Streaming success often reveals which films have lasting impact, and Alien: Romulus is proving its staying power on HBO Max. After generating more than four times its $80 million budget at the box office, the film has surged back into the spotlight, driven by sustained audience engagement rather than novelty. That continued momentum reflects a clear understanding of what has defined the Alien franchise for over four decades.

Directed by Fede Álvarez, Romulus does not attempt to overhaul the series or reshape its identity. It operates with a firm grasp of the mechanics that have always made these films effective. The tension is deliberate, the environments are controlled, and the narrative remains focused on survival within systems that treat human life as expendable. Romulus is a film that recognizes what works and commits to executing those elements with precision. Its continued success stems from that discipline, reinforcing the idea that Alien: Romulus continues to thrive because it understands and applies the franchise’s core mechanics on every level.

‘Romulus’ Understands How to Build and Sustain Tension

Image via 20th Century Studios

Tension in Romulus is built through containment and spatial awareness, both of which are handled with careful direction. Álvarez establishes each environment with clarity before allowing it to become restrictive, ensuring that the audience has an understanding of the space before it turns hostile. This approach creates a sense of control that gradually gives way to pressure as movement becomes limited and options begin to disappear. Escalation in Romulus follows a direct chain of cause and effect. Every decision produces consequences that shape the next sequence, which allows the narrative to build without interruption. Álvarez maintains that progression without relying on resets or pauses, keeping the film locked into a steady rise in intensity. That control ensures the tension remains consistent rather than suffering from the fluctuation between peaks and lulls.

The structure places Romulus in direct alignment with Alien and Aliens, both of which rely on clear geography and deliberate escalation to sustain pressure. Álvarez draws from that foundation while maintaining a focused approach to pacing and progression, with the result being a film that feels cohesive from beginning to end. Cailee Spaeny anchors that structure with a performance rooted in survival. Her reactions remain consistently grounded in the reality of the situation, which reinforces the film’s commitment to immediacy. The performance echoes the stability associated with Sigourney Weaver in early Alien entries, giving the film a human center that supports its tension. Because of that alignment between direction and performance, the film sustains pressure without losing clarity.

Why ‘Romulus’ Is Working So Well On Streaming

Romulus’ presence in HBO Max’s Top 10 indicates strong reengagement to audiences who are responding to its structure and pacing. Streaming environments reward films that maintain forward momentum, and Romulus is built to sustain that movement. Álvarez structures the narrative so that each sequence advances the story while increasing stakes, which keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. That momentum plays into exactly how audiences watch films on streaming platforms. Once Romulus begins to tighten its focus, it continues to move forward without distraction. This makes it easy to commit to the film and difficult to step away from before it reaches its conclusion. The pacing supports completion, which contributes to its visibility and continued performance.

Thematically, the film remains aligned with the core ideas of Alien, which continue to resonate and culminate into one of the most successful sci-fi franchises of all time. Corporate exploitation and disregard for human life are central to the narrative, shaping both the conflict and the stakes. Modern audiences continue to connect with these themes, arguably more so than ever, particularly within science fiction and survival horror. Álvarez integrates these ideas into the structure of the film, ensuring they are present in both the narrative and the tension it creates. That combination of momentum, thematic focus, and controlled direction positions Romulus as a strong fit for streaming.

‘Romulus’ Is A Disciplined Entry That Strengthens The Franchise

Image via 20th Century Studios

Romulus reinforces the Alien franchise by maintaining continuity with its established tone and visual language. Álvarez draws on the foundation set by Ridley Scott, particularly in the use of industrial design and controlled visual composition. These elements connect the film to the broader series while supporting its own narrative identity. The film includes recognizable elements that longtime fans will identify, but it does not depend on nostalgia alone to carry the experience. Álvarez maintains cohesion across tone, tension, theme, and structure, ensuring that each element supports the others. This level of consistency allows Romulus to function as a complete entry within the franchise while reinforcing its core identity.

