Blogroll
Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Hillary Clinton being forced to testify on Epstein
Hillary Clinton spent six hours answering questions about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday after being compelled to testify, and Jimmy Kimmel has thoughts.
In the clip above the host shared Clinton's statement, in which the former Secretary of State suggested the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform "ask [Donald Trump] directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files."
"I do want to say, in defence of the president that is not correct," says Kimmel. "Trump's name did not show up tens of thousands of times, it showed up hundreds of thousands of times. Almost a million of times."
Kimmel goes on to suggest that rather than subpoenaing Clinton to testify "they could bring in someone who actually knew him, someone who Epstein called his 'closest friend', someone who said he was a 'terrific guy' who 'likes beautiful women...on the younger side'."
Wonder who that could be?
Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletters.
The Daily Show reacts to missing Epstein files on Trump
Donald Trump comes up a lot in the Epstein files, but an investigation by NPR reported that the Department of Justice withheld documents mentioning his name in relation to allegations that he sexually abused a minor.
The revelation has not only dominated headlines but late night show monologues, including The Daily Show, on which host Desi Lydic reacted to the allegedly missing files.
"Huh, that's strange. Trump's DOJ did that?" Lydic said. "The same DOJ that promised to release the Epstein files and then gave influencers binders filled with old documents and they wouldn't release more, so Congress had to pass a law saying that they had to, but they still missed the deadline to release the files, and then when they finally did, the files were riddled with sketchy redactions? That DOJ? Nah, I can't see it."
Lydic noted that usually you'd think "a batch of missing files linking the president to international sex crimes would be the main story on any network" but pointed to conservative media sites, which have instead blown up "a story even more disturbing and explosive."
Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletters.
The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $600
SAVE $600: As of Feb. 27, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is on sale for $699 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni $699 at Amazon$1,299.99 Save $600.99 Get Deal
Have you been looking for an excuse to buy a robot vacuum? Well, if $600 off a great model sounds like a good excuse to you, check out this Amazon deal on the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni. As of Feb. 27, this robot vacuum is down to $699, a 46% discount off the list price. Not only that, but according to camelcamelcamel, it's never been cheaper than this before.
And it's not just a robot vacuum, it's a mop too. It uses BLAST technology alongside its 16,600Pa suction to pick up dust and pet hair deep from carpets, meanwhile the Triple Lift System raises the mop, side brush, and main brush independently to keep carpets dry and make transitions between the vacuum and mop seamless.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The OZMO Roller continuously self-washes during use to avoid spreading dirty water all over your floors, and the ZeroTangle 2.0 system prevents hair from wrapping around the brush; ideal if you have pets at home.
And you won't need to top up manually in the hard to reach corners, this vacuum has edge-to-edge cleaning that makes sure you get a better coverage along walls and corners. It also comes with an OMNI docking Station. Here the vacuum does all its maintenance, including mop washing and drying, water refilling, and dust emptying for up to 150 days. So there's really next to no work for you to do.
Does this sound like a treat? Head to Amazon now and score this limited-time robot vacuum deal.
Score a free $30 Amazon gift card when pre-ordering the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
FREE $30 GIFT CARD: As of Feb. 27, Prime members can get a free $30 Amazon gift card when pre-ordering the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. This offer only lasts until March 10.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026) + $30 Gift Card $249.99 at Amazon$279.99 Save $30 Pre-order Here
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are gearing up to drop on March 11, and Amazon is offering a sweet bonus for Prime members who pre-order these earbuds ahead of that release. Those hoping to grab these earbuds can score a $30 Amazon gift card for free with their $249.99 preorder right now, which is a great way to land a little extra spending cash.
This offer applies to both the black and white Galaxy Buds 4 Pro earbuds, so you can pick your favorite color and still get the gift card attached. Again, this is a Prime Exclusive deal, so you'll have to have a membership. This offer only runs for a limited time, the day before these earbuds release (March 10), so don't wait too long to take advantage of it.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!So what exactly do these shiny new earbuds have to offer? According to Mashable's Bethany Allard in her piece on everything to know about them, published following the latest Galaxy Unpacked event, "The Buds4 Pro come with an audio improvement in the form of a wider woofer. Up from a 10.5mm DD woofer on the Buds3 Pro, the newer gen will feature an 11mm SuperWide woofer. It is worth noting, however, that the Buds3 Pro featured a 6.1mm planar tweeter, while the Buds4 Pro feature a 5.5mm planar tweeter."
Allard also notes that "Both the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro will feature smaller earbud heads, with the intention of providing more comfortable all-day wear." On top of that, the Pro models also feature Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0 for keeping outside noises quiet and a battery life that lasts up to 26 hours using ANC (with the charging case's help), or up to 30 hours without ANC.
March 10 is the final day of this deal. Don't miss out on the chance to get a $30 gift card when pre-ordering the new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro earbuds at Amazon.
The Jackery Explorer 300 has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — buy now for under $200
SAVE $70: As of Feb. 27, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $189 at Amazon. That's a 27% saving on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $189 at Amazon$259 Save $70 Get Deal
If you long for camping season (and better weather), why not pass the time by upgrading your kit? If you've ever toyed with the idea of adding a portable power station to your lineup of equipment, there couldn't be a better time to invest.
As of Feb. 27, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale at Amazon. This is an incredibly lightweight, portable power option from Jackery that is perfect for carrying with you on outdoor trips. And right now it's down to its best-ever price, just $189 (down from $259).
