Scrolling for something new to watch on Hulu this week, August 2-8? Let me give you a hand with my picks for the best movies, TV shows and more arriving on the streaming service.

Hulu is adding a couple of new, high-profile TV series to its lineup this week, including the return of a fan-favorite animated series and a spinoff of a popular sports docuseries. Plus, some 2025 new movies make their arrival on streaming.

Check out all of the picks for this week directly below.

King of the Hill season 14

• Hank Hill returns with brand new episodes on August 4

It's been 15 years since King of the Hill, the classic Fox animated comedy, aired a new episode, but a brand new season of the show premieres exclusively on Hulu this week. Hank Hill returns, and while the times may have changed, he's looking to reconnect with old friends as he and Peggy return to Texas. This is the first of two already announced seasons of the animated show on Hulu.

Bob Trevino Likes It (2025)

• "Certified Fresh" indie movie starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo premieres on August 5

Though Bob Trevino Likes It may have slid under the radar of many, those that have seen the indie dramedy have loved it, as evidenced by the movie's 95% "Certified Fresh" score from critics and 98% positive score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Ferreira stars as a young woman who befriends a man online who shares the name of her father, forming a surprising but heartwarming connection.

The Monkey (2025)

• Horror comedy begins streaming on Hulu August 7

2025 has been a big year for Stephen King, as The Life of Chuck, The Institute and soon The Long Walk have all been adapted for the screen. But my personal favorite from these King offerings so far this year is the absurdly fun The Monkey. Theo James stars as twins whose lives have been tormented for years by a toy monkey that has been a part of a number of surprising deaths over the years. When the monkey resurfaces, they have to figure out how to stop it before someone else they love dies. If you're a fan of outrageous, gory deaths, then this will be a must-watch.

Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil

• True crime docuseries centered around notorious serial killer lands on August 7

The crimes of Ted Bundy have been well documented, but did you know that after he was arrested he assisted in an investigation into another murderer? That is the focus on Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil, as it recounts Bundy's work with Detective Robert Keppel looking for the Green River Killer. The docuseries features never-before-heard-tapes that give a rare insight into the mind of Ted Bundy.

FX's Necaxa

• The Welcome to Wrexham sibling show premieres on August 8

Welcome to Wrexham has documented one of the most incredible stories in sports the last few years, as actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (nee McElhenney) have buoyed the Wrexham team and town. But can lightning strike twice?

That's the question in FX's Necaxa, where Reynolds and Mac offer their support to Eva Longoria as she helps a recently relocated Mexican soccer club and tries to lift if to success.

Shanghai Noon (2000)

• Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson comedy rides to Hulu on August 8

As Shanghai Noon, the classic western comedy starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, you'll be able to stream in on Hulu starting this week. Shanghai Noon is a great blend of the martial arts, western and comedy genres, with Chan and Wilson having great chemistry. The sequel, Shanghai Knights, also lands on Hulu this week, though if you're picking between the two, go with the original.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back on the case in Zootopia 2, the long-awaited sequel to the popular Disney animated movie. And we’ve got everything you need to know about the 2025 new movie right here.

Zootopia came out back in 2016, earning a 98% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. While fans did get a TV series to fill the gap, Zootopia Plus, the nine year wait for Zootopia 2 is nearing its end.

Read on for details on when Zootopia 2 is coming out, who is joining the voice cast and more.

Zootopia 2 release date

Zootopia 2 premieres exclusively in US movie theaters on November 26. The animated movie comes out a couple days later in the UK on November 28.

The animated movie is just one of the movies that is making November possibly the best movie month of the year.

Zootopia 2 cast

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman return for Zootopia 2 to lend their voices for Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, respectively. But they’re not the only characters returning for the sequel, so are Idris Elba as Chief Bogo and Shakira as Gazelle.

Headlining the new additions to the cast are Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once), voicing Gary De’Snake, Fortune Feimster (FUBAR) as Nibbles and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) as Dr. Fuzzby.

Zootopia 2 plot

From a script by Jared Bush, here is the synopsis for Zootopia 2:

“After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find their partnership isn’t as solid as they thought when Chief Bogo orders them to join the Partners in Crisis counseling program. But it doesn’t take long for their partnership to be put to the ultimate test when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mystery tied to the arrival of a venomous snake in the animal metropolis.”

Zootopia 2 trailer

Watch the official trailer for Zootopia 2 right here:

Zootopia 2 director

Jared Bush is also the director of Zootopia 2. He was a co-director on the original Zootopia along with Byron Howard and Rich Moore and also previously directed Encanto.

Just a week after South Park season 27 debuted on July 23, the long-running Comedy Central animated series is taking a week off, as South Park season 27 episode 2 is not airing on Wednesday, July 30. The good news is that this won’t be an extended hiatus.

The next new South Park episode will premiere on Wednesday, August 6, on Comedy Central, confirmed in a preview shared by the South Park YouTube channel. But fans can still watch South Park on Wednesday, July 30, as Comedy Central is airing a more than 12-hour block of the show starting at 10 am and going through 10:30 pm.

South Park drew headlines with its season 27 premiere as they took direct aim at President Trump, putting him in a romantic relationship with Satan and portraying him with small private parts. The preview for South Park season 27 episode 2 teases that they likely aren’t done with targeting the president. Watch right here:

How much, if any of that footage, will actually be in the next episode of South Park is TBD, as creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone famously finalize episodes in the days leading up to air so they can be as timely as possible with their jokes.

Part of the reason that South Park has drawn so many headlines recently has to do with Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount. Prior to the South Park premiere Paramount was criticized for cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the no. 1 rated late night talk show, with some seeing it as capitulation to the Trump administration to help Paramount’s planned merger with Skydance Media, silencing Colbert, who has been a Trump critic; the merger was officially approved by the FCC on July 24. Though The Late Show will continue to be on air through May 2026, and Colbert has not held back on any Trump jokes since the cancellation.

South Park, meanwhile, had just signed a new five-year deal with Paramount prior to the show’s season 27 premiere, and have shared details on how they were able to get their Trump jokes into the first episode.

You can watch South Park basically all day on Comedy Central on July 30 if you have the cable channel (either through a traditional pay-TV provider or live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV or YouTube TV). Or you can stream any episode of South Park on-demand on Paramount Plus.

Again, South Park season 27 returns with its second episode on Wednesday, August 6, on Comedy Central.

In the Eternity trailer, the upcoming movie from A24 that is earmarking a TBD November release date, Elizabeth Olsen’s recently deceased character has to decide which of the two loves of her life she wants to spend eternity with in the afterlife.

Thankfully, moviegoers won’t have to make such a finite choice in what movies to watch in November, which to my eyes, is looking like the best month of new movie releases we’re getting this year.

Starting with Eternity, the movie hails from A24, the specialty studio that has a passionate base of moviegoers that will see just about anything they put out (of which I am one). But beyond its label, Eternity looks like a fantastic blend of comedy, romance and fantasy, with three fantastic actors leading the way, what looks like fun supporting turns from Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early and a unique, original premise.

You can watch the Eternity trailer directly below to give it a look yourself:

If that doesn’t look like something you’re interested in buying a movie ticket for, great news, the November movie release schedule has a variety of genres that will satisfy just about anyone, with plenty of big name stars attached. Let’s break them down in order of their current US release date (some may be limited release initially).

Die, My Love

In the dramatic category is Die, My Love (November 7), starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattison, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek, directed by Lynne Ramsay. The movie follows a woman struggling to maintain her sanity amid a variety of issues living in a rural area. Ramsay is a singular filmmaker, and Lawrence is earning some buzz that could see her earn her first Oscar nomination since 2016.

I Wish You All the Best (November 7)

I Wish You All the Best (November 7) is a coming-of-age indie drama featuring the likes of Alexandra Daddario, Lena Dunham and Cole Sprouse that has a handful of reviews, putting it right now at a 100% “Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nuremberg (November 7)

For those interested in history, particularly World War Two, Nuremberg takes place after the world, when a psychiatrist interviews Nazi leaders ahead of the Nuremberg trials, including Hermann Göring. Russell Crowe is playing Göring, with Rami Malek, Richard E. Grant, Michael Shannon, Leo Woodall, Colin Hanks and John Slattery also starring.

Predator: Badlands (November 7)

We’re getting the latest in the Predator franchise with Predator: Badlands. Prey director Dan Trachtenberg directs this new movie, which takes a different approach than past movies in the Predator franchise, as the iconic movie monster is actually going to be the hero of the story, with a young member of the species embarking on a dangerous first hunt. Elle Fanning also stars as a wise-cracking android.

The Running Man (November 7)

Edgar Wright, the fan-favorite director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and one of Hollywood’s newest and biggest stars Glen Powell team up for The Running Man, a new adaptation of the Stephen King novel about a reality TV show in the future where the goal is for contestants to survive 30 days as they are literally hunted.

Sentimental Value (November 7)

For fans of international movies, Sentimental Value is going to be the movie to keep an eye out for, as it reunites The Worst Person in the World team of Renate Reinsve and Joachim Trier. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning also star in this story of an artistic family that has to explore their memories and relationships as the father tries to make a new film.

Train Dreams

Train Dreams is getting a run in movie theaters before it premieres on Netflix later in the month (November 21). But wherever you watch it, the movie comes from the team behind the brilliant and Oscar-nominated movie Sing Sing. Train Dreams stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones and tells the thoughtful and visually gorgeous looking story of a family at the turn of the 20th century.

That’s just the first week.

Jay Kelly (November 14)

Jay Kelly is another Netflix Oscar hopeful getting a theatrical release before premiering on the streamer. This one comes from Noah Baumbach and has the incredible cast of George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Eve Hewson, Isla Fisher, Riley Keough, Patrick Wilson, Emily Mortimer (who also co-wrote the script with Baumbach), Billy Crudup and Greta Gerwig in a comedy/drama story about a movie star and his manager.

Keeper (November 14)

Then we get the latest thrill from Osgood Perkins (Longlegs, The Monkey) in Keeper that sees a couple’s romantic getaway become haunted by the haunting past of the property they’re staying at.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't (November 14)

With Now You See Me: Now You Don’t magic is back, and so is the original cast of the popular franchise, as Isla Fisher reunites with Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson. They’re joined by new additions Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt in trying to pull off a heist of Rosamund Pike’s villain.

Rental Family (November 21)

Brendan Fraser also returns in his first leading role since his Oscar win for The Whale with Rental Family. The story sees Fraser play an actor that is hired by a Japanese company where people can rent out family members to be stand-ins for specific events (something that is actually a real thing in Japan).

Sisu 2 (November 21)

Action fans will likely be stoked that a sequel to a cult favorite from the last few years arrives in November, as Sisu 2 picks up the story of the ex-soldier who plows through Nazis as he attempts to secure a fortune he’s procured. It’s like a World War Two John Wick.

Wicked: For Good (November 21)

Probably the biggest movie of the month will be Wicked: For Good, the concluding act of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) story that started with the smash hit Wicked last year (and my top movie of 2024). Can the sequel repeat that success?

Zootopia 2 (November 26)

Closing the month out there is the ideal family friendly option in Zootopia 2, the sequel to Disney’s popular animated movie that brings back Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde and Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, along with a new roster of voice stars.

Hamnet (November 27)

Hamnet, the latest from Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao that stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they deal with a personal tragedy away from the stage. This one may arrive in December for most audiences.

Who knows, there may still be a movie or two that gets added to the month (be it on streaming or in theaters).

While I’m definitely looking forward to a number of 2025 new movies in the coming months, but November looks like a movie fan’s paradise.

Scrolling for something new to watch on Hulu this week, July 26-August 1? Let me give you a hand with my picks for the best movies, TV shows and more arriving on the streaming service.

While there are more than a handful of fun movies that are going to be new to Hulu in August, the last few days of July have some great offerings as well, most notably a pair of new series — a period drama and a true crime docuseries — that have high binge potential.

Check out all of the picks for this week directly below.

Operation Fortune (2023)

• Guy Ritchie reteams with Jason Statham for action comedy, arriving July 28 on Hulu

I generally enjoy Guy Ritchie movies, though one of his more recent efforts I have missed and need to play catch-up on is Operation Fortune (aka Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre). The director reunites with long-time collaborator Jason Statham for this action comedy, where a team of secret agents (which includes Aubrey Plaza and Bugzy Malone) brings in a well-known actor (Josh Hartnett) to try and infiltrate the ranks of an arms dealer (Hugh Grant). This seems like the perfect popcorn fare for summer streaming.

Dope Girls season 1

• The latest London-set period crime drama debuts on Hulu July 29

If you are a fan of Peaky Blinders or Hulu's previously released 2025 new TV series A Thousand Blows, then Dope Girls could be right up your alley. Starring Emmy-winner Julianne Nicholson, the new series is a period crime drama taking place in London shortly after World War I, where women look to assert their power by helping launch the night club scene in London's Soho. All episodes of the new series are going to be available immediately to stream.

Memoir of a Snail

• Oscar-nominated animated movie lands on Hulu July 29

Oscar-winner Flow and the Oscar-nominated The Wild Robot were among the biggest animated movies of last year, but flying under the radar was Memoir of a Snail. One of the five nominated movies in the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars, this story about a melancholic woman named Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) earned a 95% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, and in addition to Snook features the voice talent of Eric Bana and Jacki Weaver. Fans of animation should definitely check this one out.

Mr. & Mrs. Murder

• You can start watching the true crime docuseries as of July 30

The latest ABC News docuseries focusing on a salacious true crime is Mr. & Mrs. Murder. This series details a case where a husband goes missing, with rumors beginning to swirl that he was eaten by alligators, though no remains were found. But when his wife marries his best friend, suspicions begin to rise over what may have really happened. Many involved with the actual case will share their insights in this documentary that should be catnip for true crime fans.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

• Fan-favorite Meryl Streep movie hits Hulu on August 1

The internet has been abuzz recently as the first looks at The Devil Wears Prada 2 have started to come out. We have to wait until 2026 to see the long-awaited sequel to the fashion movie, but you can stream the original on Hulu this week.

Anne Hathaway stars as an aspiring writer who gets a job at a high-profile fashion magazine, where she works for the demanding and manipulative editor-in-chief played by Meryl Streep. It's a favorite role for the three-time Oscar winner (and one that she earned one of her many Oscar nominations for), but also features fun turns from Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

Old School (2003)

• Hilarious college comedy is enrolls on Hulu on August 1

August means college kids are heading back to campus, so why not celebrate by watching one of the funniest college comedies ever made? Old School stars Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn as three friends who decide to start their own fraternity, despite the fact that none of them is in school anymore. Attempting to stop their good-natured debauchery is the uptight dead, played by Jeremy Piven. This is one of the movies that made Ferrell a star, and he absolutely steals the show.

Ready or Not (2019)

• You can find the horror/comedy on Hulu starting August 1

Another movie that is getting a sequel in 2026 that is streaming on Hulu come August, is Ready or Not, the horror/comedy from the Radio Silence directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Starring Samara Weaving and Adam Brody, the movie centers on a bride who marries into a wealthy family that has a strange tradition to welcome people into their family, one that has terrifying results. It's campy and one of the more original and fun horror movies of the last 10 years.

Classic cartoon characters the Smurfs are back for a brand new movie, which you can watch right now.

The 2025 new movie slate has been a good one for family movies, with the likes of A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon all becoming hits. Smurfs is another family-friendly offering ready for audiences to check out.

Read on for all the details on how to watch Smurfs.

How to watch Smurfs in movie theaters

Smurfs is now playing exclusively in movie theaters worldwide.

To find out when and where Smurfs is playing near you, check out the movie’s official website or Fandango, either of which will provide all of the movie theaters in your area that are showing the movie and what showtimes are available. You can take care of all the details by buying your tickets through these sites as well.

Another option that will give you all that info and allow you to book your tickets are movie theater subscription and membership programs. Offered by numerous US and UK movie theater chains, these programs not only give you all the info of what’s playing at your favorite movie theater, but you can also get free, discounted or monthly allotment of movie tickets and deals on concessions.

Is Smurfs streaming?

No, you cannot stream Smurfs right now.

There are no official details on Smurfs home viewing plans following the movie’s exclusive run in theaters ending, though it will presumably first be made available through digital on-demand platforms to buy or rent before it eventually makes its debut on a major streaming platform. Since Smurfs is a Paramount movie, expect that streaming service will be Paramount Plus.

We’ll update this post when more details about Smurfs at-home viewing plans becomes available.

What else to know about Smurfs

This all new Smurfs adventure has no connections to the previous Smurf movies, as it features an all new cast and creatives behind it. Speaking of, the cast features the voice talents of Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello, Kurt Russell and John Goodman.

Veteran animation director Chris Miller (Shrek the Third, Puss in Boots) is behind the camera for Smurfs, working from a script written by Pam Brady. Here’s a synopsis of the adventure that awaits the familiar blue characters:

“When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.”

See what critics are saying about Smurfs on Rotten Tomatoes.

Also get a sneak peek at the movie by checking out the trailer directly below:

The Twits are coming! This beloved children's book by Roald Dahl will arrive on Netflix in the form of a one-off animated movie voiced by the likes of British comedian Johnny Vegas, Margo Martindale, Natalie Portman and Emilia Clarke.

The story follows the revolting Mr and Mrs Twit (Johnny Vegas and Margo Martindale), who have risen to fame as the owners of a dangerous amusement park. But they meet their match when two children and a host of magical animals vow to stop the miserable pair taking over the town, using any means necessary.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Netflix movie The Twits…

The Twits release date

The Twits will be released on Netflix on Friday, October 17.

The Twits plot 

The Twits follows Mr and Mrs Twit who are both truly repulsive people who enjoy playing cruel tricks on one another, tormenting animals and making those around them miserable. They also own a dangerous, and ridiculous, theme park called Twitlandia. But when they rise to power, two brave orphans and some magical animals band together to stop them, using The Twits’ own tricks against them.

The Twits cast — Margo Martindale as Mrs Twit

Margo Martindale will voice the mean-spirited Mrs Twit. She’s also appeared in The Sticky, Million Dollar Baby, Dexter, The Millers, The Good Wife and BoJack Horsemen.

Johnny Vegas as Mr Twit

Johnny Vegas is voicing the appalling Mr Twit. The comedian and actor has been in Murder, They Hope, Romantic Getaway, Still Open All Hours, Bleak House and Benidorm. He made the series Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping, about starting his own glamping site, and has also appeared on Celebrity Juice, 8 Out of 10 Cats and QI.

Who else are voice stars in The Twits? 

The Twits voice cast also features Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke is voicing Pippa while Black Swan’s Natalie Portman is Mary Muggle-Wump.

 Is there a trailer?

No, not yet but we’ll add it to this page as soon as one is released.

Behind the scenes and more on The Twits for Netflix

The Twits for Netflix is written, directed and produced by Ralph Breaks the Internet’s Phil Johnston, who says: “I’ve always been attracted to reprehensible characters. I don’t know what this says about me, and I really don’t want to look into it. I love the Twits and their terrible tricks. I love that they lack self-awareness and personal hygiene and any inkling of human decency. And I love this movie because it reminds us that twits like The Twits, whose default emotions are anger and vengeance, can’t be allowed to win in our world.”

All about Roald Dahl's book The Twits

The Twits was written in 1980 by Roald Dahl, author of other classic children's books Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Danny Champion Of The World and James and the Giant Peach. It has sold 16 million copies worldwide and been translated into 41 languages. This is the first time the novel The Twits has been adapted for TV.

