If sneakers have been dominating your fall wardrobe, Jessica Alba might convince you to give them a day off. The actress just stepped out in chunky black loafers that made even the simplest basics look expensive. With their platform sole and classic shape, they have the rich-lady energy we want from fall shoes.

On September 13, Alba stepped out wearing $395 Margaux platform loafers with cropped black pants, a crisp white button-up and oversized sunglasses. The shoes gave her simple outfit a luxe finishing touch while adding some height without a heel. Luckily, we found a similar style on Amazon for $36.

Get the Fitory Slip-On Platform Penny Loafers for $36 (Was $43) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Fitory Slip-On Platform Penny Loafers capture the same elevated look for a fraction of the price. They have a chunky lug sole, block heel, round toe and faux suede patent vegan leather finish. They also come in black, cream, brown suede and more shades, in sizes 6 to 11.

Related: Nicole Kidman Cosigned Jennifer Aniston’s Go-to Adidas Sneakers

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There are certain sneaker styles that celebrities just can’t seem to quit — and this pair may have more staying power than most. Nicole Kidman is the latest A-lister to reach for the retro style, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Aniston, who has made them part of her off-duty rotation. When two of Hollywood’s […]

Shoppers say they’re easy to style, too. One reviewer called them “really versatile,” noting that they work with “everything from jeans to trousers or dresses.” Throw them on with denim for errands, trousers for work or a dress for an easy fall outfit.

The platform sole also gives you extra height without committing to uncomfortable heels. Another buyer called them “an absolute wardrobe staple,” saying the platform heel “easily elongates the legs while remaining practical for all-day wear.” That combination makes them especially appealing for busy fall days.

Pair them with cropped trousers and a button-up to channel Alba’s rich-lady aesthetic, or use them to instantly elevate jeans and a tee. At just $36, they deliver the luxe loafer look without spending nearly $400 on Alba’s pair. Your sneakers might finally have some competition.

Get the Fitory Slip-On Platform Penny Loafers for $36 (Was $43) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale —>

Related: Move Over, Jeans! Jennifer Garner Made Striped Overalls a Fall Must

Jennifer Garner made a strong case for giving our jeans a few weekends off this fall. Overalls might not be the first thing we reach for once sweater weather hits, but the actress reminded Us just how effortlessly cool they can look for farmers’ market runs, apple picking days and everything in between. Naturally, we went […]

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Russell Crowe is setting himself up for a very successful 2026. After bringing his WWII passion project Nuremberg to theaters, and earning plenty of acclaim in the process, Crowe is set to once again bring the entertainment with The Weight, a gritty Western alongside Ethan Hawke; the upcoming Netflix true-crime original, Unabomber; the fantasy epic with Game of Thrones‘ Rose Leslie, The Last Druid; and, perhaps most anticipated of all, the Highlander reboot alongside Henry Cavill. Crowe has already posted on social media about training to get into Gladiator shape for the latter.

The 2000s arguably marked the absolute peak of Russell Crowe’s career — with hits such as Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander, and 3:10 to Yuma, among others. But Crowe has recently found a tough time regaining traction at the box office, even with an occasional fan-favorite like The Nice Guys dotting his resume. A pair of ill-timed horror movies — The Exorcism and The Pope’s Exorcist — underwhelmed at the box office, and two big-budget attempts — Kraven the Hunter and 2017’s The Mummy — essentially killed their respective franchises. Outside his work as Jor-El in Zack Snyder‘s Man of Steel, however, Crowe’s last real box office hit came in 2012 in a sweeping epic that landed on HBO Max this month.

HBO Max Brings the French Revolution

Les Misérables, the musical drama directed by Tom Hooper is now available to stream on HBO Max. In 2012, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman led an absolutely stacked cast in Hooper’s adaptation of the Broadway musical, singing its way to a $442 million box office haul. The film created the trend of big musicals being released in theaters for Christmas — Into the Woods, La La Land, The Greatest Showman, and Mary Poppins Returns all followed suit. While Crowe was largely lambasted for his singing in the film, the rest of the cast — A-listers Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, and Eddie Redmayne, and Broadway vets Samantha Barks and Aaron Tveit — were all praised; the film earned a 70% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Anne Hathaway, who is now ruling the box office with The Odyssey, even won an Oscar for her supporting role as the tragic Fantine.

