More than a decade after saying goodbye to Wizards of Waverly Place, Gregg Sulkin was more than ready to step back into one of his most beloved roles — but his return wasn’t exactly what fans were expecting.

Warning: Major spoilers below for the final season of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. 

The actor, 34, reprised his role as fan-favorite werewolf Mason Greyback in the four-part Wizards Beyond Waverly Place finale, which aired on Disney Channel Tuesday, August 4. But the highly anticipated comeback came with a twist few saw coming: Alex Russo’s (Selena Gomez) first love died sometime before the events of the sequel series.

While the revelation surely came as a shock to viewers, Sulkin approached Mason’s fate the same way he would any other role — by trusting the creative team to deliver the best story possible.

“For me, I focus on what I think every actor does: on the script and turning the scene into the best it possibly can be,” Sulkin exclusively told Us ahead of the series finale. “The rest I left up to the writers. The writers are very capable, very talented. I think the Disney brand is one of the most successful in the world for a reason. And so, when they come up with story lines or when they go into specific directions with characters for many different reasons, it’s one of those where I just put my hands up, respect the decision, and then do my best with that.”

The original Wizards of Waverly Place aired from 2007 to 2012, with Sulkin joining in season 3 as Mason, the witty werewolf who quickly became Alex’s most popular boyfriend. More than a decade later, the Disney Channel franchise returned with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, bringing back several familiar faces while introducing a new generation of young wizards.

The four-part finale followed teen wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) as she searched for Alex after discovering the pair are mother and daughter. Trapped in an alternate universe with amnesia, Alex reunited with her best friend Harper (Jennifer Stone) and Mason.

At first, it appeared Mason and Alex had found their way back to each other, with the werewolf even preparing to propose. But Alex eventually regained her memories and realized the life she was seeing couldn’t be real — because Mason had already died.

Although Sulkin fully trusted the creative team with Mason’s fate, the actor did have a few ideas of his own when bringing the character back.

“There were certain callbacks that I wanted to make, and there were certain things that I thought the fans would appreciate if they heard out of my mouth,” Sulkin said with a smile. “A couple of line changes and a few little Easter eggs for the original fans. It definitely was a collaborative experience and a collaborative effort.”

Related: David Henrie Reflects on His and Selena Gomez’s ‘Meaningful’ TV Reunion

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Alex and Justin Russo are officially back on the small screen. Selena Gomez reunited with her onscreen older brother David Henrie during the series premiere of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. The series — the first two episodes of which premiered on Disney Channel on Tuesday, October 29 — picks up with an older (and powerless) […]

Sulkin also clarified that while Mason is gone at the moment, he may not be gone forever.

“That’s not to say that there cannot be a spinoff in the future of potentially a prequel of all the years leading up to [his death],” Sulkin teased. “So, you know, I wouldn’t say Mason is [totally gone]. I mean, he’s dead for now.”

Whatever the future may hold, saying yes to a Wizards return was never really in doubt for Sulkin.

“I was really happy to be part of the original show. I mean, the original show meant so much to me,” he told Us. “It opened up so many opportunities, so many doors, and it was a show that I was always grateful for.”

While he knew the revival was in the works before it was publicly announced, Sulkin says he always felt his return needed to happen organically.

“I always knew that they wanted me to come back. I think it was just a matter of finding the perfect moment, the perfect time, the perfect storyline,” he explained. “Also, respecting the old characters, respecting the original show, but also giving space for this new show to breathe.”

Ultimately, returning allowed him the chance to thank everyone who helped shape those formative years of his career.

“It was an opportunity for me to say thank you to all the fans that supported me on the original show,” Sulkin continued, adding, “It was an opportunity to close a very beautiful chapter in my life. … And also to say thank you to the crew for being such an amazing support system at a very pivotal point in my own personal life.”

Despite the years between projects, stepping back into Mason’s shoes — and being back opposite Gomez — came naturally. “I think it took me about three seconds,” Sulkin joked. “It was a really surreal experience. It took Selena and me simply looking at each other on set and it was like, ‘OK, we’re back.”

Sulkin wasn’t even dismayed by the short amount of prep time before filming. “I can prep this all day long, but the feelings that I feel once I go back to set, working with Selena, working with Jen, it’s going to sort of all go out the window because there are so many emotions,” he said.

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Related: ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Selena Gomez scored her breakout role playing teenage wizard Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place. The series, which ran for four seasons from 2007 to 2012, followed Alex and her brothers, Justin and Max, played by David Henrie and Jake T. Austin, as they learned the ins and outs of the wizard […]

“I think some things in life you can’t force, and I think Selena and I’s professional chemistry since the start of the show was so strong that, and so natural that I felt that I just felt at ease,” he added of his special dynamic with Gomez, 33. “To come back many years later, nothing really had changed. Maybe I had a few more lines on my forehead, but apart from that, it was pretty much the same.”

Although Alex ultimately moved on from Mason, Sulkin doesn’t believe their love story ever truly ended — and urged viewers who may be disappointed to do the same.

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“When you say Mason and Alex didn’t end up together, yes, in a way they didn’t,” he told Us. “But I do believe that, in Mason’s heart, anyway, they did in a way. Because I think there is so much love between them.”

“Whether or not they ended up with different partners and went on different approaches, I think the love that they have for each other is so deep and so real,” Sulkin added. “I couldn’t say that they didn’t end up together because I think in their heart they will always hold on to each other deep down.”

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is streaming on Disney+ now.

The Wizards Beyond Waverly Place series finale went out with a bang — and the episode wouldn’t have felt right without the return of OG star Jennifer Stone.

Warning: Spoilers below from the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place series finale.

