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TL;DR: If you’re looking for tools that don’t require a subscription, snag this lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows can be yours for just $29.97 (reg. $219.99) through Nov. 8.

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Erica Layer, a mom of a 2- and 6-year-old, has an enviable to-do list for her AI agent. 

The busy executive relies on an Instinct agent for low-stakes but time-intensive household tasks like meal planning, calendaring, and birthday reminders. 

"I do get a huge amount of time back," Layer says of delegating to an AI agent. "But also I'm doing the things that I just was dropping completely before."

Still, Layer is conflicted about her agent's persistence. The AI has suggested completing tasks on her behalf without explaining what happens to the data it accesses. Recently, her Instinct agent researched a family trip in Portugal, where she lives, and offered to book train tickets. 

SEE ALSO: 'Not everything needs to be known': How one day with no phone changed my life

The catch? It wanted her kids' passports to make the purchase. Layer runs a fractional AI company, operates her own team of agents professionally, and has taught nearly 100 people to build agentic operating systems. She consulted Instinct's data privacy terms, felt they lacked transparency, and worried about how her data would be used. Layer, who wrote about her experience, made the reservation herself instead.

Mashable attempted to contact Instinct's founder for comment but did not receive a reply as of publication.

Like many parents — particularly moms — Layer is eager for an agent to handle the exhausting aspects of running a household. At the same time, she's unwilling to connect her personal data to a platform without clarity about its policies. 

Parents are poised to be among the earliest adopters of AI agents for their families, yet unclear risks may compromise their personal and sensitive data. Experts say the excitement over agentic products for families is warranted, but that parents should first grasp how to best protect their data. 

"I would love to have this mental load out of my head"

In a few short months, overwhelmed parents in the U.S. suddenly have their pick of agentic products. The September launch of Meta's Muse, reportedly in response to Instinct's early success, sparked instant competition. OpenAI quickly followed with its AI agent Dots, and Anthropic opened a waitlist for its "proactive" agent Claude Duet.  

These products have overshadowed startup offerings like Fambot and Fo, both created by working parents and tech executives turned entrepreneurs. Fambot bills itself as a parent's "AI chief of staff" and Fo insists it'll "get sh*t done." 

Meanwhile, Marissa Mayer, formerly the CEO of Yahoo, debuted her AI agent Dazzle to viral controversy after sharing with the New York Times that she asked her AI agent to choose three of her twin daughters' standout qualities for a school birthday slide. Mayer said on X the anecdote lacked important context about trying to challenge Dazzle with the prompt. 

Either way, Layer wrote on Substack that she didn't appreciate how the response to Dazzle minimized the value of AI tools for households, particularly for working moms.

S. Shyam Sundar, director of the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence, says parents who turn to AI to save time on tedious tasks aren't being selfish.

"I think it's looking out for more the psychological welfare of the household and the relationships within that household," he said. 

Amy Wu Martin, a new mom and partner at the early-stage investment firm Menlo Ventures, says she's saved a lot of time letting Muse and Claude research whether restaurants and hotels are kid-friendly. 

"I would love to have this mental load out of my head," she says of mundane parenting tasks. 

Parents as early AI adopters 

Menlo Ventures' survey research suggests parents are indeed AI power users. They are nearly twice as likely to use AI daily as non-parents. Among parents polled by the firm, 40 percent use AI daily for tasks like meal planning, shopping, and logistics. She envisions a future in which AI agents can handle purchases for parents, like ordering diapers. 

Personally, Wu Martin has stopped short of connecting her inbox to an agent because of data security concerns. She's open, however, to letting an AI agent coordinate calendars with her husband.

Fambot, co-founded by dad of three and former Uber executive David Reich, turns school emails, sports schedules, and parent chats into a clear daily plan. 

The agent gets read-only access to a parent's inbox, calendars, and WhatsApp groups and proceeds to manage every task it perceives relevant. It parses the school newsletters, sports schedules, and parent chats, then generates specific action items, calendar events, and a text summary each evening of what the parent needs to know. 

Shivani Poddar, who previously worked as a senior engineering lead at Google DeepMind, recently launched the AI agent Fo through her startup Wajo AI. While it's not designed specifically for parents, Poddar says she relies on it for tasks like reminding her to buy a Halloween costume well in advance and finding a Mandarin class in San Francisco for her toddler. Fo can also bring a human customer service agent into its loop if necessary. 

Really, Poddar says, she's looking to gain time back to spend with her child, and she knows other parents want that, too. 

AI agent privacy and safety red flags

Kayne McGladrey, a virtual chief information security officer, says parents who want to use an AI agent can take reasonable privacy precautions. 

Yet he understands that many consumers have developed "privacy nihilism." They feel like their digital lives will be compromised at any moment regardless of their choices. That can make vigilance feel like a losing battle, especially when privacy and security policies are dense and packed with jargon.

Privacy phrases to watch out for

He recommends evaluating an agentic product's marketing claims, especially those related to privacy and security. Consumers should look for phrases like "zero retention," "zero training," "no storage on the provider's server," and "zero-knowledge encryption." 

Such phrases indicate the company's data practices prioritize consumer privacy and security by storing information carefully and limiting whether it's used to train AI models.

McGladrey, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), also says consumers should check to see if a company isolates credentials. 

This is critical if an agent, for example, has a consumer's bank account and Gmail passwords. Those pieces of data should be stored and used separately. When saved in the same place, it dramatically increases the risk that they can be stolen by bad actors who can exploit a user's inbox to access their bank account.

Why inbox privacy matters

Generally speaking, parents may underestimate the sensitive information in their inbox. They may want an AI agent to read the weekly school newsletter but forget that their inbox also includes private communication with school staff, health care, and mental health providers, for example.  

McGladrey says an agent having access to a child's health care information isn't necessarily an immediate problem. Instead, the longer-term question is where that data is stored and what happens to it over time. 

If an AI agent startup goes out of business and lands in bankruptcy court, that data could end up in the hands of another company. Advertisers would also love to access families' lives at this scale for better targeting, McGladrey notes. 

