Nintendo is one of the most prominent video game companies in the world, arguably the single most prolific and popular of the so-called Big 3 of gaming. The company dates back to the late 19th century, producing handmade playing cards before moving into the toy sector in the ’60s and, eventually, the video game space in the ’70s. Following the 1981 release of Donkey Kong, Nintendo became the dominant force in the video game space, and while it has had its ups and downs over the years, it has remained one of the industry’s driving forces.

Many of the company’s franchises are not only massively popular but also quite culturally influential, particularly the one most commonly associated with it, Super Mario Bros. However, other major titles have contributed to their enduring success, remaining exclusives to Nintendo; these are the so-called Big 5, the franchises that have made and continue to make Nintendo, so to speak. They are the company’s flagships, developed exclusively for Nintendo’s consoles by Nintendo’s internal teams, but which of the Big 5 is the best? Which is more emblematic of Nintendo, popular with critics and audiences while also being culturally influential even beyond the video game space? Note that “Big 5” is more of a fan term based mainly on the company’s marketing and what they showcase rather than an official designation; note also that all these franchises are Nintendo’s exclusive property, meaning stuff like Pokémon and Kirby won’t be present.

5

Pikmin

Image via Nintendo

Many of you reading might be surprised that Pikmin is here, but you know what? The franchise has earned it. Mainly focusing on strategy and puzzles, the Pikmin series is set on the planet PNF-404 and sees the player controlling several characters, most notably Captain Olimar, as they direct the Pikmin, plant-like aliens used to avoid hazards and fight enemies. The first title arrived in 2001, with a sequel three years later, both for the GameCube. Two more sequels followed, as well as two spin-offs, each one expanding the world with new characters, enemies, and dynamics.

Now, Pikmin is not the juggernaut that other gaming franchises are; that much is true. However, it has steadily built a strong and passionate fanbase that has helped it become a standard in modern gaming culture. Olimar is a playable character in Super Smash Bros., commanding a small group of Pikmin; he’s a terrific choice, actually, and is currently ranked in the A+ tier. In recent years, the Pikmin themselves have become more prominent in Nintendo’s marketing, largely because they are incredibly cute and practically scream “plushy.” As of 2026, Pikmin is for sure the most obscure of Nintendo’s Big 5, but it shouldn’t surprise you if that changes in the next couple of years.

4

Splatoon

Image via Nintendo

Next in our list is another of Nintendo’s most recent additions, albeit one that has achieved considerable popularity: Splatoon. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, the saga features two forms of humanoids evolved from octopi and squids—the Octolings and the Inklings—who engage in a competitive battle using different weapons that can shoot ink. Both species can transform into octopi and squids at will, hiding in the ink they previously fired to avoid enemies.

Splatoon has made a considerable impression in modern gaming. The original premise makes it one of the most distinct third-person shooters, and the competitive aspect has even inspired annual esports tournaments, many of them hosted by Nintendo itself. They have even held digital concerts in Japan under the Squid Sisters banner! Inkling became a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, two of the biggest signs that Nintendo is now all-in on the series. It’s still far behind the three franchises we have yet to cover on this list, but Splatoon already has a large cultural footprint that only keeps growing. Don’t be surprised if the next Nintendo movie you see announced is one about the Inklings.

3

Animal Crossing

If cottagecore were a video game, it would probably be Animal Crossing. The social sim video game series has been around for a while, debuting its first title way back in 2001. However, it exploded with its fifth entry, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The series sees the player controlling a Villager on an island populated by various anthropomorphic animals. As a sim, the player can engage in several activities, including developing their island into a full-blown village.

Animal Crossing was always successful, enough to spawn at least one game for each major Nintendo console since its 2001 debut. However, New Horizons truly took the series to the next level, becoming a proper cultural phenomenon and a sort of lifeline during lockdown, replacing the social interactions that the pandemic prevented. Its impact was such that Joe Biden literally used it to promote his 2020 presidential campaign; the game’s influence during that specific moment in time was near-absolute, going well beyond the usual gaming community. Many of the franchise’s characters, most notably Isabelle and Tom Nook, have become popular on their own right, with the former appearing as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8. Animal Crossing has earned its status among Nintendo’s Big 5 and is now properly enshrined in the company’s annals.