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!It has a 293Wh lithium-ion battery and two pure sine wave AC outlets that deliver up to 300W of power. And if you decide to head off on a whim, this model can recharge up to 80% in around two hours when using both a wall outlet and the 60W USB-C PD port simultaneously. It also supports charging via a car outlet, so you can top it up on the go,
It has a range of ports including AC outlets, a USB-C port (input/output), USB-A ports, a Quick Charge 3.0 port, and a DC car port, so you can power or charge up to six devices at once.
Get this great Jackery power station deal at Amazon.
The Samsung 55-inch QN80F Neo QLED 4K TV hits a record-low price at Amazon — save $600
SAVE $600: As of Feb. 27, the Samsung 55-inch QN80F Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale for $697.99 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch QN80F Neo QLED 4K TV $697.99 at Amazon$1,297.99 Save $600 Get Deal
It's always a good deal when a TV drops to its best-ever price. For a limited time, the Samsung 55-inch QN80F Neo QLED 4K TV is $600 off. Yes, you read it right. As of Feb. 27, this impressive TV is on sale for its lowest-ever price, and the savings are big. This hefty discount takes the price down from $1,297.99 to $697.99, just shy of half off.
The quality is amazing, combining AI-enhanced processing with Mini LED technology to deliver sharp and detailed picture quality to everything you watch. It also has precision-controlled Mini LEDs that improve the contrast and brightness, so TV shows and movies will look more vivid and defined.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!If you're a gamer, the TV supports smooth motion with VRR gaming up to 4K 144Hz for fast-paced gaming. You'll also have access to all the major streaming platforms (think Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.), plus over 400 Samsung TV Plus premium channels.
Ready to upgrade? Find this great deal at Amazon now. Don't wait long — it's a limited-time deal.
NYT Pips hints, answers for February 27, 2026
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 27, 2026The 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 February 27, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 27 PipsEqual (6): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 27 PipsNumber (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 27 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Jack Dorseys Block lays off nearly half of workforce due to AI
Jack Dorsey's Block, a fintech company that owns Square and Cash App, is laying off nearly half of its workforce.
Dorsey announced the layoffs on X, citing AI as the main reason behind the move.
"Today we're making one of the hardest decisions in the history of our company: we're reducing our organization by nearly half, from over 10,000 people to just under 6,000," he wrote.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The layoffs come after a strong quarter for Block, with revenue, profit, and customer base all growing. But Dorsey appears to think that the rise of AI makes this move inevitable, presenting the decision as a choice between doing one sharp cut now, or laying people off slowly over a longer period of time.
"I'd rather take a hard, clear action now and build from a position we believe in than manage a slow reduction of people toward the same outcome," he wrote.
Employees that are being laid off will get their salary for 20 weeks plus one week per year of tenure, six months of health care, and $5,000 in cash, among other benefits. But how hard will it be for them to find another job?
Dorsey's reasoning echoes the sentiment recently shared by several tech leaders, with Anthropic's Boris Cherny claiming that "coding is largely solved" and Elon Musk saying that AI will "replace all jobs." A widely shared "thought exercise" by Citrini recently predicted an economic collapse by 2028 due to AI driving humans out of work.
SEE ALSO: Anthropic changes safety policy amid intense AI competition"Something has changed," wrote Dorsey. "We're already seeing that the intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company. and that's accelerating rapidly."
The market reacted positively to the news, with Block's shares rising by nearly 30 percent in extended trading following the announcement.
Is Amazons spring sale happening this year? Heres how were prepping for it.
With spring on the way, it's time to throw the windows open and get a fresh start. For the past two years, Amazon has launched its Big Spring Sale, a now annual event that brings major markdowns to warm-weather items ahead of the new season. While Amazon hasn't provided an official announcement for its 2026 spring sale, we suspect that it's coming soon.
Having covered Amazon's Big Spring Sale since it began two years ago, we're here to prep you on everything you need to know, including when it might be, which deals will be available, and whether you need a Prime membership to shop the savings.
When is Amazon's Big Spring Sale?We don't have the official dates for Amazon's Big Spring Sale yet, but based on previous years, we can speculate. In 2025, the sale ran from March 25 to 31, and in 2024, the sale ran from March 20 to 25. With that information, we suspect the sale will run within the last two weeks of March.
What deals will be available?Amazon's Big Spring Sale is all about the transition from winter to spring. Last year, we saw deals up to 40% off across 35 different categories. The bulk of the deals focus on last-chance savings on cold-weather items, as well as early savings on warm-weather activities and spring-cleaning must-haves. However, deals span across other home and tech categories as well.
Last year, we saw savings across all of Amazon's device lineups: Echo, Fire TV, eero, and Kindle. In fact, the Kindle Colorsoft saw its first-ever sale last year. But will this sale beat Amazon's Black Friday pricing? That's still to be seen.
Best early Amazon Big Spring Sale deals Levoit top-fill humidifier $27.95 at Amazon (save $12.04) Get Deal Bissell PowerClean FurGuard cordless vacuum $199.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal eufy Robot Vacuum E28 $699.98 at Amazon (save $300.01) Get Deal Bluetti Elite 30 V2 portable power station $218.99 at Amazon (save $80.01) Get Deal Do I need a Prime membership to shop Amazon's Big Spring Sale?Prime Day, Amazon's flagship July sale, and Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's holiday season kick-off sale, both require a Prime membership to shop all of the savings. Amazon's Big Spring Sale, on the other hand, doesn't require a membership to shop. That being said, in previous years, we've spotted Prime-exclusive savings, so being a Prime member is still your best bet to taking full advantage of the sale.
Will other retailers have spring sales?When Amazon launches a sale, it kicks off a game of follow the leader. All the other big retailers — Best Buy, Target, and Walmart — have historically launched spring sales around the same time as Amazon's Big Spring Sale. No official sale announcements have come through yet, but we expect they'll come soon.
