Animation has such a packed and genuinely brilliant library that it is far too easy for stranger, quieter, or simply just less heavily promoted shows to fall through the cracks. Some of the best in the genre haven’t even been seen by mainstream audiences, sadly missed by viewers who would likely fall headfirst in love if they ever stumbled upon them. Even quite a few diehard fans of animation tend to let some of the greatest hits slip past them.

Standout but woefully underrated watches, like Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, which brings together Chinese mythology, teen comedy, supernatural danger, and personal identity in a captivatingly fresh way, and the anime World Trigger, which rewards its viewers with detailed team battles and smart, strategy-driven action, are just two examples of rewarding experiences in animation that most haven’t even heard of. Compiled on this list are the shows that may be standouts, featuring compelling storytelling, but have somehow been missed by even the most diehard animation fans.

‘Wakfu’ (2007–Present)

Image via France 3

Wakfu is truly peak animation television. The series follows the young Eliatrope, Yugo (Jules de Jongh), who discovers he can open portals and sets out to find his true family. Along the way, he gathers a loyal group of friends and embarks on an adventure rife with powerful enemies, ancient mysteries, and hidden truths that begin to quickly unravel.

Wakfu may be a colorful bout of animated fun that seems incredibly childish, but what truly makes it a number one standout is the fact that it sincerely lets adventure mature without becoming joyless. It’s a world-building experience that is well-crafted, with characters that are masterfully developed, offering audiences a story that’s expansive, funny, heartbreaking, and increasingly mythical. Most diehard fans aren’t even aware Wakfu even exists, despite how genuinely brilliant it is. The series begins as a simple, fantastical quest that gradually grows into a multi-season epic about destiny, identity, history, chosen family, and world-scale conflict, marking it as a masterpiece that may be consistently overlooked but stands as a quiet icon in the animation genre.

‘Astra Lost in Space’ (2019)

Image via Lerche

This underrated good time is a Japanese sci-fi animated series that has somehow slipped through the cracks due to how short and self-contained it is. Astra Lost in Space centers around a group of students who head to space, only to get stranded thousands of light-years away from home when the excursion is derailed by a mysterious anomaly.

There aren’t many anime sci-fi adventures that come with as many twists and shocking moments as Astra Lost in Space does. It’s a satisfying discovery for first-time viewers, most lauding the series as a hidden gem that charms with its humor, suspense, heart, and adventure. What truly makes Astra Lost in Space even better than its setup is how clean the ensemble’s bonding and escalating conspiracy is. Most mainstream audiences haven’t seen it, the show being so woefully underrated, but viewers who adore excellent writing rife with space antics, heartfelt moments, and jaw-dropping twists are sure to be entertained from beginning to end.

‘World Trigger’ (2014–2022)

Image via Toei Animation

World Trigger is a widely underrated anime series, which sadly means it has never received the same attention as bigger battle anime, but that is exactly why it belongs on a list of fantastic animated shows that even diehards may have missed. Set in a world where alien-like beings called “Neighbors” invade through portals, while an organization called Border trains agents to fight them, the series focuses on a teen, Osamu Mikumo (Tomo Muranaka), his new friend, a Neighbor refugee Yūma Kuga (Yūki Kaji), and Chika Amatori (Nao Tamura) as they work together to defend humanity while uncovering the truth about their fight.

World Trigger is a criminally overlooked shōnen action anime, with devoted fans who praise its lovable characters, intelligent power system, and captivating tactical battles. The show is so worth discovering as it gives its action a different kind of excitement through clever characters’ wins. World Trigger wields a distinct style of thrill, allowing it to stand out despite its underrated status, making it a much more impressive viewing experience than most who haven’t seen it even realize.

‘Erased’ (2016)

Image via A-1 Pictures

This iconic thrill ride is definitely one for the books. Erased follows a 29-year-old manga artist, Satoru Fujinuma (Shinnosuke Mitsushima), whose involuntary “Revival” ability sends him back in time after his mother is brutally murdered.

Erased is definitely a unique watch that most have yet to discover. It’s an enticing mixture of regret, mystery, time travel, and emotional urgency that dubs it one of the strongest under-seen thrillers in the anime genre. Erased‘s writing is tighter and more emotionally persuasive than its extremely short run suggests, with every leap backwards sharpening the brutal stakes. It may not be the most underrated series on this list, but it is sadly lacking the attention it deserves, making it a great addition to this catalog of hidden gems.

‘Mushi-Shi’ (2005–2014)

Image via Artland

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Mushi-Shi is a true standout that even the most experienced fans can overlook because it sits on the back of most streaming shelves. The series delivers an episodic anthology, set in a semi-historical Japan where primordial lifeforms called “mushi” live among humans. The show focuses on Ginko (Yuto Nakano), who travels from place to place as a Mushishi, investigating strange cases and trying to help those who have been affected by mushi.

Even though Mushi-Shi is sadly an under-seen anime, it ranks high among some of the best animated series because it stays pretty calm without ever becoming boring. Among anime fans, it’s a pretty beloved series, but outside that circle, the show doesn’t get much attention, especially against louder fantasy titles. Mushi-Shi wields compassionate writing, with a philosophically precise approach that never mistakes explanation for wisdom. Even by the end of its relatively few episodes, it remains incredibly beloved by its rather minor audience, a true quiet beauty that deserves a place among the greatest animated series more fans should discover.