Les Misérables is now available on HBO Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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December 18, 2012

Runtime

158 minutes

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Writers

William Nicholson

Producers

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Debra Hayward, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Cameron Mackintosh, Bernard Bellew

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Duck Dynasty‘s Bella Robertson and husband Jacob Mayo have welcomed their first child.

“Our rainbow baby !!!!!! 6 lb 8 oz of pure perfection — our girl, Merritt Presley Mayo,” Bella, 24, captioned an Instagram carousel of sweet snaps on Saturday, September 19. Among the images, the couple’s newborn daughter was seen cradled in her mom’s arms as Jacob, 27, kissed his wife on the cheek.

Additional snaps showed the couple embracing one another as Bella laid in a hospital bed. Further pics also showed each parent holding their baby girl against their bare chests as they bonded with her.

The happy news surprised fans of the reality TV series, which returned in 2025 for the spin-off Duck Dynasty: The Revival, who took to the post’s comments section to share joy over the unexpected announcement. “The sweetest secret EVER,” wrote one fan, while another wrote, “Best kept secret and best day EVER!!!”

Related: She’s Here! Sadie Robertson Welcomes Baby No. 2 With Christian Huff

Jason Davis/Shutterstock She’s now a mom of two! Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson and her husband, Christian Huff, have welcomed their second child, daughter Haven Belle. “Haven has brought a touch of heaven 😍,” Robertson, 25, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, May 25, confirming her newborn child arrived three days earlier. “Life got a whole lot […]

Candace Cameron Bure also showed her support, commenting, “Bella!!!! Congratulations!!!!! 😮😭.”

The news comes after Bella and Jacob, who tied the knot in June 2021, spoke exclusively to Us about their infertility struggles in May 2025. “I think people just don’t know what they’re talking about or who they’re talking to,” Bella told Us at the time. “We share a story of infertility in the show and that’s something that we haven’t really shared publicly that much, but that’s something that others just don’t know. When you just look at someone on social media, you can’t know what anyone’s going through.”

Jacob added, “I think what we’ve learned in marriage … is that I wish getting pregnant and having kids was as easy as people act like it is. Just, ‘Oh, I can just pop out a kid’ or ‘If we want to wait, we get to choose to wait.’ It’s not that transactional of a thing.”

Bella echoed her husband’s sentiment, noting that “[when] people comment about us having kids, we’re like, ‘Trust me, you don’t have to ask us.’”

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Related: Duck Dynasty’s Mary Kate Robertson Is Pregnant With Twins

Duck Dynasty stars Mary Kate and John Luke Robertson are expecting — and even they admit the news caught them by surprise. “Absolutely thrilled to tell y’all we are welcoming TWINS to our family early next year!!! The most wonderful, crazy surprise blessing of our lives ha! Two new little Robertson girls!🩷🩷,” Mary Kay wrote […]

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Bella’s mom, Korie Robertson, also took to Instagram on Saturday to share photos from little Merritt’s earth-side arrival. “The sweetest and most beautiful answer to prayer, beyond all we asked or imagined. We are in LOVE!” Korie, 52, captioned her carousel. “Just one day after @bellarobmayo birthday I got to witness her, my baby girl, give birth to her baby girl. There are no words to describe the gratefulness that we feel!”

Korie also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Bella and Jacob. “Bella, you are superwoman! Such an amazing mama. Watching you wait on the Lord and trust in Him even when it was so hard has been a beautiful witness, and now to watch you as a mama to Merritt, simply the greatest gift!” she gushed before turning her praise to Jacob.

“@jacobdmayo I love the way you take care of your girls. So much gentleness, prayers, protection, laughter and love,” Korie wrote. “You two are an amazing mom and dad, the best team.”

In the months before Presley Gerber’s death, a social media post captured a side of his journey that those closest to him had watched unfold for years. 

The model, who died at a rehabilitation facility on September 20 at age 27, used the post to document a pivotal step in his recovery journey. 

