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Samsung's next journey into the foldable frontier is underway in the form of the Galaxy Z TriFold, a foldable smartphone featuring two folds instead of just one. 

Just a few months after launching the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 foldables, Samsung has officially announced the TriFold, a smartphone that has two folding screens, resulting in three panels of usable phone. The internal screen measures a whopping 10 inches, comparable in size to a Galaxy Tab, while it folds down into a normal-sized 6.5-inch phone once fully closed. 

SEE ALSO: Did the foldable iPhone just get leaked? Seems like it.

So, what exactly do we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold? Let's get into it.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Specs Credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

According to the official announcement, here are the specs coming on the Galaxy Z TriFold:

• Cover screen: 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

• Interior screen: 10-inch QXGA (2160 x 1584)  Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 

• RAM and Storage: 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage

• Rear cameras: 12 MP ultra-wide / 200 MP wide-angle / 10 MP telephoto

• Front cameras: 10 MP selfie camera (cover screen) / 10 MP selfie camera (main screen)

• Battery size: 5,600 mAh three-cell battery

• Dimensions (folded): 159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9mm

• Dimensions (unfolded): 159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9mm / 4.2mm / 4.0mm (screen with SIM tray, center screen, and screen with side button, respectively)

• Weight: 309 grams

In terms of processors, cameras, RAM, and all that other fun stuff, these specs are pretty similar to what you'd find in a Z Fold 7. The 6.5-inch cover display stands out especially, as the one on the Z Fold 7 is the exact same size. The 10-inch interior display, however, will be significantly larger than the 8-inch equivalent in the Z Fold 7. That's the big selling point here: When it's folded, this is sized like a bigger traditional smartphone, but when you unfold it, you're unlikely to find any phone with a bigger display.

Initially, thickness was a potential issue, as a trifold smartphone was bound to be a hair bit thicker than anything else on the market. At 12.9mm, it is a thick smartphone. For reference, the super-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just 8.9mm when folded, which makes the Galaxy X TriFold about a third thicker than its closest sibling. Whether or not that’s a dealbreaker depends exclusively on how thick or thin you want your smartphone to be. 

That’s about the only complaint in an otherwise stellar spec sheet. The battery is nice and big, with Samsung stuffing 5,600 mAh into its three-cell system we first saw in a Korean phone patent. Each cell is hidden in each screen of the display, and it's a 1,200 mAh improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. 

SEE ALSO: Samsung and LG preview new Micro RGB TVs. OK, but what are Micro RGB TVs? Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Pricing

In terms of price, be prepared for this. Samsung announced that the price would be 3,594,000 won. This translates to roughly $2,450 (which Samsung will likely round up to $2,500). That’s quite a lot higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at $1,999.99. For availability, Samsung states that it will be first introduced in South Korea, followed by China, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and then eventually the United States. Per Bloomberg, Samsung is expected to ship a very limited volume, so it won’t be widely available everywhere.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: U.S. release date

Samsung officially released the Galaxy Z TriFold on Dec. 12 in South Korea, so it is in the wild now. The other regions where the phone is expected to launch, including the United States, are most likely going to see a launch in Q1 2026. That’s also when the Samsung Galaxy S26 is expected to launch, so the two may be released in tandem at an upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event.

If you can’t wait, there are plenty of unboxing videos on YouTube from the usual suspects, such as Mr. Who's the Boss and SuperSaf. The videos showcase the phone, including what it looks like when folded and unfolded, and demonstrate its general functionality, along with some other cool features. 

What do people think of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold?

Despite the high price tag, the Galaxy Z TriFold quite literally sold out in minutes. In South Korea, at least, the hype train is real, and Samsung can barely put these things on the shelves fast enough. The next batch is scheduled for Dec. 17th on Samsung’s website, and after that, we don’t know if they’ll have to continue rationing these out like they are now. 

Impressions online have been generally positive, with the few people who have actually had the opportunity to play with the smartphone stating that it’s certainly one of the most interesting smartphones in a while. Online and written impressions from publications are generally very positive, with complaints being fairly mild and often related to refinement, which is understandable given that this is a first-generation product. 

Here's what tech YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss said after trying out the phone: "So, honestly, I don't think the Trifold is this experimental quirky phone option. I actually think that this phone has immediately become the definitive Samsung foldable. You will have to handle it with care and you'll definitely have to pay for the privilege."

Social impressions were mixed, with some folks saying that this is the coolest new smartphone in years, while others are a little more guarded. 

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"This is the true tablet killer," said one Redditor. Another stated that they were pleased to see Samsung innovating, and pontificated on when Apple would eventually release its first foldable. "Sign me up for one," another Redditor said. "[I’m] bored of my Folds." The most common sentiment among the excited was how absurd it would feel to be able to put a 10-inch tablet in your pocket. 

In terms of complaints, they fell into two camps. Excited people from Europe who are currently experiencing difficulties measuring their disappointment at not receiving a release there, and those wondering how the first-generation device will hold up over the long term. Some expressed worry about screen durability, especially since Samsung is offering a 50 percent discount on the first screen repair. Others are concerned with battery life, believing that the 10-inch display will chew through the 5,600 mAh battery rather quickly. 

With that said, very few people have gotten their hands on a Z TriFold, so we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to hear first-hand accounts on how it feels to use it day-to-day.

The New Year is right around the corner, which also means we’re already neck-deep in CES season. For 2026, the world’s largest consumer electronics show returns to Las Vegas and is expected to lean heavily into robots and "living with AI" — a direction car enthusiasts may not be thrilled about after last year’s vehicle-heavy spotlight.

SEE ALSO: LG to unveil a new home robot helper at CES 2026

That said, the biggest car manufacturers on the planet will still be there as the industry continues its full-speed pivot toward AI, much like everyone else. As with last year, expect far more software reveals than actual new car announcements, which — depending on who you ask — is either encouraging progress or a major letdown.

So, here’s everything you need to know about cars heading into CES 2026.

Sony-Honda is back again

At CES 2025, we covered the debut of the Sony–Honda joint venture’s first EV, the AFEELA 1. While we didn’t get to see it in motion, Sony-Honda Mobility Group did walk us through a demo of the car’s infotainment system. For 2026, the company plans to return with what it’s calling a "pre-production" version of the AFEELA 1, alongside an all-new concept vehicle.

What’s less clear is what Sony-Honda actually considers pre-production at this point. The version shown in 2025 already looked fairly road-ready, at least from a visual standpoint, making the distinction feel more semantic than substantive.

According to the SHM Group, their EVs are expected to start production sometime in 2026 and will initially be available only in California.

Software-defined vehicles take center stage (again)

If there’s one theme that will quietly dominate CES 2026, it’s the continued shift toward software-defined vehicles. This isn’t new, but it is becoming unavoidable. Automakers are less interested in showing off the vehicles themselves and more focused on proving their cars can evolve after they leave the factory.

That means operating systems, over-the-air updates, and modular software stacks will be everywhere. Companies like P3 are using CES to highlight Android Automotive — based platforms that let automakers roll out features, apps, and services long after a vehicle ships. For consumers, this could mean improved infotainment and enhanced features over time. For automakers, it’s about speed, flexibility, and, ultimately, new revenue streams.

The bigger shift is toward "agentic AI." For reference, these are AI systems that actively make decisions on behalf of the user, rather than just responding to commands.

At CES 2026, expect to see AI utilized for route planning, energy management, and driver assistance systems that adapt in real-time rather than follow fixed rules. On the surface, it's a meaningful attempt at innovation, but it raises some questions about privacy and how much control drivers are willing to relinquish.

Don't expect much spectacle

If CES 2025 was about big promises, CES 2026 looks more like a reality check. Several analysts have noted that automakers are now in the less glamorous phase of turning previous announcements into actual products. That's just how the state of the auto industry is right now, especially given the development of the EV industry in 2025.

Heading into CES 2026, the EV industry is in a noticeably more sober place than it was even a year ago. After years of aggressive timelines and all-in commitments, automakers are recalibrating as demand has proven softer and more uneven than expected. U.S. EV sales peaked in late 2025 ahead of the expiration of federal incentives, then dropped sharply, forcing companies like GM and Ford to pull back billions in planned EV spending while refocusing on hybrids, trucks, and SUVs that actually move volume.

Automakers are now operating in what industry analysts have called an era of "EV realism," where electrification is still the long-term goal, but the path there is slower, more fragmented, and far less ideological. Expect CES 2026 to reflect that shift.

That’s why the show may feel quieter from a car-news perspective, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. CES has always been a supplier-driven event, and this year will likely highlight chips, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing tech that won’t grab headlines.

A new year is almost here, and you know what that means: The world's largest annual tech event is starting in just a few days.

Yep, CES 2026 is scheduled to kick off on January 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada, gathering tens of thousands of enthusiasts to see what's new in the world of consumer tech. We'll see an entirely new breed of TVs, new foldable phones, self-driving cars, weird gadgets, powerful chips, and many, many AI and robotics-related announcements. Unsurprisingly, those are some of the top tech trends we're anticipating in 2026.

Mashable will be on the ground in Las Vegas to cover CES 2026 as it unfolds. For now, let's take a look at what we expect to see from the biggest exhibitors this year.