‘Sym-Bionic Titan’ (2010–2011)

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This fantastic sci-fi series is as underrated as they come. Sym-Bionic Titan centers around Princess Ilana (Tara Strong), soldier Lance (Kevin Thoms), and robot-scientist Octus (Brian Posehn) after they escape an intergalactic war and move to hide out on Earth as ordinary suburban high-schoolers.

For even the most diehard animation fans, Sym-Bionic Titan is a stark reminder that even some of the best shows never get the viewership nor the great attention they deserve. With an enticing blend of identity struggles and surprisingly sincere character moments, with giant robot battles and alien politics, the show offers audiences quite the entertaining experience. Because the series was cancelled, its unbridled potential cut short, most forgot it existed—if they ever knew of it at all. Despite this, it stands as one of Genndy Tartakovsky‘s most underrated works of art.

‘Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld’ (2024)

Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is a Netflix surprise that is one of its newer titles that simply never truly got off the ground. The fantasy series focuses on the Chinese American teenager Jentry Chau (Ali Wong), whose fire-based powers that sent her life into complete chaos have reawakened just as a demon king starts hunting her.

Not many have heard of Netflix’s Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, despite how surprisingly entertaining it is. It’s the type of good time that feels like it could easily slip past most viewers, as its appearance may seem a bit underwhelming at first glance. But in truth, Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is also quite easy to champion once given a chance. It’s addictive, a sharp genre series with emotional warmth, comic timing, and a specific cultural texture that sets it apart from the more generic YA supernatural animated series. Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is in a league of its own, with a captivating story that many may not know but would be well-loved by any diehard animated fan who comes across it.

‘The Midnight Gospel’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

This underrated sci-fi animated series has to be one of the most captivatingly odd shows Netflix has ever released. The Midnight Gospel follows Clancy Gilroy (Duncan Trussell), a spacecaster who uses a reality-simulating machine to jump through apocalyptic or collapsing worlds, going on bizarre but funny adventures.

The Midnight Gospel, at first introduction, seems like a watch that is genuinely impossible to pull off, yet somehow it blends philosophical conversations with surreal animation, offering viewers something deeply moving and unforgettable. The series is honestly quite absurd, but also wields a compelling depth that marks it as a standout—one that is, albeit underseen. It’s likely that The Midnight Gospel may be too bizarre or emotionally intense for some, an unconventional watch that, at first glance, may put off some viewers. Diehards have likely skipped over it in an attempt to find something more seemingly normal and less cosmically humorous, which is a shame since it’s a memorable hidden gem that deserves far more recognition.

Sin City has become a real-life backdrop for reality TV, attracting stars from multiple hit franchises. From shows that film on the Strip to fan-favorite watch parties that bring episodes to life, the city has cemented itself as a go-to destination for reality TV culture. 

Reality stars are often found enjoying all that Las Vegas has to offer, from dining at popular restaurants to hosting watch parties at dayclubs.

The Blast has compiled a list of just some of the recent reality star visitors and where they were found in the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

With so many amazing experiences to enjoy in Las Vegas, you might wonder where your favorite reality stars gravitate. For some, the choice of where to dine is very intentional.

Amaya Modern Mexican at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been a hot spot for reality stars from some of television’s most loved franchises. A few of their recent guests include Brett Brown and Tiffany Pennywell Brown (“Love is Blind”), Hannah Wright and Marco Donatelli (“Love Island USA”), Johnny Middlebrooks (“Love Island USA,” “Love Island Games,” and “House of Villains”), Kaitlen Reagan (“Paradise Hotel”), and Kayla Richart (“Too Hot to Handle” and “Perfect Match”).

Amaya is known for fire performers, theatrical presentations, and elaborate dishes, as well as nightly DJs and a high-energy atmosphere.

Many Reality Stars Visit The Strat For Views And Adrenaline-Pumping Experiences

It’s not just the dining that reality stars visit Vegas for. Some are seeking amazing views and adrenaline rushing moments, and The STRAT offers both.

During Season 29 of “The Bachelor,” Grant Ellis had a unique one-on-one date at The STRAT, where he and his date did SkyJump, an 855-foot controlled descent from the Tower.

According to The STRAT’s website, “SkyJump is a heartpounding, scream-inducing, open-air leap from 829 feet above the neon Strip and holds a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent facility. You’ll zoom toward the landing pad at speeds topping 40 mph while the crowds below gasp and applaud your bravado.”

Reality TV Loves The Views From Top Of The World Steakhouse

Top of the World Steakhouse at the top of The STRAT is a popular filming location for reality TV thanks to the amazing 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip from 800 feet above the city. The restaurant has served as the backdrop in many reality series, including Season 7 of “Jersey Shore Family Vacation,” and Season 9 of “Queer Eye.”

The Blast was told that there are more reality TV features that will be airing soon, but since they’re still under wraps, we can’t say more about that just yet (so stay tuned)!

‘Love Island’ Watch Parties Are Popular In Vegas

One thing Vegas visitors love is a fun reality TV watch party. Tailgate Beach Club launched its Reality After Dark series in early June with a “Love Island” premiere watch party hosted by Kaylor Martin from Season 6, cohosted by Vegas Girl Events. The poolside viewing party featured signature cocktails, tasty bites, and brought fans together in a fun atmosphere to celebrate the start of another season of the beloved reality show.

Tailgate has another fun watch party on the calendar for the finale on July 12. According to the website, Tailgate will feature a party that starts with a poolside TruFusion class.

“Get your body and your bracket ready as the villa crowns its winning couple. Sunday, July 12th Love Island Finale Schedule at Tailgate Beach Club: 5:00 PM — TruFusion Class 6:00 PM — Love Island Finale Viewing Party Work up a sweat with TruFusion, then settle poolside on 145 feet of LED for the Love Island finale with the rest of Vegas’s biggest fans of the villa,” the website reads.

