Harry Styles kicked off his highly anticipated Together, Together tour in Amsterdam on Saturday, May 16.

The three-time Grammy winner, 32, opened his concert at the Johan Cruijff Arena with “Are You Listening Yet?” before running through hits including “Watermelon Sugar,” “Treat People With Kindness” and “Sign of the Times.” He closed out his 20-song set with “As It Was.” (See the full setlist below.)

Styles and supporting act Robyn will perform nine more shows at the Netherlands arena through June 5 before undertaking a record-breaking 12 dates at Wembley Stadium in London with opener Shania Twain from June 12 to July 4.

The former One Direction member will then bring his residency-style tour to São Paulo for four nights at Estádio do Morumbi with support from electronic band Fcukers followed by six concerts at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City with Jorja Smith.

Related: 10 Must-See Tours This Summer

From nostalgic reunions to buzzy new headliners and possible farewells, this summer’s concert calendar is stacked with what are sure to be must-see tours. Below, Us Weekly rounds up 10 superstar acts — including pop princess Ariana Grande, global heartthrob Harry Styles and generation-defying party starter Bruno Mars — who are hitting the road with […]

On August 26, Styles will begin a historic 30-show run at Madison Square Garden in New York City — his only Together, Together stop in the U.S. — that is scheduled to conclude with a “Harryween” performance on October 31. DJ Jamie xx will open for the pop star at the iconic venue.

After taking nearly a month off, Styles is set to return to the stage at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, with DJ Baby J from November 27 to December 2 before wrapping up his 2026 tour dates at Accor Stadium in Sydney from December 12 to 13 with supporting act Skye Newman.

Together, Together — Styles’ first outing since Love on Tour, which ran from September 2021 to July 2023 — supports the X Factor U.K. alum’s fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Styles launched his latest musical era in January with the release of the album’s lead single, “Aperture.” He has since debuted music videos for two more songs, “American Girls” and “Dance No More.”

Related: Harry Styles Through the Years

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Harry Styles has had quite the transformation since the early days of his career. The Brit entered into the spotlight in 2010 after trying out for The X Factor UK. During Styles’ time on the show, creator and judge Simon Cowell paired him with fellow contestants Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik […]

In March, a source exclusively told Us Weekly why the former boy bander decided to bring Together, Together to only seven cities.

“Harry approached this project and tour very mindfully,” the insider explained. “By doing multi-night residencies, there is less travel and less burnout. He will likely add more dates next year, but he is approaching this in a way that feels healthy for him.”

The source continued, “For Harry, the past couple of years have been about slowing down, stepping back and finding peace. He really treasured that time and the sense of privacy and normalcy. He is coming into this tour knowing what works for him. He is incredibly emotionally mature and constantly working on himself.”

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The insider also noted that Styles’ rumored fiancée, Zoë Kravitz, is “very supportive” of his career, which is “a big part of why their relationship works.”

The couple went public with their relationship in August 2025 before sparking engagement rumors in April. Neither Styles nor Kravitz, 37, has publicly commented on the reports.

Related: Harry Styles‘ Dating History

Harry Styles has accomplished a great deal since he rose to stardom as part of One Direction — and he’s had some very famous faces by his side along the way. One year after competing on The X Factor U.K., Styles had a brief relationship with Caroline Flack in 2011. He then started seeing Taylor […]

Check out Styles’ Together, Together setlist from Saturday night:

1. Are You Listening Yet?
2. Golden
3. Adore You
4. Watermelon Sugar
5. Music for a Sushi Restaurant
6. Taste Back
7. Coming Up Roses
8. Fine Line
9. American Girls
10. Keep Driving
11. Ready, Steady, Go!
12. Dance No More
13. Treat People With Kindness
14. Pop
15. Season 2 Weight Loss
16. Carla’s Song
17. Aperture
18. Matilda
19. Sign of the Times
20. As It Was

Prime Video’s Off Campus premiered in May 2026, and Briar U devotees haven’t stopped pausing, screenshotting and dissecting every frame since.

Off Campus, adapted from Elle Kennedy’s bestselling hockey romance series, follows a group of collegiate athletes balancing life on the rink with their efforts finding love on the campus quad. In season 1, showrunner Louisa Levy loaded all eight episodes with sneaky nods to the beloved book series with a few twists no one saw coming.

Consider this your ultimate cheat sheet to every blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hint:

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Related: Which ‘Off Campus’ Couples End Up Together? Book Order Explained

Prime Video’s Off Campus follows different love stories at Briar U — but which couples end up together in the books? Based on the Off Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team — and the women in their lives — as they “grapple with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery […]

Tucker’s Fruit Gag Foreshadows Future Season

One of the most-discussed Easter eggs involves Jalen Thomas Brooks‘ character, John Tucker, who spends season 1 pledging Dean (Stephen Kalyn) and Beau Maxwell’s (Khobe Clarke) fraternity. Part of his hazing requires him to care for a piece of fruit — starting with a grape, which is later swapped for a strawberry, banana and watermelon as the season progresses.

Fans quickly connected the gag to The Goal, Tucker’s book in Kennedy’s series, in which his eventual love interest Sabrina James discovers she’s pregnant after a hookup with Tucker. Pregnancies are typically measured weekly by fruit size.