The Bad Guys were heroes with moviegoers when the original animated movie debuted back in 2022. As a result, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake and the rest of the crew are back for a sequel, The Bad Guys 2.

The original movie, based on a book series by Aaron Blabey, saw a group of criminals try to pretend to change their ways to avoid jail time, but they found out that they enjoyed doing the right thing. Critics and audiences liked The Bad Guys, with it being both “Certified Fresh” and “Verified Hot” on Rotten Tomatoes, while it grossed more than $250 million at the worldwide box office.

No surprise that a sequel was ordered. Read on below for everything you need to know about the 2025 new movie The Bad Guys 2.

The Bad Guys 2 how to watch

The Bad Guys 2 is playing exclusively movie theaters.

The Bad Guys 2 cast

The main voices of The Bad Guys cast are all back, reprising their roles for the sequel. That includes Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha, Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula and Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington.

Other returning cast members include Richard Ayoade as Professor Rupert Marmalade IV, Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit and Alex Borstein as Chief Misty Luggins.

New to The Bad Guys 2 cast are Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), Maria Bakalova (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and Danielle Brooks (A Minecraft Movie).

The Bad Guys 2 plot

Again based on the book series by Aaron Blabey, here is the official synopsis of The Bad Guys 2:

“In the new action-packed chapter from DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed comedy smash about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, our now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.”

The Bad Guys 2 trailer

Check out the trailers for The Bad Guys 2 right here, including a fun little nod to another 2025 summer blockbuster movie:

More footage was shown to attendees of the annual Annecy International Animated Film Festival, where Variety reports that a preview of the movie was one of the best-received at the festival.

The Bad Guys 2 reviews

The Bad Guys 2 is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Bad Guys 2 director

Pierre Perifel returns as the director of The Bad Guys 2 after overseeing the first movie in the franchise. The Bad Guys was Perifel’s first feature directing credit, though he had previously worked as part of the animation department on the Kung Fu Panda franchise and other DreamWorks Animation movies.

JP Sans is listed as a co-director on The Bad Guys 2. This is his first feature directing credit, but he also has experience working in the animation departments of DreamWorks Animation movies, including Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

The Bad Guys 2 behind the scenes

As mentioned, The Bad Guys 2 is a DreamWorks Animation movie, in association with Universal Pictures and Scholastic Entertainment.

Damon Ross is the producer on the movie.

Looking for some new movies to stream in June? Well great news, there are plenty of options across the likes of Netflix, Max, Disney Plus and all of the major streaming services this month. With that said, it can be a lot to scroll through, so allow me to offer my humble services in helping you find the new movies on streaming that you are not going to want to miss.

The below list of movies are taken from the major streaming services: Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Prime Video. I'm also specifically picking movies that are new to streaming this month — in this case, these are 15 movies that are landing on one of the major streamers for the first time, or coming back to streaming services after only being available via on-demand.

So without further ado, here are my picks for the 15 movies to stream in June.

The Actor (Hulu)

While The Actor made very little noise at the box office, it did seem to resonate with those who saw it, as the movie earned a 90% positive score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. So what is this indie movie about? Based on the novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake, The Actor is a psychological drama about a man who is left for dead in a small town in 1950s Ohio, with his memory completely gone. He must figure out how to reclaim what he has lost. Andre Holland stars alongside Gemma Chan, Toby Jones and more.

Stream The Actor on Hulu in the US starting June 30; there's no UK streaming info available at this time.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Hulu)

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a magical movie. The southern folk tale focuses on a young girl named Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, who must go on an adventure to save her ill father and their bayou home as it is threatened by melting ice-caps and mythical beasts. Director Behn Zeitline has unfortunately not made a movie to rival this one (his only other feature credit to date is 2020’s Wendy, which came and went with little fanfare), but if his sole movie of note is Beasts of the Southern Wild, then he’s put his stamp on cinema with a gem that deserves to be rediscovered.

Stream Beasts of the Southern Wild on Hulu in the US starting June 1; streaming on StudioCanal Presents and ITVX Premium in UK

Before Midnight (Hulu)

To help mark the 30th anniversary of Before Sunrise, I declared the movie’s central couple Jesse and Celine, played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply, as the greatest movie couple of all time. That’s not just because of their magical night in Vienna, but the entire run of their relationship that we see in Before Sunset and Before Midnight. You can experience the latter on streaming again in June. Before Midnight picks up with Jesse and Celine after another nine years. They are married and vacationing in Greece with their family, but is the spark that they had in Vienna and Paris something that is built to last?

Stream Before Midnight on Hulu in the US starting June 1; streaming on Prime Video in the UK

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (Max)

Looney Tunes were a big part of growing up for me, as I loved watching the old cartoons. Well, kids today have gotten their very own Looney Tunes original, and it’s a feature-length movie. In The Day the Earth Blew Up, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig must save the world from an alien invasion; expect wacky antics to ensue. The Day the Earth Blew Up is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. With kids at home for the summer from school, the timing is perfect to give them something fun to watch.

Stream The Day the Earth Blew Up on Max in the US starting June 27; there's no UK streaming info available at this time.

Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical (Disney Plus)

Fans of Frozen can watch the well known story of Anna, Elsa and Olaf in an entirely new way, as a Broadway production. Telling the same story and featuring iconic songs like “For the First Time in Forever,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and of course “Let It Go,” the recording of the stage production also features 12 new original songs. Disney previously had a massive streaming hit with a recording of Hamilton on Broadway, this could be something just as big.

Stream Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical on Disney Plus worldwide starting June 20.

The Intern (Netflix)

It’s crazy to think that Nancy Meyers hasn’t made a movie since 2015’s The Intern (she was working on a project with Netflix but it was ultimately scrapped because of budget concerns). While I wouldn’t say that The Intern is her best movie (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give top the list for me), The Intern is a charming movie about a retiree (Robert De Niro) deciding to rejuvenate his life by becoming an intern for a startup, where he becomes a key ally and confident to the novice CEO (Anne Hathaway). It’s the easy kind of watch that you just need some times.

Stream The Intern on Netflix in the US and UK starting June 22

Jaws (Peacock)

Summer is beach season, which makes the terror of Jaws all the more palpable; don’t worry, shark attacks are not nearly as prevalent as Steven Spielberg’s breakout movie (though notably not Spielberg’s first big-screen movie) would make it seem. The all-time classic celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, so there’s no better time to watch.

Stream Jaws on Peacock in the US starting June 15; Jaws is not streaming in the UK at this time.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Hulu)

Another underrated gem from 2015 to stream this month is Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. A coming-of-age comedy with some darker tones focuses on a high schooler that befriends a classmate that has been diagnosed with cancer. A breakout movie for Olivia Cooke (who plays the titular dying girl), Thomas Mann and RJ Cyler — supported by the likes of Nick Offerman, Molly Shannon, Connie Britton and Jon Bernthal — the movie doesn’t pander to its primary teen audience, offering a mature take on growing up, connection and death.

Stream Me and Earl and the Dying Girl on Hulu in the US starting June 1; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is not streaming in the UK at this time.

A Minecraft Movie (Max)

While we don’t have an exact date, we do know that the biggest movie of 2025 to date is coming to streaming in June, as A Minecraft Movie is set to premiere on Max. After raking in early a billion dollars worldwide and causing quite the stir in theaters (thanks in large part to the chicken jockey), the video game adaptation hits home, allowing fans to dive into the world of Minecraft once again.

An exact streaming premiere date for A Minecraft Movie is not available as of publication.

Parthenope (Max)

Parthenope the movie is much like Pathenope the character, mysterious (perhaps a bit confusing) yet quite alluring. The movie was not a big hit with most critics, but I enjoyed Paolo Sorrentino’s exploration of Naples through the years via the perspective of the titular young woman, played by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta (read my Parthenope review for more details on why). The movie also features a brief supporting turn from Gary Oldman as famous author John Cheever. While I don’t know if it’s one of the best, Parthenope is definitely one of the most intriguing movies of the year.

Stream Parthenope on Max in the US starting June 6; there's no UK streaming info available at this time.

Presence (Hulu)

Steven Soderbergh’s other 2025 new movie, aside from Black Bag, is a haunted house movie that has also received great critical acclaim (“Certified Fresh” at 88%). Despite the solid reviews, Presence got little fanfare at the early year box office, so this is going to be the chance for the movie — starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and Julia Fox — to finally find its audience.

Stream Presence on Hulu in the US starting June 3; there's no UK streaming info available at this time.

Rear Window (Netflix)

Netflix is giving legendary director Alfred Hitchcock the spotlight in June, as the streaming service is adding six of his movies, including classics like Vertigo and The Birds. But my pick of the Hitchcock movie you need to watch on Netflix this month is Rear Window. The movie stars Jimmy Stewart as a professional photographer bored out of his mind while recovering from a broken leg, who begins to watch the neighbors in his apartment complex. Things get dicey when he begins to suspect that one neighbor has murdered his wife. This is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, and is a perfect sampling to see why he is considered one of the greatest directors of all time.

Stream Rear Window on Netflix starting June 1.

Sally (Disney Plus/Hulu)

An American icon, Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, but back on Earth things were complicated in her personal life. This new documentary, from National Geographic and Emmy-winning documentarian Cristina Costantini, reveals the sacrifices that Sally Ride made in her life, with testimony from her life-partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy.

Stream Sally on Disney Plus and Hulu in the US starting June 17; streaming on Disney Plus in the UK as of June 17.

Titan: The OceanGate Disaster (Netflix)

Another documentary to watch on streaming in June is Titan: The OceanGate Disaster. Most will remember the tragic story of the implosion of an OceanGate submersible, the Titan, that killed all five passengers in 2023. This documentary will look at what went wrong to lead to such an outcome. This is one of two documentaries about the Titan incident, with the other being Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster.

Stream Titan: The OceanGate Disaster on Netflix starting June 11.

Straw (Netflix)

The prolific Tyler Perry has a brand new project as the director and writer of Straw, a thriller starring Taraji P. Henson as a single mother who is pushed to the brink, leading her to a shocking act of desperation. Henson is joined in the cast by Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, Rockmund Dunbar, Glynn Turman and, in one of his most profile roles in years, Sinbad.

Stream Straw on Netflix starting June 6.

The adventures of Rick and Morty continue this summer as Adult Swim has launched Rick and Morty season 8.

The animated series about a mad scientist, his grandson and their family traveling across different galaxies and dimensions is absolutely beloved for its hilarious and crazy storylines, while simultaneously offering some pointed commentary in an entertaining package. And while we’re only on season 8, Rick and Morty is already renewed through season 12, meaning there are plenty of more adventures to come.

But let’s focus on what we can expect from Rick and Morty season 8. Get all the details we know right now on the new season directly below.

Rick and Morty season 8 next episode

Rick and Morty season 8 is all new on Sunday, July 20, at 11 pm ET/PT on Cartoon Network, aka Adult Swim.

In order to watch Rick and Morty season 8 when it airs, you must have access to Adult Swim (aka Cartoon Network) through either a traditional pay-TV provider or a live TV streaming service (Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV).

For those that have cut the cord on live TV, we do already know when and where Rick and Morty season 8 is going to be streaming, as episodes of the animated series’ latest season will land on Hulu and Max in the US starting September 1. Until then, you can stream all past seasons of Rick and Morty on Hulu and Max.

Another new episode of Rick and Morty season 8 is premiering in the UK on July 20 on Channel 4's E4.

Rick and Morty season 8 cast

The voice cast for Rick and Morty are all expected to be back for this new season. That includes Ian Cardoni as Rick, Harry Belden as Morty, Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith, Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith and Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith.

As always, we expect there to be a number of notable guest stars and recurring voice actors for the new season, but at this time no info is available on who will be lending their talents to this new season.

Rick and Morty season 8 plot

There are no specific plot details for Rick and Morty season 8 at this time, but we can expect more intergalactic hijinx from the Smith family.

While most episodes work as standalone episodes, there have been some overarching plotlines, including Evil Morty, Rick Prime and the two Beths. However, the Rick Prime storyline appeared to conclude in season 7, along with Evil Morty’s (though there’s always the possibility of him coming back). There was no cliffhanger ending to season 7, so at least initially things may just stick with the standalone format.

We did get a brief tease of what one of those episodes in the teaser (available below), which sees Rick and Morty investigate an Easter Market in Germany and then coming across “Space Christians.”

Rick and Morty season 8 episode titles

The episode titles for Rick and Morty season 8 have been unveiled. Specific plot descriptions weren't shared, but maybe you can make some guesses where they might go with them.

It is not clear if these are in order, but here's the announced titles:

• "Summer of All Fears"
• "Valkyrick"
• "The Rick, the Mort & the Ugly"
• "The Last Temptation of Jerry"
• "Cryo Mort a Rickver"
• "The Curicksous Case of Bethjamin Button"
• "Ricker Than Fiction"
• "Nomortland"
• "Morty Daddy"
• "Hot Rick"

Rick and Morty season 8 trailer

Watch the official Rick and Morty season 8 trailers directly below, as well as some previously released preview clips:

Also watch the episode title announcement video, which features some early concept drawings from the episodes:

You can also check out the new opening title sequence for Rick and Morty season 8 right here:

The fairy tale continues for Shrek, as everyone’s favorite ogre is going to be the star of a brand new movie, Shrek 5. And there are some exciting new additions to the Shrek family, along with the stars of the series that you already know and love.

Hard to believe but the original Shrek debuted back in 2001. It was a critical success, a box office triumph and it earned the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature. From there, three more movies were made, with the last one coming in 2010, while Shrek has also made his way to Broadway, had TV specials and plenty more that has made him a permanent fixture in pop culture. So it’s no surprise that Shrek 5 has already garnered some major buzz (and a little controversy).

We’ve got everything you need to know about Shrek 5 directly below.

Shrek 5 release date

Shrek 5 is coming to movie theaters for Christmas 2026; more specifically December 23, 2026, according to Variety.

With the last feature Shrek movie being Shrek Forever After, which was released in 2010, that means it will have been 16 years between Shrek movies. However, we have gotten movies from other Shrek characters over that time, primarily Puss in Boots, last seen in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022.

If you want to catch up with the previous Shrek movies, Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third are all streaming on Peacock, while Shrek Forever After is streaming on Max in the US. The first three Shrek movies are streaming on Netflix in the UK, while Shrek Forever After is available on digital on-demand.

Shrek 5 cast

Shrek’s main trio is back for Shrek 5, meaning Mike Myers will once again voice Shrek, Eddie Murphy will voice his best friend Donkey and Cameron Diaz will voice his wife Fiona.

One new cast member has already been announced, with Zendaya confirmed to be voicing Shrek’s teenage daughter, Felicia.

Those familiar with the Shrek movies will know that Shrek and Fiona had two other children in the previous movies (Fergus and Farkle), so there’s a good chance additional announcements on who will be voicing them will come in the near future.

Meanwhile, we’ll add any other confirmed additions to the Shrek 5 voice cast right here.

Shrek 5 plot

There are no plot details for Shrek 5 at this time. All that we can tell from what has been shared so far is that the story will occur many years later, as evidenced by Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia appearing to be a teenager. So how Shrek deals with his kids mostly grown up could very well play into the story.

Michael McCullers, who co-wrote Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Power in Goldmember with Mike Myers, as well as animated movies The Boss Baby and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, wrote the Shrek 5 screenplay.

When plot details for Shrek 5 become available we’ll share them here.

Shrek 5 trailer

There is no official trailer for Shrek 5, but as mentioned above, a cast announcement gave us our first look at Shrek and company. Watch that directly below:

Shrek’s new design

When the above video hit the internet many people quickly reacted to how Shrek, Donkey and Fiona have appeared to be redesigned, stirring up a bit of controversy:

That was a very tempered response. Others on the internet have made their dislike for it known and made overtures about pushing for a redesign (like what happened with Sonic ahead of his 2020 movie debut), but still, some say they like the new looks of the classic characters.

Shrek 5 director

The listed directors for Shrek 5 are Walt Dohn, Conrad Vernon and Brad Ableson.

Vernon previously directed Shrek 2, as well as other animated movies like Monsters vs Aliens, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Sausage Party, The Addams Family and The Addams Family 2. He also is the voice of the Gingerbread Man in the Shrek movies.

Dohn also has experience with the Shrek franchise, working as a story artist on all the movies and a number of other Shrek-related projects since Shrek 2. He also directed the Shrek specials Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular and Shrek’s Yule Log.

Ableson is a Shrek newbie, meanwhile, but he has directed another major animated franchise, Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Shrek 5 behind the scenes

Producers on Shrek 5 are Christopher Meledandri and Gina Shay. The movie is a DreamWorks Animation production and is being distributed by Universal Pictures.

Another Pixar movie is coming to the big screen this year, as the heralded animation studio has Elio as its 2025 new movie, a space adventure with, as usual, a star-studded voice cast.

Thirty years ago Pixar made history with the first fully computer animated feature-length movie, Toy Story. To this day the studio remains among the pinnacle of animation in Hollywood. In that time the studio has made countless animation classics and box office hits, including 2024’s Inside Out 2. Elio will look to add to that legacy.

Find everything you need to know about Elio directly below.

Elio how to watch

Elio is now playing. Here's everything you need to know on how to watch Elio.

Elio cast

Pixar has put together an impressive voice cast of familiar actors, including recent Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana, who voices Aunt Olga. She’s joined by Pixar alum Brad Garrett (Finding Nemo, Ratatouille) as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson (Bridge Jones: Mad About the Boy) as OOOOO.

There are also a couple of young rising stars providing the key voices of Elio and the alien Glordon. First is Yonas Kibreab (Sweet Tooth) as Elio and Remy Edgerly (Sing 2) as Glordon.

Elio plot

Here is the official synopsis for Elio:

“For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers — in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film Elio, the universe calls back! The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.”

Elio was written by Adrian Molina, who previously wrote the Pixar hit Coco.

Elio trailer

Watch the trailer for Elio right here:

A second trailer for Elio is now available online as well:

Elio reviews

Elio is officially "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

Elio directors

In addition to writing the screenplay, Adrian Molina is one of the co-directors of Elio, along with Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi. Molina was a co-director on Coco, while Shi was the director of Pixar’s Turning Red. This is the first Pixar movie that Sharafian is co-directing, though she earned an Oscar nomination for the short film Burrow and previously worked on Coco and Turning Red as part of the art department.

Elio behind the scenes

Elio is produced by Mary Alice Drumm, with Pete Docter on board as an executive producer.

After finishing as the fourth biggest box office hit in the US in 2024 (third worldwide) with more than $1 billion, Moana 2 finally sails to streaming as it is now available to watch on Disney Plus for all subscribers.

The Disney animated sequel to 2016’s Moana picks up with the titular hero as she receives a call from her ancestors that once again calls her to the sea where new adventures and dangers await. She gets some help as she is reunited with the demigod Maui. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return to lend their voices to Moana and Maui, respectively.

While Moana 2 didn’t quite earn the same love critically (though it’s still “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes; read WTW’s Moana 2 review) or with awards (it received no Oscar nominations) compared to its predecessor, audiences showed they were more than happy to go on another adventure with Moana as evidenced by its impressive box office haul and its 86% fan approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Now it can be a great option for family movie night.

Interestingly enough, Moana 2 was originally intended to be a Disney Plus original series, not a movie. But the powers that be made the switch, gave it a prime November release date (over the Thanksgiving holiday in the US) and affirmed Moana as one of the most popular Disney characters in recent years.

