If you look up what genre We Need to Talk About Kevin is in, you'll find it under “psychological drama.” However, much like I’d consider Mulholland Drive a horror movie, even though it’s categorized as a “mystery film,” I’d say the same thing about Kevin, as it’s straight-up horror.

In fact, I actually think WNtTAK is one of the greatest horror movies of all time that pretty much nobody talks about. Sure, I know most people wouldn’t put it on a list of the best horror movies of all time, but that’s only because many people seem to overlook “realistic horror,” such as If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (which is another great “horror” movie).

So, here’s why more people should, er, talk about We Need to Talk About Kevin.

I Think This Movie Hits Differently If You're A Parent

The premise of this movie is an uncomfortable one, especially if you’re a parent. It poses the question: What if your child is a sociopath? The movie plays with that idea and whether it’s really nature vs. nurture, but the film ultimately leans more toward the nature side. That is despite Tilda Swinton’s character, Eve, getting so mad at her child in one scene that she throws him against a wall and breaks his arm.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. The book-to-screen adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Lionel Shriver (a woman), and directed by Lynne Ramsay (another woman, which is cool, since this movie has a woman’s perspective), We Need to Talk About Kevin is about a mother named Eve who doesn’t know how to relate to her son, Kevin, (Ezra Miller), who seems…troubled. Kevin’s father (John C. Reilly) doesn’t believe his wife’s concerns, and even buys him a bow and arrow as a gift.

Tragically, Kevin goes on a school “shooting” with his arrows, killing several classmates. The film deals with Eve’s role in all of this, and how the town views her. It’s harrowing, thought-provoking stuff, and truly horrific, which I’ll get into next.

It's The Way That The Story Progresses That Is Truly Horrifying

What really sets WNtTAK apart from other horror movies is its nonlinear plot. We get a deeply depressed Eve basically wandering through life after what her son did to so many people, as the town blames her for giving birth to a monster.

We then see the story progress from Kevin’s youth and his relationship with his mother. Kevin never seems happy, and his mother doesn’t understand why, even despite her many efforts to connect with him. At first, she thinks it’s her fault, but then she starts to worry that perhaps it’s not actually her, but that maybe her son has a mental illness (In fact, this is actually a great movie about such a condition).

The scariest part, though, is watching Kevin’s progression, and how distant and sinister he becomes. I don’t want to spoil the movie for you just in case you haven’t seen it, but it ends on such a sour, disturbing note that you really get a sense that all of the events that occur were probably inevitable.

In The End, I Feel Like This Is A Mostly Untalked About Gem, And A Cautionary Tale

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a cautionary tale about…becoming a parent. I’m serious! Though many have wonderful experiences with having children and can offer sage-like advice, other parents really do go through hell with their kids.

It’s not enough for people to say, “Well, if you love and take care of your child, then they’ll turn out okay,” as that’s not always the case. Because sometimes, you can do everything you can for your children, and they still turn out hurting others.

WNtTAK is a horrific film that I think more people should talk about. Just keep this in mind, though: Much like parenting itself, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Whatever you think of the Daredevil movie with Ben Affleck, there’s no disputing that Jennifer Garner is a badass in it. Even if you hadn’t seen the physical work she was capable of as the star of Alias, watching her show off her skills as Elektra Natchios was impressive. She was really able to display her efforts with the sai training scene, which is one of the most standout moments of the film.

But no fight scene or physical stunt is as easy as it looks, especially if you’re doing it correctly. And when you’re working with sais, which are pointed weapons used in martial arts that resemble a hand fork, you have to be prepared for anything to happen... and quickly react if it does. While revisiting some of the most memorable moments from her career with Vanity Fair, Jennifer Garner recalled a scary moment from that specific night:

For someone adept at stunts but not a seasoned professional, it must have been a terrifying moment to realize that you’ve pushed yourself so hard that you might have a serious physical injury if you don’t act immediately. Thankfully, the actress had a crew member step up to help her out before things got worse.

Another super defining aspect of that Elektra scene in the film is the smash hit Evanescence song, “Bring Me To Life,” that plays over it. Having first appeared in the film and on the soundtrack and later becoming the band’s debut single from their first studio album, Garner isn’t surprised that she’s become associated with the tune. She said:

The 13 Going on 30 star was also quick to shout out her stunt double, Shauna Duggins, who she worked alongside of on Daredevil and Elektra. Diggins used 20 years of ballet training to help pull off such a memorable moment, and had has since evolved into a stunt coordinator and second unit director. Garner reprised her role as Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine, to the joy of fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order. That movie reignited her love-hate relationship with the character's signature weapons. “These stupid sais and I have really been through it,” the mom of three declared.

For the moment, Garner has hung up her sais to play a woman unable to move forward after a devastating loss who decides to host a weekend away with three friends in The Five Star Weekend. But I would definitely be down to see Garner play Elektra again in upcoming Marvel movies. Even if that’s not the case, some of the best Garner movies and shows have put the actress into epic action, and I’d be happy to watch her utilize her particular set of skills in any of them. Until then, you can stream both Daredevil and Alias with a Disney+ subscription.

The best video game movies have ben released over the last few years, including Simon McQuoid's pair of Mortal Kombat films. The sequel recently arrived on streaming for those with a HBO max subscription, and now fans like me can re-watch the R-rated adventure over and over again. Bodybuilder and actor Martyn Ford plays the villainous Shao Khan, and spoke to CinemaBlend about the "horrible" process of transforming into the beloved video game character.

Mortal Kombat II hit theaters in May, and now folks can stream the movie over on HBO Max. I had the chance to speak with the movie's cast ahead of its release, where i asked Ford about what it was like becoming Shao Khan. He got honest about the transformation, joking it was:

While Martyn Ford made playing Shao Khan look easy, the reality of becoming the Outworld antagonist was something very different. Namely because of the extensive prosthetics that were applied to his body and face for every single day of shooting. And the latter was used even though the character wore his signature helmet throughout almost all of Mortal Kombat II's 116-minute runtime. Talk about dedication.

While Ford was honest about the difficulty of becoming Shao on the set of Mortal Kombat II, it wasn't all bad. Later in our same conversation he spoke about why playing the video game character was still ultimately "rewarding." He told me:

Despite the hours of makeup and costumes needed before filming Mortal Kombat II, it sounds like Ford is still over the moon about his experience and the video game movie as a whole. And even though Shao Khan was killed by Kitana in the movie's final fight sequence, we'll have to wait and see if the actor ends up reprising his role if a third movie ends up being green lit by Warner Bros.

You can check out my conersation with Martyn Ford about his MK II role below:

While Mortal Kombat II's writer has plans for four more movies, it's currently unclear if Warner Bros. is planning to move forward with the burgeoning franchise. The movie made $129.5 million at the box office, which is significantly more than the first. If it performs well on HBO Max hopefully the studio will decide to green light a threequel. After all, there are tons of stories and characters to mine from.

Mortal Kombat II is streaming now on HBO Max as part of the 2026 movie release list. And it's going to be different watching Ford's performance knowing just how difficult it really was to become Shao Khan.

While movie-goers might see Robert Pattinson’s character in The Odyssey as a villain, he would beg to differ. In the 2026 movie release, Antinous is one of the suitors with his eyes on the throne, left empty by absent war hero Odysseus (Matt Damon), and Penelope, Odysseus' wife. As Penelope (Anne Hathaway) waits for the return of her husband, Antinous is hoping for his moment to rise above the other suitors. But since taking over as the king of Ithaca would mean eliminating Odysseus and Penelope’s son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), it’s not surprising that she wouldn’t be thrilled with the prospect.

Part of what makes Robert Pattinson so delightful is that every time he has a new project to promote, you never really know what he’s going to say, but it will likely be memorable. During the press tour for The Odyssey, Anne Hathaway called out his take on the villainous role but then agreed that he does actually make a good point. Talking to IGN, the British actor explained his defense of Antinous and why he sees him as a legitimate option for Penelope. You can hear him sell his point of view in the clip:

No character is a villain to the actor portraying them, but listening to Robert Pattinson talk about Antinous feels like he’s recast his character in a comedy. In the interview, the Twilight actor calls out Penelope’s mixed signals and, in his defense, points out that she never asks him to leave at any point in the movie’s three-hour runtime.

However, he’s also previously and quite accurately called the character “the worst stepfather you could possibly have.” And that is easily understood when you consider how shallow Antinous is and the fact that he wants to kill Telemachus.

The Odyssey has been acclaimed by critics for its epic storytelling, which is well-deserved, but I can’t stop laughing at the way The Batman star has been talking about his despicable character. It’s a bit weird to think of Antinous as a good option for Penelope, but if anyone is going to champion the villain, it should be the actor playing him. Pattinson said:

Ultimately, Damon’s character doesn’t die in the film, but his absence allows for plenty of time to watch Robert Pattinson enjoy being the bad guy. Antinous is the kind of villain that you love to hate because he knows the pain he’s causing but doesn’t care who gets hurt along the way.

But if you follow the actor’s take on the role, he’s the hero of his own story, just trying to win the girl. I know that I, for one, hope that Pattinson continues to take on villainous characters in his career, and that he continues to share his hilarious takes on them with us.

It’s safe to say that when anyone thinks of Ferris Bueller, they probably think about skipping school, as Matthew Broderick’s character is infamous for having the most epic "sick day" ever. Though this doesn’t mean Ferris would stay the same aloof guy we loved in the iconic John Hughes high school movie. And it turns out Broderick is thinking the same thing. When the actor stopped by The Guardian to spill some BTS moments, he shared what he believes happened after the movie. And his comments about Ferris as an adult are bumming me out.

This isn’t the first time Broderick has shared BTS trivia, having previously revealed some conflicts with Hughes when filming Ferris Bueller. The actor once thought the chance of a sequel was possible (until Hughes' passing), but that hasn’t prevented him from thinking about "what happened to Ferris." He gives the answer, along with some cheeky shade at ‘80s hair. If you don’t like the idea of Ferris as an adult, you may not like Broderick’s answer:

Truthfully, at some point Ferris would have to grow up. What was beloved about him as a ‘teen’ may not play as well in an adult. Admittedly, it’s harder to think about Ferris growing up after hearing from Broderick how much went into fine-tuning his character to the perfect blend of slacker and charmer. Hughes even nixed a scene after a screen test in fear of how it’d make Ferris come across.

Bringing this character to life was truly a collaborative effort, from specific details of his costume to even making the dance scene feel spontaneous. In fact, you can relive these moments with a Paramount+ subscription. It was important to the actor that Ferris was “a little cool and aloof,” but more importantly, he says:

But there’s one thing that Broderick feels would have held his character back from fame, and it has to do with his and sidekick Cameron's hairstyles. Since they were coming off the Gene Saks’ military play, Biloxi Blues, they had “timeless hair-dos." But the actor can't help thinking about how they could have easily had “crazy mullets, in which case, it would not have become a timeless classic.” Broderick's most recent projects include a guest appearance on Elsbeth. Meanwhile, his co-star Alan Ruck can be seen playing a jerk on Rooster.

Though I do have good news for Ferris Bueller fans as Broderick and Ruck will be reuniting after 40 years for a new movie. The Jon Turteltaub-directed film, The Best is Yet to Come, is currently in production and will bring the costars back together for a bucket list road trip adventure. The two will be playing best friends who set off to do everything they’ve always wanted to do before life got in the way.

If you squint just right, this almost feels like a Ferris Bueller sequel. Surely, we’ll get a few nods to the classic movie and maybe even an idea of what an adult Ferris would be like.

While Ethan Hunt’s time leading the Mission: Impossible movie series is probably over, I’m never getting over all the behind-the-scenes stories about the franchise. Tom Cruise has a reputation of being fearless in those movies. And Ghost Protocol director Brad Bird just shared one nerve-wracking story about the making of the 2011 fan-favorite.

Brad Bird (who also helmed The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille) had his own panel at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H on Thursday night. During the sprawling conversation about his career that CinemaBlend was in attendance for, here’s what he recalled about making Ghost Protocol with Tom Cruise:

It’s incredibly nail-biting to watch Tom Cruise accomplish the stunts he’s done on the Mission: Impossible movies alone. But I never thought of how that might feel from a director’s point of view. As Bird communicated, being in proximity with Cruise while shooting Ghost Protocol was not for the faint of heart. Here’s what he had to say about filming the famous Burj Khalifa scene:

If you didn’t know already, Ghost Protocol was actually shot on location in the Burj Khalifa, which is the the tallest building in the world. The structure in Dubai stands 2,717 feet tall. In the scene, Ethan Hunt must scale the Burj Khalifa in order to intercept an exchange of nuclear launch codes happening on the 130th floor.

While the production originally was only going to film a few shots there, nearly the whole sequence was shot at the Burj Khalifa. And it was done for IMAX! But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a stress test for Brad Bird. As he added:

The next time I’m worn over work, I’m going to think about Brad Bird. At least I’m not responsible for Tom Cruise and his stunt antics – I’m just writing about it! If you’re itching to rewatch Ghost Protocol after this story, it’s streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

And, if you’re curious what Brad Bird is up to, he has a new animated film on the 2026 movie release schedule. It’s called Ray Gunn, and it’s a science-fiction noir movie he’s been wanting to make for 30 years. The new Brad Bird film is coming to Netflix on December 18.

As a tennis player, I wasn’t planning to watch The Dink on the 2026 movie schedule. The very noise the pickleball makes is obnoxious enough to deter me, and there are myriad articles on the Internet about why tennis players get frustrated having to share courts with casual picklers. I won’t get into those in depth, except to say that despite loving Jake Johnson, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about the new comedy flick. But then the reviews dropped.

