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Save $4.66: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack is $8.29 at TCGPlayer, saving you 43% compared to Amazon's $12.95 listing.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack $8.29 at Amazon
$12.95 Save $4.66   Get Deal

Mega Evolution is on every trainers hitlist right now, with the Mega Charizard X ex-focused Phantasmal Flames preorders and release not far behind. If you're after the cheapest point of entry, Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Packs are $8.29 at TCGPlayer — that's 43% cheaper than Amazon's $12.95.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Sleeved booster packs are preferred by collectors as they protect the cards in the booster pack, meaning the chase cards have a higher chance of fetching higher graded values. Everyone wants near mint or mint condition cards in their collection, and this is a good way to do it. Although if you want to open a lot of packs, I'd suggest getting something like a Mega Evolutions booster box and save some Pokédollars. That works out at $7.75 per booster pack.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you don't want to spend that kind of money on a gamble, how about a dead cert? Chase cards from Mega Evolutions and other Pokémon TCG sets are available now at TCGPlayer. Yes, some prices are very high, but there's no guarantee you'll pull a Mega Lucario Gold rare out of a couple of booster boxes sadly:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Airwrap Origin is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Origin $399.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $150   Get Deal

The Dyson Airwrap is one of the most coveted hair styling products of recent years, and for very good reason; a salon-worthy blow out at home? Yes, please. However, it's not exactly known for being budget-friendly, but right now you can get it on sale. As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Airwrap Origin is reduced to $399.99, a saving of $150 on list price. That's also its lowest-ever price.

This model is ideal if you don't need lots of different attachments. The Origin comes with the classic long barrel, volumizing brush, and the smoothing dryer. It still delivers the same powerful drying force, with its Digital Motor V9, which spins up to 110,000 rpm. This is enough to create the Coanda effect that styles your hair using air.

SEE ALSO: I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

With any styling product, heat damage is a worry, but the Dyson Origin comes with intelligent heat control. It checks the airflow temperature over 40 times a second to make sure your hair doesn’t get damaged. You’ve got three airflow speeds, three heat settings, and even a constant cold shot.

And for getting to know your product, plus style inspiration down the line, the MyDyson app has you covered. Use it to find tips and tutorials from Dyson’s style experts, plus get hair ideas.

Get this Airwrap deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $490: As of Oct. 27, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is on sale for $729.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge $729.99 at Amazon
$1,219.99 Save $490   Get Deal

If you're buying a new phone outright, you want to find the best deal possible. Parting with that amount of cash in one go can be painful, but much less so when you save a few hundred dollars. And that's exactly what you'll get right now with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Normally priced at $1,219.99, as of Oct. 27 it is on sale for $729.99. That's almost $500 ($490, to be exact) saved. It's also one of our top five smartphones of 2025 so far, so we really approve this deal.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro: Comparing specs and price

This is a cleverly designed phone that packs a whole lot of punch. Powered by Samsung's Snapdragon Elite 8 processor, you can expect super fast performance from this smartphone. If you juggle a lot of apps at once, this phone will more than keep up. And it's not just powerful, Samsung says this is its slimmest design yet, designed to neatly fit in your pocket. But if you're habitually clumsy, don't fret, it is built with strong materials including titanium and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

It also benefits from some fancy Galaxy AI features, particularly for photo editing. When taking images, it will automatically adjust lighting and tones for more natural images. And if you’re hunting for a specific photo, just describe it and the phone will find it for you.

This is a limited time deal at Amazon, so we don't know how long it'll hang around. If you're interested, act fast so you don't miss out on the $490 savings.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 27, Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are back on sale at Amazon, so if you've been shopping around for a new pair of top-quality cans, this deal isn't something to skip. As of Oct. 27, you'll save $70 with the new price of $129.95. This price is available across all color options too, so choose between black/gold, matte black, cloud pink, metallic pink, and slate blue.

There's lots of things that make these headphones worth the spend. With this set, enjoy Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, upgraded drivers, and rebalanced acoustics. Beats products always wow when it comes to sound quality, and this pair is no different.

SEE ALSO: Possible OnePlus 15 price and specs leak ahead of impending launch

Other top features include the 50-hour battery life, complemented by the fast fuel option that lets you enjoy five hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge. They also connect perfectly with both Apple and Android devices, and are charged via USB-C. And if you're going to listen for hours, the UltraPlush ear cushions will keep you feeling comfortable, designed to keep your ears happy.

This deal has a limited-time stamp on it, so it might not stick around for long. Get it from Amazon now, while you still can.

MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister is $55.01 at Amazon, a rare instance of Pokémon TCG selling for market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister $29.89 at Amazon
  Get Deal

Mega Evolution is off to an explosive start, with the Mega Charizard X ex-fronted Phantasmal Flames serving as the first expansion and setting the bar for hype. But there's still plenty of opportunities to score Mega Evolution sealed product at a great price. Amazon is now at market value for the Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister at $29.89, a little over current listings at TCGplayer for $28.88.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

The Blister pack is simple enough — three booster packs and either a Psyduck or Golduck promo card. It's one of the cheapest options out there to rip packs and there's every chance you'll find a ridiculously awsome Mega ex Pokémon. I love using Mega Venusaur ex and Meganium together in decks, which allows Meganium to double Mega Venusaur ex's energy count and hit fast (one of Venusaurs major downsides).

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Better yet, I'm seeing big drops in Mega Evolution chase cards. So why not save your money busting packs open long-term and just buy your favorite chase card right now?

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, a rare instance of Pokémon TCG selling for market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $55.01 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.98   Get Deal

Trainers and collectors are going mad for Mega Evolution. There's even people queing up at brick and mortar retailers just to preorder Phantasmal Flames. If you're like me and still chasing that Lucario ex SIR with Mega Venusaur battling it out, you're still looking for a good deal on Mega Evolution sealed product. The good news is Amazon is now at market value for the Booster Bundle for $55.01, a little over current listings at TCGplayer for $52.97.

