The year is 1985, and the movie, Rambo: First Blood Part II, just came out. Now, this is a hard-R movie, full of guns, knives, arrows, you name it. You know who shouldn’t see it? Kids. Do you know who they made a cartoon for the very next year starring John Rambo? Also kids.

That’s right, Rambo: The Force of Freedom came out the very next year in 1986. And…it’s pretty much a G.I. Joe rip-off, but that’s besides the point. The point is, why did they make a cartoon based on an R-rated series like Rambo? Like, when I think of a movie like First Blood, the first thought that comes to my mind isn’t, I need to show my kids this! It’s, I can’t show my kids this.

So, why then were R-rated movies marketed to children back in the day? Well, let’s talk.

It’s Hard To Believe That Action Figures From Hard R Flicks Were Actually Marketed To Kids

The answer to the above question is money. Duh. It definitely worked The clearest indicator of this is, is that I begged my dad to take me to see Terminator 2: Judgment Day when it first came out, and he took me. I was only 8. I’m glad he took me. The opening scene alone blew my 8-year-old brain back then.

My dad wasn't happy, though. It wasn’t so much the violence. It was more so the language, as they were dropping F-bombs aplenty! That said, I don’t blame my dad for thinking the movie would be okay to bring me to. There were toys, after all, made for the film, and why would there be toys produced FOR CHILDREN if the movie was too much for them?

However, multiple R-rated films had toys made for them. Such as RoboCop. Have you ever seen RoboCop? If not, then you should. It’s one of the best sci-fi movies ever. It’s also a movie where a would-be rapist gets his member blown off. So, it’s definitely not the kind of movie where there should be children’s toys. Or a cartoon. Oh, wait…

Do You Remember The RoboCop Cartoon?

When I was a kid, I was deeply into both RoboCop AND Terminator. It might be because there was a video game where they fought each other. It might also be because there was a RoboCop cartoon that I watched regularly. Back then, I knew that a RoboCop movie EXISTED, but I hadn’t seen it yet. That said, would you believe that they sprinkled some of the movie’s lore and characters into the cartoon?

This, of course, made me want to watch the movie, which I did…when my parents were asleep. The same could be said for The Toxic Avenger - which is SUPER R-Rated - as Toxie had his own series called Toxic Crusaders. This, of course, built brand recognition, and it got me to be a fan of these R-rated characters way before I honestly should have been a fan.

I mean, Tales From the Crypt even had its own cartoon, so you know they were going overboard back then.

In The End, It Just Seems So Weird Today, And It Will Likely Never Happen Again

Years ago, I took my then-six-year-old son to see Godzilla Minus One, and I kind of felt like a bad parent because the movie is PG-13… and my son was only six.

Now, it wasn’t bad at all, and he ended up loving the film. It just makes me think about how I (and several others, because every millennial I talk to has a similar story about their dads taking them to see T2) was somewhat coerced into wanting to see R-Rated movies.

In the age of parents being super concerned about their children these days, I doubt that a marketing push to get kids into R-Rated films will ever happen again. That said, it was wild while it lasted!

Peter Weller has had an impressive acting career stretching back to the early 1970s, but many still know him best for playing the titular lead of 1987’s RoboCop and 1990’s RoboCop 2. The former in particular has endured as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, with Weller’s Alex Murphy being a police officer who was killed in the line of duty, then converted into a cyborg by a mega-corporation to carry out a campaign against crime. Don’t ask Weller to rewatch RoboCop anymore, however, because he has an emotional reason why he’ll never do that again.

The actor shared a video on his Instagram page of him speaking at a screening of RoboCop alongside Edward Neumeier, who co-wrote the script with Michael Miner, and others. Weller recalled him and Neumeier attending a RoboCop screening at the Egyptian Theater in 2017 that was held in honor of the late Miguel Ferrer, who played Bob Morton in the movie. After mentioning how he was insistent that everyone who was lined up for that screening be let in, to the point that he was willing to pay any fine that came with breaking the fire laws, Weller said:

In 2006, Peter Weller married actress Shari Stowe, and they have a son together. So Weller’s son has been growing up in the era of superhero movies being one of Hollywood’s most popular genres. RoboCop came out two years before Tim Burton’s Batman gave the genre an early boost, but if you think about it, RoboCop is a superhero in a sense given his enhanced physical abilities and distinctive look.

Between his son’s love of superheroes and how different his personal life was compared to when he made RoboCop, that caused Peter Weller to view the movie through a new lens. Unfortunately, that killed any interest he had in rewatching RoboCop going forward, as he explained:

Besides having the memories of working on RoboCop, I imagine Peter Weller had seen the movie plenty of times in the three decades between its release and Miguel Ferrer’s death. So not watching it again likely isn’t a huge loss for him, and clearly this won’t stop him from talking about RoboCop. Still, he is right about the tragedy part. Though Alex Murphy starts to regain his memories in the movie, it’s still heartbreaking that he can never return to his former life.

Whatever you think of the RoboCop property as a whole, there’s no question that the first movie still holds up with its political statement. In 2023, it was announced that Amazon MGM Studios was developing both a new RoboCop movie and television series. Peter Weller said last year that he’s amenable to returning for a reboot if “the script is good and the money is right,” but there’s been no official follow-up yet on what’s next for the franchise.

1987’s classic flick RoboCop, which I rewatched recently, is a rare example of a great action movie from the 1980s that makes a very overt political statement. I’m not here to discuss whether that political stance is right or wrong. I leave that to each viewer, but it’s impossible to ignore that it's clear where director Paul Verhoeven stands. What makes it interesting is that you could totally see someone today making the exact same argument: corporations are out of control and taking over society. Let’s tread carefully here…

1980s Politics Played A Big Part In RoboCop

In the mid-’80s, the decline of Rust Belt cities was a big narrative in many movies. None were quite as over the top as RoboCop, set in the ‘80s poster-child for crime and decay, Detroit. Crime was seen as out of control in that decade, in Detroit and elsewhere, with politicians of all stripes promising to clean up the streets of America. In Reagan’s America, corporate deregulation was also a watchword of the day, with an increased reliance on private corporations doing the work that many people believed the government had failed to do.

These two things come together in RoboCop in a dystopian version of Motor City. Facing insane crime rates and roving gangs of criminals wrecking the city and terrifying the citizens, the city turns to a private mega-corporation, Omni Consumer Products, to help them police the city. The answer Omni Consumer Products comes up with is the titular RoboCop, a part-man, part-machine police officer played by Peter Weller, who found new appreciation for it later, just as I have.

Paul Verhoeven Is A Master Of Satire

Paul Verhoeven is a polarizing director. His satire is often lost on people, or, at least, some people don’t like the satire. I personally appreciate it. I don’t love all of Verhoeven’s films, but RoboCop and Starship Troopers, his two most darkly satirical films, are among my favorites. Verhoeven is clear in RoboCop where his politics are in the satire. The villain of the movie is ultimately not the roving gangs of criminals, but the suits atop a company you’d never want to work for, Omni Consumer Products. It's led by rogue executive Dick Jones, played by the great Ronny Cox.

While Weller’s RoboCop is the hero, and he was created by the corporation, the rest of what the company has done is, as portrayed, terrible. That’s clearly the political statement that Verhoeven and the film’s writers, Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, were going after. Corporations are evil, and giving them too much power guarantees corruption. It’s an argument that you see all the time today, almost 40 years after RoboCop was released. Say what you want about Verhoeven’s vision, he was spot on when he tapped into this sentiment.

Most action movies in the ‘80s avoided politics, or if they did make a statement, it was something safe. Take, for example, Rocky IV from a couple of years earlier. It does take a political stance, but it’s that America is great and the USSR is bad. It's not exactly a risky choice at the height of the Cold War. RoboCop’s stance is much riskier, yet far more prescient. Maybe we’ll get a new sequel one day, as Weller has said he’d be interested in doing.

Some moviegoers are absolutely against, or simply exhausted by, the idea of remaking a classic film or rebooting a hit TV show, and I absolutely sympathize with that, given how many lackluster remakes Hollywood has delivered. However, I am open to the idea of reimagining a beloved title, as long as the new version offers some reason to justify its existence by not simply hitting "copy, paste" and calling it a day. See what I mean by taking a look at some of these cinematic remakes and TV reboots that either surprised audiences with something or at least managed to stand on their own.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

The Rat Pack-led original Ocean's 11 from 1960, which sees a group of World War II veterans reuniting to rob five Las Vegas casinos in one night, just for fun. Steven Soderbergh's remake reimagines the heist (involving only three casinos in one vault) as Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) act of revenge against casino magnate Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who is dating his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts).

Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Instead of following a high school student who inherits a family curse that makes him half-man, half-animal like the 1985 comedy, Teen Wolf, MTV's more earnest series adaptation starred Tyler Posey as a wolf bite victim who ends up using his lycanthropic abilities to protect his community from supernatural forces with the help of his friends, Buffy style

The Invisible Man (2020)

Considered one of the best horror movie remakes ever made is writer and director Leigh Whannell's reinterpretation of the classic Universal Monster Movie, The Invisible Man. The acclaimed Blumhouse thriller introduces a more plausible explanation for the eponymous villain's transparency and tells the story from the perspective of the victim, his tormented wife (played by Elisabeth Moss), resulting in a powerful and frightening commentary on gaslit abuse victims.

Westworld (2016-2022)

Michael Crichton's 1973 film Westworld was almost a precursor to Jurassic Park, taking place at a high-tech tourist attraction with an Old West aesthetic and highly realistic androids that go haywire. Decades later, an acclaimed HBO drama of the same name would expand on the concept in much darker, timely, and thought-provoking ways.

Scarface (1983)

Howard Hawks' 1932 gangster drama Scarface follows an Italian immigrant (played by Paul Muni) who rises to power in Chicago's criminal underworld. Director Brian DePalma's 1983 classic, which many may not realize is a remake, follows a Cuban immigrant (played by Al Pacino) and his rise to power in Miami's criminal underworld.

War Of The Worlds (2005)

There has never been a truly faithful adaptation of H.G. Wells' seminal novel, but the two best-known alien invasion movies it inspired could not be more different from one another. The 1953 version follows various residents of a California town and shows things from a governmental perspective, while Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds is told entirely from the point of view of a divorced father (played by Tom Cruise) and his two children as they travel the country searching for sanctuary. The remake even subverts expectations by having the evil extraterrestrials rise from the ground as opposed to coming down from the sky.

The Mummy (1999)

Universal's 1932 monster movie, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff, is an undisputed classic of the studio's seminal creature feature era. When the story was updated in the late '90s, it took a more action-adventure approach, with Brendan Fraser leading the cast as a stand-in for Indiana Jones.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Joss Whedon took the basic premise of his screenplay for the 1992 Kristy Swanson-led horror-comedy movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and revamped it (no pun intended) as a more earnest monster-of-the-week thriller, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the teen monster hunter, that became a cultural phenomenon.

A Star Is Born (1976)

Bradley Cooper's Oscar-winning 2018 directorial debut, A Star is Born, is a wonderful achievement in spite of its many similarities to the late '70s hit of the same name starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. However, that film is a wholly original take on two other synonymous dramas that came before it in 1937 and 1954, both of which revolve around the movie business instead of the music industry.

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

The main differentiator between Glen A. Larson's classic '70s sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica, and Ronald D. Moore's SyFy original reimagining is how it drops the campy tone. However, the contrast is unquestionably dramatic, resulting in one of the most celebrated cosmic TV shows of its time, or any time, and a benchmark for reboots done right.

The Thing (1982)

It is almost cheating to refer to John Carpenter's classic horror movie, The Thing, about an Arctic research crew that can't tell who among them is a shapeshifting alien, as a remake. It could more accurately be described as a far more faithful adaptation of its source material, a novella called "Who Goes There?" than producer Howard Hawks' 1951 thriller, The Thing from Another World, which is a relatively by-the-numbers creature feature.

Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)

Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman became a household name when Melissa Joan Hart portrayed her on the very lighthearted ABC sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Years later, Netflix released Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, in which star Kiernan Shipka's iteration faces mystical situations of a far graver matter.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In the original The Nutty Professor from 1963, Jerry Lewis plays the clumsy, unsophisticated, but brilliant Julius Kelp, who develops a serum that alters his personality, creating a more suave and well-kept alter ego he calls Buddy Love. In director Tom Shadyac's remake, Eddie Murphy plays the perfectly sophisticated, but vastly overweight Sherman Klump, whose revolutionary serum initially serves as a temporary, instant weight loss solution, and his thinner self, also named Buddy Love, eventually begins to take on his own persona over time.

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Many of the best Western movies are reimaginings of classic Japanese action films. One of the best-known examples of this is The Magnificent Seven, which is merely an Americanized update of Seven Samurai, which trades swordfights for gunfights.

Pete’s Dragon (2015)

Co-writer and director David Lowery did not bother rewatching 1977's Pete's Dragon, which follows the friendship between an orphaned boy and a mystical creature that can turn itself invisible. He updated the Disney film into something that is not a musical nor a broad comedy, and goes for a more dramatic, atmospheric fantasy adventure for all ages, with great results.

Bel-Air (2022)

The classic NBC comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith as a young man taken out of his Philadelphia neighborhood to live with his wealthy California relatives after a violent encounter. This premise worked well as the set-up for a sitcom, but is also well-suited for a drama, as demonstrated in Morgan Cooper's 2019 short film that became the basis for Peacock's darker reimagining, Bel-Air, from producer Smith and starring Jabari Banks.

The Fly (1986)

The original 1958 adaptation of George Langelaan's short story, The Fly, involves an instantaneous transportation experiment gone wrong when an insect gets in the machine, causing a scientist (played by David Hedison) to come out the other end with a fly's head and arm. David Cronenberg's reimagining takes that same transportation device setup, but Jeff Goldblum's Seth Brundle comes out the other end seemingly fine, before his body slowly begins to deteriorate as a result of his DNA being fused with the fly.

Beetlejuice (1989-1991)

The animated series adaptation of 1988's beloved Tim Burton movie, Beetlejuice, is still a story told from a ghost's perspective and retains the same one-of-a-kind, maniacally macabre aesthetic. However, it reimagines the title character as a lovably goofy ghoul who, instead of manipulating Lydia Deetz into marriage, makes friends with her and takes her on various wondrous adventures in the afterlife.

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Jack Finney's classic alien invasion story has been adapted into multiple Invasion of the Body Snatchers movies, all of which are really no different in concept, but differ from each other in various stylistic and thematic ways. For instance, the original 1956 film is a commentary on fears of McCarthyism, while director Philip Kaufman's adaptation instead comments on blind consumerism and boasts not just a bleaker ending, but one of the most devastating endings in horror history.

A Fistful Of Dollars (1964)

At the time A Fistful of Dollars was released, few people realized the first installment of director Sergio Leone and star Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name Trilogy" was a remake. That is because, while the film is a Western-style, beat-for-beat reimagining of the 1961 samurai classic Yojimbo, which is also about a drifter who protects a village by playing two oppressive gangs against each other, Akira Kurosawa never received any credit for inspiring the story, leading production company Toho to file a lawsuit.

RoboCop (2014)

While some might say that José Padilha's RoboCop is a remake that should have never been made, it at least tried to be different in some respects. In particular, Peter Weller's Alex Murphy from the original has almost no memory of his life before becoming a hybrid of man and machine, but the version played by Joel Kinnaman is fully aware of the person he was before and forced to undergo his unusual procedure against his will, which is quite a bit darker.

Dragnet (1987)

One of the first films to honor the bewildering tradition of adapting earnest TV crime dramas into feature-length comedies was director Tom Mankiewicz's Dragnet. This slapstick parody of detective stories is set in the world of Jack Webb's seminal police procedural, featuring Dan Aykroyd as the nephew of Sgt. Joe Friday (who is also named Joe Friday) and Tom Hanks as his partner, Det. Pep Streebek.

Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)

Director Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage, boasts an entirely different story from Abel Ferrara's 1992 crime drama, Bad Lieutenant, starring Harvey Keitel, despite also focusing on the exploits of a corrupt cop.

Disturbia (2007)

Director D.J. Caruso's Disturbia is recognized as an unofficial reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It stars Shia LaBeouf as a teenage boy who suspects his neighbor is a murderer while confined to his home under house arrest, as opposed to a grown man (played by Jimmy Stewart) recovering from an injury.

Suspiria (2018)

Luca Guadagnino's reimagining of Dario Argento's 1977 Giallo-style supernatural thriller, Suspiria, has the same setting (a German ballet studio run by witches), but has none of the same eye-popping production design, incorporates a tangentially connected detective story B plot, and boasts a bleak twist ending.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

While also set in a mall this time, writer James Gunn and director Zack Snyder's take on the second installment of George Romero's revolutionary zombie movie franchise from 1978, Dawn of the Dead, makes the cast bigger, the zombies faster, the comedy more overt, and the subtle satirical nuances non-existent.

Death Race (2008)

Producer Roger Corman's 1975 B-movie Death Race 2000 takes place in a futuristic, totalitarian United States that holds an annual cross-country racing competition in which the object is to run over as many random pedestrians as possible. Paul W.S. Anderson's reimagining softens the dystopian angle, makes the race exclusive to incarcerated convicts on a single island, and challenges the racers to only kill each other, crowning the last person standing.

Velma (2023-2024)

In the HBO Max original animated prequel series, Velma, starring Mindy Kaling in the title role, the meddling kids from Mystery Inc. are nothing like who they used to be. There is also no Scooby-Doo, which was probably the last straw for all the haters.

When A Stranger Calls (2006)

The Camilla Belle-led update of When a Stranger Calls takes the first 20 minutes of the original 1979 suspense thriller, in which a babysitter discovers her unsettling phone calls are coming from inside the house, and extends that to its own 90-minute feature.

Beauty And The Beast (2012-2016)

From 1987 to 1990, CBS aired a modernized, crime drama-style take on the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, depicting a romance between a lion-man living underneath New York City (played by Ron Perlman) and a beautiful ADA (played by Linda Hamilton). When The CW developed its own version, the series dropped the mystical half-man, half-animal creature aspect in favor of making the Beast a normal man who goes feral when angered after being subjected to a government experiment.

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022)

The original title of the animated comedy Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, about a dog who becomes an unlikely hero to a village of cats, was Blazing Samurai, to reflect how Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles served as its structural inspiration.

Mockingbird Lane (2012)

Mockingbird Lane, which aired on NBC as a Halloween special, was developer Bryan Fuller's failed attempt at reimagining the spooky, silly sitcom The Munsters into a modern supernatural dramedy.

In many cases, a satisfying story sees the protagonist undergo a dramatic change. Sometimes, this means the character adopts new personality traits, for better or worse, but there are also some notable instances in which they change from the outside, often in wild and even unsettling ways. If you have the stomach for it, come relive some of the most bewildering physical transformations from the big and small screen.

Sherman Klump (The Nutty Professor)

Star Eddie Murphy underwent multiple, incredible physical transformations, thanks to Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup, to portray various roles in director Tom Shadyac's remake of 1963's The Nutty Professor. However, his central role is Sherman Klump, a scientist who creates an instant weight loss formula that not only changes his appearance but causes him to unlock an alternate persona that begins to grow increasingly independent.

Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Walter White, Bryan Cranston's four-time Emmy-winning lead role on Breaking Bad, is the ultimate example of a TV character whose personality takes a complete 180 over time. However, the chemistry teacher-turned-criminal not only changes from within, but also on the outside when he shaves his head and grows a goatee early on in Season 1.

The Joker (Batman)

Some iterations of Batman's archnemesis depict him as a man who puts on the face of a clown with makeup and hair dye, but not in Tim Burton's 1989 classic. Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier becomes The Joker when he falls into a vat of acid that turns his hair green and his skin white and leaves a permanent smile on his face.

The Doctor (Doctor Who)

The title hero of Doctor Who may hold the record for the highest number of dramatic physical transformations for a single TV character, having completely altered his appearance at least 15 times in the series' decades-long history. Every few seasons or so, the immortal Time Lord regenerates, appearing in a whole new form and portrayed by a new actor.

Prince Adam (Beauty And The Beast)

Beauty and the Beast, the acclaimed 1991 Disney animated movie classic based on the timeless fairytale, is a story that reminds us that there is more to a person than meets the eye. The titular Beast used to be a handsome, but cruelly arrogant, prince named Adam before he was afflicted with a curse that could only be broken by finding true love with Belle.

Steve Urkel (Family Matters)

You could argue that making Jaleel White's nerdy Family Matters character the star of the show ruined the otherwise beloved TV sitcom, but, admittedly, Steve Urkel did prove himself to be a genius in many entertaining ways. Most notably, he invented a transformation chamber that could replicate his DNA and make him into a more suave alter ego known as Stefan Urquelle.

Steve Rogers (Captain America: The First Avenger)

I believe that none of the Marvel movies in order are more inspirational than 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, in which the 5'3", 115-lb Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) gets his wish to defend his country in World War II. All it takes to get him qualified is an injection of a special "Super Soldier" serum that allows his inner strength to also become his outer strength.

Mac (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)

For the seventh season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rob McElhenney (who legally changed his name to Rob Mac in 2025) thought it would be funny if his character, Mac, gained a great deal of weight. The actor, and his role, would later alter his physical appearance once again when he dropped 60 pounds and achieved a shredded physique.

Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith)

Few characters from the Star Wars movies look quite as unsettling as Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who once had an entirely different appearance (and I am not just talking about when another actor played him in The Empire Strikes Back). The prequel trilogy reveals that the Sith leader actually looked human before the Force lightning he used to kill Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) reflected back on him, giving him withered white skin, jagged teeth, and yellow eyes.

Sean Archer And Castor Troy (Face/Off)

In one of the all-time wildest premises for an action movie, John Woo's 1997 hit Face/Off sees grieving FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) undergo a revolutionary procedure that allows him to convincingly pose as the comatose Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). Unfortunately, he comes to discover that the notorious terrorist has awakened and has undergone the same surgery in order to look like him.

Seth Brundle (The Fly)

Arguably, the quintessential body horror movie is director David Cronenberg's (who else?) 1986 remake of The Fly. The stomach-churning classic stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a physicist whose instant transportation experiment goes wrong when his DNA is accidentally fused with an insect, causing him to slowly become a grotesque creature.

Henry Creel (Stranger Things)

The fourth season of Netflix's Stranger Things was chock-full of mindblowing revelations, including how all of the trouble in Hawkins has been caused by a frightening creature referred to as Vecna. A big twist on top of that big twist is that the powerful, decrepit ruler of the Upside Down used to be a human named Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower) until Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) pushed him through a portal to the alternate dimension, causing his transformation.

Sméagol/Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King)

Andy Serkis' performance in The Lord of the Rings movies is not entirely achieved with performance capture. The actor appears in his practical form in The Return Of The King for a haunting flashback that explains how the creepy little creature known as Gollum used to be a hobbit named Sméagol before he was corrupted by the One Ring.

Chuck Noland (Cast Away)

In 2000's Cast Away, FedEx employee Chuck Noland loses quite a bit of weight and never has an opportunity to shave or trim his hair while stranded on a desert island for four years. Robert Zemeckis actually took a break from production to film What Lies Beneath while waiting for Tom Hanks to lose 50 lbs.

The Gremlins (Gremlins)

In the classic 1984 horror-comedy movie, Gremlins, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) learns why you should never feed a Mogwai after midnight the hard way. The cute, cuddly, one-of-a-kind creatures mutate into the eponymous, menacing green monsters who cause anything but a silent night around Christmastime.

David Banner (The Incredible Hulk)

In the classic TV adaptation of the Marvel comic, The Incredible Hulk, Bill Bixby plays David Banner, a physicist who is dangerously exposed to gamma radiation. As a result, if his stress levels rise too high, he transforms into a green behemoth played by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

Elisabeth Sparkle (The Substance)

One of the best horror movies of 2024 (and most acclaimed films of that year, period), The Substance, is a cautionary tale of vanity sealing one's downfall, told from the perspective of Oscar nominee Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle. The actor uses a black market drug to create a younger alter ego named Sue (Margaret Qualley), who begins to take over her life, disrespecting the balance and, literally, draining every last drop of her youth until she becomes a completely unrecognizable, old crone.

Alex Murphy (RoboCop)

In 1987's RoboCop, police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) suffers an incident that leads him to become part-man, part-machine... but mostly machine. Since much of his physical form was destroyed, just about everything from the neck down is replaced with robotic parts, turning him into the ultimate crime-fighting tool.

Melvin Junko (The Toxic Avenger)

Troma's cult-favorite superhero flick, 1984's The Toxic Avenger, is the story of an awkward, geeky custodian named Melvin Junko (Mark Torgl). After falling into a vat of toxic waste, as the result of a disastrously cruel prank, the 98-pound weakling transforms into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength, which he uses to make his crime-ridden community a better place.

Edward Lemuel (A Different Man)

In the acclaimed A24 movie, A Different Man, Sebastian Stan plays Edward Lemuel, an actor born with neurofibromatosis, which causes him to grow abnormalities on his face that he has removed with reconstructive surgery. However, he soon begins to experience an identity crisis when an actor with the same affliction (played by Adam Pearson) is cast to portray him in a play based on his life.

Ben Grimm (Fantastic Four)

Like in the beloved Marvel comic that inspired it, 2005's Fantastic Four sees a group of people suffer a strange accident during a space mission that causes them to gain powers like elasticity, invisibility, and pyrokinesis. However, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) is a special case because, in addition to gaining super strength, his skin turns to an impenetrable, rock-like substance.

Dr. Henry Jekyll (Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde)

One of the few actors to win an Academy Award for a horror movie is Frederic March, who starred in 1931's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as both the ambitious scientist and his grotesque, murderous alter ego.

David Kessler (An American Werewolf In London)

Cinema's gold standard for lycanthropic transformations occurs in 1981's An American Werewolf in London when David Kessler (David Naughton) undergoes a painful metamorphosis from man to animal under a full moon, courtesy of Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup effects.

Gwynplaine (The Man Who Laughs)

In 1928's The Man Who Laughs, Conrad Veidt plays the son of an executed English noble, whose face is surgically altered into an unsettling permanent grin, which would serve as the inspiration for the comic book villain, The Joker.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

Hocus Pocus is recognized as a kid-friendly movie about witches, but the Sanderson Sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) cast some truly dark and cruel spells. For instance, they curse Thackery Binx (played as a human by Sean Murray and later voiced by Jason Marsden) to live forever, but as a black cat.

Squidward Tentacles (SpongeBob Squarepants)

When SpongeBob Squarepants (Tom Kenny) accidentally injures Squidward's (Roger Bumpass) face, it heals in such a way that he appears more conventionally attractive, with a smaller nose, smooth cheekbones, and a chiseled jawline. However, the blessing begins to become a burden, and SpongeBob tries to help by recreating the same incident, which ultimately makes him look like he was molded in clay. I actually think "Handsome Squidward's" final form is a little creepy, but I guess I would have to be a sea creature to understand the appeal.

Shrek (Shrek 2)

The first Shrek ended with Princess Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) nightly transformation into an ogre becoming her permanent form after admitting her true feelings for Mike Myers' title character. However, in the 2004 sequel, the couple both take on human characteristics after he drinks a special potion.

Delenn (Babylon 5)

Mira Furlan stars on the sci-fi series Babylon 5 as Delenn, who is a type of extra-terrestrial called a Minbari. However, in Season 5, she undergoes a procedure that turns her into a half-human hybrid.

Jason Voorhees (Jason X)

In the tenth installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, 2001's Jason X, hockey-masked iconic horror movie villain, Jason Voorhees (Kane Hodder), is cryogenically frozen and awakened in the future on a spaceship, where he is nearly destroyed, only to be resurrected with a new look by nanobots.

Wallace Bryton (Tusk)

In writer and director Kevin Smith's odd A24 horror flick, 2014's Tusk, Justin Long stars as arrogant podcast host Wallace, who thinks he has found the perfect subject for his next episode in retired sailor Howard Howe (Michael Parks). However, much to his horror, Howe intends to surgically transform Wallace into a walrus, and the result of the process is nothing short of unsettling.

Gustav Graves (Die Another Day)

In the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, the MI-6 agent (played by Pierce Brosnan in his last 007 appearance) faces off against the Caucasian, English-accented Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). However, near the end, he discovers the foe is really North Korean Colonel Tan-Sun Moon (Will Yun Lee), who faked his death, underwent intense reconstructive surgery, and reinvented himself as a wealthy diamond magnate within a matter of months.

Wikus Van De Merwe (District 9)

In Neill Blomkamp's acclaimed 2009 alien invasion movie, District 9, Sharlto Copley plays Wikus Van De Merwe, who is accidentally sprayed with some mysterious substance. As a result, he begins to slowly mutate into South Africa's oppressed extra-terrestrial visitors, known as Prawns.

When any movie is released, it first and foremost has a goal to be successful in the moment. This often means making money at the box office, but after that another goal is to stand the test of time and become something that people remember. Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 action/satire RoboCop is a movie that certainly achieved both goals.

The movie was successful enough in its day to generate two sequels, but since then it has become a true classic, one of the best science fiction movies ever made. Whether you’re there for over-the-top action or the takedown of ‘80s consumerism, RoboCop has it all. Peter Weller, who starred in the original film and recently reprised his role for the RoboCop: Rogue City video game, told CBM that he loves the way the film still resonates with audiences and that the recent game may drive more people to the movie. Weller said…

As Peter Weller says, RoboCop is a great traditional action movie, but there’s a lot more going on than just that. There’s a serious satire taking place, but one that could easily be overlooked by an audience that’s not paying attention. The same thing happened with Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, a satire of war, and even its own source material.

I saw the original RoboCop at a far younger age than I should have. As such, the broader themes of the movie absolutely went over my head. It was only coming back to it after that that I realized how smart, and how ahead of its time, the movie really was. While the film may have been satirizing the 1980s, those themes are just as relevant today, unfortunately.

RoboCop has clearly become a classic, and it’s a movie that will be remembered for decades to come. Weller loves that fact, though he also admits that wasn’t always the case. After returning for the first sequel, Weller declined to make Robocop 3, in favor of an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch. That's a movie about as far from RoboCop as one could get.

Weller says that leaving RoboCop was one of the best career choices he ever made, but he also now believes doing RoboCop in the first place was also one of the best career choices he ever made. While he says he was “moving on” from RoboCop for a long time, he now appreciates it in a way he hasn’t in decades. Weller continued…

RoboCop has remained popular to the point that we got an unnecessary remake, and there was once talk of a RoboCop legacy sequel, though that didn't pan out. Although Weller has said he's potentially interested in returning to RoboCop if the story is worth it.

If you haven’t seen RoboCop, then you absolutely should take Peter Weller’s advice and do so. If you want an incredible, and incredibly violent action movie, it is absolutely that, but it’s also a great deal more, and that’s what has made it a classic.

I think I speak for many when I say audiences love it when characters from two (or more) different movies or TV series come together in one special event, such as the epic monster movies featuring both Godzilla and King Kong, or when Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. appeared on Supernatural. Of course, for all of the mind-blowing crossovers we have been blessed with, there is still much to be desired in the realm of bringing two big-screen or small-screen franchises together.

In that respect, let’s let our imaginations run wild and dream up the movie or TV crossovers that would be incredible to see. Now, I cannot promise that many (or all) of these ideas are legally or even humanly possible, but why should we let that get in the way of the fun?

Toy Story And Small Soldiers

The first, and still one of the best, Pixar movies, Toy Story, showed us the world from the point of view of sentient toys in 1995. Three years later, Small Soldiers offered the same perspective, but with more of an edge and a more realistic approach. Seeing Woody (Tom Hanks) and other innocent children's playthings crossing paths with Major Chip Hazard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his AI-powered, militaristic action figures sounds like one wonderfully warped animated flick, if you ask me.

The Office And Parks And Recreation

As recalled by MovieWeb, co-creators Michael Schur and Greg Daniels initially conceived Parks and Recreation as a spin-off of The Office before it turned into its own separate and equally beloved TV sitcom. Still, there is no reason why Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and his former Dunder-Mifflin co-workers could not somehow cross paths with Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and other Pawnee residents in a mockumentary-style special.

Drive And Fast And Furious

A famous example of misleading movie marketing is 2011's slow-burn, Neo-noir thriller Drive, which one woman assumed would be more of a high-octane action thriller like the Fast and Furious movies, inspiring her to file a lawsuit, according to The Guardian. Honestly, I see this as a reason to give the people what they want and release a movie that sees Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew facing off against Ryan Gosling's Driver.

Succession And Yellowstone

Having both premiered in 2018, Jesse Armstrong's Succession and Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone would become subjects of comparison, with some even calling the Paramount Network hit "Succession with cowboy hats." I think seeing the wealthy and vindictive Roys indulging in a rivalry with the also wealthy and vindictive Duttons would make for one epic feature-length special or miniseries.

21 Jump Street And Men In Black

Among the hypothetical crossovers presented here, not all are too much of a stretch from the realm of possibility. In fact, there were actual plans for a film called MIB23, which would have brought Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) from the 21 Jump Street movie into the world of the Men in Black franchise. Unfortunately, plans were scrapped in 2019, but I still have hope this insane sci-fi/comedy mash-up could work.

Poker Face And The Thing

Imagine if human lie detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) from the Peacock original TV show Poker Face was trapped in one place with a group of people who may or may not be shapeshifting extraterrestrial organisms in disguise, like the 1982 horror movie classic, The Thing. She would be the only one who could suss out the imitators, but the rest of the group might be too paranoid to confidently trust her judgment. I think Rian Johnson should give John Carpenter a call.

Star Wars And Marvel Cinematic Universe

As a fan of both the Star Wars movies and of Guardians of the Galaxy, I love the idea of seeing the cosmic warriors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe visit George Lucas' galaxy far, far away. Considering both Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm are owned by Disney, this intergalactic epic is entirely possible, as long as the timeline is respected, of course.

RoboCop And Terminator

Omni Consumer Products' half-man, half-machine crime-fighting tool has crossed paths with Skynet's mechanical killer before, but only on the pages of a Dark Horse comic book series from Frank Miller. Why Hollywood has not yet tried its hand at a movie that pits the hero from RoboCop against any of the antagonistic cyborgs from the Terminator franchise is beyond me.

James Bond And Jason Bourne

The Matt Damon-led Jason Bourne movies are often cited as the inspiration for the James Bond franchise's grittier tone, especially after Daniel Craig took over as 007. If there could be a way to get the American amnesiac assassin and the suave MI6 agent together in a room (which would likely be destroyed by the end), that could make for one of the best spy movies ever.

Sherlock And Doctor Who

Two of the BBC's most popular series, Sherlock and Doctor Who, both involve a highly intelligent, fashionable, and sometimes arrogant protagonist who is accompanied by a reliable companion. For that and many other reasons, I think it would be amazing to see them come together in a special or miniseries in which Holmes, hitting a wall with a case that defies logic, finds unexpected help from The Doctor.

DC Universe And Marvel Cinematic Universe

The two biggest comic book publishing companies in the world have not always been rivals and have indulged in creating stories that see DC heroes and Marvel heroes fighting side by side. Considering his strong ties to the MCU, it can't be out of the question for DC Studios head James Gunn to at least call a meeting with Kevin Feige to discuss bringing this kind of crossover to the big screen, which might end up being the greatest superhero movie ever made.

John Wick And Kill Bill

While largely differing in tone, the John Wick movies and Quentin Tarantino's two-part Kill Bill saga are pretty similar in concept, following two retired, legendary assassins waging a vengeful war on those who wronged them. Who is to say that Keanu Reeves' gun-fu master and Uma Thurman's The Bride never crossed paths in their deadly heyday?

The Evil Dead And The Exorcist

Two of the most popular franchises of demonic possession movies, The Exorcist and The Evil Dead, could not be more different from one another, which is exactly why I want to see them converge. In my pitch, grown-up Regan MacNeill's (Linda Blair) expertise in devilish activity is enlisted to help with a new case, but when it spirals out of control, the only one who can help is chainsaw-headed Deadite hunter, Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell).

Inception And A Nightmare On Elm Street

When you think about it, Leonardo DiCaprio's Dom Cobb from Christopher Nolan's Inception essentially has the same job as Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Just imagine how much more challenging his team's adventures through the subconscious would be with Robert Englund's sadistic, badly burned boogeyman invading the same dream.

