General Hospital 2-Week Spoilers for May 25-June 5, 2026 indicate Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) isn’t following orders and she does something bold.

Plus, we have Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) feeling helpless and in an absolute panic. Plus, we have more on the fallout Curtis is facing for the brutal assault on Isaiah and Alexis drags Ava out of town. There’s a hunt on for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) and we have some huge exit news.

General Hospital Spoilers Monday, May 25th: Encore Episode for Memorial Day

On Monday, May 25th, it is Memorial Day. So, if you served, thank you. If you lost someone, I give you my condolences. Got a lot of veterans in my family as well. So, because of the holiday, we’re getting a GH repeat. They’re re-airing an episode that aired back in 2025. And this was when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) was pushing Laura Collins (Genie Francis) to support him taking over Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) piers.

And Sonny was urging Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) to consider Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr) a suspect in Drew Cain’s (Cameron Mathison) shooting. Also, Emma Scorpio-Drake (Brayden Bruner) was very suspicious about Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) and Hank Dalton’s (Daniel Goddard) secret work in the lab. And Portia confided in Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) her concern because she has to tell Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) he may not be the father of her baby.

Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) and Curtis were kissing after he said that he did confirm that Portia is pregnant as Jordan guessed. And Curtis promised Jordan he wants to be with her and will not reunite with Portia despite the pregnancy. We also have Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliott) finding Monica Quartermaine’s (Leslie Charleson) real will.

Andshe’s rushing to interrupt right before Ronnie Bard (Erika Slezak), Monica’s sister, sold the Quartermaine mansion to Drew because Martin Gray (Michael E. Knight) forged Monica’s will to screw over Tracy. That same day, Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) revealed that Monica really left the family home to Tracy.

Tuesday, May 26th on GH: Lulu Terrified

Then on Tuesday, May 26th, we have our first new General Hospital episode of the week, and Dante and Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening) reach an agreement. They are likely going to put aside their issues and animosity for Rocco’s sake because they want their son back. And on Tuesday, Lulu says this is all her fault. And it kind of is. Rocco stole his passport to run off with Britt.

And that wouldn’t have been possible if Lulu didn’t have Ethan Lovett (Nathan Dean) get fake passports for them. Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) pleading with somebody, and it could be Lucas. So, he and Carly have a tense talk at Bobbie’s Diner.

Now that Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke) and Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn) told Carly about Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and Sidwell, I expect to see Carly frantic about getting Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) out of Wyndemere.

But of course, he knows a lot more than Carly does, and she’s kind of playing catch-up, but she doesn’t realize it. So, Lucas does tell Carly that Marco Rios (Adrian Anchando) proved himself to him, and it cost him his life.

General Hospital Spoilers: Alexis Has a Plan

Alexis tells Ava Jerome (Maura West) that she has to come to New York with her. Alexis needs more info on Delilah Wilson (Lily Cardone) to help the adoption and says Ava knows the art scene and recognize that tattoo. So, Alexis thinks Ava is the best choice to go along. Also, this week, Alexis is looking tense talking with Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi) and Molly Lansing-Davis (Kristen Vaganos), so she may tell them about her trip with Ava. And Kristina gets huge news.

And speaking of big news, this is the huge casting news. Kate Mansi wrapped filming at General Hospital after she decided to not renew her contract after her three-year run ended, and she has already reportedly taped her last scenes. Also, Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) and Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) follow a lead, and it could be about the Curtis and Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) case, or Britt and Rocco. And on Friday, Sonny tells Laura they need to get Pascal (Mark Forget) to turn on Sidwell, but the question is why would Pascal flip?

Remember Britt called Sonny and told him Sidwell killed Dalton and Pascal helped with the body dump. Also, Sidwell runs a theory by Ava maybe about who killed Marco because Sidwell’s telling somebody on Tuesday that he’ll do whatever it takes to find Marco’s killer.

Wednesday, May 27th On General Hospital: Ric Frets over Liz

On Wednesday, May 27th, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) checks in to make sure Elizabeth is okay. After Britt wrestled Elizabeth and locked her in a closet, I’m sure Ric is concerned about her. I mean, Britt’s like half a foot taller than her. Liz is so tiny. Sonny issues a warning this week. He’s over at Lulu’s house with her and Dante, and he might be telling them about what Britt said when she called before she and Rocco ran off. Emma consoles Gio. He’s very worried about his little brother, Rocco, and feels responsible for him running off.

Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) gets bad news from Kai Taylor (Jens Austin Astrup), and I wonder if he’s going to tell Trina about Curtis assaulting Isaiah and being arrested. This may be why Trina drops in on both of her parents individually on Wednesday. I’m sure she’s going to feel torn. Portia may explain Curtis attacked Isaiah brutally, and I’m guessing Curtis may tell Trina that Isaiah is to blame for his and Jordan’s wreck. You know, the one they caused. So, I do wonder if Trina asks what proof Curtis has, which as we know is none.

Thursday, May 28th on GH: Portia Livid with Curtis

Thursday, May 28th, Portia hits back at Curtis and is challenging him. And I’m sure it’s about Isaiah. We could see Portia going off on Curtis about attacking her boyfriend and doing such terrible damage to him. Gio Palmieri (Giovanni Mazza) supports Trina as she opens up. This may be about stress about Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) going off the map or her parent drama or singing at the showcase. Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) is horrified.

I bet Nina is going to tell her that she tossed the shot, didn’t inject Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), and now he’s talking and very aware but faking. Somebody interrupts Molly and Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). And I wonder if it’s while they are getting frisky and Michael’s suspicions grow. And I wonder if he finds out Brennan had a stroke a lot like Drew’s stroke and both of them happening at Willow’s place is very dodgy.

Friday, May 29th on General Hospital: Valentin Romances Carly

Friday, May 29th, somebody gets a romantic gesture from Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart). Obviously, it’s Carly. And with Willow working to get Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) out of France and out of the mental institution there that we know Valentin doesn’t need to run off and do a high risk rescue in France. Will Carly and Valentin finally admit they are both falling hard? I’ve got fingers crossed for that.

Plus, Ethan’s on a new mission, and it may be to track down Rocco and Britt and bring Rocco home, or to work with Sonny and Ric to make a big move against Sidwell. Charlotte opens up to Carly. This is probably about Valentin, but Charlotte may also tell Carly that Rocco ran off because this week Charlotte and Danny look upset while they are staring at Charlotte’s phone, so she may have gotten a concerned text from her mother. Molly offers some advice and Michael warns Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton). I’m interested to see if Michael’s going to show Brook Lynn those photos and tells her Willow and Chase are way too close.

General Hospital Spoilers Week of June 1st-5th: Anna Returns Soon

Then the week of June 1st through the 5th, we should be getting some Anna scenes pretty soon. Hopefully, she will be back in Port Charles any day now since Willow is hard at work getting those charges dropped and getting her brought back to America. Michael keeps working to push Chase and Willow together and get the goods on them. Cullum may be the one who catches up to Britt and Rocco. Obviously, we know they’re not going to make it too far.

Steve Burton is going to be filming again soon, June is almost here. Also, Curtis is still determined to get justice for Jordan. Curtis and Jordan honestly are in such deep denial because she drove into oncoming traffic with an assist from Curtis and he has no proof for these accusations against Isaiah. They are literally baseless accusations that he assaulted the man on.

So, we may also see Brook Lynn considering coming forward about the crash given what happened to Isaiah and Curtis facing charges. If she mentions it to Tracy, she will tell her, “Don’t do it. You will lose the ability to adopt Phoebe.” And I think that’s the big thing holding her back right now. But it’s the wrong thing to do, not coming forward. And Willow may not forgive Nina for not injecting Brennan, but I expect Nina to stick to her guns.