2

The Legend of Zelda

Image via Nintendo

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Aside from a certain overalls-wearing, mustache-sporting Italian, Nintendo’s second most popular character has to be the sword-wielding Hylian Link, the protagonist of the Legend of Zelda franchise. Link is the company’s ultimate hero, the usual bearer of the Triforce of Courage and the protagonist of every major Zelda game. He usually traverses the land of Hyrule, solving puzzles and defeating enemies while on a quest, most commonly having to do with rescuing or aiding Princess Zelda, beared of the Triforce of Wisdom. Link’s archenemy is Ganondorf, the King of the Gerudo tribe and bearer of the Triforce of Power.

Since the release of the first title in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has become one of Nintendo’s flagships and its most acclaimed IP. Indeed, two titles in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, are often in the conversation for the greatest games ever made, with Ocarina usually claiming the spot as the best game in the medium’s history. Link is one of the most enduring and universally beloved characters in gaming history, far surpassing the franchise and becoming an icon of both Japanese and pop cultures. Zelda is also Nintendo’s most prestigious property; the titles have cachet, offering a sort of legitimization to the company that few other IPs can match, let alone surpass. While you might have your doubts about the three previous entries on this list and their place among Nintendo’s Big 5, Zelda is synonymous with the company and has been for forty years now.

1

Mario

Image via Nintendo

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You can’t tell me you didn’t see this coming. No franchise is more closely associated with a gaming company than Mario and Nintendo. The Italian plumber and bona fide jack-of-all-trades hero has been dominating the video game space since the late ’80s, with many of his games becoming groundbreaking triumphs and literal blueprints for the industry. Mario is a literal superstar, the best video game character of all time, and no one else even comes close, if we’re being honest.

Where do you even begin with Mario? He’s been everything from a plumber to a doctor, an explorer, an archeologist, a kart racer, and a genuine talent in multiple sports, from football to baseball to tennis. His parties are the best ever, full of cool minigames and exciting challenges. He’s been a baby, a space traveler, and, at times, he’s even made of paper! Mario is the most versatile character in gaming, and his games are the very foundations upon which Nintendo is built. There’s no Nintendo without Mario; simple as that. Sure, his games might not get the same prestige as some other titles, but they are no less significant to both the company and the industry as a whole. The Mario franchise isn’t just the crowning jewel of Nintendo—it’s the very essence of gaming.

It’s often hard for a movie sequel to live up to its predecessor, especially when the first installment has a solid premise, like perhaps a daughter being kidnapped and the main character using all of his power trying to rescue her. In this case, however, the sequel cleverly employed a revenge plot after Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) had found and killed the human trafficker in the first film. Therefore, naturally, the father of that human trafficker now came back at Mills for revenge. That’s what’s coming to HBO Max this week with a special extended cut.

The sequel in question has an extended cut that features an extra 6-minutes of footage that’s also going to become available on the same platform in September. While there are no major plot overhauls in this version, the extra footage mostly includes key character moments and additional dialogue to flesh out the setup in Istanbul. Both versions of the Taken franchise’s 2nd installment — Taken 2 and Taken 2: Extended Out — will therefore be available to stream on HBO Max starting September 1. Taken itself is available to stream on HBO Max already in select regions. However, that’s not the only highlight of the streaming platform’s upcoming September slate.

HBO Max’s September Slate Is Loaded With Powerhouses

The real danger with HBO Max’s September lineup is how easily one movie can turn into a full-on marathon. Horror fans get an absurdly deep bench on September 1 alone — for example, Carrie, Interview with the Vampire, Pearl, MaXXXine, Talk to Me, The Craft, the first two Final Destination movies, both Gremlins films, and the Zombieland duo all arrive together. That range is unusually good, too. If horror isn’t your speed though, HBO Max is still delivering the goods for action fans too; beyond Taken 2, fans can jump just as easily from Mission: Impossible and Speed to The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, and even The Revenant, which got Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar.

