Fans of Hayden Panettiere are once again vowing to boycott beauty brand Neutrogena after the star’s sudden death.

“I will not buy from them ever again! They should have been supporting her and other women, not taking away help,” one Reddit user wrote on Monday, August 17, one day after the Heroes and Nashville alum died at the age of 36. The fresh backlash stems from Panettiere’s May memoir, in which she claimed that Neutrogena “cancelled” her “long-standing contract” due to her battle with postpartum depression.

The brand faced initial backlash from Panettiere fans upon the release of the memoir, titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, but did not publicly address the criticism at the time.

Us has reached out to a Neutrogena representative for comment.

Related: Hayden Panettiere Cancels Convention Appearance Amid Mystery ‘Emergency’

Hayden Panettiere has canceled her California’s Creep I.E. Aftermath convention appearance for a mysterious last-minute issue. “Roster Update: Hayden Panettiere has an emergency and will not be able to attend this weekend,” a social media statement shared via the event’s Instagram on Friday, July 10, read. “We are looking forward to her appearing at an […]

New consumer backlash has also hit the brand’s Threads account, with social media users now responding to a post shared by Neutrogena in 2023 that read, “Friends don’t let friends go to bed without removing their makeup.”

One person responded on Sunday, August 16, “Friends also don’t try to fire employees for talking openly about postpartum depression but apparently this brand does.” Another social media user responded, “Hayden deserved better. Women deserve better. I’m done supporting Neutrogena.”

Panettiere’s Neutrogena claim was raised in her book amid the actress detailing mental health issues experienced after welcoming daughter Kaya in 2011, whom she shared with ex Wladimir Klitschko. She wrote about Nashville producers deciding to write her character out of production temporarily, before questioning the beauty brand’s decision to sever ties completely.

“The producers had no choice but to write me out of the script temporarily — something that killed me because I’d always prided myself on my professionalism — and I issued a statement about where I was going and why,” Panettiere wrote. “My fans and the press were hugely sympathetic — and I’ll always be grateful for that — but a part of my career I’d come to depend on suffered. Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else.”

Panettiere died suddenly in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Her father, Skip, confirmed the news to Us at the time through a representative for his daughter. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” Skip said in a statement. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

In the aftermath of her death, which remains under investigation with no cause or manner confirmed at the time of publication, a filmmaker who worked with Panettiere on her 2025 horror-comedy A Breed Apart claimed that she was “not OK” while working on set.

“I had met Hayden about 10 years before that and I knew that she was insanely talented, so when she signed on to do this picture that we were shooting, I was psyched,” director Griff Furst began in an Instagram video shared on Monday. “I really wanted to work with her. So I’m on set, and I get word from the movie’s security team who picked her up from the airport that something was off.

Related: Inside Hayden Panettiere’s On-Off Relationship with Brian Hickerson

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In the years after they broke up, Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson was still complicated even at the time of her tragic death. “Hayden and Brian have been on and off for years, but have pretty much always remained in contact,” a source exclusively shares with Us of the pair’s history prior to her […]

Furst, 44, further explained, “I didn’t think much about it, and so I left set and I walked over to greet her and her boyfriend Brian [Hickerson]. He opened the door. Hayden was incredibly sweet and gracious and excited to work, but she was not OK.”

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A Tuesday, August 18, police report by the Greenville City Police Department, obtained by Us, stated that officials spoke with Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Hickerson, 37, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, at an apartment complex in Greenville on the day of her passing.

“After EMS officially declared Hayden deceased, I escorted Zach and Brian out of the apartment,” the police report stated about Sunday. “I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.”

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

Chaos ensuing at a grunge rock album release party should come as no surprise – pandemonium comes with the territory. That’s what the genre is all about, really – rejecting societal norms and embracing the weird, the off-beat, the messy. Grunge music is built upon a foundation of authenticity. It explores the ugly truth, shining a spotlight on the less curated and less desirable aspects of life. The artists behind this music are just as genuine and rough around the edges as the music that they create.

There is not a band out there (past or current) that represents grunge music and the corresponding lifestyle quite like the inimitable Nirvana. Having no desire for the spotlight, they made no effort to alter their personas to be socially acceptable or (God forbid) marketable. If they had, their raw, unbridled talent would have been grossly stunted. So, when the album release party for their second studio album Nevermind turned disastrous, the clean-cut music execs in attendance may very well have been horrified – but, frankly, they should have seen it coming.

The Party Was Not What They Had Expected

Image via Instar Images

It was September 1991. It was also, fittingly, Friday the 13th. The Nevermind album release party was taking place at a small venue called Re-bar in Seattle. The bar was known as a refuge for the subculture, a hub for punk and grunge musicians as well as the LGBTQ+ community. It was an understated joint, beer and wine only, no frills – a perfect fit for the unpretentious band. However, the powers that be had a different vision for the party. Despite being allergic to publicity, Nirvana was well on their (unwilling) way to exorbitant fame and success. Nevermind was their first record since signing with DCG Records, so the release party was especially important – both parties had a lot on the line, although only one of them actually cared. DCG pushed for a fancier party with more exclusive attendees in order to advance Nirvana’s career.