“I had kind of mourned the fact that I was not going to be a part of the reboot just because you know I talked to David Henrie [who plays Justin Russo]. It’s about a totally different family,” Stone, 33, exclusively told Us ahead of the Tuesday, August 4, finale. “Like Selena [Gomez] kind of pops in and out, and so [David was] like, ‘It doesn’t really make sense for you to come in.’”

The actress, who portrayed Alex Russo’s (Gomez) BFF Harper Finkle on Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012, had come to terms with the fact that there wasn’t a place for her in the highly anticipated spinoff— but that all changed when she was asked to appear in the finale.

“I’m just really protective of her,” Stone told Us of her character and the only “hesitation” she felt personally when approached with the possibility of returning for one, very special episode. “I just wanted to be really sensitive of, like, she’s not the butt of a joke. We’re not making fun of her. Like she’s very confident and self assured.”

She noted that during the episode, fans see Harper back in action and fully herself, which ultimately made the decision to return an easy one.

“I just wanted to honor the character that I grew up with and loved so much,” Stone added.

Related: ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

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Selena Gomez scored her breakout role playing teenage wizard Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place. The series, which ran for four seasons from 2007 to 2012, followed Alex and her brothers, Justin and Max, played by David Henrie and Jake T. Austin, as they learned the ins and outs of the wizard […]

During the four-part finale, teen wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) was on the search for Alex after learning that the pair are mother and daughter. Alex, meanwhile, was trapped in an alternate universe with amnesia, where she reunited with Harper, now her roommate, and her first love Mason Greyback (Gregg Sulkin).

While fans initially thought that Alex and Mason were happily back together, when Alex regained her memories she realized that Mason had already died prior to the events of the sequel series. (Harper, for her part, told Alex that they should look each other up back in the real world, hinting their friendship would be rekindled down the line.)

Despite Alex’s heartbreak on screen, Stone told Us that her reunion with Gomez, 34, behind the scenes and then working side by side was like a dream come true.

“I was a mess. The waterproof mascara ran amok,” Stone recalled of watching Gomez step behind the camera for the pivotal episode. “Literally, the table read, I cried getting to see her direct. I cried. I was a mess.”

She remembered checking in with Gomez before filming and telling each other, “OK, this is probably it. This is probably the last time we’re ever gonna play Alex and Harper with each other.”

Stone added that it was “this beautiful thing of saying goodbye to these characters” while also celebrating how her and Gomez’s lives have grown and changed since they first met.

Related: Alex Russo Was Bisexual on ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ Showrunner Says

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The couple that almost was. Selena Gomez could have had a groundbreaking relationship on Wizards of Waverly Place. Former showrunner and writer Peter Murrieta revealed on the Monday, March 27, episode of Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise’s “Wizards of Waverly Pod” that the show’s writers intended for Gomez’s character, Alex Russo, to have a romantic […]

“I find it really poetic that we said goodbye to these characters as Jen and Selena, but … we’re still going to meet in each other’s lives,” she added. “We’re still [going to] live on you past what’s on camera.”

When it comes to how Harper’s story ended, Stone told Us that there was a lot left unsaid, so she has her own ideas as to where she is now — and will be in the future.

“I picture her because she’s so giving and sweet, and loves to nurture. I think that I can see her being like a teacher at Parsons in New York,” Stone shared. “I think she’s some kind of fashion teacher. That or she has to have her own fashion line.”

Stone explained that she’s not sure whether Harper would be married to Zeke Beakerman (Dan Benson), her high school sweetheart, since there’s a big “dating pool” in New York.

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“I do think she probably calls him every now and then for the Velociraptor dance,” she said with a laugh and before telling Us that perhaps Harper is now bisexual.

Stone said a shift in Harper’s sexuality is “something that I can definitely see because, I mean, Harper’s so open and creative and I can just see her loving the person.”

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is streaming on Disney+ now.

Rihanna has lit up Barbados Carnival, stepping out in her hometown in dazzling style.

The “Diamonds” hitmaker, 38, wowed onlookers while attending Grand Kadooment Day on Tuesday, August 4, as part of the annual celebrations. A shimmering rainbow of glittering jewels and feathers, she rocked a barely-there one-piece as she walked in a parade.

In photos captured and shared via Instagram by Backgrid, Rihanna was seen standing posing for snaps with fans and local authorities as a giant set of fluorescent wings towered over her from behind.

She completed the incredible ensemble, sported on the final day of the annual Barbados Carnival’s Crop Over Festival, with face jewels set beneath her eyes, a fuchsia lip and mesh shoes.

Related: Rihanna Is Red Hot on Mother’s Day in Sexy Comme des Garcons Ensemble

Rihanna’s street style is always elite. Rihanna, 36, looked fierce in a fiery fit while strutting through New York City on Sunday, May 12. Her Comme des Garçons ensemble featured red graphic fabric that wrapped around her torso and a red and black skirt complete with a thigh-high slit. The singer added the perfect amount […]

According to the photo agency, Rihanna partied with her brother, Rorrey Fenty, and his Carnival band, Aura.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, Rihanna’s spectacular outfit was a custom creation by Lauren Austin. Austin, a designer who lives and works out of Barbados’ Christ Church, took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share snaps of Rihanna in her work of art.

“Lauren Austin design #5 for the queen,” Austin wrote over a photo of Rihanna in one Instagram Story. “Thank you for always choosing me @badgalriri. Beautiful woman.”

Additional Instagram Stories showed Rihanna dancing in her costume on the streets and clapping her hands to applaud performers on a moving bus as she giggled among friends and party goers. As fellow Barbados artist Spice, real name Grace Hamilton, danced seductively while hanging off the vehicle’s upper framework, Rihanna didn’t hold back in cheering her on.

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Footage shared via Spice’s Instagram on Tuesday also captured Rihanna dancing seductively herself while aboard the vehicle, delighting Spice by wiggling her backside for the camera.

