Video games are great, but players need consoles in order to play them. Thankfully, fans have a great selection to pick from to best suit their taste. From Xbox and its excellent Game Pass to Nintendo and its innovative and expansive catalogue, there is no shortage of options. However, the choice for many gamers is Sony’s PS5, one of the best-selling consoles of all time.

Marvel’s Wolverine is soon to be a defining game for the system, and GTA VI is supposedly best played on the console, but fans still complain that there aren’t enough exclusives for this popular option. That is why this list will feature ten essential PS5 games that every fan must play based on aspects such as gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, originality, how it defines the console, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.

‘Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’ (2021)

Image via Insomniac Games

PlayStation has a certain prestige about it that usually results in AAA mature adventure games, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dabble in the quirky territory. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the PS5’s version of this beloved franchise, bringing the duo to the latest console. When the pair is split up across different dimensions, they team up with the revolution to fix the rift and reunite to defeat Dr. Nefarious.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is one of the most overshadowed and underrated PS5 games, mainly because it came out during the pandemic. But that doesn’t take away just how good a game it is, becoming an essential game for the console as the only entry in its franchise. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a polished and gorgeous-looking game that pushed the franchise to the limits.

‘The Last of Us Part II Remastered’ (2024)

Image via Naughty Dog

PlayStation is making more and more live-action adaptations of its best IPs, and it all started with The Last of Us. The PS5 has all the games, but the definitive version that defines the console the best is The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Years after the first game, Ellie and Joel finally settle down, but they are soon disturbed, pushing Ellie to journey across the country searching for revenge.

The original game was a PS4 release, but the remastered version upscaled the graphics, improved the controls, and ultimately made it the definitive way to play the game. The “No Return” mode is a fun new addition, but the meat of The Last of Us Part II Remastered is its daring narrative that split the community; critics and audiences agree that it is one of the best-written video games of all time.

‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022)

Image via Guerilla Games

Speaking of live-action PlayStation adaptations, Horizon Forbidden West is planned to get one in the future, but it is unlikely to be better than the game. A new blight is threatening to destroy the world, which prompts Aloy to journey across it to find the source of the evil, bringing her face-to-face with new biomechanical creatures and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Horizon Forbidden West is in a weird place, because it is certainly popular and well-received, but it doesn’t have the same impact and word of mouth as other PS5 games, which is strange, considering it is one of the best titles on the console. This stunning game has beautiful biomes and remarkable graphics, which pair nicely with its worldbuilding and mechanical creatures.

Image via Sega

Not all of these games are PS5 exclusives, but rather games that are essential on the console, even if the majority of titles featured are owned by Sony. Metaphor: ReFantazio takes place after the king’s assassination, with a worldwide tournament for the throne now underway. As the protagonist, players must fight against all of those unworthy and break the curse on the one true heir.

JRPGs are a massive genre, and the PS5 is the best place to play one of the best modern titles. Metaphor: ReFantazio and its unmatched art direction create a heavily stylized aesthetic that is visually striking, but that isn’t all, because the game also boasts impressive worldbuilding and lore. As one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, Metaphor: ReFantazio is easily a must-play PS5 title for fans and newcomers alike.

‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ (2025)

Image via Kojima Productions

Hideo Kojima is one of the most recognized game designers ever, and while he is working on his next masterpiece, his last title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, remains a PS5 staple. Sam Porter Bridges continues his journey in this post-apocalyptic world to connect isolated settlements, which takes him to a completely new continent, where he will face surreal enemies.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn’t like other PS5 games, and for many, it isn’t their style. However, for those loving narrative-rich games with mind-bending plots and bizarre themes, this one is the perfect choice for them. Essentially an interactive movie at times, Death Stranding 2 uses its actors to the extreme, creating an immersive title with a complex and outstanding open world.

‘Ghost of Yotei’ (2025)

Image via Sucker Punch Productions

The PS5 introduced a lot of sequel video games that were original IPs on the PS4, which expanded those universes and established themselves as great franchises. Ghost of Yotei is set in 1603 around the titular mountain, where a new protagonist undergoes a dangerous adventure in the lands of Ezo to kill the Yotei Six, who murdered her family 16 years prior.

While it doesn’t live up to Ghost of Tsushima for many, Ghost of Yotei is still one of the best modern adventure video games. The combat is just as good as the original, refining the controls to make it easier, yet still engaging. The cinematic world is simply stunning, serving as an excellent backdrop to the bloody sword fights that will ensue.

‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ (2024)

Image via Sqaure Enix

PlayStation often remakes or remasters its games. One example is Final Fantasy, which completely reinvented one of the best in the franchise to deliver Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This sequel takes place right where the first one left off, with Cloud Strife and his group leaving the dystopian city to journey into the vast and gorgeous world in order to stop Sephiroth from draining its life force.

As far as remakes go, it is hard to beat Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which many consider to be the greatest remake of all time. The trilogy is almost done, but as fans wait for the final one, which could very well be on a future list, the second one is still the best. Not only does it have some of the best graphics on the console, but it expands on everything that the original does, creating a new, yet familiar masterpiece that makes the most of the PS5’s capabilities.

‘Astro Bot’ (2024)

Image via Team ASOBI

Almost all the games on this list are sequels, which just proves PlayStation needs to make some original IPs or reboot some of their classics, and that’s exactly what they did with Astro Bot. The game received perfect reviews, proving they need to revamp older titles more often. After crashing the PS5 mothership, players must travel around the galaxy to find their crew and restore the ship to escape.

Astro Bot is the only PS5 title to win Game of the Year, yet somehow it remains underrated. It should arguably be higher on this list, but its lack of popularity sets it at third place, which is still good. Astro Bot is an imaginative masterpiece and one of the best 3D platformers, pushing the console into new territory with flawless results. More players need to experience this technical marvel of a platformer that will undoubtedly age well as a Game of the Year.

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ (2023)

Marvel’s Wolverine is likely to be a must-play PS5 game, but Insomniac’s other superhero title is still the best on the console. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 unites Peter Parker and Miles Morales in their most dangerous mission yet, which consists of facing off against Kraven the Hunter as well as an unknown alien takeover that is turning people into symbiotic monsters.

The story isn’t as good as the first one, but the gameplay makes up for it, resulting in one of the most popular video games on the PS5. The boss fights are a highlight and standout, with innovative gameplay and cinematic moments. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 further enhances the magnificent web-slinging traversal and fills the world with plenty more side quests to create a staple game on the console.

‘God of War Ragnarök’ (2022)

Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment

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God of War 2018 was the biggest and most defining video game on the PS4, and the sequel, God of War Ragnarök, earns the same status on the PS5. Taking place after the first game, Kratos and Atreus travel around Midgard to stop the prophesied apocalypse event. But they also have to deal with past mistakes and personal struggles alongside this world-ending adventure.

A lot of sequels don’t live up to the original, and God of War Ragnarök had a tougher time than most, considering the first game was perfect. It still managed to create an experience on par with one of the best video games ever. The visceral and cathartic combat comes back better than ever, revamped to be even more engaging. But, of course, the narrative is another masterful example of emotional storytelling that proves God of War Ragnarök is an incredible modern fantasy game and the most essential title on PS5.

The King of Pop has reclaimed the crown.

After months of dominating the global box office, Michael has officially surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic ever released. The milestone marks a historic achievement for the film and adds another chapter to what has already been one of the biggest theatrical success stories of 2026.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his legendary uncle, Michael has captivated audiences around the world since its release. The film opened to record-breaking numbers and has continued to demonstrate impressive staying power throughout its theatrical run, ultimately pushing past the worldwide total achieved by Bohemian Rhapsody.

Released in 2018, Bohemian Rhapsody became a global phenomenon, earning more than $900 million worldwide while introducing a new generation of fans to the music of Queen. The film’s remarkable success helped reignite interest in music biopics across Hollywood and established a box office benchmark that many believed would stand for years.

Eight years later, Michael has managed to do what no other music biopic could.

A Global Event For Audiences

Part of the film’s success can be attributed to the enduring popularity of Michael Jackson himself. Widely regarded as one of the most influential entertainers in history, Jackson’s music continues to resonate across multiple generations and international markets.

That global appeal translated directly into ticket sales. From North America to Europe, Asia, and Latin America, audiences turned out in massive numbers to experience Jackson’s story on the big screen. The film’s combination of iconic musical performances, elaborate production design, and emotional storytelling helped create an event that appealed to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

While critical reactions were more mixed, audience enthusiasm remained consistently strong throughout the film’s run. Positive word-of-mouth helped sustain momentum well beyond opening weekend, allowing Michael to maintain impressive box office legs as it climbed toward the record.