To the band’s abject horror, they walked into a thinly-veiled corporate networking event. The walls of the bar were covered with Nirvana posters and photographs of the band. The musicians, specifically lead singer Kurt Cobain, did not like attention. Kurt famously hated photos of himself, so a dozen images of his face leering down from the walls was not exactly his idea of fun. The guest list was not composed of fans and friends and peers, as the band would have preferred. While there were some friendly faces in attendance, the majority of the party guests were stuffy studio execs, corporate suits, and music critics. Essentially, the crowd was the antithesis to the band members and their values.

The trio of band members – Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Kurt Cobain – began the night on their best behavior, despite their qualms with the party planning. For a while, they did as they were told – signed autographs, shook hands, talked to boring people they didn’t care about. They loved making music and they were willing to pay the piper for the opportunity to hone their craft – up to a certain point. They couldn’t keep the charade up forever.

Kurt, Dave, and Krist Stick it To The Man

Rudi Keuntje via Future Image/Cover Images

The three band members grew restless as the night wore on. The DJ was playing their album on loop, and hearing so much of their own music was beginning to grate on their nerves. They started requesting different songs, becoming louder and more excitable and — most noticeably — way, way drunker. But how, when there was only beer and wine (and a limited amount at that) did they manage to get so inebriated? This mystery was soon solved when partygoers saw Krist, Dave, and Kurt toting around large bottles of Jack Daniels they had snuck into the venue. The more they imbibed, the less discrete they became with their contraband. Things were getting sloppy.

At this point, the party had devolved completely. The Nirvana trio ran wild around the venue, tearing down their own posters until the walls were bare. The floor was covered with shredded paper and empty handles of whiskey – fitting detritus for grunge musicians who had well surpassed their ass-kissing limit. They did not care to impress these corporate cronies who, from their perspective, were bastardizing their music through gross commodification.

To the horror of the label execs, the chaos continued to escalate. All crazy, awesome, messy hell broke loose in this little Seattle gay bar. According to onlookers, Krist launched a tamale directly at Kurt Cobain’s head. Kurt returned fire with a handful of guacamole and before anyone knew it, a full-blown food fight had broken out. Artists and corporate fat cats alike were covered head to toe in corn husks and avocado.

Kurt, Dave, and Krist were rounded up by the door guys and literally kicked to the curb, where all three of them promptly vomited. The other guests were quick to disband after the stars of the show had been vanquished, and the party was effectively ruined. Serves them right for trying to make a Nirvana party appeal to the upper crust.

Why is Nirvana’s Rebellion Important?

Image via NBC

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If their goal was to be agents of chaos (and pretty safe to assume that it was), then the album release party was a raging success for the members of Nirvana. Ultimately, the label wasn’t upset either – they knew what they were signing up for. As for Re-bar and its employees? Just happy to be a part of rock and roll history. All’s well that ends well.

The story of the Nevermind album release party became a humorous anecdote, a source of bragging rights for those in attendance. Another colorful thread in the tapestry that is Nirvana. But there are lessons to be gleaned from this hilarious tale. Music is about freedom and human expression. Corporations should not have absolute control of musicians and their work– music is art, not just a way to make money. When music is commodified and polished until it’s shiny and socially acceptable, it loses what makes it special. Nirvana didn’t let anyone put them in a box or push them around – they stayed true to themselves and their values and, if this 1991 party is any indication, they (sometimes) had fun doing it.

Keke Palmer has heard everything the internet has to say about her dating life. Now, the actress and entertainer is joining the conversation with a relationship update of her own. Palmer says she has finally found something loyal, refreshing, and willing to give back. However, the new “relationship” may not be exactly what fans expect.

The 32-year-old is teaming up with Panera Bread for its new “Refreshingly Loyal” campaign, which uses the online fascination surrounding Palmer’s personal life to introduce the company’s revamped MyPanera rewards program.

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In the new campaign, Palmer reframes the conversation surrounding loyalty by suggesting she has finally discovered a relationship that rewards her. The cheeky reveal is that Palmer is actually referring to MyPanera, which is transitioning to a points-based system nationwide beginning August 19.

“Refreshingly Loyal” allows Palmer to lean into the internet’s ongoing interest in her dating life while remaining in control of the punchline. Instead of directly addressing the speculation that has followed her relationships, she uses it to promote a partnership that promises more transparency, flexibility, and rewards.

The approach is perfectly suited to Palmer, who has become known for turning viral moments and public conversations into comedy on her own terms. This time, the joke is not about whether she has found a new romantic partner. It is about finding a loyalty program that “actually gives back.”

Panera Launches A New Points-Based Rewards System

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The updated MyPanera program replaces the brand’s previous rewards structure with a more traditional points system. Members will now earn 10 points for every $1 spent and can decide which available Panera menu items they want to redeem their points toward. Rewards begin at 250 points for eligible items such as a bagel or mini bakery treat. Those who continue accumulating points can redeem as many as 2,000 for a whole entrée of their choice.

According to Panera, rewards that members earned under the previous program will carry over after the new system launches. “From everyday favorites to exclusive offers, we have reimagined MyPanera to deliver more value with every purchase, and the new MyPanera is built to give our guests what they have told us they want most, more transparency, better rewards and more choice,” Joshua Fine, Chief Digital Officer of Panera Bread, said, per a press release sent to The Blast.

“Now, MyPanera is truly living into its name by giving our guests rewards that are flexible, tailored and highly personalized to their preferences,” he added. The company says the change will affect its more than 70 million MyPanera members.