His family’s response was immediate and deeply personal, with Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber, and Rande Gerber publicly rallying around him as he faced one of the most difficult chapters of his life.

Long before news of his death emerged, Presley Gerber had chosen to document moments that many people facing addiction keep private. 

One of his most revealing updates arrived in March, when he took to Instagram with a video recorded shortly before undergoing an “ibogaine flood dose,” a psychedelic treatment used in certain countries to help address addiction.

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Rather than present the experience as a breakthrough, Presley described approaching it with fear and uncertainty.

“Quiet moment before everything changed,” he wrote alongside the video, adding, “I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this.”

The treatment required him to surrender a level of control that he admitted did not come naturally. “Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it,” Presley explained.

His reflections suggested that the experience was about more than treatment alone. It was also about confronting issues he had spent years avoiding.

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“I knew why I was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself,” he wrote.

Presley ended that portion of his message with a short but telling phrase, noting, “We shall see.”

Presley Hoped The Treatment Would Mark A New Beginning

Beyond describing the experience itself, Presley Gerber also shared what he hoped the treatment would mean for his future.

In the same post, he revealed that he was looking ahead to a time when returning for treatment would no longer be necessary. “I’m praying it’s the last time I have to come back,” he wrote.

The model also took time to recognize the people who had helped him through the process, thanking “the incredible caring kind and on their sh-t team” involved in the treatment program.

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Despite the seriousness of the experience, he ended the message on a lighter note, revealing that the journey had also introduced him to new friendships. “And I made some dope ass friends there,” Presley wrote.

Presley Gerber’s Family Publicly Celebrated His Progress

Kaia: “That’s my brother I’m so damn proud”
Cindy: “Your a warrior..”
Randy: “ I’m so proud of you and ur courage”

Presley got so much support and love from his family on his IG post as he shared his treatment journey. 💔🥹 pic.twitter.com/y61hoAkFbD

— Hanz (@fashionistaera) September 21, 2026

The post quickly became a family affair as some of the people closest to Presley filled the comments section with messages of encouragement.

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Among them was his mom, Crawford, whose response would take on added significance months later. “You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!” the supermodel wrote.

Presley’s sister, Kaia, also left a message celebrating her older brother’s determination. She commented, “That’s my brother I am so damn proud.”

His dad, Rande Gerber, also echoed those sentiments, praising the work Presley had put into his recovery journey. 

He wrote, “I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.”

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Presley Revealed Near-Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Left Him In A Coma

The optimism that filled Presley Gerber’s ibogaine-treatment post did not emerge overnight. Long before he described “finding my way back to myself,” he had survived one of the most frightening moments of his life: a fentanyl overdose that nearly killed him.

In 2024, Presley publicly disclosed that he had been battling a severe opioid addiction and revealed that the crisis escalated into a near-fatal overdose. 

According to his account, the incident left him in a coma for several days and became a turning point in how he viewed both addiction and recovery. 

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Rather than hiding that experience, Presley chose to discuss it openly as part of his efforts to help others facing similar struggles. 

As he became more candid about his life, Presley explained that addiction was only one part of a broader battle involving mental health, depression, and finding stability after years of struggling.

During a 2023 appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast, he said, “[Mental health] is an issue. It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it.” 

Presley also spoke about his desire to use his experiences to help other people who felt trapped by similar circumstances.

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In his words, “Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do.” 

Presley Gerber Said Psychiatrists Left Him Heavily Medicated

As Presley continued searching for answers after the overdose, another struggle emerged. This time, it involved the medications he had been prescribed while trying to manage anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and addiction recovery.

In a candid Instagram video shared in December 2025, the 27-year-old revealed that he had consulted more than 15 psychiatrists and felt overwhelmed by the conflicting advice he received. 

According to Presley, the experience left him dependent on several medications while still searching for clear direction. 

Describing his frustration, he said, “I’d like doctors to be like, ‘Take this three times a day’ … but every psychiatrist I’ve had — I’ve had 15 — are like, ‘Here’s 20 medications and take this if you feel like this … and I’m like, ‘No, don’t get me that much leeway.’ I need some direction.” 

