While each blockbuster film tries its best to be a compelling piece of art that makes the most of out of the medium of cinema, they more often than not find themselves chained to the goal of being as big a financial success as possible, with the films that make the most money looked up to as prominent pillars of cultural cinema. The $1 billion box-office barrier is especially a prominent mark for any film to achieve, especially films that are a part of the action genre.

The explosive and high energy of action filmmaking lends itself perfectly for the mass appeal and success of a blockbuster experience. This also goes hand in hand with the larger budgets and scale of blockbuster film, with this often directly going into dynamic special effects and more engaging action that draws in more audiences. The very best and most successful action filmmakers find the best balance between mass appeal and striking, artistic filmmaking.

8

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

Image via Lucasfilm

Being the biggest sci-fi action franchise of all time, there are countless films in the Star Wars franchise that have surpassed the $1 billion mark and have attained overwhelming global success. However, the absolute best of these high-grossing entries of the modern age of the franchise isn’t even a part of the Skywalker Saga, but instead the best Star Wars spinoff film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film acts as a prequel, taking place directly before the events of A New Hope, following a rogue band of resistance fighters uniting for a mission to steal the Death Star plans.

Between the directing by Gareth Edwards and the screenplay by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy, there is a sense of individualized brilliance and lack of limitations compared to the sequel trilogy that made Rogue One stand out that much more. The characters are memorable and full of character, the story proves to be as exciting as it is heartbreaking, and it features one of the most legendary moments in modern Star Wars history with the ending hallway fight scene.

7

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Few blockbuster action franchises immediately made a powerful legacy for themselves as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, with their blending of top-notch practical sets and action with groundbreaking visual effects making them some of the definitive blockbusters of the 2000s. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest rode the hype and excitement of the franchise to its highest box-office highs yet, thanks to amplifying the strengths of the original film and delivering an all-time great villain in Davy Jones (Bill Nighy).

Gore Verbinski’s sense of scale and enthralling blockbuster directing further is arguably at its best in this midpoint of the trilogy, delivering on all fronts exactly what fans of the original wanted in terms of a larger, more bombastic sequel to Curse of the Black Pearl. Even after the franchise has seen various other sequels, this iconic original sequel is still seen by many as the highest point of the franchise, and to some possibly even the last truly great Pirates of the Caribbean film.

6

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Image via Marvel Studios

With 11 different films crossing the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box-office, the MCU is easily one of the most massively successful and inescapable action blockbuster phenomena of the 21st century. However, among all the different high-grossing films that made their mark and went towards building a sprawling cinematic universe, Avengers: Infinity War‘s climactic bringing together of all these characters is still one of the MCU’s greatest achievements.

It’s a genuine feat of brilliant pacing and narrative strength that the film is able to balance so many different characters with their own distinct arcs and histories with one another while telling its own, exceptionally compelling standalone story racing against the clock to stop one ruthless villain. Josh Brolin‘s role as Thanos really is the key to making this film work, as the centerpiece of villainy that drives the plot forward, adding both compelling action and genuine emotional weight and stakes to the MCU that still hasn’t been matched 8 years later.

5

‘Skyfall’ (2012)

MGM

Considering just how much of an icon James Bond has been in the world of action for generations now, it feels strange that Skyfall is the only Bond film that has broken the $1 billion barrier. However, it works out that Skyfall is one of the absolute best Bond films to date, blending together the sleek, gritty style of Daniel Craig‘s iteration of Bond with a classic Bond story of betrayal, mystery, and explosive scale. It perfects and refines the strengths of the Craig era of bond to their absolute apex, feeling much more intelligent and intricate than most other spy films.

It’s a film that brilliantly reflects upon the entire history of Bond as a character, challenging the very notions of blind authority and secret agents that have held up the franchise and character since the very beginning. However, its self-reflective themes never get in the way of the film’s action and stakes, with Sam Mendes pulling no punches in making Skyfall one of the most bombastic and exciting films in the Bond franchise to date.

