Directed by Peter Jackson and based on J. R. R. Tolkien‘s legendary novel series, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the pinnacle of fantasy cinema, a mesmerizing immersion into a magical world of wonder brought to life by one of the most astonishing feats of filmmaking the medium has ever seen. Understandably, many fantasy fans will have no objection to using the pending November release of Season 3 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as an excuse to rewatch the ravishing original trilogy for the umpteenth time.

However, while revisiting The Lord of the Rings is always a rewarding conquest, it must be said that there is a vast array of fantasy films out there that can deliver a similar sense of escapism and wonder. From other blockbuster sensations that have carved out their own niche in 21st-century cinema to cult gems from decades ago that live on through their passionate fanbases, and even to classics of international cinema, these fantasy movies are perfect for The Lord of the Rings fans looking for something different but familiar.

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‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy (2012–2014)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

If one were to feel as though they had watched The Lord of the Rings too many times of late but still felt the desire to be engulfed in the majesty of Middle-earth, then the most obvious tonic to their ailment would be to revisit The Hobbit trilogy. It may not live up to the utter perfection of LotR, but the prequel series does capture that same tone of wonder and magical whimsy, even if its storytelling isn’t quite as sharp. That being said, it has become a trend to dismiss The Hobbit as a poor and unworthy endeavor, which is an egregious overreaction to what the trilogy actually offers up.

Following Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he is recruited by a company of dwarves to aid them in their conquest to reclaim their mountain kingdom from the dragon that snatched it from them decades earlier, the trilogy is a dazzling dose of adventurous spirit and fantasy excellence. The first two films in the trilogy are particularly excellent as rollicking and absorbing adventures that overcome their narrative faults with beautifully resonant characters, a strong grasp on propulsive momentum in storytelling, and a healthy zest of nostalgia for Tolkien’s source material and the splendor of Middle-earth.

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‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Series (2005-2010)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Like The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia takes inspiration from a popular novel series from the 20th century to deliver a stunning high-fantasy adventure. Based on the works of C. S. Lewis, the trilogy adapts the first three novels of the author’s seven-book series, following the four Pevensie siblings as they are sent to a countryside mansion to escape the Blitz. In an innocuous wardrobe, they discover a doorway to a magical realm full of mythical beasts, talking animals, magical weapons, and warring rulers. In their adventures, the four children influence the social order of Narnia, restoring goodness and hope to the realm.

Presenting fantasy adventure through the eyes of four kids, The Chronicles of Narnia exudes an inviting energy of unbridled wonder that immerses viewers in an air of childlike excitement. Furthermore, its deep sense of mythology, dazzling fantasy world-building, strong sense of good vs. evil, and even the tight-knit real-life connection between authors Lewis and Tolkien make it ideal for LotR fans. While Walden Media’s three-part adaptation from the 2000s is a treat for fantasy lovers, the 2027 release of Netflix’s and Greta Gerwig’s adaptation should be eagerly anticipated as well.

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‘Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons’ (2013)

Image via Huayi Brothers Media

In addition to flaunting a breathtaking sense of scale, a wealth of mythology and lore, and a resounding tale of good and evil powered by monumental battle sequences and astonishing filmmaking craft, The Lord of the Rings trilogy also thrives because it understands that, at times, fantasy should be fun. The perfect fantasy recommendation for those who love the inflections of comical charm of LotR, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons takes a sillier approach to the genre in its adaptation of Wu Cheng’en‘s 16th-century classic of Chinese literature.

It depicts the origin of Tang Sanzang (Wen Zhang), a humble Buddhist monk who sets out on a journey to find his destiny and hunt demons despite having no special abilities or powers. Hilarity triumphs over heart-stopping, high-octane suspense, and it imbues the movie with a unique identity that is surprisingly transfixing, especially as it complements its comedic verve and dazzling action lunacy with an endearing tone of friendship, discovery, and wide-eyed adventure.

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‘The Monkey King’ (2014) & ‘The Monkey King 2’ (2016)

Image via Filmko Pictures

Another interpretation of Wu Cheng’en’s 16th-century fantasy novel, “Journey to the West,” The Monkey King has the capacity to appeal to The Lord of the Rings fans through its large-scale storytelling structure, epic conflict between good and evil, and the heavy use of Western-style filmmaking techniques to realize its stunning fantasy world. Donnie Yen stars as Sun Wukong, a legendary monkey God who, after falling to Earth, embarks on a journey to learn his purpose in life that sees him voyage to Heaven and Hell.

Interestingly, while the sequel did lose the brilliance of Donnie Yen in the leading role, it does still excel as an enrapturing fantasy journey, with many critics suggesting it even surpasses its predecessor courtesy of its more enthusiastic approach to its story, more commanding visual effects, and a more exuberant sense of action-driven blockbuster spectacle. Both films hit at the heart of fantasy storytelling, especially in a cinematic sense, and anyone who loves the genre purity of The Lord of the Rings will surely find plenty to enjoy in The Monkey King and its sequel.

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‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

In the realm of high fantasy adventure, there is perhaps no tale as defining or timeless as the legend of King Arthur. It has been a driving inspiration behind so many movies, characters, and fantasy worlds cinema has seen, while it has also been adapted to the screen in its own right on several occasions. Guy Ritchie‘s highly stylized King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is one of the more recent and accessible interpretations of the story, even if it isn’t the outright best.

Charlie Hunnam stars as Arthur, who, after being robbed of his birthright as a child, has grown up in the city’s back alleys and gutters. When fate intervenes and sees him withdraw Excalibur from the stone, he embraces his true calling by standing against the usurper, King Vortigern (Jude Law), and vowing to become king. Despite its box office failure, the film’s interest in notions of good and evil, imbuing traditional fantasy ideas with elements of Ritchie’s trademark, hard-edged style, and its entertaining array of characters makes for an easily enjoyed gem of fantasy cinema, even if it isn’t necessarily an outright masterpiece.

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‘Bridge to Terabithia’ (2007)

Image via Disney

With fantasy-adventure awe, a beating heart of friendship, and a brilliant ability to explore both the imaginative thrill of childhood and the brutal heartache of loss, Bridge to Terabithia is a shining light of 21st-century family fantasy cinema that has become something of a modern classic due to its profound emotional might. Based on Katherine Paterson‘s novel of the same name, it revolves around the tragic story of two outcast kids who manifest their real-life problems of isolation, bullying, and troubles at home in an imaginary fantasy land filled with all manner of mythical beasts.