While consumers may be inclined to trust an AI agent from a well-known platform like Meta, that company has had its own privacy scandal.

McGladrey says IEEE is developing new standards for agentic security so companies can reference widely accepted privacy and security benchmarks. Those likely won't be ready until 2027, however. 

Risk vs. reward

Nevertheless, McGladrey understands that some parents will embrace AI agents for convenience, despite the potential trade-offs. 

"I think that it's going to be an individual determination of what we're willing to accept for risk versus reward or perceived reward," McGladrey says. 

As much as Erica Layer would love to maximize an AI agent for her family's needs, she presently uses Instinct without connecting it to her email or personal information. Fambot, Fo, and Muse, among other agentic products, are not available to her yet in Europe. 

"I am waiting for the company that builds with safety in mind," she says.

If he wanted to, he would. If he likes you, you'll know. If he doesn't, you'll be confused. If it's meant to be, it'll happen. Spend just a smidgeon of time on dating TikTok, and you'll likely be greeted by one of these hackneyed platitudes. TikTok is riddled with bad dating advice that reduces the human experience to a set of rigid rules.

Relationships aren't that simple, says certified dating coach Sabrina Zohar, author of the New York Times bestseller Why Am I Like This? She believes the black-and-white thinking that dominates dating advice on social media could be holding us back from actually getting to know people.

Zohar is beloved online for her no-bullshit approach to dating. With 6.3 million followers across social media, she hosts the Sabrina Zohar Show, which is currently ranked in the top 0.05 percent of podcasts globally. Her no-nonsense insights don't always land, however. "I get yelled at all the time," she tells Mashable in an interview. "I get yelled at for saying 'Someone texting you or someone not texting you doesn't mean they don't like you.' And people lose their marbles because it's safer to hold on to a narrative they believe than to create something new because it takes more bandwidth."

"I don't think people are dating to connect," she says. "I think they're dating to be chosen."

So hold onto your marbles, but toss these pieces of dating advice that are likely holding you back.

If he wanted to, he would

First up on her list of least-favourite pieces of dating advice is: "if he wanted to, he would." And she's not alone in her dislike for this all-too-popular TikTok cliché. In 2020, I wrote about my distaste for this particular piece of advice. People in my life have said it to me in response to my own dating woes, and it usually makes me feel worse than I already do. Imagine you're already dealing with heartbreak or disappointment, and someone essentially implies that the person you were dating didn't want it (or you) badly enough. Cool cool cool, guess I'm not enough!

"If the world were just about want, we would be in a very different place," says Zohar. "Want and do are two different fundamental parts of your brain."

SEE ALSO: The problem with TikTok's dating advice 'if he wanted to, he would'

"Now, I'm not excusing shitty behaviour. If somebody is treating you poorly and you say, 'Well, if he wanted to, he would,' maybe that person genuinely just doesn't have the awareness, the bandwidth, and the capacity. That doesn't mean it's okay."

"Maybe that person genuinely just doesn't have the awareness, the bandwidth, and the capacity."

And just because someone doesn't have capacity, that doesn't mean we accept the bare minimum. A person can really like you, but still lack the self-awareness and emotional availability to be consistent and communicative.

If they like you, you'll know. If they don't, you'll be confused.

Another annoying dating line that's trotted out far too often is: "If they like you, you'll know. If they don't, you'll be confused."

"The reason I don't like it is because dating is very confusing," says Zohar.

"To me, what actually matters is someone who cares about you, cares about their intent and their impact on you. That's what matters here," she says.

Don't sleep with them until the 3rd date

The third date rule — the idea that you shouldn't have sex until at least the third date — was popularised in the 1990s by Sex And The City and is still widely accepted in dating culture today. The reasoning behind the rule has historically been so that women aren't perceived as "too easy" or "slutty" in heterosexual dating scenarios — patriarchal ideas steeped in slut-shaming culture and purity culture. To many of us, these ideas feel outdated and out of place in modern society, but sadly misogynist discourse still reigns supreme online. And the manosphere's obsession with women's body counts has reignited conversations around women's number of sexual partners and its supposed bearing on her "value."

Zohar is now engaged to her partner Ryan, and she proudly asserts that she did not abide by this rule. "I fucked my partner on the first date, and here we are four years later, and he wants to marry me," she tells me.

That doesn't mean you should sleep with someone before you're ready, of course. It takes time to build trust and connection. Whether it's the first, third, or thirteenth date, sex should only happen when you feel ready to take that step.

"No one has to sleep with someone until they're ready. Like, please do what feels authentic to you," says Zohar.

Never show a man too much interest

Plenty of TikTok dating advice leans heavily into playing games and creating an air of aloofness. As a millennial woman who grew up hearing that we shouldn't text back straight away and should carefully curate an air of "cool girl" nonchalance, this kind of advice comes at a cost. Typically, playing games like these forces you to be inauthentic and to ignore your own needs. As Zohar explains: "There's a thread of, like, 'Want to know how to lose a guy? Show him interest. Answer quick. Make a plan. And don't worry, he'll run.'"

And, sure, maybe that advice will work for a little while. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen, and all that. But are you being real?

"What you're doing is you're perpetuating inauthenticity," says Zohar. "Self-respect feels authentic, whereas the dating games feel performative."

"You want authentic? You want real? You've got to be real."

"You want authentic? You want real? You've got to be real," she adds.

The right person won't trigger your anxiety

Zohar also hates the narrative of, "Well, the right partner shouldn't make you anxious," or, "The right partner won't trigger you."

"It's like, that is a fucking lie," she says. "Your partner will trigger you."

Speaking of her own relationship, Zohar openly admits that she gets triggered by things her partner says. "There are times where he says stuff, and I'm like, 'That is not supportive.' Did I have to break up with him because of that? No, because then we would have been done after date one."

"Relationships are a mirror," she adds. A person can be an excellent partner to you, but you can still feel anxious, insecure, confused, and scared of losing them. Expecting your relationships to be free of emotional discomfort will set you up for disappointment.