Can I say I’ve changed my mind? Yes, yes I have. This week a bunch of journalists shared their opinions, and they make some compelling arguments. For instance, Kristy Puchko of Mashable says in her review of The Dink that director Josh Greenbaum — who’s also helming the upcoming Spaceballs sequel — combines wacky humor with physical comedy, resulting in a laugh-out-loud yet heartwarming crowdpleaser. Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen have crackling chemistry and sublime comedic timing, she says, continuing:

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics says Josh Greenbaum keeps The Dink just grounded enough to deliver a charming message in a sports comedy that “scores more than it hits the net.” In the critic's words:

OK, let’s not get carried away here. I said I’d watch the movie, not fully jump ship. But if anybody’s mind is going to be changed, Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert seems to think Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen might be the ones to pull it off. Johnson’s Dusty is the right mix of ego and vulnerability, while Steenburgen’s Candace is effortlessly charming. The critic rates The Dink 3 out of 4 stars, writing:

Matt Schimkowitz of AV Club gives it a B in his review of The Dink, writing that this Apple TV movie isn’t trying to be Challengers. However, its leisurely action, low-lift laughs and enthusiastic cast allow it to “hit hard with light taps.” The critic says:

Lindsey Bahr of the AP says the grounded and goofy humor, coupled with eccentric characters and some fun cameos, add up to make this quite an enjoyable watch. She rates it 2.5 out of 4, writing:

Look, The Dink sounds like it’s actually pretty good, and another quality outing for those with an Apple TV subscription. My co-worker Heidi Venable loved it. So, I humbly submit I will bow down to the pickleball gods, give it a watch this weekend, and try to keep my judgy personal opinions to myself.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are currently gearing up for the release of the upcoming Marvel movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day. That blockbuster will star both Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal, but the two actors have shared a bond for years before their MCU project. And the Uncharted star recently shared a funny story about how a piece of lemon stopped Bernthal from a vow of silence he'd taken while filming another project.

It's a big summer for the two A-list actors, who are starring in both Brand New Day and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, which is in theaters now. But they actually met while filming 2017's Pilgrimage, during which Bernthal went method and decided not to speak while playing a mute. During a recent appearance on Hot Ones, Holland shared a story about his co-star, offering:

Despite the age gap between the two stars, it's clear that they hit it off immediately. In addition to helping each other audition for their Marvel roles, it sounds like Tom Holland was all too happy to be Jon Bernthal's voice in the midst of shooting Pilgrimage. And as the 30-year-old actor recalled, his buddy Jon started off pretty well with his vow of silence. As he put it:

So what went wrong? After all, plenty of actors use method acting to help stay in character. It turns out that things went awry when Holland and Bernthal went out to get a meal together. The Spider-Man actor shared how the two went to a restaurant together, where he was the only one who could speak with the wait staff. He went on:

This went on for some time, but one particular interaction between Tom Holland and a server ended up being the final straw in Jon Bernthal's vow of silence for Pilgrimage. It all came down to the request for lemon, which ended the method acting in one fell swoop. The story concludes with:

And just like that, the Punisher actor returned to the land of speaking. It's unclear how far into shooting Jon Bernthal's lemon-based revelation happened, but regardless, he still offered a great performance in the 2017 movie. And his friendship with Tom Holland is one that's still going strong to this day.

Bernthal and Holland can both be seen in The Odyssey, in theaters now. And they'll have yet another title together when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get to see these two buddies on screen more in upcoming Marvel movies.

I might be a little biased (just a little), but you read the headline: Out of all of the characters in cinematic history, Godzilla is the greatest.

Now, “greatest” is a wildly subjective term, and that can be interpreted in many different ways. For instance, when I say Godzilla is the “greatest,” I don’t mean he’s the most important, but I do think he is the best. He’s one of the most recognizable characters in cinema history and also has the best longevity. I will die on this hill.

So, how can I make such a bold claim? Well, you’re about to find out.

What Other Cinematic Characters Have Remained Actively Popular For 70 Years?

Now, you might proclaim that Mickey Mouse has been relevant and actively popular for almost a century since his debut in Steamboat Willie back in 1928. But, let’s think about that. What was the last Mickey Mouse MOVIE you watched in theaters? I mean, I’m 42, and the last time I saw Mickey Mouse on the big screen was for the animated short, “Get a Horse,” which screened before Disney’s Frozen, and that came out all the way back in 2013!

The last Godzilla movie I watched in theaters was Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire back in 2024, which I think is the best MonsterVerse movie by far. Godzilla Minus One was the one I saw before that, in 2023. It is still my favorite Godzilla movie of all time. In fact, I think that the 2020s are actually the best time ever to be a Godzilla fan, and that's because Godzilla is bigger than ever.

I’ll give you an example. Outside of this website, I’m a teacher, and I have a Godzilla calendar in my classroom (Because of course I do). Well, every single student - and I teach 12-13 year-olds - recognizes Godzilla from the movies and can even identify some of his best enemies, such as Mothra and Mechagodzilla.

Granted, one might say that a character like Superman or Batman is more recognizable than Godzilla, but neither of those characters has movies that go as far back as 1954 and have been CONSISTENTLY churning out films for over 70 years. That’s why I say Godzilla is the greatest character in cinema history. Just like his film counterpart, he just won’t die, and he only gets stronger!

Godzilla Is Truly Universal And Basically Spawned A Whole Genre

Now, I love King Kong, and I’ve even seen every King Kong movie. Be that as it may, I definitely don’t credit the original King Kong, which came out 21 years before 1954’s Godzilla, for creating the kaiju genre. I mean, yes, I will say that King Kong definitely inspired the creation of Godzilla, but it was the 1954 movie that really kickstarted the kaiju genre, and we’re all the better for it.

Godzilla is more than just a character - he’s a symbol. From Cloverfield to Ultraman to even the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, there’s a huge chance that none of them would even exist if not for Godzilla, which popularized and even spawned the concept of the giant monster destroying a city (rather than just rampaging through one like King Kong).

This is another reason why I think Godzilla is the greatest character in cinema history. He single-handedly created an entire genre unto himself. Nobody can say that a character like Darth Vader CREATED the space opera, or that Mickey Mouse CREATED animation, but Godzilla CREATED the Kaiju genre, which we’ve gotten so many great stories from in so many different forms of media.

I could go on and on in this regard, but the proof is in the pudding. Godzilla is the King of the Monsters, and every kaiju that has ever come out after him needs to bend the knee.

Godzilla Is Also Great For Merchandising Purposes, And Instantly Recognizable

I mentioned my Godzilla calendar earlier, and what’s interesting is that every year I get a new nerdy calendar for my classroom. This year’s Godzilla calendar was the only one where EVERY student could identify who the character was (As opposed to my years when I had Street Fighter, Dragon Ball Z, and Marvel calendars, which surprised me).

I think people can recognize Godzilla because he’s also great for merchandising, and you see him everywhere, even outside of the movies. For example, I’ll always remember how ubiquitous Godzilla was when the 1998 movie (which I actually like) came out. Now, even before that film, I had known who Godzilla was, even though I hadn’t yet gotten into the Toho Godzilla movies. I mean, how could I not know who he was? He was in video games, on t-shirts, and even in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.

I just think it’s because Godzilla is perfect for merchandising. He can be scary. He can be cool. He can be silly. He can be a hero. He can be a villain. He can be in cartoon form. He could be in movie form. There’s just really no limit to how you can merchandise the character.

I can’t really think of too many other characters, outside of Star Wars, where you can have such general versatility when it comes to marketing. It’s perfect!

Godzilla Will Likely Outlive Us All

This is kind of crazy for me to say given all of the big movies that we’ve gotten thus far, but the upcoming Godzilla Minus Zero is my most anticipated movie on the 2026 film schedule. I think this will always be the case with any Godzilla film that comes out, because I’m pretty certain that I will be a fan of Godzilla for the rest of my life.

I don’t think it ends there, since I think Godzilla will still be in movies long after I die, which hopefully won’t be for about 50 years, because Godzilla just works. As I’ve already noted, there may be more recognizable characters out there like Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, or Superman, but Godzilla’s consistency when it comes to movies is what really makes him the greatest cinematic character of all time.

I took my son to see Godzilla Minus One, and now he’s just as big a Godzilla fan as I am. Hopefully, if he’s ever blessed with children like I was, he’ll spread that love to his children and continue the cycle of loving the King of the Monsters. This is something I definitely foresee happening since I don’t think Godzilla is going anywhere.

So, for all of those reasons combined, I think Godzilla is the greatest character in cinematic history, and you’re never going to convince me otherwise.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always growing, thanks to new projects arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. As such, fans are constantly wondering about upcoming Marvel movies, and hoping to see their favorite characters appear. For years now fans have been waiting for Spider-Man Miles Morales to join the MCU, and Kevin Feige finally revealed when we should expect that to happen.

Fans who have been watching the Marvel movies in order have likely seen the online discourse about Miles Morales. The character has been gaining a ton of popularity in recent years, thanks to the Spider-Man PlayStation games as well as the Spider-Verse franchise. During a conversation with China's Watching Hollywood (via Deadline), Feige spoke about bringing Miles to the shared universe, offering:

Do you hear that? It's countless Marvel fans cheering. Because not only does Kevin Feige seemingly want to bring Miles Morales into the MCU, but he's got a timeline. Namely, after the animated Spider-Verse franchise ends and the character is freed up to appear in the live-action Spider-Man movies.

This timeline makes a ton of sense, as Chris Miller and Phil Lord's animated Spider-Verse movies have been an Oscar-winning success. So Feige and company have to wait until that story is finished before finding a way to bring Miles to life in live-action. Still, the fact that it's going to happen one day is thrilling.

Fans aren't the only ones who have been calling for the web-slinger to join the MCU. Tom Holland himself wants to bring Miles Morales into the fold, possibly with his Peter Parker serving as a mentor the way that Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark did for him earlier in the shared universe.

In the comics, Miles Morales in a teenager who ends up (you guessed it) bitten by a spider that gives him superpowers. But his abilities are different from the traditional Spider-Man, including invisibility and bio-electric manipulation. Both the Spider-Verse movies and the Sony video games have shown him as a partner to Peter Parker, with the older hero helping to guide him as he becomes a vigilante in New York City. Folks are ready to see this dynamic play out in live-action, although we'll have to wait for the animated franchise to conclude first.

Tom Holland's Spider-Man will return to the big screen when Brand New Day arrives on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, that animated blockbuster will hit theaters June 18th, 2027.

Just when you think Zendaya’s method dressing can’t get any more iconic, she somehow manages to up her game. We’re a week out from Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s debut on the 2026 movie calendar, and not only did the MJ portrayer don another great dress with nods to the upcoming MCU flick at the premiere in Shanghai, China — she showed off her new microbangs to take the look over the top.

Zendaya has been absolutely slaying with her looks while promoting The Odyssey — going full goddess mode in dresses that reference her character Athena — as well as her outfits for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Attending the Chinese premiere for the Marvel movie, the actress donned a webby Versace dress, but it was her hairstyle that really made a statement:

I mean, we’ve heard of breakup bangs, but newlywed bangs may be a creation unique to Zendaya after marrying her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland. The baby bangs are jaggedly cut, with the rest of her long, brown hair straightened to fall down her back for a very sleek look.

The haircut provided an edgy complement to the vintage couture 2016 Versace gown, which was a tasteful take on the naked dress. Zendaya showed a lot of skin, thanks to the dress’ open weave, but white fabric draped across her body and down to the floor in a look that also had an air of Athena to it.

The bangs are definitely a new (and I’d say welcome) addition to her Spider-Man: Brand New Day press looks. Zendaya chopped off all her hair after filming Euphoria’s final season and Dune: Part Three, flirting with a pixie look in an open-backed spiderweb gown at an earlier appearance. She also featured the cutest short ‘do in a sparkly red-and-blue number that showed off her abs.

Her long hair returned, however, when she started donning ethereal gowns ahead of The Odyssey’s release, with messy curls adding the most perfect touch to that gorgeous winged dress. A loose braid was added to another look that featured a sculpted corset and beaded fringe, with her long curls cascading down her back.

If Zendaya’s goal with her method dressing is to get us excited about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it’s definitely working (and I’m also starting to wonder how I might look with microbangs, if I’m being honest). There’s so much hype surrounding the summer blockbuster, with Tom Holland toppling one rumor and his wife mercifully keeping him from spoiling the ending.

Meanwhile, Sadie Sink has had an easier time keeping those Marvel secrets, as we still don’t know which character she’s playing. There’s a reason that Sink’s role has been kept secret, and while she is straight up trolling Spider-Man fans at this point, we haven’t seen her following in Zendaya’s footsteps to drop hints with her fashion. (What DID all those black outfits mean?!)

Thankfully, we don’t have too much longer to wait until our questions are answered. Spider-Man: Brand New Day premieres Friday, July 31.

The first full trailer for Avengers: Doomsday is here, and at the risk of sounding alarmist, I'm worried. While I'm excited for the upcoming Marvel movie and know it's going to make a big splash with audiences, I can't help but be concerned about the X-Men and their place in the story.

Kevin Feige already confirmed the upcoming movie is heavily influenced by two prominent comic book storylines, but I have a feeling a third is in play. Is it possible this movie is also influenced by Avengers vs. X-Men, and we're going to see an adaptation of that play out in the movie?

Why I Think Avengers: Doomsday May Be Loosely Adapting Avengers Vs. X-Men

If you watch the Avengers: Doomsday trailer clearly, one thing stands out above all else. The Avengers and the X-Men are never seen fighting alongside each other or meeting, but we see them fighting other Avengers. There's a quick shot of Gambit fighting Shang-Chi, and it also seems Mystique transforms into Yelena Belova in the midst of a battle.

It has me wondering if the X-Men are allied with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, and he's appealing to a cause that benefits both. Note that we see Magneto and Professor X united as equals at a table, rather than at odds. Also, Gambit and Mystique are usually on opposing sides in the comics, so why would they both be fighting the Avengers?

The Avengers vs. X-Men arc is more than just the name implies, of course, as you'd also need a character who can harness the Phoenix Force to complete that. Oh wait, isn't Sadie Sink heavily rumored to be playing Jean Grey in the MCU? You know, the same Grey who has harnessed the Phoenix Force before?

