We live in a time where it feels like movie franchises that were big in the 1990s and 2000s are the prime target for nostalgic movies, considering sequels to The Mummy, Practical Magic and The Devil Wears Prada are all on their way. That could also include Charlie’s Angels if what we’re hearing about Sony’s plans to call Bosley and bust out the angels pan out. Let's talk about it:

My Big Hope For The New Charlie’s Angels Movie

In a new report, Sony Pictures is hard at work on a new Charlie’s Angels movie, and they’ve already made their first hire. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Pete Chiarelli, who also penned The Proposal and Crazy Rich Asians, has been hired to pen the script. But, here’s the real kicker, the news also includes claims that Drew Barrymore and her production company Flower Films are involved, too. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Reunion!

Obviously, I’d love to see Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu back in action for a third Charlie’s Angels movie – especially since they remain friends over 20 years following making the movies together. Seeing Barrymore’s name on the report from an often very accurate source has me thinking it could happen. But, of course there’s also a possibility Barrymore hopes to take a more backseat, behind-the-scenes role in the next Charlie’s Angels movie, too.

What The Charlie’s Angels Actors Have Said About Returning

Since I’m taking this hope full throttle, let’s look back at what the trio of Charlie’s Angels actresses have said about returning for a sequel in the past few years. In 2022, Barrymore said she would make Charlie’s Angels 3 “in a heartbeat,” per Instagram. In 2024, Liu was asked and reacted by saying “I’m never going to say no to that,” but also expressed uncertainty about if it would ever actually happen. And then last year, when Cameron Diaz was promoting Back In Action, she said “it’d be amazing” to make the sequel.

In other words, it sounds like if the right script came along and all three women approved and had time in their busy schedules, it could be made. The only main actor that we’re doubtful would come back is Bill Murray after we heard there was a shouting match on set between him and Lucy Liu.

Sony eyeing a reboot for Charlie’s Angels comes seven years after the studio tried to revitalize the franchise that started in the 1970s with Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska. The movie directed by Elizabeth Banks flopped with a $73.3 million gross worldwide against a budget of $50 million. Banks has shared regrets about the movie being marketed “just for girls,” while Stewart said she “hated” making it.

Drew Barrymore currently spends most of her week filming The Drew Barrymore Show in New York City. Cameron Diaz is set to star in a movie with Keanu Reeves called Outcome this year, along with reprising her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5. Lucy Liu will star next in The Devil Wears Prada 2 coming this summer. While I don’t expect to hear more news about this until the script has been written, I’m crossing my fingers it will feature the 2000’s Charlie’s Angels somehow.

It’s pretty obvious watching the book-to-screen adaptation of People We Meet On Vacation that When Harry Met Sally served as major inspiration. In fact, in Emily Henry’s “Behind the Book” notes, she references the great rom-com as such. However, the movie on Netflix’s 2026 schedule pays homage to more iconic films, too. Two of those references specifically come during the amazing dance number between Poppy and Alex, and I spoke to Tom Blyth and Emily Bader about them.

When I interviewed Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, who play Poppy and Alex, respectively, I had to ask about their dance scene in New Orleans. That’s because it’s both a pivotal, loving trip in PWMOV and because this moment is one of the few where we get to see Alex really cut loose. Speaking to how they came up with their moves, Bader told CinemaBlend:

Now, by itself, this dance number is incredibly fun and the joy radiating from it is infectious. However, it gets better. That’s because the choreography pays homage to two movies with iconic dance numbers. Tom Blyth broke down all that with me, saying:

I can’t get over how fun these Easter eggs are. Between the “Charlie’s Angels hip thrust” Blyth referred to, the move where Cameron Diaz and her partner crossed their arms over each other, and even the little robot moves both movies feature, I can totally feel the Charlie’s Angels energy.

Meanwhile, while they didn’t recreate the iconic lift from Dirty Dancing, they certainly did pay homage to Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze’s routine. Specifically, when Poppy and Alex come together and do a few partnered moves toward the end, it was 100% giving Dirty Dancing.

Overall, I love that Blyth, Bader, and their choreographer created moments that reference some seriously legendary movies. However, I also love how these moves help progress the story and teach us more about Poppy and Alex.

For example, as I mentioned earlier, this scene shows off a side of Alex that only comes out on vacation. While he’s normally very reserved, Poppy and these trips help him let loose and have some fun, and that was on full display as he busted a move.

I also adore this scene because it serves as such a wonderful turning point in Alex and Poppy’s relationship. While it isn’t explicitly said in the movie, the two actors and I talked about how things started to shift from platonic toward romantic in New Orleans. During the dance scene, I could for sure feel that tension as they got close while “Forever Your Girl” played.

Now, to go back and see this all play out, and to catch the fun film references for yourself, you can stream People We Meet On Vacation with a Netflix subscription.

There are a lot of songs that you might have no idea were written for, or at least released in conjunction with a movie. Sometimes, those songs end up being more successful than the movie itself, but just as often, the songs become so iconic that people forget they were originally on a soundtrack. Artists like Radiohead, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Public Enemy, and many more have written some of their biggest hits for movies.

This list is a tribute to just some of the songs you may have completely forgotten, or never knew, that the tunes started out on movie soundtracks.

"The Sound Of Silence"

You probably remember that Simon & Garfunkel did the soundtrack for The Graduate, but the one song you probably associate the most with the movie is "Mrs. Robinson." Another one of the folk duo's biggest hits, "The Sound of Silence," also comes from the soundtrack.

"Exit Music (For A Film)"

This one is easy to forget that it came from a movie. "Exit Music (For A Film)," by Radiohead is probably most recognizable as part of Ok Computer, an album widely regarded as one of the best of the '90s, and indeed, one of the best all-time. "Exit Music (For A Film)," however, first appeared in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet.

"New York, New York"

One of Frank Sinatra's most iconic songs, "New York, New York," isn't really even a Sinatra original. It was originally part of the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York, and performed by Liza Minnelli. Sinatra's version is the definitive version, for sure, but not the original.

"Tears In Heaven"

Eric Clapton had a huge career renaissance in the 1990s on the back of the huge hit "Tears In Heaven." He famously wrote the song about his son Connor, who died tragically when he fell from a window in a high-rise in New York. The song didn't appear on a Clapton album until the iconic version from his "MTV Unplugged" appearance. The song first appeared on the soundtrack for the oft-forgotten movie Rush in 1991.

"Call Me"

American Gigolo starring Richard Gere was a huge hit in 1980, and Blondie's biggest hit (or one of their biggest, anyway), "Call Me," actually comes from the movie. It's a signature song for the iconic punk/wave band, and it was co-written by Giorgio Moroder, who composed the music for the movie.

"Fight The Power"

Public Enemy was already one of the most important hip-hop groups of all time when they wrote and recorded "Fight The Power" for Spike Lee's masterpiece Do The Right Thing. Like other songs on this list, it's become a signature song for the group, but it didn't appear on an album until after it was featured in the movie.

"Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head"

Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote "Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head" for the movie Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid." Unless you remember in the movie, you'd never expect that song, performed by B.J. Thomas, would ever come from one of the best Westerns of all time.

"Let's Go Crazy"

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to celebrate Purple Rain, both the movie and the soundtrack from the creative genius known simply as Prince. The album more than the movie, but the film is great. Obviously, "Purple Rain" is the song most closely associated with the movie, for obvious reasons, but do you remember "Let's Go Crazy" in the movie too? One of Prince's biggest bangers hits hard in the movie, and on the album.

"Moon River"

Fans of The Simpsons know that "Moon River" is Andy Williams' signature tune. You didn't think he was going to play it, and then BAM! Second encore! He wasn't the first to record it, though. It was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for Audrey Hepburn to sing in Breakfast at Tiffany's. It's become a jazz standard in the years since.

"Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door"

"Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door" has become one of Bob Dylan's most iconic songs. It has famously been covered by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Guns N' Roses. The song was originally composed by the legendary songwriter for Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid, which Dylan also appeared in.

"Take My Breath Away"

On a soundtrack as iconic as Top Gun, it's easy to forget all the bangers that came from it. Like "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. Sure, anyone who was around in the '80s and saw the original Top Gun in theaters or on VHS might remember it, but if you're any younger, you might not have any idea.

"Independent Women, Pt 1"

The rebooted Charlie's Angels was a huge cultural hit in 2000, and part of that was because of the Destiny's Child hit "Independent Women, Pt 1." There are likely thousands of Beyoncé fans who don't realize the song was once part of a soundtrack.

“It Must Have Been Love”

Roxette had a whole slew of hits in the 1990s and one of their biggest, “It Must Have Been Love," came from one of the biggest movies of the era, Pretty Woman. The song matches the vibe of the movie perfectly.

"Gangsta’s Paradise"

Coolio's "Gangsta’s Paradise" is one of the most iconic hip-hop songs of all time. The movie it came from, Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer, doesn't have the reputation by a long shot. It's not that it's a bad movie, but it just hasn't had the longevity that the song has enjoyed.

“Cradle of Love”

The video for Billy Idol's "Cradle of Love" was one of the most popular in MTV history, back when MTV still played videos. The movie it came from, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, starring Andrew Dice Clay, was not nearly as popular. For a certain demographic, the foul-mouthed comedian's lone movie that he led is a classic; for most, it's silly and stupid.

"Happy"

This one may be a little debatable for its inclusion on this list. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams was a monster hit, and it was originally on the soundtrack of another huge hit, Despicable Me 2. Fans of the franchise certainly know this, but the song became so ubiquitous, there are many fans of the song who had no idea it came from a movie.

“Say You, Say Me”

White Nights is a mostly forgotten movie about contrasting dancers (played by Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov) from 1985. Far less forgotten is the Lionel Richie hit that first appeared in the movie, "Say You, Say Me." One reason people don't associate it with the movie first is that while it appeared in the movie, it was left off the soundtrack, so it could be included later on Richie's album Dancing on the Ceiling months later.

"Lose Yourself"

Eminem's "Lose Yourself" is one of the rapper's biggest hits, and it first appeared in his hit movie 8 Mile. It's one of those songs that you immediately know who is rapping, of course, but considering that the movie hasn't really remained all that iconic, it's easy to forget the song started on the soundtrack.

"Nobody Does It Better"

While some disagree, for me, "Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon is not only an amazing song, but it's the best theme song in the Roger Moore era of James Bond. Usually, the Bond theme songs share the name of the movie they come from, but for The Spy Who Loved is an exception. The name of the movie appears in the lyrics of the song, but the title is different, making it easy to forget it's a Bond theme.

“Crazy for You”

Madonna was just at the beginning of her world-changing career when she struck gold with "Crazy For You." The song, which was originally part of the soundtrack for a movie about wrestling, Vision Quest, was so successful, the movie was renamed in some countries after it.

"Against All Odds"

Phil Collins did quite a bit of soundtrack work in the 1980s, and one of his biggest hits, "Against All Odds," comes from a movie of the same name starring Jeff Bridges. The movie, about a retired athlete, isn't remembered as one of Bridges' best movies, but the song remains iconic.

"End of the Road"

Boyz II Men were one of the biggest bands of the '90s, so it makes sense they would be tapped to include a song on the soundtrack of a movie starring one of the biggest movie stars of the era. Boomerang is an underrated Eddie Murphy movie, one of the last of his truly great movies from the '80s and '90s, but still, it hasn't had the staying power of "End of the Road."

"Don’t You (Forget About Me)"

If you're like me, you listen to a lot of the First Wave channel on SiriusXM. One of the staples of '80s wave is "Don’t You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds, and while Gen X certainly remembers that it comes from The Breakfast Club, the song has become so iconic on its own that it's easy to forget for many.

"Eye Of The Tiger"

Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" has become ubiquitous at sporting events and in gyms all over the world. It's easy to say it's far better known than the movie it comes from, Rocky III. Not that the third Rocky movie is forgotten, but the song is no longer associated with the movie, right?

“I Just Called to Say I Love You”

“I Just Called to Say I Love You” has become one of Stevie Wonder's signature songs, and for a guy with as many hits as Stevie, it's a wonder any of them came from a movie, but this one did. It's a mostly forgotten movie starring Gene Wilder and Kelly LeBrock called The Woman In Red.

“Because You Loved Me”

Celine Dion's biggest hit, "My Heart Will Go On," will always be associated with the movie it comes from, Titanic. Another one of her hits, “Because You Loved Me," also comes from a movie that almost no one remembers, Up Close and Personal, starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer.

“Kiss From a Rose”

One of Seal's biggest hits in the '90s, “Kiss From a Rose," was actually first included in Batman Forever, which doesn't usually rank very highly on the list of great Batman movies, but is still a lot better than Batman & Robin.

“Stay (I Missed You)”

Reality Bites is a movie that helped define Gen X, and Lisa Loeb's hit “Stay (I Missed You)” is an iconic song from the era, but people often forget the song actually comes from the movie. Of course, it makes perfect sense when you do realize it, but still, the two are very separate in many people's minds.

"Endless Love"

The movie Endless Love is notable for being Tom Cruise's first major movie (he had a small role) and, frankly, not much else. The theme song, however, "Endless Love," by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, remains an iconic love song that people still slow dance to all over the world.

“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”

In 1991, there was one song that was absolutely everywhere. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams was a monster hit, and the fact that it comes from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves gets completely lost in the song's history. IT doesn't seem like the kind of song that would appear in a period piece, which is probably why people don't associate it with the movie anymore.

“Kiss”

While Purple Rain was a hit, Prince's second movie, Under the Cherry Moon, was not. The purple one's hit "Kiss" is actually probably more associated with the famous bathtub scene in Pretty Woman than it is with Cherry Moon.

“Wind Beneath My Wings”

“Wind Beneath My Wings” is Bette Midler's signature song, and it comes from one her best movies, Beaches, yet people seem to forget that the two have the same origin story, but they do.

Demi Moore has been receiving a lot of praise for starring in one of the best horror movies we’ve seen in years, The Substance – and was CinemaBlend’s collective favorite movie of 2024. On top of Moore being nominated for Best Actress by the Academy, she reunited with her fellow Charlie's Angels alums over 20 years after being in Full Throttle. Her conversation with Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu saw the iconic Hollywood actresses talking about Moore's powerful movie and her iconic FT bikini scene, of course.

The Charlie’s Angels Reunited With Demi Moore To Celebrate The Substance

Just recently, Cameron Diaz was asked about reviving Charlie’s Angels, following her return to acting for Netflix's Back In Action. It's unclear if that'll happen, but I'll certainly take Lucy Liu, Barrymore and Diaz appearing on Zoom together to celebrate Demi Moore’s The Substance performance for Vanity Fair. During their conversation, Lucy Liu said this of Moore’s Oscar-nominated work:

Imagine having all the Charlie’s Angels in your corner? Cameron Diaz was also very affected by Moore’s work in The Substance as well, saying this:

In The Substance, Moore plays a fictional Hollywood star named Elisabeth Sparkle who is fired from her aerobics TV show on her 50th birthday. While wrestling with no longer being valued in her industry, she decides to take a black market drug that allows her to create and be a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley) every two weeks. However, the drug leads to some complications in her life… to say the least.

With all of that in mind, the Mask star also applauded the way Coralie Fargeat's movie for how it “shredded” what a motion picture about the film industry could be and did it in the most “audacious, violent, crazy way that you could possibly do it.” The conversation on the Academy Awards contender was stimulating as was the recollection of the bikini scene from Full Throttle.

How Demi Moore Reflected On The Charlie’s Angels Bikini Scene With Her Co-Stars

Along with Demi Moore getting some major props from her former co-stars for The Substance, Drew Barrymore also lauded the Brat Pack member for joining Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle years ago. That casting came right after the actress had walked away from acting for a time. By that time, Moore had a ton of big movies under her belt. Barrymore talked about how Moore was a “badass” for walking away “at the height of success and taken time for herself” to raise her kids before returning to the business. Moore then said this:

Amid her promotion of The Substance, Demi Moore’s bikini scene from the action comedy has come up a few times. The Oscar nominee recalled chatter around her being in a bikini for the 2003 movie felt very “heightened” due to all the talk about how she looked. In regard to the scene, Moore has also admitted that she had no idea it would spark “such a big conversation,” but felt like it was just because she was 40.

It’s so great to see Demi Moore getting some support from her former co-stars and having some solid conversations with them about The Substance, Full Throttle and the film industry as a whole. I know I'll be rooting for her when the 97th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

One of the best movies on Netflix that just started streaming is Back In Action. The action comedy has Cameron Diaz starring in her first movie in over a decade after leaving Hollywood and saying “no to everything, other than for my wine.” With the actress taking acting jobs again, including an upcoming movie with Keanu Reeves and the next Shrek movie, could she return for some of the other famous movies she’s known for. She was recently asked about The Mask and Charlie’s Angels.

Would Cameron Diaz Be Up For Doing The Mask 2?

When Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx did press for Back In Action, which is now streaming for those with a Netflix subscription, the 52-year-old was asked if she’d be open to playing Tina Carlyle again after it became her first movie in 1994 – especially after Jim Carrey shared his interest in returning. In her words:

When Diaz spoke to Access Hollywood, Diaz was surprised to hear Jim Carrey would be game to be back for another The Mask movie. In an interview with ComicBook last month, Carrey didn’t exactly say that. He said “it has to be the right idea” and it’s “not really about the money” for him. We’ve been asking for a sequel to The Mask for years, and it would just have to have Cameron Diaz involved if it was ever made.

And, What About Charlie’s Angels 3?

Another sequel we would be over the moon for from Cameron Diaz’s career is another Charlie’s Angels movie with herself, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu. When a possible sequel was brought up to the actress, here’s how she and Jamie Foxx reacted:

Diaz: "It'd be amazing."

Foxx: "That would be insane, I would be throwing my hat in the ring to be..."

Diaz: I was gonna say, we need a Bosley."

Cameron Diaz was in two Charlie’s Angels movies as Natalie Cook in 2000 and the 2003 sequel Full Throttle, and they remain iconic action comedies. While we haven’t heard about a sequel, the latest news about the franchise came in 2021 when it was reported that Liu and Bill Murray had a shouting match on the set of the 2000 film. After it was alleged that Liu fired back at Murray for insulting her acting ability, Liu recently said she had no regrets over protecting herself during the confrontation.

Anyways, since Murray was Bosley in that version of Charlie’s Angels, Cameron Diaz threw in the name of her Back In Action co-star, and he seemed very excited by the idea. How cool would it be if Diaz was able to play one or both of these characters again?

Sometimes when actors work together they become lifelong friends. There have been more marriages than one can count that came about after two stars met on set. However, not every relationship between actors is wonderful, and some of them can get downright ugly. One of the most famous stories of actors clashing involves Lucy Liu and Bill Murray on the set of Charlie’s Angels.

According to most versions of the story, Bill Murray once insulted Lucy Liu’s acting ability when the two appeared in the first Charlie’s Angels film in 2000. Some versions of the story claim Liu took swings at Murray, at the very least it led to shouting and swearing. Liu was the least known of the three female leads, alongside Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, which might have put her in a position where it was harder for her to defend herself. But the actress tells The Guardian that it was never even a consideration to stay quiet. Liu explained…

According to Shaun Obanion, who was a production assistant on the film, the issues started when Bill Murray allegedly rewrote pages of the script, without even informing director McG or Drew Barrymore, who was also a producer of the film. When Lucy Liu called him out for his behavior, Murray insulted her for being a “TV” actress. In 2000 Lucy Liu was best known for her role in the ensemble of Ally McBeal.

Liu, who recently appeared in the Dwayne Johnson Christmas movie Red One, admits that if she were the sort of person who stayed quiet, her career likely would have been easier than it has been. However, as an Asian American actress has felt that her career has always had difficulties. Liu continued…

Bill Murray has seen other accusations of bad behavior on set throughout his career. Geena Davis has also accused Murray of being inappropriate, though the Charlie’s Angels story may be the most widely known. While we may not have a clear view of the details, multiple sources, including co-star Drew Barrymore confirmed that the altercation took place and that Liu was more than willing and able to stand up for herself against the one who was arguably the biggest star on the set.

When you hit icon status like Lucy Liu, you need to have fun and a good sense of humor. She’s been acting in the industry since the ‘90s, expanded into producing and directing, and is a mother, all while making appearances on both our 2024 movie schedule and 2024 TV schedule. The 55-year-old seems to be busier than ever but still takes the time to enjoy sharing her work with her son. Although, she shared humorously that she hasn’t shown him all of her films, including Charlie’s Angels.

Liu was on The Drew Barrymore Show along with Red One cast-mate, Kiernan Shipka, to discuss the holiday action movie as well as her and Barrymore’s iconic 2000s Charlie’s Angels series. While covering the new Jake Kasdan-helmed holiday film, the Chicago alum shared her son loved it. In fact, he enjoyed it so much, that he wanted to rewatch it immediately, and the trio proceeded to fawn over the sweetness of her son.

Then the television host asked Liu skeptically if she’d let him watch the female crime-fighting franchise, and she revealed that he hadn’t because of the mature and revealing content. The Elementary alum shared her response with a laugh:

I think that’s probably the right call for an elementary-aged kid, especially your own. There would be too much to explain within the series for someone that young and close to you. Someday the Kill Bill alum will share the early '00s staple, but Red One seems like a much better option for now.

It’s been almost 25 years since the vintage action-packed films more than cemented Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz’s names into Hollywood history. While the first installment is regarded as one of the best '60s-’70s shows-turned-movies, and the actresses are still friends it didn’t come without its trouble. Many stories were running about the trio, including Liu not getting along with the other two, which she debunked.

I’m hoping one of them will eventually debunk the idea of us not getting a Charlie's Angels 3 return. In the meantime though, the Angels fans and I are getting regular doses of Liu and Barrymore, and can expect to see Diaz soon. She’ll be in our 2025 movie schedule reuniting with Jamie Foxx in Back in Action, and then making her eventual return as Fiona in Shrek 5, coming in 2026.

As for Liu and her son, I hope they continue to enjoy her approved choices for him, and when they do reach Charlie’s Angels, it’s as humorous and fun as this exchange was. If you’d like to watch a current project of Lucy Liu’s check out A Man in Full with a Netflix subscription.

Demi Moore has been the center of attention lately for being in one of the buzziest 2024 movies, The Substance. Considering the acclaimed horror movie has Moore playing an aging Hollywood actress dealing with the pitfalls of beauty standards, she's been talking about her own experiences over the years. One moment from her career that she’s been reflecting about is the bikini scene in 2003’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which she filmed at 40. Her latest comments on the role dive deeper into how the public often perceives women after their 20s and 30s.

When Demi Moore starred alongside Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore in the Charlie’s Angels sequel, she had the chance to play one of the best female villains in film history, Madison Lee. As Moore recalled in an interview with Elle, she wasn’t expecting it to cause so much chatter. In her words:

The Ghost star looked absolutely stunning and completely toned when she appeared in a bikini for a Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle sequence on a beach. As the actress spoke to, at the time baring skin as she turned 40 led to a lot of conversation about that scene in particular and it led her to question her place in Hollywood. Not too long ago, the star shared additional thoughts on the hoopla surrounding her Full Throttle scene and how it had her feeling like she “didn’t belong” at the time.

Along with opening up about her experience working on the film, Demi Moore spoke on how she thinks women are perceived nowadays. As she continued:

Moore was absolutely pushed out of her comfort zone for The Substance, as the role required her to take part in nude sequences alongside Margaret Qualley to tell the movie’s intense message about the pitfalls of society’s harsh body standards on women. The actress plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former movie star, who gets kicked off her aerobics TV show on her 50th birthday. When she learns about a new black market drug called “The Substance,” which will allow her to be young again every other week, she only slips further into her own self loathing over her aging.

Directed by Coralie Fargeat, the creepy flick is absolutely one of the best horror movies to come out of recent years, based on what critics are saying about Moore's film as well as the audience reactions. Considering the Scarlet Letter actress' own experiences with Hollywood and talk about her body as she ages, undoubtedly the movie spoke to her in deep ways.

But, all of that aside, good on Demi Moore for being real about the buzz that surrounded her Charlie's Angels scene, which is just downright stunning. You can rent or buy the film on Amazon, while The Substance can be streamed on Mubi now.

For every unnecessary reboot of a beloved movie, there seem to be just as many unnecessary reboots of a beloved TV series. While some would prove to be a welcome improvement on what came before, there are even more (including some successful ones) that we still feel we could have done without, given our continued enjoyment of what came before. We had almost too many examples to choose from while compiling this of TV shows that did not need to be rebooted.

Knight Rider (1982-1986)

Despite its cheesy moments, Knight Rider was one of the best '80s sci-fi TV shows, boasting one of David Hasselhoff's best performances in the role of Michael Knight – a government agent whose partner in fighting crime is an indestructible car powered by a sentient artificial intelligence called KITT (voice by William Daniels). In 2008, NBC aired a soft reboot, set in the same world but following a new protagonist (Justin Bruening as Mick Traceur) and a new KITT (voiced by Val Kilmer), which lacked the charisma, the fun, and much semblance of a brain, leading to its premature cancellation.

Charmed (1998-2006)

One of the best Shannen Doherty TV shows was Charmed, which starred her, Holly Marie Combs, and Alyssa Milano as three sisters who discover they are descended from witches. After The WB became The CW, despite no real demand, the network developed a reimagining starring Melonie Diaz, Madeleine Mantock, and Sarah Jeffery that managed to last four seasons, despite criticism for its one-dimensional characters and uninspired plotlines.

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

Creator and narrator Rod Serling's landmark horror anthology TV show, The Twilight Zone has been resurrected numerous times. However, neither the late '80s revival, nor the early 2000s version with Forest Whitaker, or even producer and narrator Jordan Peele's iteration achieved the same acclaim as as the chilling and thought-provoking classic.