Bad relationship advice is everywhere on social media. And sometimes the TikTok algorithm can sniff out heartbreak or even dating anxiety before you've even uttered the words out loud. Once you engage with one or two of these videos, your entire feed will be full of it. Zohar says that social media algorithms seem to actively reward bad dating advice. That's typically because bad advice often comes in the form of declarative, binary, black-and-white statements that lack the nuance needed when talking about dating and relationships.

"I refuse to do clickbait," says Zohar. "I refuse to do the binary. And so, if you don't create division, the platforms don't want you."

Human beings are complex. Dating is confusing, and relationships are full of emotional ups and downs. TikTok's abundance of catchy dating advice might feel instructive in the moment, but it could be distorting your ideas of what real relationships are really like.

Why Am I Like This? by Sabrina Zohar is published by Merky Books in the UK and Penguin Random House in the U.S. Purchase it from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Looking to fuel up your Netflix queue with some high-octane action?

Whether you're a fan of wild Westerns, cunning detectives, high-swinging superheroes, ravenous zombies, rowdy thieves, or hard-hitting heroines, Netflix has a pitch-perfect movie for every kind of adrenaline seeker.

We know scrolling through the streaming app can be a chore when all you want to do is Netflix and chill. So, we've taken out the hard step by highlighting the most stunt-stuffed, battle-powered, high-speed films the streamer has to offer.

SEE ALSO: Best movies of 2026, and where to watch them now

Here are the best action movies on Netflix, streaming right now.

25. Becky

If you want to see a gang of violent white supremacists have their asses handed to them by a child, watch Becky.

Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion (Cooties, Bushwick) co-direct this David and Goliath thriller, which stars Lulu Wilson (The Haunting of Hill House) as a 13-year-old girl who channels her grief into vengeance. After losing her mom to cancer, Becky isn't eager to spend a weekend in a remote cabin with her dad (Joel McHale), his girlfriend, Kayla (Amanda Brugel), and her young son, Ty (Isaiah Rockcliffe). But bonding takes a backseat to surviving when a band of neo-Nazis descend, on a mission that could cost the family their lives.

Becky grew into a franchise with Wrath of Becky (also streaming on Netflix) and The Last Temptation of Becky, which is now in theaters. But for my money, the first film is still the best, thanks in part to a truly terrifying turn by Kevin James as the head neo-Nazi. Trust me, this one kicks ass. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel, and Isaiah Rockcliffe

How to watch: Becky is now streaming on Netflix.

24. Thrash Phoebe Dynevor in "Thrash." Credit: Ben King / Netflix

I don't want to hear it. Nope. Not a bad word will be said here about Thrash, one of the most rudely welcomed movies on Netflix. Writer/director Tommy Wirkola (Violent Night, Dead Snow) delivered a proper nail-biter of a shark survival movie here, the 24-hour tale of a hurricane that becomes a tsunami that becomes a bona fide shark invasion of a South Carolina small town. It's glorious! We've got nightmarish cinematography, increasingly flooded sets, strong performances from Djimon Hounsou, Whitney Peak, and Phoebe Dynevor, and one wildly foreshadowed shark-infested water birth. The simple task of getting from A to B in this film? Good luck.

The Thrash production team, led by production designer David Ingram, built an entire town and utterly destroyed it with flash flooding, savage marine predators, and director of photography Matthew Weston's unrelentingly stressful camera work, and that's not enough for you? Did you see that bull shark kitchen scene? Well, you have your right to an opinion and this is mine: "If you like shark movies, Thrash is a solid survival thriller with a talented cast and visuals that had me locked in. Wirkola's ability to balance horror, action, and comedy remains a praise-worthy feat. Dive into it." — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou

How to watch: Thrash is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Looper Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play different versions of the same hitman in "Looper." Credit: Tristar / Everett / Shutterstock.com

The best way to hide a body is to send it back in time, or so goes the prevailing logic of Looper, one of the best science-fiction movies of the last decade. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a Looper, an assassin in the year 2044. He kills the poor souls that his mob bosses send to him from 30 years in the future. Joe dutifully waits at a specific spot and time for his target to appear so he can do the dirty deed and collect the cash with no one the wiser. The system works perfectly until the day he comes face to face with his latest hit — his future self, played by a superb Bruce Willis. 

It’s a fantastic time-travel movie that shines even brighter because of its cast of immensely relatable and grounded characters. Writer and director Rian Johnson’s futuristic world is fascinating, but how Joe grapples with it is even more so. Willis shines in an uncharacteristically antagonistic role, Gordon-Levitt matches Willis’ energy seamlessly, and Emily Blunt is a surprise second-act star. Looper is a breathless thriller, as exciting as it is thought-provoking.* —Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels, and Emily Blunt

How to watch: Looper is now streaming on Netflix.

22. The Bourne Identity

Breaking from the James Bond mold, this American-in-chaos thriller stars Matt Damon as an assassin with amnesia. With no memory of who he is but the muscle memory of an action hero, Jason Bourne must dodge bullets and enemies to rediscover himself. Along the way, he depends on a spunky stranger (Franka Potente), sparking a steamy romance that leads to one of the hottest haircuts ever captured on film. (Matt Damon — hot bod barber!)

Director Doug Liman brings a unique brand of action to this nail-biter, unfurling fight scenes fast and furious, while his by-the-skin-of-their-teeth escape scenes will give you goosebumps. Robert Ludlum's Bourne novels inspired a string of exciting Bourne films. But this one remains the best, most thrilling of the bunch.* — K.P.

Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Brian Cox, Clive Owen, Walton Goggins, and Julia Stiles

How to watch: The Bourne Identity is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis in " Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Straddling the line between a faithfulness to the decades-old RPG and introducing mainstream audiences to its world with a deft touch was always a big ask, but co-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (who also share writing credits with Michael Gilio) did better than anybody expected to be possible with this 2023 adaptation. Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, and Justice Smith as a band of merry wizards and what-nots hunting down an ancient relic, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is très goofy, but lovingly so. It's honestly a very good time at the movies!

