Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were among the many famous faces at the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

While the heated match played on, leaving viewers at the edge of their seats, the lovebirds were in a world of their own, unable to get their hands off each other.

However, the romantic display didn’t sit well with fans who thought it was inappropriate, given the major loss Jenner’s family recently suffered with the death of their grandmother.

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Although soccer powerhouse Messi was on the field, with the likes of President Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Tom Cruise present at the MetLife Stadium, Jenner and Chalamet stole all the attention.

The couple was caught engaging in a steamy PDA session while in the VIP section, making a date night out of the sports event. A viral clip from the match saw them stopping to share a sweet kiss as they chatted playfully throughout.

For the event, Jenner stunned in a semi-casual outfit comprising capri pants and a long-sleeved top with a plunging neckline that flaunted her cleavage.

She paired the ensemble with low slipper heels and sunglasses she wore throughout the game. The “Dune” actor, on the other hand, looked sporty with a blue Adidas sweatshirt paired with sweatpants and white footwear.

Fans Bash Kylie Jenner For Not ‘Mourning’ Appropriately

Online users wasted no time sharing their thoughts on Jenner and Chalamet’s steamy moment, with many pointing out the appearance comes just days after she lost her beloved grandmother.

“Didn’t her grandmother just die? Guess the cameras are more important,” one fan blatantly slammed.

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“A little too happy knowing her grandma just left the map,” another harsh critic wrote on X. This user questioned, “Isn’t she supposed to be in mourning?” while another urged the reality star, “Go home and mourn your grandma.”

Others found a problem with the loved-up display at a sporting event, something Jenner and Chalamet are no strangers to. “Why the f-ck do they kiss every time when there is a camera… nobody cares who you are,” one comment read.

Timothee Chalamet Had A Special Role At The World Cup

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Although the PDA was the talking point for fans, it wasn’t the only highlight of the pair’s appearance in New Jersey for the final.

Earlier, Chalamet was seemingly honored for being a major sports fan by having a special role leading up to the game, per Fox Sports.

The “Marty Supreme” star delivered the ball for the match ball, walking majestically from the tunnel to place it on a stand to cheers from the crowd. It was no doubt a big moment for Chalamet, who supported France at the semifinals.

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Kylie Jenner’s Grandmother MJ Dies At 91

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The “Life of Kylie” star’s World Cup outing came days after her grandmother Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s passing at 91.

Momager, Kris Jenner, announced the heartbreaking news of MJ’s death on Thursday, July 16, in a poignant social media statement describing her as “the heart of our family.” The heartbroken talent manager praised her mother for teaching her everything that matters in life.

Days after, Kylie broke her silence on her family’s loss, reflecting on her grandmother’s legacy, as reported by The Blast.

The 28-year-old socialite shared a carousel of throwback photos featuring her older sister, Kendall Jenner and the late MJ. In one snap, the siblings donned matching outfits with their grandmother as they struck playful poses.

Kim Kardashian Slammed For Bikini Post After Grandmom’s Death

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Kylie isn’t the only member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan that has faced criticism for their disposition following MJ’s demise.

The SKIMS founder had posted bikini-clad photos from her Fourth of July celebration with her family and friends shortly after the news of the matriarch’s passing broke.

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Fans wasted no time pointing out the insensitivity of the upload, with one writing, “Didn’t your grandmother just pass? This couldn’t wait [until] the weekend?”

However, according to The Blast, Kim was quick to respond to the criticism, giving a clear explanation for the timing of the post.

She explained that the IG post was prescheduled days before the devastating loss. “I’ve been by my mom and grandma’s side this past week, and my heart is completely with my family right now. We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we’ll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life,” she assured.

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After Parasite put South Korean cinema on the global stage in 2019, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for Korean movies and TV. The Furious came out last month and was labeled the single best action movie since The Raid films. Then, just this month, Human Vapor continued the momentum on the streaming side. The series debuted on Netflix with a phenomenal 91% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its impressive ratings and strong reception, another K-drama has emerged as an even bigger breakout hit, completely overshadowing Human Vapor on the global streaming charts.

The series stars So Ji-sub as Manager Kim, a mild-mannered bank manager and single father who used to be an elite, highly classified covert operative. That is, until a criminal syndicate kidnaps his daughter and drags his old life back to the surface. With no one else capable of bringing her home, Kim is forced to return to the skills he spent years trying to forget. That’s kind of like John Wick meets Taken if you think about it. The major difference is that instead of it being a single film, this one stretches that whole story for ten episodes, and that episode drip-drop is the main reason why it’s still riding the wave at the top.

