Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series rejoiced when Prime Video’s wildly successful series, Reacher, hit TV screens in 2022 with the strapping, gargantuan Alan Ritchson in the titular role. Ritchson’s four-season run as Reacher, in the minds of many fans, righted the wrong of Tom Cruise’s original turn as the hero; even creator Childs eventually admitted that casting Cruise as a 6’5, 250-pound bruiser was ridiculous, telling the BBC that “Cruise, for all his talent, didn’t have that physicality.” Cruise’s two Reacher movies — Jack Reacher, released in 2012, and its forgotten sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, released in 2016 — suffer as a result, as they adhere to the formula of Cruise action blockbusters, rather than honor Child’s work on the page. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Edward Zwick‘s Never Go Back.

But Cruise’s Reacher films also offer the star’s typically superlative level of spectacle and stuntwork, making the film not quite a total miss. Curious viewers can now decide for themselves, as the latter is climbing the streaming charts on Paramount+.

‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’ Was a Mixed Bag

Image via Paramount Pictures

For viewers who weren’t already Reacher fans (and thus disappointed in the leading man), Christopher McQuarrie‘s Jack Reacher was a thrilling, action-packed experience, aided by Cruise’s innate movie star charisma and the unstoppable, devil-may-care persona that the actor brought to his Mission: Impossible movies — four of which would go on to be directed by McQuarrie.

With Never Go Back, the reins were handed over to Cruise’s Last Samurai director, Edward Zwick, best known for historical epics and war dramas like Glory, Legends of the Fall, and Courage Under Fire. The film surging up the charts on Paramount Plus is based on Child’s book of the same name. In it, Reacher returns to uncover another grave government conspiracy, which leads to his going on the run as a fugitive with few allies — most notably Military Police commander Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), who is also being framed.

While it performed fairly well at the box office, the film’s reception was mixed at best, with critics and Reacher fans alike asking whether we truly needed a sequel, even if the series is ripe with stories waiting to be adapted for the screen. The original will never be confused with Shakespeare, but it had enough dramatic heft and engaging twists and turns to elevate itself above the basic action crop. Never Go Back, however, had a story and retreaded plot that would have better served as a direct-to-video sequel, one that someone of Cruise’s pedigree would have no business partaking in. Where McQuarrie’s film let its stacked supporting cast shine in various ways, Zwick’s film underutilizes its own supporting actors, including versatile talents like Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge, and Holt McCallany. No Cruise movie would be complete without awkward chemistry with his female co-star, and here, Smulders’ tough MP commander somehow falls for Reacher despite his emotional distance.

‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’ Set the Template for the Modern Tom Cruise Movie

Today, every Tom Cruise film is a major cinematic event; for proof, just witness the months-long rollout for his upcoming return to creatively challenging work, the highly anticipated Alejandro González Iñárritu film Digger. Given this, it’s bizarre in hindsight that Cruise made the relatively forgotten Jack Reacher: Never Go Back only 10 years ago. Upon re-examination, however, Cruise’s Reacher sequel quietly set the blueprint for the Cruise blockbuster event that today captivates audiences across the globe.

The release of both Top Gun: Maverick and the 2010s and 2020s Mission: Impossible films revolved around Cruise’s public persona as an inscrutable, uber-determined, and God-like manifestation of destiny (to quote Alec Baldwin‘s character in Rogue Nation). In Never Go Back, Reacher has been fully absorbed by the Cruise persona, making the character nearly indistinguishable from Pete Mitchell or Ethan Hunt. While the film’s script doesn’t attempt to raise the stakes, this version of Reacher is not an incognito outlaw, but rather the embodiment of American liberty and justice.

If you can’t buy into the story and characterization, Never Go Back undoubtedly excels as a piece of pure spectacle, with its action set pieces outmatching its predecessor. Edward Zwick’s sense of scope and epic magnitude come in handy here, as all the fights, shootouts, and chases (more top-notch running from Cruise, per usual) mirror the white-knuckle intensity of Mission: Impossible‘s showcase of death-defying stunts.

While it is imperfect and unnecessary, you could still do a lot worse than spending your time watching Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, a movie that probably didn’t need to exist. When you have Tom Cruise at the top of his physical game, though, it’s hard to complain.

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Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

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Release Date

October 21, 2016

Runtime

118 minutes

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Director

Edward Zwick

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Writers

Marshall Herskovitz, Richard Wenk, Edward Zwick

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Before Slow Horses, before Reacher, before Homeland, before governmental paranoia and institutional betrayal became the bulk of the binge-watching lineup, there was Jennifer Garner… in a pink wig… sprinting through a nightclub in Taipei with a stolen hard drive. Her early aughts ABC spy series Alias has been off the air for almost two decades, but its fingerprints are still everywhere.

Created by J.J. Abrams and stacked with talent from top to bottom, the show ran five seasons on ABC, burning through a new undercover mission every week while weaving serialized storylines underneath that kept getting bigger. Recently, all 105 episodes landed on Pluto for the show’s 25th anniversary, right in the middle of a bit of a Garner Renaissance. (She brought The Last Thing He Told Me back to Apple TV+ in February and then opened The Five-Star Weekend to a record-breaking debut on Peacock in July.) But Alias is what all of that was built on, and now, we’ve got plenty of excuses to revisit it.

Every Week a New Wig, a New Mission, and a Cast You Won’t Believe

If you missed Alias, or you were too young for it the first time around, you should know the basics. Garner plays Sydney Bristow, a grad student who’s been moonlighting as a spy for what she thinks is a black-ops division of the CIA. She finds out in the pilot that the organization she works for is actually the enemy, and the rest of the series follows her working as a double agent to take it down from the inside. Every week she puts on a wig, adopts a new accent, struts into some overseas operation, and finishes the mission. (In other words, she kicks ass and takes more names.)

But what keeps the show locked in is the toxic familial dynamics. Sydney’s father, Jack Bristow, played by Victor Garber, has been lying to her for her entire life. The layers of those lies peel back slowly across the first two seasons, and each one reframes everything you thought you understood about the pilot. Ron Rifkin plays Arvin Sloane, Sydney’s boss at the fake CIA, and his motivations shift so many times that you stop trying to predict him and just gleefully marvel at his villainy. Michael Vartan, Bradley Cooper before he was Bradley Cooper, Carl Lumbly, and Kevin Weisman round out the main cast, with star-studded guests (Quentin Tarantino, is that you?) popping up across seasons. There was romance and betrayal, explosions, thrilling car chases, some puzzling mythological undertones, and an identity theft subplot so wild it has to be seen to be believed.

How ‘Alias’ Rewrote the Spy Drama Playbook

The reason Alias holds up decades later goes beyond all of that, though: the things Abrams figured out on this show became the wiring in every spy series that came after it. The first unlocked binge-watching secret was structural. Network TV in 2001 was still choosing between procedural and serialized. Alias did both at the same time, and it worked because the weekly missions weren’t filler. They kept feeding you new information about who Sydney could trust and who was lying to her, which meant you had a reason to show up every Sunday.