Alien, Predator, And Jurassic Park

You know what I think the Alien vs. Predator movies were missing? Dinosaurs. Putting these two fearsome extraterrestrials in yet another battle, but while trapped on one of the prehistoric animal-infested islands from the Jurassic Park films, could result in one of the most exciting entries from any of these franchises. You would not even need human characters to make it work because seeing both the Predator and the Xenomorph knocked down a peg by the T-Rex as a common enemy would be more than enough.

Ghostbusters And Casper

We already know that Casper and the Ghostbusters exist in the same universe, thanks to Dan Aykroyd's cameo as Ray Stantz in the Friendly Ghost's 1995 live-action feature adaptation of the animated series. I am sure Casper would happily help the paranormal exterminators take on a few evil spirits, even after an awkward misunderstanding were to happen when they first meet.

Mad Max And Dredd

The great thing about post-apocalyptic movies is that each has a different, intriguing interpretation of what a dystopian society would look like. However, what if the Wasteland from George Miller's Mad Max movies existed just across the (dried up) pond from Mega City One in Dredd? The gritty, visually stunning possibilities are endless.

Blade And Twilight

Allow me to make one thing clear: I am not suggesting that Marvel Comics' vampire hunter, originally played on the big screen by Wesley Snipes, should show up in the Twilight movies just to see Robert Pattinson's Edward, Kristen Stewart's Bella, and other bloodsuckers get slaughtered. I actually think Blade's presence could give the persistent haters of the films based on Stephanie Meyer's YA novel series a reason to treat the franchise with a little more respect.

Indiana Jones And Marvel Cinematic Universe

Since Disney owns both Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, I wonder if anyone there has ever tinkered with the idea of putting a character like Indiana Jones in the MCU. I mean, he and Steve "Captain America" Rogers would have been alive around the same time and, as staunch anti-fascists, probably would have gotten along great. I doubt Harrison Ford's casting as Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America: Brave New World would cause much confusion, either.

Monk And Psych

The USA Network used to run promos bringing characters from their respective series together, including one in which Tony Shalhoub's eponymous detective from Monk suspects that Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) is not a real psychic. It makes me wish that we could have seen an official crossover episode that would have seen plenty of funny bickering between the carefree Shawn and someone as neurotic as Adrian Monk, who at least might have gotten along with Gus (Dulé Hill).

Power Rangers And Godzilla

By combining their respective, animal-shaped vehicles into one large Megazord, the Power Rangers have managed to face off against bizarre creatures of all sizes, which means they could realistically take on Godzilla. However, if I were to pitch this crossover, the rangers would eventually have to join forces with the King of the Monsters after an even larger creature emerges to wreak havoc on Angel Grove.

Bill & Ted And Wayne's World

Perhaps we never saw Bill S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted "Theodore" Logan (Keanu Reeves) take Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) on a trip through time because we are not worthy of such an excellent idea. Then again, if Myers and Carvey can still get together for Wayne's World reunions on SNL and Reeves and Winter could come back for 2020's Bill & Ted Face the Music, who says it doesn't have potential?

Dirty Harry And Death Wish

I think the greatest Dirty Harry movie we never saw would have put Clint Eastwood's Lt. Callahan on the case of a murderer targeting the most vicious gangs in San Francisco, which would turn out to be Charles Bronson's Paul Kersey from Death Wish. Inevitably, I think Harry would be lured into an alliance with the vengeful vigilante, coming to believe that his more permanent methods of justice align with his own.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer And Sabrina The Teenage Witch

It's a shame that there was never any attempt to make an official crossover between Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Sarah Michelle Gellar and the Melissa Joan Hart-led Sabrina the Teenage Witch while they were still on the air. The coming-of-age supernatural series may have differed dramatically in tone, but that is just what would have made the collaboration such a blast.

Harry Potter And The Dresden Files

If fans of the Harry Potter movies have ever been interested in trying out something a bit darker and grittier, there is another literary modern-day wizard with the same first name: Harry Dresden, played by Paul Blackthorne on the SyFy series, The Dresden Files. I think it would be fun to see J.K. Rowling's The Boy Who Lived helping author Jim Butcher's Chicago-based P.I. solve a grisly mystery in which magic is involved.

The Munsters And The Addams Family

They may have been on different networks and produced by opposing studios, but how in the world has there never been an attempt to introduce the Munsters to the Addams Family? I would even be open to getting the actors from Rob Zombie's reboot movie to star alongside the cast of Netflix's Wednesday if it meant getting just a glimpse at these creepy, kooky families finally coming together.

It And Terrifier

There are no two villains in the subgenre of creepy clown movies more iconic than Pennywise from It and Art the Clown from Terrifier. I can't imagine a horror fan being against the idea of bringing Bill Skarsgård's shapeshifting fear demon from Andy Muschietti's blockbuster adaptation of Stephen King's novel and David Howard Thornton from Damien Leone's shocking indie slashers together for one brutal showdown that would have blood and white face paint smeared across the screen.

Hocus Pocus And Trick 'R Treat

In Disney's cult favorite, family-friendly witch movie, 1993's Hocus Pocus, our young protagonists go through a lot of trouble to defeat the Sanderson Sisters (played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker). I cannot help but wonder how easily those sinister spellcasters could have been taken care of by the mischievous Sam from the 2007 anthology horror movie favorite, Trick 'r Treat.

Hoarders And Storage Wars

You know those people on the show Hoarders who compulsively keep hold of any item they possess, no matter how unnecessary or even unhealthy it may be? I have a potential idea to help them: put them on another A&E reality show called Storage Wars and tell them that they must outbid other experienced collectors if they want to maintain ownership of their junk.

Johnny English And The Pink Panther

While it barely held a candle to Peter Sellers, I cannot deny that I enjoyed Steve Martin's portrayal of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in his Pink Panther reboot. I even more enjoyed Rowan Atkinson as a bumbling Bond-wannabe in the Johnny English movies. I imagine that having the clueless French detective and accident-prone British spy cross paths on a case would result in some real comedic dynamite (especially if real dynamite is involved).

Sister Act And The Nun

After watching Whoopi Goldberg's Academy Award-winning performance in Ghost, I am convinced that a sequel to Sister Act in which Deloris Wilson-Van Cartier must contend with the habit-wearing demon Valak (Bonnie Aarons) from the Conjuring movies would be a riot.

Big Brother And Survivor

Big Brother and Survivor are both competitive reality shows that make social interaction a key element to winning, with the biggest difference being the setting. If I ran CBS, I would send the most famous all-stars from Big Brother to a remote island, bring Survivor champs to the Big Brother house, and see what happens.

A common criticism thrown around when judging an actor’s performance is that they seem too “robotic,” while some roles, particularly in sci-fi movies and TV shows, actually require that sort of demeanor. Then again, the best robot portrayals usually come from performers who attempt to bring a sense of humanity to their mechanical characters. See for yourself by revisiting some of the most acclaimed, iconic, and even underrated robotic performances – including friendly robots and sinister machines alike – on the big and small screen.

Anthony Daniels - C-3PO (Star Wars)

I can understand why some fans of the Star Wars movies do not care much for C-3PO as a character, as I, too, feel annoyed by his constant complaints, especially in the 1977 original. However, his shortcomings are outweighed by the droid's heroic moments, and, not to mention, Anthony Daniels' commitment to the role (he even wears that visibly uncomfortable suit) is a highlight of the franchise.

Alicia Vikander - Ava (Ex Machina)

I consider Alex Garland's 2014 directorial debut, the classic A24 movie, Ex Machina, to be one of the most powerful cautionary statements on artificial intelligence, and the reason lies in Alicia Vikander's performance as Ava. The stunningly humanesque android convinces both programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) and the audience that she is worth trusting before pulling the rug from underneath us in the shocking finale.

Rutger Hauer - Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

Fans of director Ridley Scott's Philip K. Dick adaptation, Blade Runner, would agree that the real hero of the 1982 film is not Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard, but Roy Batty. Rutger Hauer brings a refreshing aura of humanity to his performance as the Replicant, who wants nothing more for himself and other artificial beings like him but a chance to live a full and free life, which his programming and the laws of his dystopian society do not allow.

Brigitte Helm - Maschinenmensch (Metropolis)

One of the most essential silent era movies is director Fritz Lang's 1927 adaptation of Thea von Harbou's 1925 novel, Metropolis, which takes place in a seemingly utopian society that secretly relies on a secret underground of tireless workers to function. Brigitte Helm stars in the dual roles of a saintly figure named Maria and a mechanical being made in her likeness called Maschinenmensch – an iconic robot character that even those who have not seen the film should surely recognize.

Ian Holm - Ash (Alien)

In some movies, the goal of a robotic character is to blend in among its human peers, which Ash (Ian Holm) accomplishes for most of Alien. When his true identity is revealed, Holm brings out a chilling demeanor in his android character that almost makes you forget that there is a deadlier threat onboard the Nostromo, and one of the all-time scariest movie aliens, called a Xenomorph.

Vin Diesel - The Iron Giant (The Iron Giant)

Funny how most of Vin Diesel's more acclaimed performances have been voice acting roles, such as when he voiced the title role of 1999's The Iron Giant. The actor brings such a charming, childlike innocence to an otherwise physically intimidating character, who befriends young sci-fi fan Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal) in Brad Bird's directorial debut, which could have won the Best Animated Feature Oscar had the category existed then.

Peter Weller - Alex Murphy (RoboCop)

There are some iconic movie robot characters who started off as humans before being rebuilt into something more, such as Alex Murphy in 1987's RoboCop. Peter Weller gives, arguably, his definitive and most heartfelt performance in director Paul Verhoeven's action-packed, cleverly satirical sci-fi classic as the brutally murdered police officer who is selected by a powerful corporation to become the ultimate crime-fighting machine.

Brent Spiner - Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Arguably, the heart and soul of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast and an essential reason why the Emmy-winning series is one of the most beloved iterations of the long-running franchise is Brent Spiner's performance as Data. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) sums up what makes the Soong-type android one-of-a-kind when he eulogizes him in Star Trek: Nemesis, referencing how he reflected the best of humanity by striving to be better than he was.

Peter Cullen - Optimus Prime (Transformers)

Some might say that Chris Hemsworth did an exceptional job voicing a young Optimus Prime in Transformers One, but the role will always belong to the actor who first brought the shapeshifting alien robot to life. Peter Cullen's portrayal of the Autobots' leader became so essential to the original beloved animated series that he readily accepted the chance to reprise the role in Michael Bay's 2007 live-action reboot.

Arnold Schwarzenegger - T-800 (The Terminator)

Playing an unstoppable, unfeeling killing machine from the future in 1984's The Terminator made Arnold Schwarzenegger a bona fide movie star. However, his arguably stronger performance in James Cameron's action-packed franchise of time travel movies comes from 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day as a T-800 reprogrammed to protect John Connor (Edward Furlong), to whom he becomes a much-needed father figure.

Haley Joel Osment - David (A.I.: Artificial Intelligence)

Steven Spielberg took over for Stanley Kubrick to direct A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, which is essentially a futuristic take on the story of Pinocchio. Haley Joel Osment gives one of the most profound and riveting performances of his early career as an android designed to both authentically resemble and act like an 11-year-old who, in order to please his new family, longs to become a real boy.

Sophie Thatcher - Iris (Companion)

SPOILER ALERT for anyone who has not seen one of the great horror movies of 2025, Companion: it is not until near the end of the first act when Iris (Sophie Thatcher), as well as the audience, discovers she is really a robot programmed with undying affection for her purchaser, in this case Josh (Jack Quaid). However, Josh turns out to be a really terrible "boyfriend," awakening a part of Iris that longs for independence, which Thatcher's commanding performance makes it easy to root for.

Kenny Baker - R2-D2 (Star Wars)

Have you ever considered the fact that Star Wars fans owe the entire franchise to none other than R2-D2? If the droid (played beautifully by the late Kenny Baker, who actually operated the character from within) had not successfully delivered Princess Leia's message to Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Resistance might not have thrived in its war against the Empire.

Lupita Nyong’o - Roz (The Wild Robot)

The Wild Robot became an instant classic kids movie for the way it also appeals to adult viewers with a heartwarming commentary on the challenges of parenthood, as seen through the eyes of an unlikely character. Lupita Nyong'o is wonderful as the voice of a mechanical assistant that must alter her programming to take on the responsibility of raising an abandoned gosling and helping her other animal friends survive.

Ben Burtt - WALL-E (WALL-E)

You could easily cite Ben Burtt's enchanting vocal performance as a lonely robot tasked with cleaning up an abandoned Earth as to why WALL-E is one of the best Pixar movies, but that is the tip of the iceberg. The Oscar-winning animated sci-fi drama also offers a frighteningly plausible premonition of what humanity could become, not only if we are forced to leave our planet, but also if indolence is encouraged in favor of a fully automated lifestyle.

Paul Bettany - Vision (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

After years of lending his voice to Tony Stark's A.I. assistant Jarvis for years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Paul Bettany was given the chance to play an artificial being with a bit more personality named Vision, who debuted in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron. The English actor's performance as the unique superhero only became stronger with each subsequent appearance, especially at the moment of his death(s) in Avengers: Infinity War and his mysterious resurrection in the Disney+ series, WandaVision.

Alan Tudyk - K-2SO (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)

Robots always seem to steal the show in the Star Wars franchise, especially if they have an exceptionally talented actor at the helm. Case in point, one of "Geek God" Alan Tudyk's best roles is the voice of K-2SO, an Imperial droid reprogrammed with an assignment to help the Resistance (and with an extra dose of snark) in the 2016 prequel film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Lance Henriksen - Bishop (Aliens)

One of the few trustworthy androids in the Alien movie franchise is Bishop, whom Ripley is understandably slow to warm to upon discovering he is not human in 1986's Aliens. Lance Henriksen would later appear in Alien 3 as the human who created Bishop, Michael Bishop of the Weyland-Yutani corporation.

Robert Patrick - T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

As a cyborg made of liquid metal, which makes it able to shapeshift, able to pass through small openings, and nearly impossible to kill, the T-1000 did not need a great performance to make it cool. Yet, Robert Patrick made the main antagonist of 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day a special kind of villain with his cold, fierce demeanor.

Joan Rivers - Dot Matrix (Spaceballs)

Just about every major character in the Star Wars universe is sent up with a parodic counterpart in Mel Brooks' hilarious spoof movie, 1997's Spaceballs. For instance, the mocking equivalent to C-3PO is Princess Vespa's droid, Dot Matrix, who is voiced by the incomparable Joan Rivers.

David Jonsson - Andy (Alien: Romulus)

Most critics and audiences would agree that the standout performance of Fede Alvarez's terrifying 2024 sequel, Alien: Romulus, is David Jonsson as Andy. The English actor stole the show with what technically counts as a dual role, initially introducing Andy as unassuming, innocent, and consistently loyal to Rain (Cailee Spaeny) until he is reprogrammed with a new directive that makes him a threat.

Bill Irwin - TARS (Interstellar)

One of the most entertaining characters in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed space movie, Interstellar, is not a human, but still highly relatable, especially for its spicy humor setting. Bill Irwin not only provided the voice for TARS, but also was involved with puppeteering the uniquely designed robot that accompanies Matthew McConaughey's Cooper and others on a mission to find a habitable replacement for Earth.

Ryan Gosling - K (Blade Runner 2049)

Ryan Gosling's penchant for stoicism serves him very well as the hero of Denis Villeneuve's 2017 Blade Runner sequel, Blade Runner 2049. He plays "K," a Replicant assigned to hunt other Replicants, who begins to question his job and his true identity after making a startling, conspiratorial discovery.

Scott Adsit - Baymax (Big Hero 6)

What makes Disney's Oscar-winning, animated 2014 comic book adaptation, Big Hero 6, an instant classic superhero movie is not just its spectacular action and heartwarming coming-of-age themes. The most charming element is Scott Adsit's hilarious performance as the voice of Hiro's (Ryan Potter) cuddly robot friend, Baymax.

Yul Brynner - The Gunslinger (Westworld)

Years after starring as a heroic gunslinger in the classic Western movie, The Magnificent Seven, Yul Brynner played a role that is the opposite in every way, from his sinister aura and mechanical infrastructure, in Westworld. Director Michael Crichton's 1973 sci-fi thriller later inspired an acclaimed HBO series of the same name.

Alan Rickman/Warwick Davis - Marvin (The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy)

Some might call 2005's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy an underrated adaptation of Douglas Adams' cult favorite sci-fi farce, especially for its portrayal of Marvin. Alan Rickman provides the voice, and Warwick Davis wears the suit of the android who is perpetually depressed for having no reason to apply his immense knowledge of the universe.

Alan Tudyk - Sonny (I, Robot)

Will Smith may receive top billing for 2004's futuristic detective story, I, Robot, but Sonny is its heart and soul. Alan Tudyk captures the "unique" machine's inner turmoil beautifully as he evolves from a confused murder suspect to a hero.

Paul Reubens - MAX (Flight Of The Navigator)

One of Paul Reubens' best roles outside of his time playing Pee-wee Herman comes from Disney's 1986 cult favorite sci-fi classic, Flight of the Navigator. The comedian voices MAX, which is the computer that powers an extraterrestrial vessel that young David Freeman (Joey Cramer) must help navigate.

Michael Fassbender - David (Prometheus)

It is never clear whether or not Michael Fassbender's David is an android worth trusting... at least in 2012's Prometheus. He is clearly revealed to be a malevolent presence in 2017's Alien: Covenant, in which the actor also plays a friendlier robot named Walter.

Summer Glau - Cameron (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles)

The underrated TV series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, reinvents and continues the adventures of the titular hero (Lena Headey) and her son, John (Thomas Dekker). It also partners the mother-son duo with Summer Glau as Cameron, who is a cyborg unlike any previously seen in the franchise, equipped with an emotional core and the ability to feel sensations.

Robin Williams - Andrew (Bicentennial Man)

Robin Williams gives a heartfelt performance in director Chris Columbus' Bicentennial Man as a service android named Andrew, who longs to become human.

Various - Tom Servo And Crow T. Robot (Mystery Science Theater 3000)

The art of audibly poking fun at a cheesy movie is perfected in the long-running sci-fi comedy series, Mystery Science Theater 3000, which follows a human forced to watched low-grade flicks with his mechanical companions. Much like the rotating selection of human hosts, the actors known for playing the two main robot characters, Tom Servo and Crow, have changed over the years (such as Kevin Murphy and Baron Vaughn as Servo and Trace Beaulieu and Hampton Young as Crow, for instance), but the portrayers' hilarious improv skills have never faltered with each succession.

The original RoboCop is one of those timeless classics, easily one of the best sci-fi films of the 1980s, that appears to have been such a perfect storm of a movie that recreating its success has been close to impossible. The movie’s own sequels failed to recapture Paul Verhoeven's magic, and an attempted RoboCop reboot flopped. Still, it’s only a matter of time before Hollywood tries again, and when they do, maybe they should just call Peter Weller.

Peter Weller may be 77 years old but he’s not discounting a return to the RoboCop franchise. When asked by TMZ if he would be willing to play Murphy again in some sort of reboot, the actor was very honest in his response. Of course, he’d do a reboot, as long as he gets paid well and doesn’t have to travel someplace he doesn’t want to go. Weller said…

Certain movies and movie characters become so sacred to fans that it can be really easy to forget that the actors behind them are professionals doing a job. Weller does say that the script would have to be good, so he’s not going to show up just because somebody offered to pay him a lot. But at the end of the day, if a project does everything he needs of it, why wouldn't he do it?

Following the ill-fated RoboCop reboot, there was a brief attempt to revive the original franchise. A movie called RoboCop Returns was written by Ed Neumeier, the same writer who penned the script for the original film. It would have come at the franchise in a similar fashion to the recent Halloween trilogy, which were sequels to the original film, discounted all other sequels. There was interest in bringing Weller back but he turned it down, so clearly he won't just make any movie.

Having said that, the recent video game RoboCop: Rogue City, based on the original franchise, which saw Weller return to voice RoboCop, has been a solid hit, so maybe the idea of bringing the character back has some merit.

The more likely scenario would probably be some sort of legacy sequel that was set in the universe of the original RoboCop that saw Weller return as the original character. Honestly, such an idea asks some very interesting questions. Does RoboCop age?

Externally, he’s mostly a machine but he does have some biological components. What happens when the human parts of him start to age? Those parts can’t be replaced like the machine parts can. Would he start to lose what’s left of his human components and become more machine? Honestly, the more I think about this, the more I feel like there might be an idea here. Somebody, see if Peter Weller is up for it.

There are a lot of bad companies in the world of film and TV, companies that would be brutal work for like Inotech in Office Space. Those are hardly the only ones. Imagine having to show up to work every morning for Lumon in Severance. Or even a place that might seem like fun like Dunder Mifflin in The Office, would really be awful. Here is our list of companies that would be terrible to work for from TV shows and in movies.

Inotech (Office Space)

Bill Lumberg (Gary Cole) from Inotech in Office Space would be just a terrible boss to work for. The worst part is that he was just one of the many bosses working for the company. It's no wonder everyone was so miserable that everyone had their idea on how to get out of the rat race, from embezzling money to burning the place to the ground.

InGen (Jurassic Park)

Sure, on the surface InGen in Jurassic Park would be an amazing place to work. It's on a tropical island, there seem to be great benefits, and if you're a scientist, it's cutting edge work. Of course, then you have to consider the dinosaurs. Life will find a way and when it does, you're going be in a lot of trouble.

Nakatomi Trading (Die Hard)

Let's be honest, just having to work with a guy like Ellis (Hart Bochner) would be bad enough. Adding in an attack by a bunch of psycho thieves at the Christmas party and well, yeah, it would be pretty awful working for Nakatomi Trading in Die Hard.

The Dharma Initiative (Lost)

It's pretty hard to decide what the worst job would be if you were a part of the The Dharma Initiative in Lost. Desmond being stuck in the hatch typing in the numbers ever few hours has to be close to the top of the list. It's also very cult-like and for anyone who has worked for a company like that, they know just how weird it can be.

Omni Consumer Products (RoboCop)

Omni Consumer Products in RoboCop does some terrible stuff. It's basically a company, led by an egomaniac, that has absolutely no moral compass. Sure, it's a pretty dystopian situation in the world of RoboCop, but that's no excuse, you need to do better than work for an awful company like Omni.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

George (Jason Alexander) in Seinfeld had a few bad jobs on the show. When working for the Yankees is the best job, you know the rest have to be bad. Kruger Industrial Smoothing has to be the worst though. Mr. Kruger is a guy who just doesn't seem to care about anything at all, and what in the world is "industrial smoothing"? Christmas at Kruger Industrial Smoothing seems especially annoying.

Pierpoint & Co. (Industry)

The British hit Industry shows all the worst sides of investment banking. One of the worst aspects of working in that industry is the cut-throat competition that all bankers deal with, especially at Pierpoint & Co o the show. Some may thrive, but most people would hate it.

Weyland-Yutani Corporation (Alien)

Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise is one of the most morally bankrupt companies on this list, and that is really saying something. Over and over it is clear that the powers that be don't care one bit for the health and safety of their employees. Over and over, those employees wind up dead. You'd think someone would blow the whistle, but all these years later, Weyland-Yutani is still at it.

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Everyone loves The Office and we all love laughing along with all the whacky stuff that goes on every day at Dunder Mifflin. But think about it, how awful would you feel if you had to deal with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) every day of your life. IT wouldn't take long before you lost it on him, right? It's easy to understand why Jim (John Krasinski) is so miserable all the time.

Wernham Hogg (The Office - UK)

Perhaps the only place worse to work in a sitcom world than Dunder Miflin would be Wernham Hogg in the British version of The Office. Michael Scott is terrible, but David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is mean-spirited and just plain nasty sometimes, in addition to being a total idiot. How anyone ever works for Brent is really hard to understand.

Lumon (Severance)

This list has a lot of sketchy, miserable companies on it, but Lumon from Severance probably takes the cake for the worst. It has everything that makes everyone else terrible all wrapped up into one. Menial tasks with little reward, shady technology, psychopathic leadership, a cult-like atmosphere... the list goes on and on.

The Wonka Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory)

Working at a candy company might sound like a dream for many people, until you learn that all of your co-workers are weird orange beings that are liable to burst into song at the drop of a hat. Add on to that a wildly narcissistic CEO who is completely unpredictable and throws up little tests all the time to test your loyalty and it's safe to say you'd want no part of working for Willy Wonka.

Miller/Gold Talent Agency (Entourage)

Nobody wants to work for a boss whose base level is "yell as much as I can at everyone." It might be a great place to get ahead in a tough entertainment industry, but working for Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) on Entourage would be completely soul-sucking, right? Right.

Tyrell Corporation (Blade Runner)

Anyone working in a giant building that looks like a cross between an Imperial ship from Star Wars and a mid-century brutalist building in Germany should know exactly what kind of company they are working for, right? Building and designing replicants, who are basically enslaved techo-humans, seals the deal. You don't want to work here.

The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (The Simpsons)

Being a low-level drone in Sector 7-G at a nuclear power plant would be a pretty miserable existence. It seems to work for Homer Simpson, and he's never permanently lost his gig, no matter what he does, but let's be honest, Homer is an idiot. Anyone of even normal intelligence would be out there in a hurry.

Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

A family filled with morons running a company mired in controversy and corruption like the Bluth Company in Arrested Development sounds pretty awful on its face alone. When you get in there, you'd realize that the one family member who is trying to make it work can't control anyone else in his family. Even working for the Banana Stand would be better than going into the office every day at Bluth.

Spacely's Sprokets (The Jetsons)

Even back in the 1960s no one wanted to work for a giant corporation like Spacely's Sprokets. Not only do they not make a real product (sprockets?) but Mr. Spacely is the worst kind of CEO, the kind that rules with fear and intimidation. That's no way to run a company no matter what year it is. We should all have flying cars by now though.

Umbrella (Resident Evil)

As the name of the show implies, Umbrella, the over-arching company in charge of seemingly everything in the world of Resident Evil is, well, evil. The list of things it does that are pure evil is far too long to list in one place, but it's safe to say that you could never truly feel good about your job here.

BiffCo (Back To The Future 2)

The future looks pretty bleak if Biff is in charge. After stealing the time machine and the Sports Almanac, Biff rakes up so much money that he can pretty much do whatever he wants. No one should have to work for a boss like Biff or a company like BiffCo. Who names a company "BiffCo" anyway? Beware the man who builds monuments to himself.

J. Peterman Company (Seinfeld)

The J. Peterman Company on Seinfeld doesn't seem like the worst place to work. it's a trendy catalog, and there is cake in the break room all the time. The serious drawback is working for an egomaniac like Peterman himself. It would be impossible to take orders from a guy like that.

Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory (Family Guy)

It would take about ten seconds to sour on a CEO like Jonathan Weed, owner of the Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory on Family Guy. His smug, pretentious behavior would get old quickly and there aren't enough toys in the world to make going to work for a guy like that every day worth it. Peter got lucky when Mr. Weed died and the whole factory was torn down.

Sunshine Taxi Company (Taxi)

Two words, Louie De Palma. Or is that three? Either way working for Danny DeVito's character on Taxi would be miserable. There are some appeals to driving a cab. You can make your own hours, and you can be alone with your thoughts a lot, but then you remember you have to return to the garage and put up with that jerk. No thanks.

Veridian Dynamics (Better Off Ted)

Senior vice-president of the Research and Development department at Veridian Dynamics sounds like a pretty sweet gig for Ted on Better Off Ted and for the most part, the day-to-day isn't bad at Veridian. The problem is that it is the definition of a soul-sucking multinational conglomerate and it takes a real toll over the long term when you realize you are a completely replaceable cog in a giant machine.

E Corp (Mr. Robot)

A company like E Corp - what kind of name is that anyway? - would make anyone want to be a bad hat hacker working to bring the whole place down. They prey on the most vulnerable and have no morals or ethics whatsoever. This is easily one of the worst companies in television history

Hooli - (Silicon Valley)

It's pretty easy to understand why anyone worth their salt would want to ditch Hooli and strike out on their own. Anyone would have been in the same kind of position with a company like Hooli, knows what it's like to watch others benefit from your good ideas and hard work. Pied Piper is chaotic, but it's theirs.

Zorg Industries (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman is brilliant as Zorg, the leader of Zorg Industries on The Fifth Element. The character is completely unhinged and that is not the kind of person anyone wants to work for, setting aside how awful the company itself is. It's simply a company with way too much power.

ENCOM (Tron)

On its surface ENCOM seems like a pretty standard technology company that could do a lot of good for the world. Then you realize it's being run by a total megalomanic. Ed Dillinger cheated his way to the top, and holds onto his power in a ruthless and morally bankrupt way. He's despicable.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Planet Express in Futurama may have it's own set of issues, but working for its rival, MomCorp and dealing with Mom would be way, way worse. At least Planet Express feels like a family. Sometimes, anyway.

Soylent Corporation (Soylent Green)

There is nothing worse on this list than people serving people to other people and Soylent Green is people! That's really all that needs to be said. It's not the only terrible thing that the Soylent Corporation does, it's just the worst thing in the world.

LexCorp (Superman)

It's good to have a hard and fast rule that working for a supervillain like Lex Luther is never a good idea. LexCorp does so many evil things it's hard to know exactly where to start when it comes to reasons why no one should work for a company like that. The worst thing might be that Superman, of all people, could show up and end everything you're doing in a hurry.

Buy N Large Corporation (WALL-E)

The Buy N Large Corporation might have started as an innocent yogurt company but it grew into something far too large, with far too much influence and power. Like other companies on this list, it's just too good for anyone's own good.

Oscorp (Spider-Man)

Oscorp wasn't started by one supervillain, it was started by two! Yeah, there's no way anything you could do at that company would be for the good of anyone except the two evil geniuses that run it. Easy pass.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself outshined by the villain. That’s how it goes, right? Or something like that. All jokes aside, there have been countless times over the years where villains have resonated so well with audiences we have forgotten about the heroes who’ve tried to vanquish them. But it’s hard to compete with the likes of the “Crown Prince of Crime,” a certain ice-cold assassin with a fondness for coins and bad haircuts, and vindictive and psychotic nurses.

From the best Marvel movies to a handful of Best Picture winners and so many others, here are 32 times the villain stole the show in a movie.

Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

Alan Rickman crushed his first major movie role as Hans Gruber in 1988’s Die Hard. Nothing against Bruce Willis’ John McClane, but there’s no denying the fact that Gruber immediately became one of those unforgettable villains we love to hate. The saying “It isn’t Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nataktomi Plaza” says it all.

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Luke Skywalker is an iconic hero, Han Solo is the coolest scoundrel in the galaxy, and Princess Leia is divine, but we all know that Darth Vader sucks all the air out of the room whenever he’s on-screen in Star Wars. The presence, the physicality, and the powerful voice of the late James Earl Jones, all make Lord Vader one of the best villains of all time.

Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is hands down one of the best Marvel villains, with only a couple of other foes topping him in the ranking. The intensity, emotion, and wow factor all go up whenever this long-lost son of Wakanda shows up in Black Panther. 

Colonel Hans Landa (Inglorious Basterds)

Quentin Tarantino pulled off the impossible when he gave the world Colonel Hans Landa, a maniacal yet charming Nazi played by Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds. Seriously, the movie could have been two hours of Landa talking to people (which it pretty much was) and we still would have gone crazy for it. Almost feel bad liking the guy this much.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

Avengers: Infinity War, for all intents and purposes, is Thanos’ movie and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are just living in it. Rarely do movies allow the villain to take center stage like this, and the 2018 crossover event is better because of it.

Anton Chigurh (No Country For Old Men)

Anton Chigurh, Javier Bardem’s ice-cold killer from No Country for Old Men, is one of those movie villains we’ll be studying for years, if not decades, to come. Every time this assassin with a bad haircut and a unique set of skills comes on screen, you can feel a chill run down your spine.

Annie Wilkes (Misery)

One of the meanest ‘90s movie villains, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) from Misery steals the scene whenever she’s on screen in Rob Reiner’s 1990 Stephen King adaptation. A force of pure evil, this obsessive book fan will forever live in our hearts, even if she fills us with fear.

Terence Fletcher (Whiplash)

J.K. Simmons has played some great villains over the years (Oz fans know what we’re talking about), but even the neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger couldn’t hold a candle to Terence Fletcher in Whiplash. The angry, petty, vindictive, and obsessive Julliard professor is a force to be reckoned with in this 2014 drama.

The Joker (The Dark Knight)

From the first time Heath Ledger’s Joker appears on screen in The Dark Knight, you know he’s going to be a villain to remember. The anarchy, the carnage, the changing stories about how he got his scars, all of it makes him someone we’ll never forget. 

The Terminator (The Terminator)

James Cameron gave the world one of the best sci-fi movies and all-time great villains when he unleashed The Terminator upon the world in 1984. And while Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) are heroes worth rooting for, we all know we want nothing more than to see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s titular cyborg show up with his one-liners and knack for killing folks.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Hannibal Lecter, the role that won Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award, was only on screen in The Silence of the Lambs for 16 years, and he still stole the show. The cannibalistic prison inmate who helps Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling in the most unorthodox and unsettling ways is still the most talked about part of the movie despite his limited screen time.

Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest)

Few nurses or medical professionals have instilled as much fear in the hearts of audiences as Nurse Ratched, Louise Fletcher’s manipulative and sadistic character from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Sure, we all love Jack Nicholson’s R.P. McMurphy, but Ratched stole the show.

Clarence Boddicker (Robocop)

Long before he was the wise-cracking Red Foreman on That ‘70s Show, Kurtwood Smith played the sensationally violent Clarence Boddicker in Robocop. The man who turned Peter Weller’s Alex Murphy into a crime-fighting cyborg had some wild moments throughout the movie, most of which we can’t really describe here.

Nino Brown (New Jack City)

Already on the rise thanks to Major League, Wesley Snipes became a massive star thanks to his portrayal of Nino Brown, the powerful drug lord in New Jack City. Nothing against Ice-T’s Scotty Appleton (who takes things personally), but Nino is in in a league of his own in this sprawling crime epic.

Bodhi (Point Break)

Though he could be considered an antihero we hate to love, Bodhi, Patrick Swayze’s surfing, skydiving, and bank-robbing character from Point Break is also an incredibly interesting villain. Both physical and spiritual, this three-dimensional adrenaline junkie is just so dang cool.

Regina George (Mean Girls)

Villains don’t have to be angry nurses or criminals with a high body count, and Regina George (Rachel McAdams) proved that in Mean Girls. The leader of the Plastics, a group she ran with an iron and pink fist, Regina was for sure one of the most vindictive antagonists of the 2000s and one we still love to hate.

Clubber Lang (Rocky III)

For the most part, the Rocky movies featured iconic and unique villains like Apollo Creed (before he turned good) and Ivan Drago, but Clubber Lang from Rocky III is in a league of his own. Mr. T’s formidable foe in the 1982 movie stole every scene and his presence could be felt even when he wasn’t on screen.

Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct)

Being bad never looked as good as it did for Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) in the 1992 erotic thriller, Basic Instinct. The crimes, the head games, the seduction, and the attitude make this femme fatale one of the best villains of all time.

Gordon Gekko (Wall Street)

Though there are some who still miss the message of Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is Good” speech from Wall Street, Michael Douglas’ powerful character is very much the villain in Oliver Stone’s 1987 drama. Poor Charlie Sheen didn’t stand a chance next to this guy.

The Wicked Witch Of The West (The Wizard Of Oz)

Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz is one of those villainous performances that we’ll never forget. The way she could say things like “I’ll get you my pretty,” throw fireballs, and call on an army of flying monkeys is still frightening all these years later.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

One of the best slasher horror movies of all time, Psycho also features one of the genre’s great villains in Norman Bates. After his facade of a seemingly harmless albeit off-putting man with mommy issues fades away, we’re left with an unforgettable creep.

Cyrus The Virus (Con Air)

Nothing against Nicolas Cage, but Con Air is Cyrus the Virus’ movie. The way John Malkovich looks on screen with that shaved head and goatee makes him look like a cleanup hitter for the Houston Astros who went crazy and killed a bunch of folks after getting busted for steroids adds such a great dynamic to this iconic ‘90s action movie.

Luther (The Warriors)

Though he’s only in a handful of scenes, Luther, with his “Warriors, come out to play,” delivery, steals the show in this ‘70s classic. Would The Warriors be a good movie without him? Probably. But the leader of the Rogues makes it an all-timer.

Scar (The Lion King)

When it comes to Disney villains from the ‘90s, there are few that come close to the rightful king that is Scar. Voiced by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the brother of King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) takes villainy to a whole new level in The Lion King. Sure, he destroys the natural order of things, brings famine and drought to the Pride Lands, and gives his nephew one major guilt trip after killing his father, but that’s what makes him so iconic, right?

HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

You don’t have to be a human or even a living thing to make a good villain, and HAL 9000 proved that in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Voiced by Douglas Rain, this cold and calculated computer goes out of his way to make life miserable for the astronauts aboard the Discovery One spacecraft. What makes him even more menacing is that HAL is mostly depicted as a camera lens with a red dot in the middle.

Howard Payne (Speed)

Though Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock became massive stars following the 1994 release of Speed, it was impossible to be captivated by the maniacal and over-the-top performance of Dennis Hopper as Howard Payne. The cop-turned-bomber has a way about him that’s just so perfect in this landmark action flick. And if it weren’t for the iconic bus jump sequence, he’d probably be what we talk about the most.

Max Cady (Cape Fear)

Whenever we talk about the best Robert De Niro movies, it doesn’t take long for Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of Cape Fear to enter the conversation. Max Caddy, one of the all-time great movie villains, steals every single scene in this tense revenge thriller, even when the ex-con with a bone to pick with his former defense attorney isn’t on screen. And the way he says “Counselor” when toying with Nick Nolte’s Sam Bowden is just perfect.

Count Orlok (Nosferatu)

Few movie characters have an impact on the viewer like Count Orlok, Max Schreck's vampire from the 1922 silent horror film, Nosferatu. The off-putting appearance, the eerie movements, and the unrelenting nature of the monster are all frightening more than a century after the controversial film was first released.

Joan Crawford (Mommie Dearest)

Frank Perry’s Mommie Dearest is one of the wildest and most terrifying biographical dramas ever made, and the based-on-a-true-story aspect of it makes Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Joan Crawford even more terrifying. There’s a good chance more people know the “No wire hangers!” line than the movie itself, which says it all.

Agent Smith (The Matrix)

The way Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith says “Mr. Anderson,” whenever he encounters Neo (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix is so bone-chilling, so iconic, and so perfect, we just can’t get enough of it. One of the best sci-fi villains of all time, it’s hard to look away from this increasingly powerful computer program.

John Doe (Seven)

Though we don’t meet Kevin Spacey’s John Doe until the final act of Seven, his presence can be felt throughout David Fincher’s 1995 thriller. The nature of his crimes, especially during the movie’s twisted ending, tells us everything we need to know about the bitter, dangerous, and self-righteous killer.

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

When it comes to the best horror movie icons, Freddy Krueger is in a league of his own. Robert Englund’s knife-handed killer from A Nightmare on Elm Street is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, so much so that we don’t really care who plays his victims (except for maybe Johnny Depp).

While we consider ourselves firm believers in the phrase, “a hero is only as good as their villain,” there are some villains whom we actually prefer over their heroes. While everybody loves a good and earnest antagonist who invokes genuine fear, those characters are not quite as memorable as the exuberant, and, in many cases, just plain ridiculous psychopaths who may not win in the end, but do manage to steal the show. We took a look back at some of the best action movies of all time and found some of our favorite examples of scenery-chewing, over-the-top villains.

Howard Payne (Speed)

The late Dennis Hopper has many an over-the-top villain in his versatile resume, but he gives one of his most absorbing and truly convincing performances of the like as Howard Payne in Speed. Established early on as "crazy, not stupid" in Jan de Bont's 1994 directorial debut, the mad bomber would prefer to be called "eccentric." Regardless, his idea of putting a speed-controlled explosive device on a bus is certainly not stupid, but very much qualifies as crazy.

Clarence Boddicker (RoboCop)

You can tell that Kurtwood Smith was destined to play the absurdly strict sitcom dad Red Forman in the That '70s Show cast from his performance as Clarence Boddicker in Paul Verhoeven's 1987, RoboCop. His almost hilariously sadistic approach to crime — from physically and verbally abusing his henchpeople over nothing and spouting beautiful one-liners to accompany his cruel acts — makes him one of the best movie villains of the 1980s.

Simon Phoenix (Demolition Man)

Demolition Man is an essential example of an over-the-top action movie for many reasons and among them — in addition to the weird three seashells bit — is Wesley Snipes' performance as a terrorist out of time, Simon Phoenix. Never has the actor played a role with such free-wheeling whimsey, which lends beautifully to the 1993 futuristic thriller's intentionally absurdist tone.

Immortan Joe (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Out of the many bizarre antagonists from the Mad Max movies, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) from 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road might be the maddest of them all by aesthetic alone. The Wasteland warlord's heavily decorated, transparent body plate and oxygen mask bearing a toothy grin are certainly intimidating, but we would never be able to fault anyone for snickering at the peculiar ensemble either.

Norman Stansfield (The Professional)

We are always so excited to see Gary Oldman play a bad guy because it is those types of roles that tend to garner the best results from the Academy Award winner's chameleonic talents. Case in point: morally and psychologically corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield, who forever changed the way we perceive the word "everyone" in Luc Besson’s 1994 classic, The Professional.

The Joker (The Dark Knight)

Heath Ledger might not have won his post-humous Academy Award for his now iconic portrayal of The Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight if he had ever taken a single moment to dial himself down from 11. While the performance naturally borders on comical, it also keeps us on the edge of our seats and reminds us why the Clown Prince of Crime is not the kind of clown you want to laugh at.

Bodhi (Point Break)

In 1991’s Point Break, even after after he discovers that his new friend, Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) is actually a federal agent, Ex-Presidents leader Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) has no interest in dismantling his group's operation. Why? Because to him, robbing banks is never about the money, but about feeling the ultimate rush that even surfing the biggest and most dangerous tidal wave imaginable would not provide.

William Strannix (Under Siege)

You would have to be careful using the word "insane" around William Strannix (Tommy Lee Jones) in 1992’s Steven Seagal-led favorite, Under Siege. However, the disgraced former CIA operative is kind of asking for it by seizing control of a U.S. battleship, his '80s hair band-esque fashion sense, and his general manner of being, really.

Agent Smith (The Matrix)

As Agent Smith in the Matrix movies, Hugo Weaving accomplishes a rare balancing act for antagonistic portrayal. While maintaining a straight, nearly emotionless face for most of his performance, he still manages to express an unsettling, voracious rage brewing from within in each and every mannerism.

Castor Troy (Face/Off)

The only villain on our list who is portrayed in the same movie by two different actors — and with mind-blowing results from both — is Castor Troy in John Woo's already over-the-top, 1997 classic, Face/Off. Nicolas Cage initially plays the demented terrorist in one of his most definitively unplugged roles before a face-swapping procedure with FBI agent Sean Archer allows John Travolta to go wild.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld (You Only Live Twice)

Donald Pleasance's scenery-chewing performance as the scarred, cat-petting Spectre leader Blofeld in You Only Live Twice would come to define common traits of most James Bond movie villains. The fact that Mike Myers did not divert too far from his appearance and overall demeanor when playing Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies really says a lot about how wonderfully weird this portrayal was.

The Sheriff Of Nottingham (Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves)

Alan Rickman's most memorable villainous role is easily Hans Gruber from Die Hard, who is an action movie antagonist we would never quite call "over-the-top." That is why we also have a soft spot for his portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which sees him as his most irresistibly animated and deliciously dastardly.

Edward "The Riddler" Nygma (Batman Forever)

In one of Jim Carrey's most memorable quotes from 1995’s Batman Forever, he asks if he is too "over-the-top,” after bellowing about being a “god” while wearing a sequined jumpsuit. Indeed, his now iconic performance as Edward Nygma (a.k.a., The Riddler) is one of most extreme and cartoonish of all of the live-action Batman movies.

Cyrus Grisson (Con Air)

It is rare to see Nicolas Cage get out-Caged by one of his co-stars, but John Malkovich absolutely runs away with the show in 1997’s Con Air. As Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, he takes a stuffed rabbit hostage, uses his own name as a deadly pun ("Cy!" "-onara!"), and other memorably riotous moments while leading a prison plane revolt. 

Zorg (The Fifth Element)

Where shall we start with Gary Oldman's Zorg, Gary Oldman from 1997's The Fifth Element — the Southern accent, the haircut complete with a transparent dome covering his bald half, or his flamboyant wardrobe? If not for that scary black goo emitting from his forehead for whatever reason, we might not be able to take him seriously at all.

Richmond Valentine (Kingsman: The Secret Service)

The fact that Richmond Valentine is a character played none other than Samuel L. Jackson with a lisp is enough to put him in the over-the-top category. However, the main antagonist of 2015's Kingsman: The Secret Service has plenty more ammunition than that — such as his choice to serve dinner guests McDonald's and an apparent self-awareness of being a spy movie villain.

Mr. Joshua (Lethal Weapon)

Academy Award nominee Gary Busey has played a number of memorable antagonistic roles, but none match the intensity of Mr. Joshua in 1987’s Lethal Weapon. The moment he shows his undying loyalty to General Peter McAllister by letting him burn his hand with a Zippo is equal parts disturbing and uproarious.

Jaws (The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker)

Played by Richard Kiel, the towering James Bond henchperson known as "Jaws" gets his name from his set of metal chompers. While not the primary antagonist of 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, his almost absurdly unique appearance made him memorable enough to return for Moonraker two years later.

Captain Bennett (Commando)

Out of all of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best movies, 1985’s Commando boasts one of the most intelligent and truly fearsome antagonists in Bennett. Still, he earns a spot on this list for the way Australian actor Vernon Wells plays the sadistic military captain like a giddy schoolboy at times.

Lord Humungus (The Road Warrior)

When George Miller first steered the Mad Max franchise right into its post-apocalyptic era with 1981’s The Road Warrior, he introduced an appropriately mad villain in the form of Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). Like fellow Wasteland warlord Immortan Joe, the hulking leader of the Marauders earns his over-the-top reputation by his attire alone, which resembles a medieval Jason Voorhees of sorts. 

Sho'Nuff (The Last Dragon)

Actor Julius Carry certainly lives up to his name by the way he “carries” 1985’s The Last Dragon as Sho’Nuff. From his boisterous swagger to his wicked hairstyle and attire, the self-described “Shogun of Harlem” makes this cheesy martial arts flick an essential selection of B-movie cinema.

Luther (The Warriors)

Rival gang leader Luther causes the titular gang from The Warriors a whole lot of trouble in Walter Hill's 1979 favorite. However, actor David Patrick Kelly made the character an icon in one classic improvised moment in which he entices his rivals to "come out to play" while clinking three glass bottles together with his fingers.

Harvey "Two-Face" Dent (Batman Forever)

It is ironic to learn that, according to Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones told his Batman Forever co-star that he could not “sanction [his] buffoonery.” Anybody who has seen Joel Schumacher’s debut DC film would probably agree that the Oscar winner surprisingly out-crazies Carrey’s Riddler with his performance as Two-Face.

Oddjob (Goldfinger)

As far as James Bond movie henchpeople go, Oddjob (Harold Sakata) from 1964’s Goldfinger, might be the most recognizable. Yet, how could you forget a character who preys on his victims with a razor-sharp bowler hat?

Wez (The Road Warrior)

While Lord Humungus may be the central antagonist of The Road Warrior — George Miller's first follow-up to Mad Max — the, arguably, more iconic villain is his right-hand man, Wez (Vernon Wells). Like Humungus, the maniacal motorhead already makes an impression with his one-of-a-kind look — from his red-tinged mohawk to his football and leather chaps — but his hot temper makes him a real force to be reckoned with in the Wasteland.

Dr. Victor "Mr. Freeze" Fries (Batman & Robin)

If there is any reason to be a fan of 1997’s Batman & Robin, it has to be Arnold Schwarzenegger’s explosively hammy performance as Mr. Freeze. His increasingly infantile ice puns — such as “What killed the dinosaurs? The Ice Age!” and “Let’s kick some ice!” — lend to some of the funniest Batman movie moments and make the otherwise widely reviled DC flick a laugh riot worth revisiting.

Ming The Merciless (Flash Gordon)

The great Max von Sydow disappears into the role of galactic emperor, Ming the Merciless, in the 1980 adaptation of of Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon comic strip. His performance as the Earthling-hating monarch — and those eyebrows especially — are key to the space opera’s irresistibly campy tone.

Ma-Ma (Dredd)

There is nothing particularly absurd or even remotely funny about Lena Headey's performance as Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal in 2012's underrated comic book flick, Dredd. However, her use of excessive violence is what really pushes her over the top.

Ramon Cota (Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection)

Billy Drago shared the screen with Chuck Norris in multiple titles, but their finest dance was in Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection. The 1990 sequel saw the actor at his most frightening, but also uproarious at times, as the ruthless, sniveling Ramon Cota. 

Major Chip Hazard (Small Soldiers)

In director Joe Dante’s somewhat family-friendly, underrated ‘90s flick, Small Soldiers, a line of military action figures become equipped with an A.I. that leads them to start a legitimately dangerous conflict. The war-mongering Commando Elite are led by Major Chip Hazard — a combination of every laughable war movie cliche rolled into one character, who could have only been voiced by Tommy Lee Jones.

Max Zorin (A View To Kill)

Academy Award winner Christopher Walken is one of Hollywood’s most skilled masters in the art of over-the-top acting and an essential example of this comes from 1985’s A View to Kill. Facing off against Roger Moore’s James Bond, Walken dons a bleach-blonde hairdo and an unrecognizable accent as the dastardly Max Zorin.

Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isley (Batman & Robin)

Even before passionate botanist Dr. Pamela Isley undergoes a physical and psychological transformation into the seductive Poison Ivy, she already seems pretty unbalanced. Of course, it when Uma Thurman channels the old-fashioned femme fatale persona and turns the heat up to the highest degree is when she really makes a case for Batman & Robin being a “one-woman show.”

We would watch a whole team-up movie with these villains together.

We are not against the idea of remaking a movie and believe some are as good, if not even better, than their predecessors, particularly because they managed to stand on their own by bringing something new to the table. Unfortunately, those types of remakes are merely a dime a dozen, while the rest end up being shameless carbon copies or simply fall short of the original’s quality by lacking any imagination. With all due respect to any audiences who may enjoy these films for one reason or another, the following are our choices for movie remakes that failed to uphold the legacy of what came before.

Psycho (1998)

For as many great horror movie remakes as there actually are, Gus Van Sant’s version of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic, Psycho, is not considered one of them. Reason being: the Vince Vaughn-led thriller copies one of the all-time best horror movies almost shot-for-shot and has since been deemed a prime example of why filmmakers should avoid that approach.

Guess Who (2005)

Guess Who stars Bernie Mac as a Black man who takes an immediate dislike to his daughter’s (Zoë Saldaña) boyfriend (Ashton Kutcher), particularly because he is white. This race-swapped update of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner throws out the commentary on diversity — which was deeply important for its time and still moving today — in favor of generic comedy that lazily rips off Meet the Parents.

Planet Of The Apes (2001)

It is really not much of a surprise that most of the least-liked Tim Burton movies are remakes, especially his Mark Wahlberg-led take on 1968’s sci-fi classic, Planet of the Apes. Critics and audiences noticed how the director’s signature style is completely missing from the clumsy narrative of the otherwise visually impressive reimagining, but cited as the biggest flaw is the nonsensical attempt to change the ending. 

The Wicker Man (2006)

Neil LaBute’s update of the chilling 1973 cult favorite, The Wicker Man, has had its fair share of rewatches, but only to bask in Nicolas Cage’s hilariously unhinged performance as a cop searching for a missing girl on a mysterious island. No one watches it because they find it at all scary or narratively tight and, especially, not for LaBute’s reinvention of Summerisle’s Neo-pagan community as a vitriolic matriarchy.

Taxi (2004)

Not enough American audiences know about the original Taxi (not to be confused with the 1970s sitcom) — a 1998 French action-comedy from writer Luc Besson about a bumbling cop with a poor driving record enlisting a cabbie to help him catch a notorious gang. Most only know about director Tim Story’s version starring Queen Latifah as the driver and Jimmy Fallon as the cop which was deemed low on laughs and lackluster in action.

The Tourist (2010)

Starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, The Tourist is a thriller about a man unwittingly chosen to pose as a woman’s lover, who is a wanted criminal, in Venice, Italy. The film is more famous today for Ricky Gervais’ incessant roasting of its convoluted plot line at the Golden Globes and less for being an English-language adaptation of the 2005 French film, Anthony Zimmer.

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Director Martin Brest’s update of 1943’s Death Takes a Holiday is a prime example of a not-so-great movie with a great concept, being that the Grim Reaper (Brad Pitt) takes human form and falls for the daughter (Claire Forlani) of his latest victim (Anthony Hopkins). Unfortunately, Meet Joe Black mainly suffers from an unnecessary three-hour runtime that makes it a chore for many to watch.

Black Christmas (2019)

The first remake of Black Christmas from 2006 is not nearly held in the same regard as Bob Clark’s 1974 holiday horror movie classic, but has been retroactively viewed as a fun, underrated slasher by many. However, the egregiously ham-fisted social commentary and convoluted plot of Blumhouse’s attempt at an update has likely robbed itself of the same potential.

RoboCop (2014)

Director José Padilha’s reimagining of Paul Verhoeven’s futuristic classic, RoboCop, attempts to give Joel Kinnaman’s portrayal of Alex Murphy more of a personality post-upgrade. Ironically, the overall film lacks much of a soul, in addition to the biting satire that made the 1987 original stronger than your average action film.

Godzilla (1998)

Hollywood’s first attempt to Americanize pop culture’s most famous Kaiju, literally, does not have enough meat on its bones, with the titular creature being reduced from a beefy behemoth to a frail cross between a raptor and a T-Rex. What Roland Emmerich’s Godzilla really suffers from, however, is an over-reliance on childish humor and astonishingly stark lack of any real tension or urgency for a disaster movie. At least the soundtrack was good, though.

A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)

With brilliant performances by horror movie icons Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger and Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson, A Nightmare on Elm Street was an instant slasher classic that never bore a need for an update. Some might say that Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley at least tried to give a worthy performance as the sinister dreamweaver, but few believe the filmmakers tried to live up to the legacy of Wes Craven’s classic with this unimaginative nightmare that almost forced star Rooney Mara into early retirement.

The Women (2008)

Director George Cukor’s adaptation of Clare Booth’s play, The Women was hailed as a clever satire of gender dynamics with razor-sharp wit and wonderful performances by the likes of Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer. Despite an all-star cast including Meg Ryan, Jada Pickett Smith, Annette Bening, and more, writer and director Diane English’s modernized take was criticized as being, well, the quite opposite of its predecessor’s quality.

The Fog (2005)

Despite crafting one of the greatest remakes of all time with The Thing, many of John Carpenter’s movies have been cursed with updates of lesser quality, with The Fog being one of the most widely reviled examples. Critics and audiences agree that there is not a shred of originality or genuine suspense in director Rupert Wainwright’s take on the story of a coastal town terrorized by the ghosts of shipwreck victims.

Swept Away (2002)

From writer and director Lina Wermüller — the first female Best Director Oscar nominee — 1974’s Swept Away is an Italian rom-com starring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato as castaways who unexpectedly fall in love. Nobody expected — or wanted — to see Madonna lead a remake directed by her then-husband, Guy Ritchie, who later called the experience of releasing the critical and commercial failure “painful.”

Prom Night (2008)

The original Prom Night from 1980 — starring reigning Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis — may have its fair share of slasher movie cliches, but it was one of the first to pioneer those tropes. However, the remake from nearly three decades later — starring Brittany Snow as a high school senior stalked by a maniac from her past — has absolutely no excuse.

Rollerball (2002)

While not quite remembered as a classic today, the James Caan-led Rollerball was praised in 1975 for its unique attempt at satirizing corporate influence through a story about a deadly sport in a dystopian society. Director John McTiernan’s version — starring Chris Klein, LL Cool J, and Rebecca Romijin — was criticized for choppy editing and a non-sensical story, let alone the removal of the original’s social commentary.

Get Carter (2000)

Michael Caine stars in the acclaimed 1971 crime thriller Get Carter as a London mobster seeking vengeance for his brother’s death. People have questioned why the Oscar-winner agreed to appear in the widely panned Americanized update starring Sylvester Stallone in the title role and some have suspected it was the paycheck. 

The Haunting (1999)

What makes the 1963 adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House one of the best haunted house movies is its more nuanced and cleverly ambiguous approach to the source material. Director Jan de Bont’s The Haunting, however, throws all psychological complexity out the window in favor of a generic ghost story with cheesy scares.

The Heartbreak Kid (2007)

The late Charles Grodin gives one of his best performances in the hilarious, bittersweet 1972 rom-com classic, The Heartbreak Kid, as a man who meets the woman of his dreams while on his honeymoon with his wife, whose emerging flaws lead him to regret the decision. Peter and Bobby Farrelly teamed up with Ben Stiller for what was ultimately deemed a less funny and more grating imitation of director Elaine May’s original.

Flatliners (2017)

Joel Schumacher’s Flatliners from 1990 was a pretty good thriller exploring the complexities of death, but critics also agreed at the time that the film did leave room for improvement. Most critics would also agree that Niels Arden Oplev’s modernized version — in which original star Kiefer Sutherland also appears — did not fulfill its potential by not taking advantage of its philosophical themes and not applying any imagination to its “scarier” moments.

Down To Earth (2001)

Fun fact: the Academy Award-nominated Heaven Can Wait — starring co-writer and co-director Warren Beatty as a football player put in the body of a slain millionaire after he is taken too soon — was already a remake of 1941’s Here Comes Mr. Jordan. With Down to Earth, Chris Rock reimagined the story from the point of view of a struggling comedian, but to far less acclaim.

The Amityville Horror (2005)

One of the most famous horror movies based on a true story is the 1979 adaptation of Jay Anson’s book, The Amityville Horror, which chronicles the Lutz family’s alleged account of living in a house that was the site of a grisly murder. Director Andrew Douglas’ remake with Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George tells the same story but with little to no story amendments and far less effective scares. 

The Pink Panther (2006)

There is a chance that Steve Martin could have been a great successor to the role of bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau had the script for director Shawn Levy’s reboot of The Pink Panther lived up to his talents. Instead, the comedic caper resorts to the lowest hanging fruit for every gag and makes Martin’s Clouseau hopelessly incompetent beyond redemption. 

One Missed Call (2008)

Director Takashi Miike’s thriller One Missed Call — in which people receive voicemails foretelling their own death — did not receive very good reviews in 2004. However, it has been retroactively regarded as a classic when compared to Eric Valette’s remake, which was even more harshly criticized for being a boring mess worth hanging up on.

The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1996)

The main reason why the 1977 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau received mixed reviews was its understandable struggle to craft convincing makeup effects on its human-animal hybrid characters. That was clearly not the issue with the mid-1990s update, which suffered from countless infamous on-set issues — from Marlon Brando refusing to learn his lines to director Richard Stanley’s firing — that were chronicled in the 2014 documentary, Lost Soul.

Death Race (2008)

Producer Roger Corman’s cheesy dystopian B-movie, 1975’s Death Race 2000, stars the likes of David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone as contestants in a cross-country car chase where murder is encouraged. Paul W.S. Anderson’s Jason Statham-led update reduces the title and reimagines it as a gritty prison drama, but was still regarded as more of an over-the-top mess.

Conan The Barbarian (2011)

Jason Momoa is a great choice to fill Arnold Schwarzenegger’s shoes in the title role of Conan the Barbarian. Unfortunately, Marcus Nispel’s interpretation of the story proves to be an uninspired farce in the eyes of its critics.

Halloween (2007)

Fans of the Halloween movies might agree that writer and director Rob Zombie’s reimagining of John Carpenter’s 1978 classic is not even the franchise’s weakest and even earns points for some inventively brutal kill scenes. Yet, its attempt to humanize Michael Myers — a killer originally envisioned as nothing more than a force of pure evil — is seen as a mistake by most.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)

We will give director Scott Derrickson credit for attempting to darken the source material by reimagining The Day the Earth Stood Still as an indictment of humanity’s ignorance of environmental warnings. Unfortunately, the execution of the remake — starring Keanu Reeves as Klaatu — lacks all that made the original interesting.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)

Less a remake and more another adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel, director Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory does boast many wondrous visuals. Yet, it still pales in comparison to 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, particularly for Johnny Depp’s uncomfortably creepy performance as the eccentric chocolatier.

All The King’s Men (2006)

Updating a black-and-white Best Picture Oscar winner from 1949 into a modern color feature with a star-studded cast — including Sean Penn and Kate Winslet — would seem like a slam-dunk success. However, writer and director Steve Zaillian’s adaptation of author Robert Penn Warren’s influential political drama, All the King’s Men, was criticized for Penn’s over-the-top performance, an incoherent story, and other flaws that led people to give it the dreaded “Oscar bait” brand.

The Ladykillers (2004)

Despite, arguably, surpassing 1969’s True Grit with their 2010 version, most agree that Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Ladykillers vastly pales in comparison to the original 1955 comedic crime film starring Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers. Say what you want about Tom Hanks’ eccentric lead performance, but he may be the funniest element in this middling story of criminals who meet their match in their feisty landlady (Irma P. Hall).

Let these films be a lesson of what not to do when updating a previous work of art for modern cinema.

In 2014, two years before he debuted as Rick Flag in Suicide Squad, Joel Kinnaman led the Robocop reboot as Alex Murphy, the role Peter Weller originated in the 1987 original. Unlike the first Robocop movie (which is considered one of the best sci-fi movies of all time), this take on the material earned mixed critical reception, with some not approving of it whatsoever and others saying that this Robocop is better than you think. Nearly a decade after its release, Kinnaman has shared what he found “lacking” from the Robocop reboot, and he makes a good point on the subject.

The actor reminisced on his Robocop days while speaking about his latest project, the 2023 movie release Silent Night, with Comicbook.com. As he explained below, Kinnaman thinks the 2014 movie would have benefitted from catering to the fans more and potentially might have performed better if it hadn’t been tied to the Robocop franchise:

Reboot/remaking/reimagining a prior story is tricky, as you want to deliver something new to audiences, yet still honor the original source material enough. For Joel Kinnaman, while he enjoyed the experience of making 2014’s Robocop, he also acknowledges that the feature from director José Padilha went in a tonal direction that wouldn’t easily gravitate towards fans of the original Robocop. It is worth noting that Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, who wrote the original Robocop, co-wrote the reboot’s script with Joshua Zetumer, although it’s unclear how much of what they penned was retained in the final product.

It would have been interested to see how Robocop would have performed had it been envisioned as a brand-new, non-franchised movie. Would that anti-imperialistic approach have fared better using a different character, rather than Robocop fans comparing it to the anti-consumerist and more satirical vibe from the original? Unfortunately we’ll never know, and because 2014’s Robocop critically and commercially underperformed, plans to make a sequel were scrapped by 2015.

As for where things stand for the Robocop franchise as a whole, following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in March 2023, the company announced it’s developing both a new movie and TV show, with the latter (and possibly the former) being disrupted to Amazon Prime Video subscribers if it moves forward. There were also once plans to bring back Peter Weller for Robocop Returns, which would have served as only a sequel to the 1987 movie, but there’ haven’t been any notable updates about that project since director Neill Blomkamp dropped out in 2019.

In addition to being available to stream on Amazon, 2014’s Robocop can also be viewed on the Pluto TV and Tube platforms. While we wait for official word on what the next step for this sci-fi franchise is, browse through the 2024 movies schedule to see what cinematic content is arriving next year.

We've all had terrible bosses in our lives. Sometimes we may even dream about harm coming to them, but never follow through, of course! In the movies things are different and we can live vicariously with these terrible movie bosses who get what they deserve. 

Buddy Ackerman, Swimming With Sharks

Buddy Akerman, played by Kevin Spacey in 1994’s Swimming with Sharks is maybe the worst boss on this list. The studio exec is an absolute monster to his assistant, Guy (Frank Whaley). When he’s not verbally berating him, he’s throwing pens and the rest of the office supplies at him. Guy has finally had enough and kidnaps Buddy, brutally torturing him as only a man at his wit's end could do.

Franklin Hart Jr., 9 To 5

9 to 5 is definitely the most classic example of getting back at your terrible boss. After dealing with Franklin Hart's (Dabney Coleman) constant sliminess, extreme misogyny, and sexual harassment, they figure out how to get revenge. Violet (Lily Tomlin) thinks she accidentally poisoned Hart, so she and coworkers Judy (Jane Fonda) and Doralee (Dolly Parton) hatch a plan to kidnap him and hold him hostage until they make some changes around the office. In the end, Hart is banished by the company to Brazil where he is kidnapped again, this time by an Amazon tribe, and he’s never heard from again. 

Frank Shirley, Christmas Vacation

Frank Shirley (Brian Doyle-Murray) isn’t the worst boss on this list. In the truly classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, he’s Clark Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) somewhat typical unfeeling, strict boss. Where he goes most wrong is by denying Clark his Christmas bonus, which Clark was planning to use towards installing a pool. The never-helpful Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) decides it’s time to act, he kidnaps Shirley and brings him back to Clark’s house, where Shirley finally sees the errors of his ways. We can assume the Griswolds were enjoying their pool later that year, even if Eddie was there to ruin it in his flippers. 

Detective Alonzo Harris, Training Day

Detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) is a big-time narcotics detective in LA in Training Day. He’s also a total nightmare for the one day that Officer Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) works for him. Harris is comically corrupt, running the streets with impunity, stealing drugs and money, beating people, and even murdering them. He sets up Hoyt and in the end, tries to have him killed, but a bit of luck gets Hoyt off the hook and Harris’ past bad deeds catch up to him when he’s killed by mobsters after being outed for his corruption. 

Julia Harris, Bobby Pellit, And Dave Harken, Horrible Bosses

You can’t have this list without the movie that literally calls out the bosses in the title. Plus, there is not one, but three terrible bosses in Horrible Bosses, all of whom get their comeuppance in different, satisfying ways. They are Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston), who sexually harasses Dale (Charlie Day); Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), who takes pleasure in tormenting Nick (Jason Bateman); and Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell), the drug-addicted idiot son who inherits a company and makes Kurt’s (Jason Sudeikis) life miserable. Due to a misguided plan and a series of wild coincidences, Pellit ends up dead, Harken goes to jail for his murder, and Harris is blackmailed into ending the harassment. 

Gordon Gekko, Wall Street

In Wall Street, Gordon Gekko, played by Oscar-winner Michael Douglas, is the kind of boss we can all loathe. A Wall St. millionaire who treats the world like his own private piggy bank, and doesn’t care how many lives he ruins in pursuit of his own greed. He convinces the eager Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) to start breaking the law by gaining insider trading info, which leads to Bud’s downfall, but not before he takes Gekko down with him after turning over his info to the Feds. 

Jordan Belfort, Wolf Of Wall Street

Like Gordon Gekko, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) fancies himself a bit of an inside trader in the based-on-a-true-story The Wolf Of Wall Street. Unlike Gekko, instead of buying expensive art, he buys a lot of drugs, and a lot of women. He treats all the degenerates in his office well, but everyone else in the world horribly. He’s a debaucherous disaster of a human being, ruining countless lives before, finally, his is too.  

Katherine Parker, Working Girl

Katherine Parker (Sigourney Weaver) is the prototype of the mean, unrealistic female boss of the 1980s. She ends up stealing her assist Tess’ (Melanie Griffith) ideas and tries to use them to get ahead. Until Tess gets wind of what’s going on and confronts Katherine. She tries to lie her way out of it but is caught, and fired. Meanwhile, Tess gets a promotion and promised to be a different kind of boss. 

Randolph And Mortimer Duke, Trading Places

Randolph and Mortimer Duke, played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, respectively, are two brothers atop their own financial firm. Bored with their millions, they make a bet that they can’t turn an “honest hard-working man” from their firm into a “violently deranged would-be killer” while turning a “perfectly useless psychopath” into a “successful executive.” Their targets are Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy in one of his funniest roles). The devious bet works, but Louis and Billy Ray catch on and hatch a plan to get rich, while sending the Dukes to the poor house. The brothers beg to “turn the machines back on” after one day of trading has left them broke, while Billy Ray and Louis are looking and feeling good (and rich). 

Dick Jones, RoboCop

If you’re going to give a terrible boss a fitting name, Dick Jones is pretty darn good. Jones, played by Ronny Cox (who played a good boss Beverly Hills Cop), is the head of Omni Consumer Products who ruthlessly pursues the RoboCop initiative in RoboCop. He’s a heartless psychopath who puts profits above everything, including public safety. Luckily for the rest of the world, his own company’s invention gets one opportunity to take him out and does. 

Hilly, The Help 

Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an entitled, racist brat who is allowed to be awful to her staff in The Help. Even in 1963, this kind of terrible behavior would have been derided by many (though not all), but by today’s standards, it’s downright horrifying. Hilly’s obnoxiousness reaches its zenith when she not only fires Minny, played by Octavia Spencer, but ensures Minny won’t work anywhere else in town. On the plus side, she does end up eating poop. 

Avery Tolar, The Firm

The Firm is too often forgotten these days, but Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman) is the kind of boss that leads us to nightmares. In his heart, he seems a decent man, but he is also a corrupt philanderer, who tries to lead his new protege, Mitch (Tom Cruise), down the same path. Luckily Mitch is too smart for that and with some help, he turns the tables on Tolar, finds a way out of the firm, and keeps his law license, too! 

Meredith Johnson, Disclosure

Another movie seemingly forgotten from the ‘90s is Disclosure, starring Demi Moore as Meredith Johnson and Micheal Douglas as her ex-boyfriend-turned-employee, Tom. The movie flips the script on sexual harassment in the workplace. Meredith is the aggressor and threatens every bit of Tom’s livelihood after he rebuffs her advances. When she is exposed as a conniving fraud, she loses everything. Disclosure wasn’t well received, but she’s still a terrible boss. 

Bill, Kill Bill

There is nothing worse than a boss that wants to kill you, right? The Bride (Uma Thurman), is getting married, so her former employer, Bill, decides she must die. When the Deadly Vipers fail, it becomes The Bride’s mission to Kill Bill. Bill, played by David Carradine, hides with her daughter whom he has kidnapped, until The Bride finally tracks him and does what she set out to do. It’s too bad we’ll likely never see The Bride again. 

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, Full Metal Jacket

Let’s be clear here, the punishment doesn’t always fit the crime, as is the case in Full Metal Jacket. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, legendarily played by the late R. Lee Ermey, isn’t your typical boss, he’s a ruthless and relentless drill sergeant for a group of green Marines training to go to Vietnam. His harsh treatment of them, especially Private Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio) leads Pyle to shoot the sergeant in the latrine. Sgt. Hartman was just doing his job, but he did it a little too well and paid the price. 

Warden Samuel Norton, The Shawshank Redemption

Warden Norton, played by Bob Gunton in the fantastic Stephen King adaption, The Shawshank Redemption, is a religious man, but that doesn’t mean he's not a cruel one. Among his worst sins is to use Andy Dufresne and the other inmates of his prison as labor for public works projects and pockets bribes for them, using Andy to launder the money. Andy eventually escapes with all the proof he needs to take Norton down, but Norton kills himself before he can end up in his own prison. 

Dr. Chilton, The Silence Of The Lambs

Dr. Frederick Chilton isn’t a warden in name, but he is in practice. Chilton (Anthony Heald) is the director of the mental institution that houses the evil Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). He seems to take pleasure in treating Lector poorly, thinking it makes him somehow smarter than the serial killer, but that's really just an abuse of power. While it’s hard to root for a psychopath like Lector, it’s hard not to smile after he escapes and tracks Chilton down at the end of the movie, certainly planning an extravagant meal where Chilton will be the main course. 

So, the lesson here is to remember, no matter how bad your boss may be, no matter how big an idiot they are, things could always be a lot worse. Of course, that’s not to say they won’t be so bad that you’ll dream about revenge, but ultimately, it’s better to just go on vacation and forget about them for a bit. 

There are a surprising number of classic movies that have served as the basis for some truly great TV series — some of which would go on to match or even surpass their feature-length predecessor. However, for every Buffy the Vampire Slayer (originally a 1992 horror-comedy with Kristy Swanson) or Fargo (FX’s anthology from one of the Coen Brothers’ best movies), there is also a Ferris Bueller or My Big Fat Greek Life. 

Did you not realize those existed? Well, there are plenty more forgotten TV shows based on movies, below.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995-2000)

Given the actor’s cartoonish style of comedy, it actually makes a lot of sense that more than one of the best Jim Carrey movies wound up being reimagined as cartoons. One example was the animated series adaptation of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which, according to J1 Studios, would run for a total of three seasons — two on CBS from 1995 to 1997, with the final run airing on Nickelodeon after an extensive break.