And that’s just on September 1. Then coming through there’s this whole drip-drop of movies and shows throughout the rest of the month. 1000-Lb Sisters on September 2, Unmasking a Monster: Aileen Wuornos Season 1 on September 30, 90 Day: The Last Resort: Between the Sheets Season 3 on September 29, and a lot more in between. Not to mention that there are HBO Original Series Youth, HBO Original Documentary Series, A Killer Story, and JAŸ-Z In 8 lined up for their debuts as soon as September begins.

HBO Max, therefore, is coming loaded into September. Taken 2 and Taken 2: Extended Out become available to stream on September 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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October 5, 2012

Runtime

91 minutes

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Director

Olivier Megaton

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Jennifer Aniston’s relationship with Jim Curtis has attracted plenty of attention, but his latest comments reveal that what matters to him may be less about Hollywood glamour and more about the people who surround her. 

The hypnotherapist opened up about the actress’ inner circle and explained why being welcomed by the longtime friends in her life has meant so much to him. 

His description of Aniston also offered an unusually personal glimpse into the qualities he says have made their relationship so meaningful.

For Curtis, becoming part of Jennifer Aniston’s world has apparently meant gaining more than a romantic partner. During the August 31 episode of “The Jamie Kern Lima Show,” Curtis spoke about the 57-year-old’s longstanding friendships and the warmth she has experienced from those closest to her.

Rather than simply describing them as celebrity friends, Curtis characterized Aniston’s circle as a close-knit community with a familial quality.

He called it a “group of best friends that are like family” and explained why being accepted by them has stood out to him. “I feel incredibly blessed to be part [of] and welcomed into that family,” Curtis added.

The strength of those friendships was recently on display when Aniston and Curtis were seen leaving a Los Angeles dinner alongside Courteney Cox, Jason Bateman, Amanda Anka and Lisa Kudrow. 

For Curtis, the gathering appeared to reflect the kind of longstanding bond that had remained a defining part of Aniston’s personal life.

He described her circle as “such a beautiful community and group of people,” while emphasizing that the kindness he had experienced from them wasn’t something reserved for him.

Aniston’s Boyfriend Says Her Kindness Makes Their Relationship Special

Jim Curtis also turned his attention to Jennifer Aniston herself, offering an affectionate description of the woman he has come to know away from the public spotlight.

He revealed that their relationship was “going really well” and described his experience of being with the “Friends” star in terms that went well beyond her celebrity status.

“My experience of her is so grounded and so open and caring and kind and loving,” Curtis shared. According to him, those qualities helped explain why Aniston had maintained such a beloved group of friends. 

He suggested that the way she treated people had reflected in the relationships she had built and sustained over the years. “There’s a reason why that whole group and community is so beloved,” he added

Curtis ultimately made clear just how fortunate he felt about the relationship, praising Aniston for being emotionally open and warm with him. “I feel blessed to be in a relationship with someone that is so open-hearted and kind and loving,” he noted.

Jennifer Aniston And Jim Curtis Have No Plans To Marry

Curtis’ comments about feeling welcomed into Aniston’s close-knit circle come as new reporting offers another glimpse into where the couple’s relationship stands. 

More than a year into their romance, Aniston and Curtis are reportedly “very, very happy,” but marriage does not appear to be part of their plans. A source told Page Six that  Aniston had made clear that she did not want to marry again, following her previous marriages to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux.  

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The insider revealed that the relationship was working because Aniston felt secure rather than pressured. “This relationship is succeeding on so many levels because it’s got things that Jen’s never had before,” the insider said. 

The source added that she didn’t “feel like she has to work to impress him or keep him” and didn’t “feel like she has to compete with other more famous women who are after him.” 

Most significantly, the insider said, “She never, ever questions where she stands with him” because Curtis openly shows how devoted he is. 

The same source said Curtis was in no way threatened by her fame and that he loved her for exactly who she was. 

