Marvel just released the cast list for Avengers: Doomsday, and as much as there’s hype for the return of Thor, Loki, the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and even a multiverse X-Men reunion, fans are also abuzz with just as much speculation about who isn’t on the list. The official unveiling, which dropped during a viral livestream, featured 27 names—yet some of the MCU’s largest players aren’t included. That’s caused wild speculation, multiverse discussions, and more than a few frustrated fans. Let’s take a look at the ten most shocking hero absences from Doomsday—and why each one’s got the fandom buzzing.

10. Monica Rambeau (Photon)

After stealing the scenes in The Marvels, Monica was an integral part of the cosmic branch of the MCU—particularly after closing a multiversal tear with her bare hands. The last we saw of her, she was trapped in an alternate universe, being examined by Kelsey Grammer’s Beast. So… why isn’t she in Doomsday, particularly when the X-Men are? Her no-show is puzzling, reports CBR. With multiverse-and-cosmic-energy-based powers, Monica appeared to be bound for greater things. Perhaps Marvel is keeping her in reserve for a Secret Wars splash.

9. She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters)

Jennifer Walters exploded onto the scene with green fury, quick sassing, and an odd knack for breaking the fourth wall. Fans were primed to see her bring some brawn (and meta-comedy) to the big screen. But she’s not on the roster. As Screen Rant notes, we’ve only scratched the surface of her potential, and a She-Hulk team-up with the larger MCU would’ve been a major moment. Could Marvel be saving her for something more grounded—or just avoiding an overcrowded cast?

8. Hawkeye (Clint Barton & Kate Bishop)

For the first time, we’ve got an Avengers lineup with zero Hawkeyes. Both Kate and Clint are absent from the action. Historically, Hawkeye has added a grounded, tactical vibe to the team—something that’s now absent. As CBR mentions, their absence creates a void in the emotional center of the group. In addition, fans were looking forward to watching Kate Bishop shine in her spotlight. No trick arrows, no deadpan humor, no Barton advice—it’s a glaring omission.

7. Deadpool & Wolverine

After the buzz around Deadpool & Wolverine, most fans figured these two were a lock for Doomsday. So seeing them left off the list has raised some eyebrows—especially with other Fox-era X-Men confirmed. USA Today calls their exclusion surprising, especially with how much fans love this chaotic duo. Odds are they’re being saved for a mid-movie cameo or post-credits scene. However, it’s odd to omit two actors who simply carried one of Marvel’s largest films.

6. Vision (White Vision)

White Vision disappeared at WandaVision’s conclusion, and fans were left with more questions than answers. His philosophical development and enhanced form seemed like a setup for something greater, but nada? With Doctor Doom on the scene, Vision would have been an excellent intellectual counterpoint. CBR proposes Marvel is waiting for a more spectacular reveal—but omission from Doomsday seems like wasted potential for a character with significant narrative drive.

5. Hulk (Bruce Banner)

No Hulk? No smashing? That’s a tough pill to swallow. Bruce Banner helped launch the MCU’s powerhouse lineup, and after recent teases involving his son Skaar, fans assumed he’d be front and center. Screen Rant even notes that Ruffalo’s Hulk is “available” for the mission. Plus, comic readers know Doom and Maestro (an evil Hulk variant) have deep ties. Leaving him behind now could be a sign that Marvel has Maestro plans for Secret Wars—but fans certainly hoped for more green rage this time through.

4. Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers)

Carol Danvers is one of the strongest MCU characters, so benching her from Doomsday is unexpected. Following The Marvels, fans wanted to see her come back stronger. But again, she’s benched. CinemaBlend speculates the story could be divided across timelines or dimensions, so Carol could get to shine in another arc. Nonetheless, her absence hurts—particularly with all those cosmic and multiverse threads woven into the mix.

3. Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)

Come on—nobody believes Wanda’s dead for good. Despite her apparent death in Multiverse of Madness, her children are appearing in Agatha All Along, and fans have been expecting her inevitable return. CBR and others point out Olsen has stated she’s not involved in Doomsday or Secret Wars, but come on—it’s the multiverse. Her power level is too enormous to be left out of the loop for long, and fans continue to pray for a late-game reveal.

2. Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)

No one has carried more multiversal heavy lifting than Doctor Strange, so his lack of appearance in Doomsday is truly confounding. He brought about incursions, fought alternate universes, and even got stuck with Clea in the Dark Dimension. As CBR puts it, not having him feel like using your starting quarterback. Cumberbatch has remained tight-lipped about appearing—but this also seems more like a ruse than an exclusion. Nevertheless, it feels strange to witness the multiverse play out without its chief wizard.

1. Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Tom Holland’s Spidey is the MCU’s face, particularly after No Way Home’s multiversal mess. So fans were shocked to hear he’s not included on the Doomsday cast roster—particularly with Spider-Man: Brand New Day opening in theaters only two months from now. According to USA Today, Sony’s rights to the character could be the explanation for his exclusion, but it’s still a letdown. Fans were waiting for that Peter vs. Doom moment, particularly with Robert Downey Jr. as the bad guy. The similarities to the classic Tony-Peter dynamic were there—and now they’re not.

Marvel has a few tricks up its sleeve, and with Secret Wars just around the corner, there’s still time for these missing heroes to return to battle. But for the moment, Avengers: Doomsday is causing waves not only for who’s appearing, but for who isn’t.

When it comes to mythical monsters and legendary beasts, nobody crafts fantasy worlds like J.R.R. Tolkien. His Middle-earth is full of an untamed array of creatures—some heroic, others horrific—that have defined the genre for decades. Whether they’re trampling battlefields or lurking in the darkest depths of darkness, these creatures have left a lasting impression on fantasy tales. But which of them reigns supreme? Here’s a top 9 countdown of The Lord of the Rings’ most powerful beings, from dangerous to outright destructive.

9. Ents: Old Guards of Nature

They are slow and careful, but when Ents get into a fight, they bring the power of the woods. Tall like trees with Treebeard leading them, Ents can knock down stone towers and break metal. They are old, smart, and wait a lot — but if you harm their forest, they get mad. Their march to Isengard is a big thing to remember in Tolkien’s world.

8. Carcharoth: Morgoth’s Huge Wolf

Make room for Carcharoth, the giant wolf made by Morgoth. This is no normal beast — he ate magic meat, grew very big, and could bite through metal. In a famous old tale of Tolkien’s, Carcharoth bites the hero Beren’s hand, eating a Silmaril with it. He’s a beast made of shadow and anger, rare but always remembered.

7. Olog-Hai: The Next Generation of Trolls

Trolls are bad enough, but the Olog-Hai are a step higher. Engineered by Sauron to be wiser and more powerful, these trolls can operate under sunlight—a huge improvement over their cave-dwelling brethren. Equipped with armor and weapons, they’re shock troops that combine brute force with tactical application, making them one of the Dark Lord’s most powerful dangers.

6. Trolls: Terrifying Creatures of War

Trolls are the personification of brute strength. Towering above their enemies in height and armed with clubs that double as battering rams, they’re dangerous in close combat. Conceived as an insult to Ents by Morgoth, they’re strong but not very intelligent. Sunlight is still their worst enemy, turning them into stone. However, the mere presence of these beasts on the field is enough to strike terror into the hearts of soldiers.

5. Ogres: Rare, but Fearsome

Ogres are a bit of a mystery in the world of Tolkien—spoken of hardly at all in the books, but more so in the films. They’re not quite as gigantic as trolls but quicker and as deadly. Ogres are not vulnerable to the same vulnerability as trolls to sunlight, so they make effective warriors. Official or not, they bring another layer of ferocity to the dark side.

4. Uruk-Hai: Saruman’s Engineered Troops

The Uruk-Hai mix the wild rage of orcs with the order of men. Made by Saruman, these fierce fighters are bigger, taller, and follow rules better than usual orcs. They don’t fear the sun and want to win lands. They hit Helm’s Deep with great skill. The Uruk-Hai are sharp, tough, and born for battle—Middle-earth’s top warrior.

3. Goblins: Little, Intelligent, and Lethal

Goblins are tinier next to orcs, yet their minds are sharp and their groups are big. They do well in sneaky fights and crafting, making traps to catch those who come near. They stay deep in the earth, thriving in the dark and rough spots. From the Goblin King in The Hobbit to their key fight in the Mines of Moria, goblins show that being clever can kill as well as being strong.

