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Only 5 Fantasy Movies Are Exactly As Good as The Lord of the Rings

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The greatest era for visual effects in cinema history ran for about a decade, from the early ’90s to the dawn of the new millennium. During this period, CGI was a new tool used sparingly, supplementing, in a best-case scenario, classical Hollywood filmmaking craft. This period of prominence began with Terminator 2: Judgment Day, continuing through timeless classics like Jurassic Park, Titanic, and The Matrix before really climaxing with Peter Jackson‘s The Lord of the Rings (throughout the later aughts, overused CGI became less inspired and more obligatory). An enormous gamble on the part of New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is still arguably the most ambitious production of the 21st century, and perhaps an unprecedented feat of world-building.

Jackson’s revered adaptation of JRR Tolkien‘s books is also widely considered the apex of fantasy film, and for good reason. Third entry The Return of the King wasn’t just a rare genre film to get some Oscar attention, it swept the 2004 ceremony, winning all 11 awards it was nominated for. The Lord of the Rings is mostly untouchable as a work of fantasy filmmaking, though the following masterpieces, all of them bona fide classics and considered among the best films ever made, deserve to be remembered as every bit as perfect. These are the only fantasy movies in history that are every bit as good as The Lord of the Rings.

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5

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

star-wars-episode-V-the-empire-strikes-back Image via Lucasfilm/courtesy Everett Collection

Though it’s more commonly classified as science fiction, George Lucas would be the first to tell you his space opera creation is more of a space fantasy. Though there’s an internal logic to the historic original trilogy and, to a lesser extent, the prequels, that make them very much sci-fi, an internal logic that was mostly abandoned in the mostly awful sequel trilogy and modern spinoffs, this is a saga of mysticism designed to reinvigorate classical myth. Especially when viewed in their original, despecialized theatrical cuts, these first three films are all extraordinary landmarks of fantasy, with middle chapter, The Empire Strikes Back, universally considered the high point.

Critical response to Empire was mixed at first, with some saying the film lost some of the charm and innocence of the 1977 film. That’s entirely the point, though that response is understandable to a degree, because at that point, the story was incomplete. George Lucas is a creative genius, one of scarce few who’s created and populated his own world, though he himself has said he’s aware he’s not the best director. His mentor Irvin Kershner took the reins here, from a script Lucas co-devised with help and polish from Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett. The lesser Star Wars films with Lucas’ involvement have an element of sterility to them, but the human touch is all over The Empire Strikes Back, as is grandeur. Here, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) steps into a far scarier and murkier reality, ultimately learning his father is everything he hates in the most iconic twist ending in film history. Empire is unafraid of looking despair in the face, but it’s a rollicking good time from start to finish, with much humor and spirituality coming from Frank Oz‘s ingenious voice performance as the small, green, and wise Master Yoda.

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4

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

It's-a-Wonderful-Life-James-Stewart-Karolyn-Grimes Image via Liberty Films

Years before it would become the quintessential Christmas classic (you know, along with Die Hard), Frank Capra‘s low fantasy melodrama was a box-office bomb and a critical meh. With the horrors of WWII only just truly sinking in and very much top of mind, a heartfelt fantasy film was something of an ask for mainstream audiences, even from a three-time Oscar-winning director in Frank Capra. In its day, It’s a Wonderful Life lost so much money it bankrupted Liberty Films. It would only become a classic after audiences rediscovered it on TV years later, much like The Wizard of Oz, which we’ll get to shortly.

Prominent critics of the time came down on It’s a Wonderful Life for perceived overreliance on sentimentality, but revisiting the film in present day, it’s almost shockingly dark. The in media res opening hinges on an everyman who’s ready to end his own life. A chunk of the film is even shot like pure film noir. The darkness is necessary, because it brings us what is, simply, the greatest, most authentic and most carefully set-up emotional payoff in movie history. Though people saw it as a great director’s misfire 80 years ago, it’s now considered Capra’s defining picture, and that of star James Stewart.

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3

‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)

Willy-Wonka-and-the-Chocolate-Factory-Gene-Wilder Image via Paramount Pictures

“Whimsy” is a word that’s often associated with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and though that shoe fits, it’s really important to remember how dry and edgy the enterprise is. The second and third acts play out a lot like a slasher film (the immoral and unworthy characters are picked off one by one). There’s a heart of gold at the center, but it’s a morality play. Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) is one of the best and most sympathetic protagonists in film. He wins because he is pure of heart.

Roald Dahl absolutely, famously, hated this adaptation of his 1964 book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, oddly enough for what he perceived to be a saccharine quality that went against the bite of the novel. This is where it’s really important to remember that book and film are different mediums, and Willy Wonka delivers a more emotionally robust, completely satisfying experience than reading the book, and whimsy is just a part of that. Tim Burton‘s 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is technically a more faithful adaptation. It’s also terrible, with uncanny valley visuals, rancid and unfunny jokes and one of the most high-profile misfires of a lead performance in Johnny Depp‘s disturbing Michael Jackson impersonation. The 1971 picture is untouchable, with Gene Wilder’s lead performance a thing of timeless comic timing and grace.

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2

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Wizard-of-Oz-Judy-Garland-Margaret-Hamilton Image via MGM

MGM’s iconic fantasy musical overcame one of the most infamously troubled mega-productions in film history to become an altogether awe-inspiring work of art and entertainment. Based on the children’s book by L. Frank Baum, Victor Fleming‘s timeless fantasy charmer represents the best of classic Hollywood filmmaking, much like the director’s Gone With the Wind, released the same year. The Wizard of Oz has endured like no other film in part for this reason, but watching the film for the millionth time today it’s easy to be blown away by just how much personality it has, from Judy Garland‘s golden voice and spunk, to the ingenious and detailed set design that’s still impressive under the aggressive clarity of a recent 4k restoration.

