News

Into The Televerse

File this one under "Be careful what you wish for."

Created in response to demands from studios for official Phase 2 FYC events, the Television Academy's "Televerse" experiment makes its debut next week. The first-ever sanctioned television festival will feature panels for each of the nominated shows in Best Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series, though some are screening-only, presumably given the difficulty in securing talent availability in vacation-heavy August. The schedule also includes a smattering of other industry-friendly fare, like workshops on acting with Henry Winkler and writing with Beau Willimon.

Access to the three-day event is free for Academy members—up to a point. Registrants get to attend six events (with a maximum of three events per day), but they do not get access to the fest's hottest ticket. Instead, they'll have to pony up $225 to get into the Television Academy Hall of Fame induction of Viola Davis,...

Exclusive: Linden Entertainment has signed bestselling author and screenwriter May Cobb for management.

Known for works of suspense, Cobb most famously wrote the novel The Hunting Wives, which Netflix recently launched as a series exec produced by Cobb, after picking up exclusive U.S. rights during the Starz-Lionsgate separation agreement.

Published by Penguin Random House in 2021, the book is a psychological thriller centered on Sophie O’Neill, a former journalist who moves back to her wealthy Texas hometown with her family after a series of personal setbacks, becoming captivated by a group of women known for their upscale lifestyle, social gatherings, and their obsession with hunting.

Since premiering on July 21, The Hunting Wives has remained a Top Ten Television Show for Netflix and racked up billions of minutes viewed, per Luminate data, doing particularly impressive numbers for a show that’s only streaming domestically.

Cobb’s next novel, All the Little Houses,...

Vanessa Hudgensmay be forever linked to her breakout role in High School Musical, but her career has been a more nuanced journey. She made her feature film debut in the gritty indie Thirteen (2003) before gaining widespread fame as Gabriella Montez in Disney's High School Musical trilogy (2006–2008). This launched her into the mainstream, cementing her as a pop culture icon of the 2000s.

Beyond her Disney roots, Hudgens has steadily expanded her filmography. She has appeared in films like Bandslam (2009), Beastly, Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch (both 2011), and the early A24 movie Spring Breakers (2012), showcasing her range and bold choices. Her later work includes Second Act (2018), Bad Boys for Life (2020), and the Netflix musical Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021).

Recently, Hudgens has become known for Netflix Christmas movies, starring in The Princess Switch (2018) and its sequels, subtitled Switched Again (2020) and Romancing the Star (2021). She's also starred in The Knight Before Christmas (2019). However, it's an...

Universal Pictures has debuted a new trailer for ‘Him,’ from Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the landmark horror films Get Out, Us, Candyman and Nope, comes a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry and the pursuit of excellence at any cost, featuring an electrifying dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans.

Former college wide receiver Tyriq Withers plays Cameron Cade, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life and identity to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma.

Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White. But as Cam’s training accelerates,...

Descubre la alegría de las conexiones inesperadas. © Searchlight Pictures

Ya se ha desvelado el primer tráiler y póster de Rental Family, la nueva película dirigida y coescrita por Hikari, cineasta japonés detrás de la aclamada serie Beef.

En ella, un actor estadounidense solitario y sin recursos (Fraser), que vive en Tokio y lucha por encontrar un propósito en la vida, comienza a trabajar para una empresa japonesa de «familias de alquiler» para desempeñar diversos papeles sustitutos en la vida de otras personas. A medida que se sumerge en los mundos de sus clientes, comienza a formar vínculos genuinos que difuminan las líneas entre la actuación y la realidad y descubre alegrías inesperadas dentro de su familia adoptiva.

El reparto está encabezado por Brendan Fraser junto a Takehiro Hira (Shōgun), Mari Yamamoto (Monarch: El legado de los monstruos), la recién llegada Shannon Gorman y Akira Emoto (Zatoichi).

Te Puede Interesar Emma Mackey...

Searchlight Pictures debuted a new trailer for ‘Rental Family’ from writer/director Hikari and starring Oscar Winner Brendan Fraser.

Set against modern-day Tokyo, the movie follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.

Directed, co-written and produced by Hikari. The film stars Academy Award® and Screen Actors Guild award winner Brendan Fraser with a supporting cast that includes Emmy® nominee Takehiro Hira (Shogun), Mari Yamamoto, Akira Emoto and newcomer Shannon Gorman.

Also in trailers – ‘The Choral’ trailer debuts: Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner reunite for stirring WWI drama about...

Matthew McConaughey Admits He Had A Crush On Sandra Bullock While Filming A Time to Kill

Sandra Bullock’s off-screen allure has long matched her on-screen versatility. While her sizzling chemistry with Keanu Reeves in Speed still gets replayed in fans’ heads, she was also quietly charming another future Oscar winner on a different set, Matthew McConaughey.