2. Wargs: The Wolves of War

Imagine wargs as wolves turned up to eleven—bigger, brighter, and strappingly ferocious. Regularly ridden into combat by orcs, wargs are creatures above mere animals; they’re tactical tools. Their grouping and relentless pursuit capabilities make them the cavalry soldier’s worst nightmare. Across open fields or rocky defiles, little fills one with more fear than a pack of charging wargs.

1. Shadowfax: The Supreme Steed

Only Gandalf was privileged to ride him, and even then, only because Shadowfax graciously permitted it. He is more than a mode of transportation; he is freedom, loyalty, and natural power that does not require claws or teeth to overcome.

Tolkien’s beasts are the standard by which fantasy worldbuilding is judged. From the war-worn Uruk-Hai to the majestic Shadowfax, each is intricately part of Middle-earth’s lore and moral universe. Their impact can be felt everywhere—from books to big-budget movies and video games. With fantasy evolving, Tolkien’s creations certainly continue to cast the longest shadows.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe never shied away from depicting power, but post-Avengers: Endgame, everything changed. With the Infinity Saga wrapped up, the MCU had the space to bring in new faces—and some of them arrived with abilities that make even Thanos seem like a schoolboy. From multiversal travelers to magical bruisers, this MCU’s new era is filled with figures who are rewriting the playbook. Here’s a countdown of the strongest new post-Endgame characters, ranked from solid to downright god-tier.

10. She-Hulk / Jennifer Walters

Jen Walters isn’t just the cousin of Bruce Banner—she’s a superpowered attorney who brings Hulk-level strength and a surprising amount of self-awareness. Literally. She can break the fourth wall, step outside her show, and rewrite her narrative, which gives her a meta-advantage unlike anyone else in the MCU. While she doesn’t always flex her strength in battle, her control over her powers—and her story—is something even Deadpool would raise an eyebrow at.

9. Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi’s martial arts skills are impressive enough on their own, but once he takes possession of the Ten Rings, he levels up significantly. These ancient, mysterious weapons boost his strength, allow for energy blasts and whip-like attacks, and possibly extend his life. He’s gone from a street-level fighter to someone who could easily hold his own alongside the Avengers.

8. Billy Maximoff / Wiccan

Young and only just learning about his abilities, Billy has already shown he’s no average youngster. He’s able to control Chaos Magic, perform magic spells, and—most astonishingly—bring himself back to life. That makes him very rare indeed. His unpolished potential is enormous, and as he grows up, he may well end up one of the strongest sorcerers in the MCU.

7. America Chavez

Crossing the multiverse isn’t something anyone can do—but America Chavez can punch star-shaped holes between worlds. That alone places her in a league of her own. Her special abilities were so coveted that Wanda Maximoff outright became a villain to attempt to steal them. With some more training and experience, America easily has the potential to be one of the cornerstones of the MCU’s multiverse narrative.

6. G’iah (Super-Skrull)

G’iah begins life as a shapeshifter, but once she absorbs the DNA of several of the MCU’s greatest heroes and villains, she becomes so much more. Imagine her as a solo Avengers team member—she’s got Hulk-level strength, Captain Marvel-esque energy blasts, and even Extremis regeneration. G’iah’s set of abilities makes her fantastically deadly, particularly because she can adapt in the middle of combat.

5. Agatha Harkness

Centuries seasoned and an expert in dark magic, Agatha is more than just a theme song-worthy villain—she’s one of the smartest and most lethal magic users in the MCU. She was able to hold her own against Wanda Maximoff, no easy task, and has a connection to the Darkhold that grants her access to spells and abilities that are far beyond most sorcerers. Agatha thinks long-term, and she is not someone to be underestimated.

4. Zeus

Dropped into Thor: Love and Thunder, Zeus may have been perceived as egotistical and flamboyant, but he’s no slouch in terms of power. He can use a thunderbolt with catastrophic effect and has commanding presence among the gods. If Thor regards him as a powerhouse, that says a lot. Even with limited on-screen time, his appearance suggested an entire class of pantheon-level characters lurking in the background.

