There’s just something about The Office that gets us back on the couch. Perhaps it’s the blending of offbeat humor and real emotion, or perhaps it’s the fact that every episode somehow seems like comfort food. Whatever it is, some episodes have earned themselves permanent places in our rewatch rotation. They’re the ones we watch after a long day, the ones we quote with friends, and the ones that never fail to be engaging, no matter how many times we’ve watched them. Here are 10 episodes that can’t get enough of being rewatched—from the grand finale to the best of the best.

10. Finale (Season 9, Episodes 24 & 25)

The last book in the series ties everything up in heart, humor, and just the right amount of nostalgia. Everyone gets their time, and yeah, Michael appears when it matters. Seeing the gang reunite after the documentary broadcasts is like going to the high school reunion we’d want to attend. It’s sweet, emotional, and a reminder that the characters that we fell in love with are just doing all right.

9. Murder (Season 6, Episode 10)

Only The Office would make impending corporate disaster a sidesplitting murder mystery in Savannah, Georgia. Michael’s attempt to boost morale ends up with the entire staff role-playing absurd characters—and somehow it succeeds. The ridiculous accents, the melodramatic deaths, the over-the-top commitment to fake backstories—it’s all magnificently discombobulated, and one of the show’s greatest diversions from actual-world stress.

8. Classy Christmas (Season 7, Episodes 11 & 12)

A two-part holiday special that hits all the right notes. Holly’s return signals a new chapter for Michael, but it’s the snowball war between Dwight and Jim that steals the show. What starts as a simple prank spirals into full-blown psychological warfare, with Dwight taking things way too far. It’s chaos, but it’s festive chaos—and it works.

7. Goodbye, Michael (Season 7, Episode 22)

Michael’s farewell isn’t just a goodbye; it’s a gut punch wrapped in a group hug. Every interaction is laced with real emotion, and Steve Carell’s performance is so subtle and genuine that it never feels like acting. Watching Michael take off his mic and walk out of the office one last time? That moment sticks with you. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s perfect.

6. Local Ad (Season 4, Episode 9)

What begins as a straightforward company ad soon becomes a Scranton do-it-yourself project. Michael’s dream of something “cinematic” is laughably oblivious, but it’s also sort of endearing. By the time it’s over, you’re on his side. With Darryl’s sing-along jingle and Jim’s dry wit, this episode shows that even the most prosaic office drudgery can be magic in the right hands.

5. Branch Wars (Season 4, Episode 10)

Utica wants Stanley? Not on Michael’s watch. What follows is a low-stakes heist with high-level absurdity. The fake mustaches alone are worth the price of admission. Throw in some Finer Things Club drama and Dwight’s complete disregard for subtlety, and you’ve got yourself a rewatch classic.

4. Stress Relief (Season 5, Episodes 14 & 15)

This is the legendary one for a reason. It starts with what is quite possibly the greatest cold open of all time—Dwight’s rogue fire drill—and doesn’t stop. From Stanley’s heart attack to the infamous CPR dummy scene (including Dwight chopping off the face), it’s just constant insanity. Even when you do know what is coming, you can’t help but laugh like you’re seeing it for the first time.

3. Dinner Party (Season 4, Episode 13)

Certain episodes are painful to watch. Dinner Party is beautifully, agonizingly, wonderfully awkward. Seeing Michael and Jan self-destruct before Jim, Pam, Andy, and Angela is like seeing a car wreck in slow motion. It’s savage. It’s laugh-out-loud funny. And yet, it remains amazingly rewatchable. Each line is a quotable gem from Jan’s fixation on candles to Michael’s favorite “tiny plasma screen.

2. Casino Night (Season 2, Episode 22)

The office holds a fundraiser, but Jim and Pam are the ones who steal the spotlight. Jim’s declaration of love? Chills. The anticipation, the suspense, the expression on Pam’s face—this is the moment everything shifts. Throw in some classic Michael moments of awkwardness and Creed coolly winning at poker, and it becomes one of the most well-rounded episodes of the series. Hilarious, romantic, emotional—it hits all the right notes.

1. The Injury (Season 2, Episode 12)

Michael gets burned on the foot on a George Foreman Grill. That’s the premise. What happens next is sheer sitcom greatness. Seeing Michael hobbling around being pitied, Dwight getting a concussion and becoming a goo, and Pam struggling to keep everything together—it’s crazy brilliance. Regardless of how many times you see it, it never fails to entertain. This is The Office at its most deranged and memorable.

These episodes aren’t only amazing—they’re classic. Whether you’re alone watching, introducing someone to the show for the first time, or you just need a mood booster, these 10 are never a fail. The Office has earned itself a spot as one of the most re-watchable sitcoms ever, and these episodes are the reason why.

