Other times, the greatest soap operas on TV aren’t what the audience sees on screen—but what happens behind the scenes. Bitter egos, horrid behavior, or legal scandals will kill a dream role. Forget shock twists in the script—these exits were driven by behind-the-scenes chaos. Here’s a countdown of the most notorious actor-driven deaths.

10. Jon Polito – Homicide: Life on the Street (Steve Crosetti)

Polito protested about his blunders over changes to the show—and suffered. His detective character was found dead, a suicide, in the bay. Years later, Polito admitted he’d been wrong, but by then the storyline was set.

9. Dominic Monaghan – Lost (Charlie Pace)

Monaghan became disenchanted with working and didn’t hesitate to share his disdain with co-star Matthew Fox. Perhaps it was personal issues or artistic burnout, but the result was Charlie’s drowning death scene—a farewell that seemed to calm actor and crew alike.

8. Michael Pitt – Boardwalk Empire (Jimmy Darmody)

Talented but volatile, Pitt acquired a reputation as an impossible person to work with—showing up late, forgetting his lines, and brawling in fistfights on location. The on-screen killing off of his character was as ruthless as the behind-the-scenes decision to cut him loose. Even his agent dumped him after that.

7. Mischa Barton – The O.C. (Marissa Cooper)

Marissa’s car crash exit was no accident. Backstage, Barton’s rough partying and developing diva image created production problems. She would later admit that her life was getting out of hand at the time—making her on-screen death seem almost inevitable.

6. Columbus Short – Scandal (Harrison Wright)

Shonda Rhimes is notoriously devoted to her actors—but even she has boundaries. Short’s personal scandals and legal issues made him a liability. His character was disposed of in a hail, and the actor was shortly thereafter heading into rehab.

5. Taylor Momsen – Gossip Girl (Jenny Humphrey)

Once a mainstay, Momsen’s unstable attitude and inattention on set resulted in her being written out. Even fashion legend Tim Gunn criticized her as “a pathetic diva.” By the time Jenny Humphrey had left, nobody was surprised.

4. Nicollette Sheridan – Desperate Housewives (Edie Britt)

Dressingly, clashes with show creator Marc Cherry and allegations of professional misconduct derailed Sheridan’s tenure. Edie Britt’s melodramatic death—electrocution and subsequent car accident—was no more melodramatic than the character. Sheridan’s wrongful termination lawsuit ended in a mistrial, leaving the drama unresolved.

3. Charlie Sheen – Two and a Half Men (Charlie Harper)

Few departures were more raucous—or more in-your-face—than Sheen’s. After a series of rants and public attacks on creator Chuck Lorre, Sheen was given the ax, and his character was killed off by a train. Ashton Kutcher took over, but Sheen’s meltdown made TV history.

2. John Amos – Good Times (James Evans)

Amos spoke out against his disapproval of the direction of the show, particularly the way it represented Black families. The conflicts with the producers led to his termination, and James Evans was written out. Amos confessed later that his frankness made him “disruptive”—a reputation that followed him.

1. Shannen Doherty – Charmed & Beverly Hills, 90210

The quintessential case study in off-screen melodrama, Doherty fought with co-stars, arrived late to set, and developed a reputation as difficult to work with. On Charmed, Prue was murdered after struggles with Alyssa Milano. On 90210, Brenda Walsh just vanished. Doherty has since mused that her volatile personality—something she attributed to early mentor Michael Landon—occasionally didn’t serve her. Nevertheless, her soap opera endings are the stuff of TV lore.

When performers push too hard, collide with directors, or allow personal soap opera to spill onto the set, the consequences are deadly—at least for their characters. Such departures remind us that at times, the actual drama is not written… it is earned.

Sometimes it delivers all-out blockbusters, other times you’re left scrolling for ages wondering what exactly you just watched. But hidden beneath the hype and headline shows (yes, we love The Boys too) lies a lineup of underrated series that deserve way more love than they get.

If you’re ready to ditch the mainstream and dig into the real gems, this list is for you. Here are 12 under-the-radar shows on Prime Video that are worth your time—counted down for maximum drama, of course.

12. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

If “emotional rollercoaster set in stunning landscapes” is your vibe, this is it. Told in Australia, this slow-burning drama tracks Alice, who’s relocated to live with her fiery grandma (Sigourney Weaver at her best) after a family tragedy. Based on a flower farm that doubles as a refuge for women, the series is full of symbolism, suffering, healing, and strength. Subtly heartbreaking, exquisitely performed.

11. Night Sky

Here’s a series that takes its time—deservedly. Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons play an older couple with a very peculiar secret: they have a doorway to another world under their shed. But this is not your run-of-the-mill sci-fi. It’s about love, memory, and the magic of the universe more than explosive alien stuff. Think emotional heart with cosmic fantasy. 

10. Tales From the Loop

This one’s a mood: moody, mysterious, and infuriatingly human. Based on the dreamy paintings of Simon Stålenhag, the series stitches together a string of tales in a town where wacky science is simple. Life. Robots, time travel, and heartbreak are hand in hand. It’s slow, sure—but hauntingly so.