The series is titled Agent Kim Reactivated. And it is currently the #1 most popular series on Netflix’s global chart for foreign-language titles. And for anyone still chasing the adrenaline rush The Furious delivered earlier this year, Agent Kim Reactivated is the perfect follow-up and should be at the top of their watchlist.

2 Additional Episodes Have Been Confirmed for ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’

Better yet, since the response to the series has been far bigger than anyone expected, following its strong ratings and overwhelming fan reaction, SBS initially decided to extend the show’s run with one special episode. But it appears that even that wasn’t enough. Due to the series’ continued popularity, the network has now added another special, meaning fans will get two additional episodes after the finale. These specials will feature never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, unaired clips from the show, and interviews with the director and stars. The two additional episodes will be released on July 31 and August 1, respectively.

Agent Kim Reactivated was originally planned as a 10-episode series, and it is already nearing the end of its season. The first eight episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix, with the final two episodes scheduled to arrive on July 24 and July 25.

The first eight episodes of Agent Kim Reactivated are currently available to stream on Netflix, with new episodes releasing weekly on Fridays and Saturdays. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

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SBS

Directors

Lee Sung-young

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• 
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  Choi Dae-hoon

  Seong Han-su

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  Yoon Kyung-ho

  Park Jin-cheol

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Low fantasy is a specific subgenre of fantasy that refers to a story in which the real world intersects with monsters or aspects of magic. It’s different from portal fantasy because, instead of featuring a portal to another, more fantastical world, low fantasy seamlessly integrates its more imaginative themes with the banality of everyday life. The whole genre is basically “what if magic actually existed?”

It serves as the antithesis to high fantasy, which is a story that takes place in a completely different world with different rules. Low fantasy is more common amongst younger audiences, but it has still found its appeal among adults, too. Over the years, many low fantasy books have come out, each presenting their daring, unique versions of our world. These are the best low fantasy books of all time, proving that the subgenre has a revered place in pop culture.

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‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (1997)

Image via Thomas Taylor/Scholastic

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone might not be the most well-written or the most inventive low fantasy book ever made, but it still deserves a spot on this list because its legacy is undeniable. This book and its six sequels became a massive cultural phenomenon, spawning a multi-billion dollar franchise. That’s not even scraping the surface of the endless supply of official merchandise. Things like this simply don’t happen unless you’re doing something right.

The story, as many already know, is about Harry, an orphaned British boy who discovers he is a wizard. He travels to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to use his talents, discovering an entire magical world hidden away from non-magical folk. While the writing itself might not be anything outstanding, its success likely stems from the fact that it’s just a good story. It’s fascinating and has a cast of lovable and memorable characters, and it feels like a childhood dream in book form. What kid didn’t secretly wish they had magic powers? For the simple fact of how massive it was, it earns its spot on this list.

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‘Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution’ (2022)

Image via Harper Voyager

R. F. Kuang has been a massive name in fantasy lately. Some die-hard fans of the genre have turned their noses up at her work, but to casual, less critical readers, she has been a pretty big sensation. Babel is one of her stand-alone novels, which is heavily based on her experience in academia. A post-graduate student and a scholar at heart, Kuang wrote Babel as a sort of deep dive into the dark side of academic institutions.

The story is set in the 1830s and focuses on a fictitious college at Oxford that specializes in capturing magical silver bars, which this version of the British Empire uses as fuel. To give these bars power, the college, nicknamed “Babel,” translates ancient texts to find things that have been lost in translation. With Britain on the brink of war, four new students must decide where their loyalties lie: with the university and the empire, or with the countries that will be affected by this war? A critique of British imperialism and academia’s complacence in it, this book has some important things to say on top of telling a good story, which is why critics loved it so much.

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‘The Lightning Thief’ (2005)

Image via Puffin

The Lightning Thief is the first book in Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which became extremely popular among young adult audiences. Two of the books received (admittedly, terrible) film adaptations, and the series is currently in the middle of a TV adaptation on Disney+. The series is largely focused on Greek myth, with the main character, Percy, being the son of Poseidon, which causes him to be sent to Camp Half-blood, a secluded training camp where other demigods learn to exist in the hidden world of Greek mythology.

In this first installment, Percy takes on a divine quest to recover Zeus’ lightning bolt, which has been stolen. Along the way, Percy comes face-to-face with a bunch of mythological monsters and figures, including Medusa, Ares, and a minotaur. The books still have a massive dedicated fanbase amongst both kids and adults, mainly because they’re good, wholesome adventures that fuse the modern world with the mythology of Ancient Greece, making for a quite fascinating universe. Again, it might not be the best-written low fantasy book of all time, but its cultural impact means it definitely deserves to be included here.