Come on—arguing the best TV shows ever produced is pretty much a sport now. Whether at a dinner table, group chat, or on the web, everyone has their own and fierce opinions to go along with them. TV has come a long, long way from being relegated as brain candy. It’s now a legitimate artistic form with narrative that can compete with even the greatest movies. From the black-and-white classics to the current streaming behemoths, deciding on the greatest shows ever isn’t simple, but it’s certainly fun. So settle into your snacks, turn off your phone, and let’s begin our countdown of the ten best shows ever to grace the small screen. We’re counting down from 10 to 1, because what’s a decent list without some drama?

10. Lost

Way before “binging” was a thing, Lost had us on the edge of every cliffhanger. Who can forget being obsessed with smoke monsters, cryptic numbers, and who could forget that polar bear? This show wasn’t entertainment—it was a community obsession. Week in and week out, fans were speculating, arguing, and rewatching each episode for hints. Of course, the finale split audiences, but nobody can deny its effect. Lost was ambitious, emotional, and took risks, paving the way for all sorts of big-budget, high-concept shows that followed.

9. The Prisoner

If you’ve never seen The Prisoner, you’re in for a trip. This 1968 British cult classic is strange, stylish, and still surprisingly relevant. It follows a former spy—now called Number Six—trapped in a surreal, inescapable village where nothing is quite what it seems. Part psychological thriller, part social satire, it was decades ahead of its time. The show’s themes of identity, control, and rebellion still echo in some of today’s most thought-provoking television.

8. The Sopranos

It was unthinkable that a mob boss would attend therapy before The Sopranos. But what David Chase produced was no joke. This wasn’t merely a crime show—it was about family, psychiatry, morality, and the quiet unraveling of a man struggling to maintain it all. Tony Soprano became a legend, and the show irreparably changed what television could do: it was smart, it was violent, it was funny, and it was human. And yes, that closing shot continues to incite argument.

7. Mad Men

In the universe of 1960s advertising, Mad Men is both hip and somber. Don Draper might appear cool on the surface, but behind the suit is a man grappling with identity and lies. Each frame is painstakingly put together, each line of dialogue thoughtfully inserted. It’s not merely fashion for the period or retro looks—it’s ambition, gender roles, and the American dream myth. Seeing it is like a time machine, but one with a mirror held to contemporary life.

6. I Love Lucy

Few series have maintained as much staying power as I Love Lucy. Even today, years since its initial broadcast, Lucy’s escapades continue to elicit chuckles. Lucille Ball was a comedic mastermind, and the chemistry she had with Desi Arnaz was magic. Whether she was cramming chocolates or making grape stomping into anarchy, Lucy Ricardo brought happiness into homes all over the globe. This was not merely a sitcom—this was the template. Without it, television comedy might be a much different beast.

5. Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is not a television show—though it is one; it’s an experience. Merging small-town America with surreal nightmarishness, it became addicted with its opening episode. Who murdered Laura Palmer? The question set off a cultural phenomenon. Produced by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the show dislocated boundaries between mystery, horror, and dream logic in ways never accomplished on television before. And when it came back decades later with a third season? It was braver and more brilliant than ever before.

4. Seinfeld

A show about nothing? Not exactly a show about everything. Seinfeld took mundane annoyances—waiting in line, crummy dates, awkward conversation—and turned them into comedic gold. Its neurotic, lovable misfit cast of characters revolutionized the sitcom. And the catchphrases? They’re now part of everyday conversation. Whether “yada yada yada” or “no soup for you,” Seinfeld made the ordinary funny and challenged what a sitcom could do.

3. Breaking Bad

Few shows have built tension the way Breaking Bad did. Walter White’s slow, terrifying transformation from mild-mannered teacher to criminal mastermind was both horrifying and heartbreaking. Vince Gilligan crafted a world where every detail mattered, where every decision had consequences. It wasn’t just about drugs—it was about pride, morality, and the choices that define us. Every episode felt like a punch to the gut—in the best way possible.

2. The Wire

Where Breaking Bad is a tragedy, The Wire is an epic. It’s not merely about the Baltimore streets—it’s about how systems collapse on individuals. Whether the police, schools, press, or city politics, the show examines how things disintegrate and why. Realistic, multi-layered, and brutally honest, The Wire doesn’t provide easy answers. It demands you pay attention, and it repays you with some of the strongest storytelling ever to be shot.

1. The Simpsons

Over 30 years on, The Simpsons remains part of the pop culture conversation—and that’s no coincidence. What began as an offbeat animated family grew into a biting, clever, and frequently profoundly poignant commentary on society. Satire, slapstick, social commentary—whatever it does, it does it with aplomb. The series has shaped generations of writers, comedians, and animators, and its first seasons, in particular, are generally regarded as being among the greatest television ever produced. If you grew up with the series or stumbled upon it later, The Simpsons has probably informed the way you perceive the world.