Working out at roughly $8.65 a pack, this is a good deal considering it's rough trying to find Mega Evolution for MSRP right now. Mega Evolutions mechanics have changed since the X and Y days, replacing normal ex variants of Pokémon to Mega ex cards. So that would mean Bulbadsaaur evolved into Ivysaur then Mega Venusaur ex.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

There's some basic Mega ex cards too, such as Mega Latias ex and Mega Absol ex which flip battles on their head, but there's some great deck strategies out the gate too. Mega Venusaur ex and Meganium is my current favorite as Meganiums Wild Growth ability doubles the value of grass energy, making it a piece of cake building up energy-hungry Pokémon like Venusaur ex to land decisive blows quickly.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

It looks like price drops are affecting single cards too, meaning those ridiculously priced Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario ex gold rares are now under $500. We're seeing drops of up to $50 compared to last week, so if you want to save on ripping hundreds of booster packs to pull your chase card, now is a good time to just buy them and save some money:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

Did the opening episode of IT: Welcome to Derry disturb you? Well, strap in.

Shortly after episode 1 aired (complete with that shocking ending), HBO Max dropped its trailer for what to expect in the "weeks ahead" — and it looks like there are going to be plenty more gory scares to come.

In the two minutes above we see glimpses of Pennywise, get a hint of what the air force is really doing in Derry, and are teased another pretty big Stephen King crossover.

If the trailer is anything to go by, the warning we posted before episode 1 is probably going to apply to the entire season.

IT: Welcome to Derry airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and is available to stream on HBO Max.

Apple is introducing ads to Apple Maps as soon as next year.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who initially predicted it a few years back and doubled down on the prediction early this year.

According to Gurman, this will be exactly what you'd expect: Restaurants and other businesses will be able to pay Apple to have their locations featured more prominently in Maps. The company will also leverage AI to make sure the results remain relevant.

The difference in the new report is that we now actually have a possible date for this change; Gurman claims it could happen as early as next year.

Ads in maps can be done tastefully, though Apple is risking quite a bit here given that its chief competitor, Google Maps, is significantly more popular already.

SEE ALSO: Review: With the new MacBook Pro (M5), Apple is just showing off

The effort is part of Apple's wider plan to better monetize iOS, meaning that ads in Maps is just one step towards this goal. The report doesn't reveal, however, which Apple app or service might be next to get ads.

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Oct. 27, 2025:

Across"Soooo cute!" reactions

• The answer is AWS.

___ mode (battery-saving state)

• The answer is Sleep.

Africa's largest capital city

• The answer is Cairo.

Bicker, bicker, bicker

• The answer is Argue.

Close-mouthed sound of agreement

• The answer is Mmhmm.

DownReason to suddenly bolt awake

• The answer is Alarm.

Put on a scale

• The answer is Weigh.

Skin-care product dispensed with a dropper

• The answer is Serum.

Total rip-off

• The answer is Scam.

"The Raven" or "The Road Not Taken"

• The answer is Poem.

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.

SXSW Sydney returned for its third year this October, bringing the tech, film, music, and games festival to Australia once more. As always, this included a slew of independent video game developers showing off their latest projects.

SEE ALSO: 5 viral indie games you didn't know are from Australia

October is a big month for the Australian video game industry, with Melbourne International Games Week and PAX Aus held the week immediately prior to SXSW Sydney. Fortunately, there were still many indie developers who came to show Sydney what they have to offer.

In no particular order, here are some of the coolest indie games we checked out this year at SXSW Sydney 2025. Most are still in development, but there are a few you can already play now.

Mixtape

Mixtape from Melbourne-based studio Beethoven & Dinosaur may be the closest a video game has ever gotten to encapsulating an '80s John Hughes movie. The second title from the developers of The Artful Escape, Mixtape is a narrative adventure game following three friends as they head to one last party, reminiscing about their time together as high school comes to an end.

The cinematic gameplay shown in the demo made Mixtape feel like stepping into a nostalgic '80s teen movie, complete with skateboards, shenanigans, and a terrific soundtrack. The game features music from a slew of bands from the '80s, including DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure.

Mixtape is scheduled for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

REAPRIEVE

Developed by five-person Melbourne studio 10PM Club, REAPRIEVE follows Milo, a grim reaper tasked with deleting a soul's "unnecessary" memories while saving others. This task has been digitised into a desk job, so that rather than wielding a scythe, Milo and his colleagues spend their days in front of computers, closing pop-ups and striving to win Employee of the Week.

REAPRIEVE's art direction and themes seem slightly reminiscent of the Persona series at first glance. However, 10PM Club's creative director and narrative designer Althea Francisco told Mashable that the game draws more inspiration from Severance's corporate setting and Papers, Please's challenging empathetic dilemmas. It may be your job to delete all of a soul's happy memories, but is it right?

REAPRIEVE is scheduled for release in early 2027 on PC.

Psychotic Bathtub 

Psychotic Bathtub is the kind of game that comes with a trigger warning, and with good reason. This point-and-click game deals with heavy themes such as suicide, death, guilt, self-destruction, intrusive thoughts, and escapism, prompting Switzerland-based developer natsha to warn against playing if any of these issues trigger you.

The game follows a woman having a psychotic episode while taking a bath, which involves talking to her rubber duck, drinking wine, and pondering on the nature of her towel. Players navigate her through her dark thoughts, deciding which ones she embraces and which ones she rejects on the way to one of multiple endings.