The comics had Hope Summers be the conduit to the power, but that doesn't mean the Russos and Marvel Studios couldn't take some creative liberties. To me, it feels like the table is set for Avengers: Doomsday to loosely adapt Avengers vs. X-Men, and factor in Doctor Doom to help get his story off the ground. Is it possible these mutants, and ones we haven't seen yet, are the "bad guys" in this?

I Would Sooner See That Story Told In A Separate Film, Not As The B-Plot To Service Doomsday

I would love to see Avengers vs. X-Men adapted in the MCU, but not like this. The story of the mutants being torn between saving their species and fighting The Avengers is fantastic and worthy of its own movie. I'd rather see that fleshed out in a meaningful way, rather than pared down just to fill time for Avengers: Doomsday to cross the finish line.

To be clear, I have no idea whether Avengers vs. X-Men is going to be adapted at all in Avengers: Doomsday. Regardless, I still have questions about the X-Men's involvement in the MCU overall, and how they factor into this story.

What I will say is that I've been waiting too long to see the modern iterations of the Mutants added to the MCU, and I would hate to have one of its better stories used as a B-plot when there are plenty of other ways to handle a Doctor Doom story. Unfortunately, it's all cut and in the can now, so I guess I'll just have to wait and see alongside others what this story will be about.

Avengers: Doomsday is in theaters on December 18th. I'm excited for its release for now, and hoping we get more information on what's going on with the mutants closer to its release date.

Disney laid off a lot of employees this week, with Pixar being a highly affected division. It turns out, the studio reportedly informed the state it was cutting people with a document that featured shockingly adorable letterhead. And yes, adorable is the right word too, because Pixar’s letterhead features Mrs. Incredible on it.

It was reported that Pixar informed the state that it was cutting 108 Bay Area jobs on Mrs. Incredible letterhead by SF Gate’s Matthew Brown. In a post on X, it was explained how many employees were laid off, and there was a screenshot of said letterhead; take a look:

Considering the serious matter at hand, the adorable letterhead was a bit shocking to see. However, I also assume the company’s regular letterhead features Mrs. Incredible or other characters from the best Pixar movies. Personally, I’m a bit surprised it’s not the classic lamp.

Plus, considering the plot of The Incredibles (which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription), I can't deny that I was a bit surprised by the character featured at the top of this document. I mean, in the first movie, Mr. Incredible literally loses his day job as he’s getting back into being a superhero.

Overall, the letterhead is fun without considering what is written below it. However, all things considered, I’d assume it doesn’t make the news easier to hear. While this kind of letterhead does feel on-brand for Pixar's day-to-day use, seeing a beloved character on a document reportedly about layoffs hits different.

For context, on July 21, it was reported that several hundred positions were cut at Disney. Specifically, this affected Pixar and National Geographic in a big way, according to Deadline. Specifically, National Geographic was the most impacted, as it had layoffs at the cable network, editorial and operations.

Along with that, about a dozen ABC News employees were let go. Overall, Disney Entertainment Television and Studios cut just under 100 employees.

When the news broke, it was reported that Pixar laid off around 100 people from production and operations. This latest update says the number was specifically 108. This notably comes two years after Pixar went through a big round of layoffs in 2024.

All of this has also happened on the heels of Toy Story 5’s box office success. The studio also released Hoppers this year. Among the upcoming Disney movies, Pixar plans to release Gatto on the 2027 movie schedule, and Incredibles 3 is currently slated for a June 16 premiere in 2028.

Considering Incredibles 3 and the love for the first two movies, I can see why Mrs. Incredible was on the letterhead at Pixar. In fact, it’s an adorable detail. However, the last thing I expected was to see really difficult news allegedly delivered on objectively adorable letterhead.

It’s a well-documented fact that the Baywatch movie cast really trained hard to get fit. The Rock's pretty much always fit, but amped things up for the movie. Zac Efron has most notably talked about going overboard to the point where he set unrealistic standards for himself. His co-star Alexandra Daddario also worked hard for her Baywatch body, and nine years later she’s still holding onto those abs.

Daddario is a well-known yogi and has partnered with Alo Yoga before while getting bikini fit. Whilst on Baywatch, she admitted to adding strength training into her routine to help those muscles pop. She’s kept up her deep core workouts in the time since, however, and showed off the work during an episode of White Lotus a few years later. Now, she’s sharing exactly how she’s kept fit with some deep core moves.

There's some glute work in there, but I mostly love she's doing a reverse crunch into a shoulder stand, which is great for isolation. These moves have been trendy on social media in recent years as people have moved away from the crunches and situps that dominated traditional workouts for years. With isolation exercises like these you can really hone in on either your upper or lower abs, and these aren't crazy fitness moves that only mavens could do. Anyone can try or work into what Daddario is doing here.

While spot targeting is a myth, and fat loss is always ultimately the best way to land a 6-pack, you do really need to be working out all abs and not just upper abs. This is a really good way to achieve that, and it’s nice to see Ms. Daddario still going hard with work outs years after her swim-forward film. Of course, she doesn’t need to worry about looking “supernaturally” fit these days, but wanting to stay in shape is never a bad goal, particularly for someone who spends a lot of time on camera as Daddario does.

The now 40-year-old actress (I know, time flies) and her ex Andrew Form had a kid back in the fall of 2024 before their split. Moms everywhere know getting back into shape afterward is no mean feat. It’s on brand that she’s sticking to her roots with yoga and pilates moves, and it’s nice to see her going about her workouts with intention. Plus, I'm always enthusiastic when celebrities share how they do it at the gym, even if her Baywatch co-star The Rock and others are sometimes reticent to do so. I’m just saying, more where this came from, please.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly treating us to new projects, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie heading to theaters is Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will finally follow up on No Way Home's twist ending. We'll be in a world that has completely forgotten about Peter Parker, and are there still photos of him in existence? The director weighed in.

Fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been not-so-patiently waiting to see how Tom Holland's hero was doing now that he's basically alone in the world. Brand New Day's trailer showed a glimpse of this, but in an interview with IndieWire, Cretton was asked a simple question: is Peter's picture still in his yearbook? The Shang-Chi filmmaker responded with:

It sounds like the team behind the new Spider-Man movie had some debate about whether or not photos of Peter Parker are still out there in the world of the MCU. Destin Daniel Cretton's ultimate answer is that yes, the web-slinger's image would still be in places like this yearbook... even if no one retained any memories of his years at Midtown School of Science and Technology.

Later in the same interview, Cretton went on to share how much the photo question actually influenced the way Brand New Day was shot. He purposefully didn't include any of them in the movie thanks to the questions they might inspire from the audience. In his words:

Maybe it's better that fans don't think too hard about how Doctor Strange's memory-erasing spell actually works. Rather than getting in the weeds about it all, perhaps we should just watch Brand New Day and focus on the fact that Peter Parker's loved ones no longer remember him. Holland's hero was shown monitoring MJ and Ned from afar in the trailer, which you can see below:

This new blockbuster is set four years after No Way Home, which is a long time for Spider-Man to be living in solitude. He clearly misses Ned and MJ, and additional trailers have confirmed that he'll eventually step in to protect the latter from an unknown villain. And it should be fascinating to see if Zendaya's character ends up remembering her relationship with Peter, or if they have to start fresh. Either way, the truth about Strange's spell is bound to come out sooner or later.

All will be revealed when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. Luckily for us, the wait for that long-awaited blockbuster is nearly over. Just don't look for any photos during its runtime.

It’s uncomfortable saying anything negative about The Odyssey right now. In an age of mediocre sequels and uninspired live action adaptations, it feels necessary to exclusively put good vibes into the universe about a big budget event film with high art aspirations that’s doing its own thing. Most of us want more movies like it, and because of that desire, it’s more comfortable to just tell people, “The Odyssey is great! Go see it.”

The truth, however, is that The Odyssey is not great. It’s merely good, and the reason why it’s a step below great is because it has a major side character problem. More specifically, it’s filled with dozens of disposable side characters with one-note personalities who are merely there to advance the plot.

It’s Mostly A Problem Of Structure

I know The Odyssey is a long movie, but even for a long movie, a lot of stuff happens. We get the Trojan Horse and the destruction that comes afterwards. We get the bit with the cyclops, the bit with the sirens and the bit with Scylla and Charybids. There’s an extended sequence with Calypso and the Lotus Flowers. There’s the cattle of Helios and the entire fallout from that. There’s the stuff with Circe and Odysseus’ men and then the stuff with Circe and Odysseus himself. There’s the scene where he meets with the soldiers who have died, and the scene where they have to escape the man-eating giants.

And that’s just the stuff involving Odysseus while he’s on his extended adventure. We also get a parallel plot that runs throughout the movie that involves his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. She has to fend off the suitors who want to marry her and take her place, and Telemachus goes on his own side quest to Sparta to meet with Menelaus and try to figure out if his father is really dead.

Altogether, it’s too much plot for a single movie. It would have been an impossible task to get through all of this in three hours without abridging and trying to move through everything with a brisk momentum.

But That Doesn’t Change The Fact That These Side Characters Are Not Good

Most of The Odyssey’s runtime follows Odysseus’ quest to get home alongside his men. Unfortunately, we spend almost no time with those actual men at all. There are a few scenes of plot-driven banter and minor character development between Matt Damon’s Odysseus and Himesh Patel’s Eurylochus, but there’s nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy about their relationship.

They don’t have a fun rapport or any distinct conversations. And we get almost nothing from anyone else, apart from occasional reaction shots and maybe the odd bit of dialogue here or there. They have no quirks, eccentricities or memorable facets to their personalities. They’re just around to move the plot along.

Unfortunately, that’s a recurring theme with most of the characters in the movie, even the ones that should stand out. Take Charlize Theron’s Calypso. Odysseus spends years eating the Lotus Flowers and living with her on the island, but for the sake of runtime, we’re really just told about it. We don’t see them spending any real time together, and she’s not even given a fully developed personality. Theron has been nominated for three Oscars and has a long track record of doing really weird and memorable things with many of her characters, and yet, she feels so subdued here.

You could go down the list and say the same thing for side character after side character. Zendaya's Athena, Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus, Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen Of Troy and Mia Goth’s maid servant, are all, in theory, key characters played by acclaimed actors who should have a memorable impact on the movie, and instead, they’re just kind of there. Sometimes they deliver really emotional and weighty dialogue, but since we’re not given time to get to know their characters, they just feel like words moving along the plot.

I can’t imagine anyone leaving The Odyssey and saying, ‘you know what side character I really loved?’ Even the ones who are in the movie for a substantial amount of time feel so shallow and without. Robert Pattinson is, I guess, trying to be a little quirky with his portrayal of Antinous, who is the stand-in for the suitors that we see the most, but he’s still ultimately a stock villain from the sleazy handbook.

Samantha Morton’s Circe and John Leguizamo’s Eumaeus are getting a bit of positive buzz, but in my opinion, they still feel semi-neutered or at least like unrealized potential. Morton is in the movie for like fifteen minutes, maybe, and chooses to go a bit more understated than the set buzz had me believe, and almost all of Leguizamo’s scenes are just an old man getting picked on and looking downtrodden (apart from that wild puppy scene).

It’s A Missed Opportunity

Once again, none of this is to say The Odyssey is a bad movie or not worth your time. It’s a good movie that is worth your time. You should go see it because it’s (for the most part) an achievement in what’s possible and has a ton of scenes that work really well. There’s so much about the film that’s worth praising, but none of it has to do with character development, which is mediocre at best for Damon's Odysseus, as well as the other two leads Anne Hathaway (who makes the most of her one-note widow) and Tom Holland (who is decent as the one-note meek son).

I don’t know how Nolan could have possibly developed all these characters in three hours, but ultimately, he picked this story and this format. Maybe it should have been two movies. Maybe it should have been a miniseries. I don’t know what the answer was, but I think we should be honest that the path he picked has obvious limitations.

It sucks that the sirens were a three minute afterthought because there wasn’t time to develop their characters. It sucks that we didn’t get more from Theron or Bernthal or Nyong’o. It sucks that Morton’s Circe was only around for like ninety seconds before she showed her true intentions. All of these characters could have been the centerpiece of entire movies or episodes or at least hour long chunks. Instead, they’re underdeveloped. Instead, they’re part of a side character problem that can’t be overlooked.

Clayface isn’t just the next upcoming DC movie; it looks like one of the most promising new horror films on the 2026 movie schedule. Since it’s still three months away, I wasn’t expecting to hear about the experience of watching the movie yet, but Jim Lee just spilled the tea!

CinemaBlend was in the audience for San Diego Comic-Con’s DC Comics panel. There, the publishing company’s very own president, publisher and CCO told us his thoughts on the fall release. And it has me very hyped for what’s to come. In Jim Lee's words:

Whoa! I love a movie that can make one feel like they just went to a full-service fancy restaurant with its content. Of course, Lee didn’t get into many specifics about why he made this analogy, but this is a really solid reaction. He also said this:

Clayface’s latest trailer definitely has enough to make one squirm. It introduces Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), an actor who becomes disfigured and feels like his life has been ruined since. So, he turns to a “fringe” scientist, Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie), who transforms him into something new. And the results are pretty terrifying. I know I can’t stop thinking about the plane sequence where his eyes are suddenly stuck shut. Check it out below:

I thought the horrors I witnessed in the trailer would be enough, but Jim Lee teased even more. The highly-anticipated DC movie was co-written by The Haunting of Hill House’s Mike Flanagan and produced by The Batman’s Matt Reeves. Here’s what Lee also said during the panel:

OK, so James Watkins did not come to play. The director has done a bunch of horror movies over the years, and this one is no exception. It might even be his creepiest yet. We’re already hoping it’s a big success so more horror-leaning DC movies are greenlit. Knowing more about how this one plays makes me even more optimistic. Here’s one more thing Jim Lee said about Clayface:

This is very, very high praise. Plus, it’s coming from a guy who’s considered one of the most influential names in comic books. He was notably part of the Batman: Hush comic book story arc, which had a great Clayface arc in it as well. The Clayface movie hits theaters on October 23. And this horror fan is more excited than ever.