And there you have it—the 10 best television programs ever produced, at least based on this list. You can disagree, and that’s sort of the point. Good television doesn’t only entertain—it lingers with us, provokes argument, and makes us think. What would your top 10 be?

Let’s be real—there’s a weird kind of peace in seeing the world end… but just on TV. Shows about after the end give us the best spot to watch the last bits of humans fight on, with zombies, sickness, or full breakdowns. As our real world still goes on (for now), these shows dig into how to stay alive, what is right, and how to cook with canned food—all from our sofas. The Last of Us may be the top new one in this genre, but it didn’t get there by itself. Lots of shows set the mood and style before it. So, let’s list ten big post-end shows, and start with a well-known one about the dead…

10. The Walking Dead — The Blueprint for Gritty Survival

When The Walking Dead hit TV screens back in 2010, it didn’t just bring zombies with it—it redefined what a post-apocalyptic show could be. For more than a decade, it kept viewers glued with its emotional arcs, shocking character deaths, and a constant, looming question: What would you do to survive? With 11 seasons and nearly 200 episodes, this series became the go-to reference for end-of-the-world television. It wasn’t just about zombies—it was about people, choices, and how quickly civilization can unravel.

9. Station Eleven — Finding Beauty After the Collapse

Not every post-apocalyptic story is all doom and despair. Station Eleven manages to find something quietly beautiful in the ashes of society. Set after a devastating flu wipes out most of humanity, the show chooses to focus on art, hope, and human connection. It’s a different take on the genre—slower, more reflective, and oddly comforting. Rather than showing us how ugly people can get when things fall apart, it reminds us of the beauty we carry with us, even when everything else is gone.

8. The Last Man on Earth — A Comedic Look at Isolation

End of the world? Cue the jokes. The Last Man on Earth asks: What happens when you’re the only person left alive (or so you think), and you still manage to mess things up? This offbeat comedy puts loneliness and survival on a hilarious collision course. Instead of brutal combat and grim sacrifices, we get awkward encounters, ridiculous behavior, and surprisingly tender moments. It proves that even in a deserted world, human connection—and humor—are what keep us going.

7. Sweet Tooth — A Fairytale in the Ruins

Part sci-fi, part fairytale, Sweet Tooth follows a young boy named Gus—a human-deer hybrid—through a world left broken by a deadly virus. What makes this show stand out isn’t just its originality, but its heart. It’s told with a sense of wonder, even as the characters face real danger. The visuals are lush, the storytelling is warm, and it never forgets that even in the darkest times, there’s still innocence worth protecting. It’s post-apocalyptic storytelling with a soul.

6. The 100 — Survival, Sci-Fi, and Tough Choices

What if humanity had to return to a destroyed Earth after living in space for nearly a century? That’s the premise behind The 100, and it doesn’t pull any punches. From day one, the show dives into survival ethics, broken alliances, and what it really means to lead. With a young cast making life-and-death decisions, the series gets intense fast—and stays that way. It blends science fiction with raw human drama, proving that surviving is one thing, but rebuilding is another beast entirely.

5. Z Nation — The Wild Ride You Didn’t See Coming

If The Walking Dead is the serious older sibling, Z Nation is its loud, unpredictable cousin. This show leans into the chaos, mixing campy humor with zombie carnage. It follows a crew trying to escort the one known survivor of a zombie bite across the country, and along the way, things get… weird. But that’s kind of the charm. It’s fun, fast-paced, and not afraid to get goofy. For fans who want something a little less brooding and a little more bonkers, Z Nation delivers.

4. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live — A Reunion Worth Waiting For

Not all spin-offs are created equal, but The Ones Who Live manages to bring something special to the table. By reuniting beloved characters Rick and Michonne, the show gives longtime fans the closure and action they’ve been craving. It’s not just a retread of the original series; it digs deeper into the emotional journeys of two people shaped by loss, love, and survival. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the end of one story is just the beginning of another.

3. The Last of Us — Redefining the Apocalypse

Let’s be honest—The Last of Us came out swinging and didn’t disappoint. It took a game people already loved and turned it into a show that hit just as hard, if not harder. At the center of it all are Joel and Ellie, two people just trying to survive in a world that’s completely fallen apart. It’s not just about fighting off infection—it’s about the emotional weight of it all: grief, trust, love, and the hard choices no one wants to make.

Season 1 was a hit pretty much across the board. Season 2? A little more mixed. Some fans weren’t into the slower pacing or where the story went, and yeah, the ratings dipped. But even with the pushback, the show is still pulling in massive numbers. Whether the next seasons live up to the hype or not, The Last of Us has already cemented its place as a genre-defining series.