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‘Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror’ (2023)

Image via Sentinel Creatives

Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is a fantasy book that has unfortunately been forgotten, flying under the radar to the point that it’s considered pretty obscure. Part horror and part fantasy, the series is set in Jerusalem during the Crusades, with the protagonist being a Teutonic knight. After spending seven years fighting in the brutal conflict, he tries to return home, only to be stopped by demons and djinn from Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions.

This book isn’t just a dark and fascinating story; it’s also a heavy criticism of the Crusades and how destructive and horrific they actually were. It depicts the Holy Land as being turned into a demonic hellscape, which is a pretty scathing metaphor for how the Knights Templar decimated the region. Yet, it does a very good job with what it has, making for an interesting, depressing, and unnerving story that needs to be read to be believed.

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‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ (2004)

Image via Bloomsbury

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is set during an alternate version of the Napoleonic Wars, which occurred at the turn of the 19th Century. In this version of history, magic is a very real and established force that everybody is aware of. The problem is, it’s still seen as a taboo subject, and it is rarely practiced. Those who do practice it are seen as eccentric, and are given a wide berth by society. The two titular characters are two magicians who have vastly different approaches to their craft: one is more experimental and risky, while the other is more cautious and treats it like an exact science.

This book also received an adaptation in the form of a 2015 miniseries, though it remains highly underrated. The book itself has been a critical smash-hit, with many praising the way it speaks about English cultural intricacies, especially during that time period. On top of that, it’s a stand-alone novel, meaning it doesn’t take a massive amount of commitment to a series. It’s one of the quintessential low fantasy novels, and one that has become a favourite amongst fantasy fans.

5

‘The Magicians’ (2009)

Image via Penguin Books

The Magicians is another book that actually received a television adaptation, which ran from 2015 until 2020. The show actually got a proper conclusion, too, which is more than can be said for a lot of TV shows these days. This is the first book in the series, which has captivated millions of readers and become pretty popular.

The story is about a student who goes to study magic at a prestigious university, only to discover that the world from his favourite childhood storybook is very real, and that it is in a spot of peril. Now, he must learn to use magic and figure out how to save this hidden, fantastical world. The Magicians became a hit low fantasy book amongst adults, and spawned numerous sequels. It’s a textbook example of the genre, and one of the finest novels it has to offer.

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‘Between Two Fires’ (2012)

Image via Ace

Between Two Fires is an ideal book for fans of the Dark Souls series of role-playing video games. This stand-alone novel is set in France during the 13th Century, when the Bubonic Plague was decimating Europe. As if that weren’t enough, the Hundred Years’ War is also raging, making it a pretty miserable time to be alive. During this tumultuous period of history, a knight named Thomas saves a little girl from a fate worse than death, promising to see her to safety.

The fantasy aspect comes from the fact that Europe isn’t just a battleground for the armies of humanity, but for the armies of Hell, too. Demons roam the devastated countryside, and Thomas must navigate past them in order to see the young girl to safety. It’s a really dark but incredibly well-written book that blends Medieval history with the Biblical concepts that were so prevalent at the time. It’s truly a singular experience that any fans of grimdark fantasy absolutely need to read.

3

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (1964)

Image via Scholastic

Written by acclaimed children’s author Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic morality tale about always doing the right thing. The story is about Charlie, a boy who wins a golden ticket to tour an enormous chocolate factory run by an eccentric chocolatier named Willy Wonka. However, this tour is actually an elaborate ploy by Wonka to choose his successor, with four other children also winning tickets.

The fantasy aspect here comes from Wonka’s apparent magical abilities, along with his non-human employees, the Oompa-Loompas. This book was famously adapted for the screen a few times, with Wonka himself being played by Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet, in that order. This book has stood the test of time because, well, it’s a story about always doing the right thing and not being greedy, which is a message that will never, ever become irrelevant. Its accessibility and universal acclaim make this one of the best low fantasy books ever made.

2

‘Divine Comedy’ (1321)

Image via Barnes & Noble

Divine Comedy is a novel-length trilogy of epic poems written by Florentine poet Dante Alighieri. While the poem was written long before the definitions of high and low fantasy, in hindsight, it absolutely fits the bill. The first poem, Inferno, is by far the most famous, which is about the narrator travelling through the Nine Circles of Hell to save his lost lover. Along the way, he encounters figures from history, terrifying demons, and even Satan himself.

