Tyler Cameron is preparing to test his dance experience against the demands of “Dancing With The Stars.”

The 33-year-old reality star earned a dance minor while attending Wake Forest University. He originally entered dance classes after failing his first semester to help raise his GPA.

Tyler Cameron played college football alongside longtime friend Matt James, who later competed on the dance show himself. He will compete alongside Sharna Burgess on “Dancing With the Stars.”

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Cameron said his dance education began because his grades needed to improve immediately. His coach told him to take dance classes after he failed his first semester of college. His classes included ballet and jazz, despite his insistence that he was not naturally talented.

The dancer joked that he was surrounded by 30 women and compared the experience to becoming the Bachelor early.  “None of the girls paid any interest in me,” He admitted to the podcast host, Amanda Hirsch.

“But I was in there giving maximum effort and giving the worst pirouettes and, like, the worst ballet dances ever,” he added. He revealed he was simply there to have fun rather than pursue professional dance training. The experience 

Improved his GPA. Years later, Cameron returned to dancing through the 2022 series “The Real Dirty Dancing.” The show paired celebrities for ballroom routines inspired by the classic movie. That experience eventually became another part of the dance history he brings to “DWTS.”

The ‘Bachelor Nation’ Star Says His Experience Is Nothing Like ‘The Real Deal’

Cameron doesn’t believe his earlier dance experience should lead fans to assume he is already prepared for “DWTS.” He specifically compared his time on “The Real Dirty Dancing” with the much larger challenge ahead.

According to US Magazine, he said the difference between the two experiences is enormous. “I will say that is like one-fifth of what we’re doing here,” Cameron said on the “Get Real” podcast. He acknowledged that the earlier show was enjoyable and taught him some things about dancing.

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The “Bachelor Nation” fan favorite explained that “The Real Dirty Dancing” lasted only about two weeks. By comparison, “Dancing With the Stars” demands much more of its celebrity contestants.

“That was, like, a two-week show, but this is the real deal,” he declared. Cameron’s comments came shortly after his Season 35 casting was announced. He will compete for the Len Goodman Memorial Mirrorball Trophy alongside professional partner Burgess.

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Jenna Johnson Has A Different Take On The Ringer Debate

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Johnson recently pushed back against the idea that trained contestants automatically enter the competition with an unfair edge. She argued that ballroom presents challenges that previous dance training cannot completely prepare contestants for.

The Professional dancer pointed to the pressure of performing live before millions of viewers as one major obstacle. Contestants also have only a few days to learn ballroom techniques while handling themes, characters, and judges’ expectations.

With no second chances once the cameras roll, she believes every celebrity faces a new experience. Johnson, who debuted on “DWTS” in 2014, said ballroom dancing requires specific techniques and partnering skills that other dance styles may not provide. 

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The choreographer also noted that athletic stamina, acting ability, musicality, and fan support can give contestants different advantages. “I understand when people are like, oh, you know, dance experience, whatever. Who cares!” Johnson said.

“This is the first time they’re ever doing Dancing with the Stars,” she added, stressing that the competition itself remains unfamiliar, as shared by The Blast.

Julia Stiles Of ‘Save The Last Dance’ Comes With Her Dance Experience Too

Stiles is also joining the competition after becoming famous for her role in the dance movie “Save the Last Dance.” She played Sara Johnson, a classically trained ballet dancer who discovers hip-hop while pursuing her dream of attending Juilliard. However, she did not have formal dance training before taking the role.

She had only danced casually and taken brief ballet lessons when she was younger. To portray Sara convincingly, Stiles underwent months of intensive dance training before filming began. She described the choreography as challenging and daunting because she was not a professional dancer.

Stiles later called dancing the best thing about making the movie, despite the difficulty. She also revealed that she has long been a fan of “Dancing With the Stars.”

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In 2025, she called the show her version of Monday Night Football and admitted she had considered participating. As The Blast reported, she had previously worried that living in New York City would make joining the competition difficult.

While Tyler Cameron Is Embracing The Ballroom, Andy Cohen Says No To ‘Dancing With The Stars’

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The Bravo executive, Cohen, revealed that producers previously asked him to join “Dancing With the Stars.” He has remained firmly opposed to turning his dancing into televised entertainment. His comments came after people posted clips of him dancing at Dead shows and mocked his moves on TikTok.

Cohen made his position clear with a simple request. “Let me dance in peace,” Cohen said while explaining why he has no interest in competing. He has spent two decades building his career around the “Real Housewives” franchise and remains more comfortable behind the scenes.

His work involves hosting, reunions, and casting rather than learning choreography and facing elimination. Cohen’s refusal places him among several celebrities who have rejected the ballroom for their own reasons. The Blast also noted that John Stamos has repeatedly declined invitations. 

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Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez is now facing a murder charge after a family gathering in New Mexico reportedly took a devastating turn when a disagreement between two cousins escalated far beyond the kitchen. What started as a night of cooking and drinking allegedly ended with 25-year-old Nathaniel Cavazos losing his life.

RELATED: South Carolina Woman Reportedly Orders Lyft And Stabs Driver 11 Times In His Head & Body Before Stealing His Car (VIDEO)

Gutierrez Remains In Custody Following Fatal Family Dispute

According to reports, Gutierrez was arrested Saturday, Aug. 29, and charged with an open count of murder. He remains in custody as of Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to online records for the Metropolitan Detention Center. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney. Authorities say the deadly incident happened Aug. 27 at an Albuquerque apartment complex, where Gutierrez had reportedly traveled from Roswell to cook green chile enchiladas with family.

An Enchilada Debate Allegedly Escalated Into Deadly Violence

A cousin who told investigators he was related to both men reportedly said Gutierrez and Nathaniel Cavazos began arguing over whose enchiladas were spicier. The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical altercation. Gutierrez then allegedly shot Cavazos in the back three to four times as he attempted to walk away. A witness reportedly told investigators the two men were standing about 10 feet apart at the time. Gutierrez allegedly fled before officers arrived shortly before 11 p.m., and Cavazos was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gutierrez Allegedly Asked If Cavazos Was Really Dead

Following the shooting, Gutierrez allegedly contacted family members through Snapchat and asked, “Is he really dead?” He reportedly claimed that Cavazos had threatened him first, allegedly writing, “I did not want to kill him but i didn’t want him to kill me.” Meanwhile, Cavazos’ loved ones and neighbors gathered for a vigil, remembering the 25-year-old as someone who was kind, laughed often, and went out of his way to help others. One neighbor described him as someone who would help residents, including people with disabilities, while another said it was heartbreaking that such a kind person was taken by violence so close to home. Cavazos’ family attended the vigil but reportedly told local news they were not ready to speak on camera.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Mass Shootings In Chicago & Trenton, New Jersey Reportedly Leave 3 Dead And 18 Injured (VIDEOS)

Netflix has released plenty of original shows, so many, in fact, that over the years it has been quite hard to say which of the platform’s bounty truly feels essential. Some have grown into massive hits; others have helped define the platform’s status as iconic, while the quieter picks prove that even the most underrated of the streaming service’s options are still necessary must-watches that should be marked down on an avid Netflix fan’s bucket list.