Full House (1987-1995)

What made Full House successful despite its unimpressive critical reputation was a healthy dose of wholesomeness amidst its generic family comedy antics. Netflix's revival, Fuller House – which recycled the plot but made DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Kimmy (Andrea Barber) the leads – had a decent five-season run, despite being criticized for the same things, in addition to relying mostly on nostalgia.

The Bionic Woman (1976-1978)

Even with Battlestar Galactica producer David Eick involved, NBC's 2007 reboot of The Bionic Woman did not manage to be better, faster, or stronger, especially in the ratings. One would hope its cancellation after eight episodes teaches executives to avoid rebooting the series that star Lindsey Wagner's original sci-fi series was spun-off from The Six Million Dollar Man.

Jersey Shore (2009-2012)

For a while, it seemed like the entire world was talking about the cast of Jersey Shore, even if most of the discussions surrounding their boisterous behavior and debaucherous shenanigans were mocking and disdainful. Years after it seemed like the world had finally forgotten about this uproarious reality show, MTV debuted Jersey Shore Family Vacation in 2018.

That '70s Show (1998-2006)

A That '70s Show spin-off was first attempted in 2002 with That '80s Show, which had little to no connection to the original, potentially costing it a longer life and better reception. At least Netflix's That '90s Show – which sees Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty's (Debra Jo Rupp) home overrun with a new batch of teens, including their granddaughter – can say it earned a decent following but not enough to last more than two seasons.

Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

If there was any reason to bring back Gossip Girl, it might have been to correct the widely disappointing series finale reveal that Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) was the eponymous blogger the entire time. Instead, Max's short-lived retread of the hit CW drama, running between 2021 and 2023, introduced a whole new cast and attempted to freshen up the material with the overcooked theme of teens' relationship with social media.

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)

The CW's 90210 was developed as a continuation of producer Aaron Spelling's primetime soap opera and even featured a few returning Beverly Hills, 90210 cast members to keep its promise. However, despite the fan service, the 2008-2013 series essentially recycled the plot of the original with a new ensemble of good-looking youths.

Roseanne (1988-1997)

While the series finale of Roseanne may have left some viewers disappointed, we wonder if that was really any reason to try again with a modern revival. Not to mention, the sitcom's 2018 reboot took a rough turn in its premiere run when its star, Roseanne Barr, was fired for a controversial tweet, leading ABC to kill off her character and rebrand the show as The Conners.

Charlie's Angels (1976-1981)

Originally starring Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith, Charlie's Angels would find success in the early 2000s on the big screen with two feature-length adaptations starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu. However, ABC's series reboot from 2011 with Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly, and Rachael Taylor received universal disdain and lasted only eight episodes.

That's So Raven (2003-2007)

Years after launching her career on The Cosby Show, Raven-Symoné became the star of her own sitcom, That's So Raven, as a teen who can occasionally see the future. However, no one could predicted that, in 2017, Disney Channel would come out with Raven's Home – following the adult Raven Baxter as a single parent – which was a surprising success despite its unnecessary existence.

MacGyver (1985-1992)

CBS would produce a long list of reboots of its most popular crime dramas from yesteryear, including MacGyver, which would last a decent five seasons from 2016 to 2021. However, most would agree that the modern version with Lucas Till as a younger Mac does not quite hold a candle to the fun of the original, starring Richard Dean Anderson as an unimaginably resourceful secret agent.

Saved By The Bell (1989-1992)

Peacock's 2020 revival of NBC's hit coming-of-age sitcom, Saved By the Bell, while certainly unnecessary, was pretty well received during the short time it lasted. While The College Years could have been better, though, what really overstayed its welcome was The New Class, which replaced the entire cast, save Dennis Haskins as Mr. Belding and Dustin Diamond as Screech.

V (1984-1985)

The V franchise – an alien invasion story told over the course of two miniseries and one traditional series that lasted a season on NBC – would be reinterpreted for modern audiences on ABC in 2009. Of course, by then, the extraterrestrial visitors' true, malevolent intentions were no secret, leaving little room for suspense in the reboot.

Beauty And The Beast (1987-1990)

The classic French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast, was reimagined as a romantic contemporary drama in the late 1980s starring Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton, the former of which won a Golden Globe for his performance. The CW's 2012 iteration with Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan would last a good while but did not capture the same magic as developer Ron Koslow's vision and, not to mention, did not bother to make the male lead particularly "beastly."

Roswell (1999-2002)

Based on Melinda Metz's book series, The WB's Roswell follows three young human/alien hybrids with special gifts living in the eponymous New Mexico town where an alleged UFO crash took place. A reimagining of the story, Roswell, New Mexico, ran for four seasons on The CW and was admired for its commentary on immigration, only to be overshadowed by criticism for being a retread of what came before.

Dallas (1978-1991)

In its prime, there were few series nearly as popular as Dallas, which is famous for having one of the most iconic cliffhangers in TV history by leaving viewers obsessed with the mystery of who shot J.R. Ewing for a summer. We cannot quite say the same about TNT's revival, which was canceled after 40 episodes in 2014.

Magnum P.I. (1980-1988)

The Jay Hernandez-led reboot of Magnum P.I. lasted an impressive five seasons (originally on CBS before moving to NBC). However, even critics and audiences who enjoyed it agree it was mostly a watered-down carbon copy of Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson's '80s classic starring Tom Selleck as the titular Hawaii-based private investigator.

Melrose Place (1992-1999)

The 2009 reboot of Melrose Place, which followed the dramatic lives of the eponymous L.A. apartment complex's residents, only lasted 18 episodes. We imagine this might be because it premiered in such close proximity to another CW drama based on a hit '90s show about young people with problems: the 90210 reboot.

Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991-1996)

Starting off as an educational computer game in the mid-1980s, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? was later adapted into a hit game show and an animated series featuring Rita Moreno as the titular thief. With all due respect to the developers of Netflix's animated reboot, Carmen Sandiego, and Gina Rodriguez, who is great in the title role, we cannot help but feel that the property was already past its prime by this point.

24 (2001-2010)

The unique, real-time narrative structure of 24 and Kiefer Sutherland's engaging performance as Jack Bauer kept the drama going for eight seasons before bringing the reckless counter-terrorism agent back for the 2014 miniseries, 24: Live Another Day. Just two years later, Fox tried to continue the series as 24: Legacy, led by Corey Hawkins in a new role, which only lasted "12 hours."

DuckTales (1987-1990)

Perhaps we can understand wanting to introduce Huey, Dewey, and Louie to a new generation of viewers with a reboot of DuckTales, which aired on Disney XD from 2017 to 2021. However, we still prefer their triplets' original adventures with Uncle Scrooge, especially for its superior animation style.

Fantasy Island (1977-1984)

If we had a fantasy we would like to see come true, it would be that all reboots of Fantasy Island – set on a paradisiacal getaway where dreams magically come true – did not exist. Neither the 1998 series reimagining with Malcolm McDowell, nor Fox's sequel series with Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke, or, especially, Blumhouse's darker feature adaptation managed to enchant critics and fans of the ABC original with Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize's Tattoo.

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

We would actually be willing to call Girl Meets World, which ran from 2014 to 2017, the best show that Disney Channel produced in years. Yet, when you really think about it, the sequel to Boy Meets World is mostly a reiteration of a lot of the same lessons we already learned in the original TGIF sitcom.

Heroes (2006-2010)

Despite a strong start and a relatively loyal following for much of its run, NBC's Heroes would quickly begin to lose steam as critics noted a steady decline in quality over time. The 2015 reboot Heroes: Reborn did not do much to help resurrect the franchise as it was not very well received and did not last more than one season.

The Odd Couple (1970-1975)

Inspired by the film based on Neil Simon's hilarious play, The Odd Couple, Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson's sitcom adaptation with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall worked quite well. However, after enough mismatched roommate/friend stories, CBS' reboot with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon, despite lasting three seasons, felt a bit stale.

Dynasty (1981-1989)

Perhaps the most successful of The CW's string of primetime soap opera reboots was a reimagining of Esther and Richard Alan Shapiro's Dyanasty. Lasting five seasons and featuring a strong performance by Elizabeth Gillies as Fallon Carrington, the old "wealthy families fighting to retain power" schtick was not enough to win critics over.

The Magic School Bus (1994-1997)

In 2017, Netflix released The Magic School Bus Rides Again – a new take on the popular, educational animated show based on a series of books following an elementary school class on some epic field trips. SNL's Kate McKinnon is certainly an inspired choice to voice the new Ms. Frizzle but even she might agree she is no Lily Tomlin.

iCarly (2007-2012)

Considering how much the world of internet blogging had evolved since iCarly's original Nickelodeon run ended, we can understand why there was interest in bringing it back. Yet, we would argue that Paramount+'s reboot, which lasted from 2021 to 2023, suffered from hinging on Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) and Freddy's (Nathan Kress) romance following years of "will they, won't they" and the absence of Jennette McCurdy as Sam and Noah Munck's Gibby.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

When a short film reimagining NBC's hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a serious drama dropped in 2019, we can't deny we were intrigued. However, we never expected star Will Smith to actually help get a series adaptation off the ground, becoming Peacock's Bel-Air, which barely offers anything particularly new to the coming-of-age genre.

Frasier (1993-2004)

NBC's Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammer as his role from the Cheers cast, is a prime example of how to do a sitcom spin-off right. While Paramount+'s reboot would earn surprising critical acclaim, even its biggest fans might agree that we did not really need more than the 11 years we got of the eponymous psychiatrist's time in Seattle, especially without David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves.

Most people would likely agree that Demi Moore has had an amazing career. The 1980s and ‘90s, especially, saw her as one of our reigning cinematic queens, with her acting taking her from the Brat Pack to iconic roles in movies like Ghost, Striptease and Indecent Proposal. The 2024 movie schedule is about to see Moore return to the big screen in one of the upcoming horror movies that people have already been talking about for months, The Substance. Her work there had her reflecting on her infamous bikini scene from Charlie’s Angels 2, though, and the downside to all the chatter about her looks.

What Does Demi Moore Now Say About Her Charlie’s Angels 2 Bikini Scene And All The Talk About Her Looks?

Demi Moore has been a famous actress for many decades now, and she’s never been afraid to push some boundaries to help get a story she believes in on screen. The newly minted fart ambassador is known for a host of intriguing roles in surprising movies, including her villain turn in 2003’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle as Madison Lee.

When talking about her “fucked up body horror masterpiece,” The Substance, with Michelle Yeoh for Interview, Moore revealed that part of the reason she took on her lauded and revealing role in the new film is because of how it tackles the pressure to fit certain beauty standards and being able to ignore those ideals and define both who we are and what we look like. After she added that she was excited about this movie because she was “representing a past ideal and not what my present is,” Yeoh asked if that was what drew her to the story and she replied:

You can be forgiven if you don’t quite remember the Full Throttle scene Moore spoke of, seeing as it’s now been over 20 years since the action movie was released. So, here’s a refresher:

As you can see, the scenes in question don’t play too heavily on how Moore looks or on the fact that she’s in a bikini at all, but it didn’t matter. At the time, she was in her forties and a mother of three, so much of the conversation surrounding the film was about how amazing she looked in that skimpy swimwear.

Though the star had been no stranger to that kind of conversation for other films (like the aforementioned Striptease) in the past, and on the surface it might sound great for everyone to constantly talk about how amazing you look, as Moore noted, there is a downside. For one thing, just because you’re considered one of the major good-looking people of our time, it doesn’t mean that you’re not held to the same, frequently impossible to reach/maintain beauty standards, so any perceived negative change in appearance is gonna bring out the trolls.

And, secondly, as the “hot kooky” grandma noted, it meant that she inadvertently confused a lot of people who might have been thinking of approaching her for roles. She was decidedly and officially not “young” anymore by this time, but still had the stereotypical body of a young woman, meaning that (dumb) people just didn’t know what to do with her when it came time for casting.

Her role as Madison led to people saying Moore was having a career renaissance, and the same is being said for her work in The Substance. You can see for yourself when the film opens on September 20.

Men may be the more traditional villains in movies, but women have been some of the best. The kind of characters we just love to hate, played by some of the greatest actresses of all time. Here is our list of some of the best female villains in film history.

Nurse Ratched - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Louise Fletcher's performance as the manipulative Nurse Ratched is one of the most chilling to grace the silver screen. Her iron-fisted rule over McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) and the rest of the patients is quietly evil, making it way more effective and terrifying than an over-the-top style of villain. 

Wicked Witch Of The West - The Wizard Of Oz

There may be no more recognizable villain, male or female, to movie fans than the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz. The Margaret Hamilton character has been scaring kids (in the best way) for almost a century. The role is so iconic that when we think of a generic "witch," we almost always picture the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Alex Forrest - Fatal Attraction

You know we couldn't make this list without the absolutely unhinged Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) in Fatal Attraction. Close's performance of the jilted lover is consistently ranked among the great villains of all time and it's easy to see why. The movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as she gets more and more detached from reality, leaving us all terrified of what could come next. 

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal - Dredd

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal (Lena Headey), the gang boss in 2012's Dredd, is among the most ruthless criminals on film in recent years. Her control over the housing block Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is trying to police is fanatical and all-encompassing. Ma-Ma doesn't seem to have - or want - friends or advisors, just soldiers in her battle for control. 

Mary Lee Johnston - Precious

A lot of the villains on this list are traditional movie villains. Mary Lee Johnston (Mo'Nique) in Precious is not traditional. She's also the "realest" villain on this list. So real, it's horrifying, making Precious being a great movie that you almost never want to watch ever again. She's so evil it's really hard to watch. Mo'Nique is fantastic, bringing this wicked character to life on the screen. 

Phyllis Dietrichson - Double Indemnity

Female villains are nothing new, of course. One of the all-time classic examples is Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity from 1944. Barbara Stanwyck plays the traitorous wife who takes advantage of an insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) by dragging him into her diabolical plan to off her husband and collect on his life insurance. 

Kathryn Merteuil - Cruel Intentions

High school bullies make great villains. They make especially great villains when they are as manipulative as Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Cruel Intentions. Kathryn has no morals and no ethics, she only cares about herself and doesn't care who she hurts. That's why watching her get caught in the end is so satisfying. It's also maybe the best use of music in the movies. 

Pamela Voorhees - Friday The 13th

In the history of horror movies, one of the most iconic has to be the original Friday The 13th. While Jason Voorhees is on the Mount Rushmore of slasher film villains after countless sequels and spinoffs in the franchise, it's his mother who is the real villain in the original and that's why she, Pamala Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), deserves to be on this list. 

Mystique - X-Men

Magneto may the "big bad" in most of the X-Men movies, but he wouldn't be nearly as threatening without his right-hand woman, Mystique. Played by both Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence in the movies, the shapeshifting mutant does a lot of Magneto's dirty work. 

Elektra King - The World Is Not Enough

Given James Bond's history with women, you might expect more of his villains to be women. While there are plenty of henchmen, there are not a lot of women who played Bond villains. One great exception is the diabolical Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) in The World Is Not Enough. King,  wasn't born evil, but she definitely turned that way, perhaps even more extreme than the man who made her that way. 

Regina George - Mean Girls

Ruining Regina George's life might not have made Cady (Lindsay Lohan) happy in Mean Girls, but it sure was satisfying to watch! George, played by the great Rachel McAdams, is one of the all-time great girl-bullies in movie history. The manipulative popular girl gets what's coming to her in the end, after proving how awful she can be to even her closest friends. 

Bellatrix Lestrange - Harry Potter

It's impossible to see anyone other than Helena Bonham Carter in the role of the Harry Potter Bellatrix Lestrange. She plays the role of the villain perfectly in the series. Most of Potter and Co.'s enemies are male, of course, but one of the scariest has to be Lestrange.

Cassandra Nova - Deadpool And Wolverine

The MCU has a handful of female villains and for the most part, they are among the most powerful of all the villains. Take Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) in Deadpool And Wolverine, for example. She's just as powerful as her brother, Charles Xavier, but she's pure evil. That's a terrifying combination. 

Annie Wilkes - Misery

This list would certainly not be complete without one of the meanest villains of the '90s, or any other decade in film history. Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance. She completely stole the show in one of the greatest horror movies of all time and earned a place on the Mount Rushmore of movie villains. 

Mama Fratelli - The Goonies

Big-time fame came late to Anne Ramsey. The actress had built a solid career in Hollywood as a character actor, but she really hit the big time after playing the villainous Mama Fratelli, matriarch of a hapless, yet very mean family, in The Goonies. Tragically, she died just three years later of cancer at age 59. 

Amy Dunne - Gone Girl

Is there anything as scary as a cold, calculating villain like Amy Dunne in Gone Girl? Amy, played by Rosamund Pike, is certainly justified in her beef with her cheating husband, put her method of revenge is pure evil. It's also darn impressive, and in the end, she "wins," so she deserves to be on this list. 

Miranda Priestly - The Devil Wears Prada

Everyone has had bad bosses, but no one has had a boss quite as awful as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep's performance as the ultimate boss from hell is one of the best of her amazing career and a rare example of the actress playing a true villain. 

Cruella DeVille - One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Disney has a long history of great female villains, and close to the top of the greatest ones has to be Cruella DeVille. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians baddie knows exactly how to tear out viewers' hearts in everything she does, to say nothing of making coats from puppies. 

Aileen Wuornos - Monster

Charlize Theron plays one of the rare real people on this list, serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Monster is the perfect description of her, too. While her unbelievably terrible life that led to her murders is something no one would wish on their worst enemy, what Wuornos became is pure evil in every way. Theron won an Oscar for her performance as Wuornos, who was executed in prison a year before the movie was released. 

Hela - Thor: Ragnorak

Some of the most powerful villains in the MCU are women and Hela in Thor: Ragnorak certainly qualifies here. Cate Blanchett's chameleon-like performance is just so great and Hela looks so cool, that you almost want to root for her. 

Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty

When you're such a good villain that they start making spin-offs about you, you absolutely belong on this list. Maleficent is one of the all-time great villains in Disney history and we love to hate her so much that she even got two films all her own in the 2010s, starring Angelina Jolie as the diabolical fairy, where we learn she's maybe not as evil as it seems. 

Harley Quinn - Suicide Squad

Of all the villains on this list, Harley Quinn is the most fun. Yeah, she's a psychopath, sure, but she's a fun psychopath! That's really all she wants to do, have fun and create chaos and that makes her pretty endearing in a lot of ways, as does Margot Robbie's awesome performance as the manic pixie dream psycho in the Suicide Squad movies. 

Veronica - Heathers

On the surface, you may argue that Heather Chandler (Kim Walker) is the villain in Heathers. Like Regina George, Chandler is the alpha mean girl in the crew of Heathers. But really, it's Veronica (Winona Ryder) and her boyfriend J.D. (Christian Slater), who are the real baddies here. They're the ones committing the murders, after all.  

Elle Driver - Kill Bill

Daryl Hannah was mostly known for rom-coms and more "innocent" characters before she was brilliantly cast by Quentin Tarantino as Elle Driver in Kill Bill. The California Mountain Snake, as Driver was known as part of the Deadly Vipers is a remorseless killer and relentless in her pursuit of her intended victim. 

Elsa Schneider - Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

Elsa Schneider is the worst kind of traitor, she's a Nazi traitor who turns on one of cinema's great heroes, Indiana Jones. It's an unforgivable sin that earns her place on this list. Allison Doody's performance is great, as the surprise twist is something few saw coming. 

Catherine Tramell - Basic Instinct

It's unfortunate that Basic Instinct is really only remembered for one scene, surely you know which one. It's sad because Sharon Stone's work in the film as the calculating Catherine Tramell deserves to be remembered for more than just that interrogation scene. It's arguably the finest performance of her career. 

Jadis The White Witch - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Jadis The White Witch (Tilda Swinton) is, in the end, really nothing more than a dictator and a bully. She just has powerful magic to help her in her mercurial schemes and grievances. Not only does she delight in turning her enemies to stone for even the most minor slights, but she also plunges Narnia into winter for decades. 

Madison Lee - Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Traitorous villains, like Madison Lee (Demi Moore) in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle are the worst kind of people, but they make for some epic baddies in movies. A former Angel, Madison turns to the dark side after she thinks Charlie disrespects her and goes after her old friends with total abandon. 

Ursula - The Little Mermaid

It's hard to narrow down all the great Disney female villains for this list, but we had to include Ursula from The Little Mermaid. She's the epitome of everything that makes Disney villains great. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?

Mallory Knox - Natural Born Killers

Like many others on this list, Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) in Natural Born Killers is in some ways a victim of circumstance. Her upbringing was shocking, and her husband Mickey (Woody Harrelson) is the catalyst for their crime spree. Neither of those things gives her a pass though. Instead she makes this list as an all-time great villain. 

Frau Farbissina - Austin Powers 

One of the great Bond villainesses. Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love is the inspiration for another great, Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers franchise. Mindy Sterling's performance as Dr. Evil's right-hand woman is just pitch-perfect as a parody and she absolutely deserves to be on this list. 

President Alma Coin - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) is the classic bad guy in The Hunger Games movies, but after Snow is finally deposed and Alma Coin (Julieanne Moore) takes over as President, it turns out she's just as ruthless as Snow. Her pettiness towards Katniss doesn't do much to endear her to anyone, either.

Have you ever been asked to picture your favorite character from your favorite TV show, but no picture came to mind? There is actually no shame in admitting that because we don’t even know what many of our own favorite TV characters look like. Take a look back at some of the most iconic characters on television that we never got any screen time, or were, at least, kept partially hidden.

Charlie Townsend (Charlie's Angels)

On Charlie's Angels, the Angels never physically met their boss, Charlie Townsend, who was voiced by John Forsythe in the original series and the first two cinematic spin-offs. The reason the retired detective never revealed his appearance and only communicated by via intercom was out of protection for his agents.

Vera Peterson (Cheers)

At Cheers, everyone knew Norm Peterson (George Wendt), but no one knew his wife, Vera… or, at least, what she looked like. She was often mentioned on the long-running, Emmy-winning NBC sitcom, but was rarely seen with her accountant husband, save one time when she was covered by a pie accidentally thrown in her face by Sam (Ted Danson).

Bob Sacamano (Seinfeld)

Outside of the main four Seinfeld cast members, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) had friends like Newman (Wayne Knight) and Mickey Abbott (Danny Woodburn). His one buddy we never met was Bob Sacamano, but the seminal sitcom dropped enough hints in conversation about his scheming behavior and terrible luck that he was just as memorable as the former two.

Stan Walker (Will & Grace)

For the first few seasons of Will & Grace, Karen Walker (Megan Mullally) was married to the wealthy Stanley, before his affair, imprisonment, and death hoax caused issues. We never actually saw what the man looked like -- save a few shots of his hands and feet and the outline of his silhouette — but we know he is a heavy-set toupee-wearer.

Danny Valladeo (The X-Files)

While investigating cases on The X-Files, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) would reach out to an FBI agent named Danny. Fans have theorized that this Danny and another unseen character on the hit sci-fi show named Danny Bernstein are the same person, but creator Chris Carter has confirmed that this particular Danny’s last name is “Valladeo.”

Robin Masters (Magnum P.I.)

Even though some Magnum P.I. fans — and Tom Selleck’s titular private investigator himself — suspected John Hillerman's Johnathan Higgins was the real Robin Masters, the elusive novelist was officially billed as the voice of Orson Welles for six episodes. The character would be expanded in the Jay Hernandez-led modern reboot, in which he employs Magnum as a consultant, but still remains unseen.

Maris Crane (Frasier)

Originally, Frasier creators David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee wanted to, essentially, prank viewers of the Cheers spin-off into thinking Maris Crane was another Vera Peterson (Norm's unseen wife) before revealing her appearance later on. However, descriptions of Niles' (David Hyde Pierce) wife became so absurd over time that she was ultimately deemed impossible to cast and remained unseen for all 11 seasons.

Ercole "Eckley" DiMeo (The Sopranos)

Before Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) took over as the head of the DiMeo Family Mafia, the syndicate’s longtime leader was Ercole DiMeo, who was otherwise known as "Eckley.”Until he was portrayed by The Sopranos creator David Chase in the 2021 prequel movie, The Many Saints of Newark, Eckley was never seen on the original HBO series, due to his incarceration.

Debbie Wolowitz (The Big Bang Theory)

Howard Wolowitz's overprotective and overly loud mother, Debbie, was voiced by the late Carol Ann Susi on The Big Bang Theory cast. It was not until Pamela Adlon portrayed a younger version of the character on Young Sheldon that she made her first official on-screen appearance.

Lars Lindstrom (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

On The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary’s self-absorbed friend, Phyllis (Academy Award nominee Cloris Leachman), and her dermatologist husband, Lars, were never seen together, despite being married for 15 years at the time the sitcom began. When Phyllis got her own self-titled spin-off in 1975, which lasted two seasons, we never got the chance to finally, officially meet her spouse as he had died by then.

Dr. Claw (Inspector Gadget)

Disney's live-action feature adaptation of Inspector Gadget reimagined the titular half-cop, half-machine’s arch-enemy as a man with an actual claw for a hand, played by Rupert Everett. In the animated series, Dr. Claw had both hands, but that was all we ever saw of the master criminal, who was originally voiced by Frank Welker.

Ugly Naked Guy (Friends)

For obvious reasons, viewers were never allowed a clear view of Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) neighbor from across the street whom, the Friends cast only referred to as "Ugly Naked Guy." We did, at least, see the back of his head when Ross (David Schwimmer) visited him in hopes of taking his apartment when he moved out.

Heather Sinclair (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

One of the most talked about students at the eponymous high school from Degrassi: The Next Generation was Heather Sinclair. However, despite her notoriety among her classmates, fans of the hit Canadian teen drama never had the chance to put a face to the name.

Cousin Jeffrey (Seinfeld)

Fans had the "pleasure" (in some cases, at least) of meeting many of Jerry Seinfeld's family members on Seinfeld, except for his cousin, Jeffrey. However, some might feel they know him quite well anyway with how often Uncle Leo (Len Lasser) talks about him "like he split the atom" and the main gang’s description of his horse-like face.