The other two poems, titled Purgatorio and Paradiso, respectively, are more social, religious, and political commentaries, which makes them much more challenging and outdated to read. Still, though, many scholars agree that Divine Comedy is one of the most important texts ever written, a foundational piece that is not only a piece of human history, but that continues to inspire.

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‘Odyssey’ (c. 8th Century BCE)

Image via Page Publications

Like the Divine Comedy, the Odyssey was written way, way before high and low fantasy were even a thing. In fact, this epic poem was written before novels were even a thing. Yet, if you look at the definition of low fantasy, the Odyssey absolutely fits the bill. It’s a story set in the real world that includes aspects of mythology, so it can be seen as one of the earliest examples of the genre. Written by Homer sometime in the 8th Century BCE, the story tells of Odysseus, a hero who returns from the Trojan War, a process that takes 10 years. During this journey, he encounters various beasts and monsters from Ancient Greek myth.

The poem has been adapted many, many times and has just received a film adaptation by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The epic poem is divided into 24 “books,” though these aren’t exactly book-length, and the whole thing is actually only a few hundred pages long. That aside, this is one of the earliest and most legendary examples of low fantasy, as well as one of the most historically important texts ever created, so it definitely deserves to be called the best low fantasy book of all time.

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The Odyssey

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Release Date

July 17, 2026

Runtime

172 Minutes

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NFL player Dalton Risner and wife, Whitney, have suffered two pregnancy losses in just a few months.

“At 16 weeks, Dalton and I found out we lost our sweet baby boy. I wish I was writing any other post than this right now, “ Whitney, 28, shared via a joint Instagram post with her husband, 31, on Friday, July 17. “I never imagined our journey to starting a family would begin like this. This is our second loss in just a couple of months.”

Whitney, who married the Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard in June 2022, went on to thank her husband for his support amid the couple’s heartbreak. “More than ever, I’ve realized how important it is who you marry and choose to walk through life with. Life is hard in so many different ways. I truly can’t imagine getting through this without my rock and best friend, @dalton_risner66,” she wrote before discussing how her most recent miscarriage has impacted her.

“This loss has introduced me to a depth of pain and heartbreak that I never knew existed. It feels like I’ve lost so much … our precious baby boy, pieces of myself, and the future I had planned out for the past 4 months,” she wrote. “To everyone who has prayed for us, checked in on us, and loved us through this journey to starting a family, thank you. We are so grateful for your kindness.”

Related: Influencer India Batson Reveals 3rd Pregnancy Loss: ‘Truly Horrific’

Influencer India Batson is opening up about suffering a third pregnancy loss. “My third pregnancy loss 💔,” Batson, 31, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 7. “I can’t believe I’m sharing this news this way. Daniel and I were so excited and honestly shocked to find out I was pregnant the very first cycle I […]

The jewelry designer concluded, “If you’re walking this same painful road, I want you to know that you are not alone.”

During a June interview for The Enquirer‘s “Beyond Sunday” podcast, Whitney talked about a collection she had crafted, titled “The Forever Collection,” in light of her pregnancy losses. “My husband and I experienced pregnancy loss this past season, and I was sitting there thinking about having something to show for it,” she told host Kelsey Conway of the pieces designed with a pear-shaped diamond to represent a mother and a round diamond to represent a child. “You go through this really hard, extensive process of not only losing your baby, but things that follow that you have to go through and grasp. And then you’re kind of left with nothing.”

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Related: Whitney Port Reflects on Miscarriage While Approaching Previous Due Date

Five months after her miscarriage, Whitney Port gave an update on how she’s healing. “Crazy to think I would have had a newborn within this week too,” the Hills alum captioned a Saturday, June 26, Instagram Story photo of herself holding her newborn nephew. “[My sister] Jade [Port] and I got pregnant at the exact […]

The Risners’ social media announcement of their losses also included photos taken from a pregnancy shoot that was intended to reveal Whitney’s most recent pregnancy.

In the snaps, the couple smiled on a beach with their dog as their furry pet licked at a white celebratory cake.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. https://988lifeline.org/

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA borrowed a page from the Super Bowl playbook by introducing its first ever World Cup final halftime show. 

On paper, the combination of Madonna, Justin Bieber, soccer legends, and surprise celebrity appearances promised an unforgettable spectacle. 

Instead, the ambitious production sparked wildly divided reactions, with many viewers questioning whether the historic experiment lived up to the hype as Argentina and Spain battled for the trophy.

