Latest Movie News & Opinions - ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/category/movies/ Comic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books Tue, 01 Jul 2025 03:34:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://comicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/cropped-ComicBook-icon_808e20.png?w=32 Latest Movie News & Opinions - ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/category/movies/ 32 32 237547605 Predator: Badlands’ Yautja Hero First Details Make Him Part of a Movie Tradition https://comicbook.com/movies/news/predator-badlands-dek-conan-the-barbarian-mad-max/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/predator-badlands-dek-conan-the-barbarian-mad-max/#respond Tue, 01 Jul 2025 03:34:11 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1406595 Image courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands will be a franchise first in centering on a Predator protagonist, and will also be influenced by other legendary action movie heroes in a key way. In an interview with Empire, Trachtenberg likened the alien hunter protagonist of Predator: Badlands, Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), to Conan the Barbarian or Mad Max, stating […]

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Image courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands will be a franchise first in centering on a Predator protagonist, and will also be influenced by other legendary action movie heroes in a key way. In an interview with Empire, Trachtenberg likened the alien hunter protagonist of Predator: Badlands, Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), to Conan the Barbarian or Mad Max, stating “He’s a thing of few words, pretty blunt”, with Trachtenberg adding “He cuts straight to the point. Literally and figuratively”. Trachtenberg’s description of Dek as a comparatively silent protagonist does indeed put him in good company with Conan, Mad Max, and his fellow Predators.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Conan the Barbarian in the eponymous 1982 movie launched him to stardom with Conan having very little in the way dialogue in the movie (and what lines Conan does speak are some of Arnold’s most quoted). Additionally, after the loss of his family in 1979’s Mad Max, Mel Gibson’s Max Rockatansky becomes a hardened loner who speaks very little in The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, a practice that Tom Hardy later carried over in his portrayal of Max in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road.

While Predators (also known as “Yautja”) have tended to have little dialogue in the Predator franchise, that has mostly been due to their dialogue exchanges being primarily with humans. While Predators can approximate human speech and language, their dialogue has often consisted of repeating various lines spoken by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch, Danny Glover’s Mike Harrigan, and other characters back to them. Trachtenberg’s description of Dek could indicate that Predator: Badlands may have an abundance of the Yautja language being spoken between Predators.

With that said, Dek himself coming from the Conan the Barbarian and Mad Max schools of minimal dialogue likely plays into his character arc in Predator: Badlands. As described by Trachtenberg in the Empire interview, Dek is the “runt of the litter” within his Predator tribe, while Badlands will reportedly focus upon Dek being exiled from the Predator culture. With his only ally being the Weyland-Yutani android Thia (Elle Fanning), Dek’s focus on survival and proving his worth as a hunter and warrior to his fellow Yautja probably accounts significantly for why he will speak so little in Badlands.

This is not the first time a Dan Trachtenberg-directed Predator movie has had minimal dialogue. Trachtenberg famously went out of his way to have as little actual dialogue as possible in his first foray into the Predator franchise, 2022’s Prey. With the movie centering on Comanche warrior Naru (Amber Midthunder) battling a Feral Predator in 1719 (with the movie having both English and Comanche dialogue tracks on its Hulu release and on home media), Prey provided a real showcase for Trachtenberg’s skill for visual storytelling and keeping dialogue compartmentalized.

With Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg seems to be shifting that storytelling approach somewhat with Dek as the movie’s hero while keeping his dialogue as minimized as possible. This is also just the latest of the many ways in which Trachtenberg has breathed new life into the Predator franchise as director of its last three installments. Hopefully, as a Predator who speaks little and keeps his eye on the goal in front of him, Dek could become another of the many break-out characters in Trachtenberg’s Predator movies.

Predator: Badlands will be released in theaters on November 7th.

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The Movie That Started It All: Remembering The First Summer Blockbuster https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jaws-anniversary-retrospective-started-first-summer-blockbuster-movies/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jaws-anniversary-retrospective-started-first-summer-blockbuster-movies/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1403702 Image courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Every year, we eagerly await to see what the top summer blockbusters will be, knowing they’ll create memorable experiences for years to come. That brings us to what is often considered the first summer blockbuster, Jaws. Jaws was released on June 20, 1975, and even 50 years later, this movie’s impact on the industry is […]

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Image courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Every year, we eagerly await to see what the top summer blockbusters will be, knowing they’ll create memorable experiences for years to come. That brings us to what is often considered the first summer blockbuster, Jaws. Jaws was released on June 20, 1975, and even 50 years later, this movie’s impact on the industry is still felt. It became what felt like an instant classic, pulling in over 100 million at the box office. At the time, it broke records left and right, setting a precedent for all summer movies to follow. That begs the question: how did Jaws change the industry?

Jaws is an American thriller based on Peter Benchley’s novel. Adapted by Steven Spielberg, the film weaves a terrifying tale of a great white shark and the horror it unleashed on a small New England town. It was a genre-defying film, merging thriller, horror, and monster elements into an action-packed 124 minutes. While it isn’t hard to guess that Jaws directly affected how the population viewed beaches, it also had a lingering effect on the movie industry, especially for summer blockbusters.

The Success of Jaws

Universal Pictures

Jaws was an unprecedented success, bringing in more money than was ever expected, especially for the time. People loved it, with many fans reporting that they went back to the theater for multiple viewings. This was years before Star Wars, another movie famous for its repeat audience. Looking at cold, hard numbers, it’s easy to see that Jaws was worth the money. Jaws cost a mere 9 million to make but grossed over 450 million by the time it was all said and done.

While critics were quick to point out the film’s flaws, fans fell in love. It didn’t hurt that Jaws was released simultaneously across hundreds of theaters. While that’s the standard these days, it was a groundbreaking concept at the time. Previously, films would follow a carefully regimented plan of release. The creators also hyped the film up quite a bit, creating a new form of marketing strategy. Again, another first for the industry. In a way, it makes sense that marketing would affect the bottom line of Jaws. How many of us have complained about missing a movie’s release, because the marketing failed to cross our desks?

How Jaws Changed the Industry

The success of Jaws taught the industry a few important lessons. First, the wide-release strategy worked. Second, it was clear that marketing was essential, and finally, that high-concept, high-budget, and ideally, high-profile films have a solid chance of returning on investments. In other words, the industry learned that to achieve success, it needed to create yearly spectacles.

However, this was not the only thing Jaws did differently, causing a ripple effect of changes throughout the industry. Jaws produced an unprecedented amount of merchandise. Admittedly, not all of it was legit or licensed merch, but it still taught the industry a valuable lesson. Today, it’s all but expected for a film to produce a certain amount of merch, starting with limited-edition popcorn buckets and spreading outward from there.

Jaws also caused a different sort of shift, as previously, the biggest films of the year were held back until the holiday season. However, it quickly became apparent that summertime was potentially the most lucrative time to drop larger films.

The Rise of the Summer Blockbuster

In a way, Jaws was the perfect summer storm. It was released in the summer and set in summer. The setting alone ensured that the audience would always think of war (but dangerous) beaches and days in the sun, anytime the subject came up. The next big summer blockbuster was Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, which was released a mere two years later. Notably, Star Wars borrowed a few pages, such as the increased marketing strategy and leaning into the musical potential the franchise had to offer.

Since then, dozens of movies have tried to follow suit, to varying degrees of success. Jurassic Park came out in June of 1993, stealing the show and breaking new ground. The 1999 film Deep Blue Sea tried to play with the same genre, but it earned mixed reviews in the process. More recently, The Meg tried to repeat this combined success, telling a monster story set at sea. While Jaws fans hesitate to make direct comparisons, the movie grossed pretty well, especially at the box office.

The Unexpected Effects of Jaws

Jaws did more than revolutionize the summer box office, as it had a direct impact on sharks and pop culture. The summer that Jaws was released, there were reportedly fewer people at the beaches. Yes, really. Unfortunately, that isn’t all good news for sharks, as shark hunting increased after Jaws‘ release. It could be a causation/correlation problem, but most likely it is exactly what it looks like.

While many people became terrified of sharks, many more found themselves fascinated. It’s no wonder that Shark Week persisted for so long, or that there have been dozens of attempts to create shark-themed films.

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10 Best Giant Movie Monsters That Aren’t Godzilla or Kong https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-best-movie-monsters-godzilla-king-kong-kraken-cloverfield/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-best-movie-monsters-godzilla-king-kong-kraken-cloverfield/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:45:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1396995 Colossal, Deep Rising, and Gamera

Monster movies have been around for a long, long time. The earliest days saw the release of classics like King Kong, a film which has continued to influence filmmakers and entrance audience members for nearly 100 years now. Then there was a boom in the ’50s, with American films like The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms […]

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Colossal, Deep Rising, and Gamera

Monster movies have been around for a long, long time. The earliest days saw the release of classics like King Kong, a film which has continued to influence filmmakers and entrance audience members for nearly 100 years now. Then there was a boom in the ’50s, with American films like The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and Them! attracting box office dollars and accolades, but even combined they didn’t prove to be as influential as Japan’s Gojira, which kickstarted a franchise that continues strong to this day.

What follows are the best giant monsters from movies that aren’t, well, King Kong or Godzilla. We avoided monsters from movies that aren’t specifically monster movies, with apologies to the sandworms from Dune and the Chitauri Leviathans from the Avengers movies. Also, extra-large animals like the Anaconda and dinosaurs were out. Even if they were genetically engineered by man with the help of some ancient mosquitos, they’re still dinosaurs, not monsters.

What’s your favorite movie monster? Do you go for scariness or cool design? Either way, they’re probably listed below.

1) “Clover” in Cloverfield

image courtesy of paramount pictures

Cloverfield is one of the best found footage movies to date, and what works about its monster, unofficially dubbed “Clover,” is that we don’t see much of it. The found footage angle doesn’t really allow for that.

The 25-story tall creature has a thick hide that allows it to withstand military attacks and, while it doesn’t come equipped with laser breath or anything, it’s fairly agile for a creature of its size. It also has a bunch of parasites that break off it and terrorize anyone unlucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Stream Cloverfield on Paramount+.

2) The Octalus in Deep Rising

image courtesy of buena vista pictures distribution

The Kraken in director Stephen Sommers’ underrated Deep Rising, officially named Octalus, manages to be a genuinely frightening CGI monstrosity. It spends the film devouring the cast and crew of luxury cruise ship Argonautica, and with its seemingly unlimited number of teeth we believe it can do so.

The Octalus also comes equipped with tentacles that partially function independently of their host. Each one has teeth of its own and doesn’t hesitate to use them. Sometimes it spits people out, too, which results in the hideous sight of them being melted by the acid sloshing around within it.

Stream Deep Rising on fuboTV.

3) Gamera in the Gamera Movies

image courtesy of daiei film

It may not be quite as long running or critically revered, but the Gamera franchise has done well for itself. Gamera started out just like Godzilla: a big monster that spews fire and does a lot of damage. But, even in the beginning, he was somewhat more benevolent than Godzilla, at least with kids.

As the franchise wore on, Gamera became even more of a friendly presence until he was outright called the guardian of the universe. Are most of the movies particularly good? Not really, but Gamera has almost as solid a design as Godzilla’s. Sure, it’s a little silly seeing a turtle spew fire out of its mouth and fly through the air, but the movies actually make him work.

Stream Gamera, the Giant Monster on Prime Video.

4) Gorgo in Gorgo

image courtesy of british lion-columbia distributors

Gorgo was England’s answer to Toho’s Gojira, and like every other Godzilla rip-off, it’s not nearly as good. But it is fairly well-made, and the design of the title monster is more impressive than what was seen in similar fare like Yongary, Monster from the Deep and Gappa: The Triphibian Monster.

Gorgo is a massive amphibian that, like many other kaiju, seems to be almost entirely impervious to military intervention. He doesn’t breathe fire, but his perky ears to allow him acute hearing. Not to mention, the movie also pulls a Jaws 3 and has Gorgo be the child of an even larger, more ferocious mother monster. Together, they’re able to tear apart London before slinking back to the sea (the area where they’re most comfortable) for a hopefully more peaceful life.

5) The Megalodon in The Meg

image courtesy of warner bros. pictures

It’s no Jaws, but The Meg is a fun shark movie with a quick pace and a perfect lead role for Jason Statham. But, while Statham is a huge star and displays a certain magnetism in all of his movies, this is really the titular megalodon’s movie all the way through.

Given the constraints of the PG-13 rating (which allowed the film to become something of a blockbuster back in 2018), those behind The Meg manage to make the beast pretty intimidating. There’s no blood, be we certainly see it gobble up a ton of people.

6) The Various Kaiju in Pacific Rim

image courtesy of warner bros. pictures

One of the best mainstream kaiju movies out there, Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim is an extremely ambitious blockbuster. And, even with a scenery-chewing performance from Ron Perlman, it’s pure spectacle all the way through.

The world has been thrown into a new type of war. Instead of two countries going head-to-head, it’s now humanity trying to survive the Kaiju, and del Toro and others behind the film went to great lengths to give each one of the monsters unique physical appearances. They come in different sizes too, with “smaller” Category II ones like Onibaba absolutely dwarfed by Category IV kaiju like Leatherback.

7) Quetzalcoatl in Q: The Winged Serpent

image courtesy of united film distribution company

Larry Cohen’s Q is like It’s Alive and The Stuff in that it’s a monster movie that doesn’t mind hopping around genres. In this case, it’s a kaiju movie, a mystery, a horror movie, and a police procedural all wrapped up in one.

The title monster is Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, which is essentially a big, winged dragon (minus the fire breathing) that has been swooping down on unsuspecting New York civilians. It grabs them from their rooftops, devours them, and leaves a lot of blood in its wake. And she does leave a lot of blood. Unlike most of the other entries on this list, Q is a blood-soaked movie that earns its R rating. The only one that’s more intense is the aforementioned Deep Rising.

Stream Q on Prime Video.

8) Graboids in Tremors

image courtesy of universal pictures

A movie that helped shape many ’90s kids’ youths, Tremors is one of the absolute best monster movies ever made. All six sequels combined don’t even match half of its power (though Tremors 2: Aftershocks is pretty fun).

It’s only in the first movie where the subterranean Graboid is truly fearsome. It’s reveal is perfectly built up in a gradual way. And, once we do see it, we see a masterful creation that only practical effects can bring to life. With an overall length of about 30 feet and the ability to detect vibrations and swiftly reach its target, it’s a killing machine. And with snakelike tentacles that come from its mouth, it’s an ugly sucker, too.

9) Reptilicus in Reptilicus

image courtesy of american international pictures

While Danish-American kaiju movie Reptilicus is one of the lamest rip-offs to come out in the wake of Gojira‘s success, that’s more due to threadbare production values than the actual design of the title antagonist. Reptilicus is basically a scaled snake that spits acid, and while his effectiveness is held back by the restraints of the budget, he’s still a pretty neat looking beastie.

Reptilicus is actually pretty well-equipped for a kaiju. On top of his ability to spit acid, he also is strong enough to basically just push his way through buildings. And, thanks to his scale, he’s able to take any number of tank shells and flamethrower flame bursts. Not to mention, while his wings are small as can be, he can still fly.

Stream Reptilicus on Prime Video.

10) The Kaiju in Colossal

image courtesy of neon

It may be on the poster, but really the kaiju of Colossal is just a small part of Colossal. What the film really excels at being is a study on alcoholism and abusive, manipulative people. But the kaiju is pretty unique looking, too.

The monster is brought to life by frequently drunk unemployed writer Gloria. It only attacks Seoul even though she lives on the other side of the planet. It’s a manifestation of her own dependency issues, and it only comes to be when she is standing on a particular sandbox in a particular playground. But, given how Gloria doesn’t want to harm people, it’s a benevolent monster. The massive robot that is a manifestation of Jason Sudeikis’ Oscar, however, is far from benevolent, because despite first appearances, he is far from benevolent.

Stream Colossal for free on Kanopy.

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Superman: James Gunn Reveals How Marvel’s Daredevil Creator Changed Movie’s Original “Dark” Ending https://comicbook.com/movies/news/james-gunn-superman-movie-ending-changed-drew-goddard-daredevil-creator/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/james-gunn-superman-movie-ending-changed-drew-goddard-daredevil-creator/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:40:32 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1406347

The visionary behind Marvel’s Man Without Fear had a word of advice for James Gunn‘s Man of Steel. Drew Goddard, who created Marvel’s Daredevil for Netflix and wrote the first two episodes of the dark drama, weighed in on the Superman reboot written and directed by Gunn (in theaters July 11). In fact, Goddard had […]

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The visionary behind Marvel’s Man Without Fear had a word of advice for James Gunn‘s Man of Steel. Drew Goddard, who created Marvel’s Daredevil for Netflix and wrote the first two episodes of the dark drama, weighed in on the Superman reboot written and directed by Gunn (in theaters July 11). In fact, Goddard had a suggestion that proved instrumental in shaping the ending of the DC Studios film.

“Drew Goddard was really helpful,” Gunn told Collider. “I think that there were a couple of little things in the movie, three or four things that we really argued about in the film, and all of them had to do with things that were a little bit darker or a little bit lighter. In discussing one of them, Drew Goddard was like, ‘You know what? It’s just not that film. It’s not that film with this little dark ending bit.'”

“And I thought, ‘He’s right. It’s not that film. It is not that film,'” Gunn continued. “And so that line that he said stuck with me for the rest of editing.”

Goddard, a writer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and a writer-producer on Alias and Lost before going on to helm films like The Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale, is part of the brain trust that Gunn put together to help build the new DC Universe in 2023.

The writers’ room includes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Mister Miracle comic scribe Tom King (Lanterns), Christal Henry (HBO’s Watchmen), Christina Hodson (The Flash), and Jeremy Slater (Marvel’s Moon Knight), with Gunn overseeing the DCU with his DC Studios co-chief and producer Peter Safran (Aquaman, The Suicide Squad).

Gunn also consulted fellow filmmaker Jason Reitman (director of Juno and Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Damon Lindelof (co-creator of Lost and The Leftovers), and Chantal Nong, the Executive Vice President of Production for DC Studios and executive producer of such films as Wonder Woman 1984 and The Batman.

“I really go to Peter Safran and Chantal Nong and other directors. I showed [Superman] to Drew Goddard, and Jason Reitman, and Damon Lindelof, and all these people to get their input on what works and what doesn’t. And they were so helpful,” Gunn said.

As both the co-chairman/co-CEO of DC Studios and a filmmaker, he added, “I want to be able to support people but also be really honest. I don’t pull punches. I’m really blunt. And I think we need to come from the common space that we’re just trying to make the best movie possible without ego being a part of it.”

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast includes Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. The DC Studios movie flies into theaters July 11.



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Marvel Fan Art Finally Gives a Game of Thrones Star Their MCU Moment https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-fan-art-gives-game-of-thrones-star-mcu-moment/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-fan-art-gives-game-of-thrones-star-mcu-moment/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:39:02 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1406254 kit-harington-black-knight-mcu-eternals.jpg

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Dane Whitman seems to be finished before he really got started, but fans are not satisfied to leave it that way. A new fan art poster making the rounds on social media shows what Kit Harington might look like if he got to take on his character’s superhero persona Black Knight, […]

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kit-harington-black-knight-mcu-eternals.jpg

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Dane Whitman seems to be finished before he really got started, but fans are not satisfied to leave it that way. A new fan art poster making the rounds on social media shows what Kit Harington might look like if he got to take on his character’s superhero persona Black Knight, complete with the Ebony Blade. Harington took on the role in Eternals back in 2021, and while it now seems likely that movie won’t have a sequel anytime soon, there’s always a chance any of the characters might be pulled back into the MCU for a future story. In the meantime, fans are eagerly fusing Harington’s most dramatic photos with Marvel Comics to imagine the big screen Black Knight for themselves.

Harington made his MCU debut in Eternals, but unlike the main ensemble, he didn’t get a chance to play a superhero. Harington was cast as the scientist and historian Dane Whitman, but at that point in the story, he hadn’t taken up the mantle of Black Knight. However, he did seem to know about his family’s ancestral sword, and even of the curse it carried. Presumably, a sequel to Eternals might have focused on Whitman taking up the blade, but at this point, no sequel is in the works.

Whitman has a long legacy in in Marvel Comics, and it has evolved a lot over the years, so there’s no telling how the MCU might have portrayed the Black Knight. The moniker actually goes back to ancient times, when Whitman’s ancestor wielded the Ebony Blade and fought alongside King Arthur himself. Whitman’s uncle used the cursed sword for evil, and in the earliest comics, he was defeated by Iron Man. With his dying breath, he passed the sword on to Whitman and charged him to restore the family’s honor.

Things would likely go a bit differently in the MCU, especially with what we know of their version of Whitman so far. He alluded to some disagreements with his uncle, but his relationship with Sersi (Gemma Chan) seems more relevant to his potential superheroics. The post-credit scene of the movie featured Whitman confronting the Ebony Blade, apparently tempted by disembodied whispers.

Many fans thought Whitman was a great role for Harington after his time on Game of Thrones, where he played another brooding, sword-wielding hero with a dubious legacy named Jon Snow. Harington himself has admitted to the similarity, and to the real reason for his interest in the MCU. Last year, he told GQ, “I’m not gonna pretend I took that [role] because it was different and interesting. If Marvel calls, you gotta do it.”

Hopefully, Marvel will call again someday and Harington will be compelled to reprise the role. In the meantime, Eternals is streaming now on Disney+ for those interested.

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7 MCU Characters That Could Definitely Wield Stormbreaker https://comicbook.com/movies/news/mcu-characters-wield-stormbreaker-thor-endgame-hammer/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/mcu-characters-wield-stormbreaker-thor-endgame-hammer/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:37:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1400608 Stormbreaker in the MCU.

Thor is one of the strongest characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s the son of Odin, after all, and the God of Thunder, which allows him to create electrical energy out of thin air. Despite all his gifts, Thor chooses to use a weapon for most of his life, Mjolnir. The hammer allows the […]

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Stormbreaker in the MCU.

Thor is one of the strongest characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s the son of Odin, after all, and the God of Thunder, which allows him to create electrical energy out of thin air. Despite all his gifts, Thor chooses to use a weapon for most of his life, Mjolnir. The hammer allows the Asgardian to focus his power, and it doesn’t hurt that it packs a serious punch. Thor isn’t the only character in the MCU to have experience with Mjolnir, though, as his sister, Hela, used it before him. When she shows up on Midgard in Thor: Ragnarok, she destroys the weapon, leaving her brother between a rock and a hard place. He learns to control his powers without the hammer to defeat Hela, but his next fight isn’t so simple.

Thanos comes knocking in Avengers: Infinity War, and because of his mission to collect the Infinity Stones, Thor knows it’s going to be easy to beat him. The God of Thunder travels to Nidavellir to forge Stormbreaker, an axe that doesn’t come with the prerequisite that someone has to be worthy to wield it. However, Thor makes it clear to Star-Lord that not just anyone can use a weapon as strong as Stormbreaker. There are a few other characters up for the challenge, though.

1) Bucky Barnes

Steve Rogers proves himself worthy in Avengers: Endgame, saving Thor from Thanos using Mjolnir. During the ensuing battle, the two heroes switch weapons, and Steve picks up Stormbreaker without any problems. While Bucky Barnes isn’t as strong as his best friend, he’s still a capable super soldier who can toss cars and pull off other impressive feats. There’s no doubt he could grab Stormbreaker and swing it around if the opportunity arose.

2) John Walker

John Walker is in the same boat as Bucky, but Thunderbolts* makes it seem like he’s a bit stronger than his teammate. While the group is trying to escape Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s safehouse, John jumps higher than any super soldier before him to see how deep they are underground. Leaping doesn’t prove his skills with a weapon, but it seems fair to assume that he can withstand a lot more than a regular human.

3) Drax

While Thor is lecturing Star-Lord in Infinity War, he tells everyone on the ship they wouldn’t be able to wield a Thanos-killing weapon. He’s wrong about Drax, as the Guardian of the Galaxy is far from a run-of-the-mill alien. He possesses super strength and durability, which he uses against some impressive foes. Picking up Stormbreaker would be light work for the Destroyer.

4) Vision

Vision shocks all of the Avengers when he picks up Mjolnir shortly after being born. He even uses the hammer later to teach Ultron a lesson. While the original Vision is no longer around, his replacement, White Vision, is just as powerful. He may not be in a fighting mood after the events of WandaVision, but wielding Stormbreaker isn’t a challenge that he would fail.

5) Nebula

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The MCU makes it clear that it’s not fun having Thanos as a father. He tortures his girls, but Nebula gets the worst of it, with the Mad Titan replacing most of her body with cybernetics. The one silver lining is that she’s incredibly powerful after the operations, always giving the Guardians a run for their money. While Nebula doesn’t have experience with brain-melting weapons, they can’t be any worse than what she’s already gone through.

6) Adam Warlock

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The Sovereign spend a lot of time creating Adam Warlock, and while it appears to be for their own gain, it turns out the High Evolutionary is behind the whole thing. He wants to create the perfect specimen, but Adam fails to meet his expectations. Despite his flaws, Adam is still one of the strongest characters in the MCU. He takes out the Guardians in just a few minutes, and it wouldn’t have even taken that long if he had Stormbreaker.

7) Shang-Chi

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Thor’s weapons are going to become yesterday’s news if Shang-Chi learns how to control the Ten Rings. The objects give him incredible power, making him strong enough to defeat giant beasts. The God of Thunder knows a little something about that, so maybe he and Shang-Chi can trade weapons and have a friendly competition.

Do you think the characters on this list could wield Stormbreaker? Which other MCU characters have a shot? Let us know in the comments below!

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The Transformers Franchise Is Dead If Michael Bay Returns https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-franchise-dead-over-no-new-michael-bay-movies/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-franchise-dead-over-no-new-michael-bay-movies/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:26:51 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405164 Optimus Prime ready to fight in Transformers (2007)

Roughly eight years to the day Transformers: The Last Knight opened to underwhelming box office, a news report emerged alleging that Paramount Pictures is planning on reviving the Transformers saga. After Transformers: Rise of the Beasts failed to turn a profit and Transformers One outright bombed, Paramount is desperate for this once lucrative saga to […]

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Optimus Prime ready to fight in Transformers (2007)

Roughly eight years to the day Transformers: The Last Knight opened to underwhelming box office, a news report emerged alleging that Paramount Pictures is planning on reviving the Transformers saga. After Transformers: Rise of the Beasts failed to turn a profit and Transformers One outright bombed, Paramount is desperate for this once lucrative saga to come back to its initial box office might. The plan the studio is allegedly batting around now is getting Michael Bay back in the saddle to direct another movie.

The news isn’t exactly the brightest glimpse into the potential cinematic future of this property. In fact, if Bay does come back, it’s a surefire sign that the Transformers franchise is dead, and not just because of the quality of his initial five Transformers installments.

Returning to the Old is a Sign of Creative Stagnation

Michael Bay did five Transformers movies over ten years. They were incredibly profitable enterprises, with Transformers: Dark of the Moon grossing over $1 billion worldwide in 2011 and Revenge of the Fallen remaining the biggest non-Titanic movie ever domestically until Top Gun: Maverick flew into town in 2022. However, by the end of these five films, audiences clearly said with their wallets that they’d had enough. Transformers: The Last Knight’s lifetime domestic haul was less than the initial five-day grosses of Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon. It ultimately earned $605 million worldwide and lost a boatload of cash for Paramount.

The novelty of combining Bay’s style of action cinema with those robots in disguise had worn out its welcome with people. Since then, Paramount has tried two more live-action Transformers movies. One (Bumblebee) was a reboot that went in a radically different tonal direction than Bay’s film, while the other (Rise of the Beasts) balanced the rebooted timeline with action sequences patterned after Bay’s works. Looking back now, Bumblebee and Transformers One suggested that this series was stepping into new creative territory and expanding what Transformers movies could look like.

If Bay comes back, that would be a frustrating regression to an arcane status quo for Transformers. After so much work has been spent on more character-focused and robot-centric Transformers movies, now the franchise will presumably be trying to evoke nostalgia dollars from folks who get nostalgic thinking about Linkin Park’s “New Divide.” There’s already a problem with modern Transformers media like Rise of the Beasts being too beholden to fan service and older Transformers properties. Fully bringing back Bay to the franchise would be a sign that all creative gumption is gone. The Transformers franchise has no pulse.