Micro RGB TVs Can these achieve OLED-like picture quality at a lower price? It remains to be seen. Credit: LG

Forget OLEDs and QLEDs – this year you'll mostly be hearing about Micro RGB TVs. Two TV giants, Samsung and LG, have pre-announced their lineups of Micro RGB TVs, which are hitting the market in a variety of sizes this year. We don't have a verdict on how good these are just yet, but you can read about the technology that drives them in our handy explainer.

Of course, all of the other major TV manufacturers will be at CES 2026 as well. Sony is likely to show off its True RGB TVs, a new take Mini-LED TVs that promises higher brightness and contrast with more accurate colors (don't they all?).

We're also likely to hear a lot of talk about new HDR formats; Samsung announced its HDR10+ Advanced, the company's answer to Dolby Vision 2, back in October, with a launch scheduled for early 2026.

Foldable phones Why fold a phone once when you can fold it twice? Credit: Samsung

CES isn't exactly a phone show, with most major companies choosing to launch their flagships at standalone events. That doesn't mean we won't see a bunch of new devices, though, and we're betting that a lot of them will be foldable.

Samsung, for example, has freshly launched its first tri-folding phone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, but the company is rumored to be working on yet another foldable device that isn't a new iteration of its Galaxy Z Fold. We don't know whether that one will show up at CES 2026, but we're sure Samsung's booth will feature at least a couple new devices with folding displays.

Motorola is also rumored to launch a book-style foldable phone at CES; a first for the company (Motorola already sells the flip phone-style foldable Motorola Razr).

Robots, robots everywhere Roborock's Qrevo Curv 2 Flow already combines a vacuum with a self-cleaning roller mop, but we bet the company has something even more advanced up its sleeve. Credit: Roborock

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is banking on the company's Optimus robot to be the next big thing, and other tech companies are taking notice.

One major company that's already announced a new robot is LG. The company will launch its CLOiD home helper robot, designed to improve your quality of life by performing a "wide range of indoor household tasks". We don't have photos, specs, or a release date for this one, so forgive us for not being too enthusiastic until we find out more about CLOiD.

Samsung has a robot called Ballie which it keeps re-launching at CES (it originally launched in 2020, followed by a 2024 remake), and we wouldn't be too surprised if the company brought a new version to CES 2026.

Companies such as Roborock are likely to show off even more advanced robot vacuum cleaners. Since we're on the topic of smart home, we're also likely to see new, smarter home security cameras, among other clever house-bound gadgets.

And while we cannot reveal more at this stage, we definitely know there will be several companies bringing new, humanoid and non-humanoid robots to the show.

Self-driving cars These would look good in front of my garage. Credit: Honda

Look, it's CES. There will be cars. And if you're launching a car these days, it better be capable of autonomous driving.

We already know that Sony and Honda's joint venture (Sony Honda Mobility or SHM) will bring its retro-futuristic electric cars to the show. These will feature Level 3 autonomy, and we'll likely find out more about specs such as range and charging times.

Autonomous driving powerhouse Mobileye will also have a keynote on January 6, with CEO Amnon Shashua talking about the company's tech roadmap going forward.

Overall, we expect a lot of announcements related to self-driving tech, be it in the form of new cars, new AI smarts and chips powering autonomous driving, or further expansion of robotaxi services.

Powerful new chips Intel's Core Ultra series 3 (codenamed Panther Lake) chips will go on sale in January 2026. Credit: Intel

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is delivering a keynote on January 5, and while that doesn't necessarily mean we'll see major new products, we're likely to find out more about Nvidia's strategy on powering the AI revolution going forward. One rumor claimed that Nvidia might launch new GeForce RTX 50 Super series graphics cards during CES, but later reports said the launch was delayed until later in the year.

AMD is probably introducing new Ryzen chips, including the new Ryzen 7 9850X3D. Intel has pre-announced the announcement of its Panther Lake chips, which will officially launch at CES. Qualcomm is launching its Snapdragon X Elite and X Elite Extreme chips inside laptops for the first time. In short, you shouldn't worry about your next computer, phone, or tablet being underpowered (if you can afford the RAM, that is).

AI everything

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Every tech event in the past couple of years has had a strong artificial intelligence focus or at least undertone, and we expect to see even more of that this year. AI will be mentioned by the chip makers. It will be sworn on by the automakers. Every robot, phone, tablet and home security camera we see at CES 2026 will likely have a brand new AI brain powering it. Heck, even the news TVs will boast AI smarts for upscaling and intelligence picture enhancement.

New year, new love? Maybe not, according to Mashable's dating predictions for 2026. 

With 2026 within kissing distance, many of us will be mulling over our resolutions for the year ahead. Will I fall in love this year? Will dating continue to be a dumpster fire? Will we enter a post-dating era? Will we all be dating chatbots by Christmas 2026?

Mashable's resident dating experts, journalists Rachel Thompson and Anna Iovine, have made five predictions for what lies ahead in the dating realm. 

You can't spell dating without 'AI'

2025 was a seminal year when it came to AI implementations in different industries, and dating is no exception. Dating apps like Hinge and Tinder have begun to bake AI into new features, like Hinge's Convo Starters, which uses AI to nudge users to send better first messages. Tinder is also testing an AI matchmaker called Chemistry.

Then there are the people actually dating chatbots. We saw AI used in dating and as "daters" themselves last year, and we can only guess it'll continue this year. There may be an AI bubble, but it's doubtful detractors can put the genie back into the bottle — especially when it comes to AI companions. Some adults have grown so attached to their ChatGPT-4 companions, for instance, that when OpenAI upgraded to GPT-5 they freaked out and sought to revert it back to the previous generation, which was more glazing and less analytical. 

SEE ALSO: How many people think flirting with AI chatbots is actually cheating? People will turn away from dating entirely

Dating? Tired. Daters? Exhausted. No, seriously: nearly 80 percent of all dating app users are feeling burnt out by the apps. 

People — women who date men, in particular — are decentering dating from their lives, choosing instead to prioritize self-fulfilment, friendships, hobbies, and personal growth. Could this be the beginning of a post-dating era?

So, if you're single and loving it, you're officially an icon. As a lifelong single gal, this is not new information to me. But if you've ever felt pressured by your friends to "fix" your singleness and find yourself a partner, well, tell them that dating is terribly passé these days, donchaknow. Then there's the fact that posting your boyfriend on social media is basically loser behaviour now, according to a viral British Vogue article. Then there's the burgeoning single positivity movement, which Mashable has been reporting on for many years. If dating isn't sparking joy, then why bother? 

Offline will be cooler than ever

While a faction of the population will be using AI in their everyday lives, including as one's partner, we predict that another faction will be so turned off by technology that they want to quit. Young adults have already started "luddite clubs," attended offline dating events, and weaned themselves off smartphones, and this trend may continue as life becomes more like science fiction daily.

SEE ALSO: 5 ways dating changed in 2025

Because being online is so normal and frictionless that being offline might actually be cool and attractive. Not having an Instagram? So hot. Not being on any dating apps? Even hotter.

Dates on the cheap

With food and drink costs on the rise in the U.S., singles will be getting creative with their love lives to keep romance alive but costs to a minimum. We think that house parties and one-on-one setups will boom in 2026. Instead of expensive speed dating events or comedy shows with a two-drink minimum, you might try hosting your own flirting party. Tell your friends to bring a single pal. Perhaps you'll opt for a walk in the park as a cute first date (you might need your scarf and gloves in winter).

Looking for cheaper alternatives to pricey dating app subscriptions? Be sure to check out Mashable's guide to the best free dating apps.

Looks will matter even more

Let's face it: Perceived attractiveness has always been important in dating and our society as a whole. "Pretty privilege" is real! But in 2026, we think it'll, unfortunately, matter even more to daters. We're at a time when GLP-1 medications are all the rage, and there are also new innovations in hair loss treatments that may make men stop flying to Turkey to fix their hairlines. Combine that with social media shallowness as a whole as well as trends like "looksmaxxing" and women measuring their face lengths, and daters may be scrutinizing their matches' photos more than ever. 

It's been a long year, but it's almost over.

And since January, a lot has happened in the tech world. It's a fickle, fast-paced industry, and some major products and services haven't survived 2025.

Some of the entries on our in memorium list lived long, fruitful lives and contributed lasting legacies to the ever-evolving technology space. (RIP, Skype.) Others were flash-in-the-pan features or straight-up flops (we're looking at you, Humane AI Pin), destined to meet an early death. Regardless, they're all worthy of remembering for the way they impacted our lives — even if that impact was just as a punchline.

Join us as we look back at the year so far and say goodbye (or good riddance) to the tech that died along the way.

TiVo boxes

Yes, TiVo was still making boxes and yes, the company did kill them off this year. It may feel hard to believe, but TiVO DVRs survived all the way into 2025, long past the product's heyday.

The company quietly removed the DVRs from its website in October. The company is not dead, however. It has pivoted to being a software company that is mostly used by TVs sold in Europe.

Microsoft passwords

Microsoft really didn't want you using passwords in 2025. It killed off its password manager in stages, instead migrating its users to passkeys.