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Presley revealed that he was taking medications including Buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium while trying to navigate severe panic attacks and depressive symptoms. At the same time, he admitted that the uncertainty surrounding those medications was frightening. 

In the same update, he explained that he had started making major lifestyle changes in an effort to improve his mental health. Exercise became a key part of that process, and he also made the decision to stop drinking alcohol. 

He concluded by explaining why he was willing to be so vulnerable in public. “So you feel like you’re not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time and I have a feeling that if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it,” he shared.

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Fine lines, dullness, loss of firmness — these are all signs that skin is changing with age, and all concerns that seemingly require a different product to address. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of creams, serums and treatments available, but what if your anti-aging skincare routine could be simplified to just three core products that actually deliver on their promise? Cue KaramMD’s Trifecta, a three-step skincare system designed to take the guesswork out of caring for aging skin.

Created by double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Amir Karam, Trifecta combines a daily cleanser, triple-form Vitamin C serum and all-in-one anti-aging cream to target multiple signs of aging at once. Rinse is a non-foaming gel cleanser that removes dirt, oil and buildup without leaving skin feeling stripped (a common issue with most cleansers). It’s a gentle formula that creates a smooth, fresh canvas for the products that follow, and an especially thoughtful first step for mature or dry skin, since cleansing can sometimes leave already moisture-depleted skin feeling even tighter.

Get the KaramMD’s Trifecta at KaramMD!

Then there’s Quench, a brightening serum powered by three stable forms of vitamin C to help tackle dullness and discoloration (two issues aging skin can experience). It also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, so instead of layering separate brightening, hydrating and antioxidant serums, Quench combines those benefits into a single formula.

Lastly, Illuminate does much of the heavy lifting. Think of it as a moisturizer that does it all: it pairs slow-release retinol with peptides to help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, support collagen and improve the look of firmness and uneven pigmentation. Dr. Karam considers retinol one of the most important skincare ingredients outside of SPF, and Illuminate makes it easier to incorporate the powerhouse active into your routine without adding yet another standalone treatment.

With consistent use, skin can gradually look smoother, brighter and more hydrated, while concerns like fine lines and loss of firmness may become less noticeable. If your current skincare routine feels more complicated than effective, Trifecta makes a strong case for simplifying things. Shop the KaramMD Trifecta and put all three steps to work!

Get the KaramMD’s Trifecta at KaramMD!

We’re just a couple of months away from the biggest date in the 2026 sci-fi calendar. On December 18, on the same date as Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three will cap off Denis Villeneuve‘s acclaimed trilogy adapting Frank Herbert‘s Dune novels. Four-time Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides in the Brian K. Vaughan-penned movie, joined by a stacked cast including Zendaya as Chani, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa as Hayt, and many more.

But for Dune: Part Three to perform as some predicted and become the year’s best sci-fi film, it faces tough competition from a novel adaptation that took the world by storm earlier this year. Of course, we’re talking about arguably the defining film of 2026 so far, Project Hail Mary. The Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed masterpiece earned near-perfect responses from critics, including a 9/10 review from Collider’s Ross Bonaime, who called it “the first great film of 2026.”

But Project Hail Mary wasn’t just an almighty success in the eyes of critics. In total, the adaptation of the 2021 novel by Andy Weir has earned $682 million worldwide, split between a domestic haul of $344 million and a further $338 million from overseas markets. This helped it become one of the year’s earliest blockbuster triumphs, although the likes of Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day have since stolen that spotlight. But Project Hail Mary has moved seamlessly to streaming, becoming an unsurprising hit in homes around the world. At the time of writing, it has rejoined the Prime Video top ten in the U.S., ranking in ninth place.

Ryan Gosling Has Joined Two More Iconic Franchises

After delivering an arguably career-defining performance in Project Hail Mary, Gosling has his sights set on a galaxy far, far away. He will join director Shawn Levy on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, before finally taking the MCU plunge with the same man, who will direct him in a new Ghost Rider film that was announced during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con 2026.

Project Hail Mary is available to stream on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates.

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Release Date

March 15, 2026

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Runtime

157 minutes

Director

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Christopher Miller, Phil Lord

Writers

Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

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Producers

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

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Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son, Presley Gerber, has died.