Audiences Don’t Want More Transformers, Bay or Otherwise

Michael Bay coming back also sounds like a way for Paramount brass to stave off an inevitable truth: audiences no longer care for or about Transformers movies. Three of the last four theatrical Transformers films failed to turn a profit, including Bay’s final outing. Whether they’re directed by Michael Bay or rendered in a fully animated family-friendly feature, these mechanical beings are just not the box office draws they once were. Bringing Bay back into the director’s chair sounds like a way to act like it’s 2009 again, rather than reflecting modern moviegoing trends.

On top of that, Bay’s constant desire in the 2010s to leave the Transformers saga and pursue more projects like Pain & Gain and Ambulance makes it doubtful his Transformers return would even yield fascinatingly divisive results. The honeymoon has long been over for Bay and the Transformers saga; would recruiting him back into this saga really get his creative juices flowing again? Or would he just be eyeing the exit door the entire time, as he was during The Last Knight?

There’s just no end to the problems inherent to bringing Michael Bay back to the Transformers saga. Regardless of anyone’s opinions on his original five films, cinematic franchises need to evolve and grow. Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan can’t helm Batman movies forever. Star Wars has never just been a George Lucas enterprise. Transformers has yielded creative highs with Bumblebee and Transformers One in embracing this reality and new artistic voices. Bringing back Michael Bay, though, would just be a tired plea for nostalgia, solidifying the franchise’s cultural stagnation. Forget his deaths in Revenge of the Fallen and the 1986 animated movie, having Michael Bay return as a Transformers director would really solidify that the movie version of Optimus Prime is dead.

Transformers One is now streaming on Paramount+.

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5 Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse Fan Theories We’re Obsessed With https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spider-man-beyond-the-spider-verse-fan-theories/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spider-man-beyond-the-spider-verse-fan-theories/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:31:02 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1388771

We've rounded up the most interesting theories around what the final installment of what the animated trilogy could look like.

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premiered two years ago this month, and tragically, we’re another two years out from what is sure to be a breathtaking conclusion of the animated trilogy with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The long wait feels particularly cruel since Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ended with on a cliffhanger with Miles meeting the Earth-42 version of himself. Since there is no Spider-Man in that universe — the radioactive spider was transported into Miles’s Earth-1610 and bit him instead — Earth-42 Miles has become a villain, The Prowler. The reveal left us at the edge of our seats and with our heads spinning.

So how are we biding the time until Beyond the Spider-Verse hits theaters on June 4, 2027? Diving into each and every fan theory on TikTok, of course! Here are our top five we hope are in fact part of the franchise’s third installment:

1) Beyond the Spider-Verse Will Open with an Epic Spider-Team and Earth-42 Sinister Six Battle

We’re obsessed with this theory from popular creator Supes for a number of reasons. Not only would a Spider-Team versus Sinister Six battle be an epic way to kick off the film, it would be an awesome, action-packed way to get us reoriented in the Spider-Verse after four years away. Furthermore, the Beyond the Spider-Verse footage shown at CinemaCon earlier this year indicates that Supes might be on the right track here. Green mentions that Sony showed footage of Miles fighting Prowler Miles. It’s very likely that the clips shown at CinemaCon were smaller moments within a larger battle that involves more players…like the Spider-Team we see at the end of the last movie and this universe’s version of the Sinister Six.

2) Miguel Got Miles’ Canon Events Wrong

Creator Shelby Hallow isn’t the only fan online claiming Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 got canon events wrong, but we love her explanation. She doesn’t believe that Miles’ major canon event is his dad’s death. In explaining that nearly all Spiders lose a family member, mentor, plus a close friend and/or significant other to become the hero they’re destined to be. However, both versions of Miles – our protagonist from Earth-1610 and the Earth-42 Prowler version of Miles we meet at the end of the movie, have lost either their father OR their Uncle Aaron. Therefore, by Shelby’s reasoning, Miles is slated to lose, or at the very least be emotionally estranged from, a non-family mentor like Peter B. Parker or Gwen.

We really hope this isn’t true, we also can’t forget that Earth-1610 Miles wasn’t destined to be Spider-Man. He’s an anomaly, therefore do the canon rules even apply to him? For Peter B. and Gwen’s sake, we hope not. We also really hope someone other than Miguel clears up how canon events work in Beyond the Spider-Verse. While the fans may not agree on much, we all seem to feel that Spider-Man 2099 is either mistaken, or hiding something when it comes to the canon.

3) Miles Will Enlist Earth-42 Miles /The Prowler to Help Him

Going off the theory that Miguel’s canon event theory is flawed and the rules may not apply to Miles, an anomaly, Alex Brizard takes it a step further. He believes that through enlisting Earth-42 Miles to help him, they will be available to save everyone, along with keeping the universes in tact by working together. Brizard references Miles’s pointing out that one can have their cake and eat it too if they have two cakes. In Beyond the Spider-Verse, the two cakes are the two Miles who team up to save their loved ones and keep the multiverse in tact. Given that some of the footage screened at CinemaCon from Beyond the Spider-Verse also includes the two Miles working together in addition to squaring off, we like where Alex is headed with this one.

Also shoutout to Evan’s theory that Beyond the Spider-Verse will include a live-action Miles Morales. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has previously said they’re waiting for the animated Spider-Verse trilogy to complete before the character formally enters the live-action MCU. What better way to introduce the next major incarnation of Miles than for him to be passed the torch by his animated self?

4) Miguel Will Redeem Himself by Sacrificing Himself to Save Miles

While Miguel was certainly an antagonist in Across the Spider-Verse, at the end of the day, he’s still a Spider-Man. Creator @kailazi points out that though Miles and Miguel spent most of Across the Spider-Verse at odds, it would make a very meaningful turn of events and arc for Miguel if he saw the error of his ways. Especially since the general consensus is that he’s definitely got a few things wrong about the multiverse. Furthermore, sacrificing himself for Miles would be a tragic, but certainly powerful way to redeem himself after the chase through Nueva York in Across the Spider-Verse.

5) Miles and Gwen’s Universes Will Merge

Out of the all the fan theories circulating about Beyond the Spider-Verse, this may be the one we’re most obsessed with. Ryan and Daniel from Just the Nobodys Podcast break down all the visual hinting and foreshadowing throughout both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse that could potentially support this. Universes merging rather than catastrophically colliding in an incursion would be a big departure from most of Marvel’s multiversal rules, but if any film could pull it off, it would likely be Beyond the Spider-Verse. Plus, we’re suckers for a happy ending, and would love to see what a blended universe where Peter and Gwen get to coexist would look like.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse swings into theaters June 4, 2027. Until then, drop your fan theories in the comments below.

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Jurassic World Rebirth Rotten Tomatoes Score Secures Impressive Ranking in the Franchise https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-rotten-tomatoes-score-impressive-franchise/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-rotten-tomatoes-score-impressive-franchise/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:18:04 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1406064 Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

Jurassic World Rebirth already sports a 58% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is not necessarily excellent, but it’s impressive for this franchise at this stage. This is the seventh Jurassic movie overall, and the fourth of the Jurassic World reboot series — though the previous three definitely formed a trilogy, while this one stands […]

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Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

Jurassic World Rebirth already sports a 58% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is not necessarily excellent, but it’s impressive for this franchise at this stage. This is the seventh Jurassic movie overall, and the fourth of the Jurassic World reboot series — though the previous three definitely formed a trilogy, while this one stands apart. Rebirth is now the third-highest rated Jurassic movie on Rotten Tomatoes, and it scored much higher than the two movies that immediately preceded it. Fans will be able to make up their own minds when the movie hits theaters in the U.S. on July 2nd.

Jurassic World Rebirth is not available to general audiences yet, but plenty of critics have now seen it at pre-release screenings, or at the world premiere in London earlier this month. The reviews circulating so far say that this movie does a better job of capturing the spirit of the franchise than the other recent installments, but ultimately, it made some viewers question if there was anything left to explore in this premise at all.

Keep in mind that Rotten Tomatoes’ score represents the percentage of reviews that were counted as positive overall, and not an actual rating for the movie. The aggregator has accumulated reviews of Jurassic World Rebirth from 76 trusted critics, and determined that 44 of them were positive, and 32 were negative. Among those reviews is a wide range of ratings for the movie, and opinions on what worked and what didn’t. The website no longer presents an average score for movies.

This already gives it a high ranking within its franchise, too. At the front of the pack is the original Jurassic Park with a 91% Fresh score, followed by Jurassic World at 72%. Rebirth is next, followed by The Lost World: Jurassic Park at 52%, then Jurassic Park III at 49%. The latter two movies in the sequel trilogy trail behind at 47% for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and 29% for Jurassic World Dominion.

Taken all together, the aggregate score and its ranking within the franchise seem like good news for Rebirth, but from another perspective, the wide range of reactions with no consensus is a bit ominous. In particular, the sentiment that there may be nothing new to explore within this premise is a bit alarming. Even if that’s not true, the fact is that studios rely on major franchises like these for bankable nostalgia. If the only hope for the Jurassic series is to evolve into something new, it may not get the chance.

Jurassic World Rebirth hits theaters on July 2nd in the U.S. The six previous movies are streaming now on Peacock.

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Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Reportedly Getting First Trailer Soon (With a Catch) https://comicbook.com/movies/news/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-first-trailer-release-date-theaters/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-first-trailer-release-date-theaters/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:42:21 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1406097

Christopher Nolan’s new movie, The Odyssey, is reportedly getting its first trailer as soon as this week, but you won’t be able to watch it at home. Christopher Nolan is one of the biggest directors out there and has won Oscars, achieved massive success at the box office, and helmed some of the most beloved […]

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Christopher Nolan’s new movie, The Odyssey, is reportedly getting its first trailer as soon as this week, but you won’t be able to watch it at home. Christopher Nolan is one of the biggest directors out there and has won Oscars, achieved massive success at the box office, and helmed some of the most beloved Batman movies. He’s a name that can get butts in seats during a time where that’s pretty hard to do. There is always a lot of big buzz around new Nolan movies and his next movie looks like it will probably be one of his biggest. The Odyssey reportedly boasts a massive $250 million budget, making it one of his most expensive movies to date.

Although The Odyssey is still filming, Nolan likes to tease fans far in advance. Historically, Christopher Nolan’s movies will get a teaser trailer roughly a full year before the film is actually released and it will be kept as a theatrical exclusive. It appears that will once again happen with The Odyssey. Historically, these teasers are also attached to a specific movie, typically one that is releasing in IMAX and comes from the same studio he’s working with, which is Universal Studios in this case.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Trailer Reportedly Releases This Week Only in Theaters

Christopher Nolan at Oppenheimer premiere
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A new rumor from Cryptic HD Quality, a fairly reliable leaker when it comes to new movie trailers, has claimed that first trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey will run in theaters this month. It will be attached to Jurassic World Rebirth despite it not being shown in IMAX, but it is the only big Universal movie due out for the foreseeable future. Jurassic World Rebirth will release on Wednesday, July 2nd, so we won’t have to wait long to see it.

Although it’s expected to play in front of other July movie releases like Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s unclear if there will be an IMAX version of the trailer for those films. Nolan is a pioneer when it comes to using IMAX to film his movies and is sort of an unofficial spokesperson for the format, so it would only make sense we get a teaser that utilizes the IMAX format as well.

Nevertheless, this teaser trailer for The Odyssey is only expected to be released in theaters. This is tradition for Nolan who values the theatrical experience and these teasers typically never make their way online officially. There will probably be someone who records it on their phone and posts it to social media, but if you want a good, high quality version of the trailer, you probably won’t get it. The first proper trailer, if history is anything to go by, will likely be released online around December, possibly around the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The Odyssey will release in theaters on July 17th, 2026.

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A New MCU Hero Just Usurped Scarlet Witch as the Franchise’s Most Tragic Character https://comicbook.com/movies/news/fantastic-four-thing-saddest-most-tragic-mcu-characters-origin-stories/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/fantastic-four-thing-saddest-most-tragic-mcu-characters-origin-stories/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:40:36 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405225 Scarlet Witch looking shocked.

Heroes are almost always born out of tragedy. Peter Parker receives incredible abilities after being bitten by a radioactive spider, but it takes him losing Uncle Ben to understand that he has a responsibility to help people. Still, some iterations of Spider-Man see Peter give in to his dark side initially and try to get […]

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Scarlet Witch looking shocked.

Heroes are almost always born out of tragedy. Peter Parker receives incredible abilities after being bitten by a radioactive spider, but it takes him losing Uncle Ben to understand that he has a responsibility to help people. Still, some iterations of Spider-Man see Peter give in to his dark side initially and try to get revenge on his uncle’s killer. The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Wanda Maximoff goes down a similar path after losing her parents in Sokovia at a young age. She and her brother, Pietro Maximoff, allow HYDRA to experiment on them, and the Mind Stone unlocks something in both of them.

By the time Earth’s Mightiest Heroes run into Wanda in Avengers: Age of Ultron, she’s all about knocking Tony Stark down a peg because his weapons killed her parents. Ultron gives her that opportunity, but his true plan isn’t something she can get behind. Wanda decides to help the Avengers, and together, they take down Ultron. Unfortunately, Wanda’s life after the Battle of Sokovia doesn’t get any easier.

Scarlet Witch Never Catches a Break in the MCU

After her brother’s death, Wanda turns over a new leaf and grows close to Vision. The Sokovia Accords tear them apart briefly because they end up on different sides of the argument, but after Captain America breaks Wanda out of the Raft, they get back on track. Wanda and Vision stick together throughout the events of Avengers: Infinity War, ending up in Wakanda when the Black Order comes looking for the Mind Stone. While the Avengers keep it out of their hands, Thanos comes knocking and, with five Infinity Stones in his back pocket, makes quick work of them. Wanda can only watch as Thanos rips the Mind Stone out of Vision’s head, and before she can even properly grieve, she’s turned to dust.

Wanda returns during the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame and sets her sights on the Mad Titan. He escapes her wrath, but he doesn’t last much longer, being dusted along with the rest of his army. Wanda can’t handle all the pain, though, so she takes over Westview, New Jersey, creating a sitcom-like environment that all the residents can’t escape. Her mistakes catch up to her, and after embracing her identity as the Scarlet Witch, she says goodbye to the children she conjured. However, Wanda doesn’t think it’s fair that she keeps losing everyone she loves, which leads her to use the Darkhold’s power to search for her children across the multiverse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The titular hero goes to great lengths to stop Wanda from sacrificing America Chavez, even dreamwalking into the body of a dead Stephen Strange. Fortunately, Wanda ultimately realizes the error of her ways and gives her life to destroy all the versions of the Darkhold. It’s a sad ending for a hero who has to go through so much, but at least she gets to say goodbye on her own terms.

Now, a decade later, the MCU is introducing a character who has it even worse than Scarlet Witch.

The Thing’s Life Could Be Full of Heartbreak After Fantastic Four: First Steps

Ben Grimm has it harder than all of his Fantastic Four teammates because his powers don’t require effort to manifest themselves. His body is always made up of rocks, which makes day-to-day tasks difficult. While the marketing for The Fantastic Four: First Steps shows that the Thing is in good spirits due to being beloved by children and adults alike, it’s only a matter of time before his appearance becomes an issue. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg because Ben may have another curse that hurts his soul even more.

The final trailer for First Steps features a shot of the Thing with a beard, which is a relatively recent addition to the source material. Jonathan Hickman and Ron Garney’s Fantastic Four run sees the Future Foundation create a serum that allows Ben to turn human one day per year. The only downside is that he only ages in his human form, meaning he’s essentially immortal. Reed Richards visits the future in the comic and runs into Ben, who’s sporting a lengthy rock beard and a bad attitude. The Thing’s friends have been dead for centuries, and he just has to go on without them. The origin of Ben’s beard in First Steps is still a mystery, but if it has anything to do with time travel, it’s going to give the hero a taste of his lonely future.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Do you think the Thing could be a more tragic character than Scarlet Witch in the MCU? Where do you think his rock beard comes from? Let us know in the comments below!

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7 Actors Perfect for Denis Villeneuve’s James Bond https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-actors-perfect-for-denis-villeneuves-james-bond/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-actors-perfect-for-denis-villeneuves-james-bond/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:28:55 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405509

Denis Villeneuve finally gets to do his own take on James Bond. In 2017, he revealed he’d been in talks to direct a Bond film, but it had fallen through because of his commitment to Dune. With the third (and presumably final) Dune shooting this summer and coming out next winter, Amazon and MGM handed […]

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Denis Villeneuve finally gets to do his own take on James Bond. In 2017, he revealed he’d been in talks to direct a Bond film, but it had fallen through because of his commitment to Dune. With the third (and presumably final) Dune shooting this summer and coming out next winter, Amazon and MGM handed him the keys to Ian Fleming’s take on MI-6, and its most impressive secret agent. Predictions on who would actually be the next Bond have been all over the place ever since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo with No Time to Die in 2021.

There’s no real profile of the ‘perfect’ Bond, which might be why there’s been no clear successor emerge in the past few years. Despite what common knowledge might suggest, Ian Fleming actually didn’t love the idea of Sean Connery as Bond; he was too big and bulky. George Lazenby, the one-off, wasn’t British at all; he was Australian. Roger Moore didn’t start playing Bond until his mid-40s. Timothy Dalton was lean and broody in the role before Daniel Craig ever showed up. Pierce Brosnan was Irish, and he was a previous runner-up for the role. And Daniel Craig was infamously blonde. Part of the thrill of Bond is that anyone could be Bond; but knowing who the director is might help us figure out who the perfect James Bond could be. Here are seven actors who would be perfect for Denis Villeneuve’s take on 007.

7) Jacob Elordi

Let’s get the obvious pick out of the way: of the three young British actors on Amazon-MGM’s list, Elordi seems the most likely to actually take the role. He’s still under 30 (reportedly one of Amazon-MGM’s hopes), and his being Australian doesn’t hurt his chances, because we know he can do a fine English accent. He’d be the tallest Bond, at 6’5″, but that’s not a bad thing. Between him, Harris Dickinson, and Tom Holland, he seems the most equipped to carry on a stoic quality in the role. His lack of action experience might play against him, but Timothée Chalamet wasn’t exactly an action star before Villeneuve chose him for Dune, either.

6) Will Poulter

Will Poulter could be an inspired choice for the next Bond; he’s consistently surprised people since his first big franchise role as Narnia’s Eustace Scrubb. He’s got MCU experience thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and there’s even rumors James Gunn wants to bring him into his new take on the DCU. He’s got a lot of action experience, and he’s not such a big name that his level of fame would surpass Bond’s cultural cache. If Villeneuve wants his Bond to be as action-packed as he’s said in the past, Poulter might be the most experienced choice in roughly the age range Amazon-MGM is hoping for.

5) Sam Claflin

Sam Claflin is probably too old to play the new Bond at this point, but he would still be a good Bond. He’s also worked with Amazon on another high-profile project, with Daisy Jones and the Six. He has the broody qualities most of the past Bonds have held, in some capacity, but he can also turn on the charm when need be. He’s also got an expressive face, which might help if Villeneuve really cuts back on dialogue and focuses on action, like he’s said he’d like to. Even if he doesn’t fit for Bond, one hopes he’s being considered for some kind of supporting role within MI-6 itself.

4) Aaron Pierre

Aaron Pierre‘s name keeps coming up in Internet discussions, and it’s hard to argue with his credits over the past few years. He’s worked with Amazon on The Underground Railroad, he played Malcolm X, he was the voice of Mufasa in in the titular Lion King prequel… he’s a LAMDA grad, and he’s British. Pierre has a lot of intensity, and he has plenty of action experience. He could be an ideal Bond, especially if Villeneuve’s film represents a new evolution completely for 007.

3) Rebecca Ferguson

This may be the most ‘hear me out’ choice of them all, but of all of Villeneuve’s past stars, Rebecca Ferguson seems the most suited to be Bond… or a version of Bond. She doesn’t get to do a lot in the Dune movies, but we know she’s great at action, and she can certainly lead her own show (see Silo). Her mother is English, and her first big role was a historic English queen, so she’d fit the nationality requirements. Even if she doesn’t play Bond himself (themself?) one can only hope she gets a chance to graduate spy franchises, and be more than the typical Bond girl. Villeneuve’s worked with a host of star actors, such as Gyllenhaal, Gosling, and Chalamet, but they all seem too American (or Canadian, in Gosling’s case) to actually fit in Bond’s shoes. They’re also all too well known. Rebecca Ferguson, on the other hand, might slip right in, like she has in so many other franchises.

2) Jack Lowden

Jack Lowden has a lot going for him in support of his being the next James Bond: he might be a few years too old, but he’s Scottish, just like the original. He’s also been showing off his spy chops in the much beloved Slow Horses, which is reminiscent of Pierce Brosnan showing off his stuff in Remington Steele before finally landing Bond. Lowden has worked with Christopher Nolan before, and he can certainly handle action showdowns — even if many Slow Horses stunts for River Cartwright feel more Buster Keaton-esque than truly contemporary. The only thing that might play against him, in the end, is that he’s River, who in many ways is an anti-Bond.

1) Asa Butterfield

Anyone can get jacked. If the last ten years of action stardom have taught us anything, it’s that. Asa Butterfield might seem an entirely unconventional choice, but he isn’t, really, when you look at him on paper. He’s 6 feet, he’s just under 30, and he’s been able to lead movies and shows since he was a kid. The above image is from Second Best, a play about a fictional runner-up for the Boy Who Lived in the first Harry Potter franchise. He’s next starring in Duncan Jones’s Rogue Trooper. His turn as Ender Wiggin in the 2013 Ender’s Game might be what clinches him as an ideal Bond, though; Ender is a strategic kid genius from the start, sure, but he has to learn how to actually fight. Butterfield’s take on that journey works because Ender isn’t great from the start; if this new 007 is to be a wholly new take on Bond, maybe what we need, ultimately, is a Bond origin story.

Who would be your pick for Villeneuve’s Bond? Who would you like to see populate the next installment of the Bond films? Let us know in the comments!

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Netflix Is About to Lose One of the Most Underrated DC Movies Ever https://comicbook.com/movies/news/constantine-dc-movies-leaving-netflix-july-best-most-underrated/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/constantine-dc-movies-leaving-netflix-july-best-most-underrated/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:03:26 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405606

One of the most underappreciated DC movies ever made will be leaving Netflix very soon. While there are many brilliant DC projects available to watch on Netflix in the United States, including several of The CW’s Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow) plus a number of DC animated series, one of the franchise’s […]

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One of the most underappreciated DC movies ever made will be leaving Netflix very soon. While there are many brilliant DC projects available to watch on Netflix in the United States, including several of The CW’s Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow) plus a number of DC animated series, one of the franchise’s most underrated projects will soon be lost. On July 1, 2025, Francis Lawrence’s Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves as the titular exorcist, will be leaving Netflix.

Based on DC Comics’ Hellblazer comic series, Constantine focuses on Reeves’ John Constantine, a cynical warlock and occult detective who has the ability to perceive angels and demons and travel between Earth and Hell. While Constantine was met with a mixed response after its original release in February 2005, the movie has received retrospective acclaim and amassed a huge cult following, which means many will be sad to see it leaving Netflix on July 1st. Constantine may be bidding farewell to Netflix now, but the movie’s history on the streaming platform proves there’s still hope.

Constantine first joined Netflix on January 1, 2016, over a decade after its original release, and, since then, it’s been removed and added back three times. There’s typically been a gap of two or three years between the movie being removed from Netflix and returning, which means it’s possible that Constantine could return to the streamer in 2026, 2027, or beyond. This might be just in time to act as promotion for Constantine’s much-anticipated sequel, which was confirmed to be in development back in 2022.

The upcoming sequel to Constantine will be a DC Elseworlds project, set outside the mainstream DC Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC franchise kicked off with the animated Creature Commandos series in 2024, and will be continuing with July’s Superman reboot, while the likes of Matt Reeves’ The Batman movies, Todd Phillips’ Joker movies, and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ planned Black-led Superman movie are all Elseworlds projects set in alternate realities. Constantine 2 doesn’t yet have a scheduled release date, but both Lawrence and Reeves are expected to return.

Warner Bros. / Village Roadshow Pictures

Audiences have one day left to watch Constantine on Netflix, but there is a chance the 2005 movie could return to the streaming service at some point in the future. It would be even more exciting if this occurs in the lead-up to Constantine 2’s release, though it’s unclear exactly when this will take place. Constantine’s vocal and passionate cult following is waiting patiently for the sequel to release, but should catch up on the 2005 original beforehand – it’s a brilliant and underrated DC flick.

What did you make of Constantine? Are you excited for the sequel? Let us know in the comments!

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Why Sinners Should Win Best Picture https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sinners-academy-awards-predictions-should-win-best-picture-2026/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sinners-academy-awards-predictions-should-win-best-picture-2026/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:39:26 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1403380

2025 has already been an incredible year for film, with many films already vying for Academy Award nominations. From sentimental love stories like Materialists or loud racing blockbusters like F1™: The Movie, there looks to be a lot of competition at this year’s awards show. Easily the biggest Oscar contender to come out in 2025 […]

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2025 has already been an incredible year for film, with many films already vying for Academy Award nominations. From sentimental love stories like Materialists or loud racing blockbusters like F1™: The Movie, there looks to be a lot of competition at this year’s awards show. Easily the biggest Oscar contender to come out in 2025 so far is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. Coogler’s first venture into original storytelling is his magnum opus, combining deep thematics with a relentlessly entertaining vampire story in a manner that anyone can enjoy. Although horror films rarely receive recognition at the Academy Awards, this film is more than worthy of being acknowledged.

Not only should the film be nominated in a variety of categories, but it should easily win Best Picture. Its ability to transform the medium and entertain audiences makes it extremely deserving of the top award in film.

Sinners Is the Phenomenon That No One Saw Coming

Sinners had a lot of hype throughout its production, due to the star power of Black Panther and Creed duo Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, but the real buzz came right when the film was released. The love for Sinners was widespread, and this was reflected in its box office run. In its second weekend, the film experienced a 4.8% decrease from its opening weekend – a rare occurrence for a horror movie. This statistic not only represents the film’s strong acclaim but also provides a reason why the Academy should consider it for an Oscar.

Ryan Coogler has built an incredible resume of films, with movies like Judas and the Black Messiah scoring him an Oscar nomination for producing, and a songwriting nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – and that’s not counting the numerous actors and crew members who have all gained major awards nominations and/or wins from working on Coogler projects. Sinners is arguably his best work yet. His deep passion for film is seen in every frame. Whether it’s the stunning and innovative 70mm cinematography or its awe-inspiring musical numbers, Ryan Coogler delivers an experience that is more than worthy of earning him an Oscar nomination.

Ludwig Göransson is arguably the best modern composer of his time, and his work on Sinners is strong evidence of that. The way he blends blues music with rock instrumentals makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. The music serves as a tempo, grounding the film with a rhythm that brings it to life. Göransson has already received two Oscar wins in the past decade, but his work on Sinners could potentially earn him a third, and it would be deeply deserved.

Sinners Is Unlike Any 2025 Movie Experience

The cinematography in Sinners not only brings the world to life in such an expansive manner, but also changed how films are shot. It was the first film ever to be shot using Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX 65 cameras simultaneously; these cameras allow for a taller and broader view of the frame, creating the most beautiful images 2025 has to offer. The film also invented the halo rig, which involves surrounding an actor’s face with 10 to 12 cameras to capture facial movements. These technical achievements not only make Sinners a worthy Best Picture winner, but also make the film deserving of a win in the cinematography category.

Sinners also boasts one of the best ensembles of 2025, which is unlikely to change by the end of the year. Michael B. Jordan’s previous collaborations with Ryan Coogler have showcased his talents, but his work in Creed II expresses his range as an actor. His ability to convey two entirely different characters makes for a highly compelling performance worthy of Oscar consideration. But the surprise performances of the film come from Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton. Lindo brings an excellent sense of humor to the film while portraying his character’s tragedy with seamless ease. Caton is the heart of the film, with his powerful singing voice and emotionally driven performance bringing the film’s main themes to life. With this being the first year of the Best Casting category, I fully expected Sinners to be nominated.

The film is not just a well-made vampire flick, but a deeply resonant look at black oppression, freedom, and music. The film utilizes vampires as a metaphor for the harsh reality of the path to freedom, illustrating how it sometimes means being stripped of one’s humanity. It also uses music as a means for building culture and how it can bring generations of people together. The way the film tells its story feels singular to Ryan Coogler, but it manages to connect with all types of audiences. It’s hard to imagine there being a sharper or denser screenplay this year.

