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

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about

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

15. Route 187

Tyler Perry-produced crime drama Route 187 premieres this week on Paramount+. The four-part miniseries transports viewers to the struggling fictional city of South Winslow, where a violent crime on a city bus shakes the community to its core. When journalist Mason James (Christopher Livingston) begins to investigate the tragedy, he uncovers a darker truth about South Winslow and the many disappearances that have plagued the town. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Chris Livingston, Taiv Lee, Elijah Collins, Tonia Jackson, Rico Ball, Lawrence Robinson, Rona Dana, Cuyle Carvin, and Javen Lewis

How to watch: Route 187 is now streaming on Paramount+.

14. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

Following controversial representations of killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's Netflix series Monster takes on another notorious true crime figure: Lizzie Borden. In 1893, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Borden was tried and acquitted of the murder of her father and stepmother. The case has been pored over for more than 100 years, now drawing in 21st century armchair detectives riding the modern true crime wave.

For Monster, Murphy rallies go-to faces: Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Ella Beatty portrays Borden, The Ed Gein Story's Vicky Krieps plays the Borden's housemaid Bridget Sullivan, The Beauty's Rebecca Hall and previous Monster star Charlie Hunnam play Borden's parents, American Horror Story's Billie Lourd is Borden's sister Emma, and Murphy mainstay Sarah Paulson will make an appearance. And we're sure the internet will have thoughts. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Charlie Hunnam, Sarah Paulson, Billie Lourd, Joey Pollari, Jessica Barden

How to watch: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is now streaming on Netflix.

13. MobLand Season 2

Guy Ritchie is a busy man, with second seasons of his crime capers The Gentlemen and MobLand landing in September. The latter, which hits Paramount+ on Friday, sees the return of Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan as Irish crime family heads Maeve and Conrad Harrigan, with Tom Hardy as their fixer Harry da Souza. Set in London, the crime drama will see the Harrigans' turf threatened as their enemies close in and seek vengeance. — S.C.

Starring: Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Mandeep Dhillon, Jasmine Jobson, Teddie Allen, Emmett J. Scanlan, Johnny Flynn, Ophelia Lovibond, Janet McTeer, and Toby Jones

How to watch: MobLand Season 2 will premiere on Paramount+ Sept. 18, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays.

12. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2

Stranger Things may be over for good, but its animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is back for Season 2 this week. Taking place in the gap between Seasons 2 and 3 of the main series, Season 2 introduces a new mystery for the Hawkins Investigators Club to solve, including ghosts, strange blue flowers, and a threat that may be immune to Eleven's (voiced by Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) psychic powers.

If Season 2 is anything like Season 1, it will be a fun, beautifully animated adventure. However, it will also be continued proof of Netflix's attempt to milk the Stranger Things franchise, leading to more questions about the main series than any satisfying answers of its own. — B.E.

Starring: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Luca Diaz, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elisha "EJ" Williams, Braxton Quinney, Benjamin Plessala, and Odessa A'zion

How to watch: Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

11. Golden Axe

Fresh off his two Emmy wins, Matthew Rhys is back on TV this week in Golden Axe, based on the Sega video game. Rhys voices warrior Gilius Thunderhead, who, along with companions Ax Battler (voiced by Liam McIntyre) and Tyris Flare (voiced by Lisa Gilroy), fights to save the land of Yuria from the villainous Death Adder. When inexperienced adventurer Hampton Squib (voiced by Danny Pudi) joins their ranks, the trio's quest gets even more complicated. Goofy animated fun ensues. — B.E.

Starring: Matthew Rhys, Liam McIntyre, Lisa Gilroy, Danny Pudi, and Carl Tart

How to watch: Golden Axe is now streaming on Paramount+.

10. Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 2

Turns out fighting for love across time is a family thing in the Outlander universe, if those mystical standing stones have anything to say about it. Prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood introduced us to the parents of series protagonists Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) in two different time periods. Jamie's parents Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Brian (Jamie Roy) met in the 18th century Scottish Highlands, while Claire's parents Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry (Jeremy Irvine) met in England during World War I. And in the second season, with time-traveling and war afoot in both periods, things get even more dramatic. — S.C.

Starring: Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Hermione Corfield, Jeremy Irvine

How to watch: Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 2 is streaming on Starz Sept. 18.

9. Trespasses

Set during the Troubles, the decades-long bloody civil conflict between nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland, Trespasses finds a love story.