Unfortunately, shifting release dates and other factors led D&D to kinda bomb at the box office. But now that the movie has landed on Netflix, our communal chance to right this infernal wrong has arrived. Let's all slip into our wizarding robes and watch this movie dozens of times, spread the word to all of our friends, and roll the eight-sided die on an improbable sequel!* — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, and Justice Smith

How to watch: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is now streaming on Netflix.

20. The Lost City Credit: Paramount Pictures

Does it ever feel like nothing will fix your problems but a Sandra Bullock romantic comedy? Enter 2022’s The Lost City. Is it a perfect movie? No. Is it a ridiculously fun adventure chock-full of charismatic actors and one iconic sequin jumpsuit? Heck yes, it is!

Bullock is Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who has given up on love in her own life after the death of her husband. Channing Tatum is simply perfect as the himbo cover model for her books, who is secretly in love with her. When an unhinged billionaire kidnaps Loretta because her latest book recalls similar details to a lost treasure he’s hunting, Tatum takes it upon himself, and his zero useful skills, to rescue her. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt, Daniel Radcliffe, Patti Harrison, Bowen Yang, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph

How to watch: The Lost City is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Karate Kid: Legends Ben Wang stars opposite Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in "Karate Kids: Legends." Credit: Sony

It's easy to be cynical about sequels when Hollywood's cinematic landscape is littered with bad examples. But then a sequel comes along that's so good, it'll knock you out. Karate Kid: Legends is a sensational sequel, building on the classic underdog framework of the original 1984 Karate Kid movie while working in fresh fun, familiar faces, and a dazzling new talent. 

SEE ALSO: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ben Wang choose their ultimate 'Karate Kid: Legends' squad

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends unites the original trilogy's Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) with the 2010 Karate Kid's martial arts master Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Together, they train a new "karate kid" to best a ruthless bully. But the best bits of this high-kicking sequel are actually when this new kid, Li Fong (played by the dynamic Ben Wang), is carving out his own story in New York City.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ben Wang

How to watch: Karate Kid: Legends is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Back in Action Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

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."* — K.P.

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.

17. Upgrade

The always-welcome Logan Marshall-Green stars here as Grey, an auto mechanic who gets sucked into a nefarious world of cyber-horror when a car crash leaves him paralyzed and his wife dead. Implanted with an untested computer chip that can control his limbs and "fix" his paralysis, Grey's mind starts communicating with the technology, which in turns starts egging him on. After all, why just walk when you can be a kick-ass super-soldier? Needless to say, as in any good RoboCop spin, the corporations are not to be trusted when it comes to our best interests. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

Starring: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, and Simon Maiden

How to watch: Upgrade is now streaming on Netflix.

16. The Union

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up for an action-comedy that is surprisingly charming! He's a Boston everyman who works construction by day and by night hooks up with local hotties (including his former seventh-grade English teacher). She's a globe-trekking secret agent — and his high school girlfriend — who shows up at their old dive bar out of the blue to invite him in on a secret mission. Together, they're working for The Union.

Explosive espionage action blends with rom-com chemistry as Wahlberg and Berry delve into car chases, gun fights, and plenty of bouncy banter. J.K. Simmons brings gruff bravado, while Evil's Mike Colter delivers breathtaking swagger. Full of thrills, fun, and verve, The Union is a great pick for movie night at home.* — K.P.

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, J.K. Simmons, and Mike Colter

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

15. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Coming back onto the scene 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III flopped, this fourth installment of the comedic crime-solving adventures of Detroit police officer Axel Foley has no right to be as good as it is. Not only did screenwriters Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten have to manage how public opinion has shifted when it comes to cops who play by their own rules, but also how to approach Axel's wise-cracking sense of humor that traditionally put just about everyone in its crosshairs. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F manages both in a way that gives fresh life to the character without casting aside the fans who loved his wild ways.

As I wrote in my rave review, "Eddie Murphy is as good as ever as Axel Foley." Plus, he's got his old friends, like John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot back and in action. It's an absolute blast to see all these energies colliding, and yet there's room for newcomers, like the dynamic Taylour Paige and the always solid Joseph Gordon-Levitt, both of whom prove to be compelling foils to the ever-quipping Murphy. "In the end, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F isn't just a great sequel, or an awesome action-comedy; it might just be the most entertaining movie of [2024]."* — K.P.

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot

How to watch: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Okja Credit: Netflix

Blending drama with fantasy/adventure and weaving in a very real message about the horrors of the meat industry, Bong Joon Ho's Okja is a beautifully unique creature feature, striped with action.

The film follows Mina (Ahn Seo-hyun), the granddaughter of a farmer in South Korea who has spent the last 10 years rearing a genetically modified super-pig called Okja as part of a breeding project spearheaded by a grim U.S. corporation. This movie is dark in places, magical in others, and poignant overall, asking us to stop and reflect on the dark side of an industry the majority of us are complicit in. Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal make for an entertaining pair of villains, too.* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

Starring: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, and Jake Gyllenhaal

How to watch: Okja is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Damsel Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Netflix has invested big in Millie Bobby Brown. Not only has the English ingenue led Stranger Things for years, but also she's become an outright action star through movies she has headlined and produced for the streamer, including a pair of Enola Holmes adventures and the fearsome fairy tale Damsel. Here, Brown stars as Elodie, a dutiful damsel destined to wed a handsome prince (Nick Robinson)! But rather than happily ever after, her deceitful groom pitches her into a dragon's pit. However, that's far from the end of her story. She'll fight her way to salvation and vengeance, one fiery sequence at a time.

In her review, Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote, "Boasting some inventive twists and a heartfelt lead performance from Brown, Damsel may not be groundbreaking fantasy, but it is a thrilling ride." — K.P.