The 2020s have been an amazing decade for TV, with standout series in every genre. The last six years have seen the debuts of hilarious sitcoms like Abbott Elementary and Mythic Quest, swoonworthy romance shows like Bridgerton and Heated Rivalry, and chilling horror series like Midnight Mass and From.

This decade has also seen the premiere of a number of phenomenal drama series that have hit all the right emotional beats and shocked viewers with phenomenal twists and turns. The best of these TV dramas have stood out for their complex and nuanced characters, gut-wrenchingly devastating emotional climaxes, and some of the most creative and stunning TV drama episodes ever. These are the eight best TV dramas of the 2020s, ranked.

8

‘One Day’ (2024)

Image via Netflix

David Nicholls‘ 2009 romance novel, One Day, was adapted as a film in 2011, and then as a limited series in 2024. One Day follows the friendship and romantic connection of Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) on July 15th over the course of 14 years. Starting with Emma and Dexter’s meeting on the night of their graduation from the University of Edinburgh, the series follows the ups and downs of their intense bond in the years that follow, all building up to its gut-punch of an ending.

One Day is a beautiful and quiet drama series that focuses mostly on heightened emotional stakes rather than physical ones. There is clear love between Dexter and Emma, but still, their relationship is constantly hindered by obstacles like miscommunication, other people, and their ability to hurt each other so well when they’re fighting. One Day is a standout romantic drama that treats its characters with care and nuance, both as individuals and as a pairing.

7

‘Shōgun’ (2024–Present)

Image via FX Networks

Adapted from James Clavell‘s 1975 historical fiction novel of the same name, Shōgun takes place in Osaka, Japan, in 1600. The series picks up after the death of the Taikō (Yukijiô Hotaro) as the members of the Council of Regents fight for power and control in the wake of his death. Going up against the rest of the Council is Lord Yoshi Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), with the help of two unlikely allies: English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai).

Shōgun is a complex and well-written historical fiction drama that tells a fictionalized recounting of a crucial but lesser-known time in history. It is violent and intense in the vein of Game of Thrones and The Witcher, but it is also grounded and intentional in its depiction of conflicts and acts of cruelty that were standard for the time in which it is set. Initially a miniseries, Shōgun has a powerful and brutal first season that tells a story that has a satisfying ending, but that still leaves potential for more to be told.

6

‘Andor’ (2022–2025)

Image via Disney+

A standout among the many television spin-offs in the Star Wars universe is Andor, a two-part prequel series that follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Andor details Cassian’s journey of becoming the character that fans know and love from Rogue One as he is radicalized against the Empire and becomes a fundamental member of the Rebellion.

Andor is an excellent Star Wars prequel that expands on existing lore and themes from the series, but it also stands out on its own as a phenomenal and gut-wrenching sci-fi drama. Andor does not shy away from the brutality and cruelty of the Empire, and it is unflinching in its depiction of the Rebellion’s uphill battle against corrupt leadership. While the series is very suspenseful and intense, it never lets its jam-packed plot take away from its focus on its central characters, especially Cassian.

5

‘Paradise’ (2025–Present)

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Paradise is a phenomenal series that isn’t afraid to take big risks and constantly play around with different genres. The series starts as a simple political thriller, as Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) investigates the murder of the President of the United States, Cal Bradford (James Marsden). The twist is that this murder took place in a secure underground bunker, three years after a doomsday event destroyed the world.

In its two seasons so far, Paradise has expertly balanced a number of moving parts, while jumping back and forth in time to fill in the blanks about the end of the world and everything that’s happened since. Paradise is so fantastic because it is deliberately and carefully experimental, planting the seeds for major twists and turns well before they’re executed and never holding back in delivering game-changing reveals.

4

‘Pluribus’ (2025–Present)

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Another incredible post-apocalyptic drama series from the 2020s is Vince Gilligan‘s Pluribus. The series starts when an extraterrestrial virus comes to Earth and makes everyone a part of one big, happy hivemind — everyone except for 13 people, including cynical romantasy author Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn). After the virus kills her wife, Helen (Miriam Shor), Carol becomes determined to save everyone else who’s been infected by the hivemind, even though she’s the only person on the planet who sees this as a real problem.

Pluribus is a clever and darkly funny series that puts the entire fate of the world on the shoulders of one reluctant and grumpy individual. Carol doesn’t want to be a hero, but there is nothing scarier to her than the idea of losing her autonomy and being forced to join the hivemind. Thus, Carol works to try to find a cure for the virus, all while trying not to get too close to her charming hivemind-designated chaperone, Zosia (Karolina Wydra).

3

‘Half Man’ (2026–Present)

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The latest drama series from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd is Half Man, which follows the complex and toxic relationship between two stepbrothers over the course of three decades. As a teenager, the quiet and bullied Niall Kennedy (Mitchell Robertson) is initially afraid to have Ruben Pallister (Stuart Campbell) back in his life when their moms move in together to all be a family, but the two strike up an intense and codependent bond.

All the while, as the story goes on, it is interspersed with flash-forwards to adult Niall’s (Jamie Bell) wedding in the present day. He and Ruben (Gadd) are now estranged, but Ruben crashes his wedding, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in his wake. Half Man is a gut-wrenching, often horrifying, and utterly captivating series with one of the most compelling and unique relationship dynamics ever.

2

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Severance takes place in a dystopian future where nearly everything is controlled by a mysterious company called Lumon Industries. The show’s protagonist, Mark Scout (Adam Scott), works for Lumon, but not even he knows what he does. For his job, Mark underwent the Severance procedure, separating his brain into one self inside work and one self outside of work. On the severed floor of Lumon, Mark S. (also Scott) and his coworkers know nothing of their outside lives and are permanently trapped in their place of work.

With phenomenal writing, shocking plot twists, and some of the best concept episodes of the 2020s, Severance is a true powerhouse of a drama series. The series uses its high-concept premise and specific stakes to explore themes of autonomy, love, loss, and what makes up the self. The result is one of the most unique and beautiful drama series of all time, and that’s after only two seasons.

1

‘Interview With the Vampire’ (2022–Present)

Image via AMC

AMC+’s Interview With the Vampire is both a faithful adaptation of the series of Anne Rice novels on which it’s based, as well as something entirely its own that shocks and delights in new and clever ways. The series covers two timelines, as the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) recounts his story for journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), about 50 years after their first attempt at an interview. Louis’ tale starts with meeting and falling in love with his maker, the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), in New Orleans in 1910.

Louis’ story spans many decades, through his tumultuous relationship with Lestat, to their adoption of their daughter, Claudia (Bailey Bass and Delainey Hayles), to eventually meeting the vampire Armand (Assad Zaman) and his coven in Paris. Interview With the Vampire is a deeply entertaining and thought-provoking series that gets better with each episode, and every single one of its episodes is a perfect and necessary addition to its central story.

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Interview with the Vampire

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Release Date

October 2, 2022

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AMC

Directors

Levan Akin, Alan Taylor, Craig Zisk, Emma Freeman, Keith Powell

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  Jacob Anderson

  Louis de Pointe du Lac

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Work bags have a reputation for being boring, but Katie Holmes proved that the right one can totally steal the show — even when you’re rocking purple jeans. The star’s crocodile leather tote look is equally ideal for boardrooms, airplanes and brunches, and we found the expensive style on sale for just $33.

