Taylor​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Swift’s music is essentially a series of landmark singles and wildly successful smash hits that have ruled the charts. However, on the two sides of each “Love Story” or “Shake It Off,” there are a lot of songs that have not been covered by the light of the spotlight. These are the songs that the Swifties loudly sing with their voices cracked on their trips on the highway, the ones that have been put aside at the rear of the albums or down as bonus tracks, still hoping that the rest of the world will recognize their greatness. 12 underloved songs by Taylor Swift to revisit–ranked, because the best secrets are always saved for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌last.

12. “Stay Beautiful” (Taylor Swift, 2006)

Taylor spent her days penning country ballads and country boots, but treated us to this lovely ballad of a flighty crush instead. It’s free-spirited, easy-going, and just right for blaring while rolling down the window. Not her most earnest cut, but it has the ageless glamour of teen fantasies.

11. “The Lakes” (Folklore, 2020)

Secretly hidden on a bonus track, “The Lakes” is as mystical as Folklore gets. It’s yearning, with desire for art, for love, for transcendence. Gloomy and poetic, it’s experiencing a world in the fog where only beauty prevails.

10. “So High School” (The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, 2024)

On her sprawling latest release, “So High School” feels like a burst of sunshine. Nostalgic yet playful, it mixes American Pie nods with a buoyant melody. It recalls the innocence of “You Belong With Me,” but with the polish of someone who’s been shaping pop culture for nearly two decades.

9. “Dorothea” (Evermore, 2020)

Evermore is unfairly eclipsed by its older twin album, Folklore, but “Dorothea” is one of its better-kept secrets. It’s nostalgic, sentimental, and warm–a paean to friendship and homely love. Listening is like reuniting with a long-lost friend who never really went away from your heart.

8. “Invisible String” (Folklore, 2020)

For fate-romance addicts, “Invisible String” is classic Swift. It bridges the old and new in supernatural imagery and acoustic restraint. Unobtrusive but commanding, it’s one of her most sentimental love songs.

7. “Right Where You Left Me” (Evermore, 2020)

This bonus cut is so much better earned. Trapped in a second-being stuck in a corner restaurant-is all too real. It’s bittersweet, memorable, and would have been an amazing addition to Speak Now.

6. “Treacherous” (Red, 2012)

One of the risk and tragedy enthusiasts’ top picks, “Treacherous,” is pure emotional intensity. The gentle verses give way to a stunning chorus, and Taylor even admitted it’s among her personal favorites. It’s a ballad about leaping headfirst into love, aware of the pain it could cause–and not minding.

5. “Cowboy Like Me” (Evermore, 2020)

This dark Evermore song is polarizing, but to the rest of us, it’s a masterpiece. It has its brooding, Western sound, and the story of two con artists who get involved with each other, so it’s a storytelling success. Turn the lights out and just let this wash over you–it’s cinematic.

4. “Clean” (1989, 2014)

The emotional highlight of 1989, “Clean,” is a cathartic composition. With all the imagery of water, it bottlenecks the feeling of relief, finally being able to move on with life. Tightly wound, it’s more about healing one’s heart than about creating a number-one hit–something that many listeners have near their hearts. 

3. “Happiness” (Evermore, 2020)

The title is a facade–this is one of Swift’s saddest songs. It answers the loss of love quietly, balancing the problem of thanks and sorrow. It’s not the hit single, however, but it stays and gets better with repeat plays.

2. “Holy Ground” (Red, 2012)

Bouncy and upbeat, “Holy Ground” is perhaps Taylor’s most joyful break-up tune. Rather than staying around sulking over hardship, it wallows in the loveliness of what has been lost. Not surprisingly, this was never a hit single.

1. “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)” (Taylor Swift, 2006)

The song is a deserved deep cut from her debut album. Drawing on her lifelong romance, it is a love fairytale of staying up late and growing old with a person. Sentimental and rose-tinted, it proves that teenage Taylor could do storytelling magic, too.

So next time you’re curating a playlist–or just want to dig past the obvious hits–give these hidden gems a spin. They’re proof that Taylor Swift’s brilliance runs far deeper than the singles.

There​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is no experience that is more excruciating than seeing a movie that is obviously a product of a half-baked idea. When studios cut corners on timelines, directors walk out of sets, or special effects are still in the testing phase, it is a recipe for disaster. As a matter of fact, Hollywood has been operating like that for a few decades, but James Gunn’s recent move to cancel a DCU project due to problems with the script might be an indication that studios are finally realizing that “good enough” is actually not good enough. While waiting for that moment, we can take a little bit of pleasure in the misfortune of others and list out 10 of the most infamous films that were incompletely made but still managed to make it to the silver ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌screen.

10. The Mummy Returns (2001)

The Rock’s entrance as the Scorpion King should have been epic. What did they receive instead? The final battle looked like it was from a PS1 game. Brendan Fraser’s charm bailed out the film, but those effects? Unforgivable. Proof that rushing CGI to release a movie ahead of a deadline leaves a scar—digital scars.