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Aniston And Curtis Prepare For A Major Public Milestone

While Aniston and Curtis reportedly have no immediate plans to marry, their relationship is becoming increasingly public. 

According to InStyle, the next major step comes September 2, when the “Murder Mystery” actress is scheduled to interview her man onstage at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y. The appearance is tied to his upcoming book, “The Book of Possibility,” which is set for release September 8. 

The evening is not simply a sit-down conversation between the couple. 

According to the official event description, Aniston and Curtis will discuss the ideas, practices and personal stories behind the book, which explores Curtis’ approach to transformation through spiritual practice, meditation, neuroscience and hypnotherapeutic coaching. 

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The conversation is also expected to examine the role of the mind in healing and Curtis’ work helping people break old patterns and move through pain. The event will open with an introduction from Gabrielle Bernstein, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and spiritual teacher. 

Musician and meditation pioneer East Forest will also participate before the evening culminates in a one-night-only guided meditation and visualization led by Curtis. 

Jennifer Aniston’s The Morning Show Ending After Season 5

While Aniston’s personal life has been attracting attention, the actress is also preparing to close out one of her biggest television projects. 

Apple TV announced in July that “The Morning Show” will end with its fifth season, which is scheduled to premiere in 2027. 

Aniston, who stars as Alex Levy and also serves as an executive producer, said the production team knew this would be the final chapter and deliberately approached the ending with that in mind. 

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“Going in knowing it would be our last, we were so fortunate to craft the conclusion with intentionality, and honor these characters the way they deserve,” Aniston said. 

She also described working on the series as “such a privilege,” praising the cast, writers, producers and crew and adding, “We’ve become such a family, and we’re all so excited to share this final season.”

There are A-list actors in Hollywood who turn any film into a must-watch for fans with their mere presence alone, and when two such actors collaborate on one project, audiences are in for a real treat. And it’s not just a treat for fans, more often than not, when two major actors of this caliber, like Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio in this film, approve of a script and agree to sign on, it suggests a big-budget film with substance. Christopher Nolan’s films, for example, or films like The Godfather or The Irishman all carry this kind of cinephile weight when they arrive on the big screen and on streaming. One film that’s about to make a major streaming return stars DiCaprio and Hardy in very unconventional roles, and it became the torch that finally got DiCaprio his first and only Oscar.

The movie in our crosshairs today is The Revenant, and it’s all set to make its way to HBO Max starting September 1. HBO Max actually has a very loaded slate this month, and in addition to The Revenant, several heavyweights are making their way to the platform. Taken 2, both Zombieland films, Saltburn, Mission: Impossible, and Eyes Wide Shut are some of the most notable titles. Other than these big names, out of at least a hundred titles, an HBO Original series titled Youth is also making its debut, alongside two documentaries, A Killer Story and JAŸ-Z In 8.

‘The Revenant’ Took Realism to Ridiculous Extremes

A lot of The Revenant looks too dangerous to have been filmed the way it appears, and that was very much the point. Alejandro G. Iñárritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki shot primarily in remote Canadian wilderness using natural light, sometimes leaving the crew with only a narrow daily window to complete elaborate long takes. When the Canadian snow disappeared before production was finished, they even relocated to Argentina to find winter again.

The famous horse sequence featuring DiCaprio is a great example of where that realism stops being literal and relies on the incredible talents of the VFX team. While no horse was actually sent over a cliff, the practical-effects supervisor Scott Waldbauer once explained in an interview to Vancouver City News that the production built a “mechanical horse mounted on a track,” and a performer rode it for the beginning of the fall before visual effects took over. A separate stuffed horse was then made for the bottom of the cliff. When Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) later cuts open the dead animal and crawls inside it for warmth, the actor was climbing into a prosthetic carcass.

The irony, however, is that plenty of moments from the movie were very real. DiCaprio went into freezing water, ate raw bison liver, and worked in brutally cold conditions, while the spectacular avalanche seen in the movie was genuinely triggered and captured in-camera in essentially a one-shot opportunity.