Jack O’Connell in “Sinners” / Warner Bros. Pictures

Sinners is exactly how Ryan Coogler describes it: a “full meal.” From an incredible ensemble to a powerful screenplay, the film hits every mark needed to be a great film. Although 2025 is only halfway done, it is hard to see any movie topping it as the best of the year. With numerous worthy technical elements, as well as its innovation to the industry, no other film is more deserving of winning the Best Picture prize than Sinners.

Sinners is available to rent on VOD and stream on Max on July 4th.

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Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia Reboot Just Got Some Bad News https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-chronicles-of-narnia-reboot-bad-news-filming-greta-gerwig/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-chronicles-of-narnia-reboot-bad-news-filming-greta-gerwig/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:09:20 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405990 Chronicles of Narnia

Time passes strangely in Narnia, and it seems like that phenomenon extends to the new film adaptation at Netflix. Back in December, producer Amy Pascal told the Behind the Lens podcast that production on the new movie was expected to begin in July, however, this weekend Screen Daily reported that work won’t begin until sometime […]

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Chronicles of Narnia

Time passes strangely in Narnia, and it seems like that phenomenon extends to the new film adaptation at Netflix. Back in December, producer Amy Pascal told the Behind the Lens podcast that production on the new movie was expected to begin in July, however, this weekend Screen Daily reported that work won’t begin until sometime in the fall. It’s not much of a delay, but it’s sad news for fans who are eager to see the Pevensie siblings’ adventures brought to life again. At the same time, a few extra months are a small price to pay for perfectionism, especially in an adaptation of such a beloved story.

Netflix’s new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series will be written and directed by Greta Gerwig, and with details like casting announcements coming out now, we can be reasonably sure it is moving along steadily. In fact, Screen Daily‘s report mentioned that the movie is in pre-production, but said that filming won’t begin until the autumn. The report was about the recent boom in filming in the U.K., noting that there are plenty of other movies and series crowding the country’s studios this summer.

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It could be that the details have simply shifted since Pascal’s announcement back in December. At the time, the producer also said that Gerwig’s take on The Chronicles of Narnia will surprise a lot of viewers. “It’s a very new take on Narnia. It’s all about rock ‘n’ roll,” she said. Pascal didn’t give any other details, and right now, we have no context for what exactly she meant.

The “rock ‘n’ roll” characterization is particularly confusing since the original novel series is so firmly rooted in World War II. The war is essential to the premise of the first novel, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe — in it, the Pevensie siblings live in London, but they are sent to stay in the countryside because London was under threat of bombing by Axis forces. It was decades later that rock ‘n’ roll music made it to the U.K., though perhaps the spirit of the genre can still take root in the story in a more subtle way.

Movie-goers may already be familiar with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe after it was adapted into a movie back in 2005, but reports indicate that won’t actually be the book adapted to kick of Netflix’s new series. Lewis wrote seven Chronicles of Narnia novels, and while they are typically presented in publication order, they can also be read in chronological order. That seems to be Netflix’s plan — casting calls indicate that Gerwig is adapting either The Magician’s Nephew or The Silver Chair. Gerwig has signed on for at least two adaptations, and this is the first time the screen rights to all seven books have been held by one studio, so there’s a chance this series will go all the way.

The Chronicles of Narnia may not begin production until the fall, but it’s unclear if that will change Netflix’s plan to release the movie on the weekend of Thanksgiving in 2026. In the meantime, Lewis’ novels are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina In-Home Release Announced With Exclusive BTS Clip https://comicbook.com/movies/news/john-wick-ballerina-home-release-date-on-demand-streaming-exclusive-clip/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/john-wick-ballerina-home-release-date-on-demand-streaming-exclusive-clip/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:01:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405970

Movie fans returned to the World of John Wick this year, with the theatrical debut of the Ana de Armas-starring Ballerina back at the start of the month. Now, just a few weeks later, the hit Lionsgate action flick is preparing to make its debut on Premium Digital and Premium Video on Demand services. Perhaps […]

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Movie fans returned to the World of John Wick this year, with the theatrical debut of the Ana de Armas-starring Ballerina back at the start of the month. Now, just a few weeks later, the hit Lionsgate action flick is preparing to make its debut on Premium Digital and Premium Video on Demand services. Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that the on-demand debut of Ballerina is quite literally just around the corner.

Lionsgate will be releasing the digital version of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina on Tuesday, July 1st. So starting tomorrow, fans of the John Wick franchise can check out the franchise’s latest chapter for purchase or rental on services like Prime Video, Apple, and Fandango at Home.

In addition to sharing the on-demand date for Ballerina, ComicBook.com has partnered with Lionsgate to reveal and exclusive clip from the film’s special features. The clip, which you can watch below, shows off the behind-the-scenes work that went into the making of the infamous ice skates scene.

Here’s the full rundown of the special features available with the on-demand released of Ballerina:

  • The Making of Ballerina ― Witness the rise of Eve (Ana de Armas) as the filmmakers discuss the intricate process of creating a new character in the world of John Wick.
  • Building A Frozen Underworld ― Step into the bold new locations that serve as the latest hunting grounds for these talented filmmakers, eager to face and overcome fresh challenges.
  • The Art of Action ― A Dance Between Fire and Ice: Discover how the teams behind the stunts, fight choreography, and weapons devised even more ruthless and creative ways to kill in some of the most intense action sequences in the entire John Wick universe.
  • Deleted & Extended Scenes

Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman, is an extension of the John Wick franchise, focusing on a character named Eve, who is training to be an assassin. While it isn’t a full-on John Wick movie, Keanu Reeves does appear in the film, reprising the role of his iconic action character.

The official synopsis for Ballerina reads, “The next chapter from the World of John Wick follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Eve seeks revenge for her father’s death, and finds herself crossing paths with John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves).”

Are you looking forward to checking out Ballerina once it makes its home debut this week? Let us know in the comments!

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Avengers: Doomsday Cast Photo Reveals Unexpected X-Men & MCU Crossover https://comicbook.com/movies/news/avengers-doomsday-cast-photo-james-marsden-cyclops-x-men-mcu-shang-chi-simu-liu/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/avengers-doomsday-cast-photo-james-marsden-cyclops-x-men-mcu-shang-chi-simu-liu/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:59:51 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405883

Worlds are colliding in Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel Studios has already announced that the followup to 2019’s Avengers: Endgame will assemble stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Fox-made X-Men movies, including Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), and Kelsey Grammer (Beast). But in […]

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Worlds are colliding in Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel Studios has already announced that the followup to 2019’s Avengers: Endgame will assemble stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Fox-made X-Men movies, including Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), and Kelsey Grammer (Beast). But in a behind-the-scenes crossover, Marsden can be seen training alongside Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu.

See the image that Marsden and Liu’s trainer shared on Instagram below:

It remains to be seen what roles Marsden’s Cyclops and Liu’s Shang-Chi will play in Doomsday, and whether they’ll meet as enemies or allies. Marsden’s X2 co-star Alan Cumming previously suggested — potential spoiler warning — that the mutant X-Men will battle the Fantastic Four in the multiversal crossover.

Marsden last appeared as Scott Summers, the ruby quartz visor-wearing, optic blast-firing field leader of the X-Men, in a cameo in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. Marsden’s X-Man was a core member of the team in 2000’s X-Men and 2003’s X2 before being killed off in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, only for a time-traveling Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to alter the timeline in Days of Future Past, undoing the Last Stand deaths of Scott, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), and Professor X (Stewart).

Liu made his first, and so far only, appearance in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as the master martial artist who now wields the ancient and mystical Ten Rings. The last we saw him, Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong) — alongside the Avengers Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Bruce Banner/Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) — told Shang-Chi that the Ten Rings were emitting a beacon and sending a message to… somewhere.

Alongside Marsden and Liu, the Avengers: Doomsday cast includes returning Marvel stars Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor), Mabel Cadena (Namora), and Alex Livinalli (Attuma) are all set to return alongside Thunderbolts*/New Avengers‘ Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova/Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), and Lewis Pullman (Bob Reynolds/Sentry).

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Channing Tatum is reprising his role as card-slinging Gambit, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/the Thing) rounding out the ensemble.

Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to release in theaters on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on Dec. 17, 2027.

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This Jaws Plot Hole Still Bothers Me https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jaws-movie-plot-holes-brody-blamed-shark-deaths-mayor-vaughn-villain/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jaws-movie-plot-holes-brody-blamed-shark-deaths-mayor-vaughn-villain/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:31:58 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1400508 Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic Jaws is celebrating its 50th birthday, but despite its more than deserved legacy, there’s one big plot hole in the movie that is still bothersome. Based upon Peter Benchley’s eponymous 1974 novel, Jaws centers on the quiet community of Amity Island finding its waters under threat by a vicious Great White […]

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Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic Jaws is celebrating its 50th birthday, but despite its more than deserved legacy, there’s one big plot hole in the movie that is still bothersome. Based upon Peter Benchley’s eponymous 1974 novel, Jaws centers on the quiet community of Amity Island finding its waters under threat by a vicious Great White shark that devours anyone who dares go swimming. Amity Island Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) leads the charge in putting a stop to the shark’s feeding frenzy, allied with eccentric fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) and ichthyologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss). Despite an infamously troubled production that took the movie 104 days over schedule and more than doubled its initial budget of $4 million, Jaws became the biggest box office hit of the time, catapulting Steven Spielberg’s career and effectively launching the modern summer movie season.

The timelessness of Jaws can be seen half a century later in both the many Jaws knock-offs that have been produced (some better than others), along with Jaws‘ own three sequels failing to replicate its impact. However, there is still a speed bump or two to be found even in a classic like Jaws, and the one that arguably stands out the most is the anger Mrs. Kintner (Lee Fierro) has for Chief Brody over her son Alex (Jeffrey Voorhees) being killed by the shark. That’s because Jaws goes out of its way to emphasize that Brody was not to blame for Alex Kitner’s death.

Mrs. Kintner’s Anger Over Her Son’s Death Is Directed at the Wrong Target

Right when Chief Brody, Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), and the people of Amity Island are celebrating what appears to be the capture of the shark terrorizing their community, the grieving Mrs. Kintner arrives and slaps Brody in the face. Mrs. Kintner then reveals that she had just learned of the death of Chrissie Watkins (Susan Backlinie) by the shark the preceding week, and proceeds to bitterly berate Brody for allowing Amity Island’s beaches to remain open despite knowing that a killer shark was in the island’s waters. While Mrs. Kintner’s anger over her son’s death is absolutely justified, the entire opening act of Jaws makes clear that Brody himself is not to blame.

As soon as Chrissie’s remains are discovered on the beach, Brody immediately uses his authority as Chief of Amity’s police department to invoke as many safety measures as possible. Already listing “shark attack” as the likely cause of Chrissie’s demise on his official police report, Brody immediately begins putting together “Beaches closed” signs with orders for his deputies to post them on the island’s beaches. Right as Brody prepares to pull a squad of Boy Scouts out of the bay for their own safety, Amity’s Mayor Robert Vaughn arrives to gently but decisively overrule Brody’s efforts to close the beaches. In short, Chief Brody did absolutely everything in his power to close Amity’s beaches and begin measures to deal with the shark problem, only for Mayor Vaughn to pull rank and keep the beaches open. It’s possible that Mrs. Kintner might not have had all the information when she chided Brody for her son’s death, but it is clear that her rage should have been directed at Vaughn. And she’s in good company.

Mayor Vaughn Is Responsible for Nearly Every Death in Jaws

While Brody takes the shark’s presence in Amity’s waters seriously from the start, Mayor Vaughn is guilty of multiple cases of criminal negligence given how much he tries to sweep the shark under the rug. Vaughn’s desire to keep Amity’s beaches open is due to the town’s economy being heavily reliant on summer tourism, and with the Fourth of July holiday coming up, Vaughn doesn’t want to create a panic that could drive away tourists. The problem is that after Chrissie’s death in the opening scene, most of the shark killings in Jaws are directly attributable to Vaughn’s incompetence and prioritizing of PR over the safety of Amity’s residents and tourists alike.

As a result of Vaughn overruling Brody to keep Amity’s beaches open, a dog and Alex Kintner are both killed by the shark. However, Vaughn still doesn’t learn from these tragedies, once again undercutting Brody’s measure to close Amity’s beaches by declaring they will only remain closed for 24 hours, and ignoring the offer of a seasoned fisherman and U.S.S. Indianapolis veteran like Quint to kill the shark for $10,000, instead allowing groups of untrained Amity locals to kill a tiger shark and declaring the shark’s threat over. When the autopsy on the shark is performed by Hooper and Brody reveals the tiger shark was not the killer and that a much larger Great White shark is still out there (Brody and Hooper discovering the corpse of fisherman Ben Gardner on their late-night patrol of Amity’s waters).

Vaughn still downplays Hooper and Brody’s warnings, only allowing them to bring added security to the beaches while keeping them open for the Fourth of July. It is only after another Amity Islander is devoured by the shark on the Fourth of July (along with Brody’s son Michael having a close encounter) that Vaughn agrees to hire Quint to eliminate the killer fish. Jaws certainly comes down hard on Vaughn by this point, but that also makes Vaughn dodging the anger (and potential legal action) of Mrs. Kintner, while Brody shoulders the guilt instead, is a grave injustice that avoids Vaughn’s responsibility for the deaths of at least three people and one dog.

Brody’s Guilt Over Alex Kintner’s Death Is Still Understandable

After being chastised by Mrs. Kintner, Brody returns home and gets drunk, the gravity of Alex Kintner’s death clearly weighing greatly on him, and Brody’s drunken sorrow still makes sense in the context of his role as Amity’s Police Chief. Even though Brody took every possible measure to prevent further loss of life from the shark’s rampage, he still clearly wishes he could have done more. The fact that his efforts to close Amity’s beaches were overruled so easily leading to Alex’s demise is a dark contrast to Brody’s proud boast to Hooper about the island community’s very low crime rate, Brody telling Hooper “In Amity, one man can make a difference. In 25 years, there’s never been a shooting or a murder in this town”.

Brody’s inability to stop Amity’s beaches from staying open stands at odds with that optimism, and helps explain his despondent feelings after being held responsible for Alex Kintner’s death by his mother. Even though Brody did everything possible to close Amity’s beaches only to have his efforts undone by Mayor Vaughn, he still wishes and perhaps even feels like he could have fought Vaughn harder on the matter, even though the support of Amity’s city council would have made it a losing battle. Still, that almost makes it that much more unfair for Mrs. Kintner’s anger at Brody to go unchallenged in Jaws. Brody was looking out for the safety of Amity’s population in every way he could while Vaughn did everything possible to downplay the shark’s threat, so it really should have been Mayor Vaughn, not Chief Brody, on the receiving end of Mrs. Kintner’s anger and that of everyone else on Amity Island.

Jaws is available to stream on Peacock.

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Peacock Just Added an Entire Documentary About Jurassic World Rebirth Ahead of Its Release https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-streaming-documentary-peacock-new-release/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-streaming-documentary-peacock-new-release/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:55:36 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405868 Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

If you’re getting really excited about the debut of Jurassic World Rebirth this week, but don’t want to wait until Tuesday night or Wednesday to catch the film on the big screen, Peacock has something to help tide you over. NBCUniversal’s streaming service has been working to help build up anticipation for recent blockbuster releases, […]

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Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

If you’re getting really excited about the debut of Jurassic World Rebirth this week, but don’t want to wait until Tuesday night or Wednesday to catch the film on the big screen, Peacock has something to help tide you over. NBCUniversal’s streaming service has been working to help build up anticipation for recent blockbuster releases, like Wicked and How to Train Your Dragon, by debuting entire documentaries about the making of those films ahead of their premieres. Over the weekend, Jurassic World Rebirth got the same treatment, and this special look is probably a lot more than some fans were expecting.

On Sunday, Peacock added a documentary called Jurassic World Rebirth: The Making of a New Era, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and production of director Gareth Edwards’ dinosaur debut. The documentary is far more than a regular “exclusive look” at the new movie, coming in a total run time of 22 minutes. So there’s essentially an entire TV episode’s worth of Jurassic World Rebirth to enjoy while waiting for the film’s release.

The documentary has quickly caught on with Peacock subscribers, indicating that there is a ton of excitement for the release of Jurassic World Rebirth. Monday’s edition of Peacock’s daily Top 10 charts has The Making of a New Era listed as the number one “TV” title on the entire service.

There is a ton of Jurassic goodness to enjoy on Peacock right now. In addition to the new look at Rebirth, the streaming service has all six of the franchise’s previous entries available to watch.

If you want to check out this exclusive new look at Jurassic World Rebirth but don’t have a subscription to Peacock, you can sign up for one here.

Coming Soon to Peacock

The Peacock lineup got stronger with the addition of this already popular Jurassic World documentary, but the new arrivals aren’t stopping there. The calendar changes to July on Tuesday, and the start of a new month means a massive new wave of titles are set to hit Peacock. Below, you can check out the full list of the streamer’s July 1st additions.

10 Items Or Less
13
About My Father
Airplane!
American Pie
Aquamarine
Are We There Yet?
Barbershop
Barbershop 2: Back In Business
Beauty Shop
Big Momma’s House
The Brothers
Chance of Snow
Contraband
Couples Retreat
The Croods
Daniel Isn’t Real
Dante’s Peak
Dazed And Confused
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who!
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
The Fate Of The Furious
First Blood
Forrest Gump
Friday
The Friday After Next
Furious 7
Goodfellas
Hall Pass
The High Note
Hot Tub Time Machine
Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania 2
I Am Woman
Iris
King Kong
The King of Staten Island
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White And Blonde
Liar, Liar
Making Babies
Mission: Impossible
Next Friday
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Rambo III
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Ray
Repo Men
Robin Hood
(2010)
Role Models
Sausage Party
Self/Less
Semi-Pro
Sisters
Street Fighter
Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Titanic
Tropic Thunder
The Turning
Twister
War Of The Worlds
Waterworld

Whitey: United States Of America V James Bulger
Love Island USA
, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, Season 2 – Premiere (Bravo)
The Real Murders of Atlanta, Season 3 – Premiere, All Episodes (Oxygen)
Yes, Chef!, Season 1 – Finale (NBC)

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Jurassic World Rebirth First Reactions: Welcome Back to Jurassic Park https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-reactions-reviews-jurassic-park-franchise/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-reactions-reviews-jurassic-park-franchise/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:45:06 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1374707

The first reactions to Jurassic World Rebirth have arrived — and it sounds like dinosaurs still rule the Earth. Those attending advance screenings of the new Jurassic World movie were among the first to see the Gareth Edwards-directed installment, which marks an all-new era in the Jurassic Park franchise that evolved into the Jurassic World […]

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The first reactions to Jurassic World Rebirth have arrived — and it sounds like dinosaurs still rule the Earth. Those attending advance screenings of the new Jurassic World movie were among the first to see the Gareth Edwards-directed installment, which marks an all-new era in the Jurassic Park franchise that evolved into the Jurassic World trilogy of films starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. On July 2, a second franchise rebirth brings Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali to the most dangerous place on Earth: an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park inhabited by the worst of the worst dinosaurs that were left behind.

So, did critics endorse the Jurassic revival, or did they select Jurassic World Rebirth for extinction?

According to early social media reactions and critics’ reviews, it sounds like Rebirth skews closer to a Jurassic Park movie than Jurassic World. The social media response is mostly positive, with many praising Johansson, Bailey, and Ali’s performances in the film — as well as the dinosaur action.

“That reverence — for dinosaurs and for filmmaking — is what consistently allows Jurassic World Rebirth to soar,” writes ComicBook‘s Charlie Ridgley in a four-star Jurassic World Rebirth review. “It’s not concerned with a major plot about the end of life on the planet (it actually mentions such a thing as more of an inevitable fact), or about trying to build a sweeping love story with two characters nobody likes. Edwards knows you came for dinosaur thrills and, once the characters reach the island, he delivers those droves.”

ScreenRant‘s John Orquiola called Jurassic World Rebirth “the best Jurassic since Steven Spielberg 1993,” adding the dinosaur sequences “were thrilling to behold.” Hunter Bolding of ThatHashtagShow adds, “Scarlett Johansson still 100% has the movie star sauce. She’s shot like a star, presented like a star, and looks absolutely stunning.” The Reel Thoughts Podcast‘s Cohen Harrison Wyatt says Rebirth “is surprisingly pretty good—it has a clear story, stunning visuals, and action-packed set pieces. It channels the original’s nostalgia while pushing the franchise forward, which is a strong step in the right direction.”

Variety critic Peter Debruge writes that the “dino franchise returns to its origins,” noting, “The movie offers an updated version of the same basic ride Spielberg offered 32 years earlier, and yet, it hardly feels essential to the series’ overall mythology, nor does it signal where the franchise could be headed.”

In a review for The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney writes, “There are some mighty new monsters on the prowl, but this is primarily an assembly of recycled story beats … Edwards clearly is a devoted Spielberg fan, embedding subtle homages throughout, notably in the open water sequences that recall Jaws. Jurassic World Rebirth is unlikely to top anyone’s ranked franchise list. But longtime fans (count me among them) should have a blast.”

RogerEbert.com critic Christy Lemire gave the film a thumbs down. “When people are in danger of being devoured by freakish, mutant dinosaurs, Jurassic World Rebirth can be a lot of fun. But it takes an awful lot of slogging through the jungle, literally and figuratively, to get there,” Lemire writes. “And there are some sporadic joys here in the clever sight gags, the sleight of hand, the bait and switch. These moments remind us of the mindless summertime excitement the Jurassic movies have long provided, albeit with diminishing returns. But that giant footprint just isn’t as imposing as it used to be.”

“Does Rebirth set up a promising new future for the franchise, as its title suggests? Not exactly — this feels very much like a stand-alone adventure,” according to a review from Consequence‘s Liz Shannon Miller. “But it does prove that it’s still possible to tell a suspenseful and exciting stand-alone story within this franchise; while it might not quite match the original, it at least doesn’t lose sight of its most compelling elements. Dinosaurs might be dying out. But the audience’s desire to watch them gobble up humans will never go extinct.”

Picking up five years after the events of 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion, Earth’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold in their DNA the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind, according to pharmaceutical representative Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend).

Skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett (Johansson) is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material from the still-living dinosaurs, enlisting trusted team member Duncan Kincaid (Ali) and paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Bailey). When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos — Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and daughters Isabella (Audrina Miranda) and Teresa (Luna Blaise), and her boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono) — they all find themselves stranded on a forbidden island that had once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park.

There, in a terrain populated by dinosaurs of vastly different species, they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades: man-made, mutated dinosaurs.

Jurassic World Rebirth stomps into theaters July 2.

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Explosive First Look at Remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Stephen King Movie Will Have Fans Excited https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-running-man-first-look-remake-arnold-schwarzenegger-stephen-king/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-running-man-first-look-remake-arnold-schwarzenegger-stephen-king/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:29:40 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405790 Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man / Glen Powell in Twisters 
running-man-glen-powell.jpg

Paramount is pulling out all the stops to promote The Running Man, including a short social media teaser on Monday to promote the release of the full-length trailer on Tuesday. The eight-second clip shows star Glen Powell looking giddy and triumphant before an explosion fills the screen. It’s a tantalizing tease of the action in […]

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Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man / Glen Powell in Twisters 
running-man-glen-powell.jpg

Paramount is pulling out all the stops to promote The Running Man, including a short social media teaser on Monday to promote the release of the full-length trailer on Tuesday. The eight-second clip shows star Glen Powell looking giddy and triumphant before an explosion fills the screen. It’s a tantalizing tease of the action in this grim dystopian movie, which is a more faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s novel than the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Running Man hits theaters on November 7th in the U.S., but for now, we can look forward to the trailer dropping on Tuesday.

The Running Man is set in the U.S. in the near future, at a time when economic collapse has ravaged the world and totalitarian forces have seized control of the country. One way the authorities placate the masses is with a brutal reality TV show called The Running Man, in which contestants are declared enemies of the state and are challenged to become fugitives, running and hiding from police, military, and bounty hunters for as long as possible.

Powell plays a contestant and the main character, Ben Richards, while Josh Brolin plays the show’s producer, Dan Killian. Lee Pace plays one of the show’s designated “hunters” tracking down the contestants, along with Karl Glusman. Katy O’Brian and Daniel Ezra both play contestants as well, while Jayme Lawson plays Ben’s wife. Michael Cera plays Bradley Throckmorton, a political dissident who takes an interest in Ben. This new adaptation was co-written by Edgar Wright and Michael Bacall, and directed by Wright.

It’s an exciting projects for fans of the original novel, which King published under his pen name Richard Bachman. The first adaptation of the book starring Schwarzenegger told a very different story, which was so far removed from the source material that it hardly seems related at all. In it, Schwarzenegger plays a disgraced military captain who has actually been blacklisted for refusing an order to executive unarmed citizens during a food riot. He actually escapes from prison and becomes a true fugitive all before the reality TV element is introduced. Even then, the game is depicted very differently in this version.

Whichever version you prefer, the remake may emerge as your new favorite. The Running Man hits theaters on November 7th, and the trailer debuts on Tuesday. The 1987 movie is streaming now on Paramount+, and the original novel is available in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

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Criterion Collection 4K Blu-rays Are 50% Off Through Prime Day 2025 https://comicbook.com/movies/news/criterion-collection-4k-blu-ray-prime-day-2025-sale/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/criterion-collection-4k-blu-ray-prime-day-2025-sale/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:10:42 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405818

The Criterion Collection Summer Sale for 2025 is on, and that means you don’t have to wait until Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day event to score deals on 4K Blu-rays and box sets. In fact, the sale runs through July 27th and features a 50% discount on hundreds of classic films that have been given the […]

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The Criterion Collection Summer Sale for 2025 is on, and that means you don’t have to wait until Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day event to score deals on 4K Blu-rays and box sets. In fact, the sale runs through July 27th and features a 50% discount on hundreds of classic films that have been given the Criterion treatment. Unfortunately, the new Wes Anderson 4K Blu-ray box set isn’t one of them (individual releases are), but films like Wall-E, The Princess Bride, Godzilla and the recent Best Picture winner Anora are included, along with multiple films from icons like David Lynch, Guillermo del Toro, Akira Kurosawa, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick and much, much more.

The Criterion Collection Summer Sale / 50% Off All Blu-rays and Box Sets

You can browse through the entire collection of Criterion Collection 50% off deals here at Barnes & Noble and here on Amazon. While the sale won’t end until July 27th, the Blu-rays themselves could sell out long before then, so make sure to reserve your favorites while you can. That said, make sure to keep tabs on the links below as they include the most popular Blu-ray releases on Amazon, and the Criterion deals are currently dominating the top of the charts. These are the releases that are the most likely to sell out.

The Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years The Criterion Collection 4K UHD Blu-ray Box Set

As noted, the brand new Criterion Collection The Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years box set is not part of the sale, but superfans might be interested in this 20-disc Blu-ray box set for collectors that includes 4K restorations created under the supervision of Anderson himself. He clearly had a hand in designing the packaging, which comes complete with ten illustrated books that are presented in a deluxe clothbound edition. You’ll also find over 25-hours of special features on 10 of the 20 discs in the set. You can order it here on Amazon for $349.99, or take advantage of the Criterion sale to pick up individual Wes Anderson films at a 50% discount. A full breakdown of the contents can be found below.

  • NEW 4K MASTERS of Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, and The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
  • Ten 4K Blu-ray discs of the films presented in Dolby Vision HDR and ten Blu-rays with the films and special features Over twenty-five hours of special features, including audio commentaries, interviews, documentaries, deleted scenes, auditions, short films, home movies, commercials, storyboards, animation tests, archival recordings, still photography, discussions/analyses, and visual essays
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: Essays by Richard Brody, James L. Brooks, Bilge Ebiri, Moeko Fujii, Kent Jones, Dave Kehr, Geoffrey O’Brien, Martin Scorsese, and Erica Wagner

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Edi Gathegi Teases Mister Terrific’s Relationship With Superman, Lex Luthor: “He’s a Little Grumpy” https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-mister-terrific-actor-edi-gathegi-lex-luthor-justice-gang/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-mister-terrific-actor-edi-gathegi-lex-luthor-justice-gang/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:01:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405514 Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific in Superman (2025)

David Corenswet’s Man of Steel may be “the most powerful being on planet Earth,” says Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in Superman, but Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is the smartest. An inventive genius, Olympic-level athlete, technological guru, and creator of a cyberwear company in the comics, Michael Holt is — in a word — terrific. As […]

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Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific in Superman (2025)

David Corenswet’s Man of Steel may be “the most powerful being on planet Earth,” says Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in Superman, but Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is the smartest. An inventive genius, Olympic-level athlete, technological guru, and creator of a cyberwear company in the comics, Michael Holt is — in a word — terrific. As part of the corporate-sponsored team of metahumans tentatively known as the “Justice Gang” alongside the winged warrior Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and ring-wielding Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific is one of the Metropolis-based superheroes whose raison d’être can be summed up in two words: “Fair Play.”