Wilson W. Wilson (Home Improvement)

This one is a special case because the Taylors’ next-door neighbor is never completely unseen. For no discernible reason, only the top half of Home Improvement cast member Earl Hindman's face was ever visible, with the bottom half typically hidden behind his fence.

Mrs. Columbo (Columbo)

Peter Falk's beloved, eponymous detective from Columbo spoke about his wife often but never bothered to show her in public, or at least to the camera. However, the role would be embodied by Kate Mulgrew in Mrs. Columbo — a spin-off most people have forgotten (or at least would prefer to), which is why we still count the character as unseen.

Juanita Beasley (The Andy Griffith Show)

Juanita Beasley is a woman whom Barney Fife (Don Knotts) took quite a liking to and would spend a lot of time chatting with over the phone. If only The Andy Griffith Show ever put a camera on her, we might have been able to see the appeal.

Erica (Bojack Horseman)

Many times on Netflix’s Bojack Horseman, Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins) would shout off-screen toward someone named “Erica.” Based on what the Labrador Retriever has said about his friend on the acclaimed animated TV show, we know that she has lost a few appendages (but "has the right number of ears") and has been banned from Disneyland. Her true identity and supposedly bizarre appearance remain a mystery.

Adults (Peanuts)

You could say the shorts and TV specials based on Charles Schultz's Peanuts comic strip made up the ultimate children's program because the only people you saw were children. Of course, there were some adult characters — such as Charlie Brown's teacher, Miss Othmar — but they were largely kept offscreen and spoke in a language that could be described as the somber wail of a trombone.

Epstein's Mother (Welcome Back, Kotter)

On Welcome Back, Kotter, Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) often used notes to get out of homework assignments signed, "Epstein's Mother," whom, based on the lack of a first name provided, was likely not the one doing the actual signing. The truth may never be revealed since Epstein's real mother was never given a chance to show herself on the sitcom.

President Stuart Hughes (Veep)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Emmy-winning role as Vice President Selina Meyer might as well have been the Commander in Chief from the beginning of Veep. Her former superior, President Stuart Hughes, is never actually seen in the White House, which makes discussions of his irresponsibility all the more convincing.

Carlton (Rhoda)

When Valerie Harper's character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda Morgenstern, got her own self-titled spin-off, she had a doorman named Carlton (voiced by series co-developer Lorenzo Music) who was almost exclusively heard through her building's intercom, save a few glimpses of his arm. The only time the character was fully visible was in a 1980 animated special that depicted his daily tasks.

Donald (Seinfeld)

In one of the best Seinfeld episodes, "The Bubble Boy," a visit to a fan of Jerry's with an immune deficiency ends in disaster when he and George (Jason Alexander) get in a fight over a Trivial Pursuit card misprint. Jon Hayman voiced the memorable one-episode role whose face was never revealed, even after his fight with George causes a puncture to his germ-free enclosure.

Dr. Herb and Diane Roberta Urkel (Family Matters)

After, almost literally, stealing the show from the rest of the Family Matters cast, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) basically adopted the Winslows as his family. Despite his irritating antics, Urkel’s neighbors did seem more welcoming of the squeaky-voiced nerd's presence than his actual parents, Herb and Diane Roberta, who kept their distance even when their son married Laura (Kellie Shangyne Williams).

Sally Reardon (Felicity)

When Felicity Porter (Keri Russell) starts college, she keeps in touch with a friend from her hometown named Sally Reardon by exchanging tape recordings. Sally's voice was provided by Janeane Garofalo, but the comedian never showed up to play the very supportive and wisdom-spouting role on camera.

Nanny (Muppet Babies)

The most we ever saw of the woman who took care of the Muppets' infantile counterparts on Muppet Babies was her legs. At least Nanny (originally voiced by Barbara Billingsley) had a distinct fashion sense that made those appearances memorable.

Tino (My So-Called Life)

One of the coolest students at Liberty High School who never once made an appearance in class (or off campus) on My So-Called Life was Tino. Plenty of fascinating information was provided about the teen — from his wicked parties to his lead singer position in Jordan Catalano’s band, The Frozen Embryos — but the seminal ‘90s series ended too soon for his official reveal.

Mr. And Mrs. Gibbler (Full House)

The TGIF era was filled with characters who just sort of hung out at the central family's home more than their own, such as Andrea Barber's Kimmy Gibbler on Full House. Even when Kimmy got married in the finale of Netflix's Fuller House, giving us a chance to finally meet her mother and father, they never showed up.

Envelope Assistant (America's Funniest Home Videos)

In the original incarnation of America's Funniest Home Videos, the late Bob Saget was handed an envelope revealing that week's winner by someone who never showed more than their hand to the camera. The host would always be sure to make conversation with the Envelope Assistant by asking what their evening plans were or remarking about a recent change to their wardrobe or physicality.

Dr. Richard Nygard (Parks And Recreation)

Chris Traeger (played by Parks and Recreation cast member Rob Lowe) expresses such high praise for his therapist, Dr. Richard Nygard, that it almost seems to border on cultism. Or, perhaps, their close doctor-patient relationship just seems strange and mysterious because we never got to see the man throughout the hit mockumentary sitcom’s run.

The Gooch (Diff'rent Strokes)

On Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) was tormented on multiple occasions by a kid known only as "The Gooch." The sitcom managed to paint the character as the stuff of legend — like how most youngsters may see their school bullies — by never actually revealing what he looked like.

Dr. Kahn (Salute Your Shorts)

On the classic Nickelodeon series, Salute Your Shorts, Dr. Kahn would frequently make announcements of a positive or disciplinary variety on a loudspeaker to the youngsters at Camp Anawanna. However, that was as far as our interaction would go with the camp director, voiced by series creator Steve Slavkin.

There is a part of us that still wishes we could have finally seen some of these classic TV characters (or seen them better, at least). Yet, in retrospect, it is their enigmatic presence that makes them so memorable.

When you think of the main ensemble of your favorite TV series, how closely does the picture in your mind resemble what the cast looked like when it debuted? It is certainly not unusual for a hit TV show to say goodbye to one of its biggest stars or bring in someone new who makes a huge impact. The following are some of the most famous — or even infamous — examples of casting changes that shook things up.

The Brady Bunch

The term “Cousin Oliver Syndrome” references when a sitcom’s youngest and cutest cast member grows up, prompting the writers to invent a new young, cute character to take their place. Its coinage comes from Robbie Rist’s clumsy character from The Brady Bunch, who was added late into Season 5 in 1974, only to last six episodes.

Roseanne

Alicia Goransan starred in Roseanne as Becky Conner for the first five seasons before leaving and later came back for the eighth season and the revival series. In the sixth, seventh, and ninth seasons, the role was given to future Scrubs and Rick and Morty star Sarah Chalke, who also appeared on The Conners in a separate recurring role. This back-and-forth dual casting was humorously addressed on a clip show episode.

Diff'rent Strokes

In Season 6 of Diff’rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Willis Jackson (Todd Bridges) gained a new younger brother named Sam McKinney, played by Danny Cooksey. Originally brought on as a recurring character, Cooksey joined the main cast and, until the series’ end, his role grew larger as Willis’ appearances became more scarce.

Parks And Recreation

Near the end of the series’ second season, NBC’s Parks and Recreation cast grew with the addition of Rob Lowe as Chris Traeger and Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt. The mockumentary style political satire also experienced a major growth in popularity following their entrance and we find it hard to believe that is a mere coincidence.

Family Matters

An urban legend once suggested that the youngest Winslow child, Judy, walked upstairs one moment in the fourth season of Family Matters, never to come back down again. While that is not actually true (she last appeared in Season 4’s 19th episode, “Mama’s Wedding”), Jaimee Foxworth was written off the sitcom, due to increased attention on Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel and decreased budgeting, never to return to mainstream acting again.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

It’s hard to believe that Frank Reynolds was not a part of “the Gang” since It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia debuted on FX in 2005. In truth, Academy Award nominee Danny DeVito was brought in during the second season, propelling the long-running dark comedy to greater heights of popularity

The Office

NBC’s The Office cast saw many changes throughout its nine-season run, such as bringing in Ed Helms as Andy Bernard and Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon. The most significant shake-up was when Steve Carell left his star-making role as Michael Scott in Season 7 and was briefly replaced by Emmy winner James Spader as Robert California.

The Sopranos

One of the best character actors of all time, Joe Pantoliano, joined HBO’s The Sopranos cast for two seasons as Ralph Cifaretto. His performance as the capo for the Soprano crime family resulted in one of his most acclaimed roles, earning him a Best Supporting Actor Emmy Award.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

In Daphne Maxwell Reid’s first episode on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (the Season 4 premiere), it is cheekily acknowledged that she had replaced Janet Hubert as Vivienne Banks — following on-set tension with star Will Smith — when Jazz (DJ Jazzy Jeff) says there is “something different about” her. Both actors — who each had different takes on the role — were brought together for the sitcom’s reunion special on Max. 

Family Guy

If not for the publicity surrounding it, Family Guy fans might not have been able to notice that Mike Henry stepped down as the voice of Cleveland Brown in 2020 because of how perfectly Arif Zahir matches the character’s distinct voice. It is much more noticeable, however, to watch the adult animated series’ first two seasons and hear Lacey Chabert voicing Meg instead of Mila Kunis, who has played the Griffin’s oldest child ever since.

Batman

Adam West’s Batman faced off against two iconic iterations of Catwoman on his 1960s-era TV show, played by Julie Newmar for the first two seasons and Earth Kitt in the third and final run. That’s not even counting Lee Meriwether’s portrayal in the feature-length spin-off.

House

The medical diagnostics team led by Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) originally consisted of Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), and Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison). By the medical drama’s fourth season, he needed a whole new crew, recruiting Dr. Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson), Dr. Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn), and Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley (Olivia Wilde). The House cast would only continue to change from there — most notably with Penn leaving by the end of Season 5 and stars Amber Tamblyn, Charlene Yi, and Odette Annable coming in near the end.

Melrose Place

Heather Locklear is famous for shaking things up on a few different series by joining the main ensemble and one of the most notable examples is Melrose Place. She was cast on the Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off late into its first season in a recurring role as Amanda Woodward, who would become one the primetime soap’s most iconic characters when she was made a series regular the following year.

Valerie

Following her success on Rhoda, Valerie Harper starred on a family sitcom from the 1980s in the title role of Valerie, until she was fired after two seasons. Her character was killed off and replaced with Sandy Duncan as a stepmother, leading to the show’s retitling as Valerie’s Family: The Hogans and, later, The Hogan Family.

Cheers

Every single one of the main Cheers characters is memorable, even those who joined the ensemble later. Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane started off as a recurring character in Season 3, Woody Harrelson’s Woody Boyd was hired in Coach’s place after he and the actor who played him (Nicholas Colasanto) passed away, and, following Shelley Long’s exit, Kirstie Alley was cast as Rebecca Howe.

Grey's Anatomy

When a series lasts as long as Grey’s Anatomy, cast changes are to be expected. Some of the most notable include the exits of Isaiah Washington (following an alleged on-set controversy involving co-star T.R. Knight), Emmy winner Katherine Heigl after six seasons, and Patrick Dempsey, by way of killing off Derek Shepherd.

That '70s Show

Following a special appearance in That ‘70s Show Season 5, Lisa Robin Kelly was officially replaced by Christina Moore as Laurie Forman for the first half of the following season. Season 7 would be the last for Topher Grace as central character Eric Forman and the series’ biggest breakthrough star, Ashton Kutcher, officially left early in Season 8.

Law & Order

Only a handful of the original Law & Order cast — which included Chris Noth and Michael Moriarity— lasted more than four or five seasons before mainstays like S. Epatha Merkerson and Sam Waterston entered the mix. Fun fact: one of the crime procedural’s most beloved stars, Jerry Orbach, first appeared in a Season 2 guest spot in an entirely different role before he joined the main cast as Lennie Brisco the following year.

The Big Bang Theory

For years, Kaley Cuoco was the only female main actor in CBS’ The Big Bang Theory cast. That was until 2009 when Melissa Rauch joined the cast as Bernadette Rostenkowski, who went on to marry Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Mayim Bialik joined the following year as Amy Farrah Fowler, who became Sheldon Cooper’s (Jim Parsons) wife.

Night Court

With the notable exceptions of Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, and Richard Moll, the original Night Court cast in its later years bore little resemblance to the Season One ensemble, which also included Karen Austin and Paula Kelly. The late Selma Diamond was the first of three actors to play the second bailiff (including Florence Halop and Marsha Warfield) and Charles Robinson and Markie Post were cast in Season 2 and stayed to the end.

Three's Company

John Ritter’s Jack and Joyce DeWitt’s Janet famously had a rotation of three blonde roommates on Three’s Company — starting with Suzanne Somers as Chrissy before Jenilee Harrison stepped in temporarily as Chrissy’s cousin Cindy and, lastly, Priscilla Barnes was brought in as Terri Alden. Additionally, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley left in Season 3 to star in a spin-off called The Ropers and were replaced with Don Knotts as the trio’s landlord, Mr. Furley.

Charlie's Angels

The only original Charlie’s Angels cast members to last all five seasons were Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett, David Doyle as John Bosley, and John Forsyth as the voice of Charlie. Farrah Fawcett was only a series regular for the premiere season (replaced by Cheryl Ladd) and, following Kate Jackson’s exit after Season 3, Shelley Hack and, later, Tanya Roberts filled in for the remaining seasons.

Game Of Thrones

The Game of Thrones cast would lose main characters regularly but also featured a few well-known actor replacements. Most notably, Michiel Huisman succeeded Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis. Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane was played by three different actors: Conan Stevens in Season 1, Ian Whyte the following season, and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson for the remaining seasons.

ER

Like any other long-running medical drama, creator Michael Crichton’s ER saw cast members coming and going regularly throughout its 15 seasons. For instance, George Clooney was a regular for the first five years, Ming-Na Wen was on from Season 6 to Season 11, and the final year featured two-time Oscar nominee Angela Bassett in the main cast.

Bewitched

The first of the two Darrins on Bewitched was Dick York, who was replaced after five seasons when a back injury had long-term, debilitating effects on the Emmy nominee. Filling in as the husband of the witchy Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) for the final three seasons was Dick Sargent, who was actually the original choice for the role, but was committed to another series at the time. 

Two And A Half Men

Following a public meltdown, Charlie Sheen was let go from Two and a Half Men, in which his character, Charlie Harper, was killed off and replaced with Ashton Kutcher in a new role. Furthermore, Angus T. Jones’ disparaging comments about the CBS sitcom’s racy subject matter led to his exit after Season 10, which resulted in multiple attempts to fill the “Half Man” role with the likes of Amber Tamblyn and Edan Alexander.

Monk

Tony Shalhoub’s eponymous, OCD-ridden police consultant from the USA dramedy Monk had three assistants working for him — the first being Bitty Schram as Sharona Fleming. After Niecy Nash came on as temporary fill-in, Varla Davis, Traylor Howard was cast as Natalie Teeger, who was employed by Adrian Monk for the remainder of the series.

The West Wing

There were several notable changes to the West Wing cast throughout its run, such as Moira Kelly’s Mandy Hampton departing after the first year without explanation and Rob Lowe being replaced with Joshua Malina after four seasons. Creator Aaron Sorkin’s Emmy-winning political drama also largely shifted its focus in the final two seasons toward Jimmy Smits and Alan Alan as candidates to succeed Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen) as the United States President. 

The Cosby Show

From her marriage to Martin (Joseph C. Phillips), Lisa Bonet’s Denise Kendall (née Huxtable) gains a stepdaughter named Olivia, who essentially serves as The Cosby Show’s resident “Cousin Oliver” following the growth of Rudy actor Keshia Knight Pulliam. However, Raven-Symoné makes her debut role something truly special with her performance as the adorably precocious girl.

Married... With Children

Following his guest appearance on Married… with Children as Peg’s alternate reality husband, Ted McGinley replaced David Garrison’s Steve Rhoades as Jefferson D’Arcy — the second husband of the Bundy’s next-door neighbor, Marcy. This is just one of many times the actor was cast on a series late into its run, such as when he joined Happy Days — leading radio personality Jon Hein to dub him the “patron saint of shark-jumping.”

The Waltons

The oldest child of the Waltons (and the central focus of the Depression-era drama), John-Boy, was originally played by Richard Thomas. When the Emmy winner left the show after seven years, he was replaced by Robert Wightman for the final two seasons.

House Of Cards 

Assault allegations against led Netflix to remove Kevin Spacey from his role in the House of Cards cast as ruthless politician Frank Underwood. Robin Wright, who starred as Frank’s wife, Claire, was then promoted to the series lead for the sixth and final season.

Some casting changes ultimately kill a TV show, while others manage to endure through it swimmingly and some even get better as a result.

Alongside her close buddies Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu is one-third of one of the most beloved action trios ever, but does the Charlie's Angels star think that that iconic threesome will ever return for a third edition of the 2000s movie franchise?

Liu portrayed the highly skilled crime fighter Alex Munday opposite Diaz's Natalie Cook and Barrymore's Dylan Sanders in the 2000 action-comedy, a film adaptation of the famous 1970s television series. The original Charlie's Angels film was successful enough at the box office to warrant a sequel, 2003's even more action-packed Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, but there hasn't been a follow-up featuring Liu and Co. in the two decades since. 

And the actress says that Charlie's Angels 3 is unlikely to happen, as she recently told Variety while at Sundance this week to promote her new Steven Soderbergh’s new film Presence:

Liu is seemingly referencing that other Charlie's Angels film that cropped up in the years since the original movies: the 2019 Elizabeth Banks-directed reboot starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska as the new generation of Angels. Despite decent reviews, that film flopped at the box office, and leading lady Stewart even admitted she "hated" making it.

The Shazam! Fury of the Gods star went on to say that at the time of the original film's release, "it was such a strange thing for women to collaborate" onscreen and that novelty has shifted ever since: 

However, McG, the director of the first two Charlie's Angels movies, was singing a slightly different tune when he discussed the possibility of a third film with Entertainment Weekly in August 2023. First, the filmmaker said it would require "a long discussion" with Liu, Barrymore and Diaz:

But he also added that maybe the original team has "got one left" in them and praised his leading ladies for breaking the mold with that franchise: 

Heck, we'd take any possibility of seeing the iconic combination of Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore onscreen again. So although Lucy says a third film is unlikely, we've still got our fingers crossed. 

For now, if you want to see the original movie trio, you can stream the 2000 Charlie's Angels with a Paramount Plus subscription. 

Ah, sequels. They’re pretty much the lifeblood of the film industry. Whether it’s one sequel, or several (as seen with some horror franchises), a sequential film is always a possibility as long as enough people watched the first movie.    

But, when it comes to sequels, there are none that are more heavily lauded than the trilogy. Yes, the power of three is very real when you consider beloved trilogies like Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings movies, and the Captain America trilogy (which, for my money, is even better than The Dark Knight trilogy).

All of these aforementioned film series rank as some of the best of the best, and people were clamoring for their Part 3’s. However, with every great trilogy, there’s a sea of mediocre ones that nobody asked for. That said, some of these trilogies aren’t that bad, despite their reputations. Here are just a few of them.  

The Hobbit Trilogy  

When ranking the Lord of the Rings films, I think most people would agree that The Hobbit movies, which consisted of 2012’s An Unexpected Journey, 2013’s The Desolation of Smaug, and 2014’s The Battle of the Five Armies, were quite a step down from the original trilogy. Not only that, but the novel, The Hobbit, is not even that long, so it could have conceivably been told in just one movie; two movies at max.   

So, why then did we get three movies when most fans would have been content with just one? Well, because of money, of course. Duh. However, that doesn’t mean that The Hobbit trilogy is a complete failure, because there’s a lot of good will that went into this trilogy, even if it didn’t feel entirely necessary.  

For instance, even though Peter Jackson himself acknowledges that The Hobbit movies could have been better, you can still tell there’s a lot of love in these films. We got more backstory to Sauron, and there are elements that tangentially tie The Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings, like Orlando Bloom’s Legolas returning to the franchise.    

Sure, one might argue that Legolas didn’t even belong in The Hobbit, but for fans of the original trilogy who just wanted more Lord of the Rings, they certainly got it with The Hobbit trilogy. And then some.  

The Hangover Trilogy 

When it comes to R-rated comedies, there may not be one better than 2009’s The Hangover. You really just had to be there, as the misadventures of Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug (as well as others from The Hangover cast), just seemed to be the perfect blend of gags and debauchery at the time.   

Honestly, the film stands fine on its own. But, because of its seismic success, we got 2011’s The Hangover Part II, and 2013’s, The Hangover Part III. In Part II, we actually had our continuation in Thailand, with Stu getting married this time around, and Part III sees the Wolfpack coming back together again, but this time, to help out Alan. 

A lot of people will tell you that the films got less and less funny with each subsequent movie, and I agree. Part II feels like a retread of the original, and Part III is actually even less funny than II, and a lot more action-y. 

That said, the cast from the first movie is so strong that it’s actually interesting to follow Ken Jeong’s Leslie Chow, or Stu’s ex-wife Jade, played by Heather Graham, throughout these movies. And, the third film actually ties in quite well with the first, so they don’t just feel like separate stories, but rather, cohesive, which is definitely worth something. 

The Charlie’s Angels Trilogy 

I didn’t grow up with the TV show, Charlie’s Angels. In fact, just like with the Mission: Impossible movies, my introduction to Charlie’s Angels was actually through the films. So, like many people, I had no attachment to Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcet, or Kate Jackson. Because my angels were Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore from the 2000 movie. That film, directed by McG, was successful.    

So successful, that we got 2003’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which, despite its title, didn’t feel as fun as the first movie. So, when 2019’s reboot, directed by Elizabeth Banks came along, nobody seemed all that interested. 

But, let me tell you. The 2019 Charlie’s Angels movie might be my favorite of the three, and it all comes down to the chemistry amongst its cast, which includes Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska. 

This movie was a lot more fun than the first two, and actually enhances them by being a part of, rather than completely ignoring, the previous movies and TV show. In that way, it makes it all feel like a universe, just like James Bond, which was awesome.  

The Darkman Trilogy 

1990’s Darkman is definitely one of Sam Raimi’s best movies, and it was certainly a precursor to what he would go to do with actual comic book flicks, like his Spider-Man movies (another good, but flawed trilogy), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Also, it has Liam Neeson in it, and it’s one of his best movies as well.    

So, why in the hell would they make sequels if the original is as good as it is? Well, because believe it or not, the original did much better on VHS than it did in theaters, so it got two direct-to-video sequels in 1995’s Darkman II: The Return of Durant, and 1996’s Darkman III: Die Darkman Die.   

The first sequel, The Return of Durant, is actually the less interesting of the two. We get a new actor as Darkman in Arnold Vosloo, but since Darkman can mold his skin, it actually works out quite fine that there’s a different face underneath those bandages now. Larry Drake returns as the villain from the first movie, and it’s all pretty by-the-books action scenes. 

The third movie, though, actually feels more comic-booky, with a more out-there plot, and better action. Sure, it’s not as good as the first movie, but even half as good is good enough for me. 

The Unbreakable Trilogy  

I consider 2000’s Unbreakable to be M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie, and it works so well on its own. But, lo and behold, when we got that shocking reveal in 2016’s Split, I think I’m not alone when I said, “Well, I didn’t see THAT coming.” And then, we got 2019’s Glass, which tied them all together.   

Now, upon first viewing Glass, I hated it. I mean REALLY hated it. I thought the big twist devalued everything that made Unbreakable cool, as an organization that tracks down superheroes is just so comic-booky. 

But then, it hit me. In an era of comic book movies reigning supreme at the box office (at the time), Glass’ interesting take on what it means to be a superhero in a world that would most likely shun them, is a fascinating one to say the very least. 

So, while I don’t necessarily hate Glass anymore, I definitely appreciate it more for what it means in the wider scope of Shyamalan’s trilogy.  

The Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Trilogy 

I once posed the question of which was the best Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie, and the 1989 original came out on top. But, that's not to discredit 1992's Honey, I Blew Up the Baby, and 1997's Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.

In fact, going from small, to big, to small was an interesting choice for a trilogy, and the adults shrinking themselves rather than the kids in the third movie was a smart choice. In the end, I like them all. 

The French Connection Trilogy  

Lastly, I want to talk about a trilogy that most people might not even know exists, which is The French Connection. The 1971 movie won Best Picture, and didn’t really seem like it needed a follow-up, but it got one in 1975’s French Connection II, directed by John Frankenheimer this time rather than William Friedkin. 

The sequel actually finds Popeye Doyle in France this time, following Alain Charnier from the first movie, so it feels like a worthy sequel, and the action and police work is engaging enough. But, what I really want to talk about is the 1986 television film, Popeye Doyle, which sees a pre-Married…With Children Ed O’Neill in Gene Hackman’s role. 

The TV film brings it back to New York, and O’Neill is actually convincing in the part, as he takes on a new case involving terrorists and smugglers. It’s worth a watch, if you can find it!

So, those are just seven movie trilogies that are better than people may think. For more news on all things trilogy-related, be sure to swing by here often! 

Kristen Stewart’s range when it comes to movie roles rivals many other actresses. She’s done indie hits like Adventureland and Personal Shopper, franchise films like the Twilight series, and she was even one of the key leads of the Charlie’s Angels remake. She has certainly enjoyed making more films than others, and apparently Charlie’s Angels was one that didn’t quite land with the Oscar nominee. Stewart recently opened up about why she ended up starring in the ill-fated 2019 film, and how she ultimately ended up “hating” the experience. 

