Entertainment

Lizzo Recalls Feeling Like Her ‘Life Was Over’ After Backlash

Published

60 minutes ago

8 September 2026

Lizzo is looking back at the peaks and valleys of her career.

“I wasn’t even really perceiving how famous I had gotten,” the “Truth Hurts” singer, 38, said during her appearance on the Monday, September 7, episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. “I feel like a regular girl in the Twin Cities, walk into the bar, going to get some cheese curds and a beer. I still feel like that girl.”

Lizzo continued, “But the whole world is like, everything I did was news. I had been going full throttle. It was like, clothing line. It was like, TV show, tour, album, actually really doing well. Like, oh my God. I didn’t even know how well the album was doing. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Lizzo shot to fame in 2019 with her hit “Truth Hurts,” which was released two years prior but later went viral thanks to its appearance in the Netflix film Something Great. The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and increased interest in her third studio album, Cuz I Love You. Lizzo won three Grammy Awards in 2020: Best Pop Solo Album, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Progressive R&B Album. (Three years later, Lizzo also won Record Of The Year for her single “About Damn Time,” off her 2022 album, Special.)

At the height of her career, Lizzo expanded her profile to include TV and film, hosting a 2022 reality series called Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls and starring in her own documentary, Love, Lizzo. She also launched her own clothing line, Yitty, that same year.

In August 2023, Lizzo became the subject of controversy when three of her former backup dancers filed a lawsuit against the singer, her production company and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley, accusing them of sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, creating a hostile work environment and weight-shaming.

Lizzo’s former wardrobe assistant, Asha Daniels, also sued the Grammy winner and her touring company over alleged racial and sexual harassment in 2023.

Lizzo has denied all allegations. In December 2025, a judge dismissed the fat-shaming allegations in the suits filed by Lizzo’s former backup dancers. The remaining claims are still pending in court.

A judge ultimately removed Lizzo as an individual defendant in Daniels’ case in 2024. On Tuesday, September 1, the federal court dismissed the remaining claims against her touring company due to a lack of evidence.

Amid the controversy, Lizzo took a break from releasing music until her fifth studio album, BITCH, in June. The project struggled commercially and failed to produce any chart hits.

Lizzo said on Monday that she had always planned to take extra time to work on her latest album, but the hiatus came at a time when “the world stopped f***ing with me.”

“I was like, ‘Whoa, this feels like my life is over,’” she recalled. “And so with the fame thing and the success and the public perception being super positive and being overly loved and people understanding me, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder for a shoe to drop because I really genuinely was moving so purely. I really, which they say you shouldn’t do, just really showed the whole world my heart.”

Lizzo continued, “When everybody started hating me, I kind of didn’t understand. … I had experienced little waves of it, but this time after my [Special Tour] ended, it was, like, legitimate. So I really did feel like my life was over because music had been my life, and I didn’t feel like anyone wanted me to make music anymore.”

Lizzo said she wondered if she should “cease to exist” amid the backlash.

“It was really heavy. It’s really heavy. And I think you have to kind of go to a very, very, very, very low place to be able to kind of float back up to the top,” she added, noting that she ultimately had to find herself as a person again.

“You know, what I came to is knowing who you are and not what you do. I feel like I had been identifying myself as what I do for so long, instead of remembering who I am because that’s my job,” she concluded. “It was extremely freeing because I’m like, ‘Oh, only I know me, only I know who I am and I need to remember that and not allow someone to change that because I can do that too.’”

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

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10 Near-Perfect Fantasy Movies You’ll Want to Rewatch Immediately

Published

1 minute ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

The Time Bandits holding their map and stolen goods

Movies have been captivating the human imagination for around 130 years now, especially fantasy films. This comes as no surprise, given that fantasy is one of, if not the oldest, genres of storytelling and ever-growing special effects allow us to bring mythological creatures and alien worlds to life. Even if the effects of older classics don’t quite hold up as well compared to modern ones, the best fantasy films can still be enjoyed thanks to how effectively they pull us into their worlds and make us believe for a few hours that the impossible is possible.

Thus, fantasy movies are a good source of comfort entertainment, especially as the world continues to become more and more uncertain. Most of the examples on this list you’ve probably already seen, but no matter how many times you watch them, they never lose their magical spark.

‘Time Bandits’ (1981)

Kevin (David Rappaport) is a young history buff who is shocked to find six dwarves in his room one night. They are the Time Bandits, former employees of the Supreme Being (Tony Jay and Sir Ralph Richardson) tasked with repairing holes in the universe, but would rather use them to get rich. They take Kevin with them as they rob history blind, unaware that the personification of Evil (David Warner) is watching them and intends to take their map for his use.

Time Bandits is the first of Terry Gilliam’s “Trilogy of Imagination,” and perfectly blends childlike wonder with comedy and some biting social commentary regarding consumerism. The Time Bandits themselves make for a very fun bunch of protagonists, thanks to how they simultaneously work together like a well-oiled machine and are at each other’s throats like a dysfunctional family. Gilliam’s creativity is also on full display, especially near the end when the Time Bandits go to the Time of Legends and pull from all eras of history to fight Evil.

‘Legend’ (1985)

A terrifying creature looking ahead in Legend

Princess Lili (Mia Sara) is shown the last two unicorns in the world by her forest friend, Jack O’the Green (Tom Cruise), unaware that she is being followed by the goblin Blix (Alice Playten). When Lili ignores Jack’s instructions not to touch the unicorns, Blix kills the stallion and removes his horn, plunging the forest into a magical winter. While Lili protects the mare, Jack and his forest friends try to recover the horn, which has been taken to the fortress of Blix’s demonic master, Darkness (Tim Curry).

If you can find the extended edition of Legend, then you’re in for a fantastic fairy tale with some of the best practical effects from the 1980s. Curry, in particular, is completely transformed into an otherworldly beast, yet his charisma and charm shine through and keep you captivated with every word. The forest is also an incredibly constructed set, dripping with personality that makes it feel all the more real as a location.

‘The Adventures of Prince Achmed’ (1926)

Pari Banu and her attendants enter a pool of water

A wicked sorcerer asks for the hand of the Caliph’s daughter in marriage and offers a magical flying horse. The Caliph’s son, Prince Achmed, tests the horse first, but can’t control it as it flies off into the horizon. When he finally gets it to land, he is in a foreign place and threatened by demons, forcing him to make new allies if he hopes to return home.

The Adventures of Prince Achmed is the oldest surviving animated film, and will soon be turning 100 years old. It also remains one of the most unique, thanks to its stylistic animation, done through painstakingly moving pieces of cardboard against bright backgrounds to create a shadow puppet aesthetic. The results are on-point movements that evoke every emotion felt by the characters without any spoken dialogue.

‘The Thief of Bagdad’ (1940)

A blind beggar reveals to a crowd in Basra that he is Ahmad (John Justin), the king of Baghdad, who was betrayed and usurped by his evil Vizier, Jaffar (Conrad Veidt). Before he was to be executed, he escaped the city with the help of a quick-witted thief named Abu (Sabu) and fled to Basra. There, Ahmad fell in love with its beautiful Princess (June Duprez), unaware that Jaffar also lusted after her and was well-trained in the black arts of sorcery.