Us confirmed in the late hours of Sunday, September 20, that Presley died in a rehab facility, per records obtained online through the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 27 years old.

TMZ was first to report the news, with the outlet noting that an autopsy is yet to be completed.

A statement from the Crawford-Gerber family, including Cindy, 60, and Rande, 64, was shared with Us on Sunday. “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” it read.

Related: Cindy Crawford Details ‘Survivor Guilt’ After Brother’s Death

Cindy Crawford has opened up about the “survivor guilt” she experienced after her brother passed away from leukemia at 3 years old. Candidly detailing her childhood memories on the Saturday, May 11, episode of the “Kelly Corrigan Wonders” podcast, the supermodel, 58, spoke of her inner turmoil. Cindy, who is one of four siblings including […]

Last month, Presley’s sister, Kaia Gerber, publicly commented on her brother’s battle with addiction. “When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” the actress and model, 25, said during an interview with Vogue published on August 11. “I think that’s also why I started to self-​identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.”

Kaia also discussed her Malibu upbringing alongside Presley as her mom remained an international supermodel.

“Unfortunately all the things that people assume are true. I was in the ocean every day. My brother would go surfing and then walk up to school in his wetsuit with his surfboard, barefoot. You’re with the same kids from preschool to when you graduate,” Kaia said of the siblings’ upbringing. “There were no Ubers there, so your parents were driving you to parties and then picking you up. There was only so much trouble you could get into.”

Presley had shared his mental health battles via candid Instagram posts in recent months. In an act of full transparency in December 2025, he detailed his medication routine at the time. “Here’s some clarity for ya — the truth will set you free (hopefully) haha,” he captioned the clip. “I feel like honesty is the best policy.”

Presley then went through his list of current medications, which included one milligram of Buprenorphine two times a day. (Buprenorphine is intended to treat opioid use disorder and pain.)

He continued, “Benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life,” adding that he “had a lot of loss in many different forms recently.” (Benzos or Benzodiazepines assist in slowing down “activity in your brain and nervous system” and are used to treat “anxiety and related mental health conditions,” according to Cleveland Clinic.)

The video, filmed inside a sauna, also revealed that Presley was taking a small dose of Xanax to treat panic attacks.

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Related: Cindy Crawford‘s Family Guide: Meet Her Husband, Siblings and More

Cindy Crawford has always put her family first on her way to becoming one of the industry’s most legendary models. Crawford and Rande Gerber, who tied the knot in 1998, share son Presley Gerber and daughter Kaia Gerber. Both children have followed in their mother’s footsteps. “I could help guide her and help her navigate,” […]

“I try to take as little of that as possible,” he explained, adding that he also took Valium but the dosage varied at the time. The video also stated that he had experienced a lack of “direction” from doctors in the past. “I’d like doctors to be like, ‘Take this three times a day,’” he said. “But every psychiatrist I’ve had — and I’ve had 15 — are like, ‘Here’s 20 medications and take this if you feel like this, take this as needed.’”

Presley concluded, “I’m hoping this reaches people in many ways … so you feel like you’re not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time. I have a feeling if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

While there have been plenty of great fantasy films produced in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries, one would be doing a disservice to themselves by not branching out and exploring such films from other territories. The fantasy genre is one that, perhaps more than any other, knows no limits, so limiting oneself to only watching fantasy movies in English doesn’t feel in line with the genre as a whole.

The following international fantasy movies offer a sampling of how fascinating the genre is and always has been around the world. The following films come from places around the world, including Spain, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and Mexico, and are ranked below, beginning with the very good and then ending with the titles that can count themselves among the very best fantasy movies ever made.

15

‘I Dream in Another Language’ (2017)

Image via FilmRise

Magical realism and Latin American literature are so intricately tied together that they’re almost inseparable, and Mexico in particular has a delectably rich fantasy tradition. From that history of magical realism came Ernesto Contreras‘ I Dream in Another Language, a drama about a linguist (Fernando Rebeil) who travels to a Mexican jungle in order to research a dying indigenous language. The only problem? Its last two remaining speakers refuse to talk to each other.