It was very sad to hear about the passing of screen legend Sam Neill this month. I’m a huge fan of many of his movies, and I’m also a huge fan of the James Bond franchise, but it wasn't until I read a story after his death that I learned he'd auditioned for the role of 007 back in the 1980s. The audition came after Roger Moore left the role after A View To A Kill. He even did a screen test in a scene from what would become.

Now, I’m a fan of the underrated Dalton era of Bond. I think the Welsh actor was given too short a leash, being replaced by Pierce Brosnan after just two movies, but I would have loved to see Neill in the role, and I think we missed out.

Neill Auditions Before Dalton Got The Role

Over the years, eight men have played James Bond, and after the Roger Moore-era ended with A View To A Kill, it was time for producer Cubby Broccoli and the rest of the production team to find the first new Bond in over a decade. Broccoli really wanted Pierce Brosnan to take over the role and offered the part to the actor who would eventually become Bond in the mid-’90. Unfortunately, he was tied up with his TV show, Remington Steele, and they couldn’t make it work. That meant a big search for who would replace Moore.

One of the actors who auditioned and screen-tested was Neill. At the time, before Jurassic Park and The Hunt for Red October, Neill was still somewhat unknown to much of the movie-going public. However, after watching his screen-test (and loving both of those movies), I can’t help but wonder, “What if?” Would Neill have been a popular Bond? Would it have meant we’d have missed out on those roles in Jurassic Park and Red October? It’s impossible to know for sure, but in a perfect world, maybe we get it all.

I’ve Never Been A Fan Of The Brosnan Movies

If I’m totally honest, the Brosnan-era of James Bond has long been my least favorite. It’s not that I think Brosnan is bad in the role, but the movies are just so cheesy. They all have that ‘90s sheen of slickness that is really off-putting. For me, they are the most dated-looking of all the Bond movies, and that’s saying something for a franchise that is over 60 years old. However, I think the two Dalton movies are by far the most underrated of all the Bond movies.

So, while I wouldn’t want to live in an alternate timeline without a Dalton Bond, I wouldn’t mind seeing what could have happened with Neill in the role over Brosnan. Interestingly, though, Neill himself said that he didn’t want the role, at least in part because Brosnan was gunning for it. Quite the conundrum. Personally, though, I think we missed out on something pretty cool.

We still don’t know who will be the next 007 in the yet-unnamed James Bond 27. As it was before The Living Daylights, there are tons of rumors about who the next actor to drink martinis and flash his Walther PPK handgun will be. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all the updates!

Christopher Nolan's movies are known for their epic scale and practical effects, and he's done it again with The Odyssey, which is crushing at the box office. The acclaimed book-to-screen adaptation is super ambitious, and Matt Damon recalled one wild moment on set that showed just how big of a production the latest Nolan movie truly is.

The Odyssey's reviews have been super positive, and there's already Awards Season buzz surrounding the massive blockbuster. Matt Damon movies aren't known for being on indie budgets, but the level of production on Nolan's latest shocked even him. In a video from The Today Show's Instagram, the 55-year-old actor spoke about shooting one particularly epic sequence. In his words:

Talk about a crazy day on set. Damon is no stranger to huge movies, but it sounds like The Odyssey was on another level... even for him. Christopher Nolan has a reputation for preferring practical effects over CGI, and that includes employing tons of extras when necessary. Case in point: The Dark Knight Rise's epic final battle actually had hundreds of background actors rush at each other when Bane's forces collided with Gotham's Police Department. And the scale of The Odyssey is even bigger than that Batman movie (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription).

In the same interview, the Martian actor went on to tell the same story, and a comment by cinematographer Hoyt van Hoytema really highlighted what a huge movie they were filming. As Damon went on:

Talk about perspective. The fact that Christopher Nolan put this much money and effort into what would ultimately just be a flashback for The Odyssey proved how huge a movie it would become. That includes plenty of epic flashbacks, a stellar ensemble cast, and (of course) that wild Trojan Horse sequence.

Fans can see The Odyssey's scale for themselves as the movie is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. Spoiler alert: the movie is HUGE.

Spoilers ahead for Heartstopper Forever.

Every streaming service has some popular hits, and Heartstopper is definitely on that list. Arguably one of the best Netflix shows to binge-watch, the acclaimed book-to-screen adaptation reached its conclusion with the movie Heartstopper Forever, which is out now for those with a Netflix subscription. I was originally bummed that one actor got recast for the movie, but after reading Alice Oseman's final book, Volume 6, I understand it.

Heartstopper Forever reviews have been praising the finale's contents, with fans finally getting a conclusion to Charlie and Nick's story. Oscar winner Olivia Colman played Nick's mother, Sarah Nelson, to perfection in the show's second season, but she was noticeably missing from Season 3. Many fans were hoping she'd show up again in the movie, but the role was recast with actress Anna Maxwell Martin. I've been sore about this for a while, but it made more sense after reading Heartstopper Volume 6.

Olivia Colman Had To Be Recast For Heartstopper Forever

Olivia Colman might have only appeared in ten episodes of Heartstopper, but she definitely made an impression. Nick's coming out scene in Season 2 was one of the most powerful moments of the entire show, and Colman's performance was a big reason why. The character Sarah Nelson was absent for the third season, but was necessary to bring back before the story ended forever. And that became especially clear when reading the source material.

In Heartstopper Volume 6, as well as in Forever, Nick ends up being the one struggling the most with his mental health. As such, it makes sense that he might open up to this mother about what he's dealing with. Additionally, Nick's relationship with both his father and his brother David ends up coming to a head. With so much happening with the character's home life, it would have been odd if Mrs. Nelson never popped up in the new Netflix movie.

So why didn't Olivia Colman get to reprise her role? Unsurprisingly, it was a scheduling conflict, as the 52-year-old actress is in demand and constantly working. Heartstopper Forever was filmed back in the summer of 2025, when the Favourite actress was busy shooting the upcoming romantic fantasy film, Wicker. Given the focus on Nick's psyche and home life in Forever, someone else needed to step in and play the role. And that's exactly what we got with Anna Maxwell Martin.

I read Heartstopper Volume 3 before tuning into Heartstopper Forever, so I was able to go into the Netflix movie enjoying its contents and not being so bitter about Olivia Colman's absence. Nick's mother might not have a huge role in the movie, but Sarah Nelson needed to appear in one way or another... especially since we've reached the conclusion of the beloved TV and book series.

Heartstopper Forever is streaming now on Netflix as part of the 2026 movie release list. While there's no Olivia Colman to be found, it's still worth the watch to see how Charlie, Nick and their friends ended up.

As we work our way further into the second half of the year, I thought I'd dedicate this week's movie quiz to the films that have been released in theaters so far in 2026. While I don't think you'll need to have seen all of the movies featured in the crossword puzzle below, it'll help if you have some general knowledge of the titles and plots for each of the movies.

We'll give you a very vague description of the 2026 movie's plot, and you'll guess the title.

Despite the franchise ending back in 2011, the Harry Potter movies continue to be a popular part of the pop culture landscape. Folks regularly re-watch the Potter films (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription), and they are also celebrating the original movie's 25th anniversary. And AMC theaters are selling some magical popcorn buckets that I'm going to need to purchase for myself ASAP. Let's break it all down.

While folks are waiting for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, it's also time to celebrate just how long it's been since The Sorcerer's Stone hit theaters back in 2001. A glimpse at the anniversary popcorn buckets was available at San Diego Comic-Con (via Instagram), and you can check out their epic designs below:

I mean, how cool are these? Both of these new AMC buckets have magical designs, immortalizing some of the most iconic aspects of the Wizarding World as a whole. Given the property's ongoing popularity, I have to assume that they're both going to quickly sell out.

While the Dune popcorn bucket remains arguably the most iconic (and infamous), these two Harry Potter ones are pretty gorgeous. In the above video, we see that the first is based on the Hogwarts Express, which transports students from the school to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The other looks like the Nimbus 2000 broom, which comes apart and becomes a stand for your bucket. Per the clip, they'll both be coming to AMC theaters in late August.

While some theaters' popcorn bucket designs are more successful than others, I think that both of these Harry Potter ones look absolutely gorgeous. And while they might be a bit bulky, they both look actually practical in their ability to store popcorn. They both look awesome as well, which is why I have to assume they'll sell out upon arriving in theaters. After all, Wizarding World fans span multiple generations. While we wait, you can check out the teaser for the Harry Potter TV show below.

Harry Potter has been a popular IP for decades now, starting with J.K. Rowling's books, and expanding to movies, video games, theme parks, and stage plays. While the Fantastic Beasts franchise is officially dead, there is still a ton of ongoing love for stories centered around Harry's time at Hogwarts. Although I'm still wondering what would have gone down with the final two Fantastic movies if the studio hadn't pulled the plug.

Luckily for young fans, all eight Harry Potter films are going to come back to theaters to celebrate the first movie's 25th anniversary. There are some moviegoers who will be seeing them on the big screen for the first time after years of streaming, so why not elevate the experience with an epic popcorn bucket?

The Harry Potter movies are expected to return to theaters on August 27th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Tickets will go on sale July 31st, while the TV series will premiere December 25th on HBO.

Updated with video below.

Johnny Depp is known for his collaborations with Tim Burton, as well as various hit movies he's been in over the years. The 63 year-old has been out of Hollywood for a few years now, following his divorce from Amber Heard and their messy legal battle that reached its conclusion with its 2022 verdict. While he's taken on a few acting projects, he'll be getting his Hollywood return as the title character of Ti West's Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. And he recently shared the first public look at him in the upcoming book to screen adaptation.

While the first look of Depp as Scrooge came at CinemaCon, only those lucky enough to attend that event were able to feast their eyes upon it. But a poster just arrived on Instagram, showing what the top of half of Depp's face will look like as Ebenezer himself. Check it out below:

Now that's a humbug if I've ever seen one. While Depp will have to live up to the various Scrooges that have occupied the big screen over the years, the top of his head certainly looks the part in this poster. We'll just have to wait and see if his take on the character can live up to others like Michael Caine's legendary performance in The Muppet Christmas Carol (streaming with a Disney+ subscription).

UPDATE: Johnny Depp himself made an in-person appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in full costume as Ebenezer Scrooge, as our enterprising journalists encountered.

The rest of the article continues as it was originally written.

It's still the height of summer, but with Ebenezer hitting theaters in November, the promotional campaign for the upcoming Christmas movie is kicking off. On top of Johnny Depp sharing this poster on his Instagram Stories, he's also dedicated his entire page to the project. All of his posts have been archived or deleted, leaving just three posts which spell out Scrooge's catchphrase of misery "Bah Humbug".

It should be interesting to see exactly what Ti West and company bring to the table with this newest movie take on A Christmas Carol. In addition to Johnny Depp playing the title character of Ebenezer, he'll be joined by a supporting cast that includes Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, Sir Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley and Trammell Tillman, among others. There's a ton of talent involved in this movie which, combined with Depp's long-awaited comeback, should help turn heads as the movie gets closer to its release in theaters this fall. The comments on the Ebenezer poster are filled with excited reactions, including:

• JOHNNY BACK ON OUR SCREENS YES!!!!
• Yes 🙌
• The legend has returned!
• MY GOAT IS BACK
• Welcome back King👏

Depp has generations of fans, who seem thrilled that he'll be back on the big screen this fall as Scrooge. Luckily they won't have to wait very long before the movie hits theaters.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol will arrive on the big screen November 13th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now, his tenure as Jack Sparrow can be re-watched over on Disney+.

For decades now, moviegoers have watched the best Pixar movies in both theaters and eventually streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The animation studio has given us countless beloved movies, from Toy Story to Inside Out to The Incredibles. Unfortunately, they've also been the subject of massive Disney layoffs, with hundreds reportedly being dropped by the House of Mouse. And some previous comments from a Disney animator showed that history is repeating itself.

Disney made some major layoffs on Tuesday, and Pixar was reportedly hit especially hard. This comes shortly after Toy Story 5 crushed at the box office, resulting in plenty of chatter online. As a result, a Variety story from earlier this summer has resurfaced, where a Disney animator spoke about the state of the industry. In their words:

It certainly feels like history is repeating itself in the wake of the studio's latest shakeup, which reportedly resulted in 116 people being laid off. That's a massive sum of workers, and it happening so shortly after Toy Story 5's release is especially newsworthy. Of course, this isn't the first time Pixar has had serious layoffs, as they did just a few years ago in 2024, resulting in 14% of its staff being dropped aka around 175 jobs.

As the Variety story previously reported, folks working in animation have been in a precarious place for years now, despite the genre's ongoing popularity. In addition to Pixar's two big layoffs in just two years, Netflix restructured its animation department in 2023, with jobs and entire projects being eliminated. Just like Pixar's success, those with a Netflix subscription will recall how projects like KPop Demon Hunters have dominated pop culture following their release.

When considering the genre as a whole, the unnamed animator's quotes do make some sense. And they said this before Pixar went through even more layoffs less than a week later. We'll just have to see how the genre continues to perform in the coming years, and if there's more job security for animators.

Funny enough, Pixar's last round of layoffs also happened after a wildly successful movie release. While this time around it was Toy Story 5, back in 2024 they happened shortly after Inside Out 2's release, which made over a billion dollars. And that timing is definitely turning heads.

Toy Story 5 is still in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully the folks at Pixar are safe from any future layoffs after this latest round of viral firings.

One of the biggest questions related to any upcoming Marvel movies revolves around Sadie Sink’s mysteriously unspecified new role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which the stars have been keen to troll fans over. The two biggest theories have her playing either Spidey’s comic love interest Gwen Stacey, which seems fitting, or the all-powerful Jean Grey. (With a third avenue being that she’s actually one of the film’s many villains.)

