Oprah Winfrey launched her namesake network in January 2011, mere months before the end of her daytime talk show. However, the Oprah Winfrey Network wasn’t an immediate success, and it underwent massive layoffs two years after its launch. Now, years later, Winfrey is reflecting on that time, calling it one of the hardest years of her life.

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Winfrey appeared on the “Mel Robbins Podcast” in September 2026. During the conversation, Winfrey reflected on the early days of her network, including its struggle to gain viewers and its eventual layoff of a substantial bit of its staff.

The 70-year-old began, “2012 was one of the worst years of my life.” Discussing that period, Winfrey mentioned the negative press attention she received. According to her, “Every single story headline about me was, ‘Oprah and the struggling OWN Network. Oprah and the struggling OWN Network.’”

She continued, saying, “And it was hurtful and painful to me because it was the truth. I was struggling.”

Oprah Had Serious Doubts About Starting The Network

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The talk show legend continued the interview by revealing that she entered the network-building process with uncertainty. At one point, however, she feared what her business partners would think if she decided not to move forward.

She said, “I was so angry with myself. I did not listen to [myself]. The voice inside myself was so strong, telling me not to do it, that I would wake up in the middle of the night and couldn’t breathe.”

Winfrey then said, “And I’d say, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t do it.’ Then I’d say, ‘But I already signed. I already signed. Already said I was going to do it.”

Still, she gained a valuable lesson from the ordeal: “You always have the right to change your mind.”

The Former Talk Show Host Has Given Up Most Of Her Stake In The Network

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The Oprah Winfrey Network launched on January 1, 2011, after years of delays, replacing the Discovery Home Channel. However, after viewers tuned in out of initial curiosity, OWN saw a major decline in viewership, and the company laid off 20% of its employees in March 2012.

Over time, the network found an audience, particularly through Winfrey’s contract with Tyler Perry for original content and various interview specials hosted by the beloved television personality. Still, in late 2017, Winfrey sold 24.5% of her stake in the network for a reported $70 million, giving Discovery majority ownership.

According to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, she then sold another 20.2% interest in the company to Discovery for $35 million in late 2020. Winfrey’s company, Harpo, currently owns about 5% of the network.

The 72-Year-Old Also Discussed The Network In 2024

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Winfrey has commented on her namesake network multiple times in recent years. This includes an August 2024 interview with “Today,” where she called the launch of the Oprah Winfrey Network a regret.

She said at the time, “I would not have taken on the responsibility of trying to build a network while still ending the show.” Winfrey continued, “That is my one regret … I should have handled all of that differently, I think. I should have completed one thing, taken a year to do nothing, and then decided what was the next thing for me to do.”

Winfrey continued reflecting, saying, “I’d made my decision that it was time for the show to end; I don’t regret that. What I do regret is trying to do multiple things at the same time.”

The “Color Purple” actress added, “I would have done the thing that I tell everybody else to do: ‘When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Get still with yourself and do nothing.’ I would have given myself that time.”

She’s Coming To The Las Vegas Sphere

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One of Winfrey’s upcoming endeavors brings a series of live performances to The Sphere in Las Vegas. Per Reuters, her engagement at the Sphere will include four performances, taking place from April 2 to 4, 2027. The performances will be a part of a production known as “Oprah Winfrey’s AHA,” a reference to her iconic “aha moments” from her talk show.

The two-hour shows will feature music, poetry, storytelling, visual art, etc. There will also be guest appearances, including Grammy-winner Jason Collier, poet and author Ocean Vuong, etc.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt reunited with Anna Wintour at “The Devil Wears Prada 2” wardrobe auction at Christie’s in New York City last week.

Fans have long speculated that Streep’s formidable character, Miranda Priestly, is based on the fashion icon, but the actress has clarified that she wasn’t trying to imitate Wintour.

However, she said Wintour’s reputation initially drew her to the role.

Meryl Streep, alongside co-star Emily Blunt, reunited with fashion powerhouse Dame Anna Wintour at Christie’s in New York City for a charity wardrobe auction featuring pieces from “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

The 77-year-old actress teamed up with the luxury auction house to sell costumes, jewelry, accessories, and experiences connected to the high-fashion film.

She kicked off the evening with her usual charm, taking to the stage to urge collectors to open their wallets for a worthy cause.

“I hope you all wore your deepest-pocketed pants, and you’re in the most generous spirit,” Streep said. “In the sense of fun, let’s spend it before they all take it away.”

Fans Ask Who Holds The Power: Meryl, Miranda Or Anna

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The latest encounter between Streep and Wintour has revived chatter about the real-life inspiration behind Miranda Priestly. On social media, users weighed in on seeing the Hollywood legend and fashion powerhouse together.

