Technology

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in May 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Add-On Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From A Complete Unknown to season six of The Handmaid's Tale, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained for hours. You can even catch Oscar Best Picture winner Anora on the service right now.

If any of these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash.

SEE ALSO: How to watch 'The Monkey': When is the Stephen King adaptation streaming?

With streaming prices on the rise (Hulu even recently increased its prices just last year), there's no better time than now to find a way to save on streaming services like this one. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.

You'll even get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Disney+ Add-On Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and Max bundle, the next best thing is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $10.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $10.99 per month

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead. And if you're a sports fan and want to throw in ESPN+, there are also Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic and Premium plans, which run for $16.99 per month and $26.99 per month, respectively.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Best Student Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $9.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $9.99 per month (get first month free)

• Hulu (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $82.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (No Ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $95.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV (with ads) — $82.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu + Live TV (no ads) — $95.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

NASA's Perseverance rover almost had to let go of a precious drill bit on Mars after an attempt to collect a rock sample went awry.  

For the past week, the car-sized lab on wheels seemed to remain in its location on the rim of Jezero crater. Meanwhile, a team of scientists and engineers on Earth focused on how to free the tool from the rock. 

Anyone who has used a power drill around the house knows the frustration of getting one stuck in a board or wall, without being able to yank it back out. Well, sometimes the U.S. space agency has to retrieve a stuck drill, too — but from roughly 132 million miles away. 

Fortunately, Perseverance didn't have to sacrifice the coring bit. A NASA spokesperson provided an update on the status of the rover on Wednesday.

"The team was working to extract a drill bit from the most recent sample collection attempt, which was successfully accomplished as of late Tuesday night," NASA told Mashable. "This type of situation was planned for in the rover's design, and there are other drill bits onboard if needed."

SEE ALSO: Scientists found huge beaches on Mars likely from a long gone ocean NASA's Perseverance rover was engaged in a coring operation at Witch Hazel Hill on the outer rim of Jezero Crater on April 29, 2025. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Jezero Crater is a site on the Red Planet where scientists believe a river once emptied into a delta. The reason scientists now want to explore the rim is to look for ancient Martian bedrock rubble. Jezero formed when something substantial smacked into the planet close to 4 billion years ago. The impact could have churned up and tossed deep materials to the surface.  

Recently, Perseverance has been studying the makeup of layered rocks in an area NASA dubbed Witch Hazel Hill. Scientists want to understand the relationship between the alternating light and dark bands, as each likely formed under different conditions. Based on how layers are stacked, experts may be able to piece together a timeline for the Martian region.  

Earlier this month, the rover sampled one of the light-toned layers, which consisted of tiny rock pieces. In the latest coring attempt, the team was grabbing a sample of the darker grains. Raw images beamed back from the rover's cameras to Earth indicated the drill may have been stuck since April 22. 

Before Perseverance was launched, NASA equipped it with nine bits: one for Martian soil, two for removing the dust-covered outer layer of a rock, and six for drilling rock cores. It's unclear how many the rover still has in its arsenal and how many have succumbed to the rugged conditions of the Red Planet. 

Perseverance arrived on Mars with a backup supply of drill bits in case any broke or became dull during rock collections. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Since landing on Mars in 2021, Perseverance has filled sample tubes with rocks and dirt. NASA's goal has been to retrieve at least some of them and get them to Earth in the 2030s. 

Exceptional rock discoveries have only mounted pressure on NASA to solve the problems facing its Mars Sample Return mission, its plan to fly bits of rock, dust, and air collected by the rover back to Earth. Last summer, Perseverance discovered a spotted rock with the most compelling signs of ancient Martian life yet, though a sample would need to be shipped back home for confirmation.

But that mission has been in limbo since a review found it would cost upward of $11 billion and take nearly two decades to achieve. NASA engaged the greater aerospace industry for input on how to wrangle in spending.

The agency is now investigating two new approaches that could bring costs under $8 billion, involving either a commercial lander or the tried-and-true sky crane, the landing system that brought the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers to the Martian surface in the first place. The options could potentially shorten the timeframe to get the samples home.

NASA will spend the next year working on engineering plans for the revised mission.

DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.

The best Disney+ deals and bundles in May 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Basic Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal

Whether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.

Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and so much more, Disney+ offers a library that's stuffed-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained when it matters. This includes the highly-anticipated second season of Andor, which we said is the "best Star Wars show" that "goes out with a brilliant bang" in our review.

If you've had this streaming service on your radar but are unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals.

SEE ALSO: 'Andor' creator on Lucasfilm censoring f-bomb: 'They were right.'

There are quite a few bundle deals to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. And with streaming prices on the rise (Disney+ even increased its prices just last year), now's a great time to jump on a bundle like that.

We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand, which is a great offer to take advantage of given streaming service prices keep going up. The $16.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $29.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 43% with the ad-supported plan and 42% with the ad-free plan.

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Basic Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If the Disney+, Hulu, and Max mega bundle feels like a bit too much, there are smaller bundle deals to check out instead. One of the most affordable bundle options the service has is the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic plan. This brings together Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $10.99 per month. This is a great way to gain access to both of their libraries for only $1 more than what you'd pay for their ad-supported plans on their own.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $10.99 per month

If you'd rather spring for the ad-free version of that bundle, Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium is what you need. This offers both Disney+ and Hulu without ads for $19.99 per month instead. Disney+ also has bundles that throw in ESPN+. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic plan, which has ads, runs for $16.99 per month, and the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium plan without ads costs $26.99 per month.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Disney+ monthly plans

Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ Basic ad-supported plan comes to $9.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.

• Disney+ Basic (With Ads) — $9.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $15.99 per month, $159.99 per year

Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:

• Disney+ Basic — $6.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic — $7.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $10.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic — $11.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium — $14.99 per month

There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.

SAVE $40: As of May 1, the Hisense 75-inch Class U6HF Series TV is on sale for $529.99 at Amazon. That's a 7% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-Inch Class U6HF Series $529.99 at Amazon
$569.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Deals on TVs are always a good excuse to upgrade, and when we're talking about a TV like the Hisense 75-inch Class U6HF Series, saying no is near impossible.

The Hisense 75-inch Class U6HF Series is down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon. As of May 1, this impressive Tmodel is priced at $529.99.

SEE ALSO: Score the Hisense 75-inch Class A7 Series TV at its lowest price yet

For this price, you're getting a seriously impressive TV. It's equipped with ULED technology, which improves color, contrast, brightness, and motion handling compared to standard LED TVs. It uses Quantum Dot for better color accuracy and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10 Plus for high dynamic range content.

The TV has up to 600 nits of peak brightness and 220 local dimming zones for more precise lighting control. It runs on Fire TV, so you can stream from apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video without needing a separate device, like a Fire TV Stick. It has a 60Hz native refresh rate, a 240 motion rate, and HDMI 2.1 with eARC.

It even comes with Alexa built in, controlled from a voice remote. It also includes Bluetooth for wireless audio connections.

Considering an upgrade yet? Head to Amazon to secure this record-low price.

Another day, another borderline nonsensical interview with the president of the United States.

It was only recently that Donald Trump's bizarre Time interview transcript went viral, but it's already been overtopped by a new interview — this time a sit-down, on-camera talk with ABC's Terry Moran, during which Trump tried repeatedly to convince the journalist that a clearly photoshopped image was, in fact, real.

"Now I understand why he's so proud of that Gulf of America poster. He thinks 'Gulf of America's actually written on top of the water!" says Daily Show host Desi Lydic in the clip above.

"What is so crazy is Terry Moran kept trying to change topics, but Trump wouldn't let him," Lydic continues. "I have never seen an interview where a reporter catches a politician in a gotcha and the politician is the one who says, 'Stop trying to move on! I am not done embarrassing myself!'"

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

In just over a decade, content creators have gone from digital outliers to industry power brokers. What began as a side hustle has evolved into a new form of celebrity — portable, profitable, and deeply in tune with audiences in ways traditional entertainment still struggles to match. And they’re not just behind the ring lights anymore; they’re headlining movies, writing screenplays, and directing studio-backed projects.

SEE ALSO: How content creators are redefining Hollywood's power structure

You’ve seen them on your For You page, and now, you’re seeing them on your screen. Here are the creators shaping the new face of Hollywood: 

Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh used her quick comedic timing and cultural commentary to dominate YouTube before breaking late-night TV barriers as the host of A Little Late with Lilly Singh, later branching into acting in shows like The Muppets Mayhem and Dollface.

Bo Burnham Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for DGA

Bo Burnham began as a sharp-witted teenager posting musical comedy on YouTube in 2006 and has since evolved into a multi-hyphenate creative force — writing and directing the Sundance hit Eighth Grade, performing introspective specials, and acting in Oscar-winning films like Promising Young Woman.

Colleen Ballinger Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Colleen Ballinger turned her satirical alter ego Miranda Sings into a full-blown phenomenon, eventually bringing the cringe-comedy character to life in Netflix’s scripted series Haters Back Off, a rare transition from YouTube sketch to streaming original.

Grace Helbig & Hannah Hart Credit: Charley Gallay/SAs 2014/Getty Images for DCP

Once DIY queens of YouTube comedy, Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart channeled their quirky chemistry into feature-length films like Camp Takota and a modern reboot of Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, proving their comedic chops beyond the platform.

Mamrie Hart Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Mamrie Hart, known for her boozy YouTube series and unfiltered humor, co-wrote and starred in millennial cult comedies like Camp Takota and Dirty 30, showing how creator-led stories could resonate on screen.

Shawn Mendes Credit: Frank Hoensch/Redferns via Getty Images

Shawn Mendes first gained attention on Vine with heartfelt acoustic covers, and quickly built a successful music career with pop singles like "Stitches," "Treat You Better," "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," and "Señorita." His smooth transition into acting began with a leading voice and music role in the family film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, showcasing his range beyond the stage.

King Bach (Andrew Bachelor) Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

King Bach (Andrew Bachelor), once the undisputed king of Vine — he holds the Guinness World Record for the most Vine followers with over 16 million — flipped short-form comedy into a prolific acting career, racking up credits in The Babysitter, Greenland, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. And according to him, making the jump from smartphone feeds to the big screen was always part of his master plan.

Liza Koshy Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen

Liza Koshy went from physical comedy and skits on Vine and YouTube to starring roles in Netflix’s Work It, voiceovers in blockbuster franchises like Transformers, and hosting duties across major networks.

Lele Pons Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Lele Pons parlayed her slapstick Vine persona into reality-style storytelling, starring in her own docuseries, The Secret Life of Lele Pons, and competing on Dancing with the Stars, blending digital and traditional fame.

Addison Rae

Addison Rae danced her way to TikTok superstardom and caught Hollywood’s attention with a multimillion-dollar Netflix deal, launching her acting career in the teen rom-com He’s All That while also exploring a pop music path.

Charli D’Amelio Credit: Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

Charli D’Amelio, once the reigning queen of TikTok dance trends, has built a multi-faceted career — starring in Hulu’s The D’Amelio Show, winning Dancing with the Stars, voicing animated characters, and recently making her Broadway debut in &Juliet. She also appeared in an episode of the Apple TV+ satirical series The Studio.