9. Patriot

Equal parts spy thriller and absurdist comedy, Patriot is unlike anything else. Michael Dorman plays a reluctant intelligence officer with a side gig as a corporate drone—and a serious talent for sad folk songs. It’s dry, dark, and deeply weird, but once you’re in the groove, it’s addictive. Tragically short-lived at just two seasons, but worth watching.

8. Upload

Based in a near-future in which the afterlife is essentially a virtual vacation resort, Upload combines biting technology satire and rom-com heart. Robbie Amell stars as a recently deceased guy attempting to determine who (or what) murdered him, while trying to navigate the mundanity of in-app shopping and digital capitalistic terrors. Funny, intelligent, and quietly sentimental.

7. The Devil’s Hour

Ever been awoken at 3:33 a.m. out of nowhere? That’s where The Devil’s Hour begins. Jessica Raine stars as Lucy, a woman who’s being haunted by creepy visions—and things only get weirder from there. With Peter Capaldi delivering a sinister, hypnotic turn as a murderer with a past-life connection, this thriller keeps going round in circles right up until the final twist. Creepy, clever, and impossible to anticipate.

6. ZeroZeroZero

Forget glitzy drug soap operas—ZeroZeroZero is raw, worldwide, and unapologetically intense. After one such shipment of cocaine from Mexico to Italy, it provides you with the entire picture of the drug economy, from cartels to middlemen to consumers. It’s gorgeous and grotesque, with documentary-level detail. Imagine Narcos, but grittier and more expansive.

5. Deadloch

This Tasmanian town-set murder mystery turns the tables with feminist humor and quirky charm. Two highly contrasting detectives are paired up to solve a murder, and the outcome is half dark comedy and half old-school whodunit. It’s both absurd and addictive, filled with wacky locals and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing.

4. Harlem

Developed by Girls Trip’s Tracy Oliver, Harlem is the lively, irreverent tale of four friends as they figure out life, love, and careers in New York. It’s real, loud, and full of heart—also Black women and queer voices upfront. It’s got all the friendship emotions of Sex and the City, but with much more flavor and perspective.

3. High School

Based on Tegan and Sara’s memoir, this show is a love letter to teenage angst, grunge-era music, and figuring out your identity. The Gilliland twins bring a quiet, real energy to the screen that makes every scene feel lived-in. It’s one of those shows that doesn’t try too hard—it just gets it. And the soundtrack? Perfect.

2. One Mississippi

Tig Notaro infuses this semi-autobiographical dramedy of loss, family, and small-town strangeness with her characteristic dry humor. Written and starring in the show, set in the wake of losing her mother, Notaro finds a way to make it both devastatingly real and side-splittingly dry at the same time. It’s subtle and moving, with its beat.

1. Catastrophe

Don’t be fooled by the rom-com premise—Catastrophe is disheveled, truthful, and deliciously hilarious. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney star as a couple brought together by a pregnancy mishap, and their chemistry is explosive. The writing is acerbic, the jokes bite, and the emotional beats ring true. It’s one of the greatest contemporary relationship series, bar none.

There you have it—twelve shows in plain sight. Prime Video may not necessarily yell about its top content, but believe us, there’s enough to yell about. So forget the usual suggestions and press play on one of these instead. Your weekend binge just got a serious upgrade.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought us some of pop culture’s greatest heroes—Tony Stark’s charm, Steve Rogers’ sense of morals, and T’Challa’s understated toughness have all made a lasting impression. But for every beloved favorite, there are those who never quite took. Due to poor writing, miscasting, or plain old missed chances, these heroes elicited more eyerolls than claps. Here are the ten most hated heroes in MCU history—and why fans just couldn’t get on board.

1. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)

Jane Foster should have been the standout. A talented scientist-turned-superhero, played by Oscar-winning Natalie Portman—what could go wrong? But her appearance in Thor: The Dark World was a narrative afterthought, and Love and Thunder didn’t invest her journey into becoming Mighty Thor with the emotional investment it deserved. Flashing with possibility, Jane’s trajectory petered out instead of taking flight, and her absence in Ragnarok just served to reinforce how little she was missed.

2. Ava Starr / Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)

Ava Starr was first seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp as a phasing anti-hero seeking a cure. Her powers were visually stunning, but her intentions were unclear, and the character development was virtually non-existent. She teetered on the line between villain and victim, never quite deciding on one side or the other. With Thunderbolts approaching, she might get another opportunity—but she will have much to do to convince us.

3. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton)

Edward Norton’s take was grimmer than grand before Mark Ruffalo gave the Hulk his heart. The Incredible Hulk is still one of the MCU’s most forgettable films, and Norton’s aloof, self-important, and emotionally reserved Banner didn’t do anything to endear it. Toss in off-screen battles with Marvel Studios, and it’s no wonder the role was recast without fan outrage.

4. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas)

Hank Pym added vintage gravitas to the Ant-Man movies at first, but by Quantumania, the character was dead weight. Even Michael Douglas conceded he was ready for the character to retire. As the stakes rose throughout the multiverse, Pym’s presence was more of a plot necessity than a worthwhile addition.