In an Instagram post about the pair’s appearance at the auction, one fan joked, “Who now has the power, lol Miranda or Anna or Meryl?”

Another found humor in Wintour continuing to embrace the movie two decades after its release, writing, “Watching Anna pretend she’s in on the joke even 20 years later is so funny to me.”

Others questioned whether Wintour had previously disliked being associated with the film. One fan pushed back on that perception, pointing to her more recent willingness to engage with “The Devil Wears Prada” and its legacy.

Prada Auction Supports Fashion Designers And Press Freedom

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The auction lineup included standout pieces such as a signed Annie Leibovitz Vogue cover photo featuring Streep and Wintour, designer jewelry, and a Dries van Noten jacket Streep wore in the film.

Proceeds were designated to benefit both the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a fitting partnership given the franchise’s exploration of fashion, media, and journalism.

The online sale ran through September 15 on Christie’s platform.

“Please join us as we celebrate truth and beauty, beauty and truth!” Streep said in a statement, per W Magazine. “The Devil Wears Prada spectacular global auction of shoes, bags, gowns, and glamorous experiences, live via Christie’s, to benefit the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America! Get your gorgeous on in time for fall and bid up big!”

Meryl Streep Says Her Miranda Priestly Is ‘My Own Creation’

In the comedy-drama, Streep plays Miranda Priestly, the icy and demanding editor-in-chief of the fictional high-fashion magazine Runway.

Wintour is widely considered the inspiration behind the character, but Streep has explained that she wasn’t looking to model her performance on the fashion icon.

“I was not interested in replicating her; I wanted to make my own person,” she said in an interview with E! News ahead of the sequel’s premiere earlier this year.

She continued, “And as I have gotten to know her over the years, I feel like—my Miranda is fully formed. And to the degree that she has evolved or changed or degraded, in some way, it’s my own creation.”

Anna Wintour’s Reputation Helped Draw Meryl Streep To Prada

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The original movie was based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel of the same name. Streep also clarified that the sequel’s script was fictional, not based on Wintour’s life.

“Certainly this script has no relation to Anna Wintour, because it’s just all made up. It isn’t based on anything,” she said.

However, the “Mamma Mia!” actress shared that Wintour’s reputation was a major factor in drawing her to the role.

“It interested me that Anna Wintour was expected to be smilier, nicer, sweeter,” she told IndieWire in 2016. “I thought, ‘Well, hell, what is her job? What does she have to do? What are her deadlines? What do we have very little time for, even though the dress and heels have to have the outward accouterments of being appealing, womanly?’”

“Right in the beginning, reading the script,” she continued, “I thought, ‘Nobody’s seen this before, and the girls are going to like this!’”

Julia Stiles proved Andy Cohen’s previous assertion that she couldn’t dance wrong after commanding the Dancing With the Stars stage during the season 35 two-night premiere.

“Derek [Hough] said it best,” Stiles, 45, succinctly told Us exclusively after the Wednesday, September 16, live broadcast, referring to the DWTS judge’s diss to Cohen, 58.

In rehearsal footage shared Wednesday, Stiles claimed that the Bravo host once claimed that she didn’t know how to dance following her onscreen performances in 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance.

After Stiles’ quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” with pro partner Ezra Sosa earned an impressive 18 out of 30, Hough, 41, joked that Cohen could “eat it” because the number was “beautiful and graceful.” (Cohen later issued an apology to Stiles during his Wednesday broadcast of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.)

“Honestly, I feel like the best message is he should tune in every Tuesday night on Dancing with the Stars,” Sosa, 25, quipped to Us. “He will see some great dancing from this diva.”

Stiles and Sosa’s routine — Parton approved the song choice weeks before her death at age 80 — also impressed Hough’s fellow judge Bruno Tonioli, who gushed that the actress was a “great dancer.”

“I was so, like, having an out-of-body experience. He said I was a great dancer?” Stiles said of Tonioli’s comments. “I’m gonna go home and watch that on repeat, that’s great. You know, sometimes performers we only hear the critique, but I’m gonna try and take this in and just take the positive.”

Stiles and Sosa are now focused on bringing their A-game yet again for the second week of the competition, where the DWTS pairs will all perform routines to various viral hits.

“I mean, there were some major, impressive dances that got me to be like, ‘Oh, OK, we better bring it,’” she said of her competition, especially praising paralympian Ezra Frech’s tango on the Tuesday, September 16, episode. “[He] was incredible, and he matched Daniella [Karagach], who is so fierce, and it was great. I was like, ‘Whoa!’”