That identity remains rooted in survival, confinement, and the consequences of unchecked systems. Romulus adheres to those principles with discipline, which strengthens its position within the series. It contributes to the franchise by reinforcing what defines it at a foundational level, rather than expanding beyond those boundaries. Its durability is evident in its continued relevance beyond its theatrical release. The film continues to hold up under sustained audience attention, which positions it as a stable and effective entry to the wider Alien universe.

The ongoing success of Alien: Romulus can be traced to discipline, control, and clarity. Every aspect of the film reflects a commitment to executing the core mechanics that define the franchise. That consistency carries through from its theatrical performance to its current presence on HBO Max, and its streaming success is not incidental to simply being on a new platform. Its success is a direct result of a film that maintains focus, builds tension with precision, and engages with themes that remain relevant to modern audiences. Alien: Romulus lands because it treats the foundation of its franchise as something to execute, not reinterpret. Romulus proves the franchise never needed reinvention, just creatives who understand it.

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Release Date

August 16, 2024

Runtime

119 Minutes

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Director

Fede Alvarez

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Writers

Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett

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Sister Wives’ Paedon Brown has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his late brother Garrison Brown.

Posting via his Instagram Stories on Friday, April 10,  Paedon, 27, shared a throwback photo of himself with his sibling to mark what would have been Garrison’s 28th birthday.

“I miss you everyday,” he wrote over the post, which featured Josh Garrel’s song “Farther Along.”

Paedon chose to highlight some of the song’s poignant lyrics over the image.

Related: Every ‘Sister Wives’ Sibling Who Has Publicly Mourned Garrison Brown

The Sister Wives siblings are continuing to pay tribute to Garrison Brown following his death. Garrison’s sister Maddie Brown was the first to break her silence after his death. “Our hearts [are] broken and we are now swallowed with the love now left behind for this beautiful brother,” she wrote. Garrison’s parents, Janelle and Kody […]

“Farther along we’ll know all about it,” the lyrics read. “Farther along we’ll understand why. So cheer up my brothers. Live in the sunshine.”

In a second Instagram Story post which featured another photo of Garrison, Paedon wrote, “I’m going to kick your butt when I see you. Happy birthday brother.”

Garrison died by suicide in March 2024. He was 25.

Garrison’s father Kody Brown confirmed the tragic news at the time via a joint Instagram statement with his estranged wife Janelle Brown.

“Janelle and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown,” the statement read. “He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. Our loss will leave such a big hole in our lives, that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.”

Police arrived at Garrison’s home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on the morning of March 5, 2024, after receiving a report of a death, Us Weekly confirmed at the time. The officers discovered him dead at the scene. The police said that foul play was not suspected, and the incident was being investigated as an apparent suicide.

Law enforcement also told Us at the time that Garrison’s brother, Gabriel, found Garrison’s body.

Janelle opened up about the heartbreaking moment she found out about Garrison’s death in a May 2025 episode of Sister Wives.

Related: Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Remembers Son Garrison 6 Months After Death

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Courtesy of Janelle Brown/Instagram Janelle Brown is remembering her late son Garrison Brown six months after his death. “Six months ago today you went away. You come up in my photo memories almost every day. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like you’re gone,” Janelle, 55, captioned a photo of herself and Garrison via Instagram on Thursday, […]

“Gabriel had found him,” Janelle recalled in the episode. “He’s like, ‘Mom, he’s gone.’ I mean, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘He’s dead. He killed himself.’”

Janelle described how the shock of the news made it hard to recall the details of what happened next.

“I don’t remember the next few minutes but I got in the car and drove,” she shared.

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Kody and Janelle, who split in 2022, share six children including Garrison. The pair are also the parents of Logan, 31, Maddie, 29, Hunter, 28, Gabriel, 23, and Savanah, 20.

Paedon, meanwhile, is the only biological son of Kody and Christine Brown.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Every month, thousands upon thousands of viewers are surely discovering Taylor Sheridan‘s back catalog after checking out one of his blockbuster Paramount+ shows. Sheridan has established himself as one of the leading television writer-producers of his generation, with titles such as Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, and more recently The Madison. Each of those shows was created at Paramount. He’s now looking at a new creative partnership with NBCUniversal, having severed ties with his current home. Before he hit the stratosphere with Yellowstone, however, Sheridan was an acclaimed writer who conceived a modern trilogy of neo-Westerns.