What are the best things to buy during Amazon's Big Spring sale?An Amazon sale means some of the best savings will be on Amazon devices like Echos, Fire TVs, and Kindles, but the reach of its spring sale goes far beyond that. With the focus on the spring season, expect to see lots of savings on outdoor gear like furniture, grills, tents, and power stations. Plus, there will be plenty of classic big sale savings on TVs, laptops, headphones, and tablets.
How to sign up for Amazon PrimeVisit amazon.com/amazonprime to sign up for Amazon Prime. Those who haven't been a member within the past 12 months can take advantage of its free 30-day trial. Just remember to cancel your subscription before it renews at $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
The Dyson V8 is under $350 right now at Amazon — save $190
SAVE $190: As of Feb. 27, the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is on sale for $349.93 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V8 $349.93 at Amazon$539.99 Save $190.06 Get Deal
Looking for a new vacuum to make your floors sparkly clean? You truly can't go wrong with a Dyson, one of the best brands out there for vacuuming. And as of Feb. 27, the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is on sale at Amazon with a hefty $190 discount.
Whether you have carpeted floors, hard floors, pets, or shoes that always seem to bring in dirt, this vacuum is built to handle it all. It comes with three different attachments for cleaning high, low, and all the annoying little places, as well as a wall dock and charger for easy storage.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!You’ll get up to 40 minutes of run time, with two power modes: a standard mode for general cleaning and a Max mode for more intensive spots. It's lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, and it also converts into a handheld vacuum for cars, stairs, and upholstery.
The Hair screw tool is especially useful. This is built specifically to pick up long hair and pet hair without tangling. And if you suffer from allergies, the advanced whole-machine filtration captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns and expels cleaner air.
Get this Dyson deal from Amazon now.
When is Amazons Spring Sale in 2026? The dates arent announced yet, but we have a guess.
As of late February, there's no official word that an Amazon Big Spring Sale is happening in 2026. But that's not unpromising. Amazon didn't announce dates for its 2025 Spring Sale until March 18 — just a week before the start of the sale.
Based on context clues, chances are that Amazon's 2026 Spring Sale will be slated for the last full week of March. In 2024, the sale started on a Wednesday, running March 20 to 25, and in 2025, the sale started on a Tuesday, running March 25 to 31. Both past sales have run through the following Sunday.
SEE ALSO: Get 2 free months of unlimited listening when you sign up for Amazon Music UnlimitedIf Amazon is aiming to keep the Big Spring Sale strictly within March as it has in years past, the 2026 Big Spring Sale would likely run through Tuesday, March 23, or Wednesday, March 24, to Sunday, March 29. Amazon extended the sale by a day in 2025, so it's possible that we'll see yet another day tacked on this year.
What are the best deals at Amazon's Spring Sale? Best Amazon deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Best air purifier deal Shark NeverChange HEPA Air Purifier (650 sq. ft) $179.00 at Amazon (save $70.99) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Roller Mop with portable carpet cleaner $799.99 at Amazon (save $300.01) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 55-inch Canvas Matte QLED 4K TV with frame $693.99 at Best Buy (save $306.99) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin vívoactive 6 $249.95 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Dash Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer (2.6 quart) $33.33 at Amazon (save $26.66) Get DealAmazon's Spring Sale may not be quite as big as Prime Day in July or October, but it's still one of Amazon's biggest sales of the year. Far more than spring-themed items are on sale, though outdoor equipment, fitness gear, mattresses and lightweight bedding, robot vacuums, and anything else that screams "spring reset" is a huge focus. You'll likely also find deals on tech like TVs, noise-cancelling headphones, and of course, Kindles and other Amazon devices.
In the spirit of the spring season, take a quick second to learn how to recycle Amazon packaging. It's easier than you think.
Do you need a Prime membership for Amazon's Spring Sale?Amazon's Big Spring Sale deals are open to anyone, even if you don't have a Prime membership. Non-Prime members may still need to meet order minimums (often $35) to unlock free shipping, and it probably won't be as quick as Prime shipping. If you're interested, you could sign up for one month of Amazon Prime for $14.99.
What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair? After testing, my cats and I chose 4 top picks for 2026 so far.
Though most of the conversation around pet hair pickup will involve how well that robot vacuum performs on carpet, pets don't stop shedding when they cross over to a hardwood or tiled floor. If your home has a pretty even split of both types of flooring, you should eye one of the best robot vacuum and mop combos for pet hair on hard floors. Strong suction power alone isn't always guaranteed to pull up every tiny strand of fur (especially fur that has blown into the corners of the room), and fine dust like pet dander and kitty litter is stubborn to be sucked up as well. In that case, a wet mopping pad using pressure to wipe is much less likely to leave finer debris behind.
SEE ALSO: The Shark vs. Roomba debate is old news. Here's how both robot vacuum brands got dethroned. Recent changes to this guideFebruary 2025: The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete takes over as the best robot vacuum for pet hair on carpet, replacing the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller. The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow takes over as the best robot vacuum for pet hair on hardwood, replacing the Roborock Saros 10R.
September 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum for pet hair on carpet and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum overall) to the best robot vacuum for pet hair on hard floors.
July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix RV2300S robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.
June 2025: I replaced the Shark Matrix RV2300S with the 3i G10+ as the best budget robot vacuum for pet hair. While the Shark was a solid budget cleaner when it first came out, its suction power isn't nearly as strong as the 18,500 Pa of the 3i G10+. The 3i G10+ also has small obstacle avoidance and a pet camera.