Back in the mid-’90s, the two starred together in A Time to Kill, and what began as co-stars sharing screen space evolved into something much deeper behind the camera. Turns out, McConaughey wasn’t just acting mesmerized. He later confessed that he had a genuine crush on Bullock, going as far as saying she could “run a country.” Keep reading to know more!

Matthew McConaughey(Photo Credit –Facebook) Sandra Bullock Secretly Stole McConaughey’s Heart On Set

In 1996, Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock were cast together on the Mississippi set of A Time to Kill.

After seven years of being in development, the sophomore feature by filmmaker Hikari is finally set to be released in theaters this year. Rental Family is a comedy drama that has been in the works for some time, with the Japanese filmmaker recruiting Brendan Fraser for the project shortly after his Oscar win for Darren Aronofsky's The Whale in 2023. Fraser was reportedly very careful when choosing his next role following the success of The Whale, eventually settling on Rental Family. Now, the first trailer for the upcoming movie has been released, teasing a heartwarming story featuring Fraser in what looks to be one of his most charming roles yet.

In his first major theatrical role since his Oscar win, Fraser plays a down-on-his-luck American actor living in Tokyo. Desperate for work, Fraser's character is employed by a Japanese "rental family" company to play various parts in real people's lives,...

Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan In Freakier Friday(Photo Credit –X)

Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 body-swap fantasy comedy film Freaky Friday, is set to hit theaters on August 8, 2025. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the lead roles, the film is already earning praise from critics and has debuted with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score. Read on to find out more about the 2003 film, what to expect from the upcoming sequel, and what critics are saying about the latest installment.

What Is Freaky Friday (2003) About

Directed by Mark Waters, the film was based on Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel of the same name. The story follows a mother-daughter duo, Tess and Anna (played by Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan), who don’t get along with each other. Their lives take a drastic turn when they magically wake up in each other’s bodies because of a mysterious fortune cookie.

Ridley Scott & Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth Opens Strong With Critics Calling It Bold And Scary(Photo Credit –YouTube)

The countdown has begun for Alien: Earth, the upcoming sci-fi horror series set in the iconic Alien franchise. Ahead of its premiere next week, the show is already generating buzz, garnering praise from critics and debuting with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score.

Backed by Ridley Scott, director of the original 1979 Alien film, and helmed by Fargo and Legion showrunner Noah Hawley, Alien: Earth promises a fresh yet terrifying chapter in the beloved franchise. Read on to learn more about the series, what critics are saying, and where to stream it in India and the U.S.

New #AlienEarth Xenomorph & Wendy Posters have been unveiled:

https://t.co/XIBFPGK9Fr pic.twitter.com/RebotieQCJ

— Alien Movies (@PrometheusFilms) July 28, 2025

What’s Alien: Earth All About

The sci-fi horror series takes place in a...

Morgan Freeman Admits He Took Dreamcatcher For The Money — And Knew It Was Doomed From Day One(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Morgan Freeman knew he was in trouble the moment the script read-through ended. He had already signed the deal and committed to the role and was set to play a stern military figure in Dreamcatcher, a sci-fi mess based on Stephen King’s book. The catch was that he was not doing it for the love of the story or the thrill of the character, but for the money, plain and simple.

The Dreamcatcher Script Was a Warning Sign

The film was already circling the drain before the cameras started rolling. Whatever Freeman might have thought of the script beforehand, the real trouble set in during the cast read-through. According to Far Out Magazine, during the first full read-through with the rest of the star-studded cast, including the likes of Thomas Jane,...

Check Out The Trailer For Hikari’s Rental Family Starring Brendan Fraser!(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Searchlight Pictures released the official trailer for Rental Family, an upcoming comedy-drama starring Brendan Fraser. Hikari directed, co-wrote, and produced the film, which also stars Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Akira Emoto, and newcomer Shannon Gorman.

Rental Family Trailer: Brendan Fraser Lands A Unique Gig In Japan

The comedy-drama is set in modern-day Tokyo and follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find a purpose in life until he lands an unusual job that requires him to work for a Japanese “rental family” agency. He is asked to play stand-in roles for strangers as part of the gig.

As Fraser’s protagonist gets involved in the world of his clients, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose,...