5. Korg (Taika Waititi)

Korg was an unexpected delight in Thor: Ragnarok—a charming, relaxed rock alien with impeccable comedic sense. But Love and Thunder cashed in big on the joke, making Korg a scene-stealer whose nonstop commentary shortchanged the film’s emotional moments. What was initially a breath of fresh air soon became too much, proving that even popular humor can wear out its welcome.

6. Ralph Bohner (Evan Peters)

WandaVision got everyone hyped when Evan Peters showed up, apparently bridging the X-Men and MCU. But the punchline—that he was merely some dude named Ralph Bohner—fell flat. What might have been a crossover-changing move became an infuriating bait-and-switch, squandering Peters’ acting chops and hype from fans in an instant.

7. Sersi (Gemma Chan)

Sersi, the frontwoman of Eternal, was supposed to keep the film’s space mythology rooted in emotional depth, but her performance was starchy and lackluster. Although Eternals had so much to cover, Sersi was a soothing presence in a part that required commanding warmth and gravitas. With no sequel on the horizon, a redemption seems in doubt.

8. Danny Rand / Iron Fist (Finn Jones)

Marvel’s Netflix era had its ups and downs, and the low point was undoubtedly Iron Fist. Finn Jones’s Danny Rand was bland and entitled, failing to possess the charm necessary for a solo show. The martial arts weren’t believable, the dialogue was awkward, and viewers immediately flocked to supporting characters like Colleen Wing instead.

9. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)

Peter Quill went from lovable rogue to public enemy #1 after Infinity War, when his emotional outburst cost the Avengers their best shot at stopping Thanos. While Guardians Vol. 3 gave him a redemptive arc, many fans still haven’t forgiven him. Quill remains a divisive figure—part of Marvel’s heart, but also one of its biggest missteps.

10. John Walker (Wyatt Russell)

On The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker’s grab for Captain America’s shield was a slap in the face to Steve Rogers’ honor. Wyatt Russell infused him with intensity and depth, but the character’s arrogance and impulsiveness made him unlikable the moment he appeared. He’s set to come back in Thunderbolts, but to many fans, Walker’s still the embodiment of all the things no hero should ever be.

For each Iron Man or Black Panther, there are misfires that the MCU has had. These heroes weren’t necessarily fated to fail from the beginning—they had promise. But somewhere along the way, between quickened storylines, tonal inconsistencies, and lost emotional moments, they fell into Marvel’s hall of shame. But the MCU is always ready for a redemption arc—so who knows? Even the most reviled hero could get one more chance at winning us over.

We all love a good mystery that pulls us back again & again. The thrill of a puzzle, the deep flaws in a detective, or the slow show of dark secrets, these shows hook an audience. Here are ten top detective & murder mystery shows that have lasted through time—each one with its charm, ageless, & worth watching over & over.

10. River

A detective show is not just about the chase—it’s about facing your fears, too. River does both, with a smart yet haunted London cop, played by Stellan Skarsgård. He’s haunted—both in mind & heart—by victims & past events. With a dark feel & deep writing, this show is as much about the mind as the mystery.

9. Castle

Murder mysteries don’t need to be all dark. Castle adds some joy with a fun crime writer & a tough NYPD cop. They sparkle together, & the show mixes light chat with smart cases. It’s a mix of fun & smart work.

8. Medium

Medium adds a ghostly spin to crime-solving. Patricia Arquette, as a psychic who aids cops while caring for her kin, gives a real, human side to a creepy gift. Mixing visions with day-to-day life, it’s a mystery show that is both wild & common.

7. Veronica Mars

Part detective show & part youth drama, Veronica Mars shows a clever teen dealing with crime, bad folks, & loss. Kristen Bell’s role made her a cult star, showing you don’t need a badge—just smart, bold, & a bit of zest.

6. The Last Detective

Top detectives aren‘t all tough. Peter Davison’s Character, a soft but smart cop, solves crimes with care & hard work. With a warm vibe & charm, The Last Detective shows that doing right, though slow, still counts.

5. Luther

Luther is wild with crime, feeling, and top tension. Idris Elba plays a smart cop near the brink. Chasing killers or fighting his dark sides, Luther is deep, rough, & full of hard choices. Dark & wild like its main man.

4. Broadchurch

A sad event in a calm coastal town turns into a deep search. Broadchurch, with Olivia Colman and David Tennant, shows how a crime can tear a place apart. It’s slow, full of feeling, deep folks, & tales that stay with you after it ends.

3. The Killing

Dark, moody, & pulls you in, The Killing isn’t just about finding the bad one—it’s about those it hurts. In a rain-filled Seattle, it tracks two cops through lies, power plays, & hurt. Not showy, but it sticks.

2. True Detective (Season 1)

Not many shows hit as hard as the first run of True Detective. Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson are strong as two cops in the deep dirt of the Louisiana wilds. Slow pace, deep talk, & a hit end. One run made it epic.

1. Sherlock

New, bright, & so smart, Sherlock brings the best-known cop to now. With Benedict Cumberbatch’s quick mind & Martin Freeman’s real Watson, the show mixes high-risk cases with deep drama. It’s cool, sharp, & a mark for detective tales now.

