Kim Zolciak has temporarily lost physical custody of her kids with ex Kroy Biermann amid their messy divorce battle.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, a Georgia judge ruled that Biermann, 40, would have primary physical custody of their kids K.J., 14, Kash, 13, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12. (Zolciak, 47, is also the mom of daughters Brielle, 29, whom Biermann legally adopted in 2013, and Ariana, 24, whom she shares with ex-husband Daniel Toce.)

The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum will have limited parenting time with her four minor children every other weekend, the outlet noted.

Per the judge’s order, Zolciak and Biermann will reportedly continue to share joint legal custody of the kids, while Biermann will have final say on educational, non-emergency medical and religious decisions.

“The senior judge’s decision from April 29 is temporary until we return to court as soon as possible when we will have the opportunity for a full hearing,” Zolciak told Us in a statement. “The new order was the result of an alleged emergency motion filed by Kroy to ensure the matter was heard by a senior judge instead of our duly elected assigned judge, who has never granted Kroy an immediate hearing despite him filing three separate (false) motions against me.”

She continued, “The decision rendered by the senior judge was largely the result of a flawed investigation by a guardian ad litem who has not spoken to me in over a year (until a brief call with me and my attorney on April 28), or my boys since April of 2025 aside from a brief 15 minute meeting in July of 2025. While I want this process to be over for my children more than anything, I am looking forward to a full court date when we will finally be provided with an opportunity to present the truth.”

Related: Kim Zolciak’s Ex Kroy Demands Sole Custody, Accuses Her of Psychological Abuse

Kim Zolciak’s estranged husband, Kroy Biermann, accused the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star of “psychological” abuse of their children in his plea for sole custody, Us Weekly can report. A rep for Zolciak adamantly denied the claims. On Friday, August 15, Biermann, 39, filed court documents in his ongoing divorce from Zolciak, 47. The […]

Advertisement

TMZ was first to report the news.

In April, Biermann filed an emergency motion accusing his ex of neglect and claiming that she is “more selfishly concerned with her own image and her work options” than their kids. He also alleged that Zolciak is “unstable and unfit” to parent and requested an emergency hearing to change custody.

Zolciak and Biermann have been entangled in a messy legal battle since the Bravolebrity filed for divorce in May 2023. Though the pair briefly reconciled a few months later, the divorce was back on by August 2023.

In late March, Biermann requested sole custody of their minor children after the pair had previously agreed to a joint custody arrangement, according to court docs obtained by Us at the time. He claimed that Zolciak had exhibited “blatant mismanagement of basic parenting responsibilities would be practically unbelievable to anyone not familiar with the circumstances.”

Related: Kim Zolciak Accuses Ex Kroy Biermann of Stalking, Requests Jail Time

Kim Zolciak accused her estranged husband, Kroy Biermann, of stalking another person’s home she was at and demanded he be thrown in jail for contempt, Us Weekly can exclusively report. Zolciak, 47, filed court documents in their never-ending divorce battle on August 15. In the heavily redacted filing, the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star […]

In response to the filing, Zolciak told Us, “These accusations are completely false and nothing more than a deliberate attempt by Kroy to defame my character. I spent five weeks away working on two TV shows to support my family and make sure my children are cared for — something I will never apologize for. I refuse to be bullied or have lies twisted into a narrative about who I am. I will not stay silent; the truth is on my side, and it will come to light — no matter how hard anyone tries to bury it.”

A judge ultimately approved a temporary parenting plan where the kids would remain in Biermann’s physical custody until Zolciak completed four sessions of parent therapy no earlier than April 13. After she completed the sessions, the exes would “resume operation under the existing court-ordered parenting plan, which otherwise remains in full force and effect until further agreement and/or modification by this court.”

Zolciak clarified via Instagram on April 3 that she had “not lost custody of my children, nor has there been any modification to the custody arrangement.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: RHOA’s Kim Zolciak Is Seeking Full Custody of Her, Kroy Biermann’s 4 Kids

Kim Zolciak-Biermann finally responded to Kroy Biermann’s August custody filing — and she does not agree with his requests. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, 45, filed court documents on Monday, October 16, asking that she be granted primary physical custody of her and Biermann’s four minor children. She is also seeking joint legal custody […]

“I signed a temporary custody order at the end of January. The order clearly states that both the mother and father are to participate in two counseling sessions per month for two months, followed by one session per month thereafter. I was out of the country from February 26 through March 28 due to contractual filming obligations on two separate productions,” she wrote.