A passkey, for the uninitiated, is essentially a more secure way of logging in that combines a password and two-factor authentication into a single step. Often, that involves something like a thumbprint or secure PIN.

"It's the difference between using a codeword to open a door and using a physical key that only you have," Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth explained. "Passkeys are only stored on your devices, not a Microsoft server, and they also eliminate the kind of user errors that result in weak passwords. Plus, password managers are becoming a really popular target for hackers, so Microsoft is definitely onto something."

Humane AI Pin 

Oh, AI Pin, we hardly knew ye. After less than a year, Humane's attempt to replace the smartphone with a screenless, AI-powered wearable pin came to an untimely end. In theory, the concept of an AI assistant that projected a screen on your hand or a surface sounded pretty intriguing. But Humane's execution of the AI pin was all wrong. From the beginning, reviewers panned the $700 device for myriad reasons, including its faulty projector, finicky response to hand gestures, inaccurate AI responses, and overheating issues. Returns of the AI Pin soon flooded in, and Humane shut down support in February 2025.

Humane may have failed to develop a useful AI wearable, but OpenAI is taking a crack at it. Sam Altman was an investor in Humane, and under his direction, OpenAI announced a partnership with Jony Ive, the iconic designer of the iPhone, in May to create an AI device. That project, however, has reportedly hit delays already — producing a product at scale has proven difficult — and we might not see it until 2027.

Skype

Ubiquitous video calling apps like Zoom and FaceTime owe a debt of gratitude to Skype. Twenty-two years ago, the only way to call someone was through an (often) expensive phone plan. Long-distance calls were an extravagance, only made for special occasions or emergencies.

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Then, along came Skype in 2003, offering free calls between users over the internet. Not only did it disrupt the telecom industry, it made video calling a thing when it added video support in 2006. Eventually, Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011, and it lived an increasingly irrelevant existence as other video calling apps from Apple, Google, and the aforementioned Zoom came on the scene. In February, Microsoft announced that it would retire Skype by May and migrate users to its other video platform, Teams.

Forced retirement is a bittersweet ending. But Skype lived a good, long life, and we'll always have its legacy.

Pocket 

The OG bookmarking app said goodbye this year. Mozilla, which has owned Pocket since 2017, shut down the read-later platform in July.

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Pocket launched in 2007 as Read It Later and grew to 30 million users, according to Mozilla. As Mashable's Matt Binder wrote, the app quickly became a popular service "just as social news and social bookmarking began to take off." But according to Mozilla, "the way people use the web has evolved, so we’re channeling our resources into projects that better match their browsing habits and online needs."

Change is hard, but if you want to keep your bookmarking habits, Binder recommended a bunch of great Pocket alternatives. Just think of Pocket every time you hit "save."

Zelle (kind of)

The Venmo alternative shut down its mobile app in April, but it lives on through your bank. Announced in October 2024, Zelle said it would phase out the standalone app since it only facilitates around two percent of transactions. Instead, it will focus on its money exchange service through the many financial institutions it has partnered with.

"Today, the vast majority of people using Zelle to send money use it through their financial institution’s mobile app or online banking experience, and we believe this is the best place for Zelle transactions to occur," according to the 2024 press release. And now, this plan has gone into effect.

Meta fact-checking program 

At the start of President Donald Trump's second non-consecutive term in office, Mark Zuckerberg launched his MAGA makeover. This began with ending Meta's fact-checking program for being "too politically biased," according to a video announcement on Facebook. President Trump has accused social media sites of censoring right-wing content, and Zuckerberg seemingly endorsed this viewpoint in killing the program. "What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far," said Zuckerberg in the video.

Instead, Meta has implemented a crowd-sourced community notes approach, like Elon Musk's X. Meta began implementing community notes across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in March.

TikTok Creator Marketplace (kind of)

This is another entry that's not so much a true death but a reincarnation, if you will. TikTok shut down its Creator Marketplace, a valuable tool for creators to connect with brands for ad campaigns. Instead, it folded the marketplace into TikTok One, a new platform geared towards advertisers with a whole bunch of generative AI tools.

One of those tools is an AI avatar feature, which lets brands create AI-generated people showing off their products. How that impacts creators looking for partnerships remains to be seen. But creators have also proven to be resilient through the looming ban and trade wars.

Mr. Deepfakes

Ding dong, Mr. Deepfakes is dead. We'll gladly celebrate the shutdown of the notorious site known for hosting nonconsensual deepfake porn. As first spotted by 404 Media, the Mr. Deepfakes URL redirected to a "Shutdown Notice" in early May.

According to the message, the shutdown was forced by a service provider that "has terminated service permanently." It also said Mr. Deepfakes "will not be relaunching" and "this domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use."

Just a week before, Congress passed the Take It Down Act, which made posting nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) a federal crime and gives stronger recourse for victims of such content. It's unclear if the shutdown was related, but regardless, regulators are paying attention to the widespread issue.

Google Assistant

We didn't quite say goodbye to Google Assistant in 2025, but we did learn the approximate day of its demise. An official Android Auto support forum revealed it'll be dropped in March 2026. This is just part of a much wider push from Google — and, to be fair, most tech giants — to integrate AI tools into products. So with that comes no more Google Assistant and, in its place, Gemini, the company's AI-powered tool.

The ChatGPT-powered teddy bear

Maybe having ChatGPT power a children's toy was never a good idea, considering chatbots' propensity to hallucinate, give questionable advice, and delve into subject matter that's inappropriate for kids.

Toymaker FoloToy pulled its AI-powered teddy bear called Kumma from shelves in November. The decision followed a troubling report from the consumer watchdog organization Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). That report from PIRG found that the toy gave detailed instructions for lighting a match, talked about sexual kinks, and gave tips for "being a good kisser."

It feels like an obvious decision not to sell that product to children.

Twitter dot com

Obviously, Twitter was killed off a long time ago, replaced by Elon Musk's X. But X moved to cancel the Twitter domain this year, so much so that folks who used a security key had to migrate to X.com instead of remaining tied to Twitter.com. In short: It was a move to kill off the last vestiges of what was once Twitter. You can still access the social media site by typing, "Twitter.com" but, for all intents and purposes, that website is fully Elon Musk's X.

We've said goodbye to Twitter a thousand times at this point, but it is well and truly dead at the end of 2025.

Google Dark Web reports

Google is famous for experimenting with new products and unceremoniously sunsetting them. There's even a website dedicated to the Google Graveyard called Killed by Google, which includes classic Google fails like Google Glass as well as new casualties.

Most recently, Google decided to shut down its Dark Web Report, which gave Google users a heads-up if any of their personal information ever surfaced on the dark web. This service just launched in 2024, and it could have been a useful, common-sense cybersecurity tool.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

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As the holidays approach, it is time to reflect. On how we've spent the year? On how we want to better ourselves or the world in the year ahead? Uh, sure. But I meant on which horror movies hit us the hardest.

2025 was a booming time for horror. Cinema titans like Ryan Coogler, Danny Boyle, and Guillermo del Toro brought fresh excitement to the genre, by bending it with tales twisted and compelling that went beyond the staunch idea of "horror." Indie filmmakers brought out grisly tales of grief, love, and codependency, bringing fresh blood to subgenres like psycho-biddy thrillers, body horror, and haunted house stories.

Remakes of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Wolf Man reimagined classics, while sequels like Final Destinations Bloodlines, I Know What You Did Last Summer, M3GAN 2.0, The Black Phone 2, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Five Nights at Freddy's 2, and 28 Years Later invited us back into frightening yet familiar realms. Simply put, so many horror movies came to theaters and streaming that even with a list of 25 of the best, a bunch of solid entries didn't make the cut. But did your frightening faves?

Here are Mashable's top 25 horror movies of 2025, and where to see them.

25. Together

My expectations were sky-high for Together, as critics began buzzing about it out of Sundance last January. Real-life spouses Dave Franco and Alison Brie star as a couple on the brink of breaking up in this body-horror offering. He's a musician, struggling in drive and follow-through. She's a teacher whose work pulls them away from the city and the friends they know. So, while she's got a new job and new friends, he's spiraling, freaking out about their future — and a bizarre and very local missing persons case.

SEE ALSO: 'Together' review: Dave Franco and Alison Brie get grossly close in a body-horror nightmare

If you've seen the teaser posters or the trailers, you know that writer/director Michael Shanks takes the fear of codependency to a flesh-melting place. Yup, these two are drawn to each other in ways deeply gross. But for all the critics' praise, Together felt tame coming in the wake of the truly audacious body horror that was The Substance. Still, if you're craving something sick and sickening, it should entertain.

Starring: Dave Franco and Alison Brie

How to watch: Together is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

24. Shelby Oaks

Watching writer/director Chris Stuckmann's Shelby Oaks, horror lovers will easily spot influences from The Blair Witch Project, Lake Mungo, Barbarian, and more. But rather than making this religious horror film feel derivative, it gives its lore a meta echo of authenticity. In a sense, Shelby Oaks feels like it exists in the same world as those movies without ever directly referencing them.