Reaching 100 is exceptional enough, but doing so while making a lasting impact on film, culture, or even world history? That’s next-level legendary. From vaudeville stages to the corridors of power, these icons didn’t just turn 100—they set the standard for it. Here are 10 unforgettable centenarians who showed that life at 100 can still be bigger than life.

10. Grandma Moses (1860–1961): The Artist Who Bloomed Late

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, didn’t pick up painting until arthritis ended her embroidery career at 78. But once she did, her folksy, nostalgic scenes of rural America captured hearts worldwide. She painted until nearly 101, and decades later, one of her works sold for $1.2 million. Proof positive: it’s never too late to become a legend.

9. Norman Lloyd (1914–2021): Hollywood’s Living Timeline

Few careers have lasted close to a century, yet Norman Lloyd did. From vaudeville and Depression theater to Hitchcock suspense thrillers and producing Alfred Hitchcock Presents, he was ubiquitous. He even made a cameo in Trainwreck at 100. Still active at 106, Lloyd was a walking link between the Golden Age and contemporary Hollywood.

8. Gloria Stuart (1910–2010): Vintage Hollywood Meets Titanic

Gloria Stuart was a Hollywood starlet of the 1930s who fell from sight—until Titanic catapulted her into home-popularity once again. Playing elderly Rose earned her an Oscar nod at age 87, the Academy’s oldest ever nominee. Stuart proved that a Hollywood career can have a blockbuster sequel by becoming a living legend.

7. Bob Hope (1903–2003): Comedy’s Indefatigable Patriot

Bob Hope was not just a comedian—himself an institution. From vaudeville to TV, his quick wit and one-liners kept him on the national radar for decades. But it was his work doing shows for American troops, from World War II to the Gulf War, that cemented his place in history. Even Congress recognized him as the first honorary veteran.

6. George Burns (1896–1996): The Century’s Comic Wisecracker

George Burns had the longevity of a career to match his cigar. Alongside his wife, Gracie Allen, he built a comedy empire, and when she retired, he reinvented himself. In his 80s, he won an Oscar for The Sunshine Boys and went on to play God himself in Oh, God! Queried on living to age 100, his ageless response was, “If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.”

5. David Rockefeller (1915–2017): The International Banker

David Rockefeller was not merely born wealthy—double it and set to work remaking the world. While serving as chief executive of Chase Manhattan, he was one of the most influential figures in world banking and a co-founder of the Trilateral Commission. A committed philanthropist, he gave millions to science, the arts, and conservation before he died at 101.

4. Estelle Winwood (1883–1984): Broadway’s Eternal Star

Estelle Winwood’s life took her from Edwardian London to Hollywood in the 1970s. She swept Broadway, film, and television, performing Murder by Death at age 93 and working through to 96. After being asked once how old she was, she snapped back, “How rude of you to remind me!” That wit, added to longevity, made her unforgettable.

3. Kirk Douglas (1916–2020): Hollywood’s Gladiator

Kirk Douglas fought his way from poverty to Hollywood fame, through classics like Spartacus and Paths of Glory. He broke the Hollywood blacklist, using blacklisted screenwriters, and kept acting despite a debilitating stroke. Douglas was a star, but he was also a fighter who would never surrender.

2. Olivia de Havilland (1916–2020): The Rebel Trailblazer

Best known as Melanie in Gone with the Wind, Olivia de Havilland also remade the law in Hollywood. Her landmark lawsuit against Warner Bros. freed actors from lifetime studio contracts—the “De Havilland Law” still stands. With two Oscars and a five-decade career, she lived to 104 as one of the last surviving links to Hollywood’s Golden Age.

1. Jimmy Carter (1924–2024): The President Who Kept Giving

Jimmy Carter’s solitary White House term was just the beginning. Once he stepped down, he dedicated himself to doing good—fighting disease, tracking elections, and swinging hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Lived to 100, he redefined the post-presidency, bequeathing a legacy of public service that overshadowed politics.

These centenarians didn’t merely mark time, but rather lived a century in art, activism, humor, and humanity. They are reminders that longevity is great, but living with intention is what makes a legend.

The announcement of James Gunn and Peter Safran taking charge of the DC Universe has excited many fans; however, no project seems to be attracting their attention more than the Teen Titans film. Choosing the actors for this team is a major decision – the appropriate actors could not only affect the entire franchise’s future, but also the wrong ones could make it go back before the first take. The Titans are characters that are young, somewhat chaotic, strong, and loved by many. Therefore, it is a must to have the right mixture of the new and the experienced stars. Right from the breakout to the already established, actors with fan backing, here’s one lineup that feels just right.

10. Liza Soberano as Donna Troy / Wonder Girl

For a long time, Donna Troy has been one of the most overlooked Titans, but that’s going to be flipped. Filipina diva Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Trese) has not only a convincing strength but also a cozy side, which makes her a very clever choice for the role of Wonder Girl. Though she is not yet known in Hollywood, it is part of what makes it more interesting. By casting her, they might attract international stardom and, at the same time, finally provide the character with the recognition she has been longing for.