The Thief of Bagdad is pure cinematic magic, and is perhaps the most influential film adaptation of the One Thousand and One Nights. It’s a beautiful movie full of bright colors, lavished sets, and the first use of blue screen technology, which really helps to make the magical moments feel otherworldly and distinct. Sabu and Veidt are the two actors who stand out the most: Sabu is bursting with energy that makes his young thief endearing, while Veidt uses his time during silent films to draw you in with nothing but his eyes.

‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)

Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, holds his sword confidently in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

After being crushed in battle with a giant, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) learns that he is on the last of his nine lives. At first, he brushes it off, but after a close encounter with a mysterious white wolf (Wagner Moura), he resigns himself to the life of a house cat. That is, until he learns that a map has been found that leads to the last Wishing Star, which he hopes to use to regain his missing lives and continue his life of daring adventures.

You wouldn’t expect a sequel to a spin-off released eleven years later to end up as one of the best animated films of the 2020s, yet Puss in Boots: The Last Wish pulled it off. First off, it looks gorgeous: the film uses stylistic graphics inspired by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to create a watercolor-like design that captures the feel of a storybook come to life. Story-wise, it manages to balance hilarious comedy full of clever nods to fairy tales with a hard-hitting story about accepting one’s mortality.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)

Belle (Paige O’Hara) is the bookish daughter of inventor Maurice (Rex Everhart) who longs for a more exciting life than the one she currently leads. She gets her wish when her father goes missing in the woods, and she finds him in the dungeons of an enchanted castle ruled over by a beast (Robby Benson). Belle offers to take her father’s place, and, over time, comes to see that there is more to the beast than first seems.

Beauty and the Beast is the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and is perhaps the gold standard when it comes to updating a fairy tale for the modern day. It keeps the spirit of the story’s message about looking past rough exteriors to see the good inside, but adds character development for both of the leads, a plethora of beloved side characters, and a villain who, in any other story, would be the fairy-tale hero. It also boasts some of the best songs in any Disney film, courtesy of the legendary duo of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Westley with a wounded shoulder stands on guard with his sword while Buttercup stands behind him in The Princess Bride

A grandfather (Peter Falk) visits his sick grandson (Fred Savage) and reads him a fairy tale. It tells the story of Buttercup (Robin Wright), a farm girl who is chosen by Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon) to be his bride after her lover, Westley (Cary Elwes), is lost at sea. However, a trio of bandits captures Buttercup, planning to kill her and start a war with Humperdink’s neighbors, but they are pursued by a mysterious and highly skilled man in black.

The Princess Bride was not a huge hit on release, but the years have seen it re-evaluated as one of the most beloved and quoted fantasy films of all time. It has a beautiful tongue-in-cheek style of humor, which invites the audience to kick back and enjoy a story full of romance, witty banter, and plenty of self-aware jokes. It also helps that the actors all do a phenomenal job in their roles, especially Mandy Patinkin as the revenge-obsessed Spanish fencer, Inigo Montoya.

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

Mary Poppins and Bert in white and red outfits dance in an animated world in Mary Poppins

Ignoring his children’s request for a kind nanny, after they drove away their most recent one, George Banks (David Tomlinson) puts an ad in the paper for the strictest nanny he can find. The next day, a storm blows away everyone who answered it, while a woman named Mary Poppins (Dame Julie Andrews) floats down from the sky and convinces Mr. Banks to hire her. Though she is firm towards the children, she also takes them on many whimsical adventures alongside her friend, Bert (Dick Van Dyke).

Mary Poppins was a passion project of Walt Disney, and though author P. L. Travers hated what was done to her story, it was a smash hit, nominated for thirteen Academy Awards and walking away with five. It’s very easy to see why: the film taps into a pure and unspoiled kind of magic, shown through its many charming characters and iconic songs, courtesy of the Sherman Brothers. Yet the film also knows how to touch on more mature issues, as seen through George Banks’ character arc of mending the broken relationship with his children.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

After inheriting a magic ring from his uncle, Bilbo (Sir Ian Holm), the hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) learns from the wizard, Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen), that it is the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord, Sauron (Alan Howard), to dominate all life in Middle-earth. The only way to destroy it is to venture into the heart of Sauron’s land, Mordor, and toss it into the fires of the volcano from which it was forged. Aided by his friends and allies from the kingdoms of men, elves, and dwarves, Frodo sets off on his perilous quest, all while Sauron’s armies launch a brutal war of conquest.

Just like the books by J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings is one story told over three films, which were shot simultaneously. It wowed audiences with its groundbreaking use of special effects to bring Middle-earth and its people to life, to say nothing of how those effects were used to conjure some of the greatest battles in all cinema. Yet the story is what truly makes it timeless, as it touches on themes of finding hope in the darkest of moments, the corrupting nature of power, and the bonds of friendship, to name a few.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Stuck inside her farmhouse as it is caught in a tornado, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) can do nothing but watch as she is transported from Kansas to the magical land of Oz. She is given a pair of Ruby Slippers from Glinda (Billie Burke), the Good Witch of the North, after her house crushes their previous owner, the Wicked Witch of the East, and is told to seek out the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan) if she wants to get home. She is joined by a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley), and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), but they must contend with the deceased witch’s sister, the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton).

The Wizard of Oz overcame one of the most hellish productions in Hollywood history to become an iconic piece of cinema history. Though not the first film to make use of Technicolor, it’s the first one people think of thanks to how brilliantly it used it to make the land of Oz feel truly magical and otherworldly. Combined with timeless characters brought to life by the perfect actors, catchy songs, and a universal message about the importance of home, you have a movie that never fails to put a smile on your face regardless of age.

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If You Miss ‘Severance,’ This Forgotten 4-Season Sci-Fi Series Is the Perfect Replacement

Published

16 minutes ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Severance’s premiere in 2022 on Apple TV+ was a game-changer for those waiting for the return of the golden age of television. It wasn’t just the critique of corporate America. The Adam Scott vehicle was strange and specific in all the right ways. The story of a corporation “severing” their home and work memories has fans urging the show to release more stories following its Season 2 hiatus.

While Severance takes some time in between seasons, viewers can still get their fill with another mind-bending series. Before Severance, Prime Video took its chance with another wild swing, The Man in the High Castle. Adapted from the Philip K. Dick science fiction novel, the four-season series has all the themes and social commentary that could satisfy Severance fans.

‘The Man in the High Castle’ Traps Characters In An Inescapable Nightmare

At first glance, The Man in the High Castle and Severance seem worlds apart. Though at their core they are discussing two wildly different stories, they use the same mechanics to tell that story. The alternate history uses the setup of entrapment, just as Severance does. One of the best Prime Video shows follows the lives of several characters in the 1960s who live in a universe where Nazi Germany won World War II. The United States has been colonized, split between the Third Reich and the Japanese Empire.

Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos) lives in Japan-colonized San Francisco when she comes across a mysterious roll of film. This movie posits that there is a reality where the Allies won the war, and the Nazis were defeated. Juliana and a cast of characters struggle to find a way to that reality, but there is a lot of real estate between her and her goal. Like the Innies in Severance, she is trapped in an ongoing nightmare that never seems to end.

The Innies have no control over their own lives, forced to live in an endless loop. Their only recourse is to do something about it. Juliana has her own cross to bear, unable to sit by and allow this all-consuming fascism to continue. Both shows are about enlightenment, as these characters have to essentially “wake up” and fight against what seems like a daunting and unrelenting force.