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As for Stiles, her routine undoubtedly impressed her husband, Preston Cook, and their three children.

“I’m gonna cry because [my husband has] really, really been holding down the fort at home so that I could come and do this,” she gushed. “It means that I don’t have to worry about or feel guilty, and they see how much fun Mommy is having and how happy I am, and it’s really, really incredible.”

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Roomies! Nia Long finally received her well-deserved flowers after being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ‘Michael’ actress attended the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, September 16, and her fans say the moment is “long overdue.”

RELATED: We Love To See It! Miley Cyrus Receives Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

Nia Long’s Loved Ones Support Her At Star Ceremony

Nia Long received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, and her family was there to witness the special moment. Long’s mother, Talita Long, and Long’s two sons — 25-year-old Massai Zhivago Dorsey II and Kez Sunday Udoka, 14, were at the ceremony.

The 55-year-old actress has been entertaining folks since the 1990s when she starred in the CBS soap opera ‘Guiding Light’ and 1991 film ‘Boyz n the Hood.’ She went on to star in beloved films such as ‘Friday,’ ‘Made in America,’ ‘Soul Food,’ ‘Love Jones,’ ‘The Best Man,’ and ‘Michael, just to name a few. 

Several celebrities were also at the ceremony to support the actress, including two former co-stars — ‘Love Jones‘ co-stars Laurenz Tate and Bill Bellamy. Furthermore, Snoop Dogg was a guest speaker, and he sported a jacket covered with pictures of Long’s starring roles. ‘Michael’ director Graham King was also a guest speaker, and Angelique Jackson from Variety was the emcee. The moment was captured by Variety and shared on Threads. A statement was also shared by Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Nia Long to the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” said Martinez. “Nia is such a beloved and talented actress, and we’re so excited to celebrate her incredible career with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has brought so many unforgettable characters to life and has connected with audiences for decades. It’s wonderful to see her receive this well-deserved honor.”

The Hollywood Walk of Fame also shared the news on Instagram with the caption:

“Meet your special guest speaker 🎤 Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, entrepreneur, actor, producer, television personality and global cultural icon @snoopdogg to serve as guest speaker for @iamnialong’s ⭐ ceremony on Wednesday, September 16.”

Fans React After Nia Long Receives Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

Fans reacted after the news was shared on TSR’s Instagram page, and several Roomies noted that Long’s star is well overdue.

User @bankonreigns added, “About time she got one though 🔥🔥🔥.”

@_shadequ33n_skeemie added, “Snoop out did himself I love the jacket 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍❤️.”

Long Shared Her Feelings About Receiving The Star

Long sat down with Variety ahead of the ceremony and spoke about what it felt like to be receiving the long-time Hollywood honor. The stars are mostly engrained into the sidewalk along and around Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, and the actress recalled moving to the city with her mother when she was younger and seeing Hollywood Boulevard.

“I came here with very humble beginnings,” said Long, per Variety. “This star is just as much for me as it is for my mother, because she’s the one who brought us here…. I stay under the radar. I just do the work… I’m diligent. I have a vision for what I want for my life and for my children and for myself, and I let God take care of the rest, because I don’t want to be caught up in the hype.”

She added that she remembers walking along the boulevard with her mom and looking at the “all the stars” and naming the stars who she knew.

“It’s every girl’s dream, and everything women work hard for,” she continued. “The little girl in me is like, ‘Oh my gosh, we did it!’ And the woman in me is, ‘Take a moment and be proud of yourself.’

She also spoke during the ceremony, and she was brought to tears while thanking her mother.

“My mommy…. An artist, a singer, the best Tati my children could ever ask for. I share this star with you,” said Long. “Because there isn’t any part of my story that doesn’t circle back to your bravery and unconditional love.”

RELATED: Brandy Opens Up About Ray J Missing Her Hollywood Walk Of Fame Moment & Their Current Relationship

A holiday weekend ended tragically after a Michigan man was arrested for fatally stabbing his sister’s boyfriend at a Labor Day BBQ. Cleo Lawson allegedly stabbed Kenneth Thomas on Monday, September 7, following a dispute over how to cook chicken.

RELATED: Whew! Internet Users Think Remy Ma Threw Shots At Papoose During Her Recent Performance At Angie Martinez’s Summer BBQ

Michigan Man Reportedly Stabs Sister’s Boyfriend At Labor Day BBQ

Cleo Lawson, 62, allegedly stabbed his sister’s boyfriend, 60-year-old Kenneth Thomas, after arguing about how to properly cook chicken, according to the Hazel Park Police Department.