Jafaar Jackson, Michael [credit: Universal Pictures]

The Latest Win For Music Biopics

The success of Michael also reinforces the continued popularity of music biopics in Hollywood. Over the past decade, films such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Elvis, and A Complete Unknown have demonstrated that audiences remain eager to learn more about the artists behind some of the world’s most beloved songs.

However, Michael has now established a new standard for the genre.

Its record-breaking performance proves that compelling stories centered around legendary musicians can still attract massive theatrical audiences in an era increasingly dominated by franchises, superheroes, and established intellectual properties.

What’s Next?

With its newest box office milestone secured, Michael has cemented its place in cinematic history. Surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody is more than just another record—it represents a defining moment for both the film and the music biopic genre as a whole.

Whether the record stands for years or eventually falls to another musical icon’s story remains to be seen. For now, however, Michael sits alone at the top of the mountain as the highest-grossing music biopic ever released.

And judging by the film’s incredible run so far, that achievement feels like a fitting tribute to one of the most successful entertainers the world has ever known.

Getting ready with Alix Earle hits a little differently when you’re Carly Stern.

The celebrity stylist and founder of styling company Carly Jordan helps the TikTok star decide what makes the cut, what stays on the rack, and how to put it all together. Now, she’s sharing some of those same secrets with ET.

“We started working together on vacation looks and sourcing, and the relationship grew from there. … You solve one fashion problem, then another, and eventually you understand their wardrobe, their schedule, and their taste so well that it becomes much more collaborative,” Stern explains.

These days, that means knowing when to nudge Earle toward something unexpected and when to let the TikTok star’s instincts do the talking.

“Alix knows herself extremely well. She can look at something and immediately know whether she feels like herself in it. … I’ll bring her things she might not necessarily have picked out on her own, and then we build the look together,” she notes.

“Her style is sexy, effortless, and playful, and she isn’t afraid of a fun fashion moment. … We play with so many different types of pieces, but the end result still always feels very Alix.”

Of course, building a better lineup starts with taking stock of what you already own.

“Before we shop, I want to understand your life, where you go, what you reach for constantly, what sits untouched in your closet, what you feel amazing in, and what you’re missing,” she says.

“I never want someone to have a closet full of beautiful things and still feel like they have nothing to wear. The goal is to build a collection where everything has a purpose and works together.”

From there, unexpected color combos, flattering proportions, statement accessories, and go-to staples can bring looks to life.

“Everyone needs a really strong foundation. A great pair of jeans, perfectly tailored trousers, a button-down that sits exactly right, a beautiful knit, a jacket or blazer that instantly pulls an outfit together, a simple dress you can style ten different ways, and an everyday Birkin you genuinely love.”

And if your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, there’s one easy test for what deserves to stay.

“If you haven’t worn it in two years because you’re waiting for the exact imaginary vacation, dinner, or version of yourself who suddenly loves it, it can probably go.”

The same rule applies to whatever trend suddenly seems impossible to escape online.

“Stop buying something simply because it’s having a moment online. If you wouldn’t have liked it before you saw it on ten people on Instagram, you probably don’t actually like it. … Fashion should be fun. If we’re all wearing the exact same thing, we’ve missed the point.”

RELATED CONTENT:

North West is sharing what body piercing she wants to get but is not allowed to have in a new interview. In addition, the 13-year-old revealed which musical artist left her starstruck and what item she considers her holy grail of fashion.

RELATED: North West Sets The Record Straight About Her Love For Jesus Following The Release Of Her EP ‘N0rth4evr’ (VIDEOS)

North West Shares Recent Starstruck Moment And The Body-Piercing She’s Not Allowed

North West shared her first body-piercing on her finger back in September of 2025, and she revealed where she wants to get another piercing in an interview with Dazed. In addition, the 13-year-old revealed which musical artist left her starstruck recently, as well as what clothing item she considers her holy grail of fashion.

The teen explained why she likes body-piercing and where she wants another piercing but is not allowed.

“They just make you your full self,” said North. “I really want to get my bridge pierced, but I’m not allowed.”

The teenager also gave a refreshingly mature take on being a teen in the interview, and it’s going viral. North is currently sporting blue hair inspired by the Japanese virtual pop idol Hatsune Miku, and she said that her hair and piercings are all she wants, as other teens do “bad stuff.” Not only that, but the teenager isn’t interested in dating just yet.