"What I'm offering here is a chance to play roles with a real meaning." Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the official trailer for a sentimental and heartfelt new film titled Rental Family, the latest feature from the filmmaker known as "Hikari" who also directed episodes of the hit series "Beef" & also the film 37 Seconds. Rental Family is premiering at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival and will open in US theaters in November this fall. Discover the joy of unexpected connections. A lonely American actor living in Tokyo starts working for a Japanese "rental family" company to play stand-in roles in other people's lives. Along the way, he finds surprising connections and unexpected joys within his built-in family. This stars Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, along with Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and Akira Emoto. This is seemingly inspired by the Werner Herzog's film Family Romance, LLC (from 2020) which is also...

Brendan Fraser takes on the role of a struggling American actor who gets hired by an unusual agency, the Rental Family, which provides stand-in companions and relatives for its clients. Set to be his first lead gig since his return to the limelight with The Whale, we might be looking at another Awards-season darling, if the trailer is anything to go by.

Scheduled to premiere at September’s Toronto Film Festival, with a release date set for November, Fraser’s introspective journey could land him in some serious Award buzz later this year.

Brendan Fraser Is the Token White Guy for Tokyo’s Rental Family Agency

Set against the backdrop of Tokyo, Brendan Fraser’s Rental Family seems to have all the right ingredients required to tug at the heartstrings. The story will see Fraser immersing himself in strangers’ lives as the token white guy for the Tokyo agency, blurring...

The trailer for Rental Family has been released, giving the first real look at the upcoming comedy-drama from director Hikari. The film stars Brendan Fraser, Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, and Akira Emoto.

It will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 before opening in U.S. theaters on November 21, 2025, according to Searchlight Pictures.

The movie follows a lonely American actor living in Tokyo who takes a job at a Japanese “rental family” company. These companies hire people to play stand-in family members in the lives of clients who need them.

At first, it’s just another acting job, but along the way, he finds himself forming real connections and experiencing unexpected joy with the people he’s hired to help.

Discover the joy of unexpected connections. Rental Family, starring Academy Award® winner Brendan Fraser. Directed by Hikari. Premiering at @TIFF_NET 2025, only in theaters November 21st. #RentalFamily pic.

The first trailer for Rental Family has arrived, giving audiences a peek at the upcoming comedy-drama from director Hikari. The movie stars Brendan Fraser, Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, and Akira Emoto.

Discover the joy of unexpected connections. Rental Family, starring Academy Award® winner Brendan Fraser. Directed by Hikari. Premiering at @TIFF_NET 2025, only in theaters November 21st. #RentalFamily pic.twitter.com/nPZP9Ogc96

— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) August 5, 2025

According to Searchlight Pictures, the film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 before opening in U.S. theaters on November 21, 2025.

Rental Family is about a lonely American actor who lives in Tokyo and feels disconnected from the world around him. He ends up taking a job at a Japanese “rental family” company, a real type of business in Japan where people can hire actors to play roles like a husband, father, son, or friend in their lives.

Two years after winning his first Oscar, Brendan Fraser's next movie as a leading man is almost here. Searchlight Pictures has dropped the official trailer for Rental Family.

"Set against modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection," reads the synopsis for the movie. Check out the first trailer and poster for Rental Family below.

Poster via Searchlight Pictures

Fraser became attached to Rental Family in November 2023, roughly eight months after he took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as an obese,...

The Brenaissance continues apace! Having made his big-screen comeback to Oscar winning acclaim with Darren Aronofsky's The Whale in 2022, Brendan Fraser has shone in Martin Scorsese's Killers Of The Flower Moon, rounded out a winning run as Doom Patrol's Cliff Steele, and booked gigs starring as Dwight D. Eisenhower in upcoming D-Day thriller Pressure and appearing opposite Al Pacino in Barry Levinson's Assassination. And Fraser's next movie, Hikari directed comedy drama Rental Family, looks set to be another winner for The Mummy man. Check out the trailer below;

Now there's a hook if ever we saw one. We've seen Fraser act in family dramas, and we've seen Fraser act in comedies, but here we're getting Fraser, in a comedy, playing an actor in family dramas — but, well, actual other families' dramas. Yes, it looks like Beef director Hikari is about to pull off a sort-of...

Years ago, talk show host Conan O’Brien traveled to Japan for one of his special international remote episodes that helped inspire his new series, Conan O’Brien Must Go. While in Japan, O’Brien checked out some of the unique local sights. One of the things he explored was a family rental service that the country provides to combat the national crisis of loneliness. His exploration into the topic was, of course, done in a very humorous way. However, filmmaker Hikari, who helmed drama 37 Seconds as well as a few seasons in the first season of Netflix’s Beef, explores the concept with a bit more drama. Searchlight Pictures has released the trailer for Rental Family, which will make its debut at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Keep a lookout for our upcoming review when it screens!

The official synopsis reads,

“Set against modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family...

