Let’s be real—21st-century comedy has been far from predictable. In the last two decades, we’ve experienced it all: agonizingly cringe coming-of-age stories, dreamlike offbeat adventures, acerbic satire, and comedies that sneak large emotional insights in between the jokes. Combined, they’ve remapped our perception of hilarious films. Comedy can be sentimental, absurd, or even transformative. So sit back with your snacks and settle in as we count down (in reverse order) the 10 funniest comedies that made us laugh the loudest and had the greatest impact on contemporary cinema.

10. Gloria Bell (2018)

Julianne Moore glows in this gentle, quirky portrait of a woman coming into herself in middle age. The movie balances humor and compassion, depicting how dates, families, and dance floors can be just as sloppy and life-giving. Rather than huge gags, it relies on small, offbeat moments that come across as blissfully authentic.

9. Slice (2018)

Half horror sendup, half campy small-town satire, Slice is unapologetically silly. Fast food, spooks, and local politics all get into a fight in this low-budget gem that proudly wears its eccentricity on its sleeve. It’s sloppy, it’s ridiculous, and that’s precisely the appeal—it feels like a late-night oddity film of yesteryear.

8. Eighth Grade (2018)

Bo Burnham’s directorial debut is painfully hilarious in the best possible way. It captures the cringe, awkward, and thoroughly relatable pains of being a teenager in the age of social media. Elsie Fisher’s performance is natural to the point of hurt—and the humor arises from how close everything hits home.

7. The Lovers (2017)

This offbeat rom-com turns marital drama on its head. Seeing Mary and Michael bumble their way through rekindled love amidst handling their affairs is a comedy that’s as cringeworthy as it is endearing. It’s humorless,n ot due to slapstick and punchlines, but because relationships are themselves so ridiculous. 

6. The Disaster Artist (2017)

James Franco explores the universe of The Room, otherwise known as the “best worst film ever made,” and uncovers comedic treasure in its tale. Half cringe, half celebration, it’s a sidesplitting reminder that sometimes it’s not about talent, but about passion, and even film crashes can lead to cult obsession.

5. Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird walks the line between wit and earnestness in a coming-of-age tale that is both intimate and relatable. Saoirse Ronan aced the mess of adolescence—bad boys, grand aspirations, and blows with mum—all against the early 2000s setting. It’s witty, incisive, and quietly sentimental.

4. Free Fire (2016)

What do you get when a gun transaction goes wrong and everybody’s too obstinate (or stupid) to cease firing? You have Free Fire. With bullets whizzing and insults exchanged at the same rate, this wickedly funny shootout is half farce, half action flick, and 100% adrenaline-fueled mayhem.

3. Morris from America (2016)

This touching comedy-drama is about a 13-year-old Black boy who is settling into life in Germany while pursuing his rap ambitions. It’s warm, witty, and deep in themes of belonging, culture, and family. Markees Christmas and Craig Robinson supply warmth and humor that feel at once fresh and true.

2. Swiss Army Man (2016)

Yes, it’s the one where Daniel Radcliffe farting corpse. But Swiss Army Man is far more than its weird premise—it’s odd, powerful, and rather profound. With Paul Dano as the castaway who gets stranded, it’s a comedy of loneliness, hope, and human connection in the unlikeliest of places.

1. Laggies (2014)

Keira Knightley stars as a woman stuck in a quarter-life crisis who hides out with a teenager to dodge her adult responsibilities. Funny, tender, and a little off-kilter, Laggies captures that messy in-between stage of growing up when you’re not a kid anymore—but don’t feel like a real adult either.

And there it is—the 10 comedies that have shaped the 21st century to date. Whether they’re excruciatingly awkward, wickedly satirical, or euphorically absurd, these movies show that comedy is not just about the laughs—it’s a reflection of how strange, messy, and wonderful life is.

September is turning into a gold rush for Peacock subscribers, a horror lover, especially, and a fan of the original series couldn’t resist. Everything from twisted thrillers to comfort-watch classics is flowing in from the platform, making it the perfect time to dive in. If you’re gearing up for the spooky season or just craving something new to stream, here are ten must-watch titles that will Peacong this month, listed in order of suspense to give you a little extra suspense.

10. Knock at the Cabin

M. Night Shyamalan’s Someday Chamber centers a family in the forest with strangers who say that the fate of the Earth depends on them. It’s very nervous, disquieting, and made for those who like the genre of psychological horror. If you are longing for its theatrical release, then September is your opportunity to see it with the utmost comfort of your space.

9. Abigail

Do you think you’ve read every vampire story? No, really. In this biting, humorous, and gore-filled retelling, a gang of thugs comes across a captive who’s not only young but also fiercely independent. It is a very dark comedy and gore-mongering. Abigail is a mad race that gets you hooked until the very last page.

8. Screamboat

A midnight-movie fever dream: what if Steamboat Willie as a slasher? A horror spoof about a late-night New York City ferry, this horror-comedy unleashes a crazy mouse on unsuspecting passengers. It’s meta, absurd, and destined for cult fame among horror-comedy fans.

7. Brightburn

Shed the “S” on Superman’s chest—the things that go wrong when superpowers go haywire. Directed by James Gunn, Brightburn flips the superhero origin tale on its head into a horror tale of pure power and teenage angst. A dark watch for anyone who likes a darker take on capes and costumes.

6. Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare

Peter Pan, horror. This version of the classic children’s story makes it several times as bad, with Wendy battling to free Michael from Peter before he becomes the next in a series of lost boys. A dark fairy story with a horrifically creepy twist.

5. Horror Marathons Galore

Peacock is going heavy on seasonal programming: every Chucky movie, loads of Amityville installments, and a treasure trove of Universal monster classics. Whether you’re a slasher devotee or a sucker for black-and-white creature features, there’s plenty here to fuel your Halloween countdown.

4. Love Island Games: Season 2

If you are ready for a respite from all that bloodletting, Peacock has you covered with some reality television soap. U.S., U.K., Australia, and global Islanders return for high-pressure competitions and love dramas, hosted by Ariana Madix and narrated by Iain Stirling. Drama levels will be set to eleven.

3. Streaming Premieres of Jeopardy! & Wheel of Fortune

Two of America’s finest game shows are now available to stream. Ken Jennings continues to guide contestants through brain-bending trivia on Jeopardy!, and Ryan Seacrest hosts with Vanna White in a new era of Wheel of Fortune. Perfect palate cleaners after a horror marathon.

2. The Paper (Peacock Original)

From Greg Daniels (The Office) comes The Paper, a mockumentary office comedy series based on a floundering neighborhood newspaper. Expect the same combination of cringe, charm, and dry character work that made The Office a hit. All of the episodes are available at once, so it’s great binge material.

1. Monkey Man

Dev Patel directs his first film with a breakneck action thriller that’s already making a splash. As an India-based underground fighter, Patel delivers intense fight sequences and revenge against corruption. A stylish, emotional, and utterly absorbing film, Monkey Man tops Peacock’s September must-see list.

Peacock’s releases for September are really fantastic and diverse, including scares, laughs, nostalgia, and action-packed originals. The line-up is really perfect to watch at night, whether you decide to binge the classics of horror or to preview the next big original series.

It is the absolute truth that the feeling is incomparable when, after watching a movie or a show, you realize that everything has been turned upside down and the clues were there all along. That second view experience when all the puzzle pieces fit together? Magic. Regardless of whether it was a line of dialogue that meant much more than at first glance or just a small detail in the corner of your eye, Tony’s twists were not hiding; they were only awaiting our discovery. Hence, go through 10 of the most brilliant plot twists that have been with us all the time and reevaluate them with your metaphorical magnifying glass.

10. Luke’s Phantom Footsteps – The Last Jedi

By Episode VIII, you’d think we’d know all the Jedi tricks in the book. But in The Last Jedi, Luke’s climactic showdown with Kylo Ren on a salt-covered battlefield offered a subtle visual clue: he left no footprints. Some sharp-eyed fans noticed and assumed it was a CGI error. Nope. It was a brilliantly hidden hint that Luke wasn’t physically present—he was projecting himself from across the galaxy. What appeared to be a production flub proved to be a master-class Jedi mic drop.

9. Double Trouble in The Prestige

Christopher Nolan didn’t merely conceal the twist of The Prestige—he essentially informed us straight away. From a kid shouting “Where’s his brother? ” following a magic trick to Christian Bale’s behavior, the portents were there: he’s not one man, but two twin brothers who are leading alternate lives to create the greatest illusion ever. Most of us didn’t see it because we were so engrossed in the mystery, but on second viewing?

8. Breaking Bad’s Title Game

If you thought Breaking Bad was all about meth and moral decline, think again. The second season of the show sets up its plot-twisting finale through episode titles. “Seven Thirty-Seven,” “Down,” “Over,” and “ABQ” aren’t much on their own—but string them together and you have “737 Down Over ABQ.” That’s correct—the plane crash was incorporated into the season’s formula from day one. It’s genius, subtle, and a little frightening.

7. The Invisible Clue in The Sixth Sense

We all know the Sixth Sense surprise, but the film sneakily gives you the truth again and again. One of its most notable clues? During a play at a school, a parent is filming straight behind Bruce Willis’s character. At first, it’s just bad blocking—but the angle of the camera becomes clear when you notice: he’s a ghost, and he’s not really in the frame. It’s a blink-and-you’ll miss-it moment that becomes a lightbulb moment on second viewing.

6. Ted Lasso and the Yellow Brick Road

From the outset, Ted Lasso appears to be a football show with an upbeat tone. But scratch beneath the surface, and it’s obvious that it’s also a tribute to The Wizard of Oz. The allusions are abundant—Ted’s Kansas origins, his mother called Dottie (a.k.a. Dorothy), Roy’s Tin Man demeanor, and even a physical yellow Lego brick under the couch. That first “we’re not in Kansas anymore” line in the pilot? Total foreshadowing.

5. House of the Dragon’s Fiery Foreshadowing

Already from its premiere episode, House of the Dragon establishes one thing irrefutably: dragons are not to be trifled with. King Viserys warns that humans never did have dominion over them—it was a false impression. Jump forward to the season finale, and that warning comes full circle in a combustible way when a dragon kills off Lucerys with brutal force, sparking a war. The season’s biggest moment? Teased since day one. That’s some Shakespearean-level setup.