Long before Disney built stars through High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Camp Rock, it had a recurring talent pipeline built around young performers who could sing, dance, act, handle comedy sketches, and grow in public. The most famous 1989–1996 generation included Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell, and JC Chasez, but the format dates back to Walt Disney’s original 1955 ABC series, which was previously revived in 1977. It’s now reportedly being revived again, and although it’s just one episode for now, the news is still substantial.

At the same time, the performers being pulled now aren’t exactly mainstream actors. Disney’s new attempt is now arriving in a completely different youth-media market, and most of the performers are being pulled from animated movies, shows, and social media footprints from the likes of YouTube and TikTok. The pilot appears designed to reconnect all those fragmented routes and consolidate their audiences. Three cast members — Hudson Stone, Casey Trotter, and Brooklynn Pitts — are already attached to the upcoming Camp Rock 3, while the group also includes Yonas Kibreab from Elio, Erianthe Akaata from Young Rock, Scarlett London Diviney from The Lion King, and Michael Cash from Black Rabbit.

The project is a new Mickey Mouse Club for Disney+, although, as per a new report, it has only received a pilot order for now. Production begins in Los Angeles this month through Fulwell Entertainment, which is the same company behind Hulu’s The Kardashians. The 11-person group is rounded out with Varonica Mitchell, Kauani, Scarlett Grace Petty, and Carter Barnes.

‘The Mickey Mouse Club’ Was Also Revived on Instagram and Facebook in 2017

Although it was short-lived, the franchise had its most recent substantial screen revival for social media audiences on Facebook and Instagram in 2017. That Club Mickey Mouse had a somewhat similar approach in terms of pulling its young performers, but it was a relatively small-sized outing and starred Sean Oliu, Jenna Z. Alvarez, and Brianna Mazzola, among others.

Disney describes the new concept as a showcase where music, innovation, and self-expression take priority. So it’s probably going to be the 2017 approach but in a bigger packet. Ben Winston, Ashley Edens, Emma Conway, and Dave Piendak are all set to executive produce. And if the pilot advances, it would become the franchise’s first substantial screen revival since the short-lived, social-media-focused Club Mickey Mouse of 2017.

There is no expected release window for The Mickey Mouse Club for now. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

1989 – 1996-00-00

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Network

Disney Channel

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  Chase Hampton

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  Justin Timberlake

  Uncredited

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Another science fiction franchise has once again captured audiences, proving there’s still love for the genre. As fantasy and horror now take over the cinema space — with the release of the live-action Moana, The Odyssey, Obsession, and Backrooms — audiences are using streaming services not only as a palate cleanser, but also to revisit some of the genre’s older yet iconic works.

Recently, a variety of science fiction titles have appeared on various streaming charts. Films like 2025’s The Running Man and Pacific Rim have made a streaming resurgence, while Project Hail Mary continues to dominate the Prime Video charts following its theatrical box office success, as well as the new The Ghost in the Shell anime series. But there’s another sci-fi franchise that’s capturing audiences, so much so that all of its entries have landed on the charts.

Men in Black is a sci-fi action comedy trilogy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as Agents J and K, two agents of the Men in Black organization who investigate criminal cases involving aliens. Recently, all three films landed on Peacock’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, with Men in Black II at #5, Men in Black III at #6, and Men in Black at #10. All three Men in Black entries grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide and led to a stand-alone sequel in 2019, called Men in Black: International, featuring a new cast.

Is the ‘Men in Black’ Trilogy Worth Watching?

Since its release, the Men in Black trilogy has performed well at the box office, but only the first and third films have been praised by fans and critics alike. Men in Black II received a low 38% critics’ score and a 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it “forgettable” and “joyless.” In contrast, audiences debated whether it was underrated or simply unenjoyable. The first Men in Black film earned a high 91% critics’ score and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as comedic, entertaining, and playful. In agreement, audiences called it “rewatchable.” Men In Black 3 was able to redeem itself nearly 10 years later, with a 67% critics’ score and 70% audience score, with critics claiming it was better than the 2002 sequel, that it was close to capturing the spirit of the first movie, and a good summer flick. Audiences said that the third installment brought new life to the franchise and agreed that it was better than the sequel.

The Men in Black trilogy is available to stream on Peacock. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

July 2, 1997

Runtime

98 minutes

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Writers

Ed Solomon, Lowell Cunningham

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Producers

Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes

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Jason Statham is among the most credible action stars around. From features like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels to high-octane franchises like The Fast franchise, The Transporter, The Expendables, to solo adventures like A Working Man, The Mechanic, and more, all are a testament to his immaculate action skills. And when you add a menacing creature to the action spectacle, the mix gets even better.