3. Gorr the God Butcher

Gorr was not only a bad guy—he was an executioner of gods. Picking up the Necrosword, he embarked on a killing rampage throughout the universe, taking out gods with ruthless efficiency. The sword provides him with shadow-based abilities, regenerative powers, and the ability to fight multiple gods simultaneously. He may not have hit his full comic book form on screen, but the danger he represented was all too real.

2. The Eternals

Why have one giant when you can have a whole team? Each Eternal possesses their skills—everything from energy blasts and the ability to fly to mind control and manipulation of matter. They were created by Celestials and are all but immortal, as well as virtually unstoppable. Any one of them is a force to be reckoned with, but when combined, they’re a force that even the Avengers would hesitate to mess with.

1. Kang the Conqueror

Fated to be the MCU’s new big bad (multiverse chaos aside), Kang is a villain who plays a different game. He doesn’t merely battle with fists—he overpowers timelines. Through the power of manipulating time, controlling advanced tech, and birthing deadly variants throughout realities, Kang poses a threat not only to Earth but to existence. He’s not merely powerful—he’s unstoppable.

Honorable Mention: Lady Death

Although still mysterious, Lady Death’s identity as Rio Vidal in Agatha All Along brings a gigantic cosmic character to the MCU’s team. Being the personification of death, she works on a scale well beyond most characters. With dominion over life, death, time, and reality itself, her arrival redefines the hierarchy of power. She may not be fully unleashed at this point, but she has endless potential—and terror.

The post-Endgame MCU is exploring new ground, and with these characters entering the limelight, the power level has shifted from global to multiversal. If this is the new normal, the next few phases are going to be crazy.

If you’ve ever found yourself spellbound by the quiet, intense journey of Samurai Jack or laughed out loud at the wild, stretchy antics in Hotel Transylvania, then you’ve already been under the spell of Genndy Tartakovsky. This animation powerhouse has been reshaping what cartoons can be for decades—blending everything from Japanese woodblock art to classic Looney Tunes chaos—and picking up a few Emmys along the way. Let’s examine the five most iconic things that make Tartakovsky’s animation heritage so unforgettable.

5. The Minimalist Magic of Samurai Jack

When Samurai Jack debuted on Cartoon Network in 2001, it didn’t merely stand out—it virtually whispered in a world filled with noise. Tartakovsky shed the traditional chatter and background clutter, opting for bold, angular visuals and a “less is more” design philosophy. As he described it, “Most animated TV shows are full of talk, talk, talk. But I wanted more.

I wanted it to be like a 70s movie, like The French Connection or something like that.” And that’s precisely what he delivered: a cinematic, painterly experience where each frame did more with less—telling stories with composition, silence, and style.

4. Visual Storytelling Over Dialogue

One of Tartakovsky’s trademarks is trusting the audience to feel the story without being told what to think. In shows like Samurai Jack and Primal, whole episodes can pass without a single word—and yet you’re completely drawn in.

Through movement, color, sound design, and careful pacing, he crafts stories that speak volumes without saying anything. It’s a subtle kind of power, turning a glance or a moment of stillness into something emotionally profound.

3. Disregarding Animation Conventions in Hotel Transylvania

With Hotel Transylvania, Tartakovsky jumped to feature films and didn’t hold back. Rather than striving for realism that characterizes most 3D animated features, he brought his wacky, stretchy TV sensibilities to the big screen—and dared his animation crew to keep up. Characters jump, stretch, twist, and contort in impossible positions, capturing the rhythm of vintage slapstick in a contemporary vehicle.

As producer Michelle Murdocca put it, Tartakovsky did not view 3D animation as a restriction, but rather “a series of 2D images that collectively create a full 3D experience.” The result was a visually stunning experience that was new, playful, and completely original.

2. The Emotional Strength of Primal

With Primal, Tartakovsky dove deep into tone and technique. No words, no civilization, just naked emotion and survival. The show tells the story of a caveman and a dinosaur who come together through shared trauma, and it’s all presented through animation, music, and sound. It’s violent, yes—but it’s also stunning. Made through traditional drawing methods, TVPaint on a Cintiq, the show is tactile, handmade-looking, making every feeling land that much more personally. Tartakovsky wasn’t diving into violence—he was diving into what it means to connect without language.