Shows like the underrated sci-fi masterpiece, Sense8, which is truly astonishing for both its story and global setting, and the crime drama Narcos, which is a Netflix original that helped shape the expectations for the platform, are just two examples of the kind of shows subscribers should experience at least once in their lives. Compiled on this list are great series that have proved they are incredibly essential Netflix watches that fans should definitely place on their bucket lists.

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‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)

Image via Netflix

This underrated Netflix series is one that deserves far more attention than it has received since its release. Set in Korea’s Joseon era, Kingdom follows Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon), who grows suspicious when access to his gravely ill father is blocked, and he is rumored to be dead, only for a resurrection plague to steal his attention while he attempts to save and protect his people.

Kingdom is easily one of Netflix’s greatest international genre discoveries, marking it as a perfect addition to this list of essential watches on the streaming platform. It is no ordinary zombie series; in fact, its undead are not simply monsters dropped into a thrilling period setting, but part of a much larger story about class, inequality, survival, political corruption, and the dangerous lengths humans in power will go to protect their seat high above others. Kingdom is no doubt underwatched and has an extremely short run, but it stands as the perfect obscure masterpiece to add to any fan’s bucket list.

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‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)

Image via Netflix

Squid Game is a true icon in its own right, with its first season being the head-turning phenomenon that sparked entertaining reality TV adaptations, worldwide fascination, and countless pop-culture references. The show centers around Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who, because of his heavy debt, accepts an invitation to compete with hundreds of other financially struggling strangers in seemingly ordinary children’s games, only to find that though winning brings him closer to a huge cash prize, losing means certain death.

Though there are a lot of mixed feelings about the show’s later seasons, Squid Game is a series that, quite frankly, momentarily broke the world as viewers focused on the captivating and very deadly games featured in the series. It’s the perfect watch for any subscriber’s bucket list because its first season remains one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English television seasons. While Squid Game definitely lost some of its momentum, its visual iconography, scale, and class critiques make it a Netflix bucket list essential.

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‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Everett Collection

This limited series belongs on every Netflix fan’s bucket list because it was good enough to spark an intense passion for the game of chess upon its release. The Queen’s Gambit focuses on orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), whose skill brings her fame while her addiction and loneliness threaten to consume her completely.

The Queen’s Gambit has grown increasingly underwatched since its release, but it was once dubbed one of the platform’s most popular dramas. The show artfully takes a subject that could feel pretty cold and distant, and makes it emotional, stylish, and surprisingly suspenseful. The Queen’s Gambit is no doubt one of the most binge-worthy series on Netflix, a seven-episode crowd-pleaser that refuses to flatten tough topics. The epic drama is a true masterpiece that definitely earns its place on this list of fantastic watches.

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‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

Image via Netflix

Narcos is a beloved crime drama that feels almost like a requirement to dive into once viewers have access to it. The addictive crime saga follows the rise and fall of drug kingpins, political corruption, law enforcement, and the extreme violence surrounding the cocaine trade. Across its three seasons, the series traces figures such as Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and the Cali Cartel while following the DEA agents and officials trying to dismantle their sprawling operations.

Narcos is a truly essential crime drama, as it helped define what ambitious Netflix originals could look like on a more international scale. It’s honestly one of the easiest recommendations for lovers of crime television, and with its genuinely cinematic feel, it makes for pretty bingeworthy material. With both its scale and momentum, Narcos’ enticing mix of thriller, crime drama, and historical detail stands as the kind of addictive viewing experience every Netflix fan should dive headfirst into.

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‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)

This iconic sci-fi show is an extremely important addition to any Netflix fan’s bucket list because it definitely changed how viewers think about modern anthology television. Black Mirror offers different stories in each episode, often using the media, surveillance, technology, and digital obsession to reveal something pretty disturbing about humanity as a whole.

Black Mirror is no doubt a rather bleak and disturbing show, but somehow it becomes grossly addictive to most viewers who take a chance on it. The show’s anthology structure permits masterful experiments that more conventional dramas cannot hope to sustain. With the series moving from political satire and horror to romantic drama and detective fiction, the sci-fi phenomenon constantly reinvents itself, ensuring that audiences never grow bored. Bucket lists practically need Black Mirror, because every episode works, and the best ones change how mainstream viewers view themselves and the world around them.

5

‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)

Image via Netflix

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The Crown is an extremely elegant and expensive-looking Netflix gem that proves how brilliantly the platform can turn history into a truly lavish spectacle. The historical drama follows Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) across decades, exploring monarchy, marriage, duty, public image, and private sacrifice.

What makes The Crown such an essential Netflix series is how brilliantly it balances personal conflict with grandeur. With its impressive settings, lush costumes, and compelling political events, the series wields a captivating quality that makes just one episode simply feel like it could never be enough. The Crown is truly one of the streaming platform’s most polished beauties that has definitely earned its spot at the top of any fan’s bucket list. With its lasting appeal as it transforms modern royal history into a sweeping character study, The Crown easily earns its spot among the other great essentials Netflix watches on this list.

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‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

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This beloved animated series is worthy of any Netflix fan’s bucket list because, though it may be bleak, its dark humor, drama, and lessons make it the perfect addition. BoJack Horseman focuses on the washed-up former sitcom star, BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett), who is living comfortably but miserably in Hollywood while he attempts to reignite his fame. Unfortunately, he struggles excessively with addiction, depression, and loneliness, making life seem much harder than it should.

BoJack Horseman is pretty strange, but also impressively entertaining. It may seem like a pretty surreal adult cartoon about a talking horse, but the show’s brilliance truly shines through its exploration of trauma, self-destruction, accountability, and whether people can truly change. Even with its quieter episodes, BoJack Horseman remains a near-perfect series for its use of emotional honesty, sharp humor, and deeply flawed characters, marking it as a memorable animated experience that every fan owes themselves to discover.

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‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

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Sense8 is probably one of the quieter necessary watches on this list as it has long since ended, with not too many subscribers knowing it even exists despite the show’s genuinely cinematic status. The sci-fi masterpiece follows eight strangers across the globe who discover they are emotionally and mentally connected, sharing feelings, skills, intimacy, and of course, danger.