Now, it appears we can remove the mutant telepath from the rumor mill, as Spidey portrayer Tom Holland himself has shut down the notion that Jean Grey will be in Brand New Day at all. In an interview with Natalia Kreuser (via Instagram), the actor was asked point-blank about the X-Men heroine, and he didn’t even craftily attempt to beat around the bush with his answer. As he put it:

There you have it, sports fans. Tom Holland, one of the crown kings of MCU spoilers, has seemingly confirmed that Jean Grey will NOT show up during the runtime of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

I Hope Tom Holland Is Telling The Truth Here

As awesome as it would genuinely be for the MCU's revamped Jean Grey to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it seemingly doesn't make that much sense for these characters' timelines, given the all-around lack of confirmed mutants on this Earth. That will all change with Avengers: Doomsday, which Kevin Feige pretty much explained will wipe out the timeline for Fox's X-Men characters, and then a new lineup of character will rise up to take their places for Secret Wars and beyond.

As such, it would be bizarre for the first new mutant to show up in this movie, five months before Doomsday hits. theaters, right? I think so, unless her arrival plays directly into how the storyline flips things around to set-up Spidey's eventual return in an Avengers sequel. But that just seems too messy for a movie that already has a dozen supporting characters. (O.G. Jean Grey Famke Janssen reportedly isn't in Doomsday, but I'm not sure that necessarily means anything about

Another reason I think we can hopefully trust Tom Holland here is because he's become so known for blabbing about details that others may have kept closer to the vest. And him shutting down rumors about a character's appearance is a more forgivable spoiler than if he'd come out and said exactly who Sink is playing. It's like Marvel producers gave him an olive branch by allowing him to say this one thing.

But maybe he IS lying, or is being controlled by the real Jean Grey to tell fans what she wants us to hear. Check out the interview clip below and see whether or not you think Tom Holland could be fibbing it up for the sake of the mystery.

Whether or not his scout's honor is authentic or not, fans will know for sure who Sink is playing when Spider-Man: Brand New Day swoops and whooshes through theaters on July 31, 2026

Alan Ritchson has openly stated he'd like to play Batman, and if his towering frame in Reacher is a resume to play the Caped Crusader, I'd say he's perfect for the job. It seems like James Gunn might agree, especially after a cagey response from the actor when he was asked whether he'd play the DC hero.

Ritchson was a guest on Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz, in which the host brought up that Gunn is a big fan of the action star. Ritchson acknowledged the question and followed up with this:

Ok, then. For some reason, Alan Ritchson and James Gunn are speaking a lot. That feels like a big deal, especially since he's busy making Superman: Man of Tomorrow and overseeing other DC projects. Why exactly would he be making a good deal of time for Ritchson unless he was tied to that in some way?

It's a question Horowitz was understandably also curious about. He wanted to know if this was a confirmation that Ritchson is in conversations to play the DCU Batman, who is separate from Robert Pattinson's Batman. Or, he could be playing an entirely different character in the DC universe. All the actor could say was this:

If Alan Ritchson thought that was going to end the questions, he was wrong. Of course, people want any details about what he might be doing in the DCU, if anything.

Readers know by now that NDAs signed by actors and actresses associated with any upcoming superhero movie are pretty iron-clad. So there was no way this line of questioning was ever going to end with Ritchson detailing what these conversations were about and who he would be playing. What he did say, however, was this:

I think that's a smart response. The DCU, after all, is coming off a disappointing showing for Supergirl, but Superman was well-received. I think there's an understandable amount of caution being taken by Ritchson, and wanting to ensure he's not rushing too quickly into something that doesn't feel right.

Based on this final bit, however, it sounds like whatever is being discussed, the Reacher star feels good about it. Here's how he characterized the situation, and I would note the adjective he used for the future:

Ok, so, Alan Ritchson as Batman is confirmed? Of course, Josh Horowitz had to give one more try to get the actor to fess up. This final attempt sent me as, Ritchson continued to tease the host and audience with his responses:

• Josh: Do you have a character in mind that you're not going to tell me today?
• Alan: Yes.
• Josh: And it's not Batman?
• Alan: Look, the future is bright, and the horizons are broad, and anything is possible for any of us. You know?

I guess, in light of the recent news that The Batman: Part II was delayed yet again, this is something positive to look forward to. I do worry about how Warner Bros. Discovery may feel about having two cinematic Batmans operating in movies at the same time, as the company heads historically frowned on that and prevented certain characters from being used in The CW's Arrowverse when they were a part of the DCEU. I would love to see Ritchson as Batman, but not sure I want to see less of Pattinson's Batman as a trade-off.

Of course, we don't actually know what Ritchson could do in the DCU, and won't until he and James Gunn are ready to announce it. Here's hoping we get some news eventually, and this isn't a whole lot of teases and excitement over nothing.

Every so often two major movies are released on the same weekend and some competition is started at the box office. While Barbenheimer resulted in huge numbers for both Barbie and Oppenheimer, we're about to get another one of these moments with the forthcoming release of both the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday and Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three. The forthcoming theatrical event had been named Dunesday, although Marvel's Kevin Feige reportedly admitted that having another blockbuster to compete with might not have been the best plan.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but there's a ton of hype surrounding both that movie and Dune 3. It's unclear if they'll end up cannibalizing each other's box office performance, or if folks will simply do double features to see both titles.

Kevin Feige allegedly spoke about this at a Chinese event, with a translated quote coming to us from Weibo (via Threads). He reportedly said:

If true, this is illuminating. While I'm gonna take this translated quote with a grain of salt, it sounds like Doomsday wasn't always going to be competing with Dune. But when The Russo Brothers' movie needed more time during the editing process, that's how things shook out. And just like that, Dunesday was born.

When the next Avengers movie got moved to its December release date, some fans worried that it would suffer at the box office due to both competition and superhero fatigue. But if Doomsday's record-breaking trailer performance is any indication, that might not be the case. While superhero fatigue might be a think, folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are still seemingly invested in the forthcoming crossover event.

It should be interesting to see just how much money both Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three end up making during the opening weekend. Will this competition result in both movies performing well, or will they interfere with each other's profitability? In addition to Barbenheimer being a pop culture moment, last year we were treated to Wickediator aka the release of Wicked: For Good and Gladiator 2. While they were very different movies, they were both able to make a ton of money at the box office. Only time will tell if that happens this December for Dunesday.

Both Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. No matter what happens Florence Pugh is winning, as she'll star in both of those highly anticipated blockbusters.

Whenever a new movie or show based on a Greek myth or epic comes out, I always want more, and that has certainly been the case since The Odyssey’s release on the 2026 movie schedule. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to continue taking in Greek stories on the big screen, because one week after Christopher Nolan’s film hit theaters, a proshot film of the Broadway show Hadestown will make its way to cinemas.

After Watching The Odyssey, I Want To See More Greek Stories And Myths On The Big Screen

Unsurprisingly, Nolan’s book-to-screen adaptation of The Odyssey was met with great reviews, and it got the director his box office crown back. This new take on Odysseus’ journey home was indeed epic; it was immersive, and it was held together by miraculous filmmaking and jaw-dropping performances.

Overall, I haven’t stopped thinking about the film since I saw it, and it’s left me wanting more. However, I’m all caught up on Percy Jackson (which actually takes inspiration from The Odyssey in Season 2), and I want to take in another tale like this on a big screen rather than with a Disney+ subscription. So, I’m thrilled to report that a musical take on a Greek myth is making its way to theaters this week.

Hadestown: The Musical Is Set To Have A Limited Theatrical Run

Hadestown tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, as they fall in love and find themselves in the Underworld, facing off against its ruler, Hades. Alongside these characters, the main cast is rounded out by Persephone, the Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld, and Hermes, the God of Wit, Travelers and more. Together, they tell a tale about a journey to the Underworld and back, tapping into themes of love, trust, survival, power and more.

Obviously, like The Odyssey, this is a classic tale known by many. And like Nolan’s take on The Odyssey, this musical by Anaïs Mitchell is a unique adaptation of the myth about Orpheus and Eurydice.

I write that because Hadestown uses jazzy folk music to tell its story, and the set feels industrial, not ancient. It’s sprinkled with modernization, and it’s done so in a beautiful and accessible way.

Adding to that, the story is told by a knockout cast. For this proshot of the show that opened on Broadway in 2019, the entire set of original leads returned, with Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Eva Noblezada as Eurydice, Patrick Page as Hades, Amber Gray as Persephone and André De Shields as Hermes.

Of this cast, Page, Gray and Noblezada were nominated for Tonys, and De Shields took one home for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. The show also earned seven other awards, including Best Musical. So, also like The Odyssey, this retelling of a beloved Greek story is critically acclaimed and absolutely stacked with talent.

Now, Hadestown will begin its run in theaters on July 23. Its final day on the big screen will be Wednesday, July 29. So, it’s sure to give you that mythology fix you might have after seeing The Odyssey.

It won’t go away after that, though. The musical is still playing on Broadway and the West End, plus there’s also an ongoing national tour. Therefore, even after it leaves the cinema, there’s plenty of opportunity to sing Hadestown songs again.

Alan Ritchson has been highly sought after since blowing up on Reacher, but before a new, best-yet season of the hit Prime Video series hits the 2026 TV schedule next month, we’ll have the chance to see (but not hear) him on the big screen. Motor City is a new action flick, and if you’ve ever wished you could have all brutal fights with none of the cheesy, testosterone-fueled banter, this may be the pick for you.

Potsy Ponciroli’s Motor City is virtually free of dialogue, making for a pretty unique crime thriller set in 1970s Detroit. Alan Ritchson and his co-stars — Ben Foster, Shailene Woodley and more — may not have had a lot to say, but the critics won't shut up about the movie.

Steve Pond of The Wrap calls it a “hyper-adrenalized revenge thriller” that replaces conversation with a variety of noises and fun needle drops. Pond says:

Even without the dialogue, Owen Gleiberman of Variety says Motor City delivers love, violence and suspense. Audiences are tasked with interpreting the characters’ looks and gestures, making this movie a “true immersive cinematic experience.”

Anzhe Zhang of Slant also calls it immersive, particularly when the soundtrack matches the action on the screen. Not limited by the restraints of a traditional story, The 2026 movie release is “exhilaratingly alive throughout its set pieces.” Zhang rates it 2.5 stars out of 4 in his Motor City review, writing:

Other critics, however, grew tired of the dialogue-free gimmick, with David Rooney of THR calling the exercise “overstretched.” Alan Ritchson still brings gravitas to the project through his hulking physical presence alone, the critic says, but the supporting cast is lacking depth, and the flick is overall “rendered a bit silly by its silence.” Rooney continues:

Jesse Hassenger of AV Club gives it a C, agreeing that Alan Ritchson is well-suited for the “strong and silent” character of John Miller. While the intent was ambitious, Motor City was unable to shed its clichés. Hassenger’s review reads:

Critics are definitely intrigued by the choice to silence Motor City’s characters, but they’re iffy on the end result. The movie has a score of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing, and I’ll be interested to talk about what moviegoers think of Alan Ritchson’s latest when it hits theaters on Friday, July 24.

Actor Tom Cruise has the reputation of advocating for a certain class of movies where what we see on screen is done for real. So of course he’s been supporting The Odyssey. The actor dropped by NYC’s Lincoln Square on opening weekend to see it himself, and had big praise for Chris Nolan, the cast and crew. But he also had thoughts on the Dune: Part Three sneak peek playing before IMAX screenings, as well.

Tom Cruise rented out a private showing of The Odyssey for himself and his team. He also apparently ended up inviting some of the employees of the AMC to join him. After an employee shared the “magical” experience, one fan had to ask them if Cruise had thoughts on the Dune: Part Three sneak peek. Here’s what reportedly happened:

In the front of IMAX screenings of The Odyssey, movie fans are treated to the prologue to Dune: Part Three, and Tom Cruise was no exception. Cruise was geeking out over the sequence that involves the Fremen getting caught in a visceral battle after feeling the rain for the first time. And apparently he even called one of the movie’s producers to congratulate them on a job well done. How cool.

Check out Cruise posing with four lucky AMC employees who got to experience the Dune 3 preview and The Odyssey with him. Talk about a treat!

Tom Cruise has certainly been vocal about his love of the Dune franchise before. He sent Chalamet “the most wonderfully inspiring email” that even included a Rolodex of experts he might need for additional stunt training. Per Chalamet’s recounting of the email to GQ, Cruise let him know that “nobody” would hold him to the Old Hollywood standard. And it was up to him to do so.

Dune: Part Three is set to round out Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy based on Frank Herbert’s books. It will follow a super unsettling Paul Atreides 17 years after the previous film. After Paul betrayed Zendaya’s Chani in Part Two and rose as the Lisan al-Gaib, it looks like the two become enemies. All the while, Robert Pattinson’s Scytale executes a plot to dethrone Paul.

It’s not only one of the most exciting upcoming book-to-screen adaptations, it could be the biggest box office weekend of the year. The movie shares a release date with Avengers: Doomsday in a movie event already calling itself Dunesday. We definitely expect Tom Cruise to be first in line after these alleged comments about Part Three.

We’ve come a long way when it comes to news about December 18th’s Avengers: Doomsday. From seeing a whole bunch of names on chairs to learning that Cap and company were coming back, the info keeps on rolling.

And with the news, we also got a new poster from former visual development director Andy Park, as well as a brand-spanking-new trailer featuring Doctor Doom and everything. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the X-Men, The Avengers (Both old AND new), and The Fantastic Four whoop Doctor Doom’s behind. However, one team is notably absent from the trailer, and that’s the one from my favorite Marvel movie, Eternals.

Which, you know, really bugs me, since if the Eternals were ever coming back, it likely would have been for this extravaganza. Let’s talk.

Look, I Get It. Nobody Likes Eternals Except For Me

Okay, I get it. When most people rank the MCU movies, Eternals always lands somewhere near the bottom, if not THE bottom. And, yeah, I’ve heard all of the complaints: “It should have been a TV series rather than a movie.” “There were just too many characters,” and, the most common of all, “It’s just so BORING.”