There is hope in these narratives, no matter how bleak it may seem. They find their own sources of resistance in worlds that are the worst versions that could exist. These are high-concept stories that demand the attention of the viewers. Both Severance and The Man in the High Castle accomplish this by delivering shocking moments and jaw-dropping cliffhangers.

A story like Severance ultimately seems like there is only so far it can go. It found a way around that with the cliffhanger that changed everything. Season 1 increased the stakes and the mythology of the series with the shocking revelation that Mark’s (Adam Scott) wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), was still alive.

The Man in the High Castle also survives by using impactful twists that motivate fans to return season after season. It refuses to rest on its laurels and changes the rules of the world as soon as viewers get comfortable. Though the series veered off the path of the alternate history story that Philip K. Dick set forth, it takes on a life of its own that continues to strike a chord with audiences.

Release Date: 2015 – 2019-00-00
Network: Advertisement

Prime Video
Showrunner: Frank Spotnitz
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Directors: David Semel, Daniel Percival, John Fawcett, Alex Zakrzewski, Karyn Kusama, Nelson McCormick, Brad Anderson, Bryan Spicer, Charlotte Brändström, Chris Long, Colin Bucksey, Daniel Sackheim, David Petrarca, Ernest R. Dickerson, Fred Toye, Jennifer Getzinger, Ken Olin, Michael Rymer, Michael Slovis, Paul Holahan, Richard Heus, Deborah Chow, Steph Green, Meera Menon
Writers: Wesley Strick, Rob Williams, David Scarpa, Erik Oleson, Jace Richdale, Rick Cleveland, Thomas Schnauz, Mark Richard, Chris Collins, Kalen Egan, Elizabeth Benjamin, Emma Frost, Eric Overmyer, Eric Simonson, Julie Hébert, Walon Green, William N. Fordes, Evan Wright, Lolis Eric Elie, Francesca Gardiner, Dre Ryan, Chris Wu

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Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison Discharged After Bypass Surgery

Published

31 minutes ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

UPDATE 9/8/26, 2:30 a.m. ET: Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison is now recovering at home after having emergency bypass surgery.

“Today, Rick was discharged from the hospital and is now resting at home. By all accounts, he’s now doing great,” a spokesperson for the Harrison family told TMZ on Monday, September 7.

Original story below:

Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison is on the mend after undergoing emergency bypass surgery.

“He went in for a simpler procedure and they found he needed a bypass,” a spokesperson for the Harrison family told People on Friday, September 4. “He is resting comfortably and looking forward to a full recovery.”

The spokesperson added that Harrison, 61, was appreciative of the support he has received from the staff and his loved ones in the midst of his health scare.

“He is grateful for the doctors and staff at the hospital and that his wife and family can be with him during this time,” the statement concluded

Harrison is best known for starring on Pawn Stars, which documents the ins and outs of Harrison’s family business, the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, which opened in 1989. Rick ran the store with his late father Richard “Old Man” Harrison, son Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison and Corey’s childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell. Richard ultimately retired in 2017, and Rick has continued to run the store. (Richard died in 2018 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.)

Pawn Stars premiered on the History Channel in 2009. The series is currently ongoing and in its 24th season, which premiered back in January.

Earlier this year, Rick wed his fifth wife Agripina “Angie” Polushkin after two years of dating. (Rick was previously married to Kim Harrison from 1982 to 1985, Tracy Harrison from 1986 to 2011, DeAnna Burditt from 2013 to 2020 and Amanda Palmer from 2021 to 2023.)

The couple tied the knot in January at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas with an intimate reception held at Rick’s barbecue restaurant, Rick’s Rollin Smoke BBQ & Tavern.

“1/3/26 we became Mr & Mrs Harrison 🥰,” Polushkin wrote via Instagram at the time.

Weeks later, they held a destination wedding at the Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun.

“My dream beach wedding came true on 1/26/26,” Polushkin wrote via Instagram following the couple’s second ceremony. “I married the most loving, caring, and supportive man I’ve ever met and the one that treats me like a princess every single day. Love you always & forever ♥️♥️♥️.”

Around the same time as Rick’s wedding, his son Corey was involved in a motorcycle accident in Mexico. He sustained serious injuries, including multiple broken bones.

“Pretty messed up but I’m good crash bars are awesome 3 nights in the hospital 11breaks in my rib cage,” Corey wrote via Instagram in January. “Will do an episode on @theCoreyHarrisonshow. Sorry Pops, looks like I’m missing your wedding.”

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How Is Daenerys Targaryen Related to Rhaenyra and Daemon?

Published

46 minutes ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Emma D'Arcy, Ewan Mitchell, and Matt Smith against a fiery background

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from Fire & Blood and potential spoilers for future seasons of House of the Dragon.

Even by Westeros standards, House Targaryen is not a normal family. But after the appearance of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) in Daemon’s (Matt Smith) vision sequence in House of the Dragon Season 2, casual viewers might wonder just how connected are these two branches of the Targaryen tree? They both belong to the same noble house, of course, but are they even in the same bloodline? And Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), where does she fit? The answer, full of spoilers for the rest of the story of House of the Dragon, is not so simple.

Daemon Doesn’t Know Who Daenerys Is in His Vision

Daemon’s vision is filled with nods to the future of House Targaryen and Westeros as a whole — there are even White Walkers there. But the most surprising part of it is when he sees Daenerys with her three dragons. The vision is plucked directly from the Season 1 finale of Game of Thrones, when Daenerys grabs her three petrified dragon eggs and walks into Khal Drogo’s (Jason Momoa) funeral pyre. When the fire is spent, only Dany remains, unburnt, with her three children having miraculously hatched.

Crucially, this part of Daemon’s visio comes after he sees the dying of the dragons in Westeros — primarily caused by the current civil war. Daenerys hatching her three dragons is a sign that dragons will rise again. With the Others a constant and legitimate threat, the dragons are needed to fight them. Daemon understands that, for the world to have a fighting chance, the Targaryen who needs to sit on the Iron Throne must be his wife, Rhaenyra.

Although Daemon doesn’t know who Daenerys is, the audience are fully aware of her identity and the fact that she is one of the last members of the once great house. Due to the nature of his vision, he has no idea if this event takes place in a few years or centuries in the future. To him, Daenerys could be anyone.A future daughter, a granddaughter, or even a great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter — which just happens to be the truth.

Daenerys Is a Direct Descendant of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s Line

In order to understand how Daenerys is related to Daemon and Rhaenyra, we must wade into spoiler territory by exploring George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood. It’s no secret that Rhaenyra dies at the end of the Dance of the Dragons. Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) says as much in Game of Thrones when he reveals that she was eaten by Aegon II’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) dragon, Sunfyre. Daemon is also destined for a deadly confrontation against Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) at Harrenhal. Although they die, Daemon and Rhaenyra’s two sons eventually end up ascending to the Iron Throne after the fighting is done. Aegon III becomes king, but when two sons, Daeron I and Baelor I, leave no heirs, it’s his brother (and Daemon and Rhaenyra’s youngest son), Viserys II, who inherits the throne.