The appearance comes amid a week of celebrations for Rihanna. On Saturday, August 1, the singer and partner ASAP Rocky marked their son Riot’s third birthday with a Spider Man-themed party. In glimpses of the party shared via Instagram by Rihanna’s sister-in-law Nadia King, balloons, banners and treats created the ultimate space for their toddler. (Rihanna and Rocky are also parents to son RZA, who they welcomed in 2022, and daughter Rocki, who they welcomed in 2025.)

At the end of King’s social media footage, the crowd was seen singing “Happy Birthday” to Riot, including his dad, 37, who rocked a white T-shirt and baseball cap, and his mom, who opted for a flowy dress.

The ignominious end of disco is popularly linked to Disco Demolition Night, an ill-advised promotional stunt for the Chicago White Sox that saw Chicago DJ Steve Dahl blow up a dumpster filled with disco records between games, sparking a riot from the hundreds of rock fans in attendance celebrating the event. But for a time, disco really was king, with the likes of Saturday Night Fever and its iconic, Bee-Gees-heavy soundtrack glorifying the groovy music and the halter top, flare pants and jumpsuits that were part of the discotheque scene. It had so pervaded the music scene at the time that, to the horror of many a rocker, some of rock’s greatest bands opted to “get down and boogie” with their own entries in the genre. A shameful thing, to be sure, but some turned out pretty darn good, particularly these here, the ten best disco songs from rock bands, aka “disco songs that don’t suck.”

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10. “Shakedown Street” – Grateful Dead

Deadheads may not buy singles, but do they boogie down? Hard to say, but at least their band of choice, the Grateful Dead, gave them the track to do it: “Shakedown Street,” from their 1978 album of the same name. Of course, the thought of the proudly non-commercial band giving into the dance trend, a distinct move away from the loose, laid-back, jam template that had defined their work – and built their devoted fan-base – to that point. Some fans speak derisively of the era they call “Disco Dead,” while others maintain it’s more a funky rock song than a pure disco song.

Sorry: it’s a disco song. Yes, it has that Parliament-Funkadelic groove to it, and Jerry Garcia‘s voice is more bluesy than boogie. But it has the unmistakable earmarks that define the genre, particularly the “four-on-the-floor” percussion and the funky bassline. More damning is its immediate hit-the-dance-floor vibe. It’s okay, though, Deadheads. Despite its disco trappings, “Shakedown Street” failed to hit the Billboard Hot 100, so the Grateful Dead didn’t really sell out, at least not until 1987’s “Touch of Grey.”

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9. “Shine a Little Love” – Electric Light Orchestra

“Evil Woman.” “Strange Magic.” “Mr. Blue Sky.” “Don’t Bring Me Down” (Bruce!). “Shine a Little Love.” Which one of these hit songs is not like the other? That’s right, “Shine a Little Love,” a disco tune from Electric Light Orchestra, aka ELO, and its Bob Ross doppelgänger, big-ass-aviator-glasses-wearing lead singer Jeff Lynne. Its defenders will say it’s more disco-infused rock than pure disco, but let’s see, shall we? Steady “mirror ball bass pulse”: Check. A driving, galloping drum rhythm: Check. String section: Check. Falsetto Bee-Gee background harmonies in the chorus: Also check.

Lynne himself said in the liner notes for the 2001 remaster of Discovery that there’s a “bit of a disco beat on this one, and quite a lot of things going on, forty-piece string section and all. It’s very jolly and bouncy and I must have been in a very good mood when I wrote it!” Calls that they were selling out, however, were a little harsh, given only “Shine a Little Light” and “Last Train to London” are the only two tracks on 1979’s Discovery with a disco-bend.

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8. “One of These Nights” – The Eagles

In 1975, drummer Don Henley of the Eagles, talking about “One of These Nights,” said, “We wanted to get away from the ballad syndrome with ‘One of These Nights.’ With Don Felder in the band now, we can really rock. He’s made us nastier and done a great guitar solo on the single.” Yes, the song does have a great blues-infused solo, but “really rock?” I don’t think so, Mr. Henley. In fact, the guitar solo is really the only thing that keeps the track from being a “true” disco song.

And between Henley and Glenn Frey, the two admitted hearing “One of These Nights” at clubs in New York, Rotterdam, and Miami, and, well, disco clubs don’t play non-disco songs. It may not entirely be their fault, however: While recording the album, they shared a studio in Miami with disco demi-gods the Bee Gees, and as you may or may not know, disco is contagious (if you contract disco, take two Metallica albums before bedtime).

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7. “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen

“Another One Bites the Dust” from Queen actually came out after the so-called death of disco, but so, too, did Donna Summer‘s “Bad Girls” and Chic‘s “Good Times.” It was the latter that inspired bassist John Deacon to create the song’s iconic bassline, which, with Roger Taylor‘s straightforward, minimalist drumming, created the club-friendly vibe that drove the track to reach number two on the Disco Top 100 chart (yes, there were enough disco songs to have a top 100). It would also reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to the rock-edge of Freddie Mercury‘s vocals and Brian May‘s subdued, accentuating guitar. “Another One Bites the Dust” would be among the last rock/disco fusion songs to reach that level of success, just as Queen and others on this list were just getting the balance right.

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6. “Disco Inferno” – Dread Zeppelin

American reggae rock band Dread Zeppelin formed in 1989, becoming best known for performing Led Zeppelin songs in a reggae style, sung by 300-pound Elvis impersonator Tortelvis (Greg Tortell). It worked significantly better than one might think, with “Immigrant Song,” “Your Time Is Gonna Come,” and a cover of Bob Marley‘s “Stir It Up” particular highlights. Then, in 1992, the band inexplicably pivoted to covering disco songs, with drummer Put-Mon (Gary Putnam) taking over as lead vocalist after Tortelvis left the band, giving himself the moniker Gary B.I.B.B. The ensuing album, It’s Not Unusual, was ironically deemed too unusual for the band, and whether it was the switch to disco or the loss of Tortelvis, or both, the divisive album didn’t sell as hoped, and Dread Zeppelin was dropped from I.R.S. Records.