4

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Good legacy sequels that live up to the impact and strengths of the original film are very rare, and even more rare for the legacy sequel to actually improve upon the original in the eyes of fans and audiences alike. Top Gun: Maverick proved to be one of the very few to pull of this feat, with the overwhelming appreciation and strength of the film leading it to one of the most dominating box-office runs by an American blockbuster of the decade so far.

The film maintained strength and audience interest throughout the entire summer of 2022, even managing to reclaim #1 at the domestic box office on Labor Day Weekend despite the film releasing all the way back on Memorial Day weekend. It took until October for the film to finally leave the domestic top 10 and in the process cemented an overwhelming legacy on the back of its striking jet plane action and the always compelling charm of leading man Tom Cruise.

3

‘Ne Zha 2’ (2025)

Image via Chengdu Coco Cartoon

Ne Zha 2 is a clear outlier among the films that have grossed a billion dollars, as it is not only the singular non-Hollywood film to achieve such a feat, but it has also managed to be one of only 7 movies to break into the ultra exclusive $2 billion mark, entirely off the back of the Chinese market. When watching the film, it’s easy to understand why it became such a massive cultural phenomenon for Chinese audiences, as it features some of the most explosive, high-energy action that feature-length animation has to offer.

Without having to worry nearly as much about the set-up and character establishment that was done in the original film, Ne Zha 2 is able to go all out on goofy character moments and extremely impressive animation quality. It’s strange to call any movie that has grossed over $2 billion a hidden gem, but Ne Zha 2 is easily one of the most underappreciated action films of the decade, clearly deserving of more praise but overlooked due to being both animated and from China.

2

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Image via New Line Cinema

Following up on a trilogy’s worth of massive scale epic storytelling to become the first action film to gross $1 billion, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a fantasy epic masterpiece that continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest achievements in blockbuster film history. It delivers on all the expectations and build-up that has occurred throughout the entire trilogy, with powerful emotional weight and bombastic battles elevating its scale and story to unprecedented levels for a blockbuster epic.

It’s a film whose mastery and distinct care for the medium is exactly what blockbuster filmmaking should be utilized for; not just appealing to as wide an audience as possible, but using the vast resources of a blockbuster budget to create a work of art only possible on such an overwhelming scale. The film will continue to have a legacy and influence on the fantasy genre for the foreseeable future as one of the most important and groundbreaking blockbuster action films of all time.

1

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros.

Not just an amazing blockbuster action movie, but considered by many to be the absolute greatest blockbuster action movie ever made. The Dark Knight soared to $1 billion status largely thanks to its overwhelming word of mouth, as audiences couldn’t help but sing the praises of Christopher Nolan‘s explosive action-thriller masterpiece. While the character of Batman had certainly been loved and appreciated before this point, The Dark Knight elevated the character to a new level of cinematic brilliance and importance for many audiences.

Through a powerful and symbolic original story of hope and sacrifice, countless engaging action sequences that kept audiences on the edge of their seat, and one of the all-time greatest villain performances in cinematic history, The Dark Knight‘s strengths and praises simply speak for themselves. The film has massively influenced the culture and perspective on action blockbusters in the wake of its success, still having an influence on the superhero genre in the almost 2 decades since its release. It delivers on every front exactly what the audience wants out of a blockbuster action movie, with audiences showing up in droves to experience a true feat of cinematic spectacle.

Ariana Grande is officially back in music mode, but not everyone is loving her latest release. The pop superstar dropped “Hate That I Made You Love Me” late Thursday night, marking the first taste of her upcoming album “Petal.” While Grande called the track one of her “favorite songs” she’s ever written, some fans quickly flooded social media with harsh reactions, calling the song “boring,” “mid,” and even questioning whether AI had a hand in creating it.

Grande officially launched her latest music era by releasing “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” the lead single from her upcoming album, “Petal,” due out July 31. The release marks Ariana’s first major musical rollout since 2024’s “Eternal Sunshine,” which arrived amid intense public attention surrounding her personal life and relationship with boyfriend Ethan Slater, whom she met while filming Wicked.

In recent years, Grande has shifted much of her focus toward acting, earning praise for portraying Glinda in “Wicked” and its follow-up film, “Wicked: For Good.” Still, fans were eager to see what Grande had in store as she returned to the studio.