New robot vacuums announced at CES 2026Several top robot vacuum brands unveiled new flagship models at CES in early January. These include the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic and Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete, and the Narwal Flow 2. I'm in the process of testing these at home and will update this guide accordingly as each are officially released to the public.
30 years of Pokémon: The memes that made it immortal
When Satoshi Tajiri created Pokémon, he imagined it as a way for kids to connect. The original games, released in Japan in February 1996, required a physical Game Boy link cable to trade creatures, turning strangers into trainers and playgrounds into real-life Pokémon Gyms.
The anime reinforced that idea, following Ash and Pikachu's journey as they met new friends wherever they went. Pokémon, in any form, was never meant to be experienced alone.
Thirty years later, that same instinct lives on somewhere else entirely: the internet. Not only through trades, but also through memes. A surprised Pikachu. A walking Furret. A Regirok with a handbag. These images have become their own kind of link cable, connecting millions of people through a shared language online.
These are the memes that made Pokémon bigger than a game.
Surprised Pikachu This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.No Pokémon meme captures the internet's favorite emotion — aka "performative shock at predictable consequences" — better than Surprised Pikachu.
The image comes from a 1997 episode of the Pokémon anime, but it didn't become a viral reaction image until 2018, according to Know Your Meme, when fans began pairing Pikachu’s blank, open-mouthed stare with captions describing obviously avoidable outcomes. It quickly became a universal punchline, transcending Pokémon entirely. Today, Surprised Pikachu isn't just a Pokémon meme. It's internet shorthand.
Furret WalkIn 2019, Furret — a long, mustelid-shaped Johto Pokémon with a very feline aura — achieved meme immortality simply by walking.
The endlessly looping animation, first uploaded by Narpy on YouTube in 2019 and often set to the upbeat Accumula Town theme from Pokémon Black and White, became a symbol of quiet perseverance. Furret just keeps going. No destination. No urgency. Just vibes. It's wholesome, hypnotic, and weirdly existential, which makes it perfect internet art.
So I Herd U Liek Mudkips This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Before there was Twitter, there was Mudkip.
Like many early internet memes, "so I herd u liek mudkips" doesn’t have a single, clean origin story. Some fans trace it back to MudKipClub, a DeviantArt group where the phrase was posted earnestly as an inside joke and invitation for other users to join the community. Others remember it spreading through 4chan, where it evolved into copypasta and became part of the platform's deeply chaotic, anything-goes humor.
Either way, by the mid-2000s, the phrase was everywhere — repeated endlessly in early fandom spaces, often ironically, and almost always spelled incorrectly. It was awkward. It was cringe. And that was the point. For better or worse, it helped establish Pokémon as foundational meme material.
Dragonite and Charizard Dancing to Ariana Grande Dragonite and Charizard hitting that beat. Credit: YouTube / Southern LightsSometimes a meme exists purely because it sparks joy.
This viral animation, which began circulating widely in 2016, shows Dragonite and Charizard dancing with surprising elegance, their massive bodies moving with pop-star precision. Most people know it set to Ariana Grande's "Into You," where the contrast between her breathless vocals and their enthusiastic choreography made the clip instantly funny and weirdly perfect.
But "Into You" wasn't the original soundtrack. The animation itself traces back to YouTube, where Thai artist MMDSatoshi used the freeware program MikuMikuDance to create 3D models of the Pokémon and animate them to "Gokuraku Jodo" by Japanese duo GARNiDELiA. As the clip spread across Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube, fans began swapping in their own audio. Soon, everyone from K-pop star CL to Santana had their turn soundtracking the performance.
Regirock With a HandbagRegirock was always stoic. The internet fixed that.
Fans began editing the ancient rock golem to give it accessories — especially nails, lashes, lip filler, and handbags — transforming it into an unlikely fashion icon. The humor comes from contrast: an emotionless legendary Pokémon suddenly serving c*nt looks.
It's absurd, niche, and deeply online.
Slowpoke This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Slowpoke became the internet's patron saint of being late. The meme began circulating widely in 2009, when users on 4chan started posting images of the famously sluggish Pokémon in response to people bringing up old news or long-settled debates.
Over time, it evolved into a universal reaction image, a shorthand for anyone who had missed the moment entirely. You didn't need to know Slowpoke's Pokédex stats to understand it. You just needed to know what it felt like to realize something after everyone else already had.
Diglett UndergroundWhat's under Diglett? The games never answer that question. The internet did.
Diglett is, on its face, deceptively simple: a small, brown, mole-like Pokémon with a round pink nose and two black eyes, poking out of the ground. That's it. No visible arms. No visible legs. Just a head emerging from a hole, as if the rest of its body exists somewhere out of sight.
Fans quickly became obsessed with what that unseen body might look like. They imagined increasingly unhinged possibilities: massive muscular torsos, tiny dangling feet, or eldritch horrors buried beneath the surface. The joke isn't just Diglett — it's the mystery of what lies underground.
Sometimes the funniest part of Pokémon is what it refuses to explain.
BidoofBidoof started as a joke. Then it became a legend.
Originally mocked as useless, Bidoof gained meme status when fans ironically elevated it to god-tier. Pokémon eventually embraced the joke, releasing official videos celebrating Bidoof's greatness.
It's a rare case of the meme reshaping the character itself.
Squirtle Squad This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The Squirtle Squad made sunglasses the coolest accessory in Pokémon history.
The group originated in the Pokémon anime's first season, where a gang of delinquent Squirtle wore black shades and caused trouble before eventually joining Ash's team. Their leader — permanently stoic behind his tiny sunglasses — quickly became a fan favorite, embodying a kind of effortless, miniature swagger.