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, and Robin Wright

How to watch: Damsel is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Damsel' trailer will put you in distress 12. Army of the Dead Credit: Netflix

Sometimes all you want is to grab hold of that action-o-meter and crank the dial, hard, to a solid 11. Army of the Dead more than delivers on that front, opening with a musical montage of guns and exploding body parts — and it only gets gorier from there. Zack Snyder's story follows a band of mercenaries hired to steal $200 million from a casino in Las Vegas. The problem? Vegas has been invaded by zombies, the city is quarantined, and the military is planning to blow the entire thing up with a tactical nuclear strike. The sprawling cast includes Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, and Ana de la Reguera, as well as a digitally added Tig Notaro.

What follows is a gloriously silly romp that refuses to take itself too seriously, propelling us through a series of explosions and bullets while the story twists and turns through a 148-minute runtime that feels oh, so much shorter. — S.H.

Starring: Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Ana de la Reguera, Ella Purnell, and Tig Notaro

How to watch: Army of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Harder They Fall Credit: David Lee / Netflix

Put 'em up, as this is hands-down one of the best action movies in the Wild West.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall defiantly redefines the predominantly white Western, boasting an incredible cast of Black stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. A tale of heroes and villains, the film follows Nat Love (Majors) on his quest for revenge against the formidable Rufus Buck (Elba). But he'll have to make his gunslinging way through "Treacherous" Trudy Smith (King) and Cherokee Bill (Stanfield) first. Even before the opening credits roll, you'll fall hard for this one. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Enola Holmes Credit: Netflix

Sherlock Holmes's much cooler little sister is an overlooked young action hero in Enola Holmes. Based on author Nancy Springer's popular book series The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the film puts the great detective's savvy 16-year-old sibling on the case, played with energetic spoonfuls of gumption by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. She's set to solve the greatest mystery of her young life: to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) through a series of deliberately cryptic clues — all while breaking the fourth wall and confiding in the audience, thanks to Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer and His Dark Materials' Jack Thorne's sharp screenplay.

Stepping into the footsteps of her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and avoiding those of her stuffier misogynist brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin), Enola's case leads her on a wild ride through Victorian-era England, with more than a few fistfights and butts to kick along the way. And lucky for you, Brown brings even more action with Enola Holmes 2 and Enola Holmes 3. — S.C.

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill, and Sam Claflin

How to watch: Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.

9. They Cloned Tyrone Credit: Netflix

With this 2023 release, co-writer/director Juel Taylor pulls plenty of inspiration from Blaxploitation. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star as a drug dealer, a pimp, and a sex worker who undercover a nefarious conspiracy that's happening underneath their neighborhood. Taylor and fellow screenwriter Tony Rettenmaier weave in wild twists, fly fight scenes, irreverent humor, and swaggering style for what our critic called "a propulsive comedy-thriller with weight." As bold as it is star-studded, you won't want to miss They Cloned Tyrone. And stay for the credits, trust us. — K.P.

Starring: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris

How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about 'They Cloned Tyrone's ending 8. Kill Boksoon Credit: No Ju-han / Netflix

Gil Bok-Soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother who often finds herself at odds with her teenage daughter. She's also a highly skilled and successful assassin. Kill Boksoon is a fantastic action film that sees its main character head straight from a brutal killing to the grocery store so she can get dinner on the table. It's one hell of a hook that sucks you in immediately. The fight scenes are hypnotic and the cinematography ambitious and exciting. It's a gripping thriller that makes plenty of space for the complex emotional reality of its characters.* — K.G.

Starring: Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, and Kim Si-a

How to watch: Kill Boksoon is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Da 5 Bloods Credit: Netflix

Spike Lee copters audiences back to the Vietnam War with Da 5 Bloods, a daring film that's part drama, part war movie, and part heist flick. Named for a squad of Black U.S. Army soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, Lee's critically heralded 2020 joint follows this band of brothers through a treacherous war zone, then rediscovers them in a present where they're seeking to uncover the past — and a big payday.

Sequences of brutal battles, narrow escapes, and high-tension hijinks make Da 5 Bloods an enthralling watch. Though inspired by history, it's impossible to predict where Lee's story will lead. Our guides on this intense journey through time, loss, war, and brotherhood are Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman. Together, they and Lee create an American war film that can't be missed. — K.P.

Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Chadwick Boseman

How to watch: Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Apex

From Baltasar Kormákur comes a horror thriller that should scare the adrenaline junkie right out of you. Charlize Theron stars as a rock climber determined to take on the white water rapids in Australia solo. But out here in the wilderness, she soon realizes the forces of nature aren't what she should fear. It's a hunter who has his sights set on her.

SEE ALSO: 'Apex' review: This is why women choose the bear

A truly gnarly action movie, Apex pits a steely Theron against an unhinged Taron Egerton. And sure, the script by Jeremy Robbins sets up some early hints that this is going into sicko territory, but I'd wager you won't predict just how wild this cat-and-mouse game gets. Silence your cell phone. Turn the lights down, and give yourself over to this frightening, fucked-up ride.* — K.P.

Starring: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton

How to watch: Apex is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Old Guard Credit: Netflix

Folks looking for that summer blockbuster thrill, search no further than The Old Guard. Based on the superhero comic books of the same name, director Gina Prince-Bythewood's movie sucks viewers into a slick, well-crafted world of action and narrative that isn't particularly unique but delivers its formulaic pieces with enough precision to keep you invested.

Charlize Theron crushes as the ass-kicking leader of an immortal warrior fight crew, with performances by Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and more.* And don't overlook the sequel, The Old Guard 2. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter 

Starring: Charlize Theron, Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, and Matthias Schoenaerts

How to watch: The Old Guard is now streaming on Netflix.

4. RRR

You've never seen an action movie quite as bombastic or as bromantic as RRR. Director S.S. Rajamouli draws loosely from history to tell the story of Indian freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.). Over the film's three-hour runtime, the two unwittingly face off in the search for a kidnapped girl, become the best of friends, and square off against villainous English colonizers.

SEE ALSO: Was 'RRR' snubbed at the Oscars?