Among such features is Meg 2: The Trench, a sequel to the iconic The Meg movie that brings him face to face with a prehistoric shark. In the sequel, directed by Ben Wheatley, Statham returns as Jonas Taylor to lead a research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage turns into chaos when a mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Stuck between colossal, prehistoric sharks and environmental plunderers, the group must outrun and outswim their predators. Meg 2 garnered mixed reviews and couldn’t compare commercially with its predecessor, earning $397.8 million worldwide in contrast to The Meg’s $529 million box office haul. But the film polarized the critics and the audience, garnering 27% and 72% Rotten Tomatoes scores, respectively. And fans’ love for the feature is showing.

‘Meg 2: The Trench’ Finds Redemption on Streaming

As is the case with many movies nowadays that do not find their audience in the theaters but are a big hit when they drop on streaming, Meg 2 has found its audience on streaming. Meg 2: The Trench has found a spot on Netflix’s global Top 10 charts, as per FlixPatrol. It stands tall among features like the Spanish drama Desire, Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, Robert Downey Jr.’s Due Date, and Netflix original Heartstopper Forever, among others.

While the movie’s pacing and tonal inconsistencies were heavily criticized, check out Meg 2 for its slick action sequences, Statham’s charismatic performance, and the new prehistoric creatures. The feature has some compelling performances from Wu Jing as Jiuming Zhang, Sophia Cai as Meiying, Cliff Curtis as Mac, Page Kennedy as DJ, Sergio Peris Mencheta as Montes, and Skyler Samuels as Jess. Also rounding off the cast are Melissanthi Mahut as Rigas, Whoopie Van Raam as Curtis, Kiran Sonia Sawar as Sal, Felix Mayr as Lance, and Sienna Guillory as Hilary Driscoll.

Check out Meg 2: The Trench on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.

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Runtime

116 minutes

Writers

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Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber

Producers

Belle Avery, E. Bennett Walsh, Gerald R. Molen, Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam, Randy Greenberg, Cate Adams, Ying Xujun

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Who doesn’t love a good Letterboxd franchise ranking? Taking a look at the average Letterboxd reviews for movie franchises is a ton of fun, given the fact that the social media platform has some of the more accurate general thoughts from fans and audiences alike. Letterboxd isn’t like Rotten Tomatoes, where there are critic reviews, but it is a platform for the people.

When it comes to rating franchises, it doesn’t get more interesting and divisive than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s one of the longest-running franchises in cinema and has one of the largest numbers of films in a movie series. So, there are a lot of movies to rank, and many that are fan favorites for different people. This makes the MCU a specifically difficult one to put against itself, but Letterboxd should be helpful in discovering the consensus among audiences.

20

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.3/5.0

Image via Marvel Studios

After the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman, it was up in the air whether Marvel Studios could continue to produce the Black Panther franchise. Thanks to the ever-beloved director, Ryan Coogler, though, the sequel managed to work out very well. They didn’t recast T’Challa, but rather had him pass in-universe, which incites a phenomenal character arc for his surviving sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright).

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of the most underrated post-Avengers: Endgame MCU films. The character arcs that Shuri, her mother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) go through are extremely well-written. This movie is character-first, and that serves it so well, especially given the fact that this is a huge tribute to Boseman and everything he did for not just the MCU, but cinema as a whole.

19

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (2025)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.3/5.0

Image via Marvel

The Fantastic Four has needed a win in cinema for quite some time. Always seeming to pull the short end of the superhero movie stick, Marvel’s first family, they finally got a huge win in 2025 with the release of Marvel Studios’ first bout with the team, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it’s not some perfect film, no, it’s still super entertaining and keeps the audience on their toes.

Set in the 1960s, with a retro-futuristic backdrop, this movie takes so much inspiration from the classic era of Marvel Comics, and it serves it very well. This movie is so inherently The Fantastic Four in every way, and with that, it found a lot of love from fans and, honestly, people simply hoping the movie would turn out alright. Not to mention, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) totally owns the screen and is the highlight of the film, with a Letterboxd user saying, “invisible woman ALWAYS serves.”

18

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.4/5.0

Image via Marvel Studios

While the consensus of Phase 4 of Marvel Studios’ MCU doesn’t have as good a reputation as the previous three, one film that absolutely stands out is the likes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. A huge thanks goes to Andy Cheng from Jackie Chan‘s stunt team, who brought some amazing martial arts to this movie and gave it some of the greatest fight sequences in a Marvel movie.