It’s one of the best fantasy movies of the 21st century, a study of cultural erasure, regret, and reconciliation that’s often nothing short of a tear-jerker. As deeply rooted as it is in Mexican traditions of magical realism, it’s a universally delightful romance drama that everyone who loves low fantasy should check out at least once in their lives. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

14

‘Time of the Gypsies’ (1988)

Image via Ljubavny Film

Some of history’s greatest genre films come from countries that no longer exist, and Yugoslavia was a nation that produced a particularly rich body of fantastical work. The country’s greatest filmmaker was undoubtedly Emir Kusturica, whose Time of the Gypsies follows a young Romani man (Davor Dujmović) with telekinetic powers who’s seduced by the world of petty crime.

It’s yet another example of beautifully poetic and cinematic magical realism, a masterpiece that blends fantasy with gritty neorealism in a way that lends the story even more emotional depth than it already had on the page. With its unforgettable score, its stellar performances, and the authentic feel of being among the first major feature films spoken entirely in the Romani language, it’s an ’80s classic that has only gotten better with age. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

13

‘Dreams’ (1990)

Not only was Akira Kurosawa the greatest Japanese filmmaker in history; he may very well have been the best in history, regardless of country of origin. For proof of those superlatives, people often look at classics like Seven Samurai or High and Low, but there’s one awfully underappreciated Kurosawa masterpiece that’s among the best ’90s fantasy movies that nobody remembers: Dreams, a collection of stories based upon Kurosawa’s own recurring dreams.

It’s one of the most unforgettable multi-story movies ever made, a deeply personal and wonderfully unique semi-autobiography that’s unlike anything else fantasy—or even cinema in general—has ever seen since. Visually gorgeous, imaginative, and tonally complex, it may not have been Kurosawa’s last movie, but it nonetheless serves as a deeply moving swan song to the career of one of the all-time greats. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

12

‘The Spirit of the Beehive’ (1973)

Image via Bocaccio Distribución

The spirit of The Spirit of the Beehive can be felt in numerous unconventional fantasy films that have followed in its wake, including some directed by the legendary Guillermo del Toro. It’s a Spanish film that follows a young girl whose life is changed after seeing and being affected by 1931’s Frankenstein, all before becoming even more overwhelmed by the ideas of spirits and even a fantasy world she may or may not be able to cross over into.

The Spirit of the Beehive is odd and oftentimes grounded, being something like low fantasy or magical realism… alternatively, the fantasy parts can be read as being merely in one character’s head, which could make the film more of a psychological drama. Anyway, it’s up to one’s interpretation, and there is a somber feeling of childhood innocence/discovery explored throughout the film, with some fantastical ideas potentially being included as a result.

11

‘Wings of Desire’ (1987)

Image via Road Movies

There are numerous languages spoken throughout Wings of Desire, but most of it’s in German, with the film being a co-production between (then West) Germany and France. It’s rightly held up as one of Wim Wenders’ best-ever films, and sees the director tackling a fantastical romance storyline, but also bringing his distinct style to it, making it feel surprisingly realistic or at least somehow mundane, in a way, even with the main characters being angels and all.

The narrative of Wings of Desire centers on a pair of angels who oversee humanity without being able to interact directly with any people, and what happens when one of the angels starts wishing he could become human. It’s a slow but continually engaging film, strong on atmosphere and with the capacity to emotionally impact those who are willing to sit with it patiently throughout its leisurely paced and visually dazzling two-hour runtime.

10

‘Ugetsu’ (1953)

Image via Daiei Film

Perhaps a little like Wim Wenders, Kenji Mizoguchi is a filmmaker best known for his dramas, some of them with historical settings and some intended to reflect then-modern-day Japan, but one of his most noteworthy movies – 1953’s Ugetsu – belongs to the fantasy genre. It’s in contrast to most of the other films he made, because if one goes to Letterboxd, for example, Ugetsu is his only film (and he has about 50 directorial credits) that’s tagged as belonging to the fantasy genre.

It has a historical setting, thanks to being set during the 16th century, but also works in folktale/ghost story elements; never enough to be an over-the-top fantasy film or anything approaching the horror genre, but enough to ensure Ugetsu stands out. It’s a sometimes eerie and always absorbing film, and perhaps one of Mizoguchi’s most beautiful (and that’s saying something).