Why do we love tales of the world’s end? Is it the buzz, the urge to know, or just the joy of seeing folks live on with just tape and grit? But there’s more to it. These tales cut life to the core: no laws, no daily grind, just folks learning who they are when all they know is lost. That big ask—”Who am I with no world I know?”—hits us hard. With The Last of Us upping the game, the theme has shot off in new ways. Some shows tug on the heart, some mix dark laughs, and some toss in magic or plain odd stuff. It’s not just about making it now—it’s about the next step. As long as the folks who make these keep it fresh, we’ll keep our eyes on the screen. Since let’s face it: when the world shuts down in a show, we’re all set to see what’s up next.

Sci-fi enthusiasts, get ready—because 2025 is shaping up to be one crazy ride around space, time, and technology-spurred mayhem. If you’re all about capes and comic books, can’t get enough of beasts and alien worlds, or just love living for story-bending good times, this year’s got you covered. Studios are all-in on sequels, reboots, and original ideas, and we’ve compiled the ones everyone’s talking about. Below are 11 of the upcoming sci-fi movies of 2025 that we’re eagerly looking forward to watching, from the smaller, lesser-known projects to the biggest blockbusters on the big screen.

11. City Rush 4 (TBA 2025)

At times, you don’t require a colossal budget to leave an impression. City Rush 4 is another of those feisty indie sci-fi games that’s quietly gaining a following. The action picks up where it left off with special agent Ace (played by George Tounas), who finds himself once more pitted against android hitmen, lethal viruses, and plain old gangsters. Eric Roberts and Anna Rezan are also back. Clocking in at less than an hour, it’s a close-quarters adrenaline kick that’ll be available to stream on the big players like Prime Video and Tubi. Ideal for lovers of hardboiled, no-nonsense futuristic thrill rides.

10. Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19, 2025)

James Cameron isn’t finished with Pandora quite yet. The third Avatar film, Fire and Ash, explores new corners of the Na’vi universe, this time revealing the fire-based “Ash People.” Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver return, joined by Oona Chaplin to the expanding cast. As usual, plot details are being kept close to the vest, but knowing Cameron, we’re in for more visual wizardry, emotional moments, and likely another species we’ll all want merch of before the credits roll.

9. The Running Man (November 21, 2025)

Director Edgar Wright is reworking The Running Man based more on Stephen King’s original book than on the ’80s action-fest adaptation. Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a desperate man who’s pushed to play a sadistic game show where survival isn’t guaranteed. With Josh Brolin, Katy M. O’Brian, and Lee Pace joining the fray, this re-imagining promises to be darker, more intelligent, and likely more intense than the original.

8. Bugonia (November 7, 2025)

This one’s definitely for fans of the weird and wonderful. Bugonia reunites director Yorgos Lanthimos with Emma Stone in a sci-fi dark comedy where two conspiracy theorists kidnap a powerful CEO (Stone), convinced she’s an alien plotting Earth’s destruction. Jesse Plemons and Alicia Silverstone also star. If you’re into films that are offbeat, unpredictable, and kind of hilarious in a disturbing way, this should be high on your list.

7. Predator: Badlands (November 7, 2025)

Following the success of Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg returns to the Predator franchise with Badlands. This one’s a little bit of a secret—plot details are under wraps, but we do know it’ll delve deeper into the Predator itself, which might be a new take. Elle Fanning is the sole confirmed cast member at present. Given Trachtenberg’s previous work, anticipate something more intimate, raw, and intense than your typical alien hunt.

6. Tron: Ares (October 10, 2025)

The digital frontier gets an upgrade in Tron: Ares, where Jared Leto plays a program that’s been sent from the Grid into the real world. Yep, we’re going full crossover—virtual and physical realities colliding. Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Gillian Anderson round out the cast, with Jeff Bridges back as Kevin Flynn. This one’s been delayed a bit, but it finally wrapped filming in 2024. Expect slick visuals, action, and a whole lot of neon.

5. Mercy (August 15, 2025)

Chris Pratt leaves the dinosaurs behind and enters gritty sci-fi noir with Mercy, which is being directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The specifics are being kept under wraps, but here’s the idea: a cop is framed for something he didn’t do and must clear his name in a world that’s anything but black-and-white. Rebecca Ferguson and Annabelle Wallis join him. Get ready for detective drama and high-tech dystopia with a lot of mystery to unravel.

4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)

Marvel’s original first family finally makes it into the MCU—and this time, it has a clear 1960s feel. The Fantastic Four: First Steps features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The bad guy? Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, with Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. This is no simple reboot—it’s a complete reimagining, and fans are hoping it’s finally doing the iconic team justice.

3. Superman (July 11, 2025)

James Gunn is bringing DC into a new age, beginning with a new version of the Man of Steel. David Corenswet dons the cape as a younger, idealistic Superman attempting to balance his dual life. Lois Lane is played by Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern. This is not a sequel—this is a complete reboot with high stakes and the opportunity to rechart DC’s future on film.

2. Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2, 2025)

The dinosaurs return, but with a twist this time. Jurassic World: Rebirth takes place five years after Dominion and takes us on a quest to find dinosaur DNA for medical purposes. Of course, things do not go as planned. Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey lead, with Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend joining the ranks. And yes—someone is running from a T. rex. You would not have it any other way.

1. Elio (June 13, 2025)

Pixar returns to sci-fi with Elio, a vibrant, sentimental tale of a kid who finds himself lost in space, accidentally. Elio Solis is only 11, but he’s mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador by an intergalactic council. What ensues is half space farce, half coming-of-age adventure. Starring the voices of Yonas Kibreab, America Ferrera, and Jameela Jamil, and from director Adrian Molina, this one’s looking as winsome as it is otherworldly.

And there you have it—11 sci-fi movies we’re eagerly counting down the days for. Whether you like deep space diplomacy, dystopian game shows, or spandex-wearing superheroes, 2025 appears to be shaping up to be a fantastic year to be a fan of sci-fi.

Let’s get real: if there is one thing Hollywood does better than anybody else, it’s creating gargantuan film franchises. These are not mere film franchises—they’re cultural touchstones, lifetime passions, and worldwide cash cows. Whether they began decades ago or erupted in the 21st century, the best franchises on this list have brought people back time and again, year after year. So, let’s count down the 10 largest film franchises in history by box office take, beginning at ten and making our way up to the undisputed champion.

10. Pirates of the Caribbean

Who would have thought that a Disneyland attraction could inspire one of the largest film franchises in history? Pirates of the Caribbean didn’t only provide epic naval battles and ghostly tales—it provided Captain Jack Sparrow, the most iconic character of recent times. Through five action-packed adventures, the franchise has grossed approximately $1.45 billion, with Dead Man’s Chest breaking the $1 billion barrier alone. The offbeat mix of supernatural turns, swordfights, and odd humor made the early ones a success, although the subsequent ones were not quite as cutting.

9. Batman

The Dark Knight is not only a superhero but also a cultural icon who’s reinventing himself all the time. From the neon-lit ’90s Gotham to Christopher Nolan’s gritty realism, Batman has been through many masks (and capes). With many reboots and reinterpretations under his belt, the franchise has amassed approximately $2.78 billion. The Dark Knight didn’t merely profit—it revolutionized the superhero movie, at least partially thanks to Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker. Fans tune in every time a new Batman appears on screen to see how the world’s grumpiest crime-fighter is rebooted.

8. Jurassic Park / Jurassic World

Dinosaurs aren’t going anywhere. Jurassic Park in 1993 was a game-changer, and it remains so today. Flash forward to the Jurassic World age, and the franchise has earned almost $5 billion at the international box office. The combination of nostalgia, state-of-the-art effects, and pure dino-mania makes these films impossible to resist. Whether it’s T. Rexes rampaging through the jungle or velociraptors flaunting their intelligence, there’s something immortally appealing about humans being outwitted by prehistoric animals.

7. DC Extended Universe (DCEU)

The DCEU has not had an easy time, but it certainly left its mark. From Zack Snyder’s darker cut to surprise gems in Aquaman and Shazam!, the franchise has tallied a little over $4.9 billion. Although critical success has been inconsistent, there is no denying the celebrity power of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. What makes the DCEU different is that it’s not afraid to take risks, even if not all of them don’t pay off. And that sense of unpredictability keeps viewers tuning in.

6. X-Men

X-Men was the standard-bearer for superhero franchises on the big screen before the MCU came along. The series launched in 2000 and delved into identity, discrimination, and cohesion through its mutant characters. With 14 movies on its record—including Deadpool’s ridiculously meta contributions—it’s taken in around $5.8 billion worldwide. Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s, became a generation’s icon, and the films didn’t hold back when it came to confronting real-world issues, lending them an added depth that most superhero films at the time didn’t even approach.

5. James Bond

There is only one 007, and he has been saving the world—and the box office—for more than 60 years. Since Dr. No back in 1962, the James Bond series has produced 27 films and made about $7.9 billion at the global box office. So what explains Bond’s staying power? Reinvention. Every actor—Sean Connery through Daniel Craig—puts his spin on the character, but the essential charm, menace, and style never change. No matter if he’s dressed up for a tux or speeding away in an Aston Martin, Bond still sets the standard for what a spy thriller is.

4. Spider-Man

He’s nice, he’s neighborhood, and he’s a box office behemoth. Spider-Man has web-slung through several reboots and still never lost momentum. From Tobey Maguire to Andrew Garfield to Tom Holland, Spidey has captured hearts for various reasons, but always with a heart. The franchise has grossed approximately $8.9 billion, with No Way Home almost reaching $2 billion alone. And don’t forget the Spider-Verse movies, which have reimagined the look of animated superhero tales. Regardless of the iteration, audiences can’t seem to get enough of Peter Parker.