Brendan Fraser is back in the spotlight — and this time, he’s stepping into other people’s lives for hire. Searchlight Pictures has released the first trailer for Rental Family, the dramatic comedy that marks Fraser’s first leading role since his Oscar-winning turn in 2022’s The Whale. The film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September before arriving in theaters on November 21.

In Rental Family, Fraser plays an American actor living in Tokyo who begins taking jobs with the Japanese Rental Family Agency, a real-world-inspired service where clients can hire stand-ins for absent relatives or companions. From playing a doting father at a wedding to joining in a casual movie night or filling out a golf foursome, Fraser’s character finds himself unexpectedly drawn into the personal lives of strangers — and, of course, discovering his own need for connection in the process. Fraser...

Searchlight Pictures on Tuesday released the trailer for Rental Family, its upcoming comedic drama that stars Brendan Fraser his first first major role since winning the Best Actor Oscar for The Whale in 2023.

The film, directed and co-written by Beef director Hikari, will have its world premiere at next month’s Toronto Film Festival ahead of a November 21, 2025 release date.

Fraser plays as a lonely, down-and-out American actor living in Tokyo who begins working for a Japanese “rental family” company to play various stand-in roles in other people’s lives. Along the way, he forges some surprising human connections and discovers unexpected joys within his built-in family.

“We sell emotion — we play roles in clients’ lives,” explains Shōgun‘s Takehiro Hira when Fraser interviews for his next “gig.” “…Girlfriends’ boyfriends, best friends, and help them connect with what’s missing.”

He eventually gets a role playing a girl’s father,...

The new trailer has been revealed for Rental Family. The movie follows the story of a washed-up American actor living in Tokyo who is offered a unique new opportunity. The film is described as a comedy-drama and is directed by Beef's Hikari, who also co-wrote its script with Stephen Blahut.

The movie features Brendan Fraser as the protagonist in his first leading role since winning Best Actor for The Whale. The supporting cast includes Takehiro Hira and Mari Yamamoto. Rental Family is set for release on November 21.

Searchlight Pictures has revealed the latest trailer has been revealed for Rental Family. The trailer opens with Fraser's character acting in a series of his commercials, looking exhausted. One day, he is offered the opportunity to participate in a "rental family" program, where he is tasked with taking on important roles in the lives of Japanese families.

Pitched as a group that is "selling emotion,...

Brendan Fraser goes abroad for his latest film, “Rental Family,” to play an expat in Tokyo. The Best Actor Oscar winner leads the drama from “Beef” director Hikari, who co-wrote the script with Stephen Blahut.

Fraser stars as a struggling actor hired to play a token American man for a Japanese “rental family” company in Tokyo. The role? Acting as a stand-in for other people’s lives for their milestone events.

The synopsis reads: “Set against modern-day Tokyo, ‘Rental Family’ follows an American actor (Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese ‘rental family’ agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.”

Takehiro Hira,...

Fans of “The Gilded Age” — at least, those who aren’t bilingual — were a bit confused on Sunday night, when the new episode premiered in Spanish. But series star Carrie Coon rolled with it, posting a message in Spanish herself to poke fun at the mishap.

When the latest episode began, fans were reasonably confused, as “The Gilded Age” is not a Spanish-language program. It’s a period piece, that actually follows the lives of those living in, well, the Gilded Age of America — specifically in New York.

But fellow New Yorker Carrie Coon, who plays Bertha Russell in the series, kept it light on Sunday, posting “¿A todos les gustó mi acento?” alongside a smiley face.

¿A todos les gustó mi acento?#GildedAgeHBO #BerthaRussell

— Carrie Coon (@carriecoon) August 4, 2025

Translated, Coon’s tweet reads: “Did everyone like my accent?”

It was a minor glitch that users quickly found a solution to,...

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The adventure genre is one that has been thrilling audiences ever since the birth of the cinematic medium, from pulp literary adaptations to action-packed blockbusters filling theaters every summer. These stories are often set in exotic locales, with hardened protagonists on some sort of quest into the unknown. Compared to more conventional action movies, adventure films are about their environments as much as the high-octane thrills. And given the flexibility of the genre, adventure movies can bridge into fantasy, science fiction, and even horror on occasion.

What keeps the adventure genre consistent is a clear sense of escapism, imbuing its popcorn set pieces with a rousing sense of fun. Whether it's uncovering buried treasure or embarking on an epic voyage, that invigorating narrative sensibility remains front and center as adventure movies whisk their audiences away to parts unknown. Here are...

Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, Hikari and Lee Byung-hun are among the names who will be honored at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Tribute Awards on Sept. 7. TIFF announced that these four artists will each be recognized for their contributions to film at the 50th anniversary of the festival.