The second was where the show put its emotional weight. The missions are fun, but Sydney’s relationship with her father is the spine of the story. Garner and Garber play off each other with a tension that never fully resolves. She needs him and doesn’t trust him, and he loves her and keeps choosing the work over everything else. That dynamic is more interesting than any of the gadgets or fight choreography. It’s also the thing the genre adopted wholesale. Carrie and Saul on Homeland run on the same push and pull. Slow Horses builds its entire ensemble around the question of whether the people above you are protecting you or burning you. Reacher keeps circling back to military loyalty gone wrong. The handler relationship, the institutional suspicion, Alias proved what existed in movies could exist on network television, which made the leap to streaming even less daunting.

‘Alias’ Bet Big on Jennifer Garner…and Won

Image via ABC

All five seasons are on Pluto, and the first three are where the show is at its absolute best. A lot of that is because of Garner. She was 29 when the pilot aired, doing her own stunts, disappearing into a new version of the same character every episode, and carrying the emotional weight of a show that kept asking more of her. Sydney could kick through a door and fall apart emotionally in a parking garage ten minutes later. Garner made both feel easy.

Then there’s the Sydney and Vaughn (Vartan) romance. Vartan plays her handler at the real CIA, the one person she can be honest with, and the show takes its time letting that relationship build. They can’t be together for professional and safety reasons, and the tension of that runs through the first two seasons in a way that makes you impatient. When the show finally lets something shift between them, it earns it. The Season 2 finale ends on a cliffhanger so disorienting that it resets the entire story going into Season 3, and that reset is one of the boldest swings network TV has ever taken. Everything you thought was settled gets thrown out, and Sydney has to figure out what she lost and whether she can get any of it back.

Seasons 4 and 5 have their moments, too, introducing new characters, villains, and complications that muddle the bigger mission. And its early success meant ABC wrote a blank check for whatever Alias wanted to do in later seasons. So even when the story wanes, the fight scenes, chase sequences, and spy games grow more impressive. If you’ve been curious about the blueprint for streaming’s spy show boom, or have just been craving an action-packed small-screen drama worth injecting into your veins, you can’t do better than this.

The entertainment world is still reeling from the sudden and tragic passing of film and television star Hayden Panettiere, who has been a fixture on many of our screens since Remember the Titans and A Bug’s Life. Panettiere died at the age of just 36 last week, and fans have spent the days since celebrating her life by revisiting the best performances from throughout her career. Scream 4, Heroes, and I Love You, Beth Cooper have been in the rotation for many, as well as the surprising ABC drama where Panetierre spent six seasons delivering some of her finest work.

From 2012 to 2018, Panetierre starred in ABC’s Nashville, alongside Connie Britton and Charles Esten. The series, which took a dramatic behind-the-scenes look into the underbelly of the country music industry, aired a total of 124 episodes. Panetierre appeared in every one of them. Nashville may not have the same kind of genre appeal as the Scream or Heroes franchises, but the show was always buoyed by the stellar performances from its cast, and Panetierre was consistently one of the strongest of the ensemble.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking to watch (or rewatch) Nashville in the near future, it’s about to get a little more difficult to binge the series. Netflix, the only major streamer currently carrying the series, is set to lose Nashville in the coming weeks.

‘Nashville’ Leaving Netflix in the US

Image via ABC

All six seasons of Nashville are currently available to stream on Netflix, allowing fans to watch through every episode on the same platform. That will sadly be changing next month, however, as Netflix has confirmed that Nashville is going to be exiting the lineup in September.

The Netflix newsletter for September 2026 revealed that every season of Nashville will be leaving the service’s US lineup on September 15th. That gives TV fans about three more weeks to watch as much of the series as they can before it’s gone. There hasn’t been any word yet on whether Nashville will appear on another major platform after leaving Netflix’s lineup. Given that it aired on ABC initially, it seems likely that the show will eventually pop back up on Hulu, though there’s no telling exactly when.

Nashville is, frustratingly, only one of several major shows set to exit Netflix in the month of September. The service is also set to lose every season of Orphan Black, Girlfriends, Black Lightning, and Lopez vs. Lopez.

What Is ‘Nashville’ About?

If you’re not familiar, Nashville is a drama about the country music business, initially centering on two major stars at very different points in their careers. Britton, fresh off Friday Night Lights and American Horror Story, took on the lead role of Rayna Jaymes, an aging country star who is slowly coming to terms with the fact that her spotlight is waning. In order to give her career a second wind, and hopefully boost her popularity with younger fans, Rayna is booked to be the opening act for Panettiere’s character, Juliette Barnes. Of course, the two stars butt heads throughout the tour. Juliette is the young upstart that the fans are paying to see, but Rayna knows the industry like the back of her hand, and she still believes she’s the much bigger act of the two.

The series also stars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Chris Carmack. Notable guest stars over Nashville‘s six seasons include Kimberly-Williams Paisley, Chloe Bennet, Jay Hernandez, Derek Hough, Wyclef Jean, Rachel Bilson, Mario Lopez, and Vince Gill.

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Release Date

2012 – 2018-00-00

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Directors

Callie Khouri, Stephen Cragg, Michael Lohmann, Allan Arkush, Julie Hébert, Michael Waxman, Paul McCrane, Arlene Sanford, Dan Lerner, Eric Stoltz, Jean de Segonzac, Lily Mariye, Mario Van Peebles, Mike Binder, Timothy Busfield, Bethany Rooney, Dawn Wilkinson, Devon Gummersall, Eric Close, Jan Eliasberg, Ron Underwood, Sanaa Hamri, Patrick R. Norris, Jet Wilkinson

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• 

  Hayden Panettiere

  Juliette Barnes

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  Clare Bowen

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  Scarlett O’Connor

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  Charles Esten

  Deacon Claybourne

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  Jonathan Jackson

  Avery Barkley

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Tom Cruise may still be one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars, but his romantic life is reportedly proving far less successful. 

At 64, the actor is said to be single, while several of his famous former partners have moved on to new relationships. 

From Ana de Armas’ PDA-filled getaway with musician Beto Montenegro to Katie Holmes making her latest romance Instagram official, Cruise is reportedly watching his exes move forward while privately hoping to find a lasting relationship of his own.

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Despite his status as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, Tom Cruise is reportedly feeling the loneliness that has accompanied his bachelor life. 

A source close to the actor told the Daily Mail, “Tom is frustrated that his love life has not been smooth because often he is lonely.” 

His romantic prospects have been limited to whispers of a renewed connection with Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova, following their brief fling in 2023.

According to the insider, the actor is not desperate to find someone, even though his friend Victoria Beckham reportedly continues to try to introduce him to potential partners. 