9.  Elle Fanning as Terra Markov

If the DCU decides to delve into the Judas Contract storyline, they’d require an actress who can depict TTerra’s mood swings and heartbreaking lows. Vulnerable and unstable Elle Fanning (The Great) has consistently demonstrated her range. As a result, with her purity and secret razor, she would grant that Terra’s betrayal be riven with less betrayal.

8. Miles Brown as Wallace West / Kid Flash

If Gunn and Safran want to use Wallace West as the in-house speedster, Miles Brown (Black-ish, Boy Genius) would be an excellent pick. He’s charismatic, has comedic skills, and that effortless young energy that you’d love from a Kid Flash. He’s fresh on the superhero team, but his charm and excitement would have audiences fall for him at once.

7. Cameron Monaghan as Wally West / The Flash

Cameron Monaghan has demonstrated he can do just about anything—be it the emotional complexity of Ian Gallagher on Shameless or his haunting double performance of Joker-inspired villains on Gotham. He may be a bit too experienced to play the “kid” Wally, but he’d be amazing as a somewhat older Flash taking his place. His mix of humor and heart seems perfectly suited to the part.

6. Spence Moore II as Victor Stone / Cyborg

Cyborg has been underutilized in previous DC projects, but Spence Moore II might place him front and center once again. Familiar with All-American and Superman & Lois, Moore has the physical presence and emotional range to make Victor relatable. He could easily be the anchor of the team while rekindling that much-missed Cyborg–Beast Boy friendship that fans have been yearning for.

5. Jason Genao as Garfield Logan / Beast Boy

Comic relief is brought to the team by Beast Boy, yet beneath his jokes lies a whole lot of heart. Jason Genao (On My Block) possesses the ideal comedic timing and energetic expressiveness to bring Garfield Logan to life. He’s like someone who could take the most mundane joke and turn it into gold—yet still sell the emotional moments that make Beast Boy more than a gag.

4. Jenna Ortega as Raven

There’s no lying to ourselves—fans have dreamed about Jenna Ortega as Raven for quite a time. After masterpieces like Wednesday, seeing her as the half-demon empath feels like a logical next step in her career. She manages to convey Raven’s darkness, humor, and fragility without ever going to the extremes of overacting. If the Titans movie is aiming to get the mystical aspect right, then Ortega is the first choice, naturally.

3. Ella Balinska as Koriand’r / Starfire

Starfire is a comet, in terms of both power and emotional impact, and Ella Balinska has the skills to show that she is more than willing to take up the challenge. She has been successful at performing action-filled roles such as Charlie’s Angels and Resident Evil, but she is also sensitive enough for Starfire’s old self to connect with new fans through the outsider narrative, that is, the one of her character. Perhaps Balinska could be the one who takes Koriand’r out of oblivion and into the light with her screen presence.

2. Dylan O’ Brien / Nightwing

Dylan O’ Brien has garnered the support of the fans to play Nightwing for a long time, and that is very understandable. In his career, he has shown that he is capable of taking the lead in a franchise with Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, making light of an intense situation with a quick joke and doing the stunts himself. Nightwing is the original Titan and born leader, which means that he has to have both charm and attitude, and that is exactly what O’ Brien has in abundance.

1. Carter Rockwood as Damian Wayne / Robin

The team cannot predict what the consequences would be if they had to face Damian Wayne, Batman’s son, who was brought up to be a trained assassin and is as infuriating as he is intelligent. Off his voice work in Batman: Caped Crusader, Carter Rockwood has the youthful toughness and fierce energy to get it done. The decisto casting him would be an act of daring, but exactly the kind that might make the Titans a show-stopper. Damian is the sort of character who can break a team apart and then grow to be the leader of it, and Rockwood looks like the right one to portray that journey.

The Teen Titans film is capable of giving the DCU’s next chapter a whole new meaning, and the casting will be the one to confirm it. This cluster of both name and not-so-name actors can be the one that hits the perfect spot—the theory of mixing new interpretations of old characters with generating a new generation of franchise stars. No matter the finish, one thing is totally certain: Titans film will be one of the most awaited superhero projects in the future.

Noir is like a shot of black espresso—bitter, searing, and indelible. Emerging out of postwar American unease, noir was never merely trench coats, venetian blinds, and treacherous women. It’s an attitude, a philosophy: a universe in which nobody is what he seems, and every decision down a darker alley. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or brand-new to its shadows, these ten films stand as the genre’s finest works that shaped, twisted, and elevated noir into an art form.

10. The Big Combo (Joseph H. Lewis, 1955)

If any movie demonstrates that style can dominate story, it’s The Big Combo. Director Joseph H. Lewis and cinematographer John Alton design visuals so bathed in shadow that they’re almost ink-sculpted. Jean Wallace is a delicate but compelling performance as Susan Lowell, but it’s the imagery—particularly that classic finale in the fog—that haunts like smoke. Noir as visual poetry.

9. Gilda (Charles Vidor, 1946)

Rita Hayworth’s salacious hair flip is sufficient to earn Gilda a spot in the record books. Underneath the glamour is a story of obsession, bitterness, and repressed desire. Hayworth owns every shot, with Glenn Ford and George Macready orbiting her with equal measures of lust and threats. A reminder that noir is as much about passion and power as it is bullets and betrayal.