Sense8 is one of those series that sticks with its viewers for a very long time after the final credits roll. It’s a true hidden sci-fi gem on the streaming platform that celebrates identity while exploring differences, culture, empathy, sexuality, connection, loneliness, and chosen family. With its incredibly cinematic setting, beloved characters, and drama-filled plot, Sense8 stands as one of Netflix’s most ambitious series that truly belongs on every fan’s bucket list for its extremely emotional storytelling.

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‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

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This meticulously planned sci-fi series begins as a missing-person mystery but seamlessly evolves into a rigorously structured science-fiction family saga. Set in the German town of Winden, Dark follows the disappearance of a child, which forces several families in the town to confront their generational secrets.

Dark is an easy recommendation for any fan’s bucket list because it quite aggressively rewards viewers for paying close attention to detail. The series is seriously complex, and with Ben Frost’s oppressive music and the show’s somber cinematography, the puzzle mechanics never become sterile. Dark is genuinely great: it has a truly unforgettable atmosphere, intricate mysteries, and a carefully constructed timeline that only grows more impressive as the series goes on, marking it a bucket-list-worthy addition for Netflix subscribers.

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‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

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Stranger Things is an iconic essential Netflix watch that honestly helped define the platform’s entire original series era. Set in 1980s Indiana, the series centers around a group of kids, teens, and adults after the traumatic disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). When the group of individuals finds themselves facing secret government experiments, a terrifying alternate dimension, and a mysterious girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will’s disappearance quickly becomes the beginning of many supernatural events to come.

There is definitely a silent requirement for all subscribers to dive headfirst into the five-season series Stranger Things. It’s a genuine phenomenon whose bucket-list status comes from how effectively it delivers horror, adventure, nostalgia, and coming-of-age drama, all without losing the wholesome friendships at its core. Across its run, Stranger Things remains truly entertaining, making the series the perfect sci-fi series to not only add to one’s bucket list but also to binge in a solid week.

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Stranger Things

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Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

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As we head into the final quarter of 2026, film fans and critics have already begun compiling their lists of favorites. So, too, have prognosticators started to whittle away at those films that will likely appear on Oscar shortlists next year, and the biggest box office successes of the year are already becoming clear. Lots of movies, lots of things being said about them.

Between all those blockbusters and critical darlings are lots of other films that no one is talking about. Alternative movies. genre movies, experimental movies, brilliant movies—you name it. These projects somehow failed to capture much of the public imagination but are readily available to watch right now. They may have fallen through the cracks, but these movies released wide in 2026 are brilliant, and no one is talking about them.

‘Blue Film’ (2026)

Image via Obscured Releasing

Given a proper wide release this year after screening at several festivals in 2025, Blue Film is a small-scale but massively effective character-driven thriller. The title refers to a term used in the 20th century to refer to taboo or pornographic films, and it likewise pushes boundaries and strains the comfort level of the audience. It’s a film made from a distinctly queer point of view and modern context, made all the more powerful because of it.

The film follows Aaron (Kieron Moore), a camboy whose night with an older client takes a turn when it comes to light that they have a shared history. Things go from awkward to disturbing from there. Blue Film digs deep into sexuality, trauma, and even darker subject matter, to great effect. It pushes all the buttons it means to, but not in a manner that is thoughtless or exploitative; rather, it’s thought-provoking and insightful, not to mention eerie. Viewers who haven’t seen Blue Film should do so unspoiled and with an open mind; the experience is worth it.

‘Carolina Caroline’ (2026)

Image via Magnolia Pictures

Another thriller that premiered at film festivals in 2025 before being given a wider release this year, Carolina Caroline is a lovers-on-the-lam throwback. It calls to mind films like Badlands and Bonnie and Clyde, and while it doesn’t break any new ground in the subgenre, it doesn’t need to; instead, it succeeds thanks to the strong performances and dynamic chemistry of its two leads.

Both Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner have carved out their own distinct niches in genre films, especially horror. They are electric together here as a gas station attendant and a con man who ride their own crime wave across the American South. Carolina Caroline has plenty of atmosphere and Southern Gothic thrills, but it’s the connection between Weaving and Gallner that helps it stand tall alongside the great films that preceded it.

‘The Christophers’ (2026)

Image via Neon

Prolific filmmaker Steven Soderbergh seems to always have at least one film a year that flies under the radar, whether it be the 2021 crime thriller No Sudden Move or last year’s ghostly apparition film Presence. This year that film is the darkly comedic The Christophers, which was released back in April to little fanfare. It’s a quiet caper that’s again further proof of Soderbergh’s ability as a genre chameleon.

Julian (Ian McKellen) is a famed but faded artist, whose greedy children hire younger artist Lori (Michaela Coel) to surreptitiously finish his final paintings so they can sell them. The two, however, develop a friendship, leading to unexpected developments. The Christophers is a clever film in that it doesn’t get too clever with its premise, instead offering a cozy, intimate, and honest character piece. Soderbergh has a steady but unshowy hand behind the camera, Ed Solomon’s script has a deft wit, and McKellen and Coel have brilliant chemistry.

‘OBEX’ (2026)

Image via Oscilloscope

For something completely different, there’s OBEX, a low-fi sci-fi adventure from surrealist director Albert Birney. The film’s black-and-white meets retro-gaming aesthetic will certainly scratch a certain nostalgic itch for viewers of a certain vintage, but there’s plenty of charm in the film for any age. OBEX operates almost exclusively on vibes, but those vibes have an old-school handmade appeal to them that makes the film an awesome analog adventure.

Set in 1987, the film is low-budget Tron meets Lynchian fantasy as gamer Conor (Birney) is sucked into the world of the titular video game where he must go on a quest to save his dog. Admittedly, OBEX is a movie with a niche appeal, so it’s no wonder that more people haven’t been talking about it, much less actually seen it. Still, it’s got more atmosphere, character, and sheer panache than something like Tron: Ares and 100% less Jared Leto. That alone should be enough to recommend it, especially if you’re into video games, sci-fi, or cinema as a whole.

‘Our Hero, Balthazar’ (2026)

Image via Oh Boy Productions

The appeal of Our Hero, Balthazar isn’t so much niche as it is uncomfortable. A pitch-black satire that takes aim at mass shooters and performative activism, the film is the feature directorial debut of Oscar Boyson, who produced several features by the Safdie Brothers. Its subject matter and tone will make it an abrasive film for many viewers, but the performances by its lead actors should bring them back around.