Fans Didn’t Hold Back Their Reactions

Unfortunately for Ariana, not everyone was impressed. Shortly after the single dropped, social media lit up with mixed, and at times brutal, reactions from disappointed listeners.

“The song is so boring,” one user said, while some fans admitted they expected more from the lead single of Ariana’s eighth studio album. “Kinda underwhelming tbh especially for a lead,” one fan shared, while another described the track as “kinda mid.”

Others were even harsher. “Omg what possessed her to choose this as a lead.. it sounds ai generated,” one user wrote as more fans compared the single to material from “Eternal Sunshine,” arguing that it didn’t feel like a fresh era for the singer. “So disappointed. Nothing new, it could literally fit in the ‘Eternal Sunshine’ album,” another fan shared.

Not everyone hated the new single, however. While some listeners slammed the track online, others rushed to Ariana’s defense and praised the singer’s long-awaited return to music.

“The voice of an angel is back with the gift of a beautiful song for us!” one supporter wrote. “your voice… i missed you so much,” another fan commented, while others called the single “literally the best song ever” and declared it “PERFECTION.”

Ariana Grande Previously Called The Song One Of Her ‘Favorites’

Grande first announced “Hate That I Made You Love Me” on May 8 via Instagram, telling fans the track was deeply personal to her. Calling it “one of my favorite songs i’ll ever write,” Ariana revealed it was created alongside longtime collaborators ILYA and Max Martin.

“Produced by my favorite collaborators and dearest human beings in the world, the brilliant @ilya_music, the one and only max martin (and me),” she wrote. “I simply cannot wait for it to be yours.”

Later in the month, Grande teased the release with snippets of the instrumental backing track before unveiling the song in full.

Grande’s Music Video Features A Familiar Face

Ahead of the music video’s release on Monday, Grande teased fans with a short clip featuring actor Justin Long. In the preview, Long is seen driving before nervously glancing in his rearview mirror, only to find Ariana sitting in the backseat staring at him.

The casting continues Ariana’s recent tradition of recruiting recognizable Hollywood faces for her visuals. Penn Badgley previously starred in the video for “The Boy Is Mine,” while Evan Peters appeared in “We Can’t Be Friends.” Over the years, Grande has also recruited stars like Charles Melton and Jonathan Bennett for some of her biggest music video moments.

Ariana Grande Has Built An Award-Winning Career

While her latest single may have sparked mixed reactions online, Ariana’s music career has long been backed by major success. Over the years, Grande has earned three Grammy Awards, multiple Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and American Music Awards, cementing herself as one of pop music’s biggest names.

She has also landed dozens of chart-topping hits, including songs like “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” “No Tears Left To Cry,” and “Positions.”

Actor Oscar Isaac has starred in many franchise roles. After playing the pilot Poe Dameron in “Star Wars” and the titular Moon Knight on the Disney+ Marvel series, he starred in Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein,” which was a huge hit for Netflix. Isaac appeared on the streamer again in the second season of “Beef,” along with Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny.  Isaac recently revealed that he was only convinced to join the show after watching a pivotal scene from the show’s first season.

Oscar Isaac Reveals Why He Joined The Netflix Anthology ‘Beef’

Following the success of season 1 of “Beef,” the Netflix anthology series created by Lee Sung Jin continued with a whole new cast of characters. When asked by Entertainment Weekly what made him sign up for the show, Isaac revealed that there was a pivotal scene from the show’s first season that stood out to him.

“I remember I was really intrigued by the first couple of episodes,” Isaac recalled. “But it was episode 3, when [Steven Yeun’s] character goes to the church, and the singing starts happening, and he starts sobbing. It was both so moving and so hilarious at the same time.”

In episode 3, titled “I Am Inhabited by a Cry,” Yeun’s character, Danny Cho, breaks down crying during a Korean evangelical church service. But, in the previous scene, he almost set Amy’s car on fire until he noticed that her daughter was sitting inside. The feud between Danny and Amy, played by Ali Wong, takes dark, and sometimes comedic, twists throughout the show’s first season.