There’s a good bit of timing as well for anyone interested in watching Disney Plus but who is not currently signed up for the streaming service. A new Disney Plus deal available through the end of March for new and returning Disney Plus subscribers allows you to get the streaming service for $2.99 per month for the first four months of your subscription.

Of course, with a Disney Plus subscription, you’re not just getting Moana 2, but access to just about every Disney and Pixar animated classic, including the original Moana (in case you want to make it a double feature).

Watch the Moana 2 trailer right here if you need a sneak peek at the movie:

If you are not a Disney Plus subscriber and don’t want to be, but still are interested in watching Moana 2, the movie is available to buy or rent via digital on-demand platforms.

Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight sees the French comic book duo back to take on the Romans in a new animated Netflix series.

The pair from ancient Gaul, who were created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo in 1959, return to fight the conquerors with the aid of their magic potion that gives their Gaullish village superhuman strength. However this time it’s not so easy!

This new cartoon series, based on the original book Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight, is created by Alan Chabat, who wrote and directed the 2002 live-action movie Astérix and Obélix: The Middle Kingdom.

Here’s all you need to know about the Netflix series Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight…

Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight release date

Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight is a five-part series starting on Netflix on Wednesday April 30 2025.

Is there a trailer?

Yes there's a Netflix teaser and official trailer for Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight which sees the Romans annoyed because one village in Gaul is still resisting their rule in 50 BC. They plan to capture it for good but can warriors Astérix and Obélix keep them at bay?

Take a look at both below...

Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight plot

The series of Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight is set in the first millennium, around 50 BC, with Rome desperate to conquer the last independent village in Gaul. So far, the Gauls have managed to fend them off using their magic potion but this time the potion master is struck by amnesia. These sees the villagers left to their own devices against the might of the Romans. Can Astérix and Obélix defeat them against the odds?

Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight voice cast

The voice cast for Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight sees Haydn Oakley (Astérix) and Ben Crowe (Obélix) in the iconic roles, as well as Jeanne Balibar (Apothika), Mark Meadows Williams (Julius Caesar), Matt Wilkinson (Fastanfurius), Jon Glover (Getafix), Keith Wickham (Potus), Claire Morgan (Nimbus), Nick Mercer (Mommy Caesar), John Wark (Vitalstatistix), David Monteath (Blackangus), Gina Murray (Bacteria) and Rob Rackstraw (Unhygienix).

Daisy May Cooper (Am I Being Unreasonable?, This Country) and Ruby Barker (Bridgerton) join the English language voice cast. Laurent Lafitte, Anais Demoustier, Thierry Lhermitte and Jeanne Balibar are also in the voice cast.

 All about the original Astérix and Obélix comic books 

Astérix was a French comic book series first written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo in 1959. Goscinny died in 1977 and so Uderzo carried on writing them until 2009 when a new team took over. By 2023 the comics had sold 393 million copies, making them the best-selling European comic book series. The stories have been adapted into 15 films, 10 of them animated and five live-action. They have also spawned a theme park near Paris. Albert Uderzo died in 2020 aged 92.

One of the big new movie trailers that aired during Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9, was for the live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. It must have gotten people excited and nostalgic, because the original animated movie and its sequel, How to Train Your Dragon and How to Train Your Dragon 2, have been rising up the Netflix Top 10 viewing chart in the US these last couple of days.

As of Monday, February 10, the day after the Super Bowl, How to Train Your Dragon is the seventh most-watched movie in the US, while How to Train Your Dragon 2 is one better, coming in at sixth. That’s up two spots for How to Train Your Dragon 2 and three spots for How to Train Your Dragon from February 8 after it had not been in the top 10 thus far in February. The fact that the How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie was expected to be among the Super Bowl movie trailers may have helped the movies’ rise.

How to Train Your Dragon is one of the most acclaimed animated franchises of the last 15 years. The movie, based on Cressida Cowell’s book, follows a young Viking named Hiccup who befriends a dragon named Toothless, going against his culture’s tradition of hunting them. Premiering in 2010, How to Train Your Dragon has a 99% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, finished in the top 10 of year-end box office in the US and was nominated for two Oscars (Best Animated Feature, which it lost to Toy Story 3, and Best Original Score, losing to The Social Network; tough competition).

Continuing Hiccup and Toothless’ adventure was How to Train Your Dragon 2 in 2014, which was also “Certified Fresh” with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for Oscar’s Best Animated Feature (again, didn’t win).

A third How to Train Your Dragon movie was released in 2019, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, but that is not currently available to stream on any major platform.

The original voice cast of How to Train Your Dragon included Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller and Craig Ferguson. Taking over their roles in the live-action remake are Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn and Nick Frost. There is a holdover from the original voice cast and the live-action remake, Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as Stoick. Meanwhile, Dean DeBlois, who directed all three of the animated movies, makes his live-action directing debut with the remake.

You can stream How to Train Your Dragon on Netflix and Max in the US right now, while Netflix is the only place to stream How to Train Your Dragon 2. In the UK, How to Train Your Dragon is available via digital on-demand, while the sequel is streaming on Prime Video.

The How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake premieres exclusively in movie theaters on June 13. In case you missed it, here's the How to Train Your Dragon Super Bowl trailer:

It's time for another adventure with Moana and Maui, as the duo return for the anticipated Disney sequel Moana 2. The animated 2024 new movie is now playing, but when, where and how can you watch Moana 2? Let us help you with that.

Moana was a smash hit when the original movie premiered in 2016, with many of its catchy tunes ("You're Welcome" and "How Far I'll Go" being the big ones) immediately entering the Disney pantheon of great musical numbers. This sequel was actually originally designed to be a Disney Plus original series, but the fans' love for the franchise helped it make the move to release on the big screen.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Moana 2 right now.

How to watch Moana 2 in movie theaters

Moana 2 is now playing in movie theaters.

If you're looking for where Moana 2 is playing in your area, a great place to find out is on Fandango. The website (also available as an app) allows you to see all of the movie theaters in your area where Moana 2 is playing and all of the available showtimes. You can purchase your Moana 2 ticket directly on the site.

If you're a regular at a particular movie theater, you may want to look into signing up for a movie theater subscription and membership program. In addition to allowing you to see what movies are playing at your favorite movie theater, these programs also offer free, discounted and monthly allotment of movie tickets, as well as other moviegoing perks like deals on concessions. Numerous US and UK movie theater chains offer subscription/membership programs.

Is Moana 2 streaming?

Moana 2 is now available to buy or rent via digital on-demand platforms (Prime Video, Fandango at Home, Google Play and Apple TV), however it is not available to stream on Disney Plus just yet.

The animated movie will make its way to Disney Plus at some point, but we don't have an official date at this time. We'll update as more details are announced.

What else to know about Moana 2

Here is the movie's official synopsis:

"Moana 2 reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced."

Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return to once again voice Moana and Maui, respectively. Other members of the voice cast include Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk and Jermaine Clement.

You can read WTW's Moana 2 review right here, but as of publication, the animated movie is "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

Moana 2 is rated PG and has a runtime of one hour and 40 minutes.

Watch the Moana 2 trailer right here:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is leaving Netflix after spending most of the summer in the Netflix Top 10. Of course, all good things come to an end, but there's a silver lining because you won't have to wait long to watch it again. If you're a fan of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and all of their friends, we have everything you need to know about where you can stream The Super Mario Bros. Movie next. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is leaving Netflix for Peacock. The last day to watch the popular movie on Netflix is Tuesday, October 2, but the good news is that it will be available in the Peacock movie library the very next day, Wednesday, October 3. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie premiered in April 2023. Mario and his friends grabbed a lot of coins on opening weekend, bringing in over $146 million dollars at the domestic box office before going on to gross over $1.3 billion dollars worldwide. Despite being a movie geared toward kids, there's no doubt it was also designed to appeal to parents who played the wildly popular Nintendo games when they were younger.

Another huge draw is that the movie features an all-star cast. Everyone who is anyone seems to be in the movie, down to fun cameos featuring obscure characters from the game. The main voice cast includes Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy), who provided the voice of Mario, with Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) as Princess Peach, Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Luigi, Keegan-Michael Key (Keanu) as Toad and Jack Black (School of Rock) as Bowser.

The beloved Super Mario characters have been featured in movies and series before, but nothing has come close to touching the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Not surprisingly, a sequel is already in the works and is slated for a 2026 release; there's no word as of this writing about which members of the original voice cast will return. 

To watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie on Peacock, you'll need a subscription to the streaming service. You can find several subscription options below.

The Transformers movie franchise is one of the biggest in recent Hollywood memory, but we're getting a new take on the story of the Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers One, an animated prequel following Optimus Prime and Megatron before they were enemies.

This is a return to the roots for Transformers, as the first media we got inspired by the toy line was an animated series that debuted in the 1980s. However, this 2024 new movie features new animation styles and an all-star cast providing the voices of many fan-favorite characters.

When is Transformers One premiering and who stars in the movie? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

Transformers One release date

Transformers One premieres in the US movie theaters on September 20; a few weeks later it debuts in the UK, releasing on October 11.

Transformers One is just one of many animated and family-friendly movies coming in fall 2024. Others that you should be on the lookout for include The Wild Robot, Wicked, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. UK movie fans are also going to get Paddington in Peru, but that won't arrive until January 2025 for US audiences.

Transformers One cast

After Peter Cullen has voiced Optimus Prime in all of the Transformers movies that have come out in the last 17 years, a new actor is taking over the role of the young Orion Pax destined to become the legendary Autobot — and it is none other than Chris Hemsworth. Best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth is taking over another iconic hero with Transformers One. This is the second big 2024 movie that Hemsworth stars in, previously appearing in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

As for who will be voicing the young Megatron, or in this case D-16, that is Oscar-nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Henry is no stranger to franchise work, having appeared in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Marvel's The Eternals and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Transformers One is Henry's second movie of 2024, with a third on the way later in the year with The Fire Inside.

There are more big names in the cast, as Scarlett Johansson, coming off her rom-com Fly Me to the Moon, is voicing the character Elita-1 and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, most recently seen in Wonka and episodes of Abbott Elementary season 3, is voicing B-127 (a young Bumblebee).

Other notable members of the voice cast include Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.

Transformers One plot

Transformers One is a prequel to the Transformers franchise, highlighting how these characters got their start. With a script by Eric Pearson and Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari, here is the official synopsis for the movie:

"Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever."

Transformers One trailer

Watch all of the trailers for Transformers One directly below:

Transformers One reviews

Critics are enjoying Transformers One, as the animated movie has a "Fresh" rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes as of September 19.

Transformers One director

Josh Cooley is the director of Transformers One. He has plenty of experience in the world of animation, including writing and directing Toy Story 4 and writing the original Inside Out. 

It's been 84 years since Bugs Bunny, that beloved Looney Tunes character, first bounced his way into all of our lives. And to celebrate eight fun decades of the fast-talking trickster, the folks over at MeTV Toons—a newly launched TV channel airing nothing but classic cartoons, which debuted last month—is airing Hare's to Bugs! A Bugs Bunny Celebration, "a one-hour original special that takes fans and viewers on a heartwarming journey through the legacy of the world’s most famous cartoon superstar," per the network. 

Premiering on Saturday, July 27 at 10am Eastern Time, the festive special will chart the characters "meteoric rise to fame and his unmatched global recognition" with classic archival footage and exclusive interviews with voice actors like Bob Bergen, Eric Bauza, Candi Milo and more, as well as historians, animators, entertainment journalists and more. 

Hare's to Bugs! A Bugs Bunny Celebration is part of MeTV Toons' full-day programming celebrating Bugs Bunny and will have multiple encore airings throughout the day. On July 27, you can also say "What's up, doc?" to time-honored Looney Tunes bits starring the iconic rabbit, including "Rabbit of Seville," "Rabbit Hood" "Wacky Wabbit," "Hare-brained Hypnotist" and more. 

The TV event marks the 84th anniversary of Bugs Bunny’s first official appearance in the Merrie Melodies series, specifically the 1940 Oscar-nominated comedy short A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery and produced by Leon Schlesinger for Warner Bros. (A preliminary version of the character that would later evolve into Bugs Bunny appeared two years earlier in the film Porky's Hare Hunt.)

To tune into Hare's to Bugs! A Bugs Bunny Celebration as well as the rest of the Bugs Bunny-related programming on July 27, you're going to need access to MeTV Toons. The classic cartoon channel is available over-the-air with a broadcast antenna but isn't available via cable or satellite providers. However, MeTV Toons is available on live-TV streaming services like Philo TV and Frndly TV.

Get a sneak peek at what to expect from Hare's to Bugs! A Bugs Bunny Celebration before watching the Bugs Bunny birthday special today on MeTV Toons.

While you wouldn't want to count on Planet Express to actually deliver your packages, Fry, Leela, Bender and the rest of the crew are what make Futurama a fan favorite and going strong with Futurama season 12.

The long-running animated series has had plenty of starts and stops throughout its run: it originally aired on Fox for four seasons, was cancelled in 2003; was brought back in 2008 for three seasons on Comedy Central, then was cancelled in 2013; and most recently was brought back for Futurama season 11 on Hulu. It's now in its second go-around on the streamer.

Here is everything you need to know about Futurama season 12.

How to watch Futurama season 12

As of September 30, all episodes of Futurama season 12 are now streaming.

In order to watch Futurama, you must have the appropriate streaming service subscription. For those in the US that is Hulu, which is available as a stand-alone streaming service, or can be bundled first with live TV in the aptly named Hulu with Live TV or with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus via the Disney Bundle. 

In the UK, a Disney Plus subscription is required to watch Futurama.

Futurama season 12 cast

The regular voice cast for Futurama is all returning, with Billy West voicing Fry, John DiMaggio as Bender and Katey Sagal as Leela. Other veterans of the show returning to voice various characters like the Professor, Hermes, Zoidberg, Amy and more are Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. 

Futurama season 12 plot

Here is the official synopsis that teases the adventures the Planet Express crew are going to be getting into this season:

"Following Hulu's critically acclaimed 2023 revival of Futurama, the epic sci-fi series from Matt Groening and David X. Cohen returns in 2024 with 10 all-new episodes. On this orbit around the sun, our occasionally heroic crew embarks on mind-bending adventures involving birthday party games to the death, the secrets of Bender's ancestral robot village, A.I. friends (and enemies), impossibly cute beanbags and the true 5 million-year-old story behind the conscious altering substance known as coffee. And, of course, the next chapter in Fry and Leela's fateful, time-twisted romance."

Futurama season 12 episodes

Here are the synopses for the Futurama season 12 episodes released so far:

Futurama season 12 episode 1, "The One Amigo"
"After Bender sells an NFT representing the 'Concept of Bender,' he feels lost and returns to his ancestral village in Mexico to rediscover himself.

Futurama season 12 episode 2, "Quids Game"
"Bizarre aliens force the crew to reenact all the classic children's games Fry played at his 8th birthday party — except this time they are played to the death."

Futurama season 12 episode 3, "The Temp"
"A mysterious temp worker takes over Fry's job — as well as his entire life."

Futurama season 12 episode 4, "Beauty and the Bug"
"Bender becomes a matador in the sport of 'Bug Fighting'."

Futurama season 12 episode 5, "One is Silicon and the Other Gold"
"Leela becomes friends with a jealous chatbot."

Futurama season 12 episode 6, "Attack of the Clothes"
"The Professor's fast-fashion clothes are a smash hit, but an environmental disaster."

Futurama season 12 episode 7, "Planet Espresso"
"Hermes inherits a Jamaican coffee farm that holds the ruins of an ancient spaceship."

Futurama season 12 episode 8, "Cuteness Overlord"
"Amy sets out to collect the cutest toys in the universe - but they are not as harmless as they appear."

Futurama season 12 episode 9, "The Futurama Mystery Liberry"
"Futurama is reimagined in the form of classic children's mystery books."

Futurama season 12 episode 10, "Otherwise"
"When Fry proposes to Leela, he is overcome by a near-fatal attack of déjà vu."

Futurama season 12 trailer

If you’re more of a visual person, you can watch the Futurama season 12 trailer right here:

WondLa is a new seven-part animation bringing to life the popular futuristic fantasy sci-fi novels written by American author Tony DiTerlizzi which tell the story of a young girl, Eva Nine, who has been raised in an underground state-of-the-art sanctuary. 

Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is the voice of a robot called  M.U.T.H.R, who has been solely responsible for bringing up human Eva (voiced by Roswell actor Jeanine Mason) in the animation. 

"On her sixteenth birthday, Eva is allowed to leave the sanctuary for the very first time and venture up onto Earth", explains Emmy Award nominee Teri. However, with the planet now occupied entirely by aliens, the teenager soon finds herself on a quest to find other humans and discover her true destiny.

"Eva is fearless and feisty and has to learn to survive in a futuristic world that is ever-changing and full of fascinating creatures and plant life", continues Teri, "M.U.T.H.R has a level of love for this human girl that might be surprising in a robot. The story is so creative, clever and original."

In an exclusive interview for What To Watch, Hollywood star Teri tells us what to expect...

WondLa release date

WondLa is released worldwide on Friday, June 28 on Apple TV Plus. 

WondLa cast

WondLa has a great cast, with Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher voicing a robot called M.U.T.H.R, while Roswell actor Jeanine Mason voices human Eva. 

Otto is voiced by Emmy Award winner Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), and Rovender, a cantankerous alien with a troubled past is voiced by Gary Anthony Williams (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows).

Is there a trailer for WondLa? 

Yes, the trailer sees Eva escaping from the bunker that she has grown up in and discovering a world outside that she didn't even know existed. You can watch the trailer below... 

Exclusive interview with WondLa star, Teri Hatcher

For people who aren't familiar with the novels, how would you describe WondLa?

Teri Hatcher: "I think WondLa has its roots in classic fairy tales, like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz only instead of the heroine leaving and then returning home, Eva in this case, has to learn to survive in a futuristic world that is very complicated and ever-changing. In that journey she finds herself, she finds her strength, her purpose and ultimately finds her family."

What are some of the key themes? 

"There are themes of our relationship with technology and nature and how we interact with our planet, plants and animals and how important that is. And I guess it's a coming of age tale of a strong, fallible, feisty and lovely girl. I really love being a part of any project with a female lead that I think girls in particular can be inspired by."

How would you describe the dynamics and the relationship between Eva and M.U.T.H.R? 

"Although M.U.T.H.R is a futuristic robot she's very human sounding and very human in her ability to comfort, care for and nurture this little girl. I think there is a level of love that M.U.T.H.R has for Eva that might be surprising in a robot. But there's also a conflict within M.U.T.H.R of her programming, which is primarily about keeping Eva safe and how do we, as mothers, let our children go when it's time for them to leave and how do we continue to protect them."   

We see Eva encounter all kinds of creatures when she ventures onto Earth for the first time. What can you tell us about them? 

"There’s really no end to the multiple creatures and fascinating alien life, animal life and plant life. It's so inventive, creative and original, I love all of it. Otto, the giant water bear is one of my favourites, he's the one I want a stuffed animal of. I want an Otto! He’s gorgeous."

What was it like seeing this animation come to life?

"Well it was the first time I got to see Eva and she's amazing. It's funny because voice work is very unique in that you'll work on projects for years and never meet anyone. It involves a lot of trusting the directors and producers because it's their vision. It's like being a part of a project you're not in but when you finally watch it, it's a magical thing, because you are in it, but it's so much bigger than you."

"I'm really excited to sit down in my living room and watch the whole thing when it comes out on June 28 like everyone else. Hopefully I'll have a little viewing party with my daughter and some friends. I think everyone will be up for that."