The Revenant will be available to stream on HBO Max on September 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

December 25, 2015

Runtime

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157 minutes

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

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Writers

Alejandro González Iñárritu, Mark L. Smith

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Producers

Alejandro González Iñárritu, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole, Keith Redmon, Mary Parent, Steve Golin

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Deadpool often shines brightest when contrasted with serious people within the Marvel universe. Nowhere is that clearer than in Deadpool & Wolverine, where Ryan Reynolds‘ Merc with a Mouth gets a perfect foil in Hugh Jackman‘s gruff, depressed, and often angry Logan Howlett for a riotous multiversal adventure with heart. The two have long been a beloved odd couple across all media as heroes who could not be more different in personality, yet share some common ground as fellow mutants with powerful healing factors who still want to save their worlds. However, there’s another grizzled, violent anti-hero who’s even more unlike Wade Wilson than his X-Men rival — Frank Castle.

The only obvious thing uniting Deadpool and the Punisher is that they’re two of the deadliest mercenaries within the confines of Marvel Comics. Compared to the endlessly yammering Wilson, Frank is a man of far fewer words and much greater tragedy, being a mostly humorless killer of criminals waging a one-man war on crime following the death of his family. Yet, these two have a surprising history in comics stemming back to 2001, when they first crossed paths and came to blows. In 2017, they even received their own comic series crossover in Deadpool vs. The Punisher, which pitted them against each other over a disagreement on how to handle a criminal called The Bank and tested whether Frank could keep killing the ever-regenerating mutant, or if Wade would annoy him past his breaking point. Their few clashes have served to highlight the absurdity of these two street-level antiheroes operating in the same world, and now, they’re about to collide again.

Marvel Comics has released the official preview for Wade Wilson: Deadpool #8, which marks the beginning of the four-part “Big Guns” storyline. This event advertises them as new targets for each other while a mysterious force pulls strings from the shadows to set them up for utter calamity. Within the first few pages, the groundwork is laid for their inevitable clash as Deadpool continues to clean up the monstrous Badpools that keep following him to his local haunts. One of the other imperfect living scab clones winds up in the custody of Micro at the Punisher’s compound and is subject to interrogation. As scared of the man in the wheelchair as the Badpool is, he should be more afraid of Frank lurking in the darkness, who blasts him square through the chest when his crimes are laid out. Micro is none too happy that he just killed their lead, but they’re clearly hot on a trail of the “Regeneratin’ Degenerate.”

‘Wade Wilson: Deadpool’ Will Directly Connect With Benjamin Percy’s ‘Punisher’

Writer Benjamin Percy and artist Geoff Shaw kick off “Big Guns” in Wade Wilson #8, which will directly connect to issue #8 of Percy’s current Punisher run. As shown above, the Badpools will still obviously be a problem for Deadpool and his reputation with all the destruction he’s caused, but the synopsis confirms Frank is the biggest concern for him right now. The many crimes of his deformities are bound to put a huge target on his back for the Punisher. A certain “ultimate weapon” will also have multiple forces in New York converging, and only one able to emerge victorious, creating further reason for these two titans to clash. The question remains who could come out on top between two characters that have time and again proven near impossible to kill.

Wade Wilson: Deadpool #8 hits store shelves on Wednesday, September 2. Check out the preview in the gallery above.

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Release Date

July 26, 2024

Runtime

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127 Minutes

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A South Carolina woman who allegedly stabbed a Lyft driver in the head was denied bond on Friday, August 28. Naziyha La’Nay Weatherall is accused of ordering the rideshare in Greenville, stabbing the driver 11 times, and stealing his vehicle.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Houston Rapper Judy World Passes Away After Being Stabbed By Alleged Boyfriend’s Sister

South Carolina Woman Stabs Lyft Driver In the Head

On Wednesday, April 22, at approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an injured man at an apartment complex on East North Street near the old BI-LO shopping center, according to WYFF.

During 22-year-old Naziyha Weatherall’s bond hearing on Friday, prosecutors described a “frightening factual scenario.”