4. The Book of Eli’s Stumbles and Signs

Sometimes the largest hints are the ones we altogether miss. Early in The Book of Eli, Denzel Washington’s character trips on a step. Most people wrote it off as a quirky moment or a blooper. But when the reveal comes that he’s blind, it all falls into place. How he moves through life, his hyper-sensitive awareness, even his sense of touch—suddenly it all makes sense. The film never conceals the truth; it simply challenges you to see.

3. Disclaimer’s Truth You Weren’t Ready For

Disclaimer isn’t trying to surprise you with a twist—instead, it challenges you to recognize the truth that’s been in your face the whole time. Cate Blanchett’s Catherine is the center of a tale that unfolds via small, nigh-whispered moments. The series doesn’t play a trick on you—it simply allows your conclusions to do the heavy lifting. On second watch, you see all you needed to know in front of you… You just weren’t paying attention hard enough.

2. Borrasca’s True Horror

C.K. Walker’s Borrasca teases you with creepy legends and ominous forest sounds. You expect ghosts or monsters. Instead, what you get is something much more terrifying: a ring of human traffickers operating right under your nose. The clues—vanishings, whispers, the oppressive quietude of the town—are all there. But the key to the twist is that the evil is not supernatural. It’s human. And the punch to the stomach of realization comes from it.

1. The Last of Us’ Tragic Set-Up

From the beginning, The Last of Us places its emotional gut-punch—whether you realize it or not. Joel’s trauma, his loss, his guilt—they’re all informing the decision he will ultimately make: to save Ellie at the expense of a possible cure for humanity. Every step along the way, from Bill’s goodbye letter to Joel’s flashbacks, gently nudges us toward that devastating choice. It’s not a twist—it’s an emotional certainty we should have anticipated.

So the next time you watch something and a plot twist blows your mind, ask yourself: Was the answer in plain sight? Chances are it was. And if you catch it early? Congrats—you’re smarter than the average bear.

For far too long, the history of film has been written as if it were somehow exclusively a story about beret-wearing men chain-smoking their way through film studios. But the reality is richer—and more inclusive. Throughout the earliest days of moving images to today’s billion-dollar franchises, women have been breaking rules, challenging conventions, and advancing the medium. So, with insights from Columbia College Chicago’s Karla Rae Fuller, PhD, here’s a countdown of ten trailblazers who prove film history would be incomplete without them.

10. Jane Campion – Master of the Human Psyche

Jane Campion does not merely make movies; she examines the human condition. With The Piano or Top of the Lake, whatever she does, her films strip away the surface levels of women’s lives in all their messy, complicated, and lovely incarnations. Campion never avoids the painful truths about women’s lives, Fuller writes, and her characters do not fall into easy classification. Need a cinema that sees into the soul? Campion provides.

9. Chloé Zhao – Redefining the Modern Western

Chloé Zhao has a talent for genre-bending and placing marginalized communities at the forefront. With Nomadland, she became the first female director of Asian descent to win the Best Director Oscar, blending documentary realism with narrative fiction. Her films are both intimate and expansive, earthy yet otherworldly. As Fuller describes, Zhao places marginalized voices on screen while redefining time-tested genres. If you believe the Western is passé, Zhao will show otherwise.

8. Greta Gerwig – Indie Darling Turned Worldwide Phenomenon

Greta Gerwig has accomplished what everyone believed was impossible: transitioning from indie respectability to blockbuster achievement without sacrificing her personal voice. Lady Bird and Little Women reinterpreted the coming-of-age genre, and Barbie proved to the world that a female-led blockbuster could be a billion-dollar behemoth as well. Fuller deems her work an effortless marriage of the intensely personal and the universally human—and who else can make a doll become a cultural phenomenon?

7. Ava DuVernay – The Advocate of Justice On Film

Ava DuVernay’s movies don’t merely tell stories—she sets fires with them. Through Selma and 13th, she placed systemic racism and inequality on the screen where they couldn’t be avoided. She has also been a tireless campaigner for diversity off the screen, transforming the Hollywood landscape. Fuller highlights that DuVernay demonstrates that cinema has the power to be a tool for change. Her work shows us that art isn’t merely entertainment—it can be activism.

6. Kathryn Bigelow – Breaking the Action Barrier

Kathryn Bigelow broke glass ceilings with The Hurt Locker, becoming the first female to win an Oscar for Best Director. But her life is not about trophies; it’s about demonstrating that action films and war films can be more than formulaic. Fuller points out her gritty realism and complex characters, which add depth to genres traditionally thought of as male domains. If you believe action films are just explosions and bullets, Bigelow’s movies will make you think differently.

5. Susan Seidelman – The Feminist Voice of the 1980s

With Desperately Seeking Susan, Susan Seidelman didn’t merely introduce Madonna to cinema—she placed unapologetically raw women front and center in her narratives. A graduate of the “film school generation,” Seidelman captured the 880srebellious attitude and demonstrated female characters could be complicated, imperfect, and compelling anti-heroes. Fuller atiser with redefining the way women’s narratives were presented in cinema throughout the decade.