You also narrated the audiobooks for the WondLa triology so how does that compare with voicing the animation and which work do you prefer? 

"I definitely prefer animation because you approach it the same way you would with live action. You're using the same techniques an actor would to get whatever they're trying to get out of the scene or a character. When I've done audiobooks I think of it as sitting at the bedside and reading a story to my child when she was little which is something we did a tonne of. I love narrating audiobooks but I think acting is more my comfort zone."

Who do you think this animation series of WondLa will appeal to? 

"There are some dark elements to it and some darker subject matters and scenarios and even with the books, the age range was really 10 years old and upwards. But I definitely think it's family viewing and that the emotions that Eva is going through and the journey she's on will resonate with older kids. She's quite fearless and feisty, and I think they will appreciate that!"

WondLa is released on Apple TV Plus on June 28, 2024.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an animated 2024 new movie set to plunge Tolkien fans back into a climactic battle from Middle-earth's past. 

Billed as a companion piece to director Peter Jackson's iconic movie trilogies, The War of the Rohirrim will connect back to the original Lord of the Rings movies with "story and artistic elements woven throughout that will reconnect fans to the excitement and cinematic wonder of Middle-earth", according to a WarnerMedia press release.  Another connection to the classic movies has been shared, as Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are executive producers.

This is totally separate from the stories explored in Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Instead, the movie details the untold story behind the fortress of Helm's Deep.

Here's everything we know about The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim release date

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is now playing exclusively in movie theaters.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim cast

The voice cast for The War of the Rohirrim is packed full of stars.

Succession star Brian Cox is providing the voice of the King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, whilst Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods) voices Helm's daughter Hera and Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) is lending his voice to Wulf.

Lord of the Rings alum Miranda Otto is also set to reprise her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan for The War of the Rohirrim, as Éowyn will serve as the movie's narrator. 

Other members of the voice cast include Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Benjamin Wainwright (World on Fire), Laurence Ubong Williams (Gateway), Shaun Dooley (The Witcher), Michael Wildman (Hobbs & Shaw), Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation), Bilal Hasna (Sparks) and Janine Duvitski (Benidorm).

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim plot

When the movie was first announced in June 2021, Warner Bros released a synopsis that made it clear the movie centers on the fortress of Helm's Deep which was the site of that climactic battle from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

The synopsis said: "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim explores and expands the untold story behind the fortress of Helm’s Deep, delving into the life and bloodsoaked times of one of Middle-earth’s most legendary figures; the mighty King of Rohan - Helm Hammerhand."

Deadline also revealed offered up a little bit more info about the new movie. According to their report, The War of the Rohirrim is set 183 years before the events of Peter Jackson's trilogy. Their summary of the film reads: 

"A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Hera, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction."

The movie's script is written by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.

The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim trailer

The first trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is here, showcasing a new story of Middle-Earth:

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim reviews

On Rotten Tomatoes, as of December 13, War of the Rohirrim has a "Rotten" rating from critics.

Who's directing The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim?

Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) has been signed on to direct The War of the Rohirrim.

Who's ready to set sail again with Moana and Maui? The popular duo is back in the 2024 new movie and Disney animated sequel Moana 2.

Moana became a new Disney classic when it was released in 2016 thanks to its catchy tunes courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda and great voice performances from Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. This sequel was originally planned as a Disney Plus series, but reportedly when the powers that be at Disney saw the footage they were so impressed that they wanted to bring it back to the big screen.

We've got everything you need to know about Moana 2 right here.

Moana 2 how to watch

Moana 2 is playing exclusively in movie theaters worldwide. Here's all you need to know about how to watch Moana 2.

Moana 2 cast

The only confirmed voice cast members for Moana 2 at this point are returning stars Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson.

Moana was Cravalho's breakout role, though since then she has starred in the likes of Rise, All Together Now, The Power, Mean Girls and Hailey's on It!. She has also lent her voice as Moana with special appearances in Ralph Breaks the Internet and the Disney 100th anniversary short film Once Upon a Studio.

Johnson of course needs no introduction, as one of the biggest movie stars of the last 15-plus years. The former wrestler-turned-actor is best known for his action movies and action-comedies, including the Fast and Furious franchise, the most recent Jumanji movies, Jungle Cruise, Red Notice and Black Adam. He also had his own TV series, Young Rock, that ran for three seasons.

In the teaser trailer released, fans will also spot Hei Hei, Moana's loyal but clueless chicken, which despite not being able to talk is expected to be voiced once again by Alan Tudyk, whose other Disney animated credits include Wish, Encanto, Raya and the Last Dragon, Zootopia and Wreck it Ralph, among others.

Moana 2 plot

The official synopsis for Moana 2 is a little vague, but promises another big sea adventure with Moana and her demigod companion Maui. Here is what Disney has provided:

"Moana 2 reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced."

The script was written by David G. Derrick Jr., who is making his directing debut with Moana 2 after working on previous animated movies like Strange World, Encanto, Raya and the Last Dragon and the original Moana.

Moana 2 trailer

The official trailer for Moana 2 is now available online after premiering at the D23 expo. Watch it (and the previously released teaser trailers) directly below:

Moana 2 review

Read WTW's Moana 2 review for our thoughts on the animated sequel. But if you're curious what the general consensus on the movie is, it is currently "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

Moana 2 awards

Check out all of the major awards and nominations that Moana 2 has earned:

Golden Globes

• Best Motion Picture Animated (nominee)

Producers Guild of America

• Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures (nominee)

Moana 2 music

The original Moana soundtrack continued a long tradition of great Disney songs, many of which were written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Well, Moana 2 is not going to be short of musical talent behind its new songs, featuring contributions from Grammy winners Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear and Mark Mancina, as well as Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa'i.

Ultraman: Rising on Netflix is an animated superhero movie which sees a reluctant hero become an even more reluctant father to a 35-foot-tall fire breathing monster. The film follows baseball star Ken Sato, voiced by Days Of Our Lives star Christopher Sean, who is forced to become Ultraman to save his city. But then he unwittingly adapts a baby kaiju, or giant beast, who he must protect from those who want to exploit her for their own gain, all the while juggling the pressures of work and parenthood. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Netflix movie Ultraman: Rising…

Ultraman: Rising release date

Ultraman: Rising launches worldwide on Netflix from Friday June 14 2024. 

Is there a trailer for Ultraman: Rising?

Yes there's now a trailer for Ultraman: Rising and you can check it out below. The trailer shows Ken Sato accidentally saving a kaiju egg and then becoming the baby dragon’s adopted father. ‘I’m not built for this,’ he says as the baby runs him ragged. But does he have what it takes to protect her from evil?

Ultraman: Rising plot 

When Tokyo becomes plagued by rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato must return home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But then he crosses paths with a baby kaiju, who believes he is her father. That leaves Sato battling to rise above his ego and balance work and fatherhood. But, most importantly, he needs to save the baby from the forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans. 

Ultraman: Rising voice cast

Ken Sato/Ultraman is voiced by Christopher Sean, star of Days of Our Lives and Hawaii Five-O. Gedde Watanabe (ER) is Ultradad/Professor Sato, Tamlyn Tomita (The Day After Tomorrow) is Emiko and Keone Young (Star Wars: Rebels) is Dr Onda. Singer Julia Harriman is Ami. Hiro Nakamura, Rob Fukuzaki, Artt Butler, Karen Maruyama and Brittany Ishibashi also lend their voices to the movie. 

Meet the movie's next lovable robot, The Wild Robot. Based on Peter Brown's popular children’s books, this animated 2024 new movie gave those who enjoyed reading the book with their kids a chance to see the story on the big screen, while others got to enjoy it for the first time.

There are a lot of popular family-oriented movie franchises dominating the big screen this year, including Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2. The Wild Robot could become that, as it has a few sequel books, but right now it is a new animated movie character for people to enjoy.

Here is everything we know about The Wild Robot.

The Wild Robot how to watch

The Wild Robot is available to buy or rent via digital on-demand platforms in the US and UK; it is also still playing in select movie theaters.

The Wild Robot cast

A stellar ensemble of actors has been brought to provide the voices for The Wild Robot, led by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o as the robot ROZZUM unit 7134, or "Roz." Nyong'o broke out with her Oscar-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave and has since starred in Black Panther, Us, The 355 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In addition to The Wild Robot, she stars in A Quiet Place: Day One in 2024.

The voice cast also features Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) as Fink the fox, Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) as Pinktail the opossum, Bill Nighy (The Beautiful Game) as Longneck the goose, Kit Conner (Heartstopper) as the gosling Brightbill and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as another robot Vontra. In unspecified roles are going to be Mark Hamill (The Boy and the Heron), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows) and Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning).

The Wild Robot plot

Here is the official plot for the movie from DreamWorks Animation:

"The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot — ROZZUM unit 7134, 'Roz' for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling."

The script was written by Chris Sanders.

The Wild Robot trailer

Watch the trailer for The Wild Robot directly below, which features Nyong'o performing a rendition of "What a Wonderful World."

Additional trailers for The Wild Robot offer more look at the plot of the movie and include some critics quotes. Take a look right here:

You can also watch this special featurette video on the movie right here:

The Wild Robot reviews

The Wild Robot is one of the best reviewed movies of the year, with it earning a 97% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Wild Robot awards

Check out the major awards and nominations that The Wild Robot has earned so far:

Oscars

• Best Animated Film (nominee)
• Best Original Score (nominee)
• Best Sound (nominee)

BAFTAs

• Best Animated Film (nominee)
• Best Children's & Family Film (nominee)
• Best Original Score (nominee)

Golden Globes

• Best Motion Picture Animated (nominee)
• Cinematic and Box Office Achievement (nominee)
• Best Original Score (nominee)
• Best Original Song — "Kiss the Sky" (nominee)

Critics Choice Awards

• Best Animated Feature (nominee)
• Best Song — "Kiss the Sky" (nominee)
• Best Score (nominee)

London Critics Circle Film Awards

• Animated Feature of the Year (nominee)

Producers Guild of America

• Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures (nominee)

Washington DC Area Film Critics Association

• Best Animated Feature (winner)

Chris Sanders movies

Chris Sanders is an animation veteran, earning three Oscar nominations for Best Animation Feature for his previous efforts, Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods. His most recent directorial effort, The Call of the Wild, was a live-action movie (with some heavy CGI scenes), but he returns to his most familiar medium as the director of The Wild Robot, in addition to writing the script.

A lot of moviegoers are used to having Oscar-nominated movies premiere where they live after they've received those nominations; usually late January or early February. But it's not often an Oscar-nominated movie makes its US premiere more than two months after the Oscar trophies have been handed out. But that's the case for the Oscar-nominated animated feature Robot Dreams.

Though it lost to The Boy and the Heron for the top prize, Robot Dreams was one of the best-reviewed movies (animated or otherwise) of 2023. Hailing from Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger, the movie was described as "beautiful, unexpected and tender" by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro. With all these plaudits, there's a level of excitement for it to finally become available in the US.

Find out everything you need to know about Robot Dreams directly below.

Robot Dreams release date

Robot Dreams' long-awaited US release for general audiences is set for May 31. Whether the movie is available everywhere or will be released on a limited scale to start is not immediately clear.

Either way, May 31 is going to be a busy week for new movies, as Ezra, The Dead Don't Hurt, Summer Camp and Young Woman and the Sea.

The movie has already been released in the UK and is actually available to watch at home, with it available to rent through the on-demand platform Curzon.

Robot Dreams cast

Robot Dreams does not contain any dialogue, though it is not a silent movie, as the director is keen to point out. So even though the movie hails from a Spanish director, there is not going to be any need to feature any English-language actors to provide their voices or for audiences to read subtitles. 

Robot Dreams plot

In addition to directing, Berger adapted Robot Dreams from the graphic novel Robot Dreams by Sara Varon. Here is the official synopsis for the movie from  Neon:

"DOG lives in Manhattan and he's tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80s NYC. One summer night, DOG, with great sadness, is forced to abandon ROBOT at the beach. Will they ever meet again?"

Robot Dreams reviews

As we said, Robot Dreams was one of the best-reviewed movies of 2023. It is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 98% from critics. Audiences have been just as enthusiastic, with 90% giving it a positive rating. 

Robot Dreams trailer

Get a peek at what the excitement is about for Robot Dreams by watching the trailer right here: 

Pablo Berger movies

While audiences outside of Spain may not know much about Pablo Berger, he has been working for a long time and received a number of accolades, including multiple Goya Award wins, which are the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars.

Here are all of Pable Berger's feature movies to date:

• Torremolinos 73 (2003)
• Snow White (2012)
• Pon tus sueños a jugar (2013)
• Abracadabra (2017)
• Robot Dreams (2023)

Hold onto your rings, Sonic the Hedgehog’s foe-turned-friend is back for a next-level adventure on Paramount Plus that sees Idris Elba return to voice legendary echidna warrior Knuckles.

The six-part spin-off from the film and video-game franchise follows events between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and the upcoming third movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3, due for release in December, as Knuckles is struggling to adapt to life on Earth after helping Sonic defeat mad scientist Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey in the movies).  

Here, stars Idris Elba and Adam Pally reveal what's in store... 

Knuckles release date

Knuckles hits Paramount Plus on Friday, April 26 in the US, and Saturday, April 27 in the UK. All episodes are available at once, so binge away! 

Knuckles: What's the story?

Now living with the Wachowski family in Green Hills, Montana, alien echidna Knuckles is taking a break from being a warrior – until a ghostly apparition of his tribe’s chief, Pachacamac (Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd), appears and instructs him to take on bumbling cop Wade Whipple (The Mindy Project’s Adam Pally) as an apprentice. Can the red ball of fury make a warrior out of Wade?

"This series is just as good as the movies," says Idris, whose spike-fisted character first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. "It’s pure, unadulterated, fan-filled love for Knuckles, plus you see a lot more of Wade. There’s a sort of bromance happening between them.

"Knuckles is such a funny, dry sort of character, which is new and different for me so I really enjoy playing him," says Idris, who’s known for his roles in crime drama Luther and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013). 

"The video games are great, too, and the Sonic universe is so generational. When you expand the story in films and TV series, there’s so much in it. It’s a lot of family fun." 

Knuckles: Who else in the cast?

Ben Schwartz and Colleen O’Shaughnessey return to voice Sonic and his flying fox friend Tails, while Tika Sumpter reprises her role as their adoptive mother, Maddie Wachowski. 

Game of Thrones’ Rory McCann also stars as Robotnik’s ex-employee and Knuckles’ new nemesis, The Buyer, plus comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor and rapper Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, play the mysterious agents on Knuckles’ tail. 

And look out for Flowers star Julian Barrett stars as bounty hunter Jack Sinclair, while Grease legend Stockard Channing and The Princess Bride’s Cary Elwes play Wade’s parents.

"You get to see Wade’s family and how their dynamic led to him being a mess of a grownup," smiles Adam who’s played the dim-witted deputy sheriff in both Sonic films. "But Knuckles imbues Wade with an inner strength and they both figure out who they are together."

Knuckles trailer 

The Knuckles trailer gives us a brilliant insight into what we can expect from the new TV show. We see Knuckles struggling to adapt to his new life, but as always it isn't long before trouble follows him and he's forced to save the world once again. You can watch below... 

Bringing Knuckles to the small screen

A large team of animators, puppeteers and visual-effects experts brought the blossoming companionship between Knuckles and Wade to life on screen.  

"They created a lifelike Knuckles that I could talk to and also improvise with," Adam explains. "We had Idris’s recordings, too, and he voices Knuckles so perfectly. He brings an earnestness to the role; it’s a real comedy genius performance.

"Filming the series was very physical, too. I had to learn wire work, which men of my physique don’t usually do so it took a couple of extra hands on deck to get me on the wire!" Adam laughs. "It was a blast, though. Everyday I would wake up black and blue, but with a smile on my face."

The Dragon Warrior returns, as Po is back with his martial arts skills to entertain movie fans in Kung Fu Panda 4. This is the first entry in the DreamWorks animated franchise in eight years, so where and when are you going to be able to watch Kung Fu Panda 4? We have all the info you need to know about that right here.

Quick catch up for those who need it since the last Kung Fu Panda entry, the franchise follows Po, a panda who loves kung fu as much as he loves snacking on dumplings. After being tapped to be the legendary Dragon Warrior, Po and his friends have fought numerous enemies to protect their home, and given audiences plenty of laughs along the way. In Kung Fu Panda 4, a new villain threatens everything that Po holds dear.

So is Kung Fu Panda 4 playing in movie theaters, and if so where? Or is it available to stream? Read on to find out just how you can watch Kung Fu Panda 4 right now.

How to watch Kung Fu Panda 4 in movie theaters

Kung Fu Panda 4 is playing exclusively in movie theaters at first. It releases in the US on March 8. Those in the UK will have to wait until March 28 for the animated movie to arrive.

To find showtimes for Kung Fu Panda 4, check out Fandango, which will provide info on all of the locations and times that the movie is playing in your area, as well as allow you to purchase tickets directly online.

If you're looking for ways to save money on going to the movies, you'll want to find out more about movie theater subscription and memberships. These programs, offered by various US and UK movie theater chains, allow movie lovers to get free, discounted or monthly allotments of tickets, as well as deals on concessions and other movie-going perks.

Is Kung Fu Panda 4 streaming?

You can watch Kung Fu Panda 4 at home right now via digital on-demand platforms. However, if you're looking for the movie on one of the major streaming services, you'll have to wait a bit longer.

Viewers are able to rent or purchase digital copies of Kung Fu Panda 4 via Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango at Home or YouTube.

We still don't have a streaming premiere date for the animated movie, but whenever that is, it will almost certainly land first on Peacock.

Kung Fu Panda 4 on Blu-ray/DVD

Kung Fu Panda 4 is releasing on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, May 28. In addition to the movie, those who get the physical copy of the movie will have access to additional bonus features, like an original short featuring Jack Black and Awkwafina, deleted scenes and more. 

Here's a complete rundown of the special features

• Dueling Dumplings – original short where Po and Zhen battle over whose dumplings reign supreme.
• Mastering the Dumpling – Jack Black learns how to make dumplings with influencers Phil and Helen of WongFu Productions.
• Bad Bunny Review – The Bad Bunnies give their unedited opinion on some scenes from the film.
• Deleted Scenes
  • Dads on the Trail
  • Mahjong
• Kung Fu Talking – Hilarious montage of off mic moments of the actors recording their lines for the movie
• Meet the Cast – From the Dragon Warrior himself to newcomer, Zhen, and a full cast of amazing characters in between, we get to know the voices behind some of our favorite roles in this series of short featurettes. Po
• Kung Fu Panda 4 All!! – Join us as we go behind the scenes to see how the fourth installment in the franchise was brought to life, what makes it different from the previous films and where we find Po and the gang in this new escapade.
• How to Draw – Enter our virtual dojo and join one of DreamWorks Animation's talented artists as they show fans of the film “How to Draw” some of the characters in the film.
• Shadow Puppet Theater – Using the amazing illustrations from the "How to Draw," we will teach fans of the film how to create their very own Shadow Puppet Theater so they can bring Po and the gang to life and continue their many adventures.
• Feature Commentary with Director Mike Mitchell, Co-Director Stephanie Ma Stine, Production Designer Paul Duncan, Head of Story Calvin Tsang, and Head of Character Animation Sean Sexton

What else to know about Kung Fu Panda 4

Jack Black leads the way in the Kung Fu Panda franchise as the voice of Po. Joining him once again as part of the voice team for the animated movie are Dustin Hoffman as Shifu, James Hong as Po's dad Ping and Bryan Cranston as Po's other dad, Li. New to the cast in Kung Fu Panda 4 are Awkwafina, who voices the cunning thief Zhen that becomes a new ally for Po, and Viola Davis as the villainous and shape-shifting Chameleon.

Directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine, with a script written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Darren Lemke, here is the official synopsis for Kung Fu Panda 4:

"After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior, is called upon by destiny to… give it a rest already. More specifically, he's tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

"That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

"Even worse, there's been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon, a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po's Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

"So, Po's going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen, a corsac fox who really gets under Po's fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon's reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places."

As of publication, Kung Fu Panda 4 is "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes. Find out what we thought of the movie with our Kung Fu Panda 4 review.

Check out the trailer for the movie right here for a quick preview:

It's been eight years since the last Kung Fu Panda movie (the same amount of time that passed between the first Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 3), but Kung Fu Panda 4 proves it can still be an entertaining watch for the kids while delivering enough for adults to sit through with them. However, the series is starting to lose some of its pop with weaker storylines and villains that Jack Black's energetic voice work and strong animation can only do so much to cover.

In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po (Black) is happy with his position in life as the Dragon Warrior, getting to kick butt and protect the Valley of Peace. However, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) informs him it is time for his next step: becoming the valley's spiritual leader and passing on his title of Dragon Warrior to someone else; something Po is reluctant to do. However, when a new threat emerges in the form of the Chameleon (Viola Davis), Po must team up with the thieving but cunning fox Zhen (Awkwafina) to stop this new opponent from gaining the powers of Po's vanquished foes.

Starting off with the good, Jack Black feels made for voice work. After being the standout in The Super Mario Bros. Movie as Bowser in 2023, he returns to Po, which has easily become one of his most memorable roles. Animation gives Black such freedom to be as wacky and exuberant as he wants, though he also delivers the emotional moments when called upon.

The only issue with that in Kung Fu Panda 4 is Po's emotional journey doesn't work as well here. Po's forced transition from Dragon Warrior to spiritual leader feels like the creators shoehorning a story angle in rather than it feeling natural, especially as Hoffman's Shifu is still there serving as Po's mentor, removing the feeling of urgency in Po's journey. The key beats are all in the story and Po does show growth, but it feels more hollow than in previous entries.

Also coming up short is the Chameleon as the main villain. Nothing against the work by Viola Davis, she's a constant pro and gives a suitable performance, but the character's impact on the story is thin. We barely see the Chameleon for the first half of the movie, her presence in Juniper City doesn't seem as bad as the characters make it out to be and what we learn about the character in the second half feels like too little too late. It's not great that Tai Lung, the villain from the first movie once again voiced by Ian McShane, brings more a feeling of menace and he's only in it for about 10 minutes.

Some other weak areas of the movie are the Ping (James Hong) and Li (Bryan Cranston) storyline, though they offer some comic relief and Hong continues to be one of the under-the-radar MVPs of the franchise. Also, it's a shame Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, David Cross and Lucy Liu were left out of the movie, as they were fun foils for Black. Awkwafina does an OK job as Po's new companion Zhen, but isn't able to fully make up for the others' absence.

To be honest though, these are little things in the grand scheme of what you need to know about Kung Fu Panda 4, because at the end of the day the most important things is will the kids like it? My gut tells me yes, kids (and perhaps even some older than that who have grown up with the franchise) will still find Black's Po endearing, the action sequences thrilling and the jokes funny.

Is it the best Kung Fu Panda movie? No (though how many fourth entries in an animation franchise are?). But despite some things that could have been better, it's a more than passable moviegoing experience for kids and adults.

Kung Fu Panda 4 releases exclusively in movie theaters in the US on March 8. It arrives in the UK on March 28.

From the comic strips to the big screen, The Garfield Movie is coming soon for fans to enjoy. While not the character's first foray with the movies, unlike the previous entries from mid 2000s that were a mix of live action and animation, this new Garfield will be entirely animated movie.

Garfield originally began as a comic strip by Jim Davis. It was actually originally titled Jon when it debuted in 1976, but when it went into papers around the country it was renamed for then lasagna-loving, Monday-hating sarcastic cat Garfield. It would make the leap from newspapers to TV with the animated TV show Garfield and Friends, as well as some primetime specials, but it has never had a fully animated movie prior to the 2024 new movie.

So here's everything you need to know about The Garfield Movie ahead of its release.

The Garfield Movie release date

Garfield is now playing in movie theaters worldwide.

The Garfield Movie cast

It's an impressive lineup providing voice talent signed on to The Garfield Movie, though leading the way is Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield. This is the second major pop culture character that Pratt has provided the animated voice to in as many years, as he also voiced Mario in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Fans of course also know Pratt for starring in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Parks & Rec and more.

The rest of the cast includes Samuel L. Jackson (Argylle) as Garfield's father Vic, Nicholas Hoult (The Great) as Jon and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in then Shadows) as Odie, while Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning), Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) are all onboard in unspecified roles.

The Garfield Movie plot

From a script written by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove and David Reynolds, here is the official synopsis for The Garfield Movie:

"Garfield, the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father — scruffy street cat Vic — Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist."

The Garfield Movie trailer

Watch the latest trailer for The Garfield Movie right here: 

You can also watch the previously released trailer for then animated movie right here:

The Garfield movie reviews

Similar to Garfield and Mondays, critics don't appear to crazy about The Garfield Movie, with the movie being labeled as "Rotten" on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Mark Dindal movies

The Garfield Movie director Mark Dindal is an animation veteran, though The Garfield Movie is his first directed movie in almost 20 years. His previous credits include the animated movies Cats Don't Dance (1997), The Emperor's New Groove (2000) and Chicken Little (2005). 

Despicable Me 4 has released a new tennis-themed clip, which you can watch below, as the movie's release date rapidly approaches.

This is the latest installment in the hit animated franchise and is sure to be one of the biggest new movies of 2024, especially for younger viewers (or anyone who loves the Minions' antics).

Although Illumination has put out two Minions movies in recent years, there hasn't been a new mainline DM movie since Despicable Me 3 arrived in 2017. But Despicable Me 4 sees Gru returning for "an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem", according to the studio.

This time around, the supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League agent faces a new foe who's escaped from custody. With Maxime Le Mal out for revenge, and his entire family's lives at stake — including new arrival, baby Gru Jr. — Gru takes them all on the run.

Here's what we know about Despicable Me 4...

Despicable Me 4 release date

Despicable Me 4 is now playing in the US, exclusively in theaters. Despicable Me 4 releases in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday, July 12.

What's the Despicable Me 4 plot?

Despicable Me 4 sees the reformed supervillain Gru facing a new threat, one that puts his whole family in danger.

The full synopsis reads: "In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4.

"Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls — Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan) — welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.

"Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run. "

Despicable Me 4 reviews

Despicable Me 4 reviews reflect the fact it's difficult to do anything especially original in such a long-running series, shown by the movie's 55% Rotten Tomatoes score as of our July 3.

Despicable Me 4 cast

The Despicable Me 4 voice cast includes a host of famous faces. You can't have a new Despicable Me movie without the voice of Gru on hand, so obviously Steve Carrell is lending his voice to the character once again.

In addition to Carrell, the Despicable Me 4 returning cast also includes:

• Kristen Wiig as Gru's wife, Lucy
• Miranda Cosgrove as Margo
• Dana Gaier as Edith
• Madison Polan as Agnes
• Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom
• Pierre Coffin as the voice of the Minions.

There's also a ton of new characters stepping into the frame this time around.

Gru's new nemesis, Maxime Le Mal, is voiced by Will Ferrell, while Le Mal's femme fatale girlfriend Valentina is portrayed by Sofia Vergara.

Plus, new, as-yet-unrevealed characters will be voiced by Stephen Colbert, Joey King and Chloe Fineman.

Is there a Despicable Me 4 trailer?

The official Despicable Me 4 trailer has arrived, and it shows us the new threat that Gru, his family and the Minions face this time around. And, of course, the minions look to be ready to cause more chaos as they do their best to help the boss. Check the trailer out below:

The minions also made an appearance in a Super Bowl 2024 ad for the new movie, which reveals a shocking truth about AI art: Gru's chaotic crew are the ones behind it all.

Minions movies in order

As we mentioned, Despicable Me 4 is the first movie in the main Despicable Me franchise, but there have also been two movies primarily focused on the yellow mascots' antics: Minions and Minions: The Rise of Gru.

In release date order, they are:

• Despicable Me (2010)
• Despicable Me 2 (2013)
• Minions (2015)
• Despicable Me 3 (2017)
• Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
• Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Want to watch the movies in chronological order? Then you'll need to follow the overarching story across the franchise a little bit differently, as Minions 2 tells the story of how a young Gru became a supervillain. You can find the chronological order below:

• Minions (2015)
• Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
• Despicable Me (2010)
• Despicable Me 2 (2013)
• Despicable Me 3 (2017)
• Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Skadoosh! The Kung Fu Panda franchise is back in action, as Kung Fu Panda 4 is set to be among 2024's new movies. The DreamWorks franchise has been dormant since 2016, but we're willing to bet that Po and company still have the moves to entertain us.

The original Kung Fu Panda movie debuted back in 2008, following a martial arts-obsessed Panda who defies the odds, and his sensei's skepticism, to become the legendary Dragon Warrior. The subsequent movies have expanded upon Po's backstory and offered some memorable villains and gorgeous animation, which Kung Fu Panda 4 looks to deliver once again.

From when it is premiering to who's in it, here is everything you need to know about Kung Fu Panda 4.

Kung Fu Panda 4 release date

Kung Fu Panda 4 is now playing exclusively in movie theaters in the US, here's how you can watch Kung Fu Panda 4 right now. The movie arrives a few weeks later in the UK, premiering on March 28.

It actually shares its release date with another bear, though Imaginary's Chauncey isn't as cuddly as Po.

Kung Fu Panda 4 reviews

Read What to Watch's Kung Fu Panda 4 review to find out how the movie works for the kids and if adults won't mind sitting through it with them.

As far as critical consensus goes, the animated movie is "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes as of Friday, March 8.

Kung Fu Panda 4 cast

It wouldn't be Kung Fu Panda if Jack Black wasn't voicing Po, as the character has become one of Black's calling cards. Black was a part of another big animated movie in 2023, as he voiced Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Outside of the world of animation, Black has also recently appeared in The Mandalorian season 3, History of the World Part II and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

Also returning to the Kung Fu Panda franchise as part of the voice cast is Dustin Hoffman (The Meyerowitz Stories) as Master Shifu, James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Po's adoptive father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston (Your Honor) as Po's birth father Li and Ian McShane (John Wick: Chapter 4) as Po's former nemesis Tai Lung. 

Interestingly, franchise stalwarts Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross are not listed as members of the cast in an official announcement from DreamWorks and they are not shown in the movie's trailer. Perhaps their time with the franchise has come to an end. We'll keep an eye on that.

However, there are some exciting new additions to the cast as well. First is Viola Davis (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) who is set to play the movie's villain Chameleon. Awkwafina (Quiz Lady) is also joining the cast as a quick-witted thief Zhen. Rounding out the new members of the cast is Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Han, the leader of a group of thieves.

Jack Black welcomed a couple of his new castmates in a TikTok video that you watch here.

Kung Fu Panda 4 plot

Kung Fu Panda has seen Po go from an unlikely kung fu warrior to a masterful teacher, so what is next on his journey? Here is the official synopsis for Kung Fu Panda 4:

"After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to… give it a rest already. More specifically, he's tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

"That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

"Even worse, there's been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Oscar-winner Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po's Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

"So, Po's going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Golden Globe-winner Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po's fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon's reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places."

The Kung Fu Panda 4 script was written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.

Kung Fu Panda 4 trailer 

The first trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 is here, teasing Po's next adventure as he takes on the dangerous Chameleon. Watch the trailer directly below:

Universal Pictures is also having some fun with one of the movie's that is going to be its rival at the March box office, Dune: Part Two. Check it out right here:

Another treat for the movie is that Jack Black, who is also a musician with his band Tenacious D, has released a cover of Britney Spears classic pop song "... Baby One More Time." Watch it right here:

Kung Fu Panda 4 directors

Mike Mitchell and Stephane Ma Stine are listed as co-directors on Kung Fu Panda 4. Mitchell has previously directed the DreamWorks animated movies Trolls and Shrek Forever After. Stine's credits include She-Ra and the Princess of Power. 

How to watch Kung Fu Panda movies

If you want to catch up with the first three Kung Fu Panda movies, they are all available to watch online. Here’s where you can find them:

• Kung Fu Panda (2008): streaming on Netflix and Pluto TV in US; via digital on-demand in the UK
• Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011): streaming on Pluto TV in US; via digital on-demand in the UK
• Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016): streaming on Netflix in the US; streaming on Netflix and ITVX in the UK

It was widely publicized at the time that legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki had made his last feature-length movie with 2013's The Wind Rises and would retire, but 10 years later he has returned with an all new movie for audiences to enjoy, The Boy and the Heron. But how, when and where can you watch The Boy and Heron?

Miyazaki has been the main creative force behind the Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli. Among his movies are Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro. The Boy and the Heron seems poised to be the latest classic to join that list, based on critical reactions.

If you're wanting to watch The Boy and the Heron, read on as we have all the information you need directly below, including whether or not it is streaming.

How to watch The Boy and the Heron in movie theaters

The Boy and the Heron is only playing in movie theaters for US and UK audiences right now.

To find out when and where The Boy and the Heron is playing near you, check out the movie's official website or Fandango, which can show you all of the movie theaters and times that The Boy and the Heron is playing in your area. You can also purchase your tickets directly online on these websites.

You can also find movie times and tickets — and potentially save some money on them — with movie theater subscription and membership programs. Offered by various US and UK movie theater chains, these programs allow movie fans to get free, discounted or a monthly allotment of tickets, in addition to deals on concessions and more.

Is The Boy and the Heron streaming?

The Boy and the Heron is not streaming right now, the only place to watch it is at the movie theater.

That is going to change in the near future, as Max has confirmed that it will be the streaming home of The Boy and the Heron at an as yet unspecified date in 2024 for US viewers.

UK viewers have not received any kind of confirmation at this time, though Studio Ghibli movies are frequently available on Netflix in the country. 

We'll update this page when plans for The Boy and the Heron at-home viewing becomes available, including when it is available via digital on-demand.

What else to know about The Boy and the Heron

US and UK audiences are going to be able to see The Boy and the Heron with well known Hollywood actors providing the voices in an English-language version of the movie. The cast includes Christian Bale, Gemma Chan, Robert Pattinson, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Dave Bautista, Mamoudou Athie and, voicing the main character Mahito, Luca Padovan.

The Boy and the Heron tells the story of Mahito who, yearning for his deceased mother, ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. It is described as a semi-autobiographical fantasy story from Miyazaki.

In terms of reviews, The Boy and the Heron is receiving great notices. It is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 95%. The movie has also received a couple of end-of-the-year awards, including being named a Top 10 Film of the Year by the National Board of Review and picked as by the Best Animated Film by the New York Film Critics Society.

Watch The Boy and the Heron trailer directly below.

Things may have changed a bit with Rick and Morty season 7 following the departure of Justin Roiland, but the hit animated show still delivers wildly hilarious episodes featuring the Smith family that fans (us included) can't get enough of. More than halfway through the start of this new era, we're ranking what we think are the best episodes of Rick and Morty season 7 so far.

If you've been watching Rick and Morty season 7, you've seen Rick (now voiced by Ian Cardoni) take on his mortal enemy, Rick Prime; the return of Unity (Christin Hedricks); and crazy team ups with Morty (now voiced by Harry Belden) and Summer (Spencer Grammer) and Rick and Jerry (Chris Parnell). But which ones have been our favorites to date?

Take a look at our Rick and Morty season 7 episode rankings right here:

10. Wet Kuat Amortican Summer

More often than not, it's a lot of fun when Summer gets added into the adventure mix with Rick and Morty. Add the idea of a Total Recall and Taken mashup, and "Wet Kuat Amortican Summer" is a fun idea, but it didn’t feel like it came together as well as it could have. The one-off jokes like Summer sorting regular and cursed amulets, the Cake or Fake TV show and Rick's misguided rampage had me laughing more than Morty constantly saying "open your mind" or the multiple reveals in the final minutes. Clever idea, lacking anything overly memorable. 

9. How Poopy Got His Poop Back

The first episode of the Rick and Morty season 7 did not hold back. It not only featured the return of fan-favorite Mr. Poopybutthole (Jon Allen) and seeing him go through a lot after his family left him, but it also featured Hugh Jackman voicing himself as a hard-going partier and even a Predator. It's probably a little too much, especially as many fans were eager to see how the show was going to weave in the new voice actors for Rick and Morty (Morty is barely in the episode, a common theme in the early season 7 episodes). 

8. The Jerrick Trap

"The Jerrick Trap" and "Wet Kuat Amortican Summer" are very similar. Where the latter had Summer and Morty being meshed together and learning to cooperate and understand each other, "The Jerrick Trap" did the same for Rick and Jerry, but to better results. We got to see Jerry and Rick really work as a team as they scramble their brains together, making Jerry smarter and Rick a bit more like Jerry. The crystal mobsters are also a fun touch to help bring the story around full circle. 

7. Air Force Wong

Maybe it's just us, but we love whenever Keith David's President shows up. Having him hitting on Dr. Wong (Susan Sarandon) much to the objection of Rick in this episode is fantastic. The episode also marks the return of Unity for the first time since season 2, which is enjoyable. The biggest knock that we have with "Air Force Wong" honestly is that it was another example of the show seemingly leaving Morty out of it for no particular reason.

6. Rise of the Numbericons: The Movie

Long after Rick and Morty made a joke that Ice-T was actually an intergalatic being in the season 2 episode "Get Schwifty" when he was actually voiced by Dan Harmon, the rapper makes his first appearance on the show in a fun off-shoot episode that explores more of his alternate persona's back story. No Rick, no problem, as Mr. Goldenfold (Brandon Johnson) subs in as Morty's companion on this adventure where an alien species of letters are at war with an alien species of numbers. Puns aplenty make for a blast of an episode, even if it lacks much depth.

5. Mort: Ragnarick

Rick and Morty battle Big Foot, Vikings and the Pope as they try to get an unlimited energy supply from the afterlife. If almost sounds like the writers just picked things out of a hat and decided to blend them into an episode, but hey, for the most part it works. Still, it feels like middle of the road Rick and Morty as it doesn't really surprise us or isn't as cutting as the show is when it is at it's best. Enjoyable but forgettable episode overall.

4. Rickfending Your Mort

Rick and Morty literally call out "Rickfending Your Mort" as a clip show as they are on trial for past things that they've done. But of course it is a clip show Rick and Morty style. Pretty much none of what we see has ever been shown before, so it's a great way for the writers to try out some wacky ideas that they probably couldn't build entire episodes around, much like the Interdimensional Cable episodes (though in fairness not quite as good). Also very much enjoyed the Observers, the return of the adventure punch cards (even if just as a plot device) and referencing how the show does its episode titles. 

3. Fear No Mort

The Rick and Morty season 7 finale saw the two main characters attempt to overcome their fears by jumping into a hole that apparently feeds off your greatest fear until you overcome it. This is a deep dive into the psyche of Rick and Morty, as they desperately try to figure out what insecure part of their personality causes them the greatest fear. It's a deep episode with an emotional pay off at the end, but what keeps it from being one of the two best episodes of the season is that the jokes just don't hit as well as they could.