Zolciak continued, “During that time, I did not have a single day off, making it impossible to attend the required counseling sessions. Kroy as of today (I had KJ and Kash up until 5pm today) currently has the children for spring break, which is his designated parenting time under the existing agreement. I am scheduled to resume my parenting time when the children return on Friday. My counseling sessions are scheduled and will be completed next week.”

The mom of six concluded, “For the avoidance of any doubt, I have not lost custody of my children, nor has there been any modification to the custody arrangement outside the agreed upon temporary order.”

By Robert Scucci
| Published 59 seconds ago

Jennifer Lawrence chose 2023 to try to make the jump into comedy with her extremely R-rated comedy, No Hard Feelings. Her timing was off; adult comedy hadn’t yet made a comeback, and the movie was a massive flop.

Three years later, No Hard Feelings is finally getting the attention it deserves. The R-Rated comedy is among the top 10 most-watched movies on HBO Max in the United States, ready and waiting for you to stream. I hit play, and can confirm it’s worth a watch.

More Than Just A Raunch-Com

I’d heard great things and decided to give it a go because it fell into the right genre. Previously, I’ve only really seen Lawrence perform in comedy-adjacent dramatic roles like American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook. I knew she was funny when she made appearances on talk shows, but I didn’t know she had it in her to be so off-the-wall as in this movie.

Despite its raunchy reputation, there’s more here than you’d expect. I’ll definitely be recommending No Hard Feelings to my wife because I also need a break from the bender that she’s currently on, which involves a gratuitous amount of Gilmore Girls and Grey’s Anatomy.

A Refreshing Romantic Comedy

No Hard Feelings is a by-the-numbers romantic comedy, but a refreshing one because it has a female protagonist. More often than not, the questionable behavior (stalking) acted out in this type of movie is carried out by a guy who’s trying to get a girl to like him. What’s more, its R rating opens the door to some pretty raunchy sequences, which elevate the humor because the 12-year-old in me still finds an inappropriate amount of cursing in this context hilarious.

As one would expect, the plot to No Hard Feelings leaves very little room for interpretation because you’re just supposed to enjoy its slapstick humor. Jennifer Lawrence‘s Maddie Barker is a down-on-her-luck bartender and Uber driver who finds herself in a bind after her car gets repossessed because she hasn’t been paying the property taxes on the house she inherited from her deceased mother.

Facing bankruptcy, she finds two helicopter parents (portrayed by Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) on Craigslist who are willing to part ways with a Buick Regal if she can get their shy and awkward son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), out of his shell before shipping off to Princeton University.

Desperate for money and a stroke of good luck, Maddie wastes no time trying to seduce Percy because she’s in it to win it in No Hard Feelings. Things get off to a rough start when Maddy, who’s 32 years old, tries to kidnap 19-year-old Percy from his job at the animal shelter, which results in her getting maced by the naive teenager.

Their developing romance, which Percy doesn’t know is a setup, continues to be problematic because Maddie is jaded from past failed relationships, and Percy is so innocent for his age that he doesn’t pick up on Maddie’s various attempts at seduction.

No Hard Feelings Is Surprisingly Wholesome, But Doesn’t Play It Safe

After its initial setup, No Hard Feelings becomes surprisingly wholesome because Maddie and Percy unwittingly provide each other with emotional support that they both so desperately need. Percy becomes more confident because an older woman with poor impulse control is giving him the time of day, and Maddie is surprised to find out that Percy is a really good listener who genuinely cares about her well-being.

That said, whatever wholesome moments happen in this film are immediately offset by nude fist fights at the beach, high-speed car chases, catfights at college parties, and Percy consuming way too much alcohol at inopportune moments.

No Hard Feelings is a feel-good, foul-mouthed, and refreshing romantic comedy that has a similar sense of humor to films like There’s Something About Mary and Superbad. If you’re looking for a solid popcorn movie that you don’t have to take seriously, I strongly recommend this title if you’re on the fence about romantic comedies that typically play it safe.