1. The Signature Style That Revolutionized Animation Forever

Throughout Tartakovsky’s work is something unifying: a bold, recognisable style. Imagine cinematic camera angles, stylized motion, muted color schemes, and characters whose silhouettes you’d instantly be able to tell apart. His inspirations are diverse—Japanese woodblock prints, American superhero comic books, early cartoons—and he combines them into something uniquely his own.

Whatever it is, whether the placid atmosphere of Samurai Jack, the frantic pace of Hotel Transylvania, or the primordial fury of Primal, Tartakovsky has a vision. He doesn’t merely animate; he experiments, innovates, and relies on the viewer to go for it with him.

Genndy Tartakovsky isn’t merely creating cartoons—he’s redefining the art form. If you wish to know how far this art form can stretch when it’s in the hands of a true original, simply watch anything he’s worked on. You won’t merely view it—you’ll experience it.

Horror films are like ghost rides for your mind—we know we’ll yell, shift, maybe hide our eyes, and yet… we love each bit. Be it a spooky ghost film, a gore-soaked killer film, or a slow-burn mind horror, horror has given some top film moments. These films stay with us long after the end. Here are 19 top horror films that still mess with our minds—in the best way.

19. Poltergeist (1982)

Ever think your hometown spot could turn into a door to the ghost world? Yeah, we didn’t—until Poltergeist showed us the horrors that can hide behind the white fence. Scary TVs, bad toys, and a lost kid? Scare food.

18. Halloween (1978)

The one that made it all start. Michael Myers, in his blank white mask, turned into the top slasher bad guy, and John Carpenter’s chill sound is still top. Babysitters, watch out.

17. The Exorcist (1973)

This film didn’t just scare folks—it hurt them. Sick, heads flip, and ghost take? It’s a top pick for a good cause. Still one of the most messed-up things ever put on film.

16. The Thing (1982)

Trust no one. In this cold horror, fear runs wild as an alien thing acts like the folks close by. The real effects? Mad. The fear? Off the charts.

15. Se7en (1995)

It’s dark, it’s raw, & it’s bad in a way that sticks with you. A killer with a weird view of right & wrong and one of the maddest ends ever. “What’s in the box?” stays in our minds for free.

14. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Not your usual horror film, but for sure one of the scary ones. Hannibal Lecter is scary nice and scary at the same time. And that moth bit? Wow.

13. Psycho (1960)

The first great killer film, by Hitchcock him. Norman Bates made “mommy issues,” and the shower bit is a keyone. It’s black & white, but the fear is strong.

12. Scream (1996)

Meta before meta was a big thing. Scream brought the killer type back from the gone with sharp talk, rough kills, & a bad guy(or two) who loved horror just as we do.

11. The Shining (1980)

A slow fall into madness in a ghost hotel. Kubrick + King = horror top. Jack Nicholson’s “Here’s Johnny!” is not just a meme—it’s a hint.

10. Alien (1979)

It’s a horror film in space, and it’s just right. The thing design is scary, the fear won’t stop, and Ripley is one of the greatest last girls ever.

9. Jaws (1975)

It may not be usual horror, but it made a whole age scared of the sea. Spielberg’s fish horror proves that at times, what you don’t see is even scarier.

8. Misery (1991)

No ghosts, no big bad things—just a die-hard fan with a big hammer and big issues. Kathy Bates makes Annie Wilkes one of horror’s most bad bad guys.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A toy filled by a killer’s heart? That’s a scary dream. Chucky’s a tiny bad guy who showed that toys aren’t always kid-kind.

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Freddy Krueger doesn’t just walk in dreams—he kills you in them. Mad kills, odd looks, & a scary idea that made bedtime a lot more scary.

5. Frankenstein (1931)

The first big, bad thing film. Boris Karloff’s thing is both sad and scary. Closeto a hundred years on, this film still holds up.

4. The Purge (2013)

What if wrong was ok for one night? A plain but scary idea that taps into some very real fears. It’s wild—and it feels way too real.