2. That's Amorte 

"That’s Amorte" is an example of why so many people adore Rick and Morty. Not only is it funny, but it cleverly delivers ethical queries. In this case, Rick has been sharing with his family weekly spaghetti dinners that are out of this world. However, what Morty soon learns is the spaghetti comes from another planet, where the insides of people who commit suicide turn into the pasta dish. The show takes the time to provide info for help to anyone who may need it, but in the episode it seems more focused on the ethical dilemma of consuming meat, but choosing not to lean one way or the other. It is also the first classic Morty episode for Belden, who finally got his time to shine. 

1. Unmortricken

Rick and Morty season 6 ended with the reveal that Rick was searching for his nemesis, Rick Prime, who killed his wife years ago. It took five episodes for Rick and Morty season 7 to pay this off, but it was worth the wait. It also saw the return of Evil Morty, who lends a hand to Rick so he can just be left alone. The episode features some great sequences, fantastic banter between Rick and Evil Morty and serves as a cathartic moment for not just Rick, but fans as well. This definitely felt like an unofficial send-off of Justin Roiland, getting rid of Rick Prime and finally being able to move on with a new part of the show's life. This plotline may have happened eventually anyway had Roiland stayed on, but the parallel between the show and real life is too big to ignore. Beyond that, it's just a fun episode. 

Rick and Morty season 7 airs Sundays on Adult Swim in the US and Tuesdays on Channel 4 in the UK

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is always a great watch as part of the Halloween TV viewing season, whether you're a kid or an adult who fondly remembers the classic Peanuts animated short airing on local TV every year. While the holiday special no longer airs on TV in the US and instead is exclusively available on Apple TV Plus, the streamer is giving everyone the chance to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for free this year.

From Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 22, you do not need to be an Apple TV Plus subscriber to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on the streaming service, as a special free window is going to be available for non-subscribers. Of course, if you are already an Apple TV Plus subscriber, you can watch the Peanuts short whenever you like at no additional cost.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was created in 1966, written by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. The story sees Charlie Brown prep for a Halloween party, Snoopy set his sights on the Red Baron and Linus patiently wait for the arrival of the legendary Great Pumpkin. The voice cast for the short includes Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown, Christopher Shea as Linus, Sally Dryer as Lucy and Cathy Steinberg as Sally.

For years, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown aired on ABC for families to enjoy. In 2020, it was announced that it and the other Charlie Brown holiday specials (A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas) would stop airing on TV and only be available on the streaming service. However, they have consistently offered these types of limited free windows for viewers to watch the shorts even if they are not Apple TV Plus subscribers.

If you want to set your calendar ahead of time for the other Charlie Brown holiday specials, Apple TV Plus is going to make A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving available for free from November 18-19, while A Charlie Brown Christmas will be free from December 16-17. 

Apple TV Plus, which now has the rights to create new Peanuts content, has developed a few new holiday specials with Charlie Brown and the gang. This includes a Christmas special episode of The Snoopy Show premiering on December 1 and Snoopy Presents For Auld Lang Syne, a New Year's special featuring the Peanuts gang. (For old-school Peanuts fans, 1985's Happy New Year, Charlie Brown is also available to stream on Apple TV Plus.)

If you miss the window to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for free or any of the other holiday specials, you will need to sign up for Apple TV Plus to watch them. However, if you’re a first-time subscriber, you can get an Apple TV Plus free trial.

The Simpsons isn't showing any sign of slowing down: as The Simpsons season 35 lands on Sunday, October 1, ready to bring all-new antics for everyone's favorite yellow family and community.

Having followed the Simpson family and Springfield residents through 34 previous seasons of hijinx and misadventures, you'd think that the Matt Groening TV staple would be running out of steam, but that's clearly not the case.

The Simpsons season 35 sees Lisa join Formula 1, Homer become a crossing guard, an Agatha Christie spoof and of course another Treehouse of Horror episode, with more episodes still to be confirmed.

So here's how to watch The Simpsons season 35.

How to watch The Simpsons season 35 in the US

You can watch the new season of The Simpsons on Fox, where it debuts on Sunday, October 1. It airs at 8 pm ET/PT, a time slot it'll inhabit each week. This is part of Fox's animation takeover, with The Simpsons followed immediately by Krapopolis, Bob's Burgers season 14 and Family Guy season 22. 

Fox is a cable channel but cord-cutters can still enjoy it on a variety of live TV streaming services including Hulu with Live TV, Fubo Elite, DirecTV Stream or YouTube TV.

The show is also available to watch on the streaming service Hulu the day after it airs on Fox, beginning on Monday, October 2. Hulu costs $7.99 per month for its basic plan, which goes up to $9.99 for the Disney Bundle if you want Disney Plus thrown in, $14.99 for Hulu ad-free, or $19.99 for both services without commercials.

How to watch The Simpsons season 35 in the UK

You won't be able to watch The Simpsons season 35 straight away, as the show often receives a delayed release date in the UK compared to its US airing. However, when it does arrive, it'll come to Disney Plus, which is the streaming home for the show in the UK.

For a monthly subscription, Disney Plus costs £7.99 for its Standard plan or £10.99 for its Premium one, or £79.90 / £109.90 if you want to pay annually, and from Wednesday, November 1, a £4.99-per-month annual plan will be available too.

The 34th season of The Simpsons aired in the US on Sunday, September 5, 2022, but is only slated to arrive on Disney Plus on Wednesday, October 11 this year, which gives you an idea as to how long it could take for season 35 to arrive. Think this time in 2024.

How to watch The Simpsons season 35 everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch The Simpsons, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

Castlevania: Nocturne is a sequel series to the popular adult animated Netflix series Castlevania, which came to an end after its fourth season aired back in 2021. 

Whilst the original show — which was the streamer's first original anime — told the story of vampire slayer, Trevor Belmont, this new chapter takes us forward over 300 years in the future. Here, we're introduced to one of his descendants, the legendary Richter Belmont. Richter has continued to uphold the family legacy and is doing battle with his own demons (quite literally). 

Alongside a motley crew of vampire hunters and magic users, Richter will seek to prevent the impending return of a prophesied vampire messiah in order to prevent the apocalypse and save humanity. The original series is hailed as one of the best TV adaptations of a video game to date, and featured stunning visuals and a killer soundtrack throughout... will the spin-off measure up?

Here's everything we know about Castlevania: Nocturne right now. 

Castlevania: Nocturne release date

All eight episodes of Castlevania: Nocturne will be available to stream on Thursday, September 28.

Castlevania: Nocturne plot

As with the previous Castlevania series, this sequel series follows the trials of another member of the Belmont dynasty. This time around, we're following Richter Belmont, a vampire hunter living during the French Revolution who finds himself doing battle with a ruling class that has allied with a terrifying new presence. 

The full Castlevania: Nocturne plot reads: "France, 1792 — the height of the French Revolution. In a remote part of western France, the counter-revolutionary aristocracy has forged an alliance with a terrifying Vampire Messiah, who promises to ‘eat the sun’ and unleash an army of vampires and nightcreatures to crush the revolution and enslave humanity. Annette, a sorceress from the Caribbean, seeks out Richter Belmont, the last descendant of the long-fabled family of vampire hunters, to lead the resistance."

Castlevania: Nocture cast

The star-studded voice cast for Castlevania: Nocturne has been revealed. It includes:

• Edward Bluemel (Persuasion) as Richter Belmont, a descendant of the vampire-slaying clan
• Pixie Davies (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) as Maria, a magic user battling the vampiric elite
• Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as Annette, a woman with magic powers who escaped vampire-enforced slavery in the Caribbean
• Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton) as Edouard, a talented opera singer who abandoned the theatre to accompany Annette
• Nastassja Kinski (Inland Empire) as Tera, a mother who serves as a mentor to young vampire hunters
• Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs) as Olrox, the vampire who killed Richter's mother years ago
• Franka Potente (Titans) as Erzsebet Báthory, the "Queen of Vampires" who hopes to rule the world.

Is there a Castlevania: Nocture trailer? 

Netflix has given us an exciting tease of what's to come in the new season in the full Castlevania: Nocturne trailer, and it looks like the spin-off will be just as exciting as the original series. 

In it, we see Richter and his companions take on a whole host of horrifying nightcreatures, as Richter makes his statement of intent: "I am Richter Belmont, last descendant of the Belmont clan, and I kill vampires! Who's ****ing next?!" And all this action is set to an epic arrangement of one of Castlevania's most iconic tracks. What's not to like? 

A teaser for the new series arrived in July 2023. In it, we see how Richter set out on his path as a vampire hunter, receiving an ultimatum from a creature of the night who promises to kill him one day, and bear witness to the prophesied arrival of the so-called Vampire Messiah. Check it out below.

What game is Castlevania: Nocturne based on?

Castlevania: Nocturne is reportedly based on two installments in the video game franchise: 1993's Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and its 1997 sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Following on the heels of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, it's time for more fun with the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. 

After two members of the Cerritos cast appeared in a crossover episode with Strange New Worlds, sending the animated characters from their timeline to that of the U.S.S. Enterprise centuries earlier, this season on the animated series will see the crew of the Cerritos have an interaction with the U.S.S. Voyager. We can only imagine what fun adventures will come from it. 

Here's everything we know about Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. 

How to watch Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 

The complete fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks is available on Paramount Plus in the US and the UK.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode guide

Here's a guide to all of the episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 that have aired:

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 1: "Twovix"
"The ordinary crew members of the USS Cerritos have been tasked with the mission of accompanying the recently refurbished USS Voyager to its new destination on Earth, where it will serve as a museum."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 2: "I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee"
"While an enigmatic power disrupts starships and endangers peace, the Cerritos crew remain unbothered and focus on mundane tasks like avoiding evil computers and getting stuck in caves."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 3: "In the Cradle of Vexilon"
"Boimler leads his first away mission on an alien megastructure."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 4: "Something Borrowed, Something Green"
"Tendi is summoned back to Orion in order to attend a wedding."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 5: "Empathalogical Fallacies"
"A trio of dangerous Betazoids cause utter chaos on the Cerritos."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 6: "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place"
"The Cerritos visits the Ferengi homeworld."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 7: "A Few Badgeys More"
"Three computerized villains return to cause problems for the Cerritos crew."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 8: "Caves"
"The Lower Deckers go on a cave mission."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 9: "The Inner Fight"
"Captain Freeman assigns the Lower Deckers an overly safe mission to try and keep a self destructive Mariner out of dancer."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 10: "Old Friends, New Planets"
"Mariner faces her past in the season four finale."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 premise

Here's the official synopsis of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 from Paramount Plus: 

"Created by Emmy Award winner Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites), the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks finds the U.S.S. Cerritos ensigns being challenged in new ways and given new learning opportunities, while also learning they'll be 'lower decks' for a long time to come."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 cast

The cast of Star Trek: Lower Decks returns for the fourth season, and as with previous seasons we will assume that there will be lots of special guest appearances as well. 

Take a look at the cast below:

• Tawny Newsome (Space Force) as Ensign Beckett Mariner
• Jack Quaid (The Boys) as Ensign Brad Boimler
• Noël Wells (Mr. Roosevelt) as Ensign D'Vana Tendi
• Eugene Cordero (Loki) as Ensign Samathan Rutherford
• Dawnn Lewis (A Different World) as Captain Carol Freeman
• Jerry O'Connell (Stand By Me) as Commander Jack Ransom
• Fred Tatasciore (Team America: World Police) as Lieutenant Shaxs
• Gillian Vigman (Step Brothers) as Doctor T'Ana

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 trailer

Take a look at the trailer for Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 below:

And you can also check out the San Diego Comic-Con trailer below:

How to watch Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4

As a Paramount Plus original series, Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 is available exclusively on Paramount Plus in the US and UK. You can choose one of the following subscription options below if you’re not a subscriber already, and there's a free trial of Paramount Plus if you want to see what the service is all about.

US subscribers can choose between an ad-supported and commercial-free option of the service. 

Walt Disney Studios has been around for 100 years and Disney's Wish is the latest movie from the studio? The new 2023 movie serves as an origin story for the magical wishing star that so many Disney characters have wished to over the years.

Wish is the 62nd animated movie from Disney, but the studio is not simply resting on its laurels. The movie looks to employ a different kind of animation style than recent Disney entries, which looks like a blend of computer graphics and traditional animation (reminiscent of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish). But you can bet that the movie is going to highlight Disney's trademark magic and have a few catchy original songs to go along with it.

Here is everything that we know about Disney's Wish right now (check our our Wish review).

Disney's Wish release date 

Disney's Wish is now playing everywhere exclusively in movie theaters. So if you want to see it, a trip to your local theater is required.

If you are curious about when it is going to be available for at-home viewing/streaming, we don't know. But it will first likely be available to rent via digital on-demand before it lands at Disney Plus for all subscribers to stream.

Disney's Wish plot 

Again, Wish is said to be an origin story for the iconic wishing star, but while the star is a character, Wish is set to tell an empowering story of a young girl who sets out to do something truly courageous. Here is the official synopsis from Disney:

"Wish introduces Asha, a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force — a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star set out to prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen."

Frequent collaborators Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee wrote the script. Original songs for the movie were written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice.

Disney's Wish trailer 

The first trailer for Wish has arrived, which introduces audiences to Asha, her goat Valentino, the sinister King Magnifico and Star. It also provides a snippet of the new original song "This Wish," sung by Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose. Watch the trailer right here: 

Wish's official trailer is now available to watch directly below:

Disney has also released some lyric videos of two of the songs from the movie, "This Wish" sung by Ariana DeBose and "This Is the Thanks I Get" sung by Chris Pine. Check them out here:

Disney's Wish cast

As of right now, there are only three confirmed voice actors for Wish, but they are an impressive trio of names.

First is Ariana DeBose voicing Asha. DeBose is best known for her Oscar-winning role in West Side Story, but has also starred in Schmigadoon, Westworld, The Prom and was part of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton. In addition to Wish, DeBose is slated to star in the 2023 movies Argylle and Kraven the Hunter.

Chris Pine lends his voice to King Manifico, the ruler of Rosas, a magical land where wishes truly do come true. Pine is coming off the recent hit movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, while he is well known for past roles in Wonder Woman, Star Trek, Hell or High Water and the musical Into the Woods (so we know he can sing if called upon).

Rounding out the voice cast for Wish is a Disney veteran, Alan Tudyk. Tudyk has voiced characters in popular Disney movies like Encanto, Raya and the Last Dragon, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Though you've also probably seen Tudyk on screen at least a few times, as he starred in Firefly, A Knight's Tale and the TV series Resident Alien.

As additional names for the voice cast are announced we'll share them here.

Disney's Wish reviews

Wish has split the critics down the middle, as the movie has a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with half giving it the favorable "Fresh" rating and the other half labeling the movie as "Rotten." However, Rotten Tomatoes requires movies to earn a 60% positive rating to be considered "Fresh," so unfortunately Wish carried the "Rotten" label. However, it does have an audience score of 81% positive.

Disney's Wish directors 

Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn are sharing co-directing duties for Wish. Buck has previously worked with Disney as the co-director for Frozen and Frozen II, as well as for the '90s Disney movie Tarzan and the 2007 movie Surf's Up.

Wish serves as the feature directing debut for Veerasunthorn, though she has worked as part of the animation team for a number of Disney movies, including Raya and the Last Dragon, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Zootopia.

Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase may be "to infinity and beyond," but many Pixar fans are upset that it also appears to be the strategy from Disney for the Toy Story franchise. On February 8, it was announced that Disney is working on Toy Story 5. Turns out that's not what some people wanted to hear, with a slew of people nearly begging Disney to leave the beloved franchise alone.

The return to the original Toy Story franchise comes after 2022's Lightyear bombed at the box office. The idea was that it would have been the movie that a young Andy saw that made him a Buzz Lightyear fan. Rather than being focused on the toy, it was about a real space ranger named Buzz and his adventures. The movie actually received solid reviews — "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a 74%, and even 84% positive from audiences — but it didn't get big audiences to come and see it. It also replaced Tim Allen, who has voiced Buzz in all of the Toy Story movies, with Chris Evans.

Toy Story 5 may be a reaction to return to form, which is set to include Allen once again voicing Buzz. Allen confirmed the news in a tweet. Though he references Woody, there is no word yet on whether or not Tom Hanks is set to reprise his role in the franchise. In Toy Story 4, Woody and Buzz go their separate ways, seemingly bringing an end to one of the greatest on-screen friendships.

That actually seems to be one of the biggest things that fans are upset about with the decision to make Toy Story 5 — that Disney can't leave this franchise alone even though they had two perfect opportunities to conclude it.

The first was with Toy Story 3, which saw Andy grown up and heading off to college and passing the toys on to a new owner, a young girl named Bonnie. Then, with Toy Story 4 (which some fans already think was unnecessary), Woody realizes his time as a child's toy is up and finds a new purpose in life, saying goodbye to his long-time friends.

Toy Story wasn't the only franchise Disney announced was getting a sequel recently, as new movies in the Frozen and Zootopia universes are on the way as well. Zootopia just got some new content recently with Zootopia Plus in 2022.

While fans absolutely have a point that Disney and Pixar seem to just keep returning to Toy Story whenever they have a misstep, we do have to acknowledge that they have yet to really make a bad Toy Story movie. Toy Story 4 has the lowest Rotten Tomato critic score, but it still earned a 97%.

Still, fans seem worried that the luck will run out. Here are some of the reactions to the announcement:

You can stream all of the Toy Story movies on Disney Plus right now. 

The story of Pinocchio is a familiar one, but the classic tale has gotten a new look and feel from Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro. Set as a Netflix original movie, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio comes to movie fans as part of 2022's slate of new movies.

In what is sure to be a fun bit of comparison, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is the second story of the famous wooden puppet in 2022. Disney Plus' Pinocchio, a live-action retelling of the classic Disney animated movie, already came out. But del Toro's version differs in the way it tells the story, both thematically and stylistically, as his is a stop-motion animated movie.

Here is everything we know about Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.

How to watch Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is now streaming exclusively on Netflix, which means if you want to watch you're going to need a subscription.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio trailer

The official trailers for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio previews "a story you may think you know, but you don’t," explains Ewan McGregor’s Sebastian J. Cricket (see, things are already different). The stop-motion animation in this trailer looks incredible. Watch the movie's two trailers directly below:

You can also check out this behind-the-scenes look at how they made the movie right here:

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio reviews — what the critics are saying

People are loving Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. The movie is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critics approval of 97% and 84% of audiences enjoying it.

Here's a sampling of some of the critics' takes on the movie:

Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post: "Harkens back to the good old days of tough-love family flicks with a lot of tears and huge emotional payoffs."

Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse: "A bewitching animated masterwork that’s one of the best movies of 2022."

Brian Truitt, USA Today: "The most essential adaptation of Carlo Collodi's novel since Walt Disney's 1940 cartoon masterpiece, with a practically perfect mix of tragedy, comedy, adventure, parental worries, societal expectations, childhood precociousness and antiwar leanings."

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio awards and nominations

See the awards and nominations that Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio has earned:

Los Angeles Film Critics Association

• Best Animation (winner)

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio cast

The voice cast for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio isn’t short on names. Among them are the previously mentioned Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Cate Blanchett (TAR), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Tilda Swinton (Three Thousand Years of Longing), Burn Gorman (The Offer), John Turturro (The Batman), Christoph Waltz (No Time to Die), Ron Perlman (Don’t Look Up), David Bradley (Game of Thrones) and Tim Blake Nelson (Nightmare Alley).