The trilogy began with Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The movie remains a cult classic, having grossed approximately $85 million worldwide and received near-unanimous praise. Sheridan also wrote a sequel to Sicario, although he doesn’t count it as part of the spiritually connected trilogy. The second installment, instead, was Hell or High Water, directed by David Mackenzie and starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Gil Birmingham, and Ben Foster. The movie earned Sheridan an Oscar nomination in the Best Original Screenplay category. It remains his highest-rated work, with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The third installment of the trilogy is a movie that Sheridan considers to be his directorial debut.

The Movie Taylor Sheridan Considers His Directorial Debut Has Been Blocked for Some Netflix Users

He once made a low-budget horror movie that he has mostly disowned. Instead, he has stressed that his first film as director was Wind River, starring Marvel Cinematic Universe alums Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner. The movie followed two investigators looking into crimes against Indigenous peoples; it’s an idea that Sheridan revisited in 1923, one of his Yellowstone prequels. Released in 2017, Wind River holds a “Certified Fresh” 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise going to Sheridan’s direction and the film’s tone. It grossed approximately $45 million worldwide against a reported budget of $11 million. However, not everyone who wants to check it out will be able to do so this month, as Netflix has made it inaccessible to folks subscribed to its ad-supported tier. What’s On Netflix reports that 59 titles have been blocked this month, mainly because Netflix isn’t allowed to monetize those titles with ads. Sheridan followed Wind River up with the Angelina Jolie-led neo-Western Those Who Wish Me Dead, which debuted day-and-date on HBO Max and in theaters. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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August 18, 2017

Runtime

107 minutes

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Producers

Basil Iwanyk, Matthew George, Peter Berg, Elizabeth A. Bell, Wayne L. Rogers

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Anya Taylor-Joy has become one of the brightest stars in the world over the last few years after her career got rolling 10 years ago with ritualistic, spooky hits like The Witch and Morgan. More recently, she headlined the ambitious sci-fi reboot, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the prequel film that co-stars long-time Marvel veteran Chris Hemsworth. She earned widespread critical acclaim in 2020 for her award-worthy performance in the Netflix original miniseries, The Queen’s Gambit, which helped develop the modern streaming era as it’s known today. Taylor-Joy is also confirmed to step into a much larger role in the third and final Dune movie in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi trilogy later this year, on December 18. The film also stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.

In a world where box office success is analyzed so heavily, it can be easy to overlook some of the best movies that are released straight to streaming. For Anya Taylor-Joy, one of her most successful hits of the last few years came with The Gorge, the Apple TV original dystopian sci-fi film that co-stars Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick). The Gorge is streaming exclusively on Apple TV around the world, and although it’s now been a year since it was released, it’s still one of the top five most popular movies for the streamer. Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange) directed The Gorge with a script from Zach Dean. The film is the perfect mash-up of John Wick and The Last of Us, sure to scratch the itch for those looking for both great action sequences and a dark dystopian world.

What Is ‘The Gorge’ About?

The official synopsis for The Gorge reads as follows:

“Two highly trained operatives (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) grow close from a distance after being sent to guard opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When an evil below emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within.”

In addition to Teller and Taylor-Joy, who star as Levi and Drasa in The Gorge, the film also features Sigourney Weaver as Bartholomew, Sope Dirisu as J.D., William Houston as Erikas, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as a Black Ops Commander, James Marlow as Bradford Shaw, Julianne Kurokawa as an Airman, and Ruta Gedmintas as a WWII scientist.

Check out The Gorge on Apple TV around the world, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and more coverage of Anya Taylor-Joy’s future projects.