If you want to see Jennifer Lawrence in top form, you can stream No Hard Feelings on HBO Max right now.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family is speaking out as details from court filings continue to surface. As the case against D4vd unfolds, the latest details are not only drawing public attention but also deepening the emotional toll on those closest to her.

RELATED: 2024 Child Neglect Probe Into Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Parents Resurfaces Amid D4vd Murder Case (REPORT)

Celeste’s Family Reacts To Disturbing New Court Allegations

In response to newly filed documents, Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family says they are shocked by the latest claims. Additionally, their attorney shared that the continued release of details has been painful for them.

New photo of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’ Family, lawyer says they are “shocked by the new allegations”…💔 pic.twitter.com/nMtyJcxKwR

— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) April 30, 2026

The lawyer added that the family is trying to navigate their grief while maintaining their day-to-day responsibilities. So moving forward, they will not be making direct public statements, choosing instead to have their legal representative speak on their behalf.

“In light of the gruesome details emerging almost daily, the family has decided not to make any statements now or in the future. There are no words to express the indescribable pain the family is experiencing right now. They still have bills to pay and jobs they go to every day. All they want is time to grieve and heal. Please grant the Rivas Hernandez family grace and compassion,” shared the family lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld.

What Timeline Details Sparked The Family’s Response?

RELATED: D4vd: Prosecutors’ Timeline Reveals $1,000 Bribe, Chainsaws & Alleged Cover-Up Texts In Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case

North West continues to be a trending topic as she makes her mark in the music industry. From fly fashion to lit music, she has carved out her own lane while following in the footsteps of her famous parents, Ye West and Kim Kardashian. 

RELATED: Too Much? Social Media Shares Mixed Reactions As North West Shows Off More Apparent Hand Piercings (PHOTO)

North West Releases The Music Video For Her New EP  ‘N0rth4evr’

Ahead of her upcoming EP, North West dropped a visual for her track, ‘N0RTH4EVR.’ The song features a metal-rock beat, and the music video takes place in a graveyard. In the visual, North rocks an edgy emo-inspired look with blue bundles and studded accessories. She sings along as spiders, headstones, and a gloomy sky appear throughout the background. North West even shared some behind-the-scenes clips of her look and time on set via TikTok. Many supporters quickly took to social media to share their reactions. While some called her look iconic, others felt the gravesite setting was a bit disturbing.

North West Responds To Questions About Her Faith During Live 

Afterward, North West hopped on live to answer questions from supporters. Fans asked about her favorite music genres, potential future collaborations, interests, and more. While reading the comments, North came across a question asking if she loves Jesus. She quickly responded:

“Of course I love Jesus. That’s my Lord and Savior,” North said. Adding, “People be thinking I’m dark and stuff, but I’m really not.”

North West has since officially released her first-ever EP, ‘N0RTH4EVR,’ featuring beats she created on her own. The six-track project includes: ‘H0w Sh0uld ! F33l’, ‘D!e’, ‘#N0rth4evr’ and more. 

Social Media Reacts

Instagram user @prxttymfk wrote, “She gonna be hard 😂 🔥 just watch she already super creative! “

Instagram user @astoldbynayyy added, “Too satanic, do it over wit hello kitty or sumn”

While Instagram user memethread7537 wrote, “Your mom is Kim Kardashian and you want to be Avril Lavigne???”

Instagram user @liamprettyb wrote, “I love that she has her OWN style

Instagram user @jream.doll added, “She catching her beats, eventually she gone start rapping like her dad”

While Instagram user @theywantnad wrote. “Yall know her dad Kanye he don’t play that devil stuff he had her in church before she could walk! Kanye loves God out loud!”

Instagram user @brownskin__prettyface  wrote,”Just a girl in her emo phase 😍”

Instagram user @rollinwit_alexis added, “being alt doesn’t mean you believe in the devil. it’s 2026! stop with that narrative”

While Instagram user @ayobraia wrote, “It’s a teenage punk phase just let her be, plus she’s a KID and y’all too damn old to even be speaking on her.”

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

Meghan Markle‘s strained relationship with members of the Royal Family has been a topic of discussion for years. While members of the monarchy have denied Markle’s earlier claims of alleged mistreatment, a new source says that Markle’s sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, was never particularly fond of her. The revelation comes after royal experts revealed new information about how Markle’s latest social media posts may have complicated her husband’s return to the royal fold.