The third act of The Wizard of Oz is a high-stakes, red-blooded, pure and stone-faced adventure film. Though she was reportedly the kindest person to Judy Garland on a mostly cutthroat film set, Margaret Hamilton is so memorably evil as the Wicked Witch of the West she surely influenced nearly every major live-action film villain in her wake. There’s a reason the American Film Institute ranked The Wizard Oz rather high on its 2001 list of the most heart-pounding films ever made. It was such an expensive production that it lost money upon release, but TV airings became national events decades later, and in time, this became the most-watched movie in history.

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1

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937)

Snow-White-and-the-Seven-Dwarfs-2 Image via Disney

Virtually every fantasy film made after 1937 owes a debt to Walt Disney’s breakthrough masterpiece, not least of all The Lord of the Rings. The Wizard of Oz was even greenlit specifically because of the astonishing success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (the highest-grossing movie ever made by a margin at the time of its release). Snow White was famously dubbed “Disney’s Folly” in the press leading up to its release as the studio head was famously putting his company and his entire livelihood on the line to produce Hollywood’s first feature-length animated feature, and no one seemed confident that an 80-minute cartoon could emotionally engage an audience. How wrong they were; Snow White remains intensely emotionally gripping nearly 90 years later. Lucille La Verne’s Queen is as cruel a villain as any in film, the princess is beguilingly gentle and kind, and the dwarfs are hilarious in a timeless slapstick fashion. The depth of the animation cels is still staggering, there’s so much detail and information in every frame it’s quite clear that this was a film studio going for broke, putting everything into this. The breathtaking 2023 4K UHD disc re-release is one of the best things the struggling, hardly venerated modern Disney company has done over the past few years.

Though technical advances have, obviously, been made in the near-90 years since its release, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains the greatest animated film of all time for its striking and primal power as well as its inestimable influence. Along with, say, The Lord of the Rings, The Exorcist and Star Wars, this is the ultimate movie about good versus evil, an innovative technical landmark just as surely as those pictures were. In adding Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to his “Great Movies” anthology, Roger Ebert rightly utilized a word that should rarely be used:

“The word genius is easily used and has been cheapened, but when it is used to describe Walt Disney, reflect that he conceived of this film, in all of its length, revolutionary style and invention, when there was no other like it–and that to one degree or another, every animated feature made since owes it something.”

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Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz
Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie?

Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country

Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

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🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

🪙No Country for Old Men

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01

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What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.





02

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Which idea grabs you most in a film?
Great films are driven by a central obsession. What’s yours?





03

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How do you like your story told?
Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.





04

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What makes a truly great antagonist?
The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?





05

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What do you want from a film’s ending?
The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?





06

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Which setting pulls you in most?
Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what’s even possible.





07

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What cinematic craft impresses you most?
Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.





08

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What kind of main character do you root for?
The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.





09

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How do you feel about a film that takes its time?
Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.





10

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What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema?
The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?





The Academy Has Decided
Your Perfect Film Is…
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Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

Parasite

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You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it’s ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

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You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn’t want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it’s about.

Oppenheimer

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You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

Birdman

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You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it’s about. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor’s ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn’t be possible. Michael Keaton’s performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

No Country for Old Men

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You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

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01352322_poster_w780.jpg
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Release Date
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January 14, 1938

Runtime

83 minutes

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Director

Ben Sharpsteen, Larry Morey, David Hand, Perce Pearce, William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson

Writers
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Ferdinand Horvath, Dorothy Ann Blank, Ted Sears, Merrill De Maris, Webb Smith, Richard Creedon, Otto Englander, Dick Rickard, Earl Hurd

Producers

Walt Disney

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Adriana Caselotti

    Snow White (voice) (uncredited)

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lucille La Verne

    Queen / Witch (voice) (uncredited)

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Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Father Speaks Out Amid D4vd’s Arrest

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

The story had been building quietly for months—questions without answers, grief without closure, and a silence that seemed to stretch on longer than anyone expected. Now, that silence is beginning to crack. Two names—Celeste Rivas Hernandez and D4vd—are once again at the center of a case that has gripped attention. Now, new developments pull both a grieving family into the spotlight.

RELATED: Photos Reveal State Of D4vd’s Reported $3.5M Hollywood Home Prior To Arrest In Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Speaks After D4vd’s Arrest

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family is now speaking out after months of unimaginable loss. Her father, Jesus Rivas, broke his silence just two days after D4vd was arrested on suspicion of her murder. “Thank God… Justice for Celeste,” he said through his attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, in a statement shared April 18. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old singer remains in custody without bail under the Los Angeles Police Department, with a court appearance set for April 20.

D4vd’s Legal Team Stands Firm On His Innocence

As previously reported, D4vd’s legal team is wasting no time pushing back after his arrest, making it clear they’re standing firm against the allegations tied to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. In a statement shared shortly after he was taken into custody, his attorneys denied any wrongdoing. They also pointed out that, as of now, no formal charges or indictment have been filed, noting that he is being held on suspicion while the investigation continues. Doubling down, they stated, “Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.

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Footage Shows Singer Being Taken Into Custody

All of this comes amid newly surfaced footage that’s now adding another layer to the case. According to reports, videos show the singer being taken into custody by law enforcement in the Hollywood Hills around 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Furthermore, clips obtained by multiple outlets capture multiple officers placing him under arrest. Additional footage shows him walking down a residential street with his hands behind his back as police escort him away.