Weatherall allegedly ordered a Lyft and stabbed the driver in the head and body 11 times, according to FOX Carolina. There was reportedly little discussion before the stabbing, and Weatherall was arrested shortly after the stabbing.

Lyft Driver Was Also Carjacked

In addition to stabbing the victim in his head and body 11 times, Weatherall also allegedly stole the Lyft driver’s car, per WKRC.

The Lyft driver’s wife said that the attack was “extremely violent,” and her husband was too emotionally and mentally shaken to attend the hearing.

“The alleged conduct was extremely violent,” she said on his behalf, per Fox Carolina. “… What concerns us most is that it happened while my husband was simply working. He was not looking for any confrontation, he was providing a service to a person. If this level of violence could happen to someone who was simply doing his job, we are concerned about potential risks to other people in our community.”

Weatherall Was Reportedly Suffering From A Mental Health Crisis

Weatherall’s lawyer says that she was undergoing a mental crisis at the time of the stabbing. The defense attorney claimed she was experiencing severe delusions and thought she was being listened to, watched, and under attack. The attorney added that Weatherall ordered the Lyft to file a police report at the station.

“Her mother even called the police station to let them know she was on the way to make a report,” said the attorney, per Fox Carolina. “During that, the crisis got worse. She was undergoing a delusion in which she believed she was being trafficked, and panicked, and that’s how we’re at where we’re at today.”

The lawyer also said Weatherall is now stable and medicated.

Her mother also defended her daughter and apologized to the Lyft driver’s family.

“She’s not a criminal,” she said. “She would never, ever, ever hurt anybody like that, and I understand the family’s side, I truly do, because we are all suffering. We all are.”

Weatherall’s bond was reportedly denied, and she will undergo a psychological evaluation.

RELATED: Courtney Clenney Reportedly Targeted Amid Time Spent Behind Bars Following Fatal Stabbing Of Christian Obumseli

North of the Manhattan madness, you’ll find a quiet haven of old money living, which includes sprawling family estates, acres of rolling land and country clubs in every town. Equal parts timeless, rustic and luxe, upstate New York fashion is just as swoon-worthy as the aesthetic, and I found 17 stylish fall pieces that could be straight out of a Tuxedo Park boutique.

Classy wool sweaters, Chelsea boots, straight-leg jeans and tailored-looking dresses are just a few staples in every upstate rich mom’s wardrobe, and these styles get you the look. Whether you’re running errands, apple picking or leading a boardroom meeting, these elegant picks make you look rich while doing it.

17 Upstate New York-Style Fashion Pieces — From $5

Classy Tops

1. My Favorite: Chic is right! I love how this mock-neck top transitions seamlessly from summer to fall, thanks to the wool-blend fabric and sleeveless design.

2. Classy Cowl: Instead of a tee, opt for this drapey cowl-neck blouse that not only elevates your aesthetic, but also conceals your tummy.

3. Wardrobe MVP: Solid and sophisticated, this knit short-sleeve top pairs well with jeans, trousers and skirts alike.

4. Business-Casual: Your colleagues will assume you spent triple digits on this polished blouse, thanks to the refined print, bell sleeves and subtle pleated detailing.

Polished Pants

5. My Favorite: Nobody will ever guess these dressy wide-leg trousers have an ultra-stretchy waistband. I won’t tell!

6. Totally Tailored: This straight-leg denim style is everywhere in London, so it makes sense that rich New Yorkers are catching on.

7. Cute and Cropped: Lean into the the cropped pants trend with these trendy wonders that hit at your shin to avoid going full capri.

Pretty Dresses

8. My Favorite: Bell sleeves, bow knots, ruching! This boat-neck mini dress works for date nights and work events. Just add tights for the latter.

9. Polka Dots: Everyone’s wearing polka dots lately, so it’s no surprise that this wrap-style midi dress is flying off the shelves.

10. Burgundy Babe: Fitted dresses aren’t always flattering, but this slimming version has vertical gold buttons that secretly elongate your torso.

11. Silky Satin: Weddings call for this dreamy satin maxi dress that feels like wearing nothing at all. With 30 options to choose from, I want at least two.