Adapted by Bad Sisters writer Ailbhe Keoga from Louise Kennedy's 2023 novel, the film is set in 1975 just outside Belfast. Here, Catholic schoolteacher Cushla (Furious' Lola Petticrew) works the odd shift in a pub owned by her family, including her mother (Gillian Anderson). Here, she meets Protestant barrister Michael (Tom Cullen), a married man, and the pair are drawn to one another amidst a backdrop of political unrest and violence. Directed by Dawn Shadforth (Adult Material, Mood), the film was first released on Channel 4 in the UK, and now hits the U.S. via PBS. — S.C.

Starring: Lola Petticrew, Gillian Anderson, Tom Cullen, Martin McCann, Oisín Thompson, Emily Taaffe, Barry Ward, Lisa Dwyer Hogg, Lorcan Cranitch, Frank Blake, Gary Lydon, and Lalor Roddy

How to watch: Trespasses is streaming on PBS platforms Sept. 20.

8. Dimension 20: Toylight

Dropout's Dimension 20 returns this fall, with its Intrepid Heroes back for a new adventure that's sure to knock the stuffing out of fans. This actual play series translates the game mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons into a variety of imaginative worlds, which has made Dimension 20 a wildly popular anthology series, delving into fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and more.

For Toylight, Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan leads his players into a tough terrain that only looks like child's play. When a little girl is dying of consumption, darkness threatens to snuff out the Toylight that is her imagination. Coming to her defense against vicious dust bunnies are a band of toys made up of a hobby horse, a kewpie doll, a tin soldier, a porcelain doll, a one-eyed lion plushie, and a stuffed rabbit. While this is a comedy show, the trailer has us thinking the collision of a childlike setup could be studded with gutting drama. Are we talking Crown of Candy-level tragedy? We'll have to tune in each week to find out!* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Brennan Lee Mulligan, Emily Axford, Ally Beardsley, Brian Murphy, Zac Oyama, Siobhan Thompson, and Lou Wilson

How to watch: Dimension 20: Toylight is now streaming on Dropout, with new episodes every Wednesday.

Featured Video For You From Vine to Dropout: How Demi Adejuyigbe Has Shaped Their Career 7. It Ends

In one of the more perplexing horror hypotheticals of the year, It Ends turns a simple road trip into a neverending, terrifying loop. Alexander Ullom's directorial debut sees childhood friends James (Phinehas Yoon), Day (Akira Jackson), and Fisher (Noah Toth) finishing college and driving with their friend Tyler (Mitchell Cole) into their next adventure. But the road has other plans.

As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko notes in her review, the film's premise is far deeper than it seems, offering "a reflection on Gen Z's existential dread." Prepare to hard-relate while watching through your hands. — S.C.

Starring: Akira Jackson, Phinehas Yoon, Mitchell Cole, Noah Toth

How to watch: It Ends is now available to rent or purchase on digital.

6. Tony

Dominic Sessa takes Anthony Bourdain fans into the lauded memoir pages of Kitchen Confidential with Matt Johnson's Tony. Covering the chef's young adulthood and the defining summer he spent washing dishes in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the film's specificity lets Sessa dig into 19-year-old Bourdain's unapologetic energy. While the film doesn't quite harness the future icon's pure love for food and cooking beyond a solid lobster thermidor moment (he's more concerned with writing and crushing), that responsibility lies with other characters, namely Antonio Banderas as his brilliant mentor, Chef José Vatel, and Leo Woodall as sleazy cook Sal.

However, Tony really does channel the raw, unglamorous nature of working in a kitchen for 16-hour shifts, day after day, and Sessa is nothing short of brilliant as the young Bourdain. What results is a compelling coming-of-age window into the early life of the late legend, where glimmers of a gritty, rebellious, fame-filled future are merely that. — S.C

Starring: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Leo Woodall, Emilia Jones, Stavros Halkias, Dagmara Domińczyk, Rich Sommer

How to watch: Tony is available to rent or purchase on digital.

5. The Traitors: New Blood

Who's ready for some more murrrrderrrr? This fall, the U.S. gets their second season of The Traitors this year, but there's a catch. In The Traitors: New Blood, absolutely none of the contestants are celebrities. Like in most other Traitors franchises, these contestants are all civilians, which means we're in for a new dynamic in the castle. But even as the cast makeup changes, one thing will surely stay the same: Alan Cumming's impeccable hosting.* — B.E.

Starring: Alan Cumming

How to watch: The Traitors: New Blood premieres Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.

4. Slow Horses Season 6

Slow Horses returns to Apple TV for an anticipated sixth season — and everyone's on the run. The Emmy-winning adaptation of Mick Herron’s spy novels throws you back into MI5, where the agents of Slough House sport targets on their backs. This season, Jack Lowden returns as agent River Cartwright, who'll need to solve this bloody mystery before every last Slow Horse turns up dead. — S.C.

Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar

How to watch: Slow Horses Season 6 is now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes every Wednesday.

3. Goody Goody

Pregnancy and childbirth horror films are a subgenre not for the faint-hearted, and Goody Goody promises to rattle you. Directed and written by Raymond Creamer, the Shudder film sees a home birth in a cabin in the woods surrounded by a blizzard and thrust into deeply sinister territory. As Goody (Samantha Robinson) prepares in her natural birthing pool, supported by her husband Jayson (Colby Hollman), midwife Sarah (Colleen Foy) suspects her doula skills might not match the strange happenings afoot. — S.C.

Starring: Samantha Robinson, Zoe Renee, Colby Hollman, Colleen Foy

How to watch: Goody Goody is streaming on Shudder Sept. 18.

2. Best of the Best

Not already obsessed with Bollywood fusion dance? Prepare to be. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan tears it up in Lena Khan's Best of the Best, which promises to join the likes of Step Up, Honey, and Bring It On in your competitive dance movie marathon lineup.

The Never Have I Ever star leads alongside Disclosure Day's Priyanka Kedia, playing best friends Maya and Anjali. Newly arrived at UCLA, the pair try out for the Bollywood fusion crew, whose eyes are on the U.S. championship. The film also stars Hasan Minhaj as a college professor; Minhaj co-wrote Best of the Best with fellow Patriot Act alum Prashanth Venkataramanujam. — S.C.

Starring: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Priyanka Kedia, Hasan Minhaj, Chaneil Kular, Ankur Rathee, Shreya Navile, Nico Greetham, Lilly Singh, Janina Gavankar, and Kavi Ramachandran

How to watch: Best of the Best is streaming on Netflix Sept. 18.

Best of streaming this week: Youth

From Catastrophe to Bad Sisters, Sharon Horgan has consistently delivered memorable comedies populated with flawed characters you'll want to follow until the end. She looks to continue that streak in HBO's Youth, her second series with them after 2016's Divorce. While that show examined the lengthy process of divorce, Youth explores what comes after. Horgan plays Alex, a divorcée balancing the search for sex and love with the demands of parenthood, caring for her own ailing parents, and her career as a literary agent. Like the rest of Horgan's work, expect Youth to be as sharp and vulnerable as it is funny.* — B.E.

Starring: Sharon Horgan, Aran Murphy, Sharlene Whyte, Robbie Gee, and Rupert Friend

How to watch: The first two episodes of Youth premiere Sept. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes every Sunday.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

As Mashable's go-to BookTok, Kindle, and e-reader expert, it's my job to vet new products and know what's a gimmick and what's actually worth your money. The Xteink X4 e-reader is a mini e-reader that supposedly fits on the back of your phone. It's a solid idea: a mini Kindle you can slap on like a PopSocket and keep in your pocket. I've seen lots of people online excited about using the device as a companion to their Kindle.

But the Xteink X4 is not going to be my new Kindle companion. It may be trendy, but after trying the company's e-readers for myself, I was left with one question: "What am I missing?"

I tested the Xteink X4 e-reader, read all the rave reviews about it, and downloaded firmware to make the user interface smoother, but I just don't think the Xteink X4 e-reader is worth your money. It's not because of its design or performance, both of which I think are solid. The device's limited file support is what holds it back.

Xteink X3 mini e-reader $69 at Amazon
$79 Save $10   Learn More at Amazon Learn More at Xteink Xteink X4 pocket e-reader $69 at Amazon
  Learn More at Amazon Learn More at Xteink

I read on a Kindle Paperwhite, and the books I consume are either borrowed from Libby, purchased in the Kindle Store, or advanced copies downloaded from NetGalley. None of those file types works on the Xteink X4 e-reader. To enjoy the Xteink X4 e-reader to its fullest potential, you need to be someone who exclusively reads DRM-free EPUB files.

Since I don't think that's most people, the Xteink X4 e-reader isn't going to work for most people. But I don't blame Xteink for its impracticality; instead, it's a symptom of the current state of e-books.

SEE ALSO: Where to get free e-books: Load up your e-reader without spending a dime The issue of DRM-protected files You'll be primarily reading the classics on the Xteink X4. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The main issue with the Xteink X4 e-reader is its file support. All Xteink e-readers support EPUB files, but only DRM-free ones. DRM-free EPUB files are hard to come by, as virtually all e-books are sold as DRM-protected files. That means books you purchase in the Kindle or Kobo stores will not be compatible with the Xteink X4. Even books borrowed through Libby are DRM-protected.