It is a touching ode to friendship that also provides a deep and emotionally intelligent perspective of child psychology, particularly regarding how kids use their imagination to combat the complexity of issues they can’t fully comprehend. While its story has more real-world connotations and perhaps less dramatic stakes than The Lord of the Rings, it does match the epic trilogy’s ability to deliver a meaningful and immersive story defined by the incredible scope of its emotional range, spanning from the innocence and glee of playful fun to the soul-crushing despair of grief.

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‘Warcraft’ (2016)

Image via Universal Pictures

Fantasy cinema in the wake of The Lord of the Rings has been interesting to observe. While the 2000s saw plenty of attempts to recapture the allure of epic, otherworldly adventure, many such endeavors fell flat—both critically and commercially—and by the time the 2010s had come around, studios seemed hesitant to invest big money in such pursuits. Granted, fantasy cinema still thrived through creative spins on the genre that range from dark drama to animated family gems, but 2016’s Warcraft stands as one of the few pictures that actively strives to mimic that sense of awe-inspiring enormity and high-stakes heroism.

Granted, the movie is far from a faultless masterpiece, but it does offer a suitably entertaining spectacle of fantasy warfare as it follows the uneasy alliance that is forged between a group of dissenting orcs fleeing their tyrannical brethren and human survivors hoping to repel the invading force from their land. Its unique perspective on orcs gives it some intriguing ideas, and its ambition to deliver grandiose world-building, conflicts, and character arcs imbues it with a cozy familiarity, even if it doesn’t always come together as elegantly as possible.

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‘Solomon Kane’ (2009)

Image via Entertainment Film Distributors

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Based on the pulp magazine character created by Robert E. Howard way back in 1928, Solomon Kane is a dark historical fantasy rife with thematic ideas of heroism, morality, and redemption. In fact, it is incredibly easy to draw parallels between the journey of Solomon Kane (James Purefoy) and LotR‘s Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) due to the nature of their arcs and the reserved nobility of their demeanors. The 2009 movie follows Kane, a former privateer damned to Hell who has renounced violence in favor of faith, as he realizes he must resort to his old ways in order to rescue an innocent girl from an evil sorcerer and his followers.

Battles with everything from sneaking minions to demons, witches, ghouls, and even powerful wizards dominate the runtime, granting Solomon Kane an appetite for fantasy action that fans of The Lord of the Rings are sure to appreciate, even if the violence in this case is more horrific and bloodthirsty. Buoyed by Kane’s internal struggle to redeem his soul through a life of righteous action, sacrifice, and duty, Solomon Kane holds a similar morality to LotR as well, making it a treat of an underrated gem for all fans of fantasy cinema, especially ones who enjoy a dark, horror edge.

Image via EuropaCorp

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Loosely based on Jacques Tardi‘s comic book series of the same name, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec is an appropriately extraordinary concoction of period allure, fantasy excess, absurdist fun, and invigorating adventure that stands as an underrated gem of French cinema in recent decades. Its appetite for stylish indulgence is present in everything from the delightfully over-the-top performances to its narrative tone of whimsy and wisecracks, making for a richly immersive dose of unfiltered, unashamed entertainment.

It follows Adèle Blanc-Sec (Louise Bourgoin), a bold adventurer and journalist in early 20th-century Paris, as she attempts to find a way to save her comatose sister by reviving an Egyptian mummy, but her endeavor grows complicated when her mentor faces the death penalty when his hatched pterosaur terrorizes the city. Embracing its chaotic sense of mayhem, and complementing it with enticing production value, sharp visual effects, and a litany of picturesque locations, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec flaunts an unrestrained commitment to fantasy excess that is perfect for those who love The Lord of the Rings when it is operating at its most charming and characterful.

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‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

Image via AB Svensk Filmindustri

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As one of the greatest and most iconic fantasy movies ever made, The Seventh Seal is a quintessential viewing experience for all who adore the genre. However, its style and tone are fiercely different from that of The Lord of the Rings. Viewed by many as being the defining masterpiece of Ingmar Bergman‘s career, the Swedish release follows Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), a knight who returns to his homeland from the Crusades only to find it devastated by the Black Death. As he navigates the ruins of the nation with a small group of travelers, he also faces Death (Bengt Ekerot) in a game of chess that will determine his fate.

Rather than unfolding as a dashing adventure, The Seventh Seal runs more as a thematically rich and deeply meditative think-piece that explores the nature of faith and doubt, the fragility of mortality, and concepts of suffering and redemption. Complimented by its striking and ceaselessly gorgeous black-and-white cinematography and an arresting atmosphere of existentialism and medieval doom, The Seventh Seal is a compelling masterpiece of mindful fantasy cinema that, while completely different to The Lord of the Rings, still deserves to be explored by anyone who enjoys fantasy storytelling.

Isla Fisher is opening up about the dating habits that can quickly change her perception of someone she likes. The actress, who was married to Sacha Baron Cohen for more than a decade before they announced their divorce in 2024, has offered a glimpse into her dating life as a single woman. Now, Fisher is revealing one particular behavior that she can’t get over.

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Australian actress Isla Fisher is back in the dating game following her divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen in 2024. She recently sat down with her “Spa Weekend” co-stars Leslie Mann, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris on the “Overheard Happy Hour” interview series and shared what made her change her mind about a man she was interested in.

“I have a dating ick that happened recently,” Fisher told the women. “His dog ran away, and he chased his dog. But instead of like chasing upright, he ran low with his hands outstretched,” she explained, adding that he looked like a cartoon character. The way he ran turned her off so badly that she said “by the time he caught the dog, he lost the p–sy.”

Buteau added her own “ick,” saying that she once dated a guy whose member was “too big” that it looked like an “IKEA hook.” What turned her off, however, was when he paid for two cosmopolitans with quarters.

The Actress Shared Her Pet Peeves When It Comes To Leading Men

In August, Fisher appeared on “The Smallzy Show” with her “Spa Weekend” co-star Adam Demos. During the interview with host Kent Small, the actress shared some of her “icks” about leading men that she says could turn off female audience members.