Royal reporter Omid Scobie has a new book coming out called “Endgame.” In the publication, the author discusses the origins of the alleged strained relationship between Markle and Middleton.

Scobie, who has been reporting about the royal family for 10 years, said Markle initially struggled with life as a royal. The actress is said to have hoped to build a close bond with Middleton, especially given their similar backgrounds as commoners.

Despite Markle’s wishes, Middleton allegedly never saw it for the “General Hospital” actor. In fact, the Princess of Wales allegedly gave Markle the cold shoulder. “They were once both outsiders, middle-class women brought into the house of Windsor for unimaginably different lives. Kate, however, was uninterested in forming this kind of bond with Meghan,” Scobie wrote.

Kate Middleton Allegedly Spent Much Of Her Free Time Speaking Poorly About Meghan Markle

Scobie spoke with several sources for his book, including one who alleged that Middleton tends to be more reserved around newcomers and that she “wasn’t a fan” of Markle from the very beginning.

Instead of spending time with Markle, showing her the ropes, a source told Scobie that Middleton usually “spent more time talking about Meghan than talking to her.”

The reported tension between the pair affected those around them, too, said another insider, who claimed Middleton’s bond with Prince Harry had shifted drastically. “She was closest to Harry, and she will always look back fondling on those moments…and the relationship he had with their children,” said the insider. “But to her, there is no way she could ever trust them after all their interviews.”

Meghan Markle Claimed Kate Middleton Made Her Cry During A 2021 Interview With Oprah

Speaking of interviews, Markle and Prince Harry shook the table when they appeared alongside Oprah in a 2021 special titled “Oprah with Meghan and Harry.”

During the production, Markle addressed the claims that she had made Middleton cry during a previous encounter. According to Markle, the media got the story completely wrong.

“The reverse happened,” she said. “And I don’t say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something. But she owned it, and she apologized and she brought me flowers and a note apologizing.”

While Markle didn’t get into specifics of the alleged encounter, the actor-turned-royal said she opposed the story becoming front-page news.

Markle also asked the public to stop speculating about the status of their relationship, calling Middleton a “good person.”

“If you love me, you don’t have to hate her. And if you love her, you don’t have to hate me,” Markle said.

Markle Reportedly Caused Waves After Sharing Shady Social Media Posts

The news about the history of Middleton and Markle’s relationship comes days after sources said the latter stirred up trouble with the royals.

According to The Blast, Markle allegedly shared images on Instagram that suggested the hardest seven-year period for Taurus and other zodiac signs was coming to an end.

Royal experts found the posts concerning, noting that she married into the royal family exactly seven years ago.

The commentators further implied that Markle’s post could come across as disrespectful, given the status her royal role has given her.

“She got to be the TV lifestyle host she always dreamt of. She released a book. She got a reality TV show and a Netflix deal. She had multiple magazine covers,” they said.

Will Markle’s Post Disrupt Prince Harry’s Plans To Get Back Into The Royal Fold?

The alleged subtle dig could cause problems for Prince Harry, who is reportedly working to mend his strained relationships with his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles.

Just days before that, Prince Harry had a firm response for a reporter who asked the public figure whether he was bothered by people assuming that he was no longer a working royal.

“No. I will always be part of the royal family,” the father of two said. “I am here working doing the things that I was born to do.”

He added, “I enjoy coming to do these trips and supporting that I’ve ever before, the friends that I’ve made, and hopefully, bringing attention to issues that, for one reason or another, drop out of the news because something else has popped up.”

Mama June Shannon is turning heads once again, this time with a glamorous red carpet moment that has fans talking. The “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” star made a rare appearance at the AMC Networks 2026 Upfront in New York, where she stepped out in a shimmering sleeveless gown that highlighted her noticeably slimmer figure.

At 46, Mama June appeared confident and polished, pairing the look with black shoes and bold accessories, including a chunky bracelet and multiple rings. Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, drawing attention to her face, while her makeup featured soft tones and a glossy dark pink lip.

Mama June’s transformation has been years in the making. At one point, she weighed over 500 pounds before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2015, which helped her drop to around 150 pounds. However, she has been open about her weight fluctuating over the years due to ongoing struggles, making her latest appearance one of her most striking yet.