9. Nailed (2008) / Accidental Love (2015)

David O. Russell walked out halfway through the shoot, leaving behind a pile of half-finished footage. Years later, the scraps and pieces were pieced together and sent out into theaters under a pseudonym. The result was a rom-com with no real ending and a Frankenstein’s monster look. A lesson in why it may not always pay to take a film to its conclusion.

8. The Amazing Adventures of Zhu (2012)

This lost ZhuZhu Pets sequel never got an official American release. Instead, Universal quietly shipped it overseas in what most assume was either a tax evasion or an effort to avoid lawsuits. It’s barely recalled today—save by lost media fans who view it as an unfinished oddity.

7. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

Even director Lawrence Kasanoff later admitted the effects weren’t complete. Rushed into theaters anyway, this sequel was so bad it turned into a cult masterpiece “so-bad-it s-goodfavorite. Cheesy martial arts moves and cringe-worthy CGI destroyed it, but at least the fans learned to cherish how bad things could become.

6. Wagons East (1994)

John Candy’s untimely passing took the production by surprise. The studio finished the film using rewrites, body doubles, and reused footage. While it gave Candy his final ride, the patchwork final film resonated hollowly. Audiences cried not just for the man, but for this much better comedy that this could have been.

5. Grizzly II: Revenge (1983/2020)

Shot in the early 80s, left in the editing room, revived almost 40 years later, Grizzly II is a curiosity rather than a movie. Young George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Charlie Sheen make brief cameos at the beginning and end of the rest of the movie, which is an uncomfortable, stitched-together catastrophe that arises from production chaos.

4. Sphere (1998)

Michael Crichton adaptations usually manage to get it right—but not this one. Reshoots, runaway budgets, and underwater shooting difficulties rendered Sphere incomplete even on a hefty budget. What might have been a smart sci-fi thriller ended up being a lifeless mess.

3. The Devil Inside (2012)

Few finales have gotten under fans’ skin as much. Tense build-up, and the film ends with a car crash… then tells viewers to go to a website for the explanations. Yeah, that was it. The response was so savage that it became legendary, turning the film into one of horror’s greatest cop-outs.

2. A Sound of Thunder (2005)

Ray Bradbury’s classic novel deserved a sleek, considered adaptation. Instead, studio woes had effects resembling incomplete test prints. The time-travel tale implodes under the weight of its own production missteps, and the film bombed badly. A sad loss of a great concept.

1. Cats (2019)

No contest. Cats is the embodiment of “unfinished cinema.” The creepy CGI, the hasty re-release to fix mistakes, and the unadulterated nightmarish quality of human-cat hybrids shambling about on screen… indelible, for all the wrong reasons. The word “disaster” barely begins to describe.

Hurrying a movie never pays off. Whatever it is, from sabotaged special effects to undercooked scripts to production hell, incomplete movies make an impression on viewers—and not the good kind. That’s why James Gunn’s position—kill a bad project before it opens—is a welcome change. Perhaps the age of Franken-films is finally coming to an end.

One​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ such film going to be remembered as a masterpiece later is that the world is sometimes amazed to see that one of such movies that it considered a failure is now turning out to be brilliant. Some movies failed so disastrously at their premieres that, not only did they almost put the studios out of business, but they also nearly destroyed the directors’ reputations. Nevertheless, after some decades, they are loved, watched, and quoted infinitely. These are our ten “failure” films that have become great box office ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌misjudgments.

10. Better Man – The CGI Chimp Musical Nobody Showed Up For

A $110 million musical biopic about Robbie Williams, starring a CGI chimp as his alter ego, sounded. Ambitious. And it was—just not at the box office, where it scraped together $1.9 million in its U.S. debut. Still, it’s bold, eccentric, and unlike anything else out there—exactly the kind of risk that makes movie history interesting.

9. The Fabelmans – Spielberg’s Box Office Underdog

Steven Spielberg’s deeply personal coming-of-age drama might not have taken flight financially, but as a close-up portrait of art, family, and obsession, its reputation continues to build. Sometimes the quieter pictures take the longest to be heard.

8. The Abyss – Cameron’s Drowning Gamble

James Cameron descended into the depths—literally—for this underwater science fiction epic. Between the bloated budget and exhausting shoot, The Abyss operated on the edge of profitability. But today, its groundbreaking visual effects and epic scope render it one of Cameron’s most underappreciated masterpieces.

7. Event Horizon – From Box Office Bomb to Cult Horror Classic

A gothic horror and space opera fusion, Event Horizon confused critics and bombed at the box office. But its eerie aesthetic, graphic violence, and Sam Neill’s crazed acting finally gained it a devoted cult following.

6. Titan A.E. – The Animated Flop That Sank a Studio

Fox Animation staked all on this dark science fiction epic of the human condition. The poor box office result brought down the studio, though its blend of 2D and primitive CGI animation has become a cult classic among fans who enjoy their cartoons with a dash of apocalypse.