Bella Poarch Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Bella Poarch went viral with expressive lip-syncs on TikTok and is now carving a path in music with tracks like "Build a Bitch" and "Dolls," blending striking visuals and empowerment-driven themes. Her creative vision extends beyond music into fashion, recently debuting a bold HUGO capsule collection inspired by her EP.

Issa Rae Credit: Julia Beverly/Getty Images

Issa Rae took the raw honesty of her YouTube series Awkward Black Girl and transformed it into the award-winning HBO hit Insecure, establishing herself as a Hollywood powerhouse with roles in Barbie, The Photograph, and a growing slate of productions.

Quinta Brunson Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Quinta Brunson began as a viral sketch comedian at BuzzFeed and Instagram, then skyrocketed to mainstream acclaim as the creator, writer, and star of the Emmy-winning series Abbott Elementary.

Donald Glover Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Donald Glover started with online sketches as part of Derrick Comedy, then rewrote the rules of modern storytelling as the creator of Atlanta. He also starred in major franchises like Solo: A Star Wars Story and reinvented himself musically as Childish Gambino.

Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) Credit: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

A YouTube giant known for his gaming videos and interactive series like In Space with Markiplier, Markiplier is now moving behind the camera with his feature film directorial debut Iron Lung, proving his storytelling talents extend well beyond Let’s Plays.

Rudy Mancuso

Rudy Mancuso went from music-infused sketches on Vine and YouTube to starring in and directing his own feature film, Música, showcasing his talents as a storyteller, actor, and musician with a unique comedic voice.

Noah Beck Credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

First rising to fame through TikTok’s golden era with his athletic charm and choreographed trends, Noah Beck has since stepped into the spotlight as a model, reality personality, and actor, with a starring role in the upcoming teen film The QB Bad Boy and Me.

Chloe Cherry Credit: Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty Images

Originally gaining attention on adult content platforms and social media, Chloe Cherry made a striking mainstream debut as Faye in HBO’s Euphoria, where her deadpan delivery and screen presence earned her critical and fan acclaim.

Yasmin Finney Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Yasmin Finney, who captivated TikTok with her trans advocacy and charisma, became a breakout star in Netflix’s Heartstopper and was cast as Rose in the Doctor Who universe — a groundbreaking moment for representation in the long-running franchise.

Bel Priestley Credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Warner Music

Bel Priestley built a loyal following through TikTok and YouTube by sharing her trans journey and fashion-forward perspective, leading to her acting debut in Season 2 of Netflix’s beloved teen drama Heartstopper.

Kalen Allen Credit: Jamie McCarthy/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Kalen Allen gained viral fame with hilarious YouTube reaction videos before proving his versatility as an actor in An American Pickle, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and multiple streaming features including Meet Me Next Christmas.

Alan Chikin Chow Credit: Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty Images

Alan Chikin Chow became a standout in the fast-paced world of YouTube Shorts, developing his own comedy universe and scoring roles in series like Grey’s Anatomy and Into the Dark, while also creating his own projects like Alan’s Universe.

Elsa Majimbo

Elsa Majimbo turned her laid-back, sardonic humor into a global brand, landing roles in short films like Bitter Leaf and series like Yara Shahidi's Day Off, while continuing to explore storytelling across formats.

In 2025, the red carpet doesn’t just belong to movie stars anymore — it belongs to YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and TikTokkers-turned-Netflix leads. Hollywood has entered a new era where the most coveted currency isn’t box office numbers or awards season buzz, but follower counts, engagement rates, and the ability to move an audience with a single post.

As studios scramble to capture increasingly fractured attention, digital-native creators have become some of their safest bets. They arrive not only with talent but also with built-in fandoms — millions of subscribers who treat premiere dates like tour stops and merch drops. What used to be a gamble on an unknown actor is now a calculated investment in influence.

SEE ALSO: Hollywood's new stars were cast by the internet

The power balance is shifting. Many creators have already mastered storytelling, production, and marketing on their own terms. Now, with traditional media eager to tap into their reach, they’re negotiating roles, shaping projects, and even bypassing gatekeepers entirely. The question isn’t whether creators are Hollywood-ready — it’s whether Hollywood is still required at all.

The power of built-in audiences

Studios aren’t casting creators just because they’re trendy; they’re making strategic business decisions. Online stars bring direct access to potential viewers, along with a proven ability to spark conversation. In an industry where marketing budgets often rival production costs, creators offer a compelling proposition: promotion baked into the talent itself.

According to a 2025 report from Digital Voices, user-generated content drives nine times more engagement than traditional brand messaging — a return on investment studios can’t afford to ignore, especially when there’s data that suggests millennials and Gen Z find social media content "more relevant than traditional TV shows and movies" and feel a stronger personal connection to social media creators than to actors and TV personalities. According to China Widener, vice chair of Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecom leader, Gen Z spends “54 percent more time on their social platforms” than on traditional media platforms. 

As the influence of creators continues to redefine the power structure of Hollywood, the traditional systems — built on big studios, agents, and A-list actors — are being forced to adapt. No longer is it enough for a film or TV show to simply rely on star power; increasingly, it’s the creators who build and engage their own audiences that studios are looking to tap into. The question now is: How do traditional power players navigate this shift?

Seth Schachner, managing director of Strat Americas and a veteran of the media and tech industries, has observed firsthand how this shift is leaving some studios a step behind. "The studios are maybe a little bit clueless about this... is Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt really appealing to the 20-somethings or Gen Z?" he says.

Casting decisions have evolved to reflect this logic. As early as 2018, The New York Post reported that films were being cast with "social media quotas" in mind — a practice that has only deepened. In a 2025 podcast interview, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke confirmed that producers now hand directors "a sheet with the amount of collective followers" they expect a cast to bring. As Tiffany Little Canfield, the casting director for Jon M. Chu's Wicked, put it plainly: "I see social media numbers as a type of fame. Just a new way to quantify fame."

That redefinition of fame has rewritten the talent pipeline. Viral reach now rivals, and sometimes outranks, traditional credentials when it comes to landing roles, partnerships, and even production deals. But follower count alone no longer guarantees success, or even relevance.

"Someone with 10 million followers isn’t necessarily a big deal anymore," says Lindsay Nead, founder and CEO of Parker Management, a leading digital talent management agency. "It really comes down to the analytics — who their audience is, where they’re located, how much they engage. A huge following might look good on paper, but if no one’s actually watching, there’s no value. It’s not just a numbers game; it’s a data game now."

That shift has created a new class of stars: influencers whose reach is measurable, monetizable, and undeniable.

In 2021, Addison Rae signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix off the viral success of He’s All That. Harsh reviews didn’t matter; the movie topped global charts, thanks in large part to Rae’s 88 million TikTok followers. Charli D’Amelio followed a similar trajectory, moving from dance videos to Dancing with the Stars, a reality series of her own (The D’Amelio Show), a Broadway debut, and a guest spot on the upcoming Apple series The Studio. Emma Chamberlain’s ironic YouTube humor has translated into high-fashion campaigns, red-carpet hosting, and production credits. YouTube vlogger-turned-filmmaker Casey Neistat is back directing original content after launching one of the most influential daily vlog channels of the 2010s.

SEE ALSO: The business of being Victoria Paris

And the next wave isn’t just in front of the camera. Creators like Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) and Issa Rae (Insecure) began as viral stars; now they’re showrunners and producers shaping the future of scripted television. Even content houses like the Sway House and Hype House, once dismissed as Gen Z group projects, have launched production companies. 

"The old rules don't always apply," Schachner says. Think of creators as self-sustaining ecosystems: They write the scripts, build the audiences, and monetize directly, often without traditional gatekeepers.

Rather than hiring creators to promote a finished product, studios are increasingly bringing them on from day one, not just as stars, but as producers, writers, and world-builders. As Nead notes, after a wave of short-term campaigns, the industry is now swinging back toward long-term collaboration. "We’re definitely seeing a resurgence of longer-term partnerships," she says. "It’s more important than ever — both for impact and authenticity." That shift reflects a growing recognition that creators aren’t just promotional tools; they’re creative partners who understand their audiences better than anyone.

Studios want loyalty, not just reach. Micro-influencers with tight-knit communities are now prized above macro-names with passive followings. In this economy, engagement isn’t just a stat — it’s leverage.

"The most successful projects are the ones where creators are brought in from the beginning," Nead says. "They’re not just hired hands anymore — they’re shaping the direction, the creative, the entire vision. The industry is starting to realize that when you give creators ownership, you get better content."

For many creators, especially those from underrepresented communities, social media has become a launchpad not just for visibility but for legitimacy. Bypassing traditional casting calls and industry gatekeeping, creators have used their platforms to tell the stories Hollywood overlooked — and to prove there’s an audience for them. It’s a path that’s allowed queer voices, BIPOC talent, and disabled creators to build influence on their own terms, then carry that cultural capital into rooms that once ignored them.

YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Eugene Lee Yang, known for his work with The Try Guys, used digital media to explore queer identity and now develops projects that foreground LGBTQ+ storytelling. Drea Okeke (@dreaknowsbest) built a massive following through comedic skits rooted in her Nigerian-American upbringing — and parlayed that into brand deals, speaking gigs, writing opportunities, and a part in the Fuse Original Series We Need to Talk About America. Former Vine star Rudy Mancuso recently directed and starred in Musica, a feature-length film based on his life and Latinx heritage. And TikTok comedian Zarna Garg is currently starring in the Mindy Kaling-backed film A Nice Indian Boy. 

These aren’t one-off success stories; they’re proof that creators from marginalized backgrounds aren’t waiting for permission. They’re building influence on their own terms, then carrying that cultural capital into rooms that once ignored them.

"The opportunity that exists now is so powerful," Nead says. "Creators have a better shot at doing things on their own terms than ever before."

The culture-makers of now

Creators are no longer just part of the zeitgeist; they are the zeitgeist. A single TikTok can sell out a lipstick, resurrect a '90s fashion trend, or send a decades-old song back up the charts. Alix Earle’s recommendation of a drugstore eyeliner triggered a viral sellout moment dubbed the #AlixEarleEffect. Influencer Monet McMichael’s honest beauty reviews and Sofia Richie Grainge’s minimalist "quiet luxury" aesthetic have each generated millions of views and shifted entire consumer trends, often without even trying.

But the power that creators wield is being met with growing scrutiny. Gen Z audiences are getting savvier, and a little more cynical, about over-curated lifestyles and brand-heavy content. "The end of the influencer era may finally have arrived," declared a recent New York Post op-ed, pointing to a shift toward creators who feel more real, raw, and reflective of everyday lives.

Authenticity is the new algorithm hack. The creators making the most impact today have "a super clear, unique voice," Nead says, offering a perspective and a relationship with their audience that feels unscripted.

A growing industry, still without guardrails

Yet behind the ring lights and revenue streams lies an industry still defining its rules, especially when it comes to young talent. As more families turn social media into a livelihood, questions are mounting around labor, consent, and exploitation. Netflix’s The Dark Side of Kidfluencing and other recent exposés have shed light on the blurred lines between childhood and content creation, and the lack of protections in place.

There’s precedent here: It took decades (and the Coogan Law) for Hollywood to implement child labor protections. The creator economy, now facing a similar reckoning, is still largely self-regulated. Burnout, blurred boundaries, and a lack of oversight remain endemic, particularly among teen and tween creators. 