“Apparently someone said Tucker holding a fruit in season 1 is a foreshadow for his season since babies are usually measured by fruit when they’re in the womb,” one fan tweeted in May 2026.

Tucker and Logan’s ‘Dynamic Duos’ Costumes

At Dean and Beau’s joint birthday party, Tucker dresses as a bumblebee and Logan (Antonio Cipriano) dresses as a hawk — a reference to the “birds and the bees” and Tucker and Sabrina’s future child.

“I’m a bumblebee, and then Logan’s a hawk or a bird,” Brooks told Deadline in May 2026. “[It is a] whole play on words was the birds and the bees, which is kind of correlated to both John Logan and John Tucker’s stories, in a sense. Specifically John Tucker’s. There’s a lot of foreshadowing going on in that episode.”

Brooks also teased Tucker’s future to Us Weekly: “You’re gonna see a lot of Tucker becoming this guy that he’s known to be in the books and everything. I’m excited for audiences to see Tucker, [who is] supposed to creep up on people, you know, and have a little bit of romance.”

Beau Maxwell’s Role Expanded 

Clarke’s portrayal of Beau Maxwell — a Briar University football player and friend of the hockey team — has fans emotionally bracing for his onscreen fate. In Kennedy’s novels, Beau dies in a car crash during Sabrina and Tucker’s story, and viewers are already dreading the character’s expected exit.

“I mean, in season 1, we only get, I think, a little taste of Beau, but he does [fill] the screen a little,” Kennedy told Us. “I think that Khobe, he’s such a great actor and he’s the sweetest guy. He had a lot of the little comedic bits in the season.”

According to Kennedy, fans will “fall in love” with Clarke’s Beau before being “eventually devastated.”

Hunter Davenport’s Debut Delivers Major Twist

The season 1 finale introduced Hunter Davenport, played by Charlie Evans, in a major departure from the books. On the page, Hunter doesn’t appear until Dean’s book, The Score, before leading his own book, The Play — though he wasn’t linked to Allie (Mika Abdalla) in either.

The final scene showed Dean arguing with Hunter, with hints the conflict involves Dean’s sister Summer, who previously dated Hunter in high school

“[Hunter’s arrival is] a launching point to hopefully explore some of Dean’s backstory in season 2,” the showrunner told Swooon in May 2026. “But it really was an opportunity to put a little bit of a twist in their story line and prolong it just a little bit, so that we have lots of room to play with them in future seasons. And we also wanted to nod to the book fans that we might have some other characters that you might not expect showing up in fun ways.”

Louisa Levy and Elle Kennedy Explain Adaptation Approach

Levy exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2026 the team prioritized the series’ emotional core over a literal translation.

“We have a lot of stories told in different ways. We have eight episodes instead of the whole book. So we really started with the things that were super nonnegotiable — that without those things it wouldn’t be Off Campus,” the show creator said. “From there, we added as many of the book moments as we could. We dropped them in like Easter eggs.”

Kennedy, who consulted on scripts but didn’t have final creative control, told Us in a separate interview that she was prepared for changes from her source material.

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“I went into this knowing they’re going to have to change certain things,” Kennedy said. “Every adaptation has that — especially because the book is written in first person so you’re getting their thoughts a lot. They have to find different ways to show it.”

Season 2 has already been renewed, with production beginning June 2026.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

Tara Reid is back in the spotlight, but her latest public appearance has social media users sounding the alarm. The 50-year-old “American Pie” actress stepped out at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in France on Friday, appearing in good spirits as she posed for cameras and enjoyed the star-studded festivities. But while Tara Reid seemed upbeat during the outing, online reactions quickly took a more concerning turn.

Reid’s appearance comes less than a year after the actress claimed she had been drugged during a frightening night out at a Chicago bar. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the actress appeared to be bouncing back at her latest red carpet appearance in Cannes, smiling for photographers and soaking in the festival atmosphere. However, photos from the event quickly spread online, where some fans voiced concern over the actress’s appearance.

Social media users didn’t hold back as photos of Reid from Cannes began circulating, with many expressing worry about the actress. “She and Britney [Spears] need intervention, booze, drugs, and makeup. Raccoon eyes are never a good look,” one commenter wrote. Another critic bluntly added, “Hot mess as always.”

A third person suggested Reid simply needed a glam refresh, writing, “She needs an intervention. Ideally, by a makeup artist. Her eye shadow looks dreadful. She does not need black eyeshadow to make her eyes pop. Brown would equally do the trick and be softer.”

Others worried Reid may not be doing well behind the scenes. “Not even makeup can hide the way she feels. She doesn’t look well for a long time; now it seems to be worse,” another person commented. Meanwhile, one fan took a softer approach, simply writing, “Sad. Bless you, Tara.”

Reid Previously Claimed She Was Drugged During ‘Scary’ Chicago Ordeal

Reid’s Cannes appearance comes months after the actress spoke out about what she described as a frightening experience at a Chicago-area hotel bar. The “American Pie” star claimed she blacked out after having what she said was just one drink at a hotel near Chicago O’Hare Airport in late 2025 and later woke up in a hospital with little memory of what happened. Reid alleged someone may have tampered with her drink after she briefly stepped away from it.