Must-Have Shoes

12. My Favorite: These suede loafers are the easiest swap for sneakers, channeling high-end vibes while keeping your feet cushioned.

13. Ankle Boots: Something between Chelsea boots and booties, these block-heel kicks bring the best of both worlds.

14. Slip-Ons: If you’re curious what Tuxedo Park socialites wear, it’s sleek leather mules that elevate even the most basic jeans.

15. Celeb-Inspired: Ever since Angelina Jolie wore two-toned flats, I’ve been eyeing this Project Cloud pair.

Sleek Layers

16. My Favorite: Cardigans can look frumpy but not this wool-blend number that fits every body like a glove.

17. Quiet Luxury: Quilted puffers are a staple upstate. I appreciate this equestrian style that brings Millbrook to the Midwest.

Related: I Went to the Gold Coast — Rich Moms Wear These Luxe-Looking Fall Shoes

You don’t need a Chicago zip code to know about the Gold Coast style. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a haven for the city’s most affluent, located right on the coast of Lake Michigan. This luxurious neighborhood is filled with designer boutiques, multimillion-dollar mansions and of course, rich moms with old money style. Walking […]

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Guy Ritchie has a singular style of filmmaking that combines action, comedy, mystery, and suspense, and he’s essentially become his own genre. Ritchie first exploded on to the British cinema scene with his groundbreaking first two features Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which reinvented the London crime subgenre in the post-Quentin Tarantino era where genre thrillers were expected to be propulsive and quippy. His career only got more fascinating from then on out; although Ritchie spent several years making major blockbusters with more significant budgets, he eventually returned to his roots by making smaller, darkly humorous gangster and crime films.

Ritchie certainly has an interest in action filmmaking, but he hasn’t typically been associated with war cinema in the same way that filmmakers like Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott are. Although Ritchie tends to look at the world through his unique point-of-view, he has brushed up against some interesting historical events whilst remaining true to his interests.

5

‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is easily the most underrated film of Ritchie’s career and gets unfortunately stung by the fact that it was a massive money-loser. Since Arthurian mythology technically belongs to the public domain, and thus can be adapted by anyone, Ritchie was free to reinvent the classic story by turning it into a revolutionary adventure film about a street-level hero who was raised in a brothel after being cast out from Camelot. It’s certainly not the most faithful adaption, but there have been enough King Arthur films for a new version to be worth giving a shot; those who wanted a more somber religious epic can seek out Excalibur, and those who appreciate more romance and whimsy can see the underrated First Knight.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword has surprising depth about how leadership is built by experience, which makes Charlie Hunnam’s take on Arthur interesting because he is truly a “man of the people.” The war scenes are some of Ritchie’s most dynamic, as he clearly had more creative say over how the film looked than he did with his live-action remake of Aladdin for Disney. The major drawback with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is that it was clearly the first chapter in what was intended to be a cinematic universe; it is a little underwhelming to get to the film’s sequel tag and realize that it isn’t building to anything.

4

‘The Covenant’ (2023)

Image via MGM

The Covenant is the most grounded and serious film that Ritchie has ever made, and was a deliberate change of pace from the cheekier, more stylized gangster thrillers he had been making in the same decade. While not directly inspired by a true story, The Covenant is based on the relationships formed between United States soldiers and their Afghan translators, who risked their lives during the war effort. Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the film as an Army Sergeant who befriends a translator, played by Dar Salim, who goes missing after saving one anothers’ lives.

Ritchie is able to appropriately scale back his indulgent tendencies by making a close-quarter combat film that also manages to touch upon critical issues relating to post traumatic stress disorder and Islamophobia. Although the protagonist role could have easily been a paycheck role for an action star, Gyllenhaal’s commitment and dramatic intensity make it into a surprisingly compelling character who merits sympathy. There are certainly some moments in which the political messaging can get a bit heavy-handed, but it’s otherwise a fairly interesting experiment that will hopefully lead Ritchie to taking similar chances within the future.