So, long story short, the first release from the album, Dread Zeppelin’s cover of The Trammps‘ classic “Disco Inferno,” is technically a rock cover of a disco song, as opposed to the others on this list, which are rock bands with a disco song. But we’re splitting afro hairs here. “Disco Inferno” is electrifying, a high-energy cover that reinvents the iconic original. And while Gary B.I.B.B.’s Elvis-tinged vocals aren’t as good as Tortelvis’ – how could they be? – they work, giving the song a surreal edge, and even somewhat redeems my pick for Elvis Presley‘s worst song, “In the Ghetto,” in the process. Somewhat.

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5. “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” – Pink Floyd

Sacrilege, you say? Alas, it’s true: Pink Floyd’s legendary hit “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” is a disco song, but begrudgingly so on the part of the band, if that helps. As David Gilmour tells it: “It wasn’t my idea to do disco music, it was Bob’s [Ezrin, producer]. He said to me, ‘Go to a couple of clubs and listen to what’s happening with disco music,’ so I forced myself out and listened to loud, four-to-the-bar bass drums and stuff and thought, Gawd, awful!” But they did it anyway, selecting one of the “Another Brick in the Wall” parts, part 2, and adding the disco-friendly four-on-the-floor drums.

Ezrin realized it was a hit, but with one verse and one chorus clocking in at one minute 20, it needed another verse and two choruses. But according to Ezrin, the band said, “Well, you’re not bloody getting them. We don’t do singles, so fuck you.” They left, and Ezrin figured out how to do it anyway, bringing in the iconic children’s choir to record the additional vocals. He brought Roger Waters in to listen to the completed track, and the rest is history. Interestingly, Pink Floyd received no grief over their flirtation with disco, with most agreeing with Gilmour’s opinion: “It doesn’t, in the end, not sound like Pink Floyd.”

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4. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” – Rod Stewart

To paraphrase a quote from Charles Caleb Colton in 1820: “Parody is the sincerest form of flattery.” And, according to co-writer Duane Hitchings, that is exactly what Rod Stewart’s foray into disco, “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” is. More specifically, he’s cited it as a “spoof on guys from the ‘cocaine lounge lizards’ of the Saturday Night Fever days.” Truthfully, it’s pretty evident that Stewart is leaning on his reputation as a Lothario, with tongue firmly in cheek with the brazen nature of the chorus.

It’s just that he did it so damn well. The four-beat drumming, the driving bass line, the synthesizer riff, all of it: “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” is as much a disco song as the ones it purports to spoof. It also happens to be one of four appearances by Stewart at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, as well as topping out the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The song’s iconic hook, however, can’t be fully credited to its songwriting team, with Stewart “unconsciously plagiarizing” a song by Brazilian songwriter Jorge Ben called “Taj Mahal.” A plagiarism lawsuit followed, and after Ben won, they agreed that royalties for the song go to UNICEF. Perhaps its royalties should have gone to a GoFundMe for pipers that go down from playing it.

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3. “Miss You” – The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones haven’t endured as long as they have by disregarding contemporary music trends, but rather embracing and giving them a Stones-makeover. And with “Miss You” from 1978, they did just that with disco. There’s a difference of opinion between frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards – shockingly – as to its genesis, with Jagger claiming it was never conceived as a disco song, while Richards claims “‘Miss You’ was a damn good disco record; it was calculated to be one.”

Leave it to the band’s mediator, drummer Charlie Watts, to find the middle ground, revealing: “A lot of those songs like ‘Miss You’ were heavily influenced by going to the discos. You can hear it in a lot of those four-on-the-floor rhythms and the Philadelphia-style drumming. Mick and I used to go to discos a lot… It was a great period.” Bill Wyman‘s cool bass line groove, meanwhile, originated with “the fifth Beatle” Billy Preston, who adapted Preston’s ideas into the brilliant final product. There was the predictable outrage from die-hard fans about selling out, of course, but “Miss You” would end up as the Stones’ eighth, and final, number one U.S. single.

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2. “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” – Kiss

It probably shouldn’t be all that surprising that Kiss would release a disco song at the height of disco’s popularity, given their propensity for marketing their brand. But, an unsubstantiated story suggests that “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” wasn’t a purposeful attempt at jumping on the bandwagon. As the tale goes, the producers wanted a more radio-friendly, popular sound, and the band argued against it, with Paul Stanley saying it was easy to write, and record, a hit disco song in a short time frame. The bet was on, and within hours the song’s demo was completed. It’s safe to say Stanley won the bet, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and years later joining Spotify‘s exclusive “Billions Club” with 1.64 billion streams.

Not just a hit disco song, mind you, but a great one at that. It has the driving bass and drums of the genre, the infectious “do do do do do” chorus, and one of Ace Frehley‘s shortest, but great all the same, guitar solos. But it’s Stanley’s powerhouse vocal performance in the song that pushes it over the edge. “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” allows Stanley to show off his truly impressive vocal range, from low tenor to codpiece-crunching falsetto. Needless to say, the KISS Army was less than impressed with the track, but it’s okay: neither is Gene Simmons.