Speaking about the ordeal afterward, Reid called the experience deeply unsettling. “It’s just really scary. It’s for all – not just girls, but for guys, for anyone. You have to really be careful with your drink,” she said, later adding, “It made me pass out for eight hours.”

Authorities later reviewed surveillance footage from the hotel and said they found no evidence showing anyone tampered with Reid’s drink, though officials noted chemical testing and hospital records were part of the investigation. Reid, however, continued to maintain that something had happened. “That was the scariest feeling I have ever felt,” Reid previously said. “I felt so helpless.”

Tara Reid Detailed Alleged Drugging Incident In Police Report

Additional details surrounding Reid’s alleged drugging incident emerged through a police report filed on November 25, months after the actress said the terrifying experience unfolded during a trip to Chicago. According to the report, Reid claimed she “completely blacked out” after having a drink with a stranger while staying at the DoubleTree Hotel ahead of a celebrity signing event two days earlier.

The actress said she initially tried to file a report after returning home to Los Angeles, but ran into complications. “They said that I could not file one over the phone and had to be there in person,” Reid recalled, later noting she was ultimately able to complete the report without returning to Illinois.

Reid Says Stranger Joined Her Before Alleged Ordeal

In the filing, Reid alleged she had ordered a glass of white wine at the hotel bar when “A man came up to me and introduced himself as Sean P, a very successful influencer and YouTuber,” before joining her for drinks.

The pair later stepped outside for a cigarette and exchanged phone numbers. But according to Reid, something felt off after they returned to the bar. “Once she returned inside, ‘there was a napkin over my drink,’” Reid alleged in the report.

Tara Reid Says She Woke Up In Hospital With ‘No Recollection’

She told police the final moments she remembered before losing consciousness were sitting near another couple and taking another sip of her drink.

“Then the last thing I remember was drinking that drink and seeing a couple sitting next to us,” Reid stated. “The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital around 8 hours or more later, not knowing where I was or anything that happened. I completely blacked out with no recollection of anything.”

Still, her Cannes appearance has once again put her at the center of online discussion, with many fans hoping the actress is doing okay behind the scenes.

While he is best known for helping to breathe new life into the Star Wars universe by helping to rewrite Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and delivering the universe’s best show ever with Andor, Tony Gilroy has been making terrific genre entertainment in the industry for well over two decades. In addition to earning several Academy Award nominations for his brilliant directorial debut, Michael Clayton, Gilroy was also essential in mapping out the story of the Bourne franchise.

Although his contributions to the galaxy far, far away have given him a greater audience than he ever would have had previously, he does have some underrated films that are worth another look from those that are obsessed with Andor. Gilroy wrote a terrific, old-fashioned political thriller with Beirut, which featured Jon Hamm in what may be his best performance since playing Don Draper on Mad Men.

What Is ‘Beirut’ About?

Custom Image by Zanda Rice

Hamm stars in Beirut as the retired American diplomat Mason Skiles, who decided to give up serving his company after his wife was killed in a violent incident overseas. Although he has now begun to suffer from severe alcoholism and depression due to the way that his life has panned out, Skiles is approached by members of the American government who ask for his participation in an academic conference in Lebanon. Once he is overseas, Skiles realizes that he was brought for an entirely different purpose; his old ally, Cal Riley (Mark Pellegrino), has been abducted by a group of kidnappers that want one of their prisoners freed as part of a deal. Although any mismanaged negotiations with the rebel forces could lead to disastrous consequences for global politics, the CIA field officer Sandy Crowder (Rosamund Pike) believes that Skiles can help broker an agreement and allow the deal to proceed without any loss of life.

While it is not based directly on real events, Beirut is a fascinating political thriller that examines an interesting period in history by granting merit to multiple perspectives. Although the film shows that American involvement in an overseas political coup could end up doing more harm than good, it also shows why Riley is treated with such importance and why it is important to not set the precedent that American lives can be given up on. Skiles is an interesting protagonist because despite his experience, he actually doesn’t have a dog in the fight; his only interest is to save a friend, to whom he feels he owes a debt of gratitude to because of the many years that they worked together. Skiles’ political ambiguity isn’t only the perfect justification for why he would be involved in such a top-secret assignment, as it also helps to make him a more interesting protagonist.

‘Beirut’ Shows Why Jon Hamm Is a Movie Star

Hamm is perfectly believable in the role of a seasoned diplomat; in the same way that he made all of Don’s pitch meetings feel completely authentic in Mad Men, Hamm is able to ensure that Skiles feels like he is perfectly attuned to help diffuse any toxic situations when he is forced to negotiate with the Lebanese. Although the film works purely as an exercise in espionage fiction, it also serves as a powerful story about grief and redemption. Skiles feels burned by the world and blames himself for putting duty over saving someone that he cares about; although he is initially resistant to signing up for another dangerous mission within an international conflict, he comes to realize that Riley would easily be killed or injured if he did not become involved in setting him free.