Alienators: Evolution Continues (2001-2002)

One of the more underrated movies directed by the late Ivan Reitman is Evolution, where X-Files star David Duchovny tries lighter sci-fi. In the same year the hilarious alien invasion movie released, an animated series continuing the story debuted on Fox under two different titles — Alienators: Evolution Continues and Evolution: The Animated Series in other regions — during its one-season run.

Back To The Future: The Animated Series (1991-1992)

Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s adventures in, arguably, the best time travel movies ever ended on the big screen with their franchise’s third installment, but they would explore plenty more significant events in history on the short-lived cartoon spin-off. While David Kaufman and The Simpsons’ Dan Castellaneta voiced the main duo, Back to the Future: The Animated Series did feature a few original cast members — including Thomas Wilson as Biff, Mary Steenburgen as Clara, and — as MovieWeb recalls — Christopher Lloyd as Doc in live-action segments.

Bad Teacher (2014)

Director Jake Kasdan’s raunchy 2011 comedy, Bad Teacher, is best remembered today as one of Cameron Diaz’s last movies before her retirement, which she is pausing to film the action-comedy, Back in Action. Not as well remembered is the CBS sitcom of the same name -- produced by Diaz, with Ari Graynor as the lazy, foul-mouthed, reluctant middle school educator -- that lasted one season, despite a solid review from us and a cast of more big names like Sara Gilbert, Ryan Hansen, and David Alan Grier.

Benji, Zax & The Alien Prince (1983)

Mixed-breed stray, Benji, is the titular star of some of the most beloved dog movies of all time — the most recent premiering exclusively on Netflix in 2018 — but as some TikTok users have discovered (or rediscovered), he once had a very bizarre TV show. Produced by Hanna-Barbera and lasting 13 episodes, Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince follows a young, royal extraterrestrial (Christopher Burton) pursued by dangerous hunters who escapes with his android companion (Ric Spiegel) to Earth, where he befriends the famous dog.

Beyond Westworld (1980)

Despite its sudden cancellation by HBO in 2022, Westworld is considered to be a series better than the movie that inspired it, but it is not the first time Michael Crichton’s 1973 favorite about a high-tech theme park gone haywire was adapted for the small screen. Ignoring the 1976 sequel, Futureworld, the Emmy-nominated Beyond Westworld — which also suffered cancellation after three of its five produced episodes aired on CBS — followed the security chief for the titular theme park trying to prevent dangerous, realistic androids from infiltrating society.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992)

The animated series adaptation of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (for which Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter initially returned to voice the titular California dudes from 1990 to 1991) is remembered by many as one of the best cartoons based on a movie. It is the eight-episode, live-action spin-off starring Evan Richards and Christopher Kennedy that saw the destined rockers indulge in more time-traveling and other bizarre circumstances — as All Your Screens mentions — that most fans do not remember much at all.

Blade: The Series (2006)

With Marvel Studios’ upcoming Blade reboot on its way, I imagine there will be many fans revisiting the original trilogy starring Wesley Snipes as the titular, superhuman vampire hunter in anticipation. Checking out the TV show led by rapper Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones that ran for one season on Paramount Network (when it was still called Spike), and is only available for purchase on Apple TV or on DVD, is optional. 

Casablanca (1955-1956, 1983)

The romantic, 1940s-era Best Picture Oscar winner, Casablanca, is such a beloved and highly influential classic, it is not too surprising to learn there were two attempts to adapt it for the small screen, as Pop Culture Retrorama details in their retrospective. The first was part of a rotation of shows that aired on ABC in the mid-1950s as part of Warner Bros. Presents and ran for 10 episodes, while the second from the early ‘80s — starring Starsky & Hutch’s David Soul as Rick Blaine and Ray Liotta — only managed to last half as long.

Clueless (1996-1999)

Writer and director Amy Heckerling’s hilariously quotable modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma from 1995 was originally pitched as a TV show — according to an oral history by Vanity Fair — meaning it technically counts as the pilot for the sitcom it inspired just a year later, starring Rachel Blanchard as Cher Horowitz in place of Alicia Silverstone, as Deadline recalled. While the series would last three seasons (first on ABC before UPN picked it up for its final run) and it featured some of the original Clueless cast (including Donald Faison and Stacey Dash), it never lived up to its feature-length predecessor.

The Crow: Stairway To Heaven (1998-1999)

Following the death of Brandon Lee, sequels to 1994’s masterful non-DC-or-Marvel-based comic book movie, The Crow, would take the anthology route, but The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, acted as a direct reimagining of the original during its one-season run. It starred John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’s Mark Dacascos as a version of murdered musician Eric Draven, tasked with restoring the balance between good and evil in order to be reunited with his girlfriend in the afterlife.

Damien (2016)

As a reverse on TV shows exploring the origins of some of the scariest movie villains — like Bates Motel and Ratched — this drama developed by former Walking Dead showrunner, Glen Mazarra, aimed to reimagine the life of Damien Thorn following the events of one of the all-time best horror movies, 1976’s The Omen. However, the 30-year-old title character (Bradley James) had only just accepted his destiny as the Antichrist in the Season 1 finale when A&E pulled the plug and damned the series into obscurity.

Delta House (1979)

Just a year after it became the highest-grossing comedy of all time in 1978, Animal House — one of the best movies of the 1970s — spawned a spin-off series that would continue the rowdy adventures of Faber College’s Delta Tau Chi fraternity. Despite several notable cast members from the original movie (and Michelle Pfeiffer in her first acting role, as SlashFilm mentions), Delta House was cancelled by ABC after just one season.

Dirty Dancing (1988-1989)

It probably comes as no surprise that the series adaptation of romantic 1987 classic Dirty Dancing was not as successful as the film, with the show’s Baby actor, Melora Hardin, chalking up its cancellation after one season to “bad timing” when speaking to TV Store Online. In addition to the future The Office cast member, the series was a noteworthy early acting gig for stars like George Lopez’s Constance Marie as Penny Rivera and successful writer and filmmaker Paul Feig as a new character named Norman Bryant.

Dumb And Dumber (1995-1996) 

The second animated series based on a hit Jim Carrey movie on our list is Dumb and Dumber, which is based on the wonderfully childish Farrelly Brothers classic that would also spawn a 2003 prequel and a direct sequel in 2014 — neither of which were received quite as well. SpongeBob’s Patrick Star actor Bill Fagerbakke recalled to ComicsBeat in 2022 that he voiced Harry alongside Matt Frewer as Lloyd in the show, which was popular enough to air in reruns on Cartoon Network despite ABC’s cancellation after one season.

Ferris Bueller (1990-1991)

One of the most essential and quotable coming-of-age comedies of all time is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which was yet another ‘80s classic to be given the series adaptation treatment for a brief moment. Following the fourth-wall-breaking troublemaker’s early high school days before the events of John Hughes’ hit, Ferris Bueller starred Charlie Schlatter (who even poked fun at Matthew Broderick’s performance in the pilot’s cold open) in the title role and future Friends cast member, Jennifer Aniston, filling in for Jennifer Grey as Jeanie.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1997-2000)

Bringing items down to microscopic size was apparently just the beginning for the Szalinski family, who would go onto much crazier adventures over the course of three seasons on the series adaptation of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Taking place between the events of the original and 1992’s Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, the late Peter Scolari filled in for Rick Moranis as brilliant but accident-prone scientist, Wayne, on the show, which — as a Chicago Tribune article reported — was also executive produced by John Landis.

A League Of Their Own (1993)

One of the more recent examples of a successful TV series adaptation of a movie is Amazon Prime’s A League of Their Own, which also dramatizes the rise of women’s baseball during World War II. However, the first attempt to bring the 1992 sports movie classic to the small screen — for which Penny Marshall returned to direct the pilot, according Primetimer — never even aired all six episodes that were produced before cancellation.

Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006)

As fans of Lilo & Stitch — which is getting a live-action remake — know, the titular alien was just one of 626 genetic experiments and the retrieval of the other 625 was the basis of this series continuation that aired on Disney Channel. While it did not quite last long enough to cover every single one of Stitch’s cousins, the show was pretty popular and featured the returning voice talents of Daveigh Chase and Chris Sanders as the titular duo, among others.

Lock, Stock... (2000) 

The Sony Crackle exclusive series inspired by Snatch, starring Rupert Grint, is not the first time one of Guy Ritchie’s movies was adapted into a TV show. That occurred in 2000 when he created Lock, Stock…, which is not a direct adaptation of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but a crime thriller of similar conceit that aired on UK’s Channel 4 for just seven episodes.

The Mask (1995-1997)

Yet another animated series based on a Jim Carrey movie on our list is The Mask, which followed the continuing adventures of Stanley Ipkiss and his mean, green alter ego, courtesy of an ancient, magical mask. Curious fans who might just want to watch one or two episodes from the show’s three-season run should try “The Aceman Cometh,” a crossover episode with the Ace Ventura cartoon, and then look at the Ace Ventura episode featuring The Mask called, “Have Mask Will Travel” — both of which Ranker highlighted in its “Wild Animated Crossovers” retrospective.

The Mummy (2001-2003)

In the same year future Oscar winner Brendan Fraser followed up his blockbuster adventure with 2001’s The Mummy Returns, an animated series debuted that continued the adventures of Rick and Evie O’Connell that lasted two season on Kids WB. However, the central focus of The Mummy, which is available to stream on Peacock, was their son, Alex, whose British accent from the film (as played by Freddie Boath) seemed to have disappeared after Chris Marquette was brought in to voice him for the show.

My Big Fat Greek Life (2003)

A beautiful wedding movie that captured the world’s hearts (and tickled their funny bones) was My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which spawned a follow-up in 2015 and an upcoming third installment opening in September 2023. Years earlier, a sitcom showing more of the Portokalos clan called My Big Fat Geek Life debuted on CBS, which featured co-developer Nia Vardalos and more original cast members reprising their roles, but poor reviews and diminishing ratings resulted in its cancellation after just seven episodes.

Napoleon Dynamite (2012)

One of the few instances of an animated series starring ALL of the main actors reprising their roles from the movie — including Jon Heder as the titular, awkward, yet overly confident teen — that inspired it is Napoleon Dynamite. Unfortunately, even its star-power was not enough to combat a critical reception ranging from mixed to negative, which led Fox to pull the TV show based on the cult favorite comedy from its Animation Domination line-up after six episodes. 

Rambo: The Force Of Freedom (1986)

Arguably, the quintessential ‘80s action movie hero (and one of Sylvester Stallone’s most badass roles) is John Rambo — from 1981’s First Blood and its four sequels — who, inevitably, became the star of his own animated series for younger audiences. Also featuring narration by Don LaFontaine, prolific voice actor Neil Ross voiced the eponymous Vietnam veteran (a detail the show never mentions, as CBR recalled) who is called to lead a special crew called the Force of Freedom — hence the title.

RoboCop (1994)

Just a year after Alex Murphy returned for a third and final big screen outing, the RoboCop franchise continued in a live-action series that targeted a younger demographic during its one-season run. According to Collider, however, this was only the second of four attempts at a TV show based one of the best ‘80s sci-fi movies, including two animated series (one in 1988 and another a decade later) and a much darker, four-episode live-action show subtitled Prime Directives.

Serpico (1976-1977)

In one of his many Oscar-nominated performances, Al Pacino plays a real-life cop who blew the whistle on corruption within the NYPD — the New York Times would recall — in director Sidney Lumet’s acclaimed 1973 drama, Serpico. Frank Serpico’s story also served as the inspiration for a series that aired on NBC — with David Birney in the lead — which, according to The Rap Sheet, was not met with the best reviews and was cancelled after 14 episodes.

Starman (1986-1987)

One of Jeff Bridges’ best movies is the unusually lighthearted, 1984 sci-fi film from John Carpenter, Starman, in which he gives an Oscar-nominated performance as an alien who takes the form of a widow’s (Karen Allen) late husband while visiting Earth. He did not reprise the role for the short-lived and not-so-well-received series — according to Metacritic — in which he returns to Earth looking for his half-human son and, this time, takes the form of a man who resembles Airplane’s Robert Hays.

Tremors (2003)

Surprisingly, out of the two attempts to revamp 1990’s funny creature feature, Tremors, on the small screen, the one that made it to series was not the unaired pilot from 2018 in which Kevin Bacon returns as Valentine McKee. Fifteen years earlier, Syfy launched a show in which Michael Gross returned to play Burt Gummer for more adventures involving Graboids and their descendants, killer plants, a possible ghost, and whatever else they could come up with that, despite a record-breaking debut, was cancelled after one season due to negative responses to the network airing its 13 episodes out of order, according to Syfy’s retrospective. 

Uncle Buck (1990-1991)

Another John Hughes’ film (also one of John Candy’s best movies) that was adapted was Uncle Buck, but I am not referring to the one with Mike Epps from 2016. As UCR recalls, the first short-lived attempt to bring the irresponsible Chicagoan to the small screen aired just a year after the film released and saw the title character — then played by Kevin Meaney — becoming the legal guardian to his nieces and nephew after their parents pass away in a car crash.

Thankfully, other TV shows based on movies like M*A*S*H, Cobra Kai (which continues the legacy of the Karate Kid franchise), and The Mandalorian (one of the most popular titles to ever come from the Star Wars universe), have not suffered the same curse of obscurity.

George Clooney as Ferris Bueller? Eddie Murphy in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Sammy Davis, Jr as… Beetlejuice? These are just a few actors who almost starred in classic ‘80s movies and could’ve changed film history. They aren’t the only ones either. Here is our list of 20 actors who almost starred in classic ‘80s movies.

Tom Selleck (The Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

In one of the more infamous casting decisions of all time, Tom Selleck was offered the part of one of the most iconic characters in film history, Indiana Jones in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. It’s often falsely reported that Selleck turned the offer down, but as he explained to Rachel Ray, he didn’t say no to director Steven Spielberg, CBS did. The network decided to pick up the pilot he shot for Magnum PI and they wouldn’t let him take the time to shoot Raiders. Harrison Ford is very grateful for it.

George Clooney (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

Yep, that’s right, everyone’s favorite truant, Ferris Bueller, was almost played by George Clooney, instead of Matthew Broderick, in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. According to casting director Janet Hirshenson, she had Clooney read for the part but thought he was too mature for the role and would’ve been "the college student version of Ferris Bueller."

Ethan Hawke (Stand By Me)

River Phoenix had his breakout role as Chris Chambers in Stand By Me, but director Rob Reiner also thought another up-and-coming actor at the time would have been great for the part. In an interview with The Guardian, Ethan Hawke explained that Reiner told him, "You’re really good, but I just gave the part to another kid with a bird name." 

Nicolas Cage (Fast Times At Ridgemont High)

Nicolas Cage did make his big screen debut in a small part in one of the best high school movies of all time, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, but he almost had a much more significant role. According to Judge Reinhold, who played the lead, Brad Hamilton, the producers were going to cast Cage (then known by his given name, Nic Coppola) in the Brad role. The part ended up going to Reinhold because Cage was under 18 at the time and that would’ve required working fewer hours due to child labor laws.

Yaphet Kotto (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back)

In one of the coolest and most interesting “what could have been” moments, the now legendary role of Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back wouldn’t have been played by Billy Dee Williams. Alien star Yaphet Kotto was the first person offered the part of the former smuggler-turned-Empire bureaucrat, as Kotto was asked by Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner to star as the character. According to the actor, he turned it down because after having just starred in Alien, he was worried about staying "up there," saying,  

You can't blame a guy for worrying about being type-cast, but missing out on Star Wars must have stung! 

Eric Stoltz (Back To The Future)

In another of the more famous “almost-was” casting decisions, it was almost Eric Stoltz, not Michael J. Fox, as Marty McFly in Back To The Future. For six weeks, they filmed Stoltz in the lead role before deciding he wasn’t right for the humor. They went back to their first choice, Fox, who found a way to cram the film into his busy schedule shooting Family Ties, and the rest is history. 

Dustin Hoffman (Dead Poet’s Society)

Of all the roles on this list, the one that would’ve dramatically changed its film most (pun intended) is Dustin Hoffman as John Keating in Dead Poets Society. Hoffman was cast in the part early on and according to writer Tom Schulman, the movie would’ve been very different. In the original script, Keating was dying of leukemia, something Hoffman was ready to embrace in the character, per Schulman:

A dying John Keating played by a dour Hoffman sounds intriguing, but the tone Robin Williams struck makes for much better movie. 

Dustin Hoffman (Blade Runner)

Speaking of another movie that would have been quite different if it had starred Dustin Hoffman, the Rain Man actor was director Ridley Scott’s first choice to play Deckard in Blade Runner. According to the Mirror and production executive Katy Haber, the producers weren’t thrilled with Hoffman, and for the second time in his career, Harrison Ford caught a break and was cast in a film that would become a franchise. 

Matthew Modine (Top Gun)

It’s impossible to image anyone other than Tom Cruise in the role of Maverick in Top Gun, or its sequel Top Gun: Maverick, but it almost happened. The part was originally offered to Matthew Modine, but the Stranger Things star turned down the film because of his personal politics, telling Salon, 

You have to admire Modine for sticking to his personal morals, even if the role he turned down made Tom Cruise one of the biggest stars of all time, to the point where the 2022 sequel hit some major milestones at the box office. 

Mickey Rourke (Beverly Hills Cop)

Well, this one is just bizarre. Before Beverly Hill Cop helped establish Eddie Murphy as one the most bankable stars of the 1980s, it was a very different movie. So different, in fact, that the actor originally attached to play the Axel Foley character was Micky Rourke. The idea was for it to be an action flick, not a comedy, and, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer explained, they contracted Rourke to star for a whopping $400,000. Eventually, Bruckheimer changed his mind and we’re all grateful for it. 

Eddie Murphy (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Eddie Murphy isn’t immune from making the wrong call, either. While visiting with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Murphy talked about how he was offered the role of Jimmy Valient in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. According to the Shrek star,

At least it sounds like Murphy is pretty good at not turning down hits on a regular basis!

John Belushi (Ghostbusters)

Sadly, this isn’t a case of an actor or a producer making the wrong (or correct) call by casting someone else in a role, this happened because the actor tragically died. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd were close friends and often castmates. As such, when Aykroyd wrote Ghostbusters, he wrote the role of Peter Venkman with Belushi in mind. Luckily for us, Bill Murray stepped into the part and the film still became a classic. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger (RoboCop)

The part of the titular RoboCop is a little different than most others. This time, a big star was very interested in the role but lost out. According to The Movies That Made Us on Netflix, Fubar cast member Arnold Schwarzenegger was very keen to play the role and was riding a wave of success. It all makes sense, right? Well, no, and somewhat ironically, it was Schwarzenegger’s legendary physique that might have lost him the job. While his bulging biceps helped make him a star, the producers of RoboCop were worried he wouldn’t fit into the suit, so the gig went to Peter Weller. 

Kris Kristofferson (The Shining)

This one is almost too hard to even contemplate. There is no one that could be Jack Torrance in The Shining other than Jack Nicholson, right? Well, it almost didn’t happen that way. While Nicholson was director Stanley Kubrick’s first choice to play the writer-gone-psycho Jack Torrance, there was a backup plan in case a deal couldn’t be made for the star. Kris Kristofferson was that plan, according to Kubrick historian Lee Unkrich. 

Billy Zane (Dirty Dancing)

There has rarely been on-screen chemistry like that between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing. Would you believe it almost never happened? According to writer Eleanor Bergstein in The Movies That Made Us, it was almost Billy Zane in the legendary role of Johnny Castle. Unfortunately for Zane, but fortunately for the rest of us, Bergstein said he danced, "like someone who looked like he had learned to dance beautifully for his bar mitzvah."

Frank Sinatra (Die Hard)

In what must have been the most ridiculous casting pitch of all time, the producers of Die Hard were contractually obligated to offer the role of John McLean to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. You see, Die Hard was adapted from a book called Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. That book was a sequel to his 1966 novel The Detective, and that was adapted in 1968 into a movie of the same name starring Sinatra. Because of all this, the legendary singer/actor had the first right of refusal to play the role in future films. Of course, a 70-year-old Sinatra turned down the role and fans rejoice every Christmas when we get to watch Bruce Willis as McLean taking out the terrorists. 

What If…

Finally, a few “what ifs” that were never particularly close to being cast, but directors were interested in filling some iconic roles with some really out-there choices. Take, for example, Tim Burton’s desire to cast Sammy Davis, Jr. as Beetlejuice, instead of Michael Keaton. It’s got to make you giggle at least a little bit to picture Davis trying to drive the Deetzes out of their home by crooning “The Candyman Can.”

How about instead of Sly Stallone as the grizzled Vietnam vet John Rambo, audiences got 1970s superstar, Burt Reynolds? The Smokey & The Bandit star was one of many big-name actors the producers contacted in hopes of landing them for the role. In an interview with Empire, Stallone once mentioned a few names that the part was offered to, including Reynolds, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino. Frankly, the movie might have worked with any of them, but we’re lucky it “fell” to Stallone. 

Burton also had an out-of-the-box thought for the Joker in his Batman. Instead of Jack Nicholson owning that role, just imagine, for a second, David Bowie as the Clown Prince of Crime. Ziggy Stardust was the director’s dream pick, but it’s pretty safe to say that “settling” on Nicholson is a win for audiences, like almost every casting call on this list.

Somewhere in an alternate universe, all these parts were played by different actors and you have to wonder how the butterfly effect could have changed the course of careers and, indeed the film industry if these casts were different. We all believe the right choices were made, but were they? We'll never know. 

From the earliest days of cinema, filmmakers understood the power of the medium to show us worlds that we would never be able to otherwise experience. Science fiction, in all its forms, can show us a future that's terrible or wonderful. It can show us alien worlds and it can bend the laws of physics and make us wonder, what if?

Science fiction covers a lot of ground, and so, any list of the best sci-fi movies ever made is going to cover a variety of fantastical stories. While they all share a few common characteristics, the main thing these 35 films have in common is greatness.

35. Annihilation 

Annihilation is a movie that was generally reviewed well, and it’s also a movie that a lot of people have very strong feelings about. However, the fact that everybody feels strongly about it shows how well the movie did its job. On its surface Annihilation is a science fiction story with a mysterious alien presence and strange creatures, but there’s a lot more going on inside Annihilation. It’s also an emotional journey about change, grief, and loss. 

34. Robocop

There's a lot to love about Robocop, and, to be clear, we're talking about the original version from 1987. If you're into hyper-violent action movies, it has that. If you just like science fiction movies with cyborgs, you're covered. However, one thing that elevates Robocop from simply being a fun movie to becoming a great one is the satire. The film has something important to say about modern society, something that might be even more relevant today than it was in the 1980s. It's a smart film that just so happens to have people turned into a red mist via high-caliber machine guns. 

33. The Fifth Element

Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is one of those films that took a while to become a fan favorite. It did solid box office business but was far from a huge hit when first released. However, through home video and streaming services, more and more people have come across the film and it seems to have become a film with little negative reaction. Bruce Willis plays a cab driver who gets pulled into a fight for galactic survival by a beautiful woman played by Milla Jovovich. The premise is simple but thanks to delightfully fun characters like Chris Tucker's Ruby Rhod and a musical number that nobody will ever forget, this one will survive the test of time. 

32. Blade Runner 2049 

The sequel to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner took decades to produce, and much like the movie that came before it, Blade Runner 2049 largely failed to ignite audiences but make no mistake, this movie is, also much like the original, an absolutely amazing piece of filmmaking. It’s beautiful, both in cinematography and tone. Ryan Gosling’s performance is excellent. It’s a fitting follow-up to a classic. 

31. Tron

In the 1980s the computer became a device that the average family could afford, as such, there was an explosion in ownership, yet, in many ways, people didn't understand them. This aspect of science fiction made real was the premise of Tron, a film that wondered about what was happening inside the machine. While the film may feel a little dated by current standards, you simply can't underestimate what the movie brought to the screen upon its release. The computer effects that created the digital world had simply never been seen before. It was a leap forward in technology that dozens of films would be influenced by. The film has ultimately spawned enough additional materials it can be hard to keep the Tron timeline straight, and a third Tron film is finally on the way. 

30. The Abyss

While most science fiction movies take place among the stars, some of them can work within the confines of our planet. The Abyss finds alien life residing at the bottom of the ocean, showing that James Cameron has been wondering what's going on in our waters since long before Titanic. The claustrophobia of the environment is palpable, making the movie an exciting ride all the way through. In addition, it brought computer-generated characters to the next level thanks to groundbreaking work from Industrial Light & Magic. They're still impressive effects, even if, James Cameron now finds them "quaint."  If you haven't seen this one, fix that soon. 

29. Inception

While director Christopher Nolan did a lot of good to bring credibility to the comic book genre with his Dark Knight trilogy, it was a film he made in between those movies that was truly revolutionary. In many ways, the set-up was that of a simple heist. However, the trick was that the information our team needed to steal was inside somebody's mind. The story creates technology that allows them to enter the dreams of unsuspecting victims. Inception has many of the hallmarks of the best science fiction. It creates a fictional world with specific rules that the story must abide by, making the situation feel more real than it could ever be. This, combined with some stunning visual set pieces, captured largely practically rather than digitally, makes Inception a worthy recent entry to this list. And of course, there's also the Inception ending which has remained one of the most talked about movie conclusions ever.

28. Ex Machina

The concept of artificial intelligence has been covered in countless science fiction movies over the years. However, it has never been done as well as it was in Ex Machina. Alicia Vikander plays Ava, an artificial life form that may, or may not, be capable of true consciousness and emotion. Can humans truly relate to a machine the way we relate to each other? And if we can, what exactly does that mean about our concepts of what it means to be alive? Ex Machina is the all too rare dramatic science fiction movie. It has no ray guns or explosions. It's ultimately about people, even if one of the people isn't entirely real. 

27. Edge of Tomorrow

Tom Cruise is almost always an actor who's good for having a fun time at the movies. However, the criminally underrated Edge of Tomorrow is so much more than that. The story follows Cruise's character, a military officer who has never seen combat before but is now forced to the front lines, as he accidentally gets exposed to alien technology and discovers that the reason the aliens are winning the war is that they can travel back and repeat time and learn from their mistakes. Once he gains the same ability we get to see him use it to learn how to fight and try to win. Also, you get to watch Tom Cruise get blown up, a lot. 

26. Back to the Future

And, while we're discussing time travel, let's talk about what is probably the most popular time travel movie ever made. Even more rare than science fiction drama is the science fiction comedy, yet, Back to the Future lands it perfectly. The science fiction mechanic of the film indeed exists only to give a reason to have 1980s Marty McFly experience the world of 1955, yet, the movie deals with many of your standard time travel tropes including accidentally changing the past to negate the future, the bootstrap paradox, not to mention the possibility of accidentally becoming your own father, which is funny, and also gross. It's a movie so great that fans wanted more sequels for years. 

25. The Martian 

When a science fiction movie gets nominated for Oscars, you know it's something special. The Martian is one of the more recent movies but it has earned its spot. While the movie is Cast Away in space, it's also so much more. This movie just has everything that hardcore science fiction fans love, space travel, alien worlds, and enough scientific facts built in to make the science fiction plausible. Add in the fact that the film is legitimately funny and you've got a movie that has a little something for every type of sci-fi fan.

24. 12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam has directed some gloriously fantastic science fiction, including a couple of films that came very close to making this list. However, his best science fiction movie has got to be 12 Monkeys. The story of a man sent back in time to prevent the spread of a plague would seem straightforward, but straightforward is something that never happens when Terry Gilliam is involved. A movie that earned Brad Pitt his first Oscar nomination and also contains one of the best performances by Bruce Willis simply can't be left off this list. 

23. The Day The Earth Stood Still

The question of whether or not we're alone in the universe is a consistent theme in science fiction films. The answer to that question was the subject of one of the great classics of the genre, The Day the Earth Stood Still. Today the words "Klaatu barada nikto" still survive in pop culture, which shows just what an impact the movie had. One wonders how many people even know that this is where the phrase comes from. So often when we do meet aliens in movies they are hostile invaders, but even back in 1951, a movie wondered if we might have been the aggressive ones. 

22. Snowpiercer

Most of the movies on this list are big and popular films that you're likely familiar with, even if you haven't seen them. Snowpiercer was something of an unknown quantity upon its release. Over time, however, it has acquired a significant fanbase. Korean director Bong Joon-ho's English-language debut sees Chris Evans as a passenger on a train in a future world that has been taken over by ice. Only those on a constantly moving train survive and quality of life is dictated by your position on the train. Those in the back start a revolt that takes them forward on the massive train. Whether you're looking for great action sequences or an examination of society you'll get both with Snowpiercer. 

21. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

There are so many ways one could describe Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It's a science fiction drama, it's a romantic comedy, it's just a general mind-fuck of a movie. Eternal Sunshine is all these things and more. Charlie Kaufman is known for writing some of the more offbeat stories in recent memory but this one may very well be his masterpiece. By the time this one came out we knew that Jim Carrey wasn't just a comedian and we already knew how great Kate Winslet was, but we saw entirely different sides of both actors here. The story follows two ex-lovers as they decide to get the memories of each other erased from their heads. The movie is utterly bizarre but that doesn't stop it from being an emotional journey. 

20. Dune (2021) 

Ever since David Lynch tried, and unfortunately failed, to adapt Dune for the screen, the Frank Herbert novel was widely considered impossible to turn into a movie. Denis Villeneuve has found at least half of the solution, as 2021’s Dune is an absolutely excellently produced film, and it has a shelf full of Oscars to prove it. If there’s any knock against the film, it’s that it only tells half the actual story.

19. Arrival 

On its surface, Arrival stars Amy Adams as a linguist whose expertise is called upon when alien life makes first contact with Earth. However, as with all great science fiction, there’s a great deal more going on. A very well-constructed story, and the third science fiction movie directed by Denis Villeneuve on this list, Arrival is an emotional character exploration with a satisfying, if potentially heartbreaking, conclusion. 

18. The Terminator

No list of science fiction films could be complete without the movie that created one of the biggest action heroes of all time. The Terminator introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger as an unstoppable killing machine and for a guy that looked like he did, audiences bought it. Even if Arnold himself was unsure about his most iconic line. While the movie doesn't have the flashy special effects of future sequels, that's part of why this movie still stands up. It's a desperate fight against an unstoppable force; it's not supposed to be pretty. While most of the movies that followed never held up, the reason they even tried was because the original was so good. 

17. Wall-E

One of the best science fiction films ever made deals with elements of artificial intelligence, love between artificial beings, and the destruction of human habitat. Also, it's an animated Pixar movie. Pixar has a near-perfect record when it comes to creating good movies, however, Wall-E may be in a class by itself. It's a film so good that the movie doesn't even require dialogue for half its runtime. It is by far the best animated science fiction movie ever made and Wall-E will be one of our favorite sci-fi characters forever. Wall-E and Eve is one of the greatest cinematic romances of all time. 

16. Jurassic Park

While actors performing against non-existent characters on a green screen is fairly commonplace now, such things were mostly unheard of prior to the release of Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. What's more, while many digital effects in other films from the era don't really hold up today, the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park do. That, combined with one of John Williams' best scores makes for not only one of the best films of the '90s but also an all-time classic. Also, it has dinosaurs in it and they eat people. You really can't go wrong with that. None of the sequels have ever come close to surpassing the original, something even Colin Trevorrow admits to now. 

15. Aliens

Following up Ridley Scott's Alien could not have been an easy task even if James Cameron acted like it was the easiest thing in the world. The director made at least one brilliant decision, however. Rather than try to recreate the pulse-pounding terror of the original film, brilliant in its own right, he traded some of that tension in for space marine action. There continue to be attempts to recreate the magic of an Alien sequel, but nobody, even Ridley Scott himself, has been able to go back to this world and figure out how to make it work. It's hard to believe people told James Cameron Aliens would end his career.

14. Planet of the Apes

Who could have possibly dreamed that all these years later a movie about a planet run by apes would still be so popular? And yet, here we are. While the original may be best known for its famous twist ending, its influence on popular culture simply can't be overlooked. It received sequels, adaptations, spoofs, a new trilogy of movies that have been as good as anything the series has ever produced, and the equally well reviewed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. None of that happens without Charlton Heston and the "damn dirty apes" which earns it a spot on this list. 

13. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

You can't talk about science fiction without including Star Trek in the conversation. For a series that's gone on as long as it has, the movie side has seen its ups and downs, but the best of them still has to be the second film in the franchise: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. If you were a hardcore Star Trek fan then this film was a godsend as it brought back one of the great villains from the original series. However, you didn't need to be steeped in lore to enjoy Ricardo Montalban's over-the-top evil performance. The movie's so good the reboot film series wanted to do their take on it, but really, there's no way to improve on perfection. 

12. Everything Everywhere All At Once 

The word masterpiece should not be used lightly when discussing films, but it has been used frequently by critics discussing Everything Everywhere All At Once. Michelle Yeoh is always great on screen but she is in a class all by herself in this multiverse story that sees Yeoh jumping between her various realities and trying to save everything. It’s the newest film on this list, but we’re confident this one will stand the test of time. The film had an incredible night at the 2023 Academy Awards, taking home the prizes for Editing, Screenplay, three of the four acting awards, and, oh yeah, Best Picture. Few movies have ever had a better night at the Oscars. 

11. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

While the original Terminator is a classic, it was the sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, that took the franchise to the next level. This time Arnold got to be the hero as he was sent back in time to protect John Conner from the next generation of Terminator. James Cameron has always been one to latch on to the newest technology in filmmaking and for Terminator 2 it was digital morphing effects that allowed the T-1000 to transform in front of our eyes. Add to that the fact that the film was rated-R, during a time period where the PG-13 rating was beginning to establish movie dominance and fans got exactly the sequel they wanted, bigger and better. 

10. The Thing

You know that you've made a seminal work of science fiction when your movie is so good, people forget it's a remake. John Carpenter's The Thing technically follows 1951's The Thing From Another World and while that movie is still pretty good, it doesn't hold a candle to the masterclass in science fiction and horror that Carpenter's film was. The movie is still debated today as the ending of The Thing is left open to interpretation. Was The Thing destroyed, or is one of the final survivors actually a monster in disguise? 

9. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

What is there to say that hasn't already been said about the Star Wars trilogy. It quite simply changed the way Hollywood works. While some, including George Lucas himself, aren't necessarily thrilled by that fact, it's the world we live in now. The Empire Strikes Back was the film that proved that the pop culture circus that surrounded the first film was no accident. In many ways, the sequel is even superior to the original. With one of the greatest twists in the history of film included, The Empire Strikes Back will never be forgotten. 

8. E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial

So often in science fiction, the aliens are the bad guys that need to be defeated. However, Steven Spielberg's E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial doesn't just create a sympathetic alien that needs to be protected, it puts that protection in the hands of kids, making the movie something that entire families can enjoy. As such, it becomes one of those films that people make sure is seen by future generations. It's a heartwarming story that can hit you in the feels whether it's the first time you've seen it or the 50th. 

7. Metropolis

Made in 1927, when movies were still without sound, Metropolis is still one of the most influential science fiction movies ever made. Its visuals and effects were ahead of their time, fitting for a movie that portrayed a world that was highly advanced in technology, if not in humanity. It's difficult to argue that without Metropolis we may have never had any of the other films on this list. If you've never seen the film it is worth it to take the time and find it, if only to see the precursor to so many other genre classics. 

6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Hey look, it's Steven Spielberg again! The accomplished director has numerous great films on his filmography but when it comes to the science fiction genre, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is clearly his magnum opus. The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe is a topic in several films on this list, but while most films are about the answer, Close Encounters is a film about the question. It's about humanity's fascination with the idea of aliens and the lengths to which some will go to find a connection with the rest of the galaxy. It's a beautiful film and clearly one of the top ten in all of science fiction. 

5. The Matrix

The best movies are the ones that turn out to be great when you had no idea what to expect. The Matrix surprised pretty much everybody when it was released in 1999. Its cutting-edge use of "bullet time" cameras and "wire-fu" martial arts combined with a cyberpunk aesthetic was quite simply a combination that nobody had seen before. Add a solid story with a healthy dose of philosophical discussion on the nature of reality and the result is so popular that the universe is still being mined for stories to this day.  Perhaps none of The Matrix sequels have measured up, but that just shows how great the original truly was. 