What he apparently wants is something more lasting than another high-profile romance. “But I do know that Tom would love to get married again and have it last, he wants a solid relationship. Like anyone, he wants to be in love,” the source said.

That desire has become more noticeable as several of his former partners appear to have found happiness elsewhere, creating an uncomfortable contrast with Cruise’s current single status.

Cruise Reportedly Finds Ana de Armas’ New Romance ‘Hard To See’

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Ana de Armas appears to have moved on from her reported romance with Tom Cruise, and her latest relationship has put that transition on public display. 

The 38-year-old actress was photographed showing affection toward musician Beto Montenegro during a sun-soaked getaway in Formentera, Spain. Montenegro is the frontman of Venezuelan band Rawayana.

The sight came after de Armas and Cruise were linked for roughly nine months, beginning with sightings in London in February 2025. 

Their reported relationship included private-jet trips, David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebration and a hand-holding outing in Vermont. 

Neither star publicly confirmed the romance, but insiders claimed their professional ambitions eventually made the relationship difficult to manage.

The pair reportedly chose friendship over continuing the romance, but one source acknowledged, “It is hard for Tom to see her move on.” Still, the insider added that “he is happy for her if she is happy.” 

Tom Cruise Faces Katie Holmes’ New Romance After ‘TomKat’ Marriage

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Katie Holmes’ new relationship may carry an especially complicated history for Cruise because of the highly publicized marriage they once shared. 

Holmes, now 47, is dating artist Jason Bard Yarmosky, who is nine years her junior, and has taken the relationship public on Instagram. Their romance comes years after Holmes and Cruise became one of Hollywood’s most closely followed couples.

The pair began their whirlwind courtship in 2005, married in an extravagant Italian ceremony and welcomed daughter Suri in 2006. 

Their marriage ended abruptly when Holmes filed for divorce in 2012, bringing the era of “TomKat” to an unexpected close. The source described the aftermath bluntly, noting, “What happened with Katie Holmes, that was a public humiliation.”

The insider also claimed, “I think it is hard for him to see her move on,” while saying Cruise did not like discussing Holmes and that people around him know not to mention her. 

The source further alleged that Suri dropping Cruise’s last name is “crushing.” Meanwhile, another of Cruise’s exes, Nicole Kidman, is enjoying time with Michael Reinstein in Portofino, while Penélope Cruz has been married to Javier Bardem for 16 years.

Kidman Opens Up About Her Marriage To Cruise

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Recently, Nicole Kidman offered a rare perspective on the relationship that began when she was just 22. In an interview with British Vogue, the actress reflected on marrying Tom Cruise on Christmas Eve in 1990, recalling how quickly their relationship developed after meeting while filming “Days of Thunder.”

The “Babygirl” actress revealed that becoming the wife of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at such a young age “seemed completely natural” because “We just fell madly in love and it was that simple.” 

Kidman also remembered being warned that marrying Cruise could damage her career. “I remember people saying to me, ‘OK, well this is really going to affect your career,’” she recalled. Her response was unapologetic. “I don’t care. I’m in love. I want to be married,” she said.

Kidman also reflected on how being married to Cruise shaped her early adulthood. “Suddenly I was 22, 23 years old and I had this huge movie star husband,” she explained, revealing that she was thrust into intense public attention very young. 

Kidman and Cruise remained married for more than a decade, adopted two children, Isabella and Connor, and worked together again on “Far and Away” and “Eyes Wide Shut.”

Tom Cruise Reportedly Wants To Clear The Air With Nicole Kidman

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Nicole Kidman’s comments about her marriage to Tom Cruise reportedly prompted an unexpected reaction from her former husband, with reports claiming Cruise wanted the two to have a private conversation. 

As The Blast reported, Cruise was initially “irritated” after Kidman discussed their marriage in her recent interview, particularly when she recalled being warned that marrying him could affect her career. 

The report claimed Cruise did not necessarily view Kidman’s comments as an attack, but allegedly preferred that their past remained private. 

A source revealed he believed the two may have unresolved matters they could address directly and that a face-to-face conversation could help “clear the air.” 

The insider also claimed Cruise was interested in a family reunion involving their two adopted children, Bella and Connor, something the former couple had reportedly discussed before but never managed to arrange.

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and his executive producer wife Molly McNearney recently opened up about the secret beginnings of their romantic relationship.

McNearney confessed she initially hesitated to cross professional boundaries with her boss after realizing the comedian was deeply interested in pursuing an intimate relationship with her.

They quietly navigated a hidden workplace romance before finally taking their relationship public, marrying, and expanding their family with two children alongside Jimmy Kimmel’s older kids from his previous marriage.

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McNearney discussed her “meet-cute” with her husband during a joint appearance on the “Armchair Expert,” podcast, detailing how they transitioned from colleagues and friends to lovers, then eventually lifelong partners.

The conversation centered on how working together affected their marriage and family life, and McNearney spared no detail.

She explained that someone, likely Kimmel himself, had asked everyone to share the names of their five favorite foods during a meeting at their workplace.

McNearney remembered rattling off “Pizza and gnocchi, crab claws, BLT and chocolate chip cookies.”

Several months later, Kimmel invited her to his home. Upon arrival, she discovered her favorite dishes were all in front of her.

“I go to Jimmy’s house, he asks me to come over after work, and he opens up the door, and it smells delicious, and he’s like, ‘I made some things,’ and it was pizza and gnocchi, crab claws, chocolate chip cookies and BLT,” she recalled per Page Six.

When podcast host Dax Shepard asked if she “immediately register[ed] that as, ‘Oh, he wants to f–k,’” the producer admitted she did.

“Yes! It made me very excited and very nervous,” McNearney shared. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh, no. This is a bad idea.’ He was my boss.”

The Couple’s Romance Story Has Faced Negative Reactions Online

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The reaction to Kimmel’s wife’s retelling of their love story has since been met with mixed to negative reactions, with many comparing the comedian to disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Former reality TV star and politician Spencer Pratt led the criticism, asking on X, “Isn’t this what Harvey Weinstein did?”

Another said, “Jimmy Kimmel and Eric Swalwell’s tight friendship suddenly makes a lot more sense,” comparing the comedian to the embattled former California governor candidate.

“Turns out he’s just another Harvey Weinstein,” a third critic noted, with others branding the story as “absolutely gross.”

However, amid the backlash, several defenders pointed to Kimmel’s long-standing marriage to McNearney, highlighting their strong professional and personal partnership.

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The producer said the professional hierarchy was an obstacle that complicated their situation. She was concerned that a romantic association could affect her career and the workplace environment.

McNearney noted that the person with more power in the dynamic wouldn’t worry about it, but it bothered her, and she was “skittish.”

“I just kept thinking statistically this is not going to work out, and your life isn’t going to change, but mine does,” she said. “And that’s what freaked me out. Because I had worked really, really hard.”