“Everyone’s in love with boys, vaping, and doing all kinds of bad stuff,” said North. “All I want is blue hair and piercings.”

She also noted that Lil Uzi’s set in June at the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash in Chicago left her starstruck. North performed her first solo set at a music festival on Friday, June 12, per Billboard.

“It was crazy, and I got to meet them after,” she recalled. “I cannot believe it even happened; I’m still starstruck.”

North also got more piercings on her fingers and hands. In February, the teenager shared a photograph of her new hand piercings on Instagram with the caption:

“piercing on my hand out now.”

The teen was also asked which items she considers the holy grail of fashion, and she said it’s a gift from her mother and her sneakers.

“Well, I have a Michael Jackson jacket,” she revealed. “It was a gift from my mom. Also, my Geobaskets.”

Could Working At Starbucks Be In North West’s Future?

North was also asked in the interview what she would like to be if she weren’t an artist. The teen said she’d like to have a regular job and might even work at Starbucks when she’s old enough.

“What would I be? I still wanna work,” she replied. “I wanna work at, like, Starbucks next year. I think I can next year ’cause I’m gonna be 14, so I think I can. I want to have a regular job, I guess.”

Fans Applaud North West’s Ambition

Fans reacted after learning that the 13-year-old wanted to get a regular job next year, despite being the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Several Roomies applauded the teenager for her ambition at such a young age, while others encouraged her to stay a kid for a while longer.

RELATED: Stuntin’ Like Her Daddy! North West Goes Viral After Dropping Snippet Of Beat She Produced (LISTEN)

Social media is goin’ IN after Victoria “BroRilla” Woods showed off her new tattoo of Young Dolph.

RELATED: Whew, Chile! Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Goes OFF After Tommie Lee Reacts To Her Rockin’ A 30-Inch Wig: “This Gettin Weird!”

Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Shows Off Her New Tattoo Of Young Dolph

On the evening of Monday, August 24, BroRilla took to Instagram to share a carousel of slides of her new tattoo. Furthermore, the tattoo was a fresh portrait of Dolph, and it called him the “King Of Memphis.”

“THEY MUST BE MAD CAUSE THEY CALL MEMPHIS DOLPH LAND 🦦🦦Tatted by @ak859267,” she captioned the photo.

Social Media Is Goin’ IN After Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Showed Off Her New Tattoo Of Young Dolph

Social media users slid into TSR’s comment section, goin’ IN on BroRilla’s new tattoo of Young Dolph.

She Recently Made Headlines

As The Shade Room previously reported, Victoria “BroRilla” Woods most recently made headlines in July. At the time, she put together a reenactment of the music video for Ray J’s ‘One Wish.’

“She funny man idc 😭😂😂😂 it’s the fact that all I can see is Glo,” Instagram user @therealriribaby wrote in TSR’s comments at the time.

RELATED: In Tears! Victoria “BroRilla” Woods Has The Internet Rolling With Her Ray J ‘One Wish’ Impression (VIDEO)

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music legend behind timeless hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” has died at the age of 80. The singer’s nephew announced her death in an Instagram video on Tuesday, August 25.

News of Parton’s death arrived only four days after she publicly addressed her ongoing health struggles and revealed that she had neglected her own well-being while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean. A cause of death was not disclosed in the initial report.

Parton spoke candidly about her condition during an August 21 interview with PEOPLE, acknowledging that her health had declined following Dean’s death in March 2025. “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said.

“You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this,” the country music star continued. “Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”

Despite her condition, the country icon made it clear that she remained focused on her work and the many projects she still hoped to complete. Her final months included several public signs that her health was affecting her schedule. Parton appeared virtually at the opening of a new Dollywood attraction after her doctors advised her against traveling.

She had also canceled her Las Vegas residency after previously postponing the shows because of health concerns. In May, the Associated Press reported that Parton said she was responding well to medication and treatment, but needed more time before she could perform at her usual level.

Story developing…

Brian Hickerson has been spotted outside his South Carolina home as scrutiny surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death continues to intensify. The actress’ on-again, off-again boyfriend briefly emerged to retrieve a package from his porch before returning inside. His appearance comes as Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, publicly questions his account of her daughter’s final hours. Hickerson has not been accused of a crime in connection with Panettiere’s death. Authorities previously said their preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

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Hickerson was photographed stepping outside his residence to collect a plastic bag that had been left on the porch. He briefly looked toward photographers waiting outside before closing the door.