A New Reality Show Is Filming On The Strip

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum, Lisa Vanderpump, well-known and loved in Las Vegas with multiple restaurants on the Strip, recently added a hotel to her list of businesses. The Vanderpump Hotel opened last month, and it’s been a hit for visitors and locals alike.

While transforming The Cromwell into The Vanderpump Hotel, Lisa took the opportunity to show fans just what went into it by filming a new reality series called “Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas.”

NBC Universal made the announcement about the new show in early May. The official description reads, “Lisa Vanderpump has been ruling over the Las Vegas strip for years now, with three hotspot restaurants serving up chic cocktails in her signature whimsical settings. Now, she is expanding her Vegas empire through the opening of her high-profile namesake hotel. In this limited series, we follow the behind-the-scenes dash to make the property worthy of the Vanderpump brand. LVP shares what inspired her newest enterprise and pulls back the curtain on the down-to-the-wire drama. The series will culminate at The Vanderpump Hotel’s lavish opening party, with fan-favorite Bravolebrities celebrating the launch.”

No airdate has been released just yet, but we’re sure it’s worth the wait!

“Big Fat Liar” actor Frankie Muniz is clapping back at a conservative political commentator who slammed his “bizarre” divorce announcement. According to a previous report from The Blast, Frankie revealed yesterday, July 1, 2026, that he was divorcing his “baby momma,” Paige Price Muniz. He said that their separation wasn’t the result of a nasty falling-out, but rather a deep commitment to their 5-year-old son, Mauz. The actor said that he and Paige plan to continue their deep friendship and be the best parents to their kid.

In Frankie‘s original divorce announcement, the actor posted a video of him and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Paige, dancing with their son, Mauz. The actor captioned the clip, “Who says you can’t stay best friends with your baby momma?”

Frankie received backlash over his comments, as many questioned why the 40-year-old appeared to be making light of divorce. Conservative commentator Michael Knowles was among the critics. He said, “Muniz deleted the bizarre video of him and his wife dancing to celebrate their divorce.”

Knowles added, “But he reposted the same nauseous text. This is the most offensive part of liberal ‘morality.’ It’s not enough that we tolerate their sin and vice. They demand that we celebrate it.”

Frankie Muniz Claps Back At Knowles After Claiming The Actor Was ‘Celebrating’ The Downfall Of His Marriage

It didn’t take long for Frankie to respond to Knowles and clarify his position. According to the “Malcolm in the Middle” performer, his initial post was meant to highlight that he and Paige can remain amicable amid their separation.

“It wasn’t to celebrate our divorce. Far from it. We grieved our divorce beyond anything you can imagine,” Frankie responded. “It was to celebrate the fact that we’re both adults and can handle it like adults moving forward, amicably.”

Frankie said that the reason he received such backlash is due to the state of the world right now. “Everyone is just used to the hideous mudslinging a lot of couples do at the end of a relationship, so they don’t know how to take it when two people are cordial,” he finished.

Frankie Muniz Announced His Divorce From His Partner With A Lengthy Post On Instagram

In the caption of his original post, Frankie opened up about his and Paige’s split, saying that after 10 years together, they’ve decided to separate but maintain a “deep friendship as co-parents.”

He thanked Paige elsewhere in his post, saying he was “endlessly grateful” for the support she’s given him while he’s pursued his dreams.

“She put her own dreams on hold so I could chase mine, and she was always my biggest supporter,” he wrote. “That foundation of respect and friendship isn’t going anywhere. We’re excited to keep building Muniz Racing together and to co-parent our boy with the same teamwork and love we’ve always had.”

More About Frankie’s Relationship With Paige

Frankie and Paige got married in a formal ceremony in February 2020 after eloping the year before. The pair got engaged in November 2018 at an Arizona festival, which Frankie posted about online.

“So thankful this Thanksgiving for my FIANCEE!” the New Jersey native said about the engagement online. “Yep, @pogprice said yes! She makes my life instantly better! We’re eating our Thanksgiving dinner at Boston Market, but I wouldn’t want it any other way, as long as [I] have her by my side! #sheismyrock.”

Regarding their wedding, Frankie called the moment “perfect” while opening up about the special day. “From the moment of waking up together and jumping on the bed hyping each other up, to helping our wedding planner with setting things up at the venue, all the way to walking down the aisle with my best friend hand in hand with our closest friends and family in attendance. Everything was just so us,” he said.

What Other Celebrities Split This Year?

In addition to Frankie and Paige, several other celebrities ended their relationships this year, including Jack White and Olivia Jean, Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo, Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid, Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson, Haylie Duff & Matthew Rosenberg, and many more.

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

I’ve been on a constant search to find the worst movie ever made, and I think I’ve finally earned the right to take a short break after watching 1999’s Simon Sez, starring Dennis Rodman and Dane Cook. Laying at the very bottom of a pile of tomatoes that are so rotten that they’re basically liquid, Simon Sez has achieved zero percent status on the review site, as it is nearly unwatchable.

But if you have a penchant for punishment and no longer trust joy, this is the next movie that you should watch if you’re willing to rent or purchase it on demand (buyer beware).

Simon Sez’s Plot (Or Lack Thereof)

I don’t even know how to start breaking down the plot to Simon Sez because it’s nonexistent. I’m not typically one to copy/paste a film’s synopsis from IMDb, but it’s a brave new world, and I have to take this approach in order to provide some insight on how this dumpster fire was marketed to the masses.