“[From] me to marvel — don’t forget that you have Shang-Chi,” is an opinion given by one fan on Letterboxd that is often shared by many, with people hoping that the general performance of Phase 4 MCU doesn’t land Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) in a place like the likes of Moon Knight—being discarded for seemingly the rest of time. Thanks to the fact that Simu Liu has been cast in Avengers: Doomsday, it seems like Marvel Studios understands what they had here… Good.

17

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.4/5.0

Image via Marvel Studios

Captain America: The First Avenger may very well be one of the most underrated Marvel Studios films ever made. Being a period piece, it finds itself being unlike anything found in Phases 1, 2, or 3 (aside from Captain Marvel). It’s a movie about a character that defines what America could and should be, put best by one user: “every unpatriotic cell in my body leaves when I watch this movie.”

While the third act isn’t absolutely perfect, one could argue that the first two are pretty dang close to perfect as one could get. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is easily one of the most well-written characters in the MCU, and it all begins here in his origin film. Captain America: The First Avenger sets the standard for how the character should be brought to life.

16

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.4/5.0

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Spider-Man: Far From Home has plenty of issues with it that many will gladly note—being more of an Avengers: Endgame sequel rather than a Spider-Man: Homecoming one—the movie is still phenomenally entertaining all around. While it struggles in Act Two, Acts One and Three are both genuinely amazing.

Jake Gyllenhaal stands out here as giving one of the best Spider-Man movie performances of all time, solidifying himself as one of the best Spider-Man villains out there. While Spidey fans knew that Mysterio had nefarious things up his sleeve, they didn’t know what exactly it was, and it paid off very well. Hilariously, one Letterboxd user describes the character of Mysterio very well when he said, “Working for Mysterio is what I imagine being friends with a D-List actor is like”. Not to mention, this project features one of the best visual sequences in a modern superhero film as the Wall-Crawler steps up against Mysterio in his “illusion world”.

15

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.4/5.0

Image via Jay Maidment /© Marvel / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

The Deadpool franchise has been beloved by people ever since the first film’s release in 2016, thanks to how little it holds its punches, while still having a plethora of heart and soul at the core. While some have complaints about Deadpool 2, the franchise returned to its former glory in the third film, and the first time the 20th Century Fox characters made an appearance in the MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine. One Letterboxd review reads: “It made me laugh quite a bit, and the emotional aspects were much weightier than I had hoped for.”

It was a bold move making Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) of all characters the first X-Men-related character to be introduced in the MCU. While he’s tagged along by Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in this adventure, it’s safe to say that having it be an R-rated title for the X-Men universe of characters’ first debut was risky. However, it paid off extremely well and even went on to be one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. If that isn’t a testament to its quality, there’s not much that is.

14

‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.5/5.0

Image via Marvel Studios

Doctor Strange is an incredibly underrated superhero origin film, and the people of Letterboxd seem to really recognize that. It’s been pretty forgotten over the years, but the first movie following the Sorcerer Supreme is not bad in the slightest. One Letterboxd user expresses the charm of Doctor Strange in comparison to others when he says, “Doctor Strange is bonkers. It goes to so many weird places.”

That’s right, the world of the Mystic Arts that this movie introduces to the MCU is so funky and unique, which makes what would be seen as a standard and basic origin film into a trippy ride. This flows into the visuals, making Doctor Strange one of the more visually electric MCU movies, as well.

13

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.5/5.0

Image via Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios

In what world does a Spider-Man movie not find itself being successful in one way or another? Not this one, because while there was some anxiety and nervousness surrounding the MCU Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) first solo outing, people ended up loving it (for the most part — looking at you, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).

Iron Man complaints aside, though, Spider-Man: Homecoming finds itself being adored by many — even being a favorite Spider-Man movie for some, with one user saying, “My favorite Spider-Man.” The decision to bring Spider-Man back to high school and keep him there for the entire first trilogy was abundantly smart on Marvel Studios’ part, and the entire charm of it was established first here.

12

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (2017)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.6/5.0

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

One of the most beloved superhero trilogies out there is also one of the most beloved space opera trilogies, too. The second film of said trilogy may not be the best of the trilogy, but there’s no denying that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is still amazing. It has so much heart and soul as it explores the newer corners of the cosmic side of the MCU.

One fan emphasizes one of the best parts of the sequel when they write, “… loved Ego and Peter’s dynamic and story,” in their review of the film. The father-son plot here is one of the beating hearts of the film and serves to be pretty dang relatable to a lot of audience members, keeping this sequel still very adored despite not hitting the same highs as the first and third movies.