The sighting marks one of Hickerson’s first public appearances since Panettiere was found unresponsive at a temporary residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16.

Hickerson has largely remained out of public view and has not personally responded to the accusations made by Vogel. His attorney previously released a brief statement emphasizing that the investigation remains active and noting that police had found no evidence of foul play.

Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Has Questioned His Account

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Vogel has raised questions about what happened during her daughter’s final hours and has challenged elements of the account attributed to Hickerson. During an interview with the Daily Mail, she claimed she told authorities that she believed Hickerson was “culpable.”

Vogel has also accused Hickerson of financially draining Panettiere after the actress allegedly hired him as an assistant. Those claims have not been proven, and Hickerson has not publicly responded to them.

Her mother previously described Panettiere and Hickerson as having a toxic “codependent bond” that was “much more powerful than people realized.”

Vogel also questioned how Hickerson could have been sleeping near the actress without realizing that something was wrong. However, the exact circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death remain under investigation.

Brian Hickerson’s Brother Described Their Final Moments With Hayden

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Brian’s brother, Zach Hickerson, has shared his account of what happened before Panettiere was pronounced dead. “There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling. The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth,” Zach told TMZ.

He explained that he had exchanged messages with Brian on the morning of August 16 and planned to meet the couple after attending church. “When I left church I called and texted both of them. When I didn’t reach Brian or Hayden, I just assumed maybe they fell back asleep so I drove over and went to the Airbnb. When I got there I knew the code to the building but not the door code to the AirBnb,” Zach recalled.

Zach said he knocked loudly at the residence and woke his brother before they attempted to wake Panettiere. “I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull out couch bed in the living room. When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he said.

The Brothers Reportedly Performed CPR

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According to Zach, Brian administered Narcan while he contacted emergency services. “I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life,” he recalled.

Narcan is an opioid-overdose reversal medication. Its presence does not establish Panettiere’s cause of death, and toxicology results remain pending.

Zach said he was devastated by the loss of Panettiere, whom he described as one of his closest friends. “I am beyond heartbroken and devastated by this tragic and traumatic loss. Hayden was one of my dearest and closest friends that I loved and cared about for the last 8 years,” he said.

He also called for an end to the speculation surrounding her death. “Out of respect for her loved ones, the speculation and sensationalism of her death needs to end until the facts can be released from the investigation,” Zach concluded.

Hayden Panettiere’s Cause Of Death Remains Undetermined

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Emergency personnel responded to a report of cardiac arrest at approximately 1:51 p.m. on August 16. First responders attempted to revive Panettiere, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36.

An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said her official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and additional studies. Dispatch audio reportedly referenced a possible overdose, but authorities have not confirmed that narcotics caused Panettiere’s death.

Panettiere had traveled to South Carolina with Hickerson one day before her death. Both Brian and Zach were present at the residence when emergency personnel arrived. The investigation remains active, and officials have not announced any criminal charges or identified evidence of foul play.

Getting ready with Alix Earle hits a little differently when you’re Carly Stern.

The celebrity stylist and founder of styling company Carly Jordan helps the TikTok star decide what makes the cut, what stays on the rack, and how to put it all together. Now, she’s sharing some of those same secrets with ET.

“We started working together on vacation looks and sourcing, and the relationship grew from there. … You solve one fashion problem, then another, and eventually you understand their wardrobe, their schedule, and their taste so well that it becomes much more collaborative,” Stern explains.

These days, that means knowing when to nudge Earle toward something unexpected and when to let the TikTok star’s instincts do the talking.

“Alix knows herself extremely well. She can look at something and immediately know whether she feels like herself in it. … I’ll bring her things she might not necessarily have picked out on her own, and then we build the look together,” she notes.

“Her style is sexy, effortless, and playful, and she isn’t afraid of a fun fashion moment. … We play with so many different types of pieces, but the end result still always feels very Alix.”

Of course, building a better lineup starts with taking stock of what you already own.

“Before we shop, I want to understand your life, where you go, what you reach for constantly, what sits untouched in your closet, what you feel amazing in, and what you’re missing,” she says.

“I never want someone to have a closet full of beautiful things and still feel like they have nothing to wear. The goal is to build a collection where everything has a purpose and works together.”