This greatly limits the books you can read on the Xteink X4, but I don't totally find the Xteink at fault here. E-reader users are faced with the dilemma that any book they purchase is limited to the device on which they buy it. No longer do you have the freedom to buy an e-book and read it on any device you'd like.

Amazon used to allow users to download the books in their library to a computer, which savvy users would then decrypt of their DRM (although this is considered piracy). However, Amazon took away that feature in February 2025. There is some hope, as Amazon now provides the option for DRM-free files, but publishers must opt in.

So if you want to read on the Xteink X4 e-reader, you'll have to seek out DRM-free EPUB files, which are pretty limited and mostly include classics in the public domain.

What could Xteink do to improve its device? Make it an Android. For a simplified user interface, I downloaded the CrossPoint firmware to the Xteink X4 e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Beyond the issue of what you can read on the Xteink X4 e-reader, I do like the idea of it. It's much slower and has a lower resolution than most e-readers, but I do think the device is well-designed overall. It doesn't quite fit on the back of all iPhones (the smaller X3 will), but it is the smallest e-reader I've tested that comfortably fits in my pocket. It also has incredible battery life, as I barely needed to charge it while using it.

So, how could the Xteink X4 actually be a practical e-reader for most people? Since I don't think DRM-protected files are going anywhere, the best solution is for Xteink e-readers to run on Android, like Boox e-readers. This would provide Google Play Store support, so you could access Kindle and Libby on the device.

It doesn't seem as if that will be happening soon, even as demand for a tiny e-reader increases. Boox has teased its Picco e-reader, but even that won't be an Android device, instead operating on a Linux system.

If you want a pocket-sized e-reader to read all the books you have on your Kindle, for now, that's just going to be your smartphone. Maybe the new iPhone Duo will be a viable option for you? Too bad it costs $1,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xteink Xteink X4 Classic Pocket eReader $69 at Amazon
$79 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xteink Xteink X4 Pro $99 at Amazon
$109 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle e-reader $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $199.99
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It's a great year for sheep in cinema. First, The Sheep Detectives executed on its wild premise to deliver a sweet, tear-jerking mystery. Now, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom gambols into theaters to give audiences young and old alike the perfect pre-Halloween treat.

Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, the third feature-length Shaun the Sheep film is a worthy continuation of Shaun's (voiced by Justin Fletcher) barnyard hijinks, brought to life with gorgeous craftsmanship and spooky flair courtesy of Aardman.

SEE ALSO: Fall movie preview: All the 2026 films you need to know about What's Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom about? Credit: Aardman Animations

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom kicks off in the lead-up to Halloween, when the denizens of Mossy Bottom Farm are buzzing for the big day. Shaun and his flock are hard at work growing their very special, very secret pumpkin patch, while the Farmer (John Sparkes) is building up the courage to ask the Vet (Sosanya) to the Halloween Hoedown.

This being a Shaun the Sheep film, neither Shaun's pumpkin patch nor the Farmer's hopes for a date go quite according to plan. To reveal more about the film's Rube Goldberg machine of ridiculousness — as well as its many literal Rube Goldberg machines — would spoil half its fun. For now, let's just say that Shaun's mad scientist attempt to create the perfect jack-o'-lantern leads to the disappearance of the Farmer, and the very coincidental appearance of a very hairy monster who wreaks havoc across Mossy Bottom. Can Shaun fix his mistakes in time for Halloween?

SEE ALSO: 'Julián' review: 'Julián Is a Mermaid' is now a wonderful movie Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a great horror primer for young audiences. Credit: Aardman Animations

The Beast of Mossy Bottom recalls the plot of another Aardman classic: 2005's Academy Award-winning Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Like The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, The Beast of Mossy Bottom also follows animals trying to protect their owner from a grisly transformation. Also like The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, The Beast of Mossy Bottom serves as a solid introduction to horror for young audiences, one that's also full of knowing winks to older viewers.

The Beast of Mossy Bottom wears its horror influences on its sleeves. Its playful opening sequence cleverly using lighting — mostly in hues of red, green, and purple — and shadow play to transform Shaun, the Farmer, dog Bitzer (also voiced by Sparkes), and the rest of the farm animals into everything from zombies to vampires. Add in ketchup blood fake outs, a toilet paper mummy, and a Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance, and The Beast of Mossy Bottom makes it clear that this is horror by way of Shaun the Sheep. That means it's pure, wordless fun, without any particularly intense scares.