5. Treasure Planet – Disney’s Misjudged Space Epic

A steampunk, spacefaring retelling of Treasure Island, this artwork wonder was buried at the box office—partly due to coming out at the same time as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Twenty years on, it’s renowned for its beautiful artwork and forward-thinking setting.

4. The Thing – Carpenter’s Icy Masterpiece

When John Carpenter’s The Thing initially appeared in cinemas, people weren’t prepared for its gore and paranoia. It was a commercial failure. Today? It’s a standard for sci-fi horror and practical effects filmmaking.

3. Blade Runner – The Future Classic Nobody Asked For (Yet)

In 1982, Ridley Scott’s dystopian notion of the future was too slow, too weird, and too pessimistic for mainstream audiences. Now, Blade Runner is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time. Guess the future just took a little while to catch up.

2. The Shawshank Redemption – The Prison Drama That Bucked Failure

It’s now a fixture of “greatest movies” lists, but initially, The Shawshank Redemption didn’t create a ripple at the box office. Home video and word of mouth took its theatrical failure and turned it into an enduring story of hope and friendship.

1. Citizen Kane – The Original “Flop to Masterpiece” Story

Orson Welles’ revolutionary debut was a critical hit but a commercial failure, abetted by studio politics and scandal. Years later, it’s consistently voted the greatest movie ever made—testimony to the idea that the box office is a lousy barometer of greatness.

So the next time you hear that a movie “flopped,” recall: history is dotted with movies that flailed out of the starting gate, only to take the victory lap years down the line. Occasionally, it simply takes the world a little longer to catch up.

If​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ “Ever After The White Lotus” was just a five-star resort that everyone would be jealous of (except for the murder, awkward brunches, and mid-life crises), then you wouldn’t be the only one. On the other hand, a luxury stay at home turned out to be Mike White’s Emmy-winning comedy “The White Lotus” – a funny disaster with its incisive humor, flawed heroes, and many “did that really just happen?” moments. So, what to do if all three seasons have already been watched in a blink? Make yourself an Aperol spritz and dive into these 10 shows that are like a slow-motion mix of glitz, drama, and dark ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌humor.

10. Palm Royale

Think The White Lotus, but with a 1960s vibe—bigger hair, blinding pastels, and even more outrageous scandals. Palm Royale is the journey of social climber Maxine Simmons as she claws her way into the Palm Beach upper crust. With gossip, deceit, and the stylish touch of the past, it is a throwback cocktail of humor and satire that seems to be tailored for White Lotus fans.

9. Bad Sisters

Meet the Garvey sisters—five women who’ve had enough of their abusive brother-in-law. And then he dies under mysterious circumstances, and suddenly everyone is guilty-looking. Darkly comedic, crisply written, and nakedly emotional, Bad Sisters gets that same mix of privilege, dysfunction, and “how far would you go?” fascination just right.

8. The Resort

A tropical vacation that becomes a mystery? Say no more. The Resort is about a couple whose holiday is upended by a cold case vanishing. What begins as a light comedy frays into a creepy, time-bending mystery. White Lotus devotees of “paradise with a dark twist” will be in familiar territory here.

7. The Affair

Muddled entanglements, dissolved marriages, and a beach resort location—The Affair is shock fodder on steroids. Its savvy plotting, which reveals scenes from all sides, keeps you wondering about everyone’s intentions. It’s emotional, addictive, and just right for anyone who devoured the drama of White Lotus relationships.

6. The Perfect Couple

Wealthy families, a picture-perfect Nantucket wedding, and—of course—a killing. Starring Meghann Fahy (White Lotus breakout), The Perfect Couple is a glitzy whodunnit in which everybody’s hiding something. If you like your drama with a side of suspicion, try a binge of this one.

5. No Good Deed

Three groups of families rent the same picturesque Spanish villa, but paradise quickly turns into a pressure cooker. Teeming with secrets, satire, and painfully amusing moments, No Good Deed satisfies that desire for watching rich people’s lives implode spectacularly.

4. Southern Charm

Yes, reality television—but here’s the surprise: Mike White reportedly had the cast members of White Lotus watch Southern Charm for inspiration. This reality peek at Charleston’s high society dishes out riches, scandals, and backstabbing, all with that “rich people behaving badly” taste. It’s like real-life White Lotus.

3. Big Little Lies

With its A-list cast and beachside setting, Big Little Lies is basically the big sister of White Lotus. Affluent women of Monterey navigate secrets, trauma, and lies—all across glasses of wine on breathtaking cliffsides. Glamorous, tragic, and occasionally darkly funny, it hits all the right notes.

2. Nine Perfect Strangers

Nicole Kidman plays the enigmatic leader of a wellness retreat where nine strangers fight their demons—and each other. Half mystery, half psychological thriller, Nine Perfect Strangers offers the same combination of privilege, suspense, and paradisal breakdowns that make White Lotus addictive.

1. Succession

No one excoriates the rich and powerful quite so mercilessly as Succession. Following the dysfunctional Roy clan as they jostle to take charge of a media empire, the series is both savage, amusing, and heartbreaking. It’s the ultimate binge-watch if what you love most about The White Lotus is watching the rich implode in the presence of their own dysfunction.