D4vd—who had reportedly not been seen publicly for months leading up to the arrest—appears in gray sweatpants and a black hoodie, keeping a blank expression as the situation unfolds. Neighbors in the area claimed there was a noticeable police presence. And, video from the scene includes officers using a loudspeaker to call for a surrender before moving in. Authorities later confirmed the arrest was made on probable cause. Police also noted they had been closely tracking developments in the ongoing investigation tied to Celeste’s death.

RELATED: Footage Of D4vd’s Arrest Surfaces As His Lawyers Speak Out Amid Ongoing Investigation (VIDEO)

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Mary J. Blige Revisits Controversial 2012 Burger King Commercial

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

What was supposed to be a catchy fast-food jingle of “crispy chickennn, fresh lettuce, three cheeseeeesss” ended up having folks quickly tapping out with a side-eye. And years later, it’s still being talked about in the same breath as one of the most debated celebrity ad moments. Now, Mary J. Blige is reflecting on the 2012 Burger King commercial that sparked all that noise in the first place, and the fallout that followed.

RELATED: Misa Hylton Reportedly Speaks Out After Judge Dismissed Her $5M Lawsuit Against Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige Reflects On Burger King Commercial Backlash

In a new sit-down with Scott Evans, Mary J. Blige is revisiting her 2012 Burger King commercial and making it clear the experience still sits heavy with her. She shared that the moment didn’t just stay online—it bled into her real life, costing her friendships and impacting her brand, while emphasizing it’s still “not a laughing matter” to her today. Mary said her true fans never found the commercial funny, and she didn’t hold back on how she felt about the execution, calling everything from how it was shot to how it played out publicly “wrong.” She even suggested the rollout felt set-up to unfold the way it did in the press, turning what was meant to be a promotional moment into a full-blown cultural conversation.

You Already Know Internet Got Jokes About This

Folks quickly ran to TSR’s Instagram comment section to share their thoughts once Mary’s Burger King commercial started trending again. Some users defended it, saying the jingle was actually a “banger.” And, many didn’t understand why it sparked so much controversy or how it led to such a heavy fallout, including her losing friendships. Meanwhile, a few users joked that while it “may not be funny to her,” it’s still hilarious to them, sparking laughs in the comments.

One Instagram user @joseline commented “Was wrong with her getting her money 🤷🏽‍♀️”

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Then Instagram user @bingeworthy added, “Girl its iconic OWN IT 😂😂”

And, Instagram user @thebrooklynjai shared, “Wait ? I’m confused?? She lost friends for a commercial? Were they haters?

Likewise, Instagram user @idontgetpaidenoughforthis wrote, “Not all of us collectively confused as to why there was backlash 😭”

While Instagram user @stepyaprettyup said, “Lost friends? That sh*t was a banger

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Finally, Instagram user @hmuadom joked, “Everything is not funny…. but this, this is funny.

Inside Mary J.’s Burger King Ad Controversy

The commercial, which aired April 2, 2012, featured Mary J. Blige singing about Burger King’s chicken wraps inside a tight, stylized setup while product shots played alongside her vocals. Instead of landing as a fun celebrity endorsement, the ad immediately drew criticism, with viewers—especially within the Black community—calling out what they felt were stereotypical undertones. Social media even ran with it, remixing clips and turning the campaign into viral discourse within hours.

By the next day, Burger King pulled the ad entirely, citing a “music licensing issue,” even as backlash was already spreading online. The company pointed to other celebrity collaborations tied to the same product line, including campaigns featuring Salma Hayek and Jay Leno, but the conversation stayed locked in on Mary’s commercial, which remained the most dissected—and debated—of them all.

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RELATED: Whew! Tyrese Shares His “Hurt” After Mary J. Blige Rejects Two Song Requests From Him (VIDEO)

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Marshals Cast Teases Dutton Ranch Crossover, Defend Romance

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Meet Kayce Dutton's 'Marshals' Spinoff Cast — Including 'Yellowstone' Alums

The Marshals cast had plenty to say about those Dutton Ranch romance rumors, the relationships being explored on the Yellowstone spinoff and more.

During CBS Fest on Wednesday, April 15, Arielle Kebbel weighed in on possible Yellowstone cameos, telling Us Weekly, “[We need] all of them. We could go for some more country artists any day. [too]!”

Kebbel remained more tight-lipped about a Dutton Ranch crossover but acknowledged the “rumors.”

“[For Us, the biggest challenge of filming a Yellowstone spinoff] is finding the balance of respecting the why that’s already established and knowing that in that legacy, our job is to also bring these new characters forward,” she explained. “So respecting what’s already been built but also feeling creative and free enough to bring our own character stories forward and really hoping that people join in our world.”

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Yellowstone, which aired from 2018 to 2024, introduced Us to the Dutton family. After the show came to an end in 2024, CBS expanded the TV universe with Marshals, which follows Luke Grimes‘ character Kayce as he leaves ranching life behind to join an elite unit of U.S. Marshals.

Then there is Paramount’s Dutton Ranch, which shows Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) adjusting to life in Texas. Despite being Yellowstone spinoffs, both shows are expanding with new characters such as Kebbel’s Belle. There are also characters on Marshals played by Logan Marshall-Green, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Brecken Merrill, Mo Brings Plenty and Gil Birmingham.

Meet Kayce Dutton's 'Marshals' Spinoff Cast — Including 'Yellowstone' Alums
Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2025 CBS

As fans get more attached to the Marshals cast, they have also formed opinions on the characters. The most recent episode of the show took some by surprise when Belle’s friendship with Cal (Marshall-Green) turned into more as they kissed.

“It didn’t feel quick to me, certainly, because of so much they did before,” Marshall-Green, 49, told Us on Wednesday. “It felt earned. I actually wasn’t that surprised.”

Santos, 32, meanwhile, showed support for the fictional couple, adding, “I was ready for it. I was excited when I finally saw it in the script. It was time!” Kebbel, for her part, “wasn’t surprised” by the progression in the relationship either.