In early May, the actress strolled through New York City wearing an outfit that turned heads in real life and on social media. Her getup was anchored by bold purple jeans, sneakers and a sleek crocodile-embossed tote bag slung over her shoulder. The pants were polarizing, but the bag sure wasn’t! Roomy, versatile and polished enough to dress up jeans (yes, even purple ones), Holmes’ bag style checks every box for commuters, frequent travelers and everyone in between.

Get the Ludbardy Crocodile Leather Tote Bag for $33 (was $35) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Ludbardy Crocodile Leather Tote Bag mirrors Holmes’ bag in every way, down to the glossy croc texture, rectangular shape, top handles and crossbody strap. It even has the same amount of structure that holds up when you toss in a notebook, makeup bag and laptop.

Related: We Found Jennifer Lopez‘s Sporty Rich-Girl Handbag Style for Thousands Less

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When it comes to bags, Jennifer Lopez knows what she likes. We’ve often spotted her rocking the same styles on repeat, showcasing her collection of Hermés Birkins, Coach Tabbys and other high-end bags. However, her latest Dior find might be our new obsession. It looks even more luxurious and elevated than Lopez’s other designer bags, […]

Speaking of which, this spacious wonder fits a 15.6-inch laptop in a dedicated foam-padded compartment. Altogether, the purse features three main sections: a large zip pocket and two slip pockets for all of your essentials. Plus, the detachable shoulder strap turns it into a crossbody when your arms are full of grocery bags.

One happy shopper wrote, “I bought the bag in the pic in Oct 2022 and have taken it everywhere — probably 10 conferences or work trips at this point, including on a conference trip to Rome where it went touring — lots of walking, packed trains on subways etc. You can see it’s held up fabulously.”

Another five-star reviewer called it a do-it-all bag and shared, “I needed a large, durable tote bag that my laptop could fit in at work and that I could easily use as a ‘mom’ bag to take back and forth from work and home. It is so roomy with so many pockets and it matches every outfit!”

Pair it with wide-leg trousers and a blazer for the office, then swap in jeans and a vintage tee for the weekend. The crocodile texture reads expensive, no matter what you wear it with. Black is optional, but not if you want to nail the celebrity rich mom aesthetic!

Hundreds of fashionistas bought this pick last month alone, so don’t wait to score Holmes’ wear-everywhere tote bag style on sale!

Get the Ludbardy Crocodile Leather Tote Bag for $33 (was $35) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other tote bags and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Katie Holmes Wore the Casual Cardigan Dominating Rich Mom Fashion

Take one look at the Upper East Side and you’ll see polished summer cardigans at every corner. It’s no surprise Katie Holmes jumped on the trend, rocking a sleek black cardigan with retro purple jeans. We found the classy knit style on major sale! A few days ago, Holmes stepped out in an outfit that […]

To say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced difficulties with its output on Disney+ would be putting it mildly. Although there was an admirable attempt to ensure that the shows put out on streaming were of the same quality as the films released in theaters, Disney+ ended up releasing multiple series that would have worked better as a more concise story on the big screen. The lack of enthusiasm for what Disney+ was doing has made it so the recent shows that have been most successful have been based on characters that have already been well-established, including Daredevil: Born Again and Agatha All Along. However, Echo was an impressively grounded and intimate MCU series that established itself as a proper introduction to a new side of the franchise. While it was given the responsibility of being tied to both Daredevil: Born Again and Hawkeye, Echo was unique in tone, proving to be very much its own thing.

The character of Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), known by her moniker “Echo,” had first been introduced in Hawkeye as the former leader of the vigilante task force known as the “Tracksuit Mafia.” While Maya had initially been seen as an antagonist, Echo reveals that she had suffered tragedies in her childhood, which allowed her to be exploited by Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). Returning Maya to her home in Tahoma, Oklahoma creates an exciting narrative opportunity, as Echo both explores its protagonist’s origin story and fleshes out the cultural environment in which she was raised. Echo isn’t just another spin-off designed to set up more adventures for Maya, but a thoughtful family drama that explores a completely different side of the Marvel universe.

‘Echo’ Is a Grounded, Character-Centric MCU Series

One of the issues that many of the MCU shows face is trying to create cinematic spectacle on the small screen, when in reality, a show should be able to take advantage of its medium. Echo is able to spend more time exploring the history of Choctaw culture, and not just in its modern conception. The showrunners worked alongside real Choctaw tribe leaders to recreate pivotal moments in their history and mythology, and drew a line between cultural practices and the supernatural elements of the MCU. This makes Maya a more intriguing character because it shows the responsibilities that she faced as the latest descendant in a legacy of strong leaders, who is faced with the responsibility of defending her people’s survival. It also allows the MCU to dip into reality by showing the legitimate grievances of the Choctaw nation, which makes Maya’s plight all the more emotional.

Cox was only briefly able to appear in Hawkeye, and wasn’t given much definition outside of being another near-silent, brooding assassin. Echo is able to open her up more, and the show’s willingness to cast Deaf actors, as well as show the relationship between children of Deaf adults and their families, ensured that Maya has an interesting arc as someone who got mistakenly involved with bad people. That the series is set primarily in Oklahoma ensures that it doesn’t feel like it’s overreaching in its scope, and has more time to develop a tactile environment that has evolved. Telling a non-linear story also allows the series to incorporate truly wonderful performances; while Maya’s father, William, is killed before the events of the series, he is played in flashbacks by Zahn McClarnon, whose brilliant performance explains the virtues that his daughter carries with her for the rest of her life.

‘Echo’ Bridges the Gap Between Two Eras of Marvel TV

Marvel’s attempt to start incorporating the characters from the previous era of Netflix shows into the broader MCU has been somewhat awkward, given their discrepancy in tone. Fisk’s appearance in Hawkeye was particularly strange, as one of the darkest characters in the history of comic book adaptations on television was being inserted into a series that was much more light-hearted. Echo shows a more manipulative, calculating side to Fisk that reminds viewers why he is such a dangerous individual, but it also shows how he can feign compassion in order to take a young Maya under his wing. It’s also much more interesting to see Fisk struggling to ascend to the throne of power, as his characterization became more stagnant when he was established as the Mayor of New York in Daredevil: Born Again.

Echo showed that the MCU could succeed by developing smaller-scale, less expensive shows, but the series also featured some of the best combat in the entire franchise. The brutal hand-to-hand combat wasn’t just a reminder of the stakes, but something integral to Maya as a character when considering the training that she had received while growing up. Finding a way to synthesize Maya’s fighting abilities with the mystical powers that she inherited might have been a risk, but Echo found a way to seamlessly bring together the two tones without feeling incoherent. It’s a series that is open to expansion, should Maya ever return for a future project, but also functions as a standalone for those who have not meticulously followed the MCU thus far. Marvel’s television risks running into the same issue that its films have, which is being too reliant on legacy characters to develop a new generation of heroes. With Echo, the television side of the MCU showed it could do something new.

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Echo

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Release Date

2024 – 2024-00-00

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Hulu, Disney+

Directors

Catriona McKenzie

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When it comes to his kids, Ludacris keeps things completely PG!

The rapper revealed how he makes sure his kids, who are great fans of his music, get to enjoy him doing his thing, all while staying within the confines of their age and decent exposure.

Ludacris welcomed four children over the course of his relationships and eventual marriage to Eudoxie Mbouguiengue. He often shows them off on social media, with one of his kids expressing interest in music.

The rapper revealed that his girls enjoy listening to his music, but he ensures he plays just the clean version for them.

Ludacris emphasized during the 2026 American Music Awards red carpet that there are all “types of parental advisory” on his music, and he lives by those modalities.

