate.

Now, new details are shedding light on how the mistake happened and why it sparked such widespread outrage.

BAFTA Broadcast Error Sparks Backlash

The controversy began during February’s BAFTA ceremony, when a racial slur was broadcast during a live segment.

The moment occurred as actor Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award, and filmmaker John Davidson, whose life inspired “I Swear,” involuntarily uttered the word due to Tourette’s syndrome.

Despite the show being aired with a two-hour delay, the slur made it into the final broadcast.

The incident quickly dominated headlines and triggered an avalanche of criticism aimed at both the BBC and BAFTA organizers.

The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit later confirmed it had received “a large number of complaints” regarding the coverage and upheld those “relating to editorial standards on harm and offense.”

BBC Finds BAFTA Coverage Breached Standards

Following its investigation, the Executive Complaints Unit issued a firm conclusion.

In its report, the body stated, per The Hollywood Reporter, “The ECU found that the inclusion of the n-word in the broadcast (which was also streamed live on iPlayer) was highly offensive, had no editorial justification and represented a breach of the BBC’s editorial standards, but that the breach was unintentional.”

This finding placed the BBC in a difficult position, acknowledging the severity of the mistake while emphasizing that it was not done on purpose.

Former director-general Tim Davie had earlier described the incident as “a genuine error,” pointing to confusion within the editing process as the reason the slur was not removed before broadcast.

BAFTA Editing Mix Up Explained By BBC

BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips offered further insight into what went wrong behind the scenes.

According to her, the production team simply did not catch the moment in real time.

She explained that the team “did not hear the n-word at the time it was said and therefore no decision was taken to leave the word within the broadcast. The ECU accepted this was a genuine mistake,” noting that the crew did remove another instance of the same word during editing.

Phillips added that this was done “especially as the team did correctly identify and edit out a subsequent use of the same word, in line with the protocols that were agreed in advance of the event regarding offensive and unacceptable language.”

The explanation suggests that the issue was not a lack of safeguards, but rather a failure in execution at a critical moment.

BAFTA Streaming Delay Adds To Controversy

While the initial broadcast raised concerns, the decision to keep the unedited version available online intensified the backlash. The ECU did not hold back in its criticism of that choice.

It described the delay in removing the footage as a “serious mistake” and concluded that “The fact that the unedited recording remained available for so long aggravated the offense caused by the inadvertent inclusion of the n-word in the broadcast.”

Kate Phillips also addressed the delay, stating, “There was a lack of clarity among the team present at the event as to whether the word was audible on the recording. This resulted in there being a delay before the decision was taken to remove the recording from iPlayer.”

The extended availability of the footage became a key factor in prolonging public outrage, raising questions about internal communication and crisis response.

Industry Reaction And Calls For Change

The controversy did not end with the investigation. It sparked a broader conversation about responsibility, representation, and awareness, particularly regarding Tourette’s syndrome and how such situations should be handled.

Kate Phillips acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that the corporation “must learn from our mistakes and ensure our processes are as robust as they can be.”

She added that steps are already being taken to strengthen live production workflows, event planning, and content removal systems.

In the aftermath, Phillips also personally reached out to those affected, including Lindo, Jordan, actress Wunmi Mosaku, and John Davidson himself.

For his part, Davidson expressed remorse, saying he was “deeply mortified” if anyone believed his tics were “intentional.”

If you’re disappointed in the comedy offerings coming out of Hollywood these days, you’re not alone.

The Naked Gun (2025) was the first genuinely great comedy movie in ages. There are so few genuinely funny comedy movies made in recent years that you might have already forgotten about the ones that are actually good.

But there are some shining stars amidst a sea of garbage, and Watch With Us is here to guide you to them,

We’ve put together a list of four great recent comedy movies that you’d do well to remember — and revisit.

‘Hubie Halloween’ (2020)

Good-natured but dimwitted Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler) is Salem, Massachusetts’ resident community volunteer, but frequently finds himself the butt of bullying and practical jokes due to his annoying behavior and personality. Despite this, Hubie maintains his positivity and devotion to his hometown, especially as his favorite holiday, Halloween, rounds the bend in the historic city. But when a criminal starts kidnapping the citizens of Salem on Halloween Night, it’s up to Hubie to use his intimate town knowledge and multi-faceted “Swiss Army Thermos” to catch the culprit — much to the chagrin of local police sergeant Steve Downey (Kevin James).