The synopsis for Simon Sez reads as such: “Basketball superstar Dennis Rodman stars as a hip Interpol agent (Simon) attempting to defeat the deadly plans of a crazed arms dealer.”

Dane Cook As Jim Carrey As A Dinosaur

But there’s so much more (or less, depending on your outlook on life) to Simon Sez than meets the eye. Dennis Rodman is joined by a young Dane Cook doing his best (read: worst) impersonation of Jim Carrey doing impersonations of dogs and dinosaurs (complete with barking and roars) whenever he gets the chance (nearly every scene). Dane Cook’s Nick Miranda is on a mission to save a kidnapped girl who isn’t really kidnapped, and his briefcase that is supposed to have $2 million of ransom money in it is actually filled with bricks and a suspicious CD-R.

The plot to Simon Sez falls apart so quickly that you’ll spend most of your time watching the film wondering exactly what’s at stake.

Dane Cook Dialing It In

At this point in Simon Sez, we don’t know what’s on the CD-R, but we know that arms dealer, Ashton (Jerome Pradon), is the primary antagonist in this heist-gone-wrong film that makes Bill Murray’s The Man Who Knew Too Little look like Ocean’s Eleven by comparison.

If I had to weigh in, however, the real antagonist in Simon Sez is Dane Cook’s inability to read the room as he shoe-horns as many half-baked stand-up bits as humanly possible into every single on-screen exchange he has. It’s unreal how much topical humor is jammed into the dialogue in the form of jokes about Bill Clinton’s Oval Office escapades and how attractive he thinks Drew Barrymore is.

CyberMunks 1999

After Simon Sez’s plot unravels (about three minutes into the film), we’re introduced to Simon’s loyal but bumbling sidekicks, two “cyber-monks” and expert hackers named Micro (John Pinette) and Macro (Ricky Harris).

The cyber-monks spend most of their time joking about Micro’s weight and appetite while dancing to house music that’s clearly a part of the soundtrack but doesn’t actually exist in their reality. In other words, Micro and Macro are popping and locking to complete silence if you look at Simon Sez objectively, and it’s a form of cinematic torture that will require you to bite down on a piece of tile in order to prevent yourself from screaming and swallowing your own tongue.

Inescapably Watchable

This is the part where I try to find redeeming qualities for Simon Sez, but I don’t think I have the strength this time. While I don’t necessarily disagree with New York Times writer Lawrence Van Gelder for describing Dennis Rodman as “inescapably watchable,” his charisma simply isn’t enough to hold it all together. But like I’ve said in the past, there is inherent entertainment value in ill-fated action comedies like Simon Sez, so I’ll extend an olive branch by telling you that this is a perfect party movie.

If you want every single movie you watch for the rest of your life to be a comparatively better viewing experience, then Simon Sez comes with strong recommendation. As of this writing, the only way to view this disjointed romp is by purchasing it on-demand through YouTube, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

For the longest time, Netflix was the go-to place for the boldest and riskiest series beyond network television. They grew so large that they began to get involved in the feature-film game. Over the years, Netflix has brought viewers everything from the epic The Irishman to the groundbreaking KPop Demon Hunters. With such a history of success, filmmakers have flocked to the streamer, and in 2026 alone, subscribers have been given a plethora of exciting movies to watch.

From old-school-style romcoms to a remarkable cinematic button to an iconic series, the original selections have provided something for everyone. But not to mince words, not every title was good. In fact, you might wish you could travel back in time and unwatch. Nevertheless, we are here to rank the English-language films on Netflix so far this year. How many have you seen? Or, as the app asks, “Are you still watching?”

13

‘Joe’s College Road Trip”

Image via Netflix

There most certainly is a demographic of Tyler Perry fans who will always watch whatever he puts out, even if it’s not great. Unfortunately, Joe’s College Road Trip falls to the bottom of the ranking because it’s, well, cringeworthy. Sadly, the road trip comedy was a complete misfire. The first film in the Madea franchise to center on Joe Simmons (Perry), Joe’s College Road Trip follows the foul-mouthed, unfiltered brother who takes his sheltered, college-bound grandson, B.J. (Jermaine Harris), on a raucous cross-country road trip to teach him about the “real world.” The epic road trip descends into chaos as they take detours, including at a brothel where they meet a sex worker named Destiny (Amber Reign Smith). Joe’s Family Roadtrip is a tone-swapping comedy that shifts from explicit, heavy profanity humor to deeper themes of family, generational divides, and social awareness, as if the overtly raucous didn’t happen.

Joe’s College Road Trip became quite a divisive film. Many believed it was a derivative concept, using only the character and legacy to catapult it to the top of the streaming list. The best part of the film is the genuine lessons about Black history, heritage, and the importance of family reconciliation, but the journey to get there is a bumpy ride. The clash between crude, old-school Joe and his sheltered, progressive, virtue-addicted grandson provides some great comedic juxtaposition, but at what cost? Joe is a great side character; a lead he is not. Because of the character’s nature, the film ends up being unnecessarily vulgar, explicit, and inappropriate for the sake of a potential laugh. There’s comedic substance in a trip to a Confederate biker bar, but it just came off as jarring and uncouth. If you’re looking for Joe to change and become a role model, you won’t find it here. The glorification of toxic behavior is full steam ahead.