Through Viserys II, the Targaryen line continues, from his terrible son, Aegon IV (“the Unworthy”) to Aegon V aka Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms who is Daenerys’ great-grandfather and Rhaenyra’s great-great-great-grandson to the Mad King, Aerys II (David Rintoul), Daenerys’ father. In total, Daenerys Targaryen is eight generations removed from Rhaenyra Targaryen, making Rhaenyra Daenerys’ great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. It’s important to point out, however, that this is following Fire & Blood, since Game of Thrones removed Jaehaerys II, who is Aerys II’s father in the books, from its lore, according to Maester Aemon (Peter Vaughan) in Season 1. Unless some retconning takes place, in the show franchise, Daenerys is just seven generations removed from Rhaenyra.

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Millie Bobby Brown Holds Baby, Flaunts Bikini Body in Italy

Published

1 hour ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Millie Bobby Brown rare family photos italy trip

Millie Bobby Brown enjoyed soaking up the views with her loved ones during a picturesque getaway to Italy.

The Stranger Things actress, 22, made memories with her husband, Jake Bongiovi, and their daughter during a stay at SAN SONNEA, a five-star luxury resort and “secluded sanctuary” based in Luson, South Tyrol, which is for families to reconnect deeply with nature.

“Different in the dolomites @sansonnea.family,” she captioned her post on Monday, September 7, including a video of herself holding her baby girl while walking llamas alongside Bongiovi, 24, in front of a gorgeous scenic background.

She also included a clip of ducks on the premises, as well as a snapshot of a peaceful mountain getaway viewed from inside a cozy room in addition to a close-up pic of white roses.

In her recap was also a photo of Bionjovi sunbathing shirtless outside and a photo of Brown rocking a string bikini and “Italia” tank top in honor of their family trip. She paired the look with brown sunglasses, a beaded necklace and hoop earrings.

It’s been just over a year since Brown announced that she and Bionjovi expanded their brood.

“This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” the couple shared in their August 2025 announcement. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in peace and privacy.”

Brown and Bongiovi have been married since May 2024, when they first tied the knot in an intimate ceremony followed by another larger ceremony held in Tuscany that October.

The parents have opted not to share their little one’s name with the world following her adoption, although Brown did give rare insight into her journey to motherhood in a December 2025 interview.

“Being a mother expedited this version of me,” she told Allure at the time. “Nothing could get in the way of me being who I need to be for my daughter.”

Brown said she was determined to instill good values in her daughter and lead by example.

“I want her to see me take care of myself,” she said, quipping, “You have to do everything 10 times quicker, and you don’t really get to do your gua sha in the morning.”

“I have to talk to myself kindly,” the Enola Holmes actress continued, noting it can be easy to “talk badly about yourself and your body.” Brown continued, “After becoming a parent, I couldn’t imagine talking about myself like that anymore, because she’s going to watch me do that.”

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Tom Cruise’s Vampire Classic Is Officially an HBO Max Hit

Published

2 hours ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Tom Cruise’s Vampire Classic Is Officially an HBO Max Hit

The most unexpected Tom Cruise character needs no introduction, and he knows it, for the entire 123 minute run-time of this classic. It’s rare that a film’s final scene, final line, or final needle drop are the best. But in this beloved horror film, all three are the case. Back in 1994, before the movie star became known for stunts and running, Cruise let loose as a melodramatic, seductive, bloodsucking vampire second only to Dracula in infamy. To paraphrase Homer Simpson, every time he’s not on the screen you’re wondering where he is—making his jump-scare entrance in the coda all the more delicious.

This spooky season, you can revisit it in full. The 1994 film adaptation of Anne Rice‘s novel Interview with the Vampire, starring Cruise as well as Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater and Antonio Banderas, is now streaming on HBO Max. Thandiwe Newton and Stephen Rea also play supporting roles. Neil Jordan directed, and Rice herself wrote the screenplay. While the finished product is not necessarily considered the best adaptation of Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, it is a very re-watchable and very 90s film.

Cruise’s Lestat is not the protagonist of the film. That would be Pitt’s character, Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire recounting his life to a seemingly objective observer, Slater’s Daniel Molloy, as the gothic narrative plays out in flashback. Louis bemoans his immortal existence through various trials and tribulations: getting turned in the late 18th century, honing and occasionally eschewing his killer instincts, raising a vampire daughter (Dunst’s scene-stealing performance as Claudia), attempting to kill his maker, and worst of all, moving to Paris. The through line in his life post-death? Lestat, Lestat, Lestat, Lestat, Lestat.

Why Didn’t Tom Cruise Return for the ‘Interview with the Vampire’ Sequel?

Interview with the Vampire was well received. It made $223 million worldwide at the box office in its original release, according to Box Office Mojo, and was nominated for two Academy Awards despite mixed reviews from critics. However, when Warner Brothers went about making the sequel, titled Queen of the Damned after the third book in Rice’s series, Cruise did not reprise the role. “At the time,” Jordan told Entertainment Weekly in 2024, Cruise simply “wasn’t doing sequels.” Now, from franchises like Mission: Impossible to legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming Days of Thunder, he can’t get enough. One can imagine that, if Cruise was doing sequels at the time, the second movie would have drawn more from Rice’s second book: The Vampire Lestat.

Queen of the Damned was eventually released in 2002 with Stuart Townsend in the role of the vampire Lestat. Despite a standout performance by singer and actress Aliyah, who tragically died ahead of the premiere, the film only brought in $45 million worldwide. Rice, who initially expressed doubt over Cruise in the role, later recanted and praised his performance. Society had and/would continue to move on to other vampire narratives like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries.

Twenty-four years later, however, Rice fans are having a particularly good moment. AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, which stars Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Delainey Hayles, Eric Bogosian, and Assad Zaman, and restyled itself as The Vampire Lestat for Season 3, is set to return for a fourth season officially titled Queen of the Damned with Sheila Atim in the titular role as Akasha. The cable network’s other televised Rice adaptation, Mayfair Witches, returns for Season 3 in 2027, with Eliza Scanlen joining Alexandra Daddario in the cast.

Plus, there’s Tom Ford‘s upcoming film adaptation of Rice’s historical novel Cry to Heaven starring Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Julianne Moore, Hunter Schafer, and Adele to look forward to in the near future. That movie is about the cutthroat (among other things) world of opera singers in 18th-century Italy, not monsters in the more traditional sense. But there’s never been a better time to be an Anne Rice fan.

Stay tuned at Collider for more.

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Megan Fox’s Most Rewatchable Horror Movie Is Officially Streaming

Published

2 hours ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Seventeen years ago, Megan Fox played a monster in one of the only 2000s teen comedies that really holds up — and as this satire is not without its screams, it’s also become one of the best horror cult classics of the century. There are very few cringe-worthy millennial jokes, and all in all, the movie has only gotten better with age. Over the last 20 years, audiences have only become more willing to get behind — and really enjoy — a succubus killing creepy guys, finally giving the movie the attention it deserved in 2009.

This fall, you can reevaluate one of cinema’s biggest comebacks for yourself, as Jennifer’s Body is now streaming on Hulu and Pluto TV. The movie also stars Amanda Seyfried, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Amy Sedaris, Kyle Gallner, and Johnny Simmons. In addition, Chris Pratt plays a police officer in one of his first big-screen roles. Jennifer’s Body was directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Diablo Cody, hot on the heels of her Academy Award win for Juno. That’s a winning combination on paper, but it took a while for the result to be appreciated.

Seyfried actually plays the protagonist, a shy high school student aptly named Needy (short for Anita) whose popular best friend Jennifer, played by Fox, has become possessed by a demon and must commit murder to survive. Needy tries to help Jennifer as her killing spree continues. But does she kind of have a point? Who’s actually protecting who? Is this a love story? As with so many things when you’re a teenager, the situation is complicated.