Trailers have shown hot-tempered Guy butting heads with “Big Blue.” So what is the relationship like between Superman and Mister Terrific?

“Superman thinks that Mister Terrific is his BFF. That’s not true. [Mister Terrific] thinks he’s a herb,” the actor told ComicBook during a visit to the Superman set. “They are brothers in fighting crime. They’re brothers in being heroes. But they don’t have a lot in common.”

Referencing Superman’s moniker as the Big Blue Boyscout, Gathegi called the idealistic superhero “the embodiment of good” in contrast to his cantankerous Mister Terrific.

“Our version of Mister Terrific is a little more complex in the sense that he’s battling other demons that pepper out. So he’s a little grumpy in this film,” Gathegi teased. (Example: in the latest trailer, Mister Terrific can be seen shouting at an exhausted Superman amidst a climactic fight. “Quit messing around,” he yells. Superman, looking worse for wear, replies he’s “doing important stuff.”)

It appears that Superman and Mister Terrific — along with intrepid Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) — join forces in the fight against Lex Luthor and his allies, which include the masked Ultraman and the nanotech-wielding Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). Should we expect to see super-geniuses Mister Terrific and Lex Luthor go toe-to-toe — or brain-to-brain?

“In a sense, there is a battle of the brains. He’s a genius,” Gathegi said. “And if you want to know who wins this battle, you have to watch the film.”

The Michael Holt version of Mister Terrific first appeared in 1997’s The Spectre #54. The issue saw the widower contemplate suicide after his wife’s death in a freak car accident, only to adopt the mantle of Mister Terrific and the concept of “Fair Play” from Golden Age crime-fighter Terry Sloane.

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast includes Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. The DC Studios movie flies into theaters July 11.

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Superman’s Nicholas Hoult Reveals How Other Lex Luthor Actors Influenced His Version https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-2025-nicholas-hoult-lex-luthor-gene-hackman-michael-rosenbaum-smallville/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-2025-nicholas-hoult-lex-luthor-gene-hackman-michael-rosenbaum-smallville/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405476

Lex Luthor has had more on-screen real estate than any other Superman villain. Since his debut in the pages of 1940’s Action Comics #23 — in which the red-haired super-genius plotted to turn the nations of Earth against each other and make himself supreme master of the world — Luthor has appeared in everything from […]

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Lex Luthor has had more on-screen real estate than any other Superman villain. Since his debut in the pages of 1940’s Action Comics #23 — in which the red-haired super-genius plotted to turn the nations of Earth against each other and make himself supreme master of the world — Luthor has appeared in everything from the 1950 film serial Atom Man vs. Superman (played by Lyle Talbot) and the 1966 Filmation cartoon The New Adventures of Superman (voiced by Ray Owens), to Superman: The Animated Series (voiced by Clancy Brown) and a recent cinematic interpretation (Jesse Eisenberg) in the 2016 Man of Steel sequel Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League.

But there are two actors who have defined Lex Luthor on both the big and small screen: Gene Hackman‘s real estate-scheming criminal mastermind in 1978’s Superman: The Movie and two of its sequels, and Michael Rosenbaum‘s bald baddie in the Superman prequel series Smallvile.

“I went back and watched Gene, and I love what he did. I mean, I’m such a fan of his in those [Superman] films,” Nicholas Hoult, the latest actor to play the Man of Steel’s arch-nemesis in James Gunn’s Superman movie, told ComicBook during a visit to the reboot’s set. “And also his whole career as an actor, obviously. He’s incredible — one of the best of all time — so that’s an intimidating thing, obviously.”

While Jon Cryer and Michael Cudlitz have recently played versions of Lex Luthor in The CW series Supergirl and Superman & Lois, respectively, Hoult recalled growing up with Hackman’s Luthor and Rosenbaum’s Lex as “the first Lex that I was more aware of.”

Hoult, who previously played Henry “Hank” McCoy/Beast in Fox’s X-Men movies, noted that it’s intimidating “taking on any character that’s been interpreted before.”

GENE HACKMAN AS LEX LUTHOR IN SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (LEFT); NICHOLAS HOULT IN SUPERMAN (CENTER); MICHAEL ROSENBAUM IN SMALLVILLE (RIGHT)

“People have strong opinions and ideas of how it should be,” he said. “You want to take the script, first of all, and do that justice, and serve the story. And then just be honest and truthful to that, and what your opinion of it is.” For Hoult, having the visionary Gunn at the helm helped differentiate his version of Lex Luthor from previous cinematic iterations — whether that be Hackman, Kevin Spacey (in 2006’s Superman Returns), or Eisenberg (in the DC Extended Universe).

“I think that’s the brilliant thing [about] having James as the writer and director of this: he really understands storytelling first and foremost, but also the characters in this world, and what they all represent,” Hoult explained. “He wrote scenes that instantly felt very honest and believable to me, so it was then about just committing to those ideas that were on the page, and yeah, going back and watching Gene, and watching Michael.”

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast includes Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. The DC Studios movie flies into theaters July 11.

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Jurassic World Rebirth Review: A Thrilling Return to Prehistoric Form https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-movie-review-scarlett-johansson-jonathan-bailey/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-rebirth-movie-review-scarlett-johansson-jonathan-bailey/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405258

The Jurassic franchise has been endangered since just after the turn of the millennium. Now that’s not the case financially — the Colin Trevorrow-guided Jurassic World trilogy that kicked off in 2015 was a box office behemoth. Each of those three films grossed over $1 billion globally, which is certainly an impressive feat. But after […]

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The Jurassic franchise has been endangered since just after the turn of the millennium. Now that’s not the case financially — the Colin Trevorrow-guided Jurassic World trilogy that kicked off in 2015 was a box office behemoth. Each of those three films grossed over $1 billion globally, which is certainly an impressive feat. But after meeting a deservedly tepid reception upon their initial releases, that entire trilogy has aged like milk, making a bad thing even worse in less than a decade. The films are forgettable at best, nearly unwatchable at worst, trading all of the magic and awe from Steven Spielberg’s efforts for lab-created dinosaurs, computer-generated messes, and…bugs?

Nothing about the first three Jurassic World films has stood the test of even a little time, and we have rightly wondered if these dinosaur adventures could ever get back on track. Can we actually recover from Chris Pratt’s Blue Steel raptor trainer and a saga about genetic cloning that consistently referenced its own failings in its plot without even realizing it? Thanks to Gareth Edwards and original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the answer is a resounding yes. Jurassic World Rebirth is easily the greatest of these dinosaur movies since 2001. Depending on how you feel about the first two Jurassic Park sequels, you could argue that it’s the best since 1993.

Just to be clear, Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t come close to the wonder and technical mastery of Spielberg’s original. It’s apples and oranges between the two. But Jurassic Park is about as perfect as you can get for a film of that scale. Was anything ever really going to compare?

No, it wasn’t, and Jurassic World Rebirth wisely doesn’t try to compete or even reinvent the wheel. This movie is all about reminding people how much fun this franchise can and should be. Does it have a messy plot that doesn’t make a ton of sense? Yes. Is the dialogue sometimes obnoxious? Absolutely. Rebirth is a flawed film, no doubt about it. The lows, however, are microscopic compared to Titanosaurus-level heights Edwards and the team reach here. At its best moments, Rebirth is exactly as advertised, reawakening a deep love for a franchise we thought was going extinct and giving audience members a childlike nostalgia we haven’t felt often since we first saw dinosaurs on the big screen.

Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

Recapturing that magic is actually a major part of the plot of Rebirth, and one of my favorite elements of this film’s narrative. See, the reality of this franchise post-Jurassic World is one of boredom and apathy. People there find dinosaurs more of an inconvenience than anything to actually behold. There’s almost a quiet disdain for the creatures, who never asked to be brought back in the first place. This mirrors the franchise itself, which returned after decades and hit people over the head with genetically engineered monsters and threw the quasi-science that made the original so special right out the window. It went for big thrills over something more genuine and backfired, like the Jurassic World attraction at the center of the 2015 movie, leaving a more cynical planet in its wake.

Jurassic World Rebirth picks up there with a mission that only sounds sillier the more you think about it. Big Pharma billionaire Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) runs a company that has unlocked a key to stopping heart disease, but in order to make the medicine work, they need the blood of the three biggest dinosaurs — one from land, one from the sea, and one from the sky. Why? Well because they have big hearts, like all dinosaurs do, but these three are special and important for some reason. So Martin hires mercenary and extraction specialist Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) to retrieve these blood samples from the animals, who only exist on a chain of islands near the equator that have been forbidden from travel by all of the world’s governments.

They bring on paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) to help identify the correct dinosaurs and ensure the samples are taken properly. And Zora gets her right-hand man, Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), to help lead her team. As they head for the islands and their mission really begins, they cross paths with a shipwrecked family (led by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and anchored by a hilarious breakout performance from David Iacono) and do what they can to rescue them. Unfortunately for the family, that means hopping on a boat deep into dinosaur territory. As you can expect, the adventure goes sideways and what was meant to be a simple in-and-out mission becomes a quest for survival.

This story does take a little while to get going. The very first scene is an absolute thriller that sets up the danger of Rebirth‘s lone genetic monstrosity (the D-Rex), but it slows down after that and spends 20-30 minutes getting all of its pieces into place. You’ll feel that first act wear on you a bit. The plotting is scattered and the character beats the film tries to instill in those early scenes tend to fall flat. Well, all of them but the ones involving Bailey’s Henry Loomis, who is the shining beacon of Alan Grant/Ellie Sattler goodness in Jurassic World Rebirth. He’s a man who has devoted his life to dinosaurs (even studying under Dr. Grant for a time), only for the public to swiftly lose interest and leave him wondering what to do next. There’s a lot of ties you can make from Loomis to the filmmakers watching streaming and social media attempt to kill the art that used to bewitch us mind, body, and soul.

Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World Rebirth

Loomis is such an old-school Jurassic Park character, reminding you that “war-hero-turned-raptor trainer” was always as lame as it now sounds. That scientists have not only always been cool, but they’ve also been the real heroes from the very start. And boy, does Bailey bring all that to life in ways that I’m confident make Sam Neill proud. He’s the beating heart of Jurassic World Rebirth and his performance towers over the rest of the ensemble. If you thought Bailey was a capital-M Movie Star after Wicked, Jurassic World Rebirth does more than enough to cement that notion as truth. This guy is the real deal, and good on David Koepp for realizing that a character like Loomis — who genuinely believes dinosaurs are the coolest things to ever live — is so necessary to make a Jurassic movie thrive. In one scene, Loomis tells a mercenary, “It’s a sin to kill a dinosaur,” and I had to resist the urge to stand up and cheer. That is how much reverence these movies are supposed to have for the stunning creatures at their center, and that love has been inexplicably lost since 2015.

The return of that reverence — for dinosaurs and for filmmaking — is what consistently allows Jurassic World Rebirth to soar. It’s not concerned with a major plot about the end of life on the planet (it actually mentions such a thing as more of an inevitable fact), or about trying to build a sweeping love story with two characters nobody likes. Edwards knows you came for dinosaur thrills and, once the characters reach the island, he delivers those droves.

There are so many different dinosaurs in this movie, giving fans a cornucopia of prehistoric excitement around every corner. And unlike other Jurassic films, Rebirth doesn’t really have a “central” dinosaur antagonist. As the story rolls on, we move to different set pieces with different dinosaurs. And each of those set pieces is more exciting than the last. Edwards loves to toy with the audience, laser-focusing on the intersection of human awareness and dinosaur instinct that Spielberg used to create incredible moments like the raptor hunt in the kitchen or the snake in the waterfall. These sequences are expertly crafted, specifically engineered to generate the highest level of suspense and joy.

It’s in those moments, and in some key character choices, that Rebirth ties itself back to the original Jurassic Park. There aren’t any major cameos or surprise reveals in this film — Edwards and Koepp learned from the shortcomings of the three previous entries. But there is such a reverence for the craftsmanship and storytelling of the original that bleeds through from beginning to end. Whether that’s in the form of a fantastic child actor (Audrina Miranda) and her kinship with an adorable baby dinosaur, or with an extended T-Rex chase on a river, or using a closeup of an awe-struck scientist to do all of the talking; Edwards is acutely aware of what made Jurassic Park tick and he does his best to hit those same marks with Rebirth.

Jurassic World Rebirth T-Rex chasing raft

The result is very in line with The Lost World: Jurassic Park or 2001’s Jurassic Park III (directed by the criminally underrated Joe Johnston), which I consider to be a serious compliment. You will certainly notice issues, especially in the first act, but those problems pale in comparison to the victories. There are moments that’ll leave you breathless, cheering, and thinking to yourself, “This is why we come to the movies!”

Isn’t that what we’re hoping for every time we buy a ticket? I’ll gladly endure a few shortcomings in an imperfect film if it means giggling to myself, allowing my jaw to drop to the floor, and kicking my feet in my chair with the excitement of a small child because I’m experiencing a level of giddiness that I simply cannot contain. Jurassic World Rebirth did that, and I left the theater grinning ear-to-ear.

I only wish it had gone back to the Jurassic Park title, because that’s what this movie deserves. It’s a true rebirth for a franchise that easily could’ve crumbled under its own hubris, and the title is the sole reminder of the frustrating era of the franchise that Gareth Edwards has all but fossilized.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Jurassic World Rebirth hits theaters everywhere July 2nd.

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Rachel Brosnahan Reveals What Makes New Superman “The One We Need Right Now” https://comicbook.com/interviews/news/dcu-superman-rachel-brosnahan-interview-superhero-movie-tone/ https://comicbook.com/interviews/news/dcu-superman-rachel-brosnahan-interview-superhero-movie-tone/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1403013 Image courtesy of DC Studios

Rachel Brosnahan has offered new insight into the tone of James Gunn’s Superman, describing the highly anticipated film as a hopeful take on the hero that is perfect for the current moment. Comic Book attended a set visit for the upcoming DC Studios movie where the Lois Lane actor spoke about what defines this new […]

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Image courtesy of DC Studios

Rachel Brosnahan has offered new insight into the tone of James Gunn’s Superman, describing the highly anticipated film as a hopeful take on the hero that is perfect for the current moment. Comic Book attended a set visit for the upcoming DC Studios movie where the Lois Lane actor spoke about what defines this new version of the Man of Steel. Without revealing specific plot points, she positioned the film’s optimistic message as a powerful and necessary contribution to the comic book movie landscape, suggesting its core philosophy is what makes it “the Superman we need right now.”

“It feels hopeful rather than explicitly comedic to me,” Brosnahan said about Superman. “One of the things I love about so many of James’ movies is that they’re a real shot in the arm of hope. They remind you that the reason people love comic books is because they teach us that superheroes aren’t the only superheroes. They aren’t the only ones with important powers in these worlds. They remind us of the importance of courage, and tenacity, and interest in each other’s well-being. What it means to be in service of the greater good.”

“I think we could really use a shot in the arm of hope right now,” Brosnahan continued, contextualizing the film’s place in the modern landscape. “A lot of these movies, the Nolan Batman movies, were such a specific representation of these comics at a specific moment in time. I think part of the reason they were so successful is because they felt like what we needed. The hope is that this version is the Superman we need right now.” 

Brosnahan’s comments directly align with the mission statement James Gunn and DC Studios have presented for their new cinematic universe, which aims to launch with a hero who embodies “truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.” By highlighting the film’s focus on the courage of ordinary people, she reinforces the idea that this Superman will be defined not just by his Kryptonian powers, but by the very human world he chooses to be a part of.

The Daily Planet and Superman’s Connection to Humanity

Image courtesy of DC Studios

The importance of the Daily Planet and its staff in grounding Superman is a cornerstone of the character’s mythology, and Brosnahan’s emphasis on human tenacity suggests the film will lean heavily into this dynamic. In the comics, the Planet is more than just Clark Kent’s workplace, acting as his anchor to the world he has sworn to protect. It provides him with a vital, street-level perspective that his powers alone cannot offer. As a reporter, he confronts societal ills like corruption, inequality, and injustice, problems that cannot be solved with heat vision or super-strength. This role forces him to engage with humanity on its own terms, reinforcing his empathy and ensuring he never loses sight of the people he fights for. The ensemble cast of the Daily Planet, including Perry White (Wendell Pierce) and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), represents the very best of that humanity, and are expected to play a key role in Superman.

Central to this dynamic is, of course, Lois Lane. Across decades of comic book history, Lois has never been a simple love interest or a damsel in distress. She is Superman’s intellectual and spiritual equal, a fiercely intelligent and relentlessly driven investigative reporter whose courage often rivals his own. Her unwavering pursuit of the truth, no matter the personal risk, mirrors Clark’s own mission to fight for a better tomorrow. More importantly, she falls in love with Clark Kent, the kind, slightly clumsy farm boy, not just the iconic superhero.

Superman is scheduled to fly into theaters on July 11th.

How important do you think the Daily Planet crew and Lois Lane are to crafting a hopeful Superman story? Join the discussion in the comments.

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I Have The Wildest Theory About Ultraman In James Gunn’s Superman https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-movie-ultraman-henry-cavill-knightmare-timeline-snyderverse-theory/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-movie-ultraman-henry-cavill-knightmare-timeline-snyderverse-theory/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:41:11 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1402932 Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

James Gunn’s Superman will include Ultraman as one of the movie’s antagonists, and there could be a very surprising twist attached to the Kryptonian villain. As the first big-screen entry in Gunn’s DCU (following the animated series opening act of Creature Commandos), Superman focuses on the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) facing public backlash over […]

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Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

James Gunn’s Superman will include Ultraman as one of the movie’s antagonists, and there could be a very surprising twist attached to the Kryptonian villain. As the first big-screen entry in Gunn’s DCU (following the animated series opening act of Creature Commandos), Superman focuses on the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) facing public backlash over some of his recent heroic acts. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor takes the opportunity to strike against Superman, with a mysterious masked figure bearing a “U” on his chest as one of Luthor’s key henchmen against the Kryptonian hero. Ultraman remains arguably the biggest question mark hanging over Superman, as the identity of the actor portraying the villain is still a mystery.

Combined with some apparent multiverse elements seen in Superman‘s trailers has led to a growing amount of theorizing that none other than Corenswet’s Superman predecessor, Henry Cavill, is playing Ultraman. However, there could also be an even bigger twist on this possibility – namely, that Ultraman himself is actually Henry Cavill’s Superman from Zack Snyder’s “Knightmare” timeline of the DCEU.

Ultraman Being a Masked Villain Indicates His Identity Is Meant To Be a Surprise

In the comics, Ultraman does not wear a mask. His suit is a fairly close facsimile of Superman’s own, with the biggest change being a “U” emblem on his chest. By contrast, the Ultraman seen in Superman‘s marketing only resembles his comic book counterpart via the inclusion of a “U” on his chest. Simply having an evil version of Superman from another universe is a concept very easy to grasp, even for those who have never touched a Superman comic or seen a Superman movie; however, Gunn’s Superman movie is clearly doing something significantly different.

The fact that Ultraman can be so easily summed as “Evil Superman” begs the question of why Gunn has gone to such lengths to keep Ultraman’s identity a secret. Indeed, Ultraman has not been featured on any of Superman‘s posters, with both the character and the identity of his portrayer omitted altogether from the movie’s IMDB and Wikipedia pages at writing. That strongly suggests that Ultraman is being set up to be something far more significant than simply David Corenswet in a dual role. This is where the idea of Henry Cavill returning in a very specific context starts to look like the exact kind of curveball that a masked character like Ultraman could embody.

Why Ultraman Could Be Knightmare Superman

Ultraman in “Superman” / DC Studios”

While Henry Cavill’s Superman is a selfless hero with a heart of gold in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, there is one area where his Kal-El sheds all of those qualities and becomes a rage-filled killing machine, that being the Knightmare future. Shown in glimpses in Batman v Superman and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the Knightmare is a post-apocalyptic future in which Darkseid (Ray Porter) has led Apokolips to conquer Earth. Darkseid has also turned Superman into his mind-controlled weapon of destruction after using the Anti-Life Equation to bring Superman under his control.

Cavill’s Superman, as seen in the Knightmare timeline, is a strangely close approximation of everything Ultraman is: a Superman from another universe, and one who, while not “evil,” nonetheless wreaks havoc upon the world as the unwilling servant of Darkseid. Moreover, even the latest image of Ultraman released by Gunn (see above), looks like something pulled right out of Snyder’s Knightmare timeline. Additionally, Gunn’s DCU plans and the marketing material for Superman may have provided an answer for how Cavill’s Superman could get from the Knightmare timeline into the DCU.

How Knightmare Superman Could Appear In Gunn’s Superman Movie

One thing that has become increasingly clear about Gunn’s vision for the DCU is that the doorways of DC’s infinite multiverse are absolutely going to be in play. Peacemaker season 2 is set to dive right into that, with Gunn himself stating that the show will tackle the overlapping continuity elements and characters from the DCEU and DCU. Then there’s Superman‘s most recent trailers, which show a chasm being opened in the heart of Metropolis that appears to be some kind of interdimensional portal. These open plenty of doorways for DC characters from other worlds to make the jump into the DCU, and it might be Lex Luthor who is the culprit in bringing Ultraman into the Superman’s reality.

With Lex paying a visit to the Fortress of Solitude in Superman‘s trailers, one tool he might stumble across is a Phantom Zone port or some other kind of Kryptonian device that enables him to peer into alternate realities. Lex might deduce that his best shot at defeating Superman is to get another Superman, and Cavill’s Knightmare Superman would be especially appealing, since he’s already under mind control through the Anti-Life Equation. Lex might make the mistake of thinking he can leverage this to make Cavill’s Knightmare Superman his ally, perhaps by erroneously presenting himself as Darkseid’s ally. Of course, tampering with Kryptonian tech to create a Kryptonian henchman of his own would likely backfire on Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor as much as it did for Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex, and his creation of Doomsday, thereby making it a job for Superman to send Knightmare Superman back to his original timeline.

Even with a new DC cinematic future on the verge of beginning with James Gunn’s Superman, Zack Snyder’s DCEU movies and Henry Cavill’s Superman both cast long shadow over all things DC. If Ultraman indeed proves to be Henry Cavill behind the mask, not only would it be a masterful twist – there might be no more unexpectedly definitive testimony to the long-term impact of the Snyderverse than for the mind-controlled Superman of Snyder’s Knightmare timeline to become a force of nature in not one but two DC cinematic universes.

Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League are available to stream on HBO Max, and James Gunn’s Superman will be released in theaters on July 11th.

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Project Hail Mary Trailer: Ryan Gosling Stars in Sci-Fi Epic From The Martian Writer https://comicbook.com/movies/news/project-hail-mary-trailer-ryan-gosling-the-martian-writer/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/project-hail-mary-trailer-ryan-gosling-the-martian-writer/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:51:55 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405686

Project Hail Mary is underway, with a trailer released on Monday along with a release date — March 20, 2026. The new sci-fi epic is an adaptation of a novel by Andy Weir, the author who wrote The Martian, along with a few other novels and stories. The film adaptation stars Ryan Gosling as a […]

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Project Hail Mary is underway, with a trailer released on Monday along with a release date — March 20, 2026. The new sci-fi epic is an adaptation of a novel by Andy Weir, the author who wrote The Martian, along with a few other novels and stories. The film adaptation stars Ryan Gosling as a sixth-grade science teacher named Ryland Grace, who is chosen for a mission to save the earth and humanity from a cosmic catastrophe. It was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo behind the Spider-Verse movies, among other hits. Weir’s novel has been a massive hit among sci-fi fans, and fans are anticipating another instant classic when the movie is released.

Project Hail Mary is set in the near future, when astronomers begin to observe an alarming new trend they call “global dimming.” It is progressing at an exponential rate, and will cast the earth into an ice age causing the extinction of humanity within 30 years. The European Space Agency discovers that the sun is producing less light, while a line of alien microbes stretches between the sun and Venus. They send for Ryland Grace, who is working as a passion middle school teacher, but is actually an expert molecular biologist. With his help, they discover that these alien microbes can be bred to create a renewable source of rocket fuel.

The ESA discovers that other stars close to earth are dimming as well, likely due to the same alien microbes. The only exception is the star Tau Ceti, and the scientists determine that their best hope of saving the earth is to send a starship there to determine why it is resistant to the dimming, and try to replicate it at home. Ryland is essential to the mission, but as you can see in the trailer, he is not enthusiastic about it at all.

Project Hail Mary was published in 2021, and was lauded by critics as a worthy follow-up to The Martian. It won several awards and was a finalist for the 2022 Hugo Award for best novel. The film rights to the book were sold before it had even been published. They were first purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which has since been acquired and re-branded into Amazon MGM Studios.

Gosling signed onto the movie early, as did screenwriter Drew Goddard and directors Lord and Miller. The movie filmed in last summer in the U.K., and maintained its planned release date without a hitch. Ryland’s mission did not go that smoothly in the book, and it looks like it won’t be any easier on the big screen. Project Hail Mary premieres on March 20, 2026 in theaters. Weir’s novel is available now in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

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Everything Coming to Netflix, Disney+ & Other Streaming Services in July 2025 https://comicbook.com/movies/news/new-streaming-movies-tv-shows-july-2025-netflix-disney-plus-hbo-max-services/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/new-streaming-movies-tv-shows-july-2025-netflix-disney-plus-hbo-max-services/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405071

We’re just under a week away from the start of July, and the arrival of a new month means a slew of new options in the world of streaming. All of the major streaming services regularly turn over their rosters at the start of a month and July is no exception to that rule. Netflix, […]

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We’re just under a week away from the start of July, and the arrival of a new month means a slew of new options in the world of streaming. All of the major streaming services regularly turn over their rosters at the start of a month and July is no exception to that rule. Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video, and Tubi have all released their newsletters for the month of July, revealing dozens of movies and TV shows set to arrive in the coming weeks.

Some big streaming originals are set for July, including a couple of highly anticipated sequels on their way to Netflix. The Old Guard 2 is hitting Netflix on July 2nd, while Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 arrives on July 25th.

HBO Max has likely the most popular addition coming in July, with Ryan Coogler’s record-breaking Sinners preparing to make its debut. The genre-defying box office hit will hit streaming on July 4th.

You can check out July’s full streaming calendar below.