12

‘Ladies First’

Image via Rob Youngson / © Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

This is what happens when bad projects happen to good people. Thea Sharrock‘s Ladies First was a well-meaning comedy, but the truth is, as progressive as it believed itself to be, the film was still antiquated in execution. Inspired by the 2018 French film I Am Not an Easy Man by Éléonore Pourriat, Ladies First is intended to be a satirical comedy that follows Damien Sachs (Sacha Baron Cohen), an arrogant, misogynistic, womanizing advertising executive poised to become CEO. He treats female coworkers as nothing more than progressive optics and treats women in general poorly, including his underappreciated employee, Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike). Following a head injury, Damien wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. The same women he patronized in his real world. He must navigate reverse sexism and battle a fearless female counterpart to win back his career, forcing him to experience the exact double standards — sexual discrimination, harassment, and the extreme aesthetic pressures — women face in the workplace. Clunky and outdated, Ladies First‘s star-studded ensemble was forced into a comedy that feels like it should have been released decades ago.

Ladies First is, sadly, a lazy attempt to present something profound. The topics and themes Ladies First tackles are inherently important, but nothing new was learned when presenting them. It’s not that we didn’t know about the vile nature of gender discrepancy in the workplace, but did Damien actually learn anything from his experience? He changed, but in reality, he likely reverted to his past, like individuals in the real world tend to do. Ladies First is exhausting as it tries to flip the script through a 2026 lens. One of the underreported indiscretions the film makes is that, in attempts to portray the gender parallels of masculinity, it presents stereotypes that tend to be damaging to the LGBTQ+ community. So what if a man orders a salad? The gender norms have evolved, and thus, the film comes across as a relic from a cut-for-time ‘90s Saturday Night Live sketch. The film boasted a strong cast, which also included Fiona Shaw, Emily Mortimer, Charles Dance, Kathryn Hunter, and Richard E. Grant, who were forced to push through the slop. I’d say Ladies First could have benefited from more time to ruminate and evolve in series form, but that might be too kind.

11

‘Thrash’

Image via Netflix

It’s an easy one, but Thrash is trash. Let’s discuss. In the Tommy Wirkola-written and directed survival thriller, stranded residents in a coastal South Carolina town must survive a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane that floods their city with bloodthirsty bull sharks. The film tackles three different groups of survivors whose stories converge at times. Dakota (Whitney Peak), an agoraphobic young woman trapped in her recently deceased mother’s house, becomes the sole hope for another stranded resident, Lisa (Phoebe Dynevor), a heavily pregnant woman. Then there are three siblings, Dee, Ron, and Will (Alyla Brown, Stacy Clausen, and Dante Ubaldi), who are abandoned in a flooded house by their abusive, greedy foster parents, Billy and Rachel Olsen (Matt Nable and Amy Matthews). And finally, Dr. Dale Edwards (Djimon Hounsou), Dakota’s uncle and a marine biologist who studies great whites and bull sharks, races against the clock and the flooded streets to rescue his niece. Thrash blends survival-thriller elements with disaster spectacle as the town’s seawall breaks, bringing the ocean’s apex predators directly into the flooded neighborhoods.

Strong in premise, Thrash is dumb fun as long as you don’t take it too seriously. The struggle is the execution, namely, in the abysmal script and confusing CGI. It’s not a coincidence that a shark flick takes place in a town called “Annieville.” The script tosses out logic in favor of thrills. The script is sadly bogged down by bizarre decisions, inconsistent physics, and highly questionable accents. She gave birth as the house was collapsing! What?! Thrash struggles in its desire to be what it wants to be — a terrifying eco-thriller or an over-the-top B-movie. Both can be true at once, but their intentions must be made clear. It’s a jarring mismatch that somehow makes Sharknado look like it knows what it was doing. With questionable visuals that felt rough around the edges, Thrash needed help in the end.

10

‘Roommates’

Image via Netflix

Perhaps the most underappreciated film on Netflix this year is the black comedy Roommates. Directed by Chandler Levack and written by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan, the coming-of-age comedy follows Devon Weisz (Sadie Sandler), a naive, shy college freshman who rooms with Celeste Durand (Chloe East), an outgoing, cool girl she meets at orientation. At first, they are an inseparable duo, but their promising friendship slowly spirals into a toxic, escalating war of passive-aggressive manipulation and chaos. Revealing the dark side of toxic female friendships, Roommates leans into the awkward, cringeworthy, and universally stressful experience of boundary-crossing.

Produced by Happy Madison, Roommates has the same charm and allure as the production’s films. Sander shines as the anxious, naive college freshman, while East delivers a breakthrough performance as the manipulative, narcissistic roommate. Now, if you’re looking for pitch-perfect casting, having Natasha Lyonne and Carol Kane play mother and daughter deserves an award. Roommates works as a relatable story about the fears of going away to college and making friends. The drawback is how off the rails the film goes by the climax. There is nuance built into the first half of the film, only for the unrealistic messiness to overshadow it. Listen, it’s an explosive conclusion, but the ramifications were simply impractical. Roommates is not a film where you empathize with the characters; instead, you watch to see how far they go for the sake of the bit. And if you’re looking for a Gen Z voice in the writing, it’s far from present.

9

‘Apex’

Image via Netflix

Written by Jeremy Robbins, Apex was voted onto the 2021 Black List of the best unproduced screenplays for the year. Netflix secured the rights, and then Baltasar Kormákur brought his vision to the screen. The result was a wildly twisted film. Come for the breathtaking scenery, stay for the cannibal? Apex follows Sasha (Charlize Theron), a grieving rock climber who travels to the Australian wilderness to process the accidental death of her partner. Her solo trip turns deadly when a deceptive local, Ben (Taron Egerton), offers her a secret camping spot, only to turn her trip into a twisted, ritualistic hunt. A grueling, unnerving survival thriller performed by two of Hollywood’s strongest actors, Apex thrives on its intense premise, which will make you question every stranger you encounter on your solo adventures.