3. Tremors (1991)

Big beasts under the dirt, and a small town fights back. It’s fun, scary, & you can watch it lots of times. Kevin Bacon vs. big worms? Yes, do it.

2. Blade (1998)

Part-vampire, part-hero—Blade brought blood, strikes, & fangs to the screen with real cool. Way in front of its time in both horror & hero groups.

1. Beetlejuice (1988)

A horror laugh like no else. Ghosts, big worms, & a bio-ghost with a bad mood—Tim Burton’s odd death world is spooky, fun, & so hard to forget.

Tom Holland has danced, fallen, & swung into fame. In ten years, he’s gone from new face to the top Spider-Man of his time. From big wave woes to world mix-ups, Holland’s roles have won the crowd & touched hearts. He can crack jokes in a fight or deal with home woes well. He knows how to make a mark. Here are five of his big films—from fun to key ones.

5. Uncharted (2022)

When he’s not tossing webs between skyscrapers, Tom’s off treasure hunting in ancient tombs and leaping out of cargo planes. Uncharted was Sony’s ambitious bid to translate the popular video game franchise into a franchise movie series, with Holland as teenager Nathan Drake. Critics weren’t entirely convinced—Rotten Tomatoes rated it a modest 41%—but audiences were much more enthusiastic, with a 90% audience score.

In spite of the mixed reviews, Uncharted drew big bucks, earning its place as one of the year’s top-grossing films. The action was flashy, the banter with Mark Wahlberg had some good moments, and the set pieces were fun-for-popcorn entertainment (even if the storyline at times seemed piecemeal). For Holland, it was a chance to prove he could hold down a big non-MCU action lead—and the fans turned out in droves to see him do it.

4. The Impossible (2012)

Years before the superhero fame, Holland gave a breakout turn in The Impossible, a heart-wrenching drama about a family trapped in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It was his initial big-screen role, and already it was apparent: this young actor was something special.

Holland’s depiction of a young boy torn from his family after catastrophe was raw, emotional, and incredibly moving. Critics perked up—the film received an 82% rating—and his acting was universally praised for both its maturity and intensity. It established a template for the kind of down-to-earth, emotional work he’d bring to even his largest tentpoles later on.

3. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Following a show-stopping cameo in Captain America: Civil War, Homecoming marked Tom Holland’s official introduction as Peter Parker. And it landed the landing. This wasn’t another reboot, but rather a new, young spin that went big on high school klutz and superhero duty in equal amounts.

Critics adored it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), and viewers adored Holland’s wide-eyed, sincere performance. Some devoted fans complained that Iron Man’s prominent presence took away a little from Peter’s development, but there’s no doubt Homecoming redefined Spider-Man for the MCU age. It was amusing, warm, and provided Holland the attention he rightfully deserved.

2. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

It was bigger than a film—it was an event. No Way Home shattered box office doors throughout the pandemic, earning $253 million opening weekend in the U.S. alone, and over half a billion worldwide. It was a full-blown movie experience, the type that had people flooding ticketing websites just to be able to sit in the theater.

With the multiverse twist that introduced returning fan-favorite Spideys and villains, No Way Home was nostalgic and emotionally resonant. Holland centered it all with one of his finest performances, finding equal measures of heartbreak, humor, and heroism. Critics acclaimed it, fans consumed it, and the internet pretty much exploded. It was the sort of movie that reminded us all why we attend films.

1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Leading the pack is the MCU’s magnum opus: Avengers: Endgame. Holland didn’t have a lot of screen time, but his emotional scenes—particularly the reunion with Tony Stark—hit fans right in the feels. The movie was a global phenomenon, bringing an end to an era spanning ten years and raking in an impressive 94% from critics.

Endgame wasn’t merely a film event—it was the film event of the moment. And even as part of a huge ensemble, Holland’s contribution helped anchor the emotional center of the tale. His part may not have lasted long, but it was potent—and unforgettable.

From tsunami survivor to wrangler of multiversal menaces, Tom Holland has established an impressive, impactful career. Whether he’s swinging through the skylines of cities or unearthing lost history, his talent and charm keep every project he’s a part of on the rise. And with his star still on the incline, it’s safe to say the best might be yet to come.