An Unexpected Hysterectomy Led To A Cancer Scare

The red carpet moment comes shortly after Mama June revealed a serious health scare. “I had a total hysterectomy unexpectedly last year, last April. It was not expected,” she shared, explaining that doctors discovered fibroid cysts that later developed into more concerning issues, which led her to fear the worst.

“It was a scare for me because I did have some fibroid cysts that went to separate cysts, and we had a little scare,” she said. “Me, in my mind, going through what Anna went through, I was worried it was going to be ovarian cancer. I even told the [other] kids that. I was in my head for a long time.”

Mama June Says ‘Some Days Are A Struggle’ As She Continues Facing Ongoing Health Issues

While the worst-case scenario was avoided, Mama June admitted she’s still dealing with lingering health issues. “Some days are a struggle for me, but it’s nothing like [cancer],” she said. “I tell people, ‘We know it’s not ever gonna kill me, but it could immobilize me.’”

She also revealed that there are additional medical concerns she hasn’t publicly shared yet as she continues working with doctors on treatment.

In a surprising twist, Mama June recalled being hospitalized just hours after a psychic warned her about potential health issues during her daughter Jessica Shannon’s bachelorette party. The psychic reportedly told her she was under extreme stress and “may have a heart attack,” prompting concern.

Later that same day, she experienced severe pain, leading her husband, Justin Stroud, to insist she go to the hospital. Doctors later determined that ovarian cysts were the cause of her symptoms.

Mama June Celebrates Sobriety Milestone While Navigating Family Changes After Daughter’s Death

Amid her health challenges, Mama June also reflected on her personal growth, sharing that she’s now over five years sober. “I’d say I’m five and a half straight, sober,” she said. “No cigarettes, no alcohol, no nothing. You know, I don’t even think about who that person was.”

She’s also navigating major life changes at home, including gaining custody of her granddaughter following the death of her daughter, Anna Cardwell, in 2023 after a battle with cancer. The transition, she admitted, has been an adjustment, especially within her marriage, but it’s one she’s committed to handling as she continues moving forward.

Mama June’s Transformation Comes As Pumpkin Gets Candid In New Interview

Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon is also making headlines, just days before Mama June Shannon stepped out with her latest transformation. Pumpkin recently appeared on “The SDR Show,” delivering one of her most unfiltered interviews yet. During the conversation, she opened up about everything from growing up in the public eye to her OnlyFans career, relationships, and her complicated dynamic with her mom.

One of the biggest talking points from the episode centered around her decision to join OnlyFans, where she addressed misconceptions and how it’s impacted her financially. But what really caught attention were the boundaries she revealed about her relationship, sharing that her boyfriend has specific “rules” when it comes to the content she posts, offering a rare glimpse into how they navigate a situation many couples wouldn’t consider.

Met Gala 2026 is almost here, and as always, the biggest question isn’t just what everyone will wear … it’s who will actually show up. Fashion’s most exclusive night typically hosts around 450 guests, and while the full list is tightly under wraps, several major names have already been confirmed, starting with this year’s powerhouse co-chairs.

Leading the night are Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, a lineup that already guarantees major star power on the carpet. Beyond the co-chairs, the Met Gala’s host committee is stacked with celebrities, designers, and cultural icons, all expected to walk the red carpet.

Notable names include Doja Cat, Angela Bassett, Teyana Taylor, Sabrina Carpenter, Zoë Kravitz, Sam Smith, LISA, and Lena Dunham. Also making appearances are high-profile figures like Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, along with artists, models, and creatives across industries.

Rihanna, Zendaya, Kardashians, And More Expected To Attend

While the official guest list remains secret, speculation and past attendance suggest a long list of A-listers will likely hit the carpet. Names fans are already buzzing about include Rihanna, Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Timothée Chalamet, Sydney Sweeney, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga.

Also likely to appear are Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Rosalía, Nick Jonas, and Priyanka Chopra.

Fans tuning into the livestream can expect coverage from familiar faces like Emma Chamberlain, Cara Delevingne, Ashley Graham, and La La Anthony.

Inside The Met Gala’s Strict Seating Rules

Beyond the fashion and star-studded arrivals, the Met Gala is also known for its highly strategic seating chart, and it’s not as simple as sitting with your friends. Attendees are expected to follow the assigned seating, regardless of relationships, meaning even spouses or close friends can be split up for the evening.