Beirut required some of Hamm’s charisma to make the story more enthralling, as Gilroy never attempts to dilute his material by making it less complicated; while it contains the same level of political intrigue and conspiracy mysteries as the Bourne films, it does not have the same type of action that could intrigue more casual viewers. Nonetheless, Hamm does a great job at showing how Skiles is tested by each situation and what his personal motivations are. Although Mad Men had proven that he was already a wonderful actor, Beirut showed that those skills were equally applicable to his work in film.

After Se7en and Fight Club, there was naturally some curiosity about David Fincher‘s first movie of the new millennium. Surprisingly, he decided to go somewhat mainstream with this intimate and claustrophobic thriller. It’s got a surprisingly simple plot. There’s a house, a mother and daughter trapped inside, three intruders downstairs, and a room for safety that turns into a prison.

Panic Room is streaming for free this month on Fawesome. Directed by Fincher, the 2002 thriller follows Meg Altman and her daughter Sarah after burglars break into their new home looking for a small fortune they happen to think is hidden somewhere in the house. The two head into the house’s panic room to wait it out, only to discover that what the baddies want is locked inside with them. This is exactly what you need when you’re in the middle of a divorce, and you just want to move without any stress.

The cast includes Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs, Contact) as Meg Altman, Kristen Stewart (Spencer, Twilight) as Sarah Altman, Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai) as Burnham, Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club, Blade Runner 2049) as Junior, Dwight Yoakam (Sling Blade, Crank) as Raoul, Patrick Bauchau (A View to a Kill, The Pretender) as Stephen Altman, and Ann Magnuson (Making Mr. Right, Clear and Present Danger) as Lydia Lynch.

Was ‘Panic Room’ a Success?

Yep, by all metrics, it was a hit, with critics, audiences and the multiplexes too. Produced on a reported budget of just under $50 million, the movie grossed nearly $200 million at the worldwide box office. It’s currently sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 76% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Elevated by David Fincher’s directorial talent and Jodie Foster’s performance, Panic Room is a well-crafted, above-average thriller.” Panic Room was written by the prolific David Koepp and was briefly supposed to be directed by Ridley Scott. The film was originally meant to star Nicole Kidman, but she suffered an injury early in production and was forced to step back from the project, which meant Foster joining at a moment’s notice.

Panic Room is streaming for free this month on Fawesome.

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Release Date

March 29, 2002

Runtime

112 minutes

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Writers

David Koepp

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If I had infinite funds, I’d buy every iteration of the iconic Hill House Home nap dress. I’m working with a much tighter budget, though. Luckily, this Walmart dress feels exactly like the designer favorite for just $28.

Dozens of shoppers have given the Free Assembly Smocked Cotton Mini Dress their five-star seal of approval, due to its luxe fabric, vibrant patterns and ideal length — even for those with longer legs. Plus, it has all the makings for the perfect summer dress, complete with five season-appropriate patterns to choose from.

Get the Free Assembly Smocked Cotton Mini Dress for $28 at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The fabric makes all the difference with summer dresses. You want something breathable and lightweight, but not see-through — something that’s really difficult to come across as brands use cheaper synthetic materials. This 100% cotton dress offers plenty of breathing room and just enough heft to make the garment feel substantial. One shopper specifically calls out how “nice” the material is. “It’s not flimsy or see-through.”

Another conundrum, at least for tall girls, is length. So many mini dresses are cut a little too short for those over 5’7” — and no one wants to risk a wardrobe malfunction! “I really like the length of this stress. It is not too short,” another shopper writes. She also adds that she’s able to easily dress it up or down with sandals or boots, making it a great choice for “all seasons.”

Quality fabric? Check. Ideal length? Check. Eye-catching patterns? Check! The Free Assembly Smocked Cotton Mini Dress has all the makings of a Hill House Home dress for about $200 less. With two colorways already completely sold out, you’ll want to jump on the final three before they’re gone, too. Add what’s likely to become your dress of the summer to your cart today!

Get the Free Assembly Smocked Cotton Mini Dress for $28 at Walmart! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Free Assembly here and more smocked dresses here! 

Selena Gomez has raised eyebrows after her husband, Benny Blanco, shared comments about her eating habits during a chat with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

The music producer shared details about his wife’s preference for fast food and snacks, joking that she “has the diet of a five-year-old child.”

Beyond this, Selena Gomez continues expanding her influence through acting, music, and her beauty brand Rare Beauty, alongside advocacy for representation in the Latine community.

Despite being one of the biggest names in pop culture, Gomez reportedly keeps surprisingly simple, and often unhealthy, eating habits.

During a live taping of Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Goop” podcast in West Hollywood, Gomez’s husband, Benny Blanco, joked that the singer “has the diet of a five-year-old child.”

According to the Daily Mail, Blanco shared that Gomez tends to gravitate toward comfort foods and fast food favorites rather than balanced meals.

Blanco told the audience that burgers, fries, and late-night fast food are regular staples in her diet, even recalling a recent morning when he found her eating at Jack in the Box before 7 a.m.

Paltrow reacted with mock horror after learning of Gomez’s diet, joking that the meal definitely wasn’t “Goop approved.”

While the “Calm Down” singer may not be enthusiastic about fruits and vegetables, Blanco said one healthy option she does enjoy is food from Goop Kitchen.