She mentioned how a leading man runs in a movie is something she notices. “When a man runs on film and it looks like a sprinkler moving, it’s just wrong,” she said, adding that Tom Cruise is one actor who has mastered the “sexy run.”

Her other “icks” include men wearing backpacks, especially when they are fastened to the chest, and hoodies that are zipped all the way up. She also dislikes men wearing deck shoes and finds it “repulsive” when they step on the heel and wear them as slides.

Isla Fisher And Sacha Baron Cohen’s Divorce

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Fisher and Cohen jointly filed for divorce in 2023 after being a couple for more than two decades and married for 13 years. They share three children: Oliver, Elula, and Montgomery.

They made their separation public in 2024, posting a joint statement on their respective social media accounts. “After a long tennis match lasting over twenty years, we are finally putting our racquets down. In 2023, we jointly filed to end our marriage,” they wrote, adding that their children remain their priority.

Their divorce was finalized in 2025. “We are proud of all we’ve achieved together and, continuing our great respect for each other, we remain friends and committed to co-parenting our wonderful children,” they said at that time.

The Actress Relocated To London Post-Divorce

During her more than 20-year relationship with Cohen, Fisher split her time between Los Angeles and Sydney. After their divorce, she purchased a townhouse in London to start anew.

In 2025, the actress opened her new sanctuary to Elle Decoration. “It’s all very warm and casual, but glamorous. It’s theatrical, which is a bit like me as a person, I suppose,” Fisher said.

She revealed that she had “a bit of a cry” when her new furniture and fixtures arrived, as it was her first time living as a single woman in a long time. She spends a lot of her time in her bedroom and loves relaxing in her bath.

“I don’t need to party in my house anymore. I love to get in the bath. I’ll light some candles, bring in my laptop and put on something on Netflix. That’s as exciting as it gets,” she shared.

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Isla Fisher Said Dating Was Not Her Priority

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In February 2025, Fisher said her divorce was “the most difficult thing” she had ever experienced. With the help of her female friends, she was able to move forward in both her personal and professional life. “It’s been this expansive learning curve,” she added.

Fisher also said she has put more effort into her appearance because she wants to show her kids that she is “healthy and happy and getting on with my life.” When it comes to dating, however,” she told The Times it wasn’t on her “to-do list.”

TLC member Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ manager has offered an update on her health after she missed multiple tour dates with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.

“Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength,” TLC rep Christal Jordan told USA Today on Wednesday, September 2.

T-Boz, 56, was absent from several TLC concert dates over the past week, leading to bandmate Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas performing the group’s songs solo. (The third original member of TLC, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, was killed in a car crash in April 2002.)

A viral video shot during TLC’s show at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, featured Chilli addressing T-Boz’s absence.

Related: Toni Braxton Ends Concert Early Due to ‘Unexpected Personal Emergency’

Toni Braxton’s latest concert was cut short for a personal reason. “My loves, I am so sorry I wasn’t able to finish the show last night,” Braxton, 58, wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, March 23. “I had an unexpected personal emergency and had no choice but to step away.” The “Un-Break My Heart” […]

“I’m going to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight,” an emotional Chilli, 55, says in the clip.

TLC’s manager subsequently praised fans for their “overwhelming” support for T-Boz in light of her recent health problem.

“Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer, and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express,” Jordan said. “Sickle cell is a serious illness, so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover. We are immensely grateful for the love and support.

T-Boz was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as a child. Pet the Mayo Clinic, sickle cell anemia impacts the shape of red blood cells as they carry oxygen to the rest of the body.

“When you have sickle cell, your red blood cells get stuck on their way around your veins, causing blockages and stopping the oxygen from getting to your vital organs,” the singer wrote in her 2017 memoir, A Sick Life. “Where there’s a lack of oxygen, you can go into a crisis, an attack of severe pain, sometimes located only in a certain spot and sometimes all over your body. Often, it’s hard to breathe or walk or even do something as basic as holding a pen. A crisis can happen without any warning. Just, bam! You’re in the hospital again.”

Prior to this latest health scare, TLC cancelled a show at the New York State Fair in Syracuse in August 2024 around 30 minutes before it was supposed to begin.

“Shortly after arriving in Syracuse, Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins experienced sudden and severe nausea, vomiting and intense abdominal cramps,” a statement from the group read. “She was immediately seen by a doctor and subsequently taken to the hospital for further evaluation.”

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T-Boz offered an update on her condition when doctors later diagnosed her with a “severe abdominal blockage.”

Related: La Toya Jackson Strikes a Pose in New Pictures After Health Issues

La Toya Jackson is sharing “love and light” after her recent health issues. La Toya, 69, took to Instagram on Wednesday, March 4, to share a series of snaps of herself looking stylish in Chanel, which she set to the tune of Madonna’s “Vogue.” “Sending much love and light thats much needed today!❤️💫,” she captioned […]

“I’m on The Mend!!! This Was Just One Of Those Unexpected Things That I Had No Control Over,” she wrote via Instagram on August 24, 2024. “I Look Forward To Making It Up 2 You All … And Hopefully I’ll Get Out Of The Hospital Soon!!! As Soon As Tomorrow If All Goes Well!!! Thank You For Understanding… Blessings Always, T.”

TLC’s It’s Iconic Tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue is currently set to wrap up on October 11, 2026, in Concord, California.

TLC’s latest tour stop took on a different tone when fans realized one of the group’s most recognizable voices was missing from the stage. 

As the legendary trio’s legacy continues to draw packed crowds across the country, concern quickly spread after Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins was forced to step away from performances due to a medical emergency. 

While the show continued, the focus shifted from nostalgia and hit songs to messages of support for the singer’s recovery.

Raven-Symoné has fans letting their Twitter fingers fly across multiple platforms! The Disney Channel icon is facing swift backlash after a resurfaced clip from the podcast she hosts with her wife, Miranda Maday, went viral. In the video, she, comedian Kalen Allen and Miranda discuss whether her Disney character, Raven Baxter, was Black. While he insisted Baxter was “Black AF,” Symoné and Maday appeared to disagree. Now, amid the intensifying backlash to the clip, Allen says he’s been receiving death threats.

RELATED: Get It, Rae! Fans Bring Up Raven-Symoné’s “Black Side” & Wife After She Dances To ‘Spend Dat’ (VIDEO)

Which Resurfaced Video Is The Internet Popping Off About? 