Though Psychotic Bathtub focuses on a fictional psychiatric disorder, the game is intended to raise awareness of mental health issues. natsha has pledged to donate 50 percent of the profits from Psychotic Bathtub to mental health projects. However, it's important to note that it is not a therapeutic game, with players unlikely to walk away comforted.

Psychotic Bathtub is planned for release in 2026 on PC.

Way To The Woods

Way To The Woods has a long history. The game first came to attention in 2015 when then 16-year-old Melbourne student Anthony Tan posted screenshots to Reddit, which were noticed and shared to Twitter by Sean Murray from developer Hello Games (creators of No Man's Sky). Though its story and gameplay had not yet been determined, Way To The Woods garnered widespread interest, enchanting people with images of a deer and fawn traversing a world devoid of humans.

There have been several trailers and announced release windows for Way To The Woods in the decade since, including an announcement at E3 2019 that it would come out the next year. All of these release dates have been missed. 

Fortunately, the game may finally be close to launch, especially considering that Tan was confident enough to show it at SXSW Sydney this year. Now operating under the studio name onepixel.dog, Tan told Mashable that he expects to finish Way To The Woods within six months. Even so, no new release date has officially been announced.

A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe

To people with social anxiety, navigating society can sometimes feel like an unsolvable puzzle. A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe takes this a step further, turning such dilemmas into a point-and-click puzzle game.

Developed by Los Angeles-based Quail Button, A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe follows the titular animal as he attempts to run everyday errands without talking to anyone. Unfortunately, the citizens of Friendly City are some of the chattiest people around, and will immediately engage Asocial Giraffe in conversation the moment they spot him. This causes his anxiety to peak and his head to explode.

As such, our shy-hoofed hero must carefully avoid people while still attempting to achieve his goals, resorting to tactics such as hiding behind obstacles and moving items to lure people elsewhere. 

A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe is scheduled for release in early 2026 on PC.

Kabuto Park

Released in May, Kabuto Park is a short, charming game about catching and battling bugs while on a summer vacation. Build your team of three insects, level them up, and go through a gauntlet of sumo-style bug fights to win the title of Summer Beetle Battles champion. It's basically like a more chill, wholesome version of Pokémon, only simpler and with real bug species.

Created by French developer Doot Tiny Games, Kabuto Park offers a cozy, beautifully illustrated bug-collecting experience with over 40 cute insects to catch. (In case you're concerned, arachnophobes have no need to fear — Kabuto Park is free of spiders.) Different species have different stats and abilities, and players can also buy candy to level them up, earning money by winning battles or selling surplus bugs. It's an addictive gameplay loop that's easy to settle into, providing a pleasant few hours of relaxing gaming for just $US5.

Kabuto Park is available now on PC.

Is This Seat Taken?

Is This Seat Taken? is a puzzle game which tasks players with assigning seating to shape-based characters in various chair-based locations, such as buses, cinemas, and restaurants. However, each character has different requirements. One may want to be near a specific individual, another might want to avoid people who stink (fair), while a third could just want a seat next to a window. Players must therefore move the characters around to find a seating arrangement which satisfies everyone.

The game does have a little bit of a plot, with an aspiring rhombus actor trying to find confidence in a world dominated by squares and circles (and ending up in various locales featuring seating along the way). Even so, it's really the gameplay that is the draw here. Developed by Poti Poti Studio, which has members in both Belgium and Spain, Is This Seat Taken? was released in August this year. 

Is This Seat Taken? is available now Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

As any dedicated Stephen King fan will know, the horror master's body of work is peppered with sneaky connections and recurring characters.

Unsurprisingly, HBO Max's new IT prequel, IT: Welcome to Derry, is no exception. We already know from the trailer that Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) is making a reappearance, and we know that the show is largely based on certain historical interlude chapters from the book — but now, one episode in, we have a sense of just how much it'll also be dialled in to King's multiverse.

We've broken down the Easter eggs we found in the first episode below.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry' review: 'IT' prequel series will scare the living daylights out of you Major Hanlon

As well as introducing the town of Derry and some local Derry High schoolers, a key character in episode 1 is new resident Major Hanlon (Jovan Adepo). The name is clearly no accident. In King's novel, and in the movies, Mike Hanlon is a member of the Losers' Club. He's the only character who remains in Derry after the kids defeat IT the first time around, opting to stay back in the town and write a kind of diary/history of the local area.

Given that executive producer Andy Muscietti has confirmed that IT: Welcome to Derry is based on Hanlon's interludes in the novel, it seems only right that one of his relations should be a core character in the show.

The question is, how is Major Hanlon related to Mike Hanlon? The show hasn't made this explicit yet, but it's worth noting that — based on the fact the show takes place in 1962, and the first movie takes place in the late 1980s — Major Hanlon is the right age to be Mike's grandfather.

Teddy

It appears that Major Hanlon may not be the only familiar name in episode 1. In the end credits (after that shocking episode ending) we see Rabbi Uris, Don Uris, and Mrs. Uris all listed, and Teddy (Mikkal Karim Fidler) – although we don't explicitly hear his surname – has the words "Teddy Urine" scrawled on his locker at school. Is this family related to Stanley Uris (Wyatt Oleff/Andy Bean), a member of the Losers' Club in the book/movies? It seems likely.

Featured Video For You Why the scariest part of The Shining isn’t what you think. The Paul Bunyan statue

Despite protests from residents, Derry is in the process of trying to erect a statue of Paul Bunyan in episode 1. There are billboards for it around town, and an article about it in a local paper.

This is the same statue that has been constructed by the time the cycle depicted in the book/movies has rolled round, and which famously comes to life to chase Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard/Bill Hader).

The graffiti in the school toilet

When Margie (Matilda Lawler) drags Lilly (Clara Stack) into the school toilets for a private chat, there's some graffiti on the door that will ring a bell with King fans: The name "Alvin Marsh", scrawled inside a love heart.