Balthazar (Jaeden Martell) is a wealthy teen who gets his kicks making faux-emotional posts about gun violence. When he receives a message from Solomon (Asa Butterfield), an aspiring school shooter, he makes a trip to see him. The film is most pointed when taking jabs at toxic masculinity and male loneliness. It’s a black comedy for the perpetually online generation and influencer set. Martell and Butterfield both find enough dimension in their characters to not make them completely reprehensible; the film should likely develop its own cult following.

‘Redux Redux’ (2026)

Image via SXSW

A multiversal revenge thriller, Redux Redux is a true family affair. It’s directed by brothers Kevin and Matthew McManus, who both helmed the equally unique The Block Island Sound, and stars their sister Michaela McManus as a mother seeking retribution for the murder of her daughter. Redux Redux offers a sci-fi variation on a primal premise, using the genre to escalate its cycle of violence.

Irene (McManus) has been hopping between parallel universes, killing every alternate version of the man responsible for her daughter’s murder. Her single-minded, multiversal pursuit of vengeance gets complicated when she saves one of the killer’s would-be victims, and she begins to wrangle with the personal cost of her revenge. Redux Redux is simple but effective, thanks to the collective direction and performance of the McManus family. It’s a throwback to high-concept thrillers that should have more people talking, especially as sci-fi and the multiverse subgenre as a whole are experiencing something of a peak in popularity.

Few stars are more associated with action movies than Jason Statham. The British actor has built a decades-long career in the genre by frequently portraying grizzled, hardened protagonists in a variety of occupations, including “beekeeper” and “mechanic.” In 2018, he was able to add “scuba diver” and “shark killer” to that list of on-screen careers with the release of The Meg. An American and Chinese co-production, The Meg swam to massive international box office success upon its release and is one of the most entertaining films currently available on streaming.

The Meg follows a team of Chinese and American scientists funded by eccentric billionaire Jack Morris (Rainn Wilson) who are attacked by a prehistoric shark called a Megalodon while exploring the Mariana Trench. Expert diver Jonas Taylor (Statham) is recruited to rescue the scientists and kill the Megalodon, or “meg”, before it can attack the nearby human population. The film’s success spawned a sequel, Meg 2: The Trench (2023), where Statham reprized his role and must fight for survival against not just one megalodon but three, in addition to other creatures from the deep. With a reliable star, fast-paced plots, and big action, The Meg film series has all the necessities to be your next movie night binge.

‘The Meg’ and ‘Meg 2: The Trench’ Are Wild Rides for Viewers

Image via Warner Bros Pictures

Murphy’s law famously states “what can go wrong will go wrong,” and The Meg takes that adage to extremes, ensuring viewers never know what’s coming next. No matter what situation Jonas and the scientists find themselves in, things always seem to go from bad to worse. The scientists’ submarine is attacked by the meg during their dive, trapping them underwater. Jonas is sent to rescue the scientists, but one of them dies in the process. And when Jonas, his love interest, scientist Suyin Zhang (Li Bingbing), and the rest of the team finally fight back and kill the meg, a second meg comes out of the depths and kills more of the crew. These events might spell disaster for the characters, but they’re certainly fun for the audience to watch as they get to see how Jonas and the other characters will make it out of their latest life-or-death scenario.

Meg 2: The Trench is similarly full of unexpected plot developments on an even bigger scale. After the death of Suyin, Jonas has adopted her daughter Meiying (Sophia Cai) and raises her with Suyin’s brother, Jiuming (Wu Jing). The family goes on another exploratory dive and discovers an unsanctioned mining operation led by a mercenary named Montes (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), who sets off an explosion to cover up his illegal activities and damages Jonas’ submersible in the process. Jonas and the team must then use special suits to walk across the ocean floor to an escape vessel, but an attack by a meg, as well as new creatures referred to as “Snappers”, and a betrayal by one of their own results in the deaths of almost the entire crew. Jonas, Meiying, Siuying, and the only other survivor, Mac (Cliff Curtis), do make it to the surface, but so do multiple megs and even a giant octopus thanks to the explosion set off by Montes. The best thrillers keep people on the edge of their seats with twists and turns, and Meg 2 does just that, picking off its cast one by one in the style of the best slasher-thrillers and constantly escalating the already impossible odds that demands to be seen to be believed.

The Action in ‘The Meg’ Series is Ridiculous—And That’s A Good Thing

Image credit via Warner Bros.

When Jason Statham is the lead in an action film, it’s guaranteed to be exciting, and he certainly delivers in The Meg and Meg 2 with some of the most delightfully outlandish feats of his career. The first film’s climax sees Statham driving his submersible directly at the meg before stabbing it with a knife, using the knife as a handhold, and then driving a harpoon into the meg’s eye in midair—all with his bare hands. In the sequel, Statham one-ups himself by going after the megs on a jetski while simultaneously being shot at by mercenaries from the mining operation. He once again uses a harpoon, this time to launch bombs at the megs, until he is forced ashore, where he then uses a helicopter propeller to fatally stab the remaining shark. Are these scenes implausible? Highly. Would a marine biologist recommend this approach? Probably not. But is it highly entertaining? Absolutely. This is the kind of big, ridiculous action that one can only find in films like the Fast and Furious franchise (which Statham also stars in) where the cast and crew are willing to lean in to the absurd and just have fun with it, which in turn lets the audience do the same. While this type of action may not be for everyone, it can’t be denied that it’s incredibly entertaining to watch, whether the audience is smiling along with it or laughing at it.

Furthermore, action sequences like these set The Meg and Meg 2 apart from other shark movies. The franchise never claims to be the next Jaws, and it doesn’t try to be; these movies carve out their own niche in the genre thanks to their over-the-top approach. The Sharknado franchise may have gotten the head start on the comedic possibilities of shark movies, but the action is nowhere near the blockbuster level that The Meg films can provide. Many movies with sharks feature scenes where the human characters must fight off the ocean’s best predators, but The Meg and Meg 2 are some of the very few movies that can provide that thrill without being serious or scary. There are plenty of fish in the sea, but there are only two like The Meg, and they’re well worth a watch.

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Release Date

August 10, 2018

Runtime

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113 minutes

Director

Jon Turteltaub

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Writers

Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber, Dean Georgaris, Steve Alten

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Producers

Belle Avery, Colin Wilson, Lorenzo di Bonaventura

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Alix Earle is finally sharing her side of the story about what led to her ongoing drama with Alex Cooper.

In season 1 of Alix’s reality show Earle Meets World — where she pulls back the curtain on life with her family, the influencer alleged that she felt “betrayed” by Alex.

“I just get scared because everyone tells me not to fight with her,” Alix explained while talking with dad Thomas “TJ” Earle. “Because they always win and they always come out on top. She even said to me, ‘You don’t want to go to war with me.’”