From there, unexpected color combos, flattering proportions, statement accessories, and go-to staples can bring looks to life.

“Everyone needs a really strong foundation. A great pair of jeans, perfectly tailored trousers, a button-down that sits exactly right, a beautiful knit, a jacket or blazer that instantly pulls an outfit together, a simple dress you can style ten different ways, and an everyday Birkin you genuinely love.”

And if your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, there’s one easy test for what deserves to stay.

“If you haven’t worn it in two years because you’re waiting for the exact imaginary vacation, dinner, or version of yourself who suddenly loves it, it can probably go.”

The same rule applies to whatever trend suddenly seems impossible to escape online.

“Stop buying something simply because it’s having a moment online. If you wouldn’t have liked it before you saw it on ten people on Instagram, you probably don’t actually like it. … Fashion should be fun. If we’re all wearing the exact same thing, we’ve missed the point.”

RELATED CONTENT:

Target issued an apology after the retail giant promoted Jim Crow minstrel-style imagery masquerading as a children’s Halloween costume on its website. The retailer apologized after receiving backlash over the racist Blackface caricature-style costume.

RELATED: Parents Outraged After Miami Preschool Teacher Paints Blackface On Students For Black History Month

Target Apologizes For Racist Minstrel-Style Halloween Costume

Target issued the statement on Monday, August 24, according to Reuters. The retailer’s statement was an apology for promoting the “Kids’ Glows under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit” from Hyde & EEK! Boutique line.

The Halloween costume is a dead-ringer for Blackface caricatures from the minstrel show era between the 1830s and the Jim Crow era in the 1960s. Minstrel shows were performed by white people with burnt cork or shoe polish on their faces. They mocked enslaved Americans on plantations as ignorant, lazy, superstitious, hyper-sexual and cowardly.

Furthermore, performers in minstrel shows painted exaggerated, wide red or white smiles on their faces, and the orange-and-black clown-style Halloween costume featured the same offensive imagery. Target’s statement read:

“As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”

Roommate Reactions Are Unfiltered

After the news was shared on TSR’s Instagram page, Roomies reacted with unfiltered opinions about the racist children’s Halloween costumes. Not only that, but folks are tired of Target’s excuses over the repeated racist mishaps.

User @midwifeangelina replied, “They’re always issuing an apology. How about don’t do it! 😒.”

@quing.james wrote, “Someone said well if they had black DEI staff, they would not let this pass lol.”

@therealseeon noted, “Target was like ‘y’all forgot about the boycott’ let me remind you 🥴.”

User@sevynthestylist added, “Target be like let me play in yall face again for fun.”

User @shotbyhotrod added, “You know what would help?? if y’all actually hired Black people to be in charge of these type of things so you won’t have slip ups?.”

@iamporshalove replied, “They do this every year. It’s apart of their marketing.”

User @divineseraphyne added, “We know this is especially hurtful to our black guests” SAYS A LOTTT!!!!”

@chantestory wrote, “They just keep fkin up smh.”

@wonderflymade noted, “Hmmm our “BLACK GUEST” just does not sound the best🫠🫠🫠.”

User @mynameisakai added, “I’m convinced that these companies get a kick out of consumers discovering these ‘costumes.’ They’ll deal with the backlash because, ultimately, their stores stay open. They’ll apologize just to do it all over again.”

@nikkistclair replied, “They deliberately do sh*t and issue a meaningless apology. Gucci, H&M, they all do it. They need to start issuing checks like Dennys did.”

@iam_lexroyal wrote, “I’m tired of them saying sorry chile 😒.”

Target Boycotted After DEI Initiative Roll-Back

Target dropped the DEI initiative programs implemented after George Floyd’s murder amid an executive order by president Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Not only that, the racist order called diversity, equity, and inclusion “illegal and immoral discrimination programs.”

Within days of the executive order, Target announced the company was ending their DEI program. After that, Pastor Jamal Bryant initiated a year-long boycott of Target. The pastor revealed that after a meeting with Target in February, the company committed to increasing its $2 billion commitment to Black-led businesses and community groups by $100 million, per Forbes.

However, target didn’t bring back the DEI program, and all things considered, the Jim Crow-style costume is another stain on the brand.

RELATED: Parents Outraged After Miami Preschool Teacher Paints Blackface On Students For Black History Month

Sci-fi and thriller are two genres that synergize well. Together, they’ve given us more than a few classics in movies, television, and literature. In the 21st century, writers have continued to combine them in fresh ways, resulting in a new slate of tense, mind-bending gems.