July 1st

NETFLIX
17 Again
Annie
(1982)
Blow
Born on the Fourth of July
Captain Phillips
The Deer Hunter
Friday Night Lights
Here Comes the Boom
The Hitman’s Bodyguard
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
Horrible Bosses
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part III
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Mom
: Seasons 1-8
The Notebook
Pacific Rim
PAW Patrol
Seasons 2-3
Portlandia: Seasons 1-8
The Sweetest Thing
Tangerine
V for Vendetta
White Chicks
Yellowjackets
: Season 2
Zathura: A Space Adventure
Attack on London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

DISNEY+
Critter Fixers: Country Vets (S6, 12 episodes)
Lost Treasures of Egypt (S5, 10 episodes)
Ironheart – Episodes 4-6 at 6pm PT

HBO MAX
Annabelle (2014)
Better off Dead…
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me
Canyon River
Carol
Chopped
: Volume 4, Season 61 (FOOD Network)
Cunningham
Dames
Dances With Wolves
Dances With Wolves
: Extended Cut
Film Geek
Get Out
Get Shorty
(1995)
In Time
Insidious
Jewel Robbery
Jimmy the Gent
Lady Killer
Lawyer Man
Life as We Know It
Love & Other Drugs
Love Crazy
Moana with Sound
(1926)
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Napoleon Dynamite
One Way Passage
Other Men’s Women
Picture Snatcher
Private Detective 62
Red Dawn
(1984)
Shadow of the Thin Man
Shaun the Sheep Movie
Showgirls
Sinner’s Holiday
Smart Money
Snatched
(2017)
Song of the Thin Man
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay
Taxi!
(1932)
The Amityville Horror (1979)
The Amityville Horror (2005)
The Big Lebowski
The Brink
(2019)
The Great Wall
The Kennel Murder Case
The Key
The Last House on the Left
The Meg
The Public Enemy
The Road to Singapore
(1931)
The St. Louis Kid
The Strawberry Blonde
The Thin Man Goes Home
The Three Stooges
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
Torrid Zone
Two O’Clock Courage
Tyrel

Valentine’s Day
Valley of the Sun
(1942)
What’s Your Number?
What’s Your Number?
Ex-tended Edition
Winner Take All (1932)
Woman at War

HULU
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 2 Reunion Premiere
Lies Hidden In My Garden: Complete Season 1 (SUBBED)
Adam (2009)
Alita: Battle Angel
Bride Wars
Bridesmaids
The Bounty Hunter
(2010)
The Call (2013)
Catch and Release
The Comedian
Country Strong
Daddy Day Camp
The Day After Tomorrow
Dear White People
(2014)
Demolition
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Easy A
The Equalizer 3
Flight Of The Phoenix
(2004)
Ford v Ferrari
Friends With Benefits
Fruitvale Station
Garden State
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
Home Alone 3
Honest Thief
The Internship
I Love You, Man
I Origins
I, Robot

I Saw the Light
King Arthur
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Of Heaven
The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Longest Yard
(2005)
The Man Who Knew Too Little
Mission To Mars
Pixels
The Pledge
Prometheus
Puss In Boots
Real Steel
Ruby Sparks
The Sandlot
Shanghai Knights
Shanghai Noon

Sisters
Sugar
Sunshine
(2007)
Tammy
Taxi
(2004)
Ted
Ted 2
The Way Way Back
Wrath Of Man

PEACOCK
10 Items Or Less
13
About My Father
Airplane!
American Pie
Aquamarine
Are We There Yet?
Barbershop
Barbershop 2: Back In Business
Beauty Shop
Big Momma’s House
The Brothers
Chance of Snow
Contraband
Couples Retreat
The Croods
Daniel Isn’t Real
Dante’s Peak
Dazed And Confused
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who!
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
The Fate Of The Furious
First Blood
Forrest Gump
Friday
The Friday After Next
Furious 7
Goodfellas
Hall Pass
The High Note
Hot Tub Time Machine
Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania 2
I Am Woman
Iris
King Kong
The King of Staten Island
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White And Blonde
Liar, Liar
Making Babies
Mission: Impossible
Next Friday
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Rambo III
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Ray
Repo Men
Robin Hood
(2010)
Role Models
Sausage Party
Self/Less
Semi-Pro
Sisters
Street Fighter
Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Titanic
Tropic Thunder
The Turning
Twister
War Of The Worlds
Waterworld

Whitey: United States Of America V James Bulger
Love Island USA
, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, Season 2 – Premiere (Bravo)
The Real Murders of Atlanta, Season 3 – Premiere, All Episodes (Oxygen)
Yes, Chef!, Season 1 – Finale (NBC)

PARAMOUNT+
A Soldier’s Story
A Walk Among the Tombstones
A Walk on the Moon
Airplane II: The Sequel
Airplane!
An Officer and a Gentleman
Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop II
Beverly Hills Cop III
Boys And Girls
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Chicago
City of God
City of Men
Congo
Cracks
Crisis
Defiance
Don Jon
Downhill Racer
Election
Failure to Launch
Full Metal Jacket
G.I. Blues
G.I. Jane
Gasoline Alley
Girl, Interrupted
Glory
Go
Hamburger Hill
Hit & Run
Jackass 2.5
Jackass 3
Jackass 3.5
Jackass Number 2
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.5
Unrated
Jackass: The Movie
Jarhead
John Grisham’s The Rainmaker
Limitless
Looper
Lords of Dogtown
Machete Kills
Major League
Mud
Pet Sematary
(2019)
Rules of Engagement
Saving Private Ryan
Seabiscuit
Set It Off
: Director’s Cut
Side Effects
Sleepless
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Stardust
Staten Island Summer
Stop-Loss
The Aviator
The Book of Henry
The Fighter
The Gunman
The Killer Inside Me
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Patriot
The Presidio
The Quiet American
The Survivalist
The To Do List
The Virgin Suicides
Titanic
Training Day
World Trade Center
Zero Dark Thirty

Monster Summer

PRIME VIDEO
2 Fast 2 Furious
A Bridge Too Far
A Fish Called Wanda
Baby Boom
Back to School
Bandits
Blown Away
Blue Crush
Blue Velvet
Colors
Creed II
Death Warrant

Double Impact
Dressed to Kill
Duck Soup
Every Day
Fast & Furious 6
Fast Five
Fiddler On the Roof
Gladiator
Hart’s War
Hidden Figures
Hoodlum
How to Train Your Dragon 2
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Into The Blue
Into The Blue 2: The Reef
It Came from Outer Space
K-PAX

Leaving Las Vegas
Licorice Pizza
Little Fockers
Little Man
Mad Max
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Mystic Pizza
No Country for Old Men
No Way Out
Only Lovers Left Alive

Paths Of Glory
Rings
Robocop
(1987)
Robocop (2014)
Robocop 2
Robocop 3
Rocky
(1976)
Rocky Balboa
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Salt
Saving Private Ryan
Teen Wolf
(1985)
The 40 Year-Old Virgin
The Addams Family
(2019)
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Apartment
The Bone Collector
The Bounty Hunter
The Fast and the Furious
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
The Funhouse
The Great Train Robbery
The Horse Soldiers
The House Bunny

The Hustle
The Informant!
The Perfect Storm
The Usual Suspects
Thunderbolt And Lightfoot
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Windtalkers
Witness For The Prosecution
XXX: The Return Of Xander Cage

Sherlock S1
Shooter S1-3

TUBI
Brickleberry
Girlfriends
Hap & Leonard
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Kold & Windy
(S1)
Major Dad
Millennials
Sanford and Son
The Jeffersons
(S1 & S11)
WOW: Women of Wrestling (S2-S3)
12 Rounds
2 Guns
8 Mile
A Most Violent Year
A Time to Kill
Alice, Darling
Amadeus
(Theatrical Cut)
American Honey
Anger Management
(2003)
Arrival
Arthur and the Invisibles
Baby’s Day Out
Barbershop
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Baywatch
(2017)
Beauty Shop
Because of Winn-Dixie
Belly
Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club
Blair Witch
(2016)
Bones and All
Bringing Down the House
Broken City
Cadillac Records
Clemency
Colombiana
Cuban Fury
Culture of Winning
Death Wish
(2018)
Déjà Vu
Destroyer
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Don’t Tell a Soul
Dumb and Dumber
Escape Plan
Escape Plan 2: Hades
Escape Plan: The Extractors
Final Destination
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 3
Final Destination 5
Finding Felt
First Blood
Flashdance
Forrest Gump
Fried Green Tomatoes

Get Off My Lawn
Get On Up
Good Burger
Goon: The Last of the Enforcers
Hitman
Hitman: Agent 47
Hot Summer Nights
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
I, Robot
Jinn
Juice
Jumanji
(1995)
Jumping the Broom
Jungle 2 Jungle
Jurassic World
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
Legends of the Fall
Major Dad
Minamata
Minority Report
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
No Strings Attached
Non-Stop
Obsessed
(2009)
Outlaws
Pale Rider
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Pet Sematary
(2019)
Phenomenon
Planet 51
Pootie Tang
Pride and Glory
Pulp Fiction
Quarantine 2: Terminal
Rango
Redemption
Richie Rich
Riddick
Robocop
(1987)
Robocop (2014)
Robocop 2
Robocop 3
Rye Lane
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Son of a Gun
Southside With You
Spotlight
Sweet Dreams

Terminator 2: Judgement Day
That Awkward Moment
The A-Team
(2010)
The Benchwarmers
The Birdcage
The Cable Guy
The Captive
The Core
The Da Vinci Code
The Fate of the Furious
The Final Play
The Grey
The Hills Have Eyes
The Invisible Raptor
The Longest Yard
The Menu
The Nun
(2018)
The Outsiders
The Running Man
The Secret Life of Pets 2
The Sorcerer and the White Snake
Thelma & Louise
Titanic
Top Five
Under the Silver Lake
Universal Soldier

War of the Worlds
When You Finish Saving the World
While We’re Young
Wrecked
Zola

July 2nd

NETFLIX
The Old Guard 2 — NETFLIX FILM
Tour de France: Unchained: Season 3 (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

DISNEY+
Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (S6, 8 episodes)
ZOMBIES (Sing-Along Version)
ZOMBIES 2 (Sing-Along Version)
ZOMBIES 3 (Sing-Along Version)

HBO MAX
Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print (HBO Original)
My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Season 13 (TLC)

HULU
Dragon Ball DAIMA: Complete Series (Dubbed)

PEACOCK
Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, Season 1 – Finale (E!)

PARAMOUNT+
Dora & Diego: Rainforest Rescues special
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado premiere
DORA season 3 premiere

PRIME VIDEO
Heads of State (2025)

July 3rd

NETFLIX
Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano — NETFLIX SPORTS SERIES
Mr. Robot: Seasons 1-4
The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 1 — NETFLIX SERIES

HBO MAX
Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League
The Deep Three
, Season 3

HULU
The American Soldier: Complete Season 1
Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol: Complete Season 1
America The Story Of US: Complete Season 1
America: Promised Land: Season 1
Barack Obama: Season 1
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War: Season 1
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution: Season 1
Codes and Conspiracies: Complete Seasons 1 and 2
Community: Complete Series
Dan Da Dan: Season 2 Premiere (Subbed & Dubbed)
Days That Shaped America: Complete Season 1
The First 48 Presents Critical Minutes: Complete Season 3C
The Proof Is Out There: Coomplete Season 4B
The Secret History of Air Force One: Complete Season 1
The Secret History of the Civil War: Complete Season 1
761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers: Complete Season 1
Who is Luigi Mangione?: Complete Season 1
Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia

PEACOCK
The American Society Of Magical Negroes
Love Island USA
, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
Poker Face, Season 2 – New Episode (Peacock Original)

July 4th

NETFLIX
All the Sharks — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

HBO MAX
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (A24)
Sinners (2025)

HULU
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
The Abyss
The Day The Earth Stood Still
In the Lost Lands
(2025)

PEACOCK
Curry Inc: The Business of Stephen Curry – Premiere (CNBC)
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

PRIME VIDEO
Game Night (2018)

TUBI
Great White Waters

July 5th

NETFLIX
The Summer Hikaru Died (JP) — NETFLIX ANIME

HULU
Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper: Complete Season 1
The Idaho College Murders: Complete Season 1
The Lake Erie Murders: Complete Seasons 1and 2
The Perfect Murder: Complete Seasons 1 and 2
Untitled Maxine Project: Complete Season 1

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)

July 6th

DISNEY+
Investigation Shark Attack (S1, 6 episodes)
Shark Quest: Hunt for the Apex Predator (S1, 2 episodes)
Sharks of the North
Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Super Shark Highway
(S1, 6 episodes)

HULU
Cults and Extreme Belief: Complete Season 1
Killer Cases: Complete Season 6a
Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun: Season 2 Sequel Premiere (SUBBED)

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
She Said

July 7th

HBO MAX
90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?, Season 9 (TLC)
Wardens of the North, Season 4 (Animal Planet)

HULU
Such Brave Girls: Complete Season 2
Deep Sea Detectives: Complete Season 1
Travel Texas: Complete Season 1

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)

July 8th

NETFLIX
A Star Is Born (2018)
Sullivan’s Crossing: Seasons 1-2
Better Late Than Single (KR) — NETFLIX SERIES
Nate Jackson: Super Funny — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
Quarterback: Season 2 — NETFLIX SPORTS SERIES
Trainwreck: The Real Project X (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

HULU
Bachelor in Paradise: Season 10 Premiere
Born to be Viral: The Real Lives of Kidfluencers: Complete Docuseries
Marked Men (2025)

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
Survival Mode, Season 1 – Premiere (NBC)

PARAMOUNT+
White Famous (season 1)

July 9th

NETFLIX
Building The Band — NETFLIX SERIES
The Gringo Hunters (MX) — NETFLIX SERIES
Mad Max: Fury Road
Under a Dark Sun (FR) — NETFLIX SERIES
Ziam (TH) — NETFLIX FILM

DISNEY+
Ancient Aliens: Origins (S1, 12 episodes)
People and Places: Shorts – Premiere

HULU
FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 17 Premiere
Ancient Aliens: Origins: Complete Season 1
Insomnia (UK): Complete Season 1
Matched in Manhattan: Complete Season 1
Team Players: Complete Season 1

PRIME VIDEO
Ballard (2025)

July 10th

NETFLIX
7 Bears (FR) — NETFLIX FAMILY
Brick (DE) — NETFLIX FILM
Leviathan (JP) — NETFLIX ANIME
Off Road (IL) — NETFLIX SERIES
Sneaky Pete: Seasons 1-3
Too Much (GB) — NETFLIX SERIES

DISNEY+
Summer Baking Championship (S1, 8 episodes)
Suspicious Minds – Premiere

HBO MAX
Back to the Frontier, Season 1 (Max Original, Magnolia Network)
Celebrity IOU, Season 10 (HGTV)
Isadora Moon, Season 1B (Max Original)

HULU
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Complete Seasons 5 and 6
Extreme Road Ragers: Complete Season 1A
Summer Baking Championship: Complete Season 1
Suspicious Minds: Complete Season 1
Parkland
Buffaloed

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
Poker Face, Season 2 – Finale (Peacock Original)

PARAMOUNT+
The Great Debaters
Big Brother
(season 27)

July 11th

NETFLIX
Aap Jaisa Koi (IN) — NETFLIX FILM
Almost Cops (NL) — NETFLIX FILM
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 — NETFLIX LIVE EVENT
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding — NETFLIX FILM

DISNEY+
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires – Premiere

HBO MAX
Chasing the West, Season 1 (HGTV)
House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 202 (HGTV)
House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 243 (HGTV)
Opus (A24)
Rage (Furia), Season 1 (HBO Original)

HULU
Celebrity Family Feud: Season 11 Premiere
Mountain Men: Complete Season 13
Big Momma’s House
Big Momma’s House 2
The Hot Chick
LOL Live with Chico Bean
LOL Live with Chinedu Unaka
Marmaduke
MR-9: Do or Die
Riff Raff

PEACOCK
Drop – Premiere (Peacock Exclusive)
Friends The Next Chapter, Season 3 (LEGO)
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
The Real Housewives Of Orange County, Season 19 – Premiere (Bravo)

PARAMOUNT+
Dexter: Resurrection series premiere

PRIME VIDEO
Better Man (2025)
One Night in Idaho: The College Murders

TUBI
Get Off My Lawn

July 12th

HBO MAX
Gold Rush: Mine Rescue with Freddy & Juan, Season 5 (Discovery)

HULU
90 Day Fiance: Complete Season 6
90 Day Fiance UK: Complete Season 3
Prison Wives Club: Complete Season 1
A Quiet Place Part II

PEACOCK
Love Island USA, Season 7 – New Episode (Peacock Original)

July 13th

HULU
Deep Sea Detectives: Complete Season 2
Dumb Money

PEACOCK
Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 – Premiere (Peacock Original)
Love Island USA, Season 7 – Finale (Peacock Original)

PARAMOUNT+
Alone in Berlin

July 14th

NETFLIX
Apocalypse in the Tropics (BR) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
SAKAMOTO DAYS: Season 1 Part 2 (JP) — NETFLIX ANIME

HBO MAX
Evil Lives Here, Season 18 (ID)
Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, Season 3 (Discovery)
Two Guys Garage, Season 24

HULU
Fugitives Caught on Tape: Complete Season 1
Stags (UK): Complete Season 1

PEACOCK
Kings Court, Season 1 – Premiere (Bravo)
Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, Seasons 16-17 (WeTV)

July 15th

NETFLIX
Entitled: Season 1
Jaws
Jaws 2
Jaws 3
Jaws: The Revenge

Trainwreck: Balloon Boy (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

HBO MAX
A Killer Among Friends, Season 1 (ID)

HULU
Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit: Complete Docuseries
Rachael Ray’s Holidays: Complete Season 1
Get Away (2024)
SAS: Red Notice

PEACOCK
Bahar: Esencia de Mujer, Season 1 – Premiere (Telemundo)

PRIME VIDEO
Uncharted

TUBI
Getting Warmer with Kal Penn

July 16th

NETFLIX
Amy Bradley Is Missing — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Mamma Mia!
Wanted

HBO MAX
911: Did the Killer Call?, Season 1 (ID)

HULU
Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes: Complete Season 2A
Unexpected Loves: Complete Season 1

PEACOCK
Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, Season 1 – Premiere (E!)

PARAMOUNT+
The Challenge: All Stars (season 5)
Max and the Midknights (season 1)

July 17th

NETFLIX
Catalog (EG) — NETFLIX SERIES
Community Squad: Season 2 (AR) — NETFLIX SERIES
UNTAMED — NETFLIX SERIES

DISNEY+
America’s Funniest Home Videos (S13-15, 67 episodes)
Disneyland Resort P.O.V. Walkthroughs – Premiere

HBO MAX
Beat Bobby Flay, Season 38 (FOOD Network)

HULU
Baylen Out Loud: Complete Season 1
Jake Makes It Easy: Complete Season 1
My 600-lb Life: Complete Season 3
My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?: Complete Season 2
Polyfamily: Complete Season 1
The Amateur
Snake Eyes G.I. Joe Origins

PEACOCK
Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 – New Episode (Peacock Original)

PARAMOUNT+
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 premiere

PRIME VIDEO
Surf Girls: International

July 18th

NETFLIX
Almost Family (BR) — NETFLIX FILM
Delirium (CO) — NETFLIX SERIES
I’m Still a Superstar (ES) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Superstar (ES) — NETFLIX SERIES
Vir Das: Fool Volume (IN) — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
Wall to Wall (KR) — NETFLIX FILM

DISNEY+
Megastructures: Real Madrid Super Stadium

HBO MAX
Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO Original)
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Season 51 (FOOD Network)
Family Recipe Showdown, Season 1 (FOOD Network)
I Love You Forever (2024)

HULU
High Rollers

PEACOCK
Transplant, Season 4 – Finale (NBC)

TUBI
TKO

July 19th

NETFLIX
Eight for Silver

HBO MAX
Guy’s Ranch Kitchen, Season 7B (FOOD Network)
Zillow Gone Wild, Season 2 (HGTV)

HULU
Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda: Complete Seasons 6 and 7
The Assessment

PRIME VIDEO
Sabotage
PBC on Prime

July 20th

HBO MAX
Shark Week 2025 (Discovery)
Teen Titans Go!, Season 9C (Cartoon Network)

HULU
Smurfs: The Lost Village

PEACOCK
Violent Night

July 21st

NETFLIX
The Hunting Wives: Season 1
The Steve Harvey Show: Seasons 1-6

HULU
Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari: Complete Docuseries

PEACOCK
Rizzoli & Isles, Season 1-7 (TNT)

PRIME VIDEO
Justice on Trial

July 22nd

NETFLIX
Trainwreck: P.I. Moms (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

DISNEY+
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ – Premiere

HBO MAX
Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain, Season 1 (CNN)

HULU
Red Eye (UK): Complete Seasons 1 and 2

July 23rd

NETFLIX
Hightown: Seasons 1-3
House of Lies: Seasons 1-5
Critical: Between Life and Death (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Letters From The Past (TR) — NETFLIX SERIES

DISNEY+
Kiff (Season 2) – Premiere

HBO MAX
Welcome to Plathville, Season 7 (TLC)

HULU
Washington Black: Complete Season 1

PEACOCK
The Valley After Show, Season 1 – Finale (Bravo Digital)

PARAMOUNT+
RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 17)
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (season 16)

PRIME VIDEO
Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War

July 24th

NETFLIX
A Normal Woman (ID) — NETFLIX FILM
Hitmakers — NETFLIX SERIES
My Melody & Kuromi (JP) — NETFLIX ANIME
The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 2 — NETFLIX SERIES

HULU
Match Game: Season 6 Premiere ABC
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Season 4 Premiere
Bakeaway Camp with Martha Stewart: Complete Season 1
Mad About You: Complete Seasons 1-7
Summer Baking Championship: Complete Season 2

PEACOCK
Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 – New Episode (Peacock Original)

July 25th

NETFLIX
Happy Gilmore 2 — NETFLIX FILM
Trigger (KR) — NETFLIX SERIES
The Winning Try (KR) — NETFLIX SERIES

HBO MAX
AEW Special Events, 2023C (2023)
AEW Special Events, 2024C (2024)
Care Bears: Unlock the Magic S1F: The No Heart Games (2024)
Death of a Unicorn (A24)

PRIME VIDEO
Wicked

July 26th

DISNEY+
BBQ Brawl (S1-2, 14 episodes)
Theme Song Takeover (S4, 6 episodes)
Ultimate Summer Cook-Off (S1, 4 episodes)

HBO MAX
The Pioneer Woman, Season 39 (FOOD Network)

HULU
BBQ Brawl: Complete Seasons 1 and 2
Chopped: Complete Season 61
Tournament Of Champions: Complete Season 6
Tournament of Champions VI: The Qualifiers: Complete Season 6
Ultimate Summer Cook-Off: Complete Season 1

July 27th

PEACOCK
Tár

July 28th

NETFLIX
The Lazarus Project: Seasons 1-2

DISNEY+
Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time (S1, 5 episodes)

HULU
The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball: Season 1A
Operation Fortune

PEACOCK
Adaptive: Paris (Vitium Productions LLC)
Unlocked, Season 2 (CNBC)

July 29th

NETFLIX
Dusty Slay: Wet Heat — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL
Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 (GB) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
WWE: Unreal — NETFLIX SPORTS SERIES

HBO MAX
Worst Cooks in America, Season 29 (FOOD Network)

HULU
Dope Girls (UK): Complete Season 1
Memoir of a Snail

PEACOCK
Unknown Serial Killers of America, Season 1 – Premiere, All Episodes (Oxygen)

July 30th

NETFLIX
Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Unspeakable Sins (MX) — NETFLIX SERIES

DISNEY+
Big City Greens (S4, 10 episodes)
StuGo: Shorts (S1, 6 episodes)
StuGo – Premiere

HULU
Mr & Mrs Murder: Complete Docuseries
The Bachelor (Australia): Complete Seasons 3-5
The Bachelorette (Australia): Complete Seasons 3-4

PEACOCK
Destination X, Season 1 – Finale (NBC)
Top Chef VIP, Season 4 – Premiere (Telemundo)

PARAMOUNT+
CMT Live – Nate Smith at Busch Country: One Night Only

PRIME VIDEO
War of the Worlds (2005)

July 31st

NETFLIX
An Honest Life (SE) — NETFLIX FILM
Glass Heart — NETFLIX SERIES
Leanne — NETFLIX SERIES
Marked (ZA) — NETFLIX SERIES
The Sandman: Season 2: Special Episode — NETFLIX SERIES

DISNEY+
Project Runway (S1-4, 51 episodes)

HBO MAX
Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers, Season 2 (HGTV)

HULU
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Complete Season 5
Guy’s Grocery Games: Complete Seasons 21, 22, and 38
Mad About You (2019): Complete Series

PEACOCK
Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 – New Episode (Peacock Original)
Twisted Metal, Season 2 – Premiere (Peacock Original)

The post Everything Coming to Netflix, Disney+ & Other Streaming Services in July 2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

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Netflix Now Streaming One of the Weirdest Movies of 2024 https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-lego-piece-by-piece-pharrell-williams-biopic-streaming-release/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-lego-piece-by-piece-pharrell-williams-biopic-streaming-release/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 01:15:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1402998 Simple black Netflix Logo

One of the weirdest movies of 2024, was recently added to Netflix. In recent years, biopics have seen a surge in popularity, with the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, Rocketman, Back to Black, and more bringing the stories of some of the world’s greatest musical artists to life. Some, however, have taken unexpected creative liberties […]

The post Netflix Now Streaming One of the Weirdest Movies of 2024 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

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Simple black Netflix Logo

One of the weirdest movies of 2024, was recently added to Netflix. In recent years, biopics have seen a surge in popularity, with the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, Rocketman, Back to Black, and more bringing the stories of some of the world’s greatest musical artists to life. Some, however, have taken unexpected creative liberties when adapting their stories to film. While Robbie Williams’ Better Man saw which Williams is portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee, 2024 saw arguably an even weirder example.

Piece by Piece – the most unorthodox musical biopic – was just added to Netflix as part of June’s new additions. Pharrell Williams’ life story is told entirely in LEGO and was developed in collaboration with The LEGO Group. Released in theaters in October 2024, Piece by Piece is the sixth theatrical LEGO-based movie, after The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie, and more. Piece by Piece told Pharrell’s story from his roots in Virginia Beach, forming The Neptunes with Chad Hugo, working with artists such as Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, and Snoop Dogg, and eventually making a comeback with “Get Lucky,” “Happy,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” all told through the lens of LEGO animation.

A biopic focused on Pharrell Williams had been in discussion since the success of “Get Lucky” and “Happy” in 2013. However, Williams and documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville wanted to deliver a non-traditional, genre-defying story, rather than the typical live-action biopic. The LEGO Group created new mini-figure pieces that more accurately represented African-American culture, and designed new set pieces for musical equipment, as well as producing figures that resemble Williams’ frequent collaborators. Despite receiving a positive response, however, Piece by Piece was a pretty huge disappointment commercially.

Although it was created on a budget of only $16 million, Piece by Piece still became a box office failure, grossing only $10.7 million worldwide. Even so, the animated LEGO movie is fun, entertaining, and packed full of some of Williams’ best tunes, as well as five original songs written specifically for the movie. Piece by Piece also boasts a strong voice cast including some of the greatest R & B artists of our generation. It’s a shame Piece by Piece didn’t perform better financially, as the movie presents an interesting new way for musicians and celebrities to produce biopics.

Of course, many of the recent live-action, traditional biopics have delivered powerful and poignant stories, and have done their jobs to perfection. However, it’s been great to see more celebrities taking risks and being innovative when bringing their stories to the masses. Robbie Williams and Pharrell Williams’ out-of-the-box thinking could set a new benchmark for future biographical documentaries, which could produce some of the most interesting, unique, and unexpected movies in the future. Piece by Piece is now available to watch on Netflix in the US.

Have you seen Pharrell Williams’ Piece by Piece? What did you make of it? Let us know in the comments!

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Ridley Scott’s Underrated 2024 Epic Tops Streaming Chart (& You Should Watch) https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-ii-tops-streaming-chart-you-should-watch/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-ii-tops-streaming-chart-you-should-watch/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:52:14 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405437 ridley-scott.jpg

If you are not entertained, you can watch Gladiator II at home on Paramount+, Prime Video, and MGM+. The movie hit number one on FlixPatrol’s list of the most-watched movies on Paramount+ this week, and it’s doing well on every platform where it’s available. The long-awaited sequel hit theaters at the end of November last […]

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If you are not entertained, you can watch Gladiator II at home on Paramount+, Prime Video, and MGM+. The movie hit number one on FlixPatrol’s list of the most-watched movies on Paramount+ this week, and it’s doing well on every platform where it’s available. The long-awaited sequel hit theaters at the end of November last year, and it was available to stream by the end of January, meaning fans didn’t have much time to get out to the theater. If you missed it in IMAX or you’re ready to revisit it, now seems to be a great time to take a seat at the Colosseum.

Gladiator II was directed by Ridley Scott, and was a sequel to his 2000 historical epic Gladiator, so expectations were high. The movie did reasonably well at the box office, and was generally well-received by critics as well, but for some, these streaming spikes are a better metric of popularity and mass appeal.

Gladiator II picks up 16 years after the events of the original, with Rome in the hands of twin emperors more tyrannical than any seen before. It stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus Aurelius, the son of the first movie’s protagonist Maximus (Gerard Butler). However, he is living quietly and anonymously in an Roman colony in Africa when the movie begins. During an attack on the colony, Lucius is enslaved and dragged back to Rome to fight in the Colosseum just like his father.