The film centers on a determined woman named Mia (a riveting Camille Sullivan) who's been searching for her missing sister Riley (a haunted Sarah Durn) for 12 years. Shelby Oaks plays at times like a faux documentary recounting the clues of the case, but soon slides into a more traditionally narrative film as Mia's quest to find Riley reignites after an inexplicable visit and resulting violence. As she follows her sister's last known steps in the ghost town of Shelby Oaks, things get darker and more twisted. And it's a devilish final act that will have horror lovers giddy.

In his review out of the Fantasia International Film Festival, Mashable contributor Jason Adams wrote, "It's twisty as hell, bears some ace performances, and truly gifts audiences with some very sticky and very spooky images. Most of all, it marks the emergence of a horror filmmaker worth keeping an eye on."

Starring: Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Keith David, Sarah Durn, Derek Mears, Emily Bennett, Charlie Talbert, Robin Bartlett, and Michael Beach

How to watch: Shelby Oaks is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

23. Death of a Unicorn

The directorial debut of writer/helmer Alex Scharfman presents a deranged reimagining of unicorns. Instead of portraying them as glorious, glittery creatures of light and innocence, Death of a Unicorn presents them as bloodthirsty, beefy beasts, capable of mind-blowing violence. But to be fair, they have their reasons.

Paul Rudd stars in this horror comedy as a Elliot, sniveling lawyer desperate to reconnect with his college-attending daughter (Jenna Ortega). But on their way to visit the mountain estate of the Leopolds — a family dynasty of wealthy pharmaceutical execs —  Elliot accidentally hits a baby unicorn with his car. Before you can say "Sackler," the Leopolds are scheming a way to turn baby unicorn blood into a profitable new product. And let's just say the unicorn's parents are not pleased. A gruesome rampage will follow.

SEE ALSO: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega and the 'Death of a Unicorn' cast reveal when their minds were utterly blown

While critics were mixed on this wild ride, I wrote in my review, "Death of a Unicorn is a monster movie that is riotously funny, unapologetically dark, and ultimately heartwarming."

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

How to watch: Death of a Unicorn is now streaming on HBO Max.

22. Queens of the Dead

Tina Romero struts in the footsteps of her late father, George A. Romero, by creating a zombie movie that pays tribute to his Night of the Living Dead movies, but through a determinedly comedic and queer lens.

Queens of the Dead follows the hilarious mayhem that breaks out when a zombie contagion hits Bushwick's queer night club scene. Katy O'Brian headlines as a party promoter who's given her blood sweat and tears to build a safe space to dance, flirt, and revel. But when an undead drag queen hits the dance floor, her life is also on the line. Offering a mindful and willfully silly array of queer archetypes, Queens of the Dead is a movie by queer horror fans for queer horror fans. Or as I put in my review, "Drenched in neon, steeped in attitude, and radiant with queer joy, this movie is beyond fine; it's fierce, funny, and fabulous."*

SEE ALSO: 'Queens of the Dead' director Tina Romero reveals why Santa scares her more

Starring: Katy O'Brian, Jaquel Spivey, Riki Lindhome, Jack Haven, Cheyenne Jackson, and Margaret Cho

How to watch: Queens of the Dead comes to Shudder on Dec. 19.

21. Lurker

Written and directed by Alex Russell, Lurker is All About Eve for the influencer generation. This psychological thriller follows a young man named Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) who works retail in L.A., but dreams of fame and fortune. So, when he crosses paths with rising music star Oliver (Archie Madekwe), he weasels his way into Oliver's entourage. This gives him a taste of the good life he covets. And he'll do anything to keep it. 

While many movies on this list are celebrated for how surprising they are, Lurker offers a different kind of terror. It's not that the movie is predictable. It's that Russell never hides from how dark his anti-hero's heart is or how blind his ambition. Pellerin is chilling as a sociopathic social climber. So when his eyes lock onto something, it's like watching a shark close in. You know the bite is coming, and your whole body braces for impact.

A gnarly thriller with a keen awareness of the double-edged sword of social media, Lurker will lock you in and leave you sweating.

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

How to watch: Lurker is now streaming on MUBI.

20. The Monkey

The first of two horror movies that Osgood Perkins unleashed this year, The Monkey saw the Longlegs director adapting a Stephen King short story into a bloody cinematic spectacle.

Theo James stars as twin brothers whose lives were drastically changed when they found a toy monkey with a little motorized drum in their missing father's things. It turns out that if you wind the crank, the monkey will kill. But who and how are not for the turner of the crank to control. Many, many, grisly deaths will follow — including one that gives Perkins an unhinged cameo. But there's more to The Monkey than mindless violence. Perkins also weaves dark humor and an engaging message about the unpredictability yet inevitability of death.

As I summarized in my review, "All in all, it’s a vicious and hysterical spectacle of blood and brain matter that’ll make you laugh, gasp, gag, and even think."

Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood

How to watch: The Monkey is streaming on Hulu, and available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

19. Final Destinations Bloodlines

Is this an okay place to admit I've never cared much for the Final Destination movies? Yes, the bizarre death sequences are scary, and that lumber truck one is truly the stuff of nightmares. But the movies themselves got so mean, actively rooting for pretty young people to be stabbed, exploded, or eviscerated, that it got too grim for me.

But when the praise for Final Destinations Bloodlines came flooding in, I reluctantly gave this franchise another shot. And I'm glad I did. Directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein have been delivering thrills since their underseen sci-fi gem Freaks in 2018. With this franchise, they brought in fresh life with new lore, characters actually worth caring about, and some practical effects that make the requisite death scenes truly eye-popping. Next, they'll be working with Chris Columbus on Gremlins 3. So, expect a new batch of wild sequences gift-wrapped with scare-crafting skills.

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

How to watch: Final Destinations Bloodlines is streaming on HBO Max.

18. Sketch

Inspired by his sister's childhood penchant for doodling creepy things, writer/director Seth Worley created a horror movie that's great for getting kids into the genre.

Sketch follows 11-year-old Amber (Bianca Belle), who channels her rage over the death of her mother into a notebook, which she fills with drawings of menacing monsters. When a magical twist of faith brings these carnage-creating critters to life — crayon scribbles, googly eyes and all — it's up to her, her family, and her friends to save the day. And don't fret, comedic character actors Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden keep things light, playing Amber's bewildered dad and impressed aunt.

SEE ALSO: Tony Hale plays 'Say Action,' monster movies edition in honor of 'Sketch'

For more on Sketch, you can check out my review. Or you can consider that I took my nieces to see it in theaters, and they had an absolute blast, happily recounting its jokes and jump scares to anyone who crossed their paths.

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

How to watch: Sketch is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

17. Heart Eyes

If you like your slashers silly, you'll appreciate Heart Eyes, the latest horror comedy from Josh Ruben (Scare Me, Werewolves Within).

This slasher parody is set on Valentine's Day, when, for three years running, the Heart Eyes Killer has stalked cute couples for bloody ends. That shouldn't be a problem for Ally (Olivia Holt), as she's spending this could-be date night on a business dinner with her office rival, Jay (Mason Gooding), and she hates him. But their chemistry is so apparent that even the Heart Eyes Killer clocks it. So to stay alive, they'll need to work together. But can they work against the deadly sexy enemies-to-lovers trope?

As I praised in my review, "Heart Eyes simultaneously has a mean streak and a soft heart, which is rare enough for an entry in the horror genre to feel a little special. Ally and Jay — and Holt and Gooding — are good together, and you're rooting for them not just to survive the night but to make it as a couple. This isn't a swooning romance (unless you're easily grossed out and likely to faint), but it's sweet enough when it counts to balance out the ickier bits."

Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster

How to watch: Heart Eyes is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Keeper

Osgood Perkins delivered a double whammy to horror fans this year, offering not only his wild adaptation of Stephen King's The Monkey but also the original horror film Keeper.

Tatiana Maslany stars in this trippy thriller as a painter who reluctantly agrees to go on a weekend getaway to the family cabin of her boyfriend Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland). But shortly after they arrive, she senses something is just off. Maybe it's the creepy cousin (Birkett Turton) who drops by with a bored party girl (Eden Weiss). Perhaps it's the strange chocolate cake that just appeared on a table, inviting yet off-putting. Where this story — from Dangerous Animals screenwriter Nick Lepard — will go is impossible to predict. But that's part of the fun.

As I declared in my review, "Perkins walks us into a nightmare, baking tension and unhinged treats with sickening sound effects, spectacular creature design, and a smartly savage script. Maslany is our guide, trusted and terrific, radiating strength and vulnerability in a rapturous performance. In a year of killer horror like Sinners and 28 Years Later, Perkins has made his mark with this sly, sickening, and sophisticated thriller."

Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Rossif Sutherland, Birkett Turton, and Eden Weiss

How to watch: Keeper is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

15. Dust Bunny

After giving audiences such sensational (and sensationally twisted) shows as Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal, Bryan Fuller makes his feature directorial debut with a monster movie that feels like Amélie meets Léon: The Professional.

The story centers on a young girl (Sophie Sloan), plagued by the monster (a massive dust bunny) under her bed. So, naturally, she looks for a hitman to take care of the creature. Lucky for her, there's one living in her building. And he's played by Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen. The result is a monster movie that is whimsical, gnarly, thrilling, and fun.

In my review, I wrote, "Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy."

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver

How to watch: Dust Bunny is now in theaters.