However, even after a rewatch, I still consider it my favorite MCU movie. I’m eternally hoping that we’ll see Thena, Sersi, and Kingo again (even though it probably would be in Kumail Nanjiani’s best interest to stay away from Marvel this time, for mental health's sake anyway). I just love these characters. I don’t think Eternals should have been a TV series, and I feel that the film did a great job of managing so many characters. But, most importantly, I don’t find it BORING. I find it ambitious, engaging, and artistic, and I always wanted more of it from Marvel.

So, to not see any hint of them on this new concept art or in the trailer just really upsets me. Especially since I know Marvel still remembers that they exist.

I Mean, Hello. They’re Referenced In Captain America: Brave New World

Another Marvel movie that I know people don’t like, but I enjoy, is Captain America: Brave New World, which I would actually rank higher than the first Captain America flick. Now, something that surprised many a longtime MCU fan is that Eternals were actually referenced in a major way in the fourth Captain America movie, as we actually got to see what happened to the Celestial, Tiamut, with Celestial Island.

That tells me that Kevin Feige still remembers Eternals. Now, I understand that the Russo brothers probably don’t care about Eternals since they have their own vision in mind, plus they also have the X-Men to bring into the fray.

However, I just can’t shake the feeling that Eternals should have at least SOME kind of presence in this movie, which actually brings me to my last point.

Eternals Would Be Really Cool In Avengers: Doomsday, So Am I Being A Fool For Still Holding Out Hope?

There’s still a lot we likely don’t know about Avengers: Doomsday, even with everything they’ve shown us thus far in the trailer. So, am I being foolish for believing that perhaps the Eternals MIGHT make an appearance in this movie somehow?

I mean, I never thought I’d see Thor: The Dark World ever referenced again, but it played a prominent role in Avengers: Endgame.

So, could the Eternals also be hidden away in this movie somewhere and we just don’t know about it yet? I guess only time will tell.

Have you ever noticed how often Walt Disney used to point with two fingers? If you look at enough archival photos from his lifetime, you’ll notice him gesturing this way a lot. Personally, I've wondered why that was a go-to pose of his. Now, because Tom Hanks played him in Saving Mr. Banks, he actually learned the reason why Disney did this and shared the story behind it.

While Hanks was playing Mr. Disney in the 2012 movie about the making of Mary Poppins, he learned the secret behind the pose. In his words:

Whoa! I don’t know about you, but I thought Disney just pointed that way. But the secret is Walt Disney was a heavy smoker and never gave up the addiction. So, the studio ended up hiding his habit by airbrushing his cigarettes from photos later on. Reportedly, Disney didn’t want to set the example for children. As Hanks also revealed in a throwback interview on The Ellen Show:

Disney died at the age of 65 in 1966 due to lung cancer. He was diagnosed just weeks before his death when doctors discovered a tumor in his left lung, per OncoDaily. He had surgery to remove the tumor, but the disease had already advanced too far, and he died on December 15, 1966. Nowadays, the outlook for patients with lung cancer is much better than it was at the time.

Interestingly enough, cast members also point with two fingers at Disney Parks. In some cultures, it's actually offensive to point with a single finger, and from a distance it's easier to see two fingers rather than one. But now I have to wonder if it was in part inspired by Walt Disney’s smoking addiction.

When Hanks played Walt Disney for Saving Mr. Banks, he thought it was important to portray him accurately, which included bringing attention to his heavy smoking. As he shared:

If you haven’t seen it already, in Saving Mr. Banks, you can see how Hanks implemented what he learned about Disney. You can check out Tom Hanks’ performance as Walt Disney right now with a Disney+ subscription, along with numerous documentaries featuring the man himself. Hanks is also the star of the most successful Disney movie of the year so far, reprising the role of Woody in Toy Story 5. It’s now playing in theaters.

Obsession might have just been on the 2026 movie schedule, but it already feels like it's going to spark a longtime discussion among movie fans. For example, did Bear have a shot with Nikki? And did he get what he deserved? There’s a lot to go over. Well, Michael Johnston, the actor behind Bear, just answered a more lighthearted question about his character and how he was actually involved in it.

Early in Obsession, when Bear and his friends are at their local bar’s trivia night, we learn that his signature drink is a Piña Colada. When he orders it, it leads Nikki to pause and chuckle a little bit. She comments with “I like a man who’s in touch with his feminine side” before Bear gets a little defensive. Here’s what Johnston had to say about the scene:

Liking a sweet drink is one thing, but a Shirley Temple paints him as a lot more naive than the Piña Colada does. The small detail in the script led Johnston to speak up on set and ask that his order be changed. As the actor added in the interview with Marriska Fernandes:

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel like you’re on a tropical island while at trivia night with friends. Though it’s definitely a bit of an unexpected pick at a place where most people are probably having beers. Plus, your friend/crush Nikki has just ordered tequila shots. Bear’s reasoning is that he doesn’t love the taste of alcohol, which plays a bit better than him going with a completely virgin drink.

As Johnston recalled, his co-stars behind the roles of Sarah and Nikki threw in some ideas for other “girly” drinks that Bear might order. Ultimately, it sounds like Johnston got the final say.

Both picks help add some character to the movie’s leading role, but the Piña Colada definitely feels a bit more grounded and true to the character. Isn’t it funny how one line in a movie can really change how we feel about someone? I think the moment kind of speaks to the softness of the character and perhaps a pattern of not wanting to swallow hard truths. He was similarly afraid of rejection from Nikki, and chose to make the cursed One Wish Willow wish instead.

You can currently rewatch Obsession in all its terrifying glory with a Peacock subscription. I know I just did to test out a theory about Nikki and it was even better on a second viewing.

A pal of mine has a teenaged daughter who is my size, and the other day she handed me some jeans that were practically brand new. They were great jeans — a term that got Sydney Sweeney in trouble some months ago– but in this case I mean quality denim that was only a season or two old. Her daughter didn’t wear them anymore, my friend lamented, because they were high waisted. That’s because it’s “low rise season,” a concept Ms. Sweeney and American Eagle seem very on board with.

In fact, Sweeney is back and touting jeans for the brand several months after a brouhaha comparing “great jeans” to “great genes” and led to accusations of Nazism brewing online. The jeans sold like hotcakes despite the backlash, and the brand has continued working with the actress in the time since, with Sweeney dropping looks at denim minidresses and more. Her latest?

Yes, it’s low-rise jeans, and it's hardly the first time she's worn them. We've caught her out on the streets of New York in low-rise denim looks from MiuMiu and more in 2026, but the pro to these AE lines is that they aren't aspirational. Anyone can dive in and give them a whirl.

Continuing the trend that everything old becomes new again, the early aughts are being heavily represented in American Eagle’s latest jeans line. Sydney Sweeney looks great in low rise, but I feel it’s only a matter of time before the whale tale trend makes a comeback, and I am very much not looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney has made a lot of fashion splashes in the last 12 months outside of people getting angry about her wearing jeans for a campaign she literally had no control over. She and Amanda Seyfried “dressed to kill” for The Housemaid press tour, and then she was a long, cool woman in a black dress a few months later for Euphoria. She’s also been excellent at cross-promoting, wearing corsets on the red carpet before creating one for her own lingerie brand.

The actress has been down under filming Gundam this summer, but she does have a large swathe of additional projects coming up. I doubt we’ll see her in jeans on the red carpet, though I do appreciate a casual carpet event, but we should see her trying her hand at more celebrity fashion trends in the coming months. I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed that thongs don’t start making a major reappearance.

It’s somehow been almost three years since Marvel confirmed a new era of live-action X-Men adventures, and we’re still months away from seeing the mutant group’s return in full for Avengers: Doomsday. (The first full-length trailer gave us some hints of what’s to come.) With the Russo brothers’ busy helming Avengers: Secret Wars, it seems like a good time to wonder what Kevin Feige & Co. are planning to do with these beloved characters in the aftermath of these mega-sequels.

Thankfully, Marvel Studios’ big bossman offered up some solid insights into the X-Men’s future while speaking with journalists during a press event in Shanghai, China (via Weibo). He first talked about the state of things between Endgame’s release and Doomsday, while also speaking to the idea that the O.G. X-Men films were as much an organic starting point for the next couple of upcoming Marvel movies, even if that universe will likely get destroyed via incursion.

Just hearing the words "streamlined" and "simplified" coming out of Kevin Feige's mouth feel revolutionary, given how convoluted and messy things have gotten in recent years between big-screen features and TV projects streaming via Disney+ subscription. So cue all the sighs of relief on that note.

On a more downbeat note, Feige does use the phrase "bring some storylines to a close" in reference to the mutant clan, which does not bode well for any of the OG actors' characters surviving Doomsday and Secret Wars. If anyone could do it, it'd be Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, but it's possible that he'll be hanging his claws up before the next Phase kicks off.

To that end, Feige talked about the goal of bringing younger audiences into the MCU fandom, and having to look beyond just the most popular X-Men hero to make it happen.

I'd much prefer a multi-stage saga than another multiverse saga right now, so that all tracks. Although I do wonder if the plan to skew younger also applies to the aforementioned Deadpool, since Ryan Reynolds only just this week confirmed that Deadpool 4 is in the works. Will that movie feature some kind of passing-of-the-torch between Reynolds' Wade Wilson and someone else? Ehhhh.

Kevin Feige revealed that the latest studio exec meeting centered on planning the next 16 years of potential feature releases, going up to 2042. Which isn't to say that every one of those plans will play out successfully, but just in case anyone things they're sitting around and winging it.

Kevin Feige's Amusingly Simple Take On Fox's X-Men Movies

Though the goal is obviously to give fans something new with the X-Men's arrival in the MCU, Feige certainly isn't ignoring everything that came before, and I can't stop chuckling over his brevity and limited word choices when sharing opinions about Fox's entire X-Men franchise lineup. (Not that he was expected to go on at length with his critiques or anything.) As he put it:

How hilarious would it have been if Kevin Feige was seen on-camera for local news on premiere night for 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, and when asked how he liked it, he just said, "I think it hasn't lived up to expectations."

That is such a funny and diplomatic way to make an assessment like, "This was a steaming pile of dogshit." Not that I'm trying to put words in Feige's mouth or anything. Hell, maybe that was one that he really liked. (Hopefully not.) I may nip that phrasing in the future for when Secret Invasion comes up again, assuming anyone ever talks about Secret Invasion again.

As exciting as it is to think about what a future will look like with all-new mutants comprising the X-Men, director Jake Schreier told CinemaBlend how difficult rebooting things for the MCU can be, and a lot of decisions will need to be made. And we'll be here to talk about them all.

Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.

Is Tom Cruise ready to get back in the driver's seat with a sequel to his 1990 classic Days of Thunder? It looks like the movie that has been long-rumored is getting closer to crossing the finish line. Digger might be one of my most anticipated movies on the 2026 movie schedule, but as a child of the '80s and '90s and a fan of racing movies, the idea of seeing Cruise burn up tires around the track again has me just as excited. Here's what we know about Days of Thunder 2.

Jonathan Levine Is In Talks To Direct

There have been rumblings about a Days of Thunder sequel for years. After the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick, it only made sense that Cruise would want to revisit another classic from the same era (in addition to another possible sequel). The original Top Gun and Days of Thunder have a lot of similar DNA. In addition to starring Cruise, both movies were directed by the late Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson. Bruckheimer is on board to produce this sequel, as he did with Maverick, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter.

The outlet is also reporting that Jonathan Levine is in negotiations to direct Days of Thunder 2. Levine's Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story starring David Corenswet is set to be released by Paramount in December (and already looks like a hit). Paramount is the company behind both Days of Thunder and Top Gun (and most of Tom Cruise's movies since the 1980s). Before Mr. Irrelevant, Levine helmed the underrated and funny Long Shot starring Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron in 2019.

Days Of Thunder Became An Instant Classic For A Generation

Though it was quite the juggernaut that Top Gun was in the 1980s, Days of Thunder was a huge hit with teenagers when it dropped the hammer in the summer of 1990. The original stars Cruise as a hot-shot young racer named Cole Trickle who joins a NASCAR team led by veteran pit crew chief Harry Hogge, played by the late Robert Duvall. Nicole Kidman plays a doctor and Trickle's love interest in the movie, and Michael Rooker plays his biggest rival on the track. It's been remarkably enduring ever since.

Speculating about further casting is a little premature, especially given the personal relationship between Cruise and Kidman. Top Gun: Maverick only brought back Val Kilmer from the original, in addition to Cruise, so this might follow suit. Still, it would be fun to see some of the other actors from the original, like Rooker, John C. Reilly, and Cary Elwes.

Given the huge worldwide success of FI: The Movie last year, it seems like a no-brainer to revisit one of the best (if not the best) movies about stock car racing ever. Meanwhile, we still have Digger to look forward to later this year, which is going to be a very different kind of movie, judging by what we know about it.

Matt Damon is a bonafide A-lister at this point, with his best movies spanning multiple genres. While this new release The Odyssey is crushing at the box office, new information is also coming out about some roles that got away. That includes two different live-action Batman movies where he could have played The Boy Wonder himself, Robin. And my mind was pretty blown from his recollection.

While Damon is an accomplished movie star, there was a time when he was still auditioning for major roles. During a clip from the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he recalled auditioning for the role of Robin in Tim Burton's Batman movies... even though that role was ultimately dropped from those titles. As he shared:

So we could have had Damon play Robin not once, but twice during the original Batman franchise (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). While Tim Burton's two movies ultimately didn't include Dick Grayson, eventually the character would debut in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever, before returning for the infamously campy Batman & Robin. Although the role would go to Chris O'Donnell for both of those blockbusters.

Later in the same interview, Matt Damon recalled trying out for Batman & Robin, which famously starred George Clooney. While O'Donnell had already played the role, the Martian actor explained why he was still able to audition for the beloved sidekick, saying:

Honestly, can you blame him? The entertainment industry is a tough one, and Matt Damon would have been happy to take a smaller payday in order to get the role in Batman & Robin. But in the end Chris O'Donnell would hang on to the job, which would end up being one of his most iconic roles in a long career spanning TV and film.