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“The only reason I wasn’t surprised was because I had a meeting with our creator before the season started and he did tell me. But we had a very good talk, and I said, ‘Tell me what I need to know, and don’t tell me anything else,’” she recalled. “I didn’t know that was coming, but I didn’t actually know a lot of the backstory, so I liked it because there was this intersection of Arielle and Belle that knew some things, but not everything, which was very true to the story as well.”

Kebbel admitted that she didn’t think Marshals was ready for Belle and Cal as a couple yet, noting, “We’re still establishing the team [and] the team environment. Obviously, this kiss throws a whole new layer of awkwardness and feelings into the mix. But I think what’s great about both of them is that they put work first. Where they kind of have similarities or understand one another is that they’re struggling with the balance between work and family because they care about both so much. So I think that’s the layers we’re going to see uncovered in future episodes.”

There is also the possible connection with Kayce and Andrea (Santos).

“I didn’t even go there at first either. Other people brought it up to me and I was like, “Whoa! OK.” But I think it’s really interesting to see that relationship,” she admitted to Us. “They are polar opposites.”

She concluded: “I have [seen edits of them]. There’s a girl on TikTok. She makes so many edits. She’s doing the Lord’s work, honey. The edits are so good.”

Marshals airs on CBS Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

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Apple TV’s 3-Part Sci-Fi Thriller Series Is Taking Over the World

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There are some shows that spike, trend, win awards, and then slowly slide out of the weekly conversation. Severance clearly isn’t one of them. Even with Apple TV now stacked with high-profile originals, Dan Erickson’s corporate-nightmare sci-fi drama is still sitting in the platform’s global top 10. On April 14, it held the No. 10 spot worldwide on Apple TV, which is a pretty impressive place for a show that’s already had time to become a full-on prestige fixture. It really does refuse to go away.

The cast is a huge part of why it has that kind of tail. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Sarah Bock, and it’s hard to think of another current sci-fi ensemble that blends deadpan weirdness, emotional damage, and office dread this well.











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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
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Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

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🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.

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The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

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Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.

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Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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How Good Is ‘Severance’?

Collider’s review stated that Severance Season 2 does exactly what a great follow-up season should do. It does not rush to answer every question from the first season, but it does deepen the mystery in a way that feels exciting instead of frustrating. The show gets bigger, stranger, and more ambitious, while still keeping its focus on the characters who made Season 1 so compelling.

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Severance is, at its core, the kind of TV show that was always going to get people talking thanks to its twisty nature, but with such a long break between seasons, there was also a risk of audience interest waning, especially when there are countless other shows worth tuning in for in the interim. Ultimately, however, Season 2 should silence any lingering concerns viewers might have through its stunning direction, outstanding performances, and sinuous, compelling mysteries. This evolving, mind-bending continuation, as crafted by Erickson and fellow writers Mohamad El Masri, Wei-Ning Yu, Anna Ouyand Moench, Erin Wagoner, Mark Friedman, and Adam Countee, cements Severance as an absolute triumph of television, proving beyond a shadow of any doubt that the best stories are always worth waiting for.

Severance is streaming now on Apple TV.


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Release Date

February 17, 2022

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

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Writers

Anna Ouyang Moench, Wei-Ning Yu

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Guy Ritchie’s 10/10 Detective Thriller Loses Box Office Crown to Modern Sci-Fi Masterpiece

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Project-Hail-Mary-Ryan-Gosling

Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary exceeded box-office expectations for the fifth weekend in a row, benefiting greatly from the studio’s decision to re-release the movie on IMAX for a week and to delay its debut on Prime Video. Exhibitors weren’t happy about the lean window that Amazon gave to Dwayne Johnson and Chris EvansRed One, the $250 million action-adventure that the studio simply had to release on Prime Video in time for Christmas. Earlier this year, Amazon quickly put the sci-fi mystery Mercy on Prime Video following a poor theatrical run as well. But Project Hail Mary was marketed as a big-screen event, and it aligns with the studio’s newfound determination to produce movies for theaters.

It helps that Project Hail Mary has struck a chord with audiences and critics. Based on the bestseller by Andy Weir, who also wrote the novel that inspired Ridley Scott‘s The Martian, Project Hail Mary was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It stars Ryan Gosling as a scientist-turned-schoolteacher who is sent on an intergalactic mission to save the world in a near-future dystopia. The movie holds a “Certified Fresh” 94% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “A visually dazzling space odyssey that’s carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart.” The movie will likely do gangbusters when it eventually lands on Prime Video.

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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

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🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

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  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.


The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

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  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.


Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

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  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.


Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

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  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.


A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

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  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

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Here’s How Much ‘Project Hail Mary’ Has Grossed at the Box Office

For now, it can enjoy having overtaken several older blockbusters such as Scott’s Prometheus, Michael Bay‘s Armageddon, and many more. This weekend, Project Hail Mary hit the $285 million mark domestically and the $570 million mark worldwide, against a reported budget of more than $200 million. In doing so, it overtook the $524 million and the $543 million respective global hauls of Guy Ritchie‘s Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Both movies starred Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic detective and Jude Law as his right-hand man, Dr. Watson. Even though the films were very successful at the box office and largely well-received by critics, a long-awaited third installment remains stuck in development hell. Ritchie recently executive-produced Young Sherlock, a Prime Video series which is unrelated to the films. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.