4. Lina Wertmüller – Italy’s Bold Provocateur

Lina Wertmüller was not afraid to combine politics, tragedy, and comedy in movies such as Seven Beauties and Love and Anarchy. She became the first woman to ever be nominated for the Best Director Oscar, and she brought depth to female characters during a period when Italian cinema only reduced them to stereotypes. Fuller refers to her as brazen—and anyone who has watched her movies will agree that’s an understatement.

3. Ida Lupino – Hollywood’s Indie Pioneer

Ida Lupino began on camera, but her most innovative work was done behind it. During the 1940s and ’50s, she directed independent films that dealt with taboo subjects such as assault, bigamy, and women’s independence. The Hitch-Hiker made her the first female to direct a film noir, and her perseverance opened doors for women in a field that only marginally allowed them in. Fuller refers to her as a pioneer who produced indie films long before the term was coined. 

2. Dorothy Arzner – Defying Hollywood’s Golden Age

At a time when female directors barely existed, Dorothy Arzner fought a career in the studio system with movies such as Dance, Girl, Dance and The Wild Party. Arzner was also one of the earliest Hollywood film directors to be openly gay, contributing fresh ideas to the work. Fuller writes that Arzner didn’t merely exist in the system—she manipulated it to suit her needs, opening the doors for future generations.

1. Alice Guy-Blaché – Cinema’s Forgotten Mother

Long before there was Hollywood, Alice Guy-Blaché was developing the vocabulary of cinema. In 1896, she made her first film, played with sound synchronization and color, and went on to own the Solax Company—the largest studio in pre-Hollywood America. With over 300 films to her credit, she effectively redefined what it meant to be a director. Fuller emphasizes that her own work has been unfairly neglected, but aside from Guy-Blaché, present-day filmmaking may not have been possible. She is not only a pioneer—she’s the ground-zero pioneer.

From silent era pioneers to contemporary visionaries, these women remind us that film has always been directed by more than its “usual suspects.” Theirs was work that smashed barriers, defied conventions, and opened doors for voices that might otherwise have remained unspoken. They didn’t merely tell stories—they rewrote the story of film itself.

It sometimes offers complete hit blockbusters, and in other cases, you have to scroll through for a long time trying to figure out what you have just watched. However, there are a bunch of underappreciated shows that are buried under the hype and headline programmes (yes, we also adore The Boys), and a lot of love they receive, yet.

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.

Space and comedy may not appear to go together, but when combined, the outcome is cinematic magic. There’s something about the enormity of space, the ridiculousness of science fiction cliches, and the uncertainty of intergalactic escapades that makes outer space the ideal backdrop for humor. Whether you’re a sci-fi buff or just in it for the humor, these films prove the final frontier can also be the funniest. Here are ten of the best, leading up to the ultimate parody that still dominates the galaxy.

10. Wall-E – The Silent Comedian in Space

Pixar’s Wall-E is as much an emotional love story—it’s also sidesplittingly funny. With virtually no dialogue, the movie employs slapstick timing in its comedy, cringeworthy charm, and visual gags as its little trash-compacting robot stumbles its way through a grand space adventure. It’s a demonstration of how humor is not always required to have words—sometimes a gangly, wide-eyed robot can do it.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy – Marvel’s Misfit Comedy

When Marvel introduced Guardians of the Galaxy, it broke from its superhero formula and leaned hard into comedy. Between Star-Lord’s goofy bravado, Rocket’s sarcasm, and Drax’s deadpan literalism, the banter practically never stops. Add a killer ’70s soundtrack and some truly bizarre intergalactic set pieces, and you’ve got one of the funniest entries in the MCU.

8. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie – Jokes About Bad Movies in Space

If making fun of bad movies is your sense of humor gold, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is a must. A guy stuck on a spaceship screens crappy sci-fi movies with his wisecracking robot friends—and the constant commentary is the entire gag. It’s meta, it’s goofy, and it’s essentially an enormous roast of low-budget filmmaking, all while drifting through space.

7. Explorers – Kids Build a Spaceship, Chaos Ensues

This ’80s cult classic taps the unbridled creativity of childhood. A group of kids, including pre-fame Ethan Hawke, builds their own homemade spacecraft and manages to wind up in the stars. The comedy is in the blend of enchantment, clumsiness, and sheer goofiness of kids messing about in space. It’s silly, sentimental, and shamelessly playful.

6. Dark Star – John Carpenter’s Strange Little Space Satire

Before John Carpenter turned him into a horror legend, John Carpenter directed Dark Star, a low-budget space sci-fi comedy about bored space cowboys and dying equipment. The film takes potshots at the seriousness of typical space epics, featuring existential death rays and deadpan strangeness. It may look cheap, but it’s funny, strange, and a total must-see for fans of experimental comedy.

5. Barbarella – Camp, Glitter, and Galactic Giggles

Starring Jane Fonda in some of the most outrageous fashion ever to be seen on the screen, Barbarella is camp and comedy in equal proportions. The psychedelic visuals, saucy script, and spaceshooting escapades are a demented but fun rollercoaster. It’s impossible to tell where the mocking ends and the straight sci-fi begins – and that’s just why it’s so much fun.

4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Absurdist Wit in Space

Douglas Adams’ cult book isn’t a straightforward one to adapt, but the screen version captures enough of its wacky, deadpan British humor. Aliens reducing Earth to rubble for a hyperspace shortcut? A pessimistic robot played by Alan Rickman? Is a towel the universe’s most useful item? It’s offbeat, it’s bizarre, and it’s unashamedly culty—just the way the fans love it.