For the uninitiated, Alix previously launched her “Hot Mess” podcast under Alex’s Unwell Network in 2023. Two years later, however, the partnership came to an end when the podcast was dropped.

While speculation swirled about tension between Alix and Alex, the Dancing With the Stars season 34 runner-up reignited feud rumors when she reposted a TikTok calling the “Call her Daddy” podcast host the “Grim Reaper.” Alex, for her part, directly addressed Alix in a TikTok and asked her to publicly share what their “beef is.” Alix simply replied, “OK on it!!” and had yet to further detail their falling out — until now.

“I know no matter what I’ll say, people will have a problem with this. She’s probably going to have a problem with this and attack me after or twist and manipulate whatever she wants to say about me. That’s scary. That’s where I’m like, ‘Should I be doing this?’ But I know what I’m signing myself up for,” Alix said.

Scroll down to see the biggest revelations from Earle Meets World:

Alix Earle Found Out She Wasn’t Working With Unwell Through the Media

Alix explained that she feels “scared” of Alex, claiming that she found out her “Hot Mess” podcast was dropped by the Unwell Network through the media.

“I’m just intimidated,” Alix said. “I don’t know what she’s going to do or how she’s going to twist things. I always hope that karma or something would do its thing one day and, um, karma’s taking awhile.”

Alix Earle Claims Both ‘Personality’ and ‘Work Things’ Went ‘Wrong’ With Alex Cooper Relationship

While having a conversation with her family in Earle Meets World, Alix claimed that there was “thing after thing” when they were working together — noting that Unwell Network was a startup company at the time so things inherently weren’t going to be smooth.

“There [were] just constantly issues. It just wasn’t run properly. It wasn’t what I was promised or told it was going to be like working with them,” Alix said, while TJ chimed in to add, “One of the primary reasons that we ultimately ended up going with Unwell for Alix’s podcast was one, because she looked up to Alex Cooper and two, Alex Cooper would be able to mentor Alix in the business, in the podcasting business. And show her how to put together a show and give her all the resources to produce and develop a great show.”

He claimed, “We knew what they promised us and then when they came in way below what they promised us, we were kind of like, ‘I guess this is how you produce a podcast.’ You sit on your bed with a camera that they sent you and you film it yourself. There’s no production crew, there’s nothing. … We come to find out, because Alix has other friends that do podcasts, that they are actually given real resources to produce a show. They have a producer. They have people that are helping them film and set up lighting and things like that. Alix had none of that, she was doing all of this by herself. Traveling around with suitcases full of cameras and then setting ‘em all up by herself.”

TJ explained that the expenses were taken out of the show’s revenue, with the leftover profit being split between Alix and Unwell.

“So there was no expenses because they had Alix doing everything,” TJ said, while Alix interjected to claim she got the cold shoulder, “I don’t even care about the money or the contracts … Then once we worked with them again — because I felt pressured into signing with them again, so I did — they said, ‘OK, hire your own people for the show. We are taking everyone off.’ They didn’t invite me to events. They didn’t talk to me. They didn’t come up to meetings anymore. I’m like, ‘Why am I paying you to do something I’m not even happy doing and you’re not even giving me any support and I feel scared of you?’”

She continued, “There’s like personality, and then there’s like work things. And both things went wrong. For example, from the start, I didn’t realize things were going wrong because I was obsessed with her. I was like, ‘This is my idol. I’m so happy to work with her.’ And then constantly felt taken advantage of and used and mistreated and manipulated.”

Alix Earle Claims Alex Cooper ‘Took Advantage’ Of Her ‘Admiration’

Alix recalled appearing as a guest on Alex’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast and feeling “so excited,” before her emotions shifted.

“She sold me on a dream that she was going to protect me and look out for me and I feel like she took advantage of my admiration of her and she used that to her advantage,” Alix alleged.

In a separate scene, Alix claimed that Alex began asking her questions on the podcast that were “really sexual” after the pair had been drinking.

“I’m imagining myself in her shoes. To take someone in college, who is young and impressionable, you know looks up to you. And then ask them these raunchy questions which I was definitely a little bit comfortable with,” Alix said in a confessional, as clips from the podcast began playing. “Part of that was stuff I had asked to be taken out after the interview. And she was like, ‘Oh I think it’s so funny.’ And it’s stuff that I didn’t necessarily want to live on the internet forever. So that definitely hurt me. Or, it hurts now. In the moment, I just was like, ‘She’s looking out for me.’”

While talking with her family about the falling out, Alix became emotional as she noted that the “things [Alex] put out there [is] stuff [she] can never take back.”

“My kids are going to see that and it took a toll on all of us,” Alix said. “After that interview when we talked about our family experience, I cried to her. I was like, ‘Thanks this meant so much to me. I really looked up to you and I’m so happy I got to share this story.’ It just makes me feel like a f***ing loser. I was so excited and happy and I thought I was doing something so good and I did something so hurtful to all of us.”

In a separate confessional, Alix’s stepmom, Ashley Dupré, shared that she felt like she “lost my spark” after the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that discussed her affair. (Ashley previously made national news in 2008 after having relations with former New York governor Eliot Spitzer before having an affair with TJ while he was married to Alix and Ashtin Earle’s mom, Alisa Earle.)

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Alix Earle Claims Alex Cooper Reached Out to College Friend to ‘Get Dirt’

In a separate scene, Alix claimed that Alex reached out to her college friend to “get dirt” on the content creator.

“Someone that I’m friends with told me that Alex Cooper DM’d her the other day asking to get on the phone to talk about me,” Alix told her mom, while footage from four days prior played. “Alex Cooper DM’d [censored], asking to get on the phone and talk to her. … Reaching out to someone I went to college with to try and get dirt on me?”

Earle Meets World is streaming on Netflix now.

A conversation about nostalgia has unexpectedly turned into a Hollywood war of words. Ryan Reynolds recently reflected on why he believed people often romanticized the 1980s, but his comments struck a nerve with Spencer Pratt. 

The reality TV personality wasted no time firing back, accusing the actor of helping fuel the growing divide between celebrities and everyday Americans. 

The exchange has since sparked fresh debate over how Hollywood talks about the past and whether audiences are still listening.

For Spencer Pratt, the issue was bigger than a single actor or a single interview. The former reality star used Ryan Reynolds’ comments as an example of what he believed was a larger problem within the entertainment industry.

After unsuccessfully running for Los Angeles mayor earlier this year on a platform that included bringing more film production jobs back to the city, Pratt has continued speaking about Hollywood’s relationship with the public. 

Reynolds’ latest remarks struck a nerve, prompting him to voice his frustration on social media. “Here I am trying to bring back American film jobs, and then these tools keep saying stupid crap like this and making every normal American hate them,” Pratt wrote on X.