Apex’s greatest asset is its cinematography. Filmed on location in the Australian wilderness and with climbing sequences, the film looks stunning and provides a great sense of scale and tension. Even the inciting scene between Sasha and Tommy (Eric Bana) is breathtaking yet excruciatingly terrifying. Even with the majestic landscape, Apex forces its characters to endure the terrain to survive each other. Theron and Egerton give extraordinary physical performances that are full-body experiences. Theron is an obvious protagonist, but it’s Egerton, out of his archetypal box, that dominates as the menacing antagonist. Apex showcased two stars doing a lot of grunt work for a paycheck, but one has to wonder if it would have hit harder with two unknowns who could have fully embodied these characters, rather than seeing two icons in a derivative narrative. Apex is a fine film that needs a palate cleanser after the demanding 90-minute run.

8

‘The Rip’

Image via Netflix

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When you cast Ben Affleck and Matt Damon together in a film, all eyes will be on it. You’ll turn it on and expect an Oscar-level product. Add in an ensemble of stars like Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Kyle Chandler, and it’s destined to be an everlasting hit. The Rip was not that. Inspired by true events, the film, directed by Joe Carnahan, tells the story of a tactical Miami narcotics squad that discovers $20 million in cartel cash during a raid. The team’s loyalty shatters as they suspect each other of wanting to steal the money. After one of their own is murdered in cold blood, the volatile, paranoid night watches the officers, led by Lt. Dane Dumars (Damon) and Det. J.D. Byrne (Affleck), trapped by protocol and forced to guard the cash, while cartel members and internal distrust threaten to tear the unit apart. A gritty, high-tension thriller, come for Damon and Affleck yelling at each other. If you stay, it’s because you just want to know the convoluted outcome.

The Rip is a solid watch if the gritty, corrupt cop genre is your thing. There is undeniable chemistry between Affleck and Damon that transcends the screen. But with the focus on if, when, and why they might turn on one another, the other characters are forced to the side. Taylor’s Detective Numa Baptiste and Catalina Sandino Moreno’s Detective Lolo Salazar are literally relegated to the garage to count the cash. Playing out like a throwback film, The Rip is trapped in its own clichés. It’s a formulaic script that truly loses the plot by the third act. If you’re someone who likes to watch a film back to figure out what you missed when it comes to the outcome, The Rip denies you that chance, as they literally spell it out for you. The Rip is a dark, murky wasteland of top-tier talent.

7

‘180’

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Coming straight out of South Africa is the underseen crime thriller 180. Written and directed by Alex Yazbek, 180 follows Zak (Prince Grootboom), a restaurant owner who spirals down a dark path of grief and vengeance after a minor traffic altercation with a taxi driven by individuals associated with a local crime syndicate escalates, leaving his young son, Mandla (Mpiloenhle Sithebe), in critical condition. When an enraged Zak confronts them, the situation escalates, a scuffle ensues, and a stray bullet strikes his son, ultimately leading to his death. Zak delves into total moral disintegration in an environment filled with ruthless gang violence, slow police procedures, unhelpful bureaucracy, and an escalating sense of powerlessness. As the title suggests, Zak pulls a complete 180, shifting his moral trajectory as he takes matters into his own hands. 180 is a devastating character study in which the gray areas of morality lead to a shocking conclusion.

The masterful film explores masculinity, profound grief, and systemic corruption. Zak is presented as an everyman-type protagonist whose actions are driven by trauma. For those who believe violence is the answer, they will be extraordinarily displeased by 180. Zak’s erratic decisions and hesitation to use violence have left some feeling that the payoff is weak. Those who admire his path prefer the morality of the plot’s conclusion, in which he chooses to exercise restraint and mercy. It’s a subversion of typical climaxes in action thrillers, but it serves as a strong warning that, even through rightly bitter rage, forgiveness is always the most powerful path. 180 is not a slow-burning story about grief; it’s an action-heavy revenge film that warns viewers that the system is not always there to help.

6

‘Office Romance’

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A great Hollywood romcom requires impeccable and believable chemistry. Just because attractive actors are cast doesn’t mean they are going to find said chemistry. Jennifer Lopez has played the romantic lead opposite many charming men. Unfortunately, the man who plays Roy Kent on Ted Lasso was simply out of her league. Or maybe she was out of his league. The moral of the story is that in Office Romance, they were mismatched beyond imagination, which is quite shocking, as Brett Goldstein co-wrote the vehicle for himself. Directed by Ol Parker, the cutesy comedy follows Jackie Cruz (Lopez), the iron-willed CEO of Air Cruz, and her newly hired, reserved British lawyer, Daniel Blanchflower (Goldstein), who strike up a forbidden affair — an office romance, if you will. A spicy step up from the romcoms of yore, Office Romance is a sweet, low-stakes film that delivers laughs and groans simultaneously.