3. Wizarding World (Harry Potter Universe)

Hogwarts will forever be home for fans numbering in the millions. The original Harry Potter films established a magical universe that remains vivacious to this day. Throw in the Fantastic Beasts prequels, and the franchise’s overall take is around $9.6 billion. The last Potter installment, Deathly Hallows: Part 2, was a global phenomenon—and a box office behemoth. Outside of film, theme parks, stage plays, and an upcoming TV series keep the Wizarding World afloat. There’s something just classic about wands, magic spells, and good vs. evil.

2. Star Wars

It all began with a single space epic in 1977, and it ballooned into one of the largest pop culture empires in history. Star Wars is always more than a film franchise. It’s a shared heritage, a merchandising sensation, and a new mythology. With 12 movies and a combination of trilogies, spinoffs, and remakes, it’s raked in over $10.3 billion. Alone, The Force Awakens broke $2 billion. From Jedi to Sith, droids to bounty hunters, Star Wars only grows—and its hold on audiences never falters.

1. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

At the mountain’s peak stands the MCU—a juggernaut of bound-together storytelling, unstoppable. It began with Iron Man in 2008, and subsequently, nothing less than dominance at the movies. With 35 films out to date and others in the works, the MCU has generated over $31 billion globally. Avengers: Endgame came close to breaking all-time marks, and the universe continues to grow through new heroes, TV spin-offs, and fearless genre hybrids.

It’s difficult to picture contemporary Hollywood without the MCU—it set the standard, then kept raising it again and again. These franchises are not merely about giant profits—they’ve become a way of life. They craft characters we remember, worlds we inhabit, and something to believe in, root for, and escape to. Whether it’s a superhero epic, a magical realm, or a galaxy far, far away, these movie titans have mapped the way we consume movies—and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

We tend to think of being a movie star as glamour, trailers, red carpet arrivals, and glitzy premieres. But in real life, some movie roles have come with a gruesome price. For many an actor, filmmaking has been anything but glamorous, often putting them at their breaking point. Whether it was emotional exhaustion, physical suffering, or simply profoundly unsettling content, these actors underwent far more than what the edited version reveals. The following are ten of the toughest on-set experiences actors have ever had.

10. Evan Peters – American Horror Story

Evan Peters has portrayed some of the darkest characters on American Horror Story. He has talked candidly about how much it affected him off-screen. Digging deep into such twisted roles season after season had emotionally left him wrecked. He admitted that it messed with his mind so much that he started noticing effects in his everyday life. After all those years, Peters mentioned he needed to take some time off just to recover mentally.

9. Brie Larson – Room

Brie Larson took home critical acclaim and an Oscar for her performance in Room, but the emotional cost was high. She completely immersed herself in the shocking tale of a kidnapped victim’s mother who tries to keep her son safe, and she was spent by the end of filming. At one point, she admitted that she couldn’t even cry during the tough scenes because her body was so dehydrated and emotionally drained.

8. Christopher Eccleston – G.I. Joe and Thor: The Dark World

You don’t necessarily think of an actor responding truthfully about blockbuster movies, but Christopher Eccleston wasn’t one to hold back. He referred to his experience on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra as “horrendous,” and Thor: The Dark World was little different. He likened the shooting as emotionally numbed and reported feeling like a robot, cooped up in endless hours of makeup and surrounded by a green screen, wondering why he committed in the first place.

7. Sandra Peabody – Last House on the Left

Filming Last House on the Left was traumatic for Sandra Peabody. The low-budget horror movie blurred the boundary between acting and real fear. She was seriously scared during scenes, particularly because intimidation was used by her male co-stars to drive her performance. The experience left her so shaken that she quit the acting profession shortly after.

6. Dakota Johnson – Suspiria

Shooting Suspiria was a mental toll on Dakota Johnson. The dark themes of the movie and disturbing imagery weren’t only difficult to watch—they were difficult to shoot. She spent weeks shooting in an abandoned hotel perched on top of the Italian Alps, alone and surrounded by the eerie atmosphere of the film. After the shooting finished, Johnson confessed that she had to undergo therapy to overcome the emotional trauma.

5. Bill Skarsgård & James McAvoy – It Chapter One & Two

It wasn’t just creepy for viewers—playing Pennywise the Clown haunted Bill Skarsgård as well. After spending so much time embodying the character, he began having nightmares about it. He likened it to being in a bad relationship, one that endured even after the cameras had finished. James McAvoy, who joined for the sequel as well, had nightmares where Pennywise was in bed sleeping beside him. And yes, in the nightmares, the clown was rubbing his back.

4. Alexander Skarsgård – The Northman

Alexander Skarsgård spent months in training and left everything on the set to bring The Northman alive. But nothing could have prepared him for the physically grueling and emotionally draining conditions of the shoot. Filmed in isolated, cold environments with long days of gruesome fight scenes, Skarsgård confessed that the exhaustion made him cry. He described it as one of the most challenging things he’s ever done.