Even then, he admitted she “doesn’t really like fruits or vegetables,” and often eats everything except the greens in salads, leaving the lettuce behind for him.

Selena Gomez On Her Diet: ‘I Don’t Eat Right’

Gomez has long been open about her love for junk food. In the past, she admitted, “I do eat. The problem is I don’t eat right,” while naming candy favorites like M&M’s, Kit Kats, Snickers, and Goobers.

Over the years, she has also shared her cravings for Hot Cheetos, fried chicken, and tacos, once revealing that her tour bus was stocked with snacks like chocolate and pickles.

Despite her eating habits, the singer has largely maintained her fitness through workouts that include HIIT sessions, barre classes, and regular gym routines.

Some fluctuations in her weight have also been tied to her ongoing battle with lupus, a condition she has discussed publicly for years.

In 2017, the 33-year-old pop star underwent a kidney transplant due to complications from lupus, with actress Francia Raisa donating the kidney.

Gomez has also addressed public commentary surrounding her appearance, previously admitting that constant scrutiny over her weight had taken an emotional toll on her.

“Everyone just has something to say, and it’s really making me sad and — not even sad ’cause, I’m not a victim — I just think it’s made me a tad bitter, and I feel really guilty for saying that, but it’s true,” she said on the Jay Shetty podcast.

The Pop Star Explored The Culinary World With Her Show ‘Selena + Chef’

Beyond her music and acting career, Gomez has also explored the culinary world through television.

In 2020, she launched the HBO Max cooking series “Selena + Chef,” explaining that the show was partly inspired by her desire to stop being “a complete disaster” in the kitchen.

The series followed Gomez as professional chefs guided her through different recipes and cuisines from her own home kitchen.

Although she has often joked about her limited cooking abilities, the “Wizards of Waverly Place” later admitted she had improved significantly over time, saying she had “come a long way” since the series began.

The “Same Old Love” singer once rated her culinary skills as only “5 out of 10,” but the show’s popularity helped it run for four seasons before leading to the 2024 spin-off “Selena + Restaurant.”

Selena Gomez Was Full Of Praise For Her Husband’s Cooking

Gomez has also praised her husband, Blanco, for being the stronger cook in their relationship.

During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” she joked that while Blanco handled the cooking, she mostly “watched and encouraged” him during their Thanksgiving hosting duties.

Blanco’s passion for food extended beyond home cooking as well. In 2024, the producer released his cookbook, “Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends,” which became a bestseller.

The Business Mogul Highlights Mexican Heritage And Inclusive Representation In New Rare Beauty Campaign

Meanwhile, Gomez is also embracing her Mexican heritage and championing broader representation within the Latine community through the latest campaign for her beauty brand, Rare Beauty.

The 33-year-old unveiled a new campaign for Rare Beauty’s True to Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation, featuring 48 individuals from across Latin America to match the product’s 48 different shades.

The campaign, photographed by Chicana and Costa Rican creative Brittany Bravo, also includes personalities such as Desi Perkins, Monica Veloz, and Mikayla Nogueira.

Speaking about the project, Gomez said seeing a wide range of skin tones and identities represented so intentionally reflected the vision she had when she first launched Rare Beauty.

According to the singer, the campaign is “not just about makeup. It’s about that feeling of seeing yourself reflected in the media and advertising that we all consume.”

“It reminds me that our community is never just one thing,” Gomez added per People Magazine. “We are vibrant, nuanced, and everyone’s story deserves to be told.”

In the world of cinema, three has always been something of a magic number, and the only achievement greater than creating one masterpiece movie is creating three that work together to form a perfect trilogy. Across genres, from fantasy to sci-fi to crime, the best movie trilogies showcase cinematic storytelling at its finest, creating meticulously crafted arcs that follow narrative or spiritual connections between masterworks. And thrillers are no exception.

Whether they’re outright thriller movies or just really, really thrilling films, there have been several thriller trilogies attempted over the years, not all of which have paid off. But the best of them, the undeniable greats, are the trilogies that successfully deliver pitch-perfect experiences in all three entries. Without further ado, here’s our handpicked selection of thriller trilogies that are simply perfect from start to finish.

1

The Vengeance Trilogy (2002–2005)

‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance’ (2002), ‘Oldboy’ (2003), ‘Lady Vengeance’ (2005)

Image via Show East

Directed by Park Chan-wook, the three iconic action films that together form The Vengeance Trilogy are not narratively connected, but they are interconnected in their themes and motifs, collectively exploring various aspects of vengeance and its lasting, unavoidable impact. Each film explores a chilling story of self-consuming guilt, revenge, moral decay, and the destructive aspects of the human condition. The key cast members include Oh Kwang-rok, who appears in all three films, with Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho, Shin Ha-kyun, and Oh Dal-su playing key roles across the trilogy.

The Vengeance Trilogy is considered a major milestone of Korean New Wave Cinema of the 2000s, with Oldboy garnering the most worldwide acclaim. The trilogy also became some of the most defining films of Park Chan-wook’s career that put him on the global map as a notable filmmaker. Each of the films in the Vengeance Trilogy is recognized for blending gruesome violence and intense emotions with sharp social commentary, complex existential themes, and remarkable cinematography.