3. Starship Troopers – Satire Disguised as a Bug Hunt

On its surface, Starship Troopers appears to be a splattery alien-gunning action movie. But underneath, it’s a scathing satire of fascism, militarism, and propaganda. Director Paul Verhoeven encases sick social commentary in campy acting and excessive violence, and makes it as hilarious as it is mind-provoking. It’s satire at its sneakiest.

2. Galaxy Quest – The Best Love Letter to Sci-Fi Fans

Few movies nail parody and sweet storytelling like Galaxy Quest. A canceled TV cast of a Star Trek knockoff show is suddenly called upon to lead an actual interstellar mission, and funny things happen. But it’s also a movie that loves its fanbase and gets all cozy with its characters. It’s a spoof, it’s a tribute—and completely wonderful.

1. Spaceballs – The King of Space Comedy

No surprise here: Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs is still the epitome of space spoofing. Spoofing Star Wars and science fiction cliches, it adds fourth-wall breaks to sight gags. Dark Helmet, Yogurt, and those infamous merchandising gags have cemented it as comedy lore. It is ridiculous, but that is just the nature of its appeal—and why it never fell out of humor.

From Pixar robots to Mel Brooks movies, space comedies prove that laughter is universal. Politically satirizing, poking fun at sci-fi tropes, or simply basking in utter silliness, these films remind us that the universe doesn’t have to be serious all of the time—it can be hilarious, too.

Action movies are raw, pure adrenaline for the cinema audience: bomb explosions, fist fights, car chase scenes, crazy stunts, and of course, those deadly one-liners we keep quoting. But really, none of that would work without the bigger-than-life actors leading the charge and making it all seem like a walk in the park. They are the ones that can make running away from fireballs look easy, making wisecracking while you are being shot as your second nature, and whom we can’t resist, again and again, to give our support. So, in a real action movie style, we are going to count down the 10 greatest action stars of all time because what is more enjoyable than a good old-fashioned reverse order list?

10. Wesley Snipes

Before the superhero genre’s mainstream breakout, Wesley Snipes was already pushing the envelope in Blade. He brought slick action chops, style, and attitude to the vampire-killing comic book part—way before Marvel Studios was the box office behemoth it is now. And don’t even get me started on Passenger 57 or Demolition Man—Snipes blended charisma with ruthless efficiency, delivering performances that set him apart from a crowded field of ’90s action stars.

9. Sigourney Weaver

Action films might have been a boys’ club, but Sigourney Weaver broke the mold. As Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise, she wasn’t merely alongside the action—she was it. Tough, practical, and emotionally real, Weaver added real substance to the genre. With Aliens, she performed so intensely that it won her an Oscar nomination—rare indeed for a sci-fi action heroine.

8. Jackie Chan

No one combines slapstick humor, kung fu, and death-defying stunts like Jackie Chan. Whether he’s hanging off a bus or jumping through ladders in a furniture store, his films are an explosion of creativity. Standouts like Police Story, Drunken Master, and Rush Hour reveal his astounding physicality and playfulness. Jackie didn’t merely act—he reimagined how much fun and innovative it could be.

7. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

From the wrestling mat to Hollywood stardom, The Rock brought charisma, brawn, and box office muscle to the action movie of the 21st century. He’s enjoyable whether he’s flying helicopters in San Andreas, breaking down doors in Fast & Furious, or making wisecracks in Jumanji. Johnson can also mix a healthy dose of humor with heroics, and so a new icon for this big personality-based genre was born.

6. Keanu Reeves

Keanu is the lord of calm, cool, and collected action. With Speed and Point Break, he launched a career of high-octane smashes. And then there’s The Matrix—and subsequently John Wick—where his seriousness about fight choreography and gun-fu made him an action god. Keanu’s stoic presence on screen and insistence on performing his stunts earned him a kind of action credibility that only comes along once in a generation.

5. Bruce Willis

Die Hard didn’t merely start a franchise—it redefined what an action hero was. Bruce Willis turned John McClane into a regular guy in over his head, bleeding, cursing, and making it through through pure determination. That fallibility and deadpan humor resonated with audiences and redefined the action lead. He brought the mayhem to the ground—and made it more exciting because of it.

4. Harrison Ford

Ford didn’t merely act like an action hero—he built icons. From the swashbuckling Indiana Jones to the self-important Han Solo to the wrongly convicted Dr. Richard Kimble, his characters possessed brains, brawn, and an unbeatable kiss of sarcasm. He infused just enough weariness and pragmatism to make his characters seem real, even as he performed the impossible. He’s the adventure film template. 

3. Sylvester Stallone

Few performers have built the sort of legacy Stallone has. Not only did he act in Rocky and Rambo—he wrote them too. His characters were grizzled, battle-hardened underdogs with unbreakable resolve. In the ring or on the battlefield, Stallone brought grit and heart. And with The Expendables and Creed, he’s proven he still has gas in the tank—and supporters across every generation.