3. Natalie Portman – Black Swan

Natalie Portman went all out for Black Swan, and the transformation cost her visibly. She lost weight, trained like a pro ballerina, and lived in perpetual tension for the role. Portman has since said there were nights when she thought she was going to die. The stress and physicality were so grueling that she quipped she should have gone into rehab when filming was done.

2. Tippi Hedren – The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds may be a horror staple, but it was a nightmare to shoot for Tippi Hedren. Live birds were tossed at her five straight days, pecking and clawing through shots. One even gouged her face and came perilously close to her eye. It left her tired physically and shattered emotionally, so much so that she keeled over in bed for a week after.

1. Shelley Duvall – The Shining

Shelley Duvall’s tenure on The Shining is the stuff of legend, for all the wrong reasons. Director Stanley Kubrick notoriously drove her to the edge, keeping her in isolation on set and extracting more than 100 takes from her for one scene. The consistent emotional duress made her ill:her hair started coming out in clumps. Looking back, Duvall called the experience unbearable, and it’s easy to see that her suffering bled through into her powerful, haunting performance.

The screen performances we applaud come with a secret price tag. For these performers, getting into character required venturing way out of their comfort zones—sometimes into hazardous, even injurious territory. It’s a humbling reminder that cinematic magic doesn’t just materialize with lights and lenses—it also leaves behind actual scars.

There’s something about aviation films that moves the heart. Perhaps it’s the roar of engines, the majesty of flight against a blue sky, or the tales of grit and courage that play out a mile above the earth. Whether you’re a die-hard airplane buff or simply someone who loves a good, powerful tale, these movies convey the thrill-a-minute magic, risk, and just plain awe of flight. So strap in—we’re counting down the 10 greatest aviation movies that’ll get you eager to get in the air.

10. One Six Right

This one’s for the dreamers—the pilots, the plane-spotters, and anyone who ever gazed up when a plane flew by. One Six Right isn’t about action or war. Instead, it focuses on the Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, telling the stories of those who live and breathe aviation. The visuals are stunning, but what stands out is the passion behind it all. It’s a quiet, moving tribute to general aviation that reminds us why people fall in love with flying in the first place.

9. Amelia

You can’t speak of the spirit of flight without acknowledging Amelia Earhart. This Hilary Swank-starring biopic chronicles the pioneering aviator her early flights to her historic solo transatlantic flight, and finally, her disappearance. It’s an intimate portrait of an individual who altered the landscape of aviation and took risks none of her kind had ever taken. Her bravery continues to inspire, and this film gives voice to that legacy.

8. Sully

This isn’t your average plane film full of glitzy stunts. Sully is the real-life story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who executed an emergency Hudson River landing when both engines were grounded by a bird strike. Tom Hanks brings measured intensity to the part, demonstrating what it takes to remain cool under pressure. It’s an account of proficiency, honesty, and composure in adversity—and confirmation that, at times, the most tremendous heroics are the most unassuming.

7. Patlabor 2: The Movie

Think animation can’t be based on reality? Patlabor 2 will make you believe otherwise. This thriller anime has one of the most technically sound presentations of air-to-air combat available. From radio communications to electronic warfare, it gets the specifics right. But hardware is only half the story—it’s also about politics, humanity, and how we handle war in a contemporary world. It’s a gem that’s ripe for discovery, particularly by those who like realism.

6. The Aviator

Howard Hughes was not only a Hollywood tycoon—he was a flying fanatic. In The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio goes deep into Hughes’ world, revealing both his genius and his demons. The movie is an eye-fillet of a film, full of beautiful planes and thrilling flights, but it’s also a powerful tale of obsession, invention, and the price of greatness. Hughes helped push aviation forward in ways we still feel today, and this film gives that journey the drama it deserves.

5. The Right Stuff

Few movies capture the raw grit and guts of early test pilots like The Right Stuff. It’s the story of the Mercury Seven—the first Americans in space—but before rockets, they were pilots flying faster and higher than ever before. This movie has it all: risk, ego, competition, and the need to push beyond what anyone believed was possible. If you’re interested in learning how aviation set the stage for space travel, this is the film to see.

4. Memphis Belle

In World War II, Memphis Belle tells the story of the crew of a B-17 bomber on their last mission into Europe. It’s intense, emotional, and profoundly respectful of the actual men who flew into harm’s way day after day. You sense the camaraderie of the crew, the fear of each run, and the relief that they made it home. It’s not a war movie—it’s an ode to teamwork, sacrifice, and the human spirit’s resiliency in the face of unimaginable adversity.