“We really try to think very carefully about who’s sitting next to each other,” Eaddy Kiernan, who worked on the seating chart, said. “Our ideal pairing would maybe be two people who we think will just get on like a house on fire, but who may not even realize that they have a lot in common. So with each person, we really do take time to think, ‘What will they talk about?’”

The goal is to spark unexpected conversations and maybe even a few iconic moments long after the red carpet ends.

Met Gala 2026 Theme ‘Costume Art’ Explores Fashion’s Role Across Art History

Following last year’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” the 2026 theme is “Costume Art,” a concept inspired by the role of fashion within art history. According to curator Andrew Bolton, the exhibit will explore “the centrality of the dressed body” across thousands of years of art.

“What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body,” Bolton said. “It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was, this epiphany: I know that we’ve often been seen as the stepchild, but, in fact, the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked. It’s always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.”

The exhibition, which will be on display from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, will also debut a massive new gallery space inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing everything from paintings and sculptures to historical and contemporary fashion pieces. Once the exhibit wraps, the mannequins will be preserved within The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, where they can be used again in future displays.

How To Watch The 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet

If you’re planning to tune in, the Met Gala 2026 red carpet will be livestreamed across Vogue’s digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. The stream kicks off at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Monday, May 4, giving fans a front-row seat to all the arrivals, fashion moments, and surprises.

Hosting this year’s livestream are Ashley Graham, La La Anthony, and Cara Delevingne, while Emma Chamberlain returns as the red carpet correspondent, a role she’s become known for thanks to her candid celebrity interviews and viral moments.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 1 hour ago

The “Brenassaince” is upon us, with Brendan Fraser’s biggest hit, The Mummy, somehow reaching the top 10 on HBO Max. FlixPatrol has the exact numbers, which show the classic action-adventure film as the fifth most-watched movie on the Warner Bros. streaming platform. Also starring Rachel Weisz and Arnold Vosloo, the 1999 blockbuster has stood the test of time.

After making a name for himself in comedies, including Encino Man and Airheads, Brendan Fraser was given the chance to be the dashing leading man in a big-budget action film. The Mummy is a reboot of the classic Universal monster movie from 1932, with Fraser as Rick O’Connell, a legionnaire who stumbles across Hamunaptra, the Egyptian City of the Dead. Weisz plays librarian Evelyn Carnahan, the reincarnation of Imhotep’s forbidden love, the reason he was cursed to live forever as an undead mummy.

Through the 1980s, Universal Pictures had wanted to remake The Mummy, which came closest with zombie maestro George Romero at the helm. At one point, Clive Barker was also attached to the project, but by 1996, the remake was scrapped. With Stephen Sommers in the director’s chair, a pulp remake moved forward, originally offering Tom Cruise the lead instead of Brendan Fraser, which is ironic now, given the failure of Tom Cruise’s own The Mummy film in 2017.

Fresh off the box-office success of George of the Jungle, Brendan Fraser was cast because he understood that the character of Rick did not take himself too seriously, leaning into the pulp-action feel of The Mummy. Audiences responded to Fraser’s take on the character, propelling The Mummy to the best non-holiday May opening and the ninth-best opening of all time. A total worldwide box office of over $400 million made it a simple matter for Universal Pictures to greenlight a sequel.

The Mummy was also a starting point for another big career. Dwayne Johnson had his first film role in The Mummy Returns as the villainous Scorpion King, making such an impact that he went on to star in a prequel, which then launched its very own action franchise.

Even after two more movies, with diminishing returns, one of Brendan Fraser’s career high-water marks remains The Mummy. No matter what role he plays, Brendan Fraser’s shadow will loom over the film, reflecting the public’s love for his swashbuckling portrayal of Rick.

By Joshua Tyler
| Published 20 seconds ago

Sci-fi master Robert A. Heinlein’s most famous book, Stranger in a Strange Land, is now more than fifty years old.  It is so impactful that it inspired Elon Musk’s AI, Grok, named after a word invented for Heinlein’s book. And yet, despite its fame and high quality, Stranger in a Strange Land isn’t his best book, and it’s not his easiest read.