11

‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.6/5.0

Image via Marvel Studios

Also considered by many fans as “Avengers 2.5,” Captain America: Civil War brings the MCU together once more, but this time, they’re facing each other (for the most part). Adapting one of the most famous comic book storylines of all time, of the same name, this second Joe Russo and Anthony Russo-directed Marvel Studios project is unforgettable for multiple reasons. It also cements the Steve Rogers trilogy as one of the best, similarly claimed by a user when they said, “This film solidified for me that Cap had one of the best trilogies in Marvel, rivaled only by Guardians.”

Not only did this project split the Avengers up in a terrible way before Thanos arrived in the third and fourth The Avengers movies, but it also introduced none other than the MCU’s iteration of the web-slinging wall crawler himself, Spider-Man. This makes Captain America: Civil War not only significant for its quality, performances, and action sequences, but also because of how much it changed the cinematic landscape between studios with the Disney and Sony Pictures Entertainment deal to bring Spidey into the MCU.

It’s been a long time since Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has had that youthful glint in his eye we first saw nearly a decade ago. A lot has transpired in the MCU, from Avengers: Endgame to Spider-Man: No Way Home, but as long as the world keeps spinning, so too does your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s web — even if everyone he’s ever known and loved has completely forgotten he exists. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Peter isn’t just facing formidable new adversaries but also a startling new change within himself.

Gone are the days of Stark Industries’ advanced tech and the support of his superpowered friends. Spider-Man is at his lowest, fighting crime full-time, while watching everyone, including his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and even MJ (Zendaya), move on with their lives without him. The isolation has left Peter in unfamiliar territory, and he finds guidance in the last place he’d expect, with Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher. But to make matters worse, this lonely new life has triggered a mutation in Peter’s transformation as he’s trying to fight an enemy he can’t see. Brand New Day also features Sadie Sink in her MCU debut and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

In this interview with Collider’s Steven Weintraub, Holland, Bernthal, and Batalon discuss what it was like to work alongside director Destin Daniel Cretton and Marvel’s elite team of creatives, how Cretton’s vision has helped the franchise grow, and Holland’s reaction to seeing the finished film for the first time. Bernthal also talks about the Punisher joining Spider-Man’s PG-13 world, his initial concerns, and why fans of The Punisher: One Last Kill won’t be disappointed.

Tom Holland Was Extremely Impressed With Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Level of Talent” on ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

“He has found a way to grow this franchise and to make the movie feel bigger.”

COLLIDER: How did the finished film compare to what you thought it was going to be when you started filming?

TOM HOLLAND: To be perfectly honest with you, it is above and beyond what I thought it was going to be. I think Destin [Daniel Cretton] is a filmmaker with a level of talent that you rarely come by. I think that he has found a way to grow this franchise and to make the movie feel bigger, and to make the action feel more dangerous, and to make the stakes feel higher without sacrificing the emotion and the heart of what makes these characters tick.

When I watch a movie for the first time, I always ask if I can watch it twice right in a row, because the first time I watch it, it’s so overwhelming. I finished it the first time, and I ran upstairs in Burbank at Marvel Studios, and I was literally jumping up and down with the editing team and Destin.

JACOB BATALON: I was just pleasantly surprised that they let me watch it. [Laughs] No, it was definitely way more than I expected. The script itself was already so great that just seeing it put together was very beautiful. It put a big smile on my face.

JON BERNTHAL: I’ve not seen it, but what he said about Destin and this entire team is how I feel. It felt enormously human. I was very surprised, in the making of it, how much attention to character and, like Tom said, to emotion and just to the fractured human connection between these characters, and how important it is. In the world of something of this size and scope, that that was so vital is beautiful.

How Jon Bernthal Brought Punisher’s R-Rated World Into ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s PG-13 Setting

“I think we explored it fully.”

Images via Sony Pictures Releasing

I was very surprised when Punisher was added to this movie, because Punisher is famously R-rated and Spider-Man is famously PG-13. Talk a little bit about figuring out how far Frank can go in this universe. Is it more about the debate between the two characters about one person saying, “You can’t kill,” and one person saying, “It’s the only way?”

BERNTHAL: Look, I think that’s certainly part of it, but that was an issue, and what I saw was the issue for all of us. I think the goal was, going in, would we buy that he could walk off of One Last Kill and walk into this world, and go back and forth? Would we buy it? And I think we dug into the issue. I think we explored it fully.

Colton Hill, a Green Beret who worked with me on One Last Kill, worked with me also on this and was there every day, and I was really blown away by how open these guys were to really exploring that issue and to diving into it, and not to run away from it or try to avoid it, or just to say it doesn’t matter, because it did. I believe that we were successful.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31.

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Release Date

July 31, 2026

Runtime

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150 Minutes

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

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