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Release Date
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March 15, 2026

Runtime

157 minutes

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Director

Christopher Miller, Phil Lord

Writers
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Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

Producers

Aditya Sood, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor, Ryan Gosling

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10 Upcoming Comedy Movies That You Cannot Miss

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The killer from 'Scary Movie 6' on a subway

No matter the changes in the entertainment landscape, audiences will always fall back on the lighthearted strengths of comedy to create joyous cinematic experiences. The 2020s as a whole have been a great decade for comedy, with many new absolute classics that have delivered in the best way possible. However, the greatness of the genre comes from how it is always evolving and growing, and a great selection of comedies is set to premiere in 2026 that hope to bring that signature sense of charm.

Whether it be long-awaited returns and reboots of beloved franchises or original visions from the most prominent filmmakers of today, there is a great mixture of comedic styles and approaches that make the genre’s future so exciting. Even aside from these standout titles, there are sure to be a wide array of brilliant comedies throughout the year. However, the entries on this list stand out as the most prominent and must-see upcoming titles in the comedy genre.

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‘Scary Movie’ – Release Date: June 5th, 2026

The killer from 'Scary Movie 6' on a subway
The killer from ‘Scary Movie 6’ on a subway
Image via Paramount Pictures

Spoof movies have been largely out of favor following the string of terrible releases in the 2010s. Still, with the rise of modern spoof films like The Naked Gun and Fackham Hall, Scary Movie is looking to reclaim its throne as the king of parody filmmaking. While the last entry, 2013’s Scary Movie 5, wasn’t particularly good, the long-awaited return of the Wayans Brothers and both Anna Faris and Regina Hall to the franchise has reinvigorated excitement and interest in this concept.

It also helps that there have been so many great horror movies in recent memory, ripe for satire and over-the-top parody. The trailer is filled to the brim with teases for characters and sequences parodying the likes of The Substance, Longlegs, Smile, Terrifier, and more. However, the clear standout is just how much the film is going to parody the reboot culture that has persisted in modern horror, having its own return of legacy characters. It certainly has the potential to be the absolute best in the Scary Movie franchise.

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‘Power Ballad’ – Release Date: June 5th, 2026

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas in Power Ballad
Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas in Power Ballad
Image via Lionsgate

The latest musical comedy from John Carney, the acclaimed director of Sing Street, Power Ballad sets out to tell a wildly over-the-top story of betrayal as its ramifications are at a global pop-star scale. The film sees Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, and Danny (Nick Jonas), a fading boy-band star, who bond over their mutual love of music during a late-night jam session. However, after Rick shares a personal song that he wrote, Danny takes it and turns it into a global sensation, taking all the credit as if he wrote it himself.

Power Ballad‘s instantly engaging premise, combined with some great comedic stars at its center and the proven directing prowess of John Carney, sets it up to be an absolute comedy smash. While it will sadly be going head-to-head with Scary Movie, coming out on the same day, one can hope that this comedy can get its fair shot in the spotlight, as it certainly has all of the pieces to be a modern musical comedy classic.

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‘Coyote vs. Acme’ – Release Date: August 28th, 2026

Will Forte drives a vehicle with Wile E. Coyote in the back in 'Coyote vs. Acme' image
Will Forte drives a vehicle with Wile E. Coyote in the back in ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ image
Image via © Ketchup Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection

The path to Coyote vs. Acme actually getting a theatrical release has ironically been as wild and unpredictable as a Looney Tunes cartoon. Alas, this previously canceled, now un-canceled live-action animation hybrid comedy is finally getting released this August. The Looney Tunes film sees iconic character Wile E. Coyote, tired of the continuous failures of the products he uses from Acme, hiring a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation once and for all.

The film is sure to feature the distinct flavor of wild Looney Tunes comedy that has made them absolute icons not just in their classic animated shorts, but also in wildly entertaining comedy films like Space Jam and Looney Tunes: Back in Action. However, the real notoriety and increased buzz surrounding the film has come from how it has been un-canceled, no longer set to be shelved as a tax write-off, and gloriously getting a full theatrical release.

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‘Whitney Springs’ – Release Date: TBA

 Kendrick Lamar at 2017 MTV Video Music Awards
Kendrick Lamar at 2017 MTV Video Music Awards
Image via Sara De Boer

Large parts of the film that many presume to be called Whitney Springs are still shrouded in mystery, but the mix of absolute talent involved, combined with its wildly hilarious and dark premise, makes it a must-watch comedy to keep an eye out for. The film is a collaboration between creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, with legendary 27x Grammy Award winner Kendrick Lamar, a wild musical comedy that satirically tackles race and perceptions in both America’s past and present.

The plot follows a young Black man taking a job performing as a slave at a popular plantation attraction in a living history museum. As if this wasn’t awkward and confusing enough for him to experience on a day-to-day basis, he soon discovers that his girlfriend’s ancestors were, in fact, slave owners who actually owned his ancestors. The premise is overflowing with both distinct dark and satire humor from Parker and Stone as well as striking political commentary similar to Lamar’s music, making it all the more enticing to actually see what the final film will be like.

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‘Jackass: Best and Last’ – Release Date: June 26th, 2026

Johnny Knoxville pours a glass of milk into a magician's hat in 'Jackass Forever'.
Johnny Knoxville pours a glass of milk into a magician’s hat in Jackass Forever.
Image via Paramount Pictures

The surprise fifth feature film in the Jackass franchise is set to be their last. Jackass: Best and Last is setting itself up to be a glorious send-off letter with its trademark mix of gross, painful, over-the-top pranks and endearing friendship. It will use both old and new footage, acting as a celebration of all things Jackass and all of their years working together as they hurt each other in the best and worst ways possible.

Jackass has always been an acquired style of comedy that either overwhelmingly hits or overwhelmingly misses with someone, yet this last hurrah truly feels like the end of an era in terms of their absolute chaos. While there will certainly always be people doing dumb things on-screen for comedic intent, the talent at Jackass has been striking comedy gold by hurting themselves in the most depraved and shocking ways, with Best and Last promising to be a beautiful swan song finale.