The titles on this list span a range of tones, but all offer something for genre aficionados to sink their teeth into. Whether they’re exploring parallel realities, first contact with aliens, artificial intelligence, deep space exploration, or post-apocalyptic survival, these are the best sci-fi thriller books released over the last quarter-century.

10

‘The Gone World’ (2018)

Image via G.P. Putnam’s Sons

“The universe isn’t kind or cruel. The universe is vast and indifferent to our desires.” Special agent Shannon Moss works for a secret government agency capable of traveling into possible futures to investigate crimes before they occur. When she begins investigating the murder of a naval officer connected to an experimental deep-space mission, she uncovers evidence pointing toward an approaching apocalyptic event capable of wiping out humanity itself.

From here, The Gone World blends detective fiction, cosmic horror, and time-travel paradoxes into a deeply destabilizing story. Author Tom Sweterlitsch draws on inspirations like J.G. Ballard and Raymond Chandler, as well as conversations he had with his NCIS agent brother-in-law. Although some plot mechanics are fairly conventional for the genre, they’re all immersed in a unique atmosphere of existential dread, and the suspense rarely lets up.

9

‘Altered Carbon’ (2002)

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“This is reality, this is self-knowledge, and the perception of it will, of course, make you dizzy.” This book served as the basis for the Netflix show. It’s a cyberpunk banger about a future where human consciousness can be digitally stored and transferred between bodies (as long as you’re rich enough to pay for the procedure, that is). In this world, former elite soldier Takeshi Kovacs is resurrected into a new body by a wealthy businessman who believes he has been murdered, embarking on a dangerous, labyrinthine investigation.

The speculative tech is the real draw here. Devices embedded in people’s spines store their memories and consciousness and can be implanted into new bodies (known as “sleeves”) to effectively prolong someone’s mental life. It’s a controversial practice that religious people refuse to take part in, and it’s governed by strict laws. By controlling two bodies at once, Kovacs is in direct violation of these tenets, making him a riveting and conflicting protagonist to follow.

8

‘Devolution’ (2020)

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“It’s great to live free of the other sheep until you hear the wolves howl.” Devolution is a lean, punchy book by World War Z‘s Max Brooks (who also happens to be the son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft). Told through recovered journals and official interviews, the novel follows the residents of an isolated high-tech community in the Pacific Northwest after a volcanic eruption cuts them off from civilization. Their struggle for survival becomes even more desperate when they realize they are being hunted by a tribe of highly intelligent Sasquatch.

While that setup may sound a little ridiculous, Brooks manages to keep it relatively grounded and tension-filled, if not necessarily believable. That said, Brooks approaches the Sasquatch themselves with surprising scientific rigor, presenting them as plausible relics of prehistoric evolution. Not every set piece lands but, overall, Devolution keeps the plot moving briskly and the pages turning.

7

‘Ancillary Justice’ (2013)

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“Thoughts are ephemeral. They evaporate in the moment they occur, unless they are given action and material form.” Ancillary Justice welds together elements of space opera and revenge thriller, resulting in one of the most entertaining sci-fi novels of the 2010s. Our protagonist is Breq, the sole surviving fragment of what was once a vast artificial intelligence controlling a massive warship and thousands of human ancillaries. Reduced to inhabiting a single body, she embarks upon a dangerous mission to confront the ruler responsible for destroying her former existence.

Here, author Ann Leckie‘s treatment of consciousness is remarkably original. Breq’s mind is very different from that of any human protagonist: for instance, she has simultaneous memories of countless perspectives. Through her, the book touches on a host of ambitious themes, though never at the expense of narrative momentum.

6

‘Leviathan Wakes’ (2011)

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“Violence is what people do when they run out of good ideas.” Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey (the pen name of authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) kicked off the stellar Expanse series, which eventually encompassed nine novels and several short stories. In the first installment, humanity has colonized the Solar System, but tensions between Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt threaten open war. Amidst this tumult, detective Joe Miller searches for a missing young woman while spaceship officer James Holden inadvertently uncovers evidence of a conspiracy.

One plotline is steeped in noir, while the other is driven by escalating political chaos; both gradually converge in a tense third one. Along the way, the story borrows from Don Quixote of all things, but unfolds in a world of aliens and space-faring frigates, biological replication, and stealth ships equipped with nuclear weapons.