Office Romance is not destined to change the world; it’s a comfort film that works effortlessly for a 90-minute escape. Though Lopez and Goldstein are at the center, like a good romcom should, it’s the supporting players who steal the scene. Office Romance brings out strong showings from Roger Bart, Bradley Whitford, Mary Wiseman, Amy Sedaris, and Tony Hale. It’s Betty Gilpin as Jackie’s very pregnant right-hand woman, Sydney Bloom, and Jodie Whittaker as Daniel’s foul-mouthed sister who steal the film. If you yearn for the romcoms of the early ‘90s, you’ll eat up every minute of Office Romance. It’s a perfectly executed guilty-pleasure chick-flick.​​​​​​​

5

‘War Machine’

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Sometimes, you watch a film on a streamer and wish you could experience it on the big screen. That’s exactly the feeling you get while watching War Machine due to the scale and scope Patrick Hughes brings. The film begins as a straightforward war drama. Then, with sprinkles of meteors, signal interference, and the arrival of an otherworldly killing machine, War Machine moves into the sci-fi realm as the 21st-century answer to Predator. After a traumatic loss in Afghanistan, a grizzled soldier simply known as “81” (Alan Ritchson) enlists in elite Army Ranger training, only for his unit to encounter a massive alien robot that is relentless, violent, and destructive. Now, the soldiers are trapped in the wilderness, hunted by a superior, unknown technological foe. In a high-stakes fight to survive, War Machine is an explosive and gory ’80s-infused throwback thriller that is the epitome of a dad movie.

War Machine is a unique blend of genres, offering a strong presence of military survival and sci-fi tropes within the character-driven story. That said, 81’s backstory could have been beefed up, but War Machine actually makes a strong case for franchise-building. The plot may be predictable, but its execution is phenomenal. War Machine knows exactly what it is and never deviates. Unlike Predator, War Machine doesn’t hide its titular antagonist, giving viewers a full view of its menacing presence. Also, unlike the ’80s classic, the big budget makes it look incredibly impressive. War Machine knows its target audience and caters to them. The film does its job as the perfect boom-smash hit.

4

‘Swapped’

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Timing is everything, truly. Had Swapped not been released nearly simultaneously with Disney and Pixar’s Hoopers, we might be celebrating the delightfully pleasant animated body-swap fantasy flick. Directed by Nathan Greno, Swapped tells the story of the tiny but brave Ollie (Michael B. Jordan), a Pookoo, and Ivy (Juno Temple), a regal Javan, who are accidentally transformed into each other’s species after crashing into a magical plant. To regain their proper form, Ollie and Ivy, formally sworn enemies, must team up and survive. Set in the fantastical land known as The Valley, Swapped is an endearing, magical story that celebrates empathy as they learn to walk, or fly, in somebody else’s body.

Swapped may be an incredibly done-to-death story, but where it thrives is the breathtaking spectacle that is the animation. Vibrant and beautiful, you’ll finish the film searching the Web for where you can get your own Ollie plush. Swapped is a delightful family-friendly film whose heartwarming message is bound to resonate. Unfortunately, its lack of originality in storytelling curtails its full potential. Nevertheless, the world-building is ripe for celebration. The voice acting is not as strong as its animated rivals, but the full roster of stars does an admirable job, with Tracy Morgan as Boogle serving as a delightful surprise. The buddy comedy likely won’t launch a franchise, but it’s a cute film your kids will ask to watch again and again.

There are several genres that lend themselves perfectly to being re-read, but there’s one in particular that benefits greatly from re-visits to one’s favorite books: science fiction. After all, these are stories that can often be mind-bending extravaganzas of pure creativity, full of clever foreshadowing and cool hidden details that are hard to catch on a first read-through.

Sci-fi authors have been writing novels worthy of re-reading since the days of giants like Ursula K. Le Guin, and up to the modern day and the age of modern sci-fi masterpieces like Anathem. These are the sci-fi books that are even better the second time around; once you understand their dense worldbuilding and thematic intricacies, it becomes far easier to appreciate them fully.

‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ (1987)

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Inspired by Douglas Adams‘ own time at university and by two serials he wrote for Doctor Who, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was described by its author on its cover as a “thumping good detective-ghost-horror-whodunit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic.” Before it inspired one of the most underrated time travel shows ever, it was Adams’ next big hit after the success of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

As re-readable as those hilarious sci-fi classics are, nothing beats just how much better the original Dirk Gently gets on one’s second read-through. Adams wrote one of the most labyrinthine, non-linear, and densely plotted sci-fi comedies that the printed page has ever seen, so revisiting the story allows the reader to appreciate how brilliantly all the seemingly random events end up connecting. The amount of “aha!” moments that you get the second time around is almost without equal.

‘Solaris’ (1961)

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Written by legendary Polish author and futurologist Stanisław Lem, Solaris is a brilliant sci-fi novel all about the limitations of human rationality. It’s one of the best sci-fi books that no one talks about (its Andrei Tarkovsky and Steven Soderbergh film adaptations being significantly better-known), but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s one of the greatest works of European science fiction of the 20th century as a whole.

It’s a very short book, which definitely contributes to its re-readability; but it’s also incredibly dense both in terms of its plotting and of its philosophical thematic work, making re-visits pretty much obligatory to gain a more complete understanding of Lem’s commentary on human communication. Once you get past understanding all the exposition, you start reading Solaris less as an alien mystery and more as a powerful mirror revealing the limitations of the human ego.

‘Ubik’ (1969)

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It’s no exaggeration to say that Philip K. Dick was one of the most important and hugely influential figures in the history of science fiction. He was an author who revolutionized the genre by moving toward more psychologically and philosophically profound explorations of reality, humanity, and artificial intelligence. Nowhere is that clearer than in what many consider his best work: Ubik.