Online, that image took on a life of its own. Squirtle in sunglasses became shorthand for confidence and the feeling of knowing you’re right. Decades later, it still works, whether you grew up watching the anime or just absorbed the image through the internet. Some memes never age, and this is one of them.
Advice OakAdvice Oak was part of the golden age of image macros.
Using Professor Oak — the lab-coated scientist who introduces players to the world of Pokémon — as a template, fans paired his authoritative presence with terrible advice. The jokes often played on the games’ internal logic and frustrations: warning players not to ride their bike indoors while sending a 10-year-old out alone to battle wild creatures, or urging caution in situations that were already wildly unsafe.
It helped define Pokémon’s early meme language as equal parts silly and self-aware, and rooted in shared experience.
Webb telescope peels back the mystery of a stunning nebula
The James Webb Space Telescope has snapped new pictures of a cosmic cloud of gas and dust blown off by a dying star, whose fate is still unknown to scientists.
The telescope, a partnership of NASA and the European and Canadian space agencies, homed in on PMR 1, a planetary nebula nicknamed the Exposed Cranium for being the spitting image of a brain scan. The nebula lies about 5,000 light-years away from Earth in the Vela constellation.
Webb captured the object in infrared — light wavelengths that are invisible to human eyes but can pierce through thick dust. The new views, in both near and mid-infrared, sharpen details from the photos taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope more than a decade ago.
It's not yet clear why researchers decided to point Webb in its direction, but little is known about the nebula, including the mass of the star creating it. That matters because a more massive star could eventually explode as a supernova, while a smaller, sun-like star would keep shrugging off layers of material until only a dense core remains and cools over time.
SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut who had medical problem in space breaks silenceBeyond the cloud's unusual shape, scientists see the nebula as a freeze-frame in the life of a star facing its final act. Elderly stars shed their outer layers in bursts, creating shells of gas and dust that expand. By observing the nebula at different wavelengths, researchers can sort out what material was molted first, how fast the star is losing mass, and which phase of decline Webb has caught.
A so-called "planetary nebula" is a confusing misnomer because these clouds have nothing to do with planets. As a medium-size star nears the end, it puffs out into a red giant — about 100 to 1,000 times its original size — eventually engulfing the space around it, including any nearby worlds.
When the star eventually releases its outer layers, it shrivels down to its core in what's known as a white dwarf star. At that point, it'll be about the size of Earth.
The images of the Exposed Cranium Nebula suggest multiple episodes of stellar outbursts. A dark lane runs straight through the middle, splitting the glowing cloud into two hemispheres, reinforcing its brainy likeness.
Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.
A faint outer bubble, made mostly of hydrogen, marks an earlier period of material sloughed off. Closer to the center, a more complex cloud of mixed gases forms the "brain" inside the shell. Webb's instruments also show more dust glowing in mid-infrared light, while the near-infrared view lets background stars and even distant galaxies shine through.
Webb's sharper view also hints at possible jets from the central star. The dark lane and the way gas appears to push outward near the top of the nebula suggest an ejection that may be shaping the cloud's symmetry, a common feature when aging stars throw material in opposite directions.
For now, the images capture a brief, dynamic moment in a star's death march, offering a rare peek at how its debris scatters through space, seeding future generations of stars and planets.
10 of the weirdest little freaks in Pokémon history
Thirty years of Pokémon means 30 years of absolutely bizarre, confounding, and totally lovable little freaks populating our screens.
To be clear, I say "little freaks" with nothing but admiration and love. The entire appeal of Pokémon, to me, is that every few years you get a couple hundred strange new creatures to look at and, eventually, learn to love. In fairness to all Pokémon, basically every single one of them is a weird little freak, but the 10 on this list go above and beyond. Lightning-powered mice are pretty weird, but not as weird as sentient ice cream cones, if you get what I'm saying.
Anyway, here are 10 of my favorite Pokémon, just for how strange they are.
SEE ALSO: Get the Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle for the best price at Walmart — save vs. Amazon and TCGplayer KlefkiIntroduced in Gen VI (2013)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Some of the later generations of Pokémon (well, later by the standards of someone who started playing in the 90s) introduced a bunch of little freaks who are more or less just mundane, inanimate objects with faces. These are some of my favorite Pokémon because it feels like whoever designed them was just glancing around the room, looking for anything they could anthropomorphize.
That brings me to Klefki, which is literally a living ring of keys. Series lore suggests Klefki uses the keys as a defense mechanism by rattling them, but the keys also hold deep meaning for the creature, as it will hold onto its favorite ones for long periods. I love this little guy.
ChandelureIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Chandelure is another "random inanimate object" Pokémon, which is best described as a ghostly chandelier. It's the final evolution of a line that also includes a ghostly candle and a ghostly lamp. One thing I love about Chandelure is that it has a Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, turning it into an even more ornate chandelier. We love a Pokémon who can dress for the occasion.
GarbodorIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Garbodor is a living, breathing pile of trash. I don't mean that in a derogatory sense; that's literally what it is. Presumably, someone saw a bunch of garbage piled up outside the Pokémon office one day and used that as a source of inspiration. I love it.
MimikyuIntroduced in Gen VII (2016)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Mimikyu made waves online when it was first introduced 10 years ago because, frankly, it has one of the saddest backstories of any Pokémon. It's actually a tiny ghost whose true form we never really see, hidden under a shoddy, low-effort Pikachu costume. The reason it wears the costume? To make friends, of course, given Pikachu's massive popularity and the presumed ugliness of Mimikyu's true self.
Personally, I'm sure the real Mimikyu is beautiful, too, but I can't say I dislike the way it presents itself.