8. Night and the City (Jules Dassin, 1950)

In a hot, agitated London, Jules Dassin’s Night and the City tracks Richard Widmark’s Harry Fabian—a too-smart-for-his-own-good hustler, and a dead man walking. The city tightens like a trap, side streets turning into cul-de-sacs, and neon lights presenting illusions of escape. It’s a rough sketch of ambition running headlong into the grindstone.

7. The Asphalt Jungle (John Huston, 1950)

Before each great heist movie, there was The Asphalt Jungle. John Huston takes crime back to basics: a careful plan, weak men, and the certainty of downfall. Sterling Hayden’s Dix is unforgettable, a tragic dreamer grasping for something he’ll never possess. The heist itself is less important than the gradual collapse of character, so this is the template for every crime caper since.

6. Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944)

Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity is noir in its unadulterated form. Barbara Stanwyck’s anklet is only a trap waiting to be sprung on Fred MacMurray’s hapless insurance agent, while Edward G. Robinson’s private investigator serves as the moral compass nobody heeds. Every line is a cutting remark, every twist the tightening of the noose. This is not noir—it is the benchmark on which all others are compared.

5. Out of the Past (Jacques Tourneur, 1947)

Noir condensed into cigarette smoke and determinism. Robert Mitchum, laconic fatalist, is the doomed detective incarnate, and Jane Greer’s Kathie is the femme fatale apotheosis: seductive, elusive, and deadly. Flashbacks and shadowy imagery contribute to Jacques Tourneur’s Out of the Past, capturing the fatalism of noir better than nearly any other movie.

4. The Third Man (Carol Reed, 1949)

Postwar Vienna, in a state of decay, is the actual star of The Third Man. Carol Reed overfills the frame with slanted angles and sneaking shadows, and Orson Welles’s Harry Lime has one of the greatest entrances in movies. Graham Greene’s screenplay overflows with humor and moral complication, and the zither music of Anton Karas hangs around long after. Friendship, deception, and corruption—all against the rubble of a city.

3. Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950)

Half Hollywood farce, half gothic tragedy, Sunset Boulevard is Wilder at his most savage. Gloria Swanson’s Norma Desmond is a former star being eaten alive by delusion, and William Holden’s Joe Gillis is the ideal fall guy, ensnared in her trap. From corpse narration to that legendary final close-up, it’s a movie about ambition eating itself—and the business that gorges on it.

2. The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941)

The birth myth of film noir. John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon premiered Humphrey Bogart’s definitive private detective, Sam Spade: tough-minded, quick-witted, and just human enough to get hurt. The character actors—Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre—are all equally memorable, all dancing around a worthless prize. It’s cynical, smart, and perfect from the first frame to the last.

1. Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958)

Orson Welles’s Touch of Evil is the grand finale of the genre. The mythic tracking shot establishes the tone for a film oozing corruption and rot. Welles himself, obese and monstrous in his performance as Hank Quinlan, gives a reading that puts the noir’s dark heart into its starkest manifestation. When Marlene Dietrich utters her last words, noir is no longer so much a genre as an era folding in upon itself.

These ten movies aren’t classics simply because they’re good—they’re portals to the dark corners of film. Each is a world in which morality dissolves, fate tightens the noose, and every shadow conceals a tale. So lower the lights, pour a strong drink, and let the noir night envelop you.

Paramount+ may not always be the talk of the town, but trust us, it’s gone on to become a great under-the-radar TV fan streaming service. Besides its priority-hot originals, the service has a lineup that caters to everyone’s needs: comedy, drama, action, nostalgia, and even a little quirk. If you want to know what to watch next, here are the 10 best shows you can stream on Paramount+ right now, listed from number 10 to the absolute must-watch.

10. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

This is today’s Star Trek. Strange New Worlds has episodic adventures with old Trek feeling mixed in with fresh, entertaining storytelling. Anson Mount’s Captain Pike is charming and affable, and the show’s openness to trying new things means you’re watching a horror episode one week, a musical or a comedy the next. You don’t need to know Trek history to enjoy it, just get on in.

9. Tulsa King

Sylvester Stallone plays a New York mobster shipped off to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the results are just as entertaining as you’d expect. Taylor Sheridan’s knack for fish-out-of-water drama meets sharp comedy here, and Stallone brings both muscle and humor. With a colorful supporting cast, Tulsa King is a crime drama that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

8. Evil

In the manner of a laughable and supernatural horror, the plot of Evil is uncomparably the most exquisite of the television shows on Paramount+. The series chronicles the bizarre escapades of a contractor, a self-training priest, and a psychologist who together delve into mysticism and manage to incorporate scaring, logical reasoning, and witty jokes simultaneously. Also, let us not forget to mention the great job of Michael Emerson as one of TV’s most compelling antagonists.

7. 1923

Definitely, if you adore watching Yellowstone, this prequel is a must-have on your watch list. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren give life to 1923, which depicts the Dutton household’s trials and tribulations in the time of Prohibition, drought, and the approaching Great Depression. With its beautiful surroundings and raw frontier drama, it is the most potent spin-off from Yellowstone.