3

‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ (2024)

Image via Lionsgate

The Ministry of Unglentlemanly Warfare is a throwback in the truest sense because it embodies the World War II adventure films from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Although it’s easy to associate World War II cinema with gritty epics like Saving Private Ryan or Dunkirk, it was a conflict that inspired more crowdpleasing “men on a mission” films about espionage and intrigue during the war. Films like The Great Escape or The Guns of Navarone were serious in their intention to show the battle between good and evil, but they also served as populist entertainment, feeling like the superhero movies of their day. It’s oddly the result of so many grittier war films that there has been less incentive to make a World War II story that is more “fun,” which is why Ritchie’s more whimsical approach is so entertaining.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare harkens back to Ritchie’s interest in morally ambiguous characters because it is inspired by the true story of assassins, criminals, and spies who were employed by Winston Churchill (played in the film by Rory Kinnear) to go on undercover missions to usurp the Axis powers during the most pivotal era of the war. There’s a gleefully ridiculous sensibility to the violence at hand, and Ritchie benefits from the fact that everyone wants to see Nazis get killed in all sorts of brutal and creative ways. Ritchie has understood how to use Henry Cavill better than any other director, and gets one of the best performances of his career; Cavill is perfectly suited for the role of a sharp, charming team leader, embodying the same quality that made Steve McQueen and Gregory Peck so cool. Although the plot gets messy in the third act, something that is not unusual for Ritchie, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is great entertainment that shows why Ritchie excels at period pieces.

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‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ (2011)

Image via Warner Bros.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is one of Ritchie’s more interesting films because he had the challenge of following up the first Sherlock Holmes, a surprise hit that had taken advantage of the fact that Robert Downey Jr. had just had a major comeback the previous year with both Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. Despite the fact that it retained a period setting, Sherlock Holmes was able to capture the same comedic sensibility as Ritchie’s other films because of the playful back-and-forth between Holmes and his dutiful best friend, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law). While not a traditional war film, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows picks up at the end of the 19th century, where the evil Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) plans to initiate a conspiracy that will initiate a global conflict.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a much bigger, sillier, and more-action packed film than its predecessor, and Ritchie is the rare director where the indulgence is part of the charm. The gags involving Holmes’ comedy require a level of craftsmanship and staging that is reminiscent of the work of Charlie Chaplin, which may not be a coincidence when considering that Downey played the beloved silent movie star in an Oscar-nominated performance in the biopic Chaplin. While Downey and Law continue to have great chemistry, the film’s scene-stealer is Harris, who makes for one of the best cinematic depictions of Moriarty. It made sense to include the most iconic villain in the second film, similar to the Joker (Heath Ledger) in The Dark Knight or Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) in Star Trek Into Darkness, and Harris makes for a fitting genius who rivals Holmes. The only disappointment is that, 15 years later, Sherlock Holmes 3 has yet to materialize. While Downey’s busy schedule might be to blame, it’s unfortunate that the third installment in the series hasn’t been made, given that Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was one of the biggest hits of 2011.

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‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a complete blast that offers a perfect blend of nostalgia and style, and it came at the perfect time for the genre. Although there is brilliance in the way that the James Bond and Mission: Impossible films have adjusted to modern times by using updated technology, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a throwback to ‘60s spy stories that uses the height of the Cold War as a great setting for adventure. The cutaways, splitscreens, montages, and music cues are lifted straight from the decade, and the old-fashioned cheekiness is self-aware without being obnoxious. Even when looking beyond Ritchie’s typical flourishes for action, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. features great sets, costumes, and makeup choices that encapsulate the older era.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is Ritchie’s most straightforward buddy comedy, and it features what is easily the greatest performance that Cavill has ever given. It’s ironic that Cavill was cast to play a brooding, somber version of Superman when The Man From U.N.C.L.E. shows how effortlessly charming he can be; although he famously got close to playing James Bond, the character of Napoleon Solo is the next best thing. While it’s unfortunate to reflect on how The Man From U.N.C.L.E. did not start a franchise, despite obviously gearing up for one, it remains a hidden gem that will hopefully grow a cult audience.