4. Blade Runner

The fact that Blade Runner saw a sequel 25 years after the original debuted is all it takes to show how this film has survived over the years. Ridley Scott's story about a future where androids are virtually indistinguishable from humans and live amongst us captured the imagination. Perhaps one of the reasons the film has been so popular is that it has so many versions to choose from. No fewer than seven different cuts have been released over the years. The fact that so much work has been done following the initial release not only shows that fans are still interested but also helps to show how involved the film's story truly is, and that it can be looked at from so many different perspectives. 

3. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

While The Empire Strikes Back is viewed by many to be the high point of the Star Wars franchise, you simply can't underestimate just how important a film the original movie is. It not only launched the biggest property in the history of pop culture, but it changed the way movies were made and the way science fiction was viewed by the masses. No longer was it simply the purview of little kids watching Flash Gordon serials. Science fiction was now serious business. Everybody tried to do their own Star Wars after the original became the highest grossing film of all time. They all failed to match its brilliance. 

2. Alien

"In space, no one can hear you scream." With that simple phrase, we were introduced to some of the most terrifying alien creatures that have ever been created. Luckily, we were also introduced to one of the most badass heroes that science fiction, or any genre, has ever seen. Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley broke the mold when it came to genre heroines and she's still one of the greatest ever created. Alien was as good a science fiction film as it was a horror movie and the two are inextricably intertwined with each other -- in fact, Alien also ranks highly on our list of best horror movies of all time. It is absolutely one of the best science fiction movies ever made. 

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Every movie on this list is a great one, but all of them owe something to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The movie has everything you could want. It's got impressive outer space scenes. It's got drama that borders on horror thanks to a slightly deranged computer. Then it's got completely off-the-wall imagery and symbolism from Stanley Kubrick that still has people talking and asking questions to this day. After all these years we still can't stop thinking about 2001, which is why it's still the best science fiction movie ever made. 

Good science fiction movies come out all the time, but it takes something more to truly become great. Time will tell what modern movies might one day join this group of the best the genre has to offer.

Also, be sure to check out our list of sci-fi movies that have a 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Okay, so I might not be the only person on the internet who loves the RoboCop remake, but I feel like I might as well be since I don't think I've ever talked to a single person who has earnestly enjoyed this movie. Not a single one! Now, keep in mind that I have a lot of controversial opinions. Like, for example, I think Waterworld is awesome. I also prefer the 1998 Godzilla movie to the MonsterVerse Godzilla movies. So, yeah. My opinions on film often go against the norm. 

But still! I think the RoboCop remake needlessly got a bad rap! Like, do I think there needs to be a Halloween-esque style new RoboCop movie that pretends like the original RoboCop sequels and the RoboCop remake don't even exist? No! In fact, I think it's a little insulting that instead of giving us what we (okay, maybe just me) really want — a RoboCop vs. Terminator crossover — we're instead getting a new RoboCop movie when we already had a new RoboCop movie in 2014, and it was actually pretty good. Don't believe me? Well, I have five reasons, and dead or alive, you're going to find out why. 

It Feels Modern, And Not Just Like A Retread Of The Original 

Now, I know I said I don't know anybody who liked the 2014 remake, but upon its release, I would say that it received a more mixed response than one that was outright terrible. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 48% from critics. Sure, that's considered "rotten" and the audience score wasn't much better. But, it seems that a key complaint was that the remake wasn't as good as the original, therefore, making it seem unnecessary. But, of course it wasn't as good as the original! RoboCop is probably the best Paul Verhoeven movie of all time. 

But, here's the thing. Unlike the abysmal Total Recall remake, which just felt like a lesser version of the original, Robocop 2014 actually feels unique and different. Set in the very-near future of 2028, this version is about drone warfare, which, with the movie coming out during the Obama Administration, seemed like a pretty damning indictment against Obama's usage of drones overseas. 

In this film, directed by Brazilian filmmaker Jose Padilha, OmniCorp has been profitable with their drones in war zones, but because of a national law, they're not allowed to use their weaponry in America. Through some sneaky thinking, they have decided that the best way to get their drones into the U.S. is if they stick their technology in an actual human being — a RoboCop if you will. And man, I love that angle! The original was about privatizing the police force, which is still relevant today, but this movie hits closer to home with the militarization of the police, so it's super potent. Great stuff. 

Joel Kinnaman Is A Great Actor, And Maybe Even Better Than Peter Weller In The Role

I mean no disrespect to Peter Weller with this section. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is one of my favorite movies of all time, and when we're talking about the best David Cronenberg movies, Naked Lunch is definitely in my top ten. Not only that, but I also love Peter Weller in the original RoboCop. He handles being Officer Murphy just as well as he handles being RoboCop, always keeping the human in the performance. 

But...I think Joel Kinnaman's performance is superior. It's the way you feel like something is always simmering beneath the surface with him, even when he's still Officer Murphy. This doesn't feel like some hotshot police officer who twirls his gun like it's the wild west (Don't get me wrong! I love that, too!). This is a man who is essentially a soldier on the streets. And when Kinnaman wakes up to see that his body is almost completely destroyed, the pain he emotes is palpable. He'd rather be euthanized than to just be a head and a hand. I LOVE Weller as RoboCop (I mean, he IS RoboCop to me), but I think Kinnaman's performance is better, given the material at hand. 

It Lacks The Social Satire Of The Original, But Still Doesn't Feel Bland Or Pointless

As mentioned earlier, I think a lot of people look back negatively upon the 2014 RoboCop because it's not an improvement upon the original, but honestly, how can you improve upon perfection? The original is engaging, exciting, and most importantly, satirical, and that's something that everybody who watches it with tell you. It's actually pretty funny. I mean, I regularly shout, "I'll buy that for a dollar!" and then toss my head back laughing, and those who know, know. Those who don't think I'm a lunatic. It's a small price to pay, if you ask me. 

But, the remake isn't funny. It's actually almost humorless. That said, it's a different experience altogether. It doesn't aim to be satirical or funny. Its story is about how the police force of our time is losing its sense of empathy, almost to the point where it becomes dehumanized. It's also a story about PTSD, which resonated when the film was released, because our country was coming out of back-to-back wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So, is 2014's RoboCop funny? No, but that doesn't mean it's worthless. It just means that it's different, and I love it for being different. It definitely deserves to exist! 

I Think RoboCop Looks Badass In His New Suit

One thing I usually despise with remakes is when they try to update them to suit modern times. When the X-Men first came to the big screen, they lacked the loud color-schemes of their comic book counterparts, and were instead all dressed in bland black leather, because The Matrix was all the rage back then. Yawn. So, with that said, you might think that I would hate what they did by ditching RoboCop's old gray metal suit for an all black one, but no, I actually love it. I think it looks badass.

It might be because I think it fits in with the plot. We actually do get to see RoboCop's original suit in this movie, but Michael Keaton's character (who I'll get to shortly) says that he wants the suit to be more "tactical" and for it to look sleek. This works into the story, because OmniCorp is trying to sell this new cyborg to the public, and I think that if a company was to create a cyborg police force, they would want it to look appealing to the general public, almost like a new car. Well, the RoboCop in this movie is that "new car," so changing his appearance works. And, as I said earlier, I think it looks really cool. I approve!

Michael Keaton Always Plays The Best Villains

Lastly, I love Michael Keaton in pretty much everything he does. I mean, I've watched him in movies nearly my entire life, starting with Batman and Beetlejuice, and then moving on to his later movies like Birdman, The Founder, and Spotlight. But, it wasn't until 2014's RoboCop, and then later seeing Michael Keaton in Spider-Man: Homecoming that I realized that I like Michael Keaton best as a villain. 

It's because he's so nuanced as an actor. Keaton plays the CEO of OmniCorp, and he's not over-the-top like Dick Jones or dry like the Old Man in the original movie. No, he's somebody who sees profit over people and really has no care in the world for whether RoboCop is dangerous or not. His mind is already in the Bahamas when he gives the okay to create RoboCop, and he's staring at dollar signs the entire time. 

That said, he's also the kind of guy who would take a man's wife and son hostage, and then taunt that man for being more robot than man. A lot of people don't think that this movie does enough to be noteworthy compared to the original, but it has Michael Keaton as a villain. What more could you possibly want?

Have I convinced you? For more sci-fi news, make sure to swing by here often. 

It’s no secret that platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ are home to some of the greatest movies of all time (and largest monthly fees), but did you know there are even more free movies streaming out in the wild? No, I’m not talking about the kind you find sailing the seas as a pirate, but instead on services like Tubi, Plex, Pluto TV, and even YouTube.

At any given moment, you can watch intense dramas, over-the-top action flicks, anxiety-inducing horror films, family-friendly movie night options, and so much more. Let’s dive into some of the best free movies streaming right now…

Intense Dramas

Are you looking for a night of intense drama? Well, the following titles will give you that and more, without breaking the bank.

Platoon (1986)

The Director: Oliver Stone

The Cast: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe

What It’s About: A fresh-faced U.S. soldier is thrust into the middle of combat (and a combative relationship between his sergeant and squad leader) soon after arriving in Vietnam.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: The first of Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War trilogy, Platoon is a harrowing, unflinching, and unforgettable exploration of armed combat and its effect on the human psyche.

• Stream Platoon on Pluto TV.

A Few Good Men (1992)

The Director: Rob Reiner

The Cast: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore

Based On: A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin

What It’s About: A group of JAG attorneys are tasked with representing two Marines charged with the murder of one of their own only to uncover an even bigger controversy hiding beneath the surface.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Even if you take away the classic “You can’t handle the truth” back-and-forth between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson’s characters, A Few Good Men is a top-notch legal drama with an intense pace, demanding performances, and so many twists and turns.

• Stream A Few Good Men on Tubi.

No Country For Old Men (2007)

The Director: The Coen Brothers

The Cast: Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem

Based On: No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

What It’s About: After stumbling upon a bag of cash at a drug deal gone wrong in the middle of the desert, a Vietnam veteran finds himself being hunted by an ice-cold killer who’ll stop at nothing.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Winner of countless awards, including Best Picture, No Country for Old Men is a slow, methodical, and extremely violent exploration of good and evil.

• Stream No Country for Old Men on YouTube.

Requiem For A Dream (2000)

The Director: Darren Aronofsky

The Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans

Based On: Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr.

What It’s About: Four drug addicts attempt to pull themselves out of dangerous situations, only to be pulled further down the drain.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Requiem for a Dream isn’t for the light of heart, but the distressing and gut-wrenching moments that make up this movie do a remarkable job of capturing the pain, suffering, and delusions of someone who just can’t quit.

• Stream Requiem for a Dream on Plex.

Over-The-Top Action Movies

Sometimes, nothing is better than watching an absurd and over-the-top action movie. Here are some of the best examples!

Robocop (1987)

The Director: Paul Verhoeven

The Cast: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Kurtwood Smith

What It’s About: After being brutally murdered by a ruthless gang, a Detroit police officer is brought back as an armored, state-of-the-art cyborg to clean up the streets.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop is one of the most utterly ridiculous sci-fi action movies of the ‘80s… in all the best ways.

• Stream Robocop on Pluto TV.

First Blood (1982)

The Director: Ted Kotcheff

The Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna

Based On: First Blood by David Morrell

What It’s About: A Vietnam veteran attempting to pay respects to an old Army buddy is accosted by a sheriff and his deputies in a small Washington town.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Though not as wild as the later Rambo films, First Blood is a dramatic, action-packed, and incredibly violent movie that doesn’t hold back.

• Stream First Blood on YouTube.

Toy Soldiers (1991)

The Director: Daniel Petrie Jr.

The Cast: Sean Astin, Wil Wheaton, Lou Gossett Jr.

Based On: Toy Soldiers by William P. Kennedy

What It’s About: When a prestigious boarding school becomes the center of an international hostage crisis, it’s up to a group of wise-cracking and rebellious students to save the day.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Toy Soldiers may have gotten lost in the shuffle of a busy 1991 (T2 and Point Break both came out that year), but this movie is just so much fun. With elements of Die Hard and Home Alone combined with killer performances from Sean Astin and Wil Wheaton, there’s so much to love here.

• Stream Toy Soldiers on Tubi.

Hard Boiled (1992)

The Director: John Woo

The Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung, Teresa Mo

What It’s About: After his partner is gunned down in Hong Kong, Inspector "Tequila" Yuen Ho-yan (Chow Yun Fat) goes on a one-man mission to find and take out the gun smugglers with blood on their hands.

Why It’s One of the Best Movies Streaming: One of the most decorated collaborations between John Woo and Chow Yun Fat, Hard Boiled is a bullet-ridden, blood-soaked, and action-packed crime flick like no other.

• Stream Hard Boiled on Pluto TV.

Fun Comedies

Are you ready to laugh so hard your sides are going to hurt?

48 Hrs. (1982)

The Director: Walter Hill

The Cast: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O’Toole

What It’s About: The unlikely duo of a down-on-his-luck cop and a charismatic convict are forced to team up to track down a pair of sadistic criminals who are willing to cross any and every line.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: The movie that turned Eddie Murphy into one of Hollywood’s biggest, brightest, and baddest stars, 48 Hrs. revolutionized the game and influenced countless “buddy cop” movies in the years and decades that followed.

• Stream 48 Hrs. on Pluto TV.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

The Director: John Hughes

The Cast: Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck

What It’s About: With his adolescence all but over, a high school senior decides to have the most epic “skip day” of all time with his girlfriend and best friend in the “Windy City.”

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: One of John Hughes’ best movies, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, perfectly captures the heart and soul of the high school experience and those not-so-small acts of rebellion that turn teenagers into legends.

• Stream Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Pluto TV.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

The Director: Charles Crichton

The Cast: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline

What It’s About: With their leader in jail, a gang of diamond thieves begins to turn against one another in hopes of finding a hidden, and massively valuable, stash.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: An all-time great heist film, a laugh-a-minute comedy, and some of the best comedic performances of the ‘80s, A Fish Called Wanda has it all.

• Stream A Fish Called Wanda on Plex.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

The Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam

What It’s About: King Arthur and his knights set off on an epic adventure to find the mythical Holy Grail. However, the Black Knight, a man-eating rabbit, and other obstacles stand in their way.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: If you’ve never watched a Monty Python movie or show, you’re in for a wild, nonsensical, and utterly hilarious journey. If you are familiar, you know what to expect.

• Stream Monty Python and the Holy Grail on YouTube.

Intense Horrors

Yup, already horrified by all of these:

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

The Director: Edgar Wright

The Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield

What It’s About: A 20-something slacker in London is given a chance to prove himself when he is thrust into the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Inspired by iconic zombie movies like Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead feels less like a parody comedy and more like a love letter to the horror subgenre. It’s vulgar and violent, but this one has a whole lot of heart.

• Stream Shaun of the Dead on YouTube.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

The Director: Stephen Chiodo

The Cast: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Vernon

What It’s About: When a race of clownlike aliens invades the planet and starts trapping humans in cotton candy cocoons, a handful of heroes attempt to stop them before it’s too late.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Killer Klowns from Outer Space is the very definition of campy horror. It’s silly, it’s violent, and it’s over-the-top. While it’s not for everyone, this classic is just too sweet to pass up.

• Stream Killer Klown from Outer Space on YouTube.

Scream (1996)

The Director: Wes Craven

The Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette

What It’s About: A quiet California town becomes the center of a national news story when a masked killer begins attacking local residents and testing others.

What To Expect: A movie that reinvented horror as we know it, Scream is an incredibly violent and viciously funny slasher where anything can happen.

• Stream Scream on Pluto TV.

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

The Director: George A. Romero

The Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Marilyn Eastman

What It's About: A group of strangers forced to take refuge together attempts to survive the sudden onslaught of flesh-eating, reanimated corpses, while also struggling to survive each other.

Why It's One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Romero basically defined the zombie genre as a whole, so this is the zombie movie to check out, but trust me, it’s really not that scary – at least in comparison to today’s zombies.

• Stream Night of the Living Dead on Peacock.

Fun For The Whole Family

Everyone could check out and have fun with these films:

Uncle Buck (1989)

The Director: John Hughes

The Cast: John Candy, Amy Madigan, Macaulay Culkin

What It’s About: When his brother and sister-in-law have to leave for a family emergency, Buck Russell (John Candy) swoops in to save the day and take care of their three kids. If only it were that simple…

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: One of John Candy’s most iconic films, Uncle Buck does so many things right (even if Buck can’t get his act together). Full of unforgettable moments and hilarious encounters, this one never goes out of style.

• Stream Uncle Buck on YouTube.

Real Genius (1985)

The Director: Martha Coolidge

The Cast: Val Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, William Atherton

What It’s About: An incredibly smart college senior teams up with the new kid on campus to construct a chemical laser, but only if they don’t blow up the school (and their futures) in the process.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Though critics were brutal on this one back in the day, Real Genius is a fun, funny, and utterly ridiculous comedy about finding your place in the world, even if it doesn’t accept you.

• Stream Real Genius on Tubi.

The Iron Giant (1999)

The Director: Brad Bird

The Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel

Based On: The Iron Giant by Ted Hughes

What It’s About: A young boy finds and befriends a mysterious robot from outer space and is then forced to hide and protect him from the U.S. military.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: With a whole lot of heart and wonder, The Iron Giant has become a beloved classic and one of the most consequential films of its time, even if it failed to move the needle back in 1999.

• Stream The Iron Giant on YouTube.

Osmosis Jones (2001)

The Director: The Farrelly Brothers

The Cast: Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Laurence Fishburne

What It’s About: An anthropomorphic white blood cell police officer attempts to prevent his human host from being destroyed by a raging virus determined to wipe out all life.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: With a combination of live-action and animation, a variety of wild action set pieces, and performances from two Saturday Night Live legends, there’s so much to love here.

• Stream Osmosis Jones on Tubi.

Thrilling, Twisty, And Exciting Sci-Fi And Fantasy

In the mood for some old-fashioned escapism? Look no further than these sci-fi and fantasty stories.

Death Race 2000 (1975)

The Director: Paul Bartel

The Cast: David Carradine, Simone Griffeth, Sylvester Stallone

Based On: “The Racer” by Ib Melchior

What It’s About: The defending champion of a nitro-fueled and blood-soaked contest called the Transcontinental Road Race tries to win it all again in a dystopian future. But it isn’t just his fellow racers he’s looking out for this time…

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Released in the mid ‘70s, Death Race 2000 is a shockingly violent and intense sci-fi action film full of over-the-top personalities, death machines, and wild vibes.

• Stream Death Race 2000 on Tubi.

The War Of The Worlds (1953)

The Director: Byron Haskin

The Cast: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne

Based On: The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

What It’s About: After witnessing an alien war machine kill defenseless victims, two scientists attempt to find a weakness and save humanity from total annihilation.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: One of the most transformative sci-fi movies of the ‘50s, The War of the Worlds takes H.G. Wells’ classic novel and turns it into a frightening and exciting race against time.

• Stream The War of the Worlds on YouTube.

Heavy Metal (1981)

The Director: Gerald Potterton

The Cast: Rodger Bumpass, Jackie Burroughs, John Candy

Based On: Heavy Metal magazine

What It’s About: A series of animated shorts connected by a mysterious and powerful sphere explores vastly different locations, ranging from civilizations in deep space to a futuristic NYC.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: This is definitely not a kid-friendly animated movie, as it’s full of drugs, sex, and violence. It’s painstakingly animated, full of a wide range of stories, and has some of the most unforgettable movie moments of the ‘80s.

• Stream Heavy Metal on Tubi.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

The Director: Steven Spielberg

The Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, William Hurt

Based On: “Superboys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss

What It’s About: A young android programmed with the ability to love embarks upon an epic journey to find a place where he belongs and can feel love.

Why It’s One Of The Best Free Movies Streaming: Originally supposed to be a Stanley Kubrick movie, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a thoughtful, ambitious, and visually impressive sci-fi epic that touches on so many universal themes.

• Stream A.I. Artificial Intelligence on Pluto TV.

With all these free movies, you’ll be busy for some time! After that, just think of all the other free movies you could check out.

One thing I love about sci-fi movies from the past is just how each decade envisioned the future. The ‘50s had a lot of flying saucers, and the ‘60s and ‘70s dialed it back a bit, featuring a lot less theremin and a bit more paranoia. It was also a very good time for Godzilla. But ‘80s sci-fi, like The Running Man, was a lot darker. There was almost an apocalyptic tone to some of the best sci-fi movies of the ‘80s, which is why I find the decade so fascinating.

Sure, there were some fun ‘80s sci-fi films, like Short Circuit, and there are even some fun ones on this list. But a lot of the best ‘80s sci-fi flicks were super grim. So, what are the best sci-fi movies from the 1980s? Hop in the DeLorean, because you’re about to find out.

13. The Last Starfighter (1984)

Directed by Nick Castle, and starring Lance Guest, Mary Stewart, and Robert Preston, The Last Starfighter is about a teenage boy (Guest) living in a trailer park who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in his life. That is, of course, until he masters an arcade game, which is actually a beacon to an alien fleet that is seeking qualified starfighters. A warring alien force threatens the galaxy, and by certain circumstances, the teenager becomes the last starfighter. Hence the title.

And it’s a fun film. The special effects are SUPER ‘80s, and the movie is a great example of what CG used to look like. The story is silly, and the alien races are ridiculous, but it has a lot of charm where it needs it. Unfortunately, in the pantheon of great sci-fi flicks of the ‘80s, it’s a little forgettable in the long-run, but it makes for a good cult film. And hey, any movie that has a plot centered around video games is A-OK with me.

12. Tron (1982)

Speaking of plots centered around video games, Tron is the true OG. Directed by Steven Lisberger and starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, and Cindy Morgan, Tron is about a programmer (Bridges) who gets trapped in a video game that he needs to escape. There are awesome light cycle races and disc fights, and visually, it’s definitely one of the most iconic movies from the ‘80s.

But the story is somewhat of a mess. It’s also pretty slow for a movie that takes place inside of a video game. The sequel, Tron: Legacy, also looked pretty slick, but it was also rather slow in the plot department, so maybe that’s just a trait of the series. But again, when you think of ‘80s sci-fi, Tron will likely race straight to your mind.

11. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Like, most excellent, dude. Directed by Stephen Herek and starring Alex Winter, George Carlin, and Keanu Reeves, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is about two righteous high school students who time travel in a telephone booth and bring back historical figures like Napoleon and Joan of Arc in order to pass a test.

The film is a laugh riot, and Ted "Theodore” Logan (Keanu) and Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Winter) are a blast to spend time with. The only thing is, I think it’s a bit marred by its arguably less excellent sequels, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and Bill & Ted Face the Music. The original is one of those movies, like The Matrix, that probably would have been better if there weren’t any sequels, but oh, well. I’m still very much a Wyld Stallyns fan forever.

10. The Running Man (1987)

Okay, no more good times. Now for the dark stuff. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Richard Dawson, The Running Man is based off of a Stephen King story, but it’s also nothing like it. In this version, Schwarzenegger’s character is a criminal who is forced into a killer game show and must fight to the death for his freedom. But the novel version is a lot less American Gladiators meets Smash TV, like the movie is.

I love the movie since it’s really fun (Clap if you love Dynamo!), but I almost feel like it wants to be much smarter than it actually is. It feels like a commentary on something, but a commentary on what? It’s not clever like say, Dawn of the Dead with its stance on people’s consumerism. But, like I said, it’s fun and never takes itself too seriously.

9. Akira (1988)

What’s Akira about exactly? Honestly, it’s hard to say. I know it’s about a motorcycle gang leader named Kaneda, and his friend, Tetsuo (Or rather, TETSUUUOOO!) who becomes telekinetic before transforming into a massive, pulsing, disgusting monster, but what’s it about outside of that? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you.

That said, Akira is one of those rare films that just invades your psyche the moment you watch it. As far as apocalyptic worlds go, it’s harder to find one bleaker than the one found in Neo-Tokyo. There’s definitely a sort of Godzilla, atomic-era message behind it, but it’s more the kind of movie that you just watch rather than comprehend, which is fine, but I’m sure the actual manga probably made a lot more sense. Hollywood is thinking of making it again, which they shouldn’t, but you know. Hollywood.

8. They Live (1988)

Starring Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster, and directed by the best John of the ‘80s (Carpenter. Not Hughes), They Live is probably the most prescient movie on this list. It’s about a drifter (Piper) who finds these sunglasses that allows him to see that the 1% are actually aliens. He also sees that the media and marketing all over town is subliminally telling us to constantly “consume” and “obey.” It’s not subtle, and yet, it is. It’s perfect!

Well, okay, maybe not perfect. I love the global warming subplot, but the third act gets a little sloppy compared to the first two acts. And as much as I love the ridiculous alley fight, I tend to fast forward through it in repeat viewings. But otherwise, it’s an excellent, often overlooked movie from the ‘80s. I get to wear the sunglasses!

7. Back To The Future (1985)

Great Scott! How could I not put Back to the Future on this list? Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Crispin Glover, Back to the Future is about a cool teen (Fox) who goes back in time and has to make sure his parents hook up so that he can be born. Too bad his mom has the hots for him.

Back to the Future became a mega hit for a reason. The first one is the best of the trilogy (Though I have a soft spot for Part III), but like Bill & Ted, it’s kind of hard to think of it apart from its lesser sequels. It’s not the best sci-fi film of the ‘80s, but it’s definitely the most fun.

6. Blade Runner (1982)

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young, Blade Runner is about a detective of sorts (Harrison) who hunts replicants, which are basically androids, but the detective might be a replicant himself, depending on which cut you watch.

I’ll be straight with you.  Blade Runner isn't my favorite movie since I find it kind of slow, but it's hard not to marvel at its audacious scope, and its stellar acting, most notably from Rutger "like tears in the rain" Hauer. But even though it's incredibly cerebral and it seems like my kind of movie, I still prefer the Philip K. Dick novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, and even the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. But honestly, you can't go wrong with Blade Runner. 

5. Aliens (1986)

Directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, and Bill Paxton, I think Aliens is better than 1979’s Alien. There, I said it. Aliens finds Ripley (Weaver) connecting with a little girl and protecting her from a horde of aliens and their queen. Get away from her, YOU BITCH!

Cameron is a master at action, and that’s why Aliens feels so much more visceral and exciting than Alien in my opinion. It’s a war picture rather than a horror movie, which is what makes it work. We’re getting to the best of the best now!

4. RoboCop (1987)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, and starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, and Kurtwood Smith, RoboCop is about a mutilated cop (Weller) brought back to life by a greedy corporation and made into a cyborg. The cop is more machine than man, but he’s learning. And remembering.

RoboCop works because it’s the perfect balance of action and satire. It’s morbidly funny at times, and just plain funny at others. But it’s always cool. That’s why RoboCop is awesome. Even in 2022. It sucks that we never got a RoboCop vs. Terminator movie. That would have ruled.

3. The Thing (1982)

Directed by John Carpenter (Again!) and starring Kurt Russell and Keith David, The Thing is about an alien that takes in hosts and replicates itself so that nobody can tell who is who, or what is what. Paranoia (And tension!) ensue.

The Thing is one of the greatest remakes of all time and is as much a horror movie as it is a sci-fi flick. You never feel comfortable watching the movie, and you’re always wondering, even to the very end, who or what might be The Thing. There were more than a few great alien movies in the ‘80s, but The Thing is the absolute best.

2. The Terminator (1984)

Directed by James Cameron (Again!) and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Michael Biehn, The Terminator is about a killer robot sent from the future to kill the mother of the potential savior. It was part one of a series because, you know, “I’ll be back.”

The Thing and The Terminator were really the two films I thought about when I mentioned paranoia in the intro. Many will argue that T2 is the better movie, but I stand behind the original, which is more terrifying than an action movie. It made an imprint on sci-fi that still resonates today, and it feels way before its time. I’d call it the best sci-fi movie of the ‘80s, except for one other film.

1. Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Directed by Irvin Kershner and starring Luke Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, the middle film in the original Star Wars trilogy is often considered the best movie in the entire saga. That’s because it has probably the most iconic moments in the series—Luke training with Yoda, Han trapped in carbonite, the battle on Hoth, and of course, Luke getting his hand cut off by his own father. Honestly, what else could have topped this list?

And yes, I know, Star Wars isn’t even technically entirely sci-fi. It’s more space opera. Still, no other film on this list has had a bigger legacy than The Empire Strikes Back, so Episode V it is. The force always prevails.

I know what you’re thinking. Where’s E.T.? Where’s The Fly? And you’re right. They’re not here. But that just shows how good the ‘80s were for sci-fi. For news on some of the other best ‘80s movies, or just sci-fi in general, make sure to swing by here often.

The months march on, and at this point we've crossed the halfway mark of the year that is 2021. So of course, it’s time to celebrate what we’ll be experiencing on the back half of the year, as Hulu has all sorts of movies and TV being added to its ever growing selection. July 2021 is particularly exciting, especially when you've got movies like Bill and Ted Face the Music and Bohemian Rhapsody on the way, as well as a huge special that will see The Jonas Brothers going for Olympic gold. If you want to take a quick moment to look at June 2021's lineup, you'll find that handy below; otherwise let's see what July will bring to the Hulu streaming library.

Premiering On Hulu - Week Of July 1

The Mighty Ones: Complete Season 2 (Hulu Original) - 7/1/21

RuPaul's Drag Race: Complete Season 7 (MTV) - 7/1/21

127 Hours (2010) - 7/1/21

28 Days Later (2003) - 7/1/21

28 Weeks Later (2007) - 7/1/21

68 Kill (2017) - 7/1/21

78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene (2017) - 7/1/21

A Ciambra (2018) - 7/1/21

The Adventures of Hercules (1985) - 7/1/21

Almost Human (2014) - 7/1/21

Alpha & Omega: Legend Of The Saw Toothed (2014) - 7/1/21

American Gun (2005) - 7/1/21

An Acceptable Loss (2019) - 7/1/21

Australia (2008) - 7/1/21

Bad Teacher (2011) - 7/1/21

Band Aid (2017) - 7/1/21

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest (2011) - 7/1/21

Beetlejuice (1988) - 7/1/21

The Best Man (1999) - 7/1/21

Better Living Through Chemistry (2014) - 7/1/21

Big Fish (2003) - 7/1/21

Bitter Harvest (2017) - 7/1/21

Blue Sky (1994) - 7/1/21

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) - 7/1/21

Breakdown (1997) - 7/1/21

Bruno (2009) - 7/1/21

Caddyshack (1980) - 7/1/21

Caddyshack II (1988) - 7/1/21

Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999) - 7/1/21

Carnage Park (2016) - 7/1/21

Caveman (1981) - 7/1/21

Chaplin (1992) - 7/1/21

Chuck (2017) - 7/1/21

The Chumscrubber (2005) - 7/1/21

Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2017) - 7/1/21

Cliffhanger (1993) - 7/1/21

The Condemned (2007) - 7/1/21

Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009) - 7/1/21

The Conversation (1974) - 7/1/21

Coyote Ugly (2000) - 7/1/21

The Cured (2018) - 7/1/21

Dangerous Minds (1995) - 7/1/21

Dealin' With Idiots (2013) - 7/1/21

Dealt (2017) - 7/1/21

Dear White People (2014) - 7/1/21

Donnybrook (2019) - 7/1/21

Dumb & Dumber (1994) - 7/1/21

Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003) - 7/1/21

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2014) - 7/1/21

Eliminators (2016) - 7/1/21

Enemy at the Gates (2001) - 7/1/21

The Face of Love (2014) - 7/1/21

Factotum (2006) - 7/1/21

Fargo (1996) - 7/1/21

The Feels (2017) - 7/1/21

Fired Up! (2009) - 7/1/21

Foxfire (1996) - 7/1/21

Frank Serpico (2017) - 7/1/21

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974) - 7/1/21

Free To Run (2016) - 7/1/21

From Paris with Love (2010) - 7/1/21

Galaxy Quest (1999) - 7/1/21

The Gift (2000) - 7/1/21

Gimme the Loot (2013) - 7/1/21

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) - 7/1/21

Gorp (1980) - 7/1/21

Graduation (2017) - 7/1/21

Grandma (2015) - 7/1/21

Hellions (2015) - 7/1/21

Hideaway (1995) - 7/1/21

House of the Dead (2003) - 7/1/21

House of the Dead 2 (2006) - 7/1/21

The House That Jack Built (2018) - 7/1/21

Housesitter (1992) - 7/1/21

I Daniel Blake (2017) - 7/1/21

I Do...Until I Don't (2017) - 7/1/21

I Remember You (2017) - 7/1/21

Ice Age (2002) - 7/1/21

In The Cut (2003) - 7/1/21

Indignation (2016) - 7/1/21

Intermission (2004) - 7/1/21

Intolerable Cruelty (2003) - 7/1/21

Johnny English (2003) - 7/1/21

Knowing (2009) - 7/1/21

The Ladies Man (2000) - 7/1/21

Last Days Here (2012) - 7/1/21

Let's Be Evil (2016) - 7/1/21

Manic (2013) - 7/1/21

The Mask (1994) - 7/1/21

Maximum Risk (1996) - 7/1/21

Mercury Rising (1998) - 7/1/21

Morning Glory (2010) - 7/1/21

Mystic Pizza (1988) - 7/1/21

The Natural (1984) - 7/1/21

Ode to Joy (2019) - 7/1/21

Open Range (2003) - 7/1/21

Open Water (2004) - 7/1/21

Open Water 2: Adrift (2006) - 7/1/21

Passage to Mars (2017) - 7/1/21

Personal Shopper (2017) - 7/1/21

The Polar Express (2004) - 7/1/21

Rabid Dogs (2016) - 7/1/21

Rebel in the Rye (2017) - 7/1/21

Reno 911!: Miami : The Movie (2007) - 7/1/21

Revolutionary Road (2008) - 7/1/21

Robocop (1987) - 7/1/21

Robocop 2 (1990) - 7/1/21

Robocop 3 (1993) - 7/1/21

Rookie of the Year (1993) - 7/1/21

Seabiscuit (2003) - 7/1/21

Shelley (2016) - 7/1/21

Sightseers (2013) - 7/1/21

Sleeping With The Enemy (1991) - 7/1/21

Sleepwalkers (1992) - 7/1/21

Soldier Boyz (1995) - 7/1/21

Something's Gotta Give (2003) - 7/1/21

Somewhere (2010) - 7/1/21

Sorority Row (2009) - 7/1/21

Space Jam (1996) - 7/1/21

Stand by Me (1986) - 7/1/21

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) - 7/1/21

Star Trek: First Contact (1996) - 7/1/21

Stephen King's Graveyard Shift (1990) - 7/1/21

The Stepfather (2009) - 7/1/21

Stonewall (2015) - 7/1/21

Stray (2020) - 7/1/21

Sunshine (2005) - 7/1/21

Super Troopers (2002) - 7/1/21

Sweet Virginia (2017) - 7/1/21

Taffin (1988) - 7/1/21

Take Every Wave (2017) - 7/1/21

Take Shelter (2011) - 7/1/21

Taken (2009) - 7/1/21

The Terminator (1984) - 7/1/21

They Came Together (2014) - 7/1/21

Thunderheart (1992) - 7/1/21

Timeline (2003) - 7/1/21

Tooth Fairy (2008) - 7/1/21

Twisted (2004) - 7/1/21

Underworld (2003) - 7/1/21

Underworld Awakening (2012) - 7/1/21

Underworld Evolution (2006) - 7/1/21

Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (2009) - 7/1/21

Universal Soldier (1992) - 7/1/21

The Unknown Girl (2017) - 7/1/21

Walking Tall (1973) - 7/1/21

Whip It (2009) - 7/1/21

White Nights (1985) - 7/1/21

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996) - 7/1/21

Wolves (2017) - 7/1/21

Summer of Soul (2021) (Hulu Original) - 7/2/21

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) - 7/2/21

Flower of Evil: Complete Season 1 (Subbed) (Viki) - 7/3/21

I'll Go To You When The Weather Is Fine: Complete Season 1 (Subbed) (Viki) - 7/3/21

More Than Friends: Complete Season 1 (Subbed) (Viki) - 7/3/21

Dreamcatcher (2021) - 7/3/21

Premiering On Hulu - Week Of July 4

Leave No Trace (2018) - 7/4/21

My Wife and Kids: Complete Series (ABC) - 7/8/21

Murdoch Mysteries: Complete Season 13 (Acorn) - 7/8/21

Papillon (2017) - 7/8/21

This Way Up: Complete Season 2 (Hulu Original) - 7/9/21

grown-ish: Season 4 Premiere (Freeform) - 7/9/21

Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar (2021) - 7/9/21

In a World... (2013) - 7/9/21

Moffie (2021) - 7/9/21

47 Meters Down (2017) - 7/10/21

Premiering On Hulu - Week Of July 11

Love Island UK: Season 7 Premiere (iTV) - 7/12/21

Cleopatra in Space: Complete Season 1 (Peacock) - 7/14/21

Cleopatra en el Espacio: Complete Season 1 (Peacock) - 7/14/21

My All-American (2015) - 7/14/21

American Horror Stories: Two-Episode Limited Series Premiere (FX on Hulu) - 7/15/21

20,000 Days on Earth (2014) - 7/15/21

A Field In England (2013) - 7/15/21

The Act of Killing (2012) - 7/15/21

Amira & Sam (2014) - 7/15/21

Borgman (2013) - 7/15/21

Bullhead (2011) - 7/15/21

Cheap Thrills (2013) - 7/15/21

The Complex: Lockdown (2020) - 7/15/21

The Congress (2013) - 7/15/21

The Connection (2014) - 7/15/21

Enforcement (2021) - 7/15/21

Exit Plan (2021) - 7/15/21

The Final Member (2014) - 7/15/21

The FP (2011) - 7/15/21

I Declare War (2012) - 7/15/21

The Keeping Room (2014) - 7/15/21

Men & Chicken (2015) - 7/15/21

Mood Indigo (2013) - 7/15/21

Pieta (2012) - 7/15/21

R100 (2013) - 7/15/21

Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015) - 7/15/21

Wrong (2012) - 7/15/21

McCartney 3,2,1: Documentary Series Premiere (Hulu Original) - 7/16/21

Horimiya: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed) (Funimation) - 7/17/21

Premiering On Hulu - Week Of July 18

Olympic Dreams featuring Jonas Brothers: Special (NBC) - 7/22/21

Premiering On Hulu - Week Of July 25

The Artist (2011) - 7/26/21

The Resort (2021) - 7/29/21

Hulu’s TV Highlights For July 2021

While the ABC hit comedy black-ish is looking to wrap its run with its eighth and final season, its hit Freeform spinoff grown-ish is just about to enter its fourth season. Naturally, with all original Freeform programming, you’ll be able to catch the episode the day after, thanks to it being a part of the Hulu/Disney family! Meanwhile, with the 2020 Olympics finally looking to get underway, NBC will be airing a special entitled Olympic Dreams featuring Jonas Brothers. Just as the title would suggest, you’ll be able to see Joe, Kevin, and Nick Jonas competing against each other, assisted by actual Olympic athletes, in competitions of sport and strength.