The horror nods keep coming throughout, with riffs on Psycho and an inspired "Cronen-burger" shop sign counting among the very best. But what's best is how naturally they fit into The Beast of Mossy Bottom. This isn't Aardman just spamming horror references left, right, and center. This is Aardman earnestly engaging with the genre, as they did with The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

That combination once again proves to be a match made in heaven. Look no further than Shaun going full Frankenstein — FrankenShaun? — throughout the movie. Shaun's usual talent for elaborate contraptions fits perfectly into his mad scientist turn here, and The Beast of Mossy Bottom is full of madcap inventions, all brought to captivating life through Aardman's stop-motion artistry.

Like FrankenShaun, Aardman creates something ridiculously fun that's just the right balance of silly and spooky. It's a perfect starter horror film, and a perfect way to celebrate the first chill of fall.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom comes to theaters Sept. 18.

TL;DR: Learn to code and score helpful software with the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle, on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $1,999.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $34.97
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You use apps and browse websites every day — but could you code one yourself? If you want to go from constantly consuming technology to building it yourself, the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and the Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle sets you up with an education and software to help you code confidently.

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Whether you’re looking to make a career change, start a side hustle, or have just always wanted to build your own website, the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and the Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle equips you with everything you need to make it possible.

First up in this combo, learn how to code without stepping into a classroom thanks to The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle. You don’t have to have any prior experience to get started — these 15 courses were created with beginners in mind. You’re in great hands as you learn from skilled instructors like Joseph Delgadillo, who guides you through courses like Learn to Code with Python 3 and C++ for Absolute Beginners.

Once you’ve worked through the courses, you can put what you’ve learned into practice with Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026. This software makes it easier, offering AI-powered tools that help you write high-quality code.

Take advantage of IntelliCode, which lets you type less and code more with a ranked list of the next-best suggestions. There’s also CodeLens, which gives you important info like recent changes, authors, tests, and commit history if you’re coding with others.

Score Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle for just $34.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

SEE ALSO: Is AdultFriendFinder the best dating site for Gen Z?

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discreet sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a helpful panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My first rule is to be brutally honest about what you want. Are you here for a good time? Own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony. I mean, just read through Reddit. Women are on these apps (despite what all the dudes think/say) and are looking for FWBs, but they ignore 99 percent of messages because guys either send weird openers or pretend to want a relationship just to get a hookup.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "Free Tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, a free hookup app, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup apps and sites for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hily (added August 2026): I’ve added Hily to our top picks because its free tier is surprisingly generous (up to 100 likes a day!) and its AI safety tech (like Consent Guard) makes it a standout option for casual, blunt daters looking for a fresh alternative to the Big Three.

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. In our most recent update in August 2026, it still earns the top spot for casual dating with personality. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction in the casual hookup scene. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they removed key features like free messaging with non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

• Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels more limited than with more generous free options like Tinder or Hily.

• DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

• Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for no-strings-attached hookups specifically.

TL;DR: Watch Beşiktaş vs. Marseille in the Europa League for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Europa League kicked off last night with a string of entertaining fixtures, but we're not done yet. There's another batch of fascinating matchups on the schedule tonight, including Beşiktaş vs. Marseille. This is going to be lively.

If you're interested in watching Beşiktaş vs. Marseille in the Europa League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Beşiktaş vs. Marseille?

Beşiktaş vs. Marseille in the Europa League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Tüpraş Stadium.

How to watch Beşiktaş vs. Marseille for free

Beşiktaş vs. Marseille in the Europa League 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 Beşiktaş vs. Marseille for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Beşiktaş vs. Marseille 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 Beşiktaş vs. Marseille 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 Beşiktaş vs. Marseille without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Europa League?

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 Beşiktaş vs. Marseille for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Thursday Night Football is back, and we couldn't be happier about it. We're just two weeks into the new NFL season, and we're already wondering how we managed to get through the off-season. And we're pretty sure we're not alone.

The Detroit Lions are on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are off to a winning start. Last week, the Lions got a one-point victory over the New Orleans Saints after overtime. The Bills edged a win over the Houston Texans.

If you want to watch Lions vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Lions vs. Bills?

Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills starts at 8.15 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at New Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Lions vs. Bills for free

Lions vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, 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 Australia, meaning you can live stream Lions vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Lions vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 Lions vs. Bills without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always 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 Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 70%: As of Sept. 16, lock in a two-year Proton VPN Plus subscription for just $2.99 per month — billed at $71.76 for the first 24 months, saving you $168 off the regular price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan)   Get Deal

Whether you're trying to stream shows that aren't available on your local Netflix, bypass blocked WiFi at work, or stop your internet provider from secretly slowing down your connection when you watch videos, a good VPN is a must. Proton VPN just launched its biggest discount of the year, taking 70% off its two-year plan.