He followed up with another blunt criticism of the industry itself, adding, “Hollywood is seriously its own worst enemy. Just stick to the Cricket wireless ads, dude.”

Pratt Reacts To Reynolds’ View Of American Nostalgia

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Spencer Pratt’s frustration stemmed from Ryan Reynolds’ red carpet appearance for “Mayday,” his upcoming Apple TV film. 

While discussing the movie, which features a former KGB agent fascinated by American culture from the 1980s, the actor reflected on how people tend to remember past decades.

According to the 49-year-old, nostalgia often smoothed over difficult realities. “What’s interesting is when you get far enough away from a time period that’s distinct, there’s always a lovely feeling associated with it,” Reynolds told Variety, adding, “It’s almost like you pave over all the trauma with puppy dogs and ice cream.”

He argued that many people focused on the decade’s pop-culture highlights while overlooking the uncertainty that defined the era. 

Reynolds described the period as “a brutal, brutal time for people” and “a tremendous strife,” pointing to widespread social and political tensions.

Spencer Pratt Finds Himself Opposing Ryan Reynolds’ Bigger Message

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While the debate centered on the 1980s, Reynolds’ larger point was actually about the present. The “Deadpool” actor suggested that every generation tends to remember only the most recognizable moments in history while forgetting the challenges of the time.

Using the 1980s as an example, Reynolds argued that future generations might eventually look back on the current era with a similarly romanticized perspective. 

He noted that decades were often defined by a handful of cultural touchstones, while the fear, uncertainty, and difficulties of the period faded from memory.

Reynolds also reflected on how different decades developed distinct identities, contrasting the cultural character of the 1980s with later periods. 

Looking ahead, he predicted that the years shaped by the pandemic could eventually be remembered very differently from how people expect today.

Summing up his perspective, Reynolds declared, “We’re living in the frickin’ salad days. We just don’t know it.” 

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Pratt Pushes Hollywood Tax Credit Campaign

If Spencer Pratt’s criticism of Reynolds revealed his frustration with Hollywood’s public image, his push for industry reform showed where that frustration came from. 

Long before the Ryan Reynolds controversy erupted, Pratt had been publicly campaigning for measures he believed could help reverse the exodus of film and television production from California.

In early August, he revealed that he had met with President Donald Trump and was advocating for a 25% federal film and television tax credit designed to keep productions in the United States. 

Sharing details of the effort, Pratt wrote on Instagram that he was “Working with the President on a 25% FEDERAL film tax credit to bring back Hollywood.” 

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The proposal emerged amid growing concern about productions relocating to countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom, where generous incentives have attracted major studio projects. 

Pratt argued that California was losing jobs while policymakers failed to address the problem. He also took aim at state officials, claiming government policies were pushing production elsewhere. 

Spencer Pratt Sparks Jimmy Kimmel Controversy

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Pratt’s willingness to challenge prominent entertainment figures surfaced again later that month when he inserted himself into a viral conversation involving late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney.

The controversy began after McNearney appeared on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast and discussed the early days of her relationship with Kimmel. 

At the time, she was working as a writer on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and admitted she initially viewed a romance with her boss as a risky proposition. 

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Recalling her reaction, McNearney said, “Oh, no. This is a bad idea. He was my boss.” She explained that she worried a failed relationship could affect her career while Kimmel’s would likely remain unchanged. 

Kimmel acknowledged during the conversation that he had not considered those concerns at the time. McNearney responded, “The person in power usually doesn’t.” 

She also described feeling nervous about altering the workplace dynamic in a predominantly male writers’ room. 

After media outlets picked up the interview, Pratt reacted on X with a provocative question: “Isn’t this what Harvey Weinstein did?” 

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The comparison immediately generated backlash because Weinstein is serving a prison sentence in California for sex crimes and remains one of the most notorious figures in Hollywood history.

For the past week, Netflix has been dominated by the big new movie on the streaming block, The Whisper Man. Starring Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan, the crime thriller is directed by James Ashcroft and based on the bestselling novel by Alex North, with this cocktail of talent helping shoot the film to the top of the streaming charts. The Whisper Man “doesn’t exactly reinvent the formula or offer anything particularly fresh, but it’s a solid and extremely eerie watch nonetheless,” wrote Collider’s David Caballero in his review. But with The Whisper Man now last week’s news, what should you be watching this weekend? To help you decide, here’s a list of three shows you should binge-watch on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

1

‘Major Crimes’ (2012–2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 7.8/10

On September 3, all six seasons of a hit police procedural joined Netflix. This weekend, don’t miss out on a binge-watch of Major Crimes, which aired between 2012 and 2018 on TNT as a continuation spin-off of The Closer, the Kyra Sedgwick-led seven-season hit from the mid-2000s.

Set in the same police division as The Closer, which is now headed by Mary McDonnell‘s lead officer of the Major Crimes Division, Sharon Raydor, Major Crimes follows her attempt to rebuild trust within a broken team while fighting dangerous criminals in Los Angeles. Created by James Duff, this excellent spin-off is packed with action and drama, exploring both internal politics in the police force and a desperate hunt for justice on the streets of LA.

2

‘The Gentlemen’ (2024–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 8.0/10

A list of Netflix recommendations for this weekend would be incomplete without one of the streamer’s biggest returning shows of 2026. Guy Ritchie‘s television spin-off of his 2019 film of the same name, The Gentlemen, proved an enormous hit when it debuted in 2024, scoring an impressive 12.2 million views globally in its first three days.

Now the series is back and bigger than before, as the criminal empire run by Theo James‘ Eddie Horniman, Bobby (Ray Winstone), and Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) set their sights on expansion, for better or for worse. Hilarious, pulse-pounding, and brilliantly gritty, The Gentlemen is the best of Ritchie distilled into a series, and with the show already renewed for a third season, there’s plenty more still to come.

3

‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020–2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.8/10

If police procedurals and gangster series aren’t to your taste, then perhaps a coming-of-age comedy is more your speed. Created by the prolific Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, Never Have I Ever follows first-generation Indian-American teenager Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she balances typical teen angst with complicated romance and an exploration of her identity in modern America.

Sometimes compared to the likes of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Sex Education, and another Kaling project, The Sex Lives of College Girls, this chaotic, heartfelt tale is sure to keep you hooked as you fall headfirst into the life of Devi. Not just a charming series perfect for fans of coming-of-age comedy, Never Have I Ever is also an important milestone in modern streaming as a breakthrough series for South Asian representation in mainstream American TV.