Hulu’s Movie Highlights For July 2021

With 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures being two prime sources for Hulu originals, now is the perfect time to debut a movie like Summer of Soul. A documentary directed by famed musician Questlove, the film tells the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, and delves into the events true cultural impact. The catalog that was formerly known as the 20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight banner will also provide some legacy thrills in July as both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later are coming online; just in time to hype audiences for the sequel that never happened, but still could.

But if there is anything we truly need to hype up for Hulu’s incoming additions, it has to be the fact that you’ll finally be able to watch Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar with a streaming subscription. So if you’ve been waiting to see what the fuss is all about, or have been looking to recommit yourself to a relationship with this unexpected comedy hit, the hour draws near. Just keep in mind that everything we’ve listed above is subject to change and availability; and we’ll see you back here this time next month to run down what August 2021 has in store for Hulu subscribers.

Ever since I first caught part of The Terminator as a young kid on cable, I have been obsessed with the sci-fi genre. That obsession has only grown over the years, and whenever I upgrade my home theater experience, I always test out the new tech with some of my favorite movies (Terminator 2: Judgment Day was my first Blu-ray; 2001: A Space Odyssey my first 4K Blu-ray). Along with the upgraded visuals and dynamic sound, I also like to dig through the bonus features to learn all the sci-fi movie secrets to find out how all those iconic scenes came together.

So, it's easy to imagine how excited I was when I was tasked with coming up with a list of behind-the-scenes secrets from classic sci-fi movies. To share my love of the classics, how they came together, and the genre as a whole, I’ve put together eight crazy facts about the making of everything from The Day the Earth Stood Still to RoboCop and everything in between.

The Floating Pen In 2001: A Space Odyssey Was Pulled Off With Double-Sided Tape And A Pane Of Glass

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is not only one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, it also has a permanent spot in the annals of cinema. From the “Dawn of Man” opening segment to the terrifying presence of HAL 9000 later on, there’s an endless list of reasons why the movie is still held in such high esteem. One of the biggest reasons is the impressive work from the special effects crew, especially the plan they drew up to replicate a zero-gravity shuttle scene. In the Making a Myth documentary, special effects artist Brian Johnson revealed that he and his crew used double-sided tape to attach a pen to a circular sheet of glass that was surrounded by a steel frame and bearings that allowed them make it as if it was floating.

The Alien Cast Didn’t Know The Full Extent Of The Famous Chestburster Scene Until They Started Filming

There are few moments in Ridley Scott’s Alien that are more terrifying than the chestburster scene. But as traumatizing as it was for the millions who watched the movie in theaters and countless others who have watched in horror over the years, nothing will quite compare to the reactions of the cast on set.

In a 2015 BBC Breakfast interview, Sigourney Weaver, who portrayed the badass Ellen Ripley in Alien, explained that the cast knew about the scene before going into shooting, but the script did not prepare them for what came next. The first shot called for John Hurt’s reaction to the Xenomorph preparing to pop through his chest and was so realistic Weaver thought her co-star was dying. The next shot, however, featured the actual puppet popping through the fake chest with blood squirting around the set. Weaver revealed that the actors’ reactions seen in the movie are genuine.

The Idea Behind The Terminator Came To James Cameron In A Fever Dream

Like a lot of artists, the idea behind The Terminator came to James Cameron when the film’s writer and director least expected. In the the documentary The Making of The Terminator, the visionary and award-winning director revealed that the concept of his landmark film came to him in the state of a fever dream while in Rome promoting Piranha II: The Spawning, revealing:

James Cameron would go on to explain that he had always wanted to make the definitive robot movie and so he took the idea that came to him in the fever dream and turned into The Terminator as we know it today.

Linda Hamilton’s Twin Sister Helped Pull Off The Sarah Connor Mirror Trick In Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is arguably the greatest summer blockbuster of all time and is filled with one iconic special effects shot after another. And while there are a ton of state-of-the-art visual effects pulled off with advanced computer technology one of the movie’s biggest tricks — the reflection of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) — was pulled off in a more practical but equally clever way: Hamilton’s twin sister, Leslie.

In an August 2020 EW article announcing Leslie Hamilton’s death, it was revealed the twin sister of the franchise’s star’s only film credit came when she appeared as the T-1000 impersonating Sarah Connor as well as in the scene in which the the hero is seen in a mirror working on the T-800.

Linda and Leslie Hamilton weren’t the only twins to appear in the 1991 blockbuster, as Dan and Don Stanton were used to pull off the scene in which T-1000 (Robert Patrick) replicates one of the orderlies in the mental hospital scene.

Special Effects Icon Stan Winston Created The Dog-Thing Puppet In The Thing But Didn’t Ask For Credit

The majority of the special effects in John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi horror flick The Thing were handled by the legendary Rob Bottin. But when his team was stretched thin throughout the film’s production, Bottin called on the services of the late Stan Winston and his team came up with a rather simple approach to creating one of the film’s most iconic moments: the nightmarish Dog-Thing seen in the epic dog kennel scene.

With little time, Stan Winston and his team worked around the clock to get something in working order. After everything was completed, however, Winston asked that he not be credited for his work so that he wouldn’t take anything away from Rob Bottin and the impressive work he did on the rest of the movie, per the Stan Winston School of Character Arts.

Tron Was Shot In Black-And-White With The Color Added In During Post-Production

To make Jeff Bridges and the rest of the Tron cast look like they were digitized characters, the production team came up with an ingenious method that didn’t require hours and hours of computer work like other aspects of the movie. In a 2017 Variety retrospective released on the 35th anniversary of Tron’s release, it was revealed that the actors were dressed in white clothing and were shot in black-and-white. After that, backlit animation would be added to give them that iconic wavy coloring that we all know today.

Peter Weller, Training For The New York City Marathon While Filming RoboCop, Hung Out With The ‘Bad Guys’ Because They Were ‘Health Freaks’

Detroit police officer Alex Murphy goes to Hell and back in Paul Verhoeven’s over-the-top sci-fi action flick RoboCop, and the same thing can be said about the Peter Weller, the actor who played the slain officer-turned-cyborg created to wipe the streets clean of crime in a dystopian Detroit.

In an SFX retrospective on the making of the 1987 cult-classic, Weller explained that in addition to having to sit through hours of costuming before shooting each day, he was also in the process of training for the New York City Marathon. But he didn’t turn to any of his on-screen allies for help and support during all this. Instead, he ended up hanging around with all the “bad guys” like Kurtwood Smith, Ray Wise, Calvin Jung, and Paul McCrane, who were all “health freaks.” See, RoboCop’s Boddicker gang isn’t all that bad after all.

The Actor Who Played Gort In The Day The Earth Stood Still Was First Spotted Working At Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

The giant robot, Gort, featured in the 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still wasn’t brought to life with crafty camera tricks or special effects but instead through the actions of the 7-foot-7 Lock Martin. In a 2011 breakdown of the sci-fi classic’s iconic final scene by the Independent, it is revealed that when the film’s producers were trying to come up with the right actor to take on the role of the silent robot, someone remembered seeing Martin, a tall doorman at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Lock Martin would later pass away in 1959 following a series of appearances in various film productions, with his final appearance being an uncredited performance as the Yeti in The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas.

These are just a few of the crazy behind-the-scenes secrets from some of cinema’s great sci-fi classics. And while some are more impressive than others, each of these secrets will surely make you want to go back and watch them again and see if there is anything you can spot. In the event you’ve seen all of these classics and already know all these facts, go ahead and check out CinemaBlend’s list of 2021 new movie releases to see when the next great sci-fi movie will come your way.

The Mortal Kombat reboot is almost here, and while I don't know for certain it'll be the first of many, It does already seem like there are indicators Warner Bros. is open to that. If sequels are on the table, but there comes a point where there's a shortage of characters to use, I have a wonderful suggestion that could really make this franchise over the top.

For a Mortal Kombat sequel, I'd love to see the franchise embrace a trend its gaming universe has wholeheartedly accepted by featuring cameos from characters of other franchises. As crazy and batshit as it may sound, I think there's reason to believe that this would not only improve the Mortal Kombat film franchise, but that it could actually happen.

A History Of Mortal Kombat Cameos

The Mortal Kombat world first opened its doors to cameos in gaming when it partnered with DC Comics to make Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. The game pit characters like Superman and Sub-Zero against each other, and the result was kind of weird. In fact, the access to the DC characters required the game to be rated Teen, which kept the gore in this outing far lighter than other Mortal Kombat games.

While Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was not an example of these cameos at their best, it did open the doors to much greater collaborations between other franchises and the Mortal Kombat universe. Future Mortal Kombat games featured more appropriate characters for the universe, such as Jason Voorhees, Spawn, Leatherface and John Rambo. The franchise even managed to bring Joker back in the latest game, and it turns out the characters work really well, provided they're allowed to sink to the murderous depths of the Mortal Kombat universe.

These characters have joined Mortal Kombat in the gaming world to widespread acclaim, which makes me wonder if they'd be received the same way in a Mortal Kombat film. Imagine the level of hype there'd be if Robocop or even Predator appeared in a trailer for a sequel. The response would be wild, and at the very least, make audiences curious for what the hell comes next in the sequel.

Why Characters From Other Franchises Wouldn't Complicate Mortal Kombat

At its basest level, the Mortal Kombat franchise has always been about the Earthrealm vs. the Outworld. These respective parties participate in a tournament, and occasionally said tournament decides whether or not Earth will be conquered and devoured into the Outworld. It's really not more complicated than that, which makes it much easier to throw in characters from different franchises.

If a character from another franchise is human or a character who's a known resident of Earth, obviously they'd be brought in via the Earthrealm. If their powers are more mystical, otherworldly or unexplainable, put them in the Outerworld. It's really that simple from a story perspective, and the only unifier these characters need is their stance on Earth's survival.

I can picture it in my mind right now. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are battling it out, and as the two are raging, an explosive detonates. The two jump back confused, and after a whistle, they look up and Jared Leto's Joker is smiling back at them with a grenade launcher in his hands. It'd be ridiculously crazy, but in the world of Mortal Kombat, not really at all. This franchise has dudes with metal arms and a guy with a laser eye, so what's a murderous clown with a twisted sense of humor?

Even more extreme examples, like Leatherface or Freddy Kreuger, slide so perfectly into Mortal Kombat as well. Really, just take any character from pop culture who is good at killing things and they're a match for Mortal Kombat. It sounds corny, but this franchise could essentially make itself an R-rated version of The LEGO Movie if it can find enough key characters across other franchises willing to be involved.

Could Warner Bros. Pull Off This Kind Of Craziness?

Honestly, it may not be a question of whether or not Mortal Kombat could pull something like this off, but whether Warner Bros. would pay for the licensing fees for other characters. I say that right after I mention The LEGO Movie, which came from the same studio. Like I said, just turn a Mortal Kombat sequel into an R-rated LEGO Movie, and it's as easy as that!

Well, theoretically, anyway. Obviously Warner Bros. has access to the MonsterVerse and DC characters, but beyond that, there would need to be some outsourcing to other franchises for Mortal Kombat characters of the murderous variety. Unless, of course, you want a movie with things like Foghorn Leghorn ripping spines from bodies and Fred Flintstone sliding down a brontosaurus tail and curb-stomping Raiden into oblivion. I'd honestly probably be cool with seeing both of those, but I'm probably an outlier on that front.

Obviously, I can't speak for Warner Bros. and what it'd be willing to spend on some characters to appear in a Mortal Kombat movie. That said, if the first movie is a cash cow and the powers at be are receptive to the idea of doing something that would truly honor the spirit of the games and get audiences excited, who's to say what's possible and impossible?

All I can do is put the idea out in the universe and hope against all hope that my pipe dream, which even raised a few eyebrows in the work chat when I suggested it, can come true. Think of it this way: the sooner Warner Bros. sees the potential in blending Mortal Kombat with other franchises, the sooner we may see an adaptation of a more extreme DC tale. I mean, if the SnyderVerse is dead, it's only a matter of time before Injustice: Gods Among Us gets adapted, right?

Mortal Kombat arrives in theaters and HBO Max Friday, April 23. Would you be interested in characters from outside the Mortal Kombat franchise appearing in a sequel? Sound off in our poll, and get hyped for the movie by reading up on some of the extreme violence in store for audiences.

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I know a lot of people tend to think of Ridley Scott when it comes to classic sci-fi movies since he had the 1-2 punch of directing both Alien and Blade Runner. But I think too many people forget about Dutch filmmaker, Paul Verhoeven, who directed three of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time in RoboCop (1987), Total Recall (1990), and Starship Troopers (1997). I mean, just think. All three of those legendary movies came from the same guy, and his name is Paul “Showgirls” Verhoeven!

Now, if you were to ask me which of those three was my personal favorite, I would say Total Recall since I think the original (as opposed to the terrible remake) is one of the best movies of all time. But this article isn’t about me. It’s about you. And since I know different people like each movie for different reasons, I’ve broken them down into separate categories to determine which of these three groundbreaking sci-fi gems is the best. Are you still with me? Okay, then if so, get your ahss to Mars and see which movie comes out on top. Oh, and minor spoilers up ahead.

The Plot

What are the events in each movie that make each story special?

RoboCop's Plot

A good cop (played by Peter Weller) gets gunned down and left for dead, but what’s left of him gets repurposed and turned into a cyborg. While he’s technically a new machine, he still has memories of when he was a man.

Total Recall's Plot

Based on a Philip K. Dick short story, a construction worker (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tired of his boring life, so he goes to a facility that gives customers the ability to go on virtual vacations by implanting false memories. But when something goes terribly wrong, our hero learns that he’s actually a secret agent who’s now being hunted on Mars. Or, is this just another part of the simulation? We never know for sure.

Starship Troopers' Plot

Based on a novel by Robert Heinlein (but really very different), Starship Troopers is essentially just a story about soldiers in the future fighting giant bugs. But to just watch this movie for the plot alone would be missing the bigger point (More on that later).

The Plot Victor: Total Recall

While RoboCop has a fascinating story, and Starship Troopers is simplistic but awesome, the victor here goes to Total Recall for keeping you guessing all throughout its runtime. And while some people hate ambiguity in their stories, one thing is certain—ambiguity always keeps people talking.

The Characters

You can’t have a story without characters. Which ones are the most interesting and why in these three films?

RoboCop's Characters

Besides Alex Murphy, who is fascinating in his own right, the other characters in RoboCop are just as intriguing. You have the aptly named Dick Jones, who’s the dick Senior President of OCP. You have the low level criminal, Clarence Boddicker (“Can you fly, Bobby?”) played by That ‘70s Show’s Kurtwood Smith, who works for Dick Jones. And then you have near-future Detroit, which I would say is a character all in itself.

Total Recall's Characters

Douglas Quaid (played by Ah-nald) is interesting in that both he and the audience are unsure about who he really is. Add in Sharon Stone as his duplicitous wife and Michael Ironside as a villain, and you have some characters who are to die for! Oh, yeah, and the setting of Mars is like its own character, too.

Starship Troopers Characters

Yes, there are characters in Starship Troopers—Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris portray some of them—but they are mostly one-dimensional fodder. But that’s intentional! Again, I’ll get to this one soon.

The Character Victor: RoboCop

Though I personally prefer the characters in Total Recall, I’m well aware that RoboCop and OCP are much more recognizable than anybody in Total Recall or Starship Troopers combined.

Satire

Most of Paul Verhoeven’s movies have a lot more to say than what’s initially on the surface. But out of the three movies here, which one has the most biting commentary?

RoboCop's Satire

What looks to be just some dumb action movie is actually a really smart film hidden underneath all the bullets. In many ways, RoboCop is an indictment on the media, commercialism, capitalism, and even violence itself. There’s a reason why the movie’s so bloody, and it’s not just because “violence is cool.” It’s actually quite the opposite, and it’s kind of crazy how so many people miss that point when they watch it.

Total Recall's Satire

Total Recall isn’t really a commentary on anything other than the concept of reality, which is prevalent in many Philip K. Dick stories. Blade Runner included.

Starship Troopers' Satire

Oh, man. Starship Troopers is a doozy. It’s a fascist propaganda movie that was peddled off as some mindless action flick. But the entire film is political satire masquerading as a rah-rah military film, and to view it as anything but means that you’re missing the point. It also kind of means that you fail as a human being if you find any of these soldiers admirable since yes, they’re intentionally supposed to resemble Nazis.

The Satire Victor: Starship Troopers

It takes guts to put out this kind of movie with this sort of budget, but Starship Troopers' completely nails it in the satire department.

The Action

This one is simple. Which one has the most exciting action?

RoboCop's Action

RoboCop has blood and gore galore, and all of it’s exaggerated with great intention. Still, even though the film is a commentary on the numbing effect of violence, it still looks freaking badass. Especially the scenes with the stop-motion ED-209 robot. Awesome stuff.

Total Recall's Action

Total Recall is an espionage movie at its heart, so there’s plenty of sci-fi gunplay, as well as cool hand-to-hand combat. But for a 1990’s Arnold Schwarzenegger film, it’s a lot more cerebral than combative.

Starship Troopers' Action

Starship Troopers shows the effects of war as the soldiers fight alien bugs, but it’s really not all that interesting. For a much more visually impressive movie about soldiers fighting bug-like aliens, see Edge of Tomorrow.

The Action Victor – RoboCop

By being a commentary on violence, it actually delivers the most exciting action by far. Strange how that happened, but it did.

The Impact

Which of these three films has left the biggest impression on film history?

RoboCop's Impact

Everybody knows RoboCop. There was a 2014 remake that I liked but everybody else hated, and there’s going to be another new movie. In that way, RoboCop hasn’t really ever gone away. I’m still waiting on that RoboCop vs. Terminator movie, though.

Total Recall's Impact

Total Recall had a remake in 2012 starring Colin Farrell and Bryan Cranston, and it sucked. Let’s move on.

Starship Troopers' Impact

Starship Troopers had 2 live-action sequels and 2 computer-animated movies. Despite having all these sequels, nobody really talks about Starship Troopers anymore, and it’s been relegated to cult status ever since the original.

The Impact Victor: RoboCop

As I said before, everybody knows RoboCop, which is no small feat for a character from the 1980s.

Total Recall Vs. RoboCop Vs. Starship Troopers: Which One Wins?

My heart says Total Recall, but my brain says RoboCop. So RoboCop is the victor. But which one is your favorite? Sound off in the comments.

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There few movies that are as egregiously violent and a satirical bite as ferocious and enjoyable as Paul Verhoeven's 1987 cult classic RoboCop. With spills, chills, and some of the most grotesque imagery out of the decade, there are plenty of reasons why the movie has remained so enjoyable and strangely relevant more than 30 years later. And maybe that's the reason the upcoming sequel (the fourth at this point), RoboCop Returns seems like it couldn't come a moment too soon.

Since first announced in January 2018, longtime fans of the story of Detroit cop-turned-cyborg Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) have been dying to know when the over-the-top violence will return and what kind of movie they will get. Well, I can't answer the first part of that question, but I can, and will, serve up what you should know about the long-awaited sci-fi action flick. Here are seven quick things to know about RoboCop Returns.

RoboCop Returns Will Be Connected To The Original But Not The Sequels Or Reboot

When people talk about the RoboCop franchise, they typically refer to the original. Well, people in that camp will be glad to know that RoboCop Returns is being written in a manner that acts like the two RoboCop sequels and the 2014 reboot don't exist. In early 2019, producer Ed Neumeier, who co-wrote the original script and wrote the first treatment for RoboCop Returns told HN Entertainment that the goal was to make a film that continues the story and tone of the 1987 cult classic and make it feel like was directed by Verhoeven right after the first movie came out.

In a separate interview with Zeitgeist Entertainment Magazine a year earlier in January 2018, Ed Neumeier was a little coy about the project, but did have this to say about the upcoming movie:

There to help out Ed Neumeier with the script for RoboCop Returns was his old writing buddy and RoboCop co-writer Michael Miner. The original idea the pair came up with has since been worked and reworked as the project evolves, but it appears the spirit is still there.

The Script For RoboCop Returns Was Born Out Ed Neumeier And Michael Miner's Original Idea For RoboCop 2

One of the reasons why RoboCop Returns sounds like it will be a continuation of the story from the first movie is because it was Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner's original idea for RoboCop 2. When the project was first announced back in 2018, Neumeier explained the situation to Deadline, stating:

And it appears after all this time, the original writing pair will finally get to see their original vision (albeit modified) come to the big screen.

The Plot Will Center Around A Detroit On The Brink Of Chaos

There aren't a lot of details about what will happen in the upcoming RoboCop Returns, but a July 2018 Deadline report stated that the plot will center around a Detroit on the brink of chaos as anarchy spreads throughout the dystopian version of the American city. With the fate of the city hanging in the balance, RoboCop makes his return to fight crime and corruption as he attempts to restore order. With the major upheaval at the Omni Consumer Products megacorporation at the end of RoboCop, it remains to be seen what role OCP and its executives will play in the disorder in RoboCop Returns. I just hope no one suffers the same fate as Paul McCrane's Emil Antonowky after he drove through the toxic waste and was melted down to mush before being run over.

Neill Blomkamp Was Set To Direct But Left The Project In August 2019

Neill Blomkamp, the director most known for District 9, Elysium, and Chappie, has had a history of being attached to reboots of beloved sci-fi franchises in the past with his ties to a new Alien movie, so it only made sense for the South African filmmaker to take the lead on RoboCop Returns, if only for a short time. Back in July 2018, it was revealed that Blomkamp would be directing the movie with Justin Rhodes, who co-wrote Tim Miller's 2019 Terminator: Dark Fate, signing on to work on the script.

A little more than a year later, however, Neill Blomkamp revealed on Twitter in August 2019 that he was stepping away from RoboCop Returns to instead focus on shooting a new horror thriller but that he was excited to see how the film would pan out and would see it in theaters. Admittedly, this felt like a death blow to a movie that was just picking up steam, but this wasn't the end of RoboCop.

Little Monsters Director Abe Forsythe Took Over In November 2019

A little more than three months after Neill Blomkamp stepped away from RoboCop Returns, Abe Forsythe, the director of the superbly hilarious 2019 child zombie flick Little Monsters, was taking over the project. At the time of the announcement, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Forsythe would be taking another look at the script and making further changes, but it wasn't known how much of a change the Australian filmmaker would make the story before production geared up.

Peter Weller Won't Be Returning To Play RoboCop

Those who hoped to see Peter Weller suit up as Alex Murphy/RoboCop in RoboCop Returns will hate to read this, but the actor has gone on the record saying that he has no desire to reprise the role in another movie. Weller's representatives confirmed this as much with Super Bro Movies in November 2018, even though he was former director Neil Blomkamp's first choice for the RoboCop in the upcoming picture. What makes this puzzling, however, is the fact that Weller appeared as RoboCop in a 2019 KFC advertising campaign. Maybe there is hope…

RoboCop Returns Will Feature The Suit From The Original

If Peter Weller won't be appearing in RoboCop Returns at least the suit he wore in the original RoboCop will. Just a few months before Neil Blomkamp stepped away from the project in 2019, Entertainment Weekly shared a Twitter conversation between the director and a fan who asked if the new movie would feature the original suit seen in the 1987 RoboCop. To that, Blomkamp responded with this:

It makes perfect sense to have RoboCop wearing the same suit from the original movie especially considering the fact that RoboCop Returns is being pitched as a continuation of the cult classic.

There Is No Release Date At This Point

There is currently no release date for RoboCop Returns, and we'll probably have to wait even longer due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down and delaying productions throughout much of 2020. Be on the lookout, however, as these types of things seem to pop up out of nowhere, kind of like RoboCop Returns in the first place.

While we don't know when RoboCop Returns will come out, there are still plenty of movies coming to cinemas through the rest of the 2020 and into 2021 as more theaters begin opening up to audiences around the world.

Crossovers. You love them. I love them. We all love them! Whether it’s Batman V. Superman, Godzilla vs. Kong, or even The Jetsons Meet The Flintstones, who doesn’t love when two different franchises come together for a special occasion? But do you know which crossover I always wanted to see on the big screen? Robocop vs. Terminator. Yes, I know the Terminator (or rather Terminators) have faced off against RoboCop in comics and video games, but doggonit, I always wanted to see that epic battle on the big screen.

And not just that battle either. While yes, it’s still pretty amazing to me that we got Freddy vs. Jason in actual movie form and not just as some fan fiction on Wattpad, I do wish that we would see a lot more of these kinds of crossover movies than what we’ve already gotten. It looked like we were going to get that with the much-anticipated Men In Black/21 Jump Street crossover, but that has since been cancelled. So what crossovers do I wish came to the the big screen at some point? Well, about that…

RoboCop Vs. Terminator

Written by Sin City’s Frank Miller, RoboCop Versus The Terminator started out as a four issue crossover from Dark Horse Comics that pitted everybody’s favorite metal police officer against three Terminators. When Alex Murphy learns that part of his technology comes from Skynet, he decides that he has to take them down in the future. There was also another crossover in 2011 called Terminator/RoboCop: Kill Human where RoboCop travels into the past to prevent annihilation. So even RoboCop plays funny with time travel. And lastly, there were also a few video games, one for the Genesis, one for the Super Nintendo, and one for the NES, all with different stories!

Look, I love The Terminator series, and I love the RoboCop series. But while The RoboCop series might get another new film to breathe life into the franchise, The Terminator franchise’s future looks like it might be…well, terminated. But if you want to ramp up excitement again for the franchise, then look no further than making a RoboCop Versus Terminator crossover event right now. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see that? I know I certainly would.

Batman/Judge Dredd

I was going to pick Batman vs. Predator, but I think a Batman Vs. Judge Dredd movie would be even better. In the Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham comic, Judge Death ends up in Gotham City. But while chasing him, Batman jumps through a dimensional hole that lands him in Mega City One, where Judge Dredd, being Judge Dredd, tries to arrest Batman for being a vigilante. Judge Anderson helps Batman though, and there’s a whole little adventure wrapped up in four issues. It’s good stuff!

Like the last entry with The Terminator, Dredd could definitely use a pick me up. And while I would love to see Karl Urban reprise his role in another movie of his own, even I can admit that the best course of action would probably be to throw him against another, much more popular character. And who’s more popular than Batman? Plus, how awesome would it have been to see Batman in Mega City One? The answer is extremely awesome. And you know it would have been.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/The Ghostbusters

I know this list is all about versus battles, but how cool would it be if the heroes in a half shell met up with the Ghostbusters? Well, it happened… in comic book form. After a dimensional rift opens, the turtles find themselves in the Ghostbusters version of New York, and there are some ghosts that they have to contend with alongside the Ghostbusters. So who ya gonna call? Well, I don’t know. Dominoes, maybe? The Turtles love pizza, you know.

I desperately wished this became a movie. The idea of alternate reality New Yorks is a fascinating one, since it’s not a fictitious city like Gotham or Mega City One, but the same city. Just different. Plus, the turtles’ personalities would have meshed well with the Ghostbusters (well, I’m talking in hypotheticals, of course, since the original Ghostbusters wouldn’t—and couldn’t—come along for the ride). But whatever version of The Ghostbusters we’d have gotten, I’m sure there would have been personality to spare. I even would have taken the most recent Ghostbusters, because I liked them after all. And I would have gone for another ride with them, no question.

Archie Meets The Punisher

This is another one of those “Meets” stories rather than Versus, but I don’t care. I want to see Archie Vs. Frank Castle! In the one-off comic, The Punisher thinks Archie’s a bad guy, and wants to take him out. But when he realizes he’s wrong, he works with Archie to rescue Veronica. It’s ludicrous, but it’s a classic comic, and mostly only because it’s just so ridiculous.

But here’s the thing. The comic, which came out in 1994, was the cheerful version of Archie. What I want (And this is still actually a possibility) is the new version of Archie from Riverdale, which is already pretty dark and deals with death. So that’s the universe that I want The Punisher to invade. How cool would that be? And in movie form! Make it a three-night event!

Godzilla Vs. Charles Barkley

Screw Godzilla vs. Kong! (Not really). What I always wanted to see was the King of All Monsters vs. the King of All Rebounds. Charles Barkley was already in Space Jam, and that was ridiculous, so why couldn't Charles Barkley have his basketball spat with Godzilla as well? What started as a Nike commercial eventually became a one-off comic book. And while the story is paper thin, there have been movies made on thinner stories ::cough:: Battleship ::cough::, so I don’t see why that should have been a problem.

Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley is just so ridiculous, that it could've work. Look, Godzilla has fought many different monsters before, but he’s never fought Charles Barkley on the big screen. That’s one battle that I would have loved to have seen above all others. I mean, Shaq would have probably done it if somebody had dropped the script in front of him. So why not Barkley? It sucks that the opportunity never presented itself, because now the time has passed.

And those are just some of the crossovers that I would have loved to have seen. But what crossovers would you have liked to have seen? Sound off in the comments section below.

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Just as Robocop Returns felt like a comfortable prospect, what with co-writer/director Neill Blomkamp on board for what seemed like a go picture, a wrench was thrown into the works. Blomkamp has now departed the project, as MGM wants to get the film underway in timely fashion and the District 9 creator is set on making a horror-thriller elsewhere.

So now there’s a movie that needs to be made with a director’s chair sitting vacant and waiting to be filled. If MGM wants to do things right and save RoboCop Returns, it needs a special breed of director to carry the torch of satirical sci-fi action into the 21st century.

That specific criteria could only be covered by a select group of directors, and nine names in particular come to mind. RoboCop Returns stands the best chance at being the long awaited sequel fans have always wanted, if it lands one of the following candidates we humbly submit to your attention.

The Wachowskis

If you were to just take The Matrix alone into consideration, The Wachowskis would have enough action and sci-fi credentials to land the gig of directing a RoboCop sequel with no problem. That said, limiting their filmography to that specific point would not only be unfair to them, but it’d also excise a very important piece of the puzzle.

With later films like Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas and even Jupiter Ascending, The Wachowskis engaged in more criticism towards the bureaucracy of the modern, corporate world. Combining their skill set from the entirety of their film canon, this famed pair of directors could make one hell of a comeback on the back of RoboCop Returns, especially since that big Matrix rumor turned out to be false.

Boots Riley

When you make a satire as sharply witted and visually stunning as Sorry To Bother You, it becomes a calling card for a film like RoboCop Returns. As this proposed sequel is supposed to act like a directly linked sequel to Paul Verhoven’s original, it would really help if a director can put together a biting wit and some eye-popping effects work.

Director Boots Riley is just that sort of director, as his cinematic corporate takedown feels like a cousin to the sort of message the 1987 original was sending when it came to the activities of the corrupt OCP. Not to mention, if there’s enough time for a bit of a rewrite before production, Riley could lend his darkly unique vision to ensure that RoboCop Returns hits harder than ever in a modern economy.

Mike Judge

RoboCop films definitely need a pedigree when it comes to action filmmaking, so in that respect, Mike Judge would have to bone up on how to make his potential vision of RoboCop as combat ready as Paul Verhoven’s series originator. However, when it comes to potentially hiring the mind behind Beavis and Butthead and Idiocracy to direct RoboCop Returns, the world wouldn’t have to worry about his satirical skills.

One could even argue that’s the harder part of the RoboCop formula to master, as one can easily learn action, but satire isn’t as readily taught. Thinking about the ways Judge used both of those landmark projects to say something about popular culture and political degeneration, the stage would be set for RoboCop Returns to bring the franchise back to its socially charged roots.

Lexi Alexander

Hollywood owes Lexi Alexander big time for making a movie as absolutely bonkers, and as joyously fun, as Punisher: War Zone. A film that wasn’t afraid to get bloody or go over the top with its violence and humor, her work on that movie felt like a direct descendant of RoboCop’s 1987 madness. As such, granting Alexander the director’s duties for RoboCop Returns would be one hell of a payback.

Alexander’s directing skills have only gotten sharper through working on such popular shows as Arrow, Supergirl and How To Get Away With Murder. But perhaps the greatest asset in her toolbox is the fact that Lexi Alexander has personal experience in martial arts and stunt work. So if you ever wanted to see what RoboCop Returns would look like if it was a stunt-filled masterpiece with high levels of cartoony snark, Ms. Alexander is the person you want to hire.

Edgar Wright

There has never been a genre that Edgar Wright couldn’t make his own. From Shaun of The Dead to Baby Driver, with Hot Fuzz in-between, the man’s hit a lot of spots on the map of moviemaking. Droll wit, slick action and well-tuned performances are all hallmarks of his work, so RoboCop Returns feels like a film that could not only sing in his hands, it would also be a payoff to most of the work he’s already done in his career.

You can practically see Simon Frost as a slimy OCP executive, Nick Frost as a scientist who’s keen on keeping Alex Murphy an autonomous hero for the people, and at least one shoot-out of insanely fantastic proportions. If RoboCop Returns goes to Edgar Wright, not only would we see things landing in the right hands, Wright just might be able to respectfully reinvent what being a RoboCop movie truly means.

Rachel Talalay

Rachel Talalay may not be the most readily apparent option for directing RoboCop Returns, but in a similar mode to that of Lexi Alexander, Talalay knows how to go out there with her work. Just look at her work on films like Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare and Tank Girl, and you’ll see a special sort of filmmaker. Recently, her television work has been her claim to fame, as Talalay has directed episodes of shows like Supergirl, Riverdale and The Flash, but there’s one show that qualifies her extensively to work on RoboCop Returns.

With three two-part season finales of Doctor Who under her belt, and two of those seasons involving work with the Cybermen, Talalay has work with robotic characters and sarcastic humanoids locked down. Throw that in with her previous experience in some very experimental films of the ‘90s, and this project starts to look like a fantastic fit.

Dan Trachtenberg

10 Cloverfield Lane was one hell of a debut for director Dan Trachtenberg to cut his cinematic teeth on. Jumping straight into an anthological entry in a pre-established franchise is daunting even if you’re a practiced hand at filmmaking, but Trachtenberg did it in style and won a lot of fans in the process.