The musician is father to Karma Christine, Cai Bella Bridges, Cadence Gaëlle, and Chance Oyali, and when asked if he would support any of his daughters exploring music, he responded in the affirmative.

“Absolutely. I want them to pursue whatever dreams that they have. They love, matter of fact, one of them loves KATSEYE, so she’s mad that she’s not here [at the AMAs] right now,” he declared to US Magazine.

Alongside being an accomplished rapper, the songwriter also carved a niche for himself as a famous actor, building a massive fanbase off the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

The ‘Baby’ Rapper Prioritizes Balance In Navigating His Family Life

Ludacris touched on another integral part of his life and how he tries to strike a balance between maintaining a thriving career while remaining the best dad to his kids.

He noted that he does not exceed 72 hours outside his home before taking the next available flight to be with his loved ones again.

According to the musician, sometimes he tries to achieve a 50/50 balance or even do 80/20, in which his family takes the larger percentage.

The rapper stated that putting in the work all these years and making all that money afforded him the opportunity to make those decisions now.

Ludacris, who presented alongside GloRilla at the Monday event where BTS won the Song of the Summer award for “Swim,” reflected on his 3-decade run in the industry.

The songwriter emphasized that he is still amazed by his longevity and the love the fans have for him, which ultimately decides whether his music stands the test of time.

Inside Ludacris’ Happy Family Of Six And Life As The Ultimate Girl Dad

For the rapper, fatherhood has always been about raising confident young women who embrace their uniqueness because each one of them is different.

As noted by PEOPLE, Ludacris explained on The Jennifer Hudson Show in 2024 that embracing the parts of themselves they find strange or out of place is extremely important in the current world.

The actor stressed that he loves every aspect of fatherhood, revealing that life raising girls is something different. Ludacris’ life shifted dramatically in 2001 when he became a father for the first time shortly after releasing his major debut album “Back for the First Time.”

He revealed that he was very ready to be a father at the time because he was doing well for himself mentally, spiritually, and financially.

What Is The Father-Of-Four’s Favorite Part About Being A Dad?

Shortly before the arrival of his fourth child, Ludacris spoke with Yahoo Life about the joys and challenges of raising kids, alongside teaching them how to set goals and manage money.

According to the actor, his daughter, who made a cameo in the Jif’s Lil Jif Project campaign in 2021, has been getting lessons on how to navigate the industry she was slowly settling into.

He stressed that parenting does not take a one-size-fits-all approach, and he regularly has to mix the new technique with the old ones to make any headway. However, his favorite things yet are being a father to his girls and how he almost never says no to their requests.

Referencing his background as an only child, Ludacris noted that becoming the pushover parent while watching his wife take on the strict role was not something he ever imagined would happen. He continued that he also never thought he would have this many children in his brood.

“You never know how much love is possible. The amount of love that’s in my household is something that I never fathomed. I wouldn’t say it never felt impossible; I just never dreamt it because I didn’t know that this much could be given and received every single day,” he concluded.

Ludacris Nearly Missed The Arrival Of His Fourth Princess

In 2021, TODAY shared that the rapper nearly missed one of the biggest moments of his life when his youngest child, Chances Oyali Bridges, made it into the world.

He revealed on TODAY that he was filming a movie in New Mexico with Queen Latifah, which was billed to be released in 2022 when he got the call.

He recalled his wife telling him to rush down to Atlanta as soon as he could to welcome the baby, as she was in active labor.

The stumbling block was that the rapper could not get a commercial flight on time, and he had to make an important decision to use his private plane.

Ludacris, in the most humble manner possible, revealed that he has had his plane for a while, and his uncle, who was his pilot, brought the plane down from Atlanta to New Mexico to get him home.

Thankfully, the race against time worked, and the rapper made it to Atlanta, with two hours to spare, for his daughter’s arrival.

Is that parenting A+ for Ludacris?

Deion Sanders Jr. has revealed exactly how far his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, is willing to go to ensure his kids aren’t spoiled.

“My dad, my dad is a real live man; he’s a legit man,” Deion Jr., 32, said on the Friday, May 22, episode of the “Organikally Speaking Podcast.”

He continued, “So he raises kids to be men, which is actually rare these days. If you don’t have any money? Go. Do something about it. Why are you even telling me? You’re a man.”

According to Deion Jr., his dad means what he says — even when his son’s bank account is nearing the single-digits.

Related: Deion Sanders Says Son Shedeur ‘Went Through Hell’ in Rookie Season With Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders clearly has his family’s unconditional support. Two weeks after his brother, Shilo Sanders, went after a reporter for speculating that Shedeur, 24, might not be the Browns’ starting quarterback for the 2026-27 season, his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, defended his son after a rough first campaign. “When he takes […]

“So it’s not, ‘I can’t pay rent this month,’” he explained. “He’s not the handout guy. It’s worse when everyone thinks you have money because your name is Sanders. I got like $11 in my account, and one of my accounts is in the negative.”

In addition to Deion Jr., Deion Sr. shares daughter Deiondra with ex-wife Carolyn Chambers, to whom he was married from 1989 to 1998. He married Pilar Biggers-Sanders a year later and they share sons Shilo, 26, and Shedeur, 24, as well as daughter Shelomi, 22.

Deion Sr. and Biggers-Sanders finalized their divorce in 2013. He is currently dating actress and model Karrueche Tran.

Deion Sr. has frequently defended his kids in the media and, in an interview with Robert Griffin III in 2024, even referred to Deion Jr. as the MVP of the family.

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Related: Deion Sanders Returns to Coaching With Portable Toilet After Cancer Surgery

University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders returned to the sidelines for the start of the 2025 season less than four months after undergoing bladder cancer surgery. Sanders, 58, joined his team at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, on Friday, August 29, as his Colorado Buffaloes prepared to take on Georgia Tech in the […]

“Junior is the calm [one]. The older one to look out for the younger brothers,” he said. “The MVP is Junior, because he keeps it together. He keeps them together. He’s always selfless and gives them unconditional love to try to make sure they shine at all times. The unity that they have and seeing that as a father is unbelievable.”

Deion Jr. was also by his dad’s side in April 2025 when he learned of his bladder cancer diagnosis. Deion Sr. thanked him for his support during a press conference that July, two months after undergoing successful bladder surgery.

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“Much love to my son Junior, who has not left my side since we found out what was taking place,” he said. “Not one day. He’s been with me here, he’s been with me in Texas, he’s been with me everywhere, everyday.”

Deion Sr. added, “I love you for life, son, and I thank you for everything you bring to the table.”

At the same press conference, Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado, announced that the coach was “cured.”

Let’s face it — as a kid, all you wanted to do to be cool was see an R-rated movie. So, unless an adult over the age of 18 was bringing you, chances were you had to sneak in a watch when such a film aired on TV. What is it about an R-rated film that enticed us? They did things that PG-13 films couldn’t. There was that fascination and desire for profanity, sex, and violence. While many R-rated films could have been toned down to earn a lower rating, it’s in its full authenticity that it lives.

We are here to celebrate 10 iconic R-rated thrillers that are perfect from start to finish. They’re perfect because they didn’t mince anything along the way. From violent action thrillers to dangerous psychological thrillers, these R-rated classics did what they were meant to do: entertain from beginning to end.

1

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Not that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was sanitized — there was certainly enough violence that made parents shield their kids’ eyes — but there was certainly room to go further. And when it came to Deadpool, there was absolutely no way it wouldn’t live by the mantra “go big or go home.” Deadpool went all in and then some. In the first film, the Tim Miller-directed superhero blockbuster follows the wisecracking Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a mercenary diagnosed with cancer, who gains superhuman healing powers. Desperate for a cure, he’s armed with extreme regenerative abilities, a dark sense of humor, and a habit of breaking the fourth wall. The masked man known as Deadpool protects his loved ones while wreaking havoc on a revenge tour, hunting down the sadistic scientist responsible for his ruined looks. Violent and raunchy, Deadpool flawlessly transports the anti-hero’s comic tone to the big screen for a high-octane comedy thriller.