So, if you’re craving more scandals, satire, and sun-soaked meltdowns, these shows are the perfect way to fill the White Lotus-shaped hole in your binge list. Just remember: paradise is never as perfect as it looks.

If​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ you find Alan Tudyk’s dry-witted, deadpan alien doctor in Resident Alien making you laugh, cringe, and root for him all at the same time, then it’s very likely that you would want to watch more series that have a similar combination of sci-fi strangeness and offbeat humor. That mixture of alien strangeness, small-town soap, and lovable comedy is quite an implausible combination but not a unique one. Luckily, there are plenty of TV shows—some classic, some lesser-known—that convey the same “alien plus absurd humanity” feel as the ones on the list. Here are 10 shows that the audience of Resident Alien will be inclined to watch ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌next.

10. Upload

What if death is not the end, but a digital upgrade? Upload envisions a world in which humans can transfer their consciousness into a virtual afterlife. Developed by Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Rec), the series satirizes technology culture to dating apps, all while slipping in smart emotional moments. Like Resident Alien, it employs sci-fi as a framing device to mock what makes us. Human.

9. Eureka

This cult classic drops you into a town filled with geniuses—and their disastrous experiments. From conversational houses to broken gadgets, Eureka lives off making everyday life a comedic catastrophe. Underneath it all, however, it’s about regular people dealing with outlandish circumstances, something Resident Alien viewers will appreciate right away.

8. Solar Opposites

Aliens attempting to “fit in” never fail to age, and Solar Opposites is here to make it work. Hailing from the creators of Rick and Morty, this animated show follows a family of aliens in witness protection in suburban America as they become entangled in ridiculous human nonsense. With biting social commentary and weird side stories (hi, The Wall), it’s the type of irreverent comedy that goes hand in hand with Harry’s adventures gone wrong.

7. People of Earth

This underappreciated comedy asks: what would happen if alien abductees formed a support group? Equally ridiculous and sentimental, People of Earth plays the idiosyncrasies of its human characters just as much as it builds out its aliens. The result is laugh-out-loud, adorable, and surprisingly poignant—exactly where anyone who adores the heart behind Resident Alien’s eccentricity wants to be.

6. The Orville

Seth MacFarlane’s The Orville proudly displays its Star Trek DNA, but it almost immediately settles into its own tone through embracing both humor and emotional storytelling. One minute it’s riffing on cringeworthy workplace politics, the next it’s addressing moral struggles on a universal level. That mix of humor and substance will come as no surprise to fans of Resident Alien.

5. 3rd Rock From the Sun

Before Harry attempted to be human, there was the Solomon clan. 3rd Rock from the Sun tracks four aliens who assume the form of a typical suburban family to research Earth’s bizarre traditions. The humor is farcical and more slapstick than Resident Alien, but the delight in seeing foreigners bumble their way through human idiosyncrasies is ageless.

4. Futurama

When deliveryman Fry awakens a thousand years in the future, he is surrounded by robots, mutants, and space nonsense. Futurama is full of smart sci-fi satire, ridiculous adventures, and—interestingly—gut-wrenching emotional punches. Like Resident Alien, it’s smart enough to have its cake and eat it too when it comes to clever comedy and deeper questions regarding identity and belonging.

3. American Dad

Seth MacFarlane is on the list again with American Dad. Its alien resident, Roger, is outrageous, sarcastic, and reinventing himself each week in even more outrageous disguises. Although the show is not a heavy sci-fi one, Roger’s anarchic presence provides the same catharsis as Harry’s fish-out-of-water behavior in Resident Alien.

2. Sneaky Pete

Okay, so it’s not sci-fi—but hear me out. Sneaky Pete centers on a con man pretending to be someone else, always one step away from exposure. That constant tension of keeping up a fake identity mirrors Harry’s secret life in Resident Alien. Add in sharp writing and dark humor, and you’ve got a surprisingly fitting companion show.

1. Mork & Mindy

Where it all started. Mork & Mindy brought the world Robin Williams as Mork, an alien who comes to Earth to observe and find himself hilariously caught up in the mundane lives of human beings. It’s goofier and more old-school sitcom than Resident Alien, but the DNA is the same: an outsider observer, completely bombing, yet making us laugh in the process.

If you’re here for the sci-fi shenanigans, the offbeat characters, or the unexpectedly rich explorations of human nature, these shows contain the same magic that sets Resident Alien apart. A few are established classics, a few are more recent experiments—but all of them will be entertaining to watch while you wait for the next trip to Patience, Colorado.

From Missteps to a True MCU Debut

After​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a long period of failed adaptations, ridiculous versions, and the awful cloud-shaped Galactus, the MCU is absolutely great to be the new Fantastic Four with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It is not only the return of the First Family of Marvel but also their comeback with a wonderful, nostalgic, visually touching, and thoroughly detailed character of depiction of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm that we haven’t met in a film ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌before.