MyPanera Members Can Score A Free Refresher

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Panera is also offering members an incentive to try the updated rewards program. From August 19 through September 1, eligible new and existing MyPanera members can receive 500 bonus points after making their first qualifying purchase through the new program. Those 500 points are enough to redeem for a free Energy Refresher or Fresca.

The points will be added to the member’s account within 24 hours of the qualifying order being fulfilled. The promotion is limited to one 500-point offer per member and requires a verified food or beverage purchase from a participating U.S. café.

Members will also receive exclusive app access to Panera’s new Tropical Mango Pineapple Energy Refresher for a limited time. The caffeinated beverage launches alongside the refreshed program on August 19.

MyPanera Will Now Offer Three Membership Tiers

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The revamped loyalty program includes three different tiers based on how customers use and spend with the brand.

The standard MyPanera tier remains free and allows members to earn points through the Panera app.

MyPanera+ is available to members who spend $300 during a calendar year. That tier includes additional benefits such as bonus points on delivery orders and a free birthday You Pick Two.

The MyPanera+ Sip Club subscription combines those benefits with up to 30 select beverages per monthly billing cycle. Subscribers can also access exclusive offers on select Sip Club Saturdays.

Keke Palmer’s Rumored Romance With Sean Evans Has Fans Talking

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The campaign arrives as Palmer’s relationship with “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans continues to spark speculation online.

The pair’s chemistry has been building publicly for years. Evans previously admitted that he had a crush on Palmer, and the two later shared a playful kiss during her third appearance on “Hot Ones.” Dating rumors intensified in June after they were spotted having dinner together in Brooklyn.

Palmer has since confirmed that she and Evans are spending time together, but stopped short of defining their relationship. She called him “my guy” and said they were taking things day by day. More recently, Palmer described their chemistry as genuine while urging fans not to rush them into anything, joking, “Let it cook!”

As for Palmer’s partnership, it gives her the opportunity to acknowledge the conversation around her love life without providing the kind of conventional relationship update the internet may have been expecting.

She has found loyalty, just in the form of free food, drinks, and points.

Being such a fan of classic spaghetti Westerns, it was only a matter of time before Quentin Tarantino crafted his own take on the genre, filtered through his own indelible vision. After reshaping the public’s interpretation of crime, kung-fu/samurai, and man-on-a-mission films, Tarantino made the quintessential Western for the modern era with Django Unchained, his homage to the films of Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci, with the latter’s Django providing the namesake of his 2012 movie. Released during the holiday season, Django Unchained, starring Jamie Foxx as the titular freed slave-turned-bounty hunter out for revenge against his former captors, was a cultural phenomenon, grossing $425 million worldwide and sparking hot-button discourse over its transgressive content. Now one of the most popular films available to stream for free on Pluto TV, Django Unchained is as striking and rip-roaring as ever, and with Tarantino claiming that he’ll only direct one more feature film, it’s a great time to revisit some of his strongest work.

‘Django Unchained’ is a Revisionist Take on the Antebellum South

Image via The Weinstein Company

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As he previously did with Inglourious Basterds‘ revisionist take on World War II, Tarantino imagined an alternate world where a slave could be emancipated and empowered to fight back against the racist white plantation owners in the Antebellum U.S. South. The film reimagines this horrific chapter in U.S. history through a modern lens, with Django’s swaggering attitude, autonomy, and status in a pre-abolition America being knowingly anachronistic, along with much of the film’s music cues, costumes, and language. Django could be read as either a long-awaited spotlight for Black characters, who are notoriously sidelined in Hollywood Westerns, or a fetishized, sanitized retelling of African-American history by a white director.

Filling out Tarantino’s guns-blazing American-made spaghetti Western (the film is far more indebted to the dark and stylish Westerns of Leone than the elegiac cinematic poems of John Ford) is Christoph Waltz, winning his second of two Oscars for Tarantino as bounty hunter and Django emancipator Dr. King Schultz, as well as Kerry Washington as Hildi, Django’s enslaved wife and target of his rescue mission, and Leonardo DiCaprio as the heinous plantation owner and captor of Hildi, Calvin Candie. DiCaprio, in particular, is a true stand-out in Django Unchained, as he gives perhaps the most vicious and daring performance by a modern A-list movie star. Frequent Tarantino stock player Samuel L. Jackson is also at his best as Stephen, Candie’s head house slave and personal confidant.

With its bold formalist and thematic flourishes, Django Unchained is Tarantino’s most stylized and self-reflective film. He is so commanding of his own auteurial stamp that he doesn’t care what he borrows or repurposes from other movies, including reusing the main theme from Corbucci’s Django. Darkly funny, ultraviolent, formally audacious, and provocative, Django Unchained represents Tarantino in a nutshell.

‘Django Unchained’ Tackles Controversial Subjects

With every release of a Quentin Tarantino film comes controversy, and Django Unchained unsurprisingly inspired the most uproar the writer-director has ever seen in his career. Tarantino’s history with racial epithets and appropriation of Black culture has been considered an issue by countless viewers for decades. And for many, making a movie about Black slavery in the U.S. with his same vulgar and heightened sensibilities was the last straw. Django is filled with invigorating gunfire sequences and applause-worthy line readings by its titular star, and this theatrical, comic book-esque presentation of slavery is understandably tasteless for some viewers.