Alvin Marsh (Stephen Bogaert) will grow up to become the horrible and abusive father of Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis/Jessica Chastain), a core member of the Losers' club in the books and movies.

The turtle

Without going too much into spoiler territory, turtles play a big part not only in IT, but also in King's larger multiverse (hello, Dark Tower fans). So it's only fitting that turtles feature heavily in episode 1 of IT: Welcome to Derry too, from a sign outside Derry High School that reads "BERT THE TURTLE SAYS: DUCK AND COVER" to the school's turtle mascot handing out flyers warning students about the Cold War nuclear threat.

That's not all, either. When Matty (Miles Ekhardt) takes Lilly to the abandoned tower where some of the boys have a base, they trade Cracker Jack cereal toys, with Matty giving Lilly his turtle in exchange for a rocket ship.

Her response? "Turtles are lucky."

IT: Welcome to Derry debuts on Sunday, October 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

There's something that's true of pretty much everyone who travels: They like to take photographs. Even if you barely use your phone's camera in everyday, ordinary life, it's different when you're travelling. There's always an urge to document your adventures and all those incredible sights: new places, wonderful landscapes, buildings, water features, art, nature, people, animals, and, of course, those ever-brilliant sunsets.

If you're going to spend most of your trip with a camera in your hand, then you should probably think about making it, at the very least, a halfway decent device. There are lots of great travel cameras on the market from a bunch of leading brands, so you have plenty of choice. But which camera is best for you and your travels?

With so many options to consider, it can get confusing. To help, we've looked into the best options for mirrorless, DSLR, compact, instant, and GoPro cameras. Keep reading for some useful information and round-up of the best cameras for travelling.

What are the different types of camera?

DSLR — These are digital cameras that have larger sensors to capture higher-quality images. They also have interchangeable lenses (so you can adapt the camera to fit the specific environment and subject), and a long battery life. These cameras are the largest (and heaviest) of the bunch because the camera's body houses a mirror inside, which reflects the light that comes in from the camera's lens into the viewfinder (where one looks when taking a photograph). They do tend to be expensive though.

Mirrorless — Mirrorless cameras also produce high-quality images. They're smaller and lighter than DSLR cameras, but they usually have a much shorter battery life. You might have to carry around an extra battery depending on how long your trip is. Mirrorless cameras are usually more affordable than DSLR cameras, so they've become increasingly popular.

Point-and-shoot/compact — These offer good image quality in general, though not always on the level of DSLR and mirrorless. If you're looking for a camera that will take a clear, simple photo, these are a solid option. Some compact cameras are built to withstand underwater submersion or a couple of falls — perfect if you're going on a particularly rugged trip. And "compact" is an apt description — they are lighter and smaller than mirrorless and DSLR models. They also tend to be cheaper.

Instant — The image quality on instant film cameras is low compared to the other choices on this list, however many enjoy the novelty of the simple, nostalgia-inducing photos taken by film cameras. The camera itself is a manageable size, but keep in mind that when carrying instant film cameras around, you'll also want to bring film and have space to safely store the photos you take. Instant film cameras are the cheapest of the bunch, however film is sold separately at about £10 a pack.

GoPro — GoPro cameras are primarily used for capturing first-person action footage and withstanding harsh conditions. GoPros aren't as fit for traditional photography as the other types of cameras on this list, but if you want to capture an outdoorsy holiday on video, a GoPro is easily the best choice. GoPros are the smallest of all the cameras listed and are so light that users can easily wear the cameras on their heads using a head strap (sold separately). Keep all this in mind when shopping for a camera.

Do cameras capture live video?

In 2025, it's hard to imagine any camera not doubling up and taking live video as well as still images. All the cameras on this list capture video too. The real question is, what quality is the video? Most of these cameras capture 4K resolution. Some cameras capture lower resolution, such as 1080p HD, or even 5K and higher. Manufacturers tend to advertise video quality based on a camera's fps (frames per second) capabilities. The higher the fps, the smoother the video.

Can you upload photos to social media?

Once again, this is now standard with cameras of a certain quality (and price point). We live in a social media-powered world, after all. And if you're documenting your travels, especially as a blogger or vlogger, social media will be crucial. Some cameras connect to an app via WiFi or Bluetooth and allow you to upload directly.

What is the best camera for travelling?

We can't say for definite because everyone's travels — not to mention everyone's photography requirements — are different. What we can do is round up a selection of the best and leave it up to you to decide.

These are the best cameras for travelling in 2025.

There's lots to see on the moon's surface tonight, and it's a real treat after days of no visibility. We're on day six of the new lunar cycle, so keep reading to find out what you can see tonight.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 27, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There will be 30% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Crisium, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. With a pair of binoculars you'll see even more, including the Endymion Crater, Mare Nectaris and the Posidonius Crater. By adding a telescope to your set up, you should also be able to spot the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Rupes Altai.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5. What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Like running water, central heating, a roof over your head, and a next-gen gaming console — good WiFi is one of life's essentials. Be honest: You just couldn't exist without it. And as modern life gets smarter and increasingly connected, having a quality WiFi router in the home is more important than it's ever been.

WiFi routers are easy to install and can instantly improve the WiFi coverage throughout your home with lightning-fast connection speeds. Sounds good, right? The days of waiting for sluggish downloads and maddening buffering should be long gone.

But how do you go about picking the best router for you and your home? That will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your coverage area, the number of connected devices, and the types of devices connecting to the router. But we're plugged in when it comes to this sort of thing. Here’s a quick guide on everything you need to know, plus a selection of the vest WiFi routers available right now.

What is a WiFi router?