Some change is slowly underway. Lawmakers in states like Illinois, Utah, and California are exploring creator-specific labor laws, while SAG-AFTRA is assessing how to adapt traditional union protections to include digital-native performers. Most recently, the union launched an Influencer Committee to advocate for fair pay, contract transparency, and protections against exploitation in the creator economy, including potential benefits like health insurance and pensions. It’s a signal that legacy institutions are beginning to take influencers seriously as workers. 

But in most cases, the burden still falls on creators — and their families — to self-police, set boundaries, and build sustainable careers in a system not built to protect them.

A new era of fame

As the lines between creator and celebrity blur — and between platform and production company collapse — one thing is clear: influence is no longer a side hustle. It’s a career path, a cultural force, and increasingly, a source of power. Hollywood used to make stars. Now it recruits them from the internet: already followed, already fully formed.

"If they’re not forward-thinking about how to integrate creators into their strategy, I don’t know how they’re going to keep up," says Nead. "Traditional media just isn’t what it once was. It’s time to evolve or risk being left behind."

The rules have changed, and the people writing them are holding the cameras themselves.

TL;DR: Save 86% on the Luminar Neo photo editor, a video training course, and six packs of preset photo filters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylum The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle $89.99
$682 Save $592.01 Get Deal What is Luminar Neo?

Luminar Neo is an easy-to-use photo editor that allows everyone to edit their photos with beginner and advanced tools.

What can Luminar Neo do?

Start with the bare-bone essentials like layers, masking, and local adjustments, then explore the AI-powered photo-editing tools:

• Enhance and retouch skin

• Replace skies

• Upscale image quality

• So, so much more

How much is Luminar Neo’s lifetime subscription?

For everything included in this lifetime bundle — the editing software, video training, and preset filters — you only have to pay $89.99 (regularly a $682 value).

What’s included with this purchase?

There are three components. One: The Luminar Neo photo editor, which is available for Windows, Mac, or as a plugin for Photoshop or Lightroom.

Two: A video training course on photo-editing techniques. You’ll learn how to modify your approach depending on which shots you’re working with, like cityscapes, forests, or portraits, while using Luminar Neo.

Three: Six packs of preset photo filters to use with the editor. With just one click, you can instantly transform your photos instead of manually editing them. Try out Frosty Winter or Wintertime, or something like Tender Blushing Skies or Tranquil Dawn Skies. 

Is Luminar Neo good for professionals?

For photographers who don’t want to spend time learning the intricacies of Photoshop, yes. You’ll have advanced tools, but the assistance of AI to fill in any knowledge gaps. Plus, this photo editor doesn’t require any subscription fees.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Learn something new daily with lifetime access to EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, now just $19.97 (reg. $600) for a little while longer.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackSkills EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access $19.97
$600 Save $580.03 Get Deal

Who couldn't use more flexibility? Whether you're a student, a business owner, a freelancer, or a stay-at-home mom, being able to adapt things to your busy schedule is priceless. Online courses offer just that, letting you chip away at topics on your time. 

If you've been meaning to learn a new skill, dive deep into a topic, or make a total career change, EDU Unlimited by StackSkills is ready to help. And you can score lifetime access to this wealth of over 1,000 online courses for just $19.97 (reg. $600) if you purchase before supplies run out.

Lifetime learning that fits your busy schedule

Learning new things has never been more convenient in the digital age. Instead of heading back to the classroom, log onto StackSkills and start absorbing new content. Its easy-to-use interface and progress-tracking features make it easy to jump right in (and hop out if needed) without any deadlines or restrictions. 

With beginner to advanced course options, StackSkills is filled with more than 1,000 courses. Lifetime access puts them all at your fingertips, so starting a side hustle, earning a promotion, or switching to a totally new field is possible — and for less than the price of a textbook you'd need at a community college.  

There are courses on blockchain, iOS development, graphic design, finance, business, IT, marketing, and more. They're taught by over 350 highly-rated, elite instructors who are experts in their respective fields. 

Tackle as much or as little as you'd like with this lifetime access, which includes new courses added monthly. 

Learn for life with lifetime access to EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, now $19.97 (reg. $600) for a little while longer. Inventory is selling out!

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Play golf at home with your own clubs using the Phigolf Golf Simulator, only $89.97 for a little while longer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Phigolf Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator Sensor & Generic Swing Stick Set (Open Box) $89.97
$199.99 Save $110.02 Get Deal

Love golf? You might be surprised how easy it is to take your favorite game home with you. Quality golf simulators used to be pretty expensive and take up a whole room in your house, but now you can hit 18 holes on your own TV with Phigolf. 

This home golf simulator has over 38,000 courses to play on, and you even have the option to play with your own clubs or the retractable Swing Stick. It feels like the real thing and even simulates the feeling of hitting a real ball. Instead of dropping $199, you can get Phigolf for just $89.97 — but we don't have many left in stock. 

A golf simulator everyone can enjoy

Phigolf World Tour Edition is part game, part training tool. The Smart Motion Sensor and 3D Data-Analysis System capture every detail of your swing, from tempo to club path, and provide real-time feedback. Whether you're practicing your drive, chipping onto the green, or fine-tuning your putts, this simulator could really help you improve. You can even analyze your swing with slow-motion playback to spot areas for adjustment.

If you’re feeling competitive, Phigolf lets you take on golfers from around the world. Play solo or go head-to-head in online matches and tournaments. You might even recognize some of the courses you get to play on. 

There are only a few days left to get your own Phigolf Home Golf Simulator on sale for just $89.97. Act now while supplies are still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're craving culinary excellence, crackling comedy, wild twists, zombie drama, unicorn carnage or an espionage thriller taut with sexual tension, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

7. Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

After successfully hosting the Academy Awards, Conan O'Brien was honored at the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor for his storied career and his signature blend of smarts and silliness. Of course, this honors ceremony is for comedians, by comedians. So alongside touching speeches, there's also a fair amount of roasting.

For those of us who couldn't make it into this epic event, Netflix is bringing the laughs directly to our homes with Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Alongside a slew of beloved comedians, the show also brings out classic characters from O'Brien's talk show, like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and the masturbating bear. What more can you want? — Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko

Starring: Nikki Glaser, Will Ferrell, David Letterman, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Andy Richter, Reggie Watts, Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert, Sean Evans, and Robert Smigel

How to watch: Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor debuts on Netflix on May 4.

6. The Walking Dead: Dead City, Season 2

If The Last of Us isn't satisfying your craving for post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested, serialized TV drama, then the return of The Walking Dead: Dead City will be a gruesome treat.

Season 1 of this Walking Dead spinoff series followed Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) on her search for her kidnapped son Hershel (Logan Kim). But even after recovering him, their hardships are far from over. Separated from Negan, Maggie and Hershel must decide whether to risk their own lives to return to Manhattan, where Negan is being pressured to join a battle for power. Thankfully, he's got his trusty bat. It's going to be electrifying. — K.P.

Starring: Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Gaius Charles, Željko Ivanek, Mahina Napoleon, Lisa Emery, Logan Kim, Dascha Polanco, and Kim Coates

How to watch: The Walking Dead: Dead City, Season 2 premieres on on AMC and AMC+ on May 4.

5. Chef's Table: Legends

Can you believe it's been 10 years since the first season of Netflix's Chef's Table aired? We'll never forget when we first feasted on that sumptuous cinematography hovering over Massimo Bottura's "Oops I Dropped The Lemon Tart" in Modena's Osteria Francescana. Tipping a toque to seven seasons and five spinoffs over a decade, this latest installment is all about legends. We're talking Jamie Oliver, José Andrés, Alice Waters, and Thomas Keller. Settle in for a bit of pukka tukka, truly decadent shots of extraordinary dishes, and personal stories of culinary success. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Jamie Oliver, José Andrés, Alice Waters, and Thomas Keller

How to watch: Chef's Table: Legends is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Carême

The Bear Season 4 may not be out yet, but Hot Chef Summer is already here thanks to Carême. This French-language drama follows legendary real-life chef Marie-Antoine Carême (Benjamin Voisin), a charismatic pastry genius whose skills land him a job working in Napoleon's kitchens. But cooking isn't the only thing Carême is doing. In order to help his imprisoned father, Carême becomes a spy within the Tuileries Palace, plying his targets with food and sex in order to get what he needs. Carême serves up a sumptuous tale of espionage, lust, and patisserie, and the result is nothing less than a treat for the senses. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Benjamin Voisin, Lyna Khoudri, Jérémie Renier, and Alice Da Luz

How to watch: Carême is now streaming on Apple TV+.

3. The Four Seasons

Tina Fey reimagines Alan Alda's 1981 film The Four Seasons in this Netflix miniseries about three couples who take seasonal vacations together. As the group travels from eco resorts to ski lodges, the series charts the ever-changing dynamic between them, including the huge shift that occurs when Nick (Steve Carell) leaves his wife Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and begins dating the much younger Ginny (Erika Henningsen).

The Four Seasons' cast alone makes it worth the watch. Who doesn't want to watch Fey, Carell, Will Forte, and Colman Domingo take gorgeous vacations together? But The Four Seasons is more than just a hilarious, breezy summer binge. (Although it certainly fits that bill, too.) Instead, it raises poignant questions about marriage and friendship, and the work that is needed to maintain both over time. As I wrote in my review, "It's the substance that sneaks up on you that really makes The Four Seasons a winner, even if it's a slower burn from the jump." — B.E.

Starring: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, and Erika Henningsen

How to watch: The Four Seasons is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Death of a Unicorn

Want something wacky, weird, and splashed with mythical violence? Then you'll treasure A24's Death of a Unicorn.

SEE ALSO: 'Death of a Unicorn' review: A24's fantastical monster parable is rich in laughs and gore

The directorial debut of writer/helmer Alex Scharfman, this fantasy-action-comedy stars Paul Rudd as a meek dad trying to balance the whims of his demanding clients — a family of Big Pharma billionaires — while also rebuilding the strained relationship with his college-focused daughter (Jenna Ortega). But when this fractured family accidentally kills a baby unicorn, what should have been a weekend getaway with a side of business becomes a life-or-death struggle against homicidal, horn-headed horses. A bit wonky, but overall, Death of a Unicorn is a wild time.

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant

How to watch: Death of a Unicorn is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

2. Another Simple Favor

Leading ladies Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reunite with director Paul Feig to serve up a splashy sequel to the funny thriller A Simple Favor. Set five years after the first film, Another Simple Favor reveals single mom Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) has gone from vlogging to true crime memoirist, but her book tour gets a major boost when her near-fatal frenemy Emily Nelson (Lively) is sprung from prison and bound to be wed in Capri. Naturally, this femme fatale wants her former bestie to be her maid of honor. What could go wrong?

In Mashable's SXSW review of Another Simple Favor, I cheered the zany premise and all the wild twists it brings. "Like Emily Nelson, Another Simple Favor is a shapeshifting creature, transforming in tone moment to moment to revel in biting humor, relish in mob drama, plunge into the delicious depths of mad women in the psycho-biddy subgenre, and showcase fashion, telling, sensational, and shocking." It mostly works, and it's undoubtedly a good time. So raise a martini glass, and cheers to the bride!* — K.P.

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Ian Ho, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Elizabeth Perkins, Alex Newell, and Allison Janney

How to watch: Another Simple Favor is now streaming on Prime Video.