The stabbing occurred at Thomas’ home on the 1600 block of East Granet Avenue in Hazel Park, Michigan, where he lived with Lawson’s sister. The couple was hosting the Labor Day BBQ when the tragedy occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m.

Chief William Hamel shared a press release on Facebook on Monday, September 14.

“On Monday September 7′, 2026, at 5:20PM, Hazel Park Police Officers were dispatched to a residence for a stabbing,” reads a press release. “On arrival, Officers located an adult male (62yrs old) who sustained life threatening injuries and died during the attempt to treat the injury.”

“The victim (Kenneth Thomas) and his live-in girlfriend were having a barbeque when the girlfriend’s brother (Cleo Lawson) arrived. Lawson and Thomas had a dispute over how the chicken was to be cooked that led to a confrontation. It’s alleged that Lawson stabbed Thomas where he subsequently died.”

Community Reacts To Shocking Tragedy

The tragedy at the Labor Day BBQ left the community in shock as people reacted on Facebook. Several folks noted how sad it was that a dispute over something so minor led to a man losing his life.

Kristy Layne wrote, “Over chicken ??”

Linda Wehmueller agreed. “over chicken? good grief.”

Rochee Jdk Huddy added, “Smdh.”

Diane Burge replied, “I’m having a hard time reading it but I’m very sorry for the part I did already may he rest in peace.”

Caroline Il added, “So sad and heartbreaking .”

Tina Mootispaw replied. “Very sad situation for the family.”

Lois Breen Gayhart wrote, “What is wrong with people nowadays?”

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Susan Clay added, “Someone lost their life over some chicken? Insane.”

Shannon Sanderson Coates simply wrote, “Unreal..”

Cleo Lawson Charged With Second-Degree Murder

Lawson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, per CBS News, and is currently residing in the Oakland County Jail.

Lawson was arraigned on Thursday, Sept. 10, but he was denied bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, according to PEOPLE.

RELATED: 16-Year-Old Student Sentenced After Stabbing Teacher In The Head Inside Classroom (VIDEO)

Every fall, there’s one wardrobe staple that quietly takes over, and this year it’s undeniably the plaid button-down shirt. Instead of feeling rugged or overly casual, the newest versions are softer, more oversized and intentionally styled, making them feel just as polished as a classic Oxford shirt. They add texture, warmth and just the right amount of effortless cool to almost any outfit.

Fashion insiders are wearing plaid shirts far beyond the traditional jeans-and-boots formula. Think draped over the shoulders like a sweater, tied around the waist with tailored shorts, layered over tanks, tucked into trousers or even knotted at the waist over a slip dress. To narrow down your search for your new fall favorite, we’ve rounded up 13 elevated styles that make the trend feel fresh again.

13 Luxe-Looking Plaid Shirts for Fall—Starting at $13

1. Oversized Favorite: The relaxed silhouette makes this one ideal for wearing open over a fitted tank or bodysuit while temperatures are still mild. As the weather cools, simply button it up or drape it over your shoulders like a lightweight sweater.

2. Waffle Wonder: The textured waffle knit gives this shirt extra dimension compared to traditional flannel. Half-tuck it into wide-leg jeans to let the fabric and the plaid print take center stage.

3. Cozy Classic: Soft brushed flannel gives this oversized button-down that tomboy feel everyone loves when temperatures drop. Wear it unbuttoned over leggings or tie it around your waist when afternoons warm up.

4. Vintage Wash: A lived-in finish makes this cozy plaid shirt feel like a favorite you’ve owned for years. Tuck one side into denim for an intentionally effortless look.

5. Soft and Brushed: This brushed fabric feels especially cozy while the classic plaid pattern keeps it timeless. Throw it over your shoulders with a simple white tee for an easy weekend outfit.

6. Shacket Style: Part shirt, part lightweight jacket, this oversized style works beautifully layered over tees and lightweight sweaters. The slightly heavier fabric makes it perfect for crisp mornings.

7. Office-Ready Plaid: A cleaner silhouette and lighter-weight fabric make this chic plaid shirt easy to wear with tailored trousers. Tie the ends at your waist over a tank for a more relaxed post-work look.

8. Waist-Defining Pick: Roll-tab sleeves and a slightly longer hem make this plaid button-down especially versatile. Add a brooch or pin at the waist instead of tying it for a flattering, cinched silhouette.

9. Designer-Inspired: Free People’s signature oversized fit gives this plaid shirt an effortlessly cool feel. Wear it open over a ribbed tank and vintage denim for that easy, off-duty look.

10. Mixed Texture: The combination of waffle knit and plaid creates more visual interest than your regular run-of-the-mill button-down. Pair it with denim shorts and knot the sleeves around your waist when you’re on the go.