Alongside these honorees, TIFF also announced that it would host the North American premiere of “No Other Choice,” the latest film from Park Chan-wook. Lee stars in the film, which will have its world premiere at Venice International Film Festival.

Brendan Fraser will serve as the 2025 Honorary Chair at the Tribute Awards. The Oscar-winning actor received a Tribute Performer Award in 2022 when he brought “The Whale” to TIFF. Fraser follows Sandra Oh, who became the ceremony’s first Honorary Chair in 2024.

“I’m honoured to return to Toronto once again and to the TIFF Tribute Awards, this time not as a recipient,...

Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, Hikari and Lee Byung Hun have been revealed as the first group of honourees for the seventh annual Tribute Awards at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Oscar-winning Mexican-born filmmaker del Toro, whose Frankenstein is getting a gala presentation at the festival, will receive TIFF’s Ebert Director Award.

Two-time Oscar winner Foster, star of the festival’s North American premiere A Private Life, will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award.

Japanese writer, director and producer Hikari, whose Rental Family is having its world premiere at the festival, gets the TIFF Emerging Talent Award.

The Toronto International Film Festival (September 4-14) is fast-approaching, and today, TIFF has announced the first wave of its 2025 Tribute Award winners.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (whose new film “Frankenstein” plays TIFF after a Venice world premiere) will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award.

Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster (whose French-language directorial effort “A Private Life” plays TIFF after world-premiering out of competition in Cannes) will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award.

Award-winning Japanese writer, director, and producer Hikari (whose “Rental Family” plays the festival) will receive the TIFF Emerging Talent Award.

Award-winning South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun (who stars in “Squid Game”) is the recipient of the TIFF Special Tribute Award, attending TIFF this year with the North American gala premiere of Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice.”

Academy Award–winning actor and 2022 Tribute Performer Award recipient Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) will return to...

Horror meister Guillermo del Toro and two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster are set to receive TIFF Tribute Awards at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

Oscar winner del Toro will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, while fellow Oscar winner Foster will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award on Sept. 7 during the annual festival fundraiser.

Del Toro is bringing his latest movie, Frankenstein, to Toronto for a North American premiere after a bow in Venice and ahead of a November global release on Netflix. Foster will return to Toronto with a star turn in Rebecca Zlotowski’s Private Life, a French psychological mystery that had a world premiere in Cannes.

Fest organizers also announced Thursday that Japanese writer, director and producer Hikari will pick up the TIFF Emerging Talent Award, while veteran South Korean actor and Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun will receive a TIFF Special Tribute Award.

Hikari is bringing Rental Family,...

Oscar winners Jodie Foster and Guillermo del Toro will be celebrated at the seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards during the Toronto International Film Festival’s annual gala on Sept. 7. Brendan Fraser, who won the Best Actor Oscar for The Whale, will serve as honorary chair of the event.

“I’m honored to return to Toronto once again and to the TIFF Tribute Awards, this time not as a recipient, but as this year’s Honorary Chair,” said Fraser. “TIFF has been meaningful to me and to be in this role during the Festival’s landmark 50th edition is a privilege. TIFF continues to champion the kind of bold storytelling that brings people together, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this year’s Tribute recipients.”

Three-time Academy Award winner del Toro, known for The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth, will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, named in honor...

Whether you’re team Batman, team Superman, or just here for the chaos of Harley Quinn, HBO Max is basically a goldmine for DC fans right now. From gritty crime sagas to animated insanity, this platform has turned into the ultimate hangout for everything capes, cowls, and cosmic-level drama.

We’re talking brooding heroes, misunderstood villains, and multiverse mayhem, all just a binge away. Shows like Peacemaker bring the wild energy, while Doom Patrol keeps things weird in the best way. And if you’re craving classic vibes, Batman: The Animated Series still slaps harder than most modern shows.

HBO Max isn’t just about old reruns either. It’s got fresh content, cult favorites, and a mix of animated and live-action gems you probably didn’t even know were DC. So whether you’re here for iconic origin stories or just want to see what kind of existential crisis...

In the year of our lord 2025, it isn't exactly news to say that some people find elements of the hit sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" (Himym) to be somewhat problematic. From Barney Stinson's (Neil Patrick Harris) frequent manipulation and sexual exploitation of innocent young women to the culture's reanalysis of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) as a "nice guy" who is secretly a conceited jerk, there are plenty of holes you can poke into the beloved sitcom. Still, plenty of fans will happily revisit all nine seasons of the long-running CBS staple, especially with the introduction of "How We Made Your Mother," the rewatch podcast hosted by Radnor and series co-creator Craig Thomas.