9

‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)

Image via Studio Ghibli

Directed by Isao Takahata, far and away one of the most groundbreaking filmmakers in the history of anime cinema, Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is one of the best fantasy masterpieces of the last 15 years. Inspired by the 10th-century folk story The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, it’s a coming-of-age story about a beautiful young woman coveted by five nobles, who sends her suitors on seemingly impossible tasks in order to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn’t love.

It’s a centuries-old tale full of tropes that have been present in cinema for as long as the fantasy genre has existed, yet Takahata finds all sorts of ways to make the whole narrative feel fresh and modern. The score is beautiful, the watercolor animation is consistently jaw-dropping, and the story is so profoundly moving that not a single second of the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime is ever a dead spot. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

8

‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

Image via AB Svensk Filmindustri

You can’t really talk about iconic international fantasy movies without mentioning Ingmar Bergman, who made his mark on the genre with a couple of his most well-known works, perhaps most famously with The Seventh Seal. It’s a movie you’ll likely find out about through references and parodies before actually watching it, what with the famed plot of “playing a game of chess with Death” being at the film’s center.

But The Seventh Seal is more than just a medieval/fantastical The Queen’s Gambit. Chess takes a backseat to a story about losing one’s religion, seeking redemption, and finding a purpose among all the difficulties that life throws one’s way. It’s a downbeat but not entirely hopeless film, and it’s a film worth returning to and continuing to analyze, given there’s a lot here, and it’s difficult to entirely absorb it all after just one viewing.

7

‘Die Nibelungen’ (1924)

Image via UFA

Die Nibelungen was released in two parts, both coming out in 1924, with Siegfried and Kriemhild’s Revenge adding up to one single epic-length story that plays out over approximately 4.5 hours. It’s generally seen as one of German filmmaker Fritz Lang’s best films, but not always one of his very best, which might be the “downside” of him having directed a handful of even greater films, like M, Metropolis, and The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.

Both parts of Die Nibelungen ultimately demonstrate Lang’s surprising range, showcasing how he was able to craft fantasy films back during the silent era better than just about any of his contemporaries. Now over a century old, Die Nibelungen still impresses and contains plenty of excitement, being a must-watch for anyone who’s watched and appreciated any of Lang’s better-known classics from around the same time.

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‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

Image via Toho

Anime films encompass all sorts of genres, fantasy naturally included. Few do the medium of animation and the genre of fantasy as much of a service as the untouchable Hayao Miyazaki, with numerous great works of fantasy to his name. There are probably two films of his, however, that stand out above the others, with the first of those being Princess Mononoke.

This 1997 film is arguably Miyazaki’s darkest and most epic movie (though The Boy and the Heron is also a contender), and is almost definitely his most violent. It tells a sprawling adventure/fantasy story with a fascinating conflict for its main character to get entangled in, and a blunt but effective environmental message at the heart of it all. Princess Mononoke impresses both technically and narratively, and is rightly considered one of the best anime films ever made.

After the disappointing commercial and critical performance of their last original idea, Elio, 2026 proved the perfect comeback for Pixar as they released Hoppers, a fresh family-friendly tale starring newcomer Piper Curda as an animal lover who uses technology to become a robotic beaver. Hoppers started the year off strong for Pixar, earning $388 million worldwide against a reported $150 million budget, and was called one of Pixar’s “funniest movies yet” in Ross Bonaime‘s review for Collider.

But that was merely the appetizer for what would prove a fruitful main course for Pixar fans in 2026. Thanks to Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of the Toy Story 5 gang, Pixar landed itself another billion-dollar hit. Following in the footsteps of the Chinese animated hit Ne Zha 2, the hilarious Zootopia 2, and the video game adaptation, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Toy Story 5 became the latest animated sequel to smash the billion-dollar boundary, and did so alongside glowing reviews suggesting the franchise was back on track after an underwhelming fourth installment.