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger

When you hear the words “action hero,” odds are you’re thinking of Arnold. He possessed the brawn, the bravado, and those catchphrase one-liners. From The Terminator to Commando to Predator, he ruled the ’80s and ’90s with a series of blockbusters that made him an international superstar. Whether it was playing a murderous robot or a wisecracking commando, Schwarzenegger embodied what it meant to be an on-screen tough guy.

1. Jackie Chan (Yes, Again)

That’s right—he’s back at number one. Because Jackie Chan isn’t just in action movies—he’s made the genre his own. With fearless stunt work, impeccable timing, and a dedication to craft that borders on insane, he raised the bar for what’s possible in action filmmaking. His influence stretches across the globe, inspiring generations of performers, choreographers, and directors. No one’s done more for action cinema—full stop.

Whether fists are flying, bullets are blazing, or it’s a lingering walk away from an explosion, these actors took action and made it an art. They’ve made us clamber, gasp, and hit rewind more times than we’d care to admit. Yes, you may have your list—and good for you, that’s half the fun—but no one can argue these icons played a significant role in defining why we enjoy action films in the first place. Pass the popcorn and press play.

Superhero flicks, would you agree, are just movies anymore, huh? They’ve kind of taken over everything from our TV screens, WhatsApp group chats, to maybe even our little mental worlds (come on, admit it, you’ve tried that sofa-to-wall web-sling move as well). It seems like there is no end to the parade of disguised vigilantes and apocalyptic threats, and it is really difficult to spot the true standouts. So, whdon’tnt you just take my word for it? Here is a top ten countdown of the superhero movies that changed the game, by box office success, critical acclaim, and fan mania combined, starting at number 10.

10. Superman (1978) – The Original Hero

Before superhero films were a franchise-generating machine, Superman existed. Christopher Reeve didn’t just don the cape—he made it iconic. Director Richard Donner created a movie that caused audiences to really believe that a man could fly. As USA Today wrote, Reeve’s portrayal became “the template” for all subsequent capes. This movie didn’t just bring Superman into the public consciousness—it launched the age of superhero movies.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – The Misfits That Won Us Over

A raccoon who talks, a three-word vocabulary tree, and a retro cassette mixtape? Sounds dicey. But James Gunn made this group of space misfits household names. Guardians infused heart, humor, and a whole lot of style into the outer limits of the Marvel universe. As USA Today put it, it’s the film that fell for the strange—and never let go.

8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Spy Thriller in a Super Suit

Ditch the standard superhero template—Winter Soldier introduced gritty espionage, government conspiracies, and some of the greatest hand-to-hand combat in the genre. The elevator scene alone? Legendary. The Russo brothers made Captain America greater than the flag-waving hero he had been. As USA Today opined, this isn’t merely a great superhero film—it’s a great film, point-blank. 

7. Batman (1989) – Burton’s Bold Gotham

Well before gritty reboots were trendy, Tim Burton presented us with a dark, stylized Gotham full of personality. Michael Keaton’s slightly unhinged Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson’s over-the-top Joker provided a new edge to the franchise. USA Today lauded Keaton for acting as a Bruce Wayne you actually might imagine dressing up as a bat to combat crime.

6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Animated and Unmatched

This was not another Spider-Man tale—it was a masterwork of the multiverse. With mind-bending animation and an empowering coming-of-age tale, Into the Spider-Verse introduced us to a fresh hero in Miles Morales and reminded us all that anyone can don the mask. USA Today noted how it bottled up Spidey’s universal appeal in bold style and heart.

5. Avengers: Endgame (2019) – The Epic Conclusion

Ten years of build-up, dozens of characters, and one climactic showdown that left fans cheering, crying, and mouthing “I love you 3000.” Endgame brought a cinematic spectacle that can’t be beat. As USA Today said, that climactic fight with Thanos is “epicness” on a scale never to be seen again.

4. Black Panther (2018) – A Cultural Milestone

Black Panther wasn’t merely a success—it was a moment. Ryan Coogler’s Wakanda was Afrofuturism, tradition, and contemporary action combined in a way that resonated worldwide. Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa was a symbol of pride and strength. StudioBinder deemed it “a great superhero movie,” and that chase scene through South Korea? Unbeaten to this day.

3. Logan (2017) – The Gritty Goodbye

Logan shredded the superhero playbook. Rather than saving the world, it aimed at saving an individual—and in doing so, brought raw emotion, savage action, and a proper sendoff to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. StudioBinder termed it “emotional and taxing in all the ways you don’t expect” for the genre. It’s a superhero film that happens to be anything but.

2. The Dark Knight (2008) – Chaos and Perfection

Christopher Nolan’s classic changed what a superhero film could do. Serious, unsettling, and headed by Heath Ledger’s unforgettable, Oscar-winning turn as the Joker, The Dark Knight remains the high-water mark. As USA Today wrote, Ledger didn’t merely portray the Joker—he commandeered the entire film for the better.

1. Superman: The Movie (1978) – Yes, Again. For a Reason.

It may seem strange to list it twice, but Superman should be at the top because it set the stage for all that came after. From the horrible devastation of Krypton to the legendary John Williams theme, this film is the superhero genre’s birth story. USA Today referred to it as a “masterpiece,” and it’s easy to understand why—it still makes us believe in heroes.