There's plenty of room to be critical about the shows you love, but folks often take potshots at Himym that you can take at just about every sitcom that has ever aired on television. Try revisiting outdated...

Coyote vs. Acme is finally getting a release under Ketchup Entertainment after Warner Bros. earlier scrapped it. The film’s footage was featured at the San Diego Comic-Con, where actor Will Forte and director Dave Green appeared on a panel discussion. Forte shared that he was “pretty speechless” after Ketchup took over the movie (via THR).

Forte shared at the Sdcc, “It blows my mind. You think back to the journey this movie has taken. I had kind of given up hope at a certain point, so this is amazing.” The audience was also shown the first footage of the movie, where Wile E. Coyote first meets attorney Kevin Avery, played by Forte, after seeing him on a TV commercial.

Coyote and Kevin’s interaction scenes got quite the laughter from the audience, indicating that the film can thrive with a supportive crowd. The team announced that the film was...

After American Pie1 and 2, another pair of fan-favorite films is charting a course to Netflix this August: Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) and its semi-sequel Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012). The announcement brings together Brendan Fraser’s hit and Dwayne Johnson’s take on a similar plot under one streaming roof.

The news comes after Whats on Netflix reported all that’s about to arrive on Netflix starting August 1. The films will offer Netflix audiences a double-dose of family-friendly action, fantastical creatures, and high-stakes exploration. Both films feature Josh Hutcherson as the connecting thread and tap into the Jules Verne-inspired spectacle of today’s CGI-heavy blockbusters. Journey to the Center of the Earth marks the first installment, led by Fraser in a role that reminded audiences why he was one of Hollywood’s most likable action stars. The film was released in the early wave of 3D cinema,...

Variety will publish its fourth annual 10 Artisans to Watch list on Oct. 22 and recognize the honorees at this year’s Scad Savannah Film Festival.

As Variety continues to elevate artisans in its coverage, the 10 selected will be spotlighted in a panel conversation at the festival moderated by Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay. The list will include artisans across fields set to include cinematography, costume design, editing, hair and makeup, production design, sound editing and design and visual effects. In alignment with the Academy’s decision to honor casting in 2026, Variety will be looking for rising casting directors to potentially honor.

“At Scad, we are so proud to honor the behind-the-scenes visionaries whose artistry is vital to the magic of Hollywood, while championing the next generation of exceptional talent. For the fourth year in a row, we are thrilled to partner with Variety to spotlight the artisans to watch — those...

Mere days after Collider previewed an exclusive poster from Darren Aronofsky’s next film, the Caught Stealing universe is expanding. Sony has officially released the new Caught Stealing video game, which is out on mobile and desktop platforms. The new game is described as Super Mario meets Temple Run, and it’s inspired by classic 8-bit games of the 90s and set in Caught Stealing’s iconic and lived-in world. Players will play as Austin Butler’s character, Hank, and run through notable Caught Stealing locations like Paul’s Bar, Hank’s apartment, and more. The goal is to collect money while dodging and jumping over obstacles, while also coming across friends and foes during your travels. The game is already available now, ahead of the film’s August 29 release.

Caught Stealing follows a burned-out former baseball player, Hank Thompson (Butler), who unexpectedly finds himself in a fight for his...

Actor Jessica Chastain has made her mark on Hollywood with movies like The Help and Zero Dark Thirty, for which she won a Golden Globe Award. She would go on to earn an Academy Award in 2022 for her performance as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

Chastain is returning to television for a new Apple TV+ series, entitled The Savant. Now the Apple TV+ Instagram page is giving fans a first look at Chastain in the title role -- and confirming the show's premiere date.

Apple posted two new images from The Savant to Instagram on July 23, 2025, and revealed that the show will premiere on the streamer on Sept. 26, 2025. The Instagram post was accompanied by the caption "The system can’t stop what it doesn’t see coming. Jessica Chastain is The Savant - September 26 on Apple TV+.”

The Savant will star Chastain in the titular role...

Matt Smith is currently in the middle of filming House of the Dragon Season 3, but long before his Game of Thrones prequel returns to HBO Max, he’ll star in a dark gangster drama that just got a kick-ass new look. Smith will star alongside Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two) and Zoë Kravitz (The Batman) in Caught Stealing, the upcoming film from Darren Aronofsky coming to theaters on August 29 courtesy of Sony Pictures. Collider is happy to partner with Sony to exclusively preview a new poster from the film showing a new look at Smith’s character, Russ. The art comes from contemporary artist Swoon, who is one of the first women Street Artists to gain international recognition. Smith’s Russ is a punk-rock neighbor who just needs someone to look after his cat for a few days.

Director Darren Aronofsky also shared the story of how Swoon came...