14. Companion

Written and directed by Drew Hancock, Companion is a horror movie, and much, much more. For one thing, it begins like a romantic comedy, with Iris (Sophie Thatcher) recounting her meet-cute with her beloved boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid). But the tone changes when this couple joins his friends for a weekend getaway at a remote mountain cabin. There, one friend snarls at Iris, while another pushes her well out of her comfort zone. When a misunderstanding leads to a corpse, a big reveal pitches Companion away from romance (but not comedy) and well into horror terrain, with some sci-fi flair.

As I declared in my review, it's "a deranged delight," and it just might be perfect for date night... as a litmus test.

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend

How to watch: Companion is now streaming on HBO Max.

13. The Rule of Jenny Pen

Psycho-biddy thrillers have long been the domain of women, specifically mad women whose tenuous grip on reality and penchant for violence made them icons of psychological horror. But now, joining the ranks of films like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, and Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? — comes The Rule of Jenny Penn, fronted by two formidable leading men.

SEE ALSO: John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush reveal their character inspirations for 'The Rule of Jenny Pen'

Set in a retirement facility, this nerve-wrenching film stars Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow as two residents in a vicious game of power. For decades, Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush) was respected, even feared. But following a near-fatal stroke, he's as threatening as a kitten. For Dave Crealy (Lithgow), this makes the feeble judge little more than a plaything for his sick bullying, enhanced by a creepy baby doll he calls Jenny Pen.

Beyond an intense battle of wills, The Rule of Jenny Pen is a horror movie about the indignities of aging. As I wrote in my review, "Like in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? someone will lose this battle of wills, but no one will win. And in that, The Rule of Jenny Pen leaves us with a harrowing final image, simple yet unforgettable. In the end, The Rule of Jenny Pen becomes not just a frightening warning but also a haunting call for empathy — a memento mori of sorts, reminding the viewer, 'As I am, you will be.'"

Starring: John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, and George Henare

How to watch: The Rule of Jenny Pen is streaming on Hulu, AMC+ and Shudder, and available for rental or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

12. A Useful Ghost

One of the most surprising films I saw in 2025 was this treasure out of Thailand. The premise amused me: A ghost tries to be of use by possessing a vacuum cleaner. But I could not imagine how writer/director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke would spin that kooky setup into something hilarious, heartfelt, and thought-provoking.

Far from a scary story, A Useful Ghost is a comedy with some deeply dark turns. It begins when a self-proclaimed "Academic Ladyboy" (Wisarut Homhuan) realizes his new vacuum is coughing up dust at night. He calls a repairman, who instead of just fixing the machine, explains there's a ghost in it. What follows is this hot repairman named Krong (Wanlop Rungkumjad) unfurling a complex saga of two ghosts who'd thrown themselves into vacuums to stay close to their lovers. Within this, a story of love, manipulation, politics, and historical tragedy unfold.

In my review out of the Toronto International Film Festival, I wrote, "With A Useful Ghost, Boonbunchachoke delivers a a delirious vision, a hilarious and thought-provoking comedy that demands to be seen and adored. It's just phenomenal."

Starring: Davika Hoorne, Witsarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wanlop Rungkumjad, and Wisarut Homhuan

How to watch: A Useful Ghost opens in theaters on Jan. 16.

11. Bone Lake

At first glance, Bone Lake looks pretty stupid. The title could either mean a lake full of the remains of the dead, or a scenic place for sexual shenanigans. And in director Mercedes Bryce Morgan's randy thriller, it is both, and giddily and gruesomely so.

Bone Lake is a slasher movie with a pitch-black sense of humor. It opens with the merciless slaughter of a couple running totally nude through a forest. It's a cold open that doesn't play coy with the unapologetically graphic nature of the film. But the script from Joshua Friedlander proves smarter than you might expect. For one thing, vacationing couple Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi) aren't dummies. When they realize their rented lake house has been double-booked with the young and flirty Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), the possibility of infidelity and waves of relationship issues is clear from the jump. But the drive to be polite and feign cool is so strong that it's easy to fall into the flow of this slippery-slope thriller.

As I pointed out in my review, "Bone Lake is the rare horror movie that relishes in the trashier aspects of the genre, swooning over sordid sex and grisly violence, but also manages to be cheeky and smart. It'll pull you to the edge of your seat and have you cackling, yelling at the screen, and gasping in delicious shock. Hot, horrifying, funny, and surprising, Bone Lake is a total banger."

Starring: Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi, Alex Roe, and Andra Nechita

How to watch: Bone Lake is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

10. Hallow Road

One of our favorites out of SXSW, Hallow Road is a sickeningly tense thriller that preys on your imagination with its clever conceit. Presented in real time, this film from Babak Anvari (Under the Shadow and Wounds) centers on a couple of parents piling in a car and racing to their child in need. Rather that cutting between their crying 18-year-old daughter Alice and her frantic mother (Rosamund Pike) and father (Matthew Rhys), the screenplay by William Gillies keeps us planted firmly in their car. The only contact we have with the girl is over the phone.

I walked into this movie at SXSW with little idea of what was in store. And that was a terrific way to experience Hallow Road. So, rather than reveal anything else about the plot or why it's so damn scary, I'll just share this from my review, "I can tell you without spoilers that Anvari's direction is masterful. Though confined to the car, the cinematography of Kit Fraser brings energy through whip pans between parents, and a very tight close-up hovering over a wide-eyed stare of horror, as they can see only the road ahead of them but can hear something strange on the other end of the line. Pike and Rhys lean into this claustrophobic energy, guzzling up all the air in the car with their combativeness, resentments, and agony. And the soundscape of Alice's tinny voice over the phone colliding with curious sounds in the forest around her are so genuinely frightening that I full-on screamed. Twice."

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Matthew Rhys, and Megan McDonnell

How to watch: Hallow Road is coming soon to digital.

9. Dangerous Animals

A deliciously biting thriller. Dangerous Animals reimagines action hero Jai Courtney as a menacing serial killer whose weapon of choice is sharks. You read that right. Sharks.

SEE ALSO: Say More: Jai Courtney on 'Dangerous Animals' and how his career led here

Penned by Nick Lepard (Keeper) and helmed by Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones), Dangerous Animals follows a free-spirited surfer named Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), who is thrown into mortal peril when she crosses paths with a shark tours captain named Tucker (Courtney). A sadistic game of cat and mouse follows, as she seeks a way off his boat that won't end with her in a shark's jaws. And while the plot can get a bit convoluted, Courtney's sublimely scary performance makes this one a must-see.

As I noted in my review, "Jai Courtney is a rip-roaring force of nature in Dangerous Animals."

Starring: Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke, and Jai Courtney

How to watch: Dangerous Animals is now streaming on Shudder.

8. Good Boy

The premise of Good Boy is downright brilliant: a dog in a haunted house. The scares we've come to expect from ghost movies, but the tension cranked up by putting a sweet dog at the center of the story, threatened by a supernatural viciousness.

Married collaborators Ben Leonberg and Kari Fischer created Good Boy by building a movie around their lovable dog, Indy. In my review out of the film's SXSW premiere, I raved, "Beyond being a scary-as-hell watch for dog lovers, Good Boy has a built-in allure as Indy is just a star from his first frame. His dark eyes, floppy ears, and sweet expression make him instantly lovable. But more than that, he is so game for whatever Leonberg directs him to do. Staying and staring into an eerie abyss? Jumping into action? Reacting to a burst of blood? Racing to Todd to protect him? Indy is a good boy, through and through."

This is smart and skillful indie (and Indy) filmmaking you don't want to miss. And hey, if you need to know before you hit play if the dog dies, we've got you covered.

Starring: Indy, Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, and Larry Fessenden

How to watch: Good Boy is now streaming on Shudder.

7. Bring Her Back

First, filmmaking duo Danny and Michael Philippou awed critics and horror fans with their haunted-hand hit Talk to Me. Next, they returned with this gnarly psycho-biddy horror offering starring two-time Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins. This nail-biting film is so intense that it might well have you gagging, covering your eyes, or experiencing some hard-won catharsis. Probing further into grief, the Philippou brothers explore how the unmooring feeling of mourning can make the world around us feel unreal, hostile, and strange.

SEE ALSO: Say More: Danny and Michael Philippou on 'Bring Her Back'

In Bring Her Back, Hawkins stars as a foster mom named Laura, who takes in orphans like Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and siblings Piper (Sora Wong) and Andy (Billy Barratt). But despite Laura's chipper mumsy demeanor, 17-year-old Andy realizes something is off in her remote forest home. But can he stop the hell that's coming?

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Bring Her Back is extraordinary. For those who found Talk to Me sensationally scary, this follow-up will thrill with its deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror. But the Philippous went deeper, presenting a character-driven drama with flares of psycho-biddy and religious horror. That heady combination not only makes for a satisfyingly scary as hell movie, but also a profound one."

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

How to watch: Bring Her Back is now streaming on HBO Max, and available for rental or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

6. Presence

Steven Soderbergh's Presence had me hooked from its first shot. Reteaming with Kimi screenwriter David Koepp, the celebrated director and cinematographer tackled a fascinating idea: What if a ghost story was told from the POV of the spirit?