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Release Date

February 28, 2025

Runtime

127 Minutes

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Director

Scott Derrickson

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Writers

Zach Dean

Producers

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Gregory Goodman, C. Robert Cargill, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, Don Granger, Miles Teller, Sherryl Clark, Adam Kolbrenner

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Katseye hit the stage without Manon Bannerman at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Five members of the girl group — Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza and Yoonchae Jeung — performed during the first day of the Indio, California, festival on Friday, April 10. Manon, 23, was noticeably missing from Katseye’s Coachella debut amid her ongoing hiatus from the band.

Katseye opened their show with a performance of their new single “Pinky Up” before entertaining the crowd with “Debut” and “Touch.”

HUNTR/X vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami joined the girl group on stage for a surprise performance of “Golden” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.

Manon’s Coachella absence comes nearly two months after Katseye announced her plan to take a break from the group.

Related: Cutest Celebrity Couples to Hit Coachella Through the Years

There are only three things that are certain in life: death, taxes and celebrities coupling up at the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Since the ever-growing multi-weekend event was cofounded in 1999, A-list couples such as Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, and Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have […]

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“After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing,” read a February statement from the band shared via the social media platform Weverse. “We fully support this decision.”

The group assured fans at the time that the remaining Katseye members would carry on with their responsibilities despite Manon’s absence.

“Katseye remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right,” the statement continued. “Thank you to our Eyekons for your continued love, patience and understanding.”

Manon also spoke out in an individual statement at the time.

“Hi friends,” she wrote via Weverse. “I want you to hear this from me, I’m healthy, I’m OK and I’m taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.”

Earlier this month, Manon shared an update with fans amid her ongoing hiatus from Katseye.

“Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve been sending my way. I’m really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time,” she noted via Weverse. “[Katseye’s management] HxG and I are having positive conversations, and I feel supported. I’m happy, and I’m healthy. I’ll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me.”

Manon raised eyebrows when she removed “Katseye” from her Instagram bio. Days later, a source exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, April 6, that she does not plan to return to the group.

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Related: Shocking Band Exits Through the Years: Zayn Malik, Jesy Nelson, More

Going their own way. For some musical artists, they needed to leave their former bands to explore opportunities as a solo act. Zayn Malik did just that in 2015. He left his longtime One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne to embark upon a solo music career, dropping his debut […]

In a Nylon cover story published on Tuesday, April 7, Manon admitted the band deals with disagreements at times. (The outlet noted her interview took place before she announced her hiatus from Katseye.)

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“There’s six of us, so obviously not everyone’s always going to be on the same page about everything,” she said. “But I think we all are at, or have been learning and are finally coming to, a point where for the group’s sake, you give and you take. You pick your battles.”

Manon added that the bandmates “have to lean on each other” to cope with stardom.

“But we also have supportive friends and supportive family,” she explained. “It’s something that keeps you humble and grounded. And then just having a good therapist.”

Actor Harrison Ford has been in the entertainment industry for decades. Best known for his roles in “Indiana Jones and “Star Wars,” the 83-year-old actor has been best known for his movie roles until recently. Over the past several years, he has starred alongside Helen Mirren in the “Yellowstone” spin-off “1923” and opposite Jason Segel in “Shrinking,” where he plays a psychiatrist diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Following the season 3 finale, Ford reflected on his start in Hollywood and the current state of the entertainment industry.

Harrison Ford Reflects On The ‘Fulfilling’ Nature Of Filming ‘Shrinking’

Following the season 3 finale, which sees his character retire and move to Connecticut, Ford opened up on the “serious sh-t” the show covers in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast.

Throughout the season, Ford shared several scenes with Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. “Here I am now, playing a guy with Parkinson’s, and I’m sitting next to Michael J. Fox,” Ford said. “This is serious sh-t, man. This is not insignificant for me.”

“I find it really fulfilling doing what I do, and I enjoy it as much as I ever, ever could possibly have imagined,” he continued. However, he admitted that he “never thought” that he would be filming a TV show, let alone a comedy.

Harrison Ford Reveals What Makes His Job ‘Fun’

Even though he never expected to be starring in a comedy series, he did say that the work is “fun” for him.