On April 10, 2026, Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday released an episode of ‘Tea Time’ via YouTube. Kalen Allen was their special guest. While there, he discussed his journey from viral content creator to working for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. However, the trio also chatted about other topics, eventually landing on Raven’s Blackness, the Disney show ‘That’s So Raven’ and her character Raven Baxter.

The clipped video that’s been going viral this week is about 39 seconds long. It starts with Raven explaining that her Blackness “can look so many different ways.” At that point, Kalen Allen hopped in, saying that Raven-Symoné was set up because “Raven Baxter was so f**king Black…” Rae pushed back, asking, “Was she Black?” and Allen immediately clarified that the character “felt Black as hell” to him. After he was asked to explain, Raven-Symoné said Allen saw “color.” Then, she challenged him to take the color out of it and listen to the words. At that point, Miranda chimed in, bringing in the demographics of the show’s writers.

Girl…… no pic.twitter.com/dUl5oyVN59

— Annie 💋ミ☆ (@mochagrandeeee) September 1, 2026

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Kalen Allen Says He’s Getting Death Threats

On Wednesday (September 2), Kalen Allen addressed the backlash he’s personally received from the viral podcast clip. Allen began his posts on Threads by revealing he’s been receiving death threats. He did not include any screenshots of said threats. Also, he clarified his stance on whether Raven Baxter was a Black character and admitted that he could’ve followed up on Rae’s comments.

“Sending me death threats for something I didn’t say is taking it too far. Be fucking for real. I SAID RAVEN BAXTER WAS BLACK AF. Literally. Those were my words. ‘Raven Baxter was Black as f*ck.’ ‘She was Black to me.’ So critique me for not asking another question. Critique me for not pushing back harder. I’ve watched it back, sat with it, and I actually think that criticism is fair. I initiated the conversation. I could have followed up. I should have. I can own that.”

In continued posts, six total, Kalen Allen denied that he agreed with Raven-Symoné’s take on Raven Baxter. He also clarified that the clipped podcast video is missing the context about how ‘Absolutely Psychic’ developed into ‘That’s So Raven.’

“Understanding someone’s reasoning is not the same as agreeing with their conclusion. Could I have made that clearer? Yes. Could I have said, “Okay, but let’s unpack that”? Yes. And honestly, after watching it back, I expected another question from me too. That’s accountability.”

Allen added, “What is NOT accountability is assigning someone else’s words to me and then threatening me over words I NEVER SAID.” He added that he believes in giving people grace and hearing perspectives, even when he doesn’t agree. Furthermore, he outlined how he might handle such a situation next time, regardless of who he’s speaking to. Then, he ultimately asked to be left alone, saying that threats over a Disney conversation is “insane.”

“Do not invent a position for me and then punish me for having it. And please learn the difference between accountability and abuse. Because sending somebody death threats over a Disney Channel discourse is f**king insane. Be f**king for real. LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Meanwhile, Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday have not publicly addressed the backlash.

RELATED: Raven-Symoné Speaks Out After Her Wife Miranda Allegedly Received Death Threats (WATCH)

How Fiery Is The Internet Backlash?

It’s blazing, to say the least. Hot as the sun, chile! The clip from Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday appears to be trending on multiple platforms, including Instagram, X and Threads. Some internet users are expressing disappointment in the Hollywood icon’s stance. Others are sharing their takes on why Raven Baxter IS Black and always has been — even citing episodes like ‘True Colors’ from S3, which tackles racial discrimination against the character. Another pocket of critics are taking aim at Miranda Maday, calling her out for weighing in on a topic she racially doesn’t relate to. Additionally, another conversation taking place is Raven-Symoné’s history of making controversial comments about her own Blackness.

Keep scrolling to see a mix of reactions from X.  

every time i see an interview with raven & she talks race, i get disappointed. what do you mean that’s so raven wasn’t black? it had so much black history… & it was an entire episode based on raven not getting hired because she’s black … hello https://t.co/Bbd3bwReAx

— Le Kid (@ItsLeKid) September 1, 2026

Raven Symone: Why did Raven feel Black to you?
Raven Baxter in That’s So Raven pic.twitter.com/BQubKv1GIj

— Amunet (@VintageSitcoms) September 1, 2026

That’s So Raven & The Proud Family was two of the ONLY shows in the early 2000s on Disney Channel that touched on black topics because they were for US . These topics couldn’t be on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” or “Hannah Montana” or “Wizards of Waverly Place” cause it…

— 3/12 🎈 (@Isaiah_Jaay) September 2, 2026

Raven Symone has been telling y’all she’s not with that pro-black shit for over a decade but y’all won’t believe her because y’all want her to be Raven Baxter. pic.twitter.com/7zSaKjY3Xm

— Sisa (@TheTitanBaddie) September 2, 2026

i fear raven symone is exactly where she wants to be and she has always been this way… yall just keep confusing her with raven BAXTER… and that’s the problem lmao when people show and tell you who they are, believe them. move on.

— oracle 𝟙𝟛🐺 (@StormEllimac) September 1, 2026

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Raven, do not piss me off……. https://t.co/4UF3xaQpng pic.twitter.com/39KL0mVNnc

— New Phone Who Dis (@Swaggsocali) September 1, 2026

Actually That’s So Raven was OVERLY black lmfaooo! They got racially profiled & Eddy was trynna join a frat 😭 like PLEASE

— Jamila 🔔 (@_iamjamila) September 2, 2026

People think Raven is like that because of her white wife, but she was already like that, which is why her wife is white. pic.twitter.com/I2SxKgGA7v

— Rod Tidwell (@FreshWithDepth) September 2, 2026

Raven: “Take away the color, Make them green”
Me: OK ✅ https://t.co/av3974tZr0 pic.twitter.com/s8neAsheNO

— Mela Yela (@_melayela_) September 2, 2026

Raven been in racial psychosis for 15 years. There is nothing we can do

— FUCKJIGGYJAYY2 (@jiggyjayy2) September 1, 2026

What the FUCK is Raven Symone talking about in 2026? Had the nerve to ask, “Why did you think Raven Baxter was Black?”

Uh, because she was.
Her mama was Black, her daddy was Black, her brother was Black.

Chile, Raven needs to abandon that white heaux immediately.