The couple ultimately kept their relationship on the down low due to the power imbalance, as Kimmell was her boss. They did “some sneaking” before deciding to make their relationship public and inform their colleagues.

“The first few months, we were very, very quiet,” McNearney stated. “I was very nervous about it changing the work dynamic, and I was in a room of mostly men, and we had a great thing going on, and I didn’t want it to change.”

Her concerns about the romance were consistent with comments she previously made in a 2014 Glamour interview barely a year into their marriage.

When asked if she always knew Kimmel was the one, she said, “I never once thought of him that way or looked at him that way. I really didn’t. I had worked for him for so long… And that’s workplace 101. You don’t date your boss.”

Molly McNearney And Jimmy Kimmel’s History

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McNearney met Kimmel when she joined “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as an assistant. She eventually rose through the ranks, joining the writing staff to become one of the show’s leading writers and producers.

According to Us Weekly, their friendship turned to romance in 2009 when they started dating. Three years later, Kimmel “popped the question” while they were vacationing in Africa.

They married the next year in California in a lavish ceremony attended by several of their celebrity friends, including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Ellen DeGeneres.

The couple welcomed their daughter Jane in 2014 and their son Billy in 2017. Kimmel had two older children, Katie and Kelvin, from his previous marriage to Gina Kimmel.

Molly McNearney And Jimmy Kimmel Remain Committed To Each Other

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McNearney and Kimmel have now been together for 17 years, married for 13, and their bond has remained strong ever since.

The couple’s latest podcast appearance brought attention to their relationship. McNearney has previously talked about their experience working together and the challenges that arise from managing the professional and the personal.

In her Glamour interview, she said, “I like to keep it separate, and I’m very good at compartmentalizing work—at home, it’s a different relationship. At 10 A.M., he’s my boss, not my husband.”

That dynamic has persisted over the years and seems to be the secret to their successful relationship and how they manage their life at work and at home.

There’s only so much anime one can take. Now a significant part of modern entertainment, the art of anime dates back to 1917 with early surviving works like Namakura Gatana. Since then, it has evolved in every possible way. Storylines have gone from episodic adventures to sprawling overarching arcs, characters have become more nuanced, and the themes have changed with the trends and societal concerns of each passing generation.

Anime wouldn’t be what it is today without its distinct art style. Inspired by the textured, hand-painted look of traditional Japanese art before evolving through computer animation and digital techniques, it’s the perfect combination of East and West. Over the last 30 years, there have been countless great anime, but only a chosen few deserve a spot in your rotation. From an underdog sports story to a ruthless yet charming murderer, here are the most perfect anime of the last 30 years, ranked.

10

‘Detective Conan’ (1996–Present)

Image via TMS Entertainment

After being forced to ingest a mysterious poison, brilliant teenage detective Shinichi Kudo (Kappei Yamaguchi) awakens in the body of a young child. Adopting the alias Conan Edogawa (Minami Takayama), he secretly continues solving baffling murder cases while searching for the shadowy organization responsible for his condition. In between going to elementary school and protecting his identity, he’s got murders, thefts, and conspiracies to solve.

Detective Conan combines the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes with the comical ingenuity of Scooby-Doo. Whether it’s an art heist or a murder on a luxury liner, every case is grounded in strong logic and reasoning. But with the perspective of a young man trapped in a boy’s body, the crime-solving gets even more creative, as Conan has the advantage of being underestimated because of his physical age.

9

‘Haikyu!!’ (2014–2020)

Image via Crunchyroll

Inspired by the legendary volleyball player known as the “Little Giant,” undersized Shoyo Hinata (Ayumu Murase) dreams of reaching the top despite his height. After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of prodigy Tobio Kageyama (Kaito Ishikawa), Hinata vows revenge—only to discover they’re now teammates at Karasuno High. The two must put their egos aside, especially if they’re going to compete for national glory.

Haikyu!! is about volleyball, but it’s also an anime about a bunch of underdogs who share the same vision. But before they can call themselves a team, audiences watch them go through the wringer first. It’s through playing volleyball together that they learn more about life on the court than in the classroom, transforming from boyish teens to serious athletes.

8

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Image via Madhouse

Sticks and stones hurt your bones, but in Death Note, pen and paper literally kill you. After chancing upon a supernatural notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written inside it, high school student Light Yagami (Mamoru Miyano) sets out to rid the world of criminals. However, his unchecked vendetta doesn’t go unnoticed by the mysterious detective L (Kappei Yamaguchi).

There’s something intriguingly blasphemous about playing a god. Light is the textbook example of “the ends justify the means,” and Death Note challenges the notion of whether true good is only possible through dictatorial means. Though the second half of the anime had a drop in quality, Death Note remains a philosophical trip about mortality.

7

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

Image via Toei Animation

There’s no stopping the adventures of One Piece. The limb-stretching Monkey D. Luffy (Mayumi Tanaka) is the last person anyone would expect to become a pirate, let alone the King of the Pirates. But for all his naivety, he makes up for it with sheer strong will and unabashed confidence that the world has yet to see.

Boasting 22 seasons and more than 1,110 episodes since its premiere, One Piece tends to lose sight of the bigger picture at times. But it’s the journey that counts. The anime also shows what good leadership is supposed to look like. Becoming the King of the Pirates isn’t about conquest, but rather the determination to overcome anything that comes your way.

6

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Image via Sunrise

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Beware of these space cowboys. Set in 2017, Cowboy Bebop is set in a society where humanity has colonized the solar system. Bounty hunter Spike Spiegel (Koichi Yamadera) and former cop Jet Black (Unshō Ishizuka) traverse the stars aboard the Bebop, hunting fugitives for cash. Together with the mysterious Faye Valentine (Megumi Hayashibara), eccentric hacker Edward (Aoi Tada), and intelligent corgi Ein, the crew is in for a wild ride.

Cowboy Bebop is the perfect anime alternative to the sci-fi sensation Firefly, as both blend space Western adventures with bounty hunting. The difference is that Cowboy Bebop pairs its neo-noir, jazz-inspired aesthetic with just as much substance. Every job is merely an escape from the past, whether it’s a criminal life or a lost civil war.

5

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–2023)

Image via Netflix

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After a traumatic childhood tragedy, Thorfinn (Yūto Uemura) devotes his life to killing the man responsible. To earn the right to challenge him in an honorable duel, he fights alongside the very warrior he despises. But after years of war and bloodshed, Thorfinn is forced to question both his purpose and the vengeful path he’s chosen.

If you like Vikings: Valhalla, you’ll probably enjoy Vinland Saga. While it’s a story about revenge, it’s equally a story about forgiveness. A true warrior is more than just a killer, and Thorfinn’s journey explores what that really means. For all its brutal violence, the anime delivers a powerful message about how revenge can consume and ruin a person.