This also applies to his approach to dealing with the horrific racist acts depicted in the film. While colloquial uses of racial epiphets and racial hate crimes were undoubtedly part of this historical period, Tarantino expresses these ugly acts with the same pulpy aesthetic he used in Kill Bill. With his notorious precedent of writing white characters who use racial slurs gratuitously, it’s easy to question his intent with some of the film’s content, even in a film reflecting America’s history.

No matter where you stand in the debate, Django Unchained‘s thorny commentary is a worthy supplement to a seismic film by one of the world’s greatest living directors. Westerns are hard to come by these days, and the long-tailed legacy of Quentin Tarantino’s postmodern take on The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly hits all the marks that would appeal to audiences in the 2020s, making any other Western in its wake feel like a copycat. Featuring impeccable performances by its stacked cast and lavish visual and production design, Django Unchained has the passion and wunderkind enthusiasm of a debut filmmaker obsessed with cinema, executed by a master of the trade.

There’s a very specific fashion dilemma that happens this time every year: The calendar says it’s time for sweaters and boots, but the weather is still very much in its summer era. If you’ve ever walked outside on a chilly morning in a sweater, only to regret your outfit choice by noon, you know the struggle. The trick to dressing for the season without sweating through it? Reach for lightweight, breathable staples that give your wardrobe that fall feeling without all the extra layers.

Athleticwear happens to be especially well suited for the job. Think leggings you can pair with an oversized sweatshirt, lightweight tops that work for workouts and weekend errands and easy layers you can throw on when temperatures dip. These versatile pieces make it possible to ease into your fall wardrobe without committing to a head-to-toe sweater-and-boots situation — because, frankly, it’s not always cold enough for that yet. They’re also super versatile for every fall trip on your calendar, too.

Polished Athletic Clothing for Summer-To-Fall Dressing

1. Travel-Ready Joggers: These high-rise joggers are made for those days when your outfit needs to do a little bit of everything. They have a comfy relaxed fit and pull-on waistband, and are made with water-repellent fabric for protection from unpredictable fall weather. Front pockets make them a travel-day staple, too.

2. The Polished Layer: Consider this full-zip jacket your answer to weather that starts crisp and warms up quickly. The lightweight modal fabric feels luxuriously soft against the skin and has four-way stretch, so it’s easy to move in. It looks sleek but still has discreet side zip pockets to keep your essentials close.

3. Cropped & Cozy: A cropped sweatshirt is an easy way to bring a little fall energy to your wardrobe without piling on too much fabric. This smooth, sleek crewneck has four-way stretch and moisture-managing properties to help keep you cool and dry, making it a smart pick for those not-quite-sweater-weather days. The classic design also looks cute with high-rise leggings, joggers or jeans.

4. Roomy & Relaxed: These straight-leg sweatpants have the laid-back look we always crave in fall outfits, along with performance features that make them even more practical. Soft, breathable and fade-resistant . . . the list goes on. And those deep pockets? They can hold up to three tennis balls or two pickleballs, so consider your hands officially freed.

5. Wide-Leg Ease: Wide-leg pants are having a major fashion moment, and this pull-on pair has a high-rise, full-length silhouette with a relaxed-but-polished feel. A soft elastic waistband and four-way stretch keep them comfy all day, and the water-repellent fabric gives you a little extra protection when fall weather decides to be unpredictable.

6. The Everyday Hoodie: Meet the hoodie you’ll want within arm’s reach all season long. The shorter, relaxed-fit style hits at the top of your hip for an easy, modern silhouette. Side pockets provide everyday storage — and the interior modular pocket keeps your phone secure without all the annoying bouncing while you’re on the go.

7. Sporty Half-Zip: A quarter-zip pullover is one of the easiest ways to ease into fall dressing, and this one comes with ergonomic panels for easy movement, built-in thumbholes to keep your sleeves in place and an adjustable waist cord so you can customize the fit. The high-coverage neckline is especially nice for those crisp mornings when summer suddenly feels very far away.

8. The Layering MVP: Tank tops have their place in a fall wardrobe, too. This fitted style is made from supportive fabric with plenty of stretch and a smooth, second-skin feel — it works beautifully under fall layers. Slip it beneath a cardigan or blazer for an easy transitional outfit, wear it on its own when temperatures climb or you’re heading out for a run. Bonus: Moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties make it just as practical for workouts.

9. Sporty Dress-Up: This sleeveless polo dress sits just between athletic and polished, making it a particularly versatile choice for transitional weather. It has plenty of stretch, but looks put-together with a V-shaped collar and sleek silhouette. Wear it solo on warmer days, then add a cardigan or lightweight jacket when the temperature drops.

10. The Skort Solution: This feminine skort makes a convincing case for keeping your summer favorites in the rotation a little longer. Pair it with a fitted tank for a sporty look now, then add a cozy sweater when you’re ready to lean more heavily into fall. Designed for movement, it features built-in shorts with a phone- and ball-friendly side pocket, plus an additional discreet mesh pocket at the waistband.