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1. “Heart of Glass” – Blondie

Blondie‘s “Heart of Glass” is the one song on this list that does more than incorporate disco elements: it pushes disco’s boundaries, experimenting with the genre while remaining true to it. As a result, Debbie Harry and band earn the top spot on this list. It goes beyond the simple four-beat norm with a groove that incorporates a Roland CompuRhythm CR-78 drum machine, one of the first, with the brilliant, metronomic-precise drumming of drummer Clem Burke, one of rock’s all-time greatest. The syncopated groove, however, takes a turn at the bridge, going into 7/8 time before resuming.

Then there’s Debbie Harry’s siren-like vocals, effortlessly enticing while remaining emotionally detached. That detachment is in line with the song’s tale of a woman who found a lover who “‘was a gas’ and ‘seemed like the real thing’, only to prove untrustworthy, only to shrug it off. As Harry once said (per the previously cited Financial Times), “I was tired of hearing girl singers write or sing about being beaten by love. So I said, ‘Well listen, there are also a lot of girls who just walk away.’” It’s a very new wave, punk attitude in the confines of a disco track, a true bridging of the underground and mainstream music scenes.

Art Camacho’s gripping action-thriller Ruthless features Dermot Mulroney as Harry, a grieving wrestling coach who’s unexpectedly thrust into the roles of both pseudo-detective and unrelenting protector. Upon realizing that a tragic and winding story lies just beneath the surface of one of his most skilled pupils, Catia, played by Melisa Diaz, Harry sets forth on an increasingly dangerous mission to save her. From the bustling halls of a small-town high school to the shifty streets of Sin City, the 2023 film is both truly stirring and unexpectedly thrilling.

Like many other accidental—unlikely-vigilante flicks, Ruthless is most notably grounded by Harry’s tragic backstory. It’s revealed rather early on that his daughter was violently murdered and assaulted. Thus, as an audience, it can reasonably be assumed that his motive to protect Catia is largely influenced by his desire to right the wrongs of his past. If only he could’ve saved her, if only he had been there to protect her. Now, four years later, he in some way can. Perhaps had another lead been propelling the plot forward, this sob story may have registered as cliché. However, Mulroney plays brooding yet soft very well. Similar to The Last of Us, Ruthless has a similar charm to the fill-in father and daughter trope.

Three Years Later, Camacho’s ‘Ruthless’ is Dominating Streaming Platforms

Image via Saban Films

Despite the so-so critical response, Ruthless had a surprisingly successful streaming run. Such is the experience of your average, thrilling, yet not necessarily James Cameron-esque action feature. After its release, the film found a booming second life on Prime Video, and was so successful, in fact, that it ranked rather high on Prime’s most-watched charts. Currently, it’s positioned comfortably in the top ten, ranking above powerhouses like World War Z and Primate. Plus, even in the modest to negative reviews from film aficionados still praised Mulroney for his gritty, unrelenting commitment despite the occasionally off-beat dialogue and kitschy plot. After an entire career built off roles of a similar likeness, one would hope he’s mastered the Stoic, morally-grey thing at this point.

In summary, despite a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Ruthless is certainly worth a watch. As many critics have argued, because of the not one, not two, but four writers credited in the making of the film, things do get inarguably muddy. However, with that being said, both the heart of the leads and the thrilling action captured in just 92 minutes make this flick impossible to look away from. Critics be damned, the numbers alone vouch for the edge-of-your-seat experience that is Ruthless. For those looking for a B-tier, purely entertaining unlikely hero action flick, this is surely the one.

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for multiple TV shows.Crime dramas never go out of fashion, but every great series eventually reaches its end. Whether it’s a multi-season epic or a tightly scripted miniseries, the genre explores the gritty realities of those who uphold the law, those who operate outside of it, and those caught somewhere in between. Sometimes, it follows people failed by the justice system despite deserving its protection; other times, it examines those forced into a life of crime by circumstances beyond their control.

No matter which side they fall on, they all share one thing in common: their endings are shaped by the choices they make throughout the series. Some face the collapse of a once-feared criminal empire, while others fight to reclaim their innocence after being failed by the very system meant to protect them. Whether tragic, bittersweet, or unexpectedly hopeful, the best crime drama finales deliver endings that feel both inevitable and earned. From a feared mafia on the verge of extinction to a wrongly accused man seeking justice, here are crime show endings that are genuine masterpieces.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

Image via BBC

Every criminal empire is bound to meet its inevitable demise. Peaky Blinders follows the Shelby family as they expand from a humble gambling operation into an international business empire. But that rise comes at a bloody cost, requiring family patriarch Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) to eliminate anyone who dares cross him. While Tommy is far more merciful toward his family, he still has no qualms about cutting them out of the business—especially his cousin Michael Gray (Finn Cole), the son of his late aunt.

Although Tommy’s conflict with Michael finally ends with a gunshot in the finale, one battle remains: his failing health—or so he believes. After discovering his terminal diagnosis was fabricated by a doctor working with fascist allies determined to bring him down, Tommy tracks the doctor down, ready to kill him. Yet he ultimately walks away. It’s a fitting callback to the show’s recurring theme of the eleventh hour, symbolizing an armistice that proves Tommy has finally found peace after letting go of the criminal empire that brought him both power and misery.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Image via HBO

If there’s a crash course in just how unjust the American judicial system can be, it’s The Night Of. In just one night, the typically high-strung college student Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed) finds himself behind bars after one party changes the entire course of his life. Waking up next to a dead woman with all the evidence pointing to him, Naz’s innocence is immediately called into question, largely because of his Pakistani-American heritage and lack of financial means to afford the best lawyers.

Although Naz ultimately regains his freedom in the finale, it comes at a grave cost. While the ending never reveals the exact circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, Naz walks away with a bittersweet 6-6 hung jury. Unfortunately, his time in prison has altered him both physically and psychologically, leaving him unrecognizable from the young man audiences first met. As a result, The Night Of becomes less about who committed the crime and more about what the justice system does to underprivileged and underrepresented men like Naz.