11. Clean Lines: The streamlined plaid shirt feels a little dressier thanks to its crisp collar and polished construction. Tuck it neatly into your favorite wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt for an elevated office outfit.

12. Layering Essential: The lightweight flannel makes this one easy to layer under quilted vests and trench coats later in the season. Style it untucked while it’s still a little warm out, then button it all the way up as temperatures drop.

13. Everyday Staple: Classic plaid, a relaxed fit and timeless button-front styling make this the shirt you’ll reach for on repeat. Tie the front over a tank with linen shorts now, then transition it into fall with jeans and ankle boots.

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

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Related: Free People Restocked Its Bestsellers — 15 Fall Picks You Can’t Miss

Bohemian-chic vibes are embedded in Free People’s DNA, giving Us a collection of cool, free-flowing style that simply can’t be beat. Can you tell we’re big fans? Clearly, we’re not the only ones — many shoppers love these pieces so much, they sell out on the regular. Lucky for you, the retailer just restocked its […]

Déjà vu, it’s Barbenheimer all over again. This time, however, it’s for the sci-fi fans. In three months, cinema will return in full force with the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, as well as the finale of Denis Villeneuve’s magnum opus, Dune: Part Three. Though there is still some component of competitiveness, the union of these two hard-hitting franchises has ultimately been embraced by the fans.

On December 18, Doomsday and Dune will hit theaters in an event that hasn’t been seen since Barbie and Oppenheimer. Instead of two stories that could not be further apart, however, December will show the marriage of sci-fi ventures that will speak to most fans. The crossover appeal of both movies may be just the thing to unite the divide in pop culture.

‘Dune: Part Three’ Is a Historic End to a Flawless Franchise

There are franchises, and then there are franchises. Before Denis Villeneuve, a three-part Dune saga would have seemed impossible. Instead, he delivered a story that somehow evoked the exact feeling of reading the book. From acting, to score, to cinematography, Dune was the epitome of a true epic.

Even when Villeneuve substantially deviated from the source material, he could still do no wrong. In some ways, the filmmaker even improved upon Frank Herbert’s material, as controversial as that is to say. He took an incredibly dense book full of specific jargon and lore and made a compelling masterpiece out of it.

Adapting the first Dune novel was one thing, but now Villeneuve is wrapping up the story with the Dune: Messiah translation, Dune: Part Three. Everyone is anticipating how Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani’s (Zendaya) story will converge after everything that has transpired. The most important, however, is concluding Paul’s story on a high note.

The conclusion of Dune: Part Two indicated he was on the precipice of becoming a monster, but the final entry into the saga will finally tell his story the way it was always meant to be told. At the same time, Villeneuve seamlessly weaves in a heart-rending love story, philosophy, and the concept that absolute power corrupts. Dune is a powerhouse and is only one part of this epic day in film history.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ May Be a Return to Form For Marvel

Marvel had a tough act to follow when it came to Avengers: Endgame and Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) ultimate demise. It was the culmination of years of hard work and seemed to mark the end of the ensemble film. While many would have been satisfied with that, the long-standing franchise had something else up its sleeve. After the demise of Kang, the brand had the inspired idea to fast-track the newest villain, the powerful Doctor Victor von Doom.

More frightening and compelling than Thanos could ever hope to be, this was the right call. It also offered the potential to get the franchise back on track. Casting Downey Jr. was initially a controversial decision, but the release of the Avengers: Doomsday trailer was confirmation that this is exactly where the franchise needs to go.

Doom is just one component made to make Doomsday sing. This will be another culmination of many storylines, making way for something entirely new. At long last, the MCU is finally inviting the X-Men into the fold. Bringing back many of the legacy actors of Fox’s X-Men will be just the start.

Casting for the MCU X-Men has been extremely exciting, and it is all going to start with Doomsday. It also happens to set up the long-anticipated arrival of Secret Wars. After the tepid response to the multiverse, it certainly appears that the Incursions are on the docket. Doomsday may have just the secret sauce to fix the Marvel brand and usher in a new era. The New Avengers offer fresh faces to carry on the brand, while MCU hopefuls are ready to finally see the reunion of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

If anything is certain, December 18th will be the day for sci-fi. Dune and Doomsday offer slightly different tastes, but each has its merits. Dune: Part Three is a bittersweet conclusion, showing the end of Paul’s downward spiral in a socially aware tale. Doomsday is a comforting return to form, but may very well be the best Marvel movie since Endgame. Only time will tell when fans join in celebration of sci-fi’s greatest night.

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Release Date

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December 18, 2026

Director

Denis Villeneuve

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Writers

Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Frank Herbert

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