Quite simply, it’s a little contraption that sits in the corner of a room and beams out data from your broadband line to your devices, allowing each device to connect to the internet. And though wireless routers are, well, wireless — that's kind of the point, people — they usually have Ethernet ports too, which allow you to physically connect PCs, televisions, and other devices directly to the internet.

How does a WiFi router work?

The WiFi router converts broadband data into radio bands, which are then picked up by your devices. These radio bands are like different lanes, which keep data separate to stop it getting clogged up. Different devices need different bandwidths — some devices need more than others — so the higher number of bands, the more efficient the router is. You can choose from single, dual, or tri-band routers.

Single vs. dual-band — which is best?

A single-band router has just one 2.4 GHz frequency band. These are usually cheaper, connect easily to devices, and are good for penetrating obstacles such as doors and walls. But they have lower speeds than multi-band routers and don’t have all the up-to-date features. Single-band is probably best if your internet needs are minimal. Dual-band routers are pricier but also promise better speeds and performance. Dual-band routers are now pretty much the standard so modern devices will be well served.

Do you need a tri-band router?

If there are lots of people in your home — like a big family with lots of devices per person — a tri-band router will be the best choice. Tri-band routers have one 2.4 GHz channel and two 5 GHz channels. These routers are equipped to handle multiple Gigabit speeds — up to 2166 Mbps on each 5 GHz band. For a literally large household — a big house with lots of rooms – a mesh system is best.

What is a mesh WiFi system?

A mesh WiFi system is essentially a series of connected router units — known as satellites or nodes — that each broadcast a WiFi signal, which eliminates any internet dead zones within the house. Mesh systems are good for homes with lots of rooms and lots of devices, helping maintain internet the speeds wherever you are. Mesh systems are also expandable, allowing you to add extra nodes and increase coverage.

Do you need a specialist router for gaming?

If you have lots of devices and a router that’s not up to the task, you’ll experience lag issues when you’re playing your console. You need a router that can handle multiple devices. Look for a gaming router that offers prioritisation for your gaming systems and applications. If you live in a home with multiple gamers, you might also want to get a router that allows you to control how much bandwidth everyone in your household gets. Some also have a modified management console to adjust bandwidth priorities easily depending on your needs. And make sure your gaming router is at least dual-bad so you can use the 5GHz channel for faster speeds. A tri-band router is even better because then you can reserve one 5GHz channel just for gaming.

What is the best WiFi router?

We have done a lot of the hard work to make your selection process as easy as possible. Whether you’re looking for a single band WiFi router or a full-fledged tri-band model to handle an entire family home’s worth of streaming and gaming, we've got you covered for good coverage. There's something below to connect everyone.

These are the best WiFi routers for 2025.

Sometimes you just need a feel-good movie and a good tearjerker, and writer/director Craig Brewer delivers both with Song Sung Blue. 

Named for the Neil Diamond song, this drama is not going the way of A Complete Unknown or the Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere route. Instead of a biopic about the American singer-songwriter behind "America" and "Sweet Caroline," Brewer explores the power of Diamond's music through the stranger-than-fiction story of the tribute band known as Lightning and Thunder. 

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as this musical married couple, known offstage as Mike and Claire Sardina. They love each other as intensely as they love Diamond's music. Fitting, then, that their breathtaking story is full of the emotional highs and lows of some of his most beloved songs. 

What's Song Sung Blue about?  Credit: Focus Features

In Milwaukee, Mike Sardina (Jackman) and Claire Stengl (Hudson) are working as celebrity impersonators for state fairs and dive bars. Separately, they perform standards in a dusty variety act, but they dream of making something exciting of their own. For them, one good date spirals into a jam session, a marriage, and a creative partnership that lasts the rest of their lives. 

Song Sung Blue charts their story from their meet-cute backstage, through their musical courtship, co-parenting their kids from past relationships, and building a tribute band that makes them feel like rock stars as they bring unique life to Diamond's discography. 

The movie focuses mostly on Mike (who prefers to be called Lightning) and Claire, their romantic highs and their tragic lows — including a horrific freak accident that injures her, threatening to derail their band for good. Brewer also incorporates a touching subplot into this script about the developing sisterhood between step-siblings Angela (King Princess) and Rachel (Ella Anderson). Beyond that, Lightning and Thunder's family and story grow to envelope their collaborators and bandmates, allowing for a rich tapestry of characters to bring light and humor to the movie's darkest corners. 

Kate Hudson is absolutely extraordinary in Song Sung Blue. Credit: Focus Features

For much of her career, Hudson has been playing some variant of the dazzling girl, in such movies as 200 Cigarettes, Almost Famous, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, and an array of other rom-coms. Blonde, bouncy, and witty, she's endlessly youthful and radiant, even when facing tragedy or a smirking manchild. In Song Sung Blue, Hudson assumes a more mature role, while maintaining a distinct shimmer. 

Claire is not a glamorous party girl or a chic city socialite. She's a middle-aged mother of two who loves Patsy Cline songs and wearing sequins. Here, Hudson is radiant, the way of small-town women who don't have designer clothes and custom jewelry but department stores and thrift store finds, yet they shine all the same. As she sings her heart out, her cheeks are rosy and pronounced because of her wide smile. Her eyes sparkle along with her knitwear. And her Midwestern accent is the cherry on top. Hudson makes Claire not some fantasy of woman, but a real woman. I recognized her. I grew up around women like this, who knew horrific hardship and defiantly chose joy again and again. They were brave and loving and, at times, heartbroken. That is what Song Sung Blue is about. 

Props to Brewer; he lets this feel-good film get truly dark, as Claire's accident threatens to smother her inner light. Racked with pain, self-doubt, and anger, Claire becomes unrecognizable to her husband and kids. And through this, we witness a marriage pushed to its breaking point. Sometimes, however, it can be a shared passion that can save us. And for the Sardinas, it was Neil Diamond.