Last week, the Toronto International Film Festival announced 11 galas and special presentations for global artists that the committee wishes to spotlight this year. The scheduling of these events are a reflection of “TIFF’s commitment to champion new perspectives and cinematic excellence to its diverse international public audience.” TIFF has now released the first-look images for a number of films that have been accepted into this year’s festival. Some of the notable titles are Christy, Frankenstein, Good Fortune and more. You can check out the full list of movies being screened at the event on their website Here.

One of the most anticipated releases is Sydney Sweeney‘s turn as boxer Christy Martin in the film Christy. David Michod directs the untitled Christy Martin sports biopic he co-wrote with Mirrah Foulkes. The project charts Martin’s rise to become the most iconic boxer of the 1990s. Dubbed the “female Rocky” by producers,...

Days after announcing its gala world premieres, the Toronto International Film Festival has just expanded its lineup with a slate of new films featuring A-listers and Oscar winners. On Monday, the festival announced the highly anticipated debuts of movies starring Keanu Reeves, Vince Vaughn, Seth Rogen, Saoirse Ronan, Dustin Hoffman, and Al Pacino, underscoring the festival’s reputation as a crucial spring board for award-season contenders.

Tuner

The film, starring Hoffman and Leo Woodall, is directed by Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Roher (Navalny) in his feature debut. It follows a former piano prodigy (Woodall) who, down on his luck, uses his extraordinary auditory skills to help a found family figure (Hoffman). The cast also includes Havana Rose Liu and Lior Raz.

Christy

Sydney Sweeney stars as trailblazing professional boxer Christy Martin in this drama directed by David Michôd. Based on a true story, the film chronicles Martin’s meteoric rise...

Born in Nantes, France in 1928, Jules Verne was sent to Paris as a young man to study law, but fell in love with theatre. He wrote several plays, got married, worked as a stock broker, and continued to write on the side. Eventually, Verne had an epiphany: What if he combined his twin passions of adventure stories and scientific inquiry? You might say this was a "novel" concept in the mid-1800s. Verne's vision was realized when a publisher agreed to print Verne's "Voyages extraordinaires—Cinq semaines en ballon" ("Extraordinary Journeys: Five Weeks In A Balloon") in 1864. The serialized story became a bestseller, so Verne quit his job, writing "science fiction" for 40 years until his death in 1905.

"Extraordinary journeys" doesn't have the same ring as "sci-fi," but Verne is often called the "father of science fiction". Considering sci-fi stories dominate narrative storytelling, Verne can be considered the grandaddy of "Star Wars,...

Doug Jones is one of the modern era's most accomplished monster actors, having embodied inhuman creatures in films like Hocus Pocus, Pan's Labyrinth, and The Shape of Water. He was inspired by one of the most iconic horror actors of all time: Boris Karloff. While discussing his career at a panel at this year's Atl Comics Convention in Atlanta, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Jones talked about the film that inspired his legendary performances.

Although Jones' first love was comedy, he credited a classic monster movie with inspiring his eventual transformation into one of modern cinema's most accomplished boogeymen:

"My first monster movie, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was a late-night Friday show hosted by Sammy Terry. [laughs maniacally] And it was The Mummy, with Boris Karloff. So watching that movie and the effect those haunting eyes of his had on me, and how he affected the head-to-toe performance that we're talking about.

We know a whole lot about Sandra Oh‘s professional life – from her portrayal of the fierce Cristina Yang to the razor-sharp Eve Polastri, the actress has brought quite a few unforgettable characters to life. However, when it comes to her personal life, things are a lot quieter.

We know that she was born in the Ottawa suburb of Nepean, Ontario, Canada, to Korean parents, Oh Junsu and Oh Young-Nam. The 53-year-old began her career as a ballet dancer before attending the National Theatre School in Montreal.

Speaking of her love life, though, there isn’t much to tell. Oh has been spotted in public a handful of times, though, with her rumored boyfriend, Lev Rukhin. While neither of the two has confirmed or denied the status of their relationship, their Pda-filled outings tell a story no one can deny.

As per The Sun, Rukhin and Oh were first seen...

The A24 romance movie Materialists has passed a major box office milestone that sees it climbing up a major chart. The project was written and directed by Celine Song, who made her feature debut as both a director and screenwriter with 2023's Past Lives, which was nominated for the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

2025's Materialistsfollows successful matchmaker Lucy Mason (Dakota Johnson) as she navigates her own personal life, assessing the romantic potential of two candidates, namely her cater waiter ex John (Chris Evans) and the handsome financier Harry (Pedro Pascal). The movie also stars Sawyer Spielberg, Zoë Winters, and Marin Ireland.