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‘I Want Your Sex’ – Release Date: July 31st, 2026

Olivia Wilde looks at a costar in a still from I Want Your Sex.
Olivia Wilde looks at a costar in a still from I Want Your Sex.
Image via Magnolia Pictures

Returning to the world of comedy, with over a decade since his last comedy film, Gregg Araki has been an icon of underground queer cinema whose work has massively grown more appreciated in recent years. Thus, his new film, I Want Your Sex, is all the more promising. It also helps that it has already premiered at film festivals like Sundance, and it currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film follows Elliot (Cooper Hoffman), who, after getting a job working for renowned artist Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), suddenly has his fantasies come true when she taps him to become her sexual muse. However, this seemingly ideal situation soon takes a turn when Elliot finds himself way out of his depth, with Erika taking him on a journey of profound sexual experiences, delving into a wild world of obsession, power, betrayal and murder that he never could have expected.

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‘Wild Horse Nine’ – Release Date: November 6th, 2026

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell sitting on a couch in an airport and laughing in 'Wild Horse Nine'
John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell sitting on a couch in an airport and laughing in ‘Wild Horse Nine’
Image via Searchlight Pictures

Director Martin McDonagh has been one of the most consistent names in striking and widely appreciated award-winning dark comedy in recent years. Films like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin are some of the most revered comedies of recent memory. Wild Horse Nine hopes to continue the director’s winning streak, utilizing great comedic talent and an entertaining espionage premise to create witty comedic gold.

The film will see John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as a duo of CIA agents who have been dispatched to Easter Island shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup. The duo wrestles with both their dark pasts and the conspiracies of the present as they get up to all sorts of mischief on the island. It’s likely that it will premiere at a film festival like Venice or TIFF before its November 6th release date, so we’ll know sooner rather than later if the film lives up to McDonagh’s reputation.

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‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ – Release Date: May 1st, 2026

Legacy sequels to widely acclaimed one-off comedy films from the past have been a tried and true method of success for decades now, as audiences simply love revisiting iconic and beloved characters that they’ve been laughing with for years. The Devil Wears Prada 2 stands out as the prominent comedy legacy sequel to look out for, coming out 20 years after the original iconic fashion comedy, with the same cast, director, and writer all returning.

If the film even comes close to the levels of memorability and strength that the original has, it could certainly be among the all-time greatest legacy sequels in comedy history. The film will largely follow the continued careers of these classic characters, with Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) returning to Runway to work alongside Miranda Priestly, who must now adapt to a wildly different landscape than the one we saw 20 years ago.

‘Digger’ – Release Date: October 2nd, 2026

A man balancing on a railing on one leg while holding a shovel in 'Digger'
A man balancing on a railing on one leg while holding a shovel in ‘Digger’
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
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Set to be a wild, highly energizing adventure comedy from legendary Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñarritu, Digger is the must-see award-hopeful comedy of the year that many are thinking might win Tom Cruise his first acting Oscar. It’s already exciting enough that it is Cruise’s first original film in years, but the prospect of him working with Iñarritu in a comedy film feels like cinematic dreams are coming true.

The crowd-pleasing adventure film still has a lot of details under wraps, but it will supposedly see Cruise as the most powerful man in the world, embarking on a frantic mission to prove to the world that he is the savior of humanity before a disaster that he’s unleashed destroys everything. Its high-flying, electrifying energy can be fully felt from the small teaser for the film, while the overwhelming talent behind and in front of the camera, by itself, sells the film as a must-watch comedy experience.

‘The Invite’ – Release Date: June 26th, 2026

Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton laughing in The Invite Image via A24
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Easily the biggest smash hit from critics and audiences alike that premiered at Sundance a few months ago, it did not take long for The Invite to be picked up by A24 and set up as one of the year’s most enticing and prominent comedy releases. Olivia Wilde’s latest directorial outing has been touted by critics as her greatest work yet, with a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and utilizing an all-star cast in this performance-centric comedy film.

The film sees Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton playing a duo of couples who meet up together for a dinner party before the night spirals into wild and unexpected places. It’s clear that so much of the comedy and strength is coming from surprises and twists, but the clear chemistry and dynamic between these four all-star titans is sure to make this an absolute blast from start to finish. It isn’t even out yet, but The Invite is one of the safest bets for what could be considered the absolute best comedy of the year.

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Justin Bieber brings superfan Billie Eilish to her knees in surprise Coachella serenade

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The festival headliner stunned Eilish when he pulled her on stage to be his “One Less Lonely Girl” during his weekend 2 set.

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Disney Refuses To Bring Back The One Character Who Could Save Star Wars

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Disney Refuses To Bring Back The One Character Who Could Save Star Wars

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

The ‘90s were a pretty heady time for Star Wars fans. The franchise experienced a resurgence in the form of an Expanded Universe of books, comics, and video games. At the time, all of this was considered canon, which made everything that much more exciting. We had new, official Star Wars adventures for the first time since the credits rolled on Return of the Jedi back in 1983. Plus, we had new characters, some of whom instantly became fan-favorites. Two of those characters came from prolific author Timothy Zahn: Grand Admiral Thrawn and Mara Jade.

Both of those characters, along with the rest of the Star Wars EU, were de-canonized once Disney bought the franchise. Thanks to sheer fan demand, the House of Mouse eventually brought Thrawn back into canon via Rebels and, later, Ahsoka. After that, many Zahn fans figured it was just a matter of time before Mara Jade was brought back. However, Zahn and other writers recently confirmed that Disney keeps turning down their attempts to bring this popular character back into Star Wars canon.