So, there you have it—10 movies that reveal how the superhero genre remains unstoppable on screens and hearts alike. Love the selection? Think we left one out? Either way, it’s never been a better time to be a superpower, secret identity, and world-saving enthusiast.

The 1990s weren’t all about flannel, Tamagotchis, and the dawn of the internet. It was also the decade that actresses redefined what it took to be the face of Hollywood. Gone were the days of being relegated to sidekicks; women took on roles that drove narratives forward, shattered box office predictions, and owned each frame outright. Let’s revisit 10 of the most influential actresses who ruled the silver screen during the 90s, stopping the list is none other than Gwyneth Paltrow.

10. Keri Russell

For the spy years on The Americans, Keri Russell was still keeping the audience with her heart as Felicity Porter on Felicity. Her waterfall curls were more or less a pop-culture icon aside themselves. While playing a college girl who found love and herself in New York, Russell was the very embodiment of the independence and honesty that resonated with a generation that was growing up in the ’90s.

9. Tiffani-Amber Thiessen

Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was the teen star supreme as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210. She proved that she could transition from light sitcom charm to edgier, more complex characters, thus giving teen TV one more twist of truth and complexity at a time when it was not always called “serious.” And yes—her scrunchie game was on point.

8. Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel was known as Mary Camden on 7th Heaven when she first came into the spotlight, the strong but simple, mature sister that all the viewers were familiar with, or her fans. Representing true teen problems in the show made her a memorable actress, and by the end of the 90s, she was already notable in Hollywood films, proving that her talents were not only for emotional family movies.

7. Gillian Anderson

As FBI agent Dana Scully on The X-Files, Gillian Anderson broke the mold. Smart, questioning, and deeply competent, she turned the script on the conventional female sidekick. Her character gave hope to millions of women to envision themselves in the world of STEM and demonstrated that brains and poise could be just as compelling as action-hero machismo.

6. Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder truly was the face of Generation X. Through her works in Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Little Women, and Reality Bites, she really managed to present the decade’s unrest and peculiar taste for the offbeat. Her ability to incorporate weakness into Alienator’s cool without letting go of that cultural icon status she owned was enough to make the fans not only from movies but also from the fashion realm go mad with her.

5. Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts didn’t just become America’s sweetheart—she transformed it. By Pretty Woman, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Notting Hill, her trifecta of sparkle, brains, and sheer star power made rom-coms global hits. Roberts turned out to be the most paid actress of her generation, reflecting the phenomenon of audience attendance for films led by vigorous, magnetic women.

4. Demi Moore

Not a lot of women had such a hold on Hollywood in the 90s as Demi Moore. Starring in movies like Ghost, A Few Good Men, and Indecent Proposal, she took on bold roles that were on the brink of being too vulnerable and too powerful at the same time. In both the artistic and financial spheres, Moore wasn’t scared to take risks, and she became one of the very first actresses to receive the record-breaking salaries that changed the gender dynamics in Hollywood.

3. Jodie Foster

From her Oscar-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs to her portrayal of the powerful yet vulnerable Nell, Jodie Foster was always a step ahead with her decisions. The actress played complex and ambiguous characters throughout her career, proving that women-led films can be terribly heavy on drama and still succeed. Intelligence and stubbornness, characteristic traits of Foster, were quite visible in her persona, which was not easily mixed up with the glamor of the business world.

2. Sandra Bullock

Few actresses rivaled Sandra Bullock’s versatility. Whether speeding along in Speed, tugging at heartstrings in A Time to Kill, or captivating viewers in romantic comedy stiffs such as While You Were Sleeping, Bullock emerged as the decade’s most bankable and versatile star. She was relatable and funny, the type of star fans actually rooted for. 

1. Gwyneth Paltrow

 Gwyneth Paltrow’s career in the 1990s was a balancing act to be admired. While she was the main character in the indie drama Flesh and Bone, she also appeared as a supporting actor in Seven and Great Expectations, two Hollywood blockbusters typical of that period. However, in 1998, when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love was really the moment of triumph for her career. Besides being only 26, not only did she receive Hollywood’s biggest honor, but she also became a style icon thanks to her unforgettable pink Ralph Lauren dress.

Besides the Oscar, Paltrow brought with her a new kind of celebrity that was clever, cultured, and versatile. With the same calm, she steered her career through both indie movies and hits of box office hits, thus she paved the way for actresses after her. The power of her influence stretched over to the celebrity world, which she changed, and the portrayal of women in Hollywood at the turn of the new millennium, beyond the film industry.

The 90s were a decade of upheaval, and these ladies were the trailblazers who led the way. They were not only actresses but also the first women who dared to tread the path of the film industry and revolutionize the on-screen female characters of that time. They were not only brave, foresighted, and memorable, but also, they didn’t just dominate the silver screen of their era—they transformed it for the next century.

War movies are somewhat special in that they make you feel as if you were right in the middle of the action, getting dust in your eyes, feeling adrenaline rushing through your veins, and having your emotions all mixed up. They don’t just show loud gunfire and explosions. The most brilliant ones give us a picture of what war is really like to be battled: terror, honor, sorrow, and at times, even insanity.

But not all war movies are created equal. Some are style and no substance. Others? They slice deep. So here’s our 15-most-accurate-and-influential countdown of the war films that don’t just look good—but tell the truth, break the mold, and leave a mark.