There's an elegance in that, as Diamond's songs can weave bittersweet stories, but what resonates with us is the choruses that are so radiantly joyful that strangers across a bar will join in with "Bah bah bah!" Good times never felt so good, indeed. 

Hugh Jackman offers a daring performance in Song Sung Blue. 

Where I swiftly fell for Hudson's Claire, Jackman's Lightning was a harder sell. Admittedly, for the first act, I was put off by his bravado. Lightning is a celebrity impersonator with the ego of a rock star and the entitled attitude that often accompanies it. Jackman's portrayal of this wannabe hit me initially as too broad, as if he was back on Broadway playing to the balcony seats. 

However, as Song Sung Blue played on, I understood. This wasn't a miscalibrated performance. Where everyone else in the movie is aiming for a softer, more grounded tone, Jackman is knowingly doing too much, because Lightning was a man who demanded to be seen and heard. This theatricality risks playing as insincere. But because Jackman never relaxes this tone, it becomes clear he sees Lightning as dreamer who is every moment being the frontman he dreams to be. This is how he lives the dream.

Once that hit me, Song Sung Blue became a tiny bit sadder. Not so much because this tribute band wouldn't hit Neil Diamond's level of fame. The film celebrates creative victories, even minor ones, with deep sincerity — because the expression and community is the point. I felt sad because I had misjudged Lightning, just as many in the first act did. His is an underdog story, bittersweet but inspirational. Jackman plays it to the rafters so we might understand this man's sheer moxie and determination. 

Song Sung Blue's supporting cast is stellar. 

Like in Brewer's comedic biopic Dolemite Is My Name, Song Sung Blue is sensationally cast. King Princess brings a touching fragility as Lightning's daughter, while Ella Anderson brings a burning resilience as Thunder's. Michael Imperioli is surprisingly funny as a frustrated Buddy Holly impersonator, but charming as Lightning's bandmate. Jim Belushi brings a working-class sensibility as an unlikely dreamer, helping produce Lightning's show, while Mustafa Shakir and Fisher Stevens bring heart while filling out the Sardinas' rich-in-friends world. 

All this makes for a feel-good movie that can be jarringly intense, because the bad times can come out nowhere. (C'est la vie!) But like a great Neil Diamond song, Song Sung Blue will find its way into your heart, where it will linger.

Through thoughtful storytelling, an impeccable cast, and a smartly chosen soundtrack that places the performances of Diamond's songs thematically, Brewer creates a drama that is uplifting, heart-wrenching, and wondrous all at once. Bring tissues. Bring friends. And let Song Sung Blue hit you, rattle you, and leave you smiling. 

Song Sung Blue was reviewed out of AFI Fest. The movie opens in theaters on Dec. 25.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand basketball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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.

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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.

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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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Share knowledge

• Green: Check the score

• Blue: Sin City University

• Purple: Kings across the country

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: Coach

• Green: Seen in a Baseball Scorebug

• Blue: UNLV

• Purple: Home Cities of the NBA's Kings Franchise, Over Time

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 #399 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Coach - DRILL, INSTRUCT, SCHOOL, TEACH

• Seen in a Baseball Scorebug - COUNT, INNING, OUTS, SCORE

• UNLV - LAS, NEVADA, UNIVERSITY, VEGAS

• Home Cities of the NBA's Kings Franchise, Over Time - CINCINNATI, KANSAS CITY, ROCHESTER, SACRAMENTO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To move to music.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

DANCE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A golf term.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DIVOT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To correct.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

EMEND

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To worry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DREAD

Final Hurdle hint

A midday meal.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

LUNCH

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

Brace yourself, Stephen King fans, because the story of Pennywise the Dancing Clown is expanding like a bright red balloon. 

With IT: Welcome to Derry, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (the sibling filmmaking team behind IT and IT: Chapter Two) return to the deeply doomed Maine town where the Losers Club battled for their lives twice in 27 years. However, Bill, Beverly, Eddie, Mike, Richie, Stan, and Ben aren't in this new series. Set in 1962, this is a prequel playing out 27 years before they ever tangled with Pennywise. But you better believe the clown is back — just not quite as you might expect. 

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs in episode 1

Pennywise is all over the advertising for IT: Welcome to Derry. It is known that Bill Skarsgård is reprising the role from the films and serving as an executive producer on the series. But there's no clown in the premiere episode. However, there are callbacks to the IT movies that hint at Pennywise's resurrection. So, let's dig into them. 

Be warned: Major spoilers ahead. 

Where does Pennywise appear in episode 1 of IT: Welcome to Derry?  Bill Skarsgård plays Pennywise the Dancing Clown in "Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

The first signs are with poor Matty (Miles Ekhardt), who's run away from home and only found trouble (trouble, trouble). Looking to get far from the town of Derry, he hitches a ride with a family of four. But things swiftly turn scary with a snarling sister snacking on bloody liver and an annoying little brother spelling increasingly ominous words. 

It's this brother that gives us our first hint of Pennywise's presence. First, his eyes go wonky, transforming from those of a little boy to those of a deranged extraterrestrial clown. Then, his buck teeth remind us of Pennywise's signature, sinister smile. Next, a new arrival gives us a more impressive display of Pennywise's power. 

SEE ALSO: The most WTF scares from 'IT: Welcome to Derry' episode 1, ranked The baby with bat wings has big Pennywise energy.  Miles Ekhardt plays Matty in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

The mother of this malevolent family births a two-headed monster baby with bat wings. And while that's all kinds of wild, it has visual ties to both movies. First off, the Muschiettis' reimagining of Pennywise veered away hard from the Tim Curry version, which was more of a classical Bozo-styled clown. The Muschiettis opted for a Victorian flair in costume and a Kewpie-doll head, characterized by a massive forehead reminiscent of a baby doll. So, that double noggin should remind viewers of Skarsgård's Pennywise, even before this grisly cold open sweeps us into the sewer, chasing after Matty's dropped pacifier. 