The Coolest Star Wars Character You’ve Never Heard Of

star wars

Mara Jade was introduced in Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire as a character who was once the Emperor’s Hand. As a Force-sensitive Imperial agent, she could enact Palpatine’s will all across the galaxy while maintaining mental contact with him. However, the death of the Emperor effectively ruined her career: because almost nobody knew what her role was, she had no real place in the Empire after Palpatine’s death. She had to build a new life for herself as a smuggler, but she is forever haunted by the last command given to her by Palpatine when he died: “YOU WILL KILL LUKE SKYWALKER.”

She proved to be a very popular character and eventually married Luke Skywalker and gave birth to his son (who, very cutely, was named “Ben”). After Disney bought the rights to Star Wars, though, Mara Jade and all her misadventures were no longer part of official canon. Later, however, Thrawn was brought back into canon through appearances in Rebels and Ahsoka. Furthermore, Disney commissioned Timothy Zahn to write new, canonical novels about Thrawn, who is arguably the most popular Star Wars villain since Darth Vader.

If Grand Admiral Thrawn Can Come Back, Why Not Mara Jade?

Understandably, Zahn tried to pitch Disney on reintroducing Jade into the canon in any capacity. In 2024, he told a Dragon Con audience that she is the number one character he would like to bring back to Star Wars in just about any capacity. “I keep nudging Lucasfilm, asking them if I could write a book,” he said. “The answers come back basically some place between ‘no’ and ‘heck no.’”

The matter came up again at MegaCon this year. Prolific Star Wars author Claudia Grey told the audience that she had repeatedly pitched putting Mara Jade into her books. “A couple of times I was like, ‘Really? Really, no Mara Jade?’ And they were like, ‘Nope,’” she said, putting a stern emphasis on the final word. By happenstance, Zahn was at the same panel and chimed in: “I asked them, too,” he said, before revealing that his request was similarly rejected.

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It’s Time For Live-Action Mara Jade

mara jade series star wars

It’s possible that Disney is hesitant to introduce Mara Jade back into canon because so much of her story doesn’t really work in the wake of the Star Wars prequels and sequels. We never really saw anything like an Emperor’s Hand in any subsequent movies, and the Inquisitors seem to fill the role of “Force-connected Imperials outside the regular chain of command.” Plus, her post-Imperial life was spent building a career with Talon Karrde, a smuggler chief who is also no longer part of established canon. Finally, the whole idea of having her marry Luke Skywalker is completely off the table, both because of Mark Hamill’s age and the fact that Luke hardly had time for love after becoming a grumpy recluse.

However, modern Star Wars writers did a solid job bringing Grand Admiral Thrawn back and gently nestling him within existing canon. It seems like it would be easy enough to do that for Mara Jade, especially with her creator doing his best to help out. However, it seems like the powers that be have decided that this fan-favorite character will never grace the screen or even the page, ever again. Which is unfortunate, because bringing her back in her own show or even film would be the perfect way to appeal to Expanded Universe fans who have felt (ahem) “jaded” by the Disney era of Star Wars.


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Prophetic Sci-Fi Docudrama On HBO Max Sets The Tone For Our Future Dystopia

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Prophetic Sci-Fi Docudrama On HBO Max Sets The Tone For Our Future Dystopia

By Robert Scucci
| Published

If you’re wondering why speculative, apocalyptic sci-fi thrillers aren’t often presented through a documentary framework centered on real-life world events and public figures, it’s because it leads to disasterpieces like 2073; a film with a clear message that’s delivered to is audience in the most disjointed way possible. As ambitious as this film may be, it’s incredibly difficult to watch, and highlights a unique problem: it’s not allegorical, but rather too real to handle. I wish I was as original as Rotten Tomatoes reviewer Glenn Dunks, who simply referred to this film as “Doomscrolling: The Movie,” because that’s exactly what 2073 is despite the promising thumbnail and synopsis you’ll see when looking to stream the title on Max. 

I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed, because even though 2073 is categorized as a documentary and a thriller, it’s, like, 10 percent thriller, if that, and the rest is just the kind of stuff you’ll see while swiping through your Instagram feed in a panic while wondering how close we actually are to the dystopian reality that, according to the film, we’re fast approaching. 

The Future Is A Bleak Place In 2073

2073

2073 starts with promise as it follows the point of view of a lone woman simply known as “Ghost” (Samantha Morton). Living under a long-abandoned shopping mall with other condemned humans, narrations from Ghost explain just how fargone society has become, and aims to tell a story about how humanity arrived at such a bleak destination. In constant fear of getting investigated and silenced (killed) by the government, Ghost dumpster dives for food and supplies when it’s safe to do so, and retreats back underground to her dilapidated compound occupied by other survivors who are equally worse for wear. 

And let me tell you, these post-apocalyptic scenes are absolutely stunning. I wanted to learn more about how society functions in the year 2073, and I would have loved to see more of this. The hierarchy of power, the desire to reeducate the masses so they can overthrow their oppressors, and the state of constant surveillance that society is living through is captivating, to say the least, and this fictional yet unfortunately believable setting is fertile ground for some next-level storytelling about a society in disrepair that hasn’t yet discovered how to pick up the pieces and start the next chapter in our collective human history. 

Well, That Got Dark

2073

The best part about 2073 is the sequences set in the dystopian future that will fill any sensible viewer with an absolute sense of dread, and then suddenly the worst possible thing ever happens: we get a documentary that’s reminiscent of the fear-mongering Zeitgeist film series that did a great job pointing out the dangers of a totalitarian government, but never even tries to reassure audiences by presenting a viable, or even realistic, solution to the problems we face so we can actually make concerted efforts to get on the right side of history and prevent such a bleak future from happening. 