UnownIntroduced in Gen II (1999)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.I really cut my teeth as a Pokémon video game player in the second generation of games, otherwise known as Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Gen II had a lot of really neat stuff going on, including Unown, a new Pokémon that exists in a couple of dozen different forms that all resemble hieroglyphs or, in some cases, just regular letters. They like to hang out on the walls of ruins, but that's only when they leave the special other dimension that only they get to live in.
Unown has a place in my heart for contributing to a real sense of mystery when it first appeared, even if later Pokémon games sort of demystified it over time. It's also the only Pokémon that you can use to form sentences.
GimmighoulIntroduced in Gen IX (2022)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Gimmighoul is a strange little fella who lives in treasure chests, which is how it is encountered in the core video games in which it appears. It loves gold coins, which is key to its weirdness; it is actually possible to evolve Gimmighoul into an also-very-weird golden humanoid monster, but only if you collect literally 999 gold coins. I love Pokémon with specific, deeply involved evolution processes, and I have to applaud Gimmighoul for being as high-maintenance about evolution as it is.
LickitungIntroduced in Gen I (1996)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.So far, I've focused on weird little freaks who were introduced after Pokémon got its start in 1996. I don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring the original 151, plenty of whom are quirky and goofy in their own ways. One such weirdo is Lickitung, who just has a giant tongue that it uses to lick things. Sometimes weirdness is simple like that. Give a little guy a big tongue and make that his defining feature, and you've got yourself a 30-year-strong weird little guy.
Mr. MimeIntroduced in Gen I (1996)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Mr. Mime is a classic weird little freak. It's one of the best Pokémon ever, purely because it likes doing parlor tricks and will slap the hell out of anyone who isn't impressed by them. You have to respect Mr. Mime's hustle or suffer the consequences. I like a Pokémon who has a day job.
RotomIntroduced in Gen IV (2006)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Rotom is not, in and of itself, a living inanimate object. It's more like a living spark of electricity. It has no evolutionary tree, but it does learn to inhabit a variety of household objects, gaining different abilities. At different points in the series, Rotom has been a microwave, a washing machine, and a lawn mower, and it has even served as the basis for smartphones in modern Pokémon video games.
In other words, Rotom benefits society.
VanilluxeIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.There isn't much to say about Vanilluxe other than it's literally just an ice cream cone with a face. Well, two faces, technically. It looks like two ice cream cones smashed together because it's the third form of an evolutionary line, and I guess they needed to do something to differentiate it from the other two, which also just look like ice cream cones. I mostly put Vanilluxe on this list because I really like ice cream.
How to watch Michigan vs. Illinois online for free
The college basketball season is heating up, with March Madness now just weeks away. And today sees a big Midwest showdown as the Michigan Wolverines cross two state lines to face Illinois Fighting Illini. It's an exciting clash that could prove decisive in the Big Ten Conference — the Wolverines and Fighting Illini are both in the top three of the Big Ten standings.
Michigan are also No. 3 in the overall national rankings and looking to get back on a roll after Duke ended their 13-game winning streak last week. Illinois, ranked at No. 10, have traded wins and losses over the last month, but previously had a major winning streak of their own, with 12 consecutive Ws. Whatever happens, this is one of the most exciting college basketball fixtures this week.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!If you want to watch Michigan vs. Illinois from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Michigan vs. Illinois?Michigan vs. Illinois takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 27. This game takes place at the State Farm Center.
Michigan vs. Illinois is broadcast on Fox.
How to watch college basketball in 2025/26Fans can live stream college basketball on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN+ (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN+ $29.99/month Shop NowChannels: ESPN+ only
If your favorite team plays in the America East, Atlantic Sun, Ivy League, or Southland conference, then ESPN+ is the only way to watch those teams without going to the games. For many other leagues that don’t have many games on traditional TV channels, ESPN+ is the primary way to watch games.
It's worth noting that an ESPN+ subscription gives you access to ESPN+ only. For the full range of ESPN and sports access, choose an alternative tier.
The ESPN Select tier (for classic content, studio shows, and replays) is priced at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year. ESPN Unlimited (all ESPN live channels and ESPN+ content) costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.
Peacock Premium (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99/month Shop NowThe Big Ten Conference will have games exclusively on Peacock this season, so to catch all those conference contests, you’ll need Peacock.
Members of the Big Ten Conference in 2025-26 include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.
There are 58 Big Ten men’s basketball games scheduled to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ACBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network.
FuboTV will be a great option for the college basketball regular season. Its Pro plan at $84.99 per month will give you access to hundreds of college basketball games. There is also a seven-day free trial.
If you’re a fan of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan to get the ACC Network. The Elite plan is $104.99 per month.
The biggest channels missing from the FuboTV lineup are TBS, TNT, and truTV. Those carry a large chunk of games during the NCAA Tournament, and the 2026 Final Four and national championship game are scheduled to be broadcast on TBS. To get those games, you’ll need to go elsewhere such as the B/R Sports add-on with Max.
Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount Paramount + with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $13.99/month Shop NowChannels: CBS, CBS Sports HQ
CBS mainly shows college basketball games on the weekends, so if you’re mainly a weekend viewer until March, this would work for you.
Paramount+ gives you a seven-day free trial. To live stream CBS on Paramount+, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, and that is $12.99 per month. You can also choose the annual plan at $119.99 per year, and you save about $3 per month.
Paramount+ also gives students a 25% discount. CBS Sports Network games are not available to live stream through Paramount+ on its own. You'll need the Showtime add-on.
Sling TV Orange + Blue (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
If you’re a casual college basketball fan, an option like Sling may be a good fit for you. It's a comprehensive sporting service with a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets — for $45.99 per month (with an introductory deal of 50% off for the first month) — but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for your first 2 months Shop NowChannels: CBS, FOX, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, USA Network
YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial. It is then $59.99 per month for the first two months. That will get you most of the way through the 2025-26 college basketball season. After the introductory rate, the rate is $82.99 per month starting in the third month.