In a recent interview with Variety, the Spencer actress got real about some of her acting choices during the course of her career. The publication tasked her to guess what movies some of her lines were from, and one particular line ended up stirring less-than-positive memories for the actress. For context, the line in question was “Did you know that it takes men an additional seven seconds to perceive a woman as a threat compared to a man?” which was the opening line from Charlie’s Angels, and is said by Stewart in the film. She remembered the line, and said of the movie:

It’s really hard to recapture the magic of the original Charlie’s Angels film, and the cultural impact the action film had at the time. If Stewart was such a big fan of the source material, it makes sense why she would want to be a part of that world in some way, especially considering the 2019 version was helmed by a female director in Elizabeth Banks. Charlie’s Angels ended up getting mixed reviews from critics, and didn’t exactly live up to the legacy of the original, so it makes sense that Stewart may have some regrets about starring. 

With the negative Charlie’s Angels experience as context, it seems to have directly impacted the kinds of movies Stewart has chosen since making the film. She hasn’t done a major studio action movie since, and doesn’t seem to have any plans to. Her next film is Love Lies Bleeding, which is an indie romantic thriller from A24. She has seemingly prioritized more arty, director-driven projects rather than the franchise work she’s done in the past. 

Charlie’s Angels may not be the direct catalyst for her more recent acting choices, but knowing that she hated working on the film definitely says something about Stewart’s own personal taste. She didn’t go into details about why she may have hated making the film, but her love of the original may have prevented her from embracing a new vision for the IP. Who knows if someone will green light a sequel to Charlie's Angels, but if they do, I don’t think Stewart will want anything to do with it. 

Fans who did enjoy Elizabeth Banks’ vision for Charlie's Angels can revisit the film now on Starz. You can also check out Kristin Stewart in her latest film Love Lies Bleeding, which is set to hit theaters on March 8th, and is one of the most anticipated A24 movies heading to the big screen this year. For more information on other buzzy films coming to cinemas and streaming soon, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule. 

Today, TV theme songs just don't have the same pop that they used to have. Back in the day, they had real style, and they almost told a whole story in the little time they had before the show started. You could make an entire mix tape of nothing but great themes and play it at a party and it would get the place jumping. Here are some of those great songs that still slap, all these years later. 

Magnum, PI

One of the best shows of the '80s deserved one of the best theme songs and Magnum, PI has one. Did you know the one we all love, written by theme song master Mike Post and jazz musician Pete Carpenter wasn't the original? The classic didn't actually become the theme until mid-way through the first season. The original one, written by Ian Freebairn-Smith wasn't bad, but the producers made a good call in changing it up. 

Barney Miller

A lot of classic themes start with a great bass line, but few have the style and pizazz of the line that starts the Barney Miller theme. Played by bassist Chuck Berghofer, for a theme written by Jack Elliott and Allyn Ferguson, it immediately immerses the viewer into the vibe of the show. A true classic. 

Welcome Back, Kotter

The theme to Welcome Back, Kotter, written by the lead singer of The Lovin' Spoonful, John B. Sebastian, was a huge hit in the summer of 1976. The song went all the way to #1 on the charts and remains a favorite to many. The show is mostly remembered for two things, helping launch the career of John Travolta, and the theme song. 

Sanford And Son

Leave it to a genius like Quincy Jones to compose one of the all-time great themes that is certainly to get you on your feet and dancing. The theme to Sanford and Son is a stone classic that has endured far longer than the show ever did. The show was great, but the theme is an all-timer. 

Dallas

Every Friday night when I was a kid, I was allowed to stay up to watch the intro to Dallas before bedtime. I loved the song so much that while I had no idea what the show was about, I still needed to hear the theme every weekend. Written by composer Jerrold Immel, the song is a perfect blend of late '70s disco and '80s synth. 

Good Times

The late, great Norman Lear produced a slew of classic TV shows in the '70s and '80s, and most of them had great theme songs. Take, for example, the theme to Good Times. Written by Dave Grusin and the team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and performed by the duo of Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams, the song sets the perfect tone for the show. 

CHiPs

For a kid in the 1980s, there was nothing cooler than CHiPs. The intro, with the California highway patrolmen on their bikes and the big brass sound and funky bass line of the theme, written by John Parker, signaled the upcoming hour of police excitement perfectly. 

Knight Rider

Composer Stu Phillips did a ton of TV score work, but by far his most remembered piece is that futuristic, funky theme to Knight Rider, which he co-wrote with series creator Glen A. Larson. Decades later, the tune continues to live on in songs like "Turn It Up (Remix) / Fire It Up" by Busta Rhymes and "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" by System of a Down. 

Starsky & Hutch

The theme to Starsky & Hutch changed over the years. The original, in the first seasons, isn't remembered at all, but the theme from the rest of the seasons, though altered a bit over the years, is still beloved. Written by saxophonist (and former member of The Blues Brothers) Tom Scott, it is as '70s as a song can get and matches the show's aesthetic brilliantly. 

Charlie's Angels

No TV show has ever been cooler than Charlie's Angels. Its legacy is so great that a small franchise of Charlie's Angels movies emerged decades after it went off the air. The theme, composed by theme music legend Jack Elliott, oozes the same cool that the show did with its smooth jazz sound. 

Hill Street Blues

Nobody has a resume for writing TV hit songs like Mike Post. The composer scored multiple Top 40 hits in the '70s and '80s and even a couple that landed in the top 10. The Hill Street Blues theme was one, reaching #10 on the Billboard charts in 1981.  

Miami Vice

Musician and composer Jan Hammer is a legend in the jazz world. In the broader world, he's known mostly for his brilliant theme song to Miami Vice. The song hit #1 on the charts in 1985 and scored Hammer two Grammys for "Best Instrumental Composition" and "Best Pop Instrumental Performance." Truly one of the all-time greats. 

What's Happening!!

Henry Mancini wrote more than 20 TV theme songs and contributed to dozens of movie soundtracks. One of his best is also one of his most underappreciated, the theme to What's Happening!!. It couldn't be more different than his most well-known songs, like the theme to The Pink Panther, but the whimsical number fits the vibe of the show perfectly. 

L.A. Law

Mike Post wrote a banger when he composed the stylish theme song to the ultra-stylish L.A. Law in the 1980s. It's based around a steady beat and a sax intro that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head after just one listen. It's a show you should check out if you love Suits and has great theme music. 

227

One of the more underrated shows of the '80s was 227. Because it flies so far under the radar in modern times, so does its excellent theme song, called "No Place Like Home." Written by Ray Colcord and performed by the star of the show, the great Marla Gibbs, it deserves to be better remembered. 

Cheers

No list like this would be complete without the theme to Cheers. Truly an old-time banger, and a song that is a sure-fire way to get a great sing-a-long going. Co-written by Gary Portnoy and Lucy Hart-Angelo, "Everybody Knows Your Name" (which Portnoy also performed) had a longer version of the theme that was a minor hit on the charts and won an Emmy. 

The Rockford Files

Mike Post is the unofficial champion of TV theme song composers and one of his best is the super-'70s sounding theme to the James Garner show The Rockford Files. It defines the way theme songs sounded in that era and it's just perfect for the show. 

The Muppet Show

There isn't a more perfect theme song to match a show's vibe than the theme to The Muppet Show. It's bold and bombastic, smart and funny... it's everything you expect from a theme co-written by the legendary Jim Henson (along with composer Sam Pottle). It's time to raise the curtain. 

One Day At A Time

Songwriter Jeff Barry has written or co-written dozens of hit songs, working out of the famous Brill Building in New York. He also co-wrote the theme to One Day At A Time alongside his wife and writing partner Nancy. It's no surprise the song is so great and matches the hit show so well. The tune, called "This Is It" is so good, it was used again (sung by Gloria Estefan) for the rebooted version of One Day At A Time.

The Dukes Of Hazzard

There is plenty of controversy surrounding The Dukes Of Hazzard, like the Confederate flag on the roof of a car named after a Confederate general, but there should be no controversy surrounding its theme song. Written and performed by country legend Waylon Jennings, "The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)," was a #1 hit on the country charts, and now, all these years later, a true classic. 

Three's Company

The theme to Three's Company asks us to "come and knock on (their) door," and that's exactly what everyone did during the show's run. It's that iconic guitar lick that leads into the verse that really slaps, though. Composer Joe Raposo nailed that. 

The Jeffersons

Admit it, as soon as you saw this you immediately started singing "Well, we're moving on up!" Everyone loves the theme to The Jeffersons. Everyone. While the comedy in and of itself is one of the best sitcoms in television history (even if the show never even hit 100 episodes), the theme song has taken on a life of its own. 

WKRP In Cincinnati

A TV show about a fictional rock radio station better have a great theme song, and WKRP In Cincinnati definitely does. Evoking what it's like to "live on the air in Cincinnati," the song, written by Tom Wells and show creator Hugh Wilson, features one of the best bass lines in TV history. 

Diff'rent Strokes

For many in Gen X, there is no bigger show in their collective memories than Diff'rent Strokes and the theme song is a major reason why. Not only was the show on weekly on NBC, it was in syndication for years. The theme, written by Alan Thicke (yes, that Alan Thicke), Al Burton, and Gloria Loring, told the whole backstory of the show perfectly each time it was on. 

Full House

Composer Jesse Frederick was the go-to guy for theme songs for the series that were part of ABC's TGIF lineup, including Family Matters and Step by Step, but his masterpiece is the theme to Full House. Frederick performed the original version, and Carly Rae Jepson was brought in to record the version used in the Netflix reboot Fuller House, which wrapped up after five seasons in 2020. 

Airwolf

Airwolf is pure 1980s and that extends to the theme song, which is a synth-driven banger by composer Sylvester Levay. Levay was also quintessential '80s, scoring or co-scoring soundtracks for movies like Cobra, Scarface, Flashdance, and many more. 

Night Court

Bass lines play an important role in TV theme songs, especially the ones that slap hard. Nothing slaps harder, literally, than the theme to Night Court. It's no surprise it was composed by Jack Elliott, who is also responsible for the funky themes to Barney Miller and Charlie's Angels.

Hawaii Five-O

One can't hear the Hawaii Five-O theme song and not immediately think of surf and sand. The song evokes the spirit of the show (both the original and the reboot) like few others do. Written by Morton Stevens, it's been reworked and recorded by different artists over the years, but its core is the same. Those drums! 

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was all about female empowerment and that goes double for the theme song, written by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Sonny Curtis. The chorus is an anthem; "You're gonna make it after all!" says everything a viewer needs to know about the show. Add in Mary Tyler Moore's hat toss at the end and you've got a pure classic. 

Mission: Impossible

Composer Lalo Schifrin won a Grammy for his original version of the Mission: Impossible theme song in 1967, and the song has lived on and on for decades since. It's been re-recorded, remixed, sampled, and covered countless times over the years, including for the movie franchise starring Tom Cruise, of course. 

Speed Racer

The theme to the original 1960s version of Speed Racer has all the drama and excitement that the anime show brought into homes every day for decades in American syndication. The melody was written by Nobuyoshi Koshibe for the Japanese version, with the American lyrics written by producer Peter Fernandez, who was responsible for bringing the show to the U.S. 

Fish

Jack Elliott has written some of the best TV themes of all time, so it makes sense that while the Barney Miller spinoff Fish, starring Abe Vigoda, only lasted 35 episodes, the theme still lives on in the minds of fans. It is even referenced (appropriately) by the band Phish in their song "Wombat."

For some shows, it's hard to imagine a different theme, like how The Office almost had a completely different one. It just wouldn't be the same.  The '90s and beyond have had some great ones, but there is nothing like those retro themes that really slap like those from the '70s and '80s. 

Lucy Liu is undeniably a household name, particularly through her action roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill and the Charlie’s Angels flicks alongside Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. She kicked butt during some of the best movies of the 2000s! But somehow the actress’ two big roles are not regularly popular costumes during Halloween season. Are you surprised? So was Rachel Zegler, Liu's costar from Shazam! 2. 

With spooky season in full gear, we’re bringing back the time when CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell spoke to the Shazam! Fury of the Gods cast members and the topic came up. Check out the moment below: 

During the initial conversation with CinemaBlend, Rachel Zegler was asked about her role as Snow White in the upcoming live-action Snow White movie when she turned the attention over to Liu. Zegler was getting emotional thinking about little kids dressing for Halloween as her version of Snow White before asking Liu if her characters are part of Halloween festivities all the time. The Kill Bill actress shared that she hasn't really seen proof of that, but Zegler refused to believe such a thing. 

I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen a Lucy Liu character being honored through a Halloween costume in my life, but as Zegler points out, some people must have done it before. I think the main point here is that it’s not a particularly popular Halloween costume for someone to go as O-Ren Ishii or Alex Munday. The most popular Kill Bill character at Halloween is, of course, Uma Thurman’s The Bride wearing the yellow tracksuit (which the Kill Bill lead apparently was not a fan of during production), but somehow O-Ren has been slept on over the years. 

I think an O-Ren costume would be genius as a friend paired-up costume, perhaps with the person dressed as O-Ren holding a fake severed head or something along those lines, or slathering themselves with fake blood since O-Ren does get executed by The Bride during Kill Bill. Alex Munday also feels like a no-brainer with a trio of girls, perhaps by replicating one of their outfits from the McG movies. Someone make this happen, because it’s way too shocking Liu has such iconic characters and has yet to see them really make an appearance on Halloween.

Given that Liu and Zegler were just in a superhero movie together, one might think that’d be the perfect opportunity for their characters to be seen on Halloween, but I don’t see Kalypso or Anthea costumes anywhere! That could be due to Shazam 2’s disappointing box office numbers and this franchise not expected to return Warner Bros. is ending the DCEU and rebooting it with the new DC Universe. 

It’s too bad, because Lucy Liu definitely deserves to have her own popular Halloween costume based on a role from her career. I feel like that must be a milestone for actors to see during this time a year. Anyway, you can watch CinemaBlend’s full Shazam 2 interviews on YouTube  and watch the movie itself with a Max subscription. 

Great television shows can lead to great movies. Some of my favorite shows that I watched in syndication as a kid have became some of my favorite movies as an adult. These are all the best movies based on shows from the 1960s and 1970s, including some you might not expect. 

Mission: Impossible

This one is really a nod to the whole film franchise for Mission: Impossible, which is based on the show of the same name. It's hard to believe that with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1, the franchise is closing in on 30 years. It's even wilder when you realize the show ended 50 years ago.

The movies are quite different from the television series, as you'd expect, but the show was one of the hippest on TV when it ran for seven seasons between 1966 and 1973. It obviously didn't have the budget that the movies have, but like the films, it brought together different crews with different skills for each mission, also relying on a core group (three or four members) who worked each job. 

The Fugitive

The Fugitive TV show that inspired the 1993 Harrison Ford film was the original LOST. It was groundbreaking at the time (1962 until 1966), because it wasn't a story-of-the-week series. Instead, viewers followed weekly as Dr. Richard Kimble scrambled to avoid authorities and find the one-armed man who killed his wife. Like Game of Thrones, audiences tuned into the finale in huge numbers, and it still ranks among the top-ever ratings winners.

The movie, like the show, was a huge hit as well. Pitting Harrison Ford as Kimble (who took the role just so he could grow a beard) against Tommy Lee Jones as the Federal Marshal trying to catch him. It raked in cash at the box office and is now considered a stone-cold classic from the era. Who can ever forget the scene above the dam? 

The Brady Bunch Movie

The Brady Bunch Movie, and A Very Brady Sequel are truly underrated, and based on the classic '70s show that ran for five seasons, from 1969 until 1974. Both, but especially the second one, are instant "stops" when I'm looking to see what's on TV. They are, at once, exactly like the TV show, and nothing like it at all. The '90s movies take their plots from the show and have the family act exactly as they did in the early '70s, but it's set in 1990s Los Angeles. The world has moved on, but the Bradys haven't. It makes for magic, honestly. 

Charlie’s Angels

Charlie's Angels (1976-1981) was one of the most popular shows of the 1970s, and the movies based on it have been wildly popular too, but for this list, we're talking about the "original" movie from 2000 starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu as the Angels, and Bill Murray as Bosley. 

Like the show, the movie follows an elite crew of female private investigators who work for the mysterious Charlie. In both, Charlie was played by legendary actor John Forsythe, though he's never on screen in either, he's just a voice on a telephone. Like the Mission: Impossible movies, Charlie's Angels keeps the cool but amps up the action to incredible heights. 

Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family TV series has spawned multiple movies, shows, and spin-offs. Surprisingly, the show only ran for two seasons, from 1964-1966. It became a staple of syndicated TV all through the '70s, '80s, and into the '90s, which is why the family has become so beloved by fans. 

The 1991 movie starring Angelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci retains every bit of the creepy, the kooky, and the lovability of the weirdest family on the block. Ricci is still praised for her performance, so much so that fans rejoiced when she joined the cast of Netflix hit show Wednesday, even if she's not playing the titular role. 

Starsky & Hutch

The show that the movie Starsky & Hutch is based on, which ran from 1975 to 1979 was another one of those "cool" shows. Everyone wanted to be either Starsky or Hutch and you could be defined as one, based on your personality. Another thing that made it cool, let's be honest, was their awesome Ford Gran Torino. 

The car and the characters were back in 2004, with Ben Stiller as David Starsky, and Owen Wilson as Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson, two streetwise cops who come together as partners in the movie. It's an origin story about two of the most popular cops of the '70s, and while the show had a serious tone, the movie is light and campy, and very funny, especially if you were a fan of the original. 

The Saint

The Saint (1997), starring Val Kilmer, is partly based on the TV show of the same name, starring a pre-James Bond Roger Moore that aired from 1962-1969 on ITV in the U.K. The character of secret agent Simon Templar, of "The Saint" goes back to a book series in the 1920s. So, while the movie is technically based on the books, its heart is right with the '60s TV show. 

It's a movie that seems to completely fly under the radar, despite a fantastic performance from Kilmer and an equally superb Elisabeth Shue as his secret love interest. It's a very fun action flick that features Kilmer-as-Templar in a whole slew of secret identities, giving the actor a lot to work with. Some of it is a little campy, but that only makes watching it more fun. 

The Twilight Zone: The Movie

The Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) is a lot different than the others on this list, and that's the least because the show was so different from anything else on TV. The movie is made up of four independent stories, all based on original Twilight Zone episodes. Each one is directed by a big name in cinema, Steven Spielberg, John Landis, Mad Max: Furiosa director George Miller, and Gremlins director Joe Dante. 

As a kid, this movie terrified me, long before I ever became a fan of the original TV show, which aired from 1959 until 1964 and radically redefined what TV could be. The movie takes fewer chances, but it updates the stories well and will definitely have you thinking about it for weeks after. 

Maverick

Before Top Gun: Maverick broke all the records, there was simply Maverick (1994), starring Jodi Foster, Mel Gibson, and James Garner, and based on the 1960s western TV show of the same name. The movie, and the show, are sort of lost to time these days. 

The program aired in the heyday of television westerns from 1957 to 1962 and is overshadowed by shows like Gunsmoke and Bonanza. The movie, as charming as it is (starring Gibson as riverboat gambler Bret Maverick), might have been a little before its time, coming a decade before the poker boom. It's a fun romp and was a box office hit, but it's rarely mentioned as a great gambling movie, which it is. 

Dragnet

The movie Dragnet (1987), based on the two shows of the same name, falls in the same category as The Brady Bunch Movie and Starsky & Hutch. It's a satire of the show but follows the beats and rhythms of it to a T. Dan Akyroyd plays Sgt. Joe Friday, the role made famous on the TV shows by Jack Webb. Tom Hanks plays his new partner, Pep Streebek. 

The first version of Dragnet aired in the 1950s, but it's the one from the 1960s, which ran for four seasons (1967-1971), that a lot of the material from the movie is pulled. Webb is still as by the book as it gets, but Streebek is a loose cannon, more akin to a comedic version of Riggs in Lethal Weapon, without the violent streak. The whole movie is worth watching simply for Hanks' performance. While it will never be remembered as one of his best, it's great to revisit those early days of his career when Hanks was... whacky. It's more than just the facts, ma'am. 

The Flintstones 

The Flintstones is one of the most enduring pieces of pop culture, and one reason for that is the live-action movie from 1994 starring John Goodman as Fred and Rick Moranis as Barney. Years before Disney got on the live-action remake train, The Flintstones paid tribute to what was, at the time, the longest-running primetime animated show. The original aired 166 episodes from 1960 to 1966. 

The franchise has continued on in the decades since the movie, with numerous TV spinoffs, animated movies, theme park rides, and a sequel to the movie, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, in 2000. With rumors of a new movie in the works, it seems these characters could live on forever, as they should. 

Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

You definitely can't make this list without a movie in the Star Trek universe and there is no better than Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Based, of course, on the classic series that famously only ran for three seasons from 1966-1969, Khan (1982) sees the crew of the Enterprise led by William Shatner as Kirk and Leanard Nimoy as Spock, locked in a death battle with the legendary Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán. Sure, there are great things in all the Star Trek movies, but keeping it real, this one is still the best. 

The Great Muppet Caper

Another legendary franchise started on the small screen on the Muppet Show (1976-1981) and jumped, in a big way, to the silver screen with 1981's The Great Muppet Caper, and others, of course. This is the second film featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, and all your other favorite Muppets. It's also the best. Not only do you get a great performance from the always-underrated Charles Grodin, but it combines the Muppets with a heist and that is a winning combo. 

Get Smart

At the height of The Office came Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart in 2008's Get Smart. While the movie took a few hits from reviewers, Carell really is the perfect actor to take on the role made famous in the '60s by Don Adams, who played Smart through the show's run from 1965 to 1970. 

The clumsy and quirky Smart is right in Carell's wheelhouse, and despite some uneven moments, he still shines in his performance. Anne Hathaway is, as always, pitch-perfect as well. Add in some of the really fun supporting roles, played by the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Bill Murray, and the late Alan Arkin and James Caan, and you've got yourself the perfect popcorn chomper for a Friday.  

George Of The Jungle

Of all the movies and shows on this list, the one that ran for the shortest time was, by far, George of the Jungle, which was later turned into a movie with Brendan Fraser. The original animated show lasted for 17 episodes (total) as a Saturday morning cartoon in 1967. The theme song proved more enduring, and that's honestly what probably kept it in the public consciousness at all. 

Still, in 1997, Fraser played the role of the klutzy version of Tarzan and like many of his movies from the time, it took a beating by critics, but has stood the test of time. It's not the best movie on this list, but it's still really funny and Fraser is great. 

There are dozens of shows from the 1960s and 1970s that haven't been made into movies, so hopefully Hollywood will keep mining them. I've still got my fingers crossed for a full movie based on the oft-forgotten Emergency! and I won't be satisfied until someone makes it! 

I can’t believe it’s warm enough for celebrities to already be busting out the bikini content, but it must be, because they have. I suppose fashion does start rolling out  months in advance, and if the most recent posts from actors like Halle Berry, Sydney Sweeney and more are any indication, summer wear is very in vogue right now. This year, it also looks as if the black bikini is going to be king. 

The bikini has been around for years – it’s reportedly dated to a post WWII era 1946 unveiling – and black bikinis themselves have been en vogue in the past. In fact, Demi Moore notably wore one on the big screen back in 2000 when she appeared in Charlie’s Angels opposite Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. 

What is old becomes new again; in fact, we already know that early aughts fashion is coming back in, and this includes the black bikini as well. Here’s Halle Berry giving major beach vibes in a recent Instagram post. 

If you aren’t convinced a black bikini on its own is the look of the summer, try throwing on a cute shawl and a glass of champagne as accessories. Berry is undeniably doing this new trend justice, though I suppose fans shouldn’t be surprised given her history of swimwear in film. She’s not the first to throw on the look either. A few days ago, Bradley Cooper’s ex and famous model Irina Shayk threw on a similar bikini. 

This look was accessorized with a necklace and wet hair. It was also giving a little underboob, which is certainly another on-trend look now, with other celebrities, including Rachel Zegler and Aubrey Plaza rocking underboob for certain events. 

It's not just bikinis that are in, but the color black in swimwear, as Kim Kardashian and her sister aesthetically matched in the color for a recent post from a vacation the family took to the Bahamas. (Kim had on a bikini, Khloé wore a one-piece suit.) 

Sydney Sweeney actually has a brand new line of swimwear with Frankie’s Bikinis, and she hasn’t been solely stuck on the black bikini in recent weeks. The brand does tout “sexy swimsuits” and this black number from the Euphoria actress certainly fits the bill. In fact, it's one step off from lingerie. 

Kristin Cavallari also notably went viral just a few weeks ago for sharing a black bikini post with the caption, “...but she’s a mother.” It was seemingly a nod to flack some moms take for keeping their bodies in shape and being proud of that even after kids are in the picture. Cavallari has three kids she shares with ex Jay Cutler. 

There have been lots of different takes on the black bikini from lots of different celebrities. If you’re more of a plain and simple gal, I really like this ribbed suit from Beach Riot, which rocks the trend but is a bit less risqué than some of the looks the celebrities dared to throw on. (It also comes in other neutrals, if black isn’t your vibe.) 

If you’re looking to rock everything your Mama gave you, there’s plenty of options for that too. This Indah suit is actually even more party in the back than in the front, believe it or not. But it covers enough that the only thing you need to be concerned about is tan lines. 

The nice thing about a black bikini is that it’s a color that looks good on everyone and it’s a classic look that will survive more than just one season. Oh and you can get it in a lot of styles, including a high-waisted bikini. I particularly like this one from PatBo, which adds hardware for interest.

Meanwhile, I’m guessing that black will continue to be the color of the swim season as the weather heats up, so if you haven't perused Amazon or other websites in your budget range, best get to it  One thing is for certain: celebrities are most definitely ready for summer.  

Ahead of Lucy Liu's return to the action movie realm with Shazam!: Fury of the Gods, the iconic actress has been looking back on some of her past work. She specifically took some time to reflect on being a part of Charlie’s Angels. In 2000, Liu was memorably among the reimagined cast of the spy franchise, which also include Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. Around that time,, rumors swirled about the women not getting along, and Liu addressed those assumptions. 