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— ᴍᴀɢɴᴇᴛᴏ ᴡᴀꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. (@griotDAMONE) September 1, 2026

Raven Symone: Why did Raven feel Black to you?

Raven Baxter in That’s So Raven pic.twitter.com/bn4CJEJnjW https://t.co/adWTnfHySZ

— ᴺBri | daughter of Aphrodite💖🪽 (@bribricutie3) September 2, 2026

Why on earth would she try to convince us that That’s So Raven was a colorless show?

The same show where she had Della Reese scatting and doowappin’?!

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I want Raven and that wife of hers to leave us alone. 😭

— noah’s arch (@gooonicorn) September 1, 2026

Raven-Symoné saying “why did you think Raven Baxter was Black” is so deathly unserious cause That’s So Raven literally has a whole episode where Raven sees into the future and faces antiBlack discrimination from a white employer

— 4quest.❤️🔱🖤 (@thinkpiecetribe) September 2, 2026

If Ray Charles watched “Thats so Raven” he’d know it was a black family. Like please and Raven know damn well it had black writers, she was being so disingenuous about that question too

— FUCKJIGGYJAYY2 (@jiggyjayy2) September 2, 2026

Raven has been white washed with an identity crisis for a while and because Black people have a nostalgia to her impact in Black television it’s a heavy disconnect that she doesn’t like the audience who pedestalizes her https://t.co/vGCxrj00Eb

— Paris The Icon (@_ParadiseParis1) September 2, 2026

The wife is a symptom. Raven is resentful of being seen as a “Black actress” similar to the way the R&B girls do that “Why do I have to be R&B just because I’m Black” thing. They see being a “Black Artist” as limiting. She’s been like this for years. Mind you, the filmography… https://t.co/NsG7JTnxvP

— B (@Breliloquy) September 1, 2026

Raven Symone: Why did That’s So Raven feel Black to you?

Me: you literally had THE Della Reese SCATTTTING on stage. pic.twitter.com/KA2HvVKeVH

— Andre 3004 (@Blackkout__) September 2, 2026

That’s So Raven was Black as hell.

Raven Symone will NOT gaslight me lmao

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— Andre 3004 (@Blackkout__) September 2, 2026

Raven Baxter was BLACK. pic.twitter.com/6lYQZCgUN2

— Taylor Gray (@offtaylorgray) September 1, 2026

RELATED: Wayment! Raven-Symoné Reveals The Real Inspiration Behind Her “Ya Nasty” Catchphrase From ‘That’s So Raven’ (VIDEO)

Jennifer Aniston and boyfriend Jim Curtis have gotten “serious” since their relationship began last year, multiple sources exclusively tell Us.

“They’ve moved beyond the excitement of a new relationship and are developing a genuine partnership,” one source explains. “There’s an ease about them that’s infectious. It comes from feeling accepted rather than needing to impress each other.”

The source adds that Aniston, 57, and Curtis, 50, are “definitely making decisions with the other person in mind.”

“[Their connection has] become deeper. They are more trusting and less guarded,” the source continues. “They are just as comfortable discussing difficult subjects as they are being vulnerable with each other. It’s grown from an exciting connection to a dependable partnership.”

The source notes that friends have been “surprised about how naturally their lives have blended together despite coming from totally different worlds.” (While Aniston became a household name with her role as Rachel Green on Friends in the ‘90s and has since earned Emmy and Golden Globe awards, Curtis works as a wellness expert, life coach and hypnotherapist.)

“Those close to them have been surprised about how quickly they developed a strong emotional connection as well,” the source says. “Those close to her really think their success is because he is not part of the industry. He’s been doing his own thing.”

As for the key to their successful relationship, the source also notes that Aniston and Curtis do not put “unnecessary pressure” on each other and have communicated clearly with each other. They have also “given each other room to maintain their own identities.”

Aniston and Curtis were first romantically linked in July 2025 and went Instagram official two months later. In November, she gushed over her beau with a sweet birthday shout-out, writing, “Happy birthday my love. Cherished ❤️.”

“They are both different people, but they celebrate each other’s individualities, and that’s a big reason they are doing so well,” the source shares about their bond. “Jen has learned how thoughtful and emotionally intuitive Jim is in private, and Jim has seen that Jen is more introspective than her public image suggests.”

Related: How Jennifer Aniston and Jim Curtis Celebrated Their 1st Valentine’s Day

Jennifer Aniston and her boyfriend, Jim Curtis, are continuing to check off important relationship milestones. Aniston, 57, offered a glimpse into the couple’s Valentine’s Day celebrations via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, February 14. In the snapshot, the Morning Show star held up a box of candy hearts as she and Curtis, 50, sat at […]

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“They have discovered they share a similar need for peace and humor and emotional honesty, and that is truly why they work,” the source continues. “They have been able to navigate distance, demanding schedules and public curiosity. The last year has proven their bond can withstand all that.”

The source also reveals that Aniston and Curtis have not “rushed into a conventional living arrangement.”

“They have their own individual properties, but they stay with one another whenever they are in L.A. or New York,” the source concludes.

A second insider tells Us, “They’re basically living together at this point and split their time between their places in L.A. and New York. They haven’t decided that they need to pick one coast and are happy going back and forth for now.”

The insider also says that Aniston and Curtis are “in a really great place” and are “spending most of their time together now.” And though the two come from different industries, Aniston has been fully supportive of Curtis’ career and vice versa.

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Related: Jennifer Aniston Shares Glimpse Into Life With Boyfriend Jim Curtis: Photos

Jennifer Aniston offered a rare look into her life with boyfriend Jim Curtis one year after they were spotted together. The Friends alum, 57, shared a “summer dumper” carousel via Instagram on Wednesday, July 1, which included multiple photos of her beau. One picture showed them strolling down the street, while another offered a cheeky […]

“Jen loves that Jim has his own career and ambitions,” the insider notes. “She’s really supportive of his work and believes in what he does. She’s read his work, and they talk a lot about [his] book and the ideas behind it. She’s been there for his events and is really proud of everything he has going on right now. She likes being able to support him and show up for the things that are important to him.”

The second insider concludes, “Jen is really happy. She feels supported by Jim and likes that they can have their own careers and interests but also have so much that they enjoy doing together. The relationship feels very easy for her right now.”