Pedro Pascal Adds Depth to Reed Richards

As soon as Marvel revealed the cast, fans’ aspirations were out of the roof. With just the perfect mix of quick wit and vulnerable emotion, Pedro Pascal takes over the elastic shoes of Reed Richards. He is not the only genius of the group- He is a character combining saving the planet with the very near arrival of a baby. The critics mention that the acting of Pascal helps to humanize Reed, showing the conflict between his cheerfulness and the heaviness of making hard decisions.

Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm Is the Heart of the Team

Her Invisible Woman is not just one of the cast members – she is a leader whose impact both locally and globally is just as powerful. Through Kirby, the tug-of-war between Sue’s savior role and motherly longing is aptly depicted, which results in MCU’s one of the most heartfelt characters so far.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach Redefines The Thing

Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s interpretation of Ben Grimm is a breath of fresh air. Bye-bye, outlandish gravel-voiced caricature of earlier movies. This Ben is a talented pilot, a responsible uncle, and an intelligent man who happens to be stuck in a rock-encrusted body. Moss-Bachrach’s earthy way with words lends added depth to The Thing—his emotional complexity complementing his signature toughness.

A Smarter, More Human Johnny Storm

Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is a far cry from the cocky, one-note versions we’ve seen before. Here, he’s a daring but capable hero who earns his spot on the team through skill and courage. His sibling banter with Ben feels genuine, and his growth from impulsive thrill-seeker to responsible uncle adds surprising emotional weight to the Human Torch’s arc.

Galactus Finally Gets His Due

Let’s speak of the elephant in the room—Galactus. Ralph Ineson brings the Devourer of Worlds into a powerful, tragic character. No unsubstantiated CGI this time—Ineson’s thunderous voice and looming presence make Galactus feel plucked straight from the comics. Though there are some fans who hope he gets to stay longer, his presence is a huge improvement, providing the character with the gravitas fans have waited close to 20 years to experience.

A Retro-Futuristic 1960s Universe

Director Matt Shakman places the movie in an alternate 1960s (Earth-828), bathing it in retrofuturistic texture that’s half Jetsons, half high-concept Marvel. Blue-and-white outfits stand out against the sleek mid-century Baxter Building, and the world buzzes with flying cars, teleporters, and campy sci-fi gadgets. It’s not just an aesthetic—the backdrop informs the story’s tone, making First Steps a uniquely MCU entry.

Family First, Action Second

What gets First Steps flying isn’t its visuals—it’s the attention to family. Rather than trudging through another origin story, the film plunges right into an existing Fantastic Four as beloved heroes. The central conflict? Galactus threatens Reed and Sue’s unborn son in exchange for saving Earth. Loyalty, sacrifice, and mourning make the familial dynamic feel realistic and deserved, and the cast’s chemistry—particularly between Pascal, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, and Quinn—keeps it relatable.

Visuals That Finally Do the Team Justice

For years, Marvel’s spotty VFX had been an issue. First Steps gets it right. The Thing’s blend of practical and computer-generated effects is perfect, providing us with the most realistic live-action incarnation to date. Galactus and Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer (as Shalla-Bal) appear to have jumped directly from the comic book page, while the cosmic scenes dazzle without overwhelming the grounded 60s-set Earth scenes.

Where the Film Stumbles

It’s not flawless—several credited writers add a slightly inconsistent tone to the script, and newbies could do with a bit more context in the rapid origin recap. There may be some fans of action spectacle who are keen for more, and Galactus—brilliantly played though he is—doesn’t loom over the narrative as much as his legend promises. The climactic battle is smart but less than epic as promised, and a few emotional fake-outs toward the conclusion threaten to mute the stakes.

A Triumphous Step Forward for the MCU

Despite its flaws, The Fantastic Four: First Steps still manages to provide what the fans have been craving: a film that acknowledges the First Family of Marvel with the three R’s – reverence, warmth, and cool. The film is one love letter to the history of the team and a hopeful staging for the MCU’s outer space adventure.

In​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a short time, Apple TV+ has developed a reputation as one of the most interesting streaming services, where it has created a diverse portfolio of original feature films and series that are not only emotional and amusing but also captivating and intense in nature. If you want to renew your list of movies with the finest, here is a ranking of the 10 best films and shows streaming on Apple TV+ right ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌now.

10. Cha Cha Real Smooth

Cooper Raiff’s indie gem was a Sundance hit for a reason. Raiff plays a recent graduate getting his bearings at home, where he forms an unexpected bond with Dakota Johnson’s single mother, Domino, and her teenager. Warm, genuine, and hilariously cringe-inducing at times, this movie catches you off guard in the best possible way.

9. The Studio

Seth Rogen zeroes in on Hollywood with this behind-the-scenes comedy about the chaos of the movie business. Half satire, half genuine workplace dramedy, the series has already been called one of Rogen’s best works. Imagine quick wit, clever scripts, and a dash of pandemonium.