1. Black Bag

Spy thriller Black Bag is coming to Peacock, so you can watch Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender go head-to-head as married British intelligence agents from the comfort of your couch. Director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp's espionage thriller sees the stars as Kathryn and George Woodhouse, whose bond is tested when there's suspicion of treason afoot.

"As they have with the psychological thriller Kimi and the mysterious haunted house movie Presence, this terrific pairing of writer and director has cherry-picked elements of a genre, without submitting to its expectations," Mashable's Kristy Puchko wrote in her review. "In this case, Black Bag will satisfy spy fans who demand a cast of suave rogues, sexual allure, intense interrogations, exotic globe-trekking, dubious allies, and a powerful MacGuffin that must be kept out of dangerous hands." — S.C.

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Pierce Brosnan, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Tom Burke

How to watch: Black Bag begins streaming on Peacock on May 2.

TL;DR: With grocery prices still climbing — the price of eggs has jumped nearly 20% — and everyday essentials putting a dent in your wallet, it’s more important than ever to shop smart. If you're tired of hopping between Aldi, Target, and other shops just to find the best deals, it might be time to join BJ’s Wholesale Club for just $20.

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. $20 for a 1-year The Club Card Membership $20
$60 Save $40 with BJ’s Easy Renewal Get Deal

You might be glad you waited to grab a BJ's membership, since the Club Card membership is now only $20 (reg. $60) — but only for two more days. You'll be able to enjoy an entire year of savings, perks, and convenience.

BJ’s isn’t just about bulk deals, though you’ll find plenty of those. Members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, which is a game changer since inflation is making even the basics feel like a splurge. You’ll also find top national brands at wholesale prices, from snacks and fresh produce to cleaning supplies and pet food.

Beyond groceries, your BJ's membership also unlocks exclusive deals on furniture, electronics, home goods, and even holiday decor. You can even enjoy extra member services, BJ’s Home Improvement, Optical, Tire Center, and Travel services, plus everyday low gas prices. Another bonus? BJ’s is one of the few wholesale clubs that accepts manufacturer coupons, and you can stack them with BJ’s own coupons for even deeper discounts.

BJ's isn't just about finding better bang for your buck — you'll be able to enjoy incredible convenience since this wholesale shop offers shopping features like ExpressPay to skip the line, Curbside Pickup to avoid crowds, and even same-day delivery on select items.

Whether you're stocking up the fridge for your family or simply want to minimize your shopping trips, BJ’s can help stretch your budget further.

You have until May 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT to join BJ’s with this one-year The Club Card membership, now just $20 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the summer of 1995, Robert Williams, then director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, which manages the Hubble Space Telescope's research program, was paid two visits by the renowned astronomer John Bahcall, considered one of Hubble's founding fathers.

Bahcall had, in hindsight, a strange request.

He urged Williams not to train the powerful NASA telescope into an uncharted region of space, where the school bus-sized observatory would stare for days in an attempt to observe profoundly distant, never-before-seen galaxies. It was a proposed endeavor to capture an unprecedented "deep field" view of the cosmos, allowing humanity to look back billions of years, near the dawn of time.

Though Bahcall believed Hubble would make many astronomical advances, he didn't think it would observe any new, undiscovered galaxies — even in its lofty position above Earth's image-distorting atmosphere. Crucially, a failed attempt would bring more shame to a telescope that was already an orbiting object of ridicule: After launching in 1990, a flawed mirror captured blurry images in what was then the most expensive science project in history, requiring astronauts to visit Hubble and install a refrigerator-sized instrument to act as Hubble's "correcting eyeglasses."

So Williams knew the deep field was indeed a risk. Still, he told Bahcall he was compelled to take it.

"I told him that I'm willing to fall on my sword," Williams told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Soon after those meetings, Williams directed Hubble — which, in April 2025, celebrated its 35-year anniversary of launching — to peer at a seemingly empty patch of space for 10 straight days. The space telescope beamed home iconic imagery, a "cosmic zoo" of some 3,000 galaxies. It changed everything.

"It was mind-blowing," Jennifer Wiseman, a postdoctoral researcher at the time, today the Hubble Space Telescope's senior project scientist, told Mashable. "To actually see thousands of smudges of light — and now we know each of them can contain billions to hundreds of billions of stars and planetary systems — is a feast for the mind."

"It was mind-blowing."

Behold, the central portion of the first Hubble Deep Field. This is a view from a patch of sky the size of a grain of sand held at arm's length.

The central portion of the Hubble Deep Field, captured between Dec. 18 and 28, 1995. Credit: NASA / Robert Williams / Hubble Deep Field Team (STScI) The endeavor to capture Hubble's Deep Field

The year NASA first landed astronauts on the moon, 1969, was when the first real rumblings of a space telescope began. That year, the National Academy of Sciences published a report called "Scientific Uses of the Large Space Telescope." In the mid-'70s the idea progressed, and by 1977 Congress had approved the first funding for the "Large Space Telescope project," amounting to $36 million. The very next year, work began on Hubble's nearly eight-foot mirror. By 1983, the developing telescope was named for astronomer Edwin Hubble — the scientist who discovered that innumerable galaxies exist in space beyond our Milky Way.

But the same year Hubble launched, in 1990, the astronomer Bahcall released a prominent paper that concluded, in no uncertain terms, "We do not expect HST to reveal a new population of galaxies."

"That really got me worried," Ray Villard, the Hubble Space Telescope news chief who has worked on the mission for decades, told Mashable.

It was worrying that Hubble — decades in planning and at a steep cost — might not break through the galactic boundaries of Earth-based observatories, Villard explained. That would be hard to explain to the public.

"Someone has to try it."

Why might Bahcall, a prominent advocate for the mission, have such dampened hopes? Before launching, Bahcall and other astronomers sought to simulate what Hubble would see, Williams explained. The calculations were complicated, and they required some assumptions, one of which was that galaxies had relatively smooth levels of brightness across their surfaces. But, in fact, they don't. Most galaxies have regions of robust star formation that create luminous areas, allowing powerful telescopes like Hubble to observe them at profound distances. Bahcall's calculations, however, concluded that Hubble was not likely to resolve such distant galaxies.

By 1995, these discouraging expectations were amplified by a hostile cultural climate. Hubble required a Space Shuttle repair mission costing over $1 billion to remedy its blurry cosmic images. "The telescope had become a big joke," Williams said. "Political cartoons lambasted NASA." What's more, if Hubble failed to view farther into space than land-based telescopes, the federal government — the primary financial patron for astronomy — would almost certainly decrease funding for Hubble and reject another such project, at least anytime soon. But Williams, quite simply, swung for the fences.

"If you want to make discoveries, one must take risks," he said. "Someone has to try it."

In April 1990, a crew of five astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle deployed the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit. Credit: NASA Astronauts installing the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement on the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993. Credit: NASA

Even picking a deep field target was a contested issue. Williams wanted to observe a black, largely blank field of space, to avoid a known or prominent object dominating the image. The majority of Hubble's advisory committee disagreed, thinking it was too risky to choose an uncharted region of space. "That was a big debate," Williams recalled. But, as director, Williams had a card to play, known as "Director's Discretionary Time," which can be used relatively sparingly to bypass a long review process.

He played the card. Months later, Hubble viewed a seemingly empty part of space near the handle of the Big Dipper.

Thousands of galaxies popped up in a previously black ether. Where previously ground-based telescopes took humanity about halfway across the universe, Hubble's first deep field took us most of the way, some 12 billion years into the past (the universe is about 13.7 billion years old).

"Hubble opened up an undiscovered country," Villard marveled.

When the Space Telescope Science Institute revealed the Hubble Deep Field to the public, it was difficult to contain the anticipation. The institute made a 10-foot poster of the cosmic vista, and covered it up for a great unveiling. "People kept peeking under the sheet," Villard said.

The full view of 1995's Hubble Deep Field, comprising 342 exposures. Credit: R. Williams (STScI) / the Hubble Deep Field Team / NASA / ESA The Deep Field was just the beginning

Thirty years later, the deep field's impact hasn't faded.

"Hubble is the first to open our eyes to the full richness of the universe, especially through cosmic time," Wiseman, Hubble's senior project scientist, said.

Crucially, the aging telescope is enabling new and innovative science, including complementary studies with other observatories. "Hubble is actually more scientifically productive now than ever before," Wiseman emphasized, noting the number of scientific papers based on Hubble data is at a record high. Astronomers have used Hubble to detect a rogue black hole, scrutinize the expansion of the universe, advance our grasp of galactic evolution, detect atmospheres on distant exoplanets, and beyond.

Hubble's Deep Field also showed us what to strive for. "Hubble baked the cake," Villard said. Now, powerful observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope, designed to peer beyond Hubble's view, are the frosting.

"Hubble baked the cake."

"We wouldn't even know it was worth looking if it weren't for Hubble's Deep Field," Wiseman said. Webb has now peered back at galaxies formed just some 300 million years after the Big Bang.

More Hubble deep fields followed the 1995 success. And numerous astronaut servicing missions improved the telescope's cosmic-viewing abilities. In 2002, astronauts installed the Advanced Camera for Surveys, or ACS, providing even sharper images. That year, Hubble captured an image of the warped "Tadpole Galaxy," backed by a pond of thousands of diverse galaxies.

"My jaw dropped," Villard said of the 2002 view. "I don't want to get religious, but it was almost god-like vision."

The Tadpole Galaxy as viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2002. Credit: NASA / H. Ford (JHU) / G. Illingworth (UCSC/LO) / M.Clampin (STScI) / G. Hartig (STScI) / the ACS Science Team / ESA; The ACS Science Team: H. Ford, G. Illingworth, M. Clampin, G. Hartig, T. Allen, K. Anderson, F. Bartko, N. Benitez, J. Blakeslee, R. Bouwens, T. Broadhurst, R. Brown, C. Burrows, D. Campbell, E. Cheng, N. Cross, P. Feldman, M. Franx, D. Golimowski, C. Gronwall, R. Kimble, J. Krist, M. Lesser, D. Magee, A. Martel, W. J. McCann, G. Meurer, G. Miley, M. Postman, P. Rosati, M. Sirianni, W. Sparks, P. Sullivan, H. Tran, Z. Tsvetanov, R. White, and R. Woodruff A graphic showing how far Hubble Deep Fields viewed back in time. The bottom row shows the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in December 2021. Credit: NASA / ESA

Decades later, the view Williams risked Hubble's public credibility for, and his own, evokes in him the same feeling he gets when peering at the cosmos atop a mountain on a starry, moonless night.

"I am overcome," Williams said.

Staring deeply into the Hubble Deep Field is peering far into cosmic history, a look at these far-off galaxies as they existed billions of years ago. But it's also where we came from, as ancient exploding stars birthed the ingredients for new stars and dispersed the essential ingredients, like the iron in our blood, throughout new realms of the universe. If you look deeply, you're looking at yourself, too.

"We're looking at our origins," Williams said.

This year's cinema has started off strong thanks to "genre-fluid" crowdpleasers like Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17. But summer is fast approaching, and with it studios will be dropping their splashiest, star-studded, spectacle-packed movies for us to eat up like so much buttery popcorn.