15. Restrepo (2010)

If you’ve ever been curious about what combat is like—really like—Restrepo is as close as you can come without joining up. This documentary puts you in the thick of Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley with an American platoon. There is no narration, no reenactment, no filmmaking frills—just unvarnished footage of soldiers fighting and living on the edge. It’s war, unflinching and unfiltered.

14. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Clint Eastwood made a courageous move with this one—retelling the story of WWII’s Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese side. What we’re left with is a rare, intensely human portrayal of the “enemy”—not as evil villains, but as sons, fathers, and regular men caught up in hell. From actual quotes by General Kuribayashi to the emotional reality at its heart, this film gives us something extraordinary.

13. Hamburger Hill (1987)

Too often eclipsed by the likes of Platoon and Apocalypse Now, Hamburger Hill is a dirty, unforgiving examination of one of the bloodiest battles in the Vietnam War. No glamour here—only mud, disorientation, and a sense that at any time, anyone can end up dead. It’s as realistic as a war movie can be, a concern for the drudgery, not the heroics.

12. Platoon (1986)

Oliver Stone drew from his own Vietnam War experience on this one, and the reality rings true. Platoon is not a winner-takes-all or loser-loses-all movie—it’s a movie about the psychological costs, the ethical boundaries, and the day-to-day terror that constitute a soldier’s existence. Stone provides us with a war deprived of heroism and drenched in confusion and fear.

11. 1917 (2019)

A cinematic feat in the guise of a terrifying WWI adventure, 1917 is the story of two young British soldiers on an errand across no-man’s land. Shot to look like one seamless shot, it’s not just a stylistic stunt—it puts you in the shoes of the soldiers with each advancing step. The set design of the way soldiers act, the detail is perfection.

10. Stalingrad (1993)

Gritty, austere, and frequently overlooked, this German war movie concerning the Battle of Stalingrad couldn’t care less about spectacle—it is interested in veracity. It observes a company of soldiers on the Eastern Front as they plummet into despair, insanity, and finally, oblivion. There’s no triumph here, only survival—barely.

9. Glory (1989)

This Civil War epic recounts the tale of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first all-Black volunteer unit, and does so with powerful feeling and attention to history. Based on actual letters penned by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the film strikes home on issues of heroism, racism, and sacrifice. Glory isn’t merely informative—it moves.

8. Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolan’s take on the evacuation of Dunkirk doesn’t rely on big speeches or melodrama. Instead, it’s a sensory onslaught—tight, tense, and ticking like a stopwatch. Using real locations, era-accurate costumes, and immersive sound, Dunkirk captures the chaos and courage of survival under fire like few films ever have.

7. Das Boot (1981)

Claustrophobia was never more cinematic. Das Boot immerses you in the cramped, creaking purgatory of a WWII German U-boat. The tension is unrelenting, the set design impeccable, and the performances eerily real. It’s not a film so much as an ordeal—in the most wonderful way.

6. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Drawing on the astonishing real-life tale of Desmond Doss, a pacifist war medic who saved multiple lives without ever firing a weapon, Hacksaw Ridge combines ugliness and spiritual conviction. Mel Gibson doesn’t shy away from the atrocities of war, but it’s Doss’s unshakeable faith that makes the movie unforgettable.

5. Downfall (2004)

Ever inquisitive about what life was like in Hitler’s last few days? Downfall provides a hair-raisingly intimate glimpse inside the Führerbunker as Nazi Germany fell apart. Bruno Ganz’s performance as Hitler is chillingly human, and the film’s realism has been as much a subject of critical praise as controversy. It’s intense, claustrophobic, and indispensable.

4. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam masterpiece is a harsh two-part odyssey—first through the soul-shattering machinery of Marine boot camp, then into the moral maelstrom of combat. Courtesy of R. Lee Ermey’s indelible drill sergeant performance and Kubrick’s keen, incisive direction, Full Metal Jacket is one of the most psychologically nuanced war movies ever filmed.

3. The Thin Red Line (1998)

More poetry than action movie, The Thin Red Line is Terrence Malick’s philosophical foray into the Battle of Guadalcanal. It’s fewer bullets and more about soldiers’ inner lives—the fear, the awe, the madness. The fighting is authentic, but it’s the existential burden that remains. 

2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Few war movies disturbed people like Saving Private Ryan. The Omaha Beach introduction alone is etched into film history. Spielberg did not simply remake D-Day—he redefined the look and feel of war on the big screen. From its raw sound design to its emotional center, this movie became the standard by which other war movies were measured.

1. Apocalypse Now (1979)

No war movie ever captured the nightmarish reality of war so well as Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. It’s half Vietnam War narrative, half hellish nightmare, inspired by Heart of Darkness. With lines never to be forgotten (“I love the smell of napalm in the morning”) and a plunge into moral depravity, it’s not a movie, it’s an experience—surrendering to the human condition in combat.

War movies can do more than entertain—they can challenge us, teach us, and even alter us at times. The 15 below don’t shy away from reality. They tackle it head-on, providing not only spectacle, but soul. So the next time you’re in the mood for something more than a shootout or a slo-mo explosion, press play on one of these. They’ll jolt you, they’ll move you, and perhaps, just perhaps, give you a new appreciation for war—and humanity.