How to watch Michigan vs. Illinois from anywhere in the worldIf you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college basketball from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Michigan vs. Illinois from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Michigan vs. Illinois from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealTrips feel different when you can actually chat — get Babbel lifetime access for $159
TL;DR: One $159 payment unlocks all Babbel languages forever with StackSocial’s code LEARN.
Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159$646.20 Save $487.20 Get Deal
Travel gets easier the moment you stop relying entirely on real-time translations. Reading signs, ordering food, or asking directions becomes less of a performance and more of a conversation — which is exactly what Babbel was designed to teach.
Lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages is just $159 (reg. $646.20) with StackSocial’s limited-time code LEARN.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The platform focuses on practical communication rather than memorizing vocabulary lists. Lessons are short — about 10–15 minutes — and structured around real situations: transportation, dining, shopping, introductions. You learn the sentences you actually need instead of academic filler.
Courses were developed by professional linguists, and it shows in the pacing. Each concept builds logically, then repeats through guided conversation and review sessions, so phrases stick long enough to use them on a real street, not just a quiz.
Speech recognition helps with pronunciation, while offline downloads let you practice mid-flight or during a commute. Progress syncs across phone and desktop, so learning doesn’t depend on one device. Instead of cramming a phrasebook before departure, you build familiarity over time — enough to understand replies, not just deliver rehearsed lines.
The result isn’t fluency overnight (though it’s pretty close). It’s language confidence in the moment. Get lifetime access to all Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $646.20) with the StackSocial code LEARN at checkout.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Free Lego Star Wars Lightsabers? Yes, really — here’s how to claim yours.
TL;DR: Lego is running Star Wars make and take events on March 7-8. A limited quantity of Lego Star Wars Lightsabers will be available for free at participating stores in the UK.
Lego regularly runs make and take events in which participants can walk away with an exclusive set without spending anything. These free giveaways always cause a stir, but nothing gets the people going quite like Star Wars.
Visitors to select Lego Stores on March 7 (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. GMT) and March 8 (from 12-2 p.m. GMT) can participate in an awesome Lego Star Wars Lightsaber make and take event. This free giveaway is intended for children aged 10+, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations in the UK, while supplies last. Will we see similar events scheduled for the U.S.? That's down to the Will of the Force.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This Lego Star Wars Lightsaber is not available for purchase. By taking part in this special event, Star Wars fans can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but come on — you can't just turn up and stock up on these exclusive Star Wars sets for free. That would be nice, but that's not the Way of the Force.
Score this free Lego Star Wars Lightsaber at your nearest participating store on March 7-8.
FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER review: Adam Driver, Indya Moore, and Jim Jarmusch reteam for a sublime family dramedy
No one makes a hangout movie like Jim Jarmusch. From his feature-length debut Permanent Vacation onward, the American writer/director has woven his affinity for intimate settings and observational humor with various flourishes. Only Lovers Left Alive gave us vampires lounging around a rotting Detroit. The Dead Don't Die offered ghouls with the energy and desires of a late-night hang, craving coffee and chardonnay (and brains). Now, FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER offers the familiar family hang — one that's authentically awkward, funny, and tragic.
Set over the course of three vignettes, Jarmusch's latest keenly illustrates how families are all different and the same. His astoundingly stacked cast boasts Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Sarah Greene, Indya Moore, and Luka Sabbat. Together, they construct short yet solid stories of three families in moments both mundane and pivotal, creating an absorbing portrait of love that's messy and profound.
Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, and Tom Waits make for a quirky kickoff."Father" is the first of three chapters of the film. In a small town in New Jersey, brother and sister Jeff (Driver) and Emily (Bialik) head to visit their dad (Waits), and they're anything but eager. Stiff in woolen blazers, V-neck cardigans, slacks, and a long skirt, they are dressed as if on their way to a business meeting rather than to reunite with the father they haven't seen in two years. Pulling up to his ramshackle house, which sits at the end of very long muddy driveway, it's clear they don't belong here.
Waits, meanwhile, is dressed in battered striped pants, a hoodie, and has a head of hair that's not seen a brush or a bit of product in ages. Their dad's home is cluttered with books and laundry, as if in the wake of their mother's death years before he can barely care for himself. However, there are hints that their father (who goes unnamed) has a life outside of their understanding of him, like the glistening Rolex on his wrist.
Within this reunion, Jarmusch's script reveals some backstory, touching on death, illness, divorce, and precocious grandchildren. But the movie keeps us firmly in this place, in this moment, where this family is perplexed about how to reconnect. There's no bad blood, it's more confusion on how this father created these kids.
Where they are almost perversely proper, polite, and put-together, he seems a weary whirlwind, embarrassed to be caught mid-spin. The conflict they encounter is not one of shouting or smashed plates, but swallowed arguments and a shared grief they can't bear to say aloud. So instead, they'll be civil and stay on the surface with small talk. Yet the visual storytelling and nuanced performances Jarmusch knits together allow the audience to probe deeper than these preppy siblings can dare.
Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, and Vicky Krieps clash as mother and daughters."Mother" follows "Father," transporting the film to Dublin, where a romance author (Rampling) is welcoming her two grown daughters for their annual afternoon tea. Where this matriarch is intimidatingly intellectual and chic, her daughters are a study in contrast. Timothea, or Tim for short (Blanchett), is a mousy pencil pusher who fusses and frets but always at a low volume, lest she be a bother. Little sister Lilith (Krieps) is a free spirit with pink hair, a comically casual attitude, and a penchant for lying about great successes to impress her mother.