Lucy Liu did have a notable clash on the set of Charlie’s Angels, but it had nothing to do with the other angels. As she shared back in 2021, she “stood up” to Bill Murray for "inexcusable and unacceptable” comments he made on the set of the film. Barrymore later backed up her co-star on the whole thing. But, when it comes to her relationship with Barrymore and Diaz though, here’s what she had to say:  

While speaking to People, the Elementary alum referenced the long-present Hollywood stereotype that women will inevitably not get along on the sets of big productions. As we've seen, that's just not true and honestly pretty sexist. To that point, the 54-year-old actress said:

Not only did the stars of Charlie’s Angels, and it's 2003 sequel, Full Throttle, work well together, but the trio have shared that they remain friends over 20 years after making the action comedies together. In fact, when The Drew Barrymore Show kicked off a couple years ago, her first guests were Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu and they certainly looked like absolute besties on the daytime appearance. Check it: 

That was so sweet! During that appearance, the ladies shared that they’ve been to each other’s weddings and attended the birthday parties of each other’s kids as well. Drew Barrymore said their friendship had been “real” for decades, before Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu spoke to Charlie’s Angels being the “foundation” for their relationship. You love to see it, and good on Liu to continue to make it clear that there was no bad blood within the group.

While fans will continue to hope for a sequel starring these three women, they should be happy to see Lucy Liu join another action trio for the Shazam! sequel. She'll play the role of Kalypso, one of the daughters of Atlas, alongside Helen Mirren and Rachel Zegler. Before the 2023 new movie release hits theaters on March 17, you can check out the positive-skewing first reactions for Fury of the Gods, with CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eisenberg calling it a “worthy sequel.” 

Sometimes all you need to sell a movie is a title with two words that hammer home exactly what the story should be. In the case of Charlie’s Angels, the legacy of the ‘70s crime drama was the lure that was supposed to bring audiences to director Elizabeth Banks’ legacy-quel. Meanwhile, the 2023 new movie release Cocaine Bear only needed that absolutely nuts and true-to-life concept to get people talking. In a recent interview, Banks shared some honest thoughts about how that previous movie flopped and how her upcoming project’s chances at the box office could affect her career. 

In conversation with Variety, the helmer behind one of this year’s wildest looking thrill rides did what any good leader would. Acknowledging the failure of Charlie’s Angels at the box office, Elizabeth Banks addressed the situation point blank thanks to the following moment of candor: 

Early on in the debacle that saw the Kristen Stewart-starring film underperform at the box office, Elizabeth Banks embraced the situation with a fun tweet and pride that Charlie’s Angels even existed. Taking ownership of the flop that had her name all over it, it was a reaction that was pure Banks in its tone. The same could be said about how she’s handling her most recent press tour for Universal’s bonkers-looking would-be blockbuster. 

Talking up the fact that she sees Cocaine Bear as a revenge story, Elizabeth Banks is once again jumping in headfirst. It’s an energy that can be seen in the marketing and social media campaign, which has only been stoking the fires for moviegoers ready to get weird. Still, Banks acknowledges the stakes around this grizzly grindhouse offering are pretty much set as follows: 

If Elizabeth Banks’ directing career were to end with this picture in particular, the trailer for Cocaine Bear suggests that prospect as going out on top. While we don’t have to wait too much longer to see it for ourselves, the thrills of that preview still make the delay all the more noticeable. Should you want a bump of the pleasures that are the fictitious adventures of the creature known as Pablo Escobear, take a look at that very video provided below:  

Folks are bound to be getting in line for Cocaine Bear, which kicks off its run of powdered joy on February 24th. Anyone curious about how good 2019’s Charlie’s Angels movie really was can check that out for themselves thanks to the world of streaming. Starz is offering that title at the time of this writing, which can be accessed easily as an add-on for either a Hulu or Prime Video subscription. 

Multiple Hollywood A-listers have told stories of being famously passed over or rejected for certain movie classics. Some rumors may have never been confirmed while others come as a total surprise. The latest star to reveal a missed opportunity was You People’s Nia Long. The Hollywood icon made waves by revealing she got rejected from the 2000 Charlie’s Angels movie. In telling her story, Long finally got the chance to reveal why she was rejected after her audition decades ago.

The Best Man star got to clear the air while being interviewed on The Drew Barrymore Show. It was Barrymore, not Long, who brought up the viral story on her show. The Charlie’s Angels alum recalled before production started she and her production company were doing chemistry reads with multiple actors. Upon hearing about the acting veteran’s audition story, she called the situation from decades ago “bizarre.” Barrymore also mentioned a producer saying something about Long’s eyebrows. Her confusion led to the Friday icon recalling what happened after her well-received audition.

Nia Long took the rejection on the chin as it comes with the territory. It was the audition feedback that threw the beloved actress for a loop. Comments on her appearance and age didn’t seem necessary after the rejection. Oscar winner Viola Davis has spoken about similar experiences in Hollywood. However, Long felt the odd notes weren’t the real reason she didn’t become part of the cinematic trio. The Missing star recalled the film industry was pushing for diversity on a surface level during the 1990s. However, she then got candid, claiming Hollywood wasn’t ready to put a Black woman in a previously white role.

Long’s take wasn’t surprising given her honest thoughts on Hollywood like King Richard star Aunjanue Ellis. While the 1990s showcased diverse films, the number of all-Black and all-white casts was notable during the time. That doesn’t mean the diverse casts weren’t happening either, but most times, Black actors and actresses were relegated to supporting or minor roles. There were a handful of Black-led 1990s films with only a few led by Black women. Having been in several classic films, Long did notice some changes from Hollywood producers, including Barrymore, since the 1990s.

After hearing the Hollywood icon’s account, Drew Barrymore admitted she and her producing partner were pushing for a diverse lineup. The Hollywood star explained they felt terrible when the trio included two white women - her and Cameron Diaz. Barrymore even called out the original series for its lack of diversity. This only pushed the producing duo to seek an actress of color to round out the lineup. 

The A-lister seemed dumbfounded about why Long’s eyebrows were a problem, saying the note “doesn’t make any sense.” To drive the point home, the Ever After star mentioned fellow Angel Lucy Liu and Long are the same age. However, the two women didn’t hold a grudge as they mentioned possibly working together in the future.

Not becoming an Angel hasn’t stooped Nia Long’s acting career. She is currently in two films – the hit thriller Missing, which is currently in movie theaters, and the comedy You People, which is available through a Netflix subscription. If you want to see what new movies are coming out, check out our 2023 movie schedule.

We’ve seen Drew Barrymore take on a number of different roles that have shaped her into the great actress she is today. She’s really come a long way since her early role as the precious 7-year-old Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial which has ranged over the years from cute and sexy to kick-ass roles. While talking about her best movies, this actress/talk show host spoke about pitching The Wedding Singer to Adam Sandler and why being a part of Charlie’s Angels felt like a breath of fresh air.

Drew Barrymore really knows how to shine in anything she does, whether her cute giggles make us laugh with her or she throws a mean kick. One of her most memorable roles was The Wedding Singer where Adam Sandler’s character Robbie Hart saves a reception hall waitress from becoming the future Julia Gulia. While being interviewed by Gayle King on The Drew Barrymore Show, the former child star dished about what it was like to pitch this classic comedy to her long-time friend.

And a heartstring-tugging rom-com was born. The chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore is truly what made The Wedding Singer one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Sure, we got some ‘80s nostalgia, an elderly lady rapping a spell, and a Billy Idol cameo. But, the characters of Robbie and Julia really were relationship goals of inspiring the best out of each other and showing audiences what “church tongue” really is. As for if the budding pair would be willing to do another movie together, they said they would rather wait until a really great opportunity comes their way. Considering these two have jokingly spoken about making a movie together every ten years, it would be that long next year since their last movie Blended came out. So, let's cross our fingers that we’ll get a surprise announcement from these two then.

Not only was The Wedding Singer brought up, but Charlie’s Angels was another film of Barrymore’s that she was proud to be a part of. She explained to King why playing the role of Dylan Sanders was important to her.

She makes a good point. While she and the rest of the Angels kicked some serious ass against tough men, it didn’t mean they didn’t have fun while doing so. The two films presented three women who were the best of friends committing life-saving tasks with each other while having a good laugh about it later. After more than 20 years since Charlie’s Angels, she, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu still hang out as they feel like their friendship with each other is very real and not a “Hollywood fairytale.” You would have to be very lucky to have a friendship as lasting as theirs has been.

Any actress would consider themselves fortunate to take part in the iconic movies that Drew Barrymore has had working with great co-stars she’s had lasting friendships. She may be on an indefinite acting hiatus right now, but you can watch her television host The Drew Barrymore Show every morning on CBS at 9:30 am. Keep up with CinemaBlend’s upcoming movies so you’ll be the first to know when the Hollywood starlet will make her way back to the big screen. 

When it comes to some of the best comedies out there, there are plenty that come to mind where I know that no matter how many times I watch them, I will always laugh. From older movies to more recent ones, there’s no denying my unyielding love for these comedies when I’m having a bad day and just need to smile. And, what makes them even more special is that all of them are women–led buddy comedies. I just love them. 

From timeless classics like Clueless to newer additions such as Booksmart, these are some of the best women-led buddy comedy movies that have ladies in the lead, and where they are streaming right now. 

Clueless (1995)

In this fun '90s movie, Clueless follows Cher, a high schooler in Beverly Hills with a beautiful life, who takes it upon herself to mentor Tai Frasier, an “unhip” girl that she wants to help, but this altruistic act turns her life upside down. 

There are so many things I could say about this classic teen film to make you watch it. Truly, it’s one of the best out there. Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash are just outstanding as the lead characters, and the performance from the late Brittany Murphy is one I always enjoy. Paul Rudd is in here too, so that’s always a plus as well. 

Stream Clueless on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Clueless on Amazon.

9 To 5 (1980)

Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 is a comedy that tells the story of three working-class women who band together to take down their egotistical and sexist boss, trying to get back at him for all the pain that he has caused. 

9 to 5 talks about important cultural issues and launched these already famous stars to even higher heights. Their chemistry is amazing and so easy to follow, and you can’t help but love the jokes that come as they start to get back at their boss. There’s a reason why a television show, as well as a musical, were developed after the success of the film. I still have the theme going in my head. “Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen…”

Stream 9 to 5 on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy 9 to 5 on Amazon.

Booksmart (2019)

Jumping to a more recent movie, let’s take a look at the coming of age film, Booksmart. Directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, this film tells the story of two graduating seniors in high school who have lived a pretty safe life. But, on their last day of high school, they decide to do the unthinkable - to break all the rules. 

I love Booksmart. With a passion. As I had only graduated high school three years prior to this film coming out, I connected with the main characters with a passion and loved not only the comedy but the heart behind this film. The chemistry between Feldstein and Dever is some of the best I’ve seen in years, and I need them in more movies together. 

Stream Booksmart on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Booksmart on Amazon.

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

If you want a badass action film mixed with comedy, check out Charlie’s Angels. An update of the classic series, this film follows three women who are special agents and work for a man named Charlie to take on missions that risk their lives on a daily basis. 

While I’ve always known Charlie’s Angels to be a little bit more dramatic, I like the change in tone for this film, and it helps that the three leading actresses – Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore – all worked together so well. I’ll be honest and say the plot is pretty generic for a spy movie, but it’s the performances from these actresses that draw you in and make this movie a classic to revisit and laugh to. 

Rent/Buy Charlie’s Angels on Amazon.

The First Wives Club (1996)

Jumping back to the 1990s, we feature one of my favorites, The First Wives Club. Starring Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn, this film based on the book of the same name that tells the story of three women who come together for one sole purpose – when their ex-husbands leave them for women who are younger, they want revenge. 

This film is just great from beginning to end. I mean, you already have a knockout when you have comedic legend, Bette Midler, in one of the lead roles, but adding both Keaton and Hawn was such a great move, and they just work together so well. The rest of this cast is stacked, too, but wow, those top three are just the best.

Stream The First Wives Club on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The First Wives Club on Amazon.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Pitch Perfect has become one of my favorites. A freshman in college decides to join an acapella group after her father wishes for her to get more involved, but as performances begin, there’s a lot more wackiness that comes to being in this world than she ever could have imagined. 

Pitch Perfect is my version of all those old college movies from the 1970s and '80s. I went into this film thinking this was what college would be like, and to be honest, it wasn't that far from the truth. With a cast that includes Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel freaking Wilson and so many more, it’s key to the comedy’s success. 

Stream Pitch Perfect on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Pitch Perfect on Amazon.

Girls Trip (2017)

I can’t have a list about female-driven comedies and not bring up Girls Trip. This film, starring Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah follows a group of friends who decide to go on a trip together to a New Orleans music festival in order to connect after a long time of being apart – but of course, nothing is really quite so simple in such a potentially wild city, and craziness ensues. 

Girls Trip is the perfect example of how a film can be overly wacky and still be good. There are so many moments in this film that would never happen in real-life, and yet I found myself laughing so hard because the performances from the main cast were just outstanding. Time even rated it one of the best films of 2017. 

Rent/Buy Girls Trip on Amazon.

Bridesmaids (2011)

It would be a literal sin if I didn’t put in Bridesmaids. Directed by Paul Feig, this film starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and so many other amazing actresses tells the story of Annie, who is asked to be the maid of honor at her friend’s wedding and everything just goes downhill from there. 

There are so many reasons why you should watch Bridesmaids if you’ve never seen the film before. The whole entire Bridesmaids cast is outstanding, it took Melissa McCarthy’s career to another level, the jokes land every time and there are so many quotable moments (“Help me, I’m poor.”) that this will instantly become one of your favorites for a long time. 

Stream Bridesmaids on Amazon.
Rent/Buy Bridesmaids on Amazon.

Sex And The City (2008)

We don’t kiss and tell here – unless it’s about a sex columnist in New York City. Sex and the City is the spinoff film/sequel of the popular HBO series, Sex and the City, that follows the characters as they prepare for new life changes, from getting older to weddings. 

While I wouldn’t suggest watching this film unless you’ve seen the original Sex and the City show, it’s still an entertaining movie with plenty of fun performances from the main actresses. What makes it more fun is that the entire Sex and the City cast is back  and it feels the series never ended, furthering the plot with more shenanigans. It even spawned a sequel and a continuation series years later. 

Stream Sex and the City on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Sex and the City on Amazon.

Baby Mama (2008)

Starring Saturday Night Live alumni Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Baby Mama tells the story of a woman who wants to have a baby, but discovers she is infertile. In order to have a child, she hires a surrogate who turns her life upside down. 

I mean, it’s Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In today’s comedic world, you can’t get better than that. They drive this film and their chemistry together is just out of this world. There’s a reason why they’ve been in several movies after this one. You just gotta love them. 

Stream Baby Mama on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Baby Mama on Amazon.

The Heat (2013)

Next up, we have The Heat, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. This buddy cop comedy film (also directed by Paul Feig) features the story of an FBI agent and a Boston detective teaming up to take down mobsters in the city, but due to conflicting styles of work, their investigation turns...hilarious. 

While the plot of the film is as basic as you can get when it comes to a comedy, Bullock and McCarthy have some of the best on-screen chemistry you can get when it comes to buddy cop films. And, I would watch any movie with the two of them over and over if I could. 

Stream The Heat on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The Heat on Amazon.

Outrageous Fortune (1987)

Starring Bette Midler and Shelley Long, Outrageous Fortune tells the story of two women who actually have the same man in their lives – until one day, he vanishes without a trace. Now, despite circumstances, they have to come together in order to find him – and discover that he was not who they thought. 

This is the second Bette Midler-starring film on this list for good reason, and that’s because I love her in this with Long. The two work so well together and the fact that they both go through this craziness makes it all the better. The comedic timing is perfect with these two. 

Rent/Buy Outrageous Fortune on Amazon.

A League Of Their Own (1992)

Last but not least, we have A League of Their Own. This sports comedy, released in 1992 and starring a large female ensemble (as well as leading man Tom Hanks) tells the story of a female baseball team that rises during the second world war in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. 

You just have to love A League of Their Own. Whether it be its stars like Geena Davis and Madonna, or its story, or the fact that it was one of the first real feminist films I ever saw as a kid, there’s so much to love. It’s so popular that it even garnered a reboot Amazon series years later, featuring a new cast.

Rent/Buy A League of Their Own on Amazon.

There are so many amazing comedy films featuring female stars that you have to check out, and if you haven’t, be sure to watch them soon. Now I’m going to go and watch Bridesmaids for the millionth time.  

Elizabeth Banks is an example of a woman in the entertainment industry who wants to make her mark with the same equal respect that men have. She made her directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2 as well as reprised her role of a cappella commentator Gail Abernathy-McKadden. The 48-year-old actress took on the directing project of the Charlie’s Angels reboot while starring as the iconic Bosley, and expressed she had some regrets about the movie.

What Elizabeth Banks’ directorial projects have in common is that they are female-run movies. I think this can give off the impression to some that the rising director has a “girl power” vibe instead of just simply directing a movie that happens to have female main characters. In an interview with The New York Times, Banks clarified that she was proud of Charlie’s Angels, but was disappointed with how people perceived what she was trying to accomplish.

It’s understandable that Banks would want her project to appeal to the masses and not just young girls. The Brightburn star expressed her wish to have wanted to direct a Mission: Impossible movie, but knew that wouldn’t happen because those movies are not typically directed by women. She continued to tell NY Times about how studio heads and corporations should be asked questions about why female directors tend to be given poor products with unsuccessful outcomes. It was said that one of the reasons more fans didn’t watch the new Charlie’s Angels movie was in its failure to find its audience. Deadline reported that the action movie aimed at a female demographic of girls/women ages 13-39. Looks as if men didn’t show much of an interest in seeing kick-ass women showing their stuff.

Despite the disappointing Charlie’s Angels performance the remake experienced, Elizabeth Banks still stands by the movie. She defended the studio going forward with the reboot of the 1970s show with the idea of reviving a franchise we haven’t seen in years. She has a point as the last time we saw a new generation of Angels was in the ill-fated 2011 TV reboot. The Seabiscuit actress remade Charlie’s Angels with the intention of giving women the opportunity to participate in an action franchise. I would say mission accomplished on that front. She also helped audiences see actress Kristen Stewart in a new light outside of Twilight in her surprising role as wild and rebellious Angel Sabrina. This movie could be an example of why superhero movies should no longer be thought of as a “male genre”, as Banks put it.

Things are still looking up for Elizabeth Banks as she continues to make her name in Hollywood in front and behind the camera. Her Charlie’s Angels follow-up came from being given the opportunity to choose a project by a roster of Universal monsters. She picked The Invisible Woman which she will direct and star in. This will be another chance for the Power Rangers star to introduce audiences to a female monster instead of the traditional male-gendered monsters we’ve seen throughout the years. She also told NY Times that her starring in the by-the-book film of abortion access in Call Jane was important to her in educating audiences about women’s reproductive justice. This talented actress-director is what Hollywood needs in order to tell stories by women to the masses.

Elizabeth Banks may regret that Charlie’s Angels came off as a female manifesto, but she’ll still continue her mission to bring stories to audiences that she’s proud of. You can watch the upcoming movie Call Jane which hits theaters on October 28th.

Back in 2000, Lucy Liu seemed to have a disagreement with co-star Bill Murray on the set of Charlie’s Angels. While the spat swirled around the Hollywood rumor mill years later, Lucy Liu recently confirmed it - and her fellow angel Drew Barrymore revealed that she totally backed her up. 

Last July, Lucy Liu discussed the flare-up on the Los Angeles Times’ Asian Enough podcast. Apparently, comedian Bill Murray (who played John Bosley) had made some uncouth comments that were directed towards the Shazam! Fury of the Gods star. Being the badass that she is, Lucy Liu wasted no time in standing up for herself. 

Fortunately, the strong female relationships that formed the backbone of Charlie’s Angels seem to transcend the cameras. On a recent episode of her talk show The Drew Barrymore Show, Charlie’s Angels alum Drew Barrymore revealed that she had fully supported Lucy Liu, whom she still considers a close friend. While Drew Barrymore doesn’t offer a lot of details about the event itself, she does focus on Lucy Liu’s powerful response. She said: 

It’s clear that Drew Barrymore has a deep admiration for her co-star, as well as the rest of the crew of Charlie’s Angels. It couldn’t have been easy for Lucy Liu to speak out against Bill Murray, whose celebrity far eclipsed her own at the time. That makes her ability to speak up even more impressive. Drew Barrymore seems to agree: rather than dwell on the past, she re-emphasized her respect for Lucy Liu: 

It’s good to know that the sisterhood of Charlie’s Angels is still intact, even after 20 years. While it can be a challenge to navigate professional conflicts, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu prove that anything is possible with their friends by their side. 

The Drew Barrymore Show is currently airing weekday mornings on CBS at 9 am. Charlie’s Angels is available to stream now on Netflix. 

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When I think of child actors, I have some of the fondest memories of them appearing in my favorite films and TV shows, from classics like Home Alone to Netflix series like Stranger Things. Some of those child actors turned into full-fledged movie stars, like Selena Gomez, Macauley Culkin, Daniel Radcliffe, and more, but one of the many I always think of first is Drew Barrymore.

An actress whose career has spanned decades, she has appeared in some of the most iconic films, like Scream, E.T., and so many others. If you’re looking for the best Drew Barrymore movies that are streaming right now, look no further than here.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

In this classic Steven Spielberg film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial tells the story of Elliot, a young boy who befriends a stranded alien on Earth, and now makes it his mission to get E.T. back home to where he belongs.

Drew Barrymore’s first-ever role was in E.T., and there’s a reason why her career blew up afterwards. Not only was she adorable in the film, but her character is memorable and important to the plot, creating a wonderful sequence of moments that anyone can recall - including that famous scream at E.T.

Stream E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Peacock.

Rent E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Amazon.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

In this version of the classic fairy tale, Ever After: A Cinderella Story has no magic, or fairy godmothers, or anything in between. Instead, it features a young woman in the Renaissance era, wanting to find a new life for herself, and needing to somehow save her own future from her evil family.

I personally love this version of Cinderella. While I do love the live-action Disney version, this one feels entirely more real, like something that very well could have happened in the past. Drew Barrymore was the perfect person to cast in this role, as she brings a certain charm to the character that I don’t think a lot of other adaptations have. And, the dresses and scenery are to die for, as well.

Stream Ever After: A Cinderella Story on Disney+.

Rent Ever After: A Cinderella Story on Amazon.

The Wedding Singer (1998)

In The Wedding Singer, Robbie Hart is a suburban wedding singer who gets dumped at the altar by his fiancee. He meets Julia, who he thinks is engaged to the wrong guy, and falls in love with her. Now, it’s up to him to make Julia realize how horrible her fiance truly is, and to convince her to be with him.

There’s a reason why Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore were in a couple other films together after this one. Their chemistry is some of the best romantic chemistry I’ve seen in a comedy, by far. They’re also so incredibly funny together, with some fun moments that will make you snicker and laugh so much that you’ll find yourself wanting to watch the film again for its jokes. Plus, the love-story is genuine - and the end scenes are worth the wait.

Stream The Wedding Singer on HBO Max.

Rent The Wedding Singer on Amazon.

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Charlie’s Angels is the captivating crime-fighting trio, who are the masters of disguise, martial arts, and the spy work. When a devious mastermind ends up getting them tangled into a plot that will hurt others, they, along with their sidekick, work together to take down the bad guys.

Let’s talk about Charlie’s Angels for a second - iconic. That is the best word to describe this cast. While we can appreciate the newer version, I will always love this cast. I mean, not only is Drew Barrymore a kick-ass spy, but her other co-stars, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, are goddess spies as well. Bill Murray also adds an exciting comedic kick to the film, making it such an entertaining viewing experience. Can they be my crime-fighting angels again? Definitely one of the best movies on Netflix.

Stream Charlie’s Angels on Netflix.

Rent Charlie’s Angels on Amazon.

Boys On The Side (1995)

In this comedy drama, Boys on the Side follows three friends, played by Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, and Mary-Louise Parker, who are on an adventurous cross-country road trip together.

I know that from the premise the movie sounds sort of plain, but I do think Boys on the Side has a certain charisma that a lot of other road-trip films don’t have. The three lead actresses have great chemistry and make you feel like you’re in the car on the road trip with them. There’s also a great story with a lot of heart that will most likely make you cry near the end, but I won’t say anything else. Just give this one a shot.

Stream Boys on the Side on Starz.

Rent Boys on the Side on Amazon.

50 First Dates (2004)

In this romantic-comedy, 50 First Dates follows Henry, a womanizing marine veterinarian who ends up falling for an art teacher named Lucy, but when he discovers that she has amnesia and forgot him a day later, he resolves to win her over on a new date, again and again.

I told you - Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore just can’t be beat. Their chemistry is just perfect and I will always be down to sit on a couch and watch them be in a film together. While I don’t think it was as good as their previous film together, I do believe that with the two of them on screen, they make anything work, and they do that very well with this film.

Stream 50 First Dates on Peacock.

Rent 50 First Dates on Amazon.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Set in 1988, the psychological thriller Donnie Darko follows Donnie, a troubled teenager who narrowly escapes a strange accident, and ends up having visions of Frank (a figure in a rabbit costume), who keeps telling him that the world is going to end in less than a month, and gets Donnie to commit crimes.

I do think that Donnie Darko is a bit of a brain-buster the first time you watch it, but that’s why it’s so good. It really makes you think and wonder what’s real and what’s not. While Drew Barrymore’s role was small in the film, it’s not hard to get wrapped up in her performance. Plus, the Donnie Darko cast is stacked with stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, and more. Honestly, one of the best movies on Amazon Prime.

Stream Donnie Darko on Amazon.

Rent Donnie Darko on Apple TV+.

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Never Been Kissed is a popular romantic-comedy about Josie Geller, a 25-year-old, insecure copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times, who has never been in a real relationship. However, when one of her undercover assignments leads to a possible romance, it sends her life for a spin.