Given how incredible Matt Damon is as a performer, I have to wonder what he might have brought to the table as Robin opposite George Clooney's Batman. To this day we still haven't seen him in a comic book role, despite the genre's ongoing popularity... apart from his cameo in Thor: Ragnarok.

Matt Damon's The Odyssey is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for the Batman movies, they're all streaming over on HBO Max, including Chris O'Donnell's tenure as Robin.

Famously, Christopher Nolan, whose The Odyssey is currently walking all over the competition at the box office, doesn’t like cell phones. He doesn’t use one, and he bans them from his sets. It turns out that’s not the only bit of modernity that he doesn’t want on set. He apparently bans the ubiquitous boots, UGGs, from his working environment as well. He was asked about it on CBS Mornings and related why he doesn’t like actors turning up to set in the footwear. I’ll be honest, I’m with him on this, but maybe for different reasons.

Christopher Nolan's Philosophy Is Kind Of Like Method Directing

Method acting is when an actor tries to completely disappear into a character, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. It’s a craft practiced by many of the best actors in the world, perhaps most famously used by Daniel Day-Lewis. It can be seen as mercurial and often obnoxious, but you can’t argue with success. Nolan, it turns out, brings some of that same thought process to his director’s chair and is seen acutely with the UGGs ban. He doesn’t want actors wearing them when they arrive to shoot a scene. Here’s what he said when asked why by CBS Mornings host Gayle King:

It’s easy to imagine how “real” some of Nolan’s set pieces feel, given his preference to avoid CGI and rely on practical effects. Showing up to the ancient city of Troy in a pair of trendy footwear could pull everyone on set out of the “reality” of the ancient Mediterranean. Nolan added:

This kind of thing might come across as pretentious or even a little silly, but for me it’s easy to understand. While some method acting goes to the extreme, it serves a real artistic purpose, just like this type of “method directing.” Nolan wants everyone on set to be in tune to what is happening in any given scene, and I’m sure it can be easy to lose focus, if only for a moment when distracted by something so “today.” This is probably especially true in a period epic like The Odyssey, which may be part of the 2025 movie schedule, but is very much of a different era.

For me, I think the shoes are ugly, so for that reason, I’m on board with Nolan’s decision to ban them from his sets, even if he actually thinks UGGs are "great."

As we barrel towards the release of Avengers: Doomsday on the 2026 movie schedule, everyone was a little surprised when Doomsday's first trailer dropped just days before San Diego Comic Con kicks off. I think most fans thought it was more likely to drop there during the Marvel panel on Saturday. The great news for those of us not attending SDCC, we all got to see it Monday for the first time. We got a good look at many of the characters that we’ve long known are in the upcoming MCU movie, but I was really surprised that we didn’t get surprised by at least one of two characters who are heavily rumored to be in the movie, Spider-Man and Wolverine.

I Expected One Surprise From The Trailer

In the trailer, we saw a ton of characters, so it’s hardly shocking that there were some who we know are going to be in the movie, like Beast (Kelsey Grammer) and Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), who didn’t make it into the short trailer. There are also a handful of major MCU actors who weren’t part of the big director’s chair reveal last year when the movie was officially announced, nor have they been announced since. I’m talking about actors like Elizabeth Olsen (The Scarlet Witch), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Tom Holland (Spidey), and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine).

I really kind of expected at least one of those, most likely Wolverine, based on Jackman’s recent social media posts, or Spider-Man (since Brand New Day is hitting theaters at the end of the month) to be in Doomsday. We saw neither. I get the Russos and the powers that be want to save some surprises for the theaters, or even for future trailers, keeping the hype train going. They may also be holding some back for SDCC later this week, but I really did think we’d see either Spider-Man or Wolverine in the first trailer. Yes, I fully believe that both characters will appear in the movie (along with Dr, Strange and Deadpool).

There Is A Web Of Rumors Surrounding Spider-Man

Maybe it’s less surprising that Spidey wasn’t included, because there are a lot of theories out there that it might not be Tom Holland’s version of the webslinger, but Tobey Maguire’s, who could be in Doomsday. That is definitely a reveal that you’d want to keep for the movie, so if that rumor does end up being correct, I get it. Wolverine, on the other hand, would be the perfect character to surprise fans with in the first trailer.

Doomsday is going to mark the real introduction of the full complement of X-Men into the MCU films, after some flirting with the characters in WandaVision and, of course, Deadpool and Wolverine. Putting the most famous big-screen X-Man, Wolverine, in the trailer would have given us all a “whoa!” moment. It would save the potential reveal of Spider-Man for the movie, but still get people talking about the future of the MCU beyond Doomsday.

Then again, maybe all this is just wild speculation about all these unannounced characters and none of them will be in Doomsday. All I know is that I’ll be keeping a close lookout for any more clues and crumbs that get dropped over the next few days, weeks, and months.

All treats and no tricks today from DC Studios, with the first full-length trailer coming out for the upcoming horror movie Clayface, the third official DCU movie release from James Gunn and Peter Safran. With Tom Rhys Harries in the titular role, as well as that of actor Matt Hagen, this villainous venture looks like a great mix of body horror, Fugitive-esque police-dodging, and science gone wrong. Not your usual fare from a superhero studio, and I am obsessed.

Knowing Clayface’s place in the DCU timeline makes it easier to think about what Matt’s story will be, with Clayface’s arrival on Creature Commandos still in the character’s future. Although it’s hard to think about the future when the present is so horrifying for him. Speaking of, I gotta pinpoint the most squirm-worthy moment in the trailer right quick.

I'm Already Cringing From Matt Trying To Cut Through His Morphing Skin

This is the equivalent of any horror movie trailer moment where a blade or needle is being raised up to someone's eyeball. It's instant squirm city. This is fun twist on that, though, with the idea being that Matt is going to snip-snip-snip through the connective skin covering one of his eyes.

Theoretically, it might not hurt him at all, and the skin might just morph around the blades. But if that's not the case, then this scene could easily turn into a big bloody scream-fest. I'm hoping for the latter, obviously.

Will Clayface Give Us Fun Cameos From Club Vesuvius?

Several moments in Clayface's trailer are seemingly keyed up to be references to comic book characters and locations (or even writers, in the case of Len's Chicken, assuming that's a nod to Len Wein). But the most prominent reference to me is the night club Vesuvius.

It's not exactly as popular as Penguin's Iceberg Lounge or anything, but Club Vesuvius is a hot spot for certain characters known to lurk around Gotham City on occasion, and I'm hoping we get at least subtle nods to them in the movie.

One: Zatanna, who has been a regular attendee of said nightclub. It's probably too early to start bringing backwards-talking magic into the DCU, but if not, this is the best time to make audiences aware that she exists in this world.

Two: The owner of Vesuvius is two-bit criminal Johnny Sabatino, who is married to Peyton Riley, who took on the Ventriloquist mantle at one point. So if there's even a split second of a ventriloquist dummy or puppet somewhere in the vicinity, I'll be squealing with delight.

Clayface will join other 2026 movie releases when it hits theaters on October 23.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of comic book characters, and in the case of Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman, he became a real-life hero to many young people. That's part of what made Boseman's 2020 death so tragic, and why Wakanda Forever (streaming with a Disney+ subscription) became a tribute to him. Now, six years after his passing, the actor's lack of a will has inspired a legal battle about his estate. Let's break it all down.

This news comes to us from TMZ, which reports that Boseman's widow Taylor Simone Ledward is clashing with his brothers Kevin and Derrick over her handling of the late actor's estate. The report says they submitted legal document last week, petitioning the court remove Simone as administrator of his estate. They reportedly claim that she's mismanaged said estate, and has pushed the rest of Chadwick Boseman's family out.

According to this report, Kevin and Derrik claim that the family is "in the dark" about the estate of the late actor's estate. This outcome stands in juxtaposition to a 2022 agreement that Simone and the family made, where they'd split the movie between Taylor and Boseman's parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman.

Despite the agreement happening four years ago, Chadwick Boseman's brothers claim that his widow "has not finished distributing the estate's assets" and that she allegedly is still controlling the Black Widow icon's estate. That reportedly includes insurance that Boseman's parents are entitled to. The brothers are asking the courts hold Taylor Simone in contempt for not following its 2022 orders. We'll just have to wait and see how things ultimately shake out if/when they meet in a court of law.

The stakes certainly seem high for this ongoing legal situation. And given how many fans still adore Chadwick Boseman years after his death, smart money says that fans and the public in general will paying attention to any updates that come out of the battle over his estate. The actor's brothers are reportedly hoping to get access to his estate, and would like Taylor Simone Ledward removed as its administrator and replaced by lawyer Jason Rubin.

Boseman's estate reportedly includes his pay from acting roles, ongoing residuals and royalties, as well as his personal effects, investments, and insurance policies. The late actor's career was thriving ahead of his sudden death, thanks to his ongoing tenure as Marvel's Black Panther, as well as other movie roles like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which saw Boseman nominated for a posthumous Oscar.

Only time will tell how things ultimately shake out with this ongoing situation between Chadwick Boseman's widow and his family. One can only imagine how many complicated emotions all parties are feeling in the midst of their grief.

After much uncertainty (and plenty of A.I-generated wedding photos), it’s finally been confirmed that Tom Holland and Zendaya are indeed man and wife. Holland confirmed that earlier this summer when he admitted that even his grandmother was confused by the A.I. pics. Even more recently, the leading man even joked about his marriage while promoting The Odyssey. While doing press for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Zendaya also had a cheeky comment on the union herself after receiving an impromptu proposal from a fan.

Zendaya recently appeared at a Brand New Day event in Mexico ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 movie schedule entry’s release. It was there that the A-lister walked the red carpet, where she was greeted by a host of photographers as well as admirers. When it came to the latter group of attendees, one person yelled “Will you marry me, please?” The situation was captured in a video shared to Instagram and, as seen in the clip, the MJ actress simply had a funny, three-word response:

I can see the Challengers star still hasn’t lost her impeccable comedic timing! On top of that, she’s also not wrong, given she’s definitely taken at this point. What I wonder, though, is whether or not that fan was aware that Zendaya and Holland had tied the knot or just went ahead and shot his shot anyways. I hope the guy didn’t take the star’s cheeky response too hard but, then again, he did perfectly set himself up for it.

As far as the marriage goes, it’s unclear as to exactly when Zendaya and Tom Holland actually tied the knot. Earlier this year, the actress’ stylist, Law Roach, let slip that the two had married in secret and, from that point on, rumors swirled around whether they actually jumped the broom. Of course, the Spider-Man stars themselves played coy for a while until Holland finally spilled the beans. (And the fact that he would reveal it tracks, given how often he drops Marvel spoilers).

That marriage proposal aside, the former Disney Channel star and her hubby have been busy as of late given their packed work schedules. Both have been jumping between Odyssey and Spider-Man press obligations, and I’m impressed with how they’ve handled it all. In the midst of all that, “Z” has also been sporting some sweet fits and further proving why she’s one of the fashion queens of Hollywood. And, by the looks of it, her hubby is enamored – not just by her threads but by her grace and charm as well.

I think that response to the marriage proposal also perfectly highlights Zendaya’s sense of humor, which manifests itself in a variety of ways. That even comes through when she frequently quotes a certain Spider-Man line to Holland when she sees fit. In short, this is a fun couple, and whenever that joy or humor spills into their public appearances, it’s a real treat.

Check out Zendaya and Tom Holland in The Odyssey, which is playing in theaters nationwide now. Also, see them in Spider-Man: Brand New Day when it hits cinemas on July 31.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is going strong nearly two decades in, although there are a few upcoming Marvel movies that stand out as the most anticipated. Chief among them is Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will finally pick up after No Way Home's twist ending. The blockbuster will feature Tom Holland's Peter Parker facing off against multiple villains, but there was a cut scene where even more were going to be used. Let's break it all down.

The Spider-Man movies usually feature iconic antagonists and Brand New Day's trailer showed Tom Holland battling The Hand, Scorpion, Tombstone and more. In an interview with Nerdtropolis, Cretton spoke about a scrapped scene which would have brought in even more beloved villains. As he put it:

I'm sorry, but I'm going to need more information ASAP. Which villains were going to be in this deleted scene? Were they ones already established or would they bring in new antagonists that fans know from the comics? What would have went down in this fight scene? Right now there's no answers, but hopefully we can see that sequence come to life if Tom Holland's franchise gets a fifth installment. Fingers crossed.

Even without this mysterious deleted scene, Spider-Man: Brand New Day looks like an epic ensemble project. On top of its villains, Peter Parker will also interact with both Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk. Add in Sadie Sink's mysterious role, and there are tons of characters for the movie to service. So maybe it's for the best that the extra villain fight scene ended up on the cutting room floor.

Fans have been eager to catch up with Spider-Man for years, especially after No Way Home's wild ending. At the last movie's conclusion Doctor Strange's spell succeeded in making the entire world forget about Peter Parker. That includes both MJ and Ned, as well as Happy Hogan and the various superheroes he'd previously interacted with. So while Peter's surviving loved ones were now safe from his enemies, Brand New Day's trailer showed him living a solitary life and watching his friends from afar.

Luckily for fans, the wait for the next chapter is nearly over. Spider-Man: Brand New Day will hit theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list, finally offering answers to fan questions in the process. Fingers crossed we get to see its deleted villain-heavy fight sometime in the future.

Jennifer Garner has been a public figure for some time now and, as such, she’s more than familiar with the various elements that accompany fame. As a result, the veteran actress has had some less-than-ideal situations crop up in her personal life in which her privacy was invaded. Garner’s had plenty of run-ins with paparazzi over the years and, now, she’s opening up about how voraciously photographers pursued her (and ex-husband Ben Affleck). She even mentions red lights being run and preschoolers being knocked over.