RoboCop Returns would be a fantastic fit for this auteur’s genre-ready hand, but if you need some more selling, try this on for size. Without Dan Trachtenberg’s skills, we may have never gotten Amazon’s The Boys as a regular series, as he directed the pilot. Setting up a world of over-the-top action and darkly comic corporate malfeasance isn’t for everyone, but Trachtenberg is clearly up to the task.

Kathryn Bigelow

Most folks know Kathryn Bigelow for her more serious films like The Hurt Locker and Detroit, both of which are socially relevant dramas that have a poignant message to deliver. So RoboCop Returns with her at the helm would definitely be able to play the notes of the story that see sympathy for the cyborg law enforcement agent at their most human.

However, in her earlier films Near Dark and Strange Days, there was a very horror/sci-fi slickness that gave us anti-heroes and sympathetic villains that knew how to smile when they were engaged in shady activities. It’d practically be like coming home for Bigelow to take over this new RoboCop sequel, and her prestige worthy skill set could be the sort of sheen the series could use in its latest iteration.

Paul Verhoven

Sometimes, if you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself. If the folks at MGM really want to get things going with RoboCop Returns, while also ensuring this new film feels like a true successor to the RoboCop name, it’s best if they bring back the man himself. Paul Verhoven should be brought back into the RoboCop series in order to directly connect his original film to the future.

As Verhoven is still an active film director, his satire muscles haven’t had that much of a flexing since 1997’s Starship Troopers. While that project may have felt like an oddity at its time of release, the level of dark humor it engaged in was way ahead of the curve. Ideally, if we want RoboCop Returns to be as effective as the first film in the series, you’re going to want to bring the man who helped start it all on board to steer the ship right.

RoboCop Returns is in a crucial stage right now, as the right director means everything to how this production can and will move forward. Neill Blomkamp is a big act to follow, as the man’s vision of science fiction seemed pretty spot on for the project. But as you can see, there’s others that could make some pretty interesting fits in the RoboCop landscape. All that needs to happen is for the studio to make the right choice.

Movies are sometimes too good to be true, and every so often we’re painfully reminded of that fact when a promising project gets shot down in its prime. Writer/director Neill Blomkamp’s Robocop sequel, Robocop Returns, is the latest example of a good thing ending too soon, as Blomkamp and the project have parted ways.

We’ll still be getting Robocop Returns though, and that’s part of what makes this news painful. In a tweet issued this morning, Neill Blomkamp announced his departure, and the reasons behind it, as follows:

If you’re really excited about another RoboCop movie under any circumstances, then you’re probably pleased to know that RoboCop Returns isn’t cancelled. Rather, the film is still going forward into production, as the studio wishes, and Blomkamp is leaving because he’s got a horror-thriller in the works that he’s excited to get up and running.

However, for those who wanted to see what Neill Blomkamp was about to deliver with Robocop Returns, this is indeed a dark day. It only gets darker when you measure it up against the fact that the District 9 creator is now two for two on failing to bring his bold vision to legendary ‘80s franchises. Let’s not forget, studio politics allegedly robbed the man of making his vision for Alien 5 in the recent past.

The brief history of Robocop Returns and Blomkamp started a little over a year ago, when he was announced as the man who would bring Robocop Returns into the future, providing a direct sequel to the 1987 classic that would ignore both sequels and the 2014 reboot. From there, all sorts of wild prospects seemed to be possible.

Producer/series co-creator Ed Neumeier, one of the instrumental figures that brought the original Robocop to life, had hinted that Neill Blomkamp and co-writer Justin Rhodes may have been working on an updated version of the original sequel that he and co-writer Michael Miner had crafted back in the ‘80s. Though much like the current situation that the director described on Twitter, that original concept was also scrapped by a studio wanting to get a film out to the public as soon as possible.

There was even some brief hope that this sequel would be the one to bring Peter Weller back to the Robocop fold, as Blomkamp put that wish out into the universe in hopes it’d pay off for Robocop Returns. Alas, the closest we’ve gotten to that big ask coming true is a series of KFC commercials Weller had done in character, as the chances of a full Robocop renaissance with the actor don’t look good.

As it stand, Robocop Returns is still a go picture. It just needs a director, and more than likely will start to mutate into something different from the original vision that Neill Blomkamp fiercely held as the future of the franchise. While it could still be one hell of a follow-up, depending on who steps into the director’s chair, that doesn’t wash away the fact that having Blomkamp on board was a huge factor in the excitement behind this film.

We’ll see what happens from this point on, as Robocop Returns hasn’t released an official release date, but is clearly in MGM/Orion’s sights as a going concern for the near future. If it’s anything as clever as the recent Child’s Play reboot, we could be lucky; but at this moment, it’s too hard to tell.

However, it’s much easier for you to find your next night out at the movies, as the 2019 release schedule is available to show you what’s coming in the weeks and months ahead.

It’s official, folks: we live in a world where RoboCop can be Colonel Sanders. Earlier today, KFC debuted several ads featuring the cybernetic hero promoting its fried chicken and protecting the secret recipe, complete with Peter Weller vocally reprising the character. Make no mistake, it’s a bizarre thing seeing RoboCop wearing the Colonel’s signature facial hair, glasses and bowtie, but now District 9 director Neill Blomkamp, who’s tackling the next RoboCop movie, has sent this peculiar tweet in response to the KFC ads.

What’s the problem here? Did KFC inadvertently pull from the story that Neill Blomkamp and writer Justin Rhodes have planned for RoboCop Returns? Is Blompkamp upset that RoboCop has sold out to fast food? Is he worried that a cyborg programmed to throw fried chicken at people will cause more good than bad? Or it is something as simple as Blomkamp thinking that this isn’t a good advertising campaign? Whatever the explanation, this Twitter post indicates that Blomkamp is not a fan of RoboCop filling the Colonel Sanders shoes. Would he have preferred The Terminator take on the mantle instead?

It’s worth mentioning that last November, it was reported that Peter Weller will not appear in RoboCop Returns, despite the fact that Neill Blomkamp that Weller was his top choice to play the part. It’s legitimately possible that Blomkamp is displeased that Weller turned down the opportunity to star in the upcoming movie, but he was willing to voice the character again for a fast food chain. If that is the case, I wouldn’t blame Blomkamp for being disappointed.

In any case, as far as we know, Neill Blomkamp’s RoboCop Returns is still moving ahead as planned. Rather than be a sequel to the 2014 RoboCop reboot, RoboCop Returns will be a sequel to the original 1987 RoboCop, but also ignore what happened in RoboCop 2 and RoboCop 3, which is the same kind of creative approach that last year’s Halloween and this November’s Terminator: Dark Fate used. Granted, most of RoboCop’s face is covered, so it’s easy enough to any actor in the Robo-suit, but it still would have been nice to see Peter Well properly play the character again since this sequel is set in the original RoboCop continuity.

Beyond that, RoboCop Returns will reportedly see the protagonist returning to Detroit to fight crime and corruption as anarchy reigns supreme in the city. Producer Ed Neumeier, who co-wrote the original RoboCop, said that this sequel will feel as if Paul Verhoeven had directed another RoboCop movie, suggesting that those who enjoyed the tone of the first story can look forward to RoboCop Returns channeling that same kind of energy. It’s probably also safe to assume that RoboCop won’t he touting any fried chicken during this new adventure.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all the latest updates concerning RoboCop and other movie characters brought in to sell fast food. In the meantime, be sure to look through our 2019 release schedule to learn what movies are hitting theaters later this year.

As much as we can all agree that fried chicken is one of life's greatest gifts to taste buds, we can also share in the opinion that KFC's marketing campaigns are some of the silliest and most unpredictable. That streak continues with the latest entertainment personality to don Colonel Sanders' glasses, string bow tie and prime directives: RoboCop. No, not whatever other version you're thinking of to try and compensate for reality., but RoboCop. Check out the new commercial below.

I know what you're thinking. "What the hell did I just watch, and why isn't everything else in the world just like it?" I can't address the second part, sadly. But I can tell you that is indeed RoboCop star Peter Weller's voice at the end of the ad, and I can also answer that first question in one way or another.

KFC, with its revolving door of celebrities portraying the iconic pitchman Colonel Sanders, decided to look far beyond just flesh and blood in recasting the role. Finding another Jason Alexander, Reba McEntire or Game of Thrones' Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson just wouldn't be enough. To promote chicken like this, one needs the kind of product-hocking prowess of a morally bound killing machine. Dead or alive, you're gonna eat some chicken when RoboCop is the one making the requests.

Not only is he good for some good old fashioned dinner table laughter, but RoboCop is also dedicated to making sure the streets are safe...from hunger. Check out this other new ad.

That RoboCop sure does have an arm on him, even if his new obsession with KFC makes him completely oblivious to crimes happening in the city. He'd probably be quick to cite the fast food giant for "salt and battering" chicken, amirite?. And he just cited me for shit punnery!

The ads above might make one think that RoboCop slapped on the Colonel's mustache and soul patch out of sheer promotional lunacy. However, there IS a method and meaning to the madness. Albeit a similarly humorous one, but a rose is a rose is a rose. (Unless it's also a robot and/or a cop.)

As explained by Andrea Zahumensky, KFC's U.S. chief marketing officer, RoboCop was commissioned by the restaurant to be an "enhanced security measure" for a special journey. An encrypted copy of the Colonel's globally renowned secret recipe of eleven signature herbs and spices was transported to Stockholm, Sweden to be placed within the Bahnhof maximum security nuclear bunker, considered one of the most secure vaults on the planet. Not even a nuclear fallout will keep future generations from finger-lickin chicken.

Just in case anyone thought the vault trip was just more facetiousness, the video below documents RoboCop's recipe trek around the world.

Considering Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop purposefully clashed all manner of American ideals in the worlds of politics and business (and more), this new Colonel RoboCop weirdly doesn't feel like that much of a thematic stretch. Let's not forget – as many pro wrestling fans have tried – that to promote the second feature in 1990, RoboCop made a surprise appearance alongside Sting at the WCW pay-per-view event Capital Combat. If only he would have been this funny back then.

With any luck, KFC will be running these and more Colonel RoboCop commercials for as long as possible through the TV midseason. Maybe a flashback to a time when an ED-2019 was the Colonel. While waiting to see more and while waiting to hear more about the new movie, which Peter Weller reportedly won't be a part of, let us know what you guys think about the new ads below.

The last attempt at rebooting the RoboCop franchise didn't go particularly well, but that hasn't dissuaded others from trying to bring back the character. District 9's Neill Blomkamp is currently working on a brand new RoboCop movie, though when I say new, what I really mean is, something that will closely resemble the 80s action classic. It seems that Blomkamp's script isn't just designed to have a story that follows the original RoboCop, but it's also supposed to feel like the original as well. According to producer Ed Neumeier...

The new project is currently titled RoboCop Returns and it looks to be coming to the screen with the same strategy as the recent Halloween sequel, as it will apparently be a direct sequel to the original 1987 RoboCop, but one that will not acknowledge the fact that said movie had two sequels already.

Based on what producer Ed Neumeier tells HN Entertainment, the goal of the new film is to continue both the story and the tone of the project as director Neill Blomkamp and his co-writer want to make the movie feel like it's the RoboCop sequel original director Paul Verhoeven would have made if he had been convinced to return to make either of the sequels that did happen.

A recent attempt at rebooting RoboCop was made but the film flopped and no franchise was built. It seems now that the idea, as has often been the case in recent years, is to try to go back to what worked before. Since only the original RoboCop is what you would call a hit, that means trying to capture as much of that film as possible.

Of course, to do that properly, it's likely going to require getting Peter Weller to return to reprise his role of the part-man, part-machine, all-cop. According to Ed Neumeier there is still a hope that could happen, though it's been reported that Weller is not interested.

While a followup to the original RoboCop that actually feels like the original RoboCop is certainly a fantastic idea, it remains to be seen just how easy that is to do. We'll have to wait and see if RoboCop, does in fact, return.

Superhero movies have grown to be immensely popular within the last 25 years, but while Marvel and DC certainly lead the way in terms of major brands, there also exists a wide variety of source material within the genre. And even beyond all of the indie publishers that generate features, there are also those films that exist as original creations - not adaptations of comic books or strips. It's those latter titles in particular that we are here to highlight today.

This weekend will see the release of Glass, the conclusion of M. Night Shyamalan's Eastrail 177 Trilogy, and with it in mind we've decided to collect a list of the nine best superhero movies that didn't take specific inspiration from any established work. It's an eclectic mix of films -- both live-action and animated, and tonally light and dark -- and overall proof that fictional vigilantes don't always have to get their start with illustrations and speech bubbles.

Unbreakable

We obviously wouldn't have Glass without M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable, and 19 years after its release it remains a fascinating bit of storytelling. It's unlike any big screen origin we've seen -- in that it weirdly only covers what are typically seen as the first two acts of the story -- but it succeeds by being moody, compelling, and magical. At a time when costumed heroes weren't everywhere in cinemas, it was special to watch David Dunn (Bruce Willis) add more weights to his workout and test his limitations, and you wonderfully teeter on the question of whether he is or isn't superhuman. The pop culture environment has now changed, but the movie's impact hasn't.

Darkman

Sam Raimi contributed in a major way to the growth of the superhero genre with his trilogy of Spider-Man films, but fans will note that it wasn't actually his first toe dip into the arena. Instead, that happened more than a decade earlier when he made 1990's Darkman. It was made for a whole hell of a lot less money that the web-slinger features, and didn't have the same kind of advanced effects at its disposal, but to this day it remains an awesome thriller with a power we haven't really seen in mainstream superheroes: being a master of disguise. The fact that the movie also has a heavy helping of Raimi's horror sensibilities is just icing on the cake.

Chronicle

Josh Trank will sadly long be remembered for his unfortunate Fantastic Four movie, but at the same time we won't forget the awesome film that actually got him that job. Chronicle combined the strengths of two burgeoning trends in the aughts -- superheroes and found footage -- and the result is a double dose of awesome and creepy. Plus, as a serious extra bonus, the feature is also the one that brought both Michael B. Jordan and Dane DeHaan to the attention of the world, and given the work they've done since, that's an impressive legacy all by itself.

The Incredibles

Pixar was at the top of its game in 2004 when Brad Bird took the helm of his first film at the studio, and together they made The Incredibles into something amazing. There are hints of Watchmen, some really stunning and creative action, and a beautiful 1950s flair, but what really sells this movie (and its sequel for that matter) is the amazing relationships between the members of the superpowered Parr family. This is one that could be watched hundreds of times and never get old.

The Specials

James Gunn became a household name thanks to his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy films, but the reality is that his excitement about sci-fi and superheroes was showcased in his work years before his association with Marvel. His first go at it was writing Craig Mazin's comedy The Specials -- and while it's certainly a film that is rough around the edges and clearly made on a tight budget, it also has a great deal of charm and basically suffers from being just a little before its time with its parody (it was released in 2000). It definitely wasn't a success, but fortunately Gunn would eventually get another crack at the genre, and I'm not talking about Guardians. But we'll get to that in a bit...

RoboCop

Released in 1987, Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop is not only an action classic, but also one of the great 20th century superhero stories, featuring a dedicated cop (Peter Weller) becoming more than human -- specifically part machine -- so that he can put a permanent end to crime in Detroit. It's gruesome, and sometimes wholly disgusting, but it's also filled with badass, explosive 80s-style action and driven by an awesome character's journey for a new understanding of self. No matter how many times they bring this story back, the original will always be the best.

Hancock

Long before he became the DC Extended Universe's version of Deadshot, Will Smith first tried his hand at the superhero game with Peter Berg's Hancock, and while not exactly perfect, it is one of the more interesting and unique original superhero features to be released. We're certainly not used to seeing powered individuals as homeless drunks, but that's not the only unexpected development as there wind up being some interesting rules for the lead character's abilities. It's a movie that didn't turn out to be everything that audiences were hoping for, but it also definitely has a cool story to tell within the genre.

Megamind

The Incredibles beat Tom McGrath's Megamind to theaters by about six years, but it shouldn't be dismissed as just "that other animated superhero movie." While kids are certainly the focus for this one, the film is actually legitimately fun, and is unique on this list being the only one that centers on a villain. Will Ferrell gives a great performance as the blue, giant-headed titular character, and there are some real surprises that wind up unfolding throughout the course of the story.

Super

Remember how I said that we weren't done with James Gunn? Super is admittedly a bit different than every other title on this list, as Rainn Wilson's Frank is a protagonist without real superpowers, but we're counting it because of his seriously inflamed sense of justice, and his propensity for dressing up in a costume and mask to call himself the Crimson Bolt. All of the great markings of superhero movies are here, with an added dark twist that only Gunn could provide, and it's as shocking as it is fun and weird. Wilson delivers one of the best performances of his career, but it's Ellen Page who steals every scene as his hyper-excited sidekick, Boltie.

Of this selection, which movie do you feel is best? Do you think there is a title that we didn't include that you feel deserves to be on here? Hit the comments section below with all of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Neill Blomkamp's idea for an Alien sequel never took off, but the director's working on a follow-up to another sci-fi 80's franchise. Blomkamp is developing a direct sequel to 1987's RoboCop that will ignore the other films in the franchise. Being a continuation rather than a reboot, Blomkamp had hoped that original actor Peter Weller would return to the role for RoboCop Returns. But Weller is reportedly choosing not to come back.

RoboCop first hit the scene in 1987 and followed a police officer who was brutally gunned down in the line of duty, then resurrected as a cyborg by a corporation to clean up the streets of Detroit. Peter Weller starred as the titular character and then reprised his role for the sequel three years later. However, Weller decided to skip the third movie, with Robert John Burke taking his place.

It sounds like Peter Weller is still uninterested in reprising his role as RoboCop. The actor's representatives reportedly confirmed to Super Bro Movies that Weller would not be returning for Neill Blomkamp's RoboCop Returns. Blomkamp had previously said that Weller was his top choice to play the part, but he may have to resort to Plan B should RoboCop Returns take off the ground.

There was no reason given for why Peter Weller was opting to sit out the sequel. It would be understandable if the 71-year-old Weller didn't want to hop back into the RoboCop suit again or do a mo-cap performance.

There is some wiggle room for Neill Blomkamp. RoboCop Returns is a direct follow-up to the original, ignoring the following sequels and 2014 reboot. Depending on how long after the first film the sequel is set, it's believable to cast another actor in the role. After all, the only part of the actor that can be seen in the RoboCop suit is the mouth, so it's really not that big a deal to recast.

Peter Weller's decision not to return for the movie goes against the mini-trend that has been developing in Hollywood in recent years. Actors from beloved '80s franchises have been reprising their roles in direct follow-ups that ignore poorly received sequels. Jamie Lee Curtis returned as Laurie in the new Halloween movie, while Linda Hamilton is back as Sarah Connor in Terminator 6.

Not much else is known about RoboCop Returns at this time, but it might be set one year after the original and could return to an R-rating. The sequel is still in the early phases of development, so there's a chance that it may not get off the ground. Be sure to stick with CinemaBlend and we'll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest movie news as soon as it is available.

The original RoboCop is violent, there's no question about that, but it could have been a lot more intense. Originally the Motion Picture Association of America gave the movie an X-rating due to its graphic violence, requiring director Paul Verhoeven to to cut out much of the blood and gore, as well as insert some humorous commercials during the news broadcasts to help lighten the mood. After more than ten tries, Verhoeven was finally successful in getting RoboCop knocked down to an R-rating, and that's the version that was screened to the masses. However, if you head to Amazon right now, you can stream the X-rated version of RoboCop.

Ok, so nowadays we'd think of it as the NC-17 version of RoboCop, but nevertheless, as noticed by Comicbook.com, rather than showing the traditional R-rated one, Amazon Prime has the more gruesome version of RoboCop available for its subscribers. It's unclear if this was intentionally done, as the movie is not labeled as the "X-rated" or "unrated" cut. Nevertheless, if you're a RoboCop fan, it becomes immediately clear that this version of the movie is not the one that's usually readily available. That being said, this certainly isn't the first time that the X-rated RoboCop has been released, as it's previously been released several times on DVD and Blu-ray. For streaming, on the other hand, this appears to mark its big debut.

Paul Verhoeven has said that he wanted RoboCop's violence to be as over-the-top as possible to the point that it was comical, which is fine from an artistic sense, but that subsequently causes problems when getting an official rating. Among the scenes that had to be toned in RoboCop included Alex Murphy (the man who would become RoboCop) being executed and the ED-209 law enforcement droid gunning down some poor executive. Now there's obviously still many violent movies left to be seen in the theatrical cut of RoboCop, but just be aware that if you plan on catching the movie on Amazon Prime, at least for now, you're in for an even gorier ride.

As far as the RoboCop franchise as a whole goes, the two sequels that followed the original weren't met with nearly the same level of positivity as their predecessor, and in 2014, the RoboCop reboot was released and earned mixed reactions. Now the franchise is taking the same approach as this month's Halloween and next year's Terminator 6 by selectively ignoring continuity. Directed by District 9's Neil Blompkamp, the upcoming RoboCop Returns will be a direct sequel to the original RoboCop and see the eponymous protagonist returning to Detroit to battle crime and corruption as the city's fate hangs in the balance due to anarchy being widespread.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more coverage on the RoboCop franchise, but for now, don't forget to look through our 2018 and 2019 release schedules to plan your trips to the theater over the next year accordingly.

It's still technically in the early phases, but Neill Blomkamp's direct sequel to RoboCop, neatly titled RoboCop Returns, already sounds like it's going to be the follow-up that was supposed to have happened in the first place. Though this doesn't mean that fans of director Paul Verhoeven's initial entry in a franchise where humor, gore, and heart all mixed are going to automatically get the first proper sequel to the franchise in its 31 year history. Going about RoboCop Returns the wrong way could be either merely ok like RoboCop 2, or worse, as disastrous as the PG-13, kid-sidekick enhanced RoboCop 3. A good RoboCop sequel is going to need some ground rules, and such regulations are as follows:

Peter Weller's Return As Alex Murphy / RoboCop

Right out of the gate, Neill Blomkamp has made a pretty bold, but universally accepted claim: only Peter Weller can bring justice to the role of Alex Murphy on the big screen. While other actors have taken a good stab at the role themselves, the preparation and acting craft that Weller brought to what could have been a schlocky, one note cyborg cop was what helped make RoboCop such a hit in the first place. This movie could have everything else in line, but if RoboCop Returns doesn't have Peter Weller as the part badass, part warm human, all cop called Murphy by all of his friends, you're already starting at a massive disadvantage.

R-Rated Violence

RoboCop 3 really was one of those weird sequels that tried to continue a more mature franchise's story in a tonally inferior manner. As if the suits in charge were acting like the OCP executives who tried to soften Murphy's image in RoboCop 2, toning down the humor and action of the RoboCop franchise was as bad of an idea as it was to rush one into production. Luckily, Neill Blomkamp understands that the shock value of flesh, bone, and gore are tools that can be used just as precisely as any sort of story beat and special effect. With his expertise in hand, the studio should have no reservations on giving RoboCop Returns a hard R greenlight.

A Story Worthy Of Following The Original RoboCop

While we're at it, another important factor that RoboCop Returns should keep in mind as it moves through the rewriting phase is the political and societal humor that Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner had at the heart of both the script to the original RoboCop, as well as their draft at a sequel, RoboCop: The Corporate War. Considering they dreamed up a reality TV star becoming president in 1988, it's safe to say that the two writers are on the track in that respect. But the third, and most important, aspect the story for Robocop Returns needs to keep in mind is Murphy's struggle as a man who's not quite human, but not totally machine. If they could land those three factors before, one would think they can do it again.

New, Believable Robot Adversaries

With each RoboCop sequel we've seen come down the pike, a solid theme has been repeated with subpar execution: the idea of Murphy's RoboCop standing off against another robotic adversary. It's certainly a theme worth following up on, as the first film's dissection of what makes Alex Murphy a man and what makes him RoboCop is the heart of that first film's story. Both sequels certainly tried, and to differing extents failed, to provide us with a robot challenger that could help dig deeper into our hero's journey, so naturally RoboCop Returns has a prime chance to wipe the slate clean, and do proper justice to pitting two robots in physical combat.

Practical Effects Over Excessive CGI

While the effects of the RoboCop weren't perfect, seeing a practical version of our hero kicking all sorts of ass made what we were seeing as impressive as it was grounded. No matter which film you saw in the series, pre-reboot, there was always a presence in the character of Alex Murphy and the world that he lived in. There's going to be massive temptation to turn RoboCop Returns into a fully CGI wonderland of carnage and combat, but if there aren't actual, physical effects at work in the film's compliment, it's just going to take the audience out of the classic series headspace this film is trying to invoke. Also, real explosions look a lot cooler.

Officer Anne Lewis

Much as we're amped to see Peter Weller possibly returning for RoboCop Returns, it's not a true RoboCop movie if you're not bringing back Nancy Allen's Officer Anne Lewis back into the fold. The chemistry between her and Weller in the first two films was undeniably perfect, as the new partners became an iconic duo in almost record time. Seeing where the decades of devolution and decay between the first film and Neill Blomkamp's sequel have brought Anne are going to be an important component to seeing how Alex Murphy reacts to the future he's about to wake up in, so if you're going to bring back Peter Weller, you're pretty much required to return Nancy Allen to the fold as well.

Leave it to Neill Blomkamp to stir the pot the way he did a couple of days ago. While responding to a fan's tweet asking about who should play the new Robocop in Neill Blomkamp's planned direct sequel to the 1987 classic, currently titled Robocop Returns, the District 9 director had only one name in his heart: Peter Weller himself. Now while everyone is either foaming at the mouth to make this happen, or scratching their heads as to how, there's a clever solution that's been on ice for the last 30 years. As it turns out, the original concept for Robocop 2, written by series masterminds Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner, has just the ticket to making Weller the man who would play Alex Murphy again.

Back in the days of the original Robocop's success, Orion Pictures really wanted a sequel to help their then flagging studio. Enter Neumeier and Miner, drafted to craft what would eventually be called Robocop: The Corporate Wars. The script, according to an interview between the writers and the site Robocop Archives, eventually fell prey to an ill-timed writer's strike and the studio's want for an ASAP follow-up film. What sucks is, in that script, we see Alex Murphy seemingly bite the big one in the first couple of minutes, only to wake up decades later in the future. A future where OCP has run rampant, and the world needs Murphy to set things right once more.

The kicker is that initial draft from Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner is now the one that newly hired writer Justin Rhodes is currently re-writing for Neill Blomkamp's Robocop Returns. As it's no secret that Neumeier and Miner are looking to wipe out the sequels that were created after their original film (Halloween style), and with Blomkamp making a name for himself when it comes to sequels that override canon, one would think this story won't deviate too far from the original vision. Should this be the case, it's a perfect recipe for Peter Weller to come back to the fold. The story has the opportunity built in, with the blessing of the original minds behind the franchise's fate, and it even has some options when it comes to integrating Weller himself.

While the rationale in Robocop: The Corporate Wars' script calls for Alex Murphy to have been cryogenically frozen over these past years, there's still the possibility that Murphy will still have aged somewhat if this tactic remains in Robocop Returns. After all, cryo-stasis would be able to slow down the aging process, not kill it entirely. It's encouraging when you think about how Peter Weller looks pretty good at his age, which also helps ease into any of the strategies and alternatives that could be used to make his participation work to the best-case scenario. Should Neill Blomkamp feel the need to do some CGI touch-ups a la Marvel's Ant-Man films, that too is also an option.

Up until this point, it might have been difficult to even dream of putting Peter Weller into a new Robocop suit. But now with advanced mo-cap and CGI, it's totally plausible that this new script's revival of Alex Murphy can look like the 1988 Writer's Strike never happened. Robocop is a franchise that deserved way better in terms of its sequels, and while it's been a long, crazy road to Robocop Returns, it looks like the wait for a true sequel will have been worth it. While Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner did get to visit pieces of their sequel's story in the syndicated TV show, Robocop: The Series, Neill Blomkamp's Robocop Returns is the best hope for revisiting the concept with the biting satire and hardcore action of the original Paul Verhoeven film. And thanks to the technological advances of today, as well as some real-time aging on Peter Weller's behalf, the story's big jump into the future will be as authentic as humanly possible.

You can read more about the original, unused concept for Robocop: The Corporate Wars over at the Robocop Archives' site, and you can even see the original draft for the film's story for yourself.

Back in 2014, Hollywood gave RoboCop the reboot treatment, and while the end result did okay commercially, it was met with mixed critical reaction. For a while, a sequel for that reboot was in development, but ultimately nothing ever came of that. Cut to this past January, Ed Neumeier, the writer of the original RoboCop movie, revealed that a new RoboCop movie was in the works, only this one would be a continuation of 1987's RoboCop. Now it's been confirmed that this particular project is moving forward, and District 9's Neil Blomkamp will direct it.

This new RoboCop movie will be called RoboCop Returns, and along with Neil Blomkamp in the director's chair, Justin Rhodes, who co-wrote Tim Miller's upcoming Terminator movie, will rewrite the script that Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner (who co-wrote the original RoboCop with Neumeier) penned years back. Neumeier and Miner are still attached to this new movie as producer and executive producer, respectively. Originally written to be the sequel to director Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop, RoboCop Returns will see RoboCop making his triumphant return to Detroit to fight crime and corruption as the city's fate hangs in the balance due to anarchy being widespread.

As most of you reading know, the original RoboCop was a critical and commercial success that spawned two sequels, with Peter Weller reprising the eponymous role for 1990's RoboCop 2 and Robert John Burke taking over for 1993's RoboCop 3. As for why Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner's RoboCop Returns script wasn't used for RoboCop 2, Neumeier told Deadline that at the time, director Paul Verhoeven wasn't interested in the "the politics of a sequel." After the 1988 Writers Strike happened, new creative talent was brought aboard, including Frank Miller and Walon Green writing the script, and Irvin Kershner directing the sequel. Decades later, MGM contacted Neumeier about creating franchise material for the studio, and now his and Miner's other RoboCop story is finally being brought to life, albeit with some changes. While not 100% clear, it sounds like RoboCop Returns will be taking the Halloween route by directly following the original RoboCop and ignoring the other sequels that came before.

As for Neil Blomkamp, after 2009's District 9, he made 2013's Elysium and 2015's Chappie; both movies performed decently at the box office, but the former earned mixed-to-positive reception from critics, while the latter earned primarily negative reviews. Here's what Blomkamp had to say regarding why he boarded RoboCop Returns, aside from just being a fan of the original RoboCop:

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on how RoboCop Returns is progressing. In the meantime, don't forget to look through our 2018 release schedule to learn what movies are hitting theaters later this year.

Although the first Robocop movie is considered a 1980s sci-fi cinematic classic, its 1990 and 1993 sequels weren't met with nearly the same amount of critical lauding (to put it lightly). Then a Robocop reboot came out in 2014, and while it certainly wasn't a train wreck by any stretch of the imagination, it also failed to relaunch the franchise in an effective way. Now with 2018 being a few weeks old, original Robocop writer Ed Neumeier has revealed that he's working on new movie centered on the cyborg law enforcement officer, but it won't be a sequel to the reboot or even a continuation of the earlier Robocop sequels. When asked for details about this new entry, Neumeier responded:

Although it was reported back in late 2015 that there were still plans to make a sequel to the Robocop reboot, there haven't been any updates since then. Now with Ed Neumeier's revelation to Zeitgeist Entertainment Magazine, it looks like that idea has been tossed aside in favor of returning to the original Robocop continuity, but rather than follow up on where Robocop 3 left off, it will instead pick up after 1987's Robocop. It's unclear if this means Peter Weller will reprise Robocop or if this will follow a new protagonist with Weller playing a mentor-like role, but either way, if you like the original Robocop movie, then this news should come as a welcome surprise.

Although sequels in a movie series traditionally follow one after another, it's not unheard of for certain series to ignore specific predecessors so as not to be creatively restrained. For instance, 2006's Superman Returns didn't factor in the events of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. More recent examples include this year's Halloween movie only being a sequel to the original 1978 movie of the same name, while the next Terminator movie will only be following after the original two James Cameron-helmed installments. As things stand now, it doesn't sound like the new Robocop movie has been officially greenlit, but if MGM likes what Ed Neumeier creates, then no doubt the studio won't waste anytime putting it into production.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more updates on how this new Robocop movie is developing. In the meantime, you can consult with our 2018 release schedule to find out what movies will hit theaters this year.

The original Robocop is one of the great 1980s action movies. The remake from a couple years back will not be looked back on as one of the great action movies of the 2010s. Paul Verhoeven understands exactly why this is. The director of the original film thinks they took the premise far too seriously and removed all of Verhoeven's trademark satire, which just made the movie a little too heavy for audiences to deal with.

The other movie that Paul Verhoeven is referring to in his comments to Collider is Total Recall another film that was remade, and played completely straight, that failed to resonate with audiences at all. Verhoeven admits that his films are often somewhat absurd. The thing is, that they are intentionally so. Satire is a big part of what Verhoeven does, however, when a new team comes along to remake the story, they see that absurdity as a problem and remove it in order to make the film more serious. The director feels that the comedy aspect is important as it gives the audience a necessary distance between them and the material. By removing it, the film becomes too much.

In Paul Verhoeven's original, Robocop does not know that he's actually Alex Murphy. Him gaining this knowledge is a major part of the film. In the remake, they save his brain and so the character knows who he is and what has happened to him. It may help the audience relate to the character in some way. However, it completely changes the overall tone of the film.

There seems to be a feeling among many in Hollywood that you can't make a movie that's dark, or deals with serious ideas, if that movie is also is funny. That the audience can't take a movie seriously if the film doesn't take itself seriously. It's clear that Paul Verhoeven doesn't agree with this sentiment, and based on the success that his films have had, and the remakes failures in that regard, he may be on to something.

How do you think the Robocop remake compares to the original. Let us know in the comments below.

Reboots and remakes of hit movies have become commonplace in Hollywood, but it's difficult for them to be successful, let alone be more popular than the original version. For example, 2014's RoboCop. While not a massive commercial or critical flop, it definitely wasn't the success that those involved hoped it would be, earning mixed reviews and only a little over $242 million worldwide. While there are a number of reasons why the movie wasn't more successful, director José Padilha attributes Hollywood interference for why making it was disappointing for him.

Padilha, who is currently working on the Netflix series Narcos, explained to Screen Daily how he wasn't given enough freedom when making RoboCop, and the experience led him to reevaluate which projects he'll take in the future. As he put it:

While José Padilha did also admit that he should have known better than to expect his full vision for RoboCop would have been realized in a Hollywood setting, but it's nonetheless a shame to hear that there was so much conflict during the RoboCop production. Of course, studio interference is nothing new in the world of blockbusters. Too often we hear about writers and directors who have plotted out how a story will be told on the big screen, but those plans are changed when studio executives have their own ideas about what they want included. Just last year, Joss Whedon expressed his frustration about having to argue with Marvel bigwigs about keeping and adding certain scenes in Avengers: Age of Ultron. In Padilha's case, his RoboCop experience has subsequently led to him turning down helming several action and superhero movies, instead to wanting his stories to "face reality."

Released 27 years after the original movie, the RoboCop remake starred Joel Kinnaman as the eponymous hero, and also featured Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish and Jackie Earle Haley. While the new movie certainly looked more glossy than its predecessors, for many, it just didn't have the same charm. RoboCop 2 was reportedly in development as of September last year, but there's been no update regarding its progress since then, so it's hard to say if the sequel will ever become a reality. If it does, one thing is guaranteed: José Padilha won't be the one directing it.

We'll keep you updated on what the future holds in store for all things RoboCop, but for now, let us know what you thought of the recent remake in the comments below. As for José Padilha, his next movie will be Entebbe, the dramatization of the 1976 Air France airliner hijacking.

Warcraft's paltry domestic box office return of $24 million over its opening weekend would lead you to believe that the Duncan Jones helmed blockbuster was the latest in a long line of video-game adaptations to have faltered, but that only tells 1/16th of the story. Because while Warcraft has floundered in the US it has grossed $280.5 million internationally, and in China alone it has brought in $156.8 million in just five days. Warcraft is now even expected to seriously challenge the $390 million amassed by Furious 7 in the territory, which made it the highest grossing Hollywood movie ever in China.

China has firmly become a key market for Hollywood studios. Currently it's the second largest box office in the world, but it's expected that the country's revenue will surpass that of the United States at some point in 2017 to make it numero uno. Still, that doesn't mean that their audiences actually have good taste. Because several Hollywood blockbusters that were critically savaged and rejected by US audiences have prospered amongst the nation's 1.3 million inhabitants, and we've gathered up the heavy hitters.