Why Is ‘Jennifer’s Body’ Considered a Cult Classic?

Jennifer’s Body grossed $31 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. As it turns out, Hollywood did not know how to properly market a feminist horror comedy in 2009. According to Cody in a retrospective Vox interview, she wanted to reach female audiences, but the executives focused on trying to get male fans into theaters. Considering how blatantly misandrist Jennifer is, however, that seems like an uphill battle doomed to fail. Critics gave Jennifer’s Body mixed reviews that often missed the film’s intentions as well. “Just what we were waiting for,” opened Roger Ebert‘s original review, “Twilight for boys, with Megan Fox in the Robert Pattinson role, except that I recall Pattinson was shirtless.” And he gave it four out of five stars! Imagine what the people who didn’t like it were saying.

In recent years, especially after the MeToo movement brought the themes to the surface, Jennifer’s Body started to resonate more. It’s still kind of difficult to get certain audiences on board with movies that are feminist and funny. Even the act of insisting that empowerment doesn’t have to be dour makes you sound a little desperate… but it’s true! Anyway, the film has been reevaluated by critics and audiences alike, and is now considered a queer feminist cult classic. It only took a decade and some change!

Stay tuned at Collider for more.

Release Date: September 18, 2009
Runtime: 107 minutes
Director: Advertisement

Karyn Kusama
Producers: Brad Van Arragon, Daniel Dubiecki, Jason Reitman
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10 Genuinely Perfect Psychological Thrillers, Ranked

Published

2 hours ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Donnie Darko looking directly in the mirror in Donnie Darko’ (2001)

We love watching a good mind game unfold before us. The allure of a psychological thriller lies in seeing how characters inflict psychological terror or overcome it. Throughout movie history, there have been some extraordinary masterpieces of psychological thriller cinema, but only ten are genuinely perfect.

From timeless legends to modern classics, these films have served as the blueprint for the genre over time. Some have haunted our nightmares while others reshaped the rules of cinema. No matter how they played with your mind, these movies continue to be some of the very best of all time.

10

‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)

A brilliantly underrated cult classic, Donnie Darko earned its way into psychological thriller history. Written and directed by Richard Kelly, the film follows Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who, after sleepwalking, narrowly escapes death from a falling jet engine and is guided by Frank (James Duval), a mysterious, grotesque figure in a giant rabbit suit to uncover secrets of time and destiny. Donnie Darko deliberately blurs the line between clinical paranoid schizophrenia and actual supernatural destiny for a powerful coming-of-age drama about teenage isolation, death, and existential purpose.

The brilliance of Donnie Darko lies in being forced to see the world through a troubled teen’s vantage point. Gyllenhaal is pitch perfect in his breakout role, guiding the film to its final destination. By questioning the validity of Frank and the time-travel scenario, or whether it’s all a symptom of his disease, viewers are kept on their toes. His ability to humanize isolation and anxiety is profound. The film is not a flat-out obvious story, as Kelly tasks the audience to personally interpret every single moment and image. With a haunting atmosphere and a brilliant soundtrack that included “Mad World” by Gary Jules, it serves as the perfect aesthetic world-building. Donnie Darko is a terrifyingly accurate story of being misunderstood.

9

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

Mia Farrow drowning a scream with her hand in Rosemary's Baby — Mia Farrow drowning a scream with her hand in Rosemary’s Baby

One of the most iconic physiological horror thrillers of all time, Rosemary’s Baby took Ira Levin’s novel and transformed it into a stellar and sinister story. Directed by Roman Polanski, the film follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her husband Guy (John Cassavetes) as they move into an old, eerie apartment building in New York City. Rosemary begins to suspect her odd neighbors, Roman and Minnie Castevet (SydneyBlackmer and Ruth Gordon), and her ambitious husband belong to a satanic cult plotting to use her unborn child for evil rituals. A story built on psychological dread and paranoia, Rosemary’s Baby taps into how society strips away a pregnant woman’s personal choice and agency.

With deep-seated social fears, gaslighting, and slow-building paranoia, Rosemary’s Baby traps you in Rosemary’s mind. You’re forced to determine if Rosemary’s fears of a satanic conspiracy are real or just the paranoid delusions of a pregnant woman. As Rosemary is gaslit by everyone she believes she can trust, she loses her autonomy and power, exposing a universal sense of unease. The terror of Rosemary’s Baby is not entirely the threat of giving birth to the devil but the revelation that it’s the unsuspecting individuals around you that make up the cultist monsters. It may be a period piece today, but Rosemary’s Baby remains poignant today.

8

‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)

Naomi Watts and Laura Harring looking upward in Mulholland Drive.

Many will try, but no one will have a mind quite like David Lynch. The visionary has given the world some of the most daring projects, including Mulholland Drive. His 21st-century classic is a surrealistic psychological mystery about an actress in Los Angeles and an amnesiac car crash survivor who try to uncover the survivor’s true identity. Betty (Naomi Watts), an ambitious, bright-eyed aspiring actress who’s new to Los Angeles, and Rita (Laura Harring), an enigmatic woman with amnesia, try to piece together Rita’s past, only for reality and illusion to crash into one as Betty and Rita are anything but. Mulholland Drive explores psychological collapse, guilt, and the dark underbelly of Hollywood by depicting a warped nature of ambition, betrayal, and a shattered mind.

Mulholland Drive is a mind-blowing thriller that demands close attention to the story Lynch proposes. The first two-thirds of the film operates as a a fantasy created by a failed and heartbroken actress. She imagines herself as something grander when, in truth, it couldn’t be further from reality. Lynch presumes that severe trauma is shielded by a safer identity, despite who it hurts in the process. Yet the dark landscape of Los Angeles is an illusion she uses to excuse her failure. Mulholland Drive is a brilliant script brought to life flawlessly, earning itself as Lynch’s very best.

7

‘Black Swan’ (2010)

Nina dancing on stage with red eyes in Black Swan (2010). — Natalie Portman transforms in *Black Swan* (2010).

The obsession for artistic perfection is put on full display in the mind-bending Black Swan. A brilliant psychological masterpiece from Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan follows Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a dedicated, perfectionist ballerina, who loses her grip on reality when rival dancer Lily (Mila Kunis) earns the role she greatly desires. Nina’s relentless drive for technical perfection turns into a mental prison, pushing her past the brink. Black Swan takes the duality of the White and Black Swan to represent the inner battle between a sheltered, fragile young girl and an indecent, sexually revitalized young woman.

Black Swan represents the mindset all artists experience as they strive for greatness. Nina’s mental breakdown comes from the desire to become the best through perfection as she’s pushed by the pressure of her career, the industry, and her overprotective mother, Erica (Barbara Hershey). Through visceral body horror and spellbinding visual direction, Black Swan puts you squarely inside Nina’s mind. It’s a high-tension, claustrophobic atmosphere that dives deep into Nina’s repressed self and her darker desires. A mesmerizing film that redefined Portman’s career, Black Swan is a true work of art.