2

The Mexico Trilogy (1993–2003)

‘El Mariachi’ (1993), ‘Desperado’ (1995), ‘Once Upon a Time in Mexico’ (2003)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, The Mexico Trilogy is a set of three Western action films about the central character known as El Mariachi and his fateful journey of love, loss, and revenge. The sequels Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico follow new chapters in El Mariachi’s life but continue his saga of revenge. The first film stars Carlos Gallardo as El Mariachi, while the sequels star Antonio Banderas in the central role alongside Salma Hayek, with Steve Buscemi, Johnny Depp, Eva Mendes, and Micky Rourke appearing across the second and third films.

Though the three movies don’t follow directly interconnected events, The Mexico Trilogy is a great showcase of a character’s growth from a lovelorn artist to a vengeful force of nature. The journey also marks the series’ evolution from a niche, independent action flick to a major mainstream feature starring A-listers. Evidently inspired by Spaghetti Westerns and Latin folk mythology, particularly Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy, The Mexico Trilogy boasts stylish and slick action set pieces with two-handed gunfights and Mexican stand-offs, making this action trilogy an ultimate entertainer.

3

Terminator 1-3 (1984–2003)

‘Terminator’ (1984), ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991), ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’ (2003)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

James Cameron’s The Terminator launched a highly successful film series that now constitutes a massive global multimedia franchise. But despite the seemingly never-ending deluge of sequels, the first three films are arguably the best, forming a cohesive trilogy that follows the war between Skynet, an evil synthetic intelligence, and a human resistance group, which turns into a time-bending conflict as Skynet sends increadingly high-end killer cyborgs back in time to kill the resistance before it begins, starting with T-800, the franchise’s iconic titular character. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as T-800 in all the films, with other cast members including Earl Boen, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, and more.

The Terminator films solidified Cameron’s status as a sci-fi auteur while establishing Schwarzenegger as an action hero and a Hollywood icon. The battle of the Terminators, Skynet, and the resistance continues beyond Rise of the Machines, but the first three films shape the complete narrative arc of John and Sarah Connor’s prophecy, humanity’s destiny, and T-800’s role. All three films are noteworthy for their high-stakes, innovative action pieces, pioneering special effects, and a consistently relentless pacing and tone that redefined cyberpunk action thrillers.

4

Die Hard Original Trilogy (1988–1995)

‘Die Hard’ (1988), ‘Die Hard 2’ (1990), ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ (1995)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Originating from Roderick Thorpe’s crime novel Nothing Lasts Forever, Die Hard and its subsequent two sequels form the original Die Hard trilogy that redefined Bruce Willis’s career. All three films star Willis as John McClane, a NYPD police officer who continually finds himself targeted by ruthless villains and is forced to battle dangerous situations to save the day with his brains, brawn, and a little bit of luck. Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Alan Rickman, Jeremy Irons, and Samuel L. Jackson star in notable roles across the three films.

Over the years, Die Hard has grown into a widely loved action film franchise, though the sequels following Die Hard with a Vengeance are not as successful or popular as the first three films. The film makes the best of the “wrong man, wrong place” trope, redefining what an action hero meant at the time and establishing John McClane as an everyman action hero that became a genre prototype of the ’90s. With dramatic fights, explosive stunts, and quirky, memorable one-liners from the maverick hero, the first three Die Hard films are true action masterpieces.

5

The Alien Original Trilogy (1979–1992)

‘Alien’ (1979), ‘Aliens’ (1986), ‘Alien 3’ (1992)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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While not technically a “trilogy,” Alien, Aliens, and Alien: Resurrection together make up a complete set of films and can be defined as the original trilogy of the film franchise. In this sci-fi horror universe created by Ridley Scott, Ellen Ripley, a soldier on a distant planet, battles extraterrestrial creatures called Xenomorphs and an evil corporation trying to weaponize them while navigating personal loss. Sigourney Weaver stars as Ellen Ripley, with Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Lance Henriksen appearing across the three films.

Among all the films in the sci-fi horror franchise, the first three Alien movies are considered to be among the most seminal works of the genre. Perfectly balancing psychological horror, existential dread, and survival thriller, the trilogy collectively charts the complete evolution of Ellen Ripley from a survivor to a warrior and mother. Following the initial mixed reception, the Alien films turned into 20th-century sci-fi classics that paved the way for a massive multimedia franchise spanning decades, redefining extraterrestrial movies and inspiring numerous sci-fi horror filmmakers of the future.

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The Bourne Trilogy (2002–2007)

‘The Bourne Identity’ (2002), ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ (2004), ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ (2007)

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Based on Robert Ludlum’s Bourne novel series, The Bourne Trilogy comprises the first three films in the franchise, with Doug Liman directing The Bourne Identity and Paul Greengrass directing the sequels, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. The overall plot follows Jason Bourne, a CIA assassin suffering from dissociative amnesia, as he tries to reclaim his identity and seek the truth, while being hunted by his former employers. Matt Damon stars as the titular hero, appearing in all three films alongside Franka Potente, Julia Stiles, and Brian Cox.