This is definitely one of my favorite Drew Barrymore-led films. There’s something so sweet about the way she acts as Josie. She’s so innocent to the world but learns lessons throughout the film about love and what that means, even at the age of 25. She also just has great chemistry with the rest of the cast, especially David Arquette and Michael Vartan.

Stream Never Been Kissed on Starz.

Rent Never Been Kissed on Amazon.

Going The Distance (2010)

Another romantic-comedy, Going the Distance tells the story of a young couple who fall in love during one summer in New York City, trying to keep a long-distance relationship alive as she heads home to San Francisco.

Let me just say that the way they portray a long-distance relationship in Going the Distance feels very accurate, especially to someone who’s been in one, so you’ll most certainly feel that the story is relatable in many ways. But, both Drew Barrymore and Justin Long work very well as a couple, while also keeping up the comedy constantly. There are also so many stars, like Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jason Sudeikis from the Ted Lasso cast, and many others. Give it a shot if you haven’t seen it yet.

Stream Going the Distance on HBO Max.

Rent Going the Distance on Amazon.

Big Miracle (2012)

Big Miracle is a drama that is based on the 1989 book, Freeing the Whales. This film talks about the real-life story of Operation Breakthrough, a 1988 international effort to rescue grey whales trapped in the ice near Point Barrow, Alaska.

I do love seeing Drew Barrymore in comedies, but I have to admit that watching her in dramas like this is always a fun time because she’s excellent in them as well. Her, alongside other stars like John Krasinski, Kristin Bell, and more, bring a new story from page to screen that’s not only satisfying, but a great family drama that takes you deep into the sea.

Stream Big Miracle on Netflix.

Rent Big Miracle on Amazon.

Miss You Already (2015)

Ya’ll wanna cry and laugh? Because that’s what Miss You Already does perfectly. In this comedy-drama, we follow two best friends, who have known each other all their lives, and what happens when their friendship is put to the test when one of them begins a family, and the other falls ill.

Okay, why aren’t Drew Barrymore and Toni Collete in more films together? They are absolutely phenomenal and I truly do believe their friendship, from the beginning of their story to the very end. Trust me - this movie does not shy away from wanting to make you cry, and these two give great performances that went way under the radar. You can give it the praise it deserves now.

Stream Miss You Already on Hulu.

Rent Miss You Already on YouTube.

Scream (1996)

The beginning of an iconic horror series. Scream tells the story of Sidney Prescott, a teenager who lost her mother a year before a killer begins to target the girl and her friends by using horror films, taking them through a deadly game.

I think all of us know that Drew Barrymore wasn’t in the film for that long - she was literally just the opening sequence. But, that sequence is probably one of the most well-known opening sequences in film history, in my opinion. Anytime I think of Scream, I always think of either Matthew Lillard, or Drew Barrymore - and for me, nine times out of ten, it’s the latter. Even for the small amount of time she was in the film, she made an impact, and it will forever be a huge part of movie history, along with the work of the rest of the Scream cast.

Stream Scream on HBO Max.

Rent Scream on Amazon.

Drew Barrymore truly does have some awesome films to watch, from fantasy movies to dramas that will squeeze your heart. Whatever the case, you'll most certainly be entertained with whatever you pick.

Most moviegoers realize that the theatrical cut of any given movie is quite different than the filming process, and reality on set.This is especially when it comes to the on-screen relationships, versus how the actors interact in real life. Well, it would seem that Bill Murray and Lucy Liu don’t have the friendly relationship in real life that they appear to have in the classic Charlie’s Angels. In fact, the two stars reportedly had a screaming match on the set of the 2000 Charlie’s Angels film.

While there were rumors of the Angel herself throwing hands at Murray over a disagreement on set, one witness who was seemingly there has now tried to set the record straight about what actually occurred on set of Charlie’s Angels so many years ago. A production assistant on the film’s version of the story does not include a physical altercation, and gives a little backstory on what actually caused the problem.

According to the PA’s Tweet, Bill Murray rewrote some pages of the script without anyone else knowing, which caused massive confusion on set. Lucy Liu spoke up when Murray owned up to being the one who made the changes, saying he was out of line. Here’s the background story leading up to the altercation, according to the PA:

If what the PA says is the truth, there may be some who are on Lucy Liu’s side in the reported argument. It gets more intense, though. In response to Liu’s call-out, Bill Murray reportedly insulted her career credentials, saying she was lucky to be there in the big leagues with him. Here’s what allegedly happened, according to the PA’s break down of the shouting match on set:

This alleged altercation happened over 20 years ago, near the beginning of Lucy Liu’s very lucrative and iconic film career. It’s true that she had mostly been in TV programs up until that point, and it’s very possible that these reported words from Bill Murray could have cut in on some insecurities that she was already having. I mean, if the iconic actor said anything to me I would probably cry from high emotions anyway, let alone if it was something negative about my career.

Of course, this was so long ago and just a reported account from someone who says he was there. Memories can be misleading, people have bad days, and 20 years is a long time to hold something against someone. Even so, I’d be a little surprised to see Bill Murray and Lucy Liu in a project together again, or even friends 2 decades later, after an encounter like that.

Twenty years ago, Charlie’s Angels jumped from the small screen to the big screen with some help from Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. The McG movie ended up spawning a sequel, as well as some friendships that would last a lifetime. In fact all three former Angels recently caught up for Drew Barrymore’s new talk show, reflecting on what has kept them together in the 20 years since Charlie’s Angels hit the big screen.

It sounds as if Drew Barrymore still keeps up with both Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu on the regular. She’s revealed previously that she got to meet Diaz and Benji Madden’s baby Raddix after her birth late last year. But it’s not just during the “big moments” that she keeps up with the other Angels. When they reunited for her new talk show, she noted:

Lucy Liu called Charlie’s Angels the “touchpoint" for what came after, which I think is an apt comparison and Cameron Diaz expanded on that further, noting,

According to Lucy Liu, they’ve “obviously, grown and learned and changed.” In fact, they’ve all had very different career paths. These days, Cameron Diaz is basically retired from acting and working on life as a homemaker and brand ambassador. Lucy Liu has one son, Rockwell, and has enjoyed a varied TV career in recent years, having starred in Elementary and Why Women Kill recently. She also may have another new network TV show on the way soon.

Then there’s Drew Barrymore, who has kind of been all over the board with her showbiz work. She dabbles around a lot and has been a director and producer in recent years. She notably starred in and produced her Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet recently and lately she’s been busy getting The Drew Barrymore Show off the ground. The point is, all three of the Charlie’s Angels co-stars are very busy but still make time to get together and support one another. This has been going on for years, though Lucy Liu expressed the sentiment that she doesn't feel much time has passed at all.

Friendships of that ilk are not often found on movie sets, but you can see the sincerity in which they talk about the 20-year friendship in the full clip below.

Also, to note, Cameron Diaz is a hologram throughout this whole thing and was apparently beaming in from her home in Los Angeles, which is pretty on-brand for the new mom at this point. If she had thrown a glass of wine into one hand, it might have been even more on brand for her. 2020. What a year.

Thanksgiving is upon us – and for a lot of us, this means we’ll get to finally enjoy some time off to feast with family and friends. The holiday is also the perfect time to get caught up on the season’s most exciting releases while they are still in theaters! There are so many. Everything you can think of is on the menu on the big screen right now and it’s time to dig in!

This year, we’ve already set the table for you. Check out what you should go see on the Thanksgiving holiday based on your particular appetite:

If You’re Looking To Feel As Mushy (And Delightful) As Mashed Potatoes

To many, the Thanksgiving holiday is all about being around those you love and taking the time to look around and gather up what you’re grateful for. For this purpose, A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood is the perfect movie to go out to see. America’s Sweetheart Tom Hanks played another beloved icon in the fabric of pop culture: Mister Rogers.

Based on a true story, A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood follows journalist Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys) as he’s assigned to write a cover story on the children’s television show host. The two form a unique friendship and Junod repairing a strained relationship with his father (Chris Cooper). The joyous biopic is perfect to take the whole family, get all teary-eyed, walk out inspired off to offer up bear hugs and kindness.

For Skipping Boring “Back In The Day” Discussions And Getting To the Action

There’s also a quality to the coming holiday tied to nostalgia. Family and friends often get in the mood to tell old stories (you’ve probably heard every year) and talk about the good ‘ole days. If you’re not in the mood for it, excusing yourself from the table is a tough nut to crack. So, what do you do? How about taking your chatty uncle to James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari?

The thrilling race car movie is about American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they challenge their Ford at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1966. It’s a true story about American innovation and inspiration starring two of Hollywood’s most well-known talents.

If The Kids Won’t Stop Singing “Into The Unknown” At The Table

Of course, the most popular pick in theaters now is undoubtedly the long-awaited sequel to Disney’s phenomenon, Frozen. You may want to buy your tickets ahead of time for the one because theaters are going to be packed with families all driven by the same idea: their kids want to see it!! Or maybe you’re emotionally invested in Elsa and Anna’s journey? Come on, the songs are catchy, those sisters are badass! Why not see Frozen II?

The new Disney movie follows the sisters of Arendelle as they set out on a brand new adventure that will connect them to their family’s past and Elsa’s mysterious ice powers. Olaf is back, Kristoff is planning a wedding proposal to Anna and there are new characters. You’ll be singing the songs as you leave the theater and probably picking apart its somewhat confusing plot!

If Thanksgiving Somehow Turns Into Date Night

Now, not every Thanksgiving turns out to be all that traditional. Sometimes it’s just not viable to go out to see the family. Or you’re not in the area. Perhaps, you have work earlier in the day, but still want to take advantage of the holiday in the evening. In these cases, check out Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith in Queen & Slim!

The thrilling drama follows a couple who have an awkward first date in a diner in Hollywood after matching on a dating app. On the drive home, they are pulled over by a police officer which sets off a series of events that tie their futures together. The movie is stylish, gripping and has a powerfully relevant story.

If You’re Totally Here For Big Family Drama… Just Not At The Dinner Table

Depending on your own family dynamics, Thanksgiving can either induce a lighthearted smile or send suspenseful chills down your spine. If it’s the latter, you might get a kick out of Rian Johnson’s Agatha Christie-inspired whodunit, Knives Out. The modern murder mystery revolving around Daniel Craig’s Detective Benoit Blanc as he investigates the death of a patriarch (Christopher Plummer).

Knives Out features an incredible ensemble cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon and Toni Collette as each family member are named suspects. Each character may remind you of a relative of your own. It’s like you already paid them a visit and let yourself off the hook from any unneeded drama!

If You’ve Tired Out The ‘90s Action Re-Runs And Want To See Newer Action

Thanksgiving is also the perfect day to just indulge in comfort food, take some time to kick your feet up and enjoy some mindless entertainment too! We all have classics we often gravitate too for the holiday. But there’s a couple options out there that mix a bit of old and a bit of new and offer a fun time at the movie theaters. Check out Charlie’s Angels or 21 Bridges!

Charlie’s Angels is a modern reboot about a trio of female spies who form their team while on their first mission together. It’s a bit cheesy, but Kristen Stewart is especially good! On the other hand, Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman stars as an NYPD police officer who must hunt down a couple cop killers. It’s in the vein of The Fugitive and Heat.

If You’re That Neighbor That Does All Their Christmas Decorating On Thanksgiving

Then there are those who go straight for the excitement of Christmas just as Thanksgiving hits (or even before then). You know who you are: I see you sneaking peppermint in your coffee and getting all your shopping done before December 1 hits. You don’t get the point of Thanksgiving, because it’s just not the same as the jolly holiday. So, if you’re already untangling the lights and dusting off the decorations, Last Christmas is the movie for you.

Starring Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke and Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding, Last Christmas is a fun rom-com to get you in the holiday spirit early and get the George Michael’s holiday tune it’s named after stuck in your head. It's comfy and predictable, but hey – so are the holidays!

So many options, so little time! What will you go see this Thanksgiving? Sound off in the comments!

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The news over the past couple of weeks related to the reboot of Charlie’s Angels has mostly been related to it bombing at the box office. Luckily, director Elizabeth Banks can now look forward to new things, as she has landed her big Charlie’s Angels directorial follow-up. Interestingly, it’s in the new monster-based universe Universal is trying to build.

News broke this week that Elizabeth Banks will be tackling Invisible Woman, an original flick based on the titular character, who appeared in the 1940 movie of the same name. Erin Cressida Wilson will write the script and Banks will direct and star in the movie.

The original movie was more of an oddball comedy, and it was created after Invisible Man and its sequel The Invisible Man Returns did well in theaters. Interestingly, Elizabeth Banks’ Invisible Woman property has been announced after Universal is already doing a new take on the aforementioned Invisible Man classic.

The new iteration of The Invisible Man will star Elisabeth Moss and Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Aldis Hodge and will be a thriller. In fact, if you’ve seen the first trailer for the upcoming Blumhouse flick, you should know what to expect.

According to THR, the tone of The Invisible Woman will be a bit different. That outlet describes the upcoming Elizabeth Banks flick as “Thelma & Louise meets American Psycho.”

Just a couple of years ago, when we would talk about Universal’s monster movie properties, we were calling it the Dark Universe. The studio spent a lot of time and effort hiring major actors to kick off a whole universe property. Then the first movie in the franchise, Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, failed in spectacular fashion in 2017 and the Dark Universe concept was shuttered.

But only temporarily. Now, Universal has studio and director-driven projects coming from a slew of different names. The Invisible Man is coming from Insidious 3 director Leigh Whannell and Blumhouse. Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher has his own Dracula movie called Renfield in the works. Paul Feig is doing a Universal monster movie called Dark Army.

As for Elizabeth Banks, the longtime actress only has two major directorial projects under her belt. There’s Pitch Perfect 2, which made a lot of money, and Charlie’s Angels, which won’t. Maybe this third time will be the charm that puts her skill sets in front of a bunch of theatergoers again.

In the meantime, the director has had a self-deprecating humor related to how her latest Charlie’s Angels has fared and should be looking to the future with The Invisible Woman. Plus , although this Universal monster movie has no date yet, Elizabeth Banks will be keeping busy with her acting career and will next star in the TV series Mrs. America.

The debut numbers say it all. The hype for the new Charlie’s Angels just wasn’t there over the weekend. Yes, Elizabeth Banks’ action-packed reboot starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska is looking a lot like a flop (the director-writer-producer-actor even called it). Not many fans have run to catch the new badass lady spies so far, and as the holiday season goes into high gear with upcoming releases such as Frozen II and Knives Out, the competition will only get uphill from here. But let’s just push aside the figures for a moment and talk out the movie itself.

I know I’m not the only one who dug the new Charlie’s Angels. It was a fun time and it’s an action comedy that delivers! Overall, it just has a lot more going for it then its domestic $8.3 million opening weekend haul says about it. Who cares about the looming disappointment Hollywood executives are taking in thus far? Movies are for the fans, and given the chance, I think this Charlie's Angels has some franchise potential! Here’s why:

The Trio Has Some Major Chemistry

It was certainly a risky choice for the new Charlie’s Angels movie to enlist a couple mostly-unknowns and Kristen Stewart as its central stars. Sure Stewart has star power, but in recent years, she’s rebranded herself as an indie darling. And Naomi is no stranger to studio films with her roles in Power Rangers and the live-action Aladdin, but she doesn’t quite have a following of her own just yet. It would have been easy if a Charlie’s Angels reboot enlisted the likes of always trendy stars such as Jennifer Lawrence or Emma Stone, but it should be celebrated for not relying on big names for its success.

And when this new trio is given a shot on the big screen, they take audiences on a journey with them as their friendship is cultivated. One of the best strengths of Charlie’s Angels is watching Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska spy characters bond, play off one another and build an infectious chemistry during their missions. You can just tell they are having a blast on set and nothing feels too forced or insincere between them. Now that we’ve scratched the surface of their talents together, it’d be even better the second time around!

It Looks Good On Kristen Stewart

While the trio definitely brought it as a unit, Kristen Stewart is undoubtedly the standout of the three. The actress is seasoned on movie sets and has worked since she was a kid, but we’ve come to know her as a ‘serious’ talent who often frequents dramas. Charlie’s Angels allowed her to let loose, ad lib some of the best jokes in the movie and just have fun. She also made the case for carving out her own space in the action-comedy realm we haven't on screen before. Stewart’s Sabina was hilarious, memorable and genuine.

Don’t let her die, because I’m hooked. I imagine the sequel opening on Sabina’s infamous wedding where she was the “better shot.” Was it a drawn-out job on behalf of the angels (because she totally would) or the beginning of an interesting origin story we’ve yet to see be completely explored. Her chemistry with Ella Balinska’s introverted demeanor was a fun dynamic. Heck, she even had something interesting going with Chris Pang’s character. Tying Stewart down to a franchise is tough to come by these days, and it'd be a shame for such a good performance in a potential one to go to waste! I like this new side of her.

More Of That Sleek Action

These days, there are so many action movies that the genre can easily become mindless entertainment. While I’ll admit the plot of Charlie’s Angels could have used some more TLC and its tactics sometimes fell into a more obvious than covert approach, the angels nonetheless pulled off some awesome action sequences! It was often exciting and creative to witness. It’s part of the what a unique franchise like Charlie’s Angels frees up. When there are different types of characters part of the action, we get to see new approaches to the genre.

A second Charlie’s Angels could heighten the fun action style that was just introduced and be even better the next time around. I imagine the Angels going a step further with their training for more gritty fighting styles now that they’ve had their first rodeo. Because it’s Charlie’s Angels, leaning more into the cheesiness and “smart” action could be done even better, and all to an awesome soundtrack, such as being delivered by Ariana Grande and company for the next outing.

Moving Past The Charlie’s Angels ‘Origin Story’

Rebooting a well-known franchise can often be weighed down by retelling a story to a new audience. The new Charlie’s Angels focused a lot of its energy on introducing the new spies and a fresh aesthetic for it, resulting in portions of the story or the fun stuff not being explored to their full potential. The movie is all about the three Angels growing into their dynamics that by the time the credits roll, so it doesn’t feel like we got to see the full scope of their talents as a trio.

A big chunk of the movie is about Naomi Scott finding a place within the Angels, and she’s barely been recruited into the team as things close out. If the story could continue, we can meet Naomi Scott’s Elena as a fully-realized badass with skills of her own beyond what's been established. Additionally, quite a bit of the runtime of the first movie was about establishing the world to audiences, such as who the Bosleys are, the safehouse they go to and their love of wig and outfits changes. This time, fans would be up to speed on all of this and we can skip the formalities. Not to mention that seeing the girls again as spies who spend way too much time together and know all the ins and outs of one another would be a blast to see on screen.

Charlie’s Angels may not have generated enough buzz to qualify for a sequel, but the early negative reactions to the franchise are just overblown in my opinion. There are plenty of lukewarm action movies that received sequels. This would give a chance for the Angels to really strut their stuff following this first attempt. What do you think? Does anyone else want to see another Angels movie? Sound off in the poll and comments below!

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In recent years, female-led blockbusters have been breaking box office records and taking names. Between comic book adaptations Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel to Rogue One or Mad Max: Fury Road, high-profile movies starring women at the forefront have finally started to break ground. In light of Charlie’s Angels big box office flop this weekend, the action-comedy’s writer/director/producer has some blunt thoughts about why those properties have been able to find success with huge audiences. Here’s what Elizabeth Banks said:

Time to rethink every stride in female representation in the past few years? The actress-turned-filmmaker does have an interesting point to make here. She’s attributing the success of movies such as Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel breaking ground due to their ties to larger universes being established. Both movies preceded highly-anticipated team-up movies such as Justice League and Avengers: Endgame – which each prevalently star male heroes.

The Star Wars franchise has also made a point to heavily feature females at the center of their new stories – between Daisy Ridley’s Rey in the new trilogy or Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso in Rogue One. But it is Star Wars. Elizabeth Banks’ words to the Herald Sun challenge a genuine interest in blockbusters starring women. She thinks those movies are successful because they have a “male genre” to lean on. When it comes to Charlie’s Angels, the motivation for a huge audience to buy tickets apparently isn’t there.

Elizabeth Banks has been vocal in recent weeks about her feelings on a Hollywood double standard. She was asked to defend her Charlie’s Angels reboot by reminding fans there’s been “37 Spider-Man movies and you’re not complaining!” Charlie’s Angels has been absent from the big screen for almost 20 years. Banks continued with:

It should be noted that Charlie’s Angels wasn’t dismissed by critics (check out our 3.5 review). The movie has a mixed 58% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and on the moviegoer side it has an 81% audience score and B+ Cinemascore. Oh, and November has been full of flops based on properties in the “male genre”.

Just look at other recent “flops” Terminator: Dark Fate or Doctor Sleep. There’s tons of factors that could have gone into Charlie’s Angels failure to crack $9 million domestically its first weekend. The season’s stiff competition or the lack of starpower could be a couple reasons why fans didn’t show up in large numbers.

Remember, just a few years ago the idea of a female-centric blockbuster was somewhat of a dirty word. It was seen as impossible. Movies such as Wonder Woman were the risky shots that were the first to prove it can be done, and an interested audience is there. But, this doesn’t mean the industry has changed overnight.

Not every big female-centered storyline is going to resonate with the massive audience Diana Prince amassed. The same can be similarly said about two side-by-side male-centered action movies – only there’s far more action heroes already established on the male side. A head start so to say.

What do you think about Elizabeth Banks thoughts? Do you agree with them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

After 16 years away, the Charlie’s Angels property finally returned to the big screen this past weekend, and things did not go well for it at the box office… like, at all. The new movie starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska only pulled in $8.3 million during its first days in domestic theaters, with its worldwide haul only adding up to around $27.6 million.

Considering it was made off a budget of between $48-$55 million, it’s safe to say that Charlie’s Angels is not a commercial hit, and Director Elizabeth Banks, who also wrote the screenplay, produced and starred as one of the Bosleys, joked about her movie’s performance with the following, self-deprecating tweet:

She has a point; regardless about how you feel about Charlie’s Angels, at least Elizabeth Banks can say she left her stamp on it in four different areas. And even if it’s not doing well at the box office, Banks said on Twitter that she’s happy with how the product turned out and that people get to see it. It’s worth noting that on the commercial spectrum, Charlie’s Angels falls into mixed territory, ranking at 59% on Rotten Tomatoes among critics, but earning an 81% audience score, as well as a B+ over at Cinemascore.

So Charlie’s Angels isn’t a flop across the board, but alas, not a lot of people turned out to see it in theaters. But Elizabeth Banks is standing by her work, and she also recently defended the property back by pointing out how many Spider-Man movies there have been. That's fair to say, as we’ve seen three different live action incarnations of the Web-Slinger in less than 20 years, so Charlie’s Angels was certainly entitled for another go-around in a cinematic setting.

Interestingly enough, rather than serving as a straightforward reboot, the new Charlie’s Angels movie is actually a continuation of the original 1970s TV series and the first two movies that came out in 2000 and 2003… but not the short-lived TV revival from 2011. That’s better off being forgotten. In addition to the actors mentioned above, Charlie’s Angels cast also boasted folks like Patrick Stewart, Djimon Honsou, Sam Clafin and Noah Centineo, not to mention some surprise cameos at the end.

In any case, with the way Charlie’s Angels has done so far, it’s incredibly unlikely that we’ll see this newest generation of ass-kicking spies return for a sequel adventure. By weekend’s end, Charlie’s Angels ranked in third place at the box office, with Ford v Ferrari taking the #1 spot and Midway, which came out the weekend prior, coming in at #2. Whether it will make even come close to making a profit remains to be seen.

As for Elizabeth Banks, while Charlie’s Angels wasn’t received the way she wanted it to be, she has enough to keep herself busy in the near future. Banks is starring in the upcoming Hulu miniseries Mrs. America, and she’s also been attached to star alongside Anthony Mackie in Signal Hill for the past two years.

Be sure to read CinemaBlend’s review of Charlie’s Angels, and don’t forget to browse through our 2019 release schedule to learn when the last of this year’s movies are coming out.

With the trend of nostalgia continuing to dominate the entertainment world, there's no short supply of reboots, revivals, and long-awaited sequels. We saw another beloved property return to theaters last weekend with Charlie's Angels. This new blockbuster was directed, written, and produced by Elizabeth Banks-- who also plays a supporting role as Bosley. And she recently defended the movie against any naysayers who were mad about another reboot happening.

Charlie's Angels has been entertaining audiences for decades, across various mediums. The 1978 show ran for years, followed by the successful set of movies in the early 2000's and an ill-fated TV reboot in 2011. Elizabeth Banks recently defended the property returning to theaters again, saying:

Touche. We've seen countless reboots over the years, and the Spider-Man franchise is a great example. There have been plenty of different Spider-Man actors and movies, without much complaint from the public. As such, Elizabeth Banks believes Charlie's Angels can return to theaters for the first time since 2003.

Elizabeth Banks' comments to The Wall Street Journal make a great deal of sense, especially when you take into account how many Spider-centric movies have hit theaters over the last seventeen years. Sam Raimi's trilogy of Spider-Man movies was the first to hit the big screen, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Five years after that franchise ended, Andrew Garfield got his pair of Amazing Spider-Man movies.

Since then there's been another Spider-Man introduced, as Tom Holland's version has appeared in a whopping five movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Additionally, Sony's animated blockbuster Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hit theaters as well, winning an Oscar along the way. These Spider-Man movies have made great money at the box office, so it doesn't look too many reboots is really an issue among moviegoers.

This new version of Charlie's Angels brought the Townsend Agency to the modern world, and provided an origin story for a new trio of Angels. But while the blockbuster had a strong cast and its own killer soundtrack, but failed to perform during its first weekend at the box office. The movie fared well both critically and on audience aggregators, but it looks like moviegoers didn't run to theaters to watch Elizabeth Banks' latest directing project.