Shot by Soderbergh in first-person perspective, Presence puts audiences in the floating shoes of a ghost that's haunting a suburban house, with no idea why. Through this lens, we watch a family drama unfold, where a workaholic mother (Lucy Liu) coddles her bratty jock son (Eddy Maday), while a concerned father (Chris Sullivan) struggles to connect to his teen daughter (Callina Liang), who is grieving the unexpected death of a friend.

SEE ALSO: 'Presence's Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp on ghosts, horror, and hating winks

"Presence is a remarkable union of a clever concept and a superb execution," I wrote in my review, "Soderbergh's steady hand is so mindful in its performance that you can practically feel the expressions of a face you cannot see. The cast expertly builds a believable and complex family bond while effortlessly completing choreographed blocking. And Koepp delivers a final act that is stomach-churningly tense yet tender. All of this collides to make a sublimely realized ghost story that is easily one of the best films of the year." 

Starring: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, and Julia Fox

How to watch: Presence is now streaming on Hulu.

5. Weapons

Like Jordan Peele before him, Zach Cregger took a hard turn from sketch comedy — as a member of Whitest Kids U' Know — to horror director with a jaw-dropping vision of terror. In 2022, he gave us the deeply twisted Barbarian. And this year, he gifted us the perfectly witchy icon in Weapons' Gladys (Amy Madigan).

In this deeply creepy tale of 17 children vanishing into the night, the focus leaps from one character to another, eerily unfolding the mystery at the heart of this missing persons case. A tormented teacher, a furious father, a bewildered principal, a cranky cop, and an unhoused goofball will collide in ways wild and unpredictable.

As Belen Edwards wrote in her review of the film, "Elsewhere, elements of body horror and the psycho-biddy subgenre surface, with Cregger happy to alternate between heart attack-inducing jump scares and slower burn frights at a moment's notice. Occasionally, Weapons undercuts its own terrors with well-placed comedic beats, offering us catharsis amidst the ever-escalating mayhem. When Josh Brolin yells, 'What the fuck?' after an especially distressing encounter, we're right there with him."

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

How to watch: Weapons is now streaming on HBO Max.

4. The Ugly Stepsister

2025 kicked off hard for horror offerings with The Ugly Stepsister, which scored rave reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival. A fractured fairytale, the film from writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt plays like the grubby baby of Wicked and The Substance.

Cinderella is reimagined as a gnarly body-horror movie that focuses on the heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Within this twist in perspective, Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique. Be warned: This one isn't for the faint of stomach.

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'The Ugly Stepsister': Film critics weigh in on what's worth watching and what's skippable

In my review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment but aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful."* 

Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, and Malte Gårdinger

How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Shudder.

3. Frankenstein

Frankenstein is the monster movie Guillermo del Toro was born to make. The heralded filmmaker behind Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and the Oscar–winning wonder of The Shape of Water poured his heart and soul into this stirring adaptation of Mary Shelley's landmark 1818 novel. Pulling from his passion for monsters and from his personal life, del Toro makes this not just a story of mankind and monsters but also fathers and sons.

Oscar Isaac stars as the titular doctor, a mad scientist determined to overcome his childhood trauma of losing his mother (Mia Goth) by resurrecting an exquisite corpse (Jacob Elordi). However, this creature proves more than a science project or a pet. He yearns to grow, learn, and love. But in a world that cannot understand him, his quest will be violent and heartbreaking.

In my review out of TIFF, I proclaimed, "As a whole, del Toro's Frankenstein is a marvel. His vision is clear and mesmerizing. His ensemble is electrifying. His adaptation is unique, soulful, and unforgettable. The man who loves monsters has just made his masterpiece: It's rich, rapturous, and ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be human, with all of our glory and our flaws."

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz

How to watch: Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.

2. 28 Years Later

23 years ago, director Danny Boyle rewrote the rules of zombie movies with his hit thriller 28 Days Later. This year, he reteamed with the first film's screenwriter, Alex Garland, to resurrect this frightening franchise with a sequel that basically shrugs off Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's schlocky follow-up 28 Weeks Later. And we're elated for it.

28 Years Later evolves this film series in ways both epic and gloriously horrifying. Centered on the coming-of-age of an adolescent boy named Spike (Alfie Williams) in a post-apocalyptic Scotland, this sequel delivers heart-wrenching family drama, intriguing lore, and a harrowing evolutions of the infected persons, including monstrous beasts known as Alphas. Perhaps the scariest single sequence of 2025 is when this towering terror races after Spike and his desperate dad (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), while a gorgeous twilight shines behind them. Its beauty in contrast to their peril reflects the indifference of the wider world, which has left the UK to fend for themselves against these marauding monsters.

Rich with earnest and intense performances, jaw-dropping gore, and nerve-shredding tension, 28 Years Later isn't just an epic horror film — it counts as cardio.

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

How to watch: 28 Years Later is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Sinners

Not just one of the best horror movies of 2025, but one of the best movies of 2025 full stop, Sinners is a celebration of genre and cinema. Writer/director Ryan Coogler reimagined vampire lore as a way to explore what it means to be young, Black, and gifted in America.

Michael B. Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, Black gangsters turned juke joint proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious white vampire (Jack O'Connell) thirsty for the blood of their magical bluesman, Sammie (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). The character-building in this 1932-set period piece is rich, developing emotional plotlines of love, loss, and injustice. Supporting cast like Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo had audiences cheering — in packed 70mm IMAX audiences and online. So, by the time O'Connell shows up, you might have been so entranced by this deep Southern drama you'd forgotten vampires were even going to be a part of it. But he proves to be a unique and mesmerizing monster, earning awe and screams in equal measure.

Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. In my review of the film, I wrote, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable."

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, Lola Kirke, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: Sinners is now streaming on HBO Max, and available for rental or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Netflix has a vast library of movies to choose from, including comedies, action movies, true crime documentaries, and thrillers. But so many choices can be overwhelming. What if all you know is you want to see something good and new? Well, we've got you covered.

Mashable's Entertainment team has dedicatedly watched the best (and worst) Netflix has to offer. From this, we've curated the ten best Netflix original movies of 2025. Whether you want mind-bending sci-fi, nerve-rattling suspense, heart-warming comedy, mind-blowing animated adventures, toe-tapping musicals, or soul-shivering horror, you'll find something worth watching (and even rewatching) below.

Here are the best Netflix movies of 2025.

20. The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

The Witcher fans were gifted another animated film this year, helping ease the wait between seasons of the live-action Netflix series. Directed by The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf's Kang Hei Chul and animated by South Korea's Studio MIR, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep sent us on a deep seaside quest into a looming war between humans and merpeople, based on The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski's short story "A Little Sacrifice."

SEE ALSO: How 'The Witcher' Season 4 hard launches Liam Hemsworth as Geralt

Unexpectedly for The Witcher universe, Sirens of the Deep mirrors Disney's version of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale The Little Mermaid, but with incredibly violent and thrilling animated action. Sadly, the romance scenes are deeply awkward. However, in a treat for fans that makes it worthwhile, the film sees Doug Cockle, who voiced Geralt of Rivia in the games, returning to the role, alongside Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra, who played bard Jaskier and sorcerer Yennefer in the TV show. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, and Christina Wren

How to watch: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Back in Action

Aptly titled, Back in Action not only refers to the plotline of this charming espionage comedy but also the return of its stars to the spotlight.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz co-star as a couple of spies who fake their deaths to flee their dangerous jobs once they learn they've got a baby on the way. Cut to 15 years later, when they're middle-aged with a cozy suburban life that's interrupted by an unexpected visit from some former colleagues. To keep their kids safe, they'll need to go on one more mission. And things get pretty zany — and yeah, corny too. But there's an undeniable pleasure in watching Diaz and Foxx bounce off each other's energy.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz. Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close

How to watch: Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Delicious

If you loved Parasite or Knives Out, you'll appreciate the dark humor at play in Delicious, an eat-the-rich movie out of Germany.

Written and directed by Nele Mueller-Stöfen, Delicious follows a German family of four on their annual retreat to their luxurious French villa. Arriving in the midst of a protest, these tourists shrug off the political unrest, lounging about and leaving out their dirty dishes because their usual maid is away. Lucky, then, that they run into experienced maid Teodora (Carla Díaz) — not so lucky it's with their car.

Despite this rocky start, Teodora gets close to each family member, tapping into their deepest desires and fears. Pretty early on, you may figure out what she and her rebellious friends in service are up to. But that doesn't take away from this movie's biting climax. — K.P.

Starring: Valerie Pachner, Fahri Yardım, Carla Díaz, and Naila Schuberth

How to watch: Delicious is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Nonnas

Speaking of delicious, this comedy written by Liz Maccie and directed by her husband Stephen Chbosky will have you craving a home-cooked Italian meal.

SEE ALSO: Vince Vaughn shows us the healing power of family recipes in 'Nonnas'

Inspired by a true story of the restaurant Enoteca Maria, Nonnas stars Vince Vaughn as an average Joe who channels his grief over losing his mother and grandmother into a tantalizing new venture. He uses his inheritance to build a restaurant in Staten Island, and hires Italian grandmothers (aka nonnas) to become the chefs using their family recipes. Personalities clash, but ultimately these strong-willed women come together to create something stupendous.