Any of RRR's action sequences would be the pinnacle of a lesser action movie, but the film seems determined to outdo itself with showstopper after showstopper. Take when Raju faces down hundreds of protesters and wins, or when Bheem fights a tiger bare-handed. Would you believe me if I told you those happen within the first 20 minutes? The action — and the movie — only get more awesome from there. — B.E.

Starring: Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris

How to watch: RRR is now streaming on Netflix.

3. KPop Demon Hunters Credit: Netflix

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.

SEE ALSO: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom

The story stars 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 they think 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, now there's a sing-along version too. — K.P.

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

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

2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This 2018 electrifying adventure won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards for its dynamic style and compelling coming-of-age story. Forget what you thought you knew about the high-swinging superhero. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse focuses on Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), an Afro-Latino teen, whose radioactive spider-bite gives him superpowers. But to learn how to be a hero, he'll have to take lessons from some friends from alternate realities, like Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson).

On top of the kinetic animation style that pulls inspiration from comic books and graffiti, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also offers side-splitting comedy and eye-popping action. And it's family-friendly to boot. — K.P.

Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, Kathryn Hahn, Liev Schreiber, Zoë Kravitz, and Kimiko Glenn

How to watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Godzilla Minus One Credit: Toho Company Ltd / Everett / Shutterstock.com

You don't know Godzilla until you see Godzilla Minus One. The American movies featuring the classic kaiju go for huge monster-versus-monster face-offs, bogged down by tedious human characters. But writer/director Takashi Yamazaki reclaims the Japanese icon with a movie that gets the balance between rampaging monster action and human drama just right.

SEE ALSO: 'Godzilla Minus Zero' review: The epic monster melodrama fans have been roaring for

Set near the close of World War II, Godzilla Minus One proves a fascinating tale of atomic age terror. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as a kamikaze pilot who first flubs his mission, then crosses paths with the giant lizard with atomic breath. Survivor's guilt torments him, even as he cobbles together a found family of fellow survivors. This cast of characters is dynamic, making the scenes of simple home-cooked meals just as satisfying as sequences of town-trampling destruction. Actually, one deeply informs the other. Because while the movie's jaw-dropping special effects rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, it's the emotional impact of them that makes this Godzilla hit harder than any contemporary. Even on the small screen, you'll be in awe.* — K.P.

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki

How to watch: Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix   Get Deal

* denotes the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2026, 2:50 p.m. EST This list was first published on May 24, 2020. It has since been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.

SAVE WITH CODE ALLONSALE: During the Sephora Savings Event, the Shark FlexStyle is on sale for only $179.10 for Beauty Insiders. That's 40% off and its lowest price ever. (VIB and Rouge members save even more.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer $179.10 at Sephora
$299 Save $119.90 Use code ALLONSALE at checkout. Must be Beauty Insider member (free to join). Shop Now at Sephora

Mashable's favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe has fallen to a new record-low price during Sephora's fall Savings Event, live through Nov. 9.

Normally $299, the stellar Shark FlexStyle is now on sale for only $179.10 in a special-edition Winter Pearl colorway. That's an unprecedented 40% savings; this beats its previous all-time low of $199.99 by about $20.

To unlock Sephora's deal, you must be a member of its Beauty Insider rewards program and enter the coupon code ALLONSALE at checkout — that will stack an extra 10% discount on top of the FlexStyle's existing $199 sale price there. Beauty Insider is free to join.

If you've been a member of the Beauty Insider program for a while, you might be able to get the FlexStyle for even cheaper. Members with VIB and Rogue status can stack 15% and 20% discounts. (You have to have spent at least $350 or $1,000 at Sephora in the past year, respectively.) Rogue members will save 47% total and pay a mere $159.20.

The Mashable Choice Award-winning Shark FlexStyle is one of our top Christmas gifts of the year. Unlike Dyson's much pricier Airwrap multistyler, its base can twist to function like a regular L-shaped hair dryer, a feature that impressed our reviewer. This base model comes with four attachments: two auto-wrap curling barrels, an oval brush, and a styling concentrator.

Early Black Friday Best Buy deals: Best Apple deal Apple Watch Ultra 3 $649 (save $150) Get Deal Best Dyson deal Dyson V9 $269.99 (save $330) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System $129.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 65-inch Class S7 Canvas Series TV $999.99 (save $1,000) Get Deal Best beauty tech deal Shark Glam Styling System $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal

Best Buy is one to watch as we head into the holiday shopping season. At times, Best Buy's selection and sale prices beat Amazon's and Walmart's during Black Friday. Plus, Best Buy often has daily deals that are well worth peeking at.

From Lego sets to MacBooks and Bose headphones, Best Buy can really impress with the deals. Like Amazon, the mega retailers aren't waiting for pecan pie before they drop the deals. Shopping early could be a great opportunity not only to get great savings but also to have Christmas gifts in hand and well wrapped before the rush.

We've listed the top early Black Friday Best Buy deals below. Check out Mashable's complete Black Friday sale coverage as we ramp up to the holiday season.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS+Cellular, 49mm) $649 at Best Buy
$799 Save $150   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Apple launched the Watch Ultra 4 back in September, but the Ultra 3 is still well worth considering. The Apple Watch Ultra is the Apple Watch model to buy if you'll be taking it on adventurous excursions. The durable yet lightweight titanium case, paired with the sapphire crystal display, is ideal for outdoor use without worrying about your watch. Apple says the Watch Ultra 3 will last about 42 hours before needing to recharge.

Best Dyson deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V9 $269.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $330   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

For under $270, the Dyson V9 might just make it so you enjoy vacuuming. It gets up to 40 minutes of run time per charge, and the whole-system filtration ensures captured dust doesn't end up circulating back into your house. If you're not one who enjoys a robot vacuum or you're looking for a little extra (manual) help from a cordless vacuum, the Dyson V9 is a great model.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System $129.99 at Best Buy
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Make holiday meal prep easier with the Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System. The powerful 1,500W base has no trouble with ice, frozen fruits, or smoothing out a creamy soup. The system also includes a to-go cup for smoothies on the run during the busy holiday season and a food processor.