Us reached out to reps for Aniston and Curtis for comment.

Theo James is reacting to the rumors that Meghan Markle could potentially be his costar on The Gentlemen.

“Yes, Fergie is joining. She’ll be playing my love interest,” the actor, 41, joked about the casting rumors, referring to royal family member Sarah Ferguson in an interview with Town & Country published on Wednesday, September 2.

Jokes aside, James added that he believes that the rumors about the Duchess of Sussex, 45, being cast in The Gentlemen season 3 were “mainly a lot of hot air.”

“At the moment, we’re just trying to get as many eyes on season two, and then season three will happen soon,” he told the outlet. “But in terms of story, we have the overarching ambition of where we’re going to go. We’re going to expand the world, go to different countries. But in terms of the minutiae, I mean, it’s still very much up in the air.”

Rumors swirled last month that Meghan was in talks to join the cast of the Guy Ritchie series amid news of her and Prince Harry’s return to the United Kingdom. The Gentlemen appeared to be a perfect fit for Meghan to make her return to acting as the Netflix series films in the U.K.

However, it has since been reported by Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, that the former royal’s offer had been withdrawn due to backlash.

Days later, a Netflix executive cryptically responded to the rumors about Meghan’s involvement in the show.

“All bets are off,” Manda Levin, Netflix’s scripted chief in the U.K., said at the Edinburgh TV Festival on August 26, when asked about the rumors about Suits alum joining the series.

News of Meghan’s potential involvement came before The Gentlemen season 2 premiere on Netflix. Ahead of its premiere, the streamer revealed the show was renewed for season 3.

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“Ambition can’t be tamed. The Gentlemen Season 2, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, premieres NEXT THURSDAY,” Netflix wrote via its official X account in August. “As for Season 3? Consider it official.”

The Gentlemen follows James’ character Eddie as he makes the unexpected transition from duke to drug baron after inheriting a weed empire. Eddie ultimately partners with a criminal dynasty that has its own agenda. After establishing his criminal enterprise in the inaugural season, season 2 will follow Eddie as he expands on an international level. The Gentlemen season 2 will premiere on Thursday, September 3.

“You still want the humor, but this season we wanted to take some of the wins of season one, but also learn from some of the things that we didn’t quite get to do on season one, which was push the characters into a bit more depth, give them moral quandaries that they can have regrets about and that can have lasting ramifications upon them,” James said of what to expect in season 2. “And also with my character, soften him, see him make mistakes and fall in love and be betrayed and everything in between, to evolve the show as much as we can.”

The Shards put effort into carefully — but accurately — portraying the fictionalized version of Bret Easton Ellis‘ sexual assault on screen.

During the Wednesday, September 2, episode of the FX show, Bret (Igby Rigney) is blackmailed with a tape that reveals he previously met up with girlfriend Debbie’s (Hayes Warner) dad, Terry (Wes Bentley), in a hotel room. As Bret narrated the memory, he acknowledged that his view of the situation has changed as he has gotten older.

“Wes was very specific and very active in the conversation,” Rigney, 23, exclusively told Us about how the cast and creative team approached the sensitive scene. “And I knew [cocreator] Ryan [Murphy] wanted that scene specifically to be treated with respect because it is unfortunately a situation that can and has happened and is very terrible for a young person to be placed in that particular situation.”

He continued: “We wanted to be really careful and just make sure that it wasn’t gratuitous or sexualized in any manner.”

Executive producer Brad Simpson offered more insight into the conversations that took place.

“It’s a big part of the book. It’s a big part of the character Bret’s experience, and I think it was a big part of an experience especially [for] gay men of a certain generation,” he told Us. “[In many cases] their first sexual experiences were either forced on them or were available to them were older men.”

Simpson pointed out how the show followed the troubling dynamic between Bret and Terry, adding, “Bret has been groomed all season by Terry — clearly — even though he doesn’t see it as grooming. People at that time looked at it differently. Like, if it happened to you, you looked at it differently. There wasn’t the sort of language of, ‘You’ve been assaulted’ for teen boys with older gay men. But it was important to Ryan that we depict it and we depict it with sensitivity but also with accuracy to remain true to the book.”

He added: “What he came up with I think hopefully threads the line in a way that works. We see Bret enter the Beverly Hills Hotel and we see him enter Terry’s room and we see what led up to it. Then we were in the bathroom with him making a decision to go in and also in the aftermath of that.”

The series pulled heavily from real-life author Ellis’ book of the same name.

“We really used a lot of the words from the book. A lot of the words he uses describe what happened instead of showing. It’s pretty graphic in the book, and we stayed pretty graphic because we thought that was important,” Simpson continued. “We adjusted some language to give the future Bret — the narrator — more self awareness over what this really was. Because I think the character in real time back in the 1980s, our character in the show is not seeing it as an assault. He’s seeing it as something he has to endure.”

The writing team wanted to balance how past Bret saw the incident with the way his adult self would describe the traumatic moment.

“Put your most intense stuff up-front, but we wanted the audience to be able to be prepared and be on Bret’s side. So hopefully, we handled it in the right way,” Simpson shared with Us. “There was never a conversation about not having it in. It was about knowing how to do it correctly, and nobody felt like we could actually show the sex act between this older man and this teenage boy on screen. We knew we couldn’t do that, but how do we get the graphicness of what happened to this character? And we decided going back to Bret’s words was the most effective way.”

The Shards, which airs Wednesdays, is an adaptation based on Ellis’ fictionalized memoir about his high school years. The 2023 release was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.

Ellis, 62, previously addressed how he wrote about an incident where the book version of him was taken advantage of by a Hollywood producer.

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“Gay men are different. Sorry, the gay world is different,” he said on a 2023 episode of his podcast when asked about the mentions of the dynamic in the book. “I didn’t really want to do it, but no negative feelings about it except that I didn’t get an agent and I didn’t get my script made.”

The Shards airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FX.

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

There’s a fallacy that anything recognized by the Academy Awards is the equivalent of “eating your vegetables.” Over the Oscars’ nearly 100-year history, this has never been true. Sure, the crop of Best Picture winners features its fair share of banal, forgettable historical biopics and turgid dramas, and the term “Oscar bait” exists for a reason. However, some of the most crowd-pleasing and entertaining movies of all time have been rightfully crowned Best Picture by the Academy. Voters understand that making the viewer feel alive and actively involved is a film’s most powerful trait, and these 8 honorees of the Oscars’ top prize are the finest examples of appealing to the masses while retaining their artistic merit.