Summer 2025 will be bringing the heat. Not only will theaters get new superhero cinema like Thunderbolts*, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Superman, but we'll also see sequels to A Simple Favor, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, Fear Street, The Naked Gun, M3GAN, and 28 Weeks Later. Plus, fresh films are coming from Nicolas Cage, Paul Rudd, Kerry Washington, Wes Anderson, Keanu Reeves, Ari Aster, Tom Hiddleston, Al Pacino, and Pedro Pascal.

Between theatrical releases and streaming debuts, it's a lot to take in! But fear not, film lover. We got you covered.

Below are highlights from 2025's summer movie schedule, listed chronologically by release. You'll know what's coming, how to watch it, and which stars are lighting up every single one.

MayAnother Simple Favor

Leading ladies Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reunite with director Paul Feig to serve up a splashy sequel to the funny thriller A Simple Favor. Set five years after the first film, Another Simple Favor reveals single mom Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) has gone from vlogging to true crime memoirist, but her book tour gets a major boost when her near-fatal frenemy Emily Nelson (Lively) is sprung from prison and bound to be wed in Capri. Naturally, this femme fatale wants her former bestie to be her maid of honor. What could go wrong?

In Mashable's SXSW review of Another Simple Favor, I cheered the zany premise and all the wild twists it brings. "Like Emily Nelson, Another Simple Favor is a shapeshifting creature, transforming in tone moment to moment to revel in biting humor, relish in mob drama, plunge into the delicious depths of mad women in the psycho-biddy subgenre, and showcase fashion, telling, sensational, and shocking." It mostly works, and it's undoubtedly a good time. So raise a martini glass, and cheers to the bride! — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Alex Newell, Henry Golding, and Allison Janney

How to watch: Another Simple Favor debuts on Prime Video on May 1.

The Surfer

Nicolas Cage wages war on hostile Australian surfers who thieved his board in The Surfer, a film that's as much about riding the waves as it is about unprocessed grief and toxic masculinity. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) and written by Thomas Martin, this psychological thriller and coastal Western is set in the fictional beach suburb of Luna Bay. As the titular boardrider, Cage plays a man essentially trapped in a carpark of his own making, slowly melting into the actor's signature brand of unhinged rage as he attempts to retrieve his property. But he'll have to go through the gang's beach-poncho-clad leader, Scally, played to chilling perfection by Julian McMahon.

As I wrote in my review for the film, "Everything about The Surfer's one-line pitch sounds ridiculous (Nicolas Cage versus mean Australian surfers), but the film itself is a haunting set piece about localism, repressed memory, and toxic masculinity, boasting the wild ride we've come to associate with Cage. It's as far from a wipeout as you can get." — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, and Justin Rosniak

How to watch: The Surfer opens in theaters on May 2.

Thunderbolts*

What superhero fatigue? The MCU is back again with its 36th installment, Thunderbolts*, which is sort of the Marvel version of Suicide Squad, boasting a star-stuffed cast playing chaotic antiheroes.

United by CIA director Valentina de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), misfits like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) take on an even bigger Big Bad. But don't expect them to be all noble about it. They're more about the snarking and the smoldering. Lucky us.* — K.P.

Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Rachel Weisz, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

How to watch: Thunderbolts* opens in theaters May 2.

Fight or Flight

We're absolutely loving Josh Hartnett's repossession of his thriller faculties, with unsettling runs in Black Mirror, M. Night Shyamalan's Trap, and now, in lighter thrills mode, James Madigan's Fight or Flight. In the action film penned by Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona, a bleach-blonde Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, a man on a mission to track down a black hat hacker known as "The Ghost." Problem is, the target has a worldwide bounty on their head, and the plane they're suspected of being on is now full of contract killers eager for the gold — including Lucas. So, amid the plane bathroom punch-ups, he might need a little help from Bridgerton's Charithra Chandran as flight attendant Isha. — S.C.

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Charithra Chandran, Marko Zaror, and Katee Sackhoff

How to watch: Fight or Flight opens in theaters on May 9.

Friendship

Male bonding rises and falls at speed in Andrew DeYoung's Friendship, a nightmare of fickle connection between comedy kings Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave) and Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building). The A24 film focuses on Craig Waterman (Robinson), a socially awkward guy whose wife Tami (Kate Mara) encourages him to befriend his charismatic neighbour Austin Carmichael (Rudd), who seems to be absolutely surrounded by male pals. When Austin suddenly bins their friendship, Craig's sense of himself is sent into a volatile spin and he's about to demand an explanation incredibly loudly. — S.C.

Starring: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, and Billy Bryk

How to watch: Friendship opens in limited release on May 9 and nationwide on May 23.

Shadow Force

2025 loves a married spies story! First we had Netflix's charming Back in Action, then Steven Soderbergh's sexy thriller Black Bag, then the lackluster Robert Littell adaption The Amateur. Now, Kerry Washington and Omar Sy team up for their own action movie full of fighting and flirting.

Smokin' Aces director Joe Carnahan helms Shadow Force, which centers on a couple who once led a spy unit named... you guessed it, "Shadow Force." But after falling in love and having a son, Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) bailed on their super-secretive jobs. And, as Mark Strong snarls in the trailer, there's only one rule in Shadow Force: "No one leaves." Discovered years later, this couple will need to risk their lives to save themselves and their son. Bring on the speedboat battles! — K.P.

Starring: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Cliff "Method Man" Smith

How to watch: Shadow Force opens in limited release on May 9.

Final Destination: Bloodlines

The Final Destination franchise has cheated death for 25 years, ever since Devon Sawa's Alex and his classmates evaded a fatal plane crash in the original 2000 film. Now, the sixth installment of Jeffrey Reddick's horror series, Final Destination Bloodlines, finds new, creative, horrible ways for people to perish through seemingly accidental circumstances.

Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, the film follows Stefani Lewis (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a student plagued by visions of her family's horrific deaths from what looks like carelessness. She's not the only one in the family with the gift, as her grandmother Iris (Gabrielle Rose) skipped out on an early exit herself in the past — and she's got the creepy journal Stefani will need to survive. It's notably one of the last cinema roles of late horror legend Tony Todd, reprising his Final Destination recurring character William Bludworth. — S.C.

Starring: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Gabrielle Rose, Brec Bassinger, Teo Briones, Tony Todd, Richard Harmon, Anna Lore, and Owen Joyner

How to watch: Final Destination: Bloodlines opens in theaters on May 16.

Fear Street: Prom Queen

Leigh Janiak's superb, deeply referential slasher trilogy Fear Street is getting a spinoff with another foray into R.L. Stine's seminal horror novels. From director and co-writer Matt Palmer, Fear Street: Prom Queen takes us back to the town of Shadyside, this time in 1988, where it looks like someone wants to win the senior prom crown enough to start killing off the competition. — S.C.

Starring: India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor, and Katherine Waterston

How to watch: Fear Street: Prom Queen debuts on Netflix on May 23.

Lilo & Stitch

Disney's live-action remakes continue with Lilo & Stitch, which revisits the beloved story of the unlikely friendship between human Lilo (newcomer Maia Kealoha) and alien Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders, who co-directed and voiced Stitch in the original film). 

Now, If you're feeling fatigued from Disney's barrage of live-action films, I don't blame you! But director Dean Fleischer Camp helmed 2022's poignant Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, so I'm cautiously optimistic. Plus, Lilo & Stitch's trailers already look fairly charming, promising alien chaos and the enduring message that "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, and Maia Kealoha

How to watch: Lilo & Stitch opens in theaters on May 23.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, the sequel to 2023's explosively entertaining Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.

Picking up where the seventh entry left off, this movie will chase Hunt as he seeks the key-like MacGuffin to topple a worrisome AI known as "The Entity." That means facing off against power-hungry foes, putting his loyal team at risk, plunging into a flood submarine, and lots, and lots, and lots of running. What can we say? Mission: Impossible knows what we want.* — K.P.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Ving Rhames, Pom Klementieff, and Esai Morales

How to watch: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning opens in theaters May 23.

Pee-wee as Himself

Come on in, and pull yourself up a chair — like Chairry! For decades, children and grown-ups alike have relished the wacky antics of Pee-wee Herman. But personal scandals repeatedly threatened to derail the career of Paul Reubens, and taint his artistic legacy. Pee-wee as Himself grapples with all of this over the course of two parts, with help from the late Reubens himself.

Director Matt Wolf had a difficult task ahead of him, not only in condensing Reubens' rich life and complicated tabloid notoriety into two feature-length films, but also with Reubens himself. From the movie's opening frames, the star pushes for control of his narrative, and that battle informs much of this deeply moving and thought-provoking doc.

Out of the film's debut at Sundance 2025, I raved in my review for Mashable, "Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater." — K.P.

Starring: Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, Allison Berry, Debi Mazar, and David Arquette

How to watch: Pee-wee as Himself: Part One debuts May 23 at 8:00-9:40 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. Part Two will follows at 9:40-11:20 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.

Karate Kid: Legends

The original Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, returns as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends. This, the sixth film in the martial arts franchise, brings together the stories of Karate Kid 1 to 3, plus the 2010 reboot, which starred Jackie Chan as a Mr. Miyagi-like mentor named Mr. Han.

In Karate Kid: Legends, Daniel and Mr. Han team up to train a new prodigy named Li Fong (American Born Chinese's Ben Wang), hoping to give him a path to a bright future. "Li means to me what you meant to Sensei Miyagi," Han tells Daniel (aka Sensei LaRusso). Together, they'll build more than a legend, they'll build a family. — K.P.

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ralph Macchio

How to watch: Karate Kid: Legends opens in theaters May 30.

Bring Her Back

In 2023, YouTubers and brothers Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou made their directorial debut with the haunting horror film Talk to Me. Now they're back with a fresh vision of terror: Bring Her Back.

Sally Hawkins stars as a foster mom who takes in a brother and sister — they need a home but find a slice of hell on Earth instead. Based on the first trailer, we can't be sure what is going on between all the blood, talk of angels, and strange ritualistic behavior. But we're champing at the bit to see what the Philippou brothers do next. — K.P.

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton

How to watch: Bring Her Back opens in theaters on May 30.

The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson returns with a new film, stocked with visual splendor and a star-studded cast.

Co-written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, The Phoenician Scheme stars Benicio del Toro as a scheming businessman who is bringing his novitiate daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) into the family business. As he exposes her to his complicated Phoenician Scheme, this confounding father-daughter duo will cross paths with eccentric titans of industry, sloppy assassins, a mild-mannered tutor, and a lot of hand grenades. Basically, if you ever wondered what a Wes Anderson espionage movie looks like, you're closer than you've ever been before! And isn't that thrilling? — K.P.

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Imad Mardnli, and Benedict Cumberbatch

How to watch: The Phoenician Scheme opens in limited release on May 30 before expanding wide June 6.

Mountainhead

Succession creator Jesse Armstrong makes his directorial debut with Mountainhead, a dark comedy whose concept may as well be ripped right from the headlines. The film stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef as four tech billionaires on a ski retreat. But just as their boys' trip gets going, they receive news of global chaos (as well as a call from the president of the United States). What are these four titans to do? Will they contemplate the role their "racist and shitty" platforms have played in this crisis? Or will they celebrate and enjoy a lifetime without consequences? It sounds like an all-too-real stress bomb, but given Armstrong's track record, we're seated for some strong satire and killer one-liners. — B.E.

Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef

How to watch: Mountainhead premieres May 31 on Max.

JuneDangerous Animals

Sharks. A serial killer. Jai Courtney. Do you need anything else to be convinced Dangerous Animals is a must-see summer movie?

Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones, The Devil's Candy) directs this gnarly thriller, which centers on the battle between a free-spirited swimmer (Hassie Harrison) and a shark-obsessed serial killer (Courtney) who treats the ocean as his slaughterhouse. Ready to dive in? — K.P.

Starring: Jai Courtney, Hassie Harrison, and Josh Heuston

How to watch: Dangerous Animals opens in theaters on June 6.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

The death of John Wick won't slow this franchise down. Ready for a sexy spinoff?

Knives Out's Ana de Armas headlines Ballerina, which is set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. New lore is unlocked as the assassin-packed world of The Continental grows.

Like John Wick, Eve (de Armas) is a trained killer on a mission. Where he was "Baba Yaga," the latest trailer for Ballerina suggests she is Kikimora, a spirit that unfurls vengeance on the wicked to protect the good. Her quest may be mysterious, but we know it will involve plenty of action, gunplay, and Keanu Reeves reprising the role of John Wick for a face-off that's sure to have audiences ecstatic. — K.P.

Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves

How to watch: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens June 6.

The Life of Chuck

When people think of the work of Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) or Stephen King, they don't usually think life-affirming stories. But The Life of Chuck will change that.

Based on a King novella, this genre-bending wonder stars Tom Hiddleston as Chuck Krantz, whose life, at a glance, might be considered average. But in this rapturous movie, filled with a wonderful ensemble cast, King and Flanagan weave a tale of love, loss, and ghosts that's sure to enthrall audiences.

In Mashable's review out of the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, I cheered, "The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender." Simply put, see it theaters, or you'll be missing out. — K.P.

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Life of Chuck opens in theaters on June 6.

The Ritual

Academy Award–winner Al Pacino joins with modern horror icon Dan Stevens for a tale of terror and religious trauma in The Ritual.

Based on true events, co-writer/director David Midell's horror movie follows two priests in America who are battling Satan for the soul of a young girl. Now, if you're thinking, "Hang on, isn't that the plot of The Exorcist?" you're not wrong. Both movies are inspired by real-life accounts of possession, but as the tagline for The Ritual boasts: Before there was The Exorcist, there was Emma Schmidt. An American woman believed to be possessed in 1928, Schmidt's salvation lay in the hands of renowned exorcist Father Theophilus Riesinger, whom Pacino plays here. With a cast like this, you won't want to miss this religious horror offering. — K.P.

Starring: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, and Abigail Cowen

How to watch: The Ritual opens in theaters on June 6.

Materialists

If you're one of the many Pedro Pascal fans who have been champing at the bit for the beguiling leading man to try his hand at romantic comedy, Materialists has come to answer your prayers. But that's not all.

Dakota Johnson stars as a matchmaker who's caught in a love triangle between a dashing millionaire (Pascal) and her broke but alluring ex (Chris Evans). If this cast plus that premise isn't enough for you to be wooed by Materialists, what if I tell you this A24 offering comes from Celine Song, the renowned writer/director of the critically acclaimed Past Lives? Match made? I thought as much! —K.P.

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal

How to watch: Materialists opens in theaters on June 13.

How to Train Your Dragon

Cressida Cowell's enchanting book series How to Train Your Dragon first launched a fleet of high-flying animated movies and spinoff cartoon series. Now, writer/director Dean DeBlois, who's been at the helm of these movies since the first outing in 2010, is back with a live-action re-imagining.

The Black Phone's Mason Thames will step into the shivering shoes of Hiccup, while The Last of Us' Nico Parker will play his crush, Viking girl Astrid. Gerard Butler is reprising his role as Hiccup's hard-nosed dad, Stoick the Vast, while Nick Frost, Y2K's Julian Dennison, and The Fall of the House of Usher's Ruth Codd join the cast as Vikings.* — K.P.

Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gerard Butler, and Ruth Codd

How to watch: How to Train Your Dragon opens in theaters June 13.

28 Years Later

First, there was 28 Days Later, then 28 Weeks Later. Now, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are back with 28 Years Later, delivering a devastating new dose of dystopia on a zombie-laden (well, infected-persons-laden) planet.

The film's first trailer reveals that human civilization has been chucked back to humbler times, from Teletubbies for leisure to archery for survival. The infected still run and terrorize. But other horrors abound in the ravaged new world, including strange masked figures, gunfire fights, and mountains of human skulls.* — K.P.

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Cillian Murphy

How to watch: 28 Years Later opens June 20.

Elio

Disney and Pixar are offering audiences a fresh vision of alien-human interaction this summer with Elio.

Named for its eponymous underdog, Elio centers on a young boy who is mistakenly identified as the head of Earth, and so is swept away to meet an extraterrestrial delegation eager to understand our planet and its inhabitants. (Good luck!)

Representing not just all humans but all life on Earth puts a lot of pressure on this charismatic kiddo. But on this journey, he's sure to make strange (and silly) new friends, and find his inner strength. And hijinks. We comfortably predict spacey hijinks.* — K.P.

Starring: America Ferrera, Yonas Kibreab, Jameela Jamil, Zoe Saldaña, and Brad Garrett

How to watch: Elio opens in theaters June 20.

F1

Brad Pitt drives into the high-octane world of Formula One racing with F1. Starring opposite The Banshees of Inisherin's Kerry Condon and Being the Ricardos' Javier Bardem, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former pro driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a new prodigy on the scene (Damson Idris).

Reuniting Top Gun: Maverick's director Joseph Kosinski and writer Ehren Kruger, F1 is sure to offer action, macho drama, and a hero who doesn't know the meaning of the word "quit."* — K.P.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Shea Whigham

How to watch: F1 opens June 27.

M3GAN 2.0

Among Mashable's most anticipated movies of 2025 is Blumhouse's sequel to M3GAN. This killer doll took "slay" to a whole new level, delivering homicide alongside some wicked dance moves. And as soon as we saw that ending, the Mashable team began to wish for a sequel, be it a full-blown horror musical or a M3GAN versus M3GAN face-off. From the looks of the new trailer, some of our wishes are definitely coming true.

M3GAN's director Gerard Johnstone and writer Akela Cooper are back for this enticing sequel, as are Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, and Jenna Davis, who provides the killer doll's perfectly prim yet menacing voice. This time M3GAN's human family has saddled her in a cute doll seemingly less capable of homicide — that is, until they need her to face off against a ripoff bot named Amelia. To stop this new android on a rampage, M3GAN needs an upgrade. And we can't wait to see how this horror franchise levels up. — K.P.

Starring: Allison Williams, Jenna Davis, Violet McGraw, Timm Sharp, Aristotle Athari, and Jemaine Clement

How to watch: M3GAN 2.0 opens in theaters June 27.

Sorry, Baby Eva Victor writes, directs, and stars in "Sorry, Baby." Credit: Sundance Institute / Mia Cioffi Henry

Is it too soon to call a movie one of the year's very best? Because it's hard to imagine any comedy will hit as hard and as uniquely as writer/director/leading lady Eva Victor's debut feature Sorry, Baby.

The internet-famous comedian reinvents herself with a touching tale of a grad student named Agnes (Victor), who's struggling to cope after a bad thing happens to her. What's the bad thing? And how does it shape this challenging but charming movie? In my rave review out of Sundance 2025, I dig into all that. But what you need to know now is: "Bittersweet, brilliant, and heartwarmingly funny, Sorry, Baby is a movie that is sure to find an audience beyond Sundance. And not just because A24 is a master of marketing offbeat cinema, but because Victor has a voice that is strong, strange, and demands to be heard." — K.P.

Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch, Louis Cancelmi, and Kelly McCormack

How to watch: Sorry, Baby opens in theaters June 27.

JulyJurassic World Rebirth

The Jurassic Park franchise roars on, this time with a new group of kids and grown-ups who should know better to mess with dinosaurs at their own peril.

Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park film series will follow an expedition to a tropical region, where three mighty prehistoric beasts could hold the cure to some of humanity's woes. Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali lead a star-studded cast, but we're most excited about the return of Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp (Presence, Kimi, Death Becomes Her) to the series. Teaming with The Creator helmer Gareth Edwards, this dynamic duo could make these movies watchable again!* — K.P.

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

How to watch: Jurassic World Rebirth opens in theaters July 2.

The Old Guard 2 Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley and Charlize Theron as Andy in "The Old Guard 2." Credit: Eli Joshua Ade / Netflix

In 2020, director Gina Prince-Bythewood delivered epic action in the sly superhero movie The Old Guard. For the long-awaited sequel, Victoria Mahoney (Yelling to the Sky) takes the helm, joined by returning cast members like Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Here's the synopsis for The Old Guard 2, courtesy of Netflix:

Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years. Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence. Directed by Victoria Mahoney, and also starring Uma Thurman, The Old Guard 2 is an emotional, adrenaline-pumping sequel, based on the world created by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez.

— K.P.

Starring: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Veronica Ngô, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Uma Thurman, and Henry Golding

How to watch: The Old Guard 2 premieres on Netflix on July 2.

Superman

James Gunn relaunches the Man of Steel with Superman.

David Corenswet stars as the titular superhero, who struggles to find a balance between his derring-do and the far more average life of his alter ego, reporter Clark Kent. Thankfully, he has some friends on his side, like Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), his caped dog Krypto, and some Super Friends teased in the trailer above.

Brace yourself for action galore and a renewed debate about superhero fatigue. — K.P.

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, and Nicholas Hoult

How to watch: Superman opens in theaters July 11.

Eddington

Most of us want to forget the horrors of 2020, but not Ari Aster! The Hereditary and Midsommar director revisits that dreaded year in his fourth feature, Eddington, which boasts an all-star cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.

Phoenix and Pascal play the sheriff and mayor of the small town of Eddington, New Mexico. According to Eddington's official summary from A24, the pair face off in an explosive standoff in May of 2020. Plot details are otherwise pretty scarce, but the film's first trailer nails the vibe of a 2020 doomscroll, so mark us down as scared and intrigued. — B.E.

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, Austin Butler, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., William Belleau, Cameron Mann, Matt Gomez Hidaka, and Amélie Hoeferle

How to watch: Eddington opens in theaters July 18.

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Meditation has never been so menacing. In the first trailer for I Know What You Did Last Summer, a chic and clearly wealthy couple enjoys a quiet night in, complete with wine, a blood-colored bath bomb, a meditation track, and a homicidal home invasion. The hook-wielding killer from the 1997 hit is back, tormenting fresh meat — and by that we mean a new batch of pretty young friends with a dark secret to hide.

But before you think this is a reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer, clock the cast. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, stars from the original movie, are back. Just like that, this sequel taps into our love of '90s nostalgia and slasher horror. What more could you want, aside from a bucket of popcorn? — K.P.

Starring: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel, Austin Nichols, Lola Tung, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Jennifer Love Hewitt

How to watch: I Know What You Did Last Summer opens in theaters July 18.

Smurfs

Rihanna headlines the latest Smurfs movie, lending her Grammy–winning voice to Smurfette. But this new adventure is full of familiar voices.