11. Chilly-Morning Layer: When a tank top feels like too little but a sweatshirt feels like too much, reach for this hooded long-sleeve layer. Its performance fabric is designed to help regulate temperature, and a curved hem allows for easy movement. Thumbholes keep the sleeves neatly in place, making it especially useful for brisk morning walks and early fall workouts.

12. Barely-There Breathability: This light-as-air tank was practically made for those deceptively warm between-season days. The ultra-breathable mesh fabric offers plenty of ventilation — and it’s also cooling, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. A flowy fit and back vent give it even more airflow, and it’s super easy to layer under a hoodie once the sun goes down.

13. The Everyday Tee: Every transitional wardrobe needs a reliable T-shirt, and this one brings a performance twist to a classic. Made from ultra-breathable mesh fabric, it’s lightweight for warm afternoons and easy to layer beneath a sweatshirt or jacket when it cools off. The relaxed fit and curved hem add a little extra movement, making this the kind of everyday tee you’ll reach for on repeat.

Science fiction has produced some of cinema’s most ambitious and influential films, from groundbreaking blockbusters to intimate stories built around imaginative concepts. The genre’s greatest achievements have introduced audiences to new worlds, inventive technologies, and provocative ideas while pushing visual effects and cinematic storytelling forward.

For fans of the genre, IMDb users’ scores have made it easy to determine the best sci-fi movies of all time. The highest-rated top 10 science fiction movies include influential classics like Alien and Back to the Future and mind-bending masterpieces like Interstellar and Inception.

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‘The Thing’ (1982)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

If there were to exist a hypothetical Mount Rushmore of horror movie directors, John Carpenter would have to be right up there. We’re talking about one of the most revolutionary, groundbreaking, and brilliantly subversive horror auteurs in the genre’s history. For proof, one needn’t look any further than The Thing, Carpenter’s take on John W. Campbell Jr.‘s 1938 novella Who Goes There?

It’s one of the best sci-fi thriller masterpieces of all time, simultaneously working as a chilling horror classic and a reflection of the paranoid psyche of Cold War-era America. Over four decades after its release, the film is still being dissected and praised by cinephiles on IMDb, who confidently call it one of the greatest horror films of all time. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg is the father of Hollywood blockbusters, and he has reigned supreme in that space since the mid-’70s—but it was the ’90s that were the most lucrative decade for his filmography in history. It was all thanks to masterpieces like Jurassic Park, an engrossing adaptation of Michael Crichton‘s 1990 novel.

Here, Spielberg balances suspense, emotion, thought-provoking thematic work, and jaw-dropping special effects like the absolute pro that he has always been. Jurassic Park is nothing short of one of the best films of the 1990s, a gem that remained the highest-grossing film of all time for four years and is still one of the highest-rated on IMDb. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Project Hail Mary’ (2026)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

Andy Weir has firmly established himself as one of the most enticing hard science fiction authors currently working, and his 2021 novel Project Hail Mary only further enshrined him on that throne. Along came Phil Lord and Chris Miller and fittingly turned the story of Grace and Rocky’s unlikely friendship into one of the greatest hard sci-fi films of all time.

Project Hail Mary can already be counted among those modern sci-fi movies that will be classics. It’s everything that a hard sci-fi space opera should aim to be: faithful enough to scientific rigor without ever sacrificing entertainment value. It’s colorful, it’s emotional, it can be funny whenever it needs to be, and it’s full of the same kind of wonder and movie magic that IMDb users love to see in this genre. — Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Warner Bros. 

Set in a dystopian version of England, director Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange depicts a world where violence and delinquency are part of the norm. It follows Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his “Droogs” as they spread chaos and hurt others, which leads to the sci-fi aspect of the film, where the protagonist undergoes extreme rehabilitation using technology that changes his behavior. It’s a strange blend of surrealism and sci-fi elements that fans appreciate, giving it such a high rating.

A Clockwork Orange immerses viewers in a disturbing world that blurs the line between right and wrong. It questions the very nature of evil itself through Alex’s story, which is inevitably linked with political commentary about the extent of control the government can have over individuals’ free will.

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‘Metropolis’ (1927)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Image via Parufamet

A great sci-fi movie that’s over 100 years old, Metropolis is a groundbreaking and influential masterpiece directed by Fritz Lang. Its story is centered on a privileged individual who is appalled by the newfound knowledge of the harsh conditions the working class is subjected to on a daily basis.

Metropolis is a timeless classic that’s also eerily accurate, as the “future” it depicts isn’t too far off from reality. Its innovative set design is fascinating to watch today, especially when audiences consider that Lang used miniature buildings to bring cityscapes to life.

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‘Cat City’ (1986)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Mokép

As it turns out, it’s not just the mainstream movies on IMDb’s official Top 250 highest-rated movies that are among the highest-rated sci-fi films on the site: There are also masterpieces as criminally underappreciated as the Hungarian adult animated gem Cat City, which still doesn’t have enough user ratings to enter the official IMDb Top 250.

It absolutely deserves to get there, however, because as far as adult animation made for the big screen goes, it doesn’t get much better than Cat City. It’s one of the most near-perfect animated movies that nobody remembers anymore, a wildly creative and funny cult classic full of thrilling moments, stunning hand-drawn designs, and clever social satire. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

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‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Lucasfilm

The iconic third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi depicts Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) continued struggle against the Galactic Empire, alongside the new couple Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), who embark on a misadventure of their own.