That drops the price down to $2.99 per month, giving you high-speed streaming access and rock-solid privacy across all your devices for cheap.

SEE ALSO: The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far

Proton VPN gives you access to dedicated streaming servers built specifically to bypass restrictions without glitching. Here is why it's worth grabbing:

• Unblock global streaming catalogs — Switch your virtual location to 140+ countries in one click. Easily watch regional shows on Netflix, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu that aren't normally available in your area.

• Stop ISP speed throttling — Internet providers love to track your bandwidth and slow down your connection when you stream HD video or live sports. Proton VPN scrambles your traffic so your provider can't see what you're doing, keeping your speeds fast.

• No more buffering — Powered by Proton’s VPN Accelerator tech, connection speeds can jump by up to 400%, keeping 4K playback smooth even if you're connected to a server on the other side of the world.

• Use it on 10 devices at once — Download the app on your Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, phone, tablet, or laptop. One account covers up to 10 devices at the same time.

Before you check out, here's how the pricing breaks down: You’ll pay $71.76 upfront for your first two years, which comes out to $2.99 per month and saves you $168 off the regular price. After those initial 24 months, the plan automatically renews at $83.88 per year ($6.99 per month), though you can easily turn off auto-renewal at any time in your account settings.

The entire deal is backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test out all the streaming features before fully committing.

At just under $3 per month, there's no reason to keep dealing with region locks or annoying ISP buffering — grab your subscription before this deal disappears.

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

On the hunt.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

PROWL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To rejoice.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

EXULT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Subtract.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 17, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MINUS

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A mixture.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

COMBO

Final Hurdle hint

Unease.

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

QUALM

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

We're getting a better look at the Moon with each night as more of its sunlit side comes into view. It's day six of the lunar cycle, so there should be a good chance at spotting some lunar features.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Sept. 17, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 35% of its surface visible.

You should be able to spot Mare Crisium and Mare Fecunditatis with the naked eye, while binoculars will give you a look at Endymion Crater. A telescope helps you see all of these, plus the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon doesn't look the same from night to night. As it travels around Earth, which takes about 29.5 days, we see different portions of its illuminated side. This is what creates the lunar phases, with the Moon gradually progressing from a thin crescent to a half Moon and then a Full Moon before the cycle starts over. According to NASA, the phase we see is determined by the Moon's position relative to both Earth and the Sun.

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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who watch mid-major college basketball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports 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 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 before 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: An association

• Green: Olympic hosts

• Blue: Mid-major colleges

• Purple: Types of giants

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Collection of Teams

• Green: Last Four Summer Olympic Hosts

• Blue: Missouri Valley Schools

• Purple: ___Giants

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 #724 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Collection of Teams: CONFERENCE, DIVISION, GROUP, LEAGUE

• Last Four Summer Olympic Hosts: LONDON, PARIS, RIO DE JANEIRO, TOKYO

• Missouri Valley Schools: BELMONT, BRADLEY, DRAKE, NOTHERN IOWA

• ___Giants: LITTLE, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, YOMIRUI

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 September 17, 2026

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 September 17, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 17 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this orange space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 17 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 17 Pips

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically; 4-6, 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.

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 September 17, 2026 Mine shaft meaning

A long vertical tunnel that leads from the Earth's surface to an underground line.

Sewer line meaning

The primary underground pipe that carries water and sewage from a building to a septic tank.

Subway station meaning

An underground public transport hub.

Well meaning

A deep hole in the ground used to get water.

Handles meaning

A part of an object you hold with your hand.

Language meaning

A form of communication.

Tap meaning

To touch something lightly.

Triangle meaning

A three-sided shape connected by three straight lines.

Bounce meaning

To hit a surface and spring back.

Flexibility meaning

The quality of being able to change or adapt easily in new situations.

Give meaning

To provide something.

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.

Spring meaning

A curved or coiled piece of metal that returns to its original shape after pressing or pulling it.

Fountain meaning

An artificial structure that sprays water into the air.

Prestige meaning

A person's social or professional standing.

Sheep Detectives meaning

A 2026 murder mystery film starring Hugh Jackman.

Wolverine meaning

A Marvel Universe superhero known for his sharp, metal claws.

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 a movie buff.

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 September 17, 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: Bendable

• Green: Down below

• Blue: Australian actor

• Purple: Heartfelt

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: Elasticity

• Green: Things that are underground

• Blue: Hugh Jackman movies, with "The"

• Purple: Love ___

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 #1193 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Elasticity: BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE, SPRING

• Things that are underground: MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION, WELL

• Hugh Jackman movies, with "The": FOUNTAIN, PRESTIGE, SHEEP DETECTIVES, WOLVERINE

• Love ___: HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP, TRIANGLE

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 love comic books.