When a strange portal pitches the Smurfs out of the cozy safety of their forests and into Paris, France, they must make new friends — including Papa Smurf's surly brother (Nick Offerman) — in order to find their way home and their lost papa (John Goodman). And that's not all. This time around, it's not just the scowling Gargamel (JP Karliak) they'll need to combat, but also the nefarious plans of his brother Razamel (also Karliak).

If you're looking for family outings to cinemas this summer, you'll want to mark your calendar for Smurfs. — K.P.

Starring: Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman

How to watch: Smurfs opens in theaters July 18.

Happy Gilmore 2

It's been nearly 30 years since Adam Sandler first had audiences in fits of laughter over his golf comedy Happy Gilmore. Now he's back, reprising the eponymous role for another round.

After having walked away from golf, Happy is an underdog as he looks to get back in the game. Along the way to the final hole, he'll have to face old friends and enemies (Shooter McGavin!) and reconnect to his happy place. From the looks of the first teaser, it'll be a heartwarming romp — with a bit of old man nipple play just for kicks. — K.P.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Dennis Dugan, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller

How to watch: Happy Gilmore 2 premieres on Netflix July 25.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Pedro Pascal headlines a reboot of The Fantastic Four, joined by Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn, The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and The Crown's Vanessa Kirby. And while the film's first trailer paints a charmingly '60s vibe of family bliss, this clan will be forced to face off against a cosmic god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his flashy henchperson, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings a new flavor to the MCU, offering a throwback look for a sincere sweetness. Could this bring rousing new life into the stories of Johnny "The Human Torch" Storm (Quinn), Ben "The Thing" Grimm (Moss-Bachrach), Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards (Pascal), and Sue "The Invisible Woman" Storm (Kirby)? And with Robert Downey Jr. coming back to the MCU — not as Tony Stark but as Fantastic Four foe Doctor Doom — might we anticipate he'll pop up here? We can't wait to find out. — K.P.

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn

How to watch: The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters July 25.

AugustThe Naked Gun

It's time for action movies to get deeply, blissfully stupid again.

The Lonely Island's Akiva Schaffer, co-writer/co-director of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping has resurrected the Naked Gun franchise, made famous by brilliantly doofy comic actor Leslie Nielsen. But 2025's The Naked Gun isn't a reboot of the Police Squad movie spinoffs. It's a sequel, starring the one and only Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen's now dearly departed character.

From the look of the first teaser, Neeson knows just what this funny action franchise demands, gladly mugging for the camera, killing with candy, then flashing some man panties. That bank robbery sequence had us sold, and the O.J. Simpson joke at the end? We're seated. — K.P.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, and Cody Rhodes

How to watch: The Naked Gun opens in theaters Aug. 1.

Together

In 2020, Dave Franco proved he could helm nerve-shredding horror with the vacation house thriller The Rental. Now, he reteams with his leading lady (and wife) Alison Brie for a body horror movie that earned major buzz out of its debut at Sundance 2025.

Written and directed by Michael Shanks, Together stars Franco and Brie as a couple that's absolutely elated to move to the countryside, where life should be quieter, simpler, and easier. But even the teaser for Together suggests their new home is anything but. Considering the scares Franco and Brie delivered with The Rental and the hype out of Sundance, Together is a must-see for any horror fan. — K.P.

Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and Damon Herriman

How to watch: Together opens in theaters Aug. 1.

Sketch

What if Inside Out and Jurassic Park had a low-budget baby? Well, then you'd have Sketch, a monster movie that's equal parts charming, touching, and deeply bonkers.

The feature directorial debut of Seth Worley, Sketch centers on 11-year-old Amber (Bianca Belle), who is coping with the death of her mother by scribbling creatures in a notebook. But when a bit of magic brings her imaginary monsters to life, they begin to bring some very real havoc to a cozy small town. Crisply comedic co-stars Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden lend terrific support, playing the girl's loving dad and no-nonsense aunt.

In Mashable's review out of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, I cheered, "Sketch is a fantastically fun and heartwarming movie with a slathering of weird that makes it a real treat." — K.P.

Starring: Tony Hale, D'Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, and Kue Lawrence

How to watch: Sketch opens in theaters Aug. 6.

Weapons

It's not often a spec script gets Hollywood so excited it sparks a multi-million-dollar bidding war, but when that script is for Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger's latest horror film, it starts to make more sense. The picture grows even clearer when you watch the teaser for Weapons, which is both deeply creepy and reveals the movie's core premise: A group of children from the same community all disappear at the same time on the same night, leaving their homes seemingly of their own free will and running off into the darkness. If this is anything like Barbarian, expect shocks and twists aplenty. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

Starring: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan

How to watch: Weapons opens in theaters Aug. 8.

Freakier Friday

Get ready for a nostalgia bomb, because Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are switching bodies again. That's right, 2003's Freaky Friday has a sequel, aptly titled Freakier Friday. But this time, it's not just mother-daughter pair Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) who are in on the switcheroo. Instead, we're getting a four-way swap with Tess, Anna, Anna's daughter Harper (Julia Butters), and Anna's soon-to-be stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons). Twice the swaps means twice the chaos — and hopefully twice the life lessons. — B.E.

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon, Vanessa Bayer, Christina Vidal, Haley Hudson, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Lucille Soong

How to watch: Freakier Friday opens in theaters Aug. 8.

Nobody 2

In 2021, Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk became an action hero in Nobody, a dark comedy about a former assassin turned office worker who falls back into that violent life — whether he likes it or not. Well, one good turn (at the box office) deserves another, so Odenkirk is reprising his role as Hutch Mansell, former contract killer.

Much of the old gang is back, including Connie Nielsen as Hutch's wife, Becca, and RZA as his brother, Harry. New to the team is The Shadow Strays director Timo Tjahjanto, who's taken up the helm. Anticipate action that is jaw-dropping, if not downright jaw-breaking.* — K.P.

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, and John Ortiz

How to watch: Nobody 2 opens Aug. 15.

Honey Don't!

From Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, the dynamic duo that brought us Drive-Away Dolls, comes Honey Don't!, a crackling crime comedy about a small town detective on a curious case involving a mysterious church. The Substance star Margaret Qualley headlines as private eye Honey O’Donahue.

Ahead of the movies premiere within the Cannes Film Festival's Midnight section, details are slim on this one. But Drive-Away Dolls was such a wild ride that we'll follow Coen and Cooke anywhere. Plus, look at this cast! — K.P.

Starring: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and Chris Evans 

How to watch: Honey Don't opens in theaters Aug. 22.

Lurker Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe in "Lurker." Credit: MUBI

The early buzz on Lurker is great, with the indie boasting a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score out of its film festival run. So what's it's deal?

Written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), Lurker is a Los Angeles-set psychological thriller following a lonely retail clerk (Théodore Pellerin) who creeps his way into the entourage of a rising pop star (Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe). Celebrity culture and parasocial relationships get a chilling exploration in this film, coming from The Substance's distributors MUBI. — K.P.

Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic, Havana Rose Liu, Zack Fox, and Daniel Zolghadri

How to watch: Lurker opens in theaters Aug. 22.

The Thursday Murder Club Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie in "The Thursday Murder Club." Credit: Netflix

Do you like your crime cozy and your stars aged like a fine wine? Then you'll love Netflix's upcoming comedy thriller.

Based on the first novel in Richard Osman's popular book series, The Thursday Murder Club centers on a motley crew of pensioners whose shared hobby is solving murder cases. And each of them has a particular set of skills that make them a crucial member of this crime-fighting crew. Joyce (Celia Imrie) was a nurse. Ron (Pierce Brosnan) was a union leader. Elizabeth (Helen Mirren) was a spy, and Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) is a semi-retired psychiatrist. Their age and charming demeanor might have them underestimated by the criminals, but one clever young cop (Naomi Ackie) is quick to realize this club is deadly sharp!

If the movie is half as fun and heartwarming as Osman's books, The Thursday Murder Club will be a must-see. — K.P.

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Paul Freeman, and Richard E. Grant

How to watch: The Thursday Murder Club premieres on Netflix on Aug. 28.

The Toxic Avenger

Almost two years after its world premiere at 2023's Fantastic Fest, The Toxic Avenger finally gets to see the light of day. So strap in for what is sure to be the goriest, gloppiest superhero movie of the year.

A remake of Troma Entertainment's 1984 cult classic of the same name, The Toxic Avenger introduces down-on-his-luck janitor Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), who finds himself with super strength (and an unfortunate toxic makeover) following a chemical accident. Said accident leads Winston on a bloody rampage for justice and vengeance against the evil bigwigs running his town, played to exquisite evil perfection by the likes of Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. What follows is a madcap antidote to superhero fatigue, even if The Toxic Avenger still plays it safer than its predecessor.

As I wrote in my review out of Fantastic Fest, "Once The Toxic Avenger truly gets the ball rolling, you're in for the kind of sheer, stupid insanity you won't find in other major superhero IP. Let the blood and guts rain down — here, there's no such thing as overkill." — B.E.

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, Jacob Tremblay, and Jane Levy

How to watch: The Toxic Avenger opens in theaters Aug. 29.

The Roses

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch fall in love and then face off in The Roses, a dark comedy based on Warren Adler's 1981 novel The War of the Roses. (Yep, the same novel that was the basis for Danny DeVito's 1989 black comedy The War of the Roses, starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas!)

When their marriage bloomed, Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch) built a beautiful home together, where they raised their children. But as the years go by, the thorns begin to rise alongside resentments. And wacky neighbors (Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg) have added little comfort.

While the previous adaptation is still wickedly entertaining, we're stoked to see what two-time Academy Award–nominated screenwriter Tony McNamara (Poor Things, The Favourite) will bring to Adler's tale. Plus, helmed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me), The Roses seems primed to be a laugh riot. —K.P.

Starring: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Samberg, and Kate McKinnon

How to watch: The Roses opens in theaters Aug. 29.

Not every movie needs a sequel. 2018's sharply funny thriller A Simple Favor certainly didn't seem poised for one, as its happy ending plopped its duplicitous villainess in prison with a decades-long sentence. But when you created a bad bitch as wickedly fun to watch as Emily Nelson — aka Hope McLanden — wouldn't it be a crime to lock her up for good? You bet your ass, baby. 

Blake Lively returns as the fearsome and fashion-forward femme fatale, opposite Anna Kendrick, reprising the role of true-crime obsessed mommy influencer Stephanie Smothers. And while their chemistry onscreen is as good as it was in the 2018 movie, Another Simple Favor is at its best when it lets Lively cut loose in blooming psycho-biddy fashion. 

As the previous film blended film noir and comedy, its sequel folds in influences from such campy treasures as The Talented Mr. Ripley, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and House of Gucci. Which is to say, director Paul Feig knows his audience. 

Another Simple Favor goes bigger and bolder.  Anna Kendrick stars in "Another Simple Favor." Credit: Amazon MGM Studio

Written by A Simple Favor's Jessica Sharzer and Shutter Island's Laeta Kalogridis, this sequel is smartly self-aware. Some elements will throwback to the first movie, like Stephanie's story beginning in media res with an update to her vlog followers. This time, instead of just being mid-investigation, Stephanie is under house arrest in a chic Italian villa in Capri, accused of murdering Emily's husband. 