6. The Good Fight

The Good Fight is witty, fashionable, and daring, mixing political satire with courtroom drama. In the cast of the serial as Diane Lockhart, the smart and resourceful lawyer trying to make sense of daily America’s strife, is none other than Christine Baranski. The legal drama will appeal to sharp writers and socially minded viewers who want to be challenged, set scene-wise.

5. Halo

Recreating a popular video game series on the big screen is nothing less than a gamble, but Halo manages this on a grand cinematic scale. The nuances of Master Chief as portrayed by Pablo Schreiber, the entertainment, and world-building are all on par, not just for hardcore gamers but also for the problem-free fans of science fiction. The second season was more awesome than the first, hence it is recommended to binge it if you are really into space wars but have a soft spot for this.

4. Avatar: The Last Airbender

The initial version is still superior. Avatar: The Last Airbender is basically a fantasy adventure series that narrates Aang’s amazing journey, a boy who is fated to learn all four elemental powers and bring harmony back to the world ravaged by war. It is equally exciting, infuriating, and amusing, and even after the tenth watch, it looks spotless just like the first time.

3. Survivor

After many years, Survivor basically stands as the most prestigious reality competition show. The hostess, Jeff Probst, is in control of the unbelievably epic drama in which the contestants are fighting against nature, bribing each other with emotional bonds, and tricking each other to win a million-dollar prize. Every season is jam-packed with inventions, treachery, and characters impossible to forget. Choose any, and you won’t be able to stop watching it.

2. Cheers

Step into the Boston tavern where they know your name. Cheers is one of the greatest sitcoms ever to be produced, boasting an all-star ensemble of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, and Kelsey Grammer. With smart writing, heart, and more than two dozen Emmy wins, it’s TV comfort food in its purest form.

1. SpongeBob SquarePants

Number One on the list? It is none other than SpongeBob SquarePants. That underwater series has been amusing audiences for more than twenty years with its mix of ridiculous humor and sincerity. Kids like it, parents can take it, and it is still a very memorable running gag. In a nutshell: SpongeBob is forever.

Paramount+ has surprisingly put together one of the most diverse TV catalogs in the world. You might be looking for a high-end drama, a comfort sitcom from the past, or just some cartoon madness; there is something for every taste here. Forget your watchlist-these shows deserve to be ranked.

Let’s be honest: once you’ve finished Resident Alien, there’s a good chance you’re left wondering, “Okay…what now?” Alan Tudyk’s performance as Harry, the awkward alien fumbling his way through small-town life, has that rare mix of charm, absurdity, and heart that’s hard to replace. But fear not: while Harry’s off plotting his next move, there are plenty of shows out there that deliver the same blend of sci-fi weirdness, comedy, and surprisingly tender moments. Here’s a 10-show countdown that scratches the same itch, but each with its own version of offbeat, otherworldly enjoyment. 

10. Upload

Think afterlife, but with a digital twist. In this witty near-future satire, humans can transfer their consciousness into a virtual paradise, and the consequences are as surreal as they are laugh-out-loud funny. From Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Rec), Upload is incisive, clever, and full of questions about technology, class, and what it means to be human. If you enjoyed the cultural satire of Resident Alien, you’ll feel right at home here.

9. Eureka

What if all of the neighbors in town were geniuses? That’s Eureka, a weird and wonderful show where advanced experimentation regularly gets out of control. From runaway machines to talking houses and community connections on an emotional level, the show has much humor and creativity while maintaining the “small town with big secrets” vibe.

8. Solar Opposites

Developed by the genius behind Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites is an animated sitcom featuring a family of aliens struggling (and failing) to assimilate into American suburbia. Hilarious, chaotic, and frequently genius, Solar Opposites is like Resident Alien except with the volume turned up. Special mention for “The Wall”, a subplot involving humans being miniaturized and commanded to construct their own miniature society.

7. People of Earth

Rather than a single alien in hiding, this show gathers a whole cast of individuals who think they’ve been abducted. Half-tender and half-laugh-out-loud funny, it explores the abductees’ idiosyncrasies as thoroughly as those of the aliens themselves. The cast of characters and deadpan humor make it an undiscovered treasure for anybody who enjoys offbeat science fiction comedy.

6. The Orville

Seth MacFarlane’s ode to Star Trek is as much office comedy as intergalactic adventure. The Orville straddles irreverent humor and surprisingly introspective storytelling. Like Harry in Resident Alien, the crew must balance outlandish situations with profound questions regarding morality and humanity.

5. 3rd Rock from the Sun

One is amusing, but an entire family? Comedy gold. John Lithgow and his “crew” land on Earth to observe humans and find themselves caught up in absurd antics as they try to live like us. It’s sheer slapstick and excess humor, but at its core, it has that same “aliens learning to love humanity” that Resident Alien feeds on.

4. Futurama

This cult favorite plants delivery man Fry a thousand years in the future, amidst robots, mutants, and space-faring misfits. Amongst the biting social commentary, wacky sci-fi ideas, and surprisingly sappy storylines, Futurama brings the same blend of zaniness and heart that makes Resident Alien so irresistible.