Deadpool lives and dies with its star. There’s simply no other actor who could play the part. Reynolds knows the character inside and out, finding the beats to be over-the-top and when to tone it down to exude gutwrenching emotion. The film then unapologetically owns its R rating. It takes the comic-book tropes other superhero blockbusters employ and subverts them to reflect reality. Cursing will happen. Blood will be spilled. And it’s done organically. Truly the “Merc with the Mouth,” Deadpool’s willingness to go full tilt has made it a well-revered entry in the larger MCU. Deadpool is not a kid’s Marvel movie, and we love it more because of it.

2

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

You simply cannot quote the most infamous line from Die Hard without profanity! Reshaping action thrillers forever, Die Hard tells the story of John McClane (Bruce Willis), a New York City police detective who attempts to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at a Los Angeles skyscraper, Nakatomi Plaza. Facing off against the notorious Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), McClane is in a race against time in this unofficial-official Christmas caper. Based on Roderick Thorp’s novel, Die Hard packs a punch with strong language and violence all the way.

Though Die Hard has all the elements of an R-rated film, it uses them to elevate the story. The violence isn’t minimized, showcasing on-screen killings to amplify the stakes. It then makes McClane an even more powerful Everyman, who can still save the day with sheer brilliance and brawn. Though only one remains, the cat-and-mouse game between McClane and Gruber is one of the strongest examples of classic hero-versus-villain dynamics in ‘80s action flicks. Die Hard set the tone for a beloved franchise and showed how action films should be done moving forward. As wild as it may sound, Die Hard is a gateway film for many kids, as the R-rated they film they watch with their dads. Guilty as charged.

3

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

Image via 20th Century Studios

The first rule of fight club is don’t talk about fight club, but let’s be honest, how could you not talk about the sensational thriller? Directed by David Fincher and based on Chuck Palahniuk‘s 1996 novel, Fight Club follows a disillusioned, insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) who is trapped in a mundane capitalist existence. Looking for more in life, he starts a secret underground fighting club with a charismatic soap salesman, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), as a radical form of catharsis. With a monumental twist that defined the film forever, Fight Club is graphic for the story’s sake. And without it, we absolutely would not be talking about Fight Club today. It’s not a pillow party after all.

Because the story is a projection of the narrator, the graphic elements are necessary to depict his psyche. Fight Club is jam-packed with action. Throughout the film, the violence serves as an important metaphor for the self-destructive nature of its central character. No pain, no gain. And without pain comes dozens of F-bombs. And where there’s pain, there’s pleasure! Sex, intimacy, and nudity are quite present in the film, another important element to the overall arc. Fight Club uses its R-rating to brilliantly capture the alienation and existential dread of modern life, offering a profound critique of hyper-consumerism. If Fincher didn’t make the film in the manner he did, it would never have been as impactful.

4

‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

As we’ve learned from other iconic gangster films, believability only comes with authenticity, and mafia movies are only authentic with graphic violence. It’s the only way to truly capture the danger within. Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book. The film chronicles the 25-year rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), tracing his life from a teenage errand boy for the Italian-American mafia in Brooklyn to his descent into drug dealing, federal arrest, and his eventual placement in the Witness Protection Program. Goodfellas might have gotten away with a weaker rating, but with 300 instances of profanity and visceral, bloody depictions of shootings, beatings, and stabbings, there was truly no other way to tell Pileggi’s story.

The 1990 thriller revolutionized the crime genre with its relentless pacing, immersive first-person narration, and brutally honest depiction of the mafia lifestyle. Rather than bog it down in darkness, Scorsese balances the shock violence with dark humor, brought to life by its standout stars, Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro. Goodfellas isn’t sensationalized, but Scorsese’s sensational direction elevates the film to its legendary status. The paranoia he instills in his tight filming gives the stakes the weight they need. Though we may know the ending, the journey to get there certainly keeps the heart racing. Goodfellas is a classic and forever an important R-rated thriller. ​​​​​​​

5

‘John Wick’ (2014)

Image via Lionsgate

A story about a legendary hitman is going to be littered with violence, but in John Wick, the violence is stylized in a manner that is warranted and not gratuitous. That’s why the franchise has exploded to the heights it has already reached. If not for Derek Kolstad’s perfect first feature, it likely wouldn’t have become the franchise it is today. John Wick brings back Keanu Reeves in action as the titular character. The story follows Wick’s quest for vengeance after his beloved puppy — a final gift from his recently deceased wife — is killed and his vintage Mustang is stolen by mobsters, which pulls him back into the criminal underworld he tried to leave behind. Masterfully directed with a visceral visual vision, John Wick introduced audiences to an immersive, mythical world of assassins with killer fight choreography.

John Wick doesn’t hold back when it comes to graphic gun violence and bloodshed — it’s necessary for the story that’s told. And the graphic nature comes through death-defying fight choreography that combines hand-to-hand combat with gun work for impeccable gun-fu. The film uses long takes and wide angles to portray mesmerizing action sequences. Of course, since it’s Wick’s narrative, expect him to slaughter everyone and anyone who crosses his path. There have certainly been countless action films in the 21st century, but none looked quite like John Wick. A newfound iconic character, Reeves proved in this film that action is old hat, even when you teach him new tricks. ​​​​​​​

6

‘Joker’ (2019)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

We have Christopher Nolan to thank for the risks filmmakers are taking in superhero films. While it seemed impossible to topple Heath Ledger’s Joker, in came Joaquin Phoenix through Todd Phillips’ vision, and a new Joker emerged. Based on the iconic DC comic character, Joker is the dark origin story of the infamous Batman archenemy. Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill party clown and aspiring comedian in a decaying, recession-plagued Gotham City, whose descent into madness ignites a violent, anti-wealth revolution. Beneath the comic-book allure, Joker explores heavy themes of mental health, systemic inequality, and the way society treats its most vulnerable. In turn, it provides a fervent examination of a troubled individual pushed to the edge.

The titular character has always been synonymous with violence, and his origin story is no different. The film is littered with bloodbaths, many of which impact the overarching narrative. Whether using guns or scissors, if blood is spurting, it’s necessary for the arc. Beyond the violence and the disturbing behavior meant to depict mental decay, the story pushes to visceral places. The narrative contains psychologically heavy elements such as child abuse references and deep dives into mental illness. In exchange, it makes the comic book source material richly human and grounded in realism. Moral ambiguity around the story’s true “hero” is why Joker works. By blurring the line between reality and Arthur’s delusions, deciding whether the graphic moments are real or not enriches the narrative even further. Joker was perfect. If only we had left it there. No offense, Lady Gaga. ​​​​​​​

7

‘Nightcrawler’ (2014)

Image via Open Road Films

The premise of Dan Gilroy’s neo-noir thriller centers on the morbid and violent events. In order to truly tell Lou Bloom’s story, Nightcrawler could not hold anything back. And it didn’t. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal in a career-best, Bloom is a driven, sociopathic con man who discovers the cutthroat world of L.A. freelance crime journalism. By filming violent, graphic accidents and murders to sell to local news, he escalates his tactics from observer to participant to get the “money shot,” eventually manipulating his way to the top. The ultimate antihero story, Nightcrawler satirizes the modern news industry by illustrating the toxic relationship between unethical journalism and consumer demand.