Related: How Elizabeth Banks Approached Those Wild Charlie's Angels Cameos

The reason for this poor performance will become clear in the coming days, and it'll be interesting to see if Charlie's Angels ends up being able to make a profit at the box office. My own review for CinemaBlend gave the movie a 3.5 out of five stars, praising Elizabeth Banks' ability to bring the property to the modern world.

Charlie's Angels is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies. And our 2020 release list to look ahead toward the New Year.

Why didn't more fans turn out for the new Charlie's Angels movie? There's always more than one reason why any movie disappoints at the box office. There have been some major highs in 2019 -- Avengers: Endgame, Joker, Captain Marvel, Aladdin, The Lion King, Hobbs & Shaw -- and a string of underperforming movies like Hellboy, Men in Black: International, Dark Phoenix, Rambo: Last Blood, Terminator: Dark Fate, and Doctor Sleep.

See any common denominators there? Fans love sequels. They hate sequels. They love remakes. They hate remakes. You have to get more specific to understand why fans avoid certain movies, so let's get specific on Charlie's Angels.

No One Wanted Another Charlie's Angels Movie

Sometimes a movie can get past a "Who Asked For This?" complaint by surprising with strong word-of-mouth reviews. I'm thinking of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle -- 'cause no one asked for another Jumanji movie. Then one showed up and it was awesome and it kept making money. So we're getting another Jumanji movie, which may or may not continue the success. Jared Leto and his fans would tell you we didn't need a new Joker movie, but then one showed up looking very different from what we're used to and fans made it the first R-Rated movie to hit $1 billion.

Charlie's Angels isn't technically a reboot, but it looked like one, and it left fans wondering why we were doing this again. It's a continuation of the Charlie's Angels film series started in 2000 and continued in 2003. But it's in the same boat with Men in Black: International in that it's not giving fans more of what they liked before, it's giving them something they did not ask for. Who is this movie for? On that note...

Charlie's Angels Didn't Have Enough Star Power

When the first trailer came out with Kristen Stewart's new look, showing off her comedic chops, there was a lot of interest on the internet. But you can't just launch a movie using niche social media reactions. Stewart has a loyal fan base she's been building since Twilight, and it's possible they did all turn out for Charlie's Angels' $8.6 million opening, but the movie needed a lot more.

The 2000 Charlie's Angels had the combined star power of Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu, plus Bill Murray and Tim Curry. The new Charlie's Angels has Elizabeth Banks, Patrick Stewart, and Djimon Hounsou, but it mostly seems to be trying to establish new stars. That's a worthy goal -- new stars have to start somewhere -- but it's risky for a big-budget movie.

Charlie's Angels Needed To Be A Better Movie - Or At Least Get Good Word-Of-Mouth

If you're going to pull a Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, you need people on your side. You don't always need the critics, but you DO need the public. Charlie's Angels has a B+ CinemaScore, which is good but not wowza. The Good Liar is there with a B score, which may be part of why that movie tanked even harder in its opening this weekend. Charlie's Angels has a meh 60% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an 80% rating from users, but there are only 592 verified reviews up now. It has a very low 4.3/10 rating from 4,403 users on IMDb.

Charlie's Angels Had Stiff Competition

You know who did get the great reviews and fan scores? Ford V Ferrari. First of all, that title! It also has an ecstatic A+ CinemaScore and a 99% rating from RT users. Plus, it has the star power of Christian Bale and Matt Damon. It's not a sequel, remake, or reboot, but it proves The Golden Rule -- a good movie will find an audience. It doesn't always find them opening weekend at the box office, but when it has two A-listers and a title like that, well, no shock it raced to victory.

Charlie's Angels -- which moved around on the release schedule several times before landing here -- was also slightly edged out by Midway, which surprised in a good way for a second weekend. Midway ended up #1 last weekend for Veterans Day, shocking everyone who expected Doctor Sleep to win. Midway is also riding an A CinemaScore and very high fan scores.

Charlie's Angels Couldn't Find Its Audience

According to Deadline, Sony knew Charlie’s Angels was a one quadrant movie aimed at girls/women 13-39. That's a very social demo. However, many of the stars (like Kristen Stewart) aren't on social media themselves, so they didn't get that free marketing boost to reach more potential viewers. The movie was tracking for a $12-$13 million opening, and didn't get there, which Deadline deemed a marketing fail. The studio was going to spend $100 million on advertising but now that is being halved.

Charlie's Angels Alienated Another Potential Audience

I'm seeing a lot of "go woke go broke" gloating out there, but it's not that simple. Plenty of people would consider Captain Marvel and Black Panther "woke," and the older female demo made a hit out of the Downton Abbey movie, which blew both Rambo V and Ad Astra out of the box office water. But when the word came out that Charlie's Angels would be "woke," that set off alarm bells for some action movie fans. Kristen Stewart tried to assure fans it would still be fun and funny -- and Charlie's Angels has always been about "girl power" -- but the idea that the film would be preaching some kind of agenda ended up making some moviegoers root against it.

Ford V Ferrari may have kicked Charlie's Angels' butt at the box office, but the thing people seem most passionate about commenting on this weekend is the failure of Charlie's Angels (and Terminator: Dark Fate). So that tells you a little bit about what people are really interested in.

Did you see Charlie's Angels or Ford V Ferrari or any other movie at the theater this weekend? Or did you watch Earthquake Bird on Netflix, like I did, and then wonder what the hell you just saw?

Warning! This article contains mild spoilers for Charlie’s Angels.

Charlie’s Angels has always been a property centered on girl power, but the new movie takes a step further. Aside from the core angels Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Ballinska, the movie introduces a larger network of badass spy women – namely with awesome cameo appearances at the top and end of the film.

Film cameos are a tough mark to hit. They can look gimmicky or out of place if not approached the right way. When CinemaBlend’s own Corey Chichizola sat down with Charlie’s Angels writer/director Elizabeth Banks, she explained her careful rationale in assembling big names to the reboot. Take a look:

As Elizabeth Banks explains in the exclusive interview, her concept was to show Charlie's Angels was a larger universe than the established trio. Why not do so with some fun appearances from the likes of female wrestler Ronda Rousey, Pitch Perfect actress Hailee Steinfeld, Olympic gymnast champion Aly Raisman, and so forth?

Elizabeth Banks wanted to share the message that any woman could be an angel too, and it makes a ton of sense that these incredibly skilled females may be part of the team! When she pitched the reboot to Sony, Banks said she wanted to expand the franchise beyond California beaches to a global spy operation. The new Charlie’s Angels doesn’t ignore the roots of the series or early ‘00s movies.

It’s more of a sequel that builds upon the idea and imagines how it may have expanded in the last 20 years. Recruiting more angels seems only natural. Just as 007 isn’t the only agent in his universe, why should Charlie’s Angels stop at three women? However, with all these cameos you’d think there might have been room for the likes of Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu?

The famed Angels made the property iconic again in the 21st century with their roles and have each spoken out in support for the reboot ahead of Charlie’s Angels release. At the same time, perhaps establishing the new angels without leaning on the past movies was necessary. But, keep it in mind for a sequel, Banks!

The action-comedy certainly has starpower already with Kristen Stewart starring as Sabina and letting loose with frequent ad libs in a way we’ve never seen from her on the big screen before. Aladdin’s Naomi Scott continues to make a name for herself as a new recruit Elena, and the badass Ella Balinska (who plays Jane) gets a proper introduction with her first movie role.

Charlie’s Angels has recieved relatively positive reviews from critics (read our 3.5 star review) and a B+ Cinemascore from audiences. However, the upcoming opening weekend box office numbers are tracking below expectations.

See Charlie’s Angels in theaters now and stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more news on the badass spy trio!

Charlie's Angels is a property that dates back to 1976, when the original series premiered on TV. Since then there's been a set of films in the 2000's, as well as an ill-fated TV reboot in 2011. Now the Angels are back in theaters, with a new movie directed, written, produced by Elizabeth Banks. The new version is an origin story, following three strangers as they become a team. Chief among them is Kristen Stewart's Sabina Wilson, who is the undisputed scene-stealer of the blockbuster. And it turns out that she was allowed to improvise quite a bit on set.

Kristen Stewart is the primary comedic relief of the new Charlie's Angels, giving a killer performance in the process. She's constantly making light of serious situations, and her abilities as a decoy are also fodder for laughs. And it turns out that many of her one-liners were actually ad libbed. I recently had the chance to speak with the cast of Charlie's Angels, where co-star Naomi Scott revealed that Sabina's best lines came from Stewart's mind. Check out the video of our conversation below.

Well, that's exciting. While the script for Charlie's Angels is snappy and full of amusing one-liners, it turns out that Kristen Stewart is actually responsible for some of the new blockbuster's best dialogue. And it all came to her naturally on set.

From my above conversation with Charlie's Angels stars Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska, you can tell how much natural chemistry the three actresses had. Despite not having worked together before (and Balinska making her big movie debut), they really hit it off on set. And Kristen Stewart was comfortable enough with her co-stars that she was able to come up with a variety of hilarious lines on the spot.

From the trailers for Charlie's Angels alone, you can tell how much of a scene-stealer Kristen Stewart was going to be in the new reboot. She's got a variety of wise cracks, especially when incapacitating Crazy Rich Asians actor Chris Pang's Johnny Smith. While that scene in particular is scripted, there were plenty of opportunities for Stewart to play and react through improvisation.

Overall, the reboot of Charlie's Angels is quite different from the set of movies starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu. Director

McG's movies followed a trio of women who were already best friends, and used to working alongside each other on daring missions. The action was over the top, inspired by the new technology that debuted in The Matrix. What's more, the Angels were basically superheroes, able to do physically impossible tasks, all while flipping their hair in slow motion.

Related: Charlie's Angels End Credits: Which Celebrities Make Cameo Appearances?

On the flip side, Elizabeth Banks' Charlie's Angels is based a bit more in realism. The Townsend Agency has grown quite a bit over the years, with countless Angels and Bosleys around the world. The new movie is a bonafide origin story, with Naomi Scott's Elena serving as an everyman who mirrors the audience's perspective of events. It's an exciting change, and it should be fascinating to see how well the movie does-- and if it gets a sequel.

Charlie's Angels is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies. Plus our 2020 release list to look ahead toward the New Year.

This weekend, Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska unite onscreen as the brand new team of Angels, bringing back a franchise that hasn’t seen a movie hit the big screen since 2003 and a TV show since 2011. The new iteration of Charlie’s Angels comes with some good camaraderie between the three leads, but it also comes with a slew of cameos during its end credits.

Per usual, this is opening weekend, so if you haven't caught the film yet, there will be some specific spoilers in this piece. However, it should be noted that some of these cameos were spoiled by the celebrities themselves before release. Thus, if you already saw the movie and are trying to place some of the end-credits faces, we have you covered. It should be noted the end credits aren’t the only time director Elizabeth Banks threw some fun cameos into Charlie’s Angels. A quick scene at the beginning features Michael Strahan as a Bosley, for example. However, the closing credits are where the real “Who’s Who” fun starts, and I highly suggest sticking to your seat in the theater to watch them. If you are ready to take a look, let's get started...

Former Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith was a lead in the 1976 Charlie’s Angels series, playing Kelly Garrett on the small screen through the show’s five-season run. These days, it seems her Angels character trains some of the young women joining Townsend and she’s there to greet Elena when she shows up to earn her wings. Smith doesn’t act all that much anymore, so this cameo is a real treat.

Laverne Cox As A Bomb Instructor

Orange Is The New Black’s Laverne Cox is also an instructor at the Townsend recruit school, and teaches the new potential Angels about bombs. As Orange is the New Black ended its run earlier this year, the Charlie’s Angels cameo is a nice way to keep Cox in the conversation as she heads into her next series Inventing Anna.

Danica Patrick As A Driving Instructor

Danica Patrick’s mostly known as an IndyCar racer, but she has acted before, and her inclusion as one of Charlie’s Angels, or at least Charlie’s Instructors, is pretty fitting. If a gal’s gotta learn how to drive, why not learn from one of the most prominent female races of the last 15 years? Patrick retired a short while back, so she should have plenty of time for gigs such as this one.

At least Danica Patrick really looks as if she had fun on set!

Ronda Rousey As A Fighting Instructor

Girl power is in no short supply in Charlie’s Angels. Given Ronda Rousey is both a. a fighter and b. an actress, her inclusion in this cameo list of female badasses willing and able to train others makes all the sense in the world.

In real life Ronda Rousey is trained in mixed martial arts, judo and other types of fighting, so she should be a good fit as a fighting instructor in the world of the Angels.

Hailee Steinfeld As An Angel Recruit

There are several young ladies who pop up in cameos as additional Angel Recruits. I have no idea if this was simply as a fun inclusion for the fans or if this is to set up other potential cameos in Charlie’s Angels 2 or future sequels. Regardless, Hailee Steinfeld is definitely noticeable and notable when she jumps out of a plane during an exercise with Bosley. This is also a Pitch Perfect 2 reunion for Elizabeth Banks and Steinfeld for fans of the director's work, to boot.

Gymnast Aly Raisman As An Angel Recruit

Why yes, U.S. Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman is also an Angel recruit. Given the fact she’s able to be in insane shape when needed, I assume she could be trained quite adequately in the fighting arts. Her other acting credit is in Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” video, which doesn't qualify her to save the day, but this training should.

Aly Raisman spoiled her cameo just a few days ago with a quick look at what she did on the set, which includes an angels tattoo and a flight suit with pink shoes. On Wednesdays, they wear pink.

Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart As An Angel Recruit

You may know her as Riverdale’s resident Betty Cooper, but the actress (who is also known for Hustlers and Surviving Jack) makes an appearance as a recruit at the end of Charlie’s Angels as one of the movie's new recruits alongside Naomi Scott's Elena.

Lili Reinhart was another actress not interested in keeping her big Charlie's Angels end-credits cameo a secret, calling herself "an angel for a day" in a recent post.

Snowboarder Chloe Kim As An Angel Recruit

As another athlete who kicks ass, Chloe Kim makes an appearance at the end of Charlie’s Angels. Previously, the Olympic snowboarder (and medalist) appeared in the popular video for Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” marking her acting debut. That video also features Aly Raisman and Elizabeth Banks. So, there are definitely some cameo connections here. This time around, like some of the other ladies, she's training to be an Angel.

Ultimately, the Charlie’s Angels end credits scenes are pretty fun and worth sticking around for. In fact some of the montage moments were cool enough they would have been suitable in another version of a Charlie’s Angels movie focusing more on the recruiting process than saving the world. The scenes remind me a little of Kingsman in that way and I almost wish they had been a regular plot in the movie, although that wouldn't have made total sense, given the way the three angels meet each other and the way Elena is introduced into the story.

You can find out more as Charlie's Angels is in theaters this weekend, or see what else is coming with our full schedule. Did you have a favorite cameo or did we miss one? Let us know!

Given how the trend of nostalgia continues to dominate the entertainment world, there's no shortage of reboots, remakes, and long-awaited sequels. The trick to making these projects work is providing something new to say, rather than simply repeating past incarnations. Movies like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle succeeded this way, and Elizabeth Banks' Charlie's Angels also has some new takes for the franchise. Most obviously, by creating an origin story and having the three Angels start off as strangers. And actress Kristen Stewart is particularly happy about this dynamic.

Charlie's Angels is a property that originated with the 1976 TV series. The Townsend Agency was eventually adapted for the big screen in the 2000 blockbuster of the same name, and it's sequel. While those movies focused heavily on the already established friendship of the three Angels, the 2019 version starts their dynamic from scratch. And it's a choice that both Kristen Stewart and Elizabeth Banks are passionate about. I had the chance to speak with the cast of Charlie's Angels ahead of its release, and you can see my conversation about the Angels' origin story below.

Well, that makes a great deal of sense. While Charlie's Angels is tasked with adapting to the modern world in the wake of the #MeToo movement, this process began by making the three Angels strangers, and allowing their friendship and partnership to develop organically on the screen.

Elizabeth Banks' Charlie's Angels is different from the preceding film franchise in a variety of ways. But the difference in the Angels' relationship is perhaps one of the most obvious. While the movie continued the franchise of bringing together three very different women, they also showed the inception of their trio being formed. And by the film's end, they become a truly effective force against evil.

While Charlie's Angels may deal with high stakes and over the top action, Kristen Stewart's above comments simplify things, and focus on the human side of the movie. She's interesting in how people meet in real life, as origins of friendships and romantic relationships often lead to the best stories. That's exactly the case with the upcoming blockbuster, which follows the trio as they team up for the very first time.

At the film's opening, both Kristen Stewart's Sabina and Ella Balinska's Jane are official Angels, working in the massive Townsend Agency. But Naomi Scott (Aladdin, Power Rangers) plays Elena, who is a scientist and whistleblower. She's unexpected brought into a larger conflict, and must put her faith in the agency, and especially Sabina and Jane. Elena's perspective mirrors the audience's, as we observe just how far reaching Charlie's operation has become since we last saw the Angels on the big screen.

Related: Elizabeth Banks Reveals Her Charlie's Angels Reboot Pitch

Elizabeth Banks also opened up about her process as writer and director, and the decision to show the trio of women coming together on the big screen for Charlie's Angels. She thought it was important to show how women working together always makes things better. And indeed, the three Angels had very different skills to bring to the mission.

Charlie's Angels will hit theaters on November 15th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies. And our 2020 release list to look ahead to the New Year.

Sixteen years after they last graced the big screen, and eight years after a failed attempt to bring them back to television, Charlie’s Angels are back for a new movie directed and written by Elizabeth Banks, and starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, among others. The new Charlie’s Angels movie opens in theaters later this week, but reviews for it are finally trickling in. So what do critics of this outing for the new Angels?

Let’s start off with CinemaBlend’s own Corey Chichizola, who gave Charlie’s Angels 3.5 out of 5 stars in his review. He complimented this movie (which is a continuation of the original TV show and movies, not a straight reboot) for how it fleshed out the main characters and delivered a different kind of action compared to its cinematic predecessors, as well as expressed interest in a potential sequel.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff also enjoyed Charlie’s Angels, stamping it with a B grade. Acknowledging that 2019 hasn’t been the best year for movie reboots and relaunches, Nemiroff was also pleased with Charlie’s Angels’ casting decisions, including supporting players like Patrick Stewart and Djimon Honsou, though she noted that the story itself isn’t “anything especially revolutionary.”

But Charlie’s Angels isn’t getting positive reviews across the board. On the negative end of the spectrum, Matt Singer from ScreenCrush gave Charlie’s Angels a 5/10 score, calling it a “less than heavenly reboot” and saying that while Kristen Stewart manages to make aspects of the movie work, there’s only so much she can do in this “uneven and over-inflated” story.

Slashfilm’s Hoai-Tran Bui fell into mixed territory with her assessment of Charlie’s Angels, giving it a 6/10 score. Although she found the tone uneven and the pacing initially slow, she found Charlie’s Angels’ attempts to be as relevant as possible to be endearing.

Finally, Molly Freeman from ScreenRant granted Charlie’s Angels with a 3.5 out of 5 score, acknowledging that the script has its issues, but the performances and reliance on more grounded action help even the scales and make it “a heckuva lot of fun.”

Overall, it looks like Charlie’s Angels is a solid enough action movie to check out if you’re eager to visit the theater, but hardly anything exceptional. We’ll have to wait and see how audiences respond to it, and as far as box office performance is concerned, Charlie’s Angels is predicted to make $16 million domestically on opening weekend, a decrease from the original $29 million estimate.

You can judge Charlie’s Angels for yourself when it hits theaters this Friday, November 15. Don’t forget to look through our 2019 release schedule to find out when this year’s remaining movies are coming out, or get a jump start on next year with the 2020 release schedule.

Before nostalgia ruled and brought countless reboots, select properties were given the remake treatment. Chief among them iswasCharlie's Angels, which had a long tenure in TV before the movie version hit theaters in 2000, followed by a 2003 sequel. Since then, there was an unsuccessful TV reboot, and now the Angels have returned to the silver screen with Elizabeth Banks' Charlie's Angels. Banks directed, wrote, and produced the new action comedy, in addition to appearing onscreen as Susan Bosley. And she's managed to bring the Angels to the modern world in a big way.

Like the other version before it, Charlie's Angels focuses on a trio of female agents from the Townsend Agency. But rather than being a group of besties who have been working together for years, the new adaptation serves as an origin story. We meet three very different women and watch as their relationship grow throughout their first adventure together.

By Focusing On An Origin Story, All Three Of Charlie’s Angels Are Fully Fleshed Out

While the 2000 version of Charlie's Angels and its sequel Full Throttle focused heavily on the friendship between the three women, Elizabeth Banks took the story in a different direction for her reboot. Instead, we watch as one mission goes sideways, and three women are forced to work together to get through it all. This includes Kristen Stewart's Sabina, Naomi Scott's Elena and Ella Balinska's Jane.

Sabina and Jane are two Angels who are looking for their place in life. By contrast, Naomi Scott's Elena isn't an actual Angel, but a scientist who attempts to blow the whistle on her company's dangerous new device The Calisto Project. But the bad guys come knocking, and the three women must lean on each other (and Elizabeth Banks' Bosely) for their comedic and action-packed adventure. We really understand what makes each Angel tick and the different skills each one brings to the table.

The supporting cast is full of familiar faces, including Patrick Stewart and Djimon Hounsou as two other Bosleys in the organization. Stewart gets to flesh his comedic muscles in the movie, and there are some hilarious sight gags about his long tenure in the organization. Other supporting actors include Noah Centineo, Jonathan Tucker and Chris Pang. There are also a variety of exciting cameos, which Elizabeth Banks expertly drops into Charlie's Angels, without allowing them to derail the main story.

Charlie’s Angels Is Purposeful With Its Action Sequences, Which Make Them More Powerful

Obviously Charlie's Angels is going to include plenty of action, and the new version certainly didn't disappoint when it came to that. But Elizabeth Banks was also careful not to include too many fight scenes or gunfights. Each one moves the story forward, with the comedic beats and snappy dialogue helping to buoy the movie during its lulls.

As for the action itself, it's not mindless or saturated. I recently spoke to the cast of Charlie's Angels ahead of its release, where the three stars revealed that director Elizabeth Banks wanted women to fight "smarter, not harder." That's certainly the case, and movie is selective about when firepower and guns are used, and when the women are able to use their bodies as the weapon. And you'll never look at an Altoids case the same way after seeing the movie.

What's more, the new Charlie's Angels has action sequences that are more based in reality than the previous films. The 2000 movie and its sequel essentially gave the Angels superpowers, and utilized slow motion and 360 visuals that had recently became popular from the Matrix franchise. That stylistic choice was abandoned for the new sequel, allowing the action to have real stakes.

Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott And Ella Balinska Have Palpable Chemistry, To The Movie’s Benefit

While Elizabeth Banks assembled a killer cast for Charlie's Angels, it's the trio of leading ladies that really stand out. Actresses Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska have killer chemistry throughout the movie, especially as their respective characters become closer. This helps to keep the movie's pace up, as their witty dialogue takes center stage.

Kristen Stewart's Sabina steals the show, as the character constantly takes the piss out of the serious situations of the movie. Stewart was actually given the chance to ad lib throughout the course of the movie, with many of Charlie's Angels' funniest lines being improvised. Good on Elizabeth Banks for the casting and knowing to give the Twilight alum the chance to have some creative freedom on set. As for the scripted lines, Banks slyly addressed the #MeToo movement and current conversation around gender inequality. She does it hilariously and selectively, as her Charlie's Angels is far from a political movie.

Charlie's Angels is a strong contemporary take on the property, and Elizabeth Banks should be praised for wearing so many hats (and wigs) on the project. The movie delivers everything it promises and perfectly adapts the property for today. It also has the potential to expand to a sequel, depending on the box office performance. I'd personally be down for another adventure with the same cast, but only time will tell how the movie is received by audiences.

After a massive, eclectic week last time around with four new movies arriving in wide release, this Friday Hollywood is taking things a bit slower... and just putting three new big titles in theaters. This week we get a racing story, a female action reboot, and a psychological thriller. Get ready for Ford v Ferrari, Charlie’s Angels, and The Good Liar.

Just remember, I'm not reviewing these movies, but rather predicting where they'll end up on the Tomatometer. Let's take a look at This Rotten Week has to offer.

One can appreciate when the richest and most powerful folks in a certain industry make business decisions based purely on grudges. That’s the case with the story of Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca versus Enzo Ferrari, with the two men creating Ford racing division because of a deal that went sideways with the Italian carmaker. It led to the events depicted in this movie, Ford v Ferrari, in which Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (Christian Bale) team up to complete in the grueling 24 hours Le Mans race.

Director James Mangold has a made a good movie or two in his career, with flicks like Walk The Line (83%), Logan (93%) and 3:10 To Yuma (89%), but never been nominated for any of the big awards outside of Best Adapted Screenplay for Logan. This latest might get him at least into the discussion during the developing season. With about 74 reviews up, Ford V Ferrari is sitting at 91% so far on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics love the story, the stylized version of the historic events, and the interplay between Christian Bale and Matt Damon. It looks excellent, and we might talking about this movie a lot more in a few months.

Life comes at you fast. It’s been nearly two decades since the last Charlie’s Angels reboot, and now a whole new take is arriving for new generation. But really: have you been sitting around jonesing for more of this group? The slight twist on the story now is that the Angels have franchised, and there are multiple teams all over the world running an array missions that are no doubt dangerous and action-packed.

Charlie's Angels looks pretty damn stupid. I get the idea behind taking an iconic group of characters and transforming them into something more palatable for our modern times, but this also doesn’t seem like the totally right way to do it. It appears incredibly pandering, though maybe Elizabeth Banks deserves some benefit of the doubt after directing Pitch Perfect 2 (66%). But this new version of the Angels could too vapid to get critics excited.

The Good Liar stars Ian McKellan is an aging con-artist, and Hellen Mirren as his sweet, wealthy mark. That's some high-caliber star power, but unless that is something that really gets you excited, the trailer suggests that the movie might put you right to sleep. I get that the folks who made this want to keep us on edge about the levels psychological intrigue, but there are only so many shots of the elderly characters kind of just staring at things until I get a little bored. It sure doesn't seem like much happens here.