3. American Dad

MacFarlane hits again, this time with Roger, an extraterrestrial in hiding with the Smith family in suburbia. Roger’s myriad costume changes and anarchy-driven schemes alone are worth the ticket price. Though the show is more satire than sci-fi, it hits the same nerve in fans who enjoy watching an alien attempt to make sense of humanity.

2. Sneaky Pete

No extraterrestrials involved—but bear with me. Giovanni Ribisi is a con man masquerading as someone else within a family that is oblivious to the fact. The tension of staying hidden in plain sight and the sparks of unexpected bonding ring Harry’s situation perfectly. Imagine it as a down-to-earth version of Resident Alien, all the tension, no UFOs.

1. Mork & Mindy

The first alien-in-disguise sitcom. Robin Williams’ Mork was the template for so many subsequent alien comedies, including Resident Alien. Goofy, affectionate, and finally quotable, Mork & Mindy is a testament that having an outsider bumble through human traditions never grows old.

So, if you’ve burned through Harry Vanderspeigle’s antics and need more eccentric sci-fi with a dose of heart, these shows will keep your binge streak alive. Some are weirder, some are warmer, but all of them carry that special mix of “out of this world” fun and human connection that makes Resident Alien such a gem.

Let’s get real: Max (once HBO Max, and still the unchallenged house of prestige television) has gone through more rebrands than a pop star updating their image, but its roster? Unbeaten. Whether you’re in the mood for propulsive dramas, bite-sharp comedies, or the sort of true-crime mayhem that keeps you up late at night, Max has something to occupy your binge hours. So what do you need to queue up first? Here’s the ultimate countdown of the 10 best shows on Max right now, backward, naturally, because who doesn’t enjoy a little drama?

10. The Pitt

Medical dramas are still kicking, and The Pitt is evidence. Envision ER with a shot of adrenaline episode takes place in real time across a 15-hour shift in a Pittsburgh trauma center. Noah Wyle returns in his scrubs as chief attending, both nostalgic and intense. It’s quick, suspenseful, and already on Emmy radar screens as one of streaming’s first original procedurals to make a big splash.

9. The Gilded Age

If Downton Abbey packed its bags and moved to 1880s New York, you’d get The Gilded Age. Created by Julian Fellowes, this soapy yet lavish period drama is all about status, scandal, and the clash between old money and new. Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, and Cynthia Nixon lead a powerhouse cast—and the costumes alone are worth the watch.

8. The Righteous Gemstones

What if Succession swapped Wall Street with Sunday sermons? Step forward, The Righteous Gemstones, a raunchy, holy muck about a televangelist dynasty founded on greed and mayhem. Danny McBride, John Goodman, and co are wonderfully over-the-top, serving up a satire that’s both scathing and side-splittingly funny.

7. The White Lotus

Lovely resorts, disheveled individuals, homicide. Mike White’s The White Lotus transports us to a fresh paradise with every season (Hawaii, Sicily, Thailand), but under the pampering is jealousy, dishonesty, and lots of mayhem. With its blend of dark humor and social commentary, it’s the exceptional series that’s as binge-worthy as it is mentally stimulating.

6. Hacks

Jean Smart performs for the ages in Hacks as Deborah Vance, a veteran Las Vegas comedian holding on to her edge. Together with Hannah Einbinder’s clumsy Gen Z writer, the two create an improbable pair in a cutting, affecting comedy that juggles acerbic wit with real feeling. In short, Smart is wonderful—and so is the series.

5. The Rehearsal

Describing The Rehearsal is akin to describing a fever dream. Nathan Fielder goes to rehearse important moments in the lives of strangers, and the project goes off in ever-more-surreal, existential directions. Equally brilliant and cringe-worthy, it’s one of the most innovative reality-experiment television shows ever seen.

4. Peacemaker

John Cena excels as the surprisingly charming antihero in Peacemaker, spun off from James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. The series is gleefully violent, crass, and ridiculous—but also unexpectedly sentimental. It’s the ideal blend of comic-book mayhem and character-based drama, with Season 2 doubling down as part of Gunn’s new DC universe.

3. The Last of Us

And lastly, a video game adaptation that gets it right. The Last of Us teams Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey for an emotional, suspenseful ride through post-apocalyptic America overrun by fungal terrors. Half heartbreaking and half terrifying, it’s a survival epic of master storytelling and one of HBO’s largest critical and financial successes.

2. House of the Dragon

Hungry for more dragons and politicking backstabbing? House of the Dragon’s got you. Decades ahead of Game of Thrones, it follows the rise and fall of the Targaryen empire. It’s soapy, gory, and filled with fire—literally. No, it doesn’t rehash the formula, but come on: more Thrones can’t hurt anyone.

1. The Sopranos

The crown jewel of HBO still reigns supreme. More than two decades after its debut, The Sopranos remains the gold standard of prestige TV. James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano is as complex and unforgettable as ever, and the show’s blend of crime, family drama, and dark comedy makes it endlessly rewatchable. Simply put, it’s one of the greatest shows of all time.

So there it is—the absolute best of Max. Whether you’re here for mobsters, dragons, or morally bankrupt televangelists, these shows prove HBO still knows how to deliver television worth obsessing over. Grab your snacks and cancel your plans—it’s binge time.