Nightcrawler is not a film you seek out for comfort or a happy ending, though, depending on whose side you’re on, the ending might satisfy you. That said, Nightcrawler is an unflinching examination of a broken world where the villains of society may not be punished. For a story about intense crime scenes, Nightcrawler includes close-ups of dead bodies from a home invasion and fatal shootings. Rather than slasher-style gore, Nightcrawler showcases Bloom’s deeply unsettling nature as he manipulates and films tragic deaths strictly for profit. It’s twisted, but an enthralling story nevertheless. A truly intense thriller, Nightcrawler is a top-tier film of this century. ​​​​​​​

8

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Image via NEON

It might come as a shock that a film like Parasite is rated R, but if you go back and truly examine it, you’ll soon understand. A masterclass psychological thriller, Bong Joon Ho’s Academy Award-winning film follows a destitute family of four as they con their way into working for a wealthy, oblivious household. Through deception, they secure jobs as tutors, a driver, and a housekeeper. Tensions erupt when they discover a dark secret hidden within their employers’ home, exposing the ruthless and tragic realities of class inequality. Serving as a gripping social commentary and satire on global capitalism, wealth disparity, and the invisible, often insurmountable barriers between the rich and the poor, Parasite’s flip from dark comedy to action-packed thriller is all built around the fight to survive.

Parasite remains a flawless genre-bending narrative that builds tension before culminating in a Shakespearean tragedy. A wonder in filmmaking, while one might think the early scenes where the Kims live in squalor were the most brutal, they’re not. Instead, the stunning set pieces serve as a brutal locale where heavy bloodshed at the hands of knives and rocks juxtaposes its splendor. With foul language understood in any language, the R-rating becomes more warranted. A defining film of the decade, Parasite’s effortless storytelling has led to wild entertainment. ​​​​​​​

9

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Image via Miramax Films

It’s a Quentin Tarantino film — are we shocked it’s rated R? Pulp Fiction is simply perfect and might be the director’s best. A film that tells four intertwining stories, Pulp Fiction focuses on the lives of LA mob hitmen Jules Winfield and Vincent Vega (Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta), boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), and a gangster’s wife, Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman). Bringing the theme of redemption to the forefront, Pulp Fiction gives you everything: a botched robbery, a drug overdose, and a fake boxing match, for a bloody good time. Helping to energize the ’90s with a unique approach to postmodern storytelling, Pulp Fiction masterfully united dark humor with highly stylized violence.

With sharp, quotable dialogue, dynamic character studies, and iconic images burned into our minds, Pulp Fiction revolutionized cinema in the ‘90s, and its impact still lingers today. It was proof that there can be some fun vibrancy lumped into the graphic nature of the story. Though not the most ever, but certainly up there, Pulp Fiction is nonstop F-bombs. To be honest, what would Pulp Fiction be without pervasive language? And then the sexual content and violence. It’s inherent to the story! Tarantino’s no-holds-barred approach made the movie endlessly entertaining. At this time, it’s safe to say that Pulp Fiction remains timeless. You know what you’re getting from the moment the movie begins.

10

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

For the longest time, horror films tended to receive mild ratings despite their content. Hell, some films like Poltergeist even got a PG rating! But when The Silence of the Lambs, there was absolutely no other way to tell Thomas Harris’ story. The psychological horror thriller tells the tale of Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a young FBI trainee. To catch “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine), a serial killer who skins his female victims, she reluctantly seeks the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant, manipulative psychiatrist and imprisoned cannibal. As the murky quid-pro-quo deal between the parties turns to a dark cat-and-mouse game, it ultimately results in Lecter’s orchestration of a bloody, brilliant escape from his maximum-security cell. Giving horror a seat at the table, The Silence of the Lambs is a film where nightmares are born.

Let’s just call it like it is: The Silence of the Lambs is rated R for strong, disturbing, and graphic violence, pervasive foul language, mature psychological horror, and brief nudity. That’s simply the nature of the story. Director Jonathan Demme ensures the traumatic elements — a kidnapper who makes “suits” out of his victims’ skin, mutilating and decomposing corpses, a cannibal — are never sugarcoated. By going hard and strong, The Silence of the Lambs makes the horrific cut deep. Through the art of the close-up, the sheer terror is captured as if you’re peering into the mind of a serial killer. The Silence of the Lambs was an R-rated thriller that earned the Big Five sweep at the Oscars.​

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The Silence of the Lambs

Release Date

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February 14, 1991

Runtime

119 minutes

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Director

Jonathan Demme

Writers

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Ted Tally, Thomas Harris

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The fantasy genre is perhaps the oldest and most diverse genre of storytelling, able to bring to life fantastical worlds full of heroes and monsters limited only by the imagination of the storyteller. One of its more popular subgenres is dark fantasy, which focuses more on the nitty-gritty parts of the fantasy world. Morality is complex, heroes don’t always come home alive, and the themes explored are aimed at a more mature audience.

The 21st century has seen more than its fair share of dark fantasy movies. Be it live action or animation, they’re sure to leave an impression thanks to their visuals and storytelling, which makes use of the more mature settings to tell stories that really stick with you after viewing. These are the best dark fantasy movies of the last 25 years, proving that fantasy can handle remarkably dark settings and premises without losing its distinct essence.

10

‘Constantine’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) is a cynical master of the occult who travels the world to stop the plans of demons and other supernatural beings. Unfortunately, he has terminal lung cancer and, due to an attempted suicide, is condemned to Hell when he dies. He uses the time he has to help detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) investigate the death of her sister, which leads the two to learn of a plot by the Devil’s (Peter Stormare) son, Mammon, to usurp his father and rule the Earth.

Constantine takes a lot of liberties in adapting the Hellblazer comics, but for what it is, it’s a fun time. It does a good job building a surreal and dark atmosphere with the demon incursions, and while Reeves is far from a perfect match for John Constantine, he delivers a solid performance that captures just how fed up with everything his character is. The best performances, though, come from Stormare, whose brief appearance as Lucifer steals the entire show, and Tilda Swinton, who perfectly melds into her role as the angel Gabriel.

9

‘Hellboy’ (2004)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Hellboy (Ron Perlman) is a demon who was summoned into the world by Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden) during the closing days of World War II and was raised by a scientist named Trevor Bruttenholm (Sir John Hurt). In the modern day, Hellboy works for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defence to protect the world from occult horrors, alongside his partner, a psychic fish-man named Abraham Sapien (Doug Jones). Unfortunately, Rasputin returns to bring about the apocalypse, and Hellboy is integral to his plans.

Hellboy is a match made in heaven, combining the vivid world of Mike Mignola‘s comics with the vision of the king of dark fantasy films, Guillermo del Toro. The result is a blast of a film that has plenty of action and pathos, especially when Hellboy struggles between his dark destiny and his desire to do good. It also looks gorgeous for an early 2000s film, with some pretty good CGI that still holds up, and phenomenal practical effects, especially on Perlman to turn him into the titular demon.

8

‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros.

Victor van Dort (Johnny Depp) is arranged to marry Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson) so that her impoverished family can regain their wealth, and his newly rich family can gain social status. While Victor and Victoria do like one another, Victor is too nervous to memorize his vows, so he goes into the woods to practice. There, he unknowingly pledges his love to Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), a young woman who was killed on her wedding night and takes Victor with her to the Underworld.