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch Class S7 Canvas Series TV $999.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

On Mashable's list of the best art TVs, the Hisense CanvasTV earns the top spot as the best budget option. The 65-inch option is the brand's largest offering for this model, and using the art TV options doesn't require an additional subscription fee. The Hisense CanvasTV wins over the Samsung The Frame and the Amazon Ember Artline because it has a 144Hz refresh rate for gaming.

Best beauty tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Glam Styling System $349.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $100   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Black Friday is a great time to grab beauty tech you've been considering all year but haven't gone for yet. Shark has proven its worth in the beauty tech realm, offering gadgets that perform just as well as pricier competitors. The Shark Glam system comes with a ceramic styler and hair dryer that's designed for glossing, fighting frizz, and straightening. Plus, it's lightweight so you won't feel like you just did an arm workout at the gym.

More early Black Friday deals at Best Buy

• Apple AirTag (4-pack, 2nd Gen) — $79.99 $99 (save $19.01)

• Google Nest WiFi Pro 6e — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100)

• Bose QuietComfort — $169 $359 (save $90)

• Beats Studio Pro — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Anker Solix C2000X Gen2 Portable Power Station with 200W Solar Panel — $1,149.99 $1,499.99 (save $350)

TL;DR: Watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The action in La Liga is really starting to heat up, with only three points separating the top three teams. The top two are facing each other this weekend, meaning Real Madrid have a real opportunity to bridge the gap against Valencia.

If you're interested in watching Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Valencia vs. Real Madrid?

Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Mestalla.

How to watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free

Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more La Liga action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Citizen has launched a limited-edition Marvel Avengers Dr. Doom watch, available to purchase now for $495.

Opens in a new window Credit: Citizen Citizen Avengers Dr. Doom $495 at Citizen
  Shop Now at Citizen

We're almost overwhelmed by the tidal wave of Avengers: Doomsday brand collabs ahead of the movie's Dec. 18 release, but Citizen has just dropped something considerably more refined than novelty fast-food cups.

The watchmaker has officially unveiled the Marvel | Citizen Limited-Edition Avengers: Doomsday Timepiece, paying direct homage to Victor von Doom. Limited to just 3,100 pieces globally, the timepiece eschews cartoonish comic prints in favor of a textured, industrial aesthetic. It's nerdy and sexy all rolled into one.

Credit: Citizen

It has a 43mm gray ion-plated case, gold-tone hour markers, an olive-green leather strap, and Citizen’s signature Eco-Drive quartz movement.

The watch runs on Citizen’s Eco-Drive light-powered movement. It pulls continuous operating charge from any ambient light source — including dull fluorescent home-office bulbs and desk lamps — meaning you will never have to crack the case open to replace anything. Nobody has time for that.

Each of the 3,100 units ships with custom villain-themed display packaging, an etched caseback, and a heavy, double-sided Doctor Doom collectible challenge coin. It's an absolute dream for collectors.

If you've been paying any attention to trends in dating app use lately, you've probably heard about Pure. Last year alone, it nearly doubled its user base, easily reaching the $100 million revenue milestone at a time when many of the best-known dating apps are steadily losing market share.

And if you know that it's the hot new dating app, you're probably also experiencing some FOMO and wondering what it will cost you to give Pure a spin. 

The answer is kind of complicated and depends on who you are, but the short answer is that Pure is kind of, sort of free sometimes for some people. 

Here's what you can and can't do on Pure without becoming a paying subscriber:

Opens in a new window Credit: Pure Pure   Learn More Pure free accounts

Pure allows anyone to create an account for free, without handing over their credit card details, but it severely limits what you can actually do in the app as a non-paying member. 

Free users can:

• Create a profile with photos and fill out their interests/kinks

• Browse local ads posted by other users and view their profiles, including their interests/kinks

• Browse Pure's extensive database of safety tips and best practices for online dating

But free users cannot:

• Like or chat with other users

• Create a dating ad to make your profile discoverable to other users

• Send virtual gifts to people who catch your eye

• Filter ads based on specific criteria like interests/kinks

There is one major exception, though, and it applies only to women. On Pure, women can do the following without a paid account:

• Create a full profile with photos and interests/kinks

• Create ads

• Initiate and respond to chats

But don't think that, just because women get a few extra perks for free, they're starting with a premium membership! If female users want access to premium features like Incognito mode, the ability to browse ads without making yourself visible to other users, or a filter system to help you manage likes, they need to pay for a Queen membership.  

What does Pure cost?

Pure offers tiered pricing depending on your subscription commitment. You should expect to pay:

• About $14 per week on a weekly subscription

• About $30 per month on a monthly subscription

• About $100 per year on a yearly subscription

Is a free Pure membership worth it?

If you're wondering what the purpose of a free Pure membership is if you can't post an ad or talk to other people, you're not alone. If you're not a woman, you have to pony up some cash just to have the chance to talk to another human being, so why not just do so immediately? 

Well, there are two major benefits to trying a free Pure account, as far as we can see. The first is that you can start to familiarize yourself with their unique ad system and the swipe-up, swipe-left, and swipe-right mechanics you use to navigate it, which are totally different from most mainstream dating apps and will probably take some getting used to. 

But the next benefit is even more important, though it only pertains to people who live outside of big cities. Pure's numbers might be growing at exponential rates, but it's still much more popular in large, metropolitan cities rather than towns and rural areas, so unless you live in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, or Berlin, you shouldn't take for granted that there are a large enough number of Pure users near you to make paying for a membership worthwhile.

SEE ALSO: How Pure's 24-hour chat timer forces daters to skip the endless banter

That's where the free account comes in handy: you can quickly get a sense of how popular Pure is in your area, and if enough people catch your attention, you can decide to invest. 

From this perspective, Pure does a nice job balancing utility with the free membership while still making the paid membership enticing. 

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is under $100 when you switch and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free   Shop Now

The iPhone Duo launched, and the whole world went wild for Apple's first-ever foldable. The launch had some serious issues, but the iPhone Duo still dominated the tech conversation for weeks. It had a big impact, good and bad.