The young actor who is being tasked to voice Pinocchio is Gregory Mann, whose previous credits include the ITV/PBS Masterpiece Theater series Victoria and the 2018 movie The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Other confirmed roles include Bradley as Geppetto, McGregor as Sebastian J. Cricket, Blanchett as Sprezzatura, Wolfhard as Candlewick, Waltz as Count Volpe and Perlman as Podesta.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio plot

Netflix describes this version of Pinocchio as "otherworldly" and one combines the original novel by Carlo Collodi with Guillermo del Toro’s unique vision. Here is the synopsis provided by the streamer:

"Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love."

Previous reports indicate how this version of Pinocchio is going to be different than the Disney classic or its live-action Pinocchio remake from earlier this year. This includes Geppetto having a previous young son who died.

The script was co-written by del Toro and Patrick McHale.

How long is Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio?

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio comes in with a runtime of one hour and 56 miutes.

What is Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio rated?

The movie is rated PG for "dark thematic material, violence, peril, some rude humor and brief smoking."

Guillermo del Toro movies

Guillermo del Toro has become one of the most recognized directors working today. An Oscar-winner for The Shape of Water, his other credits include movies like Blade II, Hellboy (and its sequel), Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, Nightmare Alley and, in line with the fairy tale aspect, Pan’s Labyrinth.

Pinocchio represents del Toro’s first brush with stop-motion animation, though he is not a complete novice to animation. He directed the opening credits for The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" in 2013 and has been a producer of a number of animated movies (Megamind, Puss in Boots, The Rise of the Guardians).

Krapopolis is an all new animated comedy from Fox, joining the networks lineup of animated hits that currently includes The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers and The Great North. 

Packed with hilarious actors and from the mind of one of the most popular television writers of the last 20 years, the delightfully named sitcom brings the world of mythical Ancient Greece to life. 

But when is Krapopolis actually going to hit our screens? Who is involved? Here is everything you need to know about Krapopolis.  

Krapopolis release date

Krapopolis officially premiered on Fox on Sunday, September 24, in a special time. It's next episode will be its first in its normal time with the rest of Fox's animation primetime lineup.

Krapopolis trailer

While we don’t yet have a full trailer for Krapopolis, Fox has at released an extended clip. This sees Tyrannis (Richard Ayoade) running a city meeting to deal with the arrival of a Medusa figure. We get a nice introduction to some of the main characters, the city’s inhabitants and the humor of the show.  

Krapopolis plot

As noted above, Krapopolis is set in a city in mythical ancient Greece. The burgeoning metropolis is run by Tyrannis, a human king. He's aided in his attempt to run the world's first ever city by a group of gods, monsters and humans. Unfortunately, all of these groups don't quite get along so well and they might just kill each other before they're actually able to build a civilization.

While at New York Comic Con 2022, Harmon explained that Krapopolis won't just be a "retelling of events" from Greek mythology. Instead it'll look at the "vastness" of the world, while "revisiting" certain figures, each of whom will then interact with the main characters. 

Krapopolis cast

Krapopolis really has assembled an all-star vocal cast, the lead of which is Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), who plays the kind and benevolent king Tyrannis. 

His mother, Deliria, is a goddess with a drinking problem, who looks down on the rest of the city, and is voiced by Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso). She is described as the "goddess of self-destruction and questionable choices."

Shlub is played by Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows). The father of Tyrannis, he is described as "oversexed and underemployed." He’s also a mantitaur. For those of you that don't know what that is, he's half centaur — which is a horse and human hybrid — and half manticore — a lion, human, and scorpion. He also "claims to be an artist and has literally never paid for anything."

Pam Murphy (Mapleworth) plays Stupendous, Tyrannis' half-sister, a pretty dumb but powerful warrior and a cyclops. Her father is Shlub, while her mother is a mermaid. 

Then Tyrannis' half-brother Hippocampus, a combination of a fish and a human as well as a scientist, is voiced by Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel).

We also know that Dove Cameron (Schmigadoon!), Tara Strong (The New Batman Adventures), Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde) and Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) have recurring roles. 

More than that, the show will features a cavalcade of guest stars, which include Susan Sarandon, Will Forte, Michael Urie, Jane Lynch, Amber Stevens West, Yvette Nicole Brown, Dave Franco and Ben Stiller, who voices Prometheus.

Dan Harmon’s role on Krapopolis

One of the most tantalizing aspects of Krapopolis is the involvement of Dan Harmon, who is its creator and executive producer. Harmon has had a long and storied career as a writer for animated shows, as he was the co-creator, writer and executive producer of Rick & Morty and Harmonquest. 

He's also been prolific away from animation, too, co-creating and writing The Sarah Silverman Program and Community, while he wrote the feature film Monster House, rewrote Kung Fu Panda and was a consultant on Doctor Strange. 

Harmon is such a figure of fascination in the writing community that the documentary Harmontown, about Harmon and his podcast of the same name, premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2014. 

Jordan Young, who is a producer and writer on BoJack Horseman, Drawn Together and Raising Hope, is the showrunner on Krapopolis. 

Krapopolis blockchain

Krapopolis is the first ever animated comedy to be curated on Blockchain. A series of NFTs called Krap Chickens have already been dropped ahead of the show's first episode, while in the future there will be access to special content and private screening rooms, invitations to meet-and-greets with the cast and producers, as well as other merchandise.  

How to watch Krapopolis

Krapopolis is a Fox show. The network is available on all traditional cable subscriptions as well as live TV streaming services like FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. You’ll also be able to watch Krapopolis through the Fox website. 

Cartoon fans have been waiting to see more from Bee and PuppyCat season 2 for a very long time, but the wait is finally over as the show is now available on Netflix.

Created and written by American animation, writer and comic artist Natasha Allegri (Adventure Time, Over the Garden Wall), Bee and PuppyCat follows reluctant hero Bee (voiced by Allyn Rachel) as she gets tangled up in the adventures of her mysterious cat (and/or dog).

The first full season was originally produced by Frederator Studios for the YouTube channel, Cartoon Hangover after two animated shorts and an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, and fans have been asking for more ever since the first season aired between 2013 and 2016.

Bee and PuppyCat season 2 has been in the works for some time now. The first few episodes of the new season incorporate moments from the original series to bring it in line with the new story which was long billed as Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space (per Polygon).

Here's everything we know about Bee and PuppyCat season 2.

Bee and PuppyCat season 2 release date

Bee and PuppyCat season 2 was confirmed years ago, but there was very little news about the series for a long time. On August 9, that all changed, as a new page for Bee and PuppyCat arrived on Netflix. It included a brand new trailer for the series, plus a release date of September 6, 2022. The full series is now available to stream.

The page was shared on the Bee and PuppyCat Reddit page after one viewer spotted the new trailer, and it definitely got a lot of people very excited!

Bee and PuppyCat season 2 trailer

By the looks of things, the teaser has not been released outside of Netflix, but fans were quick to share it on social media before it was formally released online. In the trailer, you'll see the two titular characters team up and jet off into Temp Space, getting just a glimpse of the fantastical worlds and creatures they'll encounter along the way.

Check it out below:

What's Bee and PuppyCat season 2 about?

There's not much official info out there about the series, but going off the trailer, we'll be seeing Bee and PuppyCat getting up to all sorts whilst working for the intergalactic temp space agency.

From the show's official website, we know that Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space will expand the lead characters' world even further, with potentially dangerous results.

The description for season 2 reads: "In Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space, the beloved lead characters’ world is even more expansive (and possibly in danger) as the pair combat problems big, small, and totally weird, all while trying to make rent on time. In addition to a new storyline, Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space will feature longer, half-hour episodes, along with an extended season".

If you want to get a better idea of what to expect from the new Netflix show, you can still enjoy the original first season of Bee and PuppyCat for free on the Cartoon Hangover YouTube Channel.

Want to watch Beavis and Butt-Head's return? Here's where you need to go.

The animated duo was last seen hurtling through time to the present day in Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe earlier this summer, and now Mike Judge's comedy characters are back for even more animated antics.

If you're a fan already, you can expect more of the same from the new series, as the synopsis promises that the pair "are back and dumber than ever".

But where can you watch Beavis and Butt-Head? And is Beavis and Butt-Head airing in the UK? We've got all the answers.

Watch new Beavis and Butt-Head in the US

Just like Do the Universe, the latest season of Beavis and Butt-Head will find its home exclusively on Paramount Plus.

The revived series premiered on the streaming service on Thursday, August 4, with the first two episodes (comprised of four stories, total) being made available at launch. New episodes will be released on a weekly basis. 

If you're not already a subscriber, Paramount Plus memberships start from just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 a year) for the ad-supported plan (after a seven-day free trial). If you'd prefer to avoid the ads, you can opt for the Paramount Plus premium plan for $9.99/ month and $99.99 a year. 

You can get a sense of the stupidity on offer in this new series with the Beavis and Butt-Head trailer, which you can find below: 

Watch new Beavis and Butt-Head in the UK

If you weren't already aware, Paramount Plus launched in the UK back in June. This means UK readers won't have to spend ages searching for Beavis and Butt-Head, as the series will also be found on Paramount Plus in the UK, too.

While you're there, you'll also be able to watch the recent movie plus classic episodes from the original 1990s run and the 1996 movie Beavis and Butt-Head Do America all in the same place. 

New episodes of Beavis and Butt-Head release one day later than they do in the US, so the series premiered on Friday, August 5.

In the UK, a Paramount Plus subscription costs £6.99 or £69.90 annually (there aren't currently multiple plans available) after a seven-day free trial. 

If you're a Sky TV customer, you can actually get Paramount Plus at no additional fee with Sky Cinema, which is available as an add-on to any Sky TV package for £12/month extra.

What is Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus is a streaming service everything from Paramount (formerly known as ViacomCBS). It offers everything from all the brands under the Paramount umbrella, including new and classic movies (including summer blockbuster smash-hit, Top Gun: Maverick) and a growing number of Paramount Plus original series.

Featured shows include the Halo TV series, everything from the Star Trek franchise and everything from Taylor Sheridan. Paramount has also confirmed that, by 2024, Paramount Plus will stream all Paramount movies after their theatrical runs.

As if that wasn't enough, there's also plenty of live sports on Paramount Plus that you can't watch anywhere else (in the United States)

In a case of incredibly inspired casting, The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray star, Samuel L. Jackson has joined the cast of Sony Pictures’ upcoming animated feature Garfield, based on Jim Davis’ iconic comic strip cat. With Chris Pratt set to voice the charismatic feline, the Jackson-Pratt partnership is more than a purrfect match.  

The movie is still in the early stages of development, but it’s never too early to imagine how Jackson might bring his role in the movie to life. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson will play Vic, Garfield’s father. Vic is an entirely new character created specifically for the movie, giving Jackson the chance to develop the character as he sees fit.

One of the most endearing aspects of the Garfield comic strip is Garfield’s personality, a flawless blend of feline superiority and pure cynicism, peppered with an appreciation of naps and lasagna. But where did his personality come from? Was his father responsible for shaping him into the cat we all know and love? There’s plenty of room for Jackson to make Vic a legend in the Garfield universe!

With an actor like Jackson breathing life into a new character, there’s no telling what might happen. On the one hand, Jackson’s Vic could play it straight, suave or sophisticated, or he could be the feline that inspired Garfield at a young age to be the cat that we all know and love.

Jackson has left an indelible mark in past roles like Marvel’s Nick Fury, Snakes on a Plane’s Neville Flynn, Jurassic Park’s Ray Arnold and Pulp Fiction’s Jules Winnfield. There’s every reason to believe that Vic inspired the ginger tabby to become the cat that made him famous and it’s more than likely that Jackson’s previous roles might influence how Jackson plays Garfield’s father in the movie. 

Nick Fury, Marvel

From the moment Jackson appeared on screen as Nick Fury back in 2008’s Iron Man, he owned the role. It was the dawn of the Marvel era, a time when no one knew what the future held for the comic book franchise that was making a run on the movie industry. Just over a decade later, Jackson is one of the most prolific Marvel actors and he's soon to star in the new series Secret Invasion on Disney Plus.  

Jackson’s Nick Fury has always been cool as a cucumber in the most stressful situations, with just enough sarcasm and wit to defuse tense situations. 

Garfield, too, is calm under pressure. Whether it’s putting up with owner Jon Arbuckle’s lack of respect or Odie’s relentless slobber, he always has a witty comeback and he’s ready for a fight. If Vic is anything like Nick Fury, it’s easy to see how Garfield would have learned a thing or two from him.

Neville Flynn, Snakes on a Plane

Who doesn’t remember Jackson’s memorable turn as Neville Flynn in 2006’s Snakes on a Plane? The movie’s premise was patently absurd and yet so delightfully brilliant. It’s one thing to be stuck in an enclosed space with no exit, but add in snakes, lots and lots of snakes, and it’s a whole other thing. 

Like Nick Fury, Neville is quick-minded and clever, but Neville is also supremely snarky.  (We all remember that NSFW catchphrase, right? “Get these [darn] snakes off this [darn] plane!”) 

If Vic is anything like Neville Flynn, then it’s possible that he influenced Garfield’s uncanny ability to find a way out of any situation. Not only is he a good escape artist, but he knows how to make other people (or cats) disappear. Yes, Nermal, we’re thinking of you and those one-way trips to Abu Dhabi.

Ray Arnold, Jurassic Park

Jackson had been in Hollywood for years by the time his role as chief engineer Ray Arnold came around, but Jurassic Park was a breakthrough role that introduced the talented actor to a wide audience of young and older fans alike. 

When things start going south in the futuristic dinosaur theme park, it’s Ray who stays calm enough to put plans into motion to save the day. Though his role was relatively minor, his “hold onto your butts” line is one that every Jurassic Park fan remembers well. There’s also Ray’s memorably tragic demise in one of the more disturbing jump-scare scenes of the movie.

Garfield is known for being cynical and downright acerbic at times and if Vic derives any influence from Ray Arnold it could explain a whole lot about where Garfield got it from.

Jules Winnfield, Pulp Fiction

With so many memorable roles over his illustrious career, it’s hard to really pinpoint any one standout moment for Jackson. However, it was his role in 1994’s Pulp Fiction that led to an Academy Award nomination and made him a permanent part of the cultural fabric. 

Jackson’s Jules Winnfield is a hitman who likes to quote biblical passages before he takes out his intended targets. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and he lives by his own moral code. 

This isn’t to say that Garfield’s dad is a hitman, or even a criminal, for that matter. But he could be a con man or a reformed con man and this might explain how Garfield has learned to manipulate situations in his favor over the years. (It’s no secret that all felines have con man tendencies…it’s what they do best)

The Garfield feature film is based on a script by David Reynolds, under the direction of Mark Dindal. The comic strip, which debuted in 1978, has always appealed to a wide audience and with Pratt and Jackson on board, the new movie is likely to introduce Garfield to a whole new audience.

Based on Aaron Blabey’s novel of the same name, The Bad Guys is headed to theaters, showing families just how hard it is for bad guys to be good in the world of animation. The Universal Pictures project hopes to join a long line of successful animated movies created with the partnership of Universal and Dreamworks, which includes Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar, The Boss Baby 2: Family Business and more. 

Here’s everything we know about The Bad Guys.  

When is The Bad Guys release date?  

The Bad Guys opens in theatres nationwide in the US on Friday, April 22. In great news for would-be viewers in the UK, the film is now in theaters.  

The Bad Guys reviews 

Although The Bad Guys has yet to be released nationwide in the US, the reviews are already rolling in. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 96% "Fresh" rating as of April 4. Over at Metacritic however, the film is receiving more mixed reviews. Again, as of April 4, The Bad Guys has a rating of 55 out of 100 on the platform.  

The Bad Guys plot

Dreamworks describes the premise of The Bad Guys as the following: 

“In the new action-comedy from DreamWorks Animation, based on the New York Times best-selling book series, a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws are about to attempt their most challenging con yet — becoming model citizens.

"Never have there been five friends as infamous as The Bad Guys — dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf, seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake, chill master-of-disguise Mr. Shark, short-fused muscle Mr. Piranha and sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms. Tarantula, aka Webs.

"But when, after years of countless heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, the gang is finally caught, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal (that he has no intention of keeping) to save them all from prison: The Bad Guys will go good.

"Under the tutelage of their mentor Professor Marmalade, an arrogant but adorable guinea pig, the Bad Guys set out to fool the world that they’ve been transformed. Along the way though, Mr. Wolf begins to suspect that doing good for real may give him what he’s always secretly longed for, acceptance. So when a new villain threatens the city, can Mr. Wolf persuade the rest of the gang to become … The Good Guys?"

The Bad Guys trailer

Universal Pictures was kind enough to not only release one trailer for The Bad Guys but two. Both trailers make the case for the film being a great choice for families looking for movies to watch in the spring. 

The Bad Guys cast 

Leading the group of bad guys turned "goodish" in the Dreamworks project, is Academy Award-winner Sam Rockwell playing the role of Mr. Wolf. The actor has been quite the force in Hollywood earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of George W. Bush in Vice and a win for his performance as Dixon in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. 

Joining Rockwell is funnyman Craig Robinson as Shark. Arguably most recognized for his roles as Darryl in the American version of The Office and Nick in the Hot Tub Time Machine movies, Robinson also has experience in the animated world. He’s previously voiced characters in American Dad, The Cleveland Show and Big Mouth. 

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Zazie Beetz is in the film. Beetz is having a busy spring as she is also celebrating the return of the hit show Atlanta.  

Here’s a list of The Bad Guys main cast:  

• Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf
• Marc Maron as Snake
• Craig Robinson as Shark
• Anthony Ramos as Piranha
• Awkwafina as Tarantula 
• Richard Ayoade as Professor Mamalade
• Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington AKA The Crimson Paw
• Lilly Singh as Tiffany Fluffit 
• Alex Borstein as Police Chief Misty Luggins

The Bad Guys director 

Directing The Bad Guys is Pierre Perifel. The movie marks Perifel's biggest directorial project of his career. However, he is certainly no novice in the entertainment industry. He’s previously worked as a lead animator on Kung Fu Panda 2 and Rise of the Guardians. Additionally, he’s worked on Shrek Forever After and The Illusionist.  

From the brilliant minds of Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, Wendy Molyneux, and Minty Lewis, The Great North follows the adventures of the Tobin family from Lone Moose, Alaska. Single father, Beef, struggles to keep his motley crew of children close to him, sometimes to an overbearing extent. One of Beef’s greatest fears is that his daughter Judy, who has a deep affinity for things artistic and glamorous will want to leave their world of fishing and working in the rugged outdoors, which makes his unwavering support of his out and proud gay son, Ham, all the more endearing to see. 

Much like David Rose of Schitt’s Creek fame, Ham (Paul Rust) is introduced in the world of The Great North as already out and proud. His gayness is just one aspect of his identity, and not the defining trait of his character. He’s incredibly absent-minded and frequently does things immediately after being told not to, and is arguably the most optimistic member of the Tobin family. He’s “Alaskan twins” with his younger sister Judy, (meaning they are only nine months apart in age) which has forged a powerful bond between the two. Compared to oldest brother Wolf and youngest brother Moon, Ham and Judy are the two least like their father Beef, but loved regardless.

For far too long, film and television has used queer characters as running punchlines are tragic vessels for drama. Queer characters are seldom allowed to just exist without being some sort of symbol or catalyst for the character development of the series’ straight leads. Ham Tobin is just a weird teenage boy who just happens to be gay. The Great North is constantly playing with gendered expectations, especially considering patriarch Beef Tobin is voiced by real life lumbersexual Nick Offerman, a man considered by a lot of the American public to be “peak masculinity.” In the hands of lesser creators, Beef and Ham would be in constant conflict over Ham’s sexuality, but instead, it’s just part of what makes Ham such a lovable son. 