In other words, 2073 is trying to be two different movies: a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in a fictional not-so-distant future, and a documentary using real, archival footage from the present day used to explain how this dystopia was created.

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But therein lies the problem. 

While watching the documentary sequences that make up most of 2073’s runtime, I felt like Alex from A Clockwork Orange, who was forced to sit in front of television sets with his eyes pried open so he could take in all of the footage at an alarming rate. This kind of delivery strips the mystique from the more interesting story – the fiction set in 2073 – that could have been used as a vehicle to propose solutions for a society that’s been driven underground by the powers that be. 

Two Different Failed Films In One

2073

While I appreciate what 2073 was trying to accomplish, it left a bad taste in my mouth because it comes off as if it’s preaching to a choir that’s already aware of the current state of affairs, but feels powerless to act in any meaningful ways to prevent things from getting worse.  

We already know that wealth is concentrated in such a way that keeps the working class under its ruler’s thumb. We already know that politicians and tech bros are sweeping humanity under the rug so a select few people in power can explore space while the rest of us suffer. We already know that data mining billionaires and chronically online worry warts are a terrible combination for humanity because it suggests how artificial intelligence will soon control the masses as it finds a way to become smarter than the humans it’s aimed to manipulate. 

That’s all well and good, but what do we do about it? The interesting story – the story I wanted to see – in 2073 is how future humans cope with societal collapse and set their sights toward a brighter future. What we get instead is a rapid-fire news feed of the present day that’s beamed into our eyeballs as if to say “there’s nothing you can do about this,” and “we’re already doomed.”

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Streaming 2073 On Max 

2073

If you’re looking for an ultra-condensed rundown of current affairs as told through various news sources that leads to a high-concept depiction of the future that may very well become a reality, then 2073 might pique your interest. But if you’re expecting to see how humanity aims to rise from the ashes through its speculative sci-fi storytelling, you’re going to be gravely disappointed. By juxtaposing real-life, present-day world events with what is by all measures a work of fiction, 2073 misses the mark on both fronts because it’s real, it’s scary, and it offers a disturbing take on how we’re collectively marching down a miserable path at an alarming rate, but never uses the fiction it establishes to meaningfully explore how we’re going to get out of this seemingly unavoidable mess.

2073 gets an A for effort and concept, and an F for execution. If you want to see how messed up the world is, just fire up your news apps, or hop on TikTok or Instagram, to get a crash course because it’s basically the same thing. If you want to just get it over with quickly and move on with your life, you can stream 2073 on Max. 


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These High-End-Looking Pieces Are on Major Sale at Walmart

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You want a high-end aesthetic, but not the price tag that comes with it. I can understand that. Luckily, I find great deals for a living, and these 13 markdowns are seriously rich mom-coded. I’m talking deals on classy sandals, Zimmermann-style dresses and spring blouses that go with everything, all from just $4.

Whether you’re searching for an easy spring staple or a special-occasion stunner, you’ll find it below. My expensive-looking favorites are flying off the shelves, so don’t wait to score your new go-to pieces. Oh, and when people ask about your private yet, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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13 Chic-Looking Pieces on Mega Sale — From $4

1. Dreamy Maxi: Everything about this short-sleeve maxi dress channels boutique vibes, including the baby blue color and delicate floral print — was $36, now $18!

2. Spring Sweater: Transitional weather calls for this scallop-hem cardigan that works just as well at the office as it does at brunch — was $46, now $34!

3. Picnic Date: Gingham print is totally in right now. These pull-on pants nail the aesthetic while feeling like sweats — was $20, now $14!

4. Corporate Queen: Your colleagues will assume you got promoted when you wear this lantern-sleeve blouse. The fabric is ultra-lightweight for comfortable spring and summer wear — was $23, now $11!

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5. Midi Maven: This 100% cotton midi balances laid-back style with luxe vibes, making you look effortlessly put together no matter what shoes you wear — was $148, now $33!

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Related: Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner Agree on This Ultra-Classy Blouse Style

Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner are both fashionistas, however we wouldn’t expect them to agree on a single blouse style — let alone wear practically the same one. But we can confirm that both fashionistas have tie-neck blouses in their closets, and you can get the look with these styles starting at just $9! Middleton […]

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6. Sleek Sandals: Speaking of shoes, you’ll wear these comfy LifeStride sandals nonstop from May through September — was $70, now $40!

7. No Buttons Needed: Breezy and soft, you might forget you’re wearing these beachy palazzo pants. I adore the smocked waist element — was $27, now $14!

8. Go-To Accessory: Black bags are always ‘in’ — just ask rich moms like Heidi Klum and Katie Holmes who carry this structured style all year — was $338, now $89!

9. Hamptons Flair: I can’t believe this short-sleeve peasant blouse is only $10. The flattering peplum shape seals the deal — was $17, now $10!

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10. Office to Yoga: These polished joggers transition seamlessly from the office to the mat, thanks to their tailored design and breathable fabric — was $18, now $10!

11. Braided Beauty: Braided detailing makes any sandals look expensive. These cushiony numbers even have memory foam support — was $40, now $20!

12. Designer Vibes: Zimmermann, is that you? This square-neck mini dress looks straight from a resort catalog — was $20, now $15!

13. Could be Linen: Both billowy and structured, this button-front shirt could totally be linen. Good luck choosing just one color — was $13, now $4!

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Related: These Amazon Spring Pieces Channel Zara‘s Boho-Luxe Vibe, But Start at $5

We get it: You love everything about Zara’s boho-luxe aesthetic, but the price tags make your wallets shudder. Luckily, you don’t need a six-figure shopping budget to get the look. Amazon is quietly stacked with chic spring pieces that capture Zara’s stylish vibe, and our top elevated options will make you do a double take […]

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