Now that the noise has died down, the big question for shoppers heading into Black Friday is whether to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or the iPhone Duo.

It's a tough decision, but T-Mobile is helping you make up your mind. For a limited time, you can get your hands on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this wild deal, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan. You can get the iPhone 18 Pro for free if you have an eligible phone in any condition on a T-Mix plan.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year contract, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Score the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

SAVE WITH CODE ALLONSALE: Beauty Insider members can snag the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool on sale for $89.10 during the Sephora Savings Event (normally $99). Those with VIB and Rouge status will pay as little as $79.20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson HushJet Mini Cool $89.10 at Sephora
$99 Save $9.90 Use code ALLONSALE at checkout. Must be Beauty Insider member (free to join). Shop Now at Sephora

Having trouble finding the right Christmas gift for an outdoorsy person? Don't sweat it: We just spotted a rare deal on Dyson's fancy new portable fan, the HushJet Mini Cool.

During Sephora's fall Savings Event, live now through Nov. 9, members of its free-to-join Beauty Insiders rewards program can get the HushJet Mini Cool on sale for just $89.10, or 10% off. Just enter the code ALLONSALE at checkout to apply the discount.

You'll pay even less if you're a Beauty Insider member with VIB or Rouge status, meaning you've spent at least $350 or $1,000 at Sephora in the past year (respectively). Those tiers unlock 15% and 20% discounts with ALLONSALE.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I tested the HushJet Mini Cool during two heatwaves this past summer and was impressed by its power. To quote my review: "There are five standard airflow speed settings to choose from, plus a Boost mode ... At settings two and up, it gusts." I also liked that it's very easy to stash in a purse or fanny pack. Just be aware that it gets very noisy at its upper settings — I wouldn't use it indoors or in a tightly packed crowd.

If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget, note that the rival Shark ChillPill is also on sale for up to 20% off (depending on your membership status) during the Sephora Savings Event. It's pricier, but it adds swappable misting and cooling attachments.

TL;DR: Watch France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The 2026 Nations Championship is all about interesting clashes between elite international sides, and that's exactly what we're getting from France vs. Fiji. The hosts will be favorites to win this fixture, but Fiji always possess the capacity to surprise and entertain. Could they produce a shock victory at the Groupama Stadium?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is France vs. Fiji?

France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 3:10 p.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Groupama Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Fiji for free

France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch France vs. Fiji for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The 2026 Nations Championship is back with some really interesting international rugby this weekend. Wales vs. Japan is probably not the biggest game on the schedule, but it might be one of the most difficult to predict. Both teams will believe they have a chance of winning this clash.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. Japan?

Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 11:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Principality Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. Japan for free

Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Wales vs. Japan for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Spirit.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GHOST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Bestie.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CRONY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Cranium.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 7, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SKULL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Plenty.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AMPLE

Final Hurdle hint

Indebted.

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

OWING

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

TL;DR: Watch Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The 2026 Nations Championship showcases a number of really interesting matchups this weekend, including Scotland vs. New Zealand.

The All Blacks will come into this clash as favorites, but you always get the feeling that Scotland can beat any team on their best day. Could they deliver a standout performance this weekend at Murrayfield Stadium?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. New Zealand?

Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 9:10 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at Murrayfield Stadium.

How to watch Scotland vs. New Zealand for free

Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Scotland vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Nations Championship hasn't provided any major shocks after three rounds of fixtures. The action now heads into the Northern Hemisphere, so could the tables turn?

South Africa have a perfect record after three games, and now they face Italy in Turin. The World Cup winners will be heavy favorites, but Italy will be absolutely desperate to get their first win of the competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. South Africa?

Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 7:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Stadium.

How to watch Italy vs. South Africa for free

Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Italy vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

The Moon is now nearing the very end of its Waning Crescent phase, with only a tiny fraction of its surface illuminated.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Nov. 7, the NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 4% of its surface visible.

There's not much to see tonight, only the Grimaldi Basin. To see this, you'll need to use either binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

It takes the Moon around 29.5 days to pass through a complete lunar cycle. As it travels around Earth, the angle at which sunlight reaches its surface changes what we can see from here, producing the different phases, from the New Moon through to the Full Moon and back again. The cycle then starts over, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 7, 2026 Booty meaning

Stolen treasure or plunder.

Bounty meaning

A monetary reward offered for a specific action.

Spoils meaning

Goods, valuables or territory seized by force.

Treasure meaning

A collection of valuable items.

Henley meaning

A collarless pullover shirt with a round neckline.

Polo meaning

A game played by teams of players on horseback using a mallet.

Raglan meaning

A type of shirt where there is no separate shoulder seam.

Ringer meaning

A device or phone that makes a ringing sound.

New meaning

Recently created.

North meaning

The direction on a compass that is directly opposite to south.

Rhode meaning

Hailey Bieber's skincare brand.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

South meaning

The direction on a compass that is directly opposite to north.

Cane meaning

A walking support device.

Clone meaning

A replica.

Easter meaning

A Christian celebration celebrating the supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crucifixion.

Soon meaning

In or within a short time.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're good with geography.

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 November 7, 2026 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: Ahoy matey!

• Green: Tops

• Blue: 50 of them

• Purple: Natural disasters

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pirate's plunder

• Green: Kinds of shirts

• Blue: First words of U.S. state names

• Purple: Ends of storm types

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 #1245 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pirate's plunder: BOOTY, BOUNTY, SPOILS, TREASURE

• Kinds of shirts: HENLEY, POLO, RAGLAN, RINGER

• First words of U.S. state names: NEW, NORTH, RHODE, SOUTH

• Ends of storm types: CANE, CLONE, EASTER, SOON

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

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 will be easy if you're always in a rush.

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 November 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In the blink of an eye

The words are associated with pace.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things that are quick.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical (diagonal).

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Whats the Hurry.

NYT Strands word list for November 7

• Whoosh

• Hurtle

• Streak

• Whiz

• Whats the Hurry

• Zoom

• Flash

• Rush

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.