The Bourne series would continue with two more films following Ultimatum, but the first three movies are considered to be the best in the series. The original trilogy redefined the presentation of spies in cinema, shifting from the slick, tuxedo-clad James Bond-like gentlemen to everyday characters with real-world stakes. Powered by Matt Damon’s authentic performances that established him as an action star, The Bourne Trilogy broke several box office and critical records and set new standards for spy action thrillers.

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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001–2003)

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001), ‘The Two Towers’ (2002), ‘The Return of the King’ (2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

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Based on and titled after the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the first-ever live-action feature film adaptation of the fantasy classics. Spread across three chapters, the trilogy follows young hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companions as they travel across Middle-earth to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, an evil artifact tied to the Dark Lord Sauron. The ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, and Orlando Bloom, among many others.

The Lord of the Rings is unarguably the most epic trilogy of the 21st century, winning 17 Academy Awards, with Return of the King winning all of its 11 nominations, breaking all records at the time. Each of the three films is sheer spectacle, unfolding like a cinematic epic, frame by frame. The fantastical settings, sweeping visual effects, pitch-perfect music, and remarkable character designs that became synonymous with the films make The Lord of the Rings Trilogy truly one of the greatest and most influential film series ever made in the history of cinema.

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The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

‘Batman Begins’ (2005), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008), ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Based on fan-favorite DC Comics characters, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy is a series of superhero films starring Christian Bale as the titular protector of Gotham City. The trilogy kicks off with Batman Begins, chronicling Bruce Wayne’s origin story as an orphaned heir who transforms into an invincible vigilante with an all-consuming mission, which is further elaborated on and deconstructed in the sequels. The ensemble cast also includes Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, and more.

Batman and associated DC characters have appeared on the big screen for decades, but Nolan’s cinematic interpretation of the Caped Crusader remains the most iconic of all. While The Dark Knight is arguably the best film in the trilogy, all three films make for satisfying journeys, following the dark superhero as he dishes out his particular brand of justice to keep his city safe. All three films boast magnificent production values with high-octane, perfectly choreographed action, powerhouse acting from Bale and others, remarkable special effects, and Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, all of which work together to create a truly unmatched experience.

Former “Real Housewives of New York City” star Bethenny Frankel is being dragged by “Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum Dina Manzo and her daughter, Lexi Ioannou. Their beef originated after Frankel reportedly failed to support Ioannou’s clothing business after she was seen wearing gifted products. Now, in a new video, Frankel is responding to Manzo and her daughter, saying she can do whatever she wants.

On Friday, May 15, Frankel posted a video of herself showing off her outfit. She called it a “Fit Check.”

“This dress is insane, and the price is ridiculous,” she said on her Instagram Stories, according to Us Weekly.

In another post, Frankel responded to a follower who asked the outspoken reality star where they could purchase the shoes she was wearing.

Frankel then reportedly shared a link to a similar item sold by Bloomingdale’s for $375, telling her followers that it was “the same look.”

Manzo took umbrage at the post, claiming that her daughter, Ioannou, had actually gifted Frankel the shoes she was wearing and criticizing her for linking to a competitor rather than the original source: Ioannou’s fashion brand, Nou.

“Wow, Bethenny, Wow!! So odd of you to post a dupe of your GIFTED @shopnou shoes instead of giving a young woman entrepreneur credit,” she wrote on a post. “You wear them often so we know you like them??”

Manzo’s Daughter Slammed Bethenny Frankel In A Post, Calling The ‘Real Housewives’ Icon A ‘Weirdo’

Manzo’s daughter, Ioannou, also chimed in on the conversation, expressing her frustration with the situation because Frankel had encouraged her.

“Bethenny Frankel is a weirdo,” she said. “I sent her a pair of shoes from Nou almost a year ago because I look up to her. [She is a] female entrepreneur [and from the] Bravo universe like me.”

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Ioannou said that Frankel failed to link her business and instead allegedly linked a product on which she earns a commission.

“I guess she’s got to get that bag in some sort of way? So, she got the shoes for free from a woman-founded brand, mine, and then she made money sending her followers somewhere else,” she said.

Manzo commented on the video, telling her daughter how “proud” she was of her for standing up for herself.

Bethenny Frankel Says She Always Planned To Give Credit To Ioannou

Last night, Frankel shared an in-depth “OOTD” video on Instagram, revealing the brands behind each piece of her outfit, including Ioannou’s fashion brand, Nou. She captioned the clip, “FYI, I always give credit where credit is due.”

Just hours ago, Frankel seemed to address the drama on TikTok, saying she wouldn’t normally respond to the claims, but believed there was a “business lesson” for some to learn amid the chaos.

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Frankel explained that she always planned to credit the designer in her fit check, as seen in the video linked above; however, her team didn’t plan on posting it until later.

She went on to say that she couldn’t link to the original pair of shoes in her first post because they were sold out. “The audience gets frustrated when they can’t buy something immediately,” she said. “Why would I wear it and talk about it if they can’t buy it?”

Frankel Shares Clear Message: ‘My Body, My Choice’

Continuing, Frankel said she regularly receives gifts from brands. Even then, she said she wasn’t obligated to post about it.

Although Frankel didn’t mention Ioannou by name, she referenced her “scathing video” and implied that she would regret her decision to blast her.