Because of the time-jump — and the blood events of the original — this movie shares very few characters or cast members with Gladiator. Connie Nielsen reprises her role as Lucilla, but beyond that, the movie is supported by lauded performances by newcomers, including Pedro Pascal as General Acacius, Denzel Washington as Macrinus, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, and Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla. Critics praised these stars for holding their attention, along with the outrageous new special effects and action sequences. Scott took this opportunity to depict a simulated sea battle within the Colosseum, along with beasts that could now be rendered in CGI.

Whether it matches the hype of the original or not, Gladiator II definitely provides a spectacle worth streaming. You can find the movie now on Paramount+, as well as Prime Video and MGM+. It is also available to rent or purchase digitally on most major PVOD stores, and it is also available on Ultra HD Blu-ray.

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7 Great Slasher Movies Nobody Talks About https://comicbook.com/movies/news/great-slasher-horror-movies-overlooked/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/great-slasher-horror-movies-overlooked/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:30:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1404421 Victor Crowley wielding a hatchet in Hatchet (2006)

The horror genre is one of the most consistent and prevailing in the movie industry, not least because it keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and delivers memorable thrills and chills in equal measure. Of all the horror movie subgenres, few have contributed to pop culture as heavily as the slasher movie, which […]

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Victor Crowley wielding a hatchet in Hatchet (2006)

The horror genre is one of the most consistent and prevailing in the movie industry, not least because it keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and delivers memorable thrills and chills in equal measure. Of all the horror movie subgenres, few have contributed to pop culture as heavily as the slasher movie, which has seen some of the best horror movie franchises deliver bloody violence over several decades. However, for every Halloween or Friday the 13th, there are several other slasher movies that fade into obscurity, particularly throughout the decades of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s when the subgenre was arguably at its zenith.

One of the big draws of the slasher subgenre has always been the ability to make a tense and shocking movie on a relatively small budget. Unfortunately, this saturated the subgenre for many years, with countless slashers sadly failing to achieve the widespread renown of their contemporaries through no fault of their own. This has led to a wealth of hidden and overlooked slasher gems, many of which deserve far more recognition than they ever received.

1) Tourist Trap (1979)

Still from Tourist Trap (1979)

Though Tourist Trap has earned something of a cult following in the years since its release, it’s a movie that simply isn’t talked about enough. Its 1979 release saw it become an early pioneer of the slasher genre, with its creepy mannequin action and paranormal premise setting it apart. The lack of critical acclaim is perhaps one contributor to the general lack of attention for Tourist Trap both at the time of its release and in the years since, but it’s nonetheless a competently frightening slasher that isn’t as widely known as it deserves.

2) Hollow Man (2000)

Kevin Bacon invisible in Hollow Man (2000)

When talking about the best horror movies of the 2000s, there is some incredibly stiff competition. Perhaps that’s why Hollow Man, a 2000 sci-fi slasher directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue, and Josh Brolin is rarely mentioned. It sees Kevin Bacon’s scientist test his own invisibility technology before developing a sinister and homicidal relationship with his coworkers. Considering Hollow Man‘s wealth of talent both in front of and behind the camera, and the delightfully violent nature of its slasher elements, it’s a shame it isn’t talked about more.

3) Theatre of Blood (1973)

Vincent Price in Theatre of Blood (1973)

The reasons why Theatre of Blood never received the attention it deserved are many. As a British horror movie, it perhaps lacked the wider appeal of its transatlantic cousins in the 1970s, especially as it shared its horror focus with equal parts dark comedy. Somewhat ironically, its slasher premise centered on an actor, played by the legendary Vincent Price, exacting revenge on his critics in poetic and bizarre ways. A rare slasher as funny as it is violent, Theatre of Blood sadly isn’t known as well as it deserves to be.

4) Alone in the Dark (1982)

A masked figure in Alone in the Dark (1982)

1982 slasher Alone in the Dark is regularly cited as one of the most overlooked slasher movies of all time. One of the first movies produced by New Line Cinema, Alone in the Dark boasted an impressive cast of Jack Palance, Donald Pleasance, Martin Landau, and Dwight Schultz, and followed several escaped psychiatric patients during a blackout. The movie’s surface similarities to other movies such as Halloween and Friday the 13th did it no favors, leading many to overlook and eventually forget all about Alone in the Dark despite its quality.

5) Hatchet (2006)

A boat travelling through the swamp in Hatchet (2006)

There have been many overlooked horror movies over the history of the slasher genre, and Hatchet certainly ranks as one of them. The 2006 movie taps into practically every trope that made the subgenre popular, ticking boxes for horror fans and also boasting a premise that stood out as both fun and violent. Featuring horror legends Kane Hodder, Robert Englund, and Tony Todd, Hatchet plays like a love letter to the slasher movies of decades past that never quite earned the popularity it warranted.

6) Cherry Falls (1999)

Brittany Murphy in Cherry Falls (1999)

The story of Cherry Falls is a sad one, as it’s undoubtedly a movie that deserves to be remembered as one of the greats of the slasher genre. However, issues surrounding its certification and release led to it being severely overlooked, and it never quite reached the heights it could have. Starring Brittany Murphy and Michael Biehn, Cherry Falls centers on a small town terrorized by a serial killer targeting teenage virgins. Its premise was a perfect combination of sex and violence that should have made it slasher royalty, but sadly it isn’t talked about anywhere near enough.

7) Urban Legend (1998)

Tara Reid screaming when faced with a hooded figure in Urban Legend (1998)

Many great horror movies are based on urban legends, but few take the idea to the extreme as much as 1998’s Urban Legend. The movie’s premise focuses on a series of violent murders modelled on popular urban legends, brought to life by an exceptional cast including Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Tara Reid, and Michael Rosenbaum. In its ideas, execution, and simple entertainment value, Urban Legend is a slasher movie that bizarrely doesn’t get talked about as much as it should.

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Netflix’s New #1 Movie Is Grossing Out Subscribers, “Disgusting But I Can’t Look Away” https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-documentary-poop-cruise-number-one-movie-reactions/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-documentary-poop-cruise-number-one-movie-reactions/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:02:33 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405409 Simple black Netflix Logo

A brand new Netflix documentary is both revolting users and keeping them absolutely hooked. Netflix has a boatload of content that keeps users constantly well-fed thanks to a steady stream of new films and television shows, both original to the streamer and sourced from elsewhere. Netflix has made a name for itself in a variety […]

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A brand new Netflix documentary is both revolting users and keeping them absolutely hooked. Netflix has a boatload of content that keeps users constantly well-fed thanks to a steady stream of new films and television shows, both original to the streamer and sourced from elsewhere. Netflix has made a name for itself in a variety of areas, but one of the most respected kind of projects that Netflix is involved in are its documentaries. They’re usually very well-produced, albeit a bit cliche and hit a lot of the same dramatic beats fairly often. Nevertheless, they’re very entertaining and paint great pictures of the subjects they cover.

Netflix recently launched a series of documentaries known as “Trainwreck”. Each doc is a single film as opposed to a bunch of episodes, focusing on some notable large scale disaster. One of the most popular subjects to date was Travis Scott’s Astro World concert which ended in ten deaths due to overcrowding and poor communication between the event holders. The latest Trainwreck documentary is known as Poop Cruise, which obviously has a very provocative name that is going to catch some eyes when users are scrolling through Netflix. It also means it’s going to deal with some really disgusting stuff, something that users weren’t fully prepared for.

Poop Cruise Documentary Is Engrossing (and Grossing Out) Netflix Subscribers

Poop Cruise is currently trending on Netflix as its #1 movie on the service after being on the streamer for nearly a week. The hour long documentary revolves around a 2013 Carnival cruise ship that had an engine fire, killing power to the ship and leaving 4,000 passengers stranded at sea. Toilets began getting backed up and as you might imagine, this led to raw sewage leaking into the ship and creating unsanitary conditions for everyone aboard the cruise line. The incident was dubbed as the “Poop Cruise” as a result and was an extremely chaotic time for Carnival and its customers. It also made for a really interesting documentary that is dominating Netflix.

We won’t curse you with some of the worst details, but let’s just say that a ship infested with feces, unrefrigerated food, and more does not lead to fun in the sun. Netflix subscribers have been casting some heavy judgement on some of the most entitled people on the ship that were interviewed for the documentary while others are feeling reaffirmed in their decision to never go on a cruise after seeing just how bad things can get. Some even discovered that they actually went on the Poop Cruise ship, which has since been rebranded from the Carnival Triumph to the Carnival Sunrise. Of course, this incident did lead to major changes in how cruise ships operate so that this can never happen again, but still, some aren’t interested in experiencing this living hell. You can see some reactions to the doc below.

What did you think of Poop Cruise? Let me know in the comments.

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Denis Villeneuve Told Us Exactly What to Expect From His James Bond Movie 8 Years Ago https://comicbook.com/movies/news/denis-villeneuve-what-to-expect-james-bond-movie/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/denis-villeneuve-what-to-expect-james-bond-movie/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1403551

Lately, the James Bond franchise has gone through some major changes, especially with the departure of Daniel Craig, who brought a new kind of depth to the character. With Denis Villeneuve now chosen to direct the next spy film, expectations are building: what exactly can we expect from this new chapter? Interestingly, the filmmaker already […]

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Lately, the James Bond franchise has gone through some major changes, especially with the departure of Daniel Craig, who brought a new kind of depth to the character. With Denis Villeneuve now chosen to direct the next spy film, expectations are building: what exactly can we expect from this new chapter? Interestingly, the filmmaker already dropped hints about his vision for Bond about eight years ago, even before he was officially tied to the project. He didn’t just say he wanted to direct a 007 movie, he actually laid out how he’d do it: less dialogue, more action. And for anyone familiar with his work, that makes total sense. Action, in his hands, isn’t just spectacle – it’s something that can carry meaning. We might be about to see a mix of tradition and innovation like never before.

Villeneuve has built a reputation as a filmmaker who knows how to walk the line between big-budget blockbusters and more personal, artistic storytelling. His movies like Blade Runner 2049 and Dune are proof of that, showing how images and pacing can carry way more weight than constant talking. What he does is a kind of visual storytelling that’s earned him a lot of praise over the years. And now, he’s bringing that same approach to James Bond – a style that leans more on visuals and impactful action than on overexplaining every detail through conversations.

In an interview with CS in 2017, while promoting Sicario, Villeneuve talked about his style and how he sees filmmaking. That’s when he mentioned being a longtime fan of the James Bond franchise, and casually laid out what his take on it would be, if he ever got the chance to direct it.

“I’m just attracted to try to do different things, and I was very excited to make a movie that required more action. I was raised with James Bond. I love James Bond movies. I would love to do a James Bond movie one day. Action is very cinematic. I’m not someone that loves dialogue – I am someone that loves movement. Action, if it’s well done, can be very poetic and meaningful,” he said. That’s a pretty different take from what we’ve usually seen in Bond movies. The recent ones have definitely gone heavier on the drama and tried to dig deeper into the character, but they still stick to a familiar structure, mixing traditional action with more serious dialogue, even if the lines aren’t always as sharp as they used to be.

In Sicario itself, for example, the filmmaker showed how violence and tension can be delivered with almost no words at all. It was all about long takes, precise camera work, and an atmosphere that pulled the viewer in. That kind of approach makes the experience more immersive. The point is to let the audience feel what’s happening, not be told. And that could be a real game-changer for a franchise like Bond, where the action has always been front and center – but not necessarily with that kind of meaning or weight.

On top of that, Villeneuve has shown serious respect for Bond’s history. He understands the impact Craig has had recently, and the importance of bringing something new without erasing what came before. He’s said he wants to honor the character’s legacy and even called it “sacred territory.” So no, we’re not expecting a wild reinvention – more like a smart evolution that keeps the core elements that make Bond who he is, like his British charm, subtle humor, and the sleek spy world he moves through.

Another big part of what he brings is how he handles pacing. Unlike most modern blockbusters that go all-in on fast edits and nonstop action, Villeneuve prefers to slow things down when it matters. He really gives the audience space to take in the tension and the setting, blending big action scenes with quiet, more reflective moments. That balance is a signature part of his style, and it could be exactly what James Bond needs to feel fresh again, especially for viewers who want more than just quick thrills. It’s not that “contemplation” is boring – it’s about building tension, giving scenes weight, and making every moment count. Villeneuve knows how to use time in a way that serves the story, not drags it out, and that’s how you keep people really invested.

It’s also worth pointing out how committed Villeneuve is to everything he does. He’s said before that he wouldn’t take on a Bond film unless he could give it his full attention. So the fact that he’s doing it now tells us a lot – this is going to be something he puts real time and energy into. In short, we should expect less dialogue, more meaningful action, and a visual style that elevates the whole story. And he’ll do all that while still respecting what Bond means to pop culture and to film itself.

In the end, what Villeneuve revealed 8 years ago wasn’t just fan talk – it was a clear statement of intent. He knew exactly what kind of James Bond movie he wanted to make. And now that he actually has the job, he finally gets the chance to make that happen. A version of 007 that says more with action than with words isn’t just a stylistic choice, it’s a much-needed shift in how big franchise films are made. The challenge is huge, and the pressure’s even bigger. However, if there’s anyone with the control, precision, and vision to pull it off, it’s him.

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This Is Still the Best Quentin Tarantino Movie Needle Drop https://comicbook.com/movies/news/quentin-tarantino-best-music-song-needle-drop-reservoir-dogs/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/quentin-tarantino-best-music-song-needle-drop-reservoir-dogs/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:26:55 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1377191

Asking a Quentin Tarantino fan to name their favorite needle drop is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Over the last 33 years, the director of such classic films as Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds has established himself as a master of music curation. From setting the title sequence of his first […]

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Asking a Quentin Tarantino fan to name their favorite needle drop is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Over the last 33 years, the director of such classic films as Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds has established himself as a master of music curation. From setting the title sequence of his first movie, Reservoir Dogs to George Baker Selection’s “Little Green Bag” to using the Rolling Stones’ “Out of Time” to kick off Once Upon a Time In Hollywood’s climax, Tarantino has an uncanny knack for picking the perfect song to set whatever mood he’s going for.

We could write this article about almost any song used in Quentin’s 10 films — nine if you count Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2 as a single movie — and make a convincing case for why it’s the best needle drop of Tarantino’s career. However, one song from one scene perfectly captures the essence of Tarantino as a director more than any other, and that’s “Stuck in The Middle With You” from Reservoir Dogs‘ torture scene.

If you’ve seen Reservoir Dogs you know the exact scene we’re talking about. For everyone else, allow us to paint a picture of one of the most shocking sequences — at least by 1992 standards — ever put in a mainstream film.

The Reservoir Dogs Torture Scene Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

A psychotic Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) left alone in an empty warehouse with a half-dead Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) and a bound and gagged cop decides to commit a bit of the ol’ ultraviolence. Pulling a straight razor from one of his cowboy boots, Blonde gets ready to torture the officer for his own depraved amusement, but not before turning on a nearby radio and tuning it to “K-Billy’s Super Sounds of the ’70s.”

The cop looks on in terror as the smooth sounds of “Stuck in The Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel start to waft out of the radio. Blonde, feeling the groove, begins waving the straight razor around and dancing to the music. He taunts his prey a bit with a quick jab and a flick of the razor, slicing the officer high on the cheek. Then Blonde gets serious and sets to work severing the officer’s right ear.

The camera pans away, leaving the viewer to imagine the gruesome act being performed as Gerry Rafferty continues crooning in his best Bob Dylan voice. By the time the camera pans back, Blonde is holding the severed ear, speaking into it and making jokes as the cop sits bleeding from the hole where his ear used to be.

Blonde leaves his prisoner and the radio behind as he exits the warehouse to retrieve a can of gasoline from the trunk of his car. Upon reentering the warehouse, the music fades back in as he begins splashing gasoline all over the hemorrhaging police officer.

It’s a sick, twisted, tense five minutes of cinema made surreal by the inclusion of a fairly upbeat classic rock song in the background. It’s also one of the best uses of diegetic music in cinema. Knowing that Michael Madsen can hear the same music we can makes the scene that much worse. Tarantino makes us complicit in this horrible act by forcing us to share the same experience as the brutal monster committing it.

“Stuck in The Middle With You” is Effective Because It Perfectly Summarizes Quentin Tarantino’s Approach to Filmmaking

What makes “Stuck in The Middle With You” Tarantino’s most effective needle drop over, say, “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” from Kill Bill: Vol. 1, is the scene in which it’s used. “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” is a great piece of music, and the scene it accompanies in Kill Bill is equally great, but at the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of assassins walking down a hallway in slow motion.

It looks cool and pumps the viewer up, but it says nothing about the director or his art, the way the Reservoir Dogs scene does. That one scene is a perfect distillation of Quentin Tarantino’s filmmaking. Dark comedy plus golden oldies plus explosive violence equals movie magic.

It’s an equation Tarantino has employed to one degree or another in every one of his films. It’s Bruce Willis singing along to “Flowers on the Wall” by the Statler Brothers right before he steps on the gas and rams his car into Ving Rhames. It’s The Bride getting shot in the head right before “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) by Nancy Sinatra starts playing.

You could show that Reservoir Dogs scene to someone who’s never seen a single Tarantino film, and they would instantly “get” him. The scene works on both a narrative level and also as a metacommentary on the director himself. That’s why for us “Stuck in The Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel is the definitive Quentin Tarantino needle drop.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments!

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This 2025 Horror Film Is a Better Final Destination Than Every Final Destination Movie https://comicbook.com/movies/news/2025-horror-film-the-monkey-better-final-destination/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/2025-horror-film-the-monkey-better-final-destination/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:14:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1399295

2025 saw the return of the Final Destination franchise with Final Destination Bloodlines, which received the best reviews of the series and is now the highest-grossing film in the franchise. One would think this was the revitalization that Final Destination needed to continue, but there was another 2025 movie that sparked excitement for the series, […]

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2025 saw the return of the Final Destination franchise with Final Destination Bloodlines, which received the best reviews of the series and is now the highest-grossing film in the franchise. One would think this was the revitalization that Final Destination needed to continue, but there was another 2025 movie that sparked excitement for the series, and perhaps did it better than every Final Destination film before it. The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins and based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, explores the concept of horrific accidents, featuring Rube Goldberg-type deaths that unfold in both terrifying and hilarious ways.

Despite having a similar premise to the Final Destination films, its signature style and ability to tackle themes of life and death make it stand out among the popular series and surpass what makes that franchise so beloved. Perkins’s ability to find humanity in the bizarre moments makes The Monkey a must-watch for horror fans.

Why The Monkey Is Better Than Every Final Destination Movie

Something that the Final Destination films lack is a memorable visual style. Despite most of the entries being directed by a different person, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference in direction across the sequels. Osgood Perkins puts so much of his style into The Monkey, utilizing a wacky tone and wide angles, creating an experience that no other filmmaker could replicate. While the somewhat serious nature of the Final Destination movies have their charm, The Monkey takes it to a new level.

The Final Destination franchise sees death as an invisible force, The Monkey however puts a face to the evil. A monkey playing a small drum may seem like a silly gag, but when it winds up, the film becomes ten times more intense. The song that plays from the monkey also brings a tempo to the scene, giving the audience an uneasy feeling of what will happen next and who the victim will be. Having a physical embodiment of death seems like such an easy tactic to convey horror, but it is done so effectively by Perkins and the rest of the filmmaking team.

The Monkey uses the accidental deaths as a means of comedy. There are times in the Final Destination series where deaths are viewed as funny, including the piano kill in the opening of Final Destination Bloodlines, but for the most part, the audience is supposed to be scared of what’s happening on screen. The idea of an accidental death is funny in concept, and Perkins capitalizes on this in the most perfect ways. Whether it’s a swarm of bees flying into someone’s mouth or an electrical malfunction blowing someone up in a swimming pool, The Monkey comes up with ingenious ways to explore accidental deaths.

A Stronger Story and Empathetic Characters Make The Monkey Much Better Than Final Destination

Both The Monkey and the Final Destination films explore the idea of death being inevitable, but what sets The Monkey apart from its fellow horror film is its character progression. Every character in the Final Destination series lacks growth and development, only focusing on trying to survive by the end of the film. In The Monkey, the film focuses on Hal (Theo James), a man too afraid to live his life because of the death that looms over him. This makes for a compelling storyline to follow in a film about accidental deaths, making for a more emotional experience compared to the Final Destination films.

The Final Destination series has its fair share of acclaimed actors, including Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Tony Todd, who push their characters to new heights, but Theo James is much stronger with his work in The Monkey. Not only does he play an empathetic, middle-aged man perfectly, but he also plays the main antagonist and twin brother of Hal, Bill. James is able to differentiate the roles seamlessly, playing an egotistical maniac as well as a kind-hearted brother, simultaneously. It may not be an Oscar-worthy performance, but it drives the film’s emotional beats in highly satisfying ways.

Although the Final Destination franchise has lots to love, The Monkey is able to replicate the series’ best moments while doing something entirely refreshing with the concept. It may not be as scary, but its strong sense of style, characters, and story make for an overall stronger experience compared to anything the Final Destination has delivered so far, and it is a must-watch horror movie of 2025.

The Monkey is available to watch on Blu-ray and VOD.

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Zombie Movie Fans Need to Stream This 1985 Masterpiece (And You Can, For Free) https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zombie-movie-fans-lamberto-bava-demons-1985-streaming-free/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zombie-movie-fans-lamberto-bava-demons-1985-streaming-free/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:07:53 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1401562 Demons

The horror genre has historically been heavily influenced by the cinematic output of Italy. In fact, the giallo pictures of years past paved the way for the modern slasher film. These features are known for their depictions of graphic violence, the repeated use of misdirection, and surreal narratives that routinely prioritize artistic merit over logic. […]

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Demons

The horror genre has historically been heavily influenced by the cinematic output of Italy. In fact, the giallo pictures of years past paved the way for the modern slasher film. These features are known for their depictions of graphic violence, the repeated use of misdirection, and surreal narratives that routinely prioritize artistic merit over logic. While not a proper giallo, per se, Italian director Lamberto Bava’s supernatural zombie masterpiece Demons shares quite a bit of connective tissue with the giallo subgenre.

Demons features a similarly unhinged quality that makes the film a must-see for anyone who enjoys zombie pictures and appreciates a cinematic effort that shamelessly places style ahead of substance. If we haven’t sold you on it just yet, keep reading because there is a lot to love about this flick.

This Is Why Zombie Fans Need to Watch Demons

Demons is sometimes classified as a supernatural horror film but the truth is that it’s more accurately described as a hybrid between the possession and zombie sub-genres. The central antagonists here demonstrate plenty of characteristics oft associated with the cinema of the undead.

The central plague, which begins to spread at a special screening at an isolated movie theater, travels by way of bites and scratches, similar to standard zombie fare. However, Bava differentiates his film slightly by adding a supernatural component that keeps this from feeling like a complete rehash of that which we’ve seen prior. Further establishing this as a hybrid of supernatural cinema and zombie fare, the possessed within demonstrate an insatiable urge to spread the plague, much like the undead do in slightly more conventional zombie outings. As such, anyone who enjoys zombie movies will likely find plenty to appreciate about this 1985 effort.

To get the most out of this film and fully appreciate all that it has to offer, it’s important to keep an open mind. Italian horror has some noticeable differences compared to American genre fare. For some fans, Italian horror is something of an acquired taste. The acting is often less immersive; the dubbing is frequently atrocious; and the narratives are routinely secondary to stylistic flourishes. However, that is by design and becomes far less jarring once you learn the ropes.

Although unorthodox to some, the horror output of Italy has frequently influenced American filmmakers. In fact, many cinematic scholars posit that legendary director Mario Bava (father of Lamberto) established the baseline for the modern slasher film with his seminal effort A Bay of Blood. Though films like Demons may seem slightly less accessible to the uneducated, there is ample merit at play.

That’s right, many consider Demons a properly chilling effort featuring beautifully rendered set design, vibrant use of color, and gorgeous cinematography that gives the film an inviting quality squarely at odds with the subject matter. Despite the seemingly strange juxtaposition, the aesthetic distance works to engage the viewer, pulling them into the narrative.

Speaking of the narrative, the film wastes precious little time explaining itself, placing style ahead of story cohesion at nearly every turn. Demons can loosely be summed up as a film about a group of theatergoers who attend a special screening in Berlin only to learn that a they are trapped inside the cinema with a central evil at play. An evil that quickly begins possessing the patrons and spreading like wildfire.

The evil within manifests in a number of unexpected ways with frequently amusing results. One especially memorable scene sees George (Urbano Barberini), one of the core characters, driving a motorcycle through the theater while wielding a samurai sword (and using it to decapitate the infected). The aforementioned scene goes down as one of the most delightfully unhinged moments in ‘80s horror.

So, there you have it. If you’re in the mood for a delightfully unhinged zombie picture from the ‘80s, you can find Demons streaming on Tubi. Keep in mind that Italian horror is different from Stateside fare, but also remember that this is trailblazing cinema that is equal parts jarring and beautiful.

Do you plan to check out Demons in the near future? If so, make sure to hit us up in the comments section and let us know.

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Why the Most Hated Chucky Movie Is Actually the Best https://comicbook.com/movies/news/seed-of-chucky-worst-childs-play-movie-actually-the-best/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/seed-of-chucky-worst-childs-play-movie-actually-the-best/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:43:01 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1398004

The Child’s Play franchise pushes the limits of what a toy-turned-serial killer story looks like. From romantic relationships to technological advancements, the series continues to devise new and inventive ways to stay fresh, making it a beloved favorite among fans. Although many of the films are enjoyed by fans, critics have not always been keen […]

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The Child’s Play franchise pushes the limits of what a toy-turned-serial killer story looks like. From romantic relationships to technological advancements, the series continues to devise new and inventive ways to stay fresh, making it a beloved favorite among fans. Although many of the films are enjoyed by fans, critics have not always been keen on them. Seed of Chucky is one that both critics and audiences find themselves liking the least, holding the worst IMDb score in the series, as well as one of the lowest audience scores on Letterboxd and Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s silly nature, as well as its new direction in the story, divided audiences in ways the other Child’s Play films have not.

Despite the lackluster reception, the film takes everything that is great about the franchise and turns it into the best film in the series. Whether it’s the unique take on sexuality or the balls-to-the-wall storyline, Seed of Chucky does so much to stand out among the seven other films in the series.

Why Seed of Chucky Is the Best Child’s Play Movie

The big reason why Seed of Chucky stands tall among the other entries in the franchise is the inclusion of Glen, voiced by Billy Boyd. Not only does Boyd put on a relentlessly entertaining performance, but the character of Glen adds much nuance to the series that was not present before. The Child’s Play franchise rarely ever tries to promote a message, solely focusing on entertainment. Seed of Chucky successfully manages to do both, touching upon ideas of legacy and sexuality through the lens of a doll struggling to make their parents proud while also providing silly entertainment for the casual fan.

Glen’s split personality fits perfectly with the themes of identity and sexuality explored in the film. The aggressive nature of their counterpart, Glenda, makes for a compelling antagonist as it expresses Glen’s anger with himself.

Not only do they act as external representations of Glen’s internal issues of gender, but they also express director Don Mancini’s journey toward the film. After crafting the script for the past four films, Seed of Chucky sees Mancini’s first time in the director’s chair. Mancini could only do so much in the screenplay, but being the director gave him full creative freedom. This parallels Glen’s arc to a tee as he struggles to express his full self, making for an introspective experience unlike anything the series has put out so far.

The film also has an incredible sense of humor. Despite tackling serious issues of identity, the film is not afraid to get silly. The banter between Tiffany and Chucky has always been one of the standout elements of the series. Still, their back and forth in Seed of Chucky is easily the funniest, with Chucky’s hatred toward Glen providing for many of the film’s standout moments. There are also many moments of convenience for the characters when they deal with a conflict, and the movie plays it as a punchline of a joke in the most perfect manner.

One of the big complaints about Seed of Chucky is its visual effects. The visual effects are not as strong as they should be, but it is done purposefully. Similar to Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker, the visual effects add a charm to the film that didn’t exist in previous entries. As other entries attempted to hone in on the horror side, Seed of Chucky is very interested in finding new ways to entertain the audience, and it does so in the most successful way possible.

The film has some elements of horror, but it mostly plays as a satirical comedy. Having a toy turn into a serial killer is scary on the surface, but it can only go so far, and Seed of Chucky completely understands this. By shifting to a different genre, the film can find new and inventive ways to carry on this decade-spanning franchise.