8. Flora and Son

From Sing Street director John Carney comes this heartwarming musical tale of a mother and son finding their way back to each other through the unifying power of music. Eve Hewson is luminous as Flora, a Dublin single mom who finds both her own voice and that with her son through song. Uplifting, tuneful, and wonderfully personal.

7. Wolfs

Brad Pitt and George Clooney again share the screen in this hip caper about two competing fixers who get the same job. The actual selling point here is the crackling chemistry between its two stars—equal measures banter, bravado, and rival friendliness. It’s slick, amusing, and sheer star power.

6. CODA

The movie that set Apple TV+ on the awards trail, CODA, remains one of the platform’s crown jewels. It follows Ruby, the hearing daughter in a deaf family, as she struggles to balance family duty with her ambition to become a singer. Emotional and uplifting, it’s the sort of film that stays with you.

5. Blitz

Steve McQueen brings World War II alive in the form of a child parted from his family during the London Blitz. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Blitz is a historical epic and an intimate family drama merged with harrowing survival and tender emotion.

4. Fly Me to the Moon

Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in this unconventional comedy about the (phony?) Apollo 11 moon landing. Tinkering with conspiracy theories and Cold War hysteria, it provides cutting humor and retro charm, all on the strength of Johansson’s spot-on performance.

3. The Last of the Sea Women

This stunning documentary traces the lives of haenyeo—Jeju Island’s Korean women divers—whose lives are as perilous as they are fantastic. Directed by Malala Yousafzai, it tells a story of resilience, heritage, and the glory of a matriarchal society on the brink of transformation.

2. The Gorge

Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller lead this creepy blend of survival thriller and horror in the tale of two agents who are stationed near a strange chasm. Directed by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange), with gravitas supplied by Sigourney Weaver, The Gorge is moody, genre-defying, and indelible.

1. Ted Lasso

While formally a series, Ted Lasso is Apple TV+’s jewel in the crown. Jason Sudeikis’s perpetually sunny coach has charmed audiences globally, collecting Emmys, SAG Awards, and an army of devoted fans. Humorous, optimistic, and chock-full of heart, it is still Apple’s signature hit.

From Oscar-winning dramas to quirky comedies and gripping thrillers, Apple TV+ is no longer the “new kid” in streaming—it’s a powerhouse of original storytelling. Whether you want something uplifting, intense, or just plain entertaining, this lineup proves Apple TV+ is one of the best places to watch right now.

Face​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ it: crime shows just don’t sound the same when the main detective is as complicated as the crime she is investigating. British (and Europe-inspired) television has been changing the standard by presenting us women who are intelligent, imperfect, deep, and indelible. If you are a fan of suspenseful mysteries, psychological thrillers, and protagonists with a sharp side, then these ten outstanding female detectives are the ones who prove that crime tv is at its finest when women are in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌charge.

10. The Bridge (Bron/Broen)

CID Malmö’s Saga Norén is not your ordinary TV detective—she’s direct, witty, and emotionally multifaceted in a disarmingly attractive way. The gold standard of Nordic noir, the Danish-Swedish Bron/Broen, is a multi-threaded drama full of surprise twists. Saga’s unconventional presence is what holds it all together, and she’s among the most unforgettable detectives in contemporary crime drama.

9. True Detective: Night Country

This True Detective season reverses the formula with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis playing Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro—two detectives threading through a dark Alaskan mystery steeped in supernatural undertones. Their tense collaboration, combined with the season’s shivery visuals and desperate atmosphere, makes it clear that women can bring the same brooding gravitas the series is famous for—if not more.

8. Marcella

Anna Friel’s Marcella Backland is gritty, unglamorous, and completely human. A detective from London dealing with a failed marriage, blackouts, and a revival of an old case, Marcella is anything but professional—but that’s what makes her so interesting. The dark, moody aesthetic and emotional authenticity elevate the series above typical crime drama.

7. Spiral (Engrenages)

France’s Spiral introduces Police Captain Laure Berthaud and attorney Joséphine Karlsson—two women who excel at high-pressure situations and couldn’t be bothered with conforming. Laure is obsessive and driven, Joséphineis ambitious and quick-witted. Their journeys play out with jarring realism, demonstrating that strong female characters don’t require gendered framing to be powerful.

6. Top of the Lake

Elisabeth Moss delivers a compelling performance as Detective Robin Griffin, who returns to her New Zealand hometown to search for a missing pregnant 12-year-old. The dark atmosphere, offbeat supporting characters, and Robin’s vulnerability make the narrative exciting even when it trudges along. 

5. The Honourable Woman

Though not strictly a detective series, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Golden Globe-winning performance as Nessa Stein is included here. Nessa deals with political maneuvering, hidden family truths, and matters of life and death with quiet fortitude and emotional depth. It’s spying, drama, and personal awakening all in one unforgettable performance.

4. Vera

Brenda Blethyn’s Vera Stanhope is rough-around-the-edges and snappish, but perceptive and empathetic, and therefore one of crime television’s most lasting creations. The setting for Vera’s gruff, wisecracking, emotionally intelligent solving of case after case is the rugged landscapes of Northumberland, and her steadfast humanity is the reason fans can’t stay away.