Isaac Praises ‘Beef’ For ‘Embracing The Cringe’

Isaac went on to praise Jin’s ability to craft a “razor-thin tone that I thought was really fascinating — between embracing the cringe of the moment, but also the compassion for that character and the situation. That was it.”

Isaac said that he had “these very long sessions” with the showrunner to explore the themes of the show. “Sunny and I, it felt like a men’s group of two, like a therapy session. We would talk about all sorts of subjects that kind of related, even sometimes very loosely, to the script,” he recalled. “That felt like, ‘Oh, this is a real investigation of something. This is not just showing up to deliver some idea.’ That became really exciting.”

In season 2, Isaac plays a country club manager named Joshua Martin. He and his wife, played by Carey Mulligan, get caught in a sticky situation when a younger couple, played by Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny, witness them having an intense fight.

Oscar Isaac Stars In Julian Schnabel’s Historical Epic

This isn’t the only Netflix project that Isaac is involved in. His film “In The Hand of Dante” made a splash at last year’s Venice Film Festival. The movie boasts an A-list cast that includes Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa. 

Isaac plays two roles: an author named Nick Tosches in the 21st century and Dante Alighieri in the 14th century. Netflix has scheduled the film for a theatrical release on June 12, followed by a streaming release on June 24.

What’s Next For Oscar Isaac: Inside ‘The Roman’

According to Deadline, Isaac and his production company are working on developing a creative partnership with the streamer that will give them first-look rights to any film or series projects. One of those projects is a Vegas series from Brian Koppelman and David Levien. 

The eight-episode casino drama puts Isaac into the role of Robert “Bobby Red” Redman. He’s president of the hottest hotel casino in town, but he’s going to try to make some long odds moves to try to secure his position and take even more ground.

According to Variety, the series is called “The Roman” and will also star Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, and David Costabile. Gilpin will star as Marla Blake, who is described as “Bobby’s formidable wife and a brilliant, highly connected lawyer.”

Baldwin will play Paul “Primo” Clark, said to be “A legendary and flint-eyed business technician, Primo is the longtime chairman of the organization and a surrogate father figure to Bobby.” Baldwin previously played a casino boss in the critically-acclaimed film “The Cooler.”

At this time, “The Roman” does not have a release date.

Kendra Wilkinson is firing back after body-shamers suggested she ‘downsize’ her breast implants.

The former Playboy model, 40, posted about her weight-loss journey via an Instagram post on Tuesday, May 26, prompting some of her followers to offer up unsolicited advice about the size of her bust.

“Month two on my GLP-1 journey and I’m still being really intentional about how I approach this. For me, it was never just about the number on the scale,” Wilkinson captioned the post. “It’s about feeling like myself again, having real energy, and actually learning to trust the process without trying to fast forward it. I wanted this to feel honest, sustainable, and actually work for MY life.”

According to screenshots taken of Wilkinson’s Instagram Story and published by The Looker on Wednesday, May 27, some followers criticized her shape.

“The boobs make you look heavier. Bring it down a few sizes. You’ll look smaller,” read one comment.

In response, Wilkinson wrote, “Who’s paying?! “You want my Venmo to support this?”

Another comment read, “Kendra, you’re not overweight. I think your implants make you look heavier than you are. Consider a reduction in your augmentation?”

Wilkinson, who got her breast implants at 18, reacted to this remark by sharing a selfie and hitting back in text overlaid on the image.

“Until I get my GoFundMe breast reduction money, I’m going to love my boobs the way they are,” she wrote.

In the past, Wilkinson has been candid about aging in the spotlight and the criticism that comes with it.

In March, she took to Instagram to speak about “embracing herself” and rejecting any negatively thrown her way about her looks.

“I used to use a light filter on myself but now I’m just embracing myself as it is,” she captioned a selfie. “I’ve seen many people comment saying I’ve aged ‘poorly’ and that is ok. I’m ok with aging ‘poorly.’”