The Ambition and Violence of Seed of Chucky Makes it a Necessary Watch for Movie Fans

Even without the genre shifts, Seed of Chucky is easily the most ambitious project of the franchise. Not only does Jennifer Tilly return as Chucky’s wife, Tiffany, but she also plays herself in the film. Playing dual roles, especially when one character is herself, almost always leads to failure, but Tilly’s ability to jump between roles makes for an extremely fun and unpredictable experience that contributes to the film’s metacommentary on identity.

Like most horror franchises, one of the big draws of the Child’s Play series is its kills, and Seed of Chucky fully delivers. From sulfuric acid to wire decapitations, there are tons of fun kills that will leave audiences satisfied. They may not be on any all-time great kills list, but they serve the movie in the best way possible.

Seed of Chucky may not be as well-received as other films in the franchise, but its ability to take the series in a new direction, as well as its thematically dense look at identity, makes for a worthwhile experience that stands tall above the other entries. With a new Chucky movie on the way, it’s a crime that the series failed to bring back the humor and entertainment of this film, as there is truly nothing else like it, even outside the horror genre.

Seed of Chucky is available to stream on Peacock.

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X-Men Fan Art Gives A Game Of Thrones Star Justice 14 Years After the MCU Wasted Her https://comicbook.com/movies/news/x-men-fan-art-mcu-natalie-dormer-emma-frost/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/x-men-fan-art-mcu-natalie-dormer-emma-frost/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:39:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1397117

14 years after she made a cameo appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger, Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer has now been imagined as iconic X-Men hero Emma Frost, who deserves redemption in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. English actor Dormer starred as Margaery Tyrell in 26 episodes of Game of Thrones between 2012 and […]

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14 years after she made a cameo appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger, Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer has now been imagined as iconic X-Men hero Emma Frost, who deserves redemption in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. English actor Dormer starred as Margaery Tyrell in 26 episodes of Game of Thrones between 2012 and 2016, but, a year prior, she made her debut in the MCU. She was wasted by Marvel Studios, however, but there’s still a chance she could get justice, especially if she is recast as Emma Frost in the MCU’s upcoming X-Men reboot.

This casting choice has been imagined in fan art shared by @70.6ix on Instagram, showing off how perfect Natalie Dormer would be as Emma Frost, and bringing the villain-turned-hero’s trademark keen eye for fashion to life. Since her appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger, Dormer has become a much more renowned star, appearing not only in Game of Thrones, but also in The Hunger Games, In Darkness, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and more. Dormer has proven her talent time and again, and she’d excel as Emma Frost.

Back in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, Natalie Dormer appeared as “Private Lorraine.” She met Steve Rogers’ Captain America (Chris Evans) after his first experience on the front line – in which he saved hundreds of men. On behalf of all the wives in America, Lorraine kissed Rogers, much to the shock of Rogers and the chagrin of Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Lorraine was never seen again, which meant that Natalie Dormer was relegated to just the very small role of the briefest romantic interest in the MCU, which is far less than she deserves.

Her role of film director Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I and II showed off more of Dormer’s action skills, while her long-running for of prospective Queen in Game of Thrones delivered some other qualities that are reminiscent of Emma Frost. Most notably, Frost’s sense of fashion, commanding personality, and seductive temperament were displayed repeatedly in Margaery Tyrell. @70.6ix’s fan art proves that Dormer has the perfect look for Emma Frost, and an actor of this caliber is just what the character needs.

Emma Frost has previously been played by Finola Hughes, Tahyna MacManus, and January Jones, but none of these interpretations captured entirely what makes the character so brilliant. Generation X’s Frost was perhaps the most comic-accurate depiction, while MacManus’ incarnation wasn’t even named “Emma Frost,” and Jones’ version was dull and lifeless. In Marvel Comics, Frost, who starts as a villain, eventually ends up leading her own X-Men team as a hero, and Natalie Dormer is the perfect candidate to bring her whole story to life in the MCU.

Do you want to see Natalie Dormer debut as Emma Frost in the MCU? Let us know in the comments!

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Sonic the Hedgehog Leaks Show More of Sonic’s Scrapped Movie Design https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-leak-ugly-sonic-scrapped-movie-design/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-leak-ugly-sonic-scrapped-movie-design/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:37:31 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405012

In 2019, Paramount revealed the first trailer for the company’s live-action adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog. The reaction was universally negative, with fans old and new alike dumbfounded by the character’s design. The reaction was so bad that Paramount decided to completely redesign Sonic, giving him a new look that more closely resembled his appearance […]

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In 2019, Paramount revealed the first trailer for the company’s live-action adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog. The reaction was universally negative, with fans old and new alike dumbfounded by the character’s design. The reaction was so bad that Paramount decided to completely redesign Sonic, giving him a new look that more closely resembled his appearance in the Sega video games. More than five years after the first movie’s release, screen grabs of test footage featuring the original design have leaked online. These new images come from a poster on X/Twitter by the user name Doctor Caboose. This user apparently obtained the images through “my old job with a company that no longer exists.”

Based on that description, some assume that Doctor Caboose may have worked at Moving Picture Company, a Vancouver based studio that closed back in 2019. Moving Picture Company worked on the redesign for Sonic the Hedgehog before closing down. That would help to explain how this person gained access to early CGI material that would otherwise be pretty tough to obtain. In addition to the screen grabs, Doctor Caboose claims to still have the full video as well, and has plans of sharing it, “but I have to edit out any personal/identifying information first.” The first post in the X/Twitter thread can be found right here.

the “ugly sonic” design as it appeared in the movie’s first trailer

In the screen grabs, fans can see early takes on several key scenes from the movie. One image shows Sonic alongside the owl Longclaw, while another shows him riding in Tom Wachowski’s car. The thread also offers a very early look at the mushroom planet where Doctor Robotnik finds himself stranded at the end of the movie. For anyone that has watched the original Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s easy to see where all of these moments fit in, though the take on the titular character is different than what showed up in the finished movie.

The screen grabs offer a compelling look at what could have been. It’s impossible to say how things might have played out had Paramount and Sega stuck to the initial Sonic the Hedgehog design, rather than going back to the drawing board. However, many fans have assumed that the series would not have proven as popular as it has. These days, the original Sonic movie design has become a punchline; “ugly Sonic” even appeared as a major character in the 2022 Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie, where he was voiced by Tim Robinson.

Following the redesign, Sonic the Hedgehog went on to gross more than $320 million at the global box office. The movie proved so successful that it spawned two sequels and a live-action spin-off series on Paramount+. A fourth movie is currently in production, and is set to be released in 2027.

Are you happy to see these early production images from the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie? Do you think the movie would have been a success with the original design? Share your thoughts with me directly on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

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Every Live-Action Version Of The Joker, Ranked https://comicbook.com/movies/news/joker-live-action-movies-tv-shows-ranked/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/joker-live-action-movies-tv-shows-ranked/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 18:45:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1398821 live Action Joker Actors

There’s no denying that the Joker is one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time. The arch-nemesis of Batman has become one of the most popular and consistently adapted villains in pop culture, making him incredibly well-represented among the ranks of comic book characters. Unlike many other characters, the Joker has consistently […]

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live Action Joker Actors

There’s no denying that the Joker is one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time. The arch-nemesis of Batman has become one of the most popular and consistently adapted villains in pop culture, making him incredibly well-represented among the ranks of comic book characters. Unlike many other characters, the Joker has consistently remained an integral figure in various DC universes and continuities, further evidencing his importance within the wider world of comic book adaptations. This has seen the Joker become one of the best movie villains of all time, with each new iteration of the character adding something to the ever-growing mythos surrounding him.

With each new version of the Joker, there comes a whole new layer to the character. Each independent adaptation seeks to explore another facet of the villain, with stylistic variety often playing a major role. This has seen some live-action versions of the Joker fare far better than others, with only the very best becoming a respected part of the villain’s history.

10) Nathan Dashwood 

Nathan Dashwood as the Joker in Batwoman in the Arrowverse

Airing on The CW, Batwoman proved to be a popular but relatively short-lived part of the expansive continuity of the Arrowverse. It put a unique spin on the stories that ypically involve Gotham by focusing not on its most famous hero, Batman, but his successor, Kate Kane, who becomes the eponymous Batwoman in his absence. The majority of the show’s Batman-related stories and characters – including the Joker – were in Batwoman’s past, but the villain was shown very briefly in a flashback scene.

The scene in question doesn’t clearly show the Joker, as it’s told from the perspective of one of his victims, but Nathan Dashwood played the role in the flashback. As he’s not properly shown and doesn’t personally play a particularly important role in the show, it’s not an entertaining or even an interesting use of the character. That sadly makes Dashwood’s Joker the worst live-action iteration of the villain, if only because he doesn’t have a chance to do anything to set him apart from other versions of the character.

9) Roger Stoneburner/Mark Hamill

Roger Stoneburner as the Joker in Birds of Prey

Another short-lived show focused on the adventures of some of the female characters of the Batman mythos was 2002’s Birds of Prey. The show followed Oracle, Huntress, and Black Canary as they team up to protect Gotham after Batman leaves the city behind. It aired for only 13 episodes over a single season, meaning it didn’t have much time to adapt other figures from the DC Universe. However, it did briefly feature a cameo from the Joker.

Birds of Prey‘s pilot episode includes the villain as part of Oracle’s origin story: loosely following the narrative of The Killing Joke, the Joker is shown shooting Barbara Gordon in the spine, ending her career as Batgirl. His brief appearance saw him played physically by Roger Stoneburner, whose performance was unremarkable. However, the only thing that makes Birds of Prey’s Joker more noteworthy was Mark Hamill’s vocal performance. Reprising his role as the Joker from Batman: The Animated Series, Hamill’s inclusion is enough to give even Birds of Prey‘s uninspired Joker a little more substance.

8) Curtis Armstrong 

Curtis Armstrong as the Joker in an OnStar commercial

Though this version of the Joker has been forgotten by most and dismissed by many others, it is an adaptation of the villain that made it into live-action. As part of a series of commercials for OnStar in-vehicle security, several Batman characters were adapted, including the Joker. This version of the villain was played by Curtis Armstrong, best known for his role as Booger in the Revenge of the Nerds franchise or from his extensive body of work as a character actor.

Despite not featuring in a more traditional form of major release, Curtis Armstrong’s Joker was surprisingly good. The use of a comic-accurate design was a nice touch, as was showing the villain in direct conflict with Batman. Armstrong’s very brief tenure in the role was unexpectedly impressive, honoring the source material and also delivering an iteration of the Joker that was far better than it needed to be for the purposes of a simple commercial.

7) Jared Leto 

Jared Leto as the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016)

The movies of the DCEU proved to be largely divisive, and the same can be said of many of the franchise’s characters. Though the live-action continuity ultimately came to a disappointing end, it was able to introduce several important DC characters, including the Joker, to its ranks. Unfortunately, Jared Leto’s version of the villain was not up to scratch, leaving many fans feeling disappointed with many aspects of the character.

Considering the scope of the DCEU, hopes were high for Leto’s version of the villain, but his Joker did not impress. Leto’s Joker felt as though it leaned more into a gimmick than it seemed to be a dangerous persona, making the DCEU’s take on the character feel cheap and lacking in substance. Combined with limited screen time and unnecessary shock-inducing explicit dialogue, Leto’s Joker stands out as one of the worst attempts to fully adapt the villain into live-action.

6) Barry Keoghan 

Barry Keoghan as the Joker in The Batman (2022)

2022 saw Matt Reeves introduce a whole new take on Gotham to the big screen in The Batman. After featuring several prominent DC characters, the movie’s final shocking reveal was that Barry Keoghan was The Batman‘s Joker, establishing the character’s existence in the continuity and teasing his future in the franchise. However, he’s not really shown as much as he is heard, and even the deleted scene that featured Keoghan’s Joker more heavily gave very little away about him.

What makes Keoghan’s Joker interesting is the mystery surrounding him. It has been loosely established that he has prior experience of Batman by the time The Batman‘s story unfolds, but little else has been revealed about Keoghan’s version of the character. Until the character is fully introduced and better explore, the mystery surrounding him will have to suffice to make him an interesting and exciting take on the beloved Batman villain.

5) Cameron Monaghan

Cameron Monaghan as Jerome Valeska in Gotham

Though Gotham is far from the most popular adaptation of the Batman mythos, it did boast an innovative take on several of its characters. The DC TV series following the career of a young James Gordon saw many supporting Batman characters and villains adapted to the small screen, including the Joker, after a fashion. Appearing as both Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska, Cameron Monaghan took on the role intended as a representation of Batman’s most iconic villain.

Though neither of the Valeska twins are specifically named as the Joker during Gotham’s run, it was always clear that the characters were intended to draw from the character. By splitting the villain into two distinct characters, Gotham allowed Monaghan’s performance to explore different sides of the villain’s pysche. Divisive though the idea might have been, Cameron Monaghan proved up to the task, and delivered an insighftul and electrifying performance in the dual role.

4) Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019)

Were it not for the poor reviews of Joker: Folie À Deux, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance might be better considered in comparison to other live-action Jokers. Phoenix first took on the role for 2019’s Joker, bagging himself an Oscar for his nuanced portrayal of Arthur Fleck in an origin story for the titular villain. However, reprising the role for its musical sequel in 2024 turned out to be a poor choice, as the movie failed to impress critics and audiences.

Nonetheless, Phoenix’s performance as the Joker has many excellent moments. The portrayal of the Joker as a man living with severe mental illness proved an insightful and challenging examination of the character, taking a surprisingly thoughtful approach to the iconic villain. Phoenix brings a poetic physicality to the role that is offset by his unpredictably violent nature, making his version of the character an explosive and hugely entertaining adaptation.

3) Cesar Romero

Cesar Romero as the Joker in Batman (1966)

As the first true live-action Joker, Cesar Romero holds a special place in the hearts of many. Appearing in the role in the 1966 Batman movie and the TV series of the same name, Romero’s tenure in the role speaks for itself. Despite many decades passing since he last featured as the Joker, Romero’s performance has continued to define the character in many ways, making it an influential and timeless iteration of the villain.

Romero’s Joker is perfect for the movies and TV show he appears in. He fits the tone exceptionally well, bringing the character to life with a wacky brand of villainy that makes use of the Joker’s clown-like tendencies and often humorous pursuits. Regardless of the more light-hearted tone, Romero is able to make his Joker a true villain, balancing his performance between the source material and the family-friendly nature of his appearances.

2) Jack Nicholson 

Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s 1989 movie Batman was a seminal film in the superhero genre, and its influential nature extends to its version of the Joker. The movie established an origin story for the villain, with Jack Nicholson brought in to deliver the complex blend of comedy, tragedy, and outright evil necessary to adequately bring the character of the Joker to life. Nicholson’s performance did just that, making his Joker a reference point against which the character was measured for many years afterward.

Nicholson’s Joker is a dark, calculating figure whose exposure to chemicals causes a clown-like appearance and comedy-based approach to his criminal pursuits. In other words, he perfectly fits the traditional characterization of the Joker, including his use of various joke-based gadgets and visual gags. Perhaps the most comic-accurate version of the villain ever to grace the screen, Jack Nicholson’s Joker remains one of the best of all time.

1) Heath Ledger 

Heath Ledger as the Joker clapping in The Dark Knight (2008)

As well as featuring many great quotes, The Dark Knight trilogy also featured some excellent reimaginings of Batman villains. Among the entirety of the celebrated trilogy’s characters, none stand out as obviously as the Joker, played in 2008’s The Dark Knight by the late Heath Ledger. Praised as one of the finest movie villain performances of all time, Ledger’s Joker is truly exceptional in a number of ways, making him the best iteration of the character in live-action.

Ledger’s performance as the Joker is electric and hypnotic throughout, with his dark charisma only lightly overshadowed by his terrifying volatility and surprisingly clever nature. The triumph is both in Ledger’s exceptional performance and the creative vision required to reimagine the Joker so thoroughly. The Dark Knight‘s version of the villain completely redefined the Joker in the modern era, making him a dark and dangerous villain and focusing far less on gimmicks. As such, Ledger’s Joker is simply the best version of the character as yet adapted into live-action.

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5 Great Movies to Watch This Weekend Before They Leave Netflix https://comicbook.com/movies/news/great-movies-leaving-netflix-dune-kevin-costner/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/great-movies-leaving-netflix-dune-kevin-costner/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 18:25:19 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1404025 Netflix logo

Like with any streaming service, movies on Netflix don’t stay on Netflix forever. These days, even streamers’ original content isn’t guaranteed to stay on there forever, much less remain their exclusive content. As June 2025 comes to a close, it’s now time to welcome new content to Netflix, but it’s also time to say goodbye […]

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Netflix logo

Like with any streaming service, movies on Netflix don’t stay on Netflix forever. These days, even streamers’ original content isn’t guaranteed to stay on there forever, much less remain their exclusive content. As June 2025 comes to a close, it’s now time to welcome new content to Netflix, but it’s also time to say goodbye to some choice content, too. The following movies are ones Netflix subscribers should check out before they make their way through the exit door. Or perhaps you’ve seen them already. If you were planning on a rewatch night, now would be the time.

We’ve tried to pick out the best from multiple genres. There’s a fantastic rom-com, a sports romance, a medical drama, a modern sci-fi classic, and a ’90s horror classic worth seeing before the legacy sequel hits theaters soon. Which are you going to pick for movie night?

1) Crazy, Stupid, Love.

image courtesy of warner bros. pictures

One of the best romantic comedies of the 21st century, Crazy, Stupid, Love. tells the story of Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), a middle-aged man whose marriage has fallen apart. His wife has been cheating on him with his boss, and the devastated Cal has been rotting in his new tiny apartment.

He gets back out on the dating scene courtesy of the intervention of the charming younger Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). What Cal doesn’t know is that the womanizing Palmer has been dating someone new: Cal’s daughter.

2) Awakenings

image courtesy of columbia pictures

Schindler’s List writer Steven Zaillian is no stranger to penning moving material, and the Robert De Niro and Robin Williams fronted Awakenings is no different. The film follows’ Williams Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a neurologist who administers an experimental drug to catatonic patients.

De Niro plays one of those patients, Leonard Lowe. Like the others, Lowe has essentially been brought back to full consciousness, and now he must adapt to a world that seemingly left him behind.

3) I Know What You Did Last Summer

image courtesy of columbia pictures

Considering the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot is right around the corner, there’s no better time to meet Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Julie James and Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Ray Bronson in the 1997 original film. For any Scream fans, this is a must-watch. After all, it was penned by Kevin Williamson, who wrote Scream, Scream 2, Scream 4, and will be directing the upcoming Scream 7.

It’s not as scary as the Ghostface movies, but it is similarly well-cast. Ryan Phillippe played a few fantastic jerks in the ’90s, and his Barry Cox may be the “best” of the bunch. Furthermore, Ben Willis AKA the Fisherman is a very solid antagonist, and it will be interesting to see how the 2025 film continues that character. Just avoid I Still Know What You Did Last Summer at all costs…it’s rougher than a stormy night in the Caribbean.

4) Draft Day

image courtesy of lionsgate

The final film by Ghostbusters and Stripes director Ivan Reitman, Draft Day is a football movie that should appeal to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. It’s essentially Moneyball with rom-com leanings.

Kevin Costner plays Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr., who is hoping to draft a much talked about quarterback onto the team. But when he finds out the quarterback’s personal life and willingness to be a part of a team aren’t as glamorized as the press or fans are making them out to be, he decides to go in a different direction. This leads to a lot of pushback from the Browns’ coach and owner, but Sonny has to go with his gut.

5) Dune: Part Two

image courtesy of warner bros. pictures

One of the best sci-fi movie sequels ever made, Dune: Part Two (from soon-to-be 007 director Denis Villeneuve) is a visually stunning and thematically poignant modern classic. Watching it on the small screen isn’t quite the same as in theaters, but even still, you still have a chance to catch up with the story of Paul Atreides on Netflix.

Part Two benefits from everything the first film did, but it also brings in some very well-cast talent, including Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. The only newcomer who is underutilized is Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, but that’s a relatively small sin in such an epic film.

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10 Best Sci-fi Movie Sequels Ranked https://comicbook.com/movies/news/best-sci-fi-movies-sequels-ranked-list-empire-strikes-back/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/best-sci-fi-movies-sequels-ranked-list-empire-strikes-back/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 18:05:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1398911 Three of the best sci-fi sequels ever made

Science fiction is one of the most successful movie genres of all time, boasting many of Hollywood’s most iconic films. Films like Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Alien — all highly regarded by cinephiles as classics of the highest magnitude. So it should be no surprise that many of the best sequels ever […]

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Three of the best sci-fi sequels ever made

Science fiction is one of the most successful movie genres of all time, boasting many of Hollywood’s most iconic films. Films like Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Alien — all highly regarded by cinephiles as classics of the highest magnitude. So it should be no surprise that many of the best sequels ever made also happen to be sci-fi. Sequels that expand the scope of their predecessors and explore worlds only hinted at in the originals. Follow-ups that flesh out the lore of the first movie while adding to it in new and meaningful ways.

We’ve put together a list of what we consider the greatest sci-fi sequels ever captured on film. Some of these sequels take the original and flip it on its head. Some stick to an already established formula but do it bigger and better than the previous film. But one thing all these sequels share is a commitment to telling an incredible story rooted in science fiction. Without further ado, here are the 10 best sci-fi movie sequels, ranked.

10) Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Marty McFly with Hoverboard

No sequel on this list has benefited from the passage of time more than Back to the Future Part II — appropriate considering the subject matter. Today, the second Back to the Future is regarded by fans as a worthy follow-up to Doc and Marty’s first adventure, with some going as far as preferring it to the original. Those of us old enough to remember when the movie came out, however, remember just how disappointed fans were with what was then seen as an overstuffed, confusing, jumbled-up mess of a story.

Thankfully, as time passed, audiences began to see Back to the Future Part II for what it really was: an ambitious time-travel epic with a dense narrative that rewards viewers for paying attention — and hoverboards.

9) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Caesar in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes may have resurrected the dormant Planet of the Apes series, but it was Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that took that franchise and elevated it to the level of a Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. Years before Matt Reeves redefined the Caped Crusader with The Batman, he cemented ape leader Caesar’s place in the pantheon of great sci-fi protagonists.

With Caesar, Reeves and actor Andy Serkis took what could have been just another generic CGI puppet and turned it into a living, breathing protagonist. Thanks to Serkis’s uncanny ability to bring digital characters to life, you can actually feel the weight on Caesar’s shoulders as he attempts to keep an uneasy peace between humans and apes.

8) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 group photo

If James Gunn uses his films as an expensive form of therapy, like some fans have speculated, then Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the director working his way through some serious daddy issues. While GOTG Vol. 2 is still wrapped in the same explosive action and CGI hustle and bustle that defines most Marvel movies, at its core, it’s a film about fathers and sons.

In this phenomenal sequel, Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill is forced to choose between his biological father, Ego, a godlike being who seeded the universe with his DNA in an attempt to create the perfect heir, and his surrogate dad, Yondu, whose gruff exterior and heart of gold molded Quill into the man he is today. If you’ve never cried at the end of a Marvel movie, this is the perfect place to start.

7) The Road Warrior (1981)

Mad Max from The Road Warrior

It was hard choosing between The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Fury Road. Both are extraordinary feats of filmmaking that represent the very best of dystopian sci-fi. But at the end of the day, even if The Road Warrior isn’t the better film, it’s definitely the better sequel. While the Mad Max franchise is set up with very little connective tissue to allow viewers to take each installment on its own merits, Road Warrior — more than any of the other Mad Max films — is most effective when viewed after its predecessor.

The original Mad Max ends with Mel Gibson’s Max Rockatansky driven over the edge and forced to become just as unforgiving as the post-apocalyptic desert he inhabits to survive. The Road Warrior lets us know that everyone else followed Max off the deep end. The first movie presents a society that’s just starting to unravel, but by the time The Road Warrior picks up, it’s become a fully fleshed-out dystopian wasteland. If you’ve ever wondered where Fallout got its aesthetic, this is the movie for you.

6) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Khan Noonien Singh

When Star Trek first made the leap from TV to the big screen it was perhaps too faithful to the source material. Star Trek: The Motion Picture was expensive, moved at a snail’s pace, and, thanks to a cerebral sci-fi plot devoid of any action, boring as hell. As a result, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was given a mandate to be faster paced, cheaper, and more exciting. It excelled at all three.

Made for only $11 million — a fraction of its predecessor’s budget of $45 million — Wrath of Khan grossed nearly 10 times that. Bolstered by career-high performances from William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Ricardo Montalban, Star Trek II is the pinnacle of the franchise’s theatrical outings.

5) Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Joi and K

Beautiful visuals and thought-provoking themes collide in Blade Runner 2049, Denis Villeneuve’s epic sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic. One of two Villeneuve joints on this list, Blade Runner 2049 is a Hollywood anomaly: a film with a tentpole budget and indie sensibilities. Instead of giving Warner Bros. the sci-fi blockbuster they hoped for, Villeneuve created a neo-noir mystery that continues the original’s exploration of identity and what it means to be human.

Blade Runner 2049 is the rare legacy sequel that doesn’t retread old ground for cheap nostalgia, but instead takes the world established by its predecessor and redefines it in new and intriguing ways.

4) Aliens (1986)

Ripley holding Newt

It’s a film lovers’ debate as old as time: which movie is better, Alien or Aliens? The question is a bit disingenuous because comparing the two movies is like comparing apples to oranges. They’re both sci-fi classics, but one is a bleak, late ’70s horror movie and the other is an ’80s action extravaganza. When it came time to make a sequel to Alien, James Cameron made a smart move. Instead of simply rehashing Alien, he took Aliens in a completely different direction without sacrificing the cool techno-organic aesthetic that made the first movie so unique.

The result is a thrilling roller coaster ride of a film that laid out the blueprint for practically every space-themed first-person shooter in existence.

3) Dune: Part Two (2024)

Paul Atreides

Dune: Part One was a cinematic triumph. A beloved sci-fi novel with two prior adaptations was finally done right by the king of thoughtful science fiction epics. Continuing where the first film ended, Dune: Part Two follows an exiled Paul Atreides as he rises among the ranks of the Fremen people, becoming a messianic figure in the process.

With Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve upped his game, delivering a sequel that was somehow even more visually stunning than the already breathtaking Part One. With the achievement, he cemented himself as one of the most talented directors working today.

2) Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

T-800 holding shotgun

James Cameron took a different approach to the sequel to 1984’s The Terminator than he did with Aliens. Instead of taking the story in a new direction, Terminator 2: Judgement Day is basically a remake of the first Terminator with more explosions and bigger guns.

While that may sound like a dig at Cameron, it’s not. If anything, it’s a testament to his keen filmmaking instincts. The director knew that the formula he laid out in The Terminator was solid, but with a few tweaks, it could be even better. The result is one of the best sequels — sci-fi or otherwise — ever made.

1) Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Empire Strikes Back poster art

Let’s be honest. The only way Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back wouldn’t be at the top of this list is if we were trying to intentionally rage-bait our readers. Without hyperbole, The Empire Strikes Back is the reason that Star Wars is still popular today. Star Wars: A New Hope could have easily been a fluke, a one-off blockbuster like Jaws, followed by a string of inferior sequels.

Instead, The Empire Strikes Back took everything good about its predecessor and expanded upon it. Luke, Leia, and Han gained a new level of depth, while The Battle of Hoth proved that Industrial Light & Magic could work its special effects magic just as well planetside as it did in the far reaches of space. New characters like Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett added a shade of grey to the previous film’s black and white universe, while Yoda was brought in to better define the Force.

The Empire Strikes Back cemented Star Wars as a legitimate franchise and helped make it one of the most successful IPs ever.

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Vin Diesel Insisted Brian Returns For The Final Fast & Furious Movie, 12 Years After Paul Walker’s Death https://comicbook.com/movies/news/vin-diesel-insisted-brian-returns-final-fast-furious-movie-paul-walker-death/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/vin-diesel-insisted-brian-returns-final-fast-furious-movie-paul-walker-death/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:54:33 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405060

Vin Diesel dropped a few major announcements about the next Fast & Furious movie this weekend, starting with its projected release date — April of 2027. Diesel shared the news himself, speaking directly to a crowd of fans at Fuel Fest 2025. He said that in negotiations with the studio, Universal, he had insisted on […]

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Vin Diesel dropped a few major announcements about the next Fast & Furious movie this weekend, starting with its projected release date — April of 2027. Diesel shared the news himself, speaking directly to a crowd of fans at Fuel Fest 2025. He said that in negotiations with the studio, Universal, he had insisted on three things for this franchise finale. First, it must return to Los Angeles, and second, it must return to its core focus on the street-racing subculture. Lastly, Diesel said that the final movie would reunite his character Dom Torretto with the other main character, Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker). Walker passed away during the filming of Furious 7 back in 2013, so it’s unclear how he will appear in this final movie.