After Sandler blew the world away with his performance as Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems, he got right back down to business, portraying an eccentric goofball with a stupid voice in Hubie Halloween. While the film might not convert any Sandler naysayers, it’s an incredibly charming, entertaining and silly movie that fully embraces “Halloween Vibes” (thus being a must-watch for the holiday). The film also has some surprisingly decadent production design, going all-out on the spooky decor and garish lighting to bring some color to a Netflix original for once.

‘Bad Trip’ (2021)

This prank movie starring Eric André, Lil Rel Howery and Tiffany Haddish follows André’s character Chris, a small-town Florida car-washer who encounters his high school crush, Maria (Michaela Conlin), by chance. After an embarrassing incident in which his car vacuum sucks all his clothes off, Maria leaves without him getting her number. One year later, Chris runs into Maria, who tells him she works in New York City and gives him her phone number. Accompanied by his friend Bud (Howery), Chris decides to road trip to New York to get the girl of his dreams — while also being pursued by Bud’s mentally unstable sister, Trina (Haddish).

Bad Trip takes the hidden camera prank comedy of something like Jackass and manages to give it an entire, feature-length narrative, and it actually works. André — who broke out with his late-night variety show The Eric André Show, which frequently employed hidden camera pranks and stunts — is at the top of his game in this fantastic comedy, showcasing plenty of pranks that oscillate between the funniest thing you’ve ever seen and the grossest thing you’ve ever seen. But André manages to elevate the movie even further by giving it a surprising sense of heart.

‘Never Goin’ Back’ (2018)

Best friends and high school dropouts Angela (Maia Mitchell) and Jessie (Camila Morrone) spend their humdrum days in South Texas working as waitresses and wishing for something better. Angela decides to surprise Jessie with a trip to Galveston for Jessie’s birthday, though the girls have to put their rent money towards the trip and work extra hours to make up for it. But when Jessie’s older brother and both girls’ roommate, Dustin (Joel Allen), loses their money in a failed drug sale, they find themselves wrapped up in an increasingly chaotic and absurd series of events in order to get their money back.

Never Goin’ Back is the female-fronted stoner comedy you never knew you needed. While the plot isn’t the densest thing you’ll ever see, the film has a particularly buoyant and free-wheeling tone that makes the ridiculous journey you take with these characters still feel satisfying. The authentic chemistry between Mitchell and Morrone also helps to elevate the material, and the two young actresses sport a totally effortless command of comedic dialogue. Overall, Never Goin’ Back is both a solidly funny film and a warm-hearted coming-of-age movie.

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‘The Beach Bum’ (2019)

Moondog (Matthew McConaughey) is a substance-abusing poet from the Florida Keys whose only mission in life is to have a good time — even though he’s also a father and husband. While his daughter, Heather (Stefania LaVie Owen), just wishes her dad would grow up, his wife, Minnie (Isla Fisher), manages to love Moondog for exactly who he is. But when a close personal tragedy strikes, Moondog’s relaxed lifestyle is suddenly upended. In addition to finishing writing the novel he’s been struggling to get through, he also battles sobriety and winning his daughter’s respect.

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A pair of classic comedy movies has come home to Hulu, and they’re both better than many of the modern comedies in theaters. There’s Something About Mary may be pushing 30, but this is one gross-out rom-com that never seems to get old. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email […]

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This synopsis actually makes The Beach Bum sound like it has more of a plot than it really does. In reality, the film is a hedonistic, shaggy-dog mosaic of cacophonous and indulgent pleasures with the occasional sharp relief of reality — the good times have to come to an end eventually, after all. McConaughey is given the role he was born to play in Moondog, and his performance is altogether deeply hilarious, totally natural and charmingly chaotic. The film is ultimately an utterly unique experience, couched by some brilliant visuals and a sweet-natured message.