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Release Date

2020 – 2023-00-00

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Showrunner

Lang Fisher

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Directors

Lang Fisher

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For Sandra Bullock, conversations about dating apparently come with some very specific requirements. 

The Oscar-winning actress recently offered a rare glimpse into life at home with her children while discussing family, relationships, and the unexpected advice she receives from her daughter. 

Years after the death of longtime partner Bryan Randall, Bullock revealed that her 12-year-old daughter, Laila, has her own ideas about who the actress should date next, and the criteria have little to do with romance.

During an appearance on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Sandra Bullock shared that her daughter has been encouraging her to get back into the dating world. 

However, Laila’s interest in her mother’s love life appears to be motivated by something other than finding the perfect match.

Recalling one of their conversations, Bullock revealed, “She said I needed to date, but only someone where they could get stuff. So I said, ‘What, a rapper, a basketball player? That’s the parameters?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah.’ I went, ‘Oh.’”

The “Bird Box” actress also explained that her children, including her 16-year-old son Louis, were far less interested in her Hollywood status than in the perks that might come with it. 

According to her, “they don’t care” about her career and instead focus on what she brings home. Leaning into the joke, Bullock quipped, “My job is craft service. That’s what my job was [when they were little]. A place that had extensive craft service.” 

Bullock Shares Rare Photos Of Louis And Laila

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Before revealing that her children have strong opinions about her dating life, Sandra Bullock gave fans an unusual glimpse into her world as a mother by sharing rare photos of Louis and Laila. 

The actress has spent years protecting her children’s privacy, making the images especially noteworthy for longtime fans. 

The photos appeared as part of a personal social media post that documented moments from her summer. 

Among the Instagram images was a striking shot of Louis and Laila, walking together through the countryside as the sun set behind them. 

The siblings were framed by trees and open landscape, offering a quiet look at a side of Bullock’s life rarely seen in public. “Friends, family, fun, fishes, furries, aaaaand work,” she added in the caption.

Sandra Bullock Reveals Kids Have Secret ‘Practical Magic 2’ Cameos

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The rare family photos were not the only reason Louis and Laila recently found themselves in the spotlight. 

As promotion for “Practical Magic 2” intensified, the mom of two surprised fans by revealing that both children actually appear in the movie. 

Speaking during a recent chat with Access Hollywood, Bullock disclosed that her children would make brief cameo appearances in the highly anticipated sequel. 

According to Bullock, the cameos are subtle enough that many viewers may not even realize they are seeing her children on screen. 

The actress was visibly proud while discussing their involvement and described herself as “unbelievably proud” of both of them. The sequel reunites Bullock with Nicole Kidman and introduces a new generation of Owens family characters. 

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Bullock Details How Her Children Faced Bryan Randall’s ALS Battle

Recent interviews have also seen Sandra Bullock open up about one of the most difficult periods her family has ever faced: Randall’s private battle with ALS. 

For years, Randall helped raise Louis and Laila alongside Bullock before his death in August 2023. 

Speaking candidly about the experience on the “SmartLess” podcast, Bullock revealed that both children were aware of Randall’s illness and understood far more than many people may have realized. 

“Absolutely aware, because eventually, once there is a situation where you’re bedridden, we all have to go there,” Bullock stated, adding, “It was in my house, and I did my best to set up whatever I could, and I am lucky in that I had the means to pay for it.”

Rather than shielding them entirely from reality, she chose to navigate difficult conversations honestly while helping them cope with the emotional challenges that accompanied the disease. 

Sandra Bullock’s Tattoo Carries Special Meaning For Her Children

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The importance of family has been a recurring theme in Bullock’s recent interviews. That bond was also on display on August 26 when the “Blind Side” actress stepped onto the London premiere carpet for the sequel. 

Fans noticed fresh ink on her shoulder, sparking immediate speculation about the meaning behind the design. 

The tattoo, which read “LB²,” was visible thanks to the strapless Givenchy gown Bullock wore for the premiere. 

As Page Six stated, the design featured the letters “L” and “B” intertwined in cursive with a raised number two beside them, leading many observers to wonder whether it referenced multiple people in her life. 

The mystery was quickly cleared up when Bullock’s representative confirmed that the tattoo was a tribute to her children. The initials represented the siblings, while the superscript two symbolized the pair together. 

Before that confirmation emerged, social media had been flooded with theories. Some fans believed the “B” could also be a nod to Bryan Randall.

If you get your opinions exclusively from very angry people online, you may have heard there’s been backlash lately against the concept of movie twists. Audiences demand that movies cater to their expectations, and when movies instead surprise them, that’s a deep betrayal.

Fortunately, people haven’t always felt this way (and many people don’t feel that way even now). The first decade of this century brought us some movies with amazing twists. Some were movies that never got the recognition they deserved, while others were huge enough to launch franchises or to turn their filmmakers into stars.

Warning: Spoilers, obviously.

10

‘Atonement’ (2006)

Image via Focus Features

The book Atonement, by Ian McEwan, has a twist that would seem hard to translate to film. You read a story of war and romance where things go very wrong, but in the end, there are hints of a somewhat happy ending. Then comes a postscript that reveals you’ve been reading a fictionalized account written by one of the characters themselves. The real version of the story ended quite miserably.

How do you adapt that as a movie? Should the last scene be an epilogue revealing that the previous footage was a movie directed by one of the characters? 2006’s Atonement adaptation does not do that. Instead, Briony (Vanessa Redgrave) is once again an author, revealing in an interview that she wrote a fictionalized account of her life. The previous scenes we saw depict the novel she wrote.

That was the right choice. If they instead revealed that what we’d seen was an in-universe movie, with Briony now praising the performances of Keira Knightly and James McAvoy, the whole thing would have come off as a joke. You’re allowed to break the fourth wall, but you must do so with great caution.

9

‘The Mist’ (2007)

Image via Dimension Films

The ending of The Mist breaks several guidelines on what movies can do. Faced with what appears to me a monster apocalypse that has wiped out civilization, our hero David (Thomas Jane) shoots the entire band of survivors he’s traveling with. He kills them out of mercy, with their consent, but this still isn’t the way we’ve been taught movies are supposed to end. In addition to several charming elderly people, this band of survivors includes the hero’s young son, and Hollywood tells us kids that age are immortal. Then, moments later, the military arrives, revealing the world is far from over and they would have been saved had they just held out longer.

It’s even more of a shocking twist if you’ve read the Stephen King novella on which the movie is based, because that ends with the hero and his son surviving and feeling optimistic when they pick up a radio signal. Crazy thing, though? The movie ending (which King has said is the superior one) and the book ending have the same message. Whether the characters live or die, both endings still say: Don’t give up.