6

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

A shirtless Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden, surrounded by men in Fight Club

If you love Fight Club, defy the rules and talk about Fight Club! Director David Fincher brought Chuck Palahniuk’s novel to life in perfect fashion. The narrative (Edward Norton) tracks an unnamed office worker whose mundane profession turns him into an insomniac. He finds emotional relief by attending a fake terminal illness support group where he meets Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter), another impostor. Then he forms an underground fight club with a charismatic soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). As the group transforms into a radical, destructive anti-capitalist organization called Project Mayhem, the truth comes out about Tyler’s true twisted identity. The psychological thriller traps the audience in a fractured, unreliable mind where the line between objective reality and delusion blurs.

Fight Club is a fervent mix of psychological turmoil and philosophical dread. Tyler embodies everything the narrator desires to be. He embodies freedom, danger, and confidence that the narrator simply lacks. By the time the big twist is revealed, it all makes complete sense, as Fincher spelled it out in plain sight. That said, it reframes everything prior, making a subsequent watch more than worthwhile. Rather than just a critique of modern life, consumerism, and corporate monotony that creates a numb society, the chaotic nature and danger of a broken identity. Fight Club remains a cinematic game changer.

5

‘The Shining’ (1980)

Jack Nicholson smiling while peeking through a door in The Shining

Even though Stephen King wasn’t completely satisfied with The Shining, it remains a sensational work. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the big-screen adaptation follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as he takes a job as a winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Moving in with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), they become isolated and trapped within the confines of the estate where evil spirits exploit Jack’s past struggles with alcohol and anger, slowly driving him to madness. A haunting portrayal of addiction, trauma, and isolation, The Shining is a masterclass in psychological horror.

The Shining uses the hotel to represent the sick cycle of violence and cruelty that traps people who ignore the past. Using Sigmund Freud’s concept of “the uncanny,” Kubrick built the locale to evoke the unsettling feeling of the familiar feeling wrong. Every set piece, architectural element, and visual trigger dread and unease. The Shining taps into pure dread and fear, thanks to some of the moldy iconic moments in horror history. From the twins to the bloody elevator, “redrum” to “Here’s Johnny!” The Shining remains a profound part of cinematic history.

4

‘Get Out’ (2017)

The horror genre has been elevated thanks to the genius of Jordan Peele and Get Out. The subversive thriller follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black photographer, who uncovers a terrifying, racially motivated conspiracy when he visits his white girlfriend’s, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), family estate. He uncovers a terrifying truth that the Armitage family runs a sinister cult in which Black individuals are lured to the estate in order to surgically transplant the consciousness of wealthy white buyers into their healthy bodies, trapping the original victims in a paralyzed mental state known as the “sunken place.”

Get Out uses horror and satire to critique modern racism, microaggressions, cultural appropriation, and the commodification of Black bodies in America. Locked into Chris’ perspective, the audience is forced to see and feel every microaggression and racist comment. The horror comes from the complete and utter gaslighting as how the “villains” cause Chris and the audience to question if they are truly a present threat. Get Out flips the horror tropes of dark locales into a bright, out-in-the-open seemingly safe suburban neighborhood. Get Out’s perfect blend of comedy, mystery, and heavy social commentary weaves a modern classic.

3

‘Psycho’ (1960)

Anthony-Perkins smiling at the camera in Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock proved that with one big twisted decision, the trajectory of cinema would change forever. Bringing Robert Bloch‘s novel to life, Psycho follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who steals $40,000 and escapes to the remote Bates Motel, run by the fascinatingly intriguing Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). After being brutally stabbed in the shower the next morning, Marion’s sister Lila (Vera Miles) and boyfriend Sam Loomis (John Gavin) search for her, only to discover the truth about Norman and the Bates Motel. An iconic film that defined horror within pop culture, Psycho subverted audiences’ attention while providing a masterful exploration of the human psyche.

Psycho is a brilliant story, but the film soars to great heights thanks to Hitchcock’s risky decision to kill off his star within the film’s first act. In doing so, it forces the audience to be on their toes as anything can and will happen. Leaving them in suspense became the film’s greatest asset. Psycho is grounded in ordinary reality, where a seemingly shy, polite, and regular guy is anything but. Norman serves as the ultimate ordinary monster that may be lurking around the corner. With sensational direction and a shrieking score from Bernard Herrmann, Psycho is fear and terror to the max, serving as an inspiration for the genre.

2

‘Inception’ (2010)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur fighting a man in a spinning hallway in Inception.

There are some extraordinary films across multiple genres on Christopher Nolan‘s resume, but when it comes to psychological thrillers, it doesn’t get much better than Inception. A sci-fi action thriller, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) commits corporate espionage by infiltrating his target’s mind during shared sleep states. Hired by Saito (Ken Watanabe), Dom is offered a clean slate and a reunion with his children should he commit the perfect crime: perform inception by planting a new idea in the mind of his rival CEO, Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy). Assembling a specialized team to commit the mission, Cobb and company must maintain stability across deeper dream layers as he’s haunted by psychological projections of his dead wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard).

A richly layered dream drama, Inception uses a high-concept, high-stakes framework to pull off a brilliant sci-fi heist movie. Nolan builds the perfect architecture to play within. Guilt, grief, and self-sabotage play the role of the antagonist, as the only way Cobb can succeed is to defeat his own demons. Inception weaves the mechanics of the human subconscious directly into the narrative. Nolan evokes a unique pacing structure as time slows in each layer, making the pressure-cooker race against the clock even harder to sustain. Using Nolan’s signature production style, practical sets and stunts give the film a tangible feel. Inception is the perfect psychological thriller because we’re still debating the ending and that damn spinning top.

1

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

The-Silence-of-the-Lambs-Anthony-Hopkins-Jodie-Foster

Cinema has some of the greatest villains, but no one is more terrifying than Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). And yet, even behind bars, he is a terrifying threat because of the incredible mind games he plays. In The Silence of the Lambs, FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is assigned to track down serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who abducts and skins women. To get inside the killer’s mind, she interviews Hannibal in exchange for offering her own personal traumas from her past. The Silence of the Lambs is a tense battle of wits and psychological leveraging that gave the horror genre a seat at the awards table.

The Silence of the Lambs is pure horror, but rather than jump scares, the terror and suspense come through psychological warfare. It’s a truly twisted tale that is acted to the max. Foster and Hopkins deliver career-defining performances that set the gold standard for this subgenre of crime thriller. Director Jonathan Demme opts for dread over gore, stillness over chaos, and claustrophobic tension over high-stakes action. Earning the Big Five at the Academy Awards, the thriller doesn’t get more thrilling than this film.

The Silence of the Lambs

Release Date: February 14, 1991
Runtime: 119 minutes
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Director: Jonathan Demme
Writers: Ted Tally, Thomas Harris

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King Charles Clarifies Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s Status

Published

2 hours ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Arrive in UK

A letter was written on behalf of King Charles III to clarify Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s status as royal family members amid their return to the United Kingdom.

“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” read the letter written by senior officer of the royal household Lord Chamberlain, obtained by multiple outlets including Newsweek and NBC News. “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”

The letter continued, “It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family. This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”

The letter added that Harry, 41, and Meghan’s “styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.”

A Buckingham Palace source confirmed to the outlet that the letter was shared with Harry’s team on Monday, September 7.

Harry and Meghan, 45, stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and subsequently left the U.K. and moved to Montecito, California, with son Prince Archie, now 7. The following year, they welcomed daughter Princess Lilibet, 5.

King Charles’ Letter Clarifies Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Status, HRH Titles After U.K. Return — Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Six years after their shocking move, Harry and Meghan surprised the world again after they decided to return to the U.K. with their children. Archie and Lilibet are scheduled to begin school there this month.