Corpse Bride‘s macabre aesthetic and rather morbid style might at first seem depressing, but the film balances it out with a rather interesting choice to portray death. Instead of something to be feared, death is portrayed as liberating—though still not something one should seek out before their time—with the denizens of the Underworld being free to cut loose and have fun. It’s also a beautiful love story with plenty of twists and turns, and a strong emphasis on the sacrifices required to make a relationship work.

7

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

Image via A24

On Christmas Day, the court of King Arthur (Sean Harris) is visited by a mysterious Green Knight (Ralph Ineson), who proposes a game: he will offer his axe to any knight who strikes a blow on him, provided that, in one year, the knight will seek him at the Green Chapel and receive the same blow. Arthur’s nephew, Gawain (Dev Patel), accepts the challenge and cuts off the Green Knight’s head, but he just picks it up and rides off. A year goes by, and Gawain chooses to uphold his promise, but the journey to do so is fraught with more dangers than he first realized.

The Green Knight plays out like a lucid dream. The movie is full of strange events and characters that make you question what is real and what is not, from mist walking giants to loyal foxes. The story is a solid coming-of-age tale, with Gawain forced to grow from an impetuous youth who doesn’t know his way through the world to a knight who values the importance of honor and chivalry, but still has the same flaws as any man.

6

‘A Monster Calls’ (2018)

Image via Focus Features

Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a young boy who is struggling to accept the fact that his terminally ill mother (Felicity Jones) will die soon, and he will have to live with his strict grandmother (Sigourney Weaver). One night, he sees a yew tree transform into a giant monster (Liam Neeson) who seeks him out. The monster will tell Conor three stories, after which the boy must tell a fourth that is linked to a recurring nightmare.

A Monster Calls is minimal in its use of fantasy elements, which makes their inclusion all the more potent. They are used to highlighting the film’s major themes of grief, loss, and the complexity of the human experience, with the monster’s stories having similarities to the struggles Conor is experiencing. Speaking of the two main leads, they are fantastic: Neeson gives the right level of comfort and fury that makes you question the monster’s intentions for Conor, while MacDougall goes all out in portraying Conor’s grief, especially during the climax.

5

‘ParaNorman’ (2012)

Image via LAIKA

Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a young boy who possesses the ability to speak to the dead, which makes him a social outcast. One day, he is approached by his deranged uncle, Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman), who tells Norman he must take up a yearly ritual to keep the community safe from a witch’s ghost. Norman initially ignores him, but strange things begin happening around town, from cryptic visions to the dead walking.

ParaNorman uses its dark aesthetic to tell a beautiful story about fear. It’s explored from multiple angles, such as how fear can prevent us from achieving our full potential, or how our fear of the unknown can lead to terrible actions with long-reaching consequences. Combined with how relatable Norman’s attempts to find belonging are, and you have a movie that balances images usually reserved for horror films with heartfelt storytelling that really sticks with you.

4

‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ (2022)

Griefstricken over the loss of his son, a woodcarver named Geppetto (David Bradley) chops down a pine tree that grew over his grave to carve into a puppet in his likeness. A passing wood sprite (Tilda Swinton) takes pity on the grieving father and uses her magic to bring the puppet to life, naming him Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) and assigning a cricket who lived in the tree named Sebastian (Ewan McGregor) to be his conscience. Unfortunately, Pinocchio’s lack of self-control leads him into trouble, and various factions seek to exploit him, especially when it’s made apparent that he cannot die.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is the darkest and most creative adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s story, partially because of its themes of death and the price of immortality. Del Toro explores such complex issues through Pinocchio’s talks with the wood sprite’s sister, Death (Tilda Swinton), who argues that Pinocchio’s immortality is more of a curse than a blessing. Del Toro also decided to change the idea of Pinocchio having to turn human to be considered a real boy, and instead emphasizes Geppetto coming to love him as much as his real son.

3

‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) is a mute woman who works as a janitor at a secret government research facility during the Cold War. One day, soldiers bring in an Amphibian Man (Doug Jones) captured in South America, which they plan to vivisect in the hopes that his biology can give them an edge over the Soviet Union in the space race. Elisa bonds with the creature in secret and recruits her friends to both smuggle him out of the facility and help him escape into the wild.

The Shape of Water is the second fantasy movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture after The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and it’s more than deserving of such praise. Taking inspiration from Creature From the Black Lagoon, del Toro instead uses the idea of a fish-man to explore themes of “the other,” namely, in how we, as humans, tend to ostracize, fear, or even destroy that which we do not understand. Yet its story remains a hopeful one, as while there are wicked people who will do just that, others are willing to embrace and try to understand the unknown, leading to beautiful discoveries, such as romance.

2

‘Coraline’ (2009)

Image via Laika Studios

With her parents too busy to give her attention, young Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) explores the Pink Palace Apartments they have moved into, meeting all sorts of eccentric neighbors and the landlady’s grandson, Wyborne “Wybie” Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.). During her explorations, Coraline finds a door in the wall that leads to an alternate world where everyone has black buttons for eyes, and everything caters to Coraline’s every whim. Her Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) offers to let her stay forever if she sews buttons onto her eyes, but a black cat (Keith David) who can travel between both worlds warns Coraline that all is not as it seems.

Coraline was the first film to come from Laika Studios, and is by far one of the best stop-motion films ever made. The puppets are constructed and move with incredible attention to detail, resulting in life-like interactions and designs that give the film a unique identity, even when compared to director Henry Selick‘s other stop-motion films. Where it truly shines is its story, which is a cautionary tale about being careful of what you wish for and appreciating what you have, and it is not afraid to scare kids as the mask of beauty is pulled away to reveal how rotten and fake the Other World is.

1

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is a young girl living in Francoist Spain, and is moving with her pregnant mother to live with her Falangist stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi López). One day, she follows some fairies down into a labyrinth, where she meets a faun (Doug Jones), who tells her that she is the reincarnation of Princess Moanna of the Underworld. To reclaim her throne and memories, Ofelia must perform three dangerous tasks, all while trying to care for her mother as her health declines, while Vidal hunts down rebels.

Pan’s Labyrinth is frequently cited as possibly the greatest fairy tale film ever made, and it’s by far del Toro’s masterpiece. The film uses the fantastical world to mirror the real-world dangers that Ofelia is navigating, making the monsters all the more terrifying, and harkening back to how classic fairy tales were quite dark in order to impart important life lessons to children. This approach leads to a beautifully bittersweet ending that makes you question how much of the magic was real or not.

Blueface has sparked reactions with a message about child support, as his daughter, Journey, has dropped jaws by telling her mom, Jaidyn Alexis, about her “baby daddy.”

RELATED: Whew, Chile! Woman Alleging She’s Also Pregnant By Blueface Shows Apparent Test Results & Alleged Text Messages With Rapper (VIDEOS)

More On Blueface’s Message About Child Support

On Monday, May 25, Blueface took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with a lengthy message. “If you have a kid and you need CHILD SUPPORT you should prolly just let the person who can best support the child have custody your clearly not fit a couple thousand a month ain’t gone better your situation enough for the kid,” he wrote.

Journey Tells Jaidyn Alexis About Her “Baby Daddy”

Meanwhile, Blueface was sharing his thoughts, while his daughter, Journey, was sharing hers. In a clip featuring her alongside her grandmother, Karlissa Saffold Harvey, and her mom, Jaidyn Alexis, Journey began telling Alexis about her “baby daddy.” In the clip, the trio appeared to be doing arts and crafts, and Journey was making it known that her dad was on one of the papers.

The Internet Reacts To Blueface’s Child Support Message & Journey Dropping Jaws With Statement To Jaidyn Alexis

Social media users slid in TSR’s comment section with strong reactions to Blueface’s message about child support.