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“There are about 100 brands that will watch this video that will message her to tell her how much product I move,” she said. “I move a lot of product, because I don’t bullsh-t.”

She added, “Playing the short game, and whining and being a crybaby about something that didn’t go your way in business, means you’re not a real business person, and you have a lot to learn.”

Frankel finished by saying she would’ve worn “all of the shoes on your site and you would’ve sold thousands of pairs and made hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, my account, my body, my choice. Once you send those shoes into my house, my shoes. You’re welcome.”

Frankel has received a heated response to her video online. In her TikTok comments, one user said her video was a “horrible” look.

Another user encouraged Frankel, who founded the culinary brand Skinnygirl, to reflect on her early days as a businesswoman. “Remember, someone helped you along the way,” they wrote.

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A third said, “Girl, just apologize. Yes, you can do whatever you want, but do the right thing,” while a fourth asked, “But why tag a dupe? Just say this is a shoe, and they are currently out of stock due to popularity! People are capable of finding similar shoes; no need to take a dupe.”

Right after Game of Thrones ended, a fantasy series adaptation of another beloved book series debuted on HBO. His Dark Materials, based on the Phillip Pullman trilogy, ran for three seasons. The network dropped new episodes on Monday nights instead of its traditional Sunday and, therefore, failed to grab the attention of Game of Thrones fans. But in the long run, the fact that His Dark Materials wasn’t gunning for a Westeros comparison served it well. Lest we forget, the unsuccessful 2007 movie The Golden Compass never had any sequels. This is kind of the only screen adaptation of the second two books out there – and it’s really good.

The series follows a young girl named Lyra Belacqua (Daphne Keen) who leaves home to search for a missing friend and becomes a person of interest in an inter-dimensional conflict. Keen, better known as Laura or X-23 from Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine, is joined by Amir Wilson as Will Parry, the series’ secondary protagonist. The series also has Heartstopper actor Kit Connor as the voice of Pantalaimon, Lyra’s animalistic soul companion, a.k.a. “daemon.” Other actors who graced the silver screen in this series include James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Scott (and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the voice of his daemon), Bella Ramsey, Harry Melling, Sophie Okonedo, and more. That’s a stacked ensemble!

‘His Dark Materials’ Made Smart Adaptation Choices

Book fans were hesitant throughout the series’ run, but His Dark Materials made several bold adaptation choices that worked. For example, they brought in Will Parry in Season 1, even though his character doesn’t appear until the second book, The Subtle Knife, giving the audience extra time with the character and improving the pacing to fit the TV series. Even when the storylines took place in alternate universes, they felt connected. Since the book trilogy was completed and published decades before the HBO series, they were able to confidently adapt the first two books with the third one and the His Dark Materials series’ ending in mind. For better or for worse, this was not a luxury afforded to Game of Thrones.

The show expands on the adult characters and relationships outside of Lyra and Will’s viewpoints as well. It explores the evil Magisterium and the witches who oppose them. The series also spends more time with characters like Lee Scoresby (Miranda), John Parry a.k.a. Jopari (Scott), and Lord Asriel (McAvoy), showing them apart from the kids they’ve sworn to protect. There’s a minor antagonist named Lord Boreal (Ariyon Bakare), whose role is expanded in the series. Wilson’s Mrs. Colter has a deliciously complex villain’s journey. She flips between terrifying and sympathetic on a dime.

Mary Malone (Simone Kirby), a character who appears later in the series, has a pivotal moment where she describes falling in love to Lyra and Will. The series changed her love interest in the story from a man to a woman, which, while maybe not revolutionary, does add another layer of depth to the series’ themes of freedom from religious tyranny and repression. While the show does not have the “sexposition” that made Game of Thrones famous (and may/may not have contributed to the misguided belief that television is filled with “unnecessary sex scenes” today), it is a sex-positive series.

The Understated Special Effects on ‘His Dark Materials’ Fit the Theme

It’s not that there aren’t stunning visuals in the His Dark Materials series, but the special effects are more low-key than one might expect. This is a world where human souls live outside of their bodies in animal forms called daemons, yet a lot of the daemons are hidden away in crowd scenes. While the low-key world-building takes a little time to get used to, it ultimately works. The series leans into its darker themes. After all, in this magical world, the government is actively trying to snuff out the magic and wants children severed from their souls so they are no longer tempted to sin. It makes sense that a world like this wouldn’t be especially whimsical.

While the fantasy worlds of Game of Thrones and His Dark Materials have a cynical outlook and reject the black-and-white characters who traditionally populate the genre, His Dark Materials sees those morally gray characters as something beautiful rather than dirty and inescapable. They’re just very different shows, plain and simple. Lyra and Will are not trying to take power or are even reluctant leaders. The way their story ends is triumphant and tragic in a way that’s inconceivable for the characters in Westeros. And finally, His Dark Materials may have been HBO’s next fantasy book series adaptation, but unlike many shows that aim to fill Game of Thrones’ shoes, it never tried to one-up or shock its audience with unexpected twists. His Dark Materials is a different dish for fantasy fans, not a reheated meal.

His Dark Materials is streaming on Max in the U.S.