The pair are expected to keep their home in Montecito, as well as a vacation residence in Portugal.

A source told Us that Harry was “not as happy in the U.S. as he is in the U.K” and that he and Meghan are “open to a new chapter.”

Harry and Meghan were not expected to resume royal duties upon their return across the pond. The Duke of Sussex will be spending more time supporting multiple U.K.-based charities and patronages while Meghan is expected to continue running her As Ever brand overseas. Rumors swirled that Meghan was going to return to acting with a potential role in The Gentlemen season 3. However, nothing has been officially announced.

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The 10 Best Disaster Movies in Film History

Published

2 hours ago

8 September 2026

NewsAdmin

Jackson Davis (John Cusack) shines a flashlight in a flooded corridor in '2012'.

They say when you see a train wreck or a car crash, you can’t look away. It’s the fascination of seeing a disaster unfold that you’re not a part of. Our curiosity paints a picture of what happened and what the aftermath might be. That’s why disaster movies are so alluring—you get the entire story laid out for you!

Hollywood has provided cinema with some of the greatest disaster films of all time. From human-made errors to natural devastations, these disasters have provided a brilliant source of thrills that we simply can’t look away from. Though these may be stressful scenarios, the magic of cinema has made them entirely entertaining. From pure thriller to romance and parody, the range of styles proves that disaster flicks have no bounds.

1

‘2012’ (2009)

We can look back at the year 2012 and chuckle at the paranoia that the world might end in the same way it could have due to Y2K. But in 2009, the premise of the film 2012 did give some of us quite a fright. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the epic disaster film follows a global cataclysm that destroys the planet as massive solar storms heat the Earth’s core. Geoscientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) warns world leaders of impending doom, leading to the revelation of massive arks intended to preserve humanity. Meanwhile, divorced limousine driver and novelist Jackson Curtist (John Cusack) races to save his family while facing off against massive earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and megatsunamis that topple cities.

Drawn from the 2012 phenomenon and Mayan calendar prediction that forecasted the end of the world on December 21, 2012, the film played into our paranoia about what could happen if we don’t take care of our planet in the present. 2012 went full tilt, as anything that could happen did happen. Emmerich ramped up the action, introducing every apocalyptic trope that came into play in order to allow a high-octane global destruction story. Watching beloved landmarks crumble before one’s eyes serves as a wake-up call about the potential of total destruction. As pure entertainment, 2012 is a genuine popcorn flick whose greatest strength is its shock-and-awe. It’s the most disastery film in history.

2

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

Ted Striker and Otto, the inflatable pilot, attempt to land a plane while Dr. Rumack watches in 'Airplane!' — Ted Striker and Otto, the inflatable pilot, attempt to land a plane while Dr. Rumack watches in *Airplane!*

If there is a hall of fame for the greatest comedies of all time, you can most certainly expect Airplane! to appear. The film delivered non-stop laughs, but at its core, it is a serious disaster film set on a plane. The satirical comedy, written and directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, follows Ted Striker (Robert Hays), a traumatized former fighter pilot with a fear of flying, who boards a commercial flight to win back the heart of his flight-attendant ex-girlfriend, Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty). As the passengers and crew onboard fall violently ill with food poisoning, Ted must overcome his trauma, take control in the cockpit, and land the plane safely. Surely, you can’t be serious!

The spoof comedy parodies the 70s movie genre, utilizing brilliant visual gags, on-the-nose puns, and rapid-fire absurdist humor. A product of its time, Airplane! continues to keep us laughing to this day. A major reason for the film’s success is tasking serious dramatic actors, including Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, and Lloyd Bridges, to deliver silly performances with deadpan seriousness. In turn, it made Airplane! a quotable hit. Though some bits may not have aged quite as well, they still make us laugh. Through high-stakes action and low-seriousness delivery, Airplane! is a literal ticking-clock scenario of peril in the sky. The film reinvented the parody genre while launching a sequel and other like-minded genre-spoofs, many starring Nielsen. I dare you not to chuckle when you’re at the airport and hear the announcements about loading zones.

3

‘Armageddon’ (1998)

Ben Affleck talks to someone off-screen and gestures with his hands on an oil rig in Armageddon.

Every so often, two studios release very similar movies around the same time. Like Pixar and DreamWorks tackled the insect game with A Bug’s Life and Antz in 1998, that same calendar year saw two rival meteor disaster films, Touchstone Pictures’ Armageddon and Paramount Pictures’ Deep Impact. It was the former that was the more superior film, though less accurate. In the Michael Bay-directed film, a rogue asteroid the size of Texas is on a collision course with Earth, threatening humanity if it crashes within 18 days. NASA executive Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) assembles a ragtag group of deep-core oil drillers, led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), to split the rock in two.

A story of heroism from ordinary people, determination, and the ultimate sacrifice, Armageddon is a high-octane thriller that filled the summer box office slot. With Bay in control, Armageddon was a sleek and visually spectacular film. Though science is treated as an afterthought, practicality means little when you’re watching everyday people do the extraordinary. By compiling a group of individuals you resonate with, the stakes are at an astronomical high. Of course, there must be a convenient love story between Harry’s daughter, Grace (Liv Tyler), and his employee, A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck), to make the mission even more personal. Armageddon is also responsible for “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, so the disaster film was anything but! A great popcorn flick of the time, Armageddon is pop culture entertainment to the max.

4

‘A Night to Remember’ (1958)

Robbie Lucas, played by John Merivale, carrying an unconscious passenger in A Night to Remember

The sinking of the Titanic was a source of storytelling long before the iconic 1997 film we’ll discuss soon. In fact, it was the source of a 1958 film directed by Roy Ward Baker. The historical disaster film A Night to Remember showcases the final hours of the ocean liner’s maiden voyage. Tracking the events as they unfold in real time, the film depicts the disaster through the eyes of Second Officer Charles Lightoller (Kenneth More), as well as those of the passengers and crew. A Night to Remember showcases the response to the crisis across all social classes, capturing the profound bravery through extreme panic.

Based on Walter Lord‘s nonfiction book of the same name, A Night to Remember is a film endorsed by historians and survivors for its cinematic accuracy. It’s the ultimate battle between humans and nature. What was believed to be an unsinkable vessel was anything but. A Night to Remember rejected the standard Hollywood melodrama in favor of a documentary-style, immersive experience that prioritizes the authentic experiences of the individuals on board. Baker builds slow tension and dread through practical special effects, black-and-white cinematography, and realistic performances. A Night to Remember is a perfect companion film to the ’90s masterpiece, offering an important perspective.

5

‘Contagion’ (2011)

Jennifer Ehle wears as hazmat suit as Dr. Ally Hextall in Contagion (2011)

There have been quite a few virus-centric disaster films, but none as powerful as 2011’s Contagion. A film that has grown more terrifying over time, the Steven Soderbergh medical thriller depicts a rapidly spreading lethal airborne virus that spreads across the globe. As ordinary people are directly affected by the disease, the CDC’s Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) and Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) race to track it, while Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) works to develop a vaccine that will be distributed only through a birthdate lottery system. A narrative that describes how paranoia is born from conspiracy and corporate power, Contagion shows the dramatic cost of a domino effect.