Per The Numbers, Materialists has passed the $50 million milestone worldwide. Its domestic box office haul of $35.64 million and international gross of $14.4 million have seen it climb to a cumulative worldwide total of $50.04 million.

With this new box office milestone, Materialists has shouldered past the...

Bones and All star Taylor Russell has exited Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. The project is a modern reimagination of the 1999 Pierce Brosnan-led romantic heist movie. The upcoming movie is directed by Michael B. Jordan, who also stars in the movie as the lead. Russell was set to feature as a co-lead opposite Jordan.

Her departure, reportedly due to creative differences, comes just as production ramps up in London. Fans were eager to see her bring a fresh take to the iconic role once played by Rene Russo and Faye Dunaway. However, Russell appears to be walking away with zero regrets and a slate of major projects already underway.

Taylor Russell Exits Pierce Brosnan Remake, The Thomas Crown Affair

Deadline first reported that Russell exited the Amazon MGM Studio’s movie, citing creative differences. Despite the shift, the studio is moving forward without delay,...

Our favorite ketchup and mustard duo, Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink, are finally saying goodbye to Hawkins, with Stranger Things set to wrap its final season this year. While the Upside Down may be closing, the real drama is unfolding in real life, with their careers. Both launched into the spotlight through the Netflix phenomenon, but their post-Stranger Things journeys are playing out very differently.

Millie Bobby Brown was The breakout star. Eleven was the face of the show, and she rode that wave straight into global fame and rightfully so. Since then, she has been booked and busy, starring in the Enola Holmes franchise, swinging swords in Damsel, and headlining The Electric State. She has also built a personal brand empire, skincare, Florence by Mills, believe it or not, a best-selling WWII romance novel called Nineteen Steps, and a production company.

But while her resume is packed,...

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BBC Scandal(s)

‘Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone’ BBC

Davie defiant: Monday and Tuesday delivered a whirlwind 48 hours for bosses at the UK’s oldest public broadcaster. Reports into both the Gregg Wallace (and subsequently John Torode) MasterChef scandal and the Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone debacle dropped almost simultaneously, bringing with them consequences and posing plenty more questions. By the time Director General Tim Davie’s written response to a third scandal, the Bob Vylan Glastonbury brouhaha, dropped at 5.30 p.m. UK time, us journalists were exhausted. While it is impossible to ‘rank’ scandals, it is fair to say that Davie and co have been bruised by each landing on top of the other. The future of MasterChef is being brought into question,...

Last June, it was announced that Evil Dead Rise director Lee Cronin had signed on to write and direct a new genre project for Atomic Monster, Blumhouse Productions, and New Line Cinema… and in December, we found out what that mysterious project is, as it was revealed that Cronin has come up with a new take on the concept of The Mummy! Cronin confirmed, “This will be unlike any Mummy movie you ever laid eyeballs on before. I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening.” The film is set to reach theatres on April 17, 2026, and while producer Jason Blum confirmed on social media that production had started back on March 24th, Cronin took to his own social media account to announce that production wrapped a few weeks ago. But we’re still getting cast news, as it was recently revealed that Hayat Kamille...

It’s been a quiet year for Russell Crowe thus far after closing out 2024 with Kraven the Hunter, but 11 years ago, the Oscar-winning star featured in a biblical epic that’s returned to streaming charts. Crowe stars alongside Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson in Noah, the 2014 period drama following Noah (Crowe), who is chosen by God for an important mission ahead of an apocalyptic, world-cleansing flood. Noah is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV in America, but globally, it’s one of the most popular movies in countries such as Lithuania, Venezuela, and Botswana. Noah earned a “certified fresh” 75% from critics and a “rotten” 41% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, and it also grossed $359 million at the box office against a hefty $120 million budget, making it a solid financial success.

Based on the classic Bible story, Noah comes from the mind of Darren Aronofsky, who directed the film and wrote the script with Ari Handel.

The 77th Primetime Emmy nominations are finally here, and let’s just say—it’s been a wild shuffle in the streaming world. HBO and Max walked in like total bosses, scooping up a jaw-dropping 142 Emmy nominations and leaving the rest of the competition in a cloud of sparkly dust. It’s the kind of flex that shows the streaming service’s commitment to quality content.

Some streamers managed to hold their ground, and a few even climbed a notch or two, but plenty are nursing a wound or two from their sudden drop. And then there are the ones just floating somewhere in between.

This year’s nomination list? It’s a buffet. A bit of everything—capes, chaos, complicated feelings, confessions, and the occasional dance number. Prestige dramas are rubbing shoulders with messy reality TV, and superhero shows are still elbowing their way to the spotlight. It’s loud,...