Advertisement

Related: Kendra Wilkinson Has Message for Celebs Who Aren’t ‘Honest’ About GLP-1 Use

Kendra Wilkinson is continuing to open up about her weight loss journey. “Starting my GLP-1 journey and being really intentional about how I do it 🤍 for me, it wasn’t just about weight… it was about feeling better, having more energy, and actually trusting the process instead of rushing it,” the realtor, 40, wrote in […]

The Girls Next Door star went on to say that she’s the happiest she’s ever been at age 40.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“For some reason I’m happier than I’ve ever been lately, even with a little weight gain and wrinkles,” she wrote. “I’m not going to tie my happiness again into the negative energy.”

Wilkinson gave herself credit for being a “balanced, single, positive, fun woman who loves life” in the social media post.

Wilkinson found fame in the Playboy Mansion as one of Hugh Hefner’s main girlfriends in 2004 (alongside Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt), after she met the Playboy founder when she was 18 at his 78th birthday party.

Sheriff Country is returning for season 2 — but is everyone from the cast coming back?

The town of Edgewater was originally introduced when Fire Country premiered in 2022 with inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returning home and volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program during season 1 of the hit show. By season 2, a backdoor pilot set up the world of Sheriff Country, which is centered around Sharon’s (Diane Farr) estranged sister Mickey (Morena Baccarin) as she solves crimes in town.

CBS was quick to renew Sheriff Country in December 2025 after its success on the network. According to a press release, Sheriff Country has averaged 7.6 million viewers and is “consistently a time period winner” for Friday nights at 8 P.M.

The first season wrapped up in May 2026 with a shocking episode that revealed Deputy Director of the DEA — Eva (Rachel Ticotin) — as Mickey’s mother who was presumed dead.

“We’re told in the pilot of season 1 that Mickey’s mother is dead and it’s quite clear she’s dead. She’s not part of the picture. One of the writers pitched it to me relatively early in season 1 [that she was secretly alive], and I dismissed it,” showrunner Matt Lopez exclusively told Us Weekly. “Over the course of the season, more and more writers started to get on board. I was a fairly late convert because I don’t want to just turn over a card to turn over a card. If it gives us really good story and reveals something about the characters we care about and it’s grounded in real human emotion then I’m interested.”

Lopez is excited to unpack that in season 2.

“It resets our family dynamic that’s at the heart of this show,” he teased. “And it addresses all the interesting character wrinkles that it gave us to play. We’ll see in the early episodes, Wes thinks he and Mickey are on the same page that they were both betrayed by this woman. Mickey isn’t as on board and in some ways you can make the case that Wes’ betrayal was worse. We’ll unpack all of this.”

He continued: “She hasn’t been part of the picture since Mickey was like 5 or 6 years old and who owes Mickey a bigger debt of gratitude? Wes believed she was dead and we will unspool that whole story of what went into that decision to essentially stage her death. It’s really fun and it’s got a lot of delicious turns to it.”

Looking ahead at the show’s future, Lopez said the return will “subvert expectations,” adding, “There is a time jump but then we will fill in like what happened in the scene that we didn’t see. The emotional aftershocks are going to last much more than an episode and we’ve set up this incredible dynamic where Mickey’s essentially barely speaking to her father and now their handler is the woman who Mickey has thought was dead for the last 30 years. It’s got a great sort of engine out the gate.”

Keep scrolling to see who is — and isn’t — returning in season 2:

Morena Baccarin

There would be no Sheriff Country without Baccarin and her character, Mickey.

Christopher Gorham

Gorham’s character Travis will be in season 2 as the character balances Sheriff Country and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.

Michele Weaver

Weaver was missing from several episodes in season 1 amid her pregnancy. She has since returned and Cassie will remain a large part of the show.

Matt Lauria

Lauria is returning as Boone in season 2 as fans continue to root for him and Mickey as a couple.

W. Earl Brown

Season 2 will continue to explore Mickey’s difficult relationship with her dad, Wes (Brown).

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Amanda Arcuri

After playing Mickey’s daughter, Skye, in season 1, Arcuri will have a larger role in the sophomore season.

Ian Quinlan

Quinlan is also being promoted from recurring to main cast for season 2.

Rachel Ticotin

Ticotin’s character Eva is presumably returning after revealing that she is actually Mickey’s mother.