“The impressive fifth installment not only justifies its existence but feels like a necessary response to how much the world has changed in the past three decades,” wrote Collider’s Taylor Gates in her 8/10 review of the movie, which was one of many that praised this return to form for Pixar’s flagship franchise. But there was little chance this fifth film could ever reach the heights of Toy Story‘s peak, which came back in 1999 with what many consider to be the greatest animated sequel of all time: Toy Story 2.

‘Toy Story 2’ Just Hit a Streaming Milestone

Thanks to the ongoing success of Toy Story 5, which has transitioned seamlessly from the big screen to the small screen, Toy Story 2 has now surpassed the 100-day mark on the Disney+ top ten in the U.S. This genius sequel is still as beloved now as it was in 1999, when it became the third-highest-grossing film of the year worldwide with a total haul of $511 million. This was against a reported budget of $90 million, which pales in comparison to the $250 million budget of the most recent fifth film.

Toy Story 2 is a streaming hit. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more stories.

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Release Date

November 24, 1999

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Runtime

92 minutes

Director

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Ash Brannon, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich

Writers

Andrew Stanton, Doug Chamberlin, Rita Hsiao, Chris Webb

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Producers

Helene Plotkin, Karen Robert Jackson

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• 
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  Tim Allen

  Buzz Lightyear (voice)

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Friends and family of the late Hayden Panettiere reportedly honored the life and legacy the Nashville alum during a private celebration in Malibu.

Connie Britton, Evan Ross and Ruby Rose were spotted outside the Saturday, September 19, service, according to photos obtained by Page Six. (Us reached out to Panettiere, Britton, Ross and Rose’s respective reps for comment.)

Earlier this week, TMZ reported that around 150 people — including Hayden’s dad, Skip Panettiere — were expected to attend an intimate memorial at a Malibu church. Her loved ones reportedly picked the seaside community in honor of Hayden’s love of marine life. (Hayden was an international ambassador for the Whaleman Foundation, a conservationist charity. She was also memorably featured in the 2009 documentary The Cove, which included dramatic scenes where the actress paddled into the ocean off the coast of Japan to confront dolphin hunters.)

Hayden was found dead at age 36 in a Greenville, South Carolina, residence on August 16. A coroner’s report, which was obtained by Us, determined that there were “no signs of trauma,” though an official cause of death is pending.

Related: Hayden Panettiere’s Ex Brian Hickerson Speaks Out 1 Month After Her Death

The late Hayden Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, offered brief public comments one month after the former Heroes star’s shocking death at age 36. Hickerson, also 36, was approached by a photographer outside of a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, September 16, and was asked how he was holding up, per footage obtained […]

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” Hayden’s father, Skip, 67, told Us in a statement at the time. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

A police report indicated that Hayden’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were both at the scene when the actress was found dead. Brian, 37, and Panettiere had a tumultuous relationship that was marred by accusations of domestic violence.

Brian was sentenced to 45 days in county jail in 2021 after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a partner following a 2020 incident in Wyoming. He was also ordered to complete four years of formal probation and 52 domestic violence classes, pay $500 in restitution and obey a five-year protective order as part of his plea.

While Hayden wrote about the volatile nature of their relationship in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she and Brian continued to see each other on-and-off until her death.

Brian broke his silence about Hayden’s shocking death through a statement issued by his lawyer Sloan Ellis on August 20.

“It is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Brian’s lawyer told Us. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

The police investigation into Hayden’s death is ongoing. South Carolina’s Greenville County Coroner’s Office released a statement last week following TMZ’s reporting that Hayden may have taken one oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl prior to her death.

Related: Hayden Panettiere Once Dated Brian Hickerson’s Brother Zach

Hayden Panettiere was once romantically involved with on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother before her death. Us understands that Panettiere dated Zach Hickerson in 2019. She and Brian, meanwhile, were together on and off from 2018 to 2020. The Daily Mail was first to report the news alongside photos of Panettiere and Zach holding hands […]

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“We have not released anything at this time. We will send out an email release when ready,” the Coroner’s Office confirmed to Fox Carolina on Monday, September 14.

Hayden’s spokesperson subsequently discouraged speculation about the events leading up to the star’s death.

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“As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise,” her rep told Us in a statement on Tuesday, September 15. “Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.”

The statement concluded, “While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold. The answers we are all seeking will come.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).