8

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

Find another Best Picture winner that features the multiverse, butt plugs, hot dog fingers, and a conversation between rocks. Spoiler alert: you can’t. Everything Everywhere All at Once remains an anomaly among the crop of previous BP winners, and it set the trend for future unconventional movies to be taken seriously as awards contenders. The directing pair of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert being Oscar darlings was shocking, but when you look at the final product they produced in 2022, it’s understandable why voters flooded them with awards. It’s just so fun to watch, after all.

A film that won a whopping three acting awards, including for Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan, and Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once sneaks up on you in surprising ways. Sincere at its most archaic, touching at its most silly, and expertly crafted at its most amateurish, the Daniels’ action/sci-fi/comedy/family drama captured the world by storm upon release, unlike any other strange and exotic arthouse experience churned out by A24. With the directors throwing everything and the kitchen sink at you, it’s easy to grasp on to something invigorating or rollicking.

Between its martial arts-inspired action and the romantic yearning of Wong Kar-wai, EEAAO is an active moviegoing extravaganza that makes the screen feel alive. With all its easter eggs, minor details, and other bells and whistles on the screen, the film rewards frequent re-watches. It doesn’t take a lot of encouragement to get a viewer to strap along for the Daniels’ multiversal odyssey. When watching EEAAO, you get the feeling of being transported not only to a new world, but to a whole new language of expressing cinematic ideas. That sure is exciting.

7

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

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A movie like The Silence of the Lambs, an adaptation of Thomas Harris‘ same-named horror-thriller about abductions and serial murders, not only winning Best Picture but also sweeping all five major categories, seemed impossible. However, Jonathan Demme‘s box office smash-hit and critical darling defied the odds in 1991, winning Oscars for its director and two stars, Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. The film’s craft was so undeniable that the Oscars had to get over their bias against genre movies.

Demme, a versatile, journeyman director with a personal touch, unlocked his full potential with The Silence of the Lambs. Despite its lurid source material, the film is shockingly tender and understated as an intimate melodrama about the perverse human dynamics between opposite sides of the law. Demme’s signature close-up shots lend sympathy to these psychologically warped serial killers and imbue terror into Clarice, one of modern cinema’s most iconic female protagonists. With just roughly 15 minutes of screen time, Hopkins permanently shaped culture’s vision of cunning, slick, and fiendish serial killers.

While its artful nature is a thing of beauty, The Silence of the Lambs certainly doesn’t sell short as a genre film. A quintessential case of a “B-movie with A-movie ideas,” Demme unleashes his chops from working under the Roger Corman school with his execution of chilling suspense sequences and shocking horror flourishes. The emotional dread and palpable terror shared by all parties in the movie explain how such a grisly film could win Best Picture, as the film is just as interested in breaking down the psychology of sociopaths as it is in exploiting their danger. The Silence of the Lambs offers everything you want in a movie.

6

‘West Side Story’ (1961)

Image via United Artists

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When you think of Hollywood musicals, West Side Story is one of the first things that is likely to pop into your head. Every song, number, studio backlot set, and image is seared into the heart of American culture. While it began as a stage musical by Arthur Laurents, West Side Story became firmly cemented in the lexicon with Robert Wise‘s big-screen adaptation in 1961, which earned a whopping 10 Oscars and has endured as a landmark of movie musicals. Despite its age, the film hasn’t lost an ounce of its joyous entertainment value.

On the stage, West Side Story was already special, so it was a no-brainer for United Artists to re-use and reunite the previous collaborators, such as choreographer Jerome Robbins (who also co-directed the film), composer Leonard Bernstein, and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. As a result, the movie adaptation of the stage play was perhaps even more magical, giving this modern-day retelling of Romeo and Juliet a revamped energy thanks to the wonderful display of Technicolor and old-school romanticism. While Steven Spielberg‘s 2021 remake gives it a run for its money, there is still nothing as striking as Wise’s foundational film.

Ripe with flashy showbiz vigor, whimsical tonality, and aching heartbreak, West Side Story works on you in multiple ways, hitting every nerve simultaneously. Wise, whose origins as an editor made for some of the most seamless choreography ever portrayed in film, conducts a dazzling symphony that turns harsh subjects such as race and class divides into popular grandeur. Capturing the essence of New York City through a theatrical re-creation of the gritty streets, West Side Story upends the masculine urges of gang warfare with this exhilarating song-and-dance show. Most impressive of all, the film remains an unimpeachable work despite the less-than-stellar lead performances by Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer, both of whom are outmatched by their all-star supporting co-stars, notably Oscar winners George Chakiris and Rita Moreno.

5

‘Titanic’ (1997)

James Cameron shouting, “I’m the king of the world!” after receiving Best Director at the Oscars was understandably met with some groans, but it’s hard to deny that self-proclamation. Everyone doubted him, but he came out of Titanic as the king of the box office in 1997, and the monumental romantic epic went on to win a record-tying 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Nitpick and sneer at it all you want, but Titanic is an undisputed masterpiece of major blockbuster filmmaking that wins over the most cynical viewers.

For months, extending past its 1997 release and awards run in 1998, the world had Titanic fever. From the swooning romance between Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Jack Dawson and Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater to the grand sinking sequence, everyone had to have an opinion on the film. No one will argue that Cameron’s writing isn’t hokey and broad, or that its characters aren’t confined to rigid cultural stereotypes, but anyone who does argue that the film’s emotional impact and narrative construction doesn’t pay out like a slot machine is delusional.

Although the film is about a tragic disaster where over 1,000 passengers and crew members died, Titanic became a cultural juggernaut thanks to Cameron’s humanity, operatic romance, and personal strokes of triumph, most prominently seen with the redemption arc of the present-day Rose (Gloria Stuart). Its three-hour runtime flies by as fast as the titular ship’s propellers, and the film is filled to the brim with enough iconic quotes, scenes, and images to keep your imagination flowing constantly. Cited as the finest example of a four-quadrant movie, Titanic offers everything. Whether you’re looking for a fateful romance, period costume drama, historical epic, or action extravaganza, Cameron sampled all genres to create something truly indelible.