‘Bosch’ (2014–2021)

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In a sea of uniform blue, there will always be a black sheep like Detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). Bosch follows a case-of-the-season format, but one thread that ties every season together is Bosch’s growing skepticism toward the LAPD. As an authoritative figure, Bosch excels at putting bad guys behind bars. The bigger question, however, is whether the people above him—chiefs, the feds, and mayors—actually want to keep them there.

The series finale becomes the culmination of Bosch’s pent-up disappointment and disillusionment with the system. He finally arrests gang leader Mickey Peña (Gino Vento), but the FBI wants to use him as an asset in a larger investigation, despite Peña being responsible for the arson that killed an entire family. Peña is ultimately freed, only to be murdered by the grieving father of one of the victims, who is then shot by police. Bosch has crossed plenty of lines before, but none more outrageous than turning in his badge and walking away from a justice system built on compromise and political bargaining.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

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The Sopranos arguably committed one of television’s cardinal sins: cutting to black. Working for the mafia has always been an uncertain business, and Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) bears much of that burden while hiding his panic attacks to avoid scrutiny from his peers. The glory days of the mafia are long gone. With racketeering and traditional scams becoming less profitable in the credit card era, and RICO constantly closing in, it’s only a matter of time before the old crime families fade away.

That moment finally arrives in the finale of The Sopranos. Tony brokers a truce with New York after the assassination of a rival boss, bringing a bloody mob war to an end. Yet he also faces a possible indictment after one of his associates likely becomes an informant. Knowing his time may be running out, Tony reunites with his family at Holsten’s diner. As he nervously watches every customer who walks in, the screen suddenly cuts to black. Whether Tony lives or dies remains one of television’s greatest mysteries.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

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Nobody dies a hero or a villain in the Breaking Bad finale, especially Walter White (Bryan Cranston). The former chemistry teacher may have started cooking meth to put food on the table and pay his mounting medical bills. But after getting his first real taste of success—something that had long eluded him in his academic career—something inside him changes. His noble intentions slowly disappear, and the Albuquerque drug empire becomes the one place where he truly feels respected and seen.

Yet Heisenberg never completely lets go of his humanity, as the finale makes clear. Before his death, Walter ties up every loose end, ensuring his family will be financially secure while finally admitting the truth to Skyler (Anna Gunn): he didn’t build his meth empire for them, but for himself. It was never about survival—it was about his own pride and ego. After rescuing Jesse (Aaron Paul) and wiping out his rivals, Walter dies inside a meth lab, ending his story in the very place that defined both the best and worst parts of who he became.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

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The past finally catches up with Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) in Boardwalk Empire. The treasurer of Atlantic City has spent his life clawing his way out of an abusive childhood while building not only a criminal empire but also the image of a beloved public politician for those unaware of his illicit dealings. He’s the very definition of duality: on one hand, he flashes the warmest smile to potential voters; on the other, he doesn’t hesitate to smash someone’s face into a bar.

Earlier in the series, Nucky takes Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt) under his wing, only to kill him after uncovering his betrayal. But the dead never truly stay buried—they live on through those they leave behind. That makes Nucky’s death in the finale all the more tragic. Instead of falling to a rival mobster, he’s killed by Jimmy’s son, bringing his story full circle. It’s a fitting end, signaling the rise of a new generation of organized crime as the old guard finally surrenders to the Commission.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

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Mare of Easttown shows how a murder mystery can parallel a mother’s grief, and the finale makes that connection all the more heartbreaking. Detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) may be the town’s best detective, but she’s emotionally drained after the death of her son. Understandably, grief clouds her judgment. Still, when a teenage girl is found murdered, and another remains missing from a cold case, Mare has no choice but to push through her pain before anyone else becomes a victim.

The finale finally reveals the killer, but with a devastating twist. Mare initially arrests John Ross (Joe Tippett) after he confesses, only for one last piece of evidence to expose the truth: the real killer is John’s tween son, Ryan (Cameron Mann), who accidentally shoots the girl while trying to scare her away from his father. The cruelest part is that Ryan is the son of Mare’s best friend, Lori (Julianne Nicholson), beginning another cycle of a mother’s grief just as Mare starts emerging from her own. In the end, grief is inevitable—it’s how we live with it that matters.

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Mare of Easttown

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Release Date

2021 – 2021-00-00

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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Brad Ingelsby

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  Kate Winslet

  Marianne ‘Mare’ Sheehan

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Julia Roberts just reminded Us that celebrities rely on the same everyday essentials that we do. While out and about, the Oscar winner was seen carrying one practical item that’s become a go-to for morning commutes, long travel days and more. Better yet, her pick is an affordable Amazon find that shoppers say keeps their drinks “cold all day.”

Roberts was spotted strolling through New York City carrying the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler in the cheerful Blue Sky colorway. The Pretty Woman star casually held the 20-ounce tumbler by its built-in handle as she went about her day, proving that even Hollywood’s biggest stars rely on smart everyday staples to stay hydrated on the go.

Get the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Luckily, you don’t need a Hollywood budget to score this quality cup. Roberts’ exact Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler is available on Amazon for $30, and it comes in dozens of colors beyond her Blue Sky pick, including butter yellow, lilac and classic neutrals. You can also choose from 13-, 20-, 30-, 40- and 64-ounce sizes depending on how much hydration you need.