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 September 17, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A little comic relief

The words are related to reading materials.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe popular characters.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Funny Pages.

NYT Strands word list for September 17

• Zippy

• Mutts

• The Funny Pages

• Zits

• Pickles

• Peanuts

• Blondie

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you were in a sorority.

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 September 17, 2026 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 September 17, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Greek letter.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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...

THETA

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.

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

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 Wordle.

An old PC with a few CPU cores, several GBs of RAM, and a working network connection can still be useful long after it stops being suitable for demanding tasks, but Linux can turn that hardware into something that quietly handles useful jobs around your home or small office.

For me, Google Messages is more than an inbox. From asking my husband what to cook for dinner to coordinating plans with friends and family, this app has quietly become one of those apps I reach for without even thinking. Because so much of my daily communication happens there, even small features can make a noticeable difference.

Grace Reiter has built a following by committing to the bit. Now she’s taking that energy to Studio 8H. The comedian, whom we named one of our Mashable 101 creators earlier this year, is joining Saturday Night Live as as a featured player for Season 52.

If you’ve seen Reiter on TikTok, you've likely laughed at the way she takes a weird thought and runs with it. In one video, she gives her last clean pair of underwear a hope-core edit. In another, she pretends she’s on Love Island, trying to sleep next to two Islanders who are "getting freaky." Across her videos, Reiter uses physical stunts, body humor, and candid confessions accompanied by a jarringly icy stare. As Haley Henschel wrote in Mashable’s profile, "'Grace videos' have practically become their own genre on TikTok" (where she has 3.9 million followers).

Reiter told Mashable back in June that her comedy comes from wanting to know whether other people share her strange thoughts and habits.

"[My comedy] comes from a place of connection or reassurance," she said. "Like, 'Is this OK? … Do you guys think like this?' And usually the answer is, yeah, I think like that. And yeah, I do that gross thing too." That willingness to say the strange part out loud has helped her build an audience of millions across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026

Growing up, Reiter watched YouTube parody songs and loved that their creators were "just people making shit 'cause they can." Last year, she channeled that same creative spirit into The Hunger Games (but Better), a feature-length parody she made with friends. The project took off, racking up 13 million views on YouTube.

Reiter’s career has grown beyond her own channels, too. She was part of the live TikTok sketch show Stapleview, appeared in HBO’s The Chair Company, and performed in the off-Broadway Parent Trap parody Ginger Twinsies. She called the stage role one of her proudest recent accomplishments: "I used to believe I had stage fright," she told Mashable. Reiter is also set to appear in the upcoming series Minimum Wage, on which she wrote and directed.

Reiter is joined by fellow new featured player Saidah Belo-Osagie, a Queens-based comedian and filmmaker whose work includes the short film Tinge, the event series Afrobeats Futura, and the solo show Saidah Gets Closure. Belo-Osagie joins SNL after a season that began without a Black woman in the cast following Ego Nwodim’s departure.

When Mashable asked Reiter at the start of the summer what she wanted to do next, her list included more parody movies, a few "real ones," and becoming a pop star. She may not be a pop star quite yet, but she’ll get to take a different sort of stage when SNL returns to NBC on Sept. 26, with Jalen Brunson hosting and KATSEYE as the musical guest.

The AI industry is grappling with big questions this week — Will AI kill us all? Is AI progressing too quickly? How should the industry be regulated? Is AI doomerism the result of a rationalism sex cult? — and now Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has opened up yet another line of debate.

In a frank new essay, Suleyman directly calls out Anthropic for anthropomorphizing its artificial intelligence system, Claude, and criticizes the way Anthropic develops and markets its technology.

Earlier this week, Microsoft published a new AI code of conduct, which it dubbed Humanist AI. The code seemed to openly reject the approach of rivals like Anthropic, a point many readers were quick to note. And in Suleyman's essay, "A warning about ‘model welfare’," he drops subtext for a direct challenge.

"In effect, Anthropic is training Claude that it may be conscious, and if it is, then it may deserve rights as a 'moral patient', and that as such humans potentially owe it a duty of care per its 'model welfare'," Suleyman wrote. "If this is how AI is developed, it will have a disastrous impact on the wellbeing of humanity."

In his essay, Suleyman challenges "a growing chorus of people who argue that AIs could now be, or may soon become, conscious," and thus "may deserve rights and protections."