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Beyond the big-head design, the baby is reminiscent of another Pennywise precursor. A similar unholy critter sprouted out of a fortune cookie and crawled about the table at the Chinese restaurant in IT: Chapter Two. It was a baby-doll-headed spider of sorts, while another fortune cookie busted out a bat wing. So, long before the Losers Club was tormented with this nightmare fuel, the Derry kids of 1962 were witnessing it with fresh horror. 

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry's shocking episode 1 ending, explained IT: Welcome to Derry has echoes of Georgie's disappearance.  Jack Molloy Legault and Mikkal Karim-Fidler play Teddy and Phil in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

When Matty goes missing, his classmates Teddy and Phil (Mikkal Karim-Fidler and Jack Molloy Legault), bicker about what could have become of him. "They never found a body," one argues, suggesting he's not dead but run away.

However, that was true for Bill's little brother, Georgie Denbrough, too. He went missing but no body was found. That's what led to Bill's obsession of searching the sewers.

Another Georgie callback hits before the end of episode one. But let's take these in chronological order, shall we? 

Voices from the drain menace traumatized kids.  Clara Stack plays Lilly in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

Poor "Loony" Lilly (Clara Stack) already has enough to deal with, like the horrific accidental death of her father and the vicious Pattycakes mocking her about it with a pickle prank. Then, while in the bathroom all alone, she hears the voice of the missing Matty coming from the tub's drain. 

Saying "We've got trouble" in a sing-songy voice, he's harkening back to the movie he watched at the theater before his fateful hitchhiking. "Ya Got Trouble" from The Music Man takes on an ominous connotation as Matty sings it to signal he's been snatched (and maybe killed) by Pennywise.

Featured Video For You Why the scariest part of The Shining isn’t what you think.

Of course, Lilly doesn't know anything about this homicidal clown yet. However, this scene evokes the moment when Beverly Marsh in IT heard the voices of three of Pennywise's victims calling to her from the bathroom sink. Where Bev got attacked by surging hair and a flood of blood, Lilly sees two severed, bloody fingers wiggle their way up to her. But Lilly has a tougher time convincing her peers to believe what she saw than Bev did. Phil and Teddy need more to believe, and they'll get it.

Matty reappears with a Pennywise makeover.  Miles Ekhardt plays Matty in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

To better understand Matty's message, Lilly, Teddy, Phil, and Ronnie (Amanda Christine) return to the theater to watch The Music Man for clues. To their shock, they find Matty there. But not in the theater. He's on the screen, where he curses them out for letting him down. Then, he gets a Pennywise makeover, his smile distorting with buck teeth before he launches the monster baby from the screen and into the theater.

Pennywise is here, and he's shapeshifting to terrorize these children of Derry. 

One more Georgie callback, and we can't shake it.  Jack Molloy Legault and Matilda Legault play Phil and Susie in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer/HBO

Little Susie (Matilda Legault) would have been better off left at the library. Phil's little sister is too young to have any idea what she's in for when she tags along to the theater. Like Georgie, she'll be the younger sibling who loses an arm from a Pennywise attack.

Trying to climb to safety under the theater seats, pig-tailed Susie reaches to Lilly for help. And while Lilly grips her hand, it won't save Susie from the many-fanged maw of the monster baby. It lunges and chomps deep into Susie's exposed arm. So much so that when Lilly runs out of the theater, she's still got Susie's hand in hers, dripping blood from its severed elbow. 

While Pennywise doesn't appear in full in episode 1, he's left plenty of horrifying hints that he's rising in Derry. And he's hungry.

After the absolutely jaw-dropping mayhem of this premiere episode, what could possible come next? 

Tune in next Sunday to HBO and HBO Max find out. And keep up with Mashable, as we're breaking down every gory detail of Welcome to Derry. 

Halloween may only be a few days away, but IT: Welcome to Derry's first episode has already filled my fright quota for the season.

Titled "The Pilot," this episode is not only brimming with Stephen King Easter eggs but nightmarish sequences, like a car ride from hell and the world's worst trip to the movies. But which of Pennywise's (Bill Skarsgård) scare tactics is most effective, and which left us most unfazed? We've ranked all the biggest WTF scares of "The Pilot" to find out.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry's shocking episode 1 ending, explained 5. When Matty's fingers pop out of Lily's shower drain.

"The Pilot" revolves around the disappearance of Matty (Miles Ekhardt), the friend of several Derry outcasts including "Loony" Lily Bainbridge (Clara Stack). In the episode's mildest scare, Lily hears Matty singing to her from inside her shower pipes. Then, his bloodied fingers emerge from the drain before disappearing.

It's a gruesome image, but a familiar one for IT fans. In Stephen King's novel and future screen adaptations, Beverly Marsh experiences a similar drain-centric nightmare when buckets of blood burst from her sink. When it comes to bathroom scares, Beverly's blows Lily's clean out of the water. It also highlights a very important safety tip for all of Derry's young women: Stop looking down your drains! Nothing good will come of it!

4. When men in gas masks attack Leroy Hanlon. Jovan Adepo in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

Derry's kids aren't the only ones getting scared. Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) faces a harrowing attack of his own while staying on Derry's Air Force base, as several men in gas masks break into his room and threaten to kill him if he doesn't divulge top-secret information.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry' review: 'IT' prequel series will scare the living daylights out of you

The attack has seemingly nothing to do with Pennywise and everything to do with Cold War anxieties rising in Derry and all across the U.S. Still, even if it's not a supernatural sequence, the sight of the masked men peering through Leroy's window is pretty freaky all on its own.