5

‘Recursion’ (2019)

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“Every moment is equally real and happening now, but the nature of our consciousness only gives us access to one slice at a time.” In Recursion, detective Barry Sutton investigates a mysterious condition known as False Memory Syndrome, in which ordinary people suddenly remember entire alternate lifetimes that never happened. At the same time, neuroscientist Helena Smith develops revolutionary technology capable of preserving memories in ways that will ultimately reshape humanity’s understanding of time itself.

There are some rather big-brain concepts here, which writer Blake Crouch builds into an ambitious exploration of causality and fate. Refreshingly, though, and unlike many time-travel stories that become overwhelmed by their ever-increasing complexity, Recursion remains emotionally grounded through the central relationship between Barry and Helena. Both characters are likable and full of heart, a nice foil for the mind-bending worldbuilding.

4

‘Station Eleven’ (2014)

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“Hell is the absence of the people you long for.” This one was also adapted into a solid TV series. Station Eleven is an unusually thoughtful blend of post-apocalyptic storytelling and literary suspense. After a devastating pandemic destroys civilization within weeks, several interconnected characters try to survive in the wreckage. Among them is the Traveling Symphony, a group of actors and musicians performing Shakespeare across scattered settlements, as well as a dangerous cult leader known only as the Prophet.

A lesser writer might have reduced all this to an action-packed pulp thriller, but Emily St. John Mandel (who also wrote the acclaimed novels The Glass Hotel and Sea of Tranquility) instead uses the plot devices to advance some hard-hitting themes. In particular, rather than focusing solely on the collapse itself, she explores what remains worth preserving after civilization disappears. Considering what would happen just six years after its initial release, Station Eleven is also eerily prophetic.

3

‘Embassytown’ (2011)

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“Stories and secrets fight, stories win, shed new secrets, which new stories fight…” Years before Arrival, author China Miéville, the mind behind outré classics like Perdido Street Station, wrote this phenomenal sci-fi story about aliens, language, and communication. Set on a distant world inhabited by an alien species whose language functions in ways fundamentally unlike human speech, Embassytown follows Avice Benner Cho as diplomatic relations between humanity and the native Ariekei begin collapsing after a disastrous first contact initiative.

Communicating with the Ariekei is a challenging feat, requiring two human interpreters working in tandem. Stranger still, the aliens are incapable of lying, as their biology prevents them from saying anything they do not believe to be true. This unique set-up makes them feel genuinely “other,” while also serving as a vehicle for Miéville to interrogate ideas around meaning, the limits of language, and the corrosive effects of lies themselves.

2

‘Project Hail Mary’ (2021)

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“We’re as smart as evolution made us.” This banger by The Martian‘s Andy Weir has been all the rage this year thanks to the charming movie adaptation directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. In it, Ryland Grace awakens aboard a spacecraft with no memory of his identity or mission. As his memories slowly return, he discovers that he has been sent across the galaxy on a desperate mission to prevent an extinction-level disaster threatening all life on Earth.

Eventually, Ryland crosses paths with somebody on a similar mission, and the story morphs into an unusual but undeniably heartwarming buddy-comedy adventure. Along the way, Weir keeps readers hooked by turning scientific problem-solving into edge-of-your-seat suspense. Ryland encounters an endless series of problems, each of which demands creative thinking rather than brute force. The author also treats these situations with scientific rigor, with likable characters keeping them from feeling dry.

1

‘The Three-Body Problem’ (2006)

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“No, emptiness is not nothingness. Emptiness is a type of existence.” One of the smartest and most ambitious sci-fi books in a long, long time. Beginning during China’s Cultural Revolution, The Three-Body Problem broadens into an extraordinary first-contact mystery. After a series of unexplained scientific phenomena, humanity realizes that an advanced extraterrestrial civilization is preparing to intervene in Earth’s future.

Part of why the novel stands out is that author Liu Cixin builds suspense through discovery rather than action. He stacks mysteries upon mysteries, all of them drawing from real scientific theories. Indeed, this is the hardest of hard sci-fi. The intellectual depth here is off the charts, making The Three-Body Problem a challenging but rewarding read. It has a lot to say about geopolitics, fear of the unknown, and mankind’s place in the universe. It’s also a surprisingly strong statement against nihilism.