4

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011–2015)

Image via White Fox

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Self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Okabe Rintarou (Mamoru Miyano), a.k.a. Hououin Kyouma, accidentally discovers that his experimental microwave can send messages to the past. As he and his lab members experiment with time travel, the clandestine research organization SERN puts a target on his back. With his loved ones at risk, Okabe must travel through time before SERN takes away everything.

Steins;Gate takes time travel seriously. Instead of relying on the usual “jumping back and forth” gimmick, it takes inspiration from scientific theories like black holes and John Titor’s internet-famous claims. The anime explores the consequences of changing the past, showing that every decision comes with a price while raising big questions about tampering with the fabric of time.

3

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

In a world where humanity survives behind enormous walls to escape man-eating Titans, Eren Yeager (Yuki Kaji) swears revenge after witnessing his mother’s brutal death. Alongside his childhood friends Mikasa (Yui Ishikawa) and Armin (Marina Inoue), he joins the elite Survey Corps to fight the monstrous giants. However, their battle comes with a personal cost, one to which Eren eventually succumbs.

During a time when Attack on Titan became the entry point for non-anime fans looking to get into the genre, it blew everyone’s minds with its larger-than-life, hyperrealistic animation. Considering the per-episode budget costs roughly $150,000, that cinematic quality makes absolute sense. But visual theatrics aside, Attack on Titan pulls the rug out from under audiences when it dares to question if the lead protagonist is as noble as audiences think he is.

Image via Bones

After a forbidden attempt to resurrect their mother leaves Edward Elric (Romi Park) missing two limbs and Alphonse (Rie Kugimiya) trapped inside a suit of armor, the brothers set out to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. Their journey leads Edward to become a State Alchemist, but the search only leads them to dark conspiracies, political corruption, and nation-ending secrets.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood teaches what is arguably the most important lesson about power: in order to gain something, one must sacrifice something. But the plot twist is that the equation proves much more difficult in real life, as humanity is much more nuanced than a simple transaction. That formula only works when it is based on mutual support, which is what the two brothers learn on their journey.

1

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

Image via Madhouse

Monster starts off with gifted neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzou Tenma (Hidenobu Kiuchi), who saves a young boy instead of the town mayor. As a result, he loses everything he’s worked hard for. Nine years later, the boy resurfaces amid a string of serial murders. Hunted as a suspect, Tenma travels across Germany to stop the man whose life he once saved.

The Alfred Hitchcock-ian Monster is the worst-case scenario of good karma not paying off, resulting in one of anime’s greatest villains, Johan Liebert (Nozomu Sasaki). A walking contradiction, his chilling actions are juxtaposed by his charm and soft-spoken eloquence. That’s because he doesn’t actually kill anyone—he manipulates others into doing it for him.

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Monster

Release Date

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April 7, 2004

Directors

Masayuki Kojima, Morio Asaka

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Writers

Tatsuhiko Urahata, Naoki Urasawa

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A meme used to be regarded as “an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture,” and it still kind of is, though the definition’s shifted a bit. Now, it concerns things that are spread online through social media, usually within fandoms, and those things that spread are usually of a humorous variety. Or at least memes are supposed to be funny.

Certain movies have inspired more memes than others. It’s hard to determine which movies have objectively spawned the most memes, but if you spend enough time online, you start to see some usual suspects. Some of the films below have been mocked through memes, while others have been celebrated through memes (and sometimes, there’s a bit of both). They’re also generally more recent movies, but that’s understandable, since a “meme,” in the current/modern sense, is a relatively recent phenomenon.

10

‘Morbius’ (2022)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

With Morbius, the memes are the only things that matter. The movie is otherwise a footnote within the broader superhero genre, because not many people genuinely like Morbius. But people did enjoy making fun of it, and while some of the other highly-memed movies that’ll be mentioned in a bit have people making memes out of love for whatever they’re memeing, the memes against Morbius were more spiteful.

“It’s Morbin’ time” was the big one, even though it obviously wasn’t said in the movie. Then there was that whole dance sequence, and the way it returned to theaters as a way to potentially cash in on all the ironic memes, but that didn’t seem to do much to actually allow the movie to earn that fabled “Morbillion dollars.” Since the film wasn’t very good, the bullying felt kind of fair, or at least could be justified as punching up. Interest in the Sony Spider-Man Universe But Without Spider-Man (the SSUBWS) was never that high, after all.

9

‘Bee Movie’ (2007)

Image via DreamWorks

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Hey, if an entire article can be written about the memes that Bee Movie has inspired, then it’s worth giving it a quick mention here. Thomas Butt broke it all down in more detail, and made the very accurate declaration that Bee Movie is a “meme factory.” It joins Morbius as one of those not particularly well-liked movies that’s endured largely because memes made fun of it.

There are countless “Bee Movie except x” videos on YouTube, and getting lost down that rabbit hole is more fun than watching the film itself. “The Bee Movie without Anything Even Remotely Related to Bees” is especially good, and honestly almost avant-garde. Just the existence of Bee Movie already feels like a joke, so anything that makes it into even more of a joke feels hard to resist.

8

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Image via Paramount Pictures

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James Cameron knows how to make movies that resonate with people, and Titanic might well show that best of all. Like, the Avatar movies have also been hugely successful, sometimes so successful that people are confused about their popularity, and you get memes about that series not having memes, even though there are still memes of a less meta variety. Look, the Avatar series is complicated.

But Titanic… you know what you’re in for, with Titanic. And the changing of the way the movie’s been perceived overall, if you’re going by memes and what people say online, is interesting. The film was huge when it came out, then mocked for some of the 2000s and a bit of the 2010s, but now, people don’t just poke fun at the movie in a mean-spirited way. There are cheesy and broad things here to enjoy and make fun of at the same time, and so that’s kind of where Titanic is right now.

7

‘A Minecraft Movie’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros.

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The bad side of meme-making and all that was exposed by some of what A Minecraft Movie inspired. Some enjoyment of this seemed to be sincere, so it wasn’t entirely a Morbius situation again, but other things that really took off here seemed ironic, or maybe just hard to comprehend for someone who’s a little older and/or didn’t really grow up with Minecraft.

A Minecraft Movie seemed like a bit of a joke when it was first announced, and the trailer was hugely criticized, but the movie did well, and fans of the game… again, some of them sort of seemed pleased? But the “Chicken Jockey” meme did get kind of out of control, with cinemas filled with people trying to one-up each other in pulling stunts when Jack Black’s character said those infamous words. The hole is there, if you want to be a rabbit and disappear down it.

6

‘300’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros

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The memes that were popular around 300 aren’t really as cool or funny anymore, and maybe somebody out there has already rolled their eyes at the “This is Sparta!” movie making it onto this ranking. But 300 is historically important, as far as memes go. And yes, that’s a ridiculous thing to say, but it did feel like one of the first movies to come out at a time when memes were popular, and have memes tied to it pretty much instantly.