“You work faster, and that’s fun for me,” he explained. “I like getting there, getting the work done and going home. I love the challenge. I love the danger, if you will, of the work that I’m able to do. And I like the company.”

He went on to explain that he “always wanted to be a character actor,” adding, “I had never thought that I would be a leading man … I got to play leading parts because the films I was in had success, and that success carried me along.”

Ford Is ‘Concerned’ About The Future Of Hollywood

Even though he has been in many successful blockbusters, Ford admitted that he is “terribly concerned” about the future of the entertainment industry.

“I came up at a period of time when the movie business was at its zenith, when the movie business captured the zeitgeist of a culture, and there was a transference, a cross-feeding, and the culture captured the zeitgeist of the movies,” he explained. “There is no zeitgeist anymore.”

“We’ve been disassociated. We’ve been purposefully disaggregated into serviceable political economic units,” he continued. “There is an empty center that needs to be filled, to bring the culture back together, to bring the culture and the movie business back together, for the movie business to be useful in the consciousness of an audience, a culture, a community.”

Harrison Ford’s Depression Launched His Acting Career

Before he became a household name, Ford recalled living in a single room in college and rarely venturing out. “I would get up out of my single bed, go to a phone, order a pizza, go back and lay down in bed until the pizza came,” he recalled. “I would eat the pizza, throw the wrappers in the corner, go back to sleep.”

Things changed when he took a class called “Drama” without reading the full description. He was interested in analyzing plays, but he didn’t realize he also had to act in them. Although it was a “surprise,” he realized that he actually “found [his] place” through the class.

“I’d never done anything like that,” Ford admitted. “And I was surprised that the people that I had considered to be fellow geeks and misfits were, in fact, some of the most interesting people I knew. They were doing something that I hadn’t really understood, and they were telling stories about life, and some of them were exceptional in their capacity to understand human behavior. And so I think I simply found my place amongst storytellers. It really changed my world, changed my life.”

Ford Is ‘Really Good’ At Improv, Says ‘Shrinking’ Costar

In a June 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, costar Jason Segel revealed that his “Shrinking” costar is actually “really, really good” at improv.

“With Harrison Ford, there was a moment when I saw him register and was like, ‘Oh, we’re doing this now.’ And he was good at it. He’s really, really good at it,” Segel said. “There was a whole potato run, where I end up eating these potatoes. [He said] ‘Do whatever you want with them. Boil them, bake them.’ That was a riff that came out of his mouth. He is really smart, he’s really funny and he really understands acting.”

“There’s a reason he’s Harrison Ford,” he added.

All three seasons of “Shrinking” are available on Apple TV+. The show has been renewed for a fourth season, with the main cast set to return.

Among the modern masterpieces are rare gems that transcend the title of great and achieve flawless status, such as The Godfather. These are the films where every gear in the machine, the pacing, the choreography, the stakes, and the character arcs work in total harmony. From the moment the first frame hits the screen until the final credits roll, there isn’t a single wasted second.

Out of all the genres in cinema, action is by far the furthest-reaching spectacle. Action-packed drama and daring stunts combine to create a riveting experience of fights and thrills that define the genre. While many films have revolutionized the industry, only a handful can claim to be airtight from beginning to end. This list highlights ten action movies that are practically perfect, based on their narrative structure, visual storytelling, and the sheer adrenaline they provide without ever losing their footing.

10

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

Many fans claim that the superhero genre has gone downhill, but it is true that there hasn’t been a better film in this genre than The Dark Knight. Batman (Christian Bale) now faces his toughest challenge yet with the Joker (Heath Ledger) trying to prove his psychotic philosophy. This race against time pits the two against each other, leaving Batman with an impossible choice.

From the opening bank heist to the flipping of the semi-truck, the action feels heavy and tangible. Christopher Nolan eschews heavy CGI in favor of practical stunts, giving the film a gritty realism that has taken over the superhero genre. With frantic pacing that moves from one crisis to the next, The Dark Knight never loses sight of its complex themes among the chaos, but that is exactly why it is an intellectually stimulating, adrenaline-pumping action masterpiece.