There's no drastic divide between this trio. Like the "Father" family, they've drifted apart, seemingly content to have lives of their own. But in this household, their proximity practically itches. Lilith looks for ways to razz her sister, sparking a juvenile sibling rivalry that forces Tim into flushed retreat. But these intrusions and escapes are all in the gentle way of making nice. The tragedy of these moments is in how we can see their urge to connect and their fear to, all in a furtive glance, a choked laugh, or a licked bit of pastry.
Hilariously cast as the most boring person in this movie, Blanchett nonetheless exudes a quiet anxiety, offering pangs for every passive aggression from Krieps' provocateur. Then Rampling adds a primly prickly veneer that's sharply funny. For instance, when all three realize they're wearing red (a tailored dress, a modest turtleneck, a frayed novelty sweater), the mother declares it "embarrassing," pushing her daughters into opinions that throw them into cringeworthy opposition.
It's in such small moments that Jarmusch allows his audience to determine the meaning of these scenes and this collection of stories. But where the first two sections of this triptych are about relatively strained relationships, the final is a warm portrait of almost supernatural closeness.
Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat are a revelation as twins.Across all three vignettes, Jarmusch laces shared elements, like red clothing, a Rolex watch, clumsy toasts with nonalcoholic beverages, images of young skateboarders rolling by carefree and in slow motion, and some iteration of the idiom "Bob's your uncle." But in this chapter, he breaks the pattern of a family of three. In the Paris-set "Sister Brother," Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat play twins surveying what remains of their childhood home in the wake of their parents' deaths.
It's been weeks since their parents' passing, so the stab of loss is not as sharp. Instead, the twins get to enjoy the easy comfort of each other's company. Like Jeff and Emily, they share an aesthetic. But it's far from preppy; instead they favor leather jackets and streetwear with an aspirational sense of chill. Whether chatting in the car, getting a coffee, or looking over childhood photos, they are at ease. Where the other families all showed a need to perform for each other, these twins have a connection so deep that it predates birth. They swear that even over oceans, they can sense when the other is getting sick or getting high.
While each of Jarmusch's family units in FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER feels familiar, Moore and Sabbat are so convincing in their chemistry and connection that I began to wonder if they actually are twins. (They are not.) This radiant love for one another smooths the cutting edges of the grief of their story, because unlike the other chapters' characters, they are not alone together. They are together even when they are alone, because they truly see each other and don't shrink from such honesty and vulnerability.
Following the press screening at the New York Film Festival, Jarmusch said in a Q&A that he didn't make this movie with a message in mind. To suggest there's a resolute message would be to misrepresent the gentle development of every section of this film. Yet viewed as a whole, I found FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER breathtaking in what it has to say about family. On one level, it's a reminder that every family is different and the same. We are all connected by a bunch of experiences, big and small, that are just so common they might be overlooked without the focus of a filmmaker on them. But beyond that, FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER is a cool, rich, and wonderful celebration of familial love, which binds us and defines us — but not entirely.
Part of the beauty of this film is where Jarmusch leaves each story. He's rarely been one for buttoned-up conclusions. And here, he essentially offers not even a day, but a few hours in the lives of people bound by blood, and — what else? We get a window into their lives, and a glimpse of how they see each other. Then, their story moves on without us. Where will they go? What will they experience? It's a mystery the movie won't dwell on, but we can.
In that, FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER invites us not only to see ourselves in these families for better or worse, but to imagine what might exist in the lives of our loved ones once they've closed the door and the visit has ended.
FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER is now streaming on Mubi.
UPDATE: Feb. 26, 2026, 2:05 p.m. EST "FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER" was reviewed out of its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival. This review, originally published on Oct. 3, 2025, has been updated to include information about the movie's viewing options.
Want to see Project Hail Mary before the public? Your Prime membership unlocks early access.
SEE PROJECT HAIL MARY EARLY: Prime members have the chance to see the highly anticipated Project Hail Mary at an exclusive early screening four days before its nationwide release. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon MGM Studios Get tickets for 'Project Hail Mary' exclusive early screening Get DealThe highly anticipated film adaptation of Andy Weir's best-selling sci-fi novel Project Hail Mary officially hits theaters on March 20, 2026. But Prime members have the opportunity to see it in theaters four days before its nationwide release. A Prime membership really is the gift that keeps on giving.
As an Amazon MGM Studios theatrical release, Amazon is giving Prime members access to an exclusive early screening of Project Hail Mary on March 16, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time in select theaters across the country. Tickets are now available through Fandango on a first-come, first-serve basis. Navigate to the Project Hail Mary landing page on Amazon.com and click on "buy tickets" in the bottom corner. You'll then be prompted to sign into your Amazon Prime account and redirected to Fandango to select your tickets. All early access showings will be on premium large format screens, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and 70mm, so you can watch astronaut Ryland Grace's interstellar adventure in the most immersive way possible.
It goes without saying that tickets are going fast — be sure to snag yours ASAP if you want to see the film before everyone else.
Credit: Amazon MGM StudiosDirected by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth with no recollection of how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he pieces together his mission: save Earth from the alien microorganisms causing the sun to die out. Those who have read the book (which I couldn't recommend more — particularly the audiobook) know the gripping story is about a whole lot more than just science. It's a story about survival and unexpected friendship, and you may want to bring some tissues along.
Not a Prime member? You can still sign up and gain access to the early screening, but you'll have to act quick to secure your tickets. You'll get a free 30-day trial to kick things off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sign up for Amazon Prime free 30-day trial, then $14.99/month Get Deal