Related: Jessica Alba’s Chocolate Brown Jeans Are the ‘It’-Girl Trend for Fall

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Blue jeans will always have a place in our closets, but Jessica Alba just reminded Us there’s a new denim color quietly taking over. The actress stepped out in a pair of chocolate brown jeans that felt equal parts cool, elevated and ready for the summer-to-fall transition. If ‘It’ girls are swapping out their classic […]

It’s easy to see why this tumbler has become such a fan favorite. It has a 100% leakproof flip straw lid, double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 8 hours and iced for 35 hours, an easy-carry handle and a cupholder-friendly base. Plus its durable recycled stainless steel construction is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

More than 63,500 Amazon shoppers have given the tumbler a five-star rating, with one reviewer calling it “super convenient and truly leakproof,” adding that they can toss it into their bag “without worrying about spills.” Another buyer praised how the “lid feels secure,” while others say the “handle makes it comfortable to carry” whether they’re “traveling, commuting or running errands.”

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your old everyday tumbler, Roberts is here to prove her pick makes the perfect ’emotional support water bottle.’ The star’s exact Stanley pick is equal parts practical and stylish, and at just $30, it’s an easy way to add a celebrity-approved essential to your daily routine, keeping you well hydrated on your next errand run, commute or workout.

Get the Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Stanley here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –> 

Related: Courteney Cox’s Woven Crossbody Is a Go-With-Everything Staple

Some handbags only work with certain outfits. However, there are styles that you instinctively reach for day after day because they look good with literally everything. Courteney Cox reminded Us why a woven crossbody bag belongs in the second category. The actress was seen last week carrying the effortlessly chic style with one of her […]

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Fantasy has been around since the dawn of cinema. As one of the most enduring and beloved genres, fantasy has enthralled and enchanted audiences for decades, delivering some of cinema’s most iconic films, many of which came out during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

From sweet and wholesome films like Mary Poppins to introspective and striking pictures like The Seventh Seal, these fantasy movies have stood the test of time. Thanks to their handsome visuals, thought-provoking themes, adventurous spirit, and timeless quality, these films are cinematic barometers against which to measure all fantasy movies to come.

10

‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938)

Image via Warner Bros.

Errol Flynn‘s name has become synonymous with the Swashbuckler genre, thanks to his many performances in the once-iconic genre. However, few are as memorable as his take on the Prince of Thieves in 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood. The film centers on the title character’s fight against the despotic Prince John, ruling England by oppressing the Saxon commoners in Richard the Lionheart’s absence.

Aided by a lovely Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marion, Flynn delivers a spectacular performance that cemented him as the defining version of Robin Hood. The Adventures of Robin Hood would become a milestone in the Swashbuckler and fantasy genres, inspiring many imitations and evocations that tried, and mostly failed, to recapture the film’s now-legendary sense of adventure.

9

‘Jason and the Argonauts’ (1963)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Jason and the Argonauts draws inspiration from Greek mythology while changing major aspects compared to the legendary tales. The plot centers on Jason, a hero who inadvertently saves his father’s murderer’s life and gets sent by him to recover the legendary Golden Fleece, accompanied by the demigod Hercules.

A technical wonder at the time, Jason and the Argonauts is well-remembered for the now-iconic battle where Jason fights against an army of skeletons. Beyond this classic scene, the film is a suitably epic adaptation of Greek myth strengthened by a commanding performance from Todd Armstrong. What Jason and the Argonauts lacks in faithfulness, it more than makes up in bombast.

8

‘Sleeping Beauty’ (1959)

Adapted from Charles Perrault’s eponymous fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty tells the story of the young princess Aurora. Cursed at birth by the evil sorceress Maleficent, the princess falls into an eternal sleep from which she can only be awakened through true love’s kiss.

Sleeping Beauty marked the end of an era for Disney. The film was the last in the studio’s Golden Age, ending two decades of magic. Still, Sleeping Beauty is arguably Disney’s greatest artistic triumph of the classic age and a now-legendary entry into the Mouse House’s revered vault. Exciting, beautifully animated, and with one of Disney’s best and most evil villains, Sleeping Beauty is a near-perfect fairy tale adaptation.

7

‘The Thief of Bagdad’ (1924)

Image via United Artists

The legendary Douglas Fairbanks stars in the 1924 silent classic The Thief of Bagdad. A loose adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights, the film centers on a thief who pretends to be a prince and secures the love of Baghdad’s princess. Driven by guilt, he sets out on a dangerous journey to recover a magic chest and save Baghdad from an evil force.

The Thief of Bagdad birthed the Swashbuckler genre, turning Fairbanks into a legend. Ranking as one of the most innovative and technically triumphant films of the silent era, The Thief of Bagdad is an influential precursor of every fantasy film, a larger-than-life adventure that introduced many elements that would define fantasy for years to come.

6

‘Pinocchio’ (1940)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Disney’s adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s 1883 classic Pinocchio was the studio’s second animated feature and remains one of its most celebrated triumphs today. The film tells the story of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet brought to life by the Blue Fairy and his quest to become a real boy.

Pinocchio continued Disney’s legacy with rich animation and a surprisingly complex story that embraced the source material’s darkness while imbuing it with the studio’s trademark magic. The result is an ageless depiction of childhood and innocence, representing one of the Mouse House’s crowning achievements. Pinocchio arguably includes Disney’s most iconic song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” a tune so remarkable and uplifting that it became the studio’s official theme.

5

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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Walt Disney‘s first animated feature film remains one of the studio’s best. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows the beautiful and innocent titular princess, who finds refuge in the house of seven kindly dwarfs after escaping her evil stepmother’s plans to take her heart out.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs created Disney’s trademark sense of wonder and awe. Elegantly animated and charming to a fault, the film isn’t afraid to go dark, mainly through its macabre depiction of the Evil Queen, one of cinema’s best and most enduring fantasy villains. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would pave the way for every animated film to come, setting the bar extremely high and single-handedly carving a new cinematic genre that would stand the test of time.