Rather than playing into the sanitized Hollywood disaster-flick trope seen in the ’90s, Contagion explores chilling, scientifically rigorous truths. With its real-world biology, accurate transmission, and the slow, methodical, and bureaucratic struggles for an overnight vaccine miracle, Contagion was a prophetic film that needed to be viewed in real time. The most terrifying element of Contagion is how easily the societal breakdown arrives. Rather than purely shown through action, the illustration of societal hierarchy, slow distribution, and the spread of misinformation can be just as lethal as the virus itself. Contagion‘s eerie precision makes it a sensational film that has aged like fine wine. Boasting a brilliant ensemble, featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Bryan Cranston, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Contagion is a must-watch.

6

‘The Impossible’ (2012)

Tom Holland Naomi Watts The Impossible — Tom Holland and Naomi Watts in *The Impossible* (2012).

Natural disasters are one of society’s greatest fears. Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but there are certain weather events we can avoid. Others, like a tsunami, have a lower chance of survival. And then came The Impossible, which proved otherwise. Inspired by true events and the experience of Maria Belon and her family during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Thailand, The Impossible is a harrowing story of resilience, survival, and true grit. Maria (Naomi Watts) and her son Lucas (Tom Holland) are dramatically separated from her husband, Henry (Ewan McGregor), and their sons, Thomas and Simon, when the massive tsunami strikes. The Impossible depicts the struggle for reunion as they navigate widespread devastation, life-changing injuries, and overwhelming trauma. With powerhouse performances from Watts and Holland, who makes his film debut, The Impossible is one of the most stressfully hopeful disaster dramas of all time.

The Impossible showcases how a fun family vacation can change in the blink of an eye. Director J.A. Bayona leaves little to the imagination, grounding the film in immense realism. He drops you into the inescapably rough waters before shifting gears toward a genuine human story. Through a micro-examination of the family rather than a more outward approach of the local victims, The Impossible is a very specific ordeal. The Impossible is a powerful film thanks in part to the visceral imagery, remarkable performances, and the fight against overwhelming odds. You may not be able to escape an event like this, but The Impossible brings a glimmer of hope through its story of perseverance.

7

‘The Poseidon Adventure’ (1972)

Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman) mourns Belle (Shelley Winters) in 'The Poseidon Adventure' — Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman) mourns Belle (Shelley Winters) in ‘The Poseidon Adventure’

In 1972, Ronald Neame adapted Paul Gallico‘s 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure into a cinematic event. The film depicts the titular aging luxury ocean liner on its voyage from New York City to Greece. Just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, the S.S. Poseidon is rocked by a rogue wave, capsizing the ship. As many passengers drown while awaiting help in the ballroom, Reverend Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) leads a small group to climb through the upside-down interior, facing off against raging fires, rising water, and block passages in hopes of safety. A high-stakes survival thriller, The Poseidon Adventure was simply groundbreaking

The Poseidon Adventure could have been a disaster with its epic all-star cast, which included five Oscar winners: Hackman, Jack Albertson, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, and Shelley Winters. Instead, it was a brilliant, simply unpredictable disaster film. Unlike other disaster films, this one has a buffer when it comes to its stars. With this stacked cast, major characters can and will die. The original story allowed for constant, realistic danger at every turn. With practical sets, real water and fire, and physical stunts performed by its stars, The Poseidon Adventure is a thrill of a watch. Though a sequel and remakes were made, nothing holds up as well as the original.

8

‘The Towering Inferno’ (1974)

Partygoer, on fire, jumps out of the window in 'The Towering Inferno' — Partygoer, on fire, jumps out of the window in ‘The Towering Inferno’

Nothing is more terrifying than the thought of being stuck in a skyscraper during a major disaster. That fear is realized in 1974’s The Towering Inferno. Directed by John Guillermin, the all-star disaster film is set in the lavish, state-of-the-art 138-story building called the Glass Tower in San Francisco, where a massive fire breaks out during the grand opening dedication party. The building’s architect, Doug Roberts (Paul Newman), and fire chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) work together to fight the blaze, rescue the trapped attendees, and survive the collapsing high-rise. A practical high-stakes thriller, The Towering Inferno is a disaster flick as you’ve never seen before.

The Towering Inferno became a groundbreaking hit thanks to its special effects. Using real Fire and Water, it put the actors right into the danger zone. Through highly detailed miniatures and massive sets, the film felt tangible. A dual production feat from 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros., The Towering Inferno featured one of the strongest ensembles in cinema, including Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Robert Wagner, among others. The Towering Inferno constantly keeps the action moving and the audience on high alert. A spectacle from start to finish, The Towering Inferno remains one of the most influential disaster films of the decade.

9

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Rose (Kate Winslet) hanging over the side of the Titanic trying to hold on in 'Titanic' — Rose (Kate Winslet) hanging over the side of the Titanic trying to hold on in ‘Titanic’

And now, we turn to the pinnacle film about the greatest sea disaster, Titanic. Directed by James Cameron, the Oscar-winning film depicts the maiden voyage of the Ship of Dreams through the eyes of an elderly woman named Rose (Gloria Stuart), who recounts her experience to treasure hunters. On board, upper-class Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) begins a forbidden affair with lower-class Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). As their romance heats up, the Titanic strikes an iceberg, causing a devastating tragedy for all on board. A cinematic marvel, Titanic might possibly be the greatest disaster film in Hollywood history.

Titanic is a brilliant romantic film, but its core is rooted in its disaster story. By anchoring the terrifying mechanics of a sinking ship to the romance between Jack and Rose, Cameron gives audiences a reason to care about individual lives during the terrifying ordeal. It humanizes the tragedy by the time disaster strikes. The film humanizes the story by telling a tale of classism in which status dictated potential for survival. By highlighting the stark realities of class barriers during evacuation and the chilling aftermath on the freezing water, Titanic is a complete drama. Cameron’s attention to detail made the film a groundbreaking feat. Cameron conducted deep-sea dives to film the actual wreck, which paired perfectly with the cinema technology. Titanic is a timeless classic.

10

‘Twister’ (1996)

Bill Paxton tries to alert everyone to the oncoming tornado in Twister (1996). — Bill Paxton tries to alert everyone to the oncoming tornado in *Twister* (1996).

Not since The Wizard of Oz has a tornado been such an iconic piece of pop culture. Directed by Jan de Bont and written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin, the 1996 blockbuster Twister follows Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and a group of storm chasers in Oklahoma who brave extreme tornadoes to deploy a groundbreaking weather-research device named “Dorothy.” The team races against a well-funded corporate rival (Cary Elwes) who stole her ex-husband’s Bill Harding (Bill Paxton), design to try and beat them to the scientific breakthrough. Having past trauma of watching her father get swept away by an F5 tornado, Jo is motivated by the desire to bring safety to win. A relentless thriller, Twister merged a compelling and emotionally grounded story with a high-octane action narrative.

Unlike many disaster films that have their characters run away from the disaster, Twister has them racing straight into it. Twister is a tale about chasing danger straight on. The film focuses on the human story in relation to the great weather event. Though Jo and Billy may be separated, they’re together on a mission, reigniting the pressure cooker of love. To bring the tornado to life, Industrial Light & Magic used innovative particle simulations to make them feel practical. Combined with physical wind machines and practical debris, the action feels immersive. It was such a groundbreaking special effect that it even inspired a Universal Studios attraction. One of the defining disaster films of the decade, Twister’s legacy lives on today thanks to its legacy sequel.