3. When Teddy sees a human skin lampshade.

Teddy (Mikkal Karim-Fidler) gets a truly grotesque visit from Pennywise, who manifests as a lampshade made of human skin, complete with screaming mouths. The sequence calls back to Teddy's earlier conversation with his father, who detailed the horrors of the Holocaust, including a human skin lampshade found at Buchenwald concentration camp. (This same story is also a key point in Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story.)

SEE ALSO: Is 'IT: Welcome to Derry' based on Stephen King's book?

The body horror on display in this scene is nausea-inducing, but what's more upsetting is the lampshade's ties to the real human tragedy of the Holocaust — and Welcome to Derry's almost callous exploitation of said tragedy. Teddy's dinner with his family feels like a speedrun of Jewish stereotypes, with Welcome to Derry doing little to characterize them beyond discussions of bar mitzvahs and Holocaust trauma. The lampshade scare is the cheap cherry on top, and it's enough to make the viewers sick to their stomachs in more ways than one.

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2. When IT: Welcome to Derry kills off half its kids. Jack Legault, Matilda Legault, Clara Stack, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer/HBO

The entire ending sequence of "The Pilot" feels like a slap in the face. For the entirety of the episode, Welcome to Derry has been setting up Lily, Phil (Jack Legault), Teddy, Ronnie (Amanda Christine), and Susie (Matilda Legault) as the show's version of the Losers Club. That idea quickly flies out the window in "The Pilot"s final scene, in which a winged mutant baby (more on that later) tears Teddy in half, rips Susie's arm off, and carries Phil off to who knows where. It's a bloodbath through and through, and a reminder that no one is safe — especially not Derry's kids.

Featured Video For You Why the scariest part of The Shining isn’t what you think. 1. When Matty experiences the worst car ride ever. Miles Ekhardt in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

While the closing sequence may be the most shocking moment of "The Pilot," it's the episode's opening that truly raises the bar for any of Welcome to Derry's WTF-inducing scares moving forward.

In the scene, Matty tries to hitchhike out of Derry. He thinks he's found a safe ride with a nice family, but it quickly turns out that couldn't be farther from the truth. From a sinister spelling bee to a brush with raw liver juice, the opening ratchets up the unsettling tension before letting loose with an extremely graphic birth scene that leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything reaches a fever pitch when the newly birthed mutant baby — a manifestation of Cold War fears about the effects of nuclear weapons on pregnancy — starts flying around the car, umbilical cord in tow. That's not a distraction you learn about in drivers' ed, but I fear they must start adding it to the curriculum.

Gnarly in all the best and most disturbing ways, the whole scene is one hell of a way to kick off a show. Can Welcome to Derry measure up with its scares in the weeks to come?

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

There is only one acceptable reaction to the ending of IT: Welcome to Derry's first episode, and it's "What in the world just happened?"

While the entire episode is filled to the brim with horrifying scares (and Stephen King Easter eggs), its final moments deliver an unforgettable bloodbath that comes with the chilling message that no one in the show is safe. Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry' review: 'IT' prequel series will scare the living daylights out of you What happens at the end of IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1? Miles Ekhardt in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: HBO

Much of Welcome to Derry's first episode focuses on uniting several of Derry's children in the search for missing kid Matty (Miles Ekhardt). There's "Loony" Lilly Bainbridge (Clara Stack), who's bullied at school over her father's gruesome death; oddball best friends Phil (Jack Legault) and Teddy (Mikkal Karim-Fidler); Phil's little sister Susie (Matilda Legault); and Ronnie (Amanda Christine), the last child to see Matty alive.

As the crew comes together, it feels like IT: Welcome to Derry is assembling its own version of the Losers Club from Stephen King's IT and the ensuing film adaptations. However, it quickly subverts that expectation by fully murdering several of these children in gruesome fashion, reminding you not to expect a straightforward rehash of IT and its own Losers Club.

SEE ALSO: The most WTF scares from 'IT: Welcome to Derry' episode 1, ranked

It all kicks off when Lilly hears Matty singing an eerie rendition of "Ya Got Trouble" from The Music Man in her shower pipes. Ronnie puts the pieces together and remembers that The Music Man was also the movie Matty snuck into on the night he disappeared. She screens The Music Man for Lilly, Phil, Teddy, and Susie at the Derry movie theater in the hopes of getting some answers.

However, as Harold Hill sings about the trouble facing River City onscreen, the kids run into some trouble of their own. Matty appears in the movie, holding a swaddled baby and flanked by the eerie family who kidnapped him at the start of the episode. As he smiles a classic Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) grin, Matty reveals that the baby he's holding is none other than the mutant winged creature from Welcome to Derry's unsettling opening sequence. He unleashes the creature — now much, much bigger — into the audience, where it tears into Phil, Teddy, and Susie. Of the five children who entered the theater, only Lilly and Ronnie make it out.

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Could Phil, Teddy, or Susie still be alive? Mikkal Karim-Fidler, Clara Stack, and Jack Legault in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: HBO

A rule of thumb in TV and film is that if we don't see a body, we don't have explicit confirmation that any character is actually dead. In the case of Welcome to Derry's final scene, we know that Teddy is definitely dead, as the baby rips him in half and slams him into the projection booth. It's the first on-screen kill of the show, and it's fittingly brutal (and leaves no room for doubt).

But Phil and Susie's fates are still up in the air. In Phil's case, literally up in the air, as the last we see of him is the flying baby dragging him up towards the ceiling. Later, the baby chomps down on Susie's arm, severing it from her body. From there, we get no more glimpses of the unfortunate siblings, but based on Lilly telling Ronnie, "They're all gone," it's fairly clear that the pair are dead. Even if they are alive, what's the alternative? Getting carried off to Pennywise's lair? At that point, you're as good as killer clown food.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

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