The perfect continuation of the Skywalker Saga, Return of the Jedi captivated audiences around the globe and became a massive blockbuster. It was the highest-grossing film of the year after earning a whopping $475 million at the global box office, further establishing the widespread influence of the sci-fi franchise.

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‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via Focus Features

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry, is an emotional and effective breakup movie that conveys the sorrow, bewilderment, and regret that frequently come with the end of a relationship. Set in a version of the world in which it is possible to forget things thanks to new memory-erasing tech, it follows a couple, Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet), as they navigate the confusing line between needing to remember and wanting to forget.

The film is a beautiful and meaningful depiction of what it is like to lose someone important in one’s life. With its weird dream sequences and emotional lines, the film captivates, entertains, and moves to tears all at once. Joel’s eventual desperation to cling to the memory of Clementine will definitely strike a chord with viewers, who may not have the same opportunity for a second chance as the pair does in the film. Its amazing IMDb score of 8.3 makes it a perfect fit on the list of best sci-fi movies.

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‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Image via MGM

Director Stanley Kubrick‘s 2001: A Space Odyssey is an iconic entry in the genre that needs no introduction. Its ambitious storyline spans thousands of years and is anchored on the discovery of a monolith that a crew is sent out to investigate. Alongside the now-legendary AI HAL 9000, they soon find themselves in mind-bending situations.

With its stunning visuals, brilliant use of music, and profound narrative, 2001: A Space Odyssey became the quintessential space opera that highlighted the viability of the genre. Although it wasn’t initially appreciated as the masterpiece that it is, Kubrick’s film is recognized today as a classic that served as a genre-defining moment in cinematic history.

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‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Before the 2020s rolled in, no one could have possibly blamed fans of Frank Herbert‘s Dune, one of the greatest and most important works of sci-fi literature in history, for thinking that it was impossible to live up to the novel’s legacy in cinematic form. That was before Denis Villeneuve entered the scene. 2021’s Dune was great, but it’s Dune: Part Two that’s bound to go down in history as one of the greatest sci-fi blockbusters of the first half of the 21st century.

It’s an action-adventure masterpiece through and through, and even calling it one of the best sci-fi movies of the last 10 years feels like a bit of an understatement. The way Villeneuve’s vision blends with Herbert’s imagination here is jaw-dropping, offering plenty of unforgettable moments of excitement, amazement, emotion, and purely epic science fiction. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

Ridley Scott is not only one of the most reliable filmmakers in the industry, but also one of the most versatile. Although Scott is best known for his science fiction blockbusters and epic period dramas, he’s also directed a number of old-fashioned films in genres that the industry simply doesn’t make anymore. Someone to Watch Over Me would feel like a novelty in 2026, as the same premise would be much more likely to be used for a television show than a film. Its blend of romantic drama, conspiracy mystery, and crime-adjacent suspense is surprisingly tricky to pull off, but Scott delivers a mature film for adults that is nonetheless a great work of entertainment. Someone to Watch Over Me is the type of film that would be a standout within any other director’s filmography, and it just happens to get lost within Scott’s because of how uniformly excellent his body of work is.

Set within New York City, Someone to Watch Over Me follows the NYPD detective Mike Keegan (Tom Berenger), who is hired to serve as a bodyguard for the socialite Claire Gregory (Mimi Rogers) after she is attacked by the disgruntled artist Joey Benza (Andreas Katsulas), who has been feuding with her friend Winn Hockings (Mark Moses). Keegan is an experienced detective who thinks that serving as the protector of a wealthy woman is beneath him, but he becomes more open to Claire after they spend more time with one another. The growing heat between Keegan and Claire causes an issue of a different type, as he does not want to be unfaithful to his wife Ellie (Lorraine Bracco). Someone to Watch Over Me is moody, atmospheric, and uses class and cultural differences to create a fascinating love triangle. It’s become one of Scott’s most forgotten films, but it’s held up remarkably well.

‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ Combines Romance and Noir

Image via Columbia Pictures

Scott is one of the most professional and consistent directors of the past 50 years, and Someone to Watch Over Me is simply more polished and slick than it would have been with another filmmaker behind the camera. Although Scott’s talent for worldbuilding is commonly associated with crafting science fictional environments or recreating historical battles, Someone to Watch Over Me treated New York itself as a character that pushes each of the protagonists out of their comfort zone. Claire’s apartment has a glistening opulence that stands in stark contrast to the agitated loneliness that she feels, and there is even a dark demeanor to the more heartfelt moments between Keegan and his family. Scott ensures that there is a sense of uneasiness that hangs over both Claire and Keegan, despite their significant difference, which puts them in similar positions. This is best expressed in the opening scene, which looks at their vastly different experiences at parties that are held in their honor; even though they both have cause for celebration, Keegan and Claire feel unresolved, which explains why they become attracted to one another.

Someone to Watch Over Me is smart in putting together its love triangle because the film avoids being melodramatic or saccharine in a way that would sacrifice the integrity of the writing. Although Keegan isn’t painted as being an inherently duplicitous person who would casually break his wife’s trust, it makes sense that he would share a bond with Claire when they both have cause to fear for their lives; the romance only makes the thriller aspects of the film more effective, as Keegan has more cause to offer her protection. Even though Someone to Watch Over Me was released before the “serial killer craze” dominated crime films in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, it does effectively show how terrifying a lone, unpredictable criminal can be.

‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ Is One of Ridley Scott’s Most Underrated Films

Scott is not often given enough credit for putting women at the center of his films, and Someone to Watch Over Me delicately handles its female characters without resorting to stereotypes. Claire is given defining traits beyond her wealth and status, ensuring that there aren’t any socialite cliches; similarly, Bracco is given the opportunity to give a full-formed, distinctive performance that is more than just “the wife.” That Someone to Watch Over Me is a film about a woman being stalked that isn’t sexually exploitative makes it a novelty in the ‘80s, and it’s easy to imagine that the same material would look very different with a different director at the helm. There was certainly the potential to make a trashy, nasty work of exploitation, but Someone to Watch Over Me gives viewers a reason to care about the characters that goes beyond the narrative conceit.

Someone to Watch Over Me is a great showcase for the entire cast, as Bergenger is a terrific character actor who wasn’t offered as many opportunities to play the lead as he should have been. The film also benefits from the score by Vangelis, who had obviously been a previous collaborator of Scott’s, and their music creates even more poignancy for the most emotional moments. While Someone to Watch Over Me could be seen as a more fleshed-out version of a procedural thriller, it also succeeds at taking a genre slant on romantic tropes. When looking beyond Xenomorphs and gladiatorial arenas, Scott made films with true heart that featured heartfelt explorations of the human condition.

Someone to Watch Over Me is streaming free on Tubi.

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Someone to Watch Over Me

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Release Date

October 9, 1987

Runtime

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103 minutes

Writers

Danilo Bach, David Seltzer

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  Mimi Rogers

  Claire Gregory

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  Lorraine Bracco

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  Ellie Keegan

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After waiting for a month for another Taylor Sheridan series to arrive, following an explosive first season finale of Dutton Ranch, August 2026 brought with it the third season of one of the great TV producer’s best shows. Lioness Season 3, Episode 1, “The Spider and The Fly,” was one of the best episodes of the show so far, according to some, with the return of Zoe Saldaña‘s Joe McNamara setting the standard for what might just be the most unmissable season yet.

Since then, another two episodes have aired to similar success, with each scoring over 8.3/10 on IMDb and helping maintain Lioness‘ position at the top of the streaming charts. But the return of Lioness was paired with some frustrating news for Sheridan fans, with it confirmed that one of his most acclaimed shows had been delayed. Renewed for Season 3 in December 2025, Landman fans had originally expected production on Tommy Norris’ (Billy Bob Thornton) return to begin in May. However, the series will instead begin its third season production in September, likely leading to a big delay with the show’s next premiere.

Inspired by Christian Wallace‘s Texas-set podcast Boomtown, Landman is undeniably one of Sheridan’s most popular projects, with the likes of Andy Garcia, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland, and Colm Feore helping Thornton lead a pitch-perfect ensemble to huge acclaim in the most recent second season. Despite said second season coming to an end seven months ago, Landman is still shooting down streaming milestones. Officially, the series just crossed the 300-day mark on the Paramount+ top ten in the U.S., where it currently ranks in seventh place.

Will Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Lioness’ Return for More?

We already know that Landman is set to return for another season, but what is happening with Sheridan’s current big hit, Lioness? The series has yet to be picked up for a fourth season, with its all-star cast — including Saldaña, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Michael Kelly, and LaMonica Garrett — likely to prove tricky to align schedules with. However, the Quick Reaction Force team leader Bobby herself, Jill Wagner, seems confident that Lioness will roar once more, saying, “We’re going to get Lioness Season 4” in a recent interview.

Landman and Lioness are streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of all of Sheridan’s future projects.

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Release Date

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November 17, 2024

Network

Paramount

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Elsie Hewitt and Pete Davidson’s reconciliation seems to be going well, but fans don’t eagerly approve.

The former couple, who welcomed their first child together last year, recently settled their custody squabbles following their breakup.

As they navigate this new chapter as amicable co-parents for their daughter, the comedian seems to have moved on with another mystery woman.

In a new social media post, the model detailed her attendance at Olivia Dean’s concert in a series of photos. Attached to the upload was Dean’s hit track, “Baby Steps.” 

Hewitt seemed to be having the best time, dressed in a mid-length white polka-dot halter-neck gown and low, strap-back heels.

In one frame, she sang emotionally to Dean’s song alongside a friend while confetti fell. However, it was the accompanying caption that drew fans’ attention.

 “Scottie crawled for the first time to this song. We dance to Olivia Dean every day. It’s our album,” Hewitt began, admitting the artist got her through the ups and downs of 2026.

In the post’s conclusion, the Playboy model seemingly alluded to her breakup before thanking Davidson for gifting her concert tickets. “I hope whoever fumbled her is shaking in their boots, but hey thanks for some of the inspo behind The Art of Loving, and thanks to my baby daddy for the tix,” she wrote.

Fans Attack Pete Davidson For Elsie Hewitt Breakup

While Hewitt’s post indicated no bad blood, fans weren’t quick to forgive the “Bupkis” actor for their split. 

“If we are going to talk fumbles, let’s talk Pete,” one fan commented, while another fan penned, “Baby daddy fumbled, but that’s ok because you’re going to end up with a king.”