The exotic location immediately ups the spectacle of this sequel, which Feig embraces with glorious aerial shots of the landscape, a mountain peppered with gorgeous homes, a charming shopping center, a devilishly high cliff with rocks all the way down and ominously crashing waves below. But how did Stephanie wind up here? Well, while on a failing book tour for The Faceless Blonde — a memoir written about her time with Emily — she's surprised by the bombshell herself. And Emily has an offer Stephanie cannot refuse: Be my maid of honor, or else I'll sue you into oblivion for writing this book. 

See, Emily's not only out of prison ("Out on appeal! Our legal system is so fucked," she grins like the Cheshire Cat.) but also is remarrying a devastatingly macho Italian man named Dante Versano (Michele Morrone). And the only one this beguiling bride-to-be wants by her side at her destination wedding is her best friend — bygones be bygones? 

While obviously hesitant, Stephanie doesn't want to be sued; plus, Emily's ambush at her book event has gotten the internet abuzz about The Faceless Blonde. So this trip could be great for sales, as long as she isn't murdered (and maybe even then). But when Emily's husband turns up dead, Stephanie needs to clear her name, and she'll turn up fresh clues and freaky secrets to do it! 

Blake Lively is next-level in Another Simple Favor.  Blake Lively, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, and Anna Kendrick star in "Another Simple Favor." Credit: Amazon MGM Studio

The joys of Emily Nelson in the first film were how she was achingly chic and frankly scary. To a grade school pick-up, she wore clothes that looked like she'd just stepped off a runway. She carried herself not only with an enchanting confidence, but with an edge that threatened to slice the throat of any who would mess with her. She was a female fantasy version of the femme fatale, turning that power to seduce into a seductive power to live truly give-a-fuck free. Yet Lively also brought a tenderness to Emily's twisted backstory and a cutting sense of humor, all of which made this villainess endlessly exciting. Her potential seemed limitless. 

In this sequel, Sharzer and Kalogridis double down on Lively, giving her fresh meat to sink her teeth into with a plotline that includes the Mafia and a fresh cache of toxic family secrets. Cheekily, the screenwriters lean into this with a brief re-enactment of a classic moment from The Godfather Part 2, the rare sequel so beloved that many consider it better than its highly acclaimed original. It's a nod to film lovers that Feig and company understand how audiences cringe at sequels, but also why we can rarely deny their appeal. We crave more. 

The more worth indulging in here is Lively smoothly switching from elegantly threatening to crassly funny to intimidatingly unhinged. The Italian backdrop, where a fish-out-of-water American is awed and annoyed by wealthy locals recalls The Talented Mr. Ripley, allowing the audience to ogle the gorgeous surroundings and obscene wealth while still connecting to the hero, who's arguably a parasite, feeding off those around them. (Stephanie’s assumption that everyone at this ultra-exclusive wedding would want to be backdrop in her live blogs is truly wild.) Despite her gluten-free sugar-cookie sweetness, Stephanie is after all exploiting Emily's wedding and access to all this luxury for her blog. But the cost for admission could be her life.

While Kendrick is back in the swing of this plucky amateur sleuth, Another Simple Favor drags when Lively isn't onscreen. Whether flirting with or threatening Emily, or plunging back into a flashbacks in a moody dance hall, where she rocks the undeniable allure of Lady Gaga in House of Gucci as a blue-collar brunette wooing one of Italy's most eligible bachelors, Lively is pure fire. And she's got the wardrobe to match. 

Another Simple Favor's wardrobe is beyond outstanding.  Blake Lively stars in "Another Simple Favor." Credit: Amazon MGM Studio

Feig and company were well aware that we gagged over the eleganza of Emily's sexy power suits, and they aimed to top that fashion spectacle in this sequel. They do so, with aplomb. Props to the entire costume department. From the moment Emily makes her entrance, she is a vision who uses her wardrobe to speak volumes. As teased in the trailer, she swans back into Emily's life wearing a white and gray horizontally striped suit, which while fiercely draped evokes the old-school prison uniform, up to a high button collar. 

By contrast, Stephanie's costumes are defiantly — and comically — unchic, like when she shows up to board a private jet wearing mismatched sweatpants and dull sneakers, with a travel pillow already secured around her neck. Meanwhile, Emily is dressed like a Golden Age gangster, her dark dress slacks and shirt set off by pale gray suspenders, a dynamically pinned tie, a fedora, and a blood-red rose. This look proves to be a warning of the kind of people who will be on that plane. 

More clues drop through fits, like on the wedding day when the bride's veil unveils a deep red ombre on the end of her train, reminiscent of the blood spilled. Even when dripping in jewels, wearing necklaces so decadent they serve as shirts too dazzling for this world, Emily is intimidating and exhilarating. Lively is living for every look, be it brazen or outright bonkers. Simply put, Blake ate. It's just unfortunate not every character is so thought out. 

Another Simple Favor suffers in the supporting characters — not cast.  Bashir Salahuddin, Alex Newell, Andrew Rannells, Aparna Nancherla, and Kelly McCormack star in "Another Simple Favor." Credit: Amazon MGM Studio

The first film offered a snarking trio of parenting peers (Andrew Rannells, Kelly McCormack, and Aparna Nancherla) to provide color commentary on the dramas of Emily and Stephanie. They're back, but only briefly as the plot swiftly abandons Stephanie's cozy stomping grounds. But she's not alone in Capri, bringing with her book agent Vicky (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist's Alex Newell), who is little more than a plot device. 

To keep Stephanie from seeming too callous, someone needs to remind the audience that drama on this trip — and, yes, even murder — would be great for Stephanie's book sales. However, Vicky is such a thinly written character that, against a backdrop where nearly every other actor in this movie is white, she becomes reduced to the "sassy Black friend" stereotype, who exists solely for clips and to prop up the white heroine. While Newell shined on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, she's given so little to do here that she can't register beyond this tired and problematic trope. 

Other supporting players also suffer, like Taylor Ortega as a comically unskilled stalker and Bashir Salahuddin returning as Detective Summerville; Salahuddin is barely in the movie, with his biggest moment being on the phone while half-asleep. To Morrone's credit, while his Dante is a sketch of ferocious machismo, he brings enough verve to the part to keep things fun. 

Allison Janney and Elizabeth Perkins star in "Another Simple Favor." Credit: Amazon MGM Studio

While these characters are jarringly underwritten, Sharzer and Kalogridis find fresh angles for Henry Golding, who played Emily's husband Sean in the first film, and there's fresh chaos to be mined by Elizabeth Perkins, who takes over the role of Emily's mother from Hacks' Jean Smart. But the real standout of the supporting cast is Allison Janey, to the surprise of no one. Playing a long-lost relative of Emily's, Janey brings the sharp comic timing and chameleon-like ability to shift tone that's made her a treasure in films like Juno, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and I, Tonya.

Like Emily Nelson herself, Another Simple Favor is a shapeshifting creature, transforming in tone moment to moment to revel in biting humor, relish in Mob drama, plunge into the delicious depths of mad women in the psycho-biddy subgenre, and showcase fashion that's telling, sensational, and shocking. Is it better than the original? Yes and no.

This is a far messier movie that the first, where the imbalance between the appeal of the plucky Stephanie and the devious Emily is even greater than before and the supporting characters are littered with undercooked roles. However, if your favorite bits of A Simple Favor was Lively embracing her inner bad girl and delivering face and looks? You'll cherish this divinely twisted thriller. 

Another Simple Favor will premiere on Prime Video on May 1.

UPDATE: Apr. 30, 2025, 4:12 p.m. EDT "Another Simple Favor" was reviewed out of its world premiere at 2025 SXSW. This review was first published on March 8, 2025, and has been updated in anticipation of its streaming release.

SAVE $70: As of May 1, the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro is on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 26% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: BISSELL Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro $199.95 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $70.04 Get Deal

We love our pets, but it's not tough to admit that we don't love the mess they leave behind, especially on your carpets and soft furnishings. Balls of fluff embedded into rugs, floating strands of hair landing here, there, and everywhere, and of course, muddy paw prints that have you scrubbing on your hands and knees.

This is why you need a good pet vacuum, and we've found just the deal at Amazon. As of May 1, you can pick up the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro vacuum for under $200, currently priced at $199.95. For this price you will receive the vacuum as well as two tangle-free brush rolls, two pet-friendly multi-surface formulas, and a rinse and clean out storage tray.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum is back down to its lowest-ever price

Not only does it vacuum and pick up hair with ease, it washes your floors at the same time. It can work across everything from rugs and vinyl to sealed wood and tile with the two-tank system that keeps clean and dirty water separate. For tough, long pet hairs, the tangle-free brush roll helps stop them from getting wrapped around rollers. And a built-in strainer even catches larger debris to help keep your sink clear when emptying.

And every purchase of a Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro vacuum saves an animal. The Bissell Pet Foundation works to help save homeless pets.

This is a limited-time deal from Amazon, so act fast to save big.

SAVE $80: As of May 1, the RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager is on sale for $149.97 at Amazon. That's a 35% saving on the list price. And for a limited time, get an extra $20 off with an on-site coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: RENPHO RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager $149.97 at Amazon
$229.97 Save $80 Get Deal

Mother's Day is just around the corner, so why not treat mom to some relaxation with this incredible RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager deal at Amazon? It was even our top pick for foot massagers.

As of May 1, you can save $80 on list price and get it for just $149.97. But that's not all, for a limited time you can save another $20 off the price with an on-site coupon. Just click the orange coupon box below the price, and see your additional discount applied at the checkout. With both these discounts, this foot massager is just $129.97.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Our favorite budget earbuds are on sale for under $65

This is a great gift to give, especially for Mother's Day. It uses a combination of rotating balls, rolling sticks, and gentle heat to mimic the feel of a deep shiatsu massage, perfect for relaxing after a long day on your feet. With three kneading and three air compression levels, it’s easy to adjust to your preference. And if mobility restrictions are an issue, the intuitive foot-controlled panel means there’s no need to bend down to turn it on.

The foot chambers are roomy and lined with removable, washable cloth covers to keep it clean. It’s FSA and HSA eligible, too.

Get this deal in time for Mother's Day at Amazon.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 1, 2025:

AcrossQuestion that looks like today's date

• The answer is MayI.

Marvel's "The Avengers," e.g.

• The answer is Comic.

Bring to mind

• The answer is Evoke.

Like notebook paper

• The answer is Lined.

An Australian millipede holds the record for the most in the animal kingdom, at 1,306

• The answer is Legs.

DownMarvel's "The Avengers," e.g.

• The answer is Movie.

Surrounded by

• The answer is Among.

"That is not good!"

• The answer is Yikes.

Like some coffee orders

• The answer is Iced.

Where to find ribosomes and mitochondria

• The answer is Cell.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To put up with

• Green: Team mascots

• Blue: They share a first name

• Purple: Where you'd watch a hockey game

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Endure

• Green: NWSL teams

• Blue: Joshes

• Purple: First words of NHL arena names

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #220 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Endure- OVERCOME, SURVIVE, WEATHER, WITHSTAND

• NWSL teams - CURRENT, PRIDE, SPIRIT, WAVE

• Joshes - ALLEN, GIBSON, HART, JACOBS

• First words of NHL arena names- AMALIE, BELL, CLIMATE, SCOTIABANK

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.