3. The Tuskegee Airmen

This movie highlights a band of heroes whose tale was previously neglected. The Tuskegee Airmen is a true story of the first African American fighter pilots of the U.S. military in World War II. Confronted with racism in their own country and the horrific realities of war overseas, they consistently demonstrated themselves. The movie is uplifting, poignant, and a reminder that bravery isn’t all about flying into battle—it’s also about standing up to tyranny.

2. Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick

You knew this would be on the list. Top Gun rebranded the flight movie in the ’80s, making fighter pilots rock stars and providing us with some of the most incredible aerial footage ever captured. Years later, Top Gun: Maverick managed to top it, adding emotional heft, state-of-the-art flying sequences, and an intense examination of legacy and mentorship. These films don’t merely make you long to fly—they make you long to fly fast, low, and with “Danger Zone” pounding in your headphones.

1. Twelve O’Clock High

This is the daddy of all flying movies. Twelve O’Clock High is set during WWII, but rather than concentrating on aerial combat, it’s concerned with leadership, stress, and the psychological burden of sending men into combat. It’s a subdued, somber film, but effective. Gregory Peck stars as a commanding officer who has been sent to whip into shape a faltering bomber squadron, and the film serves to illustrate just how burdensome that task can be. It’s commonly used in military command training, and with good reason. This movie isn’t so much about flying as it is about what it takes to lead, follow, and survive.

If you’re dreaming of soaring through the skies yourself or simply want an inspiring tale that soars, these movies will take you there. They’ll capture your heart, exhilarate you, and remind you why the sky has ever been a calling to us.

Certain nights simply demand to be frightened. It’s the flicker of candlelight, the groan of floorboards, or the thrill of a perfectly timed jump scare that horror movies appeal to something basic—and weirdly enjoyable. If you’re the kind of person who likes to switch off the lights and plunge headlong into raw, cinematic fear, then this list is for you. From creepy slow-burns to all-out nightmares, these are 10 of the finest horror films that will keep you awake well past bedtime.

10. The Wailing (2016)

This South Korean horror gem slowly treads a path of dread that you can’t shake off. What starts as a mysterious disease in a rural village soon escalates to something much worse. Combining supernatural folklore, emotional tension, and pockets of real terror, The Wailing leaves you with more questions than answers—and with chills that linger.

9. Train to Busan (2016)

Zombies on a train? Easy enough, right? Wrong. Train to Busan is anything but. This South Korean blockbuster is full of non-stop action, heart-stopping character drama, and raw emotion. It’s a horror movie that can scare you, thrill you, and even move you to tears—sometimes all at once.

8. Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)

If you’ve ever had the creepiest feeling of being in a silent room, Ju-On may be the reason why. This classic Japanese horror film toys with nonlinear narrative, ominous visuals, and a curse as unforgiving as it is horrifying. The ghostly apparitions and unsettling sound design add up to an experience you’ll never forget.

7. Ringu (1998)

Before viral videos existed, Ringu brought us the concept of a cursed videotape that curses whoever views it. It’s slow-burning and atmospheric, allowing the tension to seep in until you’re squirming in your seat. Even after the credits are finished, you’ll probably be a bit anxious to turn on your TV.

6. Audition (1999)

Don’t be fooled by the peaceful start. The Japanese psychological horror film starts out nearly as if it were some kind of romance, but in the second half, it flips into some of the most disturbing cinema ever made. It is not for the faint of heart, but it’s unforgettable to those who can stomach the ride.

5. The Shining (1980)

Few horror movies are quite as legendary as The Shining. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s book brings creeping psychological horror within the haunted halls of the Overlook Hotel. From Jack Nicholson’s unraveling mind to the creepy twins down the hallway, it’s a masterwork in unnerving narrative.

4. Possession (1981)

This one’s a difficult watch—but in the best possible way. Part emotional breakdown and part horror fodder, Possession excavates the decay of a failed marriage, with images that run uncomfortably close to the edge of madness and horror. Isabelle Adjani delivers a performance that still shocks today.

3. The Exorcist (1973)

No list of horrors is ever complete without The Exorcist. It’s the first possession movie that got the template right. With its unflinching visuals and profoundly uncomfortable vibe, it’s been keeping people up nights for decades—and it still stands as one of the strongest entries in the genre.

2. The Conjuring (2013)

When it comes to contemporary haunted house films, The Conjuring is most likely to be the first one you think of. From the true-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren, this movie brings vintage scares with new life. It’s scary, stylish, and just flat-out frightening.

1. Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is not only terrifying—it’s profoundly unsettling. Ari Aster’s first film takes grief, family secrets, and demonic horror and sinks its claws under your skin and refuses to let go. Toni Collette’s performance is brutal and haunting, and the third act is straight-up nightmare fuel.

Whether you’re an old horror buff or a newcomer to the genre, these movies each offer something distinct. They’re frightening in different ways—some will jump out at you, while others will make you think—but they all linger. So turn out the lights, grab a blanket, and settle in for a night at the movies you won’t soon forget.