4

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

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Frank Capra‘s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. The film follows George Bailey, a disheartened man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. However, a visit from his guardian angel shows him the impact he’s had on his community and the many lives he has changed.

Loosely based on Charles Dickens‘ seminal novella A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the best films from the 40s and a bona fide classic today. Shamelessly uplifting but undeniably effective, the film is a joyous celebration of life and the bonds that tie people together, enhanced by one of Jimmy Stewart’s most delightful performances. It’s a Wonderful Life embraces darkness to tell a tale of positivity and kindness that has become a must-see during the season of giving.

3

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

Image via Walt Disney Productions

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Mary Poppins, arguably Walt Disney’s magnum opus, stars Julie Andrews in the role that made her a star and, most importantly, a cinematic icon. The film tells the story of the Banks children, who receive the visit of the magical nanny Mary Poppins to help mend their relationship with their work-obsessed father.

Extraordinary in the best sense, Mary Poppins might be the most Disney film in the Disney vault. Blending animation with live-action, featuring some of the Mouse House’s most unforgettable songs, and with a winning performance by Andrews, the film is a moving and emotional reflection on love and family that perfectly encapsulates the magic of cinema.

2

‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

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Ingmar Bergman‘s sublime historical fantasy The Seventh Seal is among the few films in history that can be described as a genuine cinematic experience. Max von Sydow stars as Antonius Block, a disillusioned knight returning from the Crusades to find his country succumbing to the Black Death. Enraged, he challenges a personification of Death to a chess match, setting off on a journey of discovery to discover the nature of God.

Handling weighty and potentially thorny themes with masterful dexterity, The Seventh Seal is a thought-provoking picture of epic proportions. Few films are as instantly recognizable or deeply influential, and the questions The Seventh Seal poses remain fascinating and unanswered today, a testament to the heavy fantasy movie’s enduring and timeless quality.

1

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Photo via Warner Bros.

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There’s no place like home, and there’s no movie like The Wizard of Oz. The iconic Judy Garland stars as Dorothy, a Kansas girl transported to the magical land of Oz via a tornado. Looking to return home, she begins a journey to the Emerald City to seek the help of the powerful Wizard of Oz while being tracked by the vengeful Wicked Witch of the West.

Adapted from the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Victor Fleming‘s timeless masterpiece ranks as arguably the best fantasy movie ever made. Thanks to Garland’s winsome performance, some genuinely impressive visuals, and a heartwarming, whimsical story, The Wizard of Oz remains a touching and crowd-pleasing classic about family, identity, and the true meaning of the word “home.”

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The Wizard of Oz

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Release Date

August 25, 1939

Runtime

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102 minutes

Director

Victor Fleming

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Writers

Edgar Allan Woolf, Florence Ryerson, Noel Langley, L. Frank Baum

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  Judy Garland

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  Dorothy Gale

• 

  Ray Bolger

  “Hunk” / Scarecrow

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UPDATE 8/5/26, 3:20 a.m. ET: A person believed to be Perez Hilton was transported to a hospital in Florida and is receiving medical attention, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said late Tuesday, August 4.

“The individual has been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.

“The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family,” the statement added.

Original story below:

Related: Perez Hilton Shares Dramatic Hospital Photos Amid Mystery Ailment

Perez Hilton has shared dramatic photos from a recent hospital stay in Las Vegas for a mysterious medical emergency. “March madness indeed! Have I got a story to tell,” Hilton, 47, hinted via Instagram on Saturday, March 21. The former Celebrity Big Brother star included numerous alarming photos taken from his room at Clark County, […]

Authorities have released a statement after Perez Hilton appeared in a disturbing livestream, sparking instant concern for the internet personality’s wellbeing.

Footage viewed by Us in the late hours of Tuesday, August 4, showed Hilton, 48, engaging in what appeared to be acts of self harm. Within hours, representatives from the Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding the incident to several outlets.

“The Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self harm on social media,” the statement, shared with The Sun and TMZ, began. “Deputies quickly located the individual’s residence, where they spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside.”

The statement continued, “In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize deescalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication.”

It then concluded, “At this time, deputies have tactfully disengaged while continuing to monitor the situation.”

Us has reached out to a representative for Hilton and the Sheriff’s office for comment.

Hilton has recently been candid about the multiple health scares he has endured this year. Taking to Instagram on March 21, the “original influencer” shared photos of himself within a hospital room at the Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center in Clark County, Nevada. “March madness indeed! Have I got a story to tell,” he captioned the post.

Later that month, he shared a subsequent YouTube video that revealed he was in the hospital for 21 days after he was diagnosed with sepsis, a potentially deadly reaction to an infection that can cause vital organs to shut down.

“It was such a slow process. I mean, two weeks of just sickness and then another week of getting better before I was released,” he said in the video. “The last week was hell, because I had already been in the hospital two weeks by then. I was like, ‘I just want to go home. I just want to be with my babies.’”

Hilton is a single father to three children: Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8.

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One month later, Hilton was admitted into the hospital again after experiencing a significant blood clot. The clot required emergency surgery that kept him in the hospital until the Easter holiday.

Related: Justin Bieber Is Heartbroken Over Hailey’s Emotional Struggles: Details

Worried about his love. Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) revealed she has been dealing with mental health issues — and her husband, Justin Bieber, hates to see her in pain. “It breaks Justin’s heart to have seen Hailey struggling emotionally the way she has been these past few months,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly of […]

In an April 5 Instagram video, he told fans that despite the surgery being successful, he remained in severe pain. “I’m trying not to take any pain medications but the pain is 11 out of 10,” he said in the clip. “They did my surgery on Friday morning on my stomach and the entry point was below my knee. The same area that hurt me the most was the same area they entered so if you want to send some prayers or just positive vibes that I get better soon and can walk without pain, that would be amazing.”

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