Hayden Panettiere is throwing her support behind Paris Jackson after both women got candid about their respective addiction struggles.

Appearing on The Morning Show on Thursday, May 28, Panettiere, 36, was asked whether she related to some of the issues Paris had recently been open about dealing with.

Paris, who is the daughter of late pop star Michael Jackson, spoke about the “ugly behavior” she typically engaged in when she hit the bottle.

“The behavior is really ugly. It’s really ugly behavior in a moral way, because I was raised to be kind — and not nice,” Paris, 28, said during a Tuesday, May 26, appearance on Jack Osbourne’s “Trying Not to Die” podcast. “I could give a s**t about being nice — but being kind and looking people in the eye and asking the waiter their name so you can write it down on the receipt later, just little things of, just like, how do you treat people?”

Related: Michael Jackson’s Daughter Paris Gets Candid About Sobriety, Mental Health

Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, is supporting others on a path of sobriety. “Getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect,” Paris, 27, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, January 3, sharing a montage of moments from the past year. “A few years in, it all got very very hard for what felt like […]

Paris added, “What happens when I drink is that goes away. That goes right out the window and I become a very vindictive person.”

The Heroes alum praised Paris for her comments as well as the way she has navigated her personal difficulties so far.

“I actually just saw Paris and she’s an incredible person, incredibly strong. To see somebody who’s also battled addiction and made it through — she’s such a powerful, beautiful person,” Panettiere said on The Morning Show.

She added, “And you would think… I mean growing up with a family the way that she has and now that she’s you know, putting her music out there, it’s just… I’m really proud of her.”

The Nashville star has fought her own demons. In her new memoir, This Is Me: The Reckoning, Panettiere shared details of her addiction battle and her experience in rehab.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Speaking to Us Weekly to promote the book earlier this month, Panettiere explained how eight months in rehab – her third stint – helped her find herself again.

Related: Hayden Panettiere Details Addiction Struggles, Reveals Breast Reduction

Advertisement

Sharing her journey. In a rare new interview, Hayden Panettiere got candid about her health ups and downs over the years. The Scream VI star, 33, opened up to Women’s Health about everything from her addiction struggles to dealing with postpartum depression in an article published on Monday, March 6. (The interview took place in […]

“It was time. I finally had the time to stay in treatment and let my brain re-heal and rewire itself and a lot of that is just simply time. I had never stayed in treatment that long,” she told Us. I would make these small leaps and little by little. And I remember getting to about eight months and going, ‘Oh my gosh, now I know what they mean when they say “gotten over the hump.”’”

She continued, “Even though it takes patience and you hit walls, and there’s nothing about it that’s easy, it is so worth it. There’s no drug in the world that can recreate the feeling of genuine health and happiness and contentment, being content.”

Mindy Kaling had all eyes on her when she stepped out for the premiere of her new Hulu comedy “Not Suitable For Work,” and fans could not stop talking about her dramatic transformation. The actress, writer, and producer looked slimmer than ever while walking the red carpet in a shimmering gold gown, sparking a fresh wave of reactions online. While some fans once questioned whether Ozempic-like medications played a role in her transformation, others were simply focused on praising Mindy Kaling’s stunning appearance.

Kaling stepped onto the red carpet Thursday, looking radiant in a gleaming gold gown that perfectly highlighted her slimmed-down figure. The former “Office” star, who created “Not Suitable For Work” and serves as the Hulu comedy’s showrunner, stunned in the sparkling ensemble, which featured rhinestone detailing across the bust and shoulder straps.

She paired the look with shimmering gold Louboutins, a matching clutch, and dangling diamond earrings for even more glam. Kaling completed the look by wearing her dark hair parted to the side.

Fans Couldn’t Stop Talking About Kaling’s Transformation

Unsurprisingly, fans quickly flooded social media with compliments over Kaling’s appearance. “Congratulations on the weight loss. You look amazing,” one person wrote. “Mindy = classy,” another fan shared, while someone else simply added, “Mindy Kaling looks beautiful.”