By Britta DeVore
| Published 1 minute ago

We’re so incredibly used to having every piece of media at our fingertips, with streamers like Netflix offering copious amounts of TV shows and movies for the price of a subscription. Still, some titles haven’t made it to streaming platforms. In an era where fewer than fifty percent of households have access to a DVD or Blu-Ray player, that means they can’t be watched. And if a movie can’t be watched, it will be forgotten.

That’s exactly what’s happening to City of Ember, the 2008 steampunk fantasy movie. Despite a star-studded cast led by Bill Murray, the movie isn’t available to stream anywhere except as an extremely pricey rental on Apple TV. It’s worth paying that price to see.

The film, which is based on Jeanne DuPrau’s 2003 novel, The City of Ember, is a fantasy lover’s dream as it takes audiences underground to the titular city. Running on a generator that has served its purpose for more than a century, time is running out, and with it, the lights within the deep cave start to dim and flicker.

Taking matters into their own hands and seeing themselves as the city’s only hope at restoring light to even its darkest corners, two teenagers, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) go on a dangerous yet exciting journey to turn the lights back on for good.

After having earned an Oscar nod for her work in Atonement, City of Ember was another pivotal stepping stone in Saoirse Ronan’s career, which would ultimately lead her to earn three more Academy Award nominations and heaps of accolades for her work in such projects as Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women. The casting team behind the fantastical tale’s on-screen adaptation was on their A-game for this one, as they also nabbed names including Bill Murray (Lost in Translation) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption).

Just as it was a pivotal career moment for its star Saoirse Ronan, City of Ember was a similarly huge moment for director Gil Kenan. Two years earlier, Kenan had paired up with Columbia Pictures for the animated horror flick, Monster House, giving him the preparation and connections needed to jump into live-action filmmaking with City of Ember.

From there, Kenan’s hold on Hollywood continued to expand with the helmer attaching himself to the 2015 remake of the horror classic Poltergeist, the holiday fantasy flick, A Boy Called Christmas, and, most recently, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

City Of Ember’s Box Office Disaster

Unfortunately for Kenan’s first live-action film, all the big names around (which included Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman as producers) couldn’t save the production from being a financial disaster. Despite making a concerted effort to time the movie’s release shortly after the final book of DuPrau’s series hit shelves, City of Ember couldn’t keep the lights on at the box office. After spending $55 million on the feature’s production, the movie would only rake in $17.0 million, marking it as a gargantuan box office bust.

City of Ember didn’t bomb because it was terrible; it bombed because no one knew what it was supposed to be. Released in 2008 with a modest budget and almost no marketing push, the film suffered from a complete identity crisis. It looked like a kids’ movie, played like a dystopian thriller, and was based on a book that didn’t have the built-in audience studios were hoping for.

Saoirse Ronan wasn’t a box office draw, and the rest of the cast, while solid, didn’t give audiences a reason to show up opening weekend. Add in a dark, grim visual tone that undercut its family appeal and a release window crowded with bigger, louder competition, and City of Ember simply got buried,one of those cases where a decent movie disappears because the studio never figured out how to sell it.

Why The Critics Got It Wrong

Critically, City of Ember landed in that frustrating middle ground; reviewers generally agreed it was well-made, but not compelling enough to matter. But those critics judged it for what it wasn’t instead of recognizing what it actually was.

Reviews knocked it for being “low-stakes” and too simple, but that restraint is the point; the film isn’t trying to be a bombastic dystopian spectacle, it’s a slow-burn mystery about decay, curiosity, and survival. What critics labeled as thin plotting is really deliberate minimalism, allowing the world itself to carry the tension.

The production design wasn’t just impressive; it was the movie, creating a lived-in, dying civilization that most bigger-budget films fail to achieve. And Saoirse Ronan anchors it with a grounded, human performance that fits the story’s scale perfectly. City of Ember was sincere, patient, and visually rich, qualities critics mistook for weakness when they were actually the film’s biggest strengths.

Why You Can’t Watch City Of Ember

Unfortunately, with weak box office and middling reviews, making City of Ember available on streaming hasn’t been a priority for anyone. It’s not available on any major streaming service.

Currently, the only way to stream City of Ember is via Apple TV, where you have to pay an exorbitant on-demand fee. If you haven’t seen it yet, pay up and watch before it’s gone.