It’s not often that a sci-fi author’s best book also serves as a perfect introduction to his style, but that’s definitely the case with Ubik, which becomes an even better introduction to Dick’s classic themes once you re-read it. On first read, you get an almost dizzying cascade of twists and surreal elements. The second time around, you still keep the appeal of those head-scratching bits while transforming the experience into a taut, intellectually masterful psychological puzzle. Confusing science fiction rarely gets any more rewarding.

‘Anathem’ (2008)

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The 21st century has delivered plenty of science fiction masterpieces, and Neal Stephenson‘s Anathem (winner of the Best Sci-Fi Novel Locus Award and a nominee for many other prestigious accolades) is a perfect example. Grand, ambitious, and philosophically sharp, it’s a fascinating exploration of the nature of reality and independent thought.

Anathem feels like a novel that was pretty much designed to get better on one’s second time around. Stephenson’s prose is admirably dense, full of invented jargon and philosophical language. As such, one’s first read of this almost 1,000-page behemoth can be quite challenging, while the second read is guaranteed to let the reader immerse themselves in the story and world right off the bat and appreciate its thematic and narrative intricacies without feeling lost.

‘The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress’ (1966)

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Sometimes called the “dean of science fiction writers,” Robert A. Heinlein is one of the most important writers in the history of speculative fiction, helping take sci-fi from the realm of pulp magazines into a more sophisticated and thematically complex place. Several of his works get considerably better on re-read, but none more so than The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.

It’s one of the best hard sci-fi books of all time, and like many of history’s best hard sci-fi books, its dense prose and infodump-heavy world-building make it so that a first read can be a bit slow, while a second read becomes immensely rewarding. Having already had the chance to understand the political, economic, and scientific intricacies of the narrative, you’re equipped with the toolset to dive even deeper into Heinlein’s fascinating world.

‘Hyperion’ (1989)

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The winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the first chapter in the Hyperion Cantos series, Dan Simmons‘ Hyperion is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. With a film adaptation currently in production, it’s one of the best classic sci-fi books to read in 2026, and just as rewarding for those who have already read it to visit its world once again.

Borrowing the structure of The Canterbury Tales, Hyperion unfolds like a thrilling mystery and a sweeping space opera upon first reading it. On re-read, fans should be able to appreciate the intricate foreshadowing, subtle worldbuilding, and even the book’s slower sections even more. The emotional impact of Simmons’ incredibly detailed plotting is tremendously enhanced by having a more complete understanding of everything that comes next.

‘Blindsight’ (2006)

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Written by Canadian author Peter Watts and nominated for several Best Novel and Best Science Fiction Novel accolades, Blindsight is one of the best Canadian hard sci-fi books of all time. Exploring themes of consciousness and transhumanism in ways that feel even more relevant and timely nowadays in the age of AI, it’s a book as entertaining as it is scientifically rigorous.

Blindsight is so well-written, thematically fascinating, and so clearly designed to be revisited that it makes an immediate re-read right after one’s first go almost irresistibly tempting. When experiencing the novel for the second time, Watts’ dense prose and heavy use of jargon become far more intuitive and less like a barrier, which allows you to catch the full scope of the narrative and worldbuilding in a way that would be almost impossible the first time around.

‘The Dispossessed’ (1974)

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It should go without saying that Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most important, groundbreaking, and massively influential authors of speculative fiction in history. One of her best works of science fiction is the utopian novel The Dispossessed, one of her seven Hainish Cycle novels. Thanks to its thematic and political depth, it achieved a level of recognition that was almost unprecedented for science fiction at the time, and today, many still remember it as one of the best-ever examples of the genre.

Not many authors could ever even hope to create a culture and society as intricately detailed as the one Le Guin constructs in The Dispossessed, bolstered by her signature elegant yet uncomplicated prose. The book’s heavily philosophical and deeply symbolic study of anarchism and utopianism, however, can feel somewhat slow on one’s first go. A second read allows for an almost unbelievably deeper understanding of Le Guin’s worldbuilding, plotting, and thematic work.

‘Neuromancer’ (1984)

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William Gibson‘s Neuromancer is widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi book masterpieces in history, a pioneer of the subgenre that we now understand as cyberpunk. Today, over four decades after its publication, the book reads as an even more relevant and urgent piece of commentary on artificial intelligence and the digital age, making it a must-read in 2026.

On first read, Neuromancer can be more than a bit disorienting, since Gibson seems to deliberately drop the reader into a strange, high-tech future without much context, using a dense and slang-heavy writing style that demands plenty of deductions and inferences on the reader’s part. By the time that first read is over, however, readers should have already acquired a perfect understanding of the world, the characters’ motivations, and the themes that concern Gibson. That makes it easy to skip the confusion and disorientation on a second read, gaining a far deeper appreciation of Gibson’s masterpiece as a whole.

‘Dune’ (1965)

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It isn’t really an exaggeration to call Frank Herbert‘s Dune the single most important, groundbreaking, and influential work of 20th-century science fiction. There are even those who would confidently call it their favorite sci-fi book ever written—It’s just that good. There aren’t many sci-fi books as good as Dune, and the ones that are typically owe an awful lot to Herbert’s masterpiece about environmentalism, the intersection of religion and politics, and the dangers of charismatic messianic leaders.

The thing about Dune is that it gets better the second time around… and then even better the third time… and then even better the fourth time. It’s the sort of sci-fi novel so masterfully written, so philosophically and thematically profound, and so richly detailed that it’s nigh-impossible to get sick of it. Re-reads make it easy to appreciate the subtle bits of foreshadowing, the complex sociopolitical commentary, and the almost unbelievably nuanced and layered worldbuilding. As such, there is no better sci-fi book to re-read than Dune.