Additionally, social media users also slid in TSR’s comment section with thoughts on Journey’s “baby daddy” statement.

RELATED: Whew, Chile! Blueface Shares Clips Of Daughter Journey Having Meltdown In Mall & Social Media Is Up In Arms (WATCH)

Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers for May 25-June 5, 2026 include Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) turning on her mom after she decides Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) betrayed her.

Plus, Deke Sharp (Harrison Cone) is about to be thrilled with an offer of an exciting new venture, and we will find out more about the fireworks that happen after Hope takes a big step. Plus, Brooke gets good news and then really bad news. Also, Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) and Shauna Fulton (Denise Richards) are back in LA and lots more great stuff ahead.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers Monday, May 25th: Will Pleads with Electra

So, Monday, May 25th, if it is a new episode, these are the spoilers you’re going to see unfold. And if they do an unscheduled rerun, all these spoilers will push down by a day. So, the big reopening of Bikini Bar is the backdrop for Will getting closer to Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace). We’re also getting scenes with Deacon Sharpe because Sean Kanan is back to B&B this week. Yay!

I’m guessing that Deacon is on hand for the big launch because he owns the place. Will is with Electra and he’s wooing her, telling her how much that he needs her. Over at the bar, R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) and Miss Dylan (Sydney Bullock) observe and of course R.J. looks annoyed and Will asks Electra to reunite with him. Meanwhile, Hope tells Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis) she knows if she comes to Logan that all hell will break loose.

And she tells Hope it’s not worth it. But I do think Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) is going to convince Hope to sign the contract. Katie Logan (Heather Tom) holds the pen for Hope to sign. And of course, this can’t go on. Katie needs Hope to just finally make a decision. But Donna is doing her level best to obstruct and prevent Hope from joining them at Logan. I don’t think it’s going to work in the end. We’ll see.

Tuesday, May 26th on B&B: Brooke Blindsided

Tuesday, May 26th. Brooke is happy because she talked to Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and thinks that Hope for the Future will definitely be reinstated at Forrester Creations. I can’t imagine that they give Brooke a date, though, because they just don’t know. It’s going to be after Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) launch unless something changes.

So, Brooke thinks that Hope’s going to be satisfied, but it looks like Brooke may get a rude awakening because Hope may have already signed on the dotted line at Logan. R.J. is dealt a low blow from Will. I think R.J.’s interfering when Will is wooing Electra, and that’s when Will may hit him back hard because honestly, he’s had enough of the insults and trash talk from R.J. I am team Will on this.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers for Wednesday, May 27th: Two Incredible Returns

Wednesday, May 27th, Denise Richards and Darin Brooks are officially back to Bold as Shauna Fulton and Wyatt Spencer. So, the spoiler is that Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) brings in somebody from the past to expand Logan’s empire. That should be Wyatt. And I bet Bill wants a Logan jewelry line to compete head-to-head with the Forrester Creations jewelry line. Quinn Fuller (Rena Sofer) is Wyatt’s mom and he learned jewelry design at her knee. And he used to run her line, Quinn Artisan, with her back in the day, both as designers. So, when Forrester Creations bought her line, Wyatt and Quinn both designed for Forrester Creations and then later Wyatt did corporate stuff and he stepped away. But he is very talented.

Also at the end of Wednesday’s episode, look for Shauna to stroll into the CEO office and surprises Bill, Wyatt, and Liam. And when Shauna says, “Hey boys,” Bill demands to know what the hell she’s doing there. R.J.’s back to whining at Ridge and Steffy, asking them to again fire Will. I’m sure it’s personal again, but assuming that Hope signs with Logan and the Forresters know by then, R.J. may try some of the he’s a Spencer spy stuff, talking about Logan poaching people and Will helping.

Thursday, May 28th on Bold and the Beautiful: Donna Stuck in the Middle

Then on Thursday, May 28th, Donna finds herself smack dab in the middle of more Logan chaos. So, once Brooke finds out Katie was recruiting Hope, it’s going to get messy. I think, you know, Katie may do like she did with Donna and may try and blame it on Liam, but also, you know, Katie may clap back that Brooke, Steffy, and Ridge were not treating Hope fairly.

There’s a hiccup in Bill’s plan, and I’m guessing it is Shauna. I suspect she might want to be part of the Logan action. Since her daughter Flo Fulton (Katrina Bowden) is a Logan, too. She’s Katie’s niece, Storm Logan’s (William deVry) daughter.

But Shauna is also Quinn’s best friend. So, Shauna might be there representing Quinn. I wonder if Bill wants to use Quinn’s name, like Quinn Artisan for Logan or something. Plus, Shauna’s presence in LA may throw off Brooke and Ridge. If you don’t recall, Shauna has the hots for Ridge and she got him drunk in Vegas and Shauna got Ridge to marry her there.

It later got set aside or it wasn’t even a real priest. There was a whole thing. And I’m also hoping we’re going to find out the fate of Wyatt’s engagement to Shauna’s daughter Flo. You know, they were engaged, then she left, then Wyatt left. They never confirmed if they split or what.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers Friday, May 29th: Electra Shares Great News

Friday, May 29th, Electra delivers some really exciting news to Dylan. I suspect that Electra and Will may get back together. Electra’s been giving R.J. some of her time, but Will is her first love. Despite Dylan having a thing for Will, looks like she backed off and would actually be happy for Electra if she and Will got back together. Plus, things take a positive turn for Deke.

If you remember, Katie, Bill, and Liam all told Hope that she can bring Deke over to Logan with her. So, Hope may drop in with a job offer to design for her at Logan, but they still need a lead designer. And I’m super curious to see if Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) will also join Logan once he finds out Hope for the Future is totally dead at Forrester Creations because Hope felt like she had to walk away. On the plus side, if Zende follows Hope to Logan, then Zende would get a big promotion, and he would instantly be a lead designer. On the negative side, the other Forresters might brand him a traitor and hate him.

Week of June 1st-5th on Bold: Hope Faces Fallout

The week of June 1st through the 5th, we’re going to see Hope facing fallout from her decision. But if she does indeed sign with Logan, as I expect, you know, Liam is going to get Hope all excited about working with her brother Deke. And I think Liam and Bill and Katie are all going to encourage Hope to hit the ground running at Logan. We’ll find out more about where Wyatt and Shauna have been and what they’ve been up to.

And I’m hoping that Wyatt agrees to set up a jewelry line for Logan and that Darin Brooks will stick around, that it’s not going to be him designing offscreen like Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) is. Once Brooke finds out Katie welcomed Hope with open arms, I’m sure that Brooke is going to see this as an open declaration of war. However, she may also blame Steffy and Ridge for shelving Hope’s line. Donna seems likely to take Brooke’s side in this mess. Donna already warned Hope and Katie over and over, but they pressed on and Donna doesn’t want the drama.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Deacon & Taylor are Missed

Hopefully, we’re going to see more of Deacon and Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) together. And I would really like an update on Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) as well. We should see Deke on the job at Logan soon, but Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) may continue to be a problem.

And it’s probably easier for him to slip into the big Spencer Tower than it is for him to creep around Forrester Creations, which is a small business. Ridge and Brooke may confront Bill and Katie about Hope and just poaching in general.

Steffy is going to rage about Hope and may go full anti-Logan in a new tirade. And despite all the drama, I actually think that Hope might really enjoy her time at Logan, especially if she also gets to work with Wyatt because, you know, they used to be together. They remain friends.

And since he may be designing jewelry to accompany her new line, there might be a whole symbiosis thing going. I do expect R.J. to continue to be a problem for Will and Electra personally and also for Will on the job.