9

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ (2023)

Image via Summit Entertainment 

Most flawless movies are groundbreaking classics, but some modern hits also prove to be perfect, including John Wick: Chapter 4. The titular character has his final battle against the High Table, hoping to get out of the industry for good. Moving from city to city, John (Keanu Reeves) will face challenges unlike anything he has faced before.

The original John Wick is more influential, but there is no denying that John Wick: Chapter 4 is the most riveting. Redefining the genre with its gun-fu and return to tactile combat, this movie uses gorgeous set pieces and innovative fight scenes to create an exhilarating experience that has a stranglehold on the viewers’ entertainment from start to finish. John Wick: Chapter 4 is a breathless epic that concludes in poetic fashion.

8

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are two of the most legendary creators in the industry, and they teamed up to create the ultimate tribute to 1930s adventure serials. Raiders of the Lost Ark introduces Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), a globe-trotting archaeologist racing against Nazis to recover the biblical Ark of the Covenant.

Indiana Jones is one of the greatest adventure franchises, and this film is its magnum opus. The film is a series of escalating challenges, each one more creative than the last. Whether it’s the opening boulder escape or the truck chase, the action is always driven by wit and desperation. Raiders of the Lost Ark never wastes time or effort, simply creating a flawless template for action-adventure movies.

7

‘The Raid 2’ (2014)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

Some of the greatest action movies are foreign productions, and while the first Raid was a masterclass in minimalist action, its sequel, The Raid 2, is an ambitious crime saga that expands the world without losing the visceral impact. Rama (Iko Uwais) goes undercover in a ruthless crime syndicate to root out corruption, resulting in plenty more blood-pumping fights and drama.

The film features some of the most complex and brutal choreography ever captured on film, including a muddy prison-yard riot and a climactic kitchen fight that is widely considered one of the best 1-on-1 duels in history. The cinematography is absolutely stunning, synchronizing movement to create an exhaustive feel in the best way possible, making The Raid 2 a must-watch action movie.

6

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Three decades after the previous films, George Miller returns to the wasteland with what many consider the greatest action film of the 21st century. Mad Max: Fury Road follows the titular character played by Tom Hardy, as he reluctantly becomes entangled with Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a rebel leader fleeing a tyrannical cult leader with his five wives in tow. What follows is essentially a two-hour-long chase sequence across a scorched desert.

What makes Mad Max: Fury Road flawless is its commitment to visual storytelling, as Miller strips away any unnecessary exposition. The film is a masterclass in pacing; even when the vehicles stop moving, the tension never dips. With its heavy reliance on practical stunts, vibrant color palette, and a percussion-heavy score that beats like a heart, Mad Max: Fury Road is a relentless, beautiful, and perfectly tuned engine of a movie.

5

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via TriStar Pictures

Sequels often struggle to live up to the original, but James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day didn’t just meet expectations, it obliterated them. Eleven years after the original film, a new Terminator, also played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is sent back in time, but this time his mission is to protect a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) from the liquid-metal T-1000 (Robert Patrick).

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a perfect loop of emotion and action, balancing groundbreaking CGI with stunning visual effects. Featuring some of the greatest scenes in action movies, including the hallway shootout at the mall and the final showdown in the steel mill, the stakes are constantly escalating. There isn’t a single scene that doesn’t serve the plot or the characters, making Terminator 2: Judgment Day the definitive, perfect blockbuster and standout action sensation.

4

‘Aliens’ (1986)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Right after one James Cameron action masterpiece is another action-packed sequel that defines its franchise. Aliens takes place 57 years after the first, spending that time in cryosleep. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) returns to the planetoid LV-426 with a team of Colonial Marines to investigate a lost colony, facing ten times the challenge as before.

Aliens took the haunted-house-in-space from the first one and built on it, creating a slow-burning tension that culminates in unbearable dread. It is an explosion of action that never lets up, introducing fan favorite characters that make their fate that much more painful. Aliens is a well-constructed action phenomenon that climaxes in a legendary moment that went down in cinematic history.