Advertisement

The glowing reactions come after Kaling’s noticeable weight loss sparked major online conversation over the past few years, with some fans previously urging her to “admit” whether Ozempic-like medications played a role. However, the actress has never confirmed using weight-loss drugs.

Mindy Kaling Opened Up About The Motivation Behind Her Weight Loss

Although Kaling has stayed relatively private about her transformation, she recently revealed that her motivation for losing weight has shifted over the years. “When I was younger, I would want to lose weight because of vanity reasons,” she explained in an interview with Bustle. “Now I want to lose weight or have lost weight because I want to stave off things like diabetes.”

The actress said avoiding the disease became increasingly important because diabetes runs in both sides of her family. “Do I wake up every day being like, ‘I look amazing, and I’m so gorgeous?” No, unsurprisingly, but I truly feel so healthy,” she added.

Kaling also acknowledged why some fans struggle to embrace celebrity weight loss. “It’s sometimes no fun when one of your favorite actors loses weight,” she said. “You have an idea of what they were like when you grew attached to them, and it made them endear themselves to you.”

Kaling Previously Revealed How She Lost More Than 40 Pounds

The “Office” actress first opened up about her health journey in 2023 after shedding more than 40 pounds. At the time, she told PEOPLE she had embraced weight training while mixing in cardio workouts like hiking and running to stay active.

“I’m feeling really confident in my body these days, which is not something that I’ve been able to say for my whole life, unfortunately,” she admitted. “I know people are really interested in my body and the changes in my body, and I think it’s flattering, and sometimes it’s just a little much, so I don’t try to tune it in too much. The truth is that I spend so much time and energy trying to be healthy.”

Advertisement

Kaling also explained that balancing fitness with motherhood meant squeezing in workouts whenever possible. “It’s hard with two kids that I wake up really early, and I fit it in, and I basically live in workout clothes so I can get it in, get an extra mile in,” she said.

Since then, Kaling welcomed her third child, daughter Anne, in February 2024.

Mindy Kaling’s New Hulu Comedy Is Finally Here

While fans were focused on her red carpet transformation, Kaling was actually celebrating the premiere of her newest project, “Not Suitable For Work.”

According to the show’s official logline, the comedy follows “five work-obsessed twenty-somethings striving for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.”

The series stars Will Angus, Avantika, Ella Hunt, Jack Martin, Nicholas Duvernay, and Jay Ellis, with Victor Garber, Ego Nwodim, and Constance Wu appearing in recurring roles.

Advertisement

“SLOMW” star Jen Affleck appeared to take a subtle jab at her Hulu co-stars on social media. After all the fighting that’s gone on among people like Taylor Frankie Paul, Jessi Draper, and Mikayla Matthews, Affleck made an Instagram post urging her co-workers to reel it in for their children’s sake.

A Reddit user shared a screenshot of Affleck’s latest Instagram Stories post. In it, she said she’s been MIA on social media for the last few weeks, choosing to spend more time with her children.

Her post also included a statement many believe was aimed at her “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” co-stars. “Ladies, maybe we stop fighting on the internet for minute. We’ve got kids to raise.”

Social Media Users Respond To Affleck’s Post About Her ‘SLMOW’ Castmates

Affleck’s post didn’t garner the reaction she may have been hoping for, as several Redditors slammed the reality star for being “passive-aggressive.”

“But isn’t this a passive aggressive stab at the rest of the cast… And therefore isn’t she now getting involved in the pettiness of the online fighting?” someone wrote.

Another chimed in, adding, “They are all so insufferable LMAO,” and a third said, “She’s correct, but because it’s coming from her, the pick me vibes are distracting.”

And the negative comments didn’t stop there. Someone else posted, “Yeah, [she’s right], but this just reads as patronizing. … Typical Jen and gross in my opinion.”

“Ugh this is sanctimonious af. She did always come across smug, this expression on her face doesn’t helped. As others have said, she owned herself by saying anything at all. Just has to be part of the drama,” another posted, to which someone replied, “There was really no need for that second paragraph. She ruined it with that.”