Bill Condon's resume is all over the place. He's helmed Beauty and the Beast (71%), Dreamgirls (78%) and Kinsey (90%) but also has some stinkers like The Fifth Estate (36%) and the final Twilight two movies (25% and 49%). That's a lot of different films. I think this one falls somewhere in between. It's sitting at 72% with 18 reviews posted, but even the positive ones have plenty to dislike. I think we'll see the score drop some over the course of the week.

Overall, it was a really good week for the Rotten Watch last time around, with three of the four movies falling within range of my prediction. I had a head start on Doctor Sleep (Predicted: 80% Actual: 73%), so I suppose it’s tough to take a ton of credit there. The sequel to The Shining generally impressed critics, but the score did drop over the course of the week. In the end, for a psychological thriller, especially one following a classic, this is a damn good score.

Meanwhile, Playing With Fire (Predicted: 32% Actual: 24%) dudded as predicted. This thing looked terrible based on the trailer, and I suppose from that end it didn’t “disappoint.” I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea from either a concept or a comedic standpoint, but it got made nonetheless. The story of three firemen taking care of a trio of children who’d been separated from their family in a forest fire didn’t end up with the laughs I guess they thought were to be expected.

Midway (Predicted: 41% Actual: 41%) was my best call and ended up being a direct hit. This one looked like it was trying so damn hard to be one of those iconic/sentimental/emotional war films, but just fell short. Some critics liked the visuals (at times), but the majority panned it pretty hard for the script.

Finally, Last Christmas (Predicted: 62% Actual: 49%) fell just outside of range. It looked bland enough and geared a little too much toward the holiday season that a straight 50% prediction should have been in the cards. I got a little too bullish on the director and was swayed some by the story line. That was a mistake and it kept me from clean-sweeping the week.

Next time around we’ve got 21 Bridges, Frozen II, and A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. It’s gonna be a Rotten Week!

In just three weeks, Charlie’s Angels will finally fly again after over 15 years away from the big screen. However, it sounds like these badass lady spies may not soar to the top opening weekend, per the latest box office tracking for the mid-November release. Charlie’s Angels' estimated first weekend numbers have lowered since last month from $29 million to a meager $16 million.

The Elizabeth Banks-directed comedy starring new spy team Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska is expected to open in the under-$20 million range against Ford v. Ferrari. The James Mangold car racing film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale is expected to take the No. 1 spot with a $23 to $30 million range, per Deadline. It should be noted that box office tracking isn’t always accurate and Charlie’s Angels could certainly end up surprising. But, these estimates are not promising for the female-led reboot.

Charlie’s Angels was made on a reported $48 million production budget, which included being shot in exotic locations such as Hamburg, Germany and Istanbul, Turkey. If it opens at $16 million, it would mark a slow start – particularly given what we thought the movie would be making domestically a few weeks ago. The movie might pick up some dollars internationally, but it is looking like it will be a slow start here.

This past summer's Dora and the Lost City of Gold was working with a similar budget, cracked a $17 million opening, ended its run with a $115 million worldwide gross, and is unfortunately considered one of the season’s biggest bombs. Charlie’s Angels does seem catered to a niche audience of young females, with relative newcomers at its forefront, aside from Kristen Stewart’s leading role.

Charlie’s Angels does benefit from the buzz of releasing the pop song “Don’t Call Me Angel” in tandem with its marketing. The empowering song featuring Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its music video has 98 million views on YouTube.

The 2019 reboot will follow the movies starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore by McG. The 2000 movie opened at $40.1 million and made $264 million worldwide, and the 2003 sequel had a comparable $37.6 million debut and $259 million in global earnings. Those movies had much higher production budgets of $75 million and $120 million, respectively.

Charlie’s Angels may also be threatened by Terminator: Dark Fate, which opens a couple weeks earlier and has received early positive reviews. Just a week later after Charlie's Angels drops, Frozen II will likely clear the path and freeze up the staying power of other releases as well.

Who knows? Charlie’s Angels may still surprise! We'll have to wait for first reactions to roll in! The movie hits theaters on November 15. Will you be checking it out opening weekend? Sound off in the comments below!

Another work week has come and gone, with countless people around the world eager anticipating the weekend. Every calendar week brings its own set of exciting movie and TV updates, with the folks here at CinemaBlend doing our best to keep you up to date about entertainment news you care about. This includes trailers, which help built excitement and anticipation ahead of each new release. And with movies arriving both in theaters and streaming services like Netflix, it's easy to fall behind on all the new trailers that have arrived.

But fear not, because I've compiled a list of all the new trailers that arrived this week. There's a mix of blockbusters, indie projects, and Netflix original movies. So check them out below, and decide which projects are piquing your interest ahead of their wide release.

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise is one of Disney's most highly anticipated movies. Based off the beloved Disney attraction of the same name, the upcoming comedy action adventure looks like a wild ride. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Disney fans have been eager for any information regarding the blockbuster, including updates from the set. Jungle Cruise stars Emily Blunt as a scientist who enlists the help of riverboat captain Frank (Dwayne Johnson). The trailer teased plenty of laughs and thrilling adventure sequences, as well as the strong supporting cast that includes the likes of Edgar Ramirez, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. Jack Whitehall will play the brother of Emily Blunt's character, in a role that was the subject of some controversy as the character will be openly gay. Jungle Cruise hits theaters on July 24, 2020.

Onward

Jungle Cruise isn't the only Disney release on this list. This week welcomed the full trailer for Onward, an upcoming animated blockbuster from Pixar. Helmed by Monsters University director Dan Scanlon is returning to the genre, once again focusing on animated monsters. This time the story is set in a world full of mystical creatures, which is slowly losing its magic due to the residents using things like cell phones and cars. The movie will follow two brothers (Chris Pratt and Tom Holland), as they try to spend one more day with their dead father. The trailer is twisted and fun, with the duo of Marvel actors bringing their signature comedic chops to their respective roles. Also joining Pratt and Holland are Veep's Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer. Onward hits theaters March 6, 2020.

The Turning

While still dealing with the dark arts, The Turning is a noticeably scarier tale. The upcoming supernatural horror movie is directed by Floria Sigismondi, who has previously worked on The Runaways and a few episodes of The Handmaids Tale, aside from directing various music videos. The trailer follows a nanny Kate (Mackenzie Davis), who moves into a creepy old house to care for two orphans. But things clearly take a dark turn, as it seems that something insidious is in the house. Additionally, the two kids appear to be aware of a dark secret. One of those kids is Stranger Things standout Finn Wolfard, who has clearly been working hard since debuting as Mike. The trailer teases an unsettling moviegoing experience, hopefully joining the ranks of other acclaimed horror flicks. The Turning will hit theaters January 24, 2020.

Charlie's Angels Trailer 2

Not all of the trailers that arrived this week were the first glimpse at their respective movies. The newest adaptation of Charlie's Angels also got a new trailer, further teasing the upcoming action movie's plot. Directed by Elizabeth Banks (which also stars as one of the Bosleys), the upcoming movie has been steadily building anticipation since the casting was announced. The first trailer really resonated with audiences, and this follow-up teased even more action and witty dialogue. This new trailer also prominently featured Patrick Stewart, playing another one of the Bosleys who support the Angels. Charlie's Angels will hit theaters on November 15, 2019, bringing a new trio of Angels to theaters with Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska.

Netflix's Klaus

Streaming giant Netflix but out quite a few trailers this week, spanning a variety of genres. So buckle up, and prepare to do some binge watching in the coming months. The first of these trailers is Klaus, which will arrive in time for this Holiday Season. The upcoming animated comedy from the mind of Spanish animator and filmmaker Sergio Pablos. It follows a postman Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) who travels to the North, and eventually meets the a toymaker named Mr. Klaus (aka Santa Clause). The hulking Christmas icon is voiced by J.K. Simmons, who joins forces with Jesper. Jesper promises to deliver the toys Klaus makes, but they're met with resistance from locals. Klaus also features the voices of Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso, and Norm Macdonald.

Netflix's Earthquake Bird

On a darker note, Netflix's Earthquake Bird is a decidedly more adult movie heading to the streaming service. The upcoming psychological mystery drama is helmed by Still Alice director Wash Westmoreland and based off the novel of the same name. The move is set in 1989 Tokyo and follows a young girl named Lucy Fly, who becomes a murder suspect following her friend's disappearance. Earthquake Bird appears to be a love triangle of sorts, as Lucy's friend and boyfriend (Riley Keough and Naoki Kobayashi) who compete for her affections. The movie stars Tomb Raider actress Alicia Vikander, in what looks like a dark movie full of twists and turns. Earthquake Bird will be available to stream shortly on November 1st.

Netflix's Rattlesnake

Rattlesnake is another upcoming movie coming to Netflix, with a horror element attached. Directed and written by filmmaker Zak Hilditch, the movie follows a mother who takes her young daughter on car trip, stopping when she gets a flat tire. But a rattlesnake bites her daughter during this time, and in a panic she finds a creep lady in the desert, claiming to have experience treating these bites. Her daughter makes it out alive miraculously, but there is apparently a cost to her life being spared. Namely, mom has to go kill someone. Its a genre bending trailer, starring Alien: Covenant and Purge: Anarchy actress Carmen Ejogo as Katrina. Rattlesnake is arriving just in time for Halloween, streaming on Netflix October 25th.

Clearly there are plenty of exciting movies arriving shortly. And regardless of whether they're heading to theaters or streaming services like Netflix, these trailers are hoping to drum up excitement and anticipation for each respective releases. And with Halloween just weeks away, some of these projects are specifically aimed at the spooky-minded consumer. For now, be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Actress Elizabeth Banks made her directorial debut with the 2015 comedy musical Pitch Perfect 2; now, for her follow-up she’s diving into the action realm with Charlie’s Angels. The reboot of the feature film property, which itself was adapted from a 1970s TV series, stars Banks as well as Naomi Scott, Kristen Stewart and Ella Balinska as the titular angels. It doesn’t hit theaters until November, but we now know how much Charlie’s Angels might make during opening weekend.

Charlie’s Angels opens in theaters on November 15, and the long-range forecast pegs the reboot to have an opening weekend between $25-$35 million, with closer predictions at a $29 million debut. This is of course long-range tracking, and with another month and a half and a whole marketing push to go, Charlie’s Angels could ultimately wind up on either side of that number, because as we’ve seen many times, box office tracking is an inexact science.

The last time Charlie’s Angels were on the big screen was 2003, and it’s been nearly two decades since the 2000 Charlie’s Angels starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore, so it’s difficult to know how much insight can be gleaned by comparing their opening weekends to the tracking for the new film. But for what it’s worth, the 2000 Charlie’s Angels, from director McG (which was also a November release), opened to $40.1 million. Later, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle opened in June of 2003 to $37.6 million.

So, if you don’t account for inflation, this new Charlie’s Angels seems poised to open below the marks of its predecessors, but in the same basic vicinity. While those two debuts might not seem spectacular in this day and age of $100+ million openings, those two films were overall domestic hits, with the first movie making $125.3 million and the sequel earning $100.8 million.

Although Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz aren’t returning for Elizabeth Banks’ film, she has assembled a new cast that could really appeal to audiences, especially the young female audience that may or may not be familiar with the earlier films. Kristen Stewart is popular thanks to her work in the Twilight series and actress Naomi Scott made a splash earlier this year as Jasmine in Disney’s hugely successful Aladdin.

The tie-in song for the movie, “Don’t Call Me Angel” from Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus, received a positive social media reception and could also help with the visibility of the film and its marketing campaign.

Possibly working against Charlie’s Angels at the box office is the fact that we don’t know what the demand and interest is among general audiences for a reboot of this property. Sony tried rebooting Men in Black earlier this year with Men in Black International and that film was a dud domestically. Now, the studio will try another reboot of a different property with what it hopes will be a better result.

Do young and adult female audiences care about Charlie’s Angels? If not, can the film and early trailers convince them to care? So far, the advance ticket sales aren’t especially promising, but once again, it’s still early and good reviews and positive buzz could go a long way.

On the competition front, Charlie’s Angels opens opposite The Good Liar and Ford v Ferrari. Tracking isn’t in on the former, but James Mangold’s racing drama is also tracking to open between $25-$35 million. Box Office Pro is actually predicting it will win the race against the angels with a $32 million opening weekend.

Charlie’s Angels opens on November 15. Check out our 2019 release schedule to keep track of all this fall’s biggest movies.

It’s a term that, despite starting with some pure intentions, has become a bit of a dirty word in the world of entertainment: reboot. Some see it as a dark and horrific prospect when it comes to a property like Charlie’s Angels. But as far as director Elizabeth Banks is concerned, if you have the right approach, a reboot can be a wonderful thing. More specifically, Banks’ thoughts on that very subject are the following:

In her remarks above to THR, Elizabeth Banks hits upon, quite possibly, one of the best reasons a proper reboot should exist. With her new chapter in Charlie’s Angels history, Banks is carrying the torch from the ‘00s version with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore to her new lineup of Ella Balinska, Kristen Stewart and Naomi Scott to run with.

With a property as iconic and as socially relevant as the Angels, it’s naturally going to be up for grabs when it comes to reboot activity. And it’s not the first time that Charlie’s Angels has been rebooted during the Aughts, with ABC trying its hand back in 2011 and only running a shortened season.

Of course, there’s the fact that what Elizabeth Banks has done with Charlie’s Angels isn’t exactly a reboot of the entire property. Rather, as Banks herself has mentioned above, as well as in a previous interview, her new film has actually expanded on the history that’s come before it. Meaning that all the crews of Angels you’ve seen in action, from the ‘70s to today, built the in-world foundation for newcomers to kick ass upon.

So rather than call Charlie’s Angels a reboot, there’s another trendy industry term that sums up what’s going on a bit more accurately: “legacyquel.” Still, be it a legacyquel, a reboot, a prequel or a midquel, so long as the right idea is there, and someone like Elizabeth Banks is in charge with the proper mindset, any project that continues a legacy should be seen as an opportunity to get it right, rather than automatically getting it wrong.

Charlie’s Angels flies into theaters, and answers the call to battle, on November 15. If you’re psyched about it, then check out our 2019 Release Schedule for other films in a similar vein, just waiting for you to discover them on opening weekend.

The summer movie season is over, which means including the recently-started September, there are just four months worth of movies left in 2019. Fortunately, there’s no lack of cinematic entertainment to look forward to in those final months, from adaptations of existing stories to long-awaited sequels to even a few original films sprinkled in for good measure.

So as the countdown to 2019’s finish begins, and before you start looking ahead at what’s in store for 2020, we’ve gathered together all the biggest movies coming out for the rest of the year so you can plan your trips to the theater accordingly. Let’s kick off one that you can check out now!

IT Chapter Two

Release Date: September 6

Set 27 years after the events of the first IT movie, IT Chapter Two sees the members of the Losers’ Club reuniting in Derry, Maine to defeat Pennywise the Dancing Clown once and for all. Along with Bill Skarsgård reprising Pennywise and the actors who played the Losers’ Club members as kids, the main cast includes James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough, Bill Hader as Richie Tozier, Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh, Jay Ryan as Ben Hanscom, Isaiah Mustafa as Mike Hanlon, James Ransone as Eddie Kaspbrak and Andy Bean as Stan Uris.

The Goldfinch

Release Date: September 13

Based off the same-named 2013 novel, The Goldfinch follows Ansel Elgort’s Theo Decker, whose mother was killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and who clings on to a painting of the eponymous that gives him one shred of hope from that terrible event. Nicole Kidman, Aneurin Barnard, Sarah Paulson, Luke Wilson, Jeffrey Wright and Ashleigh Cummings also star.

Downton Abbey

Release Date: September 20

It’s been four years since the Downton Abbey TV series concluded, but the denizens of the estate are back for a big screen tale that sees King George V and Queen Mary visiting them in 1927. Most of the main characters from the show are back for the movie, and among the new faces that fans should keep an eye out for include Simon Jones, Geraldine James, Tuppence Middleton and Stephen Campbell Moore, to name a few.

Ad Astra

Release Date: September 20

This James Gray-written and directed flick stars Brad Pitt as Roy McBride, an astronaut who embarks on a deep-space mission to find his missing father, Clifford, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and uncover a mystery that threatens humanity’s survival on Earth. Ad Astra also stars Ruth Nega, Liv Tyler, Donald Sutherland and Jamie Kennedy.

Rambo: Last Blood

Release Date: September 20

Contrary to what’s indicated in the title, it’s unclear if Rambo: Last Blood will indeed be the last outing for Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character. Regardless, this tale follows John Rambo traveling to Mexico to rescue his niece from a Mexican cartel, and Stallone is accompanied by Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adriana Barraza and Yvette Montreal.

Joker

Release Date: October 4

Rather than follow DC Extended Universe continuity, Joker is a standalone movie that doesn’t adhere closely to source material at all, opting with a fresh take to show how the Clown Prince of Crime came to be. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a failed standup comedian who turns to crime after being disregarded by society, and he’s joined by Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy, among others.

Gemini Man

Release Date: October 11

Director Ang Lee and Will Smith teamed up to bring us Gemini Man, which sees Smith playing a government assassin named Henry Brogan who finds himself being targeted by a younger clone of himself, dubbed Junior. In addition to Smith pulling double duty on the acting front, Gemini Man stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

The Addams Family

Release Date: October 11

It’s been over 25 years since The Addams Family last graced the big screen, and instead of having them lead another live action joint, the creepy and kooky clan have embraced their roots and returned to animation for a story that sees them moving to New Jersey and dealing with a sinister reality TV host while simultaneously preparing for a family reunion. The lineup here includes Oscar Isaac as Gomez, Charlize Theron as Morticia, Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester, Chloë Grace Moretz as Wednesday, Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley, Bette Midler as Grandmama and Allison Janney as Margaux Needler.

Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil

Release Date: October 18

Rather than deliver a straightforward live-action remake of Sleeping Beauty, Disney opted to instead focus on the original tale’s central antagonist, and five years after Maleficent came out, we’re reuniting with Angelina Jolie’s character in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The sequel sees her clashing with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Queen Ingrith of Ulstead, who is using the marriage of Elle Fanning’s Princess Aurora and Harris Dickinson’s Prince Phillip as part of her plan to divide humans and fairies forever.

Zombieland: Double Tap

Release Date: October 18

In 2009, a year before The Walking Dead hit the airwaves, director Ruben Fleischer collaborated with Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin to deliver a comedic zombie story, something rarely seen in this genre. The result was the much-beloved Zombieland, and a decade later, these individuals have all reunited for Zombieland: Double Tap, which will follow this makeshift family dealing with evolved zombies and meeting more survivors as they continue traveling through the United States.

Doctor Sleep

Release Date: October 30

Like its literary predecessor, Doctor Sleep serves as a sequel to The Shining, although in the movie’s case, it’ll incorporate elements of both the Shining book and the Shining movie, which are quite different from one another. Ewan McGregor’s adult Danny Torrance has finally managed to find peace in his life and is using his abilities to help others, but that’s disrupted when a young woman named Abra, played by Kyliegh Curran, seeks his help against the True Knot organization, led by led by Rebecca Ferguson’s Rose the Hat, who want to use Abra’s powers for sinister purposes.

Terminator: Dark Fate

Release Date: November 1

Rather than follow-up on what went down in Terminator Genisys, Terminator: Dark Fate opted to ignore the last three Terminator movies and serve only as a sequel to the original two. James Cameron returned to the franchise and worked with director Tim Miller and others to craft a story involving Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor working with another Arnold Schwarzenegger-played T-800 and Mackenzie Davis’ Grace to protect Daniella Reyes’ Dani Ramos from the advanced Rev-9 Terminator, played by Gabriel Luna.

The Irishman

Release Date: November 1

Featuring an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman tells the story of Frank Sheeran, who, in his last days, reflects on the key events that defined his career as a mob hitman, which include playing a role in Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance. Although The Irishman will have a limited theatrical run starting at the beginning of the month, it will primarily be available on Netflix, dropping on the streaming platform November 27.

Charlie’s Angels

Release Date: November 15

Arriving 16 years after the last movie and eight years after the failed TV revival, Charlie’s Angels is back on our screens, this time in a cinematic reboot directed by Elizabeth Banks, who also plays one of the movie’s many Bosleys. Our trio of new heroines working for the Townsend Ageny are played by Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, and their main mission is to stop a dangerous piece of technology from being unleashed onto the world.

Ford V. Ferrari

Release Date: November 15

Directed by Logan’s James Mangold and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Ford V. Ferrari chronicles the story of automotive designer Carroll Shelby and his team at Ford constructing the Ford GT40, a car driven by racer Ken Miles intended to beat the Ferrari racing team at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford V. Ferrari’s cast also includes Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Tracy Letts and Josh Lucas, among many others.

Frozen II

Release Date: November 22

It’s not often you see a movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios get a theatrical sequel, but considering how critically and commercially successful 2013’s Frozen was, it’s hardly surprising that the Mouse House gave the green light to Frozen II and brought back Idina Menzel, Kristen Stewart, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Satino Fontana to reprise their respective roles. Frozen II sees Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven embarking on a journey three years after the first movie to learn the origins of Elsa’s ice powers.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Release Date: November 22

Many of you reading grew up watching, or at least hearing about, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and rather than serve as a traditional biopic for its host, Fred Rogers, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood spotlights the childhood icon in a different way. Based off the Esquire article “Can You Say… Hero?”, the movie sees Matthew Rhys’ Lloyd Vogel interviewing Tom Hanks’ Rogers for a profile and his perspective on life being transformed after meeting the man.

Knives Out

Release Date: November 27

Rather than jump straight back into the Star Wars universe after delivering The Last Jedi to the masses, Rian Johnson opted to tackle Knives Out, a modern whodunnit murder mystery where every family member who attended the 85th birthday party of a wealthy crime novelist is considered a suspect after he’s found dead. The members of this all-star cast include Daniel Craig, Chris Evans Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon, Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas, Don Johnson, Lakeith Stansfield and Katherine Langford.

Jumanji: The Next Level

Release Date: December 13

Just like its immediate predecessor, Jumanji: The Next Level involves the main characters being sucked into the world of the Jumanji video game, only this time there’s been some changes regarding who’s playing which character and brand-new quest to beat if they want to get out safely. Along with the majority of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’s main cast reprising their roles, The Next Level also features Danny DeVito, Danny Glover and Awkwafina.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

Release Date: December 20

It’s the end of an era for the Star Wars franchise, as The Rise of Skywalker will conclude the Skywalker Saga, i.e. the main series of films that began with A New Hope over four decades ago. Besides bringing back most of the familiar Sequel Trilogy faces and introducing a few characters, The Rise of Skywalker will also feature Billy Dee Williams and Ian McDiarmid reprising Lando Calrissian and Emperor Palpatine, respectively, as well as utilize unused footage of Carrie Fisher from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi so Leia Organa can be present.

Cats

Release Date: December 20

If for some reason you hadn’t heard about Cats as a long-running musical, you definitely learned about the movie when that trailer for the movie came out over the summer, which earned… a polarizing reception, to put it lightly. The Cats movie looks to be following the same story beats as its staged predecessor, and its lineup includes Judi Dench, James Corden, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, Rebel Wilson and Francesca Hayward.

Little Women

Release Date: December 25

Over a century and a half after its publication, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women remains one of the best known works of American literature, and now director Greta Gerwig is putting her stamp on the beloved story for the new film adaptation. The lineup of actors bringing the members of the March family and those around them to life include Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Bob Odenkirk, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep.

While these may be the biggest movies left in 2019, they certainly aren’t the only ones left to look forward to for the rest of the year. Find out what else is on the way in our handy release schedule.

Kristen Stewart has been famous for a long time. The actress broke big with Panic Room in 2002, before she was even officially a teenager, and went on to appear in movies like Cold Creek Manor and Zathura: A Space Adventure before becoming super famous thanks to her role as Bella Swan in Twilight.

It seems like a charmed life going from an extra on the Disney Channel Original Movie The Thirteenth Year to the most notable member of the gang in the upcoming Charlie’s Angels reboot, but Kristen Stewart revealed in an interview ahead of her newest flick Underwater that fame actually used to frighten her quite a bit. She said:

There’s an element of actors choosing to be actors and trying for fame, so it can be tempting to be a little cynical when they make comments about being frightened or unhappy with their lot in life. However, it’s likely very different to go from being a child actor to a household name, just like it’s likely very different to go from a moderately known actress to someone who is the lead in the most popular franchise films at a given time.

Kristen Stewart went on to talk to reporters about how she came to terms with her early fame, also noting at the Venice Film Festival (via Variety),

These days, she has a whole new look and bent in Hollywood. In fact, she's appearing in a slew of different types of movies as well. Underwater will feature the actress in a thriller setting and will feature a crew of underwater researchers who are attempting to survive when an underwater earthquake hits. The reboot of Charlie’s Angels will also be action-packed, but will have a humorous bent.

Next year, Kristen Stewart will star in a romantic flick about a young woman who wants to propose to her girlfriend during the holidays, only to find out she hasn’t come out yet. That flick, Happiest Season, is scheduled for November of 2020.

The actress has talked about fame a bit in the past, notably giving her thoughts on how Daisy Ridley should feel about getting famous so fast, simply because Ridley also rose to prominence in a similar fashion with a big franchise, in her case, Star Wars. As for her own Twilight franchise work, she's previously said she's really proud of what the movies accomplished, even if there were side effects related to her quickly being thrown into fame.

Clearly becoming famous affects the lives of actors and actresses in myriad ways, but if you look at Kristen Stewart now, she seems more sure of herself and her fame, which is, I'm guessing, something that eventually needs to click if you are a person who wants to remain in the limelight.

Underwater will hit theaters on January 10, 2020. To see what else the movies have to offer before then, take a look at our full schedule.