It's a feel-good comedy full of love, joy, and laughs. — K.P.

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon

How to watch: Nonnas is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Plankton: The Movie

Can't get enough of SpongeBob SquarePants? Well, Netflix is dedicated to bringing fresh fun to the pineapple under the sea. In 2024, the streaming service premiered Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and this year brings the debut of Plankton: The Movie.

Mr. Krabs' pint-sized nemesis has long been dedicated to wicked schemes and Krabby Patty recipe heists. But it turns out that all that focusing on his wicked mission has left his robot wife Karen feeling unfulfilled! So, how does she get back at her spouse for his out-of-whack work-life balance? She boots him and aims to take over the world herself. As she runs amok, he must team up with SpongeBob to repair his marriage — and save Bikini Bottom from her wrath while they're at it.

This daffy animated comedy directed by Dave Needham is an absolute hoot for SpongeBob fans of all ages. Cue it up for a family movie night! — K.P.

Starring: Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass

How to watch: Plankton: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix.

15. USS Callister: Into Infinity

Okay, technically Black Mirror's USS Callister: Into Infinity is a TV episode, not a movie. But since it's feature-length, and since it's way better than much of Netflix's other 2025 film fare (looking at you, Electric State!), it more than deserves this spot.

SEE ALSO: 'Black Mirror's Jimmi Simpson on his favorite episodes, the big 'USS Callister: Into Infinity' reveal, and more

Black Mirror's first official sequel episode, Into Infinity picks up in the wake of Season 4's USS Callister. Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) and the rest of the spaceship's crew are now fighting for their lives within the video game Infinity. And their in-game actions are drawing the suspicion of Infinity's real-world players. Nanette will have to reconnect with her outside self and Infinity head James Walton (Jimmi Simpson), sparking uneasy alliances and game-changing reveals about the nature of Infinity itself.

The result isn't as strong as the original USS Callister, but watching Black Mirror channel both Star Wars and Fortnite is oodles of fun — not to mention a delightful palate cleanser after Black Mirror Season 7's bleaker offerings. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Milanka Brooks, Osy Ikhile, Paul G. Raymond, and Jesse Plemons

How to watch: USS Callister: Into Infinity is now streaming on Netflix.

14. The Quilters

Jenifer McShane's The Quilters is a hidden treasure on Netflix. This award-winning documentary short film takes viewers behind the walls of a maximum-security prison in Missouri, where incarcerated men are finding a road to redemption one quilt at a time.

In a small room, buzzing with the sound of sewing machines and the cutting of fabric, they gather to create incredible crafts for a good cause. Each quilt they make is donated to a foster kid in the surrounding counties. Each quilt is a chance for these people — many convicted of violent crimes — to discover their creative side and to give something back. Their story is marvelously heart-warming, and incredibly feels thorough even with a 33-minute runtime! — K.P.

How to watch: The Quilters is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Fixed

Animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack) delivers an outrageous comedy with his extremely NSFW new film, Fixed. The movie centers on a dog named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine), who learns he's about to be neutered. With that awful news hanging over his head, he embarks on one last night of debauchery with his doggie friends — and his balls.

Those balls are on full display throughout the film, which leaves little about dog genitalia (or dogs' sex lives) to the imagination. (If you've ever clamored for the Cats "butthole cut," then Fixed is for you.) The movie only ups the crassness from there, but it also sprinkles in some surprisingly touching discoveries about friendship and self-esteem.

As I wrote in my review, Fixed features "an earnest, sweet message in a purposefully crude package, and one that leaves room for more character development and self-discovery than Fixed's initial premise may have you think."* — B.E.

Starring: Adam DeVine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Bobby Moynihan, Michelle Buteau, River Gallo, Grey DeLisle, and Aaron LaPlante

How to watch: Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.

12. A House of Dynamite

What if you had 19 minutes before nuclear war kicked off? What could you possibly do to stop it? Or, failing that, what unfinished business would you want to tackle? This is the nauseating question at the center of A House of Dynamite. Academy Award–winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) teams with Zero Day writer Noah Oppenheim — and an all-star cast — to show what it might look like if one of the United States' enemies launched a missile at one of our nation's major cities.

Boasting a star-studded cast, this ensemble drama pitches audiences from politicians to military leaders to intelligence officers and the president (Idris Elba) all trying to make the most of those 19 minutes. Told in three chapters, the 19 minutes replay again and again from different perspectives, illuminating for civilians what an American response to such nuclear aggression could look like. But be warned, this movie will give you anything but a happy ending.* — K.P.

Starring: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke

How to watch: House of Dynamite is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Thursday Murder Club

Based on the popular mystery novel by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club focuses on a quartet of pensioners who use their diverse set of skills to solve cold cases over tea and cake.

This cozy crime comedy stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie as the eponymous club, which sets out to solve a decades-old murder but finds fresh blood. In a resplendent retirement community in England, this dynamic foursome crack jokes as they crack into the case with the help of local police and some unsavory suspects.

If you loved the book, you'll relish director Chris Columbus' earnest adaptation. If you haven't read the books, use this as your launchpad to get into a series that of novels that is downright addictive!* — K.P.

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Paul Freeman, Sarah Niles, and Ingrid Oliver

How to watch: The Thursday Murder Club is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Steve

Max Porter's novella Shy is adapted into a movie ensemble drama with Steve. Cillian Murphy stars as the eponymous teacher who's on a first-name basis with his students, rowdy teen boys who are seeking a second chance at a remote reform school in rural England.

As I wrote in my review out of TIFF, "Steve offers complicated portraits of the troubled youth in a reform school, and the grown-ups assigned to their care. The resulting film is an emotional roller coaster and a call to action, demanding its audience rethink their views of such schools and those within them."

It's a feel-good film overall. But for potential trigger warnings on sensitive topics, please check out our full review.* — K.P.

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo (Little Simz), and Emily Watson

How to watch: Steve is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Train Dreams

Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella comes to life in Train Dreams, Netflix's moving historical drama from Sing Sing collaborators Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley. Running from 1917 to 1968, the film follows railroad worker Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) through life in 20th-century America, weaving history through Robert's personal triumphs and tragedies.

As I wrote in my review, "It's a slow-going, sombre film at times, a historical essay at others, and it won't be everyone's cup of sarsaparilla. However, the true heart of this moving film is a subtle, sensitive performance by Joel Edgerton, one immersed in Bryce Dessner's meticulous score and Adolpho Veloso's lush cinematography, and concluded with the unmistakable spirit of Nick Cave."* — S.C.

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy

How to watch: Train Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Nouvelle Vague

Richard Linklater goes full French New Wave in Nouvelle Vague, an homage to director Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless. The film chronicles the making of Breathless, from Godard's (Guillaume Marbeck) first pleas to direct a film to the casting of Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch) and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin). It also taps into the chaos of the shoot, much of which was improvised over a 20-day period.

SEE ALSO: 'Nouvelle Vague' review: Richard Linklater's tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and 'Breathless' is good vibes only

Nouvelle Vague is as loving a tribute to Breathless as can be, with Linklater shooting in black and white and a 4:3 aspect ratio to emphasize the French New Wave feel. Occasionally, Linklater's reverence can get in Nouvelle Vague's own way, as it feels like he's checking off film history boxes. Where Nouvelle Vague really excels is the downtime between shooting, which is thankfully most of the movie.

As I wrote in my review, "Nouvelle Vague proves a sweet tribute to an influential film movement, one that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're a French New Wave fan, come for the Breathless tributes, but stay for the hangout vibes."* — B.E.

Starring: Guillaume Marbeck, Zoey Deutch, and Aubry Dullin

How to watch: Nouvelle Vague is now streaming on Netflix.

7. In Your Dreams

Netflix goes to dreamland in In Your Dreams, a charming animated adventure directed by Pixar alum Alex Woo. The film introduces siblings Stevie (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (voiced by Elias Janssen), who go on a quest through their dreams to find the Sandman (voiced by Omid Djalili). Legend has it that he can grant a wish, and Stevie and Elliot's is that he can fix their parents' (voiced by Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti) strained marriage, so they can be a happy family again.

In Your Dreams is chock-full of playful creations, from the delectable landscape of Breakfast Town to Elliot's riotous stuffed animal companion Baloney Tony (voiced by Craig Robinson). But it's the focus on parental conflict — and Stevie and Elliot's reaction to it — that truly makes In Your Dreams special.

As I wrote in my review, "None of In Your Dreams' dreamland chaos would mean anything if it wasn't rooted in Stevie and Elliot's anxieties about their parents' marriage, which the film portrays with unflinching honesty... It's a thoughtful, mature portrayal of how parents can grow distant yet still love each other."* — B.E.

Starring: Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Gia Carides, Omid Djalili, and SungWon Cho

How to watch: In Your Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Cheese-loving inventor Wallace (voiced by Ben Whitehead) and his trusty beagle Gromit make a triumphant return in Aardman and Netflix's Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which received a 2025 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Vengeance Most Fowl sees Wallace and Gromit face off with a foe from their past, The Wrong Trousers villain Feathers McGraw. Now behind bars, this dastardly penguin's got a scheme to take down Wallace and Gromit once and for all — one that involves an army of evil smart gnomes and a zoo prison break.