Taylor Frankie Paul Used Mother’s Day To Slam Mikayla Matthews

Affleck’s social media post comes weeks after Paul used her Mother’s Day post to slam her co-star, Matthews, whom she alleged was waiting for her downfall.

“I STILL have ‘friends’ kicking me while I’m already down and calling it ‘setting a boundary’ and then [BLAMING] ME for being upset and responding,” she wrote, according to PEOPLE. “What a snake friend just did to me in the public eye after everything she just witnessed…the lack of empathy and silence was loud enough.”

Prior to this, Paul had been in the center of controversy after a video of her appearing to assault her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, was shared online. The backlash halted production on season 5 of “SLOMW” and also forced ABC and Disney to cancel Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette, [starring Paul], at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the statement from Disney read.

What Can Fans Expect To See On The Next Season Of ‘Mormon Wives’?

According to a previous report from The Blast, the drama between Paul and Mortensen had a massive effect on the show. Season 5 was halted for weeks, and according to a source, they will not resume as planned.

Instead, the women are filming confessionals for the five episodes already done and will head straight into season 6 instead. “Right now, they’re just filming confessionals for season 5,” the insider claimed. “They’ve decided they’re not going to film the rest of season 5, but apparently they’re still going to film season 6.”

Jessi Draper Tells The Blast What She Wants Fans To Know About Her ‘SLOMW’ Co-Stars

Despite the show’s upcoming season having only five episodes, Jessi Draper spoke with The Blast earlier this week and shot down some misconceptions viewers have about her and her co-stars.

The one thing she wants people to know is that although there’s chaos throughout the episodes, they aren’t all about the drama.

“You guys see that part of us online on the show, but we actually have so many light-hearted and fun, funny moments as friends, and I wish you saw more of that,” she said on the red carpet of the American Music Awards.

Well, season 6 may be your time to prove it, Draper!

White, pink, yellow — the same colors come around every summer, but this year is different. Amanda Seyfried jumped on the chocolate brown trend that’s taking over 2026, and it transitions seamlessly through seasons. Her year-round bag style screams ‘expensive,’ and we found the luxe look on sale for just $20.

At a recent Tory Burch Foundation event, the actress arrived in a head-to-toe brown outfit that gave off ritzy espresso martini vibes. The crowning piece was a chocolate-colored quilted bag that looked designer from across the room. Like Seyfried’s, this brown shoulder bag reads more polished than a pastel version ever could.

Get the Tutuebobe Quilted Shoulder and Crossbody Bag for $20 (was $26) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

What makes her getup so sleek isn’t just the color, it’s also the texture. The quilted detailing adds dimension to an otherwise sleek silhouette, thanks to its elevated pillowy surface. This puffy lookalike goes the extra mile with two strap options: a chain-wrapped shoulder strap for glam and a removable crossbody strap for errands.

Related: Kate Middleton Retired Basic Flats for a Chic Slingback Ballet Shoe

Advertisement

Kate Middleton is rarely spotted in anything other than heels, but she swapped pumps for something even classier than regular ballet flats. Middleton’s two-toned slingback flats give timeless a trendy edge, so it’s no wonder the style is taking over the internet. The Princess of Wales visited Italy wearing a simple yet elegant ensemble that […]

Better yet, the interior is roomy enough for all of your essentials. One reviewer said it fits their on-the-go items, like a phone, wallet, keys and more, making it ideal for everything from work days to date nights.

They’re also big fans of the style. “The design is classy and trendy at the same time — the quilting looks high-end, the stitching is even and the shape holds itself beautifully,” the reviewer wrote. “It has that designer-inspired vibe without the designer price tag.”

Pair the purse with cream trousers and a tank for the dinner reservation you’ve been meaning to make, or sling it over a satin sundress. You can also go full Seyfried and mix caramel, cocoa and espresso shades. Rich brown accessories dress up the basics you already own, so don’t be surprised if that white tee in your drawer suddenly becomes chic.

And although brown is the obvious move to channel Seyfried’s look, this classy silhouette comes in three other colors. At only $20, we’re grabbing two!

Get the Tutuebobe Quilted Shoulder and Crossbody Bag for $20 (was $26) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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