Diesel appeared to be as confident and in-control as Dom Torretto at his own hometown car show, Race Wars. Videos from Fuel Fest showed him explaining his deal with Universal to the crowd, pausing for occasional bouts of cheering. None of these announcements are too surprising, and all of them have been discussed among fans for years. The biggest question mark is how exactly Brian will appear, and many commenters are already nervous about how he will look.

Walker died in a car crash in 2013, when his filming for Furious 7 was nearly completed. The movie was finished with the help of his two brothers, who posed as stand-ins for him in all the remaining shots. Walker’s face was then digitally grafted onto them. Rather than writing the character off, the series has continued with Brian always in the background, unable to join each mission but not far away, either.

Diesel is an active producer on the Fast Saga movies as well as a star, and he and his colleagues have often hinted that they would put Brian back on the screen somehow. For the most part, fans and critics have assumed that they will do so with more body doubles and CGI, but there’s also the possibility he will be recast as well. However, as studios have embraced digital rendering and de-aging more and more, it seems likely that Brian’s farewell will feature Walker’s familiar face.

As for the return to L.A. and street-racing subculture, this is something Diesel and fans have talked about for years as well. The franchise got a breath of new life in 2009 when it pivoted to outlaw crime drama, and since then it has strayed far into the realm of spy thriller and even science fiction. Ending the series more simply is a choice that will please many fans, especially as the planned spinoffs can continue to go in any directions they want.

The next Fast Saga movie — tentatively titled Fast X Part 2 — is now slated for release in April of 2027. Previous movies are scattered across multiple streamers at the time of this writing, but most of them are on Netflix, including the first three consecutive titles.

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One of the Best Horror Movies of 2024 Now Streaming on Prime Video https://comicbook.com/movies/news/prime-video-new-movies-horror-nosferatu-streaming/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/prime-video-new-movies-horror-nosferatu-streaming/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:19:22 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405181

Amazon’s Prime Video service has become the go-to streaming option for a lot of movie fans, and those viewers got a great boost for their watchlists this weekend. Prime Video gets most of theatrically released movies from Paramount and Universal after the exclusive first windows on their respective services. That deal brought another big title […]

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Amazon’s Prime Video service has become the go-to streaming option for a lot of movie fans, and those viewers got a great boost for their watchlists this weekend. Prime Video gets most of theatrically released movies from Paramount and Universal after the exclusive first windows on their respective services. That deal brought another big title to Prime on Friday, with a horror hit from Universal coming to Amazon and quickly becoming one of the service’s most popular films.

The movie in question is Nosferatu, the vampire remake from Robert Eggers that launched in theaters back in December. After opening to incredible acclaim from critics, and on the back of several consecutive fan-favorites from Eggers, Nosferatu went on to make more than $180 million at the box office.

Like all Universal movies, Nosferatu first went to Peacock for an exclusive run when it hit streaming. That exclusive window came to a close last week, allowing Nosferatu to make the leap to Prime Video.

In addition to being a new take on an iconic horror story, Nosferatu also had the added benefit of an absolutely killer cast. Lily-Rose Depp stars in the film as Ellen Hutter, with Nicholas Hoult co-starring as her husband, Thomas Hutter, and Bill Skarsgård taking on the role of the menacing Count Orlok.

Coming Soon to Prime Video

Nosferatu is the biggest and most recent film to hit Amazon’s streaming lineup, but the service has a lot more in store in the coming week. With the start of the month of July, Prime Video will be adding dozens of new films to its roster. Rocky, Mad Max, Robocop, and The Usual Suspects are all among the titles set to hit Prime on Tuesday.

You can check out the full lineup of Prime Video’s July 1st additions below.

2 Fast 2 Furious
A Bridge Too Far
A Fish Called Wanda
Baby Boom
Back to School
Bandits
Blown Away
Blue Crush
Blue Velvet
Colors
Creed II
Death Warrant

Double Impact
Dressed to Kill
Duck Soup
Every Day
Fast & Furious 6
Fast Five
Fiddler On the Roof
Gladiator
Hart’s War
Hidden Figures
Hoodlum
How to Train Your Dragon 2
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Into The Blue
Into The Blue 2: The Reef
It Came from Outer Space
K-PAX

Leaving Las Vegas
Licorice Pizza
Little Fockers
Little Man
Mad Max
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Mystic Pizza
No Country for Old Men
No Way Out
Only Lovers Left Alive

Paths Of Glory
Rings
Robocop
(1987)
Robocop (2014)
Robocop 2
Robocop 3
Rocky
(1976)
Rocky Balboa
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Salt
Saving Private Ryan
Teen Wolf
(1985)
The 40 Year-Old Virgin
The Addams Family
(2019)
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Apartment
The Bone Collector
The Bounty Hunter
The Fast and the Furious
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
The Funhouse
The Great Train Robbery
The Horse Soldiers
The House Bunny

The Hustle
The Informant!
The Perfect Storm
The Usual Suspects
Thunderbolt And Lightfoot
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Windtalkers
Witness For The Prosecution
XXX: The Return Of Xander Cage

Sherlock S1
Shooter S1-3

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Stranger Things Inspired An Upcoming Sequel That Nobody Thought Would Ever Happen https://comicbook.com/movies/news/stranger-things-this-is-spinal-tap-sequel-inspiration-rob-reiner-exclusive/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/stranger-things-this-is-spinal-tap-sequel-inspiration-rob-reiner-exclusive/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:09:03 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1404772 Stranger Things Exclusive

We're getting a follow-up to a comedy masterpiece thanks to one of Stranger Things's most memorable scenes.

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Stranger Things Exclusive

Since its release in 2016, Netflix’s flagship sci-fi Stranger Things has had a significant impact on the world, but an exclusive revelation from an iconic Hollywood director to ComicBook has just revealed the strangest impact of all. Because, unexpectedly, the Netflix show has inspired the resurrection of a 40 year old movie franchise that looked dead and buried.

England’s loudest and most punctual band of the last 40 years, Spinal Tap, busts back into theaters July 5th (get your tickets here via Fathom), and much to our delight, there’s even more to come from the makers of the iconic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. The film, released over 4 decades ago, has not only garnered critical praise, but has earned a spot in both the Library of Congress and National Film Registry. Director Rob Reiner detailed what a long-awaited, upcoming sequel will look like to Comicbook‘s Chris Killian, during which he revealed the role Stranger Things played on its existence.

While the idea of another Spinal Tap movie seems “too good to be true”, according to Killian (speaking for all of us), Reiner revealed that initially he and co-creators Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean (who all also play the members of Spinal Tap) were reticent to make a sequel. Reiner clamed “No, we’re not going anywhere near it,” was their response to a sequel for decades. Yet, Shearer suing Sony to get the film’s rights back, the real-life death of the actor who played the band’s fictional manager, Tony Hendra, and the resurgence around Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” on Stranger Things sparked the idea between Reiner and his collaborators to continues Spinal Tap’s story.

Reiner and his collaborators wanted to play with the fact that the band Spinal Tap had faded into obscurity since we saw them last on their disastrous U.S. tour, and the band members went their separate ways. “They haven’t played together in fifteen years. Let’s say they haven’t spoken to each other in fifteen years,” Reiner posited. “There’s bad blood between them.”

“In reality, their manager…he actually died,” Reiner said, referring to the passing of actor Tony Hendra in 2021. “So we thought, what if he bequeathed a contract to his daughter? And she had in this contract one last concert. But then what’s the point of it? It’s worthless because they hadn’t played in 15 years. Nobody knew about them. They’re done.”

Enter Stranger Things and the now iconic scene in Season 4 where Max plays “Running Up That Hill” to shield her from Venca’s mind-controlling powers. “And then we remembered that Kate Bush, had done a song that they used on Stranger Things, and all of a sudden there was a resurgence.” Reiner shared. “We said, wait a minute…what if, one of their songs, some big rock star or big music star is screwing around at a soundcheck? Does one of their songs somebody films it on on an iPhone, they throw them up on TikTok, goes viral, and all of a sudden they become viable again? That became the idea for the film.”

While audiences and filmmakers alike decry the deluge of sequels, spinoffs, and reboots that now populate the media landscape, the Spinal Tap sequel, with its roots in actual events, feels uniquely of the moment. Reiner went on to share it was that idea specifically that made him and the other filmmakers agree to make a second Spinal Tap film, otherwise they would have “let it be”.

The remastered, remixed, and 4K version of This is Spinal Tap returns to theaters July 5th.

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Henry Cavill’s James Bond Casting Dream Is Over (& 007 Fans Are Devastated) https://comicbook.com/movies/news/henry-cavill-james-bond-casting-dream-ended-007-wishlist/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/henry-cavill-james-bond-casting-dream-ended-007-wishlist/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:44:27 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1405165 Henry Cavill as Bond

Amazon’s vision for the next era of James Bond has taken a bold – and for some, heartbreaking – step forward. A leaked shortlist for the iconic role reportedly includes Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man star Tom Holland, and Where the Crawdads Sing’s Harris Dickinson, signaling a major shift in direction that seemingly puts the final […]

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Henry Cavill as Bond

Amazon’s vision for the next era of James Bond has taken a bold – and for some, heartbreaking – step forward. A leaked shortlist for the iconic role reportedly includes Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man star Tom Holland, and Where the Crawdads Sing’s Harris Dickinson, signaling a major shift in direction that seemingly puts the final nail in the coffin for long-standing fan favourites like Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and perhaps most tragically, Henry Cavill.

On the back of Dune director Denis Villeneuve officially coming on board to direct the next 007 film, expectations have skyrocketed. Amazon, which acquired MGM and the Bond rights in 2021, has been vocal about its ambitions to expand the franchise beyond just the films, despite some nervousness from purists around the prospect of streaming spin-offs. More Bond, though very welcome, depends on them nailing the first hurdle, because everything still hinges on a singular actor. And this new wishlist suggests Amazon is ready to rewrite the archetype altogether.

Gone are the brooding, bruising thirty- and forty-somethings and in their place – if we are to believe the wishlist – actors in their twenties or just skimming thirty, offering franchise longevity and mass cross-platform appeal. It’s a blow for fans who’ve spent years championing a more classic Bond silhouette – one epitomized by Cavill’s barrel chest, imposing height, and traditional good looks. The news also dampens other fan-led campaigns for stars like Richard Madden or Regé-Jean Page, both of whom now appear out of contention if this shortlist holds.

Henry Cavill’s Name Has Been Persistently Linked With Bond

Henry Cavill in The Man From UNCLE

Henry Cavill’s Bond credentials are undeniable, and he’s been very publicly on record about his desire for the role. In a 2021 GQ interview, he said, “If Barbara [Broccoli] and Mike [G. Wilson] were interested in that, I would absolutely jump at the opportunity. At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond. It would be very, very exciting”. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell said he was excellent in his audition, but at 22, ironically, was too young. And now he’s seemingly too old.

Over the years, the campaign to see Cavill take on 007 has only grown louder. Viral Twitter threads, AI-generated mockups, fancasts, and TikToks have painted him as the ideal successor: capturing the right balance of suaveness and grit, a rare mix of modern charisma and an old fashioned energy. Fans pointed to The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as the closest we’ve come to seeing Cavill as Bond in all but name. His turn in Mission: Impossible – Fallout gave him the action chops, while The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare only reinforced his appeal as a more rugged, potentially slyly humorous Bond in the Connery or Dalton mold.

It’s no stretch to say Cavill has been auditioning for Bond on screen for the better part of a decade. But the franchise, now retooled under Amazon’s stewardship, may have evolved past him. And already, Cavill’s fans and advocates have come out vocally to criticize the decision to consciously overlook their favorite pick for 007.

X user Calley Tibbittz Collopy said “Henry Cavill is the best person alive to play Bond. Upon this fact I insist. If they do not cast Henry Cavill, they are insane.” Another user said “anything other than Henry Cavill is a crime”, and Chi on X said “why is Henry Cavill never in the running? He literally looks like James Bond was modeled after him!”

What Amazon’s Wishlist Says About the Future of Bond

James Bond Actor Shortlist

The names on Amazon’s leaked shortlist point to a very specific kind of Bond: younger, more malleable, and likely to hold the role for a decade or more. Jacob Elordi is 27, Harris Dickinson 28, and Tom Holland, the youngest, is 28 later this year. To be fair to them, all three have a bit more of a boyish charm, and obviously score strongly in Gen Z/Q appeal, which is absolutely not what you’d ever have said would top the wishlist for previous Bonds.

That said, the strategy isn’t entirely without precedent, after all, Sean Connery was only 32 when Dr. No premiered. Daniel Craig, in contrast, was 38 in Casino Royale, but the physical toll of the role – and Craig’s own desire to exit – suggested that a younger actor would be more feasible long-term, especially with franchise ambitions that go beyond five films over 15 years.

Cavill, now 41, doesn’t fit that model, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise he’s not on the supposedly official wishlist. It’s not because he lacks the acting chops or somehow isn’t suitable, because he would be excellent, but because his age doesn’t align with Amazon’s roadmap. They want a Bond who can start young, build a new mythos, and maybe even cross into streaming territory. So let’s hope they’ve got room for an Alec Trevelyan style double agent villain, because we already know Cavill can do that.

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10 Spider-Man Variants We Still Need to See in the Spider-Verse Movies https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-spider-man-variants-still-want-spider-verse-movies/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-spider-man-variants-still-want-spider-verse-movies/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1399277 Image courtesy of Marvel Comics.

Marvel fans instantly fell in love with Miles Morales and the rest of the Spider-Man variants found in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a love continued into the second film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Fans are still patiently waiting for the third installment of the series to drop, as we all know the wait will be […]

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Image courtesy of Marvel Comics.

Marvel fans instantly fell in love with Miles Morales and the rest of the Spider-Man variants found in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a love continued into the second film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Fans are still patiently waiting for the third installment of the series to drop, as we all know the wait will be worth it. Both films introduced dozens of Spider variants, including favorites like Peter B. Parker and Spider-Man Noir. The second film doubled down on introducing new variants, with hundreds of them working together across the multiverse. However, there’s still a surprising number of variants we haven’t seen on the big screen.

The latest news from Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse makes it seem like we’ve got a bit more waiting to do, with a 2027 release date seeming more and more likely. Set to cap off the trilogy, the film could very well be our last chance to see new Spider-Man variants on the big screen. With a couple years to go, we’re going to continue to hope these Spider-Man heroes make an appearance.

1) Savage Spider-Man (Earth-83043)

Peter Parker of Earth-83043 was unfortunate enough to be involved in the plane crash that killed his parents. Unlike them, he survived, but it’s here that his story takes an even stranger twist. Peter found himself in the Savage Land of his Earth, where the Giant Spiders quickly set upon the young man. While they didn’t kill him, they did bite him a lot. At least it had the side effect of giving him powers.

In this new form, Peter Parker became the protector of the Savage Lands. Thus, most people call him Savage Spider-Man. He would later join the Spider-Army against the Inheritors, getting involved during one of the major final battles.

2) Spider-Ma’am (Earth-3123)

Sometimes, it isn’t Peter Parker who gets bitten by that spider. Sometimes, it’s somebody he loves. May Parker of Earth-3123 was accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider one day, and all she was trying to do was deliver her beloved nephew’s lunch. In true superhero form, Aunt May donned a costume and a mantle to fight evil while protecting those she loved.

May became Spider-Ma’am, and much like earlier renditions of Peter Parker, she took to fighting crime as a way of making money for her family. Spider-Ma’am was involved with the Totem War, rising up alongside the rest of the Spider-Army. She mostly did it out of fear of what would happen to her husband and nephew if she didn’t, but that just makes us love her more. Her story gets a little weird after this point, as when the Inheritors had their consciousness placed into human infants, she adopted the lot. In a later conflict against Morlun, she revealed to him that she had eaten his family. She’s still the most huggable Spider-hero around

3) Ghost Spider (Earth-11638)

Not every version of Peter Parker is steeped in tragedy. Peter Parker of Earth-11638 lived in a world where everything seemingly went well for him. His uncle didn’t die a tragic and preventable death; he was popular, and he was also very successful. So successful that he launched Parker Technologies. It’s through this company that Peter Parker gained access to the multiverse, luring other Spider-Men into his universe to take their powers.

The Peter Parker of Earth-616 however got through to this variant, convincing him that what he was doing was wrong. Peter Parker of Earth-11638 eventually died, sending his soul to Hell. That’s not the end of the story, as he came back as his own form of the Ghost Rider, aka Ghost Spider. To make up for his checkered past he now saves heroes separated from their realities.

4) Spiders-Man (Earth-11580)

Most of the time, even those who aren’t overly fond of spiders can get over Spider-Man’s theme, the same cannot be said for Spiders-Man. Peter Parker of Earth-11580 had the misfortune of falling into a chamber full of genetically modified spiders. The spiders unintentionally absorbed Peter Parker’s consciousness, letting them take on his personality and identity. The still donned the iconic costume and tried to save the day.

While the original Peter Parker of this universe may be dead and gone, the spiders who absorbed him keep his memory alive, at least a little bit. They’ve battled the Green Goblin, saved Gwen, and became involved during the events of Spider-Geddon. While their appearance in the Spider-Verse franchise would be off-putting for some, you’ve got to admit it would add variety to the crew.

5) Patton Parnel (Earth-51412)

Patton Parnel is one of many Spider-Man variants who didn’t live a good or happy life. He was raised by an abusive family before getting bitten by a radioactive spider. While it did give him some power-ups, he was also not as fortunate as other Spider-Man versions. Instead of getting only good spider attributes, Patton becomes a more obvious spider-human hybrid, complete with fangs, eight eyes, four arms, and four legs. He can partially or completely transform, so at least he stood a chance of blending in when needed.

Unfortunately, his transformation doesn’t end there. Patton found himself uncomfortable and hungry, and while we won’t list everything he ate, he did eventually begin consuming people. Patton Parnel could have become a very dangerous force on Earth-51412 had Morlon not chosen that exact moment to arrive, killing the variant before his story was allowed to continue.

6) Cosmic Spider-Man (Earth-13)

Naturally, the variants of Spider-Man often deviate from the norm, bonding with different allies and entities. For example, Peter Parker of Earth-13 bonded with the Enigma Force, effectively giving him the power of Captain Universe. As Cosmic Spider-Man, this version is easily one of the most powerful.

Early in Cosmic Spider-Man’s hero career, he was recruited by the S.H.I.E.L.D. of Earth-41940, having him join the Spider-Men to battle against the Multiversal Sinister Six. From there, Cosmic Spider-Man did everything in his power to save the day, though he eventually fell during the Totem War. Solus killed the hero, leaving him for the Inheritors to eat. While his story may have ended in the comics, it could restart or continue in the Spider-Verse world.

7) Old Man Spider (Ezekiel Sims, Earth-4)

In case the name didn’t give it away, Old Man Spider, aka Ezekiel Sims, has a long history in both his universe and in Marvel Comics. Like Peter Parker, there are many versions of Ezekiel Sims across the multiverse. One of these versions has appeared in the Spider-Verse franchise as Spider-Therapist. But the Earth-4 version has yet to make its way to the big screen.

Ezekiel Sims stepped into the role of Spider-Man on his Earth, and as such, helped the rest of the Spider crew fight against the Inheritors. Old Man Spider spent his life trying to protect civilians and Spider-Man variants.

8) Aaron Aikman (Earth-31411)

Aaron Aikman’s path to becoming Spider-Man is very different from most versions of Peter Parker. Dr. Aaron Aikman dove into the world of medical science, specializing in the medical application of venom, specifically insect venom. It’s not hard to see where this leads. He would later willingly alter his DNA, infusing spider traits. Simultaneously, he developed cybernetic armor to help further augment his powers and abilities. It may be a hat-on-a-hat, but it worked for him.

As a result of the dual paths leading to Spider-Man of Earth-31411, Aaron Aikman looks like a cross between Spider-Man and Iron Man. He rose up to battle many classic villains, and would later become involved in the fight against the Inheritors. Sadly, this is where his story ends, at least in the comics. His story could always continue in the Spider-Verse movies.

9) Web Weaver (Cooper Coen Earth-71490)

Readers and viewers all know that it isn’t always Peter Parker who gets bitten by a radioactive spider. There have been several iterations of new names and faces, including Cooper Coen of Earth-71490. Cooper’s origin story isn’t quite like Parker’s, for a variety of reasons. Cooper became a masked hero after his own family cast him out for being gay. He used his love of fashion to create a stunning costume, complete with black and yellow details.

As a superhero, Cooper took on the name of Web-Weaver. His time as a hero put him against many variations of classic villains, such as Kraven, Symbiotes, Rhino, and Chameleon. Unsurprisingly, he would later accept Spider-UK’s offer to work with the rest to save the Spider-Verse.

10) Poison (Earth-70134)

There are all sorts of Spider-Man heroes across the multiverse, including at least one version of Peter Parker who fully bonded with his Venom Symbiote. Peter Parker of Earth-70134 didn’t go the heroic route many fans are used to, instead falling to the temptation that Symbiotes offer. Bonded with his Symbiote, Peter donned the moniker Poison, and he became a villain in his own right.

Peter dubbed himself Poison in a heated argument with his wife, Mary Jane. He was trying to convince her to bond with another Symbiote spawn, and it didn’t go well. As a villain, Poison has battled classic heroes like Wolverine and Luke Cage. It’s not hard to imagine what sort of complications Poison could add to the Spider-Verse.

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Netflix Users Have Only 2 Days to Watch One of the Best Cult Horror Movies Of The 1990s https://comicbook.com/movies/news/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-leaving-netflix/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-leaving-netflix/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:34:46 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1404615 the Fisherman from I Know What You Did Last Summer

In the ever-rotating library of Netflix, horror movies come and go quickly – especially when it comes to older titles that shaped the genre’s modern identity. And though virtual shelf space is seemingly needed for more modern releases, the lasting appeal of 1990s horror films remains enduring. This was the era of the slasher revival: […]

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the Fisherman from I Know What You Did Last Summer

In the ever-rotating library of Netflix, horror movies come and go quickly – especially when it comes to older titles that shaped the genre’s modern identity. And though virtual shelf space is seemingly needed for more modern releases, the lasting appeal of 1990s horror films remains enduring. This was the era of the slasher revival: self-aware, stylish, and powered by a wave of rising young stars. These films redefined what horror looked and sounded like for a new generation, and they remain essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand how the genre evolved after the golden age of the ’70s and ’80s. And one of the most defining horror films of that late-‘90s wave is set to leave Netflix on July 1

Released in 1997, I Know What You Did Last Summer took the momentum of Scream and made it moodier, more guilt-ridden, and a touch more angsty. With a cast that included Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Ryan Phillippe, the film quickly became a cultural touchpoint – and part of the blueprint for what teen horror would look like for years to come. Its exit from Netflix comes at a strange time, too, just weeks before a new reboot of the franchise is set to arrive. For longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, the original is well worth a revisit before it disappears in just 2 days.

The timing of its removal is particularly odd, given that a new I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot is arriving in July. With the original cast returning and renewed interest building, Netflix’s decision to drop the film now feels misaligned with audience demand. The cult classic horror, of course, leans into slasher tropes, but also explores guilt, isolation, and the lasting consequences of a single bad decision, all personified by the murderous fisherman and his killer hook. 

Other Horrors In The Last Chance Saloon On Netflix

I Know What You Did Last Summer isn’t the only Netflix horror movies leaving on July 1. If you want to watch these movies, you better do so quickly, with honorable mentions for Keanu Reeves’ Constantine and the full Twilight saga.

The Nun

Part of The Conjuring cinematic universe, The Nun was a strong, visually arresting expansion of the franchise. Set in a remote Romanian monastery, the film leans heavily into gothic atmosphere and religious iconography, anchored by a strong performance from Taissa Farmiga, and packs in some genuine scares. Reception was mixed at release, but the spin-off’s reputation has grown since. With The Conjuring: Last Rites scheduled for release later this year, now is a fitting time to rewatch or catch up.

Annabelle

The first Annabelle film might have been critically mauled in comparison to its prequel and sequel, but it’s still an important part of the horror doll’s mythology, and remains a fun time. Set in the late 1960s, the film draws on Rosemary’s Baby-style paranoia and supernatural horror, and it’s a little more cerebral than the sillier follow-ups.

Resident Evil: Retribution

The fifth film in the Resident Evil series, Retribution sees Milla Jovovich return as Alice, navigating a one of the more convoluted plots of the franchise. This time, Paul WS Anderson throws in clones, and a submarine chase to keep things fresh, and while the results are uneven, the commitment to spectacle is admirable.

For more news on Netflix, click here.

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M3GAN Creator Reveals How Many More Sequels Fans Can Expect https://comicbook.com/movies/news/m3gan-creator-gerard-johnstone-on-future-sequels/ https://comicbook.com/movies/news/m3gan-creator-gerard-johnstone-on-future-sequels/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:18:27 +0000 https://comicbook.com/?p=1404760 Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Allison Williams as Gemma and M3GAN in M3GAN 2.0.

Filmmaker Gerard Johnstone took a fairly big swing with M3GAN 2.0 by leaning into a sci-fi action thriller genre for the sequel, and steering away from the more campy horror elements of 2022’s M3GAN. However, underneath the dark humor, violence, and robotic fight sequences, Johnstone’s main focus regarding the story of M3GAN (played by Amie […]

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Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Allison Williams as Gemma and M3GAN in M3GAN 2.0.

Filmmaker Gerard Johnstone took a fairly big swing with M3GAN 2.0 by leaning into a sci-fi action thriller genre for the sequel, and steering away from the more campy horror elements of 2022’s M3GAN. However, underneath the dark humor, violence, and robotic fight sequences, Johnstone’s main focus regarding the story of M3GAN (played by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis) and the franchise’s human leads, Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw), is the exploration of AI and issues surrounding the ever-growing technology. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnstone believes there could be many more sequels in the future as AI continues to evolve. “I would not be surprised if there’s another five of these movies,” Johnstone said. “So, who knows, maybe I’ll come back for the fifth one.”

M3GAN 2.0 builds upon M3GAN’s themes of younger generations becoming too dependent on AI and how the technology can be misused partially due to the way humans train and create AI technology (as depicted by the sequel’s new killer android AMELIA, played by Ivanna Sakhno, who is made by a defense contractor). These relevant concerns could be further explored in potential future installments.

“As much as it’s a redemption story for M3GAN, it’s also a reckoning for ourselves as human beings and as parents of AI who brought this technology into the world,” Johnstone said of M3GAN 2.0. “We have to contend with our role in creating this. If it does bad things, is that really because the thing itself is bad? Or is it just because of the way we’ve trained it?”

When the first M3GAN landed in theaters, the movie and its homicidal AI-powered android became an instant hit with fans, growwing nearly $182 million worldwide on a $12 million budget. While M3GAN 2.0 has received a far less positive response from critics and is currently on track to be less of a draw at the box office, the sequel’s reported budget of $15 million and moviegoers’ love of the sassy killer robot could easily stretch the story into a trilogy at the very least (M3GAN 2.0 is currently projected for a $20 million opening weekend).

The M3GAN universe is already set to expand with the upcoming spinoff, SOULM8TE, from Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster. Set for a January 9th, 2026 release, the sci-fi thriller is directed by Kate Dolan (You Are Not My Mother) and stars Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) and David Rysdahl (No Exit). Wan recently told Entertainment Weekly that M3GAN fans can expect “that darkest sense of humor,” but SOULM8TE is “really more grown-up.”

M3GAN, obviously, dabbles in the PG-13 world, the younger demographic,” Wan said. “We always felt like there might be a more adult story to tell, and that’s really what SOULM8TE is. SOULM8TE is basically set in the same AI world but seen through a more grown-up perspective, one that embraces all the great erotic thrillers from the ’90s. It’s like Fatal Attraction but with robots.”

M3GAN 2.0 is now playing in theaters. The unrated version of M3GAN is available to stream on Starz and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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