3

‘Hard Boiled’ (1992)

John Woo is an iconic director who has pioneered the action genre, particularly through his magnum opus, Hard Boiled. When a gang kidnaps his partner, a cop must now go undercover in order to take down a powerful triad leader while trying to save his friend.

Hard Boiled moved action away from typical hard-hitting grittiness in favor of a ballet of bullets that made gunfights elegant and thrilling. This visually stimulating action movie features exploding environments and dual-wielding pistol fights that accentuate its fast pace. Hard Boiled is a badass classic that is a feast of technical coordination, making it one of the most important action movies.

2

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Keanu Reeves is an action icon, and one of his best movies is arguably The Matrix. Neo is a computer programmer who realizes that he and the rest of humanity are living in a simulation. Learning that robots control the world, he joins the revolution but must choose between an ideal fantasy and a harsh reality.

The film’s bullet time effects and wirework choreography became instant staples of the genre, but what makes The Matrix flawless is how it integrates these elements into its philosophy. Neo grew as a character with every minute, making every shootout and action sequence feel earned. The Matrix is a perfect fusion of philosophical sci-fi and revolutionary action that hasn’t gone out of style since 1999.

1

‘Speed’ (1994)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Reeves has not one, not two, but three flawless action movies that never lose a step throughout, with the best being Speed. Jack Traven is a cop who finds himself in a tricky situation: the bus he is on is rigged with a bomb, and if it drops below 50 miles per hour, it will explode. With the help of the passengers and other cops, they try to keep the bus at a high speed while finding a way to defuse the bomb.

Everyone needs to breathe, but Speed will leave viewers breathless, forcing them into a constant state of shock with its non-stop, high-octane exhilaration. The tension is constant, forcing the characters to solve increasingly impossible problems at high speed. Speed is a tightly focused movie that uses its cramped feeling on an open highway to create suspense unlike anything felt before, proving it is a perfect action movie from start to finish.

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Speed

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Release Date

June 10, 1994

Runtime

116 minutes

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Director

Jan de Bont

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Writers

Graham Yost

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Now that it’s finally warm outside, we’re ready to stock our wardrobes with spring and summer pieces. But that doesn’t mean we’re dropping hundred-dollar bills. We scoured the internet to find the best deals happening this weekend, and it turns out top brands are on secret sale — we’re talking Madewell, Steve Madden, Dr. Scholl’s and more. Our favorites start at just $6!

Whether you’re searching for chic sandals, a classy bag, comfy jeans or anything in between, there’s a deal with your name on it below. Crowd-loved pieces are selling out in real time, so don’t dillydally!

Best Weekend Sales: April 10-12, 2026

Nordstrom

Our Favorite: Nordstrom’s End of Season Sale is in full swing! We’re taking the opportunity to score this Vince Camuto paisley sundress that screams ‘Lilly Pulitzer,’ but costs a fraction of the price — was $70, now $48!

Amazon

Our Favorite: We’re tired of jeans! These breezy lounge pants look like linen, but feel even comfier, thanks to the stretchy material. They come in striped and gingham-print varieties, so we’re grabbing at least two — was $30, now $20!

Related: Bye, Denim Jackets! These 17 Comfy Spring Cardigans Are Much More Luxe

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Denim jackets have their place, but there’s a reason everyone’s replacing theirs with comfy spring cardigans. These chic pieces give your wardrobe a softer and more feminine flair, looking casually cute for errands and polished enough for dinner. It’s a trend we totally stand behind. These spring cardigans hit the sweet spot between feeling cozy […]

Madewell

Our Favorite: A-listers are wearing Mary Jane flats nonstop lately, including Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow. This sophisticated pair from Madewell boasts a sleek silhouette, cloud-like padding and a gold chain strap — was $168, now $80!

Zappos

Our Favorite: You can’t go wrong with Levi’s shorts, especially with these high-rise denim shorts that cinch your midsection without squeezing. With a smocked waistband, structured fabric and flattering A-line shape, they’re already in the cart. Psst: all five colors are on sale! — was $55, now $38!