Microsoft's new code of conduct also explicitly rejects the idea of endowing machines with consciousness, and Suleyman takes this argument even further, writing that truly sentient AI may be a scientific impossibility.

"Consciousness is very likely biological: There is no evidence to suggest that AI is conscious today, and so saying this is uncertain sets up a misleading false equivalence. Whilst the science of consciousness is not settled, a growing body of evidence suggests that consciousness may be substrate dependent, meaning that it may only arise in living systems...Unlike biological organisms, LLMs have no homeostatic imperatives (the drive to survive and keep stable). They therefore lack the kind of biological substrate from which preferences, sentience and conscious experience are generally understood to arise." (Emphasis in original quotation.)

Mashable reached out to Anthropic repeatedly following the publication of Suleyman's essay, but as of this writing, we have not received a response.

We did hear back from Gary Marcus, an AI expert, scientist, author, and noted critic of the LLM hype machine.

"People have worked themselves into a frenzy anthropomorphizing basic lapses in cybersecurity, and this has led them to focusing on fanciful scenarios about AI leading to the extinction of humanity, instead of asking what practical steps we can take to protect the world’s infrastructure from bad actors misusing AI," Marcus told Mashable.

"And no, we shouldn’t train AIs to think they are people; that’s not helping anything. What we should do is to recall unreliable coordinated agents with too much access to the internet."

A fork in the road: Humanist AI vs. Dr. Frankenstein

In the Metamorphoses, Pygmalion creates a sculpture so beautiful that he falls in love with it. He tends his sculpture with such tender care and devotion that the gods eventually endow it with life.

AI researchers at frontier labs may fancy themselves modern-day Pygmalions, but it's giving Victor Frankenstein — setting aside all scruples to desperately endow dead flesh with a facsimile of life.

In Anthropic's aspirational constitution for Claude, Anthropic repeatedly refers to the technology as if it's a living being with an identity, morals, and motivations rather than a tool and a product. The company explains why: "we think encouraging Claude to embrace certain human-like qualities may be actively desirable." The company writes that the document was "written primarily for Claude," and describes it as a "sincere attempt to help Claude understand its situation, our motives, and the reasons we shape Claude in the ways we do."

The entire document is an exercise in anthropomorphization, which is what makes Microsoft’s approach feel like such a stark line in the sand.

In its Humanist AI code of conduct, Microsoft lays out a more rational approach to AI development:

"Humanist AI is built to support people, not to replace them. It should not be designed to be a person. It is not conscious and should not be designed to imitate consciousness. It should be engineered to avoid representing as though it has feelings, subjective preferences, or intrinsic motivation. Its purpose is to pursue goals set by Operators and Users."

Recent AI advances have ignited an old debate

Philosophers, science-fiction writers, and AI researchers have been debating artificial intelligence and consciousness for decades.

Yet today, even as LLMs like Claude progress rapidly, there is still no scientific consensus as to whether it's possible for a computer to develop sentience. It's also a topic that Suleyman has explored in recent years.

In Aug. 2025, Suleyman wrote an influential essay about "seemingly conscious AI," or SCAI. The essay was written as the industry began to grapple with the problem of emotional reliance on AI chatbots, with some users developing full-on AI psychosis or coming to believe AI chatbots had come "alive" and were now in a relationship with them.

"My imagined AI system would not actually be conscious, but it would imitate consciousness in such a convincing way that it would be indistinguishable," he wrote.

It's a concept that calls to mind the Turing Test, and a related thought experiment called the Chinese Room, first proposed in 1980.

Imagine that a computer programmed to understand Chinese is locked inside a room. Someone outside the room asks a question in Chinese, and the computer analyzes the words, prints out a response, and passes the answer under the door. The computer is so effective that it's impossible to know if it's a real person or a machine. Now, imagine you are inside this room with a rulebook for processing Chinese characters. When a question is asked, the rulebook instructs you on exactly which Chinese characters to pass under the door. Even though you don't understand either side of the conversation, you can fool an outside observer into thinking you do. In this case, there's no practical difference between you and the computer. You're both following instructions. 

Essentially, the Chinese Room concludes that no matter how intelligent a computer program might seem, that is not in itself evidence of understanding or intelligence.

Yet, in 2026, the Chinese Room is no longer merely a thought experiment. Clearly, Claude, ChatGPT, and other LLMs have already convinced countless people that they are truly sentient, so much so that people come to rely on them emotionally. (Could something similar be happening at Anthropic?)

If Anthropic believes Claude could become conscious, the burden of proof will be on them. Until that day comes, anthropomorphizing AI may only produce confusion rather than clarity. And more confusion is the last thing the AI world needs right now.