Unfortunately, because Stranger in a Strange Land had such an impact on culture, now anyone looking to explore Heinlein’s work usually starts by reading it. After finishing, those same readers often never pick up anything else he’s done.

Stranger in a Strange Land is a great book, but also narratively unsound, filled with wild ideas that may scare people away, and less of a story than most readers may be used to. For people new to Heinlein, having them start by reading Stranger in a Strange Land is a great way to make sure they’ll never read anything else he’s written.

I’ve been reading Heinlein books since I was far too young to actually be reading Heinlein, and he is, without question, my favorite author. I’m going to fix this problem by recommending other Heinlein books that are not only completely different but infinitely better as a way for new readers to gain entry into Heinlein’s world. Most of these come from earlier in his writing career, before he wrote Stranger. After it, Heinlein kept writing more books like, well, Stranger.

If you really want to read, enjoy, and understand the man once called The Dean of Science Fiction, start reading Robert A. Heinlein with these 5 books instead.

The Star Beast | written by Heinlein in 1954

The Star Best was written by Heinlein as a novel for young adults, but it works well enough that older adults can enjoy it too. This was my first introduction to Robert A. Heinlein at an early age, and if you’re looking for an easy window into his worlds, this might be the book for you.

The Star Beast is the story of a boy named John Thomas who has a pet alien, brought into his family by a spacefaring ancestor. The pet, on the other hand, thinks it’s the one keeping humans. As it grows to adulthood (and reaches a prodigious size), John learns his pet is not just some puppy but an intelligent creature from a powerful race of spacefaring aliens, who want him back.

Tunnel in the Sky | written by Heinlein in 1955

Tunnel in the Sky is much like Heinlein’s Lord of the Flies. A group of students is sent to an alien planet to practice their survival skills. They’re only supposed to be there for ten days, but no one ever comes to pick them up.

They band together to form a community, and the book follows one student who eventually becomes their leader, helping them all survive in a harsh and deadly environment. Years pass as things go from bad to worse when they discover a species of viciously deadly aliens threatening to wipe them all out.

Starship Troopers | written by Heinlein in 1959

This 1959 Hugo Award winner is the book that the Paul Verhoeven movie from the 1990s is based on, in theory. In practice, Starship Troopers, the book, has so very little in common with the film they made out of it, it’s almost a completely different thing.

Starship Troopers is hard-edged, military science fiction about a young soldier named Johnny Rico, thrust into the midst of a war with an alien race of bugs. He’s a member of the mobile infantry, ground troopers who fight in power armor.

In addition to telling a great war story, Starship Troopers contains many relevant political and military themes. Using Rico, Heinlein examines a range of social ills while still telling a great science fiction tale.

The Door into Summer | written by Heinlein in 1957

The Door into Summer is the story of an independent-thinking engineer and inventor (Heinlein’s favorite type of character) named Dan Boone, who builds a robotics company, only to be betrayed by his partners and stuck in cold sleep. He wakes up decades later and tries to rebuild his life in a strange future. Along the way, Dan rises and falls again, ends up at a nudist colony, before eventually giving up and going back into cold sleep again.

It’s a complex story about innovation, invention, and corporate intrigue. The Door into Summer handles some of Heinlein’s pet topics, tackling issues of sexual freedom with lots of time travel. It does all of that while still telling a great story. For me, this is Heinlein at his best, but you may not want to tackle this one until you’ve fortified yourself with some of his simpler works first.

Farnham’s Freehold | written by Heinlein in 1965

Farnham is the Cold War era tale of a family hiding inside a bomb shelter when nuclear war breaks out. It’s brilliant, particularly early on, as Heinlein describes his little group of people, huddled inside their shelter while the world shakes around them.

Eventually, they leave the bomb shelter to discover they’ve somehow been transported somewhere else. Alone in a hostile environment without any of the technology they’re used to, the group tries to form a community and survive, only to discover a place where white men are slaves, and the world they knew is buried and gone forever.

Some groups view this book as controversial, claiming they see racist themes hidden within it. Whether that’s the case, I’ll leave for you to judge. Just keep in mind, while you read Farnham’s Freehold, the time period in which it was written. Context is king.

The Great Robert A. Heinlein Books You Should Read Next

• Have Space Suit Will Travel
• The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
• Red Planet
• The Puppet Masters
• Starman Jones