8

‘Moon’ (2009)

Image via Sony Pictures

Sam Rockell stars as a lone astronaut stationed on the Moon, and along with him is a robot, voiced by Kevin Spacey. The robot appears to be entirely helpful, and it sometimes communicates by displaying the image of a smiley face. Then, at the end of the movie, in a twist that destroys everything we thought about how science-fiction works, the robot… does not turn out to be evil.

Okay, that’s not the real twist of the movie. The actual twist, which comes in multiple stages, may send you into a deep state of worry about the nature of existence. We’re not going to recount it here, and we’re actually not going to recount the twist for many of the movies we’re listing. We’re just going to assure you each twist is good. That’s this list’s twist.

7

‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

With many movies, the big twist is that nothing we’ve seen up to this point was real, that it was all in someone’s head. Mulholland Drive isn’t even the only movie on this list to go that route. But rarely do these movies, after showing you the fantasy, spend much time showing the reality. You might get just a quick glimpse of the character confined in an asylum, and then we cut to credits.

Mulholland Drive’s reality lasts a good half hour. Maybe every movie that tries a twist like this needs to do something similar, because you can’t appreciate someone’s fantasy without knowing in detail what they’re escaping.

Though, it does take a few viewings to even understand what you’re watching. And if you watched it for the first time years ago, without knowing who Namoi Watts is, you might have looked at the two very different versions of the same character, seen what appears to be two clearly different women, and wondered why they cast two actresses who look so much like each other.

6

‘The Fountain’ (2006)

Image via Warner Bros.

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In The Fountain, we again have what appears to be a single actor (Hugh Jackman) playing multiple characters. Exactly what the connection is between these three men (as well as between the multiple women played by Rachel Weisz), well, that turns out to be the movie’s twist. Some people leave the movie still unclear on the answer, which is surely a testament to how good a twist it is.

The movie also has a more traditional twist, a sort of Twilight Zone twist in which someone does not get the victory they sought. It’s the most famous scene, as you might have seen a GIF of Jackman staring blissfully at some golden light, without your having any idea what the context is. The full scene is a bit different from what you’d expect from the meme, and the sight is all the more impressive when you learn they pulled this movie off using only half the originally planned budget.

5

‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ (2009)

Image via West End Films

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The lowest-budgeted film on the list, however, by a wide margin, would be The Disappearance of Alice Creed. The movie cost just $1.5 million. They must have saved some money on cast salaries, as the cast consists of just Gemma Arterton, Martin Compston, and Eddie Marsan. Those aren’t the leads: That’s the entire cast, as the whole movie has only three characters.

A little bit into the movie, there’s a twist. Then, after a bit, there’s another twist. Then there’s another twist. You’re supposed to go into movies like this knowing nothing in advance, and we hopefully haven’t spoiled anything for you by telling you there are twists, because after all that, once you figure you now know where it’s all going, there’s a twist.

4

‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Given all the biopics of Great Men that came out in the years that followed A Beautiful Mind, you might imagine this 2001 movie was a sort of early template that a bunch of later movies iterated on. The truth is the opposite. It plays out like a twist on a bunch of movies that hadn’t even been made yet.

Many movies tell you the story of some figure you’re already familiar with. A Beautiful Mind tells you a story something like that then tells you that a chunk of what it told you isn’t true. Its twist assumes, correctly, that the viewer knows less about the subject of the movie than could be learned by reading the intro to his Wikipedia article (if economist John Nash had a Wikipedia article in 2001, which he did not).

Few biopics attempt anything close to that. Sure, Oppenheimer, to its credit, does have a big twist, but the twist is not, “Actually, there never was an atomic bomb.” If it were, that would have been quite a surprise.

3

‘Memento’ (2000)

Image via Summit Entertainment

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We definitely need one Christopher Nolan movie in this roundup, and Memento’s final twist is one for the ages. What’s really notable about it, though, looking back, is that the movie probably could have got away with having no twist ending at all. The movie already had its gimmick. When a movie’s premise is especially nutty and becomes especially famous, you’ll often discover it doesn’t have a twist ending.

The Truman Show doesn’t end with a twist. Groundhog Day doesn’t end with a twist. The Matrix, despite the wild reveal one-third in, doesn’t end with a twist (unless “the main character, who they said was the Chosen One, really is the Chosen One” counts as a twist). So, Memento could have just been a movie about someone with short-term memory loss, told in reverse, about him tracking down a murderer. It wouldn’t have been as great as it is, but it still then may have permanently shaken pop culture, leaving us forever referring to anterograde amnesia as “Memento disease.”

2

‘Triangle’ (2009)

Image via Icon Film Distribution

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Other movies play with time, and you can name several where the twist is the character’s in a loop. You might guess, early on, that’s what’s happening in Triangle. You might even guess one mysterious hooded figure who tussles with the main character (Melissa George) is really the main character herself, from the future.

You’d be right. Except, that’s not all the movie has in store. Time loops can get more complicated than what you’re used to. And then, the movie gets truly weird when it breaks the laws that you assumed were in place and shifts to more horrifying stuff that you’d think was physically impossible. In fact, you should feel silly for thinking the story was constrained by rules at all. It’s a movie. The story can do whatever it wants.

1

‘Saw’ (2004)

Image via Twisted Pictures

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In 1999, The Sixth Sense somehow made everyone agree on what the ultimate movie twist is: What if that guy who’s been on the screen the entire movie turns out to have been dead the whole time? Saw took that and instead offered us: What if that guy who’s been on the screen the entire movie turns out to have been alive the whole time?

That wasn’t its only twist. It also gave us the inconspicuous background character who masterminded everything, the apparent good guy secretly taking orders from the bad guy, and the creepy villain who’s actually just another victim. Also, a man saws off his own foot. It’s hard to even remember that last part was a twist, but it was. The movie’s about a guy (Cary Elwes) figuring out how to escape his bonds without cutting his foot off, but then, he actually does cut his foot off, and we weren’t supposed to expect that.

Of course, Saw isn’t really the best movie of its decade and is probably not truly the one with the best twist. We still wanted to spotlight it to remind you how good twists can get, even in movies that some dismiss as trash. On the other end of the spectrum, 2023 saw the release of the tenth Saw film, and though it was the only movie in the franchise to receive positive reviews, its final twist was a wet wad of nothing. Now that the series is in the hands of new owners, let’s hope it does not forget the importance of twists in motion pictures.

The old owners, incidentally, go by the name of Twisted Pictures.

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Release Date

October 29, 2004

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Runtime

103 minutes

Director

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James Wan

Producers

Gregg Hoffman, Mark Burg, Oren Koules

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  Leigh Whannell

  Adam Faulkner-Stanheight

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