They were impossible to avoid in the late 2000s, and even if you were too young to actually watch this R-rated movie, you likely knew a bunch of the hammy dialogue. There were also eye-catching visuals here and a style that was easy to simultaneously celebrate and mock, because 300 is spectacular and very silly at the same time, so maybe it was all inevitable.

5

‘Shrek’ (2001–Present)

Image via DreamWorks Animation

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Some of the memes around Shrek are horrifying, or might be horrifying if you’ve not grown up online and seen the degradation of Shrek happen in real time. Maybe it’s fitting, though, because from the very first movie, Shrek was irreverent and definitely felt quite adult if you were just a kid, with some of its humor.

So, as those kids in question grew up, some felt a need to find ways to push the humor of Shrek a little further. Sometimes, uncomfortably far. “Shrek is love… Shrek is life” is something you can research yourself if you feel so inclined, but it’s not really worth it. Other memes and parts of the fandom are more endearing, though, like the time in 2018 when more than 200 people collaborated to make a chaotic remake of the first film called Shrek Retold.

4

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008–Present)

Image via Marvel

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It might seem like cheating to put a whole cinematic universe here, but it’s hard to find a series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe that feels particularly heavily-memed. Also, just about all the movies within the series have had some degree of memes made about them, so it’s not just that there’s a quantity of memes because there’s a large quantity of movies.

There are lots of memes per movie, at least for a lot of the movies, and sometimes even before the movie itself has come out. You can see Avengers: Doomsday getting memed even with people only having a few minutes to make fun of or celebrate (or do a bit of both), via the trailer footage released to date. This whole cinematic universe has been dominant and popular for almost two decades now, so it having inspired a ton of stuff meme-wise shouldn’t be too surprising.

3

‘The Dark Knight’ Trilogy (2005–2012)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Whenever Christopher Nolan makes a movie, memes follow. An honorable mention should go out to Oppenheimer, though it was hard to figure out whether to include that or Barbie, because both undeniably contributed to the overall memetic phenomenon that was Barbenheimer. And then more recently, The Odyssey inspired quite a few memes, largely thanks to one Robert Pattinson line about beggars and the ease with which music can be added to the Sirens sequence for comedic effect.

But the most memed movies with Nolan’s name attached would have to be his Dark Knight trilogy, and especially The Dark Knight Rises, which was the hammiest of the bunch (largely thanks to Bane). There’s also a balance here, with the kinds of memes, because there are lots of things The Dark Knight movies do right, and quite a few things they do wrong, so you get a mix of affectionate and cynical memes with this trilogy.

2

‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001–2003)

Before The Lord of the Rings movies, the books (or book, if you’re talking just The Lord of the Rings) were popular, and you sometimes got references to the whole saga outside the book sphere (oh hey, Led Zeppelin IV). But the movies did catapult The Lord of the Rings to new heights culturally, even if some might prefer the books, but the sheer enormity of the memes here… one does not simply discount the memes.

Like the only example ranking above The Lord of the Rings here, it’s hard to watch these three movies without finding at least one highly-memed moment per scene. Over-explaining trivia has become a meme, there was the “They’re Taking the Hobbits to Isengard” remix, and the time someone uploaded a version of The Fellowship of the Ring where Sam said, “If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been” every time he took a step. And on, and on, and on…

1

‘Star Wars’ (1977–Present)

Image via Lucasfilm

The Star Wars series is going here largely because of the prequel trilogy. What more has to be said? Well, maybe a little more. It’s probably worth noting that the prequels became so memeable and popular on that front because the original trilogy was also a juggernaut pop culture-wise, and so the momentum kept going, people were always making jokes (often affectionately) about the series, and then a new trilogy came out in a world where the internet was a thing.

And the internet got more popular in the years following 2005’s Revenge of the Sith, or at least making memes online got more popular, and then things reached a point where it’s hard to watch a scene from any of the prequels without being reminded of at least one meme. The original trilogy has its memes, too, and even the sequel trilogy has some attached to it, but the prequels are the memequels. They are unstoppable. One can drown in memes there.

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First TV Show

Star Wars The Clone Wars

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Created by

George Lucas

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Fantasy is by far the oldest and most creative genre of storytelling, as it is limited only by the imagination of the person telling it. Thus, it’s no surprise that fantasy is a frequent genre for television shows. Sometimes the smaller budgets do cut into just how many fantastical creatures and magical powers can be portrayed, but they nevertheless make up for it through captivating world building and memorable characters.

Sadly, creating a television show is difficult work even at the best of times, and networks can be fickle when it comes to renewing projects. Some shows come to an end early before they can reach 40 episodes, but are still worth checking out, especially because their smaller episode count means you can get through them relatively quickly. Alternatively, some of these shows are new or ongoing, so time will tell how many episodes they’ll have by the end of their runs.

‘Hilda’ (2018–2023)

Image via Netfflix

Hilda (Bella Ramsey) is a young girl who loves to go exploring in the wilderness and discover new, magical creatures alongside her deer-fox, Twig. Her mother, Johanna (Daisy Haggard), worries that Hilda might suffer from not growing up with human friends, so, after their house is destroyed by a giant, she moves them to the walled city of Trolburg. Fortunately, there are still plenty of magical creatures within the city, and she makes friends with two humans, Frieda (Ameerah Falzon-Ojo) and David (Oliver Nelson), and an elf named Alfur (Rasmus Hardiker), who accompany her on new adventures.

Hilda‘s author, Luke Pearson, had an active hand in his graphic novel’s adaptation, which is a major reason why the show is so engaging. It’s got a very laid-back style that is reminiscent of childhood days spent exploring and gaining a better understanding of the world, which is accentuated thanks to the colorful and expressive art style. The use of the magical creatures is also fantastic, with many of them drawing on their mythological roots rather than more modern interpretations, which helps make them feel more unique.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

Alina Starkov (Kaylan Teague and Jessie Mei Li) is a cartographer of Ravka’s First Army who discovers that she is a prophetized Grisha called the Sun Summoner, who can generate light. She is quickly brought into Ravka’s Second Army, led by General Aleksander Kirigan (Ben Barnes), to be trained to use her powers in the hopes that she can destroy the Fold, a shadow barrier that splits Ravka in half. Meanwhile, news of the Sun Summoner’s arrival spreads far and wide, leading a trio of thieves from Ketterdam called the Crows to try and kidnap Alina to get a leg up on their rivals.

Shadow and Bone is based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, and does a pretty good job translating the world to the small screen. Each of the different nations feels well-defined with their own cultures and grievances with one another, while the different types of Grisha demonstrate a wide array of magic that feels naturally integrated into the broader world. As for characters, Alina is admittedly a little bland as a protagonist, but General Kirigan is a complicated individual, and the Crows absolutely steal the show whenever they’re onscreen thanks to their camaraderie.