4

‘Casablanca’ (1942)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Arguably the most quotable movie in Hollywood history, Casablanca may seem like a staid relic of the classic studio system for younger audiences. However, anyone who thinks they can skip this towering achievement in filmmaking will regret ever holding that thought after watching it. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, Casablanca embodies the wonder, imagination, and breathless entertainment value of old Hollywood, and it’s time for modern viewers to embrace its enduring power over 80 years since its release.

While many iconic classics have been snubbed for the Best Picture prize, Casablanca was perhaps the ultimate “no-brainer” decision for the Academy in 1943. Set on the periphery of World War II at a titular nightclub, run by a cynical expat and former political activist, the film established the arc of the misanthrope-turned-saint. Bogart’s screen persona was born the minute we first see Rick Blaine’s hangdog, downbeat expression, and his relationship with his lost lover, Ilsa Lund, played by the luminous and transcendent Bergman. A story about an estranged romance and the stakes of WWII, Casablanca is a miraculous stroke of filmmaking.

On paper, something as dialogue-heavy and restricted as Casablanca shouldn’t be such an enthralling viewing experience, but what it lacks in traditional thrills is made up for by its scintillating writing. From a narrative construction perspective, the film flows with incredible ease, taking the viewer along the ride as we come to learn the emotional backdrop of Rick’s disillusionment and Ilsa’s agonizing conflict. Of course, the film’s script is famous for its vast array of legendary line readings, from “Here’s looking at you, kid” to “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” While not a traditional noir, Casablanca‘s moody atmosphere and gorgeous visual language create a sense of endless intrigue surrounding this lavish but bleak world.

3

‘The Departed’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Yes, this is a make-up award, and it’s ridiculous that it took this long for Martin Scorsese to win an Oscar, but these facts do not call for any disrespect thrown at The Departed‘s name. The film, which earned the renowned director his long-awaited Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture, acted as a “greatest hits” album for his entire career while also pushing his relentless energy and dramatic propulsion to new heights. For what it’s worth, it’s also one of his most addictively entertaining efforts to date, and that says a lot by Scorsese’s standards.

During the casting process, Scorsese wasn’t kidding around, as he assembled an all-star lineup featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Jack Nicholson. The flashiness of his cast is matched by the operatic and maximalist scope of The Departed, a frantic, vulgar, and deliriously manic Boston-set gangster saga based on the Hong Kong crime drama Infernal Affairs. Tackling the American Dream, Irish guilt, family heritage, loyalty, and the blurred lines between cop and criminal, The Departed didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it excited critics and audiences to profound degrees.

Despite its grit and bloodshed, The Departed is undoubtedly one of the funniest movies not just in Scorsese’s career, but of any movie in the last 20 years. The film is just as much a tribute to classic Warner Bros. gangster pictures as it is to the Boston accent and loudmouthed, hard-nosed Irish-American culture. Every crass insult and passionate interjection will leave you howling, even when the comedy is pitch-black and relates to gruesome acts of violence. Along with the humor, The Departed moves at such a relentless pace, jumping from one wild scene to another without hesitation. One hour will zip past you, and it will feel like 10 minutes as this gripping story unfolds and characters flirt with death.

2

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

The rare Best Picture winner in the modern age to be both a blockbuster and a triumphant critical success, Oppenheimer was the culmination of everything Christopher Nolan was building towards. After years of industry-changing milestones with hits like The Dark Knight and Inception, our greatest living blockbuster auteur was officially crowned as the Steven Spielberg of his time with Oppenheimer, a film that turns what should’ve been a “homework” movie into a visceral, propulsive, and devastating feat of cinema.

With Nolan’s The Odyssey currently dominating the culture, it’s clear that Nolan is losing relevance any time soon, but until this year’s Oscars, Oppenheimer, which won seven Academy Awards, including wins for Nolan, Robert Downey Jr., and Cillian Murphy, is his defining magnum opus. The film is a historical biopic on the surface, but Nolan’s probing examination of the titular physicist’s complex mind and deconstruction of his notorious legacy in American history make it a fervent psychological voyage unlike any other cradle-to-grave saga.

Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding the film’s focal point, the development and weaponization of a nuclear bomb that was eventually dropped on Japan to end World War II, Oppenheimer has become an instant re-watchable classic. This is all thanks to Nolan’s effortless skills as a director of escalating suspense and tension, best displayed in the showstopping Trinity Test. Oppenheimer is Nolan’s most extraordinary directorial and screenwriting effort simply due to the fact that most of the “action” consists of people talking in rooms, but these security clearance hearings and Senate confirmation trials burst off the screen, aided by the staggering visual opulence of the IMAX cinematography.

1

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Image via Neon

The film that defied all the odds. Not only did an international/foreign language film win the coveted Best Picture prize in 2020 (perhaps the world’s last piece of good news before the pandemic), but Parasite proved to be a sensation that birthed an entire generation of cinephiles. The social satire/psychological thriller was the culmination of Bong Joon-ho‘s entire career. If Memories of Murder and The Host didn’t do so already, Parasite showed that Bong operates at an entertainment level unmatched by his contemporaries. Once and for all, the film got all skeptics to realize that subtitles weren’t a hindrance to fun.

In keeping with Bong’s house style, Parasite is a mishmash of tones and genres, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they laugh at the vanity of the rich Park family, ponder the fate of the parasitic Kim family, and watch in awe as this social clash unfolds to shocking degrees in this film about South Korean culture and economics. Despite seeming like an insular subject for Western audiences, Parasite‘s infectious narrative construction and deft tonal balance were transfixing for mainstream audiences with little experience engaging with international cinema.

Bong’s control of the frame is legendary, and we’re hard-pressed to find a director with more precise control of their own movie than the South Korean auteur, who walked away from the Oscar ceremony with additional awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director. This sense of complete artistic virtuosity was palpable to any viewer without a Letterboxd, as the director’s use of expert blocking, camera shifting, and music cues captures the feeling of a third act in a comic book movie. Not to mention, Parasite is simply hilarious and invigorating, and its genre exceptionalism complements its deep thematic commentary.

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Parasite

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Release Date

May 30, 2019

Runtime

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133 minutes

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• 
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  Lee Sun-kyun

  Park Dong-ik

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