SEE ALSO: 'Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' review: A delightful romp with an anti-AI streak

What follows is classic Wallace & Gromit. Incredible Claymation set pieces and Rube Goldberg-esque inventions abound, all held together by the sweet yet comedic interplay between the oblivious Wallace and the hyper-competent Gromit. But it's the film's stand against AI — represented here by smart gnome Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith) — that lends it an especially fresh edge, one that emphasizes the loving craft that goes into every Wallace & Gromit film. As I wrote in my review, "When you're watching Vengeance Most Fowl, or any stop-motion animated movie, you're keenly aware that you're watching the culmination of years' worth of effort... That appreciation of effort and process is something no speedy Norbot or other AI could give you, and Vengeance Most Fowl rightfully wants you to know that." — B.E.

Starring: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, and Reece Shearsmith

How to watch: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Left-Handed Girl

Netflix has such flashy, star-studded fare that Left-Handed Girl might be easy to overlook. But don't miss out, because this coming-of-age story is uniquely tender, funny, and tense. Additionally, a prestigious indie filmmaker had a hand in its creation, and it has some Oscar potential of its own. This is the solo directorial debut of Taiwanese American filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou, who is a longtime collaborator with Oscar–winning writer/director Sean Baker (Anora). Tsou and Baker co-wrote the screenplay, and Baker also edited and produced the film. Left-Handed Girl, which has been selected as the Taiwanese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, feels like a sister film to Baker's The Florida Project, which followed a young girl and her single mom who find joy while living in poverty. 

Left-Handed Girl follows a family of three — a mom and her two daughters — as they move to Taipei for a new life. Working at a noodle shop stall in the night market, they swiftly become part of the community. But temptations for cheap thrills and sticky-fingered fun are everywhere, and could irrevocably harm the girls' reputations. While there's dramatic and tragic turns in this drama, its ending is ultimately uplifting, reflecting the earnest humanity that Baker's known for. Don't overlook it.* — K.P.

Starring: Janel Tsai, Shih-Yuan Ma, Nina Ye, Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Xin-Yan Chao

How to watch: Left-Handed Girl is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Wake Up Dead Man

Writer/director Rian Johnson returns with his third installment of the Knives Out franchise. And this time, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is going gothic.

Set in a decaying church, Wake Up Dead Man follows the impossible case of a Monsignor (Josh Brolin) murdered in an empty room. His most loyal parishioners are all suspects, as is the new priest (Josh O'Connor), who's been seen publicly quarreling with the late Monsignor. Beyond unearthing motives and secrets, Blanc and an unlikely ally will also have to mine the local lore and religious superstitions to uncover the killer.

As I cheered in my review out of TIFF, "Ultimately, like the Benoit Blanc mysteries that came before it, Wake Up Dead Man is sharply written, passionately brought to life, and thoughtfully built, with allusions galore in its costumes, characters, novels, lore, and more."

Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church

How to watch: Wake Up Dead Man comes to Netflix on Dec. 12.

3. KPop Demon Hunters

Officially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack that's gone platinum.

Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans begin their enthralling musical with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as the girl group thinks they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own.

The Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill. And hey, there's a sing-along version too. What more could we ask for? How about a sequel?* — K.P.

Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun

How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Jay Kelly

"George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly," I wrote in my NYFF review of Noah Baumbach's latest.

In a bit of masterful casting, Baumbach has Clooney play a world-famous movie star who is unflappably charming and a bit of a buffoon. Thus, when Jay Kelly (Clooney) is faced with a mid-life crisis, he orders his entourage to follow him on an impromptu European tour, where he hopes to find solace in his cinematic legacy while reconnecting with his daughters. This makes for an ensemble comedy that's as hilarious and smart as it is star-stuffed. As I concluded in my review, "In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think."

Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, and Greta Gerwig

How to watch: Jay Kelly is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Frankenstein

Oscar Isaac stars as the titular doctor, a mad scientist determined to overcome his childhood trauma of losing his mother (Mia Goth) by resurrecting an exquisite corpse (Jacob Elordi). However, this creature proves more than a science project or a pet. He yearns to grow, to learn, and to love. But in a world that cannot understand him, his quest will be violent and heartbreaking.

In my review out of TIFF, I proclaimed, "As a whole, [Guillermo] del Toro's Frankenstein is a marvel. His vision is clear and mesmerizing. His ensemble is electrifying. His adaptation is unique, soulful, and unforgettable. The man who loves monsters has just made his masterpiece: It's rich, rapturous, and ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be human, with all of our glory and our flaws." — K.P.

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz

How to watch: Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

In the run-up to the new year, we’re resharing some of our favorite tips from 2025. Create a One-Slide Strategy That Sticks  If your strategy is hard to explain, it’ll be even harder for others to understand and follow. A clear, well-designed visualization can help you get buy-in from employees and investors alike—and make your message far easier to […]

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There’s just a few days left of 2025, and tonight is one of the last Moons of the year. If we're lucky enough to have a cloudless sky, there's plenty we can see when we look up tonight.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Dec. 30, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 79% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, you'll be able to see the Mares Fecunditatis and Serenitatis, and Imbrium. If you add binoculars, you'll also see the Endymion Crater, the Alps Mountains, and the Apennine Mountains. With a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 11 landing spot, the Descartes Highlands, and the Rima Hyginus.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, it takes roughly 29.5 days for the Moon to complete a full cycle, known as the lunar cycle. During this period, the Moon moves through a series of phases as it orbits the Earth. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight illuminating its surface changes over time. This is why the Moon appears fully lit, partially illuminated, or not visible at all at different stages of the cycle. The lunar cycle is divided into eight main phases:

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.

TL;DR: Live stream Tanzania vs. Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage is almost done and dusted, but there are a handful of games left to see out the year and set up the Round of 16.

Today's action sees Tanzania and Tunisia competing in Group C. Tunisia are a decent side, with Premier League player Hannibal Mejri in the squad, so Tanzania enter this final group game as a relative underdog. Be sure to keep your eyes on these final group games as the tournament rolls on in Morocco.

If you want to watch Tanzania vs. Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Tanzania vs. Tunisia?

Tanzania vs. Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Dec. 30. This fixture takes place at Stade Olympique de Rabat.

How to watch Tanzania vs. Tunisia for free

Tanzania vs. Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.

Channel 4 Sport YouTube is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 Sport YouTube to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Tanzania vs. Tunisia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 4 Sport YouTube

5. Watch Tanzania vs. Tunisia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Tanzania vs. Tunisia (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4 Sport YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4 Sport YouTube, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Tanzania vs. Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Benin vs. Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Group D has been one to watch in the early stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations thanks to the presence of the impressive DR Congo and Senegal. Both teams are potential contenders to win the whole tournament.

With superstar player Sadio Mané in the fold, Senegal now have one final test in the group stage — Benin, a team that's not as highly rated but are capable of causing an upset on any given day. However it plays out, this should prove to be an exciting contest.

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If you want to watch Benin vs. Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Benin vs. Senegal?

Benin vs. Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Dec. 30. This fixture takes place at Stade Ibn-Batouta.

How to watch Benin vs. Senegal for free

Benin vs. Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Benin vs. Senegal for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Benin vs. Senegal for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Benin vs. Senegal (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Benin vs. Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you think outside the box a bit.

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.

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.

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: Green ball

• Green: To play cricket

• Blue: World champions

• Purple: Gymnasts

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Make a Shot, In Basketball

• Green: Cricket Equipment

• Blue: Last Four Winners of The Men's World Cup

• Purple: Famous Gymnasts, Minus A Letter

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 #461 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Make a Shot, In Basketball - DRAIN, DRILL, SINK, SWISH

• Cricket Equipment - BAIL, BALL, BAT, STUMP

• Last Four Winners of The Men's World Cup - ARGENTINA, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN

• Famous Gymnasts, Minus A Letter - BILE, CHILE, LE, MILLE

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 yesterday's Connections.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 30, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 30, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 30 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this orange space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this orange space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 30 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 16-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this purple space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this orange space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 30 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this green space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this green space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a frequent flyer.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 30, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Purpose

• Green: Counting instruments

• Blue: Plane intervals

• Purple: Found on a two-wheeler

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Intention

• Green: Measuring devices

• Blue: Parts of a flight

• Purple: Bike accessories

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 #933 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Intention: AIM, GOAL, OBJECT, POINT

• Measuring devices: CLOCK, COMPASS, RULER, SCALE

• Parts of a flight: CLIMB, TAKEOFF, TAXI, TOUCHDOWN

• Bike accessories: BASKET, BELL, RACK, REFLECTOR

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 30, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you keep up with the latest music.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 30, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 30, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: 2025 Top Twenty

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe popular tunes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hit Songs.

NYT Strands word list for December 30

• Daisies

• Abracadabra

• Golden

• Hit Songs

• Manchild

• Ordinary

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love interior design.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 30, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 30, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Interior garnishes.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

DECOR

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 30, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 yesterday's Wordle.

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

A leg.

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

SHANK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To dodge.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ELUDE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A hand covering.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLOVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A shack.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 30 Hurdle Word 4 answer

HOVEL

Final Hurdle hint

Spoken words.

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

QUOTE

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

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