‘Dave the Barbarian’ (2004–2005)

Image via Disney Channel

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When the king and queen of Udrogoth depart to fight evil in far off lands, their eldest daughter, Candy (Erica Luttrell), is made princess regent. The kingdom is protected by their son, Dave (Danny Cooksey), a warrior of incredible strength who would rather do anything but fight, who is aided in turn by his aggressive younger sister, Fang (Tress MacNeille), glutenous and bumbling sorcerer uncle, Oswidge (Kevin Michael Richardson), and pet dragon, Faffy (Frank Welker). Together, they go on quests, battle the forces of evil, and get into fourth-wall-breaking debates with the show’s narrator (Jeff Bennett).

Dave the Barbarian is one of the funniest shows produced by Disney Channel, making it all the more tragic that its run ended so soon. The show’s humor relied a lot on fourth-wall breaks, self-awareness among the characters, and loving parodies of the fantasy genre, leading to a wide array of creative jokes that had audiences laughing with each episode. It also helps that the characters have simple but complimentary personalities, which leads to plots that practically write themselves.

‘The Mighty Nien’ (2025–Present)

Image via Prime Video

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On the continent of Wildmount, the Dwendalian Empire stands on the brink of war with its neighbor, the Krin Dynasty. Beauregard Lionett (Marisha Ray), a member of a monastic order that specializes in uncovering conspiracies, discovers that the coming war is linked to someone within the Empire, and sets off to find proof. Her journey brings her into contact with the most unlikely of allies, including a homeless wizard with a traumatic past, an alcoholic and cleptomaniac goblin, and a sheltered tiefling with a perverted mind.

The Mighty Nien is the second series to adapt the works of Critical Role, and its first season hit a lot harder than Season 1 of its sister-show, The Legend of Vox Machina. Rather than start midway through the adventure, the show lets audiences see the Nien individually before they come together, and since episodes are an hour long, more time can be dedicated to the characters and world building. It’s also a much darker story (not that Vox Machina didn’t get dark in places), with a lot of focus on the complex world of politics and conspiracies, as well as greater emphasis on the character’s trauma.

‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021)

Image via Netflix

Enraged at the death of his wife Lisa (Emily Swallow) at the hands of the church, Dracula (Graham McTavish) summons an army of demons and other terrors of the night to wage war on all of humanity. The only one who can stop him is Trevor Belmot (Richard Armitage), a vampire hunter whose family was excommunicated due to alligations of black magic use. He is aided by a wandering mage named Sypha Belnaes (Alejandra Reynoso) and Adrian (James Callis), Dracula’s dhampir son.

Castlevania is not only a great adaptation of the popular video game series of the same name, but it’s also one of the best adult animated shows on Netflix. It presents a world dripping in Gothic horror and tragic romance, all brought to life through truly spectacular animation and intense, fast-paced action sequences. Every character is memorable thanks to their fantastic voice acting and their complex personalities, but Dracula himself stands out thanks to how well McTavish taps into his dual nature of bloodsucking monster and tragic figure haunted by grief and loss.

‘Primal’ (2019–Present)

Image via Adult Swim

Spear (Noah Kaye Bentley and Aaron LaPlante) is a hominid living in prehistoric Earth who loses his family to a pack of horned theropod dinosaurs. He later takes his revenge on the predators with the help of Fang (Frank Welker), a female Tyrannosaurus Rex who lost her children to the pack as well. Now the two wander the landscape, fighting and hunting to survive, while encountering numerous other groups trying to do the same.

Primal is primarily an action-adventure show, but there are plenty of fantasy elements to be found, such as the presence of dark magic and witchcraft. The animation is stellar, resulting in brutal and fast-paced action sequences and creative designs, especially for the prehistoric creatures. Its greatest strength, however, is how perfectly it can draw audiences into the narrative and the struggle of the characters, especially since the show is virtually devoid of dialogue.

‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (2019)

Image via Netflix

Rian (Taron Egerton) is a Gelfling from the planet Thra who serves the Skeksis, ancient rulers of the planet who steward the Crystal of Truth. That is, until he witnesses them kill one of his close friends and drain her essence to rejuvenate themselves, forcing Rian to go on the run. As he tries to find allies who will believe him, a subterranean Gelfling named Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel) discovers a blight that is corrupting the ecosystem, while Princess Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), the youngest daughter of the All-Maudra (Helena Bonham Carter), discovers a hidden breadcrumb trail that reveals more about the Skeksis’ past.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a prequel to Jim Henson‘s dark fantasy masterpiece, The Dark Crystal. It expands on the film’s lore by delving into the different Delfling cultures and showcasing the Skeksis when they were at the height of their rule, which includes individuals not present in the film, such as The Hunter, skekMal (Ralph Ineson). It also goes without saying that the puppetry is phenomenal, especially for skekMal, who is portrayed by a full-body actor to highlight his greater strength and stamina compared to the other Skeksis.

‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Image via Netflix

After the undercity of Zaun failed to rebel against the technologically advanced Piltover, Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and her younger sister Powder (Mia Sinclair Jenness and Ella Purnell) are left orphaned and adopted by a friend of their parents named Vander (Edan Hayhurst). Years later, the two take part in a heist that causes collateral damage, bringing enforcers down to Zaun and threatening the peace. Meanwhile, Vander’s old partner, Silco (Jason Spisak), resurfaces with a powerful new drug at his disposal, while in Piltover, two brilliant minds named Jayce (Faustino Duran and Kevin Alejandro) and Viktor (Edan Hayhurst and Harry Lloyd) discover a breakthrough that will change the world forever.

Season 1 of Arcane is a masterpiece in storytelling, even if you’re unfamiliar with the League of Legends game its based on. The first three episodes alone tell a brutally tragic tale as Vi and Powder’s lives are all but shattered, but when combined with the rest of the season, it weaves a tapestry of the sacrifices people make for the ones they love, the price of ambition, and the pros and cons of new technologies, all held together by complex characters often at war with themselves. Season 2 was, admittedly, much more of a mixed bag, but that doesn’t take away from the emotional highs of Season 1, and, should you wish, you can look at its final episode as the tragic ending to a tragic story.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026–Present)

Image via HBO

After the death of his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), Ser Duncan the Tall (Bamber Todd and Peter Claffey) makes his way to Ashford to compete in a tournament and make a name for himself as a hedge knight. He runs into a well-spoken, bald-headed boy named Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), who wishes to be his squire, to which Dunk eventually agrees. However, things become a lot more complicated when members of House Targaryen arrive at the tournament, including Hand of the King, Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel), his youngest brother, Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell), and Maecar’s arrogant son, Prince Aerion (Finn Bennett).

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the second spin-off to come from Game of Thrones, and even after just one season, audiences can’t stop singing its praises. It’s faithful to author George R. R. Martin‘s lovable story of heroism and adhering to knightly virtues in an unjust world while making necessary changes that give audiences more time to immerse themselves in the world and fall in love with the characters. Even if the later seasons dip in quality, Season 1 tells a complete story that presents Westeros in a unique, ground-level perspective, rather than always following big movers and shakers among the highborn.

‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)

Image via Cartoon Network

Stepbrothers Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean), as well as Greg’s newly acquired frog (Jack Jones), find themselves lost in a strange forest called The Unknown. They meet a talking bluebird named Beatrice (Melanie Lynskey), who offers to take them to Adelaide of the Pasture (John Cleese), who can help them get home. However, they are warned by a Woodsman (Christopher Lloyd) to beware of the Beast (Samuel Ramey), who prowls the Unknown looking for lost souls such as themselves.

Over the Garden Wall was Cartoon Network’s first miniseries, and remains one of the most beloved IPs to come out of their revival in the 2010s. Though the episodes are only eleven minutes long, they enthrall audiences with their rich atmosphere, lovable characters, foreboding mystery, and mature themes. The show also takes massive inspiration from the Golden Age of Animation, namely early Disney projects like The Alice Comedies and the works of Fleischer’s Studios, like Betty Boop.

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Over the Garden Wall

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Release Date

2014 – 2014

Network

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Cartoon Network

Showrunner

Patrick McHale

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Directors

Nate Cash

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Some of the best sci-fi movies are so pointed that they continue to be relevant decades after the fact. Social commentary has always been at the heart of good science fiction, and 20 years later, one of these classics still holds up. Immigration, fascism, and dread are all at the center of one of the best dystopian films of all time.

While the relevance of these themes is not exactly promising for the current state of affairs in real life, it does make Children of Men timeless. Premiering in 2006, the film was a beautifully directed adaptation of P.D. James’ book. In a not-so-distant future, infertility has become a worldwide epidemic, and the human race is desperately trying to hold on. England is one of the last surviving nations and has caved to scapegoating refugees from other countries.

In the midst of it all is Theo, an alcoholic with nothing to live for, played with heart-wrenching emotion by Clive Owen. Children of Men is a masterful film, hinting at a bleak future that is frighteningly even more relevant now than it was when it premiered. Despite its darkness, it still strikes a chord because of the content and the final scene filled with hope.

‘Children of Men’ Earned Its R-Rating

Science fiction has gradually reached a point where these stories seem within reach; Children of Men most of all. Theo lives in a world where the last baby was born 18 years ago; and this world is brutal. Morale in the world is at an all-time low, and there seems to be no respite from the harrowing reality. The political landscape is accentuated by Alfonso Cuarón’s masterful filmmaking.

Before the best space film, Gravity, Cuarón proved he could convey an upsetting world with beautiful filmmaking techniques. One of the most famous sequences in the film is a one-shot inside a moving vehicle that captures some of the most tragic moments of the film. Cuarón and his cinematographer rejected the use of CGI and shot the scene with full 360-degree coverage. This practical effect is a standout in the film and contributes to Children of Men not feeling dated.

After Theo’s ex Julian (Julianne Moore) recruits him to help a “fugee” escape, their car is attacked by marauders. While her role is short-lived, the brutality of her death and how it was captured on film elevated the stakes of the scene. Though the scene didn’t glamorize the violence of her death, it was still evocative and painful. This scene ensures that viewers understand how difficult this world is and what is required to achieve the hopeful ending that Children of Men concludes with.

Theo finds this hope when he learns why the refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is so important and this spurs him to action after so many years of giving up. Children of Men makes it clear that there is nothing more important than striving for a better world, and Kee’s role as the first person to give birth in almost two decades represents that. Though the film doesn’t shy away from its bleakness, it also shows a light at the end of the tunnel.

Even in the war-torn streets, everyone puts down their arms when they realize Kee is holding the first baby in decades. Children of Men is a fully engrossing film that doesn’t just work on a thematic level, but is a masterclass in filmmaking. Cuarón’s work is a beautiful meditation on the human condition that is realistic but also maintains the idea that one person can make a difference.

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Children of Men

Release Date

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January 5, 2007

Runtime

109 minutes

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Director

Alfonso Cuarón

Writers

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Alfonso Cuarón, David Arata, Timothy J. Sexton, Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus, P. D. James

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Madonna celebrated her twin daughters, Stella and Estere, on their 14th birthdays with a sweet tribute.

“Happy Birthday to my Virgo Twins! Stella and Estere!” the Grammy winner, 68, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 24. “So full of Life, Music, and Opinions. I can’t believe you’re 14!!! You live in the magical world that only twins can inhabit.”

Madonna shared multiple photos of Stella and Estere over the years. One snap showed off the twins standing side-by-side as they rocked long white dresses. She also posted individual shots of Stella and Estere, in addition to both girls posing alongside the pop superstar.

The “Material Girl” singer’s tribute also included throwback snaps of Stella and Estere as young children. She also opened up about meeting Stella and Estere in Mawali before adopting them in February 2017.

Related: Madonna’s Family Guide: Everything to Know About Her 6 Kids

While Madonna is best known for being the Queen of Pop, she considers motherhood to be one of her greatest achievements. Madonna became a mom in October 1996 when she welcomed daughter Lourdes Leon with her then-partner, Carlos Leon. The couple split the following year. In 1998, the “Material Girl” performer started dating Guy Ritchie. […]

“I felt a deep connection the moment I met you at Home of Hope,” she continued. “You have grown into beautiful, young women. So Sassy!! Like all of your sisters, you do not suffer fools gladly. Malawian Queens. Long may you Reign 👑👑 🎂🎂 ♥️♥️ 🇲🇼🇲🇼”

She also included a throwback video of the girls when they were young as they sang along to their mom’s song “La Isla Bonita.”

In addition to Stella and Estere, Madonna is mother to daughters Lourdes and Mercy as well as sons Rocco and David. (Madonna welcomed Lourdes with ex Carlos Leon in 1996 and Rocco with ex Guy Ritchie in 2000. She adopted David and Mercy from Mawali in 2006 and 2009, respectively.)

“Even today, I struggle to understand how to be a mother as well as do my job,” the musician said of motherhood in a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair Italia. “Because no matter where you are, whoever you are, having children and raising kids is a work of art. And nobody gives you a manual — you have to learn from your mistakes.”

Earlier this month, Madonna celebrated her birthday alongside five of her children during a family trip to Greece. (David was seemingly absent during the festivities.)

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“It’s My Birthday! Eat, Pray, Love, Drink, Dance, Break plates, Feed Cats!! Thank you G*D!” she wrote via Instagram on August 18.

Three days later, Madonna opened up about how much it meant to her to celebrate her birthday in Greece and why the country holds a special place in her heart.

“Prayers from Patmos!! What a magical island. I really felt the presence of God there,” she wrote via Instagram on August 21. “The first time I went to Greece, I was 7 months pregnant with Rocco. A full circle moment to take him there again as a Man. To reconnect. To remember. Good for the Soul!”