3. Happy Valley

Sarah Lancashire gives a tour-de-force performance as Sergeant Catherine Cawood, a gritty police officer struggling with acute personal tragedy as she brings up her grandson. Catherine’s determination to find the man she holds responsible for her daughter’s murder provides the series with its emotional depth. Dark, gritty, and emotionally realistic, Happy Valley is a crime drama at its best. 

2. The Killing

Detective Sarah Linden is dogged, deliberate, and fixated on the Rosie Larsen case. Based on the Danish Forbrydelsen, The Killing matches Linden with Stephen Holder in an explosive, full of tension, and grudging trust. The somber tone, slow-burning suspense, and Linden’s tormented resolve captivate audiences until the final moment.

1. The Fall

Number one on the list is Gillian Anderson’s Stella Gibson in The Fall. Cool, smart, and unflinching, Stella is appointed to track down a Belfast serial killer played by Jamie Dornan. The show introduces predator and hunter from the very beginning, but the psychological complexity and tension only build as their cat-and-mouse battle plays out. Anderson’s multi-layered performance has been a standard for female crime TV leads.

These detectives are not only solving cases—they’re revolutionizing the genre. Tough, messy, and endlessly captivating, they show that the best crime dramas are the ones driven by women who break conventions and dominate the screen.

While​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ it is true that the 21st century has been full of chaos, chaos movies are not the only things we’ve had. The genre has gone through a major change since then, and now we have everything from the awkwardness of the teens to the sharp and subtle social commentary, and at the same time, the movies still provide the kind of laughs that never get old. If you want to see a cringeworthy coming-of-age story, an absurdist satire, or a group of people whose antics are so over-the-top that you laugh so hard that you can’t help but drink through your nose, then turn to modern comedies, the theater’s choice for comfort food. The following is a reverse countdown of the 10 most defining, funniest comedies of the decade to date. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌

10. Palm Springs (2020)

Time-loop plots are usually generic, but Palm Springs infuses the idea with fresh, weird, and wonderfully funny energy. It’s got Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti playing two strangers stuck in the same repeated day at a wedding, and they both share undeniable chemistry. Blending nihilism, romance, and dark humor, the film walks a tightrope between insane shenanigans and some somewhat deeper observations about life. That perfectly kept goofy-to-deep ratio is just why it’s so memorable.

9. Bridesmaids (2011)

Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids, written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, flipped the raunchy comedy playbook on its head by showing that women could do it as hilarious—and as gross-out—as men. With Wiig’s snappy humor, Melissa McCarthy’s unforgettable (and Oscar-nominated) performance, and an overall rad cast to boot, it’s the ultimate best of both gross-out and heartwarming buddy drama. A comedy game-changer.

8. Hot Fuzz (2007)

From the same team that gave us Shaun of the Dead, Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost gave us a buddy-cop spoof that’s as exciting as it is humorous. Hot Fuzz is both a send-up and a straight-up excellent action movie, with jokes fired off one after another, references that are tantalizingly quick, and absurd set pieces. It’s both a send-up and a love letter—and it gets them both right.

7. Mean Girls (2004)

Tina Fey’s satire of high school has only improved with age. With dialogue (“On Wednesdays we wear pink”) that’s endlessly quotable, acerbic observations, and a cast hitting on all cylinders, Mean Girls is both goofily hilarious and cringeworthy in its familiarity. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried shine, making this one of the most rewindable comedies of the decade. It’s not only a teen movie—it’s a cultural touchstone.

6. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black was destined to play Dewey Finn, the would-be rock star turned unwitting substitute teacher. School of Rock is a heartwarming blockbuster, marrying killer tunes, wicked comedy, and unadulterated heart. Richard Linklater made a movie that inspires us as much as it makes us laugh, reminding us that rock and roll can transform lives—yes, even in a prep school classroom.

5. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Will Ferrell solidified his comedy-legend status with Ron Burgundy, the clueless ’70s news anchor whose life crumbles in ever more absurd fashion. Anchored by Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, the improv-rich script throws off joke after joke, from the legendary news-team fight to “I love lamp.” Ridiculously absurd but endlessly quotable, Anchorman has influenced contemporary comedy more than nearly any film since.

4. Borat (2006)

Few comedies have ever generated as much debate as Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen’s creation. Part social experiment, part prank, and part downright mayhem, it outraged prejudices while having people laugh in hysterics. Its blend of tension, satire, and over-the-top humor created a new benchmark for transgression comedy. Love it or wince through it, Borat changed what was possible in comedy.

3. Best in Show (2000)

Christopher Guest’s ensemble mockumentary concerning a dog show is odd, understated, and infinitely watchable. Every oddball character—from anxious owners to exaggerated commentators—illuminates perfectly, and the comedy pays off without ever punching down. Fred Willard’s completely deadpan delivery in and of itself makes it cult. It’s a humor that is funnier the more you see it. 

2. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

The ideal combination of zombie horror and British humor, Shaun of the Dead made Simon Pegg and Nick Frost household names and solidified Edgar Wright as one of the brainiest comedy directors of his generation. It’s sincere, it’s bloody, it’s side-splitting, and it effectively made the “rom-zom-com” genre. Plain and simple: it’s a modern classic.

1. Superbad (2007)

Superbad is not just a laugh-out-loud comedy but a whole new world for a teen who grew up with the culture of that era, from the mid-2000s, in fact. Inspired by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s writing and Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin) acting, the movie is a mash of desperation, hilariously awkward moments, and pure ridiculousness of being a teenager. In many ways, it is still the teen comedy of the century despite being warmly comedic.

They are not just laughing movies – they are frames of the evolution and change of comedy over time. Undeniably, if you are looking for awkward teen nostalgia, biting satire, or just some pure silliness, these films will bring you a good laugh, which is really the only way to get through the madness of modern life.

There​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are times when the enchantment of a motion picture is completely done outside the will of the creators. A wrongly delivered line. A laugh. A prop that got a little out of hand. These off-the-cuff moments serve as a reminder that beneath all the glitz, movies are made by human beings – human beings that err, laugh, and sometimes even cannot recollect what they were doing. Here are ten film bloopers and blunders that not only make the greatest laughs but have also been very much acknowledged by fans of different genres like comedy, thriller, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌animation.

10. Superbad – Bill Hader Can’t Resist Laughing

If you’ve ever seen the Superbad gag reel, you know it’s a battle to see who cracks up first. Bill Hader, Michael Cera, and Jonah Hill regularly ruin takes on their laughter, playing off the pandemonium around them. It’s evidence that the most hilarious moments sometimes occur when the camera isn’t necessarily rolling.

9. Bridesmaids – Melissa McCarthy’s Unstoppable Improvising

Melissa McCarthy made Bridesmaids a laugh-out-loud hit—and a nightmare for anyone who was attempting to remain “in character.” Between her surprise line readings and outright crazy antics, co-stars Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph barely managed to keep straight faces. According to Digital Trends, some takes never got past her first joke.

8. Young Frankenstein – Gene Wilder Loses It

In Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder’s timing is so impeccable that when he finally does lose it, it’s gold. The outtakes demonstrate him cracking in the middle of a scene, laughing his way through the ridiculous setups on the set. It’s an adorable reminder that even legends can’t resist a well-delivered gag.

7. Step Brothers – Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly Go Off-Script

Step Brothers feeds on improv, and its blooper reel reveals just how much of the film’s humor was achieved through spontaneous genius. Ferrell and Reilly trade jokes with each other until one (or both) of them almost falls over laughing. The unfiltered, undiluted goofiness is almost like a comedy special embedded within the film.

6. Monsters, Inc. – Pixar’s “Planned” Bloopers

Leave it to Pixar to produce bloopers. Intentionally. During Monsters, Inc., the studio was animating wacky “outtakes” of the characters—false mistakes based on actual actor mistakes. Seeing Mike and Sulley botch lines or stumble over props adds an unexpectedly human feel to the world of animation.

5. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – R2-D2 Takes a Spill

Not even the Star Wars universe is impervious to blunders. In The Phantom Menace, one of the most humorous blooper moments comes when R2-D2 tips over. It’s a small mistake in an enormous production, but it’s strangely reassuring to see something so down-to-earth happen in a galaxy far, far away.

4. The Silence of the Lambs – Jodie Foster’s Playful Side

For such a spooky thriller, The Silence of the Lambs has a few surprisingly silly moments offscreen. The gag reel features Jodie Foster theatrically yelling, “Freeze! Put your hands on your hips!” as she struggles with rubber gloves. Even Anthony Hopkins—ghastly Hannibal Lecter himself—couldn’t resist goofing off between takes.

3. The Descent – Monsters Who Dance

Famous for its claustrophobic terror, The Descent had a surprisingly light and airy set. Between filming, the cast would giggle, joke around, and—in one memorable moment—a blood-covered “monster” danced with a broom like the actors were filming Singin’ in the Rain. It turns out, even in a cave of fake blood and gore, there’s space for laughter.

2. Liar Liar – Jim Carrey Being Jim Carrey

The Liar Liar blooper reel is, in effect, an extra Jim Carrey performance. His rubbery faces, rapid-fire improvisations, and endless riffing leave everyone on set wondering what’s coming next. Half the pleasure is seeing his co-stars struggle (and fail) to match his energy.

1. Anchorman 2 – A Masterclass in Breaking Character

With Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, and Paul Rudd in the cast, it was impossible that Anchorman 2 made it through production without complete improv pandemonium. The gag reel is full of quick-fire jokes, and the actors can’t contain themselves in moments of comedy. The laughter is so infectious, you can’t help but wonder how any scenes were completed at all.

These bloopers show that although we adore films for their tales, we also delight in catching the human moments squeezed in between “action” and “cut.” Occasionally, the errors aren’t only forgiven—they’re legendary.