Warcraft

U.S. Box Office Total: $24.3 million

China Box Office Total: $156 million

Rotten Tomato Score: 29%

Warcraft's success in China shouldn't come as much of a surprise. While American audiences were nonplussed by its release, the fact that half of Warcraft's five million players were based in China meant that it was always going to garner interest. Especially since the majority of these players are aged between 18-35, a demographic that usually has plenty of money to spend especially on such cinematic frivolities. Its release was also timed to coincide with the Dragon Boat Festival, which is a public holiday held in China.

Transformers: Age Of Extinction

U.S. Box Office Total: $245 million

China Box Office Total: $320 million

Rotten Tomato Score: 18%

The Transformers franchise has always appealed to Chinese audiences. Over the course of four films, its China box office has made up $588.1 million of its $3.7 billion total. With Age Of Extinction, Paramount firmly aimed the film towards China. Not only did they set the final third of it in the country and Hong Kong (shooting some sequences there but Chicago and Detroit were mostly used as stand-ins, respectively), but Olympic wrestler Zou Shiming, singer and actor Han Geng and Li Bingbing were added to the cast, too. Plus, there was Chinese product placement, most laughably when Mark Wahlbeg tried to use a China Construction Bank ATM in Texas, while the Communist regime's officials are shown to be much more competent than their American counterparts, too.

Terminator Genisys

U.S. Box Office Total: $89 million

China Box Office Total: $113 million

Rotten Tomato Score: 26%

Most moviegoers were disappointed with the fourth installment to the Terminator franchise, which was released last summer to paltry domestic numbers. However, its international figures, especially in China, still means there is life in the franchise, yet. The appeal of both the Terminator brand, as well as the popularity of a returning Arnold Schwarzenegger, were seen as the biggest reasons for Genisys' triumph. Genisys' receipts were also boosted because it was the first film to be released following China's two-month "blackout period," which sees foreign films banned to assist local releases.

Need For Speed

U.S. Box Office Total: $43 million

China Box Office Total: $66 million

Rotten Tomato Score: 23%

A high percentage of you have probably erased Need For Speed from your memories. The forgettable action film took in just $43 million back in 2014., but Chinese audiences' enthusiasm for driving, which is seen as symbol of its burgeoning middle class and catapulted Furious 7 to its $390 million gross in the region, also allowed Need For Speed to strike a chord with Chinese moviegoers. In fact, with a budget of $66 million, its haul in this region led Need For Speed to become a nice little earner, as it ultimately finished with a gross of $203.3 million.

Point Break

U.S. Box Office Total: $28 million

China Box Office Total: $39 million

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 9%

Released a week after Star Wars: The Force Awakens to torrid reviews, domestically, Point Break never looked like it would match its 1991 predecessor's profits, but China responded to its high-octane action and the real-life stunts. This was a big part of its promotion in the country, and thanks to help from DMG, a Chinese group that co-invested inPoint Break's production with Alcon Entertainment, it tapped in to younger viewers. It also profited from being released three weeks earlier in China, too, which allowed good word of mouth to generate before US critics panned it.

The Expendables 3

U.S. Box Office Total: $39 million

China Box Office Total: $72 million

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%

The Expendables 3's US box office return was slightly hurt when three weeks before its release, it was leaked online, leading to it being illegally downloaded over 2 million times in a week. Plus, it also didn't help that it was cut for a PG-13 audience. None of that mattered to Chinese audiences, as they still flocked to see the action ensemble assemble. It was buoyed by a heavy marketing campaign, which saw Jason Statham head out to the country to promote it and thus helping to raise its profile. While that might seem relatively simple, it worked again more recently when Daniel Craig visited China ahead of Spectre's release, leading the Bond flick to take in $83 million in the territory.

San Andreas

U.S. Box Office Total: $115 million

China Box Office Total: $103 million

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 49%

A moderate success in the US, where its $110 million budget was clawed back, San Andreas truly flourished internationally, where it made three times its US total. San Andreas got off to a rollicking start in China, taking in $55 million in its first six days of release. Box office experts put this success down to how common earthquakes occur in the territory, while it helped that it starred Furious 7's Dwayne Johnson, who also made a visit Beijing to try and convince more viewers to go.

RoboCop (2014)

U.S. Box Office Total: $58 million

China Box Office Total: $50 million

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 49%

Chinese audiences have often shown a predilection for seeing films in enhanced new formats, which is exactly what led the underwhelming remake of RoboCop to its strong numbers back in 2014. Despite being released in the usually weak period of February in China, which is just after their New Year, RoboCop thrived because it was converted into 3D specifically for the territory. In fact, no other country released RoboCop in 3D, which made it an alluring commodity for Chinese audiences.

In recent weeks, we've been reading reports about how success at the Chinese box office could wind up not only saving Terminator Genisys from being considered a failure, but also convince the studio to make a sequel. If new reports are to be believed, it seems that Sony's RoboCop series might be in the exact same boat.

This story comes from Den of Geek, and while we're not exactly at the point where a RoboCop 2 is going to get the greenlight, the site says that the door isn't completely shut on the idea. When the film was released in theaters in 2014, it only managed to pull in $58 million here in the United States - which was considered pretty damn bad considering that the project came with a $100 million price tag. Helping to balance the scales, however, was the international box office, which boosted the movie's total worldwide performance to nearly $250 million. Add in the estimated $15 million that the movie has made on home video, and you have numbers that suggest that the movie didn't actually do so bad.

Of course, there will be some debate from movie-goers as to whether or not Sony should actually make a RoboCop 2. The film got very mixed reviews when it came out early last year - but I will actually stand up for it. While the film certainly has its shortcomings, director José Padilha does honestly fill the feature with a number of good ideas and sharp commentary - plus he gets really great performances out of Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Gary Oldman. There's enough established within the continuity to build on in another story, and I wouldn't mind getting another peek into that universe (even if the last RoboCop II we saw was rather awful).

Den of Geek's unnamed sources say that Sony has been open to pitches from filmmakers who have ideas about possible directions - though it doesn't look as though the project is at the top of their to-do list. This is probably the best position for a potential sequel to be in: it will probably only get made if there's an idea that is really worth pursuing. Most follow-ups in Hollywood aren't developed with this in mind, so it really could wind up being for the best of the franchise.

Do you think the rebooted RoboCop should get a sequel? Answer our poll below, and hit the comments section with your thoughts.

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We’ve seen some pretty imposing robots wreak havoc on film. The Terminator continues to be a man of his word ("I’ll be back!"), RoboCop continues to grapple with his human half while shooting off hundreds of rounds into his enemies heads, and the upcoming Ultron in Avengers 2 is hellbent on taking over the world with his near indestructible consciousness. And then there’s Chappie. Neill Blomkamp’s third sci-fi film introduces moviegoers to a new A.I., one that begins his life with the brain capacity of an infant but quickly develops into a gangster bot who likes to pop a few caps with his gaudy gold chains. He may not look the part, but Chappie can get the job done when he puts his mind to it.

But how does Chappie match up to the other robots of cinema history? Is he has badass as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator, as gun happy as RoboCop or as clever as R2-D2? Or is he gentler than Wall-E?

9. Sico, Rocky IV

Sico is definitely larger than Wall-E and R2-D2, but its intelligence is far lower than any of the others on this list. Knowledge is power, amirite? Here’s how I look at it: if something were to go wrong in any of these robots’ programming, how much damage could it inflict given its capabilities? Sico could easily roll over Wall-E, but Wall-E is more agile and can cause some trouble if need be. R2 can whip out various gadgets to help get it out of any situation. Sico, on the other hand, is a slow-moving, slow-reacting bot. When push comes to shove, it’s as non-lethal as one can get.

8. Wall-E, Wall-E

If Wall-E was in a Pokemon-style battle against other cinematic bots, he would undoubtedly be crushed after one tackle attack. There’s no gentler artificially created soul than Wall-E. The lovable lil’ guy from the world of Disney and Pixar was created as a mini-trash compactor, but he became so much more than his programming. This A.I. experienced love, gentility, compassion, friendship, hope and perseverance…but nothing that might benefit him in a match. What Wall-E does have going for him is his elusiveness. He can skirt by with little notice from anyone around him. Bilbo Baggins has this same skill and it kept him alive while traversing the dangerous territories of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy. But both he and Wall-E are at a loss when in direct hand-to-hand combat.

7. Johnny 5, Short Circuit

As we’ve learned time and again, human intelligence within the confines of a robotic cell is a dangerous thing. And the means by which Johnny 5 obtained its consciousness was almost clandestine. Though it looks like a larger version of Wall-E, it rolls around looking to satiate its hunger for "input," which makes it only slightly more lethal. We just hope it never comes to grow hungry for anything more than "input," such as humans, for example. While its capabilities are fairly limited, Johnny 5 is faster, more quick-thinking and more resourceful than most movie robots from the '80s.

6. R2-D2, Star Wars

R2-D2 may not seem like much, but its managed to survive six feature films within the Star Wars universe. And that's thanks in large part to its wit. He's by no means a battle droid. In fact, his main function is to accompany pilots on X-wings in order to man and repair the tech when needed. But much like the other robots in this countdown, it far surpassed its programming. When cornered, its been known to slather his enemies in fuel and set ablaze using the flame from its thrusters. R2 has also been known to waltz through an active warzone (we're thinking of Episode 2 in the Petranaki arena). The droid serve many functions and often times know more about what's really going on than any of the humans.

5. TARS, Interstellar

Interstellar had one of the more bizarre robot assistants we’ve ever seen. With the voice of Bill Irwin, TARS gave a new definition to the term gangly. With a little momentum, TARS can turn itself into a wheel and pummel everything that lies in its wake. Even R2 isn’t durable enough to stay intact under the crushing weight of its pillars. TARS also mold its shape to produce additional arms that can carry people to safety…or crush them, depending on the need. Its material is unknown, but it can withstand the cold temperatures of open space and even (barely) survive a trip through a black hole. Add all of that to his sass, intellect and military robot programming, and he’s one piece of tech you want fighting on your team.

4. Chappie, Chappie

Chappie may not be as smart or as resourceful as R2, but he does have the bodily advantages of a humanoid robot. Yes, R2 has his own set of thrusters, a taser, a video projector and the means of hacking into most computer systems and perform spaceship repairs, but his meager form is no match for the heat Chappie is packing. Blomkamp’s A.I. is capable of handling guns like his "daddy," slinging ninja stars, can withstand gunfire, and can take down other robotics more than three times his size. Where he falters is in his intelligence. He may be like DC’s Amazo android, meaning he can see something and both mimic it and download its information, but he still has the naivety of child new to the world. Many people try to take advantage of this quality, and it even led to him getting his arm sawed off.

3. Baymax, Big Hero 6

Baymax may adore chasing butterflies, but the animated marshmallow can pack a punch when he’s all suited up in his gear. He might be a Disney character…well, first he was a Marvel Comics character and then he was adapted into what we see in Big Hero 6, but he’s one of the most dangerous robots of the big screen. Remember when Hiro took out his "nice" chip and unleashed his full rage in a moment of desperation? With no morality holding him back, he is one lethal weapon. But most of the time, he is held back, and his abilities and actions are limited to what Hiro commands of him. Baymax is capable of thinking on his feet, but he will only take the violence so far.

2. RoboCop, RoboCop

RoboCop has the best of both worlds: he has the intelligence, strength and durability of an unstoppable robot, as well as the emotional capacity of a human. In the Joel Kinnaman-led reboot, he was able to take out even the most large and CGI-heavy weaponry with a series of impossible acrobatics and shots. He definitely has the bronze to lay waste to anyone and everything in his path, but there is a way to take advantage of his human half. He hesitated upon seeing his wife, Clara Murphy, which isn’t good if he’s bracing against a hail of gunfire and he needs to react quickly and efficiently…

1. Terminator, The Terminator

…This is why the Terminator is the most deadly movie robot in this countdown.

He doesn’t have to worry about humanity. He doesn’t have to worry about anyone besides his target/mission (depending on whether he’s the good or bad Terminator). He’s also practically impossible to beat. And if someone somehow manages to do away with his current form, the forces that be will just send another one back in time to finish the job. The T-101 model can withstand nearly any blow, and he has the ability to avoid the ones he can’t. There’ve been many models of the robot, including the morphing T-1000, but none are more badass than Schwarzenegger’s iconic turn. Even the upgrades coming making appearances in the new Terminator trilogy can’t bring him down. How do we know? ‘Cause Schwarzenegger already confirmed he’ll be back for the second and third installments.

Since the moment they've opened their doors, YouTube has always been a fine purveyor of everything from DIY hacks to cute animal videos, with tons of gaffes, live TV moments, and movie trailers filling the gaps in between. Yet there's one thing YouTube isn't primarily known for, at least when it comes to the legal enjoyment of filmed entertainment: they've got a lot of good movies sitting on their servers, just waiting to be viewed -- in their entirety. Some are classics that have fallen into public domain, and can be watched for free. Others are big studio pictures or legacy titles that are locked up tighter that Citizen Kane's past. Yet they all have one thing in common: they're on the YouTubes and available for anywhere from free to a nominal fee.

So if you're looking for something to watch, Netflix or Amazon Prime are exhausted options, and your Blu Ray collection has been picked over so frequently you know all the words to X-Men: Days Of Future Past, why not frequent some of these easy to view picks? Chances are there's something you've always been meaning to watch sitting on the list below.

Big

Year Of Release: 1988

IMDB Score: 7.3 / 10

Synopsis: After Josh Baskins makes a wish upon a carnival fortune-telling machine, he grows up to become a more Tom Hanks-looking version of what he'd look like as an adult. With the help of his best friend, he embarks on a journey to make better toys, reverse the wish, and learn how to deal with women... not necessarily in that order. If you need a good reminder of just how funny Tom Hanks can be, or if you just want to relive the piano scene one more time, look no further.

Broadcast News

Year Of Release: 1987

IMDB Score: 7.2 / 10

Synopsis: The world of television news is tough, especially when the ax is looming and some pretty boy wants your dream job (and dream woman). Aaron (Albert Brooks) has to contend with Tom (William Hurt) for both breaking news and the heart of Jane (Holly Hunter,) his best friend. Set against the backdrop of 1980's network news, Broadcast News tells the story of talent vs. looks -- a debate that was waged on no greater battlefield than the ever-evolving landscape of TV news. Funny, heartbreaking, and thought provoking -- this is a comedy that's in rare form, and you'll be hard pressed to find anything like it today.

Robocop

Year Of Release: 1987

IMDB Score: 7.5 / 10

Synopsis: Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) was the perfect cop, a good husband, and a great father. At least he was, until he was killed in the line of duty by a gang of criminals he was trying to apprehend. Given a new lease on life, Murphy finds himself back on the streets... as a cyborg law enforcement officer who's "part man, part machine, all cop." Robocop is Paul Verhoeven's satirical action masterpiece, skewering the politics of 1980's Reganomics, as well as drawing attention to the sad state Detroit would eventually find itself in. Come for the action, stay for the smart-assed one liners.

The Incredibles

Year Of Release: 2004

IMDB Score: 8.0 / 10

Synopsis: Years after a superhero registration act leaves all powered heroes with new identities, and witness relocation-style packages, Bob and Helen Parr (Craig T. Nelson & Holly Hunter) find themselves dealing with mid-life crises, defiant children, and what to do without a world to save. Before they know it, they're inadvertently swept up in something greater than themselves... something incredible. The Incredibles is a landmark moment for Disney/Pixar, as Brad Bird took the medium they used strictly on toys and animals and turned it loose on human characters. It's dramatic, it's thrilling, and it lives up to its name.

The Philadelphia Story

Year Of Release: 1940

IMDB Score: 8.1 / 10

Synopsis: Getting married is a nerve-racking prospect the first time around, but the second time around can be just downright horrifying. Tracy (Katherine Hepburn) is about to learn that the hard way, as not only has her ex-husband (Cary Grant) popped up out of nowhere, the tabloids also want in on the nuptials... and they've sent a good looking reporter (Jimmy Stewart) to file the story! If you're a fan of top-notch romantic comedies, you owe it to yourself to watch The Philadelphia Story and see just where all the old tricks came from.

The Fog Of War

Year Of Release: 2003

IMDB Score: 8.2 / 10

Synopsis: If anyone knew the Vietnam War inside and out, it would be its chief strategist – former Secretary Of Defense, Robert McNamara. Errol Morris focuses his keen documentarian eye on McNamara, and goes into detail on his life, his days in the private sector, and eventually his tenure as Lyndon B. Johnson's Defense secretary during Vietnam. If you're looking for concrete answers, or any sort of apologies, you're probably going to walk away from this empty handed. But if you want an intriguing profile of an enigmatic man, then you're going to enjoy this greatly.

The Searchers

Year Of Release: 1956

IMDB Score: 8.0 / 10

Synopsis: When his niece is kidnapped in the wild west of post Civil War Texas, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) heads out into the great frontier to try and save her. Throughout his five-year mission he’ll fight the indigenous Native Americans, and anyone else who gets in his way. John Ford’s picturesque Western is considered by many to be the epitome of the genre, with Wayne displaying his usually stellar mix of bravado and vulnerability for all to see. How the hell this man was considered a "B-Actor," the world will never know – but The Searchers is the perfect case as to why that assumption is dead wrong.

Citizen Kane

Year Of Release: 1941

IMDB Score: 8.4 / 10

Synopsis: Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) is as enigmatic as he is powerful. Yet for all of the power he holds, not one person could tell you that they truly knew him. Upon hearing news of his death, a reporter (William Alland) tasks himself with decrypting the meaning of the man's final words. Through those that knew him best (and worst,) the life of Charles Kane is unraveled. A monumental classic, this is the movie RKO and William Randolph Hearst didn't want you to see! If you've ever wondered why people would say, "It's no Citizen Kane," after a particularly bad movie, now's the time to find out.

North By Northwest

Year Of Release: 1959

IMDB Score: 8.4 / 10

Synopsis: Ever feel like you've been in the wrong place at the wrong time? Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) sure has, and he's wanted for murder because of it! Now, embroiled in a case of mistaken malfeasance, he has to clear his name, get the girl (Eva Marie Saint), and scale Mount Rushmore in the process. One of Alfred Hitchcock's finest, North By Northwest brings Hitch's trademarks of suspense, gallows humor, and lightly-veiled innuendo to life yet again. There are many Hitchcock classics that you should be watching, but this one has to be one of the most tightly wound.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Year Of Release: 1975

IMDB Score: 8.7 / 10

Synopsis: When given the choice of hard labor or time in a mental institution, Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) opts for the latter, unwittingly pitting himself against the vicious Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher.) During his stay in the institution, McMurphy makes friends with several of the inmates, and eventually connects with them in ways he couldn't have imagined... which further puts him at odds with Ratched, who has a very different approach with McMurphy and his colleagues. This is peak Jack Nicholson, and it's all at once funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Year Of Release: 1942

IMDB Score: 7.8 / 10

Synopsis: James Cagney went down in history as one of Hollywood's most iconic hard-asses. Yet for all of that whooping and hollering he made as gangsters and madmen, he really wanted to be a song and dance man. Thus Yankee Doodle Dandy was born, finding its way onto his resume like a note to a song sheet! This biography of legendary performer and jack of all trades, George M. Cohan, might fudge things just a tiny bit, but at the very least it delivers some good old fashioned musical thrills. Just don't watch it as the second half of a double feature opening with White Heat.

Network

Year Of Release: 1976

IMDB Score: 8.2 / 10

Synopsis: Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is mad as Hell, and he's not gonna take it anymore! After he finds out he's got two weeks left as UBS's news anchor, Beale goes from a mad man to the mad prophet of the airwaves. This naturally leaves the executives (Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall) nervous and excited, as the ratings are climbing and a merger is at stake. You've heard the quote, but you need to see one of the first films to predict reality television, questionable content, and Glenn Beck's future – except with a lot more intentional dark humor.

The Goonies

Year Of Release: 1985

IMDB Score: 7.8 / 10

Synopsis: Ok, confession time: who hasn't seen The Goonies? Those of you with your hands up, stick around. Those of you who are already hip to the game, feel free to forward this to as many converts as you want. For the uninitiated, The Goonies is what happens when you mix an Indiana Jones film with a classic 80's kids flick. When their town is about to be bulldozed to make way for a country club, our band of ruffians seek out a legendary pirate treasure. Unfortunately for them, some local mobsters have a very similar idea. A classic romp in every sense of the word.

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Plan 9 From Outer Space

Year Of Release: 1959

IMDB Score:4.0 / 10

Synopsis: So you might have noticed how low of a rating this one has compared to all the others. Well, don't let Plan 9 From Outer Space’s reputation fool you, as this film is a cult classic of filmmaking so bad, it actually swings back to good. While the film's plot is a bit hard to find in the actual film itself, the official synopsis has this movie down as a tale about aliens turning the dearly departed into undead creatures... all because we're trying to build "the bomb." It's not exactly Citizen Kane, but Plan 9 From Outer Space makes for a fun watching experience, especially with the RiffTrax commentary.

Night Of The Living Dead

Year Of Release: 1968

IMDB Score: 8.0 / 10

Synopsis: A new threat to humanity emerges without warning, trapping a handful of people in the same local farmhouse. As day turns to night, the dead continue to rise from their graves and make life hell for the living. All it takes is one bite or one scratch, and you're done for. It might be hard to believe, but George A. Romero's zombie classic, Night Of The Living Dead still packs an atmospheric punch this very day. From its unassuming beginning, right through its tense middle, and landing on the granddaddy of shocking finales, this widely acknowledged classic is still something you don't want to watch alone at night.

The General

Year Of Release: 1926

IMDB Score: 8.3 / 10

Synopsis: When a train engineer (Buster Keaton) is rejected from enlisting in the Confederate Army, a huge misunderstanding ensues and the love of his life leaves him. Sometime later, the two meet again, although under the circumstance that Union saboteurs have seized our hero’s train, The General, and his lady love is a captive aboard. Buster Keaton had a way with physical comedy, as well as filmmaking that was extreme for its time. If you enjoy silent, more physically expressive comedy; you’ll be locked in from the beginning.

Meet John Doe

Year Of Release: 1941

IMDB Score: 7.7 / 10

Synopsis: Deciding to use her last assignment as a blaze of glory, reporter Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) accidentally starts a public movement in support of one John Doe. Of course, there’s just one problem with John Doe… he doesn’t exist; which means it’s time for Ann to roll with the con and hire a homeless baseball player (Gary Cooper) to play the part. But just when does a gag to sell papers stop being harmless and start becoming immoral? One of Frank Capra’s early efforts, Meet John Doe isn’t one of the filmmaker’s better-known pictures, but it’s certainly worth a look.

His Girl Friday

Year Of Release: 1940

IMDB Score: 8.1 / 10

Synopsis: Walter (Cary Grant) still loves his ex-wife / ex-co worker Hildy (Rosalind Russell.) In fact, he loves her so much, he tries to save her from a life of dull marriage by bringing her along to cover an execution for the paper they both worked for. Fast-talking antics and romance ensue, in a classic that not only inspired quite a few remakes, but was a remake itself tailored to be a romantic comedy instead of a buddy comedy. His Girl Friday director Howard Hawks was a genre hopper, and this entry in his career showcases his more laughable side - and to great degree!

House On Haunted Hill

Year Of Release: 1959

IMDB Score: 6.9 / 10

Synopsis: What would you do if you were offered $10,000 to stay in a house that was supposedly haunter? What would you do if that offer was made to you, via peak horror era Vincent Price? Doesn’t sound so fun now, does it? While House On Haunted Hill’s events aren’t something you’d wish on your worst enemy, it’s certainly a fun classic to enjoy with or without its Rifftrax commentary track. After all, what horror fan worth their salt could say no to Vincent Price and legendary director William Castle working together to scare the living daylights out of the weaker audience members?

The Gold Rush

Year Of Release: 1925

IMDB Score: 8.3 / 10

Synopsis: And of course, what comprehensive film list is complete without a Charlie Chaplin buffet of dry, visually inspired punchlines? The Gold Rush certainly delivers, as it puts The Tramp in the race to claim some of those sparkling riches just waiting to be claimed in the Klondike. Of course, being a Chaplin picture, things get silly and unpredictable. So if you’ve ever seen a parody of the shoe eating gag, or even the dancing potato gag, you really should see the film that inspired many generations of comedy practitioners to come.

Do you like films with strong female leads? Do you like to watch "the fairer sex" prove that they’re not as fair as society has often portrayed them? Then you’ll get a kick out of this supercut tribute to women in prominent action movie roles…literally.

Women have been kicking ass on the big screen since before Sigourney Weaver proved she could hold her own against vicious aliens in Alien, but over the last 36 years, stars like Milla Jovovich (in The Fifth Element and Resident Evil), Carrie Anne-Moss (The Matrix), Linda Hamilton (the original Terminator movies) and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) have succeeded her as the kick-ass female action stars of the modern era. This supercut seems to honor the ladies by giving us a taste of some of their best moments.

Compiled by Vimeo user ClaraDarko, the clips are cut to the song "Derezzed" by Daft Punk, and one element of commonality that you may have noticed between all of the women featured is that the video works to avoid all "super-powered characters." To some extent, we can agree with this creative choice — superpowers can be considered an unfair advantage, and some, like Jean Grey’s and Storm’s aren’t based in muscle. But they’re still pretty badass to behold. That being said, comic book movies aren't completely ignored here, as there are multiple clips of Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow doing a whole bunch of ass-whooping in Iron Man 2.

Watching and remembering how formidable these actresses are in their respective roles, it’s crazy to think that Hollywood has been so ambivalent and sketchy when it comes to making more action movies with female character-driven stories. Thankfully there are hordes of outspoken fans calling for it and filmmakers like Joss Whedon, Luc Besson and James Cameron doing their part to introduce pop culture to more modern action heroines to celebrate. To some extent, we also have the rise of the modern geek to be thankful for this change. As more and more male geeks came out of the closet to profess their love of comic books and video games, so too did more women with similar feelings towards superheroes and sci-fi.

Cool as it is to watch videos like this, though, there is another level that Hollywood needs to get to when it comes to women. We are thankful for characters featured in the above supercut like Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman or Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri, but it’s time for the industry to get more female writers and directors working. It’s one thing for forward-thinking men to utilize their female characters in new and interesting ways, but it’s another for women filmmakers to come in and tell their own stories. This is partly why we’re so excited to see what DC’s Wonder Woman movie will look like. Not only does it already have its female action star — Fast and Furious’ Gal Gadot — but it has Michelle MacLaren in the director’s chair. After watching her work in awe on Breaking Bad and The X-Files, we’re thrilled she’s getting her chance in the spotlight of the silver screen. Hopefully, this means great things for the future of Hollywood.

February is nearly upon us and with it brings some exciting additions to Netflix's streaming lineup. Among the movies and TV shows set to stream on Netflix in February are RoboCop, Scary Movie 5 and Spartacus..

EW posted the list of movies and TV shows joining Netflix's streaming lineup over the course of February. Check it out below...

February 1

?Bleach the Movie: Hell Verse

?Dark Ride

?Departures (Season 12)

?Gimme Shelter

?Gucci: The Director

?Hot Pursuit

?Houseboat

?Into the Blue 2: The Reef

?Joe

?King Arthur

?Magic City (Seasons 1-2)

?M*A*S*H (Seasons 1-5)

?Naruto Shippuden: The Movie

?Now: In the Wings on a World Stage

?Proof

?Spartacus (Complete series)

?The Brothers Bloom

?We Could Be Kings

?We’re No Angels

?Zapped

February 5-12

?The Little Rascals Save the Day (February 5)

?Danger 5 (February 6)

?Ever After High: Spring Unsprung (February 6)

?Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead (February 7)

?Elsa & Fred (February 7)

?Blood Ties (February 8)

?Catch Hell (February 8)

?Dwight Howard: In the Moment (February 10)

?Mr. Peabody and Sherman (February 11)

?Scary Movie 5 (February 12)

?The Two Faces of January (February 12)

?Young Ones (February 12)

February 13-21

?Mako Mermaids Season 2 (February 13)

?Save the Date (February 16)

?The Overnighters (February 17)

?Earth to Echo (February 18)

?In Secret (February 18)

The Fluffy Movie (February 18)

?White Bird in a Blizzard (February 19)

?Richie Rich Season 1 (February 20)

?RoboCop (February 21)

February 24-27

?1,000 Times Good Night(February 24)

?Hawaii Five-0 Seasons 1-4 (February 24)

?Open Window (February 26)

?Russell Brand: Messiah Complex (February 26)

?Boys (February 27)

?House of Cards Season 3 (February 27)

?Ralphie May: Unruly (February 27)

On the TV side, Netflix's February additions include Seasons 1-5 of M.A.S.H., as well as the arrival of Season 3 of Netflix's excellent original series House of Cards. And if you're counting down the days until Marvel's Daredevil series arrives (in April), why not give showrunner Steven S. DeKnight's Starz drama Spartacus a try. It's more swords and sandals than it is superheroes, but it's a fine demonstration of DeKnight's previous work. Worth noting: If you're squeamish about sex, blood and violence, skip this one. But if you really want to give it a try, watch until at least Episode 5 of Blood and Sand (that's where I fell in love with the show, personally). And if you're an Arrow fan, expect to see some great familiar faces.

On the movie side, Netflix will bring the (new) RoboCop to their subscribers, along with Scary Movie 5, Earth to Echo and Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

Find the list of TV shows and movies that will be removed from Netflix in February here. And you can view the full schedule of original series premiere dates here.

Today is the day when, all around the world, fireworks are ignited as people celebrate the departure of 2014 and the arrival of 2015. So it seems only appropriate that we would end our year in cinema with a bang as well:

This is the latest supercut to come our way from the folks over at Screen Junkies, and it's pretty hard to argue with their choices for the most memorable cinematic explosions. They borrow from multiple genres and multiple generations to assemble what is a pretty fantastic collection of big boom moments from his history of blockbusters.

Some of these explosions are fairly recent - like the one from James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy - and some are just so memorable that we will never forget them - like the explosion of the Death Star in the original Star Wars - but can you name all of the movies that are featured in this video? Give it your best shot and then check your answers below, courtesy of the video's description on YouTube:

• Fight Club
• Lethal Weapon 3
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
• The Mask
• Face/Off
• Die Hard with a Vengeance
• Independence Day
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• The Dark Knight
• Transformers: Age of Extinction
• Tropic Thunder
• The Expendables
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Star Wars
• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
• Die Hard
• Django Unchained
• Caddyshack
• V for Vendetta
• Strangelove
• Ghostbusters
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• Robocop (1987)
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
• The Terminator
• Speed
• Oz The Great and Powerful
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• Mary Poppins
• Rio
• Paul
• The Theory of Everything
• Neighbors
• The Croods

This compilation has just about everything you'd want on it, from the rooftoop boom in Die Hard to the jungle bombing in Tropic Thunder, and it even includes a surprising number of movies from this past year... but there is one gripe that I have. The intro from Fight Club is cool, but how could you not include the shot of the towers exploding at the end? The Dark Knight was in there a few times - so why no love for David Fincher's cult hit?

While we're talking about 2014 coming to an end, it feels appropriate to thank all of you awesome readers out there for spending another year with us covering an amazing year in film. We saw a lot of amazing stuff unfold over the last 12 months, and have a great deal to look forward to next year, so be sure to come back in 2015 as we head off on a brand new cinematic adventure!

Here on Cinema Blend, we've spent a good chunk of the past month celebrating the best in cinema that 2014 had to offer, but now we're going to switch gears and talk about the opposite side of the quality scale. But rather than slamming these titles ourselves, the following video allows those less-than-great features to slam themselves.

This funny new cut comes to us thanks to the folks over at Yahoo!, and simply lets some of the worst titles of the year internally slam themselves with some out-of-context dialogue. What's rather interesting, though, is that some of the quotes selected are actually quite astute commentaries about their source. For example, it was kind of embarrassing to see talented performers Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz be a part of something as middling as Sex Tape. And given that Dracula Untold was supposedly going to be the first film launching Universal Pictures' Monster Universe, there were surely many that walked out of that movie noting that they were disappointed and expected something better. As for Gary Oldman's, "This has to stop!" from Robocop, while I will actually defend the movie, I will definitely agree with the number of unnecessary reboots in Hollywood needs to be quelled.

This video definitely hits on some of the biggest disappointments we've seen in this past year, including the Johnny Depp-starring cyber thriller Transcendence and the critically-loathed Winter's Tale, but it's also missing a few of 2014's biggest swings and misses. In fact, compared to Rotten Tomatoes' rankings, there is a handful of titles that should have been included. Remember how under-whelming the Kevin Hart-Ice Cube cop comedy Ride Along was? Have we forgotten that this was the year that brought us the unneeded remake of Endless Love? And why doesn't the most critically-slashed movie of the year not get a place?

I imagine it's possible that these titles simply didn't have any appropriate dialogue that could be twisted in a funny way, but I'm not counting out the chance that the editor simply couldn't force themselves to watch every one of them.

With the subject at hand, let's present the question: what was the worst movie you saw released in theaters in 2014? I think I would personally cast my vote for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot from this past summer, but you can put your picks in the comments section below.

Movie piracy has been a red-hot topic as of late, with multiple online outlets grabbing headlines by carrying copies of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s The Interview (before Sony tried to curb the illegal sharing by making it available through streaming services). But torrent use continues to be a buzzed-about topic in the industry, especially as studios and industry experts get a look at the numbers of the films that were illegally downloaded in 2014.

Variety has the statistics shared by the piracy-tracking firm Excipio, which claims that Martin Scorsese’s financial-crime epic The Wolf of Wall Street was the No. 1 most-pirated film this year. The site reports that Leonardo DiCaprio’s drama was downloaded more than 30 million times by Torrent users around the globe. The Wolf barely edged out two titles to claim the top slot on the list – one very expected feature in Frozen; and one complete curveball in RoboCop. Here is the complete list:

1. The Wolf of Wall Street: 30.035 million (Paramount, Dec. 25, 2013)

2. Frozen: 29.919 million (Disney, Nov. 27, 2013)

3. RoboCop: 29.879 million (MGM, Feb. 12, 2014; and Orion, July 17, 1987)

4. Gravity: 29.357 million (Warner Bros., Oct. 4, 2013)

5. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: 27.627 million (Warner Bros., Dec. 13, 2013)

6. Thor: The Dark World: 25.749 million (Disney/Marvel, Nov. 8, 2013)

7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier: 25.628 million (Disney/Marvel, April 4, 2014)

8. The Legend of Hercules: 25.137 million (Summit, Jan. 10, 2014)

9. X-Men: Days of Future Past: 24.380 million (20th Century Fox, May 23, 2014)

10. 12 Years a Slave: 23.653 million (Fox Searchlight, Oct. 18, 2013)

11. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 23.543 million (Lionsgate, Nov. 22, 2013)

12. American Hustle: 23.143 million (Sony/Columbia, Dec. 13, 2013)

13. 300: Rise of an Empire: 23.096 million (Warner Bros., March 7, 2014)

14. Transformers: Age of Extinction: 21.65 million (Paramount, June 27, 2014)

15. Godzilla: 20.956 million (Warner Bros., May 16, 2014)

16. Noah: 20.334 million (Paramount, March 28, 2014)

17. Divergent: 20.312 million (Lionsgate, March 21, 2014)

18. Edge of Tomorrow: 20.299 million (Warner Bros., June 6, 2014)

19. Captain Phillips: 19.817 million (Sony/Columbia, Oct. 11, 2013)

20. Lone Survivor: 19.130 million (Universal, Dec. 25, 2013)

Do you want to hear the strangest part about this? Jose Padilha’s reboot of the classic RoboCop franchise might have done better than is being reported, as Excipio notes that the 2014 film version could have lost a few reported downloads because it shares the same title as its predecessor. So if not for that confusion, RoboCop might have topped Frozen and Wolf as the most sought-after download of the year. And that’s bizarre, given the backlash that met the movie as it headed into theaters.

That’s the thing, though. Even though audiences didn’t want to pay to see a movie like RoboCop in theaters, they were curious enough to download the feature and see how it turned out. That reasoning helps explain why movies like Edge of Tomorrow and The Legend of Hercules are on here. The one I can’t figure out is Gravity. The whole point of that movie was to see it on the biggest screen possible. In that instance, the "pirates" truly missed out.