Ham’s sexuality isn’t subtextual or ignored either, it’s still very much acknowledged throughout the series. The sixth episode of the debut season, “Pride & Prejudance Adventure,” centers on the Lone Moose tradition, the Thomas Wintersbone Memorial Ladies’ Choice Dance. As legend has it, Thomas Wintersbone was a teacher in the 1800s who fell in love with the school’s groundskeeper, Ruby, and was forced to survive outdoors in the snow for a year to prove he didn’t have an “indoor disposition” in order to marry her. After the marriage, Thomas had intended to build two identical next-door cabins because their love could not be contained by one cabin, but he died in the snow and Ruby spent the rest of her days living in one of the cabins with her “best friend,” Anne. Judy is thrilled to finally take part in the tradition and plans to invite her crush Crispin to the dance, but it becomes painfully obvious that Crispin is far more interested in her brother, Ham. 

Completely blinded by the town’s legend of a “traditional love story” to see the budding romance between Ham and Crispin, a heartbroken Judy sees the two kissing at the dance, and Ham’s precious little empathetic heart tells Crispin he can’t be with him if it’s going to cause his sister harm. Judy storms out of the dance and comes face to face with a Thomas Wintersbone poster who comes to life (Leslie Jordan) and tells Judy the truth--that he and Ruby were both gay and were planning on marrying as a cover. The two cabins were for each of them to be able to live their truth, and after his death, the town came up with a story that was more palatable instead of having to admit that he died because he wasn’t allowed to live authentically. 

Judy comes to a realization about what this means for her brother, and the brilliance of The Great North is that the emotional labor is not put upon Ham to teach her about his own happiness and how no amount of desire for a romantic legacy is going to make Crispin straight. When Ham finally approaches Judy to try and make things right, she stops him and tells him that she wants him to be happy and to be with Crispin. Despite being at the center of Judy’s disappointment, Ham is not obligated to take care of her emotional needs because he hasn’t done anything wrong. He and Crispin end up together, and Judy realizes she needs to go after someone because they have chemistry, not because it would make for an epic story.

The kiss Ham and Crispin share? It’s also likely the first portrayal on primetime animation in terms of an authentic gay kiss (meaning, not some joke moment on The Simpsons or Family Guy) featuring a series main character. Ham is gay--but he’s also a loving brother, a loyal son, a gifted baker, pure of heart, and awkward to the point of endearment. There’s a real comfort in the casualness of Ham’s sexuality, and even more knowing that he has a loving and a presentation that will hopefully start a trend across all forms of entertainment. Ham coming from a loving and supportive family shouldn’t be a breath of fresh air, but it is, and we can only hope that this de-stigmatized representation can inspire other families to be more like the Tobins. 

Back in January, on an earnings call, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, reaffirmed the streamer’s commitment to becoming an animation powerhouse. Specifically, he said, Netflix had its sights set on Disney: “We're very fired up about catching them in family animation, maybe eventually passing them, we'll see. A long way to go just to catch them." At the time, Netflix had released only three original animated features to date, but just a few months earlier, in an interview with Variety, Netflix Co-CEO Reed Hastings set out an oversized goal. “Our animation ambition right now is not just to step up and be as big as someone who’s doing it today,” Hastings told the trade. “We’re on a path to be releasing six animated features a year, which no major studio has ever done, on top of the very healthy slate of animated series.” This is indeed ambitious; most major animation studios are lucky to get one or two original animated features out the door per year. This output would be unprecedented. But it’s also completely within reach. Here’s how: 

Savvy Partnerships

The Mitchells vs. the Machines, an imaginative, highly original animated comedy debuted on Netflix and was pretty much all anybody was talking about on Twitte. But the movie isn’t a Netflix original. Instead, it was produced by Sony Pictures Animation and had been tentatively earmarked for a theatrical release last fall. That didn’t happen for obvious reasons, and instead Sony forged an alliance with Netflix. And it’s not a one-off either – later this summer, Netflix will debut Wish Dragon, a Chinese co-production (it was released in the Middle Kingdom earlier this year); and Vivo, directed by The Croods filmmaker Kirk DeMicco and featuring new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also stars as a singing kinkajou). Sony also has Hotel Transylvania: Transformania opening this summer, which still has a July theatrical release date (for now). But if the winds change, it’s easy to envision the fourth and final entry in the lucrative Hotel Transylvania franchise making its debut on the streamer.

And the partnership with Sony Pictures Animation is one of a number of alliances with top tier animation studios around the world that Netflix has forged in recent years. In the next few months, new projects will be unveiled from studios like Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (creators of the Oscar-nominated Wolfwalkers) and the venerated British studio Aardman Animation (creator of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep). And last fall, Netflix announced a strategic partnership with a number of high-profile Japanese animation studios to produce top-tier anime (including Studio Mir and Mappa, the studio responsible for the recent series Yasuke), broadening the scope of what Netflix Animation means while diversifying the kind of stories they could tell. Thinking internationally will serve Netflix well as it jockeys for animation dominance.

It’s also worth noting that they have teamed, in smaller partnerships, with renowned animation studios like Titmouse (who did the animation for the recent feature Arlo the Alligator Boy), Mercury Filmworks, Bones.inc and Chinese studio Pearl (formerly DreamWorks Oriental). And while their team-up with DreamWorks Animation on a bevy of animated television series is coming to a close (with DreamWorks shifting focus to Peacock, owned by their same corporate overlords Universal/Comcast), the already-created content should stay on Netflix.

A Keen Investment in Top Tier Talent

One of the things Netflix is very at is paying top dollar for the very best talent. This ethos extends to its animation division, and it has wooed some of the most groundbreaking and dependable talent in animation to the company. Klaus, the first Netflix animated feature, was directed by Sergio Pablos, a former Disney animator who had become a multifaceted figure responsible for the ideas that would become the Despicable Me franchise (for Universal) and Smallfoot (for Warner Bros). Once upon a time Oscar-winning Disney animator Glen Keane wanted to direct the story of Rapunzel for Disney; eventually Tangled was released largely free of his involvement. He finally made his directorial debut with Over the Moon for Netflix last year and netted himself an Oscar nomination.

Like its live-action film division, Netflix Animation has become a place where creators who have had long-standing passion projects can finally get them made. Later this year, Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion Pinocchio will finally be released via Netflix (the streamer will also release the feature-length finale to his Trollhunters TV series this summer), and there will also be a new stop-motion movie by the wizardly Henry Selick, who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas whose last film was Coraline back in 2009. And Richard Linklater, whose experimental animated features are always a joy, is prepping Apollo 10 ½ after a live-action version of the project fell apart.

And time and time again, Netflix has been able to woo contemporary talent away from the very biggest studios. Alex Hirsch, who created Disney’s influential animated series Gravity Falls, now has a deal at the studio (he also helped out on The Mitchells vs. the Machines), where he is slated to create original series and feature films. Chris Williams, a longtime Disney filmmaker who began working with the studio in the later 1990s, and whose directorial credits include Bolt and Big Hero 6, is working on a project with the studio for 2022. Ditto Mark Osborne, whose Kung Fu Panda spawned a franchise for DreamWorks. And the big gets keep coming – recently it was announced that Ronnie del Carmen, the Oscar-winning co-director of Pixar’s Inside Out, was headed to Netflix. Darla K. Anderson, a Pixar producer who won the Oscar for Coco, headed to Netflix shortly after she picked up her trophy.

It’s easy to see why so many creative people are headed to Netflix – they are given healthy budgets with very little creative oversight (one person I talked to on background referenced how these projects aren’t “noted” to death). Since the consumer products side is relatively light, there aren’t the demands being made by toymakers or theme park divisions. While making Over the Moon, Keane didn’t have an eye towards interactive experiences or McDonald’s toys; he just had to make the best movie he could. And Netflix supports the projects once they are done, with heavy marketing pushes and awards campaigns.

Also, while I’m focusing on the movie side of things, there is just as much awesome stuff being done on the serialized side of Netflix Animation. Two of the year’s best series, full stop, are Netflix Animated series – City of Ghosts from Adventure Time vet Elizabeth Ito and Kid Cosmic, from Powerpuff Girls and Wander Over Yonder creator Craig McCracken. These are brilliant, bewildering works of insane genius and they should be treasured appropriately. And one of the biggest, most anticipated pieces of animation coming this year is a limited series on Netflix – Maya and the Three, from Book of Life filmmaker Jorge Gutierrez. Part of the fun of these Netflix projects is watching animators you admire have full reign over their projects and seeing these come to life is nothing short of thrilling.

An Eye Towards IP

Just as Pixar and Walt Disney Animation have effortlessly toggled between original features and more sturdy sequels (for every Soul there’s another Toy Story or Cars installment) and DreamWorks built its brand on the back of cultivating franchises that produced endless entries (please pause to consider there are four Madagascar films including a spin-off and five Shrek films including a spin-off), Netflix understands that the key to its continued success is branded content that is easily recognizable and translates easily to television series and movies.

Already they’ve produced animated material based on properties like Godzilla, Pacific Rim, Jurassic World and the video game series Castlevania. And they purchased Millarworld, the standalone comic book company founded by Kick-Ass and Kingsman creator Mark Millar while also forging a partnership with comic book publisher Dark Horse. And the future is filled with a diverse number of animated films and television series based on beloved preexisting properties, including but not limited to card game Magic the Gathering, Skull Island (based on Legendary’s “Monsterverse” movies), The Terminator, Brian Jacques’ fantasy book series Redwall, and videogame series Tomb Raider and Cuphead. (There’s also a Kevin Smith-produced reboot of Masters of the Universe coming very soon.) Netflix is tapping into a cornucopia of well-known, well-liked and improperly exploited properties. Clearly, their emphasis is on original material and empowering visionary, underserved artists, but they know that they need to make sure the bottom line is taken care of too. These projects are just as exciting since many of them have never been translated to animation (or any medium, really) and knowing Netflix Animation’s verve and panache, these will be very special indeed.

And that’s how Netflix has transformed from an outside player into one the most exciting, electric animation studio on the planet. And instead of attempting to compete with more well-established animation studios, they’re having to up their game just to compete. That means more innovation, experimentation and technological boundary-pushing in the years ahead. We might just be entering another golden age. How about that?

Late last month, Netflix dropped the latest film from Sony Animation. The Mitchells vs. the Machines had initially been intended for a theatrical release way back in January 2020, but COVID-19 delays led to Sony Pictures cutting a deal for distribution rights with the streaming service. It seemed to pay off, as the movie, directed by Mike Rianda and produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, received universally positive reviews. And rightly so. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a rollicking delight with ten jokes a minute, and eye-catching visuals that encapsulate the frenetic chaos of always-online life. It’s exhilarating but never tiresome, wholesome but not saccharine, and full of hysterical moments that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Chuck Jones-era Looney Tunes short or episode of 30 Rock. There’s nothing quite like it in the current family-oriented animation market, and that’s great news for Sony. After years of struggling to find their footing in a crowded market where trend chasing ruled the day, Sony Animation now has a clear path forward as a unique and exciting force in the field.

Animated cinema is in a great place these days. One need only look at the work of places like Laika, Cartoon Saloon, and Aardman for proof of that. And that doesn’t even include stridently independent creators like Don Hertzfeldt, Sylvain Chomet, and PES, or the expansive visions of the medium outside of North America. It may be tough for some to see the big picture here, sadly, because, at least in America, animated films seem to have defaulted to 3-D animation with little room for experimentation. The Walt Disney Company may have made their name with traditional hand-drawn animation, but they seem to have abandoned it in favor of 3-D, although their favored narratives – fairy-tales, classic hero’s tales, musicals – remain firmly in place. DreamWorks was a titan for a while, mostly through its shameless mockery and co-opting of Disney tropes, but they’ve fallen in stature in recent years. Universal’s Illumination studio is wildly profitable thanks to the inescapable Minions but the critics have never warmed to them. The Oscars seem physically incapable of even acknowledging animation that isn’t 3-D and made by Disney or Pixar these days. For the casual fan or parent wanting some fun viewing for the entire family, their options may feel more limited now than they did even 25 years ago. This is a marked contrast to television where shows like Gravity Falls, Adventure Time, Amphibia, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power flourish.

For Sony, their output always seemed to be a carbon copy of whatever everyone else was doing at the time. Sony Animation was founded in 2002 as the sister company of Sony Pictures Imageworks, the studio's visual effects company who worked on films as wide-ranging as Last Action Hero, Starship Troopers, and Stuart Little. At that point in film, Disney's animation renaissance was over and the company struggled to establish its identity, thus allowing a plethora of competition to emerge from the sidelines. DreamWorks changed the game with Shrek, Warner Bros. had a surprise hit with Happy Feet, and Fox's Ice Age became a major franchise.

There seemed no better time to enter the market, which Sony did in 2006 with Open Season. While it made a profit, Open Season was dinged for being too derivative of other cartoons and its animation was called "uninspired" by Richard Roeper. Slowly, however, Sony began to find its footing. They established a rich partnership with Lord/Miller Productions that started things off with the quirky and vibrant adaptation of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. They teamed up with beloved British animation company Aardman on underseen titles like Arthur Christmas and The Pirates! Band of Misfits, and allowed Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky to make the monster-mash golden age comedy series Hotel Transylvania.

Yet in-between those moments where downturns, such as the truly awful Smurfs franchise and the execrable mess that was The Emoji Movie. The latter was such a transparent case of churning out a substandard product for a quick cash-grab that you almost admire Sony for the sheer shamelessness of it. As Disney reclaimed its crown alongside corporate pals Pixar and the Minions filled every other nook and cranny, companies like Sony Animation struggled. Copying their competition wasn't working and their artistic risks weren't paying off. What else was there to do? And this is where we enter the Spider-Verse.

2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a veritable kick up the rear for both Sony Animation and the medium as a whole. The unique combination of hand-drawn comic book techniques with computer generated animation created something truly eye-popping and unlike anything else in the genre. It was a beautiful superhero tale that stood tall even in the current oversaturated market, a poignant, meta-comedy with real emotional stakes that showed both animation and superhero cinema at its absolute peak. Critics went wild, as did audiences, and Into the Spider-Verse became the only the fifth non-Disney-Pixar film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It was confirmation that Sony Animation didn’t need to follow the herd or rely on IP cash-grabs.

There's still an overwhelming sense that American animated films must operate within smothering restrictions. Studios stick to the default mode of thinking that kids don’t need much to be entertained, or that they are unwilling to try new stories or aesthetics outside of the handful of ones we see all the time. It’s blatantly untrue and always has been, but can anyone step up to the plate to provide the alternative? Sony Animation have it in them to be that force, a vibrant contrast from Disney-Pixar’s patented gloss or the well-oiled Minions machine of Illumination. Coming soon, they will release Vivo, a musical with songs by Hamilton's very own Lin-Manuel Miranda, on Netflix, and the second foray into the Spider-Verse is coming soon. For animation lovers, it’s a bright future ahead.

• The best Netflix series
• The best Netflix originals

This post contains spoilers for Invincible.
Check out our last review here. 

While we all deal with the fallout of the events of the last episode, Mark (Steven Yeun) is coming to terms with the fact that he almost got half of his team killed. Whereas the previous entry into the series was a little jarringly edited, this gets back to the smooth balance of story and gory that makes Invincible work so well. But before we get back to Mark we see a truly horrific sequence where a drunk jock gets kidnapped and experimented on by a mysterious figure who mutilates him in a strange shadowy basement. It's a startling opening and one that leans into the gnarliness that Invincible does so well. 

As Mark tries to reclaim normality, William (Andrew Rannells) mentions he's going to visit a local college to see his crush Rick (Jonathan Groff), and Mark invites himself and Amber (Zazie Beetz) along. It's a gambit which he hopes will inspire his on again off again girlfriend to overlook his regular absences. Honestly, why he doesn't just tell her is... incomprehensible to me at this point in the show, but that's the classic superhero trope so we'll go with it. She's understandably sick of his nonsense, but she's also a teenage girl who has a hot and unavailable boyfriend so of course she's hooked and agrees to go with Mark and his friend. 

Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) gets to have a little Batman moment this week. Or at least the moment we all wish Batman would have. After her stint at the community kitchen with Amber she's come to a staggering realization. While chatting to Mark in his bedroom as he packs for his college trip she suddenly shares that helping people in her own community has taught her that she can actually do good on a ground level without waiting for an alien invasion or working for a nefarious government run organization. It's a nice little bit of character development for the hero and leans into one of the most common superhero fan questions: why not use your good for your own community rather than becoming an imperialist tool? 

While Mark heads off to visit college with his buds, Debbie (Sandra Oh) is still on a mission to find out the truth about her killer husband. It's something that we'll see explored as the episode goes on but one thing is for sure: Omni-Man / Nolan (J.K. Simmons) is unhappy about his wife's surprising detective skills. The show's other dysfunctional couple, Amber and Mark, set off to college and come across a very suspicious student. His maniacal monologuing doesn't manage to distract the teenage lovers from their dreamy weekend. While William spends time with his crush Rick, Amber and Mark traverse the campus and begin to plan their potential post-high school life together at the seemingly idyllic college.  

Their relaxing chat is interrupted as an enhanced cyborg jock attacks the student body. It's clear that this is the one-time jock we saw earlier. Amber's compassionate caring side kicks in and she begins to help injured people, but Mark is stuck between revealing his powers and helping or just hiding in the shadows. In the end he decides to compromise disappearing and returning in his super suit. It helps save the day but doesn't help his relationship with Amber who is honestly disgusted by his apparent cowardice. Again, this would have been a great time for Mark to tell Amber... but he's a teenage boy brainwashed by a terrible dad and an evil government org, so of course he just lets her be mad at him.  

In case you're worried about Mark's teammates--which he apparently isn't--Monster Girl (Grey Griffin) is still in the hospital and Robot (Zachary Quinto) is looking after her. It's a sweeter side to the mechanical hero than we've seen before, but don't trust him too much as Robot has also been making some kind of maniacal super creature--possibly with the blood he's been stealing from the kids--but we don't learn too much more about that here. Elsewhere, Debbie meets up with Nolan's super-tailor who has been going over her husband's super suit and makes a shocking discovery. If you've been watching the series you can probably guess what it is, but for the sake of surprise we'll leave a little vagueness here. 

Even though it's only a brief glimpse we do get to see Atom Eve being a small time superhero in the wilderness. She even uses her powers to make a very cute treehouse that honestly I could live in happily. This is a great thread and I'd really love to see Atom Eve get more screen time exploring her own powers on her own terms. And seeing as Amber was the one who inspired her, maybe she could join her? The pair clearly share a friendship and connection over the real tangible ways that they can help people, in a way that pretty much every other hero on this show struggles with. So maybe we'll get a little of that in the last two episodes, but even if not this is a great place to leave Eve as she finds herself. 

The final moments of this week are concerned heavily with Nolan. Not only his relationship with his wife which is swiftly unravelling, but also with his tailor who may or may not know too much. Since the very first episode we've known the truth about the world's most powerful hero but it looks like the final two episodes will see the rest of the cast of Invincible learn it too. The fallout from that will likely be just as brutal as the violence that permeates the show and offers up some of its best moments. So keep Mark in your thoughts and tune in next week. 

Invincible hits Amazon every Friday. 

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