During the 2000s, Garner and Affleck weren’t just two of the hottest stars working in Hollywood, as they also emerged as a celebrity couple and tied the knot in 2005. Garner recently reflected on the copious amount of attention she received from paps back in the early aughts. Calling the attention “totally ludicrous,” the beloved 13 Going on 30 star noted that the attention didn’t just impact her but others in proximity to her as well. While recalling traffic-related hazards, she said:

Garner is the mother of three children – Violet (20), Seraphina (17) and Samuel (13) – who she shares with Affleck. The Alias veteran also went on to detail on Netflix’s Shut Up Evan podcast how personal activities with the kids were hindered by paparazzi as well. This even came into play when one of the kids was aiming to play in a youth soccer league and during other personal moments:

Over the years, Garner has discussed some aspects of parenting her kids (who don’t tend to watch her movies). Both she and Affleck have also talked about the scrutiny they’ve faced while being in the public eye, which was particularly prominent when they began divorce proceedings in 2017. What Garner seems to care most about, though, is the way in which her kids are impacted by such attention and, amid her interview, she added this:

Many celebrities have spoken about the pitfalls of dealing with paparazzi during their daily lives. Actor Keira Knightley has spoken about obscene comments being shouted at her by photographers early in her career and, just a few years ago, Vanessa Hudgens had people snapping photos of her in the hospital after she gave birth to her first child. Many have also shared nuanced takes on constantly being captured in photos, including Michael B. Jordan, who admitted to being used to it and finding it “too quiet” when shutterbugs aren’t around.

Jennifer Garner, for her part, still understands how "privileged and lucky” she and her family are for what her fame has afforded them. Still, the entire situation, in her opinion, just became “silly.” It’s unfortunate that she and her loved ones (and others in their orbit) had to experience such pitfalls. At the very least, though, Garner seems to have a handle on it now and continues to protect her kids as she co-parents with Ben Affleck.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong for nearly two decades, with new titles arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. While there are plenty of upcoming Marvel movies to look forward to, fans are most hyped for The Russo Brothers' Avengers: Doomsday. And that pair of acclaimed directors recently shared a message to fans after Doomsday's trailer quickly broke records online.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday has been limited, with fan theories and rumors circulating for months. So it shouldn't be surprising that the movie's first full trailer essentially broke the internet when it arrived earlier this week. It's already gotten millions of views and the Russos took to Instagram to thank the fandom for their support. Their message reads:

500 million is a truly wild sum of views, and is especially remarkable when you consider that Doomsday got there in just 24 hours. While there has been some concern over superhero fatigue after box office bombs like The Marvels, it's clear that folks are still invested in big crossover movies like The Avengers. We'll just have to see how it performs at the box office; Endgame became the highest grossing movie of all time upon its release. For now, the trailer is Disney's highest watched trailer of all time.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are super curious about what's coming in Avengers: Doomsday, so the trailer offered at least a taste of what the Russos have up their sleeves. That includes the Avengers crossing over with the OG stars of the X-Men movies, and fighting before presumably uniting against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

As a reminder, you can check out the trailer in its entirety below:

While I wasn't lucky enough to see the first Avengers: Doomsday footage at CinemaCon, it's thrilling that this full trailer has arrived. But as exciting as the action we're shown is, there are still countless questions about the movie's story. Luckily the promotional campaign has begun, so hopefully we'll be treated to more information and content as the project gets closer to its release this winter.

While Doomsday's trailer made history for its record-breaking performance, there is another Marvel movie that it beat. Namely the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, which got 718.6 million views within 24 hours. Clearly there's a ton of excitement about the next two super hero movies coming from the MCU.

It was thrilling to finally see the Doomsday cast interact, and it should be fascinating to see how the interpersonal dynamics of the ensemble play out on the big screen.

Luckily the wait is nearly, over Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. But first up is Brand New Day, which will arrive July 31st. We'll just have to see if that movie does any set-up for the forthcoming crossover film.

Major spoilers for The Odyssey lie ahead, so read on at your own risk.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been acclaimed by critics, and it’s not hard to understand why. The filmmaker mostly stays true to Homer’s epic poem in this book-to-screen adaptation and sticks to the themes that make it such a timeless story. While there’s plenty of spectacle to be found, from daring sword fights to a “dank” encounter with a Cyclops, there are intimate moments that are also poignant. And, when lead actor Matt Damon spoke to CinemaBlend, he talked about being shocked by the final scenes.

At the center of the film’s story is the treacherous journey that Odysseus (Damon) and his men make in order to return home to Ithaca after The Trojan War. Odysseus is ultimately the only one to return and, in the film’s third act, he attempts to keep his identity a secret from his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland). During his interview with CB, Damon spoke about the irony or “twist” that resulted from his character actually making his way back to the aforementioned Greek island:

In time, a cloaked Odysseus finds himself having a confessional with Penelope, who’s unaware of his true identity. He then goes on to convey the shame he feels over the invasion of Troy, as it resulted in copious casualties. (One of those is even linked to Zendaya’s Athena.) For Damon, that scene was huge, and Hathaway contributed to that sense of awe in a key way:

Penelope and Odysseus’ scene is indeed an emotional gut punch, and both Damon and Hathaway act it out so beautifully. That’s a massive reason why the following scene, which sees Odysseus revealing himself and doing battle with Penelope’s various suitors, hits so hard. And, ultimately, Damon’s character doesn’t die in the film, but he emerges victorious and exiles himself. From there, he and Penelope sail west to honor the former’s fallen comrades and find solace in each other’s company.

This particular moment isn’t just a testament to the actors’ skills, but it’s also a credit to Christopher Nolan’s stellar screenplay. It’s nothing short of amazing that even throughout massive action sequences and surreal, creature-centric scenes, Nolan can still keep character at the forefront of the proceedings. As a whole, the film “walloped” me for that reason but, like Damon, I’ll also long be enamored by that reunion scene.

Check out The Odyssey, which is playing in theaters now alongside other 2026 movie schedule entries. With that, you’ll bear witness to all the tweaks Christopher Nolan made to the story as well as the scenes that ring true to the original text.

Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson’s relationship is one of my favorites, and it's not just because she has an incredible sense of humor when it comes to his brutal Weekend Update bits. Along with that, they hilariously speak about each other often, and most recently, the SNL star had a great reaction when someone asked how to pronounce his wife's last name.

For a long time now, there's been a question about how to say Scarlett Johansson's last name, seeing as there are two common ways. Thankfully, Colin Jost was on hand to provide some insider information about how to say Johansson while hosting Pop Culture Jeopardy! on the 2026 TV schedule. In an Instagram video posted by the show, an audience member asked if his partner's last name was pronounced as “Jo-hansson” or “Yo-hansson,” and Jost had the perfect response:

Now, I am just imagining Jost calling his wife by her last name when he needs something, and it’s definitely an entertaining thought. However, I also can't help but wonder if he's ever pondered the various ways to say it. Meanwhile, I'm over here wondering if this is another Rihanna situation, and I've been saying Johansson's name wrong for a long time.

Anyway, getting back to Jost’s lesson, he went on to explain that the Oscar-nominated actress is Danish, and the name is likely a mix between Danish and Swedish. So, her last name probably was said like “Yo-hansson” or some variation at some point, to which Jost joked that his own last name was probably “Yo-st” at some point, and it was all written in the stars:

This is far from the first question that Jost has been asked about Johansson since he began hosting Pop Culture Jeopardy!, which is streaming with a Netflix subscription.

In fact, he gave a hilariously snarky response to someone who asked if his wife knows he’s there, as the game show films in California while his family is based in New York. He also jokingly shared that she’s back home with the kids, as “some of us have to put food on the table.” So, overall, he keeps it fun when fans bring up his significant other.

Much like how he's unbothered by being the less famous person in the relationship, Jost doesn't seem to mind these questions. However, if Pop Culture Jeopardy! gets renewed for a third season, perhaps his wife can find the time to pop in and give the fans what they really want: the true pronunciation of her last name.

Among upcoming horror movies on the 2026 movie schedule is a mysterious one called The End Of Oak Street. For much of the year, I’ve been curious about what to expect from the J.J. Abrams-produced thriller, and now I have a much better idea. It’s a dinosaur movie with a twist – they're somehow invading a typical American suburb.

CinemaBlend had the opportunity to experience fourteen minutes of The End Of Oak Street in 4DX and hear from producer J.J. Abrams. It’s about a nuclear family with a dog led by Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway (in her fourth of five movies this year alone). They live in a quiet suburb, but one morning there’s a number of dinosaur sightings that rattle them enough to attempt to leave home. The problem is at the end of their street now has a cliff that leads to a prehistoric land. Here’s what Abrams said of how he got involved:

There’s absolutely a mystery afoot in The End Of Oak Street. But, when Abrams mentioned an “Amblin vibe” I was expecting a lot more comparisons to Jurassic Park than to Poltergeist. Between his comments and the footage we watched, I totally see what he’s saying. Check out this new clip:

This new summer flick and the actually cursed 1982 Spielberg movie feel like they come from the same DNA. Why? Because, it’s really more about the family and their dynamics than the creatures they are trying to survive. As Abrams put it:

The End Of Oak Street was written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, who was previously behind It Follows and Under The Silver Lake. In the same conversation, the filmmaker talked about wanting to connect “the average and mundane” with something fantastical. And, he had always wanted to make a dinosaur movie. In a quick interview with him at the event, I had to ask how much of his horror sensibilities to expect in the family-centered film. He said this:

How exciting! The End Of Oak Street may very much be a dinosaur movie, but it’s drawing from much different influences than I expected. And, that only has me more interested in it. The End Of Oak Street comes to theaters on August 14.

Few upcoming horror movies have my attention perked quite like DC Studios’ first official horror movie, the James Watkins-directed Clayface. Even if we didn’t learn anything else about it prior to its October release, I would still be first in line to watch the upcoming DCU release with glee to spare. But that’s thankfully not the case, as the cast and creative team have shared new details about where Matt Hagen’s story fits in the overall timeline, and what to expect from this new Gotham City. (Check out the full-length Clayface trailer here!)

With several months to go before we get to see Tom Rhys Harries take shape in the 2026 movie release, EW spoke with the actor, DCU co-head Peter Safran, James Watkins and more about what to expect (lots of body horror) and what not to expect (Batman). James Gunn’s partner in crime(fighting storytelling) finally confirmed the biggest question that we’ve had since Clayface’s first teaser trailer dropped.

Where Does The Clayface Movie Fit In The DCU Timeline?

Peter Safran confirmed that there won't be any complicated scenarios involved here, and that everything we're seeing play out in Clayface takes place prior to the events of Creature Commandos Season 1. So does that mean the live-action character we'll see is the same entity crushing out in the HBO Max animated series? According to Safran:

It's a strange and potentially tricky line for DCU characters to exist in such a way across both live-action and animation, but I suppose so long as no one expects to see Frankenstein or G.I. Robot in the movie, there's not that much room to get it wrong.

I can't wait to see if the Clayface movie features any easter eggs that are relevant solely for fans who watched Creature Commandos. James Watkins confirmed that there will be plenty of nods to DC characters and lore, even if it's all meant to be background fun.

Watkins also points out that even though this Matt Hagen is the same one that Alan Tudy voices in the streaming series, and who totally survived the Season 1 finale, the creative team "pinched elements from all over the place" by way of inspiration. Plus, screenwriter Mike Flanagan has talked about the villain's introduction on Batman: The Animated Series as being a huge influence.

James Watkins Talks Bringing A New Gotham City To Audiences

One of the strangest things about Clayface being the third live-action DCU movie is that it will be responsible for introducing viewers to the latest version of Gotham City, one of the most iconic fictional locations of all time. And we'll get to walk down its streets and explore its seediness long before we're introduced to the DCU's Bruce Wayne and Batman. As such, the pressure is on.

James Watkins said he and James Gunn had ideas for where they wanted to bring focus to the well-established setting, saying:

Just going from the teaser alone, I can think of several shots lit by tungsten bulbs, which can instantly make a shot feel like it's in the middle of downtown. And when it comes to perhaps more recognizable parts of the city that high-profile characters may inhabit, Watkins made sure to pepper them in a way that won't ruin the narrative immersion. As he put it:

I cannot wait to visit, and I hope nobody will be offended if I don't choose to move to Gotham City permanently. Too rich for my blood.

Clayface is set to hit theaters on October 23, and I am really hoping that it exceeds all expectations in light of Supergirl's box office woes. Not because I'm worried about the DCU, which Safran confirmed isn't in trouble, but because I want DC Studios, Marvel and others to recognize that embracing horror is a great way to tell new stories while also saving a few dollars.

I can’t believe it, but somehow it’s already been a decade since La La Land came out. It’s still one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies, as he’s admitted to the world before, there’s just something he wishes he could have done differently. So, in celebration of the movie’s 10th anniversary, Lionsgate decided to do a little retcon.

On behalf of CinemaBlend, I attended a special screening of La La Land on Monday evening at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA. Before we watched the film, Lionsgate’s head of marketing Justin Manfredi took to the stage to make an announcement. In his words:

Then, a new poster of La La Land was unveiled. However, it’s quite familiar, except for one thing. Check it out:

The La La Land poster is almost exactly the same except Ryan Gosling’s hand is perfectly straight in the new poster rather than a bit askew. You see, back in 2024 the actor shared that the “moment that haunts [him]” about La La Land was his hand placement in the scene. He said it “just killed the energy” of the poster along with sharing that he nicknamed the whole situation “La La Hand.” Now he’s gotten his way. As Manfredi added at the event:

Funny enough, when Ryan Gosling was promoting Project Hail Mary earlier this year, the actor also redid the poster with Rocky with the straight hand. But, now it’s official for La La Land, too! During the anniversary event, the movie’s choreographer Mandy Moore also came out to talk about the hilariously controversial poster. Here’s what she said:

Oh, it’s too good! I kind of miss the hand now that it’s gone, but it’ll always be there in the movie itself. When Mia and Sebastian do their famous dance to “A Lovely Night,” you can definitely still see Gosling’s original hand placement.

This milestone definitely makes for a good excuse for La La Land rewatch, and Lionsgate is re-releasing the movie in theaters on August 16, too. It’s going to be fun to check it out on the big screen again in between catching up on new 2026 movies. As someone who just had the chance to see Damien Chazelle’s masterpiece with an audience, that ending never, ever gets old.