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Others, however, praised the stand-up comedian for giving his ex the chance to have a girls’ night out. “Emphasis on the baby daddy purchasing tickets,” one user noted. 

Some defended Davidson for stepping up, warning that if Hewitt were on good terms with him, fans didn’t need to be negative.

The Former Couple Reached An Agreement Over Their Daughter 

The appreciation post comes less than a month after Hewitt and Davidson were finally able to see eye to eye on parenting their daughter, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson.

According to The Blast, after having a series of “productive conversations” behind the scenes, the former lovebirds reached “joint agreement.” Davidson and Hewitt shared in a statement their plans to continue what is best for Scottie, saying:

“We are cooperatively coparenting our daughter whose well-being remains our top priority, and we are fully committed to working together to give her love from both of us.”

Fans may recall that the pair broke up just two months after welcoming their daughter in December 2025.

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As fans struggled with the news of their sudden breakup, hoping the pair would patch things up, Hewitt dropped a major bombshell. 

The model in a TikTok post made scathing allegations that she was single-handedly parenting Scottie without Davidson’s support. She made the revelation after paparazzi captured her looking rough and disheveled while running errands. Hewitt was seen pushing her daughter in a stroller. 

Addressing remarks about her appearance, the model said in the clip, “I have a baby to take care of, and I also have to work and make money, and I’m doing it on my own.”

Davidson never publicly addressed the comments, but close sources to the “Saturday Night Live” alum denied it, describing him as a “very present father” who was shouldering all the financial cost.

Pete Davidson Sparks Romance Chatter

As Davidson and Hewitt put the past behind them and move on as co-parents, the comedian has wasted no time getting back in the dating market.

Shortly after their agreement was confirmed, “The King of Staten Island” actor was spotted enjoying a cozy night out with Sarah Jane Nader in Brooklyn, New York. 

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As reported by The Blast, the duo looked super comfortable in each other’s company, although no visible display of affection was witnessed. It is unclear to what extent their relationship went, but the decade-long age gap between Davidson and Nader set tongues wagging.

Neither party has yet to confirm if they are an item. 

Jen Affleck wasn’t so sure that agreeing to film The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County was great for her mental health.

“I almost wasn’t even part of the OC show just because it got so bad. I was like, ‘You know what? Maybe I need to take a step back,’” Jen, 27, exclusively told Us of her mental wellbeing at the time. “But I felt honestly within me that I needed to share this time because with season 2 — when I did go through that — I think it was the right thing at the time to exit and focus on my mental health.”

While Jen rose to fame through MomTok and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, she’s now embracing a new chapter as part of the Hulu spinoff in Orange County. The reality TV star felt this time around that it was “important” for her to show viewers “what happens and how hard it is” to experience postpartum or prenatal depression.

“I hope that anyone who’s gone through any form of depression watching the show can relate [to] me and can kind of feel seen because it was hard showing up,” she said, while promoting her Quest Nutrition partnership. “It was hard sharing and it’s also really vulnerable having to share the darkest seasons of your life. But I think in doing so, as long as it’s helping someone, that’s all I care about.”

Related: ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives‘ Family Guide: Meet the Stars‘ 24 Kids

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives centers around Utah’s most famous #MomTok crew — but just how many kids do they all have? When the Hulu series premiered in September 2024, it starred soft swinger Taylor Frankie Paul and her TikTok mom frenemies Demi Engemann, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Jen Affleck, Whitney Leavitt, Jessi Ngatikaura […]

Since Jen and husband Zac Affleck shared in June that they are expecting their fourth child, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant has been candid about experiencing prenatal depression — but said she’s “feeling way better” today. (The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, previously welcomed daughters Nora and Penny and son Lucas in 2021, 2025 and 2023, respectively.)

“Definitely seeing more of the light at the end of the tunnel now that I’m not deathly ill and sick and on bed rest,” she said. “I have always struggled, specifically the first trimester of every pregnancy. It’s interesting because I never was a person to really struggle with depression throughout my life. But when I became a mom, it was a different story. Like my body was just going through things that I just didn’t know how to navigate, and I, unfortunately, with this being the fourth pregnancy, this was the hardest pregnancy out of all of them.”

Jen shared that she’s been feeling hopeful because she knows she has “gotten through this before” and “can go through this again.”

“The only difference between this pregnancy and other pregnancies was I had a really hard time reaching out, really hard time talking about it and asking for help,” she said. “I think, especially as a mom, I think it’s hard to ask for help because you’re constantly serving your children and thinking of your children, and it’s hard to think of yourself. But I think through asking for support has been the biggest game changer, and it’s given me the strength to be able to show up for other people. I hope through sharing my story, it’s been able to help other people, or at least bring awareness.”

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As Jen prepares to welcome her fourth baby, she can be found teaming up with Quest Nutrition to spotlight the brand’s protein-packed Chips, Bars and treats designed to satisfy cravings.

“I always carry [the snack bars] in my bag at all times. I will not leave the house without it, just because I have such long days, and if I don’t constantly snack or eat, I get so nauseous being pregnant,” she explained. “The snack bars have been a game changer. They’re so yummy. I feel like it’s a guilt-free treat because it tastes literally like a treat.”

If you or someone you know is pregnant or just had a baby and